Archive of Our Own ^beta

Gaara’s arms were crossed as he watched from his seat at the raised table, piercing sharp eyes observing the celebrations that were taking place in front of him before circling back to the one that had captivated his attention the entire day. The earlier heat from the desert sun had caused parts of her pink hair, so elaborately pinned up and fashioned in the old traditional ways, to unravel in stray strands that teasingly cascaded down. His gaze lingered on the lock of pink hair that escaped from the back, the way it teased her exposed nape, slightly pinkened from being under the harsh rays of the desert.

His throat clenched as he swallowed imperceptibly. Everyone was too fixated on the glowing bride, missing how his gaze darkened into deeper depths.

The pleased rumbling of his blood in anticipation as the end of the festivities drew near.

Sakura tried to steady her nerves as she waited in the… oh gods…. the Kazekage’s quarters of the manor. No, that wasn’t right, at least not anymore. While the Kazekage and Kazehime had their own personal rooms, the one she was in right now was the shared bedroom situated between those very separate rooms.

Her heart was beating so quickly, which was hilarious in retrospect since she couldn’t remember being this anxious even during the war against Akatsuki or even when Naruto and Sasuke were stupidly trying to blow each other up. At the same time, who could blame her? Just a few months ago, she’d been in Konoha as a regular jounin whose future seemed set in stone as the next director of the village's hospital… and yet, she was now here in Suna… married to the Kazekage… married to Gaara…

Oh gods...

She inhaled deeply, trying to calm her nerves.

But in the end, this was also a decision she had made on her own. No one had pressured her into this and this was what she had wanted.

Still, a part of her wanted to laugh a little hysterically as she raised her arm to take in the elaborately designed sleeve that stared back at her. While she had been trained the past few months on what it entailed to be the Kazehime of Sunagakure, it still felt so surreal with how heavily adorned she’d been in layers of silk and precious jewels today as the bride of the Kazekage. The future mother of Sunagakure.

Things operated completely differently in Suna compared to Konoha. Intuitively and logically, Sakura knew this... but actually living it was a completely different story. Despite some overlaps when it came to principles and culture, Sunagakure was more heavily steeped in tradition with more conservative values. Perhaps it was due to living in such severe terrains and isolation, but it was quite clear just how fiercely protective the people of Suna were with their way of life.

Hence their unique system of having the Kazekage’s wife holding the title of Kazehime. It was nothing like in Konoha or in any other parts of the elemental nations, simply being known as the spouse of the Kage.

In Suna, being the Kazehime meant something. The Kazehime was next in command if something were to happen to the Kazekage. If war were to occur, the Kazekage was expected to be out front in the heat of battle while the Kazehime would stay behind to lead and protect the home front.

Never in her wildest dreams had she ever imagined she'd ever be in such a position.

If anything, her silly childhood dreams of being Sasuke's wife had seemed outlandish on its own.

Her, a civilian born kunoichi, the matriarch of the illustrious Uchiha Clan?

But instead... the now legally bound and recognized matriarch of an entire nation.

Sakura swallowed down her trepidation, leaning forward to pick up the lukewarm cup of tea in front of her. She took a sip, trying to focus on the minty aftertaste meant to disguise the bitter herbs she had been drinking for the past few weeks.

Being the Kazehime meant something, and that included the continuation of the Kazekage line.

Unlike other countries, the title of Kazekage was hereditary, and part of the duties of the Kazehime was to have children. It had even been part of the stipulation when the formal arrangements had been made, that she'd be given a physical to ensure that there would be no issues in creating the next line of leaders for Suna. Outdated, basically outlandish in the more modern sensibilities, but when considering the brutal lifestyle of the desert, it actually almost felt more inevitable.

And to think that Gaara would agree to all those terms.

To think that she'd agree to such terms as well.

Tsunade-shishou had made it clear that nothing would proceed without her full consent to this. She was simply the messenger letting Sakura know of Sunagakure's offer. In exchange for their princess with Temari’s pending nuptials, a kunoichi of equal value. At least that's how they'd labeled it, but Tsunade-shishou had reassured her that she'd gladly (and violently) tell them to fuck off if Sakura was in any way offended by this proposition.

And yet, she'd said yes.

Sakura lowered the empty cup on lap, eyes downcast as she stared at the lingering droplets.

Yes, she had said yes.

It had taken almost everyone by surprise. Wasn't she waiting for Sasuke? She'd waited for him since she was twelve years old, after all. And when he'd left for his journey of redemption, though he may not have said it outloud, the guards stationed nearby, who had witnessed their private exchange, had gossiped on how the last Uchiha hadn't exactly left so stoically as anticipated. If anything, he'd shown signs of quiet affection before departing, leaving behind what seemed like an unspoken promise of a future once he returned.

But... years passed... and not a single word.

Her chest tightened at that reminder, of how while the Hokage regularly received the mission reports and Naruto received the occasional stray letter letting him know of his whereabouts, not a single letter had been sent to her since the last time she'd laid eyes on him. Even during the moment of desperation when Sakura had finally caved and swallowed her pride, quietly asking Tsunade-shishou if she could also include a letter of her own when Sasuke’s hawk was set to return to him...

Simply... nothing.

Sakura sighed as she put the cup back on the table.

And so, she'd decided then and there that it was time to move on. It was time for her to grow. A part of her would always love Sasuke, as a teammate and as a friend. She'd hoped... that perhaps that childhood affection could maybe grow to be something more... the potential had always been there, simply never explored because of their cursed circumstances. But when Sasuke had left that day, it was almost as though he'd given her hope, had wordlessly said that maybe...

She could feel the tears gathering in her eyes and quickly grabbed the nearby tissue to dab it away. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin her makeup and give away the bittersweet sorrows as she was finally moving past her childhood dreams.

As she had decided all those months ago, it was time for her to move on.

And what better way than this? To help strengthen the bonds between her village and an ally? To contribute to the struggling medical program in an otherwise strong village? And to work alongside someone she knew would respect and care for her as an equal?

Sakura jumped as she heard the door opening, her earlier nerves screaming back to life as she scrambled to her feet.

Her heart skipped a beat as she saw the familiar shock of crimson red hair followed by those heavy sharp eyes that always seemed to strike her to the core. Though they may have gotten to know each other a bit more during the war, it would be a lie to say that Gaara didn't make her nervous sometimes.

If there was one thing that had never changed with Sabaku no Gaara since she'd first met him as a genin, it was the absolute commanding presence he held no matter where he went. Without speaking a word, simply by stepping into a crowded room, people would fall silent as they would immediately take notice, instinctively aware of the apex predator that now walked amongst them.

She unwittingly licked her lips.

And right now, all her instincts were on fire by the fact that the two of them were together alone in this bedroom with his full attention now focused on her.

“You must be tired,” his voice was low and husky as usual, despite how he'd been so quiet compared to her throughout the entire event. Though he had been the groom and the more venerated star of tonight's festivities, most of the well-wishes and felicitations had been aimed towards her. She'd bowed to so many people and had spoken to just as many, if not more, she was surprised she had a voice left at all.

She tried her best to give him a warm smile, speaking in a light and teasing manner. “It's okay. It's not every day that the Kazekage gets married.”

“It was your wedding as well,” he pointed out, causing her cheeks to redden as she ducked her head, unable to look him in the eye anymore. “Do you regret it?”

Her head snapped back towards him as she blurted out immediately. “Of course not!”

To her mortification, she saw the amusement in his eyes while a smile played on his lips. The flush of her cheeks deepened, the redness flowing down to her neck. She felt how his gaze trailed down from her face to her neck and she resisted the urge to cover herself.

A part of her regretted removing most of the heavy jewelry and some of the outer layers of her dress. At least that would have provided her some protection from his heavy gaze.

How was it that she was still wearing layers upon layers of fine embroidered silk, yet felt a tremor go down her spine at the fact that this would be the first official night with her husband?

The word itself caused a slight twinge of anxiety.

Husband.

Gaara was her husband. She was a married woman now. And not to mention, he was the Kazekage... therefore, it was imperative that he had an heir as soon as possible.

She had known all of that and had accepted her role. Had believed her to be doing her duty and what was best for everyone.

Still, that didn't mean a part of her didn't quake with trepidation now that the night was finally here.

By accepting the position of Kazehime, she had essentially accepted to be available at the Kazekage’s beck and call, to always be willing to abate his appetite. After all, the more regularly she submitted to her role, the higher probability that she would conceive... hopefully more than once as well.

Her hand couldn't help but clutch over her lower stomach.

It wasn't as though she hadn't been prepared for such a future. Even before this marriage, back when she'd had hopes with Sasuke, she knew and had been supportive of his goals of wanting to revive his clan.

This was basically only a slight shift in the original plan...

From pitch black darkness with splashes of red to brilliant shades of crimson spotted with overwhelming turquoise.

“Sakura,” so lost in her thoughts, she hadn't realized how close Gaara had gotten. Her eyes widened as she instinctively struck out her fist to create some space, but at this distance, he easily caught her by the wrist to avoid the usual devastating blow of a chakra enhanced hit. He held on firm as he took advantage of her surprise, pulling her close until she was enveloped within his arms. “We don't have to tonight if you are uncomfortable.”

It took her a moment to process his words because she was too stunned by the fact that Gaara was holding her. She placed her hand on his chest, pulling back ever so slightly to look up at him. “W-We don't?”

His hands settled on her waist as he nodded. “I can hold off the council for a while if you need time.”

“We're supposed to be on our honeymoon right now though,” she pointed out weakly.

“And we will use that time as we see fit,” he easily replied instead. “There's no rush for this, Sakura. You and I have forever now.”

The finality in which he said those words sent a shiver down her spine and he seemed to feel it as his grip around her waist tightened ever so slightly, reminding her of just how intimately pressed together they were right now. It had taken her off guard just how easily Gaara seemed to touch her, especially since it was known how adverse he was to close contact with everyone, including his own siblings. But perhaps he was trying to make an exception, because Gaara was always so duty-bound, always willing to do whatever it took for the better of his people.

And if he was trying his best despite his own discomforts... well... she was never one to back down from her challenges.

Tentatively, because while she may have found her resolve, that didn't make this any easier... tentatively, she reached up to cup his cheek, garnering his full attention as she stood on her toes to brush her lips against his own.

Sakura pulled away quickly, feeling even more flustered than before. Earlier, during the wedding, their vows had been sealed with the exchange of a shared cup of sake before the spirits venerated by the people of Suna. But beyond that, they hadn't shared any intimate moments at all. It wasn't like in Konoha where some marriages were sealed with a kiss. At most, the two had held hands when decorum called for it. And prior to the wedding, she'd been so busy getting a crash course on becoming the Kazehime that there had barely been any time to spend with Gaara at all.

Perhaps she had rushed this wedding, but she knew Gaara to be a good man, a good person, who would treat her right. Everyone else had also been moving on with their lives. Even Ino had nudged that there was nothing wrong with her letting go and-.

Gaara cupped the side of her face this time, coaxing her to look back at him as he hungrily recaptured her lips. It was as though her timid little kiss was the consent he had been waiting for as he startled her with the swipe of his tongue on the seams of her lips. Her eyes widened in surprise as he took advantage of her slacked jaw, tongue hungrily penetrating inside and entangling with her own.

Her fingers clutched onto the front of his robes, unwittingly pulling at the delicate hand sewn stitchings on the soft silk. Helpless mewls leaked from the back of her throat, especially as Gaara's hand trailed to the back of her neck, keeping her firmly pressed against him as he greedily explored her depths.

His tongue felt so hot. Not to mention, so heavy with how it demanded her attention, how it would curl and entwine against her own tongue. Distantly, she was aware that she was tasting his lips, his mouth, especially with her head tilted up ever so slightly, and felt herself growing lightheaded as she found herself overwhelmed with the scent of the dry desert air mixed in with the warm spices that often filled the street markets.

When he finally gave her some reprieve, pulling away open mouthed so that she could see the thick strands of their saliva in between, Sakura all but clung to him as she found herself no longer able to stand on her own trembling legs. She clutched onto Gaara's robes, sucking air in hard before clamping her lips shut, feeling a strange sense of cold and emptiness now that his tongue was no longer in her mouth.

Completely mortified by her reactions, Sakura couldn't help but bury her face into his chest. A muffled squeak leaking out in between them. “Where in the world did you learn to kiss like that?”

She felt rather than heard the rumble of his chuckle, his arms wounding around her once more as he murmured into her still pinned up hair. “Shukaku.”

There was a pause before Sakura jerked back, Gaara easily giving her the room to do so as he'd anticipated such a reaction, though his hands remained possessively on her waist. She rounded in on him with goggling eyes that made him snort. “What is that supposed to mean?!”

“It means,” he explained calmly, “that Shukaku had found my attempts of seduction quite... pitiful, as he'd put it, and he would not stand his host being this pathetic. He had a reputation to uphold, apparently.”

”S-Shukaku?” Sakura sputtered, unable to imagine that petulant bijuu knowing anything about fairer sex, let alone how to “seduce” one. At the same time, if she thought about it more carefully, Shukaku was technically a tanuki, right? And if myths were anything to go by… not wanting to think about it further, Sakura groaned and pressed her temple against Gaara’s chest again…

Gaara’s hold around her tightened and she shivered at the feel of his fingers stroking her spine. “Does knowing this make you uncomfortable?”

“No, of course not,” she mumbled. If anything, it made her feel rather pathetic instead. She had been so fixated on getting stronger for her team, to protect Naruto and bring Sasuke back home... there had been many things she'd neglected because of her prioritization of all that. “I just hope I don't disappoint you...”

There was a beat of silence before she felt Gaara’s hand gently grasp at her face again, tilting her gaze back up to him by the chin where his lips ran over hers once... twice... before melding their mouths together so seamlessly that she'd simply melted into his arms, a dazed murmur escaping her in between them.

“Just like that,” his breath was hot over her tingling lips as he spoke heatedly, his piercing eyes focused solely on her face. “Let me hear you, Sakura.”

She shivered, instinctively tilting her head to the side when his mouth then abruptly latched onto the column of her neck.

“Let me know what feels good for you,” his fingers reached up to tug at her bound hair, savoring the silky sensation of her pink tresses, which he had dreamed of for so long to touch. Her skin felt so soft and sensitive, the way her pulse spiked as he ran his tongue over it before latching on, nipping and sucking on it hard with the clear intent of marking her as his.

He had not lied about Shukaku's tutelage, though there was more to the story than a mere lesson in seduction.

Despite his protective armor of sand and his ultimate defense basically giving him an impenetrable shield, he was only human. And as a mere mortal, he knew well enough the weaknesses of man who craved to be touched, to have affection. It also did not help how back then, his hormones had been more rampant.

It was such a glaring and obvious weakness, though not many considered this to be an option with how dangerous and standoffish he usually was. However, he knew that sooner or later, he would crave and he would covet... dropping his guard long enough for a seductress to poison his lips. It would be better to address his shortcomings immediately rather than avoidance and hoping for the best.

He couldn't really go to his siblings for this either, not even Kankuro. Despite how he’d often confide many things with them, this particular topic felt much too humiliating and uncomfortable. It was one thing to understand it from the academic perspective. Experience was another beast.

But then the opportunity had eventually given way. In distant lands so far that the people were unaware of his gruesome reputation, there had been many who had shown interest in him.

It had all been simply serendipitous during a short term mission in a land so far away.

“G-Gaara,” he heard Sakura’s timid moan, his teeth scraping against the patch of sensitive skin wet from his open mouthed attention.

“Good,” he praised, his mouth curving into that of a pleased smile. “Don't hold back and I promise you, there's no way you will disappoint.”

Gaara reluctantly pulled away when he felt the firm press of her hands against his chest, only to find himself mesmerized at the sight of Sakura's flushed cheeks as she panted ever so slightly, stray locks of hair surrounding her in a messy pink halo. He felt her hands cup his face and he briefly closed his eyes, savoring the contact... grateful for his foresight of having removed his sand armor before entering their bedroom.... only to open them back up at her words.

“You too,” despite her obvious shyness, Sakura’s eyes glowed with such conviction that it temporarily took his breath away. “I want to know what feels good for you too...”

He couldn't help himself. How could he when she was tempting him with such words?

Gaara dipped back down to claim her lips, a rumble of approval in his chest when she more easily parted them for him before hesitantly engaging in the lascivious dance he drew her in. The feel of her tongue wrapped around his own made him growl low and deep. How long he'd waited for this moment, his imagination but a poor imitation compared to the actual real thing.

Her scent was much more intoxicating than he had anticipated and he found himself addicted to the feel of her much softer curves pressed against the solid planes of his body. His fingers trailed up her spine once more before reaching for the small clasp subtly hidden between the folds, undoing it with a flick of his wrist and enjoying her gasp of surprise against his mouth when the outer layer of fabric loosened and threatened to fall down her shoulders.

His hand grabbed the back of her neck once more before she could pull away, forcing her to remain lip locked with him instead while his other hand boldly traveled in between them in order to push the loosened material away. He only gave her some space as he pressed her closer to him, his face buried into the crook of her now exposed shoulder where he inhaled deeply.

“Was it ever explained to you,” Sakura struggled not to bite back her whine when Gaara gently nipped at her skin. Her skin felt so sensitive as his mouth traversed new and unexplored territory, “the intent behind the Kazehime's wedding dress?”

“N-No,” embarrassment rippled through her further at her stutter.

The layers of her wedding dress had confused her, but there had been no opportunity for her to ask. There had hardly been enough time for anyone to go into depth about the lessons they were teaching her, everyone more focused on the basics and main points in the hopes it would suffice for now until after the wedding.

Gaara placed more open mouthed kisses over her shoulder, his hand palming the small of her back... eager and greedy for more as he could feel the additional layers of fabric impeding him from his goals. Quietly breathing in to maintain his shaky self control, Gaara changed the pathway of his hands so that they reached to hold and gently squeeze her now bare and visible arms.

“It was with consideration to the Kazekage and Kazehime during their wedding,” the husky low tenor of his voice still buried against her skin and the way he was so pleasantly grasping at her arms made Sakura shudder ever so slightly. It was just her arms, and yet the way he ran his hands up and down them as he squeezed, as though intent to be familiar with every dip and curve of her muscles.... eventually reaching down to hold her wrists where he squeezed possessively, taking her breath away at how pleased he seemed at the thought of manacling her... only to be distracted by how he so easily knitted their fingers so intimately... pulling one of their joined hands up to press her knuckles to his lips as he murmured, heated eyes trained hard on her. “It is the Kazekage’s duty to undress his Kazehime, each layer undone revealing a new part of her for him to explore... to touch... to possess...”

He gently bit at her knuckle, his eyes never straying from her own, causing Sakura to nervously swallow hard. Never had anyone looked at her like that before and it proved to be too much as she found herself looking away... causing her to miss how Gaara closed his eyes to savor the feel of the back of her hand against his face. He kissed her inner wrist, relishing the feel of her fluttery pulse, before he resumed his feather light kisses down her arm.

“G-Gaara,” it made her feel foolish how she could think of nothing to say but his name, and it was a bit unnerving at how it also already felt so natural... his name slipping out so easily, already becoming associated with these new, sensual feelings she'd never felt before. It was embarrassing... and a little bit scary.

As though aware of her nerves, Gaara reassuringly squeezed the hands that were still knitted together, gently knocking their foreheads together as he coaxed her to kiss him. She felt his free hand on her back again and feeling the butterflies in her stomach return, gave into the impulse, pressing her lips a bit too hard at first due to her inexperience. Her cheeks reddened as she felt his amused smile, only to get distracted as she felt his fingers move... wrapping themselves around to the hidden laces that held her top together.

Anxiety drove her, desperate for a distraction, and Sakura boldly ran her own tongue against him, almost seeming to beg for entrance. A part of her was grateful for how gentle and considerate Gaara was being, how he easily complied with her demands with a sweet and heavy kiss that left her moaning softly into his mouth.

And then his fingers tightened and pulled, the intricate ribbons of hidden laces and string falling apart and causing the top layer of her wedding dress to crumble to the ground.

She almost jerked back from the kiss, instincts alight at how she was more exposed and vulnerable than she was accustomed to... especially in front of a stranger.

But this was no stranger. No, this was her husband. This was Gaara.

Sakura forcibly shoved down all the hard pressed training in favor of staying still, heart pounding so madly she thought it would leap out of throat.

Gaara had been right when he'd told her that the Kazehime had been dressed up for the pleasure of her Kazekage tonight. She had thought it a bit odd that there had been no bindings for her breast, but decided the layers of fabric had given enough coverage and support. And yet part of the top layer of her dress had been a type of slip so sheer and gossamer... it provided a tempting view of her breasts, so obviously visible and yet providing a mocking form of modesty “hidden” behind a layer of fabric so transparent.

And with her nipples already pouting and puckered...

Her arms tried to cover herself, but Gaara still had a hold of her hands. If anything, his grip was tight as he stared, transfixed at the sight of her bare breasts.

His gaze was so dark and with an intensity she was only familiar with during the heat of battle. The last time such a look was even considered her way was back during the end of the accursed Chunin exams when Gaara had been consumed and driven mad by the single mindedness for blood...

“G-Gaara?” Her voice came out meeker than intended.

It took him a moment to find his voice and when he did, she shuddered at how raspy he sounded... the clear want and need he wasn't even bothering to hide. “You're beautiful, Sakura.”

Her name rolling off so easily from his tongue...

Without hesitation, he buried his face in between her breasts. He released her hands in favor of wrapping his arms around her waist, one palm spread open on her back to prevent her from jerking back in surprise when Gaara’s mouth latched onto her covered breast.

The squeal that left her was unintentional, taken aback by the hot electricity that surged through her at the feel of his hot mouth over such a sensitive appendage. With her hands now free, she automatically grabbed at the back of his head, fingers entangling with his hair as she struggled to not push him away out of instinct... unaccustomed to such a touch by another like this...

Husband. He was her husband.

And to please him, he'd told her not to hold back.

It was embarrassing, a tinge bit humiliating for her kunoichi pride, the helpless sounds that escaped from her throat. Noises she hadn't even thought she was capable of producing!

But how could she not when she felt Gaara’s tongue brushing over her nipple? It was something she'd never felt before. And it felt like he was trying to devour her, the way he openly sucked on her skin with such abandon.

Sakura couldn't stop the yelp of surprise when she felt the flimsy fabric being torn by Gaara's teeth, but was immediately distracted by his mouth latching itself to her breast again, this time over her bare skin. The loud lewd noises that filled the empty, expansive room as he devoured her skin, intent on taking more of her into his mouth. The heavy breathing mixed in with her helpless and timid mewls for more.

Distantly, she was aware of being picked up, her legs automatically winding around his waist for support. She could feel the soft bed pressed against her back, keeping her trapped beneath Gaara, who'd never unfastened his mouth from her chest. His tongue teasingly swirling around the sensitive, soft mound while his other hand eagerly sought its neglected twin.

Sakura arched her back, crying out softly as she writhed beneath him, jerking slightly when he pinched at her nipple in synch with nipping the other with his mouth. “Ahh!”

“Louder, Sakura,” she looked down and shuddered at how his eyes seemed to glow as they watched her, obsessed with seeing the expressions he was forcing out of her. She thought her face would be forever red, mortified at the sight of her breast glistening with his saliva as he spoke so closely against her bare skin. “I want to hear you.”

But of course, his words only made her self-conscious. It irked her a bit when she saw the mischievous amusement in his eyes, but also startled her a bit to see such an appearance from him.

There was still so much she didn't know about him...

“You too,” was that her own voice? She didn’t recognize it because of how breathless she sounded. “I want to touch you too...”

He stilled for a moment and to her surprise, seemed to shudder hard at her confession.

Gaara cupped her face and kissed her gently, making her blink at the sudden switch in pace. He deepened the kiss, eliciting a gasp from her at how tender and sweet he was being, a stark contrast from the ravenous hunger from just seconds ago.

“You're mine now, Sakura,” he murmured against her heavily kissed lips, so puffed and reddened from the multiple times he'd claimed them. There was a moment of vulnerability that flitted through Gaara’s normally impenetrable eyes, but there was no time for her to dwell on the thought as Gaara distracted her with soft, reverent kisses. In between, he continued to softly murmur. “Mine.”

His kisses trailed down the previous path, tracing her jawline to her neck... to her shoulder... and eventually to the hand he pulled to press to his lips. Gaara hovered over her on the bed as he pressed his mouth to her palm, closing his eyes.

His wife.

Haruno Sakura was now his wife.

Through half-lidded eyes, he took in the appearance of her beneath him. Her mesmerizing emerald eyes that were always so bewitchingly open and expressive, her soft pink hair splayed over his bedsheets, and her pale skin already marked by his mouth and teeth.

Her...

He pressed his lips harder against her palm, as though intent on leaving a mark there as well.

All of her was now all his.

Gaara reluctantly pulled away from her hand, if only to place it over his heart, which was pounding furiously within his chest.

And all of him now belonged to her as well.

Sakura would have no other than him. Her well-known reputation regarding her loyalty all but confirmed her destiny, but also because he would never, ever give her the opportunity to think otherwise. The only man, the only person, she would ever seek or need would be him and him alone.

“Gaara?” a deep shiver went down his spine at hearing her say his name.

“Next time,” He replied, feeling a sense of contentment now. She was his. All his. “Tonight, let me touch you.”

“But-.” She protested. That didn't sound fair!

“Just as the Kazehime's duty is to please her Kazekage,” Gaara began to undo the fastens that held together his formal coat, the embroidered designs matching her bridal wear making it clear it had also been made generations ago for the Kazekage's formal wedding, “it is also the duty of the Kazekage to ensure that all of the comforts of his hime's are met.”

He adored how she chewed her lower lip in contemplation before she reluctantly spoke. “...only for tonight.”

Gaara smiled. “Only for tonight. Tomorrow, you're welcomed to touch me as much as it pleases you.”

The look of shocked embarrassment made him want to laugh. “T-That’s not what I...”

Her words trailed off as she was rendered speechless when Gaara took off his coat, revealing bare broad shoulders and a heavily sculpted torso and abdomen that were covered by a netted chainmail often worn by shinobi beneath their clothes. She watched, enraptured by the ripple of his muscle as he pulled the thinly knitted armor over his shoulders, tossing it aside to join his coat, leaving him completely naked from the stomach up as he now wore only his dark maroon red slacks.

She'd seen many a bare chest as a medic, but never Gaara's and definitely not in the circumstances where he was her husband. Suddenly reminded of her own exposure, Sakura couldn't help but shyly cross her arms, trying not to remember the feel of Gaara’s mouth on her breast, the tingle of her skin as he'd latched onto her and hungrily sucked on them... his fingers playfully pinching and teasing at her pebbled tip, causing her to let loose that humiliating whine...

“Will you always hide from me?” The slow drawl of his voice made her quiver and she hadn’t even realized she'd shut her eyes until she jumped, startled at the feel of his gentle grip around her wrist. His intent was obvious as she felt him lightly tug and Sakura reluctantly let him, goosebumps forming over her skin as she could practically feel the weight of his gaze at her open and vulnerable form. The kunoichi in her protested how he'd pinned her hands to the sides of her head, forcing her to remain exposed, but she swallowed it down. Going forward starting from tonight, Gaara was the only one where it should feel natural to be this vulnerable. “Look at me, Sakura.”

Her face felt so hot as she obeyed, cracking her slightly wet eyes open and resisting the urge to shrink away when meeting his heavy gaze. Gaara never broke away from her eyes as he leaned closer, mouth open and tongue slipping out, as he proceeded to openly savor the feel of her breast in his mouth again. The mortified whine escaped her as she struggled to not look away, to watch as her skin disappeared under the sinfully hot mouth where his tongue proceeded to tease and caress the sensitive mound, swirling around before reaching the peak where he proceeded to suckle with such masculine contentment that she couldn't help but arch her back into his touch while moaning breathlessly.

She didn’t know when he'd released her wrists, only becoming aware that he'd moved when she felt his hands clutching at her sides. Anxiety rippled through her even more as she felt him tug at the ties that kept together the outer layer of her skirt, parting them to reveal her legs wrapped in another layer of delicate maroon fabrics designed with gold etchings.

The pants she wore were akin to a miko's hakama, but more skin tight with the side slits so deep and wide that it revealed a good amount of her thighs. The material remained loose enough, however, that if Gaara were to wish it, there would be no effort required for him to slip his hands beneath the openings...

There was no time for her to even contemplate such possibilities though, too distracted by how Gaara’s mouth had trailed down from her chest to her stomach. The unexpected move had made her release some very alarmed squeaks that seemed to amuse him, his mouth and tongue chasing after the fluttering muscles of her abdomen, which were very unaccustomed to being touched in this manner.

Sakura squirmed, the feel of Gaara’s mouth so hot and ticklish. And then when he sucked on her hip bone, leaving behind a glowing red mark... gods, how many others had he left behind already? Her breasts felt so tender and sensitive from his attention, his hand occasionally straying back to hold and squeeze them appreciatively as he continued to explore her body with his mouth.

She'd assumed the night would progress far quicker than this... not for him to literally take his time as though he was savoring his new favorite meal...

And then without warning, his face was buried between her legs over the fabric that covered her.

Sakura’s eyes widened in surprise as she tried to prop herself up by her elbows, only to find her strength failing her as her arms trembled at the sight of Gaara’s face buried between her legs. The way he nuzzled into her, his hands taking advantage of the open slits in order to firmly take hold of her rear... if anything, lifting her up ever so slightly so that he could kiss her better over her hidden nether lips.

A part of her wanted to beg him to stop. This was so embarrassing, and his touches, so unfamiliar and new. But as she locked eyes with him, his gaze so piercing and heavy as though daring her to defy him... she found any words of protest wilting at the tip of her tongue...

There was something extra... perverse... extra lewd with how he was kissing her through the thin fabric that covered her core. A mockery of modesty when he was clearly latching his mouth so ravenously over where she pulsated and ached with need. The pants she wore were also so very soft and thin, the material intentionally chosen so that the bride could feel every indulgent touch and caress made by her husband. Mortification and arousal rippled through her as she felt the wet heat of Gaara’s mouth envelop her, the firm press of his tongue on her clenching hot center.

“Please,” she begged, torn between humiliation at being touched like this in such a vulnerable area and wanting to feel more... feeling ashamed as she quietly admitted to herself that his touch felt so good...

Gaara replied by firmly holding her hips and rolling them towards his awaiting mouth, eliciting sharp bolts of pleasure that left her gasping and writhing on the bed. His touch was teasing, a promise of more to come... an odd yet addictive feeling of his tongue indulgently stroking over her mound through the hair thin cloth.

She clenched her eyes shut tight when she felt his tongue press where her clit lay hidden while her hands immediately covered her mouth as she tried to smother her cries, biting down onto her fingers in an act of desperation... dewy eyes fluttering open when she realized he'd paused in his ministrations.

Sakura felt her heart in her throat when she looked down to see the almost inhuman glow of Gaara’s teal eyes, the flecks of gold and the flickering change of his irises apparent due to the lingering touch of having once been the host of a biju.

“Sakura,” she heard the harshness of his voice, the authoritative tone that made her instinctive stand in attention. She looked at him balefully, already knowing what he was going to say. “Let me hear you.”

How could she reply to that, especially as she could feel his hand still kneading her muscles from behind? His hold so possessive and natural, as though aware of his right to now touch her as he pleased whenever he wanted. The way he continued to lock eyes with her, his teeth latching onto the thin strings that held her pants together by the sides... loosening the material enough to allow him to pull it down to reveal the very thin and sheer piece of cloth that stood as the final barrier between them.

Gaara practically ripped away the rest of her pants down her legs, tossing them aside as he tried not to let his eagerness get the best of him. He could see how hard Sakura was trying, trying to tamp down the demands of her instincts to pull back. For a kunoichi, it was literally beaten into them to never allow themselves to be vulnerable amongst another, even around their allies.

He knew...

Gaara palmed her calves, enjoying the feel of the defined muscles on them and yet how soft and supple she felt to his touch. The way her muscles quivered as his wife restrained the instincts to pull away from such a firm and commandeering grip.

He knew she was doing this mostly out of duty.

To his pleasure, there was minimal resistance as he nudged her legs apart farther, to give him the room to settle in the rightful place where he belonged.

But that didn't matter. At least not at this moment.

Gaara looked up, wanting her to see, wanting her to submit and accept this new reality of hers. He could see how her pupils were blown... could practically taste her trepidation... and anticipation... and he intended to deliver.

Because she was his now, and he planned to have his claim over her burned into her very soul.

Sakura couldn't help the alarmed squeak when she felt Gaara lift her leg up towards him, placing butterfly soft kisses on her calves and causing the muscles to clench. She felt as though she was close to hyperventilating, desperate to squeeze her legs shut, feeling way too vulnerable and exposed than she would like. And then when his mouth trailed higher...

Was it possible to pass out from embarrassment?

Her eyes were closed again as she didn’t think she could handle witnessing Gaara watching her completely exposed like this. It didn't help that he was taking his time with all this, exploring her body meticulously and cataloging all the areas that made her make the most mortifying of sounds. The ridiculous scrap of cloth being the only barrier between him and her now also didn't help make her feel better.

A useless scrap of cloth that was easily ripped apart by her Kage's teeth.

She was unable to smother her startled gasp at the sound of the fabric being torn apart, almost instinctively clenching her legs shut together, but stopped by the gentle yet firm grip of her husband's hands on her thighs.

Gods, she could feel the heat of his breath between her legs, that sharp heavy stare clearly fixated on what was before him. It was so embarrassing and so... so... vulnerable. A part of her wondered if this was even necessary? Yes, she was a medic and with all the gossip she was always exposed to, she knew what this entailed and how good it was supposed to feel.

But... but...

The sputtering voice in her mind was silenced as she felt the gentle kiss of Gaara's lips against her inner thigh, the way he comfortingly stroked the jutting bone of her hip with his thumb.

“Relax,” she felt his words strike her right on her core, causing her to reflexively clench her inner walls. It took everything within her not to look away, to lock eyes with Gaara as he stared right back at her from beneath her, almost squirming at his audacity when he indulgently leaned his cheek against her inner thigh. “You're so beautiful, Sakura.”

“Don't make fun of me,” she couldn’t help but snap back, her reply mostly nerves and lacking any heat behind them.

“But I'm not,” Gaara continued on, not minding her sass. “You're so soft... and you smell so sweet...”

Sakura jerked up ever so slightly when she felt Gaara place a feather light kiss between the junction of her legs.

Her eyes widened when she saw how that brief contact alone was enough to make his lips glisten with her desires.... his tongue slipping out in order to eagerly lap up the pitiful morsel that simply left him hungry for more.

“...and I already know, I will never grow tired of how you taste.”

Sakura half expected Gaara to dive in abruptly as he'd done when he feasted on her breasts, but as though aware of her anxiety, he seemed to opt on taking it slow instead.

Or perhaps it was because he preferred to relish every drop she had to offer.

Sakura couldn't stop the meek whimper even if she wanted to. After all, this was her first time ever in such a position, and while she trusted Gaara completely to watch her back in battle, this was more of an arranged marriage born from duty than anything else.

To trust him wholeheartedly with her heart...

Sakura shivered, fingers tightening on the bedsheet as she felt Gaara’s mouth firmly against her now. It was mortifying to feel how Gaara was indulgently laving his tongue over her soaking wet mound. She couldn't help but jerk and twitch, reflexively trying to pull away at the unfamiliar touch, but kept in place by Gaara's hands and the unyielding bed beneath her.

And then his tongue gave a long, deep stroke between the folds...

An unintelligible cry mixed with a gasp left her and so lost in her own self, she completely missed the low harsh growl that seemed to rumble out of her dear husband. A sound so deep and possessive that she felt the tremors to her bones, mistaking them for her own trepidation instead.

Sakura shook like a leaf as Gaara seemed to take his time, indulgently running his tongue between her nether lips as he savored the sweetness that she exuded... a taste meant just for him. His tongue caressed the opening of her slit, but never pressed harder, too busy enjoying the feel of her velvety softness against the tip of his tongue... trailing upward until he could press it against her clit.

“Ahh!” Her startled squeal was so purely feminine and endearing to his ears. His nails dug into her hips as he found himself craving for more, rolling them eagerly to his mouth so that he may hear more of her song meant just for his ears alone.

Sakura struggled not to bite down on her lip, trying to forgo all the girlhood teachings on modesty and being demure. To instead give in to the incoherent moans and whimpers begging to tumble out from her throat. She couldn't help but try to arch her body, to thrust her hips into Gaara's mouth as he toyed with one of the most sensitive parts of her with his tongue... a frustrated whine leaving her as Gaara easily kept her pinned down to follow the rhythm he desired instead.

With his arm wrapped around one of her legs, his thumb began to gently circle and press into her clit, his tongue now trailing lower in order to flick over her clenching folds that were begging to be filled.

“P-Please,” she begged, aching with an unfamiliar emptiness that seemed to pulsate with want. Sakura began to thrash harder against Gaara’s unyielding grip, wanting to feel him more. The teasing touches of his tongue weren't enough. “Gaara!”

Sakura panted, chest heaving, as she felt as though her body was on fire. Never had she felt this type of frustration before. It was driving her insane!

So close.

She felt so damn close!

“Tell me,” she heard his raspy voice, so deep and powerful that it made her shudder. “I told you, Sakura,” her name with that voice made her breath hitch unwittingly, “I want to hear you.”

She licked her lips, her throat suddenly feeling so dry as she saw and felt his heavy gaze trained completely on her face. “I want to cum... please... please let me cum.”

Words she had always known of, but never uttered out loud were leaving her lips for the first time ever. Her face felt so hot, tears gathering in the corner of her eyes because of how embarrassing this all was. To actually beg someone else for something like this...

“Good girl.”

...and to be accepted wholeheartedly.

Sakura gasped, eyes widening impossibly big as she felt Gaara’s tongue press in deeper. She clenched tightly around him in response, writhing and moaning as his thumb continued to toy with her hardened clit. With each stroke and press, his tongue would venture in deep, pressing upward and making her choke as she felt the sensitive bundle of nerves being firmly so caressed, eliciting hot shockwaves and making her mindlessly cry out his name over and over again.

She felt his groan of delight and somehow that made everything feel even better, to know she was bringing pleasure to him just as much as he was bringing to her. To know he wanted her this badly and seemed to adore and appreciate every piece of her he'd unveiled with every layer he'd peeled off of her.

“Gaara,” her voice was taut, transforming to that of a desperate scream as she arched her back, feeling herself break, finding herself finally tumbling over that edge she'd sought so desperately.

Distantly, she felt him knitting their fingers together in an intimate hold, his temple pressed firmly against her own, as he drank in the vision of his wife falling apart beneath him. However, she was distracted by the pleasure that blinded her along with the sudden sensation of something thicker and longer filling her, gently gliding through her depths as she succumbed to her first orgasm by her husband's ministrations.

“That's it,” he crooned softly, his own features strained for control as his fore and middle fingers pressed deep inside of her to replace his mouth. Gods, she was so tight, clenching so wetly around his digits. Gaara kissed her cheek in encouragement while his palm pressed down to grind against her clit, coaxing her orgasm to linger, while his mouth sought her lips.

He never ceased in the movements of his hand, adoring and relishing every helpless whimper she released while turning to him for comfort, her hand clutching onto his tightly while he continued to lazily thrust his fingers in and out of her slickness. The wet squelching noises... her fervent cry and arch of her back as he scissored her open... the heavy scent of her pleasure in the air...

“My wife... my Kazehime...” he purred, his words searing against her skin. “So perfect.”

His words made her tighten even further and his amusement deepened when he saw the dazed look on Sakura’s face, allowing him to do as he pleased as he took the opportunity to continue running his lips all over her face. For so long, he'd wanted this, to be able to hold her, to be able to kiss her as much as he desired.

And now, all of those dreams were being realized.

Were now his reality.

“Are you okay?” He inquired softly when he saw the focus slowly returning into her eyes.

Unable to speak, all she could do was nod... followed by a slight wince as she felt Gaara pull his fingers out from inside of her... as though now aware of the stretch of unused muscles when he'd forcibly parted them in the throes of her orgasm...the slow and gentle drag of his finger tips against her inner walls that protested his leave, squeezing tightly once more and like with her first kiss, leaving behind a strange sense of emptiness as he left her...

But such thoughts faded away when she saw Gaara lift that same hand to his face, her cries of protest caught in her throat when she saw Gaara run his tongue from the palm of his hand to the tips of his fingers. His eyes locked with her as he lapped up the proof of her desire for him that had essentially drenched his hand.

Oh gods, this was normal. She knew it was normal! But still-!

“You taste so utterly divine, Sakura,” he sucked on his fingers, the ones that had been embedded so deep inside her, “as though you were meant to be eaten by me.”

His words rendered her speechless as she was completely unfamiliar with this side of Gaara. He was mostly known for being so stoic and upright. To know he had such a playful side...

He didn't seem to mind her silence. If anything, he seemed to enjoy leaving her at a loss for words.

Gaara leaned down to peck her on the lips, savoring the feel of her sweet kiss, before he got off the bed. Sakura watched, momentarily confused, until she saw his fingers hooking to the edge of his pants. And how without warning, the garment was easily dropped to the ground, leaving him completely bare for her eyes to see.

She couldn’t help it as her eyes immediately snapped downward before she just as quickly looked away, the heavy blush on her face having nothing to do with what had transpired just minutes ago. But it was too late. The image was now forever ingrained in her near photographic memory.

This... this was impossible.

She knew, logically, her body was made to be able to accept this, but a part of her protested, saying there's no way he could fit! His fingers and his tongue had already felt so much. How was she supposed to take all of that in her?!

And because of her line of work, she knew for a fact that he was much longer than the average size... and even with her quick glance, it had been obvious his thicker girth... leaving her licking her lips in apprehension.

“Sakura,” she knew from his tone of voice what he wanted and so, reluctantly turned her gaze back to him. Her green eyes were trained hard on his face and she knew he was amused by all this based on the glint of his own turquoise pair. “I told you before that there's no need to rush this. We can stop here if you want.”

For him, this current experience was enough to leave him more than satisfied for now.

But of course his Sakura would never shirk from her responsibilities, even if it was to just delay it. That valor and determination was one of the things that had drawn him towards her from the very start.

Still, Gaara's eyes widened ever so slightly when he saw her outstretched arms, how she reached for him while at her most vulnerable. His chest tightened at the tentative, but warm smile gracing her lips. That smile he knew only he had the privilege of now seeing.

“Gaara...”

Enchanting, riveting... absolutely bewitching...

How could he deny her when she called for him so sweetly?

“It may hurt at first,” he warned softly as he answered her call, slowly descending upon her until he was hovering above her. Had she always been so small? It was hard to believe right now the power she held at her fingertips, not when she looked so frail and delicate beneath him. “Tell me to stop and I will.”

His over consideration towards her made it easy for Sakura to part her legs, to cradle him with her thighs while she did her best not to look down. She didn’t have the courage for that just yet. Instead, she reached up to cup his face, smiling when he leaned into her touch, growing more and more content with her decision regarding this arrangement.

She may not love Gaara right now, but she had a feeling he would make it quite easy for that sentiment to change over time.

“Please...” she murmured. “I'm ready...”

She was grateful when Gaara leaned down to distract her with a kiss, her heart beating so quickly like a nervous hummingbird flitting restlessly. However, she quickly found that with no further barriers in between them, it seemed to amplify every touch, every caress...

The feel of the hard planes of his chest against the soft plushness of her breasts, their nipples pressing and rubbing against each other's bare skin as Gaara grinded the thick length of his arousal between the wetness of her own. Coating himself in anticipation of what was to come next.

She moaned loudly into his mouth, enjoying how their tongues entangled together. How he possessively gripped her breast, rolling the sensitive mound under his palm before pinching and lightly tugging at the stiffened tip. Already, he seemed to know how to play her like a mastered instrument, endlessly eliciting sounds from her that previously, she had no idea she was capable of producing.

“Mmh,” her gasp was muffled between their lips when she felt the thick tip of Gaara's cock press against her opening. Immediately, she turned stiff, her body reacting at the sudden intrusion.

“Relax,” she heard his reassuring murmur, his fingers running through her hair as he splayed kisses along her cheeks and the column of her neck. She clung to his voice, needy for that support. If she thought earlier it had been difficult to keep her trained instincts at bay, this was worse as she was now letting someone inside of her for the first time ever.

To relinquish full control... allowing someone to claim her, to possess and ride her till completion.

Gaara had done well in making her wet, but still she struggled as a part of her protested at being taken like this. Not to mention... frightening.

The wedding had merely been a formality. With this, she'd officially be the Kazehime of Sunagakure, the mother of the next Kazekage.

His wife.

Though a long time ally of Suna with many friends and comrades, it still was not home. Konoha had always been her home. But now, she was going to live far away from all that she knew, starting a life and living with customs and culture that did not come naturally to her.

The demand to stop this was at the tip of her tongue. Gaara had promised he would stop if she asked, after all. All she had to do was say the words and he would back away.

“Sakura?” She heard his questioning voice, the tenderness in which he seemed to hold her as he momentarily stilled in all movements.

And at that moment, she felt so ashamed. Alone she may feel, but that wasn’t the exact truth. Even if Gaara hadn't uprooted his whole life like she had, it didn't change the fact that he was also making great compromises and sacrifices to his own life as well. And yet, despite his own discomforts, he was obviously trying so hard for her sake... always so thoughtful and considerate towards how she felt.

Even now, through the darkness of their marital room, she could see the slight tremble of his shoulders as he struggled to maintain his self-control. The way he held himself steady in an effort to keep her comfortable, trying to hide the corded muscles that strained with the effort to remain still until she gave her consent.

“I'm fine,” she murmured softly. “Keep going.”

How could she stop when Gaara, who was in the same situation as her, was making such great effort to make this work?

Sakura bit her lip when she felt Gaara resume moving, feeling the insistent push of his length against her opening. She forced herself to relax, panting softly as with each gentle yet firm thrust of his hips, she could feel him slipping in deeper and deeper... her inner walls contracting sharply with each new depth he penetrated... squeezing him so hard it was sometimes difficult to tell if she was pushing him out or pulling him in deeper.

But as the thickest part of him finally entered in deep, her body immediately yielded, latching around his girth and sucking him in until he was buried deep inside of her to the hilt.

And at that very moment, Sakura found herself unable to breathe.

It didn't hurt, no, but it was definitely uncomfortable. Gaara was a lot bigger than her smaller form. He filled her to the brim, the tip of his length almost kissing her cervix in ways that could border uncomfortable if they weren't careful. She knew it was ridiculous to think this way, but it almost felt as though he was carving out a place for himself inside of her, forcibly making room within her that belonged to him and him only.

The thought made her squirm, her inner walls reflexively fluttering around him nervously.

“Sakura,” the way he said her name made her clench even more, eliciting a low growl that verberated deep from within his chest. “Are you okay?”

“I-I’m fine,” she spoke, her voice strained, feeling as though the air had been pushed out of her as he'd sunk deep inside of her in its place. He was so intimately entwined with her, and she couldn’t help but wrap her arms around his neck... wanting something to hold and reassure her.

And then he began to move.

Sakura moaned softly into his ear, shuddering at how he pulled out so carefully, causing her to feel every rigid vein that lined his cock... the hot and firm thickness of his length forcing her virginal walls to part for him... and only for him.

Her back arched with a cry of surprise as he entered back into her much harder, a snap of his hips causing his cock to sink back inside of her to the base again until they were pressed so close together hip to hip.

The reactions she gave seemed to break whatever restraints were holding Gaara back as Sakura found herself crying louder and louder, her voice reaching much higher crescendos against her will. There was no opportunity to be shy nor meek, not when Gaara was penetrating her deeply, harshly, in a pace that left her seeing stars.

In a way, it was almost too much, her nails sinking into his back as she struggled to hold on.

“Gaara,” she whimpered helplessly, her heart fluttering when he seemed to answer her call by kissing her heatedly on the lips. She had never considered Gaara to be this attentive and sweet. After becoming Kazekage, she knew he'd changed... had grown into an admirable man that had the respect of the people and leaders of many other nations... but to now be in the forefront of all that dedication and focus.

It made her want to shift nervously, as though aware of the consequences that came with having the undivided attention of such a dangerous, powerful man.

Sakura wrapped her legs around him, tentatively doing her best to meet his pace with a shakily timed tilt of her hips... shuddering as that seemed to let him sink in even deeper, but in an angle that felt so good. She clenched around him tightly, almost not wanting him to leave from inside her.

Her participation seemed to destroy any lingering self control he had as she felt his mouth more viciously latch onto her throat, the gentle kisses and teasing nips from before transforming to hungry, almost desperate bites, with sharp canines marking her skin deeply in ways that would take weeks to heal. The pain mixed in the pleasure made her shudder, Sakura’s hips thrusting upward even harder in sync with his to feel him more... her womb pulsating with an ache to be filled.

Gaara kissed her hard, obsessed with her response to his touch, how she worked to become one with him... her inner walls rhythmically clenching him tight, begging him to unravel, to fill her with his seeds.

Until she was dripping with the excess of his desires.

“Let me hear you, Sakura,” his voice was so heavy, the demand so clear. His eyes were shining bright with that same inhuman hue from before that gave away his bloodline forever marked as a jinchuuriki.

Sakura gasped for air, unable to reply to his thrusts any further because of how hard Gaara had her pinned to his bed. The almost obsessive, insistent push of his hips, his pelvis and cock grinding and dragging long and hard against her overly sensitive clit... the possessive claim he had over her mouth as their hot breaths mingled with one another.

It was too much as Sakura whined, chest heaving with overwhelmed tears escaping from the corner of her eyes.

Close... so close...

“Tell me,” blood was roaring in her ears, and yet Gaara's voice, her husband's voice, was so clear. “Tell me, Sakura.”

“I... want you,” she cried out, unable to think, no longer caring of decorum or any facade of appearances. She just wanted him. She wanted him to possess her, to make her fall apart at the seams. “Please... anata... please cum inside me.”

Despite how close she felt, how her sanity felt as though it was going to fall apart at any moment, her plea came out so softly... a frail and vulnerable omission of her wants... her needs...

Of him.

Their cries of pleasure were an entangled mess, echoing loudly within the dark expansive bedroom. The first of many instances of their lovemaking that only the walls would hold witness to.

Sakura's nails raked down Gaara’s back, drawing deep red lines that left him groaning and shuddering hard. In exchange, his teeth were latched onto her neck, his canines sunk in as deep as his cock. The two remained still, bodies taut as he emptied himself deep within her womb while she submitted herself wholly to his claim.

She had no idea how long they remained entwined together, how long she’d felt the sharp hot bursts of Gaara’s seed fill her while she rhythmically milked him for every last drop. But she savored and enjoyed the feel of him on top of her, how comforted and safe she felt beneath him as he held her while they remained joined so intimately together.

Gaara unlatched his teeth from her neck, running his tongue over the tender flesh apologetically. To his delight, Sakura replied by absentmindedly carding her fingers through his red hair, eliciting a rumble of contentment from his chest.

His hand possessively splayed itself over where her womb was, where his cock remained still so deeply embedded within her. Normally, he would soften and naturally pull out from her depths, but this was the Kazekage’s wedding night... the Kazehime wasn't the only one who had been prepared during the prior weeks for this very night for the continuation of their bloodline.

He pressed down ever so gently, a pleased smile on his face when his wife gasped, her inner walls clenching around him tightly... hungry for more despite how he could feel their mixed essence leaking out in between them.

“G-Gaara?” He heard her whisper and kissed her tenderly.

“That's not what you called me earlier.” He couldn't help but remind, taken by how her cheeks seem to darken even more despite her already flushed complexion, her gaze downcast shyly to the side. Greedily, he wanted to hear it again, already obsessed with that new title that now belonged to him.

“Anata...”

“Louder, Sakura,” he kissed her cheek, pulling back in time to see her eyes flash as she gave him a slightly petulant scowl.

“You are a lot more demanding than expected.”

“Is there something wrong with a husband wanting to be spoiled by his wife?” He inquired back offhandedly instead, already knowing what was going through her mind when he saw her eyes widened ever so slightly before she looked away again... clearly recalling just how many times he had spoiled her tonight.

“...anata...” she murmured again, this time with a hesitant warmth that made him want to groan.

He couldn't help himself, swooping in for another self-indulgent kiss. “Again.”

“Anata,” this time as a hitched moan as he rocked his hips against her, his cock already so thick and hard, seemingly pulsating hungrily for more. “Please... please... don't stop...”

“Yes,” his voice was breathless, but his eyes were hard and resolute.

She was his.

Now all truly his.

His seeds would eventually take root and he would relish the sight of her swelling stomach with their progeny.

His Sakura.

His Kazehime.

“As long as you want, as much as you desire.” Gaara kissed her hard before murmuring hotly against her lips, searing them with his promise. “You and I have forever now.”

Kankuro looked up as he heard the near silent footsteps of his brother coming from down the hallway. He arched a brow and let out a low whistle the moment Gaara came under the kitchen lighting wearing only a pair of loose pants. “Damn, she did a number on you.”

Dark red lines marred his skin all over coupled with obvious bites and bruises, the colors exaggerated because of his extra pale complexion. Due to his sand armor, he was less prone to getting a tan when compared to those of his people.

Gaara glanced over at himself and knew he must've been preening since Kankuro made a face. “Sakura’s resting right now, but I have no doubt she'll awaken soon.”

“Not surprising, if the stories are true about the shit they make you drink before the wedding,” Kankuro gave him a sly grin as he watched Gaara pull out a pitcher from the fridge. “You're in for a wild month.”

“You called for me?” Gaara inquired, smoothly changing the subject while taking a long drink of the ice cold water. He made a note to take some back for Sakura as well. No doubt, she'd be feeling parched by the time she awakened. “I felt the pull from my sand.”

Tradition dictated that the Kazekage and Kazehime remained undisturbed during the entirety of their honeymoon, barring emergencies or wartime circumstances. Neither of which would be the case. There were no emergencies he knew Kankuro couldn't handle nor were they likely to be at war anytime soon.

Meaning...

“Uchiha Sasuke.” Kankuro began casually.

There was no reaction from Gaara as he calmly reached into the cupboard to pull out another glass to take with him back to the bedroom. The entire pitcher he'd take with him as well, since it was likely he and Sakura would need more not just for the night, but for the morning and afternoon as well.

“Seems like word finally reached him on what's been happening while he's away,” Kankuro said with a lopsided shrug as he leaned against the counter. “Apparently he's on his way back to Konoha, but it's going to take him a couple of months.”

The unseen servants would ensure that their supplies were continuously replenished. Food would also be prepared for them as appropriate, including the herbal teas he and Sakura had been consuming for the past few weeks, and Gaara had ensured the kitchens were aware of Sakura’s favorites. Nothing was to disturb them during their time together

“Who knows,” Kankuro continued on conversationally, “might actually take him a year instead to get back. Heard that eye of his is still pretty finicky, so it's hard for him to make longer jumps in short bursts.”

There was a soft tap as the glass cup in Gaara's hand touched the marble counter, but the sound seemed to cut through the air.

“How fortuitous,” Gaara said, finally speaking up while his sharpened gaze met his brother's own calculative eyes, “for him to return in time to congratulate his old teammate as she carries my heir.”

Kankuro grinned at Gaara’s words before chuckling lightly. “How lucky, indeed.”