Type: Mystery/Romance

Rating: PG-13 (for now)

Pairing: ItaSaku, other minor relationships

World: Alternate Universe

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any persons, places or other miscellaneous odds and ends attributed to the show or manga.

Chapter 5: Courage

Sakura stood at the village gates, watching the rather large caravan as it made its way slowly towards the village. This was her escort to her new home, but she was less than impressed. Did they think she was some simpering young woman who could not make the journey alone?

"I know what you're thinking, and stop that! This is customary for the groom's family to display his wealth to the family of the new bride. You should be impressed." Tsunade stood with her, even though Sakura had begged her to go indoors. The snow had piled on two more inches the night before and was now sitting at three feet high. The bitter wind swept down through the buildings of the village like arrows, their cold tips slicing through whomever had the misfortune of being out so early.

Kakashi grunted to her left and wrapped his parka closer to his body. The sun had not yet risen behind the thick blanket of clouds, but a small gathering awaited the caravan.

"You shouldn't be out here either, Kaka-sensei. Why don't all of you go inside and warm up? By the looks of things they won't actually arrive for another hour or so." The truth was that the Yukikage had been so elated to be told that the village had finally selected someone that he had sent gifts of gold, building supplies such as lumber and bricks, and weaponry of all shapes and sizes as a sort of reverse dowry for his bride-to-be.

"I won't leave you to sit out here like a bump on a log, Sakura. I won't abandon you now! Besides, Icha Icha will keep me warm." The kunoichi could see the apprehension and unease in her teacher's stance and voice. He was not comfortable with this. Well, that definitely made two of them.

Suddenly the caravan was much closer and Sakura could feel a strong sense of panic. They were going to take her away and she was never going to see her friends and beloved village again, and she was-

"Lady Tsunade, they're here." Shizune's frightened voice pulled Sakura out of her panic attack. The many wagons suddenly stopped just short of the gates, and a slim figure nudged her horse forwards. She slid off the animal's back as she came before the Hokage, dropping fluidly into a deep bow before the leader of Konoha.

"My lady, I am Arashi. I come by command of the Yukikage in order to bring his esteemed bride to our village. I thank you on his behalf." Tsunade said nothing, watching with shrewd eyes as the young woman stood slowly, taking in Sakura's form with a calculated glance. Sakura stood in a cloak that hid the layers of traveling clothing and thermal underwear. However, her hair was pinned up in a bun, visible in the feeble light. The older woman wondered if this girl would underestimate her new mistress. Sakura cleared her throat, stepping forwards and smiling slightly.

"I am Haruno Sakura. It is nice to meet you." Arashi's face was hidden behind a hood and wraps, but it was apparent that she was judging the woman before her. She suddenly came to a conclusion as she nodded.

"Indeed, milady. I understand your need for goodbyes, but we have a long journey. If you would direct me to your things, I'll give you a few moments to say farewell."

"You aren't staying for a night or two? Surely the journey has been difficult. Do you not need rest?" Tsunade asked.

"We are ninja, milady. We will rest when we return to our country. I thank you for your hospitality. We have brought gifts in thanks for the union." She gestured behind her and several wagons broke from the chain. The village gatekeepers led them away to be stored, and Sakura turned to Kakashi. He pulled her into a tight hug and slipped a small package into her pocket.

"This is a part of my summoning scroll. If you ever need me…" Sakura pulled back slightly, tears in her eyes.

"Thank you, Sensei." He smiled at her sadly.

"I also slipped you one of my books… in case you got bored." Sakura was too sad to be angry as she hugged him close again. Shikamaru joined them, handing Sakura a box.

"A Shougi board. Perhaps you will meet someone with enough strategy and intelligence to actually beat you. You do realize Naruto's going to kill me when he gets back. Ino, too." Sakura shook her head and hugged him too.

"Keep them safe, Shika."

"I will." After Shikamaru, others came to bid their goodbyes. Tenten, Neji and Lee all gave her helpful gifts for the journey, while Lee cried and pleaded for her not to leave him. She only hugged them all and forced herself not to cry. Others, too, gave her hugs and memorabilia, but all too soon it was time to leave. Tsunade was the last to bid her farewell. She helped Sakura into the large and extravagant wagon, grasping her student's hand.

"Be brave, my girl. Stand strong and firm, and represent this village with honor and courage. This is your final mission as a kunoichi of Konoha." Sakura nodded, unable to stop the tears as they flowed from her face. Tsunade, too, had begun to cry. She pressed a set of scrolls into the girl's arms. "These will help you if ever a medical emergency arises that you would need my assistance with. I am so proud of you, Sakura. You will send me a missive as to your well being from time to time, do you understand?" Sakura nodded.

"Yes, Shishou." The Hokage nodded and released her. She stepped back and Arashi appeared in the doorway.

"Are you ready, milady?"

"Yes," Sakura said.

"We are off, then." With that, she swung up onto her horse's awaiting back and galloped to the front of the caravan. They started off down the snowy road, and Sakura looked out her window as Konoha slowly disappeared. Her friends all stood there, silent and grave as they allowed her to leave. This was the price of peace, and all were suddenly feeling the sting of the steep requirement. Sakura watched until she could no longer see them before turning back to the warm silence of her wagon.

When she was sure no one could see her, Sakura broke down and wept.

Itachi raced along the snowy path, chasing an elusive rabbit as it darted in front of him, desperate to escape. It dodged and whirled in all directions, trying in vain to dislodge the powerful black wolf from its path.

The strong male could hear the terrified heartbeat and the pounding of feet into compact snow. He could hear the sounds of the trees and the winds around him as he ran. He could smell the scents of the forest, guiding him as if he had eyes to see. He stopped suddenly as the sound of another wolf came from his left.

"Hyouzan. What is it?"

"The caravan left two days ago, Itachi. They just sent a missive that they have begun the journey back. Do you plan to greet your bride?" Itachi snorted and shook snow from his fur. Hyouzan rolled his eyes and sat down under the shelter of a large fir tree.

"I do not know her, Hyouzan. I don't even know where she is from or what her name is. How can I be enthusiastic about meeting a woman I have no intention of getting to know? We've planned for her to be nothing more than a met requirement for me to be Kage of Yuki. I didn't even want to marry. " Hyouzan sighed. He hated it when Itachi chose to be difficult.

"Father did not tell you, then. The girl is from your home village, Itachi. Her name is Haruno Sakura and she is the apprentice of Tsunade, the Hokage and a great healer. It is father's hope that she will be able to heal your eyes." Itachi started at the mention of Konoha.

"She… is from Konoha?"

"Yes." The Uchiha pondered this for a moment. It could be that this girl would know him as a murderer. This would not bode well for their relationship or marriage. However, if she was a healer that could correct the problem with his eyes, he decided that would have to be enough. His parents had not always been on good terms, either.

"They return in two days?"

"Sooner, if Arashi has her way." Arashi was one of Hyouzan's younger sisters. The girl was sweet and generous, but energetic and always on the move. She had been excited to lead the caravan to Konoha, and Fuyu had been happy to allow her the privilege.

"I'll be ready to meet her after she has arrived and had time to settle, my friend."

"We should head back. You will return to human form tonight." Itachi nodded, his thoughts on his bride to be and the terrible weight she would have to carry as his wife. He only hoped that she would be strong enough to hold up against the family curse.

Two days after leaving her village and friends behind, Sakura caught her first glimpse of her new home. Night was fast approaching, but Sakura was determined to take in as much as she could.

The village itself was situated in the middle of a mountain valley, protected on three sides by steep mountains covered in thick layers of ice. The third side was bordered by a vast river that cut between the village and a dark forest. The snow was wild and strong as it continued to fall all around, but it only seemed to add to the beauty of the scene before her. Sakura gasped as her wagon turned a bend and she was finally able to set eyes on her destination. The village hidden in the Glaciers was twice as large as Konoha, and the buildings were new and sleek. Roofs rose high and proud, though the snow blurred the edges. The gates were strong and fortified; no hints of cracks or loving age. The kanji for 'snow' was proudly painted on the wide set of gates, and Sakura wondered what the people would think if they saw her home.

She shook off the feeling of unease as the gates opened wide and the wagons entered in. Sakura didn't realize she was gripping the edge of the window sill until it began to splinter, and the pain of splinters shook her out of the daze she was trapped in. There were no people out and about, but it was getting to be late evening and the bitter wind seemed to be much colder in the mountains.

It wasn't long before the caravan came in front of a huge set of buildings that looked suspiciously like the Uchiha compound. However, the place resembled a high dollar ski lodge with the walls of sturdy wood and cobblestone walkways. The woman, Arashi, rode up beside Sakura's wagon and pulled one of her wraps down around her chin. She had warmed up considerably over the course of the journey and the smile she lent to the pink haired girl was a gift in itself.

"So, what do you think? Isn't it the most beautiful place on earth?" Sakura only smiled and wrapped her blanket tighter around her shoulders. Arashi glanced over with a small sigh. "Chin up, Sakura. Things will get easier, and the Yukikage isn't a monster. In fact, I doubt you'll see much of him at all. And hey! When the weather lightens up, I'll show you what we do for fun around here!"

"That… sounds nice, Arashi." The wagon came to a sudden stop and Arashi galloped away to prepare the people within the compound for their new mistress. Sakura took a deep breath and offered up a prayer for courage. She was going to complete her mission with smile, even if it killed her! Arashi was back seconds later and Sakura realized that the wagon was stopped in front of the largest building. She opened the door and stepped down, almost laughing as she sunk down into the soft powder of snow that reached to her thighs. Arashi was waiting for her on the raised porch, and Sakura quickly clambered up beside her.

"Now, I have to warn you… the people here are… a bit different. You'll have to set aside all you know to be true and just go with us, okay? And don't worry. It gets easier to comprehend as you go." Sakura felt very nervous at this point. Courage and honor be damned, she suddenly wished she'd just sucked it up and let Ino come here. However, she had no more time for second guessing as Arashi slid open the door and ushered her inside.

There were… wolves. Several wolves. Not only that, but these creatures were rather large; the biggest one was a black brute whose nose was level with Sakura's. And… they were smiling. Now Sakura understood summons, but she suddenly came to understand all of those old legends and stories. She understood the paw in the middle of her necklace and the deep apprehension Tsunade and Kakashi had shown before she'd left. What in the hell had she gotten herself into? The big black wolf stepped forwards and stared into her eyes.

Sakura had always been told that when a wild animal looks you in the eye, you should look away and not challenge him. However she was too frightened to even think of moving. Her eyes held his gaze and she forced her spine to stiffen. She was not going to cower, no matter how frightened she was. She slowly reached behind her into her weapons pouch, fingers glancing against the looped handle of a kunai. She would not die without a fight. She briefly wondered why the Yukikage would allow such creatures into his home, anyway. The wolf shifted and Sakura was prepared to fight when they were suddenly interrupted.

"Stop that, Fuyu! She is not some servant to stare into submission." The voice was soft and melodic, and Sakura's brain struggled to place and process it in this room of beasts. The wolf snorted, his breath blasting Sakura and nearly sending her backwards. A white wolf nudged the black one aside and bowed. That was the only word the shocked Konoha nin could offer the action as the wolf stretched out her front legs and lowered her head. "Welcome, Haruno Sakura. I am Nadare, and this is Fuyu. We are the retainers and servants of the Yukikage. Welcome to Yuki."

"Sakura?" Arashi put a hand on the girl's shoulder, wondering if they had shocked her too much. Nadare straightened and pushed her mate further back. Perhaps this girl was not who they had hoped she would be.

"I… I'm pleased to meet you, Nadare-san." Sakura recovered quickly and offered a slight bow. "I apologize for my hesitation; I had not expected wolves to greet me in my new home." Nadare laughed at the steel behind the words. If she was correct, Sakura sounded as if she was halfway between angry and shell-shocked. She had not been wrong, after all. This girl would be perfect for Itachi.

"Well, I am afraid that we are the only ones who will be of assistance to you. But, enough introductions for now. Please, allow me to show you to your rooms. The Yukikage is currently busy at the moment, but he will be available to greet you tomorrow. I am sure you are tired." Sakura nodded in relief. She was a tad angry that her future husband could not be bothered to greet her, but she was mentally and emotionally exhausted. A night's rest would do wonders for her.

"Lead the way."

Itachi listened as his bride-to-be slowly took off her wraps and collapsed onto her bed. He was not surprised to hear her soft sobs, but he was distressed that he would be unable to comfort her. He could not allow himself to care for her, as for of this moment she was nothing more than a means to an end. He waited though, until she had cried herself to sleep before he slipped into the darkened room. He had been in here a few times before, and was thus able to slink up to her the bedside to listen to the soft breathing of the brave young woman from Konoha. Itachi breathed deep and called upon his powers. The chakra signature before him was not amazingly large, but it was decent. It was warm and gentle; a complete opposite to his own. This woman did not seem like a hardened kunoichi, though she had shown strength when first meeting Fuyu. The older wolf had been testing the girl, hoping to find out if the choice they had made was a good one.

The girl shifted in her sleep and whispered softly to herself. Itachi thought he heard the words 'Konoha,' 'Kakashi' and 'Naruto'. He knew of all three subjects. This must be his brother's female team mate. What a coincidence that he would end up with her. Sasuke would not be pleased. She began to shift around again and Itachi quickly stepped back. However, she only rolled over and began to softly snore. The large black wolf slowly edge back up to the bed and felt around for a blanket. Once located, he pulled it up over the girl and snuffed softly. He listened to her for a few moments more before heading back to his rooms. The change was agonizing, and it was about to begin.

I hope everyone enojyed the chapter! The intended couple will meet next chapter!

-Wolf