Sakura's POV
The Cullen house buzzed with anticipation. Alice was in full wedding-planner mode, ensuring every detail of Bella and Edward's big day was perfect. Between her meticulous orchestration and the occasional chaotic moment when Emmett tried to "help," Rosalie and I found refuge in stolen moments. These moments, over the course of a week, became a tapestry of discovery, laughter, and vulnerability.
Day One: The Meadow
Rosalie guided me to a secluded meadow tucked deep within the forest. The air was cool, the ground carpeted with wildflowers. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a golden glow over the clearing.
"It's beautiful," I whispered, turning in a slow circle.
Rosalie's lips curved into a small smile. "This place has always been my escape. When things get too... loud."
I followed her to a fallen tree, where we sat side by side. She plucked a flower from the ground, twirling it between her fingers.
"Do you ever miss quiet?" I asked.
She tilted her head, considering. "Sometimes. But lately, the quiet has been... lonely."
Her words were soft, almost hesitant, and I felt a pang in my chest.
We spent hours there, talking about everything and nothing. I told her about my life before Forks, skirting the details that didn't belong to this body. She shared snippets of her past, careful to avoid the darker chapters.
When the sun began to set, she turned to me. "There's something about this place," she said. "It feels timeless."
"Like us," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
She didn't respond, but the look in her eyes said enough.
Day Two: Hunting Together
Hunting was an intimate act, more so than I'd realized until Rosalie invited me to join her. It wasn't just about sustenance—it was a dance of instinct and control.
We moved through the forest in silence, our senses sharp. The sounds of the woods enveloped us: the rustle of leaves, the distant call of a bird.
"There," Rosalie whispered, pointing to a deer grazing near a stream. Her golden eyes sparkled with focus.
I nodded, crouching low as adrenaline coursed through me. But as I prepared to strike, doubt crept in. Would she judge me if I failed?
Before I could act, Rosalie darted forward, her movements impossibly fluid. She caught the deer with precision, ending its life swiftly.
She returned moments later, the deer slung over her shoulder. "Your turn."
I hesitated, glancing at her for reassurance. She raised an eyebrow. "Come on. You've got this."
Taking a deep breath, I focused on another deer nearby. This time, I didn't hesitate. I lunged, catching it mid-stride.
When I looked up, Rosalie was clapping softly, a smirk on her lips. "See? Natural."
I grinned, wiping blood from my mouth. "Not bad for a first-timer, huh?"
"Not bad," she agreed. "But let's work on the landing."
We laughed as we walked back to the house, and for the first time, I felt like I belonged.
Day Three: The Garage
Rosalie's garage was a shrine to her love of cars, every surface gleaming with tools and parts.
"This is my sanctuary," she said, gesturing to the space.
I followed her to the vintage car she was restoring, its metallic frame catching the light. "What's the project today?"
She handed me a wrench. "You're going to help me fix the engine."
"Me?" I raised an eyebrow. "I barely know how to pump gas."
She smirked. "Good thing I'm a great teacher."
As she explained each step, I tried to focus, but her proximity made it difficult. The way her hands moved with confidence, the way her voice softened when she spoke—it was mesmerizing.
"Pay attention," she teased, snapping me out of my daze.
"Sorry," I muttered, flushing.
By the end of the day, the engine was running smoothly, and I had grease smudged across my face. Rosalie handed me a rag, her expression amused.
"You're a natural," she said.
"Don't lie to me," I replied, laughing.
"I'm not," she said softly, her gaze lingering on mine. "You did well."
Day Four: A Day in Town
Rosalie insisted we take a break from the house, much to Alice's dismay.
"She'll survive," Rosalie said as we drove into town.
We wandered through the shops, Rosalie pointing out places she had visited over the years. At one point, we passed a café, and I hesitated, the scent of coffee drawing me in.
"You miss it, don't you?" she asked.
"Miss what?"
"Being human."
I paused, unsure how to answer. "Sometimes. But... I think I'm starting to find something better."
Her expression softened, and she reached for my hand. "You're not alone, Sakura."
Her words stayed with me as we explored the rest of the town.
Day Five: Rosalie's Past
The stars were bright that night, their light spilling across the forest in silver streaks. Rosalie and I sat on the porch of the Cullen house, the quiet hum of the woods wrapping around us like a blanket.
She had been quiet all day, her usual sharp wit dulled by something I couldn't quite place.
"What's on your mind?" I asked gently.
She glanced at me, then looked away, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "I've been thinking about my past."
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," I said quickly.
She shook her head. "No, I want to. You deserve to know."
I listened in silence as she told me her story—the privileged life she had before becoming a vampire, the fiancé who betrayed her, and the brutal end she met at the hands of the men she thought she could trust.
Her voice was steady, but her hands trembled slightly as she spoke.
When she finished, I reached out and placed my hand over hers. "I'm so sorry, Rosalie."
She looked down at our joined hands, her expression softening. "It's in the past," she said quietly. "But it still haunts me sometimes."
"You didn't deserve that," I said firmly. "None of it."
She looked at me then, her golden eyes filled with something I couldn't quite name. "Thank you," she said softly.
Day Six: The Cullen Library
The Cullen house had a library that rivaled any I had ever seen, and Rosalie brought me there the day before the wedding.
"I thought you might like this," she said, gesturing to the rows of books.
I stared in awe. "Like it? I love it."
She chuckled. "Pick something. I'll read with you."
We spent the afternoon lost in the pages of a novel, sitting side by side on one of the plush couches. The world outside disappeared, leaving only the quiet rustle of pages and the warmth of her presence.
Day Seven: The Dance
The night before the wedding, Rosalie led me to the backyard, where Alice had set up a dance floor under the stars.
"What are we doing out here?" I asked as she pulled me onto the floor.
"Dancing," she said simply.
"I don't know how to dance," I admitted.
"Good thing I do," she said with a smirk.
She placed her hands on my waist, guiding me through the steps with a grace that left me breathless.
"See? Not so bad," she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Only because you're doing all the work," I said, laughing.
As the song ended, she pulled me close, her voice a soft whisper in my ear. "Thank you for coming back to me."
I looked up at her, my heart swelling with emotion. "I couldn't stay away."
By the time the wedding day arrived, I felt like I had lived a lifetime in those seven days. Rosalie had opened her world to me, and I had found a place in it I never thought I would.
But as I stood by her side, watching Bella and Edward exchange vows, I couldn't shake the small voice in the back of my mind.
This world was never meant to be mine.
And yet, as Rosalie's hand found mine, I realized something important.
Maybe it could be.