Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

One look at Sasuke Uchiha and you'd think the aristocratic alpha had it all. He has looks that made one weak at the knees, an impressive career, the privileged that comes with being born into a prestigious family whose presence demanded respect and a rather successful, omega girlfriend. But the thing with looks is that they can be rather deceiving.

For as long as Sasuke could remember, everyone either wanted to be him, or be with him. His long term girlfriend, Sakura Haruno was no different. She had followed him like a lost puppy all through school even before she had presented as an omega. Both Sasuke's parents were alphas so his secondary gender was predetermined from the time he was conceived. Being born a pure alpha, made everything about him enhanced. From his size and strength to his powerfully alluring scent that seemed to captivate all. Every single one of his senses were heightened and thus the reason the pink haired omega's perseverance paid off.

Sakura contained a gene that hindered her natural scent, giving her pheromones a much subtler scent than the average omega. She was the first omega who didn't repulse Sasuke so after college he conceded and agreed to take her out. After all, he wanted a family one day and an omega would ensure that, so why not one he didn't feel revulsion towards without the use of scent blockers?

Sasuke had never been in a relationship before Sakura, just random hook ups with a few betas and the odd alpha. So when he started opening himself up to her little by little, he found he didn't hate it and even began growing fond of the omega. He knew that mates were supposed to be drawn to each other's scent like a fly to honey but with her following him and his scent for most of their life and her being the only omega he'd ever been able to tolerate, he thought that maybe she was it for him. Maybe she was actually destined to be his mate.

After college, Sasuke didn't think twice about accepting his fathers offer to join his company and work alongside his brother Itachi. It was what he worked towards his whole life. Everything seemed perfect until his first business trip.

Sasuke will never forget how exhilarating it was to be entrusted with handling business negotiations solo for the first time. It took two years but he'd finally felt validated. When he finally arrived home he looked forward to curling up with the omega and telling her all about it but that's when Sakura's irrational jealousy began to rear its ugly head.

Sasuke's assistant was also an omega and was required to attend the trip with him, Sakura didn't take kindly to him coming home smelling like another omega. No matter how much Sasuke tried to reassure her and remind her that he couldn't stand omega pheromones, she wouldn't have it. She cried about how he reeked of omega when she couldn't even scent him properly because of her genetics. That was the first of many subsequent arguments to come. Much to Sasuke's dismay it also led to him letting go of an excellent assistant all to appease Sakura.

Sasuke's mother may be an alpha, but she raised him to respect omegas, and more importantly his chosen partner. If his assistant made his omega uncomfortable, he'd rectify it even if the reason was ludicrous.

Even after bending to Sakura's will, it wasn't enough. Their arguments began to escalate and almost every return trip home ended in upheaval. Sakura would always apologise after cooling down and Sasuke being the loyal man he was always accepted. He'd never let anyone else get away with the outbursts she unleashes on him, but they'd spent years together and that's what you do when you're in love right? Forgive one another?

Sasuke wasn't sure what love was supposed to feel like, but not hating the person you wake up to everyday had to mean something. Plus, she seemed to keep his alpha quiet which was unheard of. Alphas inner beasts were notorious for making themselves known, but that had never been an issue since Sasuke had been with the omega. His alpha sat back quietly and let Sasuke lead. With him being a pure alpha it was more than a little shocking but he appreciated not being led by his animalistic instincts nonetheless.

In all the fights they'd had, Sakura never once let their arguments bleed out into the public eye. Every public appearance, every charity event, even every Uchiha gathering, she'd act the part of the perfect doting girlfriend. It was something that Sasuke was grateful for and softened the blows her jealousy caused when they arrived home. Though Sasuke had found bringing her to events eased her insecurities greatly when she could keep an eye on him, she still managed to get all huffy about others eyeing her alpha.

Tonight was starkly different.

"I don't care, Sasuke! Did you see her?!" Sakura sneered as Sasuke dragged her away from his parents' anniversary party.

"Control yourself, you're causing a scene!" Sasuke growled dangerously low at her as he pulled her aside into one of the lavish washrooms.

Sakura was taken back, Sasuke never spoke to her this way. Regaining her composure she yanked her arm from Sasuke's grasp before jabbing her finger into his chest. "I will not! She was trying to take what's mine!"

"How many times do I have to tell you that I don't want another omega? That I can't stand them?" Sasuke hissed. "Don't you trust me?"

Sakura rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Please, you weren't exactly trying to shove her away."

"Christ sake, Sakura, she's a 16 year old girl, and one of our business partners' daughters," Sasuke grit his teeth furiously. "What would you have me do, hn? Publicly humiliate her in front of her family and mine? It seems you're forgetting how you were at her age."

"See!" Sakura shouted as if validating herself. "Not only are you defending her but you even know how old she is!"

"Oh my god, that's what you got from that? She's a fucking child!" Sasuke bellowed, his chest sending out a dangerous rumble.

Sasuke's eyes were beginning to bleed red and made her feel uneasy. Sakura looked away, reluctantly submitting and muttering under her breath. "She was still sending out enough pheromones practically begging you to mark her."

"Mark her?" Sasuke clenched his jaw tightly trying to rein in his rage. "So we're on this again?" Sasuke easily took a step back from the rosette.

Sakura stepped forward to grab hold of him. "If you would just mark me already I wouldn't have to worry about some whore stealing you away from me!"

Sasuke snorted and shook his head mirthlessly as he removed the girl's talons from his arm. "You know what? Go home, I don't need you ruining my parents' anniversary."

"But-but you can't-" Sakura began to mindlessly sputter.

Sasuke turned his back to her and began opening the washroom door. "I can. You will go home and we will discuss this when I can look at you again," his tone leaving no room for argument. With that he was gone, nothing but a retreating figure leaving Sakura crumbling to the floor in a furious heap. Sasuke's tone was phlegmatic, but that wasn't anything new, what concerned her was his asking her to leave, he'd never disregarded her like that before. Rage bubbled to the surface as she finally made her way out of the manor, he was in for it later.

By the time the party wrapped up, Sasuke wasn't ready to return home so instead he agreed to meet his brother at their usual bar for a quiet drink before facing the music. When Sasuke stormed down the hall with no pink haired nuisance in sight, Itachi knew something was amiss. Itachi was never fond of the omega but he withstood her for the sake of his brother. If she made him happy, he'd help him in any way he could.

Like Sasuke, Itachi was also born a pure alpha. It was rare for alphas to bond with one another and even rarer to successfully breed. Their mother Mikoto had accomplished the near impossible by enduring not one but two pregnancies.

The brother's were fairly similar in looks but Itachi took after their father Fugaku more, with his long, charcoal hair and deep facial marking while Sasuke took after Mikoto with the same soft midnight hair and his skin the same luminescent alabaster. However, they both inherited their fathers strong jaw and their mothers' large, almond shaped eyes that sparkled like orbs of glassy obsidian. Itachi was half an inch taller than Sasuke but they were both broad and muscular, their facial features were sharp yet elegant. There was no mistaking their secondary gender.

"Trouble in paradise little brother?" Itachi jested as Sasuke took his seat next to him.

"Tch," Sasuke scoffed before a scotch was slid in front of him by the all knowing bartender. He looked up and gave the man a look of appreciation. "Thanks."

The bartender gave him a good natured wink that held nothing but acceptance of gratitude, before busying himself behind the bar.

Sasuke sipped his scotch before finally looking at his brother with a heavy sigh. "Sakura's on me about giving her my mark again."

"Well you two have been together, what, six years now?" Itachi raised an inquisitive brow. "It is a bit strange to have waited this long."

"We're only twenty eight," Sasuke huffed. This wasn't the first time they'd had this conversation.

"Maybe so, but after six years shouldn't you know if you want her to bear your mark?" Itachi asked dryly. He really wanted his brother to realise there was a reason he'd been so reluctant on the thought of bonding with Sakura.

"Once we bond there's no going back-" Sasuke froze, he couldn't believe the words that just came out of his mouth. He looked over at Itachi like he'd bewitched him.

Itachi smirked all knowingly. "Isn't that the point in bonding, little brother?"

"I-I didn't mean it that way," Sasuke quickly looked away and took a deep, burning sip of scotch.

Itachi chuckled as he rested his elbow on the bar and cupped his cheek in his hand. "Oh? And what did you mean?"

With a deep breath, Sasuke shut his eyes tightly. "It's just...she's always on my case about smelling like other omegas and it's tiring. No matter how much I reassure her she continues to attack me like I'm some man whore." Sasuke looked at his brother with exhausted eyes. "She says that once we bond she'll feel more secure, but what if she doesn't?"

Itachi frowned slightly, he didn't like seeing his brother looking so distraught. "That's not healthy, Sasuke. I know she's insecure with her own lack of pheromones but those are her issue to work on not yours. You've gone above and beyond in trying to comfort and reassure her. If she can't even trust you now your mark isn't going to do anything to change that."

Sasuke stared down, watching the soft glow of the bar lights reflect off the light amber liquor dominating his glass. "I know, but what am I supposed to do? I care for her, I truly do."

"You can care for her but that doesn't mean you love her," Itachi carefully stated as he reached to take a tentative sip of his martini.

"I know that," Sasuke scoffed as the conversation overstepped the depth of comfort he was willing to humour.

"Do you? Because from my standpoint, you're settling for convenience," Itachi was never hesitant to slap his brother with the truth.

"And what would you know huh? It's not like you even date," Sasuke growled under his breath.

"That may be true but that doesn't mean I'm blind," Itachi sighed almost painfully as he absently stirred his skewered olive. "Tell me, why are you so hung up on her? If lack of scent is the only thing your relationship stems from, why not date betas?"

"You know how hard it is for a beta to carry an alphas pups," Sasuke grit out.

Itachi raised a curious brow, taking note that his brother didn't deny the basis for their relationship. "So you want Sakura to carry your pups?"

"Well, I...yeah," Sasuke hesitantly answered.

"For someone who wants children so badly, your actions with Sakura reflect the complete opposite. Have you ever thought of taking a break and giving you both some breathing room?"

Sasuke's drive home was quiet as he mulled over his brother's words carefully. He couldn't possibly take a break from Sakura could he? The thought of the omega's reaction was enough to make him shudder as he pulled into the driveway. Parking up, he quickly — yet quietly — exited his car and made his way towards the extravagant front door.

Walking inside, Sasuke was immediately assaulted by a disgustingly bitter smell. The residents' grandeur had been tainted as the scent of pure, unadulterated fury permeated throughout the vast hallway. For him to be able to smell Sakura's rage, she must be pissed. The walls were practically dripping with animosity as her enraged pheromones began seeping through the very foundation he stood upon.

As Sasuke entered he readied himself, mentally preparing to fight yet another repetitive battle. Their spats were always the same, Sakura's jealousy turned to rageful shouts before deafening silence eventually concurred, leaving an eerie stillness in its wake. Wash, rinse, repeat.

It didn't take long for him to find Sakura. She was seated in one of the lush couches sipping on an overly large glass of red wine. She was wearing a pair of powder pink pajama bottoms and one of Sasuke's black sleeping shirts that hung off her shoulder.

"Finally returned, have you?" Sakura sneered, not even bothering to look up at him.

Sudden exhaustion takes over and Sasuke can only sigh. "I don't suppose you've decided to come to your senses?"

That got her to look up at him with an icy glare. "Excuse me?" Sakura spat. "You let some skank flirt with you all night, take her side then practically kick me out of your parents party and I'm the one that needs to come to their senses?"

"We both know it wasn't like that and you know you were starting to cause a scene." Sasuke said hollowly.

"Oh and she wasn't?" The omega fumed.

"She's a teenager, you're a grown woman. I shouldn't have to worry about my girlfriend causing a scene and embarrassing my family and I," Sasuke growled. "Your insecurities have never spilled over into the public so I've overlooked them but tonight was too far Sakura."

"If you would just m-"

"Don't!" Sasuke's voice was laced with venom, his dark eyes narrowing dangerously. "Don't fucking finish that sentence. If you can't trust me now, my mark isn't going to change a damn thing."

"Of course it will!" Sakura began to protest immediately. "Everyone will know your mine and will back off!"

Sasuke shook his head sardonically. "Yours? I'm not a fucking possession to be owned Sakura!"

"I didn't mean it that way!" She cringed at herself. "I want you to own me. I want everyone to know that you own me," she mumbled, her usual fight beginning to wane.

Sasuke sighed heavily but took an exhausted seat next to the omega. "You're not a possession either Sakura, you shouldn't be owned."

"But I want to be yours!" Sakura pleaded. "I want you to own me! What the hell is wrong with you? Alphas are supposed to want to possess their mates, Sasuke!"

"Excuse me?" Sasuke's tone sent shivers down her spine. She knew she'd fucked up.

"I- I didn't-"

"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with me?" He repeated himself with a dark chuckle. "I continue to treat you with respect regardless of your behaviour and there's something wrong with me?"

"I didn't mean it like that!" She tried to grab his wrist as he stood up but he quickly stepped out of reach, leaving her dejected.

Sasuke spun around with a laugh, but it was clear he found nothing funny. "No, I think you meant exactly that."

"No Sasuke, I didn't mean it that way! I love you, I just...I want to be with you and for the other omega's to back off," Sakura looked away from Sasuke's steel gaze, biting her lip nervously. "We've been together six years and I have no mark, we have no children. Do you know how often my mother questions why the pitter patter of little feet aren't running around yet?"

"And we've," he used his hand in a crude gesture between them, "talked about this. We agreed that we would do everything on our own timeline, not my parents and not yours," Sasuke made no attempt to comfort the omega who was giving off distressed pheromones.

"But this is my timeline! I want your mark and I want your children," Sakura pleaded in a panic as tears began to form in the corners of her large, emerald eyes.

"And you know that I'm not ready," Sasuke's alpha reacted strangely to the mention of pups and he wasn't sure how it made him feel. Surely having a pretty omega declaring they want to give you children should make his alpha preen, but it all felt rather lackluster. It wasn't that he couldn't see her point, it's just he couldn't bring himself to agree with her. Maybe they really did need a break from each other.

"But shouldn't what I want matter?" Tears began to trickle down, making her flushed cheeks glisten.

Sasuke looked away, crying always made him uncomfortable, and Sakura did a lot of that. "There's an even bigger problem if you think I don't value your wants."

"But you don't! You keep saying one day, one day. But that day never comes!" She all but screams. "I'm tired of waiting while you parade around, receiving every omega under the sun's attention!" She finished with clenched fists.

"And back at this again," Sasuke mumbled as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He had no fight left in him. He had done the yelling, he'd fought tooth and nail but it always ended with the same arguments over and over again. Did he want to look for a new potential mate and throw away six years? No. Did he feel like they could continue this way without some form of intervention? Absolutely not.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, maybe it was time to find out.

"I think we should take a break," he couldn't stop the words from rolling smoothly off his tongue. He couldn't remember the last time something felt so easy.

"No! We are going to finish this conversation now!" Sakura exclaimed, clearly misunderstanding the meaning behind his words.

Sasuke looks at her phlegmatically. "No, I mean us, our relationship. I think we should put us on hold."

Sakura froze, there was no way she heard what she thought she heard. "Wh-what?"

Unaffected by her, Sasuke responded effortlessly. "This whole thing isn't going anywhere and quite frankly, I'm tired of it, Sakura." He shut his eyes and sighed heavily. "I'm so fucking tired of it. I think it would be wise for us to take a break from each other."

"Y-you're breaking up with me?" Sakura screeched in disbelief.

"No, I said we-" Sasuke was cut off by a furious omega.

"You want to break up with me so you can fuck all those sluts don't you?!" Sakura shot up and began a rage fueled ramble, vases were thrown and furniture jostled as her bitter rage permeated the air. "What happened to 'I don't like omegas scents' Sasuke? You've probably been fucking them all along haven't you?! I bet you have one in every city you visit!"

"Enough!" Sasuke boomed out. There was only so much escalation he could take. In all their fights, Sakura had never once become this violent, Sasuke had reached his breaking point. "If you don't stop this instant I will walk out that door and this won't be a mere break. Do I make myself clear?"

Sakura scowled defiantly at him in an attempt to disguise her nerves. She refused to utter a single word in response.

"I said," Sasuke took an imposing step towards her. "Do I make myself clear?" He growled out so deeply one would have expected the walls to quake.

The fury that radiated from the alpha made Sakura whimper as the fine hairs on her body stood on end. The sheer magnitude of his wrath nearly suffocated her. Never once had she feared Sasuke, but at this moment she bared her neck and cowered before him. "Y-yes."

Truth be told, Sasuke scared himself a little as well. In all his years, not once had he allowed his anger to boil over to such a degree. He was an Uchiha, they were the picture of calm and collected, he couldn't believe he allowed himself to slip. He took a deep breath to calm himself as well as trying to give Sakura some reprieve from his heavy pheromones. The omega remained frozen in place, refusing to move or make eye contact.

Sasuke sighed. "I'm going to take a guest room for tonight. We can figure out what we're going to do tomorrow."

When Sasuke turned to walk away Sakura finally looked up with dewy, bloodshot eyes. "Why a break? Couldn't we go to therapy or something instead? Surely there's another way," her voice pleaded with such desperation that Sasuke almost turned around.

"No, we need some space if there's any hope of making us work." Sasuke paused for a moment, as stoic as he is, this wasn't easy for him either. "Goodnight Sakura."

And just like that he was gone. Sakura crumbled to the floor, and allowed her anguish to wash over her.

The days that followed weren't any better. If anything, things had gotten worse with each passing day. If they were going to take a break they couldn't see each other. Living under the same roof clearly wasn't wise and Sasuke couldn't bring himself to make the omega move out, seeing as it was just as much her house as it was his. That left him temporarily taking up residence at a hotel.

Sasuke could have stayed with his brother or one of his friends but he wasn't sure how long this break was going to last for and he didn't want to become an inconvenience to them. Shikamaru had tried to convince him it wouldn't be an issue — even without knowing why he wasn't sleeping at home — but Sasuke refused. The shorter brunette was one of Sasuke's oldest friends. Back in grade school, the unenthusiastic man was one of the few who didn't care about what Sasuke's family represented, he saw Sasuke for who he was. Even at a young age, it was something that Sasuke had been extremely grateful for. People saw Shikamaru as some sort of slacker and even though the alpha's laziness was unmatched, his genius gave even Itachi a run for his money. It was one of the qualities Sasuke admired about his friend and made him surprisingly easy to talk to.

"Really?" The lazy male asked as he sipped his whiskey.

"Hn," was Sasuke's response as he acted indifferent.

It had been a week since he'd been living out of a hotel room and after the work week he'd had, he needed a break which is how he found himself at Shikamaru's house on a Friday night.

Uchiha Corporation was the leading pharmaceutical corporation in the east, specializing in all things scent and pheromone related. Recently they had been working on ways to strengthen alpha and omega suppressants and blockers while keeping the cost low. They believed that everyone should have access to affordable, dependable products. The set for alphas were coming along nicely, however, the set for omega's was proving to be trickier. It had been more difficult than they'd initially thought and no one seemed to be able to crack it.

Omegas pheromones were far more complex than alphas which made it nearly impossible to figure out affordable methods to alter their products. A smaller company over in the west was trying to do something similar and reached out in an attempt at obtaining a meeting with them but without any concrete proof that the endeavor would prove successful, Itachi was forced to decline their request.

Sasuke had one hell of a week.

"Well, can't say I'm surprised," Shikamaru's voice remained flat.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Shikamaru deadpanned. "You're joking right? You guys are like oil and water. No matter how hard you try, you just don't mix."

Sasuke scoffed. "We'd be fine if she would just work on dealing with her insecurities."

"Why are you so dead set on her anyways? Seems too troublesome to deal with all that for a scent you can stand." Shikamaru was truly curious, the couple never made sense to him and he was a certified genius.

"I'm not like you or any other alpha, you're all drawn to your omega's by scent. With me," Sasuke paused to mentally assimilate. "I think that her lack of scent is my equivalent to being drawn to her pheromones. Most alphas wish to bathe in that cloying smell of a fertile omega while I like the neutrality Sakura gives off. That's what makes me dead set on her."

"But you don't want to mark her?" Shikamaru raised his eyebrow, not buying his friend's explanation. Maybe the fact that Sasuke was never wrong was what had him clinging to an omega he clearly didn't belong with.

Sasuke clenched his jaw. "I do."

"Then why haven't you in the six years you've been together?" Shikamaru drawled out.

Sasuke rolled his eyes as he finally took a smooth sip of whiskey. "God, you sound just like Itachi. We're young, why rush it?"

"If you're so sure she's your mate why wait?" Shikamaru challenged.

Sasuke remained silent as he watched the light play off his tumbler, the intricate design refracting the reflected light almost hypnotically. If he were being honest, he wasn't sure what truly made him hesitate so he grasped onto the only argument he could think of. "I would if she would work on the constant jealousy."

"So if she was to stop all the fights and all the complaining, you'd go mark her right now?" Shikamaru asked incredulously.

"Sure," Sasuke shrugged, but even he had a hard time believing his words.

Shikamaru snorted. "Bullshit." You didn't need to be a genius to tell that Sasuke was in denial.

Sasuke levelled his friend with a glare but Shikamaru was immune to them by now.

Shikamaru sighed when he realised the other alpha wasn't going to respond. "Look, all I'm saying is take this time apart to think about it. Hell, meet some people, maybe even fuck someone. Just figure your shit out because this cycle you two are stuck in isn't healthy. Not for you, and not for her either."

Sasuke was appalled that Shikamaru would recommend him meeting and fucking other people. This was a break for him and Sakura, not a free pass to cheat. But before Sasuke could voice exactly that, the sound of Shikamaru's front door jostled the two from their conversation.

"Shika?" Same a slightly muffled, feminine voice.

"I'm back here," Shikamaru called back.

Moments later a tall blond came around the corner. "Oh, hey Sasuke," she greeted before making her way over to Shikamaru and placing a chaste kiss on his lips.

"Temari," Sasuke curtly greeted the omega back as he ignored the display of affection.

Temari and Shikamaru had been together for years and had been bonded for over a year now. She wasn't the typical shy, demur omega, she had a personality that rivalled an alpha's. She was loud and brash, Sasuke thought she complimented his lazy friend perfectly.

"So, what are you two up to?" She asked as she walked around the bar to prepare herself a gin and tonic.

"Discussing the break Sasuke's taking from Sakura," Shikamaru responded lazily.

Temari's eye held a wicked gleam, "About damn time, you could do so much better."

Sasuke scowled. "It's a break, not a break up."

"Oh come on Sasuke, don't be a drama queen," Temari joked as she took her seat beside Shikamaru. She loved ruffling Sasuke's feathers.

"I'm sorry that I don't find you poking fun at my relationship, amusing," Sasuke sneered.

A mischievous smirk pulled at Temari's lips. "Oh come on, you can't tell me you aren't the least bit relieved to get a break from her?"

"Oh yes, I'm so relieved," Sasuke bit out sarcastically. If only he could be honest and admit that it had been one of the most peaceful weeks of his life, albeit a little lonely. It left him feeling somewhat bad, he just couldn't tell if it was because he'd abandoned the omega or because he almost felt relieved to be away from the nagging woman. He didn't have the emotional capacity to deal with this shit.

Shikamaru sighed. "You know she's just teasing you."

"Totally," Temari failed to hide her amusement behind an innocent sip of her drink.

"Temari," Shikamaru warned. He didn't want to deal with an utterly pissy Sasuke.

Temari let out a heavy breath as she placed her glass down. "Look, I'm sorry alright? I was just having a bit of fun."

"Hn," Sasuke grunted. It was clear he had accepted her apology, though he'd never voice it.

As troublesome as it was, Shikamaru took it upon himself to curve the conversation. Sasuke could tolerate Temari better than he could others but with how on edge he was, now wasn't the time to continue this particular conversation.

Sasuke had tuned them out for the most part, only offering a grunt or two here and there. From what he gathered from his absent listening, Temari had tried to get her friend to stay with them but been turned down. Sasuke only paid attention to this particular aspect because his usually lazy friend seemed surprised — and far more animated than he'd usually be — that Temari's friend was actually in town. Anything that could make Shikamaru react was clearly significant. Sasuke would be lying if he said he wasn't curious.

By the time the conversation landed on Temari's brother Kankuro getting the job as a high school drama teacher, Sasuke deemed it time to go. His mood had been drastically soured by the conversation regarding Sakura and himself and he no longer felt like drinking with his friends so he left his drink nearly untouched in favour of hitting his hotel's bar before turning in for the night.

Somehow, the thought of drinking around strangers who didn't know the real him felt oddly soothing. He didn't fancy being hit on by everyone but tonight he was willing to deal with it in order to momentarily forget his woes.

The hotel's bar ended up being relatively quiet. Only a few tables were occupied and there was a lone patron seated at the bar. Not thinking twice, Sasuke strolled over to the far side of the bar top and took a seat. The bartender was quick to tend to him and much to his pleasure was an alpha. Feeling confident he wasn't going to be hit on, he allowed himself to enjoy his scotch's smooth taste and before long he had finished his first drink and ordered another.

Just as he brought the beveled glass to his lips his whole body surged with an unexpected jolt of energy. Sasuke almost frowned when he felt his alpha stir.

"Can I get a Shirley Temple please?" A soft, angelic voice asked.

The voice immediately blanketed Sasuke in a calming warmth and he found himself looking over. The male was in a pale orange hoodie so he couldn't make out what he looked like. For some reason, Sasuke found himself intrigued. He couldn't help notice the lack of pheromones meaning the small male was either a beta or using scent blockers.

"You got I.D. cutey?" The bartender asked flirtatiously. Sasuke had to fight the urge to snarl.

Sasuke quickly looked away as the patron reached for his wallet. 'What the fuck is wrong with me?'

"Here," the soft voice said with a huff as he handed over his licence.

Sasuke couldn't help but notice how the bartender's fingers purposely graved the other. He didn't like it.

"You gonna check my I.D. or stare at me all night?" The man bit out in annoyance. Sasuke found himself smirking as he sipped his drink.

"Is that an offer?" The bartender purred. Sasuke could feel the growl building in his throat.

"Not even close," the patron audibly cringed.

"I like when they play hard to get," the bartender finally looked at the man's licence and a giant, lecherous smiley stretched across his face. "You're an omega."

Sasuke froze, sure the man was on the smaller side, but he would have guessed he was a beta. Omega's seldom use blockers. For the first time he felt disappointed he couldn't tell what someone smelt like. He told himself he only wanted to prove his scent was as repulsive as every other omega's. 

The omega rolled his eyes. "Pretty sure my secondary gender has nothing to do with my age."

"No, but it is hard to see if this is really you. I'm going to have to ask you to remove your hood. You know, for identification purposes," the alpha smirked.

The omega sighed but complied. "There."

Sasuke couldn't stop his head from turning, and holy fuck was he glad he did. Standing there was the most beautiful man he'd ever seen. He had glowing skin the colour of honey and vibrant, blond hair that was spiked into a perfectly calculated mess. Sasuke couldn't help wondering if those unruly locks were as soft as they looked.

"I guess it is you, Na-ru-to," the bartender's voice dipped seductively as he handed Naruto's licence back; his hands lingering entirely too long for Sasuke's liking.

Naruto snatched his licence back as quickly as he could; doing his best to ignore the annoying alpha. At least the man finally set out to make his drink. Naruto planned on taking one of the many empty tables when he finally receives his fruity drink. No way was he going to sit at the bar with that lecher. The man wasn't even trying to hide the waves of arousal he was sending out.

Naruto crossed his arms over his chest and waited patiently, but he could feel the other alpha at the bar staring at him intently.

Sasuke had been so lost in thought he hadn't realised he'd been staring, that was until the omega turned and looked at him. Sasuke nearly had the wind knocked out of him. The man was beyond beautiful, but those fucking eyes were other worldly. They were like shimmering cobalt sapphires, mesmerising and enchanting. If Sasuke's eyes were as deep and dark as the Mariana trench, the omega's were as warm and stunning as the coastal waters of the tropics.

The two seemed suspended in time, neither uttering a word or making a move to look away. For the moment it was just them...until a horny bartender interrupted. "Here's your drink...omega."

Furry crossed Naruto's face but before he could give the infuriating bartender a piece of his mind, the alpha spoke. An holy fuck, what a voice it was. It was deep and smooth as silk. Had Naruto been any other omega, he'd be dripping slick from that voice alone.

"I'm pretty sure it's against Hyuga policy to harass patrons. Maybe I should give Neji a call and ask," Sasuke's voice came out cold as he squinted at the bartenders name tag. "Mizuki?" Sasuke honestly didn't know why he was speaking up. Must be the booze.

Mizuki spun his head so quickly, Sasuke was surprised he didn't pull something. The imposing presence Sasuke presented had the other alpha back down immediately.

When Mizuki turned back to Naruto he mumbled, " That'll be-"

Sasuke cut him off. "On the house, isn't that right?"

Mizuki's eyebrow twitched and Sasuke simply raised his own eyebrow in challenge.

"On the house," Mizuki muttered affirmatively before reluctantly moving to the other end of the bar.

Naruto stared in the spot Mizuki had been seconds ago, only coming to when he hears the dark haired alpha clear his throat.

"Uh, thanks," Naruto rubbed his neck sheepishly.

"Hn," Sasuke hummed his equivalent to "no problem," which, oddly enough the blond seemed to understand.

Naruto felt bare under the gaze of those deep galactic eyes. This alpha was seriously way too gorgeous. He had midnight hair that was spiked stylishly in the back and his long bangs framed his perfect alabaster face. His jaw was strong, his cheekbones high and his nose looked carved from stone. Naruto found himself blushing when the alpha stood and stepped towards him. He was easily over a foot taller than himself. His chest looked firm, his shoulder broad and his waist tapered in magnificently. Naruto was concerned, alphas never affect him this way.

Sasuke held his hand out in greeting, "I'm Sasuke." He couldn't help but smirk at the blushing blond. His alpha was preening at the pretty omega checking him out. He found himself annoyed that he wasn't at all annoyed.

Naruto's eyes widened and his blush crept up his ears when he realised the alpha, Sasuke, caught him ogling him. He quickly cleared his throat — trying to compose himself — as his hand met Sasuke's huge fucking hand. "Naruto."

Sasuke savored the feeling of the omega's hand in his. It was small, warm and sinfully soft. "Naruto," he unintentionally tested the name on his tongue and found it pleased him greatly. When he realized he had practically purred Naruto's name, he quickly drew his hand back — reluctantly. "Would you care to sit with me?" he casually asked. Internally he was panicking because why the fuck did he ask the omega to sit with him? Naruto was an omega, Sasuke couldn't stand omegas!

"Alright," Naruto agreed softly and Sasuke no longer gave a fuck that this blond angel was an omega.

Shikamaru's earlier words, "meet some people, maybe fuck someone," ringing in his head. Sasuke found himself smirking. 'Hn, maybe just this once.' 

Chapter Text

Sasuke retrieved his drink and followed Naruto to one of the tables farthest away from the bar. Now that he'd committed to taking Shikamaru's advice, he had to figure out how to go about seducing the alluring blond while ensuring he knew it would be a one time thing. He couldn't pinpoint why he felt uneasy about doing so. No one had ever turned him down before, so surely this beautiful omega wouldn't. Maybe because Naruto would be the second omega he's ever actually looked at?

Sasuke watched as the small blond quickly slipped off his hoodie before tossing it on the back of his seat. He didn't miss how Naruto's blue t-shirt rose up, giving him a glimpse of that deliciously lean body. But alas, all good things must come to an end. That didn't stop Sasuke from wondering if that creamy, honey coloured skin extended further than just that sinful abdomen. Hell, Sasuke found himself wanting to lick that cute little navel just to see if it tasted as sweet as it looked...and he hated sweets.

The thought of how the gorgeous omega would taste brought Sasuke to the other issue he'd never had, he really wanted to scent Naruto. He wanted to know what he smelled like, wanted to know if their scents would mingle as erotically as the samples his brain was so graciously providing him with. It was something that he did with Sakura upon her request. He had hoped that rubbing his scent on her would help curb her insecurities but with her weak — nearly imperceivable — scent, it was impossible for them to intertwine. She inevitably got lost in his powerful allure. Being coated in his scent had a temporary calming effect on the pink haired omega, but that did little to help Sasuke when he'd leave and return home once again. What she really wanted was for him to smell like her and that was just an impossibility. 

Sasuke wanted to scoff at himself. He didn't understand why he felt so strongly about wanting to know what Naruto smelled like. Sure Naruto was the most beautiful person he'd ever laid eyes on, but an omega was still an omega. He should be grateful the blond wore scent blockers, at least it prevented him from rudely scrunching his nose up in revulsion.

Now that the omega's tantalizing abdomen was hidden, Sasuke's eyes sought out the blond's face but stopped when they reached his neck. Sasuke realized Naruto had on, a beautifully ornate collar. It was similar to those worn by omega's during heats to prevent accidental markings, but this one seemed thicker and more intricate. It was a rich tawny leather that shone under the pale bar lights. Judging by the way Naruto's shirt raised at the base of his neck, this collar stretched from below his chin, down and over his shoulders and wrapped to reach the beginning of his clavicle. Sasuke couldn't see but he'd bet that it went just as far down the back of Naruto's shoulders. He'd never seen one up close before but from what he knew about them, this one was different from the rest.

Sasuke found himself fighting the urge to growl at the thought of Naruto being out while possibly entering his heat. Did this idiot not have any self preservation? He was already breathtaking, he didn't need another reason for alpha to be all over him. Without thinking, Sasuke's eyes darted around to make sure no one was looking at the beautiful blond that was with him. 

"Are you going to sit down?" Naruto's soft, soothing voice broke him of his musings.

"Hn," Sasuke played it cool and took his seat. He may be having conflicting thoughts and feelings but he'd be damned if he'd let them show.

Naruto cocked a golden brow. "So, Sasuke, what brings you to a hotel bar on a Friday night?" Naruto was a little curious after hearing the alpha passively threaten the overzealous bartender. One only spoke that way if they could back up their words. Something made Naruto instinctively know that Sasuke's words were not empty.

The way his name rolled off Naruto's tongue sent euphoric tingles down Sasuke's spine. He was so affected that he almost didn't register the petite man's question. Sasuke breathed sharply at himself before finally answering. "I'm staying here."

Naruto gave him a 'duh' look. "That much is obvious. What brings you here though?"

Sasuke opened his mouth before quickly shutting it again. For the first time in his life he wasn't sure what to say, or how much to divulge. Did he tell the omega — he wished to bed — he was on a break from his future mate or did he skirt around the truth just enough so that he couldn't be considered a liar? In the end, Sasuke settled on the truth.

"My girlfriend and I are sort of on a break and I didn't feel right kicking her out of a house that was also her own," Sasuke shrugged gently.

Something constricted in Naruto's throat because of course an alpha like him would already be taken. He felt like an idiot for thinking otherwise.

Sasuke saw something flash in the omega's eyes and he didn't like it, not one bit. He'd never admit it, but he felt a surge of panic rush through him. He really didn't want to throw his potential shot with Naruto away. "We've been having issues for a long time and she was becoming increasingly violent in our fights. It wasn't healthy to continue on the path we were on, so I decided it was best to separate from each other for a while to figure out what we both want," he explained calmly.

Naruto's eyes widened. "She'd hit you?"

Sasuke let out a soft, amused huff. "No, but she had gotten to the point where she started throwing and breaking things."

That bit of information made Naruto frown slightly. "I'm sorry."

Sasuke didn't like that look on Naruto. He was far too pretty to have such an expression. Sasuke gave the omega a small smile that made him melt. "Hey, you have nothing to be sorry for."

Naruto couldn't stop the shy smile from pulling at his own plump lips. This alpha was dangerous. No one had ever had such an effect on him before. The way those dark, galactic eyes twinkled softly was enough to make anyone swoon. Naruto cleared his throat awkwardly. "Still..."

Sasuke smirked. "Are you worried about me, Naruto?"

The way his name was uttered playfully nearly caused Naruto to shutter in delight. Naruto disguised the effects Sasuke had on him with a turned up pout. "I wasn't aware empathy was a crime."

Sasuke found the reaction terribly adorable. "Hn. So what about you, what brings you to a hotel bar on a Friday night?" He threw Naruto's question back at him. To his surprise, he was actually interested.

Naruto reached for his cocktail and took a sip, followed by an appreciative hum. "I'm here for work."

"Oh, so you aren't from here then?" Sasuke habitually asked. If Naruto wasn't from here he probably wouldn't have to worry about running into him in the future. The thought appeased him while also sending an ache through his chest. It was something he wasn't going to dwell on.

Naruto shook his head. "No, I'm actually from Suna."

Sasuke was used to travelling far and wide for his job, but that didn't stop him from being surprised at the distance the omega had travelled for work. "That's quite the distance. What exactly do you do?"

Naruto rubbed his neck sheepishly. "Well, I guess you could say I provide a type of therapy."

Sasuke cocked an eyebrow. "Aren't you a little young to be a doctor?" Naruto looked barely twenty.

Naruto chuckled, he was used to that reaction. "I'm twenty seven, and I'm not a doctor."

Sasuke had to fight just to hold his eyes back from bulging out of his skull. "No way you're twenty seven."

Naruto huffed fondly at the incredulity in Sasuke's voice before leaning to retrieve his wallet out of his back pocket. He pulled his licence out and handed it to the disbelieving alpha. It was an action that Naruto would've never normally done. There was too much personal information to just go around showing to any attractive alpha but somehow he didn't fear Sasuke. It was almost as if his omega was content at the thought of Sasuke knowing more about him.

Sasuke tentatively took the offered card. First thing he noticed was that bold, red O at the bottom left corner signifying that Naruto was in fact an omega. Second was the blond's picture. How the hell did he look adorable in a government issued photograph? No one looks good in those. Finally, he reached Naruto's information, he noticed his last name was 'Uzumaki' and he was in fact twenty seven, turning twenty eight in October.

"You sure this is real?" Sasuke teased in an attempt to cover his shock as he reluctantly handed the licence back.

"Ha, ha, funny. Like I haven't heard that one before," Naruto feigned irritation as he snatched the card back quickly.

"You can't really blame people. You look...young," Sasuke responded thoughtfully.

Naruto shrugged as he slipped his card back into his wallet. "It's just my genes."

Sasuke decided to indulge in his forgotten drink while getting their conversation back on track. "So if you're not a doctor, how can you be a therapist?" It was bizarre to claim to be a therapist but hold no title.

"I never said I was a therapist," Naruto responded in a teasing tone. "I just offer a specific type of therapy. Let's just say, I have a very particular skill set."

"And that means what exactly?" Sasuke asked, genuinely intrigued. He couldn't help his eyes lingering on the obscuring collar. He's seen no proof of lingering heat, could Naruto's job be the reason for the elaborate collar? A scowl fixed on his face as he imagined the omega offering some kind of sexual therapy. Was that his particular skill set? Sasuke wanted the omega writhing beneath him, but Naruto being with other alpha's made him furious and he wasn't quite sure why. Naruto wasn't his, he only wanted to give the omega one night of mind blowing pleasure.

Naruto sat back and crossed his arms over his chest contemplatively. The fact that Sasuke was staring at his collar did not go unnoticed, but he graciously ignored it. "It just means that I potentially specialize in a last alternative for a psychiatric patient here."

Sasuke was even more intrigued. "You do know that you just raised more questions than answers, right?"

Naruto shrugged before taking a sip of his Shirley Temple to wet his lips. "What can I say? It's a gift."

Sasuke smirked. He couldn't believe it but he was actually having fun. "More like a curse."

Naruto's mouth gaped wide, "Did you just insult me?"

Sasuke's smirk dropped, maybe he was being too familiar," I-"

Naruto burst out laughing and Sasuke thought it was the most mellifluous sound he'd ever heard. Naruto's laugh outshone everything. Naruto brushed the forming of a tear from the corner of his eye. "You should have seen your face!"

Sasuke schooled his face into a scowl. People seldom joke around with him. His natural aura usually deterred people from it. Not that he was one to engage in banter but something about Naruto had him teasing back. "Tch."

Naruto noticed the immediate change and went to apologise. "I'm sor-"

Sasuke's wicked smirk stopped him as he threw Naruto's own words back at him. "You should have seen your face."

Naruto squawked indignantly before chuckling heartily. "Bastard."

Sasuke found himself letting out a mild mannered laugh of his own. The reciprocated insult was refreshing. The fact that this little omega could give as good as he got was invigorating. Naruto may be an omega, but he's different for every omega he's ever met before. Sasuke found himself wanting to know more about Naruto.

Naruto finally calmed down his rambunctious diaphragm. "So, aside from moonlighting as a comedian, what is it you do, Sasuke?"

There it was, that tingle hearing his name slip from those pretty lips again. Sasuke quickly focused. "I work for my family's business."

"Okay?" Naruto gave him a look that clearly told him to elaborate.

Sasuke was torn between telling the omega or not. This would be an easy way to charm his way into the omega's pants which gave him conflicting feelings. It was almost a sure way to gain him his prize but that would prove Naruto was the same as all the others; only after him for what he had. Sasuke wanted Naruto to want him for who he was. He didn't understand where all these feelings were coming from, he committed to seducing the blond and he always got what he wanted so he decided to go for it. It's not like he'd see Naruto again anyways, this was a one time thing.

'Here we go,' Sasuke took a deep breath. "My family owns a pharmaceutical company... Uchiha Corp."

Sasuke waited for the gushing, he almost expected the omega to jump him from across the table. But it never came. The response he got was every bit as unique as the omega in front of him.

"What type of pharmaceuticals?" Naruto softly asked as he finished his drink.

Sasuke is above many things, but denying the fact that he was stunned in this scenario wasn't one of them. "Huh?" Sasuke grunted less than elegantly.

"I asked what type of pharmaceuticals?" Naruto repeated with an adorable head tilt that almost made Sasuke forget what they were talking about.

Quickly gaining his bearings, Sasuke gave him a dumbfounded look. "You haven't heard of us?"

"No, I have but I'm curious about what you guys manufacture and distribute. Pharmaceuticals is a pretty broad industry." Naruto's response was nothing but sincere. Sasuke had a knack for reading people and he saw nothing but genuine interest in Naruto.

Sasuke blinked owlishly, this has never happened to him before. He, Sasuke Uchiha was asked by an omega about his job. He wasn't being propositioned, he wasn't asked how much money he had or made, he wasn't being told how amazingly sexy he was. Naruto just wanted to know about what they supplied. Again, Sasuke was so fucking refreshed that he found himself answering with a real smile pulling at his lips. "We mainly focus on all things pheromone related."

Naruto thought that small smile was dazzling and he found himself smiling back as he responded. "So things like suppressants and blockers?"

Sasuke nodded as he finished his drink. It had been so long since anyone was truly interested in what he did that he found himself willingly engaging. "Yes but we produce so much more than just those," Sasuke paused when he noticed both of their drinks were empty. "How about I go get us another round then I'll tell you all about it?"

Naruto gave him a dazzling smile. "I'd like that."

As Sasuke went up to the irritating bartender, Naruto couldn't help but revel in the warmth that washed over him after being in the alpha's presence. He couldn't remember the last time his omega felt this at ease. After finding out that he was on a break from his relationship Naruto had thought he'd politely finish his drink before turning in for the night but now he just wanted to linger for as long as he could.

Break or not, Sasuke wasn't truly single, not really. The problem was that for some reason Naruto couldn't seem to bring himself to care, and that wasn't like him at all. Maybe it was because the alpha pretty much admitted to his relationship turning abusive that he didn't feel bad for wanting him. All he knew was that some primal part of him wanted the alpha. Naruto wanted to be selfish, just this once.

Sasuke came back with a rather smug look on his face. "Here you go."

"Thanks," Naruto smiled but was curious about the exchange between Sasuke and the bartender. The bartender was letting out waves of bitter rage and Sasuke was clearly pleased with himself. Naruto decided not to dwell on it.

The two had become so engrossed in their conversation they didn't realize how late it was until Mizuki called last call. Sasuke couldn't believe that his attempt at seduction turned into a casual conversation which he enjoyed immensely. Sasuke was more convinced than ever that if he was going to have a one time romp with anyone, Naruto was the perfect choice.

The only issues Sasuke could see was keeping this a one time thing. If Naruto was as surprising in bed as he was in conversation it would surely be difficult. He figured if it came to that the omega would shower in his suite and inevitably wash off the blockers, giving him a chance to scent him and once he gets that cloying scent lodge in his sinuses he'll easily detach himself. In Sasuke's mind it was a fool proof plan, so long as Naruto wore blockers and didn't take suppressants. Now if only his alpha would calm the fuck down. It had never been this persistent and it was making Sasuke uneasy.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Sasuke went to make his move. "You wanna come up and we can finish our conversation?"

Naruto looked at him, stunned. He expected it, just not the speed at which the stunning alpha asked. Sasuke isn't even close to being the first alpha who's tried to persuade him, but he's the first offer Naruto wanted to accept. Nothing good could come from this, part of him was telling him to back away quietly, while the omega side of him was begging him to indulge. And Naruto already decided that for one night he was going to be selfish. Tonight Sasuke wasn't going to be anyone's but his. Maybe giving his body what it was craving would finally bring him some ease.

Naruto gave Sasuke a calculating look, trying to make him sweat. It didn't look like it worked, but he'd never know that Sasuke was already internally panicking over his over eager offer on top of the fact that Naruto might actually be turning him down right now.

With a swirl of his cup, he took the last sip and looked up at the already standing alpha. "Alright."

Sasuke's brain registered 'alright' and all his nerves were gone. Every cell was thrumming with Uchiha confidence. "Then shall we?" He held his elbow out in gentlemanly fashion.

Naruto stood, grabbed his hoodie and gently accepted the offered appendage. Who could blame him if his hands 'accidentally' squeezed the defined bicep beneath his grasp. The firm muscle pleased him greatly.

The touch was not lost on Sasuke who couldn't help smirking over his shoulder at the glaring bartender. Each drink Sasuke ordered for Naruto and himself had the lesser alpha seething at him. Mizuki even had the audacity to growl at him. If anything, the man had balls, he'd give him that. Too bad he didn't know who he was attempting to compete with.

Sasuke could almost hear the creak of the glass in the bartender's hand as he clenched it unforgivingly. Sasuke had to fight the urge to puff out his chest. For some reason his alpha swelled with pride that an omega like Naruto was going with him and not the pathetic bartender. Logically, Sasuke knew Naruto would never give the bartender the time of day, but his instincts weren't listening to logic right now.

Buried deep down, he knew he should feel appalled with himself for allowing his animalistic instincts to evoke these feelings. Instead, all he found himself thinking was how lucky he was that he took his suppressants because if he hadn't, the flare of haughty pheromones his body was releasing would be suffocating the entire bar. While he wanted to rub Mizuki's face in it, he really didn't want Naruto to know.

When Sasuke turned back he couldn't help but notice the odd look Naruto was giving him. It was almost as if Naruto knew, but that was impossible, Uchiha products never fail. Shaking the thought off he focused on the task at hand; getting Naruto to his room and away from everyone else.

They made small talk as they made their way up to Sasuke's room. Naruto wasn't shocked to see that he was in a rather impressive suite, what he was taken by was the smell. Sasuke must have been in this suite for the entirety of his stay because holy fuck, the lingering of Sasuke's unaltered scent was intoxicating. It was almost enough to knock the wind right out of Naruto's lungs. The scent was so powerful, so hypnotizing that it had him fighting back his wobbly knees. Was it possible for his mouth to both drool and be bone dry? Because — fuck logic — it was.

Naruto had smelled some pleasant pheromones in his lifetime but nothing compared to these. No, these were making him want to drop his panties and present himself. He could feel himself dampen with slick, his clothes were suddenly becoming stuffy. He had to reign himself in and he had to do it quickly. Never had an alpha's scent affected him so. Sasuke Uchiha was dangerous.

"Can I get you something to drink?" Sasuke asked, completely oblivious to Naruto's predicament as he tossed his jacket over a nearby chair.

Naruto's head snapped towards him. When had Sasuke walked away? With a harsh swallow, Naruto shook his head. "No thank you."

"Hn," Sasuke hummed in affirmation as he set about pouring himself a drink from the tiny bottles neatly stocked in the mini fridge. He didn't need the drink but he was trying to buy himself some time to figure out his next move. Naruto was here, in his room. He could feel the tingles of anticipation prickle at his skin, it was a sensation he wasn't familiar with. He'd never experienced anything like this before, it was both terrifying and exhilarating.

Sasuke was rethinking everything. He was starting to think this was all a mistake. He genuinely liked Naruto. The blond omega was funny, bold, intelligent, independent and incredibly witty. Naruto wasn't afraid to speak his mind and let Sasuke know when he didn't agree with something he'd said. Sasuke was used to people catering to his every whim, too frightened to speak their minds and make him angry. But Naruto held conversation with him all night, never once trying to kiss up to him and Sasuke couldn't deny that he found it incredibly attractive. He wasn't looking forward to never seeing the alluring man again. But if he went through with this, that's exactly how it had to be.

Sasuke was a man of his words, so when he told Sakura that it was a break, he couldn't go back on that. But if he slept with Naruto he'd never be able to see him again. He could send him away now and possibly start a friendship? Sasuke wasn't sure a friendship would be enough though. The thoughts and feelings that little blond had him going through set his blood on fire and he'd barely had any contact with him. How could he keep him in his life while keeping his thoughts pure?

Naruto managed to compose himself enough to put his sweater down and make his way out of the entranceway. That brought on a new dilemma, did he sit on the modern, yet uncomfortable looking sofa? Or go for it and park himself on the plush looking bed? Naruto knew why he'd come back to Sasuke's room so he figured he'd continue his unusual boldness and sit himself on the edge of Sasuke's bed.

Naruto was grateful that Sasuke seemed to be preoccupied because he didn't think he'd survive the embarrassment of his less than graceful climb onto the bed. Luxurious beds never were friendly towards vertically challenged people. By the time Naruto had finally gotten comfortable he glanced over to steal a glance at the alpha who appeared to be staring off thoughtfully. It gave Naruto the impression that he really didn't do this sort of thing. It wasn't that Naruto didn't believe him, it was just nice to see that he wasn't the only one who appeared out of their element.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Naruto's tone was light and playful. Seeing Sasuke standing there pensively was a complete contrast to the man he'd spent his night getting to know and Naruto didn't much like it.

"Hn?" Sasuke grunted being drawn from his thoughts. When he turned around his breath caught. Seeing Naruto sitting on the edge of his bed — legs dangling adorably — twisted something inside him. At that moment he knew he couldn't go back. If Naruto allowed him to, he would ravish him like his life depended on it. He would take Naruto so good he'd still feel him next week. If the pleased snarl from his inner alpha was anything to go off of, it was definitely on board.

"You looked lost in thought," Naruto tilted his head adorably. His eyes never left Sasuke's as the alpha stocked towards him like a predator zeroing in on its prey.

Sasuke sat beside Naruto, so close that their thighs were pressed against each other. Sasuke figured he'd get right to the point. He was never one to beat around the bush. "Naruto-"

"You want to fuck me right?" Naruto blurted out bluntly.

Hearing those words spill from Naruto's lips filled his mind with visions of him doing exactly that, Sasuke felt his cock twitch in interest as he bit back a libidinous groan. "Yes."

"But ?" Naruto asked, already interpreting there was more to it.

Suddenly feeling nervous, Sasuke's tongue darted out as he licked his dry lip. "But, this would be a one time thing. No future obligations, no emotional expectations, no strings attached."

Naruto sighed. "I figured."

"What?" Sasuke was honestly a little taken back. He had expected Naruto to be apprehensive, maybe even a little bit offended but he seemed almost...accepting?

Naruto wiggled around so that he was now facing Sasuke. "Look, I'm not naïve. When someone invites you back to their room past midnight, it's not usually for baking cookies," he smirked. "But if you have your rules, I have mine."

Sasuke's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Oh?"

"Mhm, this," he brought his hand up to his throat and reverently traced the edge of his thick collar, "stays on."

Sasuke turned so he was facing Naruto with the slightest brow furrow. "Wh-"

"And you don't get to ask why I'm wearing this," Naruto added firmly.

Sasuke sat there contemplatively, his curiosity was yearning for answers but logically he knew he had no right to make such a demand. Not after his stipulations.

Naruto broke eye contact and shifted uncomfortably under Sasuke's intense gaze. "So, do we have a deal?" He asked, somehow keeping his voice even.

There was no confirmation or denial for what felt like hours. Suddenly Naruto felt the soft, warm skin of Sasuke's fingers tilting his jaw upwards. When Naruto complied he was met with endless orbs burning with desire. Sasuke began to slowly lean in, his galactic eyes shifting from those plump, slightly parted lips to shimmering sapphires. Just a breath away from those sinful lips he whispered huskily. "We have a deal."

Sasuke finally captured those sweet lips, startling Naruto for a second. As Naruto felt those soft pale lips slowly moving against his own — coaxing them to move in sync — Naruto found himself giving in immediately. Tonight was going to be a night to remember, even if it was just this once.

As a bonus for the wait on this chapter here's some wonderful art by the amazingly talented Yaman999 

Chapter Text

Sasuke's hands found themselves entangled in the softest hair he's ever felt as his pale lips collided with soft plump ones. The kiss startled Naruto causing him to release a soft gasp but after the initial shock wore off he found his lips responding eagerly to the alpha's. He didn't hesitate to open his mouth when that hot, wet muscle began prodding at his lips for entrance.

Sasuke was immediately over taken with the taste of the omega. He'd gotten one taste of Naruto and he was already addicted. There was the linger sweetness of the Shirley Temples but also something uniquely Naruto. He delved his tongue in deep, wanting more, needing more. He was chasing that intoxicatingly phantom taste. If his taste buds were like sight, Sasuke would compare tasting Naruto to seeing more colours than eyes could possibly see. There was something there that his brain was calling out for, craving, but he couldn't actually taste it. It had his tongue lapping at the omega's all the more eagerly just trying to make that taste linger on his tongue forever.

Sasuke sucked Naruto's plump bottom lip into his mouth, nibbling on it sensually. The assault caused Naruto to whimper which went right to Sasuke's cock.

Naruto's hands absently explored Sasuke's strong arms as he gently, yet firmly rubbed up and down them. The firm muscles strained under Sasuke's shirt as he tilted Naruto's head slightly to allow his tongue more room to explore his moist cavern. As their tongues rolled together, they felt electrified, it was overwhelming in the best possible way and Sasuke found himself pulling the gorgeous man closer so he was seated, straddling his lap. Their bodies were grinding desperately against each other as their hungry kisses continued to heat their cores. Never before had a kiss made Sasuke feel this out of control.

Their breathing was harsh, but Sasuke refused to pull away from those soft, plump lips. Sasuke's hands travel down the slender back until it reached Naruto's perky bottom which he couldn't help but give a generous squeeze, immediately making Naruto whimper approvingly. After getting a good feel for that delectable ass, one of Sasuke's hands helped the petite omega grind into his obvious arousal while the other ghosted up and under his shirt, caressing his soft, lithe stomach. Sasuke felt Naruto's abdominal muscles clench underneath his heated touch making him smirk into the kiss.

"Oh!" Naruto gasped into the alpha's mouth suddenly as Sasuke's blunt finger nail ghosted over his hardened nipple. The reaction Sasuke received emboldened him, making him take the nub between his fingers and begin rolling it. A string of soft gasps and breathy moans escaped Naruto's saliva soaked lips.

Sasuke wanted to lean into that neck and lick and nibble at it but that infuriating collar was in his way. "Let's get this off," he finally said as he pulled at Naruto's blue t-shirt. Naruto reluctantly leaned back, lifting his arms to allow Sasuke to slip his shirt over his head before tossing it aside. Sasuke marvelled at the expanse of caramel skin and pert rosy buds his eyes were graced with.

Sasuke's fingers gently trailed along the edge of the collar, it dipped down to the top of his sternum, beveling up and around his slender shoulders beautifully. As infuriating as it was, Sasuke wasn't above calling the garment beautiful. The rich tawny leather was dark against Naruto's naturally tanned skin giving the omega an even more exotic look. The collar was abnormally thick as well, it made Sasuke wonder how Naruto only had a light sheen of sweat glistening over his golden skin.

"Mmm," Naruto hummed appreciatively as Sasuke continued gently trailing his fingers beneath the edges, all the way from shoulder to shoulder, his skin forming goosebumps from the caress.

"Isn't this uncomfortable?" Sasuke asked softly but his voice was rough with desire.

"You gonna ask me questions or are you gonna fuck me, alpha?" Naruto bit back playfully.

Sasuke never understood the appeal for being called alpha before, but he fucking got it now.

A snarl ripped through Sasuke, Naruto gasped as he found himself on his back, pinned down while Sasuke's scorching mouth plundering his nipple. Sasuke flicked his tongue against the nub before nipping and pulling at it while his other hand twirled the neglected pebble making Naruto go crazy.

Naruto's back arched at the painful pleasure he was receiving. He loved having his nipples abused. His body was thrumming with need, he could feel his slick seep between his cheeks and begin soaking through his panties. His hips began to buck, searching for relief for his straining cock but the alpha's weight pushed back against him making it impossible. Having such a large, strong alpha on top of him was doing things to him, really fucking good things.

Sasuke switched off between nipples giving both the same treatment before beginning to trail nips and kisses down the beautiful torso. He licked around Naruto's cute navel, enjoying the slight saltiness the omega's dewy skin offered. Naruto was writing under him, begging him for more and he couldn't stop himself from gently biting the light swell of his belly before moving over to give those gorgeous hip bones the same treatment.

"Stop fucking teasing," Naruto breathed out slightly impatient.

"So bossy," Sasuke chuckled. The deep, rich laugh did nothing to calm the raging inferno building in the omega. His cock twitched, highly interested in hearing more sounds from the intoxicating alpha.

Sasuke couldn't tell you who the fuck he was anymore. Never had foreplay been this enjoyable. Hell, he was usually the one being pleased. Something inside him demanded he take care of the lovely omega entrusting himself to him for the night. The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth but he was quick to replace it with more of that honey skin.

As Sasuke started trailing his finger over the waistband of Naruto's straining jeans something clicked in Naruto because he quickly grabbed the Sasuke's wrist to halt him. Sasuke gave him an irritated look because he just wanted to get Naruto naked as soon as possible. The warm scent of arousal reached his nose and he wanted to drown in it. The thought of what Naruto would smell like once he finally got him naked made Sasuke's mouth water.

Naruto's tongue darted out, wetting his lip out of anticipation. "I can't be the only one getting undressed."

Sasuke found it difficult to listen to Naruto's words as he watched that tongue with intense fascination. When the words finally sank in, he began pulling away, giving Naruto a panty dropping smirk. "How can I deny such a request?"

Naruto propped himself on his elbows and watched Sasuke slowly pop open button after button until he could finally see the expanse of luminous skin, the visual giving him the sudden urge to run his tongue along every contour. Sasuke wasn't overly bulky but his body was thoroughly sculpted with lean muscle. Naruto could have drooled watching the muscle ripple under his skin as the alpha slunk his shirt off. After discarding his shirt on the floor, his hands swiftly transitioned to his belt.

Sasuke's alpha preened under the omega's intense gaze. Sasuke knew he looked good but he couldn't remember ever feeling this satisfied with such a reaction. Usually he would find himself annoyed, but annoyance was the last thing he was feeling. Some deep part of him yearned for the omega to want him just as much as he wanted the beauty that was now sitting up and hopping off the bed.

Naruto dropped to his knees and swatted Sasuke's hands away before using his belt loops to pull him closer. The visual alone had Sasuke's cock leaking beads of precum in his boxers. No way was Naruto going to sit back and let the alpha have all the fun.

"What are you-" Sasuke began to ask but was quickly cut off by the little spit fire.

"You're taking too long," Naruto huffed impatiently, though his eyes held a challenge.

The outline of Sasuke's engorged cock sent a thrilling shiver through Naruto. Alphas were large by nature, but Sasuke was clearly in a league of his own. Naruto's eyes widened, there was suddenly a new gush of slick leaking between his cheeks.

"Too much for you?" Sasuke taunted, trying to sound smug but his gentle flush and blown out pupils gave him away. Fuck he wanted to see that pretty little mouth stretched around his cock, choking him down. Sasuke knew he was larger than most, it was yet another thing that came with being a pure alpha. Sasuke found himself morbidly fascinated, thinking about how this cute little omega was going to handle his cock.

Naruto huffed far too adorably for the situation at hand. "Tch, as if," he rolled his eyes for good measure. Naruto smirked victoriously when a gruff moan slipped past Sasuke's lips as Naruto's hand grazed over his cock while pulling down his slacks and briefs. Why should he be the only one affected?

That didn't last long, as soon as Sasuke generous length sprang free Naruto was hit with a musky, masculine scent of a very aroused alpha. Sasuke's large, straining erection wept from its dewy slit. His length glistened from the steady flow of his own arousal. It wasn't only long but it was so thick that Naruto didn't think his small hand could grip all the way around the base.  Maybe he should feel intimidated but he didn't. All he could do was clench his thigh to eb his aching need while trying to hold back the whimper that built in his throat.

Naruto eyes darkened, suddenly feeling a tad delirious. Yeah, he wanted this cock, really fucking badly. His omega purring in agreement.

"You were saying?" Sasuke's lascivious voice was thick as molasses. The sight of those eyes between his legs was enough to make anyone nearly cum on the spot and Sasuke was no exception.

Sasuke's comment had Naruto all the more eager to show him his skills. Naruto licked his lips before looking up at the alpha defiantly. Without a second though he engulfed the head of his cock with his warm, wet mouth.

Sasuke's large hands instinctively reached out and entangled themselves in soft, luscious locks while throwing his head back with a choked moan. "Fuck."

Sasuke looked back down as Naruto lightly sucked on his head while one of his hands gripped him firmly at the base and began long slow strokes. Sasuke wanted to commit every movement, every sound, every reaction, to memory. He didn't want to forget a single detail.

Naruto wasn't confident he'd be able to fit the whole length at this angle but he'd sure give it a go. When Sasuke's groans mixed with the smell of his intoxicating arousal, it made something inside him need to please the alpha, to flood him with pleasure till he was spilling profanities. He was more than willing to deal with a bit of discomfort for that kind of gratification.

Naruto twirled his tongue around the spongy head, licking the leaking slit to collect some of Sasuke's salty essence before he started to bob his head, going lower and lower each time. His hand stroked up the velvety length his mouth had yet to reach. The sounds the alpha was rewarding him with spurred him on.

When Sasuke nudged the back of his throat he took a deep breath in through his nose and willed his throat and jaw to relax so he could take him in even further. Being an omega he didn't have a gag reflex but his jaw and throat weren't accustomed to swallowing something down that was so thick.

Naruto's hand was quickly replaced with his mouth. The ache that his jaw felt was worth it when he was rewarded with Sasuke's low moans and quivering muscles. Sasuke breathed raggedly as his grip tightened on Naruto's scalp causing Naruto's eyes to roll back in pleasure. It took everything in Sasuke to fight back the urge to violently fuck into that hot, tight throat.

Naruto pulled back, fiendishly flicking and swirling his tongue as he went, causing Sasuke's uncooperative hip to gently buck.

"Holy fuck, that mouth," Sasuke threw his head back as Naruto took him back in swiftly, this time hallowing his cheeks and swallowing around his length on the way down.

Determined to pull more profanities from the man, Naruto pulled back and gave his sensitive tip a harsh suck before beginning to take Sasuke all the way back again. The next time Naruto went down slower, allowing his tongue to map the man's every groove, hitting every one of his spots. He wanted to leave every crevice thoroughly lavished.

Sasuke's fists clenched in blond hair when Naruto found a steady pace, hollowing his cheeks and timing his swallows with maddening suction before returning to the top to swirl his wickedly good tongue around his flushed tip. The omega even brought a hand up to gently roll and rub his weighty testicles as he dipped his tongue into his slit then playfully flicked his tongue under the sensitive glans before taking him again.

Each sound that Sasuke allowed the escaped his parted lips Naruto rewarded with a hum that sent an intense vibration through his cock.

Sasuke hadn't realised he'd closed his eyes until they opened upon feeling his other hand being placed in soft hair. Looking up at him with fiery blue eyes was the picture of utter debauchery. Naruto's lips were soaked with saliva and his own fluids and his lips were red, swollen and stretched oh so lewdly over his throbbing cock.

"You want me to fuck that mouth?" Sasuke couldn't stop the low growl that escaped his throat. Naruto's look and implication had his knot slightly forming.

As Sasuke pulled Naruto's head further down his dick, he no longer worried about the omega being uncomfortable. It was obvious Naruto's thick collar did nothing to hinder his movements as he took everything Sasuke gave him with ease. Naruto acted as if the collar wasn't even there, sort of like a second skin.

"Mhmm," Naruto eagerly hummed. That was all Sasuke needed for his restraint to snap.

Sasuke threw back his head with a husky moan as he took his pleasure from the willing omega. "Fuck, you take it so well."

Never did he plan on being rough with the little omega but once he felt those pleased vibrations from the blond's moans shoot right through his cock he couldn't stop himself from snapping his hips forward.

Naruto's small hands found purchase in his hips, his blunt nails biting into his pale skin as he silently begged Sasuke to not let up. It appeared the omega liked having his throat fucked just as much as Sasuke enjoyed watching his length disappeared over and over again into that tight heat.

As Sasuke met those teary blues something clicked and he couldn't help the gush of words that spilled from his depraved mouth. "Look at you letting me use your mouth like a good omega. So fucking good for me."

Naruto squirmed under the praise. He was soaked with slick and his cock ached terribly but he would withstand it all just to watch the alpha use him to chase his own pleasure.

Sasuke's chest rumbled, the knowledge that Naruto enjoyed his praise pleased him greatly. Never once had he been compelled to call Sakura omega, he only did it for her benefit. With Naruto it wasn't forced, it just felt right.

Sasuke's hips began to slow, trying to get every last inch into the omega's wet inferno. Naruto struggled to get the forming knot in but the sound of his struggle only made Sasuke groan and throb for more.

"Holy fuck, yes just like that. Take it, take all of me. Such a good omega. So fucking good for me," Sasuke babbled as Naruto got down his forming knot. It hurt, the pleasure was almost too good to withstand.

"Holy fucking shit," Sasuke quickly used his grip on Naruto to pull away as his chest heaved and his knees wobbled. As lovely as it was, he was seconds away from cumming and that just wouldn't do.

Even as he gasped for breath Naruto was so entranced his greedy mouth tried to follow the runaway cock. Sasuke held him back with a husky chuckle. "As much as I want to cum down your throat, I'd rather fill you instead."

Being an alpha out of rut, Sasuke didn't want to cum now then have to wait until he could get hard again.

"Yeah, okay," Naruto panted, using the back of his hand to crudely wipe his messy mouth. That did sound better. Sasuke darkly smirked while pulling the debauched looking man to his feet and in for a sloppy kiss. Sasuke's hands tangled themselves in Naruto's hair bringing him closer as he twisted his tongue around Naruto's making the blond gasp. He could taste himself and it did nothing to douse the fire burning within.

Naruto was a little dazed when the alpha pulled back and tugged at his previously forgotten jeans. "Let's finally get these off shall we?"

Naruto nodded dumbly as he quickly scrambled to undo his way to tight jeans. Sasuke kept his eyes on the omega as he finally slid off his slacks and briefs all the way; leaving him completely nude.

As soon as Sasuke saw Naruto begin to peel down his jeans he stopped him. "Wait."

"Huh?" Naruto paused somewhat dazed. He had his jeans down just past the swell of his ass when Sasuke spun him around at light speed. 

The scene before Sasuke had him biting back a groan. Bless this omega, he was wearing lacy white panties. "These are nice," Sasuke mumbled appreciatively as he allowed his hand to ghost over the intricate fabric. 

Naruto tried to hide the shudder that ran through his body under the alpha's touch but failed. Biting his bottom lip he looked mischievously over his shoulder. "You like?"

"Hn," Sasuke hummed approvingly. "You know what I like the most about them?"

"What?" Naruto whispered breathlessly as the alpha's large hand began to rub and pull gently at the material.

Suddenly Sasuke had his chest pressed against his back, lips ghosting over the shell of his ear. "I like that I can see your perfect little ass swallowing them up."

Sasuke didn't know what possessed him but the view of the omega's panty clad ass mixed with the intoxicating scent of Naruto's arousal was doing things to him. It was a warm, rich scent that made his cock throb and his canines ache. "I bet if you presented yourself for me I'd see just how wet you are for me. Tell me omega, is that what you want? Me stuffing you full, filling you with my cum, my knot?"

A whimper escaped Naruto without his permission. Sasuke's deep seductive voice whispering filthy things in his ear was enough to make him cum on the spot. His cock twitched in his panties as more slick gushed from his needy hole. Without a second thought he scrambled up onto the bed and bent over with his ass high in the air and begged. "Please alpha, ruin me"

Sasuke never felt the need to dominate another, but Naruto looking back at him submissively, calling him alpha while presenting himself so beautifully certainly snapped something in him.

"Clothes off, now," Sasuke snarled, his voice was dark and authoritative, leaving no room for argument.

Never did a command have Naruto shredding his clothes so quickly. Something about Sasuke just made him want to please him, he shuddered to think what this alpha could have him do if he were in a heat fueled stupor. Sasuke was dangerous.

Sasuke wished he would have had more time to admire the pretty picture Naruto's ass made swallowing up his panties but he couldn't be disappointed at the sight that greeted him.

The way Sasuke's eyes drank him in, was like he could vanquish dehydration. Naruto's delicate skin was all honey and lean muscle. He had a curvy waist that led out to a beautiful plump ass that was parted by slender, soft looking thighs. The omega's arousal hung proudly between his thighs and nestled between those peachy mounds was his drenched hole, twitching, begging for attention. The only obstacle in the way of Sasuke's gaze was that infuriating collar but it couldn't be helped.

Sasuke's large, warm hands trailed a pathway from the edge of the collar all the way down Naruto's lovely spine. He traced the delicate back dimples that were very prominent, revelling in the goosebumps forming on his partner's supple skin.

Sasuke allowed his hand to finally make its way down to Naruto's glorious behind, squeezing it firmly, making the omega quake in need. Naruto's ass was just as firm out of jeans as he imagined. Leaning over he nibbles at the omega's ear lobe. "Is this what you want?" As soon as the words left his mouth his fingers slid between his cheeks and rubbed his sopping centre.

"Fuck yes, please!" Naruto begged, wiggling his ass frantically for more friction.

"Hn, such a needy omega. But how can I deny you when you beg so beautifully?" Sasuke cooed wickedly.

Just as Sasuke's finger circled around his wet entrance the appendage disappeared along with the alpha's heat pressed against his back. Just as Naruto was about to beg for more he felt the bed shift behind him as two strong hands spread his cheeks and something hot and wet lick a broad strip from his balls to his rim.

"Angh—Fuck!" Naruto keened as he arched his back forcing his ass further into the alpha's face. The sensation had his eyes rolling back and his toes curling.

The scent and taste of Naruto's arousal was addicting. The heady scent of slick mixed with its slightly sweet taste coated his tongue, making him ravenous for more. He never could stomach sweets, but he found he couldn't get enough of Naruto. He nudged the blond's legs to spread them wider so he could get better access to lap him up. The quicker Sasuke's tongue worked, the more slick Naruto found himself leaking.

"You're so fucking wet," Sasuke growled in fucking awe, his fingers biting into Naruto's ass cheeks as his strong tongue began to swirl around his sopping entrance before spearing him. Sasuke groaned as he thought about his erection sliding into the magnificent inferno. Even with how wet Naruto's ass was it was so tight that he had troubles getting his tongue to penetrate him without the help of his fingers.

"You're so fucking tight. You taste fucking phenomenal too," Sasuke praised him huskily earning him a cute little mewl. Sasuke smirked against Naruto's entrance as he gently sucked and nipped the delicate wrinkle before slowly adding a finger into the mix. If the omega enjoyed praise, who was he to deny him that?

Sasuke reveled in the way Naruto's legs trembled as he began to finger him. Naruto was gently rocking back and forth, fucking himself on Sasuke's finger and tongue. With his finger helping stretch Naruto's tight hole, Sasuke was able to thrust his tongue in, lapping and tasting the most intimate part of him. Seeing Naruto writhe from his ministration was truly a sight to behold.

"Another," Naruto demanded breathily with an impatient wiggle. Becoming desperate for relief he reached for his throbbing cock. The luxurious blanket beneath him was damp with his pre cum.

Sasuke growled when he realised what Naruto was doing. He reached between Naruto's spread legs and grabbed his wrist to stop him. "If you're begging for my fingers you're only going to cum only by my fingers, understood?"

Naruto let out a pitiful whimper but complied. Naruto's submission pleased Sasuke's alpha greatly. It was all so natural that Sasuke didn't fight it when he began being led by something inside himself that was purely primal.

With one finger still knuckle deep in the blond Sasuke was quick to add the second. Sasuke worked his fingers in and out, taking time to stretch out the unfairly tight omega. It took everything to remain calm and not just slam into Naruto as is. Every time he'd withdraw his fingers from that silky heat it seemed to mourn their loss, tightening to keep them deep inside.

Sasuke stroked Naruto's walls, curving his fingers down to find the blond prostate. When his finger gently caressed it he was rewarded with a choked moan that went straight to Sasuke's dick.

"Yes, please, fuck!" Naruto cried out as Sasuke delivered stronger pressure with the next stroke. Naruto's legs were quivering, his hands fisting the bedding as Sasuke began to add a third finger.

The copious amounts of slick made the third finger slip in easily. Naruto was so high on pleasure he felt nothing but waves of heat crashing inside him as he rocked his hips back to meet Sasuke's large fingers thrust for thrust. Naruto's dripping hole was making obscene squelching noises as Sasuke finger fucked him fast and dirty.

Sasuke watched his fingers being swallowed up over and over and was sure that he could come from the visual alone. Naruto was hot, tight and oh so fucking wet. He couldn't wait to bury his cock deep inside and have the omega milk him dry. First things first, he needed to see this pretty omega cum on his fingers. Priorities.

"Yes, please, harder," Naruto sobbed as Sasuke's fingers hit his prostate rougher with each thrust. Naruto could feel his balls tighten as a burning coil built, zapping through his core. He just needed a bit more.

As if Sasuke could read him, his thumb began to rub Naruto's perineum so that Naruto's prostate was getting dual pleasure.

"Fuck, cum-cumming!" Naruto arched his back as his whole body trembled. Rope after rope of cum shot out of Naruto's twitching cock until it hung soft and spent.

It may have been one of the hottest things Sasuke had ever fucking seen.

"Such a good omega cumming untouched," Sasuke cooed as one hand gently rubbed Naruto's thigh and the other gently withdrew from his tight passage. "Think you can take me now?" Sasuke asked, leaving a chaste kiss on one of those peachy butt cheeks.

Even as his chest heaved trying to catch his breath, Naruto managed to look back at Sasuke, an unmistakable hunger in his eyes. "Take me, alpha."

Those words fanned the flame that was Sasuke's beast and in mere seconds Sasuke had used his slick covered hand to coat his impossibly hard cock and was lining himself up and sinking in in one fluid thrust.

"Oh!" Naruto fists clenched the bedding, he felt like the wind had been punched from his lungs at the suddenly impossible fullness he felt.

Sasuke found himself draped over Naruto's back, panting against the thick collar. "You're so fucking tight," he groaned. 

Sasuke ground slowly into Naruto, trying to give Naruto time to adjust while alleviating his own need to fuck into that vice like inferno. "You're taking me so well, such a good omega. Let me know when I can move," his voice was tight and hoarse. His resolve was quickly wavering as Naruto's insides continued to clench down around him.

Sasuke couldn't fight back his own moans that were building in his throat because fuck Naruto felt good squeezing his cock for all it's worth.

"Fuck, move," Naruto cursed out raggedly. Sasuke's praise mixed with the unwavering stretch was making his quivering insides desperate for friction.

Sasuke didn't need to be told twice. He straightened up, grabbed Naruto's hips, pulled back slowly until only his tip remained before mercilessly snapping his hips forward.

The sudden assault had Naruto mewling with pleasure which only encouraged Sasuke to repeat his thrust. He set a slow deep rhythm and fucked the omega hard. He looked down to where they were connected and watched as he buried his cock deep inside Naruto over and over again. Watching Naruto's tight little hole stretch to accommodate his length was too much, it had him biting back a slew of curses and fighting off a near orgasm.

"Faster alpha, please," Naruto babbled incoherently. Sasuke gripped his hips hard enough to leave bruises before pulling out and slamming back in over and over at breakneck speed. It didn't take long for the pace Sasuke set to cause the omega's arms to give out, giving his spine an obscene curve.

The sudden jostle caused the thick collar to bite into Naruto's neck but he was too strung out on cock to care. The pain was a minor inconvenience compared to the pleasure he was experiencing.

With his ass even further in the air Sasuke couldn't help but smack it, earning him a very pleased whimper from Naruto.

"Oh, you like that huh?" Sasuke growled out as he slapped the other cheek this time.

"Ye-yes!" Naruto moaned between brutal thrusts that were abusing his prostate beautifully.

With harsh thrusts, Sasuke leans over and nibbles on the omega's ear. What he wouldn't give to have access to what he knows would be a gorgeous neck. "Such a good omega, taking what his alpha gives him so well."

Sasuke feels Naruto's inside clench around him upon hearing his praise, he can't help but lean his forehead against the leather collar and smirk. He wished he hadn't taken his suppressants so he could rub his cheek on the collar and properly scent it. Had Sasuke not been balls deep in the most alluring person he'd ever met he would have been sent into a panic over his own thoughts. He was no longer thinking, he was being led by pure instincts.

When Sasuke pulled back he somehow thrust forward even deeper. Nothing but strings of mewls and cries left the omega's sinful lips. Naruto could barely breathe let alone form words Sasuke was fucking him so good. Naruto didn't seem to mind his lack of oxygen when Sasuke would angle and slam directly into his prostate. Air was an easy trade off if it was replaced with such earth shattering pleasure.

Naruto's nerves felt electrically charged. All his senses were heightened and everything was sensitive. He focused on the heat and weight of the powerful alpha plowing into him, it was all he could do to not lose his mind. The raging torrent building inside him was begging for release. Naruto needed to cum, he was desperate for it.

Once again Naruto reached for his aching length only to be stopped by Sasuke. Naruto would have been amazed at how the alpha knew what he was doing so quickly had his mind not been hazed by pleasure.

"I don't think so. Be a good omega and cum for my cock," Sasuke growled possessively. Seeing Naruto cum untouched once was hot, he could only imagine how much hotter it would be if it was his cock responsible for the blond's orgasm. "If you can cum for my fingers you can cum for my cock."

Fuck, the way Naruto mewled and clench around him had his knot begging to fully form. Sasuke's jaw clenched, it had only been sheer will power he didn't blow right then. "That's what you want isn't it? My cock, my cum, my knot?" 

Naruto whimpered and nodded because fuck that sounded good. Being filled to the brim, stuffed with a heavy knot, his omega was practically begging for it.

Sasuke wanted words and wasn't happy with a mere nod so he grabbed the blond's locks and twisted Naruto's head so he could see him, not caring how the leather collar bit into his delicate neck. "Words!" He demanded but it was hard to focus because of the perfect picture of debauchery Naruto made. His eyes were glazed and drunk on cock while his mouth had drooped open and his tongue lolled out. A delicious trail of saliva trailed down from the corner of his mouth. The sight had Sasuke's dick throbbing.

"Ye-yes alpha," Naruto somehow babbled out between deep, merciless thrusts from Sasuke's wicked hips. Naruto began meeting Sasuke's thrusts, making him go that much deeper.

Sasuke folded himself draped over Naruto's back. A few more frantic hip thrusts and both of them were on the cusp of release. All it took for Naruto to feel that familiar rush was the slight pull of Sasuke's forming knot pushing and pulling against his rim.

"Fuck, knot me alpha, please," Naruto begged as Sasuke's hips slammed into him full force.

"Yeah, you want my knot?" Sasuke groaned as his hips began to stutter. He didn't think he could hold out much longer, especially not with how tightly Naruto was gripping him.

It was weird, he'd only ever knotted during his ruts and during Sakura's heats. He had no idea why that primal part of him was demanding him to do so now but he wasn't going to fight it, not when nothing had ever felt so right. He'd worry about it when he wasn't lost in the throws of passion.

"Yes, knot me alpha, please, wanna cum on your knot," Naruto sobbed out desperately but it came out as mostly incoherent babble.

With that Sasuke's hips snapped forward with a strained moan. His head rolling back as his knot finally entered Naruto's tight ass.

A strangled cry left Naruto when he felt the weight of Sasuke knot start to fill him up. As Sasuke desperately ground his forming knot into Naruto's prostate, Naruto's sinuses were momentarily overwhelmed with a surge of Sasuke full scent and it was the most enticing scent he'd ever experienced; the traces Sasuke's room held paled in comparison. It reminded him of the smokiness of a roaring fire mixed with the crisp air of a winters night. The scent was gone as quickly as it came and with that Naruto was finally pushed over the edge.

"Al-alpha," Naruto screamed out as he came. His voice sounded strained as his cock shot ribbon after ribbon of cum completely ruining the already soiled bedding. His chest heaved, his limbs quaked and all he could focus on was that heavy knot filling him so good. Everything was so intense his knees buckled bringing the alpha down with him.

"Fuck, take it!" Sasuke groaned, allowing his knot to fully form as he came deep, generously filling Naruto's insides with jet after jet of hot sticky cum. His body shuddered on top of the smaller man as his insides strangled his cock, too lost in his own ecstasy to notice their topple. In a daze, he continued to grind his knot into Naruto's prostate. Naruto's ass continued to contract around Sasuke's knot, milking it for every shot of cum he released.

Sasuke's eyes slowly opened and immediately he zoned in on a specific spot of Naruto's neck that was covered by leather. The thought of Naruto's scent gland made his canines ache. That primal part of him demanding that he bite, claim. Just as he leaned in to do just that his eyes widened at his own thoughts and actions. Instead of biting the collar he managed to gently roll them on their sides last minute, being mindful of their tie.

Both were breathing heavily as they tried to reassimilate. Both were silently having their own mini panics. Sasuke wondering what the fuck he was thinking and Naruto wondering why Sasuke's pheromones spiked when he knotted him.

Weather Sasuke took suppressants or wore blocker, Naruto shouldn't be able to smell his pheromones through either. He'd smelt Sasuke's lingering scent when he'd entered the room but that spike was pure, undiluted Sasuke. Naruto had been exposed to many pheromones, but Sasuke's pure scent was different. Sasuke's pheromones almost smelt like...

Mine.

Naruto's eyes flew open.

"You with me again?" A deep lazy chuckle rumbled through him from the man who was spooning him.

"Yeah, sorry about that," Naruto chuckled awkwardly as he tried to come to terms with his revelation. At least his head was propped up on a pillow so his collar didn't make lying on his side too uncomfortable. "Was I out long?"

"No worries, I take it as a compliment," Sasuke answered, sounding rather smug. "You were only out for five minutes or so."

Naruto's neck was covered with his collar but he swore he could feel the idiot smirk against it. "Tch, don't get cocky alpha." 

"Says the one who passed out on my knot," Sasuke taunted, sounding entirely too pleased with himself if you asked Naruto.

"Hey you-" Naruto went to roll suddenly but hissed as Sasuke knot pulled against his hypersensitive hole.

"Fuck," Sasuke groaned painfully. His sensitive knot not faring well after being tugged at and squeezed either. "Careful, we're still tied," he warned.

Naruto rolled his eyes. "I gathered that much. How much longer?"

Sasuke didn't know where it came from, but he felt the urge to tease Naruto. "What, sick of me already?"

Feeling affected by Sasuke's energy, Naruto found himself smirking impishly. "Obviously."

That response earned him a non serious pinch to his thigh.

"Hey!" Naruto squawked indignantly but they both found themselves laughing lazily. They just felt comfortable with each other.

When the laughs calmed down Sasuke finally answered. "We still have about fifteen minutes or so."

"Hm," Naruto made a sound of acknowledgment as he eased back into Sasuke's hold. The large, warm body pressed into his back was soothing on his sore, sated body, and the gentle circles Sasuke was drawing on his hips had him closing his eyes while a soft purr rumbled through his chest.

A genuine smile pulled at Sasuke's lips when he felt the gentle purring of a happy omega. He would have teased the cute blond but he didn't want to risk making Naruto stop if he pointed it out, so instead he stayed quiet and allowed the calming vibrations to peacefully wash over him.

Sasuke couldn't believe how at ease he was with Naruto, he found his own eyes closing as his face nuzzled into soft golden locks. Even after his panic caused by his own involuntary impulses he found himself relaxing in the aura Naruto gave off. There was something indisputably soothing about the smaller male. With his body sharing warmth with Naruto's, he couldn't help being drawn to the tacky collar that was uncomfortably sticking to his chest.

It made Sasuke think. "Can I ask you something?"

"You just did," Naruto mumbled, sounding half asleep.

Sasuke let out an insufferable sigh.

Naruto snorted. "Shoot."

Sasuke found himself tightening his grip around Naruto's waist. "Why do you wear the collar?" He knew he wasn't supposed to ask about it, but he couldn't help himself.

It was impossible for Sasuke not to notice how Naruto's body became rigid. It was only for a split second but it happened.

Naruto was quiet for a moment before finally speaking. "Why do you think I wear the collar?"

"Hn," Sasuke hummed as he thought. "Well most omegas wear it through heat or when their heat is approaching but I know that can't be why," he said confidently.

"And why is that?" Naruto asked curiously but Sasuke detected a hint of humour.

"Aside from blockers not being able to block out the pheromones of approaching heat? I mean I guess you could be using suppressors instead but If you were I'm sure this," Sasuke gently thrust his hips, "would have sent you into full blown heat."

That was all true. Blockers were good at keeping base line pheromones masked where as suppressors were used to completely suppress them. And unlike blockers, suppressors also masked heat and rut pheromones while doubling as birth control. The down side is suppressors were expensive and considered a luxury item, not everybody could afford their exorbitant price. Sasuke knew that even if Naruto was on suppressors, getting knotted would have kickstarted his heat sending him into a frenzy. This alone allowed Sasuke to cross that option off his list. 

"Well, you are the expert in all things pheromones related now aren't you?" Naruto teased as he ignored the spark of arousal that shot through him. Sasuke couldn't help but feel Naruto's tone held some deep secret he wasn't privy to.

Sasuke brushed it off in light of keeping the blond jovial. "Exactly. So there's that and this collar of yours is thicker and far more expansive than any I've ever seen or heard of before. So spill it," he licked Naruto's ear for good measure.

Sasuke didn't know who he was or where this playful part of himself came from but he didn't mind it much in Naruto's presence. Especially when his antics caused that delectable shiver to run through Naruto's whole body.

"He-hey!," Naruto stuttered as a blush crept up his cheeks.

"Sorry," Sasuke chuckled, not actually sounding sorry in the least.

Naruto huffily pouted. "No you're not."

Sasuke smirked. "You're right, I'm not. Now explain."

Naruto wanted to sigh, so much for his rule about not asking collar questions, oh well. Naruto hummed thoughtfully as he thought about how much he was willing to divulge. "Well I can tell you that It helps in my line of work."

"Work?" Sasuke's tone dipped. Just what could Naruto be doing that requires him to wear such an elaborate collar? "How does a collar help you with therapy or whatever?"

"Have you ever been in a room with a group of unstable people?" Naruto asked hesitantly.

Sasuke didn't even need time to think. "Does a flock of omegas who've tried to lock you in a room saturated in their pheromones count?"

"Has that happened to you?" Naruto's voice sounded small and concerned.

Sasuke snorted bitterly. "On more than one occasion. Omegas never seemed to get the memo that I can't stand their pheromones." Sasuke paused when he felt Naruto freeze. 

'Shit, Naruto 's an omega,' Sasuke mentally scoffed at his own carelessness. "Sorry," he muttered. It was so easy to forget that Naruto was in fact an omega. Naruto's scent was completely masked, so there was no way for his allure to seep out in an attempt to entice him. There was that brief moment of madness on his part, but he smelt no pheromones that could deem Naruto responsible.

"You don't have to apologise." Naruto's voice was kind and gentle. "I'm sorry that's been your experience in life. No one deserves to be forced, that's alphas included."

Sasuke felt a strange warmth in his chest, and without thinking he pulled Naruto as close as humanly possible, engulfing Naruto in his warm embrace. "Why couldn't I have met you years ago? I feel so at ease around you," Sasuke found himself rambling on with nothing but honesty.

Naruto immediately melted into the embrace. With Sasuke's question playing on loop in his head, now was the time to bring up his revelation. With a steady breath, Naruto tilted his head so he could look at him as he spoke. "You do know why it's so easy to be with me right?"

Sasuke was lost in swirling pools of blue before he furrowed his brow at the question. "What do you mean?"

Naruto bit his worried lip, it was now or never. "Because we're destined mates."

Sasuke jumped away like Naruto had burned him causing his now softened dick to slide out of Naruto too quickly. Even with the discomfort from the gush of fluids and the sudden emptiness, Naruto was more worried about Sasuke's reaction.

Sasuke's soft gaze hardened to an icy glare Naruto hadn't expected to see. "I told you this was a one time thing!" He hissed with so much venom Naruto was thrown off kilter.

"No strings attached! No obligations! No-"

Naruto panicked, his omega felt wounded. He couldn't physically handle his destined mate hating him, rejecting him. It was obvious Sasuke didn't know it was true because he hadn't been exposed to his omega's pheromones. Naruto could have easily fixed that but from Sasuke's reaction he found himself unable to even consider it. From how Sasuke's life had been he couldn't really blame the guy for not being thrilled to hear an omega claiming they're destined.

Before Sasuke finished his hate fueled speech Naruto did his best to put on a fake laugh. "Ha, got you. You should have seen your face."

Sasuke froze with his scowl firmly in place. "What?"

For a moment Naruto wasn't sure if he'd just made the situation worse. "It was a joke. I wouldn't break our deal. I just thought you'd laugh at me, maybe call me an idiot? I didn't mean to make you so upset."

Sasuke looked at him with disbelief. "It was a joke?"

Refusing to make eye contact, Naruto bit his lip and nodded quickly. "Yeah. I'm sorry." And he really fucking was. Now regardless of Sasuke's reaction he'd have to deal with his mate's rejection.

Sasuke hunched over with his face in his hands and let out a tired chuckle. "That was a stupid fucking joke," there was a brief pause before he raised his head. "But I'm sorry too."

When Sasuke made eye contact with Naruto his inky orbs looked soft and apologetic. "I shouldn't have gone off on you like that. I've never felt comfortable with someone so quickly before, so even though we'll be going our separate ways it kind of stung to think of you as every other omega."

Naruto winced as he shifted on the bed and it seemed to set something off in the alpha.

"Shit! I didn't hurt you when I pulled out did I?" Sasuke didn't wait for an actual answer, he was already off to the washroom. "Wait there."

Naruto complied, because what else was he supposed to do?

Sasuke returned with a damp cloth and a towel. Naruto allowed the alpha to wipe him down and pamper him a little. Naruto was going to head down to his own room after that but Sasuke insisted he stayed. He wanted this memory to end on a positive or something along those lines. 

The next thing Naruto knew, he was swimming in one of Sasuke t-shirts and curling up with him in a luxurious bed. They'd had a brief argument regarding his collar, Sasuke was persistent about having him take it off because sleeping in it couldn't be good for Naruto's neck while Naruto simply waved him off. After Sasuke finally accepted Naruto's stubborn decision the topic was dropped and Sasuke went back to acting like the same playful asshole he'd previously been. 

As the two lay curled up under the clean, luscious bedding Naruto found himself thinking about the omega who his destined mate was taking a break from. "Hey Sasuke?"

"Hn?" He yawned. He was rather enjoying the peace he was experiencing in the other's presence. Though it would have been nicer if Naruto had removed his collar.

"I know you probably don't want to talk about it but I was wondering...you said your girlfriend is an omega right?" Naruto tried to tread carefully.

"Yes?" Sasuke clearly didn't see where he was going with this.

"Well, I was just wondering what made you choose her?" Naruto's voice sounded small, as if waiting to be reprimanded. If this omega was the one Sasuke chose, he wanted to know why.

Sasuke didn't really want to get into this but he still felt kind of bad for freaking out over Naruto's joke. Granted, it was a stupid joke but it still didn't warrant him blowing up like that. Sasuke sighed. "She followed me throughout school. After a while we sort of just fell into each other. She has a defective gene that makes her omega pheromones near that of a beta so I can hardly smell her. I figured seeing as I'm an alpha who can't stand omega pheromones, she must be who I was meant to bond with."

It was so quiet that Sasuke almost thought Naruto fell asleep until he turned over to look at him. "So you love her?"

Sasuke was taken back by the question. "Yes," is what he knew he was supposed to say but staring into those kind sapphires he found himself frozen, he couldn't answer.

Naruto was filled with sorrow, he didn't need to hear anymore. Sasuke chose someone he didn't even love. 

Naruto gave him a smile that seemed so unbelievably sad. "Good night, Sasuke."

Sasuke felt a petal soft kiss placed on his lips and before he had a chance to reciprocate Naruto had turned back over.

Not knowing what to do or what any of it meant, Sasuke draped his arm over Naruto's waist and pulled him unbelievably close. Sasuke placed a tender kiss on the crown of his head. "Good night, Naruto."

Sasuke woke up the next morning to the sound of his phone ringing but he ignored it. When the insistent thing finally shut up he let out a sigh of relief. He lazily stretched while trying to climb out of that weird state of limbo. For being woken up early on a Saturday he felt good, really good. He must not have drunk too much at the bar last-

Naruto.

Sasuke's eyes flew open as his arm reached for the body that he fell asleep holding last night. Feeling the cold empty bed he jumped up and ran to the washroom. "Naruto?"

He wasn't there.

Sasuke left the washroom with a frown pulling at his lips and that's when he saw a folded piece of paper on the gently used pillow.

Sasuke,

I figured I'd dip out early, I didn't want to overstay my welcome. I'm glad I had the chance to meet you, I truly am. Be well and take care of yourself.

-Naruto

Naruto was gone.

The first thing he did was call down to the front desk to find out what room Naruto was staying in because he couldn't part from the blond without a proper goodbye, not after the night they shared. When the lady on the line informed him Naruto had already checked out. Time froze, Naruto was really gone.

Sasuke knew this whole thing was what he wanted. He should be thrilled that an omega had actually honoured his wishes. So if that was the case, why doesn't he feel satisfied?

Chapter Text

Thirty-five days, ten hours and fifty-six minutes, that's how long it's been since Sasuke had last seen the blond omega. Not that he was counting. Sort of like the delicately folded note tucked away in his wallet, he only had that because he'd simply forgotten to throw it away. And those dreams? Pure coincidence. So what if he's constantly dreaming of the blond omega writhing under him, begging for him to breed him, mark him, claim him as his? It was all simple body chemistry. He was an alpha who had slept with a total of one omega until recently, it was only his body's natural reaction to crave the only other omega it wasn't repulsed by.

If he really wanted, all it would take is a simple request and he could get all Naruto's information, but he wouldn't because that would mean admitting something that simply wasn't true. At least that's what he kept telling himself every time the itch to find the omega presented itself.

Sasuke let out a heavy sigh as he tried to bury his thoughts down deep, he really had to focus. They had finally started making leeway on finding a way to cut the cost of manufacturing their suppressants. Blockers were starting to look promising, but the suppressants were still a way off. The volume of pheromones used to create suppressants was what hindered their lab. If they could find a way to concentrate the pheromones while making the lowered dosage more potent it would change everything. They had their lab techs working overtime trying to figure out a way to do just that, but even the head of research and development wasn't very optimistic that they'd get the task done this year, let alone in the next five.

The head of research and development was a tall, busty blond alpha named Tsunade Senju, she was the genius mind behind the concept of ingestible suppressants. Blockers had already been around a while but when she proposed a way to create something like a vitamin that would not only block scent like blockers did, but block even the potent pheromones created before the start of heats and ruts, everyone thought she'd lost her mind. The ridicule and skepticism seemed to drive her even harder and when she came back with a test batch that not only did exactly what she'd claimed it would do but also acted as birth control, everyone was fighting over her. In the end it was Uchiha Inc that she signed a contract with and ever since then she's been helping them develop cutting-edge products.

The problem with anything cutting edge was they didn't come cheap. There were numerous dead ends and inevitable failures. Their losses were insurmountable, but it was what progress looked like. To be successful you need to be able to mitigate risks while simultaneously being willing to take a hit. It was a delicate line to balance, but a corporation like Uchiha Inc was more than happy to do so with the right incentives.

Tsunade had never let them down, so when she had requested more funding to aid in their progress, the request had been approved by Itachi himself. Aside from trying to find a way to improve their suppressants, she had come up with a groundbreaking idea to improve blockers. It wasn't exactly what they had in mind, but after she had presented her case, it was a no-brainer.

Both blockers and suppressants had been specifically designed to cater to one's secondary gender, but she had proposed creating a product that blocked all pheromones without needing to be secondary gender specific. With intel she'd received from a friend at Konoha General, she was almost positive she could make it work. Tsunade still needed to confirm everything she'd heard with her own eyes, but if what she was told was indeed correct, she was certain she was on her way to improved blockers and hopefully the suppressors would soon follow. Tsunade just hoped she'd be able to convince this individual they'd be invaluable to her research.

Even though Tsunade had received approval directly from Itachi, there was still paperwork that needed to be filled and filed. As Sasuke signed off on her request, he couldn't help but feel hopeful that this was what she needed. With any luck this would help contribute to not only better blockers for all but hopefully her cracking the long awaited suppressant formula.

Sasuke was brought out of his musing by his office phone. "Yes?" He answered curtly.

"Mr. Uchiha, there's an Ino Yamanaka here to see you. She insists it's urgent," the hesitant voice of his soft-spoken assistant, Tenten informed him.

Sasuke pinched the bridge of his nose, knowing without a doubt what this would be about. After weighing his options, he sighed, knowing that the bull-headed beta wouldn't go quietly. "Send her in."

Not even a moment later, the brash beta was barging into his office. Ino was a tall bleached blond beta with fair skin and icy blue eyes. The female had been one of Sakura's best friends throughout high school and all the way through college. They both vied for his attention but that ended when Sasuke and Sakura ended up dating and Ino herself settled down with a beta named Sai who looked like a smaller creepier version of himself, or that's what people tell him. Personally, Sasuke didn't see the resemblance.

"Uchiha!" Ino hissed, making her irritation known. "Why aren't you returning Sakura's messages?"

Sasuke looked at the woman with a flat look. "I've been busy." It wasn't a lie, it just wasn't the whole truth either. "Besides, I fail to see how that's any of your business."

Ino perched her hands on her hips, her face flushed with anger. "Really? My best friend is crying her heart out over you, and you can't so much as return a text?"

"How is her crying, my problem?" Sasuke asked with disinterest. Crying was as natural to Sakura as breathing, it was hardly cause for concern.

The blond beta ferociously narrowed her eyes on him. "You can't be serious. You dropped this separation on her then pretty much erased her from your life."

Sasuke didn't even try to hide his eye roll. "I didn't erase her from my life, I'm simply keeping my distance like I told her I would. She's just being her usual dramatic self."

Ino's heels clicked as she walked in front of Sasuke's desk. Her icy blue eyes glaring like they're trying to set him a blaze. "Her dramatic self? She's going to therapy for you, you ass!" she hissed.

"Therapy?" Sasuke asked unimpressed. "Talking to you doesn't count as therapy."

As Ino crossed her arms over her ample bosoms, she huffed. "God you're such a dick. Not me, she's been seeing Dr. Yuhi." That was something Sasuke didn't expect, and the smug look on Ino's face showed that he hadn't kept his face as impassive as he'd thought. "She's really trying to do better."

Sasuke quickly schooled his face. "Hn."

Ino couldn't hide her disdain. "Seriously? I tell you your girlfriend is taking steps to better herself and all you can offer is a single syllable grunt?"

Sasuke gave her another sarcastic "hn."

"What's wrong with you? Don't you care about her at all?" Ino's voice was thick with abhor.

Sasuke let out a heavy sigh. "We've spent six years of our lives together, of course I care about her."

"Sure doesn't seem like it." Ino mumble snidely. The way she saw it, if Sasuke truly cared about Sakura, his face would have done more then twitch momentarily.

Sasuke leaned back in his chair. "Did she tell you why we're on a break?"

"She said you didn't really give her an explanation." Ino shrugged.

Sasuke scoffed. Of course Sakura wouldn't tell the whole story. Typical. "We had another fight about the same old shit and then she got on me about bonding and kids again."

"It has been six years; don't you think she has a right to wonder about those things?" Ino furrowed her brow with scrutiny.

Sasuke clenched his jaw, he was getting tired of everyone thinking they got to have an opinion about their relationship. "Sure, if we were a couple who had a healthy relationship. I'm sure even you can agree that hasn't exactly been the case?"

As much as it pained her to agree with him, she nodded. "I guess I can't really disagree with that." 

"If she can't trust me and all we do is fight, don't I have the right to be reluctant?" Sasuke asked sardonically. 

"Yeah," Ino begrudgingly agreed. "But she's really trying Sasuke, you should see her-"

Sasuke holds up his hand to silence her. "And I'm glad, truly I am. But that proves that this break was the right call."

"But don't you think you've made your point? She's in therapy...Sakura, in therapy...by herself." Ino draws out to exaggerate and emphasize how seriously Sakura's taking this break. Sakura never would have agreed to seek help before. Sure, she had wanted to attend couples therapy with Sasuke, but never admitted that she personally had a problem. The fact that she willingly sought help for herself was momentous. "Don't you think she gets it?" she finally asked.

There wasn't much Sasuke could say to that, Ino did make a pretty good point, but wasn't it too soon? They'd only been separated for a little over a month.

Seeing him remain stone faced, Ino dropped her arms with a sigh. "Look, I get you guys have your issues, but she's trying. The least you can do is try as well. Call her." With that Ino turned and walked out, giving him no chance to protest.

As soon as Sasuke's office door closed behind her, he leaned forward, resting his face in his palms. It was hard to believe Sakura was taking something seriously for a change. He was positive she's sit around and attention seek like usual, never once did he think she'd willingly attend therapy. That was good right? This is what he wanted; space for the both of them to get their heads sorted. So why doesn't he feel satisfied that Sakura is taking steps to work on her issues?

Sasuke rubbed his face before finally straightening himself. Maybe Ino was right —as much as he hates to admit it— maybe he should call her. Taking out his phone, he scrolled through his contacts until he hovered over his girlfriend. Just as he was about to tap, sapphire blue eyes flashed through his mind, and he found himself scrolling past until he landed on Shikamaru instead.

The line rings four times before Shikamaru finally picks up. "Yo."

"Hey, you free tonight?"

Unfortunately, luck wasn't on his side because for once, Shikamaru was busy. Apparently Temari's younger brother Gaara had just moved to town. Sasuke was a little shocked to learn this. Sasuke had never met Gaara, but he knows his story. A few years ago, he watched his mate die, and suffered from what's known as Mate Hysteria, or MH for short.

Mate Hysteria is a condition that arises when one's bonded mate dies. The surviving mate is stricken with such grief from their other half being ripped away from them that they fall into madness. Some cases presented as nothing but drooling, bumbling shells of their former selves while others turn violent, trying to burn the world and everyone in it in search of what was once theirs.

Gaara's condition was the latter, which made his sudden move all the more curious. As far as the condition went, there was no cure. Sasuke didn't know the full story, nor did he ask because it wasn't any of his business, he just knew that Temari's brother lost his mate and ultimately slipped into a violent psychosis. Because of that, Sasuke had always just assumed the alpha was locked up somewhere, heavily sedated. Even he could admit that he was curious behind the reason for the sudden move.

When Shikamaru had told Sasuke the reason they couldn't get together, Sasuke didn't push for further explanation —for obvious reasons— but even he could admit the rare emotion in Shikamaru's voice piqued his interest. It wasn't his usual bored tone. Hell, he didn't even sound somber about his mentally unstable brother-in-law. No, he actually sounded —dare he say— hopeful? Relieved? Something had obviously happened, and for once, Sasuke found himself wishing he was capable of asking personal questions.

Regardless, with Shikamaru unavailable and Itachi tied up, Sasuke was left on his own for the night. As he sat in his suite that night, he found the walls almost suffocating. After his night with Naruto, he had been so tempted to switch rooms. Anything to push his and his alphas thoughts away from the vanishing omega, but in the end he couldn't. Sasuke on more than one occasion found himself wondering how Naruto was doing and his horny alpha always providing him with reminders of how intoxicating the blond tasted, how alluring he looked and how fucking addicting he was when he was moaning, begging for him, his knot, his cum. They were memories that had his hand working overtime on more than one occasion.

Nothing Sasuke did was enough to get the other out of his head. Sakura had always been so complicated, even right from the beginning. But with Naruto it was simple, pleasant even. It suddenly hit him, what if he was wrong in the reason he'd chosen Sakura for? What if all his failed attempts to rid his mind of Naruto actually meant something deeper than a simple fixation? It was that realization that had Sasuke finally texting Sakura, he needed to see her if he was going to get to the bottom of this.

Sasuke sent Sakura a quick text which she responded to immediately. They had made plans to meet the next day at a quaint little café down the road from his office. When Sasuke arrived, Sakura was already waiting for him inside. As soon as she saw him her whole demeanor lit up. "Sasuke!" She greeted him by throwing her arms around his neck and nuzzling into his chest. Sasuke awkwardly returned the hug. Public displays of affection were never his forte.

Sensing the tense aura Sasuke permeated, Sakura reluctantly pulled back. She was proud of herself, all she wanted to do was to kiss him like her life depended on it, but she held herself back. "I'm so glad you text, I've missed you!" She gushed, her whole body practically vibrating.

"Hn, I thought it was time we should talk." Sasuke's tone was dry and to the point.

Sakura nibbled her painted pink lip nervously. "I'd—I'd like that." 

Sasuke nodded politely. "Why don't you get us a seat and I'll order us the usual?"

After going over a month without seeing the one who was supposed to be his omega, Sasuke thought he'd feel something, anything, at the least he thought he'd feel a bit of relief, but he felt nothing of the sort. This felt more like a business transaction than two partners getting together for the first time after an absence.

This was hardly the first time they'd been here, so Sasuke ordered the same overly trendy drink Sakura always ordered while he stuck to the largest black coffee the place offered. As he waited for the drinks to be made, he took the time to think about what he wanted to say. He really didn't want to hurt her, just because things had been difficult didn't mean he didn't care about her. They had spent a large chunk of their lives together; he would always care to a degree. It's just after everything they've been through, was it really worth moving forward together?

For the last month he spent more time denying his thoughts of Naruto than he spent thinking about fixing things with his partner. He may be emotionally challenged, but even he knew that should have set off alarms.

Once he collected their drinks and began walking over to the table Sakura occupied, he wasn't any closer to finding the right words. "Here," he placed the dressed-up drink in front of Sakura before sliding into his seat opposite to hers.

"Thank you," she blushed as she brushed her bangs behind her ear.

Sasuke offered a slight, "hn," before they fell into an awkward silence. The only sounds being conversations from the few customers mixed with the soft playing music and the odd 'clink' of dishes rattling.

Sasuke was good with quiet, great even, but this was just getting painful. "Listen Sakura, I think-"

"I'm sorry," Sakura softly cut him off. Upon seeing his confusion, she continued. "I know that I've always put my issues on you and that wasn't fair."

Sasuke couldn't help but think this might be easier than he'd thought. "We've both made mistakes. I shouldn't have strung you along all these years, that hasn't been fair to you. So, I'm sorry too."

Sakura beamed as she reached across the table to grab his hand. "It's okay. The important part is that we can move on from here."

Sasuke sat there bewildered when Sakura started rambling about him moving back in, and deciding when they should take their next step. Okay, maybe it wasn't that easy after all. She completely misunderstood him.

Snapping himself out of his daze he retracted his hand from hers. Sakura looked at him with concern. "Sasuke, what's wrong?"

Sasuke ripped the band aid off. "You misunderstood me. I'm sorry, but I think we should break up."

"Wh-what?" Sakura's emerald eyes were suddenly the size of saucers. "But you promised it was just a break."

"I made no such promise. I said it was a break to give us both some time to think," Sasuke tried to be as gentle as an Uchiha could. He just hoped being in public would prevent the omega from causing a scene. "After time apart I've come to realize you deserve someone who can make you secure, and it's pretty obvious I'll never be able to give you that."

Sakura shook her head in panicked denial. "Please," she uttered quietly as she tried to blink back tears. "Please don't do this."

"We're not good for each other," his voice was firm but not uncaring.

"Yes we are!" Sakura snapped her glassy eyes up to meet his, there was an urgency dancing in them. "I know I've put all my issues on you, but I'm working on that. You're the only person I want. I love you Sas-"

"Sakura," Sasuke cut her off, his lips pinching in a thin line.

"Please, I even started going to therapy. I want to be better; I want us to work, please let me prove it to you." Sakura's bottom lip trembled with trepidation, it was taking everything in her to remain calm and not lash out at Sasuke.

Sasuke was torn, he didn't want to hurt her, but could he really —give her— give them another chance? Sasuke took into account how Sakura was currently acting and replayed his conversation with Ino the day prior over in his head. "She's trying, the least you can do is try as well." It was obvious how hard the omega was trying, could he really belittle her efforts so simply? The world may see him as a stoic asshole, but he truly care for those he held close.

Looking down at his forgotten coffee, Sasuke finally made his decision. "Okay," he acquiesced. He still had many, many reservations, but if she could try, he would too. Just one last time.

To say Sakura was ecstatic would be an understatement. Sasuke wasn't sure whether he made the right decision or not, but he supposed time would tell.

Feeling victorious, Sakura inwardly smirked. No skanky omega was going to sink their claws into her alpha, she'd make sure of that.

Sasuke had moved back into the house, and they quickly slipped back into their old, familiar routine, except Sakura now had her weekly therapy session. It had been remarkably smooth sailing. They were about to get their first real test though. They were attending their first fundraiser together after reconciling. This would be a huge trial for Sakura as the party was bound to be brimming with overzealous omegas, vying for Sasuke's attention.

Sasuke hated parties, hated the attention. He would much rather be at home with a glass whiskey and a good book. But being an Uchiha he was always willing to support a good cause. So, he put on his tux, waited three hours for Sakura to doll herself up and went to show support. 

When they arrived, Sasuke gave the valet his keys and went around to let Sakura out of the car. Sakura blushed as she took his hand and stepped out gingerly in her silky mint gown and her strappy white heels. Sasuke knew she loved these gentlemanly gestures of his and he figured if she was putting in the effort for him, he could at least do this much for her.

Like most of the fundraisers they attended, the hall that was rented out was grand and luxurious. Everything was pristine and white, the ceilings had grand chandeliers that cascaded from the ceiling. Thralls of elegantly dressed affluentials all decked out to the nines in their tailored tuxedos and immaculate dresses crowded the floor as they discussed both everything and nothing. The string quartet that was present filled the gaps in their ongoing conversations with soft classical music. Smartly dressed servers were attentive as they weaved their trays of drinks and appetizers through the masses, making sure no guest went unrefreshed.

As they navigated through the sea of people, Sakura never once let go of his arm. Sometimes Sasuke couldn't help but feel like she was just parading him around like he was some object to be coveted. It wasn't something he normally paid attention to, but as her grip continued to tighten, he found himself wanting to pry her off, he was feeling suffocated and that made him feel guilty.

Even he knew that he shouldn't be thinking of ways to unlatch his future mate from him. He had agreed to try again with her, but he didn't feel like he was being fair to her by thinking and feeling these things right now. He couldn't help it though, that's the way he felt. At home things felt simpler, she was just Sakura, she wasn't the insecure omega she turned into the moment they stepped into the public eye.

At the very least she wasn't causing a scene whenever someone would engage them in conversation. And even though her grip pointed to her discomfort, she continued to smile and remain polite, even to the omegas who unabashedly flaunted their scent in front of him. Sasuke had to give her credit where credit was due. He was quickly pulled away from his musings by a flash of blond. Sasuke froze, there on the other side of the room in an indigo tux was none other than the object of his denied obsession. Sasuke found his mouth dry as he struggled to swallow. Suddenly his alpha reared its head, letting out a dizzying howl that rattled his skull.

Sakura must have felt him tense. "Are you alright?" her voice was laced with concern. His stress was driving her own omega to release the calming pheromones she barely possessed.

Sasuke's startled eyes shot towards her. "I-" he quickly looked back, only to find that the blond that was standing there definitely wasn't Naruto. He furrowed his brow, suddenly questioning his sanity. Why was he imagining Naruto? And why wouldn't his alpha quiet back down? Ever since getting back together with Sakura it had been deafeningly quiet. Sasuke was getting increasingly uneasy. Sasuke fiddled with his bow tie and cleared his throat. "I—yeah. I think I just need some air," he said as he focused back on Sakura.

Sakura was none the wiser as she took his statement at face value. She had no reason to question him. Afterall, she knew firsthand just how much he hated these social events. "Let's get you some air then, hm?" She said with an understanding smile.

"Hn," Sasuke hummed in agreement before turning to the couple that had been gushing about the opulence of the venue.

"Please excuse us," he bowed politely, Sakura mimicking his actions.

Sasuke really didn't feel comfortable having Sakura lead him out, but he allowed her to drag him regardless. Just as they made it to the French doors leading out to the patio, a woman's voice stopped them. "Brat!"

Sasuke sighed before turning around. He needn't look to know who was bellowing at him. "Tsunade," he greeted her.

"Dr. Senju, so nice to see you again," Sakura gushed, her voice not hiding the admiration she had for the brilliant doctor. She had grown up admiring the doctor, and was the reason she pursued her own career in medicine.

"Likewise," she curtly addressed the omega before turning her attention back to Sasuke. "Have you seen Lucifer?" Tsunade asked, no one else would dare speak about Itachi that way, let alone to Sasuke's face, but Tsunade was her own breed.

Sasuke was undeterred, she called them disrespectful names and they threw them right back. It was a beautiful relationship they all shared. "You sure your eyes haven't failed you? A hag like you is getting on in years," Sasuke smirked impishly.

"Why you-" Tsunade feigned annoyance but was cut off by an irritated Sakura.

"Show some respect," Sakura slapped him on the shoulder with a hiss before looking at Tsunade with apologetic eyes. "Sorry about him. No, we haven't seen Itachi yet."

"She started it," Sasuke petulantly mumbled under his breath while rubbing his abused shoulder. At least this whole interaction had made him temporarily forget about the apparition of a blond.

Tsunade threw her head back and guffawed. "You heard her brat, show me some respect."

"Oh, I'll show you something alright," he grumbled. "I'll show you my foot up your-"

"Sasuke!" Sakura finally dropped his arm and scowled at him.

Tsunade waved her off. "It's fine, this is just how we are. Anyways, so you haven't seen him?" Her attention shifted as she focused on Sasuke more seriously.

"No, I'm sure he's around though, you know him, never late to anything. What do you want with him anyways?" Sasuke found himself intrigued.

Tsunade sighed heavily. "That guy I'm trying to recruit for my research is here, but he still won't give me the time or day. He thinks I'm going to turn him into a lab rat or something."

"Oh?" Sasuke raises an immaculate brow at her in a silent demand for her to continue explaining what that had to do with finding Itachi.

"You know Itachi and his mind voodoo; he can talk anyone into anything. He's like a word mastermind," she paused and narrowed her eyes. "If it gets back to him that I said that I'll deny everything."

"Kind of hard to deny something when I hear it firsthand," a smooth baritone voice smugly interrupted.

"Damnit," Tsunade blew a heavy breath out and turned. "Lucifer," she greeted.

Itachi made sure he earned his name as he greeted her back with a devilish smirk. "Crone."

"I'll show you-"

As the two continued taunting each other, Sasuke couldn't hide his amusement while Sakura bit her lip nervously. Itachi always intimidated her; she would never reprimand him the way she did Sasuke.

"Sasuke, you made it on time," Itachi jested before turning his attention to the...woman with him. "Miss Haruno," he nodded to her politely, managing to hide his surprise at seeing her.

"Itachi." Sakura smiled tightly; he always made her feel like he was looking through her soul.

"Tch, like I'm ever late," Sasuke rolled his eyes, feigning irritation. He saw the look Itachi gave him regarding Sakura. It was the look that silently said, "we'll talk about this later." Sasuke decided to brush it off, he was just glad Itachi wasn't dragging him off to explain at that very instant.

Itachi shrugged off his brother's avoidance, it was honestly expected. "So," he looked to their head of research and development. "What did you need me for?"

"Right!" Tsunade exclaimed. "I need you to come with me and work your magic."

Itachi only looked mildly concerned as she grabbed him by the arm and dragged him off without allowing him to question her. Sasuke only shrugged and offered him an flippant wave. It was times like this that he was glad Itachi was the more social of the two. If Sasuke couldn't solve something with just his scowl it was too much effort for him. He didn't revel in mind games as much as his dear older brother did. Though, it was fun to watch him break a person down to the point they question their entire being.

Sasuke sighed pleasantly at the thought. Maybe he was more like Itachi than he'd thought. He'd die before ever admitting that out loud though.

Sasuke's thoughts were interrupted by Sakura. "Dr. Senju's working on new research?" she asked curiously.

"Hn?" Sasuke had forgotten that Sakura wasn't aware of the new concept Tsunade was working on, on account of them being separated when the idea was suggested. "Oh, yeah. She's trying to work on a formula that would enable all secondary genders to use the same blocker." Usually, he told her everything about work, he loved what he did and never shied away from sharing with her the new ideas that he found exciting. 

"Wow, this person must be special if she wants them that badly." Sakura's eyes gleamed with wonder.

Sasuke shrugged. "She is rather adamant about them. I'm surprised she hasn't convinced them yet, her request was signed off on two weeks ago."

Sasuke held back his surprise well. Tsunade may have boasted about Itachi's ability to persuade someone, but she wasn't exactly known for taking no for an answer either. This person must be pretty important for Tsunade to continue to pursue them to the point she'd ask Itachi for help.

Before long it was time for the speeches to be made. The charity they were supporting was hosted by Konoha General for a small nonprofit organization called Unison, they helped those who suffered from forced bonding. It was a brutal thing to go through but was manageable through the right medications and therapy. Unfortunately, medications didn't always work, leaving the victims in an agonizing state of pheromone withdrawal. And if the medications did work, they were much like everything in this day and age, they didn't come cheap. With enough funding, Unison was not only hoping to help provide crucial medications to victims but hoping to help fund research on new methods of combating pheromone withdrawal.

After hearing the organization talk about their goals, it was impossible not to feel moved. The people who spoke, spoke with conviction, bringing awareness that it wasn't only omegas who suffered from forced bonds, but alphas and even betas too. People often forgot about betas because they couldn't give nor receive a bonding mark, but they too suffered from forced bonding, albeit in a different sense. They didn't physically go through the motions, but nothing can prepare you emotionally for watch your partner suffer that fate while you remain powerless to help. Sasuke was sure many eyes had been opened that night.

The closing speech announced the start of supper where everyone was encouraged to find their seats. When Sasuke and Sakura made it to their table, Sasuke had to do a retake when he glanced across the dinning hall at his brother's table, because surely he was seeing things again. Sitting there was not only Itachi, but...

"Naruto."  

Chapter Text

For the first time all night, Sasuke didn't mind Sakura dragging him around because at the moment he wasn't really thinking about his surroundings. Sasuke couldn't even feel relief that Sakura hadn't noticed his eyes were focused elsewhere. Nothing else mattered except the omega across the room.

Sasuke couldn't believe it. It was him. It was really Naruto. Sasuke blinked once, then twice but he still didn't disappear or turn into someone else. Naruto was really there, sitting across the room...with Itachi. An array of thoughts and feelings assaulted Sasuke. He was excited and nervous but also confused and angry. Sasuke's alpha was barreling through his subconscious trying to drive him forward, but Sasuke stubbornly stood still.

Why was Naruto there? Naruto didn't live anywhere near Konoha, they'd only met because he had been there for work. It had been nearly two months since their phenomenal encounter. Why did he pop up here and now, in the same building as him and Sakura? And why was he talking to his brother?

The rapid beat of Sasuke's heart had been from the thrill of seeing the person who had haunted him day and night, but now it thumped in rapidly building irritation. Was Naruto like all the others after all? Did he play him? Was he talking to Itachi to try and get some angle on him? Fuck, was he here to tell Sakura about them?

Even as Sasuke's thoughts continued to spiral, he couldn't help but appreciate the stunning blond. Naruto's hair was even brighter than he remembered, his honey skin seemed to glow under the crystal chandeliers twinkling lights and the tux he was wearing was sure to draw attention to his pulchritudinous sapphire eyes. Naruto was in fact in an indigo tux but what stood out even more was another high-necked collar, dyed in a soft lavender. It wasn't surprising that Naruto looked stunning in formal wear. Sasuke was convinced he'd make rags look good.

When Naruto's turned, Sasuke got a greedy glimpse at those orbs, and he realized the tux wasn't needed to draw attention to his eyes. God, those eyes were beyond beautiful even from afar. They were like the glassy surface of the ocean on a calm day, reflecting the sky on its surface perfectly; calling out to him like a beacon. Sasuke's memories didn't do them any justice. How could he forget how beautiful they were? They were every bit as beautiful as their bearer.

Sasuke didn't expect Naruto's gaze to fall on him, but when their eyes met it was like the world stood still. A brief flash of recognition flashed through Naruto's eyes and the shock alone was all the proof Sasuke needed to know that Naruto wasn't there for anything malicious. It was strange to have so much faith in someone he'd only met once and knew next to nothing about. It wasn't in Sasuke's nature to trust blindly, if at all, but he couldn't help the inexplicable trust he suddenly had for Naruto. Much to Sasuke's dismay, Naruto quickly turned his gaze back to Itachi who, lucky enough for him, had missed their brief exchange.

"Sasuke?" Sakura's incredulous voice cut through Sasuke's reverie. She had unhooked their arms as she waited impatiently for Sasuke to pull her seat out for her. For the first time in his life, Sasuke felt dirty, but not because Sakura might catch him openly staring at the other omega, but because Naruto saw him with Sakura. That night they spent together, he was very clear with Naruto so he knew he shouldn't feel this way, but he did.

Sasuke was torn over the fact that Naruto's first reaction to seeing him wasn't to immediately come over. He knew if Naruto had come over to see him, it would have violated the terms that he himself had set, not to mention Sakura would surely wonder how they knew each other. Sasuke had purposely kept his extracurriculars undisclosed for a reason, he'd hate to see how she'd react if she found out he'd actually fucked another omega. But still, he couldn't help but feel more than a little disappointed by Naruto's avoidance.

Sasuke knew he should feel thankful that Naruto was ignoring him, but he didn't. Naruto ignoring him meant that someone else was being blessed with his attention and that was the problem. A new feeling bubbled up inside him like an active volcano ready to erupt. Jealousy. Naruto saw him and decided to completely ignore him in order to pay attention to his brother. Sasuke didn't know why, but he wanted that attention. Itachi receiving it was infuriating.

Even as he pushed Sakura in and seated himself next to her, Naruto never looked back. This is the sort of thing that should've relieved him. His one-night stand was still following his rules, but there was no relief, only fury. The fury of being ignored, the fury of those eyes being on someone else, the fury of Naruto laughing at whatever the hell Itachi just said to him. Who did Itachi think he was, making Naruto laugh like that? That should be hi-

"Sasuke?" Sakura's shrill voice broke him from his trance.

Sasuke's eyes reluctantly fell on her. "Hn?"

"Red or white wine?" She gave him a tight smile but there was a dark aura about her. Apparently, she didn't like the attention his absent mindedness was drawing to them. That or she noticed him staring. He really hoped it wasn't the latter.

"White," Sasuke grunted as the wine was already being poured for the table's other occupants.

As the waiter poured their wine, Sakura's eyes tracked where Sasuke was staring, and her emerald eyes widened. "Is Itachi laughing? Oh my god, he never laughs!"

Sakura didn't want to believe Sasuke was looking at the collar wearing man. She really wanted to believe he was observing his brother's reaction to the omega, but it was nearly impossible to prevent herself from pointing accusations. It was obvious the man in the obnoxious collar was an omega, no one else wore collars. She bit back a sneer because what self-respecting omega attends a social event in the wake of their heat? One that’s trying to seduce every alpha in the vicinity, her alpha included. Sakura took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. This situation was putting all the exercises she learned in therapy to use.

"Looks that way," Sasuke tried to keep his face passive as he feigned disinterest. It wasn't bad enough that his brother was making Naruto laugh, but Naruto was also capable of making his brother laugh as well? This had to be hell.

Here he was with his partner, watching the object of his weird infatuation, hitting it off with his own alpha brother. He shouldn't care, he knew he had no right, but he was furious. He never envied another person, but right now he was ashamed to say that he envied Itachi.

There was no other way to say it. Sasuke was fucked.

Sasuke didn't remember dinner, he didn't remember the topics of conversation around the table, and he certainly didn't remember dessert. All he remembered was the crisp taste of his —not nearly strong enough— wine, those blue eyes avoiding his and...and why the fuck was Itachi still smiling? Wait, was Naruto blushing? What right did Itachi have to make Naruto blush so prettily?

A menacing growl percolated in Sasuke's throat, but he caught himself before it could trickle past his lips. What the hell was wrong with him? He was with Sakura! Was his alpha sexually frustrated? Or maybe his rut was coming early?

Maybe he should give into Sakura's advances. The last two weeks she had been persistent, but he didn't think it was a good idea to jump right back into it. Or at least that's what he told himself. But with these weird feelings he surely needed something because at the moment all he could think about was storming over to Naruto and devouring him in front of his brother so Itachi and everyone else would see just who the omega belonged to-

Sasuke's eyes enlarged. No way did he just think of Naruto as his! Sasuke knew he had to stay away, but the thought tormented his alpha. These thoughts and feelings weren't normal, and it was really starting to trouble him.

"Let me guess, you're just watching your brother, right?" Sakura's saccharine voice was icy and accusatory. It took all her restraint to not say what she really wanted after spending all supper watching her alpha openly gawk at another omega. She tried, she really tried to tell herself it was nothing and that it was all in her head, but at this point her therapy wasn't enough to quell the storm raging inside of her.

The man wasn't even good looking. Ghastly, bright blond hair, basic blue eyes and those hideous marks on his face that made him look like a child playing dress up. And who wears a colourful tuxedo? Honestly. But what was worse was the attention he was seeking with that collar. The thing was huge and purple, the man wasn't trying to be discreet at all; shamelessly advertising to the world that he was an omega open for business. Sakura knew Sasuke says he doesn't like omegas —let alone loose ones— but the staring he'd been doing all throughout supper was sending her mixed signals.

Internally Sasuke was scolding himself. How could he have been so careless? Having been caught, "hn," was all he could manage to say. He made it sound disinterested, but Sakura didn't buy it.

As the wait staff was finishing collecting the remainder of desert, Sakura gave Sasuke a menacing smile that made the fine hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. "Let's go say hi then, shall we?" The usual intimidation Sakura would feel when faced with Itachi was nil compared to the outrage the other omega was building up inside her. At this moment she had a desperate need to stake her claim on Sasuke, even though the blond man didn't look at her alpha even once throughout supper, she needed to make a stand. Dr. Yuhi told her to expect slip ups, to Sakura, that's all this was. Just one territorial slip up.

"Why?" Sasuke scowled at her skeptically. He may be a master of stoicism, but even he was impressed by the fact that he kept the rising panic out of his voice. Having Sakura catch him staring was bad enough, but in no world was being made to interact with Naruto alongside her, any less than monumentally catastrophic.

"Because, dear, if 'your brother' has managed to keep your attention all supper, obviously you have something to say to him, right?" Sakura's frigidly sarcastic tone dripped from her cloying smile like venom from a fang.

Sasuke felt dread bubbling up in the pit of his stomach. To others, Sakura's request may sound like a suggestion, but Sasuke knew, he knew it was a demand. This was the last thing he needed. Right now, he should be worried about his actions causing Sakura to revert back to old habits and trying to come up with an excuse to keep her as far away from Naruto as possible, but he couldn't. Instead, he found himself nodding slowly in agreement, the only worry in his mind was what would Naruto do?

Sasuke stood up then pulled Sakura's chair out for her. "Thank you," she smiled forcefully as she stood then latched onto Sasuke's offered arm so possessively, he's surprised her nails hadn't pierced through his jacket. As the two slowly navigate their way across the room, Sasuke grits his teeth as he watches Itachi pull Naruto's chair out for him. It was a move that had Naruto's cheeks flushing a pretty pink once again. It made Sasuke furious. It should be him making Naruto blush.

Weaving their way through the final tables as they followed the duo towards the terrace, Sasuke could barely quell the thrill of coming face to face with Naruto again. Not even Sakura's presence seemed to deter him the closer they got. Sasuke absently noticed how dainty Naruto looked next to Itachi as he led him out the French doors. He wondered if Naruto looked that small next to him. It was a far more satisfying thought than he could have ever imagined, it had him biting back a pleased growl just picturing Naruto swallowed up in his embrace, covered in his scent.

Sakura had never provoked any of these thoughts and feelings in him. Even during heats and ruts his alpha wasn't overly interested, but one look at Naruto had his alpha ready to show everyone who the gorgeous omega belonged to.

Fuck.

He wanted Naruto, didn't he? This wasn't good.

Sasuke's mind should be sending out warnings, demanding him to turn back and avoid Naruto at all costs, but his body just kept moving forward. When they got close enough to hear that angelic laugh, Sasuke's breath nearly caught. It was so mesmerizing that he'd momentarily forgotten it was his brother making Naruto laugh and that Sakura was latched on to his arm.

Yeah, he definitely wanted Naruto.

Itachi had just managed to catch a glance of the duo striding towards him and his new, charming acquaintance. Sakura's eyes gleamed maliciously as she guided a troubled looking Sasuke. Itachi mentally raised an eyebrow at the change in his brother.

"Did you guys need some air as well?" Itachi greeted as the soft music started up once again; softly carrying out through the opened doors. The slightly cool air was refreshing and much appreciated after sitting through the warm, stuffiness of supper.

"Hn," Sasuke hummed, he couldn't help but feel disappointed that Naruto didn't so much as glance at him.

"Actually, we wanted to know who your friend was?" Sakura's voice cut in suddenly. It came out silky smooth and filled with underlying animosity. So much for her breathing exercises.

Itachi frowned at the rude female. "Ms. Haruno, this is Naruto Uzumaki, the newest member of Dr. Senju's team."

Sasuke's mind was suddenly reeling, Naruto was the one Tsunade had been talking about all along? Naruto was going to work for them? Sakura's presence couldn't deter the elation Sasuke was feeling at the possibility of being able to see Naruto regularly.

"I've agreed to no such thing," Naruto pouted adorably, while making sure to look anywhere but at Sasuke. It was a hard feat to accomplish with the weight of those endless eyes practically pinning him down.

"Details, details," Itachi waved dismissively. "Naruto, this is my brother Sasuke."

Finally, Naruto looked up at him. Being graced with the attention of those glistening sapphires, Sasuke's breath had been stolen. God Naruto was beautiful. He was stunning from afar, but up close like this he was absolutely gorgeous. Sasuke found himself smiling softly as he held his hand out, anxious to touch that small, soft hand. "Naruto, it's a pleasure."

Sasuke's expression and lack of formality wasn't lost on either Itachi or Sakura, and he couldn't find it in himself to care. Naruto was finally looking at him, consequences be damned.

His name rolling off Sasuke's tongue had Naruto fighting back a shudder, but he couldn't show it, he had a promise to keep after all. "Likewise, Mr. Uchiha," he greeted respectfully. As their hands made contact, a jolt shot through him, causing his skin to prickle with pleasant goosebumps. Thankfully, Naruto's tux hid his skin's reaction because the female was already murdering him with her blazing emerald eyes; she was clearly feeling threatened. It was a drama Naruto could do without.

Sasuke frowned at the almost clinical formality in Naruto's voice. Where was the cute, playful omega he had once met? Surely, he wasn't the only one that felt like a bolt of lightning shot through him when their hands met? Unfortunately, Sakura made herself known and reality set in.

"And I'm his mate, Dr. Haruno," she put a possessive emphasis on the word 'mate' as she gripped Sasuke tighter and held out her free hand feigning politeness.

'Ah, right,' Sasuke scolded himself while managing to keep his face passive. How the hell had he forgotten her presence with her cutting off the circulation to his arm?

Naruto felt his panic begin to rise. Did Sasuke tell her about him? He quickly dismissed that thought though, because one of Sasuke's stipulations was that no one was to find out about their night together. It seemed highly unlikely Sasuke would tell his mate about his one-night stand. No, she was just acting like an omega aggressively marking her territory.

"Nice to meet you," Naruto offered a dazzling smile as he shook her manicured hand. Naruto wasn't intimidated, if she wanted to throw her title around, he'd humor her. "If you don't mind me asking, Dr. Haruno, what's your field of expertise?"

Sakura's eyes enlarged briefly as a blush rose up her cheeks. After her snideness, she hadn't expected such a warm greeting. She quickly shook it off and found her confidence; she was damn proud of her career path. There was no way she was going to let this little pip squeak who somehow managed to gain Dr. Senju's attention, one up her. "I'm a second-year surgical resident at K.G."

It made sense that Sasuke would be with someone accomplished but Naruto hadn't expected her to be a surgeon. Regardless, he didn't rise to her obvious bait. Instead, he played the polite, inquisitive role. "Wow, that's quite impressive. Have you decided on a specialty yet?"

"Plastics," Sakura answered with a smug smirk pulling at her painted lips.

Itachi raised his eyebrow at her curiously. "What happened to pursuing General?" This is the third time she's changed her specialty and she'd just started her second year of residency.

"Oh, our new head of Plastics says my hands were made for it. He's sort of taken me under his wing," Sakura explained hesitantly. Itachi's scrutiny unnerved her.

Sasuke stayed silent, inside he was seething. Sakura was boasting about herself, Itachi was giving him those calculating eyes of his, and Naruto was smiling at everyone else but him. Naruto wouldn't even look at him!

"I guess we can all rest easy knowing you'll be helping Konoha one butt lift at a time," Itachi quipped. In all honesty, regardless of her specialty, she was definitely an accomplished young woman. What he couldn't stand however was the way she seemed to be shoving those accomplishments in Naruto's face like it made her far more superior than him.

Itachi was an excellent judge of character —he wouldn't be where he was today if he wasn't— and in the short time he'd been graced with Naruto's presence, he found him nothing short of remarkable. Tsunade wouldn't be interested in him if he wasn't. Naruto definitely didn't deserve to be made to feel inferior because he wasn't a doctor.

Sasuke snorted while Naruto had to bite his lip to stifle his laugh. Itachi smirked at both reactions while Sakura's mouth gaped in shock.

Sakura's face quickly morphed into a deep red with embarrassment. "Plastic is about more than cosmetic surgeries. We change and improve people's lives!"

"Sure," Sasuke retorted wryly, barely holding back an eye roll. Implants as opposed to transplants? Oh yeah, her new pursuit was clearly all about helping people, it had nothing to do with the huge pay increase elective surgeries would provide her with.

Regardless of how obnoxious Naruto found Sakura, it was still his omega's nature to deescalate the situation. "Well, it's impressive regardless."

"Tch, I know that!" Sakura scoffed, as if excepting his praise would be an inconvenience.

"Sakura," Sasuke's deep voice warned as he pried his arm from hers. "You're being rude."

Sakura's eyes widened; Sasuke never spoke to her that way in public. Judging by the slight flash in Sasuke's eyes, he was just as surprised as she was by his sudden reprimand. Her shock was quick to morph to anger, she clenched her jaw and glared. She was being rude? How about how he was treating her?

Sakura grit her teeth and put on a big fake smile. "And you're not?" she said just loud enough for him to hear.

Sasuke knew that he should lock up whatever he was feeling for Naruto and focus on calming Sakura down before she ended up causing a scene, but he couldn't. One look at Naruto worrying his lower lip and all reason left him. Sasuke instinctively needed to soothe him —he wasn't going to question why that was right now— and bickering with Sakura obviously wasn't going to do that, so he ignored her snide remark in favor of continuing their conversation. "So, Naruto, you're the one Tsunade's hasn't been able to stop raving about?"

Naruto rubbed his neck bashfully as a light flush rose up his cheeks. "I guess?"

Sasuke's alpha was preening, he was finally the one to put that pretty blush on Naruto's soft, supple cheeks. But he wouldn't be satisfied until the blush he caused was deeper than the one Itachi caused. He didn't understand why, but he needed to have this. "You must be exceptional to warrant her interest."

Naruto looked away, his cheeks the deepest pink they'd been all night. "No, I'm really nothing special."

Sakura had to literally bite her tongue to keep her sneer at bay. Obviously, he wasn't anything special. She couldn't see why anyone would be interested in the promiscuous runt.

Itachi was a bit bewildered by Sasuke's sudden interest in socializing. It also amused him to see the rage bubble up in Sakura's eyes. Sasuke never paid this much attention to anyone, and for him to do it in front of her? It made his night far more entertaining. When he first saw the two together tonight, he'd been questioning his brother's mentality. Were they actually together again, or was he simply attending the event with her because of previous arrangements that would require them to attend together? One thing was certain, Sasuke was far more interested in Naruto than Sakura. Sasuke was probably showing more interest in Naruto in this short amount of time than he'd shown anyone ever. Itachi mentally smirked, his diabolical mind was going to have fun with this.

Sasuke wanted to let out a pleased growl for finally getting his desired reaction from Naruto's pretty cheeks, but that was dampened by Naruto's inability to see his own worth, and that just wouldn't do. "Well, being part of Tsunade's team, you better get used to being praised," he smirked.

Sasuke thought he sensed a brief flicker of confusion in those sapphire orbs before Naruto huffed adorably. "I haven't agreed to anything."

Sasuke couldn't help but wonder why Naruto seemed unsettled for a moment, but the thought was quickly pushed aside. "Oh? Is my brother losing his touch?" Sasuke's eyes danced with mirth as he quirked a competitive brow that was directed at Itachi.

"As if. Naruto simply hasn't agreed yet," Itachi scoffed as if the idea was offensive, though his dark eyes were still looking at Sasuke peculiarly because he wasn't even trying to hide how odd behaviour was from him.

Naruto looked up at Itachi with a playful smirk. "I take it you're used to getting your way?"

Being addressed by the object of his brother's clear interest, Itachi found himself looking down at Naruto with his own fiendish smirk. "I always get my way," his eyes glimmered with something that had Sasuke's alpha snarling. Was Itachi trying to fucking flirt with Naruto?!

"Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this is one time you'll only be letting yourself down. I have no intention of working with Dr. Senju," there was a mischievous twinkle in Naruto's eyes, but his tone dictated nothing but honesty.

Sasuke clenched his fist furiously, Naruto was supposed to be focusing on him, not another alpha! He knew he was being transparent, Itachi's amused look and the dark aura coming from next to him were proof of it, but this was apparently the bulk of his self-control at the moment. Sasuke really didn't know what was going on with him right now, even more concerning was he couldn't bring himself to care.

"You sound ungrateful. Do you know what a great honor it is to work with someone like Dr. Senju? People would kill for that opportunity," Sakura rudely interrupted. Watching the way both Sasuke and Itachi interacted with the little hussy had rage simmering through her body nearly to the point of boiling over. She was trying not to cause a scene, she really was, but Itachi was never that friendly towards her and she'd been part of his brother's life for years! And Sasuke? He wasn't even trying to hide his interest in the omega. Therapy hadn't prepared her for this.

Unlike the two brothers, Naruto didn't seem affected by Sakura's jealous outburst, he simply shrugged before flicking his eye from Sasuke back to Sakura. "I have a previous agreement that would conflict with such work. Besides, I'm not thrilled at the prospects of being someone's lab rat."

Sasuke furrowed his brow in perplexion. It felt like Naruto was talking about him.

"Please," Sakura's eyes narrowed as her painted lips pulled into a wicked smirk. "Wearing a heat collar at such a public event, you obviously like attention. A lab rat sounds right up your alley."

"Sasuke," Itachi's voice was deep and ominous. It was extremely rude to reprimand someone else's partner, so Itachi was letting him know out of respect that he had two seconds to stop the line crossing female before he himself did. The music may be doing a decent job at keeping their conversation somewhat private, but more and more people were beginning to file outside so quarters were becoming tighter.

Sakura giggled to hide the terrifying shudder that Itachi's tone caused. "Oh, come on, I'm only kidding. Surely you can take a joke, can't you, Naruto?"

Sakura knew she was spiraling. She was never this catty —not even during the party that led to Sasuke proposing the break— but she kept getting flashes of Sasuke intently watching the omega all through supper and it only fed her fury as he continued to interact fondly with him. Even though Naruto wasn't letting out pheromones, the fact that he held Sasuke's undivided attention without ever trying pissed her off to no end. What was worse? He didn't even seem to care! He had both brothers' attention, and he wasn't even acting flirty or trying to gain favors. He was kind and polite. Who the fuck did he think he was?

"A joke?" Sasuke snarled, the rims of his irises bleeding red. "What the hell is wrong with you?" he seethed while trying not to draw attention.

"It's alright, really," Naruto's soft voice caressed his ears and calmed him down instantly. Naruto knew how tense Sasuke was and he needed the alpha to relax. Sakura's words didn't hurt him. Women like Sakura thrive on conflict, so Naruto would simply refuse to engage.

Naruto couldn't help but feel confused regarding Sasuke's actions though. That night he had been very clear that they would remain strangers afterwards, so it didn't make sense that Sasuke seemed disappointed at Naruto playing clueless. This should be what he wanted, right? Acting like they never met, never fucked. Acting like they weren't destined mates, Naruto's subconscious added bitterly making his omega whimper.

Naruto admitted to himself that it hurt seeing Sasuke with Sakura, but he would always support his destined mate even if that meant watching him bond with someone else. It just seemed ridiculous that Sasuke's loyalty drove him so far as to go back to a woman like her. Their relationship was the farthest from healthy he'd ever seen. And after only five minutes with Sakura, Naruto found he really couldn't stand her.

Sasuke was appalled by Sakura's actions, but he was damn proud of Naruto. Naruto had ammunition that would wound Sakura deeply, but instead of using it he just smiled and remained gracious. "Why of course I can take a joke, Dr. Haruno. But I also feel obligated to inform you that this is not a heat collar."

Fuck, it was insanely attractive hearing Naruto continue to speak respectfully, and it only made Sasuke want him even more. Sasuke couldn't remember a time Sakura was ever that polite. Sure, she was respectful enough in public, but her eyes never hid her pettiness and she always made passive aggressive remarks. Naruto's eyes only twinkled with amusement, not even his fingers twitched with irritation at essentially being called an attention seeking whore.

Naruto might be too polite to put Sakura in her place, but Sasuke certainly wasn't. In fact, he had an incredible need to stick up for Naruto, to protect him. No one had the right to speak to him like that. "That was no joke. What it was, was incredibly rude and inappropriate. Sakura, apologize now," Sasuke's voice was cold but at least his eye faded back to black from the strange calming effect Naruto had on him.

Naruto looked apologetic as he waved his hands with urgency. "No, really it's fine."

"Nonsense," Itachi chimed in sternly. "Ms. Haruno's actions were incredibly rude and uncalled for." Itachi was more irritated with the woman than he'd ever been, but he couldn't dwell on it because he felt some strange wave of tranquility, blanketing him, easing the very tension she caused. It was the oddest thing.

Sakura would rather gnaw her own foot off than apologize to the omega who seemed to have both Sasuke and Itachi under his spell. Even though Itachi never hid his dislike for her, he never reprimanded her, so she knew just how dangerously she was treading. Not wanting to suffer his wrath the next time they see each other, she decided to suck it up and apologize.

"I apologize," she mumbled without making eye contact with anyone. It was a humiliating blow to Sakura's ego. Part of her really wished the area was saturated in Naruto's pheromones, at least then she'd have proof he was coercing the brothers with his pre-heat scent. She didn't believe for a second that that collar wasn't for Naruto's heat. This was the type of person Dr. Senju was enamored with? Sakura wanted to scoff at the thought.

"Thank you, but really, it's fine," Naruto uttered softly. This was not how he pictured his evening going. This was supposed to be an evening where he'd come show support to a charity that was close to his heart, not run into the ever-persistent Dr. Senju, not meeting Sasuke's even more persistent brother, and certainly not running into Sasuke and his fucking mate. Naruto needed a stiff drink, somehow, he couldn't picture his Shirley Temples cutting it tonight.

Sasuke's gaze softened as he looked at how uncomfortable Naruto appeared to be accepting an apology but before he could say anything else, a nearly imperceivable buzzing sound came from Naruto.

Naruto was startled for a moment before quickly reaching into his inner pocket for his phone and politely excusing himself. Instincts told him he wouldn't be getting that drink tonight.

When Naruto stepped away, Sakura suddenly felt very small being under the scrutiny of Itachi's intimidating gaze. The nerve she had gained through her fury was completely erased now that Naruto was focused elsewhere. She couldn't even feel relieved over the fact because it was blatantly obvious that Sasuke was interested in him. Suddenly a room full of overzealous omega vying for Sasuke's attention paled in comparison to one omega that actually held her alpha's attention.

Sasuke's only focus was Naruto. The alpha in him was demanding he keep the omega close which he didn't understand. He knew he was with Sakura, he hadn't forgotten, but with each passing minute he found himself caring less and less about the fact. It was like he was suffering from tunnel vision and Naruto was the only thing he was seeing the longer he was in his presence.

Logically he should turn back, look at Sakura, hell, look at anybody else besides Naruto. But he couldn't, he couldn't tear his eyes away if it were to save his life. What the hell was wrong with him?

Naruto ended his call and turned back in a hurry. "I'm sorry to have to cut this short but there's a matter I have to tend to."

"Oh, what a shame," Sakura feigned disappointment, but her pout wasn't fooling anybody. She was thrilled the little nuisance would finally be out of her hair and away from her alpha. She hadn't yet figured out how to tackle this issue with Sasuke though.

Itachi frowned; he didn't like the look of worry on Naruto. It didn't suit him. "Is-"

Sasuke's urgent voice cut him off. "Is everything alright?"

Naruto puts on a fake smile. "Yeah, there's just something that requires my attention. Nothing to worry about."

"Are you sure?" Sasuke's brow furrowed; his voice was laced with concern.

Itachi was full on giving him 'the look' now. Oh, they were definitely going to address this later.

"He's a grown man, Sasuke, he doesn't need you worrying about him," Sakura grits out, barely holding back a hiss.

"Really, everything's fine," Naruto was starting to feel like a broken record. "Thank you for your concern, but I really have to go."

"I'll walk with you," Itachi was quick to offer.

"No really-" Naruto began to protest.

"Nonsense, I insist," Itachi's tone showing he was not to be argued with but the smirk he was giving Naruto was a little too friendly for Sasuke's liking.

Itachi wasn't sure what was going on between Sasuke and Naruto, but at this point he was positive it stretched far beyond the here and now. Sasuke was polite with strangers at best, but with Naruto he was actively trying to engage in conversation, his eyes never left him and he didn't even seem to care that Sakura was standing right next to him. Sasuke even defended him and reprimanded Sakura, which was something he only ever did in private. Yes, there was definitely something going on between the two and Itachi was going to get to the bottom of it. But in the meantime, he was going to enjoy torturing his little brother.

The thought of Itachi taking Naruto away from him was bad enough, but when Sasuke saw Itachi place his hand on the small of Naruto's back to guide him away, something primal took over and Sasuke snapped. His eyes turned a blazing crimson and this time he didn't try to stop the deep, menacing growl that slipped past his snarling lips.

Everyone in the vicinity froze. Itachi was stunned, Sakura's face blanched, and Naruto was wide eyed, his cheeks flushing as he fought the urge to purr at the alpha's possessiveness...his alpha's possessiveness. Did Sasuke know the implications of what he just did?

Again, that strange warmth began blanketing them in serenity, effectively diffusing the situation. When Sasuke snapped out of it, his fading red eyes were staring startlingly wide at his brother, had he really just done that? Sasuke felt like he was losing his damn mind. "I'm—I-"

"You—you just," Sakura's lower lip wobbled when she realized what Sasuke had just done. Sasuke growling at Itachi that way was a rather primitive way alphas challenged each other. By doing so, Sasuke was warning Itachi to back off what was his. In other words, he had just openly staked his claim over, not her, but Naruto. Not being able to deal with this right now she quickly took off without another word, leaving Sasuke behind.

Between Sasuke's growl and the emotional female fleeing, people had begun to stare and whisper. Itachi turned and gave them all a bone chilling glare that had them turning around instantly, Sasuke however, couldn't take his eyes off Naruto's bewildered blues.

"I should go," Naruto muttered before quickly turning to leave. Naruto didn't care if it was rude, he needed to be somewhere and with how confused Sasuke was making him feel, getting out of there was necessary.

"Naruto, wait-" Sasuke began to follow after him, but Itachi blocked his way.

"Leave him," Itachi's tone was gentle yet stern and full of authority.

"What? No!" Sasuke immediately began to protest as he went to walk around his brother.

Itachi grabbed his shoulder and stopped him. "I'll go make sure he's alright. You have to go find your...Ms. Haruno." As much as this situation intrigued Itachi, it would be bad for press if Sasuke was seen leaving his partner of six years to chase after another omega. The whole thing reeked of scandal.

With a furiously clenched jaw, Sasuke reluctantly nodded. Doing what Itachi said went against his alpha's very being, but the rational part of his brain understood. Sasuke wanted to say to hell with Sakura, to hell with the press. Sasuke had never chased after anyone a day in his life, had never needed or wanted to, but as he stood there watching Naruto's back fade into the crowd, he wanted to chase after him. He lost Naruto once; he didn't want to lose him again.

What the hell was happening to him?

Sasuke stood there for what seemed like hours. When he could finally bring himself to move without fear of overturning the city in search of Naruto, he tried to locate Sakura but to no avail. With her absence he pulled out his phone to call her but noticed she left him a single text.

Sakura:

I had Ino pick me up. Don't bother waiting up.

Sasuke was honestly surprised Sakura didn't want to ream him out immediately, he knew he deserved it this time. He could admit that taking time to assimilate was probably for the best, he really wasn't sure what to say to her right now anyways. Hell, he wasn't even sure what to say to himself. Sasuke let out a deep sigh and decided he'd been around enough people for one night. His drive home was quiet, he usually found solace in silence, but tonight it enveloped him in darkness. You'd think he felt that way because he acted despicably, causing his partner of six years to leave without him, but no. He felt that way because he was worried Naruto wouldn't accept Tsunade's offer now and he'd never see him again.

Sasuke had never felt so lost in his life. What the hell was he supposed to do now? 

Chapter Text

Sasuke had spent the weekend pondering what he was now referring to as his awakening. Never had he set work aside, but he felt it necessary, and it definitely wasn’t so he could continue to avoid his brother who had continued to blow up his phone, or that’s what he was telling himself at least. Sasuke needed to sort his feelings out, it was an act he wasn’t used to facing.

The house had been exceptionally quiet seeing as Sakura had yet to come home, it was as equally relieving as it was irritating. Sasuke had been calling her and texting her but she had continued ignoring him. From his weekend’s soul searching, he was sure of one thing, he needed to end things with her. When she was busy being furious with him —rightly so— all he could think of were those twinkling, electric blue orbs and angelic disposition. If that didn’t say his relationship was over, he didn’t know what did.

Sasuke was an upstanding man so for obvious reasons, he refused to break up with her over the phone. If he was going to end their six year long relationship, he was going to do it face to face. Of course, that would require her to quit avoiding him and pick up her fucking phone; something she didn’t plan on doing quite yet apparently. The sooner he had this all sorted, the sooner he could seek out Naruto.

Now, Sasuke had a brilliant mind, no one would object to that. What wasn’t the sharpest was his perception of emotions, or feelings in general. All weekend Sasuke had sat in his study, tossed in his bed, brooded in his luxurious recliner and slumped over his bar top, only to realize that maybe there was more to his feelings for Naruto than simple attraction. His dreams were no longer just perverse, now they were transforming into mundane things like them cooking together and cuddling up on the sofa watching movies. And Sasuke didn’t even like movies, or cuddling for that matter. But dream Sasuke enjoyed soaking up the quiet intimacy he shared with the omega, it reminded him of how he embraced Naruto that marvelous night. Waking up had never been so depressing.

If he had known then what he knew now, he never would have gone back to Sakura, and he sure as hell wouldn’t have made those idiotic rules. Sasuke was done with that now though, when he saw Naruto, he was going to make sure he knew that he was casting aside his asinine stipulations. Sasuke only hoped Naruto would take up Tsunade's job offer so that he could tell him. He really didn’t want Naruto to disappear on him, the thought had his alpha anxiously pacing, non-stop.

It was exhausting.

Sasuke had spent a good chunk of his weekend not only dissecting his own thoughts and feelings but going over Naruto’s every word, every look —or avoided look— all in hopes of decoding his behaviour as well. The only thing keeping Sasuke clinging to hope that Naruto might feel this same pull he did, was coming to the conclusion that he was simply trying to keep up his end of their deal. That had to be it right? Sasuke just needed a chance to clear things up.

Naruto said that he had a previous agreement that would interfere with joining Tsunade’s team. Sasuke didn’t want to sound too cocky, but could their agreement be the reason Naruto was reluctant to work for Uchiha Corp? It had to be right? What other reason could Naruto have for keeping distance between them, when Sasuke himself was trying desperately to engage him?

Judging by the pretty blush he evoked and the shock that his possessive growl caused, it was clear Naruto was affected by him but was trying to deny it by avoiding him. Sasuke quite liked thinking that Naruto was affected by him. An omega of his quality reacting to him made his alpha preen. Of course, Naruto also blushed for his brother. Sasuke had to try his hardest to prevent himself from thinking about that though because it would lead him down the jealous, territorial route for the umpteenth time since the event. No matter how many times he played it back, Itachi making Naruto flustered and flirting with him infuriated Sasuke. His alpha loathed anyone else being graced with such a delectable sight. Sasuke almost found himself wanting to hide the omega away so only he’d ever get to see his gorgeous reactions.

Sasuke let out a heavy sigh as he shut off the ignition after pulling into his reserved parking spot. He really had to stop; this level of possessiveness would surely frighten Naruto. Hell, it frightened him. If Naruto hadn’t been scared away by Sakura’s atrocious behaviour, Sasuke's increase in alpha-ness would surely do the trick.

Sasuke resisted the urge to bang his head against the steering wheel, instead choosing to finally exit his car. Today was Monday and there was no more avoiding work, or his brother for that matter. Making his way inside, he nodded curtly at the receptionist while continuing on his way towards the elevator, he could already imagine Itachi waiting in ambush with that disapproving gaze of his fixed to his face. Sasuke couldn’t even be bothered to listen to Itachi’s messages, or read his texts so he was literally walking in blind. The only person Sasuke had picked up for was Shikamaru and it turned out that he only called because Itachi had pestered him in hopes of getting to Sasuke.

The fact that Itachi’s vague worries had disturbed Shikamaru had Sasuke feeling guilty because his friend was already dealing with enough. Their brief conversation had revealed that Temari and him were at the hospital with Gaara because the temperamental alpha had suffered a meltdown. Gaara had gone psychotic and attacked Shikamaru because he was the only other alpha in the house. Sasuke wanted to know more but his friend didn’t want to go into details over the phone. It was too troublesome, he claimed.

As Sasuke pressed the button for his floor, he let out another insufferable sigh, he supposed it was time to face the music. Deep inside, Sasuke secretly hoped the elevator would get stuck and he’d have to wait hours for maintenance to get him out. Luck was not on his side, the elevator ran with effortless speed, it was the sort of thing that one would normally appreciate. However, today wasn’t that day. Sasuke grumbled as the elevator chimed before opening smoothly.

Admittedly, Sasuke was a little surprised that Itachi wasn’t there waiting to pounce on him as soon as he stepped off the elevator, but he’d take the small mercies. Tenten was busy, typing away behind her desk. She looked up just in time for Sasuke to give her a quick “Morning.”

“Good morning, Mr. Uchiha,” Tenten looked at him kindly and professionally. She really wanted to know what happened over the weekend that had Itachi in a tizzy and Sasuke refusing calls, but she knew better than to overstep. "Can I get your coffee? Or would you like me to jump right into your schedule for the day?”

“Coffee would be great, thanks” Sasuke gratefully accepted, he’d need the caffeine to deal with his brother. “Just bring it to my office then we can run through the day,” he informed her as he already began walking away.

Tenten scurried to her feet. The sooner Sasuke was informed about his busier than usual day the better.

Sasuke steeled himself for the interaction that was about to take place. Itachi wasn’t waiting for him at the elevator, so knowing his brother, he’d have already made himself comfy in Sasuke’s lavish office chair as he waited to bombard him. When Sasuke reached for his office door, he was stumped to find that it was still locked. If he was being honest, it was a little eerie. Itachi would normally leave it unlocked; he liked to make his presence known.

Pulling out his badge that acted as a keycard to his office, Sasuke unlocked the door; opening it once hearing the pressurized clicking sound of the bolt unlatching. Inside his office was…still no Itachi. Sasuke was honestly puzzled, his perplexment didn’t last long as it swiftly morphed into suspicion. As Sasuke made his way over to his desk he narrowed his eyes, just what was Itachi playing at?

Sasuke wanted to scoff, was this the 'make’em sweat' method? Because if it was, it wasn't going to work. Itachi really should know better than to use such an unrefined tactic on him. Afterall, he too is an Uchiha.

Pulling out his precious chair —it was one of the things he willingly splurged on for his office— he took a seat and began starting up his computer. Just as he entered his password, Tenten was knocking on the door, with coffee in hand.

“Come in,” Sasuke granted her entry without looking up.

“Here you go,” Tenten handed Sasuke his scorching cup carefully.

“Thanks,” Sasuke takes it with practiced ease. Right away he's taking a tentative sip, being cautious not to burn himself. He was buying time to figure out if he was going to ask her about Itachi or not. In the end his curiosity won. “Have you seen Itachi?”

Tenten looked a bit flustered which piqued Sasuke's interest. The beta was renowned for her calm and collected nature. “Well, you see—he sort of—umm.”

Already being under enough stress, Sasuke was beginning to get irritated at her fumbling. “Spit it out Tenten,” he barked.

“Mr. Uchiha's not in today and you’re to take all of his meetings,” she quickly blurted out gracelessly.

Sasuke clenched his jaw, surely, he heard her wrong. No way would Itachi be absent, let alone willingly miss out on his meetings. “I’m sorry, could you repeat that?”

Tenten’s bit the inside of her cheeks anxiously. “Mr. Uchiha isn’t in today and requested you take all his meetings.”

Sasuke actually had to take a moment to process. Itachi actually took the day? Suddenly every message he ignored enveloped him in a maelstrom of guilt. What if something was actually wrong and Sasuke was too occupied with his own emotional turmoil to care?

Sasuke swallowed thickly as he tried to remain stoic. “Did he say why?”

Tenten looked away hesitantly. “I believe his exact words were ‘I’ll be out doing field research’.”

“Field research? What the hell does that even mean?” Sasuke’s muscles contracted as his jaw formed a taut line. Here he was feeling guilty that something might have happened and Itachi was out there doing who the fuck knows? This definitely felt like he was being reprimanded.

“I don’t know,” Tenten was good at her job, in fact, she knew she was superb. She never feared for her job, but having to relay Itachi’s message to Sasuke had her fearing the possibility of impending unemployment. “But he did say that you would have known if you’d pick up your phone.”

Sasuke mentally rebuked Itachi with an impenetrable scowl plastered to his face. That fucker was definitely punishing him for brushing him off all weekend.

Even if this was Itachi’s roundabout way of penalizing him, it was still out of character for his brother to resort to relinquishing control over his meetings in order to make a point. Itachi was even more anal about how things were handled than Sasuke was. For Itachi to do whatever the fuck ‘field research’ was, it was far deeper than simply disciplining Sasuke for avoiding him.

Sasuke really wished he had the time to go through his messages now to find out exactly where and what Itachi was researching, but judging by how full his schedule was sure to be, that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. Sasuke sighed as he finally put down his coffee. He hadn’t realized he’d been white knuckling it on top of his palm becoming concerningly numb from the prolonged exposure to the heat. As he clenched and unclenched his hand over and over in an attempt to regain feeling, he noticed Tenten seemed to have an aura of dread about her as she focused on the ground with nearly neurotic interest.

Sasuke was about to ask her what she was doing but quickly realized she was probably waiting to be reprimanded for relaying Itachi’s message. It was ludicrous, she may have said the words, but it wasn’t like they actually came from her. Setting his annoyance aside he decided to take pity on her.

“So, what’s first on the agenda?”

Sasuke didn't have a moment to himself. He wouldn’t have even had a chance to eat if Tenten hadn’t run out midafternoon and picked him up a Sandwich from the nearby deli for him to quickly choke down between conference calls. Catching up on his own work, while filling in for Itachi had kept him so busy, he’d only managed to read Itachi’s memos and had completely forgotten to check his personal messages. It wasn’t until he pulled into his driveway and waited for the garage door to open that he’d realized his memory lapse.

After pulling into the garage, Sasuke waited for the door to close behind him as he debated whether or not to remain in his car as he went through the slew of texts and messages but decided against it. If he were going to listen to not only his brother explain to him exactly what he was doing today as well as listen to all the other annoyingly intrusive messages that were sure to be there, he’d rather do it in comfortable clothes and preferably with a stiff drink in hand.

As Sasuke exited his car and made his way to the door, he ignored Sakura’s cherry red Mercedes, with her refusing his calls, she hadn’t even returned home to pick up her car. When Sasuke unlocked the door from the garage and entered, you can imagine his surprise when his sinuses were assaulted with an array of delicious aromas.

“Sasuke, is that you?” Came Sakura's muffled voice. Sasuke was immediately on his guard, she sounded far too cheery given their last interaction.

Sasuke was more than a little vexed at her for going AWOL all weekend —preventing him from going forth with his plan to find Naruto— then showing up like nothing happened. This was what she did after every fight, she’d disappear then show up making delicious food like nothing happened. It was a behaviour he’d normally not bat an eye at, but this time it evoked his ire. So, when she asked if it was him, all he really wanted to say was, ‘who the fuck else would it be?’ But instead, he bit his tongue and grunted. “Hn.”

Getting into a fight from the get go wouldn’t do him any good. He had to remember it was his behaviour this time that drove her to avoid him, he’d need every ounce of his patience to keep himself in line. She had every right to be angry at him, but that didn’t change the fact that he was done. No amount of cooking or talking would sway him this time.

Sasuke wanted to experience what everyone else did. He always thought the stories he heard of how people felt about their mates were embellished to make others envious of their bonds. After all, how could anyone feel so strongly for someone that they felt like their existence was their sole purpose for living? How could someone’s absence shroud you in darkness, tilting your world off its axis, only being righted once they return? Or how was it possible that the simple act of breathing was nearly impossible without them by your side?

Sasuke scoffed at all the stories he’d heard; they were all nothing more than ridiculous fairy tales in his mind. But he got it, boy did he fucking get it now. Those were the exact things he was feeling about Naruto and they weren’t even mates. Hell, they barely even knew each other. Sasuke didn’t even know if he’d be able to handle Naruto’s pheromones but he found himself unconcerned about his aversion to scents if it meant having the alluring omega by his side.

The thought of Naruto rejecting him wasn’t a possibility he’d allow his brain to contemplate. He’d like to say he was brimming with Uchiha confidence but truthfully, if he dwelled on the thought his alpha would wail in agony at the possibility of losing the omega before ever getting a chance to prove his worth. If this had been last year, Sasuke would have scoffed at himself. He had never been so alpha as to feel the primal need to prove himself, but everything about Naruto had his animal instincts cast to the forefront of his consciousness. Sasuke thought he’d be more irritated at his alpha taking the reins, but it was surprisingly freeing. Like it was getting something it never knew it was missing out on. Something Sakura could never evoke in him.

After removing his shoes and jacket and loosening his tie, Sasuke followed the scent trail to the dining room where Sakura was busying herself setting out dishes of freshly baked, stuffed tomatoes, roasted potatoes, grilled sirloin and a rather pretentious looking salad. She had the lights dimmer and candles lit; soft jazz was playing over the speakers as she filled their glasses with an expensive red wine.

Sasuke had to resist the urge to roll his eyes. At one time the sight might have moved him, but that time has long since passed. “Sakura,” he called out flatly, aiming to get the delusional omega’s attention.

Sakura looked up immediately, her large doe eyes twinkled once she spotted her alpha. It had taken her all weekend and an emergency appointment with Dr. Yuhi, but she was ready to come home and get past this. She was sure she just had to show Sasuke she was still the best fit for him. Sasuke always loved her apology meals. She even went as far as to buy new lingerie to wear under the tight black dress Sasuke could never resist peeling her out of. Sakura pulled out all the stops for tonight.

Ignoring Sasuke’s aloofness, Sakura walked over to him with all the confidence in the world. Her confidence only wavered when she leaned up to kiss him but he turned his head making her paint red lips land on his cheek instead. Sakura swallowed thickly, trying to disguise her mixture of disappointment and fury. Why was he being so cold? He was the one who emotionally betrayed her right before her eyes, she's the one who should be upset.

“How was your day?” she asked tightly, doing everything she could to keep herself from exploding at his blatant rejection.

“Did you forget how to pick up a phone?” Sasuke rebuked, ignoring her question as he gave into the urge to immediately wipe his cheek. Even that tight black dress of hers was doing nothing for him.

“No, but given what you did right in front of me, I think I was entitled to some time to cool down,” Sakura snarked back, trying and failing to keep her bitterness at bay.

Sasuke was unaffected by her tone. He knew she had a right to be angry, but that wouldn’t change his mind, not this time. “Sakura, we really need to talk.”

Sakura felt like something phantom was gnawing at her from the inside out, something about Sasuke tone sent a frisson of panic coursing through her. “How about we sit and eat?”

Sasuke sighed, suddenly feeling exhausted. “Food isn’t going to fi-”

“I don’t want to do this now!” Sakura snapped frantically. “Can’t we just have a nice meal first?”

Sasuke watched as Sakura turned around and walked over to take her seat. Why could nothing ever be easy with her? She was always heavy with the theatrics. Wasn’t he making her miserable? What was making her cling so desperately?

Nevertheless, Sasuke conceited for the moment. If he was going to upheave her world, he figured he could at least give her this.

Supper was filled with nothing but awkward silence. Sakura’s once delicious food now seemed tasteless from all the tension saturating the atmosphere. Sasuke took a sip of his wine and decided it was time to rip off the band aid. “We aren’t working anymore.”

Sakura froze, her emerald eyes growing large and watery. “You don’t mean that!”

Sasuke tried to soften his face in hopes of somewhat mitigating the blow. “I can’t be with you anymore Sakura. We aren’t good for each other.”

“And I’m sure this has nothing to do with that whore?!” Sakura snapped with a menacing hiss.

“Watch it,” Sasuke’s voice dipping dangerously low in warning. He wouldn’t stand for her bad-mouthing Naruto; he was the last person who deserved that treatment. Sakura had spent their whole interaction trying to belittle him and Naruto was nothing but gracious and kind in return.

“God, that’s what this is about isn’t it? You really want to throw away our relationship for some himbo?” Sakura’s lip pulled up into the beginnings of a snarl.

“You know nothing about him!” Sasuke snapped. Sakura was lucky he took suppressants because if he didn't, she'd be crumbled on the floor right now, choking in agony from the enraged pheromone he was releasing.

Sakura narrowed her eyes at him mockingly. “And you do?”

Sasuke wasn’t about to tell her about their night together during their break. It wasn’t going to change anything.

Being as egotistical as she was, Sakura took his silence as an admission she was right. “Looks like I do know him better,” she smirked roguishly.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Sasuke sibilated as he clenched his fist on his lap.

“Oh, just that I asked around about him at the hospital,” her smirk was getting nastier by the second as she arrogantly sipped her wine.

“So?” Sasuke hated games, he wished she’d just spit out whatever she thought she knew.

“Word around the hospital is that the little hussy is just a lowly pheromone therapist. I don’t know who Dr. Senju's talked to, but I doubt they were honest with her. What use could a scamming piece of shit be of to her or your company?” Sakura asked as she leaned back in her chair imperiously.

Pheromone therapists were considered the con artists of the medical field. They claim that their pheromones hold special healing properties that are beneficial to all secondary genders, but there was no scientific proof to back that up. It was true that pheromones could help alleviate a plethora of issues, but those are the pheromones usually released by one's mate. Most pheromone therapists preyed on ignorant, knot headed alphas who ended up drunk on the scent of a fertile omega. Once an alpha gets a hit of those coercing pheromones they crave it like a drug, always seeking out another hit.

Sasuke’s glare was fierce. “Do you really think someone like Tsunade would be so easily fooled?

Thinking back to their first meeting, Sasuke remembers Naruto saying that he offered a type of therapy, but there had to be more to it. Tsunade would never stick her neck out for someone she wasn’t completely sure of. Not to mention, Sasuke knew deep down that Naruto wouldn’t be someone who preyed upon people like that. Still, he couldn’t keep his alpha from rattling the wall of his mind viciously at the potential of any other alpha touching Naruto.

Sakura looked away with a haughty shrug. “Obviously not her, but definitely her source.”

“You idolize that woman; you mean to tell me you honestly think she’d let herself be deceived? Do you really think she wouldn’t double, if not triple check every aspect before making a decision?” Sasuke fumed, not only was she talking down on Naruto, but now she was talking down on Tsunade as well. Sasuke was questioning why he ever thought this woman was it for him.

“Of course not, but whoever’s been feeding her information is obviously not being honest with her,” Sakura crossed her arm and turned her nose up at him in defiance. “Look, all I’m saying is no one turns down the opportunity to work with her. Obviously, he’s hiding something.”

“This is going nowhere,” Sasuke pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. He felt like his brain might actually implode from this conversation. “I only wanted to see you so I could end this face to face.”

That admission has Sakura panic rising. She clenched her fists so hard her manicured nails bit into her soft palms. “I’m not letting you walk away from us.”

“Why are you still fighting this? We’re toxic together, we’re both better off,” Sasuke was completely exasperated. What would it take to get it through her thick skull that they were done? If he was being honest, they’d been done for a while now.

“I won’t let you; I’ll fight hard enough for the both of us,” Sakura's voice trembled as her lower lip began to wobble.

“We’re done Sakura, there’s nothing left to fight for,” Sasuke’s words were harsh but Sakura needed to stop deluding herself.

“How can you sit there and tell me that?” Sakura’s quivering voice began to rise. “After everything I’ve done for this relationship!”

“God Sakura, I was interested in another omega right in front of you, what more proof do you need?” Sasuke felt like his brain was on the verge of short circuiting. He really didn’t understand her obsession with clinging so hard to him. Even with her stunted pheromones, he could smell the distress coming off of her and his alpha didn’t feel the slighted inclination to comfort her. It was like the final nail in the coffin.

There was only one person his alpha yearned for.

The next second Sakura was out of her chair and on her feet, words tumbling out at an astonishing speed. “I—I forgive you for that.”

“What?” Sasuke asked, sounding stupefied.

“I forgive you,” she repeated but she wasn’t making eye contact.

“No, I—I heard you but that’s not going to-”

Sakura cut him off. “Dr. Yuhi was explaining to me that everyone feels attraction to other people, but it’s actions that speak louder. I believe you when you say you’re not interested in other omegas so I forgive you for how you acted with that—that guy.”

Sasuke sighed tiredly. “Sakura-”

“No, Sasuke,” Sakura held her hand up to halt him. “Let's just move on, okay?” her voice trilled.

“I can’t,” Sasuke began speaking but Sakura ran away with watery eyes, pretending like she didn’t hear him.

As if the world wasn’t already chaotic enough, the doorbell rang.

“Just fucking great,” Sasuke grumbled as he looked at the table, he’d now be responsible for tidying. Sasuke blew out the candles, swigged back the rest of his wine then quickly stood while giving the command to cease the now, very awkward music, before stocking off towards the door. Over the weekend he learned that there was only one person who would continue to ring the doorbell incessantly to annoy him and he currently didn’t have the patience to continue ignoring him.

“Itachi, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Sasuke greeted sarcastically upon opening the door.

Itachi had a witty response at the ready but the squealing of Sakura’s tires as she ripped out of the driveway distracted him. When he turned back to Sasuke, he cocked a curious brow. “Implant emergency?”

Sasuke must be exhausted because he actually laughed. “Just get the fuck inside.”

Itachi smirked victoriously at making his little brother laugh. When Itachi entered, he followed Sasuke to the dimly lit dining room where he began to collect dishes. Itachi didn't have to use his imagination to guess what had just transpired.

“So, why are you here Itachi?” Sasuke got right to the point once he was loaded up on dishes. Itachi decided to help by carry the leftover food into the kitchen for cleanup.

“What, a brother can’t want to come and personally thank his sibling?” Itachi feigned innocence.

Sasuke walked over to the garbage and began scraping the reminisce of food from the plates into the trash. “Sure, for a normal brother, maybe. But this is you we’re talking about. So why don’t you cut the shit and tell me what this visit’s really about.”

“You ignored me all weekend,” Itachi stated dryly as he rummaged through the cupboards in search of appropriate storage containers. They may have grown up wealthy, but their mother had instilled in them the importance of not wasting food.

“You don’t say?” Sasuke responded with a sarcastic bite as he began putting the dishes into the sleek dishwasher. “Why don’t you just come out and say whatever it is you're going to say?”

“Naruto,” was all Itachi said as he began placing food into containers so they could be refrigerated.

“What about him?” Sasuke tried his best to sound disinterested, but Itachi easily saw through him.

A small frown pulled at Itachi’s lips when he finally finished his self-imposed task. “You really didn’t listen to any of my messages?”

After closing the dishwasher, Sasuke perched himself against the counter and folded his arms across his chest. “That would be difficult with the crazy thing that happened to me today. You see, I have this brother who just so happened to pawn off all his work on me.”

“That doesn’t explain you avoiding me all weekend,” Itachi dismissed nonchalantly. “If you would have answered me, you would have already known about the field research.”

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. “Speaking of, mind telling me what the fuck you meant by field research?”

“Naruto agreed to let Tsunade tag along for the day. So naturally, I accompanied her,” Itachi smirked wickedly. “If you’d answered your phone, you could have gone instead.”

“You saw Naruto?” Sasuke blurted out. Of all the things he thought Itachi might be doing today, being with Naruto wasn’t even on his radar. Sasuke didn’t realize it but he had begun to quietly growl. His alpha saw Itachi as a rival and was livid that he’d been close to the omega.

“Calm down, Tsunade and I saw only observed him working,” Itachi put emphasis on the doctor's name in hopes of snapping Sasuke out of his possessive spiral.

Tsunade was already mated, but Sasuke still saw her for what she was, an alpha, a threat. His jaw clenched as he fought back his urges. Instead, he tried to focus on the possible information he could gain. “So, you saw Naruto work?”

Mirth twinkled in the depths of Itachi’s eyes. “For someone who only spoke to him for a few minutes, you sure seem invested in him.”

“Just answer the question,” Sasuke grumbled, he was not in the mood to play Itachi’s mind games.

Itachi sighed, but it was coloured with amusement. “Maybe we should take this conversation somewhere more comfortable?”

Itachi managed to get a very temperamental Sasuke to sit down at his bar so that he could pour him a drink in hopes of cooling him down a bit. Usually, he was all for tormenting his brother, but his possessiveness over Naruto was on another level. Itachi didn’t have to be a genius to know that this somehow ran deeper than that one interaction.

“Do you think you’re ready to talk without chewing my head off?” Itachi’s voice cut through Sasuke’s brooding.

“Hn,” Sasuke begrudgingly nodded. The fine scotch had just barely taken the edge off.

Itachi shifted in his stool so his sharp eyes could study Sasuke more directly. “You want to tell me what that was between you and him?”

Sasuke’s fingers toyed with the lip of his beveled glass as he weighed his options. His normal go-to would be avoidance, but to do so felt borderline insulting to Naruto. Plus, if he spoke up, he could make sure Itachi didn’t get any funny ideas regarding Naruto. “I met him when Sakura and I were on a break.”

From there, Sasuke told Itachi everything. He explained the start of his foolish rules to them backfired on him when they met again at the event. Sasuke even confided how deeply Naruto had rooted himself in his mind but he couldn’t find it in himself to care. By the time Sasuke got around to telling him how he didn’t know it was possible to feel this strongly for anyone, Itachi was almost concerned Sasuke wasn’t an imposter, because his little brother would never admit to his feelings. Some might even go as far as to say he was incapable of such an act.

Itachi was certain getting Sasuke to speak would be akin to pulling teeth, he was obviously wrong because Sasuke was still sharing. “I feel like I’m losing my mind. My alpha won’t shut up and as soon as I think of anyone getting close to him it’s like I’m on the verge of losing control. I’ve never wanted another person as much as I want him.” This conversation was going completely different to what Sasuke had predicted. When he finally took a pause, he looked at Itachi expectantly.

Itachi was astounded. He didn’t want to get ahead of himself, but everything he’d just heard pointed towards… “And you were fine with his scent?”

Sasuke effortlessly swigged back the rest of his scotch. When his strong, elegant hand placed the glass down he mumbled something Itachi couldn’t quite make out.

Itachi raised an inquisitive brow. “What was that?”

Sasuke turned and glared at him with his piercing eyes. “I said I don’t know,” he grumbled. Even though he himself didn’t know Naruto's scent, something about his brother inquiring about such a thing set him off.

“What?” Itachi couldn’t hide his shock. Sasuke felt this strongly about an omega he’d never even scented? Normally Itachi would wonder how such a thing was possible, but after spending some time with Naruto it wasn’t hard to imagine Sasuke falling for the omega’s humble charm. After all, Itachi himself was a bit smitten as well. What was strange was that even though they’d slept together, Sasuke hadn’t even gotten a waft of the omega in the throes of passion. “Not even during… you know?” Itachi trailed off explicitly.

Sasuke clenched his empty tumbler, barely able to keep his building irritation at bay. He didn’t want Itachi thinking about Naruto in that way. “What the fuck did I just say?”

“Alright, alright, calm down,” Itachi raised his hands in a placating manner before making the executive decision to reach over and refill Sasuke’s glass. “I’m sorry, It’s just surprising, that’s all.”

Sasuke promptly takes a burning sip, but the edge is still there. “I feel like I’m going crazy.”

“Being separated from one’s destined mate will do that,” Itachi looks down and examines his fingernails with feigned interest as he awaited Sasuke’s impending reaction. After everything Sasuke had relayed to him, how has Sasuke not pieced it together?

“Yeah, I guess-” Sasuke’s eyes grew wide, his head instantly whipping around to look directly at Itachi. “What do you mean destined mate?!”

Itachi fought between rolling his eyes and mentally patted himself on the back for gaining such an amusing reaction. “Everything you're experiencing, they are all textbook symptoms of when one finds their destined mate, their true bond, their soulmate, their other ha-”

“Okay, okay, I get it. But we can’t be,” Sasuke immediately denied. “Destined mates only truly find each other through scent.”

Itachi wanted to shake his head in disbelief at his brother obliviousness. “Most people don’t sleep with their other half until they’ve had a chance to scent each other either,” he quickly quipped.

Sasuke’s breath catches and his brain becomes pleasantly hazy when he finally lets the revelation fully sink in. Normally he’d bristle at Itachi’s absurd suggestion, but the thought of Naruto truly being his? His alpha was howling with glee. A smile suddenly pulled at Sasuke’s lips. Yes, he quite liked the sound of Naruto being made for him by the great mother herself. It meant no one else stood a chance.

There was something that suddenly clicked in Itachi’s mind. “You know, even after allowing Tsunade and I to shadow him for the day, Naruto still refused our offers.” Itachi watched Sasuke snap out of his musings. “Those little rules of yours are responsible for our roadblock, aren’t they?"

Sasuke grimaced, because he came to the same conclusion. “Yeah, probably.”

“You’re an idiot,” Itachi was just pleased that he wasn’t losing his touch. Not that he’d ever voice that worry. Did Sasuke have any idea how lucky he was? Turning down a once in a lifetime opportunity to honor some ridiculous verbal agreement, was something that just didn’t happen. The fact that Naruto honored it even while having Sakura shoved down his throat was beyond extraordinary.

“I didn’t do it on purpose,” Sasuke tried to defend himself but he knew deep down that yeah, he was an idiot. The biggest fucking idiot.

“I trust you to fix this then,” Itachi suddenly stood up as if getting ready to leave.

“Hey!” Sasuke protested gracelessly. “You can’t just come here, flip my world upside down then leave without even telling me about his work. I don’t even know what he does. Sakura was spouting some bullshit about him being a pheromone therapist.”

Itachi looked unimpressed by his outburst. “Speaking of, what are you going to do about her?”

Sasuke immediately cringed. “I ended it with Sakura but—well, I don’t think she took me seriously. I mean, you saw how well she took it,” his eyes inadvertently trailing towards the door.

Itachi eyed him warily. “So, you’re actually done with her?”

“Yes,” Sasuke answered fervently. “The moment I realized I felt more than basic attraction for Naruto, I knew I could never be with her.”

Itachi pondered as he gauged Sasuke's conviction. Upon seeing nothing but honesty, Itachi’s lips pulled up to form a wicked grin. “He’s not a pheromone therapist, but he does offer a rather remarkable pheromone therapy.” And with that he began walking away.

Sasuke shot up out of his seat, hot on his brother's heels. “Itachi! Itachi, wait dammit!” Sasuke called after him repeatedly but to Sasuke’s irritation, Itachi continued to ignore him. “You can’t just say that then leave! What the hell does that even mean?”

Once they got to the front door, Itachi finally paused. “I’m not going to do all the work for you. You’ll find out the rest yourself when you fix the mess you started.”

“What, I’m just supposed to show up at the hospital?” Sasuke asked incredulously. He wanted to scoff at the absurdity.

Itachi gracefully opened the door. “No, you’ll go with Tsunade to shadow him again next week.”

With that, Itachi was gone, leaving Sasuke behind to simmer. Sasuke may not have seen the smug look on Itachi’s face, but he sure heard it in his voice.

Sasuke muttered a few very creative expletives before closing the door. His irritation with Itachi began to wane as he finally comprehended what his brother had just said. He’d be seeing Naruto in a week? Suddenly that turbulent feeling in his gut was back. He couldn’t fucking wait.

As Itachi got in his car, he only hoped that Sasuke wouldn’t lose his shit when faced with Naruto’s profession. Today had been a tame day of checking in with patients which was the only reason why Naruto agreed to let Tsunade shadow him a second time. Next Monday was treatment day, and judging by Naruto’s tone it was sure to be interesting. If Sasuke has a hard time controlling himself when another alpha talks about Naruto, what’s he going to do when faced with Naruto treating them? 

Chapter Text

After the initial realization that Naruto could actually be his destined mate, reality set in. Moving forward, there were so many things Sasuke had to figure out before he saw Naruto next week. The most pressing revolved solely around Sakura. There was no way she was just going to walk away; it would be naive of him to think she would. They had been together six years and had a house together, that was something that would need addressing.  

Sasuke was ready to sell or just straight up hand it over to her. It wasn’t her fault he couldn’t be the alpha she needed, and he would do whatever he could to make the process easier for her. If the house was something she wanted to keep, then so be it. It was a small price to pay for his happiness. The house had no sentimental value to him anyways, and he really didn’t like the thought of bringing Naruto to a place he had spent years in with another omega. It just didn’t sit right with him.  

Sasuke knew that if anyone could read his thoughts or feelings, they would see him as a heartless asshole, but he couldn’t find it in him to care. Sure, he felt bad for being a source of pain for Sakura, but that was all the more reason for them to cut their losses and move on. If Naruto was his destined mate like Itachi had suggested, Sasuke was never meant to be with Sakura. She was now free to go out and find her own destined mate. Surely, she’d be able to look back at all of this and thank him for it one day. 

Thinking about destiny, Sasuke couldn’t help but remember Naruto’s joke that night about them being destined. The thought of how he coldly acted causing those twinkling blue orbs to dim momentarily with dejection wouldn’t leave him. The more Sasuke played the conversation over, the more he believed that Naruto wasn’t joking at all. That would be way too colossal a coincidence. Sasuke felt like the biggest moron for not realizing it right away. He had been so caught up in himself, he didn’t see the bigger picture. Sasuke wasn’t sure it was possible to kick himself any harder than he already was. 

One thing was certain, before he saw Naruto on Monday, he needed to make sure he sorted everything out with Sakura. She was going to listen to him whether she liked it or not. She couldn’t deny their breakup any longer, Sasuke wouldn’t allow it, and if he found out she was making Naruto’s life difficult, there would be hell to pay 

Sasuke was done, no more run-around on her part or his, it was time to face the music. 

“Is she there?” Sasuke briskly asked Ino without so much as a greeting when she finally picked up. 

Ino scoffed sarcastically at his impertinence. “Hello, Sasuke. I’m great, thanks. How are you?” 

Sasuke felt his eyebrow twitch with irritation. “I don’t have time for this. Is she there or not?” 

Ino’s tone changed to something far more sinister. “And why should I tell you anything?” 

“Because she needs to face this. She can’t keep running, not anymore.” Sasuke bit out. 

“After what you did to her with that man-”  

Sasuke cut her off. “You’re a doctor Ino, do you really think it’s healthy for me to stay with her just because she can’t understand that we aren’t meant for each other? Is that really healthy behaviour to exhibit in any relationship?”  

Ino was silent for a moment as she shelved her best friend hat and exchanged it for her professional one instead. What Sasuke was saying was true. If one of her patients had come to her with half the problems Sakura and Sasuke had, she would suggest they separate. It was Ino’s personal relationship with Sakura that blinded her, Sasuke words seemed to finally shake her from the vision of her friend's broken state. “I can’t really argue with you there.” 

“Then you’ll tell me where she is?” Sasuke asked with a held breath. 

“First, tell me something,” Ino countered. 

Sasuke sighed but acquiesced. “What is it?” 

“Is this really because of another omega?” Ino asked with intense interest. 

Sasuke fought back the urge to snap at Ino and tell her it was none of her damn business, but in the interest of moving everything along, he reluctantly answered. “Not fully, but yes.” 

“Wow,” Ino was nearly speechless. She wasn’t sure what surprised her more, the fact that Sasuke actually answered her or the fact that it was actually true. The infamous Sasuke Uchiha —the man renowned for his aversion to omegas— was interested in an omega of all things. Ino sort of felt like the world was off kilter. Sakura agreeing to break up with Sasuke under any circumstance would be nearly impossible, but throwing in the very crux of her insecurities was going to add a whole new migraine inducing layer. In no world was this breakup going to be easy. “You know this isn’t going to be simple, right?” 

Sasuke heaved a heavy sigh; he could have told her as much. “Let me handle that. Is she at your place or not?” 

“You say let you handle it, but I’m the bestie who has to do damage control when shit hits the fan,” Ino argued, completely by-passing Sasuke’s inquiry yet again. 

“Ino,” Sasuke growled in irritation. This whole situation had him on edge. 

“God, don’t get your panties in a twist.” Ino let out a weighted breath. “She’s been staying at the hospital, but I seriously don’t think it’s wise to do this by yourself. I love Sakura like a sister, but this is going to get crazy messy.” 

Sasuke couldn’t really disagree.  

After getting everything sorted with Ino, Sasuke found himself at her and Sai’s place the next evening. They both agreed that Sasuke would need back up, as much as Sakura would need support. Sai really just wanted to watch shit hit the fan. In fact, when he’d voiced exactly that to Ino, it earned him a rather harsh cuff upside the head. If anyone asked Sai, he’d say it was totally worth it because what had transpired was epic. 

When Sakura arrived it was apparent that she thought Sasuke had come to apologize, and when instead, Sasuke firmly explained to her that was not the case, actual shit may not have hit the fan, but a rather hot cup of coffee was hurled at Sasuke with herculean strength. Sai would say it was the best evening ever. Sasuke on the other hand would not. 

After a few burst ear drums and many threats on both Sasuke and Naruto, one thing was finally settled, Sasuke was moving out of their once shared home immediately. If she didn’t want to come to an agreement regarding the residence, he would make it for her. She could keep it or sell it once she was ready to come around. Sasuke couldn’t do more to get through to her than he’d tried to do. He did the calm civil thing —which was extremely difficult to do with her going bat shit crazy— if she didn’t want to listen, it was on her now. Well, as long as she left Naruto alone. If Sasuke heard one word about Sakura trying to make Naruto’s life miserable, there weren’t words to describe the hell fire he’d rain down on her. 

Ino knew that Sakura was going to take this intervention style of break up hard, but even she couldn’t believe the depth of Sakura’s denial. It made Ino wish that they as doctors didn’t have to follow doctor patient confidentiality, because there was no way Sakura should be acting this poorly under Dr. Yuri’s care. Something wasn’t adding up. She may have also been wishing that she’d picked a different place for this meeting aside from her place. Seriously, what did her poor house ever do to deserve such treatment? 

The next day Sasuke had all of his things moved to storage. He was a little surprised that Sakura wasn’t there when he had the moving company enter. He was even more surprised to find that she hadn’t set all his suits on fire like she claimed she was going to do. Sasuke knew never to take Sakura’s threats lightly, so the fact that she didn’t follow through was a small mercy. Sasuke didn’t own many things. He had his clothing, his favorite recliner and everything in his office, everything else was nothing but useless materialistic items he wouldn’t miss. 

When the movers drove off, everything hit him, he was really moving on. It almost felt like a dream. All that was left was to find a place and to make Naruto his. One step at a time he supposed. Sasuke had already had an appointment with his realtor, but that brought about another dilemma. Did he settle for an apartment right now, or did he begin to look for a new house he and Naruto could grow a family in? 

The abrupt thought startled him, since when did he start thinking about a family? Sasuke couldn’t stop the lighthearted chuckle that escaped him as he shook his head with fondness. He didn’t care how out of character it was for him, with Naruto, he wanted it all. How did he think Sakura was it for him for so long? With her, things were so forced, but with Naruto, he didn’t even have to question his thoughts to know that it’s what he wanted, and that’s after only meeting twice. He hoped that one day Sakura would find the same thing. 

In the end, Sasuke couldn’t bring himself to look at houses yet. He knew he was getting a little ahead of himself, but he wanted what would be their house, to be their decision when the time came. Just the thought of house browsing with the omega sent tendrils of excitement through his alpha. There was something inside him demanding he show what a good alpha he would be for his mate, show how well he could provide for him. 

It was becoming less and less weird to think of himself as Naruto’s mate, which you would think was strange because he still hadn’t been able to speak to the omega yet. With each passing day he thought more and more about the alluring omega, and he couldn’t find it in himself to care anymore. At this point, Sasuke’s thoughts were consumed by everything Naruto, he wasn’t even sure how he made it through the work week without dropping the ball on something. Sasuke may be a pure alpha, but he was in no means accustomed to being this alpha. Was Naruto eating? Was he safe? Was Sakura pestering him at work? Did Naruto think about him at all? Never had he wanted to lock someone up while simultaneously shoving food down their throat just to make sure they were safe and well fed. At this point he wasn’t sure he’d get through the weekend without doing something stupid. 

On more than one occasion, the thought of casually dropping by the hospital had played through his mind. Sasuke never followed through, but thank fuck it was Friday, because he wasn’t sure how many more days, he could wait to see Naruto again. He had to get his shit together, so he didn’t frighten Naruto when he finally saw him. Sasuke often found himself forgetting that he was meant to be going to the hospital for work purposes, not some half-baked mate confessional. Thankfully it was Friday, and he finally had his usual plans with Shikamaru to help distract him.  

When Sasuke showed up to Shikamaru’s place he wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. He knew that Temari’s brother had been hospitalized for his meltdown, but aside from the basics, Sasuke was unaware of how things had turned out. Shikamaru and him weren’t big on talking about things like that, so naturally he hadn’t pried. Being engrossed in his own problems was more than enough of a distraction to keep his mind busy. 

Sasuke definitely didn’t expect a disheveled looking redhead to violently swing open the door. He also wasn’t expecting the slight lift of the upper lip in the beginning of a snarl. 

“What?” The on-edge redhead bit out harshly. His pale green eyes practically set him ablaze. 

Unimpressed and unaffected by the rude tone, Sasuke was about to speak but Shikamaru had made his presence known. “Gaara who is—Oh, hey Sasuke.” 

Gaara made some low growly sound before turning and stalking away from the door. Sasuke looked from the disappearing redhead back towards his lazy friends. “Well, he’s a gem, isn’t he?” 

“Sorry about him,” Shikamaru adds in his usual lazy tone. "He's on edge waiting for Ru to get here, he needs his pheromones balanced.” 

“It’s fine,” Sasuke merely shrugged, though he was intrigued. “Who’s Ru?” 

“Temari’s friend,” Shikamaru answered offhandedly as he closed the front door and turned to walk towards their usual gathering spot. Sasuke removed his shoes before effortlessly following behind.  

“They can actually balance his pheromones?” Sasuke was curious how this Ru person could balance an alpha suffering from Mate Hysteria when even the most skilled doctors and scientists had been reduced to sedating the more violent patients for lack of better options. The fact that this person could do what Sasuke had never heard of being done before, ruffled him a bit. How was Shikamaru so calm about it? 

Making his way around the bar in practiced fashion, Shikamaru goes about pouring Sasuke his usual scotch before taking his seat beside him. “Yeah, Gaara actually knew Ru before Temari did.” 

Sasuke did his best to hide his irritation at the fact that his genius friend was blowing past the enormity of what Ru was doing. It clicked for him that Shikamaru was obviously doing it on purpose. Sasuke eyed him curiously.  “What aren’t you saying?” 

Shikamaru sighed as he turned towards his friend. “It’s not really my story to tell.” 

“You’re right, it’s not,” came a gruff, pissed voice. “You two do realize that I’m sick, not deaf right?”   

“Gaara,” Shikamaru's voice sounded slightly shaken and Sasuke wondered if it was from the experience of Gaara’s previous mental break. 

In a split second, both Sasuke and Shikamaru were out of their seats facing the disgruntled alpha. Neither wanted their back to be exposed to the one letting out chaotic, raging pheromones. 

Gaara took another step closer to them, it was small but calculated. “No, please, tell your nosey friend all about how, me, a newly presented alpha was kidnapped and sold off as a lab rat, where I met Ru.” 

Sasuke furrowed his brow in confusion. Temari had never mentioned anything about her brother being kidnapped, she always spoke about her family with such joy and love that it seemed impossible that their family had to live through anything horrendous like that. Sasuke quickly realized that previous trauma could definitely account for the pride she takes in her family. 

“You need to calm down,” Shikamaru made another attempt at trying to placate him. 

Gaara laughed, but it was enough to curdle anyone's blood. “You fucking calm down, I’m just telling him what he wants to know.” Gaara looked between the two, his black rimmed eyes holding a wicked gleam. “I was given to some sadistic scientist that worked for some underground corporation. They tested every drug imaginable on me, some of the things they tested had me wishing for death. Do you know what it’s like to feel like you’re being flayed alive over and over again? Have you ever felt how bad it burns to suffocate on your own esophagus as toxic gases are being forcefully pumped into your lungs? Or how about how they forced me to breed others going through the same torture, just to test their contraception’s. They even tried to make me forcefully bond another once-” As Gaara continued, he gazed off with defocused, glazed looking eyes like he was reliving his past. And as he continued to speak, he really was re living it. 

Gaara was stuck in that tiny, padded cell as another small, pitiful looking omega was being shoved in with him. For a small fragile looking thing, Gaara will never forget the fire behind the eyes of that omega. The horrific clicking sound signified they were getting ready to pump the ventilation system full of some type of drug yet again. Gaara expected the omega to start trying to seduce him like most of the drugs they forced into their cells had done. But this time it was different; this omega was viciously snarling at him. It took him a moment to realize why, and it was because he had moved without realizing he’d done so — to the point that he was almost on top of the omega.  

Whatever they were giving them had made this little omega the most enticing thing he’d ever seen, everything inside him screamed to breed him and compelled him to make sure no one else got the chance to claim him. As Gaara went in for a pin his canines throbbed as they elongated, preparing for the bite. The next moment everything went black. 

When Gaara woke up, all he could remember was pain, every cell in his body hurt. It wasn’t like the pain that he was subjected to on a daily basis, no, this one he felt deep in his soul. When he finally opened his eyes, he realized what they tried to make him do. He felt bile rise up his throat at the thought of what he might have done. He shot up —pain be damned— but didn’t get far as the very omega he was sure he’d brutally attacked stared at him with such shock that he froze.  

The eyes that were a fiery blue, were now a glowing, liquid amber. Before any words could be exchanged, the door slammed opened, and the omega was being dragged out again by men in what appeared similar to hazmat suits. It wasn’t until they were finally free that the two would meet again. Too bad Gaara’s horrors didn’t end there. Fate sure was a cruel, twisted thing.  

Gaara was lucky enough to meet his destined mate. For someone who had lived through what he had, it was a dream come true. Never did he imagine himself being that happy, that fulfilled. They had planned their whole future together as was natural for newly bonded pairs. But tragedy hit before their marks even had a chance to fully heal. Gaara watched the life drain from his young mate's eyes after watching her get side swiped by a drunk driver. As she drew her last breath, he was engulfed in an abyss of endless madness… that was until he reappeared.  

“Who the hell would run tests like that?” Sasuke couldn’t hide the disgust in his voice. Sure, he’d heard about less than savory tests conducted in the past, but what Gaara was claiming was worse than heinous.  

Gaara’s eyes refocused with manic ferocity, for a moment he had forgotten he was talking to anyone. Narrowing his pale, green eyes, he slowly moved closer to Sasuke. “Mister nosey really wants to know, doesn't he?” 

Shikamaru tried to step between his friend and his brother-in-law. “Gaara, calm down.” 

“Please,” Gaara snarled as he pinned Shikamaru with his eyes. “You guys started it by thinking my life was up for discussion-” 

“That’s enough Gaara,” came a soft, commanding voice that had Sasuke both melting while simultaneously riling his alpha to get the man away from the deranged alpha and to safety. During the chaos and being saturated in hostile pheromones, no one had realized the others entering the house. 

In an instant Gaara’s persona drastically changed; he went from volatile alpha to a chastised looking child. “You took too long,” Gaara whispered as he bowed his head. 

Naruto was in shock when he and Temari arrived at her house. Naruto knew he was running a bit behind, but it was nothing that should have warranted Gaara to descend into such a rageful state. To a normal omega, the pheromones Gaara was letting off would send them crumbling to the floor much like it did to Temari, but Naruto wasn’t like other omegas. Naruto easily pushed forward in a hurry to try and figure out what had Gaara out of sorts, and that’s when he froze. Gaara was speaking of their first encounter —to Sasuke nonetheless— and Naruto could do nothing but listen. When Sasuke spoke, it had been enough to snap Naruto out of the flashbacks, allowing him to quickly set to work on Gaara. There would be time to dig into how Sasuke knew everybody later. Right now, Naruto needed to balance Gaara before someone got hurt. 

So many things ran through Sasuke’s mind. Naruto had been Temari’s friend this whole time, which also meant his best friend had known Naruto all along. Not only that, but that meant that Ru was actually Naruto, and he was the one balancing Gaara’s pheromones. Sasuke realized he knew nothing about this man he’d been daydreaming about claiming. What was Naruto’s story? Just who was this alluring man?  

Sasuke didn’t get a chance to percolate on those thoughts very long because Gaara was suddenly embracing his omega. He couldn’t stop the growl that bubbled up his throat. No one but him should be allowed to be that close to Naruto! 

As soon as the growl left his throat, it died off. Naruto froze him in his place with eyes that were no longer blue, they were now shimmering gold. Only alphas eyes changed, how did Naruto’s eyes change color? Sasuke had heard Gaara speak of it, but seeing it first hand made everything a little too real. It was Naruto that had been thrown in with Gaara. That meant that Naruto had also been— 

“Not now,” Naruto’s voice was firm with warning as he allowed Gaara to continue to embrace him. He saw the recognition flash through Sasuke’s eyes as he connected the dots. Now wasn’t the time for this conversation. Though, if Naruto was honest, he didn’t think he’d ever be ready for that conversation. 

Sasuke didn’t even care that Shikamaru was looking between them with what could only be described as shock. Any other time it would have been hilarious to see such an expression on his lethargic friend’s face, but now he had much more pressing matters weighing on him. Like how he just allowed Naruto to walk away with another alpha like it was nothing. His alpha howled furiously at him, but he was powerless before those curious golden orbs.  

What the hell was that? 

As Naruto disappeared down the hall with Gaara, Shikamaru rushed over to his shaken mate, helping stabilize her as he released his pheromones in hopes of calming the reaction Gaara had caused her. 

Temari basked in Shikamaru’s pheromones like they were a warm, cozy blanket. When she was finally clearer headed, she looked over at Sasuke with a furry in her eyes. “What the hell did you say to my brother?” 

“Temari,” Shikamaru quickly jumped in, trying to calm his distressed mate. 

“No Shika! Gaara was fine before I went to pick up Ru. A little on edge, but manageable,” she hissed. “When we get back, he’s practically murdering the ozone layer with his pheromones and talking about the only thing he’s refused to ever talk about! What the hell did he say?”   

Sasuke may have felt a bit guilty under any other circumstances but right now his mind was spinning. Everything in him screamed to storm down that hall and tear Naruto away from the disgruntled alpha, but he remained rooted to the floor. It was almost like he had been given a command much like alphas could give omegas, but that wasn’t possible. He was a pure alpha and Naruto was very much an omega, nothing added up. 

“All he did was ask about Ru when I told him why Gaara was so testy,” Shika quickly answered, wanting to avoid upsetting his mate further. 

“That wouldn’t set him off,” Temari argued. She hated seeing her brother in the midst of losing it. 

Shikamaru shrugged. “Maybe it has something to do with Sasuke being a pure alpha? Maybe he felt more threatened than usual?” 

Temari let out a long, exhausted sigh. “This is too much. I need a fucking drink.” 

Shoving past them, Temari set out pouring herself a rather strong drink. 

Shikamaru hadn’t missed how Sasuke remained frozen in place, not saying a single word. He also didn’t miss how his eyes lingered on the hallway Naruto had disappeared down with Gaara. He may be a genius, but even he couldn’t tell where his friend's head was at. 

“So, you know Naruto?” Shikamaru asked, but it was more of a statement. He always cut through the bullshit. Life was too troublesome as it was to beat around the bush. 

Hearing Naruto’s name, Sasuke finally tore his eyes away from the hallway and shifted them to his friend. How had he forgotten he was at Shika’s? 

Temari had just downed her drink in one go, but her eyes quickly fell on Sasuke with shock. “You know Ru?” 

“Hn,” was his oh so elegant response. Sasuke was a confident, self-assured alpha with the world at his feet, but the scrutiny he felt under his friend's gaze had him fighting back the urge to shift uncomfortably. He had no idea how to begin explaining that Naruto was the omega he had hooked up with. Nor did he know how to tell them that he thought that he may be his destined mate. There were also a million different things he wanted to ask them about Naruto as well but the knowledge that Naruto was currently alone with another alpha had him gnawing the inside of his cheek raw. He really needed to control himself. It seemed like every time he met Naruto, more and more questions were raised.  

Shikamaru was quick to pick up on Sasuke’s weird mood. “Maybe we should leave for a bit?” 

“Like hell I’m leaving Naruto here with him!” Sasuke growled with a jaw clenched so tightly it was amazing he hadn’t chipped a tooth. Unbeknownst to him, his eyes were also flickering red. 

So much for keeping his cool. 

“Whoa, calm down Sasuke!” Shikamaru looked at him worriedly. Never had he seen the calm, collected Sasuke Uchiha act with such intensity. Had it not been for the suppressants Sasuke took, he’d surely be saturating the room with his own enraged pheromones. 

“Watch it, Uchiha, that’s my brother you’re talking about. You've already upset him, I won’t have you insulting him as well,” Temari spat venomously. She hated that Sasuke was implying her brother was some sort of monster. 

“Your brother or not, he could seriously hurt Naruto!” Sasuke quickly fired back but had managed to calm himself down slightly. Even with the storm brewing inside of him, he didn’t want to offend Temari. He just couldn’t control his instincts to protect Naruto. 

Temari narrowed her eyes dangerously. “You’re not exactly sounding much like a chivalrous alpha right now yourself. And besides, what business is it of yours what Naruto does?” 

Temari was just as protective of Naruto as she was of her own kin. Aside from the bizarreness of Sasuke being concerned for a random omega, she knew that Naruto was the last person who needed to be protected from an alpha. Not that Naruto had anything to fear from Gaara. Naruto was the only one who had absolutely nothing to fear from her brother, or any alpha for that matter. 

Shikamaru sighed, as much as he hated confrontation, he needed to intervene before his mate and best friend escalated the situation. “Before you two glare each other to death, you mind telling us why you’re so concerned for Naruto, Sasuke?” 

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, feeling slightly attacked. “Is it a crime to worry?”  

Shikamaru raised a single brow. “No, but for you? It’s not exactly normal.” 

Temari snorted as she poured herself another drink. “I half expect hell to freeze over.” 

Sasuke felt his eyebrow twitch in irritation. He understood that he wasn’t exactly known for being attracted to omega, but it wasn’t like he wished ill will towards them. “Didn’t realize I wasn’t allowed to care.” 

“Oh, you can care. It’s the Naruto part that doesn’t make sense-” Shikamaru’s eyes widened as something clicked. “No.” 

Sasuke’s eyes never faltered from his, and that was all the answer he needed. 

Temari looked between the two. “No, what? What am I missing?” She was met with silence. 

“I think we better sit down for this one,” Shikamaru muttered. He felt a migraine brewing.  

“Put this on,” Naruto ordered Gaara as he removed the patch that’s been hidden beneath his elaborate collar. 

“Yeah, yeah,” Gaara grumbled, but Naruto’s effects were already working wonders on his surly mood. 

Gaara took the patch and adhered it over top of his scent gland. Immediately the patch began to work its magic, lulling him into a drowsy, trance-like state. “M’sorry,” he mumbled. 

Naruto wasn’t sure if he was apologizing for his behaviour, or for speaking about their past. “It’s fine, don’t worry about it,” Naruto answered as he gently ran his fingers through tangled red locks in an attempt to both sooth the alpha and tame the rebellious strands.  

“It’s not—I don’t know why I told him,” Gaara’s regretful eyes opened, looking at Naruto with such a soft look, no one would believe it.  

“It’s really alright,” Naruto tried to reassure him with a smile that didn’t quite meet his glistening eyes. 

Gaara shook his head as vehemently as his current state of pheromone therapy would allow. “No, it’s not. I went through hell, but you had it worse than any of us there. I shouldn’t have allowed my state to rile me up to the point that I’d tell not only my story but part of yours as well, to some stranger no less. There was just something about him that irked me and once I started it’s like I couldn’t stop.” 

“Well, I wouldn’t say he’s a total stranger,” Naruto added timidly. 

Gaara snorted sarcastically, “Sorry, Nara’s friend.” 

Naruto gave his eyes a good-natured roll, Gaara and Shikamaru had this love-hate thing going on, or at least Gaara did, Shikamaru honestly didn’t have the energy for it. Deep down, hidden beneath the snarky remarks and the faux insults, the two had an immense amount of respect for each other though. 

“Actually,” Naruto grinned sheepishly. “He may also be my destined mate.” 

“What?!” Gaara tried to shoot up but the pheromones calming down his nervous system wouldn’t allow it. “What do you mean he’s your destined mate?” 

“I mean that he is my destined mate. I can’t put it any simpler,” Naruto deadpanned. Regardless of the situation, it was always fun to shock Gaara. It was such a rare occurrence that he savored those moments. 

“But I just—I thought-” Gaara verbally fumbled. Naruto always put on a brave face, but Gaara knew that Naruto never believed someone like him would have a destined mate. 

“Same. But turns out...” Naruto let his voice trail off. 

“Does he know?” Gaara tentatively asked. 

Naruto shook his head. “I never let him scent me. I just couldn’t.” 

Gaara furrowed his drowsy bald brow. “Why would you do that? You above all deserve to be happy, Naruto.” 

Naruto emitted a long, tired breath. “He has a mate already.”  

In all honesty, Naruto didn’t think someone like Sakura deserved his mate, but it was who Sasuke had chosen, so he’d respect it. Every time Naruto was alone, he couldn’t stop his mind from wandering to the way Sasuke had primitively claimed him at the fundraiser. Every time he remembered the deep, primal growl he had to fight against his rising blush. Did Sasuke know the implications of what he’d done? Had he been able to piece things together? After Gaara’s reveal about him, what would he think of him now? 

“Fuck that! He’s yours.” Gaara growled resolutely. 

Naruto sighed heavily. “I won’t come between mates Gaara. My destiny or not. Besides, his mate has made it quite clear that she’ll get me fired if I even think of pursuing him.” 

Gaara was stunned. “Wait, you know his mate as well?”  

As if it were nothing of importance, Naruto gave a light shrug. “Yeah, I met them at the fundraiser.” 

“Ah,” Gaara vaguely answered. It was probably because it was the night he went catatonic and attacked Shikamaru because he’d forgotten to reapply his pheromone patch when he’d woken up that day. “Like the hospital would fire you. You only moved here because they wanted you so badly,” Gaara grumbled. He too had been forced to move so he could remain in Naruto’s care, and he wasn’t a fan of Konoha yet, he missed Suna’s heat, but he had to admit that it was nice to spend time with his sister again. After receiving treatment from Naruto these past couple years, he was almost a fully functioning member of society again. He couldn’t help but feel proud of his friend for sticking his neck out and helping more alphas like himself.  

Naruto rolled his eyes with exasperation. “Oh, I know. But she’s not worth the argument.” 

Gaara weakly snorted as fatigue began taking him. “Like I said, fuck that, he’s yours. Just take a chance, he’d be an idiot to turn you down.” 

Naruto sighed as he watched his friend finally doze off. “I can’t break my promise,” he whispered dolefully. “I never go back on my word.” 

Naruto lingered in Gaara’s room a little longer. Something told him that if Sasuke were anything like his brother Itachi, he wouldn’t let this go. Surely Sasuke would be waiting for answers much like Itachi had pestered him until he agreed to being tailed on his rounds. Naruto felt terrible for stooping so low as to command Sasuke, but he wouldn’t have been able to balance Gaara while around the alpha who was contributing to setting him off. And as much as Naruto hated doing what he did, it was necessary for the safety and wellbeing of all. 

Turns out Naruto was right. 

When he walked into the quiet living room, Naruto was greeted with one rather gentle request. “Can we talk?”

How could he refuse?

Chapter Text

It was nearly impossible for Sasuke to sit still after Shikamaru and Temari left him alone. Of course, not before Temari threatened to castrate him if he dared, even so much as to think about barging upstairs in search of Naruto. Sasuke knew that he shouldn’t take her threats lightly. If he was being honest, as much as he wanted to go barging up there and drag Naruto out of Gaara’s room, it was like there was an invisible force —scruffing his alpha into submission— preventing him from doing it, and it wasn’t Temari's threats. Whatever was at play may be causing him to remain in place, but it didn’t prevent his alpha from showing its displeasure subconsciously while simultaneously making demands to go get their mate.

Those golden eyes hung frozen in his memory, like the invisible lead weighing him down. They were like nothing he’d seen before; they were otherworldly. “Not now,” still ringing through his mind, like some sort of compelling mantra keeping him rooted. It took Shikamaru longer to coax them to sit down due to his inability to move. If he didn’t know any better, he’d think he was glued to the floor. Each step he made felt like he was somehow betraying Naruto, which didn’t make any fucking sense because why would Naruto care if he walked to another room?

When Shikamaru had finally coaxed them all to sit down and talk, his body eased up only a fraction; his eyes remained shifting in the direction Naruto had walked off with another alpha. Speaking about the altercation was like pulling teeth, but not because he didn’t want to —which was weird for him— but because he couldn’t focus. The only thing that was enough to gain his focus was when Naruto and Gaara’s names were uttered.

It didn't feel right to speak of these things without Naruto around, but there was no getting around it. Sasuke had made up his mind, and he would do whatever was necessary to get what was rightfully his. If speaking to Temari and Shikamaru first was a requirement to be allowed to stay and speak with Naruto, then he would do it. Though he knew that had his friend been ruthless enough to actually kick him out, he in no way would have actually left. He is not ashamed to admit that he would stoop so low as to linger like a rejected, love sick teenage boy who can’t take no for an answer.

Surprisingly, it was easier to talk than it had been to move. However, the longer he continued speaking, the looser his body became —if even only a fraction. With every articulation of every explanation he gave to his friends, he could feel his rigid muscles slightly relax, even with Temari’s incredulous, if not dumbstruck reaction. Temari didn’t know Sasuke was capable of such feelings, let alone possessed the ability to talk about them.

Never had he seen Temari as speechless, or Shikamaru stunned into a picture of wakefulness. The reactions would have had Sasuke snorting amusingly had the situation been any different. Their reaction pretty much went against their own ornate beings.

When Sasuke finally admitted that he believed Naruto –or Ru— to be his destined mate. Temari cackled at him. Who could blame her? Sasuke just finished telling them about this nameless omega, now he suddenly brought Ru into this? It was only when she looked towards Shikamaru’s stunned expression that she realized Sasuke wasn’t joking. This of course brought about another eerie silence.

When Temari was finally able to get a hold of herself, the only thing she could utter was, “but—how is that—when?”

She was clearly struggling to figure out how this all connected.

This was when Sasuke finally filled in the missing pieces. The nameless omega he’d been speaking about —where he fucked up by laying those asinine rules down— had been Naruto. It was far from his proudest moment.

“You what?!” Temari screeched, narrowing her eyes at him dangerously.

“I didn’t know,” Sasuke wasn’t trying to defend himself, simply retelling things through his experience. He was more than willing to take the brunt of Temari’s wrath if it meant he could speak with Naruto.

This led to him continuing his story and begrudgingly continued talking about his thoughts and feelings, along with when he’d run into Naruto again at the fundraiser. Now that Sasuke had an iota of information from Gaara, he could understand why Naruto was at the event. Sasuke’s teeth clenched together to the point of audible crunching as thoughts of what Naruto —his omega— had gone through. He knew it wasn’t his fault, but he felt like a useless alpha. Sasuke knew it was impossible seeing as they didn’t even know of each other's existence, but he still felt like he should have been there to protect his mate from the horrors he'd been forced to live through.

Sasuke only realized his mind had drifted when Shikamaru’s lethargic throat cleared, bringing him out of his musings. Temari was glaring daggers at him, apparently his claws had elongated and were on the precipice of piercing her leather sofa…whoops.

Apparently, Sasuke's obvious embarrassment of all of this going down right in front of Sakura wasn’t enough to curb Temari’s protectiveness she felt towards her friends and family, because she abruptly stood up.

“I think maybe you should leave.” She viciously spat.

Sasuke’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not leaving!” he hissed lowly as a snarl began to slowly rise from his throat.

“Unfortunately, that's not up to you,” she bit back as she leaned over him imposingly. It was moments like now where no one would think she was an omega. The metaphorical balls she had rivaled even the most alpha of alphas.

“Temari,” Shikamaru was quick to cut in. “If Naruto is his destined mate, we have no right to stand between them.”

As troublesome as it would be to deal with Temari’s furry, Shikamaru also knew that for Sasuke to be bearing his soul to them, he had to be pretty damn sure about Naruto. All he could think of is how he’d react if anyone had tried to keep him from Temari. He may not be the most active of people, but no one would stand between him and his mate.

Temari wanted to deny Shikamaru, but she knew she couldn’t. It was clear Sasuke was serious about this whole thing. She’d never seen him so emphatic before, that didn’t mean she liked it, or trusted it. Sasuke had deluded himself for years with Sakura, what’s to say this wasn’t the same thing? Naruto was undeniably special, who’s to say Sasuke wasn’t just confused. Then there was the whole issue with her brother. Gaara was extremely vulnerable right now, and he didn’t need to be subjected to the alpha’s equivalent to bulls butting horns. She just—just got him back and she didn’t want anything to jeopardize the progress he’d made and the little bit of peace he’d finally found.

Gaara’s life had been nothing but turmoil since his abduction. Even the flash of peace he’d had after being rescued didn't last long. Finding one's mate and bonding was supposed to be joyous, and cause for celebration, but that was something else that had been ripped away from him. When Naruto showed up at the hospital that day, she thought the other omega was nuts. Or at the very least had a death wish. When she witnessed her brother relax without being drugged into unconsciousness for the first time, it was like she could finally breathe. She never questioned Naruto again. Over time, she bonded with Naruto, it had taken a long time till he confided in her that he was also one of the captives that was held with her brother. Gaara never spoke about it before he was tragically struck with MH, and it was no surprise that Naruto didn’t speak about it either. To this day, she still doesn’t know the extent of what Naruto and Gaara had been through, she can only imagine the horrors.

Taking one last look at Sasuke, Temari had to admit, she was more than convinced that Sasuke was being truthful, it was just her anger and emotions clouding her judgement. If this was Naruto’s mate, she wouldn’t stand in the way. If anyone deserved to find true happiness, it was that blond ball of sunshine.

Temari clenched her eyes shut as if she were in agony. “Gaara is so vulnerable right now Shika. I’m not saying I’m going to stand between them, I just don’t want him disrupting the little bit of peace my brother finally has. I just got him back!”

“You’re not going to lose him, Tem,” Shikamaru responds softly. “You have to trust him a little.”

“How can you say that when you just suffered at the hands of his own negligence? You know better than anyone else that all it takes is one lapse and everything collapses.” Temari spat. She was torn somewhere between wanting to console her mate and defend her brother.

Sasuke stayed quiet; he knew nothing good would come out of his mouth if he spoke of the other alpha. He could sympathize with the trauma Gaara was overcoming, but his alpha still refused to see him as anything else but a threat. For the sake of his friendships, and the chance at speaking with Naruto, Sasuke bit his tongue and sat ramrod straight.

“Yes, but accidents happen. We can’t always control every little thing. If I’m willing to move forwards, shouldn’t you as well? Imagine trying to get better and making tremendous progress only to have it thrown back in your face with the tiniest slip? You think that’s helping him?” Shikamaru's voice was almost accusatory.

Sasuke started to feel like this really wasn’t a conversation he should be privy to. This suddenly felt like a whole other can of worms.

“Do you really want to have this conversation to have right now?!” Temari hissed as she looked pointedly at Sasuke

“No, I don’t, but if you think this just affects Gaara you need to hear this,” Shikamaru's voice was firm and full of conviction. “From the moment Sasuke said he believed Naruto’s his destined mate this became less about him and more about all of us.”

Temari grit her teeth. “You think I don’t know that? I said I wouldn't stand in the way, didn’t I?”

“Then let me speak with him,” Sasuke finally got out. If it wasn’t for his body refusing to leave what was somewhere upstairs, he would have bailed on this whole conversation a while ago.

“Wasn’t talking to you,” Temari spat.

This upset Shikamaru. “Don’t speak to him like that.”

“Why? Who’s to say this isn’t just another Sakura situation? You may think that I’m only thinking about Gaara, but I’m worried about Ru as well! I don’t want this one stringing him along. He doesn’t need it!” Temari growled through clenched teeth.

“Don’t you dare, this is nothing like Sakura!” Sasuke snarled ominously, making the omega shiver with the faintest traces of fear. He didn’t care at the moment; he’d be damned if he would be talked to like that—have Naruto compared to her like that. Sasuke would hang the moon in the sky just to appease Naruto, and he hadn’t even had a conversation to confirm his suspicions yet. Sasuke was sure Naruto could ask him to claim him and breed him right now and he would gladly do so without question.

“If he says Naruto is his mate, I fully believe him,” Shikamaru didn’t so much as flinch. He knew Sasuke never lied or minced words. The tone Shikamaru used conveyed that exact message to Temari judging the slight flash of guilt that flashed across her eyes.

Of course, Temari knew Sasuke would never be there bearing his soul to them had he not been sure, but this whole situation wreaked havoc on her nerves. It was hard to get past how this would affect her brother, not to mention the extreme suddenness of it. There was also the whole other conversation her and Shikamaru needed to have that they’d been avoiding. Obviously ignoring their difference of opinions wasn’t working anymore.

“You know what? Fine!” Temari’s volatile eyes pinned Sasuke down. “But don’t even fucking think about going up there and disturbing them, you hear me?” She made a very vulgar, very descriptive gesture with her hands that illustrated the state his male anatomy would be in if he didn’t follow through. “I meant it! If he wants to speak with you, you let him come to you.”

Sasuke wasn’t scared per say, but he did find himself nodding with a speed in which he didn’t know he possessed. Even Shikamaru seemed rather nervous by his mate's threat. With one derisive snort, Temari stormed off, leaving the two alphas to stew.

The two friends sat there for a moment until Shikamaru finally spoke up with a weighty sigh. “I should probably go talk to her.”

“Hn,” Sasuke grunted absently as if he weren't really paying his friend much mind. There were so many things going through his mind. Would Naruto come down? What was he going to say to him if he did come down? Should he jump straight to the point? Small talk a little? That one made him mentally snort at himself. Since when did Sasuke Uchiha small-talk? Apparently since now, so long as it kept him in his omega’s presence.

Then there was the whole Gaara thing. What exactly was this pheromone therapy Naruto did? Immediately, images of his mate rubbing up against another began to send his alpha into a rage.

“Sasuke?” Shikamaru called with more authority than anyone would have thought possible. It was just the thing to shake Sasuke of his musings, just barely preventing his alpha being sent into a full-blown fury. He was really going to need to work on this.

“Yeah?” Sasuke asked as his fading red eyes whipped to his now standing friend. When had he moved?

“Are you really, truly sure about this?” Shikamaru questioned. The deep furrowed draw of his brow must have been exhausting for the man.

Without a lick of hesitation, Sasuke’s declaration rolled smoothly over his tongue and past his dry, slightly chapped lips. “I wouldn’t have said anything if I wasn’t positive.”

“Then that’s all I need,” Shikamaru gave a curt nod. Just before he turned around to go after his stressed mate, he left his last bit of parting wisdom. “Temari’s threat aside, She's right. Let him come to you.”

Hearing something that could lead to information on his omega, Sasuke couldn’t help but bite. “Is it as bad as I think?”

Shikamaru gently shook his head. “I wouldn’t know, that’s the most I’ve ever heard Gaara speak.”

Just hearing the other alpha’s name had a growl grumbling in Sasuke’s chest.

“Sasuke,” Shikamaru warned.

Sasuke clenched his eyes and balled his first tightly. “Me. Balls. Castrated. Got it, “he bit out. “That all?”

“You can stay and wait for him, but I can guarantee this whole possessive alpha thing isn’t going to be appreciated.” Shikamaru didn’t say another word, he just lazily raised his hand, giving his friend the two finger salute with an infuriatingly amused smirk drawing up his lethargic lip.

Sasuke was left in a rather painful silence, with a bladder that found the moment perfect to begin nagging him regarding its fullness. His body was thrumming with so many urges, all of which were doing him no good. He debated on what he should do. Go to the washroom, then maybe pour himself a drink? While the thought of something to take the edge off was appealing, the bar was too far away from the staircase and he didn’t want to chance a washroom break in case he missed Naruto. If he bared his full bladder and stayed rooted in the living room, there was no way he’d miss Naruto coming downstairs. Because Naruto was going to come downstairs right? Sasuke ignored the low shouts of his friends as he tried to assure his alpha that there was no way their mate was going to spend the night in another alphas room.

Sasuke shifted around uncomfortably on the sofa. He leaned back into the usually plush cushions, but now they just felt uncomfortable and unyielding. He crossed his legs. He uncrossed his legs. He leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees as his eyes traced the intricate pattern on the living room's area rug. As soon as stillness consumed the residence once again, Sasuke relented and got up. A full bladder would leave him unfocused and unnecessarily uncomfortable for his pending conversation. Plus, he should still hear movement from the washroom now that Shikamaru and Temari had either reconciled or tabled their conversation once they’ve respectively calmed down.

Keeping an ear out, Sasuke was quick to relieve himself, only taking the necessary time to wash his hands and splash some cool water on his face. As confident as Sasuke was, he would be lying if he said he wasn’t a little nervous about what Naruto’s reaction to him would be. This whole mess was his fault, and he wasn’t above admitting his stupidity. His alpha was stuck between whimpering and snarling at him for how terrible he must have made their omega feel with his brutal rejection.

After drying off, he shut off the light and left the washroom. As he walked out of the door his ears perked up and his breath was stolen. Naruto was just beginning his descent of the stairs, and even from this angle, Sasuke could swear that he was more beautiful each time he saw him. Sasuke’s brain finally caught up to him once he saw Naruto had reached the bottom and began walking towards the living room. Sasuke wasted no time, silently catching up.

Sasuke didn’t want to startle him, so as gingerly—yet eagerly— as he could, he softly asked, “can we talk?”

Naruto turned around quickly, and immediately Sasuke could see how exhausted he was. The sudden urge to drag him to bed and pamper him took over only being disrupted by a very soft and serene “okay.”

Sasuke was both in shock and awe that Naruto agreed. He had been prepared to get down on his knees and beg if that was what was necessary to gain a moment of Naruto’s precious time. This beautiful creature held so much power over him and he didn’t even know it. How had Sasuke thought that he’d ever be able to forget about Naruto? How was he delusional enough to believe that what he felt when they first met was anything but destiny? He could feel it then, and now as he stands once again in this amazing man’s presence, he only feels that he has to be right. This feeling is burning him inside, pushing him forwards, demanding he take what was his and warship it until his dying breath.

Sasuke quickly shook himself out of his reverie the moment he noticed Naruto was slowly walking away.

“Wait!” Sasuke's voice shook with perceivable panic. “I thought you said-”

Naruto’s exhausted pools of oceanic glass gazed at him. “Do you really want to talk here Mr. Uchiha?”

Sasuke had to admit that Naruto had a point, but at the moment all he could focus on was the way Naruto formally addressed him. It had him clenching his jaw and growling back his disapproval instead of answering. “Sasuke.”

Naruto looked hesitant but reluctantly amended, “Sasuke.”

The way Naruto’s voice pronounced his name had a pleasant tingle shooting up his spine.

“Do you really want to talk here?” Naruto re-asked tentatively.

How the hell did a glimpse of Naruto make him forget everything? As he finally assimilated and realized that they were at Shikamaru’s, with both him and Temari upstairs; and Gaara. Sasuke felt a vicious growl bubbling up his throat just remembering the volatile alpha.

It was quickly ripped from him before it could fully pass his larynx by Naruto’s almost eerie demand. “Don’t.”

Sasuke swallowed thickly and gave a stiff nod. He couldn’t help but wonder how Naruto knew.

Naruto looked slightly guilty but his eyes softened. “You have any place in mind?”

With how tired Naruto looked, Sasuke just wanted to take him back to his hotel room and cuddle up in bed but forced himself not to blurt that out. The last thing he wanted to do was frighten his omega away. Instead, he went with the other thing his alpha was always demanding him do. “Are you hungry?”

Naruto gave a small, demure smile and nodded. “Starving.”

That small smile made Sasuke feel so goddamn good. At the moment he felt like he was on top of the world and found himself replying with an equally soft smile. “I know just the place.”

The place Sasuke had in mind was around the corner from Shikamaru’s, so even though Sasuke insisted on driving them with how tired Naruto looked, he ended up agreeing on walking. Who was he kidding? The thought of others seeing Naruto with him, was going to his head, and it wasn’t much of an argument. Even his alpha seemed to overlook Naruto’s exhausted state with the prospects of everyone seeing just who he belonged to.

“So, you know Shikamaru and Temari. Small world huh?” Sasuke asked lamely as they walked down the driveway.

With an awkward scratch on the back of his head Naruto gave him a sheepish chuckle. “Yeah, who would have thought.”

The weather was mild, and Sasuke had to admit it was a perfect night for a stroll. The only problem was the awkward conversation he kept trying to impose in hopes of keeping things light. Well, that and the whole trying to keep his hands to himself. It would have just taken the slightest reach and they’d be touching. He’d never craved physical touch before. It was visceral and almost all consuming. Hell, he’d settle for even a finger brush.

Other than being a little stiff with his answers, Naruto seemed to glide across the pavement effortlessly. It was almost impossible for Sasuke to get a read on what he was thinking. It was easy to get distracted though. The way the moon cast its shine on those soft golden strands had Sasuke wondering if the moon itself was worshiping him. It may seem silly —Sasuke knew it was— but the angelic glow that Naruto’s whole being radiated had him firmly believing that anything was possible.

He really was turning into a sap.

The relief he felt when they finally reached the little ramen shop called Ichiraku’s was insurmountable. He had resorted to sliding his hands into his pockets just to keep them to himself. This lack of self-control he was experiencing was really starting to piss him off.

“Ramen?” Naruto’s voice was filled with pure, unadulterated joy. Those awe filled eyes were nearly enough to knock the wind out of Sasuke's lungs.

Sasuke cleared his throat in an attempt to control himself. “Is that fine?”

“Are you kidding? Ramen is the food of the gods!” Naruto’s eyes practically shone with stars.

While Sasuke didn’t exactly agree, he was too busy preening over the fact that he had accidentally chosen perfectly. This was usually a spot where he and Shikamaru would grab a quick bite together and he felt the need to share it with Naruto now. “Then, shall we?” Sasuke opened the door, gesturing for Naruto to enter first.

Naruto nodded with a shy smile. “Thanks.” Sasuke didn’t miss the soft blush that dusted those soft, round cheeks.

The aroma hit them right away. The combination of scents was mouthwatering. They barely made it two steps in before a little brown haired beta woman was greeting them from behind the counter. “Welcome to Ichiraku’s, please have a seat and I’ll be right with ya!”

The shop was small and homey. The walls were littered with old photos and memorabilia, going as far back as when the shop opened over more than fifty years prior. The walls were an off-tan color and the oak floors were slightly worn with age. No doubt each mark could tell its own story. Through the whole shop there were only a handful of old wooden tables, all of which were empty this time of night. The only other person was seated up front at the counter.

Sasuke steered them towards a table by the window that was furthest away. This was one of the reasons Sasuke originally thought of this place. Ichiraku’s was usually empty this time of night and made for a much quieter, more intimate atmosphere for their pending conversation. All while giving Naruto the comfort of being in public.

Reaching their table, Sasuke pulled Naruto’s seat out for him.

Naruto bashfully waved him off. “You really don’t need to do that.”

“Please, I insist.” Sasuke persisted.

With cheeks lightly dusted pink, Naruto acquiesced and offered a small mumbled, “thanks,” as Sasuke gently slid him in.

“My pleasure,” Sasuke smiled, but he felt it probably came off more like a smirk as he walked around and took his own seat. He was on cloud nine and entirely way too pleased with himself for not being denied. Plus, he got to see that pretty blush again. It’s funny, he’d done the same gesture to Sakura countless times, but never once had it filled him with such satisfaction. He really was an idiot, wasn’t he?

The atmosphere was warm and comforting, the sound of sizzling and the bangs and pings of pots and pans were the only things to be heard. Sasuke hoped aside from being a ramen shop, that the environment was suitable for Naruto. Sasuke always enjoyed its old-time charm.

The short haired brunette shouted something to an old alpha man who was busy manning the kitchen before she grabbed a couple of menus and headed towards them. When she reached the table, she presented them with the menus and a huge smile. “Welcome to Ichiraku’s! My name is Ayame, and I’ll be taking care of you two tonight!”

“You say that like I don’t know you,” Sasuke's elegant eyebrow raised with mirth.

“Well excuse me for trying to be friendly to your date!” She stuck her tongue out at him playfully.

“Hn,” Sasuke hummed, pleased that she thought that they were on a date. He would be damned if he corrected her. Afterall, it was after dark, where two people were out eating together, that could be a date, right?

Naruto shook his head swiftly, quickly popping Sasuke’s little bubble. “Oh, this isn’t…I mean we’re not-”

But Sasuke wasn’t having it. “If you insist.” He quickly answered Ayame before Naruto could finish his blasphemous statement.

Ayame smiled mischievously. “Good! Let me know when you’re ready to order.”

“Sasuke,” Naruto's voice was low with warning and uncertainty when Ayame began to walk away. Sasuke wasn’t sure of the right response, but lucky for him the universe seemed to be on his side because before Ayame could make her way back, the old alpha, Teuchi yelled. “Tell them about the special!”

“They already heard you dad!” She hollered back; her brow twitching.

“Respect your elders and do it anyway!” Teuchi demanded; shaking a huge ladle haphazardly in the air.

Naruto let out a soft chuckle at the duo’s antics, making Sasuke smile. This wasn’t new behavior for the father-daughter duo, but this was the first time Sasuke found enjoyment in it. It seemed to distract Naruto, while momentarily saving his pride from being turned down. Plus, it seemed to lighten the entire mood.

Ayame let out a long sigh that made it seem as if she were in pain. “Fine,” she turned back to the duo to deliver her expected lines. “If you buy three bowls of ramen you get a fourth free on your next order.”

Sasuke was about to turn it down, why would they need three bowls of ramen?

“Oh! I’ll take that! Three bowls of miso ramen with barbecued pork please!” Naruto's eyes gleamed as he looked at Sasuke. “What about you?”

Sasuke was taken back. Naruto was going to eat three bowls of ramen himself? His alpha, only growled with pride that their mate had such a healthy appetite that they would be able to provide sustenance too.

Yes, Naruto could have anything he wanted.

Sasuke managed to tear his gaze from Naruto to look at Ayame. “I’ll have my usual, except hold the sake.” The way he figured, it was best he kept a clear head tonight.

“What’s your usual?” Naruto asked curiously as he wiggled excitedly in his seat at the mere thought of eating some delicious ramen.

Sasuke thought that Naruto really was too damn adorable for his own good.

“One bowl of tomato ramen with roasted eggplant, and a side of sake, usually.” Ayame supplied before Sasuke had a chance to get his mouth to cooperate.

Naruto looked aghast. “Tomato?”

Sasuke squinted his eyes. “What’s wrong with tomatoes?”

“Nothing, but why would you ruin something as delicious as ramen with tomatoes?” Naruto asked passionately as his eyes matched Sasuke’s energy. “And only one bowl? Aren’t you supposed to be a big, tough alpha?” Naruto teased.

Sasuke raised his brow challengingly. Did Naruto really think that little taunt would work on him? “Hn, three bowls for me as well Ayame.”

Shit, apparently it did. Sasuke found himself responding without his brain granting permission. Luckily that was all he ended up saying, because what he really wanted to say to Naruto was “We both know how big and tough I am. Or should I show you again?”

It was hard to rein himself in. Shit, he had better control than this. Had Naruto actually said he was a big strong alpha; he might have just lost it and he doubted Naruto would appreciate being taken in the middle of Ichiraku's.

Right now though, he was just thrilled at being gifted with a playful Naruto once again. How had he forgotten how natural they had bantered even on their first meeting? Right away they had a chemistry that made them click. Sasuke just wished he wouldn’t have been so oblivious, so in denial to it. They could have already been together.

Naruto just smirked at having his unsaid challenge accepted so easily.

“Right away! Anything to drink for you two?” Ayame asked, though she was more than a little taken back. Sasuke was a creature of habit, and never this, animate. She had meant the “date” comment to be an irritating little tease, as the only person he came in with was Shikamaru, but was surprised when he was quick to shut the little blonde down when he was obviously about to deny it. Now here he was —dare she say— flirting. She had never seen him bring in the pink haired omega he was seeing. For him to bring in —judging by the tall elegant collar the blond was wearing— an omega other than his partner, she was practically sipping tea in her head while internally chanting, “scandalous!”

“Water’s fine, thanks.” Naruto smiles rather pleased.

“I’ll have the same,” Sasuke answered. Usually, he combated the rich broth with a nice aged sake, but water would do for tonight.

“Coming right up!” Ayame then began to shout their order back to her father.

Naruto looked mischievously at Sasuke. “I bet I can beat you.”

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, not even bothering to lie to himself this time. He’d grant any request Naruto made to keep those gorgeous orbs on him. Plus, he kind of liked his little omega’s competitive streak. This could be just the ice breaker they needed. “You’re on.”

Naruto smirked. “How about we make this interesting with a little wager?”

Sasuke brow raised with intrigue. “What do you have in mind?”

Naruto pursed his lips thoughtfully for a moment before responding. “If I win, I have a question for you to answer.”

“And if I win? Same reward?” Sasuke's gaze was calculating, this could be to his advantage.

Naruto smiled at him beautifully, as if he knew Sasuke was weak to it. “Nope, but I’ll tell you a secret no one else knows.”

Okay, if that smile hadn’t already done him in, that offer would have. He wanted to learn everything about Naruto. What kind of secret would Naruto share with him? Ever the business man, Sasuke held his hand out, with totally no ulterior motive like getting to touch Naruto’s soft hands. “Deal,”

Naruto looked at the offered appendage and seemed to draw his plump bottom lip between his teeth in hesitation before reaching across, “deal.”

Sasuke wanted to take that bottom lip into his mouth and nibble it sensually, that urge only increased tenfold when their hands touched. God, it felt so fucking good to touch Naruto again. Sasuke was no romantic, but he would say that that single touch sent powerful tendrils of lightning shooting through his nervous system. If that wasn’t bad enough, judging by the barely audible gasp Naruto let out, he felt something too.

Naruto large pulchritudinous eyes shook as they looked up to meet Sasuke’s now red eyes, “Sas-”

“Here’s your water!” Ayame interrupted by bringing two glasses of iced water, shattering whatever was about to transpire.

Sasuke glared, almost growled at the beta, but Naruto was quick to grab his glass with an over exaggerated “thanks!” before taking a long distracting drink.

Ayame scurried away when she noticed Naruto not making eye contact with anything but his water, and Sasuke glaring daggers at her. “I’ll be back with your food,” she declared with a hasty chuckle, without looking back.

Sasuke closed his eyes trying to control himself. Of course he’d fuck this up. Stupid fucking instincts.

When he finally calmed himself down, he chanced a glance at Naruto, but he was still avoiding eye contact. Sasuke sighed regretfully. What was he supposed to say? He had no fucking clue, so they both sat there in uncomfortable silence.

The tension wasn’t broken, but it was lessened when a much slower Ayame came back carrying two trays of delicious smelling ramen, over to them.

“Here you guys go!” She smiled timidly.

It seemed the food was just what Naruto needed because he finally looked at the huge steamy bowls of delicious ramen with sparkly eyes. “Thanks, this looks great!”

“Thanks,” Sasuke responded gruffly. He was still miffed at being interrupted earlier. But he had to admit, it smelled delicious. It had been a while since he’d been in. The tomato ramen and broth had the perfect richness, and the eggplant was always roasted to perfection.

“Enjoy! Just holler if you need anything else,” She bowed stiffly before retreating.

Sasuke looked down at his food, trying to figure out what to say to Naruto in order to rectify this, but Naruto had beaten him to it.

“Ready to lose?” Naruto challenged. His absent eyes replaced with that fierce fire Sasuke fell into so easily.

Okay, maybe he hadn’t fucked this up too badly.

“In your dreams,” he smirked haughtily.

A quick “Itadakimasu,” was uttered before Naruto countdown, and then they were off. 

“I feel swindled,” Sasuke muttered. “How is that even possible?” Sasuke stared at Naruto who had finished all three bowls before he even finished his first with bewilderment.

Naruto let out a hardy laugh as he patted his full belly. “Yeah, you never stood a chance. I’m pretty sure I have a second stomach designated solely for ramen.”

Sasuke couldn’t help but grin as he was filled with a warm, pleasant feeling. The hot food had given Naruto a cute little flush, coupled with that laugh, it made Naruto look utterly adorable. Sasuke would keep Naruto’s flushed if he had his way.

Sasuke let out a fake sigh. “What’s this question you have for me then?”

Naruto shook his head. "Finish your food first.” It should be illegal to leave ramen unfinished.

So of course, Sasuke listened and obediently finished every bite even though he was well past full. He didn’t mind though; Naruto filled in the silence with chatter of how this was almost the best ramen he’d ever had. Apparently, his love for ramen started at a very young age, his name even being derived from an ingredient of the very food itself. Sasuke wanted to pry for more information but decided against it. By the time he was finished, Naruto had excused himself to the restroom.

While Sasuke had originally brought Naruto to Ichiraku’s to talk, a group of four rowdy teens had ended up coming in and taking the seat nearest to them, rendering the spot no longer ideal. So, while Naruto was in the washroom, Sasuke took this time to pay their bill. He somehow knew Naruto would fight him on it. Teuchi the old alpha came out with a manic smile and dollar signs in his eyes. He told Sasuke to bring Naruto back any time. Sasuke merely rolled his eyes. But if things went the way he wanted, he would bring Naruto back any and as many times as he wanted.

Turns out Sasuke was right. Shocker. Naruto folded his arms across his chest and let out an indignant huff once he realized Sasuke used his absence to take control over the bill. “I can pay for my own food.”

“I asked you to eat, it’s only proper,” Sasuke delivered gallantly with his chin slightly raised. His alpha was very pleased, having provided for their mate.

“Sasuke,” Naruto's voice tried to convey a warning, but it also held discomfort.

It was funny, any other omega, hell even beta or alpha would swoon at Sasuke Uchiha paying for their meal, but not Naruto. No, his Naruto was independent and relied on no one. He was a little spit fire and Sasuke found it as invigorating as he did endearing.

“Please Naruto, it was only a bit of Ramen,” Sasuke gently insisted.

“But-”

“If it’s so important to you, you can get the bill the next time. After all, we do have two free bowls to claim.” Sasuke’s voice was smooth, somehow hiding his trepidation over what Naruto’s response would be. He had just declared this wasn’t a one-time thing.

Naruto nibbled nervously at that damn lip of his again causing Sasuke to lick his own dry lips. Those lips really were too damn tempting. He could still remember how they tasted, how they felt, how Naruto moaned when-

“Okay, deal.” Naruto stated firmly. It felt more like a business agreement than anything, but Sasuke didn't care. Naruto agreed to eat with him again! He was starting to feel like a teenage girl with her first crush. The thing is, he couldn’t find it in himself to care. After Sasuke had admitted to himself that Naruto had to be his, his usual stoic nature was easily tossed aside for said omega.

Sasuke gave a firm nod. “Okay, good. Now, what do you say to a walk?”

Naruto’s eyebrows drew together into a deep furrow. “A walk?”

“Hn. I still owe you a debt.” Sasuke swallowed thickly before taking a deep breath. “Plus, I could use a walk after that meal. What do you say?”

Sasuke hoped that it came off as smoothly as it did in his mind.

Naruto glanced outside thoughtfully before turning back to Sasuke and nodding softly. “Okay.”

They walked through a local park, its path brightly lit by staggered lamp posts. This time of year, it was normally cooler, and not many others other than people walking their dogs and the odd runner were at the park this late. Sasuke wouldn’t have wanted Naruto there either, but he was there to keep him safe. Of course, he’d never say that directly to Naruto. He wouldn’t want to make Naruto feel inferior. Because something told him that Naruto was more than capable of taking care of himself. Sasuke just couldn’t turn off the protectiveness he felt towards the omega. How did people live like this?

The two walked in silence, it was clear that they both had things on their minds. The silence held a slight tension, the night's soft breeze barely tempering it. Sasuke's mind was whirling with thoughts of what Naruto could possibly want to ask him? And then there were all his own intrusive questions. He wondered if it were possible to ask Naruto all the things he wanted to without being insensitive and overwhelming.

Naruto was confused about how the alpha was acting all night. Opening the door, pulling his chair out, then paying for his meal, essentially feeding him. Did Sasuke not understand what those things could imply to an omega? Let alone to one’s destined mate that had already been brushed aside for another, Naruto thought bitterly. It was almost cruel, especially when he thought back on how Sasuke had unintentionally claimed him at the fundraiser in the most primitive way. Then there was the most pressing issue that was weighing down on him, all the questions that Sasuke was inevitably going to ask him because of Gaara’s confession. He wasn’t ready to face these things, especially under the weight of Sasuke’s deep, obsidian gaze. Even more so when they turn into that perfect, powerful crimson that could make him do anything.

Once they reached a black metal bench that was gently illuminated by the path's lights, Sasuke gestured for Naruto to take a seat. The bench overlooked a quaint little pond, and seemed like the perfect place for them to talk. The night sky was amazingly clear, the stars shone brightly as the moon reflected off the still waters calm surface.

Yes, it was a perfect spot indeed.

They both took their seats on the slightly chilly bench. The night was peaceful, and the above seasonal temperatures made the cool bench more bearable. But even with that, there was a slight frown marring Naruto’s plump lips, and his small soft hands were clenched on top of his lap. Sasuke fought back all the urges screaming at him to reach out and take the nervous omega into his embrace and never let him go. Such a look didn’t belong on such an angelic being.

“It’s very pretty here,” Naruto whispered as his glazed, far away eyes looked out over the pond.

Sasuke had to agree, it was a very peaceful, picturesque place. “Sometimes I come here when I need to reset,” he admitted. “You should see it in the height of summer.”

Naruto looked over at him with a soft smirk playing on his lips. “What, the great Sasuke Uchiha has to reset? There goes your public image.” he teased.

This, this is what Sasuke fucking loved. Naruto’s witty banter. He couldn’t remember a time where anyone else other than Itachi and Shikamaru had taken a run at him. Everyone else was too busy kissing his ass, trying to inflate his ego.

“Oh no, whatever will I do?” Sasuke dramatically raised the back of his hand to his forehead, feigning desperation. If it was for Naruto, he didn’t mind being playfully lame. Somehow it made him feel lighter than he’d ever felt.

Sasuke’s efforts were rewarded tenfold when Naruto’s warm laughter filled the air. “Nothing, it’s too late, I've already exposed you. Though I feel my plan would be foiled.” Naruto heaved a dramatic sigh.

“Oh, and why is that?” Sasuke asked with his brow raised in question.

“For your stoic reputation, I’ve gotta say, you have a far superior sense of humor than anyone would dare to think. Exposing you would just increase your admirers.” Naruto’s jovial voice was tinted with mirth.

“I don’t think that’s going to be an issue.” Sasuke responded with his own amused smirk.

What Naruto didn’t know was that it was very rare for him to joke with anyone outside of his close inner circle. Naruto seemed to have an effect on people, you couldn’t help but be drawn to him. Much to Sasuke’s dismay, Itachi had even been affected.

That brought up a question that may seem random to Naruto, but it had been bugging Sasuke. “How did Itachi get you to agree to Tsunade shadowing you?”

Him and his stupid mouth. Naruto was definitely taken back, something akin to panic clearly building in him. “I–I didn’t agree to it, I swear! They just showed up and convinced the CMO to grant them access.”

Sasuke brow could have ticked. That was how Itachi had “convinced” Naruto? That misleading bastard. That didn’t matter right now though, he could deal with his brother later. Right now, he has to calm Naruto down. It was also the perfect opportunity to begin rectification.

“Hey, calm down. It’s okay, I’m not mad.” Shaking his head, Sasuke spoke gently, a soft smile playing on his lips. His body was instinctively letting out calming pheromones that would go unnoticed due to his suppressants.

“You’re not?” Naruto whispered almost childlike as his timid gaze reluctantly met with Sasuke’s affectionate ones. “I just didn’t want you to think I was going back on my word.”

Sasuke felt his bile climb up his throat, his heart squeezing painfully in his chest. His carelessness had caused this perfect being so much pain and trepidation. He had been correct in assuming Naruto had turned down the opportunity of a life down due to his callousness. He really didn’t deserve Naruto.

Not being able to stand the lack of contact anymore, Sasuke reached and grabbed one of Naruto's clenched hands. There it was, that surge of warm energy rushing through him again. “You’re not. I actually wanted to ask if you would accept Tsunade’s offer?”

Naruto seemed to freeze at the contact, but didn’t attempt to pull his hand away. “What?”

Sasuke squeezed Naruto’s hand gently to convey his certainty. “I would like it if you accepted Tsunade’s offer.”

Naruto clenched his eyes shut as he pulled his hand from Sasuke’s. “Sasuke, I don’t—I don’t think—I can’t.”

Sasuke felt the bitter feeling of rejection course through him at the action, but he tried to keep his voice level so as to not show it. “Of course you can.”

Naruto shook his head hastily, his body thrumming with frantic energy. It was as if his body were ready to leap up and make a mad dash. “You don’t understand!”

Sasuke twisted his body slightly so he was facing Naruto more directly. “Then help me understand. Why can’t you?” He pleaded.

To Sasuke’s dismay, Naruto’s face dropped down, his voice coming out small. “I just can’t. I can’t be used again.”

Sasuke felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped on him. Used again? Why the hell would Naruto assume they would use him? His fists were beginning to shake furiously at Naruto thinking they would use him but before he could travel further down that thought path something clicked. For a genius, he was suddenly awfully slow. “Because of,” Sasuke couldn’t bring himself to say the other alpha’s name. “Because of what he said?”

Naruto rubbed his hand up and down his thighs nervously. Not even Gaara knew the extent of everything he’d been through, everything he’d done. How was he supposed to explain his troubles to Sasuke? It wasn’t like he owed him anything just because he was unknowingly his destined mate. Who was he kidding? This pull he felt towards him would have him practically spilling all the gory details if Sasuke so much as asked.

“Yes,” Naruto hesitantly admitted. What he omitted was the fact that he also wasn’t sure he could handle the possibility of continuously seeing Sasuke. Just the presence of the alpha —his alpha— was getting harder to ignore with each accidental meeting. Every time Sasuke touched him, his resolve crumbled a little more under the intoxicating feel that would rush through him. But it wasn’t just that. They were like two magnets being propelled towards each other, and when they connected, it wasn’t just lust, it felt safe. It felt like home. Something he didn’t believe he’d ever have. Something he was proved correct on, as his mate was already committed to another. It was only because of the deep rejection his omega still felt towards the alpha that gave him the strength to break their cosmic pull.

“So, it was you.” Sasuke mumbled helplessly. One glance at those golden orbs and Sasuke knew. Of course he knew. How could he not? But deep down he didn’t want to believe that his mate could have lived through something so horrendous.

“Wow, you just really go for it huh?” Naruto muttered slightly under his breath. Swallowing back the lump in his throat, Naruto answers with a barely perceivably whisper. “Yes.”

There, he admitted to Gaara’ confession but he refused to look at Sasuke and see his own mate —who rejected him— pity him. Naruto didn’t want anyone's pity, especially Sasuke’s. Just the thought of his alpha pitying him was unbearable.

Sasuke wasn’t feeling pity though. His alpha was rattling his skull with the feeling of pure unadulterated fury. His eyes bled red, his jaw clenched and his knuckles whitened as his well-groomed fingernails lengthened, biting into his palms. He didn’t even know all that Naruto had been through, but his alpha wanted retribution and was fully ready to burn the world to the ground in search of the people who dared to try and taint their perfect mate.

It was only Sasuke’s iron will that allowed him to rein himself in. Naruto didn’t need that right now. While Sasuke wanted this conversation to happen —he needed to know all that Naruto had been through— he just wasn’t sure what the best way to go about it was. This is where his lack of social skills was finally catching up with him. He could handle business deals, being ruthless and straightforward was much more his forte. Having to figure out a gentle way to coax a conversation so as to not mentally or emotionally maim anyone could very well be his undoing.

Sasuke was taking too long to say anything, and the silence was beginning to drive Naruto to madness. Plus, Sasuke bringing up Gaara had Naruto wondering just how he survived his protective older sister. She may be an omega, but she was a force to be reckoned with when it came to her family. “Hey, you still owe me a debt!”

Sasuke was taken back by the random statement, but was eternally grateful for the distraction. “Hn, so, I do. What is your question?

When Naruto finally looked at Sasuke, he felt physically lighter when he didn’t see a trace of pity on the alpha’s handsome face, only the look of deep concentration.

“How’d you survive Temari wrath anyway?” Naruto asked with a forced smile.

This was Naruto’s question? Oh, if only Naruto knew that his question was also a reward for Sasuke. This was the opening he’d been waiting for, and Naruto had just given it to him on a silver platter. It was the moment of truth; Sasuke was going to lay it all out.

With nothing short of seriousness Sasuke responds, “I told her you're my destined mate.”

Naruto reared back like he’d been punched at the force of Sasuke’s answer. His breathing became labored as he stumbled to his feet, the world fell into a silent spin. How—what was happening? “Wha-”

“I’m right, aren't I Naruto? God, please tell me I’m right and that I’m not going insane.” Sasuke was already up from the bench, taking a trembling step towards him, like he was but a fleeing doe, ready to dash at the simplest provocation. Sasuke's eyes were large and hopeful as his deep voice shook with trepidation; like a man pleading for his life.

“What makes you say that? You've never scented me.” Naruto’s voice shook as he grasped for an excuse before bitterly adding, “Plus, you already have a mate.”

Sasuke took the final step, raising his hand to cup Naruto’s cheek. It felt so damn good to touch him so intimately. His alpha was pleased that Naruto hadn’t pulled away. “I’ve ended things with Sakura. And I don’t need to scent you to know.” Sasuke couldn’t stop himself from leaning in until his lips were a breath away from Naruto’s sinful ones. He looked back and forth between Naruto's bewildered orbs and those precious lips, just barely holding himself back from connecting them. “But I wouldn’t be opposed to knowing what my mate—my perfect, perfect mate smells like.” He cooed, wanting nothing more than to seal their lips together. He hated omega pheromones, but he craved Naruto’s phantom allure. He didn’t even care if he couldn’t stand it, he desperately desired it.

Naruto was in shock, Sasuke was claiming him and not unintentionally this time, and he’d also ended things with Sakura? Was this real? Did Sasuke actually want him? It was hard to concentrate with Sasuke so close to him, the way he looked at his lips, like he wanted to devour him whole. Naruto literally felt hypnotized.

“Say I’m right,” Sasuke pleaded softly, his warm breath cascading over Naruto’s lips, deeply tempting him as his thumb caressed his cheek as if he were the most precious thing in the world. “Tell me we’re destined. Tell me you’re mine.”

Naruto was about to make that final leap until Sasuke’s previous statement about scenting him finally clicked in; hitting him like a ton of bricks. “Sasuke I can’t, you don’t understand what I a—what could happen.”

“Then tell me, explain to me and I’ll listen. Just please tell me I’m not fucking insane. Please Naruto,” he pleaded as he gently dropped his forehead against Naruto’s and tightly shut his eyes with a groan. How could he make Naruto understand that he didn’t give a shit about anything but him? It was taking herculean strength to hold himself back, but if that’s what was necessary, he could endure it a little while longer.

Sure, Sasuke wanted him now, but what if after he hears about his gruesome past and what he is, he decides he’s too cursed, too used and too ugly to want. Tears built up in Naruto’s eyes as he fought to swallow them back. If Sasuke wanted an answer, he’d give it to him, but not before laying it all out. He’d bare himself entirely for the first time, then let Sasuke decide if he still wanted his answer.

Wanted him.

Naruto swallowed the lump in his throat as his fisted hand gently grabbed Sasuke's hand to remove it from his face. If he were to do this, he’d need space. “Fine, I’ll answer you, but not before I explain somethings.”

Sasuke was not pleased with the sudden space but he was thrilled that Naruto didn’t let go of his hand. He quickly nodded, agreeing to give Naruto whatever he needed, especially if it would finally get him his answer. Naruto led them back to the bench where they took a tense seat.

Naruto took a huge breath and exhaled the entire weight of the world. “I’m a pure omega.” 

Chapter Text

It took an agonizing moment for Sasuke to register what Naruto had just said. “A pure omega? What does that even mean?” It couldn’t possibly mean-

“Both my parents were omegas.”

Sasuke's brows drew together in a deep furrow. “That’s not possible,” he muttered softly. “Male omegas aren’t fertile in that way.”

While male omegas have functioning penises, they don't produce sperm. Their testicles were tucked up in their bodies making them appear smaller because their purpose was producing and supplying the anal glands with slick. In short, male omegas only ejaculate their own slick rendering reproducing with anyone through penetration, impossible.

Much to Sasuke’s chagrin, Naruto pulled his hand free as his head fell forward despairingly. “It is when they're destined,” Naruto spoke so quietly that Sasuke would have chalked it up to a breeze had he been alone.

The world halted for Sasuke. Two destined omegas? Was that even possible? Not a single case had ever been recorded.

“Obviously I’m proof it’s real,” Naruto huffed tensely. Apparently, Sasuke had accidently voiced his thoughts. A testament to just how thunderstruck he was.

Sasuke licked his dry lips. “It’s just—how?” Sasuke was perplexed. “Male omegas can’t…” he trailed off.

“Apparently they can if their destined mate is an omega.” Naruto raised his head to the night sky, as if it knew all the answers to every unknown question the universe had to offer. “Apparently it’s also enough to warrant murder.”

Sasuke’s eyes shot open wide, but before he could formulate any words, Naruto was already speaking again.

Naruto’s eyes were glazed over as if he were far away, his voice was no different. “My father was Minato Namikaze, my mother Kushina Uzumaki, and they were murdered trying to protect me because of what I would inevitably be.”

Minato and Kushina came from Uzushiogakure. No one had heard of an omega pair being destined, so when the pair found each other, they knew they couldn’t let anyone know. Neither of them had family so the only reasonable thing they could think of was to move far away from their homeland, where nobody knew of their dynamic. They moved to Suna and started a new life, where Minato was known as a beta and Kushina an omega.

The only person who knew of Minato’s true dynamic was his physician, a good-natured man named Iruka Umino. By the time the miracle of Kushina’s pregnancy happened, Iruka had become a close friend to the couple. It was imperative that their dynamic remain a secret, for if two destined alpha’s produced pure alphas, it was only natural to assume that two destined omegas would produce a pure omega. Something that had never happened, or at least been recorded in the existence of humanity; a proverbial unicorn.

Even if he hadn’t been their close friend, Iruka was bound by doctor-patient confidentiality not to breathe a word of Minato’s true nature to anybody. He went above and beyond, keeping Minato’s medical files confidential and restricting access to anyone who wasn’t him. But that wasn’t enough.

Kushina was a nurse at the same hospital that Iruka worked at and on one ill-fated day, her conversation was overheard by a lab tech named Kabuto Yakushi. She had been making arrangements with Iruka to watch Naruto for the week of her and Minato’s next scheduled heat. The blockers Minato was on were great for covering up his nature, but it couldn’t prevent his heats that would come twice a year like clockwork. Kushina and his cycles had always been synced given their bond, but more preparation was needed after Naruto became old enough to begin asking questions.

Naruto had been kept in the dark his whole twelve years of life regarding his father's secondary status. Neither Minato nor Kushina knew how they would explain the severity of their secret once Naruto would inevitably present. From the very first moment of his life, Naruto’s aura seemed to melt everyone around him, just one look, just one word, and everyone around him succumbed to his warm charm. If he was capable of that without even presenting, just what was he capable of once he did? And just what dangers awaited him for that very reason?

In all the years Minato and Kushina had never conceived again, proving that Naruto was meant to be their one and only child. A one-of-a-kind gem that everybody would vilely covet by any means.

When the scheduled time arrived for Naruto to be dropped off, he never arrived. Iruka had called and called and called, but no answer. At first, he thought that maybe the couple had decided to have the talk with Naruto, but when Kushina failed to return to work he grew worried. Not wasting a second more he left work immediately and headed over to his friends' home and the sight that greeted him was as gruesome as it was heartbreaking.

The once cozy home was now cold and in utter disarray. Furniture was overturned, tables splintered, pictures scattered and sullied, all of it pointing to an aggressive altercation. If the trail of broken objects wasn’t enough to follow, there was also a pungently sour smell and the trail of dried blood dribbles and splatters. The trail ended in Naruto’s bedroom where Kushina and Minato were found dead in their own son’s bed, bound and naked in their own pool of coagulated blood.

Naruto was nowhere to be found.

Kabuto Yakushi worked furtively with a scientist named Orochimaru. Orochimaru was a well-known scientist worldwide. On the surface he was a genius scientist who was revered by many, but under the surface he was a disgustingly foul excuse for a human being. He ran a child trafficking ring on top of an underground laboratory that tested all kinds of new and experimental drugs on his kidnapped victims.

Kabuto’s job gave him the perfect opportunity to scout out potential victims for his illicit employer. Sometimes he would be requested to look for a certain age, a certain secondary gender, even a certain hair color. And sometimes he was given free rein to pick and choose whoever was the easiest to abduct. But that day he overheard Kushina was the day he struck gold. Working in the same hospital they knew each other, so to hear that not her heat, but “their” heat was coming up tickled Kabuto in a revoltingly pleasant way.

Before bringing this information to Orochimaru, he had to be absolutely sure though. That very night after Iruka had locked up his office and left for the night, Kabuto put his special skills to use and broke in. Finding Minato’s file locked under confidentiality made Kabuto feel giddy. Why would his file be restricted if everything was as written under his “beta” status.

As soon as he broke his way through and found out that everything was true, he contacted Orochimaru and the plan was put into motion immediately. Orochimaru was ecstatic. At first, he wanted all three abducted and brought to him, but after reading the files and finding out that Minato and Kushina had only been able to conceive once, he found the couple's value worthless. His prize was the boy. The only ever recorded pure omega.

With who the boy was, Orochimaru was certain his parents would break silence on the secret they kept for so long in hopes of having their son returned to them. If that happened more people in his underground circle would be vying for the very boy that was his precious test subject, and he couldn’t have that. Kabuto’s orders were to make sure the couple were eliminated by any means necessary. Minato would die a beta, and only Kabuto and himself would know that he possessed the only pure omega.

“I saw everything that night. I watched them not only beat and rape my parents, but I watched them slit their throats when they were done with them.” Naruto’s voice was eerily flat and devoid of any emotion. “I still remember my parent’s voices, pleading for me not to watch; to look away.” Autumn leaves rustled as a gentle breeze blew through the trees, adding ambience to the already somber mood.

“Fuck,” Sasuke inelegantly muttered. He was certain he was going to be sick, his alpha vibrating with fury. Who the fuck could do something like that? Sasuke's teeth clenched as a snarl pulled at his lips, his nails elongated and bit into his tightly fisted palms. Sasuke wanted to destroy the world. If people could get away with such malice in this world, it could all burn to the ground for all he cared. Hell, he’d gladly provide the match. He wanted nothing more than to take hold of Naruto and never let him go, but he was afraid that if he reached for him now, he’d do more harm than good.

“I’ve never told anybody that before,” Naruto admitted through his empty, whispering voice; still not looking at Sasuke. It was a bit of information Iruka didn’t even know. The man had always felt guilty and somewhat responsible for what had happened to him and his parents, Naruto didn’t want something else so heavy weighing on Iruka’s conscience. And Naruto knew just how heavy a weight it was.

On one hand, Sasuke felt touched that Naruto was sharing something so momentous, so personal with him that he hadn’t shared with anyone else, but on the other hand- “How the hell did you cope with all of that alone?”

Naruto finally looked over at Sasuke after hearing his soft, non-judgmental voice. Naruto felt that familiar deep ache of despair, crawling its way up from the pit of his stomach, taking root in his brain as it clawed its way out from behind his eyes. With a face skewed up in pain, he offered Sasuke a sad smile. “It’s just one of my tragedies, Sasuke. Just one of many.”

It was too much for Sasuke to bear.

“Fuck, can I hold you?” Sasuke blurted out, startling Naruto. “I feel like I’m going to burn the world to the ground if I don’t hold you,” he admitted with serious eyes. It was taking all his self-control to wait for Naruto’s consent.

Naruto’s brows drew up in confusion. “Why?”

Sasuke’s face hardened incredulously, but it wasn’t directed at Naruto, rather the fact that Naruto didn’t understand the weight of his commiseration for him. “Why do I want to hold you and why I want to set the world ablaze should be pretty fucking self-explanatory.”

Naruto’s brow had yet to soften, and his glassy eyes took on a troubled gaze. “I—I don’t-”

Following his instincts that urged him —begged him— to sooth his omega, Sasuke brought his hand up and rested it against Naruto’s soft, cool cheek. “Because, you are mine, and you are everything to me.”

Naruto quivered under his touch and those words. As nice as they were to hear, they pained him as well. His omega was still wounded from his mate's rejection. Plus, Sasuke still hadn’t heard everything he’d been through; everything he’d done.

“You don’t want me,” Naruto whimpered softly as he tried to pull away from Sasuke’s addicting touch. It pained him deeply to do so.

Not able to help it anymore —because what kind of bullshit was that— Sasuke extended his arm and grasped his fleeing omega. He wrapped his arm around him before effortlessly scooping him up and cradling him in a tight embrace. Naruto felt so small in his arms, yet he fit perfectly. “You are all I want. Because you’re mine, aren’t you Naruto?” He cooed softly as Naruto finally stopped struggling and gave into his embrace. “You’re mine.”

Naruto felt suffocated, but in the best possible way. He had wanted to fight Sasuke’s embrace —and did for a moment— but he was powerless before his alpha. Never had he been held with such adoration that it made him want to cry. The tight hold Sasuke had on him as he rubbed soothing circles on his back all while whispering soft pleas in his ears made him feel precious and worshiped, and it was enough to make him finally tear up. Even now, he’d give Sasuke almost anything he wanted. But the answer Sasuke so desperately wanted wasn’t one of those things, yet. “I told you, not until I’ve told you everything.” Naruto breathed out a weak sob as years of torment began to trickle out with it.

Sasuke just rocked Naruto gently in the calm night air and allowed him all the time he needed to tell him the rest of what weighed on him so deeply. The numb ass he got from the cold, metal bench was an easy trade off to be able to cradle his omega intimately while comforting him. Because he knew. Naruto was always his. Nothing could sway him otherwise.

After that horrifyingly, traumatizing night, Naruto was drugged and brought to Orochimaru’s hidden lab, located on the outskirts of Suna. Naruto was thrown into a tiny cell and strapped to a bed. He quickly learned that if he wanted food and water he’d have to listen, otherwise they’d sustain him intravenously.

Naruto will never forget the first time he met Orochimaru —the mad scientist, he often mentally referred to him as— he felt like he was about to crawl out of his skin. The man —if you could really call him that— was tall and slender with long cascading ebony locks and an inhumanly pale complexion. He always wore dramatic purple eye makeup that drew attention to his pale reptilian eyes. But what was the most disturbing was the way his impossibly long tongue would flick out every time he said something that alluded to how pleased he was. Just hearing Orochimaru speak was enough to feel violated.

Unfortunately for Naruto, he spent quite a bit of time strapped down with Orochimaru as his tormentor. Naruto was stabbed with painful injections and prodded nearly hourly for as long as he could remember. Without any windows, Naruto really had no way of telling one day from the next. He’d be injected with all kinds of things that made him suffer anything from excruciating nerve pain that made him feel like he was being burned alive, to hallucinations of his parents' murder. Sometimes he’d be brought into a padded cell and they would pump it full of different types of noxious gasses that the thought of drowning in sulfuric acid seem almost pleasant. The padded room made sense after that first time. Couldn’t have their lab rats bludgeoning themselves to death as they furiously thrash around in agony against concrete floors and walls.

One day, Orochimaru seemed to be on a warpath, it was obvious he was getting impatient with the lack of progress he was making with Naruto, so he started adding an even more violating measure. At first, he tried to ultrasound Naruto’s abdomen to search for evidence of his womb, when all he could get was bizarre interference he switched his methods. That was the first time Orochimaru scoped his anal canal to look for his developing birthing channel. It quickly became a daily humiliation Naruto was forced to endure. Naruto almost preferred to take extra tests if it would save him that type of violation and abashment.

At the tender age of thirteen, Naruto had built a world inside his own mind to escape. It was a place where no one could touch him; a world he and his parents lived happily as though nothing had ever happened. Naruto would grow up, become a happy, successful someone, find a mate and have kids of his own. He had everything mentally built, and no one could take that world away from him, not Kabuto, not even Orochimaru. That world was the only thing that kept Naruto going.

When Naruto first started showing signs of heat, he finally recognized Orochimaru as an alpha. A vile smelling, entirely way too pleased alpha. Within moments of being in Naruto’s presence, Orochimaru’s eyes had dilated so much that they almost appeared human, and his tongue lapped at the saliva trailing down his chin in an attempt to calm himself as he stalked towards the feverish bundle, quivering on the bed. Not a moment later, someone in a hazmat suit had burst into the room causing Orochimaru to whip around and snarl at them. Something was tossed onto the floor and in the blink of an eye the individual hastily retreated. A low hissing sound was heard as the room filled with a cloud of white gas. The world spun until falling into utter darkness.

At first, all Naruto remembered upon waking up was heat and pain, when he rubbed the grogginess from his eyes he noticed two things. The first was that his body felt like it had been hit by a freight train. He was used to pain, he lived with agony most days, but this pain was different, it made him feel drained and ruined. He felt disgusting.

The second thing he noticed was that he was in an entirely different room. Instead of his normal cell, he was in a very elaborate looking room. It reminded him of this one show he’d seen his mother watching in passing, where there was a contagious outbreak in a hospital and a patient was placed in a specialized room that was surrounded by thick glass walls and a double door with a built-in decontamination chamber.

Naruto’s room seemed nearly identical.

When he tried to move to take in his surroundings more clearly a deep painful ache in his bottom made itself known. Sure, it hurt, but there was also an uncomfortable weight added that felt like his rear was being weighed down by a ton of bricks. It was that moment that his world fully crumbled. He had presented, and he obviously didn’t spend his first heat alone like any normal adolescent would. He mourned the loss of his final spec of innocence, for his first time could never be given to someone he loved anymore.

Bits and pieces started coming back to him, but most of it all came back as a blur. From that day on he was kept in his new cell. Kabuto was the one that had informed him of the trouble he had caused and the chaos that had incurred in Orochimaru’s lab. His presentation had set off every other captive in the building. Alphas rampaged as savage ruts were triggered, every single one trying to break out and seek Naruto. Even all the omegas spontaneously entered brutal heats. The alpha guards that were responsible for Orochimaru’s test subjects were the ones that ended up fighting each other to get to Naruto—and succeeding.

Naruto’s pheromones were unstable and unpredictable. From there on out, anytime they interacted with him, they’d be suited up in their specialized suits. Unfortunately, it was also the beginning of new traumas. They would poke and slice into his scent gland like it was a roast pig, it was agonizing to endure.

In the beginning he was kept alone, but eventually, they started throwing alphas into his cell. Normally, Orochimaru would have a bite collar on any omega he was observing—to keep them from being bonded— but Naruto never needed one. From that first heat, something peculiar had happened. The guards that had had their way with him had bitten him, over and over, but none of those bite marks took; only leaving behind deep bite marks that would eventually scar gruesomely.

It was what caused Orochimaru to begin slicing into Naruto’s scent glands to begin with. Now he was just trying to see if it was even possible for the pure omega to be bonded with at all. He wasn’t sure why Naruto hadn’t conceived either. All hormonal levels pointed to a severely fertile omega, but not once had being knotted by whatever alpha he’d thrown in there with him, result in conception.

After a couple years, Orochimaru still wasn’t getting many results, and Naruto had started learning to control his pheromones. He had started to be able to calm the alphas instead of inducing their libido. Sometimes he had even been able to mask his pheromones completely —if even for a short time— making his nature imperceivable all together. There was one last thing that Orochimaru could think of doing. Instead of bringing the alphas to Naruto, he would try bringing Naruto to an alpha. Maybe Naruto’s omega would react differently if it was brought out of its own space.

Orochimaru commanded Kabuto to pump their newest concoction that used a scentless version of Naruto's pheromones into the cell of test subject 3520.

Gaara.

Naruto had his lip turned up into a vicious snarl after the alpha rushed him. He had never been so furious. He had finally learned to keep alphas at bay by masking his scent, and now they were bringing him to another alpha who was being purposefully suffocated in his pheromones. Would this never end? Was this how he’d spend the rest of his miserable life? As everyone's bitch?

As he felt the piercing pressure of the alpha’s fangs graze his neck, something snapped and Naruto felt something awake in him. At the moment he didn’t know it, but his eyes turned a shimmering amber and his pupils metamorphosed as his inner omega began awakening its true potential. His omega felt threatened and it was furious at having its own pheromones taken from it against its will and forcefully used against it. That's what caused it to happen. The fact that it had been Gaara that it happened with was a mere coincidence.

Naruto felt a dead weight land on top of him and he was stunned; he had no idea what happened. One second, he was about to be bitten again, and the next he remembered his mind screaming “NO!” Unable to immediately move, he laid there frantically panting as his eyes rapidly shot back and forth taking in the unconscious red headed alpha. What had he done? How?

The alpha began to stir thereafter, almost instantly shooting up and scooting away with the look of utter horror on his face. This was the first time Naruto had ever seen such a look. Normally alphas were being dragged out after Orochimaru had deemed them done with Naruto. It never once occurred to Naruto that they might be being forced just as much as he was. It was a revelation he allowed to wash over him as the suited-up guards hurled him away.

That was the turning point that gave Naruto new hope. If he and his omega could just learn to get a grip on what they were capable of, maybe he and everyone else could actually get out of there.

Naruto got better and better at coupling his pheromone control with his commanding omega to bend any alpha they threw him at, making them crumble to their knees. It was at that point that Orochimaru deemed him too dangerous to place anymore. If he wanted to test something, he’d begin drugging him before placing him with an alpha.

After being captive for six years the fates finally intervened.

Naruto had just finished being given a new experimental suppressant they had been using his own pheromones to develop. Orochimaru had gotten desperate when the drug they’d been knocking him out with stopped working. For an omega, he put up one hell of a fight every time they came to subdue him to bring him for experimentation. It would take three, sometimes four guards just to strap him down before they could transport him. He needed to find some way to keep his experiments going. It wouldn’t do if the pure omega couldn’t even be tested on without being uncomfortably suited up. He had resorted to anesthetizing Naruto to do his tests on him so he wouldn’t have to wear the bulky, awkward thing, but eventually that even stopped being an option. When any normal person was put under, their pheromones were naturally shut down, but not Naruto. His pheromones began acting on their own when his body wasn’t conscious. Kabuto found that out the hard way.

Had Naruto not been so fascinating, Orochimaru had told him on more than one occasion that he would have disposed of him long ago. But the number of things his pheromones could do seemed endless, the possibilities limitless. In Kabuto’s case, he was found face down, unconscious in a pool of his own drool after being knocked out by said pheromones. That was the last time tests had been done on Naruto unsuited.

That day was no different, they were suited up as they administered the new suppressant before ordering the guards to bring him back to his glass prison. As one of the guards began to move around to wheel his bed, the door burst open and two men came in unannounced and unsuited, announcing that they had a new one for them. Both men were tall, one was hooded and masked with only his dead green eyes showing and an unconscious omega over his shoulder. The other was a yappy, silver haired man with violet eyes. Naruto would never forget either of those eyes or voices, for they were the ones who turned his world upside down before ripping it apart all those years ago.

They noticed Naruto's scent before realizing everyone in elaborate suits. The real kicker? As the two men began to drool over him —eyes filled with lust— they didn’t even know who he was. They tore his whole world apart all those years ago and they didn’t even know who the fuck he was. Naruto’s pheromones shifted from natural to frightening, making the two men begin to choke. Orochimaru was demanding they leave, but it was too late.

In all the commanding he and his omega had been able to achieve, it was only ever successful to stop a feral attack. He never was able to make an alpha do as he bid for anything more specific, but the malevolent fury he experienced upon seeing those monsters again elevated his power to a whole new level. That day, all hell broke loose.

Naruto remembers it like he was watching it all unfold through another's eyes. All he had to do was demand that they let him go and even the elaborate suits couldn’t save them from his command. His parents' murderers were already crumbling to the floor under his homicidal pheromones, the guards all frozen in place as Orochimaru and Kabuto themselves unfastened his wrist and ankle restraints. From there he made all of them unclasp and unzip their suits to be able to overwhelm them with his pheromones.

Orochimaru’s ambitions ended up being his very own downfall.

When Naruto came to, he was surrounded by eight seizing individuals, all thrashing and foaming at the mouth. By the time Naruto realized he hadn't been dreaming, everyone lay lifeless and unbreathing. That's when the panic set in. Naruto hastily scooted back, away from the bodies that surrounded him as he began to hyperventilate. What had he done? He had murdered eight people without lifting a finger. Not once had his rage induced state even afforded the unconscious omega an ounce of importance. He killed an innocent just by approximation. He was a freak of nature. He was a true monster.

Naruto had buried all of that trauma deep inside him that day. No matter how broken he was, he pushed forward, for that was his punishment; to live everyday with that lifeless omega’s face seared into his brain.

Naruto remembered reaching a phone —for the first time in what he would find out was six years— and calling the number for emergency services. When they arrived, the laboratory was overtaken by hordes of police and EMT’s. The moment he found out that all this time, he’d been a captive not even thirty minutes from his old home, he felt the deep emptiness within him expand. All the torment he and who knows how many had been through, all the painful injections, putrid gasses, all the physical and psychological abuse and he was almost on his very own doorstep?

When he finally learned who Orochimaru was, he understood why no one thought to look. Who would think to look in the laboratory of a revered genius scientist for countless missing persons?

Naruto learned that he had saved seven other people when they were being loaded up into ambulances to be taken to Suna Regional Hospital. It was then that he saw who he would learn was Gaara, again. As recognition washed over those seafoam eyes, the softness they granted him was like he was thanking him, like he knew somehow. Naruto’s throat constricted, he couldn’t handle that look, he didn’t deserve that look so he looked away. After killing eight people, one being someone completely innocent, he didn’t deserve anyone's admiration.

Naruto vowed to himself to look after those seven that were saved that day, from the shadows.

As fate would have it, Iruka ended up being one of the doctors on call that day. It was only his doctor persona that prevented the man from completely breaking when he came across a blond-haired blue-eyed youth, he was certain he’d never see again. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind who the teen was. He knew without hesitation that he needed and would do anything to keep Naruto’s secret safe and buried. The tale of the lone pure omega, Naruto Namikaze died that night, alongside Kushina and Minato. Iruka would make sure that secret stayed hidden, he felt it was his obligation as both a family friend, and his self-appointed guardian. He would honor Minato and Kushina by caring for their son as if he was his very own. Naruto would need time, he had vast hurdles to overcome, but Iruka was there to help him every step of the way. From giving him a roof over his head and nutritious food in his belly, to providing a private tutor to catch him up on years of studies he’d had ripped away from him.

It was only the fact that Naruto knew Iruka was someone his family trusted fervently, that he allowed himself to drop his guard, after all, even with how strong he tried to appear, he was still just a kid. The weight that was on his shoulders crushed him and he found himself crumbling into a familiar old comfort. Naruto told him a bit about what he had been through, but even during his breakdown, he instinctively kept the more gruesome details to himself, he didn’t want them to trouble the kind man.

There were many questions to answer while the investigation into Orochimaru was underway, but the most peculiar thing happened. None of the victims spoke of each other. Somehow, they all remained radio silent. They were all forced to undergo extensive psychiatric analysis, but anything said in those were strictly confidential and non-usable to investigators.

The doctor who was responsible for Naruto’s assessment was one of Iruka’s most trusted colleagues, Kakashi Hatake. Kakashi was a fairly attractive man, from what Naruto could tell. He was tall with broad shoulders. His skin was a contrast to his own tanned skin. His silver hair seemed to be gravity defying as it stood on end and his eyes were dark and kind, albeit a tad lazy. The strangest thing was that he wore a mask all the time. At first Naruto thought maybe it was because they were in a hospital, but Iruka had told him that he wears one all the time.

Due to Naruto’s nature, he knew Kakashi was an alpha even though the doctor was on suppressants due to hospital regulations. That was probably the most overwhelming thing Naruto had to overcome, all the scents. In the lab he was sealed away from the world, and while he was subjected to many different scents and scenarios, nothing could prepare him for being out in the real world with thousands of scents bombarding him all at once. It was maddening.

Had Naruto had any other doctor, he probably would have refused, but the man had a peculiar way of doing his job. Instead of asking him a bunch of uncomfortable and intrusive questions that were designed to pick at and trick his brain into answering, he had his own unique method. After introductions he didn’t say a damn thing, he just sat there and read some gaudy book in silence. Naruto sat through three sessions like that before he finally snapped at the man. It was genius really. Naruto started asking Kakashi why he wasn’t asking him this or that, and Kakashi would answer him by mirroring said questions back with what seemed to be indifference. This method was extremely effective on Naruto, and against his will, he found himself forming a bond with the anomalous doctor.

When the investigation into Orochimaru was finally concluded, the horrific things he’d done were brought to light. With none of the victims bringing anything but the obvious forward, Orochimaru's death had been chalked up to pheromone toxicity, an overdose of pheromones. It was something that had never happened, but there could be no other explanation. Afterall, the sheer volume of pheromones and other compounds in the laboratory was enough to eliminate a small city, let alone a few people in a sealed room. They chalked it up to ventilation malfunction even though it couldn’t be proved.

To say the world was shocked about Orochimaru's clandestine activities would be an understatement. Everyone was outraged that such an esteemed scientist could get away with such a vile ruse. The worst part was the families of missing children that received no closure. There was no way to figure out just how many victims had fallen prey to the atrocious man. All the files that were found and seized never referred to anyone by name, they were all just numbers; like they were nothing more than livestock. Without a trail to follow, many families were left wondering if this was the fate their children had met.

Iruka remained true to his self-proclaimed promise and kept hushed about Naruto’s true nature. The years were hard on Naruto, learning to live with what he’d been through and what he’d done ate at him, but there were also the constant stares anywhere he went because of the gruesome scars surrounding and marring his whole neck. Turtle necks were the only thing he could wear to cover them, but he knew they were still there, with each passing day they made him feel very self-conscious.

It took years, but Naruto had finally found some semblance of acceptance and had started to come out of his shell and into his own. Naruto had done his best to keep tabs on the seven others like he secretly vowed, but his young naivety had failed to show him how impossible it was when he didn’t even know their names. There was only one he had found and that was because years later the alpha’s newest tragedy ended up in the news. When Naruto heard what happened he begged Iruka to talk to Kakashi to let him help. After much pestering he finally facilitated a meeting. Kakashi was even more dismissive of the idea than Iruka was, after all, he knew Naruto as just an ordinary omega, and it would be unethical to arrange a meeting between him and such a violent case of Mate Hysteria. Naruto wasn’t proud, but being denied brought out a desperate side of him which had his omega accidently demanding Kakashi let him help.

With wide eyes, Kakashi could do nothing but nod in agreement to Naruto’s request. The guilt Naruto felt was tabled when he laid eyes on the drugged redhead. Even with the extensive sedatives he’d been given, Gaara thrashed around in his restraints until he saw Naruto. Without even thinking, Naruto walked as if on auto pilot, right up to the volatile alpha—ignoring the terrified protests from his family— and rubbed his wrist over the alpha’s bond mark. He had released his scentless pheromones from the gland in his wrist and rubbed it onto the alphas freshly marked gland. The effects were immediate and the quiet gasps were something Naruto would never forget.

Kakashi never did get an answer from Naruto or Iruka, but after seeing what the omega could do, he reluctantly allowed the blond to start out as a volunteer at the private psychiatric hospital he worked for. The results Naruto was getting were nothing Kakashi could have even dreamed of. Violence was no existent, suicide rates were down, everyone being visited by Naruto had at the very least had their meds cut down by half.

The turning point was when Gaara finally spoke for the first time. “Why?” was all he asked. No one knew what nonsense he was speaking; they were all too busy being astounded by his impossible recovery.

Naruto gave him a very small smile in return. “Because I can.”

The moments of lucidity for Gaara started out few and far between. But to the small community it was huge. Not once had such a violent case of Mate Hysteria shown such promise in regressing. This was what finally pushed Kakashi to get Naruto put on the payroll, the only stipulation was he had to wear a bite guard which he had already begun to wear regularly. They made him feel safer, and they worked great at holding a thin scarf in place so that he could saturated it with scentless pheromones. Placing that scarf saturated in his pheromones over Gaara’s neck had worked even better than rubbing his small wrist gland over top of his gland, so he started applying the same method to others. It was a huge success.

Eventually Kakashi received a job offer from Konoha General. He would be the head of a department that was solely designated to alphas and omegas suffering from trauma and have the funds to do even more good in this world than he already had. It was a huge opportunity he couldn’t turn down. At that point, Naruto had a handful of his very own patients, but made Kakashi promise him that if he ever came across a case that seemed helpless, that he would call him, it was a promise that was easy for Kakashi to agree to.

Naruto had managed to help many over the years but no matter what, he didn’t feel like anything he did would be good enough. No amount of good ever alleviated the guilt he felt for killing that innocent omega all those years prior. But he was damn sure to spend the rest of his life trying to bring some good back into this world, even with the ever-growing hole inside of him.

“Dr. Hatake informed me that a patient of his was in dire need. At that moment I didn’t have any other patients besides Gaara, so I made arrangements and came.” Naruto sniffled as he looked up at Sasuke with swollen red eyes. “It was that night that I met you.”

Naruto could feel how Sasuke trembled, but his expression was closed off and far away, preventing Naruto from knowing exactly what Sasuke was thinking. Was he revolted by him? Did he hate him now? Did he really want him knowing what he had done and could do? Maybe now he would see how broken and tarnished he was; how dangerous he was. Maybe this would prove what Naruto already believed.

He was a monster.

“So, you still want that answer?” Naruto asked with trepidation.

Sasuke’s hardened eyes locked with Naruto’s and immediately softened as he tightened his grip. It's not that he was disgusted with Naruto, but this world. It wouldn’t do to have who was now his whole world thinking they meant nothing. How ludicrous was that? Sasuke was currently going through a plethora of homicidal feelings for all his mate’s traumas and tormentors; he had never wanted to lash out so badly. But right now, he needed to be the pillar of strength Naruto needed and more than deserved.

With one hand, Sasuke gently cupped Naruto’s cheek before softly wiping away the traces of his sorrow; such beautiful eyes should never tarnish themselves by shedding tears of agony. “I already know you’re mine. Because you are, aren't you Naruto?”

Naruto's eye enlarged as his bottom lip quivered. He was struck to his very core with the tenderness in Sasuke’s voice. Why was he comforting him? Shouldn’t he be tossing him aside. Naruto was a monster! He’s even controlled Sasuke against his will. People like him didn’t deserve happiness.

When he met Sasuke, the fact that his destined mate was so adamant on rejecting him until he thought he was joking all made sense to Naruto. It all pointed to Naruto being correct in assuming he didn’t deserve true happiness. Sasuke cornering him and pleading with him to confirm they were mates was never something Naruto even allowed himself to consider a possibility. Naruto was undergoing a battle within, and it was the first time he was fighting against his omega who demanded they answer their mate. Sasuke was theirs! It was only Naruto’s guilt that kept him pushing back against his omega.

Sasuke could physically see the mental battle Naruto was undergoing. His own alpha was rattling his skull demanding they take their mate; they could feel their omega desperately calling out to them. For someone dead set on settling, it was ironic that it was Sasuke who was now begging for his mate's answer.

Naruto was closing up so tightly it was clear he was on the verge of shutting down completely so Sasuke did the last thing he could think of, he handed the reins off to his alpha. “Tell me you’re mine,” Sasuke’s voice dropped a pleading octave as his eyes bled red; a delicate flower pattern spinning to life. “Say yes.”

The alpha’s command was like a siren call to Naruto and he could no longer fight against his omega. His body went limp in Sasuke's arms as his sapphire eyes metamorphosed into a glowing amber. “Yes,” he all but whispered before his lips were captured in a soul consuming kiss.

Sasuke didn’t know how much he needed to hear confirmation until the soft “yes” was breathed out. His lips connected with Naruto’s without a second thought. As his lips moved hungrily over his mate’s, he’d never felt more fulfilled in his life, he’d never felt so whole.

It had taken Naruto a moment to register those cool chapped lips devouring his own, but when he felt a hot silky tongue licking at and probing at his lips, he found himself opening his mouth and responding. No kiss had ever felt like this, not even the ones during their previous rendezvous. This kiss felt like they were consuming each other, trying to merge with each other in an attempt to become one entity.

There were still many things to be discussed but for once, that could all wait. For the moment nothing else mattered but finding solace in each other.