Chapter 32

After committing an act I never imagined I would, I was so exhausted that I fell asleep before I could even get up to lay properly or get under the covers. When I woke, I was incredibly comfortable and basked in the warmth of the blankets around me, not quite ready to open my eyes and start the day because as soon as I did, we'll be heading back out into the desert.

"-do it again?" That was Madara's voice just then. He was whispering. Obviously, he was under the impression I was still asleep, and I could tell by the fact that he sounded incredibly close and the warm limb strewn lazily over my hips that he was lying at my side.

There's another one, though, across my waist. I didn't have to sit with my curiosity for long because Sasuke whispered in an irritated tone, "Yes."

"One of us must always keep an eye on her." A sound of agreement came next.

At first, I thought they were discussing whether I'd be interested in repeating what happened last night, but now I know they're worried I'm going to run off behind their backs again. The uncomfortable topic aside, it makes me happy to hear them peacefully speaking with one another when they don't know I'm listening. In the back of my mind, I'd still been suspicious they were just pretending to get along for my sake.

On the topic of discussion, though, they're right to be concerned because I intend to slip away the moment I get a chance. Try as I might, I can't convince myself that it's okay to let these two throw themselves in harm's way by traveling with me. Out there in the desert, I took down Kakuzu a million times easier than I could've just a few days ago, so I'm confident I can kill Nagato and Yahiko alone. I'll be as quick as possible, so I can hurry back and beg for their forgiveness because they'll both be completely pissed.

It doesn't feel good to lie like this. In fact, the guilt it causes feels like it'll eat me alive, but I have to be strong. I must endure it for everyone I love and care about, not just the two men in this bed. Ino, Inojin, and the others won't be safe since there's a chance I could be forced to murder them in cold blood. If what Deidara suspects is true, Yahiko could find a place to hide and control me from the shadows without being spotted.

"I'm surprised she did it."

Another sound of agreement came from Sasuke, but he also verbally responded this time, "I'm sure she is, too." This time, I think they are talking about the sex.

"Will you stop her if she wants to-" "She's mine. That won't change."

It was silent for a long moment after that, and I became tempted to pretend to wake just to make it end, but Madara finally replied, "I'm aware of the fact. I still suggest you remember who you're speaking with the next time you feel the need to assert your dominance."

Sasuke scoffed but didn't say anything else. Instead, I felt his arm tighten around my waist as he pressed his lips to my shoulder. The other one, Madara's, suddenly moved, and he ran his fingers across my lower abdomen to rest his palm there, tone back to normal and less threatening, "I thought hearing her was incredible, but the sight, the feel…."

I knew it was futile to keep pretending because my face began heating up at his much too honest words, so I slowly opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling as I waited for them to react.

"Last night really wore you out, my dear. How did you sleep?"

I squeezed my eyes closed again, groaning at Madara's successful attempt to get a rise out of me. Both Uchiha men chuckled softly, but I ignored it and focused on deeply breathing to calm myself.

"We should leave soon," Sasuke's lips brushed against my shoulder as he spoke.

I turned my head to look at him, heart fluttering at the warm glint in his eye, "Do we have to?"

He kissed my shoulder again before pulling away and climbing out of bed. My gaze followed him, taking in the attractive features of his body as he went through the clothing Madara had purchased. My usual appreciation for his flawless appearance hasn't changed. The blush on my face warmed further when the prince turned to face me as he began dressing, caught me staring, and smirked knowingly.

"Aren't you ever the insatiable one?"

The hand on my stomach slid over my side so Madara could pull me against him, and I squeaked in surprise, still very much not used to his proximity being acceptable. He froze, and I turned my neck to look at him, trying to quell the fear that arose because he'd acted so suddenly.

I can't help it, even after last night. Until recently, every sexual encounter with Madara, no matter how small, has been against my will. My body naturally responds with panic because that's all it's ever done. Of course, I know he won't do that kind of thing anymore, but trauma doesn't just disappear overnight. The expression on his face told me he's realized that, too.

So, I pulled myself away from him and climbed off the bed. Sasuke looked up from buttoning his pants as I strode over. The way he leaned down to kiss me once I was close enough was as natural as breathing air, and I basked in the warm emotions we were sending one another. He doesn't need to say anything out loud anymore. At least, not unless he feels like it.

With just one look, he's telling me many things. He's grateful I trusted him enough to let last night happen and proud of me for going through with it even though I was scared. More than anything, he loves me. The gentle way he reached up to brush my hair out of my face and the fact that his eyes remained locked on mine even though I was standing before him completely naked backed up his wordless statement.

I still talk enough for the both of us, though, so I mused as I pulled an incredibly lacy and risque set of undergarments from the bag on the table, "You'd think he'd get something more practical…." After slipping on the underwear, I pulled on the bra and reached behind me as I tried to clasp it, turning to offer Madara an annoyed look.

He grinned, "You wouldn't use twine to construct a diamond necklace, would you?"

I rolled my eyes, glancing over my shoulder to give Sasuke a pout. He wordlessly moved my hair out of the way and helped clasp the clothing item.

I turned to fish out the rest of my clothes, only to freeze, face the older Uchiha again, and look down at my body. Then I gave him a suspicious glare, "How'd you know my sizes?"

Sasuke muttered, "I told him."

My face warmed, and I brought a hand to my cheek as I returned to dressing myself, "I-I didn't know you knew them, either."

It was sunset when we finally arrived in Sunagakure. To my surprise and relief, there wasn't a single attack to ward off the entire time. As much as I'm glad no one was put in danger, it made me wonder where Amegakure's team of advisors was hiding. Did they give up and head home after being bested by Sasuke and the others at Tsunade and Jiraiya's bar? Surely not, since Nagato and Hidan were around: One to heal their dead and wounded while tracking and one to attempt to control me.

Matsuri hugged me the moment we stepped into the castle, "I'm so sorry, Sakura! Lord Gaara and Lord Kankuro asked me where you'd gone, and I had to tell them the truth!"

I returned her friendly embrace, "It's alright."

"It is not."

The two of us parted at Gaara's tone. Teal eyes met mine firmly, and he spoke bluntly, "As an asset of Konoha, your fleeing could be received as treason, and manipulating the future queen of Sunagakure is a crime that I consider unforgivable."

Matsuri gasped, bowing low, "L-Lord Gaara, please overlook this! Sakura is my friend!"

Kankuro snickered from his brother's side, "You really pissed him off this time, Goddess."

"This once, I will pardon you. There will not be a second time."

I bowed, frowning as I held back a sigh of relief. There was a time when I thought Gaara would never kill me on purpose, but the rage in his eyes was almost palpable just then. It appears his affection for his bride-to-be isn't just skin deep.

"Sakura, would you like to join me in the hot spring?"

I nodded absently in response to Matsuri's pleasant-toned inquiry and allowed her to pull me along with no resistance. The men surprised me by following us.

Trying to ignore them, I glanced at my happy friend, "I wasn't aware Suna had any hot springs."

She beamed, white teeth seeming even brighter against her tanned skin, "There aren't many, and they're all underground, or else it'd be too dangerous to use water of that temperature." True to her statement, she led us through dozens of hallways before we came upon a staircase and descended it to arrive in a room with nothing but towels folded up on a shelf and multiple bins to, I assume, discard your clothes.

I glanced back at the four silent men before blushing and whispering softly to Matsuri, "This wouldn't, by chance, be a gender-neutral spring?"

The woman pulled her pink and gold top over her head and dropped it casually into one of the bins, "Of course it is! Given our prior conversations regarding Konohagakure's culture, I'm surprised you're happy about that."

I sighed in defeat, feeling the blood drain from my face as the sound of the others beginning to undress met my ears, "Yes…I'm thrilled…."

At least there were towels. I undressed carefully, wrapping one of the fluffy white items around my body so no one, namely the two male Sunagakure royals, would see me naked.

"You're so eager! Traveling must've taken a toll on your muscles!" Matsuri giggled as she nearly jogged to keep up with my fast pace.

As I expected, it was one big spring in the next room. Steam filled the air, and water fell loudly into it on the far end, but those were the only outstanding details of the entire place. The ground was simply black, and there were no decorations or plants. Just the spring with a few lights giving the room a dim glow.

With one more quick glance behind me to ensure Kankuro and Gaara weren't on their way out yet, I folded up my towel and sat it neatly down before entering the hot water while tying my hair up into a messy bun so it wouldn't get wet. Matsuri joined me while providing endless dialogue, "You're so beautiful, Sakura! You might have been worshipped as a deity for your skin and hair color if born here."

I blushed, sinking low enough that my chest was covered when I heard footsteps coming from the entrance, "I-I don't think so, but thank you. You're very flattering."

She shook her head, reaching over to pat my head as she sat beside me, "It's true. Being born with features similar to Lord Gaara guarantees a life of being treated preciously." I shook my head in disbelief but didn't respond because I didn't want to offend her or her culture.

"If you had darker hair, you could pass as Gaara's female counterpart, Goddess."

I crossed my arms over my chest as we turned to see the men entering the spring. A slight, shocked sound left my lips, and I closed my eyes tightly because I'd forgotten they'd be naked, too. Thankfully, I didn't get a glimpse of anything I hadn't already seen.

Kankuro snickered as he came to sit across from us, "Perhaps we're lucky you're so bashful. If you had the fire of a Suna woman, I don't know if I'd survive an encounter."

Feeling a little less shy since everyone was officially sitting and no longer at risk of being seen, I ventured to give him a taste of his own medicine, "And you think you would if I chose to take you as I am now?" Both Uchiha men snickered at the Suna prince's stunned face, and I struggled not to join them.

Madara chimed in, "She'd eat you alive, perhaps literally."

Kankuro snapped out of his stupor and grinned, "That would be a most honorable death, I'm sure."

Matsuri gasped, ignoring the flirtatious man across from us, "You've accepted your second master! This is wonderful news!"

It was my turn to blush, and I buried my face in my hands, "Can you not announce it to the room, please?"

She threw her arms around me suddenly, and I nearly toppled underwater but managed to catch myself, "There's no reason to be embarrassed. Making love with one's master is an experience unlike any other, and you have two! What a lucky woman. It must've been fantastic!"

The men, minus Gaara, made varying sounds of amusement.

I groaned as I accepted her embrace yet again, "If I'm truly lucky, maybe I'll drown in here."