A/N: BONUS UPDATE TODAY!
Since the story is coming to an end with chapter 22, I thought I'll post everyday for the last 3 days!
However! If I get 5 or more reviews today I will post the LAST TWO CHAPTERS TOGETHER TOMORROW!
The entirety of Thursday Sakura spent fretting in the hospital. Yashamaru tried to coax her out of her stress by talking about the work they were going to publish but Sakura was just a bundle of nerves. Early morning Baasan had gotten her up and had started bombarding her with a ton of questions. After spending almost 45 minutes listening and learning about the menu, the music, the colour of invitations, the place settings, the decor of the house, designated space for the kids etc Sakura was more worried than confident. As Baachan helped her finish the guest list, she was ready to grab Daisuke and run:
Senju Clan - Tsunade sama
Sarutobi Clan - Mirai Sarutobi & her mother Kurenai Yūhi + Konohamaru
Hyuga Clan - Hiashi Hyūga and his wife + Hanabi and her fiancé Konohamaru (repeat) + Hinata & Himawari
Nara Clan - Shikhamaru & Tenmari
Yamanaka Clan - Sara Yamanka and her husband
Inuzuka Clan - Tsume Inuzuka & Husband + Kiba and his sister Hana
Aburame Clan - Shibi Aburame & Wife + Shino
Akimichi Clan - Chōza Akimichi & wife + Chouji
Hatake Clan - Kakashi San
Lee clan - Rock Lee and his wife
Uzumaki Clan - Naruto & Boruto
Besides the clans list, even though she wasn't part of Konoha yet, Yotsuki Samui would have to invited as a formality which meant other honorary guests had to be invited:
Raikage Darui & Yotsuki Samui
Kazakage Gaara & Hakuto and Yashamaru (because of whom the whole mess started!)
Mizukage Chōjūrō
Tsuchikage Kurotsuchi
Shizune Sama as head of the hospital
Neji Hyuga to represent the Police force with his wife TenTen
Sai as the director of the Anbu with his wife Ino
To add to this, Sasuke had for the first time visited her in the east wing before she left for work with a gift of formal Uchiha robes that he had gotten made for her and Daisuke, as well as some of his mother's jewellery that he had recently polished. He had also gifted her a katana fashioned very much like his own but with a white handle and scabbard. Sakura had been a little speechless and overwhelmed with everything and was still wondering if she had made the right decisions.
—
Once Sakura had left for work Baasan had gone to Sasuke to let him know what Sakura had decided and to inform him that she approved. Sasuke had smiled and handed Baasan the money needed to ensure the preparations were made. As he was leaving, he turned and asked "She realises that when I meant cook, I meant oversee the kitchen right?"
"Oh… I don't think so…" Baasan said
"Did you tell her?" Sasuke asked
"No…" Baasan said smiling
Sasuke looked shocked for a second and then burst out laughing. Wiping the mirth from his eyes he said "I hope she doesn't run away…"
"She won't…" Baasan said confidently
—
On Friday morning, Sasuke woke up before first light and waited for Sakura to show up in the kitchen. Around dawn, she came in frantic and began to bustle about wondering how to get started on the great dinner everyone was coming for. She picked and put back pots and pans repeatedly, she muttered and fretted all over. After about 5 minutes of watching her Sasuke entered.
"Good morning Haruno San…" He smiled and took the pan from her stunned hand, put it on the stove and started the fire. He added water and began to chop up vegetables as she stood.
"Would you like some breakfast? I was going to make some soup and maybe egg rolls to go with the rice…"
Sakura's stomach grumbled a little and she blushed "Yes, thank you…" she muttered "However, I was wondering, maybe I should get started on the dinner right after…"
Sasuke held back a smile and said "No point cooking on an empty stomach… Why don't you start on the rice for breakfast, I'll take care of the rest…"
They cooked in silence for a bit, once it was ready they sat down to eat. Daisuke had lumbered down half asleep following the smell of the food. They ate as Daisuke asked a ton of questions about the night…
"Is it true that Oka San will cook? Does she have to? She's terrible…" Daisuke asked earning a soft whack on the head from Sakura
"Finish your egg and go get ready, you have lessons with Baasan to learn how to behave…" Sakura said as Daisuke stuffed his face and left, leaving behind a pregnant pause
"You don't have to…" Sasuke said
"What?" Sakura asked
"Cook…" he clarified
"But you said…" Sakura said confused
"What it means it that you decide the menu and oversee the kitchen to ensure things are ready on time… Maybe do a taste check… You have to be the hostess with me, if you cook and serve the food, how will you greet the guests? How many Bunshin's can you hold all night long?" Sasuke asked with an amused smile on his face
Sakura was just stunned for a moment and then let out a sigh holding her head and going "Phew! Oh god! Thank you! My goodness I have been stressing for the last two days… this is… oh god, Sasuke thank you…" She said putting a hand on his arm as she got up and said "… and thank you for the breakfast… oh wow! I am so relieved, soooo sooo relieved…. Oh Kami!" Sakura said putting away her dishes and leaving
Sasuke could still feel her touch firm, yet gentle squeeze that Sakura had given his arm. He smiled as he finished his breakfast and then retired to west wing to look at estate matters.
—
As the sun began to set, for the first time in years the Uchiha lanterns lit up the pat to Sasuke's house. The house itself felt like a home, abuzz with activity. Sakura was given the finishing touches by her ladies maids and Daisuke was made to revise his basic etiquette with Baasan as Sasuke's sword was fastened around his waist by a manservant. At the clock struck 7:00pm Sasuke was already waiting in his formal dark blue robes along with his son in a matching set. As Sakura came out of the east wing in formal silk white and pink kimono with a specially made Uchiha robe in white, she looked radiant, almost like a bride. Sasuke smiled and bowed to her before offering her his hand. Sakura bowed lower than him and took it. As the tree of them stood there waiting to welcome their guests, they looked like the perfect little family.
As the guests arrived, some gave Sakura smiles of encouragement, particularly from her friends and peers but curious looks from the rest. Sasuke didn't leave Sakura alone fro a moment thought out the entire exchange. He introduced her as Haruno San the matriarch of the Uchiha family. He introduced Daisuke as his Heir. Daisuke and his friends shared the same looks of boredom and curiosity as the night progressed.
A lot of eyebrows were raised as Sakura was seated to Sasuke's right while Samui was seated to his left for the dinner. During the dinner however, Sakura was left to talk to only Tsunade Sama as Sasuke paid special attention to Samui. He served her and smiled for her and even made her laugh. Sakura's stomach dropped the longer the dinner continued. By the time the desserts rolled around, Samui had reached out and brushed Sasuke's shoulder and Sasuke had acknowledged her response. Tsunade was watching Sakura's face fall
Tsunade leaned into her favourite student and said "I could adopt you…"
Sakura just looked at her confused
Tsunade explained "I could adopt you as my own daughter making you the heir of the Senju clan, if that happens then the Hyuga won't force Sasuke to marry outside the village…"
Sakura smiled and said "I appreciate the offer, I really do but I think the situation is complicated enough Shishou…"
After dinner as the gathering enjoyed the musical performance in the garden after dinner, Sakura's stomach dropped further as Sasuke took Samui for a walk alone. As Sasuke left he gave Hinata a pointed look and she nodded
Hinata slowly moved to sit by Sakura as the performance continued and whispered "Are you okay Sakura San?"
Sakura smiled and nodded
Hinata smiled and whispered "If you want a different outcome do something, you were the one on his right… you can go fetch him back to his guests…"
"That wouldn't be polite…"
"No actually Samui insisting they take a walk was impolite… a host never leaves his guests unattended… This is more than a joyride, it's a test… the clans will want to see how much influence you have over Sasuke…"
"I don't want influence over Sasuke"
"Influence over Sasuke means keeping Daisuke and keeping your position… Now please Sakura San, go and call him back…"
Sakura looked at Hinata for a solid minute before her friend softly squeezed her hand. She took a deep breath and walked towards the river thinking 'How I wish I could just drown his stupid smug face when he sees me…'
Before she could make it out of the yard however Yashamaru reached up to her and said "you cheated…" with a smile
"I'm sorry… what?" Sakura asked
"I was supposed to get a meal cooked by you… instead I got pulled into a clan affair… very sneaky Sakura San… and now, you're sneaking off again…" Yashamaru said with a smile
"I was not sneaking off…" Sakura said defensively and then suddenly an idea began to from in her head "I was simply going to fulfil my duties for the night… would you care to escort me?"
—
Sasuke had given Samui his arm for the walk but she had kept coming closer. As they reached the bank of the river, he let go and stood to one side.
"What are your intentions Uchiha Sama?" Samui asked
"I have none…"
"I see, then why all the compliments and attention?"
"Just facts, you are beautiful, you do look lovely, you are quite witty and your brother was about to fight with Naruto for a piece of fish…"
Samui snickered again at the joke and then asked "Do you think she knows this is a test?"
"What is?"
"You know what I mean…"
"No, I actually don't… All I know is that Hyuga Sama suggested we get engaged and I'm doing my best to get to know you for his pleasure…"
"Keeping the peace…"
"Keeping the peace…"
"In that case Sasuke Uchiha Sama…." Samui said walking up to him fan open so only her eyes were see. She stopped too close for comfort but Sasuke didn't flinch. "What would you like to know about me…"
Sasuke and Samui were staring into each others eyes, both of them calculating the other's next move. That is how Sakura saw them. She almost stopped and turned back but a voice in her head said 'You want to be the mother of my son?! Over my dead body!'
"All okay Sakura San?" Yashamaru asked
"Perfectly fine…" Sakura said and got closer to Yashamaru and opened her fan. "I need to retrieve our host who so rudely snatched away…". When they got close to Sasuke and Samui she said in the most elegant way ever "Sasuke San… There you are… The performance is almost over… It wouldn't do to have your presence missed…"
Sasuke turned to look at Sakura and smiled thinking 'Thank you Hinata and Baasan'
His face every bit as smug and proud as Sakura imagined it but only for a moment. The slight smile was replaced by pursed lips as he saw who she was with. He didn't take his eyes of Sakura and Yashamaru as he bowed and extended his left hand to Samui who took it without moving a step back "I believe I've been summoned…"
Sakura held Sasuke's gaze till he had crossed her and then She and Yashamaru followed. As they reached the gate of the compound, Sasuke stopped and turned "Yashamaru San, would you kindly escort Samui San back, I have some household matters to discuss with Sakura…"
The lack of an honorific didn't go unnoticed by anyone but Sasuke didn't look away from Sakura at all.
After what seemed like an eternal pregnant pause Yashamaru bowed to Sakura who broke eye-contact with Sasuke briefly as he said "It was a pleasure getting to know you Sakura San… But I supposed this is where we part ways… Please do call on me if you ever visit Suna…"
"We will…" Sasuke said for Sakura with a smile that could freeze a desert.
Samui took Yashamaru's hand as they left Sasuke and Sakura standing there. Once they were alone Sakura merely looked at Sasuke waiting for him to begin his 'Discussion' but he said nothing. They could hear the final strains of the musical performance in the distance. A light breeze had picked up. Sakura's fan was still open so all Sasuke could look at were her eyes.
Sasuke walked up to her and said with soft eyes "You are the most perfect woman in the gathering tonight… " He bowed as Sakura's eyes went wide and offered her his arm. She was speechless and breathless as she took it.
All eyes turned to them as they returned to gathering. They were the perfect pair, yin and yang in perfect balance.
The night had been a success…
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