Before we get started with this new chapter, I got another fun fact about the Heian period, specifically with marriage and divorce: "Heian court marriages were arranged and often polygamous. A man could have several wives, though a woman could have only one husband. There was no formal marriage ceremony; rather the details of the marriage were privately agreed upon between the father of the bride-to-be and her suitor. Divorce could be initiated by the husband or wife, and both parties were free to remarry again after." (website being owlcation, article "Women in the Heian Court: Wives, Concubines and Lovers")

Song by Enya in the chapter title, though it is really "The Comb of the Winds".

It's a miracle I managed to get this out, because three days ago was my birthday, but I still feel and look young as ever despite being a few years away from the third decade. :D And that night, my family and I went to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate.

Today: HAPPY EASTER!

Chapter Ten

Comb of Wind in the Blossoms

He did not anticipate her request in the slightest.

"I wish to go away for a while from court, however Your Majesty can grant. But I can also take Prince Sasuke with me and watch over him. I'll make sure he is safe."

The rosette knelt before him, head bowed and unable to LOOK at him. The kimono she wore today was bold and bright, like she was: innocent white splashed with the blossoms she was named after as well as roses, all of which were pink, and the sash was red. "Sakura, are you sure about this? This must be a family emergency?" Itachi questioned, opening his fan and holding it before himself.

"It is. My father's health is on the decline, and it's been ages since I have seen him after my mother's death." But she sounded too...formal for this to be a "family emergency". He suspected there was more than that. "His doctors say he doesn't have long to live -"

"Then please, feel free to remain with him until then."

It was just the two of them at the moment, except for Shisui, now captain of the guard. But despite that, something within Itachi felt like it was going to fall again. Winter was coming to an end, and within a few months, his official mourning would come to an end. That meant he would have the choice to go out and find another wife - and stepmother for Sasuke. But he already made his choice which lay right in front of him.

Only now she was asking to leave court just to help care for her ailing father, and to take the little prince with her.

Which means that I am forced to wait much longer for her.

Itachi turned his attention to the sound of the happy cries of "Father" in such a carefree manner, and he smiled when the little boy arrived with his former wet nurse, now other caregiver, with him. "My son," he said, accepting the child's small but warm and calming embrace. He was almost three years of age; time really seemed to fly by, and a part of him wished that it wasn't so. Unfortunately, it wasn't like he could spend ALL his time with his only child, which was the social norm. The mother was more involved than the father, which he also found was against all's wishes.

"When shall you leave, Sakura?"

"On the morrow. Ino should stay and look after things in my place," she replied. "I can protect the prince and myself just well."

That was all there was to it. Afterwards, he dismissed her with the trouble on his mind, with his heart under lock for now, and there were other important matters to be concerned with in the court.

The main opposition on the Left was a man named Danzo, who had been his late grandfather's greatest rival and was ever constantly scheming for power, which was no secret to anyone. Well, just rumors: meddling with matters of religion and rank appointment...as if he were planning to usurp the throne for himself.

What Emperor Itachi intended to do now was secretly hatch his own schemes to see that this troublesome old man not cause any damage of his own, or even think to take HIM off this seat. There was no way even the Oosutsuki clan would agree to such a thing without a good reason - not even with Danzo Shimura's past.

During the reign of Madara Uchiha, the Right had strong influences politically but didn't boast about it, and as far as his grandson was concerned, it would have to stay that way - but it also meant he had to find a way to appease the Left without inciting a great conflict within these walls.

So, Shisui did warn him to be vigilant...as well as to make sure that both Sakura and his son, the heir apparent, were not in immediate danger.

And today - the next day, she would leave with the small boy as planned - he watched them from the other side of the screen as she read to him an old story which he recalled first reading to his younger brother when they were children. The tale of the traveling soldier from the west who visited the house of an ogre in the snow.

Seeing that made him think of happy times long past, and it was from that moment he decided that he would start taking what was in front of him - and never let it go again.

Which happened in the night that came, but without forcing what was meant to be.

"Your Majesty," Sakura said, looking over at him from her place within her walls painted with the majestic blossoms in her name. This very same screen she was in when he first came to her that night. But he stayed where he was, kneeling in the opened entrance. He smiled at her.

"How many times have I asked you to continue calling me Itachi? I know I am emperor, but how long have we known each other?"

She nodded, taking his point. "But what brings you here tonight?"

"To ask you even if it is the wrong time," Itachi answered, bracing himself for the worst and prepared to take it all. "Something that will take place after my official mourning comes to an end..." And she interrupted him gently, turning her face away then and there.

"You want me as more than Sasuke's guardian."

He couldn't read into her tone when she figured out his intentions. "That's right, but you don't have to answer that right now. I wanted to wait until you returned, but...I fear now I could never get that chance if something happens to you and Sasuke while you are both so far away from me," Itachi confessed, his own words a harsh breath to his ears. "I feel I have waited long enough."

Sakura turned her head only halfway back, though not meeting eye to eye with him. It was then that he noticed the comb in her hand - Izumi. Her voice was soft, too, but audible for his ears. "I have been dwelling on the possibility of you asking this of me."

The light of hope illuminated within his heart. She knew...she knew all along.

"But I wish I could give you my answer at a time like this," Sakura said, lowering her comb before the mirror and her teeth-blackening kit. "I want to announce it to the entirety of Konoha with you, but I feel now isn't the time. Not with what is on your plate at this very moment." Danzo and the issue with settling the bandit crisis.

She had her points, but that was for him to worry about. He had to slide further into the area while keeping his distance. "That is hardly important compared to you and I. Besides, love is...love. Two people are allowed to follow their hearts," he said, feeling like he had taken a new step towards freedom. "And it's not something that is made to destroy a country, either."

There, he said it: without saying the three words directly, he confessed what was stronger than pure desire...and it was love. It had been all this time, and he'd seen it in her eyes. "You also wanted something secure and certain, so I'll give it to you. Isn't that what you wished?"

"...yes, but so much more."

That was all it took for him to continue pouring his heart out to her. "Then, when you return, will you...fly with me, spread your wings and soar as your heart desires with me?" For the love of him, he could never recall a time he spoke like this. "I don't ever wish to lose you like I lost Izumi, my brother and the rest of my family. Nor do I wish harm to befall on my son."

Just like the fan from Izumi says, I'll soar into the night like the raven, and when you return, Sakura, I'll settle my talons and watch the red sun rise...and you'll be with me.

No, add Sasuke with us - and we'll be a true family.

Sakura was no longer at her mirror, but now before him - and she took both of his hands into hers. That was all the confirmation he needed.

When she returned from her family home in the country, and after his grieving time came to an end, she would become his new wife and stepmother of his child.

He would finally marry the woman he truly loved, without disrespecting the mother of his son.

~o~

Women would be often shielded away from the world, but she chose to reject the carriage notion in favor of riding to freedom, dressed plainly, with the little prince the same and in her protective arms. Without a care that a lot of people were shocked, she got a horse and rode off, out of the Imperial Palace and its grounds and into the dawn light.

Before she left, she and Sasuke knelt before the palace shrine, praying for good fortune on their journey and eventually back home.

"Look, the ume are in bloom," she said to the little boy who sat in front of her as she rode them slowly through the capital in broad daylight, directing his amaze towards the mentioned blossoms in the trees; she would pick up speed as soon as they were safely away from imperial grounds. Her home wasn't many hours away from here.

Please look after everything, everyone - and Itachi - well, Ino.

Her dear friend wanted to go with, but Sakura had to decline. And besides, if what Itachi said was true about the dagger he gave his late wife, then she was happy to put it to the test if trouble came her way. She didn't take lessons for nothing, either.

When she arrived at home, at a small, comfortable but otherwise rickety cottage in the province, there she saw the local physician herself who taught young Sakura everything she knew now. Once did the old woman serve the Miyazaki family only to retire and return home here in the province. "Sakura, good heavens, it's a miracle I am still alive to see you return at last!"

"Tsunade," she answered back, getting off the horse first and then taking the boy underneath both arms to set him down. "You're right; it's been long enough." Looking around, it felt strange and surreal to be within wilder and filthier surroundings compared to the pristine luxury of the Imperial Palace and Miyazaki household. "How is Father?"

Back in the day, Tsunade had been an extremely robust beauty, with long golden hair and lush amber eyes, finished with an average slim body - but with the largest breasts you'd ever see, and to this day, she refused to give her secret to THAT, given women didn't possess any size of that sort. But now, halfway through her fifth decade, her fair hair was silvery white and tied below her neck, her dark golden eyes were deepened somewhat to brown based on everything they'd seen in life, and her infamous breasts sagged a little. Add that her skin was heavily wrinkled like many women at her age. Complete with expressions that ranged from extremely sweet to downright wicked, depending on her mood.

"It's gotten worse since yesterday. If he's lucky - if all of us are - he might last until next month after the cherry blossoms finish their time," Tsunade answered as they were walking up to the house. Her attention fell down to the little boy sticking close to the rosette's side, and her face immediately warmed up. "Oh, this is His Royal Highness!" She paused in her walk and knelt down before the boy who looked at her first with a scared expression before brightening up when he figured out she was friendly. "I'm Tsunade. I cared for your mother and everyone else - but you don't remember me since you weren't born then - and I taught this one everything," she added with a glance up at Sakura who blushed and returned the smile.

Now they were inside, and there her father was, laying there in his cot and covered up with a bucket of water and such next to him. "I didn't think you practiced medicine anymore," Sakura told her old mentor and superior as she released her travel pack to the side of the doorway, the bamboo curtain falling behind her and Sasuke who looked upon his foreign surroundings with wonder, wrinkling his nose in disgust. "Sasuke, this was where I was born. I know this is different than you're used to, but think of this as a little trip to see what the world outside home is like," she said gently, lighting him up.

Tsunade scoffed. "In answer to your question, I WAS enjoying my hard-earned retirement, only for some fool to drag me over here when it got out that he was sick and needed immediate attention. Besides you, that was." She first knelt down beside the man. "Your daughter is here, Kizashi."

He looked so much more...frail since last time she'd seen him, and it had been years. The last time was when she, Lady Izumi and the others moved so her mistress could marry Prince Itachi. Guilt all but molded at her heart. I'm so sorry I wasn't here, Father. But I am here now and won't leave until it's possible for a positive change.

Kizashi looked up at her and smiled. When she was a child, he was her hero in every sense of the way. He was once a member of the Uchiha guard before being relieved when he suffered a crippled leg while protecting Prince Itachi from bandits. This was back when Sakura was still a child, shortly before the plague ravaged the land. She went in service, going to the Miyazaki household, while her parents left together for the peasant life.

"There's my girl. It's so good to see you again in my final moments." He reached out and touched her cheek, the action making her close her eyes and try not to sob or tremble. It was hard being here as it was. The little prince looked between his guardian and her father, lower lip trembling as he didn't understand what was going on. "If only your mother could see you now..."

Then he looked at the little boy and acknowledged who this was, while Tsunade dabbed him with her herbal water as well as allowing Sakura to give him some to drink; Sasuke sat and watched on with curiosity whilst fidgeting as he was ready to go and play outdoors. There was a lot he could do with so little, but her father's health came first before she could think to show her charge a good time in these conditions.

"I'm proud of what you've become, Sakura," Kizashi told her before he closed his eyes for his rest by the time it was done, and this time, she let the tears roll down her cheeks. She had to turn into Tsunade's embrace and allow the innocent little Sasuke to do the same to her from behind.

~o~

In the weeks that went by, the sakura blossoms arrived at last, but this time when the young emperor stood beneath one of the trees over the great red bridge above the laughing stream...he felt peace rather than sorrow.

He even stood before the grave of his brother and knelt before it, then looked beyond to their parents' - and then their grandfather's who had joined the ranks. Sasuke, all of you...I've made peace with myself. I can try to finally be happy again...

...but I fear it being once more taken from me. Help me have the courage to go to her.

If any of them, or the Buddha, were listening, then he hoped his prayers would be answered. The festival of these blossoms had just begun, and deep into the event, he would ride out there and go to a certain rosette who was caring for her ailing father and with his son in her care. He just wanted to see them regardless if it were awkward timing or not. And besides that, it had been a long time since he'd seen the countryside where the lesser, unfortunate people lived.

He recalled Kizashi when he was a young boy, who saved his life and thus was crippled in the process. His grandfather let him go just like that, because the man had served his purpose - which always secretly angered Itachi to no end. No one deserves to be released after sacrificing a part of themselves for someone else.

Meanwhile, there was news around that proved a loss on the Left but rejoiced the Right - except him. The word was that Danzo's home had been attacked and burned by bandits - and the man himself was killed. So had been others after him. The emperor's advisors, including Shisui, voiced that it was one less threat to his position to worry about, which made him snap.

"This may be, but nevertheless, it's an utter outrage! This may occur commonly, but it's NOT how things are done fairly just to be protected whether you asked or not. Whoever did this will sooner or later be brought to justice. Were there any witnesses?"

There were none, as usual. But someone would come forward eventually. Let this be a reminder to those who savagely attack someone important, regardless of their threats to the emperor's position.

Though, privately to himself and Shisui, he would be able to focus on his attempt to reform without difficulty - for now.

For the time being was the focus on the upcoming sakura blossom festival, and it made him think of HER who was up at the nearby province, caring for her possibly dying father. He was sure he understood what she must be going through, but to dwell on how it must be affecting her...

He decided that he couldn't stay away from her any longer, not even during this time which was supposed to be celebratory for all of them and not mourning - not anymore for some. So, he made a resolution that day; thus, he brought Shisui before him and told the plan.

"You and I are going out there to assist them, but we blend in with the crowd. It will not be forever, and the official story will be that I have gone out on a tour of the village outside for a few days, even view the cherry blossom trees, but no one is to know of my...relationship with her," he ordered sternly.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I'd never say a word without your permission! You've known me all our lives." Shisui bowed his head two, three times out of enthusiasm which made the emperor chuckle and fan himself in those times.

The word was out, but the truth was that he would be gone the next day, and no one would be shocked he chose to leave on his own by surprise with only his captain of the guard in tow.

In case any bandits do come, we cut them down.

He set out late in the night, no matter there being bandits, but he dressed plainly - the clothes borrowed from a servant - with his real garments in a travel pack but folded neatly, so that the next day, he would be his real self to the world. Ingenious way to protect myself from those ruffians, as Shisui and his men call them.

They paused at one point during the early hours of the morning, and sleep called them both. Their horses were beneath a tree after they crossed through the forest. It was an adventure in itself, and by morning, they would arrive at the province.

Dawn would break on them through the trees above, waking them and prompting them to get water from the stream they came across before journeying on. From here on would the grass get greener and greener. He enjoyed the fresh scent of that grass mingled with the flowers of spring and morning dew.

Before noon broke, they arrived at their destination.

"Wow, even the peasants are enjoying themselves despite their conditions," Shisui noted when they arrived on foot, leading their horses by the reins; by the looks of this, they could be mistaken as messengers of the emperor, but the two men knew what to do in case anyone attacked them. But we came too far to run away now.

Even here, amongst wooden huts and fire pits, poorly dressed but otherwise cheerful people were trading meager meals with everyone they knew and sitting underneath all the cherry blossom trees available, with others finding spots to just enjoy the sights. All of this made the emperor smile with pride. This was what Danzo and his supporters wanted to destroy for his own gain.

After speaking to a rather pleasant woman with a young girl - her daughter, no doubt - behind her, he finally got a lead on the woman matching Sakura's description: she said a "Kizashi" who was a great help to this village was up at his home outside the boundaries and dying, with the healer and the "pink-haired woman" as well as a very young boy by his side to care for him.

Sakura and my son - and the healer herself? I remember her. He met old Tsunade a long time ago after he met Izumi, but she had long since retired. He was amazed she was still alive.

And saw her he did when he and Shisui approached the hut of the talk in town. More wrinkles, frail-looking now, but a stronger will, I see. "Oh, it's been a long time, but I never thought I would see Your Majesty in disguise and coming with only one man escort into a place like this," the old woman said with a lift of her bony chin. He chuckled.

"Indeed, Tsunade, but I found the risk worth taking," Itachi answered as he followed her up the path - and that was when he heard music playing in the background. Behind the structure...a koto.

And then he saw her, with Shisui on one side and the old woman on the other. Long pink hair flowing over a plain, fair garment, and delicate fingers gliding across the strings of the instrument before the glowing eyes of the small child who squirmed with excitement as he enjoyed the song she was playing for him, unaware that they were being watched - for now.

"So, Your Majesty, what have you come all the way out here for and in the middle of the festival?" Tsunade quipped, lifting a barely-there brow which didn't faze him. He answered readily.

"To honor my grandfather's last wish for myself, and I mean for myself - and her as well as my son. I'm doing everything in my power to try and secure Sasuke's future as I am going to for Konoha. But it will be official as soon as my grieving term is at an end."

His response seemed to please and satisfy her. She huffed, heaving her great chest which wasn't as buxom as he recalled. "And you, Itachi Uchiha, are more man than your grandfather and father used to be - not that I really think ill of them," she said.

It was then that he heard the excited call: "FATHER!"

Sasuke was old enough to walk, but he still had ways to go as he grew older. Still, he managed to reach his father and throw his arms around the legs. Itachi laughed and knelt down to pick his son up, holding him close and accepting chaste kisses from him...before being approached by the woman he came all the way out here for.

"Itachi...what are you doing here?" Sakura didn't sound dismayed or annoyed, but plainly curious until she showed her true reaction.

He answered her in a single breath. "I came out here, all the way, as fast as I could on horse. I couldn't...stay away any longer, Sakura."

I was rereading previous chapters of this story to finally introduce Sakura's family, even at their final moments, so to avoid plot holes and the likes - tell me if anyone remembers from before that this is just right or not. :)

Reviews much loved and appreciated, thanks very much! :D