A very happy new year to all of you!

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Chapter 9

"To thy bosom lay my heart,

There to throb and languish;

Tho' despair had wrung its core,

That would heal its anguish."

~Thine Am I, My Faithful Fair by Robert Burns

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Hinata Akasuna climbed the stairs, walking to her husband's room, an unsteady heartbeat ringing in her ears. With every step, the frown on her face dissipated slowly, morphing into a fragile smile. She drew in a deep breath, outside the oak door, pushing all her thoughts to the back of her head.

She had to be strong, a source of utmost strength for the sake of her beloved. No matter what the future held for them, she would stand by the side of her husband as she had promised six years ago. Nothing anyone could say or do to change her mind.

She stepped inside, her lips lifting at the sight of her handsome spouse. He was resting, eyes closed in tranquility; a period of respite from the dreadful cough that frequently troubled him. She went about straightening his chamber, careful as to not rouse him. She went to the window, drawing the curtains open to allow the fragile light of dawn in.

Hinata settled at the edge of the mattress and regarded Sasori.

A multitude of emotions and doubts passed through Hinata as she watched him. It was astonishing how quickly a disease could deteriorate a man.

Her husband had withered considerably, under the influence of the unknown ailment. His formerly attractive features, no longer recognizable, often startled her. Sometimes, he would no longer be compos mentis. He would stare at her without recognition, obsidian eyes glowing fiercely against his pallor. She would clench his hand, listening to his incoherency, fighting back tears.

"Hush, sweetheart," she sometimes whispered softly, kissing his flushed forehead. "Hush. You shall be fine…"

Such times injured her spirit more than anything else could. It was unbearably anguishing to watch him go through so much pain.

Weak lungs, all the doctors had said. Yet, their medicines never worked on him. Only Lady Tsunade's herbal mixes managed to do the healing, even though Lady Tsunade was just as unaware to what ailed Sasori.

Sasori had no real family of his own, orphaned at the mere age of fifteen. Until her arrival into his life, he had gone through his days like a mad man- incomplete and insatiable, he used to tell her. A tear slipped along the curve of her cheek, she wiped at it furiously.

Nothing to do but succumb, her father had said to her grimly. A lifetime of bedrest followed by an early death.

Hinata simply could not accept this fate.

She loved Sasori dearly, more than anything else in the whole world. He was the most honorable, passionate and perversely lovable villain. He had dared to break the barriers of her shyness, accepting her stammering and freckles with open arms.

She did not give a darn about anyone's thoughts on her predicament. Her husband would be cured, she knew it. He would get well and enjoy the things that others took for granted.

A soft groan interrupted her pondering.

Immediately she was at his side, running her fingers through his red hair soothingly. A troubling expression was spread across his semi-conscious features.

Dampening a cool cloth, she laid it on his forehead. She wet another piece of cloth and slid it over his exposed skin gently; a temporary relief from whatever distressed him. Drenching and wringing out the cloth, she wiped his chest, shoulders, face and neck.

A grateful sigh escaped him.

She paused in her ministrations and leaned over him to apply salve on his chapped lips. She visibly started when her wrist was seized. "Hina," Sasori murmured, eyes opening slowly.

She smiled, bent over him. "It was not in my intentions to wake you, my lord."

"Considering that your intentions, these days, are turned towards making me a sloth, I believe you," he remarked wryly, freeing her hand and getting up to sit. She moved to help but he held a hand. She was aware that he detested depending upon her. A reversal of roles.

It was embarrassing.

Ignoring him, she went to fetch his medicine. She poured a spoonful of the syrup and held it in front of his face. "Take this." He glared at her, swallowed the medicine, made a face and then cursed. She covered her face to guise the grin that threatened to appear.

He did not miss the action. "I am glad you find my torment amusing," he observed brusquely.

"This tonic is no ambrosia, I do admit, my lord, but it could hardly be the cause of your torment."

The ghost of a smile touched his lips. "Do forgive me, wife. I forgot of your obsession with specificity."He settled more comfortably against the sturdy upholstery. "This tonic only happens to be one of the causes of my torment. Would you like to know the rest?"

She resisted the urge to wince when faced with the dry humor mixed with contempt, lurking deep within the depths of his obsidian eyes. "Did you have a good sleep?" she asked, noting his disappointment as she avoided the topic. It was no use to talk about it. Sasori would tease; play with words in a way that would hurt them both.

"It was pleasant enough," he said quietly. She knew that he was lying. She had heard his cries of anguish late at night. She had spent better part of her night, tending to him.

Suddenly, it was too suffocating to be there. They were surrounded by toxic silence that was killing them, slowly. Painfully. She did not know what to say or do to comfort him. With Sasori, it was vital to be cautious. He was used to doing everything by himself.

Sasori, in turn, watched the play of emotions on his wife's face. He was living in a nightmare, unable to wake up. He was wasting day by day. The knowledge that he was taking Hinata with him haunted him every night. Hinata did not deserve such a cruel destiny. She was too good for him.

She was always there when he needed her, before he even asked. She understood everything as if his tangled thoughts were bared before her and she pulled them apart diligently. She was his support, undermining him with tender love and affection that he had come to crave. His worst fear had always been depending on someone this way because people tended to leave.

Only this time, he would be the one leaving.

He was not growing weaker anymore but he was not getting better also. He knew the truth. Whatever ailed him would not go away until he went with it.

He did not wish to inflict any kind of pain on Hinata. She was his heart.

"Sasori?"

He looked up to her sincere lilac eyes. How pretty she was. Delicate and soft. No sharp angles. Only beautiful curves. "Yes, my love?"

"Lady Tsunade will be visiting this evening," she answered, a blush covering her pale cheeks. Her shyness was a constant source of his amusement. "I hope you will remain civil this time around. She has been a great deal of help."

"She was poking me with an instrument more suited for an assassination," he defended, not missing how her eyes crinkled as she fought her laughter. "It was within my rights to ask if she knew what she was doing."

"You obstinate man," Hinata said, torn between laughter and tears. "What will we do if you drive away the most skilled healer of this country?"

"Knowing you, find someone better," he muttered bitterly. He had not comprehended her iron-will ever before. No amount of disappointments deterred her. She was hell bent on saving his life. And he hated her for it. He was in too much pain. Every day, he felt more and more like an invalid. To make matters worse, he enjoyed the attention she lavished on him. Nothing was too much to ask of her.

It would have helped if he could get a rise out of her by provoking an argument. She, however, countered his demands with infinite patience and concern.

He broke out of his reverie when a pale hand brushed against his cheek. She was leaning over him, the tips of her unbound hair brushing against his chest. He glanced wretchedly at her… the seductively full lips…creamy satin skin. She smiled. "You need a shave, my lord."

Sasori could smell her scent… warm, soap, and perfume… sunflowers. He shifted slightly, his senses alight with awareness. He blamed this momentary lapse for what happened next. "No. Do not come near me with that blade, woman!"

She frowned. "Let me take care of you," she insisted, coming nearer yet. When he shook his head desperately, she huffed, "It is not as if I will slice your face into pieces."

"Forgive me, darling, if I do not take that chance," he retorted drily, truly afraid for his life. Good God! He had never imagined fearing his life from Hinata.

"Oh, stop protesting! I shall be careful, I promise. It will help if you remain still."

He stared at her, unblinking and surprised. "I shall be too terrified to move anyway."

She made a sound of amusement. "Then are you allowing me?"

"I find I am at a general disadvantage in this position," he said, holding back the wince as she settled next to him. He tried once again. "Let me do this, love. You might end up hurting yourself."

He expected her to disagree, make a smart remark and have her way. He never expected her to give in with such a tender smile. "Fine, my lord." She pushed the razor into his hand. "Can I watch though?"

He nodded dubiously. She brought a porcelain bowl and the rest of his shaving implements to the bedside. He asked for some hot water and a towel, unable to discern her. He drenched the cloth in hot water and then wrung it to remove excess water. "The towel first," he murmured, patting his left cheek first and then the other. "It softens the whiskers."

He continued to shave, telling her the steps one after the other. She listened curiously as if it was the most interesting thing in the entire world and there was no better way for her to spend time than watching him perform a common masculine ritual.

When he finished, he put the equipment aside and waited for her to speak. Wordlessly, she removed the shaving material. "Next time, you shall have no excuse to hide behind," she remarked on returning to his side, a satisfied smile gracing her lips.

"Bloody hell! I should have suspected. You surrendered too easily." Still, he could not help but smile along with her. It was a peacefully beautiful moment. Morning light slanted in the rear, providing a kind of halo behind her. Angel, he thought lovingly. His angel.

"I have to go check on the breakfast. Is there anything particular you might be craving, my lord?"

He forced his gaze at her smiling, innocent face, not missing the lines of distress that had formed near her eyes. The guilt that he had caused her so much misery began eating him inside once more. She tilted her head a little, awaiting his response. There was something so ethereal about her at the moment that he felt ashamed of her ruining her glow.

"You do not need to stay with me, Hinata," he blurted out. "This marriage can be annulled anytime. There is no reason for you to remain here. Do not waste your life with me."

Her eyes widened, and then she began laughing. "Do not jest with me, my lord."

"I was n"-

"Do not say it. Please!" she pleaded, head bent and trembling all over. She was crying, he realized with a sickening jolt. "Do not! Please, I beg you." He leaned forward and drew her in his arms at once. She sobbed pitifully against his shoulder. He decided he hated this more than anything. It broke his heart to have her crying. "You v-vain, wretched, s-stubborn ass! I cannot l-lose you. I w-will go mad," she sniffled.

"I am dying, love," he reminded her weakly, drawing small circles at the small of her back.

"No, you are not. I will n-not let you," she whispered determined. "I will fight the d-devil if I have to, to keep you next to me."

He chuckled. "How did I find you, hard-head?"

She gave a weak hearted grin. "Recall, I c-came to you."

He pulled her back, their eyes connecting. Obsidian against lilac. "How can I forget? It was one of a kind encounter." She colored prettily. "It was a day like the one outside. Sunny. Warm. Refreshing. A well-bred young woman, from an acclaimed family, came to my doorstep with a request. Do you remember it?"

She glared at him, the effect ruined by the red suffused over her skin. He bent forward and whispered huskily in her ear, "You asked to be my new lover."

"I was r-running from a marriage I did not want," she retorted with as much dignity as possible. Then a thought occurred to her and she released a huff of laughter. "You asked me for money"- she giggled uncharacteristically- "to do that."

"I do not provide my services, much superior than anyone else, for free," he replied in all seriousness.

"I thought you were mad."

"Yet you married me."

"Your 'superior services' blinded my judgment," she teased.

He could not help but ask even though the answer was clear as a day. Something in him wanted to hear the words. Again and again. "Do you regret it?"

Without wasting a breath, came her answer, "Never."

He kissed her. Wildly… passionately… erotically. She surrendered to him with a small gasp. He did not have much strength to spare but whatever little he had, he used it to tend to the fire burning between them. She responded to him with sweet archness, driving him insane.

Too soon, he was struggling for air; his insides burning, twisting and clenching.

He placed one last lingering kiss on her lips, and then slowly created some distance. He drank in the air that rushed to his lungs.

She pushed at his shoulder in mock anger. "Then you dare to ask me to leave, you coward." She kissed his cheek. "Where will I find another man who would ravish me in front of my father?"

Slowly, his resistance ebbed. For the time being. "Damn you for making a good point, Hina."

She smiled, putting her head on his chest. "Thank me later," she murmured before getting to her feet. "It is time for your breakfast. I shall bring a tray in a few minutes."

"Take your time," he sniffed wryly. "I have nowhere to be."

"Except with me."

"Except with you," he repeated with a smile.

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There had been no correspondence from captain Uchiha after Miss Uzumaki had last written to him. She spent every day in wretched agony, cursing her dismal heart. She made the right decision, she was sure, but by God, it hurt too damned much. She could not bring herself to talk any other; her thoughts distracted and grieving.

Sasuke had been wounded, she had read, but he had recovered and soon rejoined the battle. She was distraught, filled to the brim with worry and concern. Like a hunter, she scoured through newspapers for news of him. To her dismay, the accounts by local journalists were, more often than not, grossly exaggerated. It was impossible to see the thin boundary between truth and plain lies.

It tormented Naruto, wondering how Sasuke was… if Kurama was still with him… if his wounds had healed… But it was no longer within her power to ask him questions.

Somewhere, deep inside, she felt as if she had abandoned him. He had always written about how awful it was on the war-field. Now, he was well and truly alone. It made her stomach clench with guilt and wanting.

To remedy her heartache, she had spent the last few weeks tending to her mother's gardens, reading to children, taking care of the animals and hiding in her secret haven. She carefully hid from her parents' concerned gazed, trying her hardest to appear as cheerful as she felt melancholic.

"I can see a carriage approaching, my lady," Mrs. Tachibana announced loudly, seemingly having forgotten her love for decorum in the wake of Kyuubi Uzumaki returning from Sunagakure. Naruto schooled her features, though she was aware that her brother would not be fooled, smiling genuinely for the first time in a long time.

In a few minutes, the front door was opened by the valet.

Her brother entered, handsome and charming as ever. His dark blue eyes glinted with mirth and warmth as he returned his mother's embrace. The reunion with his father was much more civil, though no less warm. Then, he was approaching her and she could not help but grin.

He had been sorely missed.

"You are back," she said softly when he reached her.

He smirked sardonically. "It does appear so, sis." She shook her head and flew to him, only to be swallowed in a strong embrace.

"They were not able to tolerate you any longer?" she asked, her voice muffled against his shoulder. Kyuubi gasped in mock hurt.

"I should tell you that they adored me with a devotion unheard of." She rolled her eyes, leaning back. He continued with a wry grin, "They shed tears when I announced that they would no longer be able to bask in my glory."

"Are you quite certain they were not tears of joy?"

Kyuubi shot her a mock glare. "Little devil!" When she grinned unabashedly, he released her gently after pressing a soft kiss on her forehead. "Did you behave while I was gone?"

"I should be the one asking that," she reminded him none-too-kindly.

"I was a perfect angel," he told her innocently. "How can you even think otherwise, sis?"

She shrugged nonchalantly.

He stared at her, eyes thoughtful and contemplative. "How you have changed," he observed blankly, she knew he saw the depth of emotion guised in her irises. "You have grown up."

Naruto smiled wryly at the observation. "I shall be four and twenty soon, Kyuubi. I daresay it is time I grew up."

Something in his demeanor shifted. She, wearily, read the signs of over-protectiveness clear in his expression. The conversation was not over. Kyuubi would seek her out and detangle the mystery that made her miserable. However, at the moment, he would only watch like a hawk.

"Am I to assume that you have finally done the sensible thing and removed Haruno, mother," he asked, gaze sweeping across the hall, "since I find her blissfully absent from this reunion?"

Naruto fought to keep the grin off her face. His perfectly calibrated and offhanded manner of asking Sakura's whereabouts did not deceive her. Kushina answered, a little hesitantly, "She is still employed here, Kyuubi." She paused for a moment, obviously searching for words. "She is well… she is not feeling like herself."

"Why? Was she- by mistake, of course- kind to a fellow being?" Kyuubi questioned sardonically. "I can only imagine how heavily the acte de genillesse must be weighing on her conscience."

Before her mother could reply, Naruto butted in, "She had a small mishap some days ago." The information piqued his interest, she could tell. "She is rather upset about it and does not wish to be seen."

"I hope you will not tease Sakura regarding it, Kyuubi. That would be quite unbecoming of you," Kushina insisted.

He shrugged nonchalantly. "As if I would give a damn wherever bloody Haruno is concerned." He paused briefly. "What is it?"

Naruto frowned outwardly. "I should not tell you but the problem is quite obvious."

Kyuubi opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by a stern voice.

"And nothing to concern yourself with, my lord."

She was just as Kyuubi remembered her. Thin… strict… prickly… cold.

She was bad temper personified. Kyuubi winced just by catching the absolutely detestable glare she threw him. She treated him as if he were the vilest, filthiest man to have ever set foot on earth. Whenever he had the misfortune of looking at her, she would be scowling.

Kyuubi had rarely encountered such an off-putting female before. Sharp-tongued, pale, her form an accumulation of pointy elbows and her disposition stiff, parched and disconcerting.

Narrow-minded bitch, he thought with disdain.

He could not stand judgmental people. Yes, he had a prolific history with women and he would be damned if he said he was sorry for it. He never bedded an unwilling woman and he never left his partners unsatisfied. He did not make promises of fidelity or break hearts.

He knew what love entailed and had no intentions of being inflicted with the emotion again in his life.

Glancing at her frame, he searched for something different. She had gained weight, he noted with surprise, filling out almost sweetly into her gown. The gauntness in her cheeks was gone, leaving behind smooth creamy skin. He cursed his eyes for noticing this.

Then he saw it.

She had her head covered by a cloth, a knotted turban of sorts, concealing her hair. Quite unable to help himself, he sneered. "Hello, Haruno. Is it some new fashion, the wrapping on your head?" She glowered at him. "I am afraid, it fails to add to your charming person," he added wryly, a cold smirk following it.

"I hold no esteem to your opinions, my lord," she said darkly.

"Come, Haruno," he said with mock politeness. "I am sure we can manage to get through a chat without it ending in bloodbath."

"I am capable of it, surely, sir, but I sincerely doubt you are."

Blasted woman. He wanted to wring her pretty neck off her shoulders. "If I were you, Haruno, I would refrain from running my mouth before my employer."

She longed to retort, he could see it in her eyes, but instead pressed her mouth in a strict line. The defiance in her disposition amused him… aroused him. He cursed under his breath. Despite all the reasons for loathing Haruno, he could not help but imagine what she would look like after a prolonged tumble in bed with him. He wanted to remove all her inhibitions, make her lose the severity in her muscles and then bother her endlessly.

Yes, that is exactly what he wanted.

Good Lord, what the bloody hell was wrong with him?

His mother, bless her, saved him the humiliation of contemplating more on such horrifying desires, by pulling him to the parlor where tea awaited.

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A/N- This chapter sheds light on the relationship between the characters in the side pairings. I don't think I'll have much time to showcase the dynamics of how I view Sasohina later on, so I did it right here. Also, there's a glance into Kyuubi's viewpoints regarding Sakura.

I hope this chapter didn't disappoint.

Leave a review behind and let me know your thoughts regarding Sasori-Hinata and if you liked this chapter.

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Lots of love to the people who left behind their thoughts regarding last chapter. Thank you.

ougley, RainXIX, HRHPrincessTricia, punklena, thinks-too-hard, Raimon, TheBeauty, 93SQ, SunlitSky21, Elena Parker, naruko75, Cat Beats, bunnyguest, Guest, AlenaPatano, TrappedInHappiness, mica craft, Lunar Loon, LongPastMidnight, Raven097, rii.young, BLANK

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A/N2- To put your doubts to rest, SunlitSky21 and RainXIX, this story will have a happy ending. I am a sucker for happy endings so, yeah it'll happen. It will be hard earned but it'll come. I promise you.

To BLANK, your review actually got me working diligently to finish this chapter. The fact that you check for an update everyday touched my heart. Thank you for showing this much dedication. Love you.

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