Hello! Sorry for the late update, I've got English and Art projects to worry about. I haven't had time to come up with a line for this chapter. Again I apologize.

Thanks a million for the great reviews!

Chapter 9

A grave silence loomed over the breakfast table. Everybody's face either too interested in the waffles or interested in nothing at all.

It was a usual morning, but it seemed there was a lot on people's minds lately. First Sakura's staying, out of a condition, second, Mr. Chillhurst's visit and lastly the cash withdrawal from the bank that Sasuke claims he did not take. For some reason Sasuke was not surprised at the events. After all, his brother had some serious explaining to do. To tell the truth, he was afraid of what his brother might say or do for the matter-of-fact.

He knew his brother well since they were growing up, but apparently not well enough. They used to go bike riding every Sunday morning and buy an ice cream cone on the way. It was a ritual. He also remembered when he had accidentally ruined his mother's Armani coat. Itachi had taken the blame for it. It bugged him to the end that he could not stand up on his own, but he always had a reassuring hand of his brother extended to him, whenever he dug himself into hole.

Never once had he seen him frown in disappointment or react in such way that he had to raise his voice an octave. He recalled the Christmas Eve when he had caught a fever. Itachi never left his side to join his parent's with a night out. One thing he kept on saying that reassured Sasuke that he would not leave his side, "I will always be there."

Then one fateful day, it all came crashing down upon him. His parent's were killed by an unknown cause on his birthday. Sasuke had never cracked a smile after. The following year, Itachi made a decision to disappear. He kept on writing to Sasuke every month, but those months soon became years and even they stopped.

Anger was an understatement to what Sasuke felt. He had nobody there to tell him that it will be okay and you will always be safe. Instead cold, rather black deep hole was created around him. Nobody, not even his closest friends could dig him out.

Soon Sasuke realized that nothing of a change is going to make him smile. He left about his usual business with his father's company. It was time to forget the past and head forth. But not all storied end that way.

After a week into the business, he had gotten a call about delivering a heard of children. He was confused by what the person on the other line talked about, so like everything around him; he ignored it and went on.

Few months past since that call and one Sunday morning he got a call from his brother. To his surprised, he sounded quite happy and he envied his brother on so many levels. He talked to him professionally. He did not want past flames igniting. He heard that Itachi would visit him shortly, in approximately four months to talk about his father's Will (which for some reason he wrote right before got killed. It is like he knew he would be killed), and his life.

Sasuke thought about it. He did not like the idea at all, but he himself wanted to know what was written on the Will. Of course, when he was sixteen, his father had mentioned that in order to inherit his fortune, he needed a wife. What he did not mention was the fact that they could get divorced after he inherits the fortune, which was defiantly an advantage. That is where Sakura comes in.

Just as he placed the last bite of the waffle into his mouth, he realized something. He still did not have a written proof that Sakura was his wife. Of course they have agreed on a verbal contract, but that hardly counts.

He looked up around the breakfast table and spotted Sakura sitting just opposite of him. He placed his fork d0own and wiped his mouth with the napkin. He slid his chair and rose from his seat.

Walking to the opposite end he could see other's eyes upon him. He approached Sakura quietly, not to scare her. He tapped on her shoulder and motioned to follow him out of the eating area.

They walked into the hall and right, up the stairs and to the left to the study room. He locked the door and told her to take a seat on the couch. After a minute of silence he spoke up, "about the marriage arrangement." He sighed and realized that he should just get to the point. "I need you to sign some papers for me."

"Why? I though we agreed that I'll stay here," she explained.

"It's not just that. I wanted you to be my wife for a reason." He made himself comfortable against the wall.

"Yes and I won't agree to it unless you tell me why," she explained.

"Part of being a wife, is being legally married," he told her. "Not just that, I've got my own problems, but I can assure you, after your time is up, I'll divorce you."

"You say it like it's that simple." She raised her voice.

"Isn't it?"

"No! I want to be married to someone I love." she took a deep breath when she realized how she spoke to him. "Marriage is a sacred bond. It is not used like a toy for selfish reasons." Again she said the wrong thing. I mean this could get her to leave this place and sent to prison for life or worse. "Sorry," she whispered.

He took approximately thirty seconds to reply. "Just trust me, okay?" he said calmly. He looked at her and got a nod in return.

With that they both exited the study room.

Around noon the next day, they were officially married. It was awkward in some ways, but it did not seem all that different.

Sakura exited the office building of Sasuke's lawyer. He asked her to wait for him in the hallway, but she thought she should get some fresh air.

She sat on the bench of the small park, in front of the building and closed her eyes from the bright sun. She could hear the faint rustling of the leaves above her, from the trees and a few birds chirping.

There was not much public there; it was all the more calming. Then suddenly she heard footsteps approach her and opened her eyes.

"K-Kabuto!" she said with her mouth a gap.

"Hello to you too, Sakura," he spoke her name as if it was some sort of venom.

"What do you want?" she asked impatiently as she got up.

"Nothing. I just went for a walk and I 'coincidently' bumped into you," he said in a sly voice, as if mocking.

"Yeah, right." She crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked away.

"Right. By the way, I know what you've been up to," he said as he sat down on the bench Sakura previously sat on.

Her gaze followed his movement before she spoke, "Which is…?"

"You've become quite cozy with Sasuke there. It seems you're having a great time being his slave."

"I'm not his slave!"

"Whatever, it seems as though, but anyway. I've heard he's doing quite well running his business."

"Your point?" for some reason, Sakura knew what's going to come next.

"Well there's always a chance that he could, let's say, trample you for what you did. I mean, he's everything; money, looks and the media. It wouldn't take much effort to get rid of you. You're a thief. Nobody's going to trust you."

"And…?" she wanted to prove herself wrong, so she encouraged him to continue.

"Before he could do that, how about you get rid of him?" he proposed.

"There's no way Sasuke could do that. He… seems trust worthy," she defended Sasuke.

"Don't you remember what Sasuke's father did to us?"

"Sasuke's not his father!"

"And you would know this… how?"

"I…I…" she could explain this one.

"Exactly. I'm going to leave you now," he leaped off the bench. "Think about what I said. If you change your mind, you know where to find me."

She watched him disappear. He was right, about everything. I mean Sasuke had his father's genes. He could be like him…right?

"What're you doing?" she turned around at the sound of the voice.

"Oh, Sasuke," she said in relief. "Um… nothing. I just wanted to get some fresh air, that's all," she said with a broken smile.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow at her actions, but decided against it to ask her.

That night at the dining table, Mr. Chillhurst started a conversation.

"You should come visit sometime. Olympia loves visitors," he said as he gulped down some of the vine.

"Will do," Sakura replied with an empty smile.

Sasuke caught that. After he met her at the park, the air around her had gotten colder and he would know it. Was she upset? Was it this marriage? Was it something he did?

He wanted to know and he was not going to sit around and find out. He needed this marriage to work, at all costs, for both their sake. Whether it is to woo her, then let it be.

TBC.

A/N: I know, a lot of you might be looking at me, confused, but there's a simple explanation… you think I'd tell you? Well, you'll just have to wait and see. About Sasuke's father, do not worry too much 'cause it'll all be revealed after Itachi comes. About Kabuto? Well, I needed to add more then one mystery or this story would be too boring. In case you guys don't know why I asked the question last time; it's because I wanted to test your knowledge. Well hope you liked this chap. Forgive me of any spelling/grammar mistakes. Please review!

Question: What do you think is Kabuto's real motif behind the proposal to Sakura?

Thank you again for the reviews you guys!

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