Tests of Heart

🌸Chapter 7: Fun Night

As Nagato worked on paperwork, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong or at least was going to go wrong. The anxiety was overwhelming as he sat in his office room in the home he and Sakura shared. That was until arms wrapped around him and he felt lips on his cheek.

"What are you working on, love?" Sakura asked with a smile as she poked his nose.

Nagato let out a gruff sounding laugh and pulled her to where she sat on his lap and wrapped his arms around her.

"Nothing important now that you're here," he said as he gave her a kiss.

Sakura giggled against his lips and pushed herself away from him gently. "I'm not more important than your paperwork," she chided.

Nagato let out a laugh at her scolding tone and pressed his forehead against hers. "You are the most important thing in my life."

Sakura blushed and shook her head, believing the opinion was the truth to him.

"Well hurry up with your work so we can go out with the others," she said as she got up from his lap and flicked his forehead gently.

"As you wish, master," he said, laughing when she blushed in embarrassment at his words.

"Just hurry up!" she muttered, covering her blushing face as she left the room. There was still a lot to plan for the festival and she couldn't afford her mind being muddled.

🌸

Nagato still couldn't get the worry out of his head, even as he sat with the others to plan the festival happening here soon.

"What do you think, Nagato?"

He shook his head as he came out of his daze and looked around, finding everyone looking at him.

"Are you okay?" Sakura asked, worried. "You've been out of it the past couple days."

Nagato sighed and got up from his chair.

"I'm sorry everyone," he said gruffly. "I've just got this feeling, and it won't seem to go away."

"What is it?" Konan asked.

"I dunno," he answered. "Something's just gonna go wrong."

Sakura looked at him in question as he excused himself and looked around at Yahiko, Konan, and the other festival planners. She had no idea what was getting into Nagato's head, but she didn't like it at all.

"I'll go after him," she said as she got up.

Everyone just watched in worry as she left.

It didn't take her long to catch up with Nagato as he had just stepped out onto the balcony outside the next room over. He was just standing there leaning on the railing with his head in his hands.

"Nagato?" Sakura asked hesitantly.

He didn't move much as he let out a sigh, just moving his head really as he looked over his shoulder at her. He shook his head and went back to his earlier position with his head in his hands. She didn't like what she was seeing.

"Maybe you're too stressed?" she asked herself as she put a hand on his back.

He grunted and she took the sound as agreement from him and smiled as she let out a laugh, his grunt reminding her of Itachi.

"What're you laughing at?" he asked as he turned to her.

Sakura laughed even more, and he couldn't help but smile, his worries starting to vanish as he listened to her.

"You reminded me of Itachi when you made that sound," she said as her fit of laughter died down.

Nagato hummed as he smiled. She always seemed to make everything better for him. Her laughter was the best kind of medicine.

"Y0ur laughter is the best medicine I could ask for," he mentioned with a dismissive wave of his hand.

Sakura blushed in embarrassment but smiled anyway. "Oh? How so?"

Nagato looked out over Ame and was silent for a moment before he turned back to her and rested his cheek on his hand as he leaned on the railing.

"Your laughter makes me forget my worries, even if for just a moment," he said softly, smiling lightly.

Sakura laughed yet again, her blush darkening on her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around him.

"You're my safe place too," she said to him as she snuggled into his chest.

Nagato's smile increased and he kissed the top of her head as he wrapped her in his arms lightly then pushed her away. She pouted at the motion until he made her look up at him.

"As much as I'd like to stay this way," he said, "we need to get back in there and help plan."

Sakura pouted more but nodded. He poked her nose gently causing her to laugh and smile and they headed back in. The worry was still in the back of Nagato's mind, but it didn't seem as big now.

🌸

Sakura sighed as she sat in front of the toilet yet another morning. She'd been sick for the past few weeks with something she couldn't get rid of. It caused her to be sick at the toilet every morning until early afternoon, then she was fine after that. She was so perplexed. She didn't let it stop her though because there was still a lot to do and plan.

The festival was finally upon them, the first festival Ame would be hosting in forever. The sky was clear for once and it didn't seem like it was going to rain any time soon. The day was turning out perfect. Many stalls would be up and running and Sakura herself would be part of the festivities, providing medical attention to those who need it during the event.

Sure, she couldn't enjoy the event like she had at Konoha, but that didn't mean she couldn't still enjoy the festival as a whole. Seeing everyone having fun was enjoyable enough for her.

Finally with the cleanup underway and taking down the stalls, Nagato could relax. The night went by without a hitch, and that made Nagato's anxiety drop considerably. Overall, it was a fun night.

Of course, no one could tell the future.