My hands reached for a pillow to shield my eyes from the sun shining through the window. Rolling over I read the clock and was disappointed that it was only 9:15 instead of later. My next shift doesn't start till 11 so I rolled out of bed to begin the process of getting ready. Every muscle and bone in my body aches from working myself to exhaustion and no doubt today would be the same. Tsunade wants me to come by the tower but I also need to go shopping for my unwanted guest. Today was already off to a fan-fucking-tastic start…
After I was dressed, I hurried into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee but I stopped dead in my tracks when I noticed a silver haired ninja sitting on my couch.
"Good morning Sakura. Are you going in today? I thought Sasuke would've told you."
I looked at my sensei with confusion all over my face. What would Sasuke have to tell me? It's not like he can tell me what I can and can't do.
"Tell me what Kakashi?"
"Oh you have the next three weeks off. A sort of paid vacation if you will. Tsunade and I agreed to this, so no sparring or missions for a while."
I am dumbfounded. So not only do I have him staying in my house with me for weeks, but now I'm going to be forced to spend time with him. Great just great! Rolling my eyes at him I stopped rushing and took a seat by my aging sensei, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes are showing more and more with the passing years. I patted his leg with sympathy, knowing that Sasuke coming back is taking a toll on everyone in a different way.
"Look you know that three weeks off is almost impossible for me but I'll try. If I need to spar then I will. I'm going to go change out of my hospital clothes now. Sasuke should be around here somewhere."
Rushing back to my room so I wouldn't take too long, I stopped at my dresser and froze. Sasuke has affected everyone that I know and love in a certain way, some are unforgivable and others were just down right dirty. But here I am, still in love with the Uchiha unable to see the clear path to take from here. Everything is hazy on what I should do or what course it the right one to take, almost like running through the trees. I feel like I may step on the wrong branch and fall to the ground. Pulling out a sweater and jeans, I looked in the mirror and was satisfied with the imaging reflecting me.
Walking down the hallway, Kakashi and Sasuke were talking in a whisper to each other. The conversation stopped as I entered the room, as I took a seat a knock echoed from the door. Of course someone else would be here this early! Opening the door, I was knocked back by a blur of orange and yellow.
"Dammit Naruto! Calm your ass down its only 9:45 in the morning! Don't make me punch you."
Naruto doesn't understand when to be calm and has a certain tact. His hyper ness is something that I wish I could understand and learn to use when I needed energy. Naruto joined the group of men in the living room, it seemed as if the past eight years never truly happened. Even Sasuke was saying something every once in a while.
The sight in front of me is really something that needs to be seen. These years apart have only made their bonds stronger but yet here I am in the background once again. My heart is tightening at the thought but I shake it off.
"Now don't get me wrong, I love this whole Team 7 reunion going on right now but I do have a lot of errands to run today. Also this house needs to be finished decorating and cleaned."
Everyone stopped talking and turned towards me, even Sasuke. Naruto looked guilty for barging in and not saying hello to me. I placed a hand on my hip and tapped my foot slightly in annoyance.
"That's why Kakashi and I are here Sakura. Sai and Neji will be here soon to help too. You have a lot to do today and we figured we could help out."
Naruto cracked a smile and I couldn't help but follow his lead. My friends were simply the best actually. Letting out a small sigh, I relaxed into the recliner and giggled.
"Fine. You guys can finish the outside lights and make sure that everything in the house gets dusted and mopped. I guess Sasuke will go with me to do the errands. Where are the other girls at?"
Naruto scratched his head and looked at Kakashi like there was another secret. I gave the blonde a death glare because I'm beyond caring for surprises.
"They will meet you at the Hokage Tower. Sasuke I put some winter clothes in your room, so change before you two leave."
Sasuke looked at the silver haired man before retreating to him room. Naruto plopped on the couch next to Kakashi and they both stare at me with curiosity. The questions were about to start pouring out of their mouth and I wasn't entirely ready yet.
"Team 7 seems to finally be back together. Who would've thought?"
I looked at the two men and I had to put a stop to this. We don't even know if Sasuke is staying, getting our hopes up will just bite us in the ass later on. Standing up, I ran a hand through my hair and gave them a defeated look.
"Why are you two so calm? We can't say that Team 7 is back together until Sasuke proves that he really wants to be here and be with us again. Let's just take this one day at a time."
Naruto's smile disappeared and Kakashi's frown was visible through the navy mask. Slightly stomping my feet as I went back to my room to put on my snow boots because my regular ninja shoes wouldn't do since there's about four inches of snow on the ground. Turning around from the closet, Sasuke is now standing in my doorway wearing a tight black sweater with dark jeans. I have to keep myself from drooling at the handsome man standing in front of me because I promised myself not to show weakness.
"What can I do for you Sasuke?"
"Hn. You ready?"
"Be out in a second."
I watched as he left the doorway and I couldn't help but have a déjà vu moment. How many times have I watched him walk away from me? There have been countless times when I've tried to help Sasuke but he only said I was weak and annoying. Yeah being a preteen girl, that damaged me slightly. It also gave me something to work for, something to strive for. Not today, I can't think about it anymore.
Returning to my friends and Sasuke took longer than I thought but I had to grab my phone and wallet. Naruto is working on putting another tree together in the living room while Kakashi is getting all of the lights from the attic to put on the outside of the house. These people have earned a special place in my heart and nothing will ever change.
"Okay Sasuke and I are gone. You two behave and make sure none of you ruin my house." My tone was serious while I spoke. I started to put on my jacket as Sasuke walked outside into the frozen air and I shivered from the instant temperature change. I walked past the tall man and started our journey to the tower, I'm not really feeling the whole running like a ninja things today. For the next three weeks, everything can be a normal pace. No rushing to the hospital or missions, just me and some quality time at home…oh wait scratch that.
I can Sasuke out of the corner of my eye as we walk. It's a nice feeling having him close again, but there is also a feeling of hesitation. Sasuke Uchiha is known for taking down his targets without a sound and no trace that it was him. Even as a ninja, there's almost always going to be a way to trace down the killer. My body shivered, not from the cold but due to the fact that Sasuke is, in fact, a killer… My child self would never accept the fact that I fell in love for a crazed killer and trained weapon. I know that all ninja are trained weapons but Sasuke and Naruto are on a whole other level. Maybe I should say something that way today isn't spent in complete awkwardness.
"So Sasuke you never really told my why you came back."
"Hn."
I cut my eyes to him and I had to hold my breath. The two large hands are tucked into the pockets of his jeans and it was as if he were carefree for once.
"I don't speak Uchiha."
Sasuke sucked in a breath of cold air and released it after a long pause. Was talking to me really that bad? I figured that after a while he would see me as something other than a fan girl.
"A lot of reason honestly."
"Well whenever you decide to stop being so cryptic, I'll talk."
A grunt sound escaped his mouth as we approached the tower. I could sense the council member's chakra signatures were in Tsunade's office as we walked up the stairs. Sasuke's body tensed up more as I opened to door to find two elders sitting in the room with my mentor.
"Haruno, Uchiha. About time you two joined us. I was starting to wonder when you two would finally make it to the tower." Lady Tsunade looked upset and worried all in one. The council members rose and motioned for us to take their seats. Every nerve in my body is going into fight or flight mode but that isn't a real option right now. I took my seat next to Sasuke while the elder man and woman stood next to Tsunade. The woman began to speak as I stared at the Hokage.
"Thank you for joining the council and Hokage. Now there have been many questions and insecurities. As the eldest members of the village council, we speak for the entire village when we reach a conclusion."
My eyes darted back and forth between my mentor, the council and Sasuke. It seemed that I'm the only person that isn't in complete shock or confusion. Sasuke's body was ridged but he didn't show any sign of faltering from his strong façade. My fingers are gripping my pants tight, too afraid to ask any questions for once.
"We have spoken with the Hokage and we have reached our decision." The man's voice was stern and strict. I'd be afraid if this man were ever someone's sensei. My stomach flipped. What have the decided for Sasuke? Would he be sentenced to death or exiled? Have they thought about sending him to jail for his crimes? That wouldn't make any sense though; he killed enemies of the village.
"Sakura, Sasuke this decision will effect you two greatly and change everything that you two know and understand. As you know, the Uchiha clan has been reduced down to one member and one member only. The Sharingan is a very power Kekkei Genkai and is something that is very valuable."
Squinted my forehead; I looked at Tsunade who looked defeated as if she's already lost a battle that went on behind the scenes. Sasuke now looks concerned as well, sharing the same expression that I have. Rising from my chair, I cross my arms across my chest trying to intimidate the three high-ranking individuals in the room.
"What are you trying to say ma'am? We are ninja so beating around the bush only tends to become a nuisance to us. Go ahead and say what you want to." There was a long pause before someone opened his or her mouth. I was handed a scroll, as was Sasuke. I took a seat again and I fiddled with the paper binding.
"This is an official order, there will be no way to break the contract or deny it. As Hokage, I must force the will of the council and have the best interest of the village and villagers. This is a till death agreement, in order to break the deal one of you must be deceased."
My hearted is beating at a hundred miles an hour. Sasuke and I both ripped open the scroll to read every word. My entire body went limp…
"This is an official document. As the High Council and Hokage have agreed, these conditions must be met and never to be broken. The punishment is death, for both parties.
-Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno must consummate a marriage before the Hokage by January 31st.
-As it is the best interest for the village, children must be born within two years of marriage or there will be consequences.
-If either party is found guilty of adultery, then the punishment is death for both parties.
-If either party is found guilty of domestic violence, then the punishment is death for both parties.
This is a till death agreement. Under no condition will this document be voided or thrown out. A copy will be kept in the record room at the Anbu headquarters."
At the bottom are all three of their signatures. The elders left while we were reading, leaving a very pissed off Uchiha, an emotional Hokage and myself. They were forcing me to marry Sasuke fucking Uchiha! Just last night I promised myself that I wouldn't let him get me easily, to never be hurt by him again. Fate has other plans obviously.
"Look, I tried to get them off of the subject Sakura. Like I told you last night, they only trust him with you alone. Sasuke I know that this isn't something that you do very easily but neither of you can break this agreement. It's a done deal."
"You're the Hokage! There has to be something you can do! I've witnessed you telling them no so many times, why not now?"
I jump from my chair and stared at Sasuke while almost throwing the paper at Tsunade. Ultimately, she has the final say over everything in the village, but why not now?
"You know that they can out vote me. I did this to save both of you."
"Save us? Please Tsunade spar me that crap."
This time, Tsunade stood from behind her desk and grabbed my shirt to pull me over the desk. Her eyes were blazing with anger and sadness, something I've never seen before.
"They were going to kill him. I originally wanted to save his life, but they decided this brilliant fucking idea."
Using her strength, I was tossed back into my chair but my focus went to Sasuke who still hadn't said a single word. Had these years away caused him to go mute in tough situations? This man, who suddenly comes home, now has to become my husband…that word feels wrong.
"Sasuke, are you going to say something? Anything at all?"
"There's nothing we can do Sakura."
Sasuke stood from his seat and exited the room while I could barely breath. My life has never been normal but now it will never be. Love is something that I will never know now. I feel a single tear roll down my face as I grip the scroll tighter.
"I'm so sorry Sakura. You know that I think of you as a daughter. This is something I'd wish on my enemy, not you. Take this for Uchiha. It's part of his family's inheritance, I mean a very small part. He has to look like a villager now, not some sound assassin."
I took the envelope from the outreached hand; snatching it from her I almost broke the door as I exited the room. Every step I take leaves a small dent in the floor. How dare they order us to marry! Our lives aren't made for them to control and ruin. My blood is boiling as I find Sasuke sitting on a bench outside while I see Hinata, Ino and Tenten running up to us. Shoving the scrolls in our pockets, I roll my shoulders back to make myself look taller and take in a deep breath. Sasuke stood and took a spot next to me. I can feel the red eyes burning a hole into back of my head…Today is going to be a long day…