A/N: And so we came to the end. Part I we should thank SapphireRivulet. I am very glad to say during the past week I have emailed almost hundreds of betas and found a few to my liking. I I am very very lucky and very grateful to them.

The second Part will be beta-ed by QueenGambit. She is also a terrific beta, I am looking forward to working with her.

Just a warning for readers who wants to continue on reading this story. The second part of this story will be darker, but not significantly. I will slowly lead the readers up to that point. The first couple of chapters of Part II is fun and happy, much like Part I, but slowly they will lead so something deeper than... whatever this is.

Please enjoy.

Chapter 20

When Sakura walked past the Uchiha Gates, she was awed. Not because of the size; her house back at home was pretty big too. Rather, it was because of the many, many Uchihas that were waiting patiently out the front of the mansion for the newlywed couple.

She had never realized how many there were, and they all looked upon her with various expressions portraying their opinions, judgments, and disdain.

"Ignore them," Sasuke whispered into her ear whilst brushing her arm with his hand, snaking it down until it was entwined with her fingers.

"I..." Sakura couldn't say anymore. She was in the presence of Uchiha Madara.

"Sakura-Chan," Madara acknowledged with a smile, and motioned to Kakashi to hand Sasuke a box. Sasuke opened it with a blank expression, and discovered a ring perched on purple velvet. "Well? Put it on her," Madara ordered.

Sasuke put the ring on Sakura's finger without portraying much emotion. Madara didn't seem to care. With a flick of his hand, the house was filled with the voices of congratulatory wishes.

Sakura and Sasuke stood in the middle, like puppets.

Sasuke introduced Sakura to every member of his family, and unfortunately Sakura forget their names as soon as they were given. One particular man seemed interested in her, because he asked Sasuke if the marriage was for love, or simply because Madara ordered it to happen.

Sasuke sighed, his demeanor tired. "I can't talk about this now, Sai. Leave us alone."

Sai tilted his head, questions dancing across his features. "Do you not enjoy my company, dear cousin?"

"I enjoy it very much when you don't open your mouth," Sasuke replied.

Sai's voice was emotionless when he gave his answer. "But I am talking for your own good, and also for the good of my sister-in-law. Sakura-Chan, did you know that Sasuke had a girlfriend named Karin?"

Sasuke wanted to punch him.

Sakura thought about it. "Karin. What a pretty name," she stated.

Sasuke wondered if she was actually listening to herself.

Sai then added, "Sakura-Chan, please watch out for her. She may sound nice, but inside she is actually the devil. So you really need to -"

"Sai!" Sasuke hissed at him.

Sai looked at Sasuke innocently. "What?"

"I..." Before Sasuke could come up with an appropriate retort, he decided to go find his brother. "Say whatever you want to her. At this point, it doesn't matter."

He walked off.

Sakura stayed and listened as Sai told her about Karin, and all the precautions she would need to take against her new found enemy. Sakura listened carefully, because she thought that Sai was by far the easiest person to talk to. If she were to go around and see one more judgmental look from another Uchiha, she would burst. Sai showed no emotions, and he was actually giving her advice on her marriage. For example, she never knew that Sasuke dared not ride a bike backwards until he was ten years old. Or that to that day, he still hated eating apples.

"Why are you not with your wife?" Itachi asked as he poured them both a glass of vodka tonic.

Sasuke took the drink with a grateful look. "Sai."

"Ah." Itachi understood as he added a couple of ice cubes into his cup. "Lovely."

"Brother, was this really a good idea? Sakura is too innocent," Sasuke said.

"You were always so soft hearted." Itachi smiled while he raised his glass to his lips. "Well, I can assure you that whatever happens, as long as I am alive, I will be there to take care of you."

Little did he know that one day that promise would be a heavy, heavy burden on his shoulders.

Sasuke raised his glass too. He clinked it against Itachi's and finished what was left in one gulp. "Thank you."

Itachi smiled slightly. It was a gentle sort of smile, reserved only for the people he loved dearly.

Sasuke walked off to find his new bride.

Itachi stood by the corner and swirled the contents of his glass. He took a sip of the liquid and turned around to face the Uchiha Gates.

He knew all too well that once you enter those gates, you can't get out.

He raised the glass slightly, before gulping down what was left.

Welcome to the family, Sakura.