Cindersoot

Summary: Sakura is the heiress to one of the richest noble families in all of Japan. However, her stepmother takes away all of that when her father dies. What happens when she meets the Prince by accident? AU. R&R!

A/N: I'd like to thank all my reviewers, first of all. You're comments help me remember that I have plenty of faithful readers out there that are waiting for me to update. Thank you all kindly if you added my story to your alerts and favs.

Naruto and other characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

Sakura took a tentative step into the sitting room where Ino and her mother sat. She knew that the pair of them would find out the truth soon enough, but a part of her wanted to delay it for as long as possible. Stupid, stupid, STUPID! How could you lose the brooch like that? she berated herself in her mind. It was completely foolish of her to not check it instantly after the fight. Ah well, she would have to pay the price now.

Ino's eyes narrowed as Sakura walked into the room. Her hair that was usually tied up was unravelled and her face was dirty. The sheepish look on her face, and the ajar purse did not help much either. "Where have you been? I've been waiting for ages for that brooch, stupid." she spat out. "So, where is it? You do realize that Prince Sasuke will be visiting this afternoon."

Sakura nodded and kept her eyes trained on the floor. A small part of her hoped that nothing would come out of this, but she knew that she would be punished. Just like those times before that she had been punished for insubordination, only this time, it wasn't her fault. Her eyes glared at the floor at the remembrance of the pickpocket. Filthy thief! If she ever met him again, she'd wring his neck. That was a promise.

"I..." she began, but the words stopped at her throat. Swearing that she would get her revenge, she looked up to face Ino. "I lost it."

Sasuke took a satisfied sigh as he reached the Haruno estate. From the path, he could see the distant garden and the famous sakura trees. It was a truly lovely day, it was a shame that he would have to spend much of it inside stuffy houses, with simpering women. Ugh. He shook his head to clear himself but stopped dead at the thought and glanced at the house before him.

The Prince knew exactly what was in that house. In that house was a monster of gigantic proportions, with a mouth louder than anything he had ever seen. It's cry could be heard from any corner of Japan, and it was high-pitched and easily made the hearer deaf. He shuddered as he remembered the monster inside. A monster called Ino Yamanaka.

And he knew that if he was spotted by those beady dark eyes of hers, he would never escape from her clutches. She would latch onto him like a leech, sucking his very life out with that annoying voice of hers until he could no longer see daylight.

Okay, so maybe he was exaggerating, but it was the truth!

Sighing, he decided that he couldn't risk himself facing her and veered off the main entrance to the back one. He knew very well that houses like these had an entrance for servants that was connected to the kitchen. He would give it to a maid there, and leave immediately. Ladies of breeding never associated themselves with servants, and he especially knew that Ino would never do such a thing. Yes, it was the best course of action.

The large wooden door stood before him, barring him entrance. He raised his hand and knocked gently upon the door, three times. A crash could be heard from the inside, along with a female voice uttering a very colourful word. The door opened to reveal a woman in her mid-thirties, glaring at him before she realized who it was. Emi's eyes widened in shock as she took in the Uchiha emblem stictched upon his clothes. "Prince Sasuke?" she asked in amazement.

"Yes, it is me." he replied. "I, er, that is one of your servants dropped this on her way in the market. I came to return it." he held out the package. Thankfully, the woman wasn't shocked by the appearance and took the package.

"Thank you." she said carefully. "Your highness. I'll give this package to Lady Yamanaka immediately." Sasuke nodded and left as the woman closed the door. At least he'd escaped the she-devil.

Emi raced up the stairs to the sitting room, package in hand. She'd left Chiharu in charge of the stove while she gave it to Ino. Trust Sakura to do something so stupid! As much as she liked the girl, she had a bad temper which often led her to trouble. Something from the way that the Prince appeared gave her the sneaking suspicion that she had unleashed her ninja skills upon him.

"I'll give you one more chance," Ino hissed at Sakura. "Tell me where it is, and I won't tell mother. If you don't, then I'll tell her that you're lying and have her throw you out!" Sakura rolled her eyes exasperatedly.

"I told you already, I lost it." she explained. "Why can't you understand that?!"

Ino glared at Sakura. "Because, stupid, I wouldn't believe your word for anything." she sneered. "You're just jealous, aren't you? Jealous that I have everything that you should be getting? Huh, you don't deserve any of this. You're just a-"

"Ahem," Emi cleared her throat. "Um, Lady Yamanaka? This package just arrived for you." she shot a quizzical look at Sakura. "It appears that Sakura lost it on the way home, and a kind stranger agreed to give it back."

Ino's eyes grew wide, but narrowed again. "Thank you," she spat and glared at Sakura. "You got away this time, but I'm warning you, try to steal anything of mine again and you'll be as good as dead." Sakura rolled her eyes and turned to leave with Emi. No doubt she'd be doing petty tasks until the Prince got here. What a lovely day.

"Come along, Sasuke. Just one more home. And then we can leave and you'll be free to do whatever you please with that bodyguard of yours." Mikoto Uchiha glanced sideways at Sasuke. "I mean, what do you do with him? You aren't...involved with him or anything are you?"

Sasuke glared at his mother, realizing the jibe only too well. "No." he spat. "And I'll feel damn sorry for the lady that ends up with him, even though I have my doubts whether or not he'll end up with one." Mikoto smiled at Sasuke as the carriage rattled on.

"Ah, here we are. Thank you kindly." she told the driver as she got out of her seat. "Come on, Sasuke." she ordered. Sasuke groaned as he followed his mother up the path. The garden was pruned and the path was lined with wild flowers. Muttering under his breath and with his hands stuffed inside of his pockets, he walked up the path, wishing that he could be anywhere except here.

There was a procession waiting for them at the end of the path. Two blondes, one older than the other, wearing stupid smiles on their faces stepped forward to greet him. "Your Highness, it is a pleasure to have you visit our humble home." Oharu stated, her eyes glittering as she stared at Sasuke. "Have I presented my daughter, Ino?" Ino stepped forward and batted her eyelashes seductively.

"Your Highness," she said as she curtsied deeply. Sasuke simply rolled his eyes. Mikoto glared at the gesture.

"Thank you for your kind welcome, Lady Oharu." Mikoto replied. "Shall we go inside?"

Oharu nodded and one of the servants stepped forward to open the door. The four of them, with Lady Oharu and Queen Mikoto at front entered the house.

Sakura rolled her eyes as she prepared the tea in the kitchen. Oharu had instructed that they use the best silver for the visit and that Emi bake her best bread for the visit. "It's always Prince Sasuke this, or Prince Sasuke that. I mean, the guy can't be that handsome can he?" she ranted as she looked around for the honey. Emi cleared her throat and pointed at the stove. "Thanks, Emi."

The cook smirked. "Oh come on, Sakura. Aren't you even a little bit curious?" she teased. "After all, he is just as handsome as they say."

"Oh yeah? And how would you know? Have you even talked to him?" Sakura retorted. Before Emi could answer, Chiharu bounded down the servants stairs and turned to Sakura.

"Lady Royal Pain as called for the tea." she told her. "You might want to hurry up about it. The Prince doesn't seem like a very patient person." Her eyes twinkled.

Sakura grumbled as she picked up the platter and began to walk carefully up the stairs, balancing it on one hand. She finally reached the sitting room and entered through the door. "Lady Oharu," she said. "The tea is ready." Her green eyes swept the room and rested upon Sasuke, who stared back at her in shock.

It was the legendary pickpocket.

Trembling slightly she set down the tea and stepped back. "What are you doing?" Oharu snapped. "You are to pour the tea as well." Sakura blushed at the mistake and poured it into four separate cups and added a spoon of honey to each. Sasuke watched her every move with a smirk. Sakura was uncomfortably aware that he was watching her.

Mikoto smiled at the young girl. She seems rather pretty, but a bit familiar, she thought as Sakura stepped back. "Thank you," she said as she picked up the tea before turning to Oharu. "Now please continue with your conversation, it was most interesting."

Oharu was about to start when Sasuke cut in. "Mother, may I please see the garden? I hear that the Haruno estate has beautiful sakura trees. I've always wished to see them." Okay, so that was a lie. But it seemed to work as Mikoto smiled at him.

"That is an excellent idea!" Oharu exclaimed. "Ino, would you like to show the Prince around?" The two of them shared a secret smile. It was the perfect opportunity.

Sasuke gulped as he shook his head. "No, that's okay. One of the servants would do fine." he replied hastily. Oharu frowned at him.

"Are you sure your highness? I'm sure that Ino wouldn't mind." she said, glaring at him.

"No, that's okay. Oh, that girl over there would do just fine." Sasuke stood up and caught Sakura by the arms. Ino glared with fury.

"You can't do that! That's just-" she began before Oharu stopped her.

"Ino." Oharu's voice was dangerous before she turned to face Sasuke and a shocked Sakura. "Enjoy yourself, your highness." she said sweetly, but inside she was seething. Sasuke smirked as he bowed.

"I will, Lady Yamanaka." he said as he dragged out a silently protesting Sakura. The minute they were out of earshot, she turned to Sasuke with a fury in her eyes.

"You! What do you think you're doing?!" she snapped at him. Sasuke simply smirked as he shoved his hands into his pockets.

"You know, you should really try to control that temper. It'll get you into trouble one of these days." he said as he stared at an infuriated Sakura. You know, she's not that bad looking...

Still fuming, Sakura glared at him before turning away. "Whatever. You might be a Prince, but by the way you act, its as if you're a six year old." she retorted. "And I'll bet that this is just a ploy to corner me, isn't it? Well, I'll tell you right now, I'm not sorry for what I did."

Sasuke chuckled. "Relax," he began. "I'm not going to behead you, but it seems like you wouldn't think twice about doing that to me..." he trailed off as Sakura continued to glare at him, her arms crossed. "But really, why did you hit me?" he asked in a more serious tone. "I wouldn't have harmed you. I just wanted your ramen ticket."

"Whats wrong inasking for it?" Sakura asked exasperatedly. They were out in the garden by now, the late afternoon sunshine shining down at them. Sasuke turned to the pink sakura trees as he caught her hand again.

"Let talk by there," he said. "I don't want to get burned." Sakura scowled at the contact, but didn't protest. She didn't want to die before her nineteenth birthday, because she refused to speak to a prince. The walked over to the trees and sat down at the base of one before speaking again. "So," Sasuke began. "What's your name?"

Sakura continued to glare before replying. "Sakura," she said and she hesitated. Should she tell him? Tell him that he was Lord Haruno's daughter, who had been forced to work for her stepmother? That she was the rightful heir to the Haruno estate and the money? And that by her next birthday, she would be old enough to inherit everything?

"Sakura." Sasuke said, rolling the word on his tongue. "That's a...pretty name." he commented. "Better than Ino anyways. Don't you ever get tired of being their servant?"

"Oh yes," Sakura replied. "Do I ever. But you know, its life. You have to learn to suck it up. I've worked with them for the past ten years, and by my next birthday, I'll be free to go." Sasuke nodded.

"So, you're eighteen now, aren't you?" he asked quietly. "You're really lucky, do you know that?" Sakura glanced at him quizzically.

"Why would I be? I'm a servant, with no priveleges, while you've got an entire country waiting to be ruled under your stead. You've got more than I could ever wish for. Why would I be lucky?" she asked. Sasuke turned his onyx eyes to her.

"Because you're free," he said simply. "Free to make your own choices, to be who you are. If I had one wish," at this point, the words turned bitter. "It would be to just...give up everything. Live my life the way I want to. Make my own choices." He sighed as he leaned against the tree. Sakura simply stared at him. "I may have priveleges, but I have no freedom."

Sakura sat silently, thinking about everything that he had just said. So maybe the royal life wasn't the way to live after all. She turned to stare at Sasuke. His eyes were closed, and he was relaxed, for once. "Your highness..." she began tentatively. Sasuke opened his eyes to stare at her.

"What?" he asked, not unkindly.

"Um...why would you tell me all of this? Why not Ino or some other lady of court?" she asked him. Sasuke shrugged.

"Because, you seem like a nice person. You're not concerned about your looks, even though you look pretty. You don't care about your clothes, and you can have an intelligent conversation with somebody. Plus, you managed to hit me not once, but almost ten times." He turned to face her with a grin. "You don't find girls like that everyday. Besides," he shrugged. "You understand me."

Sakura raised one eyebrow. "But I hardly even know you!" she replied.

"Well then, you can know me starting now." Sasuke replied simply. A small part of him protested this. Why are you telling a complete stranger about yourself? Why are you making yourself vulnerable?

Because, Sasuke replied to himself. There's something about her. She doesn't walk like an ordinary servant. She doesn't talk like one. She can carry one intelligent conversation with me without batting her eyelashes or flirting. If she wore something nice and had a decent bath, I would easily mistake her for one of the ladies.

Taking a deep breath, he turned to face her. "My name is Sasuke Uchiha, Crown Prince of Japan. I like ramen, sushi and coffee. I hate stupid people, people who think they're better than everybody else, and my bodyguard. Well, I don't hate him, but I do despise him sometimes. Oh and I don't smile, I smirk. There's a difference. And I don't want to rule, or marry some person I don't know by my next birthday. I want to make my own choices, and if possible change the stupid law that says I have to marry by my nineteenth birthday. That's it."

Sakura laughed before starting. "My name is Sakura, servant in the Yamanaka household. I like ramen, tea and the cook Emi. I hate chores, the stupid Clone Jutsu, and men who think they 'own' me. I smile, and I laugh out loud. I don't want to spend the rest of my life serving the stupid people in that house, and I want to quit but I need to save up some more. I enjoy being free, beating the crap out of people who steal from me and liars. I also want to fly someday. That's it." The two of them stared at each other before starting to laugh.

For Sasuke, it was the first time he'd laughed in ages.

A/N: This chapter was a bit late, since I didn't type it out last night to post it. However, it is posted up now and I hope you enjoy it! Don't forget to R&R!

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