"And then Miss Sano tripped on her dress, it ripped! And do you know who she blamed? ME!" Ino complained "I swear! Just because she is bests friends with our boss, she believes no one can touch her. Wait until I get out of here and take my father's place in the company. That will show her!"
I just listened absentmindedly while we ambled along the large courtyard between buildings. The last few weeks had been horribly warm and humid to even stay away from the air-conditioned rooms, and today it finally rained. The dew still clung to the newly installed gardens surrounding the walls and windows. Floral and earthy scents mixed with moisture danced with the wind, sticking to my hair and clothes.
I loved it.
"And, the worst part is, she DEMANDED I pay for her repairs and the drycleaners!" Ino stomped next to me, her hands waving in irritation "Why is it my fault she decided to wear stiletto heels with a dress longer than her stupid face?" I choked on my coffee. Ino could be very creative with her insults, even if they made no sense at times.
"Ino, she might hear you" I whispered, you never know who is watching. Gossip was highly frowned upon if they catch you. Sometimes I wondered if this was some kind of boarding school for corporate workers. "The accounting windows are right above us, and they always keep their windows open. At least don't say her name out loud." I reminded her.
Just like little schoolgirls, we created our own code system to avoid getting in trouble. You can't catch a rule breaker if you don't have proof – we go by that motto at work.
Ever since our collage years, Ino and I had learned to sneak between the cracks, maintain our reputation intact and our social life secretive.
I probably wouldn't have survived University and make friends if it wasn't for her. Even this job would not have been possible if she hadn't put in a good world for me. It was my duty as her best friend to keep her out of trouble as much as hers.
"Right… sorry" she cringed. A snicker forming on her features. "At least I can vent it all out before our break is over. Hey, look at those" she pointed at a small island of flowers in the centre. "Must be the ones brought in this morning. Quick, help me take a picture! " She gushed, her love for flowers spilling from every pore. Ino clicked her heels and fished her phone out.
"What are those called?" to be honest, they looked familiar, but I had never seen one's as beautiful as those "They look like lilies."
"They are lilies" she chirped "Purple lilies to be exact, they must have been specially ordered" her blue eyes shined. After all, purple was her favourite colour. She circled the island, looking for a great spot where the sun didn't shine too much or too little.
Well, you learn something every day. I'd only seen white lilies – not that I have much experience with flowers - Growing up in a farm, most of what you see are wildflowers - natures best homes for bugs. My mother would surround the house in lavender and father would trim the land often enough to avoid unwanted weeds to spread.
At least the chickens loved them.
Living in a city made thing much more difficult to see any kind of nature, unless it's been intentionally placed or grew from unkept homes.
Sometimes I wished I had a garden, or even buy a pot, but caring for myself was hard enough. Recently it became even worse. From one flu to another, back-to-back. It's been driving me nuts.
"Do you want to be on the picture?" Ino asked from the other side of the island, her form half covered by the flowers as she bent down enough to get a picture of herself and a purple background of lilies.
I wasn't one for pictures, I saw myself this morning with dark circles and tired eyes. "No, I'm fine" a series of clicks echoed from her phone's camera.
The flowers were pretty.
So pretty.
What do they smell like?
I've been having a stuffy nose more often than not, even my allergy medication couldn't help. I took a few more steps and bent down.
That's when the world turned sideways, and nausea hit me – hard "Ugh, Ino" I tried to call her, but my hands couldn't hold on to anything before I fell to the side.
"Sakura?... Hey! What happened?" I could hear her voice in the distance, but it became an echo before the world turned black.
…
A small beeping sound woke me up into a bright lit room. The blinding lights above me stirred a headache to life. "Good, you're awake" a voice chirped "I will fetch the doctor"
Doctor?
Glancing at the voice, I caught the glimpse of a nurse leaving the room. Said room was in a hospital. From the white panelled walls and windows to the clinical smell.
I sneezed.
Dam, smells are getting to me lately.
Wait - Where's my stuff!?
Trying to sit up in a rush, my head began to spin again. Now I remember.
The nausea. The flowers.
"Ino?" I turned to my right, a large set of windows greeted the busy streets lit with lights and lined with cars. The sky was now dark, and no stars could be seen through the light pollution.
Theres was no one here.
In front, a small working area with some shelves and a metal table next to a door. I'm assuming that's the bathroom.
To my left, windows facing the corridor and the door.
I tried searching the room with the pounding on my head. My arm hurt from the IV stuck to my hand. It couldn't be that bad if there's nothing else attached to me, right? My hands padded every inch I could to ensure nothing else was wrong with me.
"Mis. Haruno. How are you feeling?" a woman barged in, the door almost slamming open as her stride ended right next to me. She took her stethoscope and began checking my chest.
"I am fine" she brushed aside my hands when I tried to push hers away "There's no need for me to be here"
She clicked her tong "That's for me to decide" the nurse from before lingered behind her "At least you didn't hurt yourself when you fainted. So far, you both are doing fine"
Both? "Is Ino ok?" I asked, worry starting to grow in my chest.
The doctor arched a blonde brow and looked me over, her brown eyes searching "That's the blonde who brought you? He didn't look like an Ino to me"
He?
"He left just before you woke up" the nurse popped her head from behind the blonde doctor with an apologetic smile "You weren't waking up, it's almost midnight"
"Midnight!" I couldn't cover my surprise. Our lunch break was around two… "I've been out for 10 hours?" I turned to the doctor with pleading eyes "What happened?"
Her eyes narrowed before warming up a little "It's normal for Omega's to sleep a lot during pregnancy, I am surprised you didn't have any medical records with us." Her words made no sense to me while she looked over her clipboard "Don't worry, the company you work with has an agreement with our hospital, the costs will be covered. Our Facilities have the best care to offer, and your pack can pick you up in the morning"
What Omega?
Pregnant?
Pack?
"What hospital is this?" I mumbled out the only coherent thought I had. Who was this woman speaking to? She said my last name… how many other women must share my name, I don't know – I haven't met any – "Are you sure I'm the right person?"
Both sets of brows raised in alarm. Quickly, the nurse grabbed her files and scanned them "This is the Senju Hospital"
Oh.
Oh yeah.
The private and EXPENSIVE hospital owned by the Senju family.
… no big deal.
"I feel sick"
"You should be." The doctor scolded "You are dehydrated and malnourished for your condition. What were you thinking going to work like this? Who is your doctor?" her voice was stern like a mother scolding her child.
"Haruno Sakura?" the nurse confirmed "This is you, right?" I nodded and she continued "Did you hit your head?" her voice showed real concern, she walked around the doctor to press on my temples and search my eyes.
I gently pushed her hands away "No, I fell on a patch of flowers…" I cringed at the memory, those must have been expensive… and newly planted… I can't imagine anyone would be happy about that "But I am not the pregnant omega you're looking for…?" my voice was meek, unsure and confused the more I spoke sounding almost like a question at the end.
The blonde doctor finally realised my confusion, her eyes widening in clinical shock as the nurse let her mouth hang open and turn to the doctor and back at me. "We ran some tests" the nurse began, carefully speaking in a gentle tone "The Alfa that brought you mentioned a woman hoovering over an omega who collapsed" her hand landed on my shoulder, squeezing lightly "Your results came back positive for omega hormones…"
My breath hitched.
Suddenly, my mouth felt dry. I wanted to tell them how wrong they were, to redo the tests. I remember having all my tests completed a few months ago, the free clinic I visit for my general checkups, they never mentioned any of this. Specially since the job I got demanded a full panel to confirm my lack of a second gender – a Beta.
I had never presented as anything else. There was little I knew about the second genders, mostly because I didn't belong to that world. All I knew was that I had always been part of the majority who didn't present and would never have to worry about the societal stigma and pressure the minority had to endure.
It was a Second Society of sorts.
They had their own rules and even the government ensured they had a registry and track on their moves since most people with a second gender had enhanced "abilities" most common folk didn't enjoy – or had to endure.
Being taller, stronger, smarter, you name it. They just seemed to be prodigies in many aspects of life. However, just as much as a man could grow to be strong as an ox, they also suffer from the same enhancements of their gender.
From having anger issues to attracting the wrong attention.
Recently, there was a case that hit the news and became viral. A woman - under the designation of a beta who did not present her second gender - attacked another woman – designated an alfa who did present a second gender, a rare designation – after a jealous rage.
The scene was gruesome.
Police were called by a neighbour complaining over a loud disturbance next door, after barging in, they found the Alfa woman standing over a shouting Beta who was covered in blood.
It was the Alfas blood.
Woman A was stabbed in the back by woman B and they fought. Woman A trying to get away and subdue woman B. Thanks to her second gender, her body was stronger and managed to stay alert after losing too much blood and had a full recovery.
Woman B was sent to a mental evaluation, and she only had a few bruises from being woman A defending herself.
Their names, identities and everything was kept anonymous, the public did not have to hunt down an Alfa woman. It was a right those with a second gender had to keep it hidden.
Hospitals and schools hold strict confidentiality agreements and provide the Alfas and Omegas everything they need to keep their designation hidden – unless they want to.
Generally speaking, unless you are bonded, being a single Alfa or Omegas was not good in public – people get jealous and even overly hipped at the prospect of an available second gender in the mix.
With this, they can just walk amongst everyone, have a job, friends and a completely normal life out in the open. Behind closed doors, the second society have their own world.
I world I did not want to know.
"No…" I shook my head "Run the tests again, it has to be wrong" I insisted. Shivers ran though me, the need to run and hide breaking my skin in goosebumps.
The doctor walked to the door and closed it after making sure no one was lurking. She turned to the windows and closed the blinds. "Sakura, we can run more tests" I couldn't help but note the change in her approach "But we are sure of this" now standing in front of the bed, she urged the nurse to hand over a document "Those tests results don't lie… you are about seven weeks pregnant and an Omega. We will know more once you have your first ultrasound. But we must start the prenatal cares right away."
My mind went blank as she continued on about vitamins, supplements, foods to avoid, and what not.
"Sakura, listen to me" she shook me back to reality "The Omega hormones in your body are active and strong. We will run more tests to pinpoint when they began. Judging by your reaction, you had no idea. However, that baby needs you right now… unless…"
Her silence was deafening "Never" I stated, a little more strength on my voice "I've always wanted…" I choked out. My shaking hands reached for my stomach.
Pregnant? Me?
I remember all those doctor visits, the bad news and the tests always coming up the same. 'Negative' on all the at home tests and blood tests.
'You cannot conceive' they said with disapproval laced in every word.
'We can keep trying, but the odds are scarce' some doctors proposed, with little to no hope in me.
'I am sorry Mis Haruno, your body is healthy, but your womb refuses to carry a pregnancy'
Those were the words that hit the most.
Being told you, as a woman with a normal and healthy body, cannot do the one thing your body was built to do.
The words that turned people in my life cold and detached. The pity lasted for a second before I was blamed for not being good enough, not woman enough.
It took me years to understand – they were all wrong – just because I couldn't carry, that didn't mean I wasn't who I was. It didn't make me any better or any less than anyone. I still felt pain and happiness just like everyone else.
I was still human.
Meeting other women like me, those who tried until it worked; those who lost more than they would manage before learning to find peace and love in other ways; the strong women who had little resources but much more love to give.
Adoption was always an option – difficult and complicated – and even those who could afford the other costly options, suffered greatly until it worked… or they stopped.
At the end of the day, a woman can be a mother without having to bear their own child. I learned that, I knew it was going to turn most possibilities for a normal relationship a little trickier. But it was all still possible.
And if it didn't happen, at least I tried.
I couldn't let the sadness rule over my life, those words held no power over me anymore. This was my life, and I decided how to live it.
"I want this baby" I stated, no room for argument. "Just tell me what to do"
After a few moments of thought, a proud smile erupted on the doctor "Then turn that dumb face into a smart one!" she laughed "Only an Alfa can knot and impregnate an Omega, it seems your hormones caused your body to become more fertile, otherwise you would have to be in heat to become pregnant and that is not something you can live without noticing, and you clearly don't use any contraceptive – Omegas use a special kind. You are an Omega now, a pregnant one at that. The rare instances I have found women your age wake up their second gender have always involved a scent match with another Alfa and his pack"
Again, her words only confused me… KNOT!?
I think I'll faint… my blush reached my neck, and I felt the heat hit my ears.
"Where is that Alfa? What's the name of the pack?" the nurse interjected sweetly. Her hands ready to write down information… I didn't have.
I blinked.
And then I blinked again.
Since my last failed relationship ended quite badly… extremely bad. I made sure to renew the restraining order before it's due to expire every year.
I became celibate since then. Making rules for myself about dating and meeting new people. No strangers, no ignoring red flags, run everyone through Ino first – she made that rule, I just agree with it – learn their real names, make sure they truly are single and available and do not – ever – sleep with anyone on the first date, or the next.
'If he doesn't put you above, don't get under'
Ino would say. Implying how it should be stated in a relationship to become serious and add a tittle such as "Girlfriend or Boyfriend" before you let them disrespect you in the sheets… or something like that.
Let's just say this motto and all my paranoia had caused all the men to run away.
I just stopped trying.
I didn't have time or energy to date, even if I had, I didn't want to. I loved having time to myself, going out, giving myself a treat here and there. Being single was great.
Besides, I already had my heart taken – rather -divided.
I had seen them many times, either at work – from afar – or at the many events Izumi would send me off to. They made it all worth it when I was exhausted, and my feet were killing me. Just getting to see them made my heart flip.
I would never get too close; their presence was overwhelming even from afar. They were all tall, broad shoulders and handsome faces.
And their voices.
Dam, that was enough to make you putty.
I was like a moth drooling over the sun each time. I knew I'd only burn into a blushing mess if I ever stood too close.
I was contempt with the little – ok, big – crush.
Since they were similar but worlds of a difference, it was easy to let my fantasies be just that, a fantasy.
Last event though… "Oh my god." The words blurted out of my traitorous lips. Unfortunately, both the nurse and the doctor heard me loud and clear.
Realization daunting on them.
"Don't tell me you had a one-night stand with an Alfa" the blonde doctor worded, incredulously, mortification settled on her features after I nodded. "Well, Sakura… you are fucked." She concluded. Taking a deep breath and composing herself. Her hands landing on her hips.
"Doctor Tsunade!" the nurse shushed her "Sorry, Sakura. We just don't have cases… like yours… ever"
Well, at least I knew one of their names.
What's with me and not asking people what their names are?
"I just… I had no idea. How do you tell from one designation to the other?" I couldn't help but ask, it was a hazy night under the influence of alcohol, but I remember how – you know – satisfied I was, until I passed out at some point and ran away in shame the next morning.
Like a coward…
The nurse shuffled, unsure how to start "Did you not feel the knot?" Tsunade deadpanned "It inflates and stays inside you, effectively connecting you to the Alfa"
Oh my god.
Why was this happening? I didn't need a sex education class… ok, maybe I did… what the hell was she talking ab-
"Oooh… that's what I –" I stopped myself before blurting out the reason I had the most earthshattering orgasm of my life before passing out. "I felt it get bigger" I managed to squeak out.
Honestly, I tried not to replay in my head everything that happened that night. I felt embarrassed every time flashes of me stumbling drunk and saying the most shameful words from a horny idiot – I am the idiot – all replaying over my head.
I wanted to dig a hole and stay there.
Ignore the fact that I practically fell onto him without even noticing, he also carried me out like a baby koala from the event and I told him how much I liked his hair… his nose, his eyes… I couldn't hold my mouth close until he turned from my neck to my lips, and the rest is history.
The nurse nodded, her short dark hair bobbing at the motion "Are you sure it was…"
Before she could end that sentence, I cut her off "It was completely consensual!" a little louder than intended "We were just… drinking?"
Tsunade snorted "You've got to be kidding me. You got drunk, found yourself an Alfa to fuck and what? Walked right out after waking up?" I nodded "What kind of Alfa lets an Omega walk out of their bed like that? He must have stopped you, what did he say?"
"Um… he was passed out… I made sure he was breathing before I left." I added quickly. The sun hadn't even raised by the time I was out of his place and running back to my apartment. It did sting a little for a few days – down there.
I just concluded it had been long since last time and I was lacking practice, the little lady downstairs was lacking practice.
They shared weird looks. "Shizune, call the Omega Social Worker. Sakura is going to need scent suppressants and all the pamphlets you can find over her designation and pregnancy" the nurse, Shizune, nodded before giving me an apologetic smile and leaving us in the room.
"Now, listen closely." Tsunade voiced lowly "When an Alfa fills and knots an Omega with his seed, the genetic material inside will seep into the Omega and the scent of that Alfa will linger for some time. In most cases, this only helps others know the Omega is or has been involved with an Alfa or a pack. On most cases, this only ensures the pregnancy to become successful as the fertilized egg will have both the mothers and the fathers fluids ensuring the attachment to the uterus walls and provide all the genetic material to become stronger. As you may know, only Omegas can carry and give birth successfully to Alfa and Omega offsprings. This is why."
The mental image was killing me. But I kept listening. Red face and wide eyes.
"Alfa seed can only impregnate an Omega thanks to this process, unless done under medical procedures, other Alfa or Beta women cannot conceive. Even if they do, the chances of success are low and difficult. You can't just sleep with an alfa and get pregnant afterwards, unless you are an Omega in heat – or in your case – newly presented with a compatible Alfa before your body can adjust to the changes" any questions I had would have to wait, at least this time my ears were perked up to her words "You will learn more about second genders, for now I must emphasize the importance of this information with you. Right now, all the hormones belonging to the child's father have left your body, filtered out naturally. The fetus carries half your genetic material and half of an Alfa"
Ok… I know that. My brows furrowed, trying to understand where she was heading with this.
"Omegas become extremely vulnerable when they carry a child. An Alfa or a pack must ensure the Omega has her nest covered in their scent as well as on her body at all times, most importantly, every time she experiences strong emotions or stress. The Omega becomes ill if she stays too long without the scent of the father or pack. When a pack is formed, their scents link in harmony and they perform as a unit."
Oh.
Ooooh.
"That is why…" I spoke. Taking a moment to remember how sick I had become "That is why I have been sick? But - Don't pregnant women also get sick sometimes? How is this any different?" my eyes searched hers, there was something she was holding. "Just spill it, what is it?"
"The Omega in you will reject the baby if you don't find the Alfa scent you need in your nest"
My heart sank. "Wh- What do you mean by… reject?" I rasped, trying not to panic at the words she spoke next.
"A miscarriage"
No.
No. No. No.
I shook my head "Why? I don't understand?" this can't be happening.
She sighed, concern shining at the corner of her eyes "To ensure your safety. Second Genders act in instinct, like animals. Omegas instincts are the strongest. In some cases, women who should present as an Omega, stay as a Beta after the age of 18 if they live under unpleasant circumstances. Such as an unsafe home, sickness or even extreme poverty. The instincts to preserve your life become stronger than to search for an Alfa. We can't know until we conduct more tests, and you answer all our questions."
Well… didn't she just explain my entire life.
Difficult circumstances.
Unsafe environment.
Sickness.
Extreme poverty.
"Some Omegas present later on in life once they find themselves in optimal health and the presence of an Alfa can awaken them when there is a scent match. Hence why it is very important for Alfas to stay anonymous – you can imagine the number of Betas wanting to hunt them down and see if they are just like you, a dormant Omega." Her shoulders rolled back, and she stretched her neck "If the Alfa stays away from the Omega for too long, the Omega will consider that a rejection and any child in her would only hinder the chance to find another Alfa. Believe me, it is all just animal instincts, not the representation of how society works" Tsunade reassured me.
A small smile crept it's way up "Thank you" I chocked out. A river of emotions threatened to break at how seen I felt right now "You have no idea how reassuring it feels" I hickuped "For someone to finally tell me what's going on with me… I am exhausted after doctors and nurses would brush me off or tell me they had no answers as to why I felt this way, no one ever understood, not even taken the time to research or explain what was going on" my voice wavered.
She could have just ignored my concerns and sent me home like many have. Either they say its in my head or I was just being difficult and emotional. My entire life I felt off, as if I was never completely content – even having strange habits like binge eating before my period or turning my room into a literal cave filled with pillows and blankets – they all judged me.
Understanding flashed on her eyes, a small sad smile on her lips "Don't worry, we will be here for you" she promised "Whatever happens".
And that's when it all started.
Learning I could request scent cards to be sent at my mailbox in my apartment complexion – searching for a perfect scent to keep my Omega happy. Every day I would check it before heading upstairs to open the little kit with scent cards, names and profiles belonging to all the Alfas in the system. I gave my Omega Social Worker all the details I could remember, and she assured to send only those fitting that description. I did keep the shirt I took that night - it smelled just like him - every now and then I would sniff it and the Omega in me would be satisfied for a bit, but it was very faint.
I made sure to read on everything I could about the pregnancy, more and more convinced I had to double check with another doctor, another clinic, I even consider driving to the next town over just to confirm I wasn't living some strange dream-nightmare.
I was finally getting what I always wanted, a family. It felt like a horrible joke when I walked into my apartment after being discharged. I called my office and notified them of my recent hospitalization, and they offered to give me the day off.
I couldn't.
I needed to go back to work.
After work I headed back to the free clinic and asked for a pregnancy test. Positive.
Returning home was another cruel joke – I couldn't believe this whole time - my whole life was just a rare case of an Omega being subdued due to unwelcomed circumstances.
I even researched the possibility of two Beta parents having an Omega daughter – almost 0%
My mind rejected the idea every time I walked past a door. As if a camera would suddenly pop out and a presenter would shout "Surprise! You have been fooled!" then, it would all make sense.
There was nothing special about me, aside from my unique hair colour, I was just Sakura Haruno from a farm less than two hours away.
I pinched myself regularly, just to be sure, in case I woke up. There was a little voice in the back of my mind, it sounded like me, but it would just repeat "Find him" over and over again.
As if I wasn't trying to find him already!
One day I would receive a box with scent cards, I'd blindly smell them one by one, pack them back up and return them. They weren't right.
Not a single scent matched, not even a small hint.
The social worker mentioned they don't add all the members of a pack on every box, but you would know it was the right match right away. Not questions asked.
Instincts don't lie.
And mine just happen to be the strongest of the bunch. Yay me… Sarcasm.
By the time I felt dejected and hopeless, my appointment with Tsunade was up next. One week after my hospitalization. "I received a call from a colleague of mine. She works at the free clinic near you home. I found it strange until another colleague called, from across town…" she frowned at me "Sakura, you can talk to me."
Deflated, I sank into the chair in her office, it was plush and soft. Wonderfully soft. Soft enough that I wanted to cry over it. "I just – it doesn't feel real" my finger traced circles on the soft green material, I love green. "Where did you get this chair? I love it."
A long and tired sigh left her lips at my change in subject. "You act like any other Omega I have treated. They all love these chairs; I picked them specifically for my patients to feel comfortable and safe under my care. It is my duty as an Alfa to provide enough comforts to the Omegas I look after." She grinned
What?
Air hit my tongue, my hand slapped my mouth to cover my gasp, I shook my head "You? You are an Alfa?" I blinked, unsure how to process this information. I didn't really smell much…
She tilted her head slightly "Can't you smell me? Did you stuff your nose with scent blockers?" she joked.
"No… the hospital smelled like sterile soap and I my nose has been stuffy for weeks. Even my allergy medication won't help"
"What medication?" she quickly asked, snatching the bottle right out of my hand when I fished it out of my purse "Who gave you these?" she scanned the bottle.
"I used to sneeze all the time while I was growing up. A doctor who visited our town gave me the prescription and I just get a refill every few months. He works in the free clinic once a week" before coming to town, I made sure to supply myself with enough medication or I would spend half of my day sneezing near that many people. "I am allergic to perfumes"
"What happens?" her eyes never left the bottle.
"I sneeze"
"That's it?" she insisted, her features hardening.
"Yes, the medication has a side effect, causing me to lose some or most of my ability to smell unless it's a strong scent" I shrugged "I'm used to it by now, most of the smells are dull unless I concentrate or get close enough. Sometimes people have stronger cents, that's how I know to stay away"
She hummed at my rambling. The bottle was a simple little emerald glass cylinder shaped container with a white screw. Small blue pills rattled inside with the reminder I needed to get more. "Sakura. I'll order a complete allergic panel for you. But." Her eyes met mine, sharp and serious "Don't you ever take another pill before we confirm what it contains"
I nodded until I realised "What do you mean by that?" she placed the bottle on her desk, opened the screw and let the pills spill on the wooden surface.
With her pen, she pushed the pills around and turned some over "I'll get Shizune to come by, she will be your midwife from now on, you will have your ultrasound appointment next week with her. Do not take any medication before contacting one of us, I can't have you taking medication now that you're expecting without ensuring it is safe for pregnant Omegas"
I didn't even notice how ignorant I had been. My hands reached for my belly, silently apologising to the babby I still didn't believe was there. Taking the medication before going to bed had become a habit and I didn't even think about it.
Stupid, stupid Sakura.
Noticing my worries, she smiled reassuringly "Don't worry, it's just a precaution. Your tests didn't show any harmful substances for the baby, we just want to be thorough. Besides, your allergy might just be another Omega instinct. Most Omegas are sensitive to smells, usually they wrinkle their nose. Make sure to keep up with your reading, don't just eat up the pregnancy stuff" she pointed her pen at me "Read the Omega information. Any questions, just call"
And with that, I went home. More blood out of my body and a bag stuffed with vitamins and supplements. A scolding from Tsunade over not gaining any weight and an appointment letter for my ultrasound.
Getting home felt like another cruel joke. My mind just couldn't believe this was real. Had my delusional brain created this elaborate hallucination? Will I just wake up in a white bed, surrounded by white walls and doctors telling me to wake up from my little world?
"What do you think little bean?" I rubbed my belly, laying on my couch with my feet up on the armrest "Bean, that sounds like a great name. Did you know you will be smaller than a bean until we reach the seventh week? Then you will be the size of a blueberry! About this big" my fingers mimicked holding a small blueberry as if the baby could see it "Technically you are just a fetus, what a technical name. You will be my little bean. Just you and I" I sighed "You and I will need to find you daddy… just hang in there, mummy is trying to track him down"
I've searched for the guest registry with no success, either he worked there just like me or he had crashed the party. Maybe even gave a fake name?
Ugh, the list was long and didn't really come with pictures. I was stuck with searching for male names and look them up at work with a "Have you seen (insert guest name) recently?" or a "Did (insert employee attendance list) come to work today?" to any random employee I could without looking like some creep.
Most of the time I would get weird looks and shrugging shoulders from workers who had never heard of them. Sometimes I would get a few pointers like their age or description. One time I asked an old man if he had seen himself lately… he laughed and joked "I do know that handsome man, I see him everyday in the mirror"
That was embarrassing.
--
"Hey handsome" the woman purred near my ear, too close. Jerking to the side, her features angered me. Dark eyes – not green. Blonde hair – not pink. And overly fake full lips – not the bow-shaped kissable lips I needed.
"Piss off" I grumbled, loud enough for her to hear above the loud booming of the speakers. My drink was cold and almost empty, condensation forming from the ice meeting my skin on the glass. With a gulp, I drowned the content to the back of my throat where the burning sensation had disappeared a few drinks ago.
Now it just tested like cold water.
"It that what you like?" her hand reached for mine "I can play that game" what's wrong with women these days? I already said no.
Pushing myself off the bar stool, I made my way to the second level of the club. Ignoring the shouts and pushing away more wondering hands. Can't people just stay the fuck away?
Stupid clubs always full of people.
A flash of pink stilled my walk, turning faster than my alcoholic brain, the world spined for a few seconds until I could see the girl dressed in a bright pink – the wrong fucking shade – mini dress. Dark hair – not pink. Blue eyes – not green. Tanned skin – not creamy with a hint of freckles.
I hate this game.
When people play cat and mouse, the mouse leaves a sort of trace of crumbs behind them so the cat can follow and catch them. A pair of panties would be nice to find, not a bucket full of nothing.
One night, she was mine. Willing, happy and blabbering like a little angel feeding my egocentric Alfa full of her sweet words and praises.
The next morning, I had a dress and her pair of lacy pink underwear. Nothing else.
Why couldn't she be one of those who stamped their name to their underwear in case it got "lost".
Do people even do that anymore?
No, you stupid drunk.
"Who is a stupid drunk?" someone shouted next to me. Fuck, I spoke my thoughts.
Tearing my eyes away from the hideous pink dress, I turned back to the stairs. Holding on to the railing for dear life.
Where is she?
The second level was no better than the first. Another bar on one end and the DJ booth on the other, surrounded by people with no eardrums. Jumping and dancing the alcohol out of their body.
I made sure to ask her.
I know I fucking did.
'Have I seen you at a club before?'
At least I needed to know something about her. For some reason her name skipped from my list.
'I go with my best friend sometimes' she whispered on our way to my apartment.
The car had been cleaned afterwards. The driver didn't find a single thing she left. Only a few pink hairs I must have pulled – she pulled harder.
The memories were killing me. "Scoth, on the rocks" I flagged down a waiter as I took one of the booths on the wall. Her hips swayed with vigour when she approached – her hips were rounder and her butt-
"Anything else, handsome?" she interrupted my thoughts with a sultry voice. Her eyes eating me up like a starved fish. A plump lip bitten by the worst case of fake white teeth I had ever seen. The ultraviolet light caused them to shine like blue beams in the darkness of the club.
What are people doing these days to stand out?
My girls teeth were cute, a natural pearl shine when she laughed.
"No" I bit out. I couldn't ask around like a madman about a pink haired woman with green eyes… Last time I was kicked out and banned from the club by the manager.
They don't understand.
She is real.
And she is somewhere out there, waiting for me to find her.
I didn't give her my name, something I regret with shameful anger. Growing up under a "respectful" and "highly regarded" name made everything complicated.
'Don't give your name out, people will turn on you'
'Your last name brings great fortune with some, and massive misfortune with many'
'We have enemies'
I wanted to bash my head to remove those thoughts that pushed me to keep my mouth shut that night. I should have asked her to stay, made sure to let her know it wasn't a one-time thing. It felt like more, much more.
Didn't she also feel that?
The thought constantly pushed me to rethink what I was doing, to just give up and let the memory die. But the pack had also decided to find her.
Madara had taken great care as to avoid raising any red flags to any watchful eye. We only spoke about her in the pack house, at least those walls didn't have eyes and ears.
Our family would try and slither themselves into our private business if they even thought we were interested in pursuing someone. We had to be careful – calling the topic as a "dress" rather than a person was necessary. Our phones could be tapped if we weren't careful.
We do take serious precautions, as much as we can. With our connections and resources, we can do more than what we have been doing for almost two months… unfortunately, people have been catching up on our sudden change in moods.
People do notice when your scent changes even if just a little – special people – when your emotions are on edge. We are all on edge.
I should have tied her to the bed.
At least long enough to talk to her – sober – rather than let the alcohol and the emotions of the moment consume us.
Maybe I scared her?
I groaned, leaning back to the dark plush seats. My hands fisted my hair, pulling hard enough to keep me awake. I was tired, exhausted even, this mess was caused because of me and there was no progress at all.
Izuna was busy with a charity organization opening up a new centre.
Madara has investors calling him left and right about the new development coming up this winter.
Shisui was working on a new movie.
Itachi had an overload of work with the new season coming up.
And here I was, sulking to the bottom of my glass like a loser. Who can I even ask for help that won't run their moth – even by accident – and keep our private maters as the way they should be, private.
Every day I would wake up, clean up and go to work. Mindlessly finishing up my tasks and nothing else, only to spend hours going through the invite lists, searching for names and looking them up.
Most people are private these days, unless they want to flaunt their life. I went as far as to search all the tabloids, and anything posted on the media about that event. Any picture taken, interview and posts.
Creating fake profiles to ask around if anyone knew the girl I was looking for.
Nothing.
It felt like the world was against us. It wasn't the right time to pursue anyone, much less let ourselves be distracted by her beautiful scent.
But it happened, and unless she tells me herself she doesn't want anything to do with us, I am going to find her.
Just to talk.
That's all.
"Get up" I heard a voice loud enough to know it was for me "We need to go, now" he barked am order.
Turning in anger I halted, shit.
His hair was slightly out of place, a few strands pulled from his tie as if he had been sliding his hands through his hair – or someone had – and his first few buttons had been undone. "Who got you all riled up? Didn't get what you wanted from the lady?" I mocked. Knowing he wouldn't even bother to react in a public setting.
His eyes narrowed, patience clearly running low "I said we need to go, now" he turned, argument over.
I huffed, who does he think he is? Just because he was older, didn't mean he could order me around. My phone bussed for the one hundredth time tonight. A strange feeling compelled me to take a look at my screen, the group chat active with the one thing I had been trying to search for.
Answers.
About her.
Bolting out of my seat, I ignored the waiter and tossed a bill at her. "I'm coming!" he knew something, my brain cleared for a moment of sobriety, trying to form the order of questions once we get to the car. A private place to talk.
Once I closed the door, he turned the engine on, the tires screeched when his foot hit the pedal. The streets were empty at this time of night, a couple of taxis and parked cars here and there. Empty enough to speed the hell out of here.
"What happened?" I demanded, meeting his gaze for a second before he turned back to the road, the engine filling the silence. "Did you find her?" no answer.
He did.
Taking a deep breath and gathering my thoughts, I pushed the haziness of the alcohol from my brain. I drank too much. "Just tell me she is ok" I knew I must look like a mess, ever since this all started, he won't speak to me unless necessary. The silent treatment was the only way he told me how disappointed he was.
That's two of us.
The slight and hesitant nod did not sit well with me, something was strange. "Read the group chat" he rasped. Hands turning white at the wheel. Itachi was pissed.
My eyes could barely focus enough to see the buttons of the screen, I only glimpsed at the first few messages popping up on my phone. Being drunk and pressing the correct keys to unlock your phone was as annoying as trying to take a sticker off a package without breaking it.
The world spined a little and my hands could barely hold the phone still. With jerky fingers, I tried a few times until the last allowed attempt finally worked – I would hate to wait five minutes for my phone to unblock.
Stupid security measures.
Skimming through the texts, I paused at a shared picture Obito took, pink hair.
The next picture came from Shisui, more pink hair and a small body curled up in a large bed. I know that bed, those pillows, the blankets, the small lamp on the bedside table "The spare room?" I mumbled.
No answer.
Reading through the exchange in the chat, blurry eyes and all, I gathered enough to know she was there. Who else had pink hair? Not many.
Not that I knew.
When I searched online for users in social media with pink hair, I got a bunch of wigs and cartoons… not the best searching skills to be honest.
The messages were cryptic, at least they managed to keep that in toe, but her cute little sleeping face was the cherry on top.
Fuck, she looked perfect.
Her eyes closed just like I remembered her, albeit more tired, rosy cheeks that lost a little roundness, her button nose digging the pillow just like she had clung to my chest before.
Another screech jolted me back to the present, my body almost slamming to the dashboard, held back by the seatbelt. "What?" I turned to catch Itachi turning the engine off. We were home.
My hands reached to the handle, ignoring his order to stay back, I jumped out and ran to the door. Knocking everything that decided to get in my way.
If it broke, I'll just replace it, I don't care.
She was here, she was home, my home.
Our home.
--
"Stop that, you're scaring them" I whispered, his scent had filled the room more than necessary, the scent blockers doing nothing to cover his frustrations.
Grumbling something under his breath, he turned back to the meeting "We don't need to hear about your family business, this matter was settled last week. You requested a meeting to consider another addition to the development and the budget has already been set. Are you trying to increase it?" the man huffed, fixing his tie in a nervous tick.
"No, the budget stays, we can move resources" he began, gripping his tablet and pressing the next slideshow onto the large screen. "I just can't ignore the lack of vehicle access. As you can see, the buildings are mostly surrounded by unnecessary greenery, there isn't even railings separating the people from all those plants" he spat at the word plants like he personally had a vendetta against mother nature.
Madara pondered for a moment, waiting for the man to finish his little rant about more space that can be used to build more rooms, bigger parking areas and much more. Greedy man. "The land is surrounded by nature, why add more?" he finished.
Aside from him, the room was filled with conflicted faces. Those wanting to go home and those not wanting to waste their time with another useless meeting. They all knew how it was going to end – much like last time. "I understand your need to squeeze out as much profit as you can after your family's business was rejected from the project management" he stated, voice calm and collected, Madara was about to put him in his place. There was no sympathy in business. "However, as you may know. Our investors have placed their trust into a development that will provide secure housing along with wide and open spaces for nature to ensure we don't cause more harm to the land. The trees are centuries old, and we have spent enough resources and time to start next month. Implying you do not care about others opinion, wanting to destroy and flatten acres of land to flatten and cover with concrete, to reduce the costs of quality material to ensure more can be built and sacrificing the integrity of the built. Have you no shame? Wasn't it your company that built the apartment complex that faces demolition after the beams began to collapse?" the man's face turned red, but Madara wasn't over "One more word about your idiotic ideas and I'll make sure to have you removed from this and all future projects"
There was no force on earth that could stand to his command, at least not without a fight, he just knew what to say and how to say it. No room for pity, tricks or doubt. Madara won't hesitate to take action when someone tries to stir trouble.
A series of agreements and nods surrounded the table, ignoring the obvious shock on the mans face. Mister Taka had been trying to pull his weight on and off for years. Being reliable when he wanted something and leeching off from others when they were vulnerable.
Unfortunately, he did gain a lot of support from the public through years of social and very public displays of charity.
To this day, I wonder how he managed to fool that many people with his ugly sneer whenever someone didn't agree with him or bowed down. All smiles on camera, but then he turns into a toad that can't bear to breath the same air as someone who doesn't earn above his own salary.
I've caught him a few times trying to get his hands on important files pertaining to our other investors. A few times he tried to glance at my own paperwork with the monetary exchange between the different partnerships in the company.
Something was off with his sudden need to cause unnecessary changes that will delay the construction of the development "I'll make sure to get Nagato on his case" I offered to Madara once the room was empty.
He sighed, a hardness on his features leaving as soon as the door closed. The tired lines around his eyes had deepened slightly "Tell him to add a tag on him, track his movements around town" and with that, we were finally able to go back home.
I rolled my shoulders, almost cringing at the strain on my muscles, the day had been long and the week even longer. Taking the time to check my phone in the elevator, I remembered Itachi's text from earlier. Cursing at the time, my finger pressed on the group chat. Madara leaned on the wall and closed his eyes, his hand pressing the bridge of his nose to massage the headache away "I've got aspirins in the car" I offered as I quickly read the messages.
"Thanks" he mumbled "What are you looking for?" he commented on my silence. Honestly, I didn't know how to answer. The moment the pictures loaded on the screen, the anger that had boiled over me from the evident rule we place being broken and ignored, I couldn't breathe. Indeed, her hair was pink.
I focused on her long and wispy lashes, a few shades darker than her hair, but equally as shiny under the cameras flashlight. Stupid Obito not turning it off before flashing her face at the take. Her skin was creamy, specks of freckles here and there. A couple gathering on her nose, asking for attention.
Was she cold?
Her hands gripped the bedding, and her shoulders curled around herself. Her mouth was covered, and I hated to wake her up just to see them. Patience was a virtue, and that died the moment she found herself in our home.
No warning, no preparation, she just happened to stumble into our home and invited to spend the night by the two most obnoxious members of our pack "We have a visitor" I mentioned, trying to cover my excitement.
"What?" he demanded; a note of anger laced in his beathing "Who opened the fucking door?"
I wanted to laugh. Always keeping calm and avoiding curses was just an act for the public, foul language only acceptable around the pack and trusted friends. I'm sure he will curse all the way home once he checks the group chat. "Just check out what Obito and Shisui posted"
His brow twitched at my nonchalant answer. I won't agree with his anger, not this time. "Fine" he fished his phone just as the doors to the garage opened. I powerwalked to the car, planning to beat him to the drivers seat. Madara will have to sulk all the way back home in my speed-
The flash of dark spikey hair almost pushed the soul out of my body. And here I thought he was too tired to even walk straight.
"Fucker" I muttered, picking up my speed. He would leave me behind, blinded by the memory of her cent. "Just don't hit anyone" I rushed to buckle my seatbelt and tossed any thoughts of a calm and restful night out the window.
I was stuck with a pack of unhinged Alfas chasing vanilla ice-cream.
Someone had to keep the little pinkette from suffocating under their overachieving scents.
A smirk played on my lips - She will run to me for cover – and my arms are open wide.
What I didn't expect was a drunk Alfa almost knocking the lights out of the woman and another socially inept Alfa ripping off the scent block off an Omegas scent gland without her permission.
"I told you to stop, what were you thinking?" my hands reached for the blanker, quickly covering her and ensuring her gland was protected. "Do you have any more patches?" I asked her, her eyes closed tightly. It worried me how her hands reached for her forehead and the little gasp leaving her lips. Sitting her up, I noticed a red mark the shape of the edge of the door forming on her skin.
My Alfa hated that.
"I'll get ice" Shisui rushed to the kitchen. Madara still didn't move an inch, his eyes fighting between anger and concern. Itachi was still in shock after being hit by her scent, his hands slightly shaking.
"Ugh…" she tried to speak "The room is spinning"
"You have to lay down, but not here" my arms circled her back and her legs, pushing down the worry building up by her almost weightless form, I gently pressed her body back into the bed, tucking her in and opening the window. Obito pushed Sasuke out of the room when he tried to stumble to her side.
This was not the time to smother her with their overbearing instincts to care for her. She needed space, fresh air and rest.
Shisui came back with an ice pack and what seemed to be her purse "Her car is in the garage, I can search there" his hands were gentle with the ice, worry creasing his forehead from her little mews.
Snatching the purse, I pushed around and felt a few bottles, keys, papers and finally, the patches. Quickly, I turned to her and ripped the little plastic covering the sticky side and pushed the covers down. Shisui held her in place as I covered her scent gland. Taking a deep breath, her scent had died down enough to clear our heads. Pushing the instincts back – for now.
"We are calling our medic, just rest for now. Do you need anything?" I offered, leaving someone with her wasn't an option unless we were all inside, or the bickering about who will do it and taking turns will only cause more trouble.
She cringed from her attempt to answer with a shake of her head. Green eyes blinking at me with wonder and confusion "No… I don't want a medic…" she whispered "… I'll be fine?"
What wasn't convincing – at all.
"I'll get you painkillers" I insisted. Years of experience from my pack members butting their heads with every available surface in a fit of drunkenness.
"No! I can't" she almost shouted "I can't take any medication. I'll call my doctor" she tried to push herself off the bed, searching for her phone.
Behind me, Itachi had stood up with a strange look on his face "I'll call your doctor, just rest" he approached us, taking her hand and pressing her finger to unlock the device. She protested for a moment until he left the room.
I'll make sure to ask later.
Smiling, my hands reached for her shoulders "Please rest, you can't get up of you'll fall and hurt yourself"
Her tired eyes pinched my chest with concern. I wanted to hunt down the shadows that clouded the jade depths of her eyes.
Slowly, she nodded "I can stay here? For now?" she asked, a note of worry wavering her last question.
"I promise, we won't bother you. Stay here and rest, I'll be back to check on you" I offered, wanting to reassure her enough to keep her from leaving the bed.
Shisui hummed on the other side of the bed "We will make sure to follow your doctors orders" he chirped. His signature smile coming back to life.
After a few reassuring words, she finally yawned her way back to sleep. We left the room and joined the others.
The atmosphere turned cold at the phone's speaker echoing the doctors words. Words that had me frozen in front of the now busy living room.
"Don't give her anything! She is pregnant you fucking idiot!"