"No! I refuse to allow this! He can't do this to me!"

"Lady Stark, please calm down." said Maester Luwin in a vain attempt to calm the panicking wife of Eddard Stark.

"Don't tell me to calm down! He wants me to sell my daughters to the Lannisters!" the distressed lady shouted and tightened her fist around the letter that Lord Eddard had sent from King's Landing.

"My Lady, Lord Eddard only wants what's best for your daughters."

"Only a mother knows what's best for her children, Maester." she said as she paced in her chambers with a wild and unforgiving look in her eyes "What was he thinking? Sansa's is only thirteen! She hasn't come of age to be wed yet!"

"Lady Sansa will not marry Prince Joffrey right away. She will first live in court for sometime before becoming the prince's wife."

"And what about Arya? Why does he want me to send her too?"

"Lady Arya is young and wild. She will learn the ways of the court and how to behave like a proper lady. Lord Eddard might even find a suitable young lord for her to marry once she comes of age. She will get good education and will get to know the life of the Capital."

As Maester Luwin's words started to sink in, Lady Catelyn's anger and frustration started to evaporate. She could see that he was right. But she hated to admit it. She just couldn't let her daughters go like that. It seemed like yesterday that she had held them in her arms for the first time; that she had fed them milk from her breast and seen them take their very first steps. But Ned's letter was clear. They were both to travel to King's Landing to live in court. It was the King's order that Sansa would be wed to his eldest son, Prince Joffrey, and Arya would learn the ways of royalty. No matter how much she wanted to refuse, to throw the letter into the fire and forget she had even read it, she knew that the decision had already been made. She could not refuse the King and her husband was the King's Hand. What the King commands the Hand does.

Suddenly feeling weak, she sat on the bed with the letter still in her hand.

"Why? Why does it have to be my daughters?" she whispered trying to hold back tears that were threatening to fall.

Maester Luwin sighed deeply and sat beside the distressed Lady before placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. He knew how she was feeling. He truly did. He had delivered the Stark children himself and not a day had passed since that he didn't speak with them. He was the one to tend their wounds and give them medicine when they were sick. In a way, he could say that they were his own children as well. But the North was wild and cold and untamed. Robb was the heir to Winterfell. The boys, Brandon and small Rickon, would someday become knights or be wed to daughters of lords and the girls would marry a lord and live the rest of their lives raising their children in a castle. But this was the opportunity for Sansa to become the Queen of Westeros and for Arya to marry a high lord of the King's circle maybe even a prince. They were the King's orders after all and they could not ignore them.

"Do not feel sad my Lady. Your daughters are just starting to follow their own way. It might be leading away from Winterfell but it also is the journey of their lives. It is time for them to follow their own path. One day, you'll see one of your daughters wearing the crown of the Queen; maybe even both."

"But Maester, they are so young. They have never traveled outside Winterfell and it is a long way from here to King's Landing."

"Fear not my Lady, for the best of our guards will see that they reach the Capital safely."

"Make no mistake, Maester Luwin. The road is the least of my worries. It's the destination that scares me."

"But why? King's Landing is the Capital and Lord Eddard is the Hand of the King. Both girls will be treated as princesses and guarded day and night."

"Yes, but they will be surrounded by those golden-haired Lannisters. And one of my daughters is going to be sold to one. I saw the way Sansa was looking at the young Prince Joffrey during their visit and I have no doubt that she will be thrilled to learn that she will marry him. But that's the only thing there is to it. They are going to keep the girls in golden cages, in feasts and blooming gardens, in silk and gold and roses. But what of the North?"

Maester Luwin understood her fears. After all, the girls were still young and gold and jewelry and feasts and tourneys radiate a light that can dazzle any child; especially little girls that dream of palaces and castles and a valiant prince on a proud white steed (though he doubted that that was the case with Arya). She feared that they girls would forget; forget their family, their name, their ancestors, the North. And it was a rational fear. A mother's fear that he knew he wouldn't be able to completely put at rest.

"Sansa and Arya are daughters of the North, my Lady. In their veins runs the blood of the ancient Kings of the North and their lullaby is the howl of direwolves. Nothing can ever change what they are. They are Northerners. They may play under the Sun for a while but Winter and Snow will always call them back." the wise man said and gave a light, comforting squeeze to her shoulder.

Lady Catelyn sighed deeply, thankful to the Maester for his support and his reassuring words. It was good to have someone to talk to and she knew that the old man would always be a shoulder to lean on and a kind listener and counselor. She knew that he was right; deep down she knew it. But knowing and accepting are many leagues apart and the fear that had settled in her stomach the moment she read Ned's letter had yet to diminish. Maybe it's only mother's fear. My sweets are finally spreading their wings and they will fly away from me. Maybe that's what scares me most, she thought. Well, it didn't really matter. The decision had already been made and nothing she said or did would change it.

"Very well" she said and stood up "Maester, inform the girls and help them prepare for their journey. Also, tell Ser Rodrick to pick out our best guards. They will be escorting Sansa and Arya to King's Landing."

"As you wish, my Lady." the man said and stood up to leave with the links of his Maester's chain jingling lightly.

"Oh, and Maester Luwin?"

"Yes, my Lady?"

"Find Sakura for me."

XxxOxOxOxxX

"Now, Arya, hold it a bit higher. Yes, like that. Tighten your grip on the hilt a bit more. It won't do much good if it gets thrown out of your hands."

The young girl was trying hard, Sakura could see. Her pose was slightly off and her feet a bit unsteady but she was devoted and a fast learner and the Haruno had no doubt that she would learn how to hold a kunai properly in no time.

"This knife is weird." the young Stark mused and ran her eyes over the shiny blade in her hands.

"For you maybe. But this knife has saved my life many times in the past and will save it even more in the future, so please pay attention."

Sakura found it amusing how the girl immediately got serious and her muscles tensed ready to face everything the pink-haired woman had in store for her. The young Stark must have noticed the amused glint in her eyes for she glared at her.

"Come on Sakura! Do something! I'm not a kid!"

This time the Haruno couldn't help the fit of laughter that rose to her lips.

"Arya, ten years of age makes you a kid. I just don't want you to get hurt. I don't know; maybe it's too early for you." Sakura said and placed a finger at her chin as if seriously thinking of her not being ready to be trained. The absolute horror on Arya's face was well worth it and Sakura did everything she could to keep herself from laughing her head off.

"But Sakura! You were younger than me when you started going to that Ninja Tutoring!"

"It's Ninja Academy. Arya, your life is nowhere near being like mine. Where I come from its kill or be killed. That's why we are sent to the Academy; to learn how to stay alive."

"Well" the little girl frowned and crossed her arms "I wish I was in your place! I wish I wasn't born a lord's daughter!"

Sakura laughed at her "Believe me Arya when I tell you that you wouldn't want to be in my place. Actually, you are lucky to be who you are."

"No, you are wrong! I can't do things that I like because, as mother and Septa Mordanne say, 'they are not ladylike'. Well, I don't want to be a lady!"

Sakura approached the distressed girl and kneeled in front of her.

"In life everything happens for a reason, Arya. You were born a Stark because this is what you were meant to be. You were born a wolf because it is who you are. There is a reason why the Gods choose you to be the younger daughter of Lord Stark. Heed my words, there are no coincidences in life and you'll play your part before everything is over." And with those cryptic words and a soft smile Sakura stood up and patted the girl on her head.

"I think that's enough for today." Sakura said and gently took the kunai from Arya's hands "We will continue tomorrow. You did well, Arya."

The girl smiled lightly but the older woman could see that she was still a bit confused. Maybe it was a good thing. The pink-haired woman had given the younger girl a reason to sit down and think. Sometimes, a bit deeper thinking could prove incredibly useful.

"Now" the older girl said "Go clean up and get some rest. I might manage to convince Lady Catelyn to allow us to go horse riding later in the day."

The younger Stark's eyes lit up at the mention of horse riding and she eagerly nodded before running off to follow Sakura's advice of cleaning up and getting some much needed rest. The pink-haired woman watched as she ran off and a soft smile touched her lips. Arya was a unique child indeed.

"Lady Sakura!" called a voice from behind her and she turned around to meet whoever it was. She was met with Maester Luwin who was walking quickly towards her, his breathing a bit labored.

"How may I help, Maester?"

"Lady Catelyn requests your presence. She is waiting for you in her private chambers."

The girl raised an eyebrow at that. It wasn't unusual that the Lady of Winterfell would invite her for an evening glass of red wine a small conversation when the men of her family were at the training grounds or attending meetings. After all, after so many years of being surrounded by men, Sakura could guess that their evenings together were much a relief and a breath of fresh air. But this time Lady Stark wanted to speak with her privately and after so many years of being a kunoichi she could easily read the Maester's urgent expression. What exactly was going on?

"Oh, do you happen to know what she could possibly want from me?"

"It's not my place to tell. It would be best if you talked with Lady Stark first. Please, follow me."

Sakura made no comment on the man's cryptic behavior and weird expression and followed him as he made his way through the stony alleys of Winterfell. The closer they got to their destination the more the uneasy feeling in her gut was growing. There was definitely something going on and so far nothing betrayed happy news. Not that there was anything that betrayed ill doings but her instincts had already started whispering in her head that they were walking towards some kind of disaster.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't even realize that they had reached Lady Catelyn's private chambers and was broken out of her thoughts when the Measter knocked sharply a couple of times on the door.

"Come in."

Both man and girl walked inside and were immediately engulfed by the warmth of the room coming from the hearth and the hot water running through the walls of Winterfell. The warmth was more than welcome after so many hours of facing the cold and snow of the North.

"Ah, Sakura; I've been expecting you." said Lady Stark with a smile on her face but to Sakura it was empty. She had always been good at reading people and right now the older woman's face, from the dark circles under her eyes and the pale skin to the slumped shoulders and the lack of fire in her usually kind eyes, were screaming at her that something had terribly distressed the Lady.

"My Lady." Sakura said politely and bowed her head in respect. "How may I be of service to you?"

The Lady didn't answer and stared out the window for a couple of minutes before sitting down on her bed. Sakura watched her carefully and her worry only grew. It was more than obvious now from the weak movements and the dragging of her feet that that she was not only physicaly but also emotionally exhausted.

"Come Sakura, sit be me."

The young woman didn't waste a minute and quickly sat down beside the Lady. For a few moments neither spoke until Lady Catelyn broke the silence.

"I know that you haven't been with us for long but Sakura, I can honestly say that you have earned our trust and you have already proved that you are most deserving of it." the older woman started, referring to the incident with Bran, and gently rested her hand on the pink-haired girl's. "You have many times fulfilled whatever obligation you thought you had to us and we will forever be in your dept for saving my Bran's life."

"My Lady, I-"

"Please my child, let me finish."

Sakura quickly apologized for her interruption but as it seemed the Lady paid little mind to that and continued speaking.

"I know that this is not your home as I know that I cannot force you to support us if it is not what you wish. I know that what I am about to ask you might be too much but right now I have feeling that only you can fulfill this mission. I am asking this of you, not as Stark or Tully. Am asking this as a woman and a mother. "

Sakura, now alarmed, stared intently in the woman's blue eyes before nodding, not a word leaving her lips. She couldn't know what the older woman really wanted until she told her but it was obvious that whatever it was, it was of great importance.

"Sakura, I want you to accompany my daughters' to King's Landing."

TBC

Many people commented that it would be easier to read this if it was a chapter-story. That's why I am turning this into a multi-chapter story instead of a series of long one-shots. Obviously, the chapters are going to be shorter than the initial long one-shots but I hope I won't disappoint you. I hope you liked this chapter. A new mission has appeared to challenge Sakura and she is practically walking right inside the lion's den! Tell me your opinion! READ AND REVIEW!