Chapter 30: Eventful
"Good morning!" Sakura sang brightly, waltzing into Hashirama's office like it was her own.
He looked up from his paperwork, slightly startled at her sudden and joyful appearance. He hadn't had time to see her since the anniversary three days prior and was just now seeing the changes his brother had noticed about her when they'd met the day before. She was, in many respects, lighter. Her countenance, her hair, her eyes, her smile.
"Good morning, Sakura," he said.
She was smiling widely at him, with a cheekiness he rarely saw in it, and he found it impossible not to smile back.
"You seem positively delightful today."
"I am, I am," she said with a nod.
The slightly distracted look in her eyes caused him a moment of concern.
"Is there something you need?" Hashirama prompted.
Sakura turned her gaze back to him and hummed hesitantly.
"Can I have my personnel file, please?"
He frowned at the request.
"Yes. But why?"
"It needs an update," she said, smiling brightly again.
Hashirama reached into the bottom drawer of his desk, deactivated the seal that hid the false bottom to the draw, and removed Sakura's file with a sense of curiosity. He passed it over to her.
"So what updates, exactly?" Hashirama asked. An idea struck him. "Have you mastered a new jutsu?" He questioned with excitement.
Sakura laughed.
"Do you really think I have time for that?"
She shook her head and opened the file, swiping a pen from his desk to write in it. She quickly scribbled something down and then thrust the paper in his face, grinning, though with a little shyness this time. His brow furrowed as he skimmed over it, looking for the additions she made, and then cried out in shock, horror and then excitement.
"Really, Sakura?" His eyes shone with anticipation.
"Really," she blushed and nodded.
"Well."
Hashirama dropped her file, bounded up around his desk, and scooped her into a hug. She let out a huff of air in surprise at his sudden outburst, but Hashirama spun her around with some excitement and she laughed and squealed in surprise.
"This calls for a celebration!" He declared loudly, as he put her back down on her feet. "I can't believe you kept this from me for so long!"
As Sakura straightened her clothes and shrugged in response to his outburst, hasty footsteps came from all directions to the door and Hashirama beamed at the people who appeared.
"Lord Hokage, is everything all right?" A harried aide asked.
Madara brushed past the aide and swept into the office inside while the aides stepped back. Hashirama grinned at him.
"You never said a word, you sly fox," Hashirama said.
Madara frowned and glanced between the two of them, and it dawned on Hashirama that he didn't know. He turned in surprise to Sakura who was looking at him sheepishly.
"No one knows?" He asked her suspiciously, though he was not-so-secretly glad to be the first to know.
Sasuke Sarutobi and Kou Inuzuka walked by and stuck their heads in, and Kou grinned sharply.
"What's going on, little Nara?" Kou asked, his voice loud and mirthful. "Got a secret you wanna share with the class?"
Everyone looked at her with interest, but Hashirama was unable to contain his excitement and cut her off before she could speak.
"It's Sakura's birthday!"
There was a short pause of silence before Hashirama's excitement took over the room and everyone smiled and walked over to congratulate Sakura, wishing her a happy birthday. Hashirama watched Madara, as he folded his arms over his chest, a small frown forming on his face as he watched Sakura be surrounded by several of the shinobi who had come in and been around. Hashirama held in a smile and walked over to Madara. Madara didn't glance at him, but he spoke.
"She didn't tell me," he murmured quietly.
"Jealous, are you?" Hashirama teased lightly.
Madara turned a glare on him and Hashirama clapped him on the shoulder.
"Well, make sure you make her day a joyful one."
Madara let out a sigh.
"We're meeting with my clan elders," he said, and Hashirama grimaced sympathetically. "It's not exactly what I'd want to have her do today," he muttered.
"Will they be so bad?" Hashirama asked. "I thought your clan liked her?"
"My clan, yes. She's surprisingly popular, particularly since Matsuri likes to spin tales about her all the time." Hashirama smiled.
Matsuri and her family had been regulars at his home since Mito and Matsuri had become so close. He could only imagine the stories the young woman would be telling to increase Sakura's popularity, not that Sakura really needed it. She had always been a thing of notoriety in the village and amongst the clans.
"The elders are another matter," Madara continued, the displeasure in his voice clear.
Clan elders were usually a source of headaches for all the leaders of the clans, and Hashirama could sympathise, though he oftentimes let Tobirama deal with them in his stead. Something Tobi loathed to do. As if conjured by his thoughts, his younger brother appeared in the doorway.
"Is the Hokage's office some kind of meeting room for leisure and laughter?" Tobi asked, his face and voice stern. "Or don't you all have work to get on with?"
"Oh, don't be like that Tobirama!" Hashirama cried.
Tobirama narrowed his eyes in annoyance.
"I was talking about you," he said harshly.
There was some laughter in the room, and everyone except Sakura and Madara departed with smiles and well-wishes to the young medic. Hashirama, feeling dejected after yet another of his brother's harsh scoldings, sat heavily on his chair and pouted, and continued to do as the three of them all joined forces against him. He frowned and slouched and pouted, though he struggled to keep his giddiness and cheer squashed down when he saw how much happiness Sakura seemed to be radiating, and the way she looked at Madara, with joy and teasing and love in her eyes.
A year was so short a time, he mused privately. And yet, it seemed that a year was long enough to be a catalyst for great change in both people and circumstance. Before him, stood living proof. Sakura, who had been lost in grief and twisted with uncertainty on how to live in this time. Madara, who like Sakura, had been struggling with his own grief and love. Even Tobirama had his moments of reconciliation between his ambitions and the effects they might have on the future. Privately, Hashirama knew his brother questioned himself more now, he acted after considering more the outcomes. Hashirama smiled secretly at the three of them, as they bickered and joked before him, and Sakura refused his offer to hold a party for her, as vehemently as he tried to offer it.
"Hashirama, stop," Madara snapped. "Sakura and I have plans."
Hashirama let out a dejected sigh.
"I suppose. I just wish you'd have told us earlier, Sakura."
"Well. I wasn't in a good place this time last year," she said, scratching her arm nervously. "And I've been a little busy since then. It wasn't the first thing on my mind."
"Some people actually focus on work rather than parties," Tobirama added, giving Hashirama a stern look.
"I work!" Hashirama protested.
They all looked at him dubiously, and Hashirama stared back at them with hurt and betrayal aimed at Sakura, who usually had something kinder to say. Even if it was a little whisper that only he could hear. But she just gave him a mockingly apologetic grin and leaned away, hiding behind Madara, who gave a smug smirk to Hashirama. Tobirama dumped the stack of files he'd been holding onto in a large thump on his desk and Hashirama looked at it mournfully.
"Prove it, then, brother," Tobirama challenged.
Hashirama had never felt so defeated.
Sakura followed Madara down the hall to his office, leaving the Senju brothers in Hashirama's office. She had her hands clasped behind her back, and Madara closed the door behind her. These last few days, she'd seemed a little lighter and more at ease in the world. She looked around her with a childlike curiosity that he'd rarely seen in her over the last year. She caught his eye and gave a breathtaking smile. His heart stuck a moment his chest as he was struck by how simply happy she looked. Her smile faltered slightly, tampered by guilt.
"Sorry I didn't tell you," she said, chuckling nervously.
Madara, in a mood to tease, folded his arms over his chest and gave her a disapproving look that she seemed surprised by and then she accepted as something she deserved. Seeing that, he almost relented but stayed strong.
"Where's my gift?" He questioned her.
She frowned in confusion.
"Gift?"
"Apology gift."
Sakura stared for a moment and then her face split into a grin.
"I thought I was the one who got gifts on my birthday."
She took a step closer to him. Madara raised his eyebrow.
"Perhaps if you'd told me, I'd have one."
Again, a flicker of regret as she stepped closer to him.
"So what kind of apology are you looking for?" She asked.
Her eyes softened into something close to seductive and Madara had to glance away so he wouldn't get caught up in it. Madara's heart raced as he considered the question and recalled his previous intentions for the day.
"A word," he said eventually, his voice a little gruff.
"A word?" Sakura was understandably taken aback from his request.
Madara gave a stiff, uncharacteristically nervous nod.
"I hadn't intended… there was something else… my plans…" he stumbled over his words and Sakura watched him.
"Madara?"
Madara took a breath, feeling ridiculous and annoyed at himself.
"The clan meeting is in a few hours," he said after a moment.
"I know," Sakura replied, her voice questioning.
"There will be many questions about different, personal things." Madara knew he was stalling.
Sakura continued to watch him with care and slight confusion.
"This is not the time or place I had…" Madara ran his hand through his hair and looked at her. "Will you come with me?"
He reached out and gripped her hand, not giving her a choice or chance to answer. Thankfully, she seemed to understand he wasn't exactly himself. She wordlessly followed him out the window as he pulled her along the rooftops and over the village, toward the cliff face. They quickly scaled the rock wall. He was aware she was looking at him with a furrowed brow, he was only thankful that she didn't say anything. At the top, Madara looked down at the village below, trying to calm himself down with internal curses. He didn't understand what his problem was.
"Are you okay?" Sakura asked with a frown.
Madara was not all right. He felt hot and cold, he was perspiring an irritating amount and his heart felt like it was about to burst out of his chest and his stomach knotted painfully. He was breathless and breathy all at once.
"I'm well," he replied, keeping his voice smooth.
Sakura didn't look like she believed him. Another deep breath, though it did little to calm his frantic insides, and Madara turned to face her.
"I think, Sakura, it is quite clear that I am not a man to be swayed by the opinions of others," Madara said. "It is only you who seems to break down that part of me, to affect me so as to change the person that I was becoming into the person I now am."
"Madara, what are you saying?"
"I am saying, Sakura, that you are a most singular, irreplaceable woman to me."
Her eyes widened.
"Are you asking - "
He held up a hand and cut her off. She closed her gaping mouth slowly and continued to watch him silently.
"Please, allow me to speak," Madara requested. "I must - I must say these things here and now before they overwhelm me."
She gave a small, shaking nod.
"I am irrevocably in love with you, Sakura. You have changed me and my life in ways I could never have predicted. My clan is - I am indebted to you in more ways than you could ever perceive and can ever repay, so please allow me to try to do so for the entirety of my life."
Madara took a step forward and knelt on one knee. Sakura gasped lightly, biting her lip.
"Your heart has known and lost love, and I know part of you will always belong to him, but please, please Sakura, allow me the opportunity to help you build a future full of happiness, and - love. Marry me, Sakura."
Sakura's lips trembled, and for a painstakingly long moment, there was silence between them and Madara had never felt such fear, and then she spoke, her voice barely a whisper.
"Yes."
"Yes?" Madara asked, knowing that he heard it, but needing to be certain.
She smiled.
"Yes, yes I will marry you, Madara Uchiha."
Madara had never felt such elation before. Sakura fell to her knees and they embraced in a tight hug, and she laughed as she held him, and without understanding exactly why, he joined her in laughter. She pulled back and kissed him.
"That was the gift you wanted, right?" She asked breathlessly. "The word?"
Madara nodded. 'Yes' was the only thing he'd wanted to hear all day. They stood beside each other, and she grasped his hand, linking her fingers through his. They looked over the village from the edge of the cliff, and Madara was again reminded that the village might have been created by Hashirama and himself, but it was Sakura (and Itachi) who brought them together.
"We need to get ready!" Sakura gasped.
Madara chuckled. They did, but - "Can we not take some time to savour this moment?"
She blushed and leaned her head against his shoulder.
"Who could have imagined this would happen? That I'd fall in love with Madara Uchiha," she sighed. "What a strange world."
Madara glanced down at her, feeling unsettled by her memories if his other self.
"Indeed," he replied, kissing the top of her head. "And there is no doubt it will only get stranger."
They stood atop the cliffside for a while longer, quiet and smiling but not speaking. All their feelings connected through the squeezing of their hands together, and the familiar, warm companionship.
Sakura looked in the mirror and sighed, blushing red and looking at herself with some disbelief.
"I'm engaged," she whispered.
Her heart still hammered fast and hard in her chest, thinking about seeing Madara again so soon. They'd parted with some reluctance and looks of undisguised happiness. Seeing him become nervous and flustered, with a warmth in his cheeks, gave Sakura a feeling of comfort and security that she hadn't realised she could feel. It was as if all the feelings she knew he held for her were actually confirmed. Though, it wasn't truly necessary, since she'd already known them. It was still nice to hear it.
An amusing thought flashed through her mind. If she'd have been lucky enough to have Ino by her side, and for Ino to know the Madara she now did, Sakura could only imagine that all previous thoughts of admiration to Sasuke would have been banished and replaced with Madara. She'd be envious and glad all at once, and knowing Ino, living in this time would have suited her very well. As much as Sakura had found a place amongst the village leaders, Ino would have done as much if not better.
Sakura sighed, a pang in her chest, but instead of her thoughts dwelling on the past, she turned her mind to her friends now. To Mito, who would tease her softly and tell her to take care of Madara. To Asami, who would whisper the small kindness Madara displayed and make her fall more and more in love with him. And to Matsuri, who would be the one to poke fun at him, and tell stories that would have Sakura in stitches and longing to have known Madara as a child. Slowly, Sakura was finding it ever so slightly easier to feel grounded in the now. Since the funeral, since her haircut, life seemed a little…lighter.
"It's a beautiful kimono," Shikaru said, appearing at the doorway. Sakura looked at him through the mirror. "But you make it that way."
"Hello, Shikaru," Sakura smiled.
Shikaru walked into the room and stood beside her.
"Are you ready for this?" He asked, giving her a questioning look.
Sakura took a deep breath.
"I have a secret weapon, so I hope so."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Secret weapons are certainly useful tools when going up against elders," he replied. "But I think there's something you've forgotten to tell me."
Sakura frowned, and then realised when she saw the expectant but soft look on his face she understood.
"You heard me?"
"I did," he nodded. "You're engaged."
Sakura couldn't keep the smile off her face.
"I suppose it's about time," Shikaru said with a sigh and a laugh. "It's not as if it'll come as a surprise to anyone."
Sakura knocked him with her side.
"Don't tease," she said.
"Wouldn't dream of it," he winked.
"Words that betray all your devious intents!"
"Yes, my father is incredibly devious," Shikata's tired voice came from behind them.
"I'm wounded," Shikaru said dramatically. "My own children, turning against me."
"Fatally, I'm sure," Shikata drawled.
"What do you think?" Sakura asked him, showing off her kimono. "Mito and Matsuri chose it."
Shikata paused and shrugged.
"I guess you look nice."
He glanced between the two of them.
"Engaged?" He questioned.
"Madara asked me to marry him earlier today," Sakura grinned. "I accepted."
She felt incredibly pleased saying it, more than she thought she would. Shikata frowned.
"He didn't ask the clan for permission."
Shikaru laughed.
"You might forgive him for that, Shikata. He came to me privately two nights ago, and will meet with our clan tomorrow."
"He did?" Sakura asked, eyes wide with shock.
She didn't know that. Shikaru nodded at her.
"Indeed."
"Noble clans are troublesome," Shikata muttered.
"What does that mean?" Sakura asked, both amused and curious.
"The Uchiha are noble, and we are below them in status. To refuse an offer of marriage, an alliance that can only benefit us would be as disrespectful as it would be foolish," Shikaru explained. "Madara does not need to appeal to our clan leaders for your hand. Though he has assured me he'll do so, only after he was sure you'd accept, it's little more than a formality."
Sakura looked down at her kimono thoughtfully.
"I don't deserve you, any of you." She looked back up, tears in her eyes. "I love you both so much."
"Ugh, Sakura. Don't cry," Shikata said, curling his lip in disgust.
Sakura laughed and flung her arms around his neck before pulling Shikaru into the hug as well.
"What's gotten into you?" Shikata muttered. "Get off me, you weirdo."
But he held her tightly and Sakura didn't let go.
"If you keep crying you'll look bad for the Uchiha," Shikata continued.
Shikaru stepped back, and Sakura smiled at him over Shikata's shoulder.
"He's right," he said.
Sakura let Shikata go and wiped her eyes with the hanker-chief he offered.
"Thank you," she said.
He shrugged, feigning disinterest, as usual.
"Finish your preparations. We need to leave soon, or you'll be late, and you don't want to give them any more ammunition," Shikaru said, uncharacteristically serious.
Sakura nodded.
"Five minutes," she answered.
Shikata stayed in the room with her as Sakura cleaned up her face and straightened her kimono out.
"Are you coming today?" She asked Shikata.
She'd noticed he was dressed unusually formal.
"To the house," he replied. "I'm meeting Shouta."
"Ah," Sakura said. "You don't want to come into the meeting?"
Shikata scoffed.
"Of course not."
She gave him a rueful smile.
"Neither do I, really."
"You're going to have to get used to it. Your future will be filled with clan duties, and since you'll be nobility, it'll be even worse than what I'll have to do. I don't envy you in the slightest."
"Thank you for that," Sakura said sarcastically.
She gave herself a final once over and nodded.
"Well. Let's go then."
Sakura felt like she was preparing to battle. But instead of her kunai and fists, she'd be using her words, and that was the scariest part about it. Her fists were usually more effective, but she was certain hitting old people would just land her in a lot of trouble, just as she was certain they'd say things that would make her want to hit them.
The room was strangely quiet. Sakura had never felt so studied before in all her life. There were some Sharingan's activated, which perturbed her, but in general, the Elders of the Uchiha Clan were just looking at her. Usui and Kana hadn't offered her any support and kept staring at her like the others. Matsuri and Yuri were also present, which she was grateful for. But they sat almost out of her line of sight, and Madara had unexpectedly chosen to sit with them. He wasn't at the forefront like she thought he would be, he'd left that to the elders. She caught his eye, and he gave her a look that she recognised as one for comfort.
"Welcome, Lady Sakura Nara."
The man in the center spoke. He looked to be the oldest of them all and looked like the one in charge.
"I am Sasamu Uchiha."
Sakura bowed her head nervously.
"It is kind of you to meet with me today," she said.
"It's kind of you to finally make time for us," a woman said, her voice laced with sarcasm.
Sakura ignored the barb and smiled sweetly at her.
"I apologise for the delay," she said. "It was never my intention to insult the Uchiha."
"Sakura is an extremely busy young woman," Shikaru said to the room. "As the Head Medic, Director at the Hospital and a councilor to the Hokage, you surely understand that her time is valuable to all within the village."
Sakura was so glad he was accompanying her.
"Yes," Kana said. "Our clan and village are grateful to have her here."
"I know that I am," Matsuri cut in, casting a stern eye over the elders, who seemed to dislike that she was speaking. "Considering both myself and my baby would be dead without her."
There was a silence, and then some whispers in the room. Sakura was hating every moment of this meeting and it had only just begun. For the next ten minutes, all the elders did was ask inane questions and attempt to throw Sakura off-balance. Whenever she felt a creeping sense of irritation, it was Shikaru who stepped in and took over for a moment. The lessons she'd had over the year with Mito, about diplomacy and nobility came in handy. Until Usui decided enough was enough.
"So why don't we all just cut to the chase and be done with it," he said tiredly and loudly.
The other elders clicked their tongues in annoyance, and Kana put a hand to her head, looking worn.
"All this meaningless chatter is boring. She lost her home, her family, her friends. So what? She's here now, and our young lord wants to make her his bride."
Sakura blushed furiously, and she glanced over at Madara, who was sitting impassively beside Matsuri, watching the elders with careful eyes.
"I'm bored. Let's just get on with it."
"You never change, Usui," Sasamu said with an irritated sigh. "Very well."
Sakura stiffened as the attention in the room intensified on her. She looked with slight panic toward Shikaru, who gave her an encouraging smile, which did little to settle her nerves.
"As Usui so crudely stated, we shall now cut to the chase, as it were," Sasamu said. "We, the Elders of the Uchiha, have reservations about our young Lord's choice in you, Lady Sakura Nara."
Madara scoffed, showing his first sign of emotion since the meeting started. Matsuri frowned in annoyance and even Yuri's expression hardened at the words. Sakura cleared her throat. It wasn't a surprise to hear it, but it still didn't feel good.
"Might I inquire why?" She asked as civilly as she was able.
"To put it bluntly," Kana said, looking a little uncomfortable, "the council doesn't believe you have anything to offer the clan."
Sakura blinked, took a deep breath and slowly exhaled while absorbing what she said and feeling a sting of humiliation.
"Forgive me," Shikaru said, an edge to his voice. "But I object to that statement strongly."
There was a silence in the room while blood rushed to Sakura's head. She knew it would be a difficult day, but she hadn't thought she'd be so affected by things she'd known she'd hear.
"Sakura is one of the most influential women in the village, and one of the strongest shinobi of the era," Shikaru defended her.
"And that is still nothing that our clan does not already have in Lord Madara, Lord Yuri, and Lady Matsuri," Sasamu retorted.
Yuri held Matsuri's arm to keep her quiet. Sakura clenched her jaw.
"Our clan has many shinobi of note. Another is of little matter," one of the men said.
"Lady Sakura is also my daughter and a Nara." Shikaru sounded tenser than Sakura had ever heard him. "With all that name entails."
"Adopted daughter," Sasamu corrected him. "She is not blood, and promises mean little without that."
"And what a timely adoption it was," the snide woman said again.
Sakura glanced at Shikaru, whose eyes were glinting and his smile becoming razor sharp. She decided it was time to speak again.
"The Nara Clan has been extremely kind to me," Sakura said, breaking into the conversation. "After I woke from the coma, and when I was first establishing the new direction for the hospital, Shikaru and the Nara supported me."
She straightened her shoulders.
"I have always felt a bond with the Nara, particularly my father and brother. You can assume what you like about this adoption, but it came from a place of true feeling and family. Shikaru is as much my father as my birth father was, and Shikata is more a brother to me than anyone else I've met."
Her voice rang out strong and sure, giving the Uchiha pause.
"I can assure you, Sakura is and will always be a Nara," Shikaru said. His voice sounded a little more relaxed. "A martial alliance with the Nara also means a strengthened bond with the Yamanaka and Akimichi, which is advantageous on all sides, certainly."
"You all probably shouldn't forget that Lord Hokage and Tobirama Senju consider Sakura like a sister as well," Matsuri said through gritted teeth. "And she has the favour of Lady Mito Uzumaki and her father. Your arguments in this regard fall flat. Sakura has many allies and ties within and outside the village."
Sakura felt another sting of humiliation when she realised she was practically bartering off her hand in marriage. She clenched her fists on her thighs and sat stiffly, and wondered if Matsuri was telling the truth about Mito's father. She'd never heard anything about it before, she'd barely even spoken to him.
"Be that as it may," Sasamu said, cutting his eyes in disapproval to Matsuri. "There are two matters in which we cannot accept Lady Sakura as the bride of Lord Madara."
Sakura looked at him and waited.
"The village is rife with rumours of your…immodest dressing," the snide woman said again.
Sakura looked at them in honest surprise.
"Immodest?"
"Indeed," Sasamu said.
This seemed to be the topic the snide woman had chosen as her own.
"Not only is your battle outfit revealing, but it has also been witnessed that you wear tight-fitting, provocative clothing with the sole intent to seduce males."
Sakura had a strong feeling like she wanted to laugh or slap the woman. Shikaru bristled beside her.
"I will not defend my choice in clothing," Sakura said through gritted teeth.
"Nor do you have too," Madara said, his voice reverberating with anger.
"Lord Madara, we seek only to protect the dignity of our clan," the snide woman said.
"Then you should hold your tongue," Madara demanded.
Sakura straightened her shoulders.
"For shinobi to fight effectively they must have freedom of movement. If you restrict your females, you will restrict the might of the military. After all, no matter how strong a man might be," She raised her hand and clenched her fist, "there's a woman out there who is stronger."
She glanced over at Matsuri, who was grinning at her.
"I agree with Lady Sakura's assessment," Yuri said. "I have noticed a change in the attire of several women in the ranks who have taken Lady Sakura as a model, and with that, their effectiveness has increased. We are shinobi, not civilian, these customs hold us back."
The snide woman's lip curled in disgust, but she didn't speak again.
"This is not the time or place to discuss the future of shinobi fashion," Shikaru said with a rueful smile. "Nor is it wise to speculate based on rumours."
"Enough," Sasamu said tiredly. "The final matter is far more important."
"And what is the final matter?" Shikaru asked.
"The ability to mother an heir is… lacking."
The room seemed to freeze around her, and Sakura felt all her repressed anger rise. Shikaru must have sensed it because he began to watch her carefully. Matsuri cried out in frustration at hearing the words, but Sakura's head slowly turned to look at Madara. Her eyes were wide, and it was just a simple thing that made her calm down. Madara locked eyes with her and she saw the small lilt of his lips and knew he was giving her permission. Sakura, surprising the entire room, turned back to the clan council and laughed. Her laughter was the only sound to be heard, but it was not a happy laugh. It was rife with rage and disbelief, cutting the tension in the air. Sakura locked eyes with Sasamu, who gazed back at her sternly.
"For all your attempts to humiliate me, I will be glad to leave this room with you all feeling ashamed."
"How dare you - "
Sakura glared at the woman who spoke and she flinched away.
"You can have objections to my lack of a past, to my lack of grace, my clothes, to my suspicious adoption, or whatever other excuses you can come up with, I don't care," Sakura said, her heart pounding.
She looked at Madara again and steadied herself.
"Even if I was the lowest-born, as long as Madara loved me and I loved him, how could you object to that? Isn't wishing for a happy marriage better than being forced into something miserable?"
"How naive."
Several of the elders agreed with the sentiment.
"It is Lord Madara's duty to ensure the survival and progression of the clan, including producing an heir. Marriage is not a fairytale," Sasamu said harshly. "It is a duty."
Sakura, rationally, understood what he meant. But she wasn't in a rational frame of mind anymore. All she wanted was to shake the elders into understanding how insane and cruel they sounded. Instead, she shook her head, pitying the archaic beliefs.
"I won't pretend to understand the cruelty of clan politics," Sakura said. "But I will ask that you never again question the functions of a person's body. As Head Medic, I demand compliance in this matter!"
Sakura saw Kana frown slightly, and Usui looked at her in interest.
"It is a well-known fact that the attack that left you in a coma also left you unable to bear children," Sasamu said.
"That is true," Sakura said, irritated. "An unfortunate breach of doctor-patient confidentiality."
"I have such a funny feeling that you're enjoying yourself right now, Lady Sakura," Usui said, tapping his chin.
Sakura looked at him a moment, then gave him a similar smile to the one she did that day in the office, and he looked delighted. She looked over the eight other elders in the room, her eyes harder than they were when she looked at Usui.
"What you think - that I can't bear children was true. Once."
There was a flicker of surprise on their faces.
"Once?" Kana asked, curiously.
Sakura held her head proudly, and Matsuri laughed lightly.
"I was not named Head Medic for no reason," Sakura responded.
"Impossible," Sasamu said, eyes narrowed. "I spoke with the doctors who healed you myself."
Sakura narrowed her eyes at him, making a note to reinforce the laws of never revealing patients conditions to outsiders, no matter their clan status.
"Are you a medic, Sasamu?" She asked.
"No," he replied shortly.
"Is anyone else here a medic?" She looked around. "I would guess not. If the Uchiha had put more stock into their medics perhaps children who suffered as Shouta did could have been spared."
The air took on an icy chill.
"You dare insult our clan?" Sasamu said, his eyes hard.
"I state facts," Sakura said. "Unlike you."
"I have spoken nothing but the truth," Sasamu said.
"Then you are ignorant."
"Sakura."
Madara's voice cut through the tension. Sakura flinched slightly at the sternness in his voice, knowing she had taken it too far. Sasamu seemed smug until Madara turned his attention to the elders.
"You have had your time," he said. "I have sat long enough and listened to your insults to Sakura, the Nara, and my own judgment."
"Lord Madara, we did not - "
"Do not speak," Madara commanded.
The room fell silent under Madara's oppressive presence.
"I have explained this to you before. Sakura is my only choice for a bride, and whether or not she is able to carry children is not the business of others."
There was an ashamed silence in the room and Sakura looked down at the floor before she looked over at Madara, who was glowering. Sakura swallowed.
"I - I want to apologise for being confrontational with you," she said to the council in a low voice, her cheeks red.
"Sakura is aware that you want the best for your clan," Shikaru spoke up a moment later, diffusing the tension. "But, understandably, confronting her with something so intensely personal is bound to cause anger."
Sasamu shifted uncomfortably for a moment, and his face showed that he was aware of the fact.
"Sakura." Kana looked at her, her eyes softer and more curious. "Can you have children?"
Sakura looked at Madara.
"Yes," she said.
He didn't smile, but she could see it in his eyes, he was pleased again. She looked back at the elders, feeling exponentially calmer. She took a deep breath, making the choice to explain.
"When the Nine-Tails attacked a few months ago, it stabbed me through my abdomen. Using my healing abilities, the Creation Rebirth, I regenerated my reproductive organs."
There was a gasp in the room, and the elders all looked at each other in shock. Usui laughed mirthfully.
"You're full of surprises, Lady Sakura."
Sakura gave a wry smile.
"Do you have any other objections to Sakura?" Madara questioned, getting to his feet. "She has the allies you so desire within the village, the Senju value and love her, the Nara and their sister clans support her. She is a member of the Konoha Council, and Head Medic of the hospital. She has position and power."
"Indeed she does," Usui smiled.
"And she can bear the heir you so desire," Madara said with some derision.
He held his hand to Sakura, who reached up and took it. Madara lifted her from her kneeling position to her feet and she stood beside him.
"Are there any other objections?" Madara challenged the elders.
Sakura felt all kinds of overwhelmed and hurt and happy. The words of the elders stung at her, but the feeling of support she had from Shikaru and Matsuri and Madara helped ease it. But she felt like she had just caused some injuries that would take time to mend. She gripped Madara's hand tightly, but he showed no sign that he felt it. Eventually, Sasamu spoke. \
"No, there are not."
Sakura snapped her head to Sasamu, who showed nothing about what he was thinking.
"Then it is now time to reveal what occurred today," Madara said. "It will come as no surprise, but I asked, and Sakura agreed to marry me. We are engaged," Madara said, his voice less hard.
There was a pause, before a collective sigh.
"How unsurprising," Sasamu murmured.
Kana stood.
"I offer my congratulations," she said with a small bow. "Please endeavor to make our Lord Madara happy."
Sakura, a little surprised, nodded to her and saw that Kana's eyes were glistening and soft. Madara's hand tightened lightly around hers. She looked up at him and then back at the clan elders. She lowered at her hips, bowing to them.
"I - I promise that I will do everything in my power to make the clan proud," she said, unsure if she was even saying the right thing. She straightened and felt her body heat up. "Please give me time to prove I'm worthy of Lord Madara, and of you all."
Usui clapped his hands and everyone turned to him. Beside him, Kana's face twisted in exasperation.
"Well, I think we can say today's meeting was as pleasant as it was unpleasant and is now over, what about you, Sasa?"
Sasamu glared at him.
"I believe all that needed to be said has been said," Sasamu agreed. "We will be meeting you again, Lady Sakura. Lord Shikaru."
Shikaru inclined his head.
"Might I have a moment of the councils time?"
He remained kneeling.
"We will talk later, Shikaru," Madara murmured. "Hear him, your leader commands it."
The Elders remained seated, while Madara led Sakura out, followed by Yuri and Matsuri. Sakura cast a glance back at Shikaru, wondering what he was doing.
"He's negotiating," Madara explained quietly, noticing her gaze.
Sakura looked at him in surprise.
"What for?"
"Your marriage," Matsuri grinned.
Two guards closed the door behind them, and Shikaru was alone with the council. Sakura felt a little unease and worry, which she knew was unfounded, but still. She'd never been a part of a clan like the Nara or been engaged before. She started to feel a little panic build.
"I can't believe you didn't tell me you were going to ask her to marry you!" Matsuri said with an angry pout at Madara, breaking Sakura out of her panic.
"Why should I tell you anything?" Madara responded to her, frowning and sounding annoyed.
"You know full well, Apple Boy" Matsuri threatened.
Madara stiffened immediately.
"Suri," he growled.
"You don't scare me, Madara Uchiha," Matsuri scoffed in his face.
Sakura and Yuri exchanged amused glances.
"Congratulations," he whispered to her.
"Thanks," she replied, smiling.
Matsuri, apparently done with Madara, turned her attention to Sakura.
"So what happened?" Matsuri pressed. "Was it beautiful? Romantic?"
Sakura laughed. Madara sighed tiredly.
"It was perfectly acceptable," he muttered.
Matsuri rolled her eyes.
"Perfectly acceptable," she mocked.
She linked Sakura's arm with her own and dragged Sakura away from Madara.
"Time for some girl talk, I think."
Sakura looked back over her shoulder at Madara, who watched them with a glint in his eye.
"Madara," Yuri said with laughter in his voice. "I think you need to see something. Kagami has a trick he'd like to show you."
With one last look back at Madara, Sakura followed Matsuri into a small garden a little while away from the council meeting room, and there they spent the next hour chatting away, and Sakura's worries and anxieties were eased by Matsuri's indomitable personality and laughter. Sakura fell asleep alone that night but woke the following morning in Madara's arms. He was sleeping soundly in her bed, and she smiled and snuggled close to him, kissing his chest as she lay her head on it. He moaned in his sleep and turned his head and she suppressed another smile.
"G'morning," he murmured sleepily.
Sakura lifted her head and gazed at him.
"Good morning," she whispered. "When did you get here?"
He breathed deeply.
"A little before dawn," he said thickly. "It was a long night."
Sakura was surprised.
"What happened?"
"Hashirama," Madara said through half-lidded eyes.
Sakura understood immediately. She giggled.
"Go back to sleep," she whispered. "Let's take the day off."
"We can't," Madara said, trying and failing to sound convincing and awake.
"If anyone needs us, they'll have to come to find us, and then suffer the consequences," Sakura whispered, snuggling up to him again.
"Go to sleep," she cooed.
Madara did, and soon after Sakura fell back to sleep as well.
Shikata Nara, who'd been awake when Madara had come to Sakura's house, had confronted him briefly at his appearance at such a ridiculous hour. Madara, who usually acted with an indifference that Shikata was envious of, seemed too tired to bother with a front. Instead, he spoke with an honesty that made Shikata almost uncomfortable since it was so unusual.
"I just need to sleep," he said. "It's easier when she's near."
Shikata had shrugged and let him go, but his mind was working a few hours ahead. He sighed, and muttered, "Troublesome," before deciding to take up position to send away anyone that would come and bother either his sister or the man who'd soon become a brother of sorts. Not because he wanted to, or anything like that. But he was planning to laze around anyway, and the grass by Sakura's house was nice to lay in.