A/N: Thanks for reading!...YOu better review or I will eat your toenails. Just joking, but I want to get a few things clear about this story.

1) Konoha is a Realm in this, and Konoha Gate is the capital. The other villages will be various kingdoms.

2) I will often change from first to third person. There will be a few characters who have first person moments, just so I can show the character's thoughts a little more clearly. These moments will be indicated by (1.P) for first person, and (3.P) for third.

3) It's influenced by 'A Song Of Ice And Fire' and 'The Lord of The Rings', so much so that some scenes may be reminiscent of those, and one of the character's stories will mimic that of a lead character in 'TLOTR'.

That's all for now, I may add a few others down the track, so pay attention. READ, REVIEW and keep your smiles gleaming.

~VENTUS ET IGNIS~

CHAPTER 1: Matrimonium

(1.P)

A glance out through the window on my left, to the cluster of men, women and children who have gathered for the celebration seals my decision. My marriage to the head of the Shimura household would give my people their much needed peace. A luxury in which they have yet to receive since my father's death. I still wish my virtue wasn't the price for my people's safety, though I shall still pay in full. And I shall hold my head high the whole time.

The mirror that forms the backboard of my vanity gives me a glimpse of the woman that the Lord will be marrying. It's not me. At least not on the outside. My hair dyed that furious pink, my green eyes lined with the thick black Kohl. I am no longer the Lady of the east-as my people chose to call me-I am now the wife of a cold hearted Lord. Nothing more.

It tears me up inside, knowing that by the end of the day, my family line, my pure blood, would be no longer relevant within the five kingdoms. Well, four kingdoms. All that belonged to my family-the hundreds of hectares of farm land, the small mountain range that protected our stead from the harsh winds in the winter, the six thousand men who fought under the Haruno's white circle-and even the white circle itself-would now fall under the black root of Shimura. Even my precious name would be worthless after today.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch sight of my former guard, massing at a collection of carts in the field just beyond the wall. Within the carts, dozens of Shimura's men stand, passing out the new iron breastplates to replace my family's own; ones that bore the Black Root to symbolize their allegience to their new lord. I suppose they're better off. The iron will protect them more than the rough leather that the Haruno armour was forged from.

"M'lady?..."

The voice garners a look over my left shoulder, where I find my lady in waiting, Ino, the girl I only remembered because of the dazzling blue eyes that she always made me look into as she did my hair and makeup, standing in the doorway. "Am I bothering you?."

"No."

I turn back to the mirror and watch silently in the reflection as the young woman approaches, carrying a clay bowl filled with fragrant water which sloshes around and splashes her sleeves as she walks. She lies it down on the vanity to my right and dries her wet hands on her apron, then looks at my face in the mirror, smiling to me. "You look beautiful...if I may say."

I smile softly, lowering my eyes from hers to my own reflected in the mirror.

"I think he's going to be very happy with you." she begins playing with my hair, running her fingers along the side and pulling the pink strands behind my ears. "Is there anything I can get for you?...to make you a little more comfortable?"

I shake my head slightly, whispering the words "No thank you" as I do so.

Ino looks at my sunken face in the mirror again. "Are you not excited about your engagement M'lady?"

I lift my gaze to her yet again, and she immediately pulls her hands from my hair and walks to my side, dipping her fingers into the frangrant water and retrieving a cloth that she wrings out. "I apologize...it's not my place." comes from her lips as she does so. She shakes out the last few drops from the cloth into the bowl and begins to gently wipe the moisture on my collar bone, the scent of cherry blossoms rubbing off onto my skin.

"It's alright Ino," The feeling of the cool cloth as the girl drags it along my neckline is pleasantly soothing. "I'm just not in the highest of spirits at the moment." Ino nods. I notice her eyes sadden as I watch her in the mirror. It is comforting to have someone feel for me.

"May I ask why?"

I inhale. "I feel I'm betraying my people even though I know it is what's best for them." Ino stops the rubbing against my neck for a brief moment, but quickly goes back to work.

"How?"

I watch her in the mirror as she works gently on my neck and collar bone. "My family name has always been a staple within Konoha's lands. For generations, my ancestors protected the South East ocean banks...preventing three attacks upon the Northerners...but all of that will be void after today. My family accomplishments will mean nothing and be wiped from history."

"People will still remember m'lady." the blonde says in a failed attempt at comforting me, taking the cloth from my skin and dipping it into the water again.

"Not in the history books...it will be rewritten as the old family that married into Shimura's who prevented the massacre of the Northeners, not the Haruno."

The girl nods to indicate that I have her attention.

"Your family is legend to Konoha M'lady..." she says after a brief silence as she wrings out the cloth. "No matter what happens, the name Haruno shall be etched in stone for the rest of time...regardless of what marriage declares."

The words are refreshing. You wouldn't expect a servant to have such a keen knowledge of language, but stranger things have happened. "Thank you Ino." I say. The girl smiles a lovely grin to me, and lays the cloth down in the bowl.

"You words please me M'lady," she walks around and takes my pink hair again, beginning to style it for the ceremony. "I mean look at the Uchiha...the crown prince kills thousands but they don't wipe his name from the an..."

"Now that isn't your buisness." I cut in sternly. My words make the girl's mouth snap shut, and her eyes drop to my hair.

After a few minutes of silence, she whispers "I'm sorry my lady." and I forgive her. I choose not to speak again though. We stay like that until we are summoned for the ceremony a short while later.

~0ooo0ooo0ooo0ooo0~

(3.P)

Sakura's heavily kohled eyes drifted over the crowd of guests within the high chamber. Representitives from all over the realm had gathered for the wedding celebrations; though she doubted that many of gave a damn about the union itself, and just came to win favor from Lord Shimura.

From where she stood, she made out a herald from the Hyuga elves, dressed in a oak coloured cloak with his hair hanging down his back. Sakura immediately came to the conclusion that the elf was part of the branch house; Elves not born of the royal bloodline, as she had heard ledends that members of the main house never left the forrest for fear of assasination by their many enemies.

Sitting a few seats in front of the elf was an even more impressive sight. A stubby, chubby little dwarf stood with his chest puffed out. Dressed in a Burgundy tunic with a heavy leather belt hanging around his waist, his hair was a mass of redish brown spikes that hung over his head like a lions mane, and his pale, jowled face had two purple marks upon them; one on each cheek. This exicted Sakura-in fact, this was the first thing that had excited her since the announcement of her marriage. She had always had a fascination with Dwarves; they were a mystery to her, hiding away in their mines and rarely coming up.

"My lady?," her kohl laced eyes widened as Ino approached her. "Are you alright?,"

"I'm fine. Where's Danzou?"

Ino lifted the tail of her gown."It's Shimura tradition that the betrothed enter female first during weddings. It's symbolic, represents the wives submission to her husbands wishes."

She lowered her green eyes to the floor, focusing on the point where her hand woven silk gown had pooled at her feet, trying to quell her pride at the thought of 'belonging' to Shimura. It was a beautiful elven dress that the Lord had sent for weeks back; from what Sakura had heard, it had taken several dozen elves to complete, and that they still had worked endlessly for over a fortnight to do so.

The orchestral music began, and Ino followed Sakura up the aisle, careful not to tread on the delicate fabric of her dress. The pastor smiled to Sakura as she took her spot at the altar, then put all his focus on her new husband as he entered. Danzou seemed to be in a rush as he navigated the aisle, his wrinkling, scarred face stern as he took place beside his bride, not even looking at the much younger woman. "Begin," he said, his voice showing frustration.

The pastor nodded and looked around to the guests. "Men and women, elves, dwarves and other esteemed guests, we are here to celebrate the union of not only a man and a woman, but two houses. Bonded together for eternity in love and utter devot-"

"Speed up." Danzou muttered.

The pastor nodded. "Why wait?," he grinned. "Guests, if you might stand for the committals," the few dozen guests stood from their seats as Danzou and Sakura turned to each other. "Lord Danzou, fifty third ruler of the Shimura household, do you take Lady Sakura, first female head of the Haruno household, in marriage, in love, sickness, life and death, until the day you die?,"

"I do." Danzou muttered, looking over Sakura's head.

"Lady Sakura, first female head of the Haruno household, do you pledge yourself to Lord Danzou, fifty third head of the Shimura house hold, in love, sickness, life and death, until the day you die?,"

Sakura breathed in. "I do."

The pastor put a hand on each of their shoulders. "Very well. Under this roof, in the presence of your esteemed guests, I pronounce you man and wife." Danzou took Sakura's hand and the two turned to their guests, walking down through the pews and out into the entry hall, where hundreds of commoners and members of Danzou and Sakura's guard had gathered. As they descended through their people, the men and women bowed to their ruler and his new wife. Sakura watched as she recognised members of her former guard-now clad in their Shimura armour-bowing to their new lord. She'd never made her people bow to her, she found it degrading, but she had no say in the matter now.

The traditional wedding feast that Danzou's advisor had set up for the newlyweds and their guests was mostly uneventful. Danzou never said a word to Sakura the whole time. In fact the only time he even acknowledged her presence was when they took part in the traditional dance at the end of the evening, when they were the only two allowed on the dance floor. Then, after the gift givin, in which Sakura received more presents than she could ever even hope to use, He stood up and left without a word.

Sakura, on the other hand, sat at the dining table, nursing a cup of cinnamon wine. She had never expected Danzou to be the most affectionate of men, but to be ignored completely by her husband on their wedding day was too much. What was even worse than being treated as if she weren't there; if such thing were possible, was the fact that Sakura knew what her evening held. The consumation of her marriage.

It made her sick to her stomach, knowing her first time would be with a cold, bitter man who clearly had no appreciation for her, and her thoughts dwelled on her loss of purity for a good few hours, until the hall was almost deserted apart from a few servants taking half eaten fowls and swine legs back to the kitchens.

Sakura didn't move the whole time, in fear of what awaited her in her bedchamber when she did. By the end of the evening, only Sakura and the two members of her personal guard-Lee and Nara-were left in the hall. When she did leave though-a little after midnight-she went straight to her chamber to fufill her promise, her head held high as she pushed open the door. Danzou wasn't there. She assumed he was still doing his duties, which didn't surprise her. Danzou had shown her no respect the entire day, it'd be foolish of her to think he'd start now.

She stripped off her dress, her body tingling as the cool air of her room crawled across her skin, and climbed beneath the wolf pelt blanket upon her bed, waiting for her husband to come and claim her.

He never did.

~0ooo0ooo0ooo0ooo0~

Sakura couldn't tell how long she'd been asleep when Ino came to her.

"M'lady," the blonde whispered, waking Sakura from her sleep with hesitance in her voice and fear in her eyes."We need to go."

"Ino, what's wrong?"

The blonde looked her lady in the eyes, breathing heavily.

'FLASHBACK'

Ino hummed as she soaked her lady's linens. As a servant, she had to leave Lady Sakura right after the ceremony, head down to her chambers, and replace the linens on her bed before Lady Sakura returned. Now she was soaking them in a pot of scalding hot water out on a balcony, and hanging them from a switch fixed into the space between two walls, where hopefully, the cool winds would dry them off before morning.

The humming had kept her mind off the cold winds, allowing the girl's mind to stay focused on her task without abandoning it half way through. What it didn't help her with though, was hearing the footsteps of a group of people heading up the hall. The girl fell silent when she did hear them, but by then the footsteps were just outside the door.

"My lord, I understand your view, but to commit such an act on your wedding day would be too suspicious, to murder your wife before your guests have even left..."

"Yes, and that is why it is not your duty to ponder such things, is it?," the deep voice of Lord Shimura cut in, filling the blonde girl with dread. "As soon as the last guests have retired, I want Torune to sneak into her room and slice her neck..." Ino edged to the crack in the door, peering out to see the Lord with his guards and an advisor. "Then tomorrow we'll blame Namikaze's consort for her death, and her men will join me to overthrow the council. Understood?"

The advisor seemed horrified at the lord's plan. "My lord, I just fear the reprocussions. If it is discovered what we've done..."

"If you aren't fit to carry out my orders, I'm sure I can find another advisor. Of course, then they'll be no need for you in my kingdom," Danzou threatened, venom in his eyes.

Terror covered the advisor's face. "N-no, my lord, I understand your orders, consider them done." he smiled, still clearly scared.

Danzou and his guard turned and walked up the hall, leaving the advisor. "Good, I want the girl dead by morning."

"Understood, my lord..."

'END OF FLASHBACK'

Sakura's eyes widened as the girl told her story. When Ino finished, Sakura could do nothing but look at her servant with terror in her eyes. "Are you sure Ino?," she asked after a moment. The blonde girl nodded, even more scared than Sakura. "Well, then we'll tell someone, we'll tell the elf, or the dwarf, They'll help us..."

"The Elf?, m'lady, he's a branch elf, he has no right to make decisions, and the dwarves want Shimura on their side, they wouldn't help us if you payed them a thousand rubies."

Sakura looked down to the pelt on her bed, thoughts of what her husband had planned to do swimming in her mind. She was about to speak again, to tell Ino to go get her guard, but the sounds of footsteps outside her door caught their attention.

"It's him," Ino whispered, on the verge of tears.

"Get behind the mirror!" Sakura said quickly, falling back into bed and pretending to be asleep. Ino did as she was told, and watched from the shadows as the door opened, bathing the room in a pale golden glow. Ino caught sight of Shimura's guardian, Torune, slip his fingers into his belt and retrieve a long dagger, it's silver blade gleaming in the light from the hall, before Torune closed the door, sending the room dark again.

The assassin crept towards Sakura and raised the blade above his head. Ino took her chance and dived from behind the mirror, crashing into the dark figure and, luckily, sent the man tumbling into the chair in the corner. The crash brought Sakura from her feint and she sat up to see her servant, tears in her eyes, standing over the assassin, who scrambled back to his feet and immediately grabbed the blonde's throat.

"Stupid whore," he growled, raising his blade to the girl. Sakura let out a cry, one that should have woken the entire castle. The assasin turned to her, his hand still grasping Ino's throat, and pointed the blade at Sakura's face. "You shut your mouth," he snapped. Sakura went to scream again, but this time the assassin pushed forward, sending the tip of his blade into Sakura's cheek. Sakura let out a whelp and grasped her face, as a thin streak of blood began to flow from her cheek.

The assasin lifted his blade again, this time to bring it down on Sakura, and Ino, in a moment of genius, reached for the bowl of fragrant water on the mirror board, swinging it into the back of the assassin's head. The bowl smashed with the contact, sending broken pieces of clay over the bed and floor. The assassin released his grip on Ino's throat, and let the blade drop from his hands into Sakura's lap, grasping at the cut the bowl had made on his head.

With tears in her eyes, Ino snatched up the dagger from her ladies bed and thrust out at Torune, stabbing him in the back and sending the man silent. His body went limp, and he fell forward over onto the wolf's pelt, stone dead.

"Ino?" Sakura gasped, still cradling her face. She slipped from the bed still naked, and wrapped her free arm around the crying girl.

"I-I killed him...I stabbed him," the blonde whimpered. "Danzou will have my head for this!"

"It's alright Ino, it's okay." Sakura said, doing her best to comfort the girl.

"M'LADY?," the voice of her guard, Nara, came up the hall and after a moment, he and his partner Lee burst through the door, swords drawn and at the ready. "what happened?" he asked, eyeing the body lying on the bed, then the two young women, one crying uncontrollably and the other naked and grasping her face.

"Close the door." Sakura said. Lee did as he was told and took guard as Nara went over to survey the body.

"What happened?" he asked again, checking the assassin's pulse.

"Danzou tried to kill me."

Lee's eyes widened, and Nara's just looked at her. "Why?"

"Ino said it was because he wanted my men to join him in a march on the council."

"Damn," Nara muttered, grasping the blade wedged in Torune's back and pulling it from the body. "I knew it. This wedding was trouble from the very beginning." he wiped the blade on the dead man's tunic and surveyed the blade.

"What'll we do?" Lee asked from his post. His brown eyes were as wide as saucers as he watched Sakura, who realised he was looking at her nude body.

"Look away." she snapped. Lee's eyes dropped, and Sakura climbed from the bed to pull a dress over her head. "I have to go." she said, pulling her laces tight over her chest. "I have to get the men back East."

"They can't go m'lady," Lee said. "They've taken an oath. Lord Danzou could have them killed if they went with you."

"That shouldn't stop them from serving their lady." Nara said to his partner, annoyed.

"Then what'll she do?," Lee asked. "She can't just kill Danzou. And if she does go back east, he'll surely send hunters after her."

"No, I can't. But what I can do is head to the gate. I can warn the council about Shimura's plans." Sakura said. All three of her subjects looked to her. "If I leave, Danzou will think I've headed East, and send men that way. But if I turn North, over the mountains, I can make it to Konoha Gate by the next full moon."

"And what of your men m'lady?" Nara asked her.

"I won't put them in danger," Sakura said. "Most have families back home, and some have hardly seen their twenty-first birthdays."

"Very well, we'll need to be gone well before sunrise. Lee, head to the kitchens and gather some food. I want to be gone within the hour." Lee nodded, then slipped out the door and off down the hall.

"Nara, you're not coming." Lady Sakura said. "I'll not put you at risk."

"Risk is part of my duty m'lady," Nara said firmly. "I'll get you to the gate, or I'll die getting you there." Sakura smiled at her guard's honourable words, then bent over to look Ino in the eyes. The girl still hadn't gotten over the fact she'd just staked a man.

"Ino?, Ino, we have to go."

"I don't have anywhere to go," the blonde said. "I was born here. Lord Danzou with take my fingers, then my head." she whimpered.

Nara leant down next to Sakura. "Listen to me," he said, reaching under the girl's chin and lifting her to look in her eyes. "If you stay here, you will die," Ino whimpered again at the words. "But if you come with us now, I promise you that I will protect you with my life. Do you understand?" the two looked into each other's eyes for a moment, then she nodded.

"Okay...Okay." she said softly. Nara nodded, then stood up and walked over to the door.

"M'lady, get some things. Make sure they're warm. You'll need them." Sakura nodded, then went over to her oak chest, opening it to reveal the thick woollen travelling cloak she'd worn on the trip down here. She'd pulled it out and reached into the trunk again, taking some riding pants from the bottom of the trunk, and a satin tunic with the Haruno circle embroidered on the left breast.

She got dressed quickly, and gave Ino a spare cloak to wear. It would keep her warm over the plains. But she wasn't sure how it would hold against the winds atop the mountains. Then the two took up satchels and headed with Nara down to the kitchens, where they met Lee, who'd gathered enough supplies for the four of them.

They made it from the kitchens through the portcullis and into the village, where some of the villagers and Sakura's men slept by firepits in the streets. It wasn't hard to make it through the groups silently, most were drunk, and then they slipped through the gate without being spotted by the guards. "This way," Nara said, leading them down the road from the castle gate and up the North fork.

"Move with haste. We have many leagues to go before we reach the mountains."

~0ooo0ooo0ooo0ooo0~

A/N: Okay, so that was the first chapter. Tell me what you think please. Any feedback at all would be appreciated. THANKS.