The Oblivious Life

- Chapter 9 -

Everyone had gathered in the throne room and Sakura wasn't exactly sure why. Tsunade had come earlier this morning to wake her up by banging the door of her room so hard that for a moment she thought it would brake under the assaulting fist.

Her mentor had soon barged in to the room, for apparently Sakura was too slow, even though she was already standing and ready to open the door. She had rubbed her tired eyes and placed the picture of her parents on the bedside table since she had actually slept with it in her arms, while Tsunade barged past her. The reminder of last night was the red imprints on her hands and cheek. She had clutched the photo so tightly that she felt stupid for a moment.

Tsunade was dressed in her average green jacket like kimono top and trousers with low heeled shoes and her hair was in two pig tails laying on both of her shoulders. The woman could be a real force of nature sometimes and especially so early in the morning. Tsunade had pushed her to sit on the bed before going to her closet and pulling her some 'proper' clothes as she said. Unfortunately her scavenging was a dead end since Sakura had no nice clothes apart from the ones she used on daily bases in the hospital.

The blond woman had cursed loudly before power walking out of the room and leaving a dumbfounded Sakura sitting on the bed and looking at the open door of her room. She had had a doubt that her mentor was about to return soon and approximately after five minutes she returned holding a red piece of fabric in hand. She offered the clothing to Sakura, who had her brow raised in confusion, but Tsunade was to explain everything to her before she could voice her question.

It seemed that everyone was to gather in the throne room as soon as possible for the king had something to announce. That was all Tsunade told her before telling her to look presentable when Shizune came picking her up in thirty minutes or so.

When Tsunade had finally left, Sakura wasn't even sure if everything that had occurred in the past fifteen minutes had even been real. But she quickly walked to her open door that Tsunade hadn't closed after leaving and shut it. Picking up the red dress Sakura almost wanted to lock the piece of clothing in her drawer for it looked way too expensive for her taste.

Why in the world couldn't she wear one of her current ones instead of wearing this? What was wrong with her other clothes?

Her head was already pounding from all the new information she was told yesterday so she didn't want to over think anything and just brushed the questions aside. At that moment all she wanted to do was take a bath. A relaxing bath that would help ease out the headache annoying the life out of her and relax her tense muscles sounded too good to be true.

She had quickly bathed herself and then dressed up in the red dress.

When she had arrived in the throne room along with Shizune she felt awkward. She wasn't used to wearing anything too extravagant and even the dress she had worn to the ball a while ago was nothing as beautiful as the dress she was wearing at the moment. It looked plain and simple but the fabric was silk and it flowed carefully down her body. The top part of the dress was tight around her breasts with small shining diamonds covering every part of it. And from under her breast the dress went straight down to the floor in two layers; one deep red silk and the other was transparent and very thin layer of fabric that gave the dress a delicate look as it was on top of the other.

The most daring detail in the dress was the slit that went up until Sakura's upper thigh. She was glad that she wasn't wearing any high heeled shoes or that she didn't have to run because it would be embarrassing if everyone saw so much of her leg. Only every now and then a small peek of her leg could be seen when she walked.

Sakura felt so out of place wearing the dress when she came to the throne room filled with other people from the clans and some Main House servants. The princes were standing near the throne with the queen and the Uzumaki clan's head members Kushina and her husband Minato accompanied with Tsunade, while the king sat on his throne talking to Kakashi and Nara Shikaku.

Naruto suddenly ran across the room, pushing people aside and to prince Sasuke, his face flushed from all the running. Sasuke merely gave him an annoyed head shake before continuing his conversation with his Itachi.

Everyone was chatting quietly to each other trying their best not to disturb the king, who seemed to be in a very deep conversation with two of his men. Tsunade, after noticing Shizune and her, made her way form across the room to them only to grab a hold of Sakura's arm and pulling her after her to the part of the huge room where the Kushina and the queen were talking.

The queens face instantly brightened up at the sight of Sakura awkwardly being towed after Tsunade and soon she was in a tight embrace of the woman. The situation was a little ridiculous for Sakura wasn't used to such expressions of affection.

Shizune had made her way after them and was now standing next to Tsunade.

The three boys observed with interest when Mikoto pulled Sakura near her holding her hand with both of her's. She was smiling at the young girl sweetly with a tint of light in her eyes as she whispered something to her ear that made the girl blushed.

Naruto nudged his elbow to Sasuke's rips and smiled one of his goofy smiles at the raven haired boy.

"Looks like your mother has a new favorite girl."

Itachi gave amused look to Naruto, "Of course, she's the daughter of Kizashi Haruno, so what did you expect."

Naruto jaw went slack form surprise.

"Wh-wh-w-what?!"

"Quiet down, dope." Sasuke hissed next to him giving him one of his death glares, for few people had turned around to see what had caused the yell.

"What about Karin?" Naruto had lowered his voice distinctively and was hissing in pure confusion while rubbing the back of his head.

"You'll see." the oldest of the brothers grinned before lifting his index finger to his lips in sign for the blond to stop talking. Right after that king Fugaku rose from his throne and took a steps closer to the crowd. Just the king merely standing up caused the entire room to quiet down entirely and turn everyone's attention to him.

"It has come to my attention that we've been deceived." his strong low voice began with a serious tone. "We've been deceived for many years now and we've been taken advantage of. It all started twenty years ago after the celebration for winning the war ended. One of our own was taken away from us brutally and for many years were did our best to find her- the heir of the Haruno clan."

"Until five years ago rumors started to spread and other details came a light - that's when we discovered that there was a girl living in the country side said to be the missing daughter of my dear friend Haruno Kizashi. Up until just recently we have discovered that this person, from five years ago that has lead all of us to believe that she indeed is the one and only kidnapped Haruno Sakura, is not the person she says she is."

A wave of chatter erupted in the crowd and Sakura felt like her hands were sweating. She couldn't believe that the king was actually making a public announcement of regarding her true identity.

"The person now know as Lady Karin, for she preferred to be called by the name used in the farm she was found from, is to be taken for custody for impersonating as someone she's not."

High heeled shoes echoed on the floor as Karin came to stand if front of everyone. Her face was flushed red from anger and disbelief, and her fingers were curled into a fist so tightly that her knuckles were white as a sheet.

"What is this?" her jaw was clenched tight and the muscles in her throat were visible.

The king looked unimpressed, "You're blamed for taking a position that doesn't belong to you."

"This is ridiculous!" she giggled obviously not believing the situation, "I am the daughter of Kizashi and Mebuki Haruno. I am Sakura Haruno." She pointed at her chest.

Sakura felt bad for the girl. She seemed to even herself believe in the idea of being the long lost daughter of the Haruno's.

Suddenly the red headed girl turned to prince Sasuke taking steps closer to him, "Sasuke-kun tell them!" she pleaded, but two guard stepped to stand in front of her, blocking her from reaching the prince.

Shikaku had walked to the king and was whispering something to his ear. The king nodded in agreement and Shikaku lifted his hand to signal someone to come forward. Two nurses came walking to Karin, who looked panicked when they took a hold of her arms and started leading her away. Half way through the room she apparently realized what was going on, for she wasn't taken away by the guards and instead by the nurses.

She started struggling more and more making it difficult for two women to hold on to her as she yelled and did everything in her power to get their hands off of her. She pushed the other woman so hard that she fell on the floor with a loud thud. The two guards that were blocking Karin from reaching the prince took action and soon their hands were holding the girl down.

Karin yelled profanities as she was being dragged from the room. The last thing that was heard from her before the double door closed after the five people was when she yelled that she was Sakura Haruno.

Sakura was biting her lip so hard she hadn't even realized it had started to bleed. Quickly she licked her lips to get rid of the blood from sight that was now making her mouth taste like iron.

"So," the king waited as the crowd went silent, "Now with a hundred per cent certainty we've found the real Haruno heiress. There are now more waterproof evidence instead of plain rumors that this girl is in fact the daughter of Kizashi. From now on I want all of you to welcome her to our kingdom and allow her to take her rightful place as the fiance of my son prince Sasuke."

If the earth could swallow her she would definitely want that now. It was embarrassing to witness someone speak so openly about her life, and especially about her engagement to the next king. She doesn't even know the prince well, so the idea of some day marrying him feel so foreign. Of course, she could tell everyone that she wasn't interested in marrying the prince but would it help?

Her parents had already made an agreement with the king and it was the custom to marry the daughters of rich clans to upper class men through an arranged marriage. It was so foreign to her, and she didn't even know whether or not she was allowed to continue as Tsunade's apprentice. She wanted to become a doctor - a good one even - but if she was denied of her apprenticeship, she wasn't sure what would happen to her.

She was aware that she had some sort of clan abilities involving healing and Tsunade also knew how to do it, so shouldn't she teach her. Because being given under someone else tutelage didn't feel right even as a thought.

"Come dear." the queens soft voice broke through her thoughts and she realized the woman was pushing her forward with a hand on her shoulder. At that moment Sakura got in touch with reality for everyone was looking at her as the king represented her. Her face flushed with red and she lowered her face to the floor only to the queen to whisper in her ear, "Hold your head up high."

Sakura's hands were trembling from the adrenaline after the events in the throne room. Now she was walking next to the queen, heading for her family's graveyard. She felt really fidgety, more so than normal since it wasn't like her to be so insecure. However, she couldn't help it. Starting from yesterday she's got to know things she never imagined and everything seems so unreal.

There was two guards walking few meters away giving the two women some space, for at first Mikoto had insisted that there wouldn't be any guards to accompany them to the graveyard. Unfortunately, the king had become very strict after everything that has happened with Madara that he won't take any risks especially when it concerns his wife and the bride of the next king.

When the three of them had talked about going to see the grave Fugaku had made it clear that either they take at least two guards with them to the small trip or they won't be going at all. For Sakura it was weird how someone can be so protective of her, even though they haven't even known each other for long. Well she was explained by the queen that when she was a toddler the king was infatuated with her.

According to everything she's heard, she was the little princess of everyone close to the Haruno's and the queen had even considered her a daughter. Even Sasuke was almost head over heels for Sakura, when she was a child, for he was always where she was and neither did he like it when unknown people came around her.

Sakura felt uncomfortable while the queen continued rambling about everything that had happened when she was a baby and it didn't take long for the older woman to start dreaming about grandchildren. That make Sakura stop dead in her tracks, as all the color drained from her face.

For a moment the raven haired woman didn't even notice that her companion had stopped for she was so deeply in her own dreams that when she realized that Sakura wasn't walking with her she turned around her head tilted, "What's wrong?"

"Grandchildren?" Sakura asked breathlessly. Her head was spinning at the idea.

"Yes!" she looked like someone who won something, "I want grandchildren!"

"I'm really sorry to say this, but I don't even know your son enough to be even talking about having children."

"Oh, I'm sure you'll get to know him soon. He's so lovable." Mikoto cupped Sakura's cheeks, "He may seem like someone who's ready to rip your head off if you do something wrong, but let me assure you, he's just a big puppy."

"~Okay.."

"Good!" And she started her rambling of having little children roam around the Main House like it was twenty years ago. Soon though their conversation turned into one of Sakura's training.

According to Mikoto she was still able to study medicine under Tsunade's tutelage but she would also need to start learning certain table manners and traditions which will be taught her by the queen herself. At that Sakura's eyes widened in surprise but it seemed that she was really keen on being the one to teach her everything. Sakura also asked about her clan heritage talents.

She was unsure what was going to happen to them and whether she was even allowed to use them. Mikoto quickly calmed her down saying that Tsunade was going to take care of that, too and she didn't have to worry about it.

Sakura felt relieved to hear that, however nervous since she never knew she had such powers in her. As their conversation progressed Mikoto enlightened Sakura on of the other clan's bloodlines.

Soon enough they reached the tombs and their light chatting turned into silence as Sakura took in the sight of her biological parents' graves.

Tsunade had dismissed any teaching for few days. Sakura's mentor was well aware of everything that she has learned the past two days and figured a small break would do her only good and give her some time to think everything through.

However now all Sakura wanted was to do something distracting. Her head was hurting after everything and it was still around three in the evening so going to sleep was out of the question. Sakura participated in the lunch with the Royal Family, in which she had to sit next to her fiance as it was the proper thing to do. To put it bluntly, it felt awkward at least for her.

Sasuke didn't seem bothered with the fact and concentrated on eating his food whereas Sakura could only eat few bites of the delicious looking dish. She felt bad for not eating what was offered to her, but she just could eat anything. Her stomach was full of rocks and there was no signs of her appetite coming back any time soon.

The loud sound of metal striking against metal made Sakura jump out of her skin. She hadn't even realize how deep in thought she was for the small rock she was holding had cut her finger when the sound of swords had suddenly broke through her consciousness. She smiled to herself for being so silly. Of course, there was going to be sounds of sighting because she was sitting near the training grounds on stairs.

She sucked the blood off of the small wound and waited for the blood flow to stop. The wound thudded and thoughts of healing it filled her mind. She could probably do it because she had even healed the prince's eye in the garden. She concentrated on the wound, her brows knitting together, but nothing happened. Pursing her lips she gave up, deciding to wait until she was trained to do it.

The sound of blades clashing together continued and if Sakura craned her neck a little she could see six men combating two against two and now one of the three pairs had taken swords out. Her heart was racing in her chest as she gazed at the men fighting, but a lit tap on her shoulder made her jump again and this time yelp out loud.

Her head whipped around to see Sasuke standing behind her on one of the stairs. He looked amused as Sakura tried to gain back her composure.

"Do you know how to ride a horse?" he asked.

"Um... no, my lord."

"Come," he offered his hand for her to stand up. She carefully gave her hand and the prince pulled her to her feet, dragging her after her.

"Where are we going?"

"Ride horses."

"I have absolutely no experience in riding, and neither are my clothes appropriate for it." Sasuke stopped at her words, turning around to look at the red dress that Tsunade had brought her.

His eyes probed her figure and Sakura felt heat starting to redden her face.

For him the clothes didn't seem to be a problem because a second later he was pulling her after him. Luckily for her instead of going straight away to the stalls Sasuke took her to another part of the Main House. A part of it where she has yet to visit. In no time he directed her into a room that was occupied by three women dressed in maids outfit.

"Get her suitable clothes for riding." he commanded his voice calm and demanding.

All three women bowed at Sasuke before he made his way outside the room leaving Sakura to be clothed by them. In about five minutes she was dressed in a white kimono like top that Tsunade wears except hers was tied around the middle and she was given pants and knee high boots. Sasuke didn't waste another minute when she stepped out of the room, and began leading her to the stalls.

When they arrived two horses were already ready to go making Sakura think that the prince had planned for this, but she brushed the thought away and allowed the dark haired man direct her to her horse. Stable boy was holding the reigns of two horses his head lowered as he patiently waited. Sakura was supposed to ride a dark brown horse that was taller than her. She swallowed hard and turned to look at Sasuke, "I really think this isn't a good idea."

The prince didn't say anything and just grabbed her waist to pull her to stand directly next to the saddle.

"I'm going to be advising you constantly so don't worry." his breath tickled her air making her blush. She couldn't believe he was this close to her and holding her around her waist. Her hands were trembling and she was sure that he could feel her body reacting to his closeness.

"Grab the saddle from the end and the front, and lift your leg here." he tapped stirrup and she obediently did as she was told. Sasuke didn't let go of her waist, and continued to say, "Push and pull yourself up."

She hoisted her other leg over the horse all the while Sasuke still kept his hands in place.

"You steady?" he asked lifting his brow.

"Yup." she replied holding tightly on the front of the leather saddle. She didn't want to fall because her luck would definitely lead in her braking something and that was the last thing she wanted to do, not to mention being around Sasuke was really uncomfortable. Before when she had just been one of the servants learning the ropes of medicine it wasn't as bad, for she had to obey him because he was the prince. But now that in a way they were equals and she was supposed to marry him, everything was so different.

"Take these." he offered the reigns to her and she reluctantly let go of the saddle as he quickly walked to his own horse and with swiftness that Sakura can only dream of her hoisted himself on the saddle. The stable boy had already left leaving the two of them alone.

Sasuke reigned his horse closer to hers so that he could adjust her hands on the reigns. It felt odd to be in control of such a big animal, but after a moment of telling her how to get the horse to move on Sakura got the hang of it and they began riding towards the woods.

They had been riding for quite a while since the sun had started to set creating beautiful red and orange colors to the sky. Sakura admired the scenery folding in the sky in awe. It looked so beautiful if you didn't think of the way how her butt was hurting from all the riding they had done.

Sasuke was a good teacher, even if he didn't say anything that wasn't useful. He patiently told her what to do and for a moment they trotted along the paths in the forest.

They had passed a few farm houses along the way and Sasuke had pointed them out telling that they were former houses of the some of the clans that were abandoned now.

Sakura wasn't sure what had encouraged him to take her for a horse ride and neither she wanted to ask since she didn't want to seem too curious of anything. She had heard from the maids that the princes got bored with loud and talkative girls really easily so she tried keeping her mouth shut most of the time unless he asked her something.

But what got her off guard was when he addressed her silence.

"You aren't talkative today?"

"Well, I'm not sure if that's proper."

"Proper?" he looked amused.

"I've heard that you prefer women not blabbering your ears off."

"That depends on the person in question."

"I'm only telling what the maids are saying."

Something flashed in his eyes at her words.

"I'm a very private person so I can assure you, you shouldn't listen to what the maids are talking about me."

Before Sakura could reply a loud yell pierced the calmness of the forest causing both Sasuke and Sakura to halt their horses. Sakura looked over at Sasuke, who raised his hand to signal for her to stay put as he went to look what was happening. Luckily he didn't venture far on twenty meters ahead so that she could easily see him.

She had a bad feeling her gut when Sasuke stopped at the edge of the forest that ended on a small cliff and he observed the scene in front of him for a while. Soon he was galloping with his horse next to Sakura.

"We need to go." his voice was urgent so Sakura turned her horse back the way they had come, and did what Sasuke had taught her to do to get the horse to trot. After a few minutes of trotting Sasuke asked her, "Do you feel ready to gallop?"

"Eh?! No!"

"We really need to get back to the Main House as soon as possible."

"What happened there?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but I have an idea." It was obvious that he wasn't going to tell her the full story so Sakura left it at that, but soon Sasuke pulled his reigns and stopped the horse causing Sakura to mimic him.

"What is it?"

"Get down of the horse." the way Sasuke was looking over his shoulder like he was checking that they weren't followed made Sakura feel nauseated. She didn't know what was going on but she doubted it was something good and disobeying him felt a really bad idea.

She quickly got down almost falling on the ground if not for her hold of the saddle since her legs were stiff from riding so much. Then Sasuke was right next to her helping her on his horse to sit in front of him.

"What about her?" Sakura turned slightly to look into Sasuke's worried looking face.

"She'll follow."

Sakura had to grab the saddle for Sasuke made the stallion go straight from standing to galloping, and she felt like her stomach had stayed where they left off. It took her a minute or so to get used to the fast pace of the horse and Sasuke's arms around her, caging her to place. She was so sure she wasn't going to fall so she risked a look behind and indeed the other horse was following them.

"How does she even know how to follow?" Sakura asked over the howling wind.

"They're mates." he smirked down at her, "Wherever he goes, she goes."

When they finally reached back to the stables and Sasuke helped Sakura down from the horse, she felt like she didn't have any legs. Walking felt weird as ever and she was sure she looked like a person with wooden legs.

The same stable boy was quick to come and retrieve the horses, and the prince didn't pay him any attention for he had already placed his hand on the small of Sakura's back and was leading her back to the Main House. She still didn't have any idea what was going on but the tense posture of Sasuke's shoulders told her that something was terribly wrong.

She didn't have the guts to demand an answer from him so she allowed him to take her to wherever he was taking her. They had already passed the hallway meant to take one to the maids' quarters but he casually passed by it. Sakura rubbed her arm while biting her lip.

They turned a few corners before they reached the sleeping quarters of the Royal Family. Sakura recognized Tsunade's room's door for she has had to come and get her mentor to the hospital a couple of times. Sasuke stopped next to a door and went to stand in front of her.

"My parents insisted on your room to be transferred here. They wanted you to have much more comfortable place to stay."

Well that was definitely something she had expected.

"But my room-"

"Is this one." he cut her mid-sentence but there was nothing rude about it.

"O-okay."

...

"You should get cleaned up, a maid will come and get you for dinner soon." he said after a moment of silence, but something in the way he looked at her said to her that he wasn't done so she waited patiently as Sasuke seemed to have a small inner debate.

Then he locked once again eyes with her taking a step close causing Sakura to back away against the door, "I really enjoyed today." he said his voice low and eyes sincere, but before he left his knuckles brushed her cheek gently making Sakura's breath hitch in her throat and heart beat pick up speed. Then he was gone walking away from her the way they had come, leaving a blushing Sakura alone in the huge hallway.

This was a filler as you can see and I really needed to get the SasuSaku going. I hope you enjoyed it, because I tried keeping it subtle for we can't have them jumping at each other too soon. I'm not sure whether there will be a lemon in this story, I haven't decided yet so we'll see.

Thanks for reviewers:

suvi

lola1919100

kattylin

Chachiha

And I just realized I haven't updates this in months! I'm really sorry! :) I've been so caught up with school work... But I promise the next one will come out much sooner. So please review.

- Jakura