Hmna: Here comes the second chapter of my latest fan-fiction. It is a long chapter, by my standards. I do hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

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Princess Sakura, Ten Ten and Ino followed the two servants who were leading the way.

It was one of those rare times when Ten Ten and Ino were not bickering, giggling or teasing the princess. The three visitors remained quiet as they founded the presence of boys their age somewhat unusual.

"This will be your suite, your highness," one of the boys said indicating the building in front of them.

"If you find that you need anything, we'll be right at the door," the other one said.

"Oh right." Princess Sakura didn't quite know what to say. To be honest, she wasn't used to that kind of respect from people her age. Of course, that didn't mean that her maids were not respectful, but the way the boys were talking to her was …

She smiled at them. "Nice to meet you. I am Sakura. This is Ten Ten and Ino."

The two boys looked at her with wide eyes. They seemed quite shocked to be introduced. Nevertheless, they stated their names.

"I-I am Shikamaru, your highness."

"I am Sasuke."

Now that she registered their appearances, they both had black hair and black eyes. Shikamaru's hair was tied in a way which sort of resembled a pineapple and Sasuke's hair was spiked up at the back and some hair were falling at the side of his face.

They both looked quite cute. Their fair skin suited with their dark blue robes.

"Nice to meet you, Shikamaru-kun, Sasuke-kun," princess Sakura said with a sweet smile.

Again, they were shocked to be addressed like that, but both sort of expressed almost a half smile.

Ino and Ten Ten were also smiling at them to show their pleasure. Then the three of them went into the suite.

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Once in the suite, the old Ten Ten and Ino appeared again.

"Princess, what do you think of the prince?" Ten Ten asked excitedly.

"Strange, isn't he?" princess Sakura replied with a thoughtful look on her face.

"More like frightening," Ino said to them.

"I think Shikamaru-kun and Sasuke-kun are more likeable," Ten Ten said with a smile.

"Yeah, but don't say it in front of the prince. He would probably kill them. The way he was speaking to them…"

"Speaking of them, are they outside?" princess Sakura asked.

"I'll go check!" Ten Ten dashed to the door and swung it open.

"Ouch!"

It seemed the doors hit the boys on their heads.

"Troublesome…" Shikamaru muttered holding the back of his head.

Ten Ten looked alarm and started apologizing, "Sorry! I'm so sorry! Really, I am. I sure am. If you don't believe…"

"Lady, we do believe that you are sorry," Shikamaru cut in. God, wasn't she a bit clumsy to be the princess's best maid?

"Oh!" Ten Ten gave a shy smile, "okay then."

"Are you going to stay here all day all night?" she asked the two.

"Yes, we are. It's our duty to guard the princess," Shikamaru replied.

"So you are going to sleep here? Right at the door?"

"No, lady. There's a servant quar…" Shikamaru began to reply but Ten Ten's voice cut in.

"Servant quarter! That reminds me! Ino! We are supposed to be at Shizune's meeting!!" she shouted back into the room.

Shikamaru looked at her, his expression bewildered. Seeing his face, Sasuke chuckled.

Ino and princess Sakura came out of the room. The two boys bowed as they saw the princess.

"Please, be quick. I don't want to stay here all alone," the princess told her maids, almost child-like.

"We will be. I bet the old lady doesn't have much to say," Ino told the princess with a reassuring smile.

Ten Ten grinned at Shikamaru. "Lead the way please," she said happily.

"What!? I'm supposed to be guarding the princess," he replied quickly.

"So you mean the princess's two best maids should wander off in your palace and get lost?"

Shikamaru sighed. There's no way arguing with this lady.

"Well, Sasuke, remember if something happens, Ibiki will chop both of us alive," he told Sasuke.

"I know," Sasuke muttered.

Then Shikamaru ran after the two maids who were running in the wrong direction.

"Hey! Not that way…"

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"Your highness, if you need…" Sasuke began.

"I'm not going in. Is it okay if I stay here with you?" princess Sakura asked Sasuke.

He was quite surprised. "Yes, sure, your highness. I'll bring a chair…"

But princess Sakura had already sat down at the steps.

"It's okay. I'll sit here. And please don't call me 'your highness'. Princess or Sakura is okay."

He didn't say anything. He was just looking at her, wide-eyed.

Princess Sakura smiled at him. "Why don't you sit too?"

Sasuke sat down at the step lower than the princess.

They had a full view of the garden and some other buildings.

"Your palace's quite big, you know, and the building designs are quite different from ours too," Sakura began.

Sasuke looked at her and nodded politely.

"I really would like to see the country too," she continued.

"Outside the palace? Your high… sorry, princess?" For once, Sasuke's eyes seemed brightened with a light which the princess had never seen in his eyes before.

"Ah… yes I guess. If they allow me to, of course. Arr… why are you … ?

"It's been a long time since I last see my family…" Sasuke said quietly, his eyes fixed on the ground.

"You mean you don't return home?"

"We never get a chance." He was still gazing at the ground.

"When did you last see them?" princess Sakura asked sympathetically.

"Since I was brought into the palace," he told her quietly.

"How old …"

"Three."

"Okaa-san cried for days before I was sent here. Nii-san also said that it wasn't fair for me at all. Even otou-san seemed depressed. But the other clan members wouldn't hear it. They said it was disloyalty and betrayal if the uchiha clan had a son qualified for prince's service and he did not serve. So, at last, the clan elders decided that I was to be sent to the palace."

For the moment, Sasuke seemed to have forgotten whom he was talking to. He was absorbed in his own memories.

"I wouldn't have known how to carry on if Sai wasn't there for me at that time…"

"Sai?"

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Flashback:

"This is your room. The training starts next week so meanwhile, you have to help with the elders' chores. If you do something troubling like running away, you will be punished badly. So behave. Do you understand?" master Ibiki told the little boy.

There wasn't a trace of kindness in his voice as he spoke to the three-year-old who was forced to leave his family.

"Yes, master," Sasuke replied quietly.

As Ibiki left, Sasuke entered the room. There was already a boy his age but a bit taller. He had black spiky hair and pale complexion.

He gave a smile which made his eyes close. "Hi, I'm Sai. I will be your roommate. What's your name?" he asked the newcomer kindly.

"Sasuke." He looked at the pale boy in front of him. May be it was his black hair, black eyes or his kind voice, but Sai reminded him strongly of his beloved brother.

Suddenly, without warning, thick hot tears began to make way down Sasuke's cheeks.

For a moment, Sai seemed unsure of what to do but seconds later, he was already in front of the boy, giving support to the seemingly weak body and soul.

Sai let the young boy cry on his chest, stroking the boy's soft hair. Although there was hardly any difference in their ages, something about the boy made Sai want to protect him, care for him in a big brotherly way.

"It's okay…it's going to be okay…" he tried to soothe the boy who was sobbing uncontrollably on his chest.

"I…miss…*hiccough*… nii-san…" Sasuke said in between his sobs.

"Then, I'll be your brother, Sasuke…" he said soothingly to the boy who looked up with tearful eyes.

Sasuke cried for a good an hour and a half and all the time, Sai stroked his head, trying to calm him.

By the time he finally stopped sobbing and let go of Sai, Sai's shirt was drenched with Sasuke's tears and nose boogies.

Sasuke registered the mess he created and stuttered, "I'm sorry."

"Do you feel better now?" Sai asked kindly.

Sasuke didn't respond. But as he looked at the pale boy, he thought he had found another brother. It was like a ray of light shown through his dark, dark life he had to lead from now on…

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Hmna: I do admit that Sai is totally out of character. But I just can't help thinking that he and Sasuke look pretty cute together.

I love reviews, just like you! And I am quite positive you are, too, familiar with that floating feeling when you receive a review… :)