A/N: Hi everyone! I've been meaning to write a kakasaku fic for ages, but couldn't think of anything...Until a few days ago when this wild plot hit me in the face. :) Finally I can put my degree in Psychology to use. LOL. So here it is! Rated M! you've been warned!

Title: Double-Blinded
Author: ktrekkie
Fandom:Naruto
Rating: M
Pairing: Kakashi/Sakura
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Kishimoto. I don't own anything and don't make money off this.

dou·ble-blind

adj [duhb-uhl-blahynd]

of or pertaining to an experiment or study in which neither party, the participants or the experimenters, know the critical aspects of the experiment. Double-blind procedures are used to guard against both conscious and unconscious experimenter bias and placebo effects.

Sakura was just finishing her rounds in the emergency clinic when Shizune tapped her shoulder.

"You're done for the day, Sakura. Thank you for all your hard work." Sakura put down the last patient file in its place.

"Thank you, Shizune-san. I'll be going now." Sakura turned to leave.

"Oh, Tsunade-sama wishes to speak to you. Make sure to check in with her before you go." Sakura gave a slight bow.

"Will do. I'll see you tomorrow!" she smiled as left to room and made her way through the long hospital hallway.

She wondered what her sensei wanted with her. She made her way toward the elevator that led to the top of the Hokage tower. Having the Hokage as a medic meant that the village hospital was always in close at hand. It was a precaution that meant the difference between life and death in serious medical emergencies.

Sakura had recently been made Jounin as she became the top medic nin in her field under Shizune and Tsunade, which meant a great deal to Konoha's hospital and medical team. She was often assigned to the emergency room, where her skills and expertise were invaluable. It also meant she was required to work long hours with an erratic schedule and often found herself exhausted and overworked. She enjoyed her work very much, though. Sakura had finally found her niche, the one area that she was passionate about and excelled at, which was a far cry from the weak and directionless genin that she remembered herself to be. She was proud of how much she had grown and matured. She was now on equal footing with some of the top ninja in her village. Sakura softly knocked on her sensei's door, before she opened it and let herself inside.

"Tsunade-shishou, you wanted to see me?"

"Ah, yes." She replied as she fished out a small white envelope from her desk drawer. "I thought you would be interested in this. The dream study being conducted by Konohagakure Intelligence Division has got one space left and I thought you would also appreciate the money. Each participant is compensated 100 ryo." Tsunade held out the envelope to her student. "A very nice incentive if you ask me."

Sakura took the envelope and stared at it. That much money for participating in an experiment? Though, she now questioned what exactly she had to do, she couldn't pass up the offer.

"Thank you very much, Shishou. I am interested, actually." She had heard about this study being conducted because she remembers them trying to get as many people as possible to participate. The intelligence division expressed great excitement, stating that these new dream study's were the beginning stages of what could possibly be a way to collect information from other people both seamlessly and undetected. It could mean a great asset for intelligence gathering missions. Though she would have loved to learn more, or even participate, she simply did not have the time and the energy and this point in her life. However, the envelope she held in her hand meant otherwise.

"Great. I'm also giving you a week off while you're at it. I know I've been working you like a dog these past months in the hospital. When you finish with the paperwork in that envelope, you can hand it back to me sealed and I will pass it on to the research team for you." Sakura's eyes widened.

"Oh! Thank you, Shishou. It was nothing I couldn't handle. And I will. I'll be going, then. Thank you again." She replied with a bow and began to walk to the door.

"Take care of yourself, Sakura."

Sakura nodded her head in reply as he opened the door and made her way home for the day. She was ecstatic with today's turn of events. Not only did she have a whole week off work, but she was now able to participate in one of the most groundbreaking studies to come out of Konoha. She quickly made her way home and opened the envelope to read exactly what she had to do. She kind of had the gist of what the experiment was about since a lot of her friends were also recruited for the study, including Naruto. She remembered, as he explained it, that you had to pick a partner, of a different age and a different gender to do the study with, and you were both given a serum that would make you both share a dream together. It was a brief explanation, but she assumed that the experiment has something to do with how the serum could gather information from someone's mind in an unconscious state. It was a fascinating idea and could prove to be an invaluable weapon on spy missions. She began to read the papers she unfolded from the envelope.

To whom it may concern,

You have been selected to participate in an experiment that will hopefully result in new and advanced information gathering techniques that will be invaluable to Konohagakure's Intelligence Division. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how the brain sorts information when there are two people participating in a shared dream. The experiment will involve a questionnaire, the selection of a partner, with whom you must complete your participation, ingestion of a safe tested, chakra-laced serum, and a recount of your resulting dream. You and your partner's participation will remain completely anonymous, as you will both be assigned a number, which will be your identification for the duration of the experiment. Our only information taken from you will be that which is gathered from the questionnaire you provide, as well as any subsequent paperwork submitted. Below is the list of the requirements needed for participation in this experiment for you as well as your partner. Two questionnaires have been attached to this letter. Please enclose the two completed questionnaires in a sealed envelope and deliver them to Lady Tsunade. You may then receive the serum with instructions from her the day after your delivery. Please keep your participant number as you will need it to receive the serum. A compensation of 100 ryo will be given to each participant at the completion of their experiment.

Sakura was beaming with excitement. The whole concept of dream interpretation was fascinating to her she quickly read through the requirements: ages 18 and up, in good health, and other standard competency requirements. It was the same for the chosen partner except, the only additional requirements were that they are of a different age than her and of a different gender, and that they were not already participating in the experiment. Apparently they were not too picky about who their participants were.

Her thoughts raced as to who she would pick to do the experiment with her. Since she could only pick a boy, that narrowed her search quite a bit. Her mind instantly went to Naruto and Sasuke, but they were the same age as her. Naruto was already participating in the study as well. She figured she should just find Naruto and ask his advice. She could get some insight on exactly what happens in the experiment, and maybe who she could pick. She folded the handful of papers back into the envelope, which she stuck in her pocket and left to find Naruto.

She knew Ichiraku Ramen would be a good bet.

And no doubt there he was, gobbling down what undoubtedly was his dinner.

"Naruto! Guess what!" she walked toward him and sat on the stool beside him. He turned, swallowing quickly.

"Eh? Sakura-chan! What brings you here? Tsunade Baa-can released you from her slave labour?" Sakura slapped his arm playfully at his question.

" Baka! Don't say that! I actually like working there, but I came to ask about that experiment you did. I got chosen for it too." Naruto's eyebrows heightened.

"Really? That's cool, actually. I think you would like it a lot more than I did. It was too much writing…and thinking…ugh" He grimaced, slowly getting back to working on his bowl of ramen.

"Oh, what happened? Who did you pick to do it with? What dream did you have?" She knew she was asking a billion questions, but she truly wanted to know. She wanted to know what she was getting into.

"Hmm, believe it or not, I asked Ayame while I was reading letter they gave me here at Ichiraku, and she agreed. It wasn't even that hard to do. When you get the bottle of serum, you both have to concentrate some of your chakra into it, and then before you go to bed you both drink it, then when you sleep you have a dream together and it's usually about something you have in common. In my dream we were both eating ramen! Haha! I guess that's what we had in common, so you write about it on the form they give you and send it back to them. That was pretty much it. Pretty easy, huh? Oh! And if they are interested in your dream, it said they might ask you do it again. Cool, huh? Not bad for 100 ryo" Sakura sat on the end of her seat. It seemed such an easy task to do for 100 ryo. And the whole experience from Naruto's recollection actually sounded fun.

"Wow, that does sound easy." Her mind raced at the all the possible things she could buy with that money. A new dress? A vacation? New medical supplies? The choices seemed endless. Speaking of choices, she began to wonder who she was going to choose to ask to join her for the experiment.

"So, do you know who you're going to choose to do the study with you?" Naruto asked before he took a big bite.

"I was just thinking about that. I have no idea." Her mind raced through several candidates. She decided she wanted to choose someone she knew well, that she was friends with. She didn't want it to be a distant acquaintance, just in case her dream happened to be about something personal.

"What about Yamato-Taichou? He might be up for it." Naruto knew how closely they have worked together over the years. Sakura thought about it.

"No, he works closely with Anbu. I'm pretty sure he's already participating." She thought about all her male friends on different teams, but they were all the same age as her. Who else was she close with?

Tsunade? A girl

Shizune? A girl

"What about Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto blurted out as he slurped in the middle of taking a new bite of noodles.

Sakura thought about it. It seemed he was her only option. She couldn't think of anyone else that fit the requirements that she would be comfortable sharing a dream with. Maybe Naruto could share one with anyone, but for some reason, a dream felt personal to her, and she didn't want to share one with just anyone.

"Kakashi-sensei might be hard to convince." She thought out loud. He wasn't one to jump in to help on his own initiative, usually. He might just refuse, being too lazy to do it at all.

"You both don't really have much in common. It would be interesting to see what your dream turns out to be" He continued to eat his ramen, smiling. It would be, now that she thought about it. Maybe that's just what the experimenters wanted.

"I think that's why they want your partner to be of a different age and gender. You'll have less in common"

"Ah, you're probably right! You should go ask him!"

"I will" She got up from her seat. "I'll go find him now. Thanks, Naruto" She smiled as she waved goodbye. "You've been a big help!"

"Don't mention it! Tell me how it goes after, okay?" Sakura turned as she walked.

"I will! Bye, Naruto!"

Unlike Naruto, Kakashi-sensei is usually a pain to find. It also didn't help that she hasn't seen him much since she became Jounin. With her erratic hospital schedule and a very busy mission roster, it was probably to be expected. If she remembered right, the last time she saw him was in the hospital after he came back from a mission. They had only exchanged a hello and it had been several months ago. She hoped he wasn't on a mission right now. She probably should have checked the roster before starting.

After checking some of his usual reading spots, she figured she might as well go to his apartment. She made her way up the worn concrete steps to the third floor of the apartment complex. She stood before the 5th door from the stairs and knocked.

No response.

She knocked again.

Still nothing.

She knocked again.

Just as she was about to leave she heard a faint rustling from behind the door. She waited a couple seconds before an extremely groggy and disheveled Kakashi was standing before her. His hair was a mess and he was wearing his standard mask, a sleeveless skintight shirt with his standard issue navy blue pants. She had probably just woken him up. And he didn't look happy.

"Sakura?" His eyes widened in surprise at seeing her at his doorstep. His anger vanished. "It's been a while. What brings you here?"

"I …umm… I wanted to ask you something…Can I come in?" Kakashi stepped aside as he opened his door wide enough to let her through. His face remained impassive, but she could tell by the air around him that he was curious about what exactly she wanted from him out of the blue. She made her way to his only couch in the living area as he sat on a wooden chair across from her.

"I must admit it's a surprise to see you, how have you been? I heard you're Jounin now." he leaned back against the backrest of the old wooden chair that creaked under the sudden weight.

"I am." She smiled softly "and I'm doing great actually. I'm working the emergency clinic at the hospital and Tsunade-shishou has been training me on how to do surgeries. It's a lot of work and a lot of hours to put in, but I am enjoying it." Her eyes always lit up when she talked about her work. "How have you been, Kakashi-sensei?"

"The same. Why, It seems like just yesterday you and the other two were learning how to walk across water, and regarding your sensei with utmost respect and reverence."

Sakura snorted

"Keep dreaming, sensei" she smiled as her thoughts came back to what she had come here for in the first place. "Speaking of which, I have a favour to ask of you." Kakashi's face showed interest as me leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees and his head on his hands.

"What's this about?"

"Remember that experiment the intelligence division started doing on dreams and almost everyone in Konoha is participating?"

"Mm." Kakashi replied. "What about it?"

"Well, I got chosen. And we need to pick a partner, and I was wondering if you'd want to join me…"

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. He seemed somewhat interested as Sakura went on about the purpose of the experiment and what they would have to do. How they would have to have a dream that they would both experience together, and that it would be interesting to see the results. After hearing Sakura pitch the idea, he thought for a moment.

"I don't know, Sakura" he started. "Don't you think it'll be weird since I'm your teacher?"

"Kakashi-sensei, I'm Jounin now, remember? Technically, I'm your equal now. And you haven't been my teacher for a while."

"That may be true. But, I'm on a short rest leave right now; I really don't want to waste it doing this experiment."

Time to pull out the kicker, she thought.

"Did I mention they're giving 100 ryo for each participant?" Sakura smiled her most convincing smile. She could see him working around the figure in his mind.

"Well then, when do we start?" he replied, sounding as if he was eager the entire time. This really was an offer he couldn't refuse though. They were practically giving away ryo.

Sakura handed him the envelope she received so he could read the letter. They moved toward his small table in the corner closer to his kitchen, so they could easily talk and do their paperwork at the same time. They decided to fill the questionnaires out at the same time. Sakura reminded him to make note of his number, as that would be his identification.

They sat silently as they went through a their booklets of diverse questions. The first couple were basic. Age, gender, education, family. Then the questions started to branch off from the ordinary. Favourite food, favourite colour, last time you traveled. They were really getting in depth with each question. It made sense though, with an accurate profile of who your participant was, the more you are able to accurately ascertain what kind of results to expect. So, she continued on until she came upon a certain question. She read it several times as her back stiffened.

When was the last time you had been sexually active?

Sakura paused and thought about her response. She was a virgin. What was she supposed to write? Did she need to be sexually active for this study? She doubted it, but it was an odd question nonetheless. She decided to just write "virgin" in the space provided. It's not like she didn't want to of course, it would be great to have a boyfriend, to experience 'the beauty of youth' as Gai would call it, but with her work schedule and with missions every other month, there was simply no time and no energy. She continued on with her quiz.

Kakashi saw her stiffen and noticed her apprehension at the question he knew was coming. 'She hasn't changed at all.' He thought.

She finally made it to the end of what seemed like endless trivial questions when finally all she needed was her signature, which meant her agreement to the terms and conditions: answering and recounting as honestly as possible, adhering to the parameters of the experiment and that she was free to opt out at any time. She signed her name gathered her booklet together, looking over to see that Kakashi has also finished. Her mind wandered to the possible answers he put for his questions. Especially, that kicker near the end. Kakashi handed his questionnaire to her to put into the envelope.

"So, when will we receive the serum?" Kakashi asked casually.

"The day after I hand in these papers." She began to seal the envelope. She quickly checked the time. "If I hurry, I can probably catch Tsunade before she leaves and we could receive the serum tomorrow." Kakashi nodded.

"That would probably be best. I'm actually back on the mission roster later this week." Sakura understood. Getting this over with sooner was better. She began to make her way out.

"Oh, before I go, could you give me your assigned number? I'll probably need it to pick up the serum." Kakashi scratched a series of numbers on a piece of paper and handed it to her.

"Thanks" She looked at the numbers. 2954831. Hers were 2954830.

'Should be easy enough', she thought

"When do you want me to come by tomorrow? With the serum and everything" She asked tentatively. Kakashi stood there for a moment.

"Come over for dinner." His eyes fell on her hand fiddling with the hem of her shirt.. "It's been quite a long time since I've seen one my favourite students" He stood there, stoic as ever. Sakura smiled.

"Weren't we your only students? You know, ever?" She asked, sarcastically.

"Yep." His one eye crinkled into what she knew to be a smile.

She playfully rolled her eyes as she turned the knob to open the door.

"Goodbye, sensei. I'll see you tomorrow." She opened the door and let herself out.

Kakashi, still standing in the same place, brought his arm up to rub the back of his neck. He wondered what exactly he had gotten himself into.

'For the ryo', he thought.