I'm sure you're all pretty much sick of my excuses by now, but you'll be getting them anyway :)
This chapter is embarassingly shorter than my other ones, but once you realize how I've been filling my time, you'll forgive me, at least, I hope so. So I've been pulling 47 seven hours per week at school, not to mention my studies at home. This is such a crucial year for me and I need to ace it, I barely have time to scratch my head let alone type, anyway, here's the seventh chapter, I'm not sure when I'll update next but bear with me, please.
Please Enjoy!
One of the perks of being married to a wealthy man, Sakura mused, was having different means of transportation at your disposal, at all times. Droplets of water landed on her face, and clothes. She was still dressed in the crème lace and chiffon dress that she had donned earlier today, and Sasuke, sitting on one of the lounge chairs on deck, was still dressed in his smart, dark grey suit.
As soon as he had gathered his bearings, Sasuke had made quick work of securing passage for them on one of the boats that his family owned, to Oto Island, where his parents were.
Sakura liked to believe that the pallor of her husband's face was due to sea sickness, but in the back of her mind, she knew that Sasuke, a true islander, was as ease at sea as he was on solid, unmoving, ground. No, his slouched form, and surly features were due to the bombshell that she had dropped on him not two hours ago.
Holding on to the bits and pieces of furniture strayed on deck, Sakura made her way towards her husband, she crammed herself beside him on the lounge seat and placed her hand on his knee.
Sasuke looked at her. "Sasuke," The rosette started, "Your father is a priority on the donor's list, and his condition is not so bad that he cannot hold for a few months. Something will turn up." By that, she meant that someone was bound to die in the next few weeks, many actually, and at least one of them had to be a match for her father-in-law. "Tsunade is the best, he couldn't have better care than that."
"I know." He quickly answered, covering her hand with his. "It's just that.." He sighed then and craned his head to gaze at the blue, clear sky, then back at the rippling water. "I'm afraid that he's punishing me, Sakura."
Sakura raised an eyebrow, honestly perplexed at his answer. "Punishing you? For what?"
Her husband gave her an exasperate look. She suddenly wanted to kick herself, of course, he meant their marriage. Fugaku Uchiha was still bitter about it. The last time that she had seen him was that day, at Sasuke's firm, all those months ago. And Sasuke hadn't spoken to her on whether things had changed between him and his father, one way or another.
"This is what he did to Itachi, he cut him out until he cut him off, entirely."
Sakura opened her mouth, then closed it again. She didn't know what to say to that. She did not know Fugaku well enough to render a judgment on whether or not he would disown his second son for marrying her. And what if he did? Would Sasuke choose to let her go in favor of hanging on to his family? The rosette slightly shook her head. Sasuke needed her, now was not the time to be thinking about herself, or them, for that matter, now was the time to assuage his concerns.
"I'm sure he just didn't want to worry you." She reached for his dark, and soft hair, gently caressing it, much like she would do to a child's. "He seems like the prideful type."
Sasuke nodded, seemingly recovering from his morose episode. "That he is." He squeezed the hand that cupped his knee. "Thank you for telling me." He smiled, but only slightly. "I realize that you put your job in jeopardy, but you still told me, I appreciate that."
She returned his gesture. "It's as it should be. Honesty," She averted her eyes, "And I'm sorry that I-"
Sasuke raised his hand, cutting her off. "It's okay. I understand, at least, I try to. You have concerns, I get that. I don't want you to ever feel like I'm taking over your life, I don't want you to be any different." He cleared his throat. "In fact, I don't want you to shape, your interests, to my tastes. I love you, for whoever you chose to be. Not your future, not your past, I love you." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the soft skin of her palm.
It was her turn to thank him, she murmured her gratitude against his lips, and then again. They separated at the sound of the boat's captain, announcing that they were nearing Oto's harbor.
Sakura noticed her husband's face harden again, and squeezed his hand. "It's fine, Sasuke." She assured him.
Oto was as beautiful as Sakura remembered it to be, exotic colors and all. Walking hand in hand with her husband, Sakura had to close her eyes and marvel at being back in the one place that had truly felt like home. Even Suna could not compare.
The streets were the same, as she left them months ago, and people still hustled and bustled around. They walked through the town's square, people stared at them. Sasuke, of course, was an icon, the closest thing to royalty in their time, being an Uchiha placed him on the top of the hierarchy in Oto. The Uchiha family, going all the way back to the imperial periods, owned the island, and therefore, owned all that the island held.
Some stopped them to say hi, some greeted Sasuke with familiarity, others simply nodded, or smiled, politely. But in every pair of eyes that followed them, Sakura saw the same curiosity and subtle scrutiny. They all wanted to know who she was. She could tell that some recognized her, remembering her stunt at the centennial. Others had only their imagination to explain why Sasuke Uchiha walked hand in hand with a woman wearing a wedding band on her finger, a ring that mirrored his.
As if reading her thoughts, Sasuke squeezed her hand. "Let them look." He pulled her to his side, wrapping an arm around her. "They're bound to know."
Sakura allowed herself a little, secretive smile, in spite of the circumstances. It was good, to have her marriage out in the open, in Oto, it was great, actually.
She suddenly felt guilty, here she was, accusing, no, shutting her husband out of her past, when he was so…unafraid to admit her into his life, so unafraid of the consequences. Now that she thought about it, hiding their marriage from his parents was her idea, partly due to cowardice, but mostly due to her fear of how she would affect his life.
I'm afraid he's punishing me.
Fugaku Uchiha has proved, years ago, that he was not above dispensing himself of a son, if said son displeased him. Itachi Uchiha hadn't set a foot on Oto in seven years. She did not know the full story, just that Itachi decided that he was better off in the music industry, than he was in law, that, and the fact that he was an addict, and an alcoholic.
"Thinking about dad?" Sasuke's voice jarred her out of thoughts. He looked at her expectantly, and she realized that she hadn't spoken a word in a while.
"Yes." She replied, then bit her lip. "And your brother." She admitted, almost fearful of his reaction. Sakura did not know much about how things went between Sasuke and Itachi, but she knew, for a fact, that Itachi was once the best older brother that a kid could hope for. Naruto told her that the two brothers were once as close as close gets, they were inseparable, and highly protective of each other.
"Itachi?" He echoed, his features slipping into those of sorrow, and old pain. "I haven't heard from him in a while." He confessed. "Last I know, he was in Rain, something about a concert, with his band."
"Are you mad at him, too?" She asked. "Is that why you haven't talked to him for so long?"
"No." His reply came quickly, almost too quickly. "I guess I was, at first. But even then, I wasn't mad because he chose music." He scoffed. "If it could be called that, sounds like a whole lot of noise to me, I was mad because he walked out on us, on me. And then, I guess I just didn't like the person that he became."
"Is it so bad?" She slowed down a bit, without even realizing it. "Going after his dreams?"
"I really can't explain it well. Like I said, I'm not averse to music, it's the drugs, the alcohol. It's like he's not the brother that I once worshipped."
"And you think that he's never going to be that brother again." She surmised. "That's why you've stopped talking to him."
Sasuke seemed to hesitate with his next answer, he shook his head. "I've tried, Sakura. And if he comes to me, one day, would I turn him away? No, never. But I've tried, and I'm tired of always finding myself alone at the middle of the bridge."
Her husband's normally silver-black eyes, turned stormy, and she knew that she had already went beyond boundaries. He was entitled to his walls just as she was entitled to hers. Little did she know that that was the number one reason for the failure of all relationships.
Her in-laws' house came into view. The gardener took his hat off as they passed him by. The elderly man avoided Sakura's gaze, aware of who she was, yet not completely void of curiosity.
"Where's my father?" It was the first question that Sasuke asked the minute they crossed the housekeeper's path. The woman seemed surprised, and a little bit taken aback at Sasuke's no-nonsense tone.
"In the upstairs salon, Mr. Uchiha. Mrs. Uchiha is with him."
Sasuke nodded in some semblance of politeness and gratitude, then pulled her behind him in what she assumed was the direction of the upstairs salon. "Sasuke, wait." She called out. She tugged on his hand until he slowed then tilted his head in her direction. "Your father is not well, keep that in mind when you talk to him."
Sakura had never seen the upper floor of Sasuke's childhood home before. It spoke of Mikoto, wherever she looked, simple, elegant, and yet, arresting.
"Sasuke." Mikoto greeted, true delight and surprise in her voice. She stood and hurried towards them. Sakura had to smile at the affection that Mrs. Uchiha held for her younger son, as she watched her embrace him, then kiss him on both cheeks, like a kid. It made her wonder, really, and how much it broke her heart, Mikoto's, to be apart from Itachi.
The older woman then turned to Sakura, and held her hand. "Sakura, it's good to see you."
Mikoto's affection towards her amazed her even more. "Thank you. And you as well. " Although she wished that the circumstances were better.
Fugaku Uchiha had his back to them, and he did not acknowledge their presence with a single gesture, he remained rooted to his spot.
"Mom, why don't you show Sakura around." Sasuke suggested. "There's something that I need to talk to dad about." At his mother's hesitation, Sasuke added, "Please."
"Oh, alright." She looped her arm around Sakura's and started to lead her away. "You are going to tell me eventually, though." She warned over her shoulder. Sakura glanced over her shoulder, as well, just in time to see the door close.
Sasuke walked slowly, but surly, towards his father. He took a seat opposite of him on the crème sofa. "Dad." He greeted.
"Sasuke." Fugaku replied, his eyes still glued on a document in front of him. "What brings you here? With her?"
Sasuke chose not to comment on the mild irritation he heard in his father's voice, towards his wife. There were matters much more important than that. "Why didn't you tell me? Because I married Sakura?"
Fugaku paused, laid his papers on the coffee table, then removed his reading glasses. "Why didn't I tell you what? I don't like ambiguity, Sasuke. You know that."
"So, you are punishing me." He concluded. "You're keeping me out, because I married Sakura."
"Sasuke, I really don't understand what you're asking me." His father countered. "So, if you please, be forward."
Aware of how stress could affect his father's health, a direct approach was the last thing that Sasuke wanted. He did not want to cause damage to Fugaku's already damaged heart. But he needed to know, heart surgery was not something that a person should hide from their family. And he needed to know whether or not his marriage had put such a ridge between him and his father that said father could not bring himself to inform his, technically, only son that his heart was failing. He realized that he was going about this the wrong way, he was asking his father if he had kept such an important matter from him because of Sakura, but what he really should do was explain his reasons for leaving Fugaku out of his own decision.
"Dad, I was wrong to keep you and mom out of it, marrying Sakura, I mean." He started. "But you must understand, nothing either you or mom could have said, would have changed my mind. Sakura is my wife, I chose her, and I don't regret it. I won't."
Fugaku cleared his throat and pressed his lips together in irritation. "Why her?" He finally said. "You could have married anyone, someone that you could have introduced to us."
Sasuke heard the message hidden in his father's words as if he had screamed them. "I was never ashamed of Sakura." He countered, slowly, and stressing each word, to make sure that Fugaku understood that what he told him was the truth. "Never."
"Then why did you?" A mocking smile played at the corner of Fugaku's mouth, and Sasuke hated it. It was mocking, it was a challenge, and it made him feel like he was seven year old all over again, instead of twenty seven.
"Because I didn't want this," He gestured between them, "to happen, I wanted her for myself, away from our family, because like it or not, there's something seriously wrong with the Uchiha's." Sasuke regretted his outburst the second that the last word left his mouth. He sighed. Confronting his dad, without risking his health, proved to be extremely difficult. "I apologize. After what happened, you know how I became, you saw. And you and mom hated it."
He could see the shift in his father, Fugaku straightened and mockery left his face, instead, something morose, sympathetic, took over. "Sasuke-"
"No, after…that, law school pretty much took over for me, I lived to be a lawyer, it was all I had, and then Sakura came along, and I had something else to live for, and then she was all I had."
"That doesn't sound at all like you, Sasuke. I do not like the effect that your wife has on you." Sasuke opened his mouth to reply, but his father held his hand up. "However, I really do not understand what you meant by 'punishing you', explain, if you would."
Sasuke recognized his father's wish to change the subject and he submitted to it. "You should have told me that you were sick."
In that moment, Sasuke saw emotions cross his father's face that he had never seen before, astonishment, something dangerously aching to unease, and even hesitation.
"Dad, I know." He added. "I know that you need a new heart. Why did you hide it from me?"
Fugaku Uchiha straightened and reached for his papers, he slipped his glasses on and began to read.
Sasuke sighed loudly. "Dad-"
"How did you know?" Fugaku interrupted, his brown eyes still fixed on his papers.
"Does it really matter?"
"I, as a patient in Konoha Hospital, am entitled to my privacy." There was a pause, then Fugaku raised his head. "She told you, didn't she? I could sue her, you know."
"No, you won't." Sasuke countered. "Because one, you would never do that to me. And secondly, you cannot sue her, because Dr. Uchiha Sakura is not, in fact, your doctor, and therefore she did not break patient-doctor confidentiality."
"There is nothing for us to discuss regarding this matter." Fugaku announced. "Therefore, I owe you no explanation. I believe you should join your mother, now. She was just saying how terribly she missed you."
Sasuke was beginning to see the reason that his father hid something so crucial from him. Sakura once remarked that he and his father were cut from the same cloth, as pertained to their behaviors and over all comportment. His father's pride was threatened, and therefore, he resorted to a technique that Sasuke was quite familiar with, denial and refusal of anything that could even elude to weakness. His father was feeling vulnerable, and chose to hide it from anyone and everyone other than his doctor. He had an inkling that even his mother did not know.
"Does mom know?"
"Sasuke."
"Dad."
"No, she doesn't. And it should remain that way." Fugaku gave him a pointed stare. "Don't interfere."
Sasuke stood, and went to gaze out of the floor-to-ceiling windows. The lake that he and Itachi spent so much time playing at when he was younger greeted him. The water was as clear as he left it, and the grass just as green. The wooden dock that they somewhat built –Sasuke was sure that his father had someone fix whatever mess they made when they were not looking- together was as sturdy as ever. He could not deny the fact that thinking about Itachi pained him. His brother was once his rock, and now, his rock was crumbling.
"One does not hide this sort of thing from one's wife." He stated. "She has to know."
"And one can lecture one's father when one is as old as one's father. Since that is quite impossible, it would be great if you held your piece."
"I will." Sasuke agreed. "But you'll have to tell her."
Taking one look at Uchiha Mikoto's study, Sakura knew where her husband's neat-freak tendencies originated from. Mikoto had everything organized, in alphabetical order. The items on her desk were impeccably arranged, her notebooks organized by size. Even her pens were sorted by color.
Her elegance and good taste also showed in the layout and décor of the study, all crèmes and chocolates.
"Did you know that I also have a degree in law?"
Sakura raised her head at that. "Really? Sasuke said that you and Mr. Uchiha had met in college, but I didn't assume that…"
"Oh, yes. I suppose it is sort of a family thing. I was also specialized in criminal law, so Sasuke took after me."
Sakura nodded, knowing that Sasuke's father was specialized in corporate law. "I suppose it's safe to assume that Sasuke takes after you in a lot of things."
Mikoto started fingering some documents on her desk. "True, although, Sasuke likes to pretend to be cold and distant, like his father. Mind you, it's all a pretense with Fugaku as well, I guess that that's something else that runs in the blood of the Uchiha men. They have hearts of gold, but like to pretend that they don't." The brunette smiled warmly then took her hand. "You know that he'll soften towards you, don't you?"
Sakura laughed nervously. "I very much doubt that, but it's very kind of you to say that."
Mikoto sighed, as if coming to terms with defeat, then moved away, towards her desk. "Sakura, be a dear and look through those letters for me."
Sakura retrieved the stack of letters that her mother-in-law had pointed out. She started to thumb through them. "They look to be invitations. Old ones."
Mikoto sighed once more, this time in exasperation. "Oh, I really need to hire a secretary, those go all the way back to the centennial. They're previews of the invitations we sent to a select group of Oto natives, the A-list, if you please."
"Celebrities?" Sakura inquired.
"Yes. I've been meaning to throw them away, but as you see, I haven't."
Sakura inspected the names, then paused. "Terumi Mei?" She spoke aloud. "I've heard of her. She's a dancer, isn't she? She's from Oto?"
"I believe so, you'll be surprised to know how many celebrities originated from her. There is also a great number of scientists, scholars and even doctors."
"Now, that you've mentioned that. Even though Mr. Uchiha and I are not exactly bread and butter right now, but, I'm going to do everything I can to stand by all of you throughout his illness, before and after his surgery for what it's worth."
There was a pause, and Sakura realized that she had screwed up, majorly.
"What surgery?"
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