Part 6 – Business
After two days of marching the small band arrived back at Val Firmin.
When they arrived at Sasuke's family's castle, he was greeted by Tenten, his mother, and Marquise Mai who were overjoyed to see him.
Sasuke jumped down to have his mother run up, and embrace him, "Hey mom," he said as he hugged her back.
When she pulled away Sasuke turned around to offer Sakura a hand down.
After helping her down, Sakura walked up to Mikoto, and hugged her, "Good to see you again Grand Duchess Uchiha," she said.
"You too sweetheart," Mikoto said, "You look so beautiful. I love your short hair."
"Indeed," Marquise Mai said as she walked up to Sakura, "It's good to see you."
"You too Mistress," Sakura said as she took knee in front of Mai, "I must ask for one more favor My Lady."
"Yes?" Marquise Mai asked.
"I wish to stay," Sakura said, "With Sasuke."
"Granted," Marquise Mai said then looked up at Sasuke, "Emissary," she said as she walked up to him, "I have given you the woman I consider the daughter I never had. I expect you to treat her well."
Sasuke walked over to Sakura, looped an arm around her waist, and pulled her to his chest, "Ma'am," he said, "I shall treat her as if she's my good and honest wife."
"Good," Marquise Mai said, "By the way. You wouldn't mind if I stayed one more night would you?"
"Not at all," Sasuke said, then snapped, and signaled one of the hired helps over to his side, "Squire. Go tell the cook to make something special for the guests."
The squire bowed, and ran off into the castle.
Later…
Sasuke walked into one of the guest rooms with Sakura, "I know it's not much," he said as his hand fell on his sword, "But if you want I can request you can move into Itachi's room."
"Sasuke," Sakura said, "I've been sleeping in my parent's house. That bed I have is as small as when I was a child. But this isn't exactly what I had in mind," Sakura walked up to him, and placed her hands on his chest, "I was hoping maybe we could share a room?"
"Sakura," Sasuke said as he wrapped his arms around her as she briefly pulled away, "Ar lath ma. But if my mother were too…"
Before Sasuke could say another word Sakura pressed herself flush against him, "Emma lath," Sakura said, "I would rather stay close to you than be separated, and let the maids get at you."
Sasuke chuckled, "You make a compelling argument," Sasuke said, "I'll arrange to have your things sent to my room."
"Sir," Sasuke's squire said as he jogged into the room.
"What is it now Squire?" Sasuke asked.
"The Chef said the food's ready," the Squire said, "I came to tell you and Ms. Haruno that your mother wishes to have you and her present at the dinner."
"Lead the way," Sasuke said as he walked out, holding out his arm to Sakura.
Sakura linked her arm with Sasuke's, and they walked through the castle to the banquet hall where the hired help were placing the food on the table for dinner.
"My Lord," one of the maids said as she walked up to him and Sakura, "Shall we place Lady Haruno's seat next to yours?"
"You shall," Sasuke said as he and Sakura walked up to the table.
Sasuke and Sakura took their seats opposite from each other as Naruto, Hinata, Shino, Mikoto, Tenten, and Mai sat down to start eating.
As they were eating, and having wine, a single male elf came walking into the room, and up to Sasuke.
"What is it?" Sasuke asked.
"I'm sorry to interrupt My Lord," the elf said, "But there's been a problem with the men."
Sasuke put his drink down, "What?" He asked.
"One of the elves sent to train the archers has been injured in a fight," the elf said, "He was mugged by a group of bandits that just came into town. The bandits are locked up in the cells."
Sasuke wiped his mouth, "Have them brought to me after diner," he said as he took another bite of food.
Following diner…
Sasuke was sitting on his father's throne with Naruto and Shino sitting to his left and right, and Sakura and Hinata standing in front of the three as five men were brought in with their arms bound behind their backs with leather straps.
Sasuke was dressed in his armor when the men were brought to their knees in front of them.
"Do you know who I am?" Sasuke asked.
"The Emissary," the man who appeared to be their leader said.
"You their leader?" Sasuke asked.
"Yes," the man said, "I am Doff."
"Well then Doff," Naruto said, "Do you know why you're here?"
"We beat up an elf sir?" Doff asked.
"You beat up one of our men," Shino said, "Do you know who me and the blonde one are?"
"You're his right hands?" Doff asked.
"Yes," Sasuke said as he gestured at Naruto, "General Naruto Uzumaki," he then gestured at Shino, "And General Shino Aburame. This is your trial. Is there someone who you want to represent you?"
"We have no one sir," Doff said, "Everyone we know was killed when the mutants took Val Foret."
"Indeed," Sasuke said, "Mr. Doff do you know what the punishment for assaulting a military officer would be if the old Orlesian government were in place?"
"Yes sir." Doff said.
"Say it then." Shino said.
"Death," Doff said, "Depending on how severely we beat him, but he's alive right?"
Sasuke said nothing but Hinata spoke up, "Do you know what me and the pink-haired are Mr. Doff?" Hinata asked.
"You're elves." Doff said.
"Yes," Hinata said, "Why did you assault him?"
"We're just trying to get by," Doff said, "The Qunari are coming but we don't have any work. Being highwaymen is our only option."
"Indeed," Sasuke said, "So you admit your guilt," Sasuke signed a piece of paper, folded it, and handed it to Naruto.
"Yes! Yes," Doff exclaimed, "Please be merciful! Please don't kill us."
"We're not going to kill you," Sasuke said as he stood up, and walked over to the men, "We're going to make use of you," Sasuke snapped, and two men walked over carrying knives, they were then cut free, and the men collapsed onto the floor, "You five might be of use to me. As of right now you are all part of the Free Orlesian Forces."
"Oh Maker thank you," Doff said as he and the other four started to kiss Sasuke's feet.
"Get off my foot," Sasuke said as he whipped his foot back, "That although doesn't mean I won't punish you. You still assaulted a member of my army when we were preparing to go to war," Sasuke walked back up to the desk, sat down, pulled up another piece, dipped his pen in an ink-well, and started writing, "Punishment for your offenses will be carried out by the Free Orlesian Forces' head nurse Sakura Haruno, and the man you assaulted."
"What," the man kneeling next to Doff asked.
"You heard me right," Sasuke said, "The man you assaulted will be leading your training. But he is not authorized to carry out punishments. Take them to the infirmary and give them the operation."
As it turned out for the five of them the operation consisted of having the top of their upper-ear cut, and then sutured back together to look like the pointy ear of an elf.
That night in Sasuke's room which was a large room with a large king sized bed that was decorated with blue satin bedsheets with red stitching, and multiple pieces of furniture including Sasuke's own fireplace.
Sasuke was kneeling in front of the fireplace looking into the fire before he raised his hand, and looked at the cross branded into his palm.
Sasuke heard a knock on the door, grabbed his sword, walked over, and opened it to see Sakura standing there holding a bottle of wine.
"Are you going to pull that sword every time someone comes into the room," Sakura asked as she approached him.
"I'm the leader of a rebel army and the Maker's Emissary," Sasuke said as he put his sword down.
Sakura held out the bottle, "Wine?" She asked.
"What are we celebrating," Sasuke asked as he walked up to her.
"Moving in together," Sakura said, "I wanted to see the family wine cellar, your mother showed me, and I took a bottle when she wasn't looking."
Sasuke took the bottle, and looked at the label, "5:13 Exalted," Sasuke said, "You certainly know your wine," he then handed it back, and signaled his squire over.
"Yes sir?" he asked.
"Bring ne and the lady a few glasses for the wine," Sasuke said as he ushered Sakura into the room.
"At once sir." His squire said before turning and leaving.
The squire took no time returning, when he did Sasuke gave him further instruction, "I need you to send instructions to everyone," Sasuke said, "Unless it's beyond any importance me and Sakura are not to be disturbed."
"Yes sir." His squire said.
Sasuke turned around as Sakura was looking into the bottle, "You ok," Sasuke asked as he walked over to her.
"My people will be protected right?" Sakura asked.
"Of course," Sasuke said, "The mutants don't know where they are, and I'm going to make sure that elves are protected once the old government is restored."
"I just can't believe that we would be accepted like this," Sakura said as she walked over to Sasuke, "I've been dreaming of this for years."
"Isn't it every elf's dream," Sasuke asked, "But is this exactly how you remember this in your dream?"
"No," Sakura said as she walked over to the fire after taking her short-stem bubble-style blue crystal wine glass, "I'd imagine that you'd be a successful Orlesian politician, fighting for my rights as your girlfriend."
"I just hope you don't regret that this is how things went." Sasuke said.
"Well they say Val Royeaux is lovely this time of year," Sakura said as she poured herself a glass, "But," she then pointed the bottle at Sasuke, "I prefer you."
"I'm pretty lovely this time of year too," Sasuke said as he held out his wine glass.
"I won't deny that," Sakura said as she grazed the tip of the bottle across Sasuke's chest before pouring him a glass.
"To freedom," Sasuke asked as he held out his glass.
"Freedom," Sakura said as she tapped her glass against Sasuke's, before they booth took a sip, "Tell me. How do you envision our future?"
"The future," Sasuke asked, "Well… The Free Orlesian Forces win the war, and I become head of the Orlesian Army, you're the Elvish Ambassador, and we've got a hoard of kids running around us."
"Easy there sweetheart," Sakura said, "Where do you see us in… let's say… five years?"
"We're living right here," Sasuke said, "I've located my brother, father, and Empress Celine from the Qunari while the war's still going on and planning a way to save them. We've been married and have let's say… two children sitting on their grandmother's lap, learning from their mother while I'm off killing these mutants."
Sakura chuckled as she finished her glass, and poured both her and Sakura another, "That simple eh?" She asked.
"Yep," Sasuke said as he took another sip of his wine, "That simple."
"I miss this Sasuke," Sakura said as she walked up to him, "The Sasuke who's not afraid to open up to me. Tell me what he feels, and what he really wants."
"What I want," Sasuke asked as he finished his wine, and set the glass down, "One more thing."
Sakura set her glass down, "Don't tell me," Sakura said as she handed the glass to Sasuke who took a swig of the wine, "I know."
"Good," Sasuke said through the corner of his mouth, the wine still inside his mouth, "Now come here."
Sakura walked over, and kissed Sasuke who transferred the wine to her mouth through his lips.
As they were making out, Sakura pulled Sasuke back toward the bed, and when she felt the bed against her back legs, she crawled backwards onto the bed, and raised a finger to signal Sasuke to come toward her.
Sasuke crawled toward her, and when he was hovering above her, he leaned down next to her ear and whispered, "We still have a lot to make up for those three years I was in the army."
"You bet we do." Sakura said.
After their make out secession Sakura helped Sasuke shed his pants.
After that was taken care of, Sasuke took no chance and entered her.
Five minutes later the two of them were caked in sweat, Sakura went first, white light exploded in her eyes.
Sasuke felt her entire body shake, and grunted as it trigger his own release.
Sasuke then flopped down next to Sakura as they both caught their breath.
"You still haven't lost your touch," Sakura said as she laid her head on Sasuke's sweaty shoulder.
"Neither have you ma vhenan," Sasuke said as he pulled the covers over them, "I'm really glad I found you."
"Am I still what you expected?" Sakura asked.
"My cherry blossom," Sasuke said, "You're perfect with either long or short hair. Which is the only thing different about you. You're still perfect and that's why I love you."
"I love you too," Sakura said as she kissed Sasuke on the lips before curling up in his arms, "Now go to sleep."
The next morning, Sasuke and Sakura awoke to the sound of a knock on Sasuke's door, "My lord," someone said from behind the door, "My lord."
"I'm coming," Sasuke said as he got up from the bed, and slid on his pants.
Sakura simply wrapped a sheet around herself.
Sasuke walked up to the door, and opened it, "What?" Sasuke asked.
"Sorry to disturb you my lord," the guard said, "But General Uzumaki asked me to come get you. He says it's urgent."
"Tell him we will talk over breakfast," Sasuke said, "In the tower. With Generals Aburame, Hyuuga, and Haruno."
"At once sir." The guard said as he turned, and left.
Sasuke then shut the door, and exhaled, "Man things are getting serious," he said, "Can't get a break for anything."
"Get used to it," Sakura said, "It's going to be like that until the war is over."
"I can't help but feel slightly annoyed," Sasuke said as he made his way over to Sakura, "I suppose the only way to end this is to finish the war right now."
"I'd love that," Sakura said, "The only thing is, it'd be your couple thousand against over three quarters of a million."
"Bad odds," Sasuke said as he sat down next to Sakura in front of the fire.
"Yea," Sakura said, "So… General eh?"
"You are my Army's best nurse," Sasuke said, "It would only seem fitting."
"You're too sweet," Sakura said as she kissed Sasuke.
Half an Hour later…
Naruto and Shino walked into the command center as Sasuke and Sakura were eating, Hinata and Tenten were waiting.
"What's this?" Naruto asked.
"You wanted to meet," Sasuke said, "This is it. Sit down, have some breakfast, and let's talk."
Their breakfast was roasted pig with pan-fried eggs, and bread with some elvish tea.
"I think we should move the patrol from mid-day to an hour after," Shino said, "Catch up on some much needed training."
"Make it an hour and a half," Sasuke said, "I want them trained to the best of their abilities."
"Yes sir." Shino said.
"What else?" Sasuke asked.
"I was thinking…" Sakura said as she reached over, and stroked Sasuke's hand which had been burned several days ago in the fight with the Spider Queen, "You've only just used your powers a few days ago, and what has happened has caused more damage than it's worth."
"What do you propose then?" Sasuke asked.
"I think we should find my old master," Sakura said, "Maybe she can teach you."
"Tsunade," Sasuke said, "That old woman hasn't been seen in almost a decade. Who's to say she's even in Orlais? Or if she's even alive?"
"I know one person that might know." Naruto said.
"Bring him." Sasuke said.
Within half an hour, Jiraiya, the master of the chapel the Uchiha Family has in their castle came into the room.
"My lord," Jiraiya said, "It's good to see you."
"You too old friend," Sasuke said as he got up, walked over, and hugged the old man.
"Why have you summoned me?" Jiraiya asked.
"We need your help locating someone…" Sasuke said, "Madame Tsunade."
"I never thought I'd have to find her." Jiraiya said.
"You know where then?" Sakura asked.
"Yes," Jiraiya said as he pulled a blank book, and waved his hand over it, "Several months ago, there was an accident in the Gamordan Mines. Tsunade went there to help the dwarves of the peaks."
"Great," Sasuke said, "The dwarves."
"Why do you sound annoyed by that?" Sakura asked.
"Because the Dwarves don't have a set religion," Sasuke said as he held up his hand, "Which means this holds no legacy over them."
"You have something else that holds legacy over them," Jiraiya said before pointing to a scroll on the shelf.
Sasuke walked over, and picked up the scroll, written on it was the agreement the Orlesian Government under his great-grandfather had signed with the Dwarves of Orlais, and was the primary reason Fugaku had become a Grand Duke because Sasuke's great-grandfather had given the agreement to Fugaku's grandmother.
Fugaku had given the agreement to his cousin, Empress Celene who gave Fugaku the title of Grand Duke.
"The agreement." Sasuke said.
"What agreement?" Naruto asked.
"Back at the end of the Blessed Age," Sasuke began, "The Emperor of Orlais signed an agreement with the Orlesian Dwarves whose mines had fallen into disrepair. The Emperor agreed to give the Dwarves medicine, supplies, and aid to keep their mines going. In return the Emperor made the Dwarves give them their word that they would answer the call in Orlais' darkest hour."
"So it's off to the Gamordan Peaks." Naruto said.
"So we are." Sasuke said.
Guess what happens next…
Translation:
Ar lath ma. – I love you.
Emma lath. – My love.
Ma vhenan. – My heart.