-Lady of the Fifth House-
By: Applesofwrath
Chapter Five
Uchiha Sasuke took a deep breath as he followed his parents and brother down the hall of the royal palace. They had just left their quarters after their servants prepared them for the party. Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto were dressed in matching burgundy kimonos embroidered with the finest beads and threads. The gloomy younger heir was expecting this ball to be no different than the many others he has attended before. It was just another night of putting forth his best appearance and manners as a representative of the Uchiha House. He'll go in, chat with other house nobles similar in rank about the usual topics—recent taxes, his stance on current issues, anything to display his intelligence and potential strength as a leader. He wasn't fond of the idea of mingling with the lesser house nobles, unless he had anything to gain from them.
Lastly, he kept a mental note that he needed to keep an eye out for potential marriage opportunities. Now that Sasuke turned twenty years in age, it was time for him to look for a wife and continue his family line. Hopefully, to a woman of high rank who could help strengthen Uchiha with her connections. Unfortunately for Sasuke, none of the girls he's met have so far have interested him. Although the matter of the connections the women possessed is a strong factor, he had to also keep in mind he would be stuck with her for life once wedded. He met plenty of women with impressive rank but found them annoying, unintelligent, or severely unattractive. His future wife is out there somewhere. He wanted to believe that this ball may be different than the others he has attended and fate may bring him and her together but his pessimism disagreed.
Sasuke looked over at his older brother who stood close by. Uchiha Itachi was a taller man with the same obsidian eyes that ran in the Uchiha clan. His medium length slate colored hair was in its usual fashion, a low ponytail. For the special occasion, the servant maids tied his hair in a small silk ribbon. His kimono was a dark blue, matching his younger brother. He resembled Sasuke in almost all physical ways, but carried a bit more of an aged grace demeanor and appearance. He was older than Sasuke by four years and yet he hasn't married. Itachi wasn't interested at all in marriage, to the frustration of their father.
Sasuke's eyes faced the end of the hall which would soon lead them to the ballroom. According to their father, there is a new house that will be joining the kingdom and tonight will be when the Queen formally introduces them to the nobles. Sasuke remembered his father mentioning this topic over meals months back. Apparently, it was some no name island off the eastern coast that not many people have traveled to. When the Queen embarked on a journey and visited their island, she was amazed by their advancements in science, the strength of their army, and superior medicine. Her majesty believed that they would be a great addition to the kingdom and proposed unification. As expected, some court members opposed the idea of 'a fifth house' which would change the country's traditional four united houses. Luckily for Tsunade, Konoha seemed to be going through a progressive era and majority of her court supported the unification. This landmark event was definitely a moment any noble would not dare miss.
As one of her majesty's trusted court members, Lord Uchiha Fugaku was not someone whose voice will go unheard. The old-fashioned and calculating head of Uchiha was skeptical towards this idea, but by the end he supported it, claiming it was for the Konoha's growth. Lord Nara Shikaku was apathetic but ultimately voted for the unification; Lord Jiraiya of Uzumaki supported the idea from the start, and Lord Hyuuga Hiashi was against the idea.
A side benefit to gain from this unification is that apparently the new house has a daughter—an heiress—who was of marrying age. Any ambitious noble would view this as a golden opportunity for one of his sons. When Lord Fugaku mentioned this over dinner, his eldest son held the usual disinterest while his youngest nodded in agreement. As exceptionally gifted as Itachi was, his stubbornness was his vice. Sasuke hoped that his eagerness to please his parents would help him stand out from Itachi's shadow. He knew what he needed to do. May fate guide him obtain his goals. Before the Uchihas stepped out into the ballroom, Sasuke took a deep breath and held his head high.
The room was heavily decorated with flowers and ornaments—mostly yellow chrysanthemums, irises, morning glories, white poppies, and yellow poppies. Sasuke assumed that the flowers held some significant meaning to tonight's event, but couldn't recall what he learned. Lit Paper lanterns of all colors imaginable hung from the ceiling. The few hundreds of noble guests all dressed in colorful silk kimonos can be seen chatting away with other fellow nobles with drinks in their hands. Nearby the empty throne at the front of the room, five tables specifically reserved for the Konoha house heads and their families to be seated. As esteemed guests they were privileged to eat and drink by her majesty's side.
Tsunade had yet to make her appearance down the grand stairs. In the meantime, the guests entertained themselves while waiting for the party's grand event to begin. As the Uchihas entered the room, many heads turned and guests made way for the famous family to pass through. Sasuke could feel their eyes on him as well, but just kept looking forward—he was used to this sort of attention.
Some lesser house noble whose name Sasuke forgot walked over to his mother and began chatting away with her. Itachi disappear and was nowhere to be seen. Lord Fugaku was at the opposite side of the room chatting with, whom Sasuke could make out from a distance, as Lord Jiraiya, Naruto's guardian father figure and steward of Uzumaki. Even from the distance, Sasuke could tell that white haird lord was already drunk and didn't seem to care for Fugaku seriousness in conversation. Knowing his father, it shouldn't take too long until the Fugaku will give up and head over to chat with the Nara house members nearby.
Sasuke noticed a familiar nearby blonde man his age that was mingling with a crowd on his left. Naruto stood formally dressed in his elegant orange kimono-his trademark color-holding a drink and talking lively to some unknown noble man. He was like some sort of sun that just shined light to any setting, bringing out the best of people. Naruto always held that admirable characteristic about him, something Sasuke truly lacked. The blonde man looked over to see his best friend watching him from the distance. The exuberant blond then waved and mouthed to Sasuke that he'll come over to talk to him soon. Sasuke nodded and moved on through the crowd.
"Uchiha-san,"
He was stopped by a familiar voice. The voice of a particular man he wasn't too fond of. Sasuke turned his body to face a fellow high noble in an indigo kimono. There stood a man of similar height, with a long dark hair tied back and striking silver eyes, Hyuuga Neji of the branch house of Hyuuga. Beside Neji was a brunette woman who was dressed in a simple pink furisode. She was a woman of average beauty, dark brunette locks tied into a simple updo and matching brown eyes. Neji gave a cool smile as he greeted
Sasuke,
"Good evening."
Sasuke apathetically nodded at Neji and then turned to Neji's escort. She stood next to Neji as if she belonged there. The Uchiha prodigy could tell that they were some sort of close friends but wasn't entirely too sure. He didn't feel like paying much attention to the prideful Hyuuga man but at least he can be polite to any woman, as his mother taught him. Sasuke pushed his manners forward,
"I've seen you plenty of times with Hyuuga-san, but I've never formally met you. I'm Uchiha Sasuke," Sasuke politely greeted. Sasuke was sure she wasn't from a noble household. It was most likely that she and her family served the Hyuugas—someone of peasant rank and with that he felt no obligation to kiss her hand like he would if she was a high noble. The brunette woman respectfully bowed lightly to Sasuke,
"I am Nakashima Tenten. Pleased to meet you," the brunette greeted. The brunette woman blushed slightly as she looked back up at the handsome Uchiha heir. Luckily for her, Sasuke did not notice as he turned his attention back to Neji.
"How is Uchiha?" Neji inquired. Sasuke couldn't help but feel that the smug Hyuuga didn't sincerely care about his affairs and he was just simply making small talk. Sasuke hated small talk but nonetheless, he didn't want to be rude.
"Uchiha is doing well… What about Hyuuga?"
"Hyuuga is also doing well… Hanabi has finished her education with the royal palace scholars. Uncle is very proud of her," Neji shared as he raised his glass to his lips. Pretending to be interested, Sasuke forced himself to smile lightly,
"Well, I'll congratulate her personally when I stop by Hyuuga sometime." Wanting to end the conversation at any opportune pause, Sasuke nodded at Neji and Tenten,
"If you'll excuse me… I think it is about time I get a drink," Sasuke said as he walked away.
Sasuke mentally breathed a sigh of relief as he walked over to the servants. He didn't want to be near Hyuuga Neji more than he needed to be. Once he reached the bar, he ordered a servant to pour him a glass of his favorite wine. As soon as he obtained his glass, Sasuke felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see a grinning Naruto, who threw a friendly arm around Sasuke's shoulder and led him to the back wall where a lone Shikamaru stood. The Nara heir usual ponytail was turned into an elegant top knot and he sported a rich olive colored kimono.
"Good to see you, Sasuke," Shikamaru greeted as he raised his glass to the Uchiha heir. Shikamaru breathed a deep sigh before scratching the back of his head,
"I'd rather be home during a nice night like this… But heir duty calls… Mother wouldn't let me miss tonight's event," Shikamaru sighed as he took a drink from his glass. Sasuke couldn't understand Shikamaru's apathetic nature. Being acquainted with Shikamaru for years, Sasuke learned that Shikamaru wasn't much of an ambitious person. Naruto playfully nudged Shikamaru with his elbow,
"Where's your festive spirit? This party is full of great people!" Naruto enthusiastically beamed, "And I can't wait to meet the new heiress! Hopefully, she'll be better than the women Jiraiya has been introducing me to lately," Naruto groaned as he made a disgusted face. Sasuke chuckled at his best friend,
"Someone of your rank should marry high ranked woman… Even though there aren't many options." Shikamaru yawned,
"Why hasn't one of you pursued Hyuuga Hanabi? To my knowledge, she hasn't found a husband yet… And I'm sure your families would be thrilled to marry you off to the Hyuuga heiress…" Naruto crinkled his nose at Shikamaru, his whiskers wiggling,
"She's too young for me," Naruto said plainly before looking at Sasuke. At that moment, the Uchiha heir couldn't help himself from making a joke,
"… I don't want to be related to Neji," Sasuke smirked as he drank his glass. Shikamaru gave a chuckle while Naruto snickered behind his drink.
The blond perked up when he saw a familiar face among the crowd. He then turned to his two friends, "excuse me guys, but there's someone I want to talk to, be right back!" with that the blond disappeared into the crowd.
A second of silence fell upon the remaining two men. Shikamaru reached into his kimono and pulled out a long pipe. He looked at Sasuke,
"I'm going to step outside to smoke, want to come?" Shikamaru offered.
The Uchiha heir nodded and followed Shikamaru to the closest door leading to the garden. Right outside the ballroom was the Royal Garden. Although the Garden extended for many acres around the palace, the two men just stood outside not too far from the doors. Although they weren't terribly close, the two heirs held something in common—the sacredness of a tranquil moment. A well respected silence fell upon the two men as they enjoyed their moment of peace from the party.
Something in Sasuke began to bother him and he couldn't help but be deeply curious. He faced the Nara heir, who was clearly enjoying his pipe,
"Shikamaru…"
"Hmm?"
"Whatever happened to the elder Hyuuga heiress three years ago?" Sasuke narrowed his eyes in thought. Shikamaru let out a deep breath of smoke into the air and looked back at his friend,
"… I forgot that scandal even happened… Until you mentioned it just now… It's been awhile…" Shikamaru said as he coughed a bit. Sasuke couldn't help but press the subject further,
"Do you think maybe—"
Before Sasuke could finish, a loud drum was heard from the palace that echoed to the gardens. The two men knew what it meant: It was time for the Queen to enter the ballroom and for the party's main event to begin. Already forgetting their conversation, Shikamaru nodded his head towards the door from which they came from,
"C'mon, we got to get back. If I'm nowhere to be seen, I'm going to receive the lecture of my life from my troublesome mother," the lazy genius groaned as he began walking back. Sasuke looked up at the starry night one last time before following Shikamaru back to the party.
The sound of a steady beating drum halted the many conversations going on in the ballroom. Heads turned towards the front of the room, to the top of the staircase where they awaited tonight's entrance of their Queen. The giant double doors opened. Lines and lines of male and female servants dressed in simple dark green kimonos burst through the doors and walked down the stairs. They carried decorated baskets of wine bottles, platters of roasted duck and boar, silver bowls, jars of water, and towels. The servants lined themselves against the wall in the front of the wall in an orderly presentation. Following the last of the servants were lines of male and female court musicians holding their flutes, drums, and stringed instruments. After the musicians positioned themselves against the peripheral walls of the rooms, multiple lines of her Majesty's most formidable royal soldiers entered the room. They divided into groups and scattered all over the room in particular locations—by the exits and entrances, nearby the Queen's throne chair, and by the reserved tables.
Drums roared in a climatic overture as the Queen walked down the grand staircase in her vibrant silk green jūnihitoe and golden headpiece adored with many jewels. The ever beautiful Queen of Konoha smiled as she gazed upon the ballroom full of her guests. At the front of the crowd before her were all members of the four houses: Uzumaki, Hyuuga, Uchiha, and Nara. She could see Lord-Steward Jiraiya of Uzumaki, Lord Hiashi and Lady Hisae* of Hyuuga, Lord Fugaku and Lady Mikoto of Uchiha, and Lord Shikaku and Lady Yoshino of Nara. With them were Uzumaki Naruto, Hyuuga Neji, Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Sasuke, and Nara Shikamaru.
Once Queen Tsunade approached her throne, she tapped her fan against her opposite hand and faced the crowd before her. Like waves being pulled towards the shore, row by rows of guests knelt down before their Queen.
Like everyone else in the room, Sasuke followed suit and knelt down on one knee before the Queen, his head down and eyes facing the floor. Once the Queen saw that everyone had bowed, she finally spoke
"Please stand," she simply commanded. Without hesitation, the room obeyed. Silence fell upon the ballroom, guests were eager to hear the words of their Queen. Tsunade's red painted lips curled into a smile before speaking in a thunderous voice.
"My loving people… It is wonderful to see all of you here tonight… I am thrilled to have you join me for this historical moment and celebration." The crowd gave applause,
"Long live the Queen!"
Two servant men appeared and positioned themselves next to the Queen. One of them carried a large scroll on his back. The two men then unrolled the scroll and then held it up for the crowd to see. In large letters, read:
Under the Fire God's will, we, the house of Haruno, pledge our absolute allegiance to the Kingdom of Konoha and its leader. Year 1440, under the reign of Queen Tsunade.
The crowded applauded as they gazed at the written alliance inscribed with black ink. The servant men then rolled up the scroll carefully and carried it out of the ballroom with the escort of some royal guards. The crowd turned their eyes back to Tsunade.
"Tonight is a night where an alliance has been forged and a friendship has been made! Allow me to present to you, the newest house under of our kingdom—The House of Haruno!" She announced as she raised her hand towards the top of the stairs. The audience looked up at the top of the stairs and held their breaths as the large doors opened slowly.
Sasuke turned his gaze over to where the guests of honor would enter. There was nothing interesting to Sasuke about seeing the new Lord and Lady of Konoha's Houses. What he really was interested in was seeing their daughter. First entered a middle-aged blond couple dressed in matching plum kimonos adorned with gold colored beads and thread. The man had his hair tied back in a simple braid and wore glasses. His wife was a pale woman with her blond hair tied up in a braided updo with a flower accessory. The Lord held his lady's hand as they walked gracefully down the stairs. Following them shortly was a shorter woman dressed in a beautiful aqua furisode. From a distance, Sasuke could see that she had a slim figure and pale skin. She walked with grace along with her parents—evident that she has been taught to carry herself in that manner since a young age, the usual training for young high noble women. Unfortunately her face was covered with a long red veil that covered her entire head so Sasuke couldn't see her face. He was approving of what he was seeing so far but couldn't wait to see her face.
It is tradition in Konoha that when a noble woman comes of age, which is eighteen, her parents hold a party to formally introduce her to the people and celebrate her steps into adulthood. The noble girls are to cover their face with a red veil until she is announced. The red veil symbolized fertility—a valuable asset a future bride can offer her suitors. Since the Haruno heiress did not have a traditional coming of age celebration prior to the unification, the Queen must have suggested for her to bear the garment on the unification celebration to further advertise a marriage opportunity. In her hands, she carried a bundle of white lilies—the symbol of chastity.
The new house members reached the bottom of the stairs and then went towards where Tsunade stood. They approached the Queen, their backs turned towards the audience and all three of them knelt down to their knees. The crowd watched curiously as to what the Queen will do next.
The mysterious Haruno heiress was not too far in front of him. The girl knelt down beside her parents, her covered head down as if she was looking at the floor. He could smell her perfume. She smelled of plums. Sasuke tried to make out her face through the red veil, but couldn't seem to do so. Sasuke looked over at Naruto who was standing next to Jiraiya. The blond heir of Uzumaki bore a face that was clearly impatient and bored. It shouldn't be too much longer until she unveils herself.
"Haruno Tsubaki, Haruno Nadeshiko, Haruno Sakura," the queen spoke, "Konoha and I salute you. Let us drink to this alliance! Please stand!" As the Queen gave permission for the family to stand, a servant man walked over to the Queen with a tray. The tray contained two glasses and a bottle of wine. As the family got off from their knees, the servant man handed to each the Queen and Haruno Tsubaki a glass. He poured them equal amounts of wine before dismissing himself from the front of the crowd. Haruno Nadeshiko and Sakura watched as Tsubaki was about to drink with the queen to seal the treaty. Tsunade raised her drink to the new lord,
"Let us drink to this alliance!" she announced. Raising his glass to meet hers, Lord Tsubaki spoke for the first time,
"…To an alliance," he agreed, "between Haruno and Konoha!" They both consumed the drinks and the audience crowd bursted into thunderous applause.
"Long live the queen!" The crowd chanted. Tsunade then faced the crowd once more,
"Since Haruno is now a house of Konoha, they have agreed to indulge in some of our traditions. Haruno Sakura is of marrying age and has not had a coming of age celebration yet," Tsunade ushered Sakura walk over to the front of the room. The girl in the red veil walked calmly beside her Queen and stood next to her.
Two servant girls appeared and each stood by Sakura's side. Sasuke held his breath as the two women held both ends of the girl's red veil, ready to expose her. This was it; this was the woman Sasuke is supposed to court. He was finally going to see who she is.
"May the God of Fire bless her with marriage and fertility," Tsunade prayed aloud. With that, the servant girls slowly unveiled her. Inch by inch Sasuke saw more and more of her face. She had porcelain with a slender neck. Her chin was perfect and her lips very painted a faint cherry red. Her nose was small but well proportioned.
What Sasuke saw next shocked him. The veil unfolded to reveal familiar large sea foam eyes with supple dark long lashes. Her bangs were a pale pink color and once the red veil was completely removed from her head, everyone could see that she had pale pink hair that was styled in an updo. Jade accessories protruded from her hair and matched her eyes. The Uchiha heir couldn't believe it. Right there almost close in front of him was the same girl from months back when Naruto got poisoned. He knew she wasn't what she seemed. He guessed she was some noble girl who ran away from home, but it turned out she is in fact the heir to the Haruno House—and the woman he has to court!
He starred at her with his jaw dropped. Her eyes flickered as they scanned the audience. Her green orbs stopped and looked directly at him. Her eyes widened when her eyes found Sasuke. For a second, the two stared at each other. No one seemed to notice that their gazes were connected. Sakura saw the apparent shock on Sasuke's face and her lips curled into a sincere yet devious smile.
Hyuuga Hisae* is Hinata and Hanabi's mother. Her name is unknown in the series, so I just threw in a random name so I didn't have to dubb her unknown.
Author's Note: Okay so yeah it's a late update... I hope you guys enjoy. I've been uber busy with school and other life stuff. Feel free to PM me messages about updating the fic, it will get my ass moving faster. Today I sat down with 3 cups of coffee and declared to myself I will not sleep until I finish this chapter draft and post it. Btw, I really recommend you guys to slim down the page to 3/4 or 1/2 at the top. It looks more like a book chapter AND makes it look like I wrote a ton (which I actually did).
Try listening to Chitose Hajime's "Haru no katami" while reading this fic. I think it fits nicely somehow. Like if this fic had a soundtrack, that song would be a part of it. Please review!
