Chapter 2
The distance between the two kingdoms is not awfully long, but it is still quite a trip. They will need to cross the Central land, where all the wars and battles happen. Thus, it is unsurprising that it is much more underdeveloped and population is much scarce here. Those who cannot find a residency in any of the country, either banished or just lost to the Northern regime will find this land as the only place that house them. Not much of a safe place, but the land is still large enough to have certain destinations that are safe enough, in this case, to house royalties.
Roads are in dire need of renovation and reconstruction, it seems. Sakura thinks to herself. Although this is the first time she travels beyond the border, and the feeling of uncertainties and a tad bit unsure is still clouding much of her mind, Sakura has a mindset of leader, and it is only second nature that she sees the need for upgrading everywhere she goes.
"We will be taking a rest here, my Queen."
"Very well. I suppose the horses and our men should take a proper rest as well."
Sasuke opens the carriage's door and finds his way down, afterwards extending his hand to hold her as she descends the carriage.
"And Sasuke-kun, I'm no longer the Queen, I don't suppose you will need to keep the formality all the time now."
"Force of habit. I may take a while to get used to it. But not for that long, you will be Queen again soon."
"I.. suppose so. And what do people in your country call their wife?"
"It is up to them, but my family used the word 'tsuma'. It hails from the original language of our people, it just means 'wife'."
"Essentially, they're just calling wife, wife?"
"Yes, but from what I understand, it is to show our respect to our companion for life."
Sakura is amazed. The Northern country is notorious for its harsh condition and difficult lifestyle, but the Uchiha express an outstanding level of love and admiration for their family. It seems that just like the Uzumaki, the Uchiha draws strength from their love, albeit, a little more physical in this case. The Uchiha also kept much more of their tradition from the original homeland of theirs, something the Senju did not kept up with. Sakura wonders if it is because the Senju are much more satisfied with the way of the Uzumaki, or the Uchiha is just much stricter about maintaining their culture.
Sasuke and Sakura has conversed themselves a lot during their trip together. It will do well for their courtship, as although it is mostly transactional and out of convenience, it never hurts to understand the person you are about to engage. She is delighted that they actually have so much in similarities. Both of them showed great intelligence and wisdom, shown via their conversation about the history of their people and usual games of chess on the carriage. Sasuke has also taught her the Shogi, a form of chess in his land, which Sakura also learns is also a game from the destroyed land that his family once called home. She quickly familiarised herself, and demonstrated her great tactical mind. Sasuke really cannot help it but admire her. Beauty and brain, but obviously, quite a brawl too if she followed the style of Queen Tsunade. She will definitely make a great Queen for his kingdom, just as she has in hers. And to top with all of this, she has an unexpected side of hers that he finds unique. She sometimes dropped the whole regal act expected of someone in her status, and opt for a more casual manner of speech sometimes. Not that he minds it, his kingdom never cared much about it, such as his cousin Obito usually expresses himself much more freely. Only their strength matter anyway.
Sakura on her part is quite confused about herself. She tried her best not to compare her new husband to her late, but Naruto is the only person who has been a male companion to her, and this is new experience. Sasuke is not Naruto, he is much more reserved with his words, much less expressive, much less social. A polar opposite, if Naruto was as bright as the sun, the Sasuke is practically the moon himself. Part of her wonder if the two men have met, how would they get by with each other. Sakura has seen many of the match of this kind, such as Neji and his best friend Kiba, opposite, but a great synergies nonetheless. It's Naruto anyway, he can befriend anyone. She thought. Despite this, Sasuke also has his side. She finds his purity a rarity, he has always do what he wants to do, never settled for less, and he always believe in himself and his action. Anything he does, it carries its own form of elegance. And his smile comes up ever so hardly, but nevertheless, just so dear to her. Sakura enjoys their conversations with each other greatly, and as much as she loved Naruto, she really sees a new chemistry within her and Sasuke, the one she sought consistently throughout her last relationship.
"Sakura, come back inside the carriage."
"What's the matter, Sasuke-kun?"
"It's not safe around here."
Sakura then looked around. She hardly sees anything, it's dark outside their small camping spot. But it seems that Sasuke's eyes are glowing with a red tint, and he is looking around. His face maintaining its usual cool composure.
"Is that..."
"Yes, my lady. That would be the legendary Sharingan. His ocular vision exceeds anyone here, and I suppose he has decided it is not safe around here. Would you please, my lady? Let us escort to our carriage." Kakashi appears next to her, offering his hand, gesturing her to follow him.
Sakura smirked, and she stood up.
"I digress, I think it has been a while since I had some.. action."
"Sakura?"
"Sasuke - kun. Worry not, I am the apprentice of Queen Tsunade, and I am an equal to her in power. I would like to demonstrate it to my new husband. Queens of my country has never shy away from the battlefield. We have had strong Queens actively leading and charging straight to the frontline."
This woman, she already have the spirit of the women of his kingdom. And who is he to deny her? He also needs to see it for himself, the combat prowess of his wife.
(obviously a battle happened and he's taken back, just visualise it like when she smashed those juubi clones during the 4th war in the original work lmfao)
This woman is truly a force to be reckoned with. He thinks to himself, she may be able of taking down even him, even with the mighty Sharingan in his eyes. Brute force aside, it is obvious her intelligence is also a part of her fighting style. She is very much capable of reshaping this area, a few new holes and caves can always provide new habitat for the animals here, but she effortlessly destroyed the fools who were in their way without breaking a sweat. Such gracefulness that she entered the battle and with such ease that she finishes it. Now that, is a Queen.
"Very impressive, my lady. I think our Royal Highnesses will find great pleasure in having you to the family."
"Your kinds words move me deeply, lord Hatake."
Sakura looks at Sasuke. Unlike Kakashi, he uttered no words of compliments, but his eyes has shown her enough. Within those eyes, she found admiration and respect. She thinks to herself, he may not be like Naruto who often vocalised his thoughts, but it is there, and very much present. It's just up to her to find it, understand it, and may time be generous with her and them.
.
The trip throughout the Central lands had a few mad lads that was simply too uneducated to figure out who they were dealing with. Sasuke and Sakura took turns demonstrating their combat prowess to one another, and sometimes joining hand in hand in combat. It did not take them much work, and his guards are well capable of handling them on their own without needing to exceed this much force, but the two just wanted to have some fun with one another and trying out new things. And within it, they engaged through the "battlefields", if it can be called so, as if it was a ballroom. A ballroom with a dance, in this case, dance of two fighting styles, finding their similarities here and there, and after a while, harmony was found. You and I, we will make a fine companionship.
.
Just before reaching the border of his kingdom, they took their last break. Sakura finds herself wanting to walk around a bit for a little look for the scenery, and Sasuke accompanies her.
"The scenery is wonderful here. My country has a wide variety of plants and flowers alike, but colder climates like this area sure does have its own beauty." The sun is setting, and the nearby waterfall creates a picturesque view that is a wonder to the eyes.
"Our kingdom stations at the North of the continent, it is much more colder than this area. I only saw other seasons when I travels away from it."
When he was learning under the royal tutors, he find it confusing that there is three other words for seasons and their description is different from what he has ever see. For all he has ever know, the sky has always been grey, climates are always cold, and the taiga trees never turned its leaves to auburn. The first three quarter of the year is less colder and certain vegetations can grow, but the last quarter is deep thick in snow. His people often had to stock up a portion of their harvest before the lands turn cold, and his family often have to make sure the stock lasts throughout the harsh winter for their people.
Lucky for the people there, the Uchiha takes their job seriously. Madara has always been a combatant type, but his brother Izuna took the time to pay attention to their subject. He always made sure the brother's reign can ensure a somewhat comfortable life for their people. Foods are always ready even when crops fail to grow, children are sheltered from the hardship of battlefields before they come of age, events and gathering likewise for entertainment... Izuna endowed this teaching to later generations, and with that the Uchiha became what could be considered beloved monarch in the land that is always ready to take the life of its leader. Sakura thinks tyranny and dictatorship never ends well, therefore it is rather reassuring that the Uchiha, as cold-blooded as they can be, also knew how to maintain the harmony between the leader and its people.
Details about how the Uchiha's kingdom greatly interests Sakura, not only because she will become their Queen one day, but also because she is naturally curious about the world and how other countries run. Sasuke has done her the pleasure of briefing her in with their workings, and he is all so grateful that she has taken such interest in his land.
"Sakura, thank you."
He can only say so. He was never good with words, but Sakura has complimented him so much, about how despite he does not speak much, his speech mannerism are very stylish and elegant. Not much words are spoken, but the volume of those words can weight as good as a whole paragraph. He hardly sees how, but whatever, her being happy about it is all that matters.
"Uhm, I also have to thank you, Sasuke-kun. Your arrival into my life has brought me many wonders. If I could, I would love to put your name into our history books."
"Ah, they should definitely put yours into it. You have done a lot for your kingdom, even when you are no longer their Queen, you are still helping them."
"Well, that would be a given, after all, I would be the only monarch in our history to stray from the royal bloodline. And I'm remarrying a foreign prince at that."
"The lack of royal blood, does it bother you?"
"Used to. My late mother and father had always treated me as equal to their birth children, and Queen Tsunade has always been so graceful at reminding me I am no less of her grandchildren than Naruto and Karin. My family, they always make sure I'm a part of them and never left me out. But alas I never had any princess title, and during my studies in medicines, I met some people that weren't so kind to me. They started speaking behind my back that I was just lucky that mother found me, and that I'm some sort of fake princess. I never told anyone else, as they would get harshly punished about it, however I did gained the resolve to work even harder to become a good Queen, just as Grand Mother is, and mother would have been. After all, I am the Queen, or was, whatever. And now I grew out of it."
"Hm."
"Well, all the more reason that I am grateful for your arrival. I was not where I was supposed to be. The throne belongs to Karin, and I was an impostor. I know that it is not right, so I have been more insecure as days go by, that and the work that was supposed to be given to her was all brought to me. I didn't enjoy it that much."
"Would she have made a good Queen like you have been?"
"We have our area of expertise, I am sure she can well cover the area that I am weak at."
"The streets are in much better condition than the last time I was there. Was it you?"
"Well, that was the design of Yamato, a very talented architect whose family learnt under Great Lord Hashirama. Karin was the one who discovered and recruited him, I only did the supervision and Naruto guaranteed proper finance. And together the construction was executed. It wasn't only my work." Sakura smiled as she recalled fond memory of working with her family. How she wished they could have another chance to do it again.
"Our land is much different from yours. The climate is one thing, but the people are very power hungry. My great uncle has taught us great deals on how to maintain the people's loyalty, but we can only do so much. Sometimes there are still dumbasses who tried to challenge my father and brother."
"Your brother also participated in the combat for the throne?"
"He was the crown prince, sooner or later he will do it for his own throne."
"He must have been a mighty warrior then."
"Undoubtedly, I often think he might as well the strongest Uchiha ever lived as well. He was a genius unlike any other."
"I'm sure you are a great warrior yourself, Sasuke-kun. You all have your differences after all."
"I would doubt that. Whatever I did, he always did it better. Whatever decisions I tried to make, he always had a better plan. My brother is very dear to me, but I cannot help but feel I'm just a fodder, always one step behind him, always behind his shadow. He spoilt me a lot, to my mother's delight, but he and father always had to have some duty to fulfilled."
"And his passing, did it..."
"It did. My family always said that the Sharingan has a more supreme form, the Mangekyo Sharingan. I was the only one who did not possess it, that is until I experienced the pain of losing him. It felt like an awakening, I have grew much stronger than before, at the cost of never being the same again."
"My apologies. It must have been difficult for you, grieving your family."
"Grief is the price we pay for love, and pain is the price we pay for growth. Death is inevitable, no matter how much power I have, I can never regain what is lost. Therefore I learnt to treasure what time we have in this mortal life. And thus, I will do whatever it takes to protect my family."
Sakura is admiring him. His feature are extremely well-defined, a meal to the eye in the words of her sister. But it did not help that the mind is just as brilliant and the soul just so deep. The way he talks, the way he thinks, the way he fights, it is all so elegant, so regal and yet so firm. Love means a great deal for him, he just doesn't vocalise it. The way he cares for their subordinates, the manner of which he is so gentle whenever interacting with her, it is an unexpected side from him. Behind that icy exterior, belies a fire that deeps all so passionately.
"Will you tell me the meaning of your family's symbol?"
"It's the fan. Fire needs air to sustain itself, and fan blows winds to it. Fire is huge part of our family and a skillset of our fighters, it's usually the first thing an Uchiha learns. Aside from our ocular power, it's the fire that gives us the leverage of which we maintained our right to the throne. It will burn anyone foolish enough to challenge it. That and the Northern climate can always use a little warmth."
"That is very meaningful."
Fire, a strong element, capable of immense destruction, but also with which that the human triumphed against strong predators and cooked the prey. It brought destruction, but also a new era for human. Sakura finds it extremely fitting that the Uchiha and fire had such strong ties to one another. The Uchiha is as destructive as fire can be, but also just as warm, so warm that they sometimes get consumed by it, clouding their senses. Sasuke is ready to marry Sakura, a widow, a Dowager Queen of a foreign land, just because his brother said so and he believes that it's best for his family. She wonders, if she had say no, would he wage war to her land, or opt to kidnap her. Her new husband seems to have his own dark side, as he is rather ruthless to their enemies after all, and she can only understand so, considering his background. They must always brace themselves for traitors, treacheries, and atrocities. Kindness when bestow on the wrong person can bring back poor results. It is a good thing that the Uchiha loved one another deeply, else they can hardly survive in that land.
Sasuke for his part, is immensely grateful that Sakura consented to his plan, of which he is actively putting her in danger. She is a strong warrior and possesses a great mind, he has no doubt about it, yet he cannot help but feeling guilty about taking her away from her land, as if plucking away a beautiful flower from its soil. Unlike the Southern weather that her kingdom is blessed with, the Northern climate that glooms their sky barely sheds any sunlight down. The land always maintain a cool and chill temperature throughout the year, and it gets specially harsh in the last quarter of the year. His family always had to distribute proper heating system for their people, but they can only do so much against the thick snow that covers the land during that time. Harsh and cold the land is, and so does the people. The noble houses that swore their cause to the Uchiha never be relied on for too long, they can always be easily be overthrown by a greater force, with which hardly is there anything that can be done. As a matter of fact, right now in the capital, an arena is happening because people are wanting to be his partner. Fathers throw their daughters out to the battlefield, and some never remained the same. Some females fighter are extremely adept at poisons, and they make use of their agility and dexterity to damage their enemies in a more visceral way. Bringing Sakura, from the peaceful and warm climate of her kingdom, to the harsh and cold land of his, can be somewhat considered... cruel. He must do everything in his power to ensure a comfortable stay for her. He needs to make sure she is well protected from the hardship his kingdom can bring. Not only is it because she will be his wife, his partner, but also he is responsible for her residency here, the reason why she is here.
That and she has no reason to be this beautiful. Her long, lustrous pink hair, her bright green eyes that looks like it is piercing through your soul, her delicate and soft feature, she truly naturally catches all attention upon her. Her hand are rough, rougher than most hands he has ever touched, is the result of the fact that she is a dedicated worker, dedicated to wellbeing of her people. He truly believes if she is not a Queen, perhaps she would have been an important individual in medics instead. In her adolescent years, despite her royal status, she volunteered with her father and mother to the frontline of the war, treating the injuries and temporary managed a safe area. Even after the war, she worked tirelessly to built infrastructures for her people, hospitals, schools, libraries..., all of which are open to all social standings. These rough hands are not what most people would find attractive but Sasuke acknowledges this as the testament of her will. Her forehead, something she told him in their travels that used to be a insecurity of her, beholds the seal of a hundred strength. The monarchs of her kingdom obviously had crowns, but this purple seal that takes the shape of a diamond, is the true symbol of power, the dignified status of the Queen as seen in her predecessors, Tsunade and Mito.
Aside from her vitality to his cause, she is rather a wonder to have around. She understands him deeply, understands his grief, his reasoning, his thoughts, to a degree he hardly ever seen before. He is aware, that the only person who can understand and sympathise with him, is him, this goes for anyone. But he supposes, he will gladly accept this, and let her do as she wishes. He wonders, if he has met her earlier, or had she not been betrothed to Naruto, would they have had something else. He is unbothered with the fact she is not the typical "pure and untouched" sort of women, as long as she honours their marriage pact, it is purely a matter of the past. But if anything, he wonders, would he be as good as a husband Naruto was to her? Will he be in his shadow again, just as he always was when it comes to Itachi?
"Sasuke-kun?", she calls him.
"Hm?"
And all so suddenly, her lips meets his forehead.
"I don't know what is that thing you usually do to me, poking my forehead. Only natural that I have my own form of forehead interactions." She smiles at him, a smile as beautiful as the sunset before their eyes.
"My brother often does that to me whenever he needs to go his way."
"Oh.. so he was creating a distance from you with that gesture?"
"I suppose so."
Oh.. Sakura thought to herself, and her smile faded lightly.
"But, Sakura. I will be different. This gesture, it will not be used as a means to distance ourselves, but a promise. I hope that we will always find our ways to each other."
Sakura's eyes opened largely, she is taken back at his words.
"Sasuke-kun..."
"You will be fine, Sakura. I know you will. But the sun in my kingdom does not shine so generously, nor the night will go away until so late in the morning. The crops are obviously much more limited than your land as well, and the people-"
"Hush now. I will be fine. I will survive. No matter what happens, I will prevail. Nothing lasts forever, and so does hardship. Besides, I trust that my husband will stay by my side and protect me?"
Sasuke lets out a soft smile.
"For as long as my heart is beating."
"If I die, revive me so I can keep protecting you."