Seventeen years ago a new feudal lord for Fire Country was chosen between paternal twin brothers Juhi and Kizashi Haruno, both with pale pink hair and dark blue eyes, in the end though Juhi Haruno was chosen as the next Lord.
And he found his wife in a woman named Sayuri upon their marriage she took his last name on as was agreed upon when they married before the entire palace, Sayuri Haruno had nearly white blonde hair and dark emerald eyes.
It wasn't but a year and a half later that Kizashi also found a wife in a woman named Mebuki and married her as well so now both brothers were married and as it turns out expecting children around the same time.
Kizashi and Mebuki had a little girl with pink hair and green eyes they named Koeda Haruno, she was born on February the 23rd while Juhi and Sayuri had a little boy dark blonde hair and dark blue eyes they named Musubime Haruno, he was born on February the 28th.
So now all of Fire Country had a prince, and a potential princess if anything happened to him since the two had royal blood in them "He's just adorable" Mebuki couldn't get enough of her nephew, while simultaneously bouncing her daughter, both of them now just over a year old.
"Right, I so wish I could have another one, give my sweet little boy a sibling but Juhi-kun won't hear of it" Sayuri sighed glancing to the man she'd married, who was currently engrossed in a conversation with his twin brother.
Considering it had been a year since they'd seen each other, because Kizashi and Mebuki had moved to the Hidden Leaf Village and settled down there as if sensing that they were being talked about the two males wandered near their wives and their children.
Brows quirked in sync which was kind of, if not just a little bit creepy if the two women were being honest "We were just talking about possibly having a coming out party for them, even Koeda-chan, when they both turn five" Kizashi announced.
Seeing as if anything happened to his brother, his wife or nephew he would be chosen to be the next Feudal Lord "Quite, I assume my lovely wife has told you that I've refused to have another child" Juhi chuckled and Sayuri sent him a scowl.
Making little Musubime laugh and clap his hands in happiness, which caused all the adults to smile and for little Koeda to join in on the laughter, the two toddlers were just downright adorable and everyone adored them in the palace.
"Does sound like a good idea Juhi-san, Kizashi-kun" Mebuki nodded in agreement peering down at her daughter and she glanced up at her with dark green eyes, pink hair in complete disrepair cause she got her fathers unruly hair style.
While Musubime's was tamed mostly with light blonde curls that were nearly waves "I still think we should give Musubime-kun a sibling so he's not lonely in this giant palace" Sayuri huffed at her husband taking her son away in the next moment.
When Musubime began crying which signaled feeding time for both children "Yikes sounds like you've got it rough my brother" Kizashi chuckled patting his brother on the back and heading after his wife and sister in law plus daughter and nephew.
Leaving behind his twin who sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose promising to think about the possibility of another child, so that night when the entire palace had gone to bed and he was crawling into his as well "I promise to think about it my love" Juhi said.
Making his wife happy as they snuggled together beneath the covers, that was a year ago, with Koeda and Musubime turning two, but as promised he'd thought about it and decided to give his wife what she wanted a second child.
A girl this time born March 28th , a Feudal Princess, the first in over fifty years they named her Sakura, she had pink hair and emerald eyes while her brother had dark blue like their Father, "Precious, still can't believe he relented to your demands" Mebuki snickered at her brother in law.
During a social visit to the Capital City of Fire Country, her own child in tow "Maybe its your turn to give me another child dear" Kizashi grinned cheekily, holding his two year old daughter Koeda in his arms, Mebuki rolled her eyes.
"Indeed I would love to have a little nephew to dote on Mebuki" Sayuri smiled lightly bouncing her few week old daughter, while her son was off playing somewhere in the palace being watched by maids and a couple of samurai from the royal guard.
Next to Sayuri "Quite it's only fair Mebuki" Juhi just had to chime in and his sister in law mumbled under her breath and rolled her eyes yet again, by the next time Kizashi and Mebuki, came to visit two years later, they'd had another child.
That was surprisingly a boy, they named Eda, with dark blonde hair and dark blue eyes "Lovely and now we have two children each" Juhi couldn't resist snagging his nephew for some cuddling, knowing the little boy adored being held by anyone.
Like his daughter had at one point before she wanted to walk everywhere ever since she learned how to, speaking of Sakura, he chanced a glance around the main hall of the palace and spied his three year old sneaking towards them a determined look on her face.
"Want, want, want" Sakura pointed at a preteen with dark skin, stark white hair and onyx eyes, on his back a cleaver that looked as if it could be unfolded, next to him was a blonde with obsidian irises, but it was the dark skinned one that had her attention completely.
Juhi sighed before glancing to his wife "He's a Cloud Shinobi, that must mean the Raikage and Lightning Daimyo is here, what shall we do" Sayuri frowned lost on what to do for the moment since her husband usually made all decisions regarding their child's future.
The pale pink haired blue eyed man tapped his chin in thought, then peered at his twin "Perhaps arrange a marriage between the two, it would join both Fire and Lightning together in peace and harmony hopefully" Kizashi suggested.
Only to be slapped on the back of the head by his lovely wife "For goodness sake Kizashi, she's a child, you know I'm against arranged marriages" Mebuki huffed, though Sakura wasn't her child, she was still against forcing someone to marry against their will.
"Perhaps your right Mebuki, however Kizashi is right as well, anything to make this world peaceful for our children to live in, some sacrifices will have to be made in order for that to happen" Juhi announced.
And in the next moment he was headed towards the Feudal Lord of Lightning Country, at his side was the Third Raikage, "Good Afternoon, I daresay you have much to celebrate in the coming years" Raiun, the Daimyo of Lightning Country greeted with a tilt of his head.
"Quite which ones are yours or are all of them, my apologies I'm the Raikage, A, that is my son Ay who will take over when I decide to pass on the title, next to him are our escorts Darui and Cee" A introduced himself.
Before pointing to his son and the two twelve year old's "My apologies for interrupting My Lord Raiun, Raikage-sama, but would you consider forging an arranged marriage contract with that one and my daughter Sakura" Sayuri was suddenly at her husbands side pointing at the dark skinned boy.
Daughter in arms, having thought on the idea and didn't want to let the chance to pass by to give Sakura something she wanted, they spoiled both their children, but since Sakura was the first princess in fifty years she got just a tiny bit more spoiled than her brother.
Juhi was shocked at how quickly his wife had changed her mind, considering she usually agreed with whatever Mebuki did, A lifted a brow and glanced to the two chunin, both of them talented enough that their sensei had put them through the Chunin Exams early and they'd passed.
They were the youngest to ever pass anyway in the Hidden Cloud anyway, just those two "What are you willing to offer in return" the Raikage narrowed his eyes in the next moment not wanting to just hand over one of his shinobi without receiving something in return.
"An unbreakable treaty between Fire and Lightning and a dowry of 75,000 ryo, to be split between Darui-san, the Country itself to be doled out by Lord Raiun and the Leader of the Village at the time they get married" Juhi rattled off easily.
Both A and his son were shocked at the amount, it seemed the feudal lord of Fire was willing to offer quite a lot "Darui here now" the current Raikage barked out a command and the preteen trailed towards them at a quick walk.
Seconds later he was stood with the adults, by that point the conversation had drawn Mebuki and Kizashi over with their own children "Are you really going to do this" Kizashi questioned, not realizing that his suggestion was now probably going to be put in place.
"It's not our choice dear" Mebuki shook her head keeping a hold of her four year old daughter and then when Musubime appeared lifted her nephew into her arms as well as the negotiations for a marriage contract got underway.
Poor Darui was just confused "Wait, what you mean like marry her when she turns eighteen, I'll be like 27 by that time practically an old dude" never mind how he knew how old he'd be or how he'd guessed how old the pinkette was that was settled in her mothers arms.
Moments later "Yeah but think about it Darui, we already have bad relations with the Land of Fire as it is, this might help that by joining us in an essential unbreakable treaty, no more wars and needless slaughtering" Cee trailed over being the logical one in this situation.
Knowing that it was better to have something concrete for in the future in case everything else failed they'd have something to fall back on "Precisely and besides hardly any one thinks about ages anymore, if she's mature enough when she is eighteen" Ay the Raikage's son interjected as well.
Given advice by his friend and future Raikage also taking a few minutes to consider the proposition being offered to him, marry the Princess of Fire Country, he made his choice "Alright guess that means I'll be around a lot more to get to know her as she grows" Darui nodded.
"Very well said, we expect to see you at her coming out party in two years when she turns five, Darui-san meet your future wife the Feudal Princess of the Land of Fire, Sakura Haruno, my daughter" Juhi introduced the two.
Off to the side the Feudal Lord of the Land of Lightning clapped "How marvelous, I also wish to provide a few things for negotiations, 20,000 ryo from Lightning Country, a free pass for any Leaf Shinobi coming or going and a parade in their honor when she comes of age" Raiun stated.
Finishing up the negotiation process for a marriage contract "Man totally didn't expect that when we came here" the white haired preteen shook his head in shock as they were led to guest sleeping quarters after dinner that night.
"Neither did I Darui, but think about it, once you marry her you'll be a potential contender for the Feudal Lord Position in the Land of Lightning" his blonde friend shrugged getting comfortable on the beds they'd been assigned.
Until the next morning where they were pretty much left to their own devices and nearly got lost if it hadn't been for the Feudal Lords Wife "Madam Sayuri-sama" Darui bowed his head in respect to the woman who would be his future mother in law, that was still scary to think about.
"Bit lost aren't you boys, follow me if your trying to get to the main hall" Sayuri led the way forward, her son toddling after her, Sakura missing yet again, that girl could get anywhere when she put her mind to it.
Darui glanced around hoping for his chance to visit with his future wife "Did you lose someone Madam" Cee inquired carefully not wanting to call her out in case the girl had really given her mother the slip.
Sayuri sighed "Never mind found her Sayuri" Mebuki popped out of nowhere, holding the missing three year old in her arms, who was now pouting up a storm, shoulder length pink hair in complete disarray from whatever it was she'd been doing.
"Little princess was behind the throne" Kizashi chuckled outwardly enjoying the exasperation on his twin brothers face when Juhi practically skidded to a halt in the main hall/throne room and snagged his three year old.
Then squished her to his chest, Darui couldn't help but crack a smile for all they put on airs, no matter how high ranking a person was they were still a person and had feelings "If you'd like I can watch her for you" the white haired preteen suddenly offered.
When it seemed like Sakura was going to be taken away to be watched by a maid or samurai guard "No big deal and my senses are highly advanced enough to find her anywhere should she somehow slip away from us" the blonde nodded.
"Thank you, now I must get back to my previous task" Juhi handed over his daughter to her future husband and vanished from the main hall to resume the talk between him and another feudal lord to gain the desired peace they all wished for.
Neither preteen boy realized exactly how hard it would be to look after the princess when twenty minutes in she slipped away from them somehow and they'd both had their eyes on her, "What that is so drab" Darui groaned searching the hallway up and down for the three year old.
And his partner spread out his senses "There behind that curtain" Cee pointed to the swaying curtain, turns out there was a little nook there and Sakura had taken her chance to hide from her current sitters when they'd walked by it.
Glad that it hadn't taken to long to find her, the two continued on their way until somehow Sakura gave them the slip again "Not cool" the white haired preteen pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, he couldn't get angry at her, she was still a kid, but still this was ridiculous.
Cee nodded in agreement scanning the hallway again and saw a foot sticking out from behind a downed painting that someone must have forgotten to put back up "Found you Princess" the blonde moved the painting out of the way.
Sakura clapped her hands joyfully "Yay, yay found me, found me" she cheered, so that was it, she wanted to play hide and seek with them, so with a better understanding the two boys no longer minded it when she sneaked away to hide every other hallway.
Until they found her again less than a few minutes after she'd hidden in some random nook or cranny that she could find until her tummy started rumbling in hunger "Young Sirs if you'd follow me the dining room is this way" a samurai spoke out when they started searching for the kitchens.
Darui and Cee sighed in relief as they were led to the dining room in the gigantic palace, where dinner was already being served "I wondered what happened to you two" Ay saw their frazzled appearances as they handed over Sakura to her mother.
To be placed in her highchair and given some vegetables and sweet potatoes and a sippy cup full of raspberry tea, while her slightly older brother Musubime got peppermint tea to help them go to sleep better and not wake up in the middle of the night.
"She didn't cause you two, to much trouble did she" Sayuri questioned glanced to the two preteen Cloud Chunin, one of which was her daughters betrothed, Cee and Darui shook their heads to her relief and she sat back.
Her husband however was in disbelief "Really she didn't try to constantly slip away from you" Juhi raised a pale pink brow wanting to find out the truth, because he didn't like it when people lied to him especially when it concerned his children.
This time the duo nodded "Princess did, we realized partway through though that she merely wanted to play hide and seek so it was easy to keep her entertained until she grew hungry" Cee explained carefully.
Juhi chuckled "That's Sakura-chan alright, mischievous and adventurous all rolled into one tiny little package" Kizashi chose that moment to pipe in remembering the days he and his twin ran through the halls of the palace going on adventures and causing mayhem wherever they went.
It appeared his brother also remembered this as well because Juhi shook his head looking exhausted as he realized exactly what he'd soon be going through outright chaos and the constant demands to go on an adventure.
His sister in law chose that moment to laugh at his misfortune "Poor Juhi how are you ever going to manage raising the both of them if they become little mischief makers" Mebuki snickered bringing mirth to the table.
Even from Raiun and Ay, though the current Raikage A didn't participate merely ate and headed to bed "Goodnight Madam Sayuri, Mrs. Haruno" Darui nodded his head at the two women, bowed at Juhi, waved to Kizashi and with his partner in tow headed to bed.
Two weeks later after multiple games of hide and seek with his betrothed, the Cloud Shinobi returned home and two years later after Koeda and Musubime's coming out celebration, it was Sakura's turn, Darui and Cee returned alone as they were both fourteen now.
And old enough to travel without escorts, it was a big event that lasted for a week straight all of which was held in the Hidden Leaf Village courtesy of the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Darui stayed with his betrothed the entire time until it was time to go home with Cee in tow.
Several months came and went until it was nearly Sakura's sixth birthday, before her official Princess lessons were to start when she demanded something that rocked the palace to the core "I wanna be a shinobi like Darui-kun" Sakura huffed and puffed.
Emerald orbs pleading with her mothers matching ones and the blue ones of her father, knowing that she was second in line which meant she'd be able to get away with a lot more than her older brother, who was in line for the Feudal Lord Position for the Land of Fire.
"I'm okay with it so long as you don't completely forget about me Imouto" Musubime winced not wanting to see his little sister get hurt in the least, but she wouldn't relent on this idea of hers to become a shinobi.
Both their parents shared a look "Very well if that's what you wish, we'll send a letter to your Aunt and Uncle, ask them if they can look after you while going through the academy and send a couple guards with you" Juhi relented rather easily.
Knowing it would be downright impossible to sway his daughters mind, she'd be the first shinobi in their entire family line of royals "Dear are you sure this is wise" Sayuri had her worries, "She's a princess, our princess and second in line, she should be learning our way" she frowned.
Sakura frowned even more "But Mother I want to be able to protect myself like Darui-kun can and besides Musubime-ni will be here to learn that stuff and you can send me stuff to, Uncle Kizashi knows all that stuff to and can teach me in Leaf I'll be like an undercover princess" the pinkette whined.
Like a princess would something she'd probably never grow out of so left with little choice her mother agreed, a letter was sent off to Leaf, and three weeks before her sixth birthday her aunt and uncle had agreed to let her come live with them, so that's where our story truly begins.