if you can guess where the story title comes from, you'll be super cool in my book.

the chapter titles/index is a playlist [which is now on Spotify under the story title thanks to ivypie]

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"Guys, this is the best!" Sakura sighed in pure bliss as she sank into the hot pool of water.

"I second that," Kurenai chirped from the right side of Sakura while Shizune nod lazily from the left. Various moans and murmurs of agreement float around the hot spring.

The group of kunoichi ran two days to experience this new bath house in celebration for Temari and Shikamaru's upcoming departure. They wouldn't be returning until next spring. Sakura supposed it wasn't much of a celebration if they were leaving, as much as it was a parting gift paid for and split between Kurenai, Shizune, Ino, Anko and herself.

Ino cannon balled into the middle of the pool at that moment, splashing everyone with a wave of water.

"Ino-pig!" Sakura growled, maneuvering her way to hold Ino's head under water for a few long seconds. Ino wrestled her way up for air, shoving her friend over. "You got everyone's hair wet!"

"Stop being such a scrooge, Forehead. Can't a woman be excited!"

Kurenai giggled at their bickering. "I'm excited to be here too, Ino. Today has been great. I'm so thankful we had babysitters around the same time."

"Amen to that!" Ino cheered. Sakura couldn't help but smile. Her friends thankfully still held their youthful attitudes, courtesy of the Will of Fire. Being ninja really kept the spirit up.

"What are you so excited for?" Temari questioned from her corner of the pool. "You've been rather enthusiastic since we left, even while running."

"In case you haven't noticed ladies," Ino raised her voice as she spun in a circle to stare down all of her friends. "It's been a year since we all escaped the village."

Shizune giggled, "Escaped, huh? I didn't realize we were imprisoned."

Ino jerked up out of the water, boobs jiggling as her fists cocked at her sides. "I'm serious, guys! We have to make more room for girl-time. We can't keep going like this!"

Sakura snort, but couldn't deny the truth in Ino's words. It was so rare for them to all hang out, even rarer to leave the village on extended stays since they had kids.

Ino point an accusatory finger at the pink haired kunoichi. "You most of all, Forehead!"

Said female slunk under the water to her chin. "What? Why me?"

Temari laughed. "Didn't you destroy a house, Sakura? That should explain itself."

"Hey! That was only because I was.. Um," Sakura trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.

Kurenai noticed her glum expression and questioned softly, "They're right, Sakura. Do you remember what we talked about? Have you thought it over?"

Sakura frowned. Her eyes tingled with salty tears, but she flailed suddenly, shaking off her emotions. "Yes, I've thought it over and I don't wanna talk about it. I don't want to ruin the mood."

Everyone was silent for a moment, thinking about what to do next. Kurenai was satisfied with Sakura's answer, either way. It looked like her mind was made up.

"Oh, hell no!" Ino growled and tackled her friend. "You're going to tell me! What's been on your mind? What have you decided?"

They wrestled for a bit before groaning against the ledge. "Gods, I don't workout enough anymore."

"Got that right," Sakura pant right alongside her.

"I'd like to know," Temari commented quietly, teal eyes watching any and everything else, but them. Such bashful behavior was unusual for the woman.

Anko groaned. "Are you about to get sappy, Temari? If so, please don't."

A scowl snapped over Temari's tan face. Waving her hand hard enough to send the female spinning over the top of the water, she snapped, "Try not to be such a bitch, Anko. Obviously, Sakura is going through some shit. We need to hear it, but more importantly, Sakura needs to say it."

"Yeah, make it real, Sakura!"

Looking around at her friends, Sakura gathered the courage to speak. Having their unwavering support helped the woman come clean. With a grim smile, Sakura pumped her fists. "It's over, guys. I asked for a divorce. The papers are being signed this weekend."

Ino and Shizune gasped. "What? Are you serious, Forehead?"

Sakura nod solemnly. "Yep. Completely serious. I've had plenty of time to think about it-"

Anko snort, "Ha, yeah, a whole year!"

"And I realized it wasn't working. It was obvious something needed to change after Sarada wasn't even sure who her father was anymore. I mean, he spends more time with Boruto and that's really not fair. Hell, I demolished my house because of it and… anything he could come back to. You guys were right to challenge me on this last year. I'm sorry we ended up fighting, Ino."

Ino shrugged with a loopy smile, tracing the faint scar near her ear courtesy of said fight. Kurenai nodded with understanding. "I'm glad you're making some decisions, for once, Sakura."

"You deserve to be happy." Shizune offered with a gentle smile. Temari wadded closer to comfort her as well, careful not to get her perm wet.

Sakura smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm trying to be. All these years I spent chasing someone, waiting for him to come home. Someone who never put his family first… He's always been distant and for a long time, I accepted that because I thought he would open up over the years. I thought if I hung on long enough, hard enough, just like Naruto.. I truly wanted to help him recreate what he lost. I thought he would be comfortable enough after Sarada was born or interested in training her when she came of age. I was really excited to make a big family with him. I was prepared to have a bunch of babies! However many he wanted!"

Kurenai and Shizune wrapped her in comforting one armed hugs while Temari urged her on. The woman seemed to realize how important this confession was. The desire to say it aloud, to have confirmation that she wasn't crazy for feeling this way.

"It took longer than I'd like to admit to realize a life in Konoha for Sasuke probably won't ever be possible. There's just too many bad memories with the people. Even Naruto figured it out before I did. Everything Sasuke went through was like a terrible scary movie, but worse. His history is more fucked up than any of us can comprehend and… All I know is that I don't blame him for who he is or what he's done, only that I need to know what it feels like to have someone love me back. For once. And to be honest, guys," Sakura inhaled deeply. "For a guy who wanted to revive his clan, we only had sex once."

Silence reigned for several seconds, long enough that chirping crickets became awkward.

Ino's jaw had dropped long ago, but she finally found her voice. "You're shitting me, Sakura."

Sakura watched the ripples in the water, embarrassed to look at the women surrounding her. She felt like a child again, with no experience. In a sense, she supposed she was. "I know it's crazy.. I don't see why he wouldn't want to, but he really didn't seem interested after the first time and with him being gone all the time, the fact that he steadily communicates with Naruto, even if he is the Hokage…"

Sakura smashed the water with a fist. "Damn it, either the man is asexual, traumatized, or he's gay. I don't know."

Shizune blew bubbles under the water, drawing everyone's attention. She glanced up to see everyone else's reactions. They all looked absolutely horrified.

Sakura splashed them with water. "Gah! Stop staring at me like that! I know I need to get laid."

"Uh, yeah you do!" Ino shrieked. "No wonder you've been such a bitch! Do you even own a vibrator?"

Shizune count her fingers slowly and then gasped. "That means it's been nine years since - Oh god, Sakura, you've been celibate for almost a decade!"

"Please," Sakura whimpered, drooping against the edge of the pool. "Don't remind me."

"You're basically a nun." Temari smirked.

Sakura scowled up at the older jonin. "I'll punch you, Temari." The woman laughed heartily, head thrown back.

Kurenai sighed wistfully. "I feel your pain, Sakura. It's been even longer for me. I haven't had a strong desire for it, though. No one has called out to me like that man did. My heart will always belong to Asuma."

Ino frowned at Kurenai. "You're so lucky, Kurenai! I used to have the biggest crush on Asuma-sensei!"

"Eh," Sakura made a face, "Pig, you've had a crush on everyone."

"By the way," Anko appeared suddenly, floating above the water with chakra control. "I'll have you know I'm as woman as ever, Ino. Girl-time is for sissies."

All five women turned to stare up at a very naked Anko, busty chest and glistening nether lips on display. They were stunned for several moments.

Suddenly, Shizune and Sakura screamed as jealous rage ignite within them. Flying bottles of soap could be seen and heard from the hallway.

"Cover those jugs up, Anko!"

"Stop being such a show off!"

"Hey! It's not my fault you guys belong on the itty bitty committee!"