Every morning after our initial goodbye he'd come by again. We'd wander the castle and eat everything we could. It was a good memory to hang on to. After all she comes today. I know it is the day. I've seen the halls dressed up more elegantly than usual. I've seen the women running about giggling in simple dresses. I know that by five this afternoon they'll each look like the royalty they are. They'll wear bright jewels colored like fruit. They'll dress in dresses layered like cakes. On their feet you'll see tiny shoes to match their flowing and wide skirts. I know these women. The make up on their face can't hide the jealousy they feel for her. I know they'll pretend to love her, but in her dreams they'll haunt her. Yet another marriage in this castle, but never their own.
I've been waiting all day. I've sat and stared out of the same window in the same room where he told me the news. Where he broke my heart. He hasn't seen me in over a week. He has ceased to come by. As if five years of my life spent with him meant nothing. As if I could see him marry and sleep in somebody else's arms. I want to die. My heart twists in pain just thinking about soft pink lips that will soon be touching his. Why is love so cruel? I wonder does he love her?
---
After hours of silence and sitting I see it coming. The carriage that hides her approaches our home. That was me before. I wonder if he'll be there to greet her. I wonder if he'll hold out his hand for her like he did to me. I wonder if she's scared like I was. Scared. I hope she is. Maybe then she'll return and leave us alone. I hate her.
---
A large elegant carriage approached the castle entrance. Many were outside waiting for the new princess of Sand. Just like they had waited for Naruto. A large man dressed in powder blue and high white socks opened the door for her. An older woman stepped out. She had a white wig and blue dress. She must have been her attendant. The dress was far too simple and around her neck she wore only ribbon and lace. Finally I'll get to see her.
A pink haired girl stepped out of the dark space. She was tiny and frail looking. She refused the woman's hand and jumped off of the carriage. What low class. I wonder what her name is. He ridiculous pink hair will surely annoy Gaara. I know it will.
---Hours later---
I'll be laying in my bed forever. I won't be at that wedding. I won't smile while I'm breaking inside. I heard her pass by the hall she was giggling and they called after her. 'Sakura' that's her ugly name. Can you believe it? Some pink freak named Sakura will be the end of me. The end of us.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Come in." I sat up in my bed and waited for Gaara to come in.
"Hey sweetie, are you feeling better?" My mother approached the bed with some tea. It was very strange to see her bring the tea instead of a maid following close behind with the tray. She must know.
"No. I want to go." I looked away at her amused expression.
"Naruto don't be such a baby. You know its what's best for Sand. We always have to do what's best. Our kingdom's people depend on our loyalties and alliances. We can't be selfish." She brushed the hair out of my face. I'd grown it longer for him. Suddenly I felt the urge to cut it completely and run away.
"I want to go." I insisted.
After minimal thought she said "I suppose you are old enough. You can return with your grandparents. I'm sure everyone in Konoha will welcome back their prince." She smiled sweetly. My broken heart managed to pull together its shards and smile back.
"Thank you mother." She stood up to leave and closed the door softly behind her.
I would have to pack. I called in a couple of servants that weren't busy unpacking for her. They packed up quickly there wasn't much I longed to take. The one thing I needed to survive couldn't be packed.
You'd be amazed how fast things go when you have money.
---
Its lunch time. I'm leaving tonight. That wedding is tomorrow. I just can't take it. Am I being weak? Do I have a right to claim him as he has claimed me? I know he said it was nothing, but slowly I fell in love. It was supposed to be just fun, but slowly I did give him everything. Slowly he became a part of me. Yet how quickly he has replaced me. How quickly has he replaced our memories. I wonder how much time it will be until he completely forgets.
"May I come in Prince Naruto?" I turned to see a wad of pink. It was her. I'd been watching her skip in the gardens earlier. It brought back memories I'd wish to see erased.
---flashback---
"Naruto." A tall boy held open the bedroom door to his step-brother's room. "Lets go. I have a surprise for you!" Gaara walked into the room and dragged the sleeping boy onto his feet. "You're already dressed so lets go!" Naruto smiled sleepily at his lover and followed. He always followed no matter where Gaara led him.
"Close your eyes." Gaara held up a fancy colored handkerchief and covered Naruto's eyes.
"Where are you taking me?" Naruto's outstretched arms felt out for walls as he walked. Gaara kneeled in front of him and when Naruto bumped into him he stood quickly making the boy take a surprise piggy back ride.
Naruto screamed and then playfully hit Gaara as they ran through the fields towards a surprise.
"I remembered you love lilies." Gaara put him down gently on the floor and uncovered his eyes.
"Its beautiful." Naruto looked out at the giant garden. Steps of small stones and flowers everywhere. Paths weaved in and out of tall walls made of green plants and everywhere lilies grew.
"Come follow me!" Gaara pulled Naruto by his hand. "Look what I made them put it."
A bench swing swayed gently in the wind. "I love it." Naruto walked over to take a seat, but before his knees completely bent and rested Gaara pulled him in to a chaste kiss.
"Careful people might be watching." Naruto took a seat next to Gaara.
"I know. I don't care. I love you." Gaara looked away instantly. Those words shouldn't have slipped out
"I think I love you too." Naruto leaned in for another kiss. This was completely blissful.
---Present---
"Prince Naruto?" The girl walked in. Uninvited may I add.
"Yes?" I stood as was customary and greeted her.
"I'm Sakura. I'll be your brother's wife."
"I know. You shouldn't be in your new brother's chambers. People might think the worse." I offered her a seat on my tea table which sat next to that garden which was mine.
"Its okay. I wanted to talk to you." I smiled painfully at her. Great she's come to rub it in.
"Go ahead I'm listening." I continued to stare out of the window. Those lilies were still fresh. Every season they were there. Just like we were. Why did things have to change? Why did she have to come and ruin it all?
"I was wondering what he was like. You see I haven't seen him. I've only heard about him." She served her own tea and prepared it. Low class, I knew it. What kind of family were we linking ourselves to?
"Him? You mean Gaara?" I stared at her filthy finger nails as she dug into my strawberry cake.
"Yes Prince Naruto." She stuffed her face and swallowed hard. Disgusting.
"He's a nice man. He's handsome and very kind. He's thoughtful and sweet. I've seen him on more than one occasion sacrifice his comfort for another." I must have said it too dreamily.
"Sounds like you two are really something special. I never had sisters so I don't know about familial bonds." She slurped the hot tea. Unbearable. I felt like shoving the rest of that cake down her throat to make her stop eating and breathing.
"We did have something special, but things change."
Finally her silence came. Sakura started snaking on my cookies. They crumbled onto her flat chest.
"I love that garden. Lilies are my favorite. I've only been out there once today, but I love it already."
"That's my garden." I said defensively. "It was a gift."
"Really? I'm sorry I didn't know." She adjusted her dress and polished the crumbs off of her and onto my clean, white, spotless carpet. I loathe her.
"Its okay I suppose you may use it. I'm leaving tonight." I took a small drink from my tea and continued to look out at our kingdom. Our kingdom. May we have one in heaven since the earth is too cruel.
"You won't be at the wedding?"
I felt like saying 'Yeah I'll be there. I will magically leave today and appear in this kingdom tomorrow. Stupid girl.'
"Unfortunately I won't. I've got to get back to my grandparent's home." I shifted uncomfortably.
"I see." I could hear heels clacking on the marble floors. Faint yells for 'Sakura' were heard through the thick walls. "I have to go, but thanks for everything." Finally she left. I couldn't believe the mess such a small girl could make.