Wedding

Tenzou stood at the back of the ceremony hall while the wedding took place, riddled with guilt. He'd waited so long to tell Sakura about Kakashi's last words that he felt like this wedding was all his fault. The princess was stony-faced and strangely disheveled for a bride. He knew, like most everyone in the hall, that she had just thrown some kind of monstrous fit and nearly taken the building down. Ninja had almost evacuated the hall.

But here she was, calm and ice-cold, going through the ceremony as though nothing had happened. If Sasori had any complaints about her sudden appearance he kept them to himself. His grandmother, Lady Chiyo, stood to one side while Midara stood to the other, having rushed in just after her daughter.

"I told her," A voice said near Tenzou's elbow. He turned to see Tsunade leaned on the wall next to him.

"I figured," He said. "Did you tell her all of it?"

"Yeah. You were right. The first thing she wanted to do was leave to go look for him."

Tenzou sighed, rubbing his temple up under his mask.

"He was afraid of that. Still think she'll go?" He asked.

"She couldn't if she wanted to," Tsunade shrugged. "She's going to be watched. There's no way they'll let her just leave."

"Were they….together?" Tenzou asked, hating himself as he watched Sakura's impassive face at the front of the room.

"No, I don't think so." Tsunade said. "Why, did Kakashi tell you they were?"

"No, he said he hadn't done anything. But I wondered." Tenzou said. "I'm surprised she's up there now."

"Me too," Tsunade said. "But what choice did she have? There's the Akatsuki to think about."

"That Pain…" Tenzou ventured cautiously. "He could destroy this kingdom. The queen knows that, right?"

"She heard your report when you first arrived. She knows." Tsunade said. "Otherwise Sakura wouldn't be up there. Midara might be ruthless but I don't think she really wanted Sakura to have to do this."

"I'm leaving," Tenzou said. "I can't stay here any longer."

"You won't stay for the reception?" Tsunade teased lightly. "I'm sure there are lots of nice girls around."

Tenzou's mouth twitched but he stayed serious.

"Kakashi was my best friend," he told Tsunade. "He cared about Sakura more than anything else. Please, keep her safe."

"Where are you going to go?" Tsunade asked.

"I'm going back to the border," Tenzou said, looking into the distance. "I've got preparations to make for this war that's coming."

Sakura had been calm through the whole ceremony. Once she'd trashed her room she had felt empty, and she carried that emptiness right up to the altar, knowing she had no choice. She'd married Sasori of the Wind Kingdom in front of nearly everyone she knew, in a blood-stained kimono, with her hair in disarray. Luckily no one asked her about it.

Sasori had kissed her lightly on the cheek during the ceremony, for which she was grateful. He'd offered her his arm during the reception and she'd leaned on him slightly as she had to greet dignitaries, diplomats, and citizens all lined up to congratulate her on her alliance. Sasori remained attentive but quiet, just the way she liked. She'd gotten through the reception just fine but now night had fallen and she and Sasori were standing in the guest chambers that had been quickly cleaned out and decorated for their use in the hours since she'd destroyed her own room.

Sasori had skillfully pulled her away from the reception by announcing that she looked a little pale and escorting her out with a hand on the small of her back. There were a few unhelpful snickers but Sakura did her best to ignore them. She was tired. Maybe she could convince him to let her sleep before trying anything.

But the words stuck in her throat once she was the bed turned down and felt the heat of the fire built in the fireplace. Sasori let her go as soon as they were inside the room and went to the other side of the chamber to remove his boots. He kept his cloak and gloves on.

Sakura wavered as she heard the door click behind her. Suddenly her heart was pounding like mad and the whole thing seemed crazy. She didn't want to be married to this guy! She barely knew him. Now she had to...he would expect things and she didn't want to do any of it! She wanted her mother. Suddenly she felt like a little girl again.

"Don't be nervous," Sasori said from his spot across the room. "Are you scared?"

"Uh, yeah. A little," Sakura said. "I've never...well I mean you know I've never….I'm not sure if…."

"It's okay Sakura," Sasori said smoothly. "I'm not interested in consummating the marriage tonight either. Why don't we just get some rest?"

Relief flooded through every cell in Sakura's body. She relaxed muscles she hadn't realized were tense.

"Okay," She said. "I'll just...take a bath?"

"Of course," Sasori said, sitting on top of the covers of the bed. He gestured to the bathroom. "Go right ahead."

Sakura didn't question her luck. She gathered up a few items that had been placed there for her use (the night dress was entirely see through but she would worry about that later) and retreated to the bathroom, where she drew the hottest bath she could stand.

After her bath, she peeked out of the bathroom. Sasori was asleep on one side of the bed, under the covers. Another relief, because Sakura did not want him to see her in the lingerie that had been left for her. She crept across the room and slid into the bed next to him, careful not to touch.

She lay awake for many hours, paranoid that he would roll over and try to cuddle her or start something. But he stayed still; it was almost like he was barely breathing. It took hours for Sakura to relax enough to fall asleep, and when she did, she dreamed of Kakashi.

Once Sakura was asleep, which took longer than it should have, Sasori sat up and removed a tiny bird from the folds of his robes. It was only a puppet, made of wood and controlled by chakra, but it was beautiful in its delicacy. He whispered a destination into its tiny ear and instructed it to deliver his message to the leader.

It's done. I have her.

The little bird flew on chakra-controlled wings off to the Rain Village, where it delivered its message to a man whose satisfied smile was hidden behind an orange mask.