Amaryllis
Chapter 3
Sasori's days at home were some of his favorites. They were always busy. But that was how he preferred them.
He had heard people call his home the Floating Palace. But everyone who lived on the island called it the Sami Palace. The palace that lived in the ocean current. It was named so because of the system of platforms that kept it raised out of the seawater. The wooden walkways that connected each part of the palace were bleached white by the sun and sand. There were also small boats tied to the walkways that could be used to move between rooms more quickly.
But as someone who was born and raised on the island, Sasori knew that swimming was usually the best option. As long as there were no guests to be seen right after.
He dove off the terrace, directly into the ocean. The water was a little cool in the morning. But he knew that once he was under, his body would adjust. He made it to the kitchens in no time at all. As he pulled himself up onto the walkway, he felt arms and hands pulling him to his feet. There was laughter and the sounds of knives against wooden cutting boards.
"Good morning," he greeted them, swiping water out of his eyes.
One of the servants tossed a towel over his shoulders.
"Good morning! Have you eaten yet, My Lord?" someone asked. A pair of hands grabbed his and pulled him into the kitchens. The room was bustling with chefs and servants beginning the day's preparations. The fires were already roaring. He sat on a stool with one of the ovens to his back. It warmed him and dried his clothes as he enjoyed his breakfast. As he ate a roasted sweet potato, his eyes drifted around the room. He could smell bread cooking. The dough was stuck to the inside of the oven, which made it crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. There were fruits that the younger servants sat washing and peeling.
"A whole pig? Are we having a party?" Sasori wondered. It looked to be a fresh kill. It hung from a hook in the corner of the kitchen to let the blood drain into the ocean. Fish gathered around the waters there, drawn by the smell. Whatever pieces the chef discarded into the water would be a feast for them later.
"Ah, no, My Lord. Count Maito sent it over. For Lord Gaara to keep his stamina up," one of the older women said. She lifted a basket filled with dirty towels and lugged it out of the room.
Sasori lingered for a little while longer to finish his tea. And then he went to meet with his younger cousin to provide the usual counsel. Gaara was just finishing his breakfast as well when Sasori found him. He sat alone at a low table. White water lilies crowded the waters around the room. They had been a gift, bred specifically to thrive in the saltwater. Sakura loved this room. It made sense that Gaara would be there.
"What's wrong with your wrist?" Sasori demanded. He noticed Gaara holding his teacup in his left hand instead of his right. His left hand sat soaking in the cool ocean water. Like he was trying to soothe it.
"Good morning, Cousin," answered Gaara. He ignored the question.
Sasori loomed over him. Arms folding across his chest. After a long moment, he shook his head.
"We should get started. People are waiting already," Sasori said.
Sakura had named Gaara as her proxy. As the acting Duke of Plumeria, Gaara had many responsibilities. In essence, he ran the island. And one of those duties involved listening to the citizens. In the mornings, the people lined up to seek audience over problems both small and large. Sasori stood at Gaara's side, occasionally leaning over to whisper suggestions. Or explaining something whenever Gaara had a question.
It didn't bother Sasori that Sakura had chosen Gaara over him. She had very clearly explained to him why.
"A title is a chain. Not an honor. Why would I bind one of my own arms?" she had laughed.
Lunch was served. Fish wrapped in leaves and grilled over hot coals. Fresh fruit glistening with juices. Sasori's mother joined them for the meal.
"Has she written?" Kurenai questioned. She pushed her dark curls out of her eyes.
"Soon. I have a good feeling," Sasori replied. He made a vague gesture with his hand. Kurenai pursed her lips. Shaking her head, she smiled.
"I don't know how you two do that. It's like you can read each other's minds. Ever since you were little," she remarked. She reached out to tussle Sasori's hair. He shrugged as he took another bite of his food.
In the afternoon, Sasori headed down to the city to check in with the merchants. Some of them came to him with their troubles. He made an effort to help them as best as he could.
At sunset, Sasori rode his horse around the southern tip of the island. The sandy beaches were always beautiful and he regretted not spending more time on them. Shells crunched underfoot and the strong smell of the briny water filled his nose. The night fishermen were just getting ready to go diving. Sasori greeted them, as usual, and chatted about the weather. Any new gossip.
Once he returned to the palace, it was time for a dip in the royal bathhouse. The giant room had a sunken floor made of marble. A statue of a woman pouring out of a vase stood at the end of the bath where fresh water gushed into the pool. One of the servants had once tried to explain the mechanics of the water delivery. But Sasori had quickly grown bored and stopped him.
"Keep your secrets. It's because people like me don't know how to do your job that we need you," Sasori said, waving him off.
At dinner, he and Gaara compared notes about the day. Sometimes their conversation wandered to other matters. Family. Maybe politics. But Gaara was understandably exhausted after a long day. They parted ways soon after.
Sasori moved from the dining room in the center of the palace, heading down the walkway that moved toward the north of the palace. There was a three-way split in the path. The one straight ahead led to the servants' quarters'. They were contained in a series of white buildings that sat close to the enormous kitchen. The one to the left was the path leading to the royal apartments. The path to the right housed other rooms, usually used as meeting places or accommodations for visitors.
Though most of the palace floated in the water, the back of the palace grounds extended onto the edge of a grassy slab of land. It was here in the back that the kitchen and its heavy stone ovens sat. It was busy, even this late at night, as the servants finally enjoyed their supper and finally took a moment to put their sore feet up. They sat around the ovens, laughing over their plates in the flickering light.
Thick, dark vines with light purple flowers climbed up the tall white walls surrounding the palace. Plumeria trees twisted up out of the ground, reaching toward the moon with waxy leaves. The clusters of white flowers with creamy yellow centers released sweet perfume into the air. Sakura loved the fragrance. She had the servants scatter the petals into her bath in the morning. The smell clung to her hair and her clothes during the warmer months when the flowers were in full bloom.
In the heart of the royal apartments was Sakura's residence. It was a two-story building with the same white walls and open arches for windows as the rest of palace. The terrace in front overlooked the glimmering ocean waters. Bushes of rugosa roses decorated the sides of the building. The dark pink flowers spread toward the sun, unbothered by the salty spray from the ocean waters.
Despite the fact that Sakura was gone from the palace for about half year, the guards reported for their shifts each day. The maids flitted in and out to clean. They brought in vases of fresh flowers. They changed the sheets and the curtains.
Sasori paused on the walkway. He stared at the building, missing the golden glow of her window at night. Missed the way that he used to catch her hanging out the window, laughing as Shizune scolded her to be careful.
With a sigh, Sasori continued down the path, passing more of the royal apartments.
There was a lavish building edged by orange tiger lilies. That was his mother's residence. Had been since she had come of age. And it was where he had lived with her throughout his childhood. He could see lights on in the windows there. She always went to bed late.
Beside it was the biggest apartment in the palace. It had once belonged to his Aunt and Uncle, who had long since passed on. But Sakura had never decided what to do with that place, and no one pressed her. The building still held all of the Late King and Queen's clothes and furniture. Waiting for owners who would never return.
Deeper in the palace, he finally reached his own apartment. The guards on duty bowed when he walked past them. He unbuckled his sw ord and tossed it onto the nearest seat as he walked past. One of his personal attendants greeted him at the door. Hands folded across his stomach, he handed Sasori a letter.
Sasori flipped it over to find a red wax seal stamped with a familiar insignia. It was a desert rose- the symbol of the Haruno family.
Dear Sasori,
Summer in Ispolin has been pleasant so far. The market seems a sad affair compared to what we have at home. Nevertheless, the Uchiha's been more than gracious in their attempts to make me comfortable. And Goliaf Castle, while a touch damp for my liking, is a charming place to explore.
Prince Sasuke has proved a fine companion. You would appreciate his sense of humor, I think. I find that he reminds me of you in some ways.
Sasori's smile dropped. Before he could scowl, he read on a few lines.
I will remind you that you are, however, still my most trusted confidante. Blood closer than blood. I do all this so that you will see reason when I ask that you not barge into a landlocked city with the Royal Fleet.
Sasori cleared his throat. Suddenly embarrassed. He glanced around, like Sakura would be standing there with a knowing look on her face. His mother was right. They knew each other too well.
His Majesty is throwing a small party to welcome myself and Prince Naruto. Apparently this is a kingdom fond of festivities. There is also the Summer Festival right after, so celebrate the Summer Solstice. It's said to span an entire week. I've been told to look forward to the street performers, especially. It will take a lot to impress me, especially given the sorts of performances I see in court every day.
Sasori snorted. He would have used less polite wording there, but he had to agree.
The King has invited me to stay for the rest of the season at court. A great honor, I'm aware. I've arranged for a gift to arrive in time for your mother's birthday. Please help me keep it a secret. I will send my apologies to her in a separate message.
Despite this excitement, I find myself wondering about the state of home. Have the plumeria bloomed yet? Has someone reminded the servants not to trim too many of the thorns on my roses? I worry about things, knowing that I've left things in the best possible hands. And it's not as if this is the first time I've been away. At what point, I wonder, are adults supposed to outgrow homesickness?
Sakura
Sasori read the letter a second time. When he looked up, the attendant was still standing there. Only now, he was holding paper in his hands.
"Would you like to pen your response now or later, My Lord?" he queried.
Sasori stared at the crisp paper in his hands. He folded it along the creases and then tucked it inside his tunic.
"Later," he decided.
"Very well, My Lord."
"A fine damask on silk, My Lady. We call this shade cornflower."
Sakura looked over the rim of her teacup. The tailor held out the light blue fabric for her to examine. Sasuke let out a loud sigh. He leaned his elbow on the armrest.
"I don't understand why I'm here. Shouldn't one of your fluttering little… servants… be helping you with this?" he complained from the armchair beside her. To accentuate his point, he picked up a lacy white fan trimmed with white feathers on the edges. He flicked it open and made fluttering gestures with it.
The Queen had sent over her personal tailor, which Sakura was aware was a huge honor. He had already stopped by once before to take her measurements. And while he seemed competent enough, the selection of gowns he had brought for her approval was underwhelming, to say the least.
"I need the eyes of someone who knows the rules of this court. Servants are good, but the actual attendees are better," Sakura replied. And then she ran her finger down the supposed silk. Her nose wrinkled.
"Silk, indeed," she muttered. While the cloth was technically silk, it was nowhere close to the grade of the fabric her island exported. She was aware that there were those who had imported silkworms from the east to try to weave their own textiles. But everything from what the worms were fed to how the threads were harvested was kept a secret. To her knowledge, there was no one on this continent who had come close to producing silk of a comparable quality. They had attempted to mask the poor quality by dyeing it blue. But to someone like her, the roughness of the fabric stood out.
The tailor looked horrified. He made angry sweeps of his hands until one of the waiting servants dragged the gown away, out of sight.
"Perhaps this will be more to your liking," the tailor then attempted. He gestured to the next gown. It was bright red. Like a young girl's blushing cheek.
Sakura eyed the waist, which tapered to her a point.
"Are these not tailored to my size? I recall having organs in this area of my body," Sakura said. She pointed to the waist, which tapered to an uncomfortable point. The tailor wrung his hands.
"This is all the rage, General. I assure you, you would be the most fashionable lady at this event." He almost sounded like he was pleading. Sakura was aware that the man was under immense pressure. She was certain that the Queen would want to hear that her guest had been taken care of.
"I don't like that color. That's the color of my Uncle Obito's face when he drinks too much," Sasuke commented, giving another wave of the fan. He waved it in his face and promptly sneezed as the feathers tickled his nose. Sakura held her hand out for it. Sasuke relinquished it without protest. He sniffled a little.
"The green one," Sakura then said, pointing with the fan.
It was the least garish of the dresses. The waist was still a bit narrow. It would require a corset, which she didn't exactly love. But at least the corset would give her an extra place to hide a weapon. The lace and gold detailing were evidently what was in style in this country. She had seen similar accents on the Queen's gowns during the times they had dined together. It wasn't exactly ugly. Just not what she would have personally chosen.
"Shoes?" Sakura prompted.
The tailor and the servants pulled a dizzying array of shoes from the trunk sitting in the corner. Sakura chose the ones that seemed the least painful. Which wasn't saying much. She didn't understand why men and women alike subjected themselves to all these glittering things that weren't even comfortable. Or practical.
"I beg your pardon, General, but this fan would suit your gown better," the tailor then suggested, holding up another fan. The complex pattern of emerald and gold looked suspiciously like they had been custom made for the dress.
They shooed Sasuke out of the room for a final fitting of the dress. The tailor left about half an hour later, bowing and thanking her profusely. He mopped at his forehead and neck with a lacy handkerchief as he hurried out. He stopped to bow to Sasuke, too.
As Sasuke peered back into the room, he caught Sakura running her fingers along one of the dresses. The servants were busy packing up the rest of the garments. But this one was the last to go.
"This beadwork is lovely," she mused to herself.
"Do you actually like fashion?" Sasuke demanded.
"Is that a crime? You sound scandalized," she answered without looking up at him.
"But why? You hate being called a princess so much that you insist upon being 'General' wherever you go."
Sakura pinned him with a look. She pulled her fingers away from the dress. The servants, who had been waiting, bowed before they began packing up the final dress.
"Tell me, Prince. Which title holds more authority: General or Princess?"
Sasuke scoffed. "Princess, of course. The daughter of a monarch holds much more power than a General."
"Really?"
Sasuke nodded.
"Then tell me this. A princess declares war. A general declares war. Which declaration are you more likely to follow?" Sakura challenged.
That made Sasuke hesitate. He tilted his head a little. "Well, the General should be an expert on warfare. But the Princess still has more power," he thought out loud.
Smiling, Sakura shook her head. "Power is not about who is next in line to the throne. It's about how easily others bend to your will. A General inspires obedience. Loyalty. A Princess inspires wedding proposals," she insisted.
"So you're wearing the title that will give you the most power," Sasuke guessed.
Sakura touched her fingers to her temple. Smiled. "Perhaps."
Over the next couple weeks, the palace bustled with activity. Whether it was women draping bunting over windows or burly men hauling in casks of wine, there seemed to always be people flitting in and out of the doors. They draped the castle in colorful fabrics. Filled the air with chatter. Sakura enjoyed it. It reminded her of home.
Sasuke had been put in charge of overseeing the decorations. It was a great honor, according to him. But his face said otherwise.
He stumbled into lunch looking pale and exhausted. And the first thing out of his mouth was an apology.
"I've been a negligent host. I'm sorry," he confessed.
Sakura stabbed her fork into her egg. The yolk burst. A river of gold flooded her plate. And then she cast a sidelong look at Sasuke's haggard expression. She made eye contact with Haku and mimed lifting a glass to her mouth. Haku whispered to another servant, swept forward with a decanter of wine. He filled Sasuke's glass to the brim.
"Drink. Your awful face is ruining my appetite," she sighed.
Sasuke didn't even have energy to retort. He took a long gulp of the wine. And then another.
"Besides," Sakura added, her tone teasing now. "You're overestimating your impact on my life. I won't die without a few days of you, Prince." Lifting her glass, she held it up to the sunlight. She watched the light slant through the clear sides, sending white shapes spilling across the wooden tabletop.
Sasuke choked on his third sip of wine. His eyes bugged out. The lock of utter shock pulled a laugh from Sakura. Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he finally realized that Sakura was making fun of him.
"You're… mean," he settled on the childish word.
"And you're eloquent," Sakura laughed.
Sasuke seemed to liven up once he ate a little. He griped a little about all of his responsibilities. But then his worries turned to her.
"You're bored, aren't you?"
"I'm fine."
"I'll have my cousin escort you instead."
"I'm fine," Sakura insisted a second time. The edge to her voice that she hadn't meant to let slip.
It wasn't long before people with lists and questions came to whisk him away. He hadn't even managed to finish half his meal.
The truth was that Sakura liked being on her own. Sasuke was a good companion. The fact that they shared a dry sense of humor really made things so much more fun. But the people in the castle were also very accommodating once they knew who she was.
The stablehands shouted greetings to her as they saw her silhouette in the morning. And she repaid their kindness to Kaze with rounds of drinks at the tavern. There were a small set of barracks in the castle that housed its guards. On days when she felt restless, she would slip into their facilities and engage in a spar or too. The soldiers here relied on short swords rather than spears. It was a nice challenge to try to figure out how to dodge their fast jabs.
Sometimes, when she didn't really feel like talking to anyone, she would sit and watch the business of the castle. There were so many secret passages and unexpected doors. She had stumbled onto a small set of stairs when she had leaned against section of wall one day. It led to a small landing that overlooked the foyer and the spiraling grand staircase. It was the perfect place to just sit and watch people run around like little dolls.
On her second day relaxing there, she heard the door creak open. Itachi stood there. Frozen halfway through the doorway.
"Oh."
"Oh."
They stared at each other. Sakura's eyes drifted to the book tucked against his side.
"My apologies, Your Highness. I seem to have intruded on another of your personal spaces," Sakura said, getting to her feet.
But when she moved to the door, Itachi stared at her. He didn't move. In fact, his hand gripped the doorknob, arm tensing. Sakura rolled her weight back onto one leg. She could wait for whatever he had to say.
"Please, don't leave. I…." Itachi's hand tightened. He leaned against the door a little. And it struck Sakura how thin those wrists were. She suddenly felt a little guilty.
"Can I have a moment? I didn't think I'd see you so soon. I had… so much I wanted to say," Itachi requested.
Sakura blinked a few times. And then she offered her hand to him.
"Why don't you have a seat? I can't have you collapsing on me," Sakura offered.
He hesitated for a long moment before he took her hand. She helped him sit on the landing before she settled on the floor too. Sakura leaned back on her hands as she waited for him to find the words. A ray of sunlight angled in just right through the windows, illuminating her strip of floor. She closed her eyes, taking in the warmth.
"I have to be honest. I'm not completely certain what I said to upset you the other day, General. I was speaking to try to put you at ease."
Sakura opened her eyes. She stared straight ahead, already disappointed.
"But that doesn't change the fact that I did say something to upset you. I deeply apologize."
Her head swiveled toward him. He sat with the book in his lap. It was only then that she realized that it was a book about the Forest Kingdom. He shifted his hands to cover the title.
"Your family is awfully concerned about titles," she finally said in response. A smile touched her lips.
She heard a noise and her eyes found the source. Several servant girls ran in with baskets of clean laundry. They laughed and complained, wringing out their skirts and hair. It had just begun to drizzle outside. They must have rescued the hanging linens. The clatter of their polished shoes echoed as they made their way down the hall.
"Do you know the reason why I'm sitting here with you and not on a throne?" Sakura then queried.
The pages of the book rustled as Itachi opened it up. She could see that he had left page markers here and there. He had obviously been studying carefully since the last time she had seen him.
"Yes. I recall that it was because your uncle has been serving as your Regent," Itachi read. He then looked up to add: "Although I'm unsure of why he's still there when you've come of age already and the war is over."
Sakura raised her eyebrows. "Propaganda. I'm sure Marquess Shimura or Duke Hyuuga were responsible for printing such nonsense," she scoffed.
"Propaganda?" Itachi repeated.
"The real story is that my uncle and his supporters have rendered me politically impotent outside of my own territories. You have a better chance of ascending that throne than I do, Your Highness," Sakura explained.
From Sakura's experience, she knew that nobles did not like to be corrected. And the more powerful, the more they disliked being told they were wrong. So she expected some sort of retort. This was a prince, after all.
Instead, Itachi tilted his head. His eyes wandered as he seemed to take that all in.
"So the story of the uncle who adopted his orphaned niece as his own…" mused Itachi.
"Utter garbage," Sakura finished for him.
"And the story of that orphaned niece who beheaded King Orochimaru in one fell swoop?"
"Garbage," Sakura confirmed for him. And then she cracked a smile. "It wasn't that neat. Although his head did eventually leave his shoulders."
Itachi thought. And then he asked, "Is it alright for you to be discussing something like this with me?"
Sakura waved a hand in a careless gesture. "What's the worst that can happen? They'll keep me from my throne?"
Itachi chuckled. He stroked the fine leather cover of his book. His long fingers traced the gold lettering. And when he stopped laughing, he was staring down at his lap. Like something very heavy kept him from raising his head again.
"General?"
Sakura watched him. Saw the way his eyes darted very quickly to her and then away. "Yes, Your Highness," she replied.
"Will you come to the library again? There are some treatises that I think might interest you."
Sakura regarded him for a moment before she turned away to hide her smile.
"Yes. For the treatises," she answered.
They hadn't made any real plans, but they met up in the library the following day. When Itachi entered the room, looking guilty for some reason, he found her sitting by the window.
"This book is wildly inaccurate. My grandmother was 16, not 12 when she was married," Sakura remarked without looking up at him.
And then the following day, when he showed up at the library, she held up a book with a dark brown cover. The History of the Warring Nations misspells your family's name. Twice," she informed him.
"Perhaps you should have been a scribe and not a soldier," sighed Itachi.
On the third day, Sakura walked into the library. She glanced around the large room. Wondering what type of books she would peruse that day.
But on the second floor, she spotted a familiar face. Itachi leaned over the railing, a book held casually against his right shoulder.
"The Fell Sword claims that my great grand-father, not my great grand-uncle assassinated his father. This one's an import from your country, I believe," he announced, looking a little smug.
Sakura's smile faded as she heard something. Her head swiveled toward the window. Her hand slid down her thigh. Closing around the hilt of her dagger as she made her way to where she had heard the sound. She could see Itachi leaning farther to watch her as she moved.
The window was just a little ajar. Almost closed. But just open enough that something could slip through the crack and force the lock open. Her eyes narrowed. She pulled the handle and closed the window all the way.
When she turned back to Itachi, she was smiling again.
"I might need to have a word with someone about security," she remarked.
"I would hope not. We wouldn't want anything to happen to our honored guest," Itachi answered.
"Guests. Prince Naruto is here as well," Sakura corrected him. Itachi opened his book. He laid it flat against the bannister and began flipping carelessly through the pages. Charts and drawings blurred past. Sakura wasn't certain but it looked like a scientific text.
"This is true. But I have yet to acquaint myself with young Prince Naruto. It slipped my mind," replied Itachi.
"Young?" Sakura repeated back to him. She was certain that Itachi was no more than a few years older than her. He shut his book.
"Ah, my apologies. If I remember correctly, you were both born in the same year. It's just that, from the stories, he seems like a child compared to you," explained Itachi.
Sakura swallowed quickly. She was well aware of this fact. But, determined to keep the mood light, she laughed the comment off.
"Prince Naruto leads a much more carefree life. I think all my worrying ages me," she responded with a tinge of humor. Itachi's expression did not lighten, however. He glanced over at her. His eyes were deep brown, sort of like the color of dark chocolate. The eyelashes framing them were long and thick.
"Worrying so much can't be good for your health, General," he stated. It wasn't a threat; just a fact. She was learning that he was quite blunt with his words. It was nice not to have to dig through layers of hidden meanings when she spoke to him.
"I'd rather worry myself to death than die an old fool," she countered.
She thought she saw something sparkle in Itachi's gaze when she said that.
These last few days, Sakura had learned a lot. Not just about the literature of the castle, but about Itachi himself.
He had been sickly since childhood. His illness came in waves. Too much exertion made it difficult for him to breathe. He hadn't left the castle in many years.
"I'm going to read every book in this library. Books allow one to live a thousand lives and travel a thousand times. Since my health does not permit much wandering, I must supplement myself," he said.
"If it's any comfort, travel can only educate those smart enough to learn," responded Sakura. A smile brightened Itachi's face.
"You're funny, General. Has anyone ever told you that?"
Some of the days they met, Itachi had a servant smuggle in tea and refreshments. They were careful not to get the buttery crumbs near any of the crisp pages of the books. And it was even easier to talk over good food. Despite his poor health, Itachi was a deep well of knowledge, mostly likely due to his obsession with reading. They mused over science and history. They bickered over philosophy and law. Sakura liked how he opposed her, unflinching. If this were a duel, his blows would have matched hers in perfect rhythm.
Sakura usually had lunch with Naruto. Both to avoid rumors from spreading in the castle and back home of her snubbing her cousin. Sakura could only manage to come up with so many reasons to evade eating with him before she began to sound childish. She didn't have much to say to him. Their meals were seldom awkward, however, because Naruto seemed to make up for her silence by speaking nonstop until she began to honestly wonder how he found time to breathe.
"You seem to hate Prince Naruto. Why put up with him at all? Why not tell him that you despise him and never see his face again?" suggested Sasuke one night as they walked in the gardens. He had managed to escape from all the madness of planning for a little while. Every few feet along the path were lanterns hanging from skinny wooden posts. Lines of ivy crawled up them, like they were hungrily pursuing the light. Fireflies buzzed lazily around them. The chirp of crickets answered him for a while as Sakura gathered her words.
"Believe it or not, I don't actually hate him," Sakura admitted while staring down at her feet. She heard Sasuke miss a step in the dark. She pretended not to see him stumble.
"What?" Sasuke demanded. His surprise robbed him of his usual manners. Sakura didn't point it out. She didn't really mind. And she didn't really want to explain. Not at the moment. So she left Sasuke to brew in his own thoughts for a while before he spoke again.
"Well, I suppose I'm in no position to comment on your family. I'm sure you know that I have a brother by now," Sasuke sighed.
"I've met him. He's almost as entertaining as you," she replied.
Sasuke snorted quietly. Shook his head in the darkness.
"He's sickly. Doesn't like company. I can't remember the last time I've spoken to him," he went on.
Sakura frowned. Itachi didn't particularly strike her as someone who disliked people. If anything, he seemed excited to have someone to speak to. She made note of that somewhere in her head.
"Do you hate your brother?" Sakura asked.
Sasuke put his hands in the pockets of his trousers. They stopped on the path to stare up at the sweeping white path of stars in the sky above.
Sasuke let out a deep breath. "I don't know," he decided after much thought. "Because I don't know him."
They stood there for a little while longer. And then Sakura said: "Families are difficult."
"Yes," Sasuke agreed. He flinched when a little prick of light buzzed by his nose. He swatted the insect away. As it flew over to her, Sakura stood very still. Just like her mother had taught her. Holding her breath, she reached out and cupped her hands around one of the insects. There was a long moment before the faint green glow leaked out between her cupped palms.
"When I was a little girl, my mother and I would catch a dozen of these and put them in glass bottles. I used to call them starbugs," she suddenly recalled.
Sasuke opened up his hands, waiting for one of the bugs to come to him, too.
"You've spoken about your Father. Not much about your Mother. Were you close?" he queried.
"Mother ascended the throne before I was born, but I stayed in Plumeria with my father until I turned six. When he had to return to the capital, he brought me with him," Sakura recalled.
"Wasn't it difficult to be away from your mother for so long?" wondered Sasuke.
A faint smile touched Sakura's lips. "She wasn't just my mother. She was everyone's queen. It would been selfish to ask her to only be mine," she stated.
Sakura opened her hands and let them fall to her sides. The baffled insect seemed not to understand its freedom for a few extra seconds before it flew off. Sasuke stood with his back to the lantern, hands in his back pockets. His left foot scuffed at the ground once. The look on his face was difficult to name. His forehead wrinkled.
"What is it?" asked Sakura.
Sasuke opened his mouth. Closed it. He looked around before he quickly inquired, "Did you call them starbugs because they looked like stars?" A little startled by the question, Sakura took a moment to process. Then she shook her head.
"I thought that they were stars that fell and became trapped here," she admitted. There was a solemnity that settled between them as they fell silent again. After a while, they headed back inside, Sasuke slapping at his mosquito bites, and Sakura casting one last glance up at the star-filled sky.
Sakura woke the morning of the summer solstice to the smells of baking bread. Startled by the sweet fragrance, she bolted upright. The cool kiss of the summer morning touched her bare feet and cheeks. Turning her head toward the source of the breeze, she realized that she had fallen asleep with the window open. Goosebumps rose on her arms as another cool burst of air intruded. She reached out until she could feel the cord hanging beside her head and gave it a couple tugs. She had been told by Haku that the cord was connected to a vast network of other cords in the walls of the castle. If she pulled it, it set off a trigger of other things that rang a bell in the servants' quarters.
It only took a few minutes for Moegi and Haku to come up with her breakfast on a large silver tray. The smell of steamed sausage made her cringe. It had been weeks of nothing but pork and beef and she was starting to crave anything else.
"Good morning, General. You're up a little later than usual," Moegi chiruped sweetly as she set the tray down on the foot of the bed. Haku moved around to open up the curtains all the way and shut the window. Sakura simply nodded while raking her hands through her hair.
"Will you be going for your ride?" Haku questioned as he poured her a cup of tea and handed it to her. Sakura nodded again as she pushed the covers off her legs. Not even looking at what she was eating, she scooped some into her mouth before climbing off the bed. She swallowed down more tea as she glanced out the window. It looked like a fair day.
Moegi pulled a clean and pressed blouse from the wardrobe. On the other side of the room, Haku sorted and polished her cufflinks. Sakura stole a glance at Haku. With his starched dress and apron and long hair, it was impossible to tell that he was actually a boy. She suspected that Moegi had no idea of her partner's true identity. And if Haku hadn't revealed it himself, Sakura didn't see any need to either.
"Haku," Sakura called.
"Yes, General?"
"I need you to send a message to Prince Naruto. Please remind him to pin his amulet to the left side of his shirt and not the right. I know he's going to get confused," she instructed.
"Right away, General," Haku said. Their eyes met as he hurried out. And from the small smile, Sakura wondered whether he realized what she was doing.
Moegi's chatter was more than enough to fill up the room as she helped her dress.
"The ballroom is wonderful, General. You're going to love it," she gushed as she buttoned up Sakura's shirt. Sakura nodded and interjected in the right places as Moegi went on. She buttoned her gloves at her wrists and pulled on her boots. They had already been cleaned and polished the night before. The odor of the shoe polish lingered on the soft leather. Moegi handed over her riding helmet.
"General, please don't forget that the opening ceremonies begin at noon. Please don't be late," Moegi called after her. There was a brief pause as Sakura drew in a steadying breath. Then, hand on the doorframe, she turned her head to offer the servant a smile.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world. Have my tea ready for when I get back," answered Sakura.
She went galloping down the path by herself. Kaze seemed to sense her frustration. He bolted into thick patches of trees and proudly tossed his head. That made her laugh with her mouth opened wide to taste the clean air. By the time she returned to her room to wash and dress, her mood had improved somewhat.
The King made his speech in the main square of Ispolin. He spoke on top of a raised platform made of wood and hung with colorful banners. The Queen stood at his side. Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto stood a little ways behind him. Hands folded in front of them as they listened to his message of thanks for a peaceful summer. She was in her starched white uniform- which despite the stiffness, felt comfortable. She always felt a little naked without it on.
"I'm going to be honest with you. Your boots are too polished," Sasuke whispered. The King moved on to talk about his hopes for another plentiful harvest. And something about hope.
"I doubt my shiny shoes mean anything compared to that shiny thing on your head," replied Sakura, barely moving her lips. She could feel Naruto staring over at them. Like he was trying to figure out whether or not to join in on the banter. She was grateful that he decided against it.
The gleaming silver circlet on Sasuke's head marked him as a direct descendent of the king. Even his other uncles and cousins were not allowed to wear such an ornament. From a distance, it didn't look like much. But the sides were etched with symbols of dragons and wind when Sasuke pointed it out to her later. It was very different from the crowns in the Forest Kingdom. And even more different from the diadem that sat locked in the vaults back in Plumeria.
Lunch was held back at the palace as a garden party. Nobles from the Mountain Kingdom and abroad had come to celebrate. Everyone ate and spoke, drinking glass after glass of expensive wine. Sakura put on her best polite smile for the people who approached her. A few foolish men came with romance on their minds and they were quickly rebuffed. The more painful conversations came from those who were eager to hear about her exploits on the battlefield. Sakura was grateful when Sasuke pulled her from those conversations with some sort of excuse. Once, he threw Naruto into a pack of unmarried ladies as a distraction, who promptly grilled him about his romantic life.
As the sun dipped in the sky, it was time for everyone to prepare for the ball later that night.
"Oh… how lovely," was all Moegi said when she pulled the dress from the armoire. She was clearly at a loss for words. She gasped as she ran her hands down the green fabric and all the golden detailing. It must have looked beautiful to her.
But Haku was looking at Sakura. He read the expression on her face and gave a sympathetic grimace. "How generous of Her Majesty to provide such a gown," was all he said.
"Yes. It was kind of her," Sakura agreed. Shifting her weight to her left leg, Sakura crossed her arms over her chest. When she cocked her head to one side, Moegi and Haku copied her.
"Do I need to wear a corset with this?" she wondered out loud. Moegi gasped, looking insulted.
"Of course, General! You must!" she insisted, waspishly.
In the end, Sakura wore it, but she grumbled as Moegi tugged and tugged on the laces. Haku, thankfully, had been sent to pick fresh flowers from the garden. So he was saved from the sight of Sakura in her underclothes as Moegi squeezed her body into the trendiest shape of the season.
The green silk was tight across her chest and down to the sleeves that almost covered her hands. The matching pointed shoes were decorated with glittering stones. Which seemed pointless since they were hidden under her long skirt.
Haku returned in time to help with Sakura's hair. They piled it on top of her head and arranged the flowers in a pattern that only Moegi seemed to understand. The pins made her head hurt, but Sakura didn't complain. She knew what lengths women went to in order to look beautiful. It was the same in any country.
What surprised her was a lack of jewelry. A simple pair of diamond earrings completed the look. Moegi made her turn around for inspection while Haku declared her an absolute vision. One of them pushed the matching fan into her hands. Sakura wished there was a place on her gown that she could attach her falchion.
Sasuke was leaning on the wall beside the door by the time Sakura emerged ready.
He choked on whatever words he had prepared beforehand. But when he finally managed to close his mouth, Sasuke silently offered his arm to her.
"Say something. You're making me feel awkward," Sakura said after they had gone on in silence for a good minute. When Sasuke glanced her way, there was something mischievous glowing in his gaze.
"You know, you almost look like a woman like this," he commented with such a genuine smile that Sakura almost didn't process the insult. She swatted him in the arm with the fan. But it broke the tension and they resumed their usual easy talk until they reached the ballroom in the central wing.
Their names were announced as the double doors opened up. Heads turned toward them. But rather than feeling admired, Sakura had the sense that those stares were somewhat predatory. As soon as a server passed with a tray, Sasuke grabbed two glasses wine for them. They gulped them down. It was going to be a long night.
Just to appear occupied, she grabbed another glass. Swirling the liquid around, she let Sasuke move her around. She memorized names and faces, trying to piece them together with the rumors and knowledge already rattling around inside her head. She hated meeting the unmarried men the most. Their simpering flattery made her feel a little sick.
When the herald announced Naruto's name, Sakura's eyes found him right away. He greeted the King and Queen first. And then crossed the big room to say hello to her. Clicking her tongue, she handed her glass to Sasuke.
"I said the left side, not the right," she sighed as she pulled the pin from his jacket. It was of a sun with a golden gem in the middle. She shoved it through the fabric and latched it in place in sharp movements.
"You're only supposed to wear it on that side at your funeral. Stop confusing them," she scolded him.
"Sorry," Naruto said, grinning a little too much to actually be sorry.
Sakura shooed him off and he said something about finding the food. Sakura reclaimed her drink from Sasuke. And as someone tried to strike up a conversation with her, Sakura's eyes followed Naruto. They darted around, checking the chandeliers. Scanning the expressions of all the people in the crowd. And for the rest of the night, even as she drank or spoke, she made sure she knew where Naruto was in relation to her.
About an hour into the party, Sakura found herself nearly bored to tears. A quick look over at Sasuke confirmed that he was probably feeling the same way. But his polite smile stayed in place as one of his distant uncles blathered on about his eldest son's accomplishments. It was a dreary story involving sheep and paperwork. Biting her lower lip, Sakura handed her glass over to Sasuke. He fixed her with a bewildered look until she pointed toward the doors.
"I'll be off to," Sakura paused to glance around, "…powder my nose. Please excuse me." Before Sasuke could stop her, Sakura slipped off through the crowd and out of the ballroom. The click of her high heels drew some stares but she deflected attempts at conversation to make her escape. She managed to get to the nearest washroom to enjoy even just a moment of silence. But she gathered her thoughts and steeled herself to dive back into the fray.
On her way back to the party, she spotted something odd about the wall. It was painted white with the same blue and blue borders to match the other panels. But then she noticed that it stuck out just a little more than it should. When she nudged it, she could see that it was another secret passage. She wondered if these were meant for the servants or for someone else.
Casting a look around and finding the corridor empty, she slipped past the door and closed it behind her. She found herself in a narrow passage with glass lanterns lighting up the walls. A little ways down, the hall became a set of stairs that turned sharply to the left as she climbed. She tried her best to map where she was in relation to the ballroom but she struggled to calculate how thick the walls of the palace were. In the end, she gave up trying to understand and moved forward for curiosity's sake.
The stairs eventually ended and Sakura saw nothing but flat wall ahead of her. But by now she understood that this palace often tricked people by pretending to be ordinary. She ran her fingers down the smooth surface and around the edges until there was a little click and it swung outward.
Stepping light on the balls of her feet, Sakura snuck ahead. She tried to get a bearing of her surroundings. The marble floors and deep red walls were identical to the ballroom but this couldn't be on the same level. The stairs had definitely taken her up. She could hear the music and chatter from the ball nearby. This was likely a hidden room upstairs, in the ballroom, but tucked out of sight.
She advanced a few more steps and realized that she was on one of the balconies overlooking the festivities. She had noticed the balconies earlier in the night but hadn't paid much attention.
As Sakura moved on ahead, she spotted a person standing alone.
"Oh," Sakura said. She already recognized him.
He started. When he whirled around to face her, Itachi let out the same, "Oh." His hand was on his chest, as if stopping his heart from leaping right out from fright. His shoulders relaxed a little when he realized who it was lurking around.
"You seem to have a talent for ferreting out my hiding spots, General," Itachi greeted her first as he dipped his head. Sakura bowed too as she smiled.
"And you seem to have a talent for having the best hiding spots, Prince," she responded. She crossed the floor to join him. Leaning against the thick stone banister, she peered down at the people chatting and mingling. She could see Sasuke trapped in a different conversation now. Every so often, his eyes flickered in the direction of the door, as if waiting for her to burst back in to rescue him.
"You're wearing a dress," Itachi observed. Sakura suppressed a laugh.
"Silver tongue, I see," she replied. A chagrined smile curled Itachi's mouth as they watched the dancers spin by below.
"…It's a very nice dress," he added after a long moment. Sakura stole a glance at him. She didn't need anyone to tell her that. She already knew from the lustful stares that other men had been giving her in passing. Now that she was suddenly not wearing an intimidating military uniform, they seemed to realize that she had curves like any other woman.
Men were so simpleminded, Sakura thought with exasperation.
"I don't think I've ever seen you not wearing pants before, General," added Itachi as an idle thought.
"Well, unless you stare through my window at night, I don't see why that wouldn't be true," she told him with a cheeky note to her voice.
"And without your sword."
That startled Sakura. She hadn't expected anything like that from this particular prince. Sakura was quiet for a long time until she felt him look at her. Pressing a silencing finger to her mouth, she slowly hiked up the left side of her dress. Itachi's face erupted in scarlet as soon as he glimpsed her ankle. But she pulled the silky fabric higher and higher until she revealed a black band across her thigh. Still blushing furiously, Itachi narrowed his eyes. In one swift motion, Sakura yanked a small blade from its concealed strap.
"This is so much more ladylike, don't you think?" she said as she flipped the knife once and caught it. Itachi stared as she fit the blade back into place. When her skirt fell back down, it left no sign of the pointed weapon hidden underneath. Blush fading, Itachi examined her again, this time with unconcealed curiosity brightening his gaze.
"Still on duty even at a party? The dance today is being held in your honor. And we have guards stationed everywhere," Itachi reminded her.
"If you put a soldier in a dress, she's still a soldier," she said with a shrug.
"I don't believe there's any rule that a soldier can't enjoy herself," he countered.
"Unless you're asking me to dance, Prince, I'm afraid I cannot do much with your reproach," laughed Sakura. There was warmth in Itachi's expression as he chuckled along with her.
Still, she lingered there, talking to Itachi and learning about some of the Uchiha noblemen and women prancing about below. Their gowns in a rainbow of jewel tones flowed beautifully around them as they danced.
Sakura couldn't stay for long. She knew that his relatives for could only distract Sasuke so long. And she also felt some guilt leaving him to endure the boredom by himself. So after a while, she (somewhat reluctantly) admitted, "I should get back. Your poor brother is probably looking for me."
Feigning nonchalance, she examined Itachi's expression as she spoke. During her time in the palace, she discovered that the brothers rarely spoke of each other. And no one in the palace ever mentioned the older brother, as if he didn't exist at all. The only clue to his existence was the large family portrait hanging on the second floor in the eastern wing. There was Itachi, sitting in an armchair while the rest of his family stood.
Sasuke always walked past that picture like it wasn't even there.
But Itachi's face was soft as he looked back down on the ballroom again.
"…Thank you," he uttered as he turned toward her. Sakura felt her face grow warm at the simple statement.
"I'm sorry. I don't understand why I'm being thanked," Sakura slowly admitted.
Itachi closed his eyes. His face was narrow and there was something frail about the shape of his cheekbones as he drew in a soft breath. The dark fan of his eyelashes against his pale skin was suddenly impossible to look away from. And when he opened his eyes again, Sakura was caught directly in his gaze.
"Thank you for caring about my brother."
Sakura gave some sort of polite response and walked away. But as soon as she rounded the corner, she felt warmth spread from her chest, all the way up to her ears. She needed a minute to compose herself. Slipping out onto the nearest balcony, she willed the cool mountain air to erase the pink from her face.
"That man has no business being so charming," she sniffed as she fanned herself with her hand.
When she returned to the ball, Sasuke's gaze immediately snapped to her. He ducked out of the flock of women chirping around him to practically seize her arm. Drawing her in close, he spoke through clenched teeth.
"You threw me to the harpies," he accused her with equal amounts of relief and anger. Sakura shrugged.
"If you didn't get your eyes pecked out, you're fine," she assured him before they moved to the dance floor to escape the women advancing on them.
By midnight, many of the guests had begun to retire for the night. And Sakura, trying her best not to wobble, readily agreed when Sasuke suggested that they make a quick escape as well. Though he offered to escort her back to her apartment, Sakura waved him off and wished him a good night. Sakura made it all the way to the west wing and up to the second floor before Moegi caught up to her. No doubt she had heard that the party was winding down and had come to find her.
"General!" Moegi called out as she hurried to meet her. Giving a strained smile, Sakura waved her over.
"Would you help me? I'd forgotten how painful women's shoes could be," grumbled Sakura. Tittering, Moegi gladly offered her assistance.
"Did you enjoy yourself, General?" Haku greeted her as he held the door of the apartment open for her. Gripping Moegi's arm for support, Sakura made her way to the blue armchair in the foyer normally set out for guests. Haku knelt, easing the pointed shoes off of Sakura's swollen feet.
"High heels must be the invention of careless and cruel men," declared Sakura.
Moegi reappeared in the room, a basin filled with warm water from the tub. She placed it on the floor before she and Haku each took a foot to lower it in to soak. A profound sigh of relief left Sakura's mouth as she let her head loll back.
"Worry not, General. A good massage and then we'll wrap them up with some herbal balms. You'll walking and dancing again by tomorrow," Moegi cheerfully assured her.
Sakura held a hand up. "No talking of walking or dancing until one of you gets this damn corset off of me," she sighed.