Another NejiSaku thingamagig. :D

This one is based off this Tintin book/comic/whatever I read. Tintin saves the position of a king in Syldavia. This story is kinda like that, except Sakura is Tintin and Neji is the Prince, and they are the same age... :P

Disclaimer: Based off of The Adventures of Tintin: King Ottakar's Sceptre. Don't own any characters. :-/

--Sanded Silk--

Neji yawned, and checked his calendar. According to the beautifully-designed booklet on the wall of his study- as well as the calendars in all the other rooms- his official coronation was in four days. His father had died a few weeks ago, and since Konoha was at war, the nation needed the strongest, youngest, and the most clever ruler as soon as possible. Hinata was a likely candidate, because she was from the main family. But, her meek personality and lack of aggression threw the court and the majority of Konoha politicians on Neji's side.

Neji stood up, stretched momentarily, and walked down the hallway to the crown room. The two guards protecting the room saluted as he entered. In the center of the elegant room, in a glass case on a high wooden stand, were two precious items for the coronation: the crown, and the sceptre that would gain Neji his title. Without the sceptre, he would either have to kill his cousin to gain the title as king, or he would have to abdicate.

Sighing, Neji walked over the the large, iron-barred windows to gaze outside into the dark courtyard. He could vaguely make out he shapes of the guards in the courtyard. Satisfied that the room was sufficiently secure, Neji left.

Neji undid the buttons and clapses of his coat, and changed into his night clothes. He blew out the candle by his bed, and climbed slowly into his bed, yawning again. He lay there, on his back, staring at the cieling and thinking.

In four days, his life would take a huge turn. In four days, he would be the commander-in-chief of the military; he would be able to change all those stupid laws his father had set up; he could hire a different royal doctor, as the present one failed his job of keeping the king alive.

Basically, Neji would have complete power over this nation.

Smirking and turning over onto his side, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

--The next day--

Neji was in his study again the next day, after he ate breakfast and changed. He was reading the diary of his great-great-grandfather during a huge war against Suna, when there was a soft knock at the door.

Without looking up, Neji opened his mouth and called "Come in."

The door squeaked open, and booted feet marched into the room. He could practically hear the sentry-man salute.

"Your Majesty," The sentry-man barked, "There is a professor from Suna who wishes to visit the palace in two days to study the history of Konoha, as well as the coronation system. He also wants to take pictures of the crown and sceptre. He goes by the name Professor Anatsuko."

"No."

"He is very insistent, your Majesty. He says he won't stop demanding permission until we give it to him."

Neji sighed, his eyes not lifting from the text before him. "Fine," Neji said. "But because the relationship between Suna and Konoha has been very...intense, so to speak, this professor must be extremely well-guarded at all times. No one is to let him out of sight."

"He is only an old man, your Majesty."

"..."

The sentry-man saluted hurriedly again. "Y-Yes sir! I will put the orders through immediately, sir!"

The man scurried out of the room, trying to look as unshaken as possible. Neji smirked to himself, before turning his attention back to the book before him.

The next day, after meeting with the professor, Neji was in his courtyard, sipping tea and reading, when his chauffeur walked up and saluted. "Your Majesty," He said, "The meeting concerning all preparations needed for the coronation ceremony will be held soon, in the Royal Congressional Building."

Neji sighed and stood up, putting down his now-cold cup of tea and his book. Wordlessly, he followed the black-suited man out of the Palace doors into his car.

The chauffeur geared the engine and pressed the gas pedal with his foot. Almost immediately, a girl appeared in front of the car. The girl had striking pink hair that brushed her shoulders and emerald eyes, which were wide when she saw that the car was headed for her. She didn't have enough time to react. Neji felt the impact through the hard plastic of the interior of the car, and the girl's head disappeared from view.

Neji loudly cursed, and the driver flinched. Without wasting a moment, the agile king-to-be jumped out of his car and hurried to the over-turned girl with the exotic pink hair on the asphalt. He leaned down, grasped onto the girl's slim shoulders, and gently lifted her up onto her feet, setting her down gently. When he was sure she could stand on her own, he let go.

"Are you all right? Do you need to lay down somewhere?"

The girl slowly blinked her eyes, staring at Neji. "You," She said, her voice silky and awed. "The Prince of Konoha."

Neji inclined his head, staring down at the one-head-shorter girl with emotionless eyes. "Yes," He said calmly. "Prince Hyuuga Neji. The next king."

The girl didn't start squealing and asking him to marry her. In fact, her eyes were wide and solemn, and her expression was serious. "Sir, I have something terribly important to talk to you about."

Neji cocked an eyebrow. So this peasant girl wanted to talk to him? Just before he answered her, his chauffeur stumbled out of the car and drew his gun. "Stand back, sir!" He cried dramatically. "This young woman tried to-"

The girl suddenly darted out, slamming her heel into the chauffeur's jaw. He squeaked in a very unmanly manner, and fell over.

Neji pulled out his own gun and aimed it at the girl. She stood up straight, her hands in the air. "Sir, please hear me out!" Now, there was panic and helplessness in her eyes. "I heard people discussing a plot to overthrow you in my home country, and took an airplane here as soon as possible to warn you! That chauffeur was a part of the group. Last night, when I came to see you, he refused to let me in when I told him why I wanted to see you!"

Neji turned his narrowed eyes to his feebly-stirring chauffeur. "Is this true?"

The chauffeur's eyes immediately overflowed with fear. "N-No, sir! Don't trust that foreign dog! I-"

"You will return to the Palace at once and await my orders." Neji calmly spoke, his eyes and face still emotionless. He lowered his gun, and instead pointed it at the chauffeur, who immediately scrambled to his feet and called a taxi.

Neji put his gun away, and got into the car's driver seat. He motioned for the mysterious girl to sit in the passenger's seat. She obeyed, looking intensely relieved.

A/N: Sorry that I haven't been updating for so long! I was in New York City for five days, and I had a lot of homework before that, and... --rants--

ANYWAY. I had to cut this one off, because I didn't want it to go too long. The next chappie will come up soon, I promise!!

--Sanded Silk--