Amaryllis
Chapter 14
The morning after the celebration of the summer harvests, Sakura sat up in her bed, eyes still closed. She reached up to untangle her hair out of habit. But the short strands were just a little messy. She no longer had to worry about snarls of long hair bunching together, which seemed to be an unexpected bonus of chopping all of it off. Letting out a yawn, she slowly cracked her eyes open and turned to look out the window.
She wasn't in bed. She wasn't in her room at all.
She was in the Lavender Pavilion. The fragrance of the purple flowers filled her nose, her mouth. A servant must have seen them because there was a blanket draped over her. And when she turned her head, she saw that there was one covering Itachi too.
He slept well. When she leaned in close, she could hear his breaths. Clear and even like the morning skies.
The long summer was coming to an end. The sun began to rise above the horizon a little later each morning. As she took note of the slight chill in the air, she heard the familiar shriek of gulls in the distance. Head still a little fuzzy, she stared out at the waters for a while. The sky was dark, but the horizon was already glowing as the sun prepared for its daily climb into the heavens.
When she turned back to Itachi, he was still sleeping. She reached out for him. Her hand hesitated. And then she touched her pointer finger to his cheek. He slept on. Dead to the world. She couldn't remember the last time she had seen someone sleep so soundly.
Sakura let out a yawn as she got to her feet.
The smell of ash still hung in the air as Kaze paced down toward the southwestern shore of the island. Sand sprayed up against the soles of her boots. The carcasses of offering pyres steamed as the cold tides rushed in to meet the still-smoldering piles.
Sakura started as she heard sand shifting under a second set of hooves. She lifted her head toward the noise. The other rider approached her, dipping in a low bow. She waited for him to lower his hood with both hands before she placed her hand over her heart and also inclined her head.
"Count Hatake," she greeted him.
The man slipped off his horse. With his hood lowered, she could see his unruly silver hair. But the cloak covered the lower half of his face, as it always did. She couldn't recall ever seeing his face before.
"Punctual as always," Sakura added, offering her hand.
"It has been too long, Your Highness," Kakashi responded. His cloth-covered lips touched the back of her hand. He didn't bother getting on his knees. He knew how much she hated that.
Kakashi's father had been the previous Count of the Caldera. Wise, but not garrulous. Shrewd, but not miserly. He had served as an officer under her father. Sakura remembered the story well.
The Hatake family has once ruled over a vast duchy in the west. Sakumo's commanding officer had ordered him to burn down an enemy village. But when Sakumo had seen the women and children huddled in their homes, he had refused. When rebuked for his disobedience, Sakumo defended his decision. He insisted that war was not an excuse to abandon human decency. It came to blows. With Sakumo punching his commanding officer. The altercation was the subject of gossip for many months.
The pressure from the nobles had forced her father to order a dishonorable discharge. And even that punishment was a struggle to agree upon when the nobles clamored for an execution. The Shimura family also took this opportunity to strip the Hatake family of their lands on the western border, adding it on to their own.
But her father could not abide to see a good man disgraced. And so he asked his wife to instead offer the Hatake family a place on their island. Sakumo spent the rest of his days building up the city inside the Caldera. He became her father's right hand man. He had passed a few years earlier from a fever, passing his title down to his only son.
Sakura had spent time with Sakumo. She knew his loyalty was unparalleled. She had had less of a chance to get to know his son. Kakashi had given her no trouble so far. He seemed honest and obedient. The only odd thing about him was how he was so careful to hide his face.
Even now, as Sakura scrutinized him, Kakashi's eyes revealed nothing.
"Why don't you take this time to rest, Count? You must be tired after such a long ride. I'll send someone to wake you in time for our meeting," Sakura suggested.
All Kakashi did was bow again before he mounted his horse and rode off.
Far away, across the sea, there were people awake inside Whiteriver Keep before the sun had risen. A lone soldier entered the deserted throne room. Upon the golden throne sat a thin figure with bandages wrapped around his old battle scars.
"My Lord," Shikamaru said as he lowered himself to one knee before the old man. Danzo nodded from his comfortable and brazen seat on the throne.
Shikamaru pulled a letter from inside the folds of his cloak. The wax seal was already broken. The faint smell of a saltwater lingered on it.
"I've received word from the General."
"And?"
"She's summoned her supporters in Plumeria. She has instructed the Lieutenant Generals to remain in the capital city to await further orders."
Danzo squinted at the letter in the dim lantern light. This was indeed Sakura's handwriting and her royal seal. And to his disappointment, there was little other detail in her correspondence. Danzo took a moment to squint at the young officer at his feet. It seemed unlikely that the young man would have the means to fabricate such a document with such accuracy. And it seemed even more unlikely that he would risk being caught in a lie with the life of his family on the line. It had taken much persuasion to get the Haruno loyalist on his side.
Clearing his throat, Danzo handed the letter back.
"Very well. Report to me should anything else change," he instructed.
Hours later, Shikamaru yawned before falling asleep at his desk again. Kiba shook his head at him. The third Lieutenant General, Shino, was leading the troops through morning drills. Scooping up an armload of completed paperwork, Kiba got up from his seat.
"Don't forget we have a meeting with the Minister of Defense for lunch," Kiba sighed. Shikamaru lifted one limp hand before letting it flop to the desk. Giving a shake of his head, Kiba straightened his collar before stepping out into the hall.
He strode through the halls. It still filled him with satisfaction watching the lower ranking officers part for him. In General Haruno's absence, the borders had remained relatively quiet. She had dealt with the raiders in the south. And their neighbor to the north, the Mountain Kingdom, seemed uninterested in conflict for the time being. The guards stationed on the border between the two nations reportedly had it the easiest out of all the borders.
Kiba found himself in a genuinely good mood as he crossed the courtyard to the administrative building. Maybe after he dropped off this paperwork, he would go wake the lazy Nara up and go spar with his boys for the first time in a while.
"Oh thank the heavens. Lieutenant Colonel! Have you seen my daughter?" the Countess Yamanaka exclaimed as she ran as best as her pointy shoes would allow on cobblestone.
Kiba cocked his head to one side. Young Lady Ino wasn't a rare sight around the military academy. She came to visit Sakura often. Sometimes she was even known to make the General angry enough to invoke insults and arguments. But, Kiba supposed, that was the bond of friendship.
"Lady Ino?" he wondered out loud. It had been several days since he had seen her anywhere in the capital. That wasn't odd, considering that the General was gone.
"I'm afraid not, My Lady. Is anything the matter?" he then replied. The countess had a pale face as she clenched her hands together.
Moegi peeked out from behind the noble lady, her eyes wide. But as Lady Ino's lady-in-waiting, it was her duty to keep her safe from harm. Losing Ino hardly counted as keeping her safe. As Kiba stared at her, the girl flushed. Ducked behind the countess' skirts again.
Sasori discovered them after sunrise, his arms folding across his chest. His shadow fell across Sakura's leg.
Sakura was curled into a ball, her chin tucked up against her chest. Itachi lay beside her, his left arm bent under his head. There was evidence of a long night: playing cards, bowls of mostly-eaten fruit, and candles that had melted into hardened blobs. But as he took a step closer, Sasori saw her eyelashes flutter. Her eyes flickered to him, alert. And when he looked again, he realized that she was wearing riding boots. Her gloves lay discarded behind her.
His lips thinned for a moment.
Then he was smiling again.
"Good morning, nocturnal creatures. I'm here to inform you that your guests will be arriving shortly. Perhaps it would be wise to get an early start this lovely day," Sasori announced. A crisp bite to each syllable as he enunciated each word. He clapped his hands once, rubbing his palms together. Itachi started awake at the noise. He inhaled sharply as he bolted upright. Cheek resting on her arm, Sakura regarded him with a smile.
"The time, Sasori?" she queried.
"A little past 7, darling. Some tea? Breakfast?"
She nodded. Closing her eyes, she let out a yawn.
"Breakfast on my terrace in an hour. I'll have a bath and then meet all three of you there, if you're not too tired," Sakura said, her eyes falling on Itachi towards the end of her words. He met her gaze with a nod.
"I can wake Sasuke," Itachi offered. He got to his feet. He stole a glance at Sasori before he tried to fix his sleep-rumpled clothes. But Sasori wasn't even looking at him.
The Admiral knelt at Sakura's side. He ran his hand through her hair.
"You're a mess," he scolded, laughing at her. And Sakura was laughing too. She held her arms up to him. Sasori wrapped an arm around her waist to pull her upright.
"Off you go," Sasori then said.
An hour later, Sakura walked out onto her terrace. Her damp hair tucked behind her ears. A red robe thrown on over her dress. Her hand skimmed over Sasori's back as she passed behind him. He turned, offering his fork to her. She plucked the slice of banana off the utensil and popped it into her mouth before she settled in the seat beside him. She smiled at Itachi, who returned the expression.
"So, who are these guests?" Itachi queried as Sakura accepted a cup of tea from a servant.
"The vassals of the Haruno family. Count Hatake and Count Maito," Sakura replied. She dropped a cube of sugar into her tea. She stirred to dissolve the sweetness. The blend was rather strong today. The tea was nearly black.
"And Count Sarutobi arrived last night. He'll be joining us as well," added Sasori.
Sakura's eyebrows rose.
"I don't recall summoning Count Sarutobi," was all she said.
The air around them suddenly felt a little colder. Everyone fell silent as Sakura lowered her teacup. It fit perfectly in the matching saucer. Only Sasori seemed unbothered as he chewed on another piece of banana.
"I did. I felt his presence was necessary today," he answered.
Sakura stared at him.
Sasori responded with a smile.
"Oh, love, don't make such a scary face. Things will be much easier with Count Sarutobi here," insisted Sasori. He reached out to tap her cheek with the back of his hand.
Sakura let out a sigh. When she reached for her tea again, she rolled her eyes.
"You're incorrigible," she remarked. Shaking her head, she turned her attention back to Itachi.
"Count Hatake's father served under my father as a soldier. Father awarded him his title for his loyalty. And Count Maito's title is… recent… as well. You'll see what I mean," Sakura then added. Itachi titled his head a little as he considered this.
Beside him, Sasuke, who had been yawning and rubbing his eyes, slowly lowered his hands.
"Sounds like an important meeting," Sasuke pointed out.
Sakura didn't respond to that. She simply smiled at him over the rim of her teacup.
By the time Count Maito arrived, everyone else had already gathered in the meeting place. Gai touched his forehead once before bowing- a sign of apology.
Sasuke exchanged silent looks of surprise with his older brother. Count Maito was very clearly not from the mainland. He was dark-skinned with thick black hair and a trimmed beard.
"My dear friends," Sakura began. Her voice was clear, not particularly loud. It was the weight of the authority behind it that made everyone turn to look at her. Sakura sat on her throne, her hands folded in her lap. Even Lady Kurenai was in attendance at the meeting. The older woman was a rare sight among larger groups of people. She cast a sidelong glance toward the tardy Count Sarutobi who quirked a smile. She nodded, moving her fan to cover her mouth as she turned her gaze back to Sakura.
"It has been many months since I've seen some of you. And while I would very much enjoy catching up on personal matters, this is not such a happy occasion."
The curiosity in the air sharpened into something else entirely. Sakura paused for a moment.
"My ears on the mainland, along with the advice of some friends, has alerted me to a rather…" Sakura considered her words for a moment, "…worrying situation." She then looked at Sasori sitting beside her on the left arm of her throne.
"My sources, separate from our dear Lady's, also inform me of some troubling developments. Marquess Shimura has been calling several meetings in the capital, both with and without the presence of high-ranking military officers," began Sasori.
"Danzo Shimura? The Regent's Prime Minister? He already has most of the nobles licking his boots. What more could he want?" Asuma scoffed. Gai nodded with enthusiasm, his arms folded over his broad chest. Kakashi said nothing, his cowl pulled up over his face to cover his mouth. Perhaps this is what made it more noticeable to Sakura when his mismatched eyes flickered from Sasori, to her, and then toward the edges of the room where her mercenaries stood guard.
"I'm hearing rumors of taxes rising. A reduction in the amount of wheat being stored for the winter in the Hyuuga family's granaries. Which are the least troubling developments, to be quite honest," Sakura responded.
"Have the harvests been unfavorable on the mainland?" Gai wondered.
"The soil has been a bit dry, but the people are not starving. If anything, Marquess Akimichi looks more… generous than ever," Asuma reported.
Sasori stifled his smile behind his fist as he pretended to cough.
"Sources also report that Marquess Shimura has a new favorite pet. It appears that Count Yamanaka, is never far from his side," Sasori went on. Ino flushed, hands clenching into her skirts.
"That would make sense. Other than Whitewave, Spring Port is the only trading port of its scale," mused Asuma.
"What about the southern port in the Namikaze lands?" Gai countered.
Asuma shook his head. "Unreliable. The shores are rocky and boats capsize too often. And with the unrest in Wave Country, merchants would prefer not to take such a risk."
"Marquess Shimura has also been making visits to the military academy, reports say," Sasori then said.
Sakura's eyes narrowed.
"…the old snake wouldn't dare when I was there," she murmured. Her thumb touched her chin as she thought.
Her stare skimmed over the assembled members of her council. She could see Itachi and Sasuke sitting there, looking like they weren't quite sure why they had been invited in the first place. And from the glances Kakashi occasionally stole their way, he was asking himself the same question. As Sakura watched, Gai leaned in to whisper something to Kakashi. Kakashi shook his head. He must have whispered something back because Gai nodded a few times.
Temari sat in an archway, carving a new staff with a short knife and a tree branch. The scrape of the blade made it sound like she wasn't paying attention. But Sakura knew. Temari heard everything. Beside her sat Gaara. When their eyes met, he tilted his head, mouthing, 'Yes?'. And on his other side, Kankuro also tilted his head, eyebrows rising. Asking if she needed anything. Sakura just shook her head.
Taking a deep breath through her nostrils, Sakura leaned back in her throne. She ran her fingers along the cool stone. Thinking.
"Before I decide anything, I believe I should be forthcoming with all of you," she decided. And then, she smiled to herself as she added: "Well, as forthcoming as a Haruno is capable of being." Her cousins chuckled. Even Temari cracked a smile.
Folding her arms across her chest, Sakura directed her gaze to the Counts.
"There were a few attempts on my life during my stay in the Mountain Kingdom. They were quite skilled, considering I was actually in danger," Sakura confessed.
Kakashi let out a quiet sigh, rubbing his palm over his face. Beside him, Gai bolted out of his chair.
"Your Grace! Are you alright?" he demanded.
Sakura smirked. "Clearly. Given that I'm sitting here." And then she looked up at Sasori. "What's the tally, Sasori? The slashing, the poisoning. Just the two?"
Sasori pretended to examine his nails. "Oh, don't forget the little rat I caught sneaking outside the walls on that first night."
Sakura's eyebrows rose. She hadn't been aware of that last one.
Sasori smiled down at her. He patted her shoulder. Hand sliding over to curl around the back of her neck.
"Just the three, love," he assured her.
"And in response, you've chosen to bring home two princes of the family that tried to have you killed?"
Everyone heard Count Hatake's voice so infrequently that it took a second for them to figure out who had spoken.
Cheek in her hand, Sakura smiled at him. "It wasn't the Uchiha family. Or, at the very least, I wasn't the intended target."
"Your proof, Your Grace?" challenged Kakashi.
"The assassin at the ball was targeting the son of the Regent. A pity that our esteemed General has such quick reflexes," Sasori replied. He shrugged when Sakura gave him a look.
"Prince Itachi," Sakura then called.
Sasuke started. But Itachi didn't. Because, she had noticed, he was always watching her. He had seen her looking right at him before she had called his name.
"I know this is a sudden question, but do you recall anything about that meal when I was poisoned?" she questioned.
Itachi frowned as he thought. She could see the thoughts running through his head. Beside him, Sasuke looked up as he thought too.
"It was some sort of… bean soup, I think. And we had wine. But everyone had wine," Itachi slowly recalled. And then he looked at her again. "You said that it was the soup. Your bowl was the only one poisoned."
"How did your soup taste?" Sakura urged.
Sasuke made a face. "I think mine was tepid."
Itachi's eyes widened. His head snapped around as he turned his attention to his brother. "So was mine."
And then Itachi stared right into Sakura's eyes.
"Was yours not?" he asked.
Sakura returned his gaze. Unsmiling.
"Piping hot, Your Highness," she replied.
"It seems someone in the kitchen prepared another soup in a hurry," Sasori observed.
Sakura touched her fingers to the left side of the neck. Tapping the missing earring in her left ear.
"Didn't I tell you? Surviving poisonings is practically a family tradition for us," Sakura said just to Itachi.
"Arsenic, in large quantities leads to a rather quick death. But it can also play the long game. A dash of powder in your tea. A sprinkle in your breakfast. Increasing the doses as your body grows more resistant with time," Sakura suggested. She could see the color draining from Itachi's face as read between the lines.
"Constant sore throat. Stomach pains. Difficulty breathing. Abnormal heartbeats," she listed, counting off on her fingers.
"That poison wasn't meant for me. I believe it was for you, Prince," Sakura spelled out for him.
White as a sheet, Itachi whispered something to his brother. Sasuke grasped at his arm. But Itachi shook him off with surprising strength. He got to his feet. Without uttering an apology, he hurried out of the room, his hand clapped over his mouth.
"Brother!" Sasuke called after him. His gaze flitted around the room until he found Sakura again.
"I didn't say it to hurt him. But he has a right to know the truth," she said, reading the accusation in his stare. And then her eyes narrowed. "Did you know?" she wondered.
"Of course not," hissed Sasuke, bristling all over.
Sakura searched his face for another moment. And then she nodded. "Go. He probably shouldn't be alone right now," she urged.
Sasuke scrambled up. He hurried after his brother, nearly upsetting a decanter of wine in his rush.
It was silent for a long moment. Until Kakashi leaned back on the bench. The wood creaking under his shifting weight.
"Your orders, Your Grace," he prompted.
Sakura touched her hand to her chin as she thought.
"I need eyes on Spring Port. I want to know who enters leaves Count Yamanaka's home. Servants included. I want to know who he is dealing with, including all of his business partners." As she spoke, she looked over at Sasori. Smiling as she touched the back of his hand. "I'm sure you can spare one little boat for me," she added.
"Oh, the toil," Sasori responded with a smirk.
"Assemble a team to inspect all the granaries. I want accurate tallies and reports of the surrounding areas," Sakura then ordered, looking to Asuma, who bowed.
"As for Count Shimura waltzing in and out of the Academy, that's easily remedied. I'll have my Lieutenant Generals to be more discerning in who is permitted to enter the gate," she mused.
"Oh, that relic will be screaming about how they dare to block him. That his great-great-however many generations- grandfather laid the foundation with the kingdom with his blood, sweat, and tears," Sasori sighed. Sakura could imagine it, too. The old man barking, spittle flying as he swung his cane around.
"Excellent. Hopefully his heart will give out with all the screaming," Sakura retorted.
For the first time that night, Kurenai spoke up.
"What about the rising taxes, my dear?"
"Well, Aunt Kurenai, moving food and gathering money usually means one thing. It seems that someone is building an army," Sakura guessed.
"For what purpose, do you think?" probed Kurenai. Who had always encouraged her to dig deeper.
"I highly doubt it's to come to my aid," sighed Sakura. She glanced at Kurenai.
"Can I entrust this matter to you, Aunt?" asked Sakura.
Hand over her heart, Kurenai dipped her head.
"Is this war then, Your Grace?" Gai questioned, his normally loud voice tight and hushed.
"Preparations for a possible war, to be more precise," Kakashi corrected him.
"We should siege Whiteriver Keep. With enough preparation, we could barricade those two rivers around it and starve the city. We could conquer it in a matter of months," suggested Asuma.
"The Kingdom's armies are blooded and our numbers are strong. We could stand a good chance against the forces of the Hyuuga and Shimura family's troops," Sasori calculated the numbers in his head.
Ino opened her fan with a loud snap, drawing stares. She almost looked ashamed of herself as she said, "My Father will join forces with them. And he has a good number of ships."
"Countess Inuzuka will undoubtedly take up the sword in our defense. The Nara and Aburame families will likely come to our aid. But their numbers are laughably small," Sakura added on.
"And as of now, it seems more likely that Marquess Akimichi will be of no help," Sasori concluded.
All eyes returned to Sakura as she clasped her hands together. "…I don't like these odds," she whispered. She thought of the letter Kisame had delivered not too long ago.
We've received your message. It is with great honor that we formally extend welcome to our blood. Please present the enclosed seal to anyone who may give you trouble on our side of the sea.
Awaiting your correspondence at your earliest convenience.
"There's one more place I can ask for help," Sakura admitted. She ran her hand through her hair as she considered.
Suddenly, Sakura rose from her throne. Everyone around her hurried to stand, too.
"Haku," Sakura called. And the little servant, who was never far from her, came running at the sound of her voice. Wiping flour off his hands, onto a towel as he approached.
"Send words to Prince Ebizo of the Arids of my arrival. I need you to speak with Shizune about preparing gifts that I must bring on my journey," Sakura instructed. Haku's head bobbed up and down as he took in her words.
"I'm going to need a ship, Sasori. And I'll need you to handle things here at home. Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro, pack your things," she went on.
"My dear Counts, please carry out my orders. And continue to watch over my affairs in my absence."
Only Kurenai seemed unsurprised. She lifted her tea to sip at it, pointedly avoiding her son's eyes.
Sasori's gaze was full of fire as he grasped Sakura's arm.
"Sakura-"
"Don't," she said. She held up her hand.
"Who else should I entrust to watch over Lady Ino and your mother? A stranger? You need to be here so no one would dare set foot on this soil uninvited," Sakura declared.
"I need you to trust me," Sakura then said. She held Sasori's stare, unflinching. Though he puffed up his chest, ready to spit protests, he seemed to deflate at that.
"What about the princes, Your Grace?" asked Gai.
Sakura spared him a smile. "Doesn't life need at least a little mystery?" was all she replied before she stepped out of the room.
It was a while before anyone spoke.
Kankuro, arms crossed behind his head, rose from his cushioned seat on the floor.
"Well, My Lady has spoken," he declared before he strolled off.
Sakura found Itachi and Sasuke with a little direction from the servants.
The brothers sat together in the Lavender Pavilion. Neither of them looked up as she joined them. The ocean winds blew through the arches, sending the curtains billowing inwards like phantom dancers. The waves splashed softly against the edges of the room as the tide came in.
"I suspect it was your mother," was all she said as she leaned against the railing. Staring out at the sea. At the way the colors and shapes of the waves were always changing.
"She's not your father's first wife, is she?" Sakura guessed.
"How did you know that? Father's first wife was a secret." Sasuke's voice was hoarse.
Sakura lifted her hand, pointing to her finger. "Their wedding bands don't match."
"You fell ill right around the time your brother was born. Queen Mikoto was always incredibly kind to you, treated her as your own. Sometimes, she even treated you better than her own son. As if she were trying to compensate for something," Sakura imagined out loud.
When she looked back, Sasuke's hands were covering his face.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered.
"Why? You didn't do any of this," Sakura pointed out.
"But it happened because of me," he insisted.
To her surprise, it was Itachi that replied: "…It did. But you can't blame yourself. You'll drive yourself mad."
Itachi stared straight at her. Unlike his brother, he didn't shed tears. His expression was quite flat as he simply watched her. And then he reached out a hand for her. Who needed words when his sad eyes said everything?
Sakura pushed off the railing. Taking his hand, she settled beside him. She could feel his other hand curl around her elbow.
"When did you begin to suspect?" he questioned. His voice low, trembling just a little.
"Quite recently. When your condition began to improve so quickly since you arrived here," she confessed. She reached over, tucking a lock of his soft hair behind his ear. "Yashamaru also remarked that your liver seemed unwell. As if it had been toiling beyond its capacity for quite some time."
His hands were so soft. The touch of his thumb brushing over her skin was barely there, but so comforting.
It seemed like the brothers had had a chance to talk before she had arrived. The air between them was sorrowful, but not heavy.
"And here I was, thinking my family life was so much less tumultuous than yours," Itachi suddenly joked. It took her by surprise. She smiled, just for a moment.
"You're less upset than I thought you'd be," she observed.
His hand squeezed hers. She squeezed back.
"I'm quite shaken. But part of me is… relieved. Just… to know what was wrong after all these years. Or, rather, what wasn't wrong," he explained.
She didn't really know what to say in response to that. She had to think. And when she did, all she could say was: "…You're very strong."
Sakura cancelled the rest of her appointments that day to spend it there. Servants brought lunch to them on gleaming trays. The silver utensils sparkled as they handled the unpoisoned food.
She taught them to play a card game. And they taught them one from their country in return.
It wasn't until the sky began to darken that they broached the subject of what was to come next.
"I'm going to the Arids. To seek aid from my relatives," Sakura confessed.
Sasuke nearly choked on his wine. His puffy eyes watering as he coughed. Itachi patted him on the back, handing him a napkin to wipe his mouth.
"You're both welcome to stay here as long as you'd like. But I think it would be best if you returned home soon, Sasuke," suggested Sakura.
"Why's that?" Sasuke wheezed. He coughed again.
"I'm unsure of how the unrest here will be seen by your country. I would feel much more at ease with an ally there."
"And… what about…" Sasuke trailed off, eyes falling on his brother.
"I'd prefer to stay here," Itachi declared. And then he smiled at Sasuke. "No sense in recovering my health just to get poisoned all over again," he joked.
Sasuke's face fell. He blinked too many times. He cleared his throat again, needlessly.
"Um… what do I tell Father… and… Mother?"
Itachi's expression warmed as he released Sakura's hand. He instead placed his hand on top of Sasuke's.
"That's not your job. Let me worry about that, little brother," he assured him.
A few tears leaked out of the corners of Sasuke's eyes as he turned his head away.
After Sasuke had gone to bed, Sakura and Itachi found themselves alone. The candlelight flickering in the breeze.
"You look anxious. Are you alright?" Itachi worried.
Sakura shook her head.
She closed her eyes as she pulled him into her arms. The whisper of his hair on her cheek tickled. He was warm. His arms hung at his sides, like he wasn't quite sure what to do with them. And then, slowly, he raised them to return the embrace.
"You always seem like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders," he said near her ear.
She looked over his shoulder, out at the foaming seas. Suddenly she could see the days of the early summer, of his delicate spider's limbs and the whiteness of his skin against his dark blue robes. She remembered the outline of his eyelashes as he turned his face to the window to soak in the sunlight.
"…Sometimes I feel that way, too," she admitted.
When she felt him pull away, she turned her attention back to him. He kissed her. Fumbling and soft. Yet unbearably sweet.
Dark blue smoke rose from the metallic incense burners. The tip of the cigarette holder smoldered. Servants spoke in soft voices as they walked past curtains. Their muffled shadows spilled across the stone floor. Bare feet pattered across the rugs dyed indigo and violet. They darted around the various hands and legs until they stopped just in front of a woman reaching over to break off a piece of bread. Her golden eyes lit up.
"Ah, a message?" she said as she accepted the envelope handed to her. The servant bowed meekly before running back off past the curtains.
"What a fancy seal. It must be from across the sea," one man chortled as he squinted. She didn't reply as she ran her fingers over the indentations in the red wax. The rose petals were rounded and lovely. Her nail sliced under the seal. The weight of the creamy white paper was unfamiliar. It was coarser than she was used to. But as she pulled the contents of the envelope out, she recognized the neat letters looping and slicing across the page.
"What is it?" someone asked as the woman's expression grew slack. Her gripped loosened on the cigarette holder for a moment. It clattered against the stone, spilling glowing ashes across the ground.
"Oh my," she simply uttered.
"Karui?"
A smile curled at her lips as she finally tore her gaze from the contents of the letter. She motioned for another cigarette holder.
"We should alert the Prince and the elders that we're going to have a guest quite soon," Karui declared.
"A guest?" one person repeated unsurely.
"And if rumors are true, we're going to need more wineskins."
"Nervous?" questioned Temari as she joined Sakura to stand at the bow of the ship. She leaned on the edge of the wood, peering up at Sakura's expression. Her eyebrows scrunched together as she looked out at the never-ending blue that spilled endlessly to meet the bottom of the sky. Her fingers tapped against the sword hanging from her belt.
"I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit that I don't exactly remember all of the etiquette. Shizune would be angry with me," Sakura admitted. Did women bow with one knee or was it with two? She tried to pull up the memories from her childhood visit to the deserts across the sea. Temari chuckled.
"The manners will come to you eventually, Lady Sakura. I was asking more about the broader situation at hand," Temari amended.
Sakura tilted her head to look over at the other woman. Temari stood tall, bronzed skin shining against the deep purple of her cowl. Her sleeveless arms were hard with muscles. Kankuro wandered over to join them, the buttons of his shirt undone to show off the huge tattoo of a spider on the left side of his chest.
"I'm frightened for my people. But I feel somewhat guilty to admit that I will shed blood if I must," sighed Sakura.
"There seems to be a lot of blood on our family. I'm sure a little more can't hurt," remarked Kankuro in return.
Several weeks later, when the tall golden doors of the palace opened, several riders on camels rode into a huge room filled from floor to ceiling with books. As was custom, Sakura handed over a text from home to be copied into the library here before being returned to her. This time, she had brought a complete history of the war conquests of the current dynasty of the Forest Kingdom. The old scribe accepted the heavy tomes with glee. A pair of guards then escorted them through the huge room, into a series of halls and turns until they arrived in another room.
Air smoky with incense billowed out when the doors opened.
Servants with palm leaves lined the walkway. Soft string instruments plucked along in the background. Oiled hair, silver and gold bangles glinted from the people gathered in the room.
Heavy black boots clomped down the carpet. All eyes were on Sakura as she strode through the double doors, Temari, Gaara, and Kankuro on her heels. They strode down the walkway, to the woman sitting in a large group of men and women. And while all of them were beautiful in one way or another, the woman in the middle immediately drew the eye.
Auburn curls glistening with oils hung past her shoulders. She rose to her feet in one sinuous motion.
"Kinsmen," Karui greeted them in a voice that echoed around the room.
"We welcome you most ardently to our humble lands. We are most joyful to greet you. I am Karui," she announced.
"We are grateful for your immense hospitality. We have brought gifts from home to honor you," answered Sakura. A murmur of approval traveled through the other people. Karui put her hand on her chest and dipped her head in thanks.
"You honor us with your gifts. But please, first there is someone you must meet, Lady Sakura," Karui insisted.
Sakura glanced back at the three siblings. Gaara's mouth pulled up in a small smile.
"We have much catching up to do. Please, go ahead," he encouraged her. Temari nodded. Kankuro had already seated himself among the people, laughing and joining the conversation. Sakura only hesitated for another moment before she turned back to Karui and nodded.
Together they ducked past a set of heavy curtains edged with golden beads.
The end of Karui's heavy maroon skirt trailed after her. The fabric was threaded with tiny patterns of gold and silver thread. Her right arm was heavy with stacks of bangles. Sakura felt a little out of place with her starched white uniform.
"Our prince has been anticipating your arrival for quite some time," Karui informed her with what looked like a smile. Sakura didn't say anything in response.
Down the hidden hallway, all the way at the end, there was a set of double doors. Karui knocked two times before she pushed the doors open.
This was a large room with stone floors the color of sand. And at the far end, seated on an intricate stack of rugs and pillows was one person dressed entirely in white. He wore no crown, no diadem.
"Bring her closer. My eyes just aren't what they used to be," the old man croaked.
Karui gestured for Sakura to continue walking so she stepped forward a few steps. The old man squinted at her from beneath thick eyebrows. He stroked at his beard for a little bit before he nodded. In his left hand was a long wooden pipe. Wisps of smoke escaped from the end as he lowered it from his mouth.
"Ah…yes. Come closer, child," he insisted again while patting the rug in front of him.
Sakura tried to remember if there was some sort of etiquette for these kinds of situations. She came up empty. So she simply sat across from the old man, her back straight and her hands on her knees. Karui remained standing.
He was just as wiry as she remembered him.
"Great-Uncle Ebizo," she finally managed to whisper.
"So you do remember me," he chuckled with another stroke of his beard. Sakura smiled a little too.
Her grandmother's younger brother, the Prince of the Diamond Oasis.
Ebizo nodded for a while before his wrinkled hand gestured to the wooden chest sitting beside him. He pushed it over to Sakura. She hesitated for an instant before lifting the latch and opening it.
"A gift for you, my dear," he said. He held out an empty hand
"Oh…Great-Uncle, I couldn't," she hedged. She examined the length of dark red cloth. It was faded around the edges. The stitching was uneven and the patterns were lumpy. There were diamonds of different widths and what looked to be birds along the borders. It was the needlework of a child. Karui let out a hushed sound of awe. The old man chortled into his beard.
"I suppose you're thinking that is a dingy scrap," he said. Sakura shook her head, but she knew there was no point in arguing with the shrewd old man.
"This was woven and stitched by your grandmother when she was just a child. It was supposed to have been part of her marriage linens but her mother didn't consider it quite presentable," chuckled the man. Mouth falling open, she looked down at the cloth with different eyes.
"It must be difficult to imagine, but all of the ancient ones were once children as well," added Ebizo.
"Please…" Sakura began as she looked up at him.
"Let me tell you of your grandmother, child," Ebizo said before she could ask. Karui bowed quietly before she saw herself out. This wasn't a story for her ears.
"Chiyo!"
Giggles rang down the gilded walls of the palace. Her bare feet slapped against the cool stone. The bangles on her wrists and ankles jangled merrily as she moved.
"Chiyo!" Ebizo shouted as he ran harder, arms pumping at his sides. He finally caught up to her just around the corner. Her inky hair spilled into her face as she laughed. The beaded sash around her head was askew. Sighing impatiently, he reached out to adjust it.
"Father said that you must behave today. Our family from across the sea is about to arrive any moment!" he snapped. Her eyes gleamed for an instant as she stared at him. Then she pulled locks of curling hair out of her face, teeth bared in a pointed smile.
"My mother says that the marriage has already been agreed upon. I'm being sold like livestock," Chiyo scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. Ebizo grasped her arm.
"That's not true," he sighed, "You're getting married."
"What's the difference?" she retorted so sharply that he couldn't think of a response. For a moment, her face darkened into something even more bitter before she shook herself out of it.
"Father only needs his sons. That's why I'm being sent away," Chiyo muttered.
"Father wants you to be happy. He's not sending you to strangers," Ebizo insisted.
And despite the fact that they were only a year apart, Chiyo glanced over at him with a smirk. She reached over to pinch his cheek.
"I'm grateful for your assurances, baby brother," scoffed the girl.
When their guests did arrive, Chiyo allowed herself to be dressed up in the glittering dress and heavy jewels. Her mother wept too hard to be present for the meeting.
Everyone held their breath as they waited for her to approach the visitors. Chiyo's sharp tongue was known far and wide. It wouldn't be the first time she drove away a potential suitor. But to their surprise, she dipped herself low, head nearly touching her knees.
"It is an honor to be in your presence, Your Grace," she said.
"I never saw my dear sister in person again," Ebizo added with a wistful sigh.
"I beg your pardon…but you said 'her mother'?" Sakura gently interrupted. Ebizo raised a thick eyebrow. Then he nodded.
"Ah, yes. This must be unfamiliar to you. It was often the practice of our ancestors to take on multiple wives to ensure that healthy heirs were born. You are undoubtedly aware that Haruno's are seldom blessed with large families," the old man clarified. Sakura's lips pursed.
"Our father had eight wives in total. We had two elder brothers from his first wife that died from an illness. I was from his third wife and Chiyo was his fifth wife's only child. There were others as well, but none survived past childhood," he recalled. But then he chuckled.
"That practice has fallen out of fashion now. I myself only ever took on one wife. But she passed on many years ago. Now I am grooming Karui to be my heir," Ebizo explained. Sakura's eyes widened.
"Out of fashion?" she mused.
Ebizo raised on eyebrow as he wheezed out a laugh.
"We are, child, currently in what we call the Age of Knowledge. We pursue the great arts and sciences. You yourselves saw that all who travel here must enter through the library. Our brothers in the northern sands across the mountains journey here just to study at our university. We are peoples in pursuit of the truth." The pride in his wavering voice drew her in.
Indeed the size of the royal library here made any other library she had encountered before seem like an amateur's collection of books. There were yellowed scrolls from countless lands. Even stone slabs bearing ancient carvings were displayed on the walls.
"But many years ago, up until when my father was prince, we were in the Age of Decadence," Ebizo then added. Sakura frowned.
She thought back to the years of study under her tutor. Sakura had vague recollections of learning about a golden era of wealth in the Arids. Her grandmother had arrived to Plumeria with a procession of 20 horses, 20 camels, and 20 mules bearing chests of jewels. Ebizo nodded, as if he could see what she was thinking about
"We prospered greatly. My great-grandfather had 77 royal concubines in his harem. His descendants numbered into the hundreds. But that lifestyle was unsustainable. Our people began to suffer," Ebizo went on. Sakura couldn't help but think back to the Forest Kingdom. The beggars on the streets and the whorehouses filled with young girls and their shrieking infants.
"I convinced the elders that if we ourselves sacrifice a little more of our excess, our land as a whole would prosper," declared with a proud sort of nod. Sakura's eyes went wide.
"And that worked?" she asked.
Ebizo wheezed out another great guffaw of laughter. He pointed a shaky finger to his temple. It was almost hidden among all his wrinkles, but there was a jagged scar running down the left side of his face.
"I was nearly assassinated countless times," he chortled.
She choked a little on her breath.
"No one liked my idea. My brothers and cousins all conspired to kill me. It took so long for my reforms to take root that I thought it was a lost cause," added Ebizo with a little shrug.
"Even if the mighty ocean wave beats against the boulder, it might, on occasion, grow weary, no?" he then said, shooting her a knowing look.
"How did you…?" Sakura trailed off. Ebizo patted her hands.
"Your reputation precedes you, little one: The Heartless: warrior who bleeds iron and sheds the tears of others and not her own. The war hero whose own hair carries the blood of the fallen- The list goes on and on. You're stubborn. You take after your grandmother in that sense. And it's no secret that you are the princess who wears the armor of a general," he listed on and on. Sakura's eyes narrowed.
"I am not simply wearing the armor of a soldier," she objected. The corner of the old man's mouth pulled up in a smirk.
"Ah, most certainly not. But you do wear titles and faces, changing as the moon changes its faces as it moves across the sky. Undoubtedly, you are a just and loving ruler to your own people, but a fierce monster in the face of your enemies. Am I wrong?"
When Sakura remained silent, Ebizo wagged his finger knowingly in her face.
"Let me tell you something that my dear sister once wrote me."
Lips pursing, Sakura sat back on her heels, waiting as the old man gathered his thoughts. He took a deep puff of his pipe, leaking more purple smoke into the air. When he offered it to her, Sakura shook her head. Nodding, he took another puff before he smiled.
"Actually, this old mind is not what it once was. Would you like to read it instead, my child?" he offered.
"Yes." The words left Sakura's mouth before she had really thought of them.
Ebizo tapped the wooden chest again.
Sakura reopened it. Under the cloth, she found piles of letters bound together. There was one loose envelope. The paper faded and worn from how it had folded and unfolded so many times over.
My little brother, it has been many years since my husband has departed from this world. And though he was by no means an unkind man, his departure has afforded me with power and opportunities that would have been impossible as the Queen Consort.
I must admit that it has been a struggle. I always feared, from the moment my first was born, how I would show her what it meant to be strong when I did not feel strong myself. How would I be a loving mother when my mother never loved me? In truth, I always feel as if I am wearing the costume of mother, queen, and wise woman. The support of the Haruno family has helped. But I often feel that my rule is tolerated, rather than welcomed. But this is a side of myself that no one must know, not even my daughters. That is not what I want them to learn from me.
My sincere wish is that my daughters will be proud. May they hold their heads high in the face of criticism. May their steps never waver. And may people who love them deeply and fiercely surround them. I pray that their paths, though thorny, will lead them to glory.
Sakura felt tears spill down her cheeks before she realized she was crying. She pressed her hand to her mouth, muffling her sniffs. Trying to compose herself. Shame heating her face at the sudden feelings welling up inside her.
Ebizo simply regarded her with a gentle smile. His wrinkled hand rested on the back of her head.
"My child, you've walked such a long way to come here. Are you not weary?"
And somehow, Sakura knew that he wasn't talking about her trek through the desert. That despite his milky eyes, he could see the exhaustion that weighed her from the crown of her head to the bottoms of her feet.
Sakura bowed her head.
"I'm so tired, Great-Uncle," she whispered. Her hands gripped her knees. "I feel like Mother left me a burden too heavy and too great," she confessed. Words that she had only ever whispered to Sasori. When she was certain that no one else could hear.
It surprised her when Ebizo began to laugh. He stroked his dry, paper-like hand through her hair.
"Why, of course, my child. It is a great burden! Of course it weighs you down!" he chuckled. "What a wise girl you are to know that it is a weight and not a privilege."
"Come. Rest your head, girl," Ebizo urged, gesturing to his lap.
"Great-Uncle. I'm… a grown woman…" Sakura hesitated to correct him.
At this, Ebizo stroked his beard. "Ay, this child looks at this wrinkled old man and claims to know old age. Rest your head here," Ebizo scoffed.
Feeling just a little awkward, Sakura slowly lowered her head into his lap. He smelled like flowers and spicy tobacco. The white cotton of his tunic felt soft against my cheek.
"You, my child, are blessed with the wisdom and good wishes left behind by countless generations of family. From the time that the mountains broke apart and the great salt seas rose up to sever the lands, from the time that our clan was a small band of wanderers riding across the plains- you were already loved," Ebizo said.
The words rang a bell. Like she had heard something like this before. A lifetime ago. When her little hands had been dwarfed by someone else's. When just the sound of a woman's hums had lulled her into dreams so easily.
"Is this… do people memorize this?" she wondered.
Ebizo let out his creaking laughter again. "They do. We recite this to our daughters and sons from the day they are born. No child who knows that they are loved can go astray, my girl."
Ebizo recited more of the poems. The same ones he had once heard as an infant lying on his back in the king's harem. The concubines cooed over him, their fingers dipped in the fragrance of incense and perfume. Their eyes dark with kohl, they sang him the names of the stars. The glitter of their jewels and the intricate black tattoos spiraling up their wrists and arms waved above them. Their voices weaved magic into the air, filling his head with colors and distant skies.
"You have come a long way, little one. It is time to rest now," he murmured as her eyes grew heavy with sleep.
Sakura heard herself say, like a silly child: "I'm scared of bad dreams, Great-Uncle."
"You tell those bad dreams, girl, that your Great-Uncle forbids them tonight. Only good dreams are permitted under my roof," he answered.
The nonsensical answer was oddly comforting as she let her eyes close.