"Holy shit! Kakashi sensei come look at this!" My eyes start to open as Naruto is standing over me pointing down at the couch. Why was he being so loud? I've slept on the couch so many times…Movement behind me wakes me up completely as my sensei comes around the corner. Sasuke's arms have me pressed completely against him, I must've turned in my sleep because my back is flush with his chest.
"Hmm… seems they are starting early huh Naruto." I jump from the couch punching my blonde friend. Sasuke sits up from the couch and I retreat to my room checking my phone. I slept with Sasuke on the couch last night! What was I thinking? God I'm such an idiot, my walls came down for an instant…Tsunade had called me a few times yesterday and there was a text.
'Come to my office tomorrow morning. We need to discuss a few things. Bring Uchiha with you.'
Ughh… why does he have to follow me everywhere I go? If this is how the rest of my life is going to be, I'd rather die. The clock said it was already ten in the morning, how did I sleep in that late? Shrugging off the clothes from yesterday, I pull on a green sweater with white pants. I hear yelling coming from the living room and two loud thumps. Stomping out my room and back to the three men, they all look at me and two of them look slightly scared. Kakashi and Naruto were rubbing their heads slightly, I guess someone must've smacked them.
"Sasuke we have to go see Tsunade. Go get dressed." I mean seriously what does she need to discuss? I need to go out and buy presents for all of my friend, my parents and my sensei's today. Maybe once I'm done with Tsunade I can hurry and get that finished. Wrapping presents takes me forever sadly. If the paper gets wrinkled or folded the wrong way, I always rip it off and restart. I'm the same way with my research and reports. If one letter is odd looking I'll completely redo it, my attention to detail in my work is ridiculous to say the least.
Sasuke came down the hallway wearing a black hoodie with dark jeans. He needed to go out and get more clothes also. Naruto packed him enough to get through a few days but he's starting to run thin. All four of us walked out of my house, Naruto and Kakashi went the opposite direction once we began our walk to the Hokage Tower.
"I need to get my shopping done today. Do you want to get new clothes as well?" I look around at the quiet village. Normally shops were busy and the streets were filled but the weather is causing people to stay indoors.
"I already ordered my clothes and a few other things. I'm just waiting on them to finish stitching my clan emblem onto my shirts." He's looking ahead of us. When did he have time to do all of this? If he's been sneaking out, I'll break his legs.
"How? You haven't been alone since you returned." I look over to him with the irritation on my face.
"There's a clothing store that the Uchiha clan mainly used. All I had to do was call and tell them what I wanted. They should be ready tomorrow." I guess that answers all of my questions. We arrive at the building and begin our short walk up the stairs.
In the room, Tsunade has set up three chairs around a small round table. A large book is sitting on the table top along with a notepad. What now? Without a word said, we sit looking at the main woman in charge. Most of the time she has a very youthful appearance, today she looked tired and irritated. Like master, like student.
"About time you two came. We have a lot to go over." She opened the book and the page she turned to was headed with the Uchiha fan. Sasuke's breath caught in his throat and he sat on the edge of the chair.
"This book holds the traditions of every clan in the village. Since the Uchiha is one of the oldest clans in existence there are stricter guidelines to follow." I join Sasuke in sitting on the edge of my seat. My little clan didn't have many traditions so this is news to me.
"Most newly wed Uchiha's spend the first night together…intimately…some of these nights were watched to provide proof of the act." Tsunade a face turned slightly pink as she turned the page. I wish I could rip the book from her and read it for myself.
"The wives mainly stayed home to raise the children. After marriage they resigned from duty and became civilians. The husbands would continue their ninja careers." Are you fucking kidding me? There's no way I'm giving up my career for Sasuke. The council can shove it if they think that will ever happen.
"Lastly, the wives had to be completely submissive to their husband. In return the husbands were loyal to only their wives. Uchiha's are known to love deeply, that's why these traditions were written." Submissive? Has anyone met me? I sit back in the chair and fold my arms on my chest. Sasuke sat there with his chin resting on his hand, deep in thought. Was he taking the news like I was?
"So the council decided to force us to marry, have children and threaten to kill us if we screw up. And now we have to follow all these old traditions. Are you fucking kidding me Lady Tsunade?" My voice is harsh and my chakra is starting to spike from my anger.
"You don't have to follow all of these. That's why we are here. In exchange for the arranged marriage, the council will let you make slight changes to the traditions."
"I'm not going to stop being a ninja or a medic. That is one of my changes." I yell after the last word leaves her mouth. The council owes me that much.
"I will not let Sakura stop her duties. She will remain a ninja and medic." Sasuke speaks will a cool tone. He's calling the shots since this is his clan, I really can't change anything without his consent. At least he agreed to this one.
"I'll make note of that. Anything else Sakura?" She writes down my change on the small notepad, of course I have more but where will Sasuke draw the line.
"No witnesses to anything Sasuke and I do. Any intimate moments will be behind closed doors." I look over to Sasuke who nods his head in agreement. I'm not going to mention the whole 'let your husband be in charge' concept of the traditions. Sasuke and I can make more ground rules in private.
"Alright then. Second, will you two be living in the Uchiha compound?" It's almost as if she's scared to ask this question. The last time he lived there, his entire clan was slaughtered.
"Yes. We will live in my old home that's being cleaned and remodeled right now." Mr. cool as always.
"Third, have either of you thought about rings?" Really? I haven't even thought about how to tell my parents, let alone by a ring.
"I have a set we can use." Once again Sasuke answers. He's already been planning all of this without telling me. He's probably already planned out how to tell everyone as well. Might as well let him tell my parents too.
"Okay. My last two questions the you can leave. One, have you two chosen a date? Second, do you want just to officiate it here in the office? No wedding involved." Of course I didn't want an actual wedding. This wasn't a happy occasion, there's a one sided love and a high council order. A date?
"January 10th will be the date. Yes, we will just come in for you to sign the paper." Is this his way of trying? He's answered all of her questions without asking me. Sasuke have always been someone who like to take control so this is no shocker.
"Sounds like a plan then. I'll see you two then, Sakura you report back to the hospital the day after Christmas." She's writing as the cold words leave her mouth. I know she's still against this and she's trying to hide her anger from us. I follow Sasuke as we leave the office and end up back on the main road.
"Where all do you need to go?" His voice is soft so that no one eavesdrops on our conversation.
"There are a few places if you think you can make it." I put a hand on my hip and smirk. Maybe he will want to go to Naruto's instead.
"Hn. Let's go then." Mentally I smack myself in the face. This day keeps getting better and better.
The sun is sinking in the sky as we make our way into the warm house. Good thing he decided to stay, he care in handy carrying all the bags. Hopefully everyone will enjoy their gifts. I'll start wrapping in a few days and maybe that will put me in the holiday spirit. Sasuke follows me back to my bedroom and places the bags on my bed. He examined the room and looked at the framed picture on my nightstand.
"You still have that?" His hands gently pick the old picture up to bring it closer to his face.
"Why wouldn't I?" My feet bring me beside him and I take the object from him putting back in its place. A warmth spreads over me, this picture was the only reminder that I had of him when he left. I'll never admit it to anyone but I kept it so I wouldn't forget his face. The moment I forgot that it would tear me apart even faster, it would be as if he were a ghost.
"I like to think we were all slightly happy back then." A naïve thought, we were fighting our own demons. Naruto and Sasuke were fighting each other as well. There were times when everything seemed normal, we were a family, but the last few days of Team 7 were dark and heartbreaking. I'll never forget that final night and following my instincts to the main road. He turns with his face looking at the ground and exits my room. There's still a fight going on inside of him but he won't let anyone help. Typical Sasuke…
Hiding the gift, a because if Ino catches wind they are here she will tear the house apart, I turn to go towards the living room where a glow is coming from. Sasuke must've started the fireplace and turned off the lights. Fire has always been relaxing to him, probably because it's his main chakra nature. He's laying back on the couch reading a book, relaxed and peaceful. It's rare to see the avenger actually relaxed.
"Can I join you?" I grab my medical book from the table and a low hn is my response. Taking my seat, I crack open the book. Between the fire and the lights from the tree, it's still bright enough to read. My body relaxes and for once I feel myself enjoying just sitting here. The silence isn't uncomfortable either like back when we were children, it's calming. I could almost meditate right now but there's a slight charge to the air. Is it the tension?
"Are you hungry?" Sasuke voice breaks me from my thoughts and I cock my head towards him. We haven't eaten much today and I didn't eat dinner last night.
"Yeah a little bit." My face tingles from the blush I have. It's not too warm but Sasuke would be able to see it. The question is unexpected to say the least, I've been the one cooking since he returned.
He closes his book and rises from the couch. I watch as he walks to the kitchen and starts to look for something to make. This is weird but nice at the same time. Returning to my book I read over the herbs and soldier pills that were dominant in Suna. They have so many desert plants that could come in handy in case there was any viral outbreak. Hmm it's been a while since I visited Gaara, maybe we could take a trip in the spring. Sasuke comes walking back into the room carrying two plates, he made rice balls and soup. He placed the plates on the table and went back to grab two bottles of water.
I lean over and move the coffee table closer to the couch. This was almost something out of a story to be honest. He returned to his seat and I grabbed one of my rice balls, I wonder if he is a good cook. Taking a small bite, there's a tomato paste in the center and it's really good. Looks like I won't be the only one cooking.
"Thank you Sasuke. This is really good." I take another bite and put it back on the plate.
"Your welcome. I've been cooking since I was a child." His voice gets low and I understand why. He's been on his own for most of his life and he had to figure out everything on his own. My heart tightens and I want to wrap my arms around him to make it better. My hand goes to his shoulder and I rub circles on his shoulder blade. I feel his body tense from my touch and my hand retracts from him.
"Sorry…" I curl back into my seat and grab my book as a distraction. Have I crossed the line again? Damnit. I let my feelings take over and all I want to do I hold onto him. His life hasn't been the easiest and I wish he would let me help him. All I've ever wanted was to help him and show him what happiness really is. A warm touch on my face brings me back to reality. Sasuke's thumb strokes make my face feel like fire. There's a saddened expression on his face and it's genuine.
"There's nothing you could've done to change it. Don't be sorry." His hand retracts and I feel my body grow cold from the loss of his touch. How does he always have an effect on me?
'The answer is simple…you still love him. Like completely head over heels for him.'
'So what if I am? There will never be anything between us.'
'I wouldn't bet on that. You really are oblivious sometimes. I'll leave you to suffer in silence.'
This is the moment that I never wanted to happen…I still love Sasuke Uchiha with my entire being. There's not a day that's gone by that I haven't loved him. He's no capable of loving me in that way, he's been cut off from love most of his life. It's like trying to teach Sai the difference between the love of ice cream and the romantic love, almost impossible.
"Sakura, would you like to go to dinner tomorrow?" Huh? He's asking me to dinner, but why? Does this have something to do with fooling everyone or was he actually interested in going to dinner with me? It would be nice to go out but at the same time I don't want to deal with the drama from everyone else.
"I'd like that Sasuke." It could be a chance to catch up formally and try to repair our friendship. There's been so much we've missed out on because of him leaving the village. It would make life easier here in the next few weeks as well. A warm smile spreads on my face as I continue to read my book.