Title: Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
Summary: AU - Ancient China. While her father's health went on a downward spiral, Sakura has no other choice but to follow the Council's direction. "Enter the Gaozhou district as a man, & kill their army from the inside. Especially the Uchihas."
Rated: T
A/N: I know, I know. I promised a story that was linked to Can I be Your Romeo? and what not, but I just. After several months of me just staring at a blank screen, I really don't feel like writing anymore for it. xD. Besides, that story was more, crackish. I feel, kind of more serious.
"Sakura-hime. You must try to understand this. The Emperor is in critical condition, there is no other choice."
"Why don't you understand this? My father is dying, and you're expecting me to go behind enemy lines. What if he dies while I'm gone?" I retorted, getting louder with every word. The pulsating feeling of sadness mixed with something else caused my veins to pop with anger.
"What if everything goes exactly as planned?" A councilmen spit back.
"That's nearly impossible. I'm not going." I stood my guard.
"Sakur-" Not wanting to hear another word, I stormed out of the council chamber.
Who do those wrinkly, obnoxious, hideous-looking old people think they are? The Council of Elders. One of the most promising and cherished titles here in Lufeng. It is simply that. A title. A title to be abused.
Knowing the Council and their ability to be 'knowledgeable,' the plan given was one of utter crap - to put it bluntly and forgetting my mannered up-bringing. School has taught and drilled in the minds of everyone, especially me, of the ways of those in the Gaozhou district. It contains the most uptight, rich, arrogant people that could be thought up of. As children, they are expected to become the most exceptional warriors for their country. Now with their new, youthful warriors, attacks along the clashing frontier has increased - for the last twenty years.
"Sakura-" A voice from beside me pulled me from my thoughts, but I continued pacing down the narrow hall.
"I know you're probably ranting in your head right now on how this is all complete and utter bullshit, but you have to follow their orders." Shikamaru stated lazily s he continued to lean against the arch to the council chamber.
Before I could answer, another person joined the conversation, "Shikamaru is right, Sakura. Together we tried to think of an ideal, but simple plan. However, to no avail."
Holding eye-contact with my childhood friend, he could see my obvious pained expression. "Neji., please. There has to be something." I prolonged the words, and even tried to blink my eyes innocently to guilt them into trying harder.
"No." He replied flatly as I thought, Way to shoot me down.
"Shikamaru?"
He sighed before giving me an answer, "He's right, unless you would want to go to Gaozhou as a prostitute and try to persuade their emperor's son?" I did not bother to grace his question with an answer.
"… I'm going to visit my father." Before I can leave, I felt someone tug on my wrist.
"Sakura, you are going to have to give in at some point." Neji stated.
"Well, I am a stubborn person." I flashed him a smirk.
"Che. Troublesome."
I ventured down the vast hallways, of the castle. Leave my home? My heart beat quickly, thinking of the war never ending and my friends dying in front of me. Mt treacherous mind thought to the Emperor's Son, killhimnow. There were only so many possibilities. Rushing past corners and dismissing however passed me, I all but ran to my father's private chamber. Once within reach I immediately pushed it open. Instead of seeing my father reading a book at his desk, I was viewed by the sight of him lying down on his grand-bed, with a doctor taking his pulse.
"I apologize Sakura-hime, but now is not the time to visit-"
"No. It's fine, I don't mind." The doctor shot him a look saying 'what-about-me-and-my-work-bitch', but continued on with just an angry-cringing face.
"Sakura, come closer. You seem more distant than usual." He stated as he waved his hand in the air for me to follow.
"I just came from a Council Meeting. Councilmen Hiashi told me I have to go behind enemy lines and-"
"I know, I proposed the idea." My father interrupted, rendering me into a shocked-state coupled with a stunned silence. My emerald eyes widened, but darkened in anger at this piece of information.
"...Why? This would break us! We are a family. I cannot leave you - not now, not ever. I refuse. You are my only family left and this is a decision that I must personally make." I argued.
"Sakura, sweetheart," He paused and took a long, mournful sigh, "You must think of what is not only best for our family, but our whole family."
"I don't understand, we're the only ones alive. It has always just been you and I."
"No, no sweetheart. it has been so much more." A small, genuine smile erupted as he brushed his fingers lovingly on his daughter's face. "Your entire country, every single person who inhabits this place became part of your family ever since I became emperor. Even before then, the love the country shares is unbelievably. It has always been there."
"But -"
"No. As my daughter, you express your love and faith by doing what is best for everyone."
The sentence hung in the air for seconds, minutes even. Realization slowly creeped in as the gears in my mind began to turn. With a frown, "So from everything I have done so far, it shows that I'm a failure." I stated as I felt my head droop on its own accord.
"No. You have been the best daughter I could ever hope for. You have been a great example with your intelligence and your personality. Your stubbornness is something known throughout our people, however that is not a bad thing. You, my child, show that you have determination beyond all compare." He paused to look at me,
"Sakura, you were not born fighter. But with your willpower will strengthen your needs and abilities."
"But what if-" He kept stopping me from over-thinking. He knows me so well.
"This decision inevitably brings pain, but seeing you protect what you love - it makes me beyond proud, to be your father." I looked up into his eyes, and could not bear the sight of him tearing up.
"Promise me, you will do it." He coughed out.
"I promise," my voice shook with unbelievable sorrow.
He held out his pinky and hooked it with mine, "That's a pinky promise." He slowly winked to me and I could not help but think back to years before. Life was easier. Everything was simple. He was my father, that was all that matter. That was the only variable I had to consider when making an enormous decision. And now...
The doctor has to interject, "Sakura-hime, it's best if you leave. The Emperor's pain is worsening."
With no where else to go, I retraced my steps to my previous location. Thoughts of what had just happened swarmed through my mind. But one thing was clear, I had a set objective. And there was no backing out now.
I waved to the guards and pushed back the curtain that seprated the council chamber from the rest of the world. I stood tall and firm, having all eyes on me.
"I'll go along with your plan."