Dearest Reader,

I must warn you that I write short chapters. It is simply just my style and I hope that it is okay with you. If you have any characters that you wish to see please let me know. I would love to hear from all of you. Remember to review. It is what inspires me and where I get some of my best ideas. If you have any questions about the story please ask. I will do my best to reply and try to answer all that I can.

Love Always

Jordan

"You look exquisite darling. I do wish that you would wear your hair longer though."

"I have worn it this way since I was six years old. I have no reason to let it grow."

My mother continued to run a brush through my tangled locks, her own blonde hair tied into an elegant bun. She was beautiful, a satin blue dress hanging from her exquisite frame. I watched her reflection in the mirror as she adorned my hair with pearls and gems. On her left hand was a silver wedding band, reminding me that in a few short hours I would have one on my hand as well.

"You must be nervous. You have a right to be. I was as well before I married your father. I had never met him and first laid my eyes on him as I walked down the aisle. You grew up with Itachi. It will be as if you are entering into a contract with an old friend. Sasuke will be there for you also. Perhaps you won't feel so alone. You are blessed in that way my dear."

I could tell that even she didn't believe in her own words which seemed to make me even more nauseous then I was before. I closed my eyes wanting nothing more than to burst into tears. I felt as if I was losing my childhood, losing my friends. I could remember every expression on their faces when I had told them the news of my betrothal. Naruto had been so angry and unable to understand. It had broken my heart to see him filled with such rage. In his mind women were equal to men and an arranged marriage seemed barbaric and cruel. Because he was an orphan he would never have to go through something like that. His guardian was allowing him to choose his own.

The only person who seemed to fully understand my predicament was Hinata, and in reality I pitied her more than I did myself. The Hyuga clan was famous for their marital incest. By following this tradition they could ensure that their bloodlines remained pure and honest. It was disgusting to me to know that Hinata would be married to her cousin Neji before the year was done. She claimed she was comfortable with the idea, which she had prepared for in her entire life. However, she was in love with Naruto and because of the system by which her family was run she would never have the opportunity to let him know.

My wedding ceremony would not be an open one. The Uchiha clan had only permitted my parents to be allowed to attend. I was to bring nothing but the cream colored wedding dress I now wore. Everything I could ever want in life would now be provided for me. I was to be the very idea of luxury and wealth, wearing clothing made from only the finest fabrics and eating food which had been prepared for me hours in advance. I had heard that a home was currently being prepared for Itachi and myself. I could only imagine the amount of detail that was being fussed over while the workers hurried to get it ready for our arrival. We were to live there until I gave birth to a son, a charge that was nonnegotiable. Itachi would never take his rightful place within the clan if I did not perform this task.

The idea of becoming a mother terrified me. I was only eighteen, still a child myself. How could I raise the son the Uchiha elders so desperately wanted me to have? Although Itachi had just turned twenty-five I was unable to see him as a father to any baby I bore him. He was cold, distant from all around him. How could someone like that love a child? How could someone like that ever love me?

"He's changed mother. He's not the same boy I knew when I was little. Even Sasuke has become unbearable."

"Oh sweetheart, that is how all Uchiha men are. It is in their blood. You must forget about this and focus on the task at hand. Learn to be there for your husband. Give him everything he needs. A man is nothing without a strong woman by his side that he may call his own."

I nodded, my eyes never leaving my reflection before me. My mother sighed, bending down to wrap her arms around me. I was her only child and I knew she was going to miss me just as much as I was going to miss her.

"I have something for you."

I watched as she pulled open a drawer within the vanity, picking up a small silver box and placing it into my hands. I unclasped the lid so that pair of emerald earrings were revealed to me.

"They're beautiful."

"I wore them on my wedding day. They have been among the women in our family for generations. They match perfectly. Don't you think so? I also brought this. I thought you might want it with you on such a special day."

I couldn't contain myself, standing and pulling my mother into a tight hug. The rose she had placed into my hands had never died, had never wilted away. It was the same flower that Itachi had given me twelve years before. I had kept it for so many years and even though I was terrified to enter into my new life with him I couldn't imagine parting from the nostalgic object. It had meant so much to me in the past and now I found that it gave me a sense of comfort and stability.

"I love you mother."

"I love you too Sakura. Are you ready to become an Uchiha?"

I didn't answer. My mother must have understood, taking my hand into hers and leading me out of the small room and into the hallway. Itachi's father, Fugaku, had invited my parents and I to stay within the Uchiha compound while the final touches were made to my marital contract. I had been prohibited from seeing Itachi although it didn't seem to really matter. I hadn't seen him for many years. He had been spending time in Suna, studying and learning the family ways from his father's uncle, Madara.

The walk to the courtyard seemed to take hours. My heart pounded with each step I took. Servants flocked about us, trying desperately to catch a glimpse of the new Uchiha bride. As we made our way outside we were greeted by my father who I assumed had been in meetings with Fugaku all morning. He took my arm in his, leading me around the corner and into the garden where I had first connected with Itachi and now where I would be forced to become one with him as well. My breath caught in my throat, my eyes finally falling upon my betrothed.

He was a foot taller than me, his hair slicked back into his signature ponytail. I couldn't deny that he was handsome. His face was chiseled yet worn from business meetings and late hours of study. My hands tightened around the rose which still held within my grasp, its thorns brushing against my palm. His dark eyes met mine as my parents led me up the aisle. We stopped before him, my father kissing my cheek and placing my hand into Itachi's. I looked around, searching for any familiar face. To my disappointment Sasuke was nowhere to be seen. My heart sank, my gaze falling on Fugaku who had now begun to officiate the ceremony.

"An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. Do you promise to do these things Sakura?'

I couldn't find the words to answer but instead had broken out into a light sweat. I glanced towards Itachi who stared at me for a moment before giving me a curt nod.

"Yes."

"Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach. Do you promise to do this Itachi?"

He nodded.

"Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing. Do you understand Sakura?"

"I do sire."

"Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. If you do these things your marriage will prosper. Itachi place the ring upon her finger. With this final gesture I pronounce you to be husband and wife."