WARNING(S): Mentions of adultery, period-typical misogyny

Notes: This contains platonic, engaged ItaSaku, but romantic SasuSaku. The author did her best to research this time period of Japanese history and is by no means an expert on the culture. If I got anything wrong, please feel free to let me know.

"Sakura!" Her mother called. "Another letter!"

The girl gasped in delight with her friend. Gathering up their skirts, they rushed from her bedroom and hurried down the stairs as fast as they could muster.

As they reached the reception room, she breathlessly asked, "You called, Mother?"

"Another letter for you," the woman repeated, holding out a crisp, beautifully-decorated envelope with a hint of a smile playing on her coral lips.

The pink-haired young lady took it gingerly and both her and her blonde friend squealed excitedly at the intricate red seal. The uchiwa fan embossed in the silky wax spoke volumes as to who the sender was.

"I can't believe he actually sent you one," Ino, her friend, gushed, clasping her hands together.

"I know!" Sakura giggled, pausing in her steps to delicately break the wax seal on the back of the envelope. "I still can't believe he talked to me in the market! I was so sure he thought me vexing."

"Well, read it!" She impatiently crossed her arms.

Rolling her eyes, the younger girl unfurled the letter, pausing to clear her throat dramatically for emphasis. "To the young Miss Haruno, I bid you good tidings with the blossoming of spring valleys and tenderly weeping sakuras. I have arranged for a luncheon on the fifteenth between you and my brother to bless your forthcoming union." Biting her lip, she continued, "May your union flourish and bring honor to our bloodlines. With regards, Uchiha Sasuke."

"There's more... oh!" The blonde looked away as the girl hastily closed the letter, bright scarlet painting her dainty face.

"Well," mused Ino, "I should think it's good fortune that your future brother-in-law is so welcoming."

"I was worried at first, when Father told me I was to marry a prodigal," she admitted, gingerly closing the letter, "but if Sasuke has no objections, surely he cannot be such a horrible person."

"Perhaps not, but you know Sasuke has always idolized Itachi." Ino gave her a meaningful look. "If any opinion would be colored, I suspect his would."

"I trust his judgment." Sakura firmly stated. "He's one of my dearest friends. Itachi is not a scheming man."

Ino gave a shrug and heaved a sigh. "I still worry about you. He's five years older and not tied to the Uchiha fortune anymore. Why would he choose you to wife?"

"Perhaps he remembers me from childhood."

"Perhaps, but you would think he would choose another girl."

"I know him, and he must know me. Maybe he was uncomfortable choosing a stranger with qualms about treating him well."

The blonde wrapped her arms around her friend, embracing her tightly. "I worry for your marriage. This could be his way of clawing his way back up to his former fortune. Once he finds an even more respectable woman to wife, he may leave you."

"You distrust Sasuke." Sakura accused.

"I distrust Itachi," Ino corrected impatiently. "You believe too much in Sasuke."

"We've known each other since infancy, of course I believe in him."

"Too much belief is a dangerous game, Forehead. One day it will bite you." The blonde sighed, shaking her head. "Besides, he is already married. Are you still pining for him?"

The young lady gave her a flat look.

"His heart may choose you, but his duty rests most on his wife."

She looked indignant for several long moments, but finally she sagged against the wall. "I hate it when you're right," she muttered.

"I would be remiss if I let you get hurt." With a soft smile, she grasped her hand. "Is he still visiting you?"

"Only twice so far," she answered, walking with her back to her room. "I'm anxious. If he visits me again, wouldn't that make it official? And I would hate to earn the scorn of the lady Akiyama."

"It's none of her business what Sasuke does with you, anyway," huffed Ino. "We're childhood friends."

"Still..."

"Quit worrying about it. I know well as anyone else that he still holds you dearly. It's his vagrant brother I fear." With a sigh, she gave the younger a grimacing smile. "Itachi may have been tenderhearted in our youth, but a decade changes things."

"I... I'm not worried. If he loves me not, I will still have Sasuke." Her shoulders were set squarely, a sense of determination overcoming her anxiety. "Is it wrong of me to be so brazen?"

"Women are expected to receive affection, and it's a man's duty to provide affection. You're hardly scandalous to feel unsure of that. But you really should temper those desires before someone begins a rumor that you're more salacious than you are."

"I feel so conflicted," she sighed, waving her small fan. "I'll be okay, won't I?"

"I'll make sure you're alright," Ino reassured, resting a hand on her shoulder. "I'll make certain to put in a good word for you among the ladies of court. Regardless of who your husband is."

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A/N: Let me know what you thought!