The week after Queen Kushina's funeral, Itachi felt completely back to normal and ready to schedule a return to Konoha. There was only one thing that weighed on his soul. Every minute he spent with Sakura he was painfully reminded of how he was not only hiding the truth of her origins, but he was likely hindering her future. The Yamanaka family wasn't wealthy or pure-blooded enough to allow for two single daughters. He knew that Ino would likely continue to work under Kakashi, but that would place her in danger and risk leaving Sakura by herself with nothing to her name.
His reclusive nature prevented rumors of the strange nature of his relationship with Sakura, but after they went to the funeral together, there was no stopping the talk of the unknown pink-haired lady who was accompanying the Uchiha Duke. If his mother was still around, she'd be scolding him for his careless and improper behavior.
Itachi stared at the selection of jewelry displayed in front of him. He felt responsible for her, and while he hadn't ever worried about marriage, he felt that it was likely the proper thing to do. Itachi had always expected that his parents would pick a suitable wife of noble background and good connections for him. Yet he was now buying a ring for a girl that represented none of those things.
"This one." Itachi pointed at a small golden band encrusted with rubies. It was discrete, delicate and yet fancy. It'd match the Uchiha tiara he gave her. Yet, I haven't seen her wear it since I returned from the war, Itachi thought.
He walked back to the Yamanaka home with the small box burning a hole in his coat pocket. His plan was to propose to Sakura first, and once he had her consent, talk with Inoichi Yamanaka. They could have a small, private wedding in Konoha once the remainders of the plague were gone. As the Uchiha Duchess Sakura would be protected from any form of ridicule, and she'd be set for life, no matter what happened to him.
Itachi found Sakura alone in the drawing room, folding clothes. He knew that her parents wouldn't be home, as they were going to the shop, and he saw Ino and Sai together in the Business District. Taking a deep breath, Itachi took a step forward, reminding himself of the words he had previously prepared.
"Sakura, may we speak?" Itachi asked, hoping he wasn't sounding nervous. She looked up from her task and nodded, stepping away from the freshly dried clothes.
"Do you feel ill again? You look a little paler than usual." Sakura approached him with a look of concern and Itachi took a step back reflexively.
"No, I'm quite fine. Please sit, I have something to ask of you." Itachi placed his hand in his pocket, taking hold of the small box. He waited for her to be seated before walking forward, kneeling down. "Sakura, would you marry me?" He asked, presenting her the ring with shaky hands.
He watched the shock take over her face as she stared at the ring with an open mouth. She was so frozen that it looked like she had been hit with a spell. Every second began to feel like a year and Itachi's knee began to ache under his weight.
"I'm sorry… I'm truly really thankful but I can't." Sakura turned her face away, closing her eyes.
Out of all the scenarios, Itachi hadn't been expecting a refusal. Unsure if what to do, he stood up again, feeling the rejection burn his soul, filling him with anger and frustration.
"May I ask why?" He asked, unable to hide the bitterness in his voice.
"Oh, Itachi it's not that I dislike you, that's not it at all!" Sakura looked at him apologetically. "You may think me silly and naive, but despite my unknown birth and my family, I am still a romantic at heart. I wish to get married out of love, and I just don't believe that you love me." Sakura smiled sadly, and Itachi felt his anger for her dissipate.
"You're surprisingly insightful." He muttered.
"I'm sure you're full of good thoughts and intentions, but I don't think you should tie yourself to me out of duty or pride. You might regret it, resent me and ruin the rest of your life. As a friend, I can't let you do this. You deserve to find someone who you love, someone who loves you back just as much and live happily with them." Sakura stood up, laying a comforting hand on Itachi's shoulder. He found himself sighing, she had just rejected his earnest proposal and yet he couldn't even be angry at her and her thoughtfulness.
"You're wrong about one thing. I doubt I'll ever find this love you speak of." Itachi genuinely believed that love was something that died with his family. He cared about Sakura, he wished her well, and that's the most he could ever offer anyone.
"I disagree. You are a good man, Itachi. You just need to open yourself up to those around you." Sakura tapped his shoulder comfortingly.
.
.
.
Sakura didn't sleep at all during the night. The memory of Itachi's proposal haunted her night as she agonized over her decision to decline him. If her parents ever found out, they'd certainly be disappointed with her, for turning down the safe, comfortable future that being Itachi's wife meant.
However, deep down Sakura knew she'd be setting herself up for a lifetime of suffering. She genuinely really liked Itachi and admired him, despite his flaws. She knew that if she continued to spend time with him, she might even grow to love him. However she knew deep down there was a large part of Itachi's emotions and thoughts that was closed off to her, she knew he hid secrets from her, and she knew that if she married him, she'd spend her life knowing that he chose her for duty, and not for love, and she'd always doubt his feelings.
Despite Itachi's assurance that he held no grudge towards her and understood her feelings, Sakura was still dreading the following day. Nobody enjoyed being rejected, and she hoped she hadn't destroyed the relationship she had with him. She prayed that he wouldn't further push her away, walling her off after the sting of her denial.
As the sun rose and she stared at her mirror, Sakura thought of running away again. She knew it was pointless and wouldn't accomplish anything, but she wished to be able to run away from her complicated feelings. Sighing, she gave up on sleep completely, and decided that if she couldn't run away, she could at least bake a little to get her mind off of things. It was early enough that if she started now, she could have bread ready for breakfast. Smiling at herself sadly, Sakura gathered her long hair in a bun and stood up, silently making her way out of the room and into the kitchen.
Sakura mindlessly mixed the ingredients, kneading the dough in a daze, her mind blissfully empty. For the first time in a while she muted and deafened herself in order to feel the softness of the dough and smell the freshness of the dawn. After spending so long without bothering with her other senses, she was reminded how much she missed then.
Shaping the bread and delicately placing it on an oven tray, Sakura smiled at her handiwork, allowing it to grow naturally before baking it in the oven. She walked towards the outside, hoping to enjoy the early sun rays. As soon as she opened the door, however, she was shocked to find Kakashi on the other side, fist raised as if he had been about to knock on the door. Startled, Sakura stood there shocked, watching his lips move.
Blinking rapidly, Sakura stepped to the side, motioning for him to come inside, using the opportunity to switch back to communication mode.
"I'm sorry I didn't catch what you were saying." Sakura apologized to Kakashi as she guided him into the kitchen. Noticing the mess she had made, she blushed. "We should move to the living room."
"Were you baking bread?" Kakashi looked at Sakura's work. She nodded and Kakashi smiled at her. "I don't wish to get in your way, I just have something that needs to be urgently discussed with Itachi."
"Of course, I can show you to his room."
"No need, I am here." Itachi surprised both Sakura and Kakashi with his sudden appearance.
"Wonderful, because I need to speak to the two of you." Kakashi pointed at the two of them and then towards the living room. Sakura followed him curiously, wondering what was going on.
The three of them sat down, Sakura shifting around uncomfortably, as she tried to figure out why Kakashi was there very early in the morning to urgently talk to Kakashi and herself.
"You two might know this already, but the current disease has spread to all corners of the world, including Wind. Their King died yesterday, and before he died he nominated his third son as his successor." Kakashi stopped to share a meaningful look with Itachi. "There have been some complications with that. The future King has asked Fire's support for his coronation, hoping that having foreign royalty presence will assist in his legitimacy. The Wind Nomads are disputing the third son's right to the crown."
"No." Itachi interrupted Kakashi, Sakura looked between them, still trying to keep up with the complex politics.
"The prince is going with his fiancée and future Queen Lady Hinata, and for the sake of their safety, we're making a small, secret caravan for their travel, and Itachi your presence is required for protection. Miss Sakura's presence has also been required by Lady Hinata, as she will require a companion." Kakashi finished delivering his message. Itachi glared at him, crossed arms, looking upset.
"Why me?" Sakura asked. She was certain there would be someone better than her for the role.
"You'll have to ask Lady Hinata. She's personally requested you." Kakashi shrugged. Sakura had met Lady Hinata during the Queen's funeral and they had gotten along really well then, but she didn't think it warranted this kind of special attention.
"Regardless of the young lady's wishes, we're not going. I'm not a prince's bodyguard." Itachi sounded inflexible.
"You're the country's premier magician, and as you've already fallen ill, you are not at risk of doing so again. It would be a very small group, only six people. We'll need your skills and firepower. The only other wizard in the country that could provide the strength of a hundred soldiers is Madam Tsunade, but she cannot leave the country." Kakashi pleaded with Itachi. Knowing that she likely had no agency in this discussion, Sakura excused herself, citing she needed to put the bread in the oven.
She left the two of them alone, as they angrily whispered to each other, discussing the issue at hand. Personally she'd enjoy traveling, seeing new places and different people, but she wasn't sure if she was suited to be the companion to the future Queen.
"Will I have to do her hair and fix her dresses?" Sakura asked herself as she slid the tray with the bread into the oven. Looking around she decided she could at least offer Kakashi something to drink, as this situation likely meant he too had been awake all night.
As she stepped closer to the living room, Sakura stopped when her hair fell off of her bun. As she was fixing her hair once more, she heard their discussion, as their voices had raised beyond whispers.
"There's further reason to going. Orochimaru had a couple of hideouts in Wind, building them after the peace treaty. We might be able to find more information on Sakura and his current location. I just have a feeling that even without arms that man is deadlier than I'm comfortable with."
"Then we leave her here. I don't want her getting close to anything related to the snake."
"We can leave her in Wind's capital with Lady Hinata. You know these royal affairs always span several days and different events. She'll be so busy that she won't even notice you missing."
"I still think it's a terrible idea."
"The royal family is stubborn and even Madam Tsunade agrees with this plan, so it's easier to just accept now than to argue with them."
Sakura re-entered the room, and they interrupted their conversation.
"Would you two be interested in breakfast?" She offered.
"We can talk more later." Itachi nodded, standing up and walking past Sakura into the kitchen.
She smiled bitterly at the floor, feeling the icy wall between them
Wind Nomads: Wind country's population is unique due to half of it being nomadic in nature. The Wind Nomads were originally nomadic tribes, unified by the power of the Wind King. They respect only strength and the desert, never staying in one place for long. The only head to a city when it is time to crown a new King, where they will test the upcoming King's strength, to determine their worthiness. If the nomads are unsatisfied with the King they will attack merchant caravans and kidnap desert travelers to use as slaves. The strong, stubborn nomads are crucial to Wind's position as an unconquerable country, as every time Wind has been invaded, the nomads have ruthlessly crushed the invaders.
This week I'd like to thank all the readers and the wonderful reviews I've received. Reading your thoughts and theories brings me great joy every week, motivating me to keep pushing on. Next week I won't be able to post normally as I'll be traveling, but as soon as I am home again, I will deliver the next chapter as soon as I can. We're now approaching the last leg and climax of the story so please look forward to the upcoming weeks!