Prompt: Sakura finds love in a society with strict guidelines

Note: I would love to use Sarada because it sounds better and is related to Hinduism for it is another name for the Hindu goddess Saraswati but I read in a post somewhere that it really is Salad, nothing more, nothing less so I want to use 'Salad'. The problem is, when I write, the name simply distracts me a lot for some reason and I just couldn't bear it so I'll settle for 'Sarada' as a personal preference.

Born in a society that deemed power and influence as bases in finding a good husband, Sakura had lost faith in love. She, just like all the girls of her age, had followed customs and traditions and married for status and wealth.

The marriage didn't last long. After four years she became a widow and was left with a daughter, a good amount of money from her husband's family and a house in the countryside where she was allowed to take charge over a small land.

It was at this point in her life that true love came unexpected, like the present one receives when there is no occasion or a pat on the shoulder from someone whom you least expect but want it the most from.

Sakura had first seen Naruto during one of her and her daughter's trips to the city. She and Sarada were on the deck of the ship when her hat had been blown away by the unmerciful wind. Naruto, being one of the people around, picked it for her.

His smile seeped out like a charm that attracted her and his light way of talking eliminated the awkwardness in their first conversation. They talked as if they had known each other for a long time and Sarada, whom she had known to be a reserved child, warmed up to him after a few minutes when he showed her a magic trick he learned during one of his travels.

They talked for hours. When he found out she was a widow, he didn't scoff or scowl. He tried to lighten up the gloomy mood that came with the revelation and praised her for the strength she had shown in raising her child alone.

It was a pleasant first meeting and Sakura was glad that Naruto, himself, made sure it wasn't the last.

During Naruto's first visit to the household, he brought a picnic basket loaded with food and took Sakura and Sarada on a picnic by the riverside. The day had been fun and when Naruto was about to leave, Sarada requested him to teach her how to ride a pony.

The following visit, he fulfilled his promise and Sakura watched as Naruto and her daughter conversed about her riding lesson.

At first, Sarada had looked at the handsome white pony in a mixture of bewilderment and fear. Naruto encouraged her to approach and pet its nose. Sensing no hostility, she immediately warmed up to the small creature.

"Does she bite?"

"She does but I'm going to teach you later on how to prevent and avoid that."

"Does she gallop? Or jump?,"

"He does gallop and jump but she can't go that fast yet."

"Can I jump with her?"

"Well you have to learn to sit on the saddle first, then walk, trot and canter. After that you could go to jumping,"

"Will you teach me?" she asked hopefully.

Naruto's smile was triumphant and mischievous. "I would love to do so, if your mother says I may." He turned to Sakura. "So what do you say my Lady? Could I stay for a couple of weeks and teach your daughter?"

"Mom, please say yes,"

Sakura couldn't say no to the request. How could she when her daughter looked like she won a grand prize when she saw the pony?

"Sure! Sarada, please go to the house and tell them to prepare a room for your uncle."

"Yay! Thanks mom" she complied and was immediately out of the stable in a matter of seconds, leaving her mom and Naruto alone.

Sakura turned to the blond. "I knew what you were thinking!"

He grinned from ear to ear. "I get to spend weeks with an adorable child and I get the chance to court the woman I love properly. Nothing could be better than that right? Besides, don't you like it that I'm staying?"

"I do. If it isn't a bother,"

"I've already told you before that you and Sarada will never be a bother,"

"It's just that I couldn't help but think about it sometimes. You've got a future ahead of you and you could be out there, working and making more money for yourself rather than spending time with us."

"I told you. I have that all planned out. I have people who I pay to be caretakers of my land. Besides, I am not doing this not because I want you to feel obligated to come to me. I am doing this because it makes me happy."

His words echoing in her ears, her heart jolted. As always, Naruto had this way with words and actions that aroused the deepest of emotions within her. The strong desire for love that she had suppressed for so long always resurfaces and keeps getting stronger.

"You said you'll court me. Are you planning to write me some of those love poems that men usually write?"

"My lady, I don't concern myself with those frivolities. Let's say I'm a little more 'real',"

"Real? How?"

"You'll find out in the next days." He walked closer and offered his arm.

She gladly tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow and gave him a meaningful gaze. "I couldn't wait,"

Screw the fear of what society would say. From now Sakura is going to pursue who and what she really wanted.