GONG. GONG. GONGGG. Bells rang through the seven kingdoms that gloomy Sunday morning as terrible news had reached each king.
"You're saying, Oonoki choked on his own blood? Impossible!" Shikamaru shook his head in disbelief. How could one of the most powerful leaders die from something so small?
"It appears so and the Land of Earth is pressing us to send the heir to be crowned by the end of the week." Hiruzen Sarutobi says as he puffs his pipe.
Puzzled, Shikamaru asks the king. "What does that have to do the Land of Fire?"
"You should have read the history of earth country and know of Oonoki's promise to the Hyuuga clan." Shikamaru still looks confused.
"Alright, I will tell you. Back in the 2nd Shinobi World War, every kingdom had it's own special forces to fight except for Earth. Oonoki called it a 'warrior drought,' because Earth country is known for miners and farmers, warriors are rare. A special clan known as the Hyuuga heard of his dilemma and made him a deal."
"Let me guess, the clan fights his wars in exchange for the crown upon his death?" The advisor quips.
"Yes and no. The Hyuuga have a special bloodline called the byakugan. Oonoki knew the advantage of having such power in his kingdom and thought it would be best to have it in his control. So he made the deal. Now we have to send the next heir, a Hyuuga to claim the throne." Sarutobi packs his pipe and lights it.
Shikamaru, looking pensive, ponders who could be that heir.
"Neji Hyuuga, Shikamaru. He will be the next king of Earth."
~~Meanwhile~~
Two young princes walk through the lavish corridors, conversing about recent events. Busy maids stop to bow and blush at the two handsome princes.
"King of Earth, huh? That's great. Glad to know my ally is also my most trusted friend." Sasuke, upon hearing the news, congratulates Neji.
"Thanks. But do I get a queen? Kings have queens. That's their destiny. Maybe my family will arrange one"
"Maybe Ami will be your queen." Sasuke says coyly with his infuriating smirk plastered on his face.
Neji pales. "Not to say anything improper about a royal lady, but she's not my type. Too girly."
"Ah. But there's the issue. I need a favor." Sasuke says as he stops and looks Neji in the eyes.
"Sure. Anything. Name it." Neji says. They begin walking again, speaking in hushed voices.
"Yesterday at breakfast, my mother accused my fiancée of locking a woman in the dungeon and treating inhumanely. I need to know if this is true so I can deal with her. Could you ask Ami about it?"
"What does Ami have to do with it?" Neji asks.
"She's Karin's best friend. She must tell her everything."
"But why would she tell me?" Sasuke deadpans.
Neji laughs."Right. Stupid question. Ok, I will investigate this matter"
"Thank you Neji." Sasuke says as the two princes part ways.
Neji had a lot to think about. His new kingship, his favor for Sasuke. He scrunches his nose at the thought of seducing Ami. 'Might as well get it over with. But first, let me eat.' He muses as he passes the door to the castles garden.
Through that door was the most beautiful garden in the Land of Fire. It had roses, pansies, lilies, orchids. Any flower you name it except cherry blossoms.
"I don't know why Hiruzen never ordered for cherry blossoms to be in the garden. Just one tree would suffice." A beautiful blonde princess says out loud as she gathers flowers.
She sits on the grass, under the gloomy sky humming a tune she can't quite place. She arranges white daffodils with lilies and couples it with pink gladioli. Ino loves flower arranging. She knows all the meanings to any kind of flower in the Fire kingdom. One day, Ino hopes to discover the meanings of flowers across the world.
She asked if she may arrange the condolence flowers for Earth country that Fire would send and they let her.
With a smile on her face, she looks at her arrangement and ties with a ribbon. "Perfect." She says.