Secrets of Avalon

Authors' Note: Thanks for the reviews. We hope that you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 25

Neji blinks bemusedly as he watches the brothers interact. The two of them certainly brought new energy to this place. And seeing as the two were extremely independent, there was scarcely ever a servant to be found around either of them save for at dinner time. It was a little foreign to Neji, but not an unwelcome change. He found it much easier to breathe without servants hovering.

What was a surprise, however, was that Sasuke could breathe at all, considering what was to happen today. Then again, perhaps facing the court was something that Sasuke did not find daunting. The first time, as the opposition, he hadn't balked at all. This time however, he would be before them as the betrothed of their princess.

Sasuke, however was less than amused, and that's what amused Neji. "Itachi, today is kind of important, so could you NOT give my forehead another bruise?" He was rubbing his forehead again, eye twitching irritably.

Itachi smirks at Sasuke. "You had that coming." He nods sagely as if his actions were justified. "But don't worry, I'll try not to bruise you too much. It's the princess's job to smack you around now."

Neji couldn't imagine his sweet little cousin smacking anyone around. Then again, she'd done several other things that he'd never expected her to do, so there was really no telling what she was capable of. "As long as this 'smacking' doesn't occur in the throne room, I doubt that anyone will truly mind it."

Sasuke's venomous glare turns on Neji, though looking more like a wet cat than an angry snake. "Oh, not you too! There's not going to be any smacking!" Well, he hoped. Not that he wouldn't deserve it, but still, Hinata wasn't going to smack him like his father did, or poke him like Itachi. This was Hinata!

"I don't know, you've given that woman more than enough reason." Itachi wasn't sure what he would have done, if he was in Hinata's position. "You deserve it." Though he knew that he would have punished Sasuke for his attempted martyrdom most severely. "And don't bother to deny it. Though, yes, I suppose they will need a new location besides the throne room."

Sasuke bristles like the angry cat he looked like. "You're never going to let that go, are you?" Honestly, with the way his brother was acting, you'd think that his head was still in danger of being struck off at any moment.

"You almost getting yourself killed and using my own words against me to do it?" The High Prince pretends to be thinking over the matter very seriously. "No. I don't believe so." He nods his head as he considers poking Sasuke's forehead. Again.

Sasuke groans. If Itachi was going to keep holding it over his head, then there was no way his parents were going to just let it slide. They could be WORSE than Itachi, if that was possible. "And how long should I expect to be confined to my room for when we go home?" He knew that he would have to go home with them, and then would come the punishment born of his parents' worry and paranoia.

He pauses as if mulling the matter over. "If you're lucky, you won't be grounded on your 'Honeymoon' in about thirty years." He nods as if this was all perfectly natural.

Sasuke rolls his eyes, shaking his head. "I meant realistically. What are they going to do to me?" Neji would also agree that confining someone to their chambers for three decades would be uncomfortable, if not downright problematic. Especially for someone as restless as the young prince.

"Gods and goddesses only know, Sasuke." Itachi shakes his head in amusement. "After what you put us through, you'll be lucky if a long 'grounding' is all they do."

"Wonderful…" Alright, it was decided, Sasuke would much rather face Hiashi's court than the private wrath of his own parents. And his brother was most certainly NOT going to take his side…in fact, he doubted anyone would.

Still, he looks down at himself, inspecting his black clothes. "Well, they're probably going to glare at me for wearing this."

Neji nods. "Most likely." Though he found it to be quite a flattering color on the brothers. Perhaps he could add some to his own wardrobe.

Itachi nods. "Oh well. They're going to glare no matter what color you wear." He had publicly announced his very physical love for the princess. "Best get it over with."

"I agree." After all, Neji could only see it getting worse if they put it off. "And do try not to scandalize the court again. We may very well see one of the ladies faint from shock if we were to learn any more about your…love for my cousin."

"Right, right, whatever." Sasuke was sure that he could scandalize them pretty good if he wanted to. "Maybe if the two of you got some action, you'd be less annoying."

Itachi swats Sasuke upside the head. "It's a good thing that I am High Prince." He shakes his head. "You need to conduct yourself with more dignity."

Neji tilts his head, understanding that something mildly offensive or irritating was just said. "Pray tell, what does he mean by 'action'?"

"My deviant brother believes we should each seek out the comfort that a beautiful woman in our beds could provide." Itachi groans and shakes his head. "Forgive him, your cousin has completely bewitched him. I think that's all he thinks about these days."

"I…see…" Well, that made Neji rather uncomfortable. He was a young man who was only a few years of age, after all, it was not as though he had never thought of such things. "I…often find myself too busy to pursue such a…goal." He just hadn't seriously considered having a lover. Not that he would be unable to find one, it's just that there were none who caught his eye, none who made his heart stir.

Sasuke shakes his head at the two. Honestly, elves matured so slowly. He'd been having his interests piqued since he was about thirteen…maybe fourteen. So it's not like they just evaporated. "I still think that you should be off chasing Kurenai. She's pretty and mature, and can probably handle your crazy ass." He shoots a pointed look at his brother, stepping back to make sure he was out of Itachi's reach.

"My crazy hindquarters?" Itachi gives Sasuke a dirty look. "Who was the one who almost got themselves killed?" He was not crazy. "Though you are correct in that she is beautiful and certainly a grown elf." Who probably wouldn't even consider him because he was from Thiral and likely decades younger than her.

Sasuke nods. "Exactly, she is. And as for someone who almost got themselves killed, who was it who jumped right into the middle of an execution in potentially hostile territory, surrounded by dozens of guards, warriors, and mages?" Yeah, if Itachi wanted to play that game, Sasuke could play it too.

"That was only because I was trying to protect you!" Though Itachi's cheeks did burn a bright pink with embarrassment. "And you know it."

"Yes, but it was still stupid. For all you knew, you could have been killed as soon as you got there." Sasuke was not going to just let Itachi keep holding this over his head when Itachi was just as reckless.

Neji had to admit that Sasuke had a point. Itachi had risked being killed on the spot for what he had done, not that he didn't agree with the action. "Is this recklessness a common trait to the Uchiha?" If it was, it was a wonder they had survived so long. Perhaps luck and skill made up for their courageous recklessness and complete disregard or their personal safety.

Itachi shakes his head and tries to swat Sasuke again. "Normally, no. It's just Sasuke decided to be impulsive, so we had to save him." Itachi nods his head as if to confirm this.

"I see." Neji smiles at the two. "In any case, it has served you well. Without Sasuke's impulsiveness and your recklessness, our kingdoms would have never come to a peaceful settlement." At least, not for many years, as Neji saw it. And perhaps not ever.

"True enough, but I do hope the princess smacks him around for his reckless behavior." Itachi nods somberly.

"Yes…perhaps she will." Neji almost laughs at a rather aghast looking Sasuke. "I suppose that I should teach her magic to such an effect." It could be mildly entertaining.

Sasuke throws his hands up and stalks towards the door. "You two are impossible!" He'd had just about enough of them, he would rather face the court at this point! Damn Itachi and Neji!

"You're the impossible one." Itachi shakes his head. "Off you go to face the music. Shoo! Shoo!" He had a 'hot teacher' to find.

Sticking out his tongue at his brother, Sasuke disappears around the corner. After all, the official engagement would be announced soon, and he had to discuss some plans with Hinata. While Itachi…well, he was hoping that his brother would face some music of his own, more pleasant music.

Sasuke was never going to give him a moment's peace until he approached Kurenai. "Now, where would she be?" So it was best just to handle his rejection quickly and with dignity. That would shut his foolish little brother up.

"Maybe, the library." She seemed like a scholarly elf. "Yes, that's probably it." With that in mind, he stumbles around until he finds the grand library of Hiashi's Palace and what a library it was. It could easily rival their own. (Not an easy feat).

Kurenai, as the princess' teacher, had been granted full access to the library, save for the restricted section. Not that there was anything in there to catch her interest anyway. No, she much preferred the books on transformative magic. It was a subtler, but far more beautiful art, in her opinion, and was an excellent use of her musical talents.

His guess had been right. "Lady Kurenai?" Now, that he had found her though, well Itachi was a bit at a loss for how he was going to go about this. "Do you have a few moments to speak with me?"

She looks up from her book bemusedly. "Your Highness?" She closes up the book on her lap, her attention no longer on its contents. "Of course."

"You don't need to address me so formally." He pauses as he walks over to her. "At least not when we're alone. We wouldn't want to cause another scene inside these palace walls. My brother and the princess can handle that well enough on their own." He smiles at her.

Kurenai chuckles sweetly. "Yes, they're quite good at getting into trouble, aren't they?" She pats the spot next to her on the cushioned bench meant for casual reading. "Are you here, hoping for another music lesson?"

"That's putting it rather mildly." Hinata and Sasuke were truly one of a kind. They might be even more frenzied than his mother and father. "In a manner of speaking, I suppose one could call it that." Which was certainly saying something because those two still carried on as if they were Kurenai's age! "Though I was hoping for lessons of a more...personal nature."

Lessons of a more personal nature? Kurenai had answered many an odd question before, but the prince looked downright uncomfortable. Or perhaps…nervous might be a better way to put it? Nevertheless, Kurenai decides to handle this as she would any nervous student. "Then I will do what I can to help." She pats his shoulder softly, smiling to match.

Well that wasn't exactly what he was going for, but it wasn't a rejection either. "I fear that I might not be making myself clear." Maybe, he had been too subtle? "I know that there are at least a dozen rational reasons why what I'm about to do is extremely foolish, but I suppose that's merely Sasuke's influence on me." He was most likely about to get slapped.

Sasuke's influence? Kurenai frowns slightly at the mention of the younger prince. It likely meant that this 'foolishness' Itachi referred to was either embarrassing, inadvisable, or both, and that Sasuke's taunts had goaded his brother into it. But…the prince had said that it was of a more personal nature, so…perhaps…? "I'm sure that whatever it is, I will forgive its foolishness."

"Good. I'm glad." Itachi smiles as he caresses her cheek. "And you are of course free to slap me as would be the expected response from a lady such as yourself." And with that, he kisses her.

Now THAT, Kurenai could definitely forgive. No, forget forgiving, there was nothing that needed such an act. Well, except perhaps her as she returned the prince's kiss after only a brief second of hesitation. And here, she had thought that her age would be a factor against her. It seemed that it wasn't, or at least, it wasn't enough to deter the young man so determinedly kissing her.

Itachi was shocked when she didn't slap him, but he was soon stunned in his own right. She was kissing him back. Well, he wasn't going to argue with miracles when they did happen. So he cups the back of her head and deepens the kiss. She had such soft lips. They were great for kissing.

Kurenai felt like a young woman barely of age, sneaking around, staring at the young men training or studying. She did appreciate both, after all. Itachi's kiss, though…it was gentle, yet passionate, and utterly mesmerizing. Naughty, yet not nearly so forbidden as her student's little romantic adventures. It was…warm.

"I'd say that was a very fine first lesson." He breaks the kiss and smiles. "And I'm very grateful to have such a patient teacher who has yet to slap me for my presumptuousness."

Kurenai chuckles and leans her forehead against his. "I make a habit of not striking my students. Particularly not…special ones." Though she was sorely tempted to offer another 'lesson' right about now. Or perhaps ask for one herself, because the prince could kiss like a master. "It's difficult to believe that you're so young. Were it not for your recklessness, I would easily believe that you were decades older."

He smiles and leans his forehead back against hers. "Well I am glad to hear it." Itachi figures the last part was meant as a compliment. "I've been told that before. Probably because of my position."

"Responsibility does have a way of forcing one to grow wise well beyond their years." Kurenai looks into the dark eyes, feeling his warmth through their skin. "I did, however expect that you would prefer taking such…lessons with someone your own age."

"Age doesn't matter to me much." He smiles at her, figuring that would be the root cause of any rejection she might try to issue. "Well within reason. It probably wouldn't be very practical to marry a nine hundred year old elf, but we're likely only a few decades apart." Negligible in the grand scheme of things. "Proportionally, it's not that much."

Now that was rather amusing, the idea of such a young elf pursuing someone so old. Kurenai shakes her head. "I see. Good. I did…worry that my age would prove…an obstacle." It was a relief, but also…opened a potentially daunting door. But she was no child, if she got herself into something, it meant that she was capable of handling it. "I was, after all born one hundred and sixteen years ago."

"I don't mind, it's less than a century gap." Itachi smiles at her reassuringly. "Besides, women tend to live longer than men, so it might actually balance out rather nicely."

"Yes…perhaps so." Kurenai would still approach this with some degree of caution. After all, the men was a royal, and one had to tread carefully around them. At least, such was the case in Aladel. "At least it doesn't disqualify me from catching your eye."

"A man would have to be blind to disqualify someone such as yourself on the grounds of looks." He smiles at her.

Or on the grounds of an age gap, apparently. But Kurenai would stop looking this gift horse in the mouth. "Thank you. My appearance is…not one that is popular here." Her black hair was rare enough, but her red eyes were often enough to put all but the children off.

He sighs and shakes his head. "I'm afraid that's my family's fault." They were the ones who put those colors in their crest. "Such a foolish kingdom to hold those things against an innocent elf, though."

Kurenai smiles, touching Itachi's cheek. Her mother liked touching, far more than most were comfortable with. "It is no one's fault, I simply am what I am. My mother came from the wild tribes of Olecia. There, dark hair and red eyes are commonplace. I am simply…very exotic in a place such as Aladel. And many of the more traditional noble houses do not look fondly on such differences."

"It would do them well to embrace such differences." Itachi shakes his head in amusement. "Less they become more inbred than they already probably are." He knew that last part was a not so subtle dig and probably beneath him, but they were alone. So perhaps, it didn't matter.

Shooting him a chiding look, Kurenai resists the urge to swat the prince over the head for such a remark. "Saying such things are inappropriate…no matter how true or false they might be."

His eyes dance with undisguised mirth, but he manages to keep a straight face. "Of course. Completely inappropriate." He feigns contrition. "Though you admit that there may be some truth to such an observation."

"I admit to nothing." Kurenai crosses her arms, staring back at him with equal intensity. "It is a wonder that you refer you Sasuke as the foolish one."

"Well as I said, he might be unduly influencing my behavior." Itachi smiles and pulls her closer. He knew that he was likely going to get slapped soon, but he did like the fire in her eyes. "Perhaps, it is a good thing that we stumbled upon each other. You can rein in my most inappropriate behavior before it causes too much trouble."

"Yes…it seems that you Uchiha need reining in from time to time." Honestly, what was she going to do with him? His initial advance had been a little impulsive, but now he was truly emulating his little brother. "And here I thought you didn't want to cause a scandal in the palace."

"I don't." He smiles at her flirtatiously. "Well at least not one that anyone is going to find out about." Itachi caresses her cheek. Such soft skin. Like silk really. "Well if the men of this city are truly that foolish, I suppose their ignorance is my gain."

Kurenai rolls her eyes, the prince was laying it on thick enough to cover the entire city. "You are an outrageous flirt." And it was a good thing that she took more after her mother than her father. This time, she is the one to close the distance and kiss him, the book falling from her lap as he twists in his arms.

Itachi smiles and kisses her back. "Only for you." The half-hearted attempts that he had made with some of the female elves of Thiral had just been 'Puppy Love'. Well at least that's what Sasuke would have called it. "Do you like outrageous or should I pursue you in a more refined manner, My Lady?" Nothing serious. A pretty face or a bright mind that would catch his attention from time to time. All just a normal part of coming of age. Nothing like the attraction he felt to Kurenai.

He truly wished to pursue her? Kurenai's own attempts at finding love had been…unsuccessful for various reasons, though there were a few of the wilds elves who visited the city that she had rather liked. They were equal parts entertaining and endearing, but none had attempted to 'pursue' her. "In whatever manner you see fit." After all, she preferred it when others were genuine, rather than sporting the masks so often worn by the nobility.

"Alright then." Itachi kisses her forehead and smiles. "We should probably hurry. They're likely announcing the engagement now." This was going to be quite the day to remember.

Yeah, Sasuke definitely felt more comfortable facing down a court, rather than sitting in front of one with Hinata next to him. On the other hand, Hinata was next to him, and that made everything better. "Exactly how big is your dad's court?" There seemed to be even more people here now than when he barged in the first time.

"It's rather large." Hinata sighs as she shakes her head. "This may take awhile." Hours at least.

"Please tell me that most of them are at least HERE." Sasuke wasn't sure that he could sit still for the rest of the afternoon if they didn't hurry things up.

"Yes, I think the entire court turned out for this occasion. " She smiles.

A whole room full of nosy elves, some of them a little too sharp of hearing? Yeah, not something that Sasuke felt like dealing with. So he slips entirely into his native Japanese as he eyes the room suspiciously. "How surprised do you think they're going to be when they find out that I've gone from being about to be executed to your fiancee?"

"Considering they all know that we're lovers now, not very." Hinata was also using Japanese. "Though be careful about using our native tongue. They'll likely inquire about it, if they overhear it too much." Nosy nobles were the absolute bane of her existence!

"Well, better that they inquire about that than about other things." Sasuke's eyes flick around the room. "This place is nothing like the court at home. It all feels so…stiff."

She shakes her head. "I've never been to Thiral, so I wouldn't know." She kisses his cheek. "Don't worry. It'll be over soon."

That sure got the nobles muttering among themselves, and Sasuke caught more than a few dirty looks pointed his way. Probably nobles who had been hoping the get a leg up on the others by securing a betrothal to the princess for one of their own sons. "I can't wait…I almost prefer the loud court sessions at home." He kisses her on the forehead, smiling and ignoring the nobles. "Maybe you'll come for a visit soon."

"I'd like that." His home did sound beautiful. "And I suppose it's somewhat expected that I would." She was his fiancee, after all. "Just grin and bare it for now and I'll reward you later for your patience." Her eyes sparkle with mischief at that last part.

"Well, that does sound fun." Sasuke smirks at the thought. "Remind me to show you my room when you come to visit." Then, he spots Itachi arriving out of the corner of his eye. Accompanied by…Kurenai? "The hell?"

Hinata smiles at them and at Sasuke. "Yes, it will be lots of fun." She suggestively runs her hand on top of his and then looks at the other two elves. "I might have encouraged Kurenai with Itachi a bit."

"Seriously?" Sasuke blinks. "I did the same thing with Itachi." Well, more like he teased the crap out of Itachi until his brother started getting very defensive, but still. Whatever worked.

"Well gently." Hinata shrugs as she continues conversing with him in Japanese. "She tried to deny it of course, but one can just tell."

"Yeah, Itachi is way more transparent than he thinks he is." Sasuke grins at the couple walking in. Because obviously they were a couple, they were too close not to be. "That idiot, calling me foolish…" He shakes his head at the sight. "Well, maybe now he'll get off my case." And give Sasuke plenty of ammunition to tease him with later.

She smiles at him. "Let them have their fun." Hinata kisses his cheek again. "He's just teasing you out of love."

"I know, so I'll tease him back." Sasuke grins mischievously. "Out of love." Give his big brother a taste of his own medicine for once. Sasuke was tired of Itachi having the upper hand.

"You're impossible sometimes." She smiles as she silently greets some of the nobles. "Now, play nicely with them." Hinata nods seriously. This was an important day, after all.

"Fine, fine…" Sasuke's gaze turns from his brother to the king currently sitting on his throne. "He's going to make a big spectacle of this as well, isn't he?"

Hinata giggles. "Well you know how kings are." Of course, he was going to make a spectacle of this!

No, not all kings were like that. His father sure as hell wasn't. If they were in Thiral, rather than making a spectacle of things, Fugaku likely would have just thrown a feast and let the people party to their hearts' content. "Wonderful…" Sasuke shakes his head as he leans beck, wrapping an arm around Hinata's waist as the last few noble guests filter in, and the king's presence calls for attention.

Royals, nobles, and the happy couple weren't all that were in the throne room. In an unnoticed corner, high above the gathering crowd was Sai, concealed invisibly close to the ceiling. His eyes roam over the room as he observes the proceedings, noting the closeness with which Thiral's royal family positioned themselves, and the cool distance of Aladel's royals. Interesting. That would make the princess likely easier to assassinate than the prince who was constantly being watched.

Hinata shivers, but she didn't know why. The Hyuga Princess felt like someone was watching her. "I'm being ridiculous." The words barely qualified as a whisper. Of course, someone was watching her. Lots of people were watching her and Sasuke. It wasn't every day that a princess of Aladel was seated so closely to a prince of Thiral. Though why did she feel so uneasy when she hadn't a moment before? Nevermind. There were probably more than a few elves who were unhappy with her. Unhappy that she had chosen to take a Thiral Elf to her bed and a prince at that! Someone was probably just glaring at her for that reason.

Sasuke notices Hinata's shiver. "Is something wrong?" Something felt…off, he could feel a chill up his spine, not that anyone would know it. It was just…a sense of danger. Then again, he'd been in danger ever since he set foot into the palace, so it was hardly a new sensation.

"I don't think so." She shakes her head. Hinata was just being ridiculous. "It's just a little intimidating, I guess." To be the center of attention like this and to know the reason why. Her lover. He was the reason why. "Don't worry."

"Alright." But Sasuke wasn't too sure about that. Then again, maybe Hinata did just have the jitters. Even if he wasn't used to Aladel, Sasuke had more experience with court life in general. It was only natural that Hinata would be more nervous than he was.

Still…something really did feel off, and he wasn't entirely certain that it was something he should ignore. So, he does the prudent thing and glances over towards Itachi, smiling cheerfully. Too cheerfully. Not that anyone else would know that.

Itachi's cheeks immediately turn a light shade of pink. The High Prince decides the smartest thing to do was to avoid his brother's smug gaze. So that's exactly what he did. Suddenly, his wine was utterly fascinating to him.

Clicking his tongue in frustration, Sasuke glares at Itachi. The idiot chose NOW to feel embarrassed? Perfect timing, absolutely perfect. He must have learned from Suigetsu how to be utterly unhelpful when Sasuke needed him.

So, Sasuke's fingers twitch, sending an invisible static charge aimed directly at his brother's reddened ear.

"OWE!" Itachi rubs his ear furiously as he glares at Sasuke. "Prick." The word left his mouth before he realized it, luckily no one seemed to hear him. Well except for Sasuke.

Okay, Plan C it was. Sasuke could remember how it felt to have Adrian speaking into his mind, and it seemed like his mother could do the same thing. Maybe…if he put his mind to it… *Itachi?*

Itachi almost jumps out of his skin. *Sasuke?! What the Hell?!* When had his foolish little brother learned telepathy?!

*Finally…* Sasuke sighs quietly, rolling his eyes in annoyance. *Talk about a bad time to turn into a blushing virgin, Itachi. And you call me foolish.*

*I hope that your princess smacks you.* Honestly, his foolish little brother had no respect for his elders! *Rapidly and as hard as possible.* Preferably with their mother's lasso.

The reprimand made Sasuke's head hurt for a moment. *Would you just shut up and listen? I've been trying to get your attention! There's something…wrong in here. Can't you feel it? It's like…someone's watching us.*

*Foolish little brother, everyone is watching you.* He looks around though. It sounded like Sasuke was actually concerned. *Though now that you mention it, there does seem to be slightly more ominous intentions in this room than are strictly necessary.*

*Exactly…* Sasuke's eyes slowly glance around the room with disinterest, while in reality, he was taking in everything. *It might just be my imagination, or some stupid noble, but keep your guard up anyway. I'm sure there's not too many people here that like us all that much.*

Itachi raises an eyebrow. *Perhaps that has something to do with the fact you deflowered their princess in the throne room.* Just a hunch really.

*Maybe…* Sasuke shakes his head, pulling his mind away from Itachi and focusing on Hiashi, who had now stood to speak.

"Welcome everyone." Hiashi's voice booms through the Grand Hall. "I'm pleased that you could be here on this most joyous day." He was lying through his teeth, but the elf knew it was necessary. "On this day, we celebrate the formal engagement of my daughter, Princess Hinata Hyuga, to Prince Sasuke Uchiha of Thiral."

He forces himself to smile. "Their love has stopped a needless execution and washed away much of the bad blood that has existed between our kingdoms for centuries." Which was true, but that didn't mean he was happy about his daughter getting engaged before she was even twenty summers! "So let us celebrate with this fine feast!"

Sasuke personally thought that the king sounded like he was pulling teeth while giving that short speech. Luckily, he wagered that most of the nobles were distracted either by the servants bringing in food, or the sight of him and Hinata snuggled together close to the throne to notice that their king looked like he wanted to throw something. Probably at Sasuke's head.

Sasuke was somewhat right. Hiashi was thinking about throwing something at the young prince, but at a much lower target than his head. "TO PRINCESS HINATA AND PRINCE SASUKE!" Itachi smiles, doing his part and of course, everyone follows his lead, much to Hiashi's relief and annoyance.

Sasuke smirks slightly at the sight of the nobles, some ambivalently, and some rather reluctantly toasting the two of them. He raises his own glass to his lips, sipping at the wine within. It was…nice, not very strong, though. And it was a wonder that the two of them were allowed to drink at their age. Though Itachi had said something a long time ago regarding elves and their ability to withstand the effects of alcohol. Sasuke just translated that to having a fast metabolism. He chuckles softly, leaning towards Hinata's ear. "Looks like they serve the soft stuff here. Back in Sindaron, we have this world's equivalent to vodka, it's made of elderberries and infused with magic."

She shakes her head in amusement and whispers back to him. "Is that you're way of saying you wish to get me intoxicated so you can take advantage of me?" Hinata giggles quietly.

"I'm just saying that I doubt I could get drunk here, no matter how much wine I had." Seriously, it was like water compared to some of the things he drank with Suigetsu.

"You seem to get drunk off my kiss well enough." Hinata laughs softly at the thought as she kisses his forehead. "But duly noted."

Sasuke chuckles. "Well, that's because it's a lot stronger than alcohol." He picks at the food on his plate, popping a piece of mint-glazed pork in his mouth. "But I think it would be interesting to see you get drunk on what basically magic elderberry vodka."

She shakes her head in amusement. "Oh I'm sure that you would be most interested in that." Hinata laughs quietly at the thought.

"Yes, I'd have to say that I would." Sasuke wraps an arm around her as he eats, acting relaxed but in reality, still quite tense. There was malicious intent, and it was way too close to Hinata and his family for his liking.

Sai remains silent as he observes from perfect stillness. The princes were acting strangely, or perhaps not so strangely, the two of them seemed to have a rather antagonistic relationship with each other. But they were far too on guard for him to have a hope of closing the distance to observe the prince and princess closely. His eyes find the Lady Kaguya, who was acting the part of a joyous noble, despite the flickers of rage present in the depths of her eyes. If things continued this way, she would not be pleased with the first of his reports. His targets were simply never alone, never unaware of their surroundings.

"I love you." Hinata smiles up at him. "You know that, right?" She shakes her head. "Though that doesn't change the fact that you are in VERY big trouble for almost getting yourself killed!" All of this was spoken in Japanese to give them privacy.

Sasuke groans quietly, before tightening his grip on his fiancee. "But…I didn't get myself killed, so you'll go easy on me, right?"

Hinata shrugs and shakes her head. "True, which is why your punishment shall be severe, but swift." She glances at Mikoto. "Your mother has proposed some rather interesting ideas."

His eyes widen as he forgets completely about being on guard. "You're taking tips from my MOTHER!?" That could not end well, that could not POSSIBLY end well. And he wasn't sure he wanted to know what Hinata meant by severe.

"Mhm. She's been very helpful." Hinata laughs at the horrified expression on his face. "The queen does give such wonderful advice."

Sasuke gulps at the thought of his mother giving Hinata advice on more than just her hair and clothes. "And just when were you planning on administering this…punishment?" After all, his family was leaving in only a few days. They couldn't stay in Aladel indefinitely, and Thiral needed them home.

She smiles at him and caresses his cheek. "I've spoken to my father and he's granted me permission to visit Thiral for a time." Hinata thought that it was appropriate really. "After all, you've seen my home, but I've yet to see yours. So that's where I'll administer your punishment."

Eyes widening, Sasuke notes the mischievous note in her smile. He was dead. He was SO freaking dead.