The Dark Ages
Chapter 3
Sasuke had sat down with Naruto and Tsunade on the lounges after Sakura started to sway dangerously. Tsunade had ushered the woman to sit down on one of the soft pillows on a couch while making sure she was fine.
According to Tsunade, the princess had lost quite a lot of blood from her shoulder wound. And since she traveled such a long distance on one go, her body was already very much exhausted.
The sun had almost set completely and it shone red hues into the bedchamber.
Shizune had to busted into the room the moment the princess had started to look unsteady and she was horrified. Instantly, she scolded the two men in the room of invading such a delicate place that was meant for the elf's recovery.
Sasuke had only regarded her with mild interest as she raved on and on about manners and etiquette. Women were always so emotional.
"I would like to have a meeting with the king." The princess voiced as she sipped on the water cup given to her by Shizune.
"The king is a busy man, right now. The threat that you brought here with you looms over all of our heads and means more work for all of us." Sasuke said, explaining honestly.
"The threat would have eventually arrived here had not I reach this place. I might only have accelerated the up-coming event."
"You sent men to scout Archyl, am I correct?" Sakura asked with a small tilt of her head. Her long blossom colored hair fell over her shoulder in waves catching Sasuke's attention. The way the hair moved seemed magical.
"Yes," Sasuke averted his eyes, "we have men scouting the nearby forests here and one man should have already arrived at Archyl. He should be returning before the morning arrives."
"I am very much interested to hear what is left of my home."
"Was it actually that big of an attack?" Naruto inquired as he propped his leg over his shin.
"You doubt my words, soldier?" Sakura fired back instantly making Naruto flush.
Naruto had his armor on from training before and no one had ever calling him a soldier. People usually laughed at him for being the goofy-kind-of-guy, but no woman had ever called him soldier that seriously.
"N-No! Of course, not!"
"You are not very good with your words, I presume?" Sakura lifted her delicate eyebrow.
"Naruto has never been good at anything but getting in trouble." Tsunade grumbled from her side of the long lounge.
"Hey! I'm very good at fighting!" Naruto pointed annoyed at Tsunade and turned to Sasuke, "Right?"
Sasuke merely shook his head causing Naruto to pout his lips.
"I know I'm good at fighting. No matter what anyone else says!"
"Fine! Fine!" Tsunade waved her arm. "We get it."
"I take it that you do not have any manners either?" Sakura asked once again from Naruto causing him to flush ever redder. "Are you from a poor heritage or do they not teach etiquette here at all?"
"It's something all children born to higher status have to go through. Lord Naruto only wants to be friends with everybody and everything." Shizune explained as she filled the princesses cup with water once again.
"Lord?" Sakura looked at him with questioning eyes.
"I'm the son of Uzumaki Minato, the Duke of the Land of Fire." Naruto stated proudly his whole posture changing as he sat up straighter and lifted his chin.
"I must confess that I am not familiar with your father, Lord Naruto." The princess said with soft and apologetic tone.
Naruto seemed so proud of what his father represented and had done that Sakura couldn't help but feel slightly bad for the man. The way Naruto's eyes shone with pride and happiness as he mentioned his father was heart-warming, and that only caused a bigger of an impact on Sakura as his face fell with her words.
"Y-you're not? But he literally saved everyone!" Naruto said baffled.
This time Sasuke looked at Naruto with calm eyes, "Remember that the elves live separately from our culture. Princess, such as princess Sakura, wouldn't know of your father's deeds, Naruto."
"Don't they teach you anything there?" Naruto asked boldly from the princess causing Tsunade to send daggers his way.
"They do," Sakura replied with easy, "but things and events that do not affect us are irrelevant. Not to forget that I am much younger than you and teachings have changed in the passing years."
Realization seemed to have dawned on Naruto as he nodded his head absentmindedly before his eyes sought out the princess, "I'm really sorry for my rudeness. It's just weird to talk with someone who doesn't know of my father's achievements. That's usually the first thing people direct their attention to and want to talk about it."
"I am glad to be the first person then." Sakura joked easily and finally Naruto cracked a proper happy smile.
"Would you like to have something to eat, My Lady?" Shizune finally asked as she settled the crystal water jug down on the side table. "I'm sure the chefs could prepare something to eat."
"That would actually be a good idea." Tsunade mused and stood up, "Are you able to walk a little, Princess? We should leave for the dining room. We could even ask the queen to join us."
Sasuke stood up with Naruto, "Mother already had her dinner, but she would be more than pleased to meet the Princess of Archyl."
"I have to apologize in advance, but I have never met anyone so unique looking." The queen cooed from across the table at the blossom haired woman.
"I am not quite sure if that is a compliment or-" Sakura said with uncertainty, but was cut off by the queen.
"No!" Queen Mikoto looked horrified, "It is most definitely a compliment! I have never seen anyone with such unique beauty!"
The queen was more than elated with the idea of having a small dinner with the princess. The palace had already had its dinner, but when the queen has rushed into the giant kitchen in the basement floor. She had almost run inside with her dark deep blue dress flowing behind her. The chefs were ready to close down the kitchen for the night, but soon got back to work after their queen's requests.
Mikoto was in her best element sitting with a small group of people in the dining room. The elf princess was sitting across from her with Shizune next to her and Tsunade sitting next to the queen.
"As I said," Mikoto continued, "I apologize for being so direct with my opinions."
"Sometimes that is a good trait to have." Sakura mused and took a bite of the beef she had on her plate.
She wasn't that hungry for food, but it was nice to have something to give her more energy.
After hearing the idea of a small nightly meal, queen Mikoto had send some clothes for the princess to try on. Sakura was surprised by the hospitality of the queen and accepted the gifts send to her in such a small notice.
The clothes were what she was used to wearing in the Land of the Waterfall, Archyl, since the elf people had much different taste for clothing. The people in the Land of Fire were more into tight clothes that revealed your best assets, especially in a woman. Tight waists and large hems seemed to be to everyone's liking.
In Sakura's country, the elves preferred flowing fabrics that cascaded softly and beautifully. And where the humans used all kinds of colors, the elf people enjoyed light pastels and colors that represented light.
And as Sakura sat in the dinner table, in the huge and beautifully massive dining hall, she couldn't help but feel tad bit uncomfortable. The dark red dress looked magnificent on her with its long sleeves and shoulders revealing opening. But it just wasn't as free as her normal clothing.
But as a quest in Konohagakure, she really didn't have a choice. She needed these people's help to hopefully save her own people.
"Especially when it comes to politics." Mikoto said with humor and raised her glass.
Tsunade was on his fifth glass of wine and seemed everything but interested in the conversation the women were having around her. Shizune on the other hand was more than interested as she laughed and joked with the two other women.
Suddenly Mikoto's face straightened in the mist of talking about the differences of the two worlds of the elves and humans.
"Is everything alright, Your Highness?" Shizune asked soft.
Mikoto's eyes were on the princess sitting opposite of her. The sun had already set long time ago and the room was illuminated by only candles.
"I am so sorry." The older woman said suddenly and caught the princess of guard. "Here I am talking about most average things in the whole worlds while your world is being torn apart by a war."
Sakura lowered her gaze to her lap. She had to admit to herself that for a while she had completely forgotten about the battle raging in her home. It was such a relief to be apart from the events she had experienced less than a day ago. However, none of that changed the fact that her people needed help.
Yes, she was injured and unable to properly fight back, but she needed to have a meeting with the king about what actions he could take to help her people. Also, she had no idea who had attacked her home because she was sent away from the as soon as the battle started and the attackers came. All she knew was that those men weren't ordinary humans.
There was something much more sinister in them.
"It is fine. Considering the events, I had to endure this morning, a small break from those thoughts was refreshing."
Mikoto smiled softly at her, "I will talk with my husband today and I'm sure I'll be able to arrange for you to meet with him tomorrow morning."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Sakura lowered her head in respect.
"But please, have some more pudding. You need to eat." The queen ushered the princess and motioned for the two maids standing by the door to get some more food. "To heal, the body needs all the nutrients it can get."
"Yes, in fact it does." Tsunade smiled from behind her wine glass. "But I'm also sure that the king won't do anything until the spy or scout has come back from Archyl."
"I just hope it is not too late to do anything for the village." Sakura murmured.
"I'm sure everything will be back to normal soon." Mikoto reassured the princess. "Everything will be fixed and I can promise you that we will help your village as much as possible."
Thank you for reading! What did you think about this super short chapter?
Thanks for reviewers:
ILoveSxS
Emily da great
guest
Guest
Leave a review! I'm really happy to know what you guys think about this story.
- Jakura