Disclaimer: We all know who these people really belong to.

..4..

It's all so typical.

A knight in shining armor…

A prince in a distant castle…

A handsome god loved by all…

…

Except for the brooding flower

That never expected to fall.

………

Sakura loved the breeze whipping through her hair. The thought of running far away and not ever going back to that dreadful school was exhilarating. However, she knew better than to steal someone else's horse while doing it. Sakura was a tad on the wild side, but she wasn't a criminal. Maybe she could defend herself for taking the horse if she tried… nah, it wouldn't work. With a small sigh, she turned the horse back around and began trotting back the way she had came.

Sasuke paced back and forth, eyeing Tsunade and his dumb servants. Kiba pretended not to notice by talking softly to Akamaru, his pup. Naruto was busy chatting with the girls. They fluttered around him like bees to honey. As long as a man paid them attention, Sasuke supposed that they'd be satisfied.

Che, annoying girls.

He noticed however, with mild amusement, that the redhead still kept her eyes on him. Sasuke smirked. This girl aimed for royalty, eh?

His thoughts were interrupted when faint footsteps were heard approaching the door of the small dojo. His eyes flitted towards the shoji door just as it opened to reveal a pink haired, green eyed girl. He soon remembered his encounter with her a little while ago, outside. She was the one that stole his horse…?

Dark orbs looked her up and down. She was dressed in rags, hair was mussled, and it looked like forever since she's taken a proper bath. Despite those unappealing facts, her eyes shone with an intensity that spiked Sasuke's interest. This small dojo sure held some fiery girls.

His trancelike state was broken when she spoke.

"Why are you still here?" The room hushed immediately. Sasuke glanced around to see the shocked faces of the girls, Tsunade's narrowed eyes, and Naruto and Kiba's wide-eyed looks. It was then that he realized that the girl's question was actually directed to him. A mix of amusement and annoyance crossed his handsome features as he regarded the dirty girl in front of him.

"Is that how you usually talk to someone of higher status?" His low voice was soft but commanding. He was a prince, after all. A flash of embarrassment flushed over the girl's features. What she said next made the annoyance and amusement grow in Sasuke.

Sakura glanced at the imposing figure of the prince. The look he was giving her was anything but happy. Then again, she bet her whole life's saving, (which wasn't much), that the man had never cracked a smile. The glare that she was getting certainly didn't change that thought. Oh boy. Her big mouth was really going to get it one day.

She gulped. Now how was she going to break the news…

Shaking her head slightly, Sakura looked at the prince dead in the eye. Here goes nothing.

"Sir, I must inform you with my deepest regards… that your horse has ran away." Sakura shut her eyes briefly before looking into incredulous faces and one that looked more menacing by the second. Great going, Sakura. She mentally berated. Get the prince mad within the first day you meet him.

She was an animal lover. Sakura knew that the beautiful steed would have wanted to roam free, unburdened by the huge ego that usually occupied its saddle. Could anyone blame her for giving the animal freedom?

It was a last minute decision to let the horse go. Right before Sakura was about to lead him back into his stall inside the stable, she hesitated. It took only one look into those gorgeous coal eyes before she let go of the reigns and allowed the stallion to gallop out of sight.

She wasn't sorry at all to have done it.

However, in front of all these people, an apology was needed.

"I'm sorry." She repeated again, just to see if it would spark a different reaction. Anything was better than the death glare she was receiving. It lifted her hopes when she saw a small quirk of the lips that looked like they'd form a smirk before her wish was crushed when a particular annoying voice rang out.

"You dare to steal Prince Sasuke's horse for a joyride and then lose it?!" Sakura wasn't surprised to see Tayuya pointing accusingly towards her. All of her formalities flew out the window. She never backed down from a brawl with Tayuya. Never.

"Oh, shut up, burnt head. I got to sit where Sasuke had been. And you've been…ogling at him? I think I did far better, don't you think?" Sakura knew that the only way to really rattle the girl's nerves was to mention up Sasuke. A triumphant smirk was plastered on her face when she saw the fuming tomato head looking about ready to explode.

Sakura didn't realize that she totally ditched the honorific title for a certain somebody.

"…What did you call me?" Green eyes glanced back at the indifferent prince. There was a slight arch of the eyebrow that got her to believe that he was surprised. She was almost sure of it.

"Your name is Sasuke, correct?" Her brisk voice caused the eyebrow to arch a bit further. It wasn't much, but it moved nonetheless. Sakura held her breath to prepare herself for the reprimanding that she was sure she'd get.

Sasuke didn't know if the girl was stupid, clever, or bipolar. First, she acts like he's nothing at all. Then, she acknowledges his authority as a prince and speaks like an educated woman. A little later, she starts arguing with the redhead, and now she was back to witty comments towards him? With all of that aside, she had lost his horse!

The prince honestly did not know how to give her a punishment. There were plenty of reasons she had given him for him to issue an arrest or give a disciplinary action. Then again, Sasuke had a nagging feeling that it wouldn't be such a good idea to put this insane girl in jail. And for god's sake, how was he going to go back to the castle without his horse?

Allowing himself a little eyeroll, Sasuke's rubbed his temples. This girl was a complete headache.

He turned towards Tsunade who now just looked weary. She was probably used to these outbursts from her student.

"Are there rooms for my servants and I to sleep for tonight?" Sasuke realized that he had totally ignored the pink haired girl. Sakura, was it not?

Tsunade gave a bow to acknowledge him before shushing the squealing girls that were obviously pleased to hear that the prince would be staying the night.

"I'm afraid we only have the girls' rooms to offer. There is only one extra room, but I'm not sure you and your servants would sleep comfortably in there, sir."

Sasuke looked at Kiba and Naruto. Two amused faces stared back. They would no doubt taunt him about the little incident that just occurred between him and Sakura. If that happened, Sasuke was sure he wouldn't get any sleep.

He knew that the girls would also love to share a room with him, but he would rather have one to himself. A wicked idea came to him that caused his eyes to gleam with a hidden mirth.

"I shall choose a room to use. Please escort the girl to another suitable sleeping environment." It was a command. Tsunade had no choice but to obey.

"Whose room would you like to use tonight?"

Sakura knew her big mouth was going to give her a lot of trouble, but she didn't expect this. It was the second time that day that she got pointed at. She was definitely biting the third finger that came her way.

"Move out. I'll be using your room tonight to sleep." Sakura sputtered as she looked at the haughty prince in front of her.

"You can't do that! Where would I sleep then?!" An arrogant smirk came her way.

"Sleep in the stables. You lost my horse, and you must keep his sleeping spot warm for when he comes back."

"He's not coming back!" Sakura screeched. What kind of horse in its right mind would come back to this type of owner?

The smirk got bigger, she swore.

"Oh? Then I suppose you should keep it warm every night then. Until he comes back, you are not permitted to sleep inside your room."

...

The prince was going to join Tayuya in Sakura's hit list. For sure.

r&r