Days passed, and Sakura still didn't have the strength to continue her duties as a medic-nin of the village. Tsunade understood the situation and mandated that she take the time to heal. Itachi and his family supported her.
And everyday, Itachi can see that the light started to return to his wife's eyes. It may not be as bright as it used to be, but it's there. He thought that everything will return to normal, or as normal as they can be in face of such lost. But his hopes were crushed when the clan elders requested an audience with his father.
It was a fine day when the elders arrived in their house. He, himself greeted them with Sakura by his side. But they didn't even throw a glance in his wife but continued their way towards his father's office.
"It's okay, Sakura." he murmured. He saw her nod but it seemed that Sakura did not even tried to understand what he was saying.
He sighed and cupped her head. He placed kissed the top of her head tenderly but his eyes flashed when he saw that one of the elders are eyeing them. He doesn't care anymore if the elders deemed him unfit to become the next clan head. His wife's feelings are more important than their opinions.
He steered his wife inside the house. Away from his father's office.
Fugaku's hand slammed in the table when he heard what the elders said. His eyes turned into stone at the careless words that his clan elder uttered.
"Stop this nonsense, Itsuki." Fugaku angrily stopped the ramblings of the elder. "It's not Sakura's fault that she suffered from a miscarriage. It's nobody's fault."
"Fukagu, you know all too well, that you daughter-in-law carelessly chose her career than the Uchiha growing inside her."
Fugaku sighed and stared to the clan's elders. "She didn't know." Itsuki was about to interrupt but the Uchiha patriarch did not let him. "Again, it's nobody's fault that she miscarried."
The elders heard how Fugaku defended the pink-haired girl. But they didn't back down.
"I hardly believe that she didn't know." Hikari scoffed. "She's a medic. Stop defending her mediocrity, Fugaku."
Uchiha Fugaku narrowed his eyes at Hikari's words. He knows that he will have to battle the elders to defend his son's wife. But Hikari is making it difficult.
"And Fugaku, how can you support this marriage?" Hikari added. "This is the first outside marriage. You should be concerned about blood purity. Izumi would be a better match!"
Fugaku's expression remained steadfast, though his frustration was evident. He once held that same sentiment, but his harsh words cost him his first grandchild. He will stand by his son's choices no matter what the cost.
"Izumi is a respected member of our clan, but that doesn't diminish Sakura's worth. Love and compatibility matter more than outdated concerns about blood purity. Itachi's choice is his own, and I stand by it." Fugaku's voice echoed the seriousness of his stand. "My son's happiness is more important than outdated traditions," Fugaku retorted, his voice firm. "Sakura is a valued member of this family, and I won't let anyone undermine her worth."
Itsuki, the elder who had been particularly critical, leaned forward. "Fugaku, this isn't just about sentiment. It's about the future of the Uchiha clan. We cannot afford to dilute our bloodline."
Fugaku's tone grew stern. "Our strength lies not just in our blood but in our unity. Itachi and Sakura have faced tragedy together, and that shared pain has only strengthened their bond. I won't turn my back on them."
Hikari, still skeptical, retorted, "Fugaku, you're letting emotions cloud your judgment. Think about the long-term consequences. The clan's reputation is at stake."
Fugaku stood, his eyes piercing. "The reputation of the Uchiha clan should be built on compassion, understanding, and the strength to adapt. I won't sacrifice my son's happiness for the sake of some archaic belief. And to be honest, we are never pure blood at all. The first Uchiha married outside of clan."
The room fell silent for a moment, the tension palpable. Fugaku's unwavering defense of Itachi and Sakura echoed in the ears of the elders. The struggle between tradition and the changing values within the Uchiha clan had reached a critical juncture.
Meanwhile, Itachi and Sakura remained unaware of the confrontation unfolding in the elder's meeting. Itachi had taken Sakura to a quiet garden within the Uchiha compound, hoping to provide her with a peaceful respite from the turmoil that surrounded them.
As they walked hand in hand, Sakura couldn't help but feel a sense of serenity in the presence of the blooming flowers. Itachi watched her closely, concern etched on his face. He knew that the elders' opinions could impact the future of the clan, but in that moment, all he cared about was Sakura's well-being.
"Sakura," he spoke softly, "I want you to know that you mean everything to me. The elders' opinions don't matter when it comes to us."
She looked up at him, a small smile forming on her lips. "I know, Itachi. I appreciate your support more than words can say."
Little did they know, Fugaku was vehemently defending their union in the face of the elders' criticism. He argued that love, understanding, and strength were the pillars of a successful marriage, not antiquated notions of blood purity.
Back in the meeting, Hikari continued to challenge Fugaku's stance. "Your sentimentality blinds you, Fugaku. We cannot afford to weaken the clan's bloodline. Itachi should be with someone more suitable."
Fugaku's eyes narrowed, and he spoke with conviction. "Suitability is not measured by blood alone. Itachi chose Sakura, and I support his choice. Love, loyalty, and shared grief have bound them together in ways you fail to comprehend."
The meeting reached a tense impasse, with the elders insisting on their beliefs and Fugaku refusing to back down. The fate of Itachi's position as the future clan head hung in the balance.