Day 355
"Tell me, Haruno-san, have you copied my daughter's seal?" the Uzumaki patriarch asked bluntly, his piercing gaze fixed on Sakura.
For a week, they had been walking through the territory of Ta No Kuni towards Heiwa. At first, Ashina had been focused on Madara and his legendary Rinnegan, attempting to predict the future. But now, a more pressing question demanded an answer: the origin of this famous seal. A genius of Fūinjutsu outside the Uzumaki clan was rare, and the design of this forehead seal was unique.
"No, Uzumaki-dono," Sakura replied sincerely.
In a way, she was telling the truth. It was her sensei, Tsunade Senju, who had applied this forehead seal to her. It had been further enhanced by the Sage of Six Paths himself.
"Ashina..."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Call me Ashina," the Uzumaki insisted.
"On the condition that you call me Sakura."
"Agreed."
"You don't seem satisfied with my answer, Ashina-san," Sakura remarked.
"Let's just say I find it hard to accept that someone I've never heard of bears my daughter's seal," the patriarch explained, his intense gaze fixed on the pink-haired woman.
"This seal is not of my making, Ashina-san. It was placed by my master as a reward for surviving her training," Sakura revealed. "Then, I had to learn Fūinjutsu on my own. My mother didn't have time to pass on all her knowledge to me; I still don't understand all the mathematical sequences."
"Your mother mastered Fūinjutsu?" Ashina asked, suspicion lacing his voice.
"Yes, Mother was extremely skilled."
"Are you affiliated with my clan in any way, Sakura-san?" Ashina inquired, attempting a hypothesis. After all, some members of the clan had disappeared in the past. It was not impossible that these members had children.
"If that were the case, she never mentioned it," Sakura replied.
She could feel the Uzumaki's piercing gaze on her, particularly focused on her forehead seal. She knew he was trying to decipher the invisible formulas, visible only to a master of Fūinjutsu. But the enhancement from the Sage of Six Paths made this seal indecipherable to anyone. After all, Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki had over a thousand years of experience, and perhaps he had foreseen that the Uzumaki would rally to Madara if Sakura chose to guide the Uchiha on the right path. This hypothesis remained uncertain; only the hermit could confirm or deny it.
"Ashina-san, I know you have many questions about me, and they are entirely justified. However, like Madara, I desire only one thing: peace. Can you overlook my forehead seal and believe me when I tell you I did not steal your daughter's work?"
Listening to the young woman, Ashina understood why Madara appreciated her. She was unique, someone who wouldn't be intimidated, who wasn't afraid to assert herself. Watching her act since the attack on Uzushio, he couldn't help but see his daughter through her: independent, confident, powerful, loving.
"How did you come to know Madara?" Ashina suddenly asked.
Sakura didn't expect this question, and it took her a moment to respond. Ashina Uzumaki wasn't the type to be interested in romantic stories, so the question must have a deeper meaning. He was waiting for the reasons why she shared the same vision of peace as the Uchiha.
"I saved his life," Sakura answered, recalling her arrival in the Sengoku era.
Ashina turned his gaze once again to the woman by his side. Saving the life of a shinobi of Madara's caliber wasn't an easy feat, especially since there weren't many ninja capable of challenging him. Ashina was reflecting, piecing together all the information and theories he had to come to one conclusion.
"Against Hashirama, wasn't it?"
Sakura simply nodded to confirm what the Uzumaki patriarch had just said. He wanted to learn more about her Medical Ninjutsu abilities that he had seen at work during and after the destruction of his city, but he didn't have the opportunity to ask her. They had reached a cliff's turning point, revealing a vast valley before them.
"Welcome to Heiwa, Ashina-san," Sakura said, smiling as she looked ahead.
It was nothing like her last visit, and she was as impressed as the Uzumaki people at what lay before them.
Winter had finally ended, and the beginning of spring had taken its place. Vegetation was delicately budding, and shades of green dotted the valley. Seeing the villages, the crops, and the great wall in the distance, Sakura knew they had made the right choice in offering this alternative to Hashuba Shōta.
"You should instruct your men to cancel the illusion seal on their forehead protectors; it could cause problems for the people here," advised Madara as he arrived at their side.
Ashina said nothing, but he gave some orders to his men, who quickly dispersed throughout the convoy. Within five minutes, all the illusion seals were deactivated.
"How long have you been preparing this?" Ashina asked, with a mix of admiration and suspicion.
Such a project couldn't be decided in five minutes; it required a precise plan and, above all, time and resources to achieve. The Uzumaki knew this very well; cities weren't built in the blink of an eye, whether you were called Madara Uchiha or not.
"Almost a year," Madara replied, looking at the walls of Heiwa. He realized how well the city had developed and that they had been right to bet on Heiwa to establish their project of peace.
At that moment, panic reached its peak on the walls of Heiwa when a massive group suddenly appeared on the road. The alarm was quickly raised, a long horn resounded throughout the valley.
It was one of the warning signals installed within the city. Indeed, with its constant expansion, a defense and alert system had been put in place to react effectively to any threat. On the mountain flank where the capital was located, a promontory had been built. From there, practically at the top, a viewpoint offered a panoramic view of the entire valley. Three immense horns had been erected and transported up there.
Three horns for three levels of alert. Each of these alerts could only be triggered at specific locations and by authorized persons. The first horn, activated directly by the sentinels, announced the arrival of a large caravan, thus allowing the army to prepare and the inhabitants to be informed of an imminent novelty in the capital.
The second alert could only be ordered by an officer ringing a bell, thus triggering the second horn, in the shape of a wolf's head. This alert mobilized the entire army, signaling a serious threat. The inhabitants had to return home until further notice. It was this horn that was currently resonating in the valley of Heiwa.
The inhabitants hastily packed their belongings to return home. Riders gathered at strategic points, and for a trained eye, movements were perceptible at the top of the wall. The city was preparing for a potential attack.
As for the third alert, it could only be activated by a rope in the council chamber, triggering a bell that had never rung in the capital before.
"What's the situation?" ordered Suzuki as he climbed the stairs, accompanied by soldiers.
"A tide of individuals appeared out of nowhere on the main road," explained one of the soldiers beside Suzuki.
"Numbers?"
"Several thousand at first glance, Suzuki-sama."
"Armed forces?"
"A large portion is armed, and some seem to be Shinobi."
"Damn it!" cursed Suzuki, unprepared for a Shinobi assault. Thanks to Sakura and Madara, they had a few ninjas on their side, but it would be insufficient against several thousand enemies. Suzuki hoped with all his heart that these individuals had been sent by the two protagonists from whom they hadn't heard in a long time.
"How fast are they moving?" asked an officer beside him.
"Like civilians."
"When will the trebuchet be ready?"
"In a few tens of minutes."
"Soldier, a spyglass!" demanded Suzuki as he reached the top of the wall.
Seeing the swarm of people on the road in the distance, a bead of sweat ran down his neck. With some apprehension, Suzuki brought the spyglass to his valid eye.
He quickly scanned the road to estimate their strength before looking forward to the front of the column.
"Sound the horn again," said Suzuki, visibly relieved.
"Sound the horn!" shouted an officer towards a tower before a bell rang, followed by the long characteristic sound of the second alert, signaling its end to the inhabitants this time.
A slight smile appeared on Suzuki's face as he recognized Madara Uchiha and Sakura Haruno side by side. So they were back, and they were not alone. They were leading a whole people, an army, Shinobi... a future.
During the hour following the arrival of this convoy of more than two thousand people, the entire city went into organization mode. They had to place them, accommodate them, feed them for the next few days before they could set up an entire area of the city... or rather, the entire city, for this people who were swelling the ranks of Heiwa.
So it was late in the evening that a council meeting was convened. It brought together the regulars plus Madara, Sakura, and Ashina.
"Uchiha-dono, Sakura-dono, I must confess that when you mentioned welcoming people, I didn't expect this much," said Hashuba, still surprised by the magnitude of the newcomers.
"Never underestimate an Uchiha," replied Madara, arms crossed.
"Still as arrogant, Madara," retorted Ashina, ignoring protocol royally. After all, he was older than anyone else in the room and a legendary ninja.
"Allow me to introduce Ashina Uzumaki, Uzukage of his people," said Madara, overlooking the previous dig.
"It's good to know that the information about Uzushio's disappearance was just a rumor," said Rômaji, stroking his long white beard.
"Unfortunately, that rumor is anything but a rumor," retorted Ashina bitterly, eyebrows furrowed.
"You knew it was necessary, Ashina-san," said Sakura reassuringly, gently placing her hand on his shoulder. "Thanks to that, your people are safe."
"I know, Sakura-san, but you can't blame me for having a bitter taste in my mouth knowing that several generations of history were swept away in an instant."
As he said this, Ashina's gaze shifted slightly towards Madara, who remained impassive.
"The future belongs to those who move forward and don't look back," said Madara.
Upon hearing this phrase, Sakura had a slight twitch in her right eyebrow. In a way, this phrase was aimed directly at her. Hadn't she left her present behind to look back and thus change it?
"But it's by learning from the past that we avoid repeating it," added Ashina, creating a slight tension in the room.
"Gentlemen, please, this is not the time to settle your differences," intervened Sakura, tired of hearing yet another sterile conversation between these two men.
"He shouldn't have destroyed my city," retorted Ashina, arms crossed.
"Hn!"
"Ashina-san, allow me to introduce you to the Daimyô of Ta no Kuni, Hashuba Shôta. It's largely thanks to him that this project was able to come to fruition," Sakura said, attempting to steer the conversation away from the childish dispute over the motives for the destruction of Uzushio.
"You're either very brave or suicidal to associate yourself with an Uchiha," remarked Ashina, not mincing his words. He had always been frank and direct, without filter or pretense. If the Daimyô was offended by this half-insult, he didn't show it.
"Let's just say that Uchiha-dono managed to find the arguments to convince me, Uzumaki-dono," Hashuba simply replied.
"Enough with the bullshit, Hashuba-san," Ashina said with a wave of his hand. "Even though Madara is an arrogant little prick, we're all here for one and only one purpose. My country is in the hands of the enemy, my capital is reduced to dust, and the world has been killing each other for far too long. My people mean everything to me, so I'll do anything to preserve them, and I'm sure you would too. We have great responsibilities on our shoulders, so spare me your protocol bullshit."
A silence fell in the room after this outburst. Faced with such insolent and spontaneous behavior, Sakura understood where Naruto got his temperament from.
"You're one of a kind, Ashina-san," Hashuba replied after a long pause. The Daimyô wasn't bothered by the Uzumaki's frank attitude. As a Lord, he was accustomed to the mannered protocol of politicians and found this bold and honest behavior refreshing.
"And I hope I made the right choice in entrusting the future of my people to your city," added the Uzumaki with a hint of skepticism.
"I ask myself that question every day about your two friends' proposal, but the results are here. With your arrival, my once insignificant country has become one of the most powerful without the world even knowing it," reassured Hashuba, who had long doubted his choice to trust Madara. "Now that you're back, what are the next steps?" he asked, directing his attention to the silent Uchiha, who remained quiet during Ashina's speech.
"The war is coming to an end, and it's soon time for us to make ourselves known to the rest of the world, not through military force, but through our prosperity, thereby attracting even more people. However, we must be cautious and rigorous in counter-espionage and controlling new arrivals," stated Madara, who had thought long and hard about the matter.
"What about mine?" asked Ashina, primarily thinking of his clan.
"The western part of the city will be made available to you," explained Hashuba, who was the only one answering for now.
"You'll need to choose those you trust the most to serve as your advisors," intervened Madara.
"Why is that?"
"Heiwa has a unique military and administrative system. As soon as the war is over, power will be divided into several segments to preserve balance for future generations. A Kage will deal with military matters, a Daimyô will manage the country administratively and economically, each supported by a Triumvirate. These two Triumvirates will advise and elect a new Daimyô and a new Kage upon the death of the incumbents. Each Triumvirate will in turn be advised and supported by a larger council, allowing for effective management of the country where corruption will have no place," explained Madara.
"I presume you'll be the Kage of Heiwa," said Ashina, more as an affirmation than a question.
"Yes, I've invested too much to see what we're undertaking swept away by an incompetent. But know, Ashina, that in this future, I desire you by my side, just like Sakura. So, I'd like you to choose the right people to support you militarily and others to support our dear Daimyô administratively and economically."
"Should I address you as Kage-sama?" asked the Uzumaki, not inclined to bow before the Uchiha. He had already accepted a lot coming from the brunet, but stooping this low was out of the question.
"No, to me, Ashina, you remain Uzukage, and on equal footing with me. You remain the leader of your people, but when it comes to the preservation of this country, it will be my responsibility, and by extension, yours. I have no intention of stopping there, Ashina."
"What do you mean?"
"As I've told you before, the Second World War is not far off..."
"Excuse me?" exclaimed Suzuki, who had been listening attentively to the conversation from the beginning.
"If you hadn't eradicated all your enemies during the Muromachi Wars, Suzuki-san, what do you think would have happened to your country?" Madara asked, turning his attention to the chief of the armies.
Suzuki slightly tilted his head forward to ponder the question. The answer came to him quickly: they had gotten rid of all their enemies to avoid retaliation.
"I understand, Uchiha-dono," the man humbly replied.
"The same thing is looming in the world: hatred, revenge, resentment. I have no intention of waiting for it to happen. This country will become a reference, a place where people will know it's good to live and where they will feel safe. I intend to recruit other Shinobi clans, to rally my clan to Heiwa when the time comes, and to eradicate all those who oppose me!" declared the Uchiha harshly.
Everyone in the room, except Sakura and Ashina, swallowed hard upon hearing Madara's speech. He exuded such presence, such charisma, and at the same time such menace, that none could imagine it being otherwise with what he planned to do.
However, as Sakura listened to Madara, she felt fear creeping in: she heard the former Madara speaking and feared he would make the same mistakes as in the past. She discreetly placed her hand in that of the man she loved, and he met her gaze with his.
In the emerald of his eyes, he saw doubt and fear. He quickly understood her fears. He didn't push away the young woman's hand, on the contrary, he very slowly caressed it with his thumb to reassure her. No, he wouldn't make the same mistakes as his future alter ego.
"But for now, it's time to strengthen ourselves internally."
The council dragged on, every aspect of administration for managing this new order of things was meticulously discussed. The meeting finally ended, leaving all participants tired, their minds muddled by the information to assimilate and implement quickly. Yet, despite the fatigue, they were all filled with a palpable satisfaction: the future looked bright and prosperous.
The council members gradually left the room until only Hashuba, Madara, and Sakura remained. The Daimyô then approached the Uchiha and said:
"Uchiha-dono, I took the liberty of arranging accommodations for you and Sakura-dono in my residence. You will find all the necessary comfort there, and I have also provided servants to attend to your needs. Make yourselves at home here," explained the Daimyô before heading towards his own quarters
The brunet simply nodded in acceptance. They were led, as before, by a maid to the rooms assigned to them. Unlike their previous visit, Madara no longer concealed his face, as everyone here knew and understood that their safety depended on revealing nothing about the identities of these two individuals present in this place. Another difference was that the Daimyô had reserved several living quarters for them to feel comfortable. What hadn't changed, however, were the two maids waiting for them with dignity: Amaya and Hana.
Amaya, the older of the two, patiently waited for the couple to approach to greet them, while Hana struggled to contain her joy at seeing their friend Sakura again. Amaya had to gently but firmly remind the other woman to calm down.
"Hana! Control yourself, it's not appropriate for a servant," she whispered between her teeth as the couple was now in front of them.
"My lords," said Hana as they both bowed, "welcome. We are at your service. Ask of us what you wish, and we shall provide. We have prepared your apartments; your rooms are this way," announced Amaya, gesturing delicately to the door on her right, "and that of..."
But the maid was interrupted by the hard but non-aggressive voice of the brunet:
"Sakura will occupy my room."
Madara's simple declaration sent a slight shiver of tension through the atmosphere. The two maids and Sakura hadn't expected such a proclamation from the Uchiha. It was uncommon, at this time, for an unmarried couple to be allowed to share the same room, especially without Sakura having the status of a concubine. Only that latter circumstance would have tolerated such a situation if approved by the Lord. But the unwavering tone of the Uchiha left no room for doubt: his decision was final and had to be respected.
"Your orders will be carried out," the older maid responded solemnly.
Meanwhile, Sakura remained momentarily perplexed, but as soon as the brunet closed the door behind him, she felt a warm embrace envelop her. Hana, unable to contain her joy, expressed her delight at seeing the young woman she considered a dear friend.
"Oh, Sakura-sama! I'm so happy to see you again, safe and sound! We've been so worried about you, haven't we, Amaya-chan?" exclaimed the blonde, squeezing Sakura tightly, much like Ino used to. This thought fleetingly crossed Sakura's mind, giving her a slight shiver of nostalgia, prompting her to relax her grip slightly. "Is something wrong, Sakura-sama? Did I hurt you by squeezing you?"
"No, don't worry, Hana-san. Your actions just reminded me of a friend I had once," Sakura admitted softly. "I'm delighted to see both of you again as well."
"I'm also delighted to see you again, Madam. We've heard of your exploits in the war-torn lands. We've been constantly fearing for your safety, but my heart is finally at ease knowing you're back among us. After all, a woman has no place on a battlefield," she added in a moralizing tone.
Sakura immediately perceived it, recalling their last conversation about the role of women. She wanted to retort but was whisked away by the energetic blonde to an adjacent room.
"Come with us, Sakura-sama. We'll take care of you. After all, I suppose you haven't had the chance to take care of yourself during your journey with your Lord," declared Hana, taking her friend's hand to lead her along. "It must have been quite eventful for your Lord to demand that you share..."
"Hana!" the brunette hissed sternly, "remember who you're addressing! Sakura-sama is not one of your domestic friends! These are not things to ask about, and it's none of your business," scolded Amaya with a severe look.
The blonde automatically lowered her eyes, knowing she had crossed a line. The joy of seeing Sakura again didn't justify her familiar behavior.
"Forgive my rudeness, Sakura-sama," she implored, bowing humbly before retreating to the bathroom prepared for Sakura's personal use.
"It's nothing, Hana-san," reassured Sakura before following the two young women into the room.
As during their previous visit, the room was equipped with a silver bathtub, a vanity, and this time, a table with cushions and towels. Sakura recalled the moment when she had let these women take care of her, like a princess. It wasn't an unpleasant memory, even though she still felt a bit embarrassed about others taking care of her grooming. But she also knew that it pleased these women to be able to do so.
"Hana-chan, could you finish preparing the bathwater, please?" asked Amaya, gesturing for Sakura to come closer. "Sakura-sama, please remove your clothes. After these long days away from comfort, you deserve to be taken care of properly."
Sakura undressed slowly, feeling a twinge of embarrassment at the thought of being naked in front of others. The brunette handed her a garment resembling a kimono, thin and transparent.
"Put this on, Madam, while the bath is being prepared and I'll attend to you," said Amaya, waiting for Sakura to sit in the chair in front of the vanity.
"What are you going to do, Amaya-san?"
The brunette carefully combed through the young woman's pink hair.
"Nothing more than what you deserve, Madam. Your Lord will be pleased to see you other than in combat attire. A woman must have soft and fragrant skin to please her husband," declared Amaya, barely concealing the question behind her words.
"We're not married, Amaya. It's true that... I..."
"Madam, far be it from me to judge you, but a woman who shares a man's bed without being his wife or concubine is frowned upon. I fear for your reputation, Madam. It is crucial for women to preserve their honor against such slander," explained the servant gently, weighing her words carefully.
Sakura remained silent, reflecting on Amaya's words. She had lived every moment with Madara without caring about what people might say. But now, she realized that concubinage was a controversial practice at the time. She had never imagined Madara bringing up the subject, but she also knew he was unlikely to discuss such intimate matters. Only a handful of people, like Ashina Uzumaki, might have been informed. But Sakura doubted that Madara or Ashina would have discussed such personal matters. Lost in her thoughts, she realized that the maids were inviting her to join the bath.
"Sakura-sama? Is everything alright?" asked Hana.
"Yes, Hana-san. I just realize that it's been weeks since I've had the luxury of a good hot bath to relax. It's going to do me a world of good."
The blonde chuckled softly, helping Sakura remove the garment covering her. Sakura immersed herself in the water, relishing the warmth of the bath. But she didn't notice that she was being watched carefully by Amaya, who smiled faintly.
After the bath, Sakura was led to the table in the adjacent room, dressed only in undergarments. She lay on her stomach, covered with a sheet, waiting for what would come next.
"Hana-chan, transfer Madame's belongings to the Lord's room," instructed Amaya.
"Yes, Amaya-chan. Sakura-sama, Amaya is an expert in massage! Enjoy it. I'll come back with your attire for tonight's dinner," exclaimed the blonde before leaving.
Amaya began massaging Sakura's shoulders and back, and Sakura enjoyed this moment of relaxation. These past few weeks had been challenging in many ways. She felt completely relaxed, although now, a slight discomfort began to creep in. She hadn't really thought about it before, but now, lying like this, she felt a certain discomfort that was previously unknown to her.
Sakura froze, feeling that something was different, but she couldn't define it. At that moment, the servant asked her an unexpected question.
"Madam, do you know how long you've been carrying your Lord's child?"
The words hit Sakura like a thunderbolt. Carrying her Lord's child? She sat up, instinctively covering her chest with her arm, suddenly realizing her heightened sensitivity.
"What do you mean? I... No, that's not possible," she stammered, desperately trying to refute the idea.
"Some signs don't lie, Madam. As a female medic, you should have noticed them, shouldn't you?" added Amaya with an enigmatic smile.
Sakura remained silent, trying to gather her thoughts. She had never considered contraceptive techniques since she began intimate relations with Madara. Her menstrual cycle had disappeared since she accepted the proposition of the Rikudô Sennin, but she hadn't thought that meant she could become pregnant.
"Amaya-san, I can't be pregnant. As a ninja, my body is subjected to strong constraints that naturally block such things," Sakura tried, convinced of the validity of her arguments.
"Madam, Nature doesn't always follow our expectations. And I can assure you, from my experience, that you are pregnant," replied the servant confidently.
Sakura was frozen, her brain refusing to accept this reality.
"How can you know, Amaya-san? You're not a doctor, you haven't examined me," she objected.
"Haven't you noticed some changes in your body? Is your chest more sensitive than usual? Do you sometimes feel a strong urge to sleep, despite a good night's sleep? Do certain smells bother you? Do you feel slightly nauseous in the morning?" listed Amaya.
As she spoke, Sakura paled. Everything matched. She suddenly remembered Katsuyu's strange words a few weeks ago: "Why didn't you inform me of your condition?" The slug had already detected the presence of this developing fetus.
Sakura wanted to be sure. She conjured a green glow in her hand and placed it on her belly. She felt the life within her. No doubt about it: she was pregnant with Madara Uchiha's child.
She withdrew her hand and looked at Amaya, who was watching her apprehensively. The servant had never seen Ninjutsu or Iryô Ninjutsu before and feared that Sakura's magic might harm the child.
Sakura was overwhelmed by a multitude of conflicting emotions: from joy to anxiety. Tears welled up in her eyes, disturbing Amaya, who came to comfort her.
"Madam, doesn't this news make you happy? Becoming a mother is a blessing for us women. And giving your Lord a son will only strengthen your bond with him," the servant tried to reassure her while covering Sakura with a towel so she wouldn't catch cold.
"Amaya-chan, you don't understand. I have to stay with him, we're still at war. A pregnant woman has no place on a battlefield, and..."
"Madam! A woman, pregnant or not, has no place in combat. But you can't risk your life anymore, especially not risking the life of your love's child. You love him, don't you?"
The question about her feelings froze Sakura. Their relationship had evolved, from hatred to love.
Yes, she loved him. She had discovered what it meant to love, and to be loved in return. But how would he react upon learning of her pregnancy? Would it change their plans for peace?
"Yes, I love him, but..."
"Your Lord seems to care for you, judging by sharing his quarters. Even wives, let alone concubines, don't have that privilege. What do you fear, Sakura-sama?"
"I don't know, Amaya-chan. But I can't tell him this now. The war isn't over, and it could affect his plans. I can't risk worrying him or disturbing our child."
"Don't delay in telling him. The coming of a child can change a man, make him renounce glory. Why not live peacefully, start a family? In peace?"
*In peace?*
An idea that took on new meaning. But giving up the peace of the world for their happiness, wasn't that selfish? How to find the right balance between their happiness and their duty to humanity?
These questions swirled in Sakura's mind. Hana returned with a kimono, ignoring her friend's troubling thoughts. Sakura glanced meaningfully at Amaya, indicating for her to keep the secret. The brunette nodded discreetly.
The evening passed pleasantly at the Daimyô's dinner. Madara and Sakura showed no public displays of affection, but their bond was evident to all who knew them well.
Once they were sheltered from prying eyes and unwanted whispers that could infest the Daimyô's residence, the couple finally found themselves alone in the luxurious quarters reserved for their exclusive use. Yet, despite the intimacy of the moment, Sakura remained troubled. During the meal, she had been so absorbed in conversation with Ashina Uzumaki that she momentarily forgot the news she had learned a few hours earlier.
She watched the man she loved with undeniable admiration as he discarded his ceremonial kimono to feel more comfortable. Madara's natural charisma never ceased to fascinate her, and she found her cheeks flushing under his gaze. Yes, she was enamored with this man, and she could never have imagined that one day she would aspire to become his wife and the mother of his children.
Madara turned to her, noticing her scrutinizing gaze.
"Is something wrong, Sakura? You seem troubled? Could it be me causing this?" he teased, a mischievous smile dancing on his lips. How could she resist this man?
"You're imagining things, Madara; you don't trouble me at all," she assured, a charming smile on her lips.
He approached her, embraced her tenderly, then sealed his lips to hers. How could she resist him? Sakura let herself be carried away by the passion of the moment that was unfolding between them, leaving behind questions and doubts.
Day 356
Upon waking, Sakura took the time to listen to the whispers of her own body, the subtle signals it had been sending her since she became aware of her condition. The changes, though gradual, could no longer escape her notice.
Yet, what occupied her the most was the delicate task that awaited her: announcing the news to the man sleeping beside her. She didn't want him to feel pressured into anything because of her. Their future as a couple had never been discussed; they had never even considered marriage, nor the responsibilities that befell the wife of a clan leader, especially when said leader was considered dead to the world. The stakes were immense, both for them and for the world around them.
How to reconcile the need to keep Madara's return secret while asserting her authority as a leader? If a union were to happen, it would have to remain discreet. And as for the Uchiha, still loyal to Konoha, what were Madara's intentions toward them after luring them to Heiwa? All these questions, never addressed, now seemed unavoidable, especially as her health condition could not be concealed indefinitely.
"Sakura? Are you going to tell me what's been on your mind since last night, or do I need to use my ocular abilities to get some answers?" whispered a sleepy voice beside her.
"Your Sharingan has no effect on me, you should know that, Madara. And how do you know I'm troubled, you were asleep!" she replied, half amused, half surprised.
"I sense you're restless even though it seems I exhausted you last night..." he murmured mischievously, earning a smile from the young woman.
"Think again, I'm not tired of what you put me through. But yes, I am troubled."
He turned to her, embraced her tenderly, then sat up on the bed.
"I'm listening, Sakura."
"In the texts I brought back, the first war is soon coming to an end with Tobirama Senju's death. The Elemental Nations will be significantly weakened after this conflict, and they will need time to recover, especially to prepare for the second war."
"Yes, I already know all that from carefully reading your future books. But what's troubling you so much?"
"Do you want me to accompany you to Kumo, since that's where everything is happening for the grand finale?" she asked seriously, fixing the brunette with her green orbs.
Madara pondered for a moment before responding.
Indeed, the resolution of the first war seemed to be linked to the events that would unfold in Kumo between the Raikage and the Hokage. According to Sakura's valuable information, Tobirama's fate would be sealed there. After a brief analysis of the situation, he concluded:
"Do you trust me, Sakura?"
"Of course, why such a question?"
"I want you to let me go to Kumo alone. Stay here in Heiwa to help the people settle. You have things to accomplish here too if we want our peace to come with solid foundations."
Let our peace come with solid foundations.
Upon hearing these words, Sakura felt a slight pang in her chest. It wasn't yet time to announce to Madara the news that she was carrying their child. After self-examination, she had concluded that she could still conceal her pregnancy for another two, maybe three months. The young woman knew that, with determination, a woman's body could perform wonders. And for now, she demanded that her body show no signs of the life within.
"When do you plan to leave?" the cherry blossom inquired.
"Today, I think the sooner we handle this matter, the quicker we can move on. And particularly, Sakura, I believe it's time for you to officially become an Uchiha. I want the shinobi of Heiwa, whom we train and recruit, to know who you are to me. You deserve the respect afforded to the wives of clan leaders, and that will only be possible if you officially become my wife."
Sakura widened her eyes at this unusual announcement. So, he had considered this possibility. And although his way of proposing to her was far from romantic, as she might have imagined in her childhood dreams, the cherry blossom felt her heart pounding in her chest.
"It would be a great honor for me, Madara, to officially become your wife. But don't you wish to announce your return to the members of your clan before that?"
"I had thought about it, but the Uchiha are still too hesitant to accept my return so easily, let alone to leave Konoha and join us willingly. That time will come, and I don't need their approval to choose my path in life," he affirmed with determination.
The cherry blossom decided she had received enough answers and would wait for her beloved's return to announce that she was carrying his child. During her self-examination, she had managed to determine that she could easily hide her pregnancy for the next two, maybe three months. Such was the advantage of having a slender, muscular body, not to mention the determination to keep this development secret. Sakura knew that a woman's body, when subjected to her will, could perform miracles. And for now, the expectant mother demanded that her body show no outward signs of this developing life.