Disclaimer: I'm afraid it's never going to be mine.

..3..

Honestly

They're idiots.

Truthfully

So am I

-

Honestly

They're more interested in royalty

Truthfully

I'm more interested in earthworms

-

Honestly

They can waste their time flirting.

Truthfully

I would rather spend my time with a horse.

………

Sakura stared distastefully at the ground as she walked briskly past the dojo that held the squealing girls and arrogant male. The prince's men had probably left for a bite to eat. Not that she could blame them, Sakura was feeling a bit hungry at the moment as well. However, since she was taught to be 'prim and proper,' her meals would have been eaten at the same time as the other girls or at the same time as a guest. It was a sign of respect, she supposed. Her growling stomach didn't appreciate it at all. Especially since the people inside the dojo seemed very reluctant to end their fawning and smirking to grab lunch. Another reason why Sakura hated nobles. She couldn't even eat with one there.

Instead of heading towards the dojo, Sakura slipped to the back. She had no intentions of going back to her room since she's always hiding in there anyways. The high-pitched whining of the horses caught her attention. A small grin bloomed on her face as the young girl sneaked over to the stables.

The stables were not far from the dojo. In actuality, they were mere yards away from each other. Sakura knew that this place was not rich. The school was only built to entertain the wealthy, but the citizens here had no money to renovate this shabby area. Of course, why would the royalty care about the peasants' welfare? Sakura gave a humorless chuckle. All noblemen cared about were themselves. Even if they visit, they still don't find enough goodness in their heart to donate to the poor yet striving town.

Sakura's eyes were caught on the gleaming white coat of the mare she had seen a moment ago, being crushed underneath Sasuke Uchiha. The horse's eyes were a shiny coal color, and they glued themselves on Sakura. Every step that she took, it took notice of. Sakura couldn't help but become aware of the large contrast between the "fairytale-like" mare and the torn-down, dirty, and filthy stable. It demonstrated clearly how far apart her world was with the egoistic male inside the dojo. Even the horse could clearly tell that it was going under mistreatment from just standing underneath something that cost less than its saddle. A knowing look dawned on Sakura's face as she stepped right in front of the curious yet ruffled horse. It was annoyed, she could tell. Annoyed at how different this temporary resting spot was from what it was used to. Sakura couldn't blame the horse. How could it know of the world out here when it's only been trapped in those self-absorbed walls of the castle?

Her hand gently stroked the mane of the mare. It whined softly, seemingly content that someone was finally giving him some attention. Sakura smiled. At least she could make someone happy, even if that 'someone' wasn't really a human being. Without taking note of what she was doing, Sakura opened the stall door and slowly led the majestic steed out. He obeyed her request almost immediately, probably thankful to get out of that dusty, old shelter.

"You wanna go for a ride, bud?" Sakura cooed towards the horse. Her mind no longer registered the fact that she would be in very big trouble if she were caught riding the prince's horse. She disregarded all of the consequences she would have to face when she got back. All that was occupying her thoughts was the idea of riding carefreely on this beautiful horse where no one could tell her which way to go. Of course, she would take the horse back and return it to the prince again, but that would only be when she's finished her joyride.

The horse seemed to understand her as it quietly trotted in place as if to signal Sakura to hurry up and get on its saddle. Without wasting any time, Sakura pushed herself up on top of the horse, momentarily awed by the height she was now at and aware of the heat radiating off of the excited horse who was probably waiting for another run.

"Ok, show me what you got. Let's charge forward full speed." Her voice seemed to have been uttered in a way so that the horse knew exactly what she wanted. The steed gave a loud whiny before it reared upon its hind legs (in which Sakura clutched on to the mane for dear life) and sprinted off into the small clearing up ahead.

Sakura whipped her head back to see the rotted dojo and stable fade out of sight. Once they were completely gone, she turned her attention towards the direction she was currently headed to. The wind howled as if to cheer her on with her little escapade. Her pink hair was flying naturally in the wind. The sheer speed that she was traveling at amazed Sakura and thrilled her to no end. She mentally smirked. Ha! While those idiotic girls stay inside to play hosts to a spoiled prince, I can actually experience the freedom that he always had!

These happy thoughts were uninterrupted as Sakura rode the gleaming, happy to be taken for a spin, horse farther away from its owner.

.........

Sasuke Uchiha knew he was quite the catch. He was a prince, after all. A smart, strong, and rather good-looking one at that. He knew all of this very well, and that was why he wasn't surprised when the girls practically gushed at him in awe. They were all tending to his sides, not that he didn't mind, but he was beginning to feel a bit uncomfortable. The prince liked his privacy, but with the swooning females like this, he was finding even breathing a bit difficult.

One girl caught his eye in particular. A bold looking, red headed girl met his gaze unwaveringly. Her smile was small yet it revealed that this one was unlike the rest. The way she carried herself gave off an air of superiority, and her clothing even topped the others. After gazing up and down her body appreciatively, Sasuke concluded that she would not be a bad choice to bring back to the castle for some of his enjoyment.

Don't get him wrong though. Sasuke never went too far with the women he's taken back to his grounds. A little flirting, kissing, etc. was all he required of them before he sent the wailing ladies back to their original homes with their crushed hearts and hopes. That is to say, Sasuke Uchiha, the most desirable bachelor in his family's land was still a virgin. It wasn't necessarily a fact that he was either proud or ashamed of. Fooling around with girls like that had never been included in his plans. To him, it was a waste of time and effort, and it made ditching the girl a heck of a lot harder… or so he was told. Nonetheless, Sasuke had no intentions of going too far with the red-headed girl, but he may like to acquire her company for just a little while back home in his cold, dreary castle.

Sasuke was so glad that he took this trip out. The castle walls seemed to be suffocating him. The guards stood at every entryway and crossroads of hallways, and they never missed their cue to either greet or question his destination whenever he walked past. The youngest prince did not like to be babied nor taken care of at every turn. He desired his freedom so when his mother had suggested a little ride out of his castle's grounds, Sasuke had jumped at the idea. He could get away from the intimidating and harsh dealings of the royal life and his elder brother at the same time. Itachi was a typical annoying brother. He just so happened to be richer, more handsome, and supported far more ego than any other man, that was all. That being said, Sasuke felt that a decent amount of time away from Itachi would be good for his soul, and his ever raging migraines.

The prince shifted his eyes from the cheery fangirls to the particular redhead that had caught his attention. Her determined eyes shone with a glow that Sasuke admired. This one has got claws. He smirked.

She was definitely a keeper. Just for a little while, at least.

Sasuke thought that his entertainment for the day had concluded. His eyes roamed around the room in search of Kiba and Naruto. Now where did those two knuckleheads go to?

His answer was soon received when a loud bark was heard from outside. The cooing girls were startled, and for that one moment, Sasuke was glad of the peace. That is… until the two knuckleheads burst inside the door, ramming it straight down. Ignoring the string of curses that Tsunade had sworn, (he was pretty sure that wasn't under proper etiquette), Sasuke glared at his two servants. There was no such thing as peace for a prince.

Naruto returned his gaze with a loud outburst.

"THERE'S A THIEF!"

This was followed by a tirade of screaming girls. God knows if they just did it for the sake of grabbing attention or if they were actually frightened. With one glance, Sasuke concluded that it was the former statement. Clearing his throat slightly, he questioned the two men looking bashfully towards him.

"What did you lose?" This was to Naruto. The reply was a shake of the head. A bit intrigued, Sasuke asked Kiba as well. It was known that Naruto made everything a mess. It would be no surprise if he had lost something. However, when he was also answered by a shaking of the head by Kiba, the prince narrowed his eyes.

"…Does this mean that something of mine was lost?" It was barely a question. Everyone in the room acknowledged that it was a threat. If the two servants dared say that something precious of Sasuke's was stolen, they might as well go jump off a cliff at that moment. The tension was tangible, but Naruto had never minded what Sasuke said. The prince had kept him around for a while now. They didn't have a close friendship persay, but it was close enough for him to realize that he was never going to get dumped by the prince, as weird as that sounded. Naruto's mouth never failed him. Well…not always, at least.

"Someone took your horse!" The blunt statement made Sasuke bristle. His horse was gone? He was sure there were jewels and such inside the pouches in the saddle, but the thief had to take the whole animal with him as well?

"Naruto, go f…" His statement wasn't finished when someone cut him off. Apparently, the redhead had enough guts to stop an Uchiha. The prince's interest spiked higher.

"That's weird…" The girl said innocently, although her eyes glinted strangely which made Sasuke second guess the reason for her outburst.

"Tsunade…, I didn't see Sakura around this whole time either."

Sakura? Sasuke's eyebrows arched slightly. Ah, another girl was involved? Well, well, well. Maybe the entertainment wasn't over yet.

I've been on a reading craze lately. If any readers have any suggestions for fanfics, please tell me! Kakasaku, Itasaku, Sasusaku. Those three couples please.
The more I read, the more inspiration I get, the faster the updates! ;)

alayneni: you're a psychic.

r&r