Chapter 22

Tenten scrambled to ready a plate for the Uchiha royal who'd showed up without warning. The rest of us waited in silence for him to sit down and accept it from the frantic maid.

"I apologize, Sir! I wasn't aware you'd returned." This was Tenten's first time meeting Madara, since he'd already left the castle upon her hire, but I've tried to insinuate on many occasions that I didn't like him so hopefully she picked up on it and would be cautious.

His sudden appearance had my anxiety levels shooting through the roof, making my already dizzy brain even hazier. I'd been so worried about Gaara and Sasuke killing one another that I'd nearly forgotten about the predicament waiting for me here at the castle. Is Obito still chained up in the cellar or had he been let loose? Surely he's still down there or else he'd have tried to attack me again by now.

I felt a nudge against my shin under the table and looked up to see Ino giving me a stern look. I hadn't realized that I'd been lost in my thoughts with my eyes dazed over as I stared at the eggs on my plate.

Madara had already been seated and apparently tried to speak to me, but I hadn't noticed in my stupor. I looked over at him and sucked in my breath when his cocky gaze locked onto my own uncomfortable one, "I'm sorry, sir. What did you say?"

The older Uchiha man let out a hearty chuckle, "It seems you're still recovering. Lord Gaara himself told me how he'd nearly killed you. I was so worried, I simply had to return home to see for myself that you're alright."

I forced my gaze back down onto the table at the mention of the Sunagakure king. The memory of his brutality was still fresh in my mind, like it'd just happened yesterday. The topic made me uncomfortable, to say the least.

Madara let out a dramatic sigh and my fingers started to tremble at his words, "He extends his deepest apologies, of course. He claims he lost control of his actions and wasn't able to stop himself. I can understand how hard the temptation can be to resist-"

Sasuke spoke in a threatening manner and cut him off, "That's enough, Uncle." We all looked over at him in shock because it was rare for him to speak out against his elders. He was more of the storm off in silence type of guy.

Madara let out another chuckle, this one much more dry than the last. He obviously didn't like being told what to do by someone younger. "I suppose I've done enough chatting for us all. We can revisit the topic later on."

I felt his gaze on me, but kept my eyes lowered in fear. I can't warn Sasuke to not provoke his uncle like that because it could trigger his order to attack me. My eyes danced nervously over to the prince's face and a sense of urgency quickened my heart rate.

He has a right to know that his own family member has been manipulating him, Obito, Itachi, and possibly others. I just haven't been able to take our physical relationship to the next level yet, per Itachi's advice.

Would it really make such a difference?

We're a million times closer than we were just a month ago and we've even done a couple sexual things with one another. My face started to warm at the thought of what I'd done under the influence of the aphrodisiacs in Sunagakure and I had to quickly think about gross things like worms and spiderwebs so the vampires present wouldn't notice a difference in my scent.

After breakfast, Ino and I helped Tenten clear the table and wash the dishes in the kitchen. I toyed with the idea of telling both her and Ino about what Madara had done in the cellar, but decided against it. The older Uchiha man somehow finds out about everything that happens within the castle, so he'd undoubtedly either kill me or get close to it if I did.

Instead, I refrained from saying a lot on the topic of his return as the two gossiped about it in hushed tones as we dried the plates with fluffy black dish towels. It wasn't hard to do so, since I still felt weak and it took a lot of focus for me to simply offer some aid.

"He's so handsome! I know the twins are attractive, but I didn't know their uncle would be such a catch! How old do you think he is?"

She and Ino snickered and I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from opening her eyes to the truth. The metallic taste of blood met my tongue and I let out a sigh. Ino lay a hand softly on my shoulder, shaking me of my anxious thoughts, "Why don't you go rest, Saku. You're still recovering."

I met her concerned gaze and nodded, relieved that she hadn't chosen to pry. Tenten took the plate and towel from my hands and gave me a small push toward the door.

To my utter disdain, Madara popped up in the way with a wide grin, "Oh! Were you just leaving? I wanted to talk to you. Allow me to escort you upstairs."

Tenten whispered something about how sweet he was to offer under her breath and heard my sister giggle quietly. I grit my teeth and allowed the tall man to pull my arm into his and lead us away from the kitchen and dining area.

We walked for a few moments in silence before a wave of exhaustion crawled up my spine and I had to tighten my grip to keep from misstepping. He placed his other hand atop mine, "If you'd like, I can carry you. You know I wouldn't mind." He sounded amused at my state of weakness and I tried to tear away from him.

He laughed at my feeble attempt, "Now, now, Sakura. Don't insult me. Let us take a stroll through the-'' He cut off his sentence early and I looked up.

I could've fainted with relief when I saw Sasuke standing in the doorway of the living area with his arms crossed, leaning casually against the frame. Madara gave his nephew an award winning smile before releasing his hold and allowing me to rush over to Sasuke's side, "She nearly fainted in the kitchen. I was simply helping her find a place to rest."

The younger Uchiha seemed to dwell on his words for a moment before glancing over at me and nodding toward the staircase, motioning for me to head to the bedroom. I nodded and skirted past them with my head down, fearful that the elder would do something to me or Sasuke if I drew too much attention to myself. Sasuke followed me silently, leaving his uncle to watch us from the hall.

The Uchiha prince stared at me all day long after that. At first I thought it was because he was worried about my condition, but my gut told me it was more than that. Inwardly, I prayed it wasn't because of Madara's uncharacteristically reckless attempts to mock me today, but that was the only other logical reason.

After we'd all eaten dinner and showered up later in the evening, Sasuke and I were in bed reading in silence. It thrilled me to no end that he shared the hobby with me. Everyone else I've ever met in my life has always considered it boring, even my mother.

I was reading a thrilling crime novel about a murder in a crowded room where somehow no one had seen the act committed and was so engrossed that I nearly jumped out of my skin when Sasuke's deep voice broke through my immersion, "Sakura."

I put a hand to my heart, giving him an embarrassed grin, but dropping it when I saw the serious look on his dark features, "What is it?"

He seemed to hesitate for a few moments before finally locking his gaze hard onto mine, "When are you going to tell me what happened in the cellar?"

My heart started beating more quickly. I just knew this was coming with how he'd been acting all day. Regardless, I tried to act normal under his studious gaze. I snapped the book in my lap closed and fumbled to place the heavy piece of literature on the bedside table, "What brings this up?"

His calloused hand pulled one of mine until I was forced to face him. His dark eyes searched mine and, to my surprise, the guarded look he usually held was almost completely gone, "You said you couldn't tell me or something bad would happen." He seemed to be trying to find the correct words to say and if the topic of our conversation wasn't so terrifying, I would've felt grateful for his efforts.

"I thought you would eventually bring it up, but it's been weeks."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and started mentally screaming at my tear ducts to stop their functions as my eyes started watering. My voice wavered and I tried and failed to pull my eyes from his, "I...I-I can't tell you."

I thought I'd be able to muster the courage to trust Sasuke to overcome his glowed orders, but if I'm wrong he'd kill me. His dark expression altered slightly, but I couldn't figure out what emotion he was portraying, "Do you not trust me?"

My brow furrowed and I shook my head, "Of course I trust you, Sasuke! It's just…" My voice wavered and trailed off.

I wrenched my hand from his and averted my eyes in time for tears to slip down my cheeks so I could turn away and wipe at them, "Please, can we not talk about this right now?" My voice was unstable with emotion.

He was silent for a few moments before I felt him gently pull one of my hands into his again. I looked back up at him and he wiped at a tear on my cheek with his free hand. He leaned in and pressed soft kisses gently against my lips. I closed my eyes and allowed him to comfort me.

When he pulled away, my eyes opened and I froze in shock. His eyes were bright red and he had a sad look on his features, "When will we talk about it, then? Please just tell me now, Sakura. Don't make me do this."

I tried and failed again and again to tear my eyes away, anger and desperation making me think irrationally, "Damn it, Sasuke! Please don't do this! Please!" How could he even consider threatening to glow me after what I'd just been through!

"Can you tell me you're not in danger? Don't lie."

My fingers trembled within his grasp of my hands. Despite my efforts, I couldn't bring myself to lie directly to his face even though he hadn't ordered me. "No."

"Tell me, then."

My body went rigid and my grip on his hands tightened as I fought to keep my mouth shut. An electric pain shot through my skin as I fought his demands and I let out a pained gasp, effectively unlocking my jaw. Words began pouring from my mouth without my permission and the moment I was finished with my confession, I found myself pressed flat against the bed with a seething Sasuke hovering over me with a look of enraged bewilderment.

I fought against his hold, shoving any part of him that I could get my hands on, to no avail, fearful tears running rampant down my face, "Sasuke, No! Don't!"

His grip on my arm tightened until it was painful and his nails dug into my skin. He leaned down as quick as lightning and the familiar sting of teeth sinking into my skin shot through my neck.