Ten
The journey took four days, and Sakura had her own separate carriage.
The morning of the arrival, the sun was bright, illuminating the foliage outside as the Hyuuga palace began to come into view. It loomed up in the distance, perched on a slight hill overlooking their kingdom, tall and tranquil.
She had been here once when she was little, accompanying her father on a coalition trip, and it had in fact been the first time when she had met Hinata. Where the Haruno palace was bright, warm and gold, the Hyuuga palace was hard cut marble in tones of grey and silver flecked with black. It gave the palace an overall sombre feel, and the ceilings were even higher due to the fact of there being fewer floors.
This would be the place she and Sasuke made their first appearance in public as a couple.
She couldn't help the thought that arose in the back of her mind; it was sudden and confounding, and Sakura had to fight back the anxiety of what the people would think. She knew there had been enough time for them to gossip – it had been more than week since the announcement – but now they would want to test their theories for themselves. And what better opportunity than this?
Forcing herself to forget her worries – if only momentarily – she clung onto the brief elation she had gotten not long before. When they had entered Hyuuga territory, the change had been subtle, but Sakura had been overcome with joy. Her heart sang to be out of her country since a very long time, and she had spent the day in contained giddiness. This happiness had faded but lingered, the dregs still present in her now as they finally reached their intended destination and she fought to grab onto them.
All thoughts left her entirely as they grew closer and she spotted a familiar face.
"Ino!" Standing in front of the palace entrance, the blonde stood waiting for her arrival. The moment the carriage stopped, Sakura leaped out and made for her friend. Though it had only been a short while since she had last seen her, Sakura would be lying if she didn't say she missed her friend dearly, and this clearly showed in the way she tightly wrapped her arms around her.
The girl didn't seem at all bothered by the sudden intrusion of personal space, instead hugging her back with just as much vigour, her face burying into the head of pink.
"I heard soon after," Ino started, "and I almost came back straight away – but then I remembered your words to me, that you could handle it by yourself. If I'd have known–"
"No," Sakura shook her head after they broke apart, "Its good you didn't come back, and I meant what I said."
"Oh Sakura, I missed you so much!" her friend said, giving her another squeeze, letting the matter drop for now. "I have so much to tell you, but that can wait until later. I'm sure you're just dying for a bath."
It was still light outside, the steady glow from the adjacent walkway easily filling the large room.
Sakura stood with Ino for the formal welcoming of her court. It was mostly just a chance to mingle before the big event, and only an esteemed few were invited. The hall was still mostly empty, only a few nobles and dignitaries dispersedly gathered with more yet to arrive.
Sakura was happy to be in Ino's presence once more. She had wanted to bombard her with questions about her trip, but knew it was not proper etiquette to do so in this setting.
"Don't worry, I'll tell you everything later, Forehead," her friend said, reading her mind.
"Ino!" she hissed, reprimanding her for the use of the nickname in this setting. She refrained from adding her own demeaning suffix onto the end.
Her friend rolled her eyes, obviously expecting her reaction and wanting to tease her. Sakura scanned the hall to see if anyone heard, fighting a smile for her childish antics. She knew it wasn't a big deal but couldn't imagine having to explain herself if someone had caught that!
"Someone could've heard that," Sakura stated the obvious.
"Want me to say it louder? Imagine, you'd be known as Princess Sakura, heir of the Haruno Empire, wielder of the biggest forehead..."
She did laugh at this, her self control lost for a moment. The friends met eyes, conveying exactly just how much they'd missed each other these past few weeks.
"You wouldn't dare," she challenged. Of course, Ino wouldn't, there was no doubt about that, but it was still fun to contemplate.
The blond only winked, turning back to survey the room, and Sakura did the same.
In small clusters, the guests were all happily conversing among themselves, seemingly excited for the wedding on the morrow. A figure in cream robes stood a few feet away from them, long, ebony hair flowing down their back in waves of silk.
Ino gasped next to her. "That is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."
"That's not a woman, that's Hinata's cousin, Neji of the Hyuuga dynasty."
"Dynasty did you say?" Ino said, distracted from her ogling. "Why don't you marry him?"
She gave Ino a look like really? She was already engaged. "He's from the branch side of the family that serves the royals. Even if I did marry him, it would be a downfall on my part. He would still have to uphold his promises to protect the Hyuuga heir."
"And how could he do that if he was miles away," Ino nodded in realisation.
The two watched as the one they spoke of talked with his court, graceful as a dove in flight. Around him, the people seemed to revere in his presence, their eyes glassy with adoration. It was quite a beautiful sight, and Sakura wondered if Neji was at all bitter that he was born into the branch side of the family instead of the main side.
"It's rumoured that he's engaged to the warrior Tenten," she said, recalling her tutoring on past and present monarchs.
"I can just imagine the perfect picture they'd make, the pair of them," Ino sighed dreamily.
The Haruno princess glanced at her friend from the corner of her eye. "What's happened to you all of the sudden? You were never this much of a romantic before, as far as I recall."
Ino just gave her a knowing grin, and Sakura knew something was definitely up. She would just have to wait until later to find out.
Turning back to the hall, Sakura distracted herself by their location. The sparsely furnished room made the space look bigger, and the tall ceilings allowed a cool drift to pervade the area. Light grey marble covered almost every surface, guards standing infrequently by the wall much like her own home. It was exactly as she remembered it.
She was watching with a somewhat detached view when the doors opened to admit more guests, and her eyes followed thoughtlessly.
Her heart jumped.
It was Sasuke. She hadn't seen him for the entire journey, and she couldn't bring herself to look away now. Clothed entirely in black, which was usual for him, he stood out amongst the other guests like an unforgiving god.
He looked absolutely breathtaking, his cheekbones seemingly sharper than before, and he was coming to stand before her.
Ino raised her eyebrow – was this the first time she had seen him? – before taking her leave to wander about the rest of the hall, as much as it probably pained her.
Sakura didn't know why her mouth was suddenly dry, the pulse in the wrist fluttering furiously. He had never seemed to have this kind of affect on her, had he?
She watched as he drew closer, trying to steady her heart, before the thought hit her again.
This was their first public appearance after the announcement. Now that everybody knew, eyes would be on them throughout the night. It was unfair really, as Naruto and Hinata deserved the attention, but there was nothing she could do about it. They would be watching like hawks.
She couldn't leave him even if she wanted to.
He came to a stop before her, and she had to steel herself. "Sasuke. How was your journey?" she inquired politely.
He nodded his head in reply, then decided to add more. "It was fine."
"That's good to hear. Though, I'm sure you're used to these kinds of things from your occupation?"
She waited as he gathered his thoughts. "I suppose, but we didn't travel around much. The journey to your palace had been long, though."
"Was it? How long, exactly?" she was suddenly excited to be gaining new information about him. She hadn't even thought about it much, where Sasuke was before all this, and there had never been a chance to ask him.
He opened his mouth to answer, but suddenly they were interrupted by a Hyuuga lord, clad in a grey robe similar to the Hyuuga prince. "Your serene highness," he greeted Sakura.
Sakura bowed back politely.
"And this must be Sasuke, your future consort?"
"Yes, this is him." She was a little surprised he even knew at first, but then she remembered how quick news travelled, especially regarding sovereign.
"I am so glad to meet you at last. Tell me, how long have you known the princess?"
"There are very few who don't know of Sakura," Sasuke answered.
He had dodged the question, not that the truth would've had any direct negative effects. Arranged marriages were common in all the continents, but there would usually be many meetings held beforehand to discuss it in depth. In that respect, theirs had been different, and she had not even been there at the one meeting that did occur.
Still, because of the uncommon circumstances of their marriage, it would not do well to openly acknowledge the unconventional conduct. What Sasuke had said had been tactful, a way to avoid the question without noticeably rejecting it.
She had only ever seen him like this once, at the luncheon back at the Haruno palace. That's when she realised – she was getting to witness his façade first hand.
The lord laughed at something he had said, and she secretly cursed herself for missing it. As if he could be funny.
"Indeed. Now, I don't want to waste too much of your time so I will leave you two alone." The lord left as if he was doing a gracious thing, but soon after, they were approached by another.
"Princess Sakura," the newcomer said. "How was the travel here? I hope it was not too tiring."
"I am quite well," she responded, nodding her head in a respectful gesture. "It was nothing I am not used to."
"I'm sure. It's been a while since you've visited the palace," he said, referring to the Hyuuga's. "Something else been occupying your time?"
"She has been busy with her tutoring." Sasuke hadn't meant to answer for her, but he noticed the man had glanced his way as he said it.
Sakura hadn't missed the subtle insinuation either. Before she could say something else herself, the man laughed as if this was exactly what he meant. "Yes, yes, she must be hard at work! You must not get to spend much time with her, then?"
This time he had spoken to Sasuke, but Sakura found it was she who was responding, "We see each other often enough."
"Of course! If you'll excuse me, your highness." He bowed hastily before retreating.
She watched him go, careful to keep her composure. Once again, the reason for his approach had been to gouge her relationship with Sasuke. And she didn't think he would be the last.
The grilling from the nobility had been rigorous; they had not even been here a few hours and already they were being plagued with questions.
"Sorry, I should have warned you earlier," Sakura said, looking up to meet Sasuke's gaze.
Impassively he stared straight back at her, searching her eyes for something. "It's fine."
She went on, "They can be intense, I know, but you get used to it eventually."
"I understand," Sasuke said. He wanted to ask her more, if it really was always like this for her. "Sakura..." But the words fell short.
"Would you like something to drink? No wine this time," she smiled, and he nodded gratefully.
Instead of going over to a drinks table like they would have in the Haruno palace, Sakura discreetly met a waiter's eye. They understood immediately, coming over to them with a silver tray of drink.
"It's still alcohol, I hope that's okay?" she said unsurely. She honestly had no idea what Sasuke liked.
Wordlessly, Sasuke picked up a goblet and took a sip. Though she had to look hard, there was a slight creasing between his eyebrows that implied distaste, and Sakura had to hide a smile.
"You don't have to drink it. You had no problem declining the alcohol back at home," she teased.
"Perhaps theirs is just better than yours," Sasuke said, although she noticed he no longer drank from the cup.
Shaking her head, Sakura turned to the rest of the hall again, the corners of her mouth lifted.
She was glad to finally be getting a break from what seemed – and probably was – an interrogation.
After the first two had approached them, the rest of the court didn't hesitate to follow suit. It had went on like that for much of the night, Sakura listening as Sasuke expertly answered every question that was asked of him.
She was secretly impressed he could even speak courtroom language. Where had he learnt it? She wasn't sure she'd get an answer out of him, so she kept her lips shut. Sakura found it strange, really, how he had such a hard time talking to her but when it came to the nobles he would easily make speech about politics.
Her future consort. That's what he was known as. She wondered if he cared.
"You never got to say earlier, how long your trip to the palace was."
He didn't need her to clarify exactly which palace she was referring to.
"I used to live near the border." Sasuke started, thinking about his words carefully. "Before I came to the Haruno palace."
"I see," she nodded. The Haruno Empire was large, so she understood that meant wherever he had come from the travel to the palace must have been long, as it was situated near the middle of the country. He had left his home for this. Involuntarily, she found herself questioning his motives, the fact that she didn't know why still eating the back of her mind.
She was saved from her thoughts when they were approached again, but this time by none other than Neji Hyuuga.
The two returned respectful bows.
"What brings you here, Neji?"
The dark-haired boy looked at them. "It is my cousins wedding tomorrow. I was wondering if you had any words I could give to her before."
When she had visited in her younger years, she had only ever seen Neji from afar, never directly speaking to him. He didn't even come to the Haruno palace when Hinata did, which was strange considering his oath to watch over her, but her parents trusted Naruto since he was always there.
From what she could tell, he was quite similar to Sasuke in that he was private and serious, but he had actually asked what the right thing would be to say to Hinata tomorrow, something she wasn't sure Sasuke's ego would allow him.
"I'm sure she'd just want to hear how happy you are for her," she reassured honestly, giving an encouraging smile. "It will sound better coming from your heart."
"Thank you," Neji said sincerely. "I hope your stay will be pleasant, Princess Haruno."
A little startled by the formal title, Sakura watched as he left, returning to his place amongst his court.
The whole exchange, apart from being unexpected, had been odd to say the least.
Was that what Neji had truly wanted?
It seemed she had had enough for the night, deciding to retire and get away from the intricate matters of court. She announced her departure to Sasuke, who only nodded and bid her a short farewell.
Leaving the receiving room, Sakura took the long way in order to clear her head, subconsciously also wanting to explore more of the palace, which she found was eerily similar to her own. It was little things, like the layout and pillared walls, but it made Sakura feel strange nonetheless, as if she was looking at the Haruno palace through a monochrome lens.
When she finally arrived at the quarters she had been allocated for her stay, she sighed tiredly, pushing open the doors leading in–
And she was startled to find somebody else already in her room.
I'm literally the worst at updating... Hope you enjoyed the chapter though!