Empty Eyes: Book 1

Chapter 5

Sleeping in Sasuke's room for the first time was just as tumultuous as I thought it'd be. The prince didn't turn his lamp off until the early hours of the morning and I found the light incredibly hard to ignore.

On top of that, each time I'd manage to fall asleep that flash of red eyes would shock me back awake. By the time morning arrived, I'd only managed to get an hour or two of sleep.

The book that I'd decided to read to try and understand Sasuke better only left me more puzzled than before. What I thought was a novel ended up being an odd sort of guide to mythical creatures like vampires, werewolves, and sirens. Not only that, but it was written in extremely old wording which made it hard to understand. The book was written as though it were non-fiction, but since those creatures are mythical, it's a fictional work. Last night, after ready the first few chapters, I'd stared at Sasuke's turned back in confusion. This book is definitely not what I'd pictured when I imagined the Uchiha's favorite piece of literature. It did, indeed, shine a new light on him.

I scoffed to myself as I washed my face in the ensuite bathroom. No matter how many new lights shine on the man, he'll still be a jerk who cornered me in a bathtub.

"Is something funny?"

I glanced over the towel in my hands to see the man in question standing in the doorway with a glare directed to me as he buttoned up his shirt. Fighting to keep a blush from rising to my face, I averted my gaze from his chiseled chest and focused on running a comb through my hair, "It's like you're two different people: the curious one from last night and the jerk you usually are. What's up with that?"

He'd told me yesterday that I didn't have to hold my tongue around him as long as I slept in his room and I was taking that deal to heart and speaking my mind. I wanted to ask him in an even more blunt manner, but decided against angering him so early in the day. His eyes narrowed at me for a moment before he wordlessly turned and exited his bedroom.

I glanced at the empty doorway for a moment before cleaning the mess I'd made in the bathroom whilst getting ready for the day. Mikoto had bought me a few beauty products, like makeup and perfume, and I didn't want to insult her by not using them. I was grateful, really, because the concealer helped cover the dark bags under my eyes from my struggle to sleep for three nights already this week. I didn't want anyone to question why I looked tired the morning after sleeping in Sasuke's room.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw Mikoto sitting daintily on the edge of Sasuke's bed as she waited for me calmly. She was dressed in another one of her extravagant, almost gothic-style, gowns and looked as stunning as ever when an elegant smile graced her painted lips, "Sakura, dear, I was worried when Madara went to check on you last night and you were nowhere to be found!"

An amused look dawned her beautiful face, an expression I hadn't expected, "Luckily, Sai told me he heard you arguing with Sasuke in here last night. Don't tell me he convinced you to join him in his bed?"

My entire being would've exploded right there if it were humanly possible, instead I tried to sputter out an explanation, "N-N-No, Ma'am! I slept on the couch!" I desperately gestured over to the mentioned item of furniture and she glanced over to see my blanked and pillow folded nicely atop the cushions.

When her eyes met mine again, they still held an amused glimmer and she let out a small laugh, "Of course, Dear! I know you're not that type of girl. I was only teasing you." She gestured for me to follow her as she rose from the bed and walked gracefully out into the hall.

"I must admit I'm relieved to hear you have the courage to argue with my son. It's been a long time since any of us have met someone who sees us as anything other than royalty."