Work Text:
"Faster, Raiya, Sakamoto!"
"Why is that, ani?!" Raiya shouted through the wind, trying to keep in pace with his brother. "We need not haste. Are we not too early?!"
"But does the wind not feel good?" Sasuke called out as he commanded his horse to go faster still.
"Tono, please be careful!" Sakamoto shouted as he tried to keep up.
---
"Ah, the village at last." Raiya sighed. "I am looking forward to our welcome."
"Our welcome is set for the day after tomorrow." Sasuke said to his brother.
"Eh?" Raiya could only say.
"The village still does not know of our presence. I expect they are still in the midst of their preparation for our arrival."
Raiya looked at Sakamoto at this.
"I am afraid that is the case, tono." He said at once.
Raiya groaned at this."Then why did we hasten to come? Sakamoto, go and inform the village of our arrival!" Raiya ordered.
"Do not." Sasuke quickly intervened. "Let us enter the village as simple travelers. I want to observe the village first. After all, the village reflects the people that govern it." Sasuke said.
"This is unnecessary, ani." Raiya tried to say.
"If I am to marry the princess and be lord of this village, I want no pretense." Sasuke said.
"You planned this, did you not, ani? That's why you ordered the guards to stay in that inn!" Raiya complained.
"I ordered them to come at the appointed time. It would be quite rude for us to have the village answer to our selfish whims." Sasuke shrugged.
"You mean your selfish whims, dear brother." Raiya said, sighing in defeat.
Sasuke ignored this. "Besides, wouldn't it be interesting?" He said instead.
Raiya and Sakamoto could do no more than groan.
----
The three young men had entered the village herding their horses. They had discarded their robust clothes and changed into that of local travelers.
They had found a humble inn in the middle of the village and decided to stay there for the night.
----
Sasuke had woken up as the dawn breaks. His little brother, Raiya was still fast asleep, looking far from the lord he usually display. He was disorderly, with his pillow by the window and half his body out of his futon.
Sakamoto, too, was still fast asleep, though contrary to Raiya, he looks as neat and tidy even in sleep. He looks rigid, actually. It must be hard to have the need to be always proper.
Moving quietly so he wouldn’t wake the other two, Sasuke had took his overalls, and walked out their room swiftly.
Sasuke had to smile as he saw the rising sun. It was definitely a good day. It was still quiet, but he could already hear the town waking up and starting the day as well.
He decided he’ll take a look around the village. It was better to just leave Raiya and Sakamoto. Raiya would definitely complain non-stop, and Sakamoto would question everything he would do. Yes, it would be better to go alone. He will just return before the day ends.
Sasuke had walked out the inn quietly. He only saw the old lady who owns the inn. She had greeted him a good morning and he had smiled and greeted in return.
He first went and checjed his horse. It was to find an old man already tending to him. The old man had given his horse some food and water.
"Arigatou gozaimasu." The yong lord said as he approached his horse.
"Are they yours?" The old man asked, smiling.
"Mine and my brothers'." Sasuke had replied. "I am very greatful. You have tended to them even though they are a stranger's."
"It is nothing, young sir. It just so happened that my mistress owns that white horse," he pointed at his horse, "and I have some more food to spare."
Sasuke bowed at the old man with a smiled. The old man bowed as well before leaving.
The people were very hospitable and agreeable, he had concluded. So far, the young lord is really impressed with the village.
It was just a small village in the valley. Majestic mountains surrounds the village and someohow gives Yoff a sense of security. Looking at the sunlight touvh the ground, the place looked ethereal. Sasuke indeed is impressed.
Sasuke was still looking at the exceptional scene before him as he started walking. He was enthralled that he did not discern what bumped into him. The impact disoriented him for a second but as he right himself, he realized what bumped into him was a young boy. He looked dirty and exhausted and he was holding onto a bread. He looked to be around Raiya's age.
"I apologize." Sasuke said with a friendly smile, offering a hand to help the boy up.
The boy looked hesitant, but after a while made to take Sasuke's hand. It was then that three men arrived and the boy's hand dropped as he stood up by himself and started running away.
The three men ran after him, all shouting for him to stop. The men looked angry and the boy scared. The men caught the boy just a few feet away from Sasuke. One of the men held the boy's hand and put it on the boy's back. The young boy cried out in pain.
The young lord felt indignation rise up to him. He approached them quickly and grabbed hold the hand of the man holding the boy.
"Have you no shame?" He roared in anger.
The men were taken in surprise but the one who held the boy recovered quickly.
"He is a thief!" He said in rage.
"A thief of what? This bread?!" Sasuke retorted. He took out a bag of coins and threw it in front of the men. "Take this, then." He said rather arrogantly.
As he did, the young boy had took the chance and ran away. The men had then tried to chase the boy but Sasuke blocked them.
One of the men started getting angry and Sasuke had all the intention of standing his ground. But even before a fight brought out someone --a peasant boy riding a horse-- had swiftly came, distracting all four of them. The horse broke through the group and a hand shot right in front of Sasuke.
"Get on!" Said an authorative voice that Sasuke just found himself following and jumping on to the horse.
He held on to the boy as the horse ran faster, leaving the three men in a state of shock. It was a few more minutes before they slowed down and eventually stop. They stopped when they were already at the edged of the mountain by the stream and Sasuke wasn't sure how to get back to the inn.
When they stopped, Sasuke had instantly got off the horse, confused.
The boy too, got off the horse but instead of facing Sasuke, the boy ignored him and went straight to the stream, pulling the horse with him.
He watched as the boy guide his horse to the water.
"What was that about?" The young lord found himself saying.
The boy didn't answer for a while as he too, took a handful of water from the stream and drank. He then took off his bandana and long silky pink hair fell.
It was with shock that he realized that this person is in fact a girl.
"You should have not interfered with that. That was stupid of you." She suddenly said in a quiet voice.
Sasuke was enraged with this. Boy or girl, how dare this lowly peasant insult him? He is afterall a lord. But Sasuke reigned in his patience.
"So you're saying I should have just stood by and watch them punish the boy? And for what? For a mere bread." He said, disgusted.
"All pain is a punishment, and every punishment is inflicted for love as much as for justice." The girl said, an edge to her voice. "I can see you are not from this village, so I pardon you. But this village believe in order and discipline. It might have just been a bread today but what of tomorrow? And what of the people he had thieved from? Looking at the boy, you might have assumed that he was just desperate for food, but what if he had thieved from someone just as unfortunate as him? Or worse even? We do not tolerate crimes." She said.
Sasuke stayed quiet for a while. Not because he thought she was right, but because he felt so frustrated and indignant with this person.
"You should stay away from the village for a while." The girl continued to say. That was when Sasuke realized.
"You.. you took me here so-" Sasuke started but he was cut off.
"So you wouldn't create more trouble for the village." the girl said.
They were silent for a while more, with Sasuke just looking at the other.
"Thank you." He said, a bit grudgingly.
There was also a pause before she said, "You're welcome."
"I guess, I've no choice but let you come with me." The girl continued. "You don't know this place, I assume."
"No." Sasuke said.
He watched as the girl, once more, wore her bandana around her head, hiding her conspicious hair.
"Who are you?" He asked.
The girl was quiet as she filled her bottle with water and arranged her things.
"...Sakura." She said. "You?" She asked, looking at him.
"I..." Sasuke said, weighing if he should tell her who he really is or not. He decided to tell her some of the truth. "My name is Sasuke." He said.
"Well, since you're a visitor of this village. I'll just show you around." She said, and for the first time, she smiled.
"I thought you told me I shouldn't go to the village for a while." Sasuke said, also offering a small smile.
"I was thinking of a tour around this mountains." She said and she hopped back on to the horse. She offered a hand to help Sasuke up as well. He gladly took it.
They had went to different parts of the mountain, and all has equally fascinated Sasuke.
They first followed the stream and this led to a lake. It was a very beautiful lake with crystal clear water. There were wild birds and colorful fishes. They stopped there for a while, just watching the delicate view. It was already noon then, but it still felt cool where they were, surrounded by the trees and by the lake.
After that they set off to going to the mountain. The place looked undisturbed. It felt as if they were somehow intruding, but Sakura seemed to be very familiar of the mountain.
They then arrived at a plateu. It was filled with flowers. Purple wild flowers scattered throughout the land. They rode the horse through it. Sasuke noticed that Sakura was smiling all the while looking at the flowers.
Sasuke didn't know why, but he grew very curious about this mysterious girl. He wanted to know her.
"You seem to know the mountains well." He said.
"I always go here." She said in reply.
"Why is that?" Sasuke found himself asking.
Sakura didn't reply and just continued manning her horse.
Sasuke didn't know how to continue. He didn't know if he had said something wrong. He didn't want to upset her.
He was about to take back his question when Sakura spoke.
"Village life is... suffocating." She said, softly. "Things are being forced on you."
This made Sasuke feel a bit worried, but before he could ask another question, Sakura had signalled the horse to go faster and Sasuke could do no more but held onto her.
They went deeper and higher into the mountains, both now quiet. The trees had become denser and so it was darker now. But still, Sakura seems to know exactly where she was going so Sasuke did not feel alarmed. It was a bit peculiar that he trust this almost stranger girl wholeheartedly.
As the horse slowed into a walk, Sasuke started hearing running water.
"There's a waterfall just around there." Sakura said, pointing up ahead.
Sasuke only nodded.
When they arrived by the river, gestured for Sasuke to get off the horse. He did, and she followed him down.
"There are berries here. I am certain you are already hungry."
Sakura had walked by the river and pluck some red berries from the tree. She turned back to Sasuke and offered some.
Sasuke smiled and approach her.
"You must really always go here for you to be this familiar." He commented, taking some of the berries and putting it on his mouth. "You like the mountains?"
Sakura nodded as she reached up once more to get more berries. "Yes. Here, I feel free..." She stopped abruptly.
Sasuke looked at him and saw the hesitation in her eyes. She was troubled about something, he was sure about that. But he can understand that she wasn't willing to tell him. He was, afterall, a complete stranger to her.
So instead, he decided to open up to her. "Sometimes I feel that way, too." He said, and Sakura looked up at him.
"It's just stifling and you just want to escape..." He said, softly.
She looked at him, curious, but as she, he did not offer her any explanation. Instead, he told him about how he feels.
"Sometimes, I just wish I could be like a horse and ran as fast as I can, away from everything. Or be like a bird and fly until I can reach the heavens." He said, meaning every word. It was not easy being a lord; being the oldest son. Being a lord means responsibilities and expectations from a very young age. It is not easy, in fact even just at an age of eighteen, he had already faced so many difficulties. It was this very reason that he had sworn to never let Raiya face such difficulties.
Finally, she smiled. "We are alike, you and I." She said.
"Yes. I have thought so as well." Sasuke said and this time Sakura's face broke into a grin. She suddenly took hold of Sasuke's hand and pulled him gently.
"Come. I'll show you something." She said. Sasuke couldn't help but return the smile and follow her by the trees.
"This is my favorite place of all." She started saying as they walked, hands still linked.
"Village life is suffocating, but I can not deny that I love the village." She said and then parted the branches before them.
And Sasuke could now see the valley. The whole valley, and the village on its center. It was a beautiful sight. The clear sky was already tinted with orange and it contracts well with the green mountains surrounding the village.
"I like looking at the village from here. Where I can see only its beauty, and none of its flaws." Sakura said, smiling as she gaze down the village.
"It's beautiful." Sasuke said.
"This is where I can let go of reality for a while." Sakura continued to say. "And I'll think about adventures... and going to the sea... and falling in love..." She trailed off. "This is where I can pretend that I can wish... that I can dream." She finished, softly
Sasuke looked at her. "What do you mean?" It was only then that Sasuke realized how close they were to each other. Their faces for only centimeters apart.
Sakura smiled sadly. "Sometimes, dreams will just stay as dreams." She said, still gazing down the village.
She looked so sad and yet so beautiful to Sasuke just right then. He was mesmerized. He watched her as she watched the village below them.
Sasuke blinked, a bit surprised when Sakura gasped as their faces where touched by the sunlight.
"It's already sunset!" She said, sounding excited.
She took his hand once more and pulled her back deep in the forest.
"What is it?" He asked, laughing a bit.
"Come, quick!" She said, and they started running.
She brought him in a clearing and it was just in time. As they emerged from the forest, butterflies, large and colorful, thousands of them were spread throughout the clearing.
Sasuke was left in awe, so far, this was the most breathtaking.
"They're sunset butterflies." Sakura said. "They fly during the day and they go home together during sunset for the night."
It was as more and more was appearing. The clearing was starting to be filled with butterflies.
For the first time, Sasuke heard Sakura laughed as one of the butterfly landed on her head.
Sasuke was taken aback at the transformation. It was as if he was seeing a new side of her. She was so carefree just then.
Her laughter rang louder when one of the moth landed on Sasuke's nose. Sasuke couldn't help but laugh with her.
For a while Sasuke watched Sakura as she let go of herself. It was as if she was dancing with the butterflies, laughing all the while.
She was enjoying herself very much that she didn't notice that she was already so very close to Sasuke. She bumped into him and almost lost her balance, but Sasuke caught her.
The next thing he knew he was looking straight at her eyes. They were both surprised, but they held each other's gaze.
"Can... can I let go of reality as well?" Sasuke barely whispered and then he closed the distance between them and dipped his lips into hers.
It was a few seconds of bliss before Sakura moved away. She looked surprised.
"No... I can't. I..." She said.
"Sakura..." Sasuke tried to say.
"I can't..." She said, closing her eyes. "Sasuke, I am already owned by another."
Sasuke looked at her in shock. "What?"
"I am already bethroed." She clarified.
And now he knew what she meant. This was what she meant about wanting to be free.
They were quiet for a very long while. Sakura was standing just a few feet from Sasuke but still, she felt so far away from Sasuke.
"It's getting dark." Sakura finally said. "We need to go back."
She turned her back to him and made to move, but Sasuke had pulled her and hugged her from the back.
"Sasuke, please." Sakura pleaded.
"I apologize." Sasuke whispered. "I must confess that I can't help but wish."
Sakura closed her eyes, as if this could shield her.
"Maybe we can still dream." Sasuke said.
"We can't." Sakura said, firmly. "We must go back now." She said, her tone bordering to indifference.
They silently trudged back to Sakura's horse. Their journey down the mountain and into the village was just as quiet. It was already dark when they arrived near Sasuke's inn. Without waiting for her words, Sasuke had got off the horse.
And for a while, they just looked at each other.
"I thank you for everything..." Sasuke said, giving Sakura a little bow.
Sakura just silently return the bow.
"I guess this is farewell." He said.
"I'm afraid so..." Sakura said, so softly it was barely audible.
"Then, good night..." Sasuke said, attempting for a smile. He turned to go, but then Sakura called him back.
"Wait." She said. She then got off the horse as well and ran to him.
"Take this..." She said, handing him a hair comb.
Sasuke looked at it, surprised. "I am grateful that I met you." Sakura said and without waiting for a response she turned around and ran back to her horse.
She never looked back even when Sasuke called her.
The first thing he heard upon entering their room was his brother's voice.
"And you arrive, finally!" He said, irritation in his voice. But one looked at him and Raiya stopped.
"What happened, ani?" He asked worriedly.
Sasuke gave his brother a small smile. "I'm just exhausted." He said with a shrug. "I went around the whole village."
Raiya only nodded, but he didn't looked convinced.
They ate dinner quietly, with Sakamoto and Raiya sharing many significant looks.
As night descends, the village starts to sleep.
"Tomorrow's the day." Raiya said off-handedly.
"Yes." Sasuke agreed.
"You must rest then, ani." Raiya said.
Sasuke smiled. "I will. I will just make some preparations. You go ahead and sleep." He said.
Raiya looked worried but he agreed all the same.
Sasuke watched the moon as the night pass, unable to sleep, mind filling with thoughts of the girl he met and hands holding onto the hair comb.
But as the next day greeted them, Sasuke had already keep the hair comb away, to be hidden away from then on.
He is a lord, and he knows his responsibilities.
They set off very early in the morning to meet with their guards just outside the village.
All was in order and Sasuke was ready. Or at least, he tries to tell himself.
As they entered the village, now as lords, the whole village was transformed. Sasuke rather liked the village as he saw it yesterday than he did now.
Guards were waiting for them and they were led to the lord's home.
The lord himself welcomed them in his home. He was very gracious.
Unbiddingly, thoughts of Sakura had made its way through his mind once more at the announcement of the entrance of the princess.
The door opened, and in came a girl in silky purple kimono.
And it was Karin.
(lols, kidding, this is the real thing:)
And it was Sakura.