Summary: AU Sakura is a princess who agrees to an arranged marriage. During her journey, she is threatened by her servant into switching places. Will anyone still be able to find out who the real princess is? Based on 'The Goose Girl' of The Brothers Grimm
Pairings: Sakura/Sasuke; minor Naruto/Hinata
~Chapter 1: The Decision~
A field of flowers covered the earth. Their multihued beauty ornamenting the garden with their gaudy petals floating about, whirling with the breeze that blew upon the magnificent place. The princess laughed as she waltzed as gracefully as the petals' dance. Her vibrant roseate tresses, reaching several inches past her shoulder, flew about her as she twirled around while her dazzling emerald orbs sparkled with bliss.
She loved the garden; its peacefulness and beauty giving her a sense of tranquillity. It never failed to get her lost in her own euphoric world. Every dilemma left forgotten and every responsibility she had with her lineage she disregarded. In the garden she was free. In this picturesque world of flora, she was herself. Not the perfect princess her people expected her to be nor the royalty that others treated with nothing but stereotypical respect merely because of her position. In this oasis, she is herself. She is Sakura.
"I see that you've been playing in the gardens again, Forehead." A young woman, equal in beauty to her best friend, uttered in an amused tone. Her lustrous platinum locks flowed past her waist and swayed to her every move. Her sapphire eyes regarding her closest friend with delight as she strutted towards Sakura's bed and settled herself beside the other.
"What makes you say that, Ino-pig?" The rosette inquired teasingly without sparing her best friend a glance and continued to brush her hair.
"You smell like flowers again." Ino pointed out. She then smiled gently and added: "It suits your namesake."
"Shall I say that your appearance suits your namesake as well?" Sakura laughed at the frown that graced the blonde's features.
"Don't push it."
"I'm not." The other assured. "What brings you here, Ino?" Sakura asked in a serious tone.
Ino smiled at her and spoke again. "King Naruto's here. He brought his wife with him."
Sakura's mood immediately brightened. "That's great! I can't wait to see him and Hinata-chan!"
"Hahaue, it's been a while." A dashing young man bowed to the Queen of the Kingdom of Spring.
The beautiful ruler laughed and told him to rise. "You don't have to call me mother if you don't wish to. Despite being raised as my son, you're not. Don't compel yourself to do what you don't desire."
He laughed as he straightened up; as he did so, the light from the chandeliers made his already bright sun-kissed blonde hair look more vivid. His cerulean eyes glinted with mischief when he replied. "Hahaue, when have I done something I don't desire? I may have inherited the kingdom of my late parents but, aside from Sakura, I don't have any blood relation to speak of. So, whether you like it or not, you will still be my mother."
The blonde queen chuckled at her former foster son's words and commented: "King Minato and Queen Kushina would be proud of you, Naruto."
Naruto grinned: "I hope so."
"Onii-san!" Sakura ran into the room and tackled her brother into a hug. "I missed you!"
"I missed you too, Imouto." Naruto enveloped his sister into a tight hug. "Have you been playing in the gardens again?"
The rosette beamed at her brother. "How did you know?"
"You still smell like flowers."
This made everyone in the room laugh. Peeking around Naruto's shoulder, Sakura noticed the form of her sister-in-law. She bounced over to the young woman and hugged her. "Hinata-chan!"
Naruto's wife smiled gently at the girl. She had unusual yet entrancing lavender orbs and waist-length midnight blue hair. Hinata, seeing as she was the same age as Sakura, is very close to her sister-in-law, so she hugged back. "Sakura-chan, how have you been?"
"Still in good health." The rosette answered.
"Sakura..." The queen interrupted. When everyone's attention was on her, she continued. "Please escort Queen Hinata to her room."
Sakura nodded and cheerfully replied: "Yes, Hahaue." She bowed before leading Hinata away by the hand.
As soon as the two girls left, Naruto's cheerful expression was replaced by a troubled one.
"What's this issue you wish to speak to me about?" The woman demanded.
The blonde man took a deep breath before proceeding to explain his purpose. "As you've known, since the Kingdom of Leaf is right beside the Kingdom of Fan, I've become good friends with the second prince there. I'm sure you've heard about the first prince giving up his right to be king, leaving the second prince as the next heir to the throne." The queen nodded in affirmation. "We've been planning to form an everlasting alliance between our kingdoms as soon as he inherits it. However, there is a problem; the current king refuses to give the throne to his younger son unless he is married."
"What are you saying?"
"He wants the younger prince to marry. And since he found out about the planned alliance, he demands a bride from my kingdom or the kingdoms I'm allied with." Naruto sighed. "I have no one to offer and the other kingdoms refuse to help me... their daughters are too young, too old or already married and the king of the Kingdom of Fan will not accept anyone except the best."
The queen's hazel eyes narrowed. "So you're saying that you plan to force your own sister into an arranged marriage?" She asked through gritted teeth.
Naruto laughed. "Never!"
"Are there any consequences if this alliance isn't formed?"
"I'm afraid we'll have to go to war." The blonde man said regrettably. "The king of the Kingdom of Fan has been setting his sights on my kingdom for some time now. Now that my father is dead, he plans to take advantage of it. The only way to stop this is the alliance." Naruto sighed. "I will never force my sister into this... I would fight instead." He clenched his fist. "And besides, I'm sure she won't accept it. That girl loves her freedom too much."
"I would." The subject of their conversation's familiar voice echoed throughout the room. The two sovereigns glanced at the rosette's determined expression with wide eyes.
"I-Imouto! What are you doing here? How much have you heard?"
"Ino offered to escort Hinata-chan instead so I decided to come back. I didn't intend to eavesdrop, forgive me." She bowed. "But the mention of my name caught my attention. Pardon my rudeness."
"What do you mean 'you accept', Sakura?" The queen's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"I accept the arrangement." She said with as much conviction as a queen.
"No, Sakura! You can't! I can't do that to you! I'll just fight instead!" Naruto was distressed. He didn't want to take away his sister's happiness.
The princess gave her brother a reassuring smile. "The Kingdom of Leaf may not be where I have grown up but it is still my kingdom as much as yours. Let me fulfil my duty as a princess of our kingdom as well as a daughter to our late parents."
"But—"
"Innocent people will be hurt if a war is to occur. As the leader of the kingdom, you must do everything to protect your people, even if you have to marry off your sister. I am willing to do everything to protect our kingdom, how about you, Onii-san?"
Naruto remained quiet. He found that he cannot counter his sister's words since they are true. How could he have been selfish? He cannot risk his people's lives just because he wanted his sister's happiness. How about his people's happiness? No, he can't risk the lives of thousands. Despite this, the arrangement still didn't make him happy.
"Besides..." Sakura smiled. "... The prince is your best friend isn't he? I'm sure he'll treat me well as respect to your friendship."
Naruto smiled forlornly. "I suppose."
Sakura petted her horses' nose and nuzzled into its neck. "Oh, Shiro... am I doing the right thing?"
Shiro has been Sakura's horse since she was a child. She had grown up with the stallion always at her side and she dearly loved it. And the best thing about Shiro is that it was an unusual horse; not only because of its pure white colour that made it look ethereal but also because of the fact that Shiro can talk.
"Only you yourself can judge your own actions, dear princess." Shiro said politely. His deep voice soothed Sakura as she continued to snuggle into his neck. "I cannot decide for you if it is correct or not."
"You are still as wise as ever." The rosette laughed. "You will accompany me on this journey, right Shiro?"
"Only if you wish for me to accompany you, princess." The mount replied politely and with a hint of fondness in its tone.
"It is my wish for you to do so."
"Then so be it." The stallion said and bowed his head in respect.
A week has passed and a group of people gathered around the castle gates, bidding their beloved princess a safe trip. There were neither extravagant carriages around nor a procession of soldiers to accompany the princess; only the princess and her horse.
It has been decided that the princess was to travel alone with one servant to accompany her. It would draw less attention and would lessen the chances of them being robbed. Also, it was a widely known fact that the king of the Kingdom of Fan not only wanted a refined lady in his family but also someone who can stand up for themselves; someone strong. Sakura had been trained by her foster mother, one of the strongest women in history, Queen Tsunade of the Kingdom of Spring, so she can protect herself. Also, by presenting herself this way, it would increase the chances of her being accepted into the family.
"Sakura..." Tsunade stepped forward. "... I have found a servant to accompany you." She gestured for someone behind her. A girl Sakura's age stepped forward. She had crimson hair with one side unkempt and the other neatly let down. She had matching ruby-coloured eyes hidden behind glasses. Sakura had to admit, this girl was somewhat pretty.
"This is Karin. She will be accompanying you on your journey." The queen introduced.
Karin bowed to the princess. "It is an honour, your highness."
Sakura smiled at her. She seemed nice. "It is very nice to meet you, Karin."
When Karin stepped back, Shiro, who stood behind the pink-haired princess, nudged its mistress. "Princess, be wary of her. There is something amiss."
Sakura was about to say that the stallion was just paranoid but she paused. Shiro had never been wrong about his predictions before. Everything Shiro said always had a reason behind them and she had never once doubted him. She kept his warning in mind.
"Sakura..." Tsunade broke her foster daughter's reverie. "... here." She gave Sakura a handkerchief with three drops of blood. "This is my own blood. It is said that when one carries the blood of their parent with them they will be protected from harm, for the gods favour their familial piety. I pray that, despite this being simply a superstition, it would safeguard you."
"Thank you, Hahaue." The princess smiled and hugged the woman.
When the two separated, the princess' blood brother cut-in and held her close and whispered. "Imouto, please take care of yourself. I will be returning to the Kingdom of Leaf tomorrow and then I'll visit you immediately." He then pulled away and grinned at her. "I sent a letter to my friend, announcing your arrival. He'll treat you well; else, he'll find himself on friendly terms with my fist." Naruto emphasized his point by raising his fist and giving her a wink.
Sakura giggled softly and kissed her brother on the cheek. "I'll hold you on that, Onii-san."
"Believe it."
The prince of the Kingdom of Fan sighed exasperatedly. Why is it that when his brother was to be king, all he had to do was be the perfect son that he is? Now that he, the younger son, was the next heir, he had to be married just to ascend the throne. Why is existence so unjust?
"Your highness." A voice called out from outside his room.
"What do you want?" The prince asked coldly. His emotionless obsidian eyes glared at the door, as if it was the cause of all his problems.
"I bring a message for you."
He growled at the triviality of the cause of his train of thought being derailed. "I'll take it later. You are dismissed."
The prince smirked; he knew that the messenger was probably shaking by now. It brought him sadistic pleasure to see people tremble beneath his presence. No, he wasn't cruel to the point that he'll love it for people to forever fear him. He just needed a source of amusement for the time being, even for just the sake of keeping his emotions in check and not lashing out at how unjust his father treats him. He is Sasuke, and he never loses control of his emotions. Never.
"But, Your highness!" the messenger protested in a shaky voice. "It's from King Naruto of the Kingdom of Leaf!"
One of Sasuke's finely-shaped eyebrows raised in curiosity as he stood up. He walked leisurely to the door and opened it. He then snatched the scroll out of the messenger's grasp and slammed the door in his face. For a few seconds, Sasuke stood in front of the closed door and listened to the sound of the messenger's feet scurrying as far away as possible from the prince's quarters; this made a smirk crawl its way onto his lips.
When the prince sat himself in front of his desk, he had already finished reading the scroll that came from his best friend. Apparently, the blonde had found him a bride and she was on her way to his Kingdom. He sighed; if the princess was a fan-girl, he'll experiment his numerous methods of torture on the dobe; every single one of it.
He hated girls that went after his looks; he loathed it when they throw themselves at his feet or drool at him from afar. He hated it that they only saw him as a piece of trophy that could be won if they emerged victorious in a pathetic battle of banter and hair-pulling among themselves. Have they no shame?
However, Naruto had emphasized on his letter that the bride was not a fan-girl. That she was perfect. Sasuke didn't know how accurate the blonde was but he chose to trust his judgement. The prince was about to roll up the scroll when he noticed what seemed to be last-minute scribbles at the end of the message. He unrolled the parchment even further and found a message that his best friend added.
He read the passage and smirked. How interesting. It was, apparently, a poem that the people of the Kingdom of Spring composed as a tribute to their princess. This girl is obviously loved. He browsed through it again.
Dance in the palace gardens,
Beneath Daystar's dazzling gleam;
O' elegant Spring Princess
Of beauty nothing could dim
~O~
Of vibrant rosy tresses;
Carnations cannot compare.
With sparkling eyes of gem;
An entrancing tint so rare.
~O~
Of fragrant blossoms scented,
Waltzing with the gentle breeze,
Loveliest amidst a flower bed
O' nymph of the cherry trees.
If she is indeed as interesting as the poem says, then he is looking forward to her arrival. But, first of all, he had to inform his father about this.
A/N: So, what do you think? I've been reading some fairy tales lately and I had this urge to write a fanfic based on those fairy tales. This is actually a 'project' with a friend of mine. I would write one for SasuSaku and one for ShikaIno while she writes one for NaruHina and one for NejiTen. This was supposed to be only a one-shot but I can't help but make it a bit longer.
I placed a divider for the poem since it's important for me to define which stanza is which.
Anyway, reviews are very much appreciated.
