Dark Paradise

Chapter 11 – The Last Time

'This is the last time I'm asking you this. You put my name at the top of your list. This is the last time I'm asking you why – you break my heart in the blink of an eye.'

It had been close to nightfall, and Sakura still hadn't returned. Sasuke glared at the window, as if willing her to appear there, but it summoned someone else entirely. The door to his room slammed open and Naruto walked in, followed by Kiba and Shikamaru.

"Get your ass up, we're going out." Kiba said and Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

"If Mikoto-san hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known that the wedding was tomorrow." Naruto chastised and Sasuke looked away. "I figured you'd find out on your own and show up anyway."

Naruto made a sound of disgust and shook his head.

"Are we going out or what?" Shikamaru asked lazily, lighting a cigarette. Sasuke swiped it before he could take a second drag and flicked it out of the window. Shikamaru looked momentarily surprised but the rolled his eyes.

"I'm busy." Sasuke told them.

"Right," Naruto said sarcastically, "Sitting alone in the dark is very time consuming,"

Kiba laughed and Sasuke glared at both of them. Eventually, they managed to drag him out of there – where they headed downtown to some club that Sasuke wouldn't have been caught dead in, and according to Naruto, there was a 'special surprise' at midnight. There group consisted of Sasuke, Naruto, Kiba, Shikamaru, Neji, Chouji, a blond with blue eyes that Sasuke had never seen before and Kankuro, Gaara and Shino. They had a few drinks and Sasuke watched as the guys danced with various drunken girls, it only took him a second to swap himself out with a clone and make his escape, by that time – most of the guys were so drunk that they probably wouldn't even have noticed his escape. Once he was far enough away, he released the clone and headed out to find Sakura. She was fairly easy to find – but Sasuke was nothing less than furious when he saw the establishment that he charka emanated from. Sasuke had to stop himself from bursting through those doors more than once, and it took Sakura the better part of an hour to finally emerge from the building. Her green eyes, glazed over slightly from drinking, fell on his form – not surprised at all. Her cheeks were flushed and there was this happy light to her eyes when she saw him. Sasuke refused to acknowledge the slight tugging at his heartstrings at how beautiful she looked. She stumbled over to him and fell into his arms, before she leaned up to kiss him sloppily. Sasuke leaned down to hide the slight upturn to his lips and pulled the heels from her feet, tossing them away one by one.

"Hey!" she protested, "Those are Ino's."

"Don't care." Sasuke grunted and then he stood, lifting Sakura up in his arms. She squealed in delight and Sasuke took off for home. Somewhere along the way, Sakura fell asleep in his arms and she didn't even wake when he climbed through his bedroom window.

He could already see the alcohol burning from her system. Orochimaru had trained Sasuke extensively in fighting off various poisons, his chakra would simply burn the intrusive bodies away before they did any real damage. Sakura's ability to do this was almost on par with his own. The flush on her cheeks was vastly less as he laid her down on the bed. He pulled a kunai from his pouch and started at the bottom of the dress, swiftly cutting it up and off of her. Sasuke tossed it away and went to the closet to get one of his shirts. Honestly, Sasuke would normally have been seriously annoyed at dressing a grown person, but he couldn't bring himself to care. And that should definitely have bothered him…but it didn't. Sasuke pulled it over her head and worked her arms into it, by that time Sakura came awake slightly. "Hmm, Sasuke-kun," she leaned up and placed wet kisses on his neck. Sasuke huffed in amusement, shaking his head as he yanked the shirt down and slipped his arm around her waist before pulling her up for a proper kiss. Sakura was happy to respond, making a mewling sound and trying to pull him down to her. But Sasuke pulled away and Sakura smiled up at him sleepily, "You are trouble, Sasuke-kun," Sasuke grunted a response and laid her down, Sakura was ready to fall asleep again but Sasuke wasn't about the opportunity go past.

"Sakura," Sasuke gave her a little shake and she hummed in response, her eyes fluttering open.

"Why didn't Itachi tell me? That he knows…"
Sakura smiled sadly and didn't even bother denying it, "Maybe he just wanted to be your brother here...and not the one who did all those horrible things." She leaned up, pressing a kiss to his lips before falling back down and was asleep within seconds. Sasuke stared down at her, letting out a shaky breath. He headed to the bathroom, taking a quick shower before crawling into bed with her and pulling him against his chest, hoping her presence would chase the pain out again.

He let out another shaky breath. Well, fuck. He was getting married tomorrow and Sakura still wasn't pregnant. Sasuke groaned, burying his face into her hair. He'd have to fix that. Soon. The realization that he was getting married hit him solidly in that moment. Of course the fact that he was getting married to Sakura didn't escape him either – or that he was currently holding her in his arms. Three years ago, had anyone told him this was going to happen – he would have probably laughed in their faces. Right now though, he probably should have seen it coming. Naruto and Sakura – they were never going to give up on him and eventually, probably, things with Sakura could have gone to the next level. It was very possible. Sasuke wasn't blind. When he'd arrived on the battlefield he'd definitely noticed Sakura. Her strength, firstly, obviously. But he'd also noticed that she'd definitely grown up. Filled out and became more womanly, and definitely somewhat beautiful. Not in the traditional sense, but Sakura attracted attention – her exotic features demanded it. And not even Sasuke had been an exception. There had only ever been three girls in Sasuke's life – that had been seriously interested in him. Ino, Karin and Sakura. Ino had annoyed him to no end. Karin had been too overbearing. But Sakura, out of the three, was the only one who ever grew up. The only one he'd ever truly let in. The first, actually. So, maybe he should have expected this. Being the Uchiha that he was. He hadn't though. And now he was getting married to her. Sasuke needed to find a way to make her stay – here, with him. He needed her, and he could admit it (to himself). He could have easily made her promise to stay in her drunken state – but what would that help? He needed to convince her to stay, that was the only way this would work. And he needed to find a way soon, because whatever Sakura was planning relied on them being married. Shit.

x-x-x-x-

Sakura was awoken by the morning light on her face and Sasuke's arms tightly around her. He seemed to be fast asleep, his breathing slow and easy. Sakura loved being in his arms, this was the first time she could actually experience it fully. Sasuke's lean, strong arms were tight, but not suffocating so. It felt wonderful, she felt…loved? Maybe that was too strong a word, but she couldn't have cared. She'd imagined this feeling many nights – but what she imagined had never felt this wonderful. Sakura leaned her head down and impulsively kissed his arm. Behind her, he stirred and she felt her cheeks heat up. What are you doing? She mentally screamed, stiffening in his arms. Sasuke froze too, probably realizing that he was holding her, but then, after a moment – he relaxed! He pulled her against him again, Sakura stiff and wide-eyed, and Sasuke pressed a kiss behind her ear. "We could have this every morning Sakura," he whispered gruffly. Sakura's throat felt tight and she blinked her tears away. She wanted this. She'd always wanted it. And he was using that against her, but Kami help her, she didn't care. Every morning sounded like a fairy tale – one she could have…here. But she didn't want it here. She wanted it back home. Even if Itachi and Mikoto and Fugaku weren't going to be there. As long as she had Sasuke…

But that wasn't going to happen.

They couldn't be back in the real world.

Sakura allowed herself to be held for only a moment longer, refusing to speak. There was a knock at the door – saving her. And Mikoto popped her head inside.

"Time to get up," she announced and Sakura sat up immediately. "Let's get you ready." She said and then turned to Sasuke, "Naruto is expecting you, hurry up, Sasuke-chan!"

Sasuke was supposed to get ready at Naruto's house. Sakura didn't look at him as she headed into the bathroom to brush her teeth and then followed Mikoto to the master bedroom, where – surprisingly her mother was waiting. She burst into tears the moment she saw Sakura and rushed over to pull her daughter into her arms.

"Mom?" Sakura asked, panicked. "What happened?"

"Nothing," her mom said, smiling and wiping at her tears. "My baby girl is getting married."

Sakura's eyes widened, hearing her mother say it had finally made it…real for her. She was getting married. To Uchiha Sasuke.

Mikoto led Sakura over to the vanity table and sat her down. Ino entered the room then and came over to Sakura with some breakfast, but Sakura pushed it away – her face pale. "No, I can't eat. I'll puke if I do."

Ino laughed. "Getting cold feet?"

"No." Sakura answered distantly and Sakura set the bowl aside before the three of them got busy getting Sakura ready. Sakura sat very still and watched them transform her into something almost beautiful. Because she honestly thought that no amount of make-up could ever make her beautiful enough for Uchiha Sasuke. Her eyes went to Ino. Yes, Ino was pretty. She could definitely look good with Sasuke-kun. They would complement each other's looks. Not Sakura. Luckily, she reminded herself, this wasn't real. And hopefully, soon, she would be at home, and she would try – desperately to forget this. Forget everything she did – what she was forcing Sasuke into. Kami, she loved him so much. But she wasn't good enough. She never would be. This wasn't real. Sasuke would neverreally marry Haruno Sakura. She wasn't even from a prominent clan! Sakura let out a sob and all the hands around her froze.

"Sakura-chan?" Mikoto asked, who had been busy with her hair.

She couldn't tell them that she couldn't do this – because she needed to. Sakura shook her head, trying to get her crying under control.

Her mother took her hand, smiling up at her and Ino leaned back against the vanity table.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I'm not good enough for him. Not for Uchiha Sasuke." Sakura confessed.

Everyone was silent for a moment and then Mikoto laughed. "If anything, Sasuke-chan isn't good enough for you. He's too much like his father. But you love him and he loves you, I know he does."

Ino nodded in agreement and Sakura felt her mom squeeze her hand. She nodded slowly and they continued their work for many more hours. Once they were done, Sakura looked at herself in the mirror. She still looked like herself – but different. Maybe even pretty.

Mikoto brought out the dress that she had apparently picked with Sakura's mother. It was a pure white fusion between traditional and modern. With some lacework from the waist down.

Sakura, silently, allowed them to dress her and add some finishing touches.

"You have five minutes." Mikoto said after Ino and her mother had left. "Your father is waiting in the living room to walk you down the aisle to Sasuke-chan, ok?"

Sakura nodded mutely and Mikoto gave her a quick, tight hug. "Welcome to the family, Sakura-chan." She whispered before heading out of the room. Sakura stared at herself for a moment longer before she figured she might as well face her father. She stepped out of the room just as Itachi came out of his and Sakura pushed him back inside, closing them in.

"Am I doing the right thing?" she demanded, but Itachi's eyes were on her, moving over her in shock. "You look…" he began, blinking.

"What?"

"Beautiful." He said, sounding a little uneasy.

Sakura felt her cheeks heat up and she looked away.

After a long silence, Itachi cleared his throat awkwardly several times before he spoke. "Yes." He said to answer her question. "This," he mentioned to the world around them, "Isn't real. As much as we want it to be."

"What will happen to you?" Sakura asked weakly.

"I'm dead, Sakura-chan." He answered simply, before closing the space between them. "You need to do this. Madara wins if you don't."

Sakura nodded, staring up at him. "I wish…things were different." She whispered, blinking away more tears. Itachi smiled sadly, before he leaned down and brushed his lips against her cheek. Sakura's eyes widened and her cheeks flushed again. Itachi said nothing, he held his arm out for her. "Shall we?"

Sakura swallowed before slipping her arm though his. Itachi led her through the house to her father, who looked just as shocked as Itachi had.

"I'll leave her with you, Haruno-san." Itachi stepped away and went outside.

"You know I'm not happy about this,"

Sakura nodded at her father, "And it appears that there is nothing that I can do to stop you." He sighed. "Is this what you really want? Are you happy?"

"Yes," she whispered her throat tight, "I really am."

"That's all I could want, then." He patted her cheek softly, before holding out his arm much as Itachi did. Sakura took it and her father led her from the house and to the very place where Sasuke had practiced his first Katon jutsu.

He was waiting at the end of the wooden dock, Naruto and Itachi at his side. There was a priest there too and Ino fell into step behind Sakura, leading up to the dock.

Sasuke's eyes widened on her and he swallowed heavily, unable to blink or look away. She reached him, a small, shy smile on her face.

Her father shook hands with Sasuke and pulled him in to whisper something to him. Sasuke narrowed his eyes but nodded regardless. Her father kissed her cheek before going back down to sit next to her mother. Sakura turned to face Sasuke. He stared down at her. Sakura wasn't sure what happened or how the ceremony went. She couldn't remember much once it was over. They exchanged rings, mumbled 'I dos' and repeated something that the priest said. Eventually Sakura saw Sasuke lean down to her, capturing her lips with his. She let out a sigh, letting her arms go around his neck.

Naruto gave some cat calls, causing them to separate, Sakura blushing. The reception came next. Delicious food. Many well-wishers. And Sasuke's gaze on her. Always. And once he'd had enough of the party, Sasuke had led her away, not to the main house, but further away. Closer to the shrine. To a small house near the edge of the Uchiha Compound. He didn't turn on the lights.

"Sasuke-kun," Sakura whispered, in the darkness of the bedroom.

He turned to her, she could see his eyes staring down at her intently.

"I know…I know that we have many differences but…do you think…just for tonight…we could…" she closed her eyes, waiting for his rejection, but it never came – instead he kissed her. Sakura made a surprised sound, before kissing him back eagerly. This would be the last time. The last time that Sasuke would ever touch her, kiss her, make love to her. And Sakura clung to him, reveling in the feeling of being so close to him. Sasuke made quick work of getting the dress off of her and helped Sakura pull his formal wear from him before slamming his lips back onto her own. Sakura pulled him against her, her heated skin sliding up against his. Sasuke's hands slid around her waist and lifted her up against him – taking two steps before lowering her onto the bed. He hovered over her, with all the intimidation and intensity that Uchiha Sasuke was. His eyes stared down into hers, making her flush with a strange heat all over. His lips glinted with wetness in the slight light and his tongue darted out to lick over them. Sakura swallowed. Fuck, he was so incredibly sexy. She reached up with one hand, dragging it over his cheek and up into his hair where she pulled his mouth to her's. Their tongues meeting almost immediately. Sasuke slid his body down, in between her legs and Sakura moaned low in the throat, grinding her hips up against his hardness while his hands traced up the bare skin between them, cupping her breasts over her bra. She arched herself up into his hands, breaking their kiss to throw her head back when he grinded himself into her. Sasuke dragged his tongue over her pulse point before giving it a hard suck, his hands practically ripping the bra from her. Sakura stared at him through hooded eyes as he took a hard nipple between his lips. Sakura squeezed her eyes shut letting out a sigh as he moved to the next one briefly before kissing a trail down her stomach. She lifted her head breathlessly to watch his path downward where his eyes flipped up to her's as he nibbled on her hip bone before hooking his fingers into her panties and pulling them down. Sakura sat up, pulling his boxers from him before throwing a leg over him and lifting herself onto his hard member. She slid down slowly, watching as he squeezed his eyes shut. She was breathing heavily when she put her arms around his shoulders and kissed him slowly before she began moving on him. Sasuke groaned her name before burying his head into her chest as Sakura slowly began riding him. He kissed over her breast, slowly as if wanting to savor her with him. Almost as if he, too, knew it would be the last time. His hands dragged down her spine, leading down to cup her behind and lead her movements, because Sasuke was, above all a control freak. He took her nipple into his mouth and Sakura gasped, pushing him down onto the bed and intending to have her way with him completely – but Sasuke wouldn't have that. He flipped them over, biting into her neck and Sakura cried out, arching up against him. Sasuke braced his arms on either side of her before he rammed into her.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura moaned, gripping his shoulders. She could see him losing control, losing himself in her. And it wasn't enough, she still wanted more. Sakura lifted her legs, hooking them behind his back, making him groan low in his throat. His hair brushed over her cheeks, their bodies slick with sweat, as Sakura's nails dug into him. "Faster, Sasuke-kun," she choked out and he complied, his movements becoming erratic, his breath leaving his lips roughly. Sakura could feel her peak coming, she gave little gasps, and when it hit, her head fell back and she arched off of the bed, crying out his name. Sasuke thrust into her a few more times before he stiffened, giving a guttural groan before collapsing on top of her. After a moment, Sakura's hands went around him, stroking his hair. Their pants filled the heavy silence of the room.

"We could be happy," he said into the silence. And despite everything he just sounded…sad.

"I know." She answered, her hands tightening around him. "I love you, Sasuke-kun." Sasuke said nothing, he simply lifted his head and kissed her. He wouldn't beg. She knew he wouldn't. Sakura also knew how bad he wanted this. His family. This life, and when he lifted his head. That moment when he looked at her that was the closest she'd ever see Uchiha Sasuke to begging. He rolled off of her, and took her into his arms. Finally, Sakura cried. Softly, not making a sound. Her tears rolled down her cheeks. And that was how she stayed, until Sasuke fell asleep, exhausted. Sakura stood quietly, and pulled her clothes on. She looked back at Sasuke one last time before slipping out of the window and hopefully – to the end.

x-x-x-x-

That's it for this chapter. So, yup, they're married. All that's left now is for Sakura to figure out how the hell to get out of there!

The next chapter will also have a scene you've all been waiting for….

No spoilers.

And – a visit from someone else who knows.

Zana-Lee

xoxo