Tasting Flesh Chapter 21, a naruto fanfic

Kitty is taking three-to-four weeks off for a vacation trip(basically...all of July) and will NOT be updating on Tasting Flesh until she returns home. If you have any messages at all, please feel free to leave it on the link to Tumblr and Kitty will do her best to message back. Please, while this fanfiction is on currently hold, have a wonderful three weeks by enjoying the weather and/or a yummy treat!

So yeah! :D Welcome to Chapter 20 of Tasting Flesh! The long wait for the bigass plot to finally take part! Boom baby, you are all sexy today, did you know that? I am very proud of this story and I am very thankful that you wonderful readers have stuck around to see the day when Kitty actually does something. I have lots of lovers and I have lots of hater, but you know what? That's all in the plan of writing fanfictions and entertaining people who do appreciate the ones who like to write and share c: I encourage everyone who doesn't think they have the 'talent' or the 'skills' to write a story; because honestly, it's not about being the best. It's about having fun and making someone else's day better with a killer story (which is everyone on this site).

Special thanks to all those readers who get excited for an update (you know who you are, you adorable people!) and I would also like to thank Authors in my Favorite Stories for inspiring me to write something instead of gushing about how cool they are c: If you readers have a moment, do take your attention to the people in the list and start bleeding from your nose about how awesome they are... Because they are awesome and I am jealous of them and their awesomeness.

YOU ALL STAY BEAUTIFUL WHILE I'M OUT ON VACATION, OKAY? :D

THREE additions to the Tasting Flesh soundtrack! Ready-up your Youtubes and look up the following of River Flows Through You, Radioactive and both are performed by Lindsey Stirling (fangirling right now), the last is Palliado written and performed by the band Escala. Escala and Lindsey Stirling are simply awesome and I think they fit for the Uchiha party Mikoto is throwing xD There will be no gives to when to start the music, that will all be up to you amazing readers. Enjoy~

Remember to leave a Review, Follow, Favorite or nothing to make you smile. Please feel free to have a wonderful day and I wish nothing more then for you to smile at something c:

=xxx=

Time is more precious to those who seek its comfort.

When time is borrowed, it makes the heart ache into sorrow...

If you can spend that borrowed time wisely, it will be a thousand years for it to end.

All that it takes for it to happen, however...

Is sacrifice.

Tasting Flesh

Chapter Twenty

Sakura stood still, holding her breath as Ino finished up the last of the makeup on her closed eye, feathering the eyeshadow just carefully on the delicate lid of her friend's eye. Sakura counted sheeps before the sound of the compact closing and a shuffle of barefeet on the floor before she heard Ino's soft voice giggle.

"Alright, open your eyes and put on a show for momma," Ino snapped her fingers on instinct to have Sakura's emerald eyes pop open to look into the mirror that they borrowed from Karin.

Sakura's skin was clear as the eyeshadow was light, seafoam green with a pinch of silver closing in on the eyeliner-like lashes. Her doll-like lips were pink painted and her natural blush settled in on her reaction of the makeup to her attire of a kimono-like dress of a silking skirt that barely touched the floor. The sleeves draped in the shape of a flower petal and swished around whenever Sakura moved her arms, the folding across her chest covered the little cleavage she had, but exposed the silver necklace that Sakura simply refuses to take off for anything. The colors varied from black to red, red to pale pink and the designs of tiny gold stars scattered on the lower half of the dress. Sakura's sash was silver, complimenting her eye-makeup perfectly. The hair pieces that usually hang on her temples were braided to the back of her head and the rest was twisted into waves, minus her short bangs carefully swept to the right.

After a moment of staring into the mirror, Sakura puffed her cheeks and looked at Ino with wide-eyes. "You made me look pretty again!"

"Yep!" Ino crossed her arms in pleasure. "And don't you dare get yourself dirty this time and ruin that makeup! We are not going to remake the scene at the bonfire, no sir, we are not."

Sakura sighed softly as she glanced to Karin, who was watching the whole time as the makeup was being done. The redhead smiled shyly and gave Sakura two thumbs up. "You look great, Sakura-chan. You're gonna snap necks at the party!"

"But I don't want to draw attention," Sakura grumbled. "That's the last thing I want to do in a room filled with Demons..."

Karin gave a sympathedic smile and held Sakura's hands in her own, assessing her outfit with a closer look. "Sasuke-sama and the whole Uchiha Clan has your back in this, not to mention Kushina-bachan and Naruto being there... They'll totally save your butt if anything was to happen," Karin explained sweetly as she arranged Sakura's fold a little and pat her cheek. "If anything, they will just say how lucky Sasuke-sama is in having you for a date tonight."

"Hmph," Ino scoffed, snippy-like. "Like that asswipe can show-off Saku-chan and thinks he can get away with it. Over my dead body he will!"

"D-don't tempt Sasuke-sama to," a sweet voice perked all the ears in the room. Everyone turned around to see Hinata dressed in an actual kimono int he color of navy blue and a sash wrapped around her arms and the tips of her shoulders in a bright orange color, making her skin glow and make notice to the bump on her lower belly. Sakura has taken a noticed to Hinata storing chakra into the womb more recently, noting that the pregnant Demon has no use for it herself, since using her Byakugan causes horrible headaches while carrying a baby, and she doesn't wish to cause Naruto to worry. For all they knew, Hinata could speed up the pregnancy with all the chakra she was storing.

"You look v-very lovely, Sakura-chan," Hinata cooed sweetly as she hid her giggle into her kimono sleeve, blushing madly when Sakura hopped over and start running her fingers through her navy hair that felt like silk.

"You kidding me? You're practically coming out of a fairytale book, Hinata-chan!" Sakura awed with sparkles as the Demon shook her head in denial. "Deny it all you want, but you look gorgeous!"

"T-thank you," Hinata giggled shyly again as Karin came up beside Sakura.

"Are you sure you want to go, Hinata-neesama? You could always skip and take a rest here; I'm sure Naruto-niisama wouldn't mind watching Sakura-chan tonight," Karin tried to reason her cousin-in-law for the safety of her and her child. "You haven't stayed awake this far in the night ever since you conceived."

"I plan on s-staying at the party until Sakura decides that s-she is tired," Hinata assured gently as she pressed a hand onto Karin's shoulder, kissing her cheek in thanks. "Really, it's nothing I am not used to. N-Naruto-kun's snoring has kept me up worse then a simple p-party."

"Aww, that hurts my feelings, Hinata-nyan!" Naruto whimpered when he popped his head into the doorway, a pout on his face as he cried to his wife. "You know I work hard to make sure Sasuke-teme doesn't break anything, Dattebayo! He's worst on babysitting and he makes me work my ass off."

Hinata smiled as she went over to Naruto and pinched his cheeks carefully. "I know, N-Naruto-kun. I like listening to your snores, you make a very cute face while you sleep."

The other girls laughed at Naruto as he grumbled. "You're embarrassing me, Hinata-nyan..."

"Why are you peeking into a lady's room, huh?" Ino barked with an evil smile as she threw her sandal at Naruto's face, missing greatly when he dodged away. "Whatd'ya want, man?"

"It's time for us to make an entrance for the party, blondie!" Naruto hissed as he used his hands to shield his face incase she had another footwear. "Sorry to piss you off, but anyone who is walking into a party with an Uchiha must be present... Unless you want Ma to come and round you ladies up?"

"We're coming, Naruto," Sakura informed with a polite smile as she took the other pair of shoes off of the stool. It was a simple brand of flat sandals with ribbons to tie together, and Ino was quick to help Sakura tie them properly. Once finished, Sakura hugged Ino and Karin goodbye and grabbed Hinata's small hand, allowing the Demon woman to smile at them and head out of the room and followed Naruto.

"I dunno why it takes you guys so long to dress up," Naruto complained as he held the back of his head with both hands, pouting his lip as Hinata and Sakura met him outside. The rain had let up greatly, only tickling Sakura's face in chilly tingles on her nose. It was cool and misty outside, and the tiny droplets of rainwater drifted out of the way when Sakura's dress pressed against them, not wetting the delicate fabric. It was as if someone paused the rain. "Honestly, you guy's are pretty enough; you don't need makeup or fancy dresses, Dattebayo!"

"If you're trying to suck up to me about talking to the boys about you seducing Hinata-chan, forget it," Sakura snickered as Naruto eyed her carefully, hoping that it would work. She smiled when Hinata blushed but giggled. "You're gonna have to do better then that, Naruto."

"Meeeh!" Naruto cried as he slouched his shoulders. Sakura laughed at him when Hinata deepened the blush and used her sleeve to cover her face. "I'm sorry Hinata-chan, I won't do anything naught until the baby is born and Sakura-chan drops the whole thing. I'm going to be a good boy, I promise!"

Before Hinata could respond to any of it, Sakura saw the opened entryway in the Uchiha palace, her whole body stiffened with the tension of nervousness. "Hey...what exactly goes on in a party Mikoto throws?"

"T-talking and fun," Hinata giggled as she squeezed Sakura's hand assuringly. "It is like a get-together, but there is dancing and food."

"Like...Disney Princess movies?" Sakura strained to find a proper example. However, it proved to make both Demons look at each other in confusion. Apparently, they've never been to Disney World. "N-Nevermind. How many Demons are there suppose to be?"

"About over eight-hundred people," Naruto shrugged and then jump when Sakura gasped a shirek into her system. "What's wrong? That's usually low for Mikoto's parties! It's just the three Kingdom rulers and nobles stopping over; Mikoto-sama usually invited the kingdom of the village too - and holy shit, do those kids make a mess!"

"That's still too many Demons in one room, you idiot! For me, at least!" Sakura cried as her heart started thudding against her ribs. "I changed my mind, I don't want to go into a party filled with royal Demons who could eat me in one bite! Tell Mikoto-kaachan that I got sick, or I got my period or something!"

"Hey, hey, hey!" Naruto chanted as he blocked Sakura's way of running back to the Uzumaki household. "You wanted to come here - don't think that high-class jerks will dare to touch you! You're Sasuke-teme's bride, for crying out loud! If anything, they would just ogle about how pretty you look and how the younger Demons will be jealous of Sasuke getting a nice piece of ass-!"

"Keep going and I won't hesitate to tell Kushina-bachan what else I heard in the bedroom, Naruto!" Sakura argued as she covered her ears at his loud voice. Her anxiety was starting to take over. "I know I wanted to, but now I think that it's a bad, bad, bad idea! I can only take down one person at a time, and Kakashi-sensei told me that it won't save me from being eaten!"

"Sakura-chan," Hinata soothed as she placed her hands on Sakura's shoulders. "You have me and N-Naruto-kun, as well as Kushina-kaachan and Minato-sama; and I h-highly doubt Mikoto-sama would let you be eaten, as much as Fugaku-sama would fuss about his guests being...unmannered. P-plus, Sasuke-sama would instantly be at your side if something was to go wrong."

Sakura whimpered as she nodded in understanding to the pregnant Demon, causing Hinata to smile softly. "At least give it a chance, and then I will take y-you out and back into the house. Will th-that be okay?"

"... Yeah. Okay," Sakura sniffed quickly and nodded. "I trust you, Hinata-chan."

"Ne, ne! I can show off my badass moves if anyone tries to nibble at you, Sakura-chan!" Naruto saluted like a proud man as both females laughed when his stomach started to growl harshly. "Uhh...I forgot to eat lunch, Dattebayo. Can we go in now so I can get some grub?"

Sakura eased her laughter and nodded. "Yes, Naruto."

Putting on a dashing smile on his whiskered face, Naruto stepped between the two ladies and looped his arms. "Shall I escort the two loveliest in the whole universe to a grand ball?" Hinata blushed like a schoolgirl as she huggled her husband's arm and Sakura simply looped her's through his arm hole, making the hyper-man grin as he gave off a cheeky giggle. "Teme's gonna be jealous when I stroll in, yes he will! Bahaha!"

Sasuke stretched his neck away from his mother's hand, ignoring her quiet fussing as she complained about Sasuke's hair being messy. He simply crossed his arms and thanked his father's side of the family to inherit the structured height of a tall person, and the fact that Mikoto didn't find it lady-like to jump up or tackle someone right before she was about to make her royal entrance. For him, his hair looked just fine the way it was, and it brought out the black and blue armored-like outfit he was wearing, matching his father's black and red toned outfit (however, Fugaku had a red cape while Sasuke wore a sash across his chest). And, let us not forget, that Sasuke was nowhere near a Demon child's age anymore, and did not need his mother's spit on his face and hair.

"Sasu-chan, let me fix it before we go in," Mikoto hissed lowly as she got to her toes and tried to reach, which proved worthless as her youngest son leaned farther back and making grunting noises. "Fugaku-kun, tell your son that he looks like the Loch Ness Monster with his hair like that!"

Fugaku opened his eyes from leaning against the other side of the wall, Minato next to him as he gave attention to his jumpy wife. He looked at his son for a short moment and shrugged uncaringly. "He looks just fine, Mikoto. Leave him be."

"Bah! I don't know what I did to deserve a husband who doesn't give a damn about appearance, and a son who won't let me pamper him anymore!" the Uchiha Queen sniffled with an angered pout as she crossed her arms. "I sometimes asked myself why!"

"Because we couldn't keep our hands off each other," Fugaku smirked as he closed his eyes again and leaned his head against the stoned wall, causing his wife to puff her cheeks.

"Pervert, you know that you begged to get into my-!"

"Will both of you stop before I die of this verbal suffer?" Sasuke groaned as shook his head. "Honestly, you two act like children when it doesn't go your way, Mother."

Mikoto smiled sweetly as she pat Sasuke's cheek somewhat painfully, causing Sasuke to hiss a bit and lean even farther away from his mother. "Remember that woman run this world, honey; we bring the men into the world, and we can take them out just as easy."

"Ahem, sister!" Kushina purred as she leaned away from Minato's cuddly chest, seeing a spot of orange and pink and silver in the distance. "Aah, they're here!" Kushina chirped childishly as she scurried over to hug Hinata, purring as she complimented how her daughter-in-law was practically glowing in utter happiness and joy around her son, making the Demon blush and whimper.

Sakura slipped her arm out of Naruto's faint hold and walked over to Mikoto who was calling for her to come closer. The Uchiha woman gushed as she held Sakura's delicate fingers to examine her whole outfit, blushing with stars in her eyes. "Ohh, don't you look perfect, my cutie! This outfit was made just for you."

"Thank you, Mikoto-kaachan," Sakura blushed shyly as she peeked over to Sasuke, seeing him looking at her so intensely. Her whole body turned to jelly when he smirked at her and beckoned her with a finger, making her lean a bit closer to Mikoto for support. "Uhm..."

"Don't keep your date waiting, cutie," Mikoto cooed sweetly as she gently pat the pink-haired-girl's cheek lovingly. "I gotta go and try to fix Fugaku's hair before we go onstage! Ta-ta, baby!" Mikoto gently patted Sakura's behind, making her jump as she was placed infront of Sasuke.

Sakura swallowed and forced a smile on her face, doing her best to keep the blush down. She looked up to Sasuke's face to see a small smirk, and that just made her chest cramp as she quickly looked back down. Everyone else was distracted, leaving the two alone to talk to each other. Although, as of right now, it seemed to be all too much for her; being all dolled up, pretty and with the most handsomest guy she has ever seen. Feeling his fingers gently grip her chin, his hand guided her face to look back at him and forced eye contact. She made a whining noise and puffed her cheeks at him childishly.

"What's wrong?" Sasuke asked allowing his thumb to gently touch her bottom, pouting lip. "You look like you're going to cry."

"Naruto said that there are a lot of Demons in there," Sakura gestured to the closed curtain where she could hear clinks of glasses and chatter - she knew for a fact that's where the party was, and she already knew that it was packed.

"I told you it wasn't a good idea," Sasuke grunted, making Sakura stiffen.

Glaring this time, Sakura placed her hands on her hips. "I'm not backing out on this, Sasuke-kun," she informed him with a strong tone. "If I'm going to be a bride of a Demon God, shouldn't I take part in these things? Besides, I know for a fact that you wouldn't let anyone touch me."

"That is correct," Sasuke looked down at her, "because I'd rip their limbs off."

"Don't do that, that's mean!" Sakura gawked with a dropped jaw, making Sasuke smirk wide as he bent his head down to press a kiss on her cheek.

"Do not worry about it," Sasuke whispered as his lips brushed her cheekbone, making her shiver lightly. He didn't hesitate to turn her head a little more so he could touch the corner of her mouth carefully, hoping to pressure her to fall back. "You can always leave now, if you-?"

Sakura pecked him fully on the cheek - just to piss him off - and smiled as she clung to Sasuke's sash. "Not a chance, Sasuke-kun!"

Sighing, Sasuke let go of her face and wrapped both arms lazily around her as he leaned against the wall again, bonking his head on the brick. "You're starting to become like your old self again, I hope you know that."

"Mm?"

"Always stubborn and doesn't like to listen to the best of advice," Sasuke spoke quietly, eyeing to the tall ceiling while Sakura reached up with both hands to grip his shoulders. He glanced down at her to see her smiling sweetly. "What am I going to do with you?"

"I promise I'll behave, Sasuke-kun," Sakura swore with a smile as she got to her toes to bop noses with him, making him smirk once more as he was about to tangle his fingers into her pretty hair.

"Hey! Don't mess up her hair, or I will make sure to chop your fingers off!" Mikoto growled lowly so no one on the otherside of the curtain could hear (well, as you might say). "Ino-chan and Karin-chan took forever to get her to look like a princess, and I will not have you mess up perfection right here."

Sasuke simply grunted when Mikoto sniffed at him, Kushina giggling naughtily as she grabbed for Minato's hand. "Let's go, Minato-kun! I'm excited already!"

Minato gave off a gentle smile as he left Fugaku's side to accompany his wife, leading her in linked arms and pass through the curtain. This took Sakura's attention before she noticed Naruto and Hinata stepping out, both 'young' Demons smiling at Sakura and whispering a good luck while Mikoto and Fugaku stood in the middle of the hallway and linked arms. Mikoto's pale hand affectionately gripped her husband's sleeve as she looked at him with a dreamy expression, as if she was living her wedding day all over again.

Sasuke carefully stood up from the wall, keeping his arms around Sakura, startling her as he bowed his head to Fugaku with a silent message. Sakura didn't understand much of it but she allowed Sasuke to guide her behind his parents, the males on the left and females on the right. She looked up to Sasuke expectantly for an explanation.

"We're going to be announced... Mother and Father first, then you and I."

"Oh," Sakura breathed as she leaned her head against Sasuke's arm as she listened to the ruckus in the danceroom dispersing when Kushina called out for their attention, her nails gripping his sleeve as she listened to the redhead's hyper voice.

"Pleased to present the hosts of the ball," Kushina's voice served as a megaphone, making Sakura realize that anyone can hear her, "King Uchiha Fugaku and Queen Uchiha Mikoto, Dattebane!"

Fugaku kept his back straight as he escorted a smiling Mikoto through the curtain, a ran of applause greeted then when Sakura peeked at the brightness of the ballroom, seeing just a glimpse of people passing with clapping hands. She heard Mikoto saying some thanks as the sillouette of Fugaku stood strong as he raised his free arm of saluting in greeting to the men, who responded with a similar fashion. Feeling her heart flutter faster, Sakura straightened her back and tried to breathe in properly, trying so hard to be normal with this.

A soft hand held her face and turned her head...

Sasuke captured her mouth with his own, moving his lips fluidly against hers that caused a weird, tingly feeling in her belly. She was caught by absolute surprise and parted her lips, unable to take in the act that she could taste him and he could taste her. Her cheeks flushed and her legs turned to jelly as she leaned in and closed her eyes, kissing him back at the equal pace he was giving her; making her feel like a rock, but light as a feather all at the same time. Their mouths fusioning together like a puzzle, Sakura shakingly got up to her toes to deepen it a little more, but to also help Sasuke out so he wouldn't hurt his neck. If she could, she would grab Sasuke by the hair and keep him down for as long as she wished.

"Please present," Naruto's voice took over, slowly pulling Sakura out from Cloud Nine, "the royal son of King Uchiha Fugaku and Queen Uchiha Mikoto..."

"Before I forget," Sasuke drawled as he broke the kiss in a 'pop', his mouth still lightly touching hers as he nuzzled his nose onto her cheek, "you look incredibly beautiful and utterly gorgeous. I think I'm going to have to punish any man who dares to look at you longer then three seconds."

"Ooh..." Sakura hummed with half-lidded eyes, feeling her heart tearing apart with a pleasurable pain. She couldn't focus on what was going on honestly. She tried to lean in to kiss him again, her body wishing to get closer to him at any way possible.

He quietly chuckled, making her blink at the very rare noise he made. He gave her a quick kiss, making her whine softly. "Now right now, we're going on next, baby."

"...Prince Uchiha Sasuke," Naruto shouted with an obvious grin in his voice, making Sakura straighten up but lean against Sasuke, hoping he could feel her heartbeat, "and, presenting, Lady Haruno Sakura!"

Swallowing down all her worries, Sakura put on the most pretty smile she could muster and allowed Sasuke to guide her through the thick curtain and become blinded by a white light; becoming deaf by the loud roar of clapping and chatter, Sakura's eyesight fanned out to see every single pair of eyes on her and Sasuke. Sudden nervousness stumbled into her nerves, until another soft hand touched her shoulder. Turning her head, Sakura looked at Hinata's assuring smile and returned it for her and the crowd as Sasuke saluted the men like his father and Naruto behind him.

For Sakura, she doesn't fear anything.

=xxx=

"Your outfit is so lovely, Sakura-hime! Do tell, who made it for you, hm?"

"Oh yes, yes! And what scent would you call yourself? It's almost like I wish to eat you - But I won't trust me, I prefer my cuisines at home!"

"How lucky of you to catch Sasuke-sama so easily. You know, my nieces have been fawning over him since he got that growthspirt. Sasuke-sama, do you plan on seeing my nieces tonight?"

"No."

The large group of Demon women sighed sadly to the Uchiha prince, changing their attention to the petite pink-haired teenager who still had her hands clinging to Sasuke's sleeve, cooing at how beautiful and adorable she was. Sakura was surprised to see most of the women here being so forward and polite to her, as if she was a a princess since the beginning. She would blush when a Demon woman holding her wine glass offered a piece of pastry or cooked meat, but Sasuke would answer for her by shaking his head.

"Uhm..." Sakura blushed lightly as she looked around at the crowd around her, noticing how the women smiled cheekly. "You all... I love all of your dresses, I wish I was as pretty as all of you so I could wear them."

"KAWAII!" the women cheered with gushing face as they giggled among themselves, causing Sakura to smile shyly at the good job she was doing. Sasuke's free arm came up and his fingers brushed her knuckles lightly, giving her the okay that she was fine.

Sakura leaned her head against Sasuke's arm, looking around the grand room and admiring the diamond decorations that Kushina and Ino placed up with ribbons and curtains. Everyone was dressed like in those fairy tale books Sakura used to read every night before bed, like it was one of those weddings at the end of the princess movies she would watch with Ino as little kids. And now, seeing the couples dancing in the middle of the room and under the chandeliers, Sakura felt her chest swell up with an amazing idea.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura chirped with the hyperness she has been storing up all night, getting his stoic-attention in a snap as she looked at him with bright eyes and sparkling smile. "Sasuke-kun, can we dance?"

Sasuke raised a brow, making the look that she could read of 'you're joking'. She only continued to smile and gently tug his sleeve with a childish glow, making the women around them chant.

"Sasuke-sama, don't leave a lady waiting!" said a sandy-blonde Demon with a deep green dress. "If Sakura-hime wishes to dance and you don't, I could always get my son over here to take her offer."

It seemed like the Demons in other kingdoms were aware of how to get under Sasuke's skin, since he twitched once and sniffed at them as he held onto the top of Sakura's hand as he dragged her over to the dancefloor. Sakura waved a quick goodbye to the Demon women before she was twirled around by her dance partner, stopping herself from tripping by gripping to his bicep while the other hand was held tightly in his. She glanced up shyly and smiled at him when Sasuke focused on the que of the violin before pulling Sakura flushed against him...

And started to dance.

Sakura pulled on Sasuke's jeans, hoping to get his attention away from cooking lunch for the two of them inside the Haruno Shrine. He was currently busy cutting up strawberries and apples before he would start to boil the noodles for the pasta dish, making Sakura's childhood favorite meal. Since Sasori stole the peanutbutter, he couldn't make the usual sandwhich for his little girl like he wanted to (since it was quick and easy). Sasuke would have bothered Chiyo to cook something for her, but she already threatened him with her wooden spoon and he hated that thing...

And the tugging on his leg was starting to bother him.

"Sasu-kun?"

Nevermind that.

"What is it, sweetheart?" Sasuke mumbled after he finished the last strawberry and looked down to the four year old's big eyes. "I'm a little busy right now."

"Inoichi-jichan told me that you guys have parties and balls like Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty," Sakura said with her bubbly voice, although she seemed serious about it. "Is that true, Sasu-kun?"

Sasuke sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He should have known that Inoichi would tell the little girls that the Great Uchiha Sasuke's family hosts parties for the royals, and of course it would be like those weird Disney movies Ino invites Sakura over to watch all the time. He really didn't understand how those 'princesses' could become famous by these mere adventures (and one slept most of the time!). However, looking at Sakura's position right now and Mebuki's family origins, he supposed that this...Walt Disney got a piece of it.

"Mother sometimes holds parties and she invites people over to the palace," Sasuke spoke softly, not wanting to excite her anymore. "People dress up and eat fancy meals, and they dance."

"Like Belle and the Beast?" Sakura asked with wide eyes. When Sasuke nodded, Sakura frowned and held her arms up to him, telling him that she wanted to be picked up. Doing so, Sasuke was surprised when her little arms wrapped around his neck and she gave him a sweet kiss on his cheeks.

"Hn?"

"Can I dance with you, if I go to the ball with you, Sasu-kun?" she asked shyly as she cuddled her face into his neck, feeling his warm body and skin. "I don't wanna be a princess if I need to go through all the trouble of saving my prince. But! If I must, I will save you, Sasu-kun!"

Feeling his heart beating a little bit faster, Sasuke smirked as he buried his face into her soft hair, inhaling her tempting scent. "You don't need to save me, baby. You are always going to be my princess."

"Really?" Sakura gasped as she pulled back, her little mouth opened in a big 'o'.

"Aa," Sasuke said as he poked her nose with his. "It's time for lunch, go wash your hands."

Sakura's feet were matching the movements of Sasuke's in the opposite way, as if she has done this many times beforehand and had lots of practice to not step on her partner's feet or trip. Sasuke could remember all of the times when he was forced to dance with other Demon girls, and they always dug their heels in his feet or purposely grope his chest and gush. Sakura, however, was not the fawning girl to fool around at an important party, rather she was a graceful princess and this was all about her.

Now that he thought of it, Sasuke noticed how the population of dancers ceased and more eyes watched the Prince and his bride dancing in the middle of the floor. They were mesmerized by them, he could tell, and he was somewhat becoming a bit prideful as he smirked and gripped Sakura's waist a bit tighter as he prepared her petite body to be dipped low, her water-like hair barely touching the pure white floor as the crowd clapped elegantly.

Sakura giggled as she looked upside down, looking at how Mikoto and Fugaku were watching with gentle eyes. The Demon Goddess clapped and laughed softly to herself as Fugaku nodded before muttering something to Minato, who was beside his wife behind the two Demon Gods.

Being pulled back up comfortingly, Sakura held onto Sasuke's shoulders and smiled up at him. "That was really fun, Sasuke-kun!" she said quietly as the chatter of people emerged into a louder pitch, allowing him to only hear her voice.

"Aa," Sasuke agreed softly as he brought up her left hand and pressed a gentlemen kiss on her ring finger to make her heart flutter. He heard some people 'aww'-ing at this gesture, since it was so rare for Sasuke to be willingly polite to someone other then his own mother with a simple kiss on the hand. He sensed his noble companion coming up behind him and he turned his head with his usual stoic look as the people began to dance to the next song.

"What?" Sasuke asked when Naruto presented himself as he pushed the Prince and his bride to the sidelines to get out of other people's way.

"Your father requests that you join him in greeting the Demon men who just arrived," Naruto explained with a toothly grin. "I didn't know you'd be a Knight in Shining Armor for Sakura-chan, Temeee. Why can't you dance like that with me, ne?"

"Because I'd push you out of a window," Sasuke shrugged uncaringly, making Sakura giggle. Looking down at her, Sasuke kissed her hand again. "Go find Hinata and get yourself something to drink. It gets hot when you dance on the floor."

"Okay," Sakura smiled with a single nod. She glanced at Naruto with an equal smile. "Hey, Naruto, if Hinata-chan can't move a lot, I'd be more then happy to give you a dance. You look like you have some nice moves, huh?"

"Aww, you're so sweet, Sakura-chan!" Naruto whimpered with stars in his eyes. "Okay, after I'm done delivering Teme to his pa, I will-!"

"Not a chance, you idiot," Sasuke growled as he grabbed Naruto by the ear and began dragging him away from the small teen, making her smile at how silly Sasuke and Naruto were with her. Once Sakura lost sight of both boys' hair, Sakura turned her head in few directions until she sought out Hinata at a side view, her pregnant belly somewhat easily to pin out along with her shiny dark hair and outfit.

'I should make sure that Hinata doesn't drink alcohol if she's pregnant,' Sakura thought with a small smile as she picked up her dress skirt an inch and started to make her way over to the noble woman on the other side of the room. 'Can Demons even drink alcohol... Do they even have alcohol here?' Sakura blinked that thought out and sighed. 'I need to learn a bit more...'

Breaking out of the large mass of bodies, Sakura made it to the shy corner of the ballroom where the drinks and Hinata stood in the clear. What took Sakura by surprise is that she wasn't alone, seeing a much taller form standing infront of Hinata's gentle stature; he had similar dark hair as Hinata's that went down his back with an exposed forehead, similar pale eyes and somewhat tanned skin. His expressioned looked stiff and angry, as if he was trying to hold something back...

"Hey, Hinata-!"

Slap!

Sakura's adrenaline pumped into her body as she saw Hinata's pained face being jerked to the side as the stranger's strong hand strucked her with a menacing slap.

A family torn by the bitterness of power and failure...

A daughter who left her life to start a new one for her own sake.

Her father, the prime maker of her pain, will not fail to expose his anger.

And it only takes a slip up to anger the daughter's friend.

What happened in the past...should be left alone, for sure...

But not tonight.

Expecting another strike on her face, Hinata's eyes snapped open as she held her stinging cheek with streaming tears pouring out of her eyes as she watched Sakura stand between her and Hiashi, her very own father, gripping his risen wrist in a vice grip and the noise of her father's bones grinding against each other as Hiashi glared down evily to the pink haired teen.

"Who are you," Hiashi growled out, teeth bared, "to stop me with a discussion that has nothing in common towards you!"

Hinata watched as Sakura's shoulder hunched in frustration, her hold on Hiashi's gripping tighter enough for something to snap and make him wince, but his angry face did not falter. "Don't you dare hurt Hinata-chan!"

"Who is this runt?" Hiashi snapped at Hinata who was slouching a bit from the overwhelming pain of her face and the uncomfortable twist in her chest that was sending down to her belly. She didn't want to stress the baby, but the slap on her face was used by her father's ultimate strength. Some people of the party turned their heads and watched as the Hyuuga king scowled at the silent noblewoman.

"Hinata-chan is my friend and I will not have you harm her!" Sakura hissed with fire in her eyes. She could feel this weird sensation of needing to break something, and she wanted it to be this man's skull for sure. "Don't you see she is pregnant?"

"With a fucking animal's child!" Hiashi howled as he tried to pry his hand out of Sakura's hold, but it was proving worthless. "How dare you protect this traitor's body when she clearly is guilty of performing such sinful acts! How-!"

"I'm Haruno Sakura, and I don't give a rat's ass who you are!" Sakura screamed as she shoved Hiashi away. He stumbled in shock a bit before standing straight. "I'm the Forbidden Flower and I refuse to have violence forced on my noble!"

With that, Sakura whirled around and knelt down to Hinata's dropped form, holding her gently as she assessed the pregnant Demon's belly and then her cheek, which was reddening and bruising under her eye immediately. "Hinata-chan, are you alright? Can you talk to me?" she asked softly when Hinata sobbed out loud, holding her face in her hands as she cried in both pain and depression. "It's okay, don't worry now."

"You little..!" Hiashi growled under his breath as he noticed Sakura's guard down, stalking toward the two women to grab the pink-haired one. The crowd howled out at the scene, but Sakura was paying all her attention to her pained friend, trying to comfort her in any way possible before looking out for herself.

Hiashi reached his good hand outward to grab Sakura's hair-

A much stronger man tackled Hiashi and drove them to the drinking table, shattering the decorative glasses, bottles and table in shattering pieces. Screams of woman and growls of men wrecked the air as Sakura's head snapped to see Sasuke lifting up the strange man by the neck and choking him against the wall, his eyes bleeding red and sharp canines bared as his grip tightened on the neck.

"Hinata-chan!" Naruto's gruffy voice emerged from the crowd as he skid on the slippery floor toward his wife and friend, his hot hands instantly holding Hinata's face and saw the tears. He took in a sharp inhale to try and cool his anger. "Jesus..."

"Naruto, who is that man?" Sakura asked with frustration, glancing to Sasuke's hidden face as he dragged Hiashi across the wall to be away from the spilled drinks. People began fussing and screaming at Sasuke, for what, Sakura could not understand.

"Hiashi. He's Hinata's father," Naruto spoke darkly as he cradled a weeping Hinata into his hold, pressing his lips against her shaking head. "I honestly didn't think he would come tonight..."

Sakura looked at Sasuke's demonic features, noticing a black pattern starting to pepper his skin, looking like torn leaves clawing up his neck. She didn't understand this, but she knew it wasn't a good sign as Mikoto burst into the opening and fell to her knees and her hands covering her mouth in mere fright. Standing up onto her own two feet, Sakura started to make her way towards Sasuke, noticing a dark aurora of hatred and violence spreading.

"Sakura-chan, don't go near him!" Mikoto yelled to Sakura as was now only two feet behind Sasuke and Hiashi, who was now struggling to breathe. "He's dangerous, you can't-!"

"Sasuke-kun," Sakura said softly as she killed the distance and wrapped her arms around his torso, pressing her face into his shoulder. She buried her cheek against him as she felt him tense even more under her touch. "Sasuke-kun, let go... Please don't do this."

Sasuke exhaled a growl, making Sakura close her eyes as her fingers trailed up to the area his heartbeat pounded the strongest against her palm. She wasn't going to give up, no matter how much Mikoto or Naruto would warn her. "Sasuke-kun..." she whispered against his back as she leaned forward onto him, making him growl more.

"Sakura-chan, get away!" Naruto begged as he held Hinata in protection. "He's a Demon God, and he isn't in the right mind now!"

"Sasuke-kun, it's okay," Sakura continued on as she rubbed his chest soothingly. "Please, calm down and come back to me."

Loosening his grip, Sasuke growled deeply, hissing toward Hiashi as the black markings on his neck began to disperse and disappear altogether, his breathing labored as eventually allowed his Sharingan to melt away back into the coal, smoldering eyes he usually had.

He let go.

Gently walking backwards, Sakura pulled Sasuke away from the Hyuuga King and turned him around, holding his face in her hands as she offered a smile to him. "It's okay, Sasuke-kun. I'm fine."

His hands shaking hard, Sasuke raised them and allowed the tips of his fingers to lightly touch her porcelain skin, feeling the softness of her neck and face as he shut his eyes. He bit his lip as he bonked his forehead to hers, his fingers still touching her face almost out of fear.

"I'm sorry," he whispered under his breath to her, and she can only hush him gently as she tangled her hands in his hair.

"You...unworthy Uchihas!" Hiashi choked as he tried to regain his breath, holding his neck with his only good hand as he stumbled up to his feet and leaned against the wall. "I thought over on forgiving your Clan, arriving to the party to show my forgiveness and I come to this mess!"

Sasuke reopened his eyes and glared behind his shoulder, but keeping his body facing Sakura and showing her that he was calming himself as best as he could. However, it seemed to be Hiashi's turn to lash out, but verbal violence. "How could I have been so foolish to try and make amends with the Uchihas, ne? After what the firstborn did to my family and kingdom!"

"Stop this, Hiashi!" Mikoto stood with her own guard up as Sasuke guided Sakura farther away from the angered Hyuuga. "This has nothing to do with Ita-!"

"Oh, but it does, Mikoto," Hiashi growled with a sneer. "You firstborn son has caused this uprising battle between your kingdom and mine with the unworthy acts of killing my wife and only brother! Don't you remember how much blood was spilled of my beloved wife and my only brother on my own floor - by the sword of Uchiha Itachi?"

Silence took over, the guests mute as Fugaku finally came up with Kakashi and Minato and Kushina in tow, standing their ground as Sasuke finally wrapped his arms around Sakura and hid her face into his chest with a hand.

And then, Hiashi laughed almost menacingly. "And, as I see it, it seems that the young Uchiha Sasuke is following in his brother's footsteps!"

"Enough, Hiashi!" Fugaku howled with a booming voice, startling almost everyone in the room as Mikoto let out a sob, her husband pulling her into his hold as she hid her face into his shoulder. "Don't you dare disrespect Sasuke or my wife in my own kingdom!"

"It's not disrespect, it is the goddamn truth!" Hiashi yelled back, his Byakugan forming as his eyes pierced at Sasuke's back. "And it seems like this darling Forbidden Flower is being held by Sasuke's will, and I suppose your Clan shall blossom more bastards and murderers-!"

"Hiashi."

Sakura peeked from Sasuke's chest to see a tall woman of curvacious figuring, her bust size almost spilling from her kimono-like outfit as she crossed her arms. She had long blonde hair that was tied up into a messy bun, some strands falling, and a perfect complextion of an angel. Her honey-colored eyes gleamed with domination as her red lips frowned at the Hyuuga man, walking a bit more forward into the opening. Sakura saw Sasori, Deidara, Chiyo and other pastel-colored men and woman flowing around, looking angry and ready to pounce if one was to make sudden movements.

The blonde woman noticed Sakura's stare and she turned her head. A pretty smirk and a quick wink of her eye sent Sakura into another blushing frenzy as she huddled more into Sasuke's hold.

Turning back, the woman put her weight on one leg. "Care to explain such childish behavior from the third Kingdom? Honestly, I am very disappointed in you, Hiashi, fussing at someone's party like a toddler who didn't get the right gift."

"Tsunade-sama..." Hiashi grumbled as he pushed stray hairs out of his face. "Don't get involved in something that doesn't involve you!"

"On the contrary, it does," Tsunade chipped back with a amused laugh. "Incase you haven't noticed yet, Hi-a-shi, that my family and nobles go way back with the Uchiha Clan, even before the Great War that killed most of the Demon Gods. As for the behavior you tried to perform on the Forbidden Flower, may I say that she happens to be my biological relative and my grandchild."

Stiffening at the sudden news, Hiashi straightened up. Tsunade smiled meanly as she stepped closer to the man, her back straight and chin up. "So, before you start verbally harrassing the Uchiha Clan and my granddaughter, I would recommend you think twice... Because I will not hesitate to come over and rip each of your fingers off one. By. One."

"You!" Hiashi tried to strike the blonde woman, only to be shoved back forcifully by Kakashi who jumped in the way. He collided with the wall once more and growled like an animal to the silver-haired Demon, who showed the stance of preparing to attack.

"You dare to strike a Queen, yet you easily fall back like a toy," Tsunade sighed. "Hyuuga Hiashi is more of a bark then bite."

Sudden movement of a large body, another silver-haired man stopped Hiashi from trying to get up and run at him again. Sakura witnessed the disturbed look on Kakashi's masked face as a similar-Demon stood up and held onto Hiashi's shoulders for support. He was older, she could tell, and looked very tired and neutral of everything.

"Kakashi..." the man whispered in the silence. Kakashi's eye narrowed at the man as he stood up straight. "You're...alive?"

Sniffing at the dumbfounded man, Kakashi raised up his headband covering his Sharingan, allowing it to stare down at the two figures being watched intensly. The silver-haired man gasped with wide eyes as Kakashi stood his ground. "I, Kakashi, the adopted son of Uchiha Madara and an official member of the Uchiha Clan, demand that anyone of the Hyuuga party to leave the Uchiha kingdom immediately by noble and army escort."

The silver-haired man stared at Kakashi for another long moment before Hiashi growled in displeasure. "Fine," Hiashi spat onto Kakashi's foot, earning hisses and growls from the other guests of the party who were not of the Hataka and Hyuuga portion. "If the world decides to go against what is the truth, then so be it!"

Sasori whistled, signaling the people who came with Tsunade and Minato and Kushina to follow in a formation to seek out the rest of the Hyuuga Kingdom (which was only one other Hatake-related person), and the whole group crowded around Hiashi, his nobleman and the other Hatake within seconds.

Before being escorted out the window-doors, the rain already pounding down and bringing an ice-cold breeze into the ballroom, Hiashi glared at Sasuke who finally lifted his head to watch the party go. "Before you think that what your future will hold, Uchiha Sasuke, you will always fall into the path of your brother! She won't last in your hands forever, Uchiha Sasuke!"

=xxx=

Once Hiashi's chaotic voice was out of hearing range, Sakura pulled back carefully to look up to Sasuke's face. Unable to see his eyes with his bangs in the way, Sakura tried to reach up and brush them away carefully but was instantly stopped by Sasuke grabbing her wrists and holding them away from him.

"S-...Sasuke-kun?" Sakura blinked with confusion. "Are you al-?"

Sasuke pushed her hands away and started to walk away. Becoming nervous, Sakura tried to call out to him to come back when Fugaku touched her shoulder. Being startled by the feathered touch, Sakura looked at the taller Demon who had blank eyes. "Fugaku-sama..?"

"Leave him be, Sakura," Fugaku advised quietly, allowing Sasuke to leave the whole room through the curtain they all cme through. "He will need space and time to think."

"B-but...is it true?" Sakura asked softly as she faced Fugaku and his arm around Mikoto, who was shivering but remaining silent. "Of Ita...chi. Sasuke-kun's older brother! He would visit Sasuke-kun and I back at the Shrine! What happened?"

"Yes," Fugaku confirmed Sakura's claim on his eldest son. "It was awhile before your barriers were put up, I remember..." The Demon God sighed and rubbed his temple. "Itachi. I don't know how he did this, but he left his military team on a campout one night... It was on the border of our Kingdom and Hyuuga's. He slaughtered his own men and took off, and, before we knew what was happening, Itachi murdered Hiashi's wife and his twin brother. Before then, we were making an alliance with the Hyuuga by giving them training for their military - we were going to show them how to protect their land from the hungry Demons that prey of the children and elder Demons in the Hyuuga Kingdom."

"So...Hiashi blames you for what Itachi had done? Even if you had nothing to do with it?" Sakura questioned as Fugaku nodded his head sorrowfully. "But where is Itachi now?"

"We don't know," Fugaku grumbled, looking down to Mikoto's hunched form with gentle eyes. "And, honestly, we don't care."

Frowning at this, Sakura looked down with guilt, swallowing down anything else she had to say to anyone. Looking around, it seemed that everyone else was in a bad mood, and it wasn't until she too felt depressed and cold. She could only wish that Sasuke would come back and hold her again, but she didn't want to be selfish either. What can she do anyway?

"Excuse us, Sakura, I need to tend to my wife," Fugaku whispered softly as he started to guide the silent Demon Goddess away. He raised his chin up to the ceiling and used a strong voice next. "The ball is dismissed; arrivals of the Senju and Haruno will reside in the guest quarters for the night and bad weather.

"Pardon me, dear," a honey-like voice perked Sakura's little ear. She turned her head to look up to the blonde woman who stood up for Sasuke, the Tsunade lady that she remembered was her mother's mother, and a queen for that matter. Raising a beautiful hand, Tsunade gently touched Sakura's chin to tilt her face up and carefully examine it.

"Uhm..?" Sakura blushed shyly as she allowed Tsunade to pinch her cheeks with a pretty smile.

"I just couldn't help but notice how much of your mother's fire you have inside you," Tsunade laughed softly as she pinched a lock of Sakura's hair. "Not to mention you have your father's coloring, but your eyes are so much like your mothers."

"You're my mother's mom, aren't you?" Sakura peeped. "That makes you my baa-chan, like Chiyo-baachan!"

"Aa, but I prefer if you didn't call me grandmother," Tsunade flushed with a twitch of her brow. "I feel awfully too young to be a grandma-!"

"You're twenty years older then me, you lying sack of hay!" Chiyo barked with a snarky laugh, causing Tsunade to twirl around with fire in her eyes.

"Mind you that I'm meeting my daughter's baby for the first time in eighteen years?" Tsunade growled back as she smushed her face against Chiyo's wrinkly one, reminding Sakura and Ino when they would fight like children. All puffy cheeks and fangs, Tsunade and Chiyo growled playfully at each other. "At least let me be thankful that she pulls off the pink hair better then Kizashi-chan."

"Kizashi's hair was a pale perrywinkle!" Chiyo hissed back. "I'm the one who has the pink hair in the family; mind that there was a marriage on your side of the family to one of my ancestors! Those genetics came from your vag-!"

"Hey! Don't fight, please," Sakura fussed softly as she caught the attention of both f her grandmothers. "Don't argue infront of me..!"

"Oh, this is how we talk, honey," Chiyo coughed as she did a cat-like smile. "Besides, we all know who's the favorite grandmother - since I am called Baa-chan!"

"Oi, don't push it, Chiyo-chan!" Tsunade sniffed as she turned back to Sakura, smiling softly like nothing happened in the first place. "Sakura, honey, I would like you to come with me for a moment." Taking both of Sakura's little hands, Tsunade started clearing a path with her devine beauty as her party and the Uchiha party started to leave into the corridors and hallways, guiding their guests into rooms.

Guiding Sakura through another curtain, Tsunade revealed Naruto still cradling Hinata in his warm arms, leaning against the wall on the floor as he gently rubbed her back with his thumbs and whispering hushed lullabies into her hair. When Naruto glanced up, he asked Sakura to silently come over and join them.

"This noble's wife has asked for you, so I brought you here where they felt safe from everyone right now," Tsunade explained softly as she patted Sakura's head. "I need to finish my poker game with Chiyo-chan before she looks at my cards. I will see you later, honey." Tsunade left with a nod to Naruto and closed the curtain.

Sakura quietly strolled over and plopped down onto her knees, looking at Hinata's tear-stained and frightened face with sad eyes. "Is she okay, Naruto?"

"Yeah, just shakened," Naruto sighed softly as he kissed Hinata's forehead. "I think she's worried about the baby; she has given it a lot of chakra, so they would easily share emotions and pain at this stage of pregnancy... And her eye is bruising and I think her cheek is far too tender."

Looking at the ex-princess's face, Sakura sought out the purple-ish bruising under her pale eye, tears spilling out of that eye everytime she blinked, her whole cheekbone was red and swollen. Frowning, Sakura reached up with her hand and carefully hovered her palm over the cheek, feeling the heat of the rushing blood radiating under Hinata's cheek.

'I want her to not feel anymore pain her father caused her,' Sakura thought in a prayer as she focused her vision on her tears, wanting to swallow up all her pain and to-.

Blue-green flames sparked from Sakura's fingertips, carefully licking Hinata's harmed skin and making all three jump in shock. The flames continued to grow until it consumed Sakura's whole hand, and cementing itself onto Hinata's bruise and suckling away the pain and look on Sakura's friend's cheek.

"I-it's cold..." Hinata breathed out as she leaned into Sakura's hand, causing Sakura to tense with worry. "It feels...so n-nice, Sakura-chan."

"What is this?" Sakura hiccuped with shock.

"It looks like something Sasuke-teme told me about once," Naruto watched with a curious look in his eye. "Something about how Chiyo would bring you wounded rabbits and you would heal them with this cold flame from your hands."

'It's a healing power Forbidden Flower's have with the extra chakra we never use,' Rin's soft voice explained in Sakura's ear as her hand pressed onto her back. 'When we want to heal something we don't like to see, it will be erased by the chakra you used to take the pain away. Honestly, this is interesting that this is happening, I figured your barriers locked away most of your powers.'

'Hinata-chan's bruise will go away?' asked Sakura with a small smile when she noticed Hinata's swollen flesh decreasing back to her normal size and the redness was gone.

Rin's voice was smiling and happy. 'We can heal anything but fatal wounds; that would require our blood.'

When the flame poofed away like glitter, Sakura pulled her hand back and watched Hinata open her eyes. Her whole cheek was healed, and no sign of Hiashi's harrassment stained her cheek, making Sakura smile big and Naruto to howl out and hug his wife into a total cuddle mess. Sakura felt happy when Hinata giggled shyly as ever and rub her eyes to get rid of her tears.

"Th-thank you, Sakura-chan," Hinata smiled sweetly as she grabbed Sakura's hand and hugged it. "I'm so sorry...for m-my father's behavior."

"Why would he hit you?" Sakura asked softly as she glanced down.

Hinata's eyes sparkled with memory, but no tears fell this time. "I have not s-seen my father since I left. We n-never talked or communicated, so he had no idea I was married or pregnant to an Uchiha's nobleman."

"Hiashi doesn't like the Uzumaki for some reason, something about us being lowerclass and animalistic due to our chakra power resembling a monster's form," Naruto huffed as he kissed Hinata's healed cheek softly.

"I'm not upset with him. H-he means nothing to me anymore," Hinata sighed softly as she closed her eyes to Naruto's kisses and holding onto Sakura's hand.

Smiling down, Sakura focused her ears onto an odd sound of a thumping noise, coming somewhere around the two married Demons huddled in the corner of the wall. Raising her free hand, Sakura touched her fingers to Hinata's clothed belly, her swollen abdomen noticable from the position Hinata was in, making it look a bit larger as she curled into Naruto's lap. Narrowing her eyes, Sakura drowned out the rest of the world and her own troubles, focusing on Hinata's stomach with concentration.

Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum.

"S-Sakura-chan?" Hinata pipped a little as she noticed the pink haired teen rubbing her belly, as if she was accussing it (by her face expression, no doubt). "What are you doing..?"

"The baby," Sakura inhaled with a smile, "is so happy that its mommy is okay, and that its daddy is not mad anymore. Its heartbeat is just fluttering right now!"

"What? You serious?" Naruto jerked forward, startling his wife into a blushing frenzy. "How come I can't hear the heartbeat? I've been trying to look for it for days, Dattebayo!"

"It just started, actually," Sakura said with a shrug of her shoulders. "I dunno how, but I think it had to do with restoring her chakra and her being happy again."

"It's because Sakura-chan helped me," Hinata grinned as she cuddled Naruto. "Our l-little baby is happy, N-Naruto-kun!"

Sakura watched with content eyes as Naruto suddenly burst into happy tears as he snuggled Hinata back and muttering on how much he loved his wife and how he was going to talk to her belly everyday from now on until the baby was born. She smiled as she carefully got up from the ground and left the two Demons alone to rejoice in the wonderful news of their growing child. Sakura went through the curtain to find the ballroom empty and somewhat cold, as if all the happy noise and music was killed by a single moment, leaving it in ruins.

Seeing the drink table in pieces and shattered glass, Sakura frowned deeply at the memory of Sasuke looking scared to touch Sakura's face when she tried to comfort him. He would apologize constantly and look so much in pain. For her, she couldn't understand why Sasuke looked so horrible about himself, since she wasn't afraid of her Sasuke for anything; no matter how deadly and scary he looks.

Sakura just wants him home.

'He will be fine, Sakura-chan,' Rin's voice comforted her softly as Sakura fought back angry tears. 'Fugaku-sama said he just needed time along and he needs to relax before coming back.'

"But where would he go?" she asked sadly, walking to the edge of the shattered mess of elegant glasses and drinks staining the porcelain floor.

For that, Rin could not answer. 'Why not wait for him in his bedroom? It will give everyone the time to rest and you can be the first person he will see alone.'

"Yeah...I suppose you're right," Sakura sighed softly as she carried herself away from the wonderfully decorated ballroom (minus the mess Sasuke and Hiashi made) and went toward the direction of Sasuke's bedroom. She couldn't wait until Sasuke came back so she could kiss him and hug him, refusing to let go until he kissed her with the passion he performed before escorting her to the party.

"I just hope he will be alright."

Outside of the Uchiha Compound, the ice-cold rain pounding onto his drenched body like chunks of rocks, Sasuke started tearing off his royal top and sash with harsh claws, his nails pointed as he bared his teeth in the confined anger he was just waiting to lash out. Sinking his knees into the thick mud, Sasuke's large, black angelic wings fanned out with jerkish pushes, snapping the branches of trees and bushes into pieces. His teeth sharp to the point that it pricked his lips and black markings starting to scatter on his pale skin, making him stretch his neck as he roared up to the sky.

'They're like angel wings,' that one voice whispered in the back of his mind. 'Will you be my angel..?'

Shutting his eyes tightly, Sasuke strained to resist lashing out to the noises in the distance. Those hungry Demons just waiting...and, somewhere out there, there was one man who was plotting to try and take her away from him.

"No..." Sasuke's voice was dark and menacing, vemon dripping in his tone as he reopened his eyes and the Sharingan blazed into the forest, where pairs of eyes started to blink at him. Mocking, teasing and hungry-like, they started challenging him at the wrong time. "No...they can't have her."

Inhaling sharply, Sasuke focused his aim at the eyes narrowing at him, hissing and clawing their way out. Bodies of sickly-white and blue-ish skeletal people crawled out, their blue tongues licking out as they climbed ontop of one another, nails digging into the ground as they howled at Sasuke with a charging pace.

'Hungry..! So hungry!'

'We can smell her, Uchiha! Sweet, sweet smell..!'

'I want to riiip her heart out and suck her blood!'

'You can not hide her! I will get a taste!'

Sasuke dropped his jaw, exhaling a cloud of fire toward the pile of bodies and burning them alive. He watched with merciless eyes as the lowlive Demons screamed to their deaths as their black eyes rolled into the back of their heads before spasming to stones, melting soon after to the bones becoming crispy ashes. Standing up, Sasuke's body towered with great power, sensing so much more Demons coming over from the scent of their kinds bodies roasting in the rain. It was a nasty smell, however, it would serve somekind of meal to those lowerclass monsters to try and eat each other...

With this, Sasuke stalked forward into the forest, shirtless and muscular, his craving for bloodlust was raging high. And, for him, he was not going home until that feeling was sober with his own wounds and physical pain.

His body exposed to the dangerous rain and the hungry mouths of Hell...

The Prince plans nothing more of his time then to kill and tear bodies apart.

And he knows, back at home, she will be waiting for him.

Because now, the battle had only begun.

=xxx=

AUTHOR'S ENDING NOTE- Hallo you pretty people c: I love what you did with your hair today! I apologies in advance for not updating for the next few weeks of this fanfiction, but I want you to know that this is not the end :3 It literally JUST started. So now, you all have the pleasure to try and figure out what will happen next :D Because Kitty is like that. I hope you all will have a wonderful month of sunshine and awesomeness while I'm gone!

Please feel free to Review, Follow, Favorite or do nothing in particular. You are all stars and I love every one of you c: When I come back, I will be updating Tasting Flesh, as well as my other two fanfictions of Sing to Me, Baby and Wilting Roses. I am currently debating on if I should start a new fanfiction story of SasuSakuness to keep me busy o3o What do you think? c; I hope you all will have a wonderful month!