We got to the compound exactly on time. Itachi sat on the front porch, drying his long hair with a towel and the sun.
"Ita-kun!"
"Sakura-chan, you look beautiful.'
I blushed.
"Thank you. Here."
I stood behind Itachi, who was sitting on the steps, and took the towel and rubbed his head. He sighed.
"Sakura, that feels wonderful."
"Headache?"
"Hn. I got back from my mission at one o' clock this morning and got up at six. Father was angry as he always is right before things like this, and mother was in a panic because Sasuke's suit turned pink."
"Pink?'
"The exact shade of your kimono."
"Wow."
"So she had to go get him a new suit amd go to the market for the last minute things she needed for the meal. Father sent me to retrieve the scrolls from the scroll cabinets in the Hokage tower and they were out of order, so I had to get two other anbu to help me search for the correct ones. We found them, finally, and when I got back we were so behind schedule that mother just started getting ready. Father and my uncle are in the garden setting up the spot where the ritual is to take place. Sasuke and I are to greet the guests who arrive first because mother and father are no where near ready."
"I'm sorry."
"That's what they get for being so hasty with all of this."
He turned to me.
"Sakura, if you do not want this, tell me now and I will inform Father that the ritual is not taking place."
"No, it's okay. Do you want to back out, Itachi? I know you and Hikana..."
"Hika-chan is no longer interested in me. But that's fine. I have you now."
I blushed deeper.
"I think your hair is dry. Why don't you go get dressed?"
"Hn. I stall return in a few minutes, Sakura."
"Hurry back, Ita-kun."
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
The first guests started arriving just as Fugaku and Mitoko came down the stairs. As always, mitoko was gorgeous.
We checked off the guests as they arrived and soon it was time to begin.
Guests list
01. Uchiha Hiroshi
02. Uchiha Nana
03. Uchiha Mesha
04. Lord Hyuuga
05. Lady Hyuuga
06. Hyuuga Hinata
07. Hyuuga Neji
08. Hyuuga Hanaka
09. Lord Hokage
10. Asuma
11. Konahamaru
12. Lord Aburami
13. Lady Aburami
14. Aburami Shino
15. Lord Inuzuka
16. Lady Inuzuka
17. Inuzuka Hana
18. Inuzuka Kiba
19. Akamaru
20. Miru
21. Micha
22. Hanza
23. Lord Acamichi
24. Lady Acamichi
25. Acamichi Choji
26. Lord Nara
27. Lady Nara
28. Nara Shikamaru
29. Yaminaka Inoshi
30. Yaminaka Ranshi
31. Yaminaka Ino
32. Mr. Mizuko
33. Mr. Shitana
34. Mz. Tasuka
35. Elder Chochi
36. Elder Takora
37. Elder Yashana
38. Itzugia Mitzu
39. Hatake Kakashi
40. Mitoka Gai
41. Taca Shinta
42. Tsunadae Sama
43. Jariha Sama
Of course, Kakashi was late, but only by a few seconds this time. The Hokage went up to the podium and was the first to speak.
"As many of us know, the Uchiha clan has rarely allowed their offspring to marry into another clan or family. I have spoken with Fugaku and the clan council members and we have come to an understanding that the Uchiha clan will never again inter marry. As proof of this, the first couple to be joined under this rule is Uchiha Itachi and Haruno Sakura."
The guests had known that an Uchiha was being joined, but no one knew it was Itachi and I. There were many objections. One man stood up and said:
"That is disgrace! The Harunos, especially the young girl Sakura, is the weakest of the Konaha clans! "
"Will you let me finish! Now, I understand your point of view on the matter, but you see, the less power the Uchiha's mate has, the more Uchiha their offspring will have in then."
The Hokage nodded to Fugaku and his brother and they unrolled the scrolls.
"Haruno Sakura, Uchiha Itachi, please step forward."
We stood from our places and walked to the Uchihas. Itachi to his father and I to Hiroshi. Fugaku took Itachi's hand and cut it, then clinched it shut. Blood dripped onto the scroll. Hiroshi took my hand and did the same.
"Please step to the center of the circle."
On the ground, seals and symbols had been written. We stepped to the center of the circle.
"Itachi, repeat after me." By my blood,"
By my blood."
"I bind the to the."
"I bind the to the."
"And with this bind."
"And with this bind."
"Share eternity."
"Share eternity."
I had to repeat it too, then Itachi took my bloody hand in his and the Uchihas in forced the seal with chakra. Chakra filled the air and traced the seal. The circle glowed then the pain hit me. I cried out and it was painful enough that Itachi did too. He held he in his arms tightly and I squeezed him back. The chakra disappeared and the pain stopped. I fell and Itachi caught me, picking me up and carried me inside. We went up the stairs to his room and he lay me on the bed. He lay next to me and I curled into him. We fell to sleep like that.