Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Naruto.

"We didn't have to come to your chambers to talk" Ino regarded him with a scowl as she stood in his foyer while he emerged from his bathroom with fresh, non food covered clothes on.

"Tch" he scoffed before he sat down at a table in the middle of his room, "I already have a feeling about what you're going to say, and if I'm right then it's best if it's said in here, especially if it regards Sakura."

"Then let's skip the formalities and playing dumb" Ino grunted, "I think if anyone were taking care of Sakura for an extended period of time they'd be privy to her symptoms. It's obvious."

Sasuke pinched the skin between his eyes as he felt the onset of a headache. It seemed less and less enjoyable talking to Ino lately as she continually accosted him either with bad news or something else negative.

"Yes I know."

"Well of course you know. You put it there. I'm assuming that's why you risked Naruto's life to bring her back."

Sasuke just nodded slightly while staring at her with half lidded eyes of annoyance and mild agitation.

"How long were you going to let the rest of us wait to know?" Ino crossed her arms.

"I was going to keep it from everyone for as long as possible, so that we'd be married and have ample time to avoid suspicion. Hopefully people won't do the math in their heads properly when the child is born."

"Well it's a good thing that it's only me and Tsunade that know. You realize that if word spreads about this to anyone else they'd try to ruin her, right?"

Sasuke once again nodded in response before wiping a frustrated hand over his face. He didn't feel like explaining that Naruto knew as well, and Shikamaru. If she knew that Shikamaru had kept that from her she might actually kill the man. It was times like this that made Sasuke question the blond's sanity. His patience for her ranting was slowly slipping as well.

"It's a good thing the wedding is in two days" Ino sighed, "Although I don't know how she'll be able to suffer you."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed as his voice went cold, "I don't want an execution on the same day as a wedding, so please hold your tongue."

The room stalled in awkward silence with both parties staring dangerously at each other. Sasuke didn't want to be bothered at the moment as he was already tortured by his demons without this spitfire coming in and shredding his sanity as well. Ino took the hint and left his chambers. Sasuke let out an audible sigh before retiring to his inner chambers where his bed was. He was not ready to become a price, but he was most definitely not ready to become a husband and a father. Especially so close together. He knew that mistakes were made, but he was living his life, and these consequences reminded him what it meant to be alive.

"No put them here" Here Mikoto pointed at a large sheet of paper, "The Yamanakas do not get along with the Hebi's (Karin's family), don't ask" she added that last part with a whisper, "Put the Yamanakas with the Naras instead. Ino and Shikamaru have been courting casually for a while now, so it's probably good that their houses sit together. Add the Akamichis there as well"

The scribe nodded while writing a line through the names of noble houses and rearranging them to Mikoto's liking. Normally this would be Sakura's responsibility but seeing how she hadn't had enough time to socialize with all the noble houses and know who did and didn't get along well, it would fall on the Queen's shoulders instead. The wedding was starting to come together as the great hall in the castle was adorned with banners and flowers everywhere. The crest of the Uchiha on navy banners with the Haruno circle on red banners were strewn side by side together throughout the castle. Despite Sakura having no living relatives, her family crest was still important to put on display for the wedding, so it showed the merging of two houses, or in Sakura's case, her being absorbed into the Uchihas being the last survivor of her surname.

"Busy as usual I see, mother" Sasuke came up next to Mikoto casually looking over her shoulder at the seating charts.

"Yes, but do you need something?" Mikoto asked with a raised brow.

"Not really" Sasuke sighed, "I just need something to do."

Mikoto scowled at him. She remembered when she was being brought over from her own kingdom to be married to Fugaku and he'd been standoffish much the same way. With Sakura out of commission she'd be damned if she let her son slack of on purpose.

"Go do something useful and oversee the kitchen preparations" Mikoto narrowed her eyes in slight irritation at her son, "Make sure they're making enough food for over 500 guests. This castle will be filled and so will everyone's stomachs."

With no room for discussion, Sasuke simply turned on his heel to go check in on the kitchen. When he walked in it was utter chaos. There was a ton of prep work being done with crumbs, blood, sweat, and probably tears on the kitchen floor. The blood was from the pheasants, geese, and chicken being slaughtered in order to cook them for the feast. The cows and pigs were slaughtered out on the ranches outside the city with the meat transported inside. Considering a cow was much too big to slaughter and divide inside a kitchen area. After walking through and seeing several nervous kitchen servants scurry out of his, Sasuke deemed that everyone was doing as much as they could to prepare, and all of the food looked delicious. It was hard to tell since many things were being prepped to marinade overnight or otherwise so that they could be cooked fresh just before the wedding feast.

"My lord!" One of the head kitchen servants bowed and regarded Sasuke, "Did you come to check on the feast?" They tried to sound happy but the nervousness was evident in their voice.

Sasuke made a simple nod before asking, "How long do you need to cook so that everything can be ready by the time the feast starts?"

"We'll be cooking the final items at dawn my grace so that we're able to get everything out to the banquet on time. I promise it'll all be perfect."

Sasuke tried to smile, but really he wasn't interested at all in any of this wedding nonsense. He wanted to hold Sakura in his arms and simply be done with it already. Once he exited the kitchen he made a b-line for his chambers. The only reason he'd agreed to go to the kitchen was because he knew the blood of the slaughtered animals would prove useful for him. He withdrew a small vial of blood he managed to fill from his pocket. He tucked it safely away again already intending to use it very soon. However his plans for the rest of the day consisted of barricading himself in his room until it was time to say his "I do's." He'd be damned before he let his mother catch him and send him on another fools errand. The only reason he hadn't gone to see Sakura is because he wasn't allowed. It was tradition that the bride and groom not see each other the entire day before their wedding. He wasn't going to see her until she came walking down the isle. He was informed that her condition had significantly improved, and she was walking, talking, and eating well from what Ino told him. She also informed him, much to his relief, that her stomach wasn't showing at all, yet.

The priceless life inside of Sakura was one of Sasuke's biggest concerns. He wanted her to drop from the military campaign and even renounce her title as general if he could have his way. More concerning than the child itself was the limitations it put on Sakura in her capacity to use her abilities. His father had taken special interest in her healing magic and the fact that she was able to wield it so freely. However the child would be harmed at this point if Sakura drained any life force to use on someone else, or even herself. It would use the child's life force first, and kill it, before it tapped into Sakura's reserves. The brooding coal haired prince clenched his fists as he revisited those dark feelings of hopelessness and uncertainty until a knock had snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Well hello brother dearest" Itachi sarcastically cooed as he entered Sasuke's room, "The tailor is here to make last minute adjustments to your garments for tomorrow."

Sasuke let out a low groan before allowing the other man who was toting bundles of cloth and supplies into his room. Once he stood in front of the full length mirror he started to zone out in his own reflection. This was how he was going to look tomorrow when Sakura saw him on her way down the aisle. However he was hoping that his facial expression would be much more pleasant than it was now.

"You do look very good y'know" Itachi tried to break the awkward silence that Sasuke was prolonging by diving into his subconscious repeatedly.

Sasuke momentarily snapped himself out of his trance to reply to his brother, "I probably won't wear something this nice again until my funeral."

Even though the reference was dark, the older brother laughed at the morbid joke. It was true that the royal family's men tended not to walk around in flashy get ups during their normal presidings around the castle halls. They usually just donned high quality leather, cloth emblazoned with their family crest, sometimes with expensive accessories like custom swords or otherwise. Only during festivals, balls, and social events such as this did the royal family all dress up in their finest silk and wear their true crowns that had precious stones in them. Sasuke knew the difference between his silver crown embedded with rubies and diamonds from his steel one with an inlayed pattern that adorned no jewels. The later is the one that he normally found himself wearing on daily basis. While the other crown was much more flashy and intimidating, it was also prone to wear and tear and subsequent damage if he wore it recklessly.

"Put the other one on" Itachi nodded towards the aforementioned silver crown lying on its normal pillow on display in his room.

Sasuke gave his brother a quizzical glance with a quirked brow before nodding. Itachi considered the gesture his queue to grab the crown for his brother, since the prince was busy being treated like a pin cushion by the tailor. Carefully Itachi swapped the crowns and nodded with a slight grin in approval. The tailor even noticed the staunch difference between his appearance when wearing the other symbol of his royal status.

"Very nice m'lord" the man smiled from where he was adjusting the hem of the fur lined cape that Sasuke was wearing.

Sasuke let a small smirk grace his lips, the first one his brother had seen on him in over a week. It baffled Sasuke how even though his brother terrorized and agitated him to no end, when it came down to it, he would always do what he could to comfort Sasuke in times of need. The prince tried to give his brother a glimpse of the small upward curve in his lips before turning back around to the mirror as he watched the tailor finish putting pins in strategic places for his clothes to be altered accordingly.

"Good luck tomorrow, little brother" Itachi sighed with a warm smirk as he took his pointer and middle finger and bumped Sasuke's forehead affectionately.

"I need energy more than I need luck" Sasuke crossed his arms, fatigue shadowing his face.

Itachi was on his way out the door when he stood in the doorway to glimpse back at his brother from over his shoulder, "I'm sure when you see her, you'll have all the energy you need."

"Have you seen her already?" Sasuke asked confused.

Itachi shook his head, "No, but I'm on my way to go see her right now."

"Wait" Sasuke walked over to quickly switch crowns again to his less formal one, "Give her this."

It was a note that the prince had written while swimming in his mental pool of anguish that he had made for himself. He tried to write his wedding vows, but he ended up writing a letter to Sakura instead. He had no way of getting it to her before the wedding since he couldn't see her, and he figured any attempts to communicate with her would be thwarted by typical castle staff and servants, but this was his brother. Rule bending was something he indulged in all the time.

"Can't wait can you?" Itachi now sported a shit eating grin.

Sasuke rolled his eyes before putting the folded, wax-sealed note in Itachi's hands, "Just make sure she gets it."

Itachi shook his head with amusement while trying to hold in a chuckle before tucking the note in his sleeve and walking down the hall. After Itachi was out of sight, Sasuke decided that what he needed the most was rest. If the duel-purpose engagement banquet was any indication of tomorrow's events then Sasuke would need his full stamina to get through the day, no doubt through most of the night as well. Festivities like this were few and far in between. Parties like the one planned for tomorrow were a rare and extravagant occasion.

Sakura and Ino were in her chambers trying to go over things for tomorrow's ceremony. Mikoto had already paid the pinkette a visit in order to go over finer details and make sure that Sakura agreed with all of the aesthetic decisions being made for the decorations and flowers and so on. Sakura took a huge breath of air once it was all over. She felt overwhelmed just being asked "yes or no" when presented with something. She couldn't fathom how the queen seemed to be doing this as if it were as easy as breathing air.

"Sakura" Ino called her name to grasp her attention, "Itachi's out in the hall, do you want to let him in?"

"Sure" Sakura sighed, "Wait!" She quickly squeaked, "Hide the dress!"

Ino took the beautiful white and pink laced gown that was mounted on a wooden stand into the bathroom in order to keep it from Itachi's prying eyes. She had just received the dress and tried it on earlier once the tailor had altered it from measurements taken a few days ago. She was back in her regular tabard and silk pants for her own comfort, despite the fact that she wasn't training at that moment.

"Well hello" Itachi smiled as he sauntered into the room, "How are you fairing dearest princess?"

"Oh cut the crap" Sakura crossed her arms, "We both know you don't need to speak with that kind of formality."

"Yes, but it gets under your skin" Itachi smirked, "That's what makes it fun."

Sakura's brow twitched in slight irritation as she asked, "Is there something you needed?"

Itachi just gave her a genuine smile before sitting next to her, "I honestly just wanted to make sure that you were ok. You have a big day tomorrow, and you have not been in the best of health. I heard Tsunade partially drained herself in order to quicken your healing process so you'd be ready for the wedding."

Sakura nodded with slight guilt in her eyes, "Tsunade exhausted herself, but thankfully I am indeed feeling much better."

"Well, hopefully you'll still feel good tomorrow" Itachi was trying to be positive.

Sakura just quirked a brow at the man. He was known to be useful and somewhat decent, however you could hardly define him as the sort of person to go out of his way to be kind. It almost made Sakura feel creeped out if it weren't for the extraordinary circumstances. She was definitely on the brink with the state she had returned to the castle, and tomorrow was supposed to be one the biggest milestones in her life. When she considered those two things, Itachi's surprise visit didn't warrant that much suspicion.

"I hope I do too" Sakura looked over to Ino nervously.

Ino knew what Sakura was hinting at. The poor pinkette had been vomiting profusely that morning, and if Sakura happened to fall ill during her ceremony then suspicions would be raised and Sakura's head might get put on a proverbial platter. Sakura had told Ino about the chewable poultice that she was given by her jail-breaker while in captivity that was made by one of his teammates. Unfortunately Sakura didn't have a sample for Ino to analyze. The blond had been trying to recreate the bundle of herbs so that Sakura could get some relief from her symptoms, but to no avail. There were a few mixtures that slightly worked, but Ino was still experimenting, trying to get the right mixture for maximum efficacy.

"Is there anything you need from me?" Itachi asked.

Sakura looked at him again with the same quirked brow expression that displayed her confusion before saying, "Not really, but I appreciate the sentiment."

Itachi nodded before he said, "Well I happen to need something from you."

"Oh?" Sakura's face twitched in mild agitation.

Just moments ago he said he didn't need anything from her other than confirmation on her improved health, and now he was changing his mind and asking a favor.

"It seems you have a secret admirer. I need you to read his note" Itachi had to try and stifle a laugh as he pulled the folded parchment out of his sleeve and handed it to her.

Sakura immediately noticed the wax seal on the note as Sasuke's and slapped Itachi's arm in jest for the anxiety he'd almost risen out of her. Ino chuckled once the realization had dawned on her as well. With a laugh and a wave Itachi wished Sakura good luck before leaving her as well.

"What does it say?" Ino immediately tried to pry, but noticed Sakura's eyes melting like the winter snow, a form of dew starting to gather in the corners of her eyes.

Ino took the queue and stepped away from the pinkette and decided to give her some space by taking a seat near her door. It was tradition for the bride to be chaperoned on the night before her wedding as to insure her propriety and patience for the ceremony. However Ino laughed at the irony of the tradition considering the chaperoning came much too late. Sakura appreciated the space as she continued to read Sasuke's note that had her almost in a puddle of tears. They were happy tears, but she knew her hormones were raging, tugging at her heart strings.

Sakura,

The day I first laid eyes on you, you both broke and captured my heart. I never intended to have my uncle ruin your life, but hopefully I have partially atoned for his sins. The day we buried your past, I feel like mine was buried as well. Together we managed to forge our own path together that has changed the both of us. The day that I kissed you, was the day that things stopped being about me, and started being about us. When I thought I had lost you in that town, I felt like I had lost part of myself. I never want to feel that way again. Even though we've already become one flesh before, and that flesh is now growing inside of you, I want to become one heart, one soul. I want to marry you tomorrow. I never want to lose that part of me again, I never want to lose you. I love you, Sakura.

-S.U.

Of course the note couldn't contained his fully signed name, given the nature of its contents. Sakura was sniffling and trying to calm her breathing by the end of the note. She had never once heard him so eloquently express his feelings of the past, present, and future. Most of the time he kept his thoughts to himself, which gave him an air of both aloofness and detachment. Sakura had never minded, knowing that his actions spoke louder than his words, but words were always appreciated too.

"That sappy, huh?" Ino inquired, trying to lighten the mood.

"Yea" Sakura let out a broken laugh with her now stuffy nose, wiping her tears on her sleeves.

To Be Continued...