Title: Thief of Hearts

Summary: When Sakura woke up, 15 years has passed, the Uchiha have taken over and she is the consort of Uchiha Sasuke and the mother of his children.

Pairings: SasukexSakura

Genre: Romance/Angst

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, or Thief of Hearts by Laurence Yep, or the various references from the Labyrinth by Jim Henson. But they inspired me to write this.


Chapter 7: Your eyes can be so cruel

One.

Two.

Thre…

I puenched the wall, ignoring the blood dripping from my knuckles and stinging friction of scraped skin against the crushed concrete. Breathing heavily, I leaned against the wall, ignoring the broken shards of wood, cement, glass and broken furniture. My eyes spot the moon peeking through the clouds.

In between each intake of breath, I look transfixed at the full moon mocking me beyond the broken window. It was a full moon when my family -my clan was massacred. It loomed red, casting a shadow over the man who I call my brother.

It was also full that night, when I decided that I have to let go of happiness. When she stood before me, teary eyed, representing every thing that I wanted but I had to reject to complete my goal.

"You should have gotten rid of her before."

Recognizing the chakra behind me, my eyes grew red; my teeth seething with irritation.

"If you find it difficult to finish her, I will do it myself."

In a split second, I stood before Madara, Sharingan turning dangerously. "Don't. You. Dare. Touch. Sakura."

"It has been month, Sasuke." My hands clenched, I wanted to tear that stupid mask off his face. "Clearly, she will not cooperate. She is loyal to the Senju. To her, we are her enemy. She IS our enemy."

"Lift one finger against her, and I will be your opponent."

"You are making a stupid mistake, Sasuke."

When he finally left me alone, my gaze returned to the moon. I would never admit it to anyone, but I was also confused why I allowed her to live. It was a logical choice to have her killed like the other captured shinobi. She was too high ranking in the Shinobi Alliance. She was too loyal.

But she was Sakura. They were unwanted, but the recurring memories of her annoying chatter, her lively smile, her expressive emerald eyes and her confession-they kept me sane in my years as Orochimaru's apprentice. I was training to kill, but remembering her made me keep a small shard of my humanity.

When I saw her again after I invaded Konoha, her body bruised and broken, I remembered the rage I felt in the Forest of Death. They had dragged her to my room to heal me and despite my common sense calling her my enemy, I knew the moment our eyes met that I could trust her. Madara and his armies of clones could turn against at any time, but Sakura-I know that she will never betray me.

For the next few days, when I unconsciously find myself wandering to her cell, I glance in wonder about how she has changed. The last few times we met, I was so focused in my anger, in my goal that I didn't really SEE her. She was there, but she was not important. It was ironic how things changed.

I thought of her at almost every moment. My thoughts flickered between the 12 year old annoying team mate who swore she loved me, the broken woman in the cell who refused to look at me and the enemy bound for execution-her emerald eyes closed forever. I could not allow it happen.

So I made the deal. If she was no longer my enemy, then I could allow her to live as a civilian in the village that now belongs to me. But it was irritating how she kept on creeping into my thoughts, how frustrating it was that she resents every second in my presence. I wanted her to look at me the same way she did when we were young. I wanted her back. I wanted her to be mine again.

And doing everything I could to make her see me again, she took the very first opportunity she found to get away from me.

Yelling in anger, I grabbed the first object in my reach and threw it against the wall. If one of the villagers did not tell me about the escape plan, she would have been gone in a heartbeat. I observed her for hours, hoping that she would decide to stay-with me. But it was clear now that she will never stay of her own free will.

The illusion is broken; we could no longer play pretend. I cannot stand in the corner pretending that she will not bolt away to the Shinobi Alliance at the nearest opportunity. But I cannot let her die…I cannot lose her. There must be a way to make sure that she stays with me, to ensure that she can never leave me.

The feeling of wanting and desperation was consuming me. I looked backing my memories, cringing through all the dreams I had, all unfulfilled. I suddenly paused at a certain memory that gradually came clearer. It was during a fine day, when the three of us were each asked a question.

I felt my chest bursting, and I could feel myself smirking. I know what I had to do.

It was time to fulfil the second of my goals.

I decided to continue looking over the papers I ignored since I last returned to the palace. Sakura has not awakened yet, so I spent the next few hours in my study going over reports and thinking over several decisions.

There was a knock. I looked up and saw a younger version of myself standing stiffly before me.

"You summoned me, Father?"

Nodding, I stood up and walked to him. For someone only 12 years old, he was already as tall as I was. In my mind's eye, I remember the moment he was born and I clenched my fist in irritation.

"When your mother is feeling better, you are to accompany her around the palace. Answer any question she asks, no matter how strange. Make sure she does not leave the premises and guard her at all times."

"Yes, Father."

"And Itachi."

"Yes, Father?"

"Keep your opinions to yourself."

A pause. "As you command, Father."


A/N: This has to be the hardest chapter to write. I had to rewrite it so many times until I found the version I was satisfied with. I had to bring out my inner angsty self so I can project and think like Sasuke,and frankly, it's so hard because he is my polar opposite. But I think I suceeded in making him lovesick without making him OOC, what do you think?

Oh, some asked how I got into Pottermore before October. JK Rowling had a contest last July 31 to August 6 granting one million early slots for Beta testers and I was very fortunate to be one. ^_^

In addtion, for those who are asking for the ages, Sakura and Sasuke are 31. Itachi is 12, Mikoto is 10, the twins are 5.

And , oh, Kami-sama, I have more than 100 reviews! I have to say, I was sort of surprised. I didn't notice it until it happened. Thank you, thank you very much for supporting this story. You guys made me so happy!

Once again, thank you for your reviews, alerts and favorites. Your support makes me more determined to update as soon as i could. And as always, thank you, Miko-chan, for telling me to write this story!