Chapter 2: His Reason
A/N: Hello there. Let me start by thanking all of you who took time to read this story. An extra thanks to those who took an extra minute to review.
I am glad you liked the first chapter. Also do not worry, Sakura is not going to be a pushover in this story. I hope I am able to project the characters-all of them as accurately and realistically as possible. Anyway, here is the next chapter.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, although I wish I did.
His Reason
Uchiha Sasuke.
It had barely been a minute since his arrival at the Konoha City Hal and the invitees were already murmuring his name. The press that had been subdued and calm a second ago had leapt into action at the sight of their newest and most dynamic prey. Being an Uchiha he was immune to it all, having been brought up in a world where media was a constant.
But not Karin.
His partner for the evening enjoyed every bit of attention that was lathered to her. She held on to his hand and posed for the camera- in several unimaginable angles-obviously trying to show off her dress.
If it could be called a dress at all.
It was ripped and torn in several places, exposing her skin to the eyes of the beholder and left little to imagination. Not that he cared, it would just be that much easier for him to get her out of it after they left from here. He had met Karin in Oto four years ago where she was employed under Orochimaru, a man who was as much a genius as he was nefarious. She began working for Sasuke after he had taken over Hebi Corporation, while its previous owner languished in jail. She had proven herself to be quite an asset for him, in more ways than one. Sasuke had noticed her need to please him in any way possible and he put that to good use. He had taken care in elucidating to her the rules of their little engagement-
Just Sex
She had readily complied with his wish and if she had had any qualms about the arrangement, she was smart enough to hold her tongue.
Had his family been alive and about, he would most likely have been banished for his debauched lifestyle. His mother would have been ashamed of his dissolute approach to woman for this is not how she brought him up, his father disappointed as he usually was with him and Itachi distressed.
However, the last woman he had treated with all the care and respect that he was capable of, had managed to rip his heart out and made sure he never made the mistake of involving himself with another person on any level.
Unless that level was totally practical and profitable, in Karin's case- very physical.
Therefore, even though many his actions since the past five years had been in utter violation of his ethics, he was not overly bothered. He was exacting and ruthless, and he was going to do whatever was necessary to bring his dreams to fruition- the dream restore the might of the Uchiha to its former glory, like it had been under the administration of his father and brother. He had never wanted to be a leader, would have been content to be his brother's sidekick when Itachi inherited the business; but fate had other plans and an unfortunate series of events resulted in the Uchiha industries being passed down to him.
An empire worth of trillions and trillions passed down to a boy of fourteen- in name only.
The actual masters that controlled the business were the sitting board of directors and he had not inherited his legacy legally until he was eighteen. He had not known the extent of damage their misgovernance had caused the business, and before he put ramifications into place, all was lost. But as if he had not been hit hard enough, when he had been most vulnerable, Sakura Haruno had showed him what a world class bitch she was.
He did not remember much from the months subsequent to her betrayal except that he was drunk most of the time to keep the pain aside. Only rigorous discipline and the will avenge the Uchiha had forced him into sobriety and he had not looked back ever since. Not even to his time with Sakura Haruno. Over the years, he had steeled himself to her memories and regarded her only as a bad chapter in his life.
He had moved on.
Therefore, last year when he saw the news that she was dating Gaara of the Shukaku industries, he knew she had found a new toy, and had regarded the news with cool indifference.
Had it not been for strategic importance, Sasuke would have never set a foot anywhere near the woman who had turned his life upside down but he had heavily invested in Suna and diplomacy was the need of the hour.
He could not, would not let her be an impediment to his plans again.
His resolve cemented, he took Karin by the elbow and guided her to where a group of investors were talking loudly about the stock market. Not one for talking, he had quietly slipped away from the horde and was helping himself to a glass of champagne when the metaphorical lightning struck him.
Untouched
Untouched, like the first snowfall.
It was the first thing that came to his mind when he saw her.
He studied her- the glass of champagne forgotten- as she descended the stairs, all the while talking to people and accepting their congratulations. Unlike the other women in the room who wore skimpy, jagged dresses in accordance with the latest fashion, Sakura Haruno wore a full-length, cream coloured strapless gown that kissed her womanly curves softly and exposed only her arms and shoulders. A moderate slit ran down from the side of her knees, occasionally giving a speck of her bare smooth legs. The gown was embroidered intricately with sequins and white pearls that shone in the hall giving her a vibrant look. She had roped her hair in a side plait, the braid adorned with little white roses, leaving a few loose curls on the other side. Small diamond studs in her ears and a diamond necklace was all the jewellery she wore. He knew she thought herself to be dressed modestly and simple, but it was a far cry from the truth.
She was everything at once.
Innocent yet provocative, grounded yet regal, corporeal yet unattainable, amicable yet mystifying.
He willed his hand back into motion as it had lain suspended in air at her sight. He forced him himself to regard her with the indifference of a seasoned connoisseur and drank the champagne to calm his nerves. Nevertheless, nothing worked and he was bludgeoned with memories he believed he had erased a long time ago.
Sakura smiling at him.
Sakura listening to him.
Sakura scolding him.
Sakura fighting with him.
Sakura crying.
Sakura.
Sakura.
Sakura.
The intimacy with which her name rolled in his mind was driving him crazy. Had he not promised himself to waste a second's breath on her? Did he not know what she was capable of? Had he not moved on?
The questions resounded in his brain, louder and louder.
His feet moved towards her form involuntary as she talked to an elderly couple. He noticed that her hair was longer than it had been before. He was shortly distracted as a fresh wave of long forgotten memories assaulted him.
Sakura gasping for air, mewling with desire, wanting him as he made love to her, with her soft tresses spread on his pillow.
He wondered if it was soft like it had been once, wondered what it would look like now-her long hair fanning his pillow while he drove in her, her hair curtaining him when she would be on top. As he came to stand behind her, her gentleness began chipping away his bitterness, the considerate way in which she was listening to the older woman almost washed away the last vestiges of coldness that resided deep within him.
Almost.
Fool!
Sasuke rebuked himself mentally, disgusted by the lack of self-control and this time successfully forced himself to understand that all of this was a deception. She was like a piece of counterfeit art, faulty and flawed. She turned to face him and a volley of expressions marred her beautiful face before she composed it with a sudden calmness. It infuriated him, this coolness about her that seemed impenetrable and he said with as much contempt as he could say,
"congratulations"
Had it not been for his quick reflexes, Uchiha Sasuke would have been made the stock of ridicule by the slip of a woman who trembled in his hands. He was using excessive force and could snap her but it could not be helped. Her touch did unwanted things to him.
Things he did not want to feel.
Not for her.
He noticed how small she still was, her skin still soft and supple and inviting. A deafening rush had fallen over his senses because though people spoke to him- first Ino, then Naruto, even Sakura and then it was Karin- but nothing got through. Blood pounded in his ears as his veins sang with desire for more of her touch, to feel her body against him. Something was suffocating him and he realized that Karin's overpowering perfume hung around him, like she herself did akin to a viper. He detangled himself from her arms lest she felt his thundering pulse. His attention was pulled back to green beguiling eyes; it was only from this proximity that he noticed how dull her orbs were.
Where was the vivacity that had once defined her? He asked to himself.
Her free hand moved again and he prepared himself for another incoming slap but it never came because her fiancé had decided to come to her rescue. He knew Gaara was telling him to back off, the intimate way in which he kissed and held Sakura was a clear gesture as how she belonged with him now. But the surge of jealousy that erupted within Sasuke refused to accept it.
Mine
His heartbeat chanted the mantra continuously.
"Mr. Uchiha"
Gaara was speaking but Sasuke was caught between fury and disbelief. Despite everything that had happened in the past, she could still do this to him! His blood stirred hotly, and his hands itched to explore and caress those new curves she had acquired. Suddenly his treacherous mind presented him with a tantalizing solution: Perhaps if he had her just one more time, he could quench this thirst for her and get her completely out of his system.
His decision was made.
Consequences be damned, he was going to have Sakura Haruno by any means necessary and after he was done with her she was going to wish she had never deceived him.
Stillness settled over him as he thought of ways he would shatter her spirit, give her the taste of her own medicine. Her friends went on with their frivolous explanation for the confrontation and her fiancé offered her meaningless consolation. The conniving bitch had him wrapped around her fingers.
Just like she had once controlled him.
Never again.
This time he would set the rules and vanquish her.
"My fiancé does not wish to engage with you anymore Uchiha, let her go now."
Gaara emphasised "My fiancé" and it took all Sasuke all his willpower to not punch the man from Suna.
How long did he think he could protect her?
The answer was impromptu and rolled off his tongue as he chuckled within,
"Not for long."
She shook plainly underneath him and out of instinct; he kissed her to calm her nerves.
Before he could do anymore, she snatched her hand back but it did not matter. It was time to leave and plan for what was to come. But he made sure she knew that he was coming for her and would stop at nothing till he exacted revenge.
.
.
.
"Why are we doing this again?"
Suigetsu asked irritatingly for the umpteenth time while he slurped on coffee even though he knew his question would go unanswered. That was how it was with the Uchiha ass; you did as he commanded with no explanations given. Not that Suigetsu complained, it was much easier just carry out instructions without giving himself a headache about the particulars but honestly, his boss could be a little overbearing at times.
Exactly like he was acting right now.
Sasuke was always cold and calculating, he owed his resounding success to these attributes but something had happened at the party that had made him more dangerous than he usually was. It was past midnight and here he was trying to hack into the database of Shukaku industries.
"Nothing is hack proof, but it is not going to be a child's play." He had answered to no one in particular. Like always, Sasuke had ordered him to a job and he expected him to complete it immediately.
"They use a four deadlock verification system"
He explained but gave up because no one was listening. Jugo was there too, busy executing his orders -buying the stocks of Shukaku industries under the name of Mikoto Care. Mikoto Care was a subsidiary of the Uchiha industries and was exclusively devoted to tend to the needs of orphaned children. The ownership of Mikoto Care was kept anonymous and the auxiliary commerce was used to buy bonds and carry out investments discreetly, but he guessed it was also because Sasuke did not want his altruistic side to be known by the people.
His fingers worked automatically as lengths of binary codes danced across his screen, jamming his attempts to break through the security protocols. Five hours ago he was counting Kakuzu industries as one of the long-term business partners and now he was here trying to get into their system. Knowing Jugo was going to be of no help- the man was loyal to Sasuke to a fault- he broached the topic he was certain would get him some answers.
"I did a little research of my own on the Haruno girl you know. Clean record. Topper of her batch at medical school. Loved by young and adult alike. Rumour is she had a tragic love affair while she was at medical school that is why she would not go out with anyone. My guess is you probably were the cause of that."
He waited for Sasuke to take the bait who remained impassive, standing in front of the floor to ceiling length window staring at the still bustling streets of Konoha from his abode. Not seeing a reply forthcoming, he goaded once more,
"She is called the 'ice-queen' in her absence because although she dated a few guys, she would not sleep with any of them. But that was all before Gaara. I am sure she lets her fiancé get her all hot and-"
If looks could kill, Suigetsu would have long burst into flame and died, such was the glare Sasuke spared him with murder written all over his face.
"I was right! She was your girlfriend after all!"
Suigetsu drawled victoriously but the look on his boss's face confused him. His rage had transformed into something invisible and far more lethal.
"It was she, isn't it?"
This time Jugo asked in the silence but the question was rhetorical. He knew something, Suigetsu thought. A vein popped in his jaw and without replying Sasuke whipped his head back to stare at the scenery beyond the glass walls.
"What am I missing?"
Suigetsu asked Jugo whose eyes shone with understanding as he spoke after a brief silence,
"She was not his girlfriend. She was his wife."
He had not expected this. Uchiha Sasuke had been married to Sakura Haruno?
How?
When?
He had too many questions and he asked the first one that came to his mind,
"Was?"
He looked at Sasuke expecting him to explain but his boss stood stiff as an iron rod, his muscles straining. Jugo continued his voice an anguished whisper,
"She filed for divorce and asked for a million dollars as alimony..."
Suigetsu felt it even before Jugo had completed, the chill as the temperature in the room discernibly dropped.
"... after she aborted their four month old baby."
Suigetsu regretted ever discussing the topic, mentally kicking himself. He had no words of sympathy to offer. No consolation to give. He wanted to ask why but decided against it. In the lengthening silence, he pondered over it. No wonder Sasuke was on the edge tonight. To be faced by a woman who deliberately killed his child.
An Uchiha.
Two things were clear now. His employer's inherent distrust for women and his action to invade the Shukaku conglomerate.
It was Sasuke, whose voice slipped like a dagger in the emptiness,
"Get back to work."
.
.
.
Drip
Drip
Drip
Sakura let her tears fall in the darkness. She was curled on the bed with the blanket wrapped around her body that still shivered after all these hours.
"I am so sorry"
She let out a tortured plea, crying uncontrollably as she hugged her vacant womb. Her mind overflowed with tormenting memories and she dived into them to find out where she had gone wrong.
Read and Review :)