AN: Hi everyone! This is the second chapter of my new story Caged! I hope everyone likes the story so far, it is new and still in progress so I am trying my best. But my main concern is that you all like it! So please enjoy the story and review follow favorite all that stuff!
Thank you so much! Enjoy!
Sakura POV
I woke up to the sound of Shizune's shrill voice echoing through my bedroom.
"Lady Sakura its time to wake up! You need to take your ballet lessons early today since tonight is Queen Kushina's ball!"
"Ugh, do I have to?" I said as I covered my head with the blanket. I hoped hiding myself would perhaps prevent the inevitable.
"Don't be silly. Today you have dancing lessons, you love dancing." Shizune encouraged.
Despite my negative attitude, dancing sounded wonderful. Ballet is my true passion. It would be the best way to start the day. I quickly jumped out of bed to prepare for my lessons.
"Lady Tsunade will be here soon, so I started your bath. We should start prepping you." Shizune giggled, seeing my enthusiasm.
"Of course!" I squeaked as I ran to the bathroom with as much grace as possible. I wanted to get all of my dancing done early so I could have some time before the ball to meet with Ino.
I wanted to speak with Ino to aid with her some advice. The more I thought about Earl Sasuke, the more trouble I knew he would be for her. Regardless of his beauty, I think she should keep her distance. He plagued my thoughts ever since last night. The mere idea of Sasuke connecting with Ino troubled me.
Soon after my bath Tsunade arrived and the lesson began.
"Sakura what are you doing? You have to jump higher! Do it correctly or I will put more wood in your shoes!" Tsunade sternly announced. I loved her, but she could be such a harsh woman sometimes, especially during the morning.
"Lady Tsuande this is hard and I am tired from yesterday." I said trying to show her my energy was running low. This woman was going to kill me with all her extreme training.
"Sakura today is a shorter lesson and you have a performance soon. Every second counts, you know that." Tsunade nagged.
"Yes, I know..."
I danced with Tsunade until it was time to start getting ready for the ball. I never got to speak with Ino, at least I was never given the chance. My ballet training took longer than expected due to my upcoming performance. It was a grueling morning full of intense physical activity and my body was tired. Unfortunately, Ino simply slipped from my schedule.
After ballet my feet were throbbing, just the thought of putting on heels after those wooden ballet shoes was sheer torture. My feet were bleeding from the intense work... but of course that is no excuse to not go to the ball.
I never liked balls, and just the thought of watching Ino hunt down Sasuke sounded unbearable. I'm will be forced to stand there awkwardly while I deal with the aftermath of Ino.
I returned to my room to be bombarded with servants that carried tens of gowns and accessories. The makeup, the clothes, you could even smell the outrageous amounts of preform. It was too much, I felt overwhelmed.
"Sakura we have your gowns and all that you will need for tonight. It is Lord Haruno's orders for you to look beautiful. It means a lot to him for you to look as presentable as possible." Lady Shizune declared.
"Why is tonight such a big deal? There are festivites all the time..." I asked Shizune.
"Honestly, I don't know why tonight is so important. But despite this, lets get you ready!"
I had suspicions of my own. Typically my father always wants me to appear as presentable as possible, but recently there has been more pressure to do so. He wants to have me wed. He must be negotiating with some suitor for my hand...the gifted ballet shoes were evidence of this.
"So which do you want to try on first Lady Sakura?" Another one of my maids asked.
"Um, I have no clue. Maybe you all can choose?"
"Lady Sakura that is not very...thought through?" Shizune questioned, clearly disappointed in my lack of excitement.
"I don't know, I truly think you know best Shizune." I declared, too unbothered to make a decision.
The dress that was ultimately chosen was beautiful...but perhaps too risqué? The dress was white and gold with beautiful pink, red, and green embroidery/beading. The dress was voluminous, but in all honesty it displayed a lot of cleavage. It showed some of my chest, collarbones, and arms but I figured it was be decent. I have seen many women wear things much worse and get away with it.
The displaying of my breasts made me slightly uncomfortable, but I wanted to feel attractive. I wanted to attract something...I'm just not sure what or why?
"You look beautiful, let's just finish your makeup." Shizune said, sitting me down at the vanity.
It took around thirty minutes, but finally my hair and makeup was finished. My hair was down with matching red flowers pinned all along my curls. After one look in the mirror I heard obnoxious knocking come from my bedroom door.
"Sakura are you done? Everyone is arriving! We don't want to be late for Sasuke!" I heard Ino shout outside my door. Ino never visited me early before, perhaps she wanted to speak with me too?
"I'm done Ino, I'm coming!" I yelled back.
"Thank you so much for helping me I truly appreciate it." I bowed to everyone who helped me and went on my way. Ino was right in some sense, we shouldn't arrive to the gathering late.
"I'm here." I said entering the hallway and into Ino's vision.
"Oh! Sakura why would you do this?" Ino pouted and complained. I had no clue what she was talking about.
"What did I do?" I questioned.
"Your dress is prettier than mine! This is not fair, go back and change. I need to be the star tonight! How else will I earn Earl Sasuke's attention?" Ino practically shouted.
"Ino you are acting obsessive. If Sasuke is going to fall for someone, it is not going to be someone who is jealous and irrational. Calm down!" My own temper reaching a boiling point. Again the thought of Earl Sasuke with Ino disturbed me.
Ino was clearly offended. "I am acting no such way!"
"Yes you are! You need to take a deep breath and calm down. I don't want to fight with you, I am simply giving you advice as a friend." I said trying to brighten the mood. Ino and I bicker often, but tonight was not the time.
"Fine, let's start going. I still want to be early!" Ino raced us down to the ballroom without a second thought.
We finally arrived to see the ballroom flooded with people. There were already around a hundred people here and more were arriving. Even the dance floor was crowded. I supposed there would be no dancing for me tonight.
There was cake and pastries spread across the room with waiters and tables. Lights and servants all over the place and music playing, it was well thought through I will give them that.
"This is amazing! King Minato went above and beyond!" Ino squealed, she loved social events like this. Ino was a true social butterfly, a quality I highly envied.
"Yea, it is." I agreed.
"Now it is time to find Earl Sasuke! I'm sure he is looking for me too!"
She never listens to me.
"I guess." With that Ino took charge, she slithered us though the crowd and checked every nook and cranny until Earl Sasuke's spikey black hair came into view. He was with Prince Naruto surrounded by a group of women. Ino wasn't the only lady here trying to catch his attention.
I couldn't deny it myself, I wanted to see him too...
"There he is!" Ino charged us into the group as she rudely pushed the other girls he was talking to aside. Those poor girls, they probably wanted his attention just as much as Ino.
Earl Sasuke was wearing a dark blue coat with his battle badges presented along the sleeve. He looked devilishly handsome, dangerous even.
"Hey! Lady Sakura, Lady Ino! I was just going to search for you!" Prince Naruto exclaimed. Naruto was always happy and positive. I enjoyed his company.
"I could not possibly wait to see you two!" Ino said as her voice raised a few octaves.
"I'm sure." Sasuke said sharply. Sasuke was clearly aware of Ino's persistent crush.
"Excuse Sasuke, he didn't exactly sleep last night." Naruto said with a wink.
It took me a minute to process Naruto's underlying meaning, but once I connected the dots I became uncomfortable. Earl Sasuke didn't come off as a man who took attention to women, but all the rumors said otherwise. I suppose Naruto suggesting Sasuke's sexual habits was enough evidence to prove me wrong.
"You couldn't sleep! You poor thing!" Ino beamed blissfully ignorant to Naruto's comment. Whether she understood and ignored it or simply did not understand I do not know.
"I guess you could say that." Sasuke shrugged with disinterest.
Naruto sensing the tension decided to change the subject. "Well...Sakura you look really pretty! It's funny, our dads were picking out stuff for us to wear and I saw that dress! I didn't think you would ever wear it though, your not one to show...skin." Naruto stupidly rambled.
That remark made me instantly self-conscious. I knew the dress was too risqué...
"I just thought is was pretty." I stared down at my dress to avoid eye contact.
"Sasuke I need to speak with you." I heard a stern voice call out, disrupting the uncomfortable situation.
Earl Sasuke within seconds turned and left the group. The man who called him was the creepy figure I saw when I was on the balcony. The man's name was Orochimaru, and he scared me. Something was off about him.
Ino, sensing Sasuke's exit followed him.
"Prince Naruto will Lady Ino be alright following them?" I asked.
"She will be fine, he will just ignore her. Besides Orochimaru is Sasuke's fighting instructor, they are probably discussing training." Prince Naruto casually stated.
"Should I go get Ino?"
"No, you have no reason to worry. Sasuke does not really take interest in her you have nothing to fear. If he wanted her, you would know." Naruto said with confidence.
If he wanted her...I would know?
"Okay if you say so." I agreed.
Before Naruto and I could continue the conversation the mass of people rearranged and Naruto's father the king arrived. I couldn't see Minato physically, but I could hear the stamping of his feet and his soothing voice echo around the ballroom.
"I'm sorry Lady Sakura, but I should go be with my father and mother now." I then bowed and watched Prince Naruto go on his way to celebrate his mother's coming to throne.
I was happy for them, Lady Kushina and Naruto deserved peace after years of mistreatment from the royal court. Lady Kushina and King Minato will not change the mindset of these people, but the marriage will for sure relieve some stress from the situation. It took years for Minato to divorce his first wife, they had no children and from what I remember she was an awful woman.
Minato's first wife was the second born daughter of the King and Queen of the kingdom hidden in the Mist. It was an arranged marriage and the two only got along for a short amount of time. A few moths after their honeymoon the two no longer slept together, spent time together, or even addressed the nation together. Then Minato came to the throne causing him to meet Kushina. Minato spent all his time with Kushina and his marriage suffered. Once Kushina declared herself pregnant with Naruto, Minato and his first wife's marriage was then ultimately done.
Minato ruled the kingdom and declared Naruto heir to the throne. Finally when Naruto was seven years old Minato tried for divorce. It took eight years to end the marriage, and finally now two years later could Minato marry Kushina. It was a complicated history, and I hardly remember anything from the time, but I'm happy Kushina and Minato are finally happy.
The clinking of metal announced the start of King Minato's speech.
"Everyone we are here to celebrate a joyous occasion. Queen Kushina and I after all these years are finally held in holy matrimony. So everyone: people of the court and guests from friendly kingdoms, let's all celebrate. Thank you everyone for your attendance, I am very grateful." King Minato announced with a toast. Everyone bashed his/her wine glasses together with happiness.
The room was filled with laughter, everyone content with the festivities.
I sipped from my own drink until I felt a tap on my shoulder. I glanced back to see the infamous Earl Sasuke.
"Earl Sasuke, can I help you?" I asked, suddenly aware it was my first time speaking with him alone.
Sasuke watched me intently until he decided to speak.
"Are you looking for your friend?" Sasuke asked. His voice was smooth and deep. He peeked my curiosity.
"You know where Lady Ino is?" I questioned, suddenly panicked. What trouble did she get into...
"Hn. Follow me." Earl Sasuke then started walking again, expecting me to follow him.
"Earl Sasuke if you don't mind me asking, where are you taking me?" I asked as I tried to keep up with his demanding speed. His legs were much longer than mine; in fact Sasuke was around a foot taller than me.
"A quiet room, where Ino is."
We made it to a small lounge that was attached to the ballroom. I then saw Ino lying on a chair waving a fan to keep cool. She looked sick, or the very least uncomfortable.
"She fainted so I took her here. I figured I should get you." Sasuke explained.
"Oh, well thank you for going through the trouble Earl Sasuke. I hope she didn't interrupt your conversation."
Sasuke then got closer and whispered; "You should keep a strict eye on her."
"...Thank you." Sasuke being close made me nervous, I felt warm everywhere and a fluttering in my stomach.
Earl Sasuke then left Ino and I alone in the room. A part of me felt disappointed he left, but I quickly ignored that feeling.
I then went to Ino as she fanned herself dramatically.
"Ino what happened? You were fine seconds ago?" I asked as I sat next to her on the couch.
Ino abruptly began to cry and throw a fit. She stood up from the couch she was laying on and began walking around in circles with tears. What on Earth could have happened?
"Ino are you alright?" I asked as I took her hand for her to stop walking.
"He didn't stay to comfort me! He just went to go get you! Now how can I ever get his attention if he won't even listen to me when I'm about to faint. I mean the fainting was fake, but how would he have known?" Ino started crying and fell into my arms.
I stroked her hair for comfort, but I didn't know what to say. I wouldn't lie and say Earl Sasuke will like her, I can't even say she has a chance.
"Ino you are beautiful, energetic, and a lot of fun! You will be fine. Earl Sasuke may be closed off and he never seemed to be social to begin with. Perhaps just let it be and you will be fine."
"No! He doesn't like me!" Ino protested.
"Well, he has only know you for a day. Let's be practical." I said trying to bring her back to reality. This isn't the first time she has cried over a man, but this is by far the worst.
"Sakura you are too innocent. All a man needs to do is look at you once. It only takes one look for a man to know if he wants to fuck you."
"Ino! Stop this, even if Sasuke gave you the opportunity you wouldn't sleep with him. You would not risk you name, honor, and innocence for a fling. Get up we are missing the ball. You can't sit in a dreary room and cry about how a man didn't fallen madly in one day."
"Sakura every man falls in love with me. They always want me from the moment they see me." Ino said confidently.
How lucky for her.
"Well, you are a lucky girl, but maybe for once it won't work that way. Besides it isn't that easy for the rest of us."
Ino sat up and stood with a big smile on her face. "You are right Sakura, let's go have fun. "
We rushed out of the small room to see everyone watching Queen Kushina and King Minato as they danced alone on the huge marble dance floor.
"They look so happy, I wish everyone would leave Kushina alone." I said as we joined the crowd.
"Yea, she really is a sweet lady."
Ino and I noticed Lady Hinata and Lady Tenten and decided to join them. We talked about the fashion and gossip from the evening but eventually the conversation lead to men.
Ino gossiped about Earl Sasuke. She spoke about his cold nature and his disinterest in everything, but the main topic was his looks. Every girl in the group agreed he was handsome, dreamy even.
I looked into the crowd and instantly noticed Sasuke talking with Naruto on the side of the room. Naruto watched his parents happily as he laughed next to Sasuke with every possible expression of joy written across his face. Sasuke was smirking, but he was looking at something else that I couldn't pinpoint.
During my observing I noticed my father on the other side of the room conversing with a man I didn't know. The conversation seemed serious and heated. The man he was speaking with was my age, I could only assume this man was a possible suitor. The longer I watched the scene unfold the queasier I became. Nothing about the situation could be good for me. I eventually decided to look away for my own mental state.
When I looked back I saw Naruto and Sasuke again, but both were looking in my direction whispering to each other. I hated being the topic of conversation, what did I do now? Has my dress ripped? Was my hair out of place? I looked down to see if there was too much cleavage, but I couldn't find anything wrong.
I extracted myself from the group of girls and left the situation. I suddenly felt my anxiety begin to reach a maximum level; I needed to leave the room. I didn't want to watch my father or any man talk about me.
I left the huge ballroom and went the powder room. I took a long look in the mirror to saw nothing wrong. The makeup fine, hair fine, dress fine, everything was fine. I decided it was time to go back to the ball.
When I exited the room I saw Prince Naruto and Earl Sasuke standing outside the powder room...were they waiting for me?
AN: I know it is slow moving at the moment, but it will get there the next chapter everything will kinda come into play. I just had to set all the relationships straight. Thank you for reading! Please review, favorite, follow and I hope you enjoyed it!