Title: The Secret Kingdom
Summary: AU Sakura wants answers. Naruto wants to be recognized by his people. Sasuke wants...something. Will they get all that they want and more in a magical kingdom torn by war?
Pairings: NarutoxSakuraxSasuke
Disclaimer: Kishimoto-san has rights on the 3rd Shippuden movie, and all other Naruto franchise despite my constant attempts to take over.
Genre: Fantasy/Romance
Chapter 9: The Permission from a Memory
Oto was situated at the edge of a dead volcano. When the volcano last erupted in the creation of Asantia, The magma hardened and formed several cliffs, stone arches and walls, that almost hide the interior of the village. Situated at the highest cliff, the Uchiha palace appeared menacing at the shadows. The palace can be found in the center of the village.
At first glance, it was as if the palace was made of the same dark obsidian material present in the surroundings. But the palace was actually carved into a hardened boulder, making it secure and impressive. At the higher floors, the windows become larger, the clear glass revealing deep and vivid blue and red colors, and symbols of the Uchiha clan. A candle is placed in every window, in effort of bringing more light to the dim palace.
It was mid morning, but the palace was still dark as three shadows shifted silently in the hallways of the Uchiha palace. A tall female took the lead, attempting to pull then two males behind her.
"This is so troublesome." One of her companions whined.
"Yeah." The other was biting an apple. "We could get into a lot of trouble for this."
"Come on." The female hissed. "Aren't you curious about his fiancée?"
"Not at all." The two males replied in unison.
"Hmph." The female flipped her long blond hair. "There's no way I'm going to give up Sasuke-sama over some chick I don't know! I'm going there whether or not you guys come!"
She stomped away, and the two males glanced at each other.
"We can't leave her alone." One said.
"This is so troublesome." The other replied, but he nodded and the both of them procceded to follow their female companion.
"Nice of you to join me." The blond smiled when her two companions joined her. "Wait here."
A guard was stationed at the corner. The woman's blue eyes glowed, and the man suddenly fell asleep. "Okay, everything's clear."
The trio went to the elaborate door. The blond opened it and gasped.
Sakura looked up from the orb she was holding and saw the three strangers at the door. "Who are you?"
"No way." The woman pointed at the orb, with the plant almost breaking out of it. "You are a Raicelli!"
Sakura stood up and glared. "Did Sasuke-san send you?"
"But if you're his fiancée, then why would Sasuke-sama marry a Raicelli, it doesn'tmake sense?!"
Sakura froze. "I'm his what?!"
"Everyone is talking about the girl Prince Sasuke has chosen as his wife. But Raicelli and Osume can't marry."
"What are you people talking about?!" The pink-haired girl fumed, but she was ignored.
"But she doesn't seem to be a Raicelli." The black haired male stood before Sakura, causing her to back a step. "If she is, the plant would be dying, not growing."
Annoyed, Sakura pushed the man away. "Stop ignoring me! What are you saying? What's with this marrying business?!"
"You seem to be as clueless as we are, forehead." The blond smiled.
"Forehead?"
"Yeah, no one told you that you have a very wide forehead before? I'm Lady Ino Yamanaka."
Sakura glared. "Like no one ever called you, Pig."
"Why you-!" Ino started but suddenly laughed. "I like you! You are not as boring as the others. These are my friends, Lord Shikamaru Nara and Lord Choji Akimichi."
Observing them warily, Sakura remembered that she had hardly met anyone new her age when she moved to Spring Grove except for Sasuke and Naruto. She couldn't even remember her classmate's names during her five days of school. And even if they were Osume, they seem to be nice. She hid her bluch as she remembered Sasuke being kind to her. Reluctantly, Sakura shook their hands. "Now, what were you talking about?"
"As Choji said." Shikamaru pointed at his friend. "Prince Sasuke has left the kingdom to find a wife. He came back with you."
Her face turning crimson, she looked away. "I don't know why I'm here, but I'm certainly not marrying him."
"Really? Then why are you at sleeping at the Princess Bride's Chambers?"
"The what?"
"This room, forehead." Ino shook her head. "This is the room the crowned prince fiancee's is stays in before they are officially wedded."
Unaware of the drama in Sakura's room, Prince Sasuke quietly contemplates in front of the huge glass window giving him a wide view of his kingdom.
"Tell me a story." The 12 year Osume leaned against the glass separating him from the woman who smiled fondly at him.
"In exchange, you will also tell me a story."
The boy nodded.
"Once upon a time, a prince ruled upon a sad and dismal land…"
Frowning, he looked away. Nothing much has changed since, Oto was falling into ruins. Most citizens are already attacking the border of the Great Villages for food and resources. Sasuke didn't have the heart to stop them, how could he command his people to starve? Punching the wall, he angrily thought about his failure in ruling the citizens.
He had thought over several options, but none of his plans can avoid waging a war against the Great Villages. But the Osume are starting to overpopulate, and pretty soon, they will no longer be able to sustain themselves.
And there was the problem with him.
He had made Orochimaru viceroy while he trained to be stronger, but the young prince is beginning to be suspicious of the power hungry Ilasu. Yes, Orochimaru knew a lot of strong spells, but Sasuke is wondering if keeping that man in power was worth it.
Sasuke had to also make sure that Orochimaru will not be too near Sakura. He had lied in order to secure the half-Raicelli's safety in his land; he knew that the viceroy would somehow use the girl. The Great Nations would be no different.
"It's the sad fate of the purebloods." Her breathing was uneven as she played with the glass orb in her hands, "We will always be used."
A loud scream suddenly jolted him from his memory, In panic, he realized the sound was coming from the direction of Sakura's room. With great speed, he didn't even notice the sleeping guard as he burst through the room.
"Sakura?!"
"You bastard!" Sakura slapped him in the face.
Surprise turned to anger as he saw the others in the room. "What the hell are you doing here?! Answer!"
The three Osume straightened. "We wanted to see your bride." They replied nervously.
"And what the hell are they talking about!" Sakura yelled at him. "Why are they saying I'm marrying you?!"
Ignoring the other Osume, he glanced at the pink haired girl.
"You like her, don't you?"
The little boy shook his head furiously as she laughed.
"I'll tell you what, Prince Sasuke. If she falls in love with you, I'm giving you my blessing to marry my daughter."
He clenched his fists.
"Well?!" Sakura demanded.
His coal black eyes met hers, and Sakura began to feel nervous once again, a blush on her cheeks.
"Only if you want to." He whispered and Sakura was taken aback. "I brought you here to keep you safe. I can't allow you to leave until everything's over, but everything else, you have the freedom to do so."
"What should be over?"
"I can't tell you that yet."
"I want to see the outskirts of the village."
Sasuke blinked. "What?"
"You said I could do what I want, as long as I won't leave!" She turned to the other three. "Can you please take me there?"
The three looked nervously at Sasuke who glared back. "Fine, but I must go with you."
"That's great." Ino grabbed Sakura, ignoring the angry gaze of her sovereign. "Come on, I'll help you pick an outfit!"
As Sakura passed him, she whispered. "I won't rest until I know what's going on, Sasuke-kun."
The prince nodded, and then suddenly froze. Did she just call him Sasuke-kun?
Naruto and his team glanced at the valley before them. A crater lake stretched to the edges of the dormant volcano, revealing thin stretches of green bordering the stone settlements settling on different cliffs. It was daybreak, and in a few hours' time, they would be stepping in Osume territory.
"It's strange." Neji glanced around. "There are lesser guards than usual."
Akamaru gave a yelp and his partner nodded. "A lot of Osume were here days ago, O'm not sure what that means."
"That's not important!" Naruto's eyes gleamed with determination. "We have to go save Sakura-chan!"
"We can't just barge in without a plan." Sai spoke up, his voice monotone.
"He's right, Naruto." Jiraiya told his apprentice. "There might be lesser guards on patrol because they are fully concentrated on the capital."
"In any case, we won't be detected until we past the farms." Haku pointed at stretches of green. "That place is full of Ilasu, our problem is when we have entered the town."
"We could gather information from the Ilasu, first." Tenten spoke up.
Jiraiya nodded. "Then that's the plan, let's go!"
As the team quickly crossed to the valley, Jiraiya felt a strange presence. Looking back and seeing nothing, he shrugged and continued their trek.
When they left, a strange man emerged from a boulder, his right side white, the other black.
Just when my computer got fixed, my laptop bag's strap snapped, and guess what literally crashed? Since my dorm has no computers, I can't type anything, so I hope that explains my delay.
Anyway, thank you for the reviews,
Laliz, blooming flower08, Icecream Skittles Addict, sasusaku-fanXD, What-We-Call-A-TrAgEdY and pilpols!
In my stress filled life, you guys are my source of inspiration. And for all my readers, please even just a quick message from you will make me happy. Thanks.
I hope you also like this chapter too. Many answers have been given ^_^.
Questions to ponder:
Why is Sasuke wary of Orochimaru?
Who was that strange man at the end, and what is his role in all of this?
What is true story between the Raicelli and Osume?
Until next time,
Chantrea Moonbeam
