After a long day of grinding and cutting up basic ingredients for balms an mixtures, Sakura wanted nothing more than to eat some dinner and go to bed. Looking down at her green stained hands she couldn't help but smile. Maybe a bath too.

Getting off of her stool, Sakura took a second to stretch out her back before clearing the table. She put any leftovers greens in some jars and took a few minutes to label and organize them to the system she used back home. She was surprised that the healers here didn't have any dry ingredients on hand.

They were very reactive, rather than proactive and after having a long discussion with the royal doctor and gardener, they agreed to store ingredients that didn't need to be used fresh. It was one step in the right direction.

Satisfied with the row of labeled and organized jars, Sakura grabbed the one labeled lavender. Adding some of these to her bath would help her relax after a full day of work. Plus she wasn't going to let the luxurious bathtub in her room to go unused during her stay here.

As she turned, she felt a presence behind her and instinctively she threw her fist behind her, twisting her body to get a look at the intruder. A hand wrapped around her wrist stopping her from making impact.

Wide eyed and breathless, Sakura came face to face with the crowned prince himself, Itachi.

"Your majesty!" How did she not hear his enter, or even get this close to her. "Apologies, I didn't realize it was you."

A small smile on his lips he spoke, "Would you have reacted any differently you knew it was me?"

"Well I probably would've not tried to assault your person." Letting out a breathless laugh, Sakura gently tugged her captive arm.

He released her immediately and took a step back. "I came to apologize for missing our appointment."

Appointment? It took Sakura a second to realize he meant their weekly courting sessions. She was so wrapped up in her work that she didn't even notice. It wasn't like she missed his company, he should probably ignore her more for the rest of year then she could go home.

"That's no problem, I was pretty busy today and I doubt there was any time to have any sort of meaningful connection." She looked him over and found that compared to last week, his clothes were more muted, though still made of expensive materials.

His long hair that was usually kept in a low ponytail was freely flowing over his shoulders and down his back. Itachi was always pale, but the dark circles under his eyes were standing out much more than usual.

"Stressful day?" Sakura asked.

"It has been challenging of late." He offered her a tired smile and held out his arm, "Allow me to at least escort you back to your room."

Sakura held up her stained hands, "Wouldn't want to ruin your clothes, plus I've already committed a crime today by assaulting royalty."

"Attempted assault my lady."

Sakura couldn't help but roll her eyes at his words. "Fine, fine, but I don't think the courts would care to make the distinction."

"Nevertheless," He held out his arm again and this time Sakura found herself unable to say no. If he was going to insist then fine, let his fine silks get grass rubbings on it.

"Are you having any difficulty sleeping at night?" She asked as they walked.

"Getting to sleep is the problem, but once I'm asleep I am fine."

"What do you usually do before bed?"

"I didn't think I was walking with my doctor." He teased, his dark eyes watching her.

"It's a habit, Lady Tsunade and Naruto don't know their limits sometimes."

"The Konoha royals seem like a handful."

"Don't get me started, but I also know a distraction when I hear it. Naruto is the prince of distractions. So, what do you do before bed?" She smirked up at him, triumph shining brightly in her eyes.

Itachi blinked at her for a second, a soft laugh escaping his lips. "How insightful, but alright, I'll consult you then."

"Please, I may be young but my teacher taught me well."

He nodded, "I read reports after dinner until it's time for bed."

"Do you give yourself any time to relax before bed?"

"Reading is hardly a taxing activity."

"Your brain plays a large part of you falling asleep. If you don't give it chance to be relax of course you won't fall asleep easily."

"Then what do you suggest I do?"

"Maybe read a book that doesn't have to do with work, or take a bath or stargaze. There are a lot of things you can do that don't require thinking." Sakura wondered if the royals of this kingdom were all like this.

Back home Naruto and Tsunade counted down the seconds to stop working and spent the rest of the evening doing useless things, but when she first met Sasuke he seemed to never stop working. He never stopped to relax before bed and she often heard him moving around the castle when everyone should be asleep.

It was around that time that she and Naruto decided to make Sasuke relax with them. They would play games, or talk or watch the stars from the tallest tree. Maybe it was an Uchiha thing, they were all so serious.

When they reached her door she turned to thank him but he cut her off.

"I will take your advice Sakura, and try to calm my mind before bed."

"That's good, wait," Sakura took half of the lavender out of the jar and held out the jar towards him. "If you want to make up for missing our appointment," not that she cared, but if she could get him to promise then whatever worked. The Uchiha were very good at keeping their word. "Take a bath with these, it'll help you relax."

It took him a second too long to respond, making her stare up at him questionably, but he eventually did reach out for the glass jar, his fingers were warm as they brushed against her's, as he took hold of it. "If that is your wish."

Sakura smiled at his acceptance and made the mistake of looking at his face. His eyes were intense as he stared at her and after a few seconds she started to feel self conscious.

"W-Well goodnight your highness." She turned open her door but froze when she felt his hand on her shoulder.

"Please Sakura, call me Itachi." His fingers gently squeezed her shoulder before he let go and she heard him walk away.

As his footsteps faded away, Sakura looked over her shoulder to see him disappear around the corner. Releasing the breath she didn't realize she was holding her muscles relaxed.

That was-

Before she could react, her bedroom door opened and a pale hand pulled her inside.

"Sasuke Uchiha what are you doing!" She hissed at the prince once the door was closed behind her.

"What am I doing? What are you doing?" He stalked towards her, a fire burning in his eyes and she instinctively pressed her back against the door. "Why is my brother walking you back to your room so late at night?" His eyes looked her up and down and she wanted to hit him. "Why are your clothes so rumpled, no." She watched half in annoyance, and half in fascination as his brain seemed to come to some sort of conclusion, or rather, assumption. "You guys didn't-" Sakura watched as his cheeks turned red and she wanted nothing more than to punch him, but there was a part of her that wanted to hear him say it. "-do it."

Sakura just stared up at his blushing face and took a deep breath to calm herself.

She was going to be executed for high treason and probably start a war between Konoha and Uchiha, but she didn't care. She was going to kill Sasuke Uchiha.

"Sasuke."

"How could you do it Sakura, I thought we had a understanding, but brother wouldn't just sleep with anyone. Did you seduce him? Or give him something that made him-"

"Sasuke Uchiha if you don't stop talking right now I will kill you."

"Sakura-"

She lunged at him.

The following morning there was a knock on her door...

Sakura stared at the growing piles of silks, flowers and jewelry that the servants were bringing into her room. Arms crossed she glared at Sasuke's attempts to make peace as if the gifts were the stupid prince himself.

Sasuke was very smart, and in her eyes he had the potential to be one of the very best tactical minds on the battlefield, but outside of that he was a mess. He has no tact or grace when dealing with the opposite sex. She couldn't even count the number of times some noblewoman had flirted with him and he either shut down out of embarrassment or thought they were being too forward and made them cry by being cold or cruel.

He didn't know how to apologize either. He would always try to make up for his transgressions by throwing money at you until you were drowning in it.

To be completely honest, she wasn't even mad about last night anymore, but Sasuke had created more problems without realizing it.

"That's all my lady." Sasuke's assistant bowed as he and the army of maids that had delivered her gifts, left.

Swallowing Sakura looked at the piles of gifts and at the now closed door. This display of wealth would not go unnoticed by the other residence of the palace. Rumors will spread that Sakura of Konoha received gifts from the Uchiha prince. Most people will forget about Sasuke, since she was here as a possible marriage candidate for Itachi. They would think Itachi was the one to gift her all these things.

Unlike in Konoha where if she sent the gifts back it wouldn't bother anyone, here, it would be a scandal. Word would get around that a low-blooded girl had rejected the crown prince's generosity and she would become the main focus of gossip everywhere. If she kept the gifts then people will start to think she accepts the prince's favor.

Either way, Sasuke made things worse.

thank you everyone for your encouragement and kind words!