Unmei: I have FINALLY found a place to download, er I mean, uh… get my subtitled episodes of Goong. The first place where I watched them was YouTube so it wasn't like I was downloading them, just watching them on the internet. But then the person took them down and only the unsubtitled ones were left. Therefore I had to uhh, do some less than legal things. But, if you are some government person in disguise, don't worry. I'm not selling them for profit or anything. They're just for my personal enjoyment, so don't take me to jail. Okay, um, anyways, disclaimer time.
Disclaimer: Downloading shouldn't be illegal… but I know why it is. Ah, damn you government. You make life so hard. Oh, and I don't own Naruto or Goong, but it would be awesome if I did.
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Chapter 3: Raison d'être
Princess Hours
Unmei no Hana
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(Hi no Kuni Palace)
It was typical for the male members of the royal household to train with some type of an ancient weapon. And thus, Sasuke was training with a kunai when an advisor by the name of Kakashi came to speak with him.
"The queen is willing to let you have your way and lessen the number of guards that accompany at school. However, she is unable to grant your other request, for if the guards were to be stationed outside of the school gates, it will be inconvenient for them." Sasuke didn't even turn around to acknowledge Kakashi as he was speaking. Instead, he reached into his pocket, took out a kunai and threw it at a target, hitting it dead in the center. Hesitantly, Kakashi inquired, "You are unwilling to accept this engagement and therefore are doing this? It this proves to be true, the days following the marriage will prove to be difficult. Please think twice about this." After he threw another kunai, Sasuke replied.
"Mother has no other requests?"
"The queen is busy enough regarding the engagement and is very worried that the new princess will not be easily accepted by the elders and other royalties."
"Do you think that way as well?"
"I… do not dare to make any comment." Kakashi told him respectfully, bowing his head faintly. Sasuke, slightly irritated at his comment, decided to ask another question.
"Don't you think this is funny? This is the 21st century, and there are still such things as arranged marriages. However, it's okay. I am getting bored, and although she may not be up to standards, I believe she will bring something refreshing to the palace's stuffy atmosphere." He smirked slightly and threw yet another kunai at a target.
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(Konoha High school)
The school was full of chatter and laughter as usual. Sakura, Ino and Tenten were playfully wrestling with one another slightly in the main hall. Sakura pulled out of Tenten's grip and accidentally stumbled into Fuyuno Mika who happened to be passing by. Immediately Sakura turned around to apologize profusely to the person who she had run into. As soon as she turned around and caught a glimpse of Mika, the large, but apologetic, smile that was plastered onto her face melted away.
'That's…the girl who the Prince proposed to….'
For several seconds, the two girls stared at one another—Mika indifferently, Sakura uncomfortably. Sakura bowed down to look at the ground as Mika turned away coldly, brushing off invisible particles from her shoulder. Looking up at Mika once again, Sakura opened her mouth to say something, but when Mika turned around again, she quickly shut her mouth. With a face of what almost seemed to be regret, Mika turned around and walked away.
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(Building B, Dance Room)
Mika walked into the dance room as another group of ballerinas were practicing. She made her way inside a connected room, where personal lockers were located, and opened hers up. As she began to change into her practice clothes, she overheard a group of girls in the corner of the dance room gossiping.
"This is top news I tell you. Everyone at the palace is so tense due to the upcoming marriage of the Crown Prince." Mika paused in the process of hanging her jacket up, listening to them.
"Really? Who did you hear that from?"
"From my dad—he works at the palace as a guard."
"My gosh. Then it has to be true."
"Of course it's true. And there's even more to it." The girl paused, looking around to see if anyone was listening to her, and lowered her voice to a whisper. "He said that the princess-to-be is someone from our school!" At this comment, a surprised look crossed over Mika's face.
"Who is it? Do you know?"
"Unfortunately, I don't know that."
"Oh my god… someone from our school? Who could it be? Me?" The two girls giggled a bit at that comment.
"Okay forget it. We should get back to practice." Mika smiled to herself, slightly amused, and made a note to search for Sasuke after her practice was finished.
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(Building C, Practice Rooms)
Students majoring in music oftentimes went to the practice halls where rooms were located in which they could practice. However not only them, but also other students who had interests in music or played an instrument as a hobby or for personal enjoyment, visited the practice rooms. It was there, in a practice room, where Mika found Sasuke after school, practicing the piano. She knocked on the door before letting herself in and sitting on a bench. Sasuke ceased playing the piano, however he did not turn around to acknowledge her. Mika, used to his cold behavior, began to talk.
"What kind of rumors are these? Are they talking about me?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about. You should know that I don't bother to pay attention to gossip."
"Well, then I shall inform you. It's all over the school, by the way. They say that the princess-to-be is someone from our school. Didn't we promise to keep our relationship a secret until we entered college? And I thought I told you we were too young to get married." Sasuke looked up, a smirk present upon his face.
"Do not worry. It's not you they're talking about." At this comment, a look of extreme shock crossed Mika's face.
"What?" Sasuke, however did not pay attention to her question, and instead went on to say,
"I just got to know as well. But it's not you." Mika was at a loss for words.
"Who…who is it?" Once again, Sasuke did not answer her question.
"Oftentimes, royalties and those surrounded by royalties, find themselves in situations where nothing makes sense. This situation happens to be one of them. Situations like passing by a room and hearing her future husband proposing to another girl." A slightly confused look replaced the look of astonishment once present on Mika's face. However, another look, one of revelation, crossed Mika's face as she said,
"So it's…" Sasuke merely nodded his head.
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(Haruno household)
Night had enveloped Hi no Kuni and the chorus of bugs could be heard. However, Sakura was oblivious to all of this as she absentmindedly arranged a bouquet of flowers in a vase. Her family huddled around the doorway, pretending to be cleaning, but instead watching and listening, observing her every move. Suddenly, Sakura raised up her arms, hands clenched, with a face of determination.
"Okay! Since I'm going to get married someday, might as well get married now." In the background, her family jumped up and down, clapping hands together, rejoicing at her words. Soon afterwards, Sakura lowered her hands, shaking her head.
"No, I can't do that. I'm still young. And I have a future to contemplate over." Her family instantly sobered up, sighing in frustration over her words. But then, the determined look once again crossed Sakura's face.
"But… this is a chance of a lifetime. Might as well grab hold of it." Atsumi, Keito, and Shouta once again rejoiced, giving each other a hug and pumping their fists into the air. Their joy was instantly dampened once Sakura, yet again, shook her head, and lightly pounded on it, as if trying to knock some sense into her brain.
"No, no, no, no… get a hold of yourself. Do not lose your senses. Be logical." Sighs echoed through the hallway.
"To marry?" Rejoicing.
"Or not to marry?" Lamenting. Suspiciously, Sakura whipped behind and stared at her family accusingly. They, immediately, pretended to clean, wiping the floor, dusting shelves, etc. Atsumi turned to her daughter a short while afterwards.
"Princess Sakura. Have you finished preparing what you're going to say to the Queen tomorrow during your visit to the palace?" Sakura spun around again, her voice slightly outraged.
"Are you crazy? Why do I have to see her?" Her father, Keito, interjected, saying,
"But we already have an appointment with her." Defiantly, Sakura walked to her room, saying as she went,
"I don't care. I never made an appointment. It has nothing to do with me."
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Sakura sat in her room, reading an old tattered book and taking notes diligently. Shouta quietly crept down a flight of stairs that led from the attic where he slept into Sakura's room. He then sat on Sakura's bed, saying,
"The third most respected woman in Hi no Kuni, why are you reading that old dusty book?" Sakura sat her pencil down in frustration and let out a sigh.
"What on earth are you talking about? Third most respected woman? As if."
"You sure are stupid for someone wanting to become a medic. Surely you know that the most respected woman is the King's mother, second, the Queen, and third Crown Princess—that's you forehead girl." A vein popped out on Sakura's forehead as she turned around in her chair and lightly kicked Shouta.
"You! How can you call your sister such names?"
"How about this, if you get married to the Crown Prince, I'll call you my sister."
"Do you really think I'm going to get married?"
"Sakura, just get married. I'm sick of climbing up and down those stairs to the attic. If you get married, this whole room will be mine. And it's also good for you. You won't have to complain about me being noisy if I'm not around to bug you."
"Well then, that's too bad for you. You can forget about me getting married." Shouta fumed slightly.
"Fine then, if you don't want to, I will. I'm much prettier than you anyways, and much better as well. There's no way the Crown Prince will choose you over me." With that, he stood up, ready to run. Sakura turned to him again, a very murderous intent in her eyes.
"You wanna die?" Shouta started to run out of the room. "Don't you run!" However, Sakura slipped on her blankets on the floor, allowing Shouta to escape. But, before he left the room, he turned around in order to mock her one last time.
"Forehead girl."
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The next morning Sakura sat in her parents' room, allowing Atsumi to fix her hair. Once she was done, Atsumi sat back to examine her work and, satisfied, muttered a word of approval. Sakura simply stared at her reflection in the mirror as her father complimented her as well, a sad look upon her face. Atsumi started to put makeup upon Sakura's face when Sakura suddenly whipped around to face her family. With a slight pout present, Sakura told them,
"I told you I'm going to see the Queen and I'm not going to get married. Why are you people doing this?" An uncomfortable silence followed. Atsumi and Keito looked at each other—Atsumi frustrated, Keito guiltily. Sakura broke the silence.
"Dad's business went bankrupt, that I know. And because of that, he has been unemployed for a whole year. And mom works hard to support us all. I know both of you have worked so hard for me but…" A hopeful looked appeared on Sakura's parents' faces.
"But?"
"But…will you be happy selling me off like this?" Atsumi and Keito sighed, not sure what to say in reply to that. Instead, Keito grabbed the ring from Shouta, who was fiddling with it, and threw it into another portion of the house.
"Fine. Let's take it as if nothing ever happened." Atsumi motioned for Shouta to retrieve the ring as she reprimanded her husband.
"Are you crazy?"
"We shouldn't force her to do something against her wishes. Is money really everything? Is it?" Atsumi turned to him, and told him bluntly,
"Yes. It is everything." She then turned to Sakura. "You are still young and do not understand what is most important to women. What is most important to women is marriage." She paused a second before continuing. "I don't want you to be like me—living in a life with so many hardships. This is for your own good. We are not selling you off." When Sakura still did not say anything, Atsumi gave a resigned sigh and said, "It's your life and decisions. Just forget it. Forget it and…" She nudged Keito. He nodded understandingly, opened up a closet and took out a large, wrapped parcel. Setting it in front of Sakura, he motioned for her to open it. Hesitantly, she did so and a large book was revealed. She sat speechless as Keito told her,
"It's the newest edition." Sakura admired it for a moment then a perplexed look crossed her face. Slightly apprehensively, she asked,
"What's this for? It's very expensive." Sakura was about to say more but the ringing of the doorbell cut her off. Keito quietly said to her,
"I believe it's someone from the Palace…"
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Men in formal black suits walked around the house, sticking red stickers to any article that seemed to be of value. In the middle of the room that the men were currently stickering-up was Sakura, Atsumi, Keito, and Shouta, watching the men silently as they continued placing sticker after sticker onto their belongings. Keito turned to his family.
"My wife… this is my fault. I trusted the wrong friends and became his guardian for his loan. I am sorry."
"Enough. What's the use of saying it now?" Atsumi then went up to what seemed to be the boss of the men and pleadingly, hung onto his arm. "Please, do not do this. We will pay back the debt little by little." He promptly ignored her. To emphasize the fact, he went up to the book Sakura had just received and put a sticker upon it. Immediately, Sakura ran up to it, Atsumi and Keito following, tore the sticker off of it and said,
"No, no, not this." The man irritably pushed Sakura away and told the family,
"If you had repaid the money in the first place, we wouldn't have to do this." Atsumi, indignant, sized him up in a defiant manner.
"The interest is five time the original amount. How do you expect us to pay that? You… you bunch of bullies!" Another man, clearly irritated as well, threw down the basketball he was holding and screamed at them.
"You shouldn't be so brave. Do you not want to live in this house anymore? Is that what it is?" He pointed an accusing finger at Atsumi. Keito, in an attempt to defend his wife, tried to wave the man off.
"Hey! You shouldn't be saying this in front of the children."
"It is good for them. That way they won't end up like their father."
"That's not true. Be careful of what you say!"
"But, it is the truth." Then the man slapped a red sticker upon Keito's face. That was the last straw for the Haruno parents. They shoved the men, trying to push them out of their house. When the men tossed the couple off of them and into the walls, Sakura and Shouta assaulted them as well. Much screaming, kicking ensued. Items were thrown everywhere, including out of the house, and the sounds of breaking items rung throughout the air. They fought their way until they were outside of the house. One of the men dumped Keito into the garden. Atsumi and Sakura helped him out of it, seeing how he was too enraged to help himself out. Keito jumped in front of his family, separating them from the men.
"Be careful Sakura. These men are a bunch of gangsters." The largest one stepped up.
"Gangsters you say? I think you're craving a punch." As he raised his fist threateningly, Atsumi and Sakura screamed, trying to shield Keito from the behind. The man prepared to punch the group when the sound of a car door opening and closing was heard. He paused and he, as well as everyone else, turned around. They were met by the sight of men in black suits, seemingly from the palace, stepping out of a black car and with a puzzled expression, turning to look at them. Sakura stepped out of the embrace of her parents and turned to Shouta.
"Give me the ring." Shouta obliged. He dug through his pockets and took out a simple, yet elegant gold ring and placed it on Sakura's expectant hand. Sakura then turned around to look at her parents. She ripped the sticker off of Keito's face, who made a rather painful sounding noise, and then stepped past the group of loan sharks and proceeded towards the black car. Atsumi shouted at her from behind,
"Sakura! Wait! Where are you going? Your hair is a mess. Come back here." However, Sakura did not listen to what her mother, and other family members, were shouting and, hand clenched tightly over the ring, stepped into the car. After the car ride was almost over, Sakura peered out the window and saw her reflection. Touching her thoroughly messed up hair, she let out a yelp and, panicking, hurried to fix it.
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(Hi no Kuni Palace)
A man in a black suit quickly exited from the black car and opened up the door for Sakura. She stepped out, her hair rather sloppily done, and viewed the palace with a resigned face. Somewhat grudgingly, she allowed for the men to escort her into the palace. As she entered the palace, her unwillingness soon turned to wonder. Passing from room to room, she peered into each one, amazed at the splendor and exquisiteness of each room. In one room, a group of beautifully dressed musicians were playing for a couple, in another room, a maid set a table with gorgeous china and decorations. Finally, Sakura and her entourage arrived at their desired destination. The men led her inside the room and to a long table. They pulled out a chair at one end of the table and motioned for her to sit down.
"Please, sit." When Sakura hesitated, they, a little more gently, repeated themselves. "It's okay, please sit down." Finally relenting, she walked up to the chair and sat down, allowing one of the men to push the chair in underneath her. Sakura nodded a quiet thank you. They then turned to her and said, "The queen will be here in just a moment. While you are here, I will brief you on the rules and manners of the Palace concerning the queen. First, do not make eye contact, second do not interrupt her. And do not forget, when you address her, you must call her 'Mikoto-jyou-sama. Please be patient, she will arrive here shortly." Sakura once again nodded her head to show she understood and at last they left her alone. When she was sure they were out of the room, Sakura curiously picked up a box in front of her and opened the lid up. She peeked in curiously only to find what looked like some sort of food. Suddenly, a group of maids came in, one carrying a tray that, upon it, were a teapot and a bowl much resembling that of a rice bowl upon a saucer. Sakura quickly closed the box with a loud clatter and pushed it away from her as one of the maids set the bowl and teapot in front of her carefully. The maid poured a bright crimson colored liquid into the bowl and opened up the lid of the box Sakura had previously been examining and pushed both of the items towards Sakura.
"Please, drink this tea." Sakura mutely nodded a yes and the maids left, leaving Sakura to be alone once again. Sakura examined the bowl and its contents.
"Is this really…tea?" Hesitantly she picked up the bowl and took a sip from it. She was pleased that it had a fruity and slightly tangy taste. She placed the bowl back onto the saucer and looked at the decorations of the room she was in. She spotted a colorful piece of cloth and excitedly went to examine. Running her fingers against the numerous amounts of carvings and cloths, Sakura was mystified.
"Wow… everything's so beautiful." She noticed something under a table and bent down to take a closer look at them, only to bump into another side table which toppled over, sending the huge vase that was upon it tumbling down as well. Panicking, Sakura leapt for the vase, and, miraculously, caught it. She set it back on the side table, sweating a bit.
"I will just sit down and not break anything, okay Sakura." Doing as she said, she sat down and went to drink another sip of the tea. However, Sakura was too busy staring at the vase, making sure it was okay, and, much to her chagrin, she placed the bowl on the edge of the saucer, causing it to fall into her lap. The liquid stained her white skirt a brilliant red color.
"Oh no… how could this have happened?" Sakura placed the bowl back onto the saucer and attempted to wipe some of the liquid off of her skirt, but her efforts were in vain. At that same time however, a voice rang through the room.
"Mikoto-jyou-sama has arrived." Sakura felt the blood drain out of her face.
"Oh no, this is such a dilemma." Pouring some more tea for herself, Sakura dipped her fingers into the liquid and flicked droplets onto her skirt, hoping to make it look intentional. She stood up and smoothed her skirt as the queen entered the room. Bowing respectfully, Sakura bunched the front of her skirt together, trying to conceal some of the stain. The queen wordlessly walked to the chair at the opposite side of the table. She settled herself into it before commanding Sakura to sit as well. Naturally, Sakura obeyed and did as she was told. Silence reigned for the next several, uneasy seconds as Mikoto drank the tea that was poured for her and slowly placed the two tokens, one which Sakura had brought, together, forming a circle. Finally, she spoke in an authoritative tone.
"The reason why I asked you to come to the palace was because I wanted to hear your opinion on this engagement."
"What? I mean… yes… Mikoto-jyou-sama."
"This was the former king's and your grandfather's promise. What do you think about it? It will be a large burden for you, because you are still a student, am I correct?"
"That is correct… Mikoto-jyou-sama."
"As bride-to-be, you have many duties. You must respect the elders, but most importantly, bring forth many children to ensure an heir to the throne. Also, I hope you understand that this is a very important marriage, and therefore cannot be done hastily." Before Mikoto could continue, Sakura, obviously forgetting the manners she was expected to follow, cut in.
"To tell you the truth, I came here to tell you that I will get married…Mikoto-jyou-sama." Mikoto was slightly shaken at the interruption, but nonetheless continued.
"Is that so? I thought you were strongly against the engagement." Sakura, decided to take another bold step.
"If you don't mind, may I ask you a question?"
"What is it?"
"You may not realize it but… this is the only choice I have. You most likely know this, but my dad is unemployed and my mom is an insurance salesperson."
"Your point is?"
"So, I'm guessing that even if I'm suffering, at least my parents can be comfortable…if I marry."
"I am guessing you would like a reasonable reward from this marriage?" A look of disbelief crossed the queen's face for a moment. "You are more shrewd than I first thought you to be. Are you making a proposal with this marriage?"
"It's not a proposal, but a request--."
"This is something you should not be involved in. However, because you will be part of the Royal Family, you're family will receive things to secure your household's reputation." A delighted look appeared on Sakura's face as she said,
"Thank you very much Mikoto-jyou-sama. Then, I will gladly marry." This did not comfort the queen at all. But, before she could reply, a voice once again rang through the room.
"Her Imperial Majesty is here." As Yoshino-sama entered the room, both Sakura and the queen rose to their feet and bowed. Yoshino-sama turned to Sakura, a large smile upon her face.
"So you are Haruno Sakura? Oh, you look much better in person, I must say. I've heard you accept this marriage proposal?"
"If you accept it, then I willingly do as well."
"Ah, I see." Yoshino-sama advanced closer to Sakura. "Oh, what is on your skirt?" Thoroughly embarrassed, Sakura attempted to cover up more of her skirt with her hands.
"This… ah, it's, uh." Noticing her discomfort, Yoshino-sama told Sakura to sit, which she gladly did. Yoshino-sama continued to talk when Sakura and the queen sat down.
"This marriage proposal has been a sudden event, and I'm sure a difficult decision on your part. If you do not mind, please tell me how you came to your decision." Tentatively, Sakura replied, not sure as to what to say.
"I came up with my decision, because, I… well I thought…" Sakura attempted to use the ancient language she had learned the royalties learned. However, since only royalties used it, common citizens, such as Sakura never learned it, therefore making it hard on Sakura. But despite that, Sakura trudged on, hoping that some of what she said would make sense, using the little vocabulary she had learned here and there. "You see, I am still a…" She noticed the puzzled expression on Yoshino-sama's face and quickly tried to say something else. "Our house got…" Yoshino-sama turned to the queen and asked,
"Do you know what she's talking about?"
"I am sorry, but I too, do not know. I picked up some adjectives and articles, but nothing makes sense." Both the queen and Yoshino-sama gave Sakura a confused expression and she looked down, squeezing her eyes shut in embarrassment.
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Sakura exited the room, both relieved to be away from the oppressive atmosphere, but also ashamed at the fool she made herself seem to be. The men that had previously been escorting her once again showed her the way, stopping at an elevator. There, the prince stood.
"Please, leave us alone for a moment. I would like to talk to her." The men did as they were asked and exited the room, bowing. Sakura, already tired from the humiliation she just received, stood quietly as Sasuke circled her.
"Although this was a reluctant marriage, you made the right choice. I must say, compared to those who live and work in the palace, you are very ordinary, easy… I believe you will be fun." Sakura was confused.
"What? Ordinary…easy…and fun?"
"You are like the main character of a cheerful comic." Sakura was outraged at this comic. Angrily, she thought to herself,
'What! Cheerful comic?' Fed up with the palace and its people, Sakura angrily pressed a random button and waited for the elevator to come. When it did she huffily entered it, repeatedly pressing the close button. The last image she saw before the doors close was Sasuke, his trademark smirk and half-closed eyes present upon his face.
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It is finally revealed whom the Prince originally proposed to! But, will she accept this marriage quietly, or try to win Sasuke back? And, how will all Sakura's friends and peers at school react when they realize that Sakura is the Crown Princess? Stay tuned to find out, next time on Princess Hours.
Next time, Chapter 4: Entering the Palace
"We have to grab this chance. We must rush the Royal Family's official announcement about this marriage."
-King Fugaku
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Unmei: Ah, finally done. I know things are rather slow right now, but I promise after the next two or three chapters, I will pick up the pace and only write the important things, and not all the unnecessary filler parts in the drama. Well, I would like to thank all my reviewers. It's rather sad that I got less than half, a third to be more exact, the amount of reviews for my second chapter than I did with my first. From 14 to a measly 4 reviews. That's rather discouraging, so I'm hoping that it isn't my writing skills that people think are bad, but that it's merely not many people are reading this fic because it's summer and being a SasuSaku romance fic, it often isn't one of the fics on the first pages because there are so many other fics that are written. Er, hopefully that made some sense. Well, just so you know, since I am taking vacation (to JAPAN, yes!) to visit relatives, I will be gone for nearly 3 weeks and most likely won't be able to update for another month or so. Sorry for making all of you wait. I'll see you in another month, ja ne!