MERRY CHRISTMAS!! i hope everyone is doing well. this is the last in a my 'one shots' for my 'last name' story winners. and this story is shinoxsakura as requested by princess kaay. but there's a twist. this was suppose to be a one shot, but it's turned into a multi-chapter story. but don't worry, i've got all the chapters done, and i'll try to post one every two or three days til the story is complete.
this is kinda an experiment too. it's set in a period that's a mixture of medieval/lord of the rings/avatar mix, if that makes any sense. so the language may vary and seem a little weird. i hope you guys like it. i know that b/c it's a shino and sakura story, it won't get as many reviews or hits, but that's ok. it's written for princess kaay and the true sakura and shino fans out there. oh yeah and they have sorta super powers. i actually have three stories, including this one, where the kids have powers. (the other two are a shikaxsakura and a kibaxsakura pairing) but i'd really like to get some feedback on how you guys are liking this.
oh and we've got snow. ugh. i hate snow. it's cold and wet. and here in n.c. if it snows it will shut down the whole state. was there anything else...uhm i can't remember.
oh yeah i remembered.....it's a mix of present day with their memories. there's character death. i normally don't like doing that, but it was necessary for the story. don't worry it's not sakura or shino...and definitely not kiba! like i could ever do that! and since it's set in a time where woman are more demur and virtuous there's no lemon....wow i may have lost half my readers at that comment. but for those of you who have stuck around thanks.
present thoughts
memories. (let me know if it's necessary to put in italics....i know it bothers some people when reading...)
CHAPTER ONE. Petals and Blindfolds.
Scents of various flowers and steam filled the small room designated for her bath. Voices mumbled around her, and she tried to block the sound. The young woman wished she could be alone for just an hour, to clear her head and prepare herself for the task set ahead. Yet since her arrival in the prison, her only time left to self, was when she slept. Sleep her enemy allowed the nightmares to attack her already worn mind. Sliding down slowly, she blew bubbles on the surface of the warm water. Had she been witness to her surroundings with her mother, she would be in awe of the splendor of the room.
Walls colored in rich shades of pink and burgundy made the room of bathing purely feminine. A large basin for bathing, of what appear to be marble set in the middle of the room, with a smaller one for washing the hands or face set on a cabinet that held thick cloths for drying. The small window allow the sun to filter in. An arrangement of fresh flowers in the corner made the pink haired girl's stomach twinge, and she sank further into the water, her tresses floating to the top.
Thoughts floated to the surface of her mind.
Two girls of fifteen summers, lay in a field of flowers the blonde had created during their walk in the woods. Giggling over the small things that made teen aged girls happy, they stared at the bright blue sky. The sun was high, but not beating down on them, while the breeze kept the heat from making them sweat.
"Chouji," the pink haired girl questioned watching the birds pass overhead.
"Yes, Chouji," the blonde replied. The smile on her face was spoken in her reply. She turned her hand over, then back again, creating daisies in the barren spot of the opening.
"You are lucky then, Ino," her friend spoke, rolling over to see her friend face to face. The petite hand covering her face to block the sun behind Ino's head. "You like him, so an arranged marriage is a bonus."
"I know," she breathed in the scent of flora. "Do you know how scared I was that it would be Shikamaru? Can you imagine, how would we fix that? Sakura, Kiba would have died!"
The Inuzuka had laid claim to the Nara when they were just four years old. Kiba seeing Shikamaru for the first time, sniffed him, then licked the Nara's cheek, and proclaimed to all the other children, parents, and villagers during the Harvest Festival, that he would one day marry Shikamaru. Since that day, there has been no other Kiba would even consider.
Shikamaru never stopped Kiba's advances or sent him away, nor did he returned Kiba's affection, so it was unclear to many if he felt the same for the Inuzuka. Until Ino's father began speaking of her future. Shikamaru uncharacteristically reacted to the idea of being married to anyone but Kiba, and kissed the male during the middle of their weapons instruction. Kiba more animal than human at times, pulled the Nara off into the wilderness, reappearing with him three days later, mated and bound together for life.
"I believe that, though it did work out perfectly," the maiden with the green eyes pointed out. Innocently, she interlaced her hand with Ino's. "But you know Ino, if it hadn't, if you were forced to marry Chouji and he wasn't the one you loved, I was ready for us to run away together. We'd head for the larger village, beyond the forest to find someone you loved."
Grinning at the thought of the two of them escaping their small village, she continued, "Of course we would, but you know Shino would not allow you to wander that far without him. It's not like he's going to let you leave. Then Naruto and Kiba would never let Shino have an adventure without them. "
Birds sang in the air, and they could hear squirrels and other animals moving in the nearby woods.
Sakura laughed at the truth of that statement. "Then you know Hinata would follow Naruto to the ends of the earth."
"And Neji her." Ino cleared her throat and in a cold, aristocratic voice of the elder Hyuuga teen, she spoke, "I must protect our Hinata."
Sakura fell into a fit of giggles.
"And Lee," the blue eyed blonde reminded her best friend.
"Yes, Lee would be there." Both girls shuddered at the mention of the overzealous male.
"Though, Kiba wouldn't let Shino go off on his own," Sakura continued. "Shikamaru couldn't bare to be without Kiba, then since Shikamaru is going, Chouji would just go to be with his best friend."
"So, I'd be in the same situation." Ino reflected.
"It seems so, but it's not going to happen," she reassured. She gave the hand inside hers a squeeze. "Chouji adores you, and you're smart enough to love him back."
"What is that suppose to mean," she sat up playfully. The blonde created a flurry of petals to float in the air surrounding the two.
"What are the pair of you carrying on about," a deep voice bellowed to the friends.
"Father!" Ino called and got to her feet. "Sakura was here gathering herbs."
The tall blonde man walked through the sunflowers. His hand causing them to retreat into the ground. The Yamanaka was skilled with manipulating the flora as he'd instructed his daughter. His blue eyes crinkled in a smile when he could see the pair.
"Awh, Sakura will you be making remedies today?" Inoichi stood taller than the to young women. The sight of them made his heart light.
"Yes sir, we came here because the kialia weeds only grow in this area," the elder of the two answered. She stood beside Ino. "This time of year has everyone sneezing from the flowers blooming."
"That is all well and good, but neither of you have a weapon on you. I'm sure you have also been told Sakura of being too close to our borders unescorted or unarmed. I will not speak of this incident to your father nor Shino, if you are mindful of yourself." Inoichi's voice changed to that of a stern father. "Be off, both of you."
The two girls began to run back to the edge of the forest with a basket each of the needed herbs.
Their land was a small country, with the village in the center. A council of elders governed the countryside as well as the village. Peaceful, but strong for the amount residents that lived there. A community of farmers and shop owners. Sakura, Ino, and Hinata were friends as the only three girls in their age group. The council believed in educating every child with science and mathematics, literature, and weaponry.
Soon the traditional Planting Festival would take place. Villagers and countrymen alike would help to plant the crops of the upcoming summer. Ino would make flowers in the bunches, and the aroma of the bathing room reminded her too much of her past life. Irises and tulips, Ino's favorite flowers. If she slipped just a little lower, maybe her nightmare would be over, then she could see her best friend once more.
"M'lady," a shrill voice called Sakura from her thoughts.
Cool air made her shiver, when the strong, but female arm pulled her back to the surface.
Gasping, Sakura looked around at three women cramped in the room with her. Two with strong red hair atop their head. One a year or two younger than Sakura's sixteen years. Her pale skin splotched with freckles, but her eyes a loud green like Sakura's. The second was heavy set and strong. Sakura was sure this woman could work just as hard as any male in the fields. Her red hair pulled back, unlike the younger one who enjoyed having her hair blow around her face. The third woman was older in her years. Her once vivid red hair was fading, with traces of gray starting to overtake her head. She was petite, but commanded the other two.
"M'lady, please be careful," exclaimed the heavier woman, and she pull Sakura from the tub.
Cool air made her hiss, though the warm cloth wrapped around her body made her feel better.
"He'd have our hide if anything happened to you," the eldest spoke. She extended a dressing robe to the young woman. "Therese, help her with this."
The heavy set woman guided Sakura's arms into the dressing gown.
"Genevieve, she's ready." Therese finished tying the robe. She then led Sakura ino the bedroom connected with the bath, sitting her at the dressing table.
Genevieve looked at Sakura with pity, but said nothing. Sakura was the same age as her own daughter, when she was taken from the elder servant. Looking into the pleading green eyes was too much for her to take.
"Keina, make sure her meal is warm," the eldest servant demanded. She started brushing Sakura's hair.
"I do not wish to have my hair brushed nor to eat. I would just like to be alone." Sakura finally spoke after two days of silence. Unles the screams in her sleep were considered communicating.
"Certainly m'lady," the elder lady placed the porcelain hairbrush back on the table. "Let us give her a few minutes of solitude."
Shino held the reins of the horse. It could not go any faster, yet Shino wanted to force it to try. Beside him was his best friend, Kiba. The brown horse Kiba rode keeping pace with Shino. Silence was replaced by the hoofs beating the ground. Shikamaru made clear their plan once arriving in the village of Aidricson. For now they were traveling to the larger village on a rescue mission that was bound to get them all killed. Shikamaru, Naruto, Neji, and Hinata were with them, to be joined by Lee the next morning. His ability to travel at a speed one could not see kept him in their village for one more day to observe.
Shino's past edging back to the front of his thoughts. Kiba was unusually quiet with the task set before him, heavy on his mind. The same could be said for Naruto. This time of reflection made Shino's mind wander to times the would rather not remember. At least until his Sakura was reunited with him.
Shino and Sakura walked through the village, he seventeen and her sixteen. She was blindfolded with the sash from her dress. A few of the villagers gave them a curious look, but none said a word, simply smiling at the sight of young love.
"Shino, I can't see anything," she said, while stumbling over the terrain. Her left arm locked with his, and her right hand out in front of her.
"Do you not trust me, your only beloved, your betrothed," his soft voice asked. He guided her down the sidewalk, slowing in front of a cottage. Shino stopped Sakura and reached for the latch that held the gate closed.
Leading her up the two front steps, and into the home, he paused for a moment. Slowly he removed the blindfold.
Blinking at the light that struck her eyes, she turned around in the small and empty living room. Dust floated around the air, and the home had a smell of being closed up for too long.
"Ioa's home?" Sakura questioned. Her pink brows knitted together in curiosity.
Her ability to gather her surroundings quickly, a trait that Shino loved about her.
"Yes, it belonged to the village since Ioa did not have any offspring," he answered. His corse hands took hers. "I have talked to my father, and we have decided to purchase it from the village as a home for you and me."
A large smile covered her face, and she squealed with delight, jumping up and down also.
"But Shino, I do not understand," she stopped to look at her future husband. "I thought that we were moving to your father's land."
Shino was the son of the blacksmith and swords maker of the country. His property just slightly outside of town, due to the amount of horses that were kept there. Although it was not far from the village, Sakura did not like the idea of being away from her parents and younger brother. The couple agreed she would continue helping her mother with making clothing and dresses for the village after Shino and Sakura married.
Shino warmed over at the sight of her joy.
"We feel that it is easier for you the first few years. We will still move to the land of my father, but after you give birth to our second child." Shino stated. His hands taking hers and holding them at their sides. "But this means you will be required to get up earlier to see me off to my parents home for work."
"I don't mind at all," she pushed the larger hands up to chest level. Her head dropping ever so low, at the idea of her next statement. "Second child?"
Shino was equally embarrassed at the concept of conceiving a child. Confident though, he knew there was no other woman, he could imagine having his children.
"I think two is a nice number," he returned. His hands warmed by the flush her body generated. He circled their hands around and embraced her.
Breaking from the hug, the pink haired girl danced around the home excited about where to place their future belongings. Her voice chirping away about curtains and fabrics. Shino took his place on an empty crate and watched her with love.
Today the home was destroyed, burned to ashes and soot. The reminder that he saw each time passed from the countryside to the village was more than he could bare.
"Shino back with us," the male beside him pulled him from the memory. "Stay sharp, we are in their territory."
Shino checked the sword on his side. Scanning the land he pressed on with his party. It was risky for the group infiltrating the kingdom and rescuing Sakura. It was originally his plan to go alone, but neither Kiba nor Naruto would allow it. Then the others followed. Shino felt responsible, but part of him was happy to have the company. Though he was not sure if the woman they were intent on rescuing would follow so easily.
so.....ok? i'm not quite sure. but anyway. there it is. remember to let me know what you think like or dislike. i've been listening to a lot of iron and wine, blackmore's night, clannad, and mediaeval babes while writing this.
oh and currently all the mangas i'm reading i've caught up on. five, which i thought was horrible artwork at first, but i really like the story. kimi ni todoke, i need to catch up on the anime too. but this is up there with kou kou debut for me. kyou koi wo hajimemasu, i just read the latest. but i still have kaichou wa maid sama to read, but still i want updates on the others!
and a quick naruto rant....if you aren't current don't read....if sakura gets kiba killed, i may have to start liking ino.....wait did i really just say that.
anyway, that's all i've got. and i've started watching teen titans again. i forgot how much i like red x. and starfire.
that's it for now. read and review if you are so inclined.
terri