Naruto held his aching head, tears streaming down his face. "Mmm..." he sobbed, "It hurts..."
"So tell me already!" Sakura flustered, "Who is that man?! He looks exactly like Sasuke! It's just so strange." She frowned and turned to Sasuke. "Are you related to him or something?"
"..." Sasuke continued to stare at the man, baffled.
"Still too stunned I see," Sakura sighed.
The man made the first move and walked over to the Princess. He then took her hand gently and placed a soft and loving kiss on it. "May I have you name, Princess?" he asked quietly, hiding his eyes with his bangs.
Sasuke nearly screamed- boyish screamed. "..!!" WHAT IN THE WORLD?!! HE JUST KISSED HER HAND! Hey, all Princes do that and all, but still... The way he kissed her hand...it was... He scowled. Pfft. Why am I supposed to care? She IS my fiancee after all. No threat detected. Wait- huh??
Sakura blushed and made a small curtsy. "I am Princess Sakura," she replied shyly, "Of the Cherry Blossom Kingdom." She smiled nevously. "M-may I ask what your name is...umm...sir?"
The man let out a small smile and stood up. "I am Itachi Uchiha," he replied, "PRINCE Itachi. Though, I don't wish to be called that. I am the brother of little Sasuke here."
"Grrrr..." Sasuke grumbled at the mention of 'little'.
"His brother, huh?" Sakura retreated her hand and placed both on her hips. "You are NOTHING like him. Sasuke's imature, rude, and a complete egotistic jerk."
"How do you know my character is not similar to that of Sasuke's?" Itachi folded his arms, his thin, dry lips not moving an inch from their neutral post. She's an interesting one.
"I don't really know..." Sakura looked at Sasuke and then her feet. "But I just do! Uh...somehow."
"She's crazy I tell ya!" Naruto yelled, "CRAZY!!"
"Keep out of this, fool," Itachi snapped.
Naruto shut his mouth, gulping. He's scarier than Sasuke when he gets mad...
"What are you doing back here?" Sasuke asked rudely, glaring at his older brother. "Haven't you caused enough problems for this family? We don't want you back!"
Sakura gasped, surprised at Sasuke's tone. Sasuke...
"Little brother," Itachi spoke in a deeper and quieter tone, "You really shouldn't use a rebellious tone among your elders." He swept his bangs aside. "It's quite disturbing upon our emotions."
"SHUT UP!" Sasuke shouted. "You're a fake! You don't love this family or this kingdom, Itachi! So just get lost and live your own life! Leave us alone! We're happier this way!"
Silence.
A smile crept on Itachi's lips at last and he took Sakura's hand once again. "Very well," he answered his troubled sibling calmly, "But first, I shall entertain this lovely young woman. Show her just what gentlemen WE are." He pushed Sasuke aside and led the Princess back into the castle.
Sakura looked back at Sasuke, sadness and worry in her eyes. "Wait-" she tried, "I can't- I-"
"Just go," Sasuke managed to utter out, barely above a whisper.
Sakura was hesitant, but nodded nevertheless. "Very well." She smiled at Itachi and allowed him to take her back into the castle.
"Sasuke," Naruto asked, "You okay, man?"
Sasuke bowed his head, his eyes shadowed by his long raven bangs. He took his leave at 15, took my place within the family and became the favorite, failed to protect Father's life two years ago at the dead of winter, and now... He bit his lip. He's trying to take away Sakura. I'm not going to let him do any more damage in my life! He gritted his teeth and followed the two, ignoring the blonde.
"..." Naruto blinked and waved his arms furiously. "HEY!!" he shouted, "I'M STILL HERE, YOU KNOW! DON'T IGNORE ME LIKE THAT!! HEY!"
"What would you like to do, Princess?" Itachi asked as he seated the young girl gently in the dining room. He sat across from her. "Have some tea? Eat some cake?"
"Are you really this nice?" Sakura asked, a tad bit rudely.
"Why do you question my generosity?" Itachi chuckled and snapped his fingers. In an instant, a maid ran up to him, ready for his requests. "Get me two slices of cheesecake. And two cups of tea as well."
"Yes, my Prince," the brunette woman bowed and rushed off.
"Hmm..." Sakura hummed and sighed. "No, really. Are you this nice? Because Sasuke just said that you were a pain in the neck. That you caused trouble for everyone."
Itachi averted her gaze for a second and then looked at her again. "My little brother envies me so. I AM a prodigy, so to speak. He, on the other hand and compared to me, is noting but a speck of dirt in this castle." He noticed Sakura's tension and assured her, "Not to be so cold with my words. But it is the truth."
"Y-yeah... I guess."
Sasuke, who was hiding behind one of the huge pillars, scowled and stepped out into view. "So you think I'm a failure, too, Sakura?" he asked, his voice full of hate and betrayal.
"Sasuke!" Sakura gasped, turning around to face him.
"Isn't it impolite to eavesdrop, little brother?" Itachi asked sarcastically. "You should've been taught better."
"Shut up, Itachi!" Sasuke spat and went over to Sakura. "I hate you so much," he said out of random, hoping to change the atmoshpere.
It worked. Sakura popped a vein and replied, "And you think I don't, stupid?!" Forgetting Itachi was there, she stood up and smacked Sasuke on the head. "You're a REAL jerk, you know that?! Itachi's a really nice guy! How could you have said those things about your own brother back there?!"
Sasuke rubbed his head and made a face. "He's not worth fighting over!"
Itachi pretended to be hurt and said, "I am offended, if you haven't noticed."
Apparently, the pair didn't. Now they were in the 'Yo Momma'-like stage. "Your face is so flat that the maids can fry eggs over it!" He poked the wide space between her brows and ran his hand through his hair. "In a hot summer day that is...which is now."
"Grrr..." Sakura growled.
"Uhh..." Itachi grunted, trying to catch their eyes.
"Well!" Sakura continued, "Your hair's so spiky that a porcupine would take you as one of their own! A younger porcupine would probably take you as his grandmother or something."
"Hello.." Itachi's melotone voice drifted in the empty air.
"Oh yea? Well, your forehead's so wide that I could just kis- y-yeaawww.." Sasuke pulled himself back and turned away, his face bright red. Ohhh, crap!
Sakura paused. "W-what did you say?!"
Itachi's sharingan flashed and he approached Sakura, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Princess," he stated, "I have much to show you. Will you please come with me?"
Sasuke put his foot down and walked up to Itachi. "What's with you?" he asked.
"Excuse me?"
Sakura stepped aside and snuck away. Sneak, sneak, sneak, SNEAK DAMN IT, NOT SQUEAK!!
"You're awlays trying to pull Sakura away!" Sasuke reasoned angrily.
"I'm simply being polite," Itachi answered with a sigh, "A Prince must always entertain his Princess. It's the law of every kingdom."
"Just so you know, Sakura and I are engaged to be married. Not that it's anything to be proud of. She's quite repulsive."
"Then why was it that you wanted to kiss her forhead?" Itachi pointed out with a sly smile.
Sasuke stared at his brother, dumbfounded. "Whee-what?! Pssh! Where'd you get THAT idea?"
"You were about to say it during your argument with Sakura."
"Was not."
"Was too. Don't lie."
"WAS NOT."
"Liar."
"Uggh!" Sasuke did 'something inappropriate' and made a hasty leave. That oughtta show him!
Itachi stared at Sasuke in shock. "Did he just- Oh, no he didn't."
This chappy sounded wierd to me, but oh well... lol PLS REVIEW!! thnx!