Seeing Sasuke and Sakura together had brought more questions than answers to the public. Many were glad that the two seemed to be not much affected by the rumors, however, many had also voiced out that they were only under false pretenses, and that people should not be deceived.

After the invitation from Iwagakure, the couple had once again appeared together in public events. They had been also invited to a TV guesting which the Palace gladly accepted. As usual, Sasuke answered most of the questions. It was then that he also told the public that he intended to go to Oto for his college. It was also the first time that Sakura was introduced as Sakura Haruno Hatake. And when the princess was asked about her decision to keep Haruno as her surname, she was very proud to say that it weren't for her parents, she would not be the person she is today.

She was also asked about her plans in college, just like Sasuke. She was brave enough to tell everyone that instead of what people were expecting, she would be taking Biology as her major.

"I know what people may think." She awkwardly laughed. "I mean there is no other princess who majored in Biology. But I think that this is where I should be. I hope that whatever I will learn, I will be able to share it to my people. Before I knew that I was indeed a princess, I always thought that my passion to help will eventually reach the people. Being a doctor, it will be hard, I know that. I want to be an inspiration to others, and to send a message on how important knowledge for health care can be."

Sasuke was the first one to clap his hands. For that, she was thankful and smiled at him. But still, she could not please everybody. There were still a lot who criticize her for being selfish and just doing what she wants. But that did not stop Sakura. As long as the royal family had her back, along with Ino and her parents, and especially Sasuke's, she would do what she thought was the best.

The interviewer was giddy the entire interview. She said that she was a huge fan of them. She even showed some pictures of the two seen together in public. Sakura was so embarrassed that she tried to hide her face behind Sasuke. Sasuke, on the other hand, told them that he and Sakura were just like any other couples so it was just normal.

They hadn't had a proper talk since then. They were preoccupied with the events they had to attend. People still thought that they were not in good terms especially when it was disclosed about Sasuke's stay in Oto. Sakura had even blurted out that she made him promise that there should not be a day when she could not hear his voice. Sasuke was surprised and also embarrassed to hear such things from her, but it was not fully a lie. Sakura had once told him that she would call him everyday once he got to Oto.

The King had also reminded them to bring up Itachi and Izumi's wedding every time they would be interviewed. Fugaku was disappointed that many took a little interest about the upcoming wedding. It seemed that people prefer for a Sasuke-Sakura wedding instead. Moreover, people had still been awaiting for Gaara's response to all these issues, but the prince kept silent the entire time.

But Fugaku was glad that Sasuke had been compliant and responsible enough nowadays. It was a good sign that his youngest son was back to being a proud prince he was. Fugaku only wished that Sasuke would eventually see to his heart to accept his fate and maybe in the future, he could also see Sasuke sitting in the throne.

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Sakura had a go signal from both the King and Queen to officially enroll in Konoha University. She was more than happy to tell her parents and Ino.

She was on her way to go when she spotted Sasuke in the garden reading God knows what. She told Tenten that she would be following her soon after and quickly slipped behind Sasuke's back. She quietly read the contents of the book when Sasuke's voice startled her.

"You think I can't sense you?"

Sakura instantly put some distance between them. With a snap, Sasuke closed his book and turned his full attention to Sakura. As if asking her a question, Sakura informed him about her officially enrolling in Konoha University. "You aren't coming with me?" she quickly added.

"Why should I go with you? I am not your father spoiling you."

Sakura pouted. "Fine then! You can go back to your reading! Sorry for disturbing you, Your Highness."

Sasuke caught the playful tone behind her remark. Sakura did not see Sasuke's typical smirk once she turned around and went after Tenten. It had really been too easy and fun to tease her, Sasuke thought. He shook his head and went back to his reading.

Sakura, on the other hand, was a little upset that Sasuke did not come along with her. She was hoping that he could accompany her and maybe she could persuade him to have an impromptu date. She thought that they should spend as much time together before Sasuke left for Oto. She sighed and pouted once more.

It did not take too long before the chauffeur told her that they had arrived in their destination. She was very much excited that she sprinted to the office in the main building. After filling up the forms needed, she was escorted to a room where her I.D. picture would be taken. After a couple of minutes of waiting, she heard a knock on the door. Expecting a photographer, she was more than surprised to see Gaara looking as equally surprised as her.

Sakura awkwardly greeted him and took a seat once again. She had cursed the photographer more than ten times for the last minute. Of all the days to enroll, why now? She felt like someone up there truly hated her. Just like Sasuke, Sakura knew of Gaara's personality. He was also reserved and quiet. And that was making it more awkward for her.

Not taking the tension anymore, she tried to break the silence altogether. "So uh..you decided to enroll in KU again, huh?" Gaara nodded his head in response.

"I guess I'll still see you around then." Gaara hummed in response this time.

The photographer did not come until after ten minutes. In that time, Sakura busied herself playing games in her phone. She just could not confront Gaara about the rumors surrounding between the two of them. After taking their I.D. pictures, the photographer apologized for making them wait. He bowed his head and exited the room.

Sakura was on her way to exit the room as well when Gaara suddenly held her wrist. Sakura nervously made a move to get out of the room, but Gaara did not let her. "We need to talk."

"Gaara..I apologize if you got caught up in all these. I know things have been hard for you as well, but the important thing is we know the truth, right? You are my friend-"

"Friend? Do you really only see me as such?" Gaara cut her off. "How naive. Do you not see how I feel for you since then?"

Sakura averted her eyes. "I don't understand. Please we cannot be seen together." She made a move to exit the room once again, but Gaara's hold on her made her efforts futile. In a blink of an eye, Gaara had backed her up against the wall. Sakura's eyes widen; she had suddenly became aware of how close he was.

"Gaara! What do you think you're doing?!" She screamed. She tried to push him, but Gaara held both of her hands close to his chest. "Please let me go. You're hurting me." She pleaded once more.

"Are you happy?" He asked her. "Do you love him? Does he really make you happy?"

A clear distress was written all over Sakura's face. "Why do you keep on doing this? This isn't like you, Gaara."

"You're wrong. I had been trying to keep these feelings for you. This is the only time I can be myself." He paused to look deeply into her eyes. "So now, answer my question. Have you completely fall in love with Sasuke? Or what two have been showing to the public is nothing but false pretenses? Tell me."

Sakura only looked at him in surprise. While she was deep in thought, Gaara took that as her silent response to his feelings. He leaned in, intending to kiss her. Sakura, alarmed, did not waste a second to shove him hard. "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" She tried to slap him but Gaara caught her right hand just in time before it could land to his cheek.

"You. What is wrong with you. I could make you happier. I could treat you better. Sasuke does not deserve you." Sakura squirmed free from his hold.

"I am engaged! If you cannot the least respect that, I cannot even be in the same room with you." Before Gaara could take another step, Sakura hold up her hand. "I thought that you are my friend. Gosh, I am disappointed." She shook her head in disapproval. She exited the room, slamming the door in the process.

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Sakura was acting weird. Sasuke took notice of this and could not help but ask her what was wrong. She was acting really different after she had gone to KU to enroll. But whenever he would ask, she would only tell him that nothing's wrong. A gut feeling was telling Sasuke something was definitely up. He just could not place what was it.

It had been like that for two straight days. Sakura seemed distant, always on the edge. He thought that maybe she had not yet forgiven him fully. But he had pushed that thought aside in an instant as he remembered how she had been disappointed when he declined her offer to accompany her in school. She had been back to her old self these past few days.

They were seated beside each other in the gardens. He was busy again reading a book while Sakura was doing God knows what. She had been too preoccupied with her thoughts too. She had been absent-minded lately, he observed.

"Sakura. I just asked you a question."

"Oh? Uh? Yeah. Sorry. I was just thinking about uh yeah my parents. I just suddenly missed them." She gulped nervously. "So what is it again?"

Before Sasuke could speak up, a servant announced the King's arrival. Stupefied, Sasuke stood up in an instant. He looked up and indeed, it was his father. The King had never once visited him. It was always him being summoned to the King's quarters. So it had really surprised Sasuke. He noticed right away the way his father gritted his teeth. Never had his father looked so angry at the moment. He glanced sideways only to see Sakura who looked like she was going to pass out any moment.

Fugaku threw a newspaper article right at Sakura's feet. "Explain this instant." Fugaku's voice was calm as usual, but the way his eyes squinted said otherwise. Sasuke did not know how to react at first until his eyes landed on the headlines of the newspaper. A picture of Gaara and Sakura almost kissing together with other pictures with them in a room had been featured in the first page of the newspaper. Sasuke silently picked up the newspaper; A proof of an affair, is this the end for the Konoha's royal couple? It read.

Sakura gasped in surprise. She had grasped Sasuke's hands, making him lose his hold on the newspaper. "Please Sasuke. I need you to believe me. There is nothing going on." She pleaded.

Sasuke remained silent. But the King certainly could not let it go. "Then how can you explain this! You dare to commit such crime and still choose to sit beside Sasuke. I cannot believe this! I asked you one time. And you lied! To the King of Konoha no less!"

Sakura was about to apologize and explain once more when the Queen had arrived, running towards Sakura. Mikoto had protectively hugged Sakura as if trying to shield her from her husband. "What is going on?" She asked.

Fugaku then shoved the newspaper into his wife's hands. "Talk to your daughter-in-law. I am done reminding them how to be responsible." He then glanced at his son. Sasuke did not miss the look of disappointment his father had given him. The King then turned around, leaving Sakura crying into Mikoto's arms.

Mikoto only glanced at the newspaper. She carefully studied her son's reaction. His eyes focused on the ground, his fists tightened. "Sasuke, my son. I am sure this is all a misunderstanding." She begun, still wrapping her arms around Sakura. When Sasuke still did not speak, Sakura had tried to touch Sasuke's shoulder, trying to reach out and calm him down. And yet, Sasuke flinched at the contact. Immediately, Sakura retreated her hand.

As if expecting that kind of reaction, Sakura did not waver. "Please Sasuke. I didn't know he was there! I swear! I had no plans on meeting him at all. You know this! He just happened to enroll at the same day!" A sob escaped Sakura's lips, seeing how bad Sasuke had reacted from the news. Studying Sasuke's reaction had turned Sakura's knees into jelly. She felt like she was about to collapse if not for the Queen trying to support her.

After a while, Sasuke raised his head and looked straight into Sakura's green green pleading eyes. It was as if he was gauging her sincerity, testing if she was telling the truth. "Please talk to me, Sasuke. Say something, anything. Anything is better than this silent treatment. Please." Sakura cried.

At last, Sasuke spoke. "I am not mad at you. If that's what you are worried about." A flicker of emotion crossed his eyes, but it was gone in an instant. "I only ask you of one thing, Sakura. Be careful of the eyes that are watching you."

Not understanding at first, she only stared at him. She noticed that he was not mad anymore. It was as if for the last minute, he had discovered something, like he finally solved a mystery puzzle. Then it clicked to her. He thought that Gaara and I- the idea alone had made Sakura's head spinning. "No. It's not really what you think. If you would just let me explain. I am sure you will understand."

But he only shook his head no. "No need. I already understand. Please excuse me, Mother. I got tired from the early activities today. I think I'll take a nap." He turned to his mother and kissed her cheek. He then patted Sakura's shoulder before leaving.

Sakura made a move to go after him, but Mikoto engulfed her with another hug. "Let's leave him for a while, shall we? This could be a lot for him to take in. I am certain things will eventually settle down. I believe you, my dear, okay? Stop crying." But Sakura cried even harder this time. She clung into what little comfort the Queen had given her.

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The Queen was clear when she explained that Sakura must be in the King's chambers first thing in the morning. Just like Sasuke, the Queen thought that the King must have been too influenced by his emotions to approach. Mikoto had also warned her about the upcoming whirlwind inside the Palace and that Sakura must be prepared for it. At the end, Mikoto had promised her that she would be there for Sakura no matter what.

Sakura was beyond grateful; Mikoto had stayed with her until Sakura seemed to have calmed down a bit. Eventually, Mikoto tucked Sakura in her bed, brushing her pink locks. The cries in time turned into quiet sniffs.

"Your Majesty? Can I ask you a question?"

"Yes, what is it dear?" Mikoto continued to be a doting mother, sitting on the edge of the princess's bed.

"I hurt your son. So why? Instead of comforting me, you should be with Sasuke right now." She sadly stated. Mikoto chose to keep silent for a while, trying to put her words altogether to make her daughter-in-law understand. Sakura had eventually sat up, carefully observing the Queen's reaction to her question.

Mikoto then smiled at her. "By being engaged to Sasuke, you had become my daughter. I know how deep your feelings for my son. I am watching you two. There is no way you would do such thing, am I right? It must be difficult for Sasuke but I know you need me right now. I know my son more than anyone. And instead of checking up on him, giving him the time and space he needed is the best thing to do for now."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I would not know what to do if you weren't here by my side. His Majesty is so livid. I was so scared." Sakura brought her hands to her face, a few more tears slipped down her face. Mikoto did not waste a second to wrap her arms around Sakura once more.

Sakura had fallen asleep after that. Mikoto was worried; the princess had been crying far too much the past week. With her slender figure, Mikoto could not figure out where the water had been coming from. She closed the door to her room with a silent thud only for her to come face-to-face with Sasuke himself.

He bowed his head in respect to his mother. Quite puzzled, Mikoto asked her son. "I thought you were sleeping. You said that you were quite tired early on." Mikoto chose not to dwell on the fact that her son must have come to check on Sakura. She had noticed the bags under his eyes, his hair quite a mess. She had also heard from the maids that he had not eaten lunch.

A tired sigh escaped from the Queen's lips. "Are you well, my prince?" Mikoto then put both of her hands on each side of his cheeks. "You must have been restless these past few days. And now this. I am worried about you, Sasuke."

"I am fine, Mother. You have nothing to be worry about."

"You cannot fool me for I am your mother." Mikoto then lifted her right hand to his nape, engulfing Sasuke with a hug. Before Sasuke could protest, the Queen had already brought Sasuke down to her level. "All I do these past few days is be worried about you and Sakura. Now, I am very much concerned with your father's health. He must be stressed seeing the pictures. If I can just do something to ease all your pain..my son."

"Mom..I-"

"Shh..Let me be here for you. I feel useless seeing you suffer like this. I can only hope that you find it in your heart to forgive Sakura. That girl..I believe she truly cares for you. Like how many times she had willingly give you multiple chances, trust her. Listen to what she have to say. Hmm?"

Sasuke chose not to answer. He only let his mother cooed him like a baby, seeking warmth and comfort.

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Itachi found out what exactly happened after he saw the empty seats in the dining area. Only he and Izumi were present for lunch. He already knew right away that something must had happened. As far as he could remember, there were no official business for the Palace that day. Beside him, Izumi wore a concerned expression.

He then turned to his wife. "Do you have an idea what is going on?"

"I saw the newspapers today. There is another issue concerning your little brother and Sakura. This time, it could really much affect the royal family." Izumi explained, disheartened.

"What do you mean by that?" Itachi asked, puzzled.

"There had been pictures of Sakura and Prince Gaara together. I guess the King had confronted Sasuke and Sakura about this. And for sure, the Queen was already trying to ease the tension between them."

Itachi had been preoccupied with the wedding preparations lately that made him unable to keep to date with the latest news. He had not yet finished his lunch when he stood up, telling Izumi that he had yet something important to do and left the dining area right away.

Itachi went to seek his father. As he entered the King's office, he could already see the King worn out from the stress lately. "Father. I heard about the unfortunate situation we have. I apologize if I had not come to you immediately."

Fugaku waved his hand on his seat. "There is nothing we can do to fix this mess created by your brother and sister-in-law. I was thinking if we had a mistake in honing her as a royalty." Fugaku shook his head.

"What if instead of allowing Sasuke only to go to Oto, let us also ask Sakura to join Sasuke. In that way, people would doubt Sasuke and Sakura less. With Gaara in the same school as Sakura, there is a high probability that this can happen again."

Fugaku took a moment to consider Itachi's suggestion. "Having this kind of rumor had put our allegiance to Sunagakure at stake. If that Prince Gaara was from other another country, this would be easier to handle. Your suggestion will be brought up to the upcoming summit of the Five Great Nations. I will see to it that the King of Sunagakure and I will have a private meeting after the summit.

"For the meantime, tell your sister-in-law to pack her things. She will be going overseas."

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A/N: This time, it is really a new chapter. Hope you guys like it. I am planning to update once more next week.

Your reviews are very much appreciated. I'd like to know your thoughts.