Author's Note: Read and enjoy. Don't forget to vote 😉 also updates are as usual unpredictable.

Chapter Five

Sakura was a mess of nerves, she trembled with fear. Itachi, had seen her writhing against a boy three years her junior and also his younger brother. There was no way this would end well. What was she thinking, letting Sasuke touch her and letting herself get carried away.

She was so stupid!

All through her twenty two years of life Sakura Harano has been unlucky. Her real parents abandoned her when she was a baby, the other parents who adopted her abused her and she moved from house to house, family to family finally settling with the Haranos' at ten year old.

When she grew older her choice of men was terrible, ranging from worthless bum who had nothing to offer and mean bastards who made her feel less than nothing. She had seen the worst of relationships until she met Itachi and thought that she had finally found her lucky star. The man whom she deserved after going through so much in life.

He made Sakura's world bright and brought joy and meaning in her world of bleak waste. He had come to mean so much to Sakura that she feared she wouldn't survive if he betrayed her now but instead Itachi fell for her and asked her to marry him. It made her so happy, deliriously so, she never ever thought that she would be the one to betray him. Sakura never thought, never dreamt, that their end would be brought upon by her own hands.

She was panicking as Sasuke's car pulled over at the Uchiha mansion. It took a few calls from her soon to be mother-in-law to get her to come down from the car. Her green eyes travelled to Sasuke who still sat in the car looking at her with blank eyes. He didn't care, he didn't care that Sakura's world was unraveling around her because of a mistake that lasted roughly ten minutes. She didn’t know why she was  surprised.

As she stared at the pale boy, Sakura wondered what she had ever seen in him in the first place that made her throw her one chance to be happy away. He was expressionless and cold like a robot.

Bastard. She ruined her life for a ruthless bastard.

She watched him drive away with a lump settling in her stomach. He was leaving now, as if  this had nothing to do with him. Sasuke doesn't care that he has hurt Itachi, nor does he care that Sakura’s whole world was about to end. In fact he planned this, didn’t he, he wanted to ruin his brother, hurt him and… she had been the perfect tool. She almost wanted to throw up. Nausea made her face  white.

Sakura-chan, are you coming inside" Mikoto called tentatively. Sakura knew giving her behavior since they left the restaurant that Mikoto probably knew something was up.

"Yes mum," Sakura replied and followed the dark haired woman.

They said their goodnights to each other and went their separate ways. Sakura turned to the direction that would lead her to her soon to be ex-fiance's room.

Her throat clogged as she reached the double door that would open to Itachi's master bedroom.
Her eyes clouded and she had to catch her breath to keep the stupid tears in.
Why was she crying anyway, it's her fault, everything...
But her tears kept falling and she pushed down until she was sitting on the rugged floor with her back against the wall.

What are you crying for, you did this, she told herself hitting at her chest to emphasize it.
"You fool" she muttered hitting her cheeks with her palm.
"You ignorant fool, you don't deserve him!" her voice grew stronger and in her mind she had transported to when she was eight and being abused by her parents.

"You deserve nothing! So don't you dare cry! You are worthless" she said them strongly as she cried. Sakura was in pain despite the fact that she caused it.
"You don't deserve to be happy" she cried.
She scratched herself with her nails her arms bled from the assault but it was like she couldn't feel it.
A hand grabbed hers and pulled them away and she fought back, trying to pull away and  cause more pain on herself. She didn’t deserve to be spared, she was truly worthless. Worthless.

"Stop it Sakura"
it was Itachi and Sakura froze. Her hair was hanging over her face blocking her view but she could make out Itachi’s feet in front of  her and could feel his warmth on her hand. She shamelessly wanted to hold that hand and keep that warmth.  Going very still, she rraised her head and stared at his face.

"Itachi." she said her face contorting as her eyes started to tear up "I'm so sorry, I’m so sorry" she said, repeating the words over and over again.

She remembered vaguely of Itachi soothing her and pulling her up and into his room.
They sat on the bed as she cried into Itachi's shoulder. After a while her tears stopped and she started to fall asleep.

"Sakura, you should rest" Itachi said.
"No, please-" she didn't know what she was begging for.

" It's okay, I’m here" his soothing voice followed her into her sleep.

Itachi watched the woman he loved sleep peacefully on his bed. Her pink hair fanned out on the pillow, her mouth slightly open, cheeks flushed from all the crying she had done.
She was so precious but yet scarred.
Scarred by the touch of his brother.
Itachi still loved her but he didn't think he could ever be with her the way he always dreamt of, she was not pure any more.

To others this would probably be ridiculous because Sakura was not a virgin and has experienced various hardship that made her a hard woman but she was a part of his life unaffected by Sasuke or so she should be but from what happened back at the restaurant it seemed not.

Was he born to suffer forever in Sasuke's hand? He asked not for the first time.
Why must Sasuke tamper with everything that should be his.

Itachi sat by the balcony watching the moon as he thought.
What should I do now? How should I react to Sasuke's obvious plan? Somebody tell me.

Sakura woke up to an empty room. She was feeling much better now and couldn't fathom her behavior last night. She blinked the sleep from her eyes and got out of bed. The wooden floor was cool under her bare feet as she walked into the parlor and found Itachi sitting on the couch sipping tea and reading the papers.
She swallowed, the memories of last night when she humiliated herself by crying and what had initially happened at that restaurant finally came back into focus like it had never truly faded away. She stood for a long moment at the door, afraid to make her presence known.

The door opened out of the blue and Sai walked into the room unannounced with a series of clothes being pulled in after him.
He stopped and looked directly at her.
"Awake at last, Itachi-san has been waiting for you" he said and Sakura could only gape her green eyes went flying back to Itachi now that her presence was made known.

Itachi took his time dropping the papers and turning to look at her.
"Sleep well?" he asked.
She nodded speechlessly.

"Good,"Itachi said, his face was strangely expressionless. "Why don't you take a bath, you can use my bathroom and select from those clothes for something to wear." after saying this he turned away leaving Sakura with no choice but to do as he says.

She wore a green gown top and black leggings with short black jacket and pulled a scarf to go along with it.
When she re-entered the room it was a maid she found.
"Breakfast is served Miss Sakura" said the maid with a bow. On the table was heavenly delicious looking food carefully arranged and Sakura's stomach grumbled but that was not important.

"Where is Itachi" she asked.

"He asked that you eat breakfast first before joining him," the maid replied.

Sakura knew she had no right to complain but this was making her uneasy. She knew she screwed up so they should sit down and talk about it, if it wouldn't work out then-... Then they go separate ways..

But still she agreed and ate breakfast.
Later she met Itachi at the entrance of the mansion.

"You are ready," He noted.

"Where are we going" Sakura asked instead of answering.
"You will see," Itachi said mysteriously.

Sakura still uneasy followed along despite the vague answer.

They arrived at a building in Itachi's HummerH3 and as they walked into the building Sakura realized what it was.
"The press?" she asked when they entered the lift.

"I have an interview with a reporter to help clear things up about that nonsense published in the papers" Itachi replied without looking at her.

"Then why I’m I here" Sakura asked and Itachi turned to look at her, his face still strange. "Of course I need you here so I can clarify that i am engaged and to be married soon. If you don't mind I would also like to push the wedding forwards."

"Forward! W-What does that mean." so shocked, Sakura came to a forced stillness. Her eyes widened and her confusion increased.

"That I want us to get married as soon as possible." his kiss to her lip was both cold, lacking any of the affection she was to used to and only fueled her anxiety, not ease it like she suspected Itachi had meant to do. The coldness was expected  but what exactly was Itachi trying to do. Sakura’s head churned.

"Um-" Sakura swallowed" Are you sure"

"Don't worry, just trust me." with this the man walked out of the lift his stride confident and self-assured. There wasn’t a single hurt in his eyes but every emotion seemed too easy for it to  be real. However, Sakura couldn’t refuse him. If this was what Itachi wanted her to do  then she  could only go along  with it.

After the talk with the press, Itachi surprisingly took them out to pick out their wedding band. The wedding was brought way back to august 18, two weeks from now. Sakura tried not to hope but it was hard with Itachi by her side and clouding her thoughts.

They entered a very luxurious looking jewelry shop and the owner welcomed them cheerfully. She was a tall woman with brown hair and narrow brown eyes, despite her stern look she was rather lively.

"Can we see your best wedding bands," Itachi asked once they were seated.

"Of course. You are in luck, Itachi-sama, we just brought some really good quality bands yesterday you will like them." she chattered and went into the store for a while, when she returned it was with four black boxes which she opened to reveal various glittering bands of diamonds, rubies, sapphire, and of course they looked ridiculously expensive.

Sakura particularly liked the emerald one, it would look great with her eyes but she couldn't speak to say so, still a bit uncertain.

"No madam we want the usual wedding bands without gems just gold bands if you please," Itachi said cutting the woman off mid chatter .
"Oh I see Itachi-sama has a peculiar taste in rings. Of course if that's what you want I have them." she closed the boxes and retreated.

"Are you okay with my choice for normal gold bands," Itachi asked Sakura turning to face her.

Sakura looked at the beautiful man and wondered if she even had any right to decide after what she had done. She nodded,
"Yes, i think it's good" was her reply.

They were silent again until the woman came back with the gold bands. She asked if they would like words etched on them but Itachi refused and paid her before they left.

They went straight home and Itachi excused himself saying he was going to hand over the bands to someone who should be their ring bearer.

Sakura felt guilty for feeling relieved when she was finally away from Itachi. It was not because she didn't enjoy his company but because the weight of her betrayal won't make her enjoy it.

But still was Itachi just pulling her legs, does he really intend on going on with the wedding? Sakura didn't know what she would do if it all turned out to be a lie. She deserve it but it would hurt, a lot.

Mikoto could not help her suprise when Itachi informed her of his plans to push the wedding backwards to this month instead of the planned date of October.
"Why the haste my son, did something happen" she asked.

"No mother, since I have graduated I wanted to settle down and take over dads company without delay. I thought it would be best to do it as soon as possible." Itachi replied.

"Itachi that's not a good reason to want marry so quickly. If you want to take over from your father then do so, no one said you had to marry first before you work," she said wisely.

"Yes but now adays most people only do business with men who are married," Was Itachi's respond as he rested against the couch, they were in his mother's bedroom and Itachi had just come to tell her about his change of plans.

"You are still very young Itachi, no one would expect you to get married so quickly after you graduated."

"Maybe not but mother shouldn't you be happy that i am? This way you can have those grand-kids you’ve always wanted"

Mikoto smiled, it has been her longest dream since she was married to have lots of kids but fate only wanted her to have two so she bestowed her dream on her two sons that they must give her grand-kids that would run around the mansion and make the place sound lived in instead of quiet as it was.

"Don't use me as an excuse Itachi i can wait a little longer if you are not truly ready for this. Marriage is not something to enter with such frivolous reasons" she chided.

"I know mother but I really I'm sincere about wanting to get married soon, my reasons may sound unreasonable to you but are quite important to me."

Mikoto looked long at her son knowing deep down that something was not right especially after last night.

"Very well as long as you know what you are doing"

The topic ended in that note then moved to a more easy conversation and to the planning of the wedding which was going to be held in the mansion.

Four days later Sakura was no longer feeling uneasy, just resigned to the fact that Itachi would never bring up the issue and she was too scared to do so. Right now plans of the wedding had taking first in her thoughts. She rarely ever see Itachi or his brother so nothing brought back the unfortunate memory.

The location for the main wedding was actually outside the mansion facing the small forest in the Uchiha compound. Sakura had taken over the guest list and made contact with all their friends in Spain. In fact, her best friend would be arriving to join her today bringing with her the wedding dress she had picked out. There was still ten more days to the wedding but Sakura was nervous, she wanted everything to be perfect.

Her mother-in-law had taken over the reception and after party, hopefully she wouldn't have to worry about that on top of everything else.
The sound of an airplane landing on the roof of the Uchiha mansion brought her thoughts back to the present and she got up to welcome her friends.

A woman with bright blonde hair was the first to come out and Sakura gasped.
"Mum?" she said with a small voice" Mum!" and she was running to her arms. The woman, Mrs Harano laughed and hugged her daughter.

"Hey pink head" a voice said behind the blonde woman.

 "Dad" Sakura said as she saw her father with soft blue eyes smiling down at her. It felt like something just snapped then and there, like a thread on heavy strain broke and her eyes started to water uncontrollably. Startled she attempted, at first, to stop it but then she started to cry, loudly like a hurt little girl, her face going red.

The hug from both her parents felt like all she needed to keep from shattering. How had she not noticed the strain and pain she had been under until now. It had been so hard, she thought. It had been so, so hard mom, dad.

Sasuke came back home six days later expecting the whole thing to have died down only to see strange people moving around in the house. People he had never met. He closed his car and walked the long way to his room then he threw himself on his couch with a sigh.

For the past six days he had been staying in a hotel avoiding anything that had to do with his family, partying like crazy and of course having sex. Now it was time to face the music but What the hell is going on.

He pushed the button under the table that would summon Sai to his room.
The boy took longer than expected and by the time he arrived Sasuke had already changed his clothes and was looking at a news channel on tv.

"Where have you been,” Sasuke asked.

"It's been busy Sasuke-sama, i had to take care of some things first," Sai answered simply. There was no apology in his tone just a matter of fact.

"What's going on.”

"In what respect do you mean"
Sai asked curiously.

"I mean the house, what's going on in the house"

"It's the preparation of the upcoming wedding, "Sai replied.

"Wedding, what wedding" Sasuke sat up straight, frowning.

"The wedding between your brother and his fiancée of course."

"What, they are still going to get married," he thought about it and scoffed. That is impossible. Knowing Itachi he would run again, he wouldn’t marry a woman Sasuke had touched. To think that he was actually better off anyway.

"It appears so, the wedding is to take place here at the mansion six days from now" Sai stated.

Sasuke’s eyes flashed and his expression turned serious. Was Sai joking with him? No, even if the young butler was disrespectful at times and tended to say one thing too many, he never kid and he wouldn’t do that sasuke. But…

Has Itachi lost it. Was he so unwilling to admit defeat that hewould force himself into a marriage he did not want?

But it was true, Sasuke thought as he looked at the decorations well on their way to completion. He ended up coming out to see for himself It was quite simple actually. The wedding would take place at a spot just behind the Uchiha mansion, the decorations were already over the place.

Sasuke walked around watching everyone talking and acting festive. It didn't sit well with him. Why would Itachi continue this charade of a wedding even after seeing his fiancee cheating on him. Did he have it so bad he would forgive that or is it something else.

As Sasuke moved around he found a blonde haired woman talking with Sakura. The bitch looked happy and was laughing loudly. Sasuke sneered at them. But who was that woman anyway.

He moved back into the corner when Itachi suddenly entered the picture with a blonde man whose left eye was completely covered by his fringe. They talked and made noise, it irritated Sasuke so much he couldn't watch anymore so he left the house. He drove his car like  a mad man to his favorite club and proceeded to get wasted.

Happy again? Itachi is happy again. Why should he be happy when Sasuke himself was so miserable. Just why!
It was always like this right from their childhood. Sasuke would be unhappy and Itachi would be smiling. Getting praised for his performance at school, loved by all the teachers, respected by all the students and worshipped by their parents.
Sasuke on the other hand always came off with the short end of the stick. Always.

"Here I thought something has changed, what a joke" Sasuke muttered to himself then took a drink from his glass of whisky.

It would probably always be like this between them. Sasuke would be unhappy and Itachi would be smiling having it all. Nothing Sasuke did could he do better than Itachi. Now Itachi is getting married.

"She is nothing special anyway"

He was sdrunk and feeling very bad. Not a nice combination with Sasuke.
"I can't believe he is going ahead and get married then have that perfect family he’s always wanted. And oh looks like he now has friends like he always wanted."
Sasuke snorted.

After more drinks he staggered back to his car and drove into the dark night.
He arrived at the mansion and staggered his way into the house ignoring the looks the maids and servants gave him. As he climbed the stairs he stumbled a few times but made it to the hall way where he found some sets of legs standing before him. He followed the length of legs up to his mother's face.
Her eyes were disappointed and that caused a violent feeling to explode in him.
Always that look! Mother! Father! Sensei!

"What do you want from me!" his voice came out in a shout despite his desire to keep it low and dangerous.

"Sasuke—"

"am I never going to be good enough for all of you. is Aniki so much better than I am?"

"Oh Sasuke no—"

"No matter- what I do- I always fall short compared to him" he ended with a whisper shaking his head he walked past his mother who tried to stop him but he shrugged her away.

In front of him was Itachi looking down on him.
"Congratulations on your wedding, i wish you a very miserable life tied up to that bitch."

"Don't call her that" was Itachi's response but he turned away and started to walk out on him, perhaps he thought Sasuke pathetic.

"It's the truth! If you marry that whore you’re going to regret it for the rest of your life. didn't I tell you that life is still far ahead to be tied to one woman at this age, you would probably go insane everytime you’re with her"

Itachi was now looking at him, his expressionless face colder than Sasuke had ever seen it.

-Aniki doesn't have that kind of face

"I'm going to let that go because you are drunk, but don't think i won't hit you if you continue calling my fiancee names"
his voice sent chills down Sasuke. It felt like he was talking to someone else.

After saying his piece Itachi walked away. Sasuke was wise enough, despite his drunk state, to stop at that point. He turned when he felt his mother touch his shoulder.
"Come now, lets get you in bed"
he didn't struggle as she led him away but just kept seeing that look on Itachi's face and comparing it to the smiling face of his brother in the past.

-Why do you look like that when you should be happy

No answer came to that question.

Three days to the wedding and Sasuke couldn't take it anymore. He packed his bags and prepared to live for London. He didn't care anymore, not that he did before but since his attempt to ruin Itachi's life ended in a backfire there was no point in staying and seeing his brother get his dream family.

When Sasuke came on to the roof he expected to see his mother and Mr Kakashi standing in wait for him but his mother was not there just Kakashi. He was disappointed but it's to be expected.

"Sasuke"
It was Sakura, she was standing by the side so he hadn't seen her. She looked nervous as she approached but there was a determined look in her eyes.

"You, what re you doing here, aren't you suppose to be preparing for your wedding."

"I wanted to talk to you. I heard you would be leaving so I came here to talk to you about it before you leave"

"I don't believe we have anything to talk about Miss Harano, our business with each other is finish"

She looked down at her feet for a while then up at him again her nervous countenance disappeared leaving behind a strong willed woman.
"Just as i thought, you used me to get to him."

this only earned her a raised eyebrow from Sasuke.

"I don't know what kind of feud you have with your brother but i'm sorry i became an instrument to help implement more animosity between the two of you. When i was coming here i thought i would be the one to bring the brotherly feud between you two to an end but instead i caused even more problems"

Sakura sighed at this and Sasuke wondered if he had been a bit wrong about her.

"I'm sorry, i won't ask you to stay for the wedding but can i ask you to forgive me for being a failure as a sister-in-law"
she bowed her head in a Japanese form of showing remorse but it didn't quite sooth that Spanish personality.

"I don't really care one way or another, I don't want my brother to marry you"
Sasuke said with a dismissive wave.

Sakura looked shocked and didn't know what to do. She perhaps had not expect such a direct approach.
"Why"

Sasuke gave her a superior look along with a sneer.
"Why? Because you would make him happy and anything that makes my brother happy makes me unhappy"
this unreasonable response came out easily from his lips.

"But i don't understand, why do you hate your brother so much"

"It's not that i hate him it's just we can't be both happy at the same time. When he is miserable i am happy, it's the way it is. Now why don't you just go on and enjoy what I hope would be a terrible marriage"

Sakura did not know what else to say so she watched him walk away.

The next two days were hectic with preparation and according to the Uchiha tradition the bride and groom were not to see each other for two days, believed to cause anticipation between them.
Instead it made Sakura anxious.

What if Itachi had changed his mind about marrying her?
This kept her awake for those two nights. When she finally fell asleep a loud bell woke her and her friends came rushing into the room to help her prepare. She swooped along in their excitement.

By 9:00am, Sakura was ready. She was in the most beautifull wedding gown she had ever seen right from spain. Her hair was done up in frill bun and some fell around her face. Her cheeks were flushed as she watched herself in the mirror.

"I can't believe it, my daughter looks so amazing like a princess"

Sakura's mom came into the room and hugged her. "Oh mom"

"Are you happy,"

"Of course I am mom"
She pulled away and twirled happily.
"I feel so full "

"Sure you do you are practically glowing"

"I want to get married to Itachi so much mom, I love him so much..."

"But?"

" But I don't know, something is just not right"
Sakura started to fidget as her worries came up again "What is it Sakura"

"I-

the door opened and an elegantly dressed Mikoto walked in with a gasp.
"Oh my! You look so wonderful Sakura-chan"

"Ah mother"
Sakura received a few pecks from Mikoto and a hug.

"Katrina-san do you mind excusing us, this is a mother-in -law and daughter-in-law time "
Mikoto said with a wink.

Katrina laughed "Of course."
She kissed Sakura on the head and hugged her again.
"Don't worry too much dear you re going to do just fine"
with this she left the room.

"Please sit here with me"
By this time Mikoto had already taken a seat on the bed then pat a space for Sakura. It was a bit hard to sit comfortably with all the parts of the gown pulling on the ground and over her feet but Sakura managed it.
By the time she finished Adjusting Mikoto had retrieved a black chest from her purse. It was small and elegant looking with some designs around it plus it looked really old.

"Here" that small chest was handed to Sakura and her eyes widen as she received it. It looked so precious she was afraid she didn't deserve it.
"Open it, go on."

Sakura did, there was a clip like structure which she pressed down and the chest opened slowly revealing a beautiful necklace.
" Oh wow"
she gasped.
Inside the chest was a glowing emerald necklace. It was in the form of a oval shaped ball slipped around a circle with strings like vines keeping it in place. So pretty.

"Here, I will put it on for you"
Mikoto took it from the box.

"It's mine?"

"Of course, it is the tradition of the Uchiha family to pass it down to the wife of the first born son so I'm passing it down to you like it was passed on to me."
she finished putting on the clasp.
"There, you look beautiful."

Sakura hurried to the mirror and looked at it around her neck. It really was beautiful but did she really have the right to it. Well yes because she was going to be the wife of Itachi.

With a little boost of confidence Sakura admired the necklace from all angle.
"Alright then I don't think it would be long before the wedding starts so get prepared." Mikoto kissed her on the head like her mother had done and left.

- What if my first born child turns out to be a girl instead

"I suppose I would pass it on to her" she answered her own question after a little thought.

"Well, this is it Sakura, this is your big day and you are going to do great so look lively"

she tried smiling at herself, she really did look amazing.
"go on a head and enjoy what I hope would be a terrible marriage"

She shook her head to clear the memory of those words. No, her marriage to Itachi will be amazing just like she dreamed. But there was a lingering fear of what if it doesn't turn out that way. Itachi has yet to talk about that day. What if it turns their life into a nightmare.

Sakura knew she wouldn't be able to walk up the aisle feeling this way so she decided then to talk to Itachi. She wanted them to talk things out before the wedding but how could she get to him. He was on the other side of the house or probably on his way to the altar waiting for her. But she decided to take her chances.

The hallway that led to her room was thankfully empty but Itachi's was full with his friends. A spiky haired man with sharp teeth was heading her way and Sakura looked for a place to hide but found none so he come upon her frantic self.

With a raise of none existent eyebrow he said "You are not supposed to be here"

"Kisame"

"Is something wrong"

"No. it's just I really wanted to talk with Itachi"
Sakura saw no way out of this so she told the truth hoping Kisame - Itachi's bestfriend and bestman- would help her somehow.

"Just as I thought something did happen between you two."
Kisame said something surprising

"Eh, how did you know"
Sakura was wide eyed as she said this.

"Itachi has been acting rather strange if you ask me, yeah"
another voice said from behind Sakura.
It was a blonde man wearing tux with his left eye completely covered by his fringe.

"What do you mean Diedara."
Sakura had not notice any strange behavior.

"He has been giving off a cold feeling"
Kisame said this as if it made all the sense in the world.

"Itachi is not the kind to have such an aura, yeah"

Sakura shook her head confused.
"He didn't look very different to me when I saw him two days ago"

"Itachi is a very expressive guy, it won't come out easily to others but to us he can be quite a sensitive guy, yeah" this guy who talks as if he was answering someone’s question was Diedara, Itachi's bestfriend as well.

"Oh. I guess you two know him so well, I really didn't realize that something had changed"
Sakura replied despondently.

"You should go talk to him. Diedara…"
Kisame said and started back down the hall with Diedara following behind him.

Sakura took a deep breath and gathered her courage to walk nonchalantly down the hall expecting stares but when she stepped out of the corner she found it empty of all the people that were there before.
"Oh thank you Kisame, Diedara" she said and hurried to the double sided door. She took a deep breath, knocked, before walking in.

Itachi looked absolutely mouth watering in white tux. Amazed Sakura stood watching him until he noticed her presence.
"Sakura, you not suppose to be here"
for the first time Sakura really felt that cold feeling from Itachi. Then she understood what Itachi's two bestfriends meant.

"I wanted to talk to you"

"You know the tradition yet you intentionally disobeyed them"

"I needed to talk to you Itachi"

"And this conversation couldn't wait until we were fully married"

"No"
Sakura looked directly into the blank eyes that looked more like Sasuke than it did Itachi's it caused a spike of fear in her heart.
She hurried forward in a haste to clear the look from his eyes but stumbled because of her gown and fell face down but was caught by Itachi who spun her around and held her to him.

"Are you alright"

the Look seemed to have cleared from his eyes.
When she didn't answer and just watched him the look came back again and he pulled away from her.

"It's my fault you are like this isn't it?" she clenched her fist at her side, head lowered.

"What are you talking about?"

"Your emotions, I’m the one making you hide them aren't I?"

Itachi looked slightly taken aback and the look fell apart.

"Because i hurt you, that night at the restaurant-"

"Don't!"
Itachi turned his eyes away from her.

"No Itachi, we must talk about it. I’m sorry I hurt you, i didn't mean to. I love you so much and I want to marry you and I never wanted to destroy what we have"

"But you did."
Itachi said this with a coldness that surpassed Sasuke's. " Everything that we build, everything that we have, in that little time you destroyed them. "

Sakura knew those words were true but hearing them come from him hurt a lot. She really did destroy them. When Itachi started courting her Sakura had stood her ground on refusing him. It took Itachi six month to get her to go on a date with him. Their relationship took so long to build and mostly on Itachi's part because then Sakura had pegged him as the bad boy type until she started to love him, started to trust him and now all that trust, all those memories were turned to dust.

"I'm sorry!"
she wanted to shout but Itachi's voice over rode hers.

"But i still love you Sakura, and that's why i still want this marriage unless you don't want it but instead want my brother"

"What, no"
Sakura was appalled by even the thought.

"I saw you talking with him on the roof, perhaps it's him you would prefer to -"

"No!" Sakura practically yelled "I love you! Only you!"

Itachi gave a small smile that made Sakura feel like she was being played.
" Then lets get married as soon as possible, go back to your room now and get ready, okay?"

Itachi pat her cheek and started to lead her outside his room.
"Wait Itachi-"

"I will see you at the altar"

"But"
The door was closed before she could say anything.
"I still have so much to say"
she stared despairingly at the door but then a look of determination came over her face and she reached for the knob.

"Sakura! My God, what are you doing here."
It was Celina, Sakura's best friend and maid of honor, she also happened to be the impromptu girlfriend of Kisame.

Celina hurried over to Sakura and gave her a reproachful look.
"I know you want to see Itachi but no seeing the groom before the wedding, remember? it's 'tradition'"
Celina didn't agree with the Uchiha culture but did not object to keeping it.

Sakura was startled out of her thoughts on seeing her tall brunette friend. She didn't know what to say or what to do so she let herself be led away from Itachi's door looking at it all the way.

"Come on, we have to fix you up"
Celina ushered Sakura back into her room and started to fuss with Sakura's gown and appearance.

"Celina,"
Sakura called quietly and the white gloved hands stopped propping up her hair and Celina looked back at her with brown eyes through the mirror in askance.
"Is it- okay to get married to someone who probably holds a grudge against you- i mean hypothetical speaking if you were to be getting married and your fiancé is holding a resentment towards you would you still marry him."
Sakura finished nervously.

"What did you do now"
Celina asked with a deep knowing sigh.

"I didn't do anything-"
Sakura rushed to defense but her energy to lie ran out in a puff.
"I...I didn't, I... He saw me with his brother-"

"No Sakura no, you didn't"

"I didn't mean to, i don't know what happened"

Celina shook her head with disappointment.
"How could you, Itachi is such a great guy how could you hurt him like that"

"I know he is, I didn't mean to hurt him, I never dreamed of hurting him this way believe me. All i ever wanted was to be his wife and love him for as long as i live but... I never foresaw something like this happening and I am truly sorry-"

"Well, did you tell him that, you need to atone for what you’ve done you know Sakura"

"I know, i just wish we could talk about it so i can tell him how sorry i am, to explain to him that i never wanted to hurt him and it was a crazy moment i just"

"Hey what are you guys still doing, everyone is waiting you know hurry up"
It was Johanna, she had opened the door wide to tell them this then closed it just as immediately.

Celina sighed and looked back at Sakura.
"I'm afraid there is not enough time left tell him that but good thing you are getting married you will have enough time to apologize later"

Celina pulled her up to her feet and gave her a once over then added a finishing touch to Sakura's make up.
"But is it okay" Sakura managed to ask this as she was being ushered out.

"Yes- probably- he didn't exactly call the wedding off so it's okay i guess, just do one thing at a time, for now focus your attention on marrying the love of your life then spend the rest of your life making up for your mistake"

Sakura thought it was reasonable. There wasn't much she could do now so she should do the most important thing first and that is to get married without problems.

To Be Continued...