Chapter XXV
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The day had come for Sakura's release to the Underworld, where the husband lingered. Mebuki and Tsunade stood at the mouth of the entrance.
"Just watch, Grandmother. You will see. His corruption of my daughter."
The Mother Goddess narrowed her pale eyes, watching as her great-granddaughter stumble into the Underworld. That crisp white clothing she wore started to melt and mix with the soil until it became black and dripped with blood. Sakura's hair had lost its vibrancy, and fell long to the ground, a crown of bone and thorns grew around her head.
The spirits of the underworld began to roar and cry with a ferocity that it thrummed inside Tsunade's heart: 'Our Queen, our Lady has returned to us. Our Queen! Desponia!'
Sakura threw herself at the God King that stood, awaiting her with open arms. Tears streamed from his eyes and he held her close and tight. "Just like you promised, my love," he said, tucking a petal-less rose behind her ear and falling to his knees. "Welcome back, my Queen. Our Kingdom rejoices in your return."
"Itachi," Sakura cried, clutching as his clothes to bring her lips to his and they kissed with more passion than Tsunade had ever seen.
"See, Grandmother, a spell. He has put her under a spell and tempts her away from me." Mebuki cried.
Tsunade paused, watching as the God picked her up in his arms, and she relaxed into his embrace, whispers of love on her lips and in her heart. This woman was so different from the little bird she saw collapsed in the middle of a beautiful garden with tears in her eyes and bloody hands.
Mebuki couldn't see it.
Of course, she couldn't.
But Tsunade could.
The Spring Goddess didn't eat that fruit unwillingly. She ate it to stay with the one she loved, to keep hold of a freedom that her mother would never grant her.
Tsunade turned away, leaving a gasping and crying Mebuki in her footsteps.
I give you my blessing, great-granddaughter. You have chosen a good man.
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