"I'm relieved she has an appetite this time," Madara said once all three Uchiha men were sure Sakura was asleep.

Sasuke studied his sleeping wife's face, oblivious that they'd given up talking about the kidnapping. The subject had turned onto her.

"The doctors…. Did they say whether or not she was assaulted?"

The prince's eyes darted up to his brother's, narrowing, "She didn't consent to being inspected, but denies it."

The king hissed in a quieter voice because he truly didn't want her to overhear his next words, "She hid the truth last time. Can we trust she isn't doing so again?"

Both Uchiha brothers shot annoyed looks at him, the eldest speaking up first, "They are married now, Uncle. I'm sure you can recognize the difference in their relationship."

Sasuke's gaze turned onto his wife again, mulling over Itachi's words. 'It really has changed since the wedding. I can't possibly mask my feelings for her in front of others, whereas before it was relatively easy to remain stiff.'

His princess was stronger than anyone he'd ever known. She'd had a terrible upbringing and experienced horrifying traumas since meeting him, too. Not only did she survive being the prisoner of notoriously bloodthirsty mercenaries, but she informed him last night that she'd done so while pregnant. The prince was determined to spend the rest of his life thanking her for enduring such hardships. He didn't want her to so much as pull a muscle or stub her toe for the remainder of her pregnancy.

Madara and Itachi shared a look before lowering their voices further, the king speaking first, "There is something else we must tell you." The prince turned his gaze back onto them, disliking the tension they suddenly exuded. "Remains were discovered not far from a hideout the knights discovered East of the kingdom."

Sasuke's eyes danced between the two before locking firmly on Itachi, who nodded uneasily, "They belong to Hihara Haruno." A strange mixture of relief and fury boiled the pit of his stomach. He was glad that monster had perished, but he was angry he wasn't the one to deal the final blow. "That's not all," Itachi continued, his frown deepening, "His cause of death was strange. It's evident magic was involved, but the user left no trace, so we have no way of identifying his murderer."

The prince wasn't sure what to say. His teeth gritted as he once again looked at his wife. She seemed so peaceful compared to the wildfire blazing in his thoughts. 'How will she react when she finds out?'

"I should inform you, certain laws bind even us, so I've sent word to the Haruno family to come claim the remains. They will arrive in two days," Madara said.

"We'll leave the palace tomorrow, then." Sasuke didn't need to think about a response to that piece of information. He didn't want that wicked family anywhere near his wife. Now was time for her to heal and know peace, not have old wounds reopened.

Itachi asked, "Are you sure you wouldn't like to stay until Lady Sakura is able to walk? Moving her in that condition will cause her body distress."

Sasuke slid his hand out from between the woman in question's, instead pulling the blanket up to her chin.

He spoke, barely a mumble, "The positive memories she has of this castle are few. If it means she'll be able to return to our home, I'm sure she'll agree with my decision." He watched the slow rise and fall of her breathing and added even more softly, "I will ask her when she wakes. If she wishes to stay, then we'll stay."

Soon, the first prince and king left so he, too, could rest. He'd been injured, after all. Honestly, the wounds to his arm and hand didn't offer much discomfort. The healing potion had done great work. The maids silently took the trays of food and drinks. Once he was completely alone with Sakura, he gently brushed her hair from her face. A small smirk tugged at his lips as he memorized the picture before him.

'She ate more than usual. It must be the baby.'

An unfamiliar warmth met his chest, something like pride. Sasuke had never imagined having children. He thought it wasn't even an option. When he realized what Sakura was trying to communicate last night, though, unbelievable happiness flooded his entire being. Instantly, the few memories he had of his late parents came to mind.

There were times his father would train him and Itachi with wooden swords. They'd be so exhausted by the end of the day that he'd have to carry them home, the older brother on his back and the younger in his arms. He remembered hearing him and his mother whispering amusedly when he'd arrive home with two dirty, sleeping boys. Though it seemed far-fetched, given Sasuke's introverted personality, he wanted to be an amazing parent like his had been.

'Sakura will make a great mother,' he mused.

She had similar characteristics as his mother when he imagined it. She'd undoubtedly raise a child with gentle hands, encouraging them with her entire soul. It was likely she'd read them stories before bed and stay with them through the night when they were sick.

Sighing, the man walked around the bed to slip under covers. Sakura stirred when he did, turning onto her back. He turned onto his side, hesitating momentarily before placing a hand on her stomach. It was impossible to tell she was with child at this point. She'd lost weight while they were apart, and they only spent one night together, so the date of conception was concrete.

A realization suddenly came to Sasuke. The light-hearted content turned into stone-cold ice. His wide eyes lowered to the blanket covering where his hand rested. '...I wasn't the only one. That was the night that The Curse….' It wouldn't matter, right? It was still his body, after all! …Still. His body became capable of inhuman things when the demon was in control, like crying tears, heightened senses, and incredible physical strength. Would his very DNA be affected by that? It'd be impossible to find that information in a book. The only person who might've known was Orochimaru, who died a decade ago.

The prince shook his head, gently pulling Sakura closer and holding her tightly, 'The child is mine. This is my wife, and it was my seed that took root.'

The morning of the next day, Sasuke explained the situation to his wife while they bathed, a few maids tending to them that he ignored and she attempted, and failed, to. "So, I leave the choice to you. Would you like to leave today for the Winterlands, or are you content to remain here until your body has healed?"

A pretty blush colored her cheeks. It was charming how bashful she was about being tended to, especially now that she was an honest-to-God princess. Her voice had come back, though she kept it softer than usual to not harm it further, "I want to go home."

He'd figured correctly.

"But-"

Or so he thought. He was truly surprised to see her hesitation.

She avoided meeting his gaze, "I know this isn't the time, but do you know which members of my family are coming to collect the remains? My sister, Hana…. I haven't seen or heard from her since becoming your fiance. She hasn't responded to letters, either. I'm worried."

Ah. Sasuke had forgotten about the youngest Haruno sibling because he'd yet to even meet her. If he correctly recalls, Sakura was close with the mystery girl. 'Yes. I remember her saying she used to read books to her little sister. It was the day we first met face to face.'

Sighing, he looked over his small wife's appearance, an uneasy feeling brewing in the pit of his stomach. 'Is it wrong to want to lock her away so no one can hurt her again?'

Yes. It was wrong because it wasn't what she wanted. Disregarding her desires would make him no better than those mercenaries that'd held her captive. So, he nodded defeatedly with a stern frown, "You mustn't leave my side."

Sakura seemed mildly surprised that he agreed without argument. Then, she smiled bashfully, "I understand."

The duo spent most of the day humoring the doctors and palace staff who fretted over them on behalf of the king and first prince. After dinner, though, Sasuke had had enough. He was a man who valued privacy more than most. So, when the doctors bid the couple a good evening after one last vital check, the prince climbed out of bed, walked around it, and knelt beside his confused wife.

"Sasuke? Is something wrong?" The princess sat up with a red face when he tugged the covers from her.

Finding her behavior charming, Sasuke bit back a smirk. He cleared his throat before masterfully picking his wife up like the royalty she was, "I'd like to sleep in a room, in a real bed, where none can enter unannounced."

Sakura squeaked upon being lifted, naturally grasping a handful of his shirt. She hissed so as to not be overheard by anyone as Sasuke left the room and began carrying her upstairs toward the guest bedrooms, "S-Sasuke! What if someone notices we're gone and thinks-" "Let them think what they want. We're married," the prince cut off his wife, surprised she'd bring up a sexual topic so casually. When no verbal response came, the man looked down to see his wife burying her face in his chest and actually chuckled at her.

She groaned, evidently embarrassed, "I meant what if they think we've been kidnapped, not…that."

He waited until they were in a room to respond, and laid her down on the bed with amusement dripping into his tone, "That?"

"Yes. You're aware of what I speak," Sakura averted her gaze and busied herself with pulling back the covers and climbing under them.

Sasuke didn't hold back his smirk this time. He shrugged his shirt off over his head and let it fall to the floor while walking across the room to switch the lights off. At the very last moment, he noticed his wife glance his way. It'd have been easy to allow lust to take over, but he didn't. No, an adoring warmth to which he was becoming more and more accustomed met his chest.

Sakura had a habit of cuddling up to him for warmth in the night, and he'd grown fond of it without outwardly letting that fact show. When he joined her under the covers, however, she remained laying on her back. While Sasuke had learned to read Sakura's body language more easily in their time together, he couldn't determine what was going through her head when he turned onto his side. He thought she might've been blushing because of his mild teasing, but she wasn't. No, she looked almost melancholy.

'Have I frightened her by taking her to such an isolated room?'

Hesitantly, the prince asked, "Is something wrong?"

Brilliant green eyes turned onto him before closing tightly. The woman was quiet for a pause before she groaned and shook her head, "I'm realizing how uneducated I still am after having spent so many hours in your library." Sasuke still wasn't sure what she meant, so he waited for her to elaborate. When she realized this, she admitted in a barely audible voice, "Is it harmful to the child if…that happens while I'm pregnant?"

The Uchiha almost laughed. Almost. He tried his best to hold back his grin while shaking his head, gazing lovingly at his wife's humiliated face, "Do you require my attention?"

Sakura nodded, her blush brightening, "Do you think I'm well enough to-" Sasuke smoothly moved over her, sliding his body between her legs and cupping her cheek in his hand, "I'll take care of you. Don't exert yourself."

The look of astonishment and arousal on his shy wife's face was encouraging as the prince kissed her. He moved the hand on her cheek down to leisurely unlace her gown. He meant those words, both in regards to her sexual urges and whatever else she'd ever need. Sasuke had found his person, and his person had endured so much for his sake. He fully intended to show his appreciation until the woman was able to understand his feelings.