Dark orbs gazed upon the young woman before him, her head bowed so her bangs shielded the tears she knew would fall. Her arms wrapped themselves around her, not from the cold but to prevent the obvious shaking of her shoulders.

"I don't know how long I'll be gone."

She gave a slight nod of the head to show her acknowledgment and, instinctively, his hands reached for hers. He squeezed her tiny palms between his larger ones reassuringly as he tried to give her a small smile. She looked into his eyes, trying with her whole being not to cry, but the tears fell as if to show him what this was doing to her. His shoulders visibly tensed.

"Sakura," he pleaded softly, squeezing her hands harder. "Sakura, you know I cannot stand the sight of your tears."

At that she blinked furiously, sniffling out a strangled "sorry".

Sasuke let out a defeated sigh and loosened his grip on her hands ever so slightly. He moved to pull her tightly against his chest, wrapping his arms protectively around her.

"It's alright, I'm the one who should be sorry." He said into her pink locks before gently kissing her hair.

He felt her body give a slight shudder before folding her arms around his waist, pulling him effectively closer to her. She sobbed into and twisted the fabric of his expensive clothing while ruining it in the process.

"Sakura," came a comforting voice moments later. "My love, I have to go."

"No!" she squealed as he began to untangle himself from her. "No, please. Please don't leave me."

Sasuke opened his mouth to respond but a loud shout rang across the palace gardens.

"You highness, the boat will be leaving any minute!"

He turned, never letting his grasp slack on the sobbing girl to yell, "I'm busy! Tell them to wait. That is an order!"

The guard flinched before turning to run off and report the prince's message to the captain.

Sasuke watched as he disappeared, but the shaking bundle in his grasp made him turn his attention back in front of him. She had buried her face deeply into his chest, her grasp on him almost as strong as the one he had on her the night he pulled her out of the water five years previous. He took a few moments to just comfort her, rubbing his fingers soothingly up her spine and whispering loving words into her ear that would have made her giggle hours before.

"Sakura," he finally said sternly, but in a gentle tone. "The ship will be leaving soon, I must go."

Her body stiffened and in turn her slowly ran his fingers through her long pink locks. He was getting no where. She obviously hated the idea of his leaving just as much as he. If he had the choice he would stay with her forever, demanding the priest marry them that instant. But she was still, in an aggravating way, an orphan and until she turned the legal age of eighteen he could do no such thing without a guardian's approval.

"Sakura-"

"NO!"

Her outburst stopped him from continuing, waiting to see if she had more to say.

"You said..." Sakura began before a sob overtook her already frail voice. "You told me, promised me you would never leave me. What are you doing now? If you're leaving, does that mean you-" she stopped again. "Did you ever love me?"

His body stiffened and eyes widened at that. She suddenly shoved him off of her, causing him to stumble back a few steps before catching him balance once again. Her emerald irises glared at him with nothing but utter sadness.

"I am such a fool." She brought up a hand to mask her tear streaked cheeks and then turned so as not to look at him. "Go! I'm sure you're needed and I wouldn't want to keep you all waiting."

His fists clamped shut in anger as he looked at the girl before him. How could she say that? Since she came to live with them he had giver her no reason to think he didn't love her. That was all he had felt for her since he first caught sight of her floating there in those dark waters. Without another moments hesitation he quickly grabbed her arm and spun her to face him.

"Sasuke I said-"

He found out when he was fourteen that the only way to ever get the woman to shut up was to do it himself. His lips covered hers, stopping her from even remembering her sentence as well as say it. Her body acted on instinct, her mouth obediently opening to greet his and her arms wriggling to free themselves from his grip so as to go around his neck. Sasuke felt her give him a soft whimper, begging him to let her go. He gave into the request, but soon felt himself get pulled in closer.

She felt him smirk against her mouth but decided to ignore it and take in what she could of their last moment. The way he gently tugged at her skirts out of habit, the way his hair felt as she ran her fingers through it, the drop she felt in her stomach as their tongues battled silently against one another. She might not have this for a long time, so she might as well enjoy it.

Sasuke was the one to pull away, but the need to kiss her again was strong. Sakura was still breathing hard so he decided to go for her neck instead. She took in a sharp breath as a feather soft kiss tickled the corner of her jaw. He traced his way down her skin to the rim of her dress collar where her collar bone show.

He nuzzled her ear with his nose affectionately, an act he had been doing since they met; even before they confessed their love, before the first kiss and before they first shared a bed. It gave him comfort and her the little show of affection she needed to know he cared. Sasuke took a deep intake of her scent and felt Sakura stiffen beneath him, knowing what was coming next.

"Sakura," he whispered against the lobe of her ear. "I have to go."

Her grip on his clothing tightened for a few moments before going slack and reluctantly letting him out of her arms. She looked awful. Eyes bloodshot and the faint track of tears running down her cheeks. Her face was flushed and her hair was a mess, but she still somehow looked beautiful.

"You're beautiful." He whispered his thoughts, kissing her lightly underneath her right eye.

"No I'm not." She replied stubbornly in a slightly hoarse voice.

Sasuke was tempted to tell her other wise and that in his eyes she could never be anything but beautiful. Instead he gently brushed a stray pink lock away from her face and gave her a small, rare smile.

"I have to disagree, my lady."

She said nothing, just gazed at the spot beside his boots, wondering why the grass looked so green on such a sad day.

"Please don't go." She tried one last time.

"I must. Itachi is staying here to take care of the matters over the war with the sound and father is too ill to travel now." Sasuke stated back coldly.

Worth a shot.

"Then-" Sakura started softly. "Then can't I at least see you off? Take the carriage with you to the docks? Walk you down the drive? Why are you making me stay here, in the garden?"

She watched as he gave another heavy sigh, this time bending down so as to be straight in her line of sight. When he opened his onyx orbs once again all she could see along with her reflection was deep, raw emotion that made her heart pound in her ears.

"Because, my sweet, beautiful cherry blossom," Sasuke said giving her a sad smile. "I could not bring myself to leave you."

Before she even had a chance to react he hesitantly reached into his coat pocket and brought out a small wooden box. Slowly opening it, he revealed a thin, simple golden band that was tucked neatly between two small cushions to support it.

"Wha . . ."

"Sakura . . ." Sasuke gave an irritated huff along with silent curses under his breath. "My love, I don't have much time. I know this is sudden but," he dropped onto one knee. "Marry me?"

Sakura stared wide eyed at the beautiful, wonderful man in front of her in complete awe and shock.

"Not now of course . . ." he saw the slight disappointment in her eyes and quickly reassured her, "but as soon as I come back. About two months from now, and I will be yours. Anytime and anywhere."

He sat on the ground a few more moments before a shout was calling for him again and he quickly stood.

Sasuke turned to the girl and softly asked, "So? Fair enough?"

As response she threw her arms around his neck and hastily pressed their lips together. She heard him give a smug laugh before kissing back; slipping the ring on her finger as he did so.

"I go, knowing I have you to return to." He whispered. "I lo-"

"Sakura!"

Said girl blinked the memory from her thoughts as she turned to see the prince standing behind her.

"Oh, I'm sorry Itachi. What was that?"

"Sakura, are you sure-"

"Your highness!"

Itachi and Sakura both watched as one of the crew men quickly ran to their sides, obviously aggravated.

"What is it?" Itachi asked.

"Sir, one of the men just spotted an unknown ship."

"Sound fleet?" Itachi asked, stiffening.

"No sir. Pirates."

Yay! Flashbacks are fun, yeah? Haha and yes...implied sex. No biggie, but there will be more juicy details later.