My Dear Princess

Chapter Four

Life for Sakura wasn't the same without Sasuke, and she wasn't even an entire day into being alone. Alone was something she'd been for her whole life, but she never felt as alone as she did then. She'd quickly and easily gotten used to her life with Sasuke and now being without him, and knowing he wouldn't be back for so long, it broke her heart.

It was as if he ripped it right from her chest and took it with him.

She missed him. She didn't want to go weeks without him. She wanted him home.

The castle and her past life were completely forgotten, the only thoughts crossing her mind were those of Sasuke and how hard it would be to wait on his return. She wondered if he was thinking about her at all, but figured he wouldn't be having time for such things. She had a long time to go, so she started cleaning to busy herself and prayed it would occupy her mind.

She rather enjoyed the privileges that came with living with Sasuke. She'd learned so many things, even the fact that she liked to work and she really enjoyed preparing meals, especially for Sasuke. It was fun being around someone so much. Sasuke may have left most days to work, but he always came home and up until this mission of his, she hadn't gone a single day without seeing him.

Sometimes she would find him just because she could, she'd look at him mostly and sometimes she'd talk. It was odd but amazing to her to be so free. She didn't mind not leaving his home because it was so much better than the castle. Nothing was forced. She didn't sit in a bed all day waiting for food. She was living, and Sasuke alone made her feel alive, so very alive.

It would be hard for her though, being alone. Aside from begin a prisoner, being alone was her worst fear. It was hard when there was no one to talk to, nowhere to run from her nightmares. Sasuke made her feel safe and happy and she felt free to go to him anytime, and when she had the urge, that was just what she done.

…

Sasuke was in no better state than she. It wasn't really that he missed her, but he was worried about her. Anything could happen with him being away. What if she did make the mistake of leave the house, or what if somebody went there. Nobody had the right, or any business of any kind going to his home, but not being there, he didn't know what could happen.

He couldn't stop thinking about her.

The mission would be long and dreadful with this mindset he had. He was annoyed with himself and eager to get it all over with. It wouldn't have been so bad if he wasn't having to travel so far away. The only thing good about the mission was that he was completely alone.

He'd get his work done and hurry home so then, he'd have nothing more to worry about.

…

/

…

It was almost a week that his brother had been away on a mission when Itachi happened to be wandering by his home. He'd come by a couple nights before, and where there were lights on now, there were none before.

He knew well enough that Sasuke had not yet returned. He'd have to report before anything else and he wasn't due back for at least another few days, and that was if he didn't have any troubles with the mission. Itachi knew it wouldn't be an easy one, which was exactly why Sasuke had been the one sent for that mission.

Itachi wasn't one to pry, but he couldn't help his curiosity and after a thoughtful moment, he found himself heading to the front door of his younger brother's home. If Sasuke was home without reporting, he'd have to punish him and if someone had broken into his brother's home, well they'd have to deal with him.

The door was locked, but he had no problem getting in. The house was quiet at first, but after a moment he picked up the sound of humming. The voice was light and airy, angelic even. It was a woman. He closed the door behind him a little louder than necessary, in order to gain her attention.

A second later the girl came running into the living room, long pink hair flowing behind her. A big, happy smile was on her face

"Sasuke!" She'd yelled in her excitement, but froze in her tracks the second she noticed it wasn't Sasuke at all.

Her excitement quickly turned to fright.

"Y-you're not… Sasuke."

Itachi couldn't move for a moment. He couldn't even breathe. It couldn't have been just any girl, but it had to be the princess. A girl who was missing and presumed to be taken hostage and held against her will.

Sasuke wouldn't have done such a thing, Itachi knew this but still… He didn't understand why she was there- or why Sasuke would keep her hidden. He would have to know the consequences behind such an atrocity.

Feeling feint, the elder Uchiha brother had to take a seat and completely ignore the girl for a moment. He searched his brain for a solution to this situation but he found none.

Bravely, Sakura rounded the couch to face him. He could tell easily that she was frightened, but she damn sure wasn't running.

"Who are you?" She asked, though she was afraid, she was also angry. This was Sasuke's house and nobody had the right to just walk in as if they owned the place. Shinobi or not.

This man, she knew though was most definitely a shinobi.

"Uchiha Itachi." He told her, not bothering to lie. He may as well get acquainted with the girl. They had much to discuss.

…

Sasuke had made quick work of his mission. Though he'd had to come a great distance, he was so angry by the time he'd acquired his target that it didn't take much to end him.

He was on his way back, less than a week in when the feeling hit him.

Sakura. Something was going on with her. He wasn't sure how he knew, or even what it was that was happening but it was something and the feeling was enough to have his tired body running full speed back to the kingdom. If anything at all happened to her, he'd never forgive himself.

…

"Sasuke's older brother?" Sakura repeated Itachi's words aloud in disbelief. He'd never spoken of any family before, Sakura had no idea he had a brother at all.

"That's correct."

Sakura regarded him warily. She wasn't sure what to do in this situation, Sasuke hadn't prepared her for this.

"Why is it you're here?" Itachi asked, needing answers. He wasn't sure what he was going to do, but he was concerned about the girl and even more worried about Sasuke. He could be killed for holding the girl and her whereabouts from the kingdom. Sasuke knew she was being searched for.

Sakura didn't like that question. "That's just what I'd like to ask you."

"Hm." Itachi smirked. Her attitude was cute and also amusing. "I'm here only to find out why you're here."

"Because I want to be. I've been here for a while, but it's not really your business, now is it? I don't think Sasuke would appreciate you being here without him home."

"You're probably right, but as the leader of our clan I can't say that I like him holding the princess hostage either. There's a good chance that because of this, Sasuke will be imprisoned the moment he steps foot back in the kingdom, if convicted- he will be killed."

Sakura's heart stopped, as did her breathing. She stared at the elder Uchiha with wide, terrified eyes. "No. They can't. It's not his fault."

"Tell me everything." Itachi ordered.

He had to know, but he feared that even when he did, things wouldn't work out as he wished them to.

"Sasuke doesn't even know who I am! He's had no part in my running away and I'll die before I let anyone harm him in any way!"

"I understand how you must feel, but this is a very serious offence."

"I don't care!" Sakura huffed, she was past her breaking point and all she wanted to do was cry, but right then she had to tell Itachi like it was. "All he did was try to help me. I was cold, wet and alone and he found me. He's never questioned me, and all he's ever done was make me comfortable and happy even. I've never known happiness. Not like this."

"So you think Sasuke doesn't know who you are?"

Sakura nodded. "I've never told him, and he's never asked."

"Well, I assure you that there is no way he doesn't know. Every shinobi in the land has seen your face and knows your name. Even Sasuke. I've talked to him about the search more than once."

She didn't want to believe him, but even if Sasuke was aware, it didn't matter. She would never let him get in trouble because of her.

"If Sasuke hasn't been keeping you against your will, how did you end up here?"

"I was a prisoner in my own home, never allowed to leave my own room. I spent sixteen years in that room, never getting to go outside or meet people. No functions, no friends. I was a secret my family never cared about and so I ran away. I was lucky to have ended up here with Sasuke. He's made sure I was safe. He's never done anything but help me."

"When he should have been turning you in." Itachi grumbled.

"Maybe he should have. Sasuke obviously isn't as cold as you are. He cares about me, I know he does."

Itachi frowned at this. "Sasuke doesn't care about anyone- or anything. He never has."

"What are you saying?" Sakura cried, tears falling from her eyes in endless pools.

"This isn't like Sasuke at all and I don't know why he'd risk everything, including his life just to keep you hidden."

Sakura looked at her feet, they were blurry through her tears. "He doesn't know."

She didn't want to think that Sasuke truly was taking such risks just to keep her with him. If he knew he could be killed for having her there, why would he keep her there at all? She just didn't know what to think anymore.

"Your parents are going to great extents to see to it that you're brought home, and you know as well as anyone just who your parents are. If you don't want Sasuke to suffer the fate that so obviously awaits him, I suggest you return home on your own."

Go home... Back to the castle... Back to prison. She cried even harder at the thought, but if that's what she had to do to keep Sasuke safe, that's just what she'd do.

"I-if I d-do… You can promise me nothing will happen to him?"

Itachi nodded. He would make sure of it, if it was the last thing he done. "I promise."

Supposing she had no choice, Sakura decided she had to go back and that it was for the best. She'd met a beautiful man, she'd fell in love and experienced life in a way she'd never imagined. She could go back with those memories of them and be content, just knowing he was alive and well. She could never live with herself knowing she'd caused him any harm. Prison sounded much better than that eternal misery.

"I'll go."

"Tonight."

"T-tonight?" She wanted more time… More time to say goodbye to the life she loved so much, and to the man she'd never get to see again.

Itachi nodded. "While the streets are empty so no one will notice you, and also before Sasuke has a chance to get back. I don't think it would be wise for him to know you're leaving. He'll be fine once he knows you're gone though. I'll talk to him."

It didn't sound good to her and Sakura was in no way happy, but she had to do what she had to do to keep Sasuke safe. She was sure even if he never seen her again, that he would remember her always as well.

"I'll leave tonight then."

"Good." Itachi stood, having done just what was necessary to keep his little brother alive. He had a feeling he'd catch hell from Sasuke later, but Sasuke would also be having a time with him. "Take care of yourself, my lady."

Sakura watched in amazement as Itachi suddenly disappeared in a cloud of smoke, gone instantly right before her eyes. Shinobi did indeed fascinate her, but she had no time to think about that as she hurried to gather her few articles of clothing.

She made sure the house was spotless and she cried again and again until she had no more tears, but even then, her body still cried. When he'd left for his mission, she'd never expected it to be the last time she'd ever see him. Her life was never going to be the same without him.

When she knew she couldn't leave without him knowing anything, she found some paper and a pen and quickly went about writing him a note. She left it in the kitchen, the place she always waited for him in. He'd find it quickly enough and then he'd know just how much he truly meant to her.