AN: For Day 1 of Sasusaku Month 2015, prompt: matchmaker. Enjoy!
Match
Sasuke, prince of the Uchiha clan, had been dreading the day of his engagement. All his life, he had been trained alongside his brother to become leaders of the clan. He had watched as his brother married the girl that had been picked out for him-no questions asked. As the heir of the clan, Itachi had less choice. Sasuke was told on his sixteenth birthday that a suitable wife would be selected for him as well. He had rejected the previous four candidates that his father had arranged. His mother took charge this time, tricking him into meeting the girl. His mother had told him it was an important assembly with the prince of Senju, but instead, brought in this girl before him.
Sasuke clenched his fan in his hand at having been tricked into the meeting. Propriety prevented him from simply storming out of the room.
The curtain between them shielded their faces from one another. Sasuke was settled on a dais with the curtain obscuring his upper half. His robes were black, threaded with red and gold, the silky fabric cool on his skin.
The girl before him was dressed in a beautiful, deep purple kimono with accents of a pale pink. She bowed deeply, her pink hair touching the tatami. He could only see her fingertips peeking out from the kimono's sleeves and the tendrils of pink hair.
"My dear prince," his mother said. "I present to you your intended bride, Haruno Sakura-hime."
Should he ruin the meeting? Refuse to speak to her? Something about her intrigued him though. It was that blasted pink hair! He had never seen it before.
"I'll leave you two alone," Mikoto said, her voice twinkling with mischief. She bowed to the girl, and exited, dismissing the servants as well.
Sasuke was unsure of how to proceed. He wasn't even sure that he was supposed to be left alone with the girl, but obviously, his mother had other ideas. He pulled the curtain up so that he could see her fully. She was still hunched over, head low.
"Please, raise your head," he said.
And she did. The pink hair was tied back as normal, but it still framed her face. Her pale skin was almost luminescent. Her eyes were still lowered, her lids had been brushed with a silvery powder. The she looked slender, even with the layers of the kimono. Her fingertips were still arranged in a triangle in front of her, still leaning forward to greet him.
"Thank you, Ouji-sama."
Her voice was clear and pleasant, like a spring breeze.
"Look at me," Sasuke commanded. "Don't avert your eyes."
He wasn't sure if she would do it, but she did. She lifted her gaze her eyes, a jade green, met his directly. Her cheeks flushed with a slight rose, but she looked at him, unwavering.
And with that, she had captured his heart.