Well, it seems something's finally happening, eh?
Disclaimer: WOULD I KILL OFF ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE???? And while Animal Realm Pein has really really pretty eyes (they look just like Itachi's), his hair is just stupid.
- - -
Suigetsu, viscount of Hawkford, watched his wife sit down to breakfast. He noticed the self-satisfied smile hovering on her lips and thought about her actions the night before.
He wondered what kind of woman he had married as he had done so many times, lying awake in bed. What kind of bitter and jaded woman took pride in destroying the reputation – the life, the future – of another?
The poor girl could be doomed to shame and misery because of the rumours Karin had spread at the party if a husband wasn't found soon; and what man would be willing to wed a girl with a reputation under attack?
He narrowed his eyes, taking a bite of his own meal. Why would Karin care who slept illicitly with whom?
After all, Suigetsu wasn't oblivious to the goings-on in his household. It had become obvious that she was sleeping with someone other than her husband.
And after last night, it was painfully clear just who that "someone" was. Karin had sent glance after glance at Sasuke Uchiha, and had seemed particularly gleeful when repeating the gossip in his hearing.
She'd been sporting a smug smirk when she turned away, but Suigetsu wasn't so sure she had reason to celebrate.
She hadn't heard one of the older ladies remark on the Haruno girl's need to find a husband who was willing to overlook the scandal, or seen the pensive expression on Uchiha's face afterwards.
- - -
The dining hall was silent when Sakura sat down at her seat. She glanced at her parents to find them regarding her with unfathomable expressions.
"Sakura," her mother began hesitantly. "There is something about which your father and I would like to speak to you."
Sakura tilted her head curiously; something in her mother's eyes caused her heart to plummet, a harbinger of doom. And – was that pity she saw?
Her father spoke shortly, in clipped tones that indicated his reluctance to breach such an awkward subject. But breach it he did. "Daughter, what is that mark on your neck? How did you get it?"
Shocked speechless, she clapped a hand to her neck and looked down to see that it was still hidden from sight.
"H-how did you – "
Her father's expression darkened. "The viscountess of Hawkford knew somehow and has probably told everyone who will listen that you are entertaining a lover. Is this true?!"
Bracing herself against her father's roar, she blanched at the mention of Karin and shook her head.
"No!" she hastened to assure him. "There is no lover!" Itachi was no lover; he was merely playing with her to amuse himself. Wasn't he?
The earl shouted for the maid who had attended her the day before. "I saw you earlier wearing a low-cut gown the other day; this happened yesterday, at the earliest. Did you see anything?" This was directed at the elderly maid.
The woman shook her head, indicating the negative. "I saw nothing out of the ordinary, my lord," she replied, staring into his eyes, confident in her knowledge that she was speaking only the truth.
"And you have no idea at all as to the identity of the man who left his mark?" Lord Haruno continued doggedly.
"Not a one," the maid replied truthfully.
Her employer studied her suspiciously before dismissing her slowly. To Sakura, he said, "There is only one way to remedy this situation and preserve your honour. You will be betrothed as soon as someone suitable is found."
Sakura shot up from her seat, all dignified behaviour forgotten and her self-control abandoning her as she upset her breakfast.
"No!" she cried in distress.
Her mother also rose, albeit a bit more gracefully. "You will do this, Sakura," she instructed sternly. "However, you will be given the choice of whom your fiancé will be." She shot a vicious glare at her husband, who reluctantly acquiesced.
As a servant announced the arrival of Lady and Lord Hyuuga, Lady Haruno leveled an even gaze on her daughter. "Think hard about this. Make sure your choice is one you will not regret." With a slight, comforting upward tilt of her lips, she shooed Sakura into the main hall to welcome their guests.
"Sakura!" Tenten swept her up in an all-engulfing embrace. Neji inclined his head coolly, and someone who did not know him well would have missed the concern in his creamy eyes.
Sakura collapsed beside Tenten, sighing in relief at being in the company of two of her closest friends. "Did you hear what Karin has done?" she nearly sobbed.
Tenten's eyes softened as she saw the pain she could not soothe. "Sakura, sweet, we were there last night," she said gently. "I'm afraid it's true that she is out to ruin you."
"How did she know…?" Sakura whimpered.
Neji exhaled apologetically. "I'm afraid it was bad judgment on the part of the Hyuuga who hired that maid," he said quietly. "Our apologies."
"The… maid?" Sakura's eyes widened.
"The one who brought in the towels yesterday when we spilled that tea," Tenten explained. "She must have told Karin."
"She was bribed," Neji said softly. When both women looked curiously at him, he added, "Karin's husband is a friend of an acquaintance. She has been anything but subtle about her perceived victory."
"And listening to her rodomontade, he would betray her, just like that?" Tenten raised an eyebrow.
Neji's eyes hardened. "It was an arranged marriage. They are not particularly close."
Sakura pressed trembling fingertips to her lips. "Must all arranged marriages turn out that way?"
Immediately, Tenten's attention was locked on her face. "What's wrong, Sakura?" she asked concernedly.
"My father…" She trailed off, unable to finish her sentence. When Tenten gave her a bracing look, she straightened up and tried again. "My father has decided that in order to fix this, I must be married."
Tenten's face crumpled. "Oh, this is all my fault!" she moaned in distress.
Quickly, Sakura shook her head and put her arms around her friend. "No, it's not your fault, Tenten!" she cried. "I apologize for dumping all of my troubles on you."
Sighing exasperatedly, Neji took charge of the situation. "Calm down," he said sharply. "Tenten, it is not your fault. Sakura, we are you friends. We are here to help share your burdens."
Tenten sat up, eyes blazing. "Do not presume to command me, Neji Hyuuga!" she snapped, slapping his arm lightly. Then her eyes softened. "Oh, bother. I have been out of control, haven't I?"
"Yes," Neji agreed. "Just a little."
"Neji, you ass, you are not supposed to agree with me!" she retorted, correcting him; but she was no longer near tears, and Sakura smiled.
"May I ask for advice in choosing a husband?" she inquired, only half-joking.
"Certainly," Tenten replied with mock haughty graciousness. When the younger woman's giggles died down, she continued in the same stuffy, pretentious voice. "He must be wealthy and have an irrefutable lineage. Find a man who is not miserly, and who will be generous to his wife's family. The sooner he dies, the better."
Softening her tone and returning to her normal, humbler voice, she added, "And most importantly, make sure he is someone with whom you are willing to spend the rest of your life. If love is impossible, at least friendship is necessary."
"Have you any thoughts about who you will choose?" Neji asked soberly.
Sakura hesitated, and then nodded. "Yes," she answered firmly. "I do."
"And who might that be?"
She smoothed out the skirt of her dark emerald gown, fingers skimming over the silvery, delicate embroidery there. "I believe I shall see if the one who left the mark that started all this is willing to finish the business." She smiled neutrally at them. "As I will not be allowed out alone, are you willing to escort me to the dwelling of the Marquess of Mirrorwood?"
Tenten's eyes flew wide open. "Itachi's? Why – oh, no, no, Sakura," she groaned as everything fell into place.
The pink-haired girl nodded. "Yes, Tenten. He is the one."
Now that it had been spelled out for Neji, the reaction was immediate. "What?!" he exploded. When Sakura merely continued to look at him calmly, he closed his eyes and sighed. "We warned you about this," he said quietly, voice muffled by his hands.
Slowly, Sakura's unconcerned mask was crumbling. Tenten could see the tears gathering in her eyes, could see the way she was losing the battle she was fighting to keep the tears from spilling out.
However, when she spoke, her voice was steadily. "Yes," she agreed, "you did. I chose to ignore it, and now I am paying the price. If Itachi refuses, I will be content with my memories. But I will do my best to ensure that he does not refuse."
Neji rubbed his temples, piercing eyes staring right into Sakura. "He is not like most men," he told her warningly. "He will not be cowed into accepting you easily."
Tenten laid a hand on his shoulder, causing him to fall silent. "What he means, Sakura, is this; do your best." She gazed sombrely at Sakura. "There is no way out of this."
"I could always leave town in disgrace, only to return when all has been forgotten," Sakura suggested lightly, her tone completely at odds with the wetness of her eyes.
"And never be married?" Tenten countered. "Perhaps for any other woman that would be an option, but you are an heiress. Your parents need grandchildren."
Sakura sighed. "Well, it was but a thought." She stood and opened her mouth to continue, but before she could speak, the door flew open and Sasuke Uchiha strode into the room, with a harried-looking maid hastening in after him.
Sakura glanced at said maid, who began babbling apologies and explanations of how the lord had refused to leave even when told that the lady was busy and oh she was so sorry, before nodding comfortingly, thanking the girl, and dismissing her gently from the room. Only then did she turn her attention to Sasuke.
"Is there something with which I may help you, Lord Uchiha?" Her politely worded question belied the sharp undertones in her voice.
He glanced pointedly at Tenten and Neji, but she merely raised an eyebrow.
"Anything you would say to me you may say before my dear friends." She crossed her arms challengingly.
"I only meant to save you unnecessary trouble," he replied, attempting to placate her. Then he cleared his throat. "It has come to my attention that you are seeking a husband."
"Oh?"
"Because of what Karin has done," he clarified. "And I apologize for the lies she has spread about you."
She gave a thin, razor-sharp smile. "And why should you apologize for her? You are neither her father nor her husband."
Tenten, following the conversation intently, noticed the way Sasuke reddened and prevaricated.
"I have come to make an offer for your hand." His eyes caught hers and held them searchingly. "I assume I am not the first one to do so?"
"Hmmm…" Sakura made a noncommittal noise as she surveyed him in return.
"You need not answer at once," he told her, sneering suddenly. "You may wait and see if you receive… better offers."
She shrugged, folding her arms behind her to hide the way her hands had clenched into trembling white fists.
Sighing in frustrated exasperation at her lack of speech, he spun around rudely. "Find me when you have an answer," he commanded curtly, and then abruptly exited.
"Good riddance to him." Tenten stood and shook out her sleeves. "You did well, Sakura."
"He knows, Tenten," Sakura muttered worriedly.
"So? It won't matter if Itachi agrees to your request," Tenten reasoned rationally.
Neji spoke up from where he had been quietly observing the exchange. "He is most definitely Karin's lover," he stated firmly. His white eyes flickered apologetically, not missing Sakura's subtle wince. "He speaks as if Karin is his property, or at least someone for whom he takes responsibility, in offering marriage to make up for her calumny."
"Then – " Sakura's voice shook, and she took a deep, calming breath. "Let us pay Mirrorwood a visit."
"We'll have to ensure that we are not seen there," Tenten warned. "Especially you, Sakura."
"And how do you propose we accomplish this feat?"
Neji gave a rare, razor-sharp smirk, some unholy glee lighting up his face as his eyes glinted. Tenten's expression remained serene, but her eyes lit up. "Just leave it to us."
- - -
The butler who answered the door seemed bemused to find them on the doorstep, but when Neji pressed a silver coin into his palm he glanced down suspiciously and led them in.
"Is Uchiha home?" Neji asked curtly. The manservant nodded and stepped up to a door embossed with silver, knocking smartly.
"Guests to see you, my lord," he droned, still watching them warily out of the corner of his eye.
"I thought I told you I was not to be dis – " Itachi froze upon recognizing the visitors. "What are you doing here?" Without waiting for an answer, he ushered them in. "Did anyone see you?"
"Hardly," Tenten sniffed. "Lady Hinata is visiting your family next door and our carriage is parked far away. Even if anyone saw, they would not say… anything." She bared her teeth.
Itachi was barely listening, though. He stared at Sakura, at a loss for words.
"I wonder if you can guess why I am here…?" she thought out loud, verdant eyes locking onto his.
His eyes fluttered shut for a moment before reopening. She fancied she saw them flash red but dismissed the thought as unimportant.
"The viscountess of Hawkford has spread a rumour about you, and now you want me to marry you," he intoned darkly. "Sakura, I will not marry you."
Her eyes narrowed. "And why not?"
"Why should I?" he countered swiftly, smoothly. "Nobody knows who left the supposed mark on you. I am not involved; I barely know you, in the eye of the public."
"I – " she tried, but he cut her off ruthlessly.
"How do you know that I was not merely playing with you, the way so many other girls have been ruined? If you tell people now that it was I who left that mark on you, they will think you a gold-digger, taking advantage of your disgrace to try and trap me. What does a life tied down to a woman have to offer me? No, Sakura, I will not marry you."
Her eyes widened before hardening, and then she set her jaw. "Very well," she said quietly. "You have made your feelings clear, Lord Uchiha. Let me make mine clear as well. I came to you because you are the only man I can marry who treats me with even an ounce of respect. I like you, you know. However, you are but my best option; not my only. I will leave, then, and I will tell your brother that I will marry him. I will be your sister-in-law, and you will be cursed with me forever."
"Go," he said sharply. "Leave!"
"I could ensure that every person on the street saw me storming out of your house." It was not a threat; it was a fact.
He snorted. "Somehow, I cannot bring myself to care anymore."
Her eyes blazed as she strode from the room.
As he left, Neji looked at Itachi. "You are a fool," he spat harshly, and followed the women out. Itachi's lips tightened and he stared thoughtfully into the fire.
- - -
"Sakura…" Tenten reached for her friend's shoulder, but Sakura merely shrugged it off and continued writing. Placing a fullstop firmly at the end of her sentence, she sealed the envelope with hot wax and summoned a servant.
"Take this to Sasuke Uchiha," she instructed curtly. "Inform him that I request an immediate reply."
The man bowed obligingly and silently exited.
- - -
The woman's eyes widened in shock as they scanned the formal, succinct letter. She wondered how this girl could accept Sasuke's proposal of marriage – and why Sasuke had offered such a proposal in the first place.
This would not do. She alone could do little to stop this, but there were certain people upon whom she had been told she could depend…
A mysterious smile set firmly upon her lips, she reread the letter. And she continued to plan as she stood over the unmoving form of Lady Sakura's messenger.
She would have to work quickly, but for now she had bought herself some time: the letter carrying Sakura's acceptance never reached Sasuke's hands.
And it never would.
- - -
I promise what you're thinking isn't going to happen. I am like Kishi in that sense, I guess… So, as the plot heats up, I find myself hoping for lots and lots of response. Tell me what you think, eh?