Sakura woke up to the sun hitting her face through the curtains. Her eyes twitching at the warmth before they opened to reveal puffy redness. She scrunched her eyes shut and buried her face in the pillow, her tears dried up and stuck to her cheeks from last night.

The pain in her arms and legs have subsided to the point where she could tolerate it. But she didn't want to move off the bed, she didn't want to face another day where she has to spend the rest of her life in this prison.

Her heart clenched at the thought, she felt like her soul was crushed the moment she was told about her Father's betrayal.

Sakura always stood at her Father's side, not once questioning his love for her as he kept her safe from the world. He would always tell her stories of his childhood with her Mother and how every suitor from the village they grew up in sought for her hand. Growing up in a working class family was difficult for her Father since he had to quit school to support himself and his family. But he never complained as long as he could see her Mother's smiling face. When he married her Mother, he built their cabin away from civilization to live peacefully and raise their child in a sheltered home.

She could hardly remember her Mother, but her Father said that she resembled her; hair, eyes and personality. Months after her death, she would often catch her Father sneaking off into the woods and hear him talking to someone. She thought that maybe he was talking to her Mother's spirit...but now she realized that it was Sasuke her Father was sharing his words with.

She clutched the pillow closer to her, as though it was the last thing keeping her from going insane as she remembered those vague moments where her Father would keep her safe and comfort her. Yet he would always have that pained look beneath those smiles whenever he looked at her.

'Was it because I looked so much like Mother that it pained you to even look at me? If so, you could've just told me to leave and not resort to this.' She thought to her Father, feeling the need to cry again, but could not because she had no more tears left to shed.

A knock at the door startled her out of her thoughts followed by Sasuke's voice, "Sakura, I'm coming in." was his warning before he stepped inside to see Sakura in a tangle of blankets with her back to him, curled up in a fetal position.

Without asking permission, he sat at the edge of the bed and watched her, admiring the way her hair fanned out behind her like a veil.

Sakura chose to ignore his presence and not even gonna bother in trying to make him go away since he won't listen to her.

Sasuke sighed, not having given this much thought on how to approach this considering what happened yesterday. Without saying a word, he went to Sakura's closet and picked out comfortable clothes for her to wear for the day.

Out of curiousity, Sakura lifted her head to see Sasuke coming back with a folded pile of clothes in his hands. Placing the clothes on the bed he said, "There's a washroom you can freshen up in. I'll be waiting for you downstairs when you're done." he walked out of the room, leaving Sakura to wonder as she sat up in bed.

She stared at the door for a moment before diverting her attention to the clothes laid out for her. She didn't want to be anywhere near him after her emotional breakdown, but she also didn't want to suffer the consequences that comes with defying him.

So, without many options, she grudgingly got out of bed and picked up her clothes before heading into the washroom. When she got inside, she couldn't help but admire the interior as she took in the sink bowl that was sculpted in the shape of a flower. She turned her attention to the tub that was basically a hot spring with steaming water running down the smooth rocks surrounding the tub and into the water.

Dipping her fingers into the water, she found that it was at the right temperature for her to wash herself in. Setting the clothes on the sink counter, she stripped out of her nightgown and slowly dipped her leg into the warm water before sinking her entire body 'til she was up to her neck in water.

She shivered as the warm water loosened her muscles and relaxed her. With a sigh, she laid her head back against the edge and stared up at the ceiling, tracing its patterns with her eyes as she immersed herself in the tub.

As much as she wanted to stay in the water forever, she knew that she shouldn't keep Sasuke waiting. She didn't know the length of his temper, and would rather not test it out.

Taking one of the sponges on the shelf, she scrubbed her body clean of any sweat, tears and sleep. Once she was done cleansing her body, she stepped out of the water to dry herself with the towel hanging next to the tub. Ringing her hair dry first, she made her way down, drying herself from top to bottom. When she got to her legs, she gasped when she saw the hickies that covered her inner thighs have disappeared. Touching the area that had been previously marked, she felt that they were indeed gone.

"How?" Sakura asked herself before turning towards the tub, 'Did the water heal me?' she thought to herself before shaking her head as she returned to drying herself completely. Once he got all the water off, she put on the clothes Sasuke picked out for her before leaving the bathroom and walking downstairs at a steady pace.

As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she caught sight of Sasuke sitting on the couch, looking out the window. The moment he raised his head to look at her, Sakura had to resist the urge to run back upstairs and lock herself in her room. Instead, she kept her head down and avoided looking into his eyes as she walked over to him as he stood up, "Are you ready?"

Sakura refused to look at him, "Let's just get this over with." she said, her voice emotionless as they walked out the door with Sasuke leading the way. Sakura walked beside him, her eyes trained on the ground as Sasuke lead them to where he wants to go.

"So what torture do you have planned for me today?" She asked bitterly, if she was going to stay in this forsaken place, she might as well mentally prepare for his games if she hopes to survive.

Sasuke turned his head to her, he caught the bitterness in her tone, though it hurt to hear her say something like that, he knew he deserved it. "We're not doing anything physical, if that's what you're afraid of. I promise, you're gonna love it." he answered, watching as she nodded in understanding as they continued walking.

Sakura snuck a glance at Sasuke from the corner of her eye to see him with his eyes facing forward, clearly intent on their destination. Looking at him, she noted that he's very handsome in a tall and dark kind of way. Had it been in another lifetime, she probably would've fallen for this man without so much as a thought. But her Father taught her better than that, see what's inside before you know that he's worthy of her.

Sasuke's eyes turned to her, she blushed when she realized that she was staring before she tore her eyes away from him. Damn her curiosity, it will be the death of her.

"We're here."

Sakura lifted her head they approached a cave with a curtain of vines covering the entrance. She stopped walking as Sasuke got closer to the cave before looking back at her, "Sakura?"

She was afraid of what was in that cave, but she masked her fear as she looked at Sasuke suspiciously, "Whatever's in that cave, you can forget it." she said, taking a step back from the vines, not daring to see what was beyond that curtain.

Sasuke held a hand out to her, making her tense and look around her to see if any plant life has sprung up to obey its master, but was surprised when nothing happened. Turning to Sasuke, who still had his hand up in invitation, "Sakura, I promise, nothing's gonna hurt you."

Sakura stared at Sasuke with apprehension, he could easily force her into that cave if he chose to. But he didn't, he just stood there, patiently waiting for Sakura to come closer. She looked around again to weigh her options, she could try and run, but that would only repeat what happened the day before. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she took a hesitant step forward until she was standing in front of Sasuke. Staring at his hand, she carefully placed hers in it, his fingers engulfing her small ones before gently guiding her through the curtain of vines.

The moment she passed through the curtains, she felt all breath leaving her system at the beauty presented before her. She stared at what could be described as the most beautiful garden she has ever seen, there were pathways the wove around flowerbeds and animal statues, bridges that passed over streams and a large cherry blossom tree that stood out in the center of the garden. The entire garden was surrounded by cliffs that served as walls, protecting everything from the outside with the blue sky hanging above them.

Sasuke let go of her hand, although she didn't seem to notice as she stepped towards the garden in awe, feeling at peace for the first time since she was brought here. Sakura spotted a bed of white orchids, making a beeline toward the flowers before kneeling in front of them, taking in the scent and beauty of the orchids. Reaching out a hand, she lightly touched the soft petals, caressing them as though they were precious glass.

"These were your Father's favorite." Sasuke said as he kneeled beside Sakura, but kept his distance so that he wouldn't scare her. Sakura raised her eyes to Sasuke in question, flinching a little when she saw him kneeling in front of the flowers as well, yet he didn't look at her.

Sasuke felt her eyes on him before he continued, "He found this place by accident. Out of all the flowers that he encountered, he was drawn to these little beauties." he added, remembering how Sakura's Father stumbled upon this little sanctuary.

Sakura turned her face down, her heart filling with sadness at the mention of her Father. Sasuke lifted his eyes to her, watching her green orbs shimmer with tears. "Sakura, your Father loved you, he adored you even before you were born." he said, remember the love her Father showed to his daughter as he raised her.

Sakura didn't look up, clenched her hands into fists as they rested on her thighs, trying to keep her tears from escaping again, "Then why...why would he give me to you without consulting me?" she asked, her voice cracking as she thought of her Father.

Sasuke's heart clenched, knowing that he has to tell her about what happened that day. Taking a deep breath, he answered Sakura's question, "I was angry at him." he paused as Sakura lifted her head to see him looking down in shame, "This was my Mother's garden...Father's gift to her so that she could have some sanctuary and peace if she needed it. These orchids were her favorite as well." he paused again to collect himself before continuing, "I come here in order to tend her garden...especially these orchids. When I saw this man...this outsider taking one of my Mother's special flowers, I became angry." He shut his eyes, remembering that moment that made his blood burn, "When he did that, it felt as though he was violating my Mother. I really wanted to kill him for damaging what I had left of her...the only flowers that made me feel close to her again." His heart throbbed at the painful feeling he experienced twenty years ago.

Sakura stared at him as she listened intently to his side of the story, she saw emotions play on his face, and for the first time, saw that he was human. She swallowed the lump in her throat, feeling the same emotion he feels, knowing that his love for his Mother is real, "I'm sorry he did that." she apologized on her Father's behalf.

Sasuke nodded before continuing, "I know he didn't mean to, he even apologized, begged me to spare his life and let him return to his fiancee and unborn child."

"But in exchange, he has to give you his daughter." Sakura finished, realizing that this was where it all started, the reason why she was here in the first place. Sasuke nodded, still ashamed of how he practically forced the man to sell his only child to him.

Sakura's heart felt like it was breaking once again, making her hand grip the fabric above her heart in an attempt to keep it together, "Why didn't he just tell me?"

"He wanted to Sakura, believe me, he truly did. But his sickness got to him before he had a chance to tell you. Do you really think he wanted to spend the last moments he had left with his daughter hating him?" Sasuke said, remembering how her Father looked the last time he spoke to him, how pale he got, how malnourished he looked and how lifeless his eyes became. Those were the signs that told Sasuke that the human's time was coming to a close.

Sakura looked at Sasuke and saw what he meant by those words, and couldn't stop the tears that sprung from her eyes again as she let out a hiccup, feeling angry and ashamed for thinking that her own Father hated her.

Sasuke got closer to Sakura and wrapped his arms around, carefully bringing her into his embrace as she cried against him. Sasuke rubbed her back as he whispered in her ear, "It'll be alright Sakura, shhhh." he whispered, assuring her that she is safe.

She hiccupped against his chest, "Wh-Why did you bring me here?" she asked, needing to know why brought her to the place where it all started.

"So that you do not blame your Father for this." he answered before pulling back and grasping her chin, locking eyes with her shining tear filled orbs, "You can hate me for as long as you like, but Sakura...I need you. Let me give you a good life and show you my world." he separated himself from Sakura and moved away before bowing his head to her with his hands and forehead on the ground, "I promise, I won't touch you like that again, not unless you want me to or if you initiate it." he said, making a vow that he knows that he must keep if he wants to get anywhere with her.

Sakura stared at Sasuke's bowing figure, not expecting this kind of action from anyone at all, "You're saying...that you won't...do that to me...if I stay here?" she said this very slowly, afraid of him taking it back.

Sasuke raised himself from the ground, but stayed on his knees, "Yes." he paused to look her in the eye to show he was being honest, "I don't want our relationship based on your fear of me." he turned his eyes to the beautiful garden, Sakura following his gaze before he continued, "This garden is yours to take care of. It is my gift to you, as it was my Father's gift to my Mother." he returned his gaze to hers, "I'm trusting you with something precious to me." Sakura blushed a little at his words.

Sakura could see that he was being honest with her about wanting to start over with her, and even though he has spied on her her entire life, he wants her to open up to him just as he had when he told her what happened years ago. She was still uneasy with Sasuke, he knew that, which is why he is making his promise not to touch unless she wanted it.

"Do you accept my compromise?" Sasuke said, awaiting her answer so that he can build a better relationship with her.

Sakura stared at him, knowing that she didn't have that many options when it comes to this place. But can she really give this a chance with Sasuke's delicate promise?

With a resigned sigh, "Alright, but I'm holding you to your promise, so please give me time to adjust to all this." she said, watching as Sasuke let out a breath of relief as he smiled at her, making her blush and turn to the side to avoid his gaze and the fluttering his smile caused.

A kiss to the temple brought her attention back to Sasuke who appeared in front of her before he quickly pulled away, still smiling at her, "You won't regret this, I promise you." he vowed again, grasping her hand and pulling her up with him as he stood up and walked her around the garden, pointing out various plants she's never seen before and explaining the meaning behind each of them.


I hope this was up to your standards. This is a promise that Sasuke must keep for Sakura's sake to show that he's truly genuine and patient.

Let me know in the comments if this has made Sasuke more human. Don't worry, there will be a happy ending to this. Happy New Year!