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sakura (or any) fic recs?

I've got a bunch! These have been my faves so far- and they're all pretty damn long, so they kept me company during those unhinged fanfic nights, lol. (Fair warning, some of them are M or E-rated; please be sure to read the tags carefully!)

All of them are Sakura centric too

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

elouizamariaa

top 50 Naruto fanfics on AO3 in 2024 (F/M)

the "multi-Sakura shipper world" still alive. these are the Sakura Haruno ships with the most productions on AO3:

1 - SasuSaku (Sasuke + Sakura) 2 - KakaSaku (Kakashi + Sakura) 3 - NaruSaku (Naruto + Sakura) 4 - ItaSaku (Itachi + Sakura) 5 - ShiSaku (Shisui + Sakura) 6 - ShikaSaku (Shikamaru + Sakura) 7 - GaaSaku (Gaara + Sakura) 8 - MadaSaku (Madara + Sakura) 9 - LeeSaku (Rock Lee + Sakura) 10 - SasoSaku (Sasori + Sakura) 11 - SaiSaku (Sai + Sakura) 12 - NejiSaku (Neji + Sakura) 13 - KisaSaku (Kisame + Sakura) 14 - ObiSaku (Obito + Sakura) 15 - TobiSaku (Tobirama + Sakura) 16 - KibaSaku (Kiba + Sakura)

etaindelaserna

Favourite KakaSaku headcanons and tropes in fanfiction:

1. Kakashi harbouring secret feelings for Sakura but he never acted on them because he is old and broken AND they are student-teacher AND because Sakura loves Sasuke

2. Kakashi being the most handsome man Sakura has ever laid eyes on with the physique of a greek God

3. Kakashi‘s ninken adoring Sakura‘s scent

4. Ino or Gai discovering that Sakura/Kakashi has a crush on Kakashi/Sakura and trying in a not so subtle way to play matchmaker but for the most part only ends up creating hilarious moments for the two of them

5. Kakashi opening up about Rin & Obito and Sakura — as a result — bringing them flowers every day and talking to them about (her feelings for) Kakashi

6. Kakashi, although he is too handsome to handle, actually has limited experience with romantic relationships and/or sex but is a faster learner and thus is a very considerate and passionate lover/partner

7. Sakura is the more perverted one of the two

8. They grow closer (as friends) during the time Naruto and Sasuke are away from the village to the point that Sakura can just stop by at Kakashi’s anytime and they hang out and talk

9. On missions together Kakashi is annoyed when other shinobi or civilians flirt with Sakura and either claims her or doesn’t act on it because she can handle herself (but still has a close eye on her)

10. Kakashi defending Sakura against Sasuke in any way, shape or form and being there for her during her breakdowns

11. Sakura doing check-ups on Kakashi’s sharingan

animepolaroid

[아구찜] - reposted w/ permission

blimbloba

Snippet idea from this art.

The Hokage’s office was quiet, the only sound the rustling of papers and the occasional whistle of the wind against the window. Stacks of unfinished paperwork sat untouched on the desk, and behind it, Kakashi Hatake was reclined in his chair, arms crossed over his chest, mask in place, and eyes shut.

Sakura stepped inside, already expecting the sight. She had been assisting him with Hokage duties long enough to know his habits, and today was no different. The moment she entered, she could sense it—he was awake.

A small smirk tugged at her lips as she crossed her arms, tilting her head at him. “Sensei?” she called softly. No response.

She took a step closer. “I know you’re awake.”

Still nothing. He remained perfectly still, as if the steady rise and fall of his chest would convince her.

Sakura narrowed her eyes, then leaned forward, resting her hands on the edge of his desk. “Well…” she murmured, amusement lacing her voice. “This will wake you up.”

Without hesitation, she leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips—well, to the fabric of his ever-present mask. The action was brief but deliberate, and she felt the way his breath hitched ever so slightly.

Pulling back, she grinned and let out a soft laugh. “True love’s kiss.”

Kakashi’s eyes cracked open lazily, his gaze meeting hers with a look that was both amused and exasperated. “That’s not how it works, you know,” he murmured, voice husky from sleep—or from something else entirely.

Sakura’s grin widened. “It worked, didn’t it? You’re awake now.”

A sigh escaped him, though there was the ghost of a smirk beneath his mask. “You’re a menace.”

She straightened, hands on her hips. “And yet, I’m the only reason your paperwork ever gets done.”

Kakashi hummed in agreement but made no move to grab a pen. Instead, he stretched out, lacing his fingers behind his head as he leaned back in his chair once more. “I was enjoying my nap.”

Sakura rolled her eyes and grabbed a stack of papers, dropping them unceremoniously onto his lap. “Yeah, well, duty calls, Lord Sixth.”

He sighed dramatically but finally sat up properly, shooting her an unreadable look before reaching for the topmost document. As he did, he muttered just loud enough for her to hear, “You know, if you wanted to kiss me, you could’ve just asked.”

Sakura blinked, warmth creeping up her neck, but before she could retort, Kakashi had already turned his attention to the papers in front of him, a satisfied glint in his eye.

Cheeky bastard.

She huffed, but as she turned away to sort through another pile of reports, she found herself fighting back a smile.

Maybe she’d have to test that theory again sometime.

#kakashi hatake #sakura haruno #kakasaku #naruto #snippet

skrsstories

∧,,,∧ ~ ┏━━━━━━━━━┓

( ̳• · • ̳) ~ ♡𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐨 | 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 ♡

/ づ ~ ┗━━━━━━━━━┛

⋆˚✿˖° 𝖢𝖮𝖬𝖯𝖫𝖤𝖳𝖤𝖣 ⋆˚✿˖°

𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀

✩彡･ﾟPairing : Itachi Uchiha/Sakura Haruno

✩彡･ﾟSummary : The story follows Itachi and Sakura throughout their lives, from childhood to adulthood.

✩彡･ﾟContent warnings: fluff, so sweet it'll give you cavities. (Story containing gifs narrated with text) | Posted on August 12, 2022.]

✩彡･ﾟ ⤷ Read here

✩彡･ﾟContext : 𝖲𝖺𝗄𝗎𝗋𝖺 𝗁𝖺𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝗐𝖺𝗒𝗌 𝗁𝖺𝖽 𝖺 𝘩𝘶𝘨𝘦 𝖼𝗋𝗎𝗌𝗁 𝗈𝗇 𝖨𝗍𝖺𝖼𝗁𝗂. 𝖲𝗁𝖾 𝖺𝖽𝗆𝗂𝗋𝖾𝗌 𝗁𝗂𝗆 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖺𝗌𝗉𝗂𝗋𝖾𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝖻𝖾 𝖺𝗌 𝗀𝗈𝗈𝖽 𝖺 𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗈𝖻𝗂 𝖺𝗌 𝗁𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝖽𝖺𝗒. 𝖲𝗈 𝗌𝗁𝖾 𝗍𝗋𝖺𝗂𝗇𝗌 𝗋𝖾𝗅𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗅𝖾𝗌𝗌𝗅𝗒 𝗂𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗁𝗈𝗉𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗌𝗁𝖾 𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝗆𝖾𝖺𝗌𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗎𝗉 𝗍𝗈 𝗁𝗂𝗆, 𝗈𝗋 𝖺𝗍 𝗅𝖾𝖺𝗌𝗍 𝖻𝖾 𝗍𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝖺𝗌 𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭. 𝖲𝗁𝖾 𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝗈𝗇𝗅𝗒 𝗐𝖺𝗇𝗍𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝗐𝗈𝗋𝗍𝗁 𝗍𝗈 𝗁𝖾𝗋𝗌𝖾𝗅𝖿, 𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝖺𝗅𝗌𝗈 𝗍𝗈 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖴𝖼𝗁𝗂𝗁𝖺 𝗁𝖾𝗂𝗋. 𝖳𝗈 𝗌𝗁𝗈𝗐 𝗁𝗂𝗆 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗌𝗁𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝖿𝗎𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝖼𝖺𝗉𝖺𝖻𝗅𝖾 𝗈𝖿 𝖼𝖺𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗍𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗁𝗂𝗆. 𝖨𝗇 𝖿𝖺𝖼𝗍, 𝗍𝗈 𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗀𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗍 𝗌𝗎𝗋𝗉𝗋𝗂𝗌𝖾 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖺𝗆𝗎𝗌𝖾𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍, 𝗌𝗁𝖾 𝗎𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗋𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗌𝖾 𝖿𝗂𝖾𝗋𝗒 𝗐𝗈𝗋𝖽𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝗁𝗂𝗆. 𝖨𝗍𝖺𝖼𝗁𝗂 𝖿𝗂𝗇𝖽𝗌 𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝖼𝗋𝗎𝗌𝗁 𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝖽𝖾𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗆𝗂𝗇𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝗍𝗈 𝖻𝖾 𝗌𝗍𝗋𝗈𝗇𝗀𝖾𝗋 𝖺𝖽𝗆𝗂𝗋𝖺𝖻𝗅𝖾. 𝖲𝖺𝗄𝗎𝗋𝖺 𝗋𝖾𝗉𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝖺𝗇𝗒𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝗐𝗁𝗈 𝗐𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝗅𝗂𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝖽𝖺𝗒 𝗌𝗁𝖾 𝗐𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖻𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖴𝖼𝗁𝗂𝗁𝖺'𝗌 𝗌𝗂𝖽𝖾, 𝗆𝗎𝖼𝗁 𝗍𝗈 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖺𝗆𝗎𝗌𝖾𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗂𝗋 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾𝖽 𝗈𝗇𝖾𝗌.

stu-dyingstudent

Sakura Haruno fic recs: time travel AU

I'm finally getting around to recommending some good Sakura-centric time travel fics! There are plenty of them out there and they can be kind repetitive, but I always eat them up. Typically speaking, I really don't care much for the whole introduction bit at the start where it's the actual process of her being sent back... So just make it past there before you decide whether or not to continue!!! Also, I'm starting to think this list is getting kinda long, so maybe I'll do a second one?

I've been dying to post some of these fics in a list, so please enjoy!

Started: 2024.08.16

Last Updated: 2024.12.02

note: feel free to check out my master list which has a bunch of Sakura Haruno fic recs (all organized)!

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Sakura - lilac haze || ffn/ao3 || M || minasaku || time travel AU || complete

AU. Non-Canon. Time Travel. Please see inside for full warnings. Cross posted on Ao3. On his deathbed he was granted eternal peace and place to rest for all of time. Of course that was not appealing to him. Ever unpredictable to the end he had a counter offer. One that the Sage had to consider. In which Sakura's going to have a rough time. A really rough time.

If there is one thing I want you to take away from this list, it is this fic right here. I kid you not, Sakura is one of the best fics I have ever read. I have never felt so gutted, so heartbroken, so giddy, so stressed, all from one work. It's a masterpiece all while being criminally underrated. The characterizations and storytelling are beautifully done. You feel for the characters and the relationships formed along the way are truly great. Please share this author some love.

Check TWs before hand!!

The Misadventures of Kakashi and the Girl From No Where - Goldfishlover73 || ao3 || kakasaku || M || time travel AU || complete

When a girl called Sakura seemingly falls in the sky, Kakashi is skeptical. Far more skeptical than the rest of Team Minato are. War is approaching quickly and this strange girl is leaving more questions than answers in her wake, Kakashi must decide where his trust and loyalties lie in a constantly changing world.

Told in the perspective of Kakashi in his youth! Really interesting take and I love how strong Sakura is in this in addition to the fact that we get to see a different side of Kakashi that we aren't used to.

Anachronistic Drift - Elesrea || ffn || gen || T || time travel AU || incomplete

Her plan was flawless. Save Shisui. Save the world. Time-travel, Sakura-centric AU

Sakura spends years training to be sent back in time and save the world from Sasuke. Whilst masquerading as her younger self, she poses as an unofficial ANBU to stay anonymous in her efforts of changing the shinobi world for the better.

Tourniquet - lilac haze || ffn || T || minasaku || time travel AU || complete

She was his tourniquet. She stopped the bleeding, she stopped his bleeding. She stopped his pain, his despair, his loneliness. She was the first face he saw. She was the first person he trusted. She was the first person to keep his secret. She was his tourniquet. He did not love her. He only loved the idea of her. SakuraXMinato. Time-Travel Fic. Alt. Universe

I quite honestly think this is a hidden gem amongst time travel AUs since I never see people recommending it, but Touriquet is so good! What's interesting here is that it isn't Sakura that's playing with time, but rather Minato. The night of the Nine-Tails attack, rather than dying, he is sent to the future where post-war Sakura is the one to find him and keep the former Hokage alive. It's a delicate situation and one which is kept a secret from many, but through Minato's depression and difficulties with his new life, Sakura becomes a close confident.

Same author as Sakura! I gotta read more of their works

Armour-Sleeved Single Hit - thatdamnuchiha || ao3 || T || madasaku || time travel AU || one-shot complete

Sasuke always told Sakura she was weak. Even after she trained with Tsunade for years he only had eyes for Naruto whom he considered strong. She would forever be invisible to him no matter how many mountains she toppled. Being a member of Team Seven despite Sasuke’s refusal to acknowledge her meant she got herself into her fair share of sticky situations. Getting stuck a hundred odd years in the past had to take the cake though. But she was just a weak little girl and compared to the shinobi of old she’d be ridiculously pathetic. Sasuke had said she was weak to him – a modern day shinobi who hadn’t been forced into battle after battle like they did in the Warring Clans Era. Obviously she’d be nothing more than a spec of dirt in the eyes of the Founders.

Sakura manages to find herself in founding-era Konoha! While trying to prove that medical ninja are capable fighters she unknowingly gains the affection of Madara Uchiha. After all, the Uchiha find beauty in strength. Super cute read!

here are the fruits of your labor (would you like a cherry on top?) - snickiebear || ao3 || M || shisaku || time travel AU || one-shot complete

Shisui smiles and it is unlike any smile she has seen before. She cannot remember the last time she had seen a smile.

Sakura manages to fix everything and now tries to live her life in a past she doesn't know. Shisui is the first to find her and the two of them form a close relationship that continues through her journey of recovery.

The Moon Knows Best - darth_healer || ao3 || E || madasaku || time travel AU || complete

The Moon has played a cruel trick on Madara. He's still home, but it's not the same. Instead of a tranquil forest, there's a colorful vibrant village. Instead of the cliffside he knows so well, it's a collection of Senju faces, one of which belongs to his good friend Hashirama. And instead of Hashirama, Madara is saddled with a very interesting, pink-haired girl. MadaSaku in which young Madara goes forward through time.

Madara finds himself far into the future where the first to stumble upon him is Sakura. He's such a brat, but his and Sakura's interactions are rather entertaining.

In the Magic Hour - summersirius || ao3 || E || minasaku || time travel AU || complete

It's not perfect, but everything is beautiful. —Minato/Sakura

A sharingan mishap lands Sakura in the past where she drops down in front of team Minato. With her hope of returning to the present time dwindling, Sakura excepts her new life and tries to make the best of the situation and the new bonds that come with it. The dynamic between Sakura and the older generation is quite refreshing and her mentor relationship with the former team 7 is great.

Stumble - writer168 || ao3/ffn || gen || T || time travel AU || complete

Sakura wanted to die.Sasori was fine with staying dead.But it seemed fate had other plans for them, because when they both wake up younger with blood pulsing through their veins, they had to remember how to live again.Time Travel AU

Sasori and Sakura are both sent back in time and they try to make a difference in their respective villages. Told in the perspective of both characters, but primarily Sakura. She ends up forming a pretty sweet bond with Ibiki and Genma (which I love) and they help her through some things. Sakura has a rough time

A Twist in Time - wolf08 || ffn || sasusaku || T || time travel AU || complete

With Konoha on the verge of destruction, Sakura is sent on a last-resort mission to save her world by travelling to the past. Join her in coping with her old body's shortcomings, testing the natural laws of time, falling in love all over again, and rediscovering who she is.

With Sakura frustrated at being back to where she started in her becoming of a shinobi, she begins to train with Sasuke. This time around in her life, her relationship with her brooding teammate isn't so strained. Pretty cute read imo

Return & Rehash - SpaceNugget11 || ffn || sasusaku || M || time travel AU || incomplete

"You," Sakura snarled with bared teeth. Sasuke gagged for air, clutching at her forearm, but she only pressed harder into him. Her green eyes crackled, and she wished she could burn him alive with the heat of her anger.

Sasuke and Sakura certainly did not end in their last life on goods terms and it is prevalent from the moment Sakura awakens and attacks her teammate.

An Inch of Gold - KuriQuinn || ffn || sasusaku || T || time travel AU || complete

Team 7 is sent on a mission to investigate a disturbance outside of the village, where they encounter an unconscious girl in a crater. The mysterious Sarada insists she's a shinobi from the Hidden Leaf trying to rescue her teammates. When the team discovers she possesses a Sharingan, things become even more unbelievable. [Part of the Legacy of Fire Series]

Sarada lands herself back in time all while crashing into another team 7 mission gone wrong. An Inch of Gold is in multiple perspectives, but they're all done quite well. Sasuke and Sakura are obviously rather flustered by the situation and the fact they have to deal with it in front of the team makes it quite entertaining.

These Eyes of Mine (I Can See) - tsukuyue || ao3 || gen || time travel AU || complete

They've lost. Naruto was dead, killed at Kaguya’s hands. Along with him died any illusions of hope that they could win. They couldn’t win, but perhaps they wouldn’t need to. In attempts to stop the Fourth Shinobi War from ever occuring, Sakura is sent back in time to the moment of her birth. Protecting the people she cared about would be much easier if she knew all the facts. OR Where Sakura can see the dead, and Danzō deserves to die.

I'll be honest, I can't remember much, but I do remember that it was really good! I believe a large focus is the Uchiha massacre.

Trials of Change - Espoiretreves || ao3 || gen || time travel AU || complete

Haruno Sakura made a promise. Looking in the eyes of her Shisou and the reanimated Hokage, she took on the most important mission of her life. Go back in time and try to prevent the 4th Shinobi War. Now, Sakura is back to her 5-year-old body, with all the knowledge and haunting memories of the future. She vows to keep her precious people safe and stop certain events from happening, without altering the timeline too much. The trials her emotions and logic put her through have her questioning her very existence, but for the sake of peace, she has to push forward. No matter what.

If you love Shisui then you'll definitely like Trials of Change. Him and Sakura form the most wholesome friendship ever and try their best in taking down ROOT. A huge cast is present here and the whole thing is just great. It seems as if everyone has some character development lmao.

Time Flies Like An Arrow - Katlou303 || ao3 || gen || K || time travel AU || complete

Sakura traveled back in time with the intent of changing everything, but something went wrong, and now she's four years old having nightmares about impossible monsters and losing friends she has yet to meet.

I always like the ones where Sakura isn't fully aware she time travelled. I find it interesting in this fic to see how oblivious Sakura is to her situation, she's a four year old in mind and body. However, she still feels the need to make a difference in the lives of the people around her.

cut the head off the snake - itsthechocopuff || ao3 || T || time travel AU || complete

when eighteen-year-old, post-war Sakura is thrown back into her tiny, pre-Academy body, she makes a decision. she'd had a childhood once already, and this time, she's more interested in Not Dying when the inevitable shit hits the proverbial fan. so she will work harder, care less, kill more, and smile when she's done.and hey, if she ends up reviving an extinct nature transformation to attract the most corrupt, power-hungry man from her timeline, all the better for her, right?

Sakura decides that her first order of business after traveling back in time is to infiltrate ROOT and that's exactly what she does. Sai, Shin, and Shisui are all great characters and team Ro is present as well. Very good!

The Danger of Smudged Storage Seals - bluemingqueen || ao3 || M || kakasaku || time travel AU || complete

Sakura should have known that Naruto taking an interest in seals would lead to disaster.

In hindsight, maybe she should have looked to see if the piece of paper she’d pressed a chakra-laden finger to was the explosive seal or the slightly smudged miniature storage seal containing all of her shinobi registration documents.

Perhaps one of my favourite kakasku fics and this was just recently completed too! Genin Sakura is sent back in time due to a faulty seal and maybe it was for the best? She ends up joining Team Minato and forms some great friendships in addition to a super sweet parental relationship with Minato and Kushina. There's a really good balance between training, missions, goofing around, heartfelt moments, etc.. I think the author did a fabulous job with the characterizations as they all feel accurate and unique to themselves. Also, fuinjutsu-user!Sakura??? Yes please! Slow burn kakasaku where they are both immature idiots

A Second Chance - Invisibleninja12 || ao3 || T || sasosaku || time travel AU || ongoing

A 15 year old Sasori turns up in the Leaf Village almost one year after Sakura defeats him (in canon). Not knowing what to do with this young, (semi) innocent Sasori, Sakura hides him from the world.

A teenage Sasori somehow manages to land himself 20 years in the future and he isn't quite sure what to make of it. Sakura feels she owes it to Lady Chiyo to help out (a bratty and emotional constipated) Sasori and ropes Sai into assisting. I've really been enjoying A Second Chance so far and I really love that Sai has a large role!

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Q: Do you guys like my little comments? If you look at my other lists you'll probably notice that I tend to reuse some of what I say (bc I'm lazy), but for the most part I try to add something new whenever I put a fic on a list. I know that descriptions aren't always very helpful, so I like to put a little something for y'all to get a better idea of what to expect!

Send me recs if you have any!!!

stu-dyingstudent

Sakura Haruno fic recs: romance-centric

I, like many others, definitely enjoy a a good romance every so often. All of these recs are going to have the romantic development of the characters as the forefront of the story, so just because the fic includes a ship doesn't mean it will go on the list. That means, many of them might feel more on the slice of life side of the spectrum, but that's not the case for all!!

There is going to be a mix of ships here so if you're interested in one in specific then use the search feature!

Started: 2024.08.28

Last Updated: 2024.12.19

note: feel free to check out my master list which has a bunch of Sakura Haruno fic recs (all organized)!

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To Build a Home - RedPowder || ao3 || E || kakasaku || canon divergence || ongoing

Sakura and Kakashi are assigned a mission that will change the path of their lives forever.

Kakashi and Sakura are forced to marry on orders from the village and I know that description sounds dumb, but trust me when I say this fic is gold. I've always had a hard time with kakasaku fics because I feel the whole teacher/student thing gets swept under the rug too easily, but that's not the case here. Their past relationship from team 7 is a glaring shadow over their marriage and the guilt over the whole situation weighs heavy on Kakashi. This mission isn't easy for either of them and it takes a lot of pull and tug to ensure things don't completely blow up. To Build a Home is probably one of my favorite takes on this ship as the portrayal feels realistic and the character feel accurate to themselves. Just give it a go!

Approaching Sun - ANerdInAllHerGlory || ffn || T || sasusaku || blank period || ongoing

After 2 years, Sasuke returns to the village where friends anxiously await him. Still troubled by the mysteries of Kaguya and his personal guilt, Sasuke is split between friends and his journey. Troubled by rising casualties and international dependence on her abilities, Sakura is torn between her love for Sasuke and her duty to her village.

Approaching Sun is probably one of the most realistic depictions of Sasuke and Sakura's relationship that I have read. This takes place during the blank period and references the novels, so it feels like an actual possibility of what went down. As much as I love them, I have a hard time believing that their relationship was smooth sailing and so I think this is an interesting take.

The Fool - thekatthatbarks || ao3 || T || shikasaku || blank period || complete

Ino kicked at a pebble on the ground, her arms folded across her chest. “How long?” Shikamaru sighed and pulled the cigarette away from his lips. “The war." It was a lie somewhat. He’d liked her since they were kids but had simply ignored the budding crush expecting it to fade over time. It hadn’t and by the time the war came around, he accepted he would always carry it despite his increasing efforts to drop it. He’d tried drowning it in the river, burning it in a fire, covering it up with something else. But it was all to no avail. It stuck with him, always apart of him. “Have you ever told anyone? Chouji? Her?” "No."

I actually really like Shikamaru and Sakura as a pairing (or just working together in general); however, I haven't read much of them. The Fool was a great post-war read where with some meddling (curtesy of Ino) we get to watch the progression of their relationship into something more than friends.

Nightmare in Red - Sariasprincy || ao3 || M || itasaku || non-massacre AU || complete

Haruno Sakura used to think the eyes were the windows to the soul, but after witnessing the horrors of the Sharingan firsthand, she's convinced they are the doors. It was pure chance that led Sakura to the discovery of the disease eating through Uchiha Itachi's lungs and now that she's aware, she knows she cannot just turn a blind eye. But how is she to treat the very man who tortured her while at the same time keep her nightmares from consuming her? That she doesn't know, but she knows she has to try, even if it nearly kills her in the end.

Itachi unintentionally captures Sakura in his mangekyou after being rolled into the hospital for her to heal. While Sakura tries to work through the impacts of the genjutsu she continues to work with him in an effort to cure him of the disease infecting his body. I actually really liked how the whole thing played out. Itachi's sickness was sort of a mystery in the original series and so I found it rather interesting to see what was done in regards to it. Anyway, I love their interactions and Shisui is (like always) a great character as well.

Blind - ObsidianSickle || ffn || sasusaku || T || canon divergent || complete

It was almost time, Orochimaru was going to take his body as a vessel. He hated being used...he refused to be used. With that thought, he took the kunai in his hand and slashed across his eyes.

I won't lie, Sakura is pretty weak in Blind and the whole thing is super cheesy, but it's still an enjoyable read.

Ghosts - ElegiesforShiva || ffn || sausaku || M || blank period || incomplete

In love and loss, it often comes back to family, and Team 7 had always been fated, hadn't they? Deny it as she may, Sakura finds her heart strung to them with an uncanny reverence and the weight of their ghosts. Sakura-centric. Heavy, heavy angst. Slow burn Sasusaku. Canon pairings. Lots of friendship feels. Eventual (consensual) lemon.

Ghosts is a pretty dark read where basically everyone is suffering. Sasuke and Sakura in specific have an especially hard time coping with their individual struggles yet they find comfort in each other. Check TWs before going in

Home is Where the Heart is - DeepPoeticGirl || ffn || sasusaku || T || blank period || complete

And with every moment together, they get just a little closer, a little more comfortable with each other. Fall a little more in love. Post-war. Pre-epilogue.

This fic is actually adorable! Taking place during the black period we get to see how Sasuke and Sakura's relationship slowly progresses. If you've always wondered what their travels were like then definitely check this one out.

In Times of Peace - SouthSideStory || ffn || sasusaku || M || blank period || canon divergent || complete

The war is over, and like Konoha, Team 7 has rebuilt itself from the ground up. Everything has changed, but Sasuke and Sakura remain much the same. Eleven years, she thinks, is a long time to be in love.

Sakura and Sasuke have like a secret relationship going on. Also, Sakura as a jonin sensei is so good!! I really wish that someone from the original cast actually went down that route, but whatever.

Labyrinthine - FM_White || ao3 || itasaku || M || canon divergence || complete

ItaSaku (Post Uchiha Massacre) AU: Some things are destined to be. It just takes a couple of tries to get there.ItaSaku. Light KakaSaku.

I actually really liked how this was done as team 7 is still a family, Sasuke didn't lose his mind, Itachi picked a much more respectable path imo, and the characters are all adults.

Only a Crush by Gingersoup || ao3 || kakasaku || M || canon divergent || complete

It was supposed to be an easy, fun night out. She never intended to wake up in her sensei's bed, half-naked and with no memory of what happened the night before! As she tries to unravel the mystery of that night, something sinister is growing beyond the walls of the Leaf Village... and what was only a crush spirals wildly out of control.

Sakura is unwillingly thrust into the world of illegal drugs, trafficking, and sex all while coming to terms with her new feelings regarding her former sensei. I typically don't like kakasaku, but I think this work is done tastefully well. The characters are both adults and the immorality of the relationship is not ignored, so be prepared for a lot of "we can't," "this is wrong," etc.. Anyway, Sakura is an absolute powerhouse and I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship between all of the different characters and villages!

Dreaming's End - thepiedsniper || ao3 || T || kakasaku || canon divergence || complete

Sakura didn't avoid the Infinite Tsukuyomi with the others, and all the events that happened afterward were simply the product of her dream-state. When Sakura finally wakes up from years spent in her personal "paradise," she must to learn how to start again. Kakashi is there to help her. ~*~ (TWs for genjutsu-related unreality)

Basically, imagine the entirety of Boruto was Sakura's dream in Infinite Tsukuyomi. When Sakura manages to breakout during the war she's left to deal with serious ramifications of the life she just lived. She finds herself constantly questioning what's real and Kakashi tries to help her through it.

Mamihlapinatapai - FM_White || ao3 || E || itasaku || canon divergence || ongoing

Mamihlapinatapai・Yagan. (n.) a look shared by two people, each wishing that the other would initiate something they both desire, but which neither wants to begin In which Sakura tries her hardest to raise one hell of a rambunctious baby by herself, Sasuke is searching for something unknown, and Itachi is the uncle.

In another life where Itachi doesn't end up dying and instead tries his best to help Sakura raise his niece in Sasuke's absence. It's my head canon that everyone came together to help with Sarada just like they did for Kuranai, and so Mamihlapinatapi satisfies that thought for me. I like how Sasuke was criticized in this since as much as I understand the necessity of what he's doing, I also find it completely unfair to his wife and daughter. Itachi and Sakura form a great bond and it's all very domestic and just super fluffy all around, which I love.

Louder than Words - SouthSideStory || ao3 || T || sasusaku || non-massacre AU || complete

Sakura hasn’t uttered a single word since the day her family died, but Sasuke is determined to hear her, one way or another. (No Uchiha massacre AU.)

Sakura gets taken in by the Uchiha family after Fugaku finds her on a mission. She's been mute ever since, but that doesn't stop her and Sasuke from forming a close bond.

Snake Bound - shefalls || ao3 || E || sasusaku || canon divergence || complete

"You... took me with you." "That's what I said." "To Orochimaru. You took me with you, to Orochimaru." Sasuke nodded curtly and shoved the medical kit a little more insistently into her hands. Sakura accepted, and prayed to every known god that Orochimaru would ignore her existence. She should've known the gods don't listen. Now only on AO3. Sequel up.

What if Sasuke took Sakura with him like she asked? Snake Bound explores that idea and it's honestly a very uncomfortable read. Their relationship is based off of the isolation and dependency their new situation puts them in. All they really have is each other and the new bond that brings is not a healthy one.

Armour-Sleeved Single Hit - thatdamnuchiha || ao3 || T || madasaku || time travel AU || one-shot complete

Sasuke always told Sakura she was weak. Even after she trained with Tsunade for years he only had eyes for Naruto whom he considered strong. She would forever be invisible to him no matter how many mountains she toppled.Being a member of Team Seven despite Sasuke’s refusal to acknowledge her meant she got herself into her fair share of sticky situations. Getting stuck a hundred odd years in the past had to take the cake though.But she was just a weak little girl and compared to the shinobi of old she’d be ridiculously pathetic. Sasuke had said she was weak to him – a modern day shinobi who hadn’t been forced into battle after battle like they did in the Warring Clans Era. Obviously she’d be nothing more than a spec of dirt in the eyes of the Founders.

Always You - alex-halcyon || ffn || T || kakasaku || age swap AU || complete

[AU. Age-swap] Kakashi x Sakura. From academy days to the third shinobi war and beyond, Kakashi and Sakura grow up and fall in love.

Basically, Sakura takes Rin's place on the old team 7. The progression between the character is quite interesting as it definitely isn't smooth sailing for Kakashi and Sakura. However, even through everything they find themselves drifting towards each other. Pretty cute imo.

interim - stannide || ao3 || T || sasusaku || blank period || one-shot complete

Sasuke lives with Sakura in the weeks after the war.

Interim is such a wholesome read where Sasuke and Sakura rekindle their former relationship. Super fluffy

Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Tozette || ao3 || T || sasusaku || blank period || one-shot complete

Sasuke is actually eighteen the first time he looks at Sakura and realises abruptly that he wants her.

I think we all know by now that Sasuke has always been attracted to strength, power, so why not when it comes to romance? Essentially, one day on a mission, Sasuke discovers he has a strength kink. Watching him continuously get flustered throughout the fic because of his admiration towards Sakura's strength is so entertaining. Really fun read

the problem with how time works - MurderMittens || ao3 || E || kakasaku || generation swap AU || complete

"I don't remember you being this uncomfortable when Kakashi was nine and had a crush on you," Ino pointed out neutrally. "You thought it was flattering before." She moved to pour more wine into their glasses as Sakura exhaled sharply out of her nostrils. "Obviously! It was fucking cute when he was a kid! But now he's..." she trailed off, gesticulating feebly. Ino, taking pity on her, finished the sentence: "Now he's a stone cold hottie who looks and sounds like he'd murder the ever-loving shit out of your vagina."

Sakura and Kakashi's generations swap place and boy is it entertaining. With Naruto as his sensei, of course Kakashi has met Sakura. Now that she's back in the village after years, Kakashi decides to try his best to win her over.

on still water - summersirius || ao3 || T || shisaku || canon divergence || complete

and sometimes, there are days without rain. —shisui/sakura

I'm actually devastated that the author decided to not pursue the plot line after about chapter 15 (it was so good too), but On Still Water is great nonetheless. Some really cute Shisui x Sakura moments

never let 'em know your next move - MirrorImage003 || ao3 || T || itasaku || non-massacre AU || one-shot complete

six times itachi is surprised by sakura, and the one time he's surprised by his mother.

Sort of drabble style moments between Itachi and Sakura and it's honestly adorable.

Hatsukoi - sparklyfaerie || ao3 || sasusaku || gen || non-massacre AU || complete

Sasuke leans away as the girl turns to him, and his mother doesn't need to be any closer to guess as to the expression on his face. The girl's body language changes in an instant, and Mikoto recognizes the posture of a little girl in love. It's kind of adorable.

Probably one of the cutest sasusaku fics I have read as Hatsukoi follows them from genin to marriage! It's told in multiple perspectives and it's full of tooth rotting fluff. You get to watch the slow progression of their relationship over time and how they grow even closer in Naruto's absence. Definitely read is you want something light!

(oh, you'll probably go to heaven) please don't hang your head & cry - SafelyCapricious || ao3 || T || itasaku || time travel AU || one-shot complete

There’s no such thing as a good death. But Sakura faces her death without any regrets. Her dying is keeping her precious people safe — and that’s all she can ask for. So she dies with a smile, taking thousands of enemies with her. She wakes up and falls off the branch she’s laying on.

More of a pre-ship than anything actually romantic, so maybe this isn't the best for this list lmao.

Ghost - twilightdazzle || ffn || M || sasusaku || canon divergence || complete

Sakura is officially declared missing on a Wednesday morning. Wednesday, what a stupid day to go missing. Of course, Sakura is the only person he knows that is annoying enough to interrupt the middle of the week like this.

Sakura goes missing and this fic is basically Sasuke slowly losing his mind over it. Ghost is honestly pretty darn touching and feels true to Sasuke's character. Everyone is concerned for Sakura and that doesn't exclude him despite how nonchalant he makes himself seem.

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Send me some recs if you have any to share! I'm generally fine with any ship as long as the story is good :)

blimbloba

Warrior!Penelope AU

Part 1

I just read the fanfic War bleeds into love, and you bleed into me by Corvid_Creatures.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/59640931/chapters/152111158

And I am IN LOVE. So I’m going to post a headcanon because my delulu brain cannot stop thinking about this.

So Part 1 is just similar to this fanfic.

• Penelope, born a Spartan princess, is strong-willed and clever but uninterested in traditional duties.

• She secretly trains in combat, sneaking away to fight rather than study.

• Ares takes notice, stopping time to train her in a secret realm where she can hone her skills without aging.

• She unknowingly becomes his champion, surpassing even the best male warriors.

But I wanna add a little something something because I want women empowerment. I want men being effed over. I want an army of women.

• As she grows stronger, Penelope starts training other young Spartan women who wish to fight.

• She creates a hidden arena with Ares, where time stops so they can train without being discovered.

• This group grows into an underground network of female warriors, all sworn to secrecy.

• Ares supports this, believing that a generation of warrior women will reshape Greece.

Okay it’s taking shape people let’s add a part 2.

blimbloba

Warrior!Penelope AU

Part 2

So now she has a secret society of spartan women warriors. Let’s call them the SSSWW HAHAHAH and Ares is their patron. Athena takes notice btw but doesn’t do anything yet. Let’s skip to the part where the suitors of Helen come in. This is still from the fanfic by Corvid_Creatures from ao3 because they have a brilliant mind.

• At the gathering of Helen’s suitors, Penelope meets Odysseus, who isn’t interested in Helen but in her.

• He notices something different—a shadow of war clings to her—and Athena confirms to him that Penelope is Ares’ chosen.

• Ares dislikes Odysseus because he belongs to Athena, but he lets Penelope decide her own fate.

• They spar, testing each other, and while Odysseus is talented, Penelope is better.

• He’s intrigued, courts her despite Ares’ disapproval, and ultimately wins her hand.

OKAY SO THEY GET MARRIED. While Helen marries Menelaus. Penelope sails to Ithaca and becomes their queen and bears their son, Telemachus. It’s a pretty peaceful time. Shes ruling Ithaca with her beloved Odysseus, being a devoted mother and of course still training the SSSWW. Until war breaks out.

• Unlike the original tale, Penelope, not Odysseus, leaves for Troy—leading 600 trained female warriors from Sparta (let’s go SSSWW) because she’s a badass and Ares wants war.

• Odysseus reluctantly stays behind, promising to protect Ithaca and raise their son.

• Penelope fights ruthlessly in the Trojan War. Ares whispers to her to kill everyone, including the infant. Though hesitant, she trusts him and does it. (Epic Athena and Poseidon would be proud of course Ares is too)

• Only Helen is spared and returns to Sparta, now wanting to rule as more than just a queen in name.

On to Part 3!