Day 363
Madara had been away from Kumo for seven days. Sakura knew perfectly well that he had gone to ensure that history would unfold as the ancient tales said: Tobirama must perish. She understood that a part of vengeance drove Madara, even though it contradicted their principle of eradicating the cycle of hatred. Yet, she couldn't stop the man she loved from seeking justice for the death of his brother.
The young woman recalled the achievements she had made since saving Madara after his battle in the Valley of the End. The cold and bloodthirsty Madara she had seen in her future seemed distant, and she was proud to have brought out the best in him.
But ever since she knew she was carrying the Uchiha's child and he had proposed to marry her, Sakura felt disoriented. The reality of her situation hit her hard. Alone, with no one to confide her fears as a future mother and wife, she felt a pang in her heart. She would have given anything to hear her mother reassure her or to share the news with her friends. She terribly missed Ino's hysterical screams, Hinata's happy gaze, and her master's kindness.
However, she remembered that one person could provide her with the necessary comfort: Hitomi. The only one who could replace the warmth of a mother, the joy of friends, and the reassuring experience of a woman who had already given birth.
With a lighter heart, Sakura decided to visit her first friend she had met upon returning to the past. On her way, she realized how important Hitomi was to her. At every major step in her life, Hitomi had been present. She had helped Sakura become useful to the village, suggested that she had feelings for Madara, and encouraged her to confess her love. Hitomi had always been there for her, and Sakura knew she couldn't do without this woman.
Approaching the house, a sense of apprehension gripped Sakura's heart: would her friend judge her? After all, she had broken conventions by becoming intimate with a man before marriage, and from that intimacy, a child would be born. But her fears disappeared as soon as the older woman opened the door. Recognizing her friend, Hitomi hugged her warmly, happy to see her safe and sound. Even though she didn't live in the city, stories of the war had reached the villagers. She knew that Sakura had been in the conflict zones with the man she had saved months earlier.
"Sakura! What a relief to see you here. When did you return?" Hitomi asked, inviting her into her modest home.
"Not long ago, Hitomi, but I wanted to make sure everything was alright here," Sakura replied with a smile.
"Oh, it's so kind of you to always care about us. We're doing well, I assure you. We have plenty of work, and we feel safe, even if we're not directly behind the capital's walls. But tell me, how are you?"
The two women settled around the kitchen table, sharing their traditional cup of tea. Sakura pondered the question her friend had asked. Should she finally reveal her condition? Her conflicting thoughts absorbed her as she slowly stirred the tea with her spoon.
"Sakura? What's going on? You seem very worried since you arrived. Did something serious happen between you and Uchiha-sama?"
Hitomi sensed that something was troubling her friend and that it likely concerned Madara. But she also knew not to rush Sakura into revealing her thoughts.
Sakura looked up from her cup, meeting the kind gaze of her friend. Hitomi read a certain apprehension in her eyes. The family woman saw the youth and innocence in Sakura. Despite her usual strength and determination, she appeared today as a young woman of her age seeking support and advice.
Hitomi reached out her hand to gently grasp Sakura's. Her gaze conveyed a maternal warmth. Sakura felt all the affection of her friend in that gesture, and her fears dissipated immediately.
"Hitomi... I... I'm pregnant with his child," Sakura murmured, watching for any reaction from her friend.
"Tell me, Sakura... is this child wanted?" Hitomi asked as she saw tears welling up in the young woman's eyes.
Hitomi asked this out of concern that Sakura might have been forced into this situation. She knew that unfortunately, some women were coerced into satisfying men's needs. Perhaps during their time apart, Uchiha-sama had compelled Sakura to have relations with him.
Sakura understood her friend's implication and hurried to clarify the truth.
"Let me stop you right there, Hitomi. Madara and I... we're not officially a couple yet, but we've grown very close over the past few weeks. He didn't coerce me in any way, I promise you."
Hitomi fell silent for a brief moment, processing the information, before a huge smile illuminated her face.
"But Sakura! This is wonderful news! You thought I wouldn't be happy for you? My dear, how could I not be pleased for you? Carrying a child is a blessing for us women. And even though it's not customary to be intimate with a man outside of marriage, it happens far more often than one might think!"
The pink-haired woman felt an immediate relief upon hearing her elder's comforting words. Hearing her call her "my daughter" warmed her heart. Although it didn't replace the absence of her real mother, it helped her feel less judged for her situation.
"And what about the father of the child? He must be happy, right? And his plans? Is he intending to marry you now?" Hitomi continued eagerly, her eyes widening as she saw Sakura lower her head.
"It's just that... I only just found out, and..."
"WHAT?" Hitomi exclaimed, immediately understanding what Sakura was trying to admit. "You haven't told him? But Sakura, what are you planning to do? You're not considering..."
Hitomi trailed off, too horrified by the idea that the young woman might be contemplating barbaric methods to end her pregnancy. She knew that some women were sometimes forced to terminate their pregnancies through gruesome and excruciatingly painful methods, both physically and psychologically. Having seen Sakura at work with her magic to heal the wounded, she couldn't imagine what she might do to terminate this process.
Sakura understood her friend's concern and realized she needed to explain the situation more clearly. Hitomi had repeatedly shown her understanding and open-mindedness.
"Hitomi, I haven't yet told Madara that I'm expecting our child because it wasn't the right time. We're at war, and he went off to accomplish something related to ending this endless conflict. I couldn't possibly burden him with this subject while he needs to stay focused on his duties. The peace depends on it, but I do plan to tell him when he returns. Although I admit I'm a bit apprehensive about his reaction."
"Why, Sakura? I know you well enough to understand that you wouldn't have given yourself to him without being certain of his respect. So why are you afraid of his reaction?"
"We haven't talked about children yet. We've only just begun to discuss our upcoming union, so I don't know if that's part of his plans," Sakura confessed.
"So, Uchiha-sama proposed to you?" Hitomi asked, a smile spreading across her face.
Sakura looked at her friend, whose face was lighting up with joy. The young woman saw in this reaction a reflection of what her friends from the future might have felt—an excitement at the thought of celebrating a marriage. She smiled back, swept up by the infectious joy.
"It wasn't the most romantic proposal, but yes, just before he left, he assured me that he wanted to make me his wife and ensure that I earned the respect of others. He wants everyone to know who I am to him and the importance I hold by his side."
"But it's wonderful, Sakura! You'll finally be able to rebuild your life, you have a future to look forward to: a husband, a child. There's nothing more invigorating than starting a family, your own family. Oh, Sakura, this is truly excellent news, and what man would be foolish enough not to be thrilled that his wife is already expecting a child! A fruitful marriage is a happy marriage! At least, that's what they say around here. Don't doubt for a second that your future husband will be overjoyed to learn you're giving him a child! And with a bit of luck, Nature will bless you with a son for your firstborn!"
"It's precisely because of all these questions that I'm worried. I'm not sure if Madara wants children or how important he considers the sex of the unborn child. We still have so much to accomplish…"
"Forget all that, Sakura! Your priority now is no longer others but the family you're about to build!" Hitomi interrupted, unaware of the couple's true ambitions.
It was natural for Sakura to focus now on her future responsibilities as a mother and wife, putting other projects aside. She chose not to press on these details, knowing Hitomi would likely not understand the complex reasons for her presence in Ta No Kuni. But as they spoke, Sakura realized what she truly wanted from this precious woman.
"Hitomi, may I ask you something?" she asked hesitantly.
"Of course, Sakura. What can I do for you? Ask me anything, you know I'll always do my best for you," Hitomi replied warmly and kindly.
"I... I have no family left, and you are as close as I have to a friend, perhaps even a mother. So... I was wondering if you would be willing to accompany me to the altar?" Sakura asked, her eyes reflecting a hint of distress. She had just confided in this woman, revealing that she had no one from her past and that she wished for Hitomi to play the role of a surrogate mother at one of the most significant events of her life: her wedding.
Moved by these sincere words, Hitomi could hardly imagine that she meant so much to Sakura. Though she was just a simple woman from the countryside, she saw in the young woman's green eyes how genuine she was. Emotion welled up within her, tears blurring her vision slightly. She reached out her hand once more to clasp Sakura's, holding it tighter than before.
"It would be my immense joy to be the one to walk you down the aisle, Sakura. You can count on me to help you through this step of your life," she responded with a voice full of emotion.
The two women smiled at each other for a long time, exchanging no further words. The emotion was clear in their gazes. Once the moment had passed, they discussed various everyday topics before Sakura decided to return to the city. The pink-haired woman felt much lighter at heart, even though she still didn't know when she would tell the man she loved that she was going to provide him with an heir.
Day 364
The sun was gently rising over the Heiwa valley, bathing the land in a golden light. Sakura, sitting cross-legged on one of the highest towers of the wall, observed this daily spectacle. Since her return, she had made it a habit to come here each morning, absorbing the benevolent warmth of the rising sun, marking the beginning of spring.
Sakura had mastered the art of regeneration without causing harm to the human body, but recently she had been venturing into more risky and potentially deadly areas of medicine. Areas that, if mastered, could offer her unprecedented possibilities in times of need.
Lost in her meditation, Sakura barely noticed the light and cautious footsteps climbing the stone steps behind her. The noise stopped about three meters away, and although Sakura was not a sensory type like Madara, she turned her head slightly to identify the visitor.
"I didn't mean to disturb you, Sakura-sama," Akihiko apologized upon seeing her turn around.
"What do you want, Akihiko-san?" she asked softly, fixing her gaze back on the horizon.
"I... I wanted to thank you once again for everything you've done for me."
"It was a pleasure, and as I told you, victims of life deserve a second chance," Sakura replied, her mind briefly drifting to Madara, to whom she had also offered this opportunity. "Did you want to say something else, Akihiko-san?"
"Yes," said the Jinchūriki, but he hesitated.
"Don't be ashamed of your request. I'm prepared to hear many things," Sakura reassured him, noting his prolonged silence.
"When we were on the battlefield, you said that our meeting was not a coincidence..."
"That phrase was meant for your Bijū, to encourage it to change its attitude towards you and understand that times are changing," Sakura explained without going into details.
"How did you do it?"
"How did I do what?" Sakura asked, unsure of his question.
"How did you, in one sentence, manage to calm one of the scourges of the Elemental Nations?"
"Because I do not see your Bijū as a scourge, but as a being with feelings and a personality. Bijū are living beings with a consciousness. Who are we to treat them as scourges? What history omits is that humans have hunted Bijū to exploit their power and chakra, which led them to retaliate and scare us. Tell me, Akihiko-san, what would you do if we were attacked right now?"
"I would defend us... I understand what you mean, Sakura-sama," Akihiko said, reassessing his bond with his Bijū. "Have you met it before?"
"No, but my path led me to cross paths with someone with ambitions much greater than ours."
A comfortable silence settled between them, suddenly broken by the arrival of a new person.
"You're not easy to find," said a voice, and Sakura frowned. The fact that this person had managed to approach her so silently indicated that she still had progress to make.
"You!" exclaimed Akihiko, gathering chakra in his legs to propel himself towards the newcomer, ready to confront him. In the blonde's mind, this man could only be here to harm Sakura.
"Peace, Akihiko!" Sakura commanded, raising a hand to stop him, which left him perplexed.
"But... Sakura-sama?"
"You don't do things by halves, I see," observed the intruder, looking at Sakura.
"As I told you the first time, I am the wealthiest person in all the Elemental Nations, and I fully intend to make my goal a reality... Kakuzu," Sakura replied, ignoring Akihiko's question. "You may leave, Akihiko-san. This man works for me, you have nothing to fear."
"As you wish, Sakura-sama," Akihiko said before leaving, not without casting one last scornful glance at Kakuzu. Sakura waited until the Jinchūriki was out of earshot before summoning a bag in a puff of smoke.
"Here, payment for your labor," she said, placing the bag on one of the stones of the wall.
"I still don't like you."
"Know that the feeling is mutual, Kakuzu," Sakura retorted, trying to appear intimidating. She had become a dangerous kunoichi, but Kakuzu remained a formidable opponent to be wary of.
"Who are you?" Kakuzu asked after opening the linen bag and seeing its contents: it was more than the first time.
"Sakura will suffice for you, Kakuzu."
"Hmm... It bothers me that someone knows so much about me," the immortal insisted.
"And that secret will be taken with me to the grave. As long as you work for me, there will be no reason for you to worry about your immortality," Sakura stated, determined to keep this individual under her control.
"You're lucky I keep my promises, otherwise, I would have impaled you on a spike long ago!"Kakuzu admitted angrily.
"If ever the desire strikes you, please, and you will understand why I have the respect of Uchiha Madara!"
Although the tone left no doubt about the seriousness of their words, neither showed any intention of killing. Kakuzu wanted to avoid being noticed, and Sakura respected that. She was using one of her trump cards: maintaining mystery about herself and revealing nothing more than necessary.
"Hmph."
"Let's be clear, Kakuzu. You don't like me, and the feeling is mutual, but I respect you as a shinobi. You belong to a category that few can reach, and it would be a shame to waste such potential. After all, our interests align."
"In what way?" the man asked suspiciously.
"I want peace, and you want to be immensely wealthy. You have the skills to help me achieve that, and I have the means to fulfill your dream."
"Except that your goal is approaching, and my dream is far from being fulfilled," he retorted sharply.
"A challenge worthy of your reputation, does it interest you?" Sakura asked with a thin smile on her lips. She knew she had to manipulate such individuals to get something. She wanted to pique his curiosity and lead him not to refuse her request, even if it meant flattering his ego.
"Go on, he replied," intrigued.
"Go in search of the Bijū and eliminate anyone who tries to capture them."
"Payment?"
"Five times what you have now," Sakura proposed, having already thought carefully about the matter.
"Insufficient," the ninja retorted sharply.
"For each Bijū," Sakura added calmly, observing the man's attitude, discerning the calculations in his eyes. Kakuzu crossed his arms, glaring at the kunoichi with barely concealed exasperation. The fact that this frail young woman knew so much about him deeply irritated him. It was as if she knew in advance that he wouldn't be able to refuse such an offer.
He was aware that this mission was dangerous, even suicidal, for a single man. But Kakuzu was intelligent and extremely skilled. With proper preparation and the network of informants he maintained, he could locate the Bijū and potentially capture some. The promised sum was worth it.
"Once found, what do I do with them?"
"Send us a letter immediately. If it's a Jinchūriki, neutralize it and try to bring it back to Heiwa alive."
The man grimaced at this requirement. He was not used to leaving his victims alive, but to get his reward, he was willing to follow the instructions.
"The rest of the world won't appreciate it."
"Exactly, but that's not your problem," Sakura added firmly, bringing the matter to a close.
Kakuzu packed away his new bounty, ready to set off on the mission for which he was being paid.
"One last thing, Kakuzu. Although I don't like you, know that if you ever need a place of exile, Heiwa will welcome you without asking questions," Sakura said before leaving the wall, leaving the nukenin to his thoughts.
Years 1
It had now been a year since Sakura had decided to put aside her hatred and guide Uchiha Madara towards fulfilling his destiny. After a year by his side, she was proud of what they had accomplished together. They now had a country, a people, an army, and all the resources needed to bring peace to this world.
Today was a special day, the first concrete step making their peace project real. The young woman stood proudly beside Madara as Daimyō Hashuba Shōta placed the traditional Kage hat on his head.
Madara was assuming the role of Heikage of Ta No Kuni. The ceremony followed official protocols but was quite different from traditional inaugurations. The other Elemental Nations had not been informed, let alone invited. Madara had insisted: the announcement of his return had to wait. Ta No Kuni still needed to appear as a peaceful nation. No one was to know that they possessed a developed military force, let alone the existence of shinobi forces. Even the inhabitants of the city were unaware of the complex details of Heiwa's political and military organization; all they cared about was being safe and leading a peaceful life. The shinobi knew that the existence of their Heikage had to remain a secret, for the good of all.
This day also marked a complete overhaul of the country's political organization. Although to the rest of the world, the Daimyō ruled Ta No Kuni, the reality was quite different. Everything Madara had proposed had been implemented to ensure that their peace project would endure for future generations. A triumvirate and a sub-council had been newly appointed.
The Kage hat was different from those of the other Elemental Nations, entirely white with the Ta No Kuni symbol. Hashuba Shōta solemnly placed the Kage hat on Madara. There was no submission in this gesture, but a tradition between two powerful individuals, each recognizing the place and functions of the other at the head of the country.
Once this ritual was completed, the first meeting was about to begin.
Madara turned to Ashina Uzumaki, placing a slightly bloodstained Konoha symbol in front of him.
"I keep my promises," he said with no emotion in his voice.
Ashina immediately recognized the symbol, that of Tobirama Senju. A weight lifted from his heart as he focused on the meeting.
His daughter had been avenged.
[Thank you so much for all your comments and support; it really means a lot to me. Know that this story has a logic and an ending that will blow your mind ^^]