DISCLAIMERS:
I know, I know, I don't own Naruto or any of its characters, Kishimoto-dono does..
Author's notes, rambles and psychotic and delirious opinions and what nots at the end. For now I only have one comment. This is a very NejiSaku chapter. NYAHAHAHHA. The next chapter or the one after it would be a SasuSaku.
Thankies to those who reviewed:
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Something Wonderful
ACT 2
Emerald eyes fluttered awake as the movement of the coach came to a halt. She blinked rapidly trying to process where she was, when her eyes came to rest at a figure seated adjacent to her, eyes looking at her appreciatively.
'Oh my goodness! You idiot! You slept on his grace! Of all the rude…'
"Your grace, I'm terribly sorry for sleeping.."
"Do not bother apologizing, Sakura. You've kept me say, well entertained even though you've just slept."
His pearl orbs swept over her whole form, lingering on the low bodice of her pale green gown before settling on her face again. She felt her cheeks grow warm and undoubtedly, she must be blushing like a ripe tomato at the moment.
'PERVERTED, CONCEITED, SON OF A-"
She was at the verge of lashing out and only years of training under her grandmother, the governess, Lady Tsunade, kept her from baring out her annoyance and abhorrence for not only some man, but a duke no less!
"My lord, as much as I am honored to be in your favor, however, I think it would be very odd if you refer to me by my given name. I am merely a singer, my lord."
The only reply she got was a taunting smirk.
"A duke can do as he pleases…"
She could nearly feel her teeth click in annoyance but instead, she settled for her relatively tame internal musings.
'Pompous, arrogant, annoying, bas-..'
"We're here at the estate."
Before she could reply he was already out of the coach, standing at the doorway, arms stretched for hers to take. He was smirking at her, almost challenging her to refuse his offer.
"I can manage your grace.."
She pushed past him but her steady walk was stopped when she had set sight on his grace's residence. Huge trees in maroons and gold were planted on the path leading to the main entrance of the three floor mansion. Dry leaves fell to the ground as a cool breeze flew past, the fragrance of autumn flowers lingered on the air. Her gaze swept to the hills beyond the mansion, all in their autumn glory, looking like mountains of dark red cherries waiting to be plucked.
"It's a shame you've only seen the garden and fields during the fall. You'll see the flowers bloom by next spring. For now we better go inside."
She felt herself shiver, as the temperature took a few degrees so she found herself being guided by Neji towards the marble stairs leading to the doors of his home.
She found herself in his grace's study area. He excused himself for a while and she kept herself entertained by gazing at the vast expanse of articles in the area. Expensive taste, typical of a man of his status. A huge bookcase that spanned from the ceiling to the floor was located near his desk. Curiosity taking over, she stood up to browse the books as she waited for her host's arrival.
"I have a lot more books upstairs in the library. I'll show you some time, if you like."
Her hand dropped to her side as she turned around to face the speaker.
"Have a seat, Miss Haruno."
'Now he's being formal. Make up your mind Sakura! Do you want him to be familiar or formal or what?'
She gracefully made her way across the room, unaware of the burning gaze directed to her by the man before her. When she was seated in front of him, Neji cleared his throat.
"Even if I have not given you the details, do you remember what I have proposed to you at the night of Uzumaki's birthday?"
"You mean our first meeting? To quote you, your grace, unless you want to continue with your career I highly suggest you consider what I will propose ?"
"Your memory is not as bad, as I have first thought. Although, it was not the first time we've met."
"I beg you pardon? It was, my lord. I do not recall ever meeting you before."
A hint of a smirk tugged at his lips but soon disappeared behind his stoic façade.
"Perhaps we shall talk about that later. For now, we proceed with business. Listen carefully. Normally, in our society a woman, even from the middle class is usually discouraged from working."
He held up his hand when he saw she was about to speak. After seeing that she has calmed down, he continued speaking.
"Now for a woman of your status, usually, working in the line of arts is only a hobby, not a means of gaining money. Now, tell me, why would you want that?"
He stood up and moved to stand behind her seat, eyes never leaving her figure. Her eyes, reflected by glass panes behind his seat was showing confusion and alarm making Neji's amusement escalate another level. His pair of hands moved to the sides of the table, effectively trapping her. He moved his head closer to hers as he continued with his speech.
"I'll tell you why. Because you badly need it. So badly that you even left your home country to venture into Konoha, to live at your grandmother's who fortunately, unlike the rest of your mother's family treats you like a relative."
"I…..I…"
His voice became huskier as he spoke, his breath tickling the side of her face in almost innocent manner.
"Now listen carefully to what I will tell you.. I can give you back the fields, the vineyards, your estate at Kiri. I can make the rest of your family accept you, and treat you with respect. That is, if you agree to what I will tell you.."
"I can give you back everything. For a price.."
She swallowed the lump in her throat, emerald eyes avoiding his..
"An heir.."
She stood up abruptly nearly hitting Neji's chin in the process. Her cheeks were flushed and she looked at him in an almost demented manner, and the tables were turned, this time, the man was confused.
"You want me.. to..to.."
"You did not let me finish.. I want you to pretend that you will give me one. Pretend to be my beau. At least until the investors are convinced. You are an actress are you not?"
"But.. I.. They will never believe it! I mean, I may be a singer from the exclusive performance troupe of Eros et Thanatos but surely they will doubt that I have enough dowry or lineage in me to be a beau much less, a wife of a duke! Simply preposterous!
"A granddaughter of a powerful count is enough to warrant a relationship with the gentry, even a duke. Do not even try lying my dear, good as your acting may be, but I have the hard facts to support my claim."
Her face contorted from alarm, panic then back to calculating and calm.
"Let us say, they buy it, my lord. Even if we succeed, there is no way in heaven I could possibly buy the estate in time. It was already brought last week by some wealthy man. Surely I cannot convince him to part with what he has acquired, and only a staggering sum offered at the earliest possible date may sway his decision."
There was silence as the woman collected her thoughts.
"I'm afraid this sort of arrangement may not work well. Though I'm very much honored and grateful for the offer of assistance, your grace, I must decline. Good day.
She was halfway through the door when Neji's hand darted to effectively trap her wrist.
"Are you not even wondering who bought the estate?"
Immediately a look of horror was on her face, which she immediately contorted back to a calm façade.
"The person who bought the estate is…is… your grace?"
"Exactly."
Their eyes locked for what seemed an eternity before her sotto voice whispered unto the deafening silence of the room.
"Three days, my lord. Give me time to mull things over. Farewell."
His grip on her hand loosened and she retreated slowly from him, his face not betraying a single thought. Only when the door click as it closed did a small smirk tug at his lips as the thought of his plan springing into action.
'It's not like you have a choice cherry blossom..'
"Sakura dear, you do know that rehearsals are over."
She looked up from the script she was holding, giving a small smile to Tenten who was currently standing directly in front of her.
"Yes but, I still have to go over this song. I still need to practice the high notes."
"You can do that tomorrow dear. Is something bothering you? You will probably say no anyway. But Lee and I can stay here and wait for you to finish so we can drop you off at your apartment."
"Really Tenten, no need to worry like me. Aunt Tsunade and Shizune took over that role eons ago and it seems like they won't be letting go anytime soon. Go on. Besides, I know whose anniversary it is tonight.."
She gave Tenten a naughty look which made the brunette blush uncomfortably.
"All right then. Be home by sundown dear."
After a small buss on the cheek, she had left Sakura alone in the theatre.
'No use delaying the inevitable, Sakura.. His grace will want to hear our decision,"
'But it's so wrong.. so…so..'
'Exciting?'
'Yes! I mean no! I don't know.. What about Kiba?'
'Don't start, you know what happened last time we really thought about Kiba.. Heaps of tissue, snot, bloodshot eyes and bottles of wine remind you of anything?'
'Oh be quiet..'
'Point made.'
'POINT NOT TAKEN. That wasn't my fault.. Go away, I'm trying to practice!'
"Where was I anyway.. This song.. How appropriate.."
She sighed softly then her emerald eyes scanned over the booklet before fluttering shut. Her plump lips parted to take in a deep breath as she concentrated, completely blocking out her surroundings. Getting everything else out of her mind, she failed to notice the lone man standing beside the farthest chair near the huge mahogany doors that served as the entrance of the gargantuan theater.
Sing to me the song of the stars
Of your galaxy dancing and laughing and laughing again
When it feels like my dream is so far
Sing to me all the plans that you have for me over again
So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours I pray
To be only your I know now you're my only hope
She paused as the piano interlude of the song played in her mind. This was the hardest part of the song. So deep her concentration was that she failed to see the man who watched her silently, eyes dutifully watching each movement she took, eyes listening to each note she sang, to each breath she took.
I give you my destiny
I'm giving you all of me
I want your symphony
Singing in all that I am
At the top of my lungs
I'm giving it back
She opened her eyes and the observer was struck for the second time of how deep the shade of her eyes were, even highlighted by the bright lights shining on her face. A radiant smile, indication that she had sung the highest notes perfectly was gracing her lovely face. She closed her eyes once more, hands clasped in front of her chest.
So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours I pray
To be only yours I pray
To be only yours…
Her arms, moving to the tune of the enchanting song, reached out for something that seems to be held away from her grasp.
I know now you're my only hope…….
She opened her eyes once again and met directly with his grace's opaline orbs.
A moment of silence passed before she had collected her bearings through all this, the aristocrat was silently waiting for her to finish.
"I have made a decision your grace.."
He simply nodded at her and offered his arm.
"We cannot speak here, where there are prying ears. I have an office, only half an hour by coach from here. We can talk there."
She agreed to his suggestion and took his proffered arm.
'I hope I live to regret this..'
---------------------------------------------
The ride took less than thirty minutes and she found herself inside the duke's study at a building he owned not to far from the center of the city.
"Take a seat, Sakura."
"No thank you, I prefer to stand m'lord."
She took a deep breath and looked at him in the eye.
"I may agree to your proposal, however, there is one thing I'd like to know beforehand. What sort of benefit will you derive from this? And why me?"
Seeing that the deal is good as sealed, he let himself sit at the maroon velvet chair behind his desk, eyes obviously amused.
"You said you'd like to know one thing Sakura. You've asked two questions. But since you deserve to know, I'll answer. You are aware of the value an heir for a man from the gentry, especially an aristocrat. Not only does it ensure that the line of successors is protected, also the finances of the clan as well. Investors find it difficult to engage in business with aristocrats, especially of age past that of five and twenty that still haven't wed, much less have an offspring. Having you as a beau or fiancé will serve as their shall we say, collateral."
"I see. But his grace has only answered the first question."
"Patience my dear. As for your second question, there are a few answers. You have a reputation as an actress and will surely be able to pretend as my love interest without fault. Another is that you are well known, and your lineage, the granddaughter of a powerful count favors you as a choice as well. And most importantly, unlike most females in our society who are only concerned about their appearances and eligible bachelors, you don't appear to be the shallow type."
She bowed her head down as she felt her cheeks grow warm at the subtle compliment he gave her and temporarily erased her feelings of enmity towards the man due to his questionable behaviors during the past. The man was a notorious rake and every bit of a flirt hence requiring that all of her defenses be put up. However, like the first time they met, or so she had thought, it was requiring all her willpower to defy the irresistible man.-every single fiber of her being in fact.
"So do we have a deal, Sakura?"
She met his eyes once again and reached her hand to seal the deal.
"We do your grace."
He shook her smaller hand gently and kept on holding it as he spoke.
"Everything we do will be watched, so until the time that you step foot in your own bedroom shall we drop the pretences."
It was too strict for her taste but he spoke the truth. A man of his status would be watched by a hawk by the elite and a single mistake could end them up with utter humiliation. Something that she'd rather not experience again, not after Kiba.
"I understand your grace.."
"One more thing. Should I really get you with a child, fear not, you will be given the shelter of my name."
"You mean to say I'm obliged? But you said.."
"I meant what I said Sakura.."
He leaned closer to her, so near her that she could feel his slow breathing on her cheeks..
"There's only one rule on how our decorum would be as lovers my dear. I won't stop at anything. That is until you tell me to…."
She tilted her head up to meet his gaze which promptly dropped to her luscious lips. Without wasting another moment, he captured those inviting lips with his, sealing their deal with a soft kiss.
Author's notes:
Yay, way earlier than the deadline I set!Er.. Yes, a bit short for my usual chapters ne? Hehehe, well you see, this has been lying in my laptop since early march and my beloved beta editor was incredibly busy (coughtoolazycough) since we were both having our final examinations. Also, my laptop went haywire and decided that it will not boot properly.. So everything in the hard disk was erased!
And the following chapters will be limey as hell, well a bit, I think limey goodness is pretty much relative.. Oh yeah, the votes:
Hyuuga Neji-9
Uchiha Sasuke-3
Hatake Kakashi--1
Sabaku no Gaara-2
Polls aren't closed so if you somehow change your mind, let me know. Pretty much obvious who the majority of the readers want though.
Um yeah that reminds me, is the story a bit too slow? I deliberately (whatever chi..) made it this way because if it's rushed, the feelings of the characters would be tad confusing. Also, it won't be enjoyable to read as well.
The Talk has an epilogue if anyone's curious. It's just that the stupid virus masticated it and now it's like saved in a backup copy. I think in notepad but it ate it too. Now I'm starting from scratch. (Screw you Norton! So much for antivirus software)
And yeah.. SASUKE'S BACK! I was hyperventilating when I read the manga scanlation I downloaded last week(kudos to Narutofan!). I do hope Kishimoto will put an end to Sakura-chan's misery. Or maybe hook her up with Neji. Ehehe
In this fic, Sasuke will be really nicer to Sakura compared to the anime. He's got his reasons to you know..
I'm a bit surprised to see lots of NejiSaku fics in the fandom. Finally!
Oh and to those who offered to Beta-ed my stuff, thank you very much for offering. A very kind, loyal, hardworking, reliable (she typed this part folks..) person practically claimed the job anyway and she's not asking much. Just my notes probably. And an extra pen. Geez. So if the updates are delayed, you may kill her if you somehow by a highly unbelievable stroke of luck are unable to find me. NYAHAHA..
And yeah, a friend wanted to kidnap Neji and keep him somewhere dark and cozy after she read the draft of this chapter. So if he goes missing, blame her. (to quote her, "Neji! Come here you hunk of a man!".. Brr.. she's under medication. I hope.)
Again, you guys know the drill, spelling, grammar, or whatever it is that you wanna say, just drop me a line.
That's it, don't forget to drop a review okay?
Thanks for reading. Ciao!
Oh yeah, for fellow students, enjoy the summer break!
