*The Bridge Between Time*
Disclaimer:
I don't own Naruto
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Worrisome Curiosities
It was a day like any other, Sakura and Hinata did their chores around the castle, while Naruto and Sasuke entertained Bolt down in the armory. There hadn't been much use out of it in recent days. Since the last attack during their hunt, nothing else had happened- and it had been weeks.
The darkness ceased to exist, leaving the girls all the opportunity they needed to go out and get supplies for their meals. This day seemed even more pleasant than the previous, it was warm outside, with a cool breeze that made you just want to stay and enjoy the atmosphere forever.
Their baskets were full of fruits and vegetables and they could have long since gone back inside, but they sat under a tree and made good of the nice weather. Somedays the guys didn't like them to go out, so whenever they got the chance, without being hassled, they enjoyed it while they could.
Sakura didn't really feel like herself, it wasn't that she felt sick, exactly- but she felt different. She didn't tell anybody, for fear of worrying them, especially the Uchiha. Nobody could have been more overprotective than him. Her respect for her husband was enough so that she never defied him, thought sometimes, even though she never went near it, or even outside the front of the castle, she sometimes found herself sitting inside, gazing out the window to that strange light.
Sometimes it wasn't there, but most of the time when she felt the urge to glance out the window to that place, it was. The girl still felt as if she was being drawn to the thing, but her fear of what would happen, and how Sasuke would react were far more than enough to keep her far away from that blue light.
The Lord of the castle however had found himself out there numerous times. At least once a day he went to the very place he'd found his lost girl. He had no idea where she could have been sent from, or how she'd made it here but he knew for a fact that it wanted her back. There wasn't a thing he could do, even his eyes couldn't understand it's elements.
After he'd spent some time with Naruto and his son, he escaped, going back to the spot to observe it for the day. Things had been all too peaceful around the kingdom and Sasuke just couldn't shake the uneasy feel he had in his gut.
Everything appeared normal, as if the portal itself was normal. It wasn't, but there wasn't anything to suggest a change in it, as opposed to any other time he'd checked it. It glowed, fading at times only to reappear much to the Uchiha's annoyance. He'd burn in hell before anything took Sakura away from him.
Without his light, he was nothing but darkness. Him and his cursed kingdom.
That girl had changed everything, and still after all this time things were continuing to change, for the better. The only recent attack had been when he and Naruto left the kingdom grounds and returned, that could have quite possibly been the only reason it happened then.
Had it been his making her his wife and her becoming queen that stopped these attacks? Her presence was of great importance. If he had her and eventually, an heir- the kingdom could once again prosper and there was a strong possibility that the curse could be revoked. Maybe it was already happening.
He couldn't be sure of much these days and he tried not to dread on the things that constantly harbored his mind but it just seemed it couldn't be helped. Until he had solid answers, he would always be wondering. He'd always search for those answers, including those of the portal he still continued to gaze at. If it ever succeeded in taking her away, he'd probably ever get her back and then, him and his kingdom would be doomed for eternity.
'Sa-ku-ra'
Eyes widening, the Uchiha lord inhaled sharply at the sound of his wife's name being called through the portal. How did they know her name? Who was it exactly. Why was his heart beating so rapidly? Sasuke swallowed hard, glancing around before glaring at the portal.
"Who are you?" He hissed. If the thing wanted to talk, Sasuke wanted answers.
'No!... No, no, noooo!'
Sasuke took a step back in surprise. The shouting had seemed to expand the portal and he didn't want himself getting sucked in either. A sound of whispering voices could be heard just before the portal disappeared altogether. A new wave of worry washed over him and he left the place, eager to get inside and check on Sakura. He hadn't seen her since breakfast and he preferred to keep her close to him most of the time.
Of course, everyone needed space sometimes and so that's why he'd take the time to spend with the guys and let the girls have some time alone as well. Most of the time now he allowed her to go out alone, or just with Hinata when they went for food. Sakura seemed to be safe, he was the one who was not. When the demons came, they came for him. He had the blood they were raised to crave. He could only hope that all that was behind them and he'd never have to lay eyes on the foul creatures again.
Finding Sakura in the kitchen, preparing dinner as he'd expected, Sasuke went over to her side. She gasped in surprise when she turned from the stove and bumped into him, having not realized he was so close. She blushed but gave him a brilliant smile. She was definitely his light, he could feel it every time he looked at her.
"You scared me." She giggled, giving him a nudge with her elbow before returning to the task at hand.
"You shouldn't be so easily frightened." He spat, though his tone was nothing short or humorous.
"Well, you shouldn't be sneaking up on people!" Sakura chided him with narrowed eyes, only giving him one heated glance before looking back to the stove.
Sasuke chuckled then, nothing warmed him more than getting her a little worked up. It seemed it had been easier to do over the last few weeks and he enjoyed trying her sometimes. "I wasn't sneaking. Maybe you should learn to heighten your senses."
Sakura turned back around to face him, bright green eyes darkening as she took in the sly smirk on his face. "Are you trying to pick a fight with me?"
With another laugh, the Uchiha lord leaned down and stole her lips in a swift but powerful kiss. "Certainly. How else will I get to see that little pout?"
Flinching, Sakura did what she could to straighten her face. She failed miserably and the awkward way she scrunched up her face made his lips turn up in an amused grin. He tousled her hair affectionately before poking her in the forehead and turning on his heel.
"I'll be back by the time you've finished."
"O-okay…"
Sakura blinked in surprise as she watched him leave the kitchen. Sometimes he really got under her skin but she loved it, as she did everything else about her dark lord. With a content sigh, she went back to work eager to finish up the meal. Hinata rejoined her a few minutes later and even then, Sakura was a little shaken by her run in with Sasuke.
"Are you okay Lady Sakura?" Hinata asked worriedly, Bolt on her hip. "You seem a little…"
"No, I'm fine, honestly!" Sakura laughed, waving Hinata off with far too much enthusiasm.
Just as the meal was being laid out by Sakura, with Hinata's help, Naruto and Sasuke walked in and took their seats. They had been off together it appeared but both of them seemed ready to eat, neither of them wasted any time digging in to the mini-feast prepared for them.
The Uchiha had never felt better. He was much heathier since Sakura had come along and began making his meals. He'd even gained a little weight, with it he felt as if he gained more strength as well. He ate his fill with Sakura at his side and when they were finished, he grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her up to her feet. She'd want to clean, but it could wait. He wanted her with him.
They went to their room together. It seemed like a long walk but Sakura enjoyed walking beside her husband, even when he was quiet. He was quiet then, he hadn't so much as uttered a word on the entire walk and when they walked in the room, he closed the door behind them just as quietly.
He was behind her in an instant, his front flush against her back. Sakura inhaled sharply at the contact, heart hammering in her chest. His hands came up to the collar of her kimono, strong calloused fingers raked gently across her shoulders the second they were on her bare skin. The girl shivered in anticipation and having not missed it, the Uchiha grinned next to her ear.
"You've been at it all day, you should bathe and prepare for bed."
Disappointed by his words, a pout much similar to the one on her face earlier formed on her lips. She said nothing as he skillfully unwrapped her kimono and stripped her down to her undergarments. Sasuke took a long moment to admire her from behind. Such long, beautiful hair. She was so small, fragile and gorgeous. He adored her and everything she was to him.
"Go now, I'll be waiting for you." He told her, his voice barely more than a whisper.
She went and was pleased that she didn't feel embarrassed at all as she did. At first, she'd been shy in front of him when it came to her body. He didn't like that and he told her so constantly and after so long, she'd gotten more and more comfortable around him. Now, she had a confidence that they both liked.
…
After her bath, she wrapped her robe around herself and went back into the bedroom. Sasuke was already in bed, shirtless. The covers were pulled up to his waist and he looked rather inviting to Sakura's hungry eyes. He met her gaze head on, smirking the second he noticed the look in her eyes. She was so easy to read for him, more-so than she could have ever imagined.
She got in bed, choosing to ignore that smirk he had. She crawled close to him and into his arms which opened for her knowingly. She loved to lay with him like this and he never seemed to mind. Most nights that was just how they slept. Sasuke turned his head to rest it against hers, his nose in her hair. It always smelled so good, just like she did.
While she rested with one arm underneath her side, she used her other hand to feel his chest and for a moment she just traced lazy circles around with her index finger. She was lost in thought, mostly about how happy she was. Most days consisted of the same thing. It was routine but Sakura couldn't have been happier with the way they lived. Things seemed to be just as they were meant to be.
She was destined for lord Uchiha and therefore, she gave herself to him completely. Sasuke was aware of how perfectly they were together as well and he wouldn't be shy to admit he believed in destiny as well. He'd thought he was heartless, cold and ruthless but ever since she'd come along he'd seen a change in himself that he rather liked. His days were so much more enjoyable. He was happy, and there had been a time when he thought happiness didn't exist.
"Will you ever get tired of this?" He asked aloud though really, he was speaking his thoughts. "You being here with me."
The girl had obviously had another life before and it could have been a much better life for her. Sasuke hated the idea of holding her back from happiness. He did genuinely love the girl and although the last thing he ever wanted to do was lose her, he wanted her happiness above all else.
"Don't be silly. I love being with you. I love our life together. I love you. As long as I have you, nothing else matters."
Her words calmed him greatly and he sighed as his body relaxed. He would always do whatever he could do to keep her happy because if he didn't and he lost her, he himself would also be lost. Forever.
"Thank you." Sasuke said simply, though those two words were meaningful enough to bring a smile to her faced.
"There's no reason to thank me. I'm your wife aren't I? How could I marry you if I wouldn't be happy with you?"
"Hn. I see."
Giggling girlishly, Sakura leaned her head up to gaze at him. She really did love him, so much. "You worry too much, you know that?"
Reluctantly, he gave her a nod. "I have plenty to worry over, so it can not be helped."
Sakura rolled her eyes playfully and then gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "We should get to sleep. I planned to dust the place tomorrow."
Sure that would be explanation enough, Sakura rested her head on his chest once more and with a yawn, she was quickly drifting into sleep. Sasuke understood and he would let her rest. The kingdom was huge and even trying to accomplish dusting half the place would be a full-day job and Sakura busied herself with so many other tasks, it would certainly be a strain on her tiny body. He didn't want her overdoing it, so he knew he'd have to watch her closely.
Over the last few weeks, she'd changed. Her body and even her attitude. Though she was still herself, very much so, Sasuke easily recognized the difference even if he wasn't sure what was causing it. It could have been stress, which is why he wanted to keep a close eye on her and make sure she was okay. Nothing else mattered but her.
He laid there, holding her close to him as she slept and he wondered if there ever would come a time when he'd have to fight to keep her. He would, without a doubt but he hoped that situation never occurred. Peace wasn't something he was used to, not even close but he had gotten a taste of it and he liked it enough to want more than anything to maintain that peace. It was of the most importance. His entire name was on the line and he wasn't about to go down in history as the king who lost it all, not if he had the chance to prevent it.
…
