#bloom the moonbloom

[raspberryberyl]

Decided I wasn’t done sketching. :) 

We love AlliumFam

So here is Bloom and Sunshine as de humanoid babes (will probably sketch more of them in future)

They are both from  ♚♛ Checkmate ♛♚ by Love_Lucigoosey

#dsmp au #dsmp fanfiction fanart #dsmp kids #bloom the moonbloom #sunshine the moonbloom #bloom the moobloom #sunshine the moobloom

[the-mcyt-crackships-brackets]

damnit, now you've infected me with hannah/pearl brainrot, when finals are over I might write some propaganda for them...anyways, I'm suggesting moonbloom as a ship name as it sounds pretty, and redrose is to broad(?) to use as a shipname. (moon from pearl, bloom from the rose part.) (also it sounds like moobloom and they're cute)

great suggestion! thank you!

#mcyt crackships bracket #asks #propaganda

[uwu707q]

Capítulo 1. Decisiones apresuradas.

—Muevete, maldita!

Ella estaba acostumbrada a ser tratada así, su cuerpo lleno de cicatrices y moretones delataban su sufrimiento.

Siempre cabizbaja, esperando órdenes de su dueño.

—Alguien pagó mucho dinero por ti. Vas a obedecerlo en todo lo que te ordene.

Le dió un puñetazo en el rostro.

—De verdad no se quien quisiera tenerte, eres una inútil. Seguramente serás una máquina de bebés.— Aseguró entre risas. —¡Camina!

Estaba atada de manos con unas cadenas, ya oxidadas por tantos días que pasó bajo la lluvia. Se miraba llena de lodo y bastante pálida.

—Aquí termina el trato. Esto es entre tu y yo, no quiero que nadie se entere de esto. ¿Entendido? No te conozco, ni tu me conoces.

—Sabes que si, ni siquiera me importa que le hagas. Adiós.

Frente a ella se encontraba aquel multimillonario muy sonado en las noticias, todos sabían de quien se trataba: Ramón Timberlake.

La guió hacia su auto. Sería un viaje largo. Tomaría unos 45 minutos.

—Y bien, ¿Cuál es tu nombre?

—Poppy. Poppy Kendrick.— Respondió, casi susurrando.

—Entiendo. Iremos al médico primero.— Ordenó que el chófer los llevase con la médico de cabecera: Moonbloom.

—Odio mirarte con esas cosas.— Tomó sus manos con delicadeza, retirándole aquellas cadenas, notando las marcas que habían dejado, algo infectadas por tanto descuido.

Suspiró de alivio, un peso menos encima.

—¿Hace cuanto que trabajabas con ellos?

—Toda mi vida.

Podía notar la debilidad en su voz. Prefirió no interrogarla por ahora.

—Quédate en silencio.

Te he comprado, porque quiero que seas libre.

[...]

Observaba a Timberlake. Tenía un aspecto misterioso, no la había volteado a mirar desde que subieron a ese auto, utilizaba su celular todo el tiempo, al parecer realizando llamadas.

¿Era su salvador? ¿Por qué ella, una simple esclava?

Al estar en un vehículo, su cuerpo comenzó a temblar, si bien el aire acondicionado no era tan intenso, no podía resistirse, era débil.

Se quitó el saco, colocándolo encima de ella.

—Llegaremos pronto, aguanta un poco.

Dirigió su mirada hacia él. Le llamaba la atención por su elegancia, nunca se habían portado así con ella.

[...]

—Necesita tratamiento, Señor Timberlake. Padece de anemia.

Moon bloom indicó la medicación, si bien le pareció de lo más extraño que un hombre rico trajera al médico a una persona de bajo estatus, prefirió no hacer preguntas.

—Quiero discreción respecto a esto, por favor.

—Entendido, señor. Nos veremos dentro de una semana.

Regresaron al auto.

¿Por que diablos el ambiente era tan tenso?

—Tendrás tu propia habitación, hay gente que te ayudará a vestirte y recibirás educación en casa.

Se sorprendió bastante al escucharlo. No dijo nada. Parecía que podía confiar en él.

—¿Sabes de donde vienes? ¿Tienes familia?

Negó con la cabeza.

—Contrataré a un agente para investigar tu árbol genealógico.

—Señorita Kendrick, lo único que le pido es que se esfuerce en aprender lo antes posible. Quiero que sea independiente.

Sonrió de manera alegre. No lo había hecho en años. Estaba siendo feliz.

#trolls #trolls band together #trolls barb #trolls baby branch #trolls poppy #broppy #branch x poppy #trolls branch #humilated slave #trolls the beat goes on #trollstopia #trolls world tour #tumblr fyp #human au #millonarios #esclavos

[elegantwoes]

I remember the smells of those nights, my lord—perfume and sweat, melons ripe to bursting, peaches and pomegranates, nightshade and moonbloom. I was a young man then, still forging my chain. The heat did not exhaust me as it does now.” Pycelle’s eyes were so heavily lidded he looked half-asleep.

I am only at page two but Maester Pycelle is already pissing me off with his feigned frail old man act. I have half the urge to pull at his long white beard.

“I have heard that you sent Maester Colemon away.” The Grand Maester’s nod was as slow and deliberate as a glacier. “I did, and I fear the Lady Lysa will never forgive me that. Maybe I was wrong, but at the time I thought it best. Maester Colemon is like a son to me, and I yield to none in my esteem for his abilities, but he is young, and the young ofttimes do not comprehend the frailty of an older body. He was purging Lord Arryn with wasting potions and pepper juice, and I feared he might kill him.”

Last time I checked purging is the first step in curing someone who is poisoned. By sending Maester Colemon away Pycelle has basically murdered Jon Arryn. Yet here he is, trying to act like he was saving Jon when he did the opposite. He is such a slimy piece of shit.

(╬▔皿▔)╯

“You have been most courteous,” Ned told him. Then, almost as an afterthought, he said, “One last question, if you would be so kind. You mentioned that the king was at Lord Arryn’s bedside when he died. I wonder, was the queen with him?” “Why, no,” Pycelle said. “She and the children were making the journey to Casterly Rock, in company with her father. Lord Tywin had brought a retinue to the city for the tourney on Prince Joffrey’s name day, no doubt hoping to see his son Jaime win the champion’s crown. In that he was sadly disappointed. It fell to me to send the queen word of Lord Arryn’s sudden death. Never have I sent off a bird with a heavier heart.”

Dear Ned, surely you can see to what conlcuson you should come to, right? Cersei. is. not. responsible. for. Lord. Arryn's. death. I beg of you please.

The night the bird had come from Winterfell, Eddard Stark had taken the girls to the castle godswood, an acre of elm and alder and black cottonwood overlooking the river. The heart tree there was a great oak, its ancient limbs overgrown with smokeberry vines; they knelt before it to offer their thanksgiving, as if it had been a weirwood. Sansa drifted to sleep as the moon rose, Arya several hours later, curling up in the grass under Ned’s cloak. All through the dark hours he kept his vigil alone. When dawn broke over the city, the dark red blooms of dragon’s breath surrounded the girls where they lay. “I dreamed of Bran,” Sansa had whispered to him. “I saw him smiling."

Such a beautiful passage, especially the bolded part. It obviously means the Starklings (Jon, Sansa, and Bran) will survive the Long Night. Though, I worry about Rickon. George RR Martin I beg of you. Spare the innocent child.

Yet someday he may be the lord of a great holdfast and sit on the king’s council. He might raise castles like Brandon the Builder, or sail a ship across the Sunset Sea, or enter your mother’s Faith and become the High Septon.” ... “You,” Ned said, kissing her lightly on the brow, “will marry a king and rule his castle, and your sons will be knights and princes and lords and, yes, perhaps even a High Septon.”

To use @istumpysk own words here. The fate of the remaining Starks is in this passage

Lord of a great holdfast and sit on the king’s council. Bran Stark

He might raise castles like Brandon the Builder. Jon Snow

Sail a ship across the Sunset Sea. Arya Stark

Marry a king and rule his castle. Sansa Stark

Become a High Septon. Rickon maybe?

Let the last one be about Rickon. Please let it be so.

Inside his chambers, he stripped off his sweat-stained silks and sluiced cold water over his head from the basin beside the bed. Alyn entered as he was drying his face. “My lord,” he said, “Lord Baelish is without and begs audience.”

Ugh. What in the fuck does he want?

“And as tiresome,” Littlefinger added, “though I daresay he should do well in the tourney. Last year he unhorsed the Hound, and it was only four years ago that he was champion.”

HA. In this small nstance I like Barristan Selmy. Anyone who humiliates Cujo come again is good. (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

“Lord Petyr,” Ned called after him. “I … am grateful for your help. Perhaps I was wrong to distrust you.” Littlefinger fingered his small pointed beard. “You are slow to learn, Lord Eddard. Distrusting me was the wisest thing you’ve done since you climbed down off your horse.”

When someone shows you who they are always believe them, Ned. You will spare yourself a great deal of pain.

Next chapter our sour patch kid Jon Snow.

#asoiaf reread project #rereading agot #Ned Stark

[goatpaste]

I'm hella interested in Trixie/Cadence and Twilight/Cheerlie

hell yeah i love my trixdance twins

so for some background both of these ships are apart of my secondart next gen universe thats based around a ‘mane six swap’ AU where sunset shimmer is the element of magic while twilight isnt any of that.

the new mane six consist of Sunset shimmer, cadance, trixie,cheese sandwhich, flash sentry, and lightning dust

Cadance and Trixie met via being elements and fell in love yadda yadda. 

cadance has become the leader of the crystal empire with her small wife trixie, the traveling magician who at all times feels like shes gonna explode because she can’t keep up with all these royal duties.

typically trixie is sneaking off with the kids to pull pranks of the royal guards.

their kids are named Moondrop Bloom (top kid) and Sweet Dreams (Bottom kid)

Moonbloom bloom is a total rascal and can’t seem to sit still for more than five seconds, unless shes gardening. its the only thing she seems to be able to focus on. She does some lessons of princess duties and being the princess of love and ‘whatever’ from her mother Cadance

Sweet Dreams is just as bad as her twin Moondrop but she is much better at putting on an act to fake being nice when she needs to. Sweet Dreams lOVES her aunt luna and takes trips to cantorlot to stay for a week or so and learn from her. she wants to be the next Moon alicorn for the family and works hard for luna. 

Then theres another Universe B baby, Leo. Leo Toystore. 

Twilight having never had that magical sonic rainboom that connected her and her friends and helped her get her cutiemark  twilight never made it into celestias school for gifted unicorns. at the loss of their child not being able to get into her dream school after pouring money into her studies, twilights parents made the rash decision to move to ponyville. Twilight would never come to join celestia’s school or get in touch with that enormous amount of magic inside her. 

so when she moved to ponyville she admired the closest thing to princess celestia, Mayor Mare. when she was old enough she became secretary to the devoted mayor. 

then in time twilight and her nerdy ways made her connection with local town teach, cheerilee. 

the two fell in love, typical love story of two dorks and had their one and old kid, Leo.

their sweet as a pea and love to make small soft and cute toys. they enjoy making thread in their down time. Their good friends with the school ponies cheerilee teaches often being called ‘big brother’ or ‘big sister’ by them. They love to make them little toy presents.

#mlp #next gen #my ocs #moondrop bloom #sweet dreams #leo toystore #long post #Anonymous

[silverfootstepswrites]

Amaryllis | Chapter 4

< Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 >

+++

The Mountain Kingdom was, evidently, a place fond of a good party. Or eight.

"They could have just had the first ball," Sakura remarked.

"But then we wouldn't have had a welcome party for you," countered Sasuke.

"You could have just said 'welcome' at the first party. That's quite welcoming, don't you think?" Sakura pointed out. And as much as Sasuke griped about how annoying social events were, he stuck to his logic.

"We can't have honored guests from the neighboring kingdom and not have a party. My mother would never allow such a thing." He looked baffled by the very idea of such rudeness.

"Well, we can't have Her Majesty upset," Sakura relented. And that seemed to satisfy Sasuke.

The festivities went on for an entire week. Days were spent wandering the streets and visiting the traders' stalls. Performers filled the square with music and dance. The lawns of the palace hosted garden parties with new bards and performance troupes each day. Each night, the palace held a huge party with a different theme.

And, unfortunately, the Queen's tailor had provided more gowns for each day of the ball. Sakura realized this, with no small amount of horror, when she had opened up the wardrobe the morning after the first party.

"Haku."

"Yes, General."

"What fresh hell is this?" Sakura whispered.

"A present from Her Majesty the Queen, General," Haku replied with a sympathetic grimace.

At a loss for words, Sakura echoed Haku's sentiment from the night before. "How… generous."

Haku laughed as he opened the doors wider. "It's not so bad, General. This blue would look nice on you."

Moegi bustled in, arms heavy with fresh sheets and towels. She glanced over the gown.

"Well, that has to wait. Tonight is the masquerade. It'll have to be the gold one," Moegi remarked before she headed into the bedroom.

The masquerade wasn't nearly as dreary as Sakura had feared. She had always been quick on her feet. Her partners weren't always as dextrous as she was, but that was alright. Sasuke was a surprisingly talented dancer. He seemed shocked when she could tell it was him behind the mask.

"It only covers your forehead and eyebrows, Prince. As if anyone else would have that hairstyle," Sakura laughed over brunch the following morning.

"What's wrong with my hair?" he grumbled, running his fingers through it.

"Nothing," she assured him, pushing a plate closer to him. Something had occurred to her last night. She thought out loud as she watched Sasuke pick a pastry apart. "Anyway, I saw a woman with what must have been half a peacock on her head last night. People take this very seriously."

"Ah. Father gives the nobles a chance to strut and fuss for a week. He says they won't be as much of a bother for the rest of the year when he does," sighed Sasuke. Sakura considered this.

"Oh. So it isn't just for tradition. It's strategic," she said.

Sasuke gave her a look. "Why do you have to make everything sound like a war tactic?" he complained.

Sakura snorted. "Because any court is war. You should know that by now." Sasuke just rolled his eyes.

"Pardon me, Your Highness," a servant girl interrupted as she set a fresh pot of tea on the table next to Sasuke's hand. Sasuke gestured for the girl to speak. But instead she moved around the table to hand a rose to Sakura.

"I was instructed to give you this, General," she said. Sakura accepted the flower to examine it. It was a different color from those found in the Queen's garden here. Her roses were light red- almost pink, and carefully pruned so that the thorns would not harm the ladies-in-waiting who plucked them each morning to decorate the throne room.

But this bloom was deep red with sharp prickles scattered up the stem. So jagged that one poked her thumb as she handled it.

Sakura stared at the flower before she blew out a deep breath. "I had a feeling something like this would happen," she remarked. She set the rose down, beside her teacup. But when she felt the servant lingering, she glanced her way.

"Is there something else?" Sakura prompted.

The girl nodded. Her eyes darted to Sasuke. And then to Sakura. She motioned to a manservant who had been waiting near the door. He stepped forward, a carved box carried in his arms. It was made from dark wood. The lid was carved with some sort of complex design that she barely had time to notice before it opened. Inside sat dozens of silvery-blue flowers. The sweet fragrance was familiar to her.

"Ah," Sakura simply remarked, smiling now.

"Those are…" Sasuke slowly said. His eyes widened.

Even if they weren't native to his country, Sasuke recognized moonblooms. Their leaves made tea that was only grown on the Southern Tea Isle. Its sopophoric qualities made it a valuable commodity for doctors and nobles alike. A small dosage calmed the nerves and dulled pain. A larger dose induced a deep sleep.

Moon tea had a light, sweet smell. The nectar produced by the flowers smelled almost like perfume. It was also very valuable, but highly poisonous to humans until it was processed by bees into honey. This was a well-known fact to islanders and foreigners alike. In fact, it was so toxic, that even prolonged contact with the skin was known to cause lethargy.

"Is this a threat? Why have you brought poison into the palace?" Sasuke demanded. And the servant girl flinched, as if this was the very reaction she had been expecting.

"I- no, your Highness. I simply did as I was told," the girl replied.

"And who told you to bring this here?" Sasuke pressed.

As Sasuke grilled the poor girl, Sakura reached for the box.

"General-" the manservant began. But Sakura touched her pointer finger to her mouth in a shushing gesture. She nudged the flowers around until she found the prettiest one. It was remarkable how little they had wilted. She wondered if they had been transported in soil. Or perhaps soaked in water.

"You mean to tell me that you have no idea who ordered you to bring poison here? Into this specific room?" Sasuke was still at hard at work at his interrogation.

"Relax, Prince," Sakura drawled, plucking the flower out of the box.

Sasuke's head whipped around, a retort on his lips. He froze when he saw the flower dangling from her fingers. The terrified servant girl was looking at her too.

"What are you doing? Put that down," Sasuke hissed.

"The poor thing was just bringing me a present. For my homesickness," Sakura remarked.

She opened her mouth and dropped the flower inside. She crushed it between her teeth. Sasuke jolted out of his seat, knocking his teacup to the floor. The porcelain shattered. He grabbed her forearm, eyes wild.

"Spit it out! It's poison," he whispered.

Sakura locked her eyes with his as she ground the sweet petals under her molars. A smile curled her lips.

"So you know that the nectar of moon blooms is highly toxic?" she began. Sasuke looked at her like she had gone crazy. She didn't blame him.

"If I say yes, will you spit it out?" he retorted with a desperate laugh. But Sakura continued to chew as if nothing was wrong. When she swallowed, she could see the hope dimming from Sasuke's eyes. He gaped at her.

"But, did you know that the petals neutralize the toxin?" she concluded, wiping at her mouth with her napkin. Sasuke's grip slackened just as servants ran in to see what the noise was about. They whispered frantically amongst each other. This included Haku, who dashed forward and yanked the wooden chest from the manservant's arms. He slammed it shut.

Sasuke didn't seem to notice any of this. "It does what?" he inquired.

"I'm not quite sure of the science. But the petals make it safe to eat. That's how the wild boar on the island eat them, anyway," explained Sakura, shrugging. Sasuke's hand slid off her and landed on the tabletop. He barely glanced over as the servants knelt to begin cleaning up the bits of the ruined cup. Moegi ran in next, guards in tow. They seized the servant girl by the arms. She let out a cry of pain.

"Oh, let her go. She was delivering a present," Sakura scolded, finally looking over at them again. She fixed the guards with a stern look. "Shame on you. She's just a girl." Baffled, they loosened their grip on her.

"General, she brought you poison," one of them pointed out.

Sakura flapped a hand at them. "Release her. It's only poison to the ignorant," she scoffed. When the guards looked to Sasuke, he just nodded at them. They released the girl, who fell to her knees in a deep bow.

"Please, forgive me, General. I'm just the messenger," she sobbed.

"Yes, yes. I'm aware," Sakura assured her. And then she turned her attention to Sasuke.

"So. Have you figure it out, Prince? It's a very simple puzzle. Childish, even," she prompted, her tone light. Sasuke let out a long sigh of exasperation as he slumped down in his seat. Propping his head up in his right hand, he shook his head. Then he peered at her through his fingers.

"Oh, come now. The pieces are all there. A strange rose. Moonblooms. Try," she spelled out for him. His eyes narrowed. Lowering his hand, he looked across the table at her.

"The sigil of your family is a red rose…" he said. Sakura waited for the rest of the thoughts to process in his head. Sasuke muttered to himself as he considered other facts. His eyes fixed on the rose and then flickered back up to her face. Sakura folded her hands in front of her without saying anything.

"And… I'm assuming that knowledge of the moonblooms is common where you're from. So…. Oh," Sasuke concluded. And when he realized, his eyes lit up. Sakura smiled. She turned to the servant girl.

"Please stop groveling and let my cousin know that I'll see him tonight," she instructed. The girl slowly lifted her head. Revealing her teary eyes.

"Um…" she hesitated.

Sakura chuckled. "No, not that cousin. The other one. The less stupid one," she added. And the girl nodded.

That afternoon, when Sakura returned to her room, she found Moegi and Haku crowded around something in her room. Shedding her jacket, she waited for one of them to take it to hang. Haku moved first. Dark eyes lingering with suspicion on the thing on the bed.

"Well. Um. You have a gift, General," Moegi reported.

Sakura laughed a little. "I can see that, Moegi. Was there a note?"

Moegi shook her head. And then her gaze drifted to the wooden box sitting on the desk. She cringed a little. "Is it the same person who sent you poison, General?" she wondered.

Sakura sighed. "It's not poison, Moegi. It's just flowers."

"Flowers that become poison," Moegi insisted. She wrinkled her nose. She turned her back on the box and turned her attention to the bed.

"I like this gift better," she remarked.

Sakura moved past her to see the source of all the excitement. She cracked a smile as she approached. The gown the Queen's tailor had provided lay to the left. It was white with the same ruffles and gold embroidery that seemed to be so fashionable lately. The long sleeves and the high collar looked unbearably stuffy- and she hadn't even tried it on yet.

To the right, lay a new gown. She didn't recall this particular one, but she could recognize the style. Only one person on the planet could tailor a dress for her without taking a single measurement. Haku looked between the clothing. He made a face at the one to the left. Moegi let out a dreamy sigh, hands clasping together.

"Is this Eastern silk, General? It's even more beautiful than I imagined," Moegi breathed. "May I touch it?"

"It's fabric, Moegi. I can't imagine what else one would do with fabric," Sakura replied. And then she suppressed a snort of laughter as she watched Moegi run her hands up and down the soft garment.

"It's quite… light," Haku finally remarked. He mashed his lips together.

"Speak freely, Haku," Sakura encouraged. And then he met her gaze.

"…Wouldn't such a… free… design get you in trouble, General?" he worried. Sakura nodded.

"Oh, yes. Which is fine. As long as I never have to wear those dreadful, pinching shoes again," she replied. And at those words, Moegi bent down to pick up a pair of soft, flat sandals. Sakura beamed at her.

By the time Sakura was dressed, guests had already begun to arrive. There was a knock on the door. Moegi went out to answer, knowing who it probably was. When the red-haired girl returned, Haku was struggling with a string of pearls. Sakura plucked it from his hands.

"Don't fret. The point of these is to seem randomly placed," she assured him. And with that, she twisted the jewels into her hair, letting them tangle between the strands like they had grown from her head.

"It's Prince Sasuke, General," Moegi reported.

"What about this, General?" Haku queried, holding up a set of thin, golden bracelets. He turned them around, searching for some sort of clasp. Sakura took them. Pinching her fingers together, she forced them over her wrists. They clinked together as they settled into place.

"It's all very… glittery, General," Moegi observed. Sakura could tell from the expression on her face that it might not have been to her taste. But that didn't matter. This felt right.

Haku opened the doors. Sasuke stood in the foyer, his hands clasped behind him. He stared for a long moment. And then his forehead wrinkled.

"You're going to get yourself in trouble," he warned.

"So?" she challenged. His usual smirk returned. He offered his arm to her.

As it was the third night, Sakura was used to the rituals of the ball. Not that it was much different from any other country she had been to. A herald announced their names, complete with absurdly long titles. They walked into the ballroom and everyone gawked. Although the gawking was probably a little more severe this night.

In fact, as they approached the King and the Queen, Sakura heard an older woman gasp, "My word!" There was a great deal of hissing as the ladies of the court whispered behind their fans. Sakura suspected that her exposed shoulders were to blame. Or maybe her back, which was also mostly exposed.

Sakura bowed. Her gold earrings swaying with the movement. As she lifted her head, she caught the Queen's raised eyebrows. But the older woman quickly smoothed out her expression.

"That dress is lovely on you, my dear. It is not often that we see such bold expression in clothing," Queen Mikoto remarked. The warmth of her tone didn't fully mask the surprise in her words. And she must have felt so, too, because she went on. "This must be the famous silk everyone is desperate to buy. I can see now why so many court ladies covet it so."

"If it pleases Your Majesty, I can arrange for some to be sent to your tailor," Sakura offered.

A real smile appeared on the Queen's face. "This would indeed please us."

Sakura bowed again. And Sasuke made some excuse to pull them off to a quieter corner. They could still feel all the stares, but at least Shisui was there.

Shisui, Sakura had learned, was one of the few Uchiha's Sasuke actually seemed willing to talk to. Sasuke seemed to hold him in such high regard that Sakura had no choice but to be polite. But she found that this wasn't difficult. Shisui, while just a baron, knew enough to avoid saying stupid things. He hated the petty gossip of court. He spent most of his time doing paperwork for the King to avoid dealing with the courtiers. It also helped that he was well-versed in the trade and metalwork of his territory. He always had something interesting to share with her.

"This is excellent craftsmanship," Shisui remarked. He gestured to the decorative armor fitted around her middle. The polished brass gleamed. Delicate little roses had been engraved into the thin metal.

"Thank you. I give my blacksmith a headache with all my requests, I'm sure," she said in return.

But that conversation soon ended as people called Shisui to join them. He bowed before he moved away. And during this lull in conversation, Sakura found a server carrying wine. She took a sip. Then stood staring down into in, struggling to decide whether to drink the whole thing at once, or to nurse it throughout the evening. Sasuke sidled up beside her after escaping a chat with one of his aging relatives.

They had a perfect view of Naruto standing at the banquet. He ate a pastry. Glanced around the room. Grinned as he caught her gaze. Waved at her like a little boy.

"It's hard to believe that you're related," whispered Sasuke. Sakura nodded.

"I know," she muttered in response.

"Truly," a third voice agreed.

Sasuke started. He turned to find someone hovering uncomfortably close over Sakura's shoulder. He opened his mouth to remark on this, but stopped. Because Sakura rolled her eyes and leaned closer to him. The man kissed her cheek, an arm snaking around her.

"Apologies for the sudden visit, Darling. You're looking lovely," he greeted her.

"Yes. Send Deidara my thanks," Sakura answered. He looked appalled.

"Oh, just Deidara. Not your dearest cousin who brought it all the way over the sea up these mountains?" he challenged her.

Sakura turned her head to really look at him.

"You're incredibly annoying," she told him.

"You have an odd way of pronouncing the word 'handsome'," he replied.

She looked him over. And then her lips pulled up at the corners. "What excuse did you use this time?"

"Oh, no excuses. I merely wrote to Her Majesty the Queen. To thank her for her hospitality towards our beloved General. I also might have extolled the virtues of the Mountain Kingdom. Who knows. Either way, she extended an invitation to this soiree. She thinks I'm charming," he answered. And then he directed a look toward the two thrones at the far end of the room. He dipped his head. The Queen reciprocated the gesture.

"Of course. And you had your ships and horses prepared so you could hurry here as soon as the letter was in your hand," Sakura guessed. His golden eyes met hers, sparkling with the obvious answer.

Sakura shook her head. She turned back to Sasuke.

"Prince Sasuke, meet Admiral Sasori Haruno of the Forest Kingdom. My cousin," sighed Sakura.

Sasori and Sasuke sized each other up. As all noblemen tended to do. It reminded her of the way that she would look over an opponent during a spar. She knew Sasori well enough that she could tell that he was making judgments in his head. Noting every detail of Sasuke's appearance. They were so quiet that Sakura began to worry that she would have to separate them. But then Sasuke extended his hand first. Sasori shook it.

"Welcome to Goliaf, Admiral. My apologies for not greeting you sooner," Sasuke began.

"Thank you for the warm welcome, Prince Sasuke. It's a wonderful place. The stories don't do it justice," Sasori said in return.

"It's an honor to meet you. I've heard many things of your naval conquests. It seems that military prowess is somewhat of a family trade," answered Sasuke with equal flattery.

Sakura rolled her eyes, letting out a loud sigh.

"Can you two please stop that? Sasori, the Prince isn't one of those types. You can speak to him like a normal person," Sakura informed him.

"Oh, thank goodness. I detest having to flatter people. Other than you, at least," Sasori said, relief written all over his face. He nudged Sakura a little. She ignored him. He didn't seem to mind as he went on: "Although, I should have guessed when you wrote and said that he was a fine companion. You usually only reserve such compliments for your horse."

Sasuke looked offended. And then thoughtful.

"It is a good horse," he admitted.

Sasori chuckled.

"Alright. I see what you mean," he added. And then he regarded Sasuke. "Thank you for taking such good care of my cousin, Prince Sasuke."

Sasuke nodded.

As the orchestra began a new song, Sasori's face lit up.

"Oh, finally. A decent tune. Shall we?" he said, already pulling Sakura to the dance floor.

Sakura put her right hand in his left. His right hand settled on the small of her back before they transitioned into the correct steps of the dance. It was a waltz. Sasori spun them around. They had first learned to dance with each other. They could have done this with their eyes closed. And so, undistracted by the steps, they took this time to speak. No one would hear them over the music, and they were moving around too much to really find a good place to eavesdrop.

"He doesn't fancy you, you know," Sasori started off the conversation.

"I'd hope not. I don't fancy him either," she responded in a light voice.

"Are you going to marry him?"

A smile brightened Sakura's face.

"I can't marry a crown prince. You think I'd want to sold off like a cow when I have my own lands to look after?" she scoffed.

"As if you would let anyone send you somewhere against your will."

They both laughed at that.

Sakura could feel the stares on them as they twirled around. The airy silk of her dress was a welcome change from the heavier materials the Mountain Kingdom favored. It was white and flowed around her like billowing ocean waves. The bodice of the dress was held in place by the decorative armor. The sheer sleeves of the dress sloped off her shoulders, revealing the toned muscles in her back. Delicate strands of gold and pearls were draped across her shoulders until they trailed down her back to connect to the belt.

"Mother said your dress was far too revealing," remarked Sasori.

"She's right. But I like it," she answered.

"You don't look like you've been sleeping well," he then observed. She didn't even try to deny it.

"Is it something in particular that's worrying you?" Sasori pressed. He twirled her around. She spun back in under his raised arm.

"Not really. My head is just filled with too many thoughts," she replied.

When she turned back around, Sasori was smiling at her with his mouth. "As usual, then?"

"As usual," she confirmed.

They chatted their way through two more songs. Though, chatting was a bland word to describe the amount of sarcasm and eye-rolling that passed between them. Sasori ridiculed the painted-on moles and ruffled collars of some of the men. He mocked their snooty accents and attempts to impress their companions. This wasn't because court here was so different from events at Whiteriver Keep. In fact, there was no difference. And the fact that such pretention could transcend culture was so hilarious to Sasori that he seemed to find it necessary to mock every noble he could.

"You do realize that we're also noble," Sakura pointed out with a wry look.

"Oh. Darling. It's different," he assured her.

"Different how?"

"We're simply better than them," he answered. The smirk he gave her made her scowl.

"Your arrogance is untenable."

"I know. And you love it," Sasori teased.

When they spun, Sakura was laughing again. As the third song ended, Sakura pulled them off the dance floor.

"You're monopolizing me. People will talk," Sakura warned.

"Let them. Little people worry about little things," he scoffed.

Her forehead creased as she thought. "Then what do big people worry about?"

"Big people, my darling, worry about the little people. But people like you or I," Sasori paused mid-sentence. His eyes darted around, like he was about to tell a secret. He beckoned for her. Sakura leaned in.

"We don't worry. We simply do," whispered Sasori. His hand rested on the small of her back as he led her into the clusters of guests. Some of them feigned ignorance. Others let their stares drill into them. As Sasori moved them toward one group, Sakura caught something out of the corner of her eye. She turned, scanning the ballroom. And then, just because, she looked up.

Itachi leaned against the stone railings. Their gazes met. He lifted his latest book in greeting to her. Sakura smiled. But before she could do anything else, Sasori's hand closed around her wrist. She allowed herself to be led away.

When the ball ended several hours later, Sakura said her usual farewells to Sasuke. He and Sasori had hit it off. They had bonded over their mutual frustration at silly courtly rituals. And they had all shared a good laugh over the ridiculous wig one of Sasuke's aging uncles had dared to wear to cover his balding head. Sasuke headed back to his quarters.

"Shall we?" Sakura suggested.

"I have no idea where I'm going," he confessed. Sakura rolled her eyes.

"Don't worry. I'll protect you," she teased as she led them in the right direction.

"The wine was almost tolerable," Sasori remarked as they began walking.

"I think I might need another glass before bed. My poor feet," Sakura griped in response. Sasori stopped in his tracks. He glanced down at her shoes.

"I'll have the cordwainer's head," he said.

Sakura shook her head. "No. It was the shoes I wore earlier this week. The women in this country must suffer dearly," she explained.

She could see Sasori thinking. He frowned. And then he offered his arm to her.

"We can walk slowly. And maybe this will distract you," Sasori suggested.

"What?"

"Prince Naruto has gained a few pounds since coming here. I almost mistook him for Count Akimichi." She laughed. He always knew what to say to get her to smile.

She laid her head on his shoulder.

"I missed you," she confessed in a small voice.

"I'm sorry. I'm here now," he assured her.

When they made it back to the apartment, Sasori pulled an envelope from inside his jacket.

"I almost forgot. Excuse me for a moment," Sasori said, handing it over to her. And with that, he slipped into the bathroom.

"Welcome back, General. Who is….?" Haku greeted them, his head following the bathroom door as it closed. He exchanged a look with Moegi, who shrugged.

Sakura slit the envelope with the dagger strapped to her thigh. She already knew who it was from.

Dear Lady Sakura,

I hope the summer season finds you well. We've had a few storms here and there, but the weather has been agreeable so far. Count Hatake has assured us that the tea crop is doing well. He attributes it to a new fertilizer he has been using. I didn't understand much, but he seemed excited.

You have, undoubtedly, heard of our cousin's recent triumph over some pirates. With the trade waters freed up, trade has continued unhindered. The treasury continues to do well, although I am finding it difficult to negotiate a lower tax as you had requested last month.

The children in the orphanage were disappointed not to see you. They ask for you often. And Sami is a lonely place without you. I am aware that our cousin has taken it upon himself to keep you company at Goliaf. I apologize as I should have attempted to stop him. Please don't be too upset with him. He's been moping. He missed you terribly. As do I.

Please be safe. I will continue to watch over Plumeria until you return home.

Sincerely yours,

Gaara

"I was not moping," Sasori protested as he read over her shoulder.

"Gaara doesn't lie," Sakura stated.

Sasori's hand flew to his chest. "And I do?"

She stared at him. And after a moment, Sasori lowered his hand.

"It wasn't moping," he insisted again. "I was bored. I'd rather travel up this damn mountain than sit there kissing that Regent's pale ass."

"Be-have!" Sakura scolded, knocking her shoulder against his.

"Um…" Moegi hedged.

"Yes?" Sakura replied.

Moegi puckered her lips together. "Will the gentleman be… staying much longer? It's getting late, General," she said with a pointed look at Sasori. His eyebrows rose.

"Moegi, Haku, this is my cousin, Admiral Sasori Haruno. Much like an infection, he is uninvited, but will be staying with us for a while," Sakura introduced the man, clapping a hand over his shoulder. Sasori's eyes rolled toward her.

"Are you comparing me to a cold?"

"To gangrene," Sakura corrected him. Ignoring Sasori's glare, Sakura graced Moegi with a smile.

"Some fresh sheets for him. And some wine for me," she requested. Moegi cast Sasori another wary look. And then she nodded.

"Right away, General," she responded and she stepped out of the room.

"She seems very distrusting. I like her," Sasori remarked as he watched the servant girl leave. And then his gaze flicked over Haku.

"I have a question for you, my dear," Sasori then said. He walked over to grasp both of Haku's hands. Haku flinched. But when his panicked gaze turned to Sakura for an explanation, all she could do was shrug.

"I must ask what an exquisite creature such as yourself," began Sasori. Haku's cheeks bloomed bright pink," Is doing in women's clothing."

Haku's face turned white.

Sasori's gold eyes were bright as he looked down at Haku's slender fingers. He released his hands to pinch Haku's cheeks instead. Stretching. Testing the elasticity of his fair skin. And then he examined Haku's hair.

"You're quite delicate for a boy. How old are you? 11? 12? Is this a tradition here? Serving visiting nobles like this? Do the women dress like men, then?" conjectured Sasori. When Haku's pleading look turned to her, Sakura let out a long breath.

"That's enough. Leave the poor child alone," she intervened. When Sakura patted his shoulder, Sasori ceased his barrage of questions. He took a step away from Haku, hands held up in surrender.

"He just arrived, General. How…" Haku trailed off. His voice heavy with despair.

Sakura pushed Sasori aside. She smoothed Haku's uniform. Tucked his hair behind his ear.

"My family is… well-versed in artifice. Don't worry yourself, Haku. It wouldn't be obvious to anyone else," she tried to comfort him. Sakura shot Sasori a glare over her shoulder. He shrugged. When her eyes narrowed, Sasori raised his eyebrow in response. She jerked her chin.

"Well, I'm exhausted," Sasori announced, taking the hint. "And it was a long journey. I'll see you in the morning." Fingers grasping her shoulder, he kissed her right temple. And then her cheek. Only when she stopped scowling did he release her.

+++

When Admiral Haruno arrived at Goliaf Castle, the courtiers fell into a frenzy.

Sakura had drawn attention from her first day in court. Her pink hair drew eyes wherever she went. And her eyes were teal, clear and bright against the dark brown Uchiha gazes. She held up her wrist against the paleness of Sasuke's arm and laughed all the time.

The arrival of her cousin with an even more foreign appearance had the courtiers practically falling over themselves to catch even a glimpse of him.

Sasori had dark red hair, which seemed to run in the family. And the warm, bronzed skin of a man who had spent time in the sun. The two stood out wherever they went together. And they were rarely seen apart.

"There's a man watching us from that bush. With binoculars," Sakura pointed out one afternoon. She sat in one of the castle's lounges. Now that the week of opulent parties had ended, she was back in pants. Which were honestly so much more comfortable.

"Oh. I didn't see that one," Sasori replied. He glanced out the window. He raised a hand in greeting. The bush let out a panicked rustle.

Sasuke, who was often seen with them now, shook his head.

"How do you notice things like that?" he wondered, not for the first time.

But it was the first time Sakura gave him a straightforward answer. "I should hope you never learn to notice such things, Prince. A lifetime of paranoia is to thank for my skill, unfortunately."

Sasuke cringed as he realized that he may have touched on a nerve. Sasori, however, seemed unbothered.

"Fun fact. Three men in our family have died from choking on grapes." As he spoke, he tossed one of the purple fruits up in the air. He caught it in his mouth.

When Sasuke looked to Sakura for confirmation, she nodded.

"They were brothers. Allergic to grapes, apparently," she elaborated. Sasori's face lit up as something occurred to him. He leaned over to whisper something in her ear. Sakura's face contorted as she listened. And then she rolled her eyes as he went on. But as he continued speaking, he coaxed a chuckle from her. She pushed Sasori away. Sasuke eyed their exchange with interest.

"So when does this torment start? Her Majesty asked us to be here by 2. And it's…" Sakura trailed off as she looked around the room until she found a clock. "Quite past 2," she concluded.

It was Sasuke's turn to make a face. "People tend to take 'fashionably late' to the extreme. They should arrive soon," Sasuke assured her.

The entourage of noble ladies arrived several minutes later. They were close associates of the Queen, which was probably the only thing that kept Sasori from outright mocking their ridiculous hats. Sakura also tried her best not to gawk at their voluminous, ornate garbs. She nodded each time one introduced herself in a trilling voice and affected accent. Sasori reclining back in his seat, nodded along.

"Her Majesty?" one of the woman asked, looking to Sasuke.

"My Mother, unfortunately, is unable to attend. She sends her regrets," Sasuke explained.

Sasori quietly pointed out Sasuke's stiff posture. Despite his reputation as a heartbreaker, it appeared that he wasn't quite comfortable in social settings like this one.

"So, General, Prince Sasuke has told us that you two are cousins? I thought you were siblings for a moment!" one of the women started the conversation. She waved her fan under her chin. But despite her friendly tone, there was hunger lurking in her expression. Like a predator staking out prey. Waiting for the right moment to strike.

An easy smile spread across Sakura's face. She gestured to Sasori.

"We practically are, Viscountess. We're ever so close," Sakura matched her tone. She saw the woman's eyes widened in surprise. But the viscountess was a seasoned lady of the court. She held on to her composure.

"I lost my mother when I was young. My Aunt, Lady Kurenai, has always raised me as her own. We grew up almost like brother and sister," she went on.

Sakura knew the game. Mentioning her tragic past always garnered sympathy. And she could see it worming its way into the viscountess' heart. The woman's face softened.

"Oh, how unfortunate. My condolences, General," one of the other women spoke up. The others followed in a chorus of sympathy.

The conversation flowed smoothly from there. Noble ladies led sheltered lives. They were fascinated by what lay outside the borders of their fancy estates. It was a simple matter to suck them in with stories of the bazaar and of a city that lay inside a caldera.

Sasori stepped in when one of the ladies asked to hear war stories. He didn't even need to look at Sakura's to see the shift in her expression.

By the time the tea party was over, the ladies were fawning over Sasori.

"Oh, this has been so much fun. The both of you must make time for us again," the viscountess gushed.

Sakura dipped her head. She kept her smile appropriately humble.

"I almost want to send a letter to your king and thank him for sending you to us," one of the ladies giggled.

"Regent," Sasori's voice whipped out.

He was met with blank stares. "…pardon?"

"He is the King Regent," Sasori repeated. He smiled again. But rather than elicit giggles, this one chilled the air around them. Everyone exchanged nervous glances.

Clearing her throat, Sakura got to her feet. "Ladies, thank you so much for your time. It was truly an honor and a pleasure to spend this time with you," Sakura announced. Hand over her heart, she dipped in a formal bow. There was a pause, and then the ladies slowly looked at each other. Their smiles returned. Everyone mused the customary greetings before they got to their feet. As the ladies filed out of the room, Sasuke stared at Sasori. The way his smile abruptly dropped as soon as the ladies' backs were turned was terrifying.

"Prince Sasuke," Sakura said. She was staring at Sasori.

"Yes?" Sasuke replied too quickly. He felt like he was in trouble, somehow.

"My cousin and I must get some fresh air," Sakura announced. She strode out of the room first. Sasori's jaw clenched. Like he might not follow her. But he did. He always did.

They moved at a brisk pace down the hall. Boots echoing against the stone floors. They turned a corner. And then another. When Sakura stopped, Sasori nearly ran into her back.

"….Sasori," she said in a long exhale. Her back still to him, she walked to the nearest window. She stared out it. Saying nothing else.

Sasori stood rooted in place, fists at his sides. Waiting.

But she didn't go on. Didn't shake her head or give him a knowing look. That was worse, somehow. The guilt of the silence stretched on and on until Sasori couldn't take it anymore.

"I won't apologize. I wasn't wrong," he growled.

Sakura didn't answer him. That only seemed to irritate him more.

"If even nobles from other nations are calling him the king, then what must your own people think? It's a disgrace, Sakura. I can't believe you're calm right now," spat Sasori, his words jumbling together in his anger. Sakura pressed her palm to the windowpane.

"Sasori," she quietly called. And though Sasori's eyes were narrowed, he stopped speaking.

"Yes," he bit out.

It was then that he caught her expression in the window. She leveled him with a hard look.

"You are my right hand, Sasori. Anything you say is a reflection of my opinions as well."

"But that is your opinion. I'm not wrong," he insisted.

The sharp line of her back was a harsh thing against the sunlight. Her shoulders were rigid, like she was made of stone.

"Losing your temper will be dangerous for the both of us. You need to keep your anger towards the Regent in check," Sakura reminded him, not for the first time.

"It's buried."

"Bury it deeper," she ground out. And then she shot his reflection another glare.

His shoulders finally slumped. That was as close as he would get to admitting defeat.

"You want me to bow my head to that usurper? To smile and fawn like nothing is wrong?" he whispered.

"Yes."

"That throne should have been yours the moment you turned 16," he whispered.

"Sasori," she warned him.

"And if not then, when you returned from the battlefield, a blooded warrior. A victor. Then, you should have been crowned."

Sakura closed the gap between them. Hand shooting out to grab the front of his uniform. She waited for Sasori to look her in the face.

He bared his teeth in a bitter smile. "One day, you will wear that crown on your head. Even if it means that I must tear it from his empty skull myself," he declared.

"Careful. You don't know who is listening," she hissed. His eyes burned a fierce gold as he smirked at her.

Then, in a louder voice, Sakura added, "I will not have you speak treason. Even if you are my cousin. Keep your mouth shut." She shoved him away. But before she could snatch her hand back, Sasori grasped it. Pressing it to his heart, he stared at her.

"As you say, Princess," he replied.

Sakura looked over him. It took an extra moment for the easy, unbothered expression to return to his face. But she knew that years of practice would not betray him. She was almost as good at it as he was.

"That temper," she sighed.

Sasori kissed the back of her hand. She snatched it from his grip.

"I would die for you," he declared.

"I know," she said. She reached out and straightened the collar of his shirt.

Though Sasori agreed not to start foaming at the mouth at the mention of the King Regent again, his cold attitude toward Naruto went unchanged. Then again, even in the Forest Kingdom, Sasori rarely exchanged words with him. He treated him much like one of the topiaries in the garden. Decorative but otherwise useless.

Sasori had arrived on Wednesday evening, but he had not greeted Naruto. Did not even acknowledge him until the following morning. And even that was against his will.

"You invited him to breakfast?" Sasori exclaimed. He nearly stabbed himself in the hand as he looked up from his eggs. Sakura said nothing. She gave Sasuke a look over her teacup. Sasuke, seated to her left, tried not to choke on his mouthful of food.

Sasori shoved his plate away. "Well, now I've lost my appetite," he declared.

Sakura pushed it back towards him. "Stop being dramatic and eat." And then she leaned back in her seat with a sigh. "You know as well as I do that I would rather not see him. But it hardly seems subtle to have the three of us together while he sits alone in the dining hall. Word travels."

Sasori glowered down at his plate. "I can think of a word I'd like to travel," he muttered.

Sasuke snorted into his tea. Sakura rolled her eyes at the both of them.

"Please stop making Sasuke laugh. He'll never get through breakfast at this rate," she requested.

"Are we onto first names now?" Sasori teased her.

"Of course, Sasori," Sasuke said in return. Sasori didn't let Sasuke's jabs ruffle his feather. And Sasuke was quick to come up with witty responses. Sasori detested people who were slow. So he had immediately taken a liking to the prince. And Sakura found them an excellent source of entertainment.

Half an hour, a servant announced Prince Naruto's arrival. The title chafed at Sasori. He reminded her, at every opportunity, that he wasn't even actually a prince. He did this very thing as Naruto entered the room. Sakura picked up her knife very slowly. She made eye contact with Sasori as she sliced into a piece of bread. He seemed to get the message. He behaved himself as Naruto approached.

"Good morning, everyone. Thank you for having me," Naruto greeted them.

Sasori motioned for a glass of wine. He instructed for the servant to keep pouring until it was filled nearly to the brim.

"Good morning, Prince Naruto," Sasuke was the first to respond.

"Good morning," Sakura said. She indicated the empty seat beside Sasori.

Sasori, lips puckered together, gave Naruto a vague noise. That turned into a bowed head when he caught Sakura's glare. He then took a long slurp of his wine, giving her a wide-eyed look. Like he couldn't possibly understand what she was annoyed about.

To be fair, she wasn't exactly being a good companion either. In the morning, she had asked Moegi to get flowers for the table. Big, puffy zinnias filled the centerpiece. They were so tall that they nearly obscured Naruto's face from her view.

"I trust you had pleasant dreams," Sakura began as she set her cup down. Naruto shifted in his seat, trying to see her around the petals. After some squirming to the left and right, he sagged in his chair.

"Uh, yeah. I mean- yes. Sorry I woke up so late. I forgot we were having breakfast until a servant woke me," Naruto confessed, a sheepish grin on his face. He thanked the servant who brought him a plate of warm food. He began slathering fruit preserves onto his bread, humming cheerfully.

Sasori eyed his table manners and let out an exhausted sigh. He touched his fingers to his temple.

"I saw you enjoying the wine selection last night. I'm glad it was to your liking," Sasuke offered.

Naruto's eyes widened. He took a bite of toast. His forehead wrinkled as he thought. "It was pretty good. I'm not the only one who thought so, right?" he spoke, not quite finished chewing his food.

He turned to Sasori. "I heard you like wine too, Admiral. Maybe you could teach me more about it. We're cousins, right?"

His feeble attempt at familiarity fell flat. Sasori's jaw twitched.

"Well, Second Cousin, developing a palette for wine is possible through training. Although I'm not more surprised that your father hasn't taught you already. I do hear that he's nearly a sommelier himself," Sasori retorted.

Sasuke's eyes went wide. He heard the insult buried between those words. But when his gaze turned to Naruto, he found him still eating with the same pleasant expression on his face. He looked to Sakura, who just gave a helpless sigh.

"Oh, I didn't know that. Maybe I should ask him," Naruto said. And Sakura squeezed the bridge of her nose between her fingertips.

Taking pity on the oblivious boy, Sakura spoke up. "Sasori, we should leave for the market soon. Finish your food."

Naruto glanced at her. "Already? It's so early!"

Sasori's eyes narrowed. "Actually, we've been up since dawn. Prince Sasuke and Sakura went horseback riding. I've been writing letters for official business. Those of us that actually have responsibilities don't sleep until noon, Prince," Sasori retorted. The wounded look on Naruto's face tugged at Sakura's heartstrings.

"It's not quite 10, Sasori. You shouldn't treat everyone like a soldier," she admonished. Naruto's face lit up like a beacon. Nodding vigorously, Naruto dug into his food with gusto. Sasori held his teacup out and had a servant pour wine into it.

"Well," Sakura said over the sounds of Naruto's munching. She placed her napkin on her plate.

"I'm quite full. Excuse me, gentlemen," Sakura announced. As she got to her feet, Sasuke and Sasori stood too. Naruto, still chewing, scrambled to stand a little too late. He swallowed whatever was in his mouth.

"Sakura, I'll see you later?" he asked. Almost pleaded.

Sakura stared at him.

"Perhaps," was all she said, before she exited the room.

That afternoon, Sakura sat on the windowsill in the library. After returning from the market, she had changed into lighter clothes. A soft cotton shirt. Riding breeches. Her hair tied in a low ponytail. Fixed in place by a gold band.

Itachi closed his book and set it on the table. He gave her an incredulous look.

"So you invited him for breakfast, knowing you would hate it?" he queried.

"I said I was trying to be polite. I didn't say I succeeded," she responded with a vague air of sulking.

Itachi thought. And then he said, "Well, effort matters, I suppose. Although I'm guessing that it's a matter of which side of the family you're dealing with." He was sitting in a wooden chair, a cream-colored shawl wrapped around his shoulders. The fabric covered his hands too, exposing only his fingertips as he traced the spine of his latest book. A lock of dark hair fell into his face and he brushed it away, tucking it behind his ear.

Sakura's combat boots thumped against the carpet as she sauntered over and pulled out the chair beside him. Spinning it around, she sat backwards in it, arms crossing on top. Sakura leaned back on two of the wooden legs as she regarded Itachi.

"Are you asking me about my family?" she inquired. Itachi's fingers steepled together on the table.

"Anyone can read about your family in a history book, General." But his eyes didn't say no.

"So you're asking me specifically about why I hate one of my cousins and not the others," Sakura specified. The front chair legs landed on the floor again with a muffled thud against the carpet. Itachi simply regarded her.

Though Sakura hadn't known Prince Itachi for very long, she had had many conversations with him. His health prevented him from horseback riding or sword-fighting. There was little else he could do but talk. And even then, he didn't seem to be interested in hearing about her military conquests like his younger brother was.

They had discussed everything from politics to the differences in trade in their two countries. Itachi was surprisingly open to argument. And he patiently explained the more difficult concepts without jeering at her. Sakura had attended the military academy for four years, where she had been taught the essentials of history and tactics. And even before that, she had studied under private tutors. But Itachi was a walking encyclopedia. She had never met someone so universally knowledgeable.

They had never set a time to meet. But Sakura began to show up around the same time each day. And Itachi was waiting for her most days. On the days he wasn't, he had taken up the habit of leaving a note for her, pressed between the pages of the latest book he recommended. Some days he was well, some days he wasn't. She wondered what the specific trigger was that had him confined to bed some days, but not others.

"Well, Prince, it seems your hunger for knowledge isn't limited to books," Sakura said with a smile. Itachi rested his cheek in his hand.

"Please, humor me," he insisted.

"Do you never tire of hearing about my life?"

"Never," Itachi assured her.

So she recounted cool mornings spent with tutors as she learned about the land she was to rule. The afternoons, she was free to roam the city, and Sasori always came along with her. They weaved through the crowded walkways, tasting fruit and marveling at the glimmering bolts of silk dyed rich blues and reds. Pockets jingling with gold, they filled their hands with pastries, eating their fill before giving the rest to the dirty children who were often shooed away by merchants.

Because he was older than her, Sasori was sent to the military academy before her. She had cried bitterly at his departure, even though he wrote faithfully to her each week.

"The Admiral is from your… mother's… side?" asked Itachi.

"Yes. My mother's only sister. The Haruno's rarely have many children."

"And Prince Naruto?" he prompted.

It almost felt like she was being quizzed on her own family. But Sakura didn't actually mind. It was nice to be able to tell her view of things without someone jumping to conclusions. To Itachi, she supposed, it was as she told it.

"Naruto is my father's brother's son." Her tone was significantly cooler. And she wasn't smiling now.

Itachi remarked on this. She touched her fist to her chin as she thought.

"I don't hate him," Sakura decided, "But he and his family are careless people. Careless people live quite happily themselves, but they leave pain in their wake." She didn't know why she was revealing this to a man who was still almost a stranger. But Itachi didn't seem surprised.

"But careless people don't mean to cause pain, I'd think," he countered. Gently. Which was how he spoke on most topics.

"That's the worst part about people like that, I suppose. So I will not hate him. But I certainly cannot love him," Sakura insisted.

There was a long silence. Her eyes were drawn to the way Itachi tapped his fingers on the table. He picked up his book, opening it to the last page he had marked. The dry rustle of the pages turning filled the air. Closed the book again.

"That seems like a very painful way to live life," Itachi finally observed.

Her mouth curled up. "It's excruciating," she assured him.

"I'm sorry," he said for some reason. She didn't know what to say in response to that.

He did that a lot. Left her speechless. Not in an uncomfortable way.

Closing her eyes, she sat in that silence. Breathed in the musty smell of all those old books. Imagine all the history that lived in the spines. In the age-worn covers.

She opened her eyes. Itachi was watching her.

When he smiled at her, she found herself smiling in return.

"I've been hearing a lot of talk about you again."

Ino lifted her eyes from her novel for a moment before she lifted it higher to cover her face. She ignored her mother and pretended to continue reading. Her mother always harped on about how novels were a low brow form of reading. That a noblewoman should be reading poetry or history books. Which was why she chose to read these books exclusively in her mother's presence.

Ino took her time reading the page. Turned to the next with a flick of her wrist. But the Countess was undeterred. She stared at her daughter until Ino could no longer ignore the sizzling stare burning a hole through her book.

"Talk isn't always bad. What kind of talk?" Ino sighed, finally showing some reluctant interest.

"That garden party you attended last week while I was away…" the Countess began. At this, Ino slowly lowered her book to peer over the top of it. Her sky blue eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"Yes?" she prompted.

"I heard you were the star of the show, my dear. The Queen had some very good things to say about you."

Ino said nothing in response. She twitched her nose without comment before raising her book again. Letting out a loud sigh of frustration, the Countess snatched the book away and set it down on the table. In retaliation, Ino snapped her fan open and held it up to shield her face again. The Countess shook her head.

"Anyhow, the Queen told me that you were a charming companion to have along. She said you were a lovely young woman. And she said to convey her thanks for being such a good friend to her daughter," the Countess listed off with enthusiasm. Ino slowly shut her fan. Eyes fixated on the table, she muttered something under her breath. The Countess paused her monologue.

"Did you say something, dear?" she questioned, turning to her daughter. Ino glanced up with a sullen look.

"I said… you do realize that the Queen Regent isn't Sakura's mother?" she repeated. Ino began picking at imaginary lint on her dress while her mother let out a flustered noise- a cross between a harrumph and gasp.

"Well, young lady, first of all, you should not address the Princess by her name so casually. And second of all, you would do well to mind your tongue. The Queen is still the Queen," the Countess scolded. Ino dangled her fan by the edge, letting its weight slowly spread it open. Propping her chin up in her hand, Ino slouched in her seat.

"Well, Mother, Sakura asked me to call her by her name. And I'd think you and Father would be the last people to bend to the Namikaze family's whims. You were such good friends with Queen Tsunade and King Jiraiya," Ino sniffed. The Duchess scowled.

"Queen Tsunade, may she rest in peace, was my friend, yes. But we serve the Crown, Ino. You should know that," the older woman insisted.

"You should be supporting Sakura if her mother was your friend," Ino shot back.

The two women glared at one another before they finally looked away.

"Your neckline is much too low," the Countess finally said.

"And you have too much powder on your face," Ino snippily retorted. Still, she tugged up the front of her dress. It was deep purple with small lighter flowers embroidered into the fabric. While it was true that the garment did show off her neck and collarbones, along with a generous portion of cleavage, it was nowhere near the most scandalous piece of clothing she owned. The skirt covered her ankles and her back was not revealed. Just to irritate her mother, Ino crossed her arms, mashing her breasts together to emphasize her cleavage. The Countess sighed.

"Ino, listen to me. Our family has survived for all these years because we have always chosen our sides wisely. Now, Princess Sakura is a wonderful person. But she will not be Queen. And to choose her side is to lose everything our family has worked for."

"Whatever happened to us being loyal? Isn't that what you and Father go on and on about all the time? Duty and loyalty?" Ino dug with a toothy smile. There was venom in her voice.

"It is the duty of a noble lady to obey her parents, not oppose them," the Countess rebuked.

"And it is the duty of parents, then, to act in a manner that deserves respect!" Ino spat.

"Ino!" the Countess growled in a fierce warning. Ino snapped her mouth shut but her eyes still glowed with hot resentment. The Countess took a few deep breaths to calm herself before she spoke again.

"Ino, the politics of court are not just a game. You have to be discerning. Just as you must be discerning in choosing your future husband," came her sharp reply. Ino deflated further at the mention of marriage. Lip jutting out in a sullen pout, Ino didn't say anything in response.

"Now, you should get ready for your harp lesson," the Countess concluded the discussion as she got to her feet. She squeezed Ino's hand and was off. Ino slouched down in her chair as low as it would allow. She opened and closed her fan once more before she tossed it onto the table.

Ino thought back to the letter she had received from Ispolin earlier that week.

Sakura had told her about the parties. She recounted the strangest conversations with some of the Mountain Kingdom's nobles. She mentioned that she was glad that Sasori had showed up. Of course he had. They were rarely apart. To see one without the other was odd.

Growing up, Ino had often envied the two. Their closeness. To the point that she had begged her parents for a younger sibling. And she had envied even more how Sakura had no parents to tell her what to do. But what she had envied most was her confidence. That despite the fact that they were the same age, Sakura already spoke with the presence of a queen.

When I am in power, this will be mine, she'd say as they approached Whiteriver Keep in a carriage.

"I don't want to play the harp," huffed Ino to no one in particular. And just because she could, she kicked at one of the legs of the table and sat sulking over the pain in her toe.

+++

< Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 >

#itasaku #writing #fanfiction #amaryllis #haruno sakura #courtly intrigue! au

[intoxicatiing]

*gives a single moonbloom flower with all the best wishes*

It’s Ruby’s Birthday! || Accepting || @russetwolf my love

She took the bloom delicately, allowing her smile to shine through. He was still too kind for this sort of place. For people like her. “Thank you,” she said, softly but genuine. “I don’t...” Ruby pursed her lips, looking up at him once more. Guilt dragged at her at the idea of refusing the gift. He had a damnably honest face, such wretchedly good intentions. He deserved at least something good, small as it was.

“I don’t know how to take care of these,” she said instead. “Would you teach me?”

#russetwolf #Ask #v: got #answered meme #birthday

[tribesoflandandsky]

Tribe of Running Wind

Windrunner: (Silvermoon) - A pale silver-cream molly with amber eyes.

Commander: Sunfury -  A cream and white ticked tabby with yellow eyes.

Caller: Raven’s Eye -  A gray and white cat tabby with blind amber eyes.

Out-Runners:

Golden Oak -  Big cream mackerel tabby with tuxedo markings, fluffy fur, and faded orange eyes.

Sandfury -  A cream and white ticked tabby with a scarred missing right eye. 

Thistle Wood - Chocolate and white ticked tabby with blue eyes.

Pale Moth -  Pale seal colorpoint with a lot of white and very little dark coloration on their limbs, burns, and heterochromania.

Blooming Ember - Rugged tortoiseshell molly with orange eyes

Bright Splash - Deaf fluffy mostly white calico with hazel eyes

Shrikewind -  Skinny gray mackerel tabby bicolor with big hazel eyes

Badger -  Burly black and white molly with hazel eyes and thick fur

Stag -  A chocolate spotted tabby with less white and brown eyes. 

Nesting Owl -  A pale cinnamon and white tortoiseshell ticked tabby.

Strong Oak -  A cream tabby and white ticked tabby with brown eyes. 

Moonstorm -  Long haired silver cream tabby with amber eyes. 

Moonbloom -  Deaf fluffy cream spotted tabby with amber eyes

Dusk’s Light -  Dusky brown  and black tabby tom with white. 

Stinger Bee -  Cream mackerel tabby molly with white and orange eyes. 

Sparrowflight -  Chocolate spotted tabby with white and large hazel eyes.

Kestrel Wing -   Black-based golden spotted tabby tom with white and hazel eyes.

Crickethop - Black tabby with long legs and brown eyes

Watchers: 

Rayburn -  Red silver classic tabby tuxedo marking with golden eyes.

Blackthorn -  Black smoke tom with with pale hazel eyes

Shadowlight -  Dark tortoiseshell molly with short fur and hazel eyes.

Nightshade -  Gray smoke tortie with pale green eyes and long thin fur.

Thistlethorn -  Silver mackerel tabby tuxedo with golden eyes.

Broodlings:

Nimble Light -  A small cream-and-white classic tabby longhair and hazel eyes.

Filtered Light -  A lithe little silver-cream mackerel tabby molly with amber eyes.

Morning Gleam -  Long hair silver ginger ticked tabby with white and green eyes

Morning Burn -  Small fluffy long hair cream classic tabby with white chest and big amber eyes.

-The tribe Windrunner gets their name changed to Windrunner when they are accepted into that rank. The only ones who may call the Windrunner by their former name is their mate; and as a sign of respect not in public. Any cat asking a favor or trying to gain the Windrunner’s favor could even say “Windrunner FormerName”, to show that they’ve known each other a long time - more often or not though, this is the Caller or Commander to do this.

- The Windrunner is chosen through several means. When the Windrunner dies, the Caller shares their visions of whom they believe would make the best canidates (they choose anywhere from 3-5), the Commander fights against them (as a group) and whoever doesn’t yield and defeats the Commander is chosen through vote by the Tribe. If there is only one cat left there is no vote; and if the Commander wins, they become the next Windrunner.

- The Commander is chosen through different means as well. If the Commander dies, the Windrunner chooses who will take their place. A Commander can be challenged by an Out-Runner; and if defeated they step down to the new Commander - the winner. If a Commander is seen as acting unjustly, the Windrunner will challenge them; if the Commander wins, they become Windrunner; if the Commander loses, they are Forsaken, and the Windrunner chooses a new Commander. Other than that, the same Commander lives on in their rank until they wish to retire - in which case they choose their own replacement. 

- Great Commanders are given the name change involving “Sun” as they blind threats to the tribe and brighten the path the Windrunner walks.

- The Caller is given to the tribe through spiritual guidance. Some Callers have apprentices they teach when it comes to herbs, but usually one will shine the brightest. Like Commanders, Callers can remain in rank their entire life, and are usually only replaced in death or retirement.

- Many names are short and simple; some have an almost warrior feel, and others are more tribe-like. Names like Hawk, Black Moore, and Redleaf are not uncommon while all being mixed. However, name changes are very rare, and a name is for life for most. However it is taboo to use the name “Sun” as it shows a very confident Sister to name her kit something that only Commanders earn; and most attempts are challenged to be changed unless the Caller says otherwise. No cat may have the name Windrunner, but Wind and Runner are not taboo. However no cat would dare be bold enough to attempt aiming a kit “Wind Runner”.

- Cats claim a young Brood to train as their Watcher; taking pride in wanting to teach young minds. 

- The tribe does have a wedding ceremony, but more on this later.

- The Windrunner ceremony is done when the Windrunner accepts their role; they are circled by their tribe with their eyes closed, their old name chanted quietly and as the cats get louder it becomes “Windrunner”. It is normally during this time the coming leader has a vision and receives nine lives. When the Windrunners eyes open and they scream “Windrunner” back, the ceremony has ended. They are not supposed to do this until their dream vision is over. Past Windrunners have lost out on receiving all nine lives by doing this out of instinct from the painful experience of getting a few lives.

-Kits are nameless until about 4 moons due to the high casualty rate in young cats. Most cats only have two broodlings.

#torw #tribe of running wind

[smakkabagms]

violets full & blooming in the waterbed where secrets spawn rivers of rumor lit by the ghost-skull & moonbloom of a mossy dark evening           bride of the handsome whim here , where the Old Gods lived their ancient legends (reminding us that our minds hold nothing but this world reflected) the scent of linden trees carry downwind & the easy watermarks of stars swirl deep in the ether   while underground , a host of black syllables feed the trolls of darker lore like those last angels that first betrayed us the winds grow more devious & disturb the eaves of this land                  - all heaves towards suffering elemental light of fox & wood thrush I name thee, wolf,                              your true name into the wild arches of morning holy the heart that does not tire of carrying this [          ]

#poem