Day 430
It could have been a day like any other as the sun began to rise, but today was going to be unique for two people, especially for Sakura Haruno. Indeed, this was the last morning Sakura would wake up as a young woman bearing the name Haruno, for in a few hours, her life was about to change dramatically. Like many before her, she was about to experience what many women cherish and dream of: a wedding. And Sakura knew she was one of the few who could affirm that it was not a marriage of convenience or politics.
However, Sakura was besieged by a multitude of questions. She had risen early and headed to the Heiwa wall, her favorite place for meditation. As usual, she sat on the wall, watching the city slowly awaken under the rays of the sun. But today, her mind was too troubled to find peace. Sakura was filled with doubts and questions as she prepared to commit to this man for the rest of her life.
Was it the right thing to do? Would she be happy with him? Did she truly want to marry?
She loved Uchiha Madara, she had been certain of that for months. She was happy with what she shared with this unique man, but she couldn't help wondering if he loved her as much as she loved him. Madara, like most men of the Sengoku era, did not openly express his feelings. He had never told her that simple phrase, so desired by young women and considered the ultimate proof of a man's feelings: "I love you."
Yet, deep down, she knew he loved her. It remained to be seen how he defined love himself, but once again, Sakura had no answers. She didn't know how to broach the subject with him, even though he had proven many times that he could be open to any kind of discussion. The cherry blossom came to a personal realization: she was alone, and no one was there to guide her, comfort her, or tell her that everything would be alright.
She longed to have her mother with her on this unique day. To see her mother cry with joy, to hear her best friend Ino tease her for finally finding a man, to feel the support of her master, who would probably have threatened her future husband. This thought made her laugh a little, imagining Tsunade Senju threatening Uchiha Madara.
"Shouldn't you be getting ready for the ceremony instead of being here?" said Ashina's voice.
Sakura jumped at the sound of the old man's voice. She hadn't expected to find anyone here so early.
"Good morning, Ashina-san."
"Sorry to have startled you," said Ashina, sitting beside Sakura on the wall. "What are you thinking about?"
"Everything and nothing, Ashina-san..."
"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Ashina, suspecting what the young woman was going through. He remembered too well the state his daughter Mito was in when she married Hashirama Senju. That memory tightened his heart, but he showed no sign of it. He deeply respected this young woman who was about to experience an important milestone in her life, and he didn't want to spoil it with his own memories.
"Womanly fears, Ashina-san, I wouldn't want to bother you with them," said Sakura with a gentle smile.
"I think I would be in the same state as you if I had to marry Madara... though I'd rather not imagine it...," added the man, grimacing at having said such a thing.
But this remark relaxed Sakura, who couldn't help but laugh.
"It would indeed be quite incongruous to see the two of you married," teased Sakura.
"Stop, I'll have nightmares!" replied the old Uzumaki with a half-amused, half-disgusted expression.
Sakura had come to appreciate this man who was so different from the pompous clan leaders and politicians. Ashina was simple, kind, and funny... he reminded her a lot of Naruto. She silently thanked him for diverting her anxieties with this surreal moment before adding more seriously:
"I wonder how Madara is doing."
She worried about her future husband. Since the day before, tradition dictated, they hadn't spent the night together. This morning, she hadn't seen her beloved at dawn.
"Probably worse than you," replied Ashina, looking at the horizon.
"Are you sure?" asked the rose, having difficulty imagining the great Madara Uchiha as anxious as she was, asking the same questions.
"I remember my own wedding," began Ashina, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "Before marrying my late wife, I didn't know what to do with myself. I kept pacing back and forth. So, to occupy my mind, I did what I knew best : I went to train."
Sakura smiled at the mention of this memory. She appreciated this man even more for the trust he placed in her by sharing these personal moments.
"I admit I don't know what to think of this day, Ashina-san," confessed Sakura, looking at her hands, apprehensive.
Ashina, seeing in her a reflection of his own daughter, adopted a paternal tone.
"Sakura-san...," he began gently.
"Yes?"
"The only thing I can tell you is that you have the rare chance of having a marriage of love, not politics. Don't worry. It's so rare nowadays to see this kind of union."
As he said this, Ashina felt a bitter regret for having married his daughter to a Senju. He wished he could go back in time and prevent that union.
"Thank you, Ashina-san."
The old man nodded silently, and the two of them let a few minutes pass, enjoying the sunrise over the city.
"You should go back ; the servants are probably looking for you to get you ready," added Ashina, standing up.
"What will you do?" asked the rose, curious.
"Me? I'm going to go kick that scoundrel Madara's butt to keep his mind occupied. See you later, Sakura-san," said Ashina before disappearing with a Shunshin no Jutsu.
Sakura stayed on the wall for a few more minutes, inwardly thanking this man who had lightened her heart a bit with his presence, advice, and humor. Feeling more confident, she jumped from rooftop to rooftop towards the Daimyo's residence, where Amaya, Hana, and Hitomi were probably waiting for her.
As soon as she entered the corridors of the estate, she heard Amaya's voice :
"Sakura-sama! Where have you been? We've been looking everywhere for you!"
"Sorry, Amaya-san. I needed some fresh air," she said, feeling guilty for worrying her friends.
"It's an important day for you, and we have a lot of work to do. Let's not dawdle!" said the brunette seriously, grabbing Sakura's wrist and dragging her through the corridors.
Sakura had no choice but to comply with the actions of these women, who suddenly seemed to be on a precise mission: to make her look stunning for the wedding ceremony. The atmosphere was special, different from anything she had known before. Today, they counted among them one more woman: Hitomi.
As soon as she entered the room intended for her preparation, Sakura found herself surrounded by Amaya, Hana, and Hitomi, who helped her undress.
"So, Sakura-sama, not too nervous?" asked Hana while removing Sakura's clothes.
Out of the corner of her eye, Sakura saw the outfit she would have to wear. Traditional, of course, but designed to enhance the wearer's appearance, regardless of her build. Custom-made, she found the result quite satisfactory. A pure white kimono with long sleeves, ideal for hiding her Fūinjutsu seals. Over it, an over-kimono that would normally have been red but was chosen in pale pink to evoke her hair. The whole ensemble was adorned with gold-embroidered motifs, symbolizing the importance of the rank she was soon to occupy: future matriarch of one of the greatest clans in the world.
"A little," whispered Sakura, shy, as she stood naked before the three women.
"Here, Sakura-sama, your underwear," said Amaya, handing over finely crafted lingerie.
This lingerie was anything but ordinary. Seeing these pieces of fabric, Sakura couldn't help but blush. They were clearly designed to arouse a man's desire.
"Uchiha-sama won't be able to resist you," teased Hitomi, dressed in a lovely gown made for the occasion as a surrogate mother.
"Hitomi!" exclaimed Sakura, embarrassed by this casualness.
"She's right, Sakura-sama," added Hana, the youngest.
"Hana!"
"They're teasing you, Madam," reassured Amaya, a gentle smile on her lips.
Still uncomfortable with such topics, Sakura pouted before putting on the presented underwear.
"Have you told him, Sakura?" asked Hitomi, seeing the slightly rounded belly of the future bride.
"I plan to tell him tonight... as a wedding gift," calmly announced the cherry blossom.
"I think he couldn't have wished for a better gift : a descendant," remarked Amaya, as she and Hana took the white kimono.
"I can't wait to see his little face, rejoiced Hana," who had jumped for joy when Sakura had confided her pregnancy to her.
"And so do I, agreed Sakura, running her hand over her belly with a soft smile. She couldn't wait to hold her child in her arms, a part of herself and her future husband.
"Raise your arms, Madam," requested Amaya, adjusting the kimono around the expectant mother. It took a good two minutes to get the outfit perfectly adjusted before putting on the pink over-kimono.
"You're so beautiful, Sakura," said Hitomi, observing the young woman with tenderness.
"Thank you."
"Please sit down," asked Amaya before addressing Hana. "Hana, I leave the makeup to you."
"Right away, Amaya-chan," the blonde enthusiastically replied before asking a few questions. "Do you think we should go for something traditional?"
Amaya looked carefully at Sakura's face and the colors of the outfit she was wearing. After a short moment of reflection, she decided:
"Hmm, I think we're going to change it."
"In what way?"
"No white. Sakura doesn't have dark eyes like many women in Ta no Kuni, so it would be a shame to contrast her skin with her eyes."
"So, should I emphasize her eyes?" asked the young servant.
"Yes, try a touch of orange to illuminate her skin uniformly," said Amaya, brushing Sakura's hair away from her face for a better view.
In unfamiliar territory, Sakura had no idea what the two women were talking about. She had never worn makeup in her life, and the few times she did, it was thanks to a Henge or these two servants. But she wasn't worried, as she knew they would do something extraordinary for her.
"For the eyes, what do you suggest, Amaya-chan?"
"A pale pink... yes, that will do very well," analyzed Amaya, clearly experienced in such tasks.
For nearly an hour, Sakura entrusted herself entirely to these women. She felt increasingly confident as they applied makeup, styled her hair, and pampered her like never before. The three women had the right words, the small attentions necessary to comfort and encourage her. Hitomi, almost like a mother to her, Hana, like a friend, and Amaya, close to a big sister. Thinking about this, Sakura felt a surge of mixed sadness and happiness. Her eyes began to well up with tears.
"No tears!" suddenly exclaimed Hana, who had almost finished the makeup.
"You'll have all the luxury of crying tomorrow, my child," added Hitomi, taking Sakura's hand in hers.
"I know... but... I'm so lucky to have all three of you..."
Sakura looked at her reflection in the mirror, wishing other faces were in place of these three women. But she couldn't give in to the sadness of a lost future. She had to focus on the joy of the present, grateful for their presence on this very special day.
"We are lucky to have you too, Sakura," comforted Hitomi with a gentle smile. "Now, pull yourself together!" ordered the older woman, guessing the young woman's turmoil. "You can't possibly appear before your future husband with tears in your eyes!"
Sakura, smiling but very stressed, stood up to head towards the ceremony that would make her a woman, a wife, and a matriarch.
This kind of ceremony was typically private, reserved for close friends and family. This suited Madara, who did not wish to reveal his grand return to the world just yet. There were only about ten people present, as neither Sakura nor Madara had much family to attend the event.
Hitomi took Sakura's arm, offering her a wide, reassuring smile before walking beside her to the altar, where the Daimyo, in official attire, was already standing and talking with Madara. He was dressed in traditional Sengoku era attire, a dark gray Hakama accompanied by a black jacket proudly bearing the Uchiha crest.
The few guests bowed as the future bride approached the altar. The ambiance, very different from what Sakura had known in her future, was discreet, sincere, and intimate. Only those worthy of attending were present.
Sakura felt her heart race as she approached the man who would become her husband. He turned to look at her with such intensity that she blushed with embarrassment. Never had she thought a man could look at her so lovingly. Her heart beat so strongly that she knew she was making no mistake: she truly loved this man and was ready to seal her fate with his.
For his part, Madara, who had had some doubts, had none left. Sparring amicably with Ashina in the morning had helped him avoid unnecessary worries. Seeing Sakura, so beautifully dressed, approaching him with eyes shining with emotion convinced him that he was making no mistake. It was time for him to take this step in his life, of his own will and not to meet the clan's demands.
Hitomi presented Sakura to Madara before stepping aside so the ceremony could begin. Madara gently took his fiancée's hand, softly caressing it with his thumb, wanting her to know he was ready to become her husband and wanted her by his side.
He then turned to the Daimyo, who would officiate as the master of ceremonies. A great honor, as it was rare for Daimyos to celebrate such ceremonies.
"No one to witness your union, Uchiha-dono?" asked Hashuba, looking at the future couple.
"No," replied Madara softly, his gaze hardening slightly.
"You need someone to represent you," insisted the Daimyo, visibly annoyed by this breach of protocol.
"I have no one," added Madara.
A heavy silence fell, each second feeling like an eternity. Then, a movement drew everyone's attention. A figure stood to Madara's right. Turning his head, he recognized Ashina Uzumaki.
"I will witness for him," declared the old man, looking the Daimyo straight in the eyes.
Madara said nothing, but a discreet nod expressed his gratitude to Ashina for assuming this crucial role.
The wedding ceremony could then begin. It followed a set of strict rites, where the couple had to purify themselves and promise fidelity and love in various ways for the rest of their lives.
At that time, the bride did not choose the rings to exchange; it was the husband's responsibility. A magnificent gold ring was presented to Sakura, who slid it onto Madara's left ring finger, her face lighting up with a tender smile. When it was her turn, Sakura extended her left hand, stunned by the beauty of the ring Madara slowly slid onto her finger. The jewel, exquisitely delicate, bore the Uchiha clan symbol, represented by a subtle arrangement of precious stones on the gold band.
After nearly half an hour of ritual, Hashuba Shōta pronounced the solemn phrase that concluded the ceremony:
"You are now husband and wife."
Madara then leaned towards Sakura, gently pressing his lips to hers in a light but emotionally charged kiss.
She was now Sakura Uchiha.
Day 431
The day had been exhausting, emotionally intense, but finally, they were officially married: Sakura was now an Uchiha. True, she had not married the man she had always thought would be her husband, but strangely, this thought had not crossed her mind. Her family and friends were missed sometimes, especially on this day of great joy, but since she had come to understand her feelings for Madara, she had not thought about Sasuke Uchiha. Even though she knew Sasuke had been a part of her life and that she had loved him in a certain way, Sakura had, so to speak, forgotten Sasuke.
After all, Madara had introduced her to love in all its dimensions. She had discovered what it was like to be truly loved, and the love she felt for Madara was nothing like what she had thought she felt in the past. It was on an entirely different level, and as she had recited her vows a few hours earlier, she could say without hesitation that it was with Madara she wanted to spend her life. She wanted to walk beside him; she had chosen him for who he was entirely, with both his light and shadowy sides.
The couple was now heading to their private quarters to celebrate their wedding in private, as midnight had passed. Madara was silent, savoring the restored calm to sort through his own emotions. He had never imagined finding love one day, and he couldn't help but recall his beloved mother's words: "When you find her, you will understand."
He knew he had made the right choice in Sakura. She was everything he had been looking for without ever having defined it before. And even though the ceremony was necessary for Sakura to be officially recognized as his wife, Madara had considered her as such for a long time. But the protocol required it, and even though he was Madara Uchiha, he couldn't change traditions with a snap of his fingers.
As he closed the door to their room behind them, the dark-haired man couldn't help but let out a loud sigh.
"Finally, this day is ending. I have nothing against protocols, but they bore me quite quickly," he confessed, looking at the young woman who had become his wife.
"Is this how the day ends, Madara? Don't you want to celebrate your wedding with your wife?" Sakura asked mischievously.
Madara raised an eyebrow at the young woman's suggestion. Oh, how he loved her. Sakura was the perfect woman for him; she was talented in many areas and had proven to be a particularly delightful lover. A predatory smile stretched across the man's face as he approached his wife like a feline on its prey.
"What do you have to offer me, Sakura?" Madara asked, placing one hand on her waist and lifting her chin with the other to gently place his lips on hers. The kiss quickly ignited, and as they reluctantly separated to catch their breath, Sakura let out a soft laugh.
"Luckily for you, we've had plenty of training in the past so that today ends on the best note."
The man laughed in response to her comment before they gave in to the passion that consumed them every time they embraced.
Once fulfilled and satisfied with each other, Sakura nestled against her husband's bare chest while he held her firmly. They were happy and content, but Sakura felt it was time to reveal the truth about her condition. After careful consideration, she realized there was no better moment to do so.
"Madara?"
"Hmm?"
"I need to confess something to you," she said, slowly caressing the contours of his muscles.
"What do you need to tell me, Sakura, at this late hour?" he asked, suddenly more concerned than he would have liked. After all, when Sakura started her sentences this way, it was usually to discuss something important.
"I haven't given you a wedding gift," Sakura said with a calm but very serious voice.
"A gift?" Madara asked, puzzled by this custom he seemed unfamiliar with.
"I've been meaning to tell you for a few weeks, but we've been so busy with the end of the war, the expansion of the city, and preparing for our wedding. We haven't really had time to discuss what we plan to do next."
"Do you really want us to talk about the future now?" Madara asked, still surprised.
"In a way, yes. We need to talk about the future because in a few months, we will be three," she announced, hesitating on how best to reveal her pregnancy.
Madara, now sitting in front of her, looked at her, puzzled. He wondered if Sakura had had too much sake during the banquet. Yet he was certain he hadn't seen her drink. Was it possible he was drunk or dreaming this strange conversation?
"Three?" he repeated, as Sakura gently placed his hands on her lower abdomen.
"Yes… the three of us, Madara."
She stared at him intensely, observing every reaction. Madara let Sakura guide his hands over her bare body. His thoughts were racing as the words "The three of us, Madara" echoed in his mind. He suddenly understood what she was implying.
His heart raced: was it possible? Of course, he thought. They had been intimate for weeks but had never discussed having children. As he learned to love Sakura, the idea of continuing his lineage had crossed his mind. But with the war and the lack of discussion on the subject, he had pushed that thought aside.
In contact with Sakura, he had realized she was not like other women of his time, that she would not conform to social demands to have children at any cost. He was ready to wait until she decided for herself. But this revelation was overturning his expectations, making him incredibly happy.
A smile stretched across his lips, and Sakura, seeing it, immediately felt relieved.
"Are you sure, Sakura?"
"Yes, I've been carrying our child since the destruction of Uzushio."
"Why didn't you tell me at that time? I would have never let you go into battle if..."
"But I didn't know yet at that moment. I thought my body wasn't ready to conceive. I only found out when we returned," Sakura explained to clarify.
Madara thought quickly :
"You knew before I left for Kumo, didn't you?"
"Yes, but I didn't want to distract you with that. You had important things to accomplish, and you wouldn't have been focused if I had told you the truth."
"Hn!" he grunted. Sakura knew him well and loved him even more.
"Are you angry with me for hiding this from you?" she asked anxiously.
In response, Madara, having removed his hands from her abdomen, brought his face closer to hers and kissed her passionately.
"You make me the happiest man, Sakura. No matter if the child is a girl or a boy, you are the woman with whom I want to share my life and continue my lineage."