Day 16: Shiromuku
"I always thought you'd go for the wedding dress," Ino observed as she watched Sakura in the mirror. "Maybe not the froth and ruffles, but you know, the…" She trailed off as she made the vague hourglass shape with her hands against Sakura's barrel silhouette.
"You think?" Sakura smoothed her hand down the heavy silk obi that concealed her curves. Every stitch of the intricate embroidery brushed against her fingertips. With the traditional headpiece covering her distinctive pink hair, Sakura couldn't help but think of all the other Uchiha brides who would have looked exactly like her, putting on the Shiromuku to enter the gates of the ancient clan.
They were all gone now. It was just her and him and the ghosts that they'd have to work to exorcise.
She'd drawn the line at wearing his mother's shiromuku, though. Even if the old garment had been found amongst the dusty clan relics, she hadn't wanted to carry that forward into her marriage with Sasuke-kun. Sasuke hadn't argued with her when he'd brought it up, but she'd seen the slight flash of disappointment in his eyes when she'd instinctively recoiled at the idea
Sakura hadn't known what to do - her own mother had gotten married in a rented dress - until her shishou called her into her office one day, a large package off to the side.
"Take it," Tsunade had gestured with her chin. Her eyes never looked at the parcel. "I heard you and that Uchiha boy talking about it in the hallway. These things aren't cheap, you know. Doesn't make sense to go out and buy a new one."
Despite her many gambling debts, Tsunade had kept her wedding kimono.
Sakura had picked it up with trembling hands, gingerly brushing aside the tissue paper yellowed with age to see the pristine white silk peeking through. Overcome by emotions, trying desperately to keep her tears from falling on the precious gift, she gathered up the kimono and bowed deeply to her Shishou. As she turned to find Sasuke to tell him the news, she pretended not to see the tear falling down Tsunade's face.
"Not that you don't look lovely, and it was nice of Tsunade to give it to you, but…" Ino trailed off as she saw the soft smile on Sakura's face.
Standing here now, trying on her second mother's wedding kimono, Sakura smiled at her reflection. "I think it looks good on me."