The Yakuza's Heir

Part 21

Sakura's fingers brushed against the cold sheets beside her, a stark reminder of Sasuke's absence. The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting long shadows across the room. She sat up, rubbing sleep from her eyes, her mind still foggy with dreams.

"Sasuke?" she called out softly, her voice echoing slightly in the quiet space. No response. The unease that had settled over her last night hadn't dissipated; if anything, it had grown stronger.

Dressing quickly, she made her way to the door, her hand gripping the knob tightly as she pushed it open. There, in the hallway, stood Ino, her expression solemn and serious.

"Ino?" Sakura asked, surprised. "What's going on?"

"Come with me," Ino said, her voice low and urgent. "There's something you need to see."

Without another word, Ino led Sakura down a series of dimly lit corridors, each turn was deeper into the Uchiha compound than the last. The air grew heavier, more oppressive, as they went. Sakura's heart pounded in her chest, the sound of her footsteps echoing off the stone walls.

Finally, they reached a large room, its entrance guarded by stern-faced clan members who stepped aside as they approached. Ino pushed open the door, revealing a scene that made Sakura's breath catch in her throat.

At the front of the room stood Fugaku, Mikoto, Itachi, and Sasuke, all with grave expressions. Kneeling in the center of the room were the same girls who had spoken ill of Sakura the day before. The rest of the Uchiha members were either standing along the walls or seated in the back, their eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before them.

Sasuke's voice cut through the tense silence, cold and commanding. "I'm going to ask some questions since there are traitors among us. What would my father, your leader, do if you called my mother a whore?"

A hand shot up from the crowd, and Itachi pointed to the person. The man stood, his voice steady. "He would kill them."

Another voice from the back chimed in. "Or worse than that."

Sasuke's gaze shifted back to the girls on their knees, his eyes dark with anger. "So, what should I do with these girls who were spreading nasty rumors and talking shit about my fiancée, your future leader by my side?"

One of the girls burst into tears, her voice cracking as she cried out for forgiveness. "Please, Sasuke-sama! We didn't mean it! We were just talking, we didn't realize—"

"Didn't realize?" Sasuke's voice was icy, cutting through her pleas. "Sakura is stronger and more useful than anyone else I could marry. But this isn't about her strength—it's about the fact that I love her. She lost our child because of traitors, and I will not have any under the same roof as her ever again."

The room was silent as Sasuke's words hung in the air, the weight of his declaration sinking in.

Then Fugaku stepped forward, his presence commanding as he addressed the clan. "We will now vote on what to do with these girls. They have dishonored our future leader and our clan. You will decide their fate."

The clan members began to murmur amongst themselves, but it was clear that the majority were in agreement. Slowly, one by one, they raised their hands, casting their votes.

Sakura stood frozen, watching as the room decided the fate of the girls who had slandered her. The gravity of the situation hit her, but she also felt a strange sense of resolution. Sasuke had defended her, and stood up for her in a way that left no room for doubt about his feelings or his commitment to her.

As the last vote was cast, Sasuke turned to face her, his expression softening just slightly. He walked over to her, taking her hand in his.

"No one will ever doubt you again," he said quietly. "Not as long as I'm here."