He kissed her and Sakura found herself melting against him like she always did. His arms tightened around her waist, molding her body to his completely, and she moaned in the kiss; the kind of moan that she knew woke something primal inside him.

"Keep making those sounds and you won't be getting out of this room today," he whispered in her ear huskily, biting the soft flesh of her lobe, before refocusing his attention on her lips.

"I like those odds," she murmured against his mouth, running her nails down his chest, and reveling in the possessive growl that rose to his throat.

"Oh, hell. Not again!"

Sakura's eyes widened and she jumped back from the kiss, ignoring Sanosuke's grunt of protest.

"Heisuke?!"

"Anything we can do for you, Todou?" Sanosuke drawled, lazy smirk in place and one arm still wrapped around her waist.

Turning in the direction Sakura guessed the others were, Heisuke cupped his hands around his mouth. "Nagakura! Okita! Harada and Sakura have their tongues shoved down each other's throats again!"

The woman's moment of bewilderment passed quickly, and she flushed to the roots of her hair in embarrassment. "Todou, this is where you start running."

"Heh, don't take too long to…finish, Harada, Sakura-chan. See ya!"

"Todou! Come back here!" Sakura yelled as she ran after him. "Come back here so I can shove your face in the dirt, you brat!"

Sanosuke laughed as he watched the scene unfold, but then his eyes fell on the stack of pages on Sakura's desk. Picking it up, he skimmed the last page with a thoughtful expression on his face.

Knowing that he had a few minutes to spare, he sat down and started writing.

XxxxX

Konoha

Sitting alone in the Hokage's office, Kakashi shook his head at Sakura's letter.

My, Sakura. Seems like you went on quite the adventure. Can't say I am surprised.

He was ready to fold the report and place it in his drawer until morning, when something caught his eye. Something was written at the very end of the page, and Kakashi was certain that he didn't recognize the handwriting.

Curiously, he smoothed out the page and started to read.

Hokage-sama,

You do not know me, but I'm certain you have seen my name mentioned in Sakura's report.

I am Harada Sanosuke, captain of the tenth division of the Shinsengumi. I am also very much in love with Sakura and blessed by fate to be the chosen of her heart.

I have heard a lot about you. Sakura speaks very fondly of you and the years you spent teaching her. She also speaks of how you are the person that cares about her the most.

However, that is not quite true. There is not a person alive that loves her half as much as I do.

I understand that she is precious to you and your village, but to me…She is the air that I breathe, the blood in my veins, the light that chases away the shadows.

That is why I've taken the liberty of addressing you directly.

I say this with the utmost respect, but you are not allowed to take her. I am not giving her back, to you or to anyone else.

Even if you tear open the sky to rain steel and fire upon me, even if I must stand opposite you on the battlefield.

I will fight to keep her by my side, and then I will fight to make her the happiest she can be.

On my honor as a warrior, that is my vow to you.

Kakashi's eyebrow shot to his hairline as he finished reading the earnest confession. If he were to be completely honest, he was impressed. This young man clearly had guts and he very obviously loved Sakura. A lesser man wouldn't have dared address the leader of a foreign country just to tell him that he was willing to fight for the sake of a woman, especially when that woman was the aforementioned leader's beloved student.

Only insanity and love could drive a person to such foolishness. Kakashi chuckled.

And is there a more insane fool than a man in love?

The grey-haired man scratched his chin, eyeing the letter thoughtfully.

Won't you look at that…

XxxxX

Sakura,

Extension granted. Estimated time of return changed to "Unknown".

Inside this scroll you will find all the paperwork that officially declares you Konoha and Kyoto's appointed representative and go-between. Congratulations on the promotion.

Your new orders: Be happy.

P.S. For having to be the one to break the news to your obsessive teammates, I demand that you name your first child after me. And the next after Pakkun. Tsunade is angry that she'll have to start running the hospital again, but she'll come around. Does Kyoto have good sake? If so, perhaps you should consider making an offering.

P.S. 2. I'm still furious at you for not sending word that you were hurt.

You're still my favorite student so make sure to come visit often.

Love,

Your sensei.

Sakura gasped as she read Kakashi's letter, and she fumbled to find the papers her sensei mentioned. "He did it. He really did it…"

"Who did what?"

Sakura whipped around to see Sanosuke entering her room, looking tired after spending a good four hours in a meeting with the other captains. Letting the papers drop, she threw her arms around him, tears spilling from her eyes.

"I've been officially allowed to stay, Sano-kun. Kakashi-sensei named me Konoha's representative here."

The man took a minute to process her words, but then a deep sigh of relief slipped past his lips and he smiled brilliantly. "Thank the Gods." He grabbed her face and kissed her, stealing her breath away.

The pinkette laughed tearfully in the kiss, pressing herself closer to the warmth of Sanosuke's body. Setting her down, he picked up the discarded letter, as if wanting to confirm the news himself.

"Sakura, I'm not naming my kid Pakkun."

The woman giggled. "Of course not, Sano-kun. Although," she trailed off, tapping her chin in thought, "we should probably start thinking about names. We can't leave that until the last minute."

Sanosuke snorted. "Definitely not Kakashi either. Your teacher has a sense of humor-Wait." As if finally absorbing her words, he looked up at her with wide eyes. "You don't mean…?"

With a tearful grin, Sakura patted her belly. "There's someone growing in here, Sano-kun. Someone we made together."

Sanosuke swept her up in his arms, twirling her around in unbridled joy. He crashed her to his chest, showering her face with kisses that made her giggle.

"How long have you known?"

"I just confirmed it today. I'm almost two months along."

The man's eyes widened. "Two months? Sakura. Sakura, we need to prepare. We can't raise our kid here. We need to find a house. Preferably somewhere on the outskirts of town where it's quiet. Those sons of bitches, Nagakura and Okita, will have to stop swearing around you or I'll punch their teeth out. I won't have my kid listening to their foul mouths. You need to stop going on patrols to protect yourself and the baby. You can give me instructions on what medicine to deliver to which houses. I'll probably mess up at first, but-"

Laughing, Sakura put a finger on his lips to stop him. "Sano-kun, you're rambling. Take a deep breath and calm down. We have a few months to do everything so just relax."

Sanosuke pressed an affectionate kiss to her temple. "Are you…Are you scared?"

Sakura hummed thoughtfully. "I guess I am a bit scared. But that's only because I am so, so happy. I have so many people I care about that I'm scared to lose, you know?"

"You won't ever have to lose anyone, Sakura," he said earnestly, tightening his arms around her waist. "On my life and my honor, I'll protect you and the baby until my last breath."

She leaned her head on his chest, her heart nearly exploding with happiness. "I know, Sano-kun, I know. Having you by my side chases the fears and the worry away."

He fell to his knees before her and leaned his forehead against her belly as a deep breath shuddered out of his lungs. "I'm…I'm going to be a dad."

Sakura cupped his cheeks and gently raised his gaze to hers, using her thumbs to wipe the wetness of tears from the corners of his eyes; eyes that were looking at her with so much love that she wanted to weep.

"No, Sano-kun. You're going to be the best dad."

XxxOxOxOxxX

Ten years later…

"Yo, Sakura-chan!"

Looking up from crushing hawthorn leaves in a mortar, Sakura's eyes lit up at the sight of her visitor.

"Shin-kun! Welcome! To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

"That overprotective husband of yours finished his lessons early and asked me to check on you upon completing my patrols."

Rolling her eyes, the woman smiled. "That man won't ever change. Did he pick up Akiko-chan from Nakamura-san's place? Chizuru was busy today and I had to cover her shift, so I dropped her off at their house to keep an eye on her."

Shinpachi nodded, smiling brightly. "Yep! He and Ryuu picked her up right after classes ended."

Putting the crashed leaves in jar, she adjusted her pouch and skipped over to him happily. "I just finished up the last batch of medicine I have to deliver tomorrow. Want to come over for dinner?"

Nagakura's grin widened. "You bet, Sakura-chan. You know I never refuse a meal of yours."

Giggling, Sakura shooed him out of her medical practice so she could scribble a few last notes and lock up. With the door barred, she accepted Shinpachi's arm, talking and laughing as they walked the path to her home on the outskirts of Kyoto.

Sounds of clashing wood reached their ears before they even took the last turn, and Sakura caught herself sighing happily when the wind carried her husband and son's voices to them.

"That's it, Ryuunosuke. See how I'm holding it? Yes, move that hand a little bit higher."

"Like this?"

"Yes, exactly. Now, attack me!"

She watched as father and son clashed, shaking her head at their enthusiasm.

"Man, Ryuu looks more and more like his jerk of a father every day. No offense, Sakura-chan"

The woman patted his arm fondly. "None taken, Shin-kun, I assure you."

Grinning, the man started waving his arm. "Harada! Oi, Harada! I brought your wife back to you."

"Mom!"

Dropping the training spear, Ryuunosuke sprinted to where they stood, throwing his arms around her middle.

With an affectionate smile, Sakura dropped to his level and kissed his auburn hair. "Hey, Ryuu-kun. How was your day?"

"It was awesome! Dad took me to uncle Toshizo's dojo again, and I got to watch the lessons. Unlce Souji visited too. He told me to tell you that you should be ashamed of yourself for not visiting him more often."

The woman sighed, but an affectionate smile lit up her face at the thought of Okita. "That Souji…"

"I told him you're busy! Your job is really important, right? You make people feel better."

"That's right, Ryuu-kun. You tell your uncle Souji that." Sakura beamed at her son, reveling in the admiration she saw in his mismatched eyes. Ryuunosuke was a carbon copy of his father but for one single thing he had inherited from her. While one of his eyes was Sano's amber, the other was emerald green. Sanosuke liked to say that while inside the womb, Ryuu couldn't decide which parent was cooler, so he picked something from both. Sakura knew that deep down he took immense pride in the fact that both their children took after him. After all, it was no secret that Ryuu idolized his father, going as far as to wear his hair in the same ponytail.

Sano-kun and his incredible genes…

"Nagakura, why don't you take Ryuu inside to wash up so we can prepare for dinner?"

Shinpachi smirked at her approaching husband and reached for Ryuu's hand. "Come Harada junior, your parents want to make kissy faces at each other, and we're not allowed to watch."

"Shinpachi!"

"See you inside, Sakura-chan!"

"Want me to kick his ass for you?" Sanosuke said as he wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her closer to him.

Leaning her head on his chest, Sakura sighed in contentment. "Nah, you're not taking that joy away from me, Harada."

Chuckling, Sanosuke leaned in to kiss her sweetly on the lips. "Rough day?"

"It's flu season. You know how it gets." Linking her arm through his, they started the short walk to the front door. "How are the students?"

"The kids are learning. Had a few new enrollments in my class today. We might be living through peaceful times, but the world will always have need of warriors to keep the shadows at bay. We're raising a pretty decent new generation of samurai, if you ask me."

"That's good to hear. Ryuu-kun loves that you've started taking him with you."

Sanosuke chuckled, proud smirk in place. "He's the best of them. I gotta show my kid off."

Laughing, Sakura rose to her tiptoes to press a quick kiss to his lips as they entered the house. "Come, we got two kids and an overgrown toddler inside to feed."

XxxxX

"See, Ryuu? See how cool my sword is? All you gotta do is choose this over your bastard father's stupid spear."

"Shut up, Nagakura! Watch how you speak around my kids, you foul mouthed son of bi-"

"Harada Sanosuke!"

"Heh, sorry Sakura."

"Man, Sakura-chan has you whipped!"

"Shut it!"

From her place in the kitchen, Sakura shook her head at the two males' arguing as she cooked the rice for their dinner.

Feeling someone tag on the skirt of her yukata, she looked down at her five-year old daughter. "Yes, Akiko-chan?"

"Mommy, what does whipped mean?" With her golden eyes alight with curiosity and her red curls falling freely around her cheeks, Akiko was the picture of innocence. It was no surprise to anyone that she had her father wrapped around her little finger.

Sakura chuckled, dropping to her daughter's level. "Well, Akiko-chan, whipped simply means that daddy really, really loves me. That's why he married me."

"Like he loves me?"

"Yes, sweetie. Just like he loves you."

"Oh…" The little girl's eyes widened in awe, as if she had reached a conclusion only she understood. "Then I'm gonna marry daddy and have him whipped too!"

Sakura laughed as she watched her daughter run up to her father. "Oh, baby, something tells me you already do."

"Daddy!"

Sanosuke turned around just in time to catch the girl as she flung herself in his arms. "Hey there, princess."

"Daddy, I love you lots, so when I grow up, I'm gonna marry you and have you whipped. Just like mommy!"

For a moment, Sanosuke stared at his daughter's triumphant expression before chuckling and kissing her on the cheek.

"Of course, sweetling. And if any annoying boys ever bother you, you just come straight to me. Daddy and his Yari will have a really nice talk with them, ok princess?"

"Ok!"

Sakura covered her mouth with her hand, holding in her laughter with difficulty as she listened to the conversation between her husband and daughter.

I pity the poor lad that will come to ask for Akiko-chan's hand.

Putting some finishing touches on their food, she grabbed a large tray laden with plates and headed out of the kitchen.

"Dinner's ready!"

XxxxX

"I mean it, Sakura-chan! Hijikata is a slave driver. And he rubbed off on Saito too. I do feel sorry for Heisuke sometimes. Having to put up with both Hajime and Souji? Oh man!"

From his place beside her, Sanosuke snorted. "You're just saying that because you're one lazy bastard, Nagakura."

"Shut up, Harada! You're lucky I respect your wife, or I'd be kicking in your teeth by now."

"Oi, keep your voice down, idiot. You're going to wake my kids up."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Which kids? Our own, or you two?"

"Ouch, Sakura-chan! Ouch!"

"You'll live, Shin-kun."

Slinking an arm around her waist, Sanosuke smirked at Shinpachi. "Don't you have classes to teach tomorrow morning, Nagakura? Hijikata won't be happy if you're late."

The man huffed good naturedly. "You kicking me out, Harada? Sakura-chan invited me for dinner."

Turning to his wife, Sanosuke grinned. "I know I have to tell the kids, Sakura, but you too? Don't let strays in the house."

Raising an eyebrow, the woman smiled innocently. "I let you in, didn't I?"

"Oh, you sure did," he retorted, pinching her thigh with a suggestive wink, and making her jump.

From across the table, Shinpachi made disgusted noises. "Ew, guys. I just ate."

Sanosuke turned to him with a smug look on his face. "Nagakura, I say this with the utmost respect. Get the hell out. My kids are asleep and I'm dying to make love to my wife."

"Sanosuke!"

"Alrighty, this is where I say goodnight." High-fiving his friend, Shinpachi jumped up from his sitting position and rushed to the door. "Thanks for the meal, Sakura-chan! I'll leave you two to enjoy…dessert."

Sanosuke pounced the moment they found themselves alone, sweeping her up in his arms and pushing her against the wall. He pulled at the sash of her yukata, loosening it. It fell off one of her shoulders and he wasted no time in tasting her skin.

"Sanosuke…" she said breathlessly, and he grunted against her collarbone, digging his fingers in her thighs.

"Gods, I love it when you say my name." He trailed kisses down to the valley of her breasts, a hot trail that ignited a fire inside her. He attacked her neck with his lips, nipping at her skin with clear intent to leave his mark. "You see, I don't think I heard you scream it loud enough last night," he purred in her ear, biting her lobe. "So, I'll just have to work you harder."

She gasped, her mind already a jumbled mess of desire, and blushed. As always, it didn't go unnoticed by her husband.

"Aw, seeing you go all shy on me even after a decade of marriage is such a turn on."

"Sano-kun, you are insatiable."

He grinned at her wolfishly and guided her legs around his waist, letting her feel exactly what she was doing to him. "Look who I'm married to. You can't expect me to ever get enough of you."

"You flatterer."

"It got you to love me, didn't it?"

"Hm, I guess it did," she whispered as she pressed her lips to his hungrily, tightening her legs around him and slipping his red vest off his shoulders. He picked her off the wall and carried her to their bedroom, throwing her on the bed and climbing on top of her.

She whimpered against his mouth when one of his hands reached between the folds of her loose yukata and started rubbing circles on her thigh.

"Let me see and hear everything. So I can worship every beautiful part of you," he said, his voice heavy with desire as he undressed her almost reverently. "Let me hear that sweet cry of yours."

Digging her nails in the flesh of his bare back in that particular way that drove him crazy, Sakura glanced up at him through half-lidded eyes. "Make me."

Sanosuke smirked roguishly. "With pleasure."

THE END

I'm a cheesy bitch. XD

Wow…I never thought this story would get this far. Initially, I intended to write a couple of chapters, make this a cute two-shot or three-shot and mark it complete. But then I just kept wishing to see more of these characters together and I just kept writing and writing.

Thank you all so much for supporting this story, I loved reading your thoughts and I love you all.

Having said that, this story might be over, but Sakura's days with the Shinsengumi aren't, and I'll definitely return to this fandom very, very soon. I mean, will you ever get enough of Sakura and Souji and Sano and Hajime and all the other guys? I know I won't!

Other fics in my HakuōkiXSakura one-shot series:

"Fire and Silk" – (ChikageXSakura)

"Komorebi" – (SoujiXSakura)

"Jasmine Blooms" – (HajimeXSakura and rated M)

"Halcyon Kiss" – (ToshizoXSakura)

I'm currently working on and updating a multi-chapter SakuraXTwisted Wonderland fic, called "Down the Rabbit Hole", if you'd like to check that out. The chapters feature Sakura with a variety of TW characters, and range from fluffy to angsty to NSFW. I'd love to hear your thoughts on those too!

Your reviews make me really happy, so drop me one if you have a minute to spare!

Until next time,

Lots of love!