Cherry Blossoms in Winter

- Chapter 4: The Hunt -

Everyone stared at her. Sakura walked through the castle's corridors and felt people's eyes on her, fixating their gazes on her like pins pricking a pin cushion. When she passed a group of noble ladies, they paused their conversation immediately, eyeing Sakura sullenly. The three ladies obviously belonged to the Uchiha-Clan as their dark eyes, black hair and the noble dresses embroidered with the Uchiha crest revealed. Sakura greeted them politely, but the ladies quickly turned away from her, whispering excitedly to each other. Sakura kept moving rather irritated and tried not to pay attention to their gazes. But the way all of them behaved made it impossible to ignore them completely. Even maids peered out of doors and corners, giggling as soon as Sakura walked past them.

A young servant dropped a tray, when he caught sight of her, spilling the floor with his master's breakfast. Sakura was eager to help him clean up the mess, but his face turned red like a tomato and he stammered something Sakura couldn't hear.

However, Ino pulled her away from the young lad. "Let the boy do his work, Sakura." She laughed, leading the pink haired woman down the hallway. "You've stirred the poor guy up pretty bad. He certainly needs a moment to cool down."

"What? But I didn't do anything!" Sakura looked at her innocently, but Ino smiled mischievously.

"It's because of what you're wearing, Sakura," Ino said. "That's why they are starring at you. You look stunning, Sakura! I always knew you had it in you!" Ino winked at her.

"Ino!" Sakura blushed.

In fact, Sakura attracted quite some attention in her equestrian clothing among the ladies of the noble society. She wore a white cotton shirt with a dark brown tanned leather vest. The brown pants made of soft sheep skin were probably the most sensational. The fabric clung as tight and comfortably around Sakura's long legs as a second skin, accentuating her well-shaped thighs. In addition, she was wearing comfortable dark boots, that reached to her knees. She also had put on a cloak of dark green wool, protecting her from wind and rain. Her pink hair was pulled back in a high ponytail. In principle this clothing wasn't uncommon for Sakura. At home she had worn those riding clothes very often and never had someone gaped at her so openly because of that. In the Haruno's lands women rode as skillfully and passionately as men did, if not more. And what else should she wear for riding? A dress? At the Uchiha court women, especially the high-born ladies, appeared to be less passionate and completely determined to act prim and conceited. All they did the whole blessed day was stitching, tattling and above all look beautiful.

"Look, who we've got here! Good morning to you, Lady Sakura." The young woman's voice was soft and smooth, her tone only feigning the kind courtesy.

"Lady Kikyo," Sakura greeted, while Ino halfheartedly made a curtsy for formal custom.

Lady Kikyo was descended from an Uchiha-clan's branch and the same age as Sakura. She had long hair as black as night, her skin was flawless white as snow, and her eyes sparkled purple. Her fine dress matched her eye's color and accentuated her figure, which was – as Sakura had to admit – more womanly than her own. The young lady approached Sakura with her entourage, looking her over intently.

"How pretty you look, Sakura. This garment is quite inventive." Her words seemed sweet and kind, but her voice's tone revealed the mockery in it. "I personally couldn't wear something like that. Really, it looks good on you. One could almost consider you a man." Kikyo smiled deviously and her lady's maids giggled.

Sakura had always tried to be friendly in the few encounters with the Uchiha girl. Still, it seemed, for some reason Kikyo had a grudge against Sakura.

"I'm on my way to the stables. I'm intending to go for a ride," Sakura said, trying to hide how much Kikyo unsettled her.

"I've heard of your plans, Sakura. Itachi gave you a horse as a gift."

"Yes, Lord Itachi is very generous."

"Not generous enough, I fear, to give you some of his time as well." Kikyo chuckled.

"Sasuke is kind enough to accompany me today."

"Oh, of course he is. Itachi asked him to, didn't he?! We all know, Sasuke would do anything for his brother." She circled Sakura with a disapproving look. "Really Sakura, I have no idea, what Itachi sees in you. Your father must have paid plenty for your hand."

Again the ladies laughed.

But this time, Ino stepped forward. "You should better not talk this dishonorably with Lady Sakura. She is also your future ruler!"

"Be quiet, maid!" Kikyo hissed angry.

But Sakura had already grabbed Ino's arm, pulling her back.

"Lady Kikyo, if you'll excuse us. We're in a great hurry." Sakura tried hard to be as polite as she could, although inwardly she blazed with anger. But arguing here in public with an Uchiha-Lady would certainly be anything but favorable for her position at court. Besides, she wouldn't do Kikyo the favor to see her humiliated. So she walked down the hallway at a hurried pace, trailing Ino behind.

"This arrogant bitch!" Ino muttered.

"It's ok, Ino. Just ignore her."

But Ino continued angrily: "She thinks, she's better than us. But she is not even born in the main family. Oh, how much I hate her! Sakura, don't listen to her idle talk! She is just jealous."

"Jealous? Why would she be jealous of me?" Sakura wanted to know.

"I guess, it's because of your engagement with Itachi. As far as I know, Itachi and Kikyo had been promised to each other, when the two were children. If she had married Itachi, she would have been the female head of the Uchiha clan."

"But she is an Uchiha herself!"

"For generations it is common among the Uchiha to marry within the clan. They believe, in this way the blood remains pure and powerful." Ino shook her head. "The Uchiha can be very old-fashioned and they have their traditions. I think, this is also the reason, why some Uchiha clansmen don't approve of the connection between Uchiha and Haruno clan through your marriage. They certainly don't show it as openly as Kikyo, but there is an uneasiness."

Sakura was taken aback. She didn't expected, that her presence at the Uchiha court wasn't tolerated by some clan members.

"Don't be intimidated by it, Sakura. If you ask me, the Uchiha could definitely use some change. And about Kikyo, since Itachi isn't available anymore, she is probably after Sasuke now. So there's no need to worry."

Oddly enough, Sakura was still concerned.

Soon after, the two women left the castle through the bronze door at the building's northern wing and crossed the great front court, which was full of people at this early hour, engrossing in their usual hustle and bustle. Many servants paused in their haste, when Sakura walked past them. Sakura greeted everyone kindly, whether they eyed her suspiciously or stared at her in admiration. They also met Kakashi.

"Ah, my beautiful ladies!" He took a slight bow.

"Hello Kakashi," Sakura greeted.

"Sakura, my dear, you look like a gorgeous amazon."

Sakura blushed ever so slightly and smiled. "Thank you, Kakashi."

"We should hurry, Sakura. We're a little late," Ino reminded her.

"Ah yes," Kakashi chuckled. "I just came from the training grounds and as far as I noticed, Sasuke is already waiting impatiently for you."

"Oh, then we should hurry!"

"Don't worry, Sakura. I think, every woman has the right to keep a man waiting for a bit! It might help sometimes." Kakashi winked at her.

Sakura smiled and bid goodbye to him.

"Have fun!" the gray haired swordsman exclaimed, but the girls already hasted to their destination.

"Hm, I cannot wait to see his face as soon as he sees you in this." Ino pointed at her clothes.

"I absolutely don't know, what you're talking about," Sakura said. However she knew it very well.

When they finally arrived at the stables, Izanami and Sasuke's black, strong stallion were already saddled and ready to ride. Sasuke was wearing his usual dark leather clothing, waiting visibly annoyed for his riding companion's arrival. Sakura approached him, her eyes meeting his. In his onyx-eyes she saw astonishment and beneath something deeper, which had such an alluring effect, that it left her breathless. Then for a short moment his gaze roamed over her body, before his expression became as emotionless as usual.

"You're too late."

"Good morning to you as well, Sasuke."

"Hn." Sasuke leaped onto his horse's back gracefully. "Let's go."

His words are as scanty as ever, Sakura thought. She gave Ino a goodbye kiss on the cheek and greeted her own horse by looking into it's eyes and stroking it's neck soothingly. She mounted her horse – not less gracefully than Sasuke – and gave Izanami a light jolt on it's side. Fleet-footed the horse trotted of and Sakura smiled. She heard Sasuke following her and when they had left the castle's walls behind, he rode directly beside her.

Thick, gray clouds racked quickly across the sky and a strong wind blew through Sakura's face. But she felt as happily as she hadn't in a long time. Izanami was a gentle and obedient mere, which Sakura rode so easily as if she hadn't done anything else in her whole life. The young woman could feel the animal's heat and movement under her legs. It felt like she'd become one with it and with it's strength and speed. She gave Izanami another light kick and the horse broke into a gallop.

"Come on, Sasuke! Or else I'll leave you behind," Sakura exclaimed laughing.

They rode down a path, that was wide enough to provide just enough space for two horses next to each other. A few steps further to the path's left side the terrain fell away sharply. It was exciting. The whole time Sasuke rode closely behind her and out of the corner of her eyes Sakura saw him smirking. But shortly after Sasuke suddenly caught up to her, sprinting forward with his horse until he came to a parting of the path. There he left the path, leading his horse on an uneven ground downhill.

"Follow me," he said to Sakura.

Sakura slowed down her horse into a slackening walk. "Are you sure this is the right way? The path leads in another direction."

He looked at her challenging. "Who is grown up here? You or I?"

Sakura hesitated for a moment.

"Trust me, Sakura," he added reassuring.

Thus she followed him. They wound down the slope through tall, slender spruces. Sasuke seemed to know the right way quite well, that's why Sakura was careful to lead her horse on the same trail Sasuke had taken. So the leaves' rustling, the wood's crackle and a woodpecker's tapping were the only sounds, echoing over the mountain slopes. It smelled of resin and soil, of horse and spruce forest. Sakura loved it. Her gaze was fixed on Sasuke's back, since the man was riding in front of her. He sat confidently and determined on his horse's back, had broad shoulders and the reins firmly in his hands. There was a sheath attached to the front of his saddle, in which his short sword was sheathed, at the saddle's back were a bow and a quiver of arrows.

"Why do you have a bow and arrows with you for a simple ride, Sasuke?" Sakura wanted to know.

"For hunting."

"Hunting?! I didn't know we were going on a hunt."

"Hn."

"And why didn't I get a bow? Anyway, if someone assaults us, I wouldn't even be able to defend myself without a weapon."

"I never said, we would go hunting, Sakura. But when I'm out here already, I might as well bring some rabbits for dinner."

"And when someone attacks us, who isn't as easy finished off as a rabbit?" Sakura remarked mockingly.

"Nobody is going to attack us here. And you're talking to much."

"If I'm screaming for help, no one would probably hear me in this desolation," Sakura jabbered on. "Maybe you'd better give me your bow. I'm certainly more skilled with bow and arrow than you are!"

"You're a girl," Sasuke snorted.

"So what?! My eyes are sharp and I'm good at aiming. Tsunade taught me. Also, I'm better at riding than you," she teased him.

Sasuke sighted. "Sakura, you're so annoying."

"Yeah, I know. But it's so much fun!" She smiled challenging.

Now Sasuke turned around to face her, their eyes met. He smirked and his onyx-eyes sparkled. Sakura noticed in them something like excitement. It made her heart beat faster.

"We're here." Sasuke looked ahead again and brought his horse to a halt, where the slope was at ground level and the forest thinned.

Sakura halted beside him. "It's beautiful," she exclaimed in admiration.

A meadow stretched before them as far as the eye could see. Rays of the sun broke through dense clouds and the light floated over the meadow's grasses like a wave. The grass shone in lush green and its long blades danced in the wind, rocking from side to side. In the distance mountains towered up as if they were a romantic scenery's decoration, and below forests and valleys, being so far away, that they appeared as nothing more than black dots on a map.

Then Sasuke jolted his stallion, so that it lunged forward. Sakura did the same and rode down the green meadow. She felt the wind hitting her face and tousling her hair.

"I thought, you were better in riding than I am?!" Sasuke called out to her over his shoulder.

"I am! You will see it!" Laughing Sakura sped up.

"Hn."

It was noon, when the wind decreased and finally the sun pierced the clouds completely. Golden sunlight illuminated the meadows and fields. Sitting on their horses, Sasuke and Sakura trotted leisurely on a small path. Only the sound of nature broke the silence: the wind's faint rush, the leaves' rustle in the treetops, the rasping sound of a hawk, hovering carried by the wind across the sky.

For some time the two riders trailed the course of a steam, leading into a forest. Sasuke was acquainted with this area, so Sakura followed him in silence. When the stream broke up into two river courses, they stopped, dismounted and baited the horses.

"From here on we'll walk a bit further into the forest," Sasuke said.

"For the hunt?"

"Yes." Sasuke buckled on his sword belt and shouldered the bow and a quiver with arrows.

Sakura watched him. "You know, I could carry bow and arrows," she suggested innocently.

However, Sasuke cast a glance at her, that told her unambiguously, that he wouldn't give her the weapons. So they racked up the horses and headed into the forest.

After they had walked quite some time, Sasuke crouched behind some bushes and the young woman did the same. From there, they had a good view of a small clearing, being hidden themselves though.

"So, what now?" Sakura asked.

"We're waiting," Sasuke replied whispering.

He looked at her with a strange expression in his eyes. Then he grabbed her arm not quite ungentle, pulling her further down to him.

For some reason this action made Sakura blush. Now she was so close to the handsome young Lord, that their shoulders touched and that his scent lingered in the air around her. He smelled of fresh grass and burning wood with something underneath, that had an unmistakable masculine odor.

"You're too conspicuous," Sasuke said, pointing at her pink hair.

Suddenly Sakura realized, that she had stared at Sasuke for some time like a foolish child. "Oh!" she exclaimed and her cheeks turned a darker shade of red. Sakura pulled her cloak's hood over her head to cover her bright pink hair.

For some time they watched the meadow from their hiding place. Unfortunately Sakura crouched in the bushes in an uncomfortable position. But when she tried to change her pose and therefore moved quite noisily, Sasuke looked at her annoyed. She regretted her movements immediately and tried to stay quiet in order not to scare the nearby quarry.

"Close your eyes and listen," Sasuke told her in a low whisper.

Thus Sakura nodded and closed her eyes. At first there was only silence, but then, when she concentrated, she heard her surrounding's sound and everything within. A bird chirped an old song, the forest's wood crackled and withered leaves rustled under the paws of a small animal. More clearly Sakura heard Sasuke's regular breathing beside her, she could even feel his breath caressing her neck, sending shivers over her skin. And she heard her own heart, beating furiously in her chest. Soon she felt something moving next to her and when she opened her eyes, Sasuke had drawn his bow and arrow, eyeing something in front of them on the meadow. Then she saw the fawn in the clearing. It was so small that its body nearly disappeared under the tall grass. But its brown fur with the three white dots on it's back was clearly visible. The fawn seemed to nibble on a young tree, not noticing that it was observed.

Sasuke nocked an arrow, aiming for the little fawn. Sakura got an uneasy feeling, and if Sasuke let the arrow fly, it would hit the young animal with certainty. Suddenly the fawn looked up and Sakura could swear it looked directly at the both of them. But it stayed quiet and did nothing to escape its destiny, as if it was waiting for something. Sakura glanced into its deep brown eyes.

Sasuke bend his bow more firmly, ready at any moment to send the arrow on its way.

And Sakura whistled loudly.

In that moment Sasuke let his arrow fly, but the fawn, scared by the noise, jumped and ran away. The arrow whizzed through the air, hitting nothing but emptiness.

"Damn it, Sakura!" Sasuke cursed angry.

Sakura pulled back her cloak's hood, darting an apologetic glance at Sasuke.

"What was that all about?"

"It was still a fawn," she defended herself calmly.

"Tch, easy prey."

Sakura pushed him enraged and Sasuke fell surprised backwards to the ground. She leaned on his shoulders, hovering angrily over him, so that she could look into his eyes with a stern expression. "It would be a waste to kill an animal of such a young age, Sasuke. If you had killed it, its meat might fill our stomach for an evening. But if you let it live, it can still grow and maybe even have fawns on its own."

Sasuke could have knocked her off without problem. But he looked at her and something held him back. Sakura's eyes sparkled in a deep emerald green.

"And what do you think are we supposed to hunt instead? What are we going to eat? Just air won't fill our belly. Have you ever hunted before? Have you ever seen something die before your eyes?"

"I didn't mean, that we shouldn't hunt. But it matters what we chose as prey. A grown animal would be a better choice." Sakura sounded determined. "And don't treat me so dismissively! I know how to hunt and could do it as good as you."

Sakura took a deep breath after she had told him her opinion. It was then, that she realized how close she had come to Sasuke. She was bent down over him, their faces only inches apart. She could almost see her reflection in his onyx black eyes. More than that, Sakura was aware of his hand resting on her upper thigh, his touch like a blazing fire, making her skin tingle. For a brief moment she didn't move, glowing cheeks and breathing hard from her anger. But then she let go of him and made room for him to get up.

He cleared his throat. "What do you suggest?"

Sakura picked up his bow. "Let me try it."

Sasuke nodded defeated.

Some time later, when the sun had long since passed its zenith, the two of them came back to the spot, where they had left their horses. Sasuke had thrown two dead pheasants over his shoulder. They were big and porky. Sakura, on the other hand, carried the bow and the quiver of arrows. She smiled.

"Looks like I'm not the little princess you thought I was," Sakura said, when they reached the horses.

"Hn." Sasuke staffed the two slain birds into a saddle bag of his black stallion.

"Come on Sasuke! Admit it! I was better than you expected." Sakura nudged him with her elbow and smiled. She had struck the pheasant with her first shoot directly in its chest, so that it dropped dead instantly. The second had been hit without effort as well, even if this one managed to spill a choking cry.

After Sasuke had also stowed away bow and arrows, he turned towards Sakura. "Alright. I'll admit it. You are better with bow and arrow than I would have thought."

"Hm... better than you?"

"Don't exaggerate it, Sakura."

"So, will you accompany me on a horseback ride more often now?" Sakura wanted to know.

Sasuke averted his gaze and looked into the distance. But he nodded and Sakura could have thought, he even smiled faintly.

"I have to admit as well," Sakura spoke earnestly. "You're not the stoic, emotionless bastard, you want people believe you are, Sasuke Uchiha." She noticed pheasant feathers sticking to his jacket on his chest. So, without thinking, she stroked with her hand over his chest, so that the feathers would fall off. One was persistent though, she tugged at it, detaching the feather from the fabric. "You know, it was really fun today. I didn't get the chance to thank you properly for your company. So, thank you, Sasuke." It was the truth. Sasuke had not only done her a favor, but also gave her the feeling, that she wasn't a stranger here anymore, that she could be happy. For that he had earned her gratitude. That's why Sakura leaned a bit forward to him. She wanted to give him a kiss on the cheek, as it was common gesture at the Harunos. But suddenly he turned his head and accidentally Sakura's lips touched his. The contact was fleeting and as soft as a feather.

Surprised she released the young Uchiha, wondering when she had even come so close to him. She blushed terribly and did not know what to say. Sasuke seemed surprised too. She couldn't see his face, because he had turned hastily to his horse, but oh, how she wished now to see his eyes only to know what he was thinking.

"I ... uh...," Sakura stammered.

"It's late. We should return to the castle." Sasuke's voice was as deep and emotionless as ever. Then he bestrode his horse. But when he looked at Sakura, he had a strange expression in his eyes.

Eventually Sakura untied her horse and mounted.

In silence they headed home to the Uchiha castle. Sasuke rode ahead and Sakura followed his lead. With her hand she stroked her burning cheeks, the touch was soothing cold. Also she urged her heart to stop pounding so fiercely. Although it seemed to be in vain. Kami, what had she gotten herself into?

Author's note: Hey everyone, I'm so sorry for the late update!

I was so busy lately, that I didn't have time to work on this.
Anyway, thanks for reading! I hope there are not too many mistakes. Since I'm no native speaker, I'm sometimes really unsure if I use the right english expression.
Please let me know, what you think!