Archive of Our Own ^beta

After all, she had known him since she was young. Ever since she and Sasuke had become teammates. And since she didn't get to meet any of her grandfather—both from her mother and father's sides had already passed away when she was born, he had become sort of her grandfather figure.

She never really why Sasuke's great grandfather, Madara-oji favored her very much. Sometimes it even feels like he favored her over even Sasuke, who from what she observed is his favorite great grandson.

She remembers the first time they had met. Team 7 had just formed and Sasuke's mother had invited her, Naruto and Kakashi to their home. Sakura had been delighted because of her childish crush on Sasuke, nervous because she wanted to give a good impression on his family, as well as a little down because it was obvious that Sasuke didn't really want to invite them.

But his mother had been very welcoming, immediately telling Sakura that she was pretty and indulging Naruto with snacks that she prepared. She had become quite comfortable as Kakashi-sensei and Aunt Mikoto talked about the team and what plans her teacher had for their training. But then his grandfather enters the living room and Aunt Mikoto immediately introduced them to him.

At the time, he was rather cold and quite menacing for 12 year old Sakura, so she had been scared. She had felt that the elderly had been looking at her from time to time so she had been nervous, wondering if she had done something wrong. But the evening ended without event and Sakura had forgotten about it for a while.

But over the next few months, Sasuke's family would invite them over and Sakura got quite close to Sasuke's mom and brother. She also got used to his grandfather, who was often in their house. She would still notice that the elder would often glance her way, but since he wasn't really saying anything, she tried not to get it to her.

It was about a year after their team was formed that she first talked with Sasuke's grandfather. It was right after their chuunin exam, where they all unfortunately didn't pass. Sasuke had ended up being quite injured after his fight with Gaara that he needed to be healed by one of the legendary sannins, Tsunade.

She had been in the Uchiha compound, intending to visit him, but hesitating when she reached their front door. That was where Madara-oji found her, and our of nowhere, he invited her for tea.

She had been very nervous then, that having been the first time she was alone with him--the first time even that she talked to him. But he had been polite, if not a little distant, and was simply asking her questions. It was a weird line of questioning, she remembers. First about her family, what clan she was from, if she had any siblings; then about her training with Kakashi-sensei, her experience during the chuunin exam and things that in retrospect, seems to be just his way to get to know her. He had then talked a little about their family, and about Sasuke in particular. And at the end of the weird talk, she realized he had been trying to reassure her that Sasuke was okay, and tried to tell her not to blame herself.

He had also asked her about her plans after that, her goals in being a shinobi--which she realized by then she didn't really thought much of before. And then she remembers Tsunade. That had been the moment she realized she had wanted to be just like her. Powerful--someone who wouldn't be a burden to Naruto and Sasuke, and would be able to fight alongside them. And also useful—an irreplaceable teammate even, in the way that she would be able to heal them.

She didn't proceed in visiting Sasuke that day. Instead, she went straight to Tsunade to ask if she can be an apprentice. And when she approved, she actually came back to Madara-oji to tell him. And for the first time, he had smiled at her, looking proud.

That's when their unlikely friendship started.

Everyone seemed surprised about that. Sasuke and his whole family, as well as her other teammates and even her master Tsunade, who had known the older guy as her grandfather's friend and rival. To be completely honest, it was also something that was so unexpected for Sakura, but she really do appreciate the bond she had made.

Surprisingly, Sasuke seemed to be very annoyed at this, however. Sakura initially thought it might be because he felt that she was taking away his grandfather, but it didn't seem like he was annoyed at her. He was complaining more about his grandfather to Sakura, and warning her that he's a burdensome guy.

At this point, Sasuke and Sakura has developed genuine friendship. They and Naruto have been through a lot together, and mercifully Sakura has mature enough to know Sasuke's boundaries and is finally over her idealistic crush on him. Although, it wasn't gone—just developed into something deeper. Naruto and Sasuke, however, still oftentimes would try to rile each other up and is always competitive with each other. So even though they had also gotten much closer, it was Sakura that both would usually come to when they wanted to talk to someone. Or at least, that's how Sakura saw how their team's dynamics progressed.

Sakura had reassured Sasuke though that she didn't find his grandfather a bother in any way, and that she liked talking to him.

When they turned thirteen, Naruto had left the village to train with Jiraiya. Sakura had officially began her training with Tsunade, too. And Orochimaru, the last of the sannins, took interest in Sasuke as well. He was the one to reach out to Sasuke and offered to be his teacher. His family—his brother in particular, didn't like it, but since Sasuke was also thirsty to explore what more he can do, he took up the offer, although with his family's condition that Itachi would supervise.

She and Sasuke had gotten even closer through those years when Naruto has gone, having just each other to spar with and do missions with.

When Sakura turned sixteen, and was finally a full fledged medic nin, it was Sasuke who had congratulated her first.

He had invited her over his house then—her and Naruto who had just came back. This was something that was almost a routine to them by that point, going to the Uchihas. And Sakura celebrated her achievements with him and his family.

It was at this time that Madara-oji requested her to be his doctor. She was quite surprised—it was well known how Madara was very stubborn when it comes to his health and never really listens to his doctors, but she happily accepts. She had treated a lot of patients in the hospital during her training, but Madara would be the first patient who specifically asked for her. She felt somehow flattered. He was the Uchiha clan's most honored elder, after all.

Sasuke had been against it, however, although Sakura understood he was only genuinely worried that his great grandfather would give her a hard time.

But she had reassured him that she can handle him, and that if ever she can't, she'd have help anyway since he already have personal nurses.

He was getting on the years so he needed them.

"My grandfather favoring you so much feels weird." Sasuke confessed to her.

Sakura only laughed at that. "Are you sure you're not just jealous?"

Sasuke had rolled his eyes at her. "If anything, I should be thankful to you. Having all his attention on me before wasn't really a comfortable experience."

"Huh? I don't feel that way, though?"

"Well, he treats you like a princess, I was treated like his second coming. He wanted me to be exactly like him." He complains.

Sakura grimaced, understanding what he meant. "Well, I think he just wanted you to do good. Anyway, you really don't have to worry, Sasuke-kun. I'm only going to manage his old age, after all. He's very healthy."

Sasuke still looked worried but nodded. "If you say so. You can quit anytime, though."

Sakura laughed. "I'll keep that in mind."

As they grew older, Sakura only grew more closer to the Uchihas since she'd also become the unofficial doctor of the family. Whenever they have some worried regarding their health, they would consult with her, even for simple things like asking what was the best cough medicine. And when Itachi started going blind, she was the one who was able to develop a jutsu that, at the very least, would help the condition slow down. She was still trying to find a way to completely cure it.

It was when they were eighteen than Madara's health started rapidly deteriorating. It has started with a simple fever from a flu, but after that Madara's body seemed to just refuse to completely recover. And as a doctor, Sakura could understand why. He was just too old now. The body could not produce new cells as quickly and as efficiently as before, and most of his organs are already losing their functions.

It was inevitable. It was something Sakura, or even the best and most experienced doctors, couldn't stop.

She had known it would be coming. She had even explained it to the family. But when it did happen, it had hit her hard.

It was a little after she turned nineteen that Madara finally died in his sleep.

And Sakura had realized that all along, she had already think of him as her grandfather. So it was very hard to say goodbye.

She knew she wasn't real family, so she had been trying not to cry, and keeping to the back as the funeral progress. Still, few tears would escape her eyes and she would subtly try to wipe them away.

She didn't realize she would be mourning so much.

She hadn't even noticed his prescence until he held her hand.

Sasuke, who was supposed to be in front with his family, was beside her.

"Here." He says, offering a handkerchief with the Uchiha crest on it.

"Thanks." She just say, knowing it would be useless to try and deny she was crying.

"He died in his sleep." He tells her next. "He wasn't in pain."

Sakura just nodded, trying not to cry. She knew all this as well. She knew this was the best way to go. She was just sad because she knew she'd miss their tea times and conversations.

They were quiet for a moment as they watched the funeral progress. And then it was Sasuke who spoke first once more.

"He really did treat you like you're his real granddaughter."

"Yeah." Sakura agrees. "I realized I do see him as my grandfather, too. Since I've never met any of mine."

"Do you want to officially be his granddaughter?" Sasuke suddenly asks.

"H—What??" Sakura was caught completely off-guard. "What are you saying, Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke then sighs, and his hold on her hand tightens. "We need to talk." He says and then started pulling Sakura, leading her away from the procession and into one of the nearest empty gazebo.

When they reached it, Sasuke drops her hand and started pacing. Sakura now felt nervous.

"Sasuke, what's this about?" She asks.

Sasuke sighs once more and caressed his temple, looking grim.

"My great grandfather left a will." Sasuke tells her slowly.

Sakura nodded at this. When his health started deteriorating, she had advised him to prepare a will just in case.

"He divided most of his belongings to Itachi, Shisui and my other cousins. But he excluded me." He now says.

"Huh?? Why would he do that??"

For the third time, Sasuke heaves out a heavy sigh. "He instead included you on his will. My inheritance is to be given to you..."

Sakura gaped, feeling very surprised and confused.

"But— Sasuke-kun, I— But I didn't ask, I don't want to take your inheritance!"

"I know." Sasuke says, with yet another sigh. "It would be his last stab at making fun of me..." He mutters.

"Can we just arrange it so I can give it to you?" Sakura asks.

"We can, althought it might take a while. The easiest way to fix it is..." He trailed off, looking unsure.

"What is it, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asks.

"Well, if..." Sasuke closed his eyes, looking as if he has a headache. "If you marry me, it would naturally belong to me, too."

Sakura stared at him, her face red. Sasuke was looking away, ears also suspiciously red.

There was a long pause, wherein both seems to be overwhelmed by their own thoughts.

And then finally Sakura says, still with her face completely red, "Okay, Sasuke-kun. We can do that."

Sasuke immediately turns to her. "You'd really do it??"

"Well, I don't want it to get even more complicated..." She says, now looking on the floor.

"Okay..." Sasuke says. "Uhm, we, well, let's talk about the details later. We probably should go back."

"Okay..." Sakura says.

And in silence they went back to the funeral.

And Sasuke promised himself he'd never let Sakura see his grandfather's last letter to him.

'I've already done everything I can. If you're reading this, it means I've died without even seeing Sakura-chan become an Uchiha. You foolish boy! You wouldn't even let me have that! I've been telling you to confess since you were teenagers. She'd become a great woman, and she definitely belongs to our clan. Just marry her already! Well, you don't have a choice 'cause you won't get your inheritance unless you do. Stop being a fool. Man up! You're an Uchiha!'

END