AN: Hey another chapter for Safety. Please review and thank you for reading! Well I know you all have been waiting to see if Lord Haruno will let Sasuke court Sakura so here you go!

Sasuke Pov

Lord Haruno glared at me for what seemed five minutes with a blank expression, not giving me any clue of what his answer is. All I know is that it is taking longer for him to decide than needed. If he were willing to give Sakura to me, he would have made that clear by now. It's when you have complications, you take time to express how you feel.

"Sasuke, I will let you court Sakura-" He began, clearly coming out of a thinking process.

"Thank you." I said, cutting him off. My voice was louder and higher than usual. Is this what excitement does to you? Whatever this is, it is causing me to look like a boy, not a man worth giving your daughter to. To make sure I didn't show more emotion then usual, I kept my common stoic expression upon my face.

"I'm not finished." Lord Haruno said with a touch of anger, letting out a rather loud sigh. I kept silent, why respond to a comment that is telling you to keep your word sto yourself.

"Well I don't want to give my daughter to someone who doesn't listen." Lord Haruno continued, erupting anger started to build within me. No one ever insults me to my face besides Itachi, and he only gets away with it half of the time.I don't care what position we are in, the man is playing with fire, and should not be speaking to me in such a crude manner.

If I actually end up with Sakura, which to me is a very over estimated thought, but if this courting goes well how am I going to have to deal with him for the rest of my life? I am not a fan of Lord Haruno, to me he seemed like a kiss ass. His nose is so far up my father's ass it must be brown. I can't stand people like him, people that do dirty things and put his family in danger for the sake of looking good to the king and to us.

"Excuse my... emotion Lord Haruno, I was just…waiting to hear your answer." I said smoothly. This is when my persuasive side has to come out, I can't let my anger show, I will just have to loathe this man from afar.

"All is fine Sasuke." Lord Haruno stood up and looked out the large window that is placed behind his desk. Great, the ass is trying to look dramatic to keep me on my toes. Fuck you, I came here with good intentions, and now I want to punch the father of the girl I want to...be physical with.

"Sasuke, I will let you court Sakura. I am surprised...to say the least. Sakura is my least favorite child, she has no much to offer…she reminds me of her mother. Her looks and sweet personality, she is just like my wife." Lord Haruno said, turning from the window then to me.

"...Sure?" I didn't know how to respond to that comment, not many men will go and bash their wives, the mother of their children, and a daughter at the same time.

"Because of their similarities I very much can't stand Sakura, because I cannot stand her mother. Sakura is smart enough, pretty enough, and sweet enough. I'm sure you will have fine children if all goes well." Lord Haruno said looking at me.

I sat there listening to something that sounded almost like poison. Lord Haruno was telling me about his dislike for his wife and daughter; it wasn't a pleasant conversation. I can tell that this is only the beginning too, if he were to actually start talking to me. I can only imagine what he has said to my father, those two are very close.

"You will get bored of her quickly though. You will cheat on her probably have bastard children with other women. You are a future Duke you can have as many mistresses as you wish and everything will be overlooked."

"I don't know if I could do that sir." I said, now he is just acting like a bastard himself.

"Oh I thought so too, but you are wrong, you will. Sakura won't have any say, or if she does she could never make you change. You can have my daughter, and I will overlook all those irrational things you two have done." Lord Haruno walked to me with a wide smirk.

"What, Lord Uchiha-" I said. I am quickly being pushed into deep shit. Who would have told him all of this?

"I know you two were in the field, and in Sakura's recovery room. I will overlook it all if you simply do not tell Sakura or my wife of what you saw before with that servant... Also if you could, tell your brother to keep quiet about what he knows. If you do so then you can have my daughter, you can do whatever you want with her." Lord Haruno said as his smirk grew wider. As if he just sold off a useless piece of cattle.

He reached out his hand waiting for me to shake it. I grabbed it and shook it, I have no clue what he meant about with Itachi, but I know I will break these rules he set for me. I will tell Sakura of what I saw, she deserves to know and she wouldn't speak about anything after I tell her.

I will just have to be very careful with Lord Haruno, be on my toes whenever I see him and whenever I'm in an open space with him. I sense trouble from him, and I am never wrong with my instincts, especially fighting ones.

"Thank you Lord Haruno." I nodded my head and rushed out of the room before another foul thing could slip from his disgusting mouth.

I walked quickly to Sakura's room. She will have to know everything about what just occurred.

Sakura Pov

I lay in my bed starring at the ceiling; I did everything I was expected to do today. I finished my book, drew in the field, went to my tutors to take my classes, and even tried on my dress for the coming of age ceremony, which was so huge on me that I need a new one.

So with nothing to do, I ended up here, on my bed sprawled like a cat. I called for Aimi, but she was busy helping my mother with probably some unneeded job.

I heard a few knocks on the door it must be my mother with a new gown, at least it is something for me to do. I hate just lounging around, I feel like an arrogant snob when I do so.

I went to open it, but instead Sasuke barged through the door with a stoic look on his face. He should know being in my room alone is not allowed, especially now this time of midday when everyone is awake.

"I have news." He said as he came to my bed, as he did so I sat up so my eyes could at least be in level with his chest, I'm so much smaller then him that if I wanted to look into his eyes I would need to look up.

"What is it Sasuke? What news?" I asked smiling.

" I talked with my parents and your father." Sasuke said proudly. I think I should know what he means by this, but I don't.

"About what?" I said, trying to hide the interest in my voice. I'm just hoping I don't come off to anxious.

"I went to my room and saw my parents. They were explaining to me the ceremony and what it would mean, then the theme of courtship came up." He said and his smirk, that he slowly created, got larger.

I'm still very confused, so I just smiled.

"Ok, please keep going." I said, trying to tell him just get on with it. When Sasuke actually wants to talk, I've learned he will talk.

"My mother knew about us." He said looking for me to nod for a sign to continue. I nodded. But when he says us, does he mean us? Like is there even an us, is it official? If it is, how am I the last to know?

"So she told my father, and they both said if I was going to court you I needed to speak with you father." He continued, looking down at me as I gasped.

My father can be a scary man when spoken to, and I don't want Sasuke to be annoyed off. I don't think my father would scare him, but they most certainly would not get along. My eyes must have looked like two globes, I could even feel them growing.

"So I did." He said. Sasuke was about to start another sentence but I cut him off.

"You did what?!" I jumped on him, causing him to fall flat on the bed on top of me, and end result causing me to lay flat.

"Sakura, contain yourself till the end of the conversation, we can do whatever dirty things you want after, just wait it is important." Sasuke smirked as he pulled my body close to his. I blushed and tried to squirm away, we are getting too comfortable near each other, especially if I just simply jumped on him and he laid on me.

"No I like you under me." Sasuke said pulling me back to the awkward position I was just in under him. If this is what Sasuke is actually like all the time naturally, I don't think I'll be able to keep up.

"O-ok continue with the story." I said trying to become comfortable with my position, and trying to make sure my dress was covering what it needed to.

"See what you do, you distract me." He said with an once of protectiveness in his voice, as he tried to pull me closer if possible.

"I-I'm sorry." The words weren't leaving my mouth. I'm so embarrassed from how we are placed, how can Sasuke be in this and be fine with it?

"You should be." He said as he kissed me. Shortly after I pushed him off.

"Sasuke finish the story." I have never seen Sasuke this open, and well... demanding of me either…. I don't know what things two people do…when they are almost i a courtship, but this is pushing it. Even I, figure this is a bit too much.

"Fine. So I went to your father's chambers and I…" Sasuke seemed to go into a sudden thought bubble. His almost satisfied face turned into an almost frown.

"You what?" I said as he looked down and away from me. Something clearly occurred that he does not want to tell me about.

Sasuke Pov

Should I tell Sakura? I know I have to soon, but this is nice moment ,and I'm sure after hearing about that maid and her father she will no doubt be very upset. She will cry and most likely want to be alone. I am right now very content with being here, having her like this under me, once I tell her she will kick me off and have a nervous breakdown.

No, I do not wish to spoil this,will tell her later. I don't wish to ruin whatever we are doing. I should tell her know, she will be more upset that I kept it from her if I tell her , I will tell her later. I am awful with dealing with comforting someone, so I will procrastinate this as long as possible.

"Hn calm down. I asked him for his permission to court you." I said trying to hide the guilt that I am positive I am showing.

"Court who?" Sakura said innocently. Is she kidding? Who am I laying on top of right now? Did she just forget the whole conversation in the park? She is going to be something further down the line, if her innocence makes her this...naive.

"Rin." I said with a smirk while rolling my eyes, in a joking manner.

"Oh." Sakura fell to the base of the bed instead of holding me. The poor girl thinks I'm serious. She's too gullible, later it is going to bite her in the ass. That is a a personality trait you don't want me to know about if you have it. I will run with it, I trick Naruto, my mother, or whoever, doesn't matter who you are. I have so much fun watching people under pressure.

"No Sakura, you? Did you really think I would court Rin?" I said while letting out a long sigh.

It was almost cute, she blushed and looked down and started giggling. Now she caught on, she shows it, I would have expected more of a reaction though. Like a kiss , I know she is shy, but a giggle is no prize.

"N-no." she stuttered.

"You did think so, well no. I'm courting you." She looked up at me with huge eyes and a huge smile.

"So he said yes?" She asked full of glee

"Yea, I had to persuade him a bit, but it was worth it." I said with a smirk, it was true that visit with Lord Haruno was shit. He was rude, and I saw things I shouldn't have.

With that I grabbed Sakura and pull her closer if that was possible. She just looked at me blankly.

"Sasuke." She said blushing, squirming away.

Her father said I would get bored of her, how could that happen if she keeps having these reactions.

"You said after the story we could finish what I started." I reached down and grabbed her chin but she shook me off.

"Sakura, I thought it was ok, I think it is ok for me kiss you." I said this but she pointed to the door. I was not going to go far, I just wanted a kiss, damn.

I looked in her fingers direction, I saw Sakura's mother standing flabbergasted in the doorway. How did I not hear the door open, I guess I was occupied? I am training to fight, to be able to protect myself and the ones around me, how could I not notice a woman plainly opening the door? That was a rookie mistake, that I have to make sure I don't do again.

"SAKURA! SASUKE!" Her mother ran to us with her hands on her hips. She caught us at the worse possible time.

We are in, what it looks like, a sex position. From another persons point of view it would look terrible, I'm on top of her holding her chin with a smirk…we are in deep shit. I mean is you are in whatever with a girl, sex is for marriage. Well for regals, I have sex with servants and such all the time. They are fine with a little one on one time, but for girls like Sakura it is a strict rule to be followed.

"Lady Haruno let me explain." I sat up next to Sakura and helped her sit up. Sakura was ashamed, it was written all over her face permanently in black ink. She hardly ever talks when the attention is on her in a simple small talk conversation, let alone in a situation like this, I will need to do the speaking.

"Mother we really-" Sakura tried to speak but her mother exploded.

"I can not believe you two would do this. Sasuke you are not even courting Sakura. You two would be excommunicated from the church! You both would be rejected of court, and Sasuke you might not receive your title if you did this!" She yelled, none of those thing those things would happen. She is over exaggerating, excommunication you need to kill someone for. Me loosing my title is impossib;e, and Sakura would be spoke about, but not rejected. No one ever said mothers were easy.

Now I know it looked bad, but our clothes were on, and I was holding her chin…it's not like I was in her.

"Lady Haruno I am courting Sakura, I asked for permission and it was granted to me by your husband. We fell on the bed because Sakura jumped on me because I told her of the news. I was just going to kiss her my lady." I explained with no shame in my usual stoic manner.

I sat up and bowed to Sakura's mother other to show respec, but right after I kissed Sakura in front of her mother after showing the sign of respect. Both of their faces were great. Lady Haruno looked like she wished to have me beheaded, and Sakura was just stuck in a trance from shock.

After I preformed my act I waltzed out of the room full of pride.

I began walking in the hallway, away from the scene I just created until Lady Haruno came running up to me.

"Sasuke!" She grabbed me arm. I turned to look at her and saw her crying.

I looked at her in depth, the woman has sad eyes flowing with tears, she surely seems over stressed, just like my mother. It seems my mother and her are both finally to look their age too. It is a sad sight, the woman looks like she is falling apart.

"Sasuke be nice to Sakura, she is my daughter, and I care for her future. I witnessed what a terrible husband can do to yo, and if you do marry her, please do not do what my husband does my little girl." She got on her knees and begged.

"…Lady Haruno." I just looked at her. The woman is at her knees shaking my right hand.

"Sasuke my husband cheats on me, I'm sure you noticed. He is even the father to other children that are not with me. I know you will become a duke, and you could have many women, but please care for Sakura as I do, or how her brother does. I know I come off harsh to her, but is only because she reminds me of myself." She said with tears falling from her eyes.

"Lady Haruno I have no intentions to do that to Sakura. I can not promise of me being a saint, because I am not like your husband...or my father, I have seen my mother in such a trance of sadness that I know whomever I marry I will respect."

She stood and thanked me and hugged me.

"Besides, courting does not always lead to marriage. Why does everyone assume now that Sakura is going to be my wife? I wouldn't mind, but everyone just thinks far too ahead. What are you going to get Sakura's wedding dress ready? I've only been courting her for a day." I said giving a snicker.

"Sasuke, it usually leads to marriage. I'm sorry I didn't mean to pressure you." She said as she giggled. Lady Haruno is really like her mother.

I walked away and went to my room to find a suit laying on my bed and my father. Again with this whole scenario.

"Sasuke we need to discuss your future now that you have court Sakura." My father walked to me and put his arm around me. I don't like where this is going. My father is never fatherly, as sad as it is.

"Father, no respect but this is rushing things, I just got permission from Sakura's father to court her I don't want to talk about children or all that nonsense." My father nodded his head but explained to me the points of being a duke. Then he told me with being duke you have to conceive a certain amount of children…at least one son, but a couple of children.

I was so happy this morning and now I am being pounded into my future because I'm courting a girl, and shall I remind everyone it has only been like five minutes. Shouldn't they have this discussion with Itachi? I mean for bloody hell he is older than me, he should be worrying about marriage, not me.

Itachi Pov

Lord Haruno was walking in the hallway coming towards me in a fast, almost like I was his prey he has been hunting for hours.

"Itachi! Come here I need to speak with you about a certain issue." Lord Haruno motioned his finger to tell me to come to him. She could come to me, fuck him.

I walked towards him slowly smiling. I have to fake it, i always fake being kind and happy and now should be no exception.

"Yes Lord Haruno." I said slyly, trying to look as happy as possible. It is really hard though knowing how disgusting this man really is to even give him a smile, he deserves no respect.

"Itachi follow me." Lord Haruno said turning his back to me, then walking north.

We walked into a part of the manor I did not recognize, or ever been to. It was darker and dusty, and it did nit give off the same vibe the rest of the house did. We stopped at a large wooden door protected by an old stone statue, that from what i think a devil monster like thing, prefect for Lord Haruno.

Lord Haruno opened the door with a key and we walked in. It was old and the room was almost haunted looking, but had many men in it…guards to be in fact with weapons and armor. It had beer barrels, swords, a fire pit, and many more dangerous and disgusting things I wish I had in my room.

"Itachi please sit." He pushed out a wooden chair in front of his larger thrown like chair by the fire.

"May I ask why you sent me here Lord Haruno, not that I mind." I said politely. observing my surroundings, you can never be to careful. It is always good to be a little tactful.

"Don't fuck with me Itachi." Lord Haruno said as he sat in his chair, that he tried so hard to make look like a throne. I sat there pretending to be confused.

A guard put a sword up to my throat and I stayed still looking at Lord Haruno with no emotion. These men are acting too quickly, but not quickly enough for me to be ready. I may not be able to get this bitch off my throat, but I what his actions will be.

"I am not sir." I said innocently, trying to act coy.

"Itachi keep your damn mouth shut, if you don't your mother and father, as much as I care for them, will find you in the bottom of the lake outside." Lord Haruno snarled.

"About what Lord Haruno? I'm offended of your accusation." I said, testing how far I can push him.

"Itachi just don't tell and nothing will happen to you or Sasuke." He said, his voicw was much darker then usual, and huskier.

"You would bring the boy that's courting your daughter into this?" I said raising an eyebrow, showing signs of disgust.

"Why not? I already did. He just does not know yet." Lord Haruno remarked.

"Leave him alone." I yelled. I know Sasuke and I fight, but there is nothing in this world that means more to me then Sasuke.

"Itachi calm down. Guards you can take him out now." A sudden hand hit me full force at the back of the neck.

Sakura Pov

I swirled and twirled in my room in my coming of age dress. Aimi and my mother watching me laughing. For the first time I feel completely happy. My mother finally giving me love and warmth, and Sasuke. The only thing out of place is Rin.

Tonight is the coming of age ceremony and I have mother, Aimi, Kasuka, and now Sasuke. For once I am a bit excited to be part of a celebration that happens in the King's court.

"Ok Sakura dear calm down and let Aimi do your hair." My mother said as she got rid of the wrinkles in a bow on my dress.

"Ok." I sat next to my vanity and looked in the mirror smiling. I closed my eyes not bothering to look in the reflection. It doesn't matter, I for the first time feel content with myself. I do not need the mirror to justify or dismiss this feeling.

My coming of age dress is pink, red, and white, with a touch of green for my eyes, the colors that make me shine. It had many layers, bows, and lace. My top was a corset top with a satin red lace to tie it with. My sleeves were around the halves of arm and were short and puffy with bows extending from the bottom.

It had a white layer on the bottom covered by another layer of each of my sides that were pink with a floral design. My corset top is red and has a white rose that has splatters of red it almost resembles blood. The top also showed maybe a bit too much cleavage, but I will just ignore it.

Aimi preformed magic on my hair, it is in a messy curly bun with loose strands and the same flower on my corset is a pin in my hair.

I looked beautiful believe it or not, and this is not a feeling I usually feel.

I twirled again with joy. I have a better feeling about tonight because of Sasuke, he is probably the one who is making my outcome on everything a bit sweeter, despite how cold he may see everything.

My mother stopped me from twirling and put her hands on my shoulders and made us face the mirror to look at both of our reflections. She then shooed away Aimi.

"You look pretty, Sasuke will be happy." She said smiling, having a bit of pride in her voice, for the first time ever for me.

I haven't thought of what Sasuke will think of this ceremony, I've been so busy with thinking of how everyone in court will think of us, i actually for there was an us.

"You think so?" I said starring at the floor and she laughed.

"Young love…it's blinding, clueless, and misleading. Although some how it is so beautiful." My mother said.

My eyes must have popped out of their sockets, because for some reason that comment just made me feel uncomfortable.

Love…?

Love is a strong word, and such a big step, most people don't even love the one they are married to.

Do I love Sasuke?

I never thought of it that way, how could I ever. That is such a big step, and he surely does not love me back if I did.

…

…

…

do I love him?

AN: Thank you so much for reading! Please review! Yeap and there you go, wish Sasuke and Sakura luck for the ceremony.