Sasuke and Sasuke traveled for three days. Sakura was shy the whole time but enjoyed the quality of time with Sasuke. Sasuke was focused on the mission, yet he secretly enjoyed the company.
"This is it" Sasuke said, looking at the village's gate.
"Yeah" Sakura confirmed.
"Do you have your new identity?" Sasuke asked.
"Yes, I am Hana" Sakura said, showing Sasuke her new passport.
"Alright, let's go" Sasuke said, walking to the city.
Sakura shyly got really close to Sasuke.
Sasuke looked at her, confused.
"We look too "ninja" like" she said.
"Right, you are my wife" Sasuke said.
Sakura went red and simply nodded. Kakashi had not had the decency to tell Sakura that the mission he needed included impersonating a married couple.
As they approached the gate, Sasuke put his arm around her, and she blushed badly and just looked down. He got a little red as well, but he was trying hard to stay calm. As they could finally see people, they got into character, and Sakura slowly leaned on his shoulder.
"Hello, what brings you to the village?" A guard said.
"We are here for the 100 Lights festival" Sasuke answered.
"Passports" the guard requested.
Sakura handed her passport, and Sasuke put his bag on the floor so he could use his arm to unzip it.
"I got it, honey" Sakura said sweetly.
Sasuke went red and just whispered thank you.
"What is your name?" the guard asked Sakura.
"Yoshida Hana" Sakura said smiling.
"Welcome, Mrs. Yoshida" the guard said, stamping her passport.
"Name?" the guard said, turning to Sasuke.
"Yoshida Kenji" Sasuke said
"Alright, welcome Mr. Yoshida" the man said stamping his passport "Hurry up and find a hotel, there are many people here to watch the festival".
"Thank you" Sakura said grabbing Sasuke's hand.
They began walking to trying to find a hotel. Most hotels were packed and had waitlists. There were people who had camped by the river as the city was swarmed with tourist trying to see the festival.
They got to the sixth hotel to check if they had any availability. Sasuke was getting in patient and Sakura was getting tired. In front of them was a lady complaining about her room and demanding to be switched out of her room.
"I am sorry ma'am, unfortunately we don't have any more rooms" The receptionist said.
"If you don't change my room I will leave" the lady yelled.
"You are welcome to do so ma'am" the receptionist said.
The lady scoffed and left.
"Have a wonderful day" the receptionist said sarcastically.
"We'll take her room" Sasuke said.
The receptionist looked around and saw the lady leave.
"Sure, how long will you be staying?" the receptionist asked.
"Two weeks" Sasuke said sharply "do you have another room?"
"You are looking you get this one" she said.
"Alright, can we get two beds?" Sasuke asked
"Room's not that big" The lady said while writing some information on a notebook "passports?" she requested.
They handed their new passports. The lady took a look at the passports, made some notes, and picked up some keys "first room on the third floor. Enjoy your stay Mr. and Mrs. Yoshida" the lady said unceremoniously.
"Thank you" Sakura said while grabbing her bag.
"I got it honey" Sasuke said grabbing the bag from her.
Sakura went read and then remember they were pretending to be husband and wife "thank you…love" she said blushing.
They made it to their room. Sasuke carefully placed the bags by the door. Sakura rushed to sit on the bed. She was exhausted from traveling for days.
"Alright, here is the plan. We have to act our parts. We need to act like a couple, be a couple" Sasuke said to which Sakura just blushed and look baffled at him.
"We eat breakfast together, we go everywhere together, we do everything together, is that understood?" he said in a serious tone to which she just nodded "Oh, and don't call me by name again. Let's call each other by our undercover names. We don't know where people will be watching us" he added.
"Husbands and wives don't call each other by their names" Sakura whispered.
"Oh, right" Sasuke said "well, we will call each other whatever husbands and wives call each other" he finished.
"Take the bed, I'll take the chair" Sasuke added.
"Are you sure? We could alternate" Sakura protested.
"No, keep the bed. I'll be fine" Sasuke counteroffered.
"Oh okay, thank you love" Sakura said while blushing.
Sasuke just looked at her and then looked at the floor and nodded.
The afternoon went by fast. Sasuke was making notes for the mission and reading Kakashi's notes. Sakura unpacked their clothes and read some of the notes Sasuke had taken.
Sasuke opened the window and there was a bird with a message addressed to him.
"So… it says here Benjiro has been in town for three days now" Sasuke said.
"Alright, so how do we meet him?" Sakura asked.
"He goes to this bathhouse every day at the same time with his wife. We can pose as if we were going to the bathhouse. There is a note here that a young ninja whose family owns the bathhouse will make sure we are placed with Benjiro" Sasuke explained.
"When do we go?" Sakura asked.
"They will be there in two hours" Sasuke answered.
"Alright, that gives us time for dinner" Sakura said "I am starving" she added.
"Oh, we'll catch a restaurant in the way" Sasuke said "have you memorized your story" he asked.
"Yeah, I am your supporting wife" she said "have you?" she asked.
"Yes, I am a somewhat known write within the anti-ninja community" Sasuke said.
"How did we meet?" Sakura asked.
"What do you mean?" Sasuke asked confused.
"Like, what is our story? We are supposed to be in love" Sakura said.
"I guess we met in school" Sasuke answered.
"How long have we been in love?" she pressed.
He thought for a second "since we were 12?" he answered doubtfully.
"Sure" she accepted "where was our first date? I am just asking because these things are important" Sakura added.
"I don't know, where do people go for date?" Sasuke asked already getting desperate "help me out here" he protested.
"Well, I guess we could have gone on a walk by the river" Sakura said.
"I guess we need a solid story" Sasuke sighed.
"I wrote a draft. I can show you" she said pulling a piece of paper.
"Read it please" he said covering his eyes in exhaustion.
"We met in school. We have been in love since we were twelve. Our first date was a long walk by the river. Our wedding ceremony was small. We eloped and celebrated with a few friends. What do you think?" Sakura asked.
Sasuke blushed and just signed "okay" with his hand.
"Come on, let's take this to dinner" Sasuke said.
They went and asked at reception for restaurants and found one nearby.
"I'll have the sweet and spicy chicken" Sakura told the waiter "What about you honey?" she asked Sasuke.
She looked confused for a second "Oh, I'll have the salmon" he answered.
"Try to look a little less tense" she whispered.
"Right" he said.
The food came fast, and they started eating right away.
"Love would you like to try some?" Sakura asked.
"No" he said sharply to which she just looked at him.
"Oh, yeah sure" he said lifting his utensils towards her plate before he could grab anything she picked up a piece of chicken with her chopsticks and took it close to his mouth.
He looked confused for a second then opened his mouth without making eye contact with her.
"What do you think?" she asked.
"it's good" he said without making eye contact while blushing deep red.
The rest of dinner was very quiet, and Sasuke did not make eye contact at any point.
"We have to go, it's almost time" Sasuke said getting up and putting money on the table.
The way to the bathhouse was quiet. It was not too far from the restaurant, but the trip felt like forever.
Sasuke grabbed her hand roughly and just looked ahead without saying anything. Sakura just smiled while resting her head on his shoulder.
"Welcome" the bathhouse attended greeted them "how can we serve you today?" she finished.
Sasuke just nodded.
"Sweetheart, she asked you a question" Sakura pressed.
"Oh, ah…" Sasuke just read through the list of services confusedly.
"I would strongly recommend the couple's communal bath" a young man, possibly a teenager said.
Sasuke inspected the young man for a second "We'll do that".
"I'll take care of them" the young man said grabbing some towels "follow me"
Sasuke and Sakura just followed him.
"I've been waiting for you" the young man said "my name is Ito, I was tasked with making sure you get in contact with Benjiro tonight"
They just nodded.
"He comes here every afternoon; he is not scheduled for tomorrow. Whatever he is doing tomorrow, make sure you get invited" he said "I'll make sure to give you guys a little push" he finished.
A door opened and they were inside the bathhouse.
"Here you go Mr. and Mrs. Yoshida" the young man said directing them to a hot tub where two other people were sitting.
They removed their robes and stayed in bathing clothes. Sasuke's shoulder where his arm was missing was covered in bandages.
They sat silently. The couple next to them who they assumed were Benjiro and his wife were also silent. About 5 minutes passed with no conversation. The place was dead silent therefore any conversation would be awkward.
After a few minutes, the young man from earlier showed up again with warm towels and passed them around. Sasuke put his warm towel on his face covering his eyes. The young man seemed eager to talk to him but was asking shy.
"Do you want to talk to him?" Sakura asked picking up on his new shy attitude.
He nodded.
"Love, this young man wants to speak with you" Sakura said shaking off Sasuke's shoulder.
Sasuke removed the towel from his eyes "Hey" he answered.
"Mr. Kenji…sorry, Mr. Yoshida. I am a big fan of yours" the young man said.
"Oh, thank you" Sasuke quietly.
"Your writings helped my family after my dad passed away" Ito said.
"Oh, I am sorry to hear about your father" Sasuke said.
"He was killed by a ninja during the war for refusing to let him stay in our home" Ito added with a sad tone.
"I am sorry young man" Sasuke said out of character.
"It's okay, you are the only person who's ever understood us. Nobody else has ever dared write about ninja crimes and abuse of power" Ito said eagerly.
"It's been more difficult lately" Sasuke added exploring where the conversation would go "some of my books have been banned and burned" he finished.
"I know sir, and also your arm" Ito added.
Sasuke just looked frazzled for a second "yeah" he said quietly. Sakura visibly grabbed his hand showing support.
"They can try to stop me, but they can't. They can have my other arm, and I will use my voice and the day they take my voice, I hope to have inspired more voices that will be too many to silence" Sasuke said inspirationally.
Ito smiled "Yes sir" he added excitedly "would you mind if I bring my scroll for you to sign? It would mean a lot to my mom" he finished.
"Sure, bring it" Sasuke said calmly.
Ito ran to get his scroll.
"It told you" Sakura said "you can't stop, don't let them silence you. Just a few minutes ago you were contemplating leaving all this behind and look! There is always someone who will be reached" She finished before kissing his hand.
"I know, I am just tired" he followed conversation.
"So, you are a writer" someone said.
They looked up and noticed the man who was sitting with them.
"I am just a man with time and a pen" Sasuke answered.
"Anything I've read?" the man asked.
"I doubt it" Sasuke answered.
"Try me" the man followed.
"I wrote a couple of scrolls call "the lesser good"" Sasuke answered.
"What are they about?" the man asked curiously.
"I write about abuse of power" Sasuke responded quietly.
"He writes about abuse of power by ninjas" Sakura jumped in.
"Bold" the man said "what happened to your arm?"
Sasuke looked uncomfortable or at least was trying to seem uncomfortable and said "ninja"
"I am sorry, I shouldn't have intruded" the man said.
"No, it's okay. I just spoke more than I was supposed to, that's all" Sasuke said.
"A ninja taught him a lesson after he denounced what they were doing in our city" Sakura cut him off.
"It was an accident" Sasuke said shyly.
"You know it wasn't" Sakura said.
"I am not a ninja; I don't mind what you say" the man said.
"Well, I might have said a few things that bothered a few people, and the rest is history" Sasuke said "sorry I didn't catch your name" he asked.
"Oh, pardon my lack of manners. My name is Hayashi Benjiro. This is my wife, Nora" the man said pointing to his wife.
"I am Hoshida Benji, this is my wife Hana" Sasuke introduced himself and Sakura.
They were interrupted by Ito who was eagerly holding a book. Sasuke signed it and bowed to Ito.
"Don't stop being our voice" Ito said while bowing back right before he left.
"Well, it was very nice to meet you guys" Benjiro said while standing up.
Sasuke realizing he was leaving and had not invited them were they were going the next day, quickly spoke up "Please do not share the information I gave you" he said in desperation.
"Of course," Benjiro said.
"Last time it was my arm, but they said next would be my life" Sasuke pleaded.
Benjiro stopped for a second as if he was thinking "have you ever been to a red party?" he asked.
"I am an artist, I've been to all kinds of parties" Sasuke answered confused.
"We are having a red party tomorrow, perhaps you could tell me more about that new book of yours" Benjiro said.
"How do I know this is a set up?" Sasuke offered some resistance.
"Let's just say that before you get arrested for denouncing Ninja abuse of power, I would" Benjiro said showing Sasuke a tattoo that Sasuke quickly recognized it as an anti-ninja symbol.
"We'll be there then" Sasuke said.
"I'll leave your invitation with the young man at the front" Benjiro's wife said "we'll see you guys tomorrow".
"Thank you" Sakura said.
Benjiro and his wife left. Sasuke and Sakura waited 5 more minutes in case anybody was watching them so they wouldn't suspect that they were just there to speak to Benjiro.
Ito met them at the door as they were coming out.
"Well done" Ito said handing them the invitation "I hope to be a ninja like you guys, I am not sure if I would go to a red party" he finished.
"I think you got confused" Sasuke said "I am just a writer" he signaled him to be quiet.
Ito bowed and thanked them for coming to the bathhouse.
They got dressed and left on their way to the hotel. Sasuke grabbed Sakura's hand quickly assuming Benjiro would have them watched.
"I really needed that, honey" Sasuke said.
"You need to relax more, all this book thing has you too stressed" Sakura followed along.
"Yeah, maybe" Sasuke said.
They got to the hotel late and just rushed upstairs.
Sasuke closed the door behind them.
"That went well" Sakura said.
"Close the windows" Sasuke said making sure they were very careful.
Sakura closed the windows and sat on the bed.
"I was saying that went better than expected" Sakura said.
"Yeah, it did. Good job" Sasuke said.
"You were great" Sakura said.
"Thank you" he responded.
"Come on, let's get ready to sleep. You must be exhausted" Sasuke said in response to Sakura yawning.
"Where will you sleep?" Sakura asked.
"The tub will do" Sasuke responded.
"Are you sure? We can alternate the bed" Sakura offered.
"I am fine" Sasuke said.
She went to brush her teeth while he threw a couple of blankets on the tub.
He laid in the tub semi seated.
"You don't look comfortable" Sakura said.
"I'll be fine" Sasuke added "turn the light off when you leave"
"Alright" she said regretfully as she turned off the light.
Sakura went to bed. She was feeling guilty about Sasuke sleeping in the tub. It took her a few minutes to fall asleep, but she was so exhausted she lost her battle with sleep.
A thunderstorm woke her up in the middle of the night. It had opened a window. She got a up and closed the window.
She quietly opened the bathroom door. Sasuke was sleeping still; his head was resting at a weird angle and his covers were at his feet. Sakura gently shook his shoulder. He slowly woke up.
"Hey, sorry to wake you up" Sakura apologized.
"Is everything okay?" he asked half asleep.
"yeah, I need to use the bathroom" Sakura said .
"Oh, okay" he said going back to sleep.
"Sasuke" she said firmly waking him up.
"Oh, right. We are in the bathroom" he said now more awake "I'll wait outside".
He let out a sigh and touched his neck in sign of pain.
"Are you okay?" she whispered.
"Yeah, just a little sore" he said getting up.
"Thank you" she said as he closed the door.
Sakura quickly used the bathroom and came out to the bedroom.
Sasuke was sitting in the corner of the bed and had fallen asleep resting his head in the bed.
She felt bad for having to wake him up.
"Hey" she said softly shaking his shoulder "I am done" she added.
He slowly opened his eyes. He took a deep breath and sat upright.
"How are you holding up?" she asked.
"I am good" he said.
"Why don't you let me take the tub for a little bit?" she asked.
"No, I am okay over there" he said standing up.
"What if you stayed in the bed?" she asked shyly.
"It's okay I said" he insisted "I am not letting you take the tub".
"I wouldn't" she added "you can sleep here with me"
Sasuke thought for a bit and then said "no, I am not doing that to you".
"It doesn't have to mean anything. It's just like out mission" she insisted "I know you are tired, and that tub is not going to do it for you" she said.
"No, it's okay" Sasuke insisted as he got up and went to the bathroom again. He sat in the tub for about ten minutes before he got up again. He went to the bed and just laid next to Sakura without saying anything. She woke up and saw him and smiled.
"Good night sweetheart" she said laughing.
"Don't" Sasuke said annoyed.
"Good night love" he said after a while to which she just laughed and he joined her.
Times were good, there was peace.