Ch. Title: The Unexpected Wedding

Ch. Summary: Emperor Itachi has a one more wish for his younger brother to fulfill. Will Princess Sakura and Prince Sasuke accept it?

Summary: AU: Two years ago, Princess Sakura left her kingdom to join the ninja alliance. She heard from their leader the Great Hokage Tsunade that her brother, Prince Naruto who is next-in-throne was missing for six days. Would she be able to save him and their Kingdom? While the evil adviser Danzo is plotting something inside the Konoha Castle. (sakura-centric/dynasty warriors inspired)

Pairing: Sasuke and Sakura

A/N: Sorry for the late update.

Chapter 12

The Unexpected Wedding

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When the ladies had finally arrived at their designated guest rooms, they were astonished by how different and lavish and intricate the design of the palace from Konoha like an orient-style, but with a medieval taste in architecture.

The pink-haired princess immediately took of her armors and tunic quickly. She can't wait to shower her body with hot water and perfume. She then hurriedly asks one of the chambermaids to show her the hot bath.

When she got there she noticed that her other two companions are already soaked inside the Jacuzzi.

Sakura shockingly announced, "I didn't know you'll be here guys."

The blonde Yamanaka then saw her best friend and conveyed, "Sakura, took you too long to be in here, oh well…You know how sore I was from the travel and the good thing is the Prince didn't executed us and he let us stay here inside his palace for awhile, oh I wonder if the palace offer some massages?"

Upon hearing her best friend's words, the princess just laughed at her alongside the ninja, Misaki.

The princess then sighed and leaned her back towards the edge of the tub and murmured, "I bet they have. This is so great! Nothing beats a good bath with your friends."

Misaki just nodded silently while listening to the other two quietly. Enjoying the fresh feeling of the hot bath.

Suddenly, Lady Ino thought of a good idea and proceeded to ask her best friend, "Yes. I wonder what it feels like to be a princess on this Empire? What do you think Sakura?"

Sakura then creased her forehead and answered, "I-I don't know, maybe just like the other normal kingdoms. Why?"

The blonde Yamanaka joyfully announced, "Oh—you know, I mean didn't you felt attracted towards the youngest prince? I mean, I bet he is still single."

But the Konoha Princess was taken aback by her question, Sakura then blushed furiously and exclaimed, "What?! What kind of question is that? Of course not. But I'm still thankful for him that he helped us."

Lady Ino just sighed heavily and took one of the towels from the corner of the bath room, "You're really blind, aren't you forehead? Oh well…You're really dense, Princess Sakura." Leaving the clueless Princess to her own confusion, "What does that mean?"

She answered, narrowing her eyes towards the Princess, "Oh nothing," Then the Yamanaka heir left the bath house and leaving Misaki and Sakura from the Jacuzzi.

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After bathing, the Konoha princess decided to roam the Kusanagi Palace alone. She then went towards the grand fountain on the center of the Palace gardens, ever since she was young, the fountain is one of her favorite place to hang out when not playing or studying with her step-brother.

On the balcony top of the Kusanagi Palace, Prince Sasuke noticed a young maiden standing in front of her Mother's garden. He hurriedly went down to the garden to check who was it and upon checking he realized it was the Konoha princess with her untie pink hair, the Prince hurriedly went down to her side.

It seems like the Princess is admiring her Mother's Garden, not that he find it amusing, but it's been awhile when he saw someone stepping inside his beloved mother's garden.

Afterwards, Sakura then heard a husky voice, "Enjoying the view?" It was the Prince Sasuke himself. She hurriedly went in front of him and bowed.

"My Lord…"

But the Uchiha Prince gestured her to look up and murmured, "You don't have to."

The pinkette princess then thought about thanking the Prince himself for the second time, now that the two of them are alone now.

Sakura then bellowed, "I want to thank you again, your highness. For trusting me and believing in me." While she was staring ahead towards the obsidian-eyed Uchiha Prince.

The Prince raised his right eye brow and tilted his head towards her. He then saw the light speckles inside her mesmerizing green eyes. It was like the time when they were young, when he and his brother attended her coronation and birthday in Konoha Kingdom several years ago. There he met the Princess for the very first time and he was allured by her tantalizing emerald orbs.

But his admiration for the Young Konoha Princess was cut short, when he bumped the Princess accidentally. He got angry at her for dumping that stupid dessert on his clothing. But he realized years after, now that they're teenagers and respectable heirs to their respected Kingdoms and Empires, he already forgot the childish past behind.

He admitted that he doesn't want to help her in the first place, because he knew it will just spark a war between their own Kingdoms and the Uchiha Empire wasn't in a good condition to contribute for a war, now that his citizens are experiencing a great famine.

The dark-haired Uchiha Prince admired the Princess preposition was perfect. He will help the Konoha with providing the military strength for her Kingdom's protection and in return, she promised to help his empire with the famine problem.

This is a suitable deal for the both of them. He mused.

Prince Sasuke then heard the Princess' thanking him again. He realized she was really polite and smart. He realized that she'll be a suitable Princess for her Kingdom, one day.

The dark-haired Prince nodded silently at her gratitude, he replied with a simple, "Hn."

"So, I already talked to the Emperor and we'll be having a meeting with him this evening. So be ready."

She smiled at him and she bowed at him again, "I-I see. I will be there, your highness."

After hearing her sweet voice, the Prince noticed that the Princess is uneasy and hurriedly avoided his stare. It seems like she was about to cry. He then proceeded to grab one of her arms and forcefully stopped her tracks.

He narrowed his eyes at her and inquired, "What's the matter?"

The pinkette was startled with the sudden gesture of the Prince and she slowly tilted her head towards him. She heard his inquiry while avoiding his stare. She just replied, "Nothing matters, Your Highness."

"You don't need to call me, 'Your Highness'. It's starting to get annoying every time you speak it."

"I'm sorry."

He continued to inquire, his hands still grabbing her arms, "What's bothering you?"

She squeaked instantly, "Umm… I was just worried with my brother, Prince Naruto. That's all. Your High—I mean Prince Sasuke."

Upon hearing those words, the dark-haired prince sighed and conveyed, "I know Naruto since we were kids and he'll be fine. I know you're worried, but you can't do anything right now. Just keep doing what you're supposed to do and we'll help whatever we can to locate him."

The Princess just smiled at the kind words of the Uchiha Prince, but she was still worried. She immediately bowed at him and then he realized that he was still grabbing her arms; the Prince instantly released her arms from him.

Making the Uchiha Prince awkwardly blushed furiously. The Prince then turned his back from the Konoha Princess and walked quickly back to his quarters. Leaving the Pink-haired Princess on her own, alone in the gardens.

Princess Sakura was still startled by the whole thing, she didn't expected that the Great Uchiha prince will say those nice words at her, she just uttered silently, "What just happened? He became soft-spoken and nice to me?"

After that account, she smiled at his retreating back and followed him inside the palace.

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After finishing the supper, Princess Sakura hurriedly went towards her room and prepared herself to meet the Emperor Itachi. After an hour, a chambermaid knocked on her door and escorted her to the Emperor's quarters.

After entering the huge slab of door, she saw the Prince Sasuke who was seen sitting beside the bed-ridden emperor. After the chambermaid announced that the Princess had finally arrived, she hurriedly went towards Prince Sasuke's side and quietly stood there.

The Emperor looked frail and ill, but he was still smiling at her and spoke, "It's an honor to see you again, Princess."

She bowed and smiled at him, "It's my pleasure, Emperor Itachi. Thank you for giving me an audience this evening."

"I heard from my younger brother, what happened to Prince Naruto. My thoughts and prayers are with him."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The Emperor then looked towards outside the window and he uttered, "Sasuke had already told me the situation regarding your Kingdom and I didn't have a problem with it, but the Uchiha Empire will help the Konoha kingdom in one condition."

Upon hearing those words, Princess Sakura's eyes widened. She thought that the Prince and she had already the final agreement, but it seems like the Emperor wanted to have the last assurance and approval. She just chillingly stared at his figure without saying anything.

Even his younger brother was unprepared with his sudden conditions. Prince Sasuke had already briefed Emperor Itachi with Princess Sakura's preposition, but it seems like his brother had something better on his mind.

The frail Emperor Itachi ordered, "The Uchiha Empire will help your Kingdom and in exchange you will help us with our problem, but I want our agreement to be sealed with something valuable."

Prince Sasuke widened his eyes when he heard the shocking announcement, meanwhile the Konoha Princess was taken aback, but she realized maybe he was just asking an assurance.

She thought it must be a written mutual agreement and formal ceremony will be needed to acquire this. According to Kakashi, the both parties needed at least two witnesses to seal the deal and the good thing is, she brought Lady Ino and Misaki with her.

The Emperor Itachi then continued,

"Princess Sakura, will you take my younger brother's hand in marriage? So I can wholeheartedly approve of this deal between our Kingdoms?"

After hearing those words, the Konoha Princess was astonished. She didn't heard the word, 'Marriage' at first, but after repeating those words inside her head. She widened her eyes and exclaimed,

"What?!"

Not realizing that on her side, Prince Sasuke also shouted the same word,

"What?!"

Upon seeing their surprised reaction, the Emperor smirked directly at the two and explained, "According to one of our Royal Codex, when the two kingdoms inside the Fire Country had formed an agreement, one of the oldest traditions is to seal their deal with marrying their sons and daughter to one another."

But Princess Sakura bawled, "B-But, It's an old tradition, Your Highness. I don't think—"

Then suddenly the dark-haired Uchiha Prince interrupted the Konoha Princess and shouted, "A-Aniki, what's the meaning of this? You can't just force me to marry someone else."

The Emperor Itachi smiled at the both of them and replied, "Before anything else, I want to leave the empire in your good hands, Sasuke and you know I'm dying and my life in this world will not be any longer. I think before I went to the other side, I just want to walk my younger brother to the aisle and it's my final wish, Sasuke."

Then the Emperor tilted his head towards the pink-haired princess and asked, "Will you value my final wish? Princess Sakura?"

Upon hearing the Emperor's explanation, the Konoha Princess expression saddened and it was really true that the Uchiha Emperor was dying. She doesn't know what to do with this sudden predicament. She knows the Uchiha Prince wouldn't accept this, but this is too complicated to think about it.

She then heard the dark-haired Prince's voice saying, "If that's your final wish, Aniki. I will do it."

Upon hearing Prince Sasuke's acceptance, she quickly bit her lower lip and for the first time in her life, she didn't know what to say, she just mused inwardly

'What?! He just accepted like that? What am I going to do? I'm still young and I want to marry someone else that could love me until the end. This is not my plan, not this arrange marriage. But stupid Sakura. Stop thinking about yourself, you know you need to find your brother and you needed their help. Might as well, go with it. You know, you need to sacrifice something in order to gain something.'

After debating against her own inner self. She looked towards the Emperor and the Prince who was waiting for her answer.

She knew they were waiting for her reply and she needed to decide right now. Princess Sakura revealed, "I—I—I concur, your highness. After thinking for awhile, I'm agreeing with your deal. I accept."

After hearing the two responses. The Emperor's expression enlightened and gestured the two newly engaged couple to come besides him. He then hugged the both of them and announced, "We need to prepare for the wedding as instant. Tell the Palace Messenger to announce it in town and we need to send invitation from all over the country—"

After releasing the two newly engaged couple from his grasp, Princess Sakura then interjected the emperor,

"Your highness, uhmm could you spare my Kingdom. I mean, I don't want them to know that I'll be marrying the Uchiha Prince, not to offend you, Prince Sasuke. But Lord Danzo might do something unthinkable to Konoha and your empire if he heard this sudden news. "

The Emperor Itachi understood and smiled at her, "I understand. Alright, it's up to you Princess. You can just tell your closest friends if you may."

Upon hearing the Princess' suggestion, the Uchiha Prince's expression darkened. He then suggested, "I'll send some soldiers undercover to Konoha to make sure our marriage ceremony will be safe against perpetrators."

The Konoha Princess just smiled at the dark-haired Prince suggestion and uttered, "Uhm…Alright. Thank you Prince Sasuke."

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After exiting the Emperor's room, Princess Sakura exhaustingly sighed. She immediately went inside her room and she heard a loud knock coming from the door.

The Yamanaka heir bustled through her door and Lady Ino rushed to her side and questioned her, "Forehead! Is it true? Oh my Lord! You'll be wedded to the most handsome Prince in the country! I can't believe this. We need to go back to Konoha to announce it right? Or send a telegraph then after that, we need a wedding dress, of course we—"

The pink-haired princess creased her forehead and interrupted the Yamanaka heiress, "Ugh, Ino…Could you slow it down. Yes, it is true, but I have no choice. I need to do it, that's the only way that the Emperor will accept our preposition, besides we don't need to send some message back in Konoha or else Lord Danzo will know about this and who knows what might he'll do with the Kingdom and this Empire."

Still grinning at the sudden news, Lady Ino further inquired, "Alright, my mouth is closed. But how did the Prince agreed to this?! You bewitched him? I knew you like him too, forehead! "

Sakura was still bewildered by her bestfriend's assumptions, "What? No—I'm not like you. He just accepted it, maybe he knew he needed to fulfill his elder brother's last wish."

The kunoichi Misaki went onto her side and exclaimed, "Congratulations, Lady Sakura. I know you'll be a great ruler and Queen someday."

Sakura looked towards the kunoichi and smiled at her. She then thanked her immediately.

Lady Ino then inquired, "So what's the plan now? Will you stay here until your wedding day?"

The Konoha Princess just sighed and breathed, "I don't know that yet. All I know is, I'm engaged now."

Upon hearing her best friend's sad tone she quickly asked, "What's with that long face? You'll be marrying one of the handsome bachelor royal in the country and you seem like struck by lightning or whatever."

"I-It's just… I want to marry someone who loves me too."

Lady Ino and the kunoichi Misaki was taken aback by her response. Then the Yamanaka heir went to her side and assured her,

"Well, royals like us are supposed to be used to it. Oh well, Prince Uchiha Sasuke will marry you and you will be the next Queen of this Empire. I mean what's better than that? Right?"

Upon realizing that she'll be crowned as the newest Queen of this empire, she just exhaled deeply and replied, "Ugh, Ino…"

Misaki then spoked, "Sakura-san, I do think that the Emperor and Prince had a good intention. After all, the Prince had agreed to your proposition and you're a beautiful person inside and out. Nobody can resist your charm, maybe that's why the Emperor saw this right opportunity to marry you to his youngest brother because you're a good person."

The Yamanaka heiress agreed and revealed, "Heard that right? Forehead. Misaki was right. You're doing this for your missing brother and for your kingdom. If the His and Her Highness are still alive, (bless their souls) they will be glad that you'll be married to an Uchiha. It's also the first time in centuries that a Konoha Princess will be married to an Uchiha Prince."

The Lady Ino continued, "So stop sulking now and let's start planning your wedding!"

After realizing what her two best friends had told her. The Konoha Princess started to smile and uttered, "Oh well, maybe you guys are right. I'm just thankful that you two are here with me."

She then hugged the two girls. Not knowing that the Uchiha Prince was listening the whole time on the other side of the door.

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tbc