It was a warm day in mid July; the sun cast a warm glow which was made bearable by the gentle breeze and the birds sang a calming melody. Sakura sat out on the balcony in a gentle pink gown enjoying the warm peaceful day, when she was pulled into the arms of Sasuke Uchiha, her husband. For Sakura this made her day even more cheerful. For the past month Sasuke had been away to the mist kingdom as he was needed at the court being one of the representative's for the leaf kingdom.
"I didn't think you were going to be back till the end of next month" she said as she kissed him.
"I was no longer needed." As he started to tell her about his travels he noticed that Sakura had bags under her eyes and her skin was paler than usual, all the obvious signs of lack of sleep.
"Sakura, if your not sleeping again you should got and see Shizune."
"No I'm perfectly fine." she was cut off as a cry came from their daughter Kimeko. As Sakura went to get up Sasuke stopped her.
"You stay here your exhausted I will go and see to her." That surprised Sakura, as she had often been told it was her place to take care of any children.
When Sasuke walked into his daughter's room he noticed that all the curtains were drawn and he saw Kimeko lying in her bed. Her silky black hair was dull and matted, she was pale and when Sasuke touched her forehead he noticed that it was burning hot. As she stirred she noticed that it was not her mother or nurse in the room but her father.
"Daddy." She whispered out in such a weak voice it broke Sasuke's heart so see her so weak, usually when he returned from his travels she would be running up to him and asking every question that came into her head, but no now she could barley move. When she started coughing uncontrollably Sasuke tried to get her to calm down so she could take a drink, but then realized how ill she was when she started coughing up blood. As he hurriedly sat her up he shouted for Sakura to come in.
"If she wants her medicine she has to wait… oh my goodness" she panicked when she saw all the blood.
"Sakura go and get Shizune now!" And with that she ran off.
By the time Shizune and some of the other medics arrived Kimeko was unconscious, but Sasuke still refused to lay her down.
It was about 3 weeks later and Kimeko had not woken up and was now under constant watch of a medic and one of her parents was always at her side. Shizune had found that she had one of fevers that had over populated the hospital. But Kimeko was the youngest patient she had with this fever and was surprised with how long she had lasted as many of the other patients had died in the first couple of weeks but Kimeko's was on a stand still, it wasn't getting worse but it wasn't getting better. At the present time Shizune was working on the injections they had to give Kimeko while Sasuke was sat in the chair next to her bed with his head laid against her body.
"Daddy?" came the quiet almost inaudible whisper from the fragile 5 year old, Sasuke jumped up in the seat and Shizune turned around.
"Kime how do you feel sweetheart?" Sasuke asked as he swept one of her bangs out of her face.
"I feel fine daddy why wouldn't I, did you get back last night?" confused Sasuke turned to Shizune as she came over and started to check Kimeko.
"She has been in a coma for nearly a month memory loss is quite common, but I am amazed by her recovery rate, she woke up as if she was never ill, I will go get princess Sakura." and with that she left.
"Sweetie you've been asleep for the past few weeks because you went very well, I got back when you fell asleep" Sasuke tried to explain to the small girl.
"Kime, oh my baby! You had me so scared." Cried Sakura as she ran in and pulled her daughter into a hug.
"Mummy I can't breathe." She giggled as Sakura let her go and she snuggled in between her parents who had sat on either side of the bed.
"So I see sleeping beauty has awakened." joked Queen Tsunade. "Does she feel well enough to come to dinner?"
"Yes! And nana I can't be sleeping beauty, a prince didn't kiss me to wake me up" they all laughed.
"Well then go and get changed into that lovely gown that is in your wardrobe and we can go." With that Kimeko ran to her walk in wardrobe (another room) and saw the box on the chair and Sakura went to go and help her get changed out of her pajamas (they gave up on the idea of a nanny and thought they should spend more time with her)
"Oh by the way Sasuke, your parents, brother and the triplets are here as well."
"Well now that were all here should we start with why." Said Tsunade as Sasuke helped Kimeko into the chair between himself and Sakura.
"First, to your request Sakura your coronation that should have been held 2 weeks ago will be help in 2 days, and second, Fugaku as it is your affairs I will allow you to bear the news"
"Shihiro had been ill over the past month and sadly passed away last week, and because of this, Itachi has stepped down from the line of the throne so the triplets would not be alone, so the crown now falls to you."
Sasuke looked at Itachi with a sympathetic look, not only had he lost his wife who was the only person he loved and opened up to, but he also had to take car of the 3 children who were all the same age a Kimeko.
"However, as you and Sakura were not wedded as king and queen so the two lands will not be able to join as one until Kimeko is crowned as she comes of age."
Sasuke and Sakura were in shock.
"Hold on what about Kime she can't possibly travel between the two kingdoms all the time!" Yelled Sasuke by now Kimeko had started to get scared she had never seen her father get so angry in front of her.
"She will not be traveling between to kingdoms. She will be staying here with Sakura who will teach her alongside her ruling so she knows how to be a queen, then at the age of 15 she will be traveling to the Uchiha kingdom where she will meet a fiancé chosen by you."
"HOW CAN YOU DO THIS, HOW CAN YOU TAKE EVERYTHING FROM HER!" Sakura screamed as she stood.
"SAKURA SIT DOWN!" Tsunade shouted back just as loud.
"MOTHER, HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO US?" Without waiting for an answer she picked up Kimeko and ran from the hall to their wing of the palace.
"I never knew you could be so cold hearted." Sasuke said coldly as he stalked out after Sakura diner forgotten to all of them. As Sasuke walked into their huge living room he noticed Sakura and Kimeko on the sofa and Kimeko was in a fit of hysterical tears, but as Sasuke entered the room Sakura looked up at him.
"I'm going to go and have some food prepared." And with that she walked off keeping her head down as she walked past him. That gesture forgotten, he went over to his daughter.
"Kime, what's wrong?" He asked as he pulled her into his lap.
"Daddy was mad at me." She chocked out between sobs
"Oh sweetheart, I could never be mad at you." And he pulled her into a hug where he held her until her whimpers stopped and he realized she was asleep. He took her into her room and changed her into her night gown and tucked her into her bed, as he turned around he saw Sakura in the doorway watching him.
"She is going to miss you so much," she cried as she broke down in his arms just outside the door. "How can they do this just cause we weren't crowned, how can they just destroy our life like this."
"Shh, just remember to be strong for kime, I have to go and speak with some one." And with that he left her there knowing quite well who he was going to talk to.
Sasuke stormed into the room his family were staying in and went straight to Itachi who had just came out of one of the other rooms probably putting the triplets to bed.
"You selfish bastard." He yelled as he punched him.
"Sasuke! Stop it!" his mother scream as he continually beat his brother.
"I didn't want them to be on their own." Itachi coughed up when Fugaku finally pulled Sasuke off him.
"Yeah well thanks to you I'm not going to see my daughter for 10 years." And with that he kicked Itachi again and stalked out of the room. As soon as the door was closed Mikoto ran over to her oldest son.
"He was right... I was being selfish... and now I've destroyed his family." He whispered
The morning after Sakura's coronation Sasuke made his way onto the ship that would take him back to sound that morning they had not been able to find Kimeko but they figured she was trying to leave out the awkward good byes. Naruto, who was going with Sasuke after being offered the job of head guard, came up to him to try and cheer him up.
"Come on at least you can look forward to seeing them again, and if it's any constellation you wouldn't have to worry about her marrying some one not worthy of her." However Sasuke just stalked off into his cabin, to hear a soft whimper coming from under the bed. As he looked under he saw none other than Kimeko curled up trying to be as quiet as she could.
"Kime what are you doing here?" he asked gently as he pulled her from under the bed.
"I want to go with you." She cried out. Before Sasuke could say anything Naruto burst through the door.
"Teme, Kimeko is missing she isn't in the castle grounds at -." He stopped as he saw Kimeko in her father's arms figuring what had happened and how hard this is for her. Still carrying her in his arms Sasuke yet again made his way off the ship to find Sakura with her mother trying to figure out where the princess could be. But as she tried to take her from Sasuke the little girls grip tightened on his shirt as she started cry hysterically. It was the hardest thing Sasuke ever had to do, having his baby girl ripped from his arms and carried away knowing he couldn't do anything about it, and that the next time he saw her, she would no longer be his baby girl but a young women ready to make her own decisions.
That was the day Sasuke Uchiha's heart became dark and cold.
So I started to re writ this just putting a bit more detail in and not rushing though it so much. Now that I've finally finished moving, I know it took a ridiculous amount of time, updates should come more regular. Thanks go to my best friend chariekinsx (found on deviantart) for checking and pointing out my obvious mistakes where I wasn't paying attention.