Hi guys! So I haven't written a fanfic for a while and my last one that I wrote is on hiatus for the moment due to the fact that I lost inspiration to finish it.
This one is another SasuSaku fic that I have kind of been brain storming and thinking about for a couple weeks now.
I'm a relatively new writer, and I absolutely love reading all of the fan fictions posted on this site. So, I hope that my story will be enjoyable. I would greatly appreciate any reviews, especially constructive criticism on my writing and story structure.
Anyway, here is a quick synopsis of what this story is about:
Sakura is the heir to her small kingdom of Haruno. With a looming threat of war, her parents arrange her marriage to a prince of the neighboring kingdom of Uchiha in order to try and preserve their kingdom from the threat of the Akatsuki alliance. Before final arrangements, Sakura is chased out of her own home and is forced to flee to the kingdom of Uchiha and ask help from her fiance whom she has never met. Will he help her? And can either accept their situations?
Chapter One: There Is No Escape From Duty
Sakura's heart thumped hard in her chest, threatening to burst out as she tried to contain her temper. It was clear on her face however, how much disdain she had for the news her parents just announced. Even if it was for the good of her people, her kingdom, she still felt as if one important thing she felt she had a right to choose, had just been taken away.
"Sakura - " her mother began, but Sakura put her hand up, as if signaling her mother to stop talking, in which she obliged.
"Mother, Father," she began "I am angry, but as the princess I do have a duty to our people. I will do my best, but I can't promise you anything else." her mother opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something back, but her father gently placed his hand on his wife's shoulder and shook his head. He then gave Sakura a curt nod.
Sakura stood up and quickly rushed past her parents, not wanting them to see her cry. She wanted love. Not an obligation. All the riches in the world would never be able to replace the emptiness she was already beginning to feel.
Her long pink hair swayed behind her as she rushed to her room, her emerald eyes glazed over with the tears threatening to spill onto her porcelain skin.
She saw her best friend and mentor down the hall In front of the doors of her bedroom. Tunade had been with her since the day she was born, her personal guard that went everywhere she went. Of course naturally Sakura confided and found a friend in Tsunade. She was like the missing parts of her mother that she didn't have time to give Sakura.
"Sakura! Are you ok?" Tsunade asked, concern obviously laced her voice as she saw the state the princess was in. Sakura then began to sob.
"Tsunade, I-I..." Sakura began as she tries to coke back the tears. Tsunade wrapped a confirming arm around the pink haired princess's shoulder.
"Here, why don't we sit down on your bed and we can talk about it or whatever you like." she said trying to offer comfort. Sakura nodded her head in agreement as the two headed into her bedroom, shutting th doors behind them. Sakura had a beautiful bedroom, with dark cherry wood flooring, plain white walls, a stone fireplace, and glass sliding doors with a balcony that overlooked their palace gardens. And the forest beyond. She had a pretty rug on the floor depicting the flowers she was named after, a black vanity with mirror, and a king sized bed in her room. She had sheer white curtain adorning the windows.
The two women sat in Sakura's bed, Sakura sniffling.
"What's made you so upset?" Tsunade finally asked after a few minutes. Sakura kept sniffling and was silent for a little while before finally replying.
"It's not really anything that I should be this upset over, but..." Sakura said before trailing off for a little while, "My parents have arranged my marriage to a prince in the Uchiha kingdom as a way to guarantee an any to protect us from the Akatsuki." she began sobbing all over again. Tsunade was at a loss for words. She wasn't sure what she could say to offer comfort to the princess.
It was a few more minutes of them just sitting there in silence, Tsunade rubbing Sakura's back as comfort.
"It's not that I'm ungrateful. I know that my parents love me, and it must be hard for them too... The obligations of being the leaders of this kingdom. And, I will gladly do what I need to protect the people of this kingdom... But I just can't help but feel so sad that I don't get to choose who I love. I thought that I would at least be given that freedom... And its ruined all because of this stupid war! " Sakura finally vented. "I won't know anything about who I am arranged to marry. How am I supposed to be with someone I don't know?!"
Tsunade carefully thought about the words she would say next. "As a mentor, I would say that I am proud that you can still look at this logically and reasonably even when emotionally it's difficult. As a friend however, I have always wished to see you happy with a man you love by your side. But, I must also say that I think learning to love can happen over time. The most important thing Sakura, is to never lose hope and always keep moving forward. You are strong." Tsunade hoped that at least some of what she said made Sakura feel better.
Just then, a knock came to the door.
"Yes?" Tsunade piped up, answering to the knock before Sakura could.
"Tsunade, the King and Queen have asked that you see them immediately. " A voice sounded from the other side of the door.
"Ok. I will meet with them in a few minutes." Tsunade replied. She looked at Sakura who was laying down, eyes closed.
"Are you going to be ok?" Tsunade asked. Sakura nodded.
"Yeah." Sakura sighed. Tsunade nodded and got up off the bed and left the room. Now Sakura was left on her own thoughts. She suddenly got up deciding that she would watch the sunset from her balcony and at least try to convince herself to come to terms with the days events and the future events that have yet come to pass.
Sakura was sound asleep in her room when a hand slowly crept over her mouth instantly waking the pink haired princess. Her scream was muffled, but she stopped once she realized that it was Tsunade who had covered her mouth. Tsunade seeing that Sakura had calmed down, retracted her hand from Sakura. She put one finger to her lips to signify Sakura to stay quiet.
"Sakura," She whipered, her tone dead serious. "You need to do exactly as I say, when I say it, no questions asked." She commanded. Sakura was confused. What the hell was going on? She could feel her heart began to race with anxiety.
"Put on a robe. It's cold outside... And put on your riding boots! " Tsunade commanded. She was right. Sakura was in a silky red night dress and the nights got kinda chilly, even in the summer. But if she needed her robe, that meant they were going somewhere. Sakura was already beginning to not like the feeling she was getting. she did as Tsunade commanded, quickly.
"Tsunade what is going on?" Sakura whispered, trembling.
"There isn't time to explain Sakura. Just do as I say. Right now our priority is getting you out of here alive. Black cloaked men showed up. They are going to infiltrate the castle any moment. I already warned Jaraiya for your parents. We must leave. I don't know who these men are but they are armed and I don't think they mean to be peaceful."
Sakura felt her breath hitch in her throat as she tried to process the words coming out of Tsunade's mouth. Who would be here? With weapons? Was it the Akatsuki already? Tsunade pulled out a knife and handed it to sakura.
"A last precaution, for an emergency." Tsunade explained. Sakura nodded weakly. "You are going to need to follow me. We are going to head for the stables and hopefully sneak out of here." Tsunade quieted.
"They are coming down the hall." Tsunade whispered, breaking the silence. "Quickly! Jump over the balcony! It's only a couple feet from the ground you will be fine! Hurry!" She urged. Sakura stood there for a moment, willing her legs to move, though she was paralyzed with fear. Tsunade shot her a look mixed with panic and warning. "Sakura go!" she hissed. "I will be right behind you but you have to go! Run straight to the stables. Go now!" she commanded.
Finally, Sakura's adrenaline seemed to take over her body and gripping the knife Tsunade gave her she headed for the balcony. She looked below, afraid that an unknown person might already be down there. She glanced back at Tsunade who was barring the door with a decorative bamboo stick to try and bide time. Taking one more glance below, she saw nothing and jumped the balcony.
Sakura landed with a 'thud' onto the hard soil and grass. She looked back to see if Tsunade was following. Tsunade was at the balcony edge, sword drawn. This was unusual since she specialized in the use of a bow, but she knew hand to hand and basic sword skills. Sakura had seen her train and Hine her skills many times. Looking around, Sakura looked for the nearest tree. She had no idea if the infiltrators were roaming or surveying this area, but at least the trees offered some shadows. The stables weren't too far, but through the gardens, trees were few and far in between until they got to the thicket of trees that surrounded the stables. In her heart she wished that Tsunade would be close behind her before she finally willed herself to make a dash for the stables.
It didn't seem like the gardens had been occupied by the intruders yet, but still, Sakura did her best to be careful just in case someone might see her from the palace. It wasn't till the thicket if trees that she saw a few men clad in black with red clouds decorated on their clothes. It felt like her heart suddenly lunged into her throat. Now what? How was she supposed to get a horse and make a break without getting caught? What worried her more was the fact that Tsunade wasn't right behind her. What was she going to do without her help? She quickly ducked behind some hay by the stables. She could hear the clothed people talking.
"I just don't understand why we are bothering to do this. Why keep Haruno? Wouldn't it be easier to just wipe this country out?" one voice said. Sakura could tell that he was male.
"It's not like I know." Another male voice replied gruffly. "All I know is, I am just following orders."
Just then, Sakura heard a soft rustling by her, causing her to pull out the knife Tsunade gave her in a panic, just to see the said person walking up to her with her fingers pressed to her lips indicating her to keep quiet. Sakura sighed, her heart thumping. Tears of relief began to pool in Sakura's eyes.
"Sorry, I'm here. It's ok. " Tsunade said quietly. "I saw that there are two guys hanging out here. It must be to guard the horses and prevent anyone from escape I'm assuming." She thought aloud. The two women remained hidden in the hay. Tsunade was quiet, as if in deep thought of what to do next.
"Sakura, I will distract the guards. I want you to run in and get two horses ready. You will only have time to get reigns on; we are going to have to ride bareback. I want you on the horse ready to go. Have my horse ready. I will come back, but we are going to have to make a hard dash out of here if we have any hope of escaping. I already checked the front gates, and they are heavily guarded. We are going to have to take the old route into the forest." She whispered commamdingly. Sakura swallowed and nodded. "Ok, it's time. Let's go Sakura!" Tsunade drew her bow, the arrow whizzing past the guards in the opposite direction of the stables. Then Tsunade drew her sword.
"What the hell was that?!" one of the male guards exclaimed.
"I don't know but we better go check it out. Maybe someone from the castle escaped. " The other exclaimed. The two soldiers left to follow where the arrow went. Tsunade gave Sakura a knowing look, then took off after them. Sakura took a deep breath before she ran into the stables.
Though it was dark, Sakura was able to find her horse Kuro easily since she often rode him. He neighed, seeming to acknowledge her presenence.
"Shhhh." Sakura tried to comfort her stallion. The horse quieted. Sakura fumbled around for his reigns, taking a minute to find them, but once she did, she was easily able to get them onto Kuro. "Good boy. Stay here for just a sec." She went over to find Tsunade's horse. While looking for Tsunade's horse, she saw that neither of her parents horses had left their stalls, bringing a sick feeling to her stomach. She silently prayed that we were still ok, and that she would get to see them soon.
She grabbed the reigns for Tooka, Tsunade's horse. Luckily, Tsunade often rode with her so she was relatively familiar with the horse. The horse was calm and quiet as she slid on her reigns. Tooka always seemed calm and collected, much like Tsunade, unless she was drinking.
She could hear shouting from outside the stables, but as to what was being said, Sakura couldn't make it out. She heard the clashing of a swords, and Tsunade's strained grunting. It was then that Tooka neighed. Sakura pulled open the stalls gate and hurriedly led Tooka out. She probably didn't have much time and Tsunade would need her ready. She opened Kuro's stall and led both of the horses out of the stall.
There, by the lit fire, she saw Tsunade, who gave her a quick glance. "Sakura! Go! I will catch up!" She yelled. The other two men she was fighting noticed her.
"Shit! She has an accomplice!" One yelled. Other other one suddenly began to chase her.
"Leave Tooka. Go!" Tsunade yelled as one man swung his sword at her, Tsunade blocking it. Sakura panicked as the other man closed in, jumping on her horse and kicking Kuro's hind. He whinnied and took off.
"Shit! I can't catch her on foot!" the guard yelled.
"Forget her! Let's take this one prisoner and bring her in for questioning!" The other responded right before Tsunade shoved him off her.
"Not today!" Tsunade yelled, swinging her sword and wounding one guard. He yelped on pain and held his thigh.
"Why you!" The other man screamed charging at her. Tsunade parried off his attack and made a dash for Tooka, gracefully jumping on her back and taking off after Sakura.
Sakura held tight to Kuro, too afraid to look back. Her home was lost. She had no idea what condition her parents were in, or why Akatsuki attacked today. They knew there was threat of them invading, but didn't realize it would happen so soon. Where would she go now?
So many thoughts raced through her mind. Sakura was so sick to her stomach, she thought she was going to hurl, and the rough ride on Kuro wasn't helping.
"Sakura!" A familiar voice called. Sakura looked back, suddenly relieved to see Tsunade was still her, was right behind her. She caught up and galloped beside her.
"Sakura, Haruno is lost. I'm sorry. But, I have orders that if this was to happen, I was to take you to Uchiha. It's a days ride. I will be with you to the end, I promise!" Tsunade stated. Sakura could see the old forest road ahead. It clearly hasn't been maintained in years as the brush and forest began to overtake the path. Sakura couldn't and didn't want to say anything. Between everything that just happened, and the only place being her refuge being Uchiha, she felt like life wasn't worth living.
They entered the forest path safely. It was a little ways before they stopped. They could hear all sorts of shouting behind them and in the distance.
"Sakura slow down." Tsunade called. Sakura did as her mentor asked.
"Take a quick breather. We can't stay still for long. I'm going to have you lead. Keep your hood up. It doesn't seem like they know you have escaped. As far as anyone knows, you are just missing." Tsunade said calmly. Sakura still felt like saying nothing. Tsunade seemed to understand and just kept talking. "It's a days ride if we ride all day. Sorry but we aren't going to be able to stop. I have to keep you safe, especially if you have any hope of seeing home again." Sakura nodded.
Any hope of seeing home again? How could this ever be her home again? Hell, since Haruno didn't even exist, is her betrothal to the prince of Uchiha even valid? What if they just threw her out? She would have far more problems than not marrying for love. The only reason Uchiha saw any value in Haruno was it's rich farmlands and mining.
Okay, so there's the first chapter. What do you guys think of it so far?
The next Chapter, we will start in the Uchiha kingdom!
Please review if you can! They are greatly appreciated!
Xisa
