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Chapter 46: Parthevia's invitation
Again... there was nothing but darkness, and when she called out to scream, her voice was lost. Dread filled her completely as the darkness began to clear, giving way to an image far more horrifying. She couldn't feel anything on the outside no warmth despite the flames. And when she saw the blood splattered and splayed along the ground, the pools of red, the chains rattling, and screams echoing without end, she knew it was happening again.
She clutched her head tightly. "No, no, no!"
She wanted to shut her eyes and wake from this horrifying nightmare. Children and men in armour littered the ground, drowning in a sea of their own blood. Amid the agony, a single silhouette emerged from the flames, untouched by them, moving with a confident stride.
"NO, NOT AGAIN."
Sakura tried to move, but she was paralyzed. It felt like a weight had been pressed upon her chest, crushing her.
Then she saw it again the darkest embodiment of herself. What terrified her most were the eyes: those green eyes with black sclera.
"Wasn't it fun?"
Sakura stopped breathing as she heard the whisper close to her ear. The figure was now behind her.
Just like before, she couldn't respond. All she could do was watch and stare in complete terror.
The figure stopped in front of Sakura, dropping a body before her a familiar boy with lifeless eyes. Then the figure started crying. Red tears poured down before she fell to her knees, her wails agonized and piercing.
"Was it worth it?"
Though the figure wasn't looking at her, Sakura knew she was the one being addressed. The figure looked up, glaring daggers of hatred straight into Sakura.
"WAS IT?"
Sakura awoke with a heavy gasp, as if she hadn't breathed in so long. That dream, which seemed to play on a loop, had suddenly changed. Even though the change was minimal, it was just as unsettling the monster mirroring her image, bursting into red tears. Sakura couldn't make any sense of it, not that her sleep-deprived mind was able to put in much effort.
Glancing to her side, she saw Sinbad sleeping soundly, lying on his side with his arm under his head. His breathing was shallow and calm, obviously clear of any unwanted nightmares, unlike her. Sakura could feel her sweat making her skin stick to the sheets, dampening nearly all of her.
It's just a dream.
With that in mind, Sakura closed her eyes and went back to sleep. One thing she knew about that nightmare: it never happened twice in the same night.
Being trapped in a room with the strong scents of herbal plants that did not mingle well together practically combating for dominance in the air, enough to sting your nose and burn your eyes would make anyone change direction or at least open a window. But not Sakura. To her, this was her sanctuary and her favorite part of her job description. She could sit and work at her table for hours, coming up with new and improved medicines and herbal remedies.
This pharmaceuticals section was a recent branch of the company Sakura had been placed in charge of, as she had the most experience and ability in this department. She was also really the only one in this department. Serendine had a hand in helping as well, but Sakura's medical knowledge exceeded her own poisons were more the princess's strong suit. Although Sinbad had mentioned that it would help if Sakura trained some of their current employees to assist in this department, that would take up whatever free time Sakura had, so she put it off for now. If the department's products reached a certain demand, then Sakura said she would train other employees.
Sakura was crushing some herbs together, grinding them into a fine powder. Placing it into a cup, she then poured boiling water over it, watching the powder dissolve. She brought it closer to her nose to inhale deeply, catching its strong earthy smell. She was looking to make a tea to relieve fatigue and was also working on creating food pills similar to ninja food pills that would restore energy and relieve hunger. Sakura hoped to use the ingredients from the tea and then find ways to advance further with her food pills.
Now for the taste test.
Since she wanted to ensure that her products were side-effect free, Sakura took to testing everything on herself first. When Sakura barely took a sip, she spat out the tea, wiping her mouth.
"Okay, that's not right." Sakura cringed, her tongue still numb with the bitter taste of the tea. She took a cloth, wiping up the spill on the table. She reached for her charts, eyes scanning over the ingredients as she tried to find a catalyst that would remove the bitter taste without compromising its medicinal properties. "Worse than chewing on leather."
As Sakura resumed her work, she felt a presence behind her that sent a chill down her spine. Spinning around while raising her leg for a drop kick, she barely registered the flash of purple and surprised golden eyes before she sent Sinbad across the room and into a wall.
"Ah—Sinbad—I'm so sorry!" She rushed over to uncover the body she'd just buried in the side of the wall, pulling Sinbad to sit up straight before proceeding to heal him.
"I'm so sorry..." Sakura repeated, pulling back her hands.
"It's alright," Sinbad assured with a bit of a pained smile, patting the top of Sakura's head, which was hanging low as she moped. He made a mental note not to attempt to surprise her by coming up from behind without warning. Somehow, he knew he was lucky she hadn't put all her strength into that kick, or he might be dead right now.
"Are you sure? You're not in any more pain?" Sakura asked worriedly, holding out her hands, ready to heal.
"Yes, Sakura, I'm fine," Sinbad reassured her, standing up and holding out his hand for her to take. He lifted her off the floor and looked back at the wall. "You didn't even crack the wall this time. You must've really been holding back."
Sakura puffed out her cheeks in embarrassment. She had just barely registered that Sinbad was behind her and managed to pull back, but not stop in time. "What are you doing here? Aren't you still working?"
"Yeah, but I need the completed update reports on the new products."
"You could've just sent someone instead," Sakura pointed out, watching as Sinbad gazed around her workspace.
"Yeah, but then I'd miss a chance to see you."
"Man, you're hopeless." Sakura snickered. She wrapped her arms around Sinbad from behind, kissing his cheek before pulling away, watching his face fall. She turned to the shelf in the corner, taking out four scrolls with her completed reports.
"What, that's all I get?" Sinbad pouted, touching his cheek. "I take the time out of my busy schedule to come and see you, and you first kick me, then only give me a peck on the cheek."
"This isn't exactly the best place to get heated, Sinbad." Sakura stated, putting the scrolls on the table. "Speaking of which, what were you trying to do when you snuck up behind me like that?"
Sinbad grew still, contemplating the answer he should give his girlfriend with supernatural strength. "Well... I was just going to give you a hug, of course."
"Sure..." Sakura drawled sarcastically. Her eyes fell on the cup she had left on the table, then back to Sinbad. She smiled, taking the cup and handing it over to him. "Here, try this. It's a new herbal tea that's supposed to relieve fatigue."
Sinbad took the cup, warily eyeing the contents. "It's not made from the same things as that pill I took in Heliohapt, right?"
"I don't want you throwing up in here, and I drank it myself, so no." Sakura confirmed. However, after Sinbad took the first gulp and spat it out, she burst out laughing. "I haven't figured out how to remove the bitter taste just yet."
After wiping his mouth, Sinbad looked at Sakura with a playful and wicked smile, which had the pinkette slowly backing away to the other side of the table. Sinbad started running after her, and the two circled the table.
"Stop it," Sakura laughed, coming around the corner with Sinbad following in pursuit.
"Only when you stop running."
Sakura stood on one side of the table, Sinbad on the other.
"Good, now stay there." Sinbad started coming around, but Sakura quickly dashed to the other side where he had been, their positions swapped.
"Uh-uh, you're not coming anywhere near me with that look in your eyes."
Sinbad smirked. "Well, I can only do that when I'm near you."
They started their routine again Sakura and Sinbad running around the table of medicines and herbs, one attempting to catch while the other continued to evade.
Finally, realizing that she was playing cat and mouse with one of the most persistent, arrogant, and determined men she had ever met, Sakura halted, holding up her hands in surrender as Sinbad charged toward her. "Okay okay okay. I apologize."
"Not good enough," Sinbad chimed, wrapping his arms tightly around the pinkette's waist. "You know what I want."
Rolling her eyes, Sakura pushed up on the soles of her feet, throwing her arms over Sinbad's shoulders. "Guess I owe you this much."
She gave a quick peck on his lips, but Sinbad held the back of her head to keep her in place and kiss her again with fierce demand and wanton passion. When he pulled back, Sakura leaned away, keeping her head to the side, flustered and short of breath.
"Geez, when I said I owe you, I didn't think you were gonna charge interest," Sakura said jokingly, moving back to the table. "Take the reports and then get back to work. You're not getting any happy hours during work hours."
Sakura went back to her work, but Sinbad's presence hadn't left the room yet. He came up behind her again and pulled her into a hug from behind.
"Was there something else?"
"Not really. I just want to get a few more moments in with my favorite blossom."
Sakura should have known this was going to happen. After their date, Sinbad was back to showering her with the same level of affection as he did back in Heliohapt. She knew she was partially to blame, though, given the conclusion of their date that she had initiated. And since Ja'far had walked in on them, their relationship's development wasn't a secret any longer, and Sinbad couldn't have been happier about that.
Why do I keep putting myself in these situations?
While Sinbad was respectful enough to take Sakura's opinions and final say into consideration when it came to these matters, that didn't mean he wasn't persistent in trying to sway her mind. Although in this case, Sakura knew she had to put her foot down. She had lessons with Serendine for the rest of her day, and she was going to need to finish the last of her work now if she wanted that to happen.
"I love you, Sakura," Sinbad murmured into the back of her neck.
"Love you too," Sakura replied, rather dull in response.
"Love you more."
"Okay, you win. Can I go back to work now?" Sakura giggled, moving her neck out of Sinbad's reach. She heard an audible groan of disdain from him.
"Noooooo."
"I'll call Ja'far."
Sinbad stepped back, grumbling as he gathered the reports. "Fine, but don't think this is over."
"It never is," Sakura sighed. She closed her eyes as Sinbad gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before making his way to the door. However, the door opened from the other side, and Ja'far stepped in. At first, Sinbad and Sakura were under the assumption that he was there to drag Sinbad back to his desk, but that wasn't the case.
"Sinbad, you have visitors."
..
..
..
The visitors were members of Barbarossa's Independent Nationalist Party the same ones that Sakura and Sinbad had seen with Barbarossa when they went to Parthevia as part of King Rashid's escort. Dairu was the person that Barbarossa had addressed before. They had come personally to inform Sinbad that the Independent Nationalist Party had won the election and were now in power. Barbarossa, being party leader, was now head of state. While this was good news for the company as a whole, Sakura wasn't all that excited at the idea of working closely with Barbarossa, despite the opportunity. It was for Sinbad; therefore, she would endure him. She would also need to ensure that Barbarossa did not let the truth slip out about her.
Sakura had been contemplating since their date about when she should tell Sinbad the truth. It was her biggest secret yet disturbingly enough, there seemed to be plenty who already knew without her consent. The situation was like standing at the edge of a cliff on a scorching summer day, a large, crystal-cool lake just below. All one needed was to gather up the courage to jump and take the plunge to relieve them of this painful heat, but every time you thought of falling, you'd reel back.
Dairu handed Sinbad a scroll. "We've come to deliver an invitation from His Excellency to our celebration. We've been sent to escort Lord Sinbad, President of Sindria Trading Company, to Parthevia as a state guest."
There were a few shocked exclamations at the news. Inviting merchants from a trading company as state guests wasn't something typical. Dairu pointed out that they wouldn't have done that for any other trading company, but this one was the exception. Sakura clearly understood why, but new arrivals like Pipirika were still in a state of shock and confusion.
"Let me explain," Ja'far said to Pipirika.
Ja'far elaborated that their company, Sindria Trading Company, was different from other trading companies, mainly for their trading conduct within an extensive territory such as Imuchakk, Sasan, Artemyra, Heliohapt, Balbadd, and Reim. They had also recently acquired the property and trade routes of the Mariadel Company, which Sindria Trading Company had used as capital to expand their operations. Employees from all over the world totaled 3,000, and they also had 1,100 personal warships. Sindria Trading Company had become one of the top trading companies in the world because of its accomplishments.
"I-I didn't know we accomplished that much!" Pipirika exclaimed while Mystras attempted to calm her.
Dairu looked back to Sinbad. "So, what do you think, Lord Sinbad?"
Sinbad smirked. "Of course, I'll gladly accept your invitation."
"I'm sure His Excellency will be pleased to hear that."
Sakura glanced toward the corner where she sensed Serendine had been standing and listening in for a while now. She wouldn't allow their visitors to see her, of course she was still a runaway princess of Parthevia. Although Sakura pretended not to notice the princess, waiting until after their visitors and the others had left the room and saw them off. Sakura then nudged Sinbad to look behind him, directing him to the corner the princess was hiding behind.
Sinbad and Sakura walked toward Serendine, who was leaned back against the wall, seemingly careless but obviously not to those who bothered to look closely enough.
"You're going to Parthevia again?" she asked Sinbad.
"It's pointless to try and stop me."
"I won't... at least for now."
Sakura looked back and forth between the two. The silence was becoming suffocating. While Serendine worked well at the company, she and Sinbad were on completely different terrain when it came to allying with Parthevia as it was right now. Whenever Serendine and Sakura had their lessons, Sakura always ensured to keep from mentioning the princess's country or trying to convince her that its situation had changed for the better, simply because the monarchy no longer held the real power in the country. Sakura definitely wouldn't have wanted to hear that her village or world was doing so much better without her in it, so why attempt to coax the princess to believe that of her own country?
"We should start packing," Sinbad said to Sakura.
She nodded, placing her hand on his shoulder. "You go on, I'll be there shortly."
Knowing that Sakura wanted to speak with Serendine on her own, Sinbad left without question. Though Sinbad was gone, the tense atmosphere between the two hadn't vanished just yet. Sakura stood in front of Serendine with her hands clasped before her.
"Serendine..."
"I'm okay," she said immediately. While Sakura knew that wasn't the truth, she didn't point it out, as it was obvious, and it wouldn't have been polite to poke at the princess's intellect by doing so. Instead, Sakura stepped closer toward her, wrapped her arms around her shoulders, and pulled Serendine toward her.
The princess didn't say anything, only returning the hug. Her arms wrapped around Sakura's waist as she rested her head on the girl's shoulder. Neither said a word as they continued to hold one another, comfort being their shared necessity.
Sakura wished she could've told the princess that she wasn't all that keen about returning to Parthevia and seeing Barbarossa. Even though she hadn't said anything about going with Sinbad to this celebration, he had made the decision for them, and she wouldn't argue. Not when there was still a chance Barbarossa would reveal to Sinbad what Sakura had been keeping from him setting all of their promises, hopes, and progress alight and turning it into ash. She would not let that happen.
..
..
..
Sakura and Sinbad were not the only ones who decided to accept the invitation Ja'far had joined them as well. While this was supposedly only a celebration for Barbarossa's party winning the election, Ja'far wanted to see the result of the new Parthevia for himself, but more importantly, the man who had previously attempted to have Sinbad assassinated by none other than him. There weren't any objections to having the boy join them; he was one of the brightest in the company and more than deserving of the experience.
The celebration began in the early evening, right after the sun had set. Sakura, Sinbad, and Ja'far had argued for nearly an hour before coming to the celebration hall, and that was just about Sakura's attire. Both males were insistent on her wearing a dress for the event. Of course, neither were bold or brave enough to attempt to force her into one, since they would most likely end up fatally injured as Sakura had promised they would be should they try anything.
Sakura said that she did not want to look like some shiny accessory to be paraded around. That was not the impression she wanted to give, and Sinbad was going to have to live with that. Of course, Sinbad's intentions were far from such; he just wanted to see her in a dress again, as there had been only a few occasions, and he'd enjoyed them.
"I am not here for your viewing pleasure!"
That is what she had said to him in return, along with a string of words better suited to a drunken sailor than a pink-haired kunoichi. Serendine might have been teaching her to draw back on some of her more instinctual practices and mannerisms that Rurumu was unable to tame, but that did not mean they were entirely deleted. The only reason they were there was for Barbarossa; the rest of the crowds were not of importance to her.
The Parthevia Empire's Celebration Hall was a large two-story building that could hold hundreds at a time, although nowhere near that many were privileged to the chance. The room was filled with the expected number of high-class, high-born guests. Tables upon tables, neatly laid and arranged with platters and dishes of all kinds, were seen at every angle yet never causing crowds. As expected, the dress code was 'dress to impress' or 'out-show the rest' a tune that Sakura refused to dance to. In fact, she, Sinbad, and Ja'far remained in the distance.
"No drinking," Sakura warned Sinbad as she took a cup from him.
"Come on—"
"No. You're not losing your head tonight."
Sinbad grumbled, but before it could turn into a real argument, there was an announcement that caught everyone's attention.
"And now it's time for a greeting from our Independent Nationalist Party Leader, our Incumbent President Barbarossa."
Applause echoed through the celebration hall as Barbarossa made his appearance on the top floor of the building, overlooking the entire hall. All attention fell on the former Parthevian general as he gave his speech. Sakura, Sinbad, and Ja'far looked up at him just as the rest of the guests did, eager to hear what he had to say.
"This country has finally welcomed an end to its long history of war. The victory is a monumental step towards changing our country and towards changing our world."
Sakura grimaced at the last part of his sentence. What's more, she felt as if something was trying to push into her, a nearly nonexistent weight coming off in waves, yet it didn't go through her.
Must be my imagination, Sakura thought.
"All of you here tonight will become my witnesses. Parthevia will be reborn, as long as its proud citizens still exist!"
A loud rupture of cheers and applause followed Barbarossa's bold yet moving speech. The audience cheered on as Barbarossa left the upper level, most likely heading down again.
Ja'far tugged on the hood wrapped around his head, surprise etched on his face. "He's so popular!"
Sinbad was smiling in a manner that seemed prideful. Sakura didn't really expect much else. "Isn't he? I was surprised the first time I saw him too."
The white-haired boy looked around, observing the individuals in the high-born crowd. His eyes fell on a man wearing gold armor with a design that placed him from Reim. "The Supreme Commander of the Reim Imperial Army, Ignatus."
His eyes started to travel through the crowds and stopped again as he pointed out yet another dignitary. "Emperor Hakutoku, who turned three countries of the east into one new nation the Kou Empire."
"What!?" Sakura's entire body turned to ice, completely rigid as she looked to where Ja'far had pointed and swallowed hard when she saw that it was indeed the Emperor of the Kou Empire. Right next to him on his arm was his wife and the empress of Kou, Gyokuen.
"Oh crap."
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EARLY CHAPTERS FOR MEMBERS NOW: BUYMEACOFFEE
-Kunoichi amongst Heroes chapter (99, 100, 101, 102)
-Kunoichi amongst Pirates chapter (44, 45, 46,)
-Crossroads of Fate chapter (36, 37, 38, 39)
-Through the Looking Glass chapter (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
- (Bleach crossover) Kunoichi amongst Reapers: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
-Commission: Demon slayer x My hero academia (PART 1 & 2)
- Kunoichi amongst Benders (Avatar x Naruto crossover) (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-Kunoichi amongst Heroes WHAT IF SPIN OFF: Dorms and Exams
-(SEQUEL) Through the Spyglass chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6
-SPECIAL HALLOWEEN CHAPTER: Shinigami amongst Shinobi
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