If you have ever read Sighcoe's story 'Then, Now and Forever' then you'll love this. Sighcoe has graciously allowed me to borrow her world and her story for a while. When I see a story I like I can't resist putting in my own character so I came up with Queen Reina and I wrote a story for her. I would like to thank Sighcoe for letting me borrow her story and for taking the time to read it over so that I didn't make any mistakes concerning her universe. I hope you all enjoy and tell me what you think.
Sitting bare back on a horse was the only way to ride but it was frowned upon in this country if you were someone of high stature. In this great empire people of importance were held to rather high standards of behaviour. It wasn't very different where she came from, nobles and royals were still expected to behave in a certain way but they were much less restricted. Despite all her objections to many of the traditions of this empire she was glad to be back. Before proper business was conducted she wanted to ride around the towns for a while remembering the sights she use to take in the last time she was hear and taking in the new ones to see how the country had changed. She also wanted to ask people how the country had changed.
If you wanted an opinion on an empire or a country she always made a rule that the court wasn't the place to go. Nobles and royals would tell you how the country was but they would tell it in such a way that suited their own means and was profitable for them. She was a smart, down to earth young woman and she was one of the few people in the world that knew that if you wanted to know how a country was being run you should always ask the people; the farmers, the inn keepers, the market sellers. The majority who had no real voice so they just silently complained to each other. It was a very smart thing to do, most people would think that they would get no valuable information from common folk as they were too uneducated, too brutish, too vulgar to understand how a country was being run but what those people didn't think about was the fact that the common people were the ones that had to live with the decisions made. They were also the servants in the palaces and noble houses that heard the happenings of the court and passed it on to their friends in the town.
Yes, this woman was a very smart woman. She was not snobbish enough to think that common folk didn't know anything because it was quite possible that they were more in the know about the rights and wrongs of the empire than people in the courts were because they didn't think in coins and profit. They didn't think in lands and power. They wanted a peaceful, righteous place to live for themselves and their children and nobles and royals were fools to think that they weren't qualified to speak about the events of the empire.
A local ale house was graced with the presence of a cloaked figure. No one took notice of the figure walking in and asking for a large mug of ale. The owner was surprised to hear a woman's voice from behind the cloak as this figure had the tall confident stride of a man but he internally shrugged and handed over the ale. Money was exchanged and he bid his customer a good day.
"I would also like a room for the night if you have one available." The voice was smooth and mystifying and had a strange twinge as if it was use to speaking another language but that only added to its beauty.
"Sure we got rooms. What ya lookin' for? Double? Single?"
"Single will do just fine." Money was exchanged again and a leather gloved hand took the key that was offered.
"Thank-you my good man."
The figure then went and sat down at a table next to a group of men who worked in the nearby coal mine and when she pulled back her hood the entire ale house was stunned into silence. There sat without a doubt the most beautiful woman any of the occupants of ale house had ever seen. Even with her mahogany brown haired uncombed, her autumn coloured skin washed with no more than water and her body hidden by the heavy, inexpensive clothes she was wearing she was still as close to a goddess as anyone on this earth was going to get. She scanned the ale house and its patrons and then gave a mischievous smile and held up her mug to her admirers and downed half of its contents. That action made everyone realise that they were rudely staring and they returned to their conversations while the beyond beautiful young woman struck up her own with the miners she was sitting next to. At first they were afraid to talk to her as if she some kind of ethereal being but they soon relaxed around her as her witty tongue started entertaining them.
In the dead of night a rope was flung out of one of the top windows of the ale house were the guests slept. Three ladies took it in turns to nimbly climb up the rope with little trouble and enter the room. Each other then were carrying a bag and when they laid their eyes on the room's occupant they dropped them and embraced her like a sister and then kissed her hands. She pulled them away saying she cared not for such nonsense. Plus she stressed that she was meant to be a simple traveller and ladies did not kiss the hands of simple travellers. They all chuckled at her words, she always made them laugh, it was one of the many things that made everyone; man or woman fall a little in love with her.
"So my ladies," she said in their native tongue which came out like a romantic nonsensical poem. "While I am comfortable in these clothes I fear we all must change as we are to be keeping much higher company soon enough and they will not accept us in this attire. While we change we must exchange stories on what we have discovered of the goings on in this country that I have missed so heartily."
They all nodded and got to work setting up things to make themselves more presentable to higher company, "Higher only in rank," the woman that had just drank with a lot of delightful people today said. "In heart and in soul they are worth just as much as any high class noble."
The ladies nodded, they knew that their mistress felt this way for as long as they had known her. She had always valued the common people perhaps more than she valued noble people. When they asked her why she just laughed and said, "Ironically my sweet ladies; the people who work long hours to feed their children, the women who run their houses by hand and with love, the men who risk their lives down in mines or hazard breaking their backs on farms, the neighbours who would give their spare pennies to their friends if they needed it ... they my ladies are the truly noble people."
And at once they all agreed with her. It was difficult for anyone to disagree with her, which was why she was so good at what she did and it was why she was born to do it.
The mistress of these ladies loathed her body being lathered and painted and sprayed. When her ladies asked her why she simply answered, "If I am not beautiful without paint on my face then I am not beautiful at all."
And once again they couldn't argue with her. The ladies had asked a lot of questions of their mistress when they first entered her service and the answers were always so simple that they made them feel like they should have known them already. Working for this woman had changed many of their views for the better. They were no longer obsessed with beauty like a lot of high class women were and as a result they had become more beautiful than they had been before as they learned to let their insides shine without. They had been courted many times and were adored by many and they owed it all to their mistress who was also their teacher even though she was two years their junior.
One lady set out the large washing bowl that came with the room while another unpacked and the third pulled up the bucket of water she had tied to the end of the rope before she ascended it. It was a pretty large bucket and many noble ladies would have had trouble carrying it but their mistress insisted that her ladies be strong and she demanded that they learn how to fight and they accompanied her to her weaponry lessons. They had followed her in learning the sword, the dagger, the bare fist and many other weapons that were at the disposal of her household. She had become the greatest swords woman to have ever lived and had only been beaten by two different men.
One: was the former emperor Fugaku who sparred with her on many occasions when she was still learning but who knew if she could defeat him now.
Two: was the famous Kyuubi who had come to visit their country shortly after she had become a master. They had battled in a friendly manner on many occasions and she could beat him half the time but he was on par with her so the other half of the victories belonged to him.
She felt no shame in losing to either of them. To have just given them a challenge was a feat in itself.
It took a few hours for the ladies to prepare their mistress and themselves. They all took turns washing and going to the well to fetch more water. By the time they were finished people would have definitely recognised them for the high class women that they were. The mistress' hair had been washed, combed and dried in such a way that it would fall in glossy brown waves. Her body had been cleansed of the sweat of the day and had been donned with finer clothes. Fine perfume had been sprayed on her body but she still refused to wear any artificial colouring on her face. Her ladies washed and dressed themselves while their mistress slept and dabbed their faces with white powder along with coloured to create the effect of ivory skin and a blush. They elongated their eye lashes using ink that they had thickened with powder. They only did this because they were determined to look their best for their destination while this mistress didn't care what she looked like nor did she really need to care as long as she was presentable. By the time they were finished and had packed everything away in their bags dawn was breaking and their mistress was waking.
She woke up looking radiant in the sunlight and smiled as her ladies told her they would climb down the rope and load everything onto the horses and wait for her. She stretched and prepared herself for the day ahead and then untied the rope and threw it down to her ladies who caught it and made their way to the stables. She donned her cloak and exited her room. She silently made sure that no-one was around as she couldn't be caught looking as she was or there would be panic and calling of neighbours to see the lady that decided to visit a humble ale house. She pulled her hood over her head and made her way down to the stables were her ladies were placing saddles on their horses and her own. She internally moaned at the idea but she knew it was necessary if not to please the court which she would soon be riding into then for the comfort of the horse. After all even if no saddle took some of the weight off it became sore for the poor horse after a while. She was always fair to her animals as they were always loyal to her.
Once everything was loaded on the horses the mistress jumped on her midnight black mount the same way she always did. She didn't bother to put her feet in the stirrups, she just grabbed the front and back of the saddle and swung herself up and over the creature to land perfectly on its back. Her ladies chuckled at this like they always did but the display of arm strength and agility never failed to impress them. She had told them that while saddles were necessary, riding side saddle wasn't. Side saddle wasn't something that was expected of the ladies where they came from. This way they could ride as fast as a man and with little discomfort. Their mistress took a black hat out of the bag that was tied to her saddle and gathered her hair into it so it wouldn't be in disarray when they got to the court. Not that she cared very much, one of the things she loved about riding was the wind through her long hair making it feel light and feathery. However her ladies cared about what she looked like and she cared about her ladies' opinion. Said ladies followed suit, taking hats out of their own bags and gathering their hair into them. They all took out clips and pinned their hats to their hair so that they would not blow off and once that was done they were ready to go.
"Right my sweet ladies," she announced as if they were heading into battle. "Let us make our way to the court."
Former Empress Mikoto was in quite a state, the reason being that a woman of severe importance and outstanding virtue was due to arrive at their palace this very day. She hailed from Sukai no Kuni or Skyland as it was known to its people. There was a reason Skyland wasn't part of the great empire. Centuries ago the people of the world, nobles included thought that the Sky Country was a stretch of land placed in the sky and held there by the gods and therefore they didn't try to reach it. By the time the population was evolved enough to know better they found out that the Sky Country had its own people and had already developed its own society separate from the empire. A couple of emperors had tried to conquer the floating land and join it with the empire but Guerrilla war tactics were used very affectively against the invaders and the massive expanse of space between the floor of the empire and the floor of the Sky Country also worked very much in their favour. There was only one way to get from one floor to another and that was through the mountains.
The mountain that reached the closest to Skyland was called Mount Horii or the Mountain of Holly. When invading, the Emperors had both tried to build bridges between the top of the mountain and the land in the sky. Their attempts were thwarted early on but when a treaty was reached between the lands the sky people finished the bridge themselves and business was allowed to be conducted between the countries. The wonders that lay in that land were incredible. One would think that nothing would be able to grow in that thin air but the people had somehow managed to manipulate their climate and they also grew plants that wouldn't survive on ground land's soil and many of them were useful for medicine. Her Holiness Tsunade sent precious commodities and gifts up there just so she could get her hands on some of their healing herbs and plants. They gladly gave all they could to help their allies but compared to the empire Skyland was rather small so they could only give so much.
For centuries the empire had enjoyed the benefits of peace with the Sky people and their current ruler was no different. When she was a young teenager of about thirteen years she was sent to live in the court of the Emperor for three years. She was to make friendships and learn customs so that she could one day rule with the same love for the empire and its ruler as her parents had. Her mother was sent there when she was young, she was not the heir to the throne she was merely promised to the young King of Skyland and so it was decided that she would be ambassador for him. Mikoto had never known the princess' mother though she had known her father rather well and had heard many stories of the Queen Consort through Fugaku. Now the Princess was returning to them: a queen. Mikoto fondly remembered the pretty young girl who use to make everyone in the court laugh. She remembered the charming young lady whose presence everyone would delight in. She remembered the smart young girl who sat in court proceedings and presented many noteworthy ideas that no-one could argue against. But most of all she remembered the sweet gentle young girl who played with Sasuke and Naruto, she was six years older than them but that didn't deter her in the slightest. She would chase them around the palace gardens not caring if she got dirty, she would teach them how to dance and how to wield a sword before they were trained by masters and what Mikoto remembered her doing most fondly was singing the songs her mother had sung her which she had translated perfectly to Naruto before he went to sleep as Sasuke had insisted that he didn't need lullabies. She had the voice of an angel and there were rumours among the superstitious that she was one.
Mikoto prayed that she was still the Princess she remembered who judged no-one for some unknown reason because if the Princess was still the same girl she was then they might get through this visit without losing their alliance to her.
While pacing in her study the former empress continued to look at the sun. It was nearing dinner time and the feast would be ready in an hour. Where was Reina? Mikoto stopped for a moment and smiled at that wonderful name. The bridge between the empire and the Sky Country was the symbol of ally-hood and peace if that was demolished by a ruler that was the end of peace and it was named the bridge of Rei which translated as the bridge of peace. The Princess who had grown into a queen was named after that bridge; Renia, Queen of Peace.
Konohamaru was tending to his master's steed which he loved it do, he loved serving Naruto. If he did nothing else in his life that is what he would die doing. His Highness had that affect on a lot of people. That is why everyone was convinced he would make a great consort for the emperor; he had that ability to make everybody want to follow him.
Dislike for the emperor and his mistress was growing by the day among both nobles and common folk, all sorts of rumours were flying about the kingdom. Good news travels fast but Konohamaru knew as did many other people that bad news moves twice as fast and shocking news moves at the speed of light. Konohamaru couldn't hide his growing dislike for the Emperor and Lady Sakura who was becoming rather bold these days now that she had been proclaimed His Majesty's official mistress. Naruto endured as he always did and Konohamaru resented him for that a little as did Naruto's own brother Kyuubi. Neither of them could see why His Highness would suffer like he was. He had been handed an existence not a life. He had to deal with all the trials that the country was dealing with right now and he had no-one to turn to because Sasuke refused to let anyone touch him. Konohamaru clutched the grooming brush in his hand as his blood boiled just thinking about it.
The young boy was called out of his silent rage as he heard a group of horse galloping towards him at a very high speed. He turned around quickly to see that the beasts were approaching rapidly, faster than he had ever seen horses travel. He was so afraid that they weren't going to be able to stop in time and would crash into the stables but they didn't. The riders expertly pulled on the reins and the horses came to an almost impossibly comfortable halt. To say Konohamaru was impressed was a huge under-statement. He had never seen such magnificent horses or such masterful riders. He had been so busy worrying about the horses crashing into the stables that he didn't even notice the riders until they pulled to that impressive stop.
He looked up to see that the riders were four ladies. Taking in their attire he knew they were foreign, the palace had been in a ruckus for the last six weeks preparing for the arrival of the Queen of Sukai no Kuni. Realising he was in the presence of royalty but not knowing which one was in fact the Queen he merely lowered his head and waited to be addressed.
Lifting his eyes cautiously but keeping his head down he noticed that thanks to the hats they were wearing he couldn't see their whole faces but one of the woman gave him a large smile and said, "Hello Signet. We are here from the Sky Country and our horses are very tired. I wonder if a fine page such as yourself could help us rest them."
Konohamaru silently wondered why they were back here. Wasn't there a welcome party to meet them at the main gate where they would be lead to the doors of the palace and their horses would be taken off them and taken care of? He didn't feel like it was his place to ask so he just nodded his head knowing that 'Signet' was the way people of Sukai no Kuni addressed children and people younger than themselves with whom they were not familiar. He also knew that 'Swan' was the term used for adults and people older than the addresser of the same lack of acquaintance. His Highness Naruto had told him a lot about Sukai no Kuni as one of his dearest friends was their Princess. He had also told Konohamaru of the Sukai dress. The women on the horses were wearing lovely white blouses which just peaked out over the low shoulders of their jackets which were fitting and well made to be suitable for both hot and cold weather. They were also wearing long floor length skirts that attached and detached to their jackets and matched them. The skirts had large slits in them that went from the hem to the waist and underneath they wore fitting trousers tucked into large riding boots. This skirt trouser combination was the attire for ladies of action in Sukai as they could close the slit and go from practical to formal in a few seconds.
Like on a chess boards women (Queens) were seen as protectors in Sukai no Kuni. While very few of them were front line soldiers they waited beside the King and used their superior moves to protect him. Women were weaker in body, there was no denying that but the stronger sword master did not necessarily win. Women were quieter and gentler than men and the same was true for the killers, most of them killed kindly if they could unless they had been wronged then 'hell hath no fury' as the saying went. That was why ladies in waiting were now, under the new Queen required to be masters of at least one weapon and behind the male palace guards and bridge guards there was always a woman behind him waiting for the right moment to attack an enemy silently while her male counterpart wore him down physically. Sukai was adamant that the partnership between males and females in all areas in their country was what made them so strong because one sex balanced out the others flaws and created harmony.
The lady who spoke to Konohamaru swung her leg over her horse but she didn't jump off, she merely sat side saddle while her companions jumped off their own horses, Konohamaru assumed that the one still astride must be the Queen as one of the ladies who had dismounted reached into her saddle bag and pulled out a pair of flat silver shoes. The lady removed her mistress' riding boots and placed the flat shoes on her slim, highly arched feet. The woman then jumped off the horse and stood while her lady closed the slit in her skirt. Konohamaru watched in amazement as who he assumed was the Sukai Queen reached towards her head, removed two clips, handed them to her lady and removed the hat letting her wavy hair fall free. The young page laid eyes on what was without a doubt the most beautiful woman he would ever see. She ran her fingers through her hair and sighed as if relived that she could finally let her scalp breathe. She handed the hat to her lady who went back to the horses. The Queen turned to Konohamaru and smiled kindly, "Thank-you Signet for showing my ladies how to put our horses away in these stables. Please take this for your trouble and don't refuse or I shall find out the name of your master and get him to order you to take it." She said this mischievously and Konohamaru relaxed a little and failed to stifle a chuckle. She didn't seem to mind. He took the felt purse of gold that was handed to him with great thanks and a deep bow and watched her walk towards the palace and enter through the servant's entrance. What kind of monarch was this woman? More importantly how would she react to the recent goings on of the palace?
Former Empress Mikoto could not for the life of her sit still. She had been waiting for the arrival of Queen Reina all day and had gone over the preparations for her coming twice just to keep herself busy. She was so looking forward to seeing that wonderful girl again. She would be staying for just over a month to renew relations with the empire and now that she had been with her husband for a while and the kingdom had accepted him as her consort she could afford to leave it in his capable hands. It would also give him the opportunity to show the country that he was worthy of the position he had been given.
Just then a servant came running through the doors of Mikoto's study, "Your Majesty," the frantic young girl exclaimed and then checked herself and dropped into a bow.
"What is it?"
"It is her Majesty Queen Reina. She has arrived. She and her ladies bypassed the guards at the front gate and went straight to the stables. When asked why she said that she loathed huge welcoming comities and wanted to surprised you and his Majesty the former Emperor."
"Where is she now?" asked Mikoto barely containing her excitement.
"She is now waiting in one of the lounge rooms Your Majesty. She says for you not to hurry yourself if you are busy as she has found a good book to read among the ones in that room but every moment she spends in this castle without seeing your face is like a blow to the heart."
Mikoto smiled with nostalgia. "Well that sounds like Reina."
"I have heard stories about her Your Majesty. People who were in court at the time when she was here last are so happy that she is returning that all they can talk about is her."
"Well she did capture a lot of hearts while she was here, my own being one of them."
"Shall I lead you to the study I was told she is in Ma'am?"
"Yes, without delay."
The former empress walked with the excited young servant at her side who was practically jumping with excitement and if Mikoto had been any less disciplined she would have probably been doing the same. "Pardon me Your Majesty but may I ask you something about Queen Reina."
"There is so much to ask and so little time to tell but please ask me what you want."
The young woman smiled, she had always admired the former Empress not only for her intelligence and her beauty but also her kindness and tolerance. They were the traits that made her such a perfect match for Fugaku. She balanced him out. That was what Reina had told them when she was a princess in their court, she said that that is why her country made so many mixed gender partnerships in all areas of their country including soldiers, trade, labour and many more. "Is it true that she is the most beautiful Queen to have ever lived?"
Mikoto smiled again. "Well, I cannot answer that one for you as I only remember her as a princess but let me tell you if she is half the beauty she was when she left she would still floor all the men at court."
"Is it also true that she judges no-one no matter what they say or do? Is she truly that merciful?"
The former Empress sighed. "Yes my dear girl she is. I had her in my court and in my home for three years. She was surrounded by greedy, selfish people. She was aquatinted with people, who were dishonourable, who were thieves, adulterers and sometimes even murderers but I never once saw her judge any of them nor did I see a glimmer of condemnation in her eyes. I can only hope for the sake of the alliance that she hasn't changed."
Mikoto said this mostly to herself but the young girl understood. Everyone knew what was going on lately with the Emperor. He had been rather selfish lately and the nobles were arguing because of it. There was even talk of war when His Highness Naruto disappeared for a while in distress. Her Holiness Tsunade had also expressed her dismay with the Emperor but she had taken it to extremes by leaving the empire without her support. Mikoto was sure Reina must have heard about that at least. Oh well, there was only one way to find out.
As they came to the doors of the study the servant bowed and bid Mikoto a farewell before leaving. The woman who had endured so much in her life; the Empress, the wife, the mother, the warrior, the peacekeeper ... was now feeling rather afraid and a little faint. She would be overjoyed to see the face of the girl she loved as her own daughter and see what kind of woman she had become but she was also afraid for her country. What if Reina wasn't as forgiving as she use to be? People had always debated on whether or not that was a good quality for a Queen to have. Wouldn't a Queen or any kind of leader have to have the will to judge?
Mikoto just hoped as she gripped the doorknobs of the study lounge Reina had made herself comfortable in that the young Queen had managed to rule Skyland without developing judgmental qualities.
Opening the door the older woman stepped into the room. It was large enough to give occupants plenty of space but small enough to be rather personal. Three of the four walls were covered in book shelves and reading one of those books on a fine, white cotton sofa with her legs thrown up onto it was Reina. For a moment Mikoto couldn't move. The maid had asked how beautiful the young Queen was and now that she had seen her she was still unable to answer that question because there were no words to describe the woman she saw lying on the furniture reading. Lucky for Mikoto the young Queen looked up and smiled at her, such a warm tender smile. She then looked like she would cry from happiness and Mikoto new that this was the same little girl she had taken into her court and loved as her own all those years ago. Reina put the book down on the marble table in front of her and ran towards the woman standing in the door. Queen or no Queen she couldn't contain her joy at seeing this figure of her childhood again. She flung her arms round the neck of the older woman and held onto her so tight that Mikoto felt she was holding her as a child again. "Oh my own Mikoto. My second mother. My precious gem. If you could see my heart you would see it leaping within my chest." Mikoto smiled so brightly that one might think she hadn't smiled in her life. It felt so good to smile again as she hadn't been given any reason to since her and her husband came back home to find a court in chaos.
Reina then pulled back and a confused look came upon her face as she looked at Mikoto. The former Empress didn't know what in the world could be wrong. Then the Queen backed away and said, "Oh I beg your pardon my swan I thought you were a woman I use to know in this court but that is impossible as you are not nearly the age she should be."
It then dawned on Mikoto that the confused look was just acting. She nor anyone else had ever been able to tell by Reina's facial expressions if she was jesting. She use to be in a lot of plays that the court put on and took delight in learning how to make her face convey what she wanted it to convey; a great skill for a Queen to have. "Ah you are only in my presence for a few seconds and you are already teasing me my girl. You are definitely the Princess Reina I know."
And this relieved Mikoto immensely.
Reina gasped but it was only partly in jest. She truly didn't expect the majestic woman to have retained her beauty after all these years as she had, "You cannot be my own Mikoto. I refuse to believe it. Is it possible that you have not aged a day in the years I have been away?" The woman chuckled at her former ward's antics and took the younger woman's hands in her own bringing them up to her chest and just looking at her wondering how such a beautiful young girl could have improved on that beauty so much.
The former Empress laughed heartily and said, "I see you have lost none of your wit and charm in the years you have been gone. I also see that your mischievous side has not lessened either." Reina turned her head to the side in a shy gesture then Mikoto enveloped her up in her arms once again as she would do to a little girl. "Ah the rumours have not been untrue. You have truly grown into the most beautiful Queen the world has ever been graced with. I could scour the lands and not find one head that your face wouldn't turn."
Reina smiled a little and said, "I know all about my face. I have a mind too. Let's talk about that."
Mikoto smiled knowing that Reina never liked being judged by her beauty which was why she worked so hard to study and never took pride in her appearance like other ladies of high class did. Reina sat back down in the sofa she was reading on a few moments ago and the former imperial woman sat across from her in a chair of the same design as the sofa. "So," Reina began, lounging backwards. "How is my own Itachi?" 'My own' was a phrase used in Skyland to address people whom you felt affection for. "He must be as handsome as his father was if such as feat can even be achieved."
"He has been told of your arrival and is on his way," said Mikoto smiling. Reina and Itachi were about the same age and they had taken to each other like ducks to water. Itachi even wept for a while after Reina had departed. As did many members of court including a lot of heart broken suitors. Emperor Fugaku and Reina's father had had a discussion about a marriage between them the year Reina was scheduled to return home. Reina was opposed greatly to the idea; as much as she loved Itachi she was not in love with him and her romantic heart dreamed of true love. She knew it would be against her duties as the next Queen to refuse as she needed to put the welfare of her people first so she did the only thing she could do she went to Itachi, told him her feelings and wept. She never wept unless she couldn't find any other way to make herself feel better.
Itachi was also opposed to this match as he loved Reina in the same way she loved him and he knew the match would make them both unhappy. When he told her his feelings in return she flung her arms around him in sheer joy. At first Itachi was puzzled; of course she would be happy that he was opposed to the match but why would she be so happy that he didn't love her? It was only later that he realised that she had unintentionally broken so many hearts in her short life and it would have destroyed her if she had been forced to break his. They were both clever young royals and they almost knew the workings of their countries inside out so they grouped together to draft together a presentation for their fathers that would make a marriage between their kingdoms look rather undesirable. Itachi used his ingenuity and his genius mind to find the right sources of information and right them down while Reina drafted a plan for their presentation. They both used their talents with words to make the presentation flow with intelligence, reasonableness and grace. Then when it came time to present it to the court Reina used her persuasive skills to make the argument captivating and hard to dispute. The court was defenceless against such a partnership.
The two young royals celebrated their victory with a pleasant but fast horse ride through the country; just the way they liked it and a night sleeping under the stars. It was then during their friendly races (most of which were won by Reina), during their simple but delicious picnic and during their shared night under the blanket that was the sky that they realised that they would be kindred spirits and the best of friends for as long as they lived.
This was why Reina struggled to hold back tears of utter exhilaration when the handsome young man came walking through the door, his eyes looking at Reina as if he had seen an unearthly being. Itachi rushed over to the seating area ready to grasp his childhood friend in a fierce embrace but then checked himself and bowed. "Queen Reina. What a pleasure to see what a woman you have grown into."
Reina chuckled and rose to her feet embracing him tightly and letting nostalgia wash over her. "Ah my own Itachi," she breathed out and her calmness at seeing him was a testament to how much she had missed him. She had missed Mikoto with all her heart but she just couldn't bring herself to get excited at seeing Itachi's face, it was more emotional than that. "Oh how long has it been?"
Itachi drew back and took one of her hands in his, "I care not about the time line. Were it a day it would have been too long," he said kissing her deceptively delicate looking fingers. "You have grown into such a handsome man my Itachi. "Mikoto I must confess to you; when this visit is over I am abducting him and taking him home with me." The Uchihas laughed.
The emotional reunion lasted for longer than anyone cared to count because no-one was monitoring the time, they were all just so happy to see each other that for a short while all the affairs of state didn't matter but it was only for a short while. Reina was the first to withdraw into her Queen state of mind as she was after all here to renew political and national relations as well as personal ones.
"So," she said in an unrecognisable tone of voice. "On my way to the court my ladies and I decided to tour your towns while we were there. The people in this country have changed quite a bit. They are much more melancholy than I remember from my childhood."
This statement made the Uchiha royals freeze up a little. If Reina had gone through the empire's towns then she would have heard all sorts of rumours as they knew very well how much Reina delighted in talking with common folk. She held them in the highest regard. "Are you fatigued in any way my own ones," she said in a concerned voice addressing them both. Mikoto, along with her son were sure this was an act no matter how convincing it was. Reina was too intelligent to think that they had all of a sudden fallen pale from illness. She knew they were worried about something but what worried them was just how much she knew.
As if on cue the Emperor himself walked into the room. Reina stood up, not because he was the Emperor but because she was anxious to hold him. He too was obviously over taken by her beauty that eclipsed that of his Sakura easily. "My own Sasuke. Look at you; an Emperor. An Emperor and a beautiful young man that is sure to break many hearts." The other occupants of this room wondered if this was a silent comment on Sasuke's ongoing treatment of Naruto as well as his court. "Many, many hearts," she sighed and they knew it was. "Sit Lamb, sit with us. I was just telling your mother and brother about how the country has changed since I was here."
Sasuke saw it as quite impertinent that she was inviting him to sit in his own castle but he let it slide as he was happy to see her and also mesmerised by the beauty she had become. He also resented being called 'Lamb' or 'Lambie' which is what she always use to call him and Naruto when they were children but he ignored that as well, it was just another one of her queer Skyland habits that he had learned to put up with. So wrapped up in himself was Sasuke that he didn't even worry about what his friend and ally: the Queen of Skyland would think of his recent behaviour and the happenings of his court until Reina pointed out that she had been touring his towns on the way here. His cheeks suddenly went pale which was an achievement seeing as Sasuke's ivory skin couldn't get much paler. The same went for the rest of his family. "Oh dear Lambie, the parlour in your cheeks matches that of your family is there something that is worrying you all?"
Mikoto spoke up knowing that Reina would accept nothing less than a direct answer. She would keep up the deliberately thinly masked facade of ignorance until she was given answers. "My dear Reina, on your way here you must have heard some rumours ..."
She didn't get a chance to finish what she was saying as the young Queen stood up saying, "Ah yes," with a smile on her face and drew a sword that despite their keen eyes all of them had failed to spot hidden under her skirt, the handle sitting on her waist. She retained the smile as she fiddled with the sword which she knew how to use better than any of them and walked round the room in an aimless manner. "I have heard such rumours. Let me see if I've got this right," she paused pretending to collect her thoughts. "As His Highness Naruto and the rest of the court suffer, the selfish prince luxuriates from within; taking himself a mistress and placing his duties as Emperor as secondary concerns," without giving any of them a chance to reply she continued, "but really Your Majesty why stop there I have heard much more colourful variations," she said poking her finger with the tip of the sword. "You let the treaty with Her Holiness crumble, seduced your mistress in you fiancé's bed, deny Naruto even simple pleasures if they do not please you and keep him carefully hidden away from the love and comfort of others," there was no judgment in her voice which is what actually made Sasuke feel worse because if he was being accused at least he could attempt to defend himself when face with his actions but she didn't stop there she said something that made Sasuke feel even more guilty, "Now You Majesty have I forgotten anything? Doesn't that seem like the most farfetched drivel you have ever heard?" She had listed his actions in such a way that made them sound farfetched but he knew they were all true and her lack of judgement made it sting. She was merely telling him what he had done, what she knew he had done and what the whole kingdom knew he had done and once again he brushed his guilt aside and looked Reina in the face. She didn't mind his defiance of the truth, she merely smiled at him like she always use to. That too stung.
Mikoto and Itachi were both holding their breath. They too were well aware that Reina knew it wasn't drivel but they didn't know if it was going to affect their treaty with her. She loved Naruto like her own little brother and she had already lost one little brother but that was a story for another day. "Anyway," said Reina cheerfully, sheathing her sword back into its place on her hip hidden mostly by her skirt. "Enough of this nonsensical gossip. I was so excited to get here that I have not eaten a thing since breakfast. If it pleases you all, shall we eat now if the chefs are ready for us? I am eager to reacquaint my taste buds with the flavours of this land."
Mikoto tried her best to put a convincing smile on her face and mostly she succeeded but her eyes were still worried and Reina would notice that, "Yes my dear Reina," she said in a casual voice that betrayed a tiny bit of anxiety that only the finest ears could pick up. "The chefs have prepared a wonderful welcome meal for you and we are all going to sit down. Just the five of us and have an intimate dinner. A public tour is being prepared for your return but right now I want us all to forget about public and political relations and just focus on catching up with each other. Now if you are ready let's make our way to the private dining hall."
An unreadable look flashed across Reina's face but it disappeared as quickly as it came and she gave another one of her calming smiles. They walked in silence for about a minute although it felt much longer. Time with Reina was never quiet. This was a bad sign.
"So," Reina said. "It is just the four of us, where is my own little Lambie Naruto?"
"I'm afraid he has been overcome with fatigue and stress considering a lot of the ..." Mikoto really didn't want to finish that sentence as she would just be confirming every truth Reina had just spoken. Reina sensed Mikoto's distress and intervened for her.
"Oh, so he won't be joining us then?" She said bypassing the elephant in the room altogether.
"I'm afraid not. You will see him tomorrow though. He cannot wait to see you again."
"Nor I him." They reached the dining hall and were about to sit down when Reina gasped. "Wait, how are my ladies? They too have travelled since breakfast without food as where I go they go bless their beautiful souls, so I cannot in good conscience eat a bite until I know my ladies are taken care of."
Itachi smiled. "On my way here I bumped into your ladies who had the good fortune to meet up with Lady Hinata. She has engaged them in wonderful discussions and made them fall in love with her as she is apt to do. She also had the marvellous sense to order a great deal of food for herself and your ladies whom her motherly eye spotted, looked rather fatigued. Trust me Your Majesty, she will not let them out of her sight until she is satisfied that they are well fed."
Reina laughed out loud, throwing her head back and showing the graceful lines of her throat and what looked like a large locket around it. "Oh I remember little Lady Hinata. A Lamb as gentle as I ever saw one. I trust her with my ladies more than I would anyone else. I cannot wait to see her; no doubt she has grown into quite a beauty?"
"That she has," replied Itachi. "She reminds me of you in a way."
"How so?"
"She is more beautiful than many ladies which grace this court," he unconsciously looked at Sasuke and this action did not go un-noticed by Reina but again she judged no-one and said nothing, "because her inner beauty shines outward so brightly that you know she has a beautiful heart and a beautiful heart is what I find most important about loved ones."
Reina merely smiled in reply to this and the other occupants of the room became silently infuriated because they couldn't tell what was really going through the young Queen's mind. They all sat down to eat and Reina somehow again managed to remove all the tension and make them forget about matters of state as she talked about her husband, her beloved ladies and asked Mikoto all she could about her travels Fugaku. It was a pleasant dinner but like all dinners it was not to last forever.
This is not the end, it is a two parter. We get to see Naruto and Reina's reunion as well as her meeting Sakura and we also learn about her brother who is connected greatly to her ability to not make any judgements. I hope you liked this. I adore Then, Now and Forever and can't wait until the next chapter. I am praying for a happy ending but they don't grow on trees. At least not in my imaginary garden (sorry; poor metaphor). I hope it turns out that Sasuke really does love Naruto but only the author knows that. I'm still trying to work out the scenes from the future but I am still enjoying the story in the past and am in no hurry to see it end so I guess I'll just have to wait and see.