Hi everyone! I have had this story in my drafts for a while now, and finally have put in the final touches; making it close to perfect, in my eyes. If you are familiar with the mythological tale of Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere, I can promise you this will stray from the true story. So there will be plenty of surprises for you! For those of you not familiar with the story, don't google it. You might find a few spoilers or things you may think will happen, but won't. This story is not a step by step retelling of their folktale with Naruto characters, it is a complete twist on it. Therefore there will be many MANY differences between my story, and the tale. Also, Caru is the Welsh word for Love. I found it was fitting since in those times around where Camalot would be, they spoke Welsh. I own nothing. All Naruto characters belong to Kishimoto. Please, review and/or message me with any thoughts/ideas! It is so incredibly appreciated.

"I just want to know you better, know you better, know you better now. I just want to know you, know you, know you... Because all I know is we said hello and your eyes look like coming home. All I know is a simple name, everything has changed.."

-Everything Has Changed, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran

Camelot.

She had heard of the kingdom on the river, with its lush greenery surrounding its grey thick walls that cradled the posh people inhabiting it. She had heard the stories, and she was not as impressed as her court.

"Oh it is a beautiful place, full of riches and many eligible young bachelors hmhmh"

"Oh yes and the most eligible bachelor of them all, young their young King!"

Her ladies in waiting would swoon, dreaming of a wedding that would never come. Dreaming of a life with a man they would never meet. Unfortunately for the princess, their dreams were soon to be her reality.

Princess Sakura Haruno at the tender age of 19 was summoned by the flamboyant king of faraway through one of his patrons. The man sent by the audacity of Camelot's King had arrived in an extremely unprofessional manner, and spoke to her father the King as if he were an equal. Her eyes narrowed at the memory.

"King Haruno, it is an honor." The sentence dripped in sarcasm.

The court she called home was a lavish one; decorated in rich red and purple thick velvet drapes that seemed to melt together. The long hall held a matching velvet burgundy carpet, leading up to his majesty's throne where her mother and she sat at his sides. The newcomer was obviously not of her kingdom due to his laid-back demeanor in the presence of her father. Though, he could have easily fit in. Their Kingdom of Panem was rich in many things. Color, was one of them. Citizens of the court dyed and painted themselves with loud colors daily. Some would dye their hair red one week, green the next. Of course, they would also sport blue eyebrows and purple facial hair. Sakura, which the reason she was named, was born with her audacious hair color; a soft feminine pink shade. Sakura, the pink flower of the East. The same color graced the head of her father. Her mother's hair, held a yellow-grey.

The man of Camelot that stood before them sported silver locks that seemed to dance away from his scalp. He was obviously extremely handsome, even the silk bluish mask he wore over his nose and mouth could not hide it. Despite that, she could not rid herself of the distaste for his lack of manners around a King.

"What do I owe this visit, Mr..?"

"Hatake. Kakashi Hatake." The mailman showed his smile through his eyes. She grit her teeth.

"What is this about?" Her father was growing impatient and obviously shared her distaste.

"My King offers a trade."

"A trade?" Kakashi had sparked his curiosity.

"Yes, a trade. He has come into the possession of a portrait of your daughter, Sakura. For lack of a better word, he is infatuated with her and wishes to wed her. He will not continue his campaign on your walls, if you send her."

"Campaign?...What on Earth?"

"Hm? Ah, so you did not know. My King is in the position to take your beloved kingdom. Which he will do so, if this trade is not fulfilled." Ignoring the audible gasps throughout the court, Kakashi held the eyes of her father.

"No."

"Sakura!" He despised when she spoke out in court. She had actually just had been allowed back, after her last mishap.

She stood, "My name is Princess Sakura, Kakashi Hatake. By the looks and sounds of you, it seems as if you already know our answer. Or at least, you thought you did."

Kakashi answered her outburst with a chuckle, "Oh yes, the King will love you."

Sakura's eyes narrowed. How dare he treat her this way? Like some cattle being traded away?

She took in breath for a retort, her father outstretched his arm ordering her to surrender.

"Our answer is yes. It is for the good of the kingdom, my daughter understands that. My only request is that you bring your most prized knight as her escort. I will not allow my most precious treasure to travel without the best guardian available."

"Father! No-"

"Done." Kakashi's chuckle vanished. In a fluid movement, he bowed his head and exited.

It had been over a week since the proposal. Her temporary guardian hadn't returned for her, and she almost prayed he had perished on the way to claim her.

She didn't care that the King was handsome.

She didn't care she would have all the riches in the known world.

She would not be treated like cattle.

"Lady Sakura, the Knight of Camelot has arrived. It is time for the banquet." Her youngest lady in waiting, Ino, was her first and closest friend. She was beautiful, she always had been. Her long white-yellow hair tied in a tight ponytail showed her slender figure, one Sakura wished she could possess, as well as the brand burned into her flesh at a young age on the back of neck. All servants of the king wore this eternal mark. Ladies in waiting: an X. All military men and knights of the crown: a long twisting line to look like the silhouette of a snake. Ino had the tendency of being harsh on her, but it worked for Sakura in the long run. She was once shy and weak. Not anymore.

Ino entered the doorway of Sakura's lavish bed quarters, "Sakura, he's here." She laid her hand on her friend's shoulder. To keep up appearances, Ino used honorifics and specific titles. But sometimes, she slipped.

Sakura couldn't tear her eyes away from the view of her window. She didn't want to leave the comfort of her home. She didn't want to be someone's cattle.

When Sakura didn't answer, Ino pressed on, "Sakura, he's a knight of the round. Not only that, but he's the knight of the king! He's going to take great care of you, you'll be safe."

"You and I both know I am not worried about being safe."

Ino's shoulders slumped, "Come onnn Sakura! So what you're going to marry the youngest and apparently most handsome king in the land? You'll be safe, you'll be happy."

"I won't be loved."

Ino understood Sakura's sorrows. Sakura had always asked and been so intrigued about her and her lover, Sai, a horse hand that swept up manure for a living. Though it was a tough life, it was a happy one. She was loved, and she wouldn't change that for anything.

"Maybe you will be. Maybe you'll learn to fall in love with him. You know what? Maybe this is meant to be! You two could be a legend of love that people will read about hundreds of years from now!"

"Do you really believe that?.." Sakura turned her eyes toward her friend, her tears were visible.

"Yes, Sakura. I truly believe that. I believe you are destined for great things, and for a great love."

…..

Sakura chose her favorite gown to attend her symbolic funeral. Sakura of Panem will die the second her foot steps outside the castle walls. Sakura of Camelot will have been born.

The gown chosen was a gift from her mother on her birthday. A long, black satin gown with drop-sleeve shoulders. The fabric was limp compared to the balloon dresses she was always forced to wear, it hugged her curves in a way that made her feel far more mature. Like Ino.

She let her fingers drag across her bed, saying her goodbyes to the life she knew. After a few more tears poured onto the floor of her bedroom, she followed Ino to her fate.

Her send-off was an extravagant affair. The hall where Kakashi first delievered the news now hosted her farewell banquet. She decided not to eat. A full stomach was not a good idea for someone with her nerves that day. She caught her father peeking over towards her from down the long table of the hierarchy. She hadn't spoken to him since the day he sealed her fate. She would never forgive him. So what if Camelot's King threatened war? It could've just been a bluff to get his way. And if not, they had a brilliant military ready for action.

She would never forgive him.

She could hear the King clear his throat and stand from his audacious velvet chair, "Silence, silence, friends." As the rumble of the crowd grew quiet, he continued, "It is about that time. My daughter is about to go off on a journey that will change her life, and ours, forever. I would like to take this moment to honor and introduce the brave Knight of the Round that will accompany her. Camelot's King has even blessed us by sending his most beloved servant. May I introduce his right hand, please knight do stand!"

Her eyes nervously flickered across the crowd, searching for the man she were to travel with. It was a whole three days journey to Camelot, and she prayed it would be with someone a little interesting.

She caught movement in the far left of her peripheral. She turned her head towards the man attempting to stand, and followed him as he softly glided to the center of the room.

He was undeniably, overwhelmingly beautiful.

His raven hair was short and spiked up the back of his head. Hs onyx eyes matched, and were shaped in an almond slant she had not the pleasure of seeing before. His rich olive skin coated his toned muscles of his arms and chest, which were visible through spaces in his black and grey armor. He sported no flashy weapons other than a long, thin sword strapped to his hip. He stared before her King with an emotionless face. She could almost feel drool began to leak from her lips.

"What is your name, my boy?"

"My name is Sasuke Uchiha."

Her father began to clap, creating a burst of claps and cheers from the rest of the crowd. The boy still had not looked at her, and his expression remained unreadable.

The king bellowed in laughter, "Now, may I introduce you to my daughter!"

Sakura was ripped from her daydreams, and was forced to speak directly to the beautiful knight.

She stood, "Thank you, Sir Uchiha, for accepting this mission. I am forever indebted to you."

His eyes slowly left her father, and settled on her own emeralds. Her throat grew dry, and her heart stopped beating. She could hear nothing. She saw nothing but those eyes.

"It will be my pleasure." His voice was just as beautiful as his appearance. Though the words were kind, his tone did not match it. He didn't want to be here. He didn't want to help her.

The world around them continued, but the electricity between them was still there, and it was obvious he felt it too. His eyes had widened just enough, his fingers clenched in fists just tight enough, his mouth had twitched just enough for her to notice.

Her father gave them a large carriage fit for a princess. It featured black wood with shining golden trim. It truly was a funeral. The two horses accompanying it were the same black shade. The same black as her knight's hair. The same color as those eyes.

Sasuke would take the reins in the front, while she sat inside the carriage itself, making it impossible to speak. She lamented this, she wanted to speak to him. Getting to know this boy was the top of her list. His face never left her mind. Not even while she said her goodbyes to Ino, who had obviously noted his looks as well. Not even when she hugged her mother too tight. Not even when she halfheartedly shook her father's hand in leave.

She stole one last glance at her temporary knight as she entered her box cell on wooden wheels. He had not looked at her once since he first spoke directly to her. It was almost as if he was doing anything in order not to.

The day was beautiful, not a cloud in the sky. The clear blue was only graced with the bright sun. But the sun had not brought heat, it was still mid-fall. The crisp in the air sent chills down her arms.

The three day trip held obstacles she knew not of. She hoped someone would attempt to rob them, or a storm would erupt. Anything to cure her boredom. Two hours into the bumpy trip, she couldn't take counting the breaths of the horses any longer.

She slung open the carriage door, "Hey! Stop!"

A little startled, Sasuke pulled on the reigns, earning him harsh grunts by his horses whom he immediately patted in apology. He turned his attention towards her, showing her only his profile, "Is everything alright?'

"Y-yeah..I just can't sit in this by myself anymore. Is there room up there?"

The coachman's seat could hold at least three people, two comfortably. She waited for an answer.

He turned his head back towards the horses, "Yeah."

She couldn't hide her excitement. She quickly found her way around the other side, and began to lift herself into the seat, minding her long gown. She lifted her right leg with confidence onto the side of the seat. Her small heel shouldn't have been a problem. But due to the un-ridged sole of her new barely worn shoe, she could not hold her footing. With a quick slide, she was hurdling backwards towards the dirt road.

His armored hand found her arm, effortlessly lifting her into a seated position. He had done it so easily, with such fluidity that she barely saw it. But he left his fingers on her skin too long. He did not move them fast enough before the electric current swept through her body. Her cheeks reddened.

His movements matched that of the deliveryman, Kakashi. Were all Camelot men so tone? So effortless? So beautiful..

He continued down the path through the open plains of her kingdom. For what felt like hours, he did not give her any acknowledgement.

Finally, he spoke, "Have you ever been this far outside?"

She had been daydreaming, staring off into the vast grassland, "Hm?"

"Nothing, forget it."

"I'm sorry! I do that a lot, I kind of get lost in my own thoughts..And no, I haven't. I've never been past the castle walls."

He answered her with an aloof "Hm" and continued with the silence.

"I was told you were a knight of the round, but you're so young."

"The King and I are..close. We grew up together."

"Oh! So he let you in because you two are good friends?"

His voice grew cold, "No. He knew my talents, and trusted my opinions. He would never give me something I did not deserve. He isn't like that."

She smiled, "You two must be really close, I have a friend like that. Her name is Ino."

"The blonde?"

"Hm? Yes. How did you know?"

They made their way down the valleys, and found themselves in a thick forest. She had heard of their dark forest. It was that of legend. It was littered with twists and turns in its paths. Take the wrong turn, and you end up in the nest of robbers and bandits. Take your eyes off the road, and you may end up off the side of a cliff. He sounded increasingly annoyed by the subject, "She approached me before we left."

"Approached?"

"Yes."

"Oh…Oh! What happened!?" she couldn't hide her curiosity. She couldn't hide the anger.

"She decided it was acceptable for her to hang on me. Like a child with a crush. Her boyfriend didn't seem too upset about it. It was annoying."

"Oh, yeah, Ino can be like that sometimes." She quietly cursed the pig in her head. The carriage came over a hole in the road, it lifted her off the seat a little.

"You shouldn't surround yourself with company like that."

"What?"

"You aren't like her. You are the company you keep." Another hole in the road. This one almost sent her flying.

"That is true..but she's my oldest friend. I confide in her about everything. She's..my only friend."

For the first time throughout the trip, Sasuke turned his eyes toward her. His eyes showed a deep understanding.

Another hole, only this one wasn't nature-made. It was a trap. The carriage came to a complete stop as it stuck its wheels into the dugout.

"Get down!" he shoved her head behind him, with force. She noted he forced his jerk to be gentle, like he was trying not to hurt her too much. He seemed kind, despite his exterior aloofness.

The horses began screeching, begging to be free of the reigns. Sakura covered her ears and closed her eyes. Through her palms, she could hear yells and muffled banter from several different deep voices. Suddenly, Sasuke's body was gone. The warmth she felt on her body, protecting her, had disappeared.

He abandoned me.

She immediately lifted her head to scream, "You bastard how could yo-"

She was met with something she had never experienced before. She had read of things like this. In her books, it was like something straight from a nightmare. Something she never thought she'd live to see. Sasuke's back was towards her, his stance was relaxed. Like he was just going on a stroll through the legendary forest. His hand clutched his sword. Although, she could barely tell it was a sword. It was covered in thick red liquid. It ran down the shaft and dropped slowly to the ground, creating a small puddle. Blood.

Three bodies were littered around him. One sported large gashes across the face and eyes. A luckier one only suffered a quick slice to the stomach. They were dressed in rags, but held daggers and jagged swords; obvious bandits.

She stood in the wagon, "What…why?.."

"Get in the carriage." He barked at her, barely turning his head her direction.

"What happened?!"

"GET IN THE CARRIAGE."

But she didn't in time. She didn't head his words before taking in the blood bath around him. She noticed. She noticed the brand on the neck of one of the bandits. A snake.