Disclaimer: I sadly do not own Naruto. If I did, then Sasuke would be back home in Konoha where he belongs!!!
Everyone, I'm SOOO sorry it's taken me this long to update! Over 4 months? JEEZ! You all must be ready to kill me now! ;;;
Anyway, I appreciate your support and thank you for voting! You shall have to read to see what happens because I'm not spoiling it here. XD (runs and hides) hehehe!
All right, here are a few things that I need to inform you guys of before I ultimately shut up and the chapter will begin!!
1. I'm considering changing the rating of this story. I originally had it set the way it is because I didn't want to have my story deleted for content earlier on in the beginning.
2. I've had TERRIBLE writer's block for MONTHS now and my summer was a challenging one. I've had other things aiding to my inability to get this chapter up, and I do apologize to you all. For those of you who know me personally, know that the circumstances for keeping me away from fan fiction were just and my reasoning is good. Again, I am sorry.
3. I will NOT be putting anything, umm, naughty in this fic because well, it just doesn't seem like it would fit, you know? Besides, you will see why later on.
4. I APPRECIATE all of your reviews!!! I've decided to put this chapter as 12, because of all the people reviewing the posting for 10 and 11, even though I SAID not to. XD;;; Anyway, yeah.
NEXT CHAPTER!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Strength of the Heart
Part 10
Sakura opened her eyes.
The curtains lightly billowed in the cool morning breeze coming through her open window. She turned over onto her side, facing the window and feeling the cool air blow gently across her face. She drew a deep breath.
Today was the day of her huge bachelorette party Ino insisted on throwing for her.
Sakura sat up, rubbing her eyes with both fists. Mixed feelings filled her heart as she looked down at her left hand. Sasuke's engagement ring sparkled in the morning sunlight, reflecting in her green eyes.
I can't believe it. She thought to herself. Sakura's gaze turned to the window once more.
She was in her room, slowly thinking about the past several days.
Ino had insisted that she sleep in her own bed, as she and Sasuke weren't married yet, and therefore it would make the time spent together more precious as they rarely saw each other. Sakura had rolled her eyes and playfully slapped her friend on her shoulder. But seeing as Ino was her best friend, she had taken her advice to heart, and gone along with it.
In the meantime, the reception was the large main event of the post-wedding celebration. Ino had also said that this would be where the majority of the villagers would attend, as mainly just close friends and family were supposed to attend the actual wedding ceremony. The Holy Man had also suggested that the family shrine be the location of the ceremony. Ino had of course argued against this, saying that the Uchiha Gardens were a much more idealistic location for a wedding.
Both Sasuke and Sakura agreed.
Peeking out her window, Sakura's gaze came to rest upon a grand set-up, chairs being carefully placed in the soft grass, and a long red carpet being laid out in between the two rows of chairs. At the front, was the large fountain in which lovely red and white flowers hung down on both sides like a vine, (compliments of the Yamanaka's.) Sakura smiled faintly.
A soft knock sounded on her door, jerking her attention back to her room.
As of late, Ino had been coming over nearly every day to help with the set-up. The wedding reception would take place in the lower level of the Uchiha Main house, and because of that, Sakura had received a wake-up call every single morning precisely at 9am sharp.
Green eyes flicked over to the digital clock resting upon the TV across the room.
It read 7:45.
Getting up soundlessly, Sakura crept to the door, listening silently for any louder noises downstairs that might signify her friend and the workers coming early to work on the setup…
She heard nothing.
Taking a deep breath, she slowly opened the door, peering out through the small crack. Before she knew what happened, the door had slid open completely, a black blur entering and grabbing her around the waist. In an instant the door was closed again and Sakura found herself pressed up against the wall and felt an arm wrapped possessively around her waist and someone's breath tickling her neck.
She looked up, startled, groggy emerald meeting intense onyx.
"O-Ohayo." She whispered, trying to keep herself from trembling as Sasuke gently pushed them away from the wall. Sakura held her breath and closed her eyes.
She felt herself being turned around.
Sasuke buried his face in her hair, his arms wrapping around her small frame and molding their bodies together.
"Ohayo." He whispered in the shell of her ear.
Sakura drew in a deep breath, breathing in his scent and wrapping her arms around his neck as she hugged him back.
"Three more days." His husky voice said in her ear.
Sakura nodded, her head resting on his shoulder. Her eyes found the clock once more and she smiled.
"We still have about an hour before Ino gets here…" Her voice was playful, yet hesitant at the same time. Sasuke noted this, but said nothing. He bent slightly and scooped her up into his arms, carrying her to the bed.
"A whole hour huh?" He smirked playfully as he bent closer, brushing his lips against hers. "I'll take what I can get. I haven't seen you in days."
Sakura giggled.
It was the truth though. Ino had been keeping her busy for the past several weeks, planning out wedding details, organizing everyone and even getting the guys to get yukatas.
Sakura was put in charge of helping the workers set everything up outside, showing them exactly where everything should be placed, giving plenty of room for the Yamanakas to come in and set up their elaborate and gorgeous flower arrangements.
Which Ino hadn't let her see yet, by the way.
Sasuke was in charge of taking care of the reception and the catering. He didn't sound too enthusiastic when Naruto had gleefully suggested that he hire "Gramps" from Ichiraku to provide the food for the post-wedding ceremony.
Sasuke and Sakura had briefly seen each other, mainly in passing, and had time only for a quick peck on the cheek or a half hug before Ino hustled her away or Sasuke got called away by Neji, earning himself a smirk from the eldest Hyuuga.
Sakura snuggled up close to him and closed her eyes. Just being in his arms was more than enough for her.
"Sasuke-kun?" she whispered after a moment. He didn't reply. Sakura slowly turned to look at him.
He was fast asleep.
She smiled faintly, gently kissing him on the lips before cuddling deep into his possessive embrace.
Ino found them later on once she had come over. The happy couple-to-be were wrapped tightly in each other's arms, both sound asleep. Ino covered her mouth with her hand, giggling softly as she silently closed the door after peering in.
Sakura will kill me if I wake her up. I'll let them sleep…for now. Ino thought to herself. A sly smile crossed her face then.
Sneaking back downstairs, Ino grabbed her camera that she was using to take photos for the photo documentary on the "great Uchiha wedding." Giggling silently to herself, she snuck back upstairs and slid the door open a fraction. She zoomed in on the slumbering couple, and quickly snapped a picture. She shut the door promptly once she heard movement inside. "Yes!" She nearly squeaked once she was back downstairs.
"What're you talking about?" Neji asked, coming up and looking over her shoulder. Ino smiled as she spun around, showing Neji the picture taken in digital. Neji smirked to himself.
"I want a copy of that. Uchiha won't be able to have anything on me now." Ino giggled. "You men are so bad." She said, a sly smile gracing her features again. Raising an eyebrow at her, Neji leaned up against the doorway. "Oh? And for what purpose do you have for keeping that picture?"
Ino grinned. "Don't ask me that."
A few hours later, Sakura woke to find the sun streaming through the open window. Wait, open? The sleepy girl sat straight up in bed, hearing a groan beside her. Her eyes jerked over to the right side of her bed upon hearing the unaccustomed complaint of waking up so suddenly. "Sasuke-kun?" She whispered her eyes wide.
Jeez, after not having him beside you for a little over a month, you sure do forget things easily. Inner Sakura said, yawning in protest too.
Oh yeah, he came in early this morning…oh shit! What time is it???
Look at the clock stupid. Inner Sakura said, flopping back down and closing her eyes again.
Sakura's jade orbs found the clock once more and she saw that it was already pushing 11am. Her eyes widened as she found a note folded neatly by her bed. Getting up, Sakura picked up the note and carefully unfolded it.
Her emerald eyes widened as she found that the note wasn't just a piece of paper, but something written on a picture.
It was taken a short while ago, while she and Sasuke were asleep. Sakura blushed heavily as she quickly read what the note said off to the side of the picture.
Sakura,
Remember how a little while back you said that I couldn't get anything on you for blackmail?
How very wrong you were forehead. My demands are this: Get your lazy ass out of bed and come help!! Tell Sasuke to do the same, because Neji has personally asked for a copy of this picture. I will follow up on my demands if you two aren't downstairs within the hour.
I love you forehead girl!
-Ino
Sakura swallowed hard before jumping onto the bed shaking Sasuke awake.
"Sasuke-kun…" She said, her heart pounding rapidly against her chest. Deciding that it would most likely be rude to wake him, she crept to the bathroom, freshening up quickly and emerging fully dressed.
Stealing one last glance at her husband-to-be sound asleep, she smiled faintly before slipping out of the room noiselessly.
Ino was downstairs hustling about, sending attendants all over the place. Sakura's eyes widened in wonder and amazement as the ceremonial area was completely decorated in white and red.
A giggle escaped her lips as her gaze fell upon Neji's group. He was holding an armful of black yukatas, and arguing with Naruto. As she approached, she could hear her blonde teammate's loud protests.
"There's no way in HELL you're getting me into one of those damn things!" The Hokage-to-be hollered.
Sakura snuck up next to him and linked her arm with his.
"What's wrong Naruto?" She asked a hint of a smile on her face.
Naruto jumped as he realized who it was.
"N-nothing Sakura-chan! Neji-teme and I were just having a discussion! Where have you been all day?"
Sakura grinned as she saw Neji's face turn red.
"Don't worry Neji, he will wear it." She said, patting Neji on the arm. The Hyuuga's glare softened, but only slightly.
"What?! What do you mean I'll wear it!?" Naruto blurted out loudly.
Sakura rolled her eyes. It was too early for all this.
"Naruto, this is probably one of the few favors I will ever ask of you. Sasuke-kun and I are getting married! It's the least you can do for your teammates, right? Be reasonable, it's not that bad. You wore something similar to Sandaime-sama's memorial, remember?"
Naruto looked downcast for a moment as all three silently paid a silent moment of respect to their deceased former Hokage.
"All right Sakura-chan, I'll do it. Just for you though. If Sasuke-teme says anything though, I'll pound his ass for it."
Sakura sighed, rolling her eyes. "I somehow highly doubt that Naruto, Sasuke-kun's going to be wearing the something of the same thing."
"Oh SAKURA-CHAN!!!" Sakura spun on her heel at the piercing voice that pointedly interrupted their conversation.
"You weren't supposed to see the decorations yet!!!" Ino whined, pulling Sakura away from the group and covering her friend's eyes. "And where the hell is Sasuke? I thought that picture would be enough to scare his ass out of bed!"
"Apparently you didn't think enough." A cold voice said from behind.
Neji smirked as Ino stiffened.
Sakura smiled. "Ohayo Sasuke-kun!" She said cheerfully, still blindfolded by the blonde's hand.
Sasuke moved forward, pulling his fiancé out of Ino's hold and steered her away, still being sure Sakura didn't see the decorations.
"If you'll excuse us, we have a meeting with the Holy Man. Sakura will be back in a few hours Ino." Sasuke added, seeing Ino open her mouth stubbornly to protest. He nodded once to Neji, and punched Naruto hard in the head.
"OI, TEME! What the hell was that for?!" Naruto shouted after them.
Sasuke smirked. "For being a dumbass." He replied, wrapping an arm around Sakura's waist.
Ino moved forward, a determined glare on her face.
"Sasuke, I really can't—"
"Let us go? Too bad. As I said, we have a meeting in five minutes. Come Sakura, we'll be late." His grip tightened around her and she blushed as she nodded.
"Hai, Sasuke-kun. Ino-chan, I'll see you later, ok?"
Ino rolled her eyes. "Fine. Neji, don't you guys have a party to plan or something anyway?" Neji smirked as Sasuke threw him a questioning glance. Naruto grinned widely and threw an arm around Neji's neck.
"Yeah we do! Sasuke-teme, you go have fun with Sakura-chan. We'll take care of everything!"
Sasuke started to take a step towards Naruto, but Sakura stopped him.
"Please, can we just go Sasuke-kun?" She asked softly in his ear, gently tugging on the wide collar of his shirt. He smirked and looked down at his soon to be wife.
"Aa." He murmured, taking her hand in his and leading them away from the group.
As soon as they were clear of his house and out of the Uchiha Estate, Sasuke lead her off in a different direction, away from where the Holy Man lived.
"Umm, Sasuke?" Sakura asked, resisting a little by tugging her hand against his pull.
He looked back at her, a smirk on his face.
"Come on." He said, gently pulling her towards him.
"But…where are we going? You said—"
"I know. But do you really think if I'd asked for you for the whole afternoon Ino would just let you go?"
Sakura chewed her lip a moment before responding.
"No." She stared at the ground for a moment before Sasuke gave her hand a light squeeze.
That was when he really felt a noticeable change on her hand. Her fingertips were smooth, having been scrubbed hard from all the years of training in the medical field. Her palms were rough, having wielded kunai and shuriken since before their academy days. His own were similar, but having less coarseness from using katon jutsus all of his life.
Which brought him currently to where he was now.
He brought them both to a halt at a lake. Very familiar grounds were across the water, however about 200 meters away. Sakura stared at him for a moment before her eyes found where they had just been not so long ago.
"Why did you bring me here?"
"Because there is something I want to teach you." He said, walking to the edge of the bank. Water sloshed lightly across his toes as he took a defensive stance.
"Watch." He commanded.
Serpent, Ram, Monkey, Boar, Horse, Tiger…
"KATON! GOUKYAKUU NO JUTSU!"
A large ball of fire shot out of Sasuke's mouth, hovering just inches above the water's surface. It rippled out across the lake as Sasuke finally released the jutsu after a moment.
Sakura's eyes were observant, having seen her teammate use this particular jutsu several times in the years that she'd known him.
Sasuke smirked as he came back to her side, running his sleeve across the side of his mouth.
"Your turn." He stated simply.
Sakura jerked her widening green eyes up to his face.
"What!?" She nearly squeaked. "I-I can't! I-I'm not an Uchiha! I don't know how to wield fire style!"
Sasuke smirked as he came up next to her.
"Yes, you can." He said, his tone confident as he steered her towards the lake. "Second, you will be an Uchiha in about three days; and third, it isn't all that hard."
He took her hands in his own as he faced her.
"This is what I want you to do." He spoke in a soft tone, reassuring her and easing her fears as he explained how to gather her chakra into her chest, and release it into a focused ball of flame.
"The seals aren't complicated. This jutsu is meant for use in relatively close combat. We don't have time for a complicated jutsu unless our opponent is incapacitated or immobile."
Sakura nodded, her quick mind taking in all the details instantly. She stepped up to the bank, closing her eyes as she ran through her photographic memory for the 6-sealed jutsu. Once her hands clasped together forming the last seal, she did as Sasuke instructed. She gathered her chakra to the top of her chest, imagining a large bubble and then releasing it.
"KATON! GOUKYAKUU NO JUTSU!"
Her typically light and sweet voice had transformed into a menacingly sharp voice that could send shivers down even the bravest of men's spines.
Sasuke's dark eyes watched in amazement as a large ball of fire flew out 10 feet from Sakura, hovering exactly where his had only moments before. Sakura couldn't hold the jutsu for long, however, and she released it after only a few seconds.
Turning to face him, she was breathing hard, but had a victorious look in her fierce emerald eyes.
"I did it." She said, smiling broadly.
Sasuke smirked. "You did." He said, wrapping her in a hug. "Congratulations." His words were soft, yet she could still hear a hint of pride in them.
Sakura could help herself. She beamed.
"Come on Forehead girl! You're never going to look hot unless you wear it!" Ino complained later on that evening. The two girls were sitting in Ino's room, attempting to get ready for Sakura's bachelorette party.
"Besides…" Ino continued, a sly smirk on her face "I know Sasuke-kun will approve."
Sakura crossed her arms, turning away from, in her opinion, the hideous outfit Ino had laid out on the bed for her.
It was a short-er skirt than what she was used to, along with a white halter top with the Uchiha crest on the left breast. (Stop thinking dirty, it's like an emblem on a shirt. xD)
The skirt was black, and SHORT. Ino had insisted that she get to style Sakura's hair up the way a model would. So now, Sakura's now shoulder-length hair was tied up in a loose bun, the few chunks of pink hanging down were curled around her cheeks, making her look older, and in Ino's opinion, hot.
Sakura blushed a darker shade of crimson, clashing terribly with her hair color when Ino pulled a pair of black stiletto heeled boots from her closet.
"Now, add these with the outfit and you'll be the hottest kunoichi in Konoha, after me, of course."
Both girls giggled.
But Sakura made no move to start getting dressed.
"I-Ino, I can't wear this…" She said softly, knowing full good and well that this party went against tradition and she didn't know how her fiancée would take to it.
"Sa-Sasuke-kun won't like it."
Ino rolled her eyes. "He's not going to be here." She stated matter-of-factly. "Neji-kun is seeing to that."
Sakura's eyes widened.
"Wait…Neji-kun?!" She asked incredulously.
Ino smiled as she threw a pillow at her best friend. "Not like that usuratonkachi!" She squealed, covering her face with her hands.
"Besides, Tenten would kill me."
Sakura snorted. "That she would." Her emerald eyes sparkled as she smiled at her best friend. She knew Ino was trying to ease her anxieties over her marriage. And she was grateful.
"Sakura." Sakura looked up after a moment at the blonde kunoichi.
"You know Sasuke's not going to let anything happen to you." She said softly. Sakura smiled slightly, still not looking at the outfit. She knew with all her heart that she would be safe with him, that he was different from her father, in that he was not a pig who took advantage of his strength and used it against weaker people.
Weak. That feeling left a bad taste in her mouth. Sakura finally tore her eyes away and started to get up. Already resolving on something.
"What time does this party start tonight?" She asked, tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear. Ino rested a finger on her chin as she thought back to her and Tenten's plotting discussion earlier.
"Seven pm sharp." She stated, standing too. She pointed to the outfit on the bed.
"Go get dressed! The girls will be here any moment!" Ino giggled.
Sakura rolled her eyes as she snatched the clothing and moved towards the bathroom.
"If you mess up your hair I'm gonna kill you!!" Ino called cheerfully after her.
Sakura smiled. "Hn." She murmured.
Ino grinned. "You're sounding more and more like an Uchiha by the day."
xxx
A/N: OK!!!!!! I'm leaving it here, and am working on the next chapter. I wanted to at least get this out for you all because I know I've been a bad author and not updated since May.../
I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOO VERY SORRY!!!!!!!!!
Leave a review if you want! I'm working on the next chapter starting tomorrow. I think I've got some extra time. Hehehe!!!
Ja mata ne!
♥ Uchiha Sakura