Mine

Symptoms

Morning arrived, and a sense of dread settled over Sakura. She knew she had to return to work, but the thought of leaving the warmth of Kakashi's embrace made her heart ache. She couldn't fathom how he managed the stress of being Hokage day after day. As she carefully untangled herself from his arms to get dressed, a sudden, searing pain shot through her head. Her vision blurred and turned white as if her skull was splitting open.

Sakura tried to stay quiet, but she must have made a sound because Kakashi was instantly by her side, his hands steadying her. His expression was filled with concern, his voice low but urgent. "What's wrong, Sakura?"

"My head... it feels like it's exploding," she managed to say, clutching her head in her hands. Kakashi's worry deepened, the bond between them making her pain echo in his own chest.

"Please, lay back down," he urged gently, guiding her back to the bed. "I'll get you some medicine."

Kakashi's heart raced as he hurried to find painkillers and a glass of water, doing his best to maintain a calm facade for her sake. The memories of his past and the recent turmoil weighed heavily on him, and now, feeling Sakura's pain through their bond, he couldn't help but fear the worst. He suspected this was related to the shared burden of his past, but he couldn't bring himself to tell her—not yet.

As Sakura lay back, visions suddenly flooded her mind. She saw Sasuke standing before Kakashi, file folders spread out in front of him. The images came in a rapid, overwhelming rush before they abruptly stopped. The nausea hit her like a tidal wave, her body trembling uncontrollably.

Sakura wasn't sure what to make of the visions she had seen and wondered if they were a result of Kakashi's Alpha traits. "Kakashi... these visions are causing this. Why is my body reacting so badly?"

Kakashi took a deep breath, considering his response. He wasn't entirely sure himself. "It's your body adjusting, I think. When I had to remark you in the alley, your body resisted at first. Even the strongest of us need time to adapt."

Sakura absorbed his words, trying to focus on anything other than the pain. "How long will it take?" she asked weakly. Kakashi looked down, uncertain. "I hope not long... It hurts me to see you like this. It scares me more than anything." His voice was gentle as he brushed her hair back from her forehead.

Sakura took the pills Kakashi handed her and laid her head back on the pillow. She knew she had to return to work in a few hours, but the idea seemed impossible with the fever and throbbing headache she was battling. She decided that if the medication didn't help, she would call in sick again.

"Do you feel this way when you see the future?" Sakura asked quietly. Kakashi thought for a moment. "I used to, when it first started. The visions came to me in my sleep. I'd wake up and be sick, assuming they were just nightmares until they actually happened..." He trailed off, remembering the first time she experienced this. He hadn't wanted to tell her then, struggling with his own demons.

Sakura was lost in thought, recalling when she first started getting sick. The initial wave of nausea hit when she envisioned herself standing with Sasuke, followed by another after dreaming of Sasuke breaking into the Archives. And now, seeing him in court...

"I saw Sasuke in court. You were sentencing him for breaking into the Archives?" It was more a question than a statement. Kakashi looked surprised; he hadn't seen that vision yet, which meant she was adjusting faster than he had anticipated. "I haven't even seen that... It seems this is manifesting uniquely for you. I thought you'd just see what I see," he mused, lost in thought.

"You're so handsome when you think," Sakura murmured, observing him as he sat there, shirtless, maskless, with his hair messy and falling into his eyes. She reached up and traced the raised lines of his Anbu tattoo on his arm. Kakashi smiled shyly, meeting her gaze. The way Sakura saw him, through her eyes, was almost ethereal, deepening his affection for her with each passing day. "And you are so beautiful all the time, my Sakura..."

Sakura sat up, the painkillers finally easing her discomfort. Her cheeks were flushed from the lingering fever, but Kakashi couldn't take his eyes off her. She leaned forward, resting her head in the crook of his neck, breathing in his scent. He smelled divine—she couldn't get enough of him. Through their bond, Kakashi could sense her relief, a gentle haze settling over him as well.

"Feeling better, little one?" he asked with a sly smile, his sharp canines peeking out. Sakura giggled against his neck. "How did you know, 'Kashi?" she asked playfully, even though the answer was obvious. She could feel his amusement within her chest, finally able to discern his emotions from her own. She felt more connected to him than ever.

Kakashi lifted her and placed her in his lap. "Just a lucky guess—not that I can feel it myself or anything..." he replied cheekily, his lips brushing against her face. Despite her fever, the pain had subsided. "You, my Sakura, are in no condition to go to work today."

Sakura sat back and looked at him. "No, I've missed so much lately... I have to go. Tsunade will kill me." Kakashi smirked at her. "You seem to be forgetting that you're bonded with the Hokage. What I say, goes."

Sakura sighed against him, realizing that maybe he had a point. She didn't want to argue; in truth, she wanted to spend the day with him. "Do you want to stay with me today, Kakashi?" she asked softly. The way he looked at her made her heart flutter. "You don't even need to ask. Of course, I will."

Kakashi turned on the TV, choosing something uninteresting as they settled into bed together. As they lay there, a thought crossed Sakura's mind. "Kakashi, it's only been four days. Is your rut already over?"

Kakashi considered this, focusing inwardly on how he felt. The familiar heat and primal urge had significantly faded. "I think it's ending, maybe. You might have helped shorten it." He was surprised at how satiated he felt, wondering if this was the effect of bonding. A sense of guilt washed over him as he thought about the years he had spent as a monster, abusing Omegas and being careful not to kill them.

With Sakura, he finally felt complete. He hadn't realized how much he was missing, how severe it was to be denied the chance to bond. The thought of someone questioning this, especially with Sasuke knowing, filled him with anxiety. He feared he might have to address it publicly, dredging up painful memories from his past.

Sakura sensed the storm of emotions brewing within him. She cupped his face in her hands, her voice soft and steady despite the haze from the painkillers. "Hey, stop worrying... We're in this together."

Kakashi embraced her, pulling her closer to him as he let his thoughts quiet down. He felt safe with her, in a way he had never felt with anyone else. Even knowing his darkest secrets, Sakura had still chosen him. And he hoped, with all his heart, that she would always choose him.