Your life is a blank page...

No, wait, turn it over.

[blackrosedrippingred]

Forbidden: Chapter 34 Preview WIP PTII

"It would appear that this letter was opened without my permission or presence," Sakura held it up in her hand, but did not offer it to the Hokage.

"Yes, it was," he responded flatly, "All communications must be carefully monitored here, to prevent infiltration of enemy forces."

"This was a letter addressed to me from one of my ladies at court," Sakura protested, though she attempted to temper her indignation and proceeded calmly, "Surely some exceptions could be made for the sake of my privacy."

"Surely not," the Hokage scoffed, "One can never be too cautious when it comes to the safety of the nation."

"Then am I to assume any correspondence sent by me will be subjected to the same scrutiny?" She had uttered her inquiry wryly, but the Hokage regarded her with the same severity he seemed to with each encounter between them.

"Indeed. You will come to learn that the security of Konoha is my foremost priority," the beginnings of a sneer overtook his thin lips as he said, "I daresay if your father had taken the same precautions, then perhaps he could have succeeded in protecting the empire."

"How dare you!" Sakura spat, "My father is a great man and a better ruler than you could ever hope to be!"

The Hokage huffed and shook his head as he looked down at her.

"Then how is it you came to find yourself in my dominion?"

:

:

Rated M

Full chapter on FF.net: TBD

Full story on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/1/Forbidden

Full chapter on Ao3: TBD

Full story on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/52817017

[blackrosedrippingred]

Forbidden: Chapter 34 Preview WIP

Orochimaru dismounted his horse as he approached the charred borders of the Uchiha village. Though a short ride from Konoha, it was a place separate from the rest of civilization, existing only in the permanence of its destruction. While all else progressed forth, changing with the seasons and growing with the years, the Uchiha village remained the same. It was only in the depths of winter that there would be any noticeable change, for it would become buried in white upon the coming snowfall, erasing its existence from the world. As though it had never been there at all.

"Obito!" He called out and the man emerged from behind the wreckage of one of the huts. Obito swept a cursory glance around them, even though not a soul dared to approach such a place anymore.

"The Emperor has arrived safely?"

"He has," Orochimaru strode towards him in quick steps until he was face to face with his prodigy, "But Sasuke has not. There is no sign of him among Kizashi's army."

Obito cursed sharply and spun on his heel. He paced anxiously.

"And him? Is Kakashi there?" "At the emperor's side," Orochimaru seethed, "As always."

"I should be there," Obito stalled in his steps, shooting a glare at Orochimaru. It had been weeks since he had last visited the temple. Since he had last seen Rin. And now, Kakashi was free to walk about the home he had abandoned so long ago. Free to roam the streets that she once did. Alive.

"You will have your chance in time," Orochimaru assured him, then added with a scathing bite, "Again."

Obito's nostrils flared and he averted his eyes. The sun would rise soon and he would have to return to the other Akatsuki that had been forced from Konoha by the Emperor's arrival. 

"I will hunt Sasuke down," Obito promised, "I will find him and I will kill him. For you."

"Take care," Orochimaru said darkly, "We know not of his intentions or his knowledge of this situation. He could prove a greater risk to our plans than we had anticipated."

"If he knows the truth. . ."

"If he knows the truth, he poses a threat to us all," Orochimaru reminded Obito, his voice trembling with anger, "He could be the end of the Akatsuki, the end of our new world."

"I will find him," Obito seethed, "I swear to you."

"Do not swear to me," Orochimaru warned him, "Swear it to her."

Obito's breath caught in his throat for a split second. He swallowed thickly and nodded.

"I swear it."

Orochimaru's slitted eyes grazed over him.

"Good."

:

:

Rated M

Full chapter on FF.net: TBD

Full story on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/1/Forbidden

Full chapter on Ao3: TBD

Full story on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/52817017

[blackrosedrippingred]

Forbidden: Chapter 33 | Posted

Set in a time reminiscent of the Feudal Era, Sasuke, a palace guard, and Sakura, the Emperor's daughter, must navigate the difficulties of a forbidden love while the threat of war hangs over their nation.

:

:

Rated M

Full chapter on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/33/Forbidden

Full story on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/1/Forbidden

Full chapter on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/78966655

Full story on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/52817017

[blackrosedrippingred]

Forbidden: Chapter 32 | Posted

Set in a time reminiscent of the Feudal Era, Sasuke, a palace guard, and Sakura, the Emperor's daughter, must navigate the difficulties of a forbidden love while the threat of war hangs over their nation.

:

:

Rated M

Full chapter on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/32/Forbidden

Full story on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/1/Forbidden

Full chapter on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/78366020

Full story on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/52817017

[blackrosedrippingred]

Forbidden: Chapter 33 Preview

There was no tremor in his smile, no tentative inclination of his lips, only pure, unmitigated elation. Itachi had been waiting for this moment, had known that it would happen - someday, somehow - had hoped for it with every rise of the moon and dawn of a new day.

Sasuke could not even carry himself to the end of the room. His physical exhaustion compounded with a lifetime of pain, anger, sorrow, irreparable emotional damage, and he fell forward with his first step, collapsing to the floor. Itachi strode forward, knelt beside him, and took his brother in his arms. Sasuke crumbled, heaving and sobbing as he clutched desperately at his brother’s cloak. This was not real, he told himself, this was only a dream. It had to be.

He was going to wake up soon, he was sure of it, but for now he would sleep. For now he would hold tight to this solid manifestation, tying himself to this little piece of happiness in the sea of misery that had surrounded him for so long. Perhaps this was death come to claim him, but it was painful and raw and not at all how he imagined it might be. It should not hurt so bad, he thought.

:

:

Rated M

Full chapter on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/33/Forbidden

Full story on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/1/Forbidden

Full chapter on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/78966655

Full story on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/52817017

[blackrosedrippingred]

Forbidden: Chapter 32 Preview

She was there again, dancing in the acrid smoke, a vision of promises made and faith broken.

“Rin?”

It felt as though a stone were lodged in his throat.

“Rin! No, no, no. . .”

Obito tightened his hands into fists and felt the sharp pain of the wound in his shoulder from the strain. He was healing, but slowly. Too slow for his liking.

He breathed in deeply and the image of her swelled to life, branching outward to reach for him. 

“Rin?”

“Obito!”

She flung herself into his arms and they tumbled onto the grass below. Obito let out a groan as he took the brunt of the fall. There would be green stains on his yukata later, but it was worth it, he thought as he hugged her close. 

“You are late,” she chastised him, the tip of her nose nearly brushing against his, “As usual.”

“I had a meeting with the council,” he told her proudly. She sat up suddenly, kneeling on the grass in front of him with wide eyes and a burgeoning smile.

“What did they say?”

“Nothing of much merit, but I think,” Obito shook his head, “Well, I do not know.”

“I do,” Rin said confidently, “I know they will put you on the council and then it is only a matter of time before you are named the next head of the clan.”

“I hope so,” his hand twitched beside him, but he twisted his fingers in the blades of grass to keep them steady, “If I do, I,” he took a deep breath, “I would like you to be there.”

She grinned brightly and clasped a hand on his shoulder, just inches from his rapidly beating heart.

“Of course I will,” her eyes were shining with pride as she looked at him, “And then we will celebrate.”

:

:

Rated M

Full chapter on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/32/Forbidden

Full story on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/1/Forbidden

Full chapter on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/78366020

Full story on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/52817017

[blackrosedrippingred]

Forbidden: Chapter 31 Preview

“Sakura-chan, I am so sorry. I did not mean to cause you any harm, I only thought that - I only acted with your best interests at heart,” his fingers shook as he rambled on. Sakura stood a few feet back, watching his thoughts unfold in a stunned silence, “Believe me when I tell you that I did so only to - It was not out of malice or-or subterfuge - I only - I love you and I did not want you to suffer for a man who could never afford you more than pretty words and a broken heart.”

“Lee,” Sakura swallowed against the lump in her throat, “What are you saying?”

“He was not deserving of your time nor your affections and I feared - I feared he would only take advantage of your - of your,” he paused as though the word caused him a physical malady to speak it aloud, “L-Love.”

Sakura was frozen for a long moment, her already addled mind being forced to confront yet another inconceivable notion now.

“I-I do not understand… Are you - ,”

“I am so sorry,” he said again, quieter this time, “Please forgive me. I did not mean to cause you any pain. I just wanted you to be happy and he could not have made you so,” his arms lowered slightly, but still he would not look at her, “If not me, then somebody else surely, but not him - he was only a lowly guard, incapable of - ,” 

“What did you do?”

:

:

Rated M

Chapter on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/31/Forbidden

Full story on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/1/Forbidden

Chapter on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/75173481

Full story on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/52817017

[blackrosedrippingred]

Chapter 31 has been posted!

Chapter on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/31/Forbidden

Full story on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/1/Forbidden

Chapter on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/75173481

Full story on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/52817017

[blackrosedrippingred]

Forbidden: Chapter 31 Preview

“Sakura-chan, I am so sorry. I did not mean to cause you any harm, I only thought that - I only acted with your best interests at heart,” his fingers shook as he rambled on. Sakura stood a few feet back, watching his thoughts unfold in a stunned silence, “Believe me when I tell you that I did so only to - It was not out of malice or-or subterfuge - I only - I love you and I did not want you to suffer for a man who could never afford you more than pretty words and a broken heart.”

“Lee,” Sakura swallowed against the lump in her throat, “What are you saying?”

“He was not deserving of your time nor your affections and I feared - I feared he would only take advantage of your - of your,” he paused as though the word caused him a physical malady to speak it aloud, “L-Love.”

Sakura was frozen for a long moment, her already addled mind being forced to confront yet another inconceivable notion now.

“I-I do not understand. . . Are you - ,”

“I am so sorry,” he said again, quieter this time, “Please forgive me. I did not mean to cause you any pain. I just wanted you to be happy and he could not have made you so,” his arms lowered slightly, but still he would not look at her, “If not me, then somebody else surely, but not him - he was only a lowly guard, incapable of - ,” 

“What did you do?”

:

:

Rated M

Chapter on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/31/Forbidden

Full story on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/1/Forbidden

Chapter on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/75173481

Full story on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/52817017

[blackrosedrippingred]

Forbidden: Chapter 30 | Posted

Set in a time reminiscent of the Feudal Era, Sasuke, a palace guard, and Sakura, the Emperor's daughter, must navigate the difficulties of a forbidden love while the threat of war hangs over their nation.

:

:

Rated M

Full chapter on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/30/Forbidden

Full story on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/1/Forbidden

Full chapter on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/73918932#workskin

Full story on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/52817017

[fictionalquacker]

You know, one of my many dreams as a kid was to write a book and I’ve tried countless times over the years but never gotten very far but the other day I looked at my word count on ao3 and realized I have in fact written a whole ass novel and it is 100% going to end up being an epic in time… AND my inspiration and drive to write it has only grown the more I’ve worked on it

(not to mention I’ve planned out another 3-4 “novels” I’m psyched to write in due time)

Gosh, it just made me so proud of myself and it sure would have made little me ecstatic to know

[birklurks]

[blackrosedrippingred]

I love this! What an incredible accomplishment. I don’t know you, but I am so proud of you! The level of dedication put into some of these works (time, creativity, emotional, mental) is so often dismissed, because it’s “fanfiction.” Keep kicking ass and we’ll keep celebrating you!

[blackrosedrippingred]

Forbidden: Chapter 30 Preview

He did not remember everything - he could not - only bits and pieces, fragments of a childhood, an adolescence, and just the briefest moments of what he might call his adulthood. These bits and pieces, fragments and moments, consisted almost entirely of the evocative response they had born in him. His mother’s smile; he remembered it, because it made him happy. His father’s voice; he remembered it, because it inspired both fear and pride within him. His brother’s laughter; he remembered it, because it made him laugh, too.

These things, seemingly small and inconsequential, were connected to something much larger and almost incomprehensible. Why could he recall nearly every meal his mother had cooked? Because she smiled when he ate her food. Why could he recall nearly every word his father had spoken to him? Because they were either a stern lashing or a glowing sentiment. Why could he recall nearly every joke his brother had quipped? Because Itachi’s laughter could be heard throughout the whole village.

But, sometimes, somebody else would smile, somebody else would speak to him in such a way, somebody else would laugh and it would summon those memories again. The bits and pieces, the fragments and moments, in which he found these similarities renewed their clarity within him. They were not an instinct that had been beaten into his bones and sinew through years of training, not a response of action in a moment of danger. They were not a calculation of thoughts and words, not a deduction by his wit. So they did not exist in his body or his mind, but rather deeper, in a place so secret that he himself scarcely looked. It was the only place that could ensure their longevity, for everything that existed within his heart was a matter of permanence.

Whatever it was, it was. And whatever it was, it always would be, thriving in spite of and for him.

Regardless of what he did.

Regardless of how he fought it.

Regardless of who it was.

:

:

Rated M

Chapter on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/30/Forbidden

Full story on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/1/Forbidden

Chapter on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/73918932#workskin

Full story on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/52817017

[blackrosedrippingred]

Forbidden: Chapter 29 Preview

The moon hung over Sakura’s quarters, but she would not have known with how tightly she had drawn the curtains closed. Her private room was nearly pitch black, not even a dying ember to alight the dreary space around her. After spending all afternoon in the infirmary, a dozen nurses poking and prodding and preaching, she was grateful for the colossal silence that surrounded her. A fainting spell, a touch too much heat, dehydration, fatigue - they were all passable excuses that justified her behavior.

At least to other people.

Sakura drew her legs up onto the bed and rested her cheek against the tops of her knees.

He could be dead.

He could be alone.

He could be laying on the ground with a sword through his back. 

Sakura swiped at another tear as it slipped down her ruddy cheeks.

Within the cage of her fear for his safety and for his life, there was a visceral rage locked away. A rage born from not only his abandonment, his desertion, his betrayal, but also from her foolishness, her naivety, her ignorance.

Not for the first time since she had known him, she desired to hate him. It would be so much easier that way, to not feel the pain it was to love him, to long for him, to grieve…

He could be dead.

Or he could still be alive.

She hoped he was. She hoped he was still alive so that when the war was over he would return to the palace to find her and she could scream and cry and scold him for leaving her without so much as a word.

Why did he not say anything? How could he not warn her of his departure?

She had trusted him…

She had loved him - she did love him. And he loved her. Sakura was certain of that at least. There had been no mistaking that look in his eyes. She believed that he loved her, she believed every word he had gifted to her that night, every touch, every kiss, every feeling, everything.

Sakura shut her eyes as she clutched her trembling fingers.

But he had been saying goodbye.

He had no intentions of returning to her, not after the war, not ever…

She had trusted him and, regardless of his love, he had broken that trust.

There was no fixing that now, even if he ever did come back.

But, she supposed, that did not matter. 

Because he could be alive.

Or he could be dead.

:

:

Rated M

Full chapter on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/29/Forbidden

Story on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/1/Forbidden

Full chapter on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/70864041

Story on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/52817017

[blackrosedrippingred]

Chapter 29 has been posted!

:

:

Rated M

Full chapter on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/29/Forbidden

Story on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/1/Forbidden

Full chapter on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/70864041

Story on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/52817017

[blackrosedrippingred]

I just wanted to say that I LOVE YOUR STORY SO MUCH!!! I’m so grateful that you’ve continued to update throughout four years!! YOURE AN INSPIRATION!!! I am definitely going to draw every scene 🥲🥲🥲🥲💖💖💖💖💖💖

Oh my gosh!!!!!! Thank you so much!!! 😭😭😭 I can’t believe you’ve stuck with it for so long - I can’t thank you enough!!

My NY resolution is to finish it this year. We’ll see if that actually happens, but I can dream right?

That is so sweet of you!!! It’s because of people like you that the story is still going 😭😭🥰🥰🥰

[seigesinbin]

Lol a mom and in your 30s? What're u doing writing smut?

[birklurks]

It’s called torticollis and it sucks 😒  Also: hell yes to everything else!   

Newsflash: you don’t suddenly become a completely different person once you hit 3-0.  

[blackrosedrippingred]

Are we supposed to stop liking sex when we reach a certain age? Who gives a flying f**k what we read/write when?

[blackrosedrippingred]

Forbidden: Chapter 29 Preview

The moon hung over Sakura's quarters, but she would not have known with how tightly she had drawn the curtains closed. Her private room was nearly pitch black, not even a dying ember to alight the dreary space around her. After spending all afternoon in the infirmary, a dozen nurses poking and prodding and preaching, she was grateful for the colossal silence that surrounded her. A fainting spell, a touch too much heat, dehydration, fatigue - they were all passable excuses that justified her behavior.

At least to other people.

Sakura drew her legs up onto the bed and rested her cheek against the tops of her knees.

He could be dead.

He could be alone.

He could be laying on the ground with a sword through his back. 

Sakura swiped at another tear as it slipped down her ruddy cheeks.

Within the cage of her fear for his safety and for his life, there was a visceral rage locked away. A rage born from not only his abandonment, his desertion, his betrayal, but also from her foolishness, her naivety, her ignorance.

Not for the first time since she had known him, she desired to hate him. It would be so much easier that way, to not feel the pain it was to love him, to long for him, to grieve. . .

He could be dead.

Or he could still be alive.

She hoped he was. She hoped he was still alive so that when the war was over he would return to the palace to find her and she could scream and cry and scold him for leaving her without so much as a word.

Why did he not say anything? How could he not warn her of his departure?

She had trusted him. . .

She had loved him - she did love him. And he loved her. Sakura was certain of that at least. There had been no mistaking that look in his eyes. She believed that he loved her, she believed every word he had gifted to her that night, every touch, every kiss, every feeling, everything.

Sakura shut her eyes as she clutched her trembling fingers.

But he had been saying goodbye.

He had no intentions of returning to her, not after the war, not ever. . .

She had trusted him and, regardless of his love, he had broken that trust.

There was no fixing that now, even if he ever did come back.

But, she supposed, that did not matter. 

Because he could be alive.

Or he could be dead.

:

:

Rated M

Full chapter on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/29/Forbidden

Story on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/1/Forbidden

Full chapter on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/70864041

Story on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/52817017

[blackrosedrippingred]

Forbidden: Chapter 28 | Posted

Set in a time reminiscent of the Feudal Era, Sasuke, a palace guard, and Sakura, the Emperor's daughter, must navigate the difficulties of a forbidden love while the threat of war hangs over their nation.

:

:

Rated M

Full chapter on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/28/Forbidden

Full story on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/1/Forbidden

Full chapter on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/67973662

Full story on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/52817017

[blackrosedrippingred]

Forbidden: Chapter 27 | Posted

Set in a time reminiscent of the Feudal Era, Sasuke, a palace guard, and Sakura, the Emperor's daughter, must navigate the difficulties of a forbidden love while the threat of war hangs over their nation.

:

:

Rated M

Full chapter on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/27/Forbidden

Full story on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12181727/1/Forbidden

Full chapter on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/67779290

Full story on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22128229/chapters/52817017