- Two weeks later, bent over with lightning overhead -
With eleven new specimen of light magic collected from the surrounding forests and prairies and gardens, Sasuke goes at them one at a time. It's mundane work; not exactly tiresome, but not invigorating either. Most things in this world have some kind of magic to them; it's the art of extracting that magic to put into a moldable form for lockpicking that's a bit testy. The cap of a puffy, white cauliflower mushroom bends out of shape when his fingers, coursed with dark magic, come near it. It folds like a frightened child. Sasuke fits his jaw in a stern hold, turns the mushroom on its head, and scoops out the gills with a silver knife. Then, he scrapes the gills on a plate peppered with rosemary and mashed willow bark — natural resources that many mages use to help transform solid objects into light magic. With a granite grinder, Sasuke works the gills into the herbs and bark until it's a paste. Under the light of the lightning bars overhead, he can make out the golden threads of light magic within the oaky paste.
Now comes the test.
With pliers, so that his dark magic does not intercept, Sasuke grabs a piece of the daisies from Hinata's ears. If his theory is correct and a Light Lock is set upon the curse, then a rather grand reaction should come about were he to have found the correct magic to unlock it. Smoke, sometimes, or a strong blast of peppermint smells. It could even catch on fire, depending on how strong the lock is. But when he brushes the paste on the bit of daisy, nothing happens. He waits, in case it's a slow process. The lightning cracks above. Everything else is quiet.
Nothing.
Another failure. Sighing, Sasuke scoops out the paste and the piece of (now) altered daisy, then turns to his leather-seated book to scribble down yet another specimen that has failed. It's the fifty-third on the list. Eventually, he'll run out of light magic around the surrounding areas and will have to travel further out.
It's rather offensive to have a mage like him collecting light magic of all things.
To be put in such a state . . . searching, then down in the laboratory; a meal or two, if he's lucky, and then he's off to sleep in the stables before he wakes, dresses, and goes off to search some more. Were the kingdom to know that the infamous Snake Mage lived such a life for two weeks, they wouldn't fear him nearly as much as they usually did.
It's far past noon. Sasuke has been huddled down here since the early morning. If he has to peer through the white light of lightning any longer, he'll lose his mind. So, with everything in place, he reaches up to pull the cord, shutting the magic off,encasing him in darkness. His eyes blink and adjust, and then he leaves, travels through the giant library, and goes out into the sun-washed halls of the castle.
Somewhere, Empress Hinata is here. Followed by her snippy lady-in-waiting and that annoying Kō. He couldn't imagine, truly, what role an Empress had. What sorts of meetings did she go to? What laws of the land must she read? If she had any freetime, what did she choose to do with it?
Well — that one, he knows the answer to.
She bugs him.
Scouts him out. Trails along his side. Flaps her hands about her in that silly language she has created to communicate, specifically, with him. Even if it's just for five minutes before Karin catches her and drags her back to the palace, Hinata makes time to see him as much as she can. But things have grown busy recently, and their time together has grown shorter, and sometimes Sasuke wonders if the world is coming to an end. What could possibly keep her so busy?
As he reaches the front of the palace, he hears the squawking of Karin vibrating deep into the halls. And with her, Empress Hinata must be close.
He considers, for a second, going to her. To find her in the middle of something. To stare upon her preoccupied face, pinches of concentration in her expression as Kō does all the necessary translations for her. To study the new flowers sprouting from her ears. Lavender this time. It pulls lilac out of her pale eyes. And if she saw him, what would she think? How would she acknowledge him in that simply, Hinata way whilst being surrounded by others, by work, by duty.
Sasuke is tempted.
But he doesn't. He escapes through the wide double-doors, and he goes off to find Aoda in the pastures so they might go out to find something to eat.
...
He hears something strange between footman and maid the next day, a new collection of specimen (only six today) tucked away in a basket at the crook of his arm.
"The Prince should come by noon. Isn't that right? I've been so busy getting his room prepared —"
"And I shall be positioned with him. Have you heard? The royals from his kingdom are rather testy."
Sasuke, at first, thinks nothing about it. Royalty visit and talk all the time. It's simple business between kingdoms.
But when he sits upon his stool in the laboratory, that familiar buzz of light magic above his head, Sasuke considers it a little more and realizes, actually, isn't it strange for royalty themselves to visit and not their ambassadors? But, of course, these things happen every now and then.
. . . But, normally, for important events.
And isn't it strange for a prince to visit an Empress — a widowed Empress who has recently come out of mourning?
Or . . . rather than strange . . . doesn't that imply a rather obvious motive?
Sasuke scoops lily pad into the normal concoction, grinding and mashing until it's mush and the light magic practically screams for mercy. He spears daisy petals into it, and when no reaction comes, he sneers, then frowns, then simmers.
Oh, how Naruto would riot.
...
The timing is rather unfortunate.
The grand hall is full of bustle. That overwhelming noise and sensory that could combat the Royal Ball and, perhaps, win. There's a numbness in the air that makes Sasuke's tongue quiver and the venom in his teeth freeze. Suddenly, he has the feral need to bite, to sink his teeth, to poison someone. Everything feels tight and off. The furniture is shining and blinding. Why does the sunshine through the windows feel dim? Even his own clothes irritate his skin. Sasuke feels hot and cold. The crowd fills around him. The air tastes like koi scales.
And then he stops when a form steps in front of him.
The same, pale eyes as Hinata — but not at all. A shame to the royal eyes of the Hyuuga. Much too ethereal. Too alien. So cold that it could turn the air around them frigid. But the figure looks upon Sasuke with a distant recognition, and he hums softly, but not warmly. Nothing is warm about this man. He's covered in the cold abyss of space.
Prince Toneri, the mysterious royal of another kingdom, has arrived.
He's clothed in an unfamiliar fashion. His tunic is long, and his shoes point at the toe, stringed together with copper. Jewels decorate his fingers, and his hair is the color of an elder — white spools of silk framing his face. Ancient, but young. Human, but also not. Just the idea of him irritates Sasuke.
"Snake Mage." The Prince's tone is low. If Sasuke's hearing weren't precise with magic, he wouldn't have heard him. "I've heard of your arrival, but I did not think I'd see you while visiting."
Sasuke finds his manners, bows his chin in a low hang, and murmurs, "I've been given the privilege of breaking Her Highness's curse."
A dull smile turns Toneri's mouth. "I've heard. I hope to be of some assistance in the very near future."
It's a hard offer to ignore. Moonlight Magic — the kind of the kingdom which Toneri's mother rules — is a subcategory of Light Magic that is rare, if not impossible, to find outside of said kingdom. It wouldn't be impossible for the Light Lock to be created with such magic; in fact, if Sasuke were to cast a hex on someone as powerful as an Empress, he'd want to lock it behind one of the more rare types of magic himself.
And yet.
There is something in the nooks of that offer to relay a hidden motive.
Nothing comes without a price when it comes to royals, after all.
"Won't you follow me to the throne room?" While it's portrayed as a question, Sasuke knows very well Toneri is all but commanding him. "I have a feeling you'd like to be a part of this discussion."
So Sasuke follows Toneri, who follows a guide that takes them straight to the Throne Room. Hinata sits there with Karin and Kō at her side, and there is a grace to her that is unquestionable, even with a curse growing from her ears. If she's surprised by Sasuke's person, she does not show it. He and Toneri bow as she stands, comes down the shallow steps of her throne, and lifts a hand for the Prince to take and kiss gently.
"Empress Hinata." Toneri makes sure to raise his head enough for her to see his mouth. "A pleasure."
She smiles, returns to her throne, and motions Kō closer. He's got a scroll lain about before him on a flat, wooden canvas, ready to translate away when it's his time. Karin is stiff at her side. Her specs reflect the cold light beaming from Toneri's person.
"I am here to offer a most promising proposal." Toneri talks slowly, with patience, as Kō scribbles down his words in ink. "The lasting impression of your curse has caused great worry throughout my kingdom. The mother, The Queen, is not the kind to sit back helplessly as an ally is struggling." Struggling. The word makes Karin flinch, but Hinata stays poised. "Both she and I believe that our magic may be of some use to you."
Hinata takes Kō's shoulder, lipping something to him, before she turns back to them.
"Your offer is kind-hearted and appreciated," Kō says. "We're sure you know, of course, that we have been in the great hands of the Snake Mage for such a situation."
All eyes turn onto him; aside from Toneri's, which remains steadily on Empress Hinata.
"Your Snake Mage is a protegee of Dark Magic, I've heard. I have no doubt of his abilities." Only then, finally, does Toneri turn his head to study Sasuke at his side. "Tell me, Snake Mage, of what findings you've had. I'm curious."
Information that Sasuke has been keeping to himself. Not because he lacks confidence in his searching and work. Nor does he feel anywhere close to giving up. But, as of two weeks ago, Sasuke has only been working on a hunch; a smart hunch, but a hunch nonetheless. He does not think he is wrong — if he did, he wouldn't be wasting around with this Light Lock business — but others may not view it the same way. Not that he needs their permission, their backing. If Hinata trusts him, which she does, then he's allowed to do as he pleases.
But on the small chance he is wrong . . . it would be best to not raise hopes. If he had shared that he had a theory that could very well lead to the breaking of this year-long curse, then the stakes of Hinata's hope lie on his shoulders.
That was not something he was willing to risk. Not yet. Not at this stage.
But now he has to.
A gentle glance from the Empress follows the small line of annoyance on his face. Subtly, Hinata taps her chest. Okay? He huffs and shares his theory about the Light Lock, briefly summarizes his gathering process and how, despite no telling outcomes yet, he's not worried. There are plenty of forms of Light Magic in the world. All he has to do is find them. All the while, Kō scribbles as fast as he can, and Prince Toneri considers him vaguely. The coolness of his face hardly reveals anything, nor does his posture or stance. But, somehow, Sasuke gets the impression that he is all but pleased with the answer.
"From how it sounds, Snake Mage," he says smoothly, "you could benefit from my kingdom's magic."
Hinata's eyes bore into Sasuke's side. He doesn't look back. "If the Light Lock requires Moonlight Magic, then I would be indebted."
"Not you, dear boy." Then, slowly, a long smile takes hold of Toneri's mouth. It's thin and abnormal on his face. Not wicked, necessarily, but crude and daunting. The Prince turns his attention back to Hinata. Karin is as stiff as bamboo reeds. Kō looks sick. "I would be honored to offer my magic to break My Lady's curse. On one condition, of course."
Karin steps forward. "I hardly find it an honor —"
But she bites her tongue when Hinata stands once more from her throne. At this position, she towers over Sasuke and Toneri. Down the line of her nose, she regards them with regal air. In some cases, she could come off as intimidating.
The Prince, however, shows no signs of feeling such.
Her raised hand prompts him to continue.
"My mother, the Queen, would find it most beneficial for both kingdoms were a marriage to take place between our royalty."
Kō does no writing. He does not have to. Hinata seems to understand perfectly well.
And, for a second, she looks at Sasuke, and she hides the shake of her hands behind her back.
...
"Master."
"I don't want to hear it, Aoda."
"Lady Hinata is calling for you."
Yes, of course, she is. And he imagines exactly what she'd like to talk about, too. But he has no distinct yearnings to talk about marriage prospects with her, so he'd rather just be cast to the side while the important decisions are made elsewhere. Mostly because, truly, he has no say in who the Empress should marry — and not at all because, when Toneri had first proposed, he felt a slither of irritation wrap in his gut. Definitely not because, when Hinata asked for time to consider rather than accept immediately, did that slithering feeling relieve from his person.
Sasuke Uchiha shouldn't care less who the Empress of a kingdom he no longer calls home marries.
So Sasuke continues his walk along the outer edges of the fields, Aoda sliding slowly next to him, mighty head raised high in the air as his tongue comes out every now and then to taste the late afternoon air. The shadows of trees stretch out. Soon, the sun will start to set.
When they return to the stables, Empress Hinata sits herself on a bale of hay.
For not the first nor the last time, Sasuke's momentarily stunned by the sheer contrast of her royal gown next to the grime and plainness of the stables. Her long hair is a clean brush down her back, fringe perfectly framing her face. Her somber eyes lift when the large barn doors open, and she smiles kindly at him, then stands to brush her fingers along Aoda's scales as he bends his head to greet her?
Sasuke works on the latch of his cloak, pulling it from his shoulders to hang on a raft.
"Why are you here?" he asks, already suspecting why.
Hinata's smile turns nervous. Why is it that she only holds that Empress face in the castle? Why is it, when they're alone, she's nothing but a girl. A small, timid girl with cursed ears and blood that tastes like watermelon because of him.
Her heel digs into the dusty floor of the stables, asking for his attention.
"You have it," he mutters.
Then she hesitates some more, looks over her shoulder for Kiba or Hana or any other stableboy. Around this time, they all go out to eat before securing the horses for the night. No one is around. It's just them. Hinata ventures deeper inside, down the corridor, until she reaches Himawari's stable. The horse breathes calmly, shifting to offer its face. Hinata gestures to the horse, but Sasuke comes no closer. He still can't make himself stay too close to that killer.
"Don't tell me you want to ride."
She watches his mouth, then shakes her head slowly to prevent the lavender from hurting her. Her hands make grand gestures, shaping a tall form before bending over to hay to put next to her hair. Ah. Naruto. Sasuke nods to show he understands, so Hinata comes back to the barn doors, glances at the sky, and points to the small sliver of the mood hanging in the lilac sky.
It takes no guesswork to know what she means by that.
Naruto or Toneri?
The marriage.
Of course.
Sasuke sighs, which she does not catch. Her back is to him, face lifted to the sky a beat longer before, slowly, her nervous gaze turns back to him. One hand lifts to gently prompt the lavender from her ears into her palm, and he understands. Really, it has nothing to do with Toneri.
Naruto . . . or the curse?
"It's not my decision." She waves her hand around her head. Too fast. "Why are you asking me?"
She freezes up, mouth slightly open, looking as if it wants to move, but it won't. Her eyes buzz about. A lot to say, but no way to communicate it. A question that seems to require an answer beyond her capabilities — or, even, she doesn't truly know the answer herself.
Slowly, she gestures to him, and her lips form his name. Sasuke.
He ignores how that starts something in him. Something that isn't even that deep, easily tucked away. It's almost skin-level. A jitter of warmth in his muscles.
It's not for him to decide. He has no say. He doesn't care.
And yet, at the thought of her marrying again —
"It holds no meaning to me either way, Empress." He looks away before he can see her reaction. "This might be your only chance to break the curse."
Aoda shifts to the side, unnerved. He feels the same things as his master. He can taste the tension in the air.
Hinata lets out a slow breath, and then she steps away. Then again. Again. Until, soon, she's out of the stables, and she does not come back.
...
Sasuke.
He wakes with her voice in the curl of his ear just as Aoda lifts his head.
"Master," he hisses softly.
"I know."
He should ignore it, but there are plenty of things Sasuke should or should not do that he simply ignores. He's been nomadic for so much of his life. The concept of should and shouldn't is nearly foreign to him. Dusting off his robes and securing his cloak, Sasuke slips out of the stables without disturbing the horses. It's a terrible darkness outside. Sasuke's eyes adjust with ease, and he makes simple work of the walk to the palace. The night guards, unused to seeing him this hour of night, stop him to ask for his reasoning for entrance. He tells him he'd like to continue work in the lab, and with a thrum amongst themselves, they allow him inside, where he takes careful pathing that should lead him to the Empress's chambers without notice. No guards are stationed in front of her door, for some reason. Isn't that dangerous? He frowns at the lacking security. Sure, most of the palace staff know who he is — but say he was lying about his intentions?
Sasuke raps against the door, minding his manners enough to not enter without allowance, before realizing that Hinata, under her curse, would not be able to hear. Slowly, he opens the chamber door, finding it just as dark inside. He eyes Karin's door, then turns to the bed.
Empty.
Where could she have gone?
He didn't pass her on his way here. He would have definitely noticed her. Without eyes like him, she would have had to travel with a lantern. She must be somewhere inside the palace. When that thought comes to mind, an immediate guess follows. Closing the door behind him, Sasuke lets his feet guide him. He stays close to the walls, checks corners before turning, and when he reaches that long hallway full of portraits, he finds her.
Empress Hinata sits upon the floor, dressed in a white nightgown and pale, pink robe. Her hair is braided, and as she rests the back of her skull against the wall, the dim light of her lantern washes over her face, glinting in her dull gaze. She looks exhausted. The lavender hang close to her shoulders. She stares upon the portrait of her late husband, and Sasuke stops before she can notice him.
The slithering returns to his stomach as he studies her, then the portrait.
That poor bastard. How he must riot in the Holy Kingdom, knowing his wife must marry another to relieve herself of such a horrid curse. And what a miserable bastard Sasuke is, determined to break the curse himself, only to be forced to rely on another.
Because that is what is causing the stinging pain in his person.
That, and nothing else.