The following day Naruto slept in until it was almost noon. His episode from last night had drained him more than he realized. But he also had no duties now that he was married, so no one came to wake him from his deep sleep recovery.

Naruto stretched out and still felt the exhaustion in his bones. He was about to roll over when his bedroom door opened, a familiar pink head of hair peaking into the dark room.

"Are you awake Naruto?" The maid whispered into the darkness.

"Hnnnng." Naruto groaned out in response, causing Sakura to jump a little.

"You're finally awake!" She exclaimed gleefully and pushed into the room, closing the door gently behind her.

"What time is it?" Naruto asked groggily as he placed his arm over his eyes, trying to still block out the world.

"Past lunch, do you want me to bring you food? Most of the other royalty has left, only prince Lee and the Sabaku siblings are still here. Although it seems the Sabaku are staying more for your sister than formalities, and prince Lee just wants to spar with your new husband. He didn't hurt you right? I know he's different than his brother but before you-"

"Saaaakuuuuraaaa stooooop. I'm fine." Naruto whined and rolled over, putting his back to the curtained windows that Sakura was currently opening.

"I'm sorry. Are you okay?" Sakura asked, leaving the curtains closed and coming to the princes side. "You may be running a slight fever or it could be from sleeping in excess. Let me get you food and water."

Naruto nodded, hearing his stomach gurgle and returned to pouting. The maid quickly left and returned with an assortment of food and a pitcher of water.

"Can I open the curtains?" Sakura asked gently.

"Please don't. My head hurts. Can you heal my ache?" Naruto requested while sitting up.

He wasnt expecting the gasps from the pinkette when he got up and it took a moment before he realized why she gasped. Then he looked down and pulled the covers over his bare chest, blushing deeply.

"It's not-"

"Naruto, you're married now. I just- I'm sorry for reacting." Sakura said with a blush on her own cheeks. But she moved closer to the blonde and began to use her healing magic on his head.

"We didn't though... I just fell asleep in the tub." Naruto replied embarrassed, even though he knew she was right and he didn't have to explain. It was expected, but not what happened.

"Oh." Sakura said softly and paused in her healing, "You shouldn't tell others. Let them assume. The Uchiha royalty would expect... Let them assume."

Naruto nodded softly following her train of thought and remembered Sasukes actions last night. Staining his dress and sheets.

"He told me the same. But didn't push. I think... I think it hurt me. What his brother did. Before. I just didn't process it. And I... Broke down." Naruto explained with his eyes closed, not wanting to see his maids reaction. He'd always confided in her and was better at processing his thought aloud than within. The fact he wasn't able to talk out his feelings was what lead to his meltdown the previous night.

"It's understandable. I had been.. Taken advantage of before. The wounds hurt deep and take time to heal, Naruto. Don't be ashamed." Sakura said and stopped healing him to embrace him tightly. "I'm sorry for what's being done to you."

Naruto heard himself sob before he realized he was crying. Knowing it was okay to be hurt, but also knowing he couldn't protect one of his best friends - it lead to conflicting feelings. Both intense.

"I'm sorry." Naruto blubbered into the womans shoulder as he embraced her tightly as well. "I should've protected you- I should be stronger- I- I'm- I'm sorry."

"Naruto please. There is no need to apologize. Would you like me to get the queen for you?" Sakura asked as she rubbed into his back.

But thinking of his mother made him tense up, if she knew she'd try to break the union. Making everything he went through moot. So he forced himself to calm down and shook his head.

"I'm sorry. I'm fine. I just... I'll eat and drink but I'm still tired. Can I rest?" Naruto asked softly as he pulled back from his maid. He could see her disappointment that he was closing up but he was reminded by her words why he was doing this. For his people- his kingdom. He needed to stay strong.

Sakura nodded softly after appraising the prince for a moment, then she got up and left quietly.

Naruto watched the door close and looked to the array of food beside his bed. He wasn't hungry anymore. So he rolled over and closed his eyes, praying for sleep.

When Naruto awoke next it was due to his hair being brushed through by fingers gently. He wearily opened his eyes and found onyx ones looking down at him.

"You should eat." Sasuke said softly and reached for a glass before pouring water in it. Naruto didn't realize how much he enjoyed the soft playing of his hair until it stopped while the water was being poured. He whined slightly at the loss before realizing what he did.

Sasuke looked down at him and chuckled, "I'll dote on you again if you eat."

Naruto groaned in response and embarrassment but sat up, this time holding the blanket against his chest. He grabbed the water and took a sip, then realized how parched he was and gulped the whole drink down.

"Woah. Slow down. It's not a race. Here. Take this apple slice." Sasuke offered and took the empty cup and refilled it.

Naruto experienced the same thing with the apple, taking a small bite before realizing he was starved and eating the whole slice in one bite. He only stopped chewing when Sasuke laughed at him again, then he became aware of how full his cheeks were of the apple. He covered his face with his hand and swallowed thickly.

"Sorry, I- " Naruto started but honestly didn't know how to finish, instead he just repeated, "Sorry."

"There is no need to apologize. But I guess I don't need to bribe you." Sasuke said and handed a bread roll to the blonde.

Naruto nodded and began to chew on the bread, looking to the curtains to find what time of day it was.

"It's sundown. Your mother is worried because she didn't see you at any meals. I think she was trying to set me ablaze with her glare. So I left dinner to come check on you. I didn't realize you had still been sleeping." Sasuke explained slowly as he began to nibble at the food himself.

"I didn't feel well." Naruto responded after a moment and felt guilty for wallowing. He had lost a whole day to it, but he also felt like he needed to hide. At least until he could handle his emotions better.