chapter 8
As they continued their travels to the land of grass Sasuke and Sakura's bond grew deeper with each passing day. Sometimes they'd go hours without speaking and feel completely at ease.
They hadn't made love since that night almost three weeks ago. Though Sakura ached for him again, she knew Sasuke liked to gradually become consistent his displays of affection and intimacy, (just like their first kiss) she thought.
She also noticed he was the type to only show affection if they were alone, public displays of affection made him jumpy.
When they arrived in the grass village, night had already fallen, they checked into a beautiful inn, surrounded by trees, with a beautiful garden and pond in the front, Koi fish joyfully swimming through the clear water.
Sakura turned to Sasuke, "What are we doing in the grass village, just passing through"? She asked. Sasuke stayed silent for a moment, "Aah, he said finally.
They each got there own room this time, much to Sakura's shock and dismay. Sasuke told Sakura she should go rest, that he had something to take care of. Sakura retired to her room. She knew something was up. (Perhaps a secret mission sent by Kashashi sensei, yeah that had to be it) she thought. Sakura sighed and decided to go to the onsen to freshen up.
As she soaked in the steaming water, she couldn't help but think of Sasuke, she knew they loved each other that she was sure of, but sometimes she wondered where it went from there, she didn't want to push, but she'd been in love with him since she could remember, it was easy to think these things. She sighed and sunk down further into the water.
She returned to her empty room to get a new change of clothes and wash the other dirty ones. She furrowed her brows she, was missing one of her quipao dresses, she dumped her entire bag frantically looking, "Hmm", she said, she must've lost one, she gave up and changed into her last clean pair of clothes, and went out to go wash her others.
After she was done with laundry, she scurried back up to her room. She hadn't heard anything from Sasuke since they arrived at the inn. Sakura was folding her laundry when there was a knock at her door.
On the other side was a lady, most likely someone who worked at the inn, standing with a smile, "Sorry to bother you miss, but I have a note for you", she said sweetly. "A note"? Sakura asked, curious she took it, thanked the women and shut the door.
The note read: "Meet me by the pond in the garden". --Sasuke. Sakura gaped at the note for a moment, wondering what this was about, she quickly left, heart pounding with anticipation.
Sasuke was there staring into the pond, back turned away from Sakura, she approached him slowly, mind racing. "Sasuke-kun"? She said nervously. Sasuke turned to face her.
"Sakura", he greeted. She walked up to him and smiled. " Sakura, he said softly, I want to ask you something important". He paused, staring into her eyes, his expression was gentle.
"You know my feelings for you, and although the path Ive chosen, as a shinobi that works from the shadows, can be a bit difficult, and it may call me away for long periods of time".
" I know we can never be normal and I may not be able to give you everything you want and deserve but.. you are the only woman I've ever had these feelings for". " It.. it was always you Sakura ... He trailed off and look into her eyes once more. He reached into his cloak and pulled out a big piece of red cloth. Sakura gingerly opened took it and as she stated at it, slowly it started to register in her mind what she was holding, she gasped.
"Sasuke-kun this is.. in her hand she held her missing quipao dress ,and on the back, there was an all to familiar symbol resting there.. almost like it has always been there..an Uchiha symbol. Sakura's heart skipped two beats, she looked up at Sasuke his eyes so full of emotion, so gentle, it made her knees weak.
Sakura then realized what he was asking, Sakura smiled with tears in her eyes. " You mean..? she trailed off. Sasuke nodded. "Yes , Sasuke-kun, of course its yes"!! she said breathlessly. Sasuke gave a gentle smile, he reached out and tapped her forehead with his index and middle finger. "Thank you", he said softly.
They were married two days later, no extravagant preparations, just a small ceremony with only Sasuke and Sakura and the officiator.
What Sakura and Sasuke had both purchased werent exactly wedding formal, but it was short notice. Sakura bought a red yukata, with a pink cherry blossoms pattern and white sash. Sasuke bought a light blue kimono with a plunge front with a white flame pattern and dark blue sash.
The workers at the inn helped Sakura get ready.
She stared into the mirror and smiled at her reflection, she was about to marry the man she had loved her whole life, she felt so much happiness in this moment. " You look beautiful", said Yuki the inn keeper. The little old women smiled sweetly, "I've never seen a prettier bride in all my years".
"Aah", Sakura heard a familiar voice, she turned abruptly to see Sasuke in agreement with Yuki. Sakura blushed, she never thought it possible Sasuke could get anymore handsome. " I'll leave you two alone for a moment" said Yuki leaving the room. "Thank you, Yuki-san, Sakura said with gratitude.
They stood in silence for a moment, Sakura notice him holding a picture. " Is that your family", Sakura asked staring at the photo. "Yeah", he said sadly.
Sakura smiled. "You look like your mom", she said quietly. Sasuke looked at her and gave a gentle smile, "I wanted them to be with me in some form today," he spoke staring at the photo.
"They already are here Sasuke-kun" Sakura said touching his shoulder gently. Sasuke's eyes widened sadly at her statement, then he looked down at her lovingly.
"Are you ready," he asked tapping her forehead. Sakura blushed deeply, " Yes, Sasuke-kun, I am, I've always been ready".
The wedding was short and simple, they signed their marriage registration form and Sakura officially changed her surname to Uchiha, her heart filled with pride at this simple act.
Sakura wrote a letter to her parents, Ino, and Naruto, explaining about her and Sasuke's choice to elope and that they apologize for not getting married at home, but hoped they understood, they also sent a note to Kakashi and a copy of their marriage registration.
After it was all over, Sasuke took her back to his room, turns out he had planned this since they got to the grass villiage, that's why he was acting strangely. He booked a beautiful honeymoon suite, the room he'd been staying in, and wanted to surprise Sakura.
"Sasuke-kun, it's beautiful, she gasped, it was large room with s small private onsen, and a huge bed. "I had no idea you were such a romantic", she teased.
"Sakura", she turned to see Sasuke holding a gift in his hand, the corners if his mouth tugging up. "Sasuke-kun, a gift you didn't have too, I didn't even get you anything", she said waving her hands.
Sasuke simply smirked with his eyes shut and offered it again, Sakura reluctantly took the gift unwrapping it carefully. What she saw inside made her eyes light up.
"Sasuke-kun", this.. this is. She pulled out a small white teddy bear with a pink bow, " I don't believe it! " Kimibear"!. Where did you get this"!? I looks just like the one I lost"!
She looked up with tears in her eyes, this meant the world to Sakura, the fact he remembered her childhood treasure and the fact he had gone to the trouble of finding her a new one made her heart soar. She ran to him and hugged his neck. "Sasuke kun, thank you so much". Sasuke smiled and hugged her back lightly.
Sasuke lifted up Sakura's chin so she was looking straight into his mismatched eyes. His eyes were soft, Sakura put her hand lovingly on his cheek. "Sakura", Sasuke said barely above a whisper, "I.. I love you".
Sakura's eyes widened and she let out a small gasp, of course she knew he loved her but this was the the first time he said it out loud. She looked at him, shocked still present on her face, then she smiled with tears filling her eyes. "I love you too Sasuke-kun, I always have".
They made love that night as husband and wife, As Sasuke and Sakura Uchiha, and the bright new future of the of the once hailed clan.
Sakura and Sasuke spent a few more days in the grass village, enjoying their honeymoon. They rarely left their room, they only left to eat and stretch their legs on a walk through the village.
Sakura never expected in a million years Sasuke would be so.. passionate, but he had always been the type to take pride in being the best at everything he did, so Sakura wasn't too surprised he added love making to the list.
They decided to head out the next day. They were gonna pay a visit to the land of water. Sakura was as ready as could be, she was now Mrs. Uchiha, and ready to travel the world with her husband, she loved the way that sounded.
They traveled for a long two weeks until they got to the border of the land of water, they would need to board a boat the rest of the way. It was a long quiet boat ride, Sakura dozed off, Sasuke woke her up when they arrived.
"I'm sorry Sasuke-kun, I guess I was more tired than I thought". Sasuke smirked coyly, Sakura knew what he was thinking, she nudged him, "Not that Sasuke-kun, from the journey over here" she whispered.
They finally reached the village hidden in the mist, the had to stop by the Mizukages office to check in with her. "Hello Sasuke Uchiha, long time no see, the beautiful woman said looking at Sasuke.
Sasuke bowed his head and greeted her, "Lady Mizukage". "So Uchiha what's your business her in the land of water"? She asked voice full of authority.
"Just passing through, and willing to help with anyone in need".
"Ah, your journey of redemption continues," she said surprised. "Aah, he responded.
She turned to look in Sakura's direction. "Your Lady Fifths disciple if I recall, Haruno Sakura right"? "Yes my lady", she responded.
"Uchiha", Sasuke looked at her and smirked. Sakura blushed and smiled back.
"Oh yes, it's Uchiha Sakura now, my lady," Sakura corrected quickly.
She raised an eyebrow. "Hmm Sasuke Uchiha, married? " Well nice to see a proper lady has straightened you out and made an honest man out of you", she sounded amused. "Aah", Sasuke replied with a smirk.
They were excused from the Mizukages office. They checked into an inn requested by the Mizukages herself, it was really exquisite and they weren't charged, Lady Mizukage's treat, a wedding present she had said.
After settling in they decided to walk through the hidden mist village, they say so many different things, it was so much different from the hidden leaf, even the food.
They tried different foods and went to different shops, but for some reason the food in the land of water didn't settle with Sakura, she started feeling nauseous after everything she tried. "Are you alright", Sasuke asked concerned. "I'm fine, probably just coming down with something", Sakura said waving it off.
Near sunset they headed back the inn so Sakura could rest. They passed this eerie looking shop and that's when they heard someone calling to them.
The voice came from the wide open door, it was completely dark only illuminated by candlelight, homemade potions and remedies could be faintly seen in the window, it had kind of mystical feeling to it. Sasuke and Sakura stopped and peered into the shop. "Sasuke, Sakura don't be shy come in".
They looked at each other, how did she know there names, curious Sakura slowly made her way into the small shop, Sasuke grabbed her arm, "Wait we don't know who is in there", he said a warning in his tone.
Sakura looked back at him, a dreamy look on her face, "I feel like we're suppose to go in here, I can't explain it". She started ahead again, with a sigh Sasuke reluctantly followed.
"Hello", a very elderly lady called to them, she had the longest silver hair, Sakura had ever seen, she had snow white skin and pale blue eyes, she wore an all black kimono, with gold trimmings.
My name is Kitsune I've been expecting you two for some time now".
"How do you know us", Sakura asked. The elderly woman chuckled, "Because I know everything, past, present, and future".