Chapter 3 Life in the Cell

Sakura continued to watch Hyuga Neji from the tree as he continued to train himself. She looked at his beautiful cold white eyes and his long silky hair. If only he was mine, she thought. She started to day dream about what would happen if he was hers when suddenly, her day dream had gotten interrupted by her father's voice.

"Sakura!" The king cried, "What are you doing on a filthy tree?" He asked. The king looked a bit angry. Sakura quickly tried to think of an excuse but before she could say a word, her father started again. "Oh well, I don't have time for your excuses. No more dilly dally. Do you not remember what today is?" He asked. Sakura thought for a while then shook her head. She had gotten so caught up with day dreaming about the Hyuga she forgotten everything for a while. Her father sighed again. Then he replied, "Today is when the Uchiha kingdom comes to visit. Do you not remember. You are betrothed to the Prince Sasuke." Sakura stuttered. When on earth was she betrothed to that… that... idiot brat!

"What!" She cried, "When did that ever happen!?"

"I'm guessing I forgot to tell you then huh?" The king replied. Sakura was nodding furiously. The king sighed again.

"Well, the Uchiha Family has made an agreement with me." He started. He stared at Sakura for an expression but had known.

"Well, they said that you and their son, Sasuke Uchiha, are to be engaged. If not, the kingdom will fall." He said with a whisper, Sakura gasped. She couldn't believe it. She was being FORCED to marry! Steam lines started to rise out of her head. She couldn't believe it! Her father just made an arrangement without asking her! Just like that! Before she could say a word, her father started again.

"So that means, you must get ready now! They will arrive in 30 minutes! You got a lot to do young lady. Take a bath, shower that hair, get in a nice clean dress so get to it!" He then clapped his hands and shouted,

"Onyx!" Onyx, the butler for the king approached.

"Yes your highness?" He asked within a deep bow. The king cleared his throat before saying,

"I want you to get 10 of the maids at Sakura's room."

"Which one of the 10?" He asked. The king growled.

"You know what I mean. I need you to get Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Pearl, Crystal, Jade, Opal, Amethyst, and Topaz. Got it?" Onyx nodded as he quickly walked out of the garden in search for the maidens.

"Now," the king said, "Get to your room and start dressing!" Sakura hung her head in shame as she started to slowly walk up the stairs to her tower with the maids rushing after her.

Mean while...

Neji Hyuga was still training while all that happened, ignoring what was going on. He was still doing one armed pull ups on the wall. After his 500th pull up, he dropped to the floor. Exhausted, he knelt down on to the floor to rest. Moments later, he fell asleep. Neji soon awoke to the sound of unpleasant laughter. He opened his silver white eyes to see 5 of the castle guards standing in front of him kicking. He growled but the men just laughed even harder.

"Ooo look!" One of them shouted, "The little baby is awake! Let's take him to the castle Shon!" He spoke rather harshly to the man next to him. Neji saw he was going to get in bog trouble. Why not just knock them out? He sped toward them but after his hard workout that morning, he was still rather tired. The men caught him easily.

"What should we do with him, Rubert?" Shon said.

"Let's call the king! Arkman! Run to the king and ask him what we will do with him!" Rubert answered while snickering and pointing to the other man. Every waited until he came back. Neji tried to free himself but failed. Their grip was too hard.

Moments later, the man called Arkman came back with a note clutched in his hand. He handed the note to Shon and Rubert as they read through it. Neji tried to peek but again, failed. The note read this:

My faithful castle guards,

I want you to take him to the dungeon and feed him nothing he will probably eat until he weakens and starves. Then, on that day, we will execute him and make ourselves even more famous for killing the man everyone hates! Mwahahahhah! Ok anyway, make sure no but you goes near him too much. I shall pay all of you handsomely for this.

The King himself,

Lord Haruno

The knights snickered at the thought. Then, without saying anything else, they dragged him to the dungeons.

Back in Sakura's Room

"Lady Haruno, Lady Haruno! I just heard the most wonderful news!" Diamond, one of the maids cried as all 10 maids rushed to the room. Sakura stopped combing her hair and asked,

"What is it?" The maids panted from running then cried out,

"We just got a new prisoner!" Sakura stiffened. No, it can't be him, right?

"Who is it my dear good lady, Diamond?" She asked. All the maids giggled then cried out,

"Why, it's Neji Hyuga himself!!" Sakura dropped the brush she was holding. How was this GOOD news? Well, actually it was good news to everyone else BUT her.

"I must see him instantly!" She snapped. The maids looked confused. Why would the princess want to see some poor worthless boy? Sakura started to run out of the room but the guard caught her and dragged her back. They locked the door so she wouldn't get out then. Sakura looked very cross. Diamond and Topaz stripped her clothes off to get ready for her bath. Once they placed her in, all 10 maids got to work. Diamond and Topaz were cleaning her. Ruby and Sapphire were arguing over which dress to put on her.

"No, no! We should put the beautiful green one! It matches her eyes!" Ruby said.

"No! The pink one for her hair!" Sapphire cried.

After them were Emerald and Pearl working on Sakura's nails. Crystal and Jade were deciding the hair while Opal and Amethyst were deciding the extras like jewelry and stuff.

After Diamond and Topaz dried her off, Ruby and Sapphire put her in a green dress with a pink scarf and gloves. Emerald and Pearl put red nail polish on her fingers while Crystal and Jade decided to do the classic bun. Opal and Amy were putting makeup on her face. After that was finished, they put green earring on her with pink high heels. Now, Sakura looked like a true princess. She heard as the Uchiha family came in and her father called her name. Sighing, Sakura slowly descended the stairs. It was time to face her fears. Now, or never be happy again. It was time to meet that brat…