Disclaimer: Naruto and its characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.
There are indications that suspicious activity is coming closer to Konoha that may require the Sharingan, so Sasuke spends the week settling the transfer of Uchiha possessions at the bank. Items from the old vault are being moved to a new location and Sakura asks him to take care of things while he is home. There are mounds of paperwork to manage and more than a few visits to verify that he is the remaining heir to all the belongings.
After several days of legal matters, they allow him access to the items, and he works quickly to finish the task within the hour. Sakura suggests he return early today and he will not disappoint. Sarada is away at Chōchō's house and they will have the evening alone together.
The gold bars and papers remain at the bank. Much of the jewelry is too closely associated with his mother and others he once knew, so it stays there as well. There is no need to unleash unwanted memories of the past tragedy. Pilfering through the last of it, he comes upon a lovely emerald necklace and matching bracelet that catches his eye. It was a gift for his beloved Obaasan (grandmother) that somehow was kept and thrown together with the myriads of things gathered from the Uchiha estate.
With care, he holds the precious gems in his hand and it takes him back...
He recalls how Itachi had saved months for them, and rare as it was, took the afternoon off so they could select the gifts together. Sasuke was probably only five years old at the time but remembers how they beamed with pride when they left the jewelry store. It was a surprise birthday present for her. Their Obaasan was the precious one to magically temper their father and fill the shoes of their elder grandfather when he passed. It was her wish to allow Itachi and him to escape away and enjoy their childhood whenever possible. She was a true matriarch and a seasoned one at that. Itachi adored her and his own mother Mikoto had a deep respect for her as well, trying in earnest to learn by her example.
As Itachi explained back then, Sarada or 'Salad,' was the nickname given to her by the elders. It was a disrespectful ploy to make fun of her as a useless mixture of 'unthinking' vegetables but his grandmother took the name on with pride and proudly lived by her own moral code.
Sasuke didn't know at the time but she was an essential pillar to upholding the Clan. Itachi had once hinted, it was only after her unexpected demise that things changed quickly. Only later in life did he understand, once his father became the Patriarch, new goals which lacked her wisdom were followed, and rapidly changed the history of the Uchiha.
She should have been the one to oversee the future of the Clan, but sadly it wasn't meant to be, and she never lived to celebrate her birthday and receive the gifts. Despite the reminders the jewelry triggered after her passing, Itachi was insistent they save them.
"I am hopeful in another time and place there will be a special person to pass these precious gems on to," Itachi explained one day when Sasuke questioned him about them. He assumed he had plans for them himself but fate seemed to have other ideas.
Fading back into the moment and holding the jewelry reminds him of the love that exists in his heart for her, and further conjures the image in his mind the day Sakura gave birth to their daughter and agrees to name her Sarada. He slips the items into his pocket, takes care of the rest of the paperwork, and heads directly home. He's happy he no longer needs to stop by the store.
When he arrives back, Sakura approaches him with playful eagerness.
"Where have you been?" she asks a bit coyly.
"A mission," he replies and slides his eyes over to see what her reaction is. This is the first time Sarada is not around and they easily slip back into comfortable banter. She sets down Sarada's spare pack and smiles. His eyes flick to the familiar sight, and for a moment, there is flash of regret reminding him that he has so much to improve upon with his relationship with Sarada. Sakura's soft lips soon reach his though and interrupt those thoughts.
"Mission?" she teases, knowing without a doubt it's a lie.
"Wife," he states. "Did you think I would forget?"
By his statement, it's clear he hasn't forgotten but she decides to remain quiet just to see.
He gingerly cups her face so he can gaze deep into her eyes. Looking upon her like this elicits warm and wonderful memories. It's just the two of them for now. Sakura is first to close her eyes and lean into his touch, and Sasuke carefully wraps her into a tender hug. Everything is forgotten in the moment and they enjoy the intimate embrace.
A short time later, Sasuke begins to rock her gently back and forth and Sakura follows his lead. She happily revels in this moment, so it surprises her when he momentarily leaves her side. A smile adorns her face when she realizes what he has done. In a flash he has turned on the music to a slow ballad and returns to her side, eyes alight, asking for the dance. Nodding, she steps forward and wraps her hands around his neck, nuzzling into him to enjoy the warmth of his presence. He remembers. This she knows. Filling the air is the same song she chose on their wedding day many years ago. The music takes them back to the special day they solidified their promises and started their life together.
When the song ends, he tilts her chin up to gently kiss her.
"Sakura," he begins, but words don't come easily. He searches her eyes for understanding, and as always it is there. He relaxes and continues.
"Thank you..."
She smiles. Those words bear much more meaning to them after all they've been through. For being my wife...for everything...she knows.
Sasuke notes how many things in the room remind him that Sarada is a part of their lives too.
"There's no way to ever repay you," he says with sudden hurt in his voice, ever regretful of all the pain an anguish he's caused her.
"Sasuke..." she begins but he places his finger lightly to her lips. He pauses and is mesmerized for a moment when he sees the love he shares for her reflected back in her eyes with the unsaid I love you that exists forever for them.
He gingerly untangles the necklace in his pocket and dangles it from his fingers as he smiles one of his rare smiles.
She is both surprised and delighted with the gift.
"I was on a mission to get you something today," he begins, and she smirks with the allusion to the 'mission.' "But while I was at the bank, I found this and knew it would be better than anything else I could find."
He goes into the details of the history of the necklace and she is taken aback. She had heard some of the stories of his beloved Grandmother and this is another she will add to the list. It renews happiness she agreed to name Sarada after her.
As he clasps the necklace around her neck, she and he gaze at it along with their reflections in the mirror on the wall.
"Itachi was right," he says.
"I'm glad he kept it. It was meant to go to you," he says simply. "Happy Anniversary Sakura."
She is truly touched. So much is said with this.
"This is the matching bracelet," he adds, presenting it from his pocket. "One day, I hope to give it to Sarada when the time is right."
She nods.
"You two are the future of the Uchiha," he says with pride.
She hugs him and wipes away the tears at bay.
"I just wish Sarada..." she knows exactly what he means to say next.
"Hush," she says. "These things take time." He knows it's true. He must be patient even though it's hard.
"Here," she says, changing the subject instead.
She presents her special gift to Sasuke, a new belt buckle with a new picture in it of her and Sarada for him to remember them by. The evening is littered with pleasurable moments, so much so, that the fragile relationship with Sarada is nearly forgotten. There is never enough he can do to thank Sakura for all he's put her through. She is the reason he stands here today, with love, with a family, with a wonderful life.
This settled peace in his life is too good to be true Sasuke thinks. And if he only knew how right he was, he would have never wanted the night to end.
Author's Note: Per suggestion, (thank you Wintery Leen), before the plot unfolds, I wanted to make sure to solidify feelings Sasuke has for Sakura so her role within the family is established. Hopefully leeway is provided that Sasuke has already made amends for his sins with his wife, as by now they have already been through the courting stage and are married with a child. Please see my story "The Moment," if you feel he needs to be a bit more remorseful to get to this point. Later I may share the One Shot idea I had regarding elaboration on his memories alluded to here. For now though, I plan to work on the next chapter of this story.
Also per the great suggestion, his verbal "I love you" is changed in this revised edition of the chapter. I agree Sasuke is more of an action than word character so thanks Wintry Leen for pointing that out. I hope he is less OC now. I also changed the flashback and hope it works now melodickeys.
As far as the story, I wanted to establish that Itachi had a role model he could look up to, who instilled the concept of staying true to his beliefs within his own family, even though it was not an easy path.
Finally, yes Darth-Taisha, the emerald does symbolize love.
At this time, I'd love to hear what you think. Review anyone?