Summary: A young princess who was the essence of spring found herself struggling to come into power and choose a path that was right for her. Little did she know that she had to pick a suitor within due time. Watch as Sakura rises up to her duties and try not to fall in love. Why? Because no one has time for love when you have the weight of a kingdom on your shoulders.

"Hime-sama, it's me," whispered Tenten. The older girl knew that she was hiding from her guards but she always knew where she would hide during that time of the day. It became a habit of theirs, to hide from her guards and just relax for a bit. Tenten found it rather amusing although her lack of skill for masking her chakra usually gave them away. But she knew why the guards weren't playing the game as often anymore. Her princess had a new, special guard who was sworn to protect her. She hadn't discovered him yet, and by god Tenten hoped she wouldn't ever.

The brunette looked over at Sakura and admired her beauty for a second, right when she sat down next to her. If there was anyone to be a handmaid for, she was most definitely pleased that it was Princess Sakura. She was like a breath of fresh air to the kingdom. Sure Queen Tsunade Senju was different as well, but she was still prim and proper as she was raised that way.

Tenten couldn't even imagine how Sakura grew up, all she had ever known was training in the academy and the stories her father told her when he came back from being stationed as a general in the army. He came home often but would be gone sometimes for weeks at a time.

Thankfully, the war between the nations was over as they had all settled in a good harmony between each other. But before the late King Senju? It had been somewhat of a reck. Not to mention how Tsunade had disappeared off almost everyone's radar. It was rumored that the King still kept tabs on his only daughter whilst she was travelling. 'Travelling', was more like it, as most of the palace staff knew that it was more to gamble away her life than anything else. Although almost all of the commoners and neighboring nations thought she was simply studying new medicinal techniques.

Still, it could easily be said that when Tsunade Senju came into power, the kingdom was still at its most peaceful time in history. No one wanted that to change, so everything kept functioning and running the same as it had been for so many years.

Sakura turned to face Tenten and put her pointer finger to her lips in a way she wanted her to remain quiet. Tenten nodded and Sakura winked as she knew that her friend understood. Sakura leaned back and relaxed her back against the bridge that she and Tenten were hiding under. It was definitely more relaxing for both of them than to attend to their usual duties.

Tenten turned her head to look over at Sakura when she noticed something off about her. Her eyes weren't as vibrant as they always were. Not in the sense that she seemed to have a different mood but in the sense that they were a different color… Wait! They were a different color! "Shit!" Tenten cried as she realized that she was just with a clone. The cloned Sakura looked over at her handmaid and winked once more and disappeared into a puff of smoke.

Tenten burst out of the hiding place and quickly scanned for Sakura's chakra signature. Damn it! She was so used to this game that she hadn't even checked if it was actually her. She looked towards the top of rooftops and tried to see if she could see a flash of pink anywhere. Tenten immediately regretted everything she told herself about the princess today, although she held her in a higher but different regard since she managed to escape from her as well. "Hime-sama!" The brunette cried out softly. Had any of the guards noticed that she wasn't there accompanying her as well then she would be in huge trouble!

Finally after jumping unto the closest rooftop to get a better view of the surrounding area she noticed pink! Finally! All she had to do now was get to her and she would surely be off the hook. Tenten jumped off the roof and onto the tree branches toward the clearing in a forest where she had spotted the princess. As she got closer she could hear Sakura's stifled laugh. Was she mocking her for not noticing she was with the clone?

After getting close enough she realized that Sakura was with someone! A man she had only heard about in Legends.

XOXOXO

Sakura stared at the man in front of her and demanded questions! She had figured out why the guards had been lacking in so many different ways, especially of recent. "Hatake-san! Why didn't you tell me you were following me!" The pinkette would've sounded angry or upset except for the fact that she had read about him in a BINGO book and was ecstatic to meet him face-to-face.

Kakashi Hatake sighed for what seemed like the millionth time within this past hour, "Hime-sama, I was assigned to you and we were never supposed to meet in the first place. The fact that you had even detected me means that I have been slipping in my duties." Kakashi rested his face in his hand, and his arm which was propped up on his knee rested the rest of his body on a high branch in a tree facing the clearing.

"Hatake-san! I've already told you before but I'm happy that I finally got to see you! I've heard all about the Copycat Ninja and how he learns his opponents' moves when fighting," Sakura said in awe with a tiny hint of underlying frustration. He was just damn near being impossible. How could he not just be grateful for the compliment?

"Tenten-chan!" Sakura cried as she saw that her friend was approaching. She waved her right hand wildly as if she were a child in a parade. "Took you long enough," Sakura teased as she stuck her tongue out at her handmaid.

Tenten sighed and was just so incredibly grateful that she had found her princess. Hopefully Hatake Kakashi would not tell on her to the queen. She had already met the man once or twice before after learning that they were both being assigned to the same person. It had be short and courteous. Unlike how the princess was treating the man. Tenten had to quickly remind herself that Sakura had never known proper manners before as they had already discussed how she was so carefree as a child growing up with Queen Senju.

"Hello again, Tenten-san," Kakashi greeted the girl who was supposed to stay by the princess' side at all times. He was not one to point fingers though, as Sakura had lured him out into this clearing and confronted him head on. He really had been slipping. For fuck's sake, he was retired Anbu! It didn't mean that he had to have fallen this far behind his peers!

"Greetings Kakashi-san," Tenten responded.

"Oh don't tell me you met him before I did!" the princess complained. She had always dreamed to meet some of the people in the BINGO book besides the three Sannin she had studied under. It had been a long time since she had met one.

"Don't worry Hime-sama," Tenten reassured her. "I had only met him once or twice before and it was always a quick 5 minutes or less."

"Sakura," Sakura reminded her handmaid.

"Sorry," Tenten apologized. "Sakura-sama."

The pink haired girl rolled her eyes at the '-sama' part. There was no way she could ever get used to that. "I'm so jealous," Sakura said which was directed toward Tenten about the man before them.

XOXOXO

"Hime-sama!" Tenten reassured nervously. When she had to break the news to Sakura that all of her suitors were coming to live within the palace walls she was definitely mad. And then she had to break more news about how they were all coming with their fathers to introduce their eligible sons, she was furious. But when she had to confess that they were all coming later on today? Sakura damn near lost it.

"It's going to be okay," Tenten cooed. She was brushing the princess' hair and felt her hands shaking slightly. Tsunade Senju was well known for her temper but most said that she had cooled down quite a bit when coming back into the palace. And Sakura? Well, let's just say she never knew how to control her anger that her mother passed on. This was definitely one girl that no one wanted to cross.

"Tenten-chan I'm about to be driven insane!" Sakura loudly confessed. "They are coming here, today, arriving anytime soon! And I still don't want to be married!" Sakura looked at herself in the mirror and while she was pleased about how elegant she looked there was no denying that there was fury behind her eyes.

Tenten had just finished putting the final touches on the princess' hair, which was styled into a tight bun fastened by an aquamarine and emerald jeweled pin while a few hairs were left out to frame her face. The rest of the maids around the palace grounds had helped her pick out the most beautiful kimono she had ever seen. Each one she had worn in the palace was more beautiful than the next.

It wasn't often that she allowed them to dress her in such fine silk and embroidery, as she was usually in a more relaxed outfit similar to Tenten's maid dress but still different to distinguish their roles. Although no one could confuse the princess with anyone else as her hair was a unique shade of pink that no one had ever seen before her arrival.

A maid knocked on the screen door which Tenten answered, as Sakura was moping about what was going to happen soon. Tenten closed the door after receiving the message the other maid had delivered. She looked toward her princess with a grave face and walked over to her slowly. She laid a hand on Sakura's shoulder and gave it a little squeeze. "It's time," she spoke solemnly. Sakura gave her a look which pleaded her for any excuse to escape the upcoming events. Sadly, there was none to give.

YAAAAY! Another chapter done! I'm getting these chapter done super quick as I have lots of inspiration for it. I'm working on The Change to bring out another chapter too but that one is moving a little bit slower than I'd like. I'm trying to keep The Journey's chapter at least over 1,000 words but it's going to end up more like 1,500. The Change chapters can be expected to be around 2,000 words as per usual. Hopefully you guys like my updates! The Lord's sons are coming next! Are you as excited as I am? Let's go!

As always and with much love,

xoxo

Tiny.