Chapter Three: The White Mare

"Good morning, my lord." a voice greeted, startling the young shinobi as he reached the end of the stairs.

There weren't many that could sneak up on Sasuke, but Hatake Kakashi somehow always managed to appear out of the shadows without lifting a single hair from the back of the Uchiha's neck.

On the one hand; it irritated him to no end, made him question his years of training to perfect his senses; on the other, it made him sleep better at night to know Sakura was in such capable hands when he had to be away so often.

He turned to find the silver-haired guard standing beside the end of the railing, his mask leaving only his deep gray eyes for the world to read and study.

"Kakashi." he returned, remaining composed, giving no inclination that he had been surprised.

"Good to have you back." the older ninja gave a respectful nod which Sasuke mirrored, wondering how this titleless guard from the west acquired such a deadly skill.

He had arrived with Sakura, having been a loyal servant to her family for years and assigned as her bodyguard since she was an infant.

He was apart of the arrangement. Sakura's mother would not have allowed her daughter to come if Kakashi did not accompany her and take over as head of her household security.

Fugaku didn't like it, wanting his own trusted captain in charge, but then he didn't like a lot of things about the contract and conceded to her wishes in the end.

Sasuke didn't know what to make of him. He was quiet and kept to himself, but took command with ease over his father's men. He had a sharp intellect and collected calmness that he had never seen before outside his clan.

"He reminds me of you." Itachi had told him after he had asked after the Haruno girl's silver shadow. "...He's certainly not very keen on me."

Sasuke could empathize with his brother in that regard. He and Kakashi always passed like ships in the night, but when they did make a brief encounter, he could tell the shinobi had no care or trust for him. But then, he didn't seem to care much for anyone besides Sakura.

His stoic demeanor softened as the woman in question descended the stairs behind Sasuke, and the young Uchiha could take some comfort in knowing he and Kakashi had at least one thing in common.

The well-being of his wife.

"A message from your mother, my lady," he told her, handing her the small scroll. "Just arrived moments ago."

Sakura stared solemnly at the message briefly before taking it with a small hum of thanks.

"I wonder what I've done now." she breathed, tucking the scroll into the folds of her long flowing sleeves.

"Also, Lady Mikoto invites you both for dinner at the main house. She's quite anxious to see Lord Sasuke." Kakashi went on, looking between them as they stood beside one another, noting something different in the air between the young couple.

"They can expect us." Sasuke answered after checking wordlessly with his young bride, who nodded her consent.

"Anything else, Kakashi?" she asked.

"Lord Sasuke's escorts are ready to go with him to survey the south village whenever he's ready."

"About a half-hour, he'll need to eat something first," Sakura informed him before Sasuke could say otherwise.

"...Do you want to come with me?" he asked her. It certainly was no lady's sport to survey the lands, but she was no ordinary lady, and more than that, he didn't wish for them to part again so quickly.

She looked up at him, a small smile hiding in the corner of her mouth, before turning back to Kakashi.

"Can I?"

Kakashi hummed in disapproval "...I don't like you being that far from the compound. Nor would Lord Fugaku."

"...There'll be an escort and Lord Sasuke will be with me." she pointed out.

Kakashi did not look convinced in the slightest, but Sakura's large doe-like eyes continued to plead her case silently before he finally gave his consent.

"You'll cover your hair and stay put the entire time, do you understand me?"

She nodded, trying poorly to be poised and not smile, making Sasuke have to fight one off as well.

"Let me rearrange my schedule then." Kakashi sighed tiredly before turning to leave.

"You don't have to come, I'll be more than…"

"Do you wish to go or not, my lady?" he asked bluntly, glancing over his shoulder pointedly.

She slowly nodded in submission, knowing it was pointless to argue further as he disappeared around the corner.

"Tiresome old scarecrow," she muttered. "Always worrying too much."

"He doesn't like me," Sasuke informed her, some amusement in his tone. "Let alone trusts me to look after you."

"Don't feel too badly," she told him. "He doesn't even trust me to even look after myself."

…

Sasuke made for the stables, relieved to be leaving to train with Obito-sensei.

It was all becoming too unbearable.

He had done his best since her arrival, dodging her at every turn, making sure to keep their rare unavoidable encounters brief, but it didn't matter. It didn't stop her from resurfacing in his thoughts and sometimes even in his dreams, like a siren rising from the depths.

He didn't know what to do. He'd never felt like this before, not for anyone… this feverish ache, this longing.

It was painful, it was miserable.

Who would want this?

He thought briefly of all his friends and relations with all their escapades, chasing around village girls and lamenting about them around the fire, whining about how they missed them, how they drove them mad. He remembered how they'd jest about his piety, of his disinterest in it all.

Oh, and how he thought himself so much wiser than all of them back then.

He still did.

Who in their right mind would seek this out?

Of all the women in the world to desire. the voice inside him chided. It had to be this one.

Just keep away. he reminded himself calmly. Keep away until it fades… it will fade.

Commotion at the front gate of the stables caught his attention, rousing him from his thoughts. His father was in a fury at one of the stablehands, and Itachi was just ahead talking with a few scouts.

By the time Sasuke reached his brother, the men shot off in directions, taking to the trees.

"What's happened?" he asked.

Itachi sighed, rubbing his temple. "It's been a long morning. Sakura's mare broke loose last night and hasn't been seen since... Father may kill the stablehand."

"It couldn't have gone too far." Sasuke pointed out.

"I'm more afraid of it getting rounded up by thieves at this point... A bit of bad luck for certain, the horse is quite a valuable thoroughbred." Itachi went on. "I'd look for it myself, but Father and I are due at the Council already."

Suddenly, the object of his torment for the last several weeks approached from the stables then, making him stiffen.

Sakura was dressed in a simple riding frock, free of her fan and thick layers thought necessary to hide from other suitors. Within the walls of the compound she no longer needed such formal armor, she belonged to the Uchiha now, and no one would dare to touch her.

Theoretically.

Face flushed and slightly out of breath from the jaunt, she took Itachi's arm in her own, turning her glassy eyes up to him.

"Please, don't let your father turn the boy out, I'm sure it's not his fault. Tsuna is a stubborn and willful creature."

"Much like her owner, it seems." Itachi mused. "But I'm afraid I won't hold any sway over my father's decision, he's been made to look incompetent and there's no greater insult to his character than that."

She opened her mouth to protest sooner, but then Fugaku appeared then, neck bright red and a vein throbbed from his forehead.

Forcing himself to remain composed, he bowed to Sakura.

"A thousand apologies, my dear," he told Sakura, taking her free hand in his. "I am beside myself that we've lost such a treasured horse at your expense, but we'll do everything in our power to get it back, you have my word."

"Thank you." she whispered before speaking up a bit louder. "I ask you, don't be too hard on the boy who she was placed under, she's never been this far from home and was undoubtedly…"

"He failed in his obligation to this family," he told her firmly. "There is no place here for anyone who can't uphold their duty."

Sakura closed her mouth slowly before nodding in understanding. Itachi gave her hand a small squeeze in comfort, but her shoulders still fell in defeat.

"You're welcome to any horse of your choosing in our herds, meanwhile. We have some of the finest animals this side of the country," Fugaku told her, his eyes rising to Sasuke in acknowledgment, before making a quick decision. "Sasuke will take you out so you may make your selection."

"What?" Sasuke spoke up before he could stop himself, feeling Sakura's gaze rise to him, but refusing to meet it.

"Your horse is already ready, is it not?" his father asked. "Itachi and I are late enough as it is."

"Obito-sensei is expecting me this morning." Sasuke reminded him, feeling panic clawing away at his chest.

No. No. No. Not with her. Not alone.

"Obito will understand, I'll send word on our way," Fugaku told him with finality. "I want this matter dealt with now."

Why? Sasuke thought to himself as he forces a curt nod in understanding. What'd he ever do to deserve this?

"Fugaku-sama, that isn't necessary, I don't want to be a hindrance to anyone," Sakura spoke up, seeing Sasuke's disdain at the idea. "I can choose another time."

"Nonsense, Sasuke is more than willing and capable to assist you," Fugaku told her reassuringly. "Come, Itachi, we must be off."

Itachi nodded, patting Sakura's hand apologetically before releasing her and following after his father.

He paused at his brother briefly on his way, making Sasuke frown deeply. "Be nice." he told him under his breath, more of a plea than anything else.

And with that they rode off, leaving Sasuke alone with the very person he had tried so valiantly to stay away from for days on end.

Silence stretched far too long, as he resolved to get a grip.

She was just one small girl, was he really that intimidated by her? She'd be in his life forever, he would eventually have to get used to it.

He met her gaze finally and saw the same look in her eyes the first day she had stepped out of that carriage.

She wanted to run.

Well, that made two of them.

"You don't have to…" she spoke up, startling him a bit. "I'll tell them I couldn't decide on one."

"The stablemaster will inform my father if we don't go, there's nothing for it," he told her in annoyance, not annoyed with her, but the situation.

The nastier part of him was glad his father sacked the stableboy for putting him through this.

A lot of trouble over a stupid horse. It wasn't like she had anywhere to go anyway.

He strode past her to retrieve his readied stallion.

Sumo was at least in good spirits that morning, baying and ready for a ride.

Sakura approached the black giant carefully, her watery eyes brightening a little. "Can I?" she asked, her hand held out skillfully. Sasuke made sure he had a strong hold on the harness before nodding his consent.

He watched in bemusement as Sumo, the foulest tempered of their horses, inclined his nose to the strange girl, allowing her to stroke his flank and run her fingers through his mane.

It seemed even animals were charmed by her.

She turned then, hiding her face from him. "I don't want to...I don't want to replace her so soon," she confessed, speaking of her mare, he supposed. "I know it's foolish, that she's just a horse, but I've had her since I was a child… she was a gift from my father."

Sasuke felt his heart sink at that, watching her as she composed herself.

"They'll find her." he consoled softly, not knowing what else to say.

She nodded, though he could not tell if she believed him or not.

Inhaling, he mounted Sumo steadily, feeling ashamed of himself for making his mind up about her so quickly, thinking her a spoiled girl crying over a lost pony, instead of someone who lost a piece of what she left behind, a piece of her dead father.

Wordlessly he reached for her hand, reigning the excited stallion in. She stared at his offering for a moment before accepting it.

It was the first time he ever touched her.

The warmth of her skin traveled the length of his arm, like a current of liquid electricity, straight to his chest.

She let him pull her up behind him effortlessly as she straddled the horse, wrapping her arms tentatively around his torso.

Kami, he could feel everything, the feel of her legs against the back of his, the heat of her body so close. The smell of rose water assaulted his nose, wafting from her skin and hair as she peered over his shoulder to see better.

Great, she even smelled nice.

Finding the strong willpower and composure that his clan was so famous for, he rode on to the upper meadow with great haste.

It wasn't far, if he could stay focused, he could see this through without faltering.

She wasn't holding on tight enough, he thought absentmindedly. She was as far away from him as she could be without falling off, her hold weak.

However, when Sumo galloped up the hills a bit too quickly, she had no choice but to cling to him more securely, her hands rising, crossing over his chest, pressing her soft body against his back.

He was glad she couldn't see his face.

It felt far too pleasing to have her hold him like this, to have her depend on him.

By some miracle, they reached the meadow where a vast herd grazed contentedly. He dismounted, tying Sumo to the fence post before hesitantly reaching for her waist, helping her slip down from the saddle, her hands holding securely unto his shoulders until her feet touched the ground.

They both lingered a moment, foolishly, curiously.

What was this pull? Sasuke thought to himself. Why her of all people?

Perhaps when she marries your brother it will be enough. The voice within suggested bitterly. Perhaps when he beds her and she bares his children you'll stop longing for her.

He pulled away quickly, hearing her murmur a quiet thank you as he led her to the fence line.

The thought of her with his brother; even at that moment, even with the halls being filled with flowers, her dress being embroidered by his mother, the river house being renovated for them to spend their future in; made something wicked, something ugly emerge inside him.

Why did Itachi have to have everything?

Perhaps he's already taken her. An unwanted thought surfaced. He said he didn't wish to marry a stranger, he probably wouldn't want to bed one either. It's not like they need to be concerned about an early pregnancy, everyone would be overjoyed, wouldn't they?

She came up beside him, her large eyes wide as she took in the choices before her, needing to stand on the first railing to see them properly. Without her raised shoes, she barely grazed his shoulder.

"See any you want?" he asked.

"It doesn't matter." she replied solemnly.

He watched her from the corner of his eye. Perhaps he shouldn't have felt sympathetic toward her, but he did.

She's not yours to comfort.

Ignoring his ever-growing hostile mind, he leaned a little closer to her and pointed toward a mare around the same age and color as Tsuna. Though, while Tsuna was a solid white horse, this one, had dappled grey spots across her back and flank.

"Aya would be good for you, she'd fit your height and is one of the most docile of them."

Sakura eyed the pretty mare, before he moved on to the next one, a paint with blue eyes.

"Susanoo is a bit more of a challenge, you have to let him know who's in charge, but he's the fastest."

He listed off a few more, but he could tell he'd lost her.

Her eyes were miles away, over the hills to the western lands where the mountains towered.

"You must miss it." he thought out aloud.

"There's nothing for me there," she replied with a shrug of her shoulders, but he could hear the tears she was forcing back. "My place is here now."

He could tell she was telling herself of that more than him and stood up a bit straighter before making a decision.

She truly didn't want any of them, she wanted Tsuna, but somehow found it in herself to settle with Aya.

…

It took three days to find the damned horse.

She was long proclaimed dead by everyone in the compound, including her master, yet there she stood, ten miles from the stables, her reigns tangled in a slew of branches.

The poor animal's call was hoarse from crying out for help, and Sasuke felt some of his irritation with her waver.

Some.

With patience he gained from growing up beneath the reign of his father and brother, he managed to free the frightened creature. She was far too exhausted to fight him for too long.

With gentle coaxing, he led her through the dense forest, and before they reached the edge where Sumo waited, she warmed up enough to start nipping at his hair.

"Stop that." he chided quietly at her with a shrug of his shoulders, pushing her back. "It's not my fault you decided to storm off. You can eat when we get you home." However, he reluctantly brushed her nose when she whined in protest.

"Come on, you're needed," he told her, tying her to Sumo and starting the journey home, going slowly so not strain the already weak animal.

...

She had been wandering the gardens with his mother, Kakashi in tow, when she spotted Tsuna trotting up the main path alongside Sasuke.

"Is that...?" Mikoto wondered aloud, but the Haruno had already taken off in the most unladylike fashion, leaving behind her raised shoes.

"Lady Sakura!" Kakashi called after her in annoyance, but she paid him no heed.

The long hours of searching and hopelessly wandering through the brush and wilderness were forgotten to the younger Uchiha son when he saw her face light up at the sight of her beloved animal.

He had never seen her so happy.

Tsuna whined in joyful recognition at the sight of her master and found enough energy to sprint forward. Sakura ran, skirts hoisted, out of breath, her coiled hair coming undone as she fell upon the mare's flank.

"Tsuna!" she cried in disbelief. "You're alive!"

Sasuke felt the corner of his lips curl upward to see her smile like that, it was enough to make his heart flip inside his chest.

"Where… How…" she turned to him as he dismounted, trying to reign in her happy tears.

"I came upon her on one of the backroads on my return journey," he explained, lying almost as well as his brother. "It was nothing."

"No," she told him, eyes shining with gratitude. "It was much more than that."

…

Later that night, long after the rest of his family retired, he stood alone leaning against the pillar of the canopy watching the stars, the Haruno girl's smile still dancing in his head.

When will it fade? he thought. When will I stop?

Hands deep in his pockets he felt the silk of her ribbon, the only piece of her he would ever claim.

Forlornly, he extracted it carefully, marveling at its smoothness, its delicacy, as it nearly glowed in the light of the moon.

The way she looked at him today… Was she just grateful?

"Always so serious." a familiar voice mused from the threshold, making him start.

He shoved his hands back into his pockets, hiding the small token, as his mother came beside him, her eyes staring up at the heavens.

"It's late." she told him pointedly.

"I'm not tired." he shrugged his shoulders.

The silence stretched for a while between them, before she spoke up again, her voice soft as the slate spring breeze.

"Where did you really find the horse?"

His lower lip twitched, but other than that, he showed no sign of his internal panic. "As I said, I happened upon her on the backroads."

He saw her gaze slide up to him in the corner of her eye and knew she did not believe him. Not in the slightest.

"...Take care, Sasuke." she warned, her voice still soft for only him to hear. "These are uncertain times and your father will not take any chances."

He glared into the night, crossing his arms heavily over his chest. "I have no idea what you could possibly mean."

"Sasuke." she sighed tiredly, placing a hand on his shoulder, making him reluctantly turn to look at her at last. "...just heed what I say, my son, you're only going to get hurt."