Sasuke POV
No expense was spared for Sakura's birthday celebration. The rarely used ballroom was filled with people wearing dazzling jewels and fine dress. The chandeliers had been shined so much, the crystals burned through any eyes that dared to look up at them.
Champagne flowed freely and servants carried trays to the guests who had just drunken enough wine to loosen their tongues during the dinner. Ladies mingled around with slightly pinker cheeks and gentlemen gained the confidence to ask them to dance thanks to all the liquid courage going around.
Tsunade sat at her seat, a bottle of liquor at her side, obviously she liked the hard stuff, talking to Kakashi and Shizune who gave each other poorly concealed glances every few minutes.
Ino, who had started dancing from the beginning was being passed from one gentleman to the next. As such, she hadn't left the dance floor. It seemed the party was for everyone but Sakura who had danced with Sai from the beginning. There were plenty of opportunities for someone to take over but no one did.
"Why don't you go ask her to dance?" Kakashi came to stand behind my chair.
"You know I hate dancing. And shouldn't you be encouraging me to dance with Ino?" I asked sarcastically.
"I would but the Lady Ino doesn't seem to have a lack of partners and it is Sakura's party." He reasoned aloud.
"By the way she said you could come to a session, but I guess it will have to wait until she's back since she's been canceling on me."
"Very well. Will you go?"
"To dance? No thanks" I dismissed the topic and he started to walk away.
"Then I guess I will be the one." He winked back at me and my thoughts flew to his perverted ways but I would not stop him since he was already asking Sai for his permission.
Sakura POV
"Are you enjoying yourself, Lady Sakura?" I looked to the intruder and found Sasuke's babysitter. Sai stopped leading me around to face Kakashi.
"Yes. Everyone is very happy and smiling." I hoped my smile didn't falter.
"Sai, may I steal your parter for a dance?"
"Sure" his relieved face made me crack a smile. Poor boy was probably tired.
Kakashi's hand rested on the middle of my back and I placed my arm on his shoulder.
"That didn't answer my question, Lady Sakura." Nothing ever seemed to escape Kakashi.
"What question?" I tried to evade his prying.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" He clarified as if talking to a toddler.
Laughing that he caught my evasion, I answered truthfully.
"I would rather there not be so much alcohol circling. Inebriated people aren't fun at the end of the night." My nose scrunched up at the memory of servants lifting vomit stains from the velvet dining chairs.
"That is true" He agreed.
"Thank you" My tongue moved before my brain.
His confused face told me he didn't know what I meant.
"For dancing with me" I clarified.
"No need, you're the birthday girl after all. You should have asked yourself. There are many dashing young men to choose from" he wiggled his eyebrows, I giggled at his antics.
"Yeah, but they all prefer to keep in their groups and I would rather not make anyone uncomfortable" Glancing around the room, I took note of the usual groups.
"I missed your smile, little one. Why have you stopped gracin-"Little one" where had I heard that. In a dream perhaps? Was it even important?
"Lady Sakura?" Kakashi's face stirred me from my reverie.
"I'm sorry, what were you saying?" I shook my head to clear the deja vu.
"I was just remarking on your scarce smiles as of late. There is something weighing on you" His stern eyes bore into mine.
"Oh, it's not of very much importance. I've just been feeling a little tired" I waved his unnecessary worries away.
"Sasuke has you up all night doesn't he? That little devil" he gave me a suggestive look. "I'm sure he has you practicing more than just sword play" He teased.
I felt my cheeks redden.
"Sir Kakashi, how can you throw such a subject around like that. And much less with my own cousin's man" I looked around to see if anyone had overheard his insinuation.
"Ah, but you do like him, don't you?" He wiggled his eyebrows.
"Of course! I wouldn't spend time with him if I didn't" I stated the obvious.
"Then why have you stopped seeking him out as of late?" He was on to me, clever man.
"I've just been weary these past days. I am leaving for the first time since my father was alive, you know" Hoping to distract him from the subject, I told him one of my recent worries.
"I do know. I know much more than you think, Princess. My intuition never fails me, and you're very confused right now." His eyes examined my face, only to confirm his deduction.
His eyes told me that he knew me even better than I did. They encouraged me to trust him, that maybe he could help me sort out my befuddled thoughts.
"I am very concerned, Sir Kakashi, because this feeling is so foreign to me. Every time I see him, I get this warm tingly sensation and I wish I could always be next to him, but he spends much time with Ino. And I know I should keep my distance, but I want to go up to them and take him away from her. And that is what scares me most of all because I love Ino so much, I just can't, I cant. I don't want to feel like this. What should I do?" My eyes once again met his, almost pleading for a simple solution.
To my disappointment he said, "I won't tell you what to do, but can tell you that Sasuke also doesn't think of you as just a mere friend. Maybe that will help. He may not say it out loud, but I know him well."
"That does not help me" frustration burned through my veins.
"You must figure out what to do on your own"
Reminding myself that I shouldn't burden others with my problems, I changed my countenance completely.
"So... you and Shizune" I wiggled my eyebrows for added effect.
"What about us?" He chuckled nervously and his hand unconsciously applied more pressure to my back. Ignoring it in favor of making him sweat, I continued.
"I hear you've been meeting frequently. Tell me, sir Kakashi, how old are you?"
"Thirty one, why do you ask?" His eyes flitted around the room while his hold only got tighter.
"So... You like them older...more experienced." I emphasized the last word.
"Wait, how old is she?!" His eyes practically bulged out of their sockets.
Gotcha!
"Ah ah ah." I shook my heads down leaned in to his ear. "I'm not allowed to say" I smirked as I pulled away.
"Why don't you ask her yourself?" My innocent tone didn't fool anyone, because my face broke its composure when my thoughts flitted to what she would do once he did ask her. Tears of mirth flowed from the corners of my eyes before I noticed that Sasuke was walking towards us.
Sasuke POV
I sat looking at the twirling couple now in the middle of the dance floor. They seemed to be having a deep conversation as both of their faces shared the same serious look. I wondered what they were talking about. Sakura was looking more distressed by the moment.
I had half a mind to go over there and save her from my perverted guardian. Then her face shifted drastically, a dangerous gleam reflecting off her green eyes.
Kakashi became visibly nervous at her words, but even that wasn't what drew my attention the most. His undeserving hand clutched Sakura's slight frame even tighter.
My jaw tensed. Then she started laughing and my blood boiled at the sight. If that wasn't bad enough, his hand dipped to the small of her back and she leaned in.
My legs moved on their own, lifting me to stand. I walked over, determined to tear her away from the crib robber. Passing by a waiter, I took a mystery cup and before I knew it, I was crossing the dance floor.
My eyes met Sakura's mirth filled orbs and my demeanor softened. I tapped Kakashi's shoulder and he nearly jumped up in surprise. Taking a closer look at him, he looked like he had ran a marathon.
I gave Sakura a questioning look and she just shrugged, but her eyes told all. Who knows what she did but it must've been good for I hadn't ever seen Kakashi so anxious.
"I will lead the birthday girl in this next dance" I placed myself between the two.
Kakashi, taking his chance walked briskly to the nearest drink server.
In an uncharacteristic moment of uncertainty, I hesitated to place my hand on her waist while the other engulfed her dainty palm. She tilted her head up and I was met with bright emeralds that sparkled with happiness under the light.
"Why did you steal me away? I was enjoying my time with your babysitter." The slight blush from her laugh still there.
"He was getting a little too comfortable" my jaw clenched at the memory.
"Oh on the contrary, he was anxious to be away from me"
"What did you tell him" I asked, genuinely curious.
"Scary secrets" I winked.
Just like Sakura to never fully divulge information.
"You look beautiful, by the way" It was almost an afterthought.
"Of course I do. My aunt made an exception for this occasion. She finally let me wear a corset, now Aunt Masako won't stare at me disapprovingly."
"I'm sure Ino's mother is a very proper woman"
"She is, a little too uptight if you ask me."
"She seems fine to me" We had met a few times and she had been nothing but welcoming.
Sakura scoffed "I'm sure. She practically adores the ground you walk on. Every conversation I have with her is now 'my future son in law this' 'Prince Sasuke that'"
"Oh, and I wasn't talking about the corset, you look beautiful when you're this happy"
She blushed at the compliment and we danced contentedly without interruptions. The hours flew by in conversation and when I finally inspected the other guests, some were stumbling about, others passed out and some just nodding disapprovingly at their friends. Sakura took notice too.
"See this is why I didn't want so much alcohol, but my Aunt said it wasn't a party without sake."
"I'm sure she did, she's got three empty bottles next to her" I gestured to where the queen was conversing quite loudly with some ambassadors.
"Then I'm sure she won't notice if we sneak out for a little. She yanked my arm to the nearest exit, so excited, that she gradually went faster until we were running. Not having the heart to pull my hand away, I let her lead us into the fresh night.
Ino POV
The music was starting to slow a signal that the song was nearing its end. My current dancing partner tried to convince me for another round but I refused, too tired to continue. I had been enjoying myself nonstop since the party began, all the males at court wanted a chance to lead me, and I graciously acquiesced, but the one I really wanted to have in front of me was now nowhere to be seen.
He had been twirling with Sakura and then she was handed off to Kakashi and again to Prince Sasuke mid-song, but now none were even in the ballroom. Figuring Sai would be on the veranda, I made my way to the french doors. He had never been one for parties due to his antisocial nature.
The cool night air caressed my skin causing a small trail of goosebumps to appear where it touched. As expected, there he was, a vision in his dark suit.
I should have never spoken to him again. I should have never forgiven him. I should have never loved him. But I couldn't help the longing I felt every day when I saw him and it wasn't long before my resolve broke.
I walked closer to him, my heels clicking softly on the marble floor.
"It was a night like this when we promised to stay together forever." My voice broke the silence.
Keeping his back to me, I heard his sigh.
"I already told you I didn't mean it."
"But you did, I know you did and you still do, but you want to deny it. Why? Because of Sasuke? If that's the reason, I assure you that I would gladly reject him if you want me instead."
He finally turned around to face me.
"Don't. Sasuke can help you rule this nation, I cannot. I have no title worthy enough of taking you for my wife. My hands are stained with so much blood."
"So are Sasuke's" He would need to give me a better reason to let it go.
"Yes, but he killed honorably, facing his opponents. I may be a guard, Ino, but I was also employed as an assassin, murdering unsuspecting victims. I have innocent blood on my hands, the blood of entire families, kids and all. I am not worthy of you." He once again looked to the distance.
"None of that matters to me, it's in the past and you won't have to do it again while you are in Tsunade's forces."
"It still cannot be erased."
"I don't care. Just tell me and I'll leave with you, we could go to Uzumaki Kingdom and live quietly together." Anywhere, as long he was by my side.
"No. We have responsibilities. You to this kingdom and I to Sakura." Once again, my responsibilities drowned my desires.
"Why does she always get in the way? She can take care of herself and her position offers her the ultimate protection."
He chuckled darkly.
"From tangible enemies, but not everything." He was hiding something.
"What do you mean?"
"She's sick, Ino."
"Well duh, she's been sick her entire life. That has never stopped her and it's not even super serious. That doesn't mean you have to be there every waiting second, let her doctors take care of it."
He sighed.
"Never mind. You'll understand later." He gave up reasoning with me.
"At least give me hope Sai. It's all I need."
His dark eyes caught my own. Not one to pass an opportunity, I read what he was trying to tell me through onyx depths: that he wanted to but was afraid he would only cause me heartbreak. So I whispered only one word.
"Please."
At the tentative acceptance in his eyes, my grin broke out and I rested my hand next to his on the railing.
