🌸The Journey🌸

Day 4

The next morning, Sasuke and Sakura made it back into the border of the Land of Fire, hoping that they could figure out a quicker route to the other end of the land rather than working their way around, which would ideally take longer. They'd stopped for about an hour to rest and study the map.

"Hm? What's this?"

"Looks like some sort of... Small village." Sasuke peered his eyes at the small strip of land containing a small village right above the Land of Fire, next to the body of water making up the Land of Water. He hadn't really noticed it there before, either.

"The Hidden Hot Water Village!" Sakura beamed, "hey, Ino told me that Sai took her there on their honeymoon. They have some of the nicest hot springs there. Not to mention the water itself there is really something else. I know it's really going out of our way, but we should take a trip."

"Sakura..."

"Think about it." Sakura put her hand on his shoulder, "what we're getting into, with the Asekatsu and all... We might not have this same time to ourselves anymore. Shouldn't we enjoy being a normal married couple for at least a day?"

Sasuke pursed his lips. He should've seen this coming, getting into this marriage. But like Naruto had said, he should do what he can to make her happy, as much as it made him dread it. So he smiled and nodded, "okay. You're right."

Sakura grinned, "haha! Okay, if we're going to spend at least a day there, we should at least get going!"

He rose a brow, "oh? All that tiredness is suddenly out the window?"

"I'm so pumped and motivated to keep going. I can go for days, now." She laughed in response as she grabbed his hand and pulled him up with no problem at all, "so let's get going!"

She can be so bipolar sometimes. Sasuke smirked to himself as they started at a fast run through the forest until within an hour, they finally reached the small village.

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"It's so hot here..." Sasuke muttered as he took his cloak off, Sakura doing the same.

"Wow..." Sakura chuckled and wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead, "the water here is clear as crystal, it's beautiful!"

The water stretched across the horizon with the exception of a few islands. There were small buildings lining the sandy beaches and only few civilians living there, because the rest of the people there were clearly tourists. Dozens, maybe hundreds of them. Surrounding the village were small mountains, and from one, there was steam coming up from it.

"Ah! There's the hot spring!" Sakura pointed to it, and Sasuke nodded.

"Hello there!"

They turned to see a young girl about nine or ten years old running up to them. Sasuke noted the glow in Sakura's face when she saw the child.

"Hey there!" Sakura grinned, "do you live here?"

"Uh-huh." The little girl nodded, "my name's Akane. You didn't look familiar, so I came to welcome you!"

Sakura bent down to meet her level, "how old are you, Akane?"

"Ten!"

"For a ten year-old, you seem very out-going and friendly." Sasuke crossed his arm.

"Sh, Sasuke." Sakura patted his leg, "it's okay, Akane. We thank you for your warm welcome."

"Mhm!" She grinned, "what are your names?"

"My name is Sakura, and this is my husband, Sasuke." Sakura introduced cheerily, "so tell me, Akane, do you think you can point us to where we can find a hotel?"