Chapter 6: Karin
Disclaimer: Naruto and all its characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto. The story is based on the fairytale Cap O' Rushes by Joseph Jacobs.
Author's note: Thank you to all those who reviewed, favourited and followed my story. And especially big thank you to an anonymous reviewer who gave me very helpful feedback on how to improve my fanfiction. I am not sure this is up to par yet, but I still hope you enjoy it. I have edited the previous chapters too (some are not too obvious), and I do recommend you reread them.
Knock Knock Knock
For a while, the young girl stood there, shivering in the slight cold of the early morning. She didn't have to wait long, however, as the one of the heavy double doors cracked open a fraction.
"Who's there?" A female's voice asked.
"M-my name is Sakura. And I am looking for a place to stay. I will do anything you want without pay."
The door opened wider. This time, Sakura could see a young girl her age, with flaming red hair and equally red eyes. Black rimmed glasses perched on top of her nose.
The girl looked her up and down, before finally asking, "What can you do?"
"I can cook," Sakura answered hopefully, "And I can sew. I am willing to clean and dust the house too."
After some thought, the girl gestured with one hand for Sakura to come inside. She then led the way towards the servants' quarters, and opened the door to one of the vacant rooms.
"This will be your room for as long as you stay here. Are you alright to be working in the kitchens? We don't have many cooks at the moment."
Sakura bowed slightly, "Yes. Thank you so much!"
The girl dismissed the gratitude with a wave of her hand, "It's nothing. And I will be paying you as well. I don't think it is fair for you to work with no income."
Sakura could only thank her, unable to say anything else.
The girl started to leave, but then stopped. Sakura was about to ask her what's wrong, before she looked back over her shoulder.
"I am Karin, by the way. Nice to meet you." And she left the room.
Sasuke ran his fingers through his hair for the umpteenth time of the day, frustrated. Where could she possibly have disappeared to? He looked out over the kingdom again, from his position on the roof, hoping to catch a glance of pink, if only for a split second. He stiffened as he felt a presence behind him.
"Itachi. What are you doing up here?"
The said man shrugged nonchalantly, before replying, "I could ask you the same question."
When he received no answer, he sighed, "Why are you so determined to find her? What does she mean to you?"
Sasuke didn't even question how his older brother knew all this. He just simply replied with an "Hn."
"Sasuke…" Itachi said in a threatening voice.
"I don't know."
"What don't you know?" Itachi asked, surprised Sasuke gave in so quickly.
"I don't know what she means to me. All I know is that… she's different from the other girls. And that she is someone that I actually feel comfortable around."
Itachi raised an eyebrow, "So… you love her?"
"No." Sasuke replied firmly. "I don't love her. Yet. But she may the only girl that has a chance of making me fall for her."
Itachi nodded in understanding. He then suddenly stood up. "Well, I guess I will have to help you find her then, since it may be my only chance of having a sister-in-law."
"Halt!" The girl stopped in front of the massive golden gates.
"What business do you have at the king's castle?" the guard demanded.
"I owe the prince an apology," the girl replied defiantly, lifting her head slightly, as if challenging the guard, "And I am here to give it to him."
The guard looked doubtful. "I shall let the prince know." He was about to head in to relay the message when the girl stopped him. She looked slightly fearful.
"Please don't tell the prince. He hates me at the moment. He will just throw me out."
The guard looked confused, "If he hates you, then why are you trying to go and see him?"
"It's because he hates me that I have to go in!" The girl cried, exasperated, "Didn't you just hear me say that I owe him an apology?"
The guard rubbed his head sheepishly, "Well, I space out sometimes."
The girl wondered how a person as oblivious as him could become the palace guard. "So, can I go in now?"
"Ah, yes."
Finally.
Knock Knock Knock
"Come in."
A girl with red hair and eyes, which were framed with black glasses peeped in.
Sasuke raised a brow, "Who are you?"
"I-I am K-Karin, your m-majesty." The girl managed to stutter out.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed dangerously, "Karin? As in the girl who tricked me at the ball?"
"Y-Yes." Karin's voice had started to waver.
"After that stunt, you still dare to show your face here?" Sasuke almost growled in anger.
"Please hear me out first! Please!" Sasuke's expression didn't change, but he gestured for her to continue.
"I r-really like you, your majesty. I have l-liked you since the day I saw you with your parents when you were 5 years old. I tried to catch your attention at the ball, but you just ignored me, along with all the other girls. But with her, it was different. S-So, I thought that if I tried to be her, and get close to you, even if it was just for a few hours, I could increase my chances of being with you. I was going to reveal myself afterwards, b-but… I never thought that the real girl would come. I thought that she wasn't coming, since it was already so late." At this point, her eyes began to tear up. "I am really, really sorry, your majesty. Words can't express how sorry I am. I know that nothing I do can make up for what I did, but would you at least accept these?" Karin held out a basketful of onigiri. "I've heard that you liked onigiri, your majesty, so I learned how to make them with the help of one of my cooks. I hope that they are to your liking." Without waiting for a response from the prince, she left. Truth be told, she was afraid of how he would react. It would be best if she didn't stay for it.
Meanwhile, back at his study, Sasuke staring at the basket, slightly shocked and surprised. He didn't know if he should be angry or not. He sighed, and decided not to leave a grudge against the girl.
Just a reminder that I have edited previous chapters, for those who are a slightly confuse about the plot. Thank you for reading. Please leave a review.
