Sacrificed To The Banished Prince

Chapter 25

Sakura couldn't sleep. Just a few hours ago, she and Sasuke almost took a very important step in their relationship. If Akuma hadn't begun to take over the prince's body, they definitely would've gone through with it. It was the way the Uchiha man had been more honest because of his slight fever that gave her the courage to face her fear. Now that his curse had successfully gained control, that charming sincerity was easy to forget. As a result, the anxiety had returned.

Akuma suddenly turned onto his side to cuddle the pinkette, running a hand up her back and into her hair, where he gently massaged her scalp. His deep voice hinted that he was acutely aware of her current state, "Flowers need rest or they're susceptible to wilting."

She closed her eyes and took a calming breath while enjoying the sensation, "Akuma...."

They were both quiet for a moment before the curse ceased his massage and grunted. He slid his arms around the princess and pulled her close so her back was pressed to his front. His face was buried in her hair as he grumbled almost begrudgingly, "You're afraid of the prince."

"No!" Sakura said quickly. "Sasuke would never hurt me. I know that. It's just...."

Another long pause occurred. Eventually, Akuma broke it, "You're concerned you won't be able to withstand it."

Tears welled in the woman's eyes as she sniffled, pulling her husband's hand from her stomach up to her face to study it in the dark room, "I want to make him happy, but I'm worried I won't be able to overcome my memories."

"A scarred goddess you may be, but a goddess you are, nonetheless." Sakura closed her eyes when his large hand gently cupped her jaw, her lips pressing to his palm. Akuma whispered uncharacteristically comfortingly, his thumb brushing against her cheek, "A great demon such as myself needs no magic to confirm that idiot prince has unending patience for this princess."

The pinkette allowed his words and gestures to calm her a bit. A bittersweet emotion flooded her heart as she realized the situation they were in. She nuzzled her face into his palm with a frown, earning a sound of approval from the demon. "I-I'm sorry, Akuma. This must be difficult for you."

"You insult me, Pet," he replied half-amusedly, "As if comforting a weeping damsel would burden something of my strength."

Sakura had to remind herself then that Sasuke was able to hear and see all that occurred while Akuma was in control. She gritted her teeth and said nothing for a long time. Eventually, her overwhelmed mind had her lips moving again, "Of all the things I've attempted in my life, this is one thing I cannot fail. Sasuke deserves better than someone like me."

The hand against her lips swiftly moved down to clasp firmly around her neck, not tight enough to cut off air flow but enough to shock her. "You will not utter such nonsense, understood?" She couldn't respond because she was too surprised. The hand loosened when Akuma appeared to realize that, "The affections, much less the embrace, of something so pure is something of which I consider no being worthy."

Warmth met Sakura's face, her brow furrowing as she bashfully forced herself to be sincere, "A-Akuma.... Please give me advice. I'm scared."

Suddenly, she was on her back, the demon glaring down at her with Sasuke's handsome face, "You dare ask me to instruct you on how to please another man? I may have accepted my fate but don't mistake that for complete surrender." Before the woman could even come up with a reply, his expression mysteriously changed to one of realization, then he was changing his response, "Though, who am I to deny an ill-fated princess pleasure in her final days?"

'What is going through his mind? Why did he change his mind so quickly?'

Confused, Sakura nodded.

Akuma lifted her chin to claim her gaze firmly, his tone low and sensual as though he was barely controlling himself, "Weaker demons would take advantage of this situation to claim you for themselves." The blush on Sakura's face heated further. She was too stunned to react. "If I offer physical instruction, you'll endanger yourself, so words will have to suffice."