Song of a Cherry Blossom
by Diana-san

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 26

Naruto and Hinata showed up moments later at the club followed by Neji and Tenten. They were still in their formal wear for the wedding and looked just as out of place as Sai who was on stage in his tuxedo. The group followed Naruto's lead as he ran to the backstage where he spotted Sakura and Sasuke standing in the corner.

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto cried out as he ran to hug Sakura.

"Naruto!" Sakura exclaimed in surprise.

"Dammit Sakura-chan! How could you not say anything and just decide to leave on your own! You weren't even going to say goodbye to your best friend?!"

Sakura looked down at the ground with a guilty look on her face. "I-I didn't know how to tell you. You would have said something to Sasuke. I also didn't want to say goodbye to you guys. I knew I wouldn't be able to leave if I had to face saying goodbye to all of you."

The song ended on stage as Sai left and music came on the sound system to fill the club. Sai smiled as he joined the crowd as Ino came up behind the rest of the group.

"I thought you weren't going to say anything," Sakura accused Sai as she glared at him although she couldn't really be mad at him.

Sai shrugged as he smiled. "I had to do something. You two were about to make the biggest mistakes of your life."

"You kept my secret for a whole month at least. Why did you tell them now of all times?"

Sasuke glared at Sai. "Yes, why did you wait until today to tell me?"

"I had no choice. I would have said something sooner but I had to drag it out as long as I could until your wedding day." Sai sighed as he scratched his head.

"I don't get it," Naruto jumped in as he tried to assess the situation.

Sakura couldn't say anything either because she didn't get it as well.

"Perhaps, someone else could explain it better than I can," Sai answered. He took out his phone as he pressed around to send a text to someone. "He will explain it you two," Sai said as he looked Sakura and Sasuke.

"What about us?!" Naruto exclaimed.

Sai smiled. "You'll find out eventually. I think it's best if you all return home to change. We're going to have to deal with some angry in-laws," Sai said as he spoke of Karin's parents.

Sasuke sighed. "My parents are going to go ballistic when they notice I am missing."

Naruto frowned. "As best man, I'll go back to try to see how I can calm everyone down. Neji, Tenten, Hinata, back me up?"

The three nodded.

"Sakura-chan, you better not leave tonight or ever! Or Sasuke and I will fly over there and drag your butt back over," Naruto warned.

Sakura smiled. "Ah, I think I have to make a few calls and apologize to Danzo about not going."

"Anything I can do?" Ino spoke up.

Sakura smiled as she took hold of Ino's hand. "Will you come with me as I prepare myself for a lot of screaming on the other end of the line?"

The two girls left for the dressing room and just Sai and Sasuke remained.

"Who were you contacting?" Sasuke asked as he leaned against the wall.

"You'll see. But what are we to do in the meantime?"

Sasuke sighed. "It's going to be a war zone from now on. Karin's family will probably drop their investment in the company. I don't know what the board will do. They'll probably want me to resign."

"Give me a day," Sai said.

"A day? For what?"

"To reveal everything."

Sasuke didn't understand the meaning behind Sai's words. "Stop with the mystery and stuff. Can't you see how serious the situation is?"

"I know. But in the meantime, I don't think you should return home. You probably can't go to Naruto's place either since that's the first place they'll look. Perhaps, you can stay with Sakura?"

Sasuke's face turned red. "I-I can't do that!"

"I guess you can go to a hotel but by now, the media will be everywhere looking for you to find an explanation as to why you ran away from your own wedding."

Sasuke groaned. "Ugh, this is so frustrating."

Sai smiled. "I'll go back along with Naruto and them to try to calm the situation as best I could. I'll contact you later."

Sasuke waited for Sakura as she came out of her dressing room with Ino behind her. Her face looked frazzled as if she had experienced the worst phone call of her life.

"He's certainly a lot angrier than I expected him to be," she mentioned as Ino comforted Sakura from behind.

"Um, so now what?" Sasuke asked.

Ino glanced at the two of them. "I'll go home for now. Call me if you need anything, okay?" she said as she squeezed Sakura's hand tightly. Sakura nodded and smiled as she waved goodbye to Ino.

"I guess we should go home and think about how to resolve the situation," Sakura responded.

"Can… can I stay over tonight?" Sasuke looked away as he asked the question.

"S-sure. You probably can't return home right now because of me." Sakura glanced down at the ground as the two of them stood there shyly.

"I'm assuming you're not leaving tonight?" another voice spoke up.

Tsunade walked up to them as she waited for an explanation.

"Ah, sorry Tsunade-sama. I turned down the offer from Danzo. He's really mad at me right now."

Tsunade smiled. "He'll get over it. I'm glad though. I didn't think you were ready to go now anyways," she said.

"I'll be going home now. Can you tell everyone for me?"

"Ah, Jiraiya will be thrilled."

Sasuke followed behind Sakura as they left the club. Sasuke helped pull Sakura's suitcase along as he lifted it into the taxi cab waiting out front.

Sakura sank into the seat as she rested her head against Sasuke's shoulder. He held her hand and their fingers intertwined as they sat silently during the ride. They both knew that things were going to get messy from here on out.

"It's okay," Sasuke murmured as if reading the worries in Sakura's thoughts. "We'll be okay."

Sakura nodded as she closed her eyes. She finally believed in those words. They will be okay. As long as they have each other. Somehow, someway, she know they will make it through this.

Takimoto-san was surprised when Sakura showed up in front of the apartment building. But Takimoto-san took out the key from her pocket and handed it to Sakura as if knowing she was going to return soon.

"Thank you!" Sakura said happily.

For the rest of the day, the two of them didn't say much as Sasuke helped Sakura unpack her things and put everything back in place. He was surprised at how little stuff she had packed to begin with.

"I didn't have much sentimental items," she responded.

He picked up a bag of chocolate from the suitcase. "What's this?" he asked as he glanced at the contents inside the cellophane bag. The chocolates were all in various sizes and looked handmade rather than store bought.

Sakura grabbed it in embarrassment but then slowly handed it back to Sasuke. "I-I made them for you. For Valentine's Day," she said softly. "They're probably not edible now."

He opened the bag and picked up a piece of chocolate and bit into it. It tasted a little strange but it was still somewhat edible. "It's good," he said as he smiled at the bag.

"Liar," Sakura muttered but she couldn't help but smile back.

As evening approached, the two of them sat in front of the television. The screen was off and both of them were itching to turn it on to check the news and see what the media was saying about the wedding that didn't happen. Sasuke had texted everyone to message Sakura if they wanted to reach him and now his phone was off to avoid any phone calls from his parents.

Sakura took a deep breath as she held the remote control in her hands. "Do you want to do it or should I do it?"

Sasuke said nothing. He scratched at the collar of his shirt. It was a new cotton shirt that Sakura had purchase from the convenience store down the street since he had no other clothes beside the tuxedo he was wearing earlier.

"Maybe we shouldn't watch it. It's better not to know right?"

Sasuke said nothing again.

"But maybe it's not as bad as we though. Maybe they're not upset and Sai was able to fix everything."

Sasuke continued to remain silent.

"You're right. Sai would have called if everything worked out."

Sasuke took the remote control as he clicked the power button. The television screen came on as the evening news began playing.

"Stocks are dropping as the Uchiha Corporation take a massive hit from the results of a runaway groom. Uchiha Sasuke, current heir and successor to the company, was set to marry Tojo Karin. Karin is the daughter of current CEO of Taka World Bank. The marriage between the two was highly anticipated by the financial world as a mark of the Uchiha's control over the market. With no wedding in place, it is said that there may be internal turmoil within the company as Uchiha Sasuke may be forced to resign from his position. We have yet no word from either families but will be bringing you updates as we receive them."

Sakura grabbed the remote as she turned the television off. It was as she had feared. She glanced over at Sasuke who continued to stare at the screen despite the screen being blank.

"Sasuke? Are you okay?" she asked.

"Ah," he responded but his face said something else.

Sakura stood up. "I'll go pick up some dinner for us," she murmured. "You stay here since you can't be seen." Sasuke closed his eyes and nodded.

"Thank you," Sakura responded as she took the bag of food from the hands of the restaurant owner. She quickly grabbed her change and hurried out of the restaurant and into the cold. She glanced up at the sky. The sky was a dark blue as the sun had already set and stars were beginning to litter the night sky.

Quickly, she turned to go back to her apartment. Sasuke was probably getting hungry by now and she figured the food will distract him momentarily from the news.

As she walked past the park, she couldn't help but feel uneasy. She glanced quickly behind her. No one was there but she couldn't shake the odd feeling that she was being followed. Sakura hurried along with the food in her hands as she quickened her steps.

She gasped suddenly when a man approached her from the front.

With a shriek, she waved her free arm around and balled her hand up into a fist. "I got pepper spray!" she yelled.

He chuckled. "I'm sorry if I scared you."

Sakura stopped moving as she slowly placed her arm down. The man was smiling and was standing at a distance away from her. He didn't look like a rapist or a murderer. Still, one couldn't be too sure.

Sakura backed up a few steps as she warily stared at him. He had dark obsidian eyes and short, spiky black hair. There was a scar on the right half of his face.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"Uchiha Obito," he responded.

Sakura's eyes widened. Uchiha?! Then that means he's related to Sasuke?

Obito chuckled again as if he read Sakura's mind. "Yes, I know of Sasuke. As well as his older brother."

Sakura gazed in wonderment at Obito. What was he doing here? Why did he come looking for her? She suddenly clutched the bag in her hands. Oh no, is he looking for Sasuke?

"May we sit down and have a quick chat?" Obito asked as he gestured to a park bench nearby.

The two of them sat down and Sakura couldn't help but wonder how he found her. He seemed to have read her mind again as he responded.

"I'm sorry. I followed you from your apartment when I saw you come out to pick up that," Obito said as he glanced down at the dinner in Sakura's hands. "But don't be afraid. I'm not here to hurt either you or Sasuke."

Sakura said nothing. She wasn't sure if she could trust this guy but considering how he followed her instead of trying to talk to Sasuke first, maybe he wasn't trying to take Sasuke away.

"I'm glad that Sasuke found a girl like you. He seems to really love you if he ran away from his arranged marriage."

Sakura couldn't help but blush. This man approved of her?

"Who are you?" she asked again. "I mean, what is your relation to Sasuke?"

"I'm a distant relative. I have no matters in the company business if you are wondering. I just wanted to meet you to see the reason Sasuke gave up his claim to the company."

"I-I'm sorry," Sakura stammered.

"For what?"

"I don't know. Causing this mess in your family?"

"Like I said, the company business is not of my concern. I have no part in it."

"Oh," was all Sakura could say in reply.

"You remind me of her."

Sakura glanced up. "Her?"

"My wife. She passed away a long time ago. But I still think of her every single day. Her name was Rin."

"I'm sorry for your loss," Sakura said softly.

Obito said nothing but smiled. "It was nice meeting you. I'm sorry to have taken away your time from getting home. You should hurry along before the food gets cold."

Obito got up and Sakura followed suit as she stood up. "That's all?" she asked, surprised that he really meant a quick chat.

"Yes, good night Sakura-san. It would be nice if you kept this meeting a secret from Sasuke."

"Why?"

"No reason. But Sasuke doesn't know of me so he wouldn't understand why I met with you anyways. Although, I am glad to know that the Uchiha family have found people they truly love."

Sakura said nothing as she watched Obito leave. She wondered if all Uchihas were always this mysterious.

Without another thought, she turned in the other direction to head home.

She didn't say a word as she watched Sasuke eat his dinner in front of her. Sakura slowly poked at her katsudon as she wondered if she should tell Sasuke about Obito. She decided against it. Sasuke already had enough on his plate. He didn't need one more relative to concern himself over.

They went to bed early as the day had exhausted both of them. Sakura rolled over in her bed as she looked down at the floor. She had brought out a futon that Takimoto-san had kindly allowed her to borrow. Sasuke was now sleeping peacefully on top of it.

Sakura turned back to stare back up at the ceiling. She wondered what tomorrow would bring. It was only a matter of time before Sasuke had to return home to face the aftermath of what happened. She wondered if he was ready for it. She wondered if they were ready for it.

She glanced back down at Sasuke. It had only been five minutes since they went to bed. Was he really asleep? She glanced at the futon. She wondered if it was comfortable.

"Sasuke?" she asked softly in the dark.

"Mm?" he responded a few moments later.

"Maybe you should take the bed instead. After all, you're my guest and you been through a lot with running away from your wedding and tomorrow, you're going to…"

"It's fine," he grunted. "Go to sleep Sakura."

"But-it must be uncomfortable."

"It's better than that shed from the school trip."

He got her there.

"Still…I don't feel right making you sleep on the floor."

Sasuke opened his eyes and sat up as he laid his arm on Sakura's bed. "You're right," he said. "There's no reason for me not to take the bed."

He picked up his pillow and crawled into the bed as he plopped the pillow down and laid his head on it. "Good night."

Sakura quickly moved to the edge of the other side of the bed. Sasuke was in her bed. "W-what are you doing?" she exclaimed.

"Sleeping," he replied bluntly.

"T-together?!" Sakura closed her eyes as she brought her hands up to her head to try to think through the situation. "W-we can't," she stammered.

Sasuke opened one eye as he pulled Sakura close to him. "Just shut up and sleep," he murmured.

Sakura could feel her heart beating at an alarming rate. Her cheeks felt flushed and she couldn't breathe properly. She shut her eyes tightly as she held her breath for three seconds before slowly exhaling. When she opened them, she saw that Sasuke was looking at her the entire time.

"W-what?" she stammered in embarrassment.

He laughed. "You're cute when you're nervous."

"I'm not nervous!" she replied indignantly.

Sasuke smirked as he placed his face even closer to Sakura's. "Oh really?" he teased.

Sakura remained unmoved as she held her ground and continued to look back without blinking. "I think you're the one who is nervous," she remarked boldly.

Sasuke blinked in surprise at Sakura's words. Before he could respond, Sakura grabbed onto the collar of his shirt and pulled him in for a kiss. She pulled away with a satisfied grin on her face. Sasuke was in shock still as he gaped back at her.

"Sasuke?" Sakura said softly. "I love you."

He closed his eyes as a small smile came on his face. Sakura hugged him and her head made a resting spot against Sasuke's chest.

"I love you," he said as he hugged her back. Despite what was going to happen tomorrow, he was glad she was there.

Sakura opened her eyes slowly as she tried to adjust her sleeping position. Sasuke's arms were still wrapped around her. It seemed as if they had fell asleep for a few hours as it was still dark outside. She slowly sat up as she glanced over at the clock. It was four in the morning.

"What's wrong?"

Sakura turned to see Sasuke opening one eye and looking up at her. He gave a worried gaze as he reached for her hand.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" Sakura asked softly as she grasped Sasuke's hand.

"No," he fibbed.

She smiled as she gently ran her fingers through his hair with her free hand. "Liar," she murmured with a smile.

"What's wrong?" Sasuke repeated again.

"Nothing. I just couldn't sleep. I guess with everything that has happened and also what might happen later, it kept me up."

Sasuke kept quiet but gave a tight squeeze to Sakura's hand. He understood her. He was feeling the same way.

"Sakura…"

"Hm?" she asked.

He sat up as he looked uncomfortable with what he was about to say next. "Are you upset for turning down the offer you got?" he asked. The thought had been at the back of his mind for the past few hours, causing him a bit of unrest at trying to get a decent amount of sleep.

She smiled. "No, to be honest, I'm glad I turned it down. Even though it was a wonderful opportunity, it wasn't the only one. I don't think I would have been happy if I went. Sure, I'll be following my dream but at the same time, I think I was only kidding myself and trying to run away from it all."

She paused as she thought about it some more. "I don't want to be a puppet of Danzo," she said softly.

Sasuke remained quiet but seemed to have accepted her answer.

"Should I sing you a lullaby to go back to sleep?" she asked him a few moments later.

He smiled and nodded as he closed his eyes. Sakura's voice filled the silence of the room as a sweet melody floated from her lips to his ears.