Sakura didn't remember how she lost consciousness, but she did recall what caused it when she woke the next day. Her entire body felt heavy, as though her blood had been replaced with lead. Nausea churned her stomach to the point that it was impossible to ignore, but not enough that she could actually be sick and rid of the awful sensation.
As her memories returned, her breath hitched. The pulse in her ears became as loud as claps of thunder. A gut-wrenching sob passed her lips as she curled in on herself, her hands on either side of her head as though squeezing hard enough would make the disgusting images disappear forever.
"Lady Sakura! You're safe! No one will hurt you!" A familiar voice spoke reassuringly, though slightly panicked.
Her eyes crept open to see long, dark hair through blurred and watery vision. She shook her head, pleading through her sobs, "I-I-! Make it stop!"
Large hands tried to pry hers away and succeeded, only for her to clench hers into fists and attempt to pull away. "Where is he?" The voice asked someone, not her.
Another voice, this one also somehow familiar, responded, "No one knows." There was a pause, but Sakura was too busy trying not to lose her mind to care.
"What do we do?"
The sound of someone else crying met the pinkette's comprehension, and she heard Ino's voice from somewhere in the room, "Isn't there a spell you can do to help her? She's suffering!"
The door to the room suddenly burst open, and then the only sound was the traumatized woman's sobbing.
Whoever had been holding her wrists released them, and she went back to clutching her head, nails digging into her scalp.
"Leave."
Her eyes shot open when she heard Sasuke's voice, but it didn't make everything better. Moments later, she felt a weight on the bed beside her. Then, strong arms were holding her tightly enough that she couldn't move. The smell of the forest and fresh snow distracted from the salt of her tears. Sobs slowly became softer until she was crying quietly.
Only then did Sasuke say something. He whispered into her hair hoarsely, "It's not your fault."
'He's lying. He just wants me to calm down so he can figure out how to be rid of me.'
"You did nothing wrong. He's the monster."
Sakura's voice cracked as she tried to speak coherently, "I'm a whore."
"You are not," he said in his full voice, no longer whispering.
She opened her eyes to look down where his arms were holding her so tightly, her chin quivering as she felt his pulse quicken against her back.
"You're not disgusting or used up. Nothing he said was true."
She sobbed again because she realized Sasuke, too, had witnessed her attack, not just Akuma, "I-I didn't want this!"
Sasuke pressed his lips to the back of her head, his breathing uneven, "I know, and I'm sorry, but now I can make sure it never happens again."
She sniffled, mumbling in disgust, "How can you possibly stand being close to me?"
There was a long pause before he kissed the back of her head, "When I look at you, all I see is my fiance."
That was when the pinkette became quiet enough to listen clearly because his words were unexpected. Sasuke spoke uncharacteristically warmly. Maybe it was because she wasn't looking at his face that he had the courage to do so. "I only see you, Sakura. That's how it's been since we agreed to marry, and that's how it will continue to be."
For a while, the pair simply lay there and mutually attempted to calm down. Eventually, they fell asleep. Sakura was the first to wake. She realized she'd turned in her sleep because her face was in the prince's chest. Her face warmed when she lifted her head to verify he was still asleep. The good, long cry had done wonders to calm her nerves.
'This is the first time I've seen his sleeping face.'
The man had dark bags under his eyes, though that was nothing new. The peaceful expression was, though. She had a hard time entirely convincing herself that he meant what he'd said, that his view of her hadn't been affected by this tragedy, but as she studied his handsome features, she desperately tried.
Unlike how she usually does when she would wake in Akuma's arms, she didn't bashfully turn away or become tense. No, she shyly snaked an arm across his midsection and snuggled into his side as he rolled onto his back in his sleep, a soft groan vibrating his chest.
'I don't feel afraid,' she realized, basking in his warmth, 'There isn't a single part of me that fears this man.'
She wanted to feel his skin, to allow his body heat to further comfort her, as odd as the notion seemed. Her eyes trailed down to where his shirt had untucked from his pants, and the tiniest sliver of pale skin showed. Cautiously, she reached for the area, only to freeze and change her mind because it felt wrong to take advantage of him while he slept.
"It's alright," Sasuke's voice suddenly met her ears, full of sleep and rasp.
Sakura didn't dare look up at his face, or she'd lose courage. Instead, she slowly ran her hand under his shirt so her palm rested against the middle of his stomach. Tears welled in her eyes as she basked in the firmness and warmth, but this time, they were of relief. She mumbled quietly, "Thank you."
He made an affirming sound before becoming silent again or falling asleep. She couldn't tell and didn't mind, regardless.
Though both wished things would proceed smoothly since the truth had been revealed, that wasn't the case because Hihara was in the wind. Even Baron Haruno claimed not to have knowledge of his son's whereabouts. Sasuke had their estate searched anyway, just to be sure.
The first days after discovering his criminal activities were tense, to put it lightly. Sakura needed near-constant reassurance that no one blamed or hated her. She didn't ask for it, but those around her, mainly her fiance and Ino, were beginning to pick up on non-verbal cues. The prince flipped between not wanting to make the woman uncomfortable by constantly being nearby and being too concerned with her recovery to let her leave his sight for long periods.
Itachi and Kisame left to report their findings to the king, who then announced a kingdom-wide manhunt for Hihara Haruno. He also sent carriage loads of gifts to the pinkette as an apology for not realizing something so awful had happened within his own castle. The king planned to go as far as visiting to make amends personally, but his nephews and soon-to-be niece assured him it was unnecessary.
Weeks passed.
It took a lot of work, mainly overcoming the discomfort of thorough communication. Telling one another their thoughts and emotions was difficult for Sasuke and Sakura. Somehow, they managed to get back to how things were before the assault, relationship-wise.
Akuma slept in Sakura's room each night, bombarding her with questions and speaking for hours to keep her mind occupied until she fell asleep. The pinkette would wake up to an empty bed most mornings. She didn't take it personally. From the beginning, she knew the prince wasn't used to being physically near others, regardless of their relationship or status. The fact that he threw his preferences to the wind to help her when she was suffering meant more than she'd ever be able to verbalize.
Eventually, the day of the wedding neared.
Rather than stay at the Uchiha castle for a few days, they'd stay just one night. After the ceremony, the newlyweds would embark on a honeymoon, of which only Sasuke knew the details. Sakura uncharacteristically made a personal request while their luggage was being loaded into the carriage, which was for Ino to accompany her this time, at least to the castle.
The trek to the capital was relatively uneventful. They arrived at midday instead of nighttime like before, though.
Ino, the lowest-ranked person in the carriage, exited first, followed by the prince. As her fiancee stepped out, Sakura closed her eyes for a moment of self-encouragement. The last time she was in this castle, multiple terrible things occurred. She didn't want to allow those memories to ruin their wedding.
"Lady Sakura?" Sasuke's voice broke through her wishful thinking.
She bashfully smiled, accepting his offered hand and allowing him to aid her in stepping out of the carriage. Dark eyes strayed on hers for an extra moment before averting. It made her heart flutter. It'd become easier for her to notice the small changes in the prince's expressions and voice. The warmth in her stomach and chest around him had begun to flare at higher temperatures, too.
As soon as her heeled shoes met the ground, her wrist was grabbed, and she was pulled behind Sasuke. He intercepted his overzealous uncle, "Thank you for welcoming us, Your Majesty." The prince's voice lowered at the title, a polite warning not to approach Sakura as casually as he had during their first visit.
The pinkette peered around her fiancee's shoulder so Madara could see her offered smile and bow, "It's wonderful to see you again, Uncle," she bashfully bowed to a silent Itachi who stood at his side, "and you, Lord Uchiha."
"Ah, Sakura. You're even more beautiful than I remember. You have the glow of a blushing bride," the king mused while leading everyone inside.
In an effort to keep up appearances for any curious courtesans around the castle, the pinkette's hand was in the crease of Sasuke's elbow. Skinship between them was rare when Akuma wasn't in control. It was a fact none of them mentioned, but all understood. Although incredibly nervous, Sakura couldn't help but remember how comforting and supportive Sasuke had been during their engagement party. Being treated so formally by him served as a reminder unable to be ignored.
"The chapel and ballroom have already been decorated, and your dress should arrive in the morning." They were stopped at a door, and Madara gestured, "For you, Niece."
'...I have my own room this time. Is it because of what happened?' She bowed, moving to release Sasuke's arm, only for his hand to land gently atop hers.
"We'll share a room, Uncle." Itachi and his uncle shared a look, so the prince added, "I must insist, respectfully."
'What is he doing? He still gets uncomfortable sleeping in the same bed.'
His elder brother slowly nodded, obviously understanding something that Sakura herself couldn't, 'They shared a room during their last visit, Uncle. There's no harm," he smiled almost teasingly when his eyes met his soon-to-be sister-in-law's, "It seems the honeymoon phase has begun prior to their nuptials."
"I see! My apologies," Madara's smile was meant to tease the shy couple, who tried to appear unbothered in their own ways, "We'll let you two settle in, then. Someone will fetch you for dinner later."
Ino and a few of the castle's maids followed the duo into the room and hung up their clothing before excusing themselves and leaving them alone. Sakura sat at the tea table with one of the books she'd brought along in her lap. Sasuke was reading some letters that'd been waiting for him while absently sipping his tea.
She couldn't help but admire his appearance. 'This man with the face of an angel has known such terrible suffering,' tears stung the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them back and averted her gaze to her own teacup, 'He'll soon be rid of Akuma.'
With the wedding tomorrow evening, Sakura was unsure how long it'd take before Sasuke would deem it the correct time to sacrifice her. A large part of the woman worried the prince wouldn't be able to truly care for her, but she remained hopeful that her pitiful existence would have some meaning. She prayed for his health and happiness more than anything. He'd been the sole person to treat her so well.
When she was first informed of her engagement to him, she expected to be starved, beaten, and taken advantage of like she had her entire life. Instead, she was given the freedom to pursue personal interests, spoken to with respect, and cared for like a princess rather than an illegitimate mutt.
"What are you reading today?"
Sakura's spine straightened. She blinked, realizing her fiance had noticed her dazedness. He was still looking over the letters but occasionally gave her a glance while waiting for her response.
Warmth met her face as she sat the large book from her lap onto the table and ran her fingers over the worn cover, bashfully avoiding meeting his gaze straight on, "The Tale of Umbrielle." Sasuke made a sound indicating for her to keep talking, so she did, "It's about a young woman who lived her entire life as a specter but suddenly became visible one day."
Though he didn't sound particularly intrigued, the Uchiha man made an obvious effort to keep the conversation going, if only to ensure Sakura wasn't uncomfortable, "You enjoy the thriller genre?"
'He's always such a gentleman to me.'
"Actually, this particular title is from the romance genre," she replied, her voice softening toward the end of the statement. Dark eyes lifted to lock onto hers at the word "romance". The duo stared at one another in silence, tension filling the air, before both looked away.
"I don't believe I've ever read such novels. They've seemed too…."
"Feminine?" Sakura couldn't help but smile at Sasuke. He may be awkward and not often one for long conversations, but he was consistently honest, sometimes to a fault.
His jaw flexed, and he nodded once, "Do you particularly enjoy them?"
"I do. Perhaps I'll read one to you at some point. Would you like that?"
The room went quiet. That's when the woman realized what she'd asked. They'd likely never have the opportunity to do such a thing because her time was limited. Even so, Sasuke eventually said, "Yes."
She hummed softly, sipping her tea to mask her pleasant surprise, "Please tell me when you'd like me to do so, Lord Sasuke."
"Don't-" The couple's eyes met when the prince cut himself off. He glared at the letter in his hands rather than keep looking her way. When he spoke, he seemed mildly annoyed, "Should we be rid of the formalities? Tomorrow we'll be family."
"..." Sakura may have been mistaken, but it seemed like the tiniest hint of color was beginning to tinge Sasuke's ears red. Her cheeks became rosy as she asked, "You wish me to call you only by your first name?"
"And I'll do the same for you, with your permission." Their eyes met again. The pinkette couldn't bring herself to look away this time.
Her heart was pounding nervously in her chest. So much so that she brought a hand to it while breathing out his name, "...Sasuke."
The corner of the prince's lips twitched before he nodded, "Sakura."
The sound of her name so informal in his voice sent an excited and giddy feeling up her spine. She shivered, rubbing her arm anxiously while finally looking away from his perfect face. She hoped he misunderstood the act as her being cold and not physically affected solely by his voice.
Rather unexpectedly, Sasuke changed the subject to something more serious, "You may be uncomfortable with it, but I need you to disregard those feelings for the moment. Stay by my side at all times while we're at the capitol."
Sakura did feel cold, then, as she recalled the awful things that'd happened the last time they were parted. She tilted her head with a frown, "I don't wish to be a burden-" "You aren't a burden to me. I'll hear nothing more of that."
The stern expression on the prince's face was intimidating to the point that she couldn't bring herself to argue. So, she nodded.
He sighed moments later, voice softer, "I ask for your understanding if I act uncharacteristically tomorrow. Understand that I'm only doing what's necessary to ensure your safety."
Sakura lowered her head, suddenly much more worried about the wedding, "Of course. I'm your fiance, so I'll support all of your endeavors."
As the room fell into a comfortable silence, she couldn't help but feel grateful that Sasuke was the one she'd been sacrificed to. It was almost a comfort that her death would result in his healing. It was at that thought that the woman's face fell in realization. Then, it paled, and she stared at his once-again-focused expression.
'Is this…Is this what it feels like to be in love?'
