Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Author's Note: Ok. I know I said I would be updating and sorry for the lateness, but here's the next chapter. I have been re-energized; energized enough to write the next chapter and post it, so i hope you like it. I would also like to thank some new supporters: itunesaddiction, mun3litKnight, 0Frosty-Eyes0, and Adrian(guest). Enjoy! :))
Chapter 4
"Mommy, mommy. Tell me about daddy again."
Laughing the older woman obliged her daughter's request if only to see her daughter's smiling face. "So there was this ball being held in celebration of the new bride to the Lord Kaze, and I was lucky enough to be invited. I was there early to help my sister, your Aunt Suki, prepare for her wedding with the King and it was during this time that I met your father. He was a very charming gentlemen, and easy on the eyes. However, I paid your father no attention at first, but your father continued to court me anyways even after I rejected him on multiple accounts. Finally, I gave in to his advances and not too long after I had you."
"Mommy...what does daddy look like."
"I'll tell you another time."
"Will I ever get to meet daddy?"
"Maybe one day."
"And brother?"
"…Maybe one day…maybe one day..."
Sakura surfaced from the realm of unconsciousness disoriented. It was thanks to Konan that now she too was plagued with dreams of the past. However, the difference being hers was not a nightmare. Taking a minute to collect herself, she sat up to look out the window past Haku and Konan to see the scenery go by as the carriage went forward.
Living in the northern part of Aki with Haku had its benefits, but she did miss the warmer weather. Haku's land is the furthest north and is situated close to the country Fuyu that is well-known for its colder climates. Thus the reason for why the Lady Haku's estate tends to experience cooler climates than the other estates in Aki.
The three kingdoms Aki, Natsu, and Fuyu border each other: Aki to the left, Natsu to the south, and Fuyu to the right. Aki is known for its milder climates of humid summers with storms now and then; breezy, warm springs; cool autumns; and even cooler winters. Both Natsu and Fuyu have a more extreme climate. Natsu have hot, arid summers, especially in the southern most part where the desert is; warm, breezy springs with the occasional rain; and cool winters. While Fuyu has freezing cold winters; cool springs and autumns; and warm summers.
As the carriage drew nearer to the palace the warmer it got. It was nice to experience a warmer summer in Aki for once. Beautiful willows and birch were passed. People working and farming as kids running and playing were passed. Another went by, as the Lady Haku and her escorts traveled, before they reached the palace. The streets were crowded with stalls and people milling around talking and laughing.
"Wow! I've never seen so many people!" Sakura could only nod at Konan's enthusiasm as she looked at the massive crowd of people there for the festivities. It made her wonder if the festivities in Natsu and Fuyu were similar. If they were as crowded.
"We are approaching the palace now." At Haku's words both girls turned to look in the direction Haku pointed out to see an extravagantly, beautiful architecture in the small distance. It was white in color but the sun shining on it gave it an ethereal glow. The palace had beautiful Corinthian-style columns that seem to wrap around the entire structure with breathtaking statues that seem to jump out carved into the pediments.
"Welcome to the Palace of Aki the Kitsune Palace!" Haku beamed as she watched the expressions of awe upon the younger two girls' faces. She was happy that they finally get a chance to explore and experience the world more.
"I've never seen a sight like it!"
"Course not Saku, afterall there's only one palace in Aki."
"Shut it Konan." Haku laughed at the girls' friendly bicker as the carriage slowly came to a stop.
"My lady." Standing at the door with his hands outstretched was Zabuza. Behind him were a mixture of old and new faces.
"Aaahhh if it isn't the lovely Lady Haku."
"Lord Jiraiya, how nice of you to be here." Lord Jiraiya was an interesting person. He had a white mane of hair, but he himself did not look that old. His clothing was what Haku described as being hakamas, since she herself wore kimono styled clothing. Luckily the trio got to continue wearing their salwar kameez or sherwani in Zabuza's case.
"Yes, well I cannot just leave a pretty Lady by herself now can I?" The trio quietly observed their friendly exchange. Sakura could tell that Zabuza was not the happiest person at the moment, and she had to smile internally at that.
"Thankyou."
"Jiraiya! I hope you are not bothering the Lady?"
"Lady Tsunade, it is a pleasure to meet you again." Lady Tsunade was a voluptuous woman who was very well endowed. The Lady was blonde in hair color compared to her Lord, and she also had the warmest honey looking eyes that seemed to sharpened as she glance from Lord Jiraiya back to Lady Haku.
"Likewise. I am sorry for my Lord's behavior. You can be reassured that I will handle it." At those words Sakura could not help but giggle when she saw the Lord's face go pale by his Lady's words.
"Who are these? Your new handmaidens? The ones you mentioned?"
"Yes Lady Tsunade. The one with pink hair is Sakura and the other with violet is Konan." As Haku spoke the Lady Tsunade gave the two spoken of a thorough glance over and could not help but stare at their eyes.
"They look like lovely girls. You entourage including your maids can follow Morino here. The King wishes our presence so an entourage will not be needed, and I believe we are fashionably late as it is." With that Haku was escorted away leaving Sakura and Konan to follow behind Zabuza and the group that was lead by the one called Morino.
"I didn't think there was another person that could look as menacing as Zabuza." Konan's comment earned a chuckle from Sakura and a glare thrown at her by Zabuza.
After passing through several corridors the group came upon a training ground that appears to be where all the knights congregate and train. There seemed to be knights from all regions by the looks of their clothes. With so many people here for the celebration there definitely should not be any problems when it comes to hiding within a crowd.
"Ok. The men can join the others and the rest can follow this maid." Sakura and Konan stuck with the men as the group was divided. "Can you two not understand?"
"They're with me." Zabuza stepped in front shielding the two from scary giant. Zabuza was a giant but Morino was a GIANT! Sakura was worried the two men's stare off was going to lead to a fight considering how the field got quiet with everyone looking towards their direction.
"Fine. But if they become a problem they are to leave. Immediately. This is no place for women."
"What was that Ibiki?" A woman with plum hair snapped. "You did not just say what I thought you did, right?" She gave a sinister smile to the bald giant as he turned to her.
"This has nothing to do with you Anko. You should stick to looking pretty like a real Lady should."
"Do you want to pick a fight!"
"Whoahhh! Anko calm down. Ibiki stop acting so misogynistic. You will give others the wrong impression of you."
"Shut it Hatake." The group watched as the fiery woman snapped at a man with an eye patch covering his left eye with silver, gravity defying spiky hair.
"You should stop your sister." The man called Hatake nodded towards to his companion who had brown hair.
"What, no way."
"Yamato." Yamato looked at the man like he was crazy. He glanced between his fiery tempered sister and the lazy man next to him, seemingly trying to decide on his course of action.
"Anko. Drop it. You know that Ibiki meant no harm by that. He probably just wanted to prevent..."
The group left the commotion seeing how they were all occupied with their own agenda. Sakura glanced at Zabuza only to see a gleam in his eyes. That gleam was probably happiness, since he has more people to train and fight with. Whereas Konan seemed to be assessing the competition. Sakura decided to do the same. Afterall it has been awhile since she was able to have a good spar against a good opponent. The only two that she has been able to spar with while being challenged was probably Zabuza and Konan.
"Hey pinky!" Obviously Sakura was the only one with pink hair, as far as she could tell, but there was no way she was going to answer to someone calling out to her so rudely. "Oye! Pinky!" Suddenly a hand clasp on her shoulder turning her to face a tall man with blue hair, sharp teeth, scars on his face making him look as if he just came from the sea.
"Hey get your hands off her!" Sakura grabbed the fish guy's hand putting pressure on a spot between his thumb and forefinger making him release his hold on her.
"People nowadays are so interesting. Do you not agree?" Seeing the guy's grimace she continued. "If you want to talk to your precious finger please go else where."
"Kisame. How lovely. I suggest you leave these two alone. They're with me." Sakura let go of the man's hand so she could step next to Zabuza.
" Zabuza! I heard you were back from some of the other guys, but I couldn't really believe it."
"You know him?" Konan was still glaring at Kisame, while Sakura looked between the two.
"Sakura. Konan. You guys stay in this area where I can see you. Don't wander off." Zabuza then dragged the fish guy Kisame off a little ways. From the looks of it Kisame was an old acquaintance of Zabuza's, which would explain the teeth. The two girls watched as the two men spoke softly to each other almost as if they were two old gossiping women. With that passing thought, Sakura could not help but laugh as she rope Konan into voicing the two as to what they were possibly talking about.
After a bit, Sakura grabbed Konan by her arm and lead her to group of guys who looked to be sparring.
"Zabuza said not to wander!"
"Konan, relax. We didn't go far and plus we can take care of ourselves."
The two watched as a spikey loud blonde and a quiet midnight blue male were sparring. Sakura could see that the two had wonderful form and were strong too. However, the midnight male seemed to have the upper hand in skills, but the blonde seems to have spontaneity and endless determination. Watching the two made her want to join them in their spar. Suddenly the blonde was kicked away. He flew and slid a couple inches in front of Sakura and Konan.
"Owwww! Sasuke you bastard!" The blonde then looked up. "Wow, you're pretty. The names Naruto, believe it!"
Author's Note: Please review. That way I am able to know if there's anything I need to fix or make sure I explain.