Author's Notes: And now that our couple views themselves as equals…on to some smut.

This epilogue is explicit, so if you are under 18 or don't like sexual content, hit the back button now.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Six Months Later

Sakura eyed the beautiful Houmongi kimono she had brought with some distain. The Yamakage was a man who adored tradition and extravagance, which set Sakura's teeth on edge. She hated when people flaunted power or riches, and she especially hated when she had to wear formal kimono outside of Konoha's gates. Formal wear made it difficult to move and hide weapons, and both concerns made Sakura unhappy.

"Maybe some shuriken in the obi," she pondered aloud. She could certainly slide them in easily enough, but worried they would rub against the material and cause tears.

"Stop pouting, you could have ended up wearing a Furisode instead," Kakashi reasoned from his seat at the small table that looked out into the lush, mountainous terrain that made up Mountain Country. He was already fully dressed and looking perfectly comfortable in his dark blue haori, black nagagi and light gray hakama.

"At least then I could have hidden all my weapons in the sleeves. And if he wants us to wear traditional dress, he should have assistants help us get in and out of it."

"Soujiro won't admit to not having enough assistants in-house to dress and undress everyone. He knows most of his guests will have their own staff assist rather than complain."

"Then we should be allowed to wear simple dress." She glanced in the full-length mirror, trying to tighten the lines of her kimono as she wrapped it around herself. Usually she and Ino took turns assisting each other when they dressed for events, and Ino was, admittedly, much better at creating the beautiful lines in the fabric and intricate knots in their obi.

"Here, let me help."

Sakura flushed as Kakashi came over and began to expertly wrap her kimono over the juban. He secured it with the koshi himo and then the datejime as though he went through the process every day.

"Appropriately suffocating?" he asked as he tightened the datejime around her abdomen.

"Mmhm." She picked at a piece of imaginary lint on the sleeve of her plum-colored kimono, a question on the tip of her tongue.

Silence dominated the room for a few moments, and then Kakashi picked up the soft yellow obi that complemented the peonies, nandina, and chrysanthemum which adorned the sleeves and bottom of her kimono. "What kind of knot do you want?"

Sakura sighed. "I hate you."

He gave her a peck on her cheek through his mask. "Liar."

As the Hokage, Kakashi spent a good portion of his time navigating—or trying to avoid—the more prominent diplomatic circles within the room. While Sakura had a prominent role within Konoha, she was low ranking at the party, with no real political affiliation and no clan name attached to her. Still, she, Shikamaru and Temari managed to make their way into some interesting conversations throughout the evening as lips loosened for wine and gossip.

"These people are shameless," Temari muttered once the three of them had reconvened near the outskirts of the party's perimeter. "They're practically falling over themselves and each other."

"The wine is quite good though," Sakura defended as she took another sip. She was limiting herself to one glass despite it being well below her tolerance level; she had no desire to be a source for gossip at this event. Her eyes roved the room, habit and affection causing her to seek out Kakashi's tall, solid form and hopeless hair among the groups of attendees.

"Hm, time to go," she commented, and Shikamaru and Temari followed her line of sight to see what had captured Sakura's attention.

"Any idea who she is?" Temari inquired.

"No, so it's best to go find out." As she stepped away from the couple and began walking toward Kakashi and a woman she could only see from the back, she heard Shikamaru make an ill-advised comment about women's overactive imaginations, and hoped Temari set him straight.

What she found as she drew closer was Kakashi engaged with the Mizukage's assistant, Noriko. Sakura was relieved to see the Mizukage herself, Mei, seemed occupied elsewhere; while Mei was always extremely pleasant and respectful, Sakura had learned the hard way that people enjoyed suggesting that a marriage between the Mizukage and Hokage would be excellent for diplomatic relations anytime she was in Kakashi's vicinity.

Six months into their relationship, Sakura didn't think she had the patience to laugh off the suggestion.

"Hokage-sama, I hope it's all right if I join you? I seem to have lost sight of Shikamaru-san and Temari-san." Sakura stepped up to Kakashi and Noriko with a friendly and formal smile before either could form an answer.

"Oh, Sakura-san! How good to see you here. You were Kakashi-san's student, correct? My, you've become a pretty little thing!" Noriko commented once Sakura came into her view.

Sakura resisted the urge to visibly recoil; she could sense the dread and discomfort coming off of Kakashi in waves at the woman's comment. It was one of the major factors—if not the leading factor—as to why no one outside of their inner circle still knew about their relationship.

"Ah, Noriko-san, you flatter me, but that was well over a decade ago. I studied primarily under Senju Tsunade, and I'm Konoha's Lead Medical Director at the moment. As a matter of fact, I have a meeting later this evening with the Yamakage to speak about the medical expansions here."

"I'm afraid it's as she says," Kakashi laughed. "Tsunade-sama must rightfully get all the credit for molding Sakura-san into the medical genius she is today."

"Ah, Noriko-san, have you seen the outer gardens yet?" Sakura asked, trying to steer the conversation away from the unwelcome topic. Noriko was quick to take the bait, and Sakura was just as quick to launch into an elaborate description of the history and meaning behind the different flowers to be found within the Yamakage's plot. Within a few minutes, Sakura had gathered a small group of enraptured guests, and they decided to set off and locate all of the blooms Sakura had named.

"You are quite good at that," Kakashi chuckled once they had sent the group off and were making their way toward one of the tables with various hors d'oeuvres.

"It's a diversion tactic Ino taught me. Many of the higher classes want to seem knowledgeable and sophisticated, so they'll eat up information on flowers even if they couldn't care less."

"I'll have to keep that in mind," he quipped. Sakura watched as he took a glance around, slipped the bottom part of his mask upward to his upper lip, slipped a small tart into his mouth, and lowered the mask back down just as quickly. She wasn't sure why it had never occurred to her prior to him revealing it that Kakashi would have specific masks for when he was going to an event where he would have to eat. The break in the fabric was just under his chin, and yet indistinguishable from his usual masks.

"You're quite good at removing that mask," she complimented him, her voice low. Feeling a bit daring, she stepped a bit closer to his side and let their hands brush together at their sides.

"Thank you. You know, I'm skilled at removing a kimono, too," Kakashi offered as he traced the inside of her exposed wrist with the tip of his finger. His smirk was apparent even under the mask. "Properly."

"Of course you do." Her smile was pleasant and neutral to hide the small shudder of excitement that coursed through her.

A few hours later

For propriety's sake, Sakura left for her room first, fully aware that there was a decent chance Kakashi may get caught in another conversation with a visitor or other official between the thinning gathering and her room. He would also need to send a clone to his room and notify his ANBU guard of his actual whereabouts for the evening. It was a complicated ruse to navigate whenever they were away from home, and Sakura was growing weary of the secrecy.

Since idling was never her strong suit, she spent the time setting out her outfit for her meeting with the Yamakage for later that evening: She was wearing her medical uniform, his traditional preferences be damned. She was not here to be play the part of a delicate woman to gain the favor of powerful men; she was a powerful, professional medical kunoichi with a serious agenda.

She was reviewing her notes for that very agenda—pacing the floor in her tabi socks, feeling too restricted to sit—when there was a knock at her door.

"Fresh linens," a feminine voice announced on the other side of the door. Sakura immediately went to the door, and on the other side stood a tall brunette with a stack a crisp, clean bedsheets.

"Am I going to need these?" Sakura asked in amusement as she opened the door to allow the woman in.

Once the door was closed, the woman quickly transformed to reveal a maskless Kakashi. He stuck a silencing tag on the wall next to the door and secured the lock. "I certainly hope so."

Once in the privacy of the room, Kakashi wasted no time in capturing Sakura in his arms and giving her a twirl as he undid the knot of her obi with a quick flick of his wrist. She laughed in delight as his free hand pulled the kimono loose at her neckline so he could nuzzle her collarbone and press teasing kisses along the small bit of exposed skin. His movements from earlier in the day were put in reverse as he pulled each piece of the kimono away, layer by layer, his playful mood simmering to something more intimate as he soothingly rubbed her ribs after freeing her from the datejime.

"How do you know how to assist with a kimono?" She wondered aloud, her eyes closed and body relaxed as he unwound the layers of fabric confining her and carefully guided both of them toward her bed.

"It's a good skill to have," he offered noncommittally, and she read between the lines easily enough: sexual conquest or seduction mission, neither of which she wanted to know more about. So instead she hummed an affirmative, letting him turn her about effortlessly and lull her into a comforting trance with his warm hands and gentle caresses with his lips and nose. When she was completely disrobed save for her panties, he sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her exposed body toward him to worship an erect nipple with a swirl of his tongue while he rid her of the last scrap of fabric.

"Ah ah, not the hair," Sakura suddenly exclaimed when she felt him reach up for the twisted pink strands, and he pulled both his hands and face away immediately. "I have poison senbons in them."

"I think I can handle those," he chuckled, his mouth re-descending and pressing against her pulse point, but he didn't raise his hands again.

"I don't want to chance it. I'm not spending my evening reviving you from self-inflicted poisoning."

"And how do you plan on spending the evening instead?" He murmured as his nose traced the curve of her collarbone.

"Preferably sitting on your face for awhile." She sighed dreamily, taking a small step back and placing a fingertip just under his chin. She applied the slightest pressure to tip his face upward and watched as his gaze clouded with unrestrained desire. "I have a weakness for having you under me, you know. You're such a pretty little thing."

The remark got the desired effect as they both laughed, and Sakura pulled her hand away to start working the senbon out of her hair. She had only managed to detangle one from the twists that made up her coiffed hairstyle when Kakashi seemingly lost his patience, and suddenly he was leaning back on the mattress, lifting Sakura up and taking her whole body with him.

"Kashi, the senbon!" She squeaked, quickly re-securing the one she had been about to remove and pulling her hands away from her hair. Her stomach gave a small flip as her body tipped forward, though she wasn't worried about falling: Kakashi's grip on her remained strong and sure as he settled himself on the bed and her against his mouth. She felt more than heard his pleased chuckle in response, and then all she could feel were the pulses of pleasure as he traced her clit with his tongue, adding slightly more pressure with each movement.

She moaned as he made quick work of reducing her to a panting, aching mess, and she repositioned herself slightly so she could drop her gaze and watch him consume her. His eyes were dark and lidded with desire and concentration, and she could feel him straining to hold back.

"More," she urged, giving an insistent tug at the thick gray strands intertwined in her fingers. His teasing tongue took another swipe at her clit, and then she could feel him slip his hand beneath her and slip two fingers into her folds. He began gently, but increased his rhythm with every stoke until he was pumping in and out of her at a relentless pace. She could feel and hear how wet she was, knew that she was no doubt soaking his face, her fluid dripping down his wrist and chin. The knowledge sent another hot spike of desire through her, and she rocked against his mouth to tip over the edge.

And then all too quickly she was keening, reaching her free arm out for purchase on anything that would hold her to reality. Her palm hit the headboard, and she moaned his name as he lapped at her release. Distantly, she could hear him hum in unrepentant satisfaction beneath her, and though he slowed his attentions, he didn't let up.

"Ah, Ah, too much," She cried as she came down from her orgasm, and he eased the pressure but continued his persistent slide against the over-sensitive nub with his tongue. His fingers continued sliding in and out at a languid pace, pausing every few strokes to pull out and tease her outer folds.

"You're not fair, Kakashi," she panted, trying to regain some leverage in the situation. It wasn't right that she was the only one overstimulated and climbing towards another orgasm.

"Oh? But this is what you wanted. And this is exactly how I like you," he countered, emphasizing his point with a bit of suction that sent her eyes rolling back.

"Fuck, fuck," and then she was there again, on the precipice of another release. She knew she could ride it out and take it, but she called out to him instead, her tone shifting to pleading.

"Come with me," she mewled, and then they were shifting again, she was moving in the safety of his arms until she was settled in his lap, her thighs trembling around him.

"When did you—" she whispered, surprised to feel the bare skin of his waist against hers, his hardness pressed against her folds in waiting.

"Shhh." He leaned up on his elbow and brushed away some stray moisture that had traveled the length of her cheek. It wasn't clear to her if it was perspiration or tears.

"I'm right here with you," he promised, that small, crooked smile reserved for her on full display.

She leaned forward and captured his lips, desire surging again as she tasted herself, a strange possessiveness igniting within her with the satisfaction that she was inside of him. She wanted him inside of her, too.

He let out a hiss as she pressed him inside of her, and she didn't give him any time to catch his breath before she was riding him, setting a rapid pace and pressing her hands against his still-clothed chest to have something to ground her.

Distantly, she could hear herself chanting his name like a mantra and his answering pants as they both grew more desperate and their movements more erratic. She could feel the bruising power of his palms against her hipbones as he crashed up into her again, again, again, seeking his own release. She finally cried out when the tight coil in her finally sprung a second time, and she relished in being able to clench around him and feel his answering release shortly after.

She collapsed against him as they started to come back down, and he easily accepted her trembling, boneless form and curled her against him. They laid there in silence for an unknown span of time, listening to their breathing slow and feeling their skin cool in the aftermath.

"Sakura-san, you're meeting with the Yamakage is in thirty minutes," a voice that sounded like Shizune called from the other side of the door. Thank goodness for that silencing tag.

"Duty calls," she sighed and leaned up on one elbow, disappointed that she had to untangle herself from him.

"It does. You'll do great," he assured as he always did, and he leaned up to tangle his fingers in her hair and lightly pull her back to him. He pressed a chaste kiss to her seal, then began to pull away from her so she could get up and get ready.

Suddenly, his eyes went wide, and hers followed in understanding and horror.

"Oh shi—"

"Whatever type of poison you have on those senbon, it's fast-acting," Kakashi managed, and then he was falling back against the soiled pillow, unconscious.

"Kakashi!" Sakura shouted despite knowing it was fruitless. After a moment, she sighed, taking in his shallow breathing and quickly sickening pallor, and pressed her hand to his chest to begin the healing process. Now the Yamakage would have to wait.

Kakashi certainly wasn't going to die under her care, but he was going to be miserable the remainder of their stay.

Thanks for reading and for your reviews!

The first two chapters of Kakashi's POV story, tentatively titled "Caffeine Cold", is posted and more will be forthcoming. While it will have Kakashi's take on some of the most important scenes from this story, there are many scenes where Kakashi is talking/reflecting on or about Sakura with other characters, so it isn't a mirror image of this story. There's also already sex scenes. How did this happen?!

I also have another multi-chaptered Sakura-centric story with established KakaSaku in the works, and another chapter of my KakaSaku college AU, "Colleges and Copiers." I hope you'll join me for the fun!