Archive of Our Own ^beta

He was in excruciating pain that felt like his guts were on fire. At 18 years old, he had faced many battles, lost loved ones—he’d even been tossed through mountains, for goodness' sake! But this pain was different…

“Ahh!” He clutched his stomach, blond hair flopping into his face; he really needed to cut it. He stood, his lower back twinging as he took small steps. “What the hell, man?!” His frown intensified, feeling a trickle down his inner thighs. “Wha?!” Now he was pissing himself! Great!

He looked at his bed and found another reason to start screaming.

“What’s happening to me! What’s happening to me?!” Naruto frantically paced—pain taking a back seat as he eyed the blood on his sheets. He had cleaned himself up before they got here—Old Lady Tsunade and Sakura, that is—but that didn’t stop the horrible feeling of fear and confusion.

Maybe he took training too far? Now he was peeing blood? Except, the blood seemed to be coming from somewhere else…

He swallowed thickly at the thought. As he was cleaning himself, he felt it—a slit that he knew wasn’t there before…? Maybe? It’s not like he could see that far down.

“Shadow clone jutsu!”

“Hey—oh! Why are we naked?”

Naruto sucked in his teeth and huffed. “Not important!” He lifted his left leg, resting his foot on top of the toilet seat. “What do you see?”

The clone rubbed his head, a confused look on his face. “Uhh…our cock and balls…?” Its face became beet-red. “What’s all this about?”

Naruto grabbed his scrotum and lifted; he had felt something that definitely wasn’t his asshole just a while ago. “Okay,” he huffed, taking a deep breath. “Now?”

The clone squatted, crab-walking closer. “I…what!?”

Naruto flinched at the scream, immediately lowering his leg and backing away; his hands came to cover his genitalia, suddenly feeling shy. “Why, what is it?”

His clone sputtered, hand moving back and forth. “There’s a, a…ack!” It squeaked as the jutsu was suddenly released; a puff of smoke momentarily filled the room.

It was the information he got from his clone that had him screaming again…

“Granny Tsunade!”

Now he was wringing his hands and muttering nervously as Tsunade went through her medical books. “Oof!” He winced as Sakura flicked his head. The girl forgot her strength. “Ouch, Sakura,” he grumbled, rubbing his head.

“Would you knock it off, Naruto! Lady Tsunade is trying to help. Stay still!” Sakura yelled, rolling her eyes; it was too early for Naruto’s nonsense. Although…

“When did the pain start?” Tsunade asked, her voice stern as she snapped the book shut and reached for another one. Gone was the flippant response she had come strolling in with. She growled as Naruto hummed and mumbled. “Think, Naruto!”

“Alright, granny! Just gimme a sec,” he gripped his chin in thought. “Hmm…now that I think about it, I’ve been having stomach issues for a few days now; I just thought it was the new spicy ramen I was eating. It’s a new brand, you see—“

“Stomach issues? Like?” Tsunade cut him off, not caring to hear him go off on his ramen tangent. “Diarrhea? Bloating? Nausea? Gas?” She started listing.

Sakura paused her note-taking, watching Naruto. Her eyes widened as a thought struck. “Lady Tsunade, you don’t think—?” She started to piece everything together.

“Hmm…” the older woman hummed, walking closer to Naruto. The kid had grown taller than her, even with her heels. A sentimental feeling washed over her as she patted his blond locks. Her hand started glowing, the whooshing sound of her chakra intensifying as it passed over and around his head.

“What is it, Granny Tsunade?” His voice shook with nervousness. He watched as the two women shared a glance. He bit his lip. “Ugh…I feel like you guys know and aren’t telling me!” He waved an accusatory finger at them.

“Well, there’s an idea, but…” Sakura looked down at her notes, reading his list of symptoms. “Have you had any weird food cravings?” she asked as Lady Tsunade continued to inspect him.

Naruto squinted his eyes, his marked cheeks puffed as he contemplated. “Wait…” he started. “Are you saying I’m pregnant?!” He let out a wail. He recalled when Asuma would be on a food run for Kurenai:

“Hey, old man Asuma, whatcha up to?” Naruto watched as the man ran up and down the market aisle, Naruto’s own arms full of an assortment of ramen.

“Uhm,” Asuma mumbled, holding and then inspecting a couple of jars. “Kurenai is into anything and everything pickled right now.” He smiled, choices made as he stuck them in his basket.

Naruto rubbed his neck. “Oh, pickled, huh,” not fully understanding.

Asuma snorted and let out a chuckle. “It’s a pregnancy thing.” He patted his shoulder as they both walked to the counter to pay.

Naruto jumped, his ramen cups nearly toppling. “Wait! She’s pregnant?!” He let out an excited laugh. “I’ve been away on missions; I had no idea.” He clapped Asuma on the back. “Congrats, old man!”

Asuma playfully grumbled, nudging the excited boy with his elbow. “I’m not old, pipsqueak!”

“Hey!”

Their laughter echoed in the corner of Naruto’s mind. He needed to pay them a visit; it had been a few weeks since he’d last seen Asuma, Kurenai and little Mirai.

His gentle reminiscing was quickly replaced with fear as both Tsunade and Sakura looked ready to smack him. He held his hands up as Tsunade flicked his forehead. He rubbed the sore spot. “Hey…” he pouted.

Sakura felt her temple throb. “Seriously, Naruto! Didn’t anyone teach you about the reproductive system?!” She nearly stomped to the frowning blond—satisfied when Tsunade flicked at him. This guy, honestly!

“Well, yeah,” he huffed, “that’s why I’m surprised.”

Tsunade chuckled. “You’re not pregnant,” her glowing hand gliding over his stomach. She shook her head, eyebrows raising as she swayed her head side to side. “It’s not out of the realm of possibility, but seeing how you seem to be menstruating…”

“Wha?!” Naruto gripped at his overgrown bangs. “How’s that even possible? I’m a man?!” He wobbled a bit, suddenly feeling faint.

Sakura rushed to Naruto’s side, helping steady him as she led him to his bed. She may find him irritating most times, but she loved him just the same and couldn’t help the worry she felt. “Can’t say I’m surprised you didn’t pay attention in human anatomy and physiology—“

“The what and what?”

Tsunade sighed, patting his cheek. “Well, it’s very rare. So rare there’s barely anything about it in the medical books,” she snapped another book closed. She sat down with a heavy sigh. She knew it was early, but she could go for some sake. The poor kid couldn’t catch a break. “I’ll have to raid the mansion’s library; there has to be some books about male omegas.”

Sakura nodded in agreement. “I’ll help look, Lady Tsunade.”

Naruto sat sandwiched between the two, feeling utterly confused. “So…I’m an omega?” He stared at nothing as the information started sinking in. He thought up to this point he was a beta. Most of their friend group had already presented when they were 15, 16, even as young as 13. Here he was almost 19…

“I’m going to bring you some sanitary pads…” Tsunade started. They watched as Sakura jumped up.

“I’ll get them!” She made a quick hand sign and materialized into the air.

Naruto and Tsunade sat in a heavy silence. It only lasted a few seconds before Naruto repeated his question, more out of disbelief than anything. “I’m an omega?”

Tsunade hummed and pulled him close for a hug. “It’s not a bad thing, Naruto; you’re just built…different.”

Naruto pulled away and looked at her; eyes glaring and bottom lip pushed out in an exaggerated pout. He wasn’t angry at her, just at the thought. “I have a penis, balls, AND a vagina; not seeing how this is exactly a good thing.”

“Uhh…” she chuckled, scratching at her pinked cheek. “Well, when you say it like that,” she sighed and patted his thigh. “We’ll figure this out together.”

“I’m back!”

“Ugh,” Naruto clenched his thighs together. “Thanks,” he stood, shoulders sagging at the spots of blood where he had just been sitting. “I hate this already.” He grumbled, taking the offered box of sanitary pads. “This sucks…” his voice wobbled as he shuffled to the bathroom.

Sakura and Tsunade watched him for a moment before looking at one another. “Well, this wasn’t on my bingo card,” Tsunade stated as she stood, already making a mental note of the medical books she wanted to go through.

Although having a secondary gender was not uncommon, it was more often females being alphas, and even then, there was no evidence of the female alphas having…well…separate genitalia. She should know; she was an alpha.

She held her chin, thoughts twirling. Females were typically omegas, males were typically alphas, then there were betas…

“Hmm…” she walked to the door, “help Naruto get sorted, then meet me at the mansion’s library.”

“Yes, Lady Tsunade.” Sakura nodded, already taking off his soiled sheets.

Female alphas and male omegas; a study she knew would have little to no evidence or empirical value. In the world of ninja, understanding the inner workings of chakra was imperative. No one really cared about what was happening below the belt.

It was truly a mystery; with Naruto menstruating, there was a presence of a uterus; as she checked him over, it was a crude scan, but it was there. A mental picture of a pregnant Naruto popped into her head. “Huh.” Now, that’s a thought.

A hop and a skip and she was entering the Hokage mansion. After a quick visit with Kakashi, she’d head to the extensive library where she hoped to find more information.

First though…

She knocked on the door, not waiting for a response before entering. “Please tell me you have sake handy?”

Both Kakashi and Shikamaru looked up, a pile of paperwork lining the desk corner to corner. Shikamaru snorted. “Seeing how there’s no drinking on the job…no.” He folded his arms, not appreciating the distraction, but grateful. Being an assistant to the Hokage could be such a pain…

Kakashi leaned back. “Can’t imagine that stopped you,” he stated as he stared at the former Hokage. He shook his head as she gave him a big grin.

“Check the bottom left drawer…all the way to the back; there might be something there.” She watched as Shikamaru followed her instruction.

He snorted. “Seriously?” He lazily drawled as he pulled out not one, but two bottles. “Geez…sure you don’t have a problem?” He rolled his eyes as Kakashi pulled out a couple of cups from somewhere. These two, honestly. He pours them both a drink. 

She let out a laugh; a loud barking sound that broke the quiet space. “Ha! With how stressed I was, I’m surprised I don’t have a bottle strapped to my belt right now!” She let out a hearty laugh as she took the offered drink.

Kakashi’s visible eye crescented over as he presumably smiled, his cup already empty. Shikamaru looked at it with a horrified expression. When did he…?

Kakashi cleared his throat. “Not that I’m not happy about the visit, but everything okay?” He nodded as Shikamaru poured him another drink.

Shikamaru kept a watchful eye on the masked Hokage. It had only been a couple of years of being his advisor/assistant, but he had yet to see the man’s full face.

“Yeah, everything is…fine. I’ll be in and out of the library for the foreseeable future; if that’s okay, of course?”

Kakashi gave a slow nod. “Any particular reason why?”

Her eyebrows raised as she let out a heavy sigh. It wasn’t her business to tell, but he was the Hokage after all…

He’s an omega. Out of all the possibilities, he would have been more than content with being a beta. But no—oh! A bitter thought crosses his mind as he perches on the toilet, his elbow resting on his knees and his face cradled in the palm of his left hand, lips forming a sulky pout.

Bwahaha!

Pipe down, fox!

My apologies! But honestly, I'm not surprised at all.

Wait! You knew about this all along?

I’m a part of you; there’s nothing about you that I don’t know.

A little heads-up would’ve been appreciated!

Ha! We weren’t exactly best buddies.

Naruto mutters to himself as he begins to clean up, scrubbing away the relentless streaks of blood. “Seriously!” he complains. “Is it ever going to stop?” Tears well up in his eyes; forget holding back, he’s already sniffling and wiping his face with his arm.

Damn fox! This is all your doing!

Hmm, likely.

Wait, are you a…?

Yes. I’m just a spirit now, but back in the Kofun era, I was revered and held in high esteem.

Huh? So you weren’t always this demon fox? Wha! This is all so confusing!

Don’t think too hard; you might hurt yourself. 

Hey!

“Ugh!” Naruto groans, running his hands through his messy hair in frustration.

“Everything all right in there, Naruto?” Sakura calls out, knocking gently on the bathroom door.

“No!” he yells back, struggling to align a sanitary pad with his boxers. It keeps sticking to his fingers instead. “This… stupid thing!” He shakes his hand in annoyance.

“Do you need some help?” Sakura listens closely, hearing his struggles from the other side. After a moment, she takes a deep breath. “Let me in, Naruto.” When the door clicks open, her heart sinks at the sight of her friend, tears streaming down his face. “Oh no, it’s going to be okay.”

“It’s not! My stomach hurts, the bathroom looks like a disaster zone, I’ve ruined three pairs of boxers—like I had many to spare—and the fox is totally mocking me!” he whines, punctuating his words with sniffles.

Sakura rubs her temples; Naruto always had a flair for the dramatic. “Come on, Naruto! We’ve been through a war together; this isn’t the end of the world!”

Naruto scowls. “Easy for you to say…”

Sakura takes a moment, recalling when she first got her period. She was twelve and had been prepared by her mother, but looking at Naruto, she realizes this is definitely unexpected. He may look tough, but there’s a vulnerability to him that’s hard to ignore. It’s all so strange…

“I’m sorry, you’re right, Naruto. Just… oh wow!” She gasps as she takes in the chaotic scene in the bathroom—blood on the toilet, blood on the roll of toilet paper, and a trash can overflowing with used paper and stained underwear. “Okay, let’s talk about how to handle this better next time.”

Naruto swipes at his face, trying to regain some composure. “Thanks, Sakura,” he sniffs.

“Of course,” she replies, offering him a reassuring smile. 

You’re lucky you’re my friend and I love you! Cha!

Naruto finally relaxes, feeling content with a full stomach and a heating pad resting on his belly. “Ahh,” he murmurs, savoring the lingering taste of delicious ramen broth. A sweet treat would be nice right about now. “Thanks, Sakura.” He cracks open an eye to see her tidying up his apartment. He could tell her to stop, but it’s nice to be cared for.

He feels warm and cozy, snuggling deeper into the blanket freshly pulled from the dryer. “Hmm,” he sits up, noticing his pillow has lost its fluff. He gives it a few hits to reshape it. “Hey, Sakura, could you toss me that body pillow?” He gestures toward the couch. “Please?”

“Oh,” she replies, tossing it his way. She watches him bury his face in it before he sets it up on his bed. She chuckles. “Looks like you’re nesting already.”

Naruto pauses. “Nesting?”

“Yep,” she nods. “Everyone goes through it differently, but you’ll be nesting until your heat is over.”

“My…heat?”

Sakura sighs, realizing this is all new territory for him, but it’s basic biology; everyone learned this in school. “Really, Naruto? You don’t remember any of this?” She glares at his blank expression. “Seriously!? How are you the hero of the ninja world?” She rolls her eyes in disbelief.

Let me at her, Naruto!

Wha! Stop it, Kurama. She’s my friend.

She doesn’t deserve that title; she never has.

Naruto flinches at the fox’s growl in his mind. Over time, Kurama has become protective of him, which includes any harsh comments directed at him. 

Kurama has never been fond of the pink-haired kunoichi.

“I’ll grab you some books,” Sakura continues, clapping her hands together in finality as she surveys the now tidy space. It baffles her how Naruto can sleep in such a mess. “As I was saying, it varies from person to person, but menstruation can last about 3 to 5 days. After that, you’ll have about a week—give or take—before your heat kicks in.”

Naruto’s eyes widened in panic. “3 to 5 days of this!” He flops back dramatically, groaning. He can barely handle a single day. “Oh man,” he mutters.

Sakura snorts. “You’ll manage just fine. Just stick to my advice, and it’ll be a piece of cake.” She winks.

Naruto pouts, turning on his cutest face. “Speaking of which,” he juts out his bottom lip, “could you bring me some cake, pretty please?”

Sakura huffs, shaking her head. “Geez, Naruto—”

“Please?”

“Fine! Just this once!” she relents, rolling her eyes as he cheers. “I’ll grab those books too; you have some studying to do. I’ll be back soon—” She disappears in a puff of smoke.

Great, now he’s left to worry about heats… whatever that entails.

It’s a time when your inhibitions vanish; you might find yourself acting in ways that are… less than dignified.

You’re talking in riddles—

I’m not!

Well, I don’t understand it, Kurama!

Ha! That’s not my problem!

This IS your problem!

Stop shouting!

No, you!

Naruto!

He can’t help but chuckle as laughter bubbles up inside him while Kurama lets out an exasperated sigh.

You’re testing my patience.

“I’m back!” Sakura calls from the foyer, slipping off her shoes and juggling a few bags. “I couldn’t decide, so I brought you a couple of options; triple chocolate and raspberry cheesecake.” She hands him the bag. “And here are some books for you to read.”

Naruto’s eyes widen at the sight of the large, delicious-looking cake containers. His mouth waters. “Thank you!” He grabs a plastic spoon and opens the chocolate cake. “Want some, Sakura?”

“No, I have to meet Lady Tsunade. She’s already at the library.” She sighs heavily, giving his shoulder a gentle rub. “Let me know if you need anything.” She waves as she heads back to the entrance. “And don’t forget to read those books!” she calls out.

“Mmm!” he grunts with a mouthful of cake. His gaze drifts to the pile of books, and he winces as he sees how each one appears thicker than the last. “Ugh, so boring.”

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I actually agree with that girl; just read the books.

The mere thought makes my eyelids feel heavy.

It’s wiser to know what you’re getting into. Back in my day, alphas were lucky to come out of my heat unscathed…

Naruto suddenly freezes mid-bite, lost in thought…

Wait! Is this some kind of…sex thing?

Good grief!

Turns out, it is. Naruto’s eyes widened with each turned page, choosing to study the pictures—and there were plenty—cheeks feeling warm and head leaning as he analyzed the poses. “Sa—Sakura gave me straight-up porn to look at!”

There are paragraphs to read, probably explaining what’s going on.

No explanation needed! I’ve read old man Jiraiya’s books!

Ugh, don’t remind me.

Oh, so it says omegas only have heats every 3 months…?

It depends. If there are potential mates, you’ll have them more frequently. The point is to breed…

Breed?

Have babies, Naruto.

“Hmm,” he gently rubs his flat stomach, the notion of parenthood stirring excitement within him—dreaming of giving his future children the joyful upbringing he missed—but he certainly didn’t envision himself giving birth. “Ugh, this is so strange!” He flops back, tossing his book aside in exasperation.

It’s not strange; you just don’t get it yet. But that’s alright. The current era has become rather reserved. Back in my day, it was perfectly normal to engage in mating openly. In fact, we celebrated it with gatherings—

Kurama! I really don’t want to hear about that!

Case in point. 

So... uh, Kurama, did you ever have a mate?

Well, as I mentioned, alphas rarely made it through copulation. I was far too… feral. But I certainly enjoyed it while it lasted, of course.

Naruto’s face heats up, a fresh wave of anxiety crashing over him. Could he end up like that?

So, did you like… I don’t know, bite their heads off or something?

Ha! I’m not a praying mantis, you fool! I simply enjoyed the moment until their hearts gave out.

Ahh! What!?

Quit screaming!

The rest of Naruto’s cycle passed smoothly. He was relieved to have bypassed the entire heat period and was back to his usual routine, enjoying quality time with his friends as they celebrated another successful mission.

“Hey—yo! Choji! Leave some for the rest of us!” Kiba shouted, engaging in a chopstick duel with the larger boy. “Akamaru hasn’t had any yet!”

The two continued their playful battle, Choji effortlessly tossing pieces of meat into his mouth with every strike.

Meanwhile, Naruto sat quietly, a sulky expression on his face.

“Quit pouting. You can eat something besides ramen,” Shikamaru remarked, placing a portion of meat on Naruto’s plate.

With a grumble, Naruto began to eat, albeit reluctantly. “I can’t believe you actually came with us,” he said, his eyes lighting up as he savored the flavor of the grilled beef. It wasn’t ramen, but it was delicious! He quickly devoured another piece, noticing Choji eyeing it hungrily.

“Yeah, Kakashi said I looked bored—”

“When don’t you?” Kiba chimed in with a laugh.

“It’s a drag, but it felt good to mix things up for a bit,” Shikamaru continued, grabbing a few more pieces of meat for both himself and Naruto.

Akamaru began to whine, nudging Naruto’s leg. “Hey Kiba, do you think Akamaru is hungry?”

The big pup continued to whimper.

“True! We noticed your scent changed,” Kiba exclaimed, tossing a piece of food to Akamaru, who caught it mid-air. “Nice!”

Naruto felt his cheeks heat up. He had noticed it too; in fact, he could sense everyone’s scent now. Previously, they all had a generic odor, some stronger than others, but now he could distinguish each one without even looking. “Oh, yeah… I’m an omega,” he mumbled, glancing nervously around for their reactions.

“Figured as much; you can’t hide that from this,” Kiba said with a grin, pointing to his nose. “You always had a unique scent, but now it’s intense. Akamaru likes it!”

The pup barked in agreement.

“Keep your nose to yourself, Akamaru!”

“Hey, he can’t help it!” Kiba shot back.

“Alright, enough already,” Shikamaru said, shooting a look at the bickering duo. He sighed, thankful for his beta genetics. Scent politics could be quite the pain.

“What! You guys are celebrating without me!” Rock Lee exclaimed, his feet a blur as he sprinted over.

“Here you go, Lee!” Choji generously offered him some meat (a whole 2 pieces).

“Hey! Quit hogging it!” Kiba shouted.

The loud banter erupted again, causing Shikamaru to question his life choices. “I thought we were supposed to be adults?” he muttered.

“Uh-huh,” Naruto replied, relieved for once not to be caught up in the chaos. He continued to enjoy his beef quietly.

“Oh, that reminds me; Sasuke should be back from his mission in a couple of days,” Shikamaru said, glancing at Naruto to gauge his reaction.

Naruto nearly choked, prompting Shikamaru to roll his eyes. “He—uh, what?”

“Come on, don’t act weird about it, Naruto,” Shikamaru added, patting him on the back. “Anyway, he’s already asked for another mission, so—”

“Right,” Naruto mumbled, his gaze fixed on the table. It had been well over a year since their last battle at the Valley of the End, and while they had come to an understanding, it was fragile at best. With Sasuke focused on redeeming himself, they hadn’t had the time for a meaningful conversation. “I think Karin is with him.” That was another obstacle; the redhead was always by Sasuke’s side.

“Yup,” Shikamaru confirmed.

Naruto frowned, a knot forming in his stomach from an emotion he didn’t want to analyze too deeply. He forced a smile. “Well, great!”

“How are you holding up, Sasuke?”

Sasuke casts a sideways glance at the redhead accompanying him, a deep scowl etching his features. His body still bears the weariness from his recent rut. She always seems to appear just before his rut hits, under some pretense that he would want to spend it with her. He won’t. Since turning sixteen, he has faced each rut alone; any prior instances were merely the result of Orochimaru’s influence.

If there’s anything he longs for about having a rut partner, it’s the brevity of those experiences. Facing them solo stretches the ordeal into a drawn-out, torturous affair. Yet still, he won’t sleep with Karin…

“What are you doing here? I thought you were heading to Suigetsu and Jugo?” he mutters. His appetite always spikes after a rut, and having just finished a mission, he finds himself in a small, quiet village with scarce food options. He steps into a cozy ramen shop and is instantly reminded of his cheerful blond friend back home.

“Welcome!”

“Hm,” Sasuke acknowledges with a nod, finding a seat. “One bowl of shio ramen.”

The older man nods, glancing expectantly at the woman beside him. “And for you?”

“Pork cutlet bowl; extra crispy!” she replies, plopping down next to Sasuke.

“Ramen only, miss.”

Karin’s shoulders sag, and she exhales dramatically. “Fine, I’ll have whatever he’s having, then.”

The man nods and starts preparing their orders.

“Of all the places, Sasuke, a ramen shop, really?”

“There are not many choices around here. Why are you following me?” He crosses his arms, raising an eyebrow at the flustered woman. True, she traveled with him on missions every now and then, but they had agreed to go their separate ways. 

“As if I would willingly hang out with Suigetsu!” she huffs, her nose wrinkled in distaste. “I thought maybe we could…” She gazes at him with sincere eyes, her cheeks flushed.

“Tch,” he cuts her off, “not happening.” He huffs, bracing himself for her inevitable squawk, which draws the attention of the other patrons. He despises being the center of unwanted attention.

“What do you mean?! What are you talking about?!” Her face reddens further as she adjusts her glasses. “I was just saying I could assist you.”

Sasuke scoffs. “You? Assist me?”

Karin glares at him, irritated by his arrogance. She watches as he nods his thanks to the older man, who sets a steaming bowl of ramen in front of him. It’s infuriating how undeniably handsome he is! She just wishes she could be an intimate part of his life! The thought makes her cheeks burn.

“Here you go, miss,” the older man says, placing her bowl in front of her. “You’re disrupting my customers. Please, quiet down.”

“Oh…” she mumbles, looking away in embarrassment. “Sorry.” She catches a whiff of her own scent; it’s strong and cloying. Clearly, it has no effect on Sasuke, who calmly sips the broth.

“Enjoy.”

“I’m heading back to the Hidden Leaf to file my report, then I’m leaving again.”

“Ah! Hot!” She waves her hand at her burned tongue, having been too eager to sip the steaming liquid. “Are you telling me this so I can tag along?”

Sasuke sighs. “You can do as you wish.”

“I’m coming! There’s a book Orochimaru wants me to retrieve.”

He gives her a pointed look. “You’d better not be getting into trouble. Kakashi is understanding, but don’t count on him being lenient a second time.” He warns. He’s working hard to make amends; he won’t let Taka or Orochimaru hinder his path to redemption.

After a long day of travel, they finally arrived in the village, where they were met by Izumo and Kotetsu.

“Hey, Sasuke! It’s been ages!” Izumo called out, waving enthusiastically. “And you too, Karin!” He flashed a grin.

“Hi there!” Karin replied with a smile.

Sasuke merely nodded in acknowledgment, continuing on his way while Karin hurried to catch up. “You should probably hang back,” he advised. “There’s no need for you to come with me.”

Karin frowned, rolling her eyes in response. “Fine. Just let me know—” her voice trailed off as she watched Sasuke vanish from sight. “—when we’re leaving,” she finished with a sigh, reluctantly returning to the two guards. Maybe it was time to find someone else to focus her affections on...

As he navigates the well-known streets, a familiar scent suddenly overwhelms him, causing his alpha instincts to kick in and a low growl to rumble deep in his throat. Without conscious thought, his Sharingan flares to life, driven solely by the need to track down the source of that enticing aroma.

He leaps from rooftop to rooftop, his nostrils flaring as he eagerly absorbs every trace of that rich, inviting scent. It’s more potent in certain areas, guiding him until he finds himself outside Ichiraku’s. His eyes widen as the realization dawns on him. He pushes aside the curtain, startling a few diners inside, and instinctively deactivates his Sharingan.

“Mr. Sasuke!” one of the patrons calls out.

“Hey, Sasuke!” Ayame chimes in.

“Looking for Naruto?” Teuchi asks. “You just missed him; he came by for his usual before heading out.”

“Oh…” he exhales through parted lips. Beneath the savory aroma of ramen, he recognizes that unmistakable scent—Naruto’s scent. It’s warm and refreshing like a gentle spring breeze, yet rich and thick like honey. It fills his lungs with each breath, enveloping him and leaving an imprint deep within. “Naruto,” he murmurs.

“He said he’d be back in a few days,” Ayame adds helpfully.

He nods silently and turns to leave, a mix of thoughts swirling in his mind. Naruto had always had a comforting scent, but this was different and overwhelmingly intoxicating. There was no doubt about it; he had to be an omega. Questions raced through his mind, and he regretted not arriving sooner.

“Hey, Sasuke!” Sakura calls out, waving her arms as she rushes toward him. “I heard you just got back. Are you planning to stay for a while?” She beams at him.

“Sakura. What happened to Naruto?”

She looks puzzled, tilting her head in thought. “Naruto?” She recalls he was fine earlier… oh. “I’m not really sure what you mean.” It’s no secret, though; even she can sense Naruto’s lingering scent around the village. She assumes it’s just him nearing the end of his pre-heat.

Now that she thinks about it, Sasuke is giving off a strong scent as well. She discreetly covers her nose, but her unease is evident from the way he’s watching her. “Did you just finish your rut… or something?”

He remains silent, one eyebrow raised in response.

A flush creeps onto her cheeks. “Sorry, um,” she stumbles over her words. Though she’s moved past her childhood crush, she can’t deny that he smells quite pleasant. “It’s not that there’s anything wrong, exactly…”

“He’s an omega.”

She studies his face, noticing the furrow of his brows and the pained, angry expression he wears. Defensiveness wells up within her. “Yeah, he is. So what?” The last few days were spent with Tsunade, learning that male omegas were not as rare as they thought; many chose to stay hidden out of fear of ridicule. She wouldn’t let that happen to Naruto. “He’s still Naruto—”

“Hey, you two!” Karin shouts, landing beside Sasuke.

Irritation bubbles to the surface. “I know he is,” Sasuke growls. “But he’s… stinking up the village. Was it wise to send him out on a mission?”

“Come on, Sasuke, this is Naruto—” Sakura huffs, her eyes widening as he suddenly leaps away. Both women exchange surprised glances.

Karin shakes her head. “He’s been acting like that a lot lately.” She shrugs nonchalantly.

“Oh.” They share a look of understanding. “Um, are you hungry?” Sakura asks.

Karin’s eyes light up. “Yes! Do you have any pork cutlets?”

“Uh…” Sakura rubs her temple, “sure.” She sighs, watching the redhead break into a victory dance, now remembering Karin is also an Uzumaki. “Why are you all like this?” she mutters to herself.

“Huh? What was that!?” Karin adjusts her glasses, curious.

Sakura deflates, shaking her head. “Nothing. Let’s just go get your pork cutlets.” She glances in the direction Sasuke vanished, wondering what could possibly be bothering him now. 

Sasuke can feel the simmering anger coursing through his veins—his fists are tightly clenched and his teeth are ground together. The low growl that escapes his lips seems uncontrollable as he strides into the Hokage’s office with purpose.

“Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed,” Kakashi remarks, his voice cutting through the storm brewing within Sasuke. The Uchiha shoots a sharp glare at the masked man in response.

“What’s eating at you?” Shikamaru asks, arms crossed and watching Sasuke with a weary eye. “You might want to tone down that attitude, or I’ll have to show you the exit,” he drawls nonchalantly, his shadow creeping closer to Sasuke as a silent threat.

“Tch,” Sasuke retorts, a smirk creeping onto his face as his Sharingan flares to life.

“That’s enough. Sasuke, what’s the matter?” 

Sasuke keeps his gaze fixed on Shikamaru, silence enveloping him.

With an exasperated roll of his eyes, Shikamaru sighs. “Fine, I’m off for an extended lunch,” he mutters, shaking his head. “What a pain,” he adds before closing the door behind him.

“Rough day?” Kakashi begins, a hint of curiosity in his tone.

“I had to escort a pair of twins—little brats—and their babysitter. It went exactly as you’d expect,” Sasuke replies tersely.

“Tenchi, the ‘babysitter,’ mentioned something about a small gang of thieves—”

“I took care of it,” Sasuke cuts him off.

“Right…” Kakashi observes the tense man, his nose twitching from the unmistakable scent of anger filling the room. “What’s bothering you?”

“Naruto.”

Kakashi raises an eyebrow, a resigned sigh escaping him. He should have guessed. Only Naruto could rattle the usually composed Uchiha. “What did he do this time?” he asks, a hint of exasperation in his voice. “Wait... he’s on a mission.”

“He’s an omega…”

“Yes?” Kakashi stares at Sasuke, confusion evident on his face. “Is there a problem?”

“Yes!” Sasuke shuts his eyes tightly, shaking his head in frustration. “No,” he corrects himself, lowering his voice and slumping slightly as he exhales deeply. He hasn’t quite grasped why Naruto’s status as an omega is stirring such unrest in him, and he’s reluctant to dwell on it.

“Hm,” Kakashi muses. “Wrap up your report and get some rest. You have another escort mission coming up, right?” he asks while rifling through a stack of papers.

Sasuke glances away, uncertainty flickering across his features.

Kakashi senses hesitation. “Well, Naruto won’t be back for about a week. Your mission to escort Princess Maya starts tomorrow—”

“Maybe… you could find someone else.”

Kakashi tilts his head, intrigued. “Not an option; the princess is eager to see you, the last Uchiha and hero of the ninja world.” A proud smile appears on his face. “You’ve built quite the reputation.”

“Great,” Sasuke mutters, realizing there’s no escape.

“Indeed,” Kakashi agrees, watching as Sasuke shuffles out of his office. He shakes his head, bemused.

He moves swiftly, leaping from one rooftop to the next, his instincts guiding him straight to Naruto's apartment. When he drops down silently, a sudden realization hits him, making his eyes widen. He gazes at the door, his hand instinctively reaching out before he thinks better of it. To his surprise, it’s unlocked. “Tch, that idiot,” he mutters under his breath as he steps inside, immediately enveloped by the enticing scent of the omega. His throat tightens, and he feels a heat rise to his cheeks as his mouth waters.

In the center of the room, he surveys the space—open yet slightly cluttered. A couch rests against the far wall, and a small coffee table is littered with books. His face flushes as he spots an open book and quickly slams it shut. “The Simple Pleasures of the Omega Body,” he reads the title, feeling a mix of embarrassment and intrigue.

He runs his fingers over the stack of books, tracing the titles with a growing smile. “Looks like someone’s been doing some reading,” he chuckles softly, placing the book back down. His gaze shifts to the kitchenette, where he notices a counter overflowing with instant ramen bowls. He shakes his head, drawn in closer, letting his fingers glide over the counter, brushing against the ramen cups and kettle.

Suddenly, he pulls back as if burned. His alpha is marking the space, a deep, satisfied rumble vibrating through his chest. He’s literally purring!

His eyes catch sight of a photo of Team 7 hanging nearby; he feels an urge to touch it. He frowns as he spots another picture, this one featuring members from different teams. What bothers him most is Shikamaru, casually draped over Naruto’s shoulder. He scoffs at his own foolishness; the shadow user is already in a committed relationship. 

His attention drifts to the bed…

It’s a chaotic mess—pillows scattered everywhere, sheets crumpled and askew. He leans in closer, eyes fluttering shut as he inhales deeply. He yearns to roll around in those sheets, to intertwine their scents and claim the space as his own. He’s already left his mark throughout the rest of the apartment…

Heat washes over him, his body feeling flushed. He glances down, even through his loose pants, he can see—he can feel the effect Naruto's scent has on him. He grips himself, letting out a sharp hiss at the sensation. 

He needs to pull himself together. 

He shouldn’t even be here.

With a sigh, he removes his cloak, rubbing it against his neck before draping it over Naruto’s bed, making it a part of the omega’s nest. It’s a gesture, a symbol of what they could become together and their compatibility.

He’s always cherished the blond in a special way, but has resisted acknowledging those feelings. Now, it’s as if his alpha is saying, “See? I’ve been telling you this all along!” and suddenly everything falls into place.

Stop resisting…

His eyes land on a shirt lying on the floor, and he reaches for it. It’s worn, carrying his scent instead of the artificial cleanliness of detergent. It’s just what he desires. A fair exchange as he takes it with him and slips quietly out of the apartment.

Naruto felt utterly exhausted. The evening had settled in, the sun dipping below the horizon and casting a warm glow of oranges and pinks across the sky. He could have opted for an inn to rest his weary head before making his way back, but the pull of home was too strong. After being away for more than a week, he had struggled to find peace in any of the places his team had stayed, leaving him restless and unable to sleep.

He had parted ways with Shino, Tenten, and the ever-enthusiastic Lee in a nearby village, each step bringing him closer to the familiarity of his home.

As a new omega, the distance from your nesting ground is bound to feel unsettling.

All I want is my bed and a steaming bowl from Ichiraku’s!

What a simple-minded creature you are.

Naruto pouted, knowing he wasn’t far from home, yet it felt like an endless journey. His thoughts wandered to Sasuke…

Thinking of restoring that boy's clan, are we?

He barely avoided crashing into a tree branch. “Hey! Kurama!” he exclaimed, blushing furiously. “Don’t talk like that!” His outburst startled a flock of birds into flight.

What? Do I need to remind you that, while I can't exactly read your mind, I—

Stop it!

An unexpected image flashed in his mind; it was hazy, but he could see himself moving his hand beneath the sheets—up and down, feeling a warm sensation pool in his belly as he let out a soft whimper. Sasuke…

This time, he completely missed the tree, tumbling to the ground with a yelp.

Bwahaha!

I can't stand you!

Oh, come on! You love me!

Naruto scowled as he lay on the ground, looking up at the sky. “I could have seriously hurt myself, Kurama; then we’d both be in trouble!”

As if that would ever happen.

You never know! It could’ve! I don’t see why you put those thoughts in my head…

He picked himself up, brushed off his clothes, and continued on his way, a sigh of relief escaping his lips as the village walls came into view. The gate was locked, but he focused his chakra and leaped up the wall with ease.

That was your own memory, brat.

I’m not listening to you anymore!

You can try to ignore the truth, but it won't change anything.

Naruto huffed, feeling the presence of the giant fox retreat to the back of his mind, leaving him alone and mortified. He understood that Kurama experienced life through him, but having that revelation during such an intimate moment was beyond embarrassing.

His spirits lifted as he spotted the warm glow of Ichiraku’s. “Nothing a hot bowl of ramen can't fix,” he beamed as he walked in. “Hey, Ayame!” he called out.

“Naruto! Back so soon?” she replied, surprise evident in her voice.

“Soon? I feel like I’ve been gone ages!” he retorted with a dramatic expression.

“It just feels that way,” Teuchi chuckled, handing him a steaming bowl. “You’re our last customer of the night, and I had a feeling you’d come by.” The older man smiled as he placed the bowl in front of Naruto.

His stomach grumbled at the sight, mouth watering at the delicious aroma. He clasped his hands together in gratitude. “Thanks for the food!”

The next half hour flew by as he devoured two more bowls and caught up with the father and daughter duo, his heart full and his spirits lifted.

“Bye, you guys!” He waves as they close up the stall. He pats his belly, full and sloshing with noodles and savory broth. “Ugh…I ate too much.” He decides to walk home, not wanting to upset his stomach. The streets are quiet, with the exception of humming street lamps and the harmonies of night critters. He gently sighs, happy to be back home, his tiredness returning with each step up the flight of stairs.

He enters his home, a yawn splitting his mouth as he kicks off his shoes. He smells it then; the scent of fresh rain and deep amber. It’s faint, but it mingles with his own scent. He flicks on his lights, eyes looking around the space. Everything is as he left it, but the dark cloak that lies on his bed; that’s new.

That’s Sasuke’s. It belongs to him, Naruto’s sure of it. He takes careful steps, his hand slowly reaching, tracing the soft material. He grabs it, holds it, and inspects it before bringing the cloth to his nose. His eyes close as he inhales deeply.

His omega is intrigued, fabric held tight; fisted in his palms and shoved against his nose. Sasuke’s scent tickles his senses until a low rumble erupts from his chest. His body suddenly feels warm, belly clenching as arousal swirls and pumps blood below.

He enters sage mode, slitted eyes snapping open as he locates Sasuke’s chakra, which flares; agitated and erratic. He throws the window open and takes a leap; the strength of his chakra breaking the places he happens to land.

Naruto.

He ignores the fox, jumping with a single goal; get to Sasuke.

Brat, listen! You never officially went into heat; remember what I said about potential mates? You may not realize it, or maybe you don’t want to, but your heat is being triggered.

Naruto takes one last chakra-filled leap; it carries him far and across most of the village until he lands on the rooftop of Sasuke’s home. He feels it then; his nerves feel as if they’re on fire; pinpricks traveling across and beneath his skin. It leaves him sweating and letting out pathetic whimpers.

He feels painfully empty; his hole twitching and leaking slick.

“Fuck,” he mumbles. What he experienced weeks ago was nothing; the pain he’s feeling is becoming overwhelming. He bites at the fabric held in his hands; Sasuke’s clothes being ripped to shreds.

He wants his throat…

“Naruto!”

He hears Sasuke’s voice, tackles him with lightning speed before either of them even knows what’s happening. They both grunt as they land roughly against the floor; wrestling around before Naruto successfully pins Sasuke down.

It’s unfair, Naruto thinks, how gorgeous the man is even with his hair slicked and sweat-drenched, bags under his eyes, and lips bitten and bleeding. The man looks like he’s been struggling.

He’s in his rut, Naruto. 

He is. Naruto can smell him; his arousal, his spilled and wasted seed that even washed off—Naruto can sense as it drenches the man’s pores. It’s addictive, all-consuming, and absolutely dizzying. He feels drunk on it as he spreads his knees. He growls at the man underneath him.

Sasuke’s alpha feels instantly calm, purring in pride as the blond spits out the fabric he’s been sucking on; it’s Sasuke’s cloak, his gift he left a week ago. He looks wild, eyes slitted with signs of both nine-tails and sage chakra. He’s beautiful in his ferocity as he grips Sasuke’s hair and pulls it to the side, leaning down and nosing at the oily scent gland. It’s been pumping his scent out to the point it’s stained his sheets; calling his mate.

His mate…

The blond growls as Sasuke moves. “It’s okay,” he gently soothes, hands resting against Naruto’s strong thighs. He lets the omega have his way, shivering as his sensitive gland is licked, sucked, and nibbled on.

The torturous pain he’s been experiencing this whole week is suddenly worth it as Naruto moves on top of him, making quick work of his shirt as he rips it off; Sasuke is already naked underneath him.

He sensed the blond’s strong chakra making its way to him while getting himself off. Naruto takes notice of this fact as he lays flushed against him, rubbing against any reachable patches of pale skin; his own scent gland leaking as he rubs his scent all over Sasuke.

His nose twitches, inhaling deeply; Naruto’s gland not the only thing leaking. Oh, he wants to sink into that slick heat. He feels himself slipping under, his alpha ready to burst forth and take over; ready to claim and pump him full…

“Hurry! Grab him!”

His eyes snap open, several smells assaulting their perfectly scented space. His sharingan activates and a growl is ripped from his throat as Naruto is pulled from on top of him.

His home becomes a disaster zone as he viciously fights against the intruders.

“Fuck!”

A voice rings out as Sasuke kicks, watching the masked man break through a wall. His chest swells and he grins as Naruto fights against three concealed ninjas; combating against them in a finessed dance. The nine-tails chakra bursts forth, forming two large hands to grab and throw their assailants out of the home.

Sasuke stops, his smile slipping off his face as he’s suddenly paralyzed. He fights against it; struggling as he turns his head to the right. “Shika—ma—ru!” He growls. His smile returns as fear and realization fall over Shikamaru’s face.

“Fuck this,” the shadow ninja grumbles, eyes widening as heavy chakra is suddenly positioned behind him, and judging by the absolute glee painted on Sasuke’s face—it’s Naruto. He braces for impact.

“Sorry, Naruto!”

Naruto is sent hurtling across the room, crashing through a wall in a cloud of dust. Sakura stands beside Shikamaru, a look of regret on her face as she rummages through her satchel. She pulls out a syringe.

Fury washes over Sasuke as reality sets in.

“I can’t hold him; hurry!” Shikamaru gasps, feeling his shadow slipping.

“On it!” Sakura yells, focusing all her chakra into her hand. She aims and shoots, following close behind. It lands perfectly and she’s there to quickly inject the potent sedative.

She swallows in fear, watching the feral alpha suddenly yell in anger, purple chakra surrounding him as a partial Susanoo forms. It pulses and flickers; a skeletal hand reaching for her.

“Sakura, move!”

She can’t; Naruto’s chakra forming around her and holding her in place.

“You got to be fucking kidding me!”

She shuts her eyes, focusing her chakra and preparing for the inevitable. The hit never comes. She opens her eyes, noticing the slumped alpha. She quickly blushes and looks away; amidst all the chaos, she hadn’t noticed he was completely naked. She releases a deep breath and falls to the floor, watching as several Anbu detain Naruto.

She winces at the sad whimpering filling the room, the blond’s red eyes staring at his fallen alpha. “He’s okay, Naruto,” she tries to soothe. It draws his attention back to her as he growls. He’s been injected; one of the masked ninjas carefully removing the syringe. Naruto continues to struggle, but eventually succumbs; leaning heavily against the ninja holding him.

“Tell me, why did we do this again?” Shikamaru asks, chest heaving as he works to catch his breath. Fighting against two feral, high-powered ninjas was not on his list of things to do that evening. He stands, walking over to help Sakura. “You alright?”

She huffs, a disbelieving smile forming on her lips. “I had Susanoo and nine-tails on my ass; I almost peed myself!” She sighs and nods her thanks as he offers her a hand. “Kakashi was worried this would happen; he wanted them to be in their right frame of mind before they did…anything.”

“Hope it was worth it,”

“I think so; I don’t think either of them would be able to live with themselves if they thought they forced the mating,”

“Hmm, right,” he agrees.

They watch as Naruto and Sasuke are wrapped in sterile cloth and carried out; Shikamaru and her following close behind. She sighs. The lengths she’s willing to go through for her friends…

A pounding headache throbbed in his temples, and his stomach twisted uncomfortably as he turned over.

What a reckless thing to do.

“Ugh,” Naruto groaned.

Quiet down, Kurama; my head feels like it’s splitting!

Though the fox stayed silent, Naruto could sense his urge to tease. Slowly, he opened his eyes, relieved to find the hospital curtains drawn, keeping the sunlight at bay. He sat up, only to shut his eyes again, clutching a nearby pillow to his chest.

“You're awake,” a familiar voice said.

He cracked one eye open to see Sakura watching him. “Yeah,” he mumbled, massaging his forehead. “What happened?”

“You and Sasuke got a little out of control. We had to sedate both of you and give you some blockers.”

A frown creased his brow. “Blockers?”

“It’s a shot that helps manage an omega’s heat or an alpha’s rut. Luckily, you’d just started, and Sasuke’s rut was about to end.”

Naruto crossed his arms, uncertainty gnawing at him. “I’m not sure how I feel about that.”

“It’s just a temporary measure; it should only be in your system for about a week. But considering your unique situation as a jinchuriki, it might be shorter.” She noticed his tired expression and sighed. “We had no choice, Naruto. We couldn’t predict what might have happened between you two.”

“Hmm…” he sighed, flopping back onto the bed.

“Apparently, Sasuke’s rut was triggered because he was supposed to escort Princess Maya, but they had to find a replacement at the last minute. By the way, are you hungry?”

“Not really,” he answered, his voice muffled by the pillow while he rubbed his aching stomach. “What about…Sasuke?”

“He’s conscious—”

He shot upright. “Can I see him?”

Sakura hesitated, a frown crossing her face. “Maybe hold off for a bit.”

“Why not?” His brows knitted together, an unsettling feeling churning in his stomach, his chest tightening. He felt a low growl rising.

She sighed heavily. “That’s why…” She turned to leave. “Get some rest, Naruto.”

He watched her shut the door behind her. “That’s why…?” Pushing himself up, his bare feet met the cool floor. He moved to the window, pulling back the curtains, and noticing there’s no way to open it. Frowning, he approached the door Sakura had just exited. Peeking out, he spotted her in conversation with another nurse.

Now, to find out where Sasuke is…

He steps out, back hugging the wall as he heads down the hall, eyes glued to the back of Sakura’s skull. His heart races as he tiptoes around the corner, breathing a sigh of relief at its emptiness.

It couldn’t have been more than a minute before he heard someone calling his name. “Ack!” He bolted into a run, glancing over his shoulder to ensure he wasn’t being pursued.

“Hey—oof!”

He collided with a sturdy figure, recognizing the familiar scent immediately. “Sasuke,” they exchanged a look that spoke volumes.

“Naruto!”

He flinched at the sound of his own name. “We need to hurry; she’s after me.”

Sasuke seized his hand and pulled him along until they spotted an open window to escape through. He didn’t let go as they leaped from building to building, unfazed by the curious stares aimed their way.

They resembled fugitives—and in a way, they were—but the thrill of running beside Sasuke filled him with uncontainable joy. He tightened his grip on Sasuke’s hand and beamed at the slight smirk that graced the alpha’s lips. “Let’s go to my place,”

Sasuke nodded, understanding that his own home wasn’t the best choice given recent events.

“They said you had to give up your escort mission,”

“Hmm,”

They made one last leap, landing on Naruto’s balcony. Once inside, Sasuke ensured the door was securely locked. They looked at their intertwined hands before reluctantly releasing each other. Sasuke settled on Naruto’s bed while the blond made his way to the entrance, locking it behind him. He returned to find Sasuke lost in thought, staring intently at the floor.

“So…?” Naruto chuckled shyly, rubbing the back of his neck. “What…uhm—“

“My rut kicked in hours before I was scheduled to leave for the mission,” Sasuke shrugged, his cheeks slightly flushed.

“Oh. What…what triggered it?” Naruto asked, sitting cross-legged at the head of his bed, his curiosity piqued by Sasuke’s apparent embarrassment.

Never thought an Uchiha could blush.

Kurama, could you give us a moment alone?

Ha! Sure, kid! Let me just grab a few things and I’ll be out of your way—what do you think!?

Kurama!

The fox grumbled before falling silent. It was a peculiar sensation for Naruto; his entire life had been shared with the fox spirit, yet now it felt as if a curtain had been drawn over him. If he concentrated hard enough, he could almost—

Stop reaching for me; I’m trying to give you some space!

Oh! Sorry…

He was alone again, his focus snapping back to Sasuke as he finally spoke.

“You.”

Warm butterflies danced in Naruto's stomach. “Me? But I didn’t…oh,” he recalled Sasuke’s scent lingering in his room and his cloak left behind. “You came to my apartment,” it was more of a statement than a question.

“Tch…I’m not proud of it. I know omegas’ nests are sacred. I regret breaking into your home. I just couldn’t help myself.” He glanced at Naruto. “I should have realized then that my rut was being triggered.”

“Wait, so when did this happen, when you returned?”

Sasuke nodded.

Naruto’s eyes widened. “That long? It’s been nearly a week! You’ve been in a rut for that long?”

Sasuke concealed his face with his palm, his ears betraying him with their pink hue. “When an alpha is exposed to the scent of their fated mate, they remain in rut until the chosen omega is claimed.”

“What!? How is that possible? What if the omega doesn’t want the alpha; would they be stuck in rut forever?” He was bombarded with questions!

“Yes, it’s entirely possible; I’ve been in rut for over a week,” he admitted quietly.

Naruto felt warmth creep into his cheeks. “So my scent did that to you…are we—am I your…fated mate?”

“Yes,” Sasuke whispered.

A wave of happiness washed over Naruto, but doubt quickly followed, dimming his smile. “What if I wasn’t an omega? Would you even have cared about me then?” He looked down. “Did you ever like me…like that?”

Sasuke moved closer. “I’m not sure when it happened, but my feelings for you have definitely changed.”

“Changed?” Naruto met Sasuke’s gaze, their eyes locking in an intense connection. He understood the sentiment; he had kept his feelings buried deep, hidden away, content simply to orbit around his Sasuke star.

“I wanted to prove myself to you; to create a legacy that wouldn’t be overshadowed by my past. I want you to have the best of me…”

Tears prickled at Naruto’s eyes, his throat tightening. He threw himself into Sasuke's embrace. “I want all of you, Sasuke!” He nestled his nose against Sasuke’s neck, the lingering scent of sadness fading away. “Your past, your present, your future; I want it all—if you’ll accept all of me in return…?”

Sasuke tightened his hold on him, nuzzling the back of his ear. “Of course, always.”

He felt complete, like a puzzle piece finally fitting into its designated spot.

It wasn’t without its imperfections; they still had their share of arguments and could easily irritate one another, but beneath it all thrived an immense love—so intense that it made Naruto feel like he might burst with it.

Speaking of which…

“Oh! Sas—uuu!” His eyes fluttered shut, lost in the sensations as he pressed his face into the sheets, tongue and teeth grazing the fabric. He felt utterly filled, Sasuke stretching him just right and hitting that sensitive spot deep inside, his knot brushing against his eager entrance.

“Mhmm, my sweet omega,” Sasuke groaned, breathless and teetering on the edge of a whimper as he lavished Naruto with affection. “So beautiful,” he murmured, licking at the scarred mating mark, his tongue teasing and mouth sucking at the raised skin. “So perfect.” With a series of firm thrusts, his knot swelled, locking them together and filling Naruto completely. “Naruto,” he whispered repeatedly, like a sacred prayer against the warmth of Naruto’s flushed skin.

Naruto cried out, overwhelmed as the alpha gripped and stimulated his cock. Though his body wouldn't produce any seed, every touch sent waves of pleasure coursing through him, making him writhe as Sasuke expertly teased the tip, circling until he was on the brink of pissing the sheets. “Sasuke,” he moaned, then gasped as Sasuke continued to grind against him, the knot pressing perfectly against his g-spot, making him see stars and drool.

Sasuke sighed, planting soft kisses on Naruto's shoulders, neck, and any accessible skin. “I love you,” he whispered with each gentle kiss.

A warm thrill spread through Naruto, a soft hum of joy resonating in his chest. “I love you,” he laughed, feeling the alpha’s hand caressing his sensitive belly.

“Do you think it’ll take?”

Naruto chuckled. “I’m completely filled with you; I’d be shocked if it didn’t.” He sighed contentedly. After two years together, they had both enthusiastically agreed to start a family. “And if it doesn’t work, we’ll just keep trying.”

Sasuke drew him closer, a soothing purr vibrating against Naruto’s back. “You won’t hear any objections from me…”

Naruto turned slightly to meet Sasuke’s calm gaze, a playful grin spreading across his face. “Well, that’s a first,” he teased.

“Hmm, you’ve always had a talent for instigating change,” Sasuke quipped, gently holding Naruto’s chin as he captured his lips in a tender kiss.

The future was uncertain for them, but after all they had endured—heartache, confusion, and pain—they knew that together, they could face anything that came their way