The Devil's Twins
Chapter Two
The village was a buzz, all the eligible women rushing about. Materials, wools, and what not were all but sold out as soon as they made it into the shops. Every female was anxious to get a head start on their dresses, hoping theirs would be the best and impress the king the most. Many took their mothers' old dresses and altered them to their liking. Women all over the land had traveled in closer with their fathers and brothers chaperoning them. The only inn within the village was busier than it had ever been. The reason for all of it, the ball, was to be held within the next three days.
The declaration had been nailed to the very stake that the people of the village had been crowded around not two weeks before, watching the 'witch' burn in the smoldering flames. The news had traveled through the land faster than one could have spoke. A young pink haired woman stood in front of the stake, staring at the declaration. All her senses tingled with pleasure, but her heart felt heavy within her.
Her dress was already finished, ready for the job she had been born to do. It would be the only dress that would catch the king's eye. If she failed, her sister wouldn't. All was going well, but her heart still hung heavy.
Sakura diverted her eyes away from the sheet of stationary, watching the bustling on the people. She walked away from the stake, joining the people in their bustle. Sapphire eyes found her amongst the crowed, and a delicate hand lifted into the air, motioning for the pink haired woman to come over. The hand was spotted and the emerald eyed beauty moved to stand beside her sister in front of a ribbon shop.
Ino smiled at her twin, holding up a ribbon. It was the deepest emerald eyes had ever set their sights on. It had been the most expensive ribbon within the shop, but the bewitched shop keeper had given it to her for free. It was the final touch, the ribbon that would be set in Sakura's hair, the very thing that would make sure she had the king's attention throughout the night.
The pink haired woman felt her heart sink down lower. Her arms felt weak as she went to take it from her sister, but her body was pleased. Everything was going according to plan. The ribbon was made of pure silk, soft to the touch. It was perfect in every way.
A clock tower's bell rung, signaling the hour of one. The boar smirked, looking up at the clock.
"Well, sister, it seems we have to return to the inn now. If we don't hurry the pompous fools we call parents will be cross. Oh, how I can not wait to leave them behind. How I can not wait to leave behind the grueling tasks of a peasant."
Sakura stayed silent, only nodding softly. There was something about the hard work that she liked. She had yet to place it, but it called to her. She wasn't ready to leave it all behind to bring upon destruction to the land. She had grown attached.
They walked swiftly through the crowds of people, till they reached the inn. Their mother stood in the window, collecting herbs she grew there. She spotted her two children, almost sighing in relief.
"Tis bout time you two came back. Hurry on in, your father needs help with waiting upon the customers. Sakura, dear, I'll be needing your help in the kitchen. I can only make so many things by myself at once."
The blossom nodded, giving the boar a stern look when she looked like she was about to retort with something rather nasty. They both scurried in side, going to to their appointed tasks. Ino still couldn't wait to leave it behind, Sakura loved it and didn't want to leave it behind. She still hadn't realized the reason she didn't want to was because it drew her closer to heaven, the one thing her heart wanted most.
The king was starting to regret his agreement to hold this ball. The palace was in chaos as servants hustled here and there, preparing various things. He didn't get a moments rest from their constant questioning of what was to be served and what was to be the entertainment for the night. These were all questions his advisor was to be answering, but the advisor had told them that since it was a ball to find the next queen, it had to reflect the tastes of the king. His advisor was going to be dead if he saw him any time soon.
He had hidden himself within his private study. The servants were not allowed there. It was his only sanctuary.
He had taken to pacing. He had worked hard for this thrown, had steeped down so low to achieve it. Did he truly wish to share it, with a woman no less. But the queen was there to please the king, she had true power aside from that. And he needed a male heir.
The ball was the most troublesome thing though. He was to dance with every eligible woman that was to attend, or at least until he found an interest. That made him laugh. There was no woman alive that would be able to catch his eye. Angels don't exist.
"Dear sister, you must hold your temper better. Had you held your tongue, Father wouldn't have struck you like he did."
The blossom held the cold cloth against her sister's cheek. She gently stroked the blonde's hair, trying to calm the raging boar.
"I've grown tired of taking his orders. That arrogant fool! He knows nothing of the power that I hold!"
"And he will not know until death, sister!" Sakura whispered fervently, "If he was to know, we would be burned upon the stake that has already killed so many."
The boar stood from the bed, leaving her sister's side; her skirts flowed around her as she paced around the room.
"This family will be the first to go, for treating us as filthy peasants-"
"As they must! We were born into this family because we must not be found out. For what we must do to succeed, we must put up with this! So I say this once more: calm yourself and hold your temper! We cannot afford losing you to burning on the stake!"
Ino glared at the blossom. "Very well sister. You speak with logic as always."
"Ino, my sister, it will all be over soon." Sakura spoke with a low and calm voice.
The blonde let out a sigh. "I know, dear Sakura, I know."
The king stared into his advisor's eyes.
"My Lord, I don't think you grasp the seriousness of this. This ball hold the future of this land!" Even Naruto didn't know the truthfulness behind his own words.
"I don't think you realize, Lord Naruto, that there is no woman beautiful enough to retrieve my attention. I've only agreed to this because I do indeed need a male heir. Any young woman should be good enough." He slipped his arms into the dress coat that the tailor held up to him.
"No, My Lord, not any young woman is good enough. She must be to your tastes, and to the tastes of the people of the land. The people of the land won't accept anything less that a beautiful woman for you! You must take this seriously, Your Highness."
"I will take this seriously when you bring before me a woman with actual knowledge and the beauty that the people will accept no less than. If you cannot, then and young woman will do!"
"Sasuke," Naruto spoke, dropping the formalities, "I assure you, you will most definitely find that sort of woman at the ball. Your future queen will be there, so please, be at least a bit cooperative!"
Sasuke sourly agreed. "Very well. Now be gone. I am without doubt that there is still work to be done before tonight arrives."
Lord Naruto bowed his head before leaving the room. The tailor finished with the dress clothes, allowing the king to move to the mirror. He adjusted his sleeves before smirking at his own reflection. His advisor better be correct about his ability to find his queen tonight, or someone was going to lose their head.
Sapphire eyes focused on the pink hair before her, weaving it and twisting it into the most elegant of styles possible. Various assortments of face paints and powders littered the surface of the vanity, all having already been used in a long and tiring process. Hands gave a hard yank at the hair, giving it the final twist before giving it the final touch. The deep emerald ribbon was tied into the hair, finishing the elegant look.
"Sister, have a look at the beauty that will capture the king."
Emerald eyes opened and looked into the mirror, only to look strait into her own soul, void of the excitement that her sister held.
"Come now. The carriage is here. We must not delay, for tonight is a very important night."
"Yes, Ino."
The blonde left the room, her skirts trailing behind her.
Sakura stood slowly, still looking at herself within the mirror. Her heart was as heavy as it had been three days ago. She brought her hand to the mirror.
"Forgive me."
Though she did not know yet who it was the she asked for forgiveness from.
A/N- Short yet again, I fear, but that is because the plot hasn't picked up yet. It will soon, though. The ball will be in the next chapter. I hope to update a bit sooner this time, though it might be hard to do so.
Enjoy!