Purple. The deep, tranquil river flowed in rich shades of violet, its soothing current wrapping around her like a warm embrace. Sakura felt safe here, at peace, as if she were submerged in the very essence of life itself, and it was so soothing, so serene that she could have wept.

Without even thinking, she healed the throbbing in her head and cleansed her bloodstream of unwanted substances.

The desire to dissolve into the flow, to lose herself within the purple depths, surged through her. She yearned to let every single drop wash over her, to be carried by it, to drown in its warmth and never surface again. She reached out, wanting to touch it, to feel the smooth current slipping through her fingers. But something stopped her—an invisible barrier, cool and firm against her hands.

Determined, she pushed against it, and then, with a slow, deliberate focus, she let her chakra flow through her fingers, searching for the cause of this resistance. She felt it—small knots and tensions that disrupted the flow. Her hands moved instinctively, her chakra peeling away those barriers one by one. With each movement, she felt the resistance give way, the tension melting.

Her hands glided over something—skin, warm and textured, a blend of rough and soft. The sensation startled her at first, but the feeling wasn't at all unpleasant. In fact, it drew her in, her fingers instinctively tracing the contours beneath her touch. Slowly, her chakra followed, working through whatever obstacles she could sense, untangling the last vestiges of resistance in the flow.

Then there was a sound—a low, deep rumble, almost like a purr. It resonated through the air, through her body. Her heartbeat quickened, her pulse a steady thrum in her ears as the warmth she had felt earlier spread further, deeper, a flush radiating from her chest and down her limbs. Each breath felt heavier, each moment more intense, like a slow, steady climb toward something she had no name for.

The sensation built gradually, a growing tension that curled through her body, making her back arch involuntarily, her toes curling in response. It was powerful—a clenching sensation that spiraled through her, coiling tighter and tighter until it felt like she might burst. Her breathing hitched, shallow and uneven, as if the air had thickened around her.

And then, in a sudden rush, the tension snapped. It released her, surging through her like an unstoppable wave, pulsing through every nerve in her body. She gasped, the intensity overwhelming, utterly blissful. Her entire being tingled, every inch of her alive with sensation, as if the air itself was humming against her skin. In the wake of that release, happiness, pure and unfiltered, rushed through her like nothing she had ever felt before. Contentment settled into her limbs, deep and fulfilling, leaving her warm and peaceful.

But the purple river surged, its flow quickening as if it had come alive, moving with a new and startling intensity. It panted, a voice low and rough, cutting through the haze of her bliss.

"What… are you… doing?!"

Sakura's eyes flew open, the trance-like state shattered instantly. The soothing river was gone, replaced by the solid, very real presence of Kakashi. Staring at her up close. Which wasn't soothing. But exciting.

"Oh... Shit!" She squealed.

Her heart slammed in her chest as the realization of where she was hit her: She was pressed up against him on his ample, very comfortable couch, soft morning light coming through the windows. Her fingers—both hands—were splayed against his bare skin, under his shirt, her touch lingering over his abdomen, only inches away from the X-shaped scar.

Kakashi's breath was uneven, his muscles were tense under her fingertips, as though he were fighting to stay still, to not react.

"Sakura…" his voice was a low rasp, filled with a mixture of confusion and something else—something darker, something that made her stomach flip because it looked like hunger, raw and palpable, like a tightly coiled spring ready to snap. "Are you sober?"

The question hit her like a cold splash of water. Her foggy memories began to clear, and with them came the full weight of her actions from the night before. Her face flushed with mortification, and she felt as if the floor were giving way beneath her.

She had come to him drunk—roaring drunk. She'd poured out her frustrations about Sasuke, made a complete fool of herself, and then… had she really thrown up in Kakashi's bathroom?

"I am now," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Oh god, I can't believe this is happening." She pulled her hands back, sitting up fully, folding them into her lap as shame washed over her.

"Och," he said, sitting up too. "It wasn't half bad."

"I made a complete fool of myself," Sakura let her head hang low. "I apologize."

"I was referring to you applying healing chakra to my body, actually," Kakashi smirked. "But frankly, Sakura… I advise you to do this only to a select group of patients. It has a… rather, erm, arousing effect."

Sakura's heart skipped a beat at Kakashi's words, her face heating up even more. His slightly teasing tone did little to ease her embarrassment, and when his gaze locked onto hers, it only made everything worse—or better? His eyes held a softness that sent her nerves into overdrive, and suddenly, she felt like she was floating, completely out of control.

"I see two options," Kakashi said slowly. "Either you get up straight away and leave… or…"

Before she could stop herself, words tumbled out of her mouth: "Can I… can I kiss you again?"

Kakashi blinked, momentarily caught off guard. For a second, she thought he might say no. But then, a slow smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and he leaned in just slightly.

"I was about to suggest something similar," he murmured. "Because this? It can't continue."

She was too distracted to ask what he meant. Kakashi's gaze flickered to her lips, and for a heartbeat, time seemed to freeze. Slowly, tentatively, she leaned forward, bringing herself closer. Her breath mingled with his, their faces inches apart. Her heart thudded against her ribcage, her pulse racing in her ears as the moment stretched out, teetering on the edge.

Then, as if something inside him finally gave way, he closed the gap between them.

Their lips met softly at first, a tentative brush, as though testing the waters. But the touch of his mouth sent a spark through Sakura's entire body, igniting a fire that had been smoldering there for a while. She sighed into the kiss, and he responded in kind, his hands lifting to cradle her face, fingers tangling in her hair as the kiss deepened.

His lips were warm, soft but firm, moving against hers in a rhythm that made her feel as though the rest of the world had melted away. Everything was him—the feel of his hands, the intoxicating heat of his body, the quiet groan that escaped him when she pressed closer. Sakura felt her body melting against his as his hand slipped to the small of her back, pulling her closer still.

The kiss grew hungrier, more demanding. His restraint was slipping away, replaced with something more primal, more consuming. Kakashi's hand tightened in her hair, his other arm wrapping around her waist. She could feel the warmth of his hand when it slipped underneath her shirt, the roughness of his fingertips on her skin, and it sent a wave of heat through her, pooling low in her belly.

She had very little experience with kisses like these but she had a pretty good idea what this kind of kisses led to. Had she ever wanted anything more? Wanting gave her the courage she desperately needed because despite how turned on she was, there was an edge of nervousness creeping in now, a flutter of uncertainty mixing with the heat.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathless. Kakashi's thumb brushed over her lips, swollen from their kiss, and his eyes searched hers. "Sakura..." he began hesitantly, "I—"

But she couldn't let him finish, not now. She pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him. "You asked me what I want the other night," she interrupted, her words coming out quickly. The longer she had time to think, the more her nerves threatened to overwhelm her. "This. I want this. With y—you."

Her heart pounded in her chest, and her hand trembled slightly against his mouth. She didn't want to overthink it. She didn't want to second-guess herself. For once, she just wanted to feel wanted.

"I'm very sorry," he said quietly, "but that won't be possible."

Sakura's heart seemed to stop at his words. The warmth that had been building inside her was suddenly replaced by a cold, sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. His voice was gentle, almost regretful, but the impact of what he said hit her like a punch nonetheless.

"Are you afraid it will change things between us?" She asked, hating that her voice quivered, that she sounded childish and petulant. "It won't. I promise you, it won't affect our professional relationship. And as for Sasuke—he has no claim on me. There are no promises between us. You don't have to be afraid that I'll make demands on your time, on your life. I'm not asking for anything more than this moment. We are two consenting adults. Nothing more, nothing less."

Kakashi's expression softened further, but his eyes remained serious. "You are sorely mistaken, Sakura," his thumb traced her cheek as if trying to soothe the sting of his words. "It will change everything."

Rejection. It hit her like another punch to the gut, sharp and brutal, striking at the heart of her deepest insecurities. This was what she feared most. People might like her, respect her even, but it didn't mean they wanted her, not in the way she wanted to be wanted, just for once. But apparently, she was undesirable, a nuisance—forever the annoying girl who was tolerated out of necessity, not passion. It was the same story again and again. Like a curse.

"Oh," she tried to laugh, though it sounded hollow, forced. "Well… it was worth a try, right?"

"You misunderstand," Kakashi continued gently. "The thing is: Right now, I'm supposed to be up on the roof for an Anbu training session." His lips quirked into a faint, rueful smile as he pointed a finger towards the ceiling. "They're waiting for me. And if I don't hurry, they will send Sai down to fetch me."

Sakura blinked, unsure whether to believe him. "It's Sunday, though…?"

Kakashi let out a tired sigh. "Hokages don't get Sundays off, Sakura. In fact, Sundays might just be the worst. Everyone assumes it's the perfect day for me to train nonstop." He gave her a small, apologetic smile. "No sleeping in, no quiet mornings. But!" He added, "Pakkun came to pick up the little one during the night, that's one worry taken care of though I hear he's a terrible pupil."

The puppy! How could she have forgotten about it again?

"I suggest we name him Kuroda," she said, attempting a brave smile. "Kuro for black and 'Da' as short for Daiginjo. You know… because of how last night went."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you got that drunk off Daiginjo! Did you single handedly ruin the Hyuga family by drinking their most expensive sake?"

Sakura groaned, her face heating up with embarrassment. "Please don't remind me," she mumbled, burying her face in her hands. "I always thought expensive alcohol is not supposed to make you feel horrible."

Just then, a sharp knock on the window startled her, and she let out a small screech, instinctively ducking out of sight.

Kakashi, suddenly miraculously masked, glanced at the window and sighed. "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming," he muttered, waving off whoever was at the window.

"It's not like they don't know you're here," he said, looking down at Sakura with an amused glint in his eyes. "Hiding's a bit pointless."

"What?!" she protested from her crouched position behind the couch.

"You walked past the guards last night," he explained with a shrug. "And since you haven't left yet, they know you're still here. Every visitor's movements are recorded."

Her eyes widened in horror. "Wait, recorded? You mean there's an actual log of me drunkenly stumbling into your place?"

Kakashi nodded. "Afraid so."

Sakura buried her face in her hands again, wishing the floor would swallow her whole. Not only had she made a fool of herself last night, but now her late-night visit was documented for all of Konoha to know. Could things get any worse?

Well, yes, of course they could.

This could have been her last chance.

Her heart raced as she tried to salvage the situation, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "Do we still have our… d-dinner appointment tonight?"

Kakashi's eyes lit up with intrigue. "Yes, if you'd like."

"And then," she continued, her heart racing at the possibilities, "we could… explore what we just started?" She bit her lip, gauging his reaction.

"Or we could discuss the village economics, my all time favorite topic" he quipped.

Sakura blinked. "If that's what you prefer," she said, trying and failing to mask her disappointment.

Kakashi chuckled softly, stepping closer and lifting her chin so their eyes met. "Oh no," he said, his voice low and filled with a promise that sent a shiver down her spine. "We've talked more than enough, Sakura. It's high time we did something else."

It's high time we did something else. Sakura repeated the phrase over and over like a mantra as she went about her day. It became the rhythm in her steps as she walked home, the steady beat of water droplets as she showered, the soothing hum in her mind as she napped, and the quiet reassurance as she ate a light lunch.

She kept herself busy in the afternoon. She met with a new doctor at the hospital, resolved a dispute between two nurses, and managed some paperwork at her office. But even as she worked, that phrase lingered in the back of her mind, filling her with a nervous anticipation.

By 6pm, Sakura was back at her (or rather, his) apartment, standing in front of the closet, trying to decide on the perfect outfit. Not too sexy, she told herself—just enough. Sakura settled on an elegant yet understated outfit: high-waisted, tailored black trousers that accentuated her slim waist and long legs, giving her a poised, confident look, paired with a satin emerald green blouse that mirrored the color of her eyes. She applied a touch of makeup, brushed her teeth for the third time, and stared at her reflection in the mirror.

Her nerves had only grown.

This wasn't just a dinner. This was dinner with Kakashi who wanted to do "something else". She had slipped a few condoms into her handbag, just in case, but the action left her feeling awkward and even more anxious.

Would Kakashi be able to tell how little experience she actually had? She had only been with two men—Sasuke, once, and a man from the Southeastern Continent. That foreigner had been charming, handsome, and skilled at flattery. In her naivety, she had probably rushed into things too quickly, hoping to forget the pain of years of unrequited love. But the experience hadn't been what she'd hoped. In fact, it had been far from pleasant, growing more uncomfortable with every time. And in the end, she had learned the harsh truth: he had lied to her about his identity and had only used her for his own gain.

The memory put a bitter taste in her mouth and a pit in her stomach. But one couldn't break a broken heart, right?

Besides, Kakashi wasn't like that man. He wasn't Sasuke either. He was… Kakashi. Trustworthy. Kind. He exuded a natural confidence in everything he did, and it was clear he was good at navigating the complexities of life. Not to mention, he was incredibly handsome and damn sexy.

Ah, just the thought of him made her mouth water. The way his presence had enveloped her, the warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips—mmmh. If this morning had been any indication, things with him would be what she had always hoped being intimate with a man would be: fulfilling, positive, and filled with a connection that transcended the physical.

She took a deep breath, trying to quell the butterflies dancing in her stomach. This was her chance to embrace something beautiful, something she had longed for, and she was determined to let go of the past and look into the future with confidence.

The Anbu guards at the gate greeted her as they always had, but now that she knew her comings and goings were recorded, she felt a bit awkward. Oh well, just another thing to get used to.

Sakura mounted the flights of stairs quickly, rushing down the familiar corridor that smelled of something new she couldn't quite place. With a burst of excitement, she rapped her knuckles against the door to the Hokage's office before swinging it open.

"Kakashi, I am so…"

She froze mid-sentence. Someone else was already there.

"Sakura! It's so good to see you!" Tsunade beamed, swiveling around in the chair in front of Kakashi's desk, looking radiant, like a buxom goddess descended to earth to ravish starstruck men. "I just returned from my travels."

"Lady Tsunade! It's g…g…good to see you too," Sakura managed, her voice surprisingly steady as she tried to regain her composure. She glanced briefly at Kakashi, who leaned casually forward on his elbows with a thoroughly neutral expression.

"Just catching up on a few things with the Hokage before the night falls," Tsunade winked. "I hear you've handled the hospital brilliantly!"

"Oh… I… I don't know, Shishou," Sakura stammered, her mind spinning. Why was Tsunade here? And tonight of all nights? And why a teasing wink after saying she was catching up with the Hokage?!

"She's handling it brilliantly," Kakashi interjected smoothly. "Everybody is singing her praises."

"As expected," Tsunade said with a fond smile. "Sakura, do you have a job for me?"

"A… job?" Sakura echoed. "You… you want to take over as director again?"

Tsunade's laugh was hearty, filling the room. "No way! Absolutely not!" She shook her head emphatically. "I was thinking of something more… short-time. I'm just a bit tight on money and then I'll be gone again. I was thinking of traveling abroad, like you."

Sakura was horrified. It was nearly impossible to believe that Tsunade could have blown through her earnings from five hundred thousand books or more!

"Of course I'll have a job for you," Sakura mumbled, unsure what else to say. Tsunade wanted a job at the hospital? Under her directorship? Damn. She had expected tonight to be nerve-wracking but for very different reasons. Not this.

"There's no rush," Tsunade stretched languidly. Her huge breasts looked eager to leave their confines. Sakura caught the faint widening of Kakashi's eyes, and a flash of anger shot through her—sharp, unexpected, and impossible to ignore.

"As a matter of fact," Sakura interjected, "Kakashi has a job for you too. He's in need of one or two more assistants, isn't that right?"

Kakashi looked surprised. "That's true," he nodded. "I only just this morning put the ad out."

"And about half of the hospital staff wants to apply," Sakura said sourly. Flaunting his muscles in Anbu uniform once was enough, apparently, to turn otherwise rational men and women into simpering idiots. Was he even aware of the power he held over the gullible?

"Oh?" Tsunade smiled playfully at Kakashi, adding another infuriating wink. "And what exactly would these new assistants be doing?"

Sakura had already reached the end of her fuse. Could they not wait for their innuendo until they were alone? But frankly, it could have been worse... She could have caught them with their pants down.

And now her evening was entirely ruined.

"Helping me with paperwork," Kakashi answered with a resigned gesture at the mountains of documents stacked on his desk. "I've finally hit my limit."

Tsunade laughed, flipping her hair back. "Paperwork, huh? You sure that's all you need help with, Kakashi?"

Sakura felt her pulse spike. "Oookay! That's my cue—I'm leaving," she announced.

Tsunade glanced at her, genuinely surprised. "Leaving? But, Sakura, what did you come here for?"

"Reporting," Sakura lied smoothly. "I was… checking on the status of my reports." She gestured toward his desk, carefully avoiding Kakashi's gaze. "I wanted to know if Hokage-sama had read them."

Tsunade dropped her voice and leaned in, conspiratorial. "Don't call him that," she murmured, grinning as if letting Sakura in on a secret. "He hates it!"

Sakura couldn't help but roll her eyes, feeling exasperated. Like I didn't already know that!

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, watching her with that maddening calm he always maintained. "Yes, Sakura," he replied, almost too evenly, "I have read them."

"No questions?" she shot back. She really needed to get out of here; Tsunade's brazen flirtation was like salt on a fresh wound. Rationally, she knew she had no claim on Kakashi. But against someone like Tsunade? She felt like an ant beside a lioness. Tiny. Insignificant. Utterly foolish.

Kakashi tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "Yes, I do have questions. You want to discuss them… now?" The subtle pause he left hanging between the words only irritated her further.

She felt her fists clench at her sides. "So sorry to interrupt whatever you two were… doing," she snapped, unable to keep the edge out of her voice. "I will take my leave as already declared."

Tsunade's eyes widened, then her lips quirked into a faint smile. "Hmmmm, have you been giving private lessons to my student, Kakashi? And here I was under the impression you liked older women."

Kakashi's eyes flicked between the two women. Then he sighed. "Tsunade," he said gravely, "I think you're misreading a little."

Sakura's cheeks flamed, her earlier anger churning into something painfully close to humiliation. Private lessons? I wish!

Kakashi's gaze softened. "Actually," he said, "the questions are important and I think we should discuss them now. Because if I'm correct in my estimation of what you have not said in the report, Tsunade should hear it."

She had not said that she'd been stupid, naive and trusting. That she had been taken advantage of, because she had no experience with men. That perhaps, she had endangered what meant the world to her. This: Konoha. Her family. Her friends. Her future.

She swallowed, feeling the weight of her words. "Yes," she replied, eyes fixed on the tips of her shoes, wishing she could somehow slip back into the carefree innocence of her childhood. "You're correct. What I wrote down about their medicine and technology… it's true, but it's not the whole truth. They're not peaceful. They're on the brink of waging war on their neighbors, armed with terrifying weapons, all based on that same technological advantage."

"I see," Kakashi said after a brief pause, and there was a gentleness there, a kind of quiet reassurance that had always made her feel seen and understood. "And you have reason to believe that, despite being so far from here, they might eventually pose a threat to us?"

"Yes," Sakura replied, her voice barely more than a whisper. Admitting it brought a tight ache to her chest.

Tsunade leaned forward, her tone sharper. "They took an interest in our continent?"

Sakura nodded, a single, resolute movement. "Yes. They're curious about our way of life and our skills. But it wasn't the kind of curiosity I first thought. It turned out to be strategic, calculating. They were gathering information."

And I gave it to them.

Sakura could feel their eyes on her, could practically sense the judgment she'd feared—their shock and maybe even disappointment. Now that her secret was out in the open, the weight she'd carried alone seemed to press down even harder, suffocating.

"I'm… so sorry," she managed, voice breaking. Before either could respond, she turned and bolted from the room, her footsteps quickening as she fled.

She didn't stop running, winding through the familiar streets of Konoha as memories, guilt, and regret whirled around her mind. The longer she ran, the darker Sakura's thoughts grew. She couldn't escape the relentless voice in her mind: How could you have been so careless? Konoha's peace was a hard-won miracle, paid for with so many lives, but her eagerness to impress had put it all in danger. The image of foreign ships on the horizon haunted her mind—armed with the advanced weapons she'd witnessed, aimed at the village she loved.

Finally, she slowed, catching her breath as she reached a quieter part of the village near the training fields. She forced herself to take a steadying breath, wiping angrily at her eyes. Lost in her thoughts, Sakura didn't notice the figure approaching until they were suddenly blocking her path. She halted, instinctively shifting into a defensive stance before she registered the familiar presence.

"Sasuke?" She gasped.

"Hey," he muttered. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

"Oh, yeah," Sakura tried to laugh, brushing a hand through her hair. "Kind of threw a fit and ran off."

He gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping over her. "I just wanted to say goodbye."

They stood there, watching each other in silence, the air thick with words unspoken.

"So… you're leaving again," she said at last, keeping her voice as level as she could.

"Yeah."

"When will you be back?"

He didn't answer, the silence stretching between them until she mustered a small, brave smile. "Well, come say hi when you are."

"Okay." His voice softened, and he managed a half-smile. "Take care, Sakura."

"You too."

He started to turn away, but then paused, looking back with an expression that surprised her. "Sakura, I…"

Her pulse quickened. "What is it?"

"Would you want to… I mean, should we have a drink together or something?"

His words hung in the air, the "or something" lingering. She held his gaze, every part of her waiting for something—something they'd never quite had, and she wasn't sure they could.

"Yeah," she replied softly, feeling her heart catch. "I'd like that."