I have no rights to Naruto.

Enjoy.

O0oo

"Tighten the straps! No girl don't pull, you have to yank them back!"

The strangled gasp that Sakura gave had no effect on the noble woman who shooed Lana away and now stood behind her yanking tight the leather straps that pinned her shoulders back to the wooden board straightening her spine and raising her head.

Finally grumbling in satisfaction the woman walked around and critically assessed Sakura. She was in her early fifties her chestnut coloured hair still free of grey was twisted up elaborately off her neck; her spine was ramrod stiff, her hands neatly holding up the hem of her blue skirt as she walked around Sakura. Her dark eyes were as sharp as a hawk's giving Sakura a feeling of inadequacy as she looked her over from head to toe.

"Thank Jashin you have some knowledge of correct posture most likely due to that kunoichi training." She sniffed before picking up her fan by the table and sharply thwacking Sakura on the knees "Do not bend your knees."

Sakura barely stifled her yelp glaring at the noble woman as she spoke through gritted teeth "Yes Lady Kagome." She resisted the urge to grab the fan off her and belt her on the head with it as her hands clenched the green material of her skirt.

She had barely been dressed with Lana insisting that the Hime had to wear at least some make up, when the unstoppable force that was Lady Kagome had swept into the room and swiftly lead her down to one of the sitting rooms. For some reason Sakura couldn't stop her or talk back to her, something about Lady Kagome demanded absolute respect and obedience, her whole demeanour giving off a 'do as I say' vibe that Sakura felt compelled to obey.

Watching as the curvaceous woman nodded in satisfaction Sakura smiled and sighed in relief.

"A Hime does not let those around see her relief, displeasure or sadness."Lady Kagome quickly lectured looking down her nose at Sakura even though they were of similar height. "As I said, your previous training will stand to you, but you must control yourself least you give your enemy the upper hand."

"But I'm not fighting." Sakura argued puzzled by this information.

"Are you not Hime?" The Lady Kagome questioned with a haughty lifting of one eyebrow which held more attitude than Sakura had ever seen. "Court is a fight for standing, position and favour, one wrong word, step, smile or gesture will have the vultures upon you like a fresh kill. Sit and we will discuss greetings."

"I already know how to greet different nobility." Sakura said as she sat down, quickly springing up at Lady Kagome's sharp bark of "No".

Striding to her side she berated the silvery haired girl "You are a Hime, not a peasant. When you sit you spread out the skirts, bend your knees, slowly, back straight, sit – not fall, upon the seat allowing the skirts to fall like a waterfall around your feet."

She demonstrated twice before motioning to Sakura to try, tutting in annoyance as she made her repeat the action three times before satisfied, rapping her sharply on the head when she let her posture slouch before she gracefully took her own seat.

Sitting on the high straight back chair she gave the tiniest nod as she saw the Hime discreetly cross her ankles and gracefully fold her hands in her lap. It would take time, but she was not thought of as the matriarch of the court for nothing, when she was finished with the Hime she would be able to command the court with a look and hold even the Kages in the palm of her hand. No one would be able to take advantage of the Little Hime's knowledge when she was done.

Narrowing her eyes she watched as the Hime subtly fingered the scars on the back of her hands, tracing the intricate diamond, triangle and circle pattern that started on the knuckle of her middle finger and back along her hand disappearing under her sleeve where Kagome knew it continued up her arms and shoulders covering her collar bones. Those scars and the ones of the same design that went up her spine, the sides of her back, legs and on her abdomen from the top of her bikini line circling her naval and stopping at the middle of her breasts were signs of her stature and her position, she was the Hime and more importantly the Daughter of Jashin.

"Do you know why you bear those Hime?" She questioned her voice gentling slightly, she understood the jolt that would come from thinking you were scarred and disfigured, from not understanding. Watching the Himes emerald eyes seek hers she spoke.

"You are the Hime and Daughter of Jashin; those scars are proof of your strength and willingness to serve Jashin." Seeing the Hime about to argue she pressed on silencing her with a slight tilting of her head to the side. "You may think you are unsure but deep inside you accept your fate. Your great great grandmother was an amazing woman, strong, compassionate and no man's fool. But despite her thoughts she wasn't prepared to serve Jashin and within a month the scars had faded."

She left the Hime think about that statement for a moment before continuing.

"As women we each bear scars, from carrying and bearing our children, from loving and losing those we hold dear. The unspoken fact is we are strong, stronger than any man we are left to pick up the pieces of suffering and right it, we are the ones who care and nourish the children that are raised. But without the support of our fathers, brothers and husbands this would not be possible, we need each other, both see things differently and without these different views no problem would be solved. Jashin acknowledges these differences and we bear these scars to show our strength and His pride in us." She finished pulling back her sleeve to show the Hime the patterned scar on her left wrist, her marriage scar.

"Jashin is harsh but fair and our husbands wear them too, each milestone in our lives is marked with a scar, to show our strength and our worthiness. Not all of us are required to sacrifice others to Jashin, I give him my own blood as does my daughter and many that are gentle at heart, but we are still worthy servants of Jashin. Nisou sacrifices those who are depraved and have committed unspeakable acts to women and children.

Jashin is harsh but fair and as a God he does his best to understand us and we in turn serve him as best we can."

Lady Kagome waited watching the thoughtful eyes of the Hime for a few moments before the Hime addressed her.

"You and my mother used to sit in the solarium; you would sit me on your lap and braid my hair. When I asked you about your marriage scar you told me the same thing."

Approval lit up Lady Kagome's eyes as the Hime spoke before she continued "Now let's discuss the different greetings."

"I already know them from my kunoichi training" Sakura offered hoping to escape and get the dratted board off her back.

Lady Kagome sniffed and raised a perfect eyebrow at the Hime. "But not how a Hime greets some one of equal rank or lower. Do you know how you could greet me, Nisou –sama or your Protector in public?

How would you correctly accept a gift from a visiting noble without unknowingly agreeing to marriage? Can you identify the differences between bows to see if you are being insulted or admired?"

Seeing the Hime at a loss for words Lady Kagome gave a nod at Lana who standing at the doorway had watched the proceedings with a hidden smile came over to aid the demonstrating of bows. Turning back to her pupil while she hid her amusement at the Hime's barely disguised look of horror Lady Kagome informed her "We shall go over how you should be greeted and how you should greet those of different rank within the Castle today, we are not entertaining any guests so we will discuss that at a later date."

After what had seemed like days she had finally escaped. Breathing a sigh of relief Sakura leant against the doorway thanking Jashin for letting her escape from Lady Kagome's rigours lectures on etiquette, her heavy fan and the bloody posture board. Catching her breath she realised she had thanked Jashin instead of Kami, the word coming to her effortlessly without any thought what so ever. Shaking her head she looked around and found herself to be where she thought was the back entrance from the courtyards to the kitchens. Carefully making her way towards the door she silently left herself out and smiled as the sun hit her face and the breeze pulled silvery strands of her hair from her plait.

The sound of footsteps suddenly brought her back to reality; she was not going back to Lady Kagome, not after spending the last six hours with her. Looking around she picked up her skirts and running along the sides of the buildings made her way across the courtyard and around the corner, seeing the training grounds five hundred metres down the slope she quickly opened the nearest door and entered shutting it tightly behind her.

The smell hit her first, then the snickers, turning around she was unable to keep the smile from lightening up her face as she walked further into the stables and looked upon the strong deadly horses of the Guard.

She slowly walked into the centre of the room, the numerous stalls on each side of her filled with horses, beautiful dark chestnuts, blacks, roans and palominos, all strong and fierce looking animals. They pawed the ground their hooves scraping loudly off the stone as their necks craned over the doors to see who dared intrude into their territory.

But the loud snickers, huffing and whinny died down as their nostrils flared and they caught the scent of their intruder. Their hooves stopped scraping the ground and they turned their necks towards the silvery haired girl that stood within their midst.

Amazed by the beautiful animals she walked to the stallscloset to her and holding out her hand smiled in delight as the horse bumped her hand with its nose asking to be rubbed. Happy to oblige she gently but firmly rubbed the chestnuts head, reaching under its neck earning a whicker of delight from the animal. Seeing the horse in the next stall vying for attention she stretched out her other hand and gave it the same treatment, after a few moments she moved on giving each horse a pat or rub as they stretched out their heads to her. She inhaled the smell of hay, horse and horse nuts noting that the stable was extremely well cared for with only the smallest traces of manure in the air, the ground was well brushed and the hay fresh, fresh air came in through high windows above the stall and the horses coats shone with health.

A loud neighing turned her around bringing her attention to the end of the stable, ignoring all the other horses who suddenly quietened down she curiously walked down to the darkened end of the stable her skirts rustling along the large stones of the stables and stray stalks of straw that was scattered upon it. Walking into the shadows her breath caught as her hand came up to her chest in amazement for before her stood the most majestic stallion she had ever seen. He was as dark as coal, not a single hair of white or brown could be seen on him as he tossed his head and mane for her attention, in spots where the light did hit him the most beautiful shade of navy black was given off, he was breath taking.

"You beauty." The breathless gasp was barely audible but the stallion quietened down and watched with a wary eye as she came closer, her hand moving from her chest outstretching towards him, huffing out a warm breath that covered her palm his nostrils flared as he took in her scent. Stamping his hooves with a clatter he banged his body against his stall door and before Sakura could react the stallion had stretched out his neck rubbing his nose against her neck his tickling whiskers eliciting a giggle from the silvery haired girl as her hands came up to stroke his beautiful coat.

She didn't know how long she stood there petting the huge strong animal, she daydreamed away thinking of nothing and everything, happy and alone in the warmth of the stable surrounded by the Guards horses that had vied for her attention time passed quickly without any pressure.

"What the hell, get away from there you stupid girl!"

She had missed the footsteps but she did not miss the painful grip on her arm nor the terrified tone of the man's voice as he pulled her away from the stallion's stall. She stumbled to the ground and was quickly yanked to her feet as the armoured man propelled her a good ten feet away from the stall.

"Whatever about the other horses you don't ever go near that animal girl am I understood!" He was tall dressed in the armour of the Guards with a dark red trimming along the sleeves and neck, his dark hair was shaven close to his scalp, his reddy brown eyes framed by a few lines bored into hers as he gave her a slight shake to emphasize her point.

Her fear and surprise gone, Sakura inwardly raged, she had had enough of being told what to do, she was not some child to berate and threaten, twisting her hands in his grip she took note of his wide eyed stare as his eyes spied the scars on her hands and quickly added in the silver hair. Not waiting for the kunai to drop she head butted him sharply, reversed his grip twisting under and around his body pulling his arm painfully back as she sweep his legs from under him toppling him to the ground.

Cursing as she tried to unknot her skirt from around her legs, she turned red faced as the sound of cat calls and applause rang out, turning around to look at the large stable door she groaned as she saw the group of Guards watching her and laughing at the man on the ground words of "She got you Commander." coming to her ears. Carefully stepping back towards the stallions stall she ignored their cries of 'Get away' as she put the stall door firmly at her back. What was she going to do, she had taijutsu but in her current situation how effective would it be against the deadly Guards of Jashin.

The Guards watched in astonishment as the meanest, surliest, fiercest and most vicious of the Guards horses huffed and gently put his head over the girls shoulder and bared its teeth at them. What the hell was happening and who in Jashin's name was this girl who made the devil's horse act as gentle as a lamb.

"Forgive me Hime, I did not recognise you."

Seeing their Commander on his knees bowing to the girl, they dropped like rocks ignoring the pain in their knees as they greeted their Hime and chorused "Hime."

Sakura watched with one eyebrow raised as the Commander stood and quickly ordered his men to go train effectively leaving the two alone, well not alone as the stallion bumped his head against her shoulder in support. Coming to a stop four feet away from her the Commander bowed once more and apologised again.

"I should have known it was you Hime. Even as a child you had these war horses following you around like puppies."

A loud snort and whicker from the stallion behind her protested the Commander's comment as he chuckled addressing the horse. "Your dam and sire followed her like puppies, and you're acting like she's hiding a carrot."

The shaking of the stallion's head stopped him from nuzzling and sniffing Sakura's neck as he blew a torrent of air and spit at the Commander's face, causing Sakura to break out laughing as the Commander wiped his face muttering "Mature Hades, very mature." As the stallion Hades innocently tossed his head in the air before seeking Sakura's petting hands again.

"I am sorry if I hurt you." He apologized, a sheepish look on his face.

Rubbing Hades neck Sakura smiled "No harm, I'm getting used to it."

Nodding his head in acknowledgement and struggling to change the topic, the Commander looked around before saying. "This was one of your favourite places, it scared the hell out us of the first time you ran in here and one of the horses just bent its knees and allowed you up on its back. Gave us quite a few white hairs."

Smiling at his indulgent smile she joked "Sounds like I was a terror."

"You were a good kid; the only time you really got in trouble was when you broke into the weapons room and knocked over all the weapons. We had been looking for you for three hours and were afraid you'd gone into the poisoner's room." He admitted remembering his fear and worry as he and her Protector had searched high and low for the little pink haired girl.

Looking her over as she murmured an apology and turned to Hades stroking his mane he took in the changes from his Little Hime to this woman. She was tall her head most likely coming to below his ear, her pink hair was gone, replaced by silvery locks some of which shined the lightest pink in the light coming nearly to the end of her spine, her emerald eyes still shone bright and her smile was the same as when she was a child. He could see the scars on her hands and wondered what the Hime, who stories said trained as a Kunoichi would look like dressed in armour her scars, revealed to show her strength, position and capability. If she could floor him she was capable, she just might need some extra training after all her time inside. Speaking of which.

"I am surprised to see you outside without an escort or your Protector. " He questioned nearly rolling his eyes as she shuffled nervously next to Hades, an exact copy from when she was a child.

"Well I . . ."

"Are suppose to be with the Lady Kagome and Nisou-sama." Hidan interrupted her from behind the Commander as he walked in, greeting the Commander by name his pinky purple eyes glared at her as his scythe rested in front of him in his crossed arms. He watched her face whiten then her eyes fill with rage as Commander Kaemon raised questioning brows at the two.

Clenching her jaw she was about to give out and demand to be left alone when he said "Lady Kagome and Nisou are waiting for you in the informal dining room. Something about correct dinner procedures." Nodding at Commander Kaemon he looked at his Little Hime standing next to the black stallion and hearing her groan in annoyance he snapped.

"You are the Hime and Daughter of Jashin, stop acting like a child and do as you're told; we have more important things to be doing that fucking trailing after you."

His words were full of anger and in her defence Hades snapped his teeth at him only for Hidan to growl back at him before turning his back and walking out the doors audibly praying to Jashin for patience until he performed his next sacrifice.

Burying her head in Hade's neck she quietly ranted and swore at her so called Protector. Her eyes widening in disbelief as she turned to look at Commander Kaemon as he said. "Whatever your personal differences you need to try and at least act civil towards to him. I'm sure it won't be easy but you are the Hime and you do need him."

Amazed that for umpteenth time that day she was being spoken to as a child, she gave Hades a final pat promising to visit him again soon and brushing past the Commander left the stables and stalked back towards the Castle her temper boiling as the Commander discreetly escorted - guarded - her back to Lady Kagome and Nisou preventing any more escapes, for that day.

O00o

Dia Duit,

Sorry for any mistakes and I hoped you all enjoyed it, don't think those were the lessons you were expecting but heehee, anyway please review and let me know what you think.

This chapter is dedicated to Kisukebenihime for being a sounding board for ideas and for giving me one of the best presents – Hair Cut an Itachi/Sakura one shot with its lemony goodness.

Wonder does anyone see the inspiration from one of my favourite authors?

Lots of love,

The Rose and the Dagger x x x