Ino was down on her knees begging. Sasuke refused to meet her gaze. He was the real reason for her torment. The fire from the torches along the dim light castle wall crackled. A few guards looked away from the scene in pity. The infant Ino was clutching to her chest wiggled and soon started crying.
It was a dark spring morning. It was around eight when the news hit like a surprise attack from the Spanish Armada.
Ino, the Queen of England had been sentenced to death. The Queen had been convicted for adultery, plotting against the King and witchcraft.
She was now pleading her innocence to the King, her husband Sasuke. He of course knew that she was innocent. He was the reason for her demise. He and his new mistress had planned everything down to the smallest detail. They had without any hitches succeeded.
Ino would have never allowed him to take a mistress. She believed in one true love. She alleged that was what they had. England being a catholic country the Pope had denied him a divorce. That left only one option. They needed Ino dead.
They had planned it for months. They had imprisoned one of her guards, Shikamaru. He was much harder to crack than planned. He surely loved his Queen, but with enough torture they had gotten the confession they had needed. They had bought another guard's confession with money and promised to give his father a title. Gaara had surely died a hero.
They were both being publicly hanged as Ino wept on the floor in front of his feet.
With two confessions on hand his mistress had also delivered her confession. As the Queen's main chambermaid Sakura had seen it all with her own eyes. The spells she had put on the King to make him love her, how Ino had told her how she was going to use her powers to bewitch and kill the King and take the throne herself. Most importantly she had also seen the Queen in bed with the soldiers.
It had been a simple plan. It had worked perfectly.
The news had already hit the streets with the abrupt hanging. The public would be screaming for the Queen's head in no time.
It was already rumored that she was a witch. No lady could look as fair as Ino without the help of witchcraft and how else if not witchcraft, could she as a servant have made the King of England marry her.
The noise emitting from his crying son made Sasuke's head hurt. He made a signal for the nanny to take the crying child. This disturbed Ino furthermore. She cried out as her child was ripped out of her arms.
"My baby!"
Ino know that this was the last time she would see her child. That her child would grow up without his mother. She would never see her child grow. Naruto was the most important thing in her life.
With her child gone Ino was now bawling on the floor head down. Sasuke had more important matters to attend to, like celebrating with Sakura who would in a few days be his new wife. Sasuke paused in front of Ino. She was in his way. She had mistaken his halt and clutched his foot. He let out a loud sigh and waited for his guards to remove her by force, quickly, before she stained his shoes.
He certainly did not want to be there when they came to take her away. He had arranged for her to stay at the Tower of London. There was no reason for her to suffer. She would be executed within the grounds, in private.
He had sent a messenger to his hermit brother. He had stepped down from the throne to be the keeper of the Tower. He was most likely setting up a chamber for her at the moment. Ino had been allowed to pick out four of her favorite servants but had for some reason declined this offer. Sasuke had not wanted her to suffer more than she had to. He had after all loved this woman at some point.
She had been a young girl when they first met. She had been the previous queen's chambermaid. The history was repeating itself in some sense. She had been an innocent maiden at just fourteen, just a teenager. Sasuke could still remember when he first laid eyes on her. He had never paid attention to the servants before. They were just there to work.
Ino was different. She was loud, she was cheerful. She had gotten the opportunity of a lifetime just getting to work in the castle. She knew that and he knew that.
She was the depiction of beauty. She had been the definition of beauty.
She had long blond hair that reached her lower back. She had a high hairline. Her hair was shiny and thick. Her lips were plump, her nose small and free of freckles. Her skin was white as porcelain. Her eyebrows perfectly arched. What made you lose your breath were still her eyes, her large, almond shaped eyes. They were the brightest blue Sasuke had ever seen. She was nothing like his former wife or mistresses.
She was constantly yelled at for being so cheerful and constant chattering.
She was quickly put to tidy the queen's bedroom after the night. A job she had to do alone. Ino did not mind. She enjoyed the task, she enjoyed surrounding herself with all the beauty found in the queen's bedroom. When she had no one to talk to, she sang.
She had a beautiful voice. Sasuke had heard it passing by in the hallway. It called on him, it allured him and he entered the bedroom only to find a servant making his queens bed.
"There's no need to make the bed just yet," Sasuke had said startling the poor girl.
"Oh, your majesty!" Ino took a deep bow as she had been instructed to do by her superior. She quickly went back to making the bed. Her workdays were long and she had more work waiting for her when she was done cleaning.
"Didn't you hear me girl?"
Ino dropped the pillow she was fluffing. The King had given her an ordered and she had not complied. She had heard rumors of servants getting their hands chopped off for doing something wrong around the castle. She had disobeyed direct orders from the King while he was standing in the same room, right next to her.
"That's better."
He smiled and started making his way over to her. She folded her hands and bow for him once again. She was uncertain how to act around the King, especially when there was just the two of them. Being overly polite couldn't be a bad thing.
Sasuke was now standing right in front of her taking in her beauty up close. She offered him a smile and tried not to look at his face. He pushed some of her locks behind her ear to take in all of her facial beauty. She seemed to tense with his touch. She was still such a young and innocent girl. She had surly had many men looking at her, but perhaps nobody had ever touched her. Sasuke had every intent on changing that.
He moved in to lock lips with this servant girl he yet had to learn the name of. He hadn't expected her to kiss back. He certainly had not expected her to slap him on the check. She gasped as soon as she realized what she had done. Sasuke had a fierce smile plastered on his face and rubbed his burning cheek. Ino had reacted without thinking. She had laid hands upon the King. Such could get her killed.
"My deepest apologies King! I did not expect! You're a married man! You shouldn't be kissing other girls!"
Sasuke left without a word. He had an important letter to write.
He had kept clear of Ino after the incident. Ino genuinely feared for her life. She never felt safe around the castle. You couldn't slap the King and get away with it.
She could, within the end of the summer they had married.
Ino's governess stepped in from the hallway. She had packed Ino's trunks and the boat had arrived to take her away. Ino was not sure what she would do without Lady Tsunade. She had been such a support through the years. She had been like a mother to Ino.
Ino had gathered herself some. She had accepted her ill faith the second Sasuke stepped out of the room. He must have been heartbroken. His wife was a witch and a harlot who wanted him dead.
"There, there," Tsunade comforted locking arms with Ino. She offered her a tissue to wipe her eyes. The commoners would be waiting for her along the Themes. They would surely take joy in her fall.
Ino could see her boat waiting as soon as she stepped outside. She had to grapple Tsunade's arm to prevent herself from breaking down again.
It was not fair. She would never do anything to hurt Sasuke. She had already forgiven him for what he had done. He had to act as a King. He could not keep a wife like Ino. It didn't matter if she was innocent of not. As a King he had to set an example. It must have hurt him so much more than it hurt Ino. Had there just been a warning she could have fled to France.
Her trunks were already in the boat and the oarsperson was only awaiting her.
"It's such a pity, but I believe you. You would never, you're the best and finest Queen this country has ever seen."
Ino started tearing up again. She would never be back. She was saying good bye to her life already.
"No more tears." Tsunade said stroking Ino's cheek. Ino offered a small smile. They hugged, said their goodbyes and Ino was off to her prison cell.
As it had been expected people had lined up along the river Themes. Ino had expected it to rain hard molded bread and rotten vegetables. To her surprise most of the population supported her. Ino gave occasional smiles and waves at the people shouting at her. Her smiles became further apart the closer they came to the Tower.
The Tower walls seemed higher than they ever had been. Ino's heart was pacing, but she kept a blank face. The boat stopped outside the large wooden gate. The Traitor's Gate. It was the entrance for criminals, like she had become.
On the dock there was a man waiting for her. He was clearly a nobleman. His hat was black and had a white feather and a crimson one in it. His coat crimson, his sleeves and hose white and doublet was black. He was dressed in the same colors as Ino. Her dress was crimson and her head-dress and kirtle white. Crimson and white, they were Uchiha colors.
The man slightly resembled Sasuke. He was older, his hair was in a brighter shade than Sasuke's and shoulder length. He had the cold and distant Uchiha expression. His eyes were narrow and his lips thin. He must have been Itachi. He was the lost Uchiha brother.
He reached out for Ino's hand to help her out of the boat. She chose to ignore it and climbed the ladder. She dusted off her skirt when she had her feet on solid ground again. She had no time to waste and walked through the gates alone. Sasuke making his brother her guard was pure mockery.
She heard him move across the gravel. Ino felt surrounded with bittersweet beauty. She wanted to run along the gates where flowers were blooming, she wanted to go and enjoy the fountain. She wanted to greet those wandering around the premises. She couldn't. She wasn't there to visit like she had on other occasions. She was there to be locked up.
"My Queen." The Uchiha said and kneeled for Ino.
She didn't even bother to look at him. She had only stopped because she was uncertain where she would be locked up. She had heard about the ill faith recent prisoners had being locked up in the tower. Ino was ready to withstand any torture this man would inflict on her.
"I've prepared the White Castle for you."
The White Castle was the center building, the former home of the royal family. She lifted her skirt and started moving again. A few ravens were heard in the distance. Ino made her way to the doors. She stopped and took in the scenery. She had wished for the sun to shine, but it was just another foggy London day.
"Don't worry Queen, I will take you out for walks if you please."
Being Queen had its perks even in prison it seemed. She turned around again and the Yeomen opened the door for them.
"You're at the top."
Ino nodded. She had been to the top before. The Tower was her favorite of all the royal properties. The White Tower especially was her favorite. Sasuke and she had married in the small chapel. Ino made her way up the small steps. She was surprised at her own speed. She was dizzy when she finally reached the top.
The chamber was certainly fit for a Queen, in some aspects. The fireplaces were blazing. There was a huge bed in the center of the room. Other than that the room was sparsely furnished. There was a small table with two wooden chairs by the left window. On the table was a mug of wine and two cups.
"I'm sorry that your room is not up to your standard. There wasn't much time."
Ino hadn't been placed in a small, empty brick cell as she had feared. Her last days would be much more comfortable than first expected.
She walked over to a window and pulled the crimson curtains. There was a redheaded priest walking by with a bible in his hand. Another blond boy ran after him.
Ino sighed and touched the wall. She walked down alongside the wall and only stopped when she reached the corner.
"Sasuke warned me that you were talkative. He must not be used to chatter locked up in that castle of his."
They had talked about her. This man had been told that she gossiped a lot. What else had he been told about her? She did not want this man around her; he had an unfair advantage that she did not know the size off. She flicked her hand.
"I am sorry you're Highness. As your guard I'm never to leave your side."
It was not what Ino had expected. She arched her neck and shook her head. She was a prisoner after all. What she valued the most was taken away from her. Her freedom. She could no longer do what she pleased when she pleased to.
"I have been nothing but loving and kind to him!" Ino flew across the floor and tipped over a chair. This was her way of ragging. "I was a maiden when I met him, I gave him an heir!" Red wine spilled on the floor as she emptied what she found standing on the table. The Uchiha stood motionless.
"I GAVE HIM MY HEART! MY EVERYTHING!" Ino yelled like she had never done before. She had always been calm and collected. She was a lady and was never supposed to show her emotions. Rage was not soothed for a woman.
A shriek filled the room as the stranger still stood static. She had expected to get some sort of rise out of him. She ripped a beaded pearl from her dress and flung it at him. Not even then did he move. It hit him on the forehead with a sound that told Ino he must have felt it. It quickly fell on the floor sending ruptures of thuds through the large chamber as it bounced.
"And you! You haven't even given me your name. Am I not still the Queen of England?!"
The man took a bow.
"Of course my Queen. My name is Uchiha, Itachi Uchiha."
Of course he was and she knew that. History was already been written about Itachi Uchiha. He had declined his lawful right to the throne. He had traveled Europe, been briefly married to the princess of Portugal before her untimely death. He had then returned to England to reside inside the walls of the Tower.
Now he took care of the premises and its captors. Itachi was head of the interrogators unit. He gave Protestants and priests the treatment Sasuke saw just, he had even on a few occasions decapitated prisoners convicted of treason. Itachi must be a man without a heart.
Ino narrowed her eyes and started pacing. "I will need a pen and paper. I will write Sasuke."
Itachi went over by the stairwell and pulled a thread. It must have been connected to some sort of bell. As predicted a brown haired boy shortly arrived.
"Ah, Kiba. We will need a pen and paper for the Queen."
This boy, Kiba, turned around in awe. He had not noticed Ino. He pulled his woolen hat off and took a deep bow. He was dressed in what Ino expected was once a white shirt, his pants were equally as dirty the fact that they were brown did not hide any dirt. His face was covered in sot stains. Ino offered him a short smile. He returned her smile with a rather large one on his own. Ino could swear she saw canine like teeth.
"She'll be dead in a few days, she doesn't have much time to spare! Off you go! "
Kiba pulled his hat back on and ran. Ino picked up the chair she had tipped over.
"My deepest apologies. I should not have let my anger out on you." Ino sat down on the now erected chair. Her dressed covered it and to Itachi it looked like she was floating in air. They waited for the energetic man to appear once again with pen and paper. Ino had learned to write as a young girl. She was in fact the only woman she knew that wrote.
"I assume you will read whatever I write?"
Kiba was placing the paper in front of Ino. She would swear that she saw someone else linger in the staircase.
"Yes your Highness, but do not worry. I will not cringe with foul language."
Ino had never let a foul word leave her lips. She did not plan to start now.
My dear husband,
My King,
My Sasuke
The last months I've walked the castle like a pale shadow of what our love used to be. It saddens my heart that you grew weary and tired our love. You must know that I was aware of your mistress. You will never have my blessing, but I will forgive you. For if my love was not enough for you, your love was enough for me. I will forever care for you my tender husband. What ought you not do for love? I will forgive you. I know you want everything to be perfect and I'm sorry I'm not. I thought you knew that I would never stand in the way for your happiness.
I would also like to thank you for the lovely chamber that was prepared for me and making your loving brother takes proper care of me. I'm swell.
Take good care of my daughter and son as they are the world to me. May they live long and be in good health, well aware that their mother died loving them.
I will not claim my innocence again as I'm well aware that you know.
Your honest and loving wife and servant
Queen Ino Yamanaka
She no longer felt like an Uchiha. She did not wanted to be part of the family anymore. They were all cruel and malicious. They were devils each and every one of them. From the cardinal Madara to Sasuke. They were few, but they were grim.
"What does one do when one is a prisoner?"
Ino had not the slightest idea. She had never been a prisoner in this sense before. She had not noticed the sword hanging for Itachi's waistline before just now. It reached him mid-calf and was neatly ornate in gold.
"Are you going to torture me?"
To Itachi it sounded half poisonous and half seductive. He wished he was mistaken about both. Ino was still his brother's wife and she would be until she was dead.
"Do not worry your Highness, I will not purposely torture you."
How many had he tortured? How many had he broken? How many had he made cry out for their mothers?
"How does one torture another without purpose?" Ino wanted to know.
"Oh, by claiming taxes from the poor so that the rich can have more?"
Ino wanted to object, but she couldn't when she knew in her heart that it was true.
It was the first time she had ventured outside of the castle without it being planned. It was the first time she had been outside without it being an official visit. She had dressed up as one of her help and taken a coach to the market.
It had been like she had remembered the carts, the people and the basements shops.
The commoners weren't as nicely clad as those who stayed at court. Some of them smelled too. The streets certainly smelled. Horse and possible human waste lay thick in the streets. Ino tried to not let it bother her and focused on the scenery and energy of the buzzing market.
A young chap at around ten years met her eyes. He was dirty and dressed in ragged clothing. His hair was long and unkeept. His older sister stood behind him with an infant. The sister was just as poorly dressed. The infant was swept in a filthy rag. Unlike her own daughter this infant lay still. It had hollow and not rosy cheeks. It was emaciated and low on energy.
It unease Ino to know that children in her kingdom had to go hungry when they had so much.
The child kept her stare and started moving towards her. There was something in his eyes. It was as if he knew all the answers to every question in the world. Ino could not take her eyes off him.
The boy had made his way to Ino. He was now pulling her skirt. "Please ma'am. Just a farthing would do. It's for my brother, he ain't doing that well."
The jerking persisted as Ino stood frozen. A commoner spotted them and moved over in hope of being the hero of the day. He was simply clad in white tights and shirt, brown shorts and vest. He slapped the child without warning. The sound of his hand hitting flesh made Ino jump back. "Do not bother this fine lady or else I will hound you!"
The children were running across the street to run away from more harm.
"Stop!" Ino yelled and ran after.
She opened her purse and the boy cupped his hands. Ino emptied the content of her purse. 17 fine sovereign. Almost what a parson would make in a year. She had won it in a bet last night. Her chambermaid had bet her that she could not balance a glass on her head and jump. Ino had won the bet, easily.
The boy had never seen so much money at one time. "For your brother, and some for you." Ino took off her earrings and placed them in his hands. They were gold, diamonds formed a white rose and it had mother pearls hanging. They were worth a fair deal of money.
The boy started crying trying to give back some of his new gained riches. Ino bent down so that they were eye to eye. "Do not worry my child. I'm actually the Queen." With a wink she got back up and left the little orphan family.
That boy had been hung as Ino left for the Tower, clutching her earrings in his hands.
It was foolish of Ino not to think that the King hadn't gotten word about this incident. He had found the children and supported them financially. When the first born son had reached a mature age Sasuke had instated him as a castle guard.
His better judgement had finally paid off. Shikamaru loved the Queen. There was no doubt about that. Everyone knew that. That was why he was the perfect scapegoat. It had taken extensive torture to make him confess. Itachi had helped. Some of the things that had been done to Shikamaru had made his stomach cringe. Itachi had walked out on several occasions while Sasuke himself and Sakura had continued their bidding.
As he had been dragged up the gallows Shikamaru thought that his life had been too little a price for hurting the Queen who had been most kind to him and his family. He owed her his life twice over. He loved her and he was part of what would make her meet her end. He deserved to die because he had hurt the one person he loved the most.
"Yes, that is true. I know about your pet Shikamaru."
They had spoken on a few occasions inside the castle and often played cards. It was true that Ino had taken a favor upon him. She enjoyed his company and sharp wit. She had certainly no idea that he was the boy she helped so many years ago and she certainly did not have a carnal relationship with him. They were mere friends.
"You're a crude man who speaks of something you know nothing off."
Itachi raised one eyebrow.
"Is that what you think off me? You shouldn't speak of something you know nothing off."
He had quickly turned Ino's own words against her. What more did she have if even her words were going to be taken from her?
"The walls are warm, Sasuke had planned this."
It was a statement. It would take hours to heat these kinds of walls. Her departure had only been abrupt to her and her people. Sasuke and his brother had planned this and prepared.
It surprised Itachi had she had caught on so quickly. Sasuke had warned him about her cleverness. That she would find out that it was all a set up, and to find you so soon he would never have believed.
"There's no reason to lie to a dead woman."
Ino snorted. That her husband would be the cause of her death wasn't even her darkest nightmare. After all she had done for him, after all her sacrifices he had sent her off to die for his personal gain. She had even given her a son like his previous wife had never been able to.
"I'm not dead yet, so do not treat me such, foul swine."
Itachi's reaction to the coarsest insult Ino could master was a laugh. He had heard so much worse, he had said so much worse.
His laugh upset Ino and she flung another bead in his direction.
"Those really hurt you know."
Ino huffed and crossed her arms. "Good."
Itachi picked up the bead and threw it back at Ino. His aim was good and it hit her right between her eyes. It did hurt. It made her eyes tear up. Most of all it angered her further. She was on fire. How could he do such a thing to her? She was still the Queen and he was nothing.
Kiba suddenly appeared again with a rag to wipe up the wine that had spilled. After came a girl with black hair, almost violet. She came carrying another mug and some new cups.
The girl first bowed to Itachi then she took a bow in front of Ino.
"Do you not possess manners? I'm the Queen; I'm directly under the King."
The girl did not say anything but took another bow.
"No apology?"
Ino's eyes burned the girl who stood distressed in front of her. Itachi knew this girl, and he knew why she had apologized.
"Sorry Queen, please don't be too hard on her. She hasn't spoken since she came here. We assume she's mute. We call her Hinata, she is a good worker."
Ino could not possible scold the girl for not talking. The girl took a third bow and put the wine down. Kiba was mopping the floor.
"Then I'm sorry, Lady Hinata. Sit, take some wine!"
The girl was flabbergasted. Her skin was possible even fairer than Ino's. She sat on the edge of the chair and Ino poured her some wine witch she accepted with shaking hands.
Truth was that Ino did not want to spend time alone with Itachi. He was a crude man whom did not shy from saying the most horrific things and Ino did not know what he did or did not know about her. There was no helping his darkened soul.
Ino poured herself some wine and looked over at Itachi.
"Looks like we're out of cups, why don't you find some more."
There was poison in Ino's voice. She had her heart set on disliking and possible hating Itachi.
Itachi contemplated for a few seconds. What harm could leaving Ino do? It was not like she could overpower Kiba. Itachi nodded and started walking downstairs.
Kiba's head soon appeared over the edge of the table.
"So, is Hinata your wife or something?"
Ino was already on her second cup of wine. Hinata blushed with the question; Kiba gave them both a sly grin. "It's not like I haven't tried. I'm not even sure if she speaks English. We just show her what to do. Itachi brought her with him from Portugal. She's supposed to be the daughter of some English nobleman. He had her locked up. She wasn't allowed outside her chamber. Said she was unstable, mentally. A danger to herself and everyone else. You should have seen the condition she came here in. Her skin was grey, her eyes sunken in…"
He was interrupted. Itachi had returned.
"That's enough Kiba."
Ino did not believe for a second that Itachi had a caring bone in his body. There must have been the reason for him to bring this poor girl to this place.
"She clearly understands English. She blushed when I asked if you were married. She likes you."
Hinata blushed again. Itachi knew that they both had feelings for each other. That was why he had paired them together. It was unfit to have a man and a woman work together. He did not see the problem. The worked diligently and fast, he did not mind. Only Itachi knew the horrors Hinata had suffered and what he had saved her from. He understood why she kept quiet.
Ino's mood had drastically changed through the evening. She was clearly upset when Kiba and Hinata left and Itachi cut off her wine supply. It was not lady like to drink too much. Ino could not be bothered.
"It's time for sleep," Itachi declared. He started the flames on the torches hanging on the wall. Ino waited for him to leave but he took speed towards the forgotten bed Ino had neglected to notice in the corner.
"I'm sorry, but you cannot sleep in my chamber. I am a married woman!" Ino professed.
Itachi stopped in his tracks. She was right, but there was something she did not know.
"Your husband did not put it past you to try and escape. He advised me to sleep in your chamber."
He could make out her frame in the dark. Her hips were swayed to the left and her right hand rested on the right one. Itachi studied her frame the appropriate amount of time before the turned around again. He was the guard, and she was the prisoner. She could not make him leave.
Ino turned her back to him and quickly slipped her dress off. She had opened the box she brought with her and found a night gown. It lay ready on her bed. She had a slight problem though.
"Then… Since its dark, could you open my corset?"
Itachi sighed. He was already starting to get warm in his bed. He had heard her struggling and jumping around. He was no longer used to women and their dresses and he had indeed forgotten all about corsets. They were torture instruments in their own.
He slipped out of his bed and walked over to the white frame standing by the bed. She already had her back turned against him. Her hair tickled her as Itachi pushed it over her shoulder. His breath was hot on her neck but it gave her chills. He was quick to untie the corset and pull it loose. It hit the floor and she could hear him moving across the floor again. Ino slipped on her nightgown and was surprisingly out as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Itachi had not expected her to sleep the whole night through. He had expected some crying, maybe she would tip something else over.
She hadn't.
She had a soft smile plastered on her face as she lay sleeping. It was past noon. Itachi had been up for hours. He had already eaten breakfast, checked the grounds, eaten lunch and found time to watch Ino as she was sleeping.
It had only been a few days since his brother had made him crush and pull an innocent man torture him in the worst ways, now he was babysitting his ill-fated wife. He had not known at the time that the man was innocent. His brother had told him that the man was guilty, that the woman with him had seen it herself.
The man had cried in agony. He had hopelessly claimed that the Queen was innocent. She meant everything to him. He worshiped her higher than his king. After two days being kept in The Scavenger's Daughter he lasted surprisingly long on the Rack. The woman had suggested starting a fire beneath the poor man. His blood would eventually extinguish the flame. It was the most horrid thing Itachi had been part of. He had to stop Sasuke several times from ripping limbs off the poor man.
It had not been before threats of killing Ino's daughter had been made that he confessed.
He must have realized that Ino was dead the minute the harlot with Sasuke had climbed his bed and whispered about marriage in his ear. Itachi could not understand how a woman could be worth so much suffering. Especially now that knew that it was all lies. He had not lain with the Queen. He would not be too quick to judge. What would he not do himself to bring his late wife back to life?
A light tugging of the blanket he was sitting on brought him back to life. Ino had awaken, startled to find Itachi sitting on her bed. He was supposed to guard her, not sit on her.
Itachi jumped off the bed and rang the same bell as he had the day before.
"You slept through breakfast and lunch. I'll have Kiba make you something; he's actually a decent chef. My Queen." Itachi took a deep bow and rang the bell once again.
"I sent your letter to Sasuke. He will most likely have gotten it by now, if you're expecting a response."
Ino shook her head. She didn't expect anything anymore.
"Could you fetch Hinata to help me get dressed, please?"
Ino still had sleep in her eyes as she rubbed them. Itachi nodded and started ascending the stairs.
Ino had picked out a royal blue dress, the kirtle and corset was cream with a floral pattern. Getting dressed in such and outfit took time and sweat was running down Hinata's face when she was done. Ino found her hairbrush and started tending to Hinata's hair. Hinata had never had her hair brushed by someone else before. She found it soothing. She had always been forced to keep her hair short and never paid much attention to it.
"You have the most beautiful hair. It's black, but it's shiny and beautiful, it's so thick."
Hinata was not used to compliments. She was not used to anyone taking notice of her looks, and defiantly not anyone then taking joy in them. Thick black hair was not the beauty standard.
"You should grow it long like the fine lady you are, I'm certain that Kiba would enjoy it."
There was a red blush covering her face. She had feelings for Kiba, but he was clueless or he didn't return the feelings. They were both just servants, and maybe he wanted something better.
"He's already keeping an eye on you."
There was a fist knocking on the brick wall in the stairs. Kiba shortly appeared with a tray of food. They hadn't asked the Queen what she might have wanted. What they did know was that she liked to eat food of the peasants. She enjoyed vegetables, dark bread and freshly slaughtered meat.
Kiba sat down the tray on the small table and gave a small bow.
Ino got off the bed and went over to inspect the food. Her meal consisted of peas, carrots, broccoli there also looked like there was some young rabbit on her plated. She was pleased, thanked Kiba and sat down.
Kiba had been surprised when Itachi had told him to prepare vegetables with her meal. It was an uncommon thing for the nobility. They were often on a high meat diet. They wanted little to do with vegetables. That was the food of the farmer. Kiba could not help but to stare at her plate as she placed some carrot on her fork and ate it.
"I'm sorry, is there any ale?"
Kiba knew he had forgotten something and ran off.
"You were right. This is delightful."
The vegetables was still on the crisp side and the meat was cooked to perfection.
"I'm rarely wrong Ino, I've picked my staff with diligence."
Ino nodded. Itachi seemed like a man in control. There was movement in the staircase. Ino was pleased, her mouth was slightly dry.
It wasn't the happy face of Kiba who appeared. To Ino's shock it was her husband. Her enraged husband.
Hinata jumped off the bed and bowed as deep as she could. Itachi stood still and Ino just narrowed her eyes. Had there been poison in her food causing her to see Sasuke, had she gone crazy, was she dreaming the scene in front of her.
"Ah, brother! What a delightful surprise."
Sasuke shot his finger out pointing it Itachi to shut him up. In his other hand he held a letter he was shaking. His anger had colored his face red. Kiba appeared, bowed and looked utterly confused.
"Kiba, I was getting thirsty!" Ino held her cup up and Kiba slowly made his way towards her. He made sure to avoid getting too close to Sasuke. Kiba filled her cup and she drank it. It didn't taste foul and she asked for another cup.
"I will not be ignored!" Sasuke yelled. Needless to say Hinata and Kiba were terrified. Itachi was used to his brother and his rage, Ino simply couldn't force herself to care.
"Will you join me for some food then?"
Fuming black eyes met kind blue eyes. He moved over to the table and slung it over. Ino sighed. She wasn't finished with her meal. It had been tasty too.
"I'm assuming not."
The only sound heard in the room was Kiba trying to be quiet as he made his way over to Hinata.
"What's the reason for this honor?" Itachi tried.
The sound of a slap filled the room. Ino got off her chair. She certainly could not sit while her husband handed her blows. The aura and rage emitting was dangerous. Her outside was calm, but you could feel that she was even angrier than her husband.
"You forgive me?!" He started flapping the letter again. She nodded. She had forgiven him. He had fallen weak; he might even have been cast under a spell. Ino didn't put it past Sakura to be a witch.
Sasuke grabbed her face pulling on it. She had no right to forgive him. He was king, he should be forgiving her. Forgiving her for all the awful things she had done to him. Yet Sasuke knew those were all lies created by him. Ino had been nothing but a good and loving wife, she had been a great Queen. He had needed forgiveness but he wasn't ready to forgive himself. That was what had enraged him.
Sasuke let go of her face with a shove. The force was great, Ino stumbled and fell. Sasuke looked down at her and smiled.
"Sakura is adjusting well in your old chamber. You complained that I never came to your chamber anymore, now I'm there all the time."
Ino knew that he was trying to get to her. He was looking to hurt her and he was sadly succeeding. Ino got up on her two feet and started dusting off.
"I'm in your chamber now, with my brother."
Sasuke looked over his shoulder at his brother. He was getting ideas in his head. Of course he should have known that Itachi would defile his wife, taint her and claim her as his. Itachi always took everything of his and was always the best brother.
Itachi closed his eyes, he knew what was coming next. The headache that would come. He never heard a word. He had expected Sasuke to start yelling and reprimanding him, accusing him of defiling his wife. Had Ino invited for it to happen he wouldn't have turned her down, but she hadn't. Ino was a marvelous and even in this situation a faithful wife.
Itachi opened his eyes when a shriek filled the room.
Sasuke had pushed Ino down on the bed and pinned her arms above her head.
Kiba was looking away holding around Hinata shielding her from the scene.
Ino was squirming and kicking. She did not appreciate the turn of events.
"Aw come on Ino, you were the one who complained I never slept with you anymore. I'm still your husband."
Ino stopped fighting with him. She widened her eyes, he wouldn't, would he?
He claimed her lips as he had done hundreds of times before. This time it was different. They weren't soft and loving. They were hard and unforgiving. He let them go and enjoyed the look on her face. Ino's eyes narrowed and she spit in Sasuke's face. She didn't care that some of it dripped down on her chest.
"You shouldn't have done that, you shouldn't have done that," Sasuke muttered.
There was another slap filling the room. This was much higher and Ino whimpered. Then there was a third one and Ino screamed. The sound of the fourth one was replaced by a low sulking. The fifth one brought with it hulking.
"That's what happened when you misbehave."
Ino stopped crying and wrinkled her nose before she spit in his face again.
She could have sworn his eyes turned red and he placed his arms around her throat. Ino was coughing for air and small drops of tears fell down her face. Itachi had to move to prevent Sasuke from killing her.
"No! I pay your salary, you obey me!"
Ino was coughing and holding her throat.
"And you were wrong when you taught that you could have her. She's my wife and I can do with her as I please."
Ino screamed and started squirming as she felt his hand travel under her dress.
"What's the matter? We're man and wife."
Ino whimpered no and tried to get him off. Her attempts were futile; he was much stronger than her.
"I thought this was what you wanted." Sasuke looked behind him. Itachi was looking at the scene in disgust, Kiba tried looking elsewhere and Hinata was crying. Sasuke chuckled. He loved how he was affecting each person in the room. They were all terrified of him, mostly Ino with good reason.
Itachi wanted move, throw a punch at Sasuke, push him out the window. Anything to stop him from hurting Ino. He must be finish with her soon. How much more harm could he make himself do to her? He knew that if he moved to stop him things would only get worse for the both of them. Ino was already punished to death, but there were worse things.
Ino rolled over on her stomach and tried to crawl away from Sasuke. He grabbed her dress and held her back. Ino was screaming again. She wanted to get as far away from him as possible.
She felt something being placed on her back and felt her legs and butt getting cold. He had flipped her skirt over. Ino was now hysterical. The blows and the violence she could handle. This would break her. She pleaded Sasuke not to. He wouldn't comply.
Ino was sick to her stomach and terrified of what was coming next. Sasuke had never been like this before. He had always been caring and respected a no. Ino had never experienced anything like this, but she knew others who had. It had always been the same awful story. She was about to have her own story. She cried in despair. It was worse than being sentenced to death.
Sasuke raised his hand and slapped her butt. Ino whimpered he had used great force. Sasuke wasn't pleased either. It wasn't what he had expected. He pulled her undergarments off. This made Ino try to get away again. Sasuke held her steady and threatened her. Ino breath was heavy. She wanted to be anywhere else at the moment. She was terrified. She tried to look behind her to see what Sasuke was doing but her skirt blocked her view. She was clueless to what was going on. But if she couldn't see it, she definitively would feel it.
Sasuke raised his hand again and slapped her butt. This time he was pleased. Ino screamed even louder, her butt jiggled and a red hand promptly showed. He kept this activity going on until Ino just sobbed uncontrollably instead of screaming. It took the fun out of it.
Hinata jumped with each slap and scream she heard. She had been through what Ino was currently experiencing. Kiba knew. Kiba knew what conditions Itachi had saved her from. He could only imagine what the two women in the room were currently going through. He didn't want to, but he couldn't as Ino began crying no and sob.
Itachi had seen much worse he was able to stomach it. It didn't mean that he enjoyed it. His comfort was that Ino soon would be no more and she would have final peace. A lady like Ino surely would end up in heaven. There she would have eternal peace and joy. What was the worst for Itachi knew that this was her punishment for forgiving and loving Sasuke.
Ino screamed with all her might when she felt Sasuke grab her hip and pull her up. She would immediately lie down again. Tears and sweat covered her face. This was a nightmare. Deep down she knew she never would be able to stop him she was just delaying what was to come.
Her heart was about to burst. She tried to think of something happy and cheerful, summers with her family, her cat Leonora, and playing cards with Shikamaru. No, he was dead because of her. She couldn't think about him. She felt Sasuke stuffing pillows beneath her as he pulled her up. Dancing with the King of France, going on pilgrimages, praying in church, her children. No definitively not her children.
Her crying hitched when she felt his dick on her sore and throbbing butt. She would have to try harder at distancing herself from real life. As he entered her she entered a field filled with flowers. She ran picking only the most beautiful. She was going to bring them home for her husband, her loving husband. Sasuke slapped her again and this time it felt like crushed her hip.
Itachi knew that this was one of the sights that would haunt him for life.
Ino looked like she had died. Not a sound escaped her. Her gaze was fixed at one point on the wall. Her eyes were blank and clouded. Her mouth was slightly open a trail of blood had made its way down her shin from when Sasuke had kissed her. The blood had dried now. Her body only moved as Sasuke was thrusting into her.
Hinata was clutching on Kiba's shirt. She wanted it all to be over, she wanted Ino to scream and fight. She wanted to kill Sasuke. She wanted him dead. It would have been easy. All she needed was Itachi's sword. Would he have stopped her if she grabbed it?
Sasuke grabbed Ino's hips and started forcefully shoving her against himself. He quickly broke her skin and his hands were covered in her blood. Not even now there was a reaction.
"Care to join me, brother?"
Itachi didn't know how to respond to such a question? It made his stomach turn and blood boil. He would certainly no join in on raping his brother's wife. Ino's gaze move from the wall over to Itachi. She looked him deep into the eyes. She looked too much like his wife seconds before she left him forever. It became too much for Itachi to handle. He abruptly left the room without a word.
Sasuke laughed. He knew that deep down Itachi was a soft man. He was probably in the stairway biting his lips and crying. The emotionless Itachi wasn't as emotionless as everyone believed. Half of what was said about Itachi was rumors and lies; the other half was a twisted truth.
Sasuke grabbed Ino's hair and started pulling it. He could feel himself ripping some off. It didn't matter. He wouldn't see her again after this. He didn't care how she woke up looking tomorrow. She would be dead in less than twenty-four hours.
Sasuke pulled out and flipped her over on her back. She averted her gaze to the ceiling. With a few strokes he came over her chest and face. Hinata ran out of the room leaving Kiba alone with Ino and Sasuke. He would not leave her no matter how much he too wanted to escape. Ino didn't even twitch. She slowly closed her eyes.
Sasuke pulled his pants up and jumped off the bed. He looked at Kiba with a devil like smile; Kiba swallowed and took a few steps back. Sasuke walked over to Ino and bent down. "Do you forgive this?"
A sore and primal scream must have filled the whole castle. Ino had woken from her trance. Some of Sasuke fell in her mouth but she kept on screaming.
The scream made Itachi return running up the stairs. He met Sasuke on the way up. It cost him all his willpower not to push him down the stairs.
When Itachi made it to the top he saw a frozen Kiba and a screaming Ino. Itachi was clueless in a situation like this.
"Kiba, go fetch Hinata. Tell her to bring something to clean her with…"
Itachi was known as the cruel and dark one of them. He could have never brought himself to do such a thing. Sasuke had utterly destroyed Ino. It felt like taking her life right there and then would have been the most humane thing. Ino would never recover before it was time for her to go.
Hinata entered with a bowl of water and cloth.
"Will you be fine alone with her?"
Hinata nodded. Itachi didn't want to upset Ino any further. A male presence might have scared her further.
Hinata climbed the bed and started cleaning off Ino. Ino had stopped screaming and was sulking now. She could not process a single complete thought. She couldn't form a word. She could only cry.
When finished cleaning Hinata could only pet her head trying to sooth her, Ino crawled closer to Hinata and placed her head in her lap.
Hinata had too been betrayed by a man close to her. The things her family had put her through before Itachi took her away was a disgrace, it was against God. It had been an abomination. She knew what Ino was going through. There was nothing Hinata could do but to let her cry and try to soothe her.
"I know how it feels," Hinata whispered.
Ino clutched her skirt and let go of it trying to calm herself. It didn't help much.
By the time Ino finally fell asleep Hinata's shirt was wet with tears. She had herself shed some tears.
When Ino awoke Hinata was still running her hand through Ino's hair. Itachi had gone to bed; it had long since become dark outside. It seemed to be night. Hinata and Itachi had not been able to sleep. Kiba had just gone downstairs to make them all something to eat.
Ino sat up and rubbed her eyes. She was sore all over and everything hurt. Worst was her heart ache.
"I need to see a priest," she turned towards Itachi. He kicked off his blanket and got up. He took a torch and left without a word. He would have to leave the castle in order to get to Sasori.
It was a rather warm summer night. Itachi could hear the Yeomen walking the premises, a few of them greeted them. Itachi made his way over to the Chapel of St. Peter. The front door was open and he walked in. He then made his way over to the only door in the church and knocked.
He could hear someone moving around in the small room, probably waking up and getting dressed. It was the blond, Deidara who eventually opened. "I need Sasori, straight away." Deidara nodded. He was Sasori's left hand and had helped him ever since he had been made an orphan.
There was some more movement and some chatter. Sasori appeared with a bible to his chest. Itachi let him and Deidara out before he followed them out of the church.
Sasori was a rather petite man. He was both small in size and height. He certainly didn't look a day past thirteen but Itachi knew he was the oldest among them. While Sasori was always strict and serious his blond counterpart was bubbly and energetic. Deidara was the tallest among them, he was almost as pale as Sasori. Itachi knew he was in his early twenties and had been with Sasori since he was seven years oF age.
"I assume we're going to see the Queen?"
Sasori knew where they were going and didn't need Itachi to confirm.
"Does she know what will happen tomorrow?"
Itachi shook his head in the dark. She had been told that she had been. The question was if she had heard. It hadn't seemed like it.
Itachi was the first up the stairs. Ino had already gotten out of bed and was packing back and forth.
As soon as Sasori had come up the stairs she flung herself at his feet. "Father, I need you."
Ino had as of recent become worried about her soul, what if she had acted wrong and would be doomed for all eternity.
"Raise my child, what is it that worries your soul?"
Deidara and Itachi stood quiet as Sasori helped Ino back on her feet. She immediately started pacing again.
"What if my soul is tainted with this judgement? I know I'm innocent in my heart and therefor God should too, but what if? What if there is anything else I've done. I've surely done my best to be good and godly all my life. I've committed no sin and prayed day and night." ¨
What God did know was ever foul thought she had had. All the cruel things she had wished upon Sasuke.
"I've wished for my husband to exchange lives with me."
No good wife should want her husband dead. He had been so good to her, before he had fallen in love with someone else. She wanted him dead now. She wanted him gone.
"I wish he would drop dead."
Ino was back on the floor again. Sure nobody, not even God could judge her in this state. She was robbed of everything good in her life and placed in a cell to wait for her death. The sounds of her sobbing emitted throughout the room. Itachi was certain it would soon wake Kiba and Hinata.
"It's surely how we act that matters, not how we feel," Deidara tried.
The sobs subsided. She was a pathetic shape down on the floor. Her red robe lay around her frail body gently moving up and down. Her blond hair covered her face.
All three men stood helpless as the Queen cried her eyes out on the floor. Sasori and Deidara shared looks while Itachi only had eyes for Ino.
"God will surely judge this, but he will not judge you. Please, I mean no harm to the King but he will receive his just punishment for his actions."
Ino shook her head. She did not want to believe that she could have such vile thoughts and not be punished.
She kept imagining him dying by the hands of his new lover and how she would be punished and tortured for her actions.
"I keep seeing his face, Shikamaru, oh how he must have suffered. If I do go to heaven how could I be able to face him? Why couldn't he just have killed me? Why did he had to torture and kill an innocent man?!"
It was what pained Ino the most in this predicament. That she had not gone down alone. It had cost the life of two innocent men. She would herself die as an innocent woman but it was not the same. It was the same, but it certainly did not feel so to Ino.
She would gladly die for her country. She would want nothing but the peace and happiness for her King and country. She would gladly have ripped her own head from her shoulders had she been able to.
"Are you worried about your execution tomorrow, my child?" Shikamaru asked.
The Queen down on the floor became quiet. She was to die tomorrow, most likely in a few hours. The air left her body and her lip quivered.
"I want peace from my mind and blackened heart."
She wanted it all to end. She rose on her feet. She would great death with grace. She would welcome it because she had been in a state far worse than death.
She wiped her tears and made her way over to the men. She grabbed Sasori's hands and offered a small smile. "Father, will you please pray with me?"
She looked over a Deidara whom she hadn't properly noticed. He reminded her of her brother and of her father. He had a kind face. It reminded her of a time she was truly happy. Running in the yard playing tag with her siblings and friends. It reminded her of her father always safe and warm, always loving and proud. They were all gone now, like she would be.
Itachi left her alone in the camber with the men of God. He did not want to impose on her most private moment. He wasn't certain if he would be able to handle it himself. Ino moved something deep inside of him, something he was certain had died long ago.
Itachi was woken by someone shaking him. He could hear a cock screaming in the distance. He must have been out for hours.
"Master, what are you doing in the kitchen?"
It was Kiba. He must have woken to prepare breakfast. Was Ino alone? Had she escaped? Itachi must have looked perplexed. Kiba shook his head.
"She has company, they requested wine and ale. Hinata just brought them some."
Right, certainly she wouldn't have tried to escape.
"There's news…" Kiba started slowly.
Itachi got up on his feet. He was definitely sore from the hours on the floor and his feet felt stiff.
"It's the executioner. He might be delayed. There was a storm."
Itachi nodded. This was not good news. He had even himself looked forward to this ending today.
"Have you told anyone?"
Kiba shook his head. He had told Hinata, but she wouldn't be telling anyone. Itachi would have to tell her the news himself. She already hated him.
The way up the stairs had never been longer. Each step became heavier; Itachi had to stop for a few seconds when he heard her voice.
His brother was a cruel man.
Itachi's eyes darted up when he heard footsteps.
"She's ready, we've prayed all night and had communion."
Itachi nodded. She was ready, but there was nothing to be ready for yet.
"When… When will it happen?"
Itachi shook his head and looked down. This would be practice.
"It's postponed."
Both Sasori and Deidara made the sign of the cross.
"God bless her soul!" Deidara said.
Itachi blew air through his nose and continued his journey up the stairs.
Hinata had helped Ino get dressed. She was wearing a black damask dress with a purple kirtle. On her finger she had several rings and there was a bracelet around her left arm. Around her neck hung a golden I with pearls hanging beneath it. She looked stunning and worthy of the title Queen.
Ino was sitting on one of the small wooden chairs with Hinata behind her. Hinata stopped brushing her hair when Itachi entered. Ino rose awaiting news on her execution.
"I'm sorry, it's been postponed. We're hoping he'll be here by noon, but there's no telling."
Ino was willing to wait. Her time would come soon enough.
"I hear the executioner is quite talented, and I have a little neck."
Ino placed her hands around her neck and laughed.
Itachi almost clutched his heart and took a step back. How could she make such dark jokes about her own death?
"We're tending to our hair, would you care to join us?"
She let go of another laugh and turned around. Hinata looked as surprised as Itachi. She sat down and waited for Hinata to continue brushing her hair.
"Oh please, you look like you've seen a ghost."
Itachi simply couldn't shake the way she was acting. It was so strange; it was so light and confident. She was to die in mere hours and she was making jokes about her decapitation.
"And where is Kiba with breakfast, I would love to eat his food at least once more."
Itachi had expected her to get furious like the day she was brought here. He had expected her to cry and scream. It wouldn't have surprised him even if she became violent. She had made a joke about her soon to be missing head and bossed Hinata to tend to her hair.
"Would you be bothered if you were to die today?"
Piercing baby blue eyes met cold black ones.
"I have unfinished matters."
All of them due to her.
"My only worry is for my children that I'm leaving behind."
She knew she had faithful followers and friends to take care of them. They would still grow up not knowing their mothers love for them.
Itachi didn't have children of his own. There hadn't been time for his past wife had died. It hadn't been something he had missed in his life, but it was something that was lacking.
Kiba made his way up the stairs with a tray of breakfast.
White bread, several types of meat and an orange.
Ino clasped her hands and smiled. She was hungry and certainly looked forward to eat.
"Come on, everyone grab some!"
Kiba had made food to her alone, but there was more than enough.
Ino helped herself, then Kiba, Hinata shyly grabbed some and finally Itachi grabbed a slice of bread.
"This is good! Yeah?" Ino yelled out grabbing even some more. Hinata smiled and nodded.
"I have a full stomach and peace of mind."
The room grew cold again. They were reminded that one of them wasn't supposed to be there by sundown. An innocent woman was to die.
"This isn't a funeral!"
It sure felt like it too everyone else.
"This should be a day of joy."
She would finally have her end. She would finally cease to suffer.
She grabbed her finger and pulled a beautiful gold amethyst ring off.
"Kiba, why don't you ask Hinata to marry you? We all know you both want it."
It was out of the blue, even Itachi had been surprised. Ino didn't beat around the bush. It was no secret other to themselves that they were in love. Ino didn't know how far back it went. Ino didn't know how Kiba had taken care of Hinata when she first came. Ino did not know how broken Hinata had been.
Ino held out her ring and gave it Kiba. It had a gift from Sasuke for producing him a daughter. The diamond awarded for a son was not to compare.
Kiba looked down at the ring in surprise. He must have been the most surprised in the room. Ino got off her chair to give Kiba and Hinata space.
Kiba looked up at Hinata. He needed not to mutter a word; she nodded with a tear in her eye. Ino had to admit that she had started crying herself. She grabbed Itachi's hand as the newly engaged couple gave each other a hug. "It's beautiful." She whispered.
Drying the one tear that fell she gave a smile. "Us girls need some alone time."
Ino certainly wasn't done. When they were left alone she went over to her trunk having one particular dress in her mind. She pulled out a large white dress. It had a red corset and kirtle.
"I'm sorry that it's Uchiha red… But I think it could pass as a wedding dress."
Tears started to fall freely from Hinata's eyes as she shook her head. It was all happening so fast. She couldn't believe it. In all honesty Ino had problems following herself too.
She hadn't wanted her execution to be a day of sorrow. She wanted it be one of love. She was certain that nothing would anger Sasuke and his men more. She wanted first and foremost for Hinata and Kiba to be happy. They just needed a push.
Hinata was quick to step out of her servants clothes. Ino hoped that Itachi had been able to get Kiba into some nicer clothes.
Hinata had never since her early childhood worn a nice dress. She had trouble breathing and walking with the corset on. Ino had needed to coach her while they were still crying and laughing.
Ino took Hinata's hand and helped her down the stairs. The morning air felt fresh on their faces. The sun had set and was shining bright and warm.
Ino tried to ignore the scaffold at Tower Green as they rushed to the Chapel. She didn't want to think about her death at that moment.
Inside the chapel Kiba was standing next to Sasori. Itachi was seated in the very front. Sasori offered Ino a smile as she sat down.
Sasori and Deidara had helped give her the idea. To make up for the lost love. To return hate with love. They certainly didn't have the weeding of the help in mind when saying that, but that was what Ino thought of.
Halfway through the ceremony the doors opened. Another red haired man signaled for Itachi to come. Ino's heart sunk and it became difficult focusing on what was going on in front of her. She could feel what was happening. She knew what was waiting for her outside.
There were no emotions in Itachi's face when he returned. He was trained well, trained not to show emotions.
He sat down next to Ino again and grabbed her hand to support.
"I wish I had been right about you."
She skidded closer to him. It was unladylike and disgraceful but she needed to be close to him.
She cried both for them and herself when they finally were able to kiss each other. It had been a beautiful wedding all because of their smiles. Ino knew that what they shared was true love. Ino couldn't help but to feel jealous of them. Had she only been a simple chambermaid. She laughed at herself; she had once been a simple chambermaid. How ironic.
She could feel Itachi tightening his grip on her hand as she laughed out of the blue.
She let go of the comfort Itachi provided her and moved over to the newly weeds.
"Thank you so much, this is all because of you… Queen." Hinata nodded agreeing to Kiba's words. Ino couldn't help but to disagree.
"No, it was all your love. Without it, it hadn't been possible."
There was a knock on the door again. They all know that the executioner must have made it. It was time, he was ready. He would not wait.
She hugged each one of them in order. She paused in front of Itachi. She was a married woman in God's house having impure thoughts. She couldn't help but to wonder how her life had been if she had met the right brother.
This was meant to be a one chapter story, but my faithful reader ShikaIno1 requested that I made a happy ending, one where Ino didn't get her head chopped off. I was more than happy to comply, it doesn't take much. So the second chapter will be the one with a dark ending and the third chapter has a happy ending. You're welcome to read the one of your choice or both. Hope you enjoy.
I would also like to comment that this is probably the first story in a series I'm planning to, very originally and creatively, call Centuries.
I'm planning to take happenings in each century and write a story about it like this. Therefor you're more than happy to come with incidences in history you want me to write about and what characters to use. I also plan on doing the same each decade from 1900 up until present day. Hope this makes sense.
Hope you all enjoyed it. Specific and productive criticisms are just as welcome as positive reviews and feel free to correct me if you spot any mistakes grammatically and in this story historically.
Thank you for reading!