IRREVOCABLE LOVE pt 1

Title: Her Highness

Pairing: Uchiha Sasuke & Haruno Sakura (Minor pairings mentioned.)

Prompt: Rake. Prince.

Summary: "There are really only two paths this could go." Naruto said in amusement, watching Sasuke bend his head to listen to Sakura talk amongst the noise of the ball as he led her to the dancing area. Gaara raised his eyebrow in interest but did not speak. Naruto continued carelessly, "One is he breaks her heart and she breaks his, hence they'll become worse than ever-" Gaara's face darkened considerably, making Naruto grin. "Or they fall irrevocably in love and live happily ever after."

Disclaimer: ©Masashi Kishimoto

Order of Titles

Monarch

Prince/Princess

Duke

Marquis

Earl

Viscount

Baron

Baronet

Order of Titles

End

I

"Oh dear," Karin giggled into his lips when he forcibly dragged her into a section of the library with no chaperone in sight. "I fear I shall be expelled had they known I crossed the borders."

Sasuke smirked captivatingly. His tongue flicked into her mouth as he deepened the kiss, efficiently pinning her to the stained glass windows. "They could hardly expel you if no one tells."

His hand dropped scandalously from her waist to her inner thighs, bunching up the dress and inching upwards until his fingers touched the flimsy article protecting her. Then he whispered in a husky voice, "I know I won't."

"You and your cocky self!" Karin reprimanded haughtily before blushing brightly and simpering like a fangirl. Sasuke sighed in annoyance. Kami-sama, he hates it when she does that dual-personality thing. Bordering on Bipolar.

"You mean me and my cock." He said wryly, suddenly feeling a bit bored. Karin moaned when he suddenly touched her.

'Finally—blessed silence of sorts.'

He caressed her there, leaning forward to catch her ear between his teeth. His tongue swirled enticingly, earning shudders from the woman beneath him. His other hand crept up to the exposed cleavage before harshly pulling down the material covering big globes of feminine wiles. He kissed her neck before languidly trailing a wet path down the porcelain column.

She moaned loudly, clutching his shoulders as she wantonly arched against his wandering hands.

Finally reaching the swell of her breasts, he began licking his way to the tip. His fingers circled her clit almost effortlessly. He was opening his mouth to capture the perk nipples when movement from the driveway in front of the school caught his attention from his position by the window.

Closing his mouth in distraction, he leaned forward for a closer look, blatantly ignoring the whine of the duke's daughter and dropping all pretenses in favor of indifference.

"Have I done something displeasing?" Karin demanded, fixing her dress as she tried to trace his line of vision. The parade of six black cars and a white limousine in between, as well as the red-haired prince currently making his way to the white vehicle captured her eyes. "Oh, that."

Sasuke turned to her. "What do you know of it?"

Her lips turned up, fingers caressing his glorious neck lightly. He caught her wrist in annoyance. She pouted.

"The Princess of the Land of Spring shall attend the Royale St. Etoile Academy after her shenanigans in three kingdoms the past year and one ruined national monument. It almost brought up an international crisis but his highness, her king-daddy made everything all hush-hush. I only learned about it 'cause cousin Naruto was talking too loudly in the phone. The king has forbade contact with her until she had behaved, shipping her to this boarding school without any protection. The Subaku royal family decided to sponsor her, as they are close relations." Karin explained, before fixing her make-up with her compact. "Well, it seems that something else has taken your fancy so I best return to the ladies' division."

Sasuke shrugged carelessly, fixing his tie and watching her saunter off with ennui stark in his face. A flash of pink caught his attention this time and he watched as an enchanting woman gracefully exited the car with Gaara assisting her, her head tossed back in laughter.

He was suddenly filled with the urge to know the color of her eyes, desire undoubtedly tightening his stomach.

II

She thought she saw someone watching from a window in second floor, all dark and mysterious under the stained glasses. She shuddered to think that it was a ghost at all.

"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" Ino said with a grin, stealing the pink-haired girl from Gaara. Sakura blinked then shook her head at the blonde's antics before curiously looking at the ladies lingering near them. Ino crinkled her nose in distaste.

"Really, not even out and they're already acting like such nosy bored wives." Ino complained, holding Sakura's hands tenderly before kissing her cheeks soundly.

"I'd say it was practice." Temari said, holding out her hands to Sakura.

"I'd say I couldn't care less." Sakura murmured with eyes sparkling in mirth, squeezing Temari's hands affectionately.

"You'd say that." Ino said, rolling her eyes. Sakura laughed.

"Never mind that, Ino-pig," Ino cut her off with an obnoxious 'shhh', making the girl blink at her in surprise.

"Never. Call me. That." the blonde said through gritted teeth, face stiff.

Temari laughed rather loudly at that and Sakura joined her merrily as she caught both their arms. They started their brisk pace as Gaara silently escorted them from behind.

Starting again, she coughed dramatically.

"That is, Lady Ino. You must fill me in so I don't feel lost meeting all the unfamiliar faces." She smiled at a familiar earl's daughter's deep curtsy, nodding her head regally as another followed the example. "I feel awful when I just don't know what is where and who."

Ino beamed at the proposition, eager to share all the gossips she knows of.

"There are really only three people to be wary of. Prince Sasuke Uchiha, Lady Karin Uzumaki and..."

Temari grumbled at having been forced to listen.

III

Within a week, a ball was immediately prepared for the coming out of the elusive princess, whose face was either protected by the tall frames of her cousins and her dear friend, heiress of the Yamanaka clan, Lady Ino.

The ball was hosted by Her Highness, Princess Temari of Sand using the protocol that is practiced in the real world. All the chandeliers were lit up, the orchestra was playing some lovely music, the servants were swiftly tending to the ball and all the guests were being announced upon their entry. There were even some esteemed guests present, proper chaperones to ensure the safety and oversee the heirs such as Princess Tsunade of Konoha (honorary title), Prince Asuma of Konoha (honorary title) and his wife, Miss Kurenai and Viscount Hatake, escorting Miss Shizune. Everyone played along. It was a useful practice for the actual coming outs in the future.

"The ball is in full swing. What took you so long?" Temari had demanded heatedly, meeting the princess' twinkling emerald eyes to no effect. She ignored the droning of the butler behind her and focused on the tight-lipped girl who had appeared so very suddenly. There were still three to be announced, two of them watching the curtains that hid the princess from their view curiously.

"His right honorable, the Earl of Nara."

"Oh, you know I have not finished exploring this old castle." She murmured, looking up at her innocently. "I gathered the whole of St. Etoile and Arden is too busy to notice my late attendance."

"That would've worked if you were not the guest of honor, dummy."

"The Viscount Hyuuga and Miss Tenten Kunai."

"Temari," Gaara said dryly, eyes threatening as he hovered over the smaller woman protectively. "Sakura easily outranks you."

"I don't give a devil's ass who outranks who. Now go along. You're holding the queue." Temari hissed, shoo-ing her brother away to be announced. Gaara shrugged carelessly and Sakura gestured for him to wait at the foot of the stairs. He nodded once.

"His Royal Highness, Prince Gaara of Sand."

"As I was sayi-"

"My turn, Temari-chaaan." Sakura sang out, winking before elegantly striding to the top of the stairs. Temari glared playfully before she laughed a little, shoo-ing her away as she turned to talk to the person next in line.

"Your royal Highnesses, ladies and gentlemen, may I present our guest of honor, Her Royal Highness, Princess Sakura of Spring."

A wave of silence swept through the ball room as they watched the beautiful yet rumored minx descend the staircase with a stunning smile coupled favorably by a small blush dusting her face. Gaara smirked at her antics. She waved lightly at the adoring crowd, a tinkling laugh escaping from her lips.

The deafening silence erupted into a clamor at once. Many a ladies tried to surge forward for introductions but hesitated, and ultimately backed away when three (!) princes circled the princess almost immediately. It was damn intimidating.

"Your Highness." Gaara mocked to her ear, tucking her arm in his. "May I present the First Prince of Konoha and the Second Prince of Oto? Princes Naruto Namikaze and Sasuke Uchiha. Gentlemen, this is Princess Sakura Haruno." Gaara said, gesturing to the two handsome men bowing to her. And my, what handsome men they were! Definitely up to par with Gaara's beauty, although in different shades of it, she reckoned.

She curtsied with a grin, allowing the attractive dark-haired man to kiss her gloved knuckles first. His onyx eyes met hers in a heated stare, eyes hypnotizing. Inwardly, she melted in a puddle with her heart throbbing so fast she thought she would swoon.

In midst of the audience, she merely smiled at him before amiably turning to the sun-kissed man and letting him kiss her hand. Sasuke frowned at her indifference.

"Nice to meet you, princess." Prince Naruto said with a bright smile that was highly infectious. Sakura beamed in return.

"Please take care of me." Sakura said graciously, tilting her head. "I quite feel as though we'll get along splendidly."

"I'm sure we shall." Naruto replied, eyes laughing as he watched his friend sulk inconspicuously. He found it greatly amusing that his friend, Sasuke was astonishing at seducing women but always seemed at lost talking to ladies when he may not flirt. His intolerance was showing in his dark eyes as he watched them observe the polite talk about weathers and the dances and, presently, the stupid punch being served.

"- and I find I don't usually drink them unless I'm absolutely parched though." Sakura said over the music.

"Well, you needn't worry about this one!" Naruto replied loudly. "Temari's party usually has the greatest drinks!"

"Oh, then I would be required to taste it seeing as-" she was cut off quite rudely when Prince Sasuke then impatiently stole her hand away, brushing his unclothed thumb across the skin that peeked from her gloves. She smiled skeptically, eyes wide as he pulled her closer to him- mindless of the suspicious glances from the red-head. Her eyes darted to her cousin in astonishment when the usually overprotective man made no move against the—the scandalous prince.

"I think I hear the strains of waltz." He murmured with such a lovely voice she thought she might keel over at the mere sound.

"Do you?" she murmured breathlessly, glancing down with a small blush on her cheeks. He caught her falter, understanding she was not as impervious to his charms as she seems. Bowing with a devious smirk, he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the tips of her fingers. "May I have this dance?"

Sakura warily met Gaara's eyes, her eyebrows raised up in question and a tinge of panic. He shrugged carelessly even as his hands twitch in indecision. But she was dragged away regardless.

Proudly, Naruto grinned whilst elbowing Gaara discreetly. He stepped back and away, reminding the agitated man that "You can claim her country dance."

Gaara glared at the blonde but nodded anyway. Hesitantly, he turned his back to the couple and followed the blonde.

IV

"There are really only two paths this could go." Naruto announced in amusement, watching Sasuke bend his head to listen to Sakura talk amongst the noise of the ball as he led her to the dancing area. Gaara raised his eyebrow in interest but did not speak. Naruto continued without a care, "One is he breaks her heart and she breaks his, hence they'll become worse than ever-"

Gaara's face darkened considerably, making Naruto grin.

"Or they fall irrevocably in love and live happily ever after."

V

"I won't be another one of your conquests." Sakura murmured conversationally and Sasuke bent his head to hers in amusement, placing his hand on the small of the back. She felt branded by his large warm hand.

"Oh?" He murmured to her ear, satisfied when he felt her shiver at his touch. She paused as she tried to calm her erratic heart. Finally, she looked up and met his eyes squarely.

"Yes." She replied, her smile considerably weaker as they stopped. They bowed and curtsied. He lifted a hand for hers to touch, the other placed firmly on her waist. Her lips straightened into a grim line before she found the courage to position her person as the waltz started. The amusement in his eyes is so patent that she almost lost her smiling face.

She placed her hand gingerly in his, the other nestled lightly on his broad shoulder. The distance between their bodies were so apparent that Sasuke rolled his eyes and pulled her close till they were almost chest to chest. Almost. She cleared her throat, distracted.

"That is, I have been warned quite soundly how you... take women for."

He started guiding her through the dance, eyes focused on her face as she talked.

"And it would please me if you do not see me as one of them and instead accept the friendship I had to offer." She peered at him through her thick strawberry lashes, trying to make a firmer smile. "You and Gaara are so very close, and I do want to know you better."

Sasuke's eyes crinkled in joviality and he wondered if he was becoming more like Kakashi in that aspect only. Sakura felt her resolves melt.

"What makes you think I had my sights on you?" he asked, not flinching when she trod on his foot in her surprise.

"I was not very sure myself." Sakura said carefully as she glanced at their moving feet, clearly embarrassed at her slip. "But I just wanted to clear things up before anything else."

Sasuke nodded, and not before long, the last notes were played and their dancing was put to an end. He bowing and she curtsying, he then retrieved her hand and escorted her to Gaara, who claimed the next two dances. Before she passed him, he whispered.

"We shall get along splendidly." He quoted her, making her flush. She gave him a reluctant smile as Gaara whisked her away.

VI

Classes for St. Etoile and Arden resumed two days after the ball. They were the same classes that Sakura already had mastered, as she was already trained to rule her kingdom. She honestly thought it a colossal waste of time, being punished as she was. She sighed when Ino finally found her, upside down in a gazebo as she practiced her chakra control. Ino blinked in surprise, gazing up at Sakura's beaming face.

"Well, this is not a very convenient way to talk." Ino finally said. Sakura laughed her enchanting silvery laugh.

"Well, this is a very convenient way of hiding." Sakura said, jumping down to talk to Ino properly. She fluffed her dress gingerly, before beaming at the disapproving girl. "Oh, knock it off. It's terribly boring in here! Classes in etiquette, classes in music, classes in dancing! For heaven's sake, people already know them by heart."

"Yes, well, but not everyone who they need to know." Ino reminded her, grabbing the girl's arm and hauling her out of the gazebo. "There's still much people to know, favors to be given, favors lost returned and so on and so forth."

"Where are we going?" Sakura asked in distrust, eyeing the blonde who had a suspicious skip in her steps.

"If you must know, I saw your cousin lounging in the rose maze with the rest of his friends. I thought it very convenient that you know those people. They can be important for the future, really." Ino said convincingly.

'Where in the Rose Maze?'

But Sakura nodded, though still wary. After small talks to acquaintances they met on the way, the rose maze finally came into view. They treaded the gardens until they arrived at the heart of it, where the men were talking and laughing.

'Now, just who is stalking?' Sakura thought in great mirth, letting the blonde drag her around. A man with languid stance and dark locks trapped in a ponytail noticed them first. He walked towards them with a lazy smile.

"Lord Shikamaru!" Ino squealed in excitement, obviously giddy when the man strode to her and kissed her hand. "Such a pleasant surprise! Why, I was just taking Princess Sakura to a tour in this lovely maze."

Shikamaru met Sakura's eyes with an equally amused smile, eyebrows raised. "Indeed?"

Sakura merely smiled at him.

"This is Lord Shikamaru Nara, earl of Nara and future Duke of Nara." She introduced, and then whispered to the princess, "earl is an honorary title. But he does have the status of a marquess. Did I mention he is to be my fiancé? When we are out, that is."

"Oh, you minx!" Sakura whispered back, then let the man kiss her knuckles.

"Sakura?" Gaara called out. Sakura waved at her cousin in surprise, grinning widely as the gentlemen stood up in respect.

"Well, stop hogging the ladies to yourself, Shikamaru!" Naruto yelled loudly, earning laughter from the men.

"Troublesome."

Sakura's eyes crinkled as she let Shikamaru lead them both. Naruto obnoxiously kissed her hand and handed her almost immediately to the arms of Prince Sasuke, who was as surprised at the turn of events.

"Hello." Sakura shyly muttered. Sasuke finally smirked.

"This is a very convenient incident." He said, still holding her so very close as he snatched her hand and pressed it to his lips longer than is proper. She watched, entranced, as his eyes fluttered open, his lashes so very dark and long and beautiful. Blinking, she pressed her hands on his chest to push him away when he trapped her hands and pushed them close to his heart... his fast-beating heart.

And then he was away, kissing Lady Ino's hand politely as a guy named Kiba was introduced to her.

Gaara merely watched them.

VII

Prince Sasuke of Oto had been very conveniently meeting her where the ladies and gentlemen may meet, mostly when she was alone, sometimes when she is with friends. Suffice to say, she was gradually getting used to him surprising her constantly.

"I don't suppose that's a solution for a clearer complexion?" Sasuke suddenly said from the doorway, and in her shock, the perfect globe of solution she was balancing with chakra infused hands became shaky.

"Not if you want to drop indisputably dead within five minutes." Sakura declared, finally recreating the sphere containing a poison within it. Daintily, she extracted the poison and placed it in a glass vial she immediately labeled.

"You can use chakra." Sasuke stated blankly, watching her scribble on a scroll. She almost rolled her eyes even though she could hardly blame him for his statement. Not all noblewomen are allowed to be trained. Sakura, on the other hand, is a renowned warrior princess in their country.

"Oh? Is that what it's called?" Sakura said sarcastically. He snorted in amusement, entering the room and locking the door. Sakura fiddled with her pen, watching as he advanced in the corner of her eyes.

She suddenly flashed a sweet smile at him, knocking out his breath. He muttered a curse at his reaction when she spoke again. "Could you kindly fetch that bottle labeled K- and that basket of leaves on the lower right corner?"

She talked like he was a moron. Raising his eyebrow, he complied. Sakura nodded gratefully at him, hands methodologically grounding some leaves with a mortar and pestle. Sasuke stepped closer.

"Be an angel and do retrieve that blue solution in the cabinet. No, the other one." She asked before he could speak. He twitched visibly but complied in a gentlemanly fashion. And after five other test tubes and then some vials and other thingamabobs, he finally slammed his hands on either side of her, cornering her against the table.

"Well, that's not very safe." She scolded firmly, eyes wide when his hips connected to hers so very intimately.

"And that was not very polite of you." Sasuke hotly murmured to her ears. Sakura fixed her materials so that none will accidentally spill or mix before settling down nervously. Sasuke traced her ear with his nose, before breathing her scent in. She squirmed uncomfortably and was surprised at the growl Sasuke emitted.

She wiggled in discomfort and was about to protest when she felt something against her back, feeling the absolute masculinity of the man pressed against her. She froze, flushing as the temperature rose and she was quite sure it's not because of the room temperature.

Sasuke took a shuddering breath against her ear, making her quiver in delight.

"Naruto asked me to fetch you had you forgotten the promised afternoon tea." He said through gritted teeth, before grinding his hips once against her. She moaned loudly and she clamped her mouth shut in surprise. His control almost snapped. Carefully, he looked at her reactions and found her eyes were wide with disbelief. That was enough for the both of them. Any more than that and she was in risk, with her luscious parted lips begging for domination.

He pulled away at once and he watched her turn with wide eyes and smirked. He offered his arm. "Allow me to escort her highness?"

She almost gaped at his normal coloring and cultured expression.

Damn him.

Shakily, she smiled and accepted his offered arm. Inwardly, she frowned at her reactions. What the hell was she doing, acting like a wanton? She inwardly groaned, unknowingly clutching his sleeves tightly. Sasuke looked down in amusement.

And they haven't even kissed yet!

Immediately, she wondered what it would be like to be kissed by him.

VIII

"How embarrassing." Karin said sweetly, gritting her teeth as she watch the nonchalant prince languidly stretched out on a chaise lounge in the ballroom, one place nobody enters when no ball is being conducted, hence the perfect rendezvous point for the prince. Everyone knows that, as much as they know it's off limits.

And the bloody prince was not even sparing her any attention whatsoever.

"And pray, why in heavens have you summoned," she bit out,"me too attend to his highness' royal presence?"

A pregnant silence ensued, and the prince finally spared her a small glance, just to let her see his black mood. "Only two points."

Karin breathed in.

"One, I would like our connection terminated." Sasuke started slowly, watching the chandeliers hanging in the ceiling with mastered boredom. "Naturally, you would benefit from our liaison once we are out. Second, I do not want our relation known to anyone at all." He turned to her with swirling crimson eyes. The threat was almost touchable.

Karin stepped back in alarm when she met his dangerous Sharingan eyes, now slowly morphing into Mangekyou Sharingan.

"How," she breathed out, goose bumps rising from her skin. She cleared her throat. "How did you get that?"

"Do I make myself clear?" he asked with a proud bearing, slowly standing up. Karin flushed in embarrassment even as she glared at him, finding strength in the fact that her cousin is his best friend.

"Yes, but mark my words." Karin almost yelled at him, fisting her dress harshly. "You will regret shaming me thus."

Sasuke smirked at her, clearly unperturbed, before dismissing her rudely. "Good day."

Karin watched him, biting the insides of her cheeks.

I may not be able to stand against the prince, but I can make it so that horrible arrogance falters.

She turned away, striding with as much dignity as she can muster.

Direct assault will not be fruitful. Treason is out of the question.

Her eyes caught the pink-haired princess from the window, eyes clearing when she remembered his highness' interest on the chit.

Seeds of doubt then. Something vague.

She finally smiled.

IX

He had been reading a book in her favorite gazebo when she arrived, already finished with the one-on-one violin lessons with Monsieur Gai. He did not glance up when she sat directly in front of him, arms crossed and cheeks puffed.

"Prince Sasuke, I must tell yo-"

"Sasuke." He cut her off, in time with the shutting of his book. She took the hint after a few startled blinks, an amused smile dancing on her face.

"Why, I assure you I am called Princess Sakura." She said, cheeks hurting from the stretch of her wide smile. He was not as amused.

"Sakura." He warned, eyes dark. His smoldering gaze caught her off-guard. She chewed on her lips, suddenly nervous.

His voice sounded as heavenly as melted chocolate. She had shuddered when he uttered her name, and she had felt it in the pit of her stomach—butterflies. It drove her to distraction.

"Yes, Your Highness?" she said slowly, staring at him from under her lashes. He grabbed her arms and pulled her till they were standing face to face, with a mere coffee table in between them. She swallowed when she felt his fingers creeping up her arms. "P-Prince..."

He grabbed her chin so suddenly, leaning forward until they were mere inches away.

"Sakura..." her name sounded breathy this time, as he watched his fingers trace her face curiously. He then met her eyes, watching her watching him so enticingly. She closed her eyes and felt him stiffen when she forcefully brought his face to hers, her mouth crashing against his clumsily. Her dainty fingers tugged the locks framing his face, sending sparks of pain and desire down to his manhood.

He had not planned to kiss her, truly. He only planned to tease her till she called his name.

But this, he thought as shivers rocked him in a manner he had never felt before, was more than what he had expected. And before he found the strength to kiss back, Sakura pulled away with hurt flashing in her eyes.

"I-I..." Sakura tried to say, upset at his dead-like response. His face was so stony at the moment that she thought she might cry. Sasuke understood what made her thus at once.

Her hands dropped so suddenly. Immediately, he snatched them back and pressed them to his chest. She felt the same racing heart beats as hers.

"You surprised me so thoroughly, Princess." He said in his velvety voice, walking around the table to pull her against him. And just like that, they were nose to nose, chest to chest and closer than she's ever been in her entire life, to a man not her father.

"You're surprising me right now!" she bit out, tearing up a bit as she met his eyes.

"Well, whose fault does that fall upon?" he asked, closing his eyes and pressing his lips softly on the corner of her lips. She stammered as her doe-like emerald eyes widened in uncertainty. She was so, so lost.

With a chuckle, he finally kissed her long and hard, biting playfully and sucking so enticingly. Sakura let herself be consumed, her knees weak and hands firmly clutching his arms for support. He pulled away only because of the need for air, watching in amusement as she gulped down breaths, her face flushed.

"You didn't breathe?" he asked in amusement. She glared at him, eyes still glassy.

"-how charming."

A tear fell just as he kissed her soundly once, then twice just to make her smile. A finger brushed the trail away and she looked so beautiful. He watched her eyes—the windows to her soul, watching gently as she closed in those mere moments before his did.

And this time, she met him halfway. He pressed his lips directly against hers, urging it to open just as he opened his. His tongue traced the seam of her lips and she opened so willingly, before it dove in to explore her mouth. Her tongue then met his shyly, before retracting in indecision.

He held her cheeks firmly, a smirk on his face as her wide eyes met his. He opened his mouth and licked her lower lip before pressing his tongue against hers. She hesitated.

"Don't pull your tongue back," he murmured. Her head tilted in a nod, leaning in for a chaste kiss on his jaw.

She then opened her mouth to his and their tongues danced erotically. Her hands encircled his shoulders, fingers tugging his errant spikes as he pinned her against that same table, hips grinding against hers. She pulled back to moan and he chuckled, kissing her cheek.

"So beautiful." He whispered. Her dazed eyes met his, fingers ghosting over his strong jaw.

"So beautiful." She repeated, a contented smile gracing her face. He blinked at that, feeling his chest tighten. His lips then lifted in a much coveted smile and then he kissed her and worshipped her mouth.

END OF PART 1