Chapter 2: Hasty Wedding
Heart of Ice
Chapter 2
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto…
Pairing: Sasu/Saku
It's been a week since Sasuke proposed to Sakura. She had told him that she wasn't sure if she was ready for such a strong commitment, even though on the inside she knew she wanted to be with him more than anything. Well, looks like I got my wish. It's not the way that I wanted it to happen, but it'll have to do.
She walked around her room, knowing that she'd say yes to his proposal, and also knowing that he doesn't love her. Perhaps wouldn't ever love her. It's the price I'll have to pay! She got the nerve to go out to where Sasuke was staying. When she got there, she was surprised to see him waiting there, as if he had anticipated her coming to see him.
"Do you have an answer for me?" Sasuke asked.
"Yes." She took a deep breath for courage. "Yes, Sasuke, I will marry you."
"Good. I'll go look for the priest. Be ready for us by one or two this afternoon." Sasuke declared, leaving no room for agreement or disagreement.
"Alright." She turned around and left. Well, looks like I'm about to get married! And to Sasuke Uchiha, too!
Sakura just finished cleaning out her apartment, getting ready for Sasuke and the priest to come over so that they could go over the wedding preparations. I can't believe this is happening! She heard a knock on the door, and went to go answer it, already knowing that it was Sasuke. "Hello," she said, inviting the two men in.
"Hello." the priest said, and Sasuke just nodded his head.
"Let's get this ceremony over with." Sasuke said gruffly.
Ceremony? What's he talking about? Sakura wondered. Are we...are we getting married today?!
The priest motioned for them to stand together, and he immediately started the ceremony. When he asked her if she would take Sasuke as her lawful wedded husband, she just said, "Yes." She was very shocked that this was moving so quickly. We're getting married now! Sasuke agreed to take her as his lawful wedded wife, and then the priest said that he could kiss his bride. She jumped when his cold lips touched hers for a brief second. The priest announced them as husband and wife, then she was startled once again as she heard clapping and cheering from outside. She turned to see half of the village standing there observing the whole thing. There were a lot of "It's about time!" and "Finally!" and "You finally got the nerve, eh, Sasuke?" Then they all left when the priest left, giving the newlyweds their time alone together.
Sasuke came to her and said, "Are you ready to perform your wifely duties?"
She only looked at him. "Sure…?" What is he talking about?
He looked at her. "Are you going to take them off, or will I?"
"I will." She watched as he took his clothes off, and realized she hadn't gotten anywhere. She quickly took all of her clothes off, and admired his body. I wonder what this will be like?She didn't have long to wait…
Sakura lay there, barely containing her tears as her husband got up. He dressed, cast her a look, then left. What just happened? Who was that? She wondered. It was so…cold. She remembered the feel of his hands on her body, so rough and she remembered the way he had kissed her. It had felt so…empty. Void of emotion. What kind of man did I marry?
Sasuke felt like the biggest ass ever. Not only had he strong-armed her into marrying him within hours of telling him that she accepted his proposal, he'd basically forced himself on her. I can't get attached. I can't loose focus. For too many years I've been dreaming of this moment. Loving people only causes pain and suffering. He recalled the look of confusion, curiosity, desire, then hurt flashing across her face as the moments of this afternoon had happened. I could have at least been gentle. Tried to show her a good time...from what I've heard about sex, it didn't have to be completely cold between the couple, even if there weren't any feelings involved. He recalled the one quick glimpse of her naked body that he'd seen - it was perfection. Complete perfection. Maybe, just maybe, I can be gentle and enjoy sex with her and still remain detached. He contemplated it, and decided that it might be worth a try.
Sakura soon realized that the only reason that Sasuke slept with her was to have her provide him with an heir so that he could be that much closer to restoring his clan. He told her one day that they were going to move somewhere else. Somewhere where the area would be great to set up his "empire" for him and his clan. "I want my sons to have the very best." he had said. She had wondered about how he'd feel having a daughter, but was afraid of his reaction.
After the first week of being married, she rarely saw Sasuke because he was always off training or something. The only time she'd see him was at the end of the day when he'd come to her bed, and he would make love to her. She knew that he didn't love her, but after that first night, he had become more...lover-like and gentle with her.
As time went by, each encounter that they had got a little longer until it got to the point where he would start dozing, realize he was still with her, then hastily get up and leave. She wouldn't stop hoping, though. I want him to love me! More than anything, I want him to love me!
The first month went by, and Sakura started to lose all of her hopes and dreams. She remembered how she always dreamed that her and Sasuke would get married and be happily in love, and their first week of being married would be filled with laughter, joy, and passion. Love, too. But, of course, it didn't happen. The passion was there, but even that was debatable. For every day he seemed to forget himself with her, he traded an equally professional and business-like evening with her. She recalled how she wanted to celebrate their one-month anniversary. That's definitely not going to happen! Sasuke had said that he was going to be gone today, tomorrow, and the next day. I'm going to be all alone. Oh well. I'm used to it.
Another month went by. They'd finally moved into this beautiful house on a large piece of land. It would be plenty big for any and all children they had, as well as any play dates the children wanted to have here. Not to mention, they'd had a training arena built so that they could keep training. Sakura, however, wasn't doing much training because she got sick. She was so sick to the point that she was throwing up every morning, any time she smelled food she didn't like or couldn't stand, and every night. After about two weeks of being sick, she decided to go to the doctor's. He confirmed her suspicions. She was pregnant! She went home, and she told Sasuke.
"Good." He told her that he was needed to go on a mission, and not to expect him back anytime soon. Then he left.
He didn't even say take care! Sakura thought as she felt tears sting her eyes. When will you start to care about me, Sasuke?
Sasuke left without a word because he didn't know what he was going to do. A baby! We did it! He was thrilled. Scared. Happy. Terrified. But at the bottom of all of his concern was this simple thought - How am I going to be a father?! He was failing at this whole husband thing. Being a lover? Oh it was simple. Easy. He had such an attractive bed partner - wife - that it was no wonder he could have sex with her over and over again.
He paced back and forth in the clearing just outside of their new house, debating on going back or heading out early for his mission. Well, I already left, she probably already thinks I'm a jerk, and at this point you should just let those feelings be. He started a quick pace to go to visit Naruto before he'd left on his mission.
"Sasuke? Is everything ok?" Naruto asked him, motioning him inside.
"Yes, everything's great. Sakura's pregnant."
At his tone, Naruto proceeded carefully. "Oh? That's good news! And you're still going on the mission?"
Sasuke nodded. "Yes. I need to make sure that everything is safe." He paused, not sure of how to ask, so he blurted, "Can you look after her? You and Hinata? But don't say I asked you to!" He got a little flushed.
That piqued Naruto's curiosity even more. "Um. Sure! Yeah. Hina and Sakura have been close friends for the past couple years. I'm sure Temari will be around, as well."
Sasuke seemed to accept that answer. He turned and left, leaving a puzzled Naruto staring after him. "Huh. I wonder how long it'll take him to realize..."
"What are you mumbling about?" Hinata came up to him, hugging him from behind, and laid her head against his back.
"Oh nothing much." He turned in her arms, bringing his up to hold her against him, and kissed her. "I love you."
She looked surprised at this sudden declaration, but that look quickly changed. "I love you too...in fact, the doctor just told me today that I can express that love to you again..." she said with a saucy grin, and Naruto quickly forgot about Sasuke and Sakura, they're coming baby, the baby boy that was just given to him, and practically threw his small, petite wife over his shoulder and took her into their bedroom, quickly silencing her laughter...
The weeks and months went by, and she spent a lot of her time with Hinata and the children, welcoming to their family a new baby boy a few months ago. He's so cute! Maybe I'll have a baby boy, and he'll look just like Sasuke.
She also spent some time with Temari. She'd become really good friends with her, but being the wife of the Hokage, and having a family, didn't leave too much time for socializing. Especially after Sakura's wedding to Sasuke. On this particular visit, Temari shared with Sakura the origins of her marriage to Shikamaru. She told Sakura that they didn't love each other until after their daughter was born.
"But why did you two sleep together if you didn't love each other?" Sakura wanted to know.
"Because we both knew that it was important to make it look like it would be a profitable match for both villages." Temari had replied.
"Was it…weird between you guys?"
"Surprisingly, no, it wasn't. But let me tell you, it got a little awkward because in bed we could respond better than in every day activities. After we fell in love, everything changed." Temari said, a sparkle in her eyes. "He even used his shadow possession jutsu to hold me still and make me hear his declaration of love."
"Really?" Sakura asked, knowing Sasuke would never do anything that romantic.
"Yep. And want to know something else? I'm pregnant again!" Temari exclaimed excitedly.
"Really?! That's so cool! Maybe our children can grow up together as friends!" Sakura said. "Hinata's son will only be a couple months older, too."
"That would be really nice." Temari said and they went on talking, and Sakura got tired and went home as fast as her nine-month pregnant stomach would allow. She got home and went directly to bed. She was in the middle of her nap when she felt pains across her abdomen. They didn't last for long, but they were really painful. It's time for my baby to come, and I'm all alone! I don't even know the first thing about babies! She screamed as another pain came shooting across her abdomen. What am I going to do?
TO BE CONTINUED...
Hopefully you liked this chapter ^_^
HelplessRomanticDreamer
