Amaryllis
Chapter 5
"She's very beautiful," one of the nobles commented.
Eyes turned to the young general that Shisui pulled onto the dance floor. He was already married, but he was well-known for his dancing skills. The noblewomen lined up to have a chance to dance one song with him.
The General's dress was light teal that night, with strings of pearls draped around the skirt in shiny tiers. Swaths of transparent fabric flowed down the back of the skirt, trailing behind her like a tide that was always rushing to catch up to her. The back of her dress dipped low again, exposing the lines of her shoulders and the curve of her spine, rejoining fabric at her waist.
"I wonder how she managed to lead an entire army?" another of the men wondered out loud.
"My thoughts precisely. She seems so young. And I hear that she's quite flexible…" one of the older men remarked. A set of low guffaws filtered up from the group as they nodded and winked at one another. Only two faces remained stony in their midst. And no one seemed to notice this until one of the men who clearly found no humor in the conversation cleared his throat.
"My lords, I don't think you've been introduced to my friend. Admiral Haruno of the Forest Kingdom," Sasuke announced. He gestured to Sasori standing beside him, whose eyes glinted like polished blades as he smiled at them
There was a pause as everyone processed the name. A chill fell upon them as they gave stilted bows and nods to Sasori. When Sakura appeared a few minutes later, she interrupted the world's most awkward conversation. Sasuke was just a few steps behind her.
From this close, everyone could see that her hair was twisted up and strung with thin lines of pearls. And the large golden suns hanging from her ears glittered as she turned her head toward Sasori. Her hand rested on his shoulder as she read the atmosphere. The flush of embarrassment on the faces that met her told her enough.
"Am I interrupting something, gentlemen?" she questioned. The polished golden chain hanging from her neck sparkled. The shimmering disk engraved with tiny words and symbols swayed with her movements before coming to rest against her stomach.
"N-not at all, General. We were just discussing what a fine dancer you are," one of the men sputtered. Sakura's cool smile answered the man who had spoken.
"Clearly," was all she said.
"Come, love. Let's dance. I hear your flexibility is something to be tested," Sasori said, his hand moving to her waist. A fresh round of blushes passed around the group. And when Sasori explained the situation to Sakura, she laughed out loud.
Sasori twirled her around before drawing her in close to his chest. Sakura pushed away from him, returning them back to a respectable distance apart.
"Perhaps I've dressed you too appealingly. I should have brought a burlap sack for you," sighed Sasori.
"My dear cousin, your flattery is bordering on lechery tonight," Sakura stated with an airy sort of carelessness. She put on a flat look of disapproval. Sasori pivoted and dipped her until the small of her back rested against his knee. She fixed him with the same stony look.
"Lechery? You're especially hurtful today, Sakura," he replied. Only then did Sakura's lips lift in a smirk. She reached up and pinched his cheek with a light touch. Then they were swirling across the dance floor again.
"Then again, you're only this terrible to the people you actually like so I suppose I should consider this an honor," sighed Sasori as an afterthought. This time, Sakura outright laughed at him.
"Speaking of which, that imbecile has been staring at you for quite some time now," murmured Sasori with a subtle nod in Naruto's direction. He spun her around to allow her to get a look. And indeed, Naruto was standing in a group of people who were all chattering merrily to one another. His eyes met Sakura's and he gave her a tentative smile. Sakura did not return the expression before Sasori spun her back around.
"What do you suppose that's about? Do you think someone ate the last slice of ham?" Sasori conjectured. Sakura pretended not to smile at that. Instead, she dragged their pace down as the song transitioned into a more sorrowful song. Sakura noticed Sasori's eyes were drifting elsewhere and so she followed his gaze. From the opposite side of the ballroom, Sakura spotted three men in the distinctive black and silver uniforms of the Mountain Kingdom's armies. Their mustaches twitched around as they spoke to each other. And their eyes never left Sasori.
"Goodness," sighed Sasori. And at the same time, Sakura sighed, "What now?"
When the song came to an end, they left the dance floor. Sasori didn't bother to sweep a the usual fantastic bow. Instead, he slipped his arm around her waist. He barely hid his look of disgust as he mocked them. "Please, Admiral, a war story. We haven't been on a battlefield in a thousand years."
Sakura arched an eyebrow at him.
"Neither have you," she pointed out, "You've only ever been on the water."
Sasori glowered at her. She struggled not to smile.
"Ah, Admiral Haruno. We've been dying to speak to you all night."
Sakura and Sasori turned at the same time. Sakura took one look at the medals gleaming on the black uniforms and promptly excused herself. Sasori, rather than releasing her, tightened the hold on her waist. He spoke without moving his lips.
"Are you abandoning me?" he accused her. Sakura gave a glib smile as she mentioned powdering her face. She bowed to the other men and made a quick retreat. But on her own, Sakura was caught by a trio of noblewomen gushing about the beauty of her gown. They marveled over the way the silk shimmered and the way that there seemed to be tiny sparkles embedded into the fabric. One of them reached out to admire Sakura's hair and Sakura sidestepped the touch with a terse smile. The message was clear. Sakura excused herself to go drink a glass of wine. She had two.
But as Sakura stood enjoying her second glass of wine, something made the hairs on the back of her neck prickle unpleasantly. Her eyes flitted around the vast room. Out of habit, she searched for Naruto and found him not so far from her, still stuck in that awkward conversation with people he didn't know. Her stare lingered over the men in that group in particular, searching for the telltale marks of a concealed weapon. Naruto seemed to notice the change in her expression. He said something, stepping away from the group. As she watched him approach, she felt, rather than saw, a flicker of movement somewhere behind him.
"Sasori!" Sakura shouted as she bolted forward. She elbowed people out of her way. Cries of outrage trailed behind her as people were jolted aside, sloshing their drinks. But Sakura had eyes for no one but the danger behind Naruto.
She sprinted to him, hand outstretched. She heard Sasori say something, but she couldn't understand him. Metal glinted too brightly from somewhere.
Sakura shoved Naruto aside with her forearm and spun to shield him with her body. Heat erupted across her back. She could feel the stickiness of blood between her shoulder blades. The blade sliced through the strings of pearl draped across her back. The iridescent shapes scattered, spilling across the floor and rolling in every direction. People were screaming. Her knees buckled from the blow, but there was no time to process the pain.
Her fingers shoved under her skirt. They found the hilt of her dagger strapped to her thigh. She whirled. Launched the blade. The weapon sang as it cleaved the air. With a thud, it connected with the assailant's chest. His knife was still in his hand. Blood dribbled from his mouth. His eyes widened as he struggled to understand why he was falling. But by the time he hit the ground, he was dead, and wondered no more.
She sucked in a deep breath and tried to stand up straight. But the pain began to catch up with her. Her knees wobbled. She felt herself tilt, and then Sasori's arms were around her waist.
"An assassination attempt?" a voice from the crowd gasps. Whispers hissed all around the room as the nobles stood there. Talking. As she felt her blood soaking into the front of Sasori's fine clothes.
"I'm sorry, darling. I'm going to need you to lean forward," Sasori uttered. Sakura took a deep breath. She nodded. His hand curled around her shoulder. He pushed her bit by bit, until he could see the gash dripping blood down her back.
A knight separated from the crowd. He stepped around them to help Naruto to his feet. And then he moved to pick up the fallen assassin's weapon.
"It didn't hit bone, I think. It's not so deep, either," Sasori observed with a calmness she knew he didn't feel. The grip of his fingers on her shoulder almost hurt her. But more than that, she could feel him shaking. She sharpness of his voice made everyone else flinch as he barked, "Can someone not incompetent get a doctor! And some linens. Towels. Anything!"
But then she heard Sasori click his tongue. He shed his jacket and ripped his shirt in his haste to remove it. His head whipped around until he found a woman holding wine. He held his hand out for it. And when she gave him a bewildered look, he cursed under his breath.
The knight who had been speaking with Naruto stepped in. He wrenched the goblet from the noblewoman's grasp. Sakura winced when he upended the cold contents all over her wound. And then gasped again as Sasori began typing his shirt around her. The wine and blood stained the fabric as he tightened the knot.
Sasuke came running over, guards shadowing his footsteps. His face was flushed red and little beads of sweat were gathered on his upper lip. He had obviously run to get help at the first sign of a commotion. As Sasuke stood catching his breath, he looked from the body on the ground to Sakura. Sasori removed his hand from Sakura's back, looked down at the blood glistening on his palm.
"It's not stopping," he muttered. And then his head whipped around so he could address Sasuke.
"Your Highness, where's the infirmary?" Sasori demanded.
"I called for my personal physician. The staff is on their way to assist the General," Queen Mikoto announced. The guests parted to allow her to walk through them. She looked quite pale, but otherwise calm as she surveyed the scene.
"'On the way' means nothing. She's bleeding to death and everyone is standing around like a useless flock of geese," Sasori spat.
"Help me up," Sakura whispered. Sasori hesitated. But then he complied. Supporting her as she got to her feet. More guards were running in now.
Sakura began to move. People stumbled out of her way as she slowly moved. Sasori kept one arm around her, the other supporting her elbow. She shuffled until she stood behind the knight who had helped Naruto to his feet.
"Sir Sai," she called.
He turned to face her a moment later. Expression too bright.
"Yes, General," he replied.
The back of her hand connected with his jaw, sending him reeling. Something might have cracked. It was hard to hear over the gasp that rippled through the room.
Sai didn't straighten. He stood hunched, hands clenched on his thighs.
"This happened because you failed to protect my cousin. You have failed your sole duty as his retainer," Sakura accused. She faltered a little and Sasori shifted his grip on her to support more of her weight. Sakura closed her eyes for a moment, suddenly a little woozy. But when she opened them again, there was still steel in her gaze.
"I will pass judgment on you once I'm no longer bleeding," Sakura added. She then glanced over her shoulder at Sasori. She pulled out of his arms, wobbling, but still on her feet.
"Love, be caref-"
Her hand connected with his cheek too.
This time, the entire room was silent. No one even dared to gasp.
"Watch your tone in front of Her Majesty. Even if you're my cousin, I will not allow anyone from my country to show such disrespect," Sakura ordered.
As two attendants in white arrived, Sakura spotted them in the doorway.
"Ah, excellent timing. I would appreciate your assistance, ladies," Sakura greeted them.
Sasori stood rooted in place. Head at an awkward angle. Sakura stared at him for a moment before she ordered, "Stay."
She waited until he raised his fist over his heart before she allowed herself to be escorted out of the ballroom. Blood dripping in a trail behind her.
The two women half-guided and half-pulled Sakura up to the private areas of the eastern wing.
Sakura tried to count the flights of stairs and thought maybe she was up on the fourth floor. She couldn't be sure. The blood loss was making things a little hazy. But then she was led into the infirmary. Sterile smells and light colors greeted her, as did a shock of bright red hair.
"Sit her down. Get water," the woman barked.
"Can you tell me your name?" she then asked in a more normal voice. She lifted Sakura's eyelid, unsmiling behind dark spectacles. She shined a bright light into her eye. Sakura barely flinched. She was used to this.
"I was slashed. I didn't hit my head," grumbled Sakura in response. There was a pause, and then the physician grinned.
"My name is Karin. I'm her Majesty the Queen's physician. And I think you'll be alright, General," the physician continued on in a cheerful voice. Sakura mustered a smile, but she stopped when one of the nurses began to peel away the makeshift bandage on her back. Karin hissed, slapping the nurse's hands away. She took over the painstaking process of separating the layers of fabric from the sticky gash across Sakura's back.
"Whoever did this was smart. It saved you a lot of blood," Karin remarked. She stood observing the wound for a moment. And then she began barking orders at the nurses to gather supplies and to tend to the patient. Hands helped Sakura lie on her side. Her head began to feel like it was floating above her shoulders.
"I'm going to disinfect this now. It's going to hurt. Swear if you would like," Karin warned her from what felt like very far away. It took Sakura a second, but she processed the words. And then snorted.
"You get used to this kind of stuff. If you piss off the wrong people, you're bound to get stabbed once or twice," Sakura remarked.
"Well…" That made Karin pause. She gripped Sakura's shoulder. And then said, "I can think of one or two people I wouldn't mind stabbing. So you must be right."
Sakura let out a weak laugh.
Karin was quick about tending to the injury. There was a reason why a woman like her had risen to such an esteemed position. She stitched the edges of the cut together, remarking how it was mostly surface level. Her needle pierced and pulled. A nurse dabbed with a clean cloth to soak up the blood every once in a while.
Sakura's hands clenched into the sheets and pillow. Teeth clenching together, she refused to let a single whimper escape her mouth. The blood dribbled down her back, her sides, soaking into the white sheets. And she almost laughed at how familiar all this felt. At how one of the nurses remarked at her tolerance for pain.
And then Karin was out of her hair. All she said was, "There."
She stepped away. The nurses moved in to begin washing her skin clean. The water tinging pink and then red as they rinsed the towels over and over. The agony in her back eased a little as they piled on some sort of cool balm. The bandages went over top. And the pressure of the gauze actually helped some of the pain as well.
The click of boots approached. Someone spoke to the guards that were posted outside. A few moments later, Sasori walked in as the nurses helped Sakura up. To move her to a clean bed, they explained. He hurried across the room. He wrapped his arms around Sakura. When he glanced at the nurses, they pointed to the right bed.
Sakura glared as Sasori lowered her onto the sheets. The nurses fussed to arrange her on her side. 'To keep pressure off the wound,' they said. Like she hadn't been injured before. But Sakura swatted her irritation away. They were accustomed to dealing with clueless nobles who had never lifted a finger before. They arranged her arms and legs. Adjusted her pillow.
Sasori waited for the nurses to finish their work. They gathered the blood-stained supplies. Pulled the blood-soaked sheets off the bed. And then they were gone. They didn't even chatter as they hurried down the hall.
It was perfectly quiet in the infirmary. And then Sakura felt Sasori sit behind her on the thin mattress. The first thing he did was smooth her hair down.
"I could kill you," he sighed. His hand weighing heavy on top of her head.
"You'll have to wait your turn," Sakura replied.
Her back was to him. So all she could do was wait for the lecture. Instead, Sasori took a deep breath. Exhaled just as deeply. He rested his cheek on her shoulder.
"Does it hurt a lot?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Me, too," Sasori said. Which was such an odd thing to say. But Sakura understood him. They always understood each other like that.
The lecture came later. When the sun was beginning to set. Light angling red and purple through the trees. One of the the nurses returned to light candles in the room. She paused when she saw Sasori still slumped against Sakura. One hand tangling in her hair. But then she moved like she hadn't seen anything, trimming and lighting each of the wicks inside the lanterns. Sakura's eyes followed the woman around the room. And when the nurse saw that she was awake, she paused to bow. Sakura nodded.
Sasori opened his eyes as the nurse's footsteps retreated down the hall.
"Can you please take care of yourself?" Sasori requested.
"It'll heal. It always does," Sakura dismissed his concern.
"But this is my favorite back," he sighed. "And it's the most valuable back in the kingdom." Something in his tone shifted. It would have been easier to tell what he was thinking if she could see his face. But she already had a good idea of where this conversation was headed.
"Sakura."
"What."
"When you were born, there were already factions forming. Since I was older. Since I was the male, I should be heir to the throne, some said. The nobles tried to rally around my mother to persuade her," Sasori recounted. They both knew the story so well.
"And Aunt Kurenai threatened to have them all executed for treason," Sakura supplied. And she heard Sasori chuckle.
"Yes. And then she brought me to kneel in front of your mother and you. To swear to always be your sword and shield. Your hands and feet. Because you are my dearest cousin, but also my queen," he whispered.
"You're a fool, you know. A complete waste of potential," she scolded him, not for the first time. And like always, he didn't laugh at that. Like he knew it was true in some way. But she had never heard him utter a word of complaint. That he would never inherit his own lands. Or that even though their mothers had both been princesses, he would never be a prince. Simply 'Lord Sasori'. She wondered sometimes why he didn't hate her. For having what he could never have.
And like he could read her mind, he suddenly said, "I don't need an inheritance. I just need you to take better care of yourself."
"For the future of the kingdom?" she recited. It was what everyone said to her whenever they tried to persuade her.
"No. For me," Sasori corrected. "But also the kingdom, I suppose," he then added as an afterthought.
They sat silent for a long time after that. Once the sun had almost entirely disappeared behind the trees, Sasori got to his feet.
"I'll bring some moon tea. To help you sleep," he announced. He bent over to press a kiss to her cheek. His crisp footsteps echoed all the way down the hall. Bouncing around like there were five of him.
The infirmary was pale and clean. White pillows on a white bed in a room with white walls. Sakura held her hand up. Wondering whether she would begin to turn transparent in such a place. She closed her eyes, let her hand drop down.
Her eyes opened when she felt Sasori's hand on hers. His signet ring hard and smooth against her knuckle.
"Drink. I'll stay here tonight," he whispered. He held a cup of steaming tea in his hand.
Sakura saw then that he still wore his ruined clothes from the ball. Her blood dried brown and crusty on his undershirt and pants.
"You should change," she remarked.
"Really? I think it suits me," he responded.
Sakura laughed despite the pain in her back.
Naruto came to visit a few times. The first time, Sakura was still drowsy from the moon tea and she opened heavy lids to Naruto calling her name. He stood over her bed, face haggard.
"Sakura, I'm so sorry this happened. Are you okay?" he blurted out. His words were frantic, stumbling over one another. Sakura blinked slowly. Then she closed her eyes and went back to sleep.
The second time Naruto came to visit, Sasori was already in the room. And though Sakura's mind was still a little foggy, she understood just why Sasori suddenly stopped talking. Eyes flashing, Sasori whirled to face Naruto.
"What're you doing here?" Sasori growled. Naruto held up his hands in a pacifying gesture.
"I'm just here to see how Sakura's doing…" the blond said, his voice trailing off in the wake of Sasori's acid glare. Even when Sakura placed her hand on his arm, Sasori refused to back down.
"Get out of here," whispered Sasori, even as Naruto took a nervous step forward.
"Sakura, I'm really sorry you got hurt for me. Are you feeling okay?" Naruto insisted as he moved closer. Sasori's hand clenched into a fist.
"Get out. You have no right to be here right now," Sasori whispered again. There was a frosty note in Sasori's voice that made Naruto freeze. And eyes half-lidded, Sakura finally looked up to meet Naruto's wide eyes.
"You should go, Naruto," she added. Only then did Naruto take a step backwards. Nodding slowly, Naruto looked around the room in a nervous sort of way before he retreated. And Sasori, still shaking with subdued rage, leaned forward the pressed his forehead firmly to hers.
"He has no right to be here. I'll tear him apart," Sasori snarled.
"You'll do no such thing," retorted Sakura. Lacing their fingers together, Sakura pressed her cheek to Sasori's shoulder until his trembling stopped.
The third time Naruto came to visit, it was during a rare window of opportunity when Sasori was out of the infirmary. Because he needed to eat and bathe, too.
Sakura's eyebrows rose as she spotted movement in the shadows of the doorway. It wasn't like she had a choice but to wait for him to reveal himself. Naruto slunk across the floor to stand at the foot of her bed. He stood wringing his hand together behind his back as he tried to gather the right words. Then Naruto suddenly pulled out a bunch of flowers. The stems were a little droopy and the roots were untrimmed. But the sight of the brightly colored blooms softened Sakura's mood.
"Sit down," she sighed, gesturing to the chair next to the bed. She watched Naruto look around for somewhere to stick the flowers before he just sat, bouquet clenched in his hands until his knuckles turned white. His shoulders hunched in.
"…So…uh… how are you feeling?" Naruto queried after an awkward pause. He tugged at the collar of his burnt orange waistcoat. The golden chain looping from the first button down to the watch in his pocket rattled quietly. Sakura debated ignoring him before she decided to end his suffering.
"I've been better," she remarked after weighing her words. But then she revealed a faint smile to let him know that she was joking. Naruto didn't return the expression. His gaze darted nervously from her to the doorway.
"Does it hurt a lot?" questioned Naruto in something closer to a mumble. His cheeks burned dark red as he clenched his hands into tight fists.
His eyes were huge as he stared at her. The sight of that wide gaze stirred up old memories. The nostalgia clogged her chest until she felt like she couldn't breathe. Quickly turning her head away, Sakura cleared her throat.
"…Yes," she answered. "It always does." Her fingers curled into the edges of the blanket.
But then Sasori came back with his tea and the rage in his eyes made it clear that it was time for Naruto to leave. In fact, Naruto jumped to his feet, color draining out of his face entirely. His stare jumped from Sasori, to the flowers, and then to Sakura.
"Uh. I'll just…" he stuttered out. Naruto thrust the flowers into Sakura's lap. Then he bolted from the room, followed all the way by Sasori's glower. Sasori stood in the doorway, teacup rattling noisily against the saucer until Sakura waved him in. He strode over and exchanged her flowers for the tea. Sakura arched an eyebrow at him as she took a sip of the hot beverage. It was bitter.
Without hesitation, Sasori glanced over the flowers, and then deposited them in the garbage.
"Sasori," she admonished half-heartedly.
"Some weeds will not repay what you have done for him," Sasori ground out.
Sasori then settled on the edge of her bed without saying anything else. Only when Sakura took his hand did Sasori lift his gaze.
"A bit testy, are we?" she teased just a bit. Sasori's hand closed around hers but he didn't respond. Instead, she could feel his gaze tracing her face. His clear gold eyes narrowed. Sasori reached out to push a lock of her hair behind her ear.
"Please take care of yourself, love. I'll be leaving in a few days. Can you promise me that you'll at least pretend to have some sense of self-preservation?" As he spoke, Sasori stroked her face once with his thumb. He cupped her cheek in his palm. Sakura stared at him for a long moment before she reached up and placed her hand over his.
"I promise," she replied in a soft voice.
And it seemed that, at least for a little while, Sasori had set his rage aside.
At least, this held true until Sai strolled into the infirmary with his hands in his back pockets.
Karin was hunched over Sakura, face screwed up as she looked over her own handiwork. The stitches were holding together well. The salve of various herbs that Karin had placed on top had also helped with the worst of the pain and inflammation. Though the wound was nowhere near healed after two days, Sakura was well aware of how much pain ineffective medical attention could cause. This doctor knew what she was doing.
While Karin stood poking and prodding, Sasori stood like a disgruntled sentry by the window.
But Sai chose to enter then, shattering that fragile peace.
Out of habit, Sakura looked up to see who the visitor was. There had been a veritable parade of people prancing in and out of that door all day. The table beside the bed was crowded with bunches of flowers and brightly colored presents. Everyone from some lower nobles to the higher ups like Sasuke and Shisui had dropped by. So putting on her diplomat's smile, Sakura lifted her head.
Whatever snorting retort she was about to make in response to Karin's dry humor was lost in her throat as she saw Sai standing there. And Karin, noticing the gap in their conversation, looked up to see what was wrong. Sasori, of course, had whirled to face the visitor already. He crossed the room in quick steps.
Sasori's hand flew to the hilt of his sword. The zing of the metal screeching free of the scabbard echoed in the room so loudly that it hardly seemed possible. And then Sasori's blade was at Sai's throat, pressing so hard against the pale skin that a drop of bright red welled up against the edge. But Sai was fast as well. His dagger was out, hovering menacingly at Sasori's gut, prepared to rip him open and send his organs spilling.
One of the nurses let out a shriek. The other one took a step in front of Sakura, her arm held out.
"How dare you set foot in here, you swine," hissed Sasori.
"Watch yourself, Admiral," Sai returned in a soft voice. There was even a hint of a smile pulling at Sai's lips.
"I watched my cousin get stabbed because of your incompetence," Sasori seethed.
"And I'm here to apologize for that," replied Sai with a smile. Sasori ground his molars together. But before his blade could move any further, Sakura's cold voice cut in.
"Sasori," she called out.
"Glad to see that you're awake, General," Sai greeted her. He tipped his head in her direction as much as he could without decapitating himself. Sasori's gaze turned from angry to murderous.
"Sasori," Sakura said a second time. This time her voice held an icy bite to it. And Sasori flinched, as if she had cut him with his own name.
"Lower your weapons…the both of you. This is a hospital," ordered Sakura. And slowly, with visible reluctance from both sides, the blades dropped bit by bit. With a look from Sakura, the two nurses grabbed their things and moved closer to Sakura and away from the danger. Letting out a harsh exhale, Sasori took one step away from Sai.
"Like I said, I merely came to apologize, General. It is true that you were injured because I did not act quickly. I am Prince Naruto's personal retainer. I should have been there first," Sai said with a small bow. There was little sincerity in his dark eyes. Sasori scoffed. Sakura observed Sai for a long moment before she spoke.
"Your incompetence nearly cost two royal lives. A simply apology will not suffice for this," she thought out loud. And though Sai's eyes narrowed, he didn't say anything to contradict her.
"What do you think, Cousin?" Sakura then asked.
"I'm always in favor of a public hanging," suggested Sasori with a smile.
"Hm… hanging. So… final," Sakura mused.
Sai's face remained unreadable. Although the corner of his mouth did twitch a little.
Sakura studied him for a moment. Then she shook her head. "No. No hanging," she decided. "I shall speak it over with your dear prince. I wouldn't want to discipline someone's dog without their permission. Now leave. I tire of that sneer of yours."
With that clear dismissal of the guest, Sasori gave Sai a smug look, folding his arms across his chest. And Sai gave the same bland smile before he bowed again and slowly backed out of the room.
"You should have let me behead him," Sasori grumbled as he sat at the foot of the bed. He busied himself sheathing his weapon and then adjusting his hair. Sakura raised an eyebrow at him.
"No. Someone would find some reason to accuse you of something ridiculous," Sakura corrected him.
And then the physician spoke up. "Don't behead people here, please."
Obviously, Sakura was unable to attend the rest of the parties during the festival. The glittering gowns Sasori had brought hung unused inside the armoire. Moegi sighed over this so often that even Haku began to roll his eyes at her.
Once she received approval from the doctor, Sakura moved back to her apartment. Where it didn't reek of antiseptic and herbs. She couldn't really lie back without putting pressure on her wound. So Sakura sat up or lay on her side. Sasori was there to keep her company during the day. He claimed that it was infinitely more entertaining than having to make small talk with some powdered lord or lady. At night, however, he was forced to attend the parties on her behalf.
"But Prince Naruto will be there," Haku wondered as he brushed Sakura's hair.
Both she and Sasori burst into laughter. Haku froze.
"Oh, my dear, you've met him. Do you honestly trust him to represent anyone including himself?" Sasori mocked.
Haku tilted his head as he considered that. "Um… no. I suppose not, Admiral," he replied. Quite serious. Sasori laughed even harder.
Sasori took one of the strands of pearls that Sakura would have worn. Wrapped it around his wrist.
"For good luck," he insisted, leaning over her.
Sighing, Sakura set her book down. "Such a coddled child," she scolded, even as she reached for him. She kissed his right cheek. Then his left.
"Be good," she instructed.
"You know me. I'm always good," Sasori retorted before he headed out the double doors.
When she had returned to the room, Sakura had found a book of folklore of the Mountain Kingdom. Very old, she could tell from the softening binding. It sat on her nightstand, waiting for her.
Sakura had asked Moegi and Haku which of them had been so thoughtful. Intent on rewarding them. But they had exchanged a bewildered look.
"We… found it here, General. We assumed you'd ordered someone to prepare it for you," Haku confessed.
Sakura still gave them each a shining coin.
"For your honesty. Now go. I'd like some time to myself," she said.
Speechless, the two attendants hurried out. Sakura saw Moegi bite down on the coin. Her eyes narrowed. It wasn't something she often saw a castle maid do.
She wrote a letter. Stuck it inside the cover before she opened up to the first page. It was a quiet night with no one else around. Perfect for some light reading.
Sasori snuck back from the dance early. He smelled of some sort of noxious perfume.
"Against my will, darling," he assured her as she wrinkled her nose at him. "Some sad, old dowager begged me to dance with her. Said that I reminded her of her dead husband." He yanked his tie loose. Sakura arched an eyebrow at him.
"Which part? The dead or the husband part?" she replied.
Sasori had had a few glasses of wine and his laughter sounded rich.
"Alright, alright. I'll wash up. Do you have cards? I'm in the mood for basra," Sasori said, walking out of her bedroom.
"Oh, you mean that you're in the mood to lose," she called after him, listening to him chuckle.
Hair still damp, Sasori sat at the foot of her bed. He wore gold bangles on his right wrist; they clinked together as he set a card down on the bed. Sakura clicked her tongue as he took a card and placed it face-down by his knee. He had brought along some dried fruit from home. Haku placed the dried figs in a small bowl. The sticky sweetness filled her mouth with old memories. Sakura peered at Sasori over her cards. After a moment, he looked up too, fiddling with the metal stud in his ear.
"What?" he asked.
"This feels… almost like home," admitted Sakura, squeezing another fig between her molars.
Sakura thought back to her apartment in Plumeria. The striped pattern of sunlight through the slatted wooden blinds across the covers was always the first thing she saw in the morning. But the blinds were opened at night and they clattered together like wooden wind chimes in the sea breeze. Incense burned in paint clay bowls. Fat white candles sat nestled in more bowls placed on every windowsill and set by every doorway to light the way for any lonely spirits that wandered by at night. Or people. And that clean fragrance mingled with whatever flowers and ripe fruits were around at the time.
Some days, when she just needed to breathe, she would escape her duties for just a little while. She would climb into one of the dinghies used for moving between the private apartments of the palace. These little rowboats sat bobbing on the waves, always ready to transport someone.
Sakura would take one, row it underneath the complex system of buildings on stilts. Let the boat drift until it slipped out of sight. And there, where the sunlight reflected off the water in iridescent, wavering shimmers of light onto the underside of the palace, she would stare up at the maze of walkways. She would tether the boat and lay on the floor until she really did disappear.
Sometimes, she napped. But more often, the roar of the sea, along with the creaks of the boat soothed her into a stupor. Which was safer. Because then there were no dreams to fear.
The nostalgia hit her so hard that her gut clenched. Sasori, who had been studying her face, moved toward her before she could even speak. His wrist had gone limp, bleeding his hand to her. He had terrible cards. There was no way he would have won. Not that she would have known from his expression earlier.
"I want to go home, Sasori," she dared whisper. Only because it was him.
When Sasori hugged her, it all rushed back to her. It had been over a year since she had left for the mainland. Living in the capital, which was another kind of battlefield. She had struggled to cling to the feeling of the sun on her back and wet sand between her toes. When Sasori held her, the fragrance of sandalwood clung impossibly to him. Like it had followed him all the way here, just to meet her. His fingers trailed through her hair.
"I know, love. Just a little while longer," he promised her. And because Sasori didn't break his promises, she knew that he was right.
She lingered in his embrace just for another second. Then she pushed him away. Sasori pulled away, already beaming at her.
"Her Majesty is so cold," he remarked, his hand cupping her cheek for a moment. And then he tapped the tip of her nose with his finger.
She was already composing her expression. Because just like Sasori, she had learned to wear the indifference on her face. Like it was part of her uniform.
Sasori rested his hand on her ankle. He smiled, so warmly.
"I miss you, too," he assured her.
Sakura returned the smile. And then she beat him soundly at their card game. As if she didn't know what cards he had in his hand. Sasori pretended to be outraged, like he didn't know why she had won. But that was how things always were between them.
Sasori fell asleep tangled in the blankets, his arm draped over her lap.
Moegi and Haku stared at him, disapproval written all over their faces.
"I can call for someone to move him," Haku offered, looking angrier than Moegi did.
Sakura shook her head. "He's always been like this," she informed them. Before they could protest, she sent them off to bed.
She curled up beside Sasori, her cheek pressed to the back of her hand. The ache in her back kept tempo with her heart, but the moon tea she had sipped during the card game had dulled it. And the knowledge that she was suffering, not Naruto, made it almost tolerable. She slept dreamlessly. When she opened her eyes in the morning, Sasori's forehead was pressed to hers. His fingers curled around her wrist.
Sakura roused Sasori as the first rays of dawn pierced the curtains. She pulled the cord to summon her two attendants. She continued shaking his shoulder with her other hand. When Moegi arrived, she hauled Sasori to his feet and pushed him into the bathroom to wash up. Haku set up breakfast in the salon. A three-tiered stand filled with sandwiches and tarts. He steeped the tea leaves in hot water. As Sakura entered the salon, Haku finished setting out the silverware.
By the time Sasori wandered in in a robe, Sakura sat enjoying her first cup of tea. The smell of peppermint tickled her nose as Haku set a plate in front of her. He placed a pastry on it, topped with whipped cream and plenty of raspberries. He had quickly picked up on her tastes. She admired his attention to detail.
Two more days passed this way. Sasori was often hungover during breakfast. He divulged all the gossip of the previous night's ball. His jokes always went too far and Sakura would slap him on the arm or chest. That only made them laugh harder.
Sasuke usually stopped by for lunch. He had stopped bringing flowers when Sakura had pointed out how many baskets and vases cluttered the apartment. There were even roses in the bathroom because they had run out of places to display them.
"I hear you paid a visit to the barracks. The guards were… motivated," Sasuke brought up one day.
The glint in his eye made Sakura sigh. "They were annoyed or terrified?" she guessed.
"Both. Your cousin had some advice for the captain of the squad," answered Sasuke.
Sasori looked unbothered. "I merely offered suggestions on how I'd like them to conduct themselves for the remainder of your stay, dear cousin. I don't see any harm in that."
Sakura and Sasuke exchanged another look. Sakura waved her hand. "It may be for the best. If he annoys everyone enough, perhaps the assassins will follow him out of the kingdom to kill him instead."
Sasuke looked horrified at the prospect, but the cousins just laughed.
On the morning of Sasori's departure, his belonging were already packed and loaded on his horse and donkey.
"Don't see me off. You need to rest," he insisted. He fluffed his hair in the mirror, fixing his part. And then he flashed a smile at Sakura's reflection. He turned to face her. He stepped up to her. Gripping the headboard with one hand, Sasori bent his head to press his forehead against hers.
"Be safe, love," he pleaded.
Sakura nodded.
"Write to me often. I'll write to you as soon as I reach Whitewave," Sasori promised her.
Sakura nodded again. But this time, she assured him: "I imagine you'll be annoyed if I get myself killed. So I'll be careful."
Sasori's smile looked tight. He squeezed her in a hug, pressed a kiss to the back of her hand, and then he was gone.
King Fugaku and Queen Mikoto sent a retinue of knights to accompany Sasori to the port city of Whitewave. It was unnecessary. The roads in this area were safe and Sasori was more than capable of taking care of himself. Still, it was a token of friendship from the Mountain Kingdom. They could only turn it down so many times without appearing rude.
Haku and Moegi seemed unsure of how to do things now that Sakura was no longer going for her morning ride. She was on bed rest until the physician said so. Haku sent word to the stables to have someone take Kaze out for some exercise in the mornings, as per Sakura's instructions. The stallion was used to moving over long distances. Sakura hated to imagine him pent up inside all day, much like she was.
The two attendants panicked when Sakura closed her book and insisted on going for a walk in the morning instead.
"You'll hurt yourself!" Moegi insisted. Haku agreed. Yet as Sakura got to her feet, Haku let out a sigh. He ran to fetch her white jacket, the medals jangling against each other as he pulled it from the hanger. Sakura's eyes widened when she felt him drape it over her shoulders.
"We're coming with you," Haku stated. Which was a bold move.
But Sakura didn't exactly hate that. She nodded. "Very well," she agreed as she eased her feet into slippers.
They made their way down to the Queen's garden. Which Sakura had been invited to enjoy at any time. It took a while for them to make it there. Sakura couldn't move too quickly. But it was a pleasant morning, with a touch of cool lingering in the air. As Sakura took a seat on one of the stone benches, Haku disappeared. It took Sakura a moment to notice.
"Where did Haku go?" she asked.
Moegi was crouched at her feet, brushing dust off her shoes. She tilted her head to one side. "I think I heard her voice, General. She must be nearby," she answered.
Several minutes later, Haku did come running. Hands gripping his skirts so that he could move more quickly.
"Where on earth have you been?" Sakura queried. Haku huffed and puffed, pink in the face. He gestured with a polite hand in the direction he had come from.
"H-hi-h- Maj-" Haku broke off, coughing.
"She came running to me. Saying that you insisted on leaving your bed. Begged me to come escort you," Sasuke remarked as he turned the corner and emerged from the hedges. A few knights followed after him. Sasuke waved them off as he strolled over. Took a seat beside her on the bench.
A smile played at Sakura's lips as she glanced Haku's way. He didn't meet her gaze. Hands fisting in his skirts.
"Overstepping your bounds quite a bit today, aren't we, Haku?" Sakura questioned.
Haku blanched. Shoulders nearly touching his ears. "Please forgive me, General," he whispered.
But Sakura waved a hand at him. "No need. I like loyalty. And I like someone who's perceptive enough to see a need before it's announced," she stated. When Haku's eyes finally met hers, her smile widened. "Continue to meddle. I'm pleased."
In the end, Sasuke ended up helping her back up to her room. They were both certain that someone would see them walking. Her hand on his arm. And the rumors would spread. Even with the attendants and knights trailing after them. The procession would have almost been comical if not for how Sakura winced as she turned her head too quickly.
"That's actually a good thing for me. Maybe now the noble ladies will stop harassing me at every turn," Sasuke conjectured. Perhaps in an effort to distract her from the pain. And it worked, because Sakura laughed.
Sasuke saw her to the door of her apartment.
"Rest and recover quickly. I still need you to teach me that disarming strike," he encouraged her. Sakura scoffed. She feigned dealing a jab to his wrist. He flinched.
"Injured or not, I could still teach you, Prince," Sakura replied.
The rest of the day passed without incident. She finished reading the book that had been sent to her. And then she sent Haku to put it back in the library. When he returned, he carried a new book.
"There was no one, General. But your name was on this," he reported, placing it on her nightstand.
It didn't take long for Itachi to catch on to her game. She knew when he had spotted the note she had left for him inside the book. The following evening, when Haku brought her book, Sakura leafed through it. She glimpsed a folded piece of paper waiting for her inside.
Her first message had been simple:
Thank you for your consideration. This will keep me occupied during what is sure to be a tedious recovery period.
Itachi's reply came on luxurious stationary.
I was unable to attend the disastrous ball that led to your injury. I've been confined to my bed for the last few days. But I've heard all the gossip from the maids. How are you feeling?
Sakura hesitated. That was always such a false question. How was she feeling? How often did people actually want to hear a real answer? After some thought, she opted for the safe answer.
I am well, all things considered. I'm sorry to hear that you're unwell too. Perhaps we should start a salon of our own. The Bedridden Nobles' Society.
His response caught her off guard. She had expected him to comment on her wit or her sense of humor. Instead, she received a scolding.
I've never been stabbed before, General. But I have to imagine that it's painful enough that 'well' isn't the best word. I have to assume that soldiers are used to brushing off pain. But you were injured doing something quite laudable. I'd say that no one would look down on you for saying "ouch" every now and then.
He skipped a few lines. And then he added:
The Bedridden Nobles' Society does sound like something that suits the both of us quite well. Although, I'd dare say that our activities seem limited at the moment. What could we do to make our gatherings all the rage of the summer season?
Sakura mashed her lips together as she read and then reread Itachi's message. With the exception of perhaps Sasori, no one had ever come close to speaking to her that way before. And if the dukes and counts of her nation ever even approached something that sounded like a scolding, her Aunt Kurenai had always been quick to intervene.
She remembered one such instance. When Marquess Shimura had made some sort of remark. It must not have been long after losing her parents, when everyone had seemed frightening. Sakura had very nearly apologized when Kurenai's jeweled hand slammed down on the table. She remembered Kurenai's profile, beautiful and pointy. The feel of her aunt's arm wrapping around her shoulders, hand cupping her chin to pull it up.
"You are speaking to the future queen of this nation. Watch your tone, Marquess," Kurenai had spat. And there was a reason why, in her youth, Kurenai had once been known as the Thorn Princess. Even the stubborn Marquess had acquiesced.
"My apologies, Princess Kurenai," Danzo had ground out.
And then, later, once everyone had gone, Kurenai had taken Sakura's hands in hers to whisper, "Remember, Sakura. You are better than them. Do not bow to anyone. Not even to me."
As Sakura recalled this, she couldn't help but smile. People often remarked that the Haruno women's fangs sunk deep. Her Aunt Kurenai had made certain that held true for her niece. Sakura bowed as a General, but never as a Princess. She made amends as a soldier, but never as a noble.
Being scolded like this was a novel experience. And she wasn't sure how to feel about it.
When one of Itachi's attendants returned from the library the following morning, a book was waiting for him. He opened it up to find an envelope. Just as he had expected.
It was even shorter than his last message. He wondered whether he had offended the General. Until he actually read the contents.
I have no idea what you mean. Our gatherings are already quite occupied with writing letters and reading books. We're off to a splendid start, I'd say. This treatise on the minor noble families of the Water Kingdom was an excellent recommendation, by the way. Thank you.
Oh. And ouch.
It took a few weeks for Sakura's back to heal. During that time, mostly confined indoors, Sakura wrote letters upon letters to everyone she had been neglecting. Messengers ran out with envelopes addressed to Lady Ino of the Forest Kingdom, who was currently spending the summer in her family's fashionable mansion in the capital. Letters also went out to Lady Kurenai and Lord Gaara on the Southern Tea Isle. Friends scattered throughout the rest of the kingdom also received correspondence.
Colonel Neji Hyuuga sat at his desk in the Military Academy after his morning inspection of the troops. It was a rare moment of peace and he fully intended to enjoy it. Things were always so busy in the General's absence.
Neji stirred sugar into his tea as a soldier delivered his mail. At first, he didn't notice the cream-colored envelope at the top of the stack. It was not the stationary of anyone he recognized. He took his time looking through correspondences from his uncle as well as some orders from Whiteriver Keep before he finally flipped the small envelope over. He saw the red seal of the desert rose and nearly choked on his tea. Not bothering with a letter opener, he tore the envelope open to reveal the contents inside.
Word may not reach the capital this quickly, but I have been compromised. Do some digging. Prince Naruto has been targeted again and it's clearly someone with the resources to meddle in the Mountain Kingdom as well as the Forest Kingdom.
Tread lightly.
Burn this.
Neji did so. The paper had been doused with something because the flames in the fireplace burned deep red as soon as the letter ignited. He stood watching the unusual flames for a long time as he stewed over the General's terse message. Then, drawing in a deep breath, he turned on his heel and strode out of the office.
Colonel Hyuuga was the only nephew, and sole heir of the Duke Hyuuga. His family owned a large portion of the lands in the fertile triangle of land nestled between the White River, which separated the Mountain Kingdom and the Forest Kingdom, and Snowfall Run, which poured down from the mountains and emptied into the sea. The yearly floods washed in nutrients that produced golden fields of wheat each year.
The capital of the Forest Kingdom, which was built around Whiteriver Keep, lay in a precarious position. It technically lay on Hyuuga lands, but was not owned by the Hyuuga family. Duke Hyuuga used this tension to his advantage. And he had planted his nephew in The Academy as a way to keep an eye on the men who would become the military leaders of the country.
Neji had entered The Academy as a young man. Used to being called a genius wherever he went, he had struggled to understand why a girl who was even smaller than him was ranked at the top of all the exams. Why she continued to rise- always one step ahead of him. Even when he had learned that she was the Princess, that hadn't changed his resentment. If anything, it had made it worse. Of course the Princess would receive preferential treatment. Of course.
But then war had broken out. And with his rank as a Private, his uncle had sent him to war. He had been the pride of his family. One of the youngest ranking Privates in the history of the military academy. Only trumped by the Princess, who had gone to war as a Sergeant.
His uncle had pulled strings to have him stationed in the north, which saw less combat. He had naturally risen through the ranks, quelling the little problems that arose along the border. All the while, hearing the stories of the woman who had grown to be called The Heartless. He had scoffed at the name. He had seen the girl in the flesh. She most certainly had a heart. And a powerful family backing her.
When the news had reached the northern border, everyone asked the messenger to repeat the news. And then to repeat it again.
"All dead?" one of the men blurted out.
"All dead. It was an ambush," the messenger had confirmed.
"So who is in charge now?" Neji heard himself ask.
"The Princess. She was the highest ranking officer to survive the attack."
A ripple of dissent rose through the gathered crowd.
"She's just a First Lieutenant. Does she even know what she's doing?"
"A woman in charge? That's asking for trouble."
"She's going to get us all killed."
"The war is lost."
But the war raged on. And word of surrender never came. In fact, the stories began to trickle in. Of a demon who swept through battalions. Soaked in blood. Blade and teeth gleaming as she emerged victorious again and again.
And then, once the war had ended, one of his superior officers had recommended Neji be elevated to the rank of First Lieutenant. The very same rank that woman had held when she had suddenly become General. The appropriate paperwork went to the capital. And then it must have reached the General's hands. Because she summoned him to her home in Plumeria.
Neji had made the journey, hating her more and more as each seasick day passed.
Barely 19 and fresh from war, the Princess still wore her bandages and the title of General with a sort of ease that many mistook as carelessness.
She met him directly in her palace. Not in the main throne room but in some sort of structure deeper in the palace. A servant had taken him in a small boat, humming as he paddled through the calm waters. The wooden walkway felt unsteady under his feet. But the servant who escorted him urged him to keep going. So with steps that only sounded confident, he strode down the path. Paused at the white curtains blocking the archway.
"You're early. Most people stop to ask questions along the way," she simply uttered.
Neji pushed the curtains out of his face to see that he was in a sort of large floating gazebo. There were no solid walls. Instead, each side of the structure was an arch, giving a clear view of the seawater flowing around them. The floors were a mosaic of light blue and green tile. There were divans and piles of cushions arranged around the room. It looked like this room was used as a gathering place. Not for serious meetings. Neji bristled at the idea that his interview would take place in some sort of frivolous lounge.
Directly ahead of him, in the very center of the space, was a wooden bench covered in a teal blanket. Seated on the bench was a young woman, her hair in a sleek ponytail. Seated on either side of her were two men. Neji had a vague idea of who they were. And one look at their uniforms confirmed his suspicions. The one with brown hair and the smirk was the only son of Countess Inuzuka. The one wearing tinted glasses was the son of a low-ranking noble family. Barons were barely one step above commoners.
There was another bench set up across from them. A clear invitation to sit. Neji bowed. And as he settled in his spot, he noticed that the General's uniform was nowhere near up to code.
She wore the regulation white breeches with the high waist and brass buttons. But on top, she wore a bronze breastplate. Her shoulders and upper arms were bare but golden cuffs went from her wrists to her elbows. The sides were carved with intricate details and figures that Neji couldn't quite decipher from his distance. She hadn't bothered with boots either. She wore strappy leather sandals that laced up to her knees. The white linen of bandages underneath peeked through. A healing burn sat pink and shiny on her left forearm. Her jacket was tossed over the armrest, the gleaming medals clattering against each other whenever the fabric moved. She turned to look at him, and for a moment, he was startled by the intense viridian color of her eyes.
"Tea," she said.
It wasn't a question. Neji nodded. He started as a servant appeared to offer him a cup. He accepted it with both hands. The outside of the vessel was plain white, but the inside was painted a deep blue, almost the same color as the ocean. On the surface of the drink were a few yellow petals.
"You submitted a resume. Impressive. Most people just send a letter of reference from a powerful uncle. Or a bag of gold," Sakura stated. Her eyes flickered over him. It was such a dismissive gesture. He almost felt like she was peering inside his skin, glancing over his skeleton.
"I can assure you that I have the skills to suit the position, General," he replied. Back stiff.
He rested the teacup and saucer on his knee.
"As well as a powerful uncle," she continued to jab.
He hadn't thought it was possible, but his hatred for her seemed to increase.
"I will be frank with you, Sergeant. We all agree that you're much too young and too inexperienced for this position. I hesitate to even call you blooded," she suddenly declared. Her smile had completely disappeared.
"We all know that your posting at the northern border was a way for your Uncle to keep you out of harm's way. After all, the Hyuuga family can't lose its only heir. All of Duke Hyuuga's children are female, are they not?" And then she sneered as she added, "And of course, the proud Hyuuga family will only pass their title down to a male heir."
Beside her, the Inuzuka snickered.
"How much combat did you really see?" she challenged.
Neji bristled. "As indicated in my reports, the northern forces were paramount in driving the Sound Kingdom's forces west. Without my platoon's maneuvers, they would have spilled into the country, directly into the capital," he replied. He took a deep breath. Struggling to keep his tone even.
She tilted her head. "No. They wouldn't have," she stated.
The Aburame, who had been silent up until now, suddenly spoke up. "The General was stationed not far from your platoon. With a division ready to set up an ambush. Had you failed, she would have stepped in. You just proved not to be incompetent."
The Inuzuka hissed through his teeth, shaking his head. "Harsh as always, Lieutenant General," he remarked, not sounding too upset.
"Now, now. Let's be fair. I do believe that Sergeant Hyuuga's actions at the border deserve praise," she objected. Only, her expression indicated otherwise. "So let me be clear with you, Sergeant. As a reward for your valiant efforts."
Both of the Lieutenant Generals leaned back in their seats, falling silent. Like they didn't want to be caught in the crossfire of her next words.
"Your Uncle is pushing for you to rise in the military ranks. As a way to keep me in check. I'm no fool," she spelled out for him.
Neji tried not to let anything show in his face. But her smile made it clear that she wasn't falling for it.
"I do suspect that your personal ambition has a part to play in all this, of course. But I will tell you this: I'm going to give you this position."
"Pardon?"
Sakura clasped her hands together. Her signet ring glinted in the sunlight.
"I suspect that you, like many others, believe me to have entered the military academy of my own volition. I was pushed. By lords like your uncle. Who would rather have me perish on a battlefield than by their hands. Much easier, you see. Cleaner, too," she spelled out for him. And then something glinted in her eyes. "Imagine their vexation when I refused to die. When I continued to climb the ranks, like a weed growing in their precious garden."
But then, she laughed. "They should have slit my throat when I was a child. When I didn't have armies at my disposal." When she opened her eyes again, they were burning.
"So, knowing full well about your family's intentions, I am prepared to welcome you to the fold. I will give you the position of power that you want. I will give you all the money, honors, and recognition that you desire."
One word left Neji's lips. Barely louder than a whisper: "Why?"
Sakura beamed. Like that was just the response she had hoped for. She gestured with a sweep of her hand. "I intend to use you, young Lord Hyuuga. I will use you to reclaim everything that has been stolen from me. If you honor me, if you serve me well, you will be rewarded many times over."
"If I defy you?" he demanded.
Her expression didn't shift. "You won't," was all she said.
In that moment, Neji felt powerless to do anything but obey. This, he realized, was the power of the woman who would one day become Queen.
In the months and years that he came to know her, Neji began to understand. He had assumed that, like him, the Princess had been pushed to succeed. In reality, she had been pushed in hopes that it would lead to her death. He had excelled to earn his Uncle's praise. She had excelled to survive. And as time went on, his Uncle's innocuous questions and requests began to make sense to him. He hated being able to read those intentions. Hated understanding that his Uncle would end the Princess' life just to gain more power.
The future that his Uncle and the other nobles were looking towards were one where they ran the kingdom. Where their coffers continued to grow. And where the Regent continued to serve as their docile little puppet.
The future that the Princess envisioned was much more murky. And it was doubtful that it would ever come true at all. It was a blood-stained path that he did not envy. But when he looked into her eyes, when he listened to her speak, he began to realize that it was the future he wanted as well.
True to her word, Sakura promoted him with each of his successes. From Sergeant to First Lieutenant. First Lieutenant to Captain. Captain to Major. And now, just three months ago, he had been elevated from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel. Finally in charge of his own regiment.
Critics complained of favoritism. How he had only been treated so well because of his powerful family. And he agreed. It was because of the Hyuuga name.
Neji left his office. Passing soldiers saluted as he marched past. He knocked on a set of double doors at the end of the hall.
"Go away," a voice answered.
"Lieutenant General. Colonel Hyuuga," Neji called through the door.
There was a pause. And then a different voice answered. "Enter."
"We need to talk, gentlemen," said Neji as he slammed the doors behind him.
"And a good afternoon to you, too, Colonel," Kiba drawled from his spot on the couch. His feet were up on the coffee table. Shino sat beside him, his glasses glinting as he read through some reports.
Shikamaru stood over his desk. A huge map dominated it. There were markers scattered all over it. He had traced out movements with pieces of colored thread.
"Talk about what?" Shikamaru demanded, not looking up from his work.
"Add a marker for assassins to your map, Lieutenant General Nara," Neji instructed.
The other men's eyes slowly moved to Neji. Kiba leaned forward in his seat.
Shikamaru reached into the drawer to pull out a black piece. "Where?" he queried.
"In the Mountain Kingdom," Neji answered.
The piece landed on the map with a soft click.