Gasping for air, Sakura arched her neck so her husband could reach it more easily. He kissed the sensitive area slowly, whispering to not startle her, "Are you in any pain?"

She ran her hands up and down his bare back. His warmth had become one of her greatest comforts. "I'm alright." They'd just made love for the first time since being reunited and it was as wonderful as she recalled. Of course it felt great, but it was the intimacy that Sakura adored more than anything, the closeness.

Sasuke's torso pressed against hers as he came up to kiss her on the lips, brushing her hair from her face. Her heart fluttered in her chest. The affectionate way he'd been treating her since she'd been rescued was overwhelming at times, but she understood it was her husband's way of communicating his emotions. Rather than attempt to verbally explain, he was showing her with his actions. She appreciated those efforts.

A tiny sound left Sakura's chest as she felt the prince's sex become hard again. He parted their kiss, "Apologies."

She shook her head, blushing while looking upon the sultry appearance of the gorgeous man as he looked over her with lustful eyes, "You're being too considerate. I don't mind."

So, having received permission, the man slid into her once more. Her breath hitched as he adjusted their position, carefully so as to not harm her. Sasuke sat back on his knees and slid a pillow beneath his wife's lower body before pressing her legs further apart. Dark, deep eyes looked over Sakura as he moved at a controlled tempo.

'Is he wanting to go slower this time?'

Each time he thrusted fully inside, he'd pause there until the princess couldn't bear it anymore and would begin to tremble. Rather than come off as torturous or as though he was teasing her, it felt like he was curious and wanted to study her body, so she endured. The sweat they'd worked up slowly cooled. This method, too, was pleasurable, but in a different way.

Sakura might've just been exhausted or delusional, but it seemed as though Sasuke's touch was warmer than before. She still couldn't help but feel self-conscious under his studious gaze. He'd gently reprimanded her when she tried to cover up earlier, though, so she didn't hide. No, she took in her husband's appearance just like he was hers. The masculinity all but bled from his body as he made love to her. Softly-defined muscles flexed attractively beneath his pale skin. His beautiful face was tense with focus, though his eyes were warm and attentive.

Sakura tightened around him, a wave of arousal bringing her closer to another climax. The smallest hint of a groan rumbled the prince's chest as his tempo stuttered before he continued, muttering Sakura's name where even she could barely hear. Then, he came down on top of her, sliding his arms around her while turning them onto their sides, facing one another. His gaze followed his own hand as it ran down his wife's side until it met her leg, where he held beneath her knee and bent it before sliding back inside. Then, his eyes locked onto hers once more.

This was a new position for them both, but Sakura quite liked how close they were and how they could look one another in the eye. She also liked that Sasuke was within reach. She gently cupped his jaw and kissed him once, twice, three times.

A content sound left the prince, which caused her to pull back and look at his face. Tears welled in Sakura's eyes as she recognized adoration in his gaze. Even someone as inexperienced as her could tell he was happy. A tiny giggle escaped her. Knowing the man who'd suffered almost all his life was healing, slowly but surely, made her giddy. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer so their bodies couldn't possibly have more points of contact.

Her head tucked under his chin as his hand ran up her leg to cup her bottom and hold her more firmly as the pace quickened. The tightness within Sakura's body coiled and thrashed as she listened to the handsome man's fast pulse and felt him twitch and grow inside her. Soon, both were finished.

The couple laid side-by-side and listened to the owls calling in the winter night outside the castle. Though Sakura's healing wounds were still a bit uncomfortable, she couldn't help but wish every night could be like this one with just her and Sasuke and no drama.

She flinched in surprise when the prince suddenly spoke, breaking the quiet atmosphere, "Can you feel anything yet?"

Sakura turned her head to see the man had turned onto his side and was looking over her appearance with his usual guarded expression. She shook her head, "Sorry, no." Obviously, he was referring to her pregnancy.

Hesitantly, Sasuke met her gaze for a brief second before running a large hand down her torso to rest atop her stomach, "You've done nothing wrong."

Not for the first time since discovering she was with child, the princess's anxiety reared its ugly head. She shyly placed a hand on his forearm and averted her gaze down to his hand, "I…. I'm scared." The prince said nothing, so she met his eye and realized he was patiently waiting for her to continue. She did, feeling unsure, "I've not been educated on the matters of being a mother. What if I accidentally cause harm or trauma?"

Sasuke still said nothing. He seemed unable to figure out what to say to comfort her. Sakura wiped at her tears as they finally overflowed, "I-I want my baby to have a happy life. I don't want them to grow up to resent me."

A pause took over the room, the woman's sniffles being the only sound. "...Our baby, not just yours," Sasuke finally said.

She frowned, "Huh?"

The prince was looking at her stomach again, and it seemed to help that he wasn't meeting her eye. His voice was awkward and quiet, "I also never imagined myself becoming a father." For a moment, Sakura worried he was having second thoughts about the situation, but then he continued, "But we will learn together. I'm told there are instincts that arise when one becomes a parent. We can research, as well. There is plenty of time before the baby arrives."

Stunned by his supportive words, Sakura's hand slid down her husband's arm until it laid atop his on her stomach. His dark eyes met hers in mild surprise. She smiled through tears, "That you would do something like that…." Her brow furrowed as her emotions became overwhelming, and her voice cracked as she barely managed to explain her thoughts, "I love you." The hand beneath hers slid to her hip and gently pulled her into the prince's embrace. He pressed his lips into her hair.

It didn't matter that he didn't verbally say the words back. Sakura knew how he felt about her. That was enough.

Come morning, Sakura was startled awake by King Madara bursting into the room, "Here you are! You've had everyone worried, you two!"

Sakura sat up, saw the boisterous man standing there with two guards, realized she and Sasuke were still naked from last night's activities, and squeaked while holding the covers more firmly against her chest.

Sasuke wrapped an arm around her front, a dark glare on his face as he shielded her from view, "What is the meaning of this, Uncle? There is a lady undressed!" Sakura turned into her husband's chest, completely humiliated to be caught in such a state.

Madara laughed heartily, "How was I to know you'd sneak off to do such promiscuous things? You cannot blame me for worrying, given our dear princess's health!"

Since the woman in question could hear her husband's heart pumping quickly with rage, she whispered where only he could hear, "Please just ask them to leave. I don't want to cause any more trouble."

Sasuke glanced at her before gritting his teeth, sighing, and turning his glare back onto his uncle, "You've located us, so you know we're alright. Please allow us some privacy so we can get dressed."

'He's handsome even when he's angry,' Sakura couldn't help but think as she watched the man struggle to keep his behavior princely and polite.

"Of course. The Haruno family has just arrived. They'll join us for breakfast. I'll see you downstairs," The king remarked before excusing himself, the two knights following closely.

Once they're alone again, Sakura looked up to see her husband was still leering at the door. Her chest filled with affectionate warmth as she gently reached up to turn his face her way, kissing him softly on the cheek as a silent thanks for protecting her from being seen indecently. His dark eyes soften as he leans into her palm.

The couple silently freshened up and got dressed. Since her feet were still injured, the princess received a lot of assistance from Sasuke. When it was time to go downstairs for breakfast with the king and her family, Sakura yelped in surprise when she was suddenly picked up. She clutched her husband's shirt like she had last night, feeling just as embarrassed as then, "You don't have to carry me. What will everyone think?"

Unlike yesterday, Sasuke had returned to his quieter state and offered no verbal response. Instead, he gave a short, incredulous look before exiting the room and heading down the extravagant staircase toward the dining hall. Though she wasn't entirely comfortable being carried, still, when the soft sound of conversation met her ears as they neared their destination, her anxiety focused on the fact that this would be the first time seeing her father since Sasuke threatened him after the wedding.

She gave the prince a pleading look, which he either ignored or pretended not to notice, 'He said he'd kill Father if he ever saw him again. I hope he doesn't act on that promise. Things are already so tense.' Honestly, she knew it was the baron she needed to worry about more. Sasuke wouldn't act unless provoked, especially within the walls of the royal palace.

The sound of everyone calmly talking silenced the moment they entered the dining hall. The princess awkwardly avoided everyone's gaze while she was carried to her seat and helped into it. Sasuke sat beside her afterward. The room remained quiet as the kitchen staff served the new arrivals.

Once they were settled with food and drinks before them, the king broke the ice, "What a relief, Princess. The color has finally returned to your beautiful face."

Blushing uncomfortably, Sakura bowed her head, "Thank you for seeing to my treatment, Your Majesty." By accident, she glanced over to lock gazes with her sister, Haruka, who offered the fakest of smiles that failed to meet her sparkling blue eyes.

"What did I tell you about being too formal? Call me "Uncle"! You'll make me sad if you refuse."

Automatically, the woman nodded, forcefully tearing her gaze from her sister and down to her plate, "Right, Uncle. I apologize. It seems I'm still recovering."

Madara chuckled. His grin was wide and proud so that it was impossible to tell if he was oblivious of the tension in the room or if he was choosing to ignore it because it was his right as King to say and do whatever he pleased.

Itachi, thankfully, changed the subject, "It's an honor to finally meet you, Lady Haruno. It's a shame it's during such terrible circumstances."

"The pleasure is mine, My Lord."

Sakura's mind went completely blank as a much-missed voice met her ears. She froze before slowly turning her neck to see Hana, her youngest sibling, sitting at their father's side. Tears welled as happiness flowed through her. It felt as though it'd been more than a year since they last met. As the only person who'd shown her any kindness before she was sent off to marry Sasuke, Hana's presence had been greatly yearned for. Already, Sakura could see subtle differences in her sister's appearance. Her once chin-length hair was now at her shoulders. She seemed slightly taller, too. Not only that, but the once child-like innocence that softened Hana's features had faded to the point of nearly disappearing. Sakura couldn't help but feel guilty for not being there to witness this growth. The girl had turned into a young woman in a matter of months, all without her big sister there to support her from the sidelines.

Seeing as it would be inappropriate to have a personal conversation with Hana at the dining table, Sakura kept her excitement masked and focused on eating. She'd approach her after the meal, when they could talk without the entire room eavesdropping.

Sasuke wordlessly handed his wife an additional piece of toast with jam, who accepted with a short glance. The others in the room resumed their polite conversation, while the couple ate in silence.

Sakura chewed happily, lost in thought, 'I wonder what books Hana has read while we've been apart. I can't wait to ask her. Perhaps we've read a few of the same and can discuss them like we always used to.'

After the meal, the king, Baron Haruno, Itachi, and Sasuke excused themselves to Madara's office to discuss Hihara's remains amongst other things. Before parting with Sakura, the second prince gave her a look that said not to stray from where the knights and guards could see. While her feet were still injured, she was able to walk short distances without reopening the wounds, so Sakura and her two sisters wandered wordlessly out to the garden, where they sat on the bench across from the blue rose bushes.

That was when Haruka seemed to lose her patience. She bit with poison dripping from her words, "It's your fault that Hihara's dead. You should be in his place."

Unlike when they lived together while growing up, Sakura knew she didn't have to be subservient to this girl, so she responded with how she truly felt rather than some generic words, "Perhaps I should be dead, but our brother did something terrible. If he wasn't killed while hiding from the palace authorities, he would've been executed."

Haruka suddenly stood, standing before the pinkette with hate clear on her pretty features. She raised a hand as though to slap Sakura, only to freeze when the princess didn't flinch. No, Sakura narrowed her eyes and lowered her voice, too exhausted from all that'd happened to be concerned with her bratty sister's feelings, "If you lay a finger on me, I guarantee the guards will punish you."

"You…." the middle Haruno sister growled, looking around to see a few pairs of guards stationed at various places of the garden, all with eyes locked onto the three women.

"I'm the only princess of Konoha, whether I deserve the title or not. I urge you to reconsider how you act, Little Sister," Sakura said, guiltily satisfied to see the horror of realization on Haruka's face. The young woman looked between her and the guards before huffing and stalking away, grumbling under her breath about how unfair her life had become.

That left Sakura and Hana alone.

The princess angled her body toward the fifteen-year-old and smiled fondly, "How have you been? I sent letters. Did you receive them?"

Hana's usually glittering blue eyes seemed almost dull as they looked over. For some reason, her demeanor seemed foreign to her sister. "No. I did not."

When she didn't offer any other response, Sakura awkwardly tried to change the subject, happy to simply be able to spend time with her favorite sibling, "Oh, well, that's alright. We're together now, right?"

Hana nodded once, still studying Sakura with a nearly blank stare.

"You, ah…." The pink-haired woman tried again, "I'm sorry for missing your birthday. You've grown so much in so little time." There was a pause, but Hana still didn't verbally respond. "Your social debut will be next year. Are you nervous at all? How are your lessons going?"

"Stop." Finally, the youngest Haruno spoke. Sakura's mouth clamped shut in shock. Never in her life had the girl spoken to her, or anyone, like that. "Are you really Sakura?"

Tearing up and feeling a little betrayed, the princess nodded, "...Are you really Hana? You're acting so differently than before."

Again, a long pause occurred. Then, the younger girl tilted her head as though curious, "What would you say if I told you that this is Hana's body, but I'm not your little sister?"