SASUINO DAY 2: ROYAL AU
Queen Tsunade has no biological children of her own, but she has two girls she treated and raised as her children.
From a young age, they were taught their duties to the Konoha. Ino's duty is to strengthen and support the kingdom and the queen. Sakura was taught about her responsibilities as Crown Princess and, eventually, Queen.
And Sakura knew from a young age that Sasuke, the son of one of their kingdom's most powerful families, would be her husband and King. His family's influence, status, and power are an asset to the royal family and befit the future queen.
When she sees her betrothed, Sasuke, for the first time, she falls in love, but Sasuke doesn't like her despite their engagement. In fact, he doesn't like a lot of people. He likes only his brother and, to some extent, Naruto.
But no matter, he will grow to love her too.
However, despite her attempts to make him fall, he never did, and she knows why.
From the start, she already knows that the one who captured Sasuke's heart is not her, the Crown Princess, but Ino. The Second Princess.
She sees the way Sasuke looks at Ino like she's his lifeline, as if he's a ship lost in the sea and she's the light house.
And she sees the way Ino looks at her betrothed, too.
On her order, the attendant wordlessly handed over the letters Sasuke had sent to Ino.
Dearest Ino,
I have thought of you as annoying and unworthy, but despite this, I've grown to love you. I love you and chose you despite my status, my duty, my responsibilities.
If you choose me too, meet me by the flower field you love so much.
Always yours,
Sasuke
She burns the letter along with all the others, and when Ino wakes up to find her wiping her tears, she doesn't tell her about the letters.
Sasuke must be part of a scheme to sow tension between her and Ino. Sakura thinks as dark thoughts about Ino threaten to overcome her.
Sakura knows of the whispers, of touches against skin, of promises.
But Sakura knows that Ino would never betray her, would never break her heart, so she watches as Ino breaks theirs.
Her wedding is the biggest celebration of the year. Her to-be husband is the most handsome groom of all, and she is the most beautiful bride.
But Sasuke may just be blind, for his eyes only see Ino.
Ino, always Ino. His Ino.
"I am your husband, but make no mistake. I only see her and I only love her." he says when she suggests that they consummate their marriage.
As if she would think otherwise.
Ino's betrothal to Konoha's long-standing ally, the Sand, is one of the largest celebrations in their Kingdom.
Sasuke avoided her like the plague when the news broke. She knows he will never forgive her for this betrayal. For sealing away his beloved's fate, for sending Ino away to the Sand, and for not being Ino.
Sakura takes a deep breath. Sasuke betrayed her first by not loving her, by choosing Ino despite their marriage, and by still pining after Ino even when she bore him a child.
Everyone's eyes are on Ino when Sasuke asks for her hand to dance, and she sees the slight panic in Ino's eyes when she looks at Gaara and sends her a look of pleading.
Sakura didn't heed her look of help.
She can give this to her husband. This small moment of reprieve.
Even so, she grips the wine glass tightly when Ino agrees to Sasuke's request out of duty and, if Sakura squints, out of love.
It was an open secret that Sasuke never wanted her. It was no secret that Ino avoided Sasuke like her life depended on it after their marriage a year ago. Nobody said it out loud; they could only whisper about how great the two looked and how they could have been happy without her interference.
Sasuke's arms are around Ino's waist as he guides her through the dance floor. He looks at Ino in the eyes, never shying away. While Ino tries to be casual despite the intensity of Sasuke's gaze. Ino's betrothed, Gaara of the Sabaku Kingdom, watches Ino intently, and Sakura knows jealousy and possessiveness when she sees it. That's what she sees in her eyes every day when she looks at the mirror, and that's what she sees whenever Sasuke sees Ino and Gaara together.
Sakura feels sick, and she's thankful when the attendant gives her Sarada, who feels restless because of the crowd.
She lets the whispers and her child's cries drown her.
She'll let them have this moment because tomorrow, tomorrow, Ino will finally be gone and Sasuke will finally be hers.