Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. But you already knew that didn't you?
Some short notes before you begin: This is an AU story. Although I say Konoha, the time and place that you should associate with it should be China in the old days – the really old days. So if you come across some weird traditions or etiquette when reading the story, you know where they come from. I do apologize for some horribly translation on parts though. Some ideas are kinda hard to convey in English. That said, enjoy!
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"TenTen has been what?"
Admittedly, Sakura expected a lot of things after being away from home for three years. She expected her mom to fuss about how she must've overworked herself over the years learning from Tsunade-sama. She expected Matsumomo-san, the resident cook, to scold her for being too skinny which was a big no-no, of course, as skinny girls are never good for bearing sons. No doubt Matsumomo would proceed to whip up a mouth watering feast for her every day until she can pass for a pig in human skin. She even expected the disdainful sniff her cat gave her when she patted its head. However, she certainly did not expect the earth-shattering news that Hinata-chan broke to her.
"TenTen-chan has been summoned." Hinata repeated. "She is to be part of Emperor Uchiha-sama's harem. The order came two days ago."
"Does Neji-Nii-sama know?" Sakura asked tentatively.
"N-no." Hinata mumbled quietly. "Oh, Sakura-chan! Th-this is all so wrong! TenTen-chan and Neji-Nii-san are supposed to be together. Everyone can tell how much they're in love. But now, now it's all messed up! TenTen is going to have to go to the Imperial Palace in a we-week, and Neji-Nii-san is still on a mission at the northern borders! What are we going to do?"
"Perhaps we can find a substitute?" Sakura suggested. It is a somewhat farfetched idea but not entirely impossible. After all, nobody outside the family and the Hyuugas has actually seen TenTen's appearance. Like all virtuous, unmarried ladies of noble houses, TenTen was kept strictly within the Tanaka residence once she reached the age of fourteen. It didn't help that she contracted a sickness upon the age of thirteen that considerably weakened her constitution and kept her almost permanently bed ridden. Sakura would've suffered through the same fate herself, as she too is a proper, unmarried lady of the Tanaka house; but she had begged her father to let her learn medical skills so she can heal TenTen someday. It took a year of pleading and well orchestrated tears, but Tanaka finally acquiesced and allowed Sakura to learn under Tsunade – a legend, not only by her medical prowess but also by her social status as a woman.
"We've tried, but we s-simply don't have enough time." Hinata replied. "It's a well known f-fact that TenTen is beautiful – they say her beauty is the p-pride of the city. Tanaka-sama simply couldn't f-find someone who can uphold that r-reputation and remain absolutely loyal. Besides, this is treason; a slip of t-tongue could mean death for everyone even remotely involved." A bitter smile graced Hinata's lips. "It's i-ironic isn't it? We aren't even allowed outside without a sedan carriage to h-hide ourselves in. Yet TenTen-chan's reputation precedes her, and now the emperor is interested in her."
Is it really that simple? Sakura wondered. From what she heard from Tsunade as well as many of the patrons who frequents the clinic, Emperor Uchiha is hardly the type of man that lusts after beautiful women. Granted he is young, initiated as emperor barely a year ago when his father passed away, but running the great country of Konoha has more than his hands full.
And then everything clicked into place for Sakura.
Sasuke Uchiha is young. He does have his hands full running this country. His authority has not completely been established, and that's exactly why he needs TenTen - to balance the powers! It's no big secret that Tanaka and Orochimaru are the left and right hand men of Uchiha Fugaku, the late Emperor. And Orochimaru has wormed his ward Karin into Empress Dowager Mikoto's favor which means a direct source of influence over the harem. Of course, in all technicalities, no woman in the harem should have any power to influence proceedings in the Imperial Court, but history proves otherwise. Better men have fallen in the name of love. And even if Sasuke does not show Karin any favor, there are still the undeniable influences that Karin has over the Empress Dowager. Respect and duty dictate Sasuke to obey his mother to a certain extent – especially should the topic involve an heir… And should Karin actually bear him an heir, it will be the beginning of the end. Karin would have secured a position as the next Empress, and Sasuke would surely become disposable. Orochimaru would never commit an outright mutiny simply because he would never win the hearts of the people that way. However, Sakura certainly doesn't put it beyond him to pull some strings to control an heir by his own ward.
Of course! It all makes sense now. Granted, Sasuke could choose any random woman from his harem to pit against Orochimaru and Karin, but what better leverage than the daughter of Tanaka? It's all a political ploy, a tactic as old as time. It may be unoriginal, but it certainly works wonders. Sasuke has no interest in bedding TenTen or Karin or anyone else for that matter. He just needs to solidify his authority. With this new conclusion, Sakura began to formulate a new plan.
"Ne, Hinata-chan. Do you think I'm pretty?"
"Of-of course Sakura-chan. What brought this on?" TenTen is a classical kind of beautiful with her dark luscious hair and warm brown eyes while Sakura is an exotic kind of beauty in Hinata's mind. It's not every day that you see jaded green eyes coupled with soft pink hair. Although the two girls may have some drastically different features, they're both beautiful in their own respective ways. Hinata's eyes widened suddenly in understanding. Sakura was planning to sacrifice herself. She was going to be the substitute. "No! Sakura-chan, you mustn't. Absolutely not. It's too dangerous."
"Who else if not me?" Sakura demanded. "We certainly can't trust anyone else."
"But there must be another way - a safer way." Hinata debuted.
"We both know that this is the only way." Sakura's voice softened. "Besides, we can't let TenTen go there. Neji-Nii-sama's issue aside, TenTen's health is still at a precarious position. She can't possibly withstand the pressures of the harem – all the fighting, jealousy, and manipulation will be too much stress for her. She always tries to act so strong, but she's not. She might be mischievous sometimes, but she has a heart of pure gold. She wouldn't be able to handle it."
"But Sakura-chan… y-you shouldn't sacrifice your own happiness either. Once you enter the Imperial Palace, you can n-never go out. You'll be forever branded as the emperor's woman whether you have his favor or not - just one of thousands of women in the harem."
"Don't worry. I have a plan."
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TenTen ran a beautiful jade comb through Sakura's hair. It has been exactly seven days since she has been summoned to court, and five days since Sakura came back from her studies under Tsunade. Five days since Sakura offered to take her place. It would take the two remaining days to transport Sakura to the Imperial Palace with as much pomp and circumstance deserving of the occasion. It isn't supposed to be like this, but they are out of time. Tonight may possibly be the last time that the two sisters will see each other.
There are so many, many things that TenTen wants to say to Sakura. She wants time to freeze at this moment forever; or even better, for time to go back to when they were still young and carefree. She wants to chastise Sakura for not taking care of herself better. She wants to scold Sakura for undertaking such a task for her benefit. But most important of all, she wants to cry and hold on to Sakura as she apologizes and thanks her for her sacrifice - because although she may deny otherwise, she can't stand the thought of leaving Neji. But she did none of these things. The words were too heavy and needed to be said to too many people. She wouldn't say it. She can't say it. TenTen simply couldn't break open the floodgate that would surely occur should she broach this sensitive subject, so instead she rambles on about inconsequential matters to fill the silence.
"One comb, combed to the end. Two combs, combed until your hair grows white. Three combs, combed for sons and grandsons abound." TenTen started to recite the sayings that came with the union of two people. The combing ceremony is generally performed the night before the wedding ceremony at the bride's home and is supposed to bring good luck and symbolized longevity, harmony, fertility, good wealth, and a long-lasting marriage. Traditionally, this ceremony is to be done by a 'good fortune' woman (which usually meant a happily married woman with an obscene amount of sons) or sometimes the mother; but TenTen had requested for this honored position to spend some last moments with Sakura. Nobody protested even though TenTen hardly matched the qualifications for obvious reasons.
"Four combs, combed for…" TenTen struggles to remember how the poem goes. "For…" For the life of her, she can't remember how the saying is supposed to go anymore, the words are eluding her. "For all the good things in life."
That didn't sound right. As a matter of fact, TenTen knew it was completely wrong; but nevertheless, she certainly does wish Sakura all the good things in life, so perhaps it's not completely out of place. Sakura giggled softly, and before long, both girls started laughing uproariously.
"I'm sorry. I guess I've ruined your luck, Sakura-chan." It sounded like an apology for messing up the good luck sayings, but Sakura knew better. TenTen was apologizing for the sacrifice that Sakura is making for her sake. TenTen must be blaming herself for how things turned out.
"Don't be." Sakura replied softly. "I have the best luck in the world for having you as a sister." After all, if not for the Tanaka's compassionate actions ten years ago, Sakura would have long departed the world.
'This is the least I could do…'
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Sakura hadn't slept a wink the night before her departure. After TenTen's indirect apology, the two girls reminisced about the past, and Sakura told many stories of the wondrous world outside the Tanaka estate. Their conversations continued into the wee hours of the morning until Sakura finally ushered TenTen to get some sleep before her health suffers. TenTen protested at first, wanting to fit all the words in the world in what was left of the few measly hours she had with her dear sister. However, Sakura stubbornly refused to budge her position, so TenTen eventually consented even though both girls knew that sleep would not come easy, if at all, to them that night.
Lady Tanaka came into Sakura's room almost immediately after TenTen left, and Sakura has a sneaking suspicion that her mother had been waiting outside for some time.
"Sakura-chan," Lady Tanaka started without preamble. "This is hardly the fate I wished for you. Perhaps for many others, being admitted into the royal harem may seem like a blessing, but we know better. We've seen too much. It's a treacherous place, Sakura-chan, not at all the glamorous place it's made out to be.
"But you already know that, don't you, Sakura-chan? You've always been such an intelligent child. Do you remember the story of the Teeth and Tongue?"
Sakura nodded her head. It was a story that her mother had told her many times before. Teeth always appeared to be strong and fierce in its ways while the tongue was malleable and soft-spoken. They fought every day, and at first teeth always seemed to win. However, through the passage of time, teeth fell from its stronghold while the tongue remained the same as it always was. It was a simple enough story, a bit silly too, Sakura mused, although the lesson to be learned is quite useful. It's wise not to be so cutting and confrontational all the time. Sometimes, a softer approach is the way to victory.
"Remember it well, Sakura-chan, especially when interacting with the other concubines. Spoken words carry heavy burdens, but perhaps the burdens of the unspoken are even heavier.
"And as for the emperor, he is like fire. To touch him unharmed, you must be like water. Water is powerful. It can wash away earth, put out fire, and even destroy iron. You must learn to utilize that power. Do you understand, Sakura-chan?"
Sakura nodded once more, soaking in everything her mother told her. It was a rare moment for them. Sakura's mother is usually the bubbliest person around, fussing about the most random things; but tonight, she spoke with the utmost seriousness.
"But most important of all," Lady Tanaka continued. "Always remember why you are where you are. You must keep all things in perspective at all times. I trust you know the consequences should anyone find that you are not who they think you are."
"Sakura-chan," Lady Tanaka's voice softened considerably, almost cracking. "I love you so very, very much." She hugged Sakura fiercely for a long while and placed a gentle kiss on her cheeks before returning to her normal, bubbly tone. "Come now, Sakura-chan, we must get ready. It's almost morning, and you're hardly presentable. The carriages from the Imperial Palace could be here any moment!"
Morning came too fast for everyone in the Tanaka household, but Sakura was ready. Her mother had spent hours meticulously dressing her in the traditional red wedding attire, fixing her hair, and applying her makeup until Sakura barely recognized herself.
The carriage that was to take her to the Imperial Palace arrived just when the first rays of the sun reached over the horizons. Sakura bowed deeply to her mother and father, showing the deep respect she has for them as she bade them goodbye in front of the large doors that separated the Tanaka estate from the rest of the world. She wished TenTen was there too, but of course, they cannot afford for her to be seen.
Then without looking back, Sakura draped the red covering that was part of her headdress over her face and entered the carriage.
From now on, she will be TenTen Tanaka until her mission is over.
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