I LOVE the campy horror show from the 90s, "Tales From the Crypt", and the episode of this new two-shot is of the title, from the first season. It was considered one of the worst episodes, others liked it, and many lines are cheesy as hell - but on the other hand, I saw SASUSAKU in it, somehow. Plot goes: newlyweds spend the stormy night in an abandoned old house. The husband is a gold-digger with the plan to kill his bride and blame a burglar so he could get her inheritance, but the wife isn't all that she seems either...

Like I said, this is a two-shot, so there won't be anymore after this. Story isn't really - COMPLETELY - a plot from canon, just for fun, tension and lemons. Oh, yes, and violence/gore. Read at your own risk.

Reviews are absolutely appreciated. But if anyone flames me, they get cold water as payback.

I own neither Naruto or Tales From the Crypt, nor any of the characters and situations. I want to thank Blue Kitsune for the helpful suggestion of how to expand the groom's motive and a little bit of the bride's background.

Chapter One

When his parents died, there were debts that were left in their family, and the majority of them went to his older brother. In fact, when he was done with high school, Itachi was unlikely to help him out because he'd been the one to raise him since their parents died when he was twelve and aniki seventeen. The minimal amount of money left to him as well as Itachi's "tough love" taught him that you couldn't have anything handed to you.

Which was why he had been working his way after high school for his big brother in their family business. He had a stationed position as clerk while Itachi was the big guy with a fancy desk and shouldered much of the burdens on his shoulders.

The simple fact behind his financial crisis wasn't just because of Itachi and their parents purposefully leaving much of everything to him. It's my fault, as well. I thought if I specialized in gambling, then I would get myself a bigger fortune so I wouldn't have to take so long a time - and what a damned fool I was to be so reckless.

And once you got into gambling, there was no going back.

This first happened when he was eighteen, when he made this decision. Of course, he never told Itachi about this, because the bastard had no business knowing what he would do with his adult life. A decision he should regret, but what was done was done. He had to find means to deal with it. And the people were a group he'd known since he was a teenager - people who shared his interests, that they decided to call Taka, or "The Hawk". But it turned out that he should have learned more about gambling and responsibility before he took the leap.

The debt he owed was so enormous that he had to come up with a way to pay it off, but it would take a couple years or so, with his current job. Since then, he chose not to do anymore gambling, but to take responsibility for his action. Besides, he had a new goal for himself and to get back at Itachi, except he wasn't sure what it was or how he would get it...until the opportunity presented itself to him.

He'd known Sakura Haruno since they were children, and they were one of many to remain stuck in Konoha while a select few - like their shared third Naruto Uzumaki and his girlfriend, Hinata Hyuuga, for a real estate mission as part of her family business - left outside their small but slowly growing town for better lives after years of hard work. In ways, he envied them all, but the pink-haired girl who chased after him relentlessly like many stayed by him through all these years while the rest moved on with their lives and found permanent romance, but he doubted that very much. He had no girlfriends in his life, although he vaguely remembered his mother, Mikoto, telling him that everyone deserved a chance. She and her husband were a prime example.

Back to him and Sakura. They started to...see each other when high school was over, but the pursuits on her part were less. He could still see the subtle sparkle of innocent love in her green eyes, when it was apparent she'd grown up. She was going to community college and then to enter her family's pharmacy company, which was also run by Tsunade Senju, her mentor and godmother. Who blatantly made it clear of her dislike of him because of her family's long-lived love-hate relationship with the Uchiha long before he and his brother were born. Although it was clear she was on amicable terms with Itachi. The Uchiha consultancy corporation and Senju-Haruno Pharmaceuticals resolved differences when his brother assumed the seat to try and clear the bad blood once and for all.

Sasuke chose to humor Tsunade's goddaughter and apprentice when she asked if they could start being friends if not boyfriend and girlfriend, when high school was over. That was what it was, and he was relieved when nothing to worry happened. Their dates were casual, though he was aware of her mother and Tsunade's wariness, which would blare to the open as soon as Mebuki Haruno succumbed to ovarian cancer after living with it for four months. He didn't have fond feelings for her, but this was the mother of his "girlfriend", so it was his responsibility to comfort the grieving daughter.

That also meant Sakura inherited the pharmaceutical business - along with its stocks, bonds, and that big house from her mother. She was the sole heiress...and that also meant what was hers would be HIS.

His goal was realized as soon as she told him after the lawyers settled the paperwork and delivered the assets to her.

~o~

Her mother's death hit her hard when she was twenty years old, still in college and also working at the pharmacy which was now hers to run. That meant she would have to continue classes online since she had more time on her hands to deal with all that paperwork, shipments, and the fates of the sickly in her hands. Tsunade was with her, holding her so she wept into the well-endowed chest, and soothed her with a loving lullaby that few ever saw of the hot-blooded woman.

There was also Sasuke who was with her through the ordeal, almost a year until he popped the question to her, which she didn't even see coming after the agreement they had. When they were children, she watched him with stars in her eyes and butterflies in her stomach, but there were others that she had to ferociously compete against for the young Uchiha's attention. She liked to think that just because he was one of the last of the most prestigious families left in Konoha, following the deaths of his parents, leaving him to be raised by his elder brother, he wasn't all that special compared to Itachi who took over the corporation.

Sakura had learned from her godmother the bad blood between her family and Sasuke's, but with Itachi running the show on his end, he established a clean connection that would go on for a long time to come. The pink-haired heiress of Senju-Haruno Pharmaceuticals hated any form of conflict, but competition itself never ended.

In terms of her and Sasuke, he knew she was one of his many stalkers, so he called her annoying in an attempt to get rid of her, or he would just plain glower at her if she said hi to him when she passed by his desk in class. But for some reason, he relented when their teenage years were at an end. He told her he would agree to make her happy only if they didn't go too far in the relationship department. It saddened her, but what girl didn't want to date an Uchiha? And someone dark, handsome and mysterious.

Tsunade told her that while she trusted the elder Uchiha brother, the younger was another story. "Troublemaker," she said, plain and simple, eyes hardened like amber from prehistoric times. "The Uchiha for the majority are nothing but that. Be careful around him, Sakura."

So she did, but in the couple years to pass, she enjoyed her time with her "boyfriend". Mostly lounging between each other's homes, in the park like any other couple, and at the coffee shop or food stands. He was even there for her when her mother died of ovarian cancer. She and Mebuki had been very close, and she even left everything to her. She'd known long before the lawyers informed her; this was how it was with family.

It was five months later that Sasuke asked her to marry him. Not even half a year since her mother's death and the inheritance going to her, which Tsunade brought to her attention. "I highly doubt he loves you, Sakura," she said hotly when the news broke a week after Sasuke proposed to her. "He asked for your hand because of what your mother left you - the stocks and bonds as well as the house. He's a rat scurrying for something bigger than the crumbs tossed to him."

Sakura couldn't believe all of this. When she was a little girl, she dreamed of having someone like Sasuke as her husband. It was finally going to happen. Because her mother had married her father, but he died before their daughter was born. She said Kizashi was the love of her life, and he'd been taken from her too soon. Although, at least their love was preserved forever without souring with marital issues as it happened all the time to people around them. The Harunos, Senjus and distant cousins had the link stronger than everyone else.

But despite her misgivings, Tsunade agreed to let her marry Sasuke, but that did not mean she would go easy on the marriage. She would never let Sasuke live it down.

The wedding happened a mere four months later, and there wasn't a lot to plan. Her friends, Sasuke's few, and Tsunade were there at the local church, which was simple but very pretty and rich with the arrangements at the altar. Both were lush red roses placed in a heart, edged with clouds of white baby's breath on the outside, and finished with ferns - a symbol of giving your heart to your other. Sakura felt more like a princess than ever, without being in the big ballgown. The dress bared her shoulders, arms and collarbones, and the neck was lined with dimensional blossoms, with more of them on the bodice and down the tulle skirt which fell below the knees. Her heels were short and made of sheer lace, and in her hair was a headband of delicate pearls and crystals, like dewdrops and snow on a branch.

She couldn't get enough twirling when she presented herself to him, making everyone else laugh; she felt like a little girl again living her fairytale dream!

The day was so special that she included Ino as her maid of honor, and Tsunade walked her up to her groom whilst keeping her jaw clenched so to not object. Although the sad fact was that Naruto and Hinata were unable to attend due to some issues both at work and within their residential town. But they would still receive their favors as well as a homemade video to make up for the loss.

The celebration to follow took place in the church's dining room, which was decorated with lights from the ceiling, draperies of chiffon, and the tables set with more red roses and baby's breath. Food was catered and scrumptious. Did you even have to ASK about the party atmosphere?

Sasuke never did like festivity, but he smiled and went with the flow just for her. His smile was sweet, his words soft as his kisses to her lips, cheeks and even her neck. Sakura wrapped her arms around his neck, and in doing so, she found herself dreamily looking upon the ring he gave her, which was made of black rhodium and set with eight glimmering emeralds.

However, despite her sheer delight, she couldn't help but wonder if her godmother was right about her new husband.

~o~

He hated all kinds of fun, but if Sakura wanted a nice wedding that she dreamed of - as long as it included people they knew and not too many - then he would let her have it. Except the dobe and his lover couldn't make it, which made Sasuke feel a little unhappy, but it was short-lived. Everyone had their lives and parts to play. At least it was his idea for the videos to make, for people to take home with and "cherish forever".

At least he was a step closer. It was a shame it had to be sometime shortly after they were married. Their honeymoon would be two weeks at the local suite which was less expensive than getting out of the town or country for some exotic resort. The act had to be carried out skillfully, he was told. Private and away from prying ears and eyes.

If he was to settle his debt, it would be to kill his own wife for her money. She would never know about his gamble mistake, because how would she have seen him if he told her? Would she really have helped him? Or would she hate him like her godmother made it obvious?

Their friends all wished them a happy and prosperous marriage as they watched bride and groom leave in their rented car to head to the Haruno place to pack and leave tonight, but Tsunade would follow them and then hell would break loose. That was what marriage came with, but it was the relatives first and the couple second - only in this case, it was him and the in-law. The crazy old bat who still passed herself off as a younger woman continued to harass him.

"She doesn't want me to spoil her happiness," she said heatedly as she stalked after him to their car which was waiting for them - it was actually Sakura's, big enough for their luggage and a possible family she wanted in the future - "but I'm going to tell you that this is a mistake you will regret, Uchiha."

He sighed sharply and glared back. "I'm not going to regret marrying the woman I love," he said coolly.

"You don't love her," Tsunade sneered. "You just love everything her mother left her. I've protected her for years - from people like you. You think I don't know about your little gambling debt that you did over two years ago and haven't paid off yet?"

Sakura was safely away in the car, in the front passenger seat waiting for him, so she hadn't heard what her godmother said. But Sasuke was far from safe. The woman knew about his debt, but it seemed she really suspected him of more than just simply getting what she had. "I don't know what you're talking about," he lied suavely, "but let me explain something to you. My intentions are far from being what you thought. Although if you're not going to be happy for us, then perhaps you should be gone by the time we return." He doubted kicking her out of the house would do, but it was better than putting up with her. And it would help with his plan.

Amber eyes widened with dismay. "You're putting me out of the house? I was born and grew up there, and I raised Sakura with her mother!" she said angrily.

"Well, maybe it's time to let her be on her own and to give her space with her husband," Sasuke countered, picking up his own suitcase and going to the convertible which had the roof lowered to show his rose-haired bride looking over her shoulder and smiling.

"You won't get away with this!"

Tsunade had gotten close enough when she shouted those words; Sakura heard, and that smile dropped to be replaced with a puppy-like look on her face, cute and simpering at the same time. "Tsunade, please don't ruin my happiness," she begged, the tone getting to the blonde woman.

"Sakura, I'm just looking after your happiness." She sighed. "Just be safe and have fun."

Sasuke smirked to himself, both women not seeing it. At least the witch had the common sense to not spoil her goddaughter's joy by holding her tongue about leaving the house where she took care of Mebuki Haruno's daughter with the mother herself. "We'll be going now," he said, starting the engine, and then he found himself looking at the black metal band around his finger which had been placed on the wheel. It was going to be a while before he removed it when his job was done and then maybe he would move on with his life.

Except he suspected Tsunade would catch on once her pink-haired goddaughter was dead, and if that happened, he might be forced to kill her out of desperation to cover his tracks. But he would have help in cleaning up the scene since a couple of his friends in Taka had skill in erasing DNA traces. One important fact he kept in mind was to wear gloves to prevent his fingerprints.

"Why don't we stop at the gas station first and pick some things up before we head up to the hotel?" Sakura suggested when she pointed to the gas thermometer. She was right; it was almost empty. He had to relent, but he would let her go up and grab whatever they needed for the ride up to the honeymoon suite. And he would take care of the gas.

In midst of watching the numbers go up, his mobile rang. But when he looked down at the caller, he snapped. "What the hell do you want, Itachi?" His own brother couldn't come to the wedding because of an important meeting - important, my ass; you never even had any time for me when we were kids - and now he was calling him as the day was ending?!

"I only wanted to know if you are enjoying marital bliss, however long that will last, foolish little brother. If you're going to make the most of it before your poor little blushing bride croaks so you can settle that long overdue."

"...so you told Tsunade. And how did you know?" Sasuke demanded. Why did it not surprise him when he was SURE he hid it from Itachi well? But his brother was a powerful man; he had his ways that nobody would know until it was too late.

His brother chuckled. "Don't worry. You're not worth reporting to the police. In fact, I would pity you very much, my disgrace of an otouto. I don't wish to waste my time on you, but consider this a warning. That blood on your hands won't be my responsibility as caring for you was. This act that you buried as deep as you would will indefinitely mark you on our family's clean slate. I loved you once, you know that? But as far as I am now concerned, you are no longer my brother. Enjoy the paradise while it lasts." And with that, the line was disconnected, leaving him with boiling blood and a rapidly beating heart.

Itachi had gotten his dirty fingers on his gambling group as well as his reckless decision which resulted in his debt that washed away what little money their parents left him, but it didn't seem like he would call the police. But he had to tell Tsunade, because he thought this was amusing to him!

"As far as I am now concerned, you are no longer my brother." Those cold words continued to ring even after the conversation ended and the station dinged with the final price for the full tank. Sasuke thought his heart would break, because he once loved his brother before they grew separate emotionally. But what hurt most of all was the fact that he said he was on his own if he ended up in any more trouble.

Just like when he mentioned he suspected what Sasuke was going to do to Sakura some time into their marriage, but he would have no involvement in this.

Numbly, Sasuke took out his credit card as well as the pump from the tank, closing the little door at the same time his bouncy bride was leaving the store with the couple bags of groceries. He looked her over, seeing how she'd changed into a short rosy dress that subtly glittered. He admitted she was very attractive, and he hoped her body was as much when they got to consummating their marriage. He was never with a woman in that way, because impregnating someone irresponsibly only to get framed and forced to pay child support wasn't on his agenda. Neither was getting a disease of some kind.

"What did you get?" he asked distractedly, taking one from her and seeing the three sushi packs, some soda water, a couple tea bottles - one sweet and the other not - as well as one pack of sliced tomatoes and a box of dango, except he didn't look inside to see which kind. At least she thought of them both. "Looks good."

When night fell as they were some distances away from the town, a rainstorm had picked up. At least it didn't rain during the day, because it made Sakura gloomy and hormonal. He could only predict how tonight would be.

"We're still eighteen miles away from the hotel," she told him as she checked the navigator on her charged phone, the light bright enough to fill the entire car, and she turned it down a bit so neither of them went blind. And I certainly don't want to die on our wedding night like this...not before I get the prize that I'm close to winning.

However, an obstacle presented itself in their path. A fallen tree trunk, somehow struck by the storm or had been there since before tonight. Sasuke stopped the car, his temper snapping. "Damn it," he cursed. "Looks like we can't take this way to the hotel."

Sakura eyed with equal dismay. "Damn it is right, honey," she said. "But we can't get out and move it. We'll get soaking wet." He resisted rolling his eyes. Of course, we'll get all wet! But then again, if he could take them around through there in the dark, maybe they would make it...

"Oh, look! Ahead!" He glared at her sudden enthusiasm, before he saw what she was talking about, sparing him the trouble of going out there in the downpour.

A house was in the distance, beyond the fallen tree trunk. But it wasn't just a house - it was a mansion. Honored with their culture but perhaps with a Gothic touch in the sense it was worn down and hadn't been inhabited for years.

"Well, what do you know, tsuma?" Sasuke said sarcastically. "Our luck has changed."

Stay tuned for the next and final...