"Don't be shy butterfly.

You must beat your wings in search of the sun.

You can fly away to a brighter day.

Here, butterfly, your dreams are none.

The storm is coming. Run-away little lamb.

Will you find your mother so that you may hide?

The rain will pour. The lightning will crash.

It's okay little lamb to swallow your pride. "

The petite maid who was attending me smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she took in my song. I didn't care what she or anyone else thought. The lullaby had always soothed me in a way that I couldn't fully explain. It brought me back to a time when things were simple, when Naruto and I would spend long hours playing by the river or when Hinata and I would disappear into the stables to feed the horses.

"Come now. We must get you changed."

The girl's words caused my memories to crash around me, thrusting me back into the harshness of reality. My wedding dress was soon peeled away from my skin, replaced with a simple pink nightgown which made me feel as if I had no clothing on at all.

"Does…does it hurt?"

"I wouldn't know myself. I've heard that the sensation is uncomfortable the first time from the other maids of the house. I am sure that the master will be gentle and quick with his actions."

"When does he plan to return?"

"The council should disperse shortly. You shouldn't fret. I hear that this is something that every woman must go through. It is our duty."

I nodded, my bottom lip quivering with worry. I had known that this moment would come for some time. I understood that this was what must be done in order to fill my obligations as Itachi's wife. I reminded myself that I was not allowed to cry. I was an Uchiha now after all.

"Where is Sasuke?"

I could tell that my question upset her. Her face grew panicked, as if she were searching her mind for a reply that was both correct and proper. I was smart enough to realize that gossip ran wild among the servants. She must have had some inkling as to the whereabouts of my childhood friend?

"Master Sasuke has decided to travel for a few days. He left late last night. If I were you I would stay away from the young master for the time being. He is not the same man you knew when you were a child. I am told that his demeanor rivals that of his father."

My heart sank and I found myself disappointed in her statement. Why was I concerned about him anyway? I had a husband now and Sasuke should have been of no importance. Yet, I longed to see him, to have him hold me in his arms as he did only two years before. It seemed to me that time had rushed by since then. I had been thrust into the world of adulthood, my childhood nothing more than memories that needed to fade away.

"That's enough Kin. I'll take it from here."

His voice was startling to me and I suddenly became aware of how silent his movements were. I hadn't heard him enter through the large wooded door that led to our temporary quarters, hadn't heard him make his was across the room to where I was. I glanced over my shoulder, craning to get a glimpse of him. His eyes caught mine but he refused to smile. His stoic facial expression made it seem that he didn't care about anything that was happening around him. The marriage between us was simply business and nothing more. I listened as Kin left the room, my heart leaping into my throat. I was now alone.

"I'm not my brother Sakura. I refuse to pretend to be."

"Itachi?"

"Do not make the mistake of taking me for a fool Sakura. I am not the Uchiha you would have chosen to be with. I know what conspired between you and my brother. I know of your feelings for him."

He walked towards me, my eyes never leaving his. He took my hand, leading me to the center of the room and sitting me on the edge of the bed. He sighed, twisting his finger through my hair, a gesture that both excited and terrified me at the same time. I wanted to scream and run away in embarrassment. However; the smell of him was intoxicating. It was as if he had been out in the rain and as my hand brushed against his clothes I confirmed my suspicion. I felt frozen, stiff as if I were paralyzed. I knew within an hours' time that my innocence would be taken away.

"I remember the first time I saw you Sakura. You were only five years old, singing and dancing with my mother in the garden. I didn't know until the next year that you were to become my wife. I don't want you to be afraid but you must understand the pressure of the situation we are under."

"I understand."

He nodded, grazing his finger across my cheek before guiding me to lie on my back. I closed my eyes, listening to the rustle of fabric as he stripped the garments from his body. The air was hot now and I felt as if I were suffocating under my own weight. I wanted to cry, to run into the arms of Naruto or Hinata. A whimper escaped my throat as he climbed on top of me, his hair tickling against my skin.

"You must try to be quiet Sakura. You won't be in pain for long. This is something we must do. You are my wife now after all. You must be brave."

His voice was calm and soothing, as if he were trying his best to at least try and make me feel better. I found myself wondering if he had ever been with another woman before. It was acceptable for men in Konoha to engage in sexual affairs before marriage but absolutely forbidden for women. We were the property of our husbands.

He pulled the bottom of my nightgown up so that my legs and thighs were now exposed. I reached to pull the fabric back over my body but he grabbed my hand, squeezing it gently before letting go. I took in a breath, allowing my body to grow limp.

"Itachi?"

"I know."

He slipped my undergarments away from my body. I refused to look at him, refused to meet his gaze. He braced himself, his hands planted firmly on the bed next to my shoulders. I let out a gasp of shock as he entered my body, desperately trying to sit up as a way to avoid the pain. My hands clawed into the bed sheets, my body breaking into a light sweat. He made no noise as he moved; no sound as he rocked back and forth. What was this to him? Something inside me popped and my eyes shot open in concern. Was this supposed to happen?

"Shh. It's okay. It's okay."

He didn't stop and I had no choice but to let him finish what he had started. I took in a breath, my body shivering as he finally pulled away. It was only then that I realized he was completely naked.

"You're beautiful Sakura. You're so beautiful."