Blossoming Sakura

A/N: See, I didn't forget about this fic. Anyways, please enjoy and review. They give me a nice, warm happy feeling.

~!~

Blushing, Sakura gasped at the page she was currently reading and felt her body grow warm. Kakashi reads this shit, and doesn't ever get a hard-on? The man simply could not be human.

As she sat in her apartment, she had opened the book only an hour before and was already at a very graphic and lengthy sex scene that had her biting her lip and looking for something to fan herself off with.

Kakashi had delivered the book to her, and with an eye crinkle, he reminded her of the terms of their bet. But, he failed to warn her just how descriptive the book was and she could not help feeling as if she had been tricked.

But, as the night went on, Sakura found herself drawn into the story, and found that the scenes were actually tastefully done. Big surprise, seeing as how Jiraiya was such a major pervert.

In fact, she spent all night reading and was shocked to find that morning had arrived. Sighing, she stood up and groaned. Not only did she miss out on a night's sleep, but she also had a major crick in her neck.

So, when she met her team out on the field, she noticed that Kakashi and his team were already there and doing their warming exercises. With a yawn, she told her students to warm up and was too tired to snap at Ikki when he told her that it was a waste of time for her to get beauty sleep because she'd need to sleep forever to get beautiful. Oh well, she'd get him back later.

As the day dragged on, Sakura noticed that Shiori kept sneaking small glances over at Kin, and had to bite back a grin. She knew those glances well, seeing as how she used to do it to Sasuke. And, it seemed that while she was looking towards Kin, it was Ikki, who was looking at her. It was team seven all over again.

When training was finally over, she realized that Kakashi was no longer around. Of course, he used to disappear quickly with her own team, too. Sighing, she reached into her bag and fingered the book. Perhaps she would pay him a visit and prove to him that she could follow through on her bets.

As she walked through the village, she could see the curious glances from many of the villagers, and the admiring gazes of the shinobi.

“Sakura! It's great to have you back.”

“Mommy, look at the omega. Isn't she pretty?”

“I can't believe that a woman actually made it into the omegas. I wonder how she did it.”

As much as she wanted to smirk, Sakura was too damn tired to try it. In fact, all she wanted to do was return the book, shove the requested information in Kakashi-sensei's face, then fall into her bed and sleep.

When she returned to her apartment, she took note that soft music was playing from her former sensei's apartment and she quickly hurried into her own apartment to change. Now, dressed in a pair of slacks and form-fitting shirt, she stood in front of Kakashi-sensei's door and knocked.

When the door opened, Sakura had to control the sudden urge to drool, as she took in the sight of the man before her who was only clad in a pair of black shorts, and mask.

“Ah, I see that you are returning my book. Are you ready to tell me about it?” He asked, leaning against the door.

Nodding, she watched as he moved aside and allowed her to enter his apartment. At first, she wondered if perhaps he had a roommate, mostly because the apartment was nicely decorated, and for the life of her, she could not see Kakashi-sensei having this good of taste.

Kakashi moved around the young woman and grinned. Clearly, she liked what she saw and he silently praised himself for hiring that young woman to decorate his apartment. It was money well spent.

Taking in a deep breath, Sakura asked, “Are you ready?”

When he nodded, she began to tell him about the characters and as she spoke, it became clear to the man in front of her that she had gotten involved in the story, as he knew she would. Despite all of her changes, Sakura was still a romantic at heart.

Once she was finished explaining the plot, he clapped and then shook his head. “Damn, and I really enjoyed reading while the students trained.” He murmured.

“Yeah,” Sakura said, her tone dry, “Now you are going to have to actually watch them.”

Lifting an eyebrow, he regarded the woman before him, but then shook his head. “Sakura, I always watched my students. Just because it isn't the way that you do it, doesn't mean that it is wrong. How do you think I always knew of Naruto's plans to try and see underneath my mask?” He asked, merrily.

“Actually, I always thought that it was because Naruto was so loud.” She muttered, her eyes scanning over the living room. But, they came to stop on a large bookcase.

Stepping over to the case, she saw that the man had several books, mostly Icha Icha Paradise, but was surprised to see other books, as well. Slowly, she looked down at the book in her hand and discovered that it was the first in the series. Placing it back in its place, she noticed that the second book was not there, and turned when Kakashi cleared his throat.

“I believe that you are looking for this.” He said, his tone light. He watched as her face reddened, but when she walked over to him, and reached for the book, he grabbed her hand and pulled her down next to him on the sofa.

“I let you read the first one, as a bet. To read the second one, you have to sit here and read with me for a while.” He said, and allowed her to take the book from his hand before allowing his eyes to return to the book that he was reading.

She stared at the man, but then allowed her eyes to turn downwards and lifted the cover to the book. Soon, she was lost in the story and didn't notice the time fly by until Kakashi closed his book and stretched.

“I think that perhaps it is time to go to bed. I'm sure you want all the rest you can get to deal with your, um, prized pupil.” He said, his eye crinkling up.

Shocked, Sakura's eyes turned towards the clock that rested beside the couch and gasped. Jumping up, she clutched the book to her chest and nodded. But, before she could move to the door, Kakashi stood in front of her and calmly said, “Remember, you agreed to read with me in order to read the second book, so I'll just hold onto that, and I'll see you tomorrow night. Same time.”

Gritting her teeth to fight off a sharp comeback, she stiffly nodded and quickly left his apartment. As she entered her apartment and closed the door behind her, she sighed.

'Yep, definitely tricked.' She thought, groaning. 'I'm going to end up turning into a pervert.'

~!~

For the next few days, she decided to go over the history of the Omegas. For once, Ikki seemed intent on listening to every word that she had to say, and it shocked her just how intelligent the boy turned out to be.

His questions were rapid, and he wanted to know everything from who was the first Omega, to the rituals that the body of an Omega went through when they died. To say he was fascinated would be an understatement. It was very clear to her that if he settled down, he would make an excellent Omega.

But, it wasn't until the third week of training that she finally understood why Ikki was the way he was. She was walking back to her apartment, and decided to take a shortcut. Even though it led through a rough part of the village, she knew that any who dared approach her would not be happy with the outcome.

As she rounded a corner, she heard a gruff voice snap, “Don't think that they are going to let a bastard like you become an Omega, boy. The only reason why they brought that female here was to make sure that the training would be so hard that there was no way that you could pass it. You'll never be a shinobi, let alone an Omega shinobi.”

Sakura quietly peeked around the corner to see Ikki standing in front of a very large man, who had his hands upon his hips with a smirk on his lips. Even though she was looking at his back, Sakura could see the boy was shaking.

“Hell,” The man sneered, “the only reason why she is here is because the Omegas are trying to get rid of her because they don't want a broad pissing up their traditions. Hiro said that it would only be a matter of time before you fools fail and she is forced from her position for failing to follow through with her orders. Serves her right, too.”

Sakura felt her rage grow, and then froze when she heard Hiro's name. Thinking back, the man seemed a little too eager for her to leave, and now, it was beginning to make sense. Everyone knew that she really couldn't stand children, so why would they have sent her? Yes, her father could request her, but in the end, it would be Hiro who had the final say, and now, she was finding out that not only was she sent to basically fail these three kids, but it turned out that she was also being thrown away, and by the one person who she had trusted most. Her mentor. It all made sense now.

When the man left, she quietly approached Ikki and placed her hand on his shoulder. When the boy's dull eyes turned to hers, she quietly said, “You are supposed to be in the dorms. I'll walk you back.”

Ikki's shoulders drooped, and he allowed her to lead him away. As they walked, he quietly said, “My dad, my real dad, was a ninja, and that's all I ever wanted to be. Now I'm going to fail, again.”

“I don't ever want to hear you say that again.” She snapped, her tone hard. “Omegas do not give up. We don't back away from challenges, and if there is something that we want, we go after it with everything we got. We either succeed, or die trying, and even then, we go down fighting.”

Ikki's eyes widened as he looked up into his sensei's face. Did that mean that she was really going to help them? Or, was this some trick to make him comfortable enough to trust her and then fail him. Well, he wasn't going to fall for it.

“Whatever.” He replied, his tone tired. “I'll see you tomorrow, sensei.”

Sakura's eyes widened when no further comment came forth from his mouth, nor any insult. The boy truly looked defeated. As she watched him walk away, an image came to her mind. Beside her student walked the image of a younger Naruto, and it suddenly occurred to her that what was happening to Ikki, happened to Naruto, as well. Except this time, she was witnessing the abuse, first hand.

She remembered the scorn and ridicule that her friend received at the hands of the villagers, and now saw Ikki as the same lonely boy that Naruto had been, looking for attention the wrong way. It was sad that grown people could gain so much joy from watching a child be destroyed by their cruel words.

Suddenly, Sakura didn't see Ikki as a problem child. She saw him as someone who needed an ear to talk to, and she wasn't stupid enough to offer hers, at least not at the moment. But, she knew someone who would listen.

Smiling as a plan began to form in her mind, Sakura walked towards the place where she knew he would be, and she had a feeling that he wouldn't refuse her.

~!~

“You want me to do what?” Naruto asked, after swallowing a mouthful of noodles. He eyed Sakura as if she had grown another head, and was stunned that she had come to him to ask for help.

“I want you to be Ikki's mentor.” She replied, and waved the ramen girl over to order Naruto another bowl of his favorite flavor. “Naruto, I know you remember how you were treated when we were kids, and now, Ikki is being shunned, just like you were. Perhaps if he had you, the way you had Iruka, then maybe we can get him, as well as the others, on the road to being great Omega shinobi.”

Naruto was silent, and didn't touch his food as he considered Sakura's words. Yeah, he remembered. He remembered the loneliness, and the laughter that was at his expense. Now, he was pained to hear that another child had been targeted as the new object of scorn for the village, and he suddenly turned his blue eyes up to Sakura.

“I'll do it. And, I'm going to get Hinata to help, as well. I'm sure that little girl could use someone to talk to, as well. You know, someone to teach her how to be a lady.” He said, excitement clear in his voice.

Inner Sakura was seething, and she managed to snap as her eyebrow twitched, “Am I not a lady, Naruto?”

The young man before her turned with wide eyes, and asked, “You?”

As she stomped away, Naruto heard her yell that he'd better get his ass to the training grounds by sunrise the next morning, or he'd get more of what she just gave him. The ramen girl slowly approached him and timidly asked, “Are you alright?”

Parting the noodles that dangled in front of his eyes, Naruto sighed. “I knew that she was resourceful, but I never imagined that she'd use my favorite dish against me. I don't think that I'll ever see ramen the same way again.”

As he sat in complete silence for a few moments, he suddenly exclaimed, “Ahh, who am I kidding? I could never stay away from my favorite food. Another bowl, if you please.”

The ramen girl shook her head and sighed. It was going to be another long night.

~!~

When evening fell, she let out a breath and gently knocked on the door. When it opened, Kakashi silently stepped to the side and allowed her to walk into his apartment. She sat down and reached for the book, as he sat down beside her.

She stared at the book in her hands, and suddenly realized that she had been looking forward to this. It was a way for her to unwind, and then wondered if this was how Kakashi relaxed, allowing his mind to rest after spending his day either fighting or training.

Suddenly, she saw the man beside her in a new light. She had known that he wasn't stupid, nor was he lazy. He was a man of contradictions, and all he had in his life to bring him comfort was within the books he loved to read. They were his escape, and who in the hell was she to look down upon him for it? Especially now, since she had been trapped in their lustful web.

Ah, who in the hell was she kidding? What she really needed was a good fuck, and sadly, the only way she was going to get it was in her imagination. That's what was drawing her to those damn books. If she couldn't have sex in real life, she could do it in her mind. She'd just substitute herself for the lead female, and away she'd go.

As she allowed her thoughts to surround her, she sighed. She was pathetic.

“Would you care for something to drink, before we get started?” Kakashi asked, her eyes twinkling.

Nodding, she smiled and accepted the glass of water he handed to her. Taking a small sip, she set the glass down and then opened the book to the page where she had left off. She was barely aware of the man sitting down beside her, and was soon wrapped up in a fantasy where she was being swept off her feet by a shinobi whose only purpose was to protect her at all costs.

Kakashi looked up from his own book to look as his companion and smiled beneath his mask. He had known that Sakura would become addicted. Hell, he had fallen victim to the book's siren's call the very first time he had opened the first book's cover. Ever since then, he was an avid fan.

He was even on the waiting list for the next book to be published.

However, this night was different from the last. She was sitting next to him, almost touching, and it sent a shiver down his spine, as he watched Sakura enjoy the books that he loved so much. To know that he could share this past time with her, was comforting.

Finally, he felt as if he had found a kindred spirit.