Unholy Love | SasuSaku

Uncharted Longings

"If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad."

Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

Sakura's POV

Two days had passed since Sakura had started delving into the history of the Uchiha House. Each evening, when the corridors of the monastery fell quiet and shadows stretched long against stone walls, she would retreat into the comfort of her cell. There, among her neatly stacked candles and modest bedding, she poured over the old tomes she had borrowed from the monastery's extensive library. The pages were yellowed and smelled of age, and the ink had faded in places, but they contained rich stories; stories she had never allowed herself to know before.

One volume told the legend of Uchiha Madara, a fierce warrior who had stood against injustices done to his people, but also had an insatiable thirst for power. His name was spoken with equal parts reverence and fear, and Sakura couldn't help but be captivated by the tales of his strength and the fierce love he held for his family. She had learned about the complex web of conflict that ensnared both the Uchiha and the Senju for decades, a cycle of vengeance and bloodshed that seemed endless. She found herself rereading certain passages late into the night, the flicker of candlelight her only companion.

Yet, even with all the new knowledge she gained, her mind often drifted back to a single piece of writing: the poem Sasuke had recommended to her, Echoes of an Unbroken Flame. She reread it countless times, almost ashamed of how drawn she was to it. There was something haunting and noble about the verses that spoke of an indomitable spirit, a flame that could never be extinguished. And despite herself, she thought often of Sasuke's words that first morning in the chapel. "Thousands of soldiers out there are fighting, giving their lives to protect you and people of this land." Back then, she had been defiant, but now, the weight of those words settled uncomfortably in her heart. "I think they deserve more than your pity," he had said. The thought that perhaps she had judged too quickly lingered, like a whisper she could not quite ignore.

Seeking respite from her spiraling thoughts, Sakura left her cell and made her way to the small monastery garden. The air was heavy with the scent of rain, the sky a dark tapestry of swirling gray clouds. The garden was modest, with neat rows of herbs and a few blooming flowers that she and the other nuns tended with care. Today, she had hoped the work would help clear her mind.

As she reached the edge of the garden, a surprising sight greeted her. Sasuke and Naruto were both there, moving stacks of hay beneath the covered storage area. It wasn't something she had expected to see. At any rate, not from a lord. And yet here was Sasuke, lifting bales with the same ease as any farmer's son. His dark hair clung to his forehead and his gaze was set with quiet determination. For a moment, Sakura found herself staring.

Naruto, ever cheerful despite the looming storm, caught sight of her. He paused, a wide grin splitting his face. "Sakura!" he called out, waving as he balanced a stack on his shoulder. "What are you doing out here? A storm's coming in fast. You should get back inside."

Sakura shook her head, pulling herself from her trance. "I can help," she said, stepping forward, her hands already reaching for a stack.

Naruto's eyes widened. "Eh? Don't worry about it. We've got this." But he didn't try to stop her.

Sakura moved carefully, and as Naruto disappeared beneath the storage roof to drop off his load, she found herself standing beside Sasuke. His dark eyes shifted to her, acknowledging her presence with a nod, his expression stoic. Silence settled between them, punctuated only by the rustling of hay and the distant rumble of thunder.