Hateshinai

Disclaimer: We do not own Naruto!

Chapter One-

Opportunity

The mornings always came early for a certain Sakura Haruno. She rose with the sun, starting her day just as she would any other. After her morning bath she would make herself breakfast, eat and begin her chores for the day. There was always cleaning to be done and if she was fortunate, afterwards she could find some semblance of work to do, even if only enough to afford her one more meal.

Losing her parents to the war the year before had taken a toll on her and her life. Her family wasn't on the wealthy side, but she was blessed to have their home, even if she didn't have anything more. She'd been an only child for her entire life, but her parents were always there, keeping her company and giving her purpose. After their death, she had nothing but herself. She was surviving… and surviving wasn't easy.

At the age of only seventeen-and living in the day and era that she did, there wasn't much for a young lady such as herself to do in order to make money. There were those certain people who knew her though, and came to love her for the kindhearted and pure child that she was, and if it was nothing more than letting her sweep their floor, they would do what they could to help the poor girl.

Sakura always made a way. Nothing was ever handed out to her, but that didn't bother her because she quite enjoyed earning her keep. It gave her that little bit of purpose she needed, gave her something to do, something to look forward to. These were things she longed for. She craved more in her life. Still though, every day was seemingly the same.

Up until this day that is.

The girl was on her hands and knees, scrubbing the kitchen floor when a knock sounded on her door. It startled her, for she'd never had a visitor before. Feeling a bit apprehensive, she got to her feet, leaving her cleaning supplies behind and wiping her hands dry on her apron as she walked to the door.

Finding one of the king's men standing there, the poor girl almost fainted on the spot. She'd never seen someone so close to royalty, someone so important in real life. She was a commoner who stuck to herself, always at home unless she found some work somewhere. She was not dressed and presentable, she felt like such a mess that she couldn't even look the man in the eyes as he opened a scroll and began reading what was a summons to her.

Once he left her, she closed the door and leaned back against it, her legs giving out on her before she slid to the floor and held a hand over her racing heart. The king and queen were summoning every maiden in their land, calling them forth for a potential occupation in the royal palace. What the vacancy was, Sakura did not know… but she knew that she had to try for it. She would be one of many hoping and praying for this job, but if she didn't at least give herself a chance to obtain it, then she would regret it for the rest of her life.

The summons seemed urgent, for her to be requested to be at the palace by that evening. Once she finally collected herself, she ran through the small house and to her room. She just had to have something to wear. Unfortunately for her, all her clothes were like rags, nothing nice and nothing close to fitting such an occasion. She would be meeting her rulers and she needed to look presentable. The poor girl wasn't sure what she would do.

Calming her rising panic, she went and knelt by her bed, reaching under it to pull out her savings box. She had some coins stashed away for emergencies, but it wasn't enough to get her a nice dress. She checked the time and realized that she had a few hours to prepare, so she left her house in a rush, running at full speed to the couturier just down the street from her home.

She couldn't afford a nice dress, but she could afford fabric, and she'd been sewing her own clothes for years now. She would make something passable. She would buy the best fabric for the coin she had and then she'd hope for the best.

The local seamstress was well renowned and Sakura wished more than anything that she could afford to have a dress made, but she would settle for making her own. It would be better than anything else she had. Once she entered the store, she went straight to the fabrics, looking through them all and getting a feel for each unique material. She couldn't afford the nicer ones and this did slightly disappoint her, because there were a few she really loved.

It was when she moved to the much cheaper fabrics that the seamstress herself approached the young lady. "Looking for anything in particular, darling?"

Sakura looked to the older woman, giving her a soft and kind smile despite the look of pity in the woman's eyes. "I need a dress for tonight… I just have to find the right fabric."

Turning her attention back to the fabrics, Sakura focused on the pale pinks and off whites. She wanted something simple, and she found some that she had just enough coin for.

"The pink would look best on you." The woman told her confidently, but she walked past Sakura, grabbing a roll off the expensive shelf. The sheer pink was dazzling enough to have Sakura swallowing hard and she shook her head quickly as the woman held the fabric up in front of her- studying her and the fabric at once.

"Oh no, milady. I can't afford that one and I've never worked with such exquisite fabric."

"You were planning to make your own dress by this evening?" The woman asked, baffled.

Sakura nodded. "I was summoned to go to the palace, so I just need something presentable… better than this." She explained, gesturing to the old plain white dress she wore. It was worn and tinged with age.

"Is that right?" The seamstress smiled then. "There's a lot of work that goes into making a dress, darling, and one fine enough for a night at the palace. I think if the two of us work together, we might just be able to make it in time."

"Would you really be willing to do that?" Sakura asked in surprise.

"Surely, and we'll go with this one, and a darker silk beneath."

"Why?" Sakura just didn't understand and she wasn't quite sure she could accept such a generous offer.

The woman laughed heartily before grabbing another roll of fabric, a darker pink that was a fine silk. "Because darling, I love that fire in your eyes."

For the next two hours, Sakura and the seamstress worked on her dress. The poor girl felt guilty to have the woman going to such an extent for her, but Sakura was thankful and she made a promise to herself to repay the kind lady one day, no matter how long it took her.

The woman took to Sakura, enjoying her company and even going so far as to help her get dressed. Sakura's heart warmed at the kindness this woman showed her and even when she asked to help with her hair, Sakura just couldn't refuse her. By the time she left the tailors, she looked like a new girl, even having a nice pair of shoes to wear along with her new dress. Without even needing to go back by her home, Sakura made her way towards the palace, nervous, but excited nonetheless.

The palace itself was bustling with activity upon her arrival. There were countless other girls waiting to be shown inside, while at the same time others were leaving with looks of disappointment. As far as Sakura knew, only one position was open and she became a bit discouraged at seeing all the competition. Still, she wouldn't give up, she would push forward and still hope for the best.

It was nearly an hour later before Sakura was led inside along with a dozen other girls. Only so many of them were allowed in the throne room with the king and queen at a time. While one of them stood before their rulers, the others waited at a distance for their turn to be interviewed. Sakura felt much more nervous now, and in a way, she was thankful she was the last of her group to speak to them.

"Haruno Sakura?" The queen questioned, her voice poised and dignified.

Sakura curtsied, trying to ignore the fact that the king appeared rather annoyed. "Your majesties."

"Tell us a little about yourself."

The queen seemed much more kind and easy going than Sakura anticipated. She took a deep breath before thinking of how to answer.

"Well, I'm seventeen. I live on my own and have ever since I lost my parents to the war. I'm sorry to say that there isn't much to know about me, your majesty. I live my days normally, taking care of myself and doing what I can to keep doing so. I don't have much work experience, oh but… I am a quick learner and will work hard and I'm willing to do whatever is needed of me."

"You lost your parents in the war?" The king questioned her then and Sakura looked to him before nodding.

"Yes, sir. My father was a samurai and my mother was a medic. They were killed in the line of duty."

"You poor child, all alone?" The queen appeared heartbroken at this.

Sakura just gave them both a sweet smile. "Yes, but my parents loved what they did and I respect them greatly for their service. I'm fine. I always make a way…"

"We're looking for someone to tend to our son's needs. Someone who can cook and clean and cater to his wishes as he sees fit."

Sakura looked at the king as she took in his words, having no idea the job involved directly working under one of the nobles. "I can cook and clean very well sir, I do so every day. Right now it's hard to make ends meet, so I'm willing to do anything."

"Willing to live here in the palace to watch over our son? To see that he eats at least three meals a day, even so much as helping him with his work if need be?"

"Most certainly." Sakura nodded. "I would do my best, sir."

"Sasuke needs a companion. He needs someone to be close to him. Just between us, he's rebelling a bit and at times refusing to take his meals. There are times when he will not come out of his room for days."

Sakura found this both surprising and alarming. If she wasn't mistaking, Sasuke was the younger prince. She wasn't exactly sure of his age but she felt that he was older than her, even if only a little bit. She knew nothing about him, about his problems nor his life. She wasn't sure if she was the right one for the position, or if she could help him it all. But, she really hoped she could.

"If you'd be willing to accept and give me a chance, I would always be there for him and do whatever I could to see to his health and his happiness."

"I really like this girl." The queen said to her husband, an angelic smile touching her lips as she looked up as Sakura. "I want to give you a chance. You'll be shown to your room and will start tonight."

"Oh, really? Thank you both so much. I do hope I will make you proud."

"I think you will do a fine job, young lady, and as long as you are here with us, you are family. We will see to you as well and make sure you are taken care of."

It was like a dream come true. Sakura was beside herself with joy and she couldn't wait to get started. Tonight, she'd be meeting a prince and she'd be here to take care of him. In her heart, she was excited about it, because once again she'd found some purpose. To have someone to work for and care for… in all honesty, it was the perfect occupation for her.

After she was shown to her new room, which was so much nicer than she was expecting, even for it to be inside the palace, Sakura was then shown the upstairs kitchen where she immediately went about washing her hands to start preparing a meal for the prince. She was told by another person who was one of the palace's cooks of things the prince would and would not eat. She was surprised to find out that he was a rather picky eater and kept a strict and healthy diet.

After an hour, she'd made what the cook claimed to be his favorite thing to eat, rice balls. They took the most time and it had been a while since Sakura had made them, but she enjoyed cooking and remembered easily making them with her mother. Since having those, she decided to make something light and went for a tomato based soup. It was one of her favorite soups, so she hoped the prince would like it. She also cut up a variety of fruits for him, since she now knew that he was a healthy eater and after fixing him a glass of water, she made her way to his room with the loaded tray in her hands.

His room was right down the large open hallway from her own. The queen claimed they wanted her room close to his, where he could get to her with ease if he ever needed something. She made it to stand before his door and she took a deep breath as she got to her knees, setting the tray down to knock softly. There was no immediate response. She waited a moment before knocking softly again and standing once more with the tray in her hands.

"Um… Sasuke-sama?" She called, her voice giving away her nervousness which she tried to swallow quickly. She wouldn't just let herself into his room, but she hoped he wouldn't ignore her. After another moment, she tried once more. "Sasuke-sama are you there? I've come with your dinner."

"I'm not hungry." A deep voice finally answered, tone a lot harsher than she expected. "Take it back."

Sakura's lips parted at his response. She wasn't sure how to go about convincing him, all she knew was that she had to. "I can't do that, Sasuke-sama. Please let me give this to you… Um… I made it myself and… I'm sure you'll like it."

She scolded herself the instant the words escaped her. She didn't know anything, so what was she even saying?

It was quiet again until the door to the prince's room suddenly flew open, the face of her charge finally revealed. He was tall and absolutely breathtaking. Her eyes met his, those deep, emotionless obsidian eyes glaring down at her intensely. He seemed displeased with her being there, but he had the face of an angel. Even with him looking at her so coldly, she found him strikingly beautiful, so much so that she could only gaze up at him for the longest time. She was so entranced that she never even made it past his face.

The prince opened his mouth and closed it again, uncertain as to why a stranger was at his door instead of the usual servant. "Who are you?"

"My name is Sakura, sir. I've been hired to prepare your meals and care to your needs." She explained, trying hard not to avert her eyes, though his smoldering gaze was hard to meet.

Sasuke looked at her suspiciously, but made no comment about her employment. "Tch. Very well then. When I need food I will ask for it, for now take it away." He informed, his words a clear order.

Sakura couldn't contain her disappointment and her eyes fell to the tray in her hands. Maybe he really wasn't hungry, but she was really hoping he would like her food. She'd put her heart into making it for him and for it to go uneaten… it just broke her heart. Especially when there were so many nights she'd gone hungry.

"A-are you sure you wouldn't like me to leave it for you?" She asked quietly, though she was trying to hide her feelings of discouragement. "It may not matter but I made these rice balls from scratch, just like my mother taught me. I made this tomato soup because it would go well with them, and you must be thirsty right? If it's the food, I can make something else, honestly."

She was babbling now, but she just felt like she had to convince him. She didn't want to just walk away. The dark haired prince dropped his gaze to the tray and he weighed his options. He didn't want to give into the girl, but the soup had especially caught his attention. He wasn't one to compromise for the sake of kindness nor was he one to soften at trivial gestures. However, he had not had anything to eat since early that morning and he couldn't remember the last time he smelled something so good. In the end, he decided to blame his moment of weakness on his hunger and the fact that two of his favorites happened to be offered on a silver platter.

Sasuke sighed and took a step back, pointing to a table in the dimly lit room. "Leave it."

Walking past him slowly, Sakura carried the tray inside and placed it on the table right where he wanted it. She then turned to him with a soft, happy smile before curtsying. "Thank you, Sasuke-sama. I'll be in my room if you need anything, anytime."

"Hn."

Somehow, his response made her feel a lot lighter, as if maybe he wasn't so difficult after all. "Goodnight then." She told him, wasting no time in taking her leave, for she didn't want to anger him.

After closing the door behind herself, she took a deep relieving breath before making her way down to her room, heart hammering in her chest with every step. She'd never seen a man so beautiful before… and yet so intimidating. It was almost scary being in his presence, but she could see that this job was definitely going to keep her on her toes. She'd be right back to it the following morning when she'd have to make him breakfast.

Sakura couldn't wait to get to know him better.

A/N:

It's KanaTyy, finally here with the royal au!

Thank you guys so much for reading, we will be posting regular updates, just like with To Walk Alongside You. At least once a week!

The first chapter is pretty short, but the chapters will be getting longer and we're excited to share this story with you guys, requested to us by an anonymous reviewer from A Walk in the Park (Ghostwiththemost) We heard your request and loved it! Thanks so much for sending it our way!

We really hope you all liked the first chapter and will be looking forward to the next! We can do a Q&A here like with our other collabs, so if you guys have any questions, send away!

Til next time...

-KanaTyy