The port of Uzushiogakure was unusually crowded. People from all around the capital came here, to say farewell to their beloved princess. Royal guards lined the dock that led to the ship, which would eventually take the couple back to the continent. The sun was shining brightly, not even one cloud on the sky. There wasn't even a single ship on the sea as far as the eye could look, the navy making sure that nothing endangered the life of the royal pair. Soon, the crowd became impatient, their chattering becoming louder, filled with complaints. The convoy should have been here almost an hour ago, but there was still no sign of them.

Sakura sat inside a black car with tinted windows, looking outside. She tried to memorize each and every building that lined the road leading to the port, some of them awakening almost forgotten memories. She saw the small bakery that sold the best pastry in town, the bookshop with those embarrassingly sappy romance novels, the Yamanaka flower shop. Her heart started aching when she remembered Ino. They didn't talk ever since their little argument a few weeks ago, it was mostly because they were both extremely busy, but – at least on her part- also because she was mad after the speech the blonde gave her. But now, with the moment of her departure coming closer and closer with each passing second, she regretted her actions. When would she see her best friend again? It might be months, even years. She didn't even know if any of her friends would attend the wedding, since not everyone got invited.

Her stomach started churning when she saw the port; the white ship was waiting for them as well as a huge crowd of people. The car stopped in front of the dock, a servant opening the door on Kakashi's side. He climbed out and extended a hand in order to help her, which she accepted, even though she didn't really want to. The crowd started cheering when she stepped out, almost all of them chanting her name. Their kindness caused her to smile and wave at them.

The tightness in her chest returned in full force while they boarded the ship, each step being harder and harder for her.

"Your Highness, Your Majesty." The captain, a middle aged man greeted them instantly.

"Is everything all right with the ship, captain?" Kakashi asked.

"Of course, Your Majesty. The weather looks to be in our favor, we'll reach the continent in about one and a half hour."

"Good."

"One of my crew members will show you your cabins."

Sakura was glad that they'll get a separate cabin; at least she'll have a place where she can cry, and then collect herself before anyone could see how distraught she was. The cabins were situated at the backside of the ship, completely isolated from the corridors the crew members used.

She locked herself inside the cabin as soon as the sailor opened it for her. The cabin was spacious, the only sign that it was situated inside a ship being the huge windows overlooking the sea. The pinkette sat down on the bed that was facing the window. She replayed in her head the discussion she had with Tsunade this morning, embedding each and every word of wisdom the older woman shared with her.

"There are going to be people who won't like you. Not just because you are from Whirlpool, but because of your…family situation as well."

"So the reason they'll hate me is because I'm your adopted daughter?" Sakura wrinkled her forehead.

"Yes." This earned a snort from the younger woman.

"Then they shouldn't have agreed on me marrying their precious king. Anything else?"

"Be careful with the council, try not to anger them. I'm not telling you that you should become their drinking buddy, just be on their good side."

"And what if not?"

"They'll make your life a living hell." Tsunade stated bluntly.

"Wonderful. I just can't wait to meet them." Her voice was dripping with sarcasm.

"Kakashi can help you a great deal with court life in Konoha, just ask him."

"Really?" Sakura didn't try to hide her skepticism.

"He might not be your ideal candidate for a husband-"

"Damn right." The blonde rolled her eyes.

"-but he's someone whom you can trust."

"And how did you reach to this conclusion?"

Tsunade pointed at her hand "It's because of that ring. There was a reason to why he gave it to you."

"Of course." The pinkette threw her hands in the air. "He wants to get on my good side."

"Yes. But not because he has ill intentions. He…I think he genuinely feels sorry for this whole ordeal. He didn't act aggressively during the meetings in fact, Danzo was the one who acted like that."

Sakura flopped backwards on the bed, staring at the white ceiling. Tsunade told her to trust him, but it wasn't that easy for her. After everything she witnessed during her time at the palace in Uzushiogakure, trusting people became really hard for her. Her relationship with individuals changed drastically after she became adopted by Tsunade. They either wanted to take advantage of her position or her money. She became tired of always becoming disappointed, that's why she was so hostile towards new people.

She felt a nudge from underneath her, she sat up instantly. Her heart sunk when she saw the port becoming farther and farther from where she was sitting. The ship has started moving. Moving towards Fire Country and leaving her homeland behind. Sakura stared out the window, looking at the island that became smaller with each second. Her hands grabbed the sheets underneath her, knuckles whitening. She suddenly felt so small; there wasn't a single person on this ship about whom she cared about. All her loved ones were left behind and she won't see them until the wedding, if ever. The only thing that waited for her in her new home…no, she couldn't call it her home. Home was where you longed to return, where someone was waiting for you. It was the place which you didn't want to leave.

The only thing that waited for her in her new residence was a husband she didn't love, inimical council members, and long days of doing nothing. Because who was she to kid, they didn't trust her enough to let her meddle with anything.

The ship arrived to a port on the coast of Fire Country earlier than they expected. They continued their journey to Konohagakure via train. Since there weren't such great distances in her homeland, it didn't have a railroad system. Sakura chastised herself for feeling excited about trying out this new means of transportation.

Fire Country's geography was a lot more different than her birthplace's. Vast expanses of forest covered the land, so thick that the rays of the sun hardly permeated the ground. She missed the taste of salt in the air and the crying of seagulls.

After a three hour long journey, the train finally reached the capital. The station was decorated with flowers and garlands, all prepared for the greeting of the king and his fiancée. People cheered when they saw Kakashi. Sakura found it strange, even weird, that the public looked so ecstatic in his presence. But then again, it made sense: they were his people, they liked even loved him, because he was a capable ruler. He defeated the enemy, expanding the influence of the country. Hell, she was the living proof of his success in doing so.

The royal palace seemed to be bigger and fancier than Uzushiogakure's. It was surrounded by trees of all kinds and heights, giving the illusion that it was a part of the forest. Their car came to a halt just in front of the grand entrance, two elderly people waiting for them. Kakashi helped her out from the car once again.

"Homura-san, Koharu-san." Kakashi bowed, the pinkette following suit.

Hearing their names, the pinkette instantly recognized them. These two were the ones who dominated the politics of the Land of Fire even before Tsunade became queen in her country. Rumors say that they often had more say in the realm's matters than the king himself.

"It's nice to finally see you, Hatake-san." Koharu waved a fan in front of her face delicately.

"Ah…I hope that everything went well during my absence." Kakashi crinkled his visible eye.

"Of course." The older woman said, with a hint of indignation in her voice, like the mere fact of Kakashi thinking that she is not capable is outrageous. Her otherwise squinting eyes opened as she shifted her gaze onto Sakura.

"So you are the infamous Haruno Sakura." She gave the younger woman a measuring look.

"You are mistaken." Kakashi spoke up. "Her name is Senju Sakura."

"That doesn't change the fact that she's a Haruno. She might have been adopted, but her blood will be always different." Sakura tried to keep her stoic expression in check. Tsunade was right; these people won't like her at all.

"It's a nice thing that blood has nothing to do with a person's capability." Kakashi said cheerily, ignoring the hard look the two elders gave him. "Now, I believe I should show my fiancée her room." He pulled at Sakura's hand gently,

Sakura looked incredulously at his back. Did he just defend her in front of those two? Koharu's jab at her family origins hurt her, but she was prepared for such a move. So Kakashi's words were really unexpected for her…it kind of made Sakura happy that he took her side.

"You'll be staying at one of the guest rooms until the wedding." Kakashi said while they were walking.

"Oh."

"Of course, after the ceremony, you'll have a new room…which is closer to mine." He must have seen her nervousness, because he soon continued. "Don't worry, we'll have separate rooms."

"Wouldn't there be an opposition on the elder's side because of that?"

"Yes. But as the king, the final word is mine. I won't let them force us into things we don't want." His reassurance made her a bit calmer.

Kakashi stopped in front of a huge door. "This is your room. If you need anything else, just tell the maid."

"Thank you." She whispered.

Even though this wasn't the first time she voiced her gratitude towards him, it still caught him off guard.

"Thank you for standing up for me." Sakura stared at the marble floor.

"Koharu shouldn't have taken such petty remarks. Besides, you shouldn't thank me for something like this."

"But-"

"You don't have to." She could see that his smile was genuine, even though the mask obscured his face.

Her room was enormous. The furniture was tasteful and looked really expensive, but because of the room's size, everything was so far away. Her luggage was already inside, the huge chests waiting to be unpacked. She contemplated on whether she should empty them, or not. Unpacking would mean that she settled in, that she really left home. Maybe she'll never unpack…no one besides the servants would notice that. Besides, if someone would ask her about why she didn't unpack, her answer will be that it's pointless to do so until she moves into her new room. And after that…well, she'll think about that when the time comes.

Sakura walked to the windows that overlooked the vast cityscape. It was strange how the deep blue sea wasn't visible from here; there were trees instead, as far as she could see. She'll never get used to this large expanse of green, or to the large buildings instead of the small cottages. Sighing, she closed the curtains, ridding herself of the painful scenery.

After such a long day, the bed seemed really inviting; Sakura was tired both physically and emotionally. The pinkette pulled her nightgown out from one of the trunks, preparing to go to sleep. She started to dread the following day, despite the fact that she had no idea about what awaited her.

This is probably my fastest update up until now :D I'm trying to write longer chapters that are at least 2000 words long, maybe they'll will get even longer once I get used to it.

Thank you really much to those who reviewed, followed and put my story in their favorites!