Mine

Connections

The sun was warm against Sakura's skin as she stepped out of Kakashi's house, the scent of him still clinging to her. The village was bustling with life, the sounds of people going about their daily responsibilities filling the air. She adjusted her clothing, trying to shake off the lingering warmth of his presence, but it was no use. Today, she had to return to work at the hospital, and her recent leave of absence had not gone unnoticed. Being with the Hokage, her absence was not something that could slip by quietly. Everyone knew the reason, and it made her walk to the hospital almost unbearable. Her face flushed as she felt the weight of the villagers' gazes. Since being claimed, her pheromones most surely carried Kakashi's scent, strong and undeniable.

Hurrying along with her eyes downcast, Sakura focused on her steps, hoping to avoid any unnecessary attention. But her luck ran out when she collided with someone—no, not just anyone—Sasuke.

She looked up at him, her green eyes wide in surprise. "Sorry! I didn't see you there..."

Sasuke's dark eyes narrowed at her, and she couldn't help but notice the flash of something unreadable in his gaze. He sniffed the air, and his lips curled slightly in what she could only guess was distaste. "You've been claimed?" His voice was blunt, carrying that cold edge she had grown all too familiar with. "You just received your status not even a month ago."

Sasuke had always been blunt, never caring if his words came off as rude. In the past, she had been obsessed with him, chasing after him despite his constant rejections. But those days were long gone. She had grown, and so had her feelings.

"Well... I, uh... uhm—" Sakura stammered, caught off guard by his harsh tone.

Sasuke pursed his lips, leaning in closer to sniff her again, his Sharingan swirling with interest as he smirked. "Kakashi, huh? The Hokage himself. He's never claimed anyone before... What's so special about you?"

Anger flared in Sakura's chest, violent images of punching him into dust flashing through her mind. How dare he make such comments about her? She glared up at him, her eyes narrowing with intensity. "Sasuke, you wouldn't even begin to know what's special about me. After all, you lost your chance a long time ago to find out."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow at her fiery response, but his smirk only deepened. Despite Kakashi's claim on her, Sakura's Omega status still radiated strongly, her scent unmistakable in the air. Sasuke leaned in closer, his hand gripping her arm as he brought his face near her neck, inhaling deeply.

"You think Kakashi is a strong enough Alpha to cover your scent," he murmured, his breath hot against her ear. "But I can still smell you." His fingers trailed down to her neck, brushing against the bruised and bitten scent gland that marked her as Kakashi's.

Suddenly, Sakura became acutely aware of how close Sasuke was, how intimate this situation had become. Her body tensed with anger, a fury that threatened to explode. But just as quickly as it had come, the feeling shifted—this wasn't her anger. A wave of nausea washed over her, and before she could react, the image of Sasuke looming over her vanished.

In the blink of an eye, Kakashi appeared, his hand crashing into Sasuke's chest with a force that sent him skidding back across the ground. Sasuke wiped blood from his lip, his expression darkening as he glared at the Hokage.

Kakashi stood protectively in front of Sakura, his posture tense, ready for a fight. "If you think you can challenge me, face me like a man and stay away from what is mine."

Sasuke took a step forward, his Sharingan spinning dangerously. "Do you mean that—the challenge, I mean?"

Kakashi's single eye narrowed, the Sharingan whirling to life beneath his forehead protector. "If you must fawn over my Omega, don't start something you cannot finish, Sasuke. I am the Hokage."