-Lady of the Fifth House-
By: Applesofwrath
Chapter Five
Haruno Sakura put on her best smile and effort as she tried to greet all the other guests eager to meet her. She was beginning to lose track of names as they seem to keep coming-Young men and women from lesser houses eager to gain the attention of the beautiful and powerful heiress. The heiress sincerely wanted to meet each and everyone, just not at this rate! Luckily, the Queen noticed the swarm around her protégé and proposed a ball room dance. The pink haired woman sighed in relief as she, the queen, and a bunch of nobles joined the floor in a dance. Sakura glanced around the ballroom before the dance began. Her mother has been paired up with Lord Shikaku of Nara and her father has been paired up with the Queen. From her lessons, ballroom dances are opportune times to converse with other nobles. Lord Shikaku will probably personally welcome Sakura's mother to the 5 houses and the Queen probably wants the first dance with the main guest of honor. A cheerful voice broke Sakura out of her thoughts.
"May I have this dance, Sakura-chan? Can I call you 'Sakura-chan'?" Naruto said as he flashed her a cheeky smile and held out his hand. Sakura giggled and took his waiting hand,
"Of course and yes, you can call me that," Sakura smiled. The blond man hasn't changed, in both formal settings and outside, he was still the cheeky man she met when Hinata and she cured him of poison. It made her laugh inside, remembering him being enamored with Hinata. But of course, she will still be known as 'Suzu' to him. The dance began and she let Naruto take lead, as she had been taught in her dance lessons. She was still getting used to foreign traditions of Konoha, but she was enjoying it as she was immersing herself in its culture.
Thankfully, Sakura mastered the many ballroom dances taught to her when she studied to be a member of the royal houses, so she felt confident that she and Naruto looked flawless as they moved to the music. Some combination of Koto, Shamisen, and a flute played in the background by the servants. Sakura noticed as Naruto spinned her that many eyes were on her and Naruto. Some guests were sitting back, drinking Sake while conversing.
"It's funny how we meet again," Naruto spoke as they moved. Sakura raised a curious eyebrow,
"What do you mean?"
"I never imagined that the girl who saved my life, would later show up being the heiress of the new country. I don't blame you for keeping your identity a secret though, I have to do that sometimes too just to get out for a bit," Naruto said in an understanding tone. Sakura sympathized for Naruto, being a potential regent for Konoha's crown must be a rough life to carry.
"Well, now you know my secret," Sakura shrugged. Naruto instantly smiled,
"Hehe! Hey! Is Suzu around? I was hoping to meet her again!" Sakura frowned,
"No, sorry. She isn't with me," Sakura decided to stop it at that. There was no need for her to explain about Hinata to Naruto or to anyone in this palace. Naruto gave a defeated sigh,
"Oh well… When you see her again, tell her I said 'Hello' and that I'm hoping she could come visit Uzumaki one day!" Sakura giggled,
"I'll make sure to tell her."
The dance ended, and it was time to change partners. As soon as Naruto kissed Sakura's hand and left her side to move on to his next partner, three overeager lesser house noble men approached Sakura for the next dance. Sakura was about to panic before a tall, dark familiar man pushed through the three eager boys and approached her. The three boys look as they took offense as Uchiha Sasuke ignored them held out his hand to Sakura,
"May I have this next dance?"
She looked up at the Uchiha heir. Instead of the armor he wore when she first met him, he looked clean and shaven in his dark blue silk kimono. His obsidian black eyes were still very captivating, and like always, she had a hard time reading them. It was incredibly tempting, Sakura always found Sasuke attractive and at the same time, she really didn't feel like dealing with the three lesser noble boys. She gave him a devious smile as she placed her porcelain skinned hand into his larger rough hand.
Sasuke led her into the dance floor again and soon the music started. As they moved to the music, Sasuke spoke in a sarcastic tone,
"So Naoko," he emphasized, we meet again." Sakura couldn't help herself as she let out a soft laugh, but sasuke looked unamused and confused,
"Oh stop, I had my reasons to lie about my identity," Sakura said in a carefree tone. Sasuke couldn't understand this woman. How can she be so carefree as an important political figure in Konoha? Sasuke cleared his throat,
"You look much better in that furisode than in those rags you were wearing months ago." Sakura hid a blush as she turned away,
"Thank you, but I must say those simple cotton kimonos are quite comfortable," Sakura admitted frankly. Sasuke let out an unamused scoff,
"I am afraid I cannot say the same thing about that heavy armor I was wearing," Sakura flashed him a flirtatious smile,
"I actually liked that armor on you. You looked quite handsome a little scruffed up and dirty." Sasuke could help but enjoy her flirting with him. This was a good thing for Sasuke—winning the affection of the Haruno heiress. Only a fool wouldn't be drawn to such an intelligent, influential, and beautiful flower.
The music was beginning to end, and Sasuke knew it will be time soon to switch partners, he decided to be more direct,
"I'm sure you are aware of how wanted you are by each young eligible male in this ballroom…"
"Of course I am," Sakura nodded but looked away. Unbeknownst to her current dance partner, marriage was the last thing on her mind. She looked away from Sasuke for a moment and noticed a pair of silver eyes watching her. Getting a bit nervous, she turned her attention back to Sasuke. The music stopped and the two of them let go of each other. Sasuke reached for Sakura's hand and kissed it. Sakura felt her head feel a bit hot.
"Well, I hope you consider me as a potential candidate for marriage. Let's dance again sometime," with that, Sasuke walked away, leaving the usually calm and collected Sakura breathless.
Sakura knew the dances were to continue, but she was feeling thirsty. She headed over to one of the tables and poured herself a drink. She felt the cool wine touch her throat, hoping it would ease her nerves a bit. Sasuke always seems to shake her up, but she needed to keep her façade going for tonight. She turned to face an almost familiar face. She thought it was Sasuke, but when she looked closer, it wasn't. A taller, dark haired man with a ponytail approached her and gave her a smirk,
"You turned out lovelier than how the rumors described you. Are the women of Haruno as lovely as you? I would love to visit Haruno sometime."
Why were all Uchiha men so attractive? Sakura cursed. She was going to need more of this wine to make it through this night. She smiled back at the Uchiha,
"You are too kind, thank you. Are you related to Sasuke?"
"I am his older brother," the man responded as he held out his hand, "Pleased to meet you, Haruno-san, I am Uchiha Itachi." Sakura gave her hand and he kissed it,
"May I join you? I wanted a drink as well." Being bold again, Sakura ordered a servant to fetch her and Itachi two glasses and a fresh sake,
"Certainly."
The two sat down at the corner of a table pouring each other a drink as the party began to wind down. No one seemed to want to dance anymore, and now everyone was at a table conversing and drinking. The Queen had already disappeared—probably went to bed. Sakura ignored the world as she and Itachi talked,
"So tell me about your land," Sakura inquired.
"What do you want to know?" Itachi asked back. Sakura hiccupped but didn't tone down her curiousity,
"How is the house doing? What are your plans as an heir? What is your house known for? What is Sasuke like?"
Itachi chuckled, "Are you taken with by brother?" Sakura grabbed the bottle and poured Itachi another drink,
"I honestly don't know… I'm intrigued by him but I don't know him that well."
"He's a good brother and good man," Itachi nodded with pride. Sakura smiled as she took a sip from her own glass,
"That's good. In fact, he hinted at me to marry him," Sakura chuckled, "and depending on how good of a husband he'd make, I might take him up on that." Itachi poured the pink-haired woman another drink,
"You would make a great addition to the Uchiha Clan, but it's a shame you are taken with Sasuke and not me," he joked. Being a bit tipsy, Sakura playfully tapped his shoulder,
"Oh I'm still weighing my options! Don't give up yet! Although, marriage is not something that's on my mind right now!" She giggled. Itachi raised an eyebrow curiously,
"What is on your mind then?" Sakura's face turned a bit more serious,
"Can you tell me the darker details of each house? I want to be more aware of what's going on now that my clan is a part of this country." Itachi put down his glass and looked around to see if anyone was listening in on their conversation. He whispered to the pink-haired woman,
"The Uzumaki House has a sad story to it. The family was once linked to the royal house when Lord Minato became next in line for the throne. Lord Minato is Naruto's deceased father. When Lord Minato and Lady Kushina died, they left the house to Jiraiya. Jiraiya's title is 'Lord-Steward' as you probably have noticed. He is the godfather of Naruto and promised the old lord to take care of the estates until Naruto is of age to inherit it. He should be inheriting the estate sometime this year. It's also possible for Naruto to next in line for the throne," Itachi explained. Sakura was in awe,
"I think Naruto will make a wonderful king," Sakura said as she took a sip. Itachi nodded,
"I think so too, and I wouldn't mind serving under him."
"What about Nara?"
"That house was always been known for its intelligence and apathy. Nothing too much really occurs in the Nara house," Itachi simply stated.
"The House of Hyuuga?"
Itachi chuckled, "Our rival house. They are not known for pacifism, but their house has a sad story behind it too. The house is severely divided due to their old traditions. Their house is divided into the main sector and branch sector. Lady Hinata and Hanabi are the main sector heiresses, but Lady Hinata has been exiled for years now. It's an old story that almost everyone forgot."
Sakura clenched her teeth as she listened to Itachi speak of Hinata's name.
"And the unfortunate Neji is the branch sector heir, meaning he will inherit nothing but servitude towards the main sector," Itachi sighed. Sakura looked up at Itachi,
"As arrogant as he, he would have made a better leader than both those main sector heiresses combined," Itachi admitted. Sakura looked down at her drink. So maybe Hinata wasn't born to be a leader, but was it necessary for her own family to exile her? Sakura took another sip of her wine. Itachi continued, but noticed Sakura's discontent,
"As for the Uchiha Clan, we have a dark past too. As powerful of a house we are that can compare to the power of the Hyuuga House, we have our own sort of discontent." Sakura's curiosity felt really tickled,
"How so?"
"Well, to be honest, for the past recent years, father has been disappointed in me and Sasuke is more favored to inherit the house. I'm too stubborn for them to control I guess," Itachi smirked as he finished his drink. Sakura reached for the Sake bottle, but Itachi stopped her,
"I think I've drank enough tonight—You've also drank enough tonight," He said in a husky voice. Sakura nodded. Before the Uchiha got up to return to his quarters, he grabbed Sakura's hand and kissed it.
"What I said about the Uchiha house, keep it between us if you don't mind. However, if you really care about my brother, and I think you do… Ask him about the clan and be there for him later," Itachi said as his lips pressed her soft skin. Sakura didn't felt like pressing the matter, so she gave him a firm nod,
"I promise, Itachi-san."
"Good girl."
Sakura yawned softly as she left the ballroom and walked up the stairs to the wing where she was staying at. The alcohol was wearing off, thankfully so she won't be going to bed feeling a bit sick. She just wanted to slip into her covers with her aqua silk furisode, but knew that wasn't such a good idea for expensive attire. Her servants would give her hell for that. She reached the beginning of the wing where she and her family was staying.
She clenched her fist and grabbed the kunai she hid in her furisode. She spoke with warning in her voice,
"I don't like being followed, show yourselves!"
There was a moment of silence before two individuals showed up out of nowhere. The two of them were definitely trained as ninjas. Sakura turned to face a man with long dark hair and silver eyes who was accompanied by a woman with brown hair tied in two buns. Both of them were still in their formal attire and seemed to not look for a fight.
Confident her followers aren't following to kill, Sakura lowered her kunai, but didn't let go of it either. Sakura narrowed her eyes,
"Why are you two following me?"
"We know you are linked to Hyuuga Hinata, the missing heiress—my cousin," The man responded. Sakura kept her guard up,
"I am Hyuuga Neji of the branch house of Hyuuga, this is my partner Tenten. We need to find Hinata, can you help us?" Neji asked in an almost desperate tone. Sakura remembered what Hinata mentioned of Neji and said he was a good man, but Sakura still can't trust him or anyone about Hinata. Who knows what they want with her? Sakura gave the Hyuuga heir a poker but serious face,
"I suggest you look somewhere else…" Sakura turned away to continue to her quarters, when what Neji said next stopped her,
"She might be in danger."
Author's Note: I'm still alive!
