Chapter Text
"You can run," Ino murmurs just before Sakura steps outside to join the wedding procession to the temple. "Go now. I'll cover you."
"It isn't like that," Sakura says, shaking her head. Part of her does want to run, but not because she's doing this against her will. She's just...conflicted, and she wishes she had more time to sort everything out. But they were out of time, with the baby coming in less than a month. She'll just have to trust in love to see her through. No matter what else there may be between her and Sasuke, there is love there. She believes that with her whole heart. She prays it's enough.
"It's exactly like that," Ino insists. "They've been harassing you for months. You're like a sister to me, Sakura, and I love you, so please just listen to me. I know how clans are, and you won't be happy living like this. You won't be a princess, you'll be a prisoner."
"Your family isn't so bad," Sakura says with a smile. "And you're no one's prisoner, 'Yamanaka-sama'."
"My family is different!" Ino takes a slow, calming breath to master herself. "You're not just marrying your boyfriend, you're swearing a blood oath to follow and defend the man who nearly led a riot against the village. The man who plotted to murder Yondaime-sama! The man who openly threatened to take your child away from you if you refused to marry Sasuke!"
"Sasuke isn't his father," Sakura says firmly. "You can't hold him responsible for any of that. That isn't fair."
"And Fugaku isn't your goddamn in-law. He's your Clan Lord!" There's a depth of meaning beneath the title that Sakura can only just scratch the surface of.
"That doesn't mean the same thing to me that it does to you," Sakura says gently. "I'm still my own person, Ino. Just like Sasuke is. This isn't going to change that."
Ino sighs. "You're an idiot. But you're my idiot, and I'll always protect you. Whatever happens, don't forget that. Okay?"
Sakura reaches out and gives her a hug. "Never. But I'm not the little girl you defended on the playground anymore. So don't worry about me so much."