Spring bloomed.
Colors dazed past with thin lines from the car window. Lake Uchiwa shimmered beside them. The ancient lands held remnants of a thousand years. Even the trees of the hillside were memorably spectacular. Across the water, she viewed the temple of Indra, just a red dot from this distance.
"Did Lord Indra have a wife?"
Sometimes, she preferred the silence. Sometimes, she chattered away. He only ever drove quietly beside her.
This was the favourite part of her day.
"I am not sure." He replied after a moment.
A light breeze encompassed from the parted window. The engine hummed so softly. Sometimes the world was made of only the inside of this car, driving her through the every changing nature.
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They never spoke in the hallways. He didn't share her classes; he was senior by a year. He spent copious amount of time with the same old boys, smoking, drinking, and throwing their money away.
They sat together even now. The rookies that were not so rookie in their third year.
There was the vibrant Naruto. He was the kindest of them. She liked how easy he made her feel, like family. His family had of a long line of politicians, not all corrupt.
There was Shikamaru, on the bleachers above him. Nara Clan held close ties to the Uzumakis, the head of strategy behind the scenes. He had once acknowledged her perfect examination scores.
There were so many others. Akimichi chain restaurants. Inuzuka Veterinary Clinics. Hyuuga. Yamanaka. Every name meant something here.
And the Uchiha name meant everything. As old as the land they lived on, their clan thrived on old money, new money, and dirty money all the same.
No one mentioned the last part. No one needed to. The rest were not much different. Konoha city was like its' people, beautifully dangerous.
Haruno Sakura, to them, remained an outcast from both society and their clan. If they noticed him drop her off early morning for her tutoring sessions or pick her up late after her extra lab hours, they never commented. His friends were kind enough. They politely nodded or smiled at her though they had never spoken. Naruto was perhaps the only one to be frank and open with her. But the rest of the school remained oblivious of the tiny pink-haired girl living her quiet life. It was as Sakura preferred.
And it made sense that the only friend in her quiet studious life remained Hinata, who always appreciated her help and brought her new recipes she had tried. She was a delicious cook and a sweet friend.
So she continued for another two years, unassociated with him in this grand school, until the day a young man named Ueno Kadashi made very very stupid mistake.
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A slap resounded in the open hallway. The noisy passage concluded to its' unusual quiet. A group of senior boys soaking in the spring sun made a sharp turn. Shikamaru stopped mid-sentence.
It was the repeated sound that instilled shock in those around them.
Sakura held her reddening cheek, "Kadashi-kun!" She looked at him furiously, her body slumped against the lockers.
"What? Can't take a hit back?"
"How dare you— you're the one at fault and still-"
"You can't just hit a girl, Ueno!" someone yelled from nearby.
"She slapped me first." He added nervously and looked at the eyes around him. "Women want equality, right? Well, that's equally—"
"Oy." The onlooked turned to the deep voice lounging on the school picnic table. "What do you think you're doing."
The silence ensued. Even Kadashi has the good sense to lower his tone. "Uchiha-senpai,"
Ueno let out an unknowingly held breath, shoulder lightly slumping to ease the tension. "Just a stupid small fight with my girlfriend." He gave a nervous grin.
The older boy watched with piercing eyes before shifting to take in Sakura's face. Sakura didn't look back; she could feel his gaze harsh enough without looking back. "You hit her." He stated.
"I'm fine, Ueno and I should talk somewhere else." She pulled him towards her and tried to guide him out of the way. The bystanders watched on quietly, curiously.
"Don't touch me," he seethed towards her. "I've been nothing but nice and you want to pay me back by embarrassing me in p—" Ueno's spiteful anger would have continued for another minute if he hadn't seen the figure stalking towards him from his peripheral.
"Keep talking." Sasuke's voice cut through, bored to the outsiders. Sakura fidgeted in embarrassment. People further down were starting to walk in for a look. Ueno looked nervous enough, but it didn't stop him from looking back at her and throwing the words, "It's her fault for not knowing how to do things for a man."
Ueno's head was in front of her one second and then bashed into the steely lockers the next. It left an ugly dent and a few scratches against the pale green. He held his head and dropped to the floor in pain.
"Sasuke-kun, I'm fine!" the girl shrieked. He continued to approach and pulled him against the lockers again. She moved to pull him back. "Stop."
Uenos' sharp turn held him back from the second punch. Another locker ruined. The dark-haired boy did not young boy looked at him in confusion and pain. Sasuke slowly pulled off the small hand holding tightly onto this bicep and looked at her.
"I will take you home."
She didn't feel like spending the rest of the day with strangers staring at her bruising skin and followed him silently.
"I'll be back." He called out to the boys, now standing closeby.
"Yea, take care, Sakura-chan," Naruto said to her but kept his eyes narrowly focused on the young boy. Ueno did not return the next day.
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The drive was silent. She stayed quietly on the passenger side, watching the passing trees, and listening to the hum of his car.
"I told you. You should have heeded my warning."
She stayed quite on her side. Already flustered from bringing him into the situation. "Gomen." She peeked towards him. His white uniform shirt bunched at the elbows, his red jacket on her lap. It smelled like the cool pine forest tracing out from their backyard. Fresh ink patterns peeked below his shirt sleeve. "For bothering you I mean."
He shook his head lightly, face passive as ever.
"He was always so nice to me." She mumbled. "And I did hit him first. I should have kept my posture."
"What did he do?"
She blushed having to share the personal information but didn't lie. They never shared much between him; what little they had might as well be the truth. "Kissed another girl," she said.
They rested in silence for a while before he muttered, "Do not see him again."
She feels the stinging of her left cheek still and thought she had never planned to. "Hai." She looked back onto the trees, blazing past them once more. The world gone back into a peaceful silence.
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Though others might fail to see the separation right away, the Uchihas were not like the rest of them. They had lived here through the tribal periods. Samurais. Swordsmen. Ninjas. Separated through various periods of history and culture. But warriors always, through and through.
Today, they were just another variation of it. A strong clan bounded by loyalty and the grace of Indra. Fuelled by the intensity of quiet love and vengeful hate.
They lived furthest from the city, on the outskirts surrounded by nature. It was beautiful, graced with various sceneries of lakes and hills. The houses remained in their old styles, modernized only for convenience. Always surrounded by thick lush greens and bamboo roots. Wooden and peaceful.
Sakura loved this home; however cold and distant the people might have been. These were Uchiha lands. Rich with history and bloodshed. This is where her life tied to now.
Mikoto had a quiet obedient nature. Fugaku rarely spoke, a permanent frown etched into his face. Itachi was kind but distant. Sasuke was a brute. Possessive and jealous, even as a child. He let darkness consume him as easy as seasons changed.
But they had took her in. It made all the difference. It was her new home, though not a true one. So, she kept her head down and never complained. Never thought twice of who they were and what they did. Never disobeyed. Never asked too many questions. What her father must have done for them.
They followed their own unspoken set of rituals, as old families did. The dinners they ate in silence. The strict nature of curfews. Clothing. They were traditionalists, in whatever small ways. It did not come easy to her, this nature of theirs.
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"Sasuke should've kept closer to you. These snooty juniors will be thinking twice from now on," Naruto lightly slurred.
He had invited them to their short getaway. Sakura had mulled the decision over at least a hundred times over. The only reason she had resided on a yes was because he had invited Hinata along as an after thought. She had been sitting with her in the library. She did not want to deprive her friend of this.
"Do you want another drink?" He asked for the fifth time. She had to admit he was at least good company. His energy was vibrant, and Naruto told stories non-stop. He tended to overshare.
"No." Sasuke's voice cut through the music. "She's had enough."
Naruto turned sharply. "Mind your fucking business." He turned back to her. "I'm getting you another one." He touched her shoulder lightly before leaving. It was clear Naruto saw her unfailing social anxiety. She was too shy and meek to reach out to new people. Or atleast these types of people.
The woman across the table whispered into the boy's ears again as she had continued to do throughout the night. If Sasuke was listening, he made no move to reply to her. Sakura didn't even remember her name. Ami?
"Sasuke-kun, let's get out of here!"' the girl whined. He only looked away and continued to drink. She had smelled it on Naruto only seconds against; whatever it was it smelled as sharp as gasoline to her.
"Sakura-chan, your brother is so boring someti—"
"I'm not her brother," he cut in sharply. Ami stilled, her teasing smile fading.
"Oh. Sorry. I just thought—"
"It's alright," Sakura added politely. "We're like family. I grew up with his family." These were the conversations she looked to avoid.
"We're not related." He added bluntly. Ami apologized with a blush. She was a sweet girl.
"Sorry, Sakura-chan. He barely tells me anything!" she pouted.
"Don't take it personally, ne? Sasuke-kun does not like practising his vocal cords." Sakura smiled at her. Ami gently laughed before pulling closer into him.
He grabbed her hand and pushed her away lightly. "Go find your friend." His gaze was harsh.
"But—" Ami's smile faltered. "I thought we could—"
"Go." An order. She didn't need to be told twice.
The yacht had a been large. Not owned, as she had previously assumed, but rented for the night for the large number of young bodies celebrating their last year of school. Most of them remained inside, only a few people were enjoying the fresh breeze of the sea. She felt stiff sitting next to him. It wasn't awkward, they spent a lot of time in silence together. But this was a new atmosphere. Eventually they walked out for fresh air. There was something both warm and chilly about the night. Everything around them looked pitch black, all except the grand city lights far back. She was glad to have come if only for the new view. Maybe she should go out more.
It wasn't long before he left, walking out with Ami and away into their cabins. He called to her before he left, told her not to be up late. None of them needed to guess what they would be up to. No one else even really paid much attention.
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He's going to marry her someday. She is not some forced betrothal. It won't be arranged. His clan might even be against it. But he approves of her wholly. He chooses her as he chooses all things, strategically. It is a like a decision made in the back of his mind, something not quite formed into a sequence of thought yet.
She had been with their family since their childhood. Proved herself loyal and obedient. The circumstance of her addition not unusual, an oath to her dead father whose loyalty beheld the same reverence as their own men. She was hardworking and frugal, rarely spent her carefree allowance. She was respectful, loved his parents, loved his mother. She understood the ways of his family, the importance of his clan. Sakura would be a good choice.
It does not occur to him that she may not agree. He is 17 and selfish, a boy never denied anything in his life.
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He touched her sometimes. Not in the ways he touched other girls. Not yet. But she noticed the firm placement of his hand on her back guiding her. Or the light brush of his fingers as she passed him. The grip on her knee as he leaned over her in the car to get something.
She tried not to think of it.
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She blushed at his closeness, felt his chest press up against her back. His arms wrapped around her small frame.
"Look through that point," she felt his hot breath by her ear. His lips were so close to her skin. A hand slowly dropped to her stomach. "Tighten your stomach. It helps the stance."
Her fingers trembled. He closed his other hand around one, focused on the target. "Stay calm."
Don't feel like this. Don't.
But his body burned against hers.
"Do you want to learn to shoot?" He had asked her at breakfast.
"Shoot?"
He glanced up at her before resuming with the news. "A gun, Sakura." He quietly folded the news paper back and set it aside. "Learn it. You never know if you'll need it."
No boy had been so close in so long. Not since the incident at school anyhow. The dark cloud of him had been around her always. No one wanted the possibility of getting their head bashed in again.
His mother had scolded him, but Sakura saw the look of the clansmen change. They always approved thoroughly of his hostile natures. How lucky he was there, Shisui had said at a clan gathering.
17 and a virgin in every possible way, she did not feel lucky. Not that much could've happened even if she did have a suitor. Sasuke still picked her up every evening. Even if he had needed to return right back to the office these days.
"Shoot." She had barely heard him and fired without much thought. The bottle remained where it was.
He hummed with distaste. She felt the soft vibration of his chest.
Don't. He's like a brother.
He slowly shifted around her. Hands sliding down to hers. His head moved to the other side, he stood tall enclosing her in. "You're not watching the target. Stay Steady."
She needed to stop feeling like this.
"Sasuke-kun" she blurted out. She had no intentions before to bring this up, but it was a good distraction as any. "What do you do?"
"Hm?" she felt the hum from his chest again. "We're a weapons manufacturer. You know that." He pressed her hands tighter, perhaps trying to align the gun from his point of view.
"But… that's not all," she added quietly. "Is it?" He stilled. The tension sat in the air, thick. He didn't answer her. She didn't think he would.
"Focus on the target."
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They sat together for their first meal of the day. The family ate mostly in silence and peace. Mikoto took liberties to create small conversations, coaxing her silent boys into conversation. It was perhaps the one thing they all had in common in the room. Their love for her.
"Shisui's wedding is next week. Can't believe how big my boys have gotten," she cooed. His father hummed, in agreement or in disregard.
"Itachi has announced to court Izumi for the day. It would do well for Sasuke to bring along a guest as well." His father pitched. Mikoto shook her head.
"He'll have Sakura," The older women softly brushed the pink hair away from the girls' face. "Afterall, who is more beautiful than our Sakura." She smiled heartily at the young girl.
Sakura didn't miss the intense gaze from the corner of her eyes.
This is how they spend their early years. In quiet trepidation. Like a hot breath grazing the earlobe or a finger brushing the back of your arms too gently. They're close yet so far.
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He grew darker. A presence more ominous. But not here.
It was winter now, and they remained in their world inside the hum of his car.
"Indra did have a wife." It takes her a moment to register his words.
"Nani?"
"You asked once." She watches his eyes flicker towards the red dot of the temple again, the same spot she had viewed it from years before.
"Oh." She remembered that spring day. Remembered the childish thoughts that used to pass by. She looked at the temple again.
"How did he meet her?"
"She was a concubine of lowly birth. Given with good grace."
She looked towards his face again. For once, it was him that found her expression unreadable.
"What?" he pressed.
She gave him a soft smile. "Gods don't marry concubines of low birth."
That was true.
"Was there no more written of her?" He only shook his head, no.
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He called her every now and then these days. There weren't much to these calls and they never lasted more than a few minutes.
How is Kaa-san?
Good. She looks healthy. How are things there?
Good.
He had left shortly after her graduation. What exactly his role had become abroad was not clear to her. Mikoto had said he left for further studies, but theirs was a family always made of secrets.
You sound tired, Sasuke-kun.
It's late here.
It was morning here, but he was halfway around the world. He always called so early. Once she had heard another voice, calling him back to bed.
She still remembers the last bits of their conversations in their dining room. Itachi was not there. He was no longer welcome, having betrayed the clan with his new position in the police force.
Have you talked to your brother? I saw him last week.
Silence on the other end.
Don't mention him.
They're going to have a baby, Sasuke-kun.
More silence. There was never reasoning with him, though she knew he cared.
Anyway. I must get ready.
But he already knew that. He hadn't called at 5am carelessly.
Hn. Are they treating you well?
Yes, Sasuke-kun.
Do you need money?
No, Sasuke-kun.
ok. Tell me if you need anything.
Hai.
And on it repeated every couple weeks.
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The bed rattled in the dimness of midnight. The room in its' dark blue glow. Through the wall length glass, the city glowed bright for them outside the apartment.
"Sasuke-kun, slow down." He tried. He did. But there was another voice in his head. Soft, in a whisper.
He grabbed her hair in one hand and roughly pulled her up against him, her back against his chest. She moaned loud in the intensity.
"You're always too much." Her whimpering voice barely reached his ears. He continued thrusting recklessly into her. Cupping her body like a doll. Her voice drowned out his guttural moans. He felt like a wild animal. His mind seeking something so far away. The pounding was so loud. In his head. Of the bed. Both.
What was wrong with him?
The once long hair cut down below the chin. Her doll green eyes. What was wrong with him. His mother should have never sent that picture.
I'm tired of you. She had said last call. I'm tired of your anger.
It was all too much. He pushed the woman, beautiful, dark-haired and all soft skin, back down to the bed. Grabbed her hips tight and finished himself into her. She had her share of the fun a few times already tonight. She laid back, bare and satisfied. "You're not coming into bed, baby?"
He walked, bare naked towards the balcony. He needed to clear his head. "I'll be in a bit."
They'd been in Hong Kong for a couple weeks. He had already decided not to layover for home. Not yet. He put on his boxers and his robe and let in the cool night air. Cities like these were his favourite. Busy and loud. So big it could drown out your thoughts. The furthest thing from home.
He lit himself a smoke. Spent too much time with Nara, he scoffed.
He stayed there, watching and relaxed, until his phone went off.
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She woke up with a headache.
Ino-pig.
Why did she ever trust that girl?
Always got her too hammered, this time was the absolute worst. It was good she lived in the city now, the clan would not be watching her too closely. What time had she even come back? Had she cabbed back? She couldn't remember a thing.
Her eyes felt dry and tight. Perhaps puffy. She checked herself in the mirror. Her eyebags were swollen pink. The usual faint purple under the eye's corners more intense than usual.
Ino-Pig.
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"Sakura?" he whispered. Five years and she had never once called him first. He picked up hastily.
He waited for her to speak, but he could hear her well enough. Her sobs drowning the voices beside her.
"stop," a feminine voice said from far behind.
"No!" her voice shrieked. "He needs to know. He needs to know."
"Sakura! Don't!" a noisy rustling continued throughout the conversation.
"That bastard thinks he could do whatever he wants. He thinks—he'll get away with it."
He scowled; she was clearly complaining about him. He brought his cigarette-held hand to rub his throbbing temples.
"Sakura. Have you been drink—"
"If Sasuke-kun knew- Sasuke-kun knew- he would be dead," he heard her seething voice and stilled.
"He thinks he got away with it but—"
"Sakura, please, let go of the phone, now." The voices behind her begged.
"he hurt me," she screamed. She sobbed. "he hurt me, Ino, he hurt me, he hurt me, Kikoemasu ka—"
The line fell dead.
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She moisturized her body. It's ok. It's going to be okay.
Blank periods were not fun to remember.
She took her hair out of the towel. It was already the afternoon.
What would Mikoto think?
He's halfway around the world. I'll just call and explain.
Somehow, she didn't think "I was drunk, sorry" was going to cut it.
I'll just have some brunch and think it through.
She walked out from her room, into the open space of the small apartment.
But the sight halted her. His gaze was always so intense.
He lounged lazily across a chair, directly opposing her. The room held the faint smoke of his cigarette. He looked rumpled, the black shirt creased, as if he had been in it all night. He did wear it the whole night, she realized. He had come straight over.
"Sit." His gaze didn't leave her face.
Their dining table held some light breakfast. She obeyed quietly and stared at the food.
They sat in silence, but the scent of the smoke was starting to choke her. "Can you put that out. I don't like the smell."
He looked as if he was about to ignore her but moved to put it out on the tray. "Eat." He said, and she picked up a toast.
Her stomach churned with nerves. She barely tasted the bread in her mouth.
She pulled up her shoulders, "Sasuke-kun, last night," she gave a light laugh. "I was just so stupid drunk. I know, I was stupid, I was just…" but then she glanced up at his eyes.
His unyielding face.
"You know." She blanched. He only continued to stare. "How-how much do you know?"
He looked away and sipped his glass of water.
"Did you-did you watch it?" His eyes looked bleak, unfocused. "Why? Why—I'm—"
Her voice strained from the unreleased sobs. "I didn't think—I trusted him. I was so stupid." She slouched into her hands. "And he held it over me for so many years and I just let him. I'm so-I'm so stupid."
He put the glass down. "You have awful taste in men Sakura."
Her mouth opened before she thought twice, "I grew up with awful men."
He chuckled, amused. "True." He bore his eyes into hers again.
"Don't worry. He won't hurt you again."
The breath she held so tightly spilled out. And just as fast, her body couldn't control the relief of knowing for a fact that man would not hurt her again. Years she endured in silence. His emotional torture.
"You're coming back to clan grounds."
She stilled. "Sasuke-kun, I can't—"
"You've been given too much freedom."
"I have to be close to the hospital. The district is too far—"
"You should have thought of that before you dishonoured this family."
Her chest tightened. She looked away. "I didn't mean to. And I did my best to deal with it."
His face held an ugly scowl. "How do you think mother would've felt seeing you like that? Father? Wasting your time drinking in the city, spending it with strange men."
"You do the same." She mumbled.
"I wasn't stupid enough to make a video though, was I?" She stayed silent.
He got up. "Pack your things. I'll send a car soon."
She stayed sitting in her seat long after his departure. The scent of him still lingering. Her thoughts unable to grasp the mess she had brought onto herself. The surely irreparable damage done to a man whose name no longer mattered.
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"When are you leaving?" she asked in the car. Her hair pulled up the lose strands of her hair. She felt self-conscious suddenly, looking at the small mirror of her car.
He was a grown man now. Five year older than the last she had seen him. He had always been attractive without question. But there was just something so much more to powerful men who looked sinfully this good. Long ago she had felt the guilt for wanting him. A part of her wanting to see him the same as she saw Itachi. An older brother who looked out for her. But he wasn't. That role had only ever solely belonged to the oldest. That old guilt felt too deeply hidden now.
"You're staring." He said flatly. She blushed. "I'll stay for a little while."
"Will you go see Itachi?"
She watched the muscles of his jaw twitch. Such an oddly familiar sight.
"You won't go see your nephew?"
"Enough." He demanded.
"It's been years. Please. I'm tired of seeing your mother sad." I'm tired of you. I'm tired of your anger.
"He betrayed our clan."
"Is it so bad he fled from the disgusting bloodshed of this cla—"
"Do not," he seethed, "do not ever betray our family with those words again, Sakura."
"Your family, Sasuke-kun."
The car abruptly stopped. Her body jerked forward. The angry horns erupted around them. "Sasuke-kun!"
"That's right," he said in calm anger, "You made it clear you didn't want to be one of us, didn't you?"
Sakura felt the nauseous. "No, not right now—"
"We took care of you, gave you everything, yet—"
"That's not what I meant!"
"Then why, why, wouldn't you marry me?"
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.
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"I will marry Sakura."
The family sat around stunned.
"Sasuke," his mother started nervously. "I don't think that's appropriate."
She looked at Sakura. Her eyes never leaving her food. They waited quietly for the scene to unfold.
He resumed his eating after a deathly glare. "It makes the most sense. Sakura will get to stay in the family as an Uchiha. She's good and loyal. She's been with us since the beginning. She'll make a good wife. Why look elsewhere?"
Mikoto sought reason. "Sakura is already family," she added hesitantly. "Itachi calls her a sister—"
"Enough." He seethed. "Of this sibling non-sense. She's not related."
He gave her a one over, "But she could be." He took another bite before looking toward his father. "I thought it a logical choice."
Fugaku held his calm, as usual.
"No."
Sasuke stilled.
"Uchihas do not marry outsiders." Mikoto held a light gasp. No one notices Sakura's clenching hands.
"But Otou-san—" The older man raised a hand, stiffly but firm. He looked towards Sakura, no warmth in his expression. "That is not to say we do not care. Sakura will marry a worthy suitor when the time comes. That responsibility is my own."
A silence falls the small family before Sasuke looks began again, but he is cut shortly by the young girls' words.
"I don't want to get married." Sakura looked into Mikoto's eyes. The only mother she had ever known. "Ever."
Mikoto looked into her eyes with a warmth so unlikely for this clan.
She hesitated a moment before firmly adding, "I don't want to get married. I—I've thought about this for a long time. I want to go back to school."
"Back to school?" Mikoto repeated.
Sakura pushed away from the low table and placed her hands together for a bow. "I know request must be made in the main chamber, but, Fugaku-san, I would like your permission to continue my studies and enter graduate school."
Fugaku crossed his arms, his face in his permanent grimace.
"Alright, granted. But you must study within the city. You are not permitted to go abroad."
Sakura smiled. "I applied to the local Konoha Medical Institution. I got accepted last week. I—I want to be a surgeon."
Mikoto giggled. "You are impressive as always." She patted her head lightly and gave her a smile etched with an apology. They would ignore the words of the two men for now, both with their impeding arrogance.
Sakura gave a tight smile, refusing to look at the darkening man to her right.
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.
He watched her erotic face, gleaming in the deep blue of the night. Her mouth parted in soundless ecstasy.
It ran through his mind again. He couldn't contain his anger the first time he had watched that disgusting video. He should've gouged that man's eyes himself. Toru Akhimura. Sex tape. Tch.
But now he couldn't get it out of his head. Is this what he had become? This… this creepy version of a peeping tom? Replaying the scenes over and over in his mind?
No. He was worse.
He pulled the girls' hair down, arching her into him. He licked the mound of her breast and bit her chest lightly. He pushed her legs back till she was spread eagle and hammered down. He bent her over, left a bright red handprint on her left buttocks.
He recreated it. I'm an animal.
She giggled beneath him. "Yes, you are, Sasuke-kun,"
He hasn't meant to say it out loud. He didn't care. He brought his hand to her throat.
Did she really like it this rough?
He only remembered her as the quiet girl. Was she quiet, or did they just never talk? He remembered the obedient girl, caring for his mother, bowing to his father. Has he really known her past that façade? Did he want her more now? Or less?
Did she want him? He shook his head. Such pathetic thoughts.
"Harder Sasuke-kun, Harder. Oh." He slapped his hand over her mouth. This girl was ruining his fantasy.
He had never let her out of his sight back then. Never let her explore. Never let her past curfew.
And now she liked it rough.
She didn't know how much better he could've been. Stop it. She didn't know how much better he is. He should've taken every little bit of her back then. He should have bounded her to himself.
.
.
.
"Are you coming home?"
He smirked.
How silly. He felt like a cheating husband.
"Miss me?" he truly couldn't help himself anymore. She flustered on the other end. He felt it.
He stood on another balcony. Another woman he had rekindled with.
"Drowning yourself in another pussy, Sasuke-kun?" he stilled in shock for a moment.
"Crude words, Sakura."
"I have many more of them. If you'd like." He sat on the balcony chair. Bathing in the city lights again. "Where are you?"
"Hotel. Balcony. Looking into the city."
"Smoking." She replied. He lightly chuckled, looking at his lit cigarette. "Drinking." He peered at the bottles inside.
"And you?" He took a deep puff. "Back from the clinic?"
"Yes." Silence again. "It's unfair."
"Tell me." She tingled from the bass of his voice, so deep and light at once.
"You get to live care-free. I've experienced nothing. All because I'm a girl."
He almost didn't say it. "The video didn't look like nothing."
"Don't. Don't, not anymore."
He had expected more of a fight. He takes another slow puff. "Was he your first?"
"No."
"Who?" She's contemplating, he knows.
"It was at prom. Back seat of my car."
"The car I bought you,"
She blushed. "Yes."
He chuckled and rubbed his eyes in the irony of it. "I should've never let you out of my sight."
He could hear the smile in her words. "I would've ended up a twenty-three-year-old virgin," she muttered.
"Would you?" His tone suggestive. He pulled back. "Good. You wouldn't remained pure."
Her voice was hoarse when she asked, "Is that what you think of me?" she hesitated. "Dirty?"
He reflected on it only for a second. The traditional misogynistic upbringings of his family. He was a bit past that at least. "No. You could never be."
If it wasn't almost midnight. If it wasn't this bizarre, out of the ordinary conversation they held tonight. If it wasn't for the little bit of something more in his voice tonight, she would've never asked. "Then what do you think of me?"
Though taken aback by the question, he has an answer. "Intelligent. Kind." Beautiful. Stop.
She giggled. Softly, and he could barely hear it, but she did. What a lovely ringing sound.
"I already know what you think of me."
"Oh?" she teased.
"A brute. A monster. Something to fear." She inhaled a sharp breath then. Their spell almost broken, almost. It is only three minutes to midnight.
He heard her breathe his name.
"I don't care. I'll do it. I'll be the worst, if only to keep my clan together."
"I don't—"
"This is how it is. This is how it'll always be." Maybe he had one too many drinks. Maybe he should stop. "And even if you move away—"
'Even if you marry someone else—'
'You are my family. I would burn down this city down for you.'
She can't find the right words. He does not regret his.
.
.
.
"You would burn the city but not see your brother?" He wanted to laugh. He did laugh. It unsettled her.
"You opportunist." He teased. Another puff. "Naughty girl." His voice was too deep. Even far away, it vibrated in her chest.
"Go see the baby. Just once."
"Nothing comes free, Sakura."
"You've never asked for anything before." A gentle smile in her voice again.
"I did."
Silence. "Your bed-mate must be lovely. You should go back."
"They're always lovely." He pictured her again. Doll green eyes. "I never go back."
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.
.
His brother lived in a humble home in a quaint part of town. It was unlike anything he had ever seen.
"When I first came here, I thought of my first home." She whispered to him while they waited by the door. "How different life would've been, ne?" He brushed an eyelash from her face. She didn't flinch from the contact. Something between them had changed.
The door opened soon enough and there they are. Face to face after too long. His brother engulfed him in a hug, and he wanted to cry. But he didn't, he is no longer a wishful child. It took him a breath to raise his arms back.
He felt like a ghost, intruding into someone else's life. There were pictures all over the walls. Him too, so many of him.
They didn't bring his mother along. Sakura worried, he knows, that it will be a complete ruin and hurt his mother further. So caring. She did not need to worry. He did not even feel like himself today. He was someone else's brother. Someone else's uncle walking into this house.
The hallway inside was so tight he brushed fingers with Sakura for a second. Some part of him understood now, a part deep down.
Next time he would ask his brother why. Next time, he would yell and scream and blame the weight of the world on his brother.
But not today. Not while Sakura glowed and laughed with the only person she saw as a sibling. Not while Izumi brought their small plate of dessert, imperfectly made and altogether too sweet. Not while the small small human slept, breathing gently onto his chest.
He does forgive his brother. But he won't say that today.
He watched the serene face of his nephew. He had so many heavy thoughts. But not today.
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.
"You don't have to do that." She shuddered.
"Your stance is all wrong." He whispered into her ear. "You should've practised."
"I don't really like guns." She felt his sharp breath of air. Something was different about them. Something was different about him.
"You don't have to like it. Just learn to use it."
He runs his hands up and down her arms. "Relax."
She focused on how gentle those rough hands were. He was too close. His mouth was too close. His heat was too close.
"Just focus and relax." She was breathing heavily. Too heavily. He would notice. He did she realized, he noticed everything.
"Relax. Sakura." His nose touched her ear. His breath touched her neck. "Relax." And then she felt it. The soft brush of his lip on the tip of her ear. She couldn't suppress the light breathy sound, the soft moan.
It had been years.
"Shh," he hushed into her ears. His fingers ran the softest circles on her hands. "Keep your eyes on the target." She fought to keep her eyes open and steady. She gripped the gun tighter. He ran hands down the inside of her arms, to below her breasts. Tightly feeling the gentle curve of the sides. "Keep your body tight." He whispered onto her other ear.
He pressed his lips to the back of her neck. "Keep your eyes focused, Sakura." He moved his lips down slow, pressing butterfly kisses to the small top of her back. And when he kissed the middle of her back, a point so achingly sensitive, she sighed too loudly.
He brought a single had slowly to a breast, dug his face into the scent of her hair, gripped her body closer into his. Her moans were coming out in pants. "Sasuke-kun,"
"Focus," he breathed into her neck. Kissed all the right places, scraped the soft skin with his teeth. Pulled the straps of her dress achingly lower. She felt the need between legs, forcing her to squeeze them together. "Sasuke-kun, onegai,"
His one hand reached for the gun in her grip and placed it aside. His other gently grabbed her hair and pulled her head back and watched the heavy panting of her chest. He felt a hard nipple under the thin dress. Circled it softly.
"Someone might see, Sasuke-kun,"
He uttered his words so deliciously dangerous, "Isn't that what you like." His mouth teasingly hovered over her skin, breathy. "All the things you wanted to try."
"I—I can't. I can't." He pulled the straps of her dress back up gently, scraped his teeth against her skin one last time, and moved away. He took his time.
She feels herself in her bathroom. The wet between her thighs soaking her underwear. The ache is too good too pass. She pressed into the nub of her clit and came too fast, too hard. She imagined his hands again, on her nipple, his lips on her back.
She doesn't want to encourage him again. She wants to slip into his room at night and ride him till sunrise.
She won't complicate their barely existent relationship. She wants to have all he suppressed her from.
Breakfast is a tough ordeal. With glances quickly shifting between. They don't speak of it. His mother sits between, chattering with no notice to the changes.
He touches her. Not like she wants. Fingers that brush her skin in passing. While passing the salt. While passing the paper. While passing right by. A soft graze, like a butterfly kiss.
Wordlessly, he grazes her thigh while dropping her off to the clinic.
He watches her intently while passing by with clan members. Watches her garden in the soaking sun, her hair aglow in the light, skin gently tanned.
He watches her drying her hair with the towel, eyes set on the setting sun.
He watches her. And neither can deny it anymore. The lingering air of want.
There is a fear in her when they are alone. It's unavoidable, sharing the same house.
She is not afraid of him. She is afraid of desire; all the things desire makes you forget.
She stirred the pot of tomato stew. Placed the freshly chopped green onions into the center.
"I hope you like it. I'm not the greatest cook."
He hums, nonchalant, sitting on the chabudai in the kitchen. She turned to give him a quick smile. Her eyes couldn't stare for too long.
"Where is everyone?"
"At your uncle's. They went in for a visit."
"You didn't want to go?"
"I thought I would be late at the clinic." She opens the pot of rice, ladles in into separate bowls.
"So, there's no one else here." She almost drops the bowl of soup at his words but makes doesn't form a reply.
Dinner isn't quiet, but it brews more loudly in the unsaid words. Just being near has become difficult. Being thoroughly alone was much worse. They barely eat.
Much later, sitting together outside in the summer cool, he gives in momentarily. Touches inside of her thigh, the softness of her throat. Kisses the line of her jaw and tastes, finally, the swell of her mouth.
She hastily gives in too.
.
.
.
It is a very quiet affair, but an affair still. It makes her head spin. The things they had begun to do right under the nose of the clan head.
He had sucked her nipple once, in the middle of an open hallway. Found creative ways to corner her in their home. Always tasting but never taking it too far.
It was only a matter of time, he knew. He would prolong it. Smell her, feel her, touch her. He would make her beg.
All a matter of time, he thought.
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.
.
"Come, meet me."
She took off her scrubs, leaving him on speaker. "Paris seems a bit far for a quick stop."
He lies in bed lazily in another side of the world. "Then don't make it quick."
"I can't drop everything at your whim."
"Yes, you can."
"I have work."
"I can resolve that."
She sighs. Always the arrogance.
"Nothing comes free." She hears the light chuckle. Relishes in it. It makes her skin tingle.
"What does Sakura want?" he asks with a low voice.
"I want to move back in with Ino."
"No." There's no lingering tease anymore. "You're not leaving clan grounds."
"Sasuke-kun, it's just so inconvenient." She whines. "It takes an hour just to drive up there."
"You have a driver—"
"Still. It's just such a waste. It's only a little longer."
"Sakura—"
"And I'm so tired, I barely get enough sleep with school and shifts as it is."
Silence.
"Alright. I'll talk to father."
It makes her smile glow.
"And you'll come to Paris." She rolled her eyes.
"I can't leave the city, you know that."
There is something more to his voice as he says, "Rules change."
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.
In the middle of another winter, a chill hits their home.
His mother, caught in the crossfires of a long ensuing clan war, passes a sudden and tragic death. A young Hyuuga boy, barely of age, had made the mistake of taking what he thought as a lucky shot in the busy streets of the city.
Retribution must be paid.
She had not even gotten to see her family together once. Itachi had been allowed to the funeral, though his wife and child were no where to be seen. The brothers did not speak while side-by-side. It is then Sakura notices, an unrecognizable hardened gaze on the boy she had come to love.
A cloud hung over the head branch of the family. A sickening twist of darkness. With his father getting older and Itachi defecting, there is only one thing to be done. The clan, already, in the bleakness of the day, looked towards the man who will soon lead them.
Retribution must be paid.
He would not hold back, they all knew.
Some lingered in anticipation, some sheltered in fear. Konoha would know a new day.
Soon after, Itachi moved away; far from all that showered this clan. It was for the best.
What is normally regarded a celebratory procession is glum from the recent passing of his mother. The sky is cloudy, dark grey clouds, a storm in the horizon.
He bows in front of the clan and then in front of God. She watches from the side lines, as all others do, as he steps up the stairs and sits in front of the grand statue, marked by history and their clan. An ancient depiction of Indra envelops his figure. A thunders rages in the distance. Flash of lightning encloses them.
Naruto stands beside her, as all other clan heads and friends do. There is something in his expression she is missing today. Something she can't read; unusual.
The Hyuugas do not show.
The ceremony is as formal as the tradition is old. He brings a cup of sake to his lips. They bow to him.
She bows to him too, her new head. When she raises her head up, he meets her eyes briefly. It is unsettling, the distance, the gaze, the new relation.
She drifts her eyes to Indra.
What had his concubine wife done when he fell too far into the dark?
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She gently unfolds her hair from all the clips. It curls around her shoulders, having gotten so long already. It looks lovely but does not seem practical during her residency. She will make plans to cut it off again.
She moves the top layer of her heavy kimono, but a knock at the door stops her. "Sakura-san, may I enter?" Ayame's soft voice cuts in.
"Yes, of course." She smiles when she sees her. "I'm glad, it's actually difficult, taking all this off myself—"
"Actually," Ayame had a nervous look. "Sasuke-sama is requesting you."
At this hour?
"Okay, I'll change first."
"He said it was immediate." Sakura stills then nods, following the girl. She notices the tray of teapot and the two cups but says nothing.
Ayame shifts about nervously in front of the door. She doesn't bring her to a public space, or even his room. The passage, she knows, leads to one of the guest housings, normally empty. Sakura enters first and sees him stand by the open door of the room, opposite herself. It does not lead anywhere particular, she knows. Only a thick and bushy forest behind the house. A sudden steep drop if one was not careful.
The room had minimal furniture. A futon was set up. Some low tables full of food surrounded it. Dinner set, fruits. Ayame placed the tray on one of the tables as well and left with a short bow.
"This seems all rather formal," she added once the door behind her closed. "You're really adjusting to the role eh? Sasuke-kun?"
He turned to look at her. His expression passive.
"This is a bit inappropriate, so late at night. I think Ayame might have overthought it." She giggled.
He lowered his chin lightly, gaze never leaving hers. His dark gaze made her uneasy.
"What's wrong?" she asked softly. She leaned in closer. "Is it about your mother?" Mikoto's passing had left them all in shock.
Her funeral had been a blur. Sakura had wailed, did not even remember whose arms had enclosed around her. She remembered the stoic grim expressions of her Uchihas, who did so well to hide the depth of their emotions.
She found herself in front of him now, a hand lightly on the top of his yukata. "I miss her so much."
She looked in his eyes, her own beginning to get glassy. "She would've been so proud of you today." She smiles at him, cupping his face. God, he was always so rigid. It settles in her chest for the first time how much affection she held for him. Every deed she had done for him, in need of his approval in her girlish faze.
But then she falters.
The red catches the corner of her eye and she looks at it, looks at it properly for once. The color of the bedding. The silk red cover of the futon, dark as blood and lined with beautiful patterns of gold. Her breath catches in her throat. She knows what this is.
She backs away from him. "What is this?" Her voice shakes as she asks anyway. He only furrows his brows and stalks towards her at the same pace.
"Sasuke-kun," she panics when realization sets in.
This is a familiar tradition, not one rooted only to their clan. But one well known. This is why Ayame had looked nervous. He had asked her to set up a consummation chamber.
"Have you lost your mind?"
"It is time for you to know your place." He encloses her in front of the door. "No more running from this."
"Sasuke!" she hissed, angry. "I don't—what is going through your head!?"
"Speak. Respectfully." His voice remains stern but not cruel. He begins to undress slowly. "Your loyalty ties to this clan. I am your Head now. Oyabun."
She should have noticed earlier. He was not sad. The look of man who had almost conquered all. Un-satiated fully, knowing his will had not fully formed all that he wanted.
"Bow to me." But she remained stiff, her back to the door, front to this unyielding man, gripping the side of her kimono tight.
His robe dropped to the floor.
"You will not bow?" He cupped her neck gently, turning her head to lick at the curve of her neck. "Perhaps you are correct. A wife should not bow."
"This is very sudden," she whispered against his mouth. "Please, give me more time—"
"I did." His eyes bore into her. "This clan has allowed you all your freedoms."
He kissed above her pulse-point and undressed the top layer of her silks roughly. "It is time for you to pay it back. With your full loyalty."
"But," Sakura's eyes blinked with confusion. "We're not even married yet. For-For this."
He led her towards their futon. "All in due time."
He placed her gently on her knees, facing away. "A God does not marry a low born concubine." He rode his arms slow against her hips. "He marries a worthy one." Pressed his face in the crook of her neck, taking in the scent of her hair. "Indra married the woman of faith and loyalty." He pulled down the layers of her cloth slowly. "He married the woman he entrusted beside him, for everything."
He pulled down the last bits of her garment. She shivered against him, her nipples free and cold.
"Tonight, I am Oyabun."
She felt his tip gently press against slick wetness as his arms bound her closer to him. "Tonight, I take you as a wife."
"Don't worry," he whispered in her hair, his hardened length pressed in slow as she moaned soft, his hands crossing around her face. "I know how you like it." She felt his widening smirk against her cheek.
As he moved inside her, slow and tired now,
their gaze lazily watching one another in the low light,
their lips apart and moving with the same breath,
she knew she loved him. And when he came into her, by himself this last time, lowered himself and sunk into her embrace, she knew he sought a comfort so pure it made her chest clench.
Because soon when she's gone, she knows it will break him further still. He was a dangerous man now, and dangerous men always caused pain.
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She is 28 and the responsibilities pile up. There is always a shift to cover. She has changed her name and moved away from the city. Her abnormal pink hair now sits shorts by her chin, blonde.
The shift had ended almost an hour ago. The route to her apartment was not so far but it took time to shower and change. She didn't want to be bringing back any sicknesses home.
Shoot, I forgot to get the file back to Shizune.
She walked around the corner, past the convenience store. Old lady Aya waved to her, her son sweeping the floor in the late hours. The same night routines for the past year.
"Come take some leftover, Kiyoko," The blonde girl smiled back and missed the line of black SUVs, unusual at this hour, lined up nearby.
"Tomorrow! I'm late getting home today. Nana is going to kill me," she laughed lightly.
I'll worry about the file in the morning. Mr. Mizuki is admitted until Saturday—No, Sunday.
She keyed into the complex and pressed the 4th floor.
He was getting better until yesterday. Might need to do another set of tests, just to be sure.
She walked down and around the corner, a cozy apartment, well decorated by this point.
The lights were already off. "Nana?" she whispered. Did she fall asleep?
"What's that smell? Ugh. Nana must've opened the windows for too long again." She whispered to no one. She didn't bother turning the lights on again, dim moonlight shone through enough. The crib was placed by the window, perhaps not the best placement but it was a good corner space for the big bed.
"How's my little baby?" she cooed in a whisper. The two-year-old slept peacefully in her navy-blue jammies and tiny white socks. Her mouth still held the pacifier, she slept easier with it.
"Did you kick your blankie off again?" Sakura placed the light blanket back over the tiny body and lightly patted her back.
Sakura crossed her hands over the side of the crib and sat by with her head on it, watching the tiny human. "You're so cute, I could eat your tiny little feet."
She brushed the soft black strands, "I missed you. You look more and more like your papa everyday." She giggled to herself, bittersweet. Content watching her young daughter.
"She does, doesn't she?" a voice rang from the shadows.
Sakura buckled the crib in shock, awaking the young Sarada's cries from the sudden wake. No.
She panicked to find the light switch, not remembering in her haste where it was. She didn't need to wait long, the side lamp from the other side flickered on.
She watched his amused face, his body slouched on the old green couch.
"The smell was my smoke. Sorry." He nodded to the tray with the lit-out cigarette. "I hadn't expected a baby here."
"She's not yours." Sakura said quickly. It hadn't sounded believable to her own ears.
He grinned. He was terrifying, more so in this situation. "Oh?" He didn't believe her either. "Sarada." His expression hardened. "Lovely name." Sarada began to quiet down.
"She's a good baby. Uchihas always are." He took a sip of his drink; she only just noticed it in his hand. "Not fond your new hair." He grimaced at the blonde.
"How did you find me?"
He looked visibly upset, "I should have known you'd go to Itachi first. He died."
Sakura felt the looming sadness. "How?" But he didn't answer.
"How long have you been here?" She panicked. "Where's Nana?"
"She left. Don't worry, she's fine" he waved his hand in a brush. "Good nanny but scares easy. That's the thing about strangers. They don't care like your own." He glared at her. "My child, possibly harmed because you trusted others recklessly."
"She was fine! I've done this for 2 years."
"Someone could have knocked down this door and taken her any second."
"No one does that, Sasuke-kun."
"You are a not aware of the misgivings of this world. I sheltered you too much. Do you know how I cut down that first man you asked me to kill?"
She tensed, "I never asked you to do that."
He smiled, took another sip. "You relished in it all the same." He voice was low. "It's ok. I am the monster. Let me be what I am."
She tensed when he stood. Walked closer. She stood more firmly between him and the crib. He only kept his eyes on her. Her hands shook.
"Oyabun," she shuddered. "Please." Her stomach tightened. "Please don't."
"Shh," he hushed her gently, brought his mouth above hers.
"How many times did I cum in this mouth," he smirked against her lips, kissed her closed mouth and then more fervently when she did not reciprocate. She tasted her cheap rice wine on his mouth. Her lips trembled. When he had enough, he pulled back, kept a tighter grip on her.
"Take her." He said loud and cold. Sakura screamed bloody murder. The door burst open as men flooded the apartment. One gently took the now crying baby. A few others grabbed her and held tight. She put all her strength to pushing them away with no avail.
"Please!" she screamed. "I'll do anything! Please don't take her. Please! I'll be with the clan! I'll stay! I'll stay!"
Sasuke took the baby in his arms and gently rocked her to soothe, shushing her softly. She watched him kiss the top of her head, placing her on his chest.
"You betrayed me the night you ran away." He looked at her. "You were a good mother, as I expected. But your loyalty means nothing anymore. My daughter will stay with me. You have your freedom at this price."
"No!" she sobbed. "Sasuke-kun, I don't want it. I just want her please!" He began to walk away.
"You don't know what she likes. What she eats! I beg you, just let me take care of her. She needs her blanket! She doesn't sleep without it, please!"
But she could only watch, powerless. Always powerless.
What did Indras' concubine do? to rise to such divination? What did it take?
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.
10 years later, a young girl walked into a busy mall with her young blonde friend.
Down the street, Senju International Hospital welcomed a new surgeon in the city of Oto.
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.
.
"Have you had these before?" the Doctor asked her.
"Well, it started this year. I just get random fevers, but it doesn't get much worse."
"Hmm," The doctor took notes down on the pad. "I'll book you in for a few tests before—"
"Ano," the 12-year-old looked nervous, "It's really not that serious. Could you, maybe, just write a note that it's nothing?"
"A note?" the woman blinked. "Sarada, if you're having issues you should get it checked out."
"It's not really that bad." Sarada insisted. "It's just, Papa takes it too seriously,"
"Is that so?" the woman smiled softly, "He must be so worried."
"He's too worried all the time! I had to beg a hundred times before I could even get a puppy!"
The doctor laughed and made a face, "Sounds like a stingy man" she leaned in and whispered. Sarada giggled.
"I wish someone would say it to his face for once."
"If I ever see him, I promise I will." they both giggled.
"Ano… Doctor Senju?" Sarada looked curious but didn't want to be rude, "Is your hair colour natural?"
Sakura gleamed, "As natural as the day I was born."
"It's really pretty!"
"How was it?"
"Good, shishou. She's beautiful. And happy. It's more than enough."
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.
"If you're here for the report, I need another day," Sakura kept at her screen. The newcomer shut the door, a little too loudly for a normal day. Sakura peaked up and stilled.
"You thought I wouldn't know?" His face blazed with anger.
"Sasuke-kun." she said softly.
"You thought you could come this close to my daughter and I wouldn't know?"
Sakura faced remained steady. "No. I made no assumption of the sort."
"Sakura Senju, is it now?" he seethed.
"Doctor, Sasuke-kun. It's Doctor Sakura Senju." She gave him a tight smile. "I know you're not big on manners but you're in my office. Surely, that dictates a level of respect here." He brought a fist down on her table.
"Don't come near her again. Or you haven't seen the worst of me still." She smiled again, tight-lipped.
She rose from her chair slowly. "You'll what? You'll murder her mother? Hm?" She walked around to him; he watched her move in her tight pencil skirt. Her hair long and wavy again. Pushed her reading glasses up to her head.
She stood in front him, eyes blazing on. "You're scared."
He swiftly grabbed her by her throat and pushed her back onto the desk. Her glasses fell and broke. His weight overpowered her. "You think you have a fancy title and some networks and now you're as powerful as I am? You can't imagine what I could do to you."
She does the one thing he does not expect. The one wildly outrageous thing he would have never expected of her before. She leans into his hovering face, stares into his eyes, and gives a soft teasing moan.
His body freezes in the subtle shock.
"Do it again, Sasuke-kun," she whispered. She leaned towards one ear, "I like it."
He lets go of her immediately and backs up. "Oh?" he seethes. "Is this your new look? A whore?"
The smile leaves her face gently. She is not thrown off. She brushes herself off the desk and takes the steps towards him.
"Is that what it says on the door? I firmly told them to put 'Head of Pediatric Surgery'."
"So fucking proud of yourself, aren't you? If only you had as much conviction for family."
She laughed. "Conviction for family? That's how you see yourself? You ripped a daughter of a mother. Family." She seethes.
He placed his hands in his pocket and stood firm, looking down at her. "It is your fault. For your be—"
"Betrayal. For my betrayal. Yes. Yes. I know. God, you are so predictable." She looks at him coyly. "but I must say Sasuke-kun, there is one thing I learned from you. I'll do anything to protect what's mine." She looked up at him haughtily.
"Anything? Is that what this charade is?" he gazed at her with amusement. "You want to seduce your way to my daughter?"
She giggled and moved closer. "Seduce you." She glanced down knowing his eyes followed her. "Suck you." She moved closer, a hand softly brushing his mouth while watching, another gently moving down his abdomen. She gazed back at him, his body giving away nothing so far. "Murder you while you sleep."
And just as quickly he grabbed her hair and pulled her face up in anger. She watched his jaw tighten. "So angry, So quick."
"You're a bit late for your plans," he glared at her before smirking, "I'm an engaged man." Just then he felt her hand on his already hardened cock.
"Congratulations." She whispered so softly and coyly against his lips, he heard it ringing in his heard four hours later.
She giggled and pushed him off gently; he reluctantly let her go.
"I'm a busy woman. Make an appointment next time, Anata." she shifted back into her seat and looked back at her work. "Ugh, my glasses." She whispered looking at the broken shards on her desk.
"Don't get too comfortable. I'll be watching you." He said to her coolly. He walked away, done with their annoying interaction.
"Oh, and Sasuke-kun?" she called sweetly. He even half turned. "You were right. I do like it rough." He scowled at her ringing laugh.
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"What's up boss?"
"Hm?" Sasuke looked up at the white-haired man, sitting beside the driver.
"You've got a weird look on your face. You look like you won the lottery and you're gonna use it to plan murder."
Sasuke scowled. "Don't be so informal."
"I don't think I've seen that one on you before."
Suigetsu had pulled him out of his thoughts. They were heading towards the main street plaza. He scowled again at having thought about that woman again.
Why did she look so young still? Her face had looked unblemished, no wrinkles in sight, though her eyes had light bags. She must be working late nights. Head of Pediatric Surgery.
Stop thinking about her eyes. But the gleam they held. And the grip she had on his—
Stop.
Murder you in your sleep. His cock twitched again. God, he was a sick man.
But Uchiha Sasuke loved a good challenge. Perhaps Indra had bought him one wrapped in his favourite color.
He smirked. He felt the excitement in the air.
.
.
.
He saw her now and then. Though they hardly spoke. They bantered more like.
She had been right. He was afraid. Afraid she would take away his family, his daughter. Punish him as he so long deserved.
But she hadn't ruined it.
Months. Months she was at that hospital.
He saw her at the Gala in May. Long hair and black dress. Arriving with the legendary Senju herself.
He couldn't help staring the curve of her back, so much more aware of her eyes on his, the smirk on her face so fucking cocky.
"Why do you look like at?" he reluctantly asked. Alone in the corridors like he shouldn't have been, talking to an almost wife like he shouldn't have done.
Her smile had been slow and wicked, and so very close to his face. "That's my secret."
"You've aged Sasuke-kun," she teased. "A man almost 50." She leaned back on the balcony, arms lazily on the concrete, head tossed back and taking in the pleasure of the cold air, neck pulled away from him. He knew she did it purposely, but he watched the curve of her neck still.
Her gaze smoldered into his again, "But you aged like fine whiskey." He rolled his eyes and looked away, stepped to the side to watch the view.
"Not appropriate to flirt with engaged men." He mumbled half-hearted.
"Not even when they were yours first?" the tease never leaves her these days.
He doesn't bother her with a reply.
Finally, having had enough, she raises herself and parts with a melodic Goodnight, Sasuke-kun. He doesn't reply again, he'll see her soon enough.
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Haruno Sakura keeps important company. No, Senju Sakura. No, his mind battles again, he doesn't accept this ridiculous change.
She watches him from across a few tables from the country club, sipping on her little cocktails. He watches her like a hawk, though it doesn't intimidate her like intended.
She sits beside politicians and actresses. Well-known people, only the most exclusive in this part of the city.
She watches her daughter play tennis far across the pool and smiles gently.
She plays with her phone now and then.
And when no ones looking, she looks at him with a hard gaze. Sometimes its difficult to look away. Sometimes she looks in anger, sometimes she looks with something so much more.
He'll keep up with this tug and pull for a while, until he knows what she wants. Until he knows what he wants. She sips at her drink and waves at her daughter who only knows her as a doctor still. He watches the movement of her neck one last time and looks away to the woman beside him.
"Doctor Senju?" the young girl called out to her in the lobby. When the woman turned, she was engulfed in a tight hug. "I didn't know you'd be here today!"
Sakura held the largest grin and reluctantly pulled back from Sarada. She pushed a strand of hair away from her eyes. "I was just brunching with a friend. I would have said hi, but you looked busy."
Sarada rolled her eyes like the young teen she was. "You should always say hi! Papa was here too; you should've met him! I think he likes you."
Sakura could have laughed. "Oh really?"
"He literally never stops staring." She pondered for a second. "It's almost a little pathetic." Sakura did laugh this time. She supposed a daughter would always find their dad embarrassing.
"Honestly," she leaned into whisper, "I like you so much better than this new one. They're always swooning at him. Ugh." She made a disgusted face. "It's so lame."
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"Sakura," He rushed beside her. She gave him one glace and looked away in exasperation.
"Sasuke-kun, I know you think my full-time job is plotting but it's actually my career at this hospital. Please stop constantly being here."
"You're her mother. You should always have time."
"Oh so now I'm her mother? When she doesn't want to talk to you?"
She looked walked down the hallway in quick steps. He followed close behind. "She told you that?" he narrowed his eyes.
She looked up at him before gliding back through a door, "That's our mother-daughter secret." She smiled sweetly. He followed her.
"She doesn't know you're her mother. So, to her you are just a doctor. As a doctor, it is within your right to tell her guardian your concerns."
She shrugged, "I don't have any concerns."
"She's—" he seethed, "she's seeing that loser's son and you don't have a concern. You know the idiot got that Hyuuga girl pregnant before their wedding."
Sakura blinked twice. "So did you?"
Sasuke looked exasperated, as much as was possible from this man. "What? I have never—"
"No." Sakura blanched. "With me." She pointed at herself to exaggerate. "You got me pregnant?"
"That's different."
"That's diff—Oh because you declared me a wife. Right." She rolled her eyes. ". That changed everything." He ignored her.
"You should be worried."
"They're 12." She looked back at her charts and wrote down notes. "As her doctor, I advise you to stop being a nosy father and give her space."
"I want to know what she tells you. Every single conversation."
"Has she had her period yet?"
He stills, "what?"
She looked up. "I just want to know how her health is coming along. She's 12, has she had her period?" Sasuke almost fidgeted.
"I don't know."
"You don't know." She repeated blankly.
"She's not going to tell me that. Her caretaker would know."
"Her caretaker would know." She repeated blankly again with a look.
"What?" he put his hands on his hips and narrowed his eyes.
She pulled out his arm and placed a pen on his hand. He gave her a confused look.
"An award." She walked out the door. "For being father of the year." He rolled his eyes. This woman was no help.
.
.
.
"Sasuke-kun, what are you doing?" she peaked at him over his large newspaper. He scowled at her.
"Mind your business for once." He leaned over back to watch the young kids in the distance outside the coffee shop. Sakura followed his gaze and it took her a minute to find where he was staring so intently.
"Are you spying?" Sakura gaped at him. "Uchiha Sasuke, have you lost your mind?"
"Sit down and be quiet." He seethed at her.
She tossed her bag on the second chair and pulled one up next to him. She tried to adjust her sunhat to cover her pink hair. "She's 12! What do you think you're going to find!?"
"I don't trust them."
She grimaced at him. "They're 12, they're not going to have s—"
"No." he seethed again towards her. He looked towards a black SUV and Sakura recognized one of the members.
"You don't trust the Hyuugas." She looked at him silently.
"Naruto's wedding must have been painful to attend." She added.
"I didn't go."
"You didn't—" she stared at him. She could already hear his voice. Betrayel.
"Hinata was my friend. I wish I had been there." They sit then awkwardly, unwilling to take the next step to jump into the painful past.
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.
.
It had almost been good enough. Whatever this was. Watching Sarada remain happy and energetic, without the pain of knowing the difficulties of her parent's past.
Teasing him from afar, even if he kept his engagement intact.
There was a comfort in the unspoken; like a semblance of moving on.
It would end, they both had known. And it had ended with a call.
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Sarada watched her father curiously, only able to see the side of his profile. The only people in this section of the flight was them: Naruto-oji, Boruto who snored beside her, and most curious of all, her doctor who she knew sat in the seat in front of her.
Now and then, she watched her father's face flicker towards that seat.
The flight was 10 hours in total and half of it had been spent like this.
They were heading back to Konoha. She had never been to the clan grounds her whole life and was excited in a way to see the place her father grew up. To visit her cousin, to see her uncle's grave for once.
Even if the marked occasion was gloomy. She was sad to know her grandfather had passed so suddenly. He had always been kind and loving; she felt guilty knowing she hadn't thought much about him this past year. She had been to happy in her own little world.
With Boruto, Chocho, and even her dad had seemed in better spirits. And she had Miss Senju for the first time, who she felt like she could talk to about anything.
But it was still odd. Why was her doctor on the flight? It seemed a bit extreme to have her own personal doctor, like there was something wrong with her.
Should she ask? Would that be rude?
Maybe she would ask her dad in private later. But she didn't want to bother him with a miniscule thing at a time like this.
But then she saw it again, the way he titled his head from his magazine and looked across at her.
Were they seeing each other now? But he was still engaged.
She almost gasped, were they cheating!?
No. She shook her head. Her father was not capable of that. And neither is Sakura-san, her mind pushed.
No, there was more to this, and she would definitely find out.
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"You never asked me how I found you." Sakura whispered to him. The rain poured and hid their words from those further away, paying respecting towards the coffin.
He narrowed his eyes and leaned towards her, silently telling her to continue.
"I never did." She watched his face from beside. "I never found you. You were just… better at hiding. Shifting away every time I got close."
He tiled his head, his eyes flickered between her doll green ones. Silently curious now.
"I went to see your father instead. I knew he was still in the grounds." There were so much between them now, waiting to pour out. "I thought, okay, he might hurt me, but maybe he also saw me as a daughter. Just once, some time ago. Maybe he would help me."
He almost wanted to pull her closer, her eyes glazing with unshed tears.
"And when he saw me, he just yelled at me." The sobs burst through her quietly. He squeezed her arm gently, and only watched her with burrowed brows.
"He yelled because why didn't I come home sooner. He yelled that I had been such a terrible daughter, not coming straight to his door." She laughed lightly with her sobs.
"I was so scared they had never wanted me there. Just a burden from an old oath. Always." Her voice cracked and he pulled her sharply against his body, not caring who watched as she sobbed into his black yukata.
"He wasn't alone. I took take of him as long as I could before I came to find you. I want you to know that. I didn't leave my family." She sobbed harder. "I want you to know that."
He knew Sarada watched them quietly from the corner. He knew she wondered why no one else in this room found this odd or looked twice at them.
"They never told you. No one here did. They let me back." She clutched his shirt so tightly. "Father introduced me to Tsunade sensei years back. He told me where you were." She pulled back to look at him, "With only one condition, that I would never take Sarada apart from you. No matter how much you deserved it."
"He said you were a good father, better than he ever had been." She watched the stillness in him, watched his mouth part and his eyes glaze like hers. Knew how much this meant to him. "He said he was so proud of you. Raising a daughter who would never think she couldn't get your help. Raising a family like he could never learn to." He watched him swallow tightly.
They clutched each other again, holding tighter than before. Safer in the arms they belonged in.
"Sometimes," she whispered, "I wish we could go back. To being in your car, driving home knowing Mother made a good meal. Watching the setting sun on the drive from school. Asking you silly questions you barely replied to. Passing the lake, the temple, Hinata, Ino, loving you, loving you, loving you."
He parted from her slowly and she looked at him, in quick hurt, before he took her hand. "Then let's go." He whispered.
Her face stilled in confusion. Where? Her eyes didn't leave his. "Where you wish to be." He pulled her along slowly. "The kids will be alright."
She let him bring her to the car, place her gently inside the passenger seat, and before long there it was again, the beauty of the lake; except she was on the other end. This time leaving the temple.
She could see the road in the distance, the one they always took. The memories flushed inside her. Giggling, smiling, looking at him—
She looked at him now—
Yearning.
It was autumn; orange leaves continued to fall around them; most were already on the ground. She felt happy. She felt so so happy.
She listened to the hum of the car and watched the world around her in silence for a long time.
"He never married her." Sasuke whispered.
"Hm?"
"Indra. He never married his low-born concubine." That story had been so far long in her mind.
It felt surreal to bring it out now. "What happened to her?"
"He left her. You said it, a God could not marry a woman like her. But he did love her."
"How would you know this?" she asked softly.
"Underneath the house, there is an enclosed basement. Only a few of us knows it exists. There's records of all kinds."
When she doesn't reply, he continues, "He married a woman of great influence and power. But he loved Tsubaki, went to her after every battle—"
"Tsubaki." Sakura repeated astonished.
"Loved her fervently as close as he could. But his wife didn't like their intimacy, though she only ever kept him company. Tsubaki endured all insult and hardship to stay with him. Took care of his home like her own. So soon after he was gone again, his wife poisoned her. She died alone."
"That's—really sad." She whispered, but Sasuke smiled gently.
"Indra ordered his men to build her a house of worship and bury her under, but soon he worried the tomb may be desecrated, so he placed a giant statue above it and declared it his own house of worship. A place she would remain protected by him always."
Sakura almost gasped, "The temple of Indra?"
She took that all in before asking, "Why did you lie to me?"
"It made a happier ending. You liked happy things." He hesitated. "I thought marriage would have made you happy."
She wanted to laugh and cry, how ridiculously childish he was sometimes. "I don't need you to protect me from unhappy things."
"I know."
They remained in their silence again. Her chest lighter from the shed tears.
"It's so silly, but I'd taken to thinking of this concubine woman, asking her for her guidance all these years. I grew up in the house of Indra and I prayed I could have rose to divinity the way she did. But she hadn't. She just endured and loved from afar."
"Do you think less of her now?"
"No," she said sharply. "It's much harder to love from afar. She gives me strength."
She smiled and looked out the window again. Colors dazed past with thin lines.
He held her hand and after so long, they felt peace.
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.
"She's my what!?" Saradas' eyes widened. She watched the two people in front of her. Her father—her parents. "You said she died—If I end up a stripper, this is why." She stomped away.