So I don't think that come of the other chapters will be as long as the first one, but we'll see.

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Alrighty please enjoy


The morning after her wedding, Sakura remembers the feeling of bliss and disbelief she felt as she stared at the beautiful mountain tableau through the window across the room. She was alone in the rather large bed, but Sasuke's scent still lingered around the room. Sakura stretched in bed for a few minutes, then walked, promptly ignoring the soreness between her legs, to the bathroom, where she soaked lethargically, dressed and walked slowly to the kitchen.

She rationalized the Sasuke must be training somewhere nearby and began to make food for them, her mind curiously blank, not in a way that made her feel numb, but in a way that kept her in a feeling of disbelief.

How is it that she was here, in a secluded manor in the mountains, on her honeymoon, with the man she had loved since she was a little girl?

It was all too good to be true, too dream-like to be real.

Sakura was pulled form her thoughts by the sound of the front door sliding closed. She was about to call out to him before he said, "I'm going to shower, then I'll meet you for breakfast, Sakura."

A flush appeared on Sakura's cheeks at hearing his voice. "Alright, um, take your time," she replied and returned to cooking their meal.

While Sakura enjoyed cooking, she knew that when they returned home she wouldn't be much of a housewife, as she had just as many responsibilities to the village as he did and she spent several hours at the hospital a day. She was certain that she could make the time for them to have dinner together but...; well, regardless, they'd find a routine that made each of them happy and that's what strong couples do.

Sasuke eventually walked into the kitchen, his dark hair damp and disheveled, low pants hanging lose from his hips. He approached Sakura and placed a soft kiss on her lips before asking, "Do you need any help?"

Sakura smiled, knowing that he secretly hoped that she said "no", and replied, "I've got it, just go sit down."

"I don't want you to serve me, Sakura," he murmured. She pursed her lips teasingly. "Just sit down, okay. I promise not to make this a habit."

Sasuke obliged, a low, stubborn growl, leaving his lips. They ate their breakfast and chatted nonchalantly throughout the morning. After she was done cleaning the kitchen, with Sasuke's help, of course, he carried her back to their bedroom and they made love.

The second time was nerve-wracking at first, as Sakura had no choice but to see all of Sasuke's impassioned features illuminated by the sunlight in the room. It was overwhelming, but soon became exceedingly enjoyable.

Sakura slept through most of the afternoon, while Sasuke trained again and they reconvened for dinner, which was similar to the quiet, intimacy of breakfast. After dinner they took a leisurely walk around the outside of the manor until the moon had completely risen.

They went to sleep a few hours later, Sasuke's name on her lips, sweat gleaming on both of their bodies and Sasuke's head resting on her breasts, his strong arm wrapped around her waist. He was seemingly insatiable, which made Sakura feel beautiful and desired and loved. He tried to restrain himself at first, but then, when he was relaxed, that he would allow himself to truly enjoy their time together.

After their second night together, Sasuke was less distant than he was the first day. They hiked and explored some of the mountain trails, swam in a small pond and climbed into a hidden cave. They returned to the manor deep into the night and slept well into the next morning.

The third day was quiet and Sakura took the time to be lazy and lounge outside in the sun while Sasuke trained hour after hour. He showered and took a long nap in the afternoon, which gave Sakura the time to make a special dinner for them. She even went as far as to wear a rather short, risque kimono that Tenten gave her as a wedding present and pin her hair to the top of her head.

Sasuke's grogginess completely went away when he entered the kitchen for dinner, but Sakura decided to tease him a bit and pretend that she didn't notice him staring at her all throughout dinner. She spoke to him is a soft, beckoning voice and purposely ate their dessert of fresh fruit slowly and sensually. He made her want to please him, which made her bolder than she usually was.

She was murmuring something about her plans when they returned home when he gruffly interrupted her, his voice a soft rumble. "Sakura, enough." She feigned innocence and fluttered her eyelashes. "What's the matter?" Instead of answering, he stood and held out his hand for her. When she was on her feet, Sasuke pulled her to him and kissed her deeply.

Before Sakura could respond, she felt her feet leave the floor as he threw her playfully over his shoulder. She laughed but squirmed against him the entire way to their bedroom, to no avail.

She was still giggling madly when he gently placed her on their bed. She sat up, her back against the headboard as he climbed over her and kissed her lips, neck and collarbone.

Sasuke was far to impatient to completely remove her kimono, so the sleeves were gathered around her elbows to give him access to her breasts. He quickly ripped her panties off of her and simply took her that way, half dressed and Sakura couldn't complain. They peaked together, a light scream leaving Sakura's throat while Sasuke tightened his grip around her waist. He collected his breath and kissed along her ear to her cheek.

Sakura smiled and laughed as she reach behind her back to untie her obi. Sasuke assisted her lazily and eventually tossed the gown across the room and started to tease her once again.

Sakura doesn't remember much after that, just falling asleep, her head resting on Sasuke's broad chest, his heart beating slowly, his entire body at ease.


Usually Sakura woke up to the soft chirping of mountain birds or the soft sun rays entering her room. For once, and Sakura will never forget this night, she woke up to a blood-curdling scream. She tossed her head toward the direction of the noise and sat up in bed. Her heart was racing as she looked at her husband, who was breathing and shaking while sitting on the edge of their bed.

Sakura took a few composing breaths before gingerly placing her hand on his shoulder. He immediately flinched but kept his head in his hands and mumbled, his voice strained, "I'm sorry, Sakura. I... I didn't mean to wake you." She gently took his hands from his face and made him look at her, but he looked down, his eyes hallow.

"Tell me about it," Sakura whispered. To her chagrin, Sasuke simply shook his head and tried to remove himself from her grasp, but Sakura held on to him tighter.

She was suddenly very afraid that he would all in one moment revert back to his old ways and that was simply the last thing she wanted. "Don't push me away, please. I want to help you, Sasuke. Let me help you."

Sasuke let her hold him for a while before gently unwinding her arms from around his shoulders. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and stood abruptly. "I need some air. Go back to sleep, Sakura."

She felt her heart jump in slight panic. He wouldn't leave her, would he? She couldn't form words and could only stare at him helplessly. When he finally did meet her gaze he approached her and caressed her face.

"I'm just going to go for a quick walk," he murmured, "I'll be back soon."

Sakura felt somewhat reassured by her words but she had trouble getting back to sleep after he left. She cried a little, despite herself, because she felt so useless. Sasuke didn't return to their room until the sun was just starting to rise. He climbed in next to her and put an arm around her waist.

They were silent before Sasuke finally spoke.

"There is still so much I have to do, Sakura, so much I have to make up for." She couldn't reply to him. She didn't understand why he didn't think that he had already paid for his mistakes. "We'll return home tonight, but then I have to go. I need to continue my penance. You understand, don't you, Sakura?" She didn't, really. In any other circumstance she would be furious, but she saw the pain he was clearly going through. She saw the guilt still coursing through his veins.

"You won't be gone long, right?" she asked. He stared up at the ceiling. "I'll try and come back after a few weeks, but there are no guarantees."

"I don't want you to go," Sakura whispered. Sasuke looked back at her and tightened his hold on her waist.

"I'll always come home to you, Sakura, I swear."

And that was all she needed, an assurance. He would come home to her, he swore it. This promise became an additional marriage vow between them, that no matter where he went, he'd come back.

At the time, it seemed so simple and basic: he would go to perform a penance, then he would come home. She thought of it like a mission he'd go on, and she was prepared to wait.

The cynical part of her made her feel like he had trained her to wait for him.

The loving part of her didn't care.