Naruto wakes up calling for his mother.
He stares up at the familiar ceiling, the dream leaving him breathless. Looking around, he sees the Uchiha crest decorating one of the walls.
Oh, he's back at Danna-sama's house.
Sasuke takes it upon himself to care for his injured fiancé. His department and subordinates were generous enough to offer to take over his tasks until his fiancé is well enough to be on his own and lets him take a longer than usual personal leave. He applies for a longer leave of absence and is relieved when it's approved. He'd made it clear that he'll be out to care for his injured mate and take care of the mess that happened. The officers above him agree wordlessly that they'll keep it under wraps. After all, it's a matter of security if someone knew that the mate of a high-ranking imperial officer from a prominent family was abducted.
Naruto blushes as Sasuke feeds him in bed. It's sweet of his Danna-sama, but it's kind of embarrassing. Around his shoulders, are one of Sasuke's haoris and he wants to keep it with him forever.
"Do you feel sick? Is it a fever?" Sasuke asks, setting down the bowl of rice beside him. "You look flushed," he leans in and presses a hand to Naruto's forehead.
"N-no," answers Naruto, reddening further. It's because Sasuke is too close to him. He can't help but blush at how close Sasuke's handsome face is to him. "It's really no trouble. I can move by myself," he tries to reason.
"You must rest," argues Sasuke lightly. "You have severe bruising, to your skin and neck, and quite possibly your bones. You hit your head quite hard, Naruto-san. Tsunade-san insists that you not move around for quite a while and let yourself heal,"
Naruto can't deny that his entire body aches, though, even if he tells Sasuke that he's willing to move around the house with the pains that come with almost dying. His lower belly aches, and it's not the pre-heat kind of ache or cramp. He worries if he's alright. He's almost afraid to ask. After all, even though the security of his engagement and marriage to Sasuke doesn't depend on his ability to birth healthy children, it would be such a waste for an alpha from a prominent family, for powerful blood like Sasuke's, to not bring forth children. He hopes he doesn't cause rot to the Uchiha family's tree and cut off the direct line from its head.
Not now, but in the future, he wants to be the mother of Sasuke's children.
Later when the food has been finished, Juugo comes in with a basin for water and some of Naruto's body products. Naruto is reminded of how Juugo had bowed and asked for his forgiveness, for not having served well enough, for if he had, then this wouldn't have happened. Naruto reasons out to him, there is nothing forgive. If this hadn't happened now, it would have happened in the future.
"Let me give you a wash since you're done eating," Juugo says, setting the basin down. Earlier when Sasuke brought Naruto his food, Juugo came in with jugs of water to use to wash him. "Or would you like Bocchan to do it?" he teases, and Naruto is red to his ears again.
It's Sasuke's turn to blush a light pink as he moves to leave the room. "I'll leave it to you, Juugo,"
After his wash, Juugo rebandages his neck and wrists with some healing salve from Tsunade. Naruto puts Sasuke's haori back on, finding comfort in its scent, like Sasuke has his arms around him. Sasuke is in his room with him, keeping him company and updating him on what happened.
"I see," says Naruto when Sasuke tells him that the Haruno estate was completely burned to the ground, and that Haruno and his mate will be living somewhere nearby for a while and will not be making any public appearances for a long time. "I'm glad nobody was hurt,"
"It's not a comfortable home, but they have a roof over their heads,"
"And Sakura?"
It baffles Sasuke how Naruto can still ask about his half-sister after everything, but he guesses it's just how Naruto is. Kind and loving to a fault.
"She was sent to an Uchiha house to work," answers Sasuke, "Since she's the mastermind behind it all, I thought it was a fitting punishment. She may have use of her strength there, however I'm sure she's of no threat to us since she's untrained and if left alone. Her service in that house is a good way for her to experience the world outside of her pampered upbringing. I am not related to the house she's been sent to, but they are Uchiha, and they are under me,"
Sasuke doesn't tell him that he could've put out the fire, just like how he controlled the fire Inuzuka Tsume tried to use to burn him and Kiba. The throne knows about his gift with fire and lightning, but he tries to keep it under wraps that he can control it. He is enough of a weapon for the throne, he doesn't need to be a worse one.
He doesn't tell Naruto yet that he's gained control of the Haruno family due to their involvement in Naruto's abduction. In time, Sasuke will tell Naruto about it, maybe even hand over the control to him.
What Sasuke does tell him, is that while Inuzuka Tsume won't be dealt with by the law, she's taken responsibility by stepping down as the Inuzuka head and giving the position to her eldest daughter, Hana, and that essentially, Sasuke will be controlling their every move, thus making the Inuzuka a branch of the Uchiha. Sasuke will be tightly supervising them.
"Danna-sama, I apologize on behalf of the Haruno family. They have caused you much trouble," Naruto tries to bow, but his body isn't able to move as easily as he thought he would be able to even now after resting for days.
Sasuke puts a hand on his shoulder to keep him from bowing, then brushes a finger over a whiskered cheek. "You don't need to take responsibility for their actions. It is theirs and theirs alone,"
Naruto wants to disagree, because he was the reason they went as far as they did, but he also understands that no reason is ever enough to hurt an innocent person. "Then, may I ask a favor?"
"Of course,"
Sasuke feels, as Naruto's soon to be husband, that anything Naruto asks of him, it's his duty to give, if it makes Naruto happy.
When Naruto thinks Sasuke isn't looking, he exhales, reaching under the blankets into his yukata and lightly massaging his lower belly. He knows the massaging won't do anything, but the gentle palming he does on the area where he can feel the bulge of his womb is relaxing and feels like it eases the pains.
"What is it?" Sasuke asks, worried that the doctor might have missed something. "Does something hurt? Do I need to call Tsunade-san?"
It's useless to lie. Naruto promised to be truthful and rely on Sasuke because they are about to be husband and wife. "Ah," he answers, embarrassed patting Sasuke's hand in attempt to calm him. "I was… kicked here many times, Danna-sama. I fear I may be more injured than previously thought,"
"Does… massaging help with the pain?"
"A little," Naruto sighs, "Stroking over it helps me forget that it's painful. When I stop the pain is there again,"
"May I help?"
"How?"
A pause.
"May I touch you?" Sasuke asks.
"Of course," Naruto answers.
Sasuke joins Naruto on the futon, careful not to bump or touch anywhere that's bruised, but Naruto leans into him, presses his nose into Sasuke's shoulder, and takes a lungful of his scent. The alpha relaxes and wraps an arm around Naruto, press him closer. His hand hovers over Naruto's belly.
Naruto, sensing Sasuke's hesitation, guides the hand into his yukata but not into his undergarments, to his belly, just below his navel, where the ache is situated. Naruto gasps when the hand he presses into his belly is unnaturally warm, Sasuke directing his gift with heat and fire to his hand.
The alpha feels his cheeks heat. He's touching a very intimate part of his mate. Naruto presses the hand in a smidge harder, palming his delicate and aching womb, begging for relief.
"I can take it from here," Sasuke presses his lips into Naruto's hair.
Naruto lets go of Sasuke's hand and leans into him further, fisting at Sasuke's haori and nagagi. He takes a sharp inhale, buries his face into Sasuke's chest. "Danna-sama…" he groans.
"Juugo," Sasuke calls, and the elderly omega is at the door immediately.
"Hai?" he says, kneeling at the door before sliding it open. He elects to refrain from commenting on his charge's state as it looks as if Naruto is in great pain.
"Please send for Tsunade-san immediately. Tell her I'll triple her rate if she can get here within the hour, and throw in a nice bottle of that nice sake she likes,"
"Of course," Juugo bows then slides the door closed.
Naruto panics. "Danna-sama, what if Tsunade-sama has other people to look after!"
"We need to know if you're hurt," says Sasuke, continuing with the gentle kneading of Naruto's lower belly.
The massage leaves Naruto almost shaking, and he finds himself back on Sasuke's chest. It's confusing, the pain and relief both come as Sasuke massages him.
Naruto falls asleep in Sasuke's arms.
When Naruto wakes, Sasuke and Tsunade are in his room with him.
"Naruto-san," Sasuke places a gentle hand on Naruto's shoulder to wake him slowly and not startle his mate, "Sorry for waking you, but Tsunade-san is here to take a look at you,"
Naruto still feels as if his body is a prison, every move is painful. He groans and his face contorts into a grimace as he adjusts himself on the futon. "H-hai…"
"Easy there," says Tsunade, throwing the blanket off. "Uchiha-dono tells me it hurts here?" she places a light hand on his lower belly.
"Hai," he croaks out, looking up at Sasuke, hands searching for his mate's.
Sasuke takes Naruto's hand and kisses the knuckles.
"May I?"
"Hai,"
"I am going to press my hands into you to check if your womb is of abnormal size or misshapen," says the doctor. "This will hurt, Naruto-san,"
"Hai," Naruto meets Sasuke's eyes, squeezing his hands, bracing himself.
Tsunade peels Naruto's yukata and upper undergarment off his lower half, exposing his legs but not removing his lower undergarments. She places her hands to Naruto's bare skin and puts pressure into the omega's lower belly.
Sasuke purposefully keeps eye contact with Naruto to reassure him, but he sees markings on his belly from his peripheral vision. So this is the seal Naruto was talking about.
Naruto gasps, choking on his own breath, eyes tightly shut, and gripping for his life onto Sasuke's hands. "Dan—na…sama…"
"I'm here," Sasuke doesn't stop pressing kisses to Naruto's hands, his own other hand on Naruto's head. He steals a glance at Naruto's belly. On his stomach littered with large blotches of angry purple, yellow, and blue bruises, is a seal, drawn around his navel and spiraling out of it. He's almost grateful Tsunade doesn't mention it, concerned with how Naruto might react.
Tears bead at the edges of Naruto's eyes. "Please…" he feels Tsunade-sama cup his womb with her hands from the outside, pressing on and around it and he can feel everything, like heavy rocks in and outside of him.
When Tsunade lets go of him, Naruto can't help the sharp and large inhale of air and the choked sob. Sasuke leans over to kiss his forehead.
"This next and last one might hurt more, but I promise it will take but a moment," the doctor tells him, running her hand up and down his thigh in an effort of comfort.
When she covers Naruto's lower half with the blanket is when Sasuke turns to her but doesn't let go of Naruto's hands. "What will you do?" he asks.
"I will have to breach him," answers Tsunade and she sees the horror in Naruto's eyes. He's not looking at her, only at Sasuke. "Naruto-san," she says, "You are untouched, tense, and scared. Unlike a body in heat that's ready to receive your mate, you will experience pain. This pain is what tells you your body is rejecting this penetration. This will hurt, but I must do it to check if your cervix is swollen,"
"I'm scared," Naruto pants, looking up at Sasuke with wide and terrified eyes.
"It is your right to refuse," says Tsunade.
"Hear that?" says Sasuke, "You can refuse," he runs his fingers through the blond hair. It hurts, the way Naruto is panting, looking at him like he's been cut open, like it's Sasuke's decision that will end this pain.
Tears keep falling from Naruto's eyes, down his temples to his hair and pillow. "Please, I'm scared,"
Of the pain? He's not scared of the pain. He's scared of finding out he's injured. That nothing may be done about it—that he can't heal. That he can't birth Sasuke's children.
But he's more scared that Sasuke's now seen the seal on his belly. That Tsunade-sama has seen it. That they'll throw him out as a cursed child. He'll be separated from Sasuke. If his illiteracy and ungifted self weren't enough for Sasuke to tear him away, maybe this will. It's one thing to tell someone about the proof of your curse but seeing is another thing. He doesn't want Sasuke to see him any differently.
Naruto silently prays to the fox to protect him.
"You can refuse," Sasuke says again to remind him. "Do you want Tsunade-san to do it?"
Naruto nods. Because he must know if he's alright. If Sasuke will still keep him if he despite being cursed, or if he turns out a defective omega.
"Very well,"
The omega whimpers and closes his eyes when Tsunade pulls his undergarments down to his ankles, then lifts his legs up to bend at the knees. "Danna-sama,"
"I'm here," Sasuke's brows meet in worry. "I'm here,"
A cry is torn from Naruto's lips when Tsunade breaches him with her finger. He involuntarily closes his legs, and Tsunade lets him trap her arm between them. It hurts! He'll tear! Naruto feels her finger press into something so deep in him, then she withdraws and inspects the fluid on her finger.
It barely lasts five or ten seconds, but Naruto felt like it went on forever. He's sobbing, and his legs are trembling, still holding onto Sasuke's hand like his life depended on it.
Sasuke leans into him and kiss his head. "You did so well," he whispers. "So well,"
Tsunade reaches for a cloth from her bag and wipes away the fluid from her finger, then dresses Naruto back up. "Your cervix healthy, there is no evidence of uterine or cervical bleeding, and your womb is of normal size and not misshapen, nor too low in your abdomen. It seems that you've gotten quite the beating, Naruto-san. Your womb is a muscle and is battered, but nothing you can't heal from with much rest and healthy food. When the pains fade, you are healthy enough for a child,"
Naruto's cries from the pain and discomfort become cries of relief. "Yokatta desu," I'm glad. He's safe for now. Sasuke hasn't mentioned his seal. "Thank you so much, Tsunade-sama,"
"Continue with your warm massages, Uchiha-dono," she says, her bag snapping shut. "Not too heavy, just gentle pressure. Hot baths may also help relax the stiff muscles,"
"Thank you," says Sasuke. He's never given so much meaning to those words before. He is relieved that Naruto is alright.
Juugo escorts Tsunade out, and Sasuke stays with Naruto to dry his tears.
Sasuke stays, and Naruto selfishly buries himself in his fiancé's arms, greedily takes all of his attention. Bathes himself in the scent of grass, wood, and warm coal.
Naruto settles into their nest, and Sasuke puts himself in it. He kisses Naruto's hands, his hair, his cheek. He wants to open Naruto up and entomb himself in him, never letting go. It sticks to him, the scent of bamboo, flowers, and morning dew.
They stay. Together.
When the bruises have all permanently faded, the burns on Naruto's wrists are gone, and his body is able to move without any pain, Sasuke fulfils the favor Naruto asks of him.
"Thank you for bringing me here," says Naruto, taking Sasuke's hand when the alpha offers. "Sorry for making you come with me,"
"I actually didn't want you coming back here ever again," says Sasuke as they walk around. "Be careful," he keeps Naruto close to him to guide him away from any uneven spots that may cause him to lose balance. Naruto isn't fully recovered yet.
Naruto looks around the burnt remains of the house he was born in, where his mother died, and where he received much suffering. But it's not all that bad. This is where he met and made memories with Kiba. This is where Iruka-san loved him when his mother couldn't. Everything is gone.
Hand in hand with Sasuke, with offerings wrapped in a furoshiki, he leads Sasuke through the estate and into the wooded area behind it. After a decent walk, they arrive to a small stone shrine. It's overgrown now. (1)
Naruto lets go of Sasuke's hand, sets the furoshiki down, and pulls on the vines to clear it out. Sasuke immediately helps and it's cleared out in moments.
"Thank you," Naruto smiles at him, then unties the furoshiki and reveals the contents.
"A shrine?" says Sasuke, noticing the nine-tailed fox carved into the stone shrine. He lays out a handkerchief for Naruto to kneel on.
"Yes," Naruto kneels in front of it, and from the furoshiki, brings out some incense. He lights it, places it on the incense holder. He again reaches for the unfurled furoshiki, then sets down his offerings of a bowl of rice and sake. He bows and claps his hands twice and prays.
He thanks the fox for his life and health, for the life and health of the people he holds dear: Sasuke, Juugo, and Kiba, for no lives lost in the fire. For the blessings he's received. For Sasuke's love. He prays he'll never be separated from Sasuke.
Naruto bows once more after his prayers. After his offerings, he folds the handkerchief and the furoshiki to keep in his purse, returns to Sasuke's side, but doesn't take his fiancé's hand, and gives considerable distance between them.
Sasuke doesn't like this distance.
"This is the shrine my mother and I used to visit often to offer food and incense to the fox. Oku-sama told me she kicked Okaa-san. He said, the foxed saved me while I was still in him. He bled and couldn't afford a doctor, and my father refused to take him, hoping I won't survive, and he'll birth a dead child. The fox gave me my whiskers, they're scars now, and the seal on my belly,"
"I see," Sasuke now has his explanation for why they're here, but not for the distance Naruto has put between them.
"You've seen it, haven't you? The seal, when you sent for Tsunade-sama," Naruto rests a hand over his obi, where the seal spirals out from his navel. "Mebuki-oku-sama said the fox is a demon," Naruto keeps his eyes on the stone shrine. "It's one of the reasons why Haruno-dono doesn't like me. Mebuki-oku-sama said I was born, so the fox took my mother. A life for a life. They believe I am the curse that brought them their misfortune,"
There is a pause, and the only sound that can be heard are the rustling of the leaves as the wind blows.
"Did you know," says Sasuke after a while, "That kitsune in legends and stories, are commonly portrayed as lovers. They take the form of humans, and the people they love unknowingly marry the fox, who prove to be devoted mates. If they bear their husband children, it is said the children will possess special abilities. If it is true that you've been blessed with life by this nine-tailed fox, then Naruto-san, your very existence is a gift," (2)
Kitsune are… lovers? He is a gift? Naruto's wide blue eyes meet Sasuke's genuine dark ones.
"You were born to love, and that's what you've always done, despite everything, you loved," Sasuke offers his hand once more, Naruto takes it without hesitation, and the distance between them closes.
To Sasuke, this might explain why Naruto has never harbored any resentment for anyone, and only lived with resigned acceptance of his abuse. He loved others so deeply and unconditionally, that with the death of his mother and separation from Iruka-san who showed him how to love, he forgot how to love himself. If so, then Sasuke will teach him that every single thing about him is worth loving.
"Even when I was cruel to you, you loved me," says Sasuke, "I will atone for that for the rest of my life, Naruto-san,"
"You don't have to," says Naruto, "But I'd like to stay by your side for that long,"
Naruto bows to the shrine once more, and they make their way out of the burnt estate. This will all be cleared soon, and while there are not many good memories here, he will continue to visit the shrine, the last thing he shared with his mother. He will keep it alive and keep praying and giving offerings. Despite all the terrible things that happened here, he won't bury the past and forget about it, but he'll stand here in the present and overcome the doubts and insecurities, and move forward, and find happiness.
Though Naruto already knows where to find it. It's with his Danna-sama, Uchiha Sasuke.
When they exit the burnt gates of the Haruno estate to board the car back to be on their way, Sasuke and Naruto are greeted by Kiba.
"Kiba-san," says Naruto, surprised to see him.
"Naruto-san, it's been a while," says Kiba. It may never stop hurting seeing Naruto with Uchiha-dono. "How are you?"
"I'm well, thank you. It's all because of your help,"
Naruto is so different now. Kiba's always thought Naruto was beautiful, with blue eyes clearer than the skies, bright hair that seemed gifted from the sun, and the whiskers he's always longed to touch. That was before Uchiha-dono took care of him and helped him blossom into the stunning omega standing in front of him today. What Kiba would give to give Naruto what Uchiha-dono has given him. What he would give to be able to love and care for Naruto like Uchiha-dono.
"I'm glad you've recovered. I was very worried," Kiba hopes his request won't be denied. After all, Uchiha-dono has every right to keep Naruto from him. "I was wondering if I could speak with you. I'm leaving the city soon, and this may be the last chance I have to speak with you,"
Naruto glances at Sasuke, waiting for his permission.
Sasuke sighs. Of course, Naruto is an omega about to be alone with another alpha. "I'll go start the car,"
"Thank you, Danna-sama," Naruto says as Sasuke heads for their vehicle.
Kiba brings Naruto around the corner to a short flight of stairs under some blooming trees, to a path that leads to a street beside the estate. They sit at the steps, remembering how big it seemed when they were young and spent any free time they had here, before Naruto's mother died and he became a servant.
Naruto's only been able to persevere and endure because of Kiba beside him while they grew up, even though they were separated when they started their courses.
"Thank you for coming for me, Kiba-san,"
Kiba sighs, shoulders slumping. "I couldn't do anything but watch. The only think I could do was ask Uchiha-dono for help,"
"I still thank you," says Naruto, "It was because of you that Danna-sama was able to come so quickly and help,"
"I… was frustrated, about being useless. I couldn't do anything. My gifts, they're not anything special. Sight, hearing, sense of smell. What do I do with it? I thought keeping the blood alive was enough and didn't think about training,"
Naruto doesn't know if it would matter if he told Kiba that his support through their years growing up is invaluable to him. If not for Kiba, Naruto might not be here today. He may have died during that fire, or Naruto might have taken his own life at the Haruno house.
"So I'm going to train," Kiba says with determination. "I've decided to improve myself. I'm leaving to train and use my ability to its fullest, find other families who know more about abilities. Maybe even join Uchiha-dono's platoon when I'm good enough. But ah," Kiba reaches for his nape in embarrassment, "My engagement to Sakura still holds, and I will still be the head of the Haruno family. Uchiha-dono said I may be able to revive the Haruno family depending on my growth,"
As Sasuke asked during one of their many meetings while Sasuke sorts out his mother's mess, Kiba doesn't mention the Uchiha gaining control of the Haruno family. So even though Kiba will be given permission to revive the Haruno name, he'll still be under the supervision of the Uchiha.
"I'll do my best, give it my all. Uchiha-dono was able to protect you. I want to become a better version of myself so that I'll be able to protect all that is precious to me," to Kiba, his precious people will always include Naruto.
"I'm glad you're working toward something you wish to achieve, Kiba-san,"
"Yeah," Kiba exhales. Who knew talking about things like this become heavy on the mind and chest? "Do you remember what I told you, on that day I was at the Haruno house?" he asks after a moment's pause.
Naruto remembers. He remembers it very clearly. He knows about the feelings Kiba keeps for him. But Naruto can't give the answer Kiba wants to hear. Even if he held such feelings for Kiba in the past, now, he can't ever give an answer like that to anyone else other than Sasuke.
"No, I forgot," Naruto says, pretending to be confused. "What was it?"
"Oh," Kiba smiles and waves a hand vaguely. It's probably better that Naruto doesn't remember. "It's nothing. Well, I think we should get going. I don't think Uchiha-dono will appreciate me taking you away from him for so long,"
Naruto will always be thankful to have Kiba in his life. "Kiba-san," Naruto says, "Thank you very much. I hope that one soon day we can meet again,"
Kiba watches as Naruto returns to Uchiha-dono, waving as they board the car, then drive away.
He's always liked Naruto, loved him since they were children. He did everything he could as a family friend to shield him from the brunt of the physical abuse whenever he was over at the Haruno house. He liked to think he was able to protect Naruto, but if he's being honest with himself, he probably did nothing. The one who was really able to protect Naruto was Uchiha-dono.
But Kiba is glad, Naruto is now safe and happy.
Their engagement becomes official when they sign their names on a piece of paper at a ministry.
"Is it okay?" Naruto asks when they leave the ministry building, "For me to sign without meeting your parents?"
Sasuke guides Naruto closer to him as they walk down the crowded street. "They're retired and won't object, I'm the head of the Uchiha family, so there's no need to inform them beforehand or right away nor to seek permission from elsewhere,"
"I see,"
Sasuke brings him to the same garden they strolled through on Sasuke's day off to take a walk and enjoy the foliage, then maybe go to a café, and have tea and dessert.
"Souieba," Come to think of it, Naruto says as he and Sasuke enter the park. A breeze blows and ruffles the leaves above them. "Did my father bring up this engagement to you?"
"My elders have been pestering me for some time about getting married," he sighs wearily. They're also pressing him for an heir.
Ah, yes. Sasuke is quite older than Naruto at 27 years old. He would indeed be well into the age of marriage.
"Every time they heard of an omega of marriageable age with a good background, they sent those omegas for me to meet. They probably found out about your sister and wanted to introduce her to me, but your father wasn't willing to let her go and sent you to me instead. But I'm glad it was you who came to me, Naruto-san,"
Underneath the rain of sunlight through the tree leaves, Naruto blushes to the tip of his ears. "Thank you," he replies, "But if your father wanted for you to meet Sakura, then wouldn't he be disappointed if he saw me?"
Sasuke huffs. "Let him try and object, I will end him,"
Naruto chuckles. "Ah, Danna-sama, there is no need to be so harsh,"
Sasuke lets Naruto roam, enjoying the flowers and the plants around them. He notes to bring flowers home more often to liven up his home and to gift to Naruto, since he's been enjoying tending to the garden.
"Naruto-san, I must admit to you that I may also have been responsible for what happened to you," Sasuke takes his hand in his. "If I hadn't demanded them to apologize to you, if I hadn't been so aggressive, they probably wouldn't have gotten so desperate,"
Naruto sighs, admiring the flowers in the bushes around them. He brushes a finger over the petals absently. "When I left the Haruno house, I thought they'd thrown me away. They also acted like they didn't want to have anything to do with me anymore. I'm happy you did what you did, Danna-sama,"
Sasuke's actions meant that he worried about Naruto, that he cared enough to ask the Haruno to repair their relationship, to help Naruto heal from the wounds even if they had given him an apology, it would be barely meant.
"Naruto-san,"
They stop under an orange sweet olive tree in full bloom.
"Yes?"
Sasuke takes Naruto's other hand. "In the future, I'm afraid I'll put you through some difficult times. I work in the military, and it's very likely that I'll need to go to frontlines, into the battlefield. And I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm kind of boring, but I want to be with you forever,"
These words are a surprise to Naruto, looking at Sasuke who has a light blush on his cheeks and nose. He looks so severe, with his brows a bit scrunched together in worry. He wants to kiss those brows apart and his uneasiness away.
"Are you willing to marry a bothersome and boring man like me?"
Naruto's heart is so full he doesn't know what to do with himself. "Danna-sama, are you sure you won't regret this?"
"Of course I won't!" Sasuke says in alarm. His heart is pounding, as if scared that if he let Naruto's hands go he'll lose the chance of marrying him. "I chose you, my omega,"
"In that case," Naruto squeezes Sasuke's hands back. "I'm glad," he latches himself onto Sasuke's arm. "I'm a bit lacking, but I gladly accept your proposal, my alpha. Please take care of me from now on,"
And so, under the blossoms of the orange sweet olive tree, Uzumaki Naruto, a beautiful and loving omega, accepts the proposal of Uchiha Sasuke, a kindhearted alpha officer of the imperial army.
Chapter End Notes
(1) Furoshiki (風呂敷・ふろしき) are traditional Japanese wrapping cloths traditionally used to wrap and/or to transport goods.
(2) Kitsune (きつね) are portrayed as three things in Japanese folklore and mythology. First as servants of Inari, the Shinto god of rice; second as tricksters with motives that vary from mischief to malevolence, and victimize only men and possess women; and third are wives and lovers, which I've used above. This is a simplification and kitsune do far more than this. and we're done! i hope you enjoyed it! please let me know what you think. thank you so so much for reading!
Please also check out the original manga, My Happy Marriage ( わたしの幸せな結婚 | Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon) originally written by Akumi Agitogi and illustrated by Tsukiho Tsukioka.