SASUSAKU: TROUBLED TIMES

A New Life

Since Sasuke left for the Snow Country, Sakura has been adapting to the Uchiha compound. She spent every day with her sister-in-law and her mother-in-law. They teach her how to cook typical Uchiha family dishes, as well as some of Sasuke's favorite dishes. They spent the mornings cleaning, sewing and chatting. Although Sakura already knew how to do basic household chores, since her mother taught her like any woman at that time what she should know: cooking, sewing, cleaning clothes correctly, and being clean for her husband. On the other hand, in the afternoons, they left her some free time so she could use it for what she wanted most: studying.

"Sasuke told us to let you do whatever you wanted at the end of the day. He told us that you liked to read, and that you studied the arts of medicine, is that correct, dear?" Mikoto asked her.

"Yes, I've spent years studying together with my master. Thank you, Mikoto-san," Sakura said, bowing her head in thanks.

"Don't thank me, dear. Thank Sasuke when he comes back" Mikoto responded with a thin smile on her lips. Sakura was thoughtful, what did she mean? But she quickly put the thought out of her mind.

"I will do so," Sakura said as she left the room.

Every day she dedicated a few hours to the arts of medicine. Lately she was studying about nativity. Izumi was going to give birth soon and although a doctor would come to the compound, Sakura still wanted to be prepared in case they might need extra help though. She wanted to feel useful. But above all, she wanted Izumi to have a healthy and safe birth.

Weeks passed and Sakura had no news from her parents, would they be okay? Nor from her master. She would have liked to ask her so many things. But that was her new life. Now everything revolved around the Uchiha family, she was now one of them. They also had no news from Sasuke, Mikoto's concern was evident. Sometimes she could watch her thoughtfully while they were doing chores. Sakura felt guilty for not feeling so worried. Now he was her husband, she must be worried, right? But that feeling wasn't that strong yet. Yes, it is true that she wanted him to come back, and she wanted to be able to fix things, so that they could become a couple. But with his absence that was impossible to consolidate, Sakura thought.

"Are you looking forward to Sasuke returning from the north?" Izumi asked while they were sewing some tablecloths. Mikoto looked up to observe Sakura's reaction.

"I wouldn't have liked him to have left so early after the wedding. We have barely been able to share quality time" Sakura responded as she looked at Izumi. She feared the look of her mother-in-law. She thought that perhaps any wrong reaction from her could make change her mind about her.

"It's normal, sometimes men have to respond to their duties. And Sasuke is a man of actions. He likes to be active and do things. You see, he barely stops at the compound," Mikoto said with a sad smile. "But, that can change. When a man has a woman all that changes. Especially if you give him children." Mikoto continued. Sakura felt judged. They knew it? Would the family know that they hadn't had sex yet? Would they think it was her fault?

"Don't worry Sakura. I know that he will return very soon, and you will be able to start being a real family. At first with Itachi it was also a little difficult, but it's true that he makes things a lot easier" Izumi said this time, while she laughed along with Mikoto.

"Yes, Itachi is different from Sasuke. He is more understanding and closer. Both of my sons are very different, but they are both good men" Mikoto responded "Don't worry Sakura, I know that my son can be difficult at times, but I know that he will do his part to make things work" said while she continued embroidering the fabric.

"I hope so," she said in a thin voice as she stuck the needle into the fabric. Mikoto stared at her.

"My dear, never feel insecure towards a man. You are a young girl, any man would have liked to have you as a wife, my son is more than lucky to have you. Although he doesn't express it, he thinks about it, and I know that he can't wait to come back to be with you," she told her soberly. Sakura was speechless, she didn't expect Mikoto to say something like that to her.