The journey north was nothing less of wondrous, as an endless sea of towering trees lightly swayed against the whispers of the wind. As the horses continued their swift pace, Sakura inhaled the natural aroma, detecting a heavenly scent of rich cedar and hyacinth flowers. The sound of delicate songbirds echoed a harmonizing tune throughout the path, brining a smile to her lips.
Certainty, the woodlands have always been maintained as her sanctuary. Immersing herself with nature was more than just a meander through the woods, but rather therapeutic. The sights, sounds and smells, all registered a sense of peace within her.
"How are you holding up?" She heard Sasuke behind her, his hand still gripped the reins of his horse.
"Just... splendid."
Along the unmarked trail, a gem-blue river paved the way north. The water babbled, as it sprung over patches of limestone rocks along its way. Freshwater naturally flowed along its designated course, curving gently through the thickets along the course.
"My father always told me that the rivers are the map of the forest," Sasuke spoke. "This river leads us north, and would eventually take you to the ocean."
"An ocean?" Sakura asked.
"Mm," Sasuke affirmed. "The North Sea."
"That sounds divine," Sakura responded in awe. "Have you ever been to the ocean?"
"Certain ventures have lead me there. You haven't seen the ocean before?"
From her understanding, reaching the ocean takes weeks from their land. Being absent for such a lengthy amount of time wasn't possible for regular townspeople. Only nobles had the luxury of taking the trip far north in order to be by sea.
"I haven't," She replied. "From what I've heard, it's only seen by nobles and by those who live in oceanside kingdoms."
"Would you like to see it one day?" He cocked his head.
"Perhaps I'll come across it in my dreams." Sakura replied, turning her head, giving Sasuke a warm smile:
"Sasuke! Look!" They both heard the voice of Naruto call, as they saw the blonde point towards the sky. Sasuke pulled the reins of his horse, causing it to halt slightly.
A giant, grey-like cloud loomed in the distance. It's size was massively large, causing worry amongst the three. Sakura frowned, knowing that only bad will come from this.
"I guess it wasn't meant to happen." Sakura commented, as her eyes skimmed the angry sky.
"Don't be so quick to give up," Sasuke stated. "It hasn't began to rain, we have time to seek shelter. Theres a town nearby, perhaps they can aid us."
"And we'll be able to find the perilla roots tomorrow, already watered." Naruto added, giving a sense of hope.
In only a matter of minutes, a drastic rainfall had began as predicted. The thick trees could only cover so much, as violent bullets of water began to touch the soil. With no proper wool-cloaks to protect them from the rain, the water had completely saturated their clothing.
"You'll have to forgive me, Sakura," Sasuke stated, as he navigated his stead with more force now. "I wasn't aware there'd be such weather."
"It isn't your fault." Sakura replied. "
Loud, unforgiving rain continued to pour downwards in the green valley. Naruto skillfully navigated through the thick landscape, clearly knowing his way around the foreign area. It must have been miles of weary travel, until finally, clear-blue eyes saw a familiar sight.
"There!" Naruto called, as he continued the lead.
Several miles east of their once designated route, stood a sleepy town. Tall, stone buildings surrounded the cobblestone path. Regardless of the rain, vibrant hubs of activity could still be seen. Traders, craftsmen and merchants alike could all be seen packing their stalls from the rain.
"Sasuke, do these villagers have an allegiance with Ignis?" Sakura asked.
"Yes," Sasuke said. "They are independent, but they are welcomed to trade and negotiate within our walls."
Naruto halted his horse, as he began to pull it into the first stall he saw. Sasuke quickly followed.
"We'll leave the horses here, the inn is just around the corner." The blonde motioned.
Quickly, they followed towards Naruto's directions into a tall, stone building. It was an inn, filled with travelers and village people alike. It was clearly busy, as the common area hosted a puddle of people who were in the same predicament as they were.
Naruto stepped up towards the clerk, pulling out a bag of coins.
"Three rooms."
"I'm sorry, but with the rain settled, the majority of our rooms have all been taken for the night by weary travelers such as yourselves." The innkeeper apologized.
"Ah, this is unpleasant." Naruto huffed.
"I have just one room available, but you'll have to forgive me as it is rather pricey, and I am all out of extra cots."
"That's fine, we'll take it." Sasuke said, as he lowered his hood.
The twinkling-hazel eyes of the innkeeper suddenly widened, bewildered as she quickly recognized the uncloaked man. She bowed her head and clasped her hands in the blink of an eye.
"Your highness!" The woman shrieked. "Please forgive me. We'll empty the inn right away for your leisure, you may have your pick of rooms-"
Sasuke held up a hand, instructing her to not spew a word more. "That is not necessary, and not very fair for the rest of your occupants. We'll do with just the one room for the lady. Myself and my comrade are fine staying in the common area."
"Sasuke-" Sakura countered.
"But your highness!" The innkeeper shrieked once more.
Sasuke lifted his hand in protest, yet again. The innkeeper, abided by his request, and shook her head fiercely.
"I'll ready the room, please give me a moment."
The innkeeper was kind enough to let the trio borrow an extra set of clothes, as theirs dried on a rope-line near the fire in the common area. Sakura, daunting the borrowed cream frock, sat directly across the fireplace on the hardwood floor. A small sigh escaped her lips, as such a scenario would have never crossed her mind.
"Are you alright?" Sasuke asked, as he towered her small figure.
"I'm fine," Sakura spoke softly, a gentle smile on her face. "It's only rain."
"Yes but it hinders your task Tsunade has given you. You must feel a bit troubled."
Sakura shook her head, "Absolutely not. If anything, the perilla will be more enriched with the help of rain."
Sasuke smiled at her optimistic point of view, "I suppose you're right."
The burning fire crackled, illuminated the room with a warm glow. Sasuke looked over at the woman beneath him. Promptly, he took a seat on the ground besides her.
"Are you warm enough?" He asked.
"I'm fine," Sakura replied, rubbing her frigid hands together. "The fire actually gets me quite sleepy."
"The hostess said the room would be ready in about half hour."
"Ah, that's alright." She felt guilty saying so.
Curious eyes couldn't take themselves off of the quiet woman.
"Sakura, I'm sorry to ask this, but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Tsunade."
"Regarding what?" She asked lowly, her cheeks warm.
"Your parents."
Sakura stood quiet, but a gentle smile graced her face. "Ah, I don't remember them very much. They passed when I was very small."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"I'm sure they were very admirable people," Sakura added.
"So you have no living relatives?" He asked carefully, wanting to know more about this curious girl.
"Not that I'm aware of." Sakura mused as she cocked her head. "My parents came from a foreign land is all I was told, so they weren't residents of Terra to begin with."
"Is that so?"
"Mm. I wasn't told much by the woman who had raised me," Sakura continued as she brought her knees up to her chin, resting her face slightly. "But that's alright."
He couldn't quite point out what it was about this whimsical woman that intrigued him like no other. Was it the striking color of her hair? Her subtle beauty? Or perhaps even her obscure past?
Whatever the reason seemed to be, he thought, he wanted to do everything in his current power to aide her.
"Sasuke."
"Yes?"
She shifted her seating, "I wanted to thank you. You've been so kind to me."
"You mustn't apologize ." He turned to face her haunting jades. "I treat those who seek asylum with as much consideration as I do to those born in Ignis."
"Not many noblemen do that, especially those that are crowned."
"Most monarchies are dishonorable, unprincipled in nature," He inhaled sharply. "They abuse their power, taking advantage of their own people."
The pink-haired woman nodded, understanding his words from start to end. Being under Sasori's corrupt rule for the majority of her short life was enough to know that his rule was as unlawful as they come.
"Sakura." The young prince turned to her, "I want you to thrive in Ignis."
His look was tender, as his eyes grew soft with just a glance. Sakura pursed her lips together, feeling the nerves in her body awaken. She'd never grew fond of a man, nor had been treated so kindly by one. The rosiness in her cheeks began to match the color of her hair.
"Your highness," She nodded once, "I will do my utmost best in this position I've been given."
"I know you will," He gave her a genuine smile. "And it's Sasuke."
Morning had emerged in the secluded town. Weary, green eyes blinked open, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar surroundings. As she remembered the string of events that yesterday had brought, she quickly sat up from the bed, noticing the empty room around her.
Quickly, Sakura changed to her now dry frock, and carefully folded the borrowed dress, leaving it neatly on the top of the bed. Then hurringly, she made her way down the stairs of the inn.
The minute she stepped back onto the first floor, her eyes quickly found those who had found hers first. Sasuke sat by the fireplace, just as she remembered the night before. He stood, greeting her as she walked in.
"Good Morning," Sakura greeted
"How did you sleep?" He asked.
"Well, with a guilty conscious to be honest," Sakura admitted. "I'm sure you didn't have the best sleep."
He shook his head, "We slept perfectly well, isn't that right, Naruto?" Sasuke called behind him.
Naruto stretched his back, giving Sakura a wave, "That's right." He winced, as he felt an uncomfortable pressure on his back.
"We'll have some breakfast, observe the town and then continue the journey north. It shouldn't be far."
"Mm." Sakura smiled.
A sea of merchants filled the rustic town square, hosting stalls of various goods. With a curiosity behind her eyes, Sakura looked around the busy square, trying to soak up the setting as much as she could. It astonished her to see just how different each town was in comparison to one another.
From luxurious fabric to exotic pelts, and from foreign fruit to precious metals, the bazaar of goods stretched throughout the entire cobblestone street. Emerald eyes widened with the same amount of fascination and curiousity. Her head turned from stall to stall, unaware of where to focus on next.
"Are you alright?" Sasuke turned, asking the woman trailing behind him.
"Ah, yes," She quickly nodded. "I'm just so in awe by everything here."
"What's fascinating you?" A smile found his lips, curious with what her answer would be.
"Well, I've never seen most of these stones in person before, I've only read about them in books." The woman laughed nervously. "It's such a rarity."
"Is that so?" The prince raised a brow, looking at the jewelry stall now. "Which one calls to you the most?"
Sakura scrunched her nose, concentrating on the variety of stones set beside the wooden stall. Handcrafted necklaces, head pieces and rings were set gently on velvet pillows, each piece as captivating as the other.
"This one," the old merchant raised a dainty headband made of opulent opal and freshwater pearls. Small leaves made of crystal gemstones entwined within the polished stones, "This one suits you the best."
Before Sakura could politely object, Sasuke reached over for the lucent piece of jewelry. With careful hands, he placed the headband on the crown of her head, his gentle finger carefully tucking her hair behind her now red ears.
"What do you think?" The merchant asked, raising a golden, ornate handheld mirror up to the rose-haired woman.
Emeralds widened, admiring the brilliant piece of jewelry that graced her pink strands. Never in her short life had she ever thought of trying on such a delicacy.
"It's beautiful, but I can't-"
"I assume this will suffice," Sasuke spoke, handing two gold coins to the older woman, which happened to be much more than enough.
Brown, tired eyes lit up, happily accepting the legal tender that the kind prince had offered. "Oh, absolutely! Bless you, kind sir!"
Sakura turned to face a smiling Sasuke, her cheeks now the color her unusual hair. "You mustn't do this."
"Please-" he adjusted the headband around her hair "Consider it a gift."
"Then let me return a favor," She pressed, unable to take such a regal token. "I can't accept this in exchange for nothing."
His face lit up, as a side of his lips tugged upwards. "I'll hold you to that."
"Thank you," her voice was soft, as her eyes were now low, "You're too kind."
From a distance, the crashing bells of the nearby bell-tower could be heard throughout the open market. Once, twice, three times.
"What does that indicate?" Sakura asked.
"Its noon" Sasuke answered. "We should get going."
Once again, the three rode the two mares across the woodland trails. Scents of damp moss, cedar and wet tree trunks filled the air. The trees glistened with the afterglow the rain had gifted them.
"What did you end up buying, Naruto?" Sakura found herself asking the blonde that rode beside them.
"Nothing really." He twirled his fingers across the leather reins he held. "Usually markets outside of Ignis inflate their prices."
Sakura felt herself mentally and physically sink at the bits of words Naruto had spoke, making the opal headband that much heavier on her head.
"They export their goods, so the prices are understandably higher," Sasuke corrected.
"Oh," was all she could manage out.
"I noticed a delicate little treasure on your head." Naruto mentioned.
"Ah," Sakura felt the mental heaviness now move to her shoulders, unsure of what to speak of the rather lavish gift.
"It suits her, does it not?" Sasuke spoke.
"I'd say." Naruto responded, nodding in agreement.
From their current standing, a peak of light began to project between the sea of trees. As the horses galloped closer and closer, the peak began to open, letting in even more brightness. Sakura felt her fingers clench, her heart pumping with anticipation and relief.
"Is that it?" Sakura turned her head, looking at the obsidian-colored eyes behind her. "The perilla field?"
"Mm." He smiled.
But before she could even register the valley of gold before her, before she could even gaze out into the field that awaits them- a darkness loomed behind them.
Sakura's heart pounded for all the opposite reasons, as a sharp arrow flew past her chest.
"Sasuke!" Naruto called out fiercely to the now alert prince.
In a risky maneuver, Sasuke pushed against the reins, making the once trotting horse run into a darting speed. Sakura turned her head, now seeing three unknown horses carrying three men. Their tunics dark, along with their leathers. It wasn't until Sakura saw the flag displayed high upon their horses that made her realize who these chancy men were.
It was the flag of Terra.
Another arrow was unleashed, but flew upwards and out of their bounds, as Naruto bulldozed into the incoming horses, making the soldier with the arrow fall off onto the terrain.
Sakura clenched her eyes shut, fear now instilled into every ounce in her veins. Her chest was heavy, and her breaths became labored, as she had realized that they had come not for the prince… but for her.
But before she could open her eyes, she felt the horse beneath them halt, and hurried hands quickly carry her down, concealing her behind one of the forests' ancient oak trees. He swung the quiver off his shoulders and into her arms, and laid the bow beside her. As if silently stating to use it when necessary.
"Stay hidden." His voice was stern, as he brought himself back on the awaiting horse.
Emerald eyes widened, petrified of the unknown, of the chaos that was playing out before them.
"I won't let anything happen to you." Sasuke assured her, giving her a solemn look. "I swear it on my life."
And as swift as a gust of wind, he was gone.
The sounds of disgruntled groans, clashing metals and of overworked mares could be heard throughout the once peaceful forest. Try as she might, she couldn't stop trembling.
Her mind remained busy, unable to process the fact that two men, who didn't owe her a second of their gratitude, were risking themselves, their lives, for a simple girl with nothing to give.
The air felt thick, as she exhaled heavily. She then sucked in her air, pursing her lips, trying to think of a way to help, any way at all. She scanned her surroundings, quickly fixing her busy gaze on the weapon that was entrusted to her. Shaken hands now began to rummage through the quiver, slinging it over her shoulder.
She couldn't bare being tossed to the side, while men fought valiantly for her. This was not their fight, but hers.
So she stood, and ran as fast as she could towards the sound of clanging metal.
From what she could see, there were three men standing, swinging their swords mercilessly at Sasuke and Naruto. It was almost like a death-defying dance, as each combatant stepped back and stepped forward, avoiding each other's strike every time.
Three to two; It was an unfair, dirty fight.
Sakura lined herself up to the moving target that must have been no more than thirty feet away. It wasn't her first time handling an arrow, and something told her it wouldn't be her last.
She clenched her left eye shut, tightly gripping the bow and now aiming the arrow at one of the two men that ruthlessly continued to attack the prince. With a full breath, she released the arrow.
A miss.
She silently cursed herself, as she reached again, giving herself the same aim as before. Again, she let go.
Another miss.
Anger dispelled from her, as the scene laid out before her. She reached once more for another arrow, her hands gripping it more tightly than the previous two.
Her once ragged breath grew steady, knowing she needed full concentration to shoot the arrow at the degree she needed. Again, she shut her left eye, concentrating on the man in black. And within a millisecond, she relaxed her finger, letting the arrow fly.
And then a heavy groan was heard, as the arrow had struck.
The now injured soldier from Terra removed the arrow from his thigh, like a misplaced feather, while his comrade continued to attack the prince.
"Why you filthy broad," The man snickered, now running with a noticeable limp at the lonesome woman. His sword gripped tightly in his dirty hands.
Her hands worked quickly, grabbing another arrow from the quiver. But to her dismay, and to her complete horror, there were none left.
"Dead or alive, his highness said," his brute voice snarled, an evil lurked in his voice.
She clenched her eyes shut, ready to cower into her death. At least, she thought, this would buy Sasuke some time. At least this would help him live.
But before she could even recite her last prayers, a heavy groan left the man in front of her, as the sound of a sharp edge entering flesh was heard.
Her emeralds opened fully, seeing the man stop completely in his tracks, as a sword stuck through his side, and retracted just as quickly.
Blood splattered through the open wound, now saturating the black tunic of the injured man. He stumbled, and ultimately fell forward to the side of her. His face now planted on the ground.
Behind him, the prince of Ignis stood. His breath steady, but deep from his fight. He brought up his weapon, wiping the stained blade on his tunic, and then retreated his sword back into it's sheath.
"Your highness-" Sakura's voice trembled, as she become unwell at the sight of blood. "I-"
She roamed to the soldier on the floor, his back still slowly rising with air, indicating life.
But before she could speak another word, the smell of old rust filled her nostrils, as her eyes couldn't keep themselves away from the pool of blood that now surrounded the soldier of Terra.
"M-My antidote-" She managed to say, swallowing her ill, "H..Help him… p..please."
Her face turned as white as a sheet, the rosiness on her cheeks completely vanished.
And she fell just as hard as the man beside her.