I apologize (I wonder how many times I've started a chapter like that) for the delay. Work's been relentless. I received some prompts, so yay! I'm doing them in the order I received them so this one is from Meemy-Chan, again. This prompt was a forbidden romance between Sasuke and Sakura in a setting of commoner and royalty. I thought it'd be cool to make it semi-feudal era. Anyways, as usual, this one kind of got away from me and you'll see that there are some undertones of a story in here so I may post a second and third part to this chapter. Read, Review, Enjoy! Xo
She couldn't take it anymore. She was going to go crazy if she didn't get out of this room. Taking up her fan she attempted to cool her perspiring skin. Even in her diminished silks it was a feat. She let slip the layers of her Jūnihitoe from her shoulders, exposing delicate, pale skin, but it did little with the sweltering air in the room. Sakura wondered how her guards were doing in their uniforms. They all wore vested shirts and long tapered pants with protective bindings around their arms.
Many of them risked disciplinary action by stepping out of their attentive stances to pull at their collars or loosen their dressings to let air in. She didn't mind, though. She was well aware of their struggle in this relentless heat. Yet, one of them had not moved a single muscle since he'd arrived that morning.
Sakura could clearly see the sweat matting his hair to his sculpted face, even form where she sat on her dais. It seemed his hands were glued to the weapons at his side and his knees did not buckle under the persistent weight of his body. Her eyes locked on a bead of sweat that trickled down the side of his face, trailing his strong jaw before sliding over his neck.
"I can't stand this heat. I'll be in the gardens; you may leave, all of you," she remained seated until her ladies in waiting had scurried out the door, followed by her personal guards who seemed all too eager to leave the stuffy room. Except for one, "I dismissed you."
Uzumaki Sasuke did not speak. He flexed his fists behind his back and kept his eyes forward. Assured by the closed doors, Sakura stood, letting the outer layers of her kimono fall fully from her shoulders. She withheld modesty from him, exposing skin from her head to the swell of her breasts.
"The emperor did not," he said flatly.
"Does my word suddenly mean less than my father's?" she fixed him with a hard stare, but he would not meet her haunting eyes. Sasuke did not speak. He dare not answer that question, "You have not visited me for many nights. Do you grow tired of me?"
At that his eyes snapped to hers, alighted with a passion so rarely seen from him. Still, he held his tongue. She walked with all the grace of her noble ancestry, coming within a hair's breadth of him. Her thin fingers reached out but did not meet. She seemed to be tracing an intricate map in the air of all the places she might touch him. Sakura's eyes grew hazy as a pleasant reminiscence overcame her. She smiled, a rare, intimate admission of happiness.
"I have not grown tired of you. My mind races with the thoughts of your lips," her cheeks flushed a subtle pink and she appeared to falter in her façade for a moment, her lilting voice dropping, "I have dreamt of you every night. I awaken with a terrible ache between my legs and my heart calls for you, but you do not answer me."
"Stop," a faint blush had crept over his face. She studied him astutely, but his eyes continued to slip past hers.
"If you wish it," she moved back to the dais, refusing to allow the fissure opening in her heart to damage her appearance. Collecting her silk robes, she donned them once more, tying them appropriately. Without an utterance between them, she led him out the front doors of her sitting room and into the empty garden. Trees and exotic flowers lined the pathways, bordering a large pond that was home to her koi fish.
Sasuke followed her dutifully, keeping her pace, pausing when she paused. He would even at times smell the flowers she smelled, but only if she offered them. He had walked these dirt tracks with her more times than he could remember and he found that even in the climax of spring, nothing could compare to her beauty.
"Do you remember when we kissed for the first time?" her gaze was set on the trail before them. She raised a finger, "It was under that tree. I didn't feel the cold that night for I had your warmth to keep me."
He could not forget. Her lips were a phantom syndrome he was certain he was doomed to be tortured with until the end of his existence. Nothing had happened that night for they had been too fearful of the consequences, but he stayed within her chambers until she had fallen asleep. Outside, it had snowed so mercilessly that it was impossible to leave the palace. She had dismissed her advisors and courtiers the next day, keeping only Sasuke so that they might talk idly.
"I can still feel your lips, at times," she turned off the trail, ducking beneath the dangling branches of their willow tree. Her forefinger came up to rest upon the prominent dip of her upper lip, "Here," her finger grazed her neck, "Here," Sakura's jeweled hand rested upon her breast, "Here. And - "
Sasuke halted her wrist before it could traverse further. He was well aware of where he had kissed her. He knew everything he'd done to her for he played it in his tormented mind more often than he could tell her.
"Do you remember?" she questioned him innocently.
"No," he released her hand before the touch of bare skin could burn yet another imprint of her upon him.
"You do not remember the pleasure we gave to one another?" she had the cunning to look hurt, demeaned, before him. Quickly, she began to fan herself again. Even in the shade, the swelter of summer bore down, "Desire is a worse heat than this."
"Haruno-sama, you must stop," he wrenched his eyes from her. Sasuke could not give in; he had made it clear to her that they could no longer engage in their illicit activities.
"I'm not able to," she sighed and lowered her hand, "You're in my thoughts always. I am forced to attend to myself at night and I fear I do not know my body quite so well as you do."
An aspiration to display just how properly he knew where to touch her had come to life within him. He ushered it away with haste, fearing he might act upon it.
"Do you still have my key?"
"No." He told her he had thrown it in the fire.
"Then, I will leave my door unlocked tonight."
"Do not do such a thing," he admonished her harshly, far overstepping the boundaries of a common guard.
"How else are you to come to me this evening?" her jade eyes caught the light and he thought she looked remarkably wicked.
"I won't," he affirmed.
"If it eases your conscience, consider it a command," she turned on her heel and proceeded to the path. He trailed behind her.
She was perched atop her wide seat on the throne, opened silk robes spread beneath her. Sakura's long, rosy hair was tossed over her shoulder, halting just above her navel. With flushed cheeks, heaving breast, and trembling thighs she sought to bring herself to release. Her fingers glanced over her hidden bundle of nerves, but the touch eluded her. Yet, he knew exactly what to press, to squeeze, to lick. He knew what needed more pressure, less pressure. He knew how she needed it.
"Sasuke-kun," she could not help the cry that passed through her lips at the thought of him.
"I told you not to call me by that name."
Startled, she pulled her hands away, casting her eyes to the shadows at the edge of the room. How long had he been watching her? More persistent, at the forefront of her mind, was that he was here in the first place - and, she had locked her door.
"You lie to me," she did not cross her legs, leaving her forbidden sex open for his voracious gaze, "What other truths have you hid?"
"Cover yourself, Haruno-sama," he stepped into the soft candlelight burning in the room, "I did not come here to be tempted."
"Are you tempted?" she leapt to her feet and padded over the cool stone floor until she stood before him, bare. Sasuke turned his head to the side and clenched his fists tensely. Without notice, he felt the spirited press of her lips against his neck. He pushed her away rather roughly. For a moment, the guilt had shown on his face as she stumbled, but he quickly rectified that.
"It doesn't matter. I came here at your behest," he set his stoic mask in place once more.
"Why have you pushed me away?" her voice went quiet and suddenly she appeared quite vulnerable. Sasuke found he wanted nothing more than to assure her of the beauty she possessed. She was startling in her charm, "My feelings for you have not gone. They have been worse in your absence."
"You will persevere. May I take my leave?"
"Do you wish to leave?"
"Yes," it was an outright lie, but Sakura was not so sure anymore. She believed him.
"I bid you goodnight, then," her arms crossed over her naked form, hiding her shame until, after many silent moments, he finally took his leave. Taking up her Jūnihitoe, Sakura retreated to her private chambers. She fell into her sheets, curling upon herself as sorrow wracked her fragile heart.
On many nights during the long winter, they had found passionate emotions and erotic pleasure within the other. Sasuke would lay her back on that very bed, kissing and laving upon her soft skin before attending to her most intimate area. She would return the favor with immeasurable avidity. Much as she knew they had both craved it, they never consummated their union. Her chastity was a thing to be sold, not given, much as she might hope. Now, she could no longer have any of him it seemed.
Sasuke was summoned before the Emperor, Kizashi. His wife sat beside him, a towering stature of strength so alike to Sakura. This was not unusual for him to be sent for. Recently the Emperor had given the guard a task to watch over his daughter most adroitly. As a father, Kizashi was concerned by her reclusive behavior. Whereas she previously found joy in the coming of summer, it being her favorite season, she had begun to spend long hours in her sitting room with little company. Sasuke had more than a suspicion that he was almost entirely at fault for her conduct. He assumed Kizashi required peace of mind regarding her behavior.
"Uzumaki-san, you have been a most loyal soldier in my palace. I thank you for that," Kizashi gave a grateful nod of his head. Sasuke bowed but did not speak, "I have a request for you. As you know, war is waging on the borders of our kingdom. I am forced to strike before the horde approaches nearer. I want you within my forces. The Akatsuki draw close and the Hokage requires more of my assistance," Sasuke stiffened, but kept his eyes to the ground in respect. Itachi had been lost in battle along with the rest of his clan against the Akatsuki. His only protection from the war had been Itachi's foresight to sell him into service at the palace. Even then, the Emperor had seen potential in him and had him trained in the ways of the nin. Now, he was to follow in Itachi's footsteps. "You will meet your brother at our base; Naruto-san has been eagerly awaiting you. I imagine you two will make a formidable force."
"It is an honor," Sasuke bowed once more, awaiting further instructions.
"You will leave in the morning. Report to Kakashi-san for preparations," with a wave of his hand, Kizashi dismissed Sasuke.
His heart thumped erratically as he strode towards the soldier's barracks. He was certain he was being sent to his death. He could not think so desperately on it, for this was his duty. At least he would be protecting her more than if he were stuck behind these walls.
He was not there when she had opened the doors to the garden. He was always there, though. Without fail he would be the first to arrive and the last to leave. Perhaps he had made a decision for both of them and requested to be stationed elsewhere within the palace. The thought cut deeper than she imagined. Could he not stand the sight of her any longer?
She spent the day amongst her books, attempting to ensnare her attention with the medical journals she normally found so fascinating. Yet, her eyes strayed constantly and she found herself searching for him earnestly as she sat in the gardens. He still did not come.
Then, in the dead of the night, she heard the click of her lock and sat up straight to find Sasuke entering her room. He looked ashamed as he stood by her door in the dim moonlight. Sakura extended her hand in a silent plea and he took it gratefully, slipping out of his shoes before crawling atop the bed with her. Sasuke pulled at the hem of her nightgown and lifted it over her head. His mouth descended on an erect nipple while his hand worked the other. She moaned at the gentle suction his lips created. Leaning back, she moved to grasp his hair, but he caught her wrist. If she touched him, he would not be able to restrain himself from taking her. The imminence of his departure had put his desire for her to a boiling point. Men did not return from war, Sasuke knew that.
"Sasuke-kun," she purred when his teeth tugged her nipple. Abruptly, Sasuke pulled back from Sakura, still holding her arm.
"Do not call me that," his voice shook terribly as he looked on at her. She wrenched her wrist from his grasp.
"Why must I call you other than your name?"
"This was a mistake. I apologize for disturbing you," he rose from the bed and she followed him.
"Sasuke-kun, don't leave," she wrapped her arms around his torso, her fingers slipping beneath the opening of his shirt. He could feel her warmth seeping through the thin cloth. Her breasts pressed right against his back.
"This is not right, Haruno-sama," he shut his eyes, as if to block out the feel of her skin against his. It could not be helped; his arousal throbbed beneath his trousers.
"You know my name, my love."
"Stop it," he gritted his teeth.
"I can not stop loving you, do not ask me to."
"It is not right to love me," he was thankful she could not see the pain etched so deeply over his face in that moment.
"Then I fear for what it means to be right," his hands clutched Sakura's at her words. He was certain she could feel the discordant beat of his heart and it terrified him. He knew he had already given himself away by coming to her again. But it was not fair to take from her something she both should not give and was not meant to have in the first place.
"Sakura," finally he spoke to her as he used to on those frigid nights, "We must give ourselves time. These feelings will pass."
"Yours have not either, have they?"
No, she was right, they had grown worse in the other's absence.
"They will pass," he said it more to reassure himself. Sakura shook her head against his back. She then kissed his shoulder through his shirt and he felt a shiver run up his spine.
"Would you like them to pass?" He could not answer that question. Sakura did not know he was being sent away. It would, undoubtedly, be worse for her to know that he reciprocated her feelings wholeheartedly, only to have them ripped from each other's arms indefinitely, "Since the day I met you, my heart has been yours."
Sasuke had not thought of her in such a way when they had first met. He had heard of her beauty, but found the words had fallen short of the woman that stood before him. It was only as he spent more time around her that he began to feel such unspeakable emotions towards Sakura. He found she had a desire to help people, not in the ways of politics but on a more personal level. He had become lost, entranced by her passion on the subject of medicine and its advancement so much so that he had given her encouraging sentiments. She laughed, but her eyes had grown sad, despondent. She reminded him that she could not. As an only child, her duties had been bestowed upon her at birth.
"What good is it to tell you that I love you?" Sakura's heart skipped. He had never said it before. Sasuke had spoke of her beauty and gave voice to his desire for her, sometimes in the most lewd language she had ever heard. Never had he told her those three words, "You know what I feel for you. You know that you possess me."
"I do not," she trembled against him at the weight of his utterance, "You have not come to me in so long, I feared your affection had gone elsewhere."
"Who?" he turned then and they faced each other, the depth of their devotion bared between them.
"I do not know, perhaps someone more suitable for you," He wanted to tell her that no one was more suited for him, but the truth was that they were perhaps the most ill-suited coupling. He was a simple soldier hiding the name of his disgraced clan. She would ascend Konoha's throne after her parents. Sasuke was not someone she would wed. "Why did you come tonight?"
"I came for you," he chose to give her only a portion of the truth.
"Will you touch me tonight? I have missed you terribly," she reached her hand out with hesitation, but he took it without a thought.
"If you want," his throat bobbed as anticipation and arousal mingled in his abdomen.
"I do," she pulled him with her as she lay back on the bed. He hovered over her, frustratingly still fully clothed.
"I am afraid that I won't be able to stop."
She never wanted him to stop. More than anything she wished for his engorged length, that she had pleasured with her mouth so many times, to be inside her. She had heard that it would be painful her first time, but that each occurrence after, the pleasure would only increase. Many nights, she had dreamt of Sasuke taking her in such a way. She couldn't imagine performing such an intimate act with anyone else in the world.
"Do not stop," she took his hand, guiding it down between her thighs. He turned his palm in so that he cupped her sex and rubbed the heel of his hand against her hooded nerves. Sakura gasped, arcing into his hand. He stroked his fingers between her lips, feeling her already so wet for him. Sasuke circled her opening and watched her eyes screw shut, her mouth drop open as he slipped two fingers inside of her. "Never stop, Sasuke-kun. Ah! Please, I want to feel you everywhere tonight."
"Yes," he pressed his tongue against her clit.
"No," Sakura gripped his hair, forcing his eyes up to her, "I want everything from you. Will you," she licked her lips, her chest heaving as his fingers slowly slipped in and out of her, "Will you make love to me?"
"Sakura, do not ask me to do that," hoping to drive the thought out of her mind, his tongue pressured her clit with swift strokes.
"Do you - ahn - not want to? Ah, Sasuke-kun!" His teeth nipped her sensitized flesh in response. Sakura was playing with him. She was well aware that he wanted her in that way. It was the very reason he'd put a stop to their affair. He feared that he would cross that line and there was no coming back from it. She would be disgraced and he, killed for his crime. It would not be seen as an act of love but of treason. "Will you - oh! - deny me your love?"
"Do not tempt me," he growled, tearing himself away from her passage. He sat back on his heels, gripping the fabric of his pants at his thighs as he watched her chest heave and her lids flutter. Sakura's cheeks had turned bright red and she could feel her overflowing desire soaking her thighs, "Are you not satisfied with this?"
"Are you?" she was breathless and aching for his hands on her once more. He did not answer her, but took up the hem of his shirt and lifted it over his head. Sasuke stood, peeled his pants off, and kneeled on the bed before her, his turgid member throbbing very near the apex of her thighs. Grabbing her legs, Sasuke pulled her further down the bed until their hips met and the wet heat of her sex rubbed against his cock. They both gave an unrestrained groan at the new sensation. Taking his length in a tight grasp, he stroked his blunt head against her slick opening. Sakura whined, bucking into him. A desperate, terrifying emptiness overcame her and she knew the only way to relieve it was his penetration. She had never felt such a natural, baser need in her life.
Sasuke screwed his eyes shut and fought the feverish urge to enter her. He had felt her around his fingers before, had felt her clench in release, but the thought of her sweet cunt squeezing him like that was almost too much. He pulled away before he did something irrevocable.
"No!" Sakura whimpered, scrambling to her knees. She reached for him, but he stepped off the bed, an unreadable expression on his face. Dejected, she sat back on the mattress. They watched each other, ravenous eyes raking over naked bodies.
"If I stay," he started to speak, but seemed to change course and looked away, "I can not stay. We have to stop now, Haruno-sama."
"I told you I don't want to," she swallowed her fear, "I won't," she held her hand out for him again, "Sasuke-kun, come to bed with me," he clenched his fists and met her eyes again, "I want you, only you. I'd rather wear the shame of our union for the rest of my days than share this moment with anyone else."
Sasuke's heart stuttered at her words. How could she love him so much?
"You don't know what you're saying, Sakura," he shook his head, but she offered him her hand again.
"I know, Sasuke-kun, more than I've ever known anything else. I only want you," she blushed and lowered her gaze, "I want to make love with you, Sasuke-kun."
He could feel the last piece of his resolve cracking and falling away. He thought he knew the difference between right and wrong but suddenly the definitions had changed. The only thing right in his life, the only piece of happiness he'd ever had, was sitting in front of him, asking her to join him in this moment of bliss. Taking her hand, he kneeled on the bed with her. She cupped his face and kissed him tenderly, hoping to assure him that they were making the right decision. For once it would not be for anyone else but just for themselves.
Sasuke took her waist, gently pushing her into the mattress as he held himself above her. She was a vision, her long, pink hair splayed out like a halo and her wild, green eyes watching him with an unchecked lust. She was, had been, driving him to near insanity simply by loving him. He imagined that she still would, for the rest of his life, especially after tonight. Her words had rung true with him; it was unthinkable to imagine doing this with anyone else. Sasuke stroked her soaked heat, fingers delving into her passage. He stretched her walls gently, knowing that the girth of his member would surely be painful for her at first. Sakura writhed and mewled, her hands twisting the sheets beneath her in tight fists.
"Please, Sasuke-kun, do not make me wait any longer," her eyes met with his, imploring him quietly. Pulling his fingers from her, he gripped his hardened member, feeling it throb persistently, and positioned himself at her entrance. Sakura's hips rose as if to take him in, but he stilled her with a strong hand.
"Are you certain you want to do this?"
"Yes," she nodded fervently, arms stretching out to hold him.
"We can not go back after this," he gave further pause, "If your father finds out - Your future husband will surely know that you are not pure."
"I am not pure," she repeated the words and smiled softly at him, "I have not been pure since I met you. I've been tainted by your hold on my heart; I will never truly be another's bride, because my love is only for you, Sasuke-kun. I cannot give that to anyone else."
"Sakura," he lifted his hand from her hip and stroked her cheek. She turned into his touch so that she might kiss his palm, "You are too good for me."
"Sasuke-kun, no," she snatched his hand in hers. "We are exactly enough for each other. Don't you feel it?" he did not respond so she continued further, "You are brave, selfless, and kind. You may be soft spoken but I hear you. I know you, my love, and you are everything I've ever wanted. You have suffered so," her voice broke, recalling his sleepless nights and fitful dreams. Eventually, he felt he had to tell her what was haunting him so, "Do not mistake happiness for sin simply because you are unaccustomed to it."
He wondered how she seemed to know him better than he knew himself. How had she observed such qualities in him? Sasuke lowered himself, his chest ghosting hers as he leaned down to kiss her. He rested both hands beside her head to support himself. Her lips meshed with his urgently and suddenly, he felt her delicate fingers wrap around his cock. Raising her hips, she slowly pushed him halfway in. Sakura bit her lip to keep from crying in pain. He stretched her more than his fingers had ever done and it resonated in a sharp pang.
"Sakura," he groaned and, against his better judgement, drove the rest of the way into her. Sakura's hands flew to his back, finding purchase and digging in roughly as a pained sob escaped her. At that, Sasuke stilled himself. He began to pull out, fearful of her sounds of suffering, but she held him closely.
"Do not leave me," she hid her face in his neck, pressing quiet kisses against his heated skin, "This discomfort will pass."
"It's too difficult, Sakura," he groaned again, a tortured utterance. His hands shook with the effort it took to keep himself from thrusting into her tight warmth. He wanted to move so badly. The way she squeezed him and coated him with her arousal even as they lay still was bringing him so dangerously close to completion.
"Then, move," she bit his jaw playfully.
"No, not if it causes you torment," he shut his eyes and grit his teeth. Sakura gripped his arms and took a deep breath before lifting her hips to meet his. Sasuke cursed as he slid partially out of her and then back in. Sakura murmured into his shoulder, admitting her discomfort, but continued rocking her hips. Sasuke panted, his eyes screwed shut as he began to thrust into her, matching her rhythm. Sakura tightened her hold on him as she felt the throbbing discomfort turn into a very familiar, delicious ache and then into an entirely new sensation altogether. She began to crave the feel of him stretching her and hooked her legs around his waist so that she could take him deeper. The pain dulled and, while it was still there, it had become outweighed by the vicious pleasure that overtook them. Sakura could feel herself coming close, the friction proving to be just right. She didn't want it to end yet. Sasuke wasn't ready either. He wished to stay like this with her forever. She pulled back to look into his eyes and he felt startlingly exposed, as though she were seeing everything, all of him.
"It feels good, Sasuke-kun," she moaned, "I want this with you, always."
He could not bring himself to utter his agreement. It would make it too real. He wanted it to be real, wished for it, but he knew this would only end in heartache. Yet here he was, thrusting into her, losing himself in all that she was. Abruptly, he pulled out and she gave an unabashed whimper. He began stroking himself rapidly, so close to finishing. She understood when she saw the torment of his expression and sat up, brushing his fingers aside. She knew how to take care of him. She gripped him and, with a few maneuvered pumps, he came with a broken groan into her hand. She thought, forlornly, that she would like to feel him come inside of her one day. Absently she took a cloth from her bedside drawer and wiped her hand clean before laying back on her pillows. Panting, but undeterred, he began to play with her pulsating clit.
"You did not finish, yet."
Sakura moaned, touched that he had noticed amidst his own orgasm and even more so that he sought to bring her to the same completion. Inserting two fingers, he curled them, pinching her bundle of nerves until she came undone at his ministrations.
"Sasuke-kun," she gave a sharp cry, bucking off the bed and throwing her head back with closed eyes. He watched every second, committing her to memory. Every night with her was everything he had. He would carry it all with him until the day he died. He knew that day was not far off.
"I love you," he thought she deserved to hear him say it plainly, at least once. Sakura nodded, her eyes burgeoning with fresh tears as she pulled him down to lay beside her.
"I want to marry you," she admitted, unafraid to voice her fantasies then.
"I can offer you nothing."
"Not even yourself?"
"Would that be worth it?"
"Without question," she turned into his chest and breathed deeply, "I've told you, you are all I require."
"You don't mean that."
"Yes - "
"What about your family?"
"I love my parents and I respect them, but it is the nature of our lineage that I am unable to have both of you in my life."
The gravity of her words hit him like a punch to the gut. Someone was choosing him. Itachi had chosen Sasuke over his own life and Sasuke carried that with him each day. It was a bittersweet sentiment.
"Will you marry me, then?"
"Yes," her eyes shimmered as she took him in, saw the vulnerability evident in his normally stoic expression. Something was wrong, she thought. He seemed to still take pleasure in her acceptance, but he did not smile, he did not kiss her. Sasuke pulled her into his side, tucking her head under his chin.
"Tomorrow night, will you marry me?"
"Yes," she gave no pause to his question, she pondered not on the time that drew nigh, "I will marry you, Sasuke-kun."
She clutched him tighter as the sinking feeling in her stomach threatened to engulf her. Something was wrong and she would find out what, but for now she closed her eyes. Sakura basked in his warmth, listened to his slowly steadying heartbeat and gave in to the peaceful feeling that beset her only when she lay in his arms.