ONE

Sakura never dreamed of this.

Her fist tightened even more, she could feel her nails dug into her palm. The blood rushed in her face and made it paler than ever.

Not even in her wildest dream.

"Are you okay, Sakura?" Shizune sent worried look at her. Sakura tried her best to smile at the young woman, but the restrained muscle around her face only making it looked like she's holding a need to go to restroom. Dammit, I never get nervous when it comes to mission, or facing enemy. She rarely get nervous, she didn't even flinched when she had to heal her own shishou, ex-hokage Tsunade-sama.

"You look really pale." Shizune said. Sakura shaked her head to feel her head still in the place and she's not dreaming. Her entire body was feeling cold at the same time. She couldn't feel her own nails digging in her palm anymore. "are you sure you really okay, Sakura…?"

"Leave her alone, Shizune." Tsunade said from her desk. Her piercing hazel eyes made Sakura's mind re-realizing her situation once again.

They are in Hokage's office. It looked like nothing wrong, the room just as the same as she always entered. Tsunade still in hokage's chair, even it's not her chair anymore because Naruto just being Hokage three months ago. But as new elders, she had the authority to decide something. Since Naruto's in his honeymoon with Hinata right now, so his chair still in Tsunade's position. Shizune was standing behind the blonde woman, holding Tonton, and Sakura was standing in front of them.

Nothing different, except an unusual presence with familiar signature chakra behind her that belongs to noone but the man she avoid the most.

Tsunade strongly demanded nobody to come and call Naruto today to inform that a certain missing-nin just showed up after 8 years.

Sasuke Uchiha didn't make a sound behind her, not even a steady breath.

"I will ask you once again, Sakura. Are you willingly to help Konoha and Sound treaty peace…" if the question was only that, she wouldnt be standing pale to death like this. She wished she mistaken her shishou words's before. She secretly wished Tsunade's question really stop at that.

"…as the wife of Otokage…" shit. She muttered loudly in her mind. Please stop, please stop just right there. Sakura pleading in her mind. Please don't say the rest…

"…Sasuke Uchiha."

Sakura world turned blank. But this wasn't dream and she couldn't just stormed out of this place. Truthfully, if she even intended to, she wouldn't because she didn't want to meet the owner of the name near the door behind her.

"I… need to think about that." She finally said. Tsunade sighed and closed her eyes, relaxing her temple.

"I told you Uchiha, this is too sudden."

"It can't wait." The voice sending shiver through her back and she thought she already over him? "now or never." Never what? Never married? Or never come back? Or…

"This is not only about your country." Tsunade said trapped between annoyed to him and angry because his mocking behaviour in her office.

"Hn."

"Being an Otokage surely make you feel having all the authority, eh? I told you, you're still the same little bastard in my eyes." Still the same cocky Uchiha, Tsunade thought.

"Tsunade-sama," Shizune reminded her. This is the first time Uchiha come in piece and he already knocked down dozen of ANBU out there before he entered Hokage office. He did come with intention, and Uchiha didn't leave before get what he want.

"…but I still have hopes on you." Tsunade's voice broke the tension. "If you keep your promise and able to make a good alliance between Sound and Konoha, we will watch your back. I know the war is over and Kabuto has died, but it doesn't make the new Otokage walk freely in his new country."

"I know all the consequences." He said coldly. Tsunade chuckle mockingly at his cold demeanor. But honestly, deep inside, she know he is a man now and he will keep his words in Uchiha way.

"Surely the last Uchiha prodigy known. Well then, Sakura, it's up to you now." Sakura can feel all the stares lay on her now. And the ones behind her back piercing through her skull. They haven't talk, or meet for so long, and first thing he did is trying to kill her with his stare?

Why me? she whispered more to herself.

She know he's planning something with her, she just didn't know what it is. But she figure it should be something with her medic skill because he mention Tsunade as her mentor. What else a new re-building country need beside an icy leader and a honorable medic nin? She thought bitterly.

"Can't it wait?"

"Just say yes or no." She didn't recall when he move from the door, but his presence already behind her. So close. And it wasn't a very pleasant feeling. The way he called her name… how long has it been? Sakura quickly erase the old feeling that threatened to get into the surface again, silently cursing herself for allowing him made her feel like this.

She's gotten stronger for fuck's sake! And he suddenly come and asked her and forcefully want her to answer now? This is not the way a woman want to be proposed. She maybe still as naïve as she was when she declare her love for him, but hell, it doesn't prove anything that she still hold the same feeling toward him. She has long forgotten how it feels to falling in love, anyway.

"…what if I said no?"

There's a silent movement behind her. Tsunade watched the man's expression carefully. Uchiha didn't take no for an answer. Especially the last one standing on earth. Once he want something, then he will get it no matter what.

Geeze, everything about Team Kakashi always so damn complicated, Tsunade thought. Tsunade completely aware he's not a man with stable emotion. Yeah…as if this boy even have one to begin with. Tsunade sighed at the thought.

"Listen Sakura, I wont force you. If you really don't want…"

"…I will." Her green eyes staring at Tsunade, strengthened herself. Tsunade knew her too much to understand she just trying to convince herself.

"You sure?" Tsunade arised from the chair and standing in front of her. "marrying someone, especially a kage, isn't a week or a year mission. It's a promise of a lifetime."

"And yet someone wanting that lifetime promise's answer in just a few minutes." Sakura said sarcastically. "I'll do that, Tsunade-shishou."

Another pregnant silence followed, Sasuke's silent cough break the silence. Tsunade glared at the young man, replied by his cold black glare. The ex-hokage averted her eyes back to her pupil.

"Alright then, if that's your final answer…"

"Tomorrow 10 am at the gate." The voice behind Sakura said in a monotonous tone. The door open, Sakura turned around slightly and swear she just saw the mischievous smirk on his face before he's gone.

Relax, Sakura. This is for your country…

You'd better not regret this later, girl.

Sakura winced at the later thought.

-.-.-.-

Sasuke waited at the gate sharply at 10 am the next morning. As he expected, the pink haired medic-nin come late. Tsunade already ordered not to bother them so she didn't place any guard in the gate. Sasuke leaned on a tree, folded his arms and looking far away to the clouds. Waiting could be so annoying, even more annoying when you're waiting for annoying woman.

"Sorry," she muttered and stop two meters away from him. He didn't say anything, his black eyes staring at her big bags. Sakura got how Sasuke staring at her carriage.

"Well, considering I will live with someone I hardly know far from home, I couldn't left important things." Sasuke abandoned the sarcasm in her words.

Home. People aren't slug, they can build home everywhere without bring the old one everywhere they move. He thought bitterly.

"Hn." He start walking. Sakura didn't expect any help from him, she knew expecting Sasuke to act like a gentlemen is the same expecting Naruto to stop eating ramen.

Konoha and Sound not to far yet not that near. She had to bring her carriage 5 hours jumping in a tree. She's an ANBU, and she wouldn't complain about his cold demeanor. She know the consequences. He's nothing for her, not even an old comrade anymore. Sasuke Uchiha, the Otokage, and her soon-to be-husband, wasn't the same one she used to know, she mentally noted. This man in front of her, was a stranger that just asking her to married.

This is suicidal mission.

But what's more honorable than die in suicidal mission, knowing you sacrifice yourself for peace to your home? Correction, she didn't sacrifice anything. It is not like she gonna give him piece of her. Sakura had long lost interest for love.

They arrived at the Otogakure in the evening. Otogakure was in recovery state. People are everywhere, building school, shops, etc. It felt like you just coming into a big industrial area. The weather almost as dry as Sunagakure, luckly there's still plenty tree around the street. Sasuke entered a big yet simple building beside an opening which she guessed as a training Ground. The house was big enough, she first thought it was the Otokage office, but seeing nobody there make her realized, kage office supposed to be fill with people trying to recover their country. And the Uchiha fan in the wall giving all the explanation that she just entering Otokage's house, not office.

"You live here?" Sakura following him through the living room.

"Hn."

"…all alone?" she watched the dining room and the kitchen which was really neat and tidy, indicating nobody ever touched it. So how he take care of himself? There supposed to be someone cooked for him, wash for him and so…?

"I thought there would be plenty whore around here."

"Sakura," his tone sound irritated but he didn't turn around.

"Oh, I forget you didn't do laugh." Sasuke choosed to abandone her sarcastic words and stop in front of a larger room.

"We're meeting the Oto elders tonight." She put her bags and eyeing the dark blue walls. The atmosphere really just like him. So dark. Dominating. And… full of despair. It's raising a desperate feeling just to be inside it. Sakura open the drawer just to be closed it immediately.

"Is this your room?" she can feel her face become hot from the sight earlier. It's his undergarments, for Kami's sake!

"Hn," Sasuke answered from outside.

"Which one is mine?" she's walking outside and approach him holding a glass of water beside refrigerator.

"You're sleeping there." Sakura raise an eyebrow.

"And you?"

"I'm sleeping there." It struck her that he actually mean all the thing about 'marrying'. He's serious about taking her as his wife. Or it just him wanting to get on her pants. But the last thought wasn't possible, he had all woman drooling over him, why would he want a certain someone to be fucked off? She's blushing at the thought. Sakura decided not to put her belongings inside his drawer, who could expect what would she saw if she opened the others? She better kept her belongings in the safest place; her own bags.

Sakura took a brief shower after a quite journey. Her soap almost run out, she didn't have time to buy it before because she wrote many letter to those she didn't have chance to say goodbye. Her mind was flying to the certain blonde hokage. She didn't wrote to him, she wanted to tell him personally. He would be furious to know they're married without even telling him. Sakura can't help but feeling alone suddenly at the thought. I will start the first day of my last here, and die alone. She thought bitterly, eyeing her reflection on the mirror above wastafel. Sasuke put his stuff there, and Sakura can smell his signature smell. I better get used to his… everything.

Sasuke was a simple man. He just have soap, shampoo, and brush teeth. He didn't have two things. She really had to buy another soap tomorrow, she didn't want to have his smell. Everybody would think they… euh, Sakura flinched at the thought. Even at this time, she still could picture them together? She must really fight her inner fan-girling. She sighed, it's been 8 years. And he's growing so… far. He's not the same boy she over head to heels to.

But yet, he still as dark, mysterious, and charming as before.

She turned around so quickly to face the object of her imagination opening the door and eyeing her. Her eyes widened. Crap, I'm sure I already lock it! How the hell he barged in? well yeah, this is his house, no wonder if he has another key... But that's not the point!

"Sasuke!" Sakura shrieked in panic, grabbing her towel in franfic to hide herself. Eventhough the bathroom filled with fog from her hot shower, she knew he still can see through it.

"You're too long." Sasuke came inside topless with only his boxer, which make Sakura's head spinning all over again.

"I-I'm not done yet!"

"I don't care." He walked pass her and turned on the shower. Sakura couldn't stand looking at his muscular bare figure, plus he's wet now. She quickly run to open the door abruptly. The door stuck! She turned around the knob again and again, and with every second passed, her head even more light-headed because of the heat and his presence.

"Do it slower." Sakura frozed. A long, wet arm passed her shoulder and turned around the knob slower. His another hand supporting himsels in her other side, leaning on the door. She basically trapped between him and the door right now. And he's dangerously close to her. His wet body pressed her towel and she did not dare to feel what sensation happened at the friction. His hot breath tickling her ear while his long slender fingers touching hers. He's too close. She never been this close with opposite gender. Especially with this man.

Her heart beating so eratic everytime he took his breath beside her ear. His movement was painfully slow, torturing her heart. He took away the knob, opening the door slightly and let go of her. Suddenly the warm presence gone. Sakura quickly get out the bathroom and slamming the door. She didn't care if she just broke his property. It better so, because she didn't want to be locked inside again because of that damn door.

-.-.-.-

She was taking too long time inside. He had appointment with the elders to meet her and prove them he has better choice than other civilian girl they offer him. What else more alluring than the best medic-nin, Hokage apprentice? He almost sure they will accept his choice. He has knocked the door but apparently she try to drown herself in the bathtub or what because she hasn't come out after nearly one hour inside. Sasuke finally had enough of waiting and decide he has to take a bath now, she's done or not.

When he first opened the door lightly, the fog come from side. It's clear she's been doing shower and didn't turn the fan to exchanging hot air inside. No wonder she could fainted or something here. It's so hot inside. He opened his shirt and pants, throwing it carelessly, leaving him with only his boxer. He opened the door even wide and her smell come to his nostrils. Strawberry.

And here's come the shierked.

"Sasuke!" how long has it been since the last time she called him with his first name? Sasuke closed his eyes, this is not the time to think about useless stuff. So she just realized I've here? She clearly didn't use her shinobi's instinct. Sasuke learn to never let guard down, even when taking a bath.

"You're too long." He can see her taking her towel in franfic. Too bath he has seen her every curves. It's not like he never seen one, he has meet many whore but… he quickly erased the thoughts.

"I-im not done yet!" then when will you done? Tomorrow?

"I don't care." Sasuke put his towel and walk to the shower. He can see her reddish face and body, all over her skin. Either it was because this is too hot inside or because of his presence. He didn't care much. He turned the shower on then another noise come from his door. He knew his door is a bit hard to deal, but he didn't have much time to change it. Beside, if she turned the knob slower, it wouldnt make any problem. Too bad this girl has short temper. Sasuke turned off the shower before she ended crushing his door.

"Do it slower." He reached for the knob which she hasn't let go. His wet fingers touching her warm ones. And her damp hair smelled a lot like cherry. Her body, her petite body, he silently realized how short her towel is. He can even see her cleavage passed her shoulder. Her scent… her strawberry scent is intoxicating.

To be this closer with her, he inhale deeply her scent, knowing he start to like it. Good thing she didn't wear any bad smell perfume like Karin or soap suigetsu use that make him smell like he just catch a giant fish; Sasuke wasn't sure if it was a soap or that man was born with that smell.

He can feel his wet body against her towel. He gently turned the knob and the door opened. Sakura waste no time to go out and slamming his door.

She still all over him.

Sasuke smirked as he turned on the shower once again.

-.-.-.-

Sakura finished preparing herself to meet the elders. She wore a light blue kimono with pink obi and a sakura's flower in her bun. She smiled to herself, the elders wouldnt thinking her the same like those slut. She knew Sasuke must have been with woman before, even though she couldn't track any smell or proof that any woman ever enter this house. But it wasn't making him an innocent at all.

Sasuke came out of the bathroom, only clad in his towel, Sakura quickly jumped out off the bed and leaving bedroom. She wouldn't be in same situation as before. She took a brief walk around the house while Sasuke changing clothes. This house is pretty big. So neat and tidy, almost feel like nobody live here. What's he doing here? There's a book shelves and TV, but the couch, the desk so tidy, no matter how neat he is, he supposed to leave any trace if he ever doing something here. But afterall, this is Sasuke Uchiha, maybe he's just as perfectionist as always.

"Behave in front of them and don't say anything." Sasuke come from bedroom, in his Kage's attire.

"I know how to deal with elders, Uchiha." She said coldly. They exchanging a glare but he ended it first and walked to the front door. Sakura followed him to the cold night outside. It wasn't too long. They passed the crowd, some people bowed and called him 'Uchiha-sama', but almost everyone in their way look curiously at the pink haired girl beside him.

"Who is she?"

"Another girl… just like always."

"Uchiha-sama has a very high taste this time."

"Isn it just his new toy?"

She was right, Sasuke was with many girls before. And she just another toy of him. She held her kimono, trying not to punch anyone in their way. Sadly the comment never leave her alone until they arrive at the Ototakage office. The office was bigger than his house and more crowded. As they entered a room with a dim light, Sakura can see the face of Oto elders. Like Konoha has, two man and a woman in elderly age. It kind of remind her of her country back then.

"Aah, finally arrived, welcome Uchiha-sama." the one who sit in the right wake up and smile at them. "I see you bring your fiancée here as well." He smiled to her. Sakura reply in the same fake smile. "My name is Okuto."

"It's good to meet you, Haruno-sama. I'm Yushin." The one in left bowed his head.

"Such a great pleasure to meet the famous konoha best medic-nin. Please sent a best regard from me, Yuko to Tsunade-hime." A woman in the middle smile half-heartly at her. Even at the very first time, Sakura can sense the elders didn't really like her. Sasuke standing beside her, his eyes looking sharply at them.

"We married tomorrow." He stated.

"We haven't decided wheter your choice is good enough for you." Yushin said, his finger intertwined in front of him.

"I choose her."

"We'll see. Haruno-sama, why would you think Uchiha-sama chosed you?" Okuto look at her.

"I…"

"Surely we have other great medic nin from other county." Okuto cut her. "why he specifically asked for hokage's apprentice?"

"I'm not 'just another medic-nin', Okuto-san." She replied, clearly annoying being interupted.

"We've heard about your skill. I think you will be a great help for our country." Yuko said.

"I'll try."

"Will you keep your priority and take sound as your home, as well as konoha?" Yushin eyeing her.

"…yes."

"What if someday broke a war and you have to choose?" Sakura was taken a back by the question. Before she could answer, Sasuke cut her.

"It was out of question." He stared at them.

"Forgive us, we just need to make sure."

"You tell me my choice isn't good enough for you?" there's a threatened tone in his tone. Sakura knew Sasuke never go well with elders, wheter in Konoha or here.

"As the leader of Otogakure, you supposed to take someone who know Oto better than outsider." Yuko stated bluntly. Well now it was proven, all the elders anywhere are the same sucks, Sakura thought.

"We could offer you any girl you want in here."

Sakura's fist clenched. It's not about they want him to get another girl, hell, she was okay with that. But how they picture her as just 'another medic-nin' wasn't something she could easily deal with. Furthemore, they talk as if she just a doll Sasuke bought and could be replace anytime anywhere with another woman. She has pride, dammit!

"You don't have to bring foreigner to our country just because she can be used." Sakura almost getting at the point to crush down them before another cold, harsh voice stated;

"She knows me better." Sakura look at him, almost surprise. Did he just defend her? The annoying Uchiha stare indifferently at the Elders. She couldn't said that he did that for her sake or just for his dignity. She didn't dare to make any wild guesses when it comes to him.

"Agree or not, I'm still marrying her."

There's pregnant silence among all of them. The Elders exchanging look to one another, clearing their throat. There's something more with Sasuke now. Sakura always know he was a cocky one, always assuming he know-it-all-more-than-anyone else and always thinking he was right beyond everything, but this time… he's more powerful and intimidating. Is this how every Kage face Elders? She thankfully that Elder now is Tsunade and the Hokage is Naruto so Konoha wouldn't face the same fate as here.

Sasuke made a move, turning his body and ready to leave. Sakura watch him and the Elders, didn't quite sure wheter she should stay or following him. Afterall, she choosed to follow him.

"…We'll take care the wedding as soon as possible then." Okuto finally said behind them. Sasuke stopped, nodded without turning around.

"Wait, Uchiha-sama." Sasuke's track stop once again. Sakura turned around to meet Yuko's eyes.

"Haruno-sama, can I ask you one last question?"

"Well… yeah."

"…do you love Uchiha-sama?"

The atmosphere become at cold as before. Sakura's eyes meet the old lady. Without thinking, she stated her answer.

"…I think so."

For a merely second, she was assuring herself this is just an act. This is not the answer coming from her heart, she whispered. From the corner of his eyes, Sasuke watched the elders. He walked away from the place, Sakura following behind. A smirk appeared in his thin lips as they exited the building.

"He made a challenging decision." Said Okuto, broke the silence after they left.

"Her skill will be a good use for our country." Said Yushin.

"They will be a very good companion… if they both know how to deal with each other." Yuko watched the closed door. The other two elders nodded in agreement.

-.-.-.-

Sakura laying uncomfortably in the bed. Sasuke was right behind her, their back facing each other. Surely they didn't want to see each other face right now.

Sakura take a peek behind her, watching his back with uchiha fan in his shirt. Question flooding in her mind as she watched his back. He surely grown into a grown up, very handsome man. And a leader. How has he been doing in the last 8 years? Why he care so much about his new country while he abandoned his home for years? Has he been thinking about those things he left in Konoha, before he fall asleep? Because she used to think about him before sleep, after wake, almost everytime… until she realized she has forgotten how it feels to hope a certain someone to come back.

Sakura turned her head again, facing the window that's closed by the curtain. She sighed. What had she gotten herself into? She will be spending her lifetime here, in his bed, for the rest of her life… Sakura's mind flying to Konoha and the villagers. Suddenly she missed them so much.

"How many woman ever sleep here?" she broke the silent. Sasuke turned around and facing her back. She's wearing a red nightgown that fit her curves perfectly. Her velvetly pink hair that once he thought was a very annoying color, spraying on the pillow.

"None." He hear her light chuckle.

"You don't have to lie about that…" Suddenly he grab her shoulder and force her to turned around, he's hovering her and trapped her beneath him. His hand were on each side of her head. Sakura's eyes widened at his roughness. Even in the darkest, nothing can compare to the darkest side in the eyes of Uchiha Sasuke. And she realized, this was the first time she truly look on those black orbs after he left.

And it shows nothing, avoid of any human emotion.

"No woman ever enter this house." The dim light of moon shining through the thin curtain beside their bed. Sakura can see his other features, how perfect his angelic face was, and she forgot how thin his lips are. At the same time she thought she missed his presence for the past 8 years, she questioned herself if she really know the man in front of her.

"And you think I would believe that…?"

"You listen to them." Sasuke see his words taking an effect, something glimpse in her emerald eyes. Those green apples that always filled with worry and look at him in admiration, now averted her gaze and avoiding him.

"How could I don't, when they're accusing me just one of your toy?" her face become flushed with frustration but she's trying to keep her calm. She know she wasn't supposed to be like this. She didn't like him and he didn't like her either. So why they try to fit in each other happiness?

"Why don't you just pick another woman…" she muttered, turned her head, avoiding his gaze. He leaned to her, his hands held her shoulders roughly.

"I've told you why." His hot breath meet her cheek. What? About me being the one that know about you? I hardly know you now, Uchiha. Sakura tried to be calm, but the thought of both of them being as closed as this slowly getting into her skin. She need to breath without his presence. Uchiha has enough intoxicating her.

"I don't believe you."

"Stop asking me then." Sasuke finally let go of her and back-facing her again.

Sakura regain her breath, trying to get her mind off. She knew this was gonna be hard, for both of them. For him learn how to treat people like human, and for her to get accustomized with his behaviour. If they really want to work as pair, build something for people, then they have to get into a deal. Someday, they wouldl have child and want it or not they had to work things between them out.

"…nobody ever allowed using my soap." He muttered suddenly. Sakura turned around in surprise but he didn't show any sign of talking.

How come he know I'm using his soap? She's accidentally knocked it fell, but nothing poured down but a little tiny drop and she already wash her hand. How come he can still track his faintest smell on her? And yet, he said noone ever allowed to do that…

Did he allow her to be the first?

Sakura closed her eyes and choose she would believe him tonight.

-.-.-.-

A/N Sorry for the typo and misspelling, English isn't my first language. Hope you like it.