Reading explicit smut in the office on working time and getting so turned on by it that botching the upcoming operation was becoming a plausible scenario was definitely a first for Sakura.

She was what the elders called a "good girl" after all. She followed the strict moral code associated with the shinobi world. She was focused on her peacetime career, on becoming someone important next to the likes of Sasuke and Naruto. Fun? Not something she was overly familiar with. Ambition, that she knew. Hard work. Also pleasing people.

Waiting for others to make the first move.

Of course she had explored her own body once "those" urges had manifested, furtively rubbing herself under the blankets in her childhood room. Later, she had pretended to know everything and more in front of Ino and other girls when in truth, all her knowledge was just theory from medical books. Nobody had ever called her bluff though - because the others didn't know any better. They were kids focused on shinobi training. Then the horrors of war had engulfed them. Coming out on the other side of it as a grown up still felt unreal.

When waiting for others to make the first move had become too pathetic (and Ino finding out Sakura had no first hand experience became a serious threat), she had stoked her courage with a considerable dose of alcohol from Tsunade's stack and had left the village determined to return with a broken hymen.

All she cared to remember about that night was that it had hurt, was over much more quickly than expected, and made her feel miserable though she tried very hard to convince herself otherwise.

All those expectations. And for what?

Sasuke had left the next morning, dark, brooding, handsome - driven no longer by revenge but the need for redemption. She could have told him then that he wouldn't find it out there. If he couldn't forgive himself, why should others?

"Should I wait for you?" She had asked, hoping for nothing much, just maybe one passionate kiss. She'd always been that girl and everybody knew it - why not continue to be blatantly desperate?

"If you want to," he had mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

Wanting an emotional commitment from someone like Uchiha Sasuke was like catching a fleeting shadow. Elusive, ever-changing, and just when you thought you had a grasp, it slipped through your fingers. It was a constant dance of chasing after something you could never quite hold onto, leaving you perpetually reaching for a connection that seemed forever out of reach.

The price for this never-ending chase was high. A woman got tired. So tired that just a few lines of smut made her soaking wet, apparently. How pathetic could she get?

With an effort, Sakura left that passage be and forced herself to read the series' description at the front. Like a good girl.

"In the hidden village of the dancing rooster, there was a legendary sensei shrouded in mystery. He was a skilled ninja with a formidable reputation. His true identity remained a secret, hidden beneath a mask that concealed his face. But one thing was clear to all who knew him: he was a man of honor and integrity, devoted to the protection of his village. But beyond the shadowy exterior of the legendary shinobi lay a heart that beat with passion and desire. For within the walls of the hidden village, he had fallen in love with a woman he could never have. She was a kunoichi, a fierce warrior in her own right, and the sensei's…"

Sakura gasped. No!

"... the sensei's student. Their love was forbidden, as they were both bound by the strict codes of the ninja world. As they continued to train and fight together, their connection grew stronger, and their desire for each other burned brighter. They knew that they could never be together openly, but their hearts yearned for each other nonetheless. Their story is one of forbidden love, a tale of passion and desire set against the backdrop of a dangerous and secretive world. Follow the journey of the hidden sensei and his beloved kunoichi as they navigate the treacherous waters of ninja life, risking everything for a love that could never be."

Oh my fucking god. If that woman has pink hair too I'll…

Hastily, she began reading from the beginning to find a description of the kunoichi. Volume 6 of the Sensual Secrets of the Masked Sensei was called "The Ninja's Heart: A Tale of Love and Adventure", but because it was volume 6, there was no description of the female protagonist's look on the first few pages. Apparently, Sakura soon found out, they had been separated for a while in volume 5, and were now reunited in secret, with him dropping from the rooftop unexpectedly when she brought out the garbage. He persuaded her to come for a walk with him even though her husband … what the heck? The kunoichi was already married?!

"Must be an old student," Sakura mumbled and continued reading.

Kenji and Mizuki were strolling through the gardens of the village, enjoying the gentle breeze and the scent of blooming flowers. The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the landscape, and the birds were singing their evening songs. As they walked, Kenji couldn't help but steal glances at Mizuki. Her long hair was catching the sunlight, reflecting a lustrous sheen, and her eyes were sparkling with laughter as she talked.

"Yeah, but what is the color of her hair?" Sakura demanded to know.

"Kenji, what's on your mind?" Mizuki asked, noticing his gaze.

"Nothing, just enjoying the moment," he replied, smiling.

They came to a small clearing with a pond in the center. The water was still, reflecting the sky like a mirror. Mizuki walked to the edge and sat down on the grassy bank, dipping her feet into the cool water. Kenji joined her, sitting beside her.

"It's so peaceful here," Mizuki said, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.

Kenji took the opportunity to reach over and take her hand, gently intertwining their fingers. Mizuki opened her eyes, surprised at the sudden gesture, but didn't pull away.

"Is everything okay, Kenji?" she asked softly.

"I just wanted to be close to you," he replied, looking into her eyes.

Mizuki blushed, feeling her heart race in her chest. She leaned in, and Kenji met her halfway, their lips meeting in a tender kiss. It was soft and sweet, but filled with a passion that had been building between them for years.

They parted, gazing into each other's eyes, lost in the moment. Kenji brushed a strand of hair out of Mizuki's face, tucking it behind her ear. She leaned into his touch, savoring the feel of his hand against her skin.

"Kenji, I've been waiting for this moment for so long," she whispered.

"Me too, Mizuki," he replied, leaning in for another kiss.

As they kissed, the world around them faded away, and they were lost in each other's arms. The sun sank below the horizon, and the stars came out, shining down on the two lovers as they sat by the pond, lost in the magic of the moment.

"So how can they kiss like that if he's masked," Sakura snorted, quickly turning the page. This writer surely needed a few tips.

An owl hooted, and Kenji and Mizuki jerked apart from their passionate embrace, realizing they needed to find a more secluded spot to continue their intimate moments. They glanced around, searching for a place where they could hide from prying eyes and avoid any unwanted interruptions.

A nearby cherry blossom grove caught their attention. Its dense foliage and twisting pathways promised both privacy and tranquility. Holding hands, they hurriedly made their way through the winding trails, their hearts racing with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Soon, they reached a secluded corner of the grove, shielded from view by the blossoming trees. Kenji leaned against a sturdy trunk, pulling Mizuki gently into his embrace.

Their whispered conversations and stolen glances were punctuated by tender kisses, their desire for one another growing with every passing moment. He was hard as a rock, his member straining against the tightness of his pants. Kenji's hand traced delicate patterns along Mizuki's back, sending shivers of anticipation down her spine. Pulling her closer for friction, he began to move against her, rubbing himself against the slick sweetness he knew was gathering between her legs. The world outside faded away as they lost themselves in their love, oblivious to the passing time. His fingers ran through her blond hair...

Blond? Blond hair! The woman had blond, not pink hair!

"Good," Sakura declared with satisfaction though really, why did she care?

… he pushed her away to slowly open her dress, button after button, watching how her breathing quickened, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She had not been wearing a bra the last time they had been intimate, but now she was, a functional, plain type befitting her no-nonsense character. He pushed it up and away. The small breasts that he freed looked juicy like apples and he bent down to do what he had wanted to do for so long.

Using his tongue, he caressed her erect nipples for a bit, then used his lips to suck them, first carefully, then a little harder, taking his cues from the cute little sounds that she made. He took his time with the breasts, exploring their dimensions and texture thoroughly. He found the left one was just a tiny little bit smaller than the right, which made it his instant favorite. Realizing there were other parts of her he had not gotten to know yet he moved his lips down to her belly button. It was shaped like a little seashell and he licked it with the devotion it deserved.

"Mhhhmhmhm," Mizuki moaned.

The scent of her arousal hit his nostrils and his mouth longed to taste it…"

Familiar, read this already, skip. Had the author forgotten to describe how they had gotten from a standing position to this? He had to be kneeling at this point.

Sakura skipped a few lines ahead, squirming in her seat. So many things were badly written, but still… it was hot. She would have to take care of this… this predicament of hers, wouldn't she? The scent of her own arousal was palpable to herself as well. Imagine if one of the other doctors noticed it! Moving her pelvic floor in small circles, she sought friction from her pants.

Kenji briefly wondered how much noise they could make here before someone became aware of their activity, but he was too distracted by the glistening wetness of her womanhood to really care. Extending his tongue, he began to lap at the thick sweet juices, rewarded by even more moaning from her. A woman's folds were such a wondrous thing, all of them different in shape, but all of them like flowers that opened up to the sun when treated the right way.

Rocking her bottom wasn't enough. Yes, this was a hospital, but it was hardly the first time someone was horny in it - she had heard enough stories of doctors and nurses meeting in empty on-call rooms to blow off steam. Daringly, she moved her fingers down her pants, stroking herself in small circles.

Kenji began alternating between sucking her nub, licking down the length of her slit and circling his tongue around her entrance and before long, Mizuki grabbed his silver hair with both hands and exclaimed: "Oh my goooooood."

"No," Sakura groaned. The image in her head took immediate shape. A masked Sensei with silver hair? Who else could she imagine?! Of course Kakashi would be this kind of lover, loving, passionate, considerate (never mind the cheating with a married woman). He was good at everything, it was no secret. She didn't know a single woman who didn't have a crush on him. Maybe there were good reasons beyond his looks, status and pleasant character?

She clamped her legs around his ears forcefully when her orgasm shook her, holding him in place with her strength. He was right where he wanted to be, lapping up the extra juices that flowed from her with a growing hunger. Besides, he knew how easy it was to make a woman come again once she was as stimulated as this. As soon as her legs relaxed around him a little, he took up the sucking and licking again.

It took a bit longer the second time, but thanks to a bit of extra attention on specific parts, her body jerked again soon and he smiled at how unsuccessfully she tried to stifle her ecstatic sounds with her fist. He looked up at her enraptured face with the tightly shut eyes while the waves of pleasure washed over her, feeling quite satisfied with himself. Why was it that she was so ready to be pleased, so quick to reach the peak with hardly any effort from him?

As he was looking at her, she opened her eyes to look down unexpectedly, his heart shuddering for a moment because of the expression in them, but then she pulled at his tousled hair demandingly, forcing him to move up - so that she could give him their hottest kiss yet, licking her own juices off his lips and chin in the process.

Sakura had to turn a page, pulling out her dripping hand, putting the wet fingers to her own mouth before realizing. Her own taste was tangy and pleasant and she suddenly wished to be fully naked, to be able to touch herself everywhere. To be touched everywhere, actually.

"Thank you," she whispered, tracing his jaw with the tip of her fingers.

Kenji had not even consciously realized he wasn't wearing his mask anymore, which was in itself a shock to him. For a short moment, he felt extremely exposed, but this was Mizuki, whom he had known for so long, whom he trusted. It was okay.

"You are so handsome," Mizuki breathed, drinking in his features, hitting him right in the stomach with that statement.

Her hand had traveled down his body, timidly touching his strutting readiness, rubbing her hand up and down the length of it, almost a question.

"Ride me," he said hoarsely.

Sakura closed her eyes with a groan, her fingers speeding up. She opened her legs and leaned back, sweet tension building in her abdomen. His hands on her would be a little calloused, a warrior's hands, yet gentle when they needed to be. She would move to straddle him. Big, she imagined he would be big, but not imposing. Strutting, a little red at the tip, veiny. He would continue to kiss her passionately, like she had always wanted to be kissed, feeling his need for her, his devotion. He would let her be in charge, would let her guide his hot tip to her soaking entrance. He would be patient, he wouldn't push too hard, but would leave her time to adjust - she was built narrow after all - and she would be able to set the pace, move up and down at will, her orgasm slowly building.

"Oh my god," Skura moaned, ramming her fingers into her entrance, a poor substitute for the real thing, she wanted to feel him deep inside of her, as deep as possible, she wanted him to almost lose it but hold back for her sake, telling him how beautiful she was, how talented, how sexy, that he had never been with anyone who made him feel like this and…

… she came with a loud moan, her body shaking so much she hit her knee on her desk.

The high afterwards didn't last long enough. Shame flooded her. This was beyond scandalous.

She had just masturbated in her office while thinking of Kakashi.

Slowly, Sakura put the book away, trying to gather the scattered fragments of her self-control. How would she ever be able to look him in the eye again? How would she ever look at him without imagining…?

###

The evening of the next day came and Kakashi looked at the setting sun with a deep frown.

If somebody had asked him, he'd deny it of course, but the truth was he had waited, expectantly, all day, for Sakura to come report to him. As they had agreed she would.

Had something bad happened?

No - he would have heard about it. With a sigh, he leaned back and stared at the ceiling. Maybe she had forgotten. Or, more likely, maybe her day had been too busy to get away - he knew about that. Was it possible she would still appear? He sat up and looked towards the door expectantly.

This morning, he had gotten up way before sunrise, doing the double amount of his usual workout to compensate for missing out the day before. A long shower afterwards was his reward for the day. Maybe he needed a haircut, he had pondered, looking at his shaggy appearance in the mirror.

The day at the office had been awkward. He had nobody to chat with now that Yamato wasn't around to nag him. Shizune refused to talk to him and slammed all the documents onto the desk as if she could hurt him that way, well… his decision to keep Yamato's secret mission just between the two of them came with costs.

Towards lunchtime, he summoned Pakkun.

"Yes?" The dog looked even grumpier than usual. "This better be good."

It wasn't - Kakashi had just wanted to talk to someone. He was feeling antsy for no good reason other than waiting for a woman who didn't show up.

"Sakura says I was poisoned," he informed his canine friend on a whim, that was news at least, and probably something the dogs could help him with?

"Huh," Pakkun sniffed the air. "Is that what it was? I knew you smelled funny, but assumed it was because of your hormones."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Kakashi bristled.

"It's mating season," Pakkun nodded gravely. "It's normal to want to mount someone."

"Stop it immediately," Kakashi snapped at the dog, "what tales are you spreading about me and her?"

"None so far, but maybe I should?" Pakkun regarded him suspiciously. "There's no shame in wanting to mate. In fact, we talk about nothing else in the pack right now. This bitch or that bitch, their scents are driving us crazy! In a good way."

Kakashi groaned. Why had he thought it was a good idea to talk to a dog?! And no, he wouldn't think of mounting a certain someone. Just no.

"So, what is it you wanted from me?" Pakkun began licking his right paw. "Mating advice? It's simple: Just do it."

"You dogs are shameless," Kakashi gritted his teeth. "It's not like that with humans. It's much more complicated."

"No, it's not," Pakkun shook his head, ears flying. "She wants you, you want her, what's complicated about that?"

"She doesn't want me," Kakashi scoffed. "I'm too old for her. Basically like a… big brother. Besides… She has Sasuke."

"Whatever," Pakkun yawned. "Can I go? Don't call me just because you're bored, I'm very busy."

"No, you can't go!" Kakashi glared at the animal. "I want you to find out who poisoned me. Maybe they'll try again."

Pakkun tilted his head, pondering him. "Okay," he then said. "I'll tell the others. Will you come hunt with us this week? The others have asked. They miss you."

Oh. Kakashi blinked. Aww, they missed him? It was true that he hadn't spent much time with his ninken in the last few months. Or had it been years since they had last had fun together?

"Okay," he nodded. "Sure. Tomorrow?"

"We'll be there!" Pakkun lifted his paw. "You can bring Sakura! Bye!"

"Dirty fleabag," Kakashi smiled softly after Pakkun's disappearance. Ah, he was looking forward to running around with his dogs!

"Shizune?" Kakashi called out, wanting her to clear his schedule for the dog outing, but everything was quiet. Had she gone home without saying goodbye? "Oh well," he sighed and got up to look for the schedule himself.

He was rummaging through her drawers in the aide's room when he heard steps outside. Silly him, his heart started beating faster because for a moment, he let himself believe it could be Sakura - when it was clear from the way the person flew up the stairs that it wasn't.

"Sensei, Sensei!"

"Well, well," Kakashi stepped back into his main office with a broad smile. "If it isn't my favorite Number One Hyperactive, Knucklehead Ninja!"

"Yes, it's me!" Naruto beamed at him, barely managing to stand still for a perfunctory salute. "Kakashi Sensei, how have you been?"

"Keeping your future seat warm," Kakashi chuckled. "What else? How are your studies going?"

"Weeeeeeell…," Naruto scratched his head. "I am… you know… hm."

Kakashi sighed. So the next Hokage would really just be a Genin? There was no hope?

"How did the mission go?" Kakashi sat down on his chair, regarding the young man before him fondly.

"Perfect!" Naruto pulled a scroll from his jacket. "Here!"

Kakashi unrolled the missive from Gaara and read the content. "Well done," he said, putting the scroll to the side. "I'm glad that's settled. I'm giving you two days off before the next mission. I am sure you and Hinata have a lot of things to discuss before the wedding."

Naruto began scratching his head again. "About that…"

"Yes?"

Having to deal with a conservative behemoth such as the Hyuga Clan before one's own marriage couldn't be an easy feat, but Naruto seemed to manage admirably well. His in-laws were very fond of him and despite the lack of a noble upbringing, Naruto had shown an eager willingness to learn everything about the traditions of the clan.

"So," Naruto cleaned his throat and scratched his head some more. "Before I came to see you, I went to the hospital. To talk to Sakura-chan and I…"

"Are you ill?" With concern, Kakashi checked the appearance of the young man before him. Was he a little pale around the nose?

"No, no," Naruto shook his head vehemently, "I'm never ill… well, except for the few times I drank spoiled milk. No, it's something else. You know… Sakura and Sasuke…"

Kakashi steeled himself for something like 'will get married' next, it was the time for it after all, and what silly thoughts was he having anyway, was he listening to dogs now or what? Oh, did that mean she had actually heard from Sasuke, that was good, really good, and it would explain why she had not come to see him as discussed, and it…

"...but she sent me to you."

Kakashi blinked. "To me…?" he echoed, perplexed.

"She said that you're a man."

"Yes, I'm a man…," Kakashi's confusion only increased. Since when was that disputed? "So… is she alright? Probably a very busy day?"

Naruto shrugged. "Not that busy if you ask me. We had coffee on the rooftop and she chatted about this and that. She's amazing, Sakura-chan, running such a big hospital! They all adore her there!"

Hm. If she wasn't busy, then why had she not come…?

"So, can you help me, Sensei?"

"Help you with what?"

"Oh, you know… that thing."

"I'm sure I can, but could you be a little more specific?"

Naruto began chuckling awkwardly. "With…," he dropped his voice. "...women. And… you know. What to do…"

Oh. That thing. "Has Jiraya not shared his wisdom with you?" Kakashi asked. All his knowledge as a teenager had been from itcha itcha, which… well, had worked with some women and created problems with others.

"That perv?!" Naruto exclaimed. "No, I don't want that kind of knowledge! I want Hinata to be happy. I didn't think you ever had a girlfriend, but Sakura was of a different opinion and said you know all about it."

"Sakura did?" Well, why did that make him feel proud? "Well, Naruto. As you know, I am not married…"

"I knew it!" Naruto hit his fist into his hand triumphantly. "You've never been with a woman either!"

"I didn't say that," Kakashi grinned. "I just don't know in what ways my advice relates to your situation. You are marrying into one of the noble clans of Konoha. They have very specific expectations about what being a good husband means."

"Yes, that's true," Naruto sighed. "But I've got that covered. I just don't want Hinata to be… disappointed? When we… it's expected and I…"

"I get it," Kakashi nodded sagely. "It is very easy to disappoint women."

"I knew it!" Naruto lamented, "what am I to do!"

"...but not in bed, Naruto. It is easy to please women in bed. You just need to put your own pleasure to the side until they have found theirs."

"And how does that work?"

Oh boy, who knew it was that awkward to talk to someone about sex? I should refer him to my dogs, Kakashi thought. Or tell him to "just do it." Nobody had ever told him anything about sex either. Back then, it had been trial and error, lots of error. But those had been very different times from now, with a bunch of unsupervised, often orphaned teenagers sharing living quarters in the black ops.

"Did you not have biology classes?"

"No. Or did I skip these? I don't remember."

"You do know about the differences between boys and girls though, I assume", Naruto's nervous chuckle was confirmation enough, "so you might have realized that we fit perfectly - like nuts and bolts. You should ask Iruka for more details, I'm sure he has pictures or little dolls or something - there has to be proper sex ed in school and if there isn't… well, I'll have to talk to him."

"You're sending me away after just that?" Naruto complained. "Please tell me more!"

"Talk to her," Kakashi sighed resigned. "Ask her what she likes. Where she likes to be touched, kissed. A few places are obvious, I'm sure you'll figure them out quickly. As for the act itself… don't rush it. It's not a competition and not a task to complete. It should be enjoyable for both. With time, you can get more creative and try things out."

"Can I use shadow clones?" Naruto eagerly wanted to know.

"That's maybe… a little advanced?" Kakashi pulled a face. "But yes, you can do anything that you both fancy. And I'm guessing you don't have to worry about birth control either, unless you do not want children, or…"

"I don't know," Naruto looked down on the floor sheepishly. "I don't know whether I could be a good father."

"I do," Kakashi got up. "Without a doubt, you will be an excellent father."

"Where are you going, Sensei?"

"Actually, I'm going to the hospital to see Sakura. We had an appointment that she didn't keep."

"Are there any books you could recommend, Sensei?" Naruto asked.

"Books?" Apart from the fact that Naruto was asking for books - he really had to be desperate! - the ones that came to mind were probably not what an inexperienced young man soon to be husband needed to read. Then again… why not?

###

All day Sakura had dreaded the moment Kakashi would appear at her window. She could have hidden herself away in the on-call room to make it harder for him to track her down, but that would have taken it too far and she had work to do.

The knock on her window made her jump - literally, out of her chair.

There he is.

It had become futile to pretend she wasn't attracted to Kakashi - in that way. The stealing-my-breath-away-butterflies-in-my-stomach-awkward-stuttering kind of way. The thought-of-him-all-day kind of way. The masturbated-while-thinking-of-him kind of way. Twice already. It had been a long night.

And what do I do now?

On the one hand, she knew all about desperate crushes that went nowhere in the end. On the other hand, it was different this time. He was way out of her reach. He was her boss, so to speak. They had to interact a lot. In normal ways.

"Hi," she forced a smile onto her face upon opening the window, it felt so fake she cringed.

"Hi," Kakashi climbed in. "So what happened to our meeting? I waited for you all day."

You did? But of course he would. They had agreed on a meeting. A business meeting.

"I…," she cleared her throat and marched to her desk. "I had trouble finishing my report."

"Why?" He walked after her. His scent was like a flood of temptation, suddenly all around her. Is this normal? This isn't normal. Her body reacted eagerly. The phrase "like a bitch in heat" came to mind.

"I couldn't find the right words," she mumbled, pulling out the unfinished last attempt from underneath a pile of documents.

"You didn't like it there," he remarked, without even looking at her sorry excuse of a report. "That's okay. We can talk about it if you want, but all I need from you in this report is the bare basics of what your stay revealed. Even just a few keywords suffice."

"I'm an idiot," she murmured, feeling put to shame by his kindness. "I'm sorry."

"Are you avoiding me?" Kakashi asked. "Did I do something wrong?"

"Of course not," Sakura mumbled, unable to look him in the eyes, yet unable to prevent herself from blushing either.

"You've found the other series, haven't you," Kakashi sighed. "And now you feel awkward because you think that's me in those books."

She gasped, her head snapping up. Kakashi stood close to her, so close that she could see the small lines around his eyes. The grin underneath that mask had to be gigantic. .

"Isn't it you?" She asked, feeling a little breathless and lightheaded.

"Did those things happen like they are described?" Kakashi put a finger against his chin. "Definitely not. Does the protagonist look like me? Oh yes. Would I do such things? Hmmmm… Maybe. It's up to your imagination."

"You give me permission to fantasize about you in that way?" She blurted out, half scandalized, half thrilled.

"Hm," Kakashi suddenly looked doubtfully. "What way are we talking about exactly?"

"Have you… read all the books?" Sakura squealed.

"Is it… bad if I haven't?" Kakashi's ears grew bright red.

"Yes," Sakura didn't know whether to laugh or to scream. "I read volume 6 last night. And I tell you…"

"Show me the book," the Hokage said, no longer grinning. "Now."