-XXX-

SASUKE

I waited in the kitchen, nervously moving back and forth, fiddling with the tie hanging loosely around my neck. The damn thing wouldn't hang straight no matter what I did, like I'd forgotten how to tie my tie properly. My hands and years of fixed reflexes suddenly seemed to not know what to do.

It wasn't because I was nervous. I had no reason to be anxious. Sakura and I would just go to the office, say a few words, sign a piece of paper and all the formalities of marriage would be done. It was just another part of our plan. It's nothing to feel uneasy about.

I tugged again at the silk fabric of my tie. Why won't that damn tie hold in place?! "Keep pulling on it like that and you won't have any of it left, Sasuke. What did that tie do to you?" I looked up in surprise and Sakura was already standing at the bottom of the stairs with a slightly joking tone on the tip of her tongue. It didn't usually happen to me that I didn't realize the other person had come into the room, so maybe I was a bit nervous. She stood there looking nervous too, but at least she looked prettier. Pretty beautiful, actually.

She was wearing a simple ivory-coloured dress that hugged her narrow waist perfectly, the fabric expanding into a flood of light foam at the bottom of her knees. The top was made of lace and revealed her slender neck. Her hair was loose, curled at the ends and pinned up on the right side with a decorative pink flower-shaped clip.

I looked down at her shoes and I had to smile a little at how small they were, with only a tiny and subtle heel. I've gotten used to Sakura reaching my shoulders, and I wouldn't even want her to be taller. I walked over and looked into her eyes. She looked like a crisp morning on a sunny spring day.

There were so many words on my tongue that couldn't express how beautiful she looked. "It suits you." I said and she lowered her gaze. Then she straightened up and a sparkling smile graced her face. "Thank you, Sasuke-kun."

"No. I thank you." I shook my head.

"For what?" She asked, and I didn't know where to start.

"For agreeing to our contract. For keeping your word when you had every right to refuse." I reached my fingers to the ends of her hair, wrapped one strand of hair around my finger, twisted it gently and ran my finger over it. Then I released her hair and let it fall back into its original place.

I saw Sakura's cheeks turn red, and I thought to myself that she couldn't be more lovely. "For being a better person than I am." I added with complete sincerity, and her eyes lit up. "That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me, Sasuke-kun..."

"I know. I haven't tried very hard yet, huh?" I looked into her eyes, not wanting to look anywhere else. She grimaced at the thought, looking down again, so I cupped her cheek in my palm and ran my thumb over her soft skin to get her to look at me, which, judging by her surprised expression focused on me, worked.

"Let's not make such a big deal out of our wedding day, okay?" I said a little jokingly, and the corners of her mouth spread into a smile of relief. I walked over to the table behind her and handed her a small gift in the form of a bouquet I had prepared for her. "For you..." I said awkwardly.

"Sasuke-kun!" I handed her the bouquet and she cheerfully took it. She immediately buried her nose in the flowers and I was glad to see that she was pleased with them. "I'm excited about them!" She blurted out and then frowned. "But... what about you?"

I tried not to laugh at her question. "I'm not carrying the flowers." I smirked, trying to lighten the serious tone we were speaking in. With a smile, she shook her head and walked to the dresser in the living room. She rummaged around in the drawer for a while and then took something out and came back to me.

She took one rose from her bouquet, broke it off at the bottom of the stem, and carefully attached it to an elegant silver clasp and pinned it to my suit pocket. Looks like she's got a little present for me, too. With her tiny fingers, she then adjusted my tie in a way I could never have managed. Perfect. She tapped the fabric tenderly and looked satisfied. "There. Now you're ready."

"And you're ready?" I asked for reassurance, though I half feared an answer I dared not even think about. "Yes." I sighed in relief at her determined tone and offered her my arm. "Then let's get married." She nodded and we walked resolutely out the door of our house.

...

It was just a little ceremony at the registry office. Just the two of us and the witnesses. We thought about who to choose as witnesses and decided on Naruto and Yamanaka Ino. If I'd picked someone else instead of that idiot, I'd have had it on my plate for the rest of my life. And Sakura has become very close to Yamanaka lately, that's why she chose her. We said our piece, briefly exchanged vows and rings, and were pronounced husband and wife.

I put on her engagement ring, which she liked very much and didn't want to replace with any new wedding ring, and I let her put on my finger a modest platinum ring that Sakura had picked out herself in a jewelry store on the way here.

I looked down at my hand, relaxed my fist and stretched out my fingers. I even tried to clench my fist. The cool metal against my skin felt foreign. Sakura observed me and I smiled slightly at her. "I'm already ringed, so it's official, I guess."

Our wedding celebrant smiled heartily as he watched us, and after a moment he looked at me and said "Now you can kiss the bride." I raised my head and my gaze found its way to Sakura's eyes. I leaned down to her adorably rosy cheeks and lightly pressed my lips to hers. I ran one hand through her hair and with my fingers on the back of her neck, I pulled her closer to me to kiss her deeply and properly. After all, I was allowed to do it now as her husband.

"By the power entrusted to me, I pronounce you as husband and wife." The celebrant said, clasping the book in his arms. As I pulled away from my new wife, Sakura opened her eyes and I was startled by the genuine tenderness in her gaze. Her smile was sincere and I didn't even resist the smile that tugged at the corners of my lips. "We're married, Sasuke-kun!" She uttered excited and surprised at the same time. I didn't know why her words pleased me, but they did.

"Hn." I nodded and both of us turned to the ceremony table and signed the marriage certificate with our own signatures. "Now we just have to make it through the dinner at Namikaze's. Any chance they won't make a big deal out of it?" Sakura thought about my question for a second and then answered. "The chances are slim to none." I figured that too.

I sighed just at the idea, but Sakura continued. "Don't forget that you were the one who came up with that, shannaro..." She teased me on puspose, and I had minimal urge to joke about it too. "I know. You better not remind me."

She giggled at my disgusted expression and I finished my thoughts. "Let's settle this here and then go to that dinner, so we can get this over with quickly." Sakura smiled in agreement. "Don't worry, Sasuke-kun. I'm sure it won't be that bad." She assured me and I was glad that my wife wouldn't leave me alone in it.

My wife, huh?

...

We arrived in front of Namikaze's house and I drove through the entrance gate into the parking lot. I looked around and sighed with relief. "There are hardly any cars." I remarked aloud, my heart calming for a moment at the knowledge that Minato and Kushina weren't going to make a big deal out of this. "Thank goodness..." Sakura sighed as she looked out the window.

She too must have been tired and wanted to get this party over with just like me. "Looks like they only invited the closest ones." Miss Haruno remarked. Sakura, that is. Mrs. Uchiha, actually. My wife. Am really married...

"Sasuke-kun? Are you all right? You look pale all of a sudden..." I came back to my senses and shook my head so she wouldn't worry unnecessarily. "I'm fine, but... Sakura, listen..." Sakura's voice interrupted me, not letting me finish my sentence. "Don't even try, Sasuke-kun."

"You don't even know what I was going to say." I wasn't sure what she was talking about now, so I just furrowed my brow and waited for her to tell me what she meant. "You're trying to make me forget that I've wanted to hear your stories since you were a kid." I remembered that I had promised to fulfill her wish and tell her more about myself and my family.

In my opinion, Sakura was just trying to change the subject and get us to think about other things, because she didn't want us to keep digging into the past, apologizing and thanking each other. I could tell from her face that she wanted to start over, just as new as our marriage certificate.

"There's nothing interesting about my life and family..." I heaved a sigh, hoping she'd reconsider her dedication and curiosity. "But I feel it's important. Please, Sasuke-kun." I buried my head in the palm of my hand and took a deep breath. I just couldn't win against this woman, no matter how hard I tried. "Okay." I grunted. "But later."

"I'll wait." She added contentedly and unbelted herself from her seat. "Let's get this over with first..." She glanced mischievously at her wristwatch. "See? Your resolve to protest only lasted two minutes." My new wife was obviously in the mood to joke around.

Or maybe she wasn't in the mood at all, but she was trying to mask her tense emotions with this. "It's not easy for me to talk about this." I said sincerely and she sympathized with me with a little bit of a sad smile. "I know..."

"That's why we're not going to talk about it here and now." She added, while trying to adjust the ends of the ruffles on her dress with her hands, which had gotten a little wrinkled during the car ride. I figured no one would notice anyway, because she looked so lovely that the wrinkled dress couldn't change that. When she was done, she glanced at me once more.

"Now your new boss and his family are waiting for you, and he's throwing us a celebratory dinner. So smile and act like you adore your newlywed wife more than anything, okay?" She urged me with a laughter and stepped out of the car. She leaned one hand on the open door and bent down to look at me. "Are you coming or not, shannaro?!"

I could only stare in amazement.

...

The celebration dinner was apparently humble only by the standards of Namikaze and his wife. An oblong table was set on the back porch, with flowers, silk place settings, fine porcelain dishes, and candles flickering in the gentle late afternoon breeze. The whole place was surrounded with luxurious style, and the veranda was decorated with little blue and white lanterns.

In the corner was another smaller table with a wedding cake. Sakura looked at me with widened eyes. At least someone's actually happy about it. "How could they possibly manage it all in one day?" She asked excitedly, her gaze flicking from place to place. "It's really not that impressive..." I muttered. I had to admit I was impressed, even if it was all a matter of connections and money. Our hosts just glowed. Probably much more than us.

Kushina run and took Sakura in her arms as soon as she saw us coming and gave her a long embrace, while Sakura's other new friends also ran to join in the big bear hug. In the meantime, Minato patted me on the shoulder and congratulated me on how excited he was for me.

Namikaze's words were heartwarming as always, but then I had to endure more hugs and handshakes from the rest of his family, relatives, and invited Namikaze Group employees. That wasn't so heartwarming anymore. This bunch of people really wanted to touch someone all the time.

I took a step back and took Sakura's hand as if she were my talisman to protect me from them. If I hold her, maybe they'll stop hugging me. I planned to keep her with me tonight.

...

The dinner was very good and in exquisite taste. The champagne was flowing as well as other alcohol, but this time I was careful. I mostly just sipped wine and washed it down with water all evening. We didn't have any pictures of the ceremony, but during dinner Yamanaka and some other girls pulled out their phones and kept clicking pictures.

They complained for a while that we were sitting too far from each other and that we should smile more in the pictures, touching more and they were encouraging us to kiss. Sakura was drinking more today, so she didn't seem to mind. In fact, quite the opposite. She surprised me at one point because she turned her face to my side and expected kiss from me on her cheek.

The shame of the last party, where I behaved inappropriately, flashed through my mind. In my sober days I wouldn't have dared to do such intimacies in public, it was against my nature and character, which all the drunk girls fortunately understood after a while of my non-cooperation and I was saved from even more embarrassment.

The other couples at the table, however, felt the opposite today. They were constantly hugging, kissing and caressing each other's exposed skin. To avoid looking completely stiff, I would occasionally lean down and kiss Sakura's hair or the back of her soft hand, which I held in my palm, feeling her warmness.

The alcohol helped with our eluctance, of course. But after some time we both got used to it and naturally relaxed. She smiled or laughed out loud and suddenly we looked like the perfect picture of a happy married couple in love.

At one point, Yamanaka turned to Sakura and shouted. "Sakura! I'd almost forgotten. Hana opened her yoga class last week. Come, you'll love it!" Sakura glanced enthusiastically at Hana Inuzuka, who was sitting at a table a short distance away, and before she could say anything, Hinata surprisingly joined in.

"That's a great idea, Sakura-chan..." The girl said shyly, rubbing her hands together nervously. Apparently she didn't like so many looks on her, so she kept looking at Sakura and her hands in her lap in turns. "Hana is a great tutor. She also teaches classes for beginners. I really like it there..." Hinata finished with rosy cheeks, and Hana was touched that the girls were so interested in her classes. "I'm sure I can find an open spot for you, what do you say?"

Sakura's eyes sparkled with interest. "I would love that! I've always wanted to try it. When can I start?" She asked immediately and without hesitation. "Tuesday night. The beginner's course lasts eight weeks. Then there is a break followed by a move up to the intermediate level." Hana answered her, and Sakura's expression darkened suddenly. The bright sparkle in her eye from just a moment ago had faded.

"Oh... I can't then..." Sakura shook her head in disappointment. "Tuesdays are game nights at the nursing home. Director Mei organizes them so the residents can have some fun and entertainment. I always take aunty Tsunade there and I'm on her team against the other groups. Usually no one wants to be on a team with her, so I'm her teammate so she can enjoy herself. She loves going there..."

When I visited Tsunade, it was impossible not to notice her fondness for card and other chip games. I didn't have any appointments or work scheduled for the next tuesday, and apparently this was something important for Sakura, so I decided to lend a helping hand. And so I said: "I'll be there with her."

"What?" She flinched in surprise and stared into my eyes. "Go to that yoga class. You said you wanted to try it. I'll go to that game night with Tsunade and play with her." I nudged Sakura lightly with a little smirk. "I'm not gonna be the worst player in the room." I said teasingly, because we both knew that Tsunade was an incredibly bad player.

"That would be a awesome!" Yamanaka enthused. "But it's every Tuesday, Sasuke-kun..." Sakura reminded me, feeling both conflicted and worried about this. "It doesn't matter..." I didn't mind spending an evening with Sakura's aunt if it would help Sakura. She sacrificed so much more for me at this point. It was time to start slowly paying off my debts to her. "I guess for a while now I'll be having a date with Tsunade every Tuesday."

While everyone was happily toasting, Sakura leaned closer to me and whispered: "Do you mean it?" She was obviously worried and she didn't want me to feel annoyed and burdened by it. "Hn..." I muttered softly and answered simply. "I don't mind if it helps." I looked into her eyes and added firmly so she could calm a little. "Really."

The moment I finished, Sakura kissed me softly on the cheek, her eyes filled with that bright sparkle again and a pleasant warmth ran through my body. "Thank you." She breathed lightly against my cheek with that sweet smile that adorned her beaming face. I leaned over to whisper briefly in her ear. "You're welcome." Then with a sigh, I leaned back in my chair again.

I was glad to be able to do something for her. I noticed Minato looking at me and nodding his head in agreement with a big smile. I lowered my eyes, almost embarrassed by his silent support. It was a strange day, full of strange emotions.

After dinner, Kushina sternly told us to move all tabels aside to make some space. She insisted we had to dance as to complete our evening. Several people were already rocking the dance floor with Yamanaka in the middle in full force.

I was glad we had practiced the dancing, so I waited for the music to start. I got a little flustered but I still held out my hand to Sakura. "Would you like to dance?" I said despite not wanting to dance at all, but I decided to bear with one dance. Her hand slipped into my palm and Sakura smiled shyly, but genuinely. "Yes, I'd love to."

Everyone else who was still standing on the sidelines, rushed into the middle and we were right on their heels. I took Sakura gently around her waist with my other hand, pulled her closer to my body and we began to circle slowly around the dance floor like it was just the two of us.

We swayed to the rhythm of the peaceful jazz music and Sakura, while holding me steady, let me lead the way. I thought again how nicely she fit me. How her head was just the right height to reach just below my chin. I breathed in her soft scent and savored the softness of her hair against my skin.

We didn't talk at all, there was no need. The two of us were finally beginning to find a harmony within each other and I couldn't have been more content and glad about it. If it had been possible to pull her even closer to me at that moment, I would have done it.

We continued to circle around in perfect unison, trusting each other and holding each other in a strong, tight and safe embrace. And to be honest, I secretly hoped that the musicians across from us, would drag this song out a little longer. Much longer.

-XXX-

End of Chapter 21