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Chapter 27: Infinite World: Paradise?

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A/N: My deepest apologies for the delay in updating this fanfic. In any event, this may come off as "filler"-y but will serve a purpose later. Anyway, let's get on with it.

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Warmth… Heat…

Sasuke leaned closer to that welcoming figure, a cocoon of soft comforting hardness that rocked him gently, as if a boat being carried down the river. And yet there is a rhythm… A heart beating… a song… a melody that fills his heart with joy… with longing…a nostalgia for a past long gone.

A content smile graced his face, eyes still closed, still dead to the world as he leaned on that hard soft warmth enveloping him in its caring and nurturing embrace. This scent... The fresh scent of the earth and the sun… of the river… of the forest… His nose twitched, his lungs inhaled, eager to get more of that nostalgic smell, that scent he thought he long forgotten. This is home. This is where he belongs. This is Paradise. This is where he wants to be.

The world can burn for all he care.

He's content.

He's happy.

He's fulfilled.

What more could he possibly want?

"Hmmm…. Dobe…" He whispered, the presence… so familiar… that cocoon of security, that anchor of sanity that gave his soul a refreshing gush of air; his heart a gentle thump of joy as he felt a hand, barely a soft caress, lovingly on his face. He doesn't want to wake up.

But that touch grew more and more persistent.

More impatient.

A wet warmth on his forehead.

Then on his a cheeks.

Then something hot and slimy on his ear.

He snapped open his eyes to gaze upon the bluest of blue, and he sighed, content, happy that it wasn't a dream. He leaned closer, a hard chest on his head before a soft chuckle filled his ear.

"Look who decided to wake up. Welcome back Princess." His Naruto smirked, an expression so wrong in that adorable face. He reached up to touch jet black hair, so black that he was reminded that this was not his Naruto… but Menma. Sasuke frowned, only for his Menma to frown back.

"What's wrong Sasu-dear? Does anything hurt? Are you okay? Are you feeling alright, now?" The same look of concern graced his fiance's face. He remembered now. He's betrothed to Menma…to Naruto…to his angel. And Sasuke smiled. Everything's perfect.

Just as he wanted.

This is what his heart desired, right?

He shook his head as he captured the other's lips.

"Nothing, love. I'm just happy to see you."

The look of concern became a smirk once more. Oh how he hated that smirk on his dobe's innocent face. But why? He can't figure out, just that something in his chest protests; something at the back of his mind rages at the wrongness of it all.

"You're a sap Sasuke. But you're my sap and I like it." He was pulled tighter against a bare chest, the other kissing his own midnight hair in worship. "I'm glad you're okay now Sasuke. Do you need anything?"

"Water." He choked out, feeling his throat dry all of the sudden. He was hoisted up to Menma's back.

"Let's get you downstairs first. Everyone's waiting."

"Everyone?"

"Fugaku-sama and Mikoto-sama, of course. Though don't let them know I call them that. I'd never hear the end of it." Menma chuckled again. He liked his angel laugh, liked the way those blue eyes sparkle, standing out against jet black hair even more.

They descended the familiar flight of stairs, this is the Uchiha main house. The house that Sasuke grew up in. And when they reached downstairs, the room was abuzz with activity. He can see distant uncles and aunties, cousins and relatives.

"Ahh, Menma-kun… Just he man we wanted to see. I see you brought Sasuke as well." His father spoke, gesturing for the maids to start serving. The long table was filled with all sorts of delicacies. Exotic fish, meats and fried rice that Sasuke remembered was served in his childhood. "Are you alright now, son?"

"I'm… alright father." Sasuke replied as Menma set him unto his chair. The Uchiha patriarch merely laughed.

"There's no need for formality, Sasuke. Call me dad, as always. After all, you are my heir. You are my pride and joy. You are the next lord of this clan and this village. The leaders have assembled for this gathering. Perhaps you can tell your fiancé to dress up more modestly for this occasion?" Sasuke frowned, Menma only looked sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck, but made no move to change, seating himself beside Sasuke as he gave Sasuke's father a confident smile.

"Aww come now, dad. Wasn't it you who said, there's no need for formality?" Menma bantered back and Fugaku just laughed.

"That I did, Menma-kun. And you're right. This feast is to honor you both after all. How you choose to present yourself is irrelevant. What matters is the light of Konoha and the pride of the Uchiha gather here today amidst family, amidst the clan, a cause for celebration indeed."

"Right. Now that the VIPs of today have arrived, we can finally begin this feast." His eyes widened, almost tearing up at seeing his mother once more. Mikoto smiled as she signaled for the maids to leave the room. They bowed as they left, allowing the Uchiha clan to begin their feast. His hand shook as he took the glass of water that Menma offered him, overwhelmed at the sight of his beloved mother long he thought dead.

Sasuke looked around to see who is present. But his Itachi-niisan and Shisui-nii was oddly absent.

"Fa-" He began but quickly corrected himself. "Dad… where is Itachi-nii?"

His father's eyes turned cold, his hand almost shattering his glass as his face contorted into a sneer.

"Sasuke, my beloved son, please…. Don't ruin this joyous day by speaking of that failure. Hearing his name alone is enough to ruin my appetite." Sasuke frowned. "Now enjoy the meal prepared for you. This is not just to celebrate your engagement to Menma-kun after all. But to present you to the clan leaders and elders. For I have an important announcement to make."

Sasuke eyed his father warily, something tells him that he won't like where this conversation is heading.

"I am officially stepping down as head of the clan. After Sasuke and Menma's wedding, my son will officially ascend as the next head, he shall lead our clan to a glorious new future. He is more capable than I, than any of us. He will lead our clan greater heights; hail the Uchiha clan!" Fugaku raised his wine glass and those who are seated followed him.

"Hail the Uchiha clan." They chorused.

"Long live Sasuke!" Fugaku announced. "and long live his Bride Menma Uchiha." The rest of the clan drank from their glasses. And Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he saw his Menma bowed politely. The image so wrong that it was burned vividly at the back of his mind.

He held Menma's hand, raising it to his lips and kissing it, appreciating how warm and soft it was. Menma only smiled. Fugaku watched this with interest, pleased at the display of affection.

"Now on to the matters of the wedding. It shall take place three days from now. Surely, you'd have no problem with this arrangement, right, Menma-kun?"

"Of course, dad." Menma replied.

"Perfect. Now every preparation shall be made. In any event, a team will retrieve your belongings from your home, Menma-kun. You will not leave the compound in these three days."

Sasuke couldn't hold himself any longer and he had to ask.

"Is there any reason for it, dad?"

"Why the dance lessons, of course, Sasuke. Plus the rehearsal for the penultimate day before the wedding. Don't forget that Menma-kun here not only have to marry you, but also has to learn the rites and rituals befitting of a bride… and the duties that comes with it." Fugaku winked at Menma, who blushed, understanding what the patriarch was asking of him.

"I still don't understand why he can't leave, dad." Sasuke asked. "Why we can't leave."

"Of course you can leave, my son. If you so desire, you can do whatever you wish. Ask and it will be granted. But Menma is aware of course; his duty as your bride that is." Sasuke raised an eyebrow, not knowing where his father was going with this.

"We're going to be making heirs, Sasu-dear." Menma whispered, sensing his confusion. "I can't leave; no man can touch me but you."

Sasuke frowned once more. This is… something that he hadn't expected. Though a part of him was elated that he can finally touch his love in such an intimate manner, but is this really the life he wanted his partner to have?

Trapped in this compound to serve as his wife?

He had envisioned them fighting together in the heat of battle, defending Konoha from its enemies, sweats pouring from their brow as their hearts thrum with excitement, eyes alive and fierce; but not this. It dawned on him now why Kushina and Minato was so upset earlier on. They have foreseen this outcome; known of it and accepted it. In this world, Uchiha is the law. And their needs come first.

Menma and his family would never see each other again.

Menma would never leave the estate, would never stand back to back with him fighting against foes. No. Menma would be confined… consigned to a life dedicated to raising his children. A chill came upon Sasuke's neck. But Menma seemed to have accepted his fate already. He smiled at his fiancé.

"Don't get too excited, Sasu-dear. We won't do it until after the wedding of course. Dad and I have been discussing the theme of the wedding these past few days and I'm thinking, a red wedding would suit us better right? It will definitely go well with the clan's famed sharingan."

"I am in agreement as well." Fugaku chimed in. The rest of the night became a blur to Sasuke. He was confused, he felt out place. This should be the night where his heart feels its greatest joy. But there was something missing, something that's nagging him at the back of his mind.

The rest of the night was spent talking about how the rites of the wedding would go, how each of the leaders can contribute, and how the defense of the village will be handled while the Uchiha police is in full attendance.

As Sasuke and Menma retired to their quarters, Mikoto just smiled at them…

"Behave you, two. Wait until the wedding, alright?"

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"What's wrong Sasuke? You look down."

Menma asked him as he ran his fingers up and down Sasuke's neck. Sasuke leaned into the familiar touch, every single pore of his body alive at his beloved touching him.

"Nothing. Just thinking."

"About the wedding. Or what comes after?" Menma smiled, massaging his shoulders as Sasuke closed his eyes, enjoying the soft feathery touches, the kisses on his neck as Menma gave him his full undivided attention.

"A bit of both." Sasuke admitted.

"Don't worry love. Everything's taken care of. Your father is very thorough, as ever. As expected of the Uchiha clan. You feel so tense, dear. Relax. It's a celebration. There's nothing to fear alright? Or are you having second thoughts?"

"No!" Sasuke said quickly. "It's not that. Of course, I'm excited about the wedding." His arm twitched, instantly curling around Menma's waist. And the other man seemed to misread his touch. A grin appeared on his face.

"Ahhhh… I get it. Well… You know… I know of a more intimate way of pleasing my future husband without actually doing it."

Menma knelt down in front of him, spread his legs and pulled down his pants.

Sasuke was about to protest, he was on the cusp of grasping what's bothering him. But it was soon lost as he looked at the look of Menma's utter submission. And when the other male's tongue skillfully brought untold pleasure coursing like waves of electricity to him, Sasuke lost himself in his future bride, losing all semblance of thought of reason.

He doesn't know what to think. He can't think.

Not when this all-encompassing desire spreads like wildfire within him. Menma's touch burned, his kisses electrifying. And Sasuke surrendered himself as he savored his future bride's attention, and all the pleasurable sensation the man was willing to give him.

The night is still young… But Sasuke is lost already.

If this is a dream, he doesn't want to wake up.

And even if this is his reality now, he won't fight it. This is what he wants. This is where he belongs. This is his paradise.

Here, he is everything that he was not. Here, he has everything that he has lost.

Why would he ever give it all up?

Though something within him still bothers, still gnaws at the corners of his thoughts and reason, he shook his head, there's nothing more he could want.

He has everything here.

This is paradise, at last.

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A/N: Yay, a wedding is coming! Are you all excited? I know I am! At any rate, feel free to tell me what you like or don't like about it. Until the next update!