Chapter 10

by

Fairykitten56

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto and the original plot for this story is owned by Tullie (used in her SessRin Inuyasha fic, Forget Me Not)

Notes: I have no excuse for the late update but they should regulate themselves...And without further adu(ho do you spell that? Adeu? Ado? Adue?) I am off to read the Noragami Manga xD. Enjoy!

.forgetmenot.

"I never loved you," he told her vehemently, watching as the tears spilt out, watching as her eyes closed, as his hold on her tightened, and his lips pressed against hers. He held her wrists to the stone wall, groaning, yielding to his want, his need for her soft flesh against his. He closed his eyes as he kissed her, his ministrations no longer soft and teasing, his body taut against hers. "Sakura," he whispered, his voice hoarse, needing, wanting, pressing his lips to the soft skin behind her ear.

She mewled in response, clinging to him, feeling his lips brush against hers. She whimpered, running her hands through his midnight tresses, feeling his tongue tugging against hers. She felt his arm move to wrap around her waist, lifting her up. Her legs wrapped around his torso, "Sasuke," she murmured through the kisses, "Please," she pleaded, moaning with pleasure. She knew it was wrong; every touch, every kiss. She knew that he felt nothing for her, that he didn't love her; yet she didn't stop. She didn't stop herself from kissing him back, didn't stop from pushing her against the hard brick wall, her eyes bristling with tears as the stone dug into her back. She ignored the pain, the dull ache in her chest, and relished being in his arms once again. Even if it's just a lie.

"Fuck," Sasuke cursed lowly, hissing as she brushed against his member. He groaned, one arm holding her small frame, her arms wrapped around his neck, his other arm braced against the wall for support. "Sakura," he hisses as he pushed away from the wall, lips still pressed against hers, stumbling into the bedroom. He stepped over their bags toward the bed, setting her onto the embroidered comforter, his form over hers. He plunged his tongue against hers viciously, savoring her sweet honeysuckle taste. He groaned his hips against hers, fisting her hair in his hold tightly, "Mine," he repeated, looking at her as he spoke, his words laced with deadly desire, "You're fucking mine," his tone was possessive, obsidian eyes glazing over in pure hunger.

Sakura shivered, "Yours," she spoke softly, pressing gentle kisses along his jaw, "Only yours." She moaned as she felt his hand slip up her dress, his finger tips pressing against her lace covered core. She jerked as he caressed her center, her own hands traveling over his lean frame. "Sasuke," she pleaded, tugging on his dress shirt. He growled, pulling back as he ripped it open, throwing it behind him. His lips crashed down upon here as he pushed her dress up, pushing past the flimsy silk lace, his hands kneading, rubbing, and manipulating her to her peak. She bit his lip, arching her back, daring not to verbalize her pleasure. He soft moans drove him to a frenzy, wanting more. He craved her soft flesh, she sighs of pleasure.

He smirked, his gaze darkening, his hold on her hips tightening, "Come for me," he ordered, his voice husky, his gaze seductive. He watched as she twisted, her body writhing with want. She soon cried out, her nails digging into his back. She whimpered, resting against the pillows, her delicate form pacified and spent. She opened her eyes, her gaze shaky as it settled on his. Gone was the cold, tempered obsidian; what remained was a warm, molten ink, dripping with lust. Her Sasuke.

"Sasu," she whispered, exhausted, forgetting all realities. It felt like a dream, to be in his arms once again. To feel his lips pressed against hers, to feel his hands hold hers, to feel warm form against hers. If only for a moment, she thought, a single tear dripping down her flushed cheeks, love me. Her left hand trembled as she stroked his cheek, "I..." she choked, tears spilling out, "Please..." Don't go.

His hands clenched the moment she spoke his name, her voice dulcet, soft, and melodious, yet entirely vexing. He closed his eyes as he felt the cool metal of her rings against his skin, remembering; remembering who she was, why she begged him, why she cried. My wife. He growled, furiously gripping her tiny waist, no, obsidian eyes cooled in realization, she's nothing to me. His eyes opened once more and he took a minute, memorizing her jade eyes that no longer lacked life and luster, her lips were red and inviting, her alabaster cheeks flush with desire. Her bubble gum hair was curled and ravished, her haunting emerald eyes brimming with tears. He pushed back, a lie, he reminded himself, moving away as if she were an abhorrent beast, a lie. His moves were robotic as he walked to the balcony doors, closing them with a soft click. He shut the purple curtains before he redressed, feeling her gaze on him, knowing that if he looked back he would see her lips bruised, her hair tangled, her ivory form flush and firm.

He struggled to push thoughts of her out of his mind, trying to ignore her presence, her soft voice call out his name. He redressed quickly before he paused at the door, not daring to look back. Coward. "Outside on the lake was a group of photographers hired by Lee," he spoke lowly, his hand clenched around the door frame, giving reason for his lapse in judgement. He felt nothing for her, he told himself repeatedly, she was nothing to him. He struggled to temper his want, his desire, "Dinner begins at six," he spoke, his tone cold, scathing, "Make yourself presentable." He closed the door, the sound resounding through the halls. He paused, stiffened when he heard her sobs, her muffled cries. His fists still clutched tight as he rested his head against the white wood, His eyes closed, his anger slowly dissipating, and he remembered...

.forgetmenot.

Sakura smiled as she held his hand, blushing as he quirked his brow in amusement. "Tell me about your childhood," she whispered, tracing figures onto his arm.

"My childhood," he repeated, looking over the horizon. The sun was slowly rising, the orange hue piercing through the pale blue sea of clouds and buildings. He smirked, resting his head on top of hers, musing. Had they really spent the whole night talking? He chuckled, amused by their date, in utter wonderment with her, "My childhood was atypical." He began, running his thumb over her ringed-finger, "My mother divorced my father when she found in bed with his mistress, whereby she took half of his assets and ran away to New York. Consequently I had a half-brother born out of wedlock who spent his own childhood annoying me every opportunity he had. I lived with my grandfather after he was born, before taking law at a university in New York. Then instead of delving into and domination the world of corporate law, I took over my father's company."

She rolled her eyes playfully, giggling as she leaned up to kiss his cheek, "Boring. Tell me something better than that. Tell me..." she looked up, her emerald eyes sparkling with the rising sun, "About..." she grinned, those two dimples he found so enchanting appearing on her alabaster cheeks, "Your first kiss."

He laughed wholeheartedly, her question unexpected, "My first kiss?" He leaned back into the couch, his arm wrapped around her, "Very well. I believe that it took place when I was in the first grade, at the annual Halloween party held at my primary school. Her name was Sara Tanaka and she was in the second grade. An older woman." He smirked, running his hand through Sakura's bangs, "Besides the point; she was dressed as a princess and was considered to be the prettiest girl at the school. I, being the coolest five year old alive, was Prince Charming. As such, I decided it was my duty to have her be my girlfriend. I wooed her with my good looks and charms, and after snack-time, I kissed her in the sandbox." He wiggled his brows suggestively, pressing a kiss onto her nose, "Perhaps you'd like to accompany me to a sandbox some day?"

She giggles, burying her head in his chest, "Prince Charming," she murmured, her lips tickling his neck, "Kami that's adorable." She beamed, pulling back, "I hope you have pictures."

He sighed, playing with the ends of her bubble gum tresses, "Unfortunately I do. Mikoto has them stored in one of her several hundred scrapbooks."

"Awesome," she snuggled back into his arms, yawning lightly, struggling to keep her eyes open, "When I have tea with her and Ino tomorrow I'll try and steal it for you."

Sasuke pressed a kiss to her crown, tucking the small grey blanket around her, "How about you?"

"My first kiss?" Sakura shook her head, her hands clutched around his, "I didn't have one. Well, obviously I had one, but just, well... you know who it was. I mean, er," she bit her lip, "It was you," she let out a nervous laugh, "So maybe it was good? I dunno, maybe it was bad?"

He knit his brows, "Never? There was no one before me?"

"No one." She sighed, continuing as she caught his pressing gaze, "I was... an odd kid. Before the accident, when my parents were still alive, I was the odd ball at school. I would rather play with flowers and weeds than with people. The other kids didn't like me, the only reason why they didn't pick on me was because of my older brother. He was the best. He was the popular kid I guess, I mean he was only twelve but he was already a ladies man," she smiled, her fingers playing with an ivory button on his sweater, "And then after the accident..." she trailed off, her eyes closing as she remembered the time in the orphanage, how her heart ached at the memory, "I... I didn't many friends." I didn't have any. "But it got better," she murmured, brushing her fingers against his warm, solid chest, "Now I have Hinata and Naruto," she grinned, "I have Kiba, Tenten, Lee, Mikoto, Ino, Tachi, your dad and the, there's you." She pressed her lips lightly against his, "Sasuke Uchiha." She smiled, kissing his cheek, "Closet artist and motorcycle enthusiast. Collector of ancient swords and classic timepieces. A well-dressed gentleman who hates olives, has a soft spot for his nephew, and is an incredibly talented architect." She grinned, tugging on his locks, "Gorgeous black hair that's always so soft, beautiful obsidian eyes that can make me speechless, and a smile that takes my breath away."

"And I have you." He kissed her palm, looking into her eyes, "Sakura Haruno," he brushed his lips against her ring, "Soon to be Uchiha." He smiled, "Closet pastry chef and ballerina. Lover of all things purple and soft. Eats like a trucker, craves ice cream in the middle of the night, and talks in her sleep." He tucked her hair behind her ear, "A beautiful woman with an enchanting smile, who can't play chess, hates beans, and loves to sleep." He brushed his lips against hers, "Future mother to my children, my soon to be wife, my lover, and my best friend."

Sakura felt tears drip onto her cheeks as he spoke, sniffling as she felt his warm hands brush them away, "I love you," she professed as he did every night, "More than anything."

He pressed his lips against her forehead, "I know," he replied softly, as he did every time she spoke those three words, shifting so she laid on top of his form. His arms encircled her waist, their legs intertwined, her head resting on his chest. He watched as she struggled to stay awake but it was a losing battle; it always was. He watched her as her cheeks became rosy with warmth, as her lips pouted, her long lashes masking her jade orbs. "Sasu," she murmured, snuggling closer, wrapping her arms around his torso, "I love you."

He paused, playing with her engagement ring as he looked over the Tokyo skyline. The sun was masked behind a large set of buildings, its rays piercing through the night sky. He relished the moment, the feel of her in his arms. How he adored her. His hold on her tightened, knowing he should say more but yet, he held back; like he always did, "I..." he sighed, pressing a kiss onto her engagement ring. Aishiteru.

.forgetmenot.

Sakura sank to her feet as she sat in the white china bath, letting the scorching water burn her skin, washing away the lavender scented soap, the shampoo and the memories. She sat still for what felt like hours, until the water no longer held its wrathful warmth. Her body ached, raw with the pain from scrubbing her body earlier, yet she felt nothing. She gripped the edges of the bath, trying not to relive her last few weeks, trying not to remember how her heart broke time and time again. Kami, she fisted her hands against the bottom of the tub, frustrated, furious. "Why?" she asked herself, curling her knees to her chest, "Why don't I get a happy ending?" She bit her tongue, fighting back the urge to scream, to fling the shampoo bottles onto the expansive floor, to strike the mirror with her fists. She clenched her hand, relishing in the pain of her nails digging into her soft flesh. She had given him everything. Her first kiss, her first time, her soul, her heart. She watched with twisted pleasure as she unclenched her hand, her mind swirling as a drop of blood dripped into the pool of bathwater, why can't I forget you?

Her legs were shaky as she stood up, nearly slipping as she stepped onto the tiled floor. She grabbed hold of a nearby towel, running the soft cotton against her body. She walked towards the bedroom, clutching the towel wrapped around her slight frame, but stopped in front of the full length, gold trimmed mirror. She let the cotton towel drop, revealing her figure. It was perverse, she thought, studying her reflection, the torture that she put herself through. Her once youthful and radiant complexion was now pale and lackluster, her cheeks hollow, her eyes haunting. Her fingers traveled down from her collarbone that now jutted out, past the swell of her small breasts, finally tracing over her ribs. She turned sideways, her belly flat. Flat, she thought, holding a hand to her stomach, and empty. She felt the tears prickle as she remembered. She remembered the belly full, remembered the popcorn feeling inside of her, the happiness she had once felt, her baby...

.forgetmenot.

Sakura chewed her lip nervously as she sat on the edge of the toilet seat, her hand grasping the white stick. I had to be the longest three minutes of her life, waiting for the little screen to show a plus of minus sign.

"Pregnant," she murmured, still in disbelief at the mere thought. Her! Pregnant! She felt faint, anxious, and more than anything she prayed that it was true.

"Mrs. Sakura?" Kabuto's usually timid voice came nervously behind the bathroom door, "Is everything okay?"

"Yes Kabuto, I'm just..." she looked to her watch than back at the stick, "Waiting for the results I guess?"

"Okay," Kabuto paced anxiously, "Okay." He tried to breathe, but it was much too difficult. Sakura could be pregnant! Sasuke-sama was to be a father! Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, "How much longer?"

Sakura giggled, she could imagine her husband's assistant pulling out his hair in the hallway outside, "Thirteen seconds."

"Ack! Kabuto pulled at his tie, "Kami. Are you sure I shouldn't phone Sasuke-sama?" He sincerely did not want to deal with his wrath. "Are you sure he wouldn't want to be here?"

"It's okay Kabuto, it may just be a false alarm." At least that's what she told herself. What she reasoned. They had only been married for six months. Were they even ready for a baby? She sniffed, lifting her fingers from the test to reveal the screen. The stick chimed, a bright blue symbol appearing on the grey display. Her breath hitched, "A plus sign." She was pregnant. "Kami," the stick dropped onto the tiled floor, "I'm pregnant." She swallowed, lifting her shirt to reveal her belly. There was something inside of her. Growing. "Kami," she felt faint, holding a hand to her belly, "I'm pregnant," she spoke softly, her mind running in circles around the sudden realization. It took a moment for it to set in that soon she was going to be a mother.

"Ms. Sakura!" Kabuto knocked furiously on the door, "Are you okay?"

"Hai," her hands were shaky as she picked up the test, finding it hard to breathe, "Hai." She moved to the door, grinning as she handed Kabuto her pregnancy test, "It's positive," she whispered, her eyes brimming with tears.

Kabuto's eyes widened as he looked down at the plus sign, "Kami-sama," he whispered as he came to a realization, "Sasuke-sama will have a heir to his throne!" He thrust his arms high in delight, "Thank the heavens! Sasuke-sama will be forever powerful!" He pulled out his phone, dialing a number quickly, "Oh," he was giddy, bouncing up and down, "Sasuke-sama will be ever so delighted!"

"No!" Sakura exclaimed lightly as she grabbed the phone from his hands, "Don't say anything just yet. Just," she swallowed nervously, "I'd like to tell him first, it that's okay."

"Oh," Kabuto pouted, "Of course, of course," his head bobbed up and down, "I apologize for being ever so hasty Ms. Sakura. Forgive me," he bowed graciously, "Shall I make an appointment with your doctor?"

"Yes, thank you Kabuto," she kissed his cheek, his pale complexion turning red with abashment.

"Congratulations Ms. Sakura," Kabuto bowed as he left the room, "You will be a wonderful mother to Sasuke-sama's future child."

Sakura giggled, Kabuto really did think that the world revolved around Sasuke, "Thank you Kabuto."

"Hai," he closed the door gently, grabbing his satchel as he left their expansive condo. Sakura let out a deep breath as she settled on their king-sized bed, resting her hands atop of her belly. There was a human growing inside of her. A baby. Their baby. With little fingers and little toes. With jade tinted obsidian eyes and an adorable button nose. The baby would have his hair of course, his brains, his artistic proficiency. She laughed, her mind wandering, Was it a boy? Maybe a girl? She grinned, feeling silly, maybe it was both! Oh, she thought as she hugged his pillow to her torso, she was having a baby. Their baby.

He was going to be a great father. She could tell by the way her was so patient with Shikamaru. How he had tenderly held Tenten's newborn, how he had read nighttime stories while they babysat their friends' children. She blinked back tears; she was finally going to have her own little family. "I'm going to love you forever," she whispered, tracing hearts onto her stomach.

.forgetmenot.

Sakura ran her fingers over her belly, cursing her own naivety, her inability to realize that it had all been just an elaborate lie. She felt so empty, so alone. She was a fool to ever think that she could finally be so happy, that Sasuke was truly her Prince Charming. Why had she so easily believed his lies? His kisses, his touches, his promises? She cursed herself for being so gullible to believe that she could truly live a fairytail. That she could have her happily ever after.

She whimpered when she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen, grasping onto the gold frame for support. It hurt, the feeling of a thousand knives wedging into her side. Cramps, she reasoned, waiting for the pain to subside. She closed her eyes, concentrating on something other than the discomfort, pacing her breaths. She went to her happy place, a place full of vibrant flowers, lush, green grass, and sparkling blue skies. She imagined herself there, frolicking in the sun, surrounded by her loved ones. She imagined their faces, smiling back at her, dancing with her, until her gaze set upon Sasuke. She cried out, clenching the frame, the stabbing to her pelvis increasing tenfold.

She turned her head down to the side, her bangs covering her gaze. When the pain finally faded she wearily opened her eyes, her eyebrows knitting as she studied her reflection. She frowned as she took in her boyish figure, her small breasts, her elfin stature. Ugly. She bit her tongue, cursing as the tears fell. Poor, little, unwanted Sakura, she thought bitterly, she was a pathetic fool to have ever thought that she was beautiful. To believe that even for a brief moment she was ever worthy of someone like him. She wasn't stunning and glamorous like the women she always thought he would end up marrying; like the women he had been with before her.She snorted in disgust, like the women he had been with when he was married to her. Why had he chosen to marry her, with her pale figure, lacking curves, lacking elegance, lacking grace. Her hands tightened into fists, looking to the floor in defeat. She wasn't beautiful. She wasn't tall or sophisticated. She lacked the eloquence, the allure that he needed in a wife; in a lover. She wasn't enough. She bit back the urge to cry, refusing to look at her reflection any longer, she was never enough.

A ring slipped off her finger, the sound of it dropping onto the marble startling her from her thoughts. She stiffened in shock, her sight bleary as she struggled to find it. She bent down to search for it, reaching for the yellow diamond. As her fingers encircled the white gold she felt weary, her vision spotting black, her hands unsteady, her body swaying as she fell to the tiled floor.

.forgetmenot.

Sasuke paced outside the dining room, glancing down at his watch every so often. She was late, he thought, frowning as he looked down the hall.

"Ah, Sasuke!" Orochimaru was jovial as he shook his hand, "Have a good nap?" He grinned, turning to the woman on his arm, "This is the man I was telling you about. Sasuke, I'd like you to introduce to you my date for this evening, Chieko Yamamoto, Chief of Staff at Tokyo West Metropolitan Hospital."

"A pleasure Mr. Uchiha," the woman held out her hand, shaking lightly, "Orochimaru has told me a great deal about you and your wife."

"Hn," The corners of Sasuke's mouth lifted politely, "Only good things I hope." He looked over the woman, taking note that she was in her mid-forties, her form thin and lean, her makeup light, her face slightly aged with wrinkles. She was most unlike Orochimaru's previous string of romantic encounters who were typically young, modelesque trophy-wives in the making. This woman was Chief of Staff at Tokyo West which not only required intelligence, but hard-work, dedication and impeccable social skills. His taste in women has certainly improved.

Chieko laughed, wrapping her hand over Orochimaru's arm, "Of course, of course. Only the best. If I may be so bold to ask, where is your wife? I was keen on meeting the woman who has converted this man," she gazed at the man beside her teasingly, "Into a monogamous romantic."

Sasuke chuckled lightly, his response automatic, "If I know my wife, she has probably fallen alseep while getting ready."

Orochimaru raised a brow in amusement, "Tired her out already?"

Sasuke stiffened briefly before composing himself, "A gentleman never kisses and tells." He smirked, gesturing to the dining room, "Please, begin dinner. I'll retrieve Sakura and we'll be in soon."

"Very well, don't be too long." Orochimaru wrapped his arm around Chieko, "I can only stand those men and their self-absorbed wives for so long."

Sasuke nodded, "I'll be quick," he promised, holding the doors to the dining hall for them. Once they walked through he stuffed his hands into his pockets, his expression impassive as he walked through the halls.

"Sakura," his voice was low as he knocked on their bedroom door, "Are you ready?" He waited a moment for a reply, "Sakura?" He pushed in the doors to the bedroom, noting an embroidered midnight blue silk dress lying on the bed. He frowned, his fingers trailing over the fabric, "Sakura?"

He walked to the bathroom, frozen at what he found. She laid on the white marble, her fall scantly cushioned by the cotton towel that lay underneath her immobile body. He cursed, rushing to her side, lifting her hand to check for her pules. It was slow, her breathing barely audible, "Fuck," he knelt down, lifting her easily into his arms. He set her on the bed, checking her head for any signs of an injury. He shrugged off his suit jacket, resting it on top of her nude form. He took a steady breath, his hands curling around the comforter.

"What happened to you?" he asked himself, looking over her for any hint as to why she had collapsed. She was so think, he thought, so frail... so broken.

"Fuck," he cursed as he looked away, was she ill? He rushed out of the bedroom, striding down the dining hall. His pace slowed as he neared the room, nodding his head in recognition as he walked past the other guests who were already seated and had begun to eat their entrees. Orochimaru sat at the head of the table, speaking animatedly to his date and the people around him. Orochimaru looked up as he heard the footsteps nearing, "Sasuke? Couldn't wake Sakura?"

Sasuke cleared his throat, speaking low, "I need to borrow your date," he murmured, making eye contact with the woman to his left.

"You're hijacking my date?" Orochimaru laughed, setting his napkin onto the table, "And for what reason."

Sasuke's expression was somber as he spoke, "Sakura."

Chieko sat up immediately, "What's wrong?"

"I don't know," he muttered, trying to erase the image of Sakura lying on the bathroom floor. Her visage pale, hr frame nearly emaciated. He ignored the gut-wrenching terror that he felt, "Please," he pleaded softly, "Just... help my wife."

"Of course," Chieko turned to press a kiss onto Orochimaru's cheek, "I'll be back soon."

Orochimaru patted her hand, understanding the gravity of Sasuke's words, "Don't rush."

The woman nodded and followed Sasuke out of the room, "Do you know what's happened to her?"

"I found her in the bathroom." Sasuke spoke low, keeping his facade calm and cool as they walked by a fellow business associate and his wife, "I'm not sure whether or not she slipped. Perhaps she fainted, but either way, she wasn't walking up."

Chieko nodded, "Very well." She thanked Sasuke as he pulled open the doors to the bedroom. She stepped through the door frame, frowning as her gaze fell upon his wife. She placed her hand on Sakura's neck, glancing down at her watch to check her pulse. "42 beats per minute," she murmured, "Her pules is faint." She gently turned Sakura's head, checking for swelling. She lifted her hair that covered her face, "She has a slight mark on the left side of her forehead," she noted as she lifted Sasuke's suit jacket from Sakura's from to check her left side for consistent bruises. "It'd be safe to assume she fainted," Chieko spoke gravely, noting how Sakura's bones poked out. "She's so thin," she remarked as she turned to Sasuke, "Has she been eating since the accident?"

Sasuke felt nauseous and uneasy as he noted how Sakura's ribs protruded from her side, how her cheeks were gaunt, how the tips of her pelvis stuck out of her ivory flesh. He looked to the floor, suppressing the mounting feelings inside of him, "Since the accident," he repeated, "No." He shook his head, "She hasn't been eating very well."

Chieko nodded, "I see." She lifted the comforter onto Sakura's form, her tone light and wise, "Miscarriages are often terribly emotional for any woman, but especially for a first-time mother like Sakura... it's been two weeks?"

Sasuke nodded, "Yes."

"It's quite normal for women to lose their appetite after an incident such as this. If anything, it's a sign of great grief, perhaps even depression. I urge you to see you regular doctor about this. She may need to be prescribed anti-depressants."

Anti-depressants, "I see," Sasuke cleared his throat, "Do you think she will wake up soon?"

"She should be up in the next two hours or so. She's just exhausted. Her body is clearly tired; it's trying to heal itself from the incident." She smiled, "She'll be fine, I promise." She patted his shoulder, "I would recommend that she eat when she awakes. I'll have someone bring in a bowl of soup for her and inform the guests that she's feeling unwell."

He walked Chieko to the door, shaking her hand politely, "Thank you for your aid."

"But of course." Her eyes twinkled merrily, "She's lucky to have a husband who cares so deeply for her."

"Hn," Sasuke muttered, "Lucky indeed." His eyes flickered back to her form, lying listlessly on the sheets, "Please inform Orochimaru that at the very least we will be attending the charity ball tomorrow evening. His cause it dear to Sakura's heart."

"Yes, the orphanage." The woman smiled, "It'll be fantastic when it's finished."

"Hn, it will." He played with the phone in his pocket, "Thank you once again."

Chieko nodded, returning to the dining room. Sasuke shut the double doors, sinking into the nearby chaise. He gripped his forehead, glancing wearily at his wife. Was it somehow his fault she was sick?

.forgetmenot.

Sakura was hesitant as she walked through the covered forest, the night sky casting ominous shadows onto the lightly worn path. Her steps halted as she neared an opening, where the tree ling had parted, giving light to a lake glowing with lanterns that seemed to float in the sky.

"There you are," a woman flitted forward, her white dress billowing after her, "How are you my dear?"

Sakura squeaked in shock, taken aback by the woman's presence. "Uh, who," she stuttered her words, "Who are you?"

The woman smiled graciously, "Akemi Gato." She held out her hand, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Um, likewise," Sakura smiled, shaking her outstretched hand. Whoever she was, she seemed like a nice lady. "So..." she looked around her, taking in the waterfall, the flowers, the white blanket that was laid over the dew covered grass, "Where am I?"

Akemi smiled, brown eyes sparkling mischievously, "Where are you not? Come," she sat on the blanket, a photo album appearing in her hands, "Have a seat. I'd like to show you something."

Sakura sat beside the woman, eyes widening at the sudden materializing of the book. She tucked her legs beneath her bottom, "It that a photo album?"

"Hai," the woman smiled, her demeanor serene, "Of your husband."

Sakura tensed at her words: mt husband. She felt her chest constrict, "He's..." she shook her head, "He's not..."

Akemi tsked slightly, handing her the leather-bound book, "He's just stubborn. Here, why don't you open it?"

Sakura sighed as she lifted the heavy cover to the side, running her hands over a picture of Sasuke as a child. She laughed, delighted to see he cheeks chubby, his trousers soiled by the mud-puddle, "He's adorable," she murmurer, caressing the picture. 'Was this what our son could have looked like?' She bit her lip, flipping over to the next page, urging herself to move on. Her brows knitted together at the next picture of Sasuke, flanked by his mother and father. He stood erect, his gaze cold, which was odd to see on such a young child. His parents stood apart, the tension between them palpable even in a picture. "Even when he was a child he knew how to look intimidating," she murmured, looking over the the older woman.

"Sasuke's childhood was not a happy one," Akemi noted, flipping the next page to a newspaper article. The headline was in bold, 'Uchiha Marriage in Ruins!' "Fugaku married Sasuke's birth mother, Miku Ito, to appease his own father. She was a budding socialite, former model and graduate of Oxford University. He was an heir to a realty empire, the most wanted bachelor of Tokyo at the time; he was handsome, well-liked and charming. It was a match made in heaven, yet it was a loveless marriage into which Sasuke was born. His mother tried half-heatedly to care for him but she was much more concerned with her standing in society than his welfare. Meanwhile, Sasuke's father world himself to the bone, nearly eighteen hours a day. They were never happy together and soon they even lived in separate residences. When Sasuke was three, Fugaku took a mistress, whom he had met at a charity event. He was enchanted with the woman, who was the chair of the children's foundation. Finally, a woman who he could love, ne? Yet Sasuke's mother turned a blind eye to his affair, only ending the marriage once it was public knowledge that Fugaku had moved on and she was disgraced. She left Sasuke in the custody of his father and moved to New York to start her own business; a modeling agency. She didn't even call her her own son on his birthday." Akemi smiled softly, "Despite the wealth, the opportunities, the excellent education, his childhood was far from happy. Sasuke went to live with his grandfather after Itachi's birth, no longer able to stand living in his own home. For a long time Sasuke harbored ill will to Mikoto and Itachi, blaming them for the collapse of his parent's marriage. Tell me Sakura," Akemi turned to the younger girl, clutching her necklace, "Do you know much about Sasuke's grandfather?"

Sakura shook her head, "No. All I know is that Sasuke lived with him."

"Hm," Akemi looked to the shy, "He was a cold, loveless man. Cruel in his business deals, his women, and his drinking. To him, love was unnecessary. An impediment to financial gains and unimaginable wealth. He instilled those values in Sasuke, urging him to excel in his academics, his business and social skills. To Sasuke, his grandfather was his idol. He strived to be as great as he presumed him to be. It was not until his grandfather's death did he truly realize his faults. His grandfather was not the all-powerful man that he had once thought him to be. He finally realized that his grandfather was truly just a sad, bitter, lonely, old man, who had only money when he died." She smiled softly, patting Sakura's hand, "Sasuke fell in love with you Sakura. Believe me. Look," she truend the page of the album, "Her name is Hitome. I believe you've met her before."

Sakura gasped as her eyes fell upon the photo. She remembered meeting Hitome at a party in New York, hosted by Sasuke's mother to welcome them to the city. She had remembered admiring the woman's seemingly effortless beauty, sophistication, and intelligence. If she remembered correctly, Hitome had modeled for tow years to pay her way through law school, whereby she graduated at the top of her class and became a partner of a prominent environmental law firm. Kami, thought Sakura, how she plaed in comparison. In the photo Hitome had her arm tucked through Sasuke's, the corner of her lips slightly turned up. She wore a purple dress that cut to her knees, revealing her long, toned legs. Her hair was tied into an elegant up-do, feather earrings dangling from her ears. Her makeup was impeccable, her face flawless. She exuded elegance, charm, and beauty. Sakura swallowed dryly and looked to Sasuke. His visage was impassive, standing erect in a navy tuxedo. Both were tall and beautiful, both refined and aristocratic. Together, they looked like the perfect couple; a power couple.

"They were engaged for four months. Sasuke net Hitome while he was studying in New York. His mother introduced her to him and like his father, he was with her because in a societal view, they were perfect for each-other." She squeezed Sakura's hand comfortingly, "But in reality, they were horrid together. They were both so cold, so reserved, that there was no affection, lat alone love, Their engagement soon ended and Sasuke left New York for Tokyo. A year or so later, he met you." She turned the page, and revealed their own engagement photo.

Sasuke stood in the center of the frame, his lips quirked, his gaze playful. He wore an elegant two-piece suit, his tie thin and black. Behind him stood Sakura, her face visible behind his shoulder. She stood on her tiptoes, her hands covering Sasuke's eyes, her ringed hand parted to reveal his eye. She was grinning, wearing a yellow sundress, her hair softly curled. "The dichotomy between these two photos is amazing, no?" Akemi turned the page once more, this time revealing one of their many wedding photos. Together, they were in a field of wild flowers, Sasuke lifting Sakura up, his arms holding her bottom as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, her lips pressed against his. Her dress billowed with the wind, a purple crocus flower tucked in her hair. "Here, Sasuke is so playful, so affectionate, so loving. A far cry from the first photo." Akemi set the book down, looking over the lake, "you must understand Sakura that before he met you, Sasuke had a year to proces his grandfather's death. A year to understand who he truly was, and what he truly wanting in his life, let alone his partner. And now, after the accident, Sasuke remains torn. Part of him is telling him that he didn't love you; that he never loved you. He thinks that perhaps he was intrigues by youm but surely he would have never married you because of love. That part of him believes that he married you only because of the great benefits you brought to the company, But yet, there is another part of him that is fighting to remember you."

Akemi stood up, walking to the edge of the lake, "Love is not easy. It's frustrating, heart-rending, and gut-wrenchingly horrid, but absolutely woth the pain. Give him some time. Give him patience." She chuckled, stroking her locket, "You know as well as I that he is stubborn." She bent down to touch the crystal blue waters, speaking softly, "Just like his grandfather."

Sakura chewed her bottom lip, wanting to believe this woman, wanting to believe that he loved her. That somewhere deep inside he still loved her. That her Sasuke was still there. She ran through dozens of scenarios through her mind, all ending in never-ending heartache, "What if I'm not what he wants anymore?"

Akemi smiled, her tone omniscient, "It's difficult not to want the other half of your soul."

Sakura blinked back the tears, her vision blurring. The rush of emotions were so confusing, so frustrating. She ached for him. She ached for his love, yet he was no longer the man that she had loved with all her heart. How she wished for him to come back. Sakura felt her hand being squeezed as a soft beam of light blinded her view, and heard Akemi's soft voice from a distance, "Fight for him Sakura. Fight for your love like I never had the courage to do."

.forgetmenot.

SasuSaku version of Tullie's Forget Me Not

Hope you enjoyed,

Untill next time