"You're kidding, right?" Sakura asked in disbelief, blushing like crazy and sitting up, interested in what the Prince had to say.

"Yep," Sasuke replied, laughing to himself in amusement.

Sakura popped a vein and screamed, "Get out of here, you bastard!" She threw a vase at the closed door, shattering it into a thousand pieces. "You're not welcomed!"

"What's with the vases?" Sasuke asked.

"How am I supposed to know?!"

"THAT IS IT!" The Queen had finally lost her temper and marched towards Sakura's door. "Open this door at once, Princess Sakura!"

Sasuke gulped and stepped back. Uh-oh...

Sakura slowly opened the door and yelped when she was pulled out of her room and shoved next to Sasuke. "Ow!"

"You two- NOW!" Queen Mikoto flared, glaring at them. "As punishment, you'll have to sing a duet of THIS song!" She thrust the papers into their arms and placed her hands on her hips.

"YOU'RE JOKING!" the pair exclaimed.

"I am DEAD serious," Mikoto warned, "It's a 'mushy' song so it's the PERFECT punishment. So sing for your lives!"

Sakura and Sasuke looked at each other uncertainly. "But-" they started.

"NOW!" Mikoto growled and pulled a chair up. She sat down on it and waited for them. "SING!"

Sakura sighed. I don't wish to disappoint the Queen. She parted her lips and sang softly, "We were strangers starting out on a journey. Never dreaming what we'd have to go through..."

Sasuke looked at her as though she was some kind of alien. Well, maybe she already WAS to him, but...yeah. She's actually singing this?! Ugh! Fine! He scowled and looked away stubbornly.

"Now here we are!" Sakura continued, "And I'm suddenly standing, at the beginning with you."

"No one told me," Sasuke started out a bit quietly, "I was going to find you. Unexpected, what you did to my heart." He nearly choked and his eye twitched. Ewww! Ullckkk! He shook his head and hid his blush. "When I lost hope, you were there to remind me... This is the start."

Sakura finally smiled a bit, still blushing. Sasuke looked back at her, still scowling, face bright red. They opened their mouths and sang together in perfect harmony. "Life is a road and I wanna keep going. Love is a river, I wanna keep flowing. Life is a road. Now and forever, wonderful journey..."

"Are we done?" Sasuke interrupted the song rudely. I feel so awkward.

Mikoto looked at him sadly. It was too good to be true anyway. "Very well, my son," she said, "You two are excused." She stood up, put the chair away, and left. "Get along now, you two. Or I'll have you do a duet again."

Sasuke crumpled up the papers and jumped down from the rail. "Hupph!"

"Sasuke!" Skaura cried, but silenced herself when she saw him land on the floor without making even a giant thud of some dort. "Wow..."

Sasuke smirked and looked up at the awe-struck Princess. "Hey," he called.

"Huh?" Sakura blinked, looking at him with curiosity.

Sasuke jumped up again and landed on the rail, face mere inches from hers. He leaned forward.

"Ah!" Sakura gasped, "What are you-"

Sasuke placed his smooth, warm lips on her forehead and gave it a good kiss. "Mwah," he tuned and looked at her expectantly.

Sakura staggered back, her hands on her forehead and her face redder than a tomato. "Wha- What was THAT for?!" she shrieked.

"Your forehead was so wide and inviting," Sasuke explained with much glee, "I just HAD to kiss it. Just think of it as an apology kiss, okay?"

"Ugh! You've got some nerve, Sasuke!" She then got an idea and her eyes turned gentle and her lips curved into a seductive smile. She slowly walked over to him and purred, "On the other hand... I have a little present for you, too, my dear Prince."

"And what is that, SWEATHEART?" Sasuke asked sarcastically. He was caught off guard when she grabbed his collar and pulled him forward for a passionate kiss. His lips met hers and he felt like falling over on her. He gasped and mentally slapped himself for his stupidity. SHE'S TRAINED LIKE ME, DAMN IT! A ninja must see through deception! He felt the the ravishing pleasure of their kiss and closed his eyes, taking the feeling in.

Sakura smirked. Now's my chance! She broke the kiss short and pushed him off the rail. "Hmph!" she huffed, smiling triumphantly.

Sasuke fell down and landed on a large cushion. How ironic. He was still dazed and he looked up at the pink-haired girl groggily. "Eh-hey!" he snapped.

"Serves you right!" Sakura laughed and went inside her room. "Goodnight, DEAR," she sneered and slammed the door shut.

Sasuke mocked her and stood up, brushing the dust and debree off his clothes. "She's still a fiesty frog," he grumbled and went to the garden to get some fresh air. When he arrived, he saw his brother sleeping under the orchids and cosmos. He frowned and went over to him. "Brother..."

Itachi didn't stir, his eyes remained tightly shut and his expression emotionless and peaceful. "..."

Sasuke cleared his throat and took in a deep breath. "WAKE UP, YOU STUPID PIECE OF TRASH!!!!" he shouted at the top of his lungs.

Itachi's ears seemed to twitch in irritation and annoyance. His eyes slowly opened, revealing the glowing sharingan underneath. "Sasuke," he started off in a low voice, "Did you just show me...disrespect?"

Sasuke folded his arms and huffed, glaring at the older Uchiha. "Yeah, so what? I'm in a bad mood today!"

Itachi sat up calmly and his eyes wandered to his younger sibling. "Come here," he motioned with his finger. Sasuke neared him. "Closer." Sasuke kneeled down and leaned forward. "Good."

SHING! Sasuke's eyes widened in shock at what just happened. He felt something fluid-like spill from his chest and stain his clothes with a deep red shade- a shade of blood. "...!!" I'm...I'm bleeding! And it hurts! He clutched his wound and cried out in pain, collapsing onto the soft grass. He gritted his teeth and took in a sharp breath of air. "Damn it!" he cursed himself, sweat dripping from his head. "Ugghh!"

"Respect your elders," Itachi told him and stood up. "Or this will be your punishment."

"HOW DID YOU DO THAT?! Oww!"

"There's a whole other life of mine that you know nothing about."

"...???..."

"Never mind." Itachi picked up a cosmos and twirled it in his hand with his fingers playfully. "So, how was the ball?"

Sasuke took off his shirt and washed some of the wound's blood using the pond's clean water. "It was okay... Except that Naruto kinda got Sakura upset."

A glint appeared in Itachi's eye. "Did he now?" he asked with cruel interest. Note to self: Kill Mr. Huggles, the Panda. AND Naruto's secret-sharing best friend.

Sasuke hissed as the cut stung him briefly. "Yeah, but I had a part of it, too. We were bored with our partners so we decided to have a dance competition. You know, I can never know why-" He turned around and found that Itachi had disappeared. "Bastard." He fell face-flat as a piece of wood hit his head. He sat up and looked around angrily. "What the heck?! Who did that?!"

"I can still hear you," Itachi's voice sneered from afar.

Sasuke rolled his eyes and picked up his blood-stained shirt. When he noticed that the moon was up, he walked back inside. "It's late," he yawned, "Time to turn in for the night."

"Sasuke..." a soft voice whispered.

Sasuke stirred and looked to right, seeing a beautiful woman with pink hair that was tied to a neat bun. "Mnnn...Huh? Wha- Who are you?"

The woman simply smiled. "You don't know?"

It was dark, so Sasuke was unable to see her elegant face. "I can't see you, but...you look familiar." He stood up and walked over to her cautiously. When he heard her giggle softly, he reached out to her.

"WAKE UP!" the female suddenly shrieked and pushed him down.

Sasuke fell, descending into a cold ocean beneath his feet. "Nooooooo!" he cried as he hit the water...

"GAAAHHHKK!" Sasuke gasped as he jolted upright. He hit something with his forehead and laid back down, groaning in pain. "Ouch..."

"Owowowowowow!" Sakura squeaked as she placed a hand on the red mark on her forehead. She sniffed. "That hurt!"

Realizing that he was back in reality, Sasuke glared at Sakrura and shouted, "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"

"Trying to wake you up because I am leaving!" Sakura argued, glaring back at him.

"Then just leave!" Sasuke gave an "Urrrgghhh!" and pulled the covers over his head. "I don't care, Sakura! I don't like you, for pete's sake!"

"Fine!" Sakura huffed, "Then be that way!" She gave him a good kick on the leg and went back to her room. Insensitive jerk!

"Yow!" Sasuke held his throbbing leg. "Damn you, woman!"

In her room...

Sakura placed her dresses in her luggage bag and slammed it shut furiously. "I can't believe that guy!" she said angrily, "He doesn't even wonder why I'm leaving so early! Uggh! Well, I'm GLAD that I'm actually leaving! Hmph! Takeshi!"

Takeshi entered the room in a hurry. "Yes, Princess?" he panted.

"Take my luggage to the carriage please. And do hurry! I am in a rush." She walked past him and ran down the stairs.

Takeshi sighed. There's no changing her mind. He hoisted her heavy luggage and followed suit.

"Why me?" Kakashi asked himself sadly. "Princess, please! Reconsider this!"

Sakura opened the carriage door and stepped inside roughly. "NO!" she yelled, "I simply REFUSE to stay in that castle for another day! Sasuke's a pain and I'm sorry, but I just can't take the stress anymore!" She glared at him and shut the door, causing the horse to whinny in anxiety.

"Please!" Mikoto begged, running over to Kakashi, "I beg of you! Have the Princess stay! This arrangement MUST commence, Kakashi!"

"Move!" Sakura ordered the driver.

"Ohh..uh..y-yes ma'am!" The man whipped the reins and sped off in a hurry.

"Wait!" Takeshi called, "Princess, your luggage!"

Kakashi took the luggage in his hands and smiled at the faithful butler. "It's okay, Takeshi," he assured him, "I've got it." He turned and ran after the carriage. "Driver, stop this instant!"

"Don't stop!" Sakura backfired.

Kakashi sweatdropped. "No! I said STOP!"

"Don't stop!"

"Stop!"

Mikoto took out a hankerchief and wiped tears forming in her eyes. "Oh, Takeshi!" she sobbed, "I just couldn't change her mind!"

"There, there, my Queen," Takeshi comforted her, "It's not ALL your fault. Sasuke pushed Princess Sakura away and she finally had it."

"Oh!" Mikoto turned around and stormed back inside the castle.

"My word!" Takeshi ran after her. "Your Highness, forgive me! That came out all wrong! Your Highness!"

Itachi, who was sitting on top of one of the castle's towers's roofs, watched on grumpily as the young Princess made her way to the port with Kakashi following closely behind. "This is all your fault," he said and turned around, "NARUTO. I knew I couldn't count on you for anyhting. You're a worthless brat."

Naruto cried over his headless panda plushy. "Mr. Huggles..." he sniveled, "He's...d-d-d...DEAD!! Eeehhhhh..." He nuzzled its soft torsoe. "I miss you so much!" He took the head and tried to put them together. "Don't cry. You'll be all better soon!"

Itachi sweatdropped. "Like I said, worthless." He suddenly got an idea and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"MR. HUGGLES!!!"

Sasuke snored lightly under his sheets, deep in his slumber. He was so into his sleep that he didn't notice his brother pop up next to him. "Zzzzz..." he breathed noisily.

Itachi glared at him. "Insolent brat," he remarked and took out a kunai from his pouch. He held it tightly and sliced the sheets covering his brother's slim body in half. "Awaken, young Prince!"

Sasuke, obviously startled, sat up and smacked the weapon away. "Don't give me that 'Awaken, young Prince' crap!" he shouted, "What the hell are you doing?!! Trying to KILL me?!"

"Hmmm... Tempting, but not quite."

"Grrrrr..."

"Sasuke, the Princess has taken her leave. Aren't you going to say goodbye to her?" Itachi retreated his sharingan, at last revealing his natural onyx orbs that mirrored Sasuke's own.

"Pfft!" Sasuke laid back down. "What for? She's gonna come back next summer. Might as well enjoy the time that she's not here."

"Then you'll enjoy that time for many, many years...even DECADES to come."

Sasuke looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

Itachi sighed in aggravation at his younger brother's density in mentality. "What I am saying is- Sakura may never come back. This is probably the last time you'll ever see her."

"WHAT?!" Sasuke stared at Itachi, incredulous. He finally managed to laugh in dry amusement and said, "That's not possible. We're engaged to be married. She can't bail on me. If she does, she bails on the two kingdoms."

"She can call it off at her own will," Itachi rasped, "Keep that in mind, little brother."

"Listen you! I-" Sasuke stood up to show Itachi a piece of his mind but found that he had disappeared. "Stupid bastard," he muttered and walked over to his window, looking out into the sunrise. A cool breeze swept his face and caused his bangs to be swept back gracefully. From a distance, he was able to see Sakura's waiting ship sitting at the docks. He frowned. I don't like her. Why should I go see her off? I don't care if I never see her in my life ever again! Gritting his teeth, he shut his window and went back inside his room to dress. Maybe I'll just go see if she's fine...

At the docks...

Sakura stood in the middle of the pier, looking back at the large castle a few distances away. Her brows furrowed in nervousness. I guess he really doesn't care about me after all. She twirled around and found that only three heavy luggages remained. "It's almost time."

"Sakura!" Ino called from afar. She ran towards the Princess.

Sakura sent her a cold glare of rejection. "What do you want, Ino?" she asked rudely.

Ino stopped in her tracks and looked at her apologetically. "Listen," she said, "I'm sorry about what happened. I guess...I got so caught up in being with Prince Sasuke that I... I let it get in the way of our friendship." Her blue eyes shimmered as she lit a hopeful smile and held out her hand. "Forgive?"

Sakura kept her glare, but then smiled. "Forgive." They shook hands.

"Well, I'd better get back to the flower shop before my mom kills me for ditching the place." She giggled and ran off. "Bye, Sakura! Say hello to the others for me, okay?"

"Alright!" Sakura waved.

"Ahhhh..." Kakashi breathed. "Princess! We're ready for departure!"

Sakura was brought back to reality and her eyes saddened. He's not coming. Oh, well. I tried. She turned and headed for the ship. "I'm coming!"

"WAIIIITTT!"

Sakura gasped in surprise and turned around. Her eyes widened. Is that... "SASUKE?!" she cried.

Sasuke landed in front of her and placed a hand on his hip, his other free hand twirling a kunai. He looked at her lazily and asked, "Just where are you going?"

Sakura popped a vein. The NERVE of that guy! Just looking at him makes me sick! Trying to look cool and all! Pssh! I've seen dead-playing possoms that are much cooler than him! She faked a smile. "Back to my own kingdom, of course! Why would I stay in a place where I obviously DISLIKE someone, hmmm?"

"Cut the facade," Sasuke spat, "It's so stu-" his fingers slipped and the kunai flew out of his 'secure' hold. He watched on helplessly as it went straight for the Princess. (O.O") Woops.

"Eeeeek!" Sakura ducked, her long pink hair following behind. Unfortunately, unlike her, it wasn't so lucky. The sharp weapon cut through it easily, finally pinning itself, and the rest of her hair on the wooden pier's grounds. Sakura glanced back and saw her hair. "Aaaahhhhhh!" she screamed in terror.

"..." Sasuke turned around and began to walk away-

"NOT SO FAST!" Sakura grabbed his collar and brought him close to yell at him. "You big jerk! Trying to show off and look cool! And what happens? You cut my hair! My long, beautiful hair that I took so much time in tending and growing! Urrrgghh! I'll turn you inside out!" She threw a clawed hand at him, but was immediately pulled back by Kakashi.

Sasuke fell to the ground, sweatdropping. "It was just an accident!" he argued.

"Princess, it's time to go," Kakashi reminded her.

Sakura wriggled out of his grasp and glared at Sasuke one more time. "I'm glad I'm finally free of you, Sasuke! You're impossible to deal with!" She huffed and stormed into the ship.

"Wait, princess!" Kakashi went in after her.

Realizing what had just happened, Sasuke's stern expression replaced his baffled one. She just mouthed me off! He stood up and yelled, "Well, good ridance! I hated you from the start anyway!" He turned and disappeared in a blur of blue. I KNEW I shouldn't have come to see her off! That naggy, sorry excuse for a- foul word I'm not supposed to say!

From afar, Itachi had watched the whole thing from a post lamp. He cringed in disappointment. "That didn't work," he grumbled to himself.

Inside the ship...

Sakura sat on her bed uncomfortably. She reached behind her head and gasped a bit when she felt that her hair was only up to the base of her neck instead of her hip. She looked down at her feet. Was this the right choice? An image of Sasuke popped into her mind and it made her stomach flutter. She blushed and shook her head. "Of course it is!" she hissed. "I hate him! I'm SUPPOSED to hate him!"

Phew. This was a LONG chappy. Pls review!