-XXX-

SASUKE

The next morning I woke up all confused. I stared at the ceiling and after a while I realized I was on the couch in the living room. I sat up heavily, frowning and grabbing my head with my hands as if that would help me from the pain.

I lifted my eyes slightly to the table in front of me, where a glass of water and headache pills lay ready for me. Surprised, I reached for the pills, swallowed two pills and washed them down with a whole glass. As I stood up, the blanket I was covered with slid down my legs to the floor. I bent down to pick up the blanket, and only at that moment did it all click in my slowed-down brain.

Sakura, huh?

After Sakura went upstairs to her room yesterday, I poured myself another scotch. Her words never left my mind and I kept thinking about them. And at some point yesterday, I must have blacked out. Sakura then apparently came back downstairs, covered me with a blanket and left me some medicine and water because she knew I would feel more than a little miserable when I woke up in the morning.

Even though I acted like an even bigger asshole than usual yesterday, Sakura still took care of me. My legs were shaking, so I sat back down. I remembered everything she had said to me yesterday and her reason for agreeing to my contract.

She explained why she agreed to help me. And why she always saved so much money and never spent anything, even though it must have been embarrassing, painful and frustrating for her. Just to protect the woman who had raised her and provided her with a home and safety.

Ever since she started as my secretary, I have tried to get rid of her and disregarded her, but never bothered to ask about her reasons or her problems. I started to feel nauseous, so I rushed upstairs and emptied my stomach in my room's bathroom. Then I took a big shower and another pill. I could still hear Sakura's voice in my head, and the sadness hidden in it.

My behavior over the past year that she had worked for me has also been running through my head. How I had made her job difficult and tried to get her to quit on her own, just for my petty reason of wanting peace in work. I wanted to stay away from a woman's flirtatious eyes and grovelling. I wanted a male secretary for that reason.

The cruelty of my remarks, icy demeanor and ignorant attitude was now horrifying to me. But despite the way I treated her, she was able to put her feelings aside and put the other person's needs first and not let herself break. She did her job with a will of fire and I had to admit that she did it brilliantly and with pride, even though she received zero positive feedback from me.

I looked disgustedly at my face in the mirror and for the first time in my life I felt a sense of shame burn through my body. I had to look away to keep me from smashing the mirror into pieces. I cleaned myself up and went down to the kitchen, no sign of Sakura.

Right now, I had two options. Ignore what happened yesterday and hope that Sakura will continue with our contract. I knew that if I didn't mention it first, Sakura definitely wouldn't come back to it. She might even think I didn't recall it because of my drunkenness.

Or I had the other option, to act like a grown man, find her, apologize for my behavior and try to overcome my pride and shame. But to do that, I would have had to make an extremely determined effort, and especially an immeasurable amount of understanding. I had no doubt that the wedding plan had now been swept under the carpet, but we could still function as fiancés.

I pushed away from the kitchen counter and ignored the blatant pounding in my head, because it was time for me to find out a little more about my fiancé.

...

"Sasuke, I didn't expect to see you here today. And this early..." Minato said to me with a surprised expression when he saw me at work on Saturday morning. I looked up to him from my computer screen to the open door of my office. "I have some unfinished things here..." Minato walked in and sat down at the desk across from me.

I put my hands on the dark lacquered table top wood and tried to get my fingers to stop twitching so much. "I'm sorry about yesterday, I drank too much. But I assure you, that's not my normal behavior." Minato laughed and waved his hand. "It happens to everyone, Sasuke. After everything you and Sakura have been through, after your new start here with us, and even with your upcoming wedding, you deserve to blow off some steam."

"I hope I didn't do anything inappropriate."

He shook his head. "No, you were funny." That comment threw me off. "But you did make poor Sakura a little angry. But overall, it was fun watching you two." He explained, still smiling as he did so. I remembered my conversation with Sakura and suddenly my neck was sweating just at remembering it.

"She wasn't too thrilled..." I frowned as I realized what he had just said. "Wait, what did you mean about the upcoming wedding?" I asked uncomprehendingly and Minato grinned at me. "You kind of gave it away yesterday that you were having a wedding this afternoon."

I was so surprised by his words that I had to ask again if it was true. "Did... did I say that?"

"Exactly." He chuckled. "Sakura kept trying to silence you, but obviously you decided to share the secret with all of us." Suddenly, my list of shitty things I had done yesterday grew. I took a deep breath. I closed my eyes for a moment and shook my head. "I can't recall that..."

"Don't worry, she'll forgive you soon enough. A loving person will always do that." Minato tried to coax me out when he saw how unsettled I was. "But I don't know if my wife and Miss Yamanaka will forgive you. They wanted to help with the wedding..."

"I'm sorry." I said, trying to avoid his gaze. "Never mind that, Sasuke. At least Kushina is looking forward to the dinner you suggested." He smiled kindly and I swallowed hard. Fuck! How is it that I can remember the entire conversation with Sakura at my house after the event, but I can't remember a word of the actual event at Namikaze's house?

"Dinner?" What the hell was I telling them?

"After you touchingly explained why you wanted to have a private wedding, even Kushina shed a few tears."I blinked uncertainly. No fucking way... I began to believe that it was my double at the party yesterday and not me, because there was nothing in the world that would make me behave that way, or so I thought. Once again I felt shame and my stomach churned.

"The ladies then agreed to leave your big day to just the two of you, and in return you agreed that we could have a grand dinner for you today." Minato paused in his monologue and I was glad, because that's all I could manage. He looked at me thoughtfully while rubbing his chin. "Do you want to take next week off so you can go on a relaxing honeymoon?"

"No need to... We already have some plans." I said promptly despite his disappointed look, or rather I said a quickly concocted lie. Then I gave him an explanation that was true and believable. "Sakura is going to improve my house, I mean... our house. She wants to make it more homely. I'll take her somewhere when we're a little more settled."

He seemed to like my explanation, so he moved from the door and came over to shake my hand. "Congratulations, Sasuke." He extended his hand to me. "I hope everything goes as you wish today." I took his hand and with a strong squeeze I showed my respect and gratitude. "Thank you."

"I think today is the beginning of a whole new and wonderful life of the two of you together." He flashed a smile as best he could. "I'm very happy to be a part of your new chapter in life too." Come to think of it, Minato was this positive all the time. Suddenly I began to think that Naruto took after him a lot of characteristics. I'd never seen Minato anything other than welcoming and nice, and I felt kind of bad for lying so rudely to such a supportive man. Then he left and I watched him for a little while.

After what happened last night, Sakura probably won't even want to talk to me, let alone marry me. By the time I left the house to go to work, she was gone and didn't answer her phone, even though I tried to call her several times.

With my thoughts still on Sakura, I returned to my computer screen. I tried searching the internet and was convinced that I had managed to find the nursing home where Tsunade Senju was now living. I knew from Sakura that it was not far from my house, that it was a private facility and not cheap. Following the clues, I found the website and called their number.

"Akasuna Facility, head nurse Mei Terumi speaking. How can I help you?"

"Good morning, I'd like to ask you something. Today I want to visit my fiancée's aunt. I want to bring her a present, but I don't know what she likes or if she has any allergies." I'd never asked Sakura that very questions, so I wanted to be sure.

"Of course, but first tell me the name of our client, dear." She said in a somewhat cloying tone.

"Tsunade Senju."

"Then a bottle of soju is the only true way to please her..." The woman on the other end of the call said without thinking, and I didn't know if she was joking or not. "Hold on boy, your fiancée is Sakura?"

"Yeah, I assume you know her."

"Fiancée... So future wife, huh? ... Wedding... Wedding dress... Wedding bouquet... Wedding lingerie... Wedding night... " The woman began to mumble to herself in a sorrowful voice and I wondered if I had called the wrong facility. I cleared my throat to get her attention back and she stopped whatever she was doing. "I didn't know Sakura was engaged..."

"It happened recently."

"Well, we'll have to congratulate her then. Tsunade doesn't have any allergies to flowers or food, but if you want to impress her, bring liquor or a new deck of cards. But as if I didn't say anything."

I felt like I was in another dimension. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would wake up on a Saturday morning with a plan to marry Sakura and before that I would have to buy some quality alcohol and some card games for a woman I didn't even know.

"Okay, I get it..."

"And nurses like chocolate, sir..."

"Uchiha. Sasuke Uchiha. Sakura's already been there today?"

"Not yet. But I think she'll be here soon, sweet boy."

There was something off about this nurse and I couldn't wait to end this conversation. "Thank you, that's all." I assured her.

"You're welcome. I can't wait to see you in person." And that was the last thing I heard before I hung up.

I let out a heavy sigh and rubbed the back of my neck tensely as I had a long day of shopping, groveling and apologizing ahead of me.

...

I left work around 10:00 a.m., explaining that I had to go run some errands and I stopped at the planned place. I stood in the open doorway of Tsunade Senju's room and looked her over. Whatever I imagined her to be, this wasn't it. She was a medium height woman with bright blonde hair in two braids and eyes large and shining. She was incredibly good looking for her age, an objectively beautiful woman.

At my knock, those eyes lifted and looked at me suspiciously. "Do you need anything?" She said and I walked in, a gift bag hanging out in my hand with exactly what the head nurse had recommended me. "I'm Sasuke Uchiha, a friend of Sakura's." I didn't want to cause a fuss right off the bat. That's why I introduced myself as Sakura's friend rather than fiancé, but I wasn't even just that. "I wanted to visit you."

She eyed me, still dubious. "So you're her friend, huh?" Her eyes lingered on my bag, as if she was already wondering what I'd brought her. "Ah..." I responded with a nod. In the corner of the room sat a pink little pig, which I wasn't expecting to see here. Did their lunch escape from the kitchen?

Tsunade noticed where my eyes were directed and said. "That's Tonton." I didn't want to dwell on it any more, so I didn't examine or question the pig in the room. "And you're Sakura's aunt, Tsunade, right?" She frowned at my last sentence with a stare as if she wanted to stab me. "I haven't given you permission to call me by name yet."

I didn't realize my rudeness. "I'm sorry." I was a little thrown off by the grunting noise the pig was making, and I pulled a deck of cards and game chips out of my bag. It was a limited edition of the latest card games. "I have brought a present for you and also for nurses here." The woman who had been sitting at the table in front of me and reading a book, put the book down and reached for her present.

"What do you have for them?" She meant the nurses at this facility. "I brought them something sweet..." She pressed her lips together and looked up at me. "You brought them chocolate, didn't you?"

I looked at her in surprise because she knew exactly that I had brought chocolate. "You're obviously not the sharpest pencil in the case, are you?" She giggled derisively and I didn't like her tone at all. "What?" I asked offended at her prickly remark.

"Apparently you're the type who can't think of anything original yourself, so you'd rather do your research on others so as not to offend anyone." I furrowed my brows at her explanation. I hadn't expected her to be so bluntly direct. But in a way, she reminded me of Sakura when she didn't mince words. "Sakura must like you because of your looks, because it can't be because of your brain."

There was silence for a while and I was beginning to froth with both frustration and embarrassment that she was lecturing me like a little kid. But after a while I couldn't help smirking at her teasing comments. She was outspoken, straightforward and had no problem expressing her opinion.

Tsunade reached to her left and pressed a button on the wall to summon a nurse into the room. "Tonton is hungry, so Mei brings her food and you can give her your chocolate. And if I ask nicely, she'll bring us coffee too." She winked at me cheerfully, and I dug into my bag again and pulled out a small, modest bottle of weaker liquor. "How about this?"

She raised her eyebrows and smiled mischievously. "So you're not quite hopeless. If this one's for me, then you have permission to call me Tsunade." For the first time since I'd walked into this room, I was genuinely relieved, my tension was gradually wearing off. It seemed we were going to break the ice after all. "Now sit down and tell me how you know my Sakura."

...

Tsunade Senju was a bright and clever woman, and, as I have now discovered, full of stories about Sakura when she was a child and teenager. But at the same time, what I understood was that her short-term memory was really weak. Several times I noticed how her gaze was obscured by a kind of veil, and then when I asked her about something in the present, she would stammer in her speech or snap at me with a tense mood.

Therefore, I preferred to direct her mind to the old times and ask how she met Sakura. A spark of interest appeared in her eyes and she gave me a longer version of the story I had heard the night before from Sakura herself. Tsunade had described to me a thin, frightened little girl who, many years ago, had rummaged through a garbage can to find something to eat.

She told of the pain and despair in Sakura's emerald eyes, but also how she kept herself alive only by the strength of her determined will. Tsunade implied that she knew immediately that she was meant to find Sakura that day. I sensed the love she had for young child, and found myself enjoying hearing the story of her life.

Tsunade then started to get a little lost in her memories and asked me for a drink, but I suggested that water would be better than my gift, which she's already opened. I was rather taken aback that they allowed me to bring alcohol here, but as one of the nurses said to me, one glass of weaker liquor to improve her mood can't hurt her.

I went to find head nurse Mei, though I wasn't particularly enthusiastic about it, and she showed me where the kitchen was. Then I went back to the room with a glass of iced tea and Tsunade was already snoozing in her chair, her head resting on her arms folded on the table. And the pig, which was still in the corner of the room, slept peacefully along with her.

I sat down quietly on a chair, put a glass in front of her and I looked around. In all honesty, it was easy to see why Sakura wanted Tsunade to live here, and why she worked so hard to keep her high-paying job. Tsunade's room was bright and airy, with large windows and shelves of books everywhere, lots of board games, cards and other games and photos.

A strange feeling of guilt passed through me as I remembered the little photo Sakura had brought to my house when she moved in with me. She'd kept it like an eye in her head and displayed it in a frame on her bedside table.

The idea of how Sakura must have felt all that time was unimaginable. And the words I'd said to her since I'd known her weighed on me. It was my usual caustic self showing up once again. The wave of blame and shame became a tsunami that flooded my brain and piercing my skin. I slumped back in my chair, not used to feeling so queer.

"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura's surprised voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "What are you doing here?" I looked behind me and stood up from my chair, feeling even more miserable. "I came to visit her." I answered truthfully, looking into her question-filled eyes. "Why would you do that?" Indeed, why was I doing it? "I suppose... I thought it was important." I answered vaguely, the real answer in the back of my mind.

"I'm surprised to see you awake and sane. I'm glad you're feeling better." A small half smile appeared on her face. Not a fake one, but not a real one either. It was a pained smile meant to hide the thoughts on my words to her yesterday. I cleared my throat, feeling even more uncomfortable. "About that, Sakura... I... listen... " Sakura held up her hand, stopping me before I could add anything, her expression suddenly grim. "Just stay quiet." She said simply.

With slow steps I made my way closer to the door where she was standing. I stopped a short distance in front of her, and the fact that she just watched me blankly and didn't back away like she normally would have, convinced me that I had really messed up this time.

"Sakura... I'm sorry."

It wasn't often that I apologized to people. And it certainly wasn't often that my heart was beating wildly, hoping that the person in front of me would accept my apology. But here I stood. Across from a woman I was getting to know more and more... and woman who, obviously, was starting to matter to me more and more as well. To the point where I was seeking her forgiveness for my stupidity.

"Sorry? For what?"

I knew where her question was going. And Sakura knew it, too. She didn't ask because she didn't know, or because she wanted to gloat and thus get back at me. She wanted to hear my own words. She wanted to hear the answer of the man she hadn't completely given up on yet.

As my eyes followed her disappointed expression and her saddened eyes longed for an explanation, many thoughts ran through my head. I knew all the things I was apologizing for now, and my letter seemed longer by the second, so I answered as best I could.

"For everything."

"Really... you..."

Her face softened and her voice quivered as much as her shoulders. "You got that right." The fingers of her hand curled into her palm and she held her fists tightly together. Full of emotions she wanted to give vent to.

"Damn it..." She cursed through her teeth, and I watched as the force of her grip relaxed and her hands fell along her body. "It's about time... you idiot." She uttered exhaustedly and shook her head disapprovingly with a long sigh.

A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. A rock fell from my heart at her last words. She didn't feel complete hatred for me, and that was enough for the moment. I was glad there was room for improvement after all, and for us to find our cooperation and understanding again. Or at least I hoped so.

Sakura pressed her lips together and stared at me intently. "Does your apology have anything to do with what was supposed to happen this afternoon?" She asked curiously and even though she was right almost every time, this time she misjudged me. "It's not about that. I don't expect you to marry me today." I closed my eyes with heavy breathing. "Don't you?" She responded immediately.

"Not after what I did last night." I scratched the back of my neck. "I'd be glad if you did, but I can't expect you to."

"Yesterday at the celebration, you wanted to talk to everyone about our wedding, Sasuke-kun..." She was referring to what Minato had also told me. I still couldn't believe that I was so drunk that I was announcing to everyone how I was going to be happily married today. "I tried to stop you." She waved her hand and slumped her shoulders in resignation. "But it was useless."

"I know. I got drunk and it got out of hand." I hated to admit it. "I'll figure it out, don't worry." I told her so she wouldn't think I'd let it go without a solution. "All I can say is I'm surprised you're even talking to me." She avoided my eye contact like she always did when she was nervous. Before I could speak again, Tsunade wobbled in her chair, opening her eyes slowly and looking up at us. "So you're finally here, Sakura?"

Sakura walked past me and kissed Tsunade on her cheek. "How are you today?" Tsunade's face lit up and an amused smile appeared on her face. "I'm feeling especially good today." She pointed her chin towards me and Sakura looked in the same direction. "Why haven't I heard anything about him until today?" Sakura smiled nervously and shook her head. "I believe I've mentioned him before."

"He's not very smart, but he's nice to look at. And he has good taste in alcohol and chocolate." Sakura looked shocked and I had to smirk at her expression. I was glad that Tsunade wasn't delusional and confused. Head nurse Mei had warned me that she often fell asleep, and then when she woke up from her sleep, she tended to be confused and lost. I'd be sorry if I was the only one who caught Tsunade conscious and robbed Sakura of that opportunity. I don't think I could take any more guilt.

I turned to the coat rack and took off my jacket. "I'd better go." I was sure they had a lot to talk about, so I wanted to leave them alone. I glanced at Tsunade and lowered my head slightly as a sign of respect. "It was nice to meet you." She laughed at that, not mockingly, but wholeheartedly. "If you bring me more liquor, feel free to stop by again, you little brat." The woman was simply herself, making all her feelings clear, just like Sakura did. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Sakura, can we talk before I go?" She agreed and together we walked out into the hallway. "Did you come by car?" I asked her. I figured I'd wait for her and drive her back home if she was here on foot. "No." So it was decided. I nodded silently in understanding and was about to take a step forward and go to wait in the parking lot when my gaze traveled down to her hand and I froze. "Where's your ring?"

"I don't wear it when I come here. It would upset Tsunade. I keep it safely in my purse." Her explanation sounded reasonable, but something about it just didn't sit right with me. Mostly, however, I was relieved that it wasn't because the whole deal between us was off. "Hn..." I replied, and Sakura opened her mouth as if to say something. She hesitated, but didn't say anything. "Is something wrong?" I asked her, because she obviously had something on her mind.

"If I... if I agree and marry you today Sasuke-kun, is there something I could get? Something like a wedding present?" Her cheeks were pink and she ran her fingers uncertainly over the purse she was clutching to her body. Her question honestly surprised me, but in a good way.

"What do you want?" I was curious as to just what this non-materialistic woman could want that would make her willing to put aside our disagreements and continue with our contract. I figured it wasn't going to be anything ordinary.

"I want to know your story. To learn more about your childhood and family." I frowned at her request. "I don't talk about my past." The firm tone of my words should have convinced her that I wasn't going to discuss it.

Sakura straightened up to her full height and squared her shoulders, her brows furrowed and her gaze determined. "Then marry yourself, Mr. Uchiha. We'll see each other at home." Before she could turn around and leave, I grabbed her arm and I took a step closer to her so I wouldn't have to shout.

"Sakura..." I began tentatively and our gazes met. There was resolve in hers and a silent unspoken plea in mine. "Fine. Marry me today and I'll tell you." Her expression lit up with hope in her voice. "You promise?" I sighed and gave her the answer she wanted to hear. "Ah..."

"And I want my engagement ring as my wedding ring." I looked into her eyes in amazement. She didn't want a new ring, but she wanted to keep the one I'd already given her? Sakura was the one person who constantly surprised and unsettled me. "Alright..." I agreed while the corners of her lips curled into a beautiful grin. "Is that all you want as a gift?" I asked skeptically, because after all, this couldn't be all she wanted as a wedding gift.

"No, just your story and the ring." She repeated emphatically and I nodded in agreement. "In that case, we'll be married today." She reassured me and I was stunned for a moment. I expected screams, accusations, remorse, maybe even tears. I thought she was going to tell me to go fuck myself, but she caught me off guard with her approval and rationality.

"I'll wait for you in the car." I gathered myself and slowly let go of her hand, which dropped back to her body. "No. I'll meet you at home. Goodbye, Sasuke-kun." That was all of our conversation so far.

She turned and walked back to Tsunade's room. I stared after her, dumbfounded. When did Sakura become such a strong person? I had no idea, but I knew I had to be glad to have her on my side.

-XXX-

End of Chapter 20