Chapter One: Trigger

I brushed my wild hair over and over again. I was in a complete panic! I had requested that my father wake me up early so that I could prepare for the banquet in my honor with an adequate amount of time. Unfortunately, it was around one o'clock, and the court lady, Hinata, had just waked me up.

"Princess Sakura, you hair is already so beautiful. There's no need for you to continuously brush it like that…" Hinata nervously inquired.

I sniffled at Hinata, "Hinata you don't understand! Your hair is naturally so straight; you don't understand the troubles of having unruly hair!" I pouted as I continued to brush it out. I didn't like many things about my appearance, like my forehead, but I absolutely loathed my hair. My father constantly reassured me that my hair was beautiful and unique to me, but my hair was "unique" in a bad way! My hair was bright pink, but none of my family members had hair quite like mine. I was envious of Hinata—her hair was long, dark, and straight. She was practically the perfect woman.

"I suppose your right," Hinata finally spoke up after a moment of silence, like she was contemplating what to say. "I do not understand what it is like to have hair like yours, but… I think your hair is very beautiful, Princess Sakura."

I stared at Hinata's smiling face, and I ran over to her and embraced her tightly, "Oh, Hinata, I love you so much!"

"I love you too, Princess," Hinata giggled.

I pulled away from our embrace, "Hey, hey, why don't you help me pick out an outfit for the banquet? I want to look absolutely stunning, and you're just the court lady for the job!"

Hinata stared at me in awe, "You would allow me to help you, Princess? That would be such an honor!"

Hinata and I dug through my closet for hours, trying on different dresses, shoes, accessories, and everything else under the sun. Hinata and I decided on a red off-the-shoulder gown, an extravagant headpiece, and black flats that were easy to walk in (and were hidden by my dress).

Hinata took a step back, and a light blush spread across her cheeks, "Princess, you look so elegant! Your dress goes wonderfully with your hair."

I grinned at Hinata's words, "You really think so, Hinata?"

Hinata nodded, "Luckily we're finished, your banquet is going to start in about an hour…are you nervous, Princess?"

I felt my legs shaking lightly, "Oh, not at all, Hinata! I've been waiting for this day since…since I was a child!"

"Princess…" Hinata placed her hand gently on my bare shoulder. "I can see that you're shaking…"

"Shaking with excitement!" I corrected her. I was nervous, but I didn't want to admit it. Hinata started to chuckle, and I snorted, too.

"Sakura?" a muffled voice called through my door. I opened the door, and it revealed my father. He gasped at my appearance, "Sakura, you…you look so grown-up! It's unbelievable. It feels like just yesterday you—"

"Okay, father! Enough with the sentiments, I'm 16 now, I'm not a baby anymore, I'm a grown woman!"

My father tenderly smiled at me, "That's right, my dear. I suppose I should treat you like an adult now—"

"That's right!"

"—and find an appropriate suitor for you."

"Wait, what?!" I was completely blown away by my father. "Father, I have told you time and time again that I'm in love!"

"With that Sasuke boy? Ah, yes. I do recall you talking a great deal about him. He is a great man."

"Isn't he, Father?"

"However, I am afraid that you cannot marry that man."

"W-what? Why not, Father?"

"I must take into consideration the future of my country when I give up the throne, and pass it down to your husband. I must find a man that I can trust with the Kingdom of Konoha, someone who is a great leader, someone with similar ideas as me—"

"What about how I feel, Father? Has how I felt ever crossed your mind?! I understand that you want Konoha to be in good hands when you step down, but don't you want me to be in good hands, too? Shouldn't you care about my happiness on top of the happiness of the country? Sasuke would be a great king, so why can't I marry him?!" I felt so angry at my father. I couldn't believe he would deny me of my happiness.

Father was silent for a while, his eyes were closed. It was like he was absorbing my words carefully, until he finally spoke, "Sakura… that is something I cannot answer you yet. However, once you become the queen of this country, you will understand."

I furrowed my eyebrows, and I felt tears beginning to well in my eyes. I ran out of the room, and through the hallways of the castle, until I ran right into someone. I wiped the tears from my eyes, "Forgive me; I was not watching where I was going…"

"It's quite alright, Princess," a familiar voice spoke, and a familiar hand patted my head.

I gasped, and jumped back in surprised, "Sasuke, it's you! Have you come for the banquet?"

"Unfortunately not, I have some… business at the castle," Sasuke averted his eyes from mine.

"Oh, I see… will we celebrate my birthday another time then?"

"Sure thing," Sasuke smiled at me, but his smile seemed… empty. "Farewell, Princess."

"O-oh, until next time, Sasuke…" I watched as he disappeared around the hall. I felt my stomach drop as I reminisced in Father's words. I was so angry at him, but I was also heartbroken. I wanted to scream and cry, but I was an adult now. Such actions would not be appropriate for a refined woman.

"P-princess Sakura!" Hinata cried as she ran down the hall. "How are you feeling, Princess?"

"I'm fine, Hinata. I—" I felt my lip quiver, and I tried so desperately to not weep. I felt Hinata bind her arms around me. I felt the steady stream of tears fall down my cheeks as I sobbed quietly into Hinata's neck.

I was completely miserable throughout the rest of the day, even throughout my banquet. I was satisfied with the food, the gifts, and the company, but I was still upset at Father. I rested my head on my pillow, and tried to fall asleep, but I could not quiet my restless mind. I wanted to convey my feelings to my father, and more than anything else, I wanted to apologize to him. I wanted to apologize for getting angry and acting so immaturely. I sat up in my bed. Should I disturb his slumber? I shook my head. No, this is something I must do now! I adjusted my nightgown, and silently approached my door. I slowly opened my door, and stopped whenever it would creak a little. I peered around my door…it was odd. There were no guards. Perhaps they were still at the banquet getting drunk? I crept through the dark hallways; the full moon illuminated my path. I approached my father's room, but the guards weren't posted there either. I went to grab the doorknob, but his door was already partially opened. I felt my heart thumping loudly. I was anxious and afraid, what if something had happened to Father?! I pushed the door opened a little more so that I could see into Father's room. I scanned the room, and saw my father. His back was to me… I think he was looking out the window, but I wasn't too sure. Father's room was very dim, but it was now or never.

"Oh, Father, you're awake. I… um, well… what I wanted to say was that," I rubbed the back of my head. I was so nervous, and the words were caught it my throat. "I wanted to say that I was sorry. I acted foolishly earlier. You did not deserve such harsh words… I understand what you were trying to say, but I… I also would like you to take my feelings into consideration as well! If I cannot marry the one whom I love, then I would at least like to meet the suitors you chose, and then I will decide which one I like best."

"Are you done with your monologue now?" a strange voice questioned. I was quite perplexed by the question, was I hearing things?

"Father?" I touched his back, and it was warm and… wet? I examined my hand; it was stained with a red liquid. I didn't want to believe it, and I laughed awkwardly, "Oh, Father, how did you get wine all over your back?"

"That isn't wine, Princess," a different voice answered back. I inspected my father's body. I felt my stomach drop, and a scream was trapped in my chest. A noose was wrapped around my father's neck that kept him "standing," and there was a dagger in his chest. I put my hand over my mouth as I began to gag. My legs gave out on me as I wept.

"King Kizashi?!" Sasuke busted through the door like a madman. We made eye contact, and his face scrunched up in a twisted scowl. "I was too late…"

"Sasuke," I choked out the words between sobs. "What's going on?"

"It's the Akatsuki… a group of rebels who desire anarchy in this country. Fortunately, you're still alive, so the monarchy will continue."

"Nobody said the Princess was going to leave alive," a pair of strong hair snatched me up. I desperately tried to wiggle out of his arms, but he held onto me tightly.

Sasuke unsheathed his sword, and pointed it at the man, "Where is Itachi? I know he is here."

"He left a moment ago to take care of the rest of the guards," the man cackled. "Even if he was here, you will never be able to overpower your brother. Itachi would kill you without hesitation."

I was shaking with such fear, and I didn't want to die like this, "S-sasuke, please save me…"

"Quit your nonsense, that man can't save you," the man began to crush me. "Besides, you're coming with us." The man swung my body over his shoulder, and turned over to the window.

"Hault!" Sasuke ran towards my captor.

The man turned his head to Sasuke, and Sasuke stopped dead in his tracks, "Unless you want to die a dog's death, I would wait to confront the Akatsuki until you're at least strong," the man snickered at Sasuke's pathetic face as he jumped out of the window.

"W-what's going to happen to me…?" I quietly whimpered.

"Fortunately for you," the man sighed in frustration. "The Boss wants you alive."

A.N. - Hello, it's Setsuna... again, and I'm back from a long and unannounced hiatus! (Yay...) I'm actually pretty excited to write this story, and I'll try to make the next chapter longer. I just wanted to upload this story ASAP! I hope you all enjoy this story... I was thinking of adding a little romance~ What do you think? Please review and tell me what you think of my story so far!