Disclaimer:I don't own the rights to Naruto.
Chapter 7
Hana fell into the habit of forcing Sakura out of the shrine at least every other day. The woman was a bit annoyed at being forced to socialize by a cat. Her feline was special, but it was still aggravating nonetheless. As the time of her impending matrimony drew nearer, Sakura was becoming more and more nervous. She glared over her shoulder at Hana who was still perched on the porch. The black cat merely eyed her back coolly, her jewel-tinted orbs glinting from the shadows. Shutting the gate with an audible sigh, she slowly shuffled into the village.
Half way down, she was taken aback by the sight of Koharu trudging up the hill towards the shrine. Her chin was tucked into her chest, and her gray bun bobbed up and down with her the effort apparent in her aging body.
"Lady Utatane," the sound of Sakura's spoken greeting caused the old woman to stop mid stride.
Her bright blue eyes narrowed on the shaman's face, "Sakura. I was just on my way to visit you."
"Instead of going all the way up to the house. Perhaps we should stop at one of the new shop's that opened and have a cup of tea," Sakura took pity at the sight of the small beads of sweat adorning Kohura's wrinkled forehead.
Relief was readily apparent in Koharu's sharp azure orbs, "That sounds lovely."
Sakura fell into step beside the older woman, "How long has it been since you've been to the shrine?"
"Not since your parents passed away."
"I understand," She murmured as she stepped into the crowded street. Sakura added while pointing subtly at a small white building, complete with a dull red roof, "I heard that this place serves good tea."
Koharu followed Sakura inside. A server greeted them, and quickly seated the two of them in a semi-private booth. The pink haired female looked over the contents of the menu curiously before ordering a citrus flavored tea, that supposedly held a hint of jasmine. Koharu being a bit less adventurous requested the standard green tea. Once the server left them, the younger woman opened the conversation, "So what brought you looking for me?"
"I haven't seen you since," Koharu threaded her hands together and placed them on the table in her usual manner, "that incident in the Uchiha compound. I was hoping to find out the date of your marriage, and if you were going to have a ceremony."
Sakura sighed, realizing her great aunt had probably felt a bit off put by the lack of invitation and information. Sakura massaged the bridge of her nose and let out a small tired sigh. The server returned with their beverages. The sound of clinking china interrupted Sakura's thoughts for the moment. The two women politely thanked the waitress. She slowly stirred a bit of sugar and cream into the steaming liquid in the ivory rose floral china. Lifting her chin, she shook her head at Koharu, "I'm sorry, I honestly didn't think about it. You see, I'm not having a ceremony. The date is set in three day's time. And that - seems to be dependent on Itachi Uchiha's return. Apparently he's out on a mission or whatever it is these nin do for a living."
"You are just going to legalize it? I can't believe such a large clan would accept such a quiet arrangement," Koharu arched a wispy gray brow at Sakura.
"Mikoto stated that with the merging they are still quite busy," she responded before she sipped at the tea.
"Your fiancé? He is fine with this?" Koharu couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"He hasn't stated otherwise. He doesn't seem the type to care much for frivolity," Sakura set down the half empty delicate china cup in the matching saucer.
"What about you? Don't you want a ceremony?" The elderly woman asked before finishing her beverage.
Sakura bit out a sharp laugh at that before pointing at herself in playful mockery. Her lips quirked as she quipped, "Have you forgotten just who you happen to be talking to?"
A responding amused smile tugged at the old woman's mouth, "I suppose that was silly of me to ask you something like that."
The expression on Sakura's faced dimmed. She twiddled the teacup in the saucer, while staring into the cooling liquid, "You know, I've been meaning to ask you. Now that you've finally opened up to tell me things that you had otherwise decided to keep to yourself..."
Koharu leaned back to survey the younger woman. Her voice was slightly gruff when she finally spoke, "I can see the conflict on your face."
"I know very little concerning my parents' deaths. I just know that it was something to do with the shrine itself," Sakura lifted her chin slightly to study the older woman's expression.
Lady Utatane grimaced but then responded in a somber tone, "No one really knows whether it had to do with the shrine or not. When your parents were found. They were already dead. There was several other bodies around them that were also deceased. Their enemies were covered in burns, and wounds from your father's scythe."
"So in reality, no one knows what had really happened?" Sakura queried before consuming the rest of her now lukewarm tea, "Or why?"
"We do not know what the driving force behind the attackers, but I do know that your parents did not involve themselves with conflicts that didn't concern them," Koharu explained to Sakura, her tone low, "We explained the incident to you - based on our assumptions. You were still very young at the time, so of course we omitted some of the details."
"I suppose I'll just never know," Sakura let loose a deep drawn out breath, "Perhaps there are some things best left alone."
The elderly woman could practically see her great niece's personal inner demon's dancing in the depths of dulled emerald. She cleared her throat, "Sakura. If you really hold a strong desire in your heart to find the truth. Then some day it will find you."
Sakura's smile held a touch of grimness to it, "That kind of faith evades me these days."
Koharu eyed the young woman who had been forced to grow up so fast. She intoned gently, "I think you've handled the changes not only with aplomb but you haven't balked or backed down when most women would have tucked tail and run."
"I am a lot of things," Sakura stood, while setting down the payment and tip for her tea on the table, "but I am not a coward. If I had chose to run away, then I couldn't call myself an adult. Thank you for having tea with me. I'll try and visit you more often."
"I would like that, but I know you are busy. Please stop by if you can," Koharu didn't move to get up, but merely waved her away with a dismissive gesture.
Wordlessly Sakura left the establishment after paying her bill. Standing on the edge of the concrete bordering the street. A breeze stirred and swirled about her. At the edge of her senses she heard whispers brush sweetly against the lobe of her ear. It was strange to be so aware of things. She already knew that the summer weather would arrive a couple weeks early this year. Each passing day, she was becoming more and more in tune with the hum of energy in her veins. While the shinobi around her had chakra signatures that almost felt discordant with the natural flow, hers seemed to meld and embrace.
The brand of the Guardian's that rested just above her breasts suddenly throbbed. Her eyes drew towards the city gate and her lips opened slightly. Stepping down, the wind picked up around her again, and a realization hit her. It was so bizarre that it caused her to pause in utter disbelief. Sakura picked up her pace, and hurried in the direction of the tug on her senses. Her eyes widened slightly, when she stopped several feet away from the entrance. It, like most of the city, had undergone changes as well. The wooden gate door slabs were gone, and had been replaced by two huge double doors that could be drawn open by a pulley. They were left open instead of barred shut like they used to be. Sakura could see the dirt road that led out of the city. From her position she could see the merchant carts slowly making their way towards the village, and leaving it just the same.
There was also a guard station, that was attended just by two shinobi men. She remembered that the Captain of the Guard usually had entire squad of men or two, that had taken shifts. She caught the glimpses of shadows on top of the city wall and realized that they probably kept more lookouts in more subtly hidden locations. Her breath stilled in her throat. She felt it then. A niggle against the edge of her senses, a feeling of recognition. Suddenly there was a flash of white that blurred past the edge of her vision. The subtle scent of fresh rain tickled her nostrils, causing them to flare slightly. She turned to face the Hokage's Tower, her green eyes searching for a glimpse of the ANBU captain.
A hard breeze whipped at her tresses, and out of her peripheral a flash of black blazed past her, before blinking out of view. They were almost like shadowy wraiths, she thought to herself. She could sense his chakra signature heading in the direction of the tower, but she had to strain to feel it. It was almost like he was trying to conceal it. A subtle smile touched her lips before she knew she was even doing it, "So he is home." With that realization came a little bit of nervousness as well. Her lips flattened.
Sakura decided she was going to go back to the shrine, whether Hana liked it or not. She'd been putting it off, but she needed to air out the small home and get things prepared for him to move in. Quickly she made her way up the hill. The feline in question was laying prostrate on the porch, her sides rising and falling, giving away the fact she was sound asleep. She shut the gate behind her quietly, gently setting it in on the latch as not to disturb Hana. The cat's black ears twitched slightly but it seemed she was still lost in slumber.
Tip toeing over the cat, she nearly tip-toed into the small, humble shrine. She set about opening all the windows to air the building out. Room by room she thoroughly cleaned every nook and cranny she could find. The strong odor from the cleaning solvents had Hana padding inside, her amber eyes blinking off sleep and her whiskers twitching. She tilted her head at Sakura, "What are you doing?"
Wiping her arm against her sweat laden brow, Sakura looked down at her companion and then replied, "I am trying to get things prepared for his move in," she broke off and then sighed, "I hadn't really thought about it like I should have. I've been distracted with all the training I've undergone."
"You keep this place pretty clean. I don't think you really need go through all that trouble."
Sakura shook her head, "It's not that it's dirty in here - but things need to be done, so that another person can live here comfortably."
Hana groused, still grumpy from her nap, "Yeah but that still doesn't explain why you pulled out all those chemicals."
"If I'm going to do it. I might as well do things right." Sakura waved the cat away.
"Suit yourself. I'm going back outside. I can't stand the smell of that stuff," Hana complained before turning around to do just that.
Sakura shook her head, but then immediately went back to work.
It was like this that she passed the next couple days. She pulled up the weeds around the porch, and cleaned the hard wood floors until the gleamed. She swept, and washed the curtains. She took the old rug from the living room and took it outside to beat the dust out of it. She finally pulled out the clothes from her parent's closet and put away the items that wouldn't be needed. Even though it would provide more room Sakura didn't have the heart to throw their things away. She kept her mother's dresses and ceremonial garments. She hung them up in the small closet in her small room.
Time flew by all too quickly. Before she knew it, she was opening her eyes against the bright morning sun filtering into her room on the date of her impending marriage.
She lay in her bed for several long moments. The finality that would be that day was almost too much for her to take in. When she finally rolled out of the bed, Sakura strove for normality. She bathed, she cooked and ate breakfast. She fed the cat. Sakura was uncertain as to the set time as Itachi had only informed her of the date. Waiting for him to fetch her could possibly make her insane by noon. She dressed in a simple dark hunter green knee length dress. She also plaited her hair into a long, neat braid. She knew she looked a bit austere, but it reflected a confidence she wished to project.
By the time the knock on the door echoed, Sakura was a mass of nerves. Swallowing hard, she opened the door. She wasn't sure what she was expecting, but it wasn't for Itachi to be standing there. She had thought perhaps there would be an escort sent. She felt more than saw his eyes scan her pale face. Sakura knew there was bags under her eyes. She hadn't slept very well the night before. Sakura also knew she probably looked a bit pallid. She hadn't been able to eat much more than a slice of toast and if she was lucky three sips of tea.
Itachi's tenor pulled her wavering attention to him, "Are you ready? The preparations are complete. The Hokage is waiting for us."
Sakura's eyes roamed over the length of his body. He too, looked solemn in the solid black ensemble he wore. He wore a simple long sleeved shirt and matching pair of pants. He wore boots instead of his usual shinobi issued sandals. She had to admit, he looked confident and at ease. Her lips thinned. It was now or never, she thought to herself. Licking her lower lip in a nervous gesture that drew his gaze to her mouth. His gaze rose to meet hers once more, waiting for her response.
"Yes. I am. Let's get this done with."
"Aa."
As they traversed the streets, Sakura rubbed her damp palms against her skirt. Kami, she didn't remember ever being so nervous in her life. She was just going to sign the registry for goodness sake. It wasn't like she was going to have to swear an oath before an audience. She was grateful for the arm he offered her. Even if it was him, the warmth of touch helped steady the jittery feeling in her stomach. For a few moments they traveled in amiable silence. Unfortunately that was broken by the last person Sakura had the patience to deal with that morning.
"Itachi-kun!" an annoyingly familiar feminine wail echoed loudly through the streets.
A blur of busty blonde barreled straight into her back. Sakura stumbled forward and nearly tripped into the middle of the road. Sakura whipped around, red-faced with rising anger. The Yamanaka woman was cuddling up against Itachi's side like a cat that had just been introduced to catnip. The woman purred seductively up into Itachi's face, "What are you doing today Itachi-kun?"
Sakura arched a brow at her husband-to-be. She could tell by the stiff set of his lips, he wasn't in the mood either.
Clearing her throat when Itachi didn't speak up, the pink haired woman strode forward and stopped directly in front of them.
Yamanaka sent Sakura a get lost glare.
"What do you want Forehead?"
"I'm sorry I didn't get your full name the last time we met," Sakura queried politely. She could feel Itachi's eyes on her. She was getting irritated with his lack of response to the annoying, clingy female. It was almost as if he wanted to see what she would do. It only further serve to aggravate her.
"It's Ino, but Yamanaka-san to you." She smiled in a self-satisfied and superior manner down into Sakura's face.
"Well you see, Ino-pig," she drawled slowly her tone dripping with acid, waiting for the words to register in the other female's brain. Rage filled blue riveted on Sakura. Now she had the woman's full attention. Her lips tugged into that smirk that spelled trouble. Out of the corner of her vision she could see Itachi tense slightly. She quipped in a low, dark tone that forced Ino to really look at her, "As much as I'd like to watch your parody of how to be Konoha's number one floozy, let's not and say we did hmm?" Sakura's sharp green orbs did a slow hike of the woman's violet shorts, and tight matching top that showed the length of her toned stomach.
"How dare you?!" Ino's face purpled in rage, and took a step forward as if she was contemplating in engaging the smaller woman in a physical fight.
"Uchiha-sama and I happen to be late for a meeting with the Hokage - who is at this time waiting for us." Sakura's lips pursed, "We have marriage documents to sign. You are holding us up. I cannot believe a kuniochi like yourself would force others to waste the Hokage's valuable time."
Ino's face drained pale at Sakura's softly spoken words. Her ire forgotten for the moment, she ducked her chin to glare at the offending pinkette. Then her ponytail whipped as she turned to stared up into stoic visage of the male an unspoken question in her eyes. Her tight grip on him loosened considerably.
"It is as she says."
Sakura visibly rolled her eyes at him. He wasn't being very helpful in this situation. She could tell the blonde was about to deliver a flurry of questions, that Sakura really had no inclination to deal with.
She announced flippantly, "Well, I'll be at the Hokage's office waiting for you Uchiha-sama. I do not have the desire to play the mind games you shinobi seem to be so fond of."
Turning back in the direction of the tower, Sakura strode away from the irritating pair. This really wasn't what she had in mind for today.
"No I don't believe you! Come back here Forehead!"
Sakura just kept walking as if she hadn't heard her. There was no way she was dealing with that woman's emotional issues. She believed that issue lay completely on Itachi's lap. It wasn't her fault he'd never set the vexing woman straight. It was his problem. Not hers.
"Ninpo; Mind transfer jutsu!"
The shaman felt her body suddenly jar to a grinding halt. She felt the encroaching fingers of foreign chakra trying to force her into unconsciousness. Her vision blanked out and she could no longer see her outer surroundings. Gripping her head with her heads, she let out a harsh grunt. She staggered and when she lifted her chin and opened her eyes. She found herself somewhere completely unexpected. She realized she was standing on the familiar turquoise dais much like the one in the inner sanctum of the Guardian's Temple. She stood at one end, and Ino on the other. Sakura understood then. They were inside her. The thought was disconcerting and within moments after realizing, anger started to simmer beneath the surface of the cool facade she straightened to portray. At least for the moment.
Sakura tilted her chin at an angle. The timbre of her tone was icy, "You would dare to force your mind into my conscious?" The connotations of what the other young woman had just done underlined the boiling ire she felt.
"W...where am I?"
She didn't miss the fear that was laced into Ino's voice. However she was too enraged to pay it any mind.
"What am I doing here? This wasn't supposed to happen."
"Let me explain something simple to you Yamanaka-san," Sakura marched forward boldly and grabbed the purple lapels of the other woman's outfit. She shook the blonde, forcing her to look at her, "I am not someone you want to mess with."
"What makes you think you're so great? Why would he even want someone like you?"
"I do not have the patience to deal with your jealousy problems. Did you ever stop to think, that maybe you should be asking Uchiha-sama these things? I'm a near stranger to you. I'm sorry if you can't believe the facts as they are. It's just how it is. You will just have to accept it and move on." Sakura's terse words made the other woman tense up. She released her hold and backed away.
"I don't like your 'I'm better than you are attitude,'" Ino pointed an angry finger at Sakura.
"The feeling is mutual on the subject of attitudes."
"Guh! How do I get out of here?" Yamanaka's eyes darted around, gazing into the darkness looking for an exit.
Sakura strode to the exact center of the dais, before placing a hand on her hip. "Before you leave. I want you to know one thing. You've crossed me once," she lifted her forefinger indicting the number, "Do it again and I will make you regret it with every fiber in your soul."
"Oh," Ino tilted her head in an arrogant manner, "You aren't a kunoichi. What do you think you can do?"
The shaman lifted her hand open palm facing the blonde. Inside her mind, Sakura was hyper aware of the chakra flowing through her and it was easier for her to grab a hold of it - in this sacred place of the mind and heart. She folded the digits into a firm fist. Yellow chakra bled, dripping from her skin almost like liquid. It hit the tile, forming a pool at her feet.
Ino's jaw fell open when the whites of Sakura's eyes disappeared beneath glowing emerald.
A strong gust of wind rose in a vortex around Sakura, the whispers of the elements responded to her call. Even if this was inside her mind, they came to her through her bond with the Guardians. They were after all, sentient spirits. The force of the energy whipped at her braid. Her green skirt billowed wildly, almost violently. The puddle at her feet rose, suspended, and became almost serpentine in shape. It wrapped around her ankle and trailed all the way up her slender form gracefully. It arced over her arm. In her grasp a rod began to shimmer and take shape.
The yellow cracked and fell away in shards. The pieces hit the smooth surface at her feet, the sound of impact like shattering glass. A gnarled staff, covered in green trailing vines appeared in her white-knuckled hold.
"What in the hell are you?"
"I am a shaman. I do not like that you seem to believe that you can bully people that you feel have no way to defend themselves," Sakura responded curtly. The wind around her died down, but her eyes retained that strange pupil-less green. She pointed the end of the staff straight at Ino, "I have merely shown you I am not helpless. But know this - if I ever catch you doing what you've done to me to any of the original people born in Ixion. I will not be merciful."
Before Ino could protest Sakura drove the tail of the rod in her hand into the tile at her sandal clad feet. As soon as the wood met the shiny surface, the scenery around them roiled and rippled. The dais beneath their feet cracked and burst into brilliant sparkling remnants. As Ino fell away, eyes wide and mouth open. Sakura added softly, yet the sound echoed ominously, "My words to you are not a threat. They are an oath."
When Sakura's eyes blinked open, she found herself standing in the middle of the street. There were many sets of curious eyes on her person. Itachi was looking at her with a half-lidded thoughtful expression. Glancing to the side, she realized that the vendor table on her left had been completely smashed. On her direct right, a cart that had held apples was knocked over on it's side. The ruby fruits were scattered everywhere, some were still rolling from the chaos that had erupted from around her. The Uchiha was holding a limp Ino, who was barely beginning to awaken.
Sakura was the first person Ino gazed upon. The fear and anger in her eyes told Sakura that the blonde had heard her parting words to her. Ino jackknifed out of Itachi's hold, "Itachi-kun. That woman – she's..." Ino bent over and coughed, "she's evil."
The Uchiha spoke to Ino but his eyes were still on the disheveled and icy eyed Sakura, "You attacked her Yamanaka."
"She's not normal." Ino argued weakly.
"Sakura is not a shinobi. She is a shaman."
"You already know?" the blonde gaped at the stoic male in utter disbelief.
"Aa."
Sakura's orbs narrowed tellingly on the male. She was not in the mood to stand around all day to listen to the kunoichi pitch a fit. The vendors were eyeing the young woman with obvious trepidation. She arched a brow at them only to watch them take a step back from her, "I apologize for the damages to your wares. Send the bill to the Uchiha compound. They will cover them."
"Yes ma'am." The two middle-aged men echoed in unison.
It was then Sakura took note that Itachi's eyes were crimson instead of their usual midnight black.
"That was quite the show!" A playful male voice said from behind her.
Sakura turned her head, and found herself staring at the masked nin she met a while back. It was impossible to forget that tell-tale spiky white hair that seemed to crop up and out everywhere. The crinkles around his brown eye was so cheerful it irked her. She grimaced tellingly, "Hello Kakashi. It's been awhile."
He dipped his chin in response. She could see the smile forming beneath the dark material of his mask. Her sharp eyes didn't miss the fact however, that he exchanged a look with someone over her head. She would bet a weeks pay from Ichiraku's that it was with Itachi. Sakura hit her limit of patience for the day. His fake smiling face was making her angrier by the second. Did he think she was an idiot?
Before he couldn't even think to react to the sudden, unexpected movement from the small woman. She reached up, the flat of her palm hit his nose as she grabbed his face and shoved him back, "I'm really getting pissed the hell off by you damn people!"
He stumbled back a few steps, looking at her with barely concealed shock. Kakashi had seen the wind whipping a mini storm around her. The copy ninja had used his sharingan to see if he couldn't unveil the odd technique. He hadn't seen anything from her that seemed notable. He was usually good at reading people. He hadn't expected her to become so temperamental with him before he could pry further.
He watched her with a deceptive calm while burying his hands into his pockets. "Yare yare, what's the matter Sakura-chan? Can't I say hello?"
Sakura's brow ticked at his attempt to act like he was some innocent bystander. She crossed her arms, her scowl growing by the second, "Look! For Kami's sake! Instead of making eyes with Uchiha-sama over my head - like I wouldn't be able to notice something so obvious," she watched his eyebrow twitch at that, and her scowl melted into a smirk, "Why don't you just go over and ask him to have a little ninja pow wow? I'm sure he'd love that."
She then turned and pointed at the Uchiha whose eyes were still crimson and wary of her temper, "Would you please Itachi be a man and speak up! Don't just stand around and wait to see what I'm going to do! I didn't get up today to be your entertainment. Now," She tossed her head as if her hair were loose, the braid swinging wildly with the movement, "I'm going to go sign the register with or without you. The Hokage probably thinks we got lost and fell down a damn ditch somewhere with how long we've made him wait!"
And with that, Sakura was striding down the street grumbling still steaming.
Kakashi gave Itachi a little mock cheery wave before ambling away, "Good luck with that one Uchiha-sama! I don't envy you at all."
Itachi glowered at his retreating back, a tiny frown marring the left corner of his lip as Kakashi was practically chortling with every step he took. Ino backed away, uncertain of what to say to the Uchiha. When he looked down at her, crimson melted back to black. He asked her in a voice that was near a whisper, "What happened Yamanaka?" He was well aware of what the jutsu she used on Sakura entailed. He kept a sharp pinpoint on Sakura's chakra signature, but still he kept the majority of his attention honed in on the blonde.
He watched her gulp nervously. The pupils in her eyes were still somewhat dilated. She mumbled while wringing her hands, "I've never seen anything like it. She - she isn't like us at all. Even though it was inside her conscious, she held quite a bit of control over it. It was like a storm in there. Her emotions were volatile, intense, but tightly leashed and under control. The way she manipulated the chakra," the blonde shook her head as if she still couldn't believe it, "it felt like a living, breathing entity. There were voices. It was almost as if even the wind itself were alive."
"Hn."
"You really are going to marry that person?"
He dipped his head, "Yes."
"She won't fit in well with a clan's way of life. She won't be controllable. At least, when I was inside her subconscious. She not only had strong mental fortitude but –"
"Indeed. I know." Itachi agreed cryptically. He gave her a short, clipped dismissal before turning on his heel.
Ino watched the Uchiha clan heir walk away from her. Standing there in the middle of the street. She was forced to see the determination in his steps towards the tower. The gesture in itself was very telling, and she found herself forced to accept the truth of it.
-o-
Sakura decided to wait for Itachi at the front entrance. As annoyed as she was with the whole ordeal, she knew she couldn't just waltz up there and get married by herself. She seriously doubted the old man would have been amused if she had tried to do just that. Sakura nearly jumped out of her skin when Itachi suddenly landed in front of her, his knees bending with the impact. He slowly straightened his eyes searching out hers.
Her lips thinned with irritation when he smirked knowingly down at her. He was amused, she realized. She quipped caustically, "Are you done with all your little side trips Uchiha-sama?"
"Itachi."
The softly spoken name took her aback. "What?"
"You agreed that you would call me by my given name."
"I did, didn't I?" The scowl marring her features melted away.
Side by side, in thoughtful silence they entered. The nervousness that had left her due to Ino Yamanaka, was now coming back as her ire ebbed. Her stomach clench and tightened into what felt like a hundred little knots. Sakura struggled to maintain a nonchalant demeanor. She just knew by the way Itachi kept glancing over at her face that she was failing miserably. She halted right outside the door to the Hokage's office. Breathing in a deep nerve calming breath, Sakura squared her shoulders.
"Are you all right?" Itachi queried eyeing her pale features thoughtfully.
"I'm fine. I should think that it would be normal for anyone in my position to be at least slightly nervous." Sakura bristled defensively.
"Hn."
Before she could further comment, he knocked. At Sarutobi's loud beckon, Itachi grasped the handle and opened the door. Lifting her chin, her eyes swept into the office. The Sandaime was sitting behind his desk waiting for them. The acrid scent of pipe tobacco lingered in the air, though the pipe was not lit. His gaze caught hers, and Sakura held it firmly before striding into the center of the room.
"I was beginning to wonder if you were going to make it," the Hokage's thin smile alerted Sakura to the fact that the old man had gotten impatient.
"I was beginning to wonder the same myself," Sakura groused under her breath. She ignored Itachi's sharp loook. Lifting her chin, she met the Hokage's eyes as she walked over to his desk with purpose and held out her hand, "Just give me the pen. Show me the documents. I will sign them and I won't take up anymore of your time."
"The two of you won't be having a ceremony?" The Sandaime arched a brow in Itachi's direction.
Just as Sakura opened her mouth to respond, Itachi spoke in her stead, "No. My clan is still adjusting to the changes and working on getting all the families moved in. There might be something later if the elders decide they want to celebrate it. However at this time, neither Lady Haruno or I have anything planned. Should I have brought another person to stand as witness?"
"No," the Hokage shook his head, "This is fine. I have the documents ready. All I need for you two to do is to sign them. I'll have them entered into the register and that will be it."
At that moment, Sakura realized that though she had mostly expected to be alone in the journey of life. She never would have believed for a moment, she would have married anyone in such a sterile, cold manner. Yet, at the same time, she was relieved at the simplicity of it. Things were complicated enough at the moment as it was. She couldn't bear to have a couple dozen sets of piercing eyes on her today. She'd implode.
"Lady Haruno," Itachi's tenor brought her out of her musings. She blinked out of her mental haze and looked up at him. He gestured to the papers before adding, "I've signed my portion."
That was quick! Sakura looked down at the surface of the desk and took note of the still drying ink. Squinting, she lifted the papers and scanned them quickly. It caused both males in the room to raise a brow at her actions. She was just making certain there were no hidden clauses in this agreement. She'd be damned if she would sign something that she would be giving up any of her rights. Satisfied that everything looked legit, she quickly penned her name on the blank line. Her hand shook but by the time she finished, her hand had grown steady.
The Hokage smiled wanly at her as she handed him the sheaf of papers, "Thank you Lady Haru - Excuse me... Lady Uchiha. If you decide to have a proper ceremony, then you'll have to file a claim with the office to get a copy of the documents to complete that process."
Sakura dipped her chin, in a polite gesture. "I understand. Thank you."
"Is there anything else that you need of us?" Itachi asked the Sandaime.
"No. Congratulations to the both of you. I wish you well."
The woman thought that was the sincerest she'd ever heard the old man. She was startled when Itachi put his hand on her lower back as he turned to usher her out. "Thank you Hokage-sama."
She knew her face was red by the time they exited the office. He had removed the appendage, but she could still feel the warmth that had been left behind. When she snuck a peek at him, he looked as nonchalant as ever. Sakura wondered if there was anything that unnerved the male at her side. He had just married her, and he seemed completely at ease. She really hadn't expected anything. But she was rather jealous of his composed manner. Once outside, back out in the open, Sakura let out a breath of pent up air. She stopped on the top of the steps and spoke, "So um - I'm going to go back to the house. Unless..." she paused swallowing nervously, "You need assistance in bringing your belongings over."
"It has already been done."
"What? Done? How - we just," she tried to wrap her brain around his statement.
"I had servants deliver my things to the residence."
The idea of strangers inside the shrine while she was away made something in the young woman rankle. Her left eyebrow ticked. "I think Naruto was correct. The only reason you swayed your father about remaining in the shrine, instead of moving into the compound - was because you couldn't wait to get the hell out."
Itachi paused mid-step. He glanced back at her. His face closed off and unreadable. "Compound life can become suffocating - at times."
Was he agreeing with her or making a statement? A vein popped out on her temple and throbbed. She wondered if he was trying to vex her on purpose. She rubbed at the skin with her fingers.
"My mother would like us to join them for dinner tonight. She is still upset that we didn't have a traditional ceremony."
"I understand. Do you want to go?" Sakura put a finger to her lip thoughtfully. She fell in step next to the taller male.
"Hn."
"That's not really an answer Itachi." She sent him a sideways glare, "If you don't want to go. Just say so. I'm not Miss Social myself, so whatever you decide is fine. Really."
"We will go, then."
Sakura rolled her eyes heavenward. "See? Was that so hard?"
"I was not certain if you would want to - after..." he let the sentence hang, his perceptive eyes searching out her face.
Green orbs widened at the admission. He must have been concerned that she wouldn't want to go after what had happened to her the last time she was in the compound. She realized belatedly. His sudden uncertainty also clued her in, that he was nervous as well. He was just far better at hiding it than she was. Her face softened noticeably. It was probably the most thoughtful thing she'd heard from the man yet. Well, kind of. At least he meant well in the intent of his words.
She met his thoughtful gaze with her own, before turning her face towards the direction of the shrine. It had always been her been her home. She couldn't imagine what it must have been like for him to move from place to place like a nomad, for most of his life. She always had her village to protect. The awkward feeling squeezing her insides lessened considerably, and in silence they trekked up the well beaten path.
At the shrine, Sakura's sharp eyes scanned the perimeter, searching for anything out of place. Hana was waiting for them on the porch. The young woman could tell the feline was slightly peeved by the way the fur sat ruffled on her neck. Her collar was skewed and the tiny bell was inverted.
"I'm sorry," Sakura apologized to the cat, ignoring the perceptive set of orbs following her movements. Sakura knelt in front of Hana, "I didn't know that anyone would be stopping by while we were gone." Reaching out, she settled the pink accessory and bell back into their rightful positions.
Hana didn't respond. She dipped her chin, and Sakura knew that they would have a conversation about it later. It would probably be wiser to wait to inform Itachi that Hana was sentient. For the moment, it just seemed as if Sakura were merely greeting her pet. The black cat bumped the crown of her head into Sakura's open palm. She let loose a loud purr and Sakura responded by caressing the animal. Rising from her position, Sakura opened the door and stepped aside to let Itachi pass. She immediately noticed his things left behind by servants, sitting in an organized pile of boxes and a mish mash of other various items.
The young woman opened the curtains, and lifted the window to let in the early afternoon breeze and sunshine.
"It looks different in here."
Turning to assess him, Sakura's lips twitched into the semblance of a smile, "Yes well, it should. I cleaned this place from top to bottom." She waved a hand at him, before facing her parents' old room. Opening the sliding shoji doors, she glanced back at the pile on the floor. It really wasn't very much. Not as much as she would have thought he'd bring with him. Brushing past him, doing her best to ignore him for the moment. She bent to pick up the first box. A hand on her shoulder caused her to stop and look up.
"I will do this."
Nodding Sakura stepped aside, breaking the physical contact. She cleared her throat, "I will make us some tea."
Itachi glanced at her before dipping his head in acknowledgement. He turned away and began to shuffle through the boxes. By the time the tea kettle was whistling, Itachi had all the boxes stacked and neatly organized in the room.
A slight blush suffused her cheeks as he sat down at the table. She sat down the condiments, and served the tea. The red in her face deepened as she struggled to bring up a topic she needed to discuss before nightfall. The sooner she got it off her chest, the better she would feel. It had been eating at her mind all week. Clearing her throat again, her eyes averted to the grainy wooden surface of the table. "I know the furniture in the room is very old. I'm sorry about that. I didn't have the money to purchase a new bed."
"Hn. It is of no matter. I can have the one from my previous residence brought over."
Gnawing on her lower lip, Sakura sucked in a deep and calming breath. Her gaze slowly hiked a path up to his impassive features. "Itachi, I..."
The clink of his cup as he set it down brought her halting discourse to a complete halt.
"Sakura. Are you having second thoughts?"
"No, it's nothing like that. It's just," her eyes darted to the side to look at a suddenly interesting knot in the wall, "I wanted to discuss with you, that before, we ahh - err... consummate this marriage. I would like for us to get to know each other better first and..." Sakura buried her face in her hands completely embarrassed. Her elbows dangerously close to knocking her beverage over. She couldn't believe those words had just passed through her lips.
His voice was surprisingly gentle when he finally spoke, "We have just taken a huge step and made a life long commitment. Not only do I agree that would be for the best. I would also never force you to do something that you are not ready for. I am not that kind of man Sakura."
Her palms slowly inched down her blushing cheeks. Her eyes peeking over the tips of her fingers at his serious face. She couldn't help the relief that filtered onto her features. A heartfelt sigh left her.
"I've noticed that your um," She paused unnerved by his unwavering regard, but she wanted to change the subject quickly, "job – can keep you away for weeks at a time."
"Yes. Normally this is the case. However I will be confined to the city more probably until the start of summer."
"I see," her eyes darted past him to Hana who was sitting on the floor. The cat was shaking her head at the girl. Well, there went some of her lesson time.
"Disappointed?" Itachi deduced easily by the look on her face "You were looking forward to my absence due to my duties."
A nervous laugh left her. "No, that's not it." She brought up something else that she'd thought about, "I really do not have much in this house in the way of food, and other necessities. I know you've had your personal things brought over. I've always lived very simple lifestyle. As you can very well see for yourself. I would like you to compose a list of some of the things you like to eat. That way, when I go into the village I can pick those items up."
"You are being amiable. I expected that you would behave in that typical brash manner of yours."
A line of irritated red colored the bridge of her nose at the slightly surprised note in his voice. She leveled her eyes and locked his gaze with hers. "Would that not be childish of me? Did I not agree to marry you? Why would I behave like a recalcitrant brat?" She shook her head and continued, "You gave me a choice. I chose to accept it."
"Hn."
Sakura was beginning to realize that sound meant he was analyzing something in that head of his.
"Your parents would be proud of you," Hana's voice interjected drawing the attention of the occupants of the room.
Itachi stiffened and glanced back at the black cat who returned his stare with those uncanny amber eyes of hers.
"Yes. You can't stand not knowing. Don't think too hard boy! I wouldn't want your head to explode," Hana stood to all fours before ambling into Sakura's room.
Sakura was doing her best not to laugh at the look on Itachi's face as he watched the cat through narrowed eyes. Hana was going to make things hard on her. She knew that Itachi suspected something about that cat, he just didn't know what answers he should be seeking.
"Hana isn't," she took a deep breath to push back the laughter that wanted to spill out, "used to strangers."
"I see."
"Stop lying to the man Sakura. Just let him try and figure it out on his own." Hana yelled from her room knowing fully well that it would sound like angry yowling to the nin.
Itachi's eyes zeroed in on Sakura's suddenly stiff features.
"Fleas. It's the season you know." She giggled nervously and waved a dismissive hand in his direction. Sakura mentally cursed the feline when Itachi's visage went back into it's usual unreadable mask. She sipped at her now lukewarm tea before asking, "When is your mother expecting us over for dinner?"
"In a few hours. There really is no set time."
Setting her cup down in the saucer. She watched the contents ripple. Unfolding her legs, she stood to her feet. Peering down at the man across the table, she put her hands on her hips, "All right. I know you probably already know the layout of the property. But I shall give you a tour anyway."
He arched a brow in that aristocratic way of his, before following suit. "Aa."
"Aa yourself." She teased in an easy tone before leading the way out. The strands that had come loose from the tight braid, danced on the light breeze whistling past.
She stepped off of the wraparound porch. She glanced back at him, "I'm certain you recall the legend I spoke to you of."
"Yes."
"My family did, in fact found this village."
"The shrine does not look that old," Itachi pointed out quickly finding fault with that logic.l
"It's been built, knocked down and then rebuilt over the years. The porch here – was actually built by my father," her eyes held a faraway look as she explained, "He even let me hammer in the first nail. I remember being so excited. My mom talked him into buying that washer and dryer." She pointed at the back corner of the porch at the corner of the shrine, "The property does sit far out from town, but I still get electricity from the village up here."
"I noticed. It is convenient."
Sakura led him to the bathhouse and opened the old rickety wooden door. She tugged on the chain that hung below the bulb and clicked on the light. She stepped aside to allow Itachi room to pass.
Itachi took note of the plain white porcelain sink and mirror. A mug with a toothbrush sat on the corner next to rolled up tube of toothpaste. The toilet sat off to the side. A roll of toilet paper sat on a grooved out ledge next to it. But at the back he could see the smoothed out blue and gray granite. Steam seemed to sit on top of the swirling water. On the top ledge that looked as if it had been sanded down by human hands, sat a shampoo and conditioner set. The plastic bottles were partially concave from use. A bar of half-used soap sat next to them. A dowel rod was screwed into the aging wall. It held a towel and wash cloth for use. It had enough room for another set, which Sakura had left folded out for him on top of a hamper bin.
"There is a constant flow of clean water?"
"Yes. It's always been like that as far as I can remember. It's a natural spring. It's constantly bringing in fresh hot water. I use a mineralized based soap, and shampoo and conditioner so it doesn't pollute the underground water. The sewer that leads from the toilet and sink is completely separate and is apart of the village lines as is the water that goes to them. I have no idea how my family managed to do all that. But I'm grateful they did. It can be annoying though," Sakura's lips twitched with amusement, "It's unpleasant when you have to - uh - relieve yourself in the middle of the night and you have to stumble all the way out here. Especially during the winter."
"It must be pleasant to have a personal hot spring."
Sakura was gratified to see that the deep lines in his cheeks had relaxed. "It does have it's perks."
She shut the door behind the male as he quit the room. Sakura pointed out to the empty small field of grass behind the house, "My mother used to plant a garden back here. I thought about doing one as well, but..."
"You've been busy with other things."
"Yes," She nodded at him, her smile fading, "I had other concerns."
"How old were you?" he suddenly asked her out of the blue.
"Excuse me?" Sakura glanced at him taken aback by the sudden question.
"When you lost your parents?"
"Oh," she paused mid step and looked away from him. Her eyes settled on the white wall that followed her property line. She was a bit taken back by the personal query. But then again, she should have expected him to eventually ask. It was just sooner than she expected. She wondered if these nin had ever heard of a thing called personal space. Sakura's lips firmed, "I was ten."
"Your aunt didn't take you in? I know you mentioned you just learned of the relation recently."
Sakura didn't see the harm in explaining things to him now. After all, he already knew so much. The vegetation crunched beneath her feet as she began to trek to the top of the hill, where she held all her ceremonial rites. Silence reigned between them until the crested the top of the path. When her breathing slowed she finally began to speak, "Koharu Utatane who is my great aunt, and Homura Mitokado the old councilman begrudgingly allowed me to stay on the property after my parents were discovered dead. I refused to move off the shrine."
"You lived here alone?"
"Yes, and when my aunt realized that I was maintaining the shrine, and still carrying on ceremonial rites that I had very little understanding about," Sakura turned around facing the village. Her focus falling on the carved face of the Third Hokage in the once pristine cliff side, "I was ordered to keep everything about what I did a secret. When you went to question the villagers about me, they were not lying about knowing anything. I wasn't allowed to speak about it."
"So you encouraged their rumors."
Sakura could almost see the light switch on behind those dark eyes of his. She dipped her head lightly in agreement, "That is the truth of it. However, I hold a lot of pride in my heritage. I considered myself a Gate Keeper, just as I thought my parents' were," she paused thinking over the abrupt changes in her once one track life, "The council wanted me to completely disband from my duties. They tried to tell me it was better to blend in with the rest of the world. Then, the Konoha Alliance came."
"Why did you come out and attack us that day?'
"The city guard summoned me. I was led to believe that your arrival was apart of my duties to oversee. That you had come as my enemies. The council later informed me, that it was because they wanted me to secure my position amongst you. I suppose it was simply was because in their eyes, I didn't fit in anywhere. I honestly think they wanted me to see the error of my ways," she chuckled at the memory and then gave him a half-shrug, "They knew that the times were changing. Fire Country was and is forming around us. A new capital led by the military strength of a powerful Daiymo is on the rise. They wanted to become apart of the newly forming country instead of trying to resist. It is better to survive, I suppose. The Council of the former Ixion was looking out for the overall good of the community and the Konoha Alliance provided the military strength to ease the merging, and we in turn gave your families a place to come home to."
All the offhand, tart declarations Sakura had voiced to him had finally, for the most part connected and made sense. Truly, in her complexity was her simplicity. Her prickly exterior was merely her defense to keep the rest of the world out which he had had ascertained before, but the answers to the reasons behind her odd behavior clicked into place. He still couldn't understand why she was suddenly being so forthright with him if she still considered her duties sacred, it didn't quite fit the picture she was painting. He knew she didn't truly trust him yet. Something would have had to change for her to even be willing to tell him all this.
"You are being unusually open about yourself." He stated his thoughts out loud in a cool tone.
Sakura turned her back on him, so that he couldn't see the emotion she knew she held in her eyes. She watched a flock of birds flying out over the canopy of dense forest below. "I could find no reason not to be. I have come to realize that I was right about some things, but also – that I was wrong about others. Some of it was good for me, I suppose. It kept me going after I lost my parents. But I'm an adult now, and I have come to understand that I cannot follow the same path my parents did. I have had to learn how to accept change as it comes, and how to let the past go. It was a hard lesson."
She could feel Itachi's intense gaze on her. The wind whistled past her ears. The soft murmurs beneath the surface of the element somehow soothed her emotions. Her tension relaxed and she craned her neck to glance back at him. A tenuous smile formed on her lips, "I sound like an old woman but that's really all there is to it. I understand you are a shinobi and you look for the obscure. The secrets people hide. It's your job to -but," she finally turned around to face him. She swept her hand down her frame, indicating herself, "Itachi – with me. What you see is what you get. Just like every other person in the world, I have been shaped to fit my surroundings no matter how much I fought against it. Nothing more, nothing less."
Itachi suddenly strode towards her. His movement reminded Sakura of a predator. His eyes never left her face as he stalked towards her. She stood frozen in place, uncertain of his intentions.
"You are not nearly as simple as you make yourself out to be."
"I don't think anyone could really be described as simple," Sakura verbally evaded that statement.
He stopped directly in front of her, peering down into her somewhat startled features. Sakura was hard pressed not to step back. She didn't understand how Itachi was able to go from impassive to so intense in moments. He had all the makings of a clan leader, she thought to herself as she continued to hold his regard.
"There are a lot of things that you still intend to hide."
"Doesn't everyone have their own secrets they wish to keep?" Sakura expression turned hard, "You don't expect me to open up about everything all at once. Do you? We still can't even really be considered friends. Honestly, we barely make the acquaintance scale."
"Yet we are husband and wife."
"That we are," Sakura choked out but then poked him in his chest with a hard finger, her gaze accusing, "I know the only reason why you wanted to marry me was because you wanted to keep an eye on me. Or maybe it's because I hold the appeal of a puzzle box that you want to solve."
The look in his eyes suddenly became closed off to her again. He grasped her wrist and pulled the offending digit aside. His touch sent nervous tingles ghosting up her arm. She yanked away from his hold and finally took a step back.
The masculine smirk that suddenly adorned the hard mask of his features caused her hackles to rise. He didn't say anything. He didn't have to. Itachi left her standing there. The spurt of anger she felt drained away from her. Even though she opened up to him, it was just the tip of the iceberg. They had so far to go. There was no trust between them. She knew that as much as she hid things from the world. Itachi was no different then her in that respect. It was quite probable that with all that he'd seen and done, her problems probably seemed rather trivial. She had never had to kill, or watch anyone die. Sakura had no idea what it was like to fight for her life.
The rift of understanding between them felt insurmountable and vast to the young woman. Resolve filled the young woman. Sucking in a lung full of oxygen, she let loose. "ITACHI!" She watched as he turned around to look back up at her. A regal eyebrow was arched at her. A smile stretched the expanse of her lips and she threw back her head and laughed at the look on his face. She sobered and pointed a finger down at him in challenge, "I made the first move. The next one is yours. Do you dare to face it Uchiha?"
Sakura almost swore she witnessed his left eyebrow tick. She sent a saucy smirk at him as she sauntered down to him. She passed him while running her hand down her braid and removing the rubber band at the bottom, setting the tresses free. The wind picked up around her, as if answering an unspoken call. The pink strands unraveled and undulated as the air whipped around her and then just as quickly settled. Her billowing skirt rippled back into place. She glanced over her shoulder at him with a haughty look that would have made any Hyuuga worth their salt proud. "Do not even think for a moment that I'm someone that you'll be able to push around!"
And it was Sakura who left him staring in her wake this time around. The young woman went into the shrine slamming the door behind her as if to pound the message into his brain further. She didn't even turn to look at him when he entered the house. He was as silent as a ghost, but she was beginning to grow used to the feeling of his presence. Grumbling under her breath about 'spilling her guts' and 'rude Uchiha's' she dug through her closet to find something to wear to his family's home for their 'celebration' dinner.
Hana lifted her head, having been disturbed from her nap by the irritated pinkette. "What has you all up in a tizzy?"
Sakura glared at the feline before slamming the shoji door to her room shut. She ignored the cat's vexing query.
"Sakura?" Hana asked again.
"I'm an idiot. That's what!" She replied tersely, her green eyes glittering with anger.
The feline jumped off Sakura's bed and slowly padded her way to the young woman. She asked calmly, "Why do you consider yourself an idiot? What happened?"
"I opened up to him." She amended, "Just a little bit, but I should have known better."
"So soon?"
"Hana, I..." Sakura slumped into a heap onto the floor and cradled her forehead against her palm, "He asked me about mom and dad. He already knows so much. So I didn't see a problem with telling him mostly how things were. I didn't expect anything from him. It's just - I want to be able to get along with him. I thought it would be stupid of me to be – secretive about things. I was hoping we can at least become friends."
The cat put her paw on the woman's leg, drawing Sakura's eyes down to her. "You've been married all of two hours. If that." Hana announced to her dryly making Sakura feel sheepish, "Your heart is in the right place. You've never had friends – so for you, it's a life lesson you have yet to learn. Don't rush things. Kami, Sakura! You are so mature in some ways, and yet so child-like in others."
"Hey!" Sakura gave a playful growl. Then she turned her attention back to the closet trying not to think too much about it. "What do you think I should wear? Should I just go in this green dress?"
"How about you go as what you are?"
"Huh?" Sakura's eyes followed the direction of the cat's gaze and a grin stretched her lips as the idea took hold in her mind, "That's a good idea!"
"You say that as if I never have them."
"It's only been a couple weeks since I discovered that you can talk."
"Good point." Hana hopped back up onto the bed, "Tell me how it goes when you get back."
Running a hand down the maroon material, Sakura replied with a new twinkle in her eyes, "Don't worry. I shall."
