"I can't believe you talked me into this. You said it would be fun," Sakura mutters, concentrating on keeping her steps light and fluid.
"What, my ebullient personality is leaving something to be desired?" Minato asks in faux outrage, dipping Sakura as they continue to dance.
"You know what I think of mixing shinobi with the spotlight," replies Sakura, glancing around the room with the barest of frowns.
They are reveling something of a victory; the ending of a war before it ever really began. Shinobi and civilians alike from Konohagakure and Iwagakure are gathered together to celebrate the newfound peace between their countries. Sakura worries that the tenuous peace will be broken by the volatile and potent mixture of alcohol and former enemies. Thus far, however, her concerns have been unfounded.
"Relax," Minato says, tightening his grip on Sakura's hands. "No one is going to attack; not tonight at least. There is too much at stake on both sides."
Sakura sighs, feeling the stress and worry melt away. She is a bit irritated at Minato's ability to calm her with but a few words. He is certainly better with his words than Naruto ever was. Sakura pushes down the twinge of sadness at that thought. She is in another time, another universe completely.
She cannot worry about her past any longer.
"You're right," she says.
Minato grins, eyes bright and smile wide. "You constantly underestimate me, my dear," he says, twirling her.
Sakura snorts. "What in the world will you do about that ego of yours when I'm not around?" Minato falters in his steps and Sakura stumbles into his chest. "What—?"
"You're leaving?" he asks, voice and face unreadable.
Sakura stills, caught in the embrace of his arms. "Well, it is part of our treaty with Iwagakure," she replies, a bit confused. "I am updating their hospital and training their medic nin. I'll be gone for a few months." She gazes up into his dark blue eyes. "Don't you remember?"
Minato does not reply or move for a moment. Then he is around her, hugging her tight against his chest as his shoulders shake with silent trembles. Sakura is shocked and wary, eyes darting around at the crush of people in the room. No one is paying any attention to the Hokage or his most trusted ally.
"Minato—"
"I thought…" he says quietly, breath hot against the shell of her ear. "I…for a moment, I thought you were truly leaving. That you weren't planning on returning. You are, aren't you?" He pulls back and looks at her imploringly. "You are returning?"
Sakura's heart squeezes at his words, the break in his voice, and the pain in his gaze. She takes his hand once more, holding it reassuringly. "Of course," she replies firmly. "Konoha is my home. The people there…" Sakura flushes beneath his too intent stare. "There are people I care about in Konoha."
Minato smiles gently, calloused hand cupping her cheek. "Sakura—"
"Haruno-san," Oonoki says, interrupting Minato. He gives the Hokage a look of veiled dislike before turning his attention back to Sakura. "I have a few of medic nin present who are eager to speak with you. Would you mind?"
"Not at all, Sandaime-sama," Sakura replies with a genial, bland smile. She gives Minato a sympathetic look and a slight shrug before heading off with the Tsuchikage.
Minato exhales, slumping as Sakura follows Oonoki. "Damn it," he says, clenching a fist.