My mother took me shopping for the special day and we found a store that specialized in ceremonial and formal kimonos.

"Hello," the elderly woman said," how may I help you?"

"We need to have a special robe made for my daughter."

"Of course. Let me get her sizes first."

As she measured, she spoke.

"May I ask your name, sweety?"

"Sakura."

"That's a very pretty name."

"Thank you."

"So, what's the occasion?"

"My daughter is being joined to an Uchiha."

The woman froze.

"At such an age? She's not a baby, but then again, she's not yet in her teens. They usually don't do it on girls her age."

"Why not?"

"It's painful. A girl her age will also be confused and frightened. It's quite a ceremony," the woman held out her arm, which was marked with the Uchiha symbol," I should know."

"Is that the mark I'll have on me?"

"It is. It means, even if you don't want to be, you belong to that Uchiha, and to him only. He will also have a mark. It's not the Uchiha sign, but three slashes. One for his devotion to his clan, to his country, and the third to his wife. The one for the wife is the longest and thickest, saying that his wife is the most important above all else. And if you are to go against the binding, become unfaithful or betray your husband, the mark will become unbarably painful for both of you until whatever difficulty is resolved."

This scared me a little, especially the painful part. But I nodded.

"I can do it."

The woman smiled," I know you can."

She took my measurements and smiled," I just happen to have a kimono I think will be perfect with a few adjustments."

She went into the back room and came back with a stack of cloths. She set them down and picked up a pink kimono. She put it on me and tied it with a normal black obi.

"Now, I can stitch in the Uchiha sign on the end here and I have some jewelry that I can alter and add the symbol to."

"Oh, thank you. And shoes?"

"I believe a pair of hot pink slippers will go fine with it. Now, Sakura, I'm going to leave the kimono a little long so I want you to be careful when you walk."

"Yes ma'am."

"Good. Now, if you'll come by an hour before you are due to arrive at the Uchiha compound then I will personally prepare you."

"Thank you so much," my mother said to the older woman.

"I promise I will pay you very well."

"Oh, no. These are some of my daughter's old kimonos that I have had for years. I will not except payment. Just tell me this: do you know the boy, Sakura?"

"Oh, yes, I do. Itachi-kun has always been my best friend!"

"Then he'll take good care of you?"

"Yes, he will. Itachi once saved me when we were swimming and I was drowning. He told me if I ever did that again I was not allowed back in the water ever again."

She smiled," that's great, Sakura. I'll see you in a few days."

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I Turned and looked in the mirror that Saturday. I was beautiful. Almost as beautiful as Mitoko. No one could ever match her beauty. I sighed and breathed. I had so many butterflies in my tummy because I was nervous.

"Mommy," I said.

"Yes, Sweeting?"

"... I'm scared."

"Why are you scared, Sakura?"

"What if Itachi-kun decides he doesn't want to be joined with me? What if he doesn't like me anymore?"

"Itachi loves and adores you, Sakura. You know this."

"Yes, but... I..."

"I understand, baby. But your wedding day will be worse and your wedding night even more so."

"Why is that?"

"Because, your wedding night is special. It's just you and your husband and you know that he is finally yours forever and you his. You'll understand more when you are older."