Sasuke looked at Sakura silently. You're leaving?

The Queen opened her mouth, t to say something, but then closed it again. After a few moment's thought, the dark-haired woman gave a sincere sigh and finally spoke. "I do not think that is a good idea, Sakura. But since you are her daughter, you mother deserves to hear from you."

Sakura bowed and headed towards the door. But she stopped in her tracks momentarily and mumbled, "I don't think she considers me as her daughter anymore..." The pink-haired girl opened the door and left the room.

Mikoto turned to Sasuke and walked over to him. "Sasuke..." She touched his shoulder and received a sharp rejection made lucid by an instant jerk away from her touch. It seemed as though the Queen's fingers now held poison.

"I remembered I had something to do," Sasuke elucidated and left without another word.

Sakura folded her clothes while holding back tears furiously. Flashbacks of Sasuke's kiss repeated its appearances within her mind. "That jerk!" she sobbed quietly, "Why did he have to go and do that?!" She threw one of her garments onto the bed and fell on her knees, unable to stand any longer. "Why..."

A knock came to the door and it opened. The person took a few steps in and then stopped.

Sakura wiped away some of her tears and turned to the visitor. Realizing who it was, she quickly stood up and cleared her throat. "I-I...umm..."

"Just...be quiet." Sasuke closed the door and sat down on an armchair. "I have something I feel I need to tell you."

Sakura shook her head and resumed packing. "Sasuke, I really don't have time for your idiotic excuses. I have to leave this place as soon as possi-" She felt something strong grip her wrist and pull her down. With a yelp, the young girl helplessly fell into the arms of her guilty company. "Wha-what are you doing now?!"

"You have to listen to me, Sakura! This is important!"

"...do I WANT to hear it?"

Sasuke shrugged. "I don't know."

"Then screw you I don't have to put up with you any longer." Sakura retreated her wrist and stood up sharply.

Sasuke let out a frustrated groan and stood up was well. "Can't you just hear me out?"

"No!"

"Why not?!"

"Because I don't want to!"

"Why you..."

"What you gonna do about it? HUH?"

"You little... URRGGH! Sometimes I don't even know why I- ...Never mind."

Sakura looked at the young Uchiha curiously. "Why you what?" she asked, her voice in a hushed tone.

Sasuke turned away. "Nothing."

"What were you going to say?"

Losing his patience, Sasuke turned to Sakura once again and yelled, "Are you deaf woman?! I said NEVER MIND and NOTHING! What of those words do you not understand?!"

Sakura glared at him. That IS IT! "You jerk!" she screamed, "I'm just asking you nicely to finish your lame old sentence and then you yell at me! What's you deal?!"

"Oh, so now you're calling something I never said lame? That is so shallow."

"Shallow? Me? Ha! You're the one who insults people just by looking at them! You're as shallow as...as... a sink full of dish water!"

"Excuse me?"

"I just can't stand you!"

"The feeling's mutual there!"

The pair glared at each other one last time and then turned opposite directions with a huff. After a moment's silence, the male was the first to stir. "I... What I meant to say..." Sakura turned around slightly, curiosity in her eyes.

A loud knock on the door silenced Sasuke. "Maid!" a guard demanded, "Your time is up! Hurry out this instance or we will have to dismiss you by force!"

Sighing, Sakura resumed in packing the last of her things. "Understood."

Sasuke turned to the pink-haired servant and frowned. "You're really leaving aren't you?" He chuckled lightly. "I thought you were just joking."

Sakura closed her bag and hung it around her shoulder. "Sasuke, at times like this, joking is no longer within my vocabulary. I have to go now... Live well and prosper. I wish you well." Having said that, she averted his gaze and rushed out the door without looking back. It'll only hurt more if I were to see his reaction...

Sasuke watched her hurried walking in disbelief. "Am I really this helpless now?" he asked in a hushed tone.

At the gates, Queen Mikoto waited for Sakura to bid her farewell. When Sakura came along, she gave the former Princess a small, but genuine embrace. She then whispered, "To tell the truth, Sakura, it is YOU that I've always wanted as a daughter-in-law."

Sakura gasped, crying silently. Smiling, she whispered back, "My Queen, you have not the slightest idea just how much happiness your words have brought me... Thank you." When the dark-haired woman pulled away, she ran out the gates, wiping her eyes.

Queen Mitsukai sat on her throne patiently, watching the large doors before her. "Any moment now..."

The doors opened and Sakura entered quietly. My mother... She was waiting? Quickly remembering her manners, she bowed down. "Your Majesty."

The sadistic Queen smirked mentally. "Hath thou learned her reproofs?"

Sakura caught on to her mother's 'game' quickly and replied, "Aye, my Queen. Thou shalt not be disgruntled in what I offer with meek hands and dry lips."

Careful to not let a smile escape her cold lips, the Queen nodded in approval. "I see you still remember your lessons, Sakura. I am not at all disappointed...at the moment."

"..."

"I may perhaps CONSIDER taking you back as my daughter. Are you satisfied?"

"Only if you wish it."

"A wise reply. Hmm... Very well. I shall redeem you. From this day forth, you will be remembered and known as the Princess. However, displease me again, I will not be so merciful." Queen Mitsukai ran her slender fingers through her silver locks. ""I will have you beheaded or hanged."

Sakura bit her lip, her chest throbbing. My own mother...wants me dead... Is my life truly worth living?

"You are dismissed."

Sakura rose and left the throne room, shaking. No, I don't think it is. She stopped in her tracks. "Mother... I am afraid that I must pass upon your decision. I wish to stay a maid...if that is alright."

"Is that your final decision?"

"...y-yes."

'Very well. You will stay a maid. Now begone. Get out of my sight."

"I-I..." Sakura shook her head and left.

When Queen Mitsukai was sure that she was alone, she let out a small smile and caressed her own cheeks. "At least she is safe," she mumbled to herself, "Any signs of affections may spoil her." She then brought her hand to her heart. "That I fear."

That night, Sasuke arrived at the Cherry Tree Kingdom. As he neared the palace, he pulled his hood higher to conceal his identity. You're coming back Sakura, like it or not.

"Hey, you!" a palace guard shouted, "What are you doing here? Peasants are left in the village!" Seeing that the dark visitor was not stopping, the guard raised his sword. "I order you to stop!"

The figure came to a slow stop and spoke in a deep, quiet tone, "And I order you to put down your weapon."

"And just who are you to order ME?"

"It is I, the Prince." Sasuke pulled down his hood and shot the man a glare. "Now do as I say or I will see to your punishment personally."

The guard lost his valor and dropped to his knees with the sword thrown aside. "Please forgive me, Sire. I had no idea..."

"Save your pitiful excuses," Sasuke spat. "If you are truly ashamed, show me to the throne room. I must see the Queen."

"Y-yes, of course!" The guard kept his sword and rose quickly. "This way, great Prince."

The guard lured Sasuke through the gates and courtyard and then opened the giant doors. When he saw a glimpse of the Queen inside, he said, "Your Majesty, Prince Sasuke."

Queen Mitsukai turned to the doors and watched as the Prince walked in. "Prince Sasuke, what a surprise. What is your business in my Kingdom?"

Sasuke walked up to the Queen barbarically and bluntly replied, "I came to see your daughter."

"So vague. Hm. Shame that she refuses to be a Princess."

"What?"

"I offered to rename her, but she reasoned that she prefers being a maid. What am I to do then but respect her wishes? Her, oh so strange, wishes..."

"So then... Am I unable to see her?"

"I'm afraid so."

Sasuke sighed and paced around. "..."

The Queen, for once in others' eyes, lit a faint smile. "However, there is still a way."

Sasuke looked up at her. "There is?"

"I am hosting a ball tomorrow night.Perhaps there, you could tell a certain maid what your heart desires..." Queen Mitsukai smirked upon seeing Sasuke's dark eyes thin. "I wish to invite you."

Sasuke regained composure and cleared his throat. "Ahem, but I have nothing but this to wear."

"Do not worry. I will take care of your apparels. Now go. The maids will show you to your room."

Two brunette maids with sparkling blue eyes pranced to Sasuke and giggled. "This way, good Prince."

Sasuke followed the young women upstairs while swimming in his deep thoughts. The ball, huh?

I finally updated! Sorry I took so long everyone...

Well I hope you all enjoyed this chappie. Spell check helped a lot. Plz review! Thanks!