Amaryllis

Chapter 18

Gaara tilted his head back. His mouth hung open as he stared up at the vaulted ceiling. It was made up of thousands, maybe millions of individual tiles. They created a breathtaking design of blue, green, and gold.

Sakura chuckled. She patted Gaara's shoulder as she walked past. Temari pushed his chin up to close his mouth.

"It's beautiful," Gaara murmured.

He started a little as someone approached from behind him. Kankuro wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Gaara then smiled as he realized it was just his brother.

"It took them seven years just to place all these tiles," Kankuro whispered, also looking up.

"Why is it called the Hall of Sacred Echos?" he wondered. He looked up at Kankuro, who smiled at him. Gesturing with his chin.

"Why don't you see for yourself?"

Gaara cupped his hands around his mouth. And then he sang a few measures of an old children's song. But the melody left his lips, bouncing around the tall ceilings. It sounded like more than one person singing. And the sweet notes rang on and on, long after he had closed his mouth.

"Oh. That's… incredible," Gaara breathed.

"Come on, you two," Temari called. She stood by the windows, fist on her hip. Sakura stood in front of her. Bathed in that light, Sakura touched her finger to the patterns in the glass. Wondered how they had dyed it such a rich hue.

The light spilled in through the colored glass, painting everything deep blue, as if they were submerged at the bottom of the ocean. Like on those days she dove to the very bottom of the waters. Until the sounds of the world above began to fade. Sinking deeper and deeper.

Sakura lifted her head as she heard footsteps approach. She felt Gaara's hand touch her elbow.

Because she was not at the bottom of the sea. There were no bubbles rising to the surface, spilling from her throat. Just a sigh that echoed too loudly.

They had arrived safely in the Viper's Fang two days ago.

Prince Baki was, of course, prepared for them.

The Viper's Throat was the canyon that connected the Arids to the cities in the east. It was a wide path, shielded from the wind and sand by towering cliffs. It was a profitable trade route that many coveted. The years when tyrants ruled over this territory hurt trade on all sides. Luckily, Prince Baki was much more reasonable than his predecessors. The flow of goods between the east and the west had increased since his ascension.

The Viper's Fang was the city that sat at the mouth of this canyon. In contrast to the ominous name, the city surrounding the palace was a bustling, prosperous place. The river that ran through the canyon provided the city with all the water it needed. Trees and flowering bushes edged the paved streets. A line of well-dressed children ran past, trailing a man in an austere robe.

They paused on a corner to catch their breath. Suigetsu and Mangetsu passed a canteen between them, gulping down the last of their wine. As Mangetsu wiped the back of his mouth, he felt a stare on them. He straightened, hand reaching for his sword. Sakura batted his hand down as she walked past.

"Relax. It's our guide," she chided him as she put on a smile.

In contrast to the humble welcome Mei had prepared, servants lined the road that led up to the palace. They bowed in perfect synchronization as Sakura and her companions walked up the path carpeted in flower petals. A procession of musicians accompanied them with each step.

The palace itself was a massive structure made of stone. The exterior was covered in teal tiles that formed intricate patterns along the columns. Each door and window was shaped into an arch with a peak at the top. Everything was perfectly symmetrical. And the closer she looked into details, the more she noticed about the incredible beauty of this place.

Baki greeted them at the inner gates leading into the palace. His guards bowed deeply when they approached. They didn't lift their heads, even when Baki spread his arms.

"Welcome, my friend. Your arrival is lovely," Baki greeted Sakura. He strode forward to clasp Sakura's hands in his. "I'm honored that you would grace my city with your presence." And then he nodded to acknowledge Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara. Baki's gaze lingered on Suigetsu and Mangetsu, who stared back, unintimidated. After a moment, Baki nodded at them too.

"I must admit, I feared you would not accept my invitation," Baki then said.

Sakura pulled her hands from his with a polite smile.

"I'm grateful for your hospitality, Prince Baki," she answered.

The procession followed them all the way into the palace itself. The same teal tiles lined the walls, but they were edged by red and gold designs. Even the columns were covered in the same patterns. There was no need for tapestries because the walls themselves were the artwork.

Sakura felt Gaara grasp her sleeve. Like a child did. "I've heard about this place," he whispered. When he glanced at the servants, he seemed to remember himself, pulling his hand away with a tiny apology. It wasn't becoming of someone of his status to act so freely. That was what his father had always taught him. Sakura grabbed his hand instead. Her expression warmed as she regarded him.

"You are my proxy, but you're my baby cousin first. Be at ease," she murmured. She glimpsed his smile before he quickly hid his face behind his sleeve.

"We have prepared only the best guest suites for you. I hope they are to your liking," Baki announced. But when he glanced over his shoulder to see why she hadn't replied, he caught Suigetsu lowering the hood of his robe while his brother fed information into Sakura's ear.

His stared lingered over Suigetsu's silver hair. Suigetsu bared his teeth in a smile. But Baki didn't return the expression.

"I was staring. I apologize. That's just… not a hair color we see often," he explained.

Sakura tugged the back of Suigetsu's robe. He huffed through his nostrils, but he took a step back.

"Quite understandable. My retainers are distrusting by nature. Suigetsu means you no harm," Sakura smoothed things over.

Later, after they had been showed to their rooms, Suigetsu lounged across one of the seats in Sakura's quarters. It was a truly opulent suite with multiple rooms and a private bath.

"What's a retainer?" he asked, suddenly sitting up.

"It's like a… personal guard, I think. But for fancy folk like M'Lady," answered Mangetsu.

Temari arched an eyebrow. "Surprisingly, you're not wrong," she commented.

Suigetsu bristled. "We're uneducated, not stupid," he snapped.

An odd look crossed Temari's face. She thought. But before she could reply, a hand parted the curtain in the archway.

As Sakura entered the room, she sighed. "Alright, alright. Get along, you two," she chastised. And as she shed her head covering and veil, she glanced over at the two mercenaries. Mangetsu sat up a little straighter, but Suigetsu didn't budge. "Get some rest before you scout the area. I'd like not to get poisoned or stabbed during my time here."

Suigetsu stretched his arm. He picked up Sakura's veil. Twisted the light fabric through his fingers as he smirked. "Can't help with poison, M'Lady. But we've done a decent job at the other thing," he pointed out.

And it was certainly true that she had encountered less overt danger since the brothers had joined her. Fewer daggers met her in darkened alleys. And if she did catch a strange look as she passed, when she looked back, that person was often gone, along with one of the brothers.

It was strange, she knew, that someone of her status had ever travelled without an escort at all. Now, there was the excuse that she was a soldier and needed no one to coddle her. But as a girl, she should have had a retinue of knights shadowing her. Watching over her as she slept. Guarding her carriage as she travelled. It was tradition. Yet another one broken when the Regent took the throne. The squires who had been training to one day guard her were assigned to other roles. The ones who protested were silenced one by one.

She had heard from her aunt how loyal the Queen's Knights were. How they didn't hesitate to lay down their lives for the sake of their master. She had long ago convinced herself that she needed no such thing. But now she couldn't help but notice how much easier her life was with the mercenaries watching her back.

"You'll make me blush with all that staring, M'Lady," Suigetsu drawled.

Sakura caught the way Temari's eyes narrowed. She glanced at Mangetsu, who nodded.

"Perhaps you two should take this opportunity to wash up," Sakura suggested.

Mangetsu leaned over to whisper in Suigetsu's ear. Suigetsu whispered something back before they got to their feet.

Temari's glare followed them as they left the room. Her head jerked toward the door as it creaked open again.

Kankuro walked in, rubbing the back of his hand against his nose. His eyes widened as he took in his sister's expression. "What?" he asked.

Temari clicked her tongue. "It's nothing," she muttered.

Sakura ignored her, turning her attention to Kankuro. "Is everything alright?" she inquired.

Kankuro gave his sister one last look of concern before he turned with a smile to Sakura.

"Of course. Gaara is resting at the moment. I was thinking of visiting the market before supper," Kankuro reported.

Sakura exchanged a look with Temari. Temari nodded. Turning back to Kankuro, Sakura nodded. "Very well. Temari will accompany you. Just wait until Suigetsu and Mangetsu have returned."

"You trust them?" demanded Kankuro, looking at his sister.

Temari snorted. "No. I trust Lady Sakura to gut them if they try anything untoward," she retorted.

There was no need for such concern. When Suigetsu returned, his smirk was gone. Instead, he recounted the size of Prince Baki's barracks and the numbers of soldiers it housed. Mangetsu followed not long after, reporting on the location and contents of the prince's armory.

"By the way," Suigetsu brought up as he looked around the gilded room. "Is it normal for you nobles to just… have all this space to yourself like this?"

Prince Baki had provided an entire wing of the Viper's Fang for Sakura and her traveling companions. It was nearly a palace on its own, with a separate kitchen and even its own staff dedicated to seeing to her needs.

Sakura smiled. "No. This is… beyond generous. But not unheard of," she answered.

"… Folks starving on the streets and meanwhile you've got 7 toilets to shit in," muttered Suigetsu as he picked up a gold statuette. It was in the shape of a serpent curling up a tree. He hefted it in his palm. Clicked his tongue at it.

Tilting her head, Sakura considered that. "What would you have me do, Suigetsu?" she wondered. "I can't really distribute toilets to the poor."

Suigetsu considered that. And then he chuckled, shaking his head. "You're good with words, M'Lady."

Over the next few days, Prince Baki made sure that they would want for nothing.

Twin girls named Esma and Azra came to serve her in the morning. Esma carried warm water in a pitcher while Azra followed carrying an empty bowl and a clean towel. They tied back the curtains and made the bed while Sakura washed her face and rinsed her mouth. Then they helped her dress and brushed her hair before they excused themselves to bring breakfast. They spoke when spoken to. They were polite and smiled at all the right times.

An added bonus was that they didn't speak the language spoken on the western continent. Which meant that Sakura and all her companions could conversely freely in front of the girls.

Breakfast was always ready right on time. The tables were always set with precision. A cup never sat empty for more than a few seconds. The tea was the perfect temperature.

If Baki could not escort them himself, he sent someone to guide them instead. An official or a relative. Someone of status- as not to insult his guests.

They were given tours of the enormous palace, as well the beautiful sights around the city.

Just as Baki had once promised her, it was only the name of this place that was cruel.

Spires and domed roofs filled the city. Gold leafing adorned the ceilings of the tallest buildings. And everywhere she turned, there were stained glass windows. Tinged with amethyst and sapphire hues. Coloring the sunlight that touched the floors of even the most simple houses.

Despite these differences, the city reminded her of home. With its crooked alleys and crowded markets. The only huge difference was the public bath houses.

Even with all the finery of the palace, there were no private baths in her quarters. That was something only Prince Baki had access to. Instead, men and women, noble and common, all went to the public bath house to wash themselves.

Public baths were common in all of the cities she had visited. But out of consideration for her different upbringing, each of her hosts had arranged for a way for her to bathe in private. Sakura appreciated their concern, even though it wasn't necessary.

She wasn't uncomfortable in such settings. Sakura had spent too much of her life in the care of servants who bathed and dressed her. She was quite used to eyes on her.

In fact, it was a nice change of pace to try something new. Temari only had one complaint as they walked into the large building.

"There's nowhere to leave my spear," she grumbled.

Laughing, Sakura took her by the hand, pulling her into the women's section.

The baths consisted of three different rooms. The first was filled with hot steam. The second room contained a large heated pool. And the last room was a cool space where the woman dressed and lounged. Many of them ate and napped there as well. According to Esma and Azra, a trip to the baths could consist of an entire day. As she peered into the various rooms, Sakura could understand why.

After her first trip to the baths, Sakura fell in love. Relaxing in the hot steam and soaking in the pristine waters was the perfect remedy to the battering she had taken in the desert. There were even attendants who provided massages in each room. When she exited the building, her skin felt softer than it had in many years. And some of her oldest injuries seemed to ache a little less.

Kankuro and Gaara met them outside once they exited the men's bath.

They stood in the street together. Quiet. And then Kankuro stretched his arms high above his head. He turned to Sakura.

"Can we come back soon?" he begged.

"We must," Sakura agreed with a smile.

Some people visited the baths once a week. Sakura and her cousins went three times a week. No one commented on this. After all, there were some people in the palace who went every day. Like the many beautiful women that walked its halls.

Sakura had noticed them on her first day. And while none of them avoided her, they also didn't seem to seek her out. They were draped in luscious fabrics. Jewels dripped off of them, jangling together as they moved. Some of them moved in groups. Others walked alone. Some were trailed by servants. Some weren't.

"Prostitutes," Temari remarked when Sakura brought it up one afternoon. She sank down on her seat with a huff.

"… concubines," Kankuro corrected.

Temari sneered. "What's the difference?"

"Concubines have status. And they only serve the prince, don't they?" Gaara spoke up. He reached for a cup of tea. Paused. Nodded his thanks to Esma, who bowed in return.

"Ugh. Selling their bodies to a man for gain," Temari grumbled. She looked up when Sakura sat beside her. She smiled, watching for Sakura to agree with her.

Sakura didn't. She touched her chin, thinking.

"You don't suppose he wants to make me one of his concubines, do you?" she mused.

Gaara choked on his tea. Azra rushed forward with a napkin.

"Why do you say that? What happened? What did he say?" Kankuro demanded.

Temari was already getting to her feet. Spear glinting ominously in the candlelight.

Sakura pushed Temari's spear aside.

"Sit," she ordered, "You're terrifying the poor servants."

It took a moment. Temari's shoulders were tense. She exchanged a grimace with Kankuro, who nodded at her.

With a sigh, Temari settled back in her spot. Sakura held her hand out. One of the twins handed her a cup of tea.

"He's been welcoming… Too welcoming," Sakura went on.

"Everyone here is welcoming, Lady Sakura. We're related to almost everyone by marriage at this point," Kankuro pointed out.

"That's true. The prince did say that his mother was a Haruno," Temari recalled.

"What makes you say so, Lady Sakura?" wondered Gaara.

Sakura bit her lower lip. She stared down at her tea, eyes narrowing.

"People are rarely kind without a reason. Even between family," she told him.

"But you're kind, Lady Sakura," he pointed out.

Sakura smiled into her tea. "I'm not," she assured him before she took a sip.

The following morning, Prince Baki's attendant arrived in the northern wing of the palace. He knocked. Waited. It took some time for a servant to open the door. And when she did, she informed the man that the lady was not in her quarters.

Instead, she directed him to the courtyard. But before he could walk down the hallway, a hand slammed down on the wall. The attendant flinched. He stumbled backwards, colliding with Suigetsu. Mangetsu pushed off the wall.

"Wait here," he growled. And then he disappeared around the corner.

As Mangetsu stalked across the courtyard, Sakura raised her eyebrows.

She sat on a wooden bench. The hard slats were covered by thick blankets. As she shifted, one of the twins angled the large parasol to make sure the sun wouldn't touch her. It was wholly unnecessary. But when Sakura had refused, the girls had stood in the sun, sweating without uttering a word of complaint. At least when the parasol was up, Sakura could persuade them to rest beneath it with her.

"Trouble?" she guessed.

"Baki's servant. Thought you might not want him spying," Mangetsu informed her.

"Prince Baki," Sakura reminded him.

"I barely call you a lady. You expect too much," he retorted.

Sakura sighed. And then she chuckled as she shook her head. "True. I asked you to keep me alive. Not to be diplomatic."

Hand on her cheek, she thought. "Send him in. I'm not exactly trying to keep these dealings secret," she decided.

Mangetsu said nothing else. He disappeared. And when he reappeared, the baffled attendant trailed him.

"I apologize. My retainers can be quite protective," Sakura greeted him.

The servant nodded. "No need to apologize to me, General. My master bid me attend to you. Is there anything you require at this time?" He folded his hands across his stomach as he spoke, eyes focused on her feet.

Sakura observed the attendant for a moment. And then she smiled.

"No. Although, I am about to entertain some guests," she finally replied.

The attendant blanched. "Oh, my word. Please excuse me then!" he yelped, bowing once more as he began shuffling backwards.

Sakura held a hand up. He froze.

"You must be tired. Why not have a seat?"

She worded it like a question, but the attendant was smart enough to know that it wasn't a request. As he looked around, one of the twins slipped away. When she returned, she set a chair down beside Sakura. The girl gestured to the seat.

"Perhaps some tea. It wouldn't do to have a guest sit empty-handed," Sakura then tossed the words over her shoulder. She didn't look. But she could hear footsteps as the other twin hurried to fetch the drinks.

The attendant perched on the edge of the seat, casting nervous glances at Suigetsu and Mangetsu. Then at Temari, who ignored him. Last, he looked to Sakura, who smiled as she heard voices bouncing down the hallway.

"Ah, there she is!" Kankuro boomed. He strode out of the shade of the corridor, into the courtyard. Arms spread wide. Beaming. Gaara followed, speaking with a stout older man. Several people filed in after them, carrying long, cloth-covered objects.

"A thousand apologies for the wait, Your Grace," the older man greeted Sakura as he bowed from the waist. Sakura nodded in return. This was the head blacksmith Mei had recommended.

"Princess Mei warned us not to present you with anything less than perfection. I sincerely hope these products are to your liking," he went on. And as he spoke, his entourage began unwrapping the shapes. Revealing gleaming blades and wooden handles.

"Spears, as you've ordered. And we've modified the swords according to your measurements."

Sakura simply stared at the weapons without saying anything. After a long, uncomfortable silence, Sakura looked over her shoulder at Temari.

"What do you think?" Sakura queried.

Temari stepped forward. She held her hand out. One of the men relinquished a spear to her. She wrapped her fingers around the handle. She tilted the weapon to the left, then to the right. She weighed it in her hand. And then she made an experimental slash at the air. Tested a jab too.

"Better balance," commented Temari.

"Excellent!" the blacksmith said. And then he gestured with both hands. "Would the lady care to see the swords as well?"

"Not exactly my area of expertise," Temari replied. She looked over at Sakura.

Sakura heaved a sigh. "I haven't stretched this morning," she complained even as she got to her feet. As she approached, they shuffled around to present the swords to her. But before she could grasp the hilt, Sakura paused.

She turned back. Toward Suigetsu. She raised her eyebrows at him.

It took a second. But when he caught on, a grin spread across his face.

"I'll be nice," Suigetsu assured her as he walked past her to accept the sword.

Sakura didn't say anything to him. Instead, she looked over his shoulder. Right at Temari. And in the language of the Arids, Sakura uttered seven words:

"Remember, I paid a lot for him."

Temari smirked.

Suigetsu's sword descended in vicious blows. Temari gritted her teeth as she parried each strike. And after the first rain of attacks, she caught on to the rhythm of his movement. Her counters came a little faster.

"Not bad for a noble lady," he taunted.

When Temari didn't respond to the goad, something in Suigetsu's expression shifted. His gaze sharpened. And his assault picked up pace. The edge of his sword glinting as it rained down on Temari. Her eyes widened as the handle of her spear clashed with the blade.

"That's enough, Suigetsu," Sakura warned.

The mercenary ignored her as he continued his assault. As Suigetsu raised the sword, he glimpsed movement out of the corner of his vision. When he turned, the point of Sakura's own weapon came too close to his eye.

"I said that's enough, Suigetsu," Sakura repeated.

She stared at him. Slowly, he lowered his arm. After a moment, Sakura lowered her arm too.

"So. What did you think?" she queried.

He glanced down at the blade. Shrugged one shoulder.

"Not as brittle as I expected. Light," he commented.

Gaara leaned over to translate into the blacksmith's ear. The man nodded. He scribbled notes onto a piece of parchment.

Suigetsu wrinkled his nose. "Too light. How're you supposed to do damage if you can't get into the meat?" he complained.

Sakura took the sword from him. She held it up to the sun to inspect the edge.

"These aren't butcher's tools," she scoffed. She locked eyes with Suigetsu. Just to make sure he was ready.

When he attacked, he chopped. To sever the muscles and all the things that attached them. He often went for the ligaments, she had noticed.

Sakura lunged. The point of the blade pierced Suigetsu's shirt. She pulled it back before she could make contact with the skin of his abdomen. Her hand slipped under his shirt so that he could see the shape of the rip against her palm. It was a triangle.

"When wounds heal, the two edges rejoin. What happens when there are 3 edges?" Sakura pointed out.

"Brutal," Suigetsu commented.

Sakura pulled her hand away with a smirk. "Tactical," she corrected.

She returned the sword to one of the waiting hands that reached out.

"Excellent work. I'm more than satisfied by the results," Sakura then announced, turning to the blacksmith. The old man bowed.

"I look forward to a long partnership," she then added. The old man bowed even deeper.

That night, Mangetsu's face appeared in Sakura's window. She started. Wine sloshed out of her cup, leaving a purple splash on the tile.

Sakura gave him a look. Mangetsu flashed a smile.

"Sorry," he said. And he didn't sound entirely insincere.

Sighing, she waved a hand. "Never mind that. What is it?" she asked.

"The attendant met with Baki. I'd assume he knows everything about your busy morning," he reported.

Sakura looked down at her nails. "As he should."

Mangetsu squinted at her. He draped his forearm over the windowsill. Rested his chin on top of it as he scrutinized her.

Sakura blinked at him.

The corners of Mangetsu's mouth turned down. He shook his head a little. "… Are you planning a war?" he questioned.

Her expression didn't change.

"If I was, do you have anything to say?" she queried in return.

"I thought you liked your people. War hurts little people the most," Mangetsu pointed out. His chin stuck out.

"When waged poorly," Sakura corrected him.

Mangetsu's forehead wrinkled.

"A good war gives work to empty hands. It bring in more land and resources," she listed, counting off on her fingers. When she noticed Mangetsu's expression, she lowered her hand. Nodded.

"But I do see your point," conceded Sakura. She took a sip of her wine. Her gaze drifted down to the stain on the tiles. It was remarkable how wine spattered just like blood. The color was similar too.

"War is a possibility. Not the goal, Mangetsu," she declared. And when her eyes met the mercenary's, there was a long silence. He nodded at her.

"Y'know… I can see why the boss likes you," Mangetsu commented. Before she could react, Mangetsu slipped off the windowsill, dissolving into the night.

Sasuke received the warm welcome he had expected when he returned home. The procession of gifts the Haruno family had provided definitely helped. The luxurious silks and the colorful fruits drew gasps and whispers as they piled up in the throne room.

His father nodded with approval as Sasuke reported on his experiences.

"The General assures me that she will continue to be a steadfast ally in the future," Sasuke concluded.

"This is good news indeed," replied Fugaku. He looked over when he felt his wife's hand settle on his arm.

"What about Itachi, my dear? We've received his letter, but do you know anything more?" asked Kushina.

Before his departure, Sasuke had sat and had a long conversation with his older brother. It hadn't been an easy talk, but maybe that was what had made it so necessary.

The first words out of Sasuke's mouth were: "I'm sorry".

"So am I," Itachi replied. "I wish this wasn't how things were, Sasuke." But then he clasped Sasuke's hands between his. He smiled.

"Just because our parents have failed us doesn't mean we have to fail each other," he then added.

Sasuke's lower lip trembled. He swallowed, looking away. Nodded. Pulled his hands away, too embarrassed to look his brother in the eye.

They unraveled the long history of how they had grown up as strangers in the same castle. Some things began to make sense. Like how Itachi had started to feel unwell as soon as Sasuke began to show promise in his studies. Or how Itachi's attacks would flare whenever foreign ambassadors came to visit. The worst times were always when these visitors brought along their unmarried daughters. With Itachi cloistered away in his room coughing up blood, the girls always set their eyes on Sasuke.

"Then why were you alright when the General came?" wondered Sasuke.

Itachi's eyes narrowed. So did Sasuke's.

They sat considering that for a while.

"Ah." The sound slipped out of Sasuke's mouth.

"The General arrived a week early. I remember hearing Mother mention it," Sasuke explained.

"If I recall correctly, I was already feeling a bit unwell when she arrived. They must have already been poisoning my food in smaller quantities," surmised Itachi. He rubbed his face with his hands. "They must have been increasing the dosages. Which was why the soup was so strong," he then realized.

"Do you think Mother was trying to kill you?" Sasuke asked.

That took some thinking. About the woman who had entered the palace. Insisted that he call her "mother" and not "step-mother". Who had embraced him when he woke from nightmares. Who had sat at his bedside and read him stories when he had been too little to read on his own.

Itachi peered at Sasuke through his fingers. He hesitated. And then he lowered his hands, shaking his head.

"I don't think so. She's had countless opportunities. She would have done it already if that was her plan," Itachi decided.

The answer didn't offer Sasuke much comfort. He squeezed his hands together.

"I almost wish I didn't know this. I mean… how am I supposed to look Mother in the face with all she's done to you?" Sasuke wondered. He looked at Itachi, who sighed. He leaned against the side of the pavilion.

"You just… lie," was all Itachi could come up with.

Now, as Sasuke stood in front of his parents, he wished that his brother were standing beside him to assure him. To remind him of the plan. Or, if Sakura were there, she would know what to say. Haruno's were excellent liars.

He wished he had paid better attention to what they did, specifically. Maybe it was something with the eyes. Or the way they tilted their heads.

But then he remembered his brother's parting words to him.

"I can only count on you like this, little brother."

Sasuke felt his palms begin to sweat as he recalled his response.

"What if I make a mistake? I could ruin everything."

Sasuke had very few memories of his older brother before his illness had separated them. But there was something about the way Itachi smiled at him. He had the feeling that this wasn't the first time Itachi had looked at him that way. Like he knew something that he didn't.

"You won't. You'll do well," Itachi had assured him.

With those words in mind, Sasuke took a deep breath. He had already rehearsed his answer a hundred times in his head.

"He had another episode. The Haruno family's physician strongly advised against travel. Although, I'm sure he isn't so dissatisfied…" Sasuke trailed off. He stole a glance at his parents.

Fugaku's eyebrows came together. "Whatever do you mean?" he questioned.

"Big brother is… besotted by our dear friend, the General. He refuses to leave her side," Sasuke finally responded. He wrinkled his nose.

Mikoto's eyes widened. She exchanged a look with Fugaku. Rested her hand on his arm.

"And… does the General return those affections?" she wondered.

"She seems fond of him as well," answered Sasuke. He tried his best to look her in the eye.

The lines on Fugaku's forehead deepened. He looked over at his wife.

"Certainly, we were looking to strengthen ties to the south. Although, not quite in this manner…" mused Fugaku. He thought for a moment. And then he asked, "How was your brother's health when you last saw him?"

Sasuke forced himself not to check his mother's expression.

"It's difficult to say, Father. We all thought the sea air was going to help him," he sighed. And then he widened his eyes. "We could send the medicine we have at home. Could you have your physician make more, Mother?"

Mikoto touched her palms together in front of her. She pursed her lips as she said: "There's no guarantee that it would remain effective during all the time it would take to reach the island."

Fugaku frowned. "Well, it couldn't hurt to send some anyway. And perhaps some tokens of thanks to the Haruno family for caring for our son," he mused.

Mikoto's eyes widened. Just for a moment. And then the smile returned to her face.

"Of course. It's as you say, dear husband," she agreed. She then held her hands out, beaming at Sasuke.

"At any rate, welcome home, my darling. We missed you so," Mikoto declared.

Sasuke stepped into her embrace. Leaning against her shoulder as she squeezed him close.

Soon, his father dismissed him. Sasuke walked down the hall toward his quarters. His personal guards followed a few paces behind him. They had greeted him as soon as he crossed the border into the Mountain Kingdom. The soldiers that the Haruno family had sent to guard him had quietly departed.

For some reason, Sakura had assigned Kisame to head the escort. If the soldiers had any issue with being lead by a mercenary, they were good at hiding it.

The last thing Kisame had said to him lingered in his thoughts.

"Don't look so scared, Princeling. They can smell fear."

The memory sat with him now as he glanced back at his guards.

"Send word to my cousin Shisui. I need to meet with him," he ordered.

"The Baron is currently completing work for His Majesty. He will be busy for the time being, Your Highness," one replied.

Sasuke suddenly remembered something.

One night, standing in the throne room of the palace in Plumeria. The sea breeze whistled in through the columns. Sakura stood with her back to him. Jacket dangling from her elbows. The still-pink scar on her back glared at him through the slit in her dress.

And it had been some small matter. But as she gave an order to a soldier, something he had said in return hadn't sat well with her.

Sasuke remembered feeling his breath catch as she turned her head. From the side, he could see the way her eyes narrowed. Pinned the soldier in place.

When Sasuke turned to face his own guards, he tried to recall that expression. Conjuring it onto his own face.

"I must have misheard you," Sasuke uttered.

The guard who had spoken paled. He cast a glance around at his fellow guards. None of them came to his defense. He cleared his throat.

"…I will… inform him right away, Your Highness," he amended.

Sasuke felt the corner of his mouth lift in a smirk. He faced forward.

"Good."

Once Sakura had toured the city, she began to spend more time in the palace itself. The more she observed, the more she started to pick up on patterns. Because no matter how smart or mysterious a person seemed, they all had their routines.

The palace was always busy. Courtiers and advisors came and went each day. None of them ever dared to be anything less than respectful towards her. The servants, whether they worked in the main building or in her wing of the palace, were quick to serve her.

Baki had made it clear that the guests were welcome in any part of the palace. Sakura steered clear of Baki's quarters out of respect. And she avoided the harem out of a desire to avoid confrontation.

Sakura didn't blame those women, however. Surviving in Baki's harem seemed like a cutthroat affair. He seemed to choose different concubines on a whim. One would sit with him at dinner one night, and then another would replace her the following day. Sometimes they were young, sometimes they were foreign. The only guaranteed pattern she had noticed was that if a concubine was rude to her, Baki dismissed her right away. And she didn't appear at his elbow again.

The women who filled Baki's harem were all beautiful, without question. Some of them were probably charming and intelligent. But it was their fate to rot in the harem, unremarkable and unnoticed until they were cast aside.

It was terrifying. To have one's fate tied to the whims of one man.

Baki was an excellent host to all of them. In particular, when he saw how Sakura treasured her youngest cousin, Baki paid extra attention to Gaara. He invited Gaara for drinks. He included him in discussions. He even arranged for one of his concubines to visit Gaara during the night. Gaara's yelp of surprise had sent everyone running to his room. The poor girl, sobbing, was led out by Esma and Azra while everyone sheathed their weapons.

Sakura was conscious of the way Baki's eyes followed her. How his lips curled as he spoke to her. He took every opportunity to marvel at her accomplishments and to flatter her intelligence.

"He's lucky Sasori isn't here. Our cousin would pluck the Prince's eyes from his skull," Kankuro remarked one evening. He gulped down the last of his wine. Head flopping against his shoulder as he grinned at the thought.

"A shame that he isn't here then," Temari agreed. She leaned against the wall, arms folded across her chest.

Baki had pushed Gaara into trying too much plum wine at dinner. It was a valuable import from the east. And while it did taste good, it was also a touch strong for Gaara. After dinner, he had crawled over to Sakura and fallen asleep with his head in her lap. Sakura looked down at him. When she ran her hand through his hair, he didn't stir.

"How has he been sleeping?" wondered Sakura.

Kankuro's smile faded. He shook his head.

"Nightmares, still. He tries not to wake me. But I don't think he's slept through a single night," reported Kankuro.

Sakura stroked Gaara's hair a little harder.

"I should have dealt with your father sooner," she lamented.

"You did what was necessary. Mishandling father would have made it difficult for us to even come here, Lady Sakura," Kankuro responded with his usual smile.

Temari said nothing. Her eyes lingered on her youngest brother.

"Temari?" Sakura prompted.

There was a pause. And then Temari spoke. "I recognize that it is difficult to be the one responsible for making decisions. I do not envy your burden."

"Nevertheless?" Sakura pushed again.

Temari looked at her. Almost smiling.

"Nevertheless I wish you would have shielded Gaara from all this," confessed Temari.

Sakura liked looking into Temari's eyes. She never avoided her gaze. And her stare was always clear and honest.

After a moment, Sakura almost smiled too.

"So do I," she answered.

As days in the Viper's Fang passed, Baki's intentions became more and more obvious. He invited her for walks around the palace. New treasures and trinkets arrived in her quarters each morning. And when she entered the room, his eyes never left her. It would have almost been flattering if she didn't know how fickle that attention could be.

"He'll be throwing himself into your lap soon," Temari remarked a few nights later.

Gaara wrinkled his nose at the thought.

"I agree," Sakura said in response to Gaara's expression.

It had been a sweltering day. The sunset had offered little relief from the heat. Sakura pushed her hair off her neck, grimacing at how sticky she felt.

She fanned herself with one hand. As she did, one of the twins rushed forward to begin fanning her. Sakura turned her head to stop her. Saw the eager look on her face. Sakura just nodded at her before she returned her attention to her cousins.

"He's been a gracious host. But this attention is… uncalled for," Sakura commented.

Temari, who had been polishing her weapons, looked up.

"Then why not say so?" Temari wondered.

"Kankuro's head would explode if I didn't find a way to use this," answered Sakura. From the other side of the table, Kankuro raised his hand in thanks. His eyes didn't leave his ledger. He had learned much about the way money changed hands on this side of the world. He seemed frantic to record everything he saw. As if the knowledge of how money moved was just as valuable as the money itself. Which, according to Kankuro, was true.

"Use it?" Temari repeated. She tilted her head as she thought. "The man has already promised you an army. What more could you use him for?"

Kankuro's eyebrows rose. He looked to Sakura.

She touched the back of her hand to her mouth. Thinking.

"I don't know. But it seems unwise to waste such… obvious favor," she mused.

Temari looked into her wine. "Well… then you should investigate his harem. Aunt Kurenai always says that while the men rule-"

"Their women scheme," Sakura recalled, eyes widening.

"…I've heard a rumor," Gaara spoke up.

All eyes fell on him.

"Prince Baki has a wife. He said so the other night," he informed them.

Sakura's eyes narrowed. She touched her hand to her lower lip, thinking. Slowly, a smile spread across her face.

Temari reached over to ruffle her youngest brother's hair.

"Bless that plum wine. It was good for something," she teased.

Gaara turned a little green. "Please. Don't mention that heinous drink ever again…" he grumbled.

It only took one trip to the bath house to get a name. Servants and noblewomen mixed together in the baths. It was easy to overhear conversations and to make new friends over cups of cool mint tea.

The aging mother of one of Baki's concubines was more than happy to brag about her daughter's status. And when Sakura broached the topic of the Prince's consort, the woman couldn't seem to divulge the information fast enough.

Sakura turned the name over in her head as they exited the bath house. Her damp hair clung to the back of her neck. Temari motioned for her brothers, who sat on the edge of a fountain, waiting for them.

"From the Hoki family," Sakura said as soon as Kankuro and Gaara were close enough to hear. She looked at both of them. Gaara shook his head. Kankuro shrugged.

Sakura sighed. "I'll have Mangetsu look into it."

"Not Suigetsu? He's sneakier," Kankuro pointed out.

Sakura's eyes narrowed. "Sneakier. But less obedient," she said. And she shot a look over her shoulder, toward a pillar. A figure disappeared into the shadows behind it. But she was certain that he had heard anyway.

Mangetsu returned with the information the following day.

Suigetsu glanced at his brother before he stuffed a handful of grapes into his mouth. "Where've you been?" he questioned.

"Just some sightseeing," answered Mangetsu. Suigetsu's eyebrows rose. He sat up, chewing.

"And what did you see?" Sakura prompted. She liked the way Mangetsu's eyes sparkled as he took a seat. She cleared her books and stationary to the side to make room for him.

"Awfully hot today. Sure makes the throat dry," he remarked with a sidelong glance.

Sakura pursed her lips. Shaking her head, she scoffed.

When she looked, one of the twins stood near her, hands folded in front of her. She met Sakura's gaze, like she was expecting something. So eager to please.

"Some wine," Sakura ordered. The girl nodded before she hurried off.

Mangetsu lowered his hood and took a deep breath before he began his report.

The name of the one and only consort of Prince Baki's harem was Shijima. All the other women who draped themselves over the prince were regular concubines. They enjoyed the luxury of living in the palace. But Shijima, as the only legal wife, was supposed to hold the most power in the harem.

"She's from the east?" Sakura guessed.

Mangetsu nodded before he took a sip of the wine that had just arrived.

"Powerful merchant family. As far as I can tell, noble too. But not that high up," he confirmed. And then his eyes narrowed for a second.

"What?" asked Sakura.

She followed Mangetsu's stare. She looked over her shoulder at the servant girl. Azra, Sakura thought. Azra tended to wear her hair up. Esma liked to wear it in braids. But both the twins were so quiet that she often forgot that they were in the room with her.

Mangetsu's face relaxed. "Nothing," he said. But he cast one last look at the servant girl. Suigetsu's forehead wrinkled as he glanced at her too.

Mangetsu went on with his report.

As it turned out, Shijima was the eldest daughter of the Hoki family. They ruled the lands just outside the other end of the Viper's Throat. In a way, they were the gateway between the Arids and the east.

"Very smart. Taking one of their daughters as a bride," Sakura noted.

"Sort of weird though," commented Suigetsu. He examined his hand. Clicking his tongue, he pulled a knife from his belt. He began digging a grain of sand out from under his nail.

"Care to explain?" Sakura prompted.

Suigetsu's eyes flickered up to her. Then back down to his task. He twisted his lips to one side. "Well, we've been here for weeks. Haven't seen this consort once," he spelled out.

Sakura leaned back in her seat. Arms crossing.

"True. What are your thoughts on that, Suigetsu?" she queried.

"Maybe she's ugly," Suigetsu answered. Mangetsu snorted.

Suigetsu's knife stilled for a moment. And then he brought it up to point.

"Or."

Sakura didn't flinch. She arched an eyebrow. "Or?" she repeated.

"Or they don't get along for some other reason," he finished. Lamely.

Sakura sighed while Suigetsu snickered.

"Oh, come on. You wanted me to be a dog. Not a scholar," he joked.

Sakura rubbed the bridge of her nose with a knuckle. After a moment, she sighed again. But there was no anger in the sound. She opened her eyes and smiled.

"I suppose you're right," she conceded. And then she looked to Mangetsu. "Good work. You must be tired. You should get some rest."

Mangetsu nodded. He and his brother exchanged a look. Mangetsu's eyebrows rose when Suigetsu didn't move toward the door with him.

Instead, Suigetsu rested his elbow on his knee.

"I've got a question for you," Suigetsu announced. He pointed at her with his knife.

Sakura's gaze dragged down from his face, down to the weapon. Then back up to his face.

Suigetsu lowered the blade. Sakura continued to stare.

"…M'Lady," Suigetsu added.

She nodded at him.

"Why not just spend a night with him? It's clearly what the prince wants," Suigetsu wondered.

It was fortunate that Temari wasn't in the room with them. Her spear would have flown toward the mercenary's eye.

But Sakura only laughed.

"Do you know what happens when a man and a woman lie together?" she demanded.

Suigetsu's expression shifted. Smile fading. He blinked. Thinking of a way to respond. He looked to Mangetsu, who only shrugged.

Sakura gave a careless wave of her hand. "Clearly, you do know." She lowered her arm, draping it across her knee. Her hand dangled in the air, still gesturing as she spoke.

"When I carry a child, it will be to secure the Haruno family's legacy. The blood of some prince of a far-off city will not serve that purpose," she explained.

The smirk slipped off Mangetsu's face. "That's what a child is to you?" Mangetsu wondered.

Sakura's smile widened. But it also turned cold.

"That is the purpose of all Haruno children. And always has been," she replied. She got to her feet. One of the attendants hurried forward to present her shawl. Sakura let the girl drape it over her shoulders. It was hot, but it was how all women dressed here. She glanced at Mangetsu again.

"But I also have no intention of giving birth to a child who will be made to feel without purpose. So don't look so disappointed in me, Mangetsu," she then added.

As she walked off, the twin attendants trailed her steps.

Suigetsu tilted his head to one side.

"She's awful," he commented. And then he shoved his knife back into the slot on his belt. "I've decided I like her." He looked over at his older brother.

"Do you think she knows what she's doing?" Mangetsu inquired.

Despite appearances, Suigetsu was the sharper one. His judgment was seldom wrong. But he preferred to let everyone think that Mangetsu was the brains. It made it easier for both of them.

Suigetsu smirked. Chin in his hand, he shook his head.

"But neither does the boss. That's why it's been so fun following him, don't you think?"

Mangetsu rolled his eyes. He jerked his head in the direction of the door.

"Let's go," was all he replied.

Suigetsu lingered to gulp down his wine. Along with the glass Sakura had left behind. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he hurried after his brother.

It had occurred to Naruto several times in his life that everyone seemed to be busy. And even if they weren't particularly productive, they seemed to at least have something to do. Whether that be selling wares or dozing off on the night watch- the things everyone did seemed… right for them.

The idea first popped up many years ago. As a child, he recalled watching a stablehand grooming one of the horses. The swish of the bristles through the horse's mane lulled him into a stupor. He loved sitting on an overturned crate during warm weather. Just watching the older man tend to the horses. The servants that passed through the yard greeted him. Sometimes they slipped him a sweet when they thought no one was looking.

Naruto had always wondered what they were doing. Where they were going.

"To the kitchens, Young Master."

"What for?"

"To scrub potatoes for supper, Young Master."

Others would reply: "To the city, Young Master, to deliver a package for the Marquess."

They never hesitated. They always knew why they held onto the things in their hands. And they always knew what was coming next.

The Namikaze estate was small for belonging to a marquess. But that didn't change the fact that it was home. Or at least, it had been. A long, long time ago.

The cold, cavernous Whiteriver Keep was supposed to be more desirable. But for Naruto, it was just a damp place where nobody seemed to know how to really smile.

At his mother's request, Duke Hyuuga had begun tutoring him four days a week. Neither he nor the Duke seemed happy with the arrangement. Although, the Duke rarely seemed pleased with anything. He sat frowning and glaring as he lectured on the history of the kingdom. And if Naruto asked a question, the Duke always regarded him as if it were the stupidest thing he had ever heard in his life. Which was a shame. Because some of the things the Duke had to say were interesting.

Once tutoring ended, it was time for horseback riding lessons. In the afternoons, he had etiquette lessons. He vaguely remembered Sakura going through a similar regimen when they were children. Only, he was certain that she had had more classes crammed into one day. And for how much Duke Hyuuga seemed to hate the Haruno family, he loved to point out how Sakura had memorized certain topics at half his age. Or how Sakura had mastered these concepts after one lesson.

Naruto tried not to get annoyed. It wasn't Sakura's fault. He knew that the Duke was just trying get a rise out of him. Then he would report to his mother how he was concerned that a young man should have such a hot temperament. He was starting to understand why Sakura eyed the Duke the way she did.

And despite how busy his days felt, once his lessons were over, there was nothing else expected of him. His parents preferred if he took his meals with them, but they didn't push if he declined. There were social events going on every day in the capital.

"You needn't concern yourself with trivial gatherings," Sai assured him when he asked.

Sai had been by his side for well over a decade now. But sometimes Naruto felt like he knew him no better than the day they first met. All Sai ever did was answer him with that hollow smile. Even when Sakura had slapped him across the face, that expression hadn't changed.

Naruto tried to keep himself occupied. He wrote to Prince Sasuke. At first, it was to be polite. But, to his surprise, the prince responded in kind. It was little more than surface level chat, but it was nice to have someone he could talk to.

He wrote to Sakura, too. At least once a week. Sometimes every day. But no matter how long he waited, a reply never came. It wasn't as if he could go to the military academy to ask. Not after the cold reception he had received during his last visit.

When he wanted to visit the city, his parents forbade him to leave the castle, even when he promised to take Sir Sai with him. Although Naruto had never sat in a dungeon before, he imagined it felt very similar to this.

At the very least, Naruto was free to roam Whiteriver Keep. Some days he spent in the library, which was usually unoccupied. He had never been a fan of reading, but sometimes he poked around the shelves and flipped through the yellowing pages.

Other days he roamed the halls. He found that the parts of the castle where people didn't often visit didn't receive the same care from the staff. If he didn't pay attention, he ran into cobwebs. And the paintings on the walls were coated in dust. Sai didn't complain out loud about these trips. But he did sigh and make faces until Naruto, feeling guilty for dragging him along, turned around and headed back to his quarters.

Once a week, Naruto received permission to visit the temple. Technically, it was outside the castle. But the temple was so close that Naruto had managed to convince his parents to at least allow him to visit there. When he argued that it was to pray and to meditate, they had little choice but to agree.

The people of Leaves weren't particularly religious. The only time they paid much attention to it was during the holidays, when the temple hosted feasts for the public, and during almsgiving, when the temple distributed money to the poor. During those times, lines stretched out of the building, down the steps and winding around the crooked blocks. On other days, the temple was usually empty.

As Naruto walked in, he spotted an old woman sitting in the back. Her grey head bent. Hands touching in her lap. Naruto tried not to make too much noise as he moved past her.

The high priestess stood at a window near the front of the room. Her light purple robes trailed behind her as she stepped toward him. She smiled.

"I offer the blessings of the Goddess to you," Hinata greeted him.

"Hi," Naruto responded.

She opened her eyes, even though she couldn't see him. And her expression warmed. Hand on her chest, she dipped her head. Naruto returned the gesture.

"Welcome, Prince Naruto."

She lowered her hand.

"It's been rather cool recently. I do hope you take care of your health," she commented.

Naruto glanced over his shoulder, toward the doors. Sai stood waiting there, looking down at his sword with an expression of obvious boredom.

"Uh… yeah. Seems like it might rain. You should take care too," Naruto responded.

Hinata's eyebrows rose, disappearing under her hair. "Oh? How can you tell?"

That made Naruto pause. He knew that she was blind. He hadn't considered how that would affect her understanding of things that seemed basic to him. He could imagine Sakura's sigh as she chastised him for such selfish thinking. But Hinata's face remained as gentle as always as she awaited his answer.

Naruto rubbed the back of his neck. "Ah, well… the sky changes colors. The clouds are… they're normally white. So, they turn all dark when it's about to rain. And everything turns dark even though it's not night," he fumbled to explain.

Hinata's hands rose to cover her mouth. Lowered a little. "My, how scary. I hadn't realized that the rain made things dark," she confessed. And then she laughed a little. "Although now that I think of it, that should have been obvious. Since it turns so cold when it rains," she added.

Naruto stared at her face. Wondered how it seemed to glow like that. Was there some sort of holy quality that made priestesses shine on such a dreary day?

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"For what?" Naruto wondered.

"I learned something new today. How wonderful," Hinata replied.

But then she folded her hands in front of her. She cleared her throat. "Please, forgive me. I've taken enough of your time. You're here to pray. I will give you some privacy," she announced.

"Ah… yeah. Thank you," responded Naruto. He couldn't think of an excuse to lengthen the conversation. Even though he desperately wished that he could.

"May the Goddess be with you," Hinata said, as she said to everyone. She dipped her head once more before she walked off. Her right hand held out in front of her. Feeling the walls, the pedestals, the tops of the pews as she moved.

As Naruto watched her, his gaze drifted up. He caught Sai watching him from the back of the room. He was so far away that Naruto couldn't be sure. But, for a moment, it felt like Sai was smirking at him.

Cheeks hot, Naruto hurried to sit in any random seat. He clasped his hands together, bowing his head. Mouthing silent gibberish, squeezing his eyes shut until he saw colors behind his eyelids. Until the colors turned into real images. Light purple sleeves. White hands. Silky black hair.

Naruto squeezed his hands together harder and prayed that his blush would disappear before it was time to go.