Sasuke, with his left arm around Sakura's tiny waist, converses with the guests. Sakura smiles uncomfortably when he pulls her even closer. The feeling of his lips on her right cheek still lingering; the way he gazes at her all throughout the night; the way he treats her like a princess, it seems like this Sasuke who smiles at the guests is possessed. It's like he is a totally different person. Far, far different from the Grumpy Sasuke, as she may call his change of behavior now.
This Sweet Sasuke, she likes it better. When Sasuke tucks away a lock of her hair and slowly brings his face closer; her eyes widened. At first, she thought he was going to kiss her on the lips. And stupid, stupid her was actually anticipating for it. But then, she felt pressure on her right cheek which lasts for a few seconds. Well, she was quite disappointed. However, it didn't fail to make her heart race. She wondered if he heard how fast her heartbeat was. His lips are actually soft; she swore her cheeks turned red.
Even so, Sasuke did not fail to surprise her even more. She was still processing what happened when she felt him move behind her back. Only then, she noticed the necklace placed on her neck. It was a silver one, with her name engraved on the crown pendant. When she heard him speak, she took notice of the crowd silently watching them. She saw Ino wink at her, and her parents who were smiling at her. A series of flash that almost blinded her occurred and the press started to push their way to the center stage.
Now here they are, answering ridiculous questions about how Sasuke fell in love with her; it takes her self-control not to roll her eyes. Never mind, Sasuke can handle them anyways.
"So, Prince Sasuke, when can we expect for you two to tie the knot?" A female reporter asks
"I believe we are still too young to get married. As of now, we enjoy each other's company." Sasuke politely answers. Sakura nearly scoffed at that.
A male photographer this time asks. "Can you please pose in the camera?" After taking pictures, the palace guards interrupt them and inform them that it is time for the couple to go back to the palace.
Sasuke and Sakura are escorted by the guards as they exit the ballroom. Once inside their limousine, Sakura avoids his eyes out of embarrassment.
"Sa-Sasuke. I-I thank you uh for the gift yes uh I really appreciate it. It-It is beautiful." Sakura mentally scolds herself for being inarticulate. Sasuke, in return, smirks and inclines his head to face her. "Don't thank me. You'll pay for it."
Sakura, confused, asks him. "Pay? I have no money and-" Expecting for her to rant, Sasuke holds up his hand to silent her right away. "Tch, just shut up and take it. You're annoying."
Annoying? I am annoying? How dare he? A few minutes ago, he is being so nice to her, then now he is back to his mean, rude, oh I am perfect self. She prefers the Sweet Sasuke way, way, way over than this current Grumpy Sasuke.
She does not realize she says it out loud when Sasuke raises an eyebrow at her. "Grumpy? Mean and rude?"
"Didn't I say sweet?" She tries to take her words back, but seemingly, the glare she receives says he does not appreciate being called sweet either. Actually he'd rather be called as grumpy than sweet. Thank you very much.
He exhales heavily and ignores her completely by looking outside the window.
Sasuke,with a trailing Sakura behind him, brushes past Itachi as he walks along the corridor. Itachi gives her a questioning look afterwards.
Once Sasuke turns left, Itachi asks her to follow him instead.
"So, will you tell me what your fight is all about this time." Itachi asks once they are seated on a bench in the hallway. "I'd rather ask you. You seem to be the mature one in your, well, relationship." He calls out to one of the maids and asks for a tea.
"I-uhm. I may have said something about him being grumpy and mean." Sakura says. "And that I prefer the Sweet Sasuke than the Grumpy one." She elaborates when Itachi only continues to stare at her.
Nearly spitting out his tea, Itachi chuckles and later on, laughs out loud. "No wonder he acts that way." He says once he has calmed down. "I thought that your relationship with him has improved since he kisses you in public. Only a few hours ago, if I may add. The Sasuke I know will never do that." He pauses for a second to sip on his tea. From the corner of his eyes, he sees her fighting back a blush that threatens to appear on her face. "You are one clueless girl, but I am impressed someone can affect my little brother that much."
"I- I do not understand." She frowns and looks up to Itachi who sighs in response. "Just give him space for now. And, do not call him sweet ever again." He tells her as he finishes his tea.
As soon as Sakura gets in her room, she immediately calls Ino.
"Hello, Your Highness. Nice party you got there." Sakura can hear the sound of the cars honking, giving her the idea that she is still on her way back to The Land of Snow.
"Thank you for coming tonight. I regret that we haven't had an alone time." She ignores her best friend's earlier remark.
"Never mind that. So.. you said that Prince Sasuke is mean, jerk, and that it will never work out for the two of you. Well, can I just say that he's so sexy in his suit, and that you two get along pretty damn well." Ino teasingly says. When Sakura does not respond for a minute, she makes another comment. "You there? Forehead, stop caressing your cheek. I can see your face turning red just like a tomato."
Abruptly, Sakura places her hand on her lap, embarrassed to be caught by her best friend. Apparently, Ino knows her way too well. "I-It's not what you think." Before she can further explain, Ino stops her by making another silly comment. "What? Do you still think of him as the mean, cold bastard you mentioned a week ago? Come on, explain to me. By having those warm feeling in your chest right now, does it mean you hate him? Might as well shove that necklace back on his face." Sarcasm evident on her voice.
When Sakura remains silent, Ino sighs dramatically. "Look, why did you call me? I am a hundred percent sure it is not because you wanted to thank me for coming in your extravagant engagement party."
"Uhm you're right. I am so confused, Ino. I don't know how to act around him. You do not understand, he might have acted so kind and gentle earlier, he is now back to his cool, detached self. And yes, exactly, these feelings of mine not helping either." Sakura concludes after trying hard to explain the situation.
"I cannot answer for him. Why don't you ask Prince Charming instead. I know; you're afraid that he was just acting out earlier. For the short time you have stayed in the palace, he is the one you have been with most of the time. It is normal whatever you're feeling right now. Ask him, if he truly was just under false pretences, you certainly don't want to get attached. And yeah, better throw back that necklace to his handsome face." Ino finishes, hoping that it can help Sakura clear her thoughts.
As the newly engaged couple ride the limousine on their way to school, Sasuke who completely ignores a certain pink-haired girl, is startled to feel something heavy against his right shoulder. It appears that the annoying girl fell asleep and made herself comfortable using his shoulder as her pillow.
He is surprised to find it amusing. She must have been exhausted the night prior. He studies her face, and for a second, he envies her for having an extra hour of sleep. He adjusts his earlier position to make sure that he does not disturb her. He also notices that she is wearing his gift, and a feeling very foreign to him has made its way to his chest. He ignores it and tries to get some sleep as well.
Exactly 45 minutes after, Prince Sasuke's main personal guard Naruto Uzumaki opens his side of the door, only to see the royal couple asleep, snuggling up to each other. He contemplates on what to do next, not liking the idea of having to wake them up seeing how they enjoy each other's company. And also waking up Prince Sasuke means death...not to mention having caught them in that position..
However, it seems that Naruto does not have to. A few photographers have taken that as an opportunity to capture series of shots on the couple that stirs them awake. Naruto immediately shuts the door and commands the guards to stop them right away.
For a minute, neither dares to move. Sakura stares right into Sasuke's with a wide-eyed expression; Sasuke mirroring the same reaction. Sakura is the one who recovered first; she removes herself from Sasuke and fixes her now disheveled hair.
"I-uh. Sorry, I didn't notice I fell asleep. It won't happen again." She tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear, another annoying habit of her when she is nervous or embarrassed, Sasuke notes.
He chooses not to respond; he quietly gets out of the car once the photographers are out of sight.
A few of their classmates have congratulated them on their way to the classroom. Gaara purposely intercepts the couple to properly give his best wishes to the couple.
"Congratulations on your engagement. My siblings and I were not able to make it, and I apologize also in their behalf." By now, they have gained quite the attention. Gaara holds out his hand in Sasuke's direction.
Sasuke firmly shakes his hand. "Thank you. I hope that the bilateral relations between Konoha and Sunagakure will build the trust and confidence of the countrymen to our leadership. I might have to work with you someday."
"I look forward to it, Prince Sasuke." Gaara who now looks into Sakura's direction smiles. "I hope that someday I can find such a beautiful lady like Miss Sakura here to be my wife." Sakura, much to her surprise by Gaara's compliment, averts her eyes.
"I am sure you will." Sasuke says, holds Sakura's hand and drags her away. Gaara, just like everyone, only stares at the couple who walk away unexpectedly.
"Sasuke?" Sakura questions when she can no longer keep up on his long strides. She can see his mouth turned into a straight line. He furrows his brows, and glares at her.
When they are completely alone aside from the palace guards surrounding them, he stops and releases his hold on her. Really, Sasuke has this mood swings. He is such a drama queen. They are now in the garden of the university. She looks around, but can not let herself to enjoy the view with the Grumpy Sasuke with her.
"Leave us!" He orders. Naruto opens his mouth to reason out, but the dangerous look Sasuke gives him told him otherwise. Instantly, the guards have backed away.
"What is the matter?" Sakura maintains a safe distance to him, but can't help to voice out her concern. He glowers at her. "Have I not tell you to act properly? I thought I made myself clear last time. It is a mistake to agree on this engagement after all."
"Wha- What are you talking about, Sasuke?" And suddenly, his voice low, menacing. "Do not play stupid to me."
Sakura lets out a frustrating growl. Her cheeks flushing, and all of a sudden, she is angry too. "What is your problem? Why do you act this way? I cannot understand you! One time, you get really sweet, then the next here you are, getting mad for no reason. You-you act like a girl currently on her period! You conceited, hot jerk of a prince!" Before she can comprehend what she has just said, Sasuke's earlier scowl turned into a wide-eyed expression, and then to an expressionless one.
Truly mortified, she shouts at him. "Ugh! You really frustrate me!" She tries to flee from the scene only to find out that the palace guards are not far away enough not to hear their ugly fight. From all the yelling, one can never guess who else heard them. Not caring that they might have heard them, she walks past them.
"Please do not follow me." She mutters on her way. Naruto tries to reason out only to fail once again when Sakura says please once again.
Naruto breathes slowly. Both of them are so hopeless. If I can just look at Prince Sasuke right now, well, never mind, I am sure he's smirking right now. That egoistic bastard.
Sasuke returns to the waiting limousine right outside the main building of Konoha University. He tries to hide the fact that it bothers him when Sakura chooses not to show up in class today.
Naruto, with a worried face on his face, knocks on his window. Sasuke opens his window and gives him a bored look. "Your Highness, there is a slight problem." When Sasuke only chooses to stare at him, Naruto continues. "Milady. We cannot find her."
"Tch, what are you doing?" Irritation written on the handsome prince's face.
"Milady wishes to be alone, and-" Sasuke heard enough, tries his best to calm himself down, and interrupts Naruto altogether. "So what did you do? You did not follow her? At all?"
Naruto chooses not to respond, confirming Sasuke's suspicion. Sasuke exhales through his nose; he brings out his cellphone only to remember he does not have her number.
"Have you searched throughout the school?" Sasuke asks. An immediate yes is heard from Naruto. Sasuke thinks for a second on where she might be. He gets out of the car once he seems to have found a solution.
"Contact her parents and her blond friend. Confirm if she may have gone back to the Land of Snow. Do not stop until you find her." Sasuke gives his instructions before going back to the classroom.
He instantly spots the person who might know where Sakura is. Hinata Hyuuga. When she notices Sasuke, she bows down her head and tries to walk past him. "Hyuuga."
A quiet yes comes out from the shy girl. Even before Sasuke can ask, Hinata rambles. "Please! I do not know where Sakura is! I- I cannot tell you!"
He intimidates her. Good. "Fine. Do not tell me. Can I just ask for her cellphone number instead." The said girl considers for a moment, but eventually shakes her head no. He thought so.
"Since you are from Konoha.. and I am technically a Prince. Now, I ask you where-" Hinata, who panics, shoves her cellphone instead into Sasuke's hands.
He uses the shy girl's phone to call the annoying girl. Not surprisingly, she picks it up right away. "Hinata! Just like you suggested, it is really amazing here in this amusement park! A little girl has actually recognized me but-"
"What do you think you're doing, you stubborn woman?" Expecting a quiet feminine voice, Sakura is dumbstruck to hear a very familiar low voice.
Not waiting for her respond, Sasuke sighs both in relief and in exasperation. "Stay there. I am coming to get you. You understand?" He quickly ends the call. Before he gives back the phone, he saves Sakura's number into his, and exits the room. Hinata is left alone in the room still processing what just happened.
The chauffeur maneuvers its way to Konoha Amusement Park as quickly as possible. As soon as they get there, Sasuke, along with the palace guards, makes it way to the ferris wheel where Sakura said she is currently.
Sasuke immediately notices her pink hair that stands out from the crowd. Not only that, but an old man who he recognizes to be drunk is conversing with Sakura. He makes his presence known, and Sakura turns around to face him.
"Ah! You Uchiha! You, along with the stupid royal family, should go away! Your family is destroying Konoha!" The old man says pointing a finger at Sasuke. The man picks up tiny rocks from the ground and proceeds to throw it at the couple.
Sasuke shoves Sakura into his back in an instant. The palace guards take an immediate action, and protect the couple from the man. However, one stone has passed through resulting for Sasuke to be hit in the right corner of his forehead.
Not a minute has passed through, Naruto disarms the said man, and stops him from moving any further, with the said man's face shoved into the ground and his hands tied up.
A warm liquid has make its way down to Sasuke's face. A little girl from the crowd has noticed the blood and offers her handkerchief to the prince. "Your Highness." She makes an adorable bow, and squeals running back to her mother when Sasuke accepts it and mutters a quiet thank you.
When Sakura comes back to her senses, she turns Sasuke to face her and notices the blood coming out from the wound. She snatches the handkerchief from his hand, and proceeds to use it to stop the bleeding. She gently wipes the blood on his face, and applies pressure on the wound. He hisses in pain, but with his attention now back on her face, he becomes aware of the tears that escaped her eyes.
The Queen waits anxiously for her son and Sakura to arrive. Itachi places his hand on her shoulder to calm her down. It is already 9 in the evening, and they are supposed to arrive back in the palace three hours prior.
When the familiar limousine comes into view, she sighs in relief. Though, it does not ease her worries at all when Sasuke comes out of the car with a handkerchief placed on his forehead, and Sakura who looks awfully terrified.
"What happened, my son?" She looks back and forth to the couple to find some answers. Up close, she sees the blood coming out from Sasuke's forehead. She gasps loudly, and ushers him inside the palace. Itachi follows them, concerned.
Sakura just stands there, frozen, and watches them go.
On their way, they come across King Fugaku. Alarmed at the sight of his youngest son injured, he casts an eye over Sasuke's personal guard, Naruto Uzumaki, waiting for an explanation.
Naruto bows in return. "I apologize, Your Majesty. There is a drunk man-" The King harshly interrupts him. "What I wanted to know is how you let this happen. I have high expectations from you, Uzumaki."
Naruto apologizes again, but the King has made its decision. "You, along with the other guards assigned to Sasuke and Sakura, leave the palace at once! If you cannot certain his safety, I have no use of you anymore."
Sasuke opens his mouth to reason out. "Father, it's not-" King Fugaku, however, can not be swayed. Sasuke, unable to do anything, watches as Naruto bows his head once more, and walks away.
The King turns to the Queen. "Where is Sakura? Is she harmed in any way?"
"She is not. Though, it may seem she is quite shaken by what happened." The Queen softly reassures the King. Satisfied by what he has heard, he assesses the injury sustained by his son. "Go to your room, Sasuke. A nurse will be sent there. I will also ask someone to bring your dinner there."
While waiting for the nurse to come by, Sasuke turns on his television to distract himself from earlier events. But to his further annoyance, the picture taken by the photographers earlier this morning has made its way into the headline of the news.
"The newly engaged royal couple can't seem to stay away from each other! Literally!" The brunette reporter announces happily. Hn, so much for distraction.
He hears the sound of the door clicks. At first, he thought it to be the nurse, but the way the said person just makes his way to his room says otherwise. It will be suicide if a nurse does that, barging into his room without any permission. Well, if that is the nurse.
Finding his conclusion, he calls out to the said person who has the habit on crashing his room. "Brother, I don't want to talk about it."
When he hears nothing in reply, he stands up from his comfortable couch and checks up on what Itachi has been up to. However, no signs of his brother can be traced across his room, instead, a certain pink-haired girl who hasn't changed yet in her school uniform stands there awkwardly.
On the sight of him, Sakura runs into Sasuke's arms without a second thought. She throws herself at him and puts her arms around his shoulders. Her face now pressed right into the pit of his neck, she apologizes over and over again. A second later, Sasuke feels the hot tears tickle his neck.
"I'm sorry. I-I'll never leave again. Because of me..This is all my fault." She murmurs.
Sasuke stiffens at first, but when he recovers, he slowly encircles his arms around her waist to steady her. "Why are you crying?" He says a minute after.
She sniffs and cries all over again. "Because.. it weren't for me..you-you wouldn't be hurt."
The couple does not notice the other presence in the room. "I wouldn't want to interrupt, little brother, but your wound needs to be patched up right away." At the sound of Itachi's voice, Sakura disentangles herself from Sasuke, embarrassed to be caught in their previous position.
Only then, she notices that the entire royal family has been watching them the entire time, making her face turn red. The Queen tries to stop the giggle escaping her lips, and Sasuke scowls at Itachi's teasing reaction.
A/N: Expect an update of my other story, Divorce Like No Other, first week of November. :) Happy Halloween!