𝓐𝓬𝓬𝓲𝓭𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓪𝓵𝓵𝔂 𝓘𝓷 𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝟣𝟫

Sakura closed the door to the hotel room, the soft click echoing in the otherwise silent space.  Her medical bag thudded gently against the floor as she set it down, a sigh escaping her lips.  The room, directly across from Konoha General Hospital, offered a welcome respite, especially when she was on call.  The 45-minute commute from her house wasn't unbearable, but the thought of a readily available sanctuary for those long shifts, or any unexpected emergencies, had persuaded her to book the room.

The weight of the day pressed heavily on Sakura, both mentally and physically.  Each muscle ached, a testament to the demanding hours she’d just endured.  She rubbed her temples, a wave of exhaustion washing over her.  The first trimester had been brutal, and she honestly wasn’t sure if she could maintain this pace. Sasuke had suggested taking an early maternity leave, and the idea, though once unthinkable, was becoming increasingly appealing.  A pang of guilt twisted in her stomach.  She trusted her colleagues implicitly, but the thought of burdening them with her patients weighed heavily on her conscience.

The uncertainty of her future, both professional and personal, loomed large.  But for now, one thing was certain: she desperately needed a hot bath.

Stepping into the hotel's master bathroom, she flicked on the lights, the soft glow illuminating the pristine space. The rhythmic rush of water filling the tub offered a soothing prelude to the relaxation she craved. As she began to undress, the insistent trill of her phone echoed through the room.  Glancing at the caller ID, a small smile touched her lips.

“Hello, Mom?” she answered, placing the phone on the speaker and setting it on the counter.

“Honey, are you working late tonight?” Her mother’s voice, warm and comforting, filled the room.

“I’m on call and decided to stay at the hotel across from the hospital,” Sakura explained, unclasping her bra and letting it fall to the floor.

“Oh, okay, honey. I just wanted to make sure everything was alright.  Please don't overwork yourself. I know you're a doctor, but doctors make terrible patients!” Her mother’s gentle chiding brought a wider smile to Sakura’s face.

“I’ll be careful, Mom,” Sakura reassured her, twisting her long pink hair into a messy bun. “How’s everyone?”

“Everyone’s fine, honey.  Your father and I would like to set up another meeting with the Uchihas,” her mother said.

“Of course. Sasuke will be stopping by after work. I’ll let him know and call you when we’ve agreed on a date,” Sakura replied, sprinkling fragrant bath salts into the swirling water.

“Perfect. I won’t keep you long, honey. We love you and stay safe.”

“Okay, Mom. I will. Love you too, bye-bye.”  Sakura hung up the phone, a sense of warmth spreading through her chest.

Without hesitation, she sank into the steaming water, a soft moan escaping her lips as the heat and the soothing aroma of the bath salts worked their magic on her tense muscles. Submerging herself up to her neck, she closed her eyes and began to hum softly, a familiar melody that always helped her unwind.

Her hand rested on her slightly swollen belly.  The reality of impending motherhood, a mixture of excitement and trepidation, washed over her.  Doubts, unwelcome but persistent, crept into her mind.  What if she couldn’t carry to term? What if there were complications? What if… what if it was a repeat of her past?

The thought, sharp and unwelcome, jolted her upright.  Her body trembled, the warm water suddenly feeling cold against her skin.  Taking deep, steadying breaths, she leaned against the side of the tub, her gaze fixed on the swirling patterns in the water.  She wouldn't let the shadows of the past dictate her future.  “Sasuke isn’t him,” she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible above the gentle lapping of the water.  She clenched her fists, a surge of defiance coursing through her veins.  She refused to be defined by the pain she’d endured.

The sudden click of the hotel door startled her.  Her heart pounded in her chest before she recognized the familiar sound.  Relief washed over her, quickly followed by a surge of anticipation. Rising from the water, she wrapped a red silk robe around her body.  Before she could reach for the doorknob, it swung open, revealing Sasuke.

He looked exhausted, his dark hair disheveled, his coat slung over one arm, his shirt untucked and hanging loose, a couple of buttons undone at the top.  Even in his disarray, he exuded an undeniable allure.  Sakura felt a familiar pull of desire, a warmth spreading through her.

She didn’t hesitate.  Pulling him down by his collar, she kissed him deeply, passionately.  He responded in kind, his arms wrapping around her waist, lifting her onto the bathroom counter.  Her hands roamed his chest, his back, as their tongues tangled in a heated dance.  With a moan, she fumbled with his belt buckle, pulling it free.  He deepened the kiss, his hands sliding beneath her robe.

Feverishly, she undid the remaining buttons of his shirt, pushing it off his shoulders.  His hands moved up her thighs, pausing at her waist.  Suddenly, a wave of nausea washed over her.  She jerked away, covering her mouth as she stumbled towards the toilet.

Sasuke was instantly by her side, holding her hair back as she retched.  When the spasms subsided, he helped her to the sink, supporting her as she rinsed her mouth and brushed her teeth.

Leading her to the bed, he helped her lie down, his hand resting on hers.  “I’m sorry,” she murmured, turning her back to him.

“What are you apologizing for?” he asked softly, his gaze searching hers.

“You know… what happened in the bathroom,” she mumbled, fiddling with her hair.

Sasuke sighed, turning her to face him.  “We’ve talked about this before. Don’t apologize for things you can’t help,” he said gently, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.  His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb gently caressing her lips. “Please get some rest.”

“Okay,” she whispered, her eyelids already heavy.  She drifted off to sleep, his hand still holding hers.

He watched her for a moment, a tender smile gracing his lips, before rising to remove the rest of his clothes.  Slipping into bed beside her, he wrapped his arms around her, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up to him.  He yawned, closing his eyes, and soon he too was asleep, the steady rhythm of their breathing filling the quiet room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm so sorry this chapter took so long! I have been dealing with writers block :/ I'll try to update soon as possible!