Dark Paradise

Chapter 9 – Come Crashing

"Every time I look in your eyes, I see lightning. Cover me when there's nowhere to hide. You come crashing. Give me chaos when there's nothing inside. Pull me into your untamed sky. Every time I look into your eyes – you come crashing."

The next morning, Sakura sat in Sasuke's room with Itachi. He was standing, reading the scroll that Orochimaru had given her, while she was sitting on Sasuke's bed – facing him. Mikoto had gone out right after breakfast, Fugaku was at work and Sasuke had been long gone by the time she'd woken up. Sakura had practically moved into the Uchiha main house since her 'engagement' to Sasuke. She hadn't felt comfortable meeting in Itachi's bedroom so he had come here after Mikoto had gone. She watched him as her read, the way he would frown or how the skin around his eyes would tense in concentration. Sakura had always feared the idea of Uchiha Itachi, but here – where he was everything she hadn't expected, Sakura could admit – at least to herself that good looks definitely ran in the family. Especially as she saw him in the soft morning light. Sakura chastised herself mentally for the thought, just as Itachi looked up from the scroll. He looked a bit stunned at her very controlled "surprised" expression, and she swore she saw a hint of the barest smile on his lips, but he have no reaction. "This is better than we could have hoped for."

"What do you mean?" Sakura asked, pushing her previous thoughts aside.

"It means that the war might not be lost."

"That's a very big might," Sakura said with a sigh.

Itachi nodded. "But, it's all we have at the moment."

"What does it mean, the scroll? Why are they here if they aren't really here?"

"Why am I here?" he countered.

Sakura thought about this. "Maybe it has something to do with Edo Tensei?"

"I've considered that," he said with a shake of his head, "But then all of us who had been under the control of Edo Tensei would have been effected."

"How do you know that they weren't?"

"My previous mission led my past Ame. I checked in on Nagato."

Sakura's eyes widened. "Pain?"

"Yes. No Rinnegan. I used to Sharingan to check his mind. No activity."

Sakura ran a hand over her face in frustration and then looked up at him again. "Why do you think you're here?"

"I'm assuming that everyone who isn't under the control of the Infinite Tsukuyomi was brought here as an apparition of our own consciousness."

Sakura nodded. "I guess that makes sense, the jutsu wouldn't exactly work otherwise."

"As to why I am here? I suppose that falls to Sasuke." Itachi sounded a bit woeful as he said that.

"You mean Sasuke's wish for a family?"

Itachi shook his head. "Sasuke's wish for the family he had."

At Sakura's frown, he explained, "Sasuke wants back what we had before…." He cut off and looked away from her, "He doesn't want the perfect family. He just wanted his family, and I think that's why I'm here."

"The Infinite Tsukuyomi would have given him the perfect family, and you think you're the glitch in that equation?"

Itachi's eyes moved back to her's and he nodded once.

"I think you're wrong. Maybe Sasuke, out of everyone, just wanted his brother back?"

Itachi looked startled at the thought. "I strongly doubt that, Sakura-chan."

"I've seen the way he looks at you. Sasuke-kun loves you."

Itachi opened his mouth to reply, but he suddenly tossed the scroll into the bathroom just as a rap came on the window. Sakura's head snapped to it. An ANBU stood outside.

"Oh, shit." She hissed and Itachi looked at her. "What's going on?"

"I'm headed to the Intelligence Centre. Morino Ibiki is supposed to question me about Orochimaru." She got up and walked to the window, pushing it open.

"Haruno Sakura, I'm here to escort you."

"Right," she said stiffly. "See you later," she called over her shoulder to Itachi before hopping out of the window and following the ANBU.

x-x-x-x-

Mikoto, despite being a little disappointed in both Sakura and Sasuke for not being more careful, was all-in-all thrilled about getting a grandchild and, of course, about the upcoming wedding. Sakura had a meeting this morning, so some of what they'd planned fell to Mikoto to get done. She headed to the Yamanaka Flower Shop first. Mikoto and Sakura had decided on an assortment of flowers that were supposed to decorate the venue.

They had decided on muted colours, since Sasuke wasn't really a colourful person.

"Uchiha-san!" Yamanaka Ino, Sakura's friend approached Mikoto. "How can we help today?"

"I'm looking for these flowers, by this weekend – if possible." Mikoto handed Ino the list.

"This weekend?" Ino asked in surprise, her eyes scanning the list.

"I know that it's short notice but Sakura-chan asked for you by name. She had very nice things to say about you."

Ino gave a laugh and smiled. "I can have all of this done by Saturday, no question, but it's going to be pretty expensive."

"We can pay," Mikoto have a polite smile. "Of course we want the best for the wedding."

Ino's eyebrows shot up. "Wedding?"

Mikoto's smiled faltered. Oh, no. Had Sakura forgotten to invite Ino? "Well…yes. Sasuke-kun and Sakura-chan are getting married this weekend."

Ino's face slacked in shocked. "W-What?!" she cried.

Mikoto smiled gently, "I'm sure Sakura-chan meant to tell you, but her head has been a million places lately."

What with her being pregnant and everything.

"Oh, I bet." Ino said tightly. "We'll have the assortments ready for you and bill you after."

Mikoto thanked Ino and stepped out into the hot morning sun, next she headed to the bridal store to have a look at the more traditional dresses that Sakura had requested. She had only made it halfway there when the bride passed her, Sakura carried a tense as serious expression as she followed the ANBU guard, silently Mikoto skulked behind them, using years of training to remain undetected. Neither the ANBU nor Sakura noticed her presence and Mikoto trailed them until they reached the Intelligence Centre, where Sakura was handed to another guard…and then she was cuffed before being led inside.

x-x-x-x-

Sasuke was at the training field, training with a clone he'd created. He'd arrived just a little before sunrise, leaving Sakura sleeping in his bed. Sasuke just couldn't seem to fall asleep the previous night. He'd lain awake, listening to Sakura's even breathing behind him. He felt like an idiot for telling his mother that Sakura was expecting a child – their child. It was foolish on his part, to only say it to fluster Sakura. And, oh yes, she had been flustered. But now, it was a serious problem. If he was planning to stay here, which he definitely was – Sakura would need to fall pregnant. With his child. And fast, too. Of course, talking to her wasn't an option. She would refuse him. So what was he supposed to do? He wondered if Sakura would push him away if he…came on to her, while they were in bed together. Considering her recent rebellious behaviour, he couldn't be sure. Although, the thought of having sex with her was very appealing. Sasuke thought back to the last time he'd felt her against him, he'd been too self-revealing. He'd, foolishly, had his guard down in those few too-short moment, and she'd seen him. He knew that she knew what he felt for her. But she hadn't acted on it since that night, and that puzzled him. He could very reluctantly admit that had Sakura played on that, he might very well have divulged some information to her. So, the question was, why hadn't she done anything. It was like she'd become afraid to touch him. Before she'd found out about him knowing, her touches had come easily. In short – Sasuke was frustrated. He stopped, running a hand through his hair. Fuck, why must Sakura be so infuriating?!

"Sasuke!"

Surprised, he spun around to see, of all people, his mother coming towards him.

"It's Sakura-chan." She said, her face tight with worry, Sasuke felt himself tense, his clone dissipating behind him. "What happened?" he asked, his voice gruff despite himself.

"I saw her at the Intelligence Centre, they handcuffed her and took her inside. I asked the guard and he told me to speak to the Hokage."

Was this about the mission? Kakashi hadn't mentioned it to the Hokage like he said he would, but he had stayed behind after both Naruto and Sasuke had left.

"I saw Kushina on the way and she told me that Morino Ibiki would be talking to Sakura-chan."

Fuck. Ibiki? Sasuke remembered him from the Chuunin exams, and stories that had drifted around during his time with Orochimaru. If Ibiki suspected anything of Sakura…things would go very badly for her. He wouldn't hold back if he thought that she was hiding something, no matter if she was a girl. Sakura would not walk away from that without being scarred. Damn her! Damn her for putting him in this position. It's not like he could simply let it go and hope that she would be fine. It was too late for that. Fuck!

"Sasuke!" Mikoto called, giving him a shake, she'd called to him twice and he hadn't responded. Sasuke looked down at his mother and gave her a stiff nod.

"I'll handle it."

x-x-x-x-

It was humiliating. There was no other word for it. The handcuffs were cold against her wrists and blocked her chakra off. The ANBU led her down the hallway and down some more stairs. She could feel eyes on her but she kept her head down. The place had a very cold feel to it. Plain white tiles on the floors. Too-bright white walls and metal doors. The guard led her to a door at the very end of the hall, he pushed it open and mentioned her inside. Sakura walked past him and he closed the door behind her. There was a large mirror, which she knew she was probably being watched through on the left wall. The room was bright with one metal table and two sturdy looking chairs on each side. She chose the one facing the door and sat down. Sakura kept her eyes on the table as she waited. She refused to look at the mirror. She knew the drill, this was the part where they left her to sweat it out. To worry over it. And Sakura waited, minutes turned into what felt like hours, where she thought over what they could possibly ask. She knew it had to be about Orochimaru. She hadn't thought that she would actually be interrogated about what she'd done on the mission, but now she supposed that it wasn't such a far off conclusion. It definitely looked like she helped Orochimaru escape….which, no matter how unintentional, was exactly what she'd done. Sakura, who had been mentally counting the hours as best she could underground, thought it must have been around four or five pm when the door finally opened and Morino Ibiki stepped inside. Sakura swallowed and tried no to show how afraid she was. He crossed the room, never looking away from her and dragged the other chair back, scraping it across the floor loudly before sitting down and slamming a file down on the table making Sakura flinch.

"I apologize for the wait, I was held back by my previous meeting."

"Right. It's ok." Sakura answered curtly, finally managing to break eye contact.

Ibiki folded his arms over his chest and leaned back in the chair. "I assume you know why you're here."

Sakura nodded but said nothing.

"Good then I can just start with the questioning. Are you and Orochimaru involved?"

"Excuse me?"

"Sexually." He clarified and Sakura paled. "Are you serious?!"

Ibiki said nothing, he simply stared at her, awaiting answer.

"No." she seethed. "I am not involved with him."

Ibiki looked at her for another second before he leaned in and scribbled something in the folder. Sakura pursed her lips but held her tongue.

"What is your relationship with Orochimaru?" he asked and Sakura's hands tightened into fists in her lap.

"There is no relationship." Sakura told him through clenched teeth. Was this what they assumed? That she helped him escape because they were "involved"? This was how it worked, they went through a series of questions for all their most possible theories before they came to some kind of conclusion. The conclusion determined whether more…questioning was needed.

"Did you know of the experiments that Orochimaru had been conducting in the tunnels?"

"Not prior to my mission, no."

"Is it true that you have been having relationship issues with Uchiha Sasuke?"

"What does that have to do with anything?!" Sakura snapped, finally at the end of her patience.

"Just answer the question."

Sakura lifted her cuffed hands to show him the ring. "Does it look like we've been having issues?"

Ibiki made more notes.

"What are your feelings towards Orochimaru?"

"I hate him." She said before she could stop herself. She had no reason to hate him here, so naturally – Ibiki was surprised. He made more notes and she felt her heart drop.

x-x-x-x-

It was close to nightfall when Sasuke approached the Kage tower. He entered casually, heading up to the Hokage's office. No one gave him suspicious looks, but many did look at him. News of Sakura had spread fairly quickly, and now – most looked to him for reaction. He gave none. Sasuke rapped on the door and Minato called a swift 'enter'. Sasuke stepped inside and closed the door behind him. Minato looked like he'd been expecting Sasuke.

"Sasuke-san…" Minato began, but fell short.

"I want to know why Sakura was allowed on that mission. We both know that she wasn't exactly qualified." In this world, anyway.

Minato looked startled, he blinked and then nodded. "Well, when the mission was proposed, I immediately thought of Naruto, Kakashi and you. Sakura was highly recommended for this mission."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. Recommended. That meant that Sakura had another accomplice, other than Orochimaru, who knew of the Infinite Tsukuyomi. The thought had anger rushing through him.

"By who?" he asked sounding calmer than he felt.

"I thought you knew," the Hokage said slowly, "She came recommended for the team by your brother, Itachi-san."

For a moment, Sasuke went very, very still. Itachi. Itachi knew.

"I see, I need to speak with you. Alone." Sasuke said, stepping forward and looking around purposefully.

Minato frowned, but nodded. He gave a signal with his hand and the ANBU guard moved away.

"You may speak freely, Sasuke-san."

Sasuke closed his eyes, making sure that they were, indeed, alone. Behind his eyelids, he activated his Sharingan, and then his Mangekyo and finally the Eternal Mangekyo. And then he leaned in and opened his eyes.

x-x-x-x-

Eventually, well into the night, questioning ended and Ibiki, seemingly reluctantly told her that she wasn't a prisoner, yet, but she was free to go until they could schedule another session. He also warned her not to leave Konoha. If she did then she would immediately gain Missing-nin status and they would have to send a team after her. Sakura returned to the Uchiha main house. She didn't feel like seeing anyone but Sasuke. The questioning had gone on and on in the same direction for so long that she felt sick to her stomach. Sasuke's window was open and she climbed through to find him sitting on the bed. He looked up the moment her feet touched the floor, his eyes moving over her. Looking for something – Sakura didn't know what but he seemed relieved when he finished his assessment. "You heard." She said, going over to him.

Sasuke gave no reaction but after a while, he spoke. "It's taken care of."

Sakura swallowed. "What does that mean?"

"It means they no longer suspect you."

Sakura went on her knees in front of him. "Sasuke-kun. What did you do?"

His eyes flipped to her, "It doesn't matter. You're cleared."

She reached out, slowly – as if she wanted to give him every chance to pull away, and then she took his hand. "Thank you." It was no more than a whisper.

"Try not to pull any attention to yourself." He said, pulling his hand from her own and getting to his feet roughly. Sakura, startled, jumped up herself.

Sasuke was tense, his eyes turned away from her, but Sakura was caught by something else…something she hadn't noticed before. Sasuke was half naked. And in the bare moonlight, she could see the pale scars on his skin. Tentatively, and because he hadn't moved, she reached up, her fingertips just barely tracing a thin scar right below his ribs. It trailed down his abs and Sasuke pulled in a sharp breath through his nose in surprise. His eyes snapped back to her green ones, and they seemed to shine in the moonlight.

Unwillingly, she pulled her hand away from him, but she only just pulled her fingertips away when Sasuke grabbed her hand, flattening it against his abdomen. The muscles jumped beneath her touch and Sakura felt herself blush. Slowly, without looking away from him, she dragged her hand over him, feeling the muscles contract more stiffly the lower she went. Sakura didn't stop, there was something acutely…erotic about looking into his eyes in that moment. The way his eyes watched her, the way they seemed to know exactly what she wanted. Her fingertips hooked into the elastic waistband of his pants and Sasuke jerked in surprise. Sakura gulped, but she couldn't stop. She gripped her fingers around the material and pulled down. Her fingers brushed him…his erection and a shiver passed over her. One that Sasuke didn't miss even as he let out an unsteady breath at the touch.

"Sakura…" the way he said her name, so low, so wanting. Sent a sliver of heat through her and Sakura released his pants, letting them pool around his ankles and she stepped forward. Trailing her hands up his chest, over his nipples and on to his shoulders.

"Sasuke-kun," she breathed his name, her lids fluttering to a close before her hands reached up to pull him down to her lips. Sasuke didn't need any motivation, as soon as her eyes closed, his lips slammed down onto her own. He yanked her against him, grounding her hips into his. Sakura moaned, unconsciously pulling at his hair. Sakura unzipped her shirt between them hastily and pushed it off. Sasuke's hands were shaky as he fumbled to get the belt of her skirt off. Something rare for him. He broke off the kiss to curse lowly before her ripped it apart and pushed it off her as if it had offended him. Sakura gave a low laugh before connecting their lips once more. She gave him a push and he flopped down onto the bed, she followed quickly, looming over him in only her bindings and red panties. Sasuke leaned up, using his teeth to break the material right between her breasts. He gave it a tug on one side, letting the bindings brush against her sensitive peaks before he tossed it away. Sasuke pressed his lips just a breath away from her hard nipple before he pushed a leg up and tossed them over – pinning her to the bed and trailing open mouthed kisses over her neck. Sakura moved her head back to give him better access and Sasuke reached between them to slip his hand into her panties. Sakura cried out and Sasuke leaned up to kiss her as his fingers worked her. He kissed up her jaw and to her ear, "Forget, Sakura."

"About what?" she panted through a low moan as her hips bucked into his hand. Before he could answer her, Sakura tensed and arched over the bed with a cry that he again muffled with his mouth. He didn't give a chance to think. Sasuke removed his hand and replaced it with his hips, rhythmically moving his hardness against her. Of course, at that point – he'd completely forgotten his mission to get her pregnant. This was about something else entirely. He sucked on her neck hard, sure to leave a mark, moving back up to her ear. "Forget about everything. Stay here, with me."

"W-What?" she asked, sounding heady.

"Don't you want to stay with me?"

Sakura, slowly, seemed to wake to what he was asking.

"I…"

"Stay with me," he urged, moving harder against her. He could feel his own orgasm drawing near.

"Sasuke-kun, please….not now." She begged.

"Sakura. I want you to stay." He groaned. Sakura reached up, her hands finding his hair again and she pulled his mouth to her's to shut him up, but he pulled away.

"Tell me you'll stay…" he hissed between pants.

"I…can't…"

"Fuck, Sakura. Say it."

Suddenly, she shoved him off. "Stop it. You can't win with something like that." And this time, it was Sakura, who jumped off the bed and practically ran into the bathroom, slamming the door shut.

x-x-x-x-

Thanks for all the lovely reviews!

The next chapter will be a lot more M rated than this one, just wanted to warn you guys XD

Please REVIEW!

Zana-Lee

xoxo