Yay! I just posted my story today and I already have one review! Man, I am such a hypocrite! I never knew it would feel this good to know someone likes your writing. Hazah for me! Hazah for you! And Hazah for Oompa Lompas! Well, I don't really have much to say this time, I'll just let you read.
Disclaimer: Look over there! Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, it's that guy that owns Naruto! OMG! See, I own nothing.
The Price of Freedom
Chapter 2
Sakura could hear soft giggles coming from the room to her left. Then she heard him; his quiet murmur, most likely whispering sweet nothings into their ears. She cringed at the thought of being one of those mindless pets of his. Balling her fists in anger, she cursed herself for being beautiful enough for the emperor's court.
Slowly approaching the slightly ajar, heavily decorated wooden door, Sakura opened it all the way and stepped inside. All around her she was surrounded by white. White linens hung on every wall in an elegant fashion, giving a slight view of the gold trimmed marble pillars the littered the room. Large windows on the further most walls allowed the bight light of early morning to flood in the room. Gold trimmed white pillows and cushions were scattered throughout the room. Upon the largest of said cushions was the arrogant ruler himself, surrounded by at least ten gorgeously beautiful women.
She shuddered slightly as his cold yet amused face turned to her, "Ah, the young one has decided to make her entrance." Each of the women gave a small giggle. "Why don't you come join us? I'm sure you'll have fun." A sly grin slid across his features. Sakura clenched her fists tighter as she approached the group.
Bending low, she addressed her king, "I am most regrettably sorry for being tardy your majesty."
"Isn't it precious how shy she is?" Sakura looked to see a ginger haired woman smirking mockingly at her.
Sasuke stroked his chin, "Yes, how precious indeed. Come now, what was it, Saku…"
"Ra, Sakura sir." She corrected.
"Ah, yes, Sakura, please, come sit with me. Honor us all with your beauty." He sat up from the chaise and patted the seat next to himself.
Shakily she took her seat and kept her gaze glued to the floor. Sakura felt his hand graze over her shoulder, pulling her close to him. She sensed his warm breath on her neck, "Look at me." He demanded coarsely. Slowly she shifted her gaze and settled it on his lifeless black eyes, "You need to loosen up a little. No one here is going to hurt my little blossom."
Sakura nodded her head slowly and visibly swallowed, "Just relax…" Seeing his face close in on hers, she pulled back involuntarily, slipping out of his grasp. Tears threatened to fall down her face as she looked away embarrassed.
"I apologize." She whispered meekly.
Sasuke only chuckled, "I see you do not want me to take you first kiss from you."
Shaking her head, "No, it's just… I," Feeling her shoulders shake she panicked, "May I be excused?"
A slight murmur rippled through the girls, apparently one wasn't supposed to ask to leave. "You may take leave." Loud chatter had replaced the murmur. Apparently you didn't get permission to leave very often either.
Rising quickly with a shaky sigh of relief, Sakura bowed once more and departed the room in haste. She could hear the loud laughter resonate mockingly off the walls as she closed the door. Violently shaking, she concluded she could not fulfill this occupation. Still maintaining control over herself, Sakura hurried to her room.
But instead of her room, she found herself wandering the massive main hallway, observing all the happenings of the grand room and admiring all the beautiful portraits of the royal family over 200 years. Though, she found it rather strange that almost every previous emperor looked almost the same. Each member had flaming red hair, pale features and jade green eyes. Why was it that Sasuke looked so different? Like he wasn't part of their family at all?
Shaking the confusing thoughts from her mind, Sakura's attention was pulled to the Grand Entrance of the Palace. The massive doors where thrown open forcefully as a group of men clad in heavy, rough looking cloaks marched down the white carpet that lined the large entry way.
"You there!" The man in the front of the group called out to her, the only other person in the room, "Go retrieve one of your superiors. Our leader would like to speak with the Emperor."
The menacing man motioned with his hand towards the staircase that encompassed the room. "That will not be necessary. State your business here."
Sakura turned sharply to see a man with a spiky black ponytail and two silver earrings descending the stairs. "Who are you to tell us what to do?" the brutish man with purple face paint and a funny looking hat questioned threateningly.
The regal looking man from the stairs remained impassive to the threats, "I am Shikamaru Nara, General of Konoha militia. And who, may I ask, are you? What business do you have entering our royal palace, in such an untimely manner and without prior notice?"
The gruff man crossed his arms and glared at the General, "We are The Sabaku nomadic tribe of the Suna desert. Our leader, Sabaku no Gaara would like to pay respects to your emperor."
"I have herd of your tribe, and your leader. I have also herd that your people do not take kindly to ours. What proof can you give me that you will no try to assassinate our king?"
The face painted man merely glared at General Shikamaru, clearly unhinged. The General seemed unfazed by this. Suddenly the group of nomads parted as a figure made their way to the front of the group.
Sakura stood by silently, watching the exchange hesitantly, wondering if she wasn't supposed to witness such an exchange. Her thoughts were pulled from their reverie as a young red headed man left the safety of the crowd. He was pale in comparison to the other desert men, and a little less than tall. He also wore a traveling cloak, hiding his body from all eyes. What surprised Sakura was how young he was, he looked to be just a bit older than herself if no the same age.
The flame haired man stood and gazed silently upon the general before crossing his arms under his cloak and speaking evenly, "I am Sabaku no Gaara. I have no intention of murdering your emperor. My proof, we have no reason, no tyranny has befallen our people. I would not like to ignite war between our nations."
Shikamaru nodded, "Well said. You have convinced me that you do not have harmful intent. I will find you an escort." He was about to turn around back into the palace when he stopped and his gaze fell upon Sakura, now no longer forgotten. "You are a servant for his majesty directly are you not?"
All eyes fell upon her, "I am sir."
The General nodded sternly, "Good then, you shall lead Sabaku no Gaara to his majesty imminently." Leaving no room for question, he turned on his heel and ascended the steps once again.
Sakura watched him leave, and after the door had closed she shifted her gaze to the man awaiting her. His jade eyes bore into her own as she approached him slowly. She felt naked under his gaze, like he knew all her secrets. 'Maybe he does', she told herself, 'Maybe he came to take me away from this nightmare.' She chided herself for being silly and shook the thoughts from her mind.
Bowing respectfully, she tried to contain her giddiness; for some reason this man had her tied up in a knot. Maybe it was the prospect of hope. "Please, right this way." Standing straight she walked over the stairs and walked up them, looking over her shoulder to see all the rest of the men waiting while only Gaara followed.
Sakura longed to make conversation with him on the trek up all the stairs to the fifth floor where Sasuke waited with his maidens, but felt that if she said anything she would break some unspoken rule and opted for silence. Now that she stood right next to him, she saw he wasn't all that much taller than herself, but the rest of him was unreadable, an emotionless mask.
Sooner than Sakura had hoped, they had arrived at the door to the Emperor's paradise, the sensual laughter filled the hallway and she cringed at the thought. Opening the door, Sakura bowed quickly and announced the sand leader, "Your majesty, I introduce Sabaku no Gaara, Leader of the Suna nomadic tribe."
Stepping aside, she saw Sasuke's expression darken as Gaara entered the room. Standing to greet the diplomat, Sasuke dismissed his ladies with a wave of his hand and the room emptied. Outside the room a hushed murmur spread like wildfire, many saying how the Emperor hates Gaara for some untold reason. Others saying that they were illegitimate brothers.
As they all walked away from the door, Sakura was compelled to leave a little slower than the others. She knew eavesdropping was wrong and in this case fatal, but she couldn't help herself, she was oddly drawn the red haired man.
"What are you doing here?" Sasuke sounded all too thrilled to see Gaara.
"I was just passing through, thought I would come to say hi." The feeling was mutual.
"What do you want? You don't just show up to say hi. Not you Gaara. Where are you camped? Are you close?"
"Yes, just beyond the eastern boarder of the wall. Maybe a mile, just by the oasis."
"I let your little rebel group do what they want outside my kingdom, what more do you want from me?"
"I have a proposition for you."
"So you don't want… wait, just a moment." Sakura heard him walk toward the door. In a panic she rushed down the hall to the living quarters and paused for breath just around the corner. She heard the door slam shut after a moment and relaxed. Releasing the breath she hadn't realized she had been holding, she continued down the hall to her room, musing over what she had heard.
So Gaara's tribe was a rebel group against the empire. They didn't like Sasuke either. What freedom they must have; to be able to live whatever lives they choose to lead. Not imprisoned by some lusty emperor. The more and more she thought about it, the prospect of being a free nomadic woman appealed more and more to her. And they were camped just outside the city.
Closing her bedroom door she leaned against it, feeling a sense of hope for the first time that day, "I had better start packing."
Well, this one was a little longer. I hope you liked it. I can't wait to get started on the next chapter! I just have to do a little brainstorming first! But I do know for a fact that it will be up within a few days. Knowing me, most likely tomorrow.
