Disclaimer: Naruto is the property and creation of Kishimoto Masashi. I own none of the characters or the places mentioned in this story.
Acknowledgements and Thank you's:
Quiet Screams
: Well thank you very much.Aiyo Rei
silverymoonfire
Meira Evenstar
Animequeen100: I'm not telling… You'll just have to wait a little longer, I'm deliberately not saying.
Akatsuki no Suzaku: Nope, this story was suggested for another fandom, I just applied the challenge to the Naruto fandom.
SilverTwilightEmpress: That's strange, because I can't convert all the way. I'll die loving Sasuke for Sakura, because whenever I start to read a SakuNeji story, I end up rooting for Sasuke if he's contending for Sakura's heart in the story of Neji and Sakura, even if they make Sasuke the total bad guy.
Mehyper: You'll have to wait a little longer before I tell.
animeaddict99: Sasuke and Sakura, Neji won't even really have any part in this story, he's just a reference to her past
angel2559
Spread-My-Wingz-And-Soar
DarkAngelRakell
Catinthehat007: Brutally honest, but it made me laugh, so I don't mind.
angelmomo211
BlackMagicSorceress
Elegant Destruction
super panda: No, but maybe a little reference here and there.
Laura-chan: After writing for so long now I'm getting a little lazy… I'm not even going to bother anymore, which means I'll have to take longer to update, just so I don't miss anything, I hate going back and forth in my documents, because I have the most ridiculous OCD going on. Argh!
cassandra
BlueSkyHeaven: Thankie!
kakura sagami: That's for me to know and for you to find out…
NorthernLights25
say sakura: Its still a secret!
Shy Faery89: Shy you're just the person to always make me smile, that's why I love talking with you. No not hallucinating. I really am writing the very last chapter. And it's about time! LOL, I can't help that angst is my forte. Aw, I'm not that good. There are authors out there that make me wish I could write more like them. Oh no, don't shift your love from SasuSaku, there aren't many left. Of course I'm going to write those ones better besides, Neji really isn't in this story. I only wrote that because she had not yet met Sasuke, of course Sasuke is more beautiful, lol. Yeah, I really need to watch the document upload. Oh, if you kick yourself when I reveal who "that" man is... lol. I'm glad you didn't find it boring where others have. No, I don't think that, I think of you as one of my favorite reviewers! I hope you enjoyed Fade Away! There's still two (?) more chapters left. I do not lie, I delay… I miss talking to you too, I'm sorry I've been super busy with the wedding and my full -time job is draining me. I love having your support! (Looks outside window for Shy) No, I haven't received a PM regarding Fade Away.
Aikra-Chan: That's so nice of you to say, thanks.
ViOlEt-KAt
animeaddict19
sakurastears
Baby Acoustic
Smartalec729
Raefire: Aw, you're sweet.
-'-DagerouslyWicked-'-: You can guess if you want, but I won't be revealing it for a while.
GaaralovesMihoko
Shorty6692: I'm glad you liked both chapters and I hope I continue to do a good job, as for your question the answer is no, he is not.
Ori: If you think you have missed me mention who the man is that sets Sakura's nerves on edge, I haven't and I plan on keeping him anonymous as long as possible.
autumnmarie: Yes, there are several stories in the world I am in love with and thank you for the compliment, but I disagree there are writers out there on this site and published that are surely better than myself. Eh, several of my friends think I am insane, so we are in the same boat, lol. I hope this chapter was just as enjoyable as the last for you.
Strings of a Puppet: I'm glad you like it, but, maybe my summary wasn't that impressive, happens sometimes or maybe you weren't online that day. I'm glad its easy to understand, my job is done, lol. Oh and by the way, I'm reading one of your stories and I don't know if I've reviewed it or not, but I like it very much.
Princess Of Drama: Glad you like it enough to put it in your favs. Makes me happy.
Line
UnderTheSky-xxo: First, I love your name, two, I was planning on making this a once a month update, but I've been super busy lately, wedding, full time job... things should start slowing down again soon, but I'm glad to know that you are enjoying the fic. I always love the princess and prince era... of ourse Sasuke isn't your typical prince.
Ella: Now I know...
Sasuke0623: Thank you for understanding, some people keep thinking its writers block and its not that at all. I'm glad you like not just one story but all the ones you've read.
toolazy too logg in: I never forget any of my stories, they are my unruly children, lol. I'm just super busy at the moment.
Kelly: Every story has their errors.
sweet-taboos: I know how to update, thank you.
aznangel101
Just: No, I need the Chapters evened up, but no one understands, so my review numbers are screwed-up, but I don't care anymore, I'm hitting high marks, yeah, that's never happened before!
Choco: Nope, doesn't work like that. I needed the chapter reviews even. But thanks for reviewing anyhow.
She, like a caterpillar spinning its cocoon; he, like a spider weaving a web around its prey.
Blood painted the ceilings and the floors, the cabinets and windows like an artist gone awry with a brush and red lacquer. Two bodies lay prone on the floor, blood amalgamating around their still-warm bodies, their heartbeats diminished hours ago.
Red and black-pinwheel eyes lifted from the cadavers that lay on the ligneous floor and toward the small, dark-haired child writhing and screaming, tears falling from his eyes pressed tightly shut and streaking his pale skin, trapped within his dark prison world of blood and devouring shadows.
Baleful, unsympathetic eyes continued to observe the child cradling his head in his hands, head swinging back and forth in a silent denial. "Stop it! Brother! Don't show me this!" The child pleaded pathetically. His scream grew louder, fingers sliding into his hair, fisting black locks in a painfully tight grip, "Stop, big brother, Neii-san, don't… Otousan, Okaasan!"
He stood perfectly still, it had been only days ago he had begun to understand this certain kind of power. Uchiha Itachi stood still as a stone, watching the small boy, holding him with his gaze and would not relinquish him- as if with that single glance he could capture souls. He chose to let his foolish little brother go then.
First one knee then the other and still cradling his head, he doubled over. Red as heart's blood eyes faded back to black. A warm trail of blood flowed down to the tips of white, trembling fingers; the boy took one shuddering, shallow breath after another. Watching the bright blood, he slowly turned dazed eyes towards the one who deeply betrayed him.
"Wake up." Sasuke started awake to find a woman leaning over him, one hand on his shoulder, shaking him slowly. The Otogakage raised himself on one elbow and saw it was dawn. He looked back at the woman with tousled, crimson hair, leaning over him and gazing down at him with troubled ruby red eyes. His brows furrowing at the sight of her naked body with only the curtain of her hair and the duvet cover concealing her state of undress. "You were shouting in your sleep, Sasuke-dono."
He looked at her blankly. "Was I…" His voice held no emotion as she pressed her hand on his arm, a tentative gesture of comfort. Her long red hair swept over one bare shoulder as she bent over him, soft tresses tickling muscles of his chest. "Why are you still here, Karin?" His voice now tinged with an unpleasant note he continued to observe her nudity.
Karin- the woman he had shared his bed with- looked offended. She pulled up the bed sheets around her breasts and attempted an assortment of excuses. Faint sounds intruded on his thoughts- familiar sounds that should have blended into his consciousness unheeded. He pulled away from her and slid out of the bed, reaching for his pants.
Sasuke walked away from the bed and across the room. He leaned against the frame of the sunlit window and blew out a long sigh. He looked down below at the gardens that were visible from his windows as well. He scanned the garden as the bed sheets rustled weakly from the mattress and then the sound of bare feet against the cold sandstone floor moving in his direction echoed through the silent bedchamber.
Karin twined her arms around his torso, her arms secured under his as she pressed her front to his back as a means to keep the bed sheet around her petite body. "Sasuke-dono, the dreams… they've gotten worse." It was true, the horror of the dream, his past, still polluted his mind, increasing every night since that ill-fated day. Karin kissed the fevered skin of his shoulder; he seemed not to take notice.
Sasuke stared emotionlessly out the window until his eye caught the movement down below. He did not need a spyglass to know that it was Sakura heading towards his mother's fountain. Her long strawberry blond hair was easy to identify her from this distance, contrasting with the white satin of her dress.
He watched her sit down gracefully on the stone bench, her hair cascading over her shoulder as she outstretched her arm toward the tricking water from the spigots. She fascinated him and he had no idea why, aside from the obvious. She was exquisite, and so exquisitely different from Otogakure women, with her fragile bones and her river of strawberry blond locks and her skin golden-rose, favored by the sun.
She sat serene amid the lush greens and pale pink petals from the trees of her namesake. He never knew what she was thinking, her attentive, clever mind always working, cold intellect reflected in those perfect eyes. She drew him in like a moth to the flame.
Her voice was always soft, even when she was angry. Her body tucked small and neat on the bench, was a body to dance in, she was more beautiful than any woman had ever been- and there had been other women. Karin was just one of a few. He had gone to Karin intent on expelling the insane excitement Sakura awoke in him with her ways but the experience seemed only to leave him feeling repulsive and unclean.
Damn the Battle Commander for making her his wife, she was a woman worth the honoring, a prize fit for the offering, it was the reason he took the noble sacrifice of her freedom, it was such a delicious proposal how could he not accept it? She was like an exotic creature that he caged simply for his viewing pleasure. From this distance, he could not see her properly, but he could not take his eyes off her either.
She was an enigma, a mystery, what she had done had captivated him far more than her shining beauty ever could. Her words, the words she did not speak, her silent anger, her absolute defiance were all but a few things in which made her an interesting woman. He wanted to simply sit near her and speak to her in hopes of hearing her speak and inhale her floral scent.
She was a distraction.
She was his green-eyed temptress.
He disentangled from Karin's arms and with a lingering glance upon his caged beauty; he turned to the woman who refused to leave his side. "Get out," he said quietly, a dark glint in his eyes, he wanted her out of his room, he never wanted to feel her touch again. He remained expressionless even when she shook her head.
"No! I'm worried about you Sasuke-dono; I want to help you-"
His mouth quirked in a teasing smile, he had no regard for her concerns, for his troubles and conflicts were not meant to be shared with anyone, his strife was not meant to be seen by another soul. "You know the location of the door? Good. Use it."
"But…"
"I'd rather not have to throw you out." He said with a lazy roll of the shoulders, before sweeping his hand through his dark hair. "Get dressed and return to your own chambers." Her eyes widened then narrowed, she tossed back her hands and shoulders, and let the sheets crumple to the floor displaying her slim, hippy and completely nude figure. He watched her with little interest and she whirled around, her hair slapping his face. He turned his head a little at the cutting slash.
She reached for the gown she wore last night and pulled it on like a child throwing a tantrum. Without looking back once she wrenched open the door and slammed it shut behind her. Sasuke blew out another long sigh he did not need this from Karin, not today. Frustrated and exhausting from his relentless dreams he turned back towards the window. Sakura sat there still, hunched over a little with her hands now in her lap.
He was angry with himself; he should know better that in times of war his mind should be clear of all distractions. His father had taught him that. Pride and anger had sustained Sasuke through all the years he spent alone. He was utterly alone, surrounded by a million people he was still alone.
In his dreams, there was constant reminder of his failure to protect those dearest to him. His mother… his beautiful, kindhearted mother with her reassuring smiles and his father, a proud, strong man who taught Sasuke all he knew when he had time. Sasuke frowned; eyes still on Sakura… his father had died before Sasuke could make him proud.
Closing his eyes, he exhaled slowly. Sasuke regretted that most of all… with his mother he did not have to strive so hard for her approval. Lifting dark silken lashes, he watched the woman below, slowly bringing his hand to the window as if he could capture her image… reluctantly he turned from the window and went to dress for the day.
He had matters to attend to, important matters that should keep him focused on the events at hand. He left his chambers and made his track down to the antechamber of the war room. The hallways were still dark, lit only by the flickering glow of flames from the torches. The morning held promise, so much but he found himself interested in other things then the gathering at hand or the upcoming battle of the day.
He stilled when he reached the door that led to the war room. Sasuke knew he should go in, pore over maps and plans and the lot that came with war and readying for each new battle. It was part of his job as Prince of Otogakure to show himself.
Normally a sick sense of excitement rose up in his chest at the thought of a battle; killing was a simple enough task. It was so easy. Quick, clean, relatively little risk to a capable fighter- especially one whom his fellow warriors were determined to preserve at the cost of their lives. Sasuke was not important to these people; the Prince of Otogakure was who mattered, the title, not the person.
Sasuke saw how they looked at him, some reverence, mostly fear. He was nobody and everybody to them, what a contradiction. In that, he went in. His generals awaiting him, maps littering the table top, chairs pushed aside. Suppressing a sigh, he greeted the men with a signature 'hn'.
They kept their eyes on him as he came around the table and took his place by his two top generals, the one on his right a man who practically raised him after the massacre of his esteem Clan. Sasuke took a sweeping glance over the map and the pieces that served as his army and the enemy's. He looked at the army that served as Konohagakure, studied the little figures hard… his eyes narrowing with intensity.
By noon he had reports and gone over every possible strategy. Unlike other Kage's, Sasuke's battle plans did not require much feedback from other soldiers in his ranks. His father and… another… had taught him the fundamentals of everything he would need to know in time of war.
The Uchiha Clan was skilled in means of military defense and offense; it was extremely rare for Sasuke to seek the opinion of another and even rarer for his soldiers to doubt his methods. There was an exchange of ideas here and there, but overall they abided to his tactics.
He hated to explain himself. He was a firm believer that those smart enough to understand his orders would outlive those who did not longer on the battleground. After hours of debating with general officers on whether to sneak into Konohagakure or march in as if he owned the place- the victory of the last battle argued the direct approach- Sasuke was still weighing probabilities after dismissing his men.
He must decide soon… now.
If only his mind was not distracted. He worried the problem and his lower lip until both were raw. Slink in by night and slit throats? Surge over the hills and slaughter them in open battle? Be bold or be stealthy? Challenge them or trick them?
As he wobbled between various plans, fighting them out in his mind he found that he was still anxious to meet the Hokage's Battle Commander of Konohagakure on the field again, after all he had some choice words for the man pertaining to his willing captive. Speaking of the woman who frequently stole his attention, he might as well go and pay her a visit.
"Sasuke-kun…!" He stopped, grimacing at the shrill voice coming from behind. He would much rather hear the sweet, soft voice of Sakura speaking his name instead of Ino, who clung to his arm as if she could fuse herself to him.
"Yamanaka-san," She pouted at the honorific, chiding him playfully as she expressed her wish for him to call her by her first name and that he needn't be so formal with her having grown up together. Sasuke blamed it on his upbringing and she just giggled. "Excuse me Ino; I was on my way to the gardens." That removed her quickly from his person. He watched as she fidgeted with the skirts of her dress.
"Um… I got that dress you asked for Uchiha-dono… is- is it for Haruno-san?"
"Haruno…?"
"The girl…" she tripped over her tongue, looking for the right words and description, "your… with pink hair?" she rolled a lock of her own blond hair in her fingers, tugging lightly as she darted her eyes around, anywhere but on him. She was never as shy around him as she seemed to be now, it made him quirk an elegant brow- not at her actions- but what she just revealed to him then.
"Oh," he said with a slight chuckle. "Aa, will you set it out for her this afternoon? I'd like for her to wear it when she joins me for lunch."
So her name was Haruno Sakura, was it?
He like it, it suited her. She was very much a reminiscent of a field of spring cherry blossom. A slight smirk twitched his upper lip at his new bit of information. He left Ino standing there with that request and went on his way. He hoped she was still in the gardens; he wanted to spend more time with her before he went off to fight.
Sakura was everything he never knew he wanted. His mind went to thoughts of her when he indulged his body wants in Karin that morning. Sasuke had concentrated on Karin's caresses, shaping the woman above him into another. A woman with gold-lit skin, sweet indefinable fragrance, lustrous pink hair, and huge dark green eyes guileless like a child's one instant and as cunning as a wolf's the next.
Oh, how he wanted to part Sakura's thighs and sink into her. He could feel it now; her body under his, her dainty mouth parted on sighs, whimpers, moans, his name panted softly from her… sounds that made him aware of his slip of control. Oh, how he wanted her body joined to his. He wanted that now, so painfully.
The afternoon beckoned him toward the hallway windows as he strode resolutely to the gardens. He passed the guard and walked into the garden. There were horticulturists around pruning the roses, redesigning flowerbeds, or coaxing shy herbs to grow. Pride of ownership sang through him. Otogakure belonged to his family for generations.
Otogakure was his home.
Every stone of it, every tree and fountain and carpet and tapestry and tile and now so was the Battle Commander's wife. He stopped to look wistfully out in the gardens and there she was, bathed in the afternoon light wearing a lovely satin pearl white dress that complimented her greatly, exposing her shoulders unblemished by the effects of sun.
Sasuke made his way over to her pleasantly surprised to find her still here since the morning. She sat serene amid the gardens on the bench. Sasuke walked over to her stealthily and sat down next to her, his back to the fountain. He leaned back a little and turned his head to see her face more clearly. He was a bit perplexed to find her eyes screwed tightly shut, her fingers digging into the skirts of her dress. He gave her a quizzical look before asking, "What are you doing?"
"I'm wishing."
With his brow still arched in that curious expression he concluded, "Looks painful."
"I'm nearly done…" She parted her lips and then relaxed her face, lashes lifting to reveal the most beautiful pair of green eyes, more luminous than any emeralds. "There." Sasuke had to admit that she surprised him again; this was the most she spoke to him without persuasion. He was curious though and prompted.
"What did you wish for?" She turned her head and looked at him, appeared startled and then looked away, pretty mouth tightening.
"It won't come true if I say." Silly childhood sayings like that never appealed to Sasuke, he could not help but scoff.
"Tell me Haruno Sakura and I'll make sure it'll come true, anything you want… I'll give it to you, it's within my power." She laughed softly and he frowned, people laughed around him, but he never felt they were laughing at him. Was she laughing at him?
"I want nothing from you." He canted his head slightly, gave her indulgent smile, the kind one would offer a child. It was as if he did not believe her and somehow that made her angry. She frowned and he skittered his fingers over her bare forearm, she allowed the touch but gave him no reaction. Sasuke sighed admiring her delectable curves as she strode from the bench to the side of the fountain.
Sasuke stood, strolled around the perimeter of the fountain that held nostalgic memories for him. He spared another moment's admiration for the woman of immediate passions. Life with her would not be placid, but never would it be dull. "There's a new dress for you in your chambers you'll want to change for lunch, you'll be joining me again." Intense black met passionate green and she lowered her lashes.
"Is this one of those times when you require my presence?" He made an indifferent shrug and let her think what she liked. As he returned indoors, he reflected that someday she would ask something of him and he knew exactly what she desired. It was only when she asked for it would he wonder if he could really fulfill the wish. The only thing he was sure of was that if she were to ask for it now, he would have to refuse.
Sasuke sighed and bowed his head, he saw ghosts everywhere. They flittered through the halls smiling, laughing, reminding of what he once had long ago and then stolen just as quickly from him like a swift wind. It had been a lifetime ago. His Clan… his parents… they had given him the world in which he had exercised his share of the family cunning.
The peace they had established had lasted with minor lapses, they would probably be disappointed in him for the war now, but as he has told Sakura, it was a necessary war, one in which he would use to draw out that man who had betrayed him in the worst of ways. He tried thousands of times to forget the terrible crime against him, but he was a man possessed, he could never allow the monster that slaughtered his entire Clan to live when he stole countless of important lives.
Besides those smiling ghost that wafted through the halls in the days seen only by his eyes turned into faces that only appeared in the darkness. He would see the hollow yes of his kin hovering above him in his nightmares, hear the whispers of the truth, he was weak and he always would be… if he did not fuel his hate and become strong.
Sasuke closed his eyes, only the tightening of his fist turning his knuckles white betrayed the frustration he felt for not being able to stop that murderer… His eyes snapped open, he made a promise that day in the room where his slain parents laid… he would receive retribution for the crime commented against his Clan!
He abandoned memories that yielded no solutions. Sasuke liked solutions and in a way, this necessary war was his solution yet to concede any success. Nevertheless, his personal advisor and mentor incited other necessities would arise during and after. His advisor was also his top general, the one who had raised him after the slaughter of his Clan.
Speaking of the man, he had known as a boy, he was waiting idly by, leaning against the wall with those cunning yellow eyes and snake charmer's smile. He uncrossed his arms and pushed away from the wall. Sasuke's eyes narrowed, he hated the older man… but he needed him as well.
"Orochimaru…" Orochimaru had spoken words of encouragements and revealed tactics based on many similar strategic campaigns his father held many years ago during older wars. At times, he longed to tell Orochimaru exactly what he thought of him but he suspected that man would merely laugh that unnerving chuckle of his and he would have even more contempt for him than he did now.
He had not acquired his father's patience with others. The difficulties they presented were annoyances that his father had seen as creative opportunities. He had listened, considered, consulted, and suggested solutions agreeable to all. Sasuke's impulses were either to tell them to stop bothering him or to settle the whole thing himself with a single command.
Inwardly, Sasuke smiled. His mother would accuse him of being too direct- of not thinking things through- that he wanted to act too fast. She would be right. At times, he despaired being half the ruler his father had been then again, his father had more years of practice and Sasuke was still learning.
He remembered so little of what his father had done, trying to adapt his father's style and method. He was learning his father's techniques; eventually he would learn his patience as well.
Orochimaru wanted to talk of the upcoming battle, Sasuke wanted to avoid the whole conversation until after, he had gone over all this already in the war room with Orochimaru in attendance and he told the man with the sharp gold eyes so. "Ah, yes… it's just I've noticed Sasuke-kun, you've been a bit preoccupied lately."
Obsidian eyes narrowed in a flash of some powerful emotion and a corner of his mouth twitched downward. In his dark eyes now was the lethal fury that paralyzed its object, but never Orochimaru, he simply looked amused.
Sasuke seethed inwardly, but kept his calm composure. He said, "There's no need for you to worry Orochimaru… you'll have your battle and my military acumen about me." He paused, gold steady on black. "Are your qualms soothed or were there other things to discuss?"
In this Orochimaru merely smiled that derisive smirk. "Just leave your distractions here and off the battlefield." He turned and left, Sasuke watched him as he turned the corner, leaving him with that warning. Sasuke scoffed and entered the room where he shared his meals with Sakura. Orochimaru was using him and Sasuke was doing the same in turn.
After the food was set and he was alone in the room again, eyes staring out the window below watching the soldiers reading the door opened. He turned from the window and he looked to see her standing in the lead of her guard, she looked especially angry now. He said her name and she turned her livid green eyes on him. He repressed a smirk and she made her way to the table, as was the routine.
She came into the mindset that if she sat with him and indulged him with a few words he would dismiss her shortly after, but not today. He stepped in her way and she flashed those angry eyes up at him. He closed his eyes only for a second to shake his head. "What is it Lady of Konohagakure?" He ran appreciative eyes down her figure clothed in the silken gown of deep blues. "Do you not find the dress to your liking?"
"I despise everything in this land from the threads that made this dress to its ruling prince." The fire in her eyes was fascinating; she was still intriguing him with her outspoken brashness. The excitement that he usually felt when he was sinking his sword into the belly of an enemy was tightening his chest at the sight of Sakura.
"It's only been few days, give it time, you'll come to appreciate your new home." he dared to touch her for the second time today, but now he did so while she was angry. She jerked her head back as his finger slid down her cheek.
"Don't touch me!" she snapped baring her white, straight teeth at him. She suddenly reminded him of a wild horse and if he knew anything about horses it was that they could be broken, he could hardly wait to break her. He grinned, that sick grin that came when he slashed the throat of his next victim. He could see that alarm look in her eyes before she covered it with fury.
Her eyes enthralled him, they were deep and sharp as a faceted emerald, pure green with no hint of gray or brown and the eyes were bright and vivid like the eyes of a hunting cat. Knowledge that she was his intended prey brought a slight smile to his lips and a secret excitement to his heart.
How he envied her husband. Countless days with herby his side, rewarded with her kisses and loving embraces and the most Sasuke received was her stubbornness and hate.
Kami, he could not stand it! He wanted to kiss her until she forgot everything except him. "You're quite astonishing when you're furious, you know." He grinned again, looking like a lean, dark wolf. "You are the most impulsive woman I have ever met," he said with a smile, tilting her face up with one finger beneath her chin.
"Are you quite finished?" she snapped shaking her head to get away from his hand. He gave a curt laugh. "What is it that you want from me?" she demanded, looking as if she were ready to spit in his face, he wondered how his impulsions would react if she tried it, this was one of those times he wished he had mastered his fathers fortitude. He was quiet for a very long while, so long her eyes began to tear up from the frustration she must have obviously felt.
He had never really seen her cry from the moment she had entered his lands, only the moment she had finished shedding tears and that was only a few days ago. "One night," he said at last, very soft. "One night with you, that's all." One night, it would never be enough; he could already feel the weight of his words, the cold reality that she would never willingly give herself to him.
He was not suppose to feel this way, damn Orochimaru for being right. "Sakura, sit down, let's stop this now. We'll have lunch and then you may retire to your rooms." Her face held an odd look, an arrested expression, as if she had just realized what he meant by 'one night'.
He took her by the elbow and led her to the table and then stepped away from her and went to his chair across the table. Sasuke sat down and waited until she tucked the skirt of her dress close to her legs and sat down in her seat, wondering what brought on her anger.
All through the lunch, Sasuke hardly addressed another word to Sakura. He did however look, constantly. Sakura was too shell-shocked to complain or retort. Minutes passed, hours passed, before he spoke again. Sasuke closed his eyes and drowned down the rest of wine when there was a knock at the door. The meal was over and it was time for him to leave her. "One night… I'll take it later."
On the other hand, perhaps she only imagined it. After he left to ready his army and horses, Sakura pushed her fingers through her hair and hunched over her plate. The Prince of Otogakure had surprised her today. She was not necessarily angry with Sasuke, as she was that she had been here longer than she suspected she would be. Did Neji not know that she was missing? Did he not care? Was he readying a rescue party?
Thousands of questions alike to those plagued her mind. She could barely take the pressure of her situations and was threatening to break under the weight of it all. She thought Neji loved her; he said he did… she was sure he had said that, he had given her his father's ring, he had kissed her and promised to return for the necklace she wore bearing the ring that had been important to him.
It was only now that she was beginning to realize that Uchiha Sasuke might be right, she would have to learn to think of Otogakure as her home.
After days of keeping her tears in check in the presence of the others and even alone Sakura felt the first drop of liquid salt fall onto the back of her hand as she folded her arms across the tabletop and buried her face in the bend of her arms. "Neji…" she moaned sorrowfully. "I want to come home… please… oh please."
The door creaked opened softly, dark eyes witnessed her shaking form, and her soft mournful pleads, stepping in the room unnoticed by Sakura who was too lost in her grief.
A/N: And now its time for a little segment I call: Excuses!
Oh, man, oh, man. I am such a bad, awful person, I was suppose to update after the wedding, but then I got so caught up in the after events of the wedding and then returning to my full-time job and what with Halloween and being way too exhausted to do any kind of writing I just kept putting it off and even though I had the chapter all finished, I suddenly deemed it unsatisfactory and started from scratch… well… sort of. Anyway, now its really done and this should sate you LOYAL readers until next month… and hopefully, I'll be able to work trouble-free on Marionette.
I hope you found this chapter worth the wait or… I don't even want to think about the consequences.
