Sakura wore her pretty pink blush all the way home. Humming and smiling, she was so absorbed in her recollections she didn't recognize the lascive looks thrown her way. She strolled blissfully through the busy city center until a toned arm stopped her airy steps. "Hey, Sak"

His smell was pungent . "Oh, hey Kiba"

He gave her a cheeky wink. "Goin' somewhere?".

"Yes, home actually"

"What a coincidence", he said while picking a dry leave that had found its way to Sakura's hair, "I'm going that way too. Care if I join?" Sakura refrained from mentioning his house was all the way across town, in the big residential Clan housing. Maybe he was going to the hospital?

"Hey, here's a random thought. What do you say I take you out for dinner, let's say this…" He inhaled deeply, "Thursday night?" So that's what all this jazz was about.

"Oh. Thanks for the invite, but…" as she was trying to come up with a refusal, a different Alpha ninja started approaching. Akamaru growled. It was at that time Sakura realized there were at least five Alpha men surrounding them, all with the same pointed look on their face.

Sakura wanted to wack her own head. Of course, with her ovulation approaching and Sasuke being out of town, Alphas were bound to get these kinds of ideas in their hormonal minds of theirs.

Someone bumped into someone else, and next thing she knew a brawl had commenced. Seizing the opportunity, Sakura jumped and took the rooftops all the way home. She needed to deal with this issue and she needed to do it soon.

A strong orgasm woke her up in a sweat, contrasting highly from that brought forth by her nightmares. For a whole minute, Sakura couldn't think, couldn't move, couldn't speak. She couldn't even remember the subject of her dream, although she wouldn't need many guesses to get it right.

These nightly occurrences, Sakura named squeamishly, plus what had gone down with the Alphas the previous afternoon, pointed to an immovable fact: Her heat would arrive shortly. She didn't even wanna think how those close five days were going to go down for her - the memory of her past reclusion in Yamato's hut still made her savor the loneliness in her mouth. Sakura shook her head. Time to face the current day.

Around five to eleven, a knock on her door took her out from the medical tome she was studying. The ever-welcomed face of Shizune surprised her on the opposite side of the door. "Hi, Sakura-chan! Tsunade-shishou is wondering if you'd like to have lunch with us."

Sakura would love to, but… "Don't worry, we'll be done before your afternoon shift begins. We're inviting Naruto too!". In that case, she'd be happy to tag along.

"Let's go, then!", Sakura said merrily while fetching her house keys.

"Actually, you should go ahead while I pick Naruto up. Tsunade-shishou said she'd like to have a one on one with you before he arrives".

The Senju state was located in the very back of Konoha, not far from the Hokage Tower, as one would expect. From her ample balcony, Tsunade observed the carved faces on the mountain.

"Good afternoon, Tsunade-shishou", Sakura said, bringing her back from wherever her mind took her in those moments of abstraction. The smile that her teacher dedicated to her was true, and it warmed Sakura's heart being able to spend these free hours with her. She loved her teacher deeply and wanted to always see her carefree and content. As it often happens with the people we love, the tribulations of her heavy heart did not go unnoticed by her student, and Sakura was well aware of the everlasting pain that stabbed Tsunade's soul.

"You wanted to see me alone, shishou?"

"I did. But before we ruin the day discussing earthly matters, let's enjoy the view for a couple more minutes". The former Hokage seemed to be absorbed in thought, and her student respected her want for silence. Sakura not only loved her teacher, she also knew her well. During her many years under the medical prodigy's wing, she'd see her under all types of emotional states. Sometimes, Sakura stood guard outside Tsunade's office, as the Hokage took one of her booze-induced naps. Sometimes, she'd been a spectator of her eloquence, facing her political opposition with words instead of might. Sometimes, she'd hear her desolate crying, especially when either Shizune or her kept her company on a certain night in May.

"Dan… oh, Dan", she'd weep for hours.

"How was the trial?", returning to the present, Tsunade asked. Sakura was certain she had already been informed of the legal outcome, so she assumed her teacher was actually asking about her well-being.

"Better than expected, honestly"

"And the brat has already left, hasn't he?"

Sakura wondered if her teacher would ever approve of Sasuke. "Yes"

"Walk with me". They went down to the mansion's gardens. They were so large they could have been considered part of the training grounds, although it was clear that there were years of gardening work missing. A quarter of an hour had passed since her arrival. Sakura had to take advantage of the few minutes they had before Shizune and Naruto joined them, so she armed herself with courage and started speaking.

"Shishou… I have a request to make". Tsunade nodded. "I need help learning how to… how to stop having heats".

"I don't think I'll need to worry about…" Sakura swallowed. "... contraceptives for now, and anyways I've found more than one method that I could use if I wanted. But I'm guessing the heats won't happen unless I'm ovulating, and that so far has been a much harder topic to research".

"Are you telling me you want to sterilize yourself?" Tsunade wore a hard expression on her face.

With a nervous smile, Sakura shook her hands in denial. "Of course not! Not forever at least, just while…"

"While your boyfriend is away?" Her bluntness left Sakura red-faced and speechless. "I think you should do it. Wait, that is".

"Really?" Sakura wanted to hug her teacher for being on her side.

"It's not like you'll stop wanting him any time soon, am I right?" Tsunade sighed. "So yes, I will help you". As they spoke, they reached a beautiful red building, decorated with the Senju insignia and sitting across a pond. "Actually, that's partially why I've asked you to come today. Follow me"

With the serpent hand sign, she opened the double doors in the entrance, and Sakura peeked inside to uncover a large library all covered in a thick layer of dust. Tsunade walked swiftly through the endlessly long corridors, with a clear objective in mind, and the library mouse that lived inside Sakura's heart pouted with the missed opportunity of perusing around the texts. "You'll have plenty of time to wander in here later", Tsunade rushed her along.

Reaching her destination, the former Hokage opened a medium-sized chest sitting atop a desk. From it, she took a number of worn down journals and some scrolls. "These helped me a great deal back in the day. I want you to have them". Sakura wanted to ask how they'd helped her, but as if on cue, Naruto's unmistakable voice reached them.

"Baa-chan! I'm hungry!"

The four of them sat down by the table, which overflowed with delicious savory dishes and sweet treats. Tsunade cut straight to the chase. "I'm leaving. And I'm not returning this time".

Astonished and sadden, both youths tried interjecting, but the blonde woman raised her hand to stop them. "I only ever came back to help the Village in a time of need. Now that it rests on good hands, it's time for me to depart".

Unexpectedly, Tsunade's eyes turned glassy, even when she'd barely drunk two cups of sake. Shizune held her hand, concerned. "Shishou…"

"I'm fine, I'm fine", her voice was steady as ever. "Naruto, Sakura. You have grown to mean to me what my biological children would have, had I had any. I've given you my office and my skill set, so it's only fair that I also leave the Senju state for you to share. You're the official heirs of this house".

They were both rendered speechless.

Their sentimental lunch had been cut short by Sakura's Hospital shift. Tsunade and Shizune said their goodbyes, promising to return and visit the pair if they found themselves nearby. Sakura left with her belly filled with tasty food, her arms brimming with notebooks, and her heart touched by Tsunade's recognition.

As she returned home after a long and arduous day, she sat down with the intention of devouring her new literature, wondering if they were lab logs or maybe some type of ancient medical records, only to stare in confusion as she opened the first page. These were all… artless hiragama and katakana which reminded Sakura of her own old Academy notebooks, back when she was learning to read and write. She turned the pages in a haste, and discovered that at least three of the books were all written by someone who was either a child or illiterate.

"私は母を愛して

私は母を愛して

私は母を愛して

私は母を愛して"

"I love Mother…?" A child then, for sure. What was weird was learning to write by repeating such a sentence over hundreds of times, but who knew what the teaching techniques were like such a long time ago.

A yawn escaped her lips. It was nearly 2 am, and she had arranged a date with Kakashi at 8 tomorrow morning for all the things they needed to discuss before she went into heat. She hopped into bed and welcomed her well-deserved slumber.

Instead of meeting at the Hokage Office, Kakashi had invited her for breakfast over at one of the most popular coffee shops downtown. It was clear no serious conversation could happen there, so they enjoyed each other's company and indulged in sweets.

"So", Kakashi said after thanking the bright-eyed girl who brought his coffee, "any news you'd like to share with your old teacher?"

Sakura put a finger on her chin, pretending to think. "Well, I got an expensive gift yesterday".

Winking his visible eye, Kakashi continued with her banter. "Don't tell me you have a rich suitor". It was a usual hobby of theirs, to toss open-ended and teasing sentences back and forth to playfully feed into the straining ears of the ever curious villagers.

Trying to increase the suspense, Sakura didn't answer until she'd given her sweet tea a long sip. "I wouldn't say a suitor… I'd say a, what's the word, benefactor "

"So a sugar daddy". Sakura broke off laughing and soon she had tears in her eyes, unable to continue the game anymore.

"Anyhow", she said while drying the few droplets adorning the corners of her eyes, "I'm sure you'll get the paperwork soon enough. Although I'm uncertain about what Naruto and I will do with such a large house"

"I'm sure you'll find an honorable purpose for such an honorable place", Kakashi said, confirming Sakura's suspicion that he knew all along exactly what she was referring to. Was there such a thing as secrets in this gossipy town?

After the duo finished their breakfast, off they went visiting all sorts of establishments, saluting the owners and patrons alike, something she used to do with the former Hokage as well. "You know, Kakashi-sensei… with all these walks going around to meet people, some might think you're grooming me for the Hokage position", Sakura teased.

"If only I were so lucky, my good student". A smile blossomed on her face. She always enjoyed her time with Kakashi, and the older she'd gotten, the more she was able to understand his faceted nature. Her good mood changed abruptly, like a sunny day interrupted by a stormy cloud, when a sharp twinge of pain made her see white. The older man must have smelled her, since he politely took his leave from the weapon shop they were visiting and quickly rushed her outside.

"Let's go somewhere secluded", he said, holding her forearm (as far from her wrist glands as possible, she noticed), and hiding them behind a big building.

Less confidently that she would have liked, she croaked, "It's ok. I'm better now. Let's go to your office".

Once the pair of ninjas had arrived, with purposeful but calm strides as to not arouse any worry or suspicion, Sakura jumped right into everything she needed to discuss with the Hokage, her pain and heightened senses making her more pushy than usual. "Did you know they're whoring Omegas out in the outskirts of our country?"

The Hokage rubbed his forehead. "I wasn't made aware of any specifics, but I can't say I'm surprised".

"It's unacceptable". The anxiety cruising through her veins had her biting her nails. "We need to do something about it. I need to do something about it"

"I'm hoping you're not expecting to get my permission to do this right now".

Yeah, like she'd gone into a whorehouse during her heat. "No. As long as you promise you'll let me do it eventually"

Kakashi simply nodded his head. "I'll make sure to get someone to scout beforehand. I think it's better if you leave the village as little as possible. What else?"

"I'm working with Tsunade to get my heats under control", Sakura blurted out.

"Haven't ever heard it being possible, but if there's anyone I trust to get it done, it is you two".

His elusive answer reminded Sakura of something she'd wanted to know for a long time. "I've been meaning to ask you. How come you don't…?"

Kakashi interrupted her. "What I've done to myself is not the type of solution you're looking for"

"So there is something to be done then".

"Do you care for my advice?"

"Always, sensei"

"Talk to Sasuke before you take any extreme measures"

"I'm actually trying to get my problems off his plate"

"Maybe he think they're his problems too"

This conversation was starting to grate on Sakura's nerves. "Precisely my point. I'd like to stop being a problem for him altogether"

Kakashi gave her a pointed look, but was wise enough to drop the discussion. "Speaking of your heat", he handed her a folded paper. "I trust you won't find this too intrusive, but I've arranged a spot for you to spend the week, if you'd like to give it a shot". Sakura eyed the numbers written down: coordinates for a place outside the village, but not by much.

"I know I'm not your father nor your Alpha", he continued with a soft expression on his face, "but I hope you know I care for your well-being as if I was. For your sake, as well as everyone else's, I don't think you should spend these days in Konoha"

He pointed at the page. "This is a secure location where no unwanted visitors will annoy you. We've prepared it with your safety and comfort in mind". Sakura refrained from asking who 'we' was. Kakashi, Yamato-taicho, Tsunade, maybe even Naruto and the Judge from Sasuke's trials. People who wanted her to go away so she wouldn't bring additional problems to anyone else.

She didn't want to let Kakashi see her being upset at his mindful gesture, so she took her leave. "See you in five days"

Sakura stood at the edge of the village looking outwards. She took a deep breath, and warmed up her ankles. She wanted to make the 5 mile run in the fastest time possible - under 15 minutes, ideally. As per Kakashi's instructions, Sakura needed to go northeast through the Konoha forest until she found a clearing filled with sakurasou flowers. The place she was searching would be under a deeply layered genjutsu, and as much confidence she had in her capabilities, she preferred not to spend too much time standing idle in a single place.

Her heat grew nearer and nearer with each hour, and keeping focused was proving to be a harder task as time went on. There was no point in stalling - whatever there was in the cabin, it was surely better than what awaited for her in her own unprotected house. Sakura looked in her pouch and grabbed her pheromone-covering balm, resolved to daub herself with it, but when she opened it, she couldn't keep from gagging so hard she had to spit into the ground. What before was an unattractive but tolerable smell, had now turned into an insult to her own biology. "You're trying to trick me", her nose said.

She started her trek, hoping this would be the first and last time. She hadn't had enough time to continue studying the notebooks, and she prayed three weeks would be enough time to create a solution against ovulating. She really didn't want to do this ever again. "I'll find a way out of it, I'll find a way out of it", she conjured as the clusters of trees turned denser and the muscles in her leg, cramped. Through her bitterness, Sakura reminded herself to be grateful: at the very least, in this place the Hokage prepared for her, she'd be protected from any Alpha who might want to mate with her.

The genjutsu was really complex, or maybe her mind was already awfully clouded, she couldn't say. A stone with some funny markings gave it away; she recognized her old signature on it, the one she used with Team Seven whenever they passed messages around: a small five petaled flower. How obvious, how naive. The memory made her want to sob; her mind worked hard to point out to her that it was probably just her hormones.

Sakura broke into the house like a thief in the night; alert and vigilant, avoiding any noise that would give her presence away. Her senses were more than overstimulated, so she didn't even think to turn on the ceiling lights. The place was basically a studio: one square room, housing a big bed, a kitchenette with a tall and slender island table, and a sparsely furnished bathroom: only the essentials. Her nose detected there was food laying somewhere, but she didn't have an appetite, not for food at least.

A sweat broke through her and it made her wonder if the fireplace was on. Without giving it a second thought, she took off all her clothes, including her underwear. In preparation for this dreaded event, Sakura had reread her journal to the point of exhaustion, wringing out her brain in search for clues that would better prepare it for the unpleasant experience. She remembered the hot waves and cold shivers, so she'd packed bandages to wet and cool her skin as well as heat bags. She remembered having fantasies and hallucinations, and she remembered her deep desolation. But outside those memories which had been branded in her with fire, not much else stayed in the realms of her rational thinking, so preparing had proved challenging.

Something creaked outside the house, and an unshakable paranoia took over. Undressing felt stupid now. Without daring to look outside, she closed the curtains and hid beneath the cover of dark. Kakashi had said written about a seal that would inform him of any break-ins, but the Hokage was miles away, and besides, Sakura had never been able to fully shake her alarm that overtook her anytime she was alone in the impregnable and shadowed forest.

Laying in the cold ground, she whimpered. She shouldn't have come here, oh Lord, she shouldn't have come here, to this remote nook where no one could find her. The fine hair in Sakura's arms was raised, and with desperation, she realized how much she needed to be found. To be held. Why was she always so picky? Anyone would do. Anyone with a pulse. Anything warmth. Gulping away her fear, she jumped to grab her belongings with quivering hands. Where is it? Where is it? There! At least this way she could pretend not to be so alone. Opening the spherical container in haste, she had basically stuck her nose in it when a wave of nausea overcame her, making her run to the bathroom to barf. The ungodly sounds that came out of Sakura's throat proved how much of a wild animal she was, and coughing up spit and bile, the only hug she found was the one made by her arms surrounding the cold enamel of the toilet seat.

Hours later, once her previous neurosis had turned into sexual urges, Sakura laid on the middle of the bed, left hand softly circling her cunt. Images of a dingy jail cell accompanied her, and hadn't her sanity abandoned her, she'd be mortified by the lewd sounds escaping her lips.

The door cracked open and the object of her desires walked through the threshold. "Alpha", she whispered with a dry throat. "Alpha". Finally, her hallucinations had decided to make an appearance and join her. His handsome face was softly illuminated by the pale kitchen light which she'd had the presence of mind to turn on before her desires took over her mind.

The panther had arrived, and oh how she wanted to be hunted by him. She placed one of her heels in the bed, hips high in the air trying to seduce him, or was it him who seduced her, all covered flesh and harsh angles? The look on his face was delectable, nostrils flaring, eyes reddened, shoulders set. Oh, he'd missed her too. She was sure he'd missed her too.

As if he was approaching the cool river to sate his thirstiness, he kneeled in front of her, his eyes not leaving hers for a second. Alpha, alpha, alpha. He'd found her. She was so glad to be found. His warm fingers touched her inner thigh, and she involuntarily cowered. Had the ghosts in her imagination ever felt this real? Her lover recoiled, maybe confusing her surprise for rejection. She opened her knees further, uttering a single "please".

His hand grabbed hard at the junction between her hips and leg, reminding them both he was a fighter before a lover. She wiggled under the pressure, rushing him to fuck her already, when he lowered his chin and planted a deep kiss to her core. Sakura widened her eyes and instinctively tried to shut her legs close, but his arm was strong and his shoulder steady. "Open", he commanded, and like the blooming flower she was meant to be, her knees spread apart.

He was immobile for a couple seconds, red eye spinning, fixated on the blush on her face, her swollen neck, the two pebbled nipples that rose with her labored breathing, her bellybutton, and right when Sakura was about to beg for some touch, he stared at her pussy so intently she wanted to hide under the covers. Slowly, he nudged his nose against something in a way that made her see stars. His humid breath made her skin prickle, and when he stuck out his tongue and lapped long and indolently, she had to scream.

"M-more, please! Alpha, please!", and so his fingers dug into the soft flesh of her buttocks and lifted her up, drawing his entire mouth near her labia and kissing her hard. He continued licking all over her folds with a flat tongue, going down to her lower glands, which were by then painfully swollen. His tongue grazed them and his teeth nibbed at them, and Sakura lost it.

She gave a shriek so high-pitched and so loud her throat burned. "I-I, please, please!". The Omega felt the tears run down her cheeks, but the only pain she felt was the emptiness she withstood in between her legs. She rocked her hips back and forth, trying to convince him, but all she accomplished was displaying how utterly desperate she was for his hard cock. He put his digits beside her entrance and swirled them around, wetting them with her profusing fluids.

"Please, what?". The vibrations from his low rumble had her rolling her eyes into her skull. One of his fingers teased her, putting pressure on her hole without giving her what she needed.

"Fuck me". His long middle finger entered her all at once, but she was so wet and ready it didn't hurt at all. Mouth returning to her pussy, he fingered her and circled her clit with the tip of his tongue, both actions slowly, as if he had all the time in the world. Sakura didn't, though, so she supported her body on her elbows and kept begging. "Alpha, I'm so wet for you already, I reeeeally need you to… Ahh!". Sakura threw her head backwards, reveling in the fullness she felt now that her lover had inserted two extra fingers in her.

Whatever it was that he was doing with his fingers was working, at last penetrating her with the speed she so desired. Sakura was mindless, fully consumed by the pleasure that ran through her whole body.

"I've been thinking of you all day long, fucking me, owning me, consuming me" Had she had any presence of mind, she would be appalled by the words escaping her mouth; but since she didn't, there was nothing that kept her from expressing her luscious thoughts. "I've been soooo empty, I want so badly to be filled with your fat cock!"

He said nothing, still working on his ministrations, but the glint in those powerful eyes of his told her everything she needed to know. His hair obscured most of his face, so she moved forward and grabbed a handful of his dark strands, exactly as he found a new rhythm for his rubs that had her closing her eyes from the thrill.

"Look at me" , and she would have even without being an Alpha command. She'd do anything he wanted. Happy with her submission, he went back to sucking her bud, and the combination of his thrusting, suction and eye contact took her over the edge. Her walls clenched down on his fingers, and a mixture of profanities and sweet nothings came out of her mouth as she rode the biggest orgasm she'd ever had.

Sakura laid on the bed, taking big gulps of air, when as it did everytime she reached her peak, reality came crashing down on her: what had happened, where she was, and who was there with her. Instead of the shame Sakura had grown accustomed to accommodate, a deep satiety took over her body, and all her love slipped through her lips as she pronounced his name. "Sasuke-kun, you came "

The bulge in his pants indicated he clearly hadn't, but she was still too ecstatic to be embarrassed over the double entendre of her words . Drunk in love, she extended her arms and invited him to join her. "Get in here". There was hesitation in his eyes, so in a bold move that could only be adjudicated to her emotional inebriation, she went forward and grabbed his lone hand.

Sasuke sighed in defeat as he toed off his boots and climbed onto the bed. She returned to her previous position, hair fanned on the pillows, lips ajar. Her view was him, him and only him, his hand placed next to her face, legs on each side of her own, looking at her from above. His all-encompassing presence overwhelmed her senses.

Sakura stared at his lips, still glazed with her come, and she turned pink. She came to the realization that they had never kissed outside of their sexual encounters, and it saddened her. As much as she wanted to go forward and take his lips in hers, the high of her orgasm was almost gone, and her innate shyness had arrived with her unclouded mind. Maybe he was thinking the same thing, since his eyes had departed from her own to stare at her open mouth with furrowed brows. She feared making the slightest of sounds, lest she broke the fragile ambience that surrounded them.

Something flicked in his eyes and she feared the worst. Had he been moved to act by his rut, and was now too clear-headed to stay with her? Don't leave me, she silently begged. I need you . Sakura looked away, not strong enough to be face to face as he said his goodbye as she felt the mattress under her sink. To her surprise, instead of leaving the bed, she saw he'd shifted his weight and was now leaning on his stump, leaving his remaining whole arm free. This action brought them further together, his nose separated by the width of a hair from her face.

His fingers, pruney from her moisture, caressed her cheek and directed her to look forward. His long exhale blew on her face, and his eyes were almost closed when he pressed his forehead against hers. Sakura was taken aback by his gentleness. The harsh curtain that used to be erected between them seemed to have evaporated somewhere along the way, and maybe for the first time in forever, she got a peek into his very soul: more than anything, he looked exhausted. His eyes returned to her lips, and what would she have given to have the courage to close the gap, and let him know in a way he might understand: "Lean on me. Let me take care of you. I'll heal all your wounds"

For so long, she'd tried convincing herself into believing that what she wanted the most in the whole wide world was for him to be happy. But as he moved forward with the speed of a century, she realized that wasn't true. What she desired most of all was to have him be hers, only hers, and when his lips tentatively grazed her own, Sakura thought there was still a chance for her dream to come true.

The kiss was as sweet as it was profound, and soon their corresponding biologies responded to the invitation to lose into one another. Sasuke pried her legs open with his own as Sakura undid the buttons on his pants. Seconds later he was deeply sheathed into her, their eyes never ceasing their perpetual connection.

"I love you, Sasuke-kun". They made love until the stars evaporated from the silent sky.

*AAAHHH* For all of you who are tired of Sakura's misfortunes, here you have it :) enjoy it while it lasts lmao ? - Girl you RICH rich now, I hope it doesn't bring any kinds of issues for you down the path *side eye*
? - Whose notebooks are those? (Any guesses?)
?￢ﾙﾀ️ - Help Tsunade with what? (Any guesses? lmao)
? - Sakura and Kakashi are thick as thieves
? - Kakashi, why no rut?! (so many questions in this chapter!)
? - That was HOT!
? - They're so in love :)
? - Thank you for the chapter (no, thank YOU for your kind comments :) )
? - Please update soon! My eldest daughter has a cardiology check up tomorrow, so I thank you in advance for your good wishes ? ﾟﾏﾻ