I don't own Naruto! :(
I hope you enjoy! I've always wanted to write something like this. Note: If anything regarding Feudal Lords isn't historically correct. I wrote this with only very little background knowledge! I have NO idea if they really had marriage interviews! Oh well! It's my story. :) However! I will do more research in the future to ensure a more knowledgeable look into the past.
Thank you so much for reading! Enjoy!
Sasuke sits on the porch of the main house gazing out into the garden. The light of the full moon glows against the small pond, koi fins dance across the top making shinning ripples. A soft sigh escapes him, the sakazuki touching his lips tips and sake flows into his mouth. He gulps greedily, fine sake, for a fine lord. He tips his head back lightly, takes another sip, and gazes at the moon.
"Women." He says lightly, thinking of the five young women he's meeting tomorrow morning. His gaze narrows, blaming the moon for the triviality of his situation. He has to find a fine bride before the weeks end as his father had instructed him, all the while showing favoritism to the eldest daughter of the Mori Clan. The Mori Clan is a well known and powerful clan, supposedly they're also home to the most beautiful of young women. Only Sasuke didn't need a simple beautiful girl, he wanted something more, someone more than just a beautiful face. He wanted his bride to be more than that, he couldn't put into words what he wanted- since it was more than what he wanted, but what he felt he needed.
: : :
Sakura
My back twists with aching pain, between the uncomfortable carriage and these strange ninja piled in here with me, I can't help but be sore. My hands rest stiffly in my lap, coiled tightly in fists. There are many parts of my body hurting, pulling, tight, and filled with unrest, but my heart by far is the most painful. With every beat, every hoof hitting the ground with a harsh thump, it hurts.
I bring my coiled hand to my chest, close my eyes tightly, and pretend I'm home with my sister. Our small manor, cherry trees along the grounds make our home one of the most beautiful in our tiny village. I open my eyes slowly, they meet the ninja, Naruto's. He gives me a sharp nod. In return I grant him a sweet smile.
: : :
Naruto helps me out of the carriage, and instantly I'm petrified. Me getting married?! And to someone who lives in this huge mansion! There's no way. My face feels hot as Naruto escorts me. I stumble in my kimono into the main house.
"E-E-Excuse me?" I stutter nervously, Naruto raises a yellow eyebrow at me, carefully I choose my next words, "Is the master of this house a.. pleasant one?" I squeak, Naruto leans down, examining me carefully. He guides me down the hall and we stop in front of a beautifully decorated screen door.
"Sasuke?" He says voice light, "Eh, no." I gulp, eyes darting about for escape, there's no way I can be with anyone who-
"Bring her in." Says a dark voice, interrupting my thoughts, my heart constricts as I Naruto slides the door open, and ushers me in. I bow my head low as I enter.
"My Lord." I say gently, having built myself up for this moment- in this moment I exist only as a replacement for my sister.
: : :
Sasuke
She raises her head slowly, her beautiful pink bangs fall gently into place. I glance at Naruto, giving him a sharp nod of dismissal. The door shuts gently behind her, I watch her closely as she sits quietly, looking only a little tense under my gaze. I'm surprised by her calm demeanor, that determined face she had as she raised her head to look into my eyes, even I was mesmerized. I nod at her, a motion for her to introduce herself. She meets my eyes with pride.
"Haruno Sakura, my Lord." She lowers her eyes, and meets my eye again. Pride rests deep within her green eyes, she doesn't come from distinguished family, just a little side village in the middle of no where. Where did she find such pride? Interesting, I lean across the table, reaching a hand out gently teasing a lock of pink hair between my fingers.
"Sakura.." I say, she meets my eyes, cheeks a nervous red, "Uchiha Sasuke." she nods, looking bothered. My elbow resting across the table twitches as I resist the urge to touch her pale face. She is certainly beautiful, however is that all?
"The pleasure is mine, my Lord, Uchiha-sama." I find my lips pulling into a greedy smile, it's always nice to be Lord. I drop the lock of hair I'd been playing with and adjust myself to face her directly, "Lord Uchiha-sama." She starts, I raise a challenging eyebrow, not many women muster up the courage to speak to me so directly, she meets my eyes bravely, "I must say, I didn't expect to meet you here today. In fact I'm only taking my sisters place at your brides banquet, I'm the youngest daughter in the Haruno family." I frown, "Meaning…Well, I believe you know, my Lord." Second born daughters aren't even considered, "I'd like to apologize on behalf of my sister, Sagiso, and the Haruno family. Sagiso had fallen ill before we received an invitation." I nod, considering this. Crossing my arms quietly, I stare at her.
"Don't mind it." I say, "It's not as if I'd seriously consider a little girl to be my bride." I glance away in irritation, father would never let me bring home a second born girl. Why'd she even have to show up here, how annoying.
"Excuse me?!" my eyes shoot back to her in surprise, her green eyes are boiling with anger, "How dare you! I'm not some little gi-" It only takes a moment for her to realize I'm smirking at her reaction, I'd find it annoying if she wouldn't have met my eyes with such a powerful gaze. She scoffs in disbelief, "I came here expecting a Lord." she continues crossing her arms gently, glaring at me, "Not a young boy." I feel something ignite within me, this little girl, what damn nerve.
"Disrespectful girl." I spit, glaring daggers in her direction, her cheeks light crimson as she lowers her gaze and her head.
"I'm sorry," Pride, I see is not something she's afraid of, "It won't happen again." I stare at her, and snap my fingers. A bead of sweat rolls down her temple as Naruto appears beside me.
"Escort Haruno to her room for the day, she isn't to leave. I'll come for her when I'm ready."
: : :
Sakura
That bastard. It has been two days, two entire days, two bright moons coming and going. And it's felt longer than the two week trip here. Tonight, the third day I haven't seen that selfish, cocky man. I stand below the light of the moon. I bathe in the warming light, finally relaxing after being cooped up all this time. Naruto said I could step outside for a moment tonight, I like to think I grew on him, but I doubt this is the case. He seems strangely stoic for a ninja with such a unique taste in clothing.
"Green doesn't suit you." I hear a dark voice say, before I turn around to face him, I pull my lips into the nicest smile I can manage. I recall myself saying something along the lines of 'it wouldn't happen again', only maybe my memory's a little foggy. If he insults me one more time, I'll-
"Oh," I say as I turn sweetly, "Uchiha-sama. It's a bit late for a wonderful working Lord such as yourself to be out playing at such an hour." I think I hear something snap. I twirl a loose string of my green kimono around my finger tip, observing him.
"Haruno," Sasuke says lowly, "You should watch your tongue." I glare at him, I'd already decided not to hold back. There's nothing this coward of a man is going to do anyway.
"I'd watch my tongue if you were someone I respected." I growl, Sasuke smirks at me, anger blazing deep within the darkness of his eyes. Under the light of the moon, he glows beautifully, as if he belongs to the night.
"You little brat." His lips twitch almost as if he enjoys our little quarrels. I stare at him a moment, his kimono tied loosely, showing the skin of his chest and sternum. A cloud swirls as if to eat the moon and keeps it hidden, Sasuke's eloped in darkness and for a moment I only see his dark eyes shine.
"I want to go home." I bring my gaze to the ground below me, a light dew tickles my bare feet. In the darkness below me, I feel a it wrap around my conscious. "My sister isn't well," I begin again, "It's urgent that I return to care for her."
"In due time, the banquet's tomorrow, I might consider freeing you then." Anger stirs my belly furiously, I meet his gaze in the darkness of the beautiful garden.
"My Lord, my time isn't something I'm willing to give you. I'll excuse myself after the banquet." He narrows his eyes at me, as the moon uncovers itself above us. We stare at one another, simply daring the other to look away. After a moment, he turns his gaze to Naruto, who sits quietly on the rooftop watching our conversation.
"Naruto, see to it that Haruno leaves tomorrow." Sasuke says coldly, my eyes widen as he meets my eyes, "Don't bother me anymore, girl." I puff up my cheeks in irritation, embarrassment, and hurt.
"Don't worry, stupid! I won't!" I turn from him quickly, and stomp into the west house, where my room awaits.
: : :
Sasuke
"What an annoying, girl." I say under my breath, Naruto sighs above me. I glare in his direction, "What, Dope?" He jumps down and sits on the porch of the west house.
"You always push your favorite people away." Naruto says snickering, I shoot him a deadly gaze, "She's soo cute! I can't believe you'd pass her up. You really are 'stupid'!" He mimics Sakura's irate voice.
"I-" I begin quickly stopping myself, there's no reason to defend myself to this idiot, instead I shoot him a mean glare. Shifting my arms in my kimono I step over to Naruto and sit beside him, "What was she doing out here?" I grin, sending him a suspicious look, "The best ninja in the village disobeys my orders? Have you fallen in love with her?" Naruto's expression isn't what I expected, a slow blush creeps across his skin. My eyes widen slightly in surprise as he turns from me, embarrassed.
"She wanted some fresh air." He rubs his head sheepishly, "She said getting in trouble with you would be worth a glimpse at the moon." He meets my eyes sternly, "So I let her. Don't punish her." I nod at him slowly, unsure.
"She isn't worth my time." I tell him, narrowing my eyes at the bright light of the full moon. Worth it? I see. The moon is beautiful tonight, fireflies dance at our feet, a gentle breeze caresses my hair, and I think of her silhouette in the light of the moon. A glowing haunting beauty surrounding the air around her. I shudder at the thought. Naruto places a hand on my shoulder.
"Better get back to her." I nod, and he's gone. I stare alone at the scene before me while frowning at the thought that something is missing.