So... That last SasuSaku chapter better hold you over for a little while because more drama is going to insue! You have been warned, lol.

Thank you to everyone that had read and reviewed this story so far ! Man there are some stories out there that seriously have reviews in the 1000s... That's so insane! I would imagine that if I thought things out a little more detailed and actually typed my stories on a computer that it would be easier to write a story as awesome as those authors, so maybe someday!

Oh and for those who have asked about my other Fanfic story called Prove Me Wrong, that is currently on hiatus since I am at a loss of where to go from where I have left it, but i will either delete it or return to finishing it when I get around to finish this fic with I have planned to be 20+ chapters long.

Anyway, enjoy the chapter and don't forget to leave a review at the end.

Chapter Ten: Distrust and Confusion

Sakura didn't know how long she stood there in Sasuke's embrace, sobbing into his chest, but he didn't move away or complain about it.

No, he just held her tightly, protectively it seemed without a word.

But that was okay.. She didn't need words from him to understand the point he was trying to convey. She had learned that Sasuke was not a man of words really. If he did speak with words, he sounded like a tactless asshole, but his actions could be kind.

They had stayed like this, like time had stilled until Tsunade gave a nervous ciugh, indicating that she had walked in on something awkward. The two immediately pushed apart like they had just touched something that had burned them, but with a blush on their faces.

"I didn't mean to innterrupt, do carry on." Tsunade deadpanned as the two rushed out of the room. They swore they could hear the woman chuckle on their way out.

That was embarrassing.

They stood there outside the training room, awkwardly, both unsure of what to say. It was high time however for Sasuke to make a move for once, especially if he intended on keeping Sakura from following through with her threat of leaving him. She had threatened him once before already, and he wasn't so sure that he would get a second chance.

"Have dinner with me." He said calmly, waiting for a reaction from the pink haired woman. She looked at him with almost disbelief in her eyes.

"Have dinner with you?" She repeated, almost hesitantly as if she wasn't sure that she had heard right. Sasuke didn't like repeating himself, so he just nodded.

It didn't surprise Sakura that Sasuke wouldn't say anything else and that his suggestion was almost like a command, but she would take it she decided.

"Ok Sasuke, I will have dinner with you; on one condition," She clarified. "You have to be nice and tell me a little bit about yourself. Here you know all about me and i dont know a thing about you."

"That's two." Sasuke replied indifferently.

"Take it or leave it Uchiha." She replied with a hint of amusement in her voice. Sasuke sighed running a hand through his impossibly spiky hair replying with a 'hn'.

A figure with long red hair stared at the entrance of the Uchiha castle. She pushed her spectacles up her nose as a habit. She hadn't seen him for a couple years now, but after hearing about his upcoming marriage, she just had to see him.

Possibly remind him of what threw out the door and gave up.

So here she was, and she was ready to raise hell because in her mind, Sasuke was hers. He, he had been promised to her.

As her husband.

And she was going to make sure the whoever this girl was the he was supposed to marry going to know it.

Glad that she was no longer sweaty, clean and dressed in some clean clothes, Sakura went down to the main hall where Sasuke had instructed her to meet them after they both cleaned up.

Sasuke was already at the main hall waiting for Sakura. He was wearing some simple black slacks, and a white button up shirt. He looked so effortlessly devilishly handsome, his hair in its perfect spikes that ran in all directions.

His eyes widened slightly but he quickly reeled in his expression replacing it with his signature stoic face upon seeing Sakura.

She was wearing a simple black maxi dress that was form fitting with a white sheer fitted cardigan since the summer nights were starting to get cooler with autumn approaching. Her hair was down, which he secretly liked and she had minimal makeup on, only enough to enhance her already beautiful feautures.

Even in that, Sasuke found her to be a temptress, and it was positively annoying.

The way that Sasuke's eyes lingered on her made Sakura wondered if maybe what she was wearing was a little too much.

"You look nice." Sasuke said indifferently, shocking Sakura.

"O-oh. Thank you. You too. " She replied, caught a bit off guard. Sasuke grunted, but offered up his arm for Sakura to take, and she quietly complied. Neither one of them said a word as Sasuke led Sakura out of the castle front doors.

A carriage was already waiting for them, and Sasuke helped Sakura up into it first before getting on himself. Part of the reason he did this was because he wanted to show Sakura that he was a gentleman, despite the fact that Sakura had accused him otherwise.

Sakura still didn't ask where they were going, she just quietly sat beside Sasuke as the carriage driver took them to whatever destination Sasuke had instructed him.

The silence between them seemed to make the ride last forever, but partway through Sasuke started to play with a lock of her long pink hair twirling it gently in his fingers. He didn't know what urged himself to do so, but he did it anyway, carefully watching Sakura's reaction.

If anything, she was surprised at first, seeming a little uncomfortable since she went tense for a second, but she then relaxed, as if he wasn't playing with her hair at all.

Still, not a word passed between them until they arrived at their destination.

"What is this place?" Sakura asked, eyes wide with bewilderment. Sasuje couldn't help hut smirk. He was sort of hoping for this reaction from her.

"It's a cuisine from the small sand nomad villages. It's hard to find, but the food is really good." Sasuke explained, offering a hand to Sakura to help her out of the carriage. She climbed out, albeit clumsily, but Sasuke was coming to know that this was one of her many traits.

Not that he necessarily minded her clumsiness because it sometimes got them into compromising positions that he enjoyed.

"My parents used to talk about these... Though they never got a chance to take me to one." Sakura thought aloud, still entranced by the place.

The traveling sand nomads often made stops at many cities, setting up station for a few weeks, selling their foods for money, restocking their supplies and moving on to the next village. They didn't have a specific pattern, so it was often hard to anticipate where they would be next.

They made up temporary tents, strung with colorful lights and firepit littered around the camp. The nomads often danced, living life to the fullest, eating a good share of food, laughing, singing, dancing the night away, and they loved visitors.

"Well, now you get to try it." Sasuke stated but instead of offering up his arm, without thinking he grabbed Sakura's hand and led her into the little settlement, eliciting a blush from the pinkette. It wasn't until Sasuke realized what he had done that his heart began to race from the contact as well. Her petite hand seemed to fit perfectly in his larger calloused ones.

Naruto was calmly walking back to his room where Hinata was waiting for him to retire for the night. Well, it may as well be their quarters, because they were not leaving th castle anytime soon. Not with Sasuke being preoccupied with Sakura, and Itachi wanting Naruto to help him with 'the beggar'. Information was slow, but they had managed to find out that 'the beggar' wasn't just one person, but rather a while organization of people.

This posed a bigger problem let than they had originally anticipated.

The blonde haired man opened the door to his room, sighing, ready to love and snuggle his wife for the night.

His eyes fell upon a beautiful sight. Hinata was sitting on the windowsill staring out into the darkness, the moon shining on her in a ethereal way making her look out of this world.

And this was why he fell in love with his wife over and over again.

She noticed his presence, turning slowly to him and giving him a smile. Oh how he loved that smile. He swiftly closed the door behind him, walking over to his wife, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss in which she responded to immediately.

When they broke apart for air, Hinata looked deep into her husband's eyes.

"Naruto I have something to tell you," she confessed quietly making Naruto uneasy with anticipation. Though some part of him knew what the next words would be coming out of his lovely wife's mouth. "I'm pregnant."

And Naruto's chest exploded with excitement and nervousness all at the same time with the new revelation. He gave Hinata his signature goofy grin.

"I'm gonna be a father?!" he asked, excitement clear in his voice. Hinata smiled and nodded.

"Yes, we are going to be parents." She replied softly, tears of happiness beginning to form in her eyes. Naruto kissed his wife's forehead, pulling her into a big afterwords.

"I love you." he murmured against her hair, inhaling his wife's sweet lavender scent. "You are going to be an amazing mother.

Tsunade rubbed her temples frustratingly at the loud knocks coming from her door. whoever they were couldn't they at least try to knock a little quieter? She wasn't sure that the door was going to hold up.

She begrudgingly climbed out of bed, yawning and headed towards the door.

"Alright alright I'm coming!" She hissed irritably. She was ready to chew out whoever was bothering her but shut up when she saw none other than Itachi himself at her door. Though his outward appearance was calm, his eyes flickered with slight distress.

"Sorry to bother you this late." Itachi said calmly. Tsunade sighed glad that she didn't rip off said persons head off.

"No, not at all. What's up?" Tsunade replied, quietly stepping out into the hallway and shutting her bedroom door.

"I wanted to let you know as soon as possible that we recieved Intel that Jiraiya is still alive and being held prisoner." Itachi informed her hushly. Tsunade's eyes widened with shock. No way!

"Jiraiya... is alive?" She repeated, unsure if the words that had come out of both of their mouths were real or not. Itachi nodded.

"Yes. I wanted you to know. We don't know the exact whereabouts yet, but we will find him and where he is being held prisoner."

"Are we going to send a rescue party?" Tsunade snapped. "I want to be on that rescue party!"

"Yes eventually. It's just that we have to be carefully when we move. Unfortunately we have a mole somewhere and our own Intel could get out. Matters are... complicated. Naruto and I have been working on solving them."

"I see.." Tsunade replied, placing a hand in her hip. "Well I can offer up my help then. Anything to save Jiraiya faster. I don't know their reasons for keeping him a love since they disposed of Sakura's parents whom he was protecting. This could be a trap itself but still..."

"Tsunade, don't worry about it too much tonight. There's not much else we can do for the moment. But seeing how you are a dear friend to me and I know how much Jiraiya means to you, I felt it necessary to tell you."

"Well, thank you." Tsunade gave Itachi a slight bow.

"Ah, the formalities. When will you ever learn?" Itachi chuckled, lightening the tense mood between them. "Anyway good night. I'll see you in the morning. Don't expect Sakura to come either. Sasuke took her out on a date."

Tsunade raised her brow in curiosity as she watched Itachi's retreating form.

It was early into the morning before Sasuke and Sakura were headed back to the castle. Sakura was passed out on Sasuke's lap, snoring lightly. Serves her right though for all the dancing she did.

Sasuke had never seen her so carefree and full of smiles before. Seeing a whole different side of Sakura made a feeling rise that wasn't lust. No, it was a feeling that was unfamiliar. If he could describe it it was like a satisfaction of seeing her happy. Like that was all that mattered and he would do anything to see her like that again. And in turn... It made him feel content. What was this feeling? He didn't love Sakura. He had made that clear. He was programmed to love Itachi he was his brother but to love someone else is different, and he didn't know that kind of love.

He sighed in frustration, but he just couldn't get the events of the night out of his head.

They had sat together, with the nomads just talking and eating delicious food. A slight smirk came to Sasuke's face rember in how he had never seen a woman eat as much as Sakura. She ate more than he did! How on earth did she keep her figure what that apetite?

Then, they danced. Sakura was very bubly and chatted away with the nomads, and even learned a few of their danced which Sasuke watched her perform mezmorised. Then, she coaxed him into dancing. She was rather surprised that he could dance rather well.

Then, they sat and talked a while, listening to the music and watching people dance. Sasuke did as he promised and told Sakura a little about himself. He still didn't want to go into depth about his parents death, but he talked about how Itachi raised him and how Le liked the be on the front lines protecting his kingdom.

He could see the feelings Sakura had in her big emerald eyes though. In a way, he saw admiration, and worry. Was she worried about him fighting on the front lines constantly? He wasn't even her husband yet!

But he came to find that Sakura was a compassionate person. And despite everyrhing, she cared for people easily, whether they deserved it or not. A trait that Sasuke found intriguing and unworthy of. He who was afraid to care about anyone besides his brother, if he ever admitted it. Because he knew that he would care deeply.

Despite his feelings, and against his better judgement, he began to care about Sakura as a person tonight, if only a little. And as he watched over her protectively while she napped on his lap on their ride back to the castle it only confirmed it.

When they did arrive back to the castle, he carefully picked her up, cradling her around the shoulders and under the knees, careful not to wake her. She looked so peaceful, so innocent.

And for the first time, Sasuke did something a gentleman of honor would do for an unwed woman. He carried her to her quarters, gently lying her on her bed. She must have been in a deep sleep because she didn't stir, even when he pulled his arms from under her. He gently pulled her covers over her and stared at her in the moonlight.

She looked serene and beautiful and without even thinking it, leaned down and kissed her forehead with a chaste kiss before his mind kicked in asking him what the hell he was doing and he quickly retreated.

He left her bedroom and rushed off to his own.

Sakura pulled the covers over her head trying to block out the sunlight. She was not ready to wake up, her head protesting it loud and clear with its throbbing.

The more important question was, how did she end up back in her own room? The last thing she remembered was being in the carriage with Sasuke on the way home from their very late date, then nothing. She was still even in the same clothes that she had worn last night.

Taking a deep breath and sighing, Sakura decided that she might as well wake up and get on with her day. In fact, she was somewhat eager to see what today had in store... And how things would go with Sasuke. She had seen a part of him last night that she would have never guessed existed.

Once she was bathed, dressed, and her hair and makeup done, Sakura decided she was ready to tackle today's challenges that a certain raven haired man might present.

She slipped on her sandals and began calmly walking down the hall. First she would have to get some breakfast or she knew she may not be a decent person to around. A hungry Sakura usually meant a grumpy Sakura to follow. This was a not to fun trait of her she would admit to, but then again, who wasn't grumpy when they were hungry?

The dining hall was empty, which Sakura expected since she had woken up late but as always, the butlers who waited on them for every meal were present and quickly began to work on a meal for her. The formalities were truthfully still a little odd for her because even though she was a princess, she had still grown up in a much smaller castle, and with much less service men and women. She often helped the kitchen cook meals at home since she truthfully enjoyed it and did various other things on her own like take care of her own horse for example.

She quickly gobbled up her breakfast which consisted of eggs, bacon, and fruit. She thanked the staff for her meal then decided that maybe she ought to go find Sasuke. She wondered if he might be asleep? She actually had no idea where his quarters were but she guessed that they were probably somewhere close to the King's. She would have to get directions anyway however since she didn't know where that was either.

Stumbling upon a maid in the hallway, Sakura kindly asked for directions.

"Hey! Um, I'm sorry to bother you but I was wondering if I could get directions to Prince Sasuke's quarters?" She asked. The maid gave her an odd look and it took a moment for Sakura to register what her request might imply. "Oh um haha... I was just wondering because..."

The maid giggled. "Yeah it's down this hallway, take the first left turn available then follow that hallway. It will split left or right. Go right and take the flight of stairs. The Prince's chambers should be the first one on the right." and before Sakura had a chance to explain herself, the maid scurried off leaving a speechless Sakura.

What kind of rumor might this lead to?

Deciding not to dwell on it too much, Sakura followed the maids directions to find Sasuke.

Karen made sure that no one was looking before she slipped into Sasuke's room. She had to hand it to herself. Dressing up as a maid was a brilliant idea since no one seemed to notice her.

It all was familiar, yet looked different in the daylight somehow. The whole room smelled like him, a scent that she could never forget. Just like she could never forget the night she spent here.

She had to find something of use here. When she heard that the prince was betrothed to some woman from another kingdom she had to put her plan into action. Besides, why wouldn't she deserve Sasuke? She was born from a noble family loyal to the Uchiha's! Traditionally noble women were who the royalty generally picked a spouse from or arranged a marriage with.

This was an insult! Especially since Karen swore that she would marry Sasuke from the day she met him as a young girl. He was kind to her then, and she would never forget the promise they had made as kids. Sasuke had promised that he would let her compete to become his wife. Even though they were kids, there was no way he would forget that! Even when they stopped playing together and time passed and they grew up.

There had to be something in here she could blackmail this other woman with.

As she quickly rummaged through the door of Sasuke's personal work desk, she heard a knock at the door causing her to freeze in the spot. If she was found out she would be done for! Karen willed herself to move, but suddenly it seemed as if fate was on her side when the person on the other side began to speak.

"Sasuke? Are you in there? It's Sakura. I wanted to talk to you. Maybe we could take the horses out for a ride again today?" and an evil smirk came to Karin's face. She quickly stripped away part of the maid uniform she was wearing and threw on some of Sasuke's pajamas she had seen earlier when she was rummaging through his clothes drawer.

This Sakura was most likely his wife to be, and Karin just got her best chance to ruin it.

She proudly opened the door, an all too smug look on her face.

"This is Sasuke's room, but he's not here. Want me to take a message for you?" She asked nonchalantly. Sakura's jaw dropped.

"Um, I-" Sakura stuttered. Karin laughed.

"Look, I was up all night busy, if you know what I mean, so I'd like to get a little more sleep. Good luck finding Sasuke!" and just like that she slammed the door right in front of the pink haired woman's face.

Sakura stood there, her jaw gaping, and her mind still trying to process. What had just happened.

And then realization hit. It felt like she was being crushed in the chest by a giant swinging boulder. Sasuke had slept with her after their date. When Sasuje seemed like he would finally accept their situation and try to at least befriend her, it clearly meant nothing. He was no gentleman. No he was just a womanizer!

Tears began to seep into Sakura's eyes, then anger welled up through the crushing pain in her chest. Just as she had began to hope, it was smothered the minute it began to light up.

Sakura had had enough. She was going to make sure that damn bastard got a piece of her mind, and this time she would make sure that their relationship, if one could even call it that, came rudely to an end.

Sasuke Uchiha had no more chances.

And... Sorry for the wait on the update!

But in all fairness, I had famiky from out of country come visit me so that was more important than writing! Haha things age heating up and getting interesting with different character plots!

Damn that Karin!

Anyway please review and leave a thought!

Thanks!

Xisa