It had been a grueling five-hour flight for the younger prince of Konoha. He was not able to sleep the night prior. He was also suffering from jet lag with a ten-hour time differential between Suna and Kumo, comparing it to a three-hour time difference between Konoha and Suna which he had to deal with the week prior.
Before he decided to finally set things right and take Sakura with him, he asked his Father first if he should tell his fiancee the good news. That damn crown prince of Suna was no longer their problem; that everything will fall into place soon. That she does not need to sacrifice anymore.
Remembering the red-haired prince made his blood boil. How immature, how impolite. How could such a royalty behave like that? Sasuke nearly punched him straight in the face, recalling his earlier remark pertaining to Sakura. How could that brat confidently say that he was concerned for her well-being, how could he describe his feelings for her as love..when he does not even respect her.
Sasuke knew that he was not the best man for Sakura. Hell, she deserves a lot better than him. But the thought of her being with someone else had his heart squeezing; the pain he did not expect for him to feel until now. Especially if it is with that Gaara.
Remembering how he acted impulsively during her birthday had him wishing he never left her. He had beaten the shit out of himself after that day. On top of that, they were not able to talk properly afterwards. Most of the time, their fights were caused by miscommunication and misunderstandings.
He had always chosen to keep silent. And his Father giving him the permission to take his fiancee back to where she truly belongs, Sasuke would make sure that everything would be clear between the two of them. He would listen to what she had to say, and in return, he would also be more honest to her.
Naruto was quick to open his side of the door. Sasuke wordlessly stepped his feet out of the car. He paused for a minute to study the luxurious penthouse in front of him. It was painted with different shades of green, reminding the prince of his fiancee's shimmering eyes. Two body guards were assigned to stand by in front of the gates; they shifted from their previous position to a more dignified one at the sight of Sasuke.
Sasuke only took a few steps for him to ring the door bell. When no one answered, he turned to the body guards who were still completely on high-alert. Since the royal guards are specifically taught not to talk nor engage in any kind of conversation with the royalties, he turned to Naruto. "Ask them the whereabouts of the princess."
Naruto then nodded in recognition. "I believe His Highness just asked a question." Sasuke rolled his eyes at that.
One of the body guards saluted to Naruto, recognizing him as his superior. He proceeded to report the schedule Sakura would follow the entire day. Hearing this, Sasuke had been fully aware that Sakura would not be home for at least the next two hours due to a charity event the Kumogakure's princess personally organized.
Naruto was quick to suggest that they should wait for Her Highness inside. Even the royal guards were already opening the gates for him, but he quickly waved a dismissive hand. "I will just wait for her here." He announced.
His bestfriend slash personal assistant and body guard was quick to react. "Your fiancee will not be home for two hours, Sasuke. What are you thinking?" He muttered softly, enough for only Sasuke to hear.
"It's fine, Naruto. I'll call her."
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Indeed, after about thirty minutes, a familiar limousine stopped by in front of the gates. Sakura did not even wait for her body guard to open the door for her. She was wearing a beige, knee-length dress. Her hair was now brushing her shoulders, Sasuke observed.
She sprinted towards his direction wherein he was leaning backwards on his personal limousine. His hands tucked inside his pockets. She stopped by within a few meters in front of him. "You really are here." She breathed out shakily.
"I thought you have a charity event to attend to." He stood up straight, memorizing every detail of his fiancee's eyes. At that moment, Sasuke was sure she would throw her arms around him. But instead, she smiled the brightest; her eyes conveying so much emotions he had not seen before.
"Why did you not invite yourself inside? Thinking about it, if I stayed longer in the event, you would have waited for me for more than an hour." She frowned.
"You're here now. You don't have to complicate things." He replied as Sakura lead him inside her temporary house.
They settled down in the living room while Tenten prepared snacks for them. It was afterall past two o'clock in the afternoon. Sakura babbled something about trying local foods in Kumo. He could not care less, but he listened to every word she had to say. From her studies to charity programs to meeting different people.
Sasuke wanted to imagine that everything would be fine now. That everything would be back to normal as soon as he told her she could already come back home. But that was not the case. There were so many things he wanted to tell her, but as if he could not find the right words.
"Sakura.."
She paused then, tilting her head in the process. "Is something wrong, Sasuke-kun? Oh sorry, I must be boring you again with my nonsense stories." She smiled sadly.
That's not it. I actually like the sound of your voice. Sasuke wished to tell her, but instead kept quiet and ordered Tenten to leave them for a while. At the sound of the door closing, the young prince turned to face his fiancee in a serious manner.
"I talked to Gaara." He started. And even before he could continue, he already noticed how Sakura tensed up a bit just hearing the other prince's name. She looked worried, anxious even.
"His Majesty arranged a meeting only for Suna and Konoha's officials. You have nothing to worry about Gaara anymore. I am certain the rumors would easily die down soon. He would be crowned as the next King by next month. And as any other royals, it is expected for him to pass down the throne to his heirs. They already selected a fitting Queen to stand beside him." He explained briefly. However, Sakura still looked uneasy about the news.
"Did you fight with him?" She asked, uncertain.
He studied her expression for a minute. She clearly had changed. She had matured. For one thing she did not cry nor threw herself at the mere sight of him. Instead, she showed him how glad she was to finally see him after three weeks. She had given him that smile. The smile that was only intended for him. And yet, it made him feel somehow upset.
"Are you mad at me?" He finally questioned. "No, rather, are you still mad at me?"
"Eh? Why ask that suddenly?" She shook her head no. "I am happy to see you, I really do. Why would you think that?"
"You changed." He muttered lowly.
"Sasuke..living here in three weeks..I realized so many things. That maybe these problems that we came across for the past year had also been my fault. We are the Konoha's royal prince and princess. People expect a lot from us. And in return, I should be a good example to our people." She smiled sadly. "It would be easier for me to blame everything to you. But Sasuke, I am sorry too. I realized that being too clingy, too emotional..will only result to more misunderstandings and fights for us. I don't own you. I should be able to stand on my own and not just rely on you all the time."
"Sakura.." He started but abruptly cut off.
"No, let me finish." She shook her head. "I know you must be blaming yourself for all of these. But I did not also consider your feelings. I was also selfish. I was asking you constantly to be honest with me..to talk to me. But thinking back, I never listened to you. It even resulted into this. It was inconsiderate of me to have all the royal family members hovering and shielding me. I was nothing but a brat three weeks ago." She let out a tired sigh.
"We did not start the way normal couples should have started. Our fates had been sealed the moment we were born. Normal couples started off as friends then eventually getting to know more of each other. Falling in love, dating, the guy proposing, married life, having kids. It wasn't like that for us, Sasuke. We started off right in the middle. And instead of moving forward, we always took a step backward. I do not know you. All I know is that you are soon-to-be my husband, that you're the proud prince of Konoha, the handsome-looking guy every girl fantasizes." She paused, reaching for Sasuke's hand, gripping it lightly.
"Being a princess is every girl's dream. But being in the palace for a year, I realized I am not Cinderella. It's far from the Disney movies that Ino and I watched when we were kids. A princess has many responsibilities. I even started to doubt that you may be a prince, but maybe not for me. I ask myself every time I hear your voice, how long will I be able to stand by your side? How long will I be able to squeeze your hand like this? I am scared that I am only dreaming, that once I wake up, you'll disappear in my life."
Hearing such thoughts from Sakura, Sasuke could not help but feel guilty. He had no idea how heavy the burden she was carrying up until now. To suddenly finding out about her foster parents, to becoming a princess, to being his fiancee. She then looked up and continued. "I wonder how can I love someone who I don't know. I am asking too much from you, I guess. That is why from now on, I will tell you exactly my thoughts. I will not whine and act like your spoiled little girlfriend. After all, we've passed that stage. I want this to work out between the two of us. For the Palace, For Konoha's sake."
He stared at the floor for more than a minute, contemplating what to tell her. His mind was on a whirlwind right now. He, too, wanted a better relationship with her.
She then began to put her other hand on top of their intertwined hands. "I don't expect for you to return my feelings any time soon. But I think you should know. I love you, Sasuke. I do not know when exactly. Nor do I know how. But I came to love you."
He looked up, a sad smile once again flustered onto her face. He knew about her feelings all along, but for her to completely confess it directly to him had his heart fluttering with unknown emotions.
A somewhat tense silence filled the room. The prince did not dare to meet her eyes. Should he say sorry? Should he tell her he does not deserve her love and affections? She was offering him a second chance..to start over, to learn from their mistakes.
"Then tell me what to do." He said after a while, once his heart had seemed to calm down. "I am nothing like the proud prince you've heard of. You knew I am cruel; all I did and probably going to do is hurt you." He turned his head to the right, refusing to look at her at all.
"Stop. I don't wanna hear it. Stop making me hate you, it's not going to happen." She said, forcing him to look at her eyes. She placed her hands on either side of his cheeks. "Sasuke, I am not saying this to make you mine. I want to be the princess the Konoha deserves. And if our relationship will always be like this, I can't be that. Don't you want to give us a chance? For Konoha?"
After a while, he removed her hands from his cheeks. "Is that what you think? That being with me is nothing but an obligation you have to fulfill for the rest of your life?" Sakura noticed the way he bit his lower lip like he was holding back.
"Of course not! I want to establish a good relationship with you. I don't want us just to be civil, pretending in front of our people. I never wanted to fool anyone. I want a meaningful life with you, creating memories, and even having kids with you." She responded, a little shocked hearing such a thing from Sasuke. "Meeting different people here, I was given a chance to talk to kids who suffered so much because of failed marriages. I don't want that to happen to us. What I am trying to say is that I want to know you better, as someone dear to me, as someone I will be spending my life with. I want to know your likes, dislikes..your ambitions in life, your fears. I want to know who Sasuke Uchiha is, not the younger prince of Konoha."
Silence settled once again after that. When Sakura was sure she had already done everything she could to fix their vague and unclear relationship, she made a move to stand up. And as she was about to leave the room, Sasuke's voice was enough to stop her.
"How can you just forgive me? Why would you go so far for me? I pushed you away too many times. I caused you unbearable pain. So why."
She turned to face him. "I thought I already told you. It's because I deeply care about you. And I deserve to be with someone I love."
He stood up as well and crossed the distance between the two of them in an instant. He brushed away a lock of her hair from her face. His thumb caressing the corner of her lip. "There is a high probability I'll hurt you again."
"Don't be so hard on yourself. I hurt you too, didn't I? The important thing is that we've learned from the past. And as long as we are breathing, we can try and make things better. And I think I am lucky enough to have a million more chances to make this, us work." She blinked back a tear threatening to fall down from the corner of her eye.
It had been so long since they shared a kiss. And like in the movies, Sasuke felt that it was his cue to lean in and finally close the distance between the two of them. However..
A loud knock on the door forced the two to drift apart. As always, his best friend has really good sense of timing. Naruto had informed Sasuke that the King wishes to talk to him. The prince excused himself for a while but not before telling her to dress up. And when she asked where are they going, he simply told her to wear one of her favorite dresses, a formal one at that, and she could take it as them starting over again.
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Tenten helped Sakura to choose her dress. It was a stunning, peach-colored, mermaid evening gown. The servant had teased the princess that they are going out on a date. Sakura was quick to brush it off saying that they must be going to a formal event for royalties. She even had a theory that initially Sasuke was the only one invited, but decided to let her join him to make up for the three weeks they spent apart.
"But, Your Highness, it still sounds like a date to me." Tenten said while applying some make-up in the princess's cheeks. "It may be a a formal gathering as you may say, but he personally asked you to accompany him the entire night, didn't he?"
"True. Thinking back, he told me about starting over.." She muttered loudly.
"His Highness must be shy to directly ask you out on a date. Regardless, I am happy for you, Milady, I told you things would be better eventually." Sakura caught the genuine smile Tenten had given her through the mirror.
"Thank you, Tenten. I truly am grateful. I wouldn't know what to do if you weren't here with me. I am glad you had been assigned to be my personal assistant. Although I wish you could drop the title and treat me as a friend." The princess pouted a little.
"Your Highness.. I don't know what to say.."
A quiet knock on the door indicated that Sasuke was already waiting for his fiancee. Naruto announced that Milady can take as much time as she needed, and that His Highness will be waiting for her in the living room. Sakura thanked Naruto, telling him she would be out in a minute.
When she emerged in the living room, Sasuke took a moment to appreciate the beauty his fiancee possesses. She was simply captivating. He stood up from his seat and offered his hand to her. Sakura took it and willingly followed Sasuke's lead.
"You look as dashing as ever." The princess told her companion while they are on their way to a car. He was wearing deep-blue suit and tie, this time.
"I know." He replied while opening the front passenger seat for her. She sighed inwardly hearing such a response from him. And when Sasuke had made it inside as well, this time, in the driver's seat, Sakura frowned. "You're driving? No royal guards then?"
"That's right." He replied shortly while maneuvering the limousine.
"Seriously?" She turned her head to face him.
"Not exactly."
"I don't understand. Where are we going, Sasuke?"
"You'll see. Now, stop asking me questions and trust me, you'll like it there." He said, while expertly turning left in the intersection.
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The couple shortly arrived in a seaport. Not understanding at first, Sakura remained on her seat watching ships after ships depart from the port. And when finally Sasuke opened the door for her, she realized that maybe they really are not going to a press conference nor a party for royalties.
She quickly recognized Naruto and other body guards patrolling a particular cruise ship. They assisted the royal couple and assured their safety while boarding the ship. She was beyond amazed to see what was waiting for her during the ride.
A single, round table had been set up in the middle of the dining area. The chef and two other waitresses had greeted them warmly. A soft romantic background music was playing, and the entire cruise ship could only be defined as elegance and beauty.
Once the couple settled down on their seats, the ship started to part from the seaport. Sasuke was busy checking out at the menu, while Sakura still could not understand what was happening. "Sasuke?"
"Hm?" He let out a sound indicating he had heard her. But still he did not look up.
"What are we doing here? Are we waiting for someone important?"
"No. Only the two of us. And them." He pointed out to the chef and his two assistants. "And also a few of the body guards surrounding the area. Should I also mention the captain and his other crews?" He added.
When it was clear she still did not understand, Sasuke set the menu aside and looked at her attentively. "You told me you want to start over. You even mentioned about us starting off in a middle. So I figured..this." He quickly averted his eyes.
"Is this a date?" Her eyes questioning, asking for confirmation.
Sasuke chose not answer her and picked the menu once again. "What would you like to eat? You must be hungry."
Sakura smiled in understanding. He had taken her words seriously this time. He was actually making such effort to reach out. He was now considering her feelings and doing his part. She reached for his hand on the table.
It was evident it had caught Sasuke off guard. And when his eyes connected to hers, she mouthed a sincere thank you.
They had their dinner afterwards. And after that, they had moved to the open area wherein they could see where the path the ship is taking. Sasuke learned that his fiancee had been once bullied because of her seemingly large forehead. She was also nostalgic telling him her childhood adventures with Ino, the first time she had seen an actual rainbow and the first and last out of town camping with her foster parents.
"You know, at first, I was mad at them. For concealing the truth from me. You know how shocked I was, seeing the King and Queen inside our small house?! I felt betrayed, like I was a completely different person. And even though I feel honored to be the Kakashi Hatake's daughter, I wish I could meet him even only for once. I wish he did not have to sacrifice his life. I may sound so selfish, but that is what I truly feel." She stated sadly.
"Don't be sorry. No one deserves to grow up like you did." He tried to comfort her.
"I dreamed about my real mother quite frequently when I was a kid." She continued telling him some of her secrets. "I know that she died a few days after she gave birth to me, but I always hear her singing a lullaby to me. It is as if she's telling me she's sorry for not being there for me. I thought I was simply hallucinating, but when Maito Gai had given me our only family portrait, I knew then. It was her." She said as they stared at the starry night sky above.
He simply studied her face for a minute. He then proceeded to tell her one of his childhood memories. "Kakashi Hatake..is one of the royal officials I started looking up to when I was growing up. He was exceptional both in skills and his mental ability. Hearing his heroic deeds from father pushed me to do better. I did not know I would end up being with his only daughter."
Sakura beamed at him. "I did not know that. Well, looking back, I was not supposed to be engaged with you but to the late King Obito's son. It may sound ridiculous to you, but maybe it is fate that lead us to be here..together."
Hearing that particular words, Sasuke could not help but feel bad for being thankful it is him Sakura ended up with. His life would never be the same if he had not met her. Watching her enjoy the view, looking at the stars Sasuke could not even care less, he somehow felt..contented. He felt that he could spend the entire week, month.. in the ship.. as long as she stayed by his side.
"Sakura, I'm sorry."
"Eh? For what?" She was startled; she finally took her eyes off at the stars and whipped her head at his direction.
"For everything." He said, looking into her eyes.
At that time, the famous Lightning Tower came into their view. Sasuke wordlessly took a step towards her direction. A few tears had slipped from her eyes once again. "You better be, you stupid." She breathed out.
In that moment, no one was there to interrupt him. Sasuke put both of his hands at each side of her cheeks, his intention clear. And when finally he brushed his lips with hers, he heard Sakura let out a contented sigh. He pulled away for a minute and rested his forehead against hers.
And boy, he was more than surprised when she draped one of her arms around him for another kiss.
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A personnel lead them to their separate bedrooms which were facing each other. Sakura thanked Sasuke once again, telling him how did she enjoy his company the entire night. She said goodnight, tiptoeing to kiss him on the cheek.
And before she could take another step, Sasuke caught her arm. She turned and gave him a questioning look. "I'm going back to Konoha tomorrow night. Father needs me there."
Sakura's smile instantly vanished. "That soon?"
He nodded. "Come home with me."
She took a step backward. "I- I miss Ino and my parents.. and Konoha. But I- I don't know, Sasuke." She said after a while, trying to avoid his eyes.
"You can return now, you know that, right?"
"It's just that I want to spend more time here. I feel like they need me here." She explained, but could not help but feel sad parting ways with her fiancee once again.
But I need you too, Sasuke wanted to tell her. He then exhaled a heavy sigh. "Don't worry about it too much. I am sure Father and Mother will understand your decision." He said, concealing the fact that he was a bit disappointed. He kissed her forehead and opened the door to his room.
Sakura simply stared at the space where the prince had been a few seconds ago.
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A/N: I suck at adulting. I feel lost even, like I do not know where to start. I do not know when will I have the free time again to write, but it makes me feel better once I accomplish something. Happy SSmonth everyone! And also advance happy birthday to my first ever crush, Uchiha Sasuke. I love you.
And I love you guys.. I have been slightly getting better, although still, most of the time, I feel that my loved ones are better off without me.
Please leave me a review. It keeps me going. :) More so, I am beyond overwhelmed with the number of reviews I received last chapter. Thank you guys!