"Snake-ram-monkey-boar-horse-tiger, snake-ram-monkey-boar-horse-tiger, snake-ram-monkey-boar-horse-tiger," Sasuke kept repeating the hand sign sequence over and over, "Snake-ram-monkey-boar-horse-tiger," each time trying to be just a little bit faster than the last. He was just recently taught the signs to his clan's signature Great Fireball Technique. He already had the sequenced memorized; he was just currently trying to improve his speed. Whenever Itachi would preform the jutsu, Sasuke couldn't even make out the hand signs. Sometimes all Sasuke would have to do is blink and he'd already miss the sequence.
He's only been taught the hand signs; he has yet to actually try to perform the jutsu. He knows the process though. All he has to do is draw chakra from his mouth into his chest, hold it there, and then immediately blow it out. It might first help him though if he knew how to draw his chakra. They have yet to teach him how to do so at the academy, actually they have yet to teach him many things he's itching to learn. He's only been in the academy for a few months and he's already extremely frustrated at the slow rate they're going. According to his report card for the first semester he's first in his class and his entire grade, but then again how could he not be? While many of the other students in his class had never even held a kunai until just recently, Sasuke's had plenty of practice with his brother and sometimes even his father's own personal ninja are willing to teach him a thing or two. That's why, he reached over to his left to pick up the envelope his sensei had given him right before he left with the instructions to give it to his parents, he couldn't wait to give this to his father. He was absolutely positive its contents were pertaining to him moving up in the academy. He could possibly graduate as early as Itachi!
He felt the carriage he was in slow down a bit before quickly lurching forward. He looked out the carriage window to see they were at the final stretch before reaching the palace. He tried insisting to his mother that he didn't need to be escorted to and from the academy everyday, but she wouldn't have it. Though guessed it wasn't so bad; after all he wasn't the only one from his class. The leaf village had two separate academies. There was one were all the regular ninja children attended, as in the sons and daughters of current or past shinobi. However, it was also open to any civilian children who met the admission requirements. Then there was the one he attended, it was strictly where all the Lord's and the wealthy head clansmen children attended. So it wasn't uncommon for many of the children there to also be accompanied by stagecoach to and from the academy.
The carriage slowed down once more and he heard the distinct sound of the palace gates opening up. Once through, the carriage looped around the fountain in the middle of the courtyard to stop right in front of the palace doors. As per usual, he undid the latch himself and kicked the door open, narrowly missing the servant who was about to open the door for him. He quickly bolted from the carriage with his satchel in tow and entered the palace in search of his father. In his haste he completely missed the other very familiar carriage in the courtyard.
He navigated through the familiar hallways. It was Tuesday afternoon, and Sasuke knows that his father typically spends his Tuesday afternoons in his study reviewing bills he has to decide whether or not to sign into law or not. He slowed down once he saw the doors leading into his father's study. To the right of the double doors was a desk and sitting down at the desk was one the royal clerks. The clerks are the ones set up his father's appointments, kept all the documents in order and performed many other tedious tasks. If there was one right outside the door then it was a sign that his father was inside for they typically have to follow his father wherever he goes.
Sasuke perked up once he saw the current clerk on duty, Ayumi. She was a really nice middle aged lady who he was rather fond of. At the moment she was furiously scribbling away on a scroll but she stopped once she saw him approach.
She immediately rose and bowed to him. "Good afternoon Your Royal Highness, did you just get back from the academy?" she questioned him.
"Yes, Is my father in?" he questioned in return.
"Why yes he is."
"I would like to request and audience with him."
"Let me check if he's available." With that she slowly opened the door and stepped inside quietly shutting it behind her.
He really hoped his father wasn't busy; if he is he'll probably turn down his request. Maybe he should have brought Itachi; his father never refuses an audience with him.
A few more moments passed and Ayumi still hadn't come out. He started pacing. It's taking much too long, his father probably said no. He doesn't have time for him like he does— he stopped when he heard the door open.
Ayumi's face was sullen. Sasuke didn't have to wait to hear his answer. He knew his father would reject him, he began to turn but then he saw her face break into a smile. "You may go in now Sasuke."
Sasuke quickly straightened his clothes and brushed off the dirt. With the letter tight in his left hand he proceeded into his father study.
Once inside, Sasuke looked around. He's only been in here a few times, each visit lasting no more than a few minutes. To both his left and right were floor to ceiling bookshelves filled will many different scrolls and books ranging from many different subjects and a few languages here and there. His father sat in his desk on the side opposite from the door facing him. He seemed to be reading something. Sasuke closed the door behind him and quietly approached. He anxiously waited for his father to acknowledge him all while clutching the letter in his hand just a bit tighter. A moment later his father finally put down the document and looked up to him.
"Good afternoon father." Sasuke spoke as he bowed.
"Good afternoon Sasuke, how's it been going at the academy?"
He faltered a moment before he replied. "The classes are going well. I'm still at the top of my grade. They can get kind of boring though cause I already know everything." He paused before holding out the envelope "I was actually instructed to give this to you."
His father motioned for him to bring it forward. He complied.
He anxiously watched as his father tore open the envelope, took out the letter inside and began to read it. Sasuke paid close attention to his father's face in hopes for some kind of reaction from him, but none came. Did the letter not contain what he expected? Had he made a mistake?
After what seemed like an eternity to Sasuke, his father finally put down the letter and looked up to him. His face was still as passive as ever but he stared long and hard at Sasuke. Feeling strongly dejected Sasuke began to shrink back at his gaze; suddenly wishing his mother was here so she could ease up the tension like she always does in these situations.
"Due to you being significantly more advanced than your classmates," his father started, "they're moving you up a grade in the academy."
Sasuke's head shot up. His father was still staring intensely at him. Was his father not happy about it? He thought for sure that this as what his father wanted, he thought he would finally receive his father's praise as Itachi does. Then what did he do wrong?
His father eventually broke his gaze. He picked up whatever he had been reading before Sasuke came in and started where he left off. Sasuke knew that meant he was dismissed. He felt the familiar sting behind his eyes. Not now, he wouldn't cry in front of his father. He turned ready to dash out the door. He took one step before he heard his fathers voice rang out.
"You're doing well. Keep this up and you're going to become a great shinobi."
Sasuke turned to look at his father but his father had already begun writing on a scroll. "Y-yes Father," he answered, with a quick bow, a smile forming on his lips. His Father was proud of him. He praised him! He said that he's going to be a great shinobi. He felt his fingers start trembling from excitement. He made his way towards the door, already thinking about heading out to the training fields. He needs to practice more so he can get even better and stronger.
"Oh, and Sasuke."
He paused to look at his father.
"Sakura's here."
Sasuke's eyes widen with surprise before he turned and ran out the door, missing his father's smirk and low chuckle.
.
.
.
All thoughts of training had left Sasuke. He ran through the hallways almost bumping into at least 3 servants and practically running over one of the priceless vases his mother keeps in the corridors for decoration purposes, but still he did not stop. He reached the hallway where his room was located, but that was not his destination. He ran past it and skidded to a stop in front of the door right next to his.
The first time Sakura came to visit, he had wanted her to stay in his room. I mean, his mother and father share a room so why couldn't he and Sakura? But his mother disagreed with him so he had to settle with her staying in the room adjacent to his every time she came.
He swung open the door, making it bang loudly against the wall and echo throughout the hallway, only to find the room empty. The room had remained untouched since the last time Sakura was here. A light layer of dust had begun to form on everything. If his mother knew that Sakura was coming then she would have had this room cleaned and washed, did his father lie to him?
The sound of a door opening brought him out of his reserve. He turned to see someone had opened the door to his room. From his position he couldn't see who it was as they were hidden behind the door. He was about to dismiss it as a servant probably cleaning his room but then from the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of pink.
Clad in a purple two-piece pajama set that looked entirely too big for her, the sleeves ran past her hands and the legs dragged on the floor, stood a three-year Sakura. Her hair was braided into two disheveled pigtails and she still looked about half asleep. He felt his heart clench and his ears turned red, Sasuke swore she's never looked cuter.
Sakura finally seemed to realize there was someone else in the hallway with her and turned in his direction. It only took a second before the sleepiness was wiped away from her face only to be replaced with the brightest smile; Sasuke took that as his queue. He sprinted towards her and before Sakura could even recognize what was going on Sasuke had pulled her into his room with him, slammed the door shut and had enveloped her into a tight hug. It's only been about 4 months since he last saw her, it was right before he entered the academy, and for Sasuke that was far too long.
Due to him being significantly taller, he had his arms completely encircled around her upper shoulders with her face pressed tightly against his chest. He lowered his face in order to press it against the crown of her head and caught a whiff of her signature scent. While he'd always thought most babies and toddlers smelled funny and kind of gross, Sakura was the exception. She smelled like a mixture of lavender and vanilla. As much as he wanted to hold her in his arms forever and never let go, he had to once Sakura stared to squirm. He reluctantly relinquished his tight hold on her, but didn't bother to step back, still keeping her within arm's length. Sakura was finally able to look up to his face.
"Sasuke-kun." She spoke.
Upon hearing his name from her lips he was filled with the sudden urge to hug her again but right as he was about to grasp her shoulders, he heard voices on the other side of his door shortly before someone turned the knob. He quickly took a few steps back. His mother and Mebuki walked into the room. He could tell by the look they gave each other that they knew they had just interrupted them. Sasuke had to resist the urge to pout.
"Sasuke," his mother scolded "don't tell me you woke Sakura up".
"She was already awake when I came mother." He replied.
His mother just rolled her eyes. While he will admit that he does have a tendency to wake her up from her naps, he didn't do so this time. Heck, he didn't even know she was in the castle, let alone taking a nap. Which brought up the topic, why were Sakura and her mother here in first place.
He turned towards Mebuki, who acknowledged him by bowing and saying a quiet 'Your Royal Highness.' He in response bowed in return.
"Lord Haruno was called away to attended some urgent business in Sand Country, and Mebuki has to attend some meetings here in the city. I trust you'll take good care of Sakura," His mother eyed him. To which Sasuke nodded. "Then we'll leave her in your care. I'll have some servants start cleaning her room immediately."
With that his mother and Mebuki left his room, not before Mebuki stopped and gave Sakura a quick kiss.
Once Sasuke made sure the door was shut and heard their footsteps echo down the hall, he turned once more to Sakura, he frowned however when he saw that her attention focused on something else. She was heading over to a chest he had tucked away in the corner of his room. He kept in there specifically for her. Inside was a various assortment of toys, including some of his old ones and some he's picked out especially for her. He hardly ever plays with any of them now, but he still likes to keep the chest in his room in order to entertain her. However, he was not too thrilled with it stealing her attention away from him.
He approached her as she proceeded to take out its contents.
"Ne…Sakura," She paused and looked to him. "Did you not miss me?" He pouted to her.
Upon seeing his expression Sakura nodded vigorously. "I missed you Sasuke-kun," she answered before resuming her task of emptying out the toy chest.
Sasuke sighed before plopping down on the floor next to her. It wasn't until a stray building block hit his shoe that an idea came to him. He started to gather up all the blocks.
"I'm going to build you a castle, okay?"
He took her delighted squeal as a yes and smirked when she stopped emptying out the chest and focused her attention primarily on him building her a castle, where it should be.
A/N: I'm sorry this is so late! But this was uber hard to write. For the longest I only had about 1,200 words down and personally unless it's a one-shot or a drabble fic, I hate it when I go to read an update on a story and it takes me all of 5 seconds to read. I know to some this is still pretty short, but I tried. Unfortunately classes have started for me again so I'm afraid it might be a bit longer for an update, but I'll do my best! As usual please let me know about any really awful grammar mistakes! Please R&R!
