Welcome, welcome! This story started from a prompt on another piece of work (Reflective - Chapter 4). I fell so in love with the concept and couldn't contain the story to a single chapter, thus this was born. If you'd like, feel free to read that chapter in Reflective, however it is by no means mandatory and will be included within this story, most likely with a few minor alterations. Enjoy!

"Are you ready?"

Though the disembodied voice seemed to echo around him, there was nothing but a pitch black expanse before his eyes. He took a few steps forward and heard the crunch of dirt beneath his shoes.

"Are you ready? We have to run."

How could he run anymore? They'd been running all night, trying to escape something that seemed inevitable. He was jerked forward by a sharp pressure at his wrist. He spurred his legs on, trying to keep up with the person that must be in front of him.

"Close your eyes, Sasuke. Don't look, just keep running. I've got you."

His heart pumped furiously and his legs ached. He swallowed gulps of air as he fought to move. His foot caught on something in the darkness and he felt himself falling down, slipping further, winding deeper, succumbing forever -

Throwing the covers aside Sasuke shot out of bed, the tendrils of his nightmare clinging desperately to his psyche. He paced the small room, the cold stone floor numbing his bare feet, while his fellow soldiers slept. How many restless nights? What was the point of sleep anymore? Throwing on his uniform, he stepped quietly outside of the barracks and found himself wandering to the garden. The chill in the air and the snow on the ground announced winter was well on its way and he was grateful for the extra layers his clothing awarded him. The sun had not yet made it over the ridges of the mountains but the sky cast enough light that he could see the path before him.

He stopped by the large, frozen pond situated at the epicenter of the Emperor's garden. It had been many months prior that they had moved the koi fish to a suitable tank inside the palace. They had been put under the care of the Emperor's daughter and seemed to be thriving all the more because of it.

"Uzumaki-san?" Sasuke turned promptly to find her standing on the snow covered path in a starkly colorful robe reminiscent of spring, "I thought that was you."

He bowed low and rose slowly in respect.

"Perhaps we should get you back inside, Haruno-sama," he made a small gesture in the direction of her quarters, but she shook her head.

"I'm afraid I'm unable to sleep," she looked into his eyes then and smiled with an exuberance he doubted anyone could rival, "I do not do well in Winter," she kneeled by the edge of the water where a smattering of foliage once bordered the lake, "Much like the flowers, I find myself wilting in this weather, trapped by the cold, unable to thrive outside," and yet, he thought, she managed to carry herself with no less grace. But, he supposed that was largely due to her upbringing, "Do you enjoy books Uzumaki-san?"

"I've not read many," he kept his distance from her, adverse to her question, merely observing as she glanced her fingers over the ice.

"I find that I read more during Winter," she began to rise, prompting him to rush forward and offer his hand, "Oh, thank you." Her soft, thin fingers gripped his tight as he pulled her up steadily. She dusted snow off of her delicate robe, leaving only damp patches where it had soaked in. He released her hand and she walked forward, keeping to the barely visible trail. Sasuke stayed within a reasonable pace, following her up the path until she paused by one of the benches resting beside a willow tree.

"Wait," he stalled her from sitting down with a gesture of his hand. She crooked a delicate brow at him, but then he reached down and shoved the snow off the stone so that she might have a partially dry seat.

"A gentleman, too," she sat and smoothed out her skirts, a soft blush coming to grace her cheeks. As he admired her, he wondered what she meant by that word 'too.' Sakura crossed her legs and rested her chin on her hand as she watched the sun rise from behind the mountains. As light began to filter into their frozen world, so it seemed sound did as well. Though they were both silent, birds began to chirp, singing the song of morning. Sakura's gaze was entranced by the way the sun caressed her empire, but Sasuke paid far more attention to much smaller details. While she watched the snow glisten and sparkle as rays of light hit patches, he noted the way her porcelain skin took on an ethereal glow under the sun.

He had heard the songs written about her beauty, the sonnets, the odes, long before he had ever seen her. He had never believed them to be true. How could they be? Then he saw her for the first time. Sasuke had been working at the palace for a full month before he'd had the pleasure of seeing her. As it was, she happened to be on the other side of the grounds, passing under the open halls of the palace to avoid the rain. He was stationed outside of her father's quarters that afternoon, diligent and strict as ever. Yet, he found himself craning for a better look. He wished she would turn her head so that he might see more of her beautiful visage. He managed only to glimpse the curve of her lips as she laughed at something a courtier said.

The first time he looked at her, really looked at her, he was presiding over a banquet with an honored guest of the Emperor's. She was breathtaking and he had wondered in that moment not the validity of those dedications to her beauty, but rather why they had all failed to do her justice. Sakura had dressed in gold silks that night, with her fabrics winking in the lights. He watched her dance and twirl around the room for longer than he cared to count, stopping only when her eyes finally rested on him and she smiled.

"Some mornings I wish the sun would not rise," she spoke so softly, as if she could keep their quiet seclusion intact, "I prefer the intimacy of nighttime and early mornings. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Of course," he answered automatically, too quickly, and she caught him with a sly grin.

"I asked you a question Uzumaki-san. Do not agree unless it is how you truly feel."

"I agree, Haruno-sama," he said carefully, glancing between her and the palace where it seemed life had just begun to awaken.

"And yet?" She prompted, turning to face him completely, vivid green eyes boring into his.

"And yet, I do not care for the silence of the night. The business of the days are a welcome distraction," he set his jaw tight, adamant that he would say no more, even if she commanded him.

"I suppose intimacy can often be synonymous with loneliness," she murmured, looking back to her domain before rising from her seat, "Good day, Uzumaki-san."

He watched her go, retreating to her chambers, and waited until she was entirely out of ear shot,

"Good day, Haruno-sama."

Sakura settled herself at the table by her window where she had left her books out. She traversed the lines of her acquired medical journals but found she could not keep her concentration for more than a few words. Recently, Sakura's attentions had become diverted by that guard. She had seen him train on the grounds with the other soldiers during the summer before last. He had commanded her sights with his fluid movements and quiet ferocity. Most notably, she was transfixed by the mystery in his dark eyes. Whenever she found him around the palace, she always made a point to speak with him, even if he did not always have something to say.

She smiled to herself, he wasn't terrible to look upon either. A knock sounded at her door and she attempted to right herself before her father strode in. A small group of soldiers followed him.

"How are you fairing this morning?" he stopped just short of hugging her, placing his hands on her arms and squeezing slightly.

"Well, father. And yourself?"

"I have experienced better days," he began to pace the length of her room, "We have discovered a number of spies within the ranks of our soldiers. They watch us for the Akatsuki. One of them was a guard stationed to you. They will be dealt with appropriately. In the meantime, the Uzumaki will be at your door."

"Are we safe?" Her breath hitched in her throat.

"For now," her father peered out the window, catching something and nodding in response, "I will keep us safe."

She watched her father retreat with his soldiers and caught a glimpse of Sasuke's back as they exited. She rushed forward before the doors closed. He turned at the sound of her hand hitting the wood.

"Uzumaki-San, please come inside. It is too cold for you to be out here."

"I am grateful for the concern but I am to guard your door," he sounded as though he were reciting a prepared speech.

"Would it not be better to guard me in here, where it is warm?" She swallowed thickly and hoped he might chock her flushed cheeks up to the bite in the air, "If that is not reason enough, then I am bored and require company."

She swore she saw him smirk before he settled into a concentrated stoicism.

"You think me better company than your ladies in waiting?"

"You are more entertaining than they," she smiles, "Please, come inside," he seemed to consider her for a moment before giving a brief nod and following her within. She was right, it was much warmer in her chambers and she had not even ignited the fire yet. He stood stiffly in the center of her room until she beckoned him over to her table. Sasuke occupied the seat opposite her, but would not take his eyes away from the window, diligent as ever, "Did you know that a doctor in India perfected a tensile string that's used in most stitching procedures today?"

"No," twice in a day, Sasuke found himself floored by the unexpectedness of her questions. At her silence, he snapped his eyes back to hers.

"It's incredibly fascinating," she pushed one of the scriptures toward him. He gave her an odd look, opening his mouth once more, perhaps to question her, but she spoke before he could formulate the words, "Indulge me. Please."

He gave a short nod and took up the pages, beginning at the top and following the words down. Sasuke knew she was watching him in a most peculiar way but he could not bring himself to react in such a manor that showed he held favor with her interests. To be plain, he thought the text was entirely too dull. He recalled the tales of valor and adventure that his brother had read to him in their younger years and felt that held more fascination. However, he had to respect her ability to take pleasure in such a subject, let alone comprehend it.

"What do you think?" Her soft voice broke the silence; she seemed to have noticed his eyes lingering at the bottom of the page.

"I'm afraid I have no opinion," he shook his head slightly, thumbing the parchment, "It is not a subject I am well versed on."

"Not many people are," she smiled, "I suppose I have the luxury of studying whatever catches my attention."

Like you, she thought.

"What is your opinion on it?" He countered, watching with curiosity the way her already vibrant eyes grew brighter when she toed the line of this subject.

"I'm afraid I, too, have no opinion. It is difficult to form one when I have not experienced it personally. However, I do find the practice of medicine fascinating and I should like to think that if I were a surgeon, I'd find this new product very helpful. They say, due to the strength of the string, it has cut the time of healing in half. It does not break easily, so it is difficult for the wound to become infected."

"Do you think you have the will for surgery?" he doubted very much that she would do well operating on an injured person, and so he couldn't keep the words in his mouth.

"I would like to find out," challenge flared within her as a small smirk beset her charming features. He held his tongue, silently daring her until he noticed her face fall. She was quick to pick it up, though, "Alas, I am not eligible for such a profession."

Sasuke caught himself then as the question hung at the tip of his tongue. The rest of the world came in clear. He'd been so focused on the curve of her smile, the shade of her eyes and the happiness hidden beneath there. He'd been so focused, he forgot why she was dressed in the finest silks, why her room was so large and decorated, and why she'd spoken with desire instead of intent. She was meant for a different life.

Sakura's eyes moved to the window where she watched as the snow began to fall and everything around them fell silent. She rested her chin on her fist as she'd done earlier, looking far more morose in that moment. Sasuke felt something seep under his skin then, a quiet chill that disturbed his thoughts. It occurred to him that despite it all, he might feel sympathy for her. Despite her luxuries, privileges, and standing, she was a person. She had hopes and dreams like he once did, before it all.

"It was not my intention to make you sad," he paused, scrambling for some semblance of an apology that held more than 'I'm sorry.'

"Of course not," she lowered her eyes, passing over the books between them, before lifting them to look at Sasuke.

"I believe you would have success in that field, if - ," his voice lifted until he lost his words within her gaze.

"If I had the opportunity?" He nodded and a flush of pink graced her cheeks.

"Perhaps one day," he fisted his hands tightly as though it might keep him from speaking any more.

"Perhaps," she laughed lightly, tapping her fingers on the table, "Did you want to become a soldier?"

"I always knew I would be," his eyes flicked to the window, unnerved by her unyielding gaze.

"But did you want to be?"

"Yes," given the circumstances, he added quietly.

"Was it because of your parents? The Uzumakis are well known for their valor," she grinned, "I've met Naruto-san on a few occasions. I admit, I don't see much resemblance," she made a small gesture towards Sasuke, "In features or personality."

"Hn," Sasuke nodded curtly, "I have heard that many times."

"Was it your parents? Or was it your brother's influence?"

"Both," Sasuke began to fidget, adjusting himself in the chair.

"Do I make you uncomfortable?" She smirked, cocking her head to the side, "Or is it the topic I've chosen?"

"Both," he frowned. Sasuke began to wish that the Emperor had chosen someone else to look after his daughter.

"Why?" She leaned forward, prodding him with the language of her body, the fierceness of her eyes, and the bluntness of her words.

"You ask too many questions," his brows furrowed and he leaned away from her.

"I could never sit still when I was a child, especially when I had lessons of etiquette. I know how to behave properly, but at times I have the decision not to," again she smirked as he squirmed beneath her gaze, "How unfortunate for you that I've chosen not to be proper in this moment."

Sasuke froze; she was teasing him, mercilessly, too. Had she nothing better to do? A sharp knock came to the door and Sasuke shot to his feet. Surely he would come into trouble because he had obeyed this indulgent woman, but as he went to open the door, he found only one of the kitchen servants holding a tray of food. She walked silently to where Sakura sat and placed the platter beside the books. Sakura thanked her with an innocent smile and the servant left. Sasuke turned back from the door to see Sakura watching him intently.

"Join me. I suspect you missed breakfast this morning given how early I found you in the gardens."

Against his better judgement, he resumed his seat facing her as she pulled the coverings off her food. Steam arose from the freshly cooked meats and roasted vegetables, alluring Sasuke. Sakura began to cut away pieces, pushing them into a pile. When she had finished she offered him the fork. He shook his head.

"I will eat tonight."

"I am not offering Uzumaki-san," she held the fork out to him again. Sasuke held his tongue and took the knife instead, stabbing it through a piece of chicken. Sakura waited until he had placed the food on his tongue to begin eating. They ate in silence, though Sakura continued to push different things to what was becoming his side of the plate. He tried not to watch her, not to look at her, especially when she caught him, but he found it very hard to avert his eyes. All her delicate sensibilities and soft features, yet she ate like many of the men he roomed with in the barracks. She attacked her food as one might an army, and showed no shame for it. Somehow, she still managed to look beautiful as she tried to break off a piece of chewy meat with her teeth, laughing all the while.

Finally, they had cleared the plate, and truthfully, Sasuke had not found it hard. Skipping breakfast had made him particularly famished and he found that the food they served her was far superior to what he ate; they spared no expense on seasonings.

"Thank you," she patted her full lips with the cloth on the platter and set it down on the table, "They always give me too much food."

Sakura took up a red, prickly ball and twirled it in her fingers.

"Though I didn't have a choice, you're welcome," he responded, watching as she peeled back the spiked skin, revealing an almost translucent flesh.

"Have you had one of these before?" She asked, wielding the small, now naked ball. Sasuke shook his head, "They come from China. They're called lychees. It's a popular fruit there and I came across them while we travelled one summer. It was so hot and they were so refreshing. I grow them here, but I've yet to produce one as sweet or succulent as that first one I consumed," Sakura offered him the fruit and he took it without question. When he popped it in his mouth, she picked up another one and began peeling again. He chewed and found that the skin gave way easily, but a hard pit lay in the center, causing him to almost spit it out. Sakura laughed, noting the look on his face, "I was surprised the first time I ate one, too. I did not know what lay at the center."

He chewed around the pit, tearing away the sweet, clear pieces of fruit and savoring the juices that gushed forward. When he finished, he pulled the pit out of his mouth and left it on their finished plate. Sakura took only part of the fruit in her mouth, moving around the pit until she had cleared it completely.

"I have never had anything so sweet," he spoke with a sense of marvel.

"It is my favorite fruit, so harsh and foreboding on the outside, but utterly opposite inside," she began to peel another fruit, eyes glinting in a way that he found mischievous. He felt himself falling into a feeling so dangerous that it enveloped him whole, awoke his mind, and kindled a fire he hadn't known he possessed. Why did she look at him that way? She appeared to want to possess him, strip him of his armor and burrow within his deepest secrets. He wasn't afraid of her, rather fascinated unfortunately, but he felt something warning him to leave, to keep away from her then.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Haruno-sama, but I should resume my post now," he rose from the table and she didn't stop him. She watched him go, keeping silent until he was at the door.

"Thank you for the company," she said quietly. He stepped outside and shut the door behind him. In the cold crisp air he felt like he could finally breathe again, like time had resumed and he was no longer captivated by her presence. He shook his fingers through his hair and ran his hands down his face as the snow blanketed the world around him.

Sakura found herself restless that night. The fire burned heartily, warming her chambers, but she could not find sleep. Somebody new was posted within her sitting room should she need anything, but the fact that it was not Sasuke irked her terribly. Try as she might, she could not cast out the depth of his eyes nor the strength of his features that plagued her so. He was a handsome man and fascinating in his obscurity. She wondered how it was for Naruto to have grown up with a brother so different. Naruto was so exuberant and shared Sakura's enthusiasm in all things, but it was difficult to obtain a response in anything from Sasuke. She turned to the other side of her bed, unaware that Sasuke was having a similar issue with sleep just on the other side of the palace grounds.

Like tiny threads woven through his body, linked within his sinew and bone, he felt something pulling him from another fitful slumber. He sat up straight, the echo of Itachi's voice prominent in his mind, calling Sasuke's name like a prayer. He shook the covers off, letting the dream fall away with them. Taking up his uniform, he donned it promptly and took off to the gardens. The world was almost pitch black, only a thin crescent moon and a smattering of stars hung over the frozen grounds. He crossed the length of the path surrounding the lake until he'd almost worn away the fresh snow that lay there.

He was growing tired of these memories that had become gnarled and twisted into near unrecognizable content. It was becoming increasingly difficult to trust the allure of sleep these days. With a despondent exhale, Sasuke seated himself at the bench beside the willow tree and watched the sun rise.

Gradually, the world around him came to life. The birds tweeted merrily, groundskeepers began their rounds, and the Emperor's daughter emerged from her rooms. She spotted him and smiled so brilliantly he thought the sun ought to be shamed.

"Good morning, Uzumaki-san," she had the fabric of her skirts gathered in her hands to allow her longer strides in her effort to reach him.

"Good morning, Haruno-sama," out of courtesy, Sasuke stood and offered her his seat.

"Will you sit with me?" she would not sit until he complied with a simple nod and seated himself beside her. "How did you sleep? I suppose it was not well, as you seem to have been out here for some time."

"You slept better than I," he assured her, training his eyes to the icy lake, though he could see her probing gaze in his peripheral.

"Do you think so?" she asked, tugging at the hems of her gloves.

"Did you not?" he meant to spare her a brief glance. Instead, he lost himself to the depths of her verdant orbs and the light that seemed not to reflect, but rather emanate from the recesses there.

"No," she responded gently, as though it were a trivial thing, "I found I had to exhaust myself into the wee hours of morning before I was able to sleep."

"Are you troubled?" Sasuke wasn't entirely sure why he was asking. As a guard, it was his duty to defend her against any physical troubles that sought to harm her. However, he suspected she was not plagued by physical matters. Emotions, issues of the heart, intangible things that he could not grasp - well, that was not his area of proficiency.

"I suspect so," she trailed off then, breaking their eye contact to stare into the horizon, "No matter," she came to her feet abruptly then, causing Sasuke to shoot to his. She laughed softly, "Uzumaki-san, you are more a gentleman than my suitors."

"It is my job, Haruno-sama," he evaded her eyes when she took hold of his arm and led him down the path to her chambers.

"With respect to your training, I doubt that is what they taught you to become a soldier," she gave an intonation to her words that bordered on humorous. Rather than give an inane response, Sasuke kept his mouth shut tight. He hadn't learned manners by training with fellow guards. His mother had taught him from a young age to rise when a lady rises, to offer his seat when she came, and to give his respect to her in every manner.

"I do not know your name," Sakura said suddenly, fingers hovering over one of her chess pieces.

"Uzumaki is fine," Sasuke said stiffly. She tapped her index finger on the head of the rook, watching him with curiosity.

"Do you know my name?"

Sometimes Sasuke wondered if she was aware that she spoke her thoughts so loud and freely.

"Yes," his brows furrowed. He doubted anyone in the Emperor's land didn't know her name, nor the reason for it.

"Say it," she took her fingers away from the board and leaned back in her chair. Sasuke swallowed; was this a trick? What pleasure could she possibly derive from the utterance of her name?

"Sakura," he had spoken the word so often in his mind, fleeting, in passing mostly, but a shiver ran through him as he gave voice to it now. There was a meaning behind it, a weight to the word that hadn't existed before that moment and he felt it resting on his tongue, "You were named Sakura, because your mother had gone into labor beneath a cherry blossom tree and had given birth to you on the first day of spring."

"What is your name?" Sakura seemed unfazed by his knowledge surrounding her birth and he suspected he was not the first to recite her own beginnings to her.

"It is unimportant," he crossed his arms over his chest, and regarded her warily,

"I disagree," she shook her head lightly, "It has become very important to me to know your name. I do not wish to continue to call you Uzumaki-san, most especially if you are to be my guard indefinitely."

Perhaps he was not the first soldier to be subjected to her willful manners, he thought idly.

"My name is Sasuke, but you may call me what you wish, Haruno-sama."

"Sakura, please," she said earnestly, "Sasuke-kun."

He tensed under her open gaze at the sound of a name not uttered in years. It sounded so sweet and unassuming coming from her lips, unbridled of pain or indignity. She would not look away from him, waiting for his secrets to surface. She had to know they were there, woven into his skin, burrowed in his bones. They bubbled under his skin, inspiring the heat of anxiety through his body and the chill of fear in his heart. Did she see it, the flicker of terror in his eyes, the tension in his shoulders? She spoke his name once more, drawing each letter out with a sinfully pleasured smile. His heart stuttered in his chest, but he could not let it show. He dropped his stare to the game between them,

"It is still your turn, Sakura-san."