Author's Note:
This chapter is longer and to me feels a little rushed but covered all the points I wanted to cover before getting into the larger parts! I hope you enjoy! I might go back and edit some things later, if I do I will mention it at the beginning of the next chapter.

Chapter 2: Into the Unknown

Moments later thunder rumbled above them, and rain pounded against their skin and clothes as he pulled back on the reigns causing Nobu to low down after they had gotten to their destination, Sasuke's eyes widened in surprise as he gazed ahead of him, "What… is this place?" He muttered in disdain. His eyes swiftly scanned the area ahead of him. It was a barren town with small houses scattered about lining the dirt road, small shops were setup within the houses by the looks of it and the largest building was a barn on the edge of town. A few people came out of their houses hearing the noise of Nobu's hooves and tired nickers as he shook his head trying to graze upon the wet grass. "It's Sakura!" A man yelled racing over to them, Sakura beamed with delight waving at him, she signed with her hands again softly before outstretching her arms, the man helped her off the horse gently.

"Sakura-chan there you are! We have been worried sick about you." He said concerned as he looked her over, she smiled waving her hands gently as she shook her head before she glanced up at Sasuke softly. The man's eyes trailed up to him before others came over to see what was happened and checked to see if Sakura was okay. "Who are you?" The man asked with a gruff voice glaring at him, Sasuke frowned lightly at the man before he scoffed, "I am Prince Sasuke Uchiha from the Uchiha Kingdom, I got lost in your forest when I came across Sakura. She led the way to your village for shelter from the storm and strange bandits lurking outside." He said, "She healed my horse." He said petting Nobu who nickered happily towards Sakura. The man's eyes widened, "Well I never, to think there is a prince in our little village." He said with a hearty chuckle, "My name is Daisuke. Welcome to Hikari your majesty, please let us take care of your horse and we'll get you out of the storm, it is supposed to stop later tonight." He smiled lightly, another man walked over looking at Nobu, "He's a fine stallion, so long as he doesn't harass my mares, he can stay in the barn tonight." He chuckled, Sasuke got off Nobu lightly and offered him the reigns, "Very well, thank you." He said though he was still wary of the strange village.

"I've never heard of this village before, I am not sure I have even seen it on a map. Is there a map of this place so I can get home?" Sasuke asked but the villagers merely smiled at him as Sakura turned back and smiled at Sasuke softly, she walked over and took his hand before leading him down the road towards a small house, the villagers laughed warmly and smiled waving at them as they got back to their business lightly leaving Sasuke unsure and confused about where this girl was taking him and why no one was explaining anything. "Seriously this is getting creepy and cryptic, can someone answer my questions?" he mumbled getting annoyed before deep onyx eyes met brilliant emerald orbs staring at him in utter wonder, her smile left him speechless before he allowed her to continue dragging him into the house softly. His eyes trained to a door hanging over the house which read Doctor, he raised a brow as she practically dragged him inside with all her might before she closed the door softly behind them taking off her shoes softly before she ran inside gently. An elderly woman walked out from the kitchen, "Sakura! About time you are home! I was getting worried about you." She chuckled before she paused and noticed a certain raven-haired young man standing in her doorway. Chiyo smiled playfully, "So much more not falling in love." She whispered under her breath before she walked over to him.

Her old eyes scanned his features before smacking her lips a bit and nodded her head in understanding, "I've heard of your kind, you are a Uchiha aren't you? What are you doing all the way out here?" She asked. Sasuke let out a breath, "Finally someone will hopefully answer my questions." He mumbled irked by how eerie the villagers had been towards answering him, "I got lost after being attacked by bandits, my horse ran off and I ran into that girl that ran in here. She healed my horse and then brought me here after it started to storm, and we almost ran into some black cloaked strangers." He mumbled lightly. Chiyo's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at him, "Black cloaked strangers?" She asked trailing off almost startled, "They had some weird symbols on their cloaks but otherwise I thought they might just be bandits." Sasuke explained lightly watching as the old ladies' eyes moved gradually from him and glanced over at the pink haired girl softly gathering towels and bringing them over. "Ah thanks." Sasuke mumbled taking a towel and started to dry his hair lightly.

Chiyo frowned lightly in deep thought before she smiled softly at Sakura, "Sakura dear, go get our guest something to change into for the night so I can hang his clothes to dry, okay?" She asked, Sakura smiled bobbing her head gently before she smiled and walked upstairs gently to another room to grab spare clothes. Sasuke frowned lightly, "Sakura?" He asked, the old woman gave him a soft smile, "Sakura is her name, my name is Chiyo. I will answer your questions over dinner so go get changed while I prepare it." She said before she headed back into the kitchen a little slowly, Sasuke tsked lightly but walked upstairs after taking off his shoes, he walked to a room and his eyes widened seeing Sakura who was already changed into a fresh dress now sitting and drying her hair softly by candlelight. Sasuke wondered if his eyes were gazing upon that of an angel instead of a girl, he caught her eyes glancing towards him before he cleared his throat and looked away swiftly. Sakura smiled as she got up softly and offered him a change of clothes, he took it quietly and watched as she left the room closing the door behind her. His eyes narrowed he wondered how many lived like this in such a small village, one he had never heard of before.

Sakura leaned on the door softly relaxing tiredly before her eyes looked up seeing Chiyo walking down the hall to her, Chiyo raised her hands up softly cupping her cheeks as she examined her eyes, "Come dear, it is time to take your medicine." She said gently leading Sakura downstairs softly back into the kitchen, Sakura sank into the seat quietly lowering her head gently feeling tired. Her eyes trailed up to Chiyo who placed down a cup of tea and a round ball on the table, "Take it dearie." She said gently, Sakura smiled gently, 'Thank you, I shall.' She signed softly before she sat up and took a sip of tea gently before she popped the pill into her mouth and then drank her tea to swallow the pill putting the tea down gently. "So, you snagged yourself a prince mhm?" Chiyo teased playfully causing Sakura to blush wildly shaking her head, 'It isn't like that, he was lost and needed help.' She signed before waving her hands frantically. Chiyo laughed heartily before she mused to herself, "Mhm perhaps it is fate then?" She asked as Sakura's eyes slowly trailed down to the table, 'It would be a cruel sense of fate than wouldn't it?' she signed after a moment, Chiyo placed down a few plates on the table as she looked at her, "I don't think so dear, you need to have faith that your curse will be broken." Chiyo spoke tenderly as she put down a bowl of dumplings followed by a bowl of fried rice with vegetables and put hamburger steaks on their plates with sauce.

Sakura's eyes lit up upon seeing her favourite meals before she looked at Chiyo curiously, "We have a guest today dear; I am sure he isn't used to our food, but I thought I would make my best dishes!" The old lady chuckled as Sakura smiled happily nodding her head joyfully before she heard footsteps, she glanced towards the door seeing Sasuke come out in a simple shorts and t-shirt looking at them rather begrudgingly. Chiyo held back a laugh before she cleared her throat, "Your majesty, I am sorry we don't have much else for you to wear, but please come eat before bed." She offered as the raven-haired prince sauntered over and slid into the chair beside Sakura, he scanned her excited expression uncertainly before he looked at Chiyo. "Do you have a map of the area so I can get home?" He asked, Chiyo mused, "Our maps are extremely outdated, but it should be able to get you home, I'll have one delivered by morning so you will be able to leave." She said thoughtfully.

Sasuke frowned upon hearing this but slowly nodded his head in defeat it was better than nothing, "So why have I never heard of your village before?" He quickly followed up, Chiyo blinked surprised, "Oh well, likely because of how far out we are, not many know the path to our village and seeing as we are an entirely independent village we don't go for trade or anything in the kingdoms… I wouldn't be surprised if we weren't even on your map." The old lady chuckled. Sasuke frowned lightly and slowly nodded his head though he didn't entirely understand how it could escape not only maps but history books of the lands as well. Once he got home he would look through the books and double check he didn't just forget about it. Sakura's eyes sparkled as she looked at Sasuke, she signed a few things swiftly and looked at Chiyo to see if she would translate for her. Chiyo chuckled, "So many questions Sakura, let me get you something." She said getting up gently, she walked to the shelf and grabbed off a notebook with a pen and carried it back offering it to her, she took it curiously before she smiled and bowed her head gratefully. Sasuke raised a brow unsure of what she was planning though Sakura seemed very happy with it.

Sakura smiled and softly got to work writing gently before she softly handed Sasuke the note, he took it gingerly before glancing down at it. 'Hello, your majesty, my name is Sakura it is nice to meet you. Do you come from very far away? What is it like outside of the forest? Your clothes are very fancy do you always get to wear such nice clothes?' it read. Sasuke clacked his tongue unfazed before he looked at Sakura, "You know, for a girl with very little words you certainly ask a lot of questions." He said with a small playful grin as he eyed her causing the pink-haired beauty to blush heavily nodding her head bashfully as she softly brushed her hair back over her ear and started to eat softly awaiting his answer. Sasuke mused to himself, "You can just call me Sasuke, your majesty gets old really fast." He mused as he started eating hesitantly, he had never had peasant food before, and he wasn't sure how it would taste but he was oddly surprised by the interesting flavor. It felt meatier than what he was used too but it wasn't terrible either.

The sauce tasted like something he couldn't explain, it seemed very simple but had a great flavor. The rice wasn't dry either, mixed with the vegetables and what appeared to be egg, it was fluffy and light; certainly, it was better than what he had expected. He examined the dumplings and watched as Sakura popped a whole one into her mouth giving off a delighted expression as she chewed it and then swallowed with a silent purr. He looked at his own and took one, popping it into his mouth and bit into it, his eyes widened as a burst of flavor exploded into his mouth. He swallowed awestruck by the rush of infused seasoning and umami remained dancing on his tongue, he quickly devoured another one savoring the food before he looked back at Sakura who was eagerly awaiting his answers. He swallowed taking a drink of the tea before he finally answered. "It is… nice to meet you too." He said thinking about what she had asked before, "I live pretty far from here, I was out heading to a neighbouring kingdom on princely business. It is… what have you never been outside the forest? The Kingdoms are huge and made of stone and full of life. Everything and everyone are always busy and around the docks they sell literally anything from across the seas. Something is always happening there; it is never quiet, even at night you can find something to do. Yes, I always wear nice clothes I am a prince after all." Sasuke said as though it was obvious.

He was taken back to see Sakura's shocked and wide-eyed expression as he stared into her curious emerald orbs. He cleared his throat once more before he looked at her, "What about you? What do you do for fun around here? I mean… there isn't much here by the looks of it." He murmured lightly. Sakura thought about it looking down before she wrote again swiftly and then offered him another note. 'I like to learn about medicine from grandma Chiyo, I am training to be a doctor and I very much enjoy learning new things. I sometimes play with the village children, or I help my neighbours, sometimes I visit the animals in the barn. Though my favourite thing to do is go into the forest and search for herbs and see the wild animals. It's amazing and beautiful.' Sakura wrote tenderly and smiled at him. Sasuke looked at her shocked their lives were so different, she seemed so happy here in this small village he just couldn't fathom living here forever. "That… sounds fun." He murmured quietly as he kept eating softly. Chiyo smiled watching them gently, it was nice though only for a moment her eyes reflected sorrow. She swiftly smiled at Sakura, "Dear are you finished?" She asked watching as Sakura had put her chop sticks down humbly nodded her head gently, "Would you go place down a futon for our guest?" Chiyo asked smoothly, Sakura bobbed her head gently and got up wandering upstairs. Chiyo's eyes wandered to Sasuke who also appeared to be finished eating, "Sasuke, you mention strange men in black cloaks are wandering outside our village? What symbols were on their cloaks?" She asked, "I don't know, they looked like red clouds I think." He muttered as he tried to think back.

Chiyo looked down for a moment in thought before she smiled, "I can't thank you enough for bringing Sakura back home safe, she means the world to all of us." She said as she got up and started to clean, "You go get ready for bed your majesty, I will clean up and make the preparations for your leave tomorrow." She said gently going into the kitchen. Sasuke watched her go, "Hn." He murmured softly to her before he got up and wandered up the stairs quietly, he couldn't understand anyone enjoying living in such a small village and he couldn't wait to get home, he wondered if Naruto and Shikamaru would be able to find their way to the village or if he would find them on his way home. He looked around unsure of which room he was staying in until he paused seeing Sakura in a room, she was sitting in the windowsill softly, the storm had cleared leaving the moon free to shine down upon them, he watched as Sakura's body was bathed in a silver luster radiant upon her skin. Her hair blew delicately in the breeze like cherry blossoms in the wind, her eyes glanced over towards him, and he found himself lost within a sea of exquisite green. He couldn't deny that she was the most breathtaking girl he had ever seen in his life and if he could, he would want to claim her now. Even though she had no social standing to speak off and she came from a village he had never heard of he wasn't sure his parents would ever approve of such a union. He shook his head driving the feverish thoughts away from his head before he coughed lightly to gain her attention looking at her once more, "Is this my room?" he asked it was barren and was clearly unused though she had done her best to clean it up. She nodded her head gently as she looked at him softly slipping off the sill and wandered over to him, she pointed to the futon before she waved to him softly as though saying goodnight.

"Goodnight." He muttered as she walked past him, before he could react he reached out and grabbed her arm carefully, "Sakura if you could… would you ever… want to leave the forest?" he asked hesitantly as he caught the sweet smell of cherry blossoms from her hair, her eyes widened in surprise as she looked back at him. Truth if even if she left, she wasn't sure she could ever leave the forest and last very long on her own, but if dreams could be made real and she would live. She ducked her head even if it was for a day, she would want a chance to see the outside world, she bobbed her head yes with a tranquil smile, before the let go of her arm. Sasuke saw the peaceful smile upon her face forgetting himself as he let go of her arm and watched her disappear from her view before he quietly closed the door. Sasuke wasn't sure why he asked her that or grabbed her arm, perhaps he was just tired from the hectic day. He tsked to himself before he laid down upon the futon tiredly, he felt oddly comfortable even in this stranger's house, he yawned closing his eyes falling swiftly asleep.

Sakura walked towards her room and blinked as Chiyo walked over to her softly, "Is our guest asleep?" she asked, Sakura nodded her head, 'Yes Grandma.' She signed before her eyes landed upon the cup of tea in her grandma's hands, she blinked a bit and looked at her tilting her head. "Here Sakura, you were out in that storm today, I want you to take this herbal tea, so you don't end up with a fever tonight, okay? Can you drink this for me?" Chiyo asked her calmly with an easeful smile of her own offering it to her. Sakura beamed nodding her head in delight, she would do it for her beloved grandma Chiyo, she took the cup and softly downed the tea, licking her lips softly as she got the taste of lavender on her tongue. She blinked softly and looked at her confused, "A new recipe I am trying my love, does it taste good?" Chiyo asked her gently as the pink-haired beauty bobbed her head tiredly with a grin, it did taste good. "Tomorrow I will teach it to you, okay? So, you will be able to make it yourself." Chiyo said as she softly put the cup down on the shelf in the hall and took Sakura's arm leading the tired teen to her futon and helped her lay down softly. Sakura yawned silently nodding her head as she smiled at her, 'Okay, I can't wait for tomorrow, do you think Sasuke would let me ride Nobu once more before he leaves?' she signed softly up at her, Chiyo's eyes watered softly as she nodded her head, "Of course. I am sure he will." She spoke.

She looked at Sakura's whose eyes were slowly closing, "I love you Sakura, sweetest of dreams." She said sparsely as Sakura smiled at her drowsily, 'I love you too Grandma Chiyo.' She signed sluggishly listening as Chiyo hummed a soft lullaby to her. Sakura's eyes closed falling into a deep sleep, tears fell from Chiyo's face once Sakura finally dozed off, "Oh my sweet cherry blossom, I never thought this day would come, you gave me some of the best years of my life… raising you, loving you, teaching you. You have grown into a marvelous young lady, and I can't believe how long it has been since we took you in. The whole village will miss you so much, but we can't save you from this curse and they have finally located you. I will never forget that day you were crying on my doorstep. I love you so much Sakura, may the moon guide your way and may you be safe." She said as she moved Sakura's hair out of her face, she kissed her forehead before she got up softly, she had much work to do.

~X~X~X~X~X~X~

Sasuke groaned softly feeling someone nudging him in the middle of the night, he groaned angrily and sat up with a grumpy gaze upon his face, "What?" He snapped before he blinked seeing Chiyo sitting there on her hands and knees bowing towards him respectfully. He frowned lightly, "What is it? It is the middle of night?" He grumbled towards her rubbing his eye sleepily, Chiyo sighed softly, "Prince Sasuke, I know you barely know us, but I have an urgent request of you, and you are the only one I can ask of this." She begged softly. Sasuke rolled his eyes he had figured this would happen, "What do you want? Money for my stay? Is your village desperate for food, did you want the protection of our kingdom? What?" he asked annoyed with the old woman, he had come across many beggars in his travels between kingdoms and even within his own kingdom. He had no care for them whatsoever but was surprised when she shook her head, "No… no we would never ask such things of you. We do not need money; we have plenty of food to go around and we don't require your protection either. All we ask is that you save Sakura." She begged, "S-Save her?" Sasuke asked shocked as he looked at her warily. Chiyo sat up and frowned, "Those men in black cloaks… they are here for Sakura, and I worry they are too close to the village. Please take her away from here and go to your kingdom." She pleaded softly.

"You might never see her again, how can you be so sure that I wouldn't just sell her off to those men or leave her in the middle of nowhere?" Sasuke challenged her still taken by back her words. "I trust I will never see her again. I will spend the last of my days knowing I will never see her again, but if she is safe, then it is worth it. I do not believe you to be that kind of prince even with your attitude. I can see it in your eyes." Chiyo explained to him sadly. Sasuke couldn't believe his eyes or his ears, this old woman was begging him to take away her granddaughter? "Why? What… who are those men?" Sasuke asked. Chiyo's eyes saddened as she looked down gently, "I don't know. Sakura was left on my doorstep 16 years ago with a note explaining that a group of men in black cloaks with red clouds would come and take her… they would kill her. The note asked us to protect her, you see our entire village is protected by a genjutsu, unless you are apart of the village you can't get in without a guide. Should they manage to break through it we would be defenseless. We cannot protect Sakura with them being so close." Chiyo explained before she frowned more, "I don't have much time to explain it you need to take Sakura and leave before they find us. I packed her bags; your horse is ready to go, and I have a map for you with supplies." She said, "Please. I beg of you; will you answer a dying ladies plead?" She bit her lip as she bowed her head low to the ground waiting for his answer.

Sasuke tried to process this knowledge he couldn't understand why she was asking him to do such a thing, he swallowed lightly and looked at her, she would trust him with the life of a girl he had just met. "What if she won't come with me?" He asked warily as his eyes trailed to meet Chiyo's who smiled sparsely, "I gave her a tea laced with a sleeping drug, she won't be waking up any time soon. Will you please…? I have left her a letter that will explain everything to her once she wakes up, by the time she wakes up she should be in your kingdom. When she wakes up give her tea and this medicine." She said holding up a box. "Why?" Sasuke asked, "She will need it, I don't have time to explain you need to leave now if you are going to." Chiyo explained desperately before she offered him his clothes, he took his clothes and gave in nodding his head, he couldn't explain why he was agreeing to such an outlandish idea, as he couldn't explain why he had asked Sakura if she would ever want to leave. "This is borderline kidnapping you know." Sasuke mumbled lightly as he got up, Chiyo let out a small chuckle, "It isn't kidnapping if you have permission of the guardian." She said getting up softly and walking into Sakura's room softly.

Sasuke couldn't help but smirk at the old ladies comment she was wise beyond her years but still had a sense of humor. He didn't waste any time getting changed before following Chiyo lightly, he spotted Sakura dressed in a soft pink dress before Chiyo wrapped her up in a cloak pulling the hood over her head to hide her hair. Sakura still fast asleep as Chiyo grabbed her bag and packed away the letter and medicine box softly before she looked at him, he softly scooped up the thin pale girl into his arms and held her close her head resting against his chest and into his neck. He felt a blush creeping along his face as she felt her breath tickle his neck, before he wandered after Chiyo out of the room and downstairs. He was shocked when he walked out of the door to find people gathered outside of the house around Nobuyuki, the horse was happily eating a carrot. Sasuke felt the eyes of the villagers fall upon him as they looked towards Sakura solemnly.

Chiyo looked at them softly, "Today was Sakura's last day within the village, we may never see her again after tonight, we can only pray she will be safe. Everyone put your letters to her within her bag so she will read them once she is awake, we may be far apart, but our words of love will always reach her. Say goodbye to our cherry blossom daughter, may she find peace and be safe in the company of Sasuke." Chiyo spoke wisely to her people who cried and whispered words of goodbye and love to Sakura, putting their letters into her bag as Sasuke gave Sakura to Daisuke who cradled her gently and then Sasuke climbed upon Nobu settling into the saddle before he looked down at Daisuke who handed her back into his arms. Sasuke adjusted himself and wrapped an arm around Sakura's delicate waist and took in her sweet scent before he shivered shaking his head before he noticed another villager fasten Sakura's bag securely to Nobuyuki. All the villagers came closer hiding their letters to her within the bag before stepping back, Sasuke's eyes scanned over them surprised as he noticed there were less people here compared to earlier though his eyes trailed down to Chiyo who approached him softly.

"Please… take good care of her." Chiyo said softly to him, "Please." The villagers begged him crying and sobbing as they watched Sasuke get ready to go, as they sobbed and cried Chiyo grabbed Sasuke's hand, his eyes flashed to her surprised, "Sasuke, please understand, Sakura… Sakura means so much to all of us. I didn't raise her alone, everyone in this village cares for her as though she was their own. Please take care of her, please promise us you will. She has had such a hard life; I can't imagine how much her heart will break when she wakes up in a strange place. Please… be there for her." She begged him crying sorrowfully shaking her head, "Please." She cried out, the desperation and heartache within her voice caused something in Sasuke to stir, like a strange sorrow he had never known before, he gripped her hand and nodded his head. "I promise I will." He declared determined, keeping Sakura close to him. Chiyo's eyes softened seeing them together, she gave him a wistful smile, "Goodbye Sasuke, thank you for everything, I am sorry your stay was cut short-" She started her eyes widened as smoke rose over the forest followed by the sound of a blast. "T-They found the seal! Go Sasuke! Now!" She beckoned him as the villagers urged him to run. It was in that moment he realized what they were all really trying to say to him, they were going to stay behind and protect the village giving him time to escape with Sakura.

Sasuke opened his mouth to protest but both Chiyo and Daisuke smacked Nobu on the rump causing the horse to whinny in surprise before he took off into a swift gallop, Sasuke gasped holding onto the reigns, "Don't stop for anything Sasuke! Go! Keep her safe!" Chiyo called to him as he looked back at them still reeling from the shock as a blaze broke out near the village, everything was silent to him though and he couldn't tell if he was tuning out the screams of the villagers as they got farther away from the village or if he was in too much shock to hear anything as he kept the small pink-haired girl close to him. I that moment to him there was something utterly futile about racing through the forest leaving behind an entire village to be attacked by dangerous men and only have them beg for the life of one girl. Never in his life had he felt so helpless and unsure of his decision as he was right now, the villagers begging ringing in his ears as he closed his eyes shaking his head before he kept Sakura close to him, he would do everything in his power to keep her safe from them, he would fulfill Grandma Chiyo's dying wish no matter the cost.

After what felt like forever, he finally let out a breath after feeling light-headed, he slowly looked around warily and nodded his head as he listened carefully, the forest was for the first time in his experience entirely silent, nothing but the soft breathing of Sakura who was against him. He looked around carefully in search for any signs of the road, he reached into his pocket carefully pulling out a map and frowned upon seeing how old and outdated it was. Chiyo wasn't kidding, they were really cut off from the kingdoms. He was about to give up attempting to read the map by moonlight when he heard a boisterous voice, he thought he would never be glad to hear. "Sasuke!" Naruto roared through the forest looking for Sasuke worriedly, he and Shikamaru had spent most of the night looking for the lost prince. "Nobuyuki yah!" Sasuke cried out leading the horse through the forest, he burst through the bushed on the side of the road and looked around, "Naruto! Shikamaru!" He called out relieved to see his two guards had made it through the attack. Not that the prince had any doubts in his guards' capabilities but the genjutsu around the village explained why they couldn't keep up with him or why they never tracked him down. Shikamaru let out a relieved sigh, "Your majesty, thank kami we found you." He mumbled wandering over on his tired grey mare who nickered warily. Naruto jumped off his mare and ran to Sasuke's side, "Are you hurt! What were you thinking?! Where have you been?! Also, who the hell is that?!" Naruto practically screamed into his ears causing Sasuke to punch him swiftly on the noggin, "Shut up idiot! You will wake her up!" He hissed angrily causing the blonde to recoil to rub his wounded head, "T-That hurt teme!" he snapped before he blinked surprised as he looked at the girl, "Damn your majesty you work fast." Naruto said baffled.

Sasuke flushed red as he scowled lightly shaking his head, "F-Fucking idiot, it isn't like that! Look it's a long story but we have to go, she is in danger, and we have to get her back to the kingdom." He scoffed lightly as he looked down at her almost sadly thinking about her village before he pointed off towards the forest, "See that smoke way over there. That is where she comes from, now we have to go." He said as he got Nobu to break into a light canter with Shikamaru following, Naruto raced to his horse and jumped on turning her around swiftly to follow after Sasuke. "You have all the adventures while we were stuck looking for you." Naruto mumbled bitter as Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Seriously Sasuke how did you get that far off the road?" Shikamaru asked, it was rare he would ever call Sasuke his name unless he was serious. Sasuke let out a shaken breath, "It really is a long story but let's say I have a promise to keep and in involves this girl, let's go." He mumbled as they rode in silence down the road only to be stopped by a wall of earth that rose as the ground shook under their horses, Sasuke pulled on the reigns causing his horse to slide to a stop shaking his head and stamping his hooves with shocked snorts. Sasuke frowned as they had almost crashed into the wall, he looked up quietly towards the top of the ridge where a man with a black cloak stood tall, his face hidden by the cloak.

"Hand over the girl." A grave voice spoke as he reached his hand out, "Never." Sasuke glared up at him before his eyes widened as a sickening wave fell over them, the pressure from the man's chakra was enough to make them feel like they were being crushed, he was doing everything in his power to keep Nobu from rearing up and bucking them off to escape. Naruto and Shikamaru flinched from the pressure and glared up at the man, it was clear to see they were no match for this guy and worst Sasuke couldn't fight while he was holding the girl within his arms. "Then die." The man grated, vexed by the refusal of the boy, he jumped from the ledge diving down towards Sasuke with the intent to kill, Sasuke froze knowing he wouldn't be able to dodge it in this position with Sakura. Time seemingly froze around him as he blinked his eyes, they turned red, and the blade came down inches towards his eye ready to pierce his skull and kill him only to be blocked by a more experienced blade before it could do any damaged. The cloaked man jumped back and staggered, "You." He spat lowly, "My, my so this is what our prince has gotten up too." A cheerful but smug voice spoke beside Sasuke. Sasuke's eyes widened as he turned his head to gaze upon a man wearing pure black with a fox mask hiding his face, spiked silver hair glistened with a deadly glow in the moonlight as the mans aura bore a protective essence upon it.

"The White Fang." The black cloaked man hissed clearly angered by his entrance, Sasuke let out a relieved breath, "Kakashi-sensei…" he said surprised to see the Captain of the Anbu Knights within their ranks, he turned his face towards Sasuke and mused, "Your parents are rather upset about your outing Prince Sasuke, you best go on through and get home." He teased him, Sasuke scoffed lightly but his eyes widened as the earth wall crumbled and another man walked out, his mask moved lightly to the side as he let out a breath of smoke from the cigarette in his mouth, "I've cleared the path, I'll be your guide home your majesty." He smirked lightly. "Asuma-Sensei…" Shikamaru spoke lightly as he watched him. "Go." Kakashi ordered getting between them and the black cloaked man who glared at them bitterly, "How dare you interfere!" He screamed in anger attacking Kakashi in a flurry of blades, the two broke into a fierce stand off as Sasuke and the others didn't hesitate to take off on their horses while Asuma ran ahead of them, "You three are lucky we showed up with we did." He snorted lightly. Sasuke said nothing as he slowly nodded his head, he knew it, he could feel it in his bones that if those two hadn't come… his promise would have already been broken.

He squeezed Sakura close to him closing his eyes as he caught his breath and then opened his eyes and glanced towards the castle that stood on the horizon ahead of them, relieve flooded over the young prince grateful he could keep her safe tonight, he would have to talk to his parents. However, he knew deep down that if he was going to keep his promise to Chiyo that he would need to train harder with Naruto, Shikamaru and the others waiting at home, he couldn't afford to goof off anymore. He felt like he was getting dragged into something huge and frightening, but he couldn't deny that it felt like fate that he should meet Sakura on the one night the black cloaked men should have located her. "Let's get you home." Asuma murmured as he ran with them down the path. "Thank kami you two showed up when you did! I thought we were going to be toast!" Naruto laughed softly, "You are really an idiot Naruto, we wouldn't have been toast… we would have died." Shikamaru mumbled shaking his head with exasperation. Sasuke nodded his head lightly listen to the two quarrel vaguely as he hesitantly looked back, he couldn't see Kakashi or the other man anymore but what he did see sent shivers down his spine. He couldn't be certain, and it was only for one moment that he saw something on the ridge near the mountain behind them, a cloaked person standing with a glowing red eye… watching them from a distance before it disappeared. It had to only been for a second, but he could have sworn that someone had been standing there. Sasuke shook his head before he turned back towards the kingdom. Perhaps he was just seeing things, only his family had anything like that from what he knew… it couldn't be. Could it?