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CHAPTER 53: A banquet of Encounters
'This is probably bad, right?' Said Stolas.
"You think?" Gaap replied sarcastically, "The last time our king met with that woman..."
"Hey Ja'far, could I use your wrap?" Sakura asked.
Ja'far gave her an odd look, "What? Why?"
Sakura let out a frustrated growl at the back of her throat, "Will you please give it here?"
Sinbad frowned at her sudden, bizarre behavior, "Sakura, what's-
"Oh, thanks for coming, Sinbad."
Sakura, Ja'far, and Sinbad turned around and saw Barbarossa making his way towards them with two of his attendants behind. Sinbad greeted him, first addressing him as 'Lord Barbarossa' before correcting him to 'President' due to his change in stations; however, Barbarossa told him to simply address him as he always had since they were friends.
The situation was like running through a maze and reaching a corner every time you attempted to avoid one; that was what it seemed like to Sakura. Barbarossa looked at Sakura, smiling.
"It's good to see you again, Sakura."
Plastering a smile in return, hard and flat, she replied, "Thank you for inviting us, President Barbarossa."
"Congratulations on your sweeping victory in the election," Sinbad said,
"It's all thanks to the efforts of our party members and the support of the people." Barbarossa brushed. "Besides, I couldn't go back on the promise I made you?"
Ja'far frowned, "Promise?"
Sakura and Sinbad jumped, realizing they had yet to tell Ja'far about another deal that Sinbad had made with Barbarossa while they were there.
"You haven't told him about it?" asked Barbarossa.
Sinbad rubbed the back of his neck; his sweat dropped at the side of his face. "Ah, no…"
"Well, it was just a verbal promise and not an official proposal," Barbarossa stated, completely collected. "I guess a leader can't be expected to announce a matter that isn't settled yet."
'Or he just flat out forgets.' Sakura mentally added, crossing her arms. She peered her neck gently over in the direction of Gyokuen and Hakutoku. Both seemed rather occupied at the moment, so she could return to her other discomfort, which was Barbarossa. It wasn't just her, though; when Barbarossa asked Ja'far who he was, he simply replied that he was the chief accountant without giving his name. It sank in that the last time Ja'far actually had a relation to Barbarossa was when he was an assassin hired to kill Sinbad. Therefore, there was no risk of yet another disconcerting encounter.
"There is actually something I would like to show the three of you."
Barbarossa had them settle at a clear table, away from the masses, much to Sakura's relief. He then rolled out a map of Parthevia, pointing near the edge of the country and the parchment, a small splotch amongst the rest of the land. "Here, this island was once a flourishing port city, but due to the effects of the war, it's been completely abandoned. So I was thinking of letting you have it."
Barbarossa continued to pitch the island to the three, and while Sakura, Sinbad, and Ja'far were listening attentively, their reactions were quite varied rather than mutual. He told them that the island had a stable current and that it had the potential to become the central base of their trading routes between Reim and Balbadd. He didn't leave out the cons in his list like a desperate seller looking to make a quick deal before his merchandise lost its profitability, which added to the appeal. Barbarossa told them that the island's weak point was that it wasn't suitable for habitation, it was also quite small, and experienced differences in temperature.
"But you could build a residential area in this sector." Barbarossa pointed to a spot, "Your country will be primarily a mercantile nation, after all. I don't think you will require any more than this, but what do you think?"
Ja'far was looking at Sakura and Sinbad like they had completely fallen off the edge of a sailboat and wanted to drown. Sinbad was too caught up to be paying attention to the boy's expression, but Sakura didn't miss it, even while she continued to keep a watch out for the Kou rulers.
'When did you decide this?' Ja'far mouthed to Sakura so that only she could see; he also added in some subtle hand gestures to clarify his question.
Sakura simply jabbed her thumb towards Sinbad, telling Ja'far that he was the one who had asked Barbarossa to find land to build his country.
Sinbad was rubbing his chin, smiling at the map. "This island seems great…once things calm down a little, we'll have time to go check it out…
"Let's go now," Barbarossa announced.
"Huh?"
"This is precious, and you have a company employee here with you and your partner. Let's go now."
Sinbad was quick to argue, although he wouldn't have minded, he didn't want to impose and make himself less desirable in the perspective of what was happening. "No, no, we can't. After all, you're the most important person of today's celebration…."
Barbarossa didn't seem offended and continued to insist, "It's fine. My subordinates are used to me doing things like this."
"Yep…" said the subordinates, deadpanning.
Sakura didn't even think to go against the offer if it meant that she could escape the celebration hall. She had already lost sight of Gyokuen and Hakutoku, but that didn't leave her feeling any lighter. There was the rush of anxiety that came as the opportunity of escape was visible, and all that mattered was reaching it before that window closed.
Sinbad appeared as if he was about to launch another argument when Sakura cut him off, speaking in a rather high-strung manner. "That sounds like a wonderful idea, if you're certain it won't be an inconvenience to you, Lord Barbarossa."
"Not at all," Barbarossa said, playing along. It made Sakura wonder whether or not he actually picked up on it. Either way, as long as he didn't attempt to poke holes, she was fine with his responses. "What do you say, Sinbad?"
Sinbad glanced at Sakura; he knew that she had placed on a façade. "Sure…"
"Excellent," Barbarossa clapped once, "I'll arrange for a carriage right away-
"S-Sakura?"
The entrance of the new voice turned their heads in the direction; Sakura looked as if she had been knocked off balance when she saw Hakuren, Sinbad, and Ja'far standing behind her. He looked equally surprised at the sight of her, blinking rapidly, gaping like a fish out of water.
"It is you!" exclaimed Hakuren, pointing at her. Sakura found out quickly when she was at Kou that he was a very easy-going person, and he didn't have a very rigid persona in public. Behaving at a formal event as he would in his own home. Which Sakura thought was quite respectable.
Sakura wanted to believe that this was not happening; of course, every logical part of her mind pointed to the obvious. That this was indeed real and that right now, she was caught between a rock and a hard place, both ready to press forward and crush her.
"Hakuren…"
The Kou prince stepped forward. Sakura wasn't sure what to expect, but she let out a loud 'ooph' as she found herself engulfed in a tight hug. Although they were quiet, Sakura could feel Ja'far and Sinbad's stares on her as the Kou prince continued to embrace her.
"I missed you! Where have you been?"
"This is interesting. Who is this person?" asked Sitri, curiosity blended with a hint of mischief to make Sakura hiss.
"It is one of the Kou princes," Beleth stated.
"Oh…" Sitri trailed, figuring out the situation for her king. "This….may just become eventful."
"Prince Hakuren," Barbarossa greeted the Kou prince. Hakuren pulled away from Sakura. He acknowledged Barbarossa's greeting by lifting his arms, forming a fist, and holding it with his other hand. A greeting in Kou.
"President Barbarossa, congratulations on your party winning the election," Hakuren said, never losing his smile or radiance that had appeared when he saw Sakura, who was still frozen as she processed the sudden overload of shock and her predicament, which was by far the most awkward. It was as if she had gone into some kind of shock-induced coma.
"Thank you," Barbarossa turned to Sinbad and Ja'far, who still seemed to be gaping. "Sinbad, this is Hakuren Ren. He is the second Imperial prince of the Kou Empire. Prince Hakuren, this is Sinbad. He is the president of the infamous Sindria trading company."
"The Kou Empire?" Ja'far turned to Sakura, shocked. No doubt wonder how she had any ties to them.
Hakuren bowed his head slightly towards Sinbad, "I've heard a lot about you, President Sinbad."
Sinbad appeared to come out of his state of shock-paralysis to respond to Hakuren, "It's an honor to meet you, Prince Hakuren."
"Likewise. What brings you to the celebration?"
"Sinbad is a personal friend of mine and soon to be a diplomatic ally," Barbarossa said. Out of everyone who was swarming with questions for the pinkette, Barbarossa was the first to vocalize his. "And it would seem that you already know his partner, Sakura Haruno."
Hakuren looked at her. "Yes, she is a personal friend. We met in Kou when she was staying at the palace as a personal guest of my cousin's."
Sinbad and Ja'far's stares pinned her.
"So you were in Kou before?" asked Sinbad. He remembered that Sakura had brought up the Kou Empire before in their meeting with King Rashid, and she had specifically stated that she had never been there before. The fact that she would lie about it made him skeptical. Sakura wouldn't have done that if she didn't have something to hide. And Sinbad had a feeling that this prince was a factor in her reason.
Sakura felt like her mouth had run dry. "Uh…yes, for a little while."
Giving a nervous laugh, Sakura rubbed the back of her neck. Sakura could feel all eyes on her at this latest development, and she kept herself from squirming under the stares. She was surrounded, not knowing from which point she was going to be attacked with questions. Things could not have gotten any worse.
Or so she thought.
"Hakuren, so this is where you were."
Sakura's breath hitched, turning her head so quickly it was as if she wanted to get whiplash. Standing tall, dressed mostly in white as it was a symbol of royalty and high-born in Kou, was the man that Sakura had once barely tolerated until her last night in Kou, when he had caught her off guard with a simple action that had her leave Kou in a hurry.
'Oh no, no, no, no….'
It was like she was living a nightmare, except she wasn't going to escape it by waking up. Now she was stuck between a rock, a hard place, and a sword hanging over her head.
"Hakuyuu."
Sakura could barely pay any mind to her djinn's voices talking to one another.
"You know the saying our king told us once? It's got to get ugly before it gets pretty?" asked Sitri
"Yes," Stolas replied.
"Well, I think she may have miscalculated because the situation went from ugly to horrifyingly gruesome."
"Maybe it will get gorgeous after this, then." Suggested Gaap. "Assuming our king will make it out of this unscathed."
"Highly unlikely, I'm afraid." Sighed Stolas.
"Will you all stop!?" Beleth demanded.
Sakura couldn't even give a response, for she was too caught up in those navy blue eyes that Sakura thought she would never see again. Apparently, in this world, 'never' was defined as 'in less than half a year'. His expression, which was usually unwavering, had a tinge of surprise on it as he held his gaze. No number of metal vessels was going to get her out of this mess.
Now, Sakura knew that she couldn't blame fate for her predicament, given that an interloper was supposedly unaffected by it, but it looked like karma didn't make exceptions for anyone in any world. Her luck was really something else.
Hakuyuu recovered from his daze well enough to look to Barbarossa and greet him, "President Barbarossa; that was a very moving speech."
"Thank you, Prince Hakuyuu," Barbarossa replied with an effortless courtesy. "I had just introduced Prince Hakuren to Sinbad, the president of Sindria Trading Company. Although it would seem that you are already acquainted with his partner."
'Kill me now.' Sakura silently begged. At this point, she realized her prayers were in vain, but that didn't stop her from hoping.
"Yes, she was a personal guest at the palace for some time," Hakuyuu stated, looking at Sakura, who wanted to avert her eyes, yet at the same time make sure that Hakuyuu didn't say anything she didn't want anyone in the room to discover about her.
"So we've heard," Sinbad said, still holding his smile. Of course, Sakura felt like he was mentally straining himself.
"I nearly forgot, Sakura was initially an employee of your company, president Sinbad." Hakuyuu addressed Sinbad with formal cutesy; that gave way to nothing genuine.
Sakura winced; she really wondered how she was going to get out of this unscathed. "Yes, Prince Hakuyuu; I had actually been working with Sindria Trading Company for a long while, but when I came to Kou, I was currently on a short leave of absence."
Hakuyuu gave a small grin, his eyes sharp still. "I believe we're well past honorifics, are we not, Sakura?"
Sakura flinched when Hakuyuu said her name like that. She wished she could remember all of Serendine's lessons on behavior and putting on an act, but at this moment she had been tossed straight into the pyre and she didn't know how to get out before she turned to ash. The way she was addressing Sindria and her relationship to Sinbad insinuated nothing bordering beyond professional. She did not want to give any of these males a reason to create a scene because she was at risk of being at the center of it and she'd rather keep it contained. There was still so much to be revealed that would cause a problem. Aside from her relationship with the Kou Empire's future leader's; there was the 'courting' ordeal that either Hakuyuu or Hakuren could bring up. Even worse; they could bring up the official declaration meant to coax Sakura into marrying into the Kou Empire's royal family and becoming an empress consort-or how she had run away because of it.
There were many reasons for Sakura's stomach to be churning like there was a tornado inside of her. Already, she felt that she was on thin ice with Sinbad, which was slowly beginning to melt from the heat of Hakuyuu and Hakuren's presence. She honestly hadn't even considered the sliver of possibility that Gyokuen and Hakutoku would bring their children with them!
"If I may, President Sinbad, could my brother and I borrow Sakura for a bit?"
'NO,' Sakura mentally screamed.
Sinbad appeared ready to reply, much to Sakura's dismay; however, Barbarossa chimed in before he could say anything. "Actually, Prince Hakuyuu, I'm afraid we were just about to leave. There are a few diplomatic matters that require our attention."
"Well then, would it be possible for Sakura to remain here while you attend to the matter, President Sinbad?" Hakuyuu asked, undeterred by the news that they were going to leave. "See, there are some things I wish to discuss with her as well."
'Oh no.' Sakura glanced at Barbarossa, silently urging him to get her out of this celebration hall. Whatever Hakuyuu wanted to discuss, she probably did not want to.
"It is urgent." Hakuyuu continued to insist.
Sakura really wanted to insist that it was not.
Barbarossa looked to Sinbad, "What do you think, Sinbad? She is your partner."
Sinbad continued to smile, although his eyes were sharp and focused. "Well, I did say earlier that this celebration is in your honor, Barbarossa, and it is a bit late tonight. We can delay until tomorrow. I couldn't leave my partner behind on this matter."
'DAMMIT, SINBAD.' Sakura mentally screamed.
"Very well then; we should enjoy the rest of the evening," Barbarossa said, looking back to his subordinates, ordering them to arrange a carriage to take them out first thing tomorrow morning.
When Sakura saw Sinbad and Hakuyuu looking at her again, she actually thought about flash-stepping out of the celebration hall and onto a boat back to Balbadd.
Hakuren hooked his arm with Sakura's and started tugging her away, "Thank you, President Sinbad."
"Yes, thank you," Hakuyuu said, bowing his head slightly, his expression stoic as he turned around and walked along to the other side of the hall. Sakura was now caught between the two Kou princes. She glanced back at Sinbad and Ja'far. Sinbad was smiling, but it didn't reach his eyes as he waved at her.
'I'm a dead girl walking.'
..
Hakuren and Hakuyuu continued to make their way through the crowd, and she caught the stares of a few of the other guests, mainly females. As a former twelve-year-old girl whose priority was mainly boys, she knew she didn't misplace those giddy expressions and those fiery glares aimed right at her head, waiting for it to spontaneously combust.
"You know, everyone really misses you. Hakuei and Hakuryuu didn't stop asking about you for a whole month." Hakuren said.
Sakura gave a soft, yet pained, snicker. "Oh, really? I didn't think they'd remember me."
"Hakuei, Hakuryuu, Kouha, and Kougyoku cried the entire day after they found out you had left the palace," Hakuren stated. "When they woke up, and you weren't there, they looked for you, and after they were told you left, they just sat and sobbed."
Sakura's face softened; she honestly didn't believe her departure was going to affect anyone that much. "Oh….and how are Koumei and Kouen?"
"Well, Koumei's still Koumei." Hakuren shrugged.
Sakura knew exactly what he meant by that, he was by far the most simplistic of the Kou's royals she had met although he hid a certain brilliance which would only be discovered after spending time with him. He and Sakura would sit in his room for hours going through the scrolls and created this game where they would create a problematic scenario revolving around diplomatic, political or military concerns. They would come up with their own problems and the other would have to create their own solutions to solving it. Whatever scrolls they read was usually the basis of their game-which often turned into debates. The one who came up with the most solutions would win.
Which was usually Koumei.
"Why did you leave so suddenly, Sakura?" Hakuren asked finally. "Kouen said you told him you had to go, and that was it."
Sakura glanced over to Hakuyuu, who was still keeping a passive expression on his face, his eyes fixed as they walked, lips in a thin, balanced line above his chin, appearing completely indifferent. It didn't sound like he told anyone about what happened that night (which gave her a silent relief).
"Yes, there was an emergency in Sindria Company, and I left to help."
"You could've at least left a clearer message." Hakuren pouted, tugging lightly on her arm. "We were worried."
"Sorry," Sakura said, sighing softly. "I really didn't think that any of you would have minded my absence. It's not like I was doing anything of importance there anyway."
Hakuyuu stopped walking, in turn making Sakura and Hakuren follow his example. Hakuyuu kept looking straight ahead as he spoke, addressing his brother. "Hakuren,"
The second imperial prince seemed to clearly understand his brother's vague message, transmitted through the manner in which he said his name. He nodded, turning to Sakura.
"I hope I'll see you soon, Sakura."
Sakura stood dumbfounded as Hakuren leaned down, hugging her with a secure hold that lasted longer than expected, the grip growing before releasing completely. Hakuren then kissed her on the cheek and stepped away towards the crowd, disappearing. And leaving her alone with Hakuyuu.
"Come with me."
Hakuyuu did not repeat himself, nor bother to check if Sakura was following him. Despite the amount of time Sakura had actually spent with Hakuyuu in Kou, she knew he wasn't as complex as he appeared to be. He didn't talk unnecessarily, and he wasn't ambiguous. That was until that night. Which still made Sakura's heart stop whenever she thought about it. The Kou prince led them outside, away from the crowds, closer to the back of the building. There were no torches lit at the back of the building; the only source of light was illuminated from inside, coming through the multiple windows.
Hakuyuu turned around, facing Sakura once more, staring at her silently.
"What is it?" Sakura asked, her tone dropping all forms of politeness and meekness.
"Do I really have to waste my breath answering a question you already know the answer to?" Hakuyuu countered swiftly.
Closing her eyes briefly, Sakura responded. "Not really, I have a few ideas on why you wanted to speak with me, but it would be nice for you to elaborate."
"Let's begin with what you just said to Hakuren then," Hakuyuu took a step forward, and Sakura, one back. "You believe no one would've minded your absence? Your presence was of no importance?"
"Hakuyuu…."
"Do you not realize that throughout your stay, you had the attention of nearly every member of the Kou's royal family? Kouen, Koumei, Kougyoku, Kouha, Hakuei, Hakuryuu, Hakuren, the empress, the emperor, and mine."
She didn't want to hear that.
"Kouha has asked for a tutor to teach him swordplay, and Kougyoku has become more diligent in her studies. She had made the same request as Kouha, asking for a swordplay instructor. Hakuei is now aiming to conquer a dungeon someday. I'm not going to ask you who you think put those ideas into their heads."
Sakura knew that these developments were on account of her. She had told the children about her adventures in the dungeons, and they were always so captivated by them. Now it seemed that they wanted to grasp the experience for themselves. Although it was clear that Hakuyuu was undermining her for what she had said earlier to Hakuren.
With her fists and teeth clenched tightly, Sakura replied in a frustrated tone. "What do you want me to say? You want to know why I suddenly left? Why didn't I tell anyone but Kouen? Why-
"Why did you depart the very night I kissed you?"
Sakura's rant came to an end, giving a soft gasp and taking another step back. She looked at him with her eyes as wide as possible.
"Tell me now, tell me what you want-do not hold back," Hakuyuu said, demanding firmness.
Sakura's breath was shallow; she swallowed back the lump in her throat, but it still felt stuck there. Her head hung low, her eyes fixed on the grounds that were near black. "I don't understand...why everyone had become so attached to me; why your father would consent to make me an empress consort and risk his line of succession, why your mother would go so far to make sure that I married you-or…" Sakura breathed deeply. Her head lifted, looking directly at Hakuyuu. There were no longer flecks of anxiety or guilt in them, nothing but pure determination. "Why you-why you would kiss me when all we were doing was enduring a charade."
Hakuyuu did not leave Sakura in suspense for long. "The answer is simple, Sakura, and you should already know it."
Sakura held her breath, her mind tracking back to her memory of speaking with Gyokuen and what she said. Sakura started shaking her head. "It can't be true."
There was the slightest movement in Hakuyuu's expression, revolving around a frown. "I told you that I wanted to confirm my suspicions, and when you spoke my name, I knew."
Hakuyuu came towards her, and Sakura did not step back, standing firmly while she felt her heart beat rapidly.
"So what? Now you're going along with this declaration and want to take me as your wife?" Sakura chuckled humorlessly at the end.
"Are you laughing because you find the answer funny or because you do not know the answer?" Hakuyuu asked, his voice bordering on frustration now.
Sakura stopped, seeing the serious expression on his face. "Hakuyuu-you can't be serious."
"I am."
"You can't be," Sakura argued back. She glanced towards the doors of the celebration hall, shifting her weight under her feet.
"Don't," Hakuyuu said firmly. It also made Sakura feel that if she ran this time, he was going to chase after her, and he wouldn't care if it was straight into the hall, in front of that crowd.
"Why?" Sakura asked, exasperated. "I am not some high-born lady that is going to sit quietly beside her husband, sit quietly, behave meekly, and keep her opinion to herself in front of company to spare her spouse embarrassment. I will fight. I am not what you will expect-
"That is not what I expect," Hakuyuu said firmly. His arms raised, and he quickly reached out to hold Sakura by her shoulders.
"I'm not the kind of girl you fall in love with."
Sakura felt like she had shrunk under Hakuyuu's gaze; he appeared out of reach even though he wasn't. He carried himself with true pride and power that could waver the most fearsome of men and make them submit to him. Good thing for Sakura, she was not a man.
"I want you. It's as simple as that. Your abilities, the declaration from the emperor, and my mother's schemes play no part in my decision."
"Did that prince just propose?" Sitri asked
"I am not sure," Stolas admitted. "Doesn't it usually involve a question?"
"It sounded more like an expectation." Said Gaap, "Proposals actually give a chance to opinion and choice."
"Demand may be more fitting then," Beleth said.
"And if you are still confused…." Hakuyuu glanced at her lips for a moment before looking back into her eyes, "I can give you clarity."
Hakuyuu moved towards her, and like before, Sakura went still, like being bound to the floor by chakra. However, as she felt the warm breeze brush across her lips, Sakura blinked rapidly, her hands flew forward, and she pressed against the prince's chest. The manner in which she did it was not harsh, nor supported with her full strength that would appear from reflex, because Sakura was calm and aware of her actions completely.
Hakuyuu looked down on her for an explanation, and while Sakura's eyes were fixed on her hands that were still pressing against his chest to keep the small distance between them, she knew that he was staring at her.
"Prince Hakuyuu, stop." Her voice was strong as she spoke. "I cannot become your consort. I have already committed myself to Sinbad and Sindria Trading Company. To go to Kou with you would be an act of betrayal."
"Is it truly betrayal when you claim commitment without validation or promise?" Hakuyuu asked, and Sakura knew what he was implying. He knew.
Hakuyuu had known from the moment he saw her with Sinbad that they were partners on intimate levels. They behaved aloof out in public, but he didn't need to see or hear it to know. However, he also had the intuition to tell that neither was out of the reach of others, as long as they showed no sign of promise to one another.
"It is to me. Even if Sinbad does not promise me anything, even if he chooses to forsake me. I will remain with him. I will do whatever is necessary for him to achieve all that he desires. I will not and do not expect nor need anything in return."
Both Sinbad's and Sasuke's faces came to Sakura's mind, and immediately after, she felt tears gathering in the corner of her eyes. Soon, they were brushed away by Hakuyuu, his slim fingers lingered along her face, moving down to her chin before lifting her head. Their eyes met once again, and Sakura spoke.
"I'm sorry."
Hakuyuu continued to stare at her, his thumb brushing along her cheek. "You have no reason to be; you fool."
But she did. Sakura knew the pain of caring about someone who did not share the same feelings. It was the worst experience, and what's worse, it always lingered with you. And even then, when you truly loved that person, you would continue to love them even when they would not.
'And now I am doing it to him.'
For a moment, Sakura must have forgotten who this person in front of her was.
Stepping back, Hakuyuu looked down, flexing his fingers on his right hand and removing a ring. Pinched between his two fingers, he took Sakura's hand that lay slack at her side and dropped it into her glove-covered palm.
Sakura gasped as she looked at the intricate design of the ring. There was an oval-cut jade gem encased by a dragon made of gold that had a thick holding for the finger.
"Take it."
Hakuyuu's demand fell on deaf ears as Sakura stared at the ring in her hand; it didn't mix well with her worn-out gloves, contrasting with its sharp appearance. Sakura shook her head, holding it out towards the prince, her hand visibly unsteady.
"I can't-
"You can," Hakuyuu stated. "I want you to hold onto this, and when I become emperor of Kou, you can return it. Either have it in your hand or on this finger." Hakuyuu tapped the finger beside her pinky; the obvious implication caused Sakura to blush, yet she still wanted to deny it.
'There is no way he could want-
"Let's call it a pre-engagement arrangement." Suggested Beleth, sounding exasperated. "All these boys…"
"Our king's a smooth operator." Gaap snickered
'Shut up.'
Just like that night, Sakura had been paralyzed with shock; every muscle under her skin was tense and would be hard to the touch. She heard Hakuyuu's soft footsteps against the stone ground.
"Until then, Sakura."
"Wait!"
Hakuyuu didn't get more than five steps before Sakura called out, and when he turned, he was nearly caught completely off balance when slim arms wrapped around his torso, and a comforting warmth settled in front of him. He did not say anything, only returned the gesture, resting his head on top of hers and placing his arms around her shoulders.
..
..
"Alright, then we'll leave first thing tomorrow morning to see the island," Barbarossa said to Sinbad and Ja'far as he rolled up the map. "I'm sorry we couldn't go sooner."
Sinbad shook his head, "No, not at all, we'll get a better look in the daylight anyway."
Barbarossa sighed, "I was a bit surprised to see that Sakura was so familiar with the Kou's princes."
Sinbad and Ja'far glanced at each other; they were all clearly surprised by this, but they weren't in the most appropriate position to question Sakura as they wanted.
"Well, I'll see you all tomorrow then." Barbarossa took his leave, with his attendants following behind him.
Ja'far looked back at Sinbad, "Do you want to go to the carriage while I find Sakura and tell her we're leaving?"
"No," Sinbad replied, smiling. "You go on ahead, I'll get Sakura."
Ja'far cocked an eyebrow at him. He wasn't oblivious to his leader's jealous tantrums. "Sin; what are you-
"Nothing, Ja'far," Sinbad assured, tapping his friend's shoulder. "You go ahead, I'm just going to get Sakura."
"Okay, just remember where we are right now."
With that, Ja'far left, and Sinbad started going in the opposite direction to the exit in search of the pinkette.
Initially, it wasn't hard to find Sakura in a crowd, but after wandering around for several minutes and navigating his way amongst the dissipating number of people, Sinbad still couldn't find Sakura. However, he did see the prince Hakuren at a table, with a cool glass in his hand.
Sinbad approached him, "Prince Hakuren."
"Ah, President Sinbad." Hakuren grinned; his pale face was slightly flushed, and his eyes were clouded. Obviously, he might have had a glass and a half too much. "Would you care to join me?"
Sinbad held up his hand, maintaining his pleasant smile. "I'm afraid I have to decline. I was actually just looking for Sakura. We're about to depart."
"Well, she and my brother have been gone for quite some time; I saw them leave out the back." Hakuyuu gestured to the large back doors leading out.
"Why would they need to go there?" Sinbad couldn't help but ask.
"Well, if I know my brother, he is probably going to try to talk Sakura into coming back to Kou with him as his bride." Hakuren's current state of mind was making it harder for his thoughts to process logically, or he might have realized from the shocked expression on Sinbad's face that he should take back his words, or at the very least stop with what he said next.
"What?"
"Sakura and her brother were practically engaged before she left."
Sinbad didn't stay to hear anything more; his brisk footsteps on the tile floors made a noise every time he took a step, but he paid no attention to them. He reached the open doors to the back of the celebration hall, stopping midway, seeing the two figures illuminated by the dimmed light outside. Sinbad felt as if there was a hand reaching around his heart and squeezing it as he saw Sakura embracing Hakuyuu in silence.
Sinbad silently stepped away from the doors, further inside the celebration hall. He couldn't hear the music coming from the musicians, nor the chatting that continued on a volume to topple others, but still remained discreet with their true intentions. He left the celebration, saw Ja'far standing in front of a carriage about to step in, when he saw Sinbad coming his way.
Ja'far immediately noticed the expression on his face. "Sin?"
Sinbad walked past him and the carriage, Ja'far heard him utter 'Valefor' before he transformed into his djinn equip and took off without a word or looking back. Ignoring Ja'far's calls for him.
"SIN"
..
..
Because of the status Sinbad had made as a state guest in Parthevia, their lodgings were provided for and opulent. A well decorated room, pattern carpets, well carved and polished furniture that looked like it could withstand rain or fire and still look new and a large bed with too many plush pillows that would end up on the floor for taking up all of the leg room, there was also a small table set in the middle of the room with two chaise couches on opposing sides of one another. When Sakura had first arrived in the room, she had been in awe for but a moment, passing over her like the wind. After settling in and ready for bed, she waited for Sinbad to return.
Ja'far told her that he had flown off somewhere without a word, and Sakura considered using her own djinn equipment to look for him, but Ja'far had talked her out of it.
"It looked like he wanted to be left alone. I'm sure he'll come back soon."
That was what he said, and trusting the boy's intuition, they had left without him. However, Sakura said that she would not go to sleep until Sinbad came back. So she sat at the foot of the bed and waited for him.
While doing this, though, Sakura contemplated the reason why Sinbad would have just stormed off in the way Ja'far described. Using his djinn equipment to fly away, to get away. It left a sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach. After her run-in with Hakuyuu and Hakuren, Sakura knew that Sinbad would want some answers regarding Kou. Yet with what had happened tonight, all Sakura wanted to do was curl up in bed and sleep until daybreak.
She was also contemplating whether or not she should tell Sinbad about what happened with Hakuyuu, or just spare themselves the drama and tell him they just got caught up talking about her days spent in Kou; there were enough actual stories to make it believable. Reminiscence is one of the greatest distractions after all.
Sakura looked at Hakuyuu's ring, which she was fiddling with in her hands; the candlelight seemed to bounce right off the jade gem. The frame was thick, and Sakura was sure it would be loose on every finger aside from her thumb, not that she was planning to put it on.
'What is it with the men in this world?'
Two hours later, and she was still sitting in the same position waiting for Sinbad's return. Although the wait didn't continue on for much longer after that, when the door opened, Sinbad stepped into the room. Sakura immediately hopped off the bed, watching as Sinbad removed his metal vessels and placed them in a drawer before taking off his clothing. All the while keeping his back to Sakura. It felt like there were waves of dismal pushing off of him.
"Sinbad, is something wrong?" Sakura asked.
Throwing aside his shirt, Sinbad shuffled to the window, staring out. "You tell me, Sakura. Is something wrong?"
Sakura frowned. There was only one thing that she could think of that would have him like this. "Is this about the Kou princes?"
Sinbad snickered humorlessly, "And if it was? Are you going to tell me I'm jealous for nothing again?"
"Well, yes, since you have nothing to worry about," Sakura responded, folding her arms, pausing briefly. "Is that why you just took off in your djinn equip? Because you were jealous?"
"In a manner of speaking, but tell me, Sakura, do I really have no reason to be jealous after coming to get you and then to see you and that Kou prince embracing one another?"
Sakura felt something in the pit of her stomach drop. "It was not what it looked like."
With a forced laugh, Sinbad slapped the windowsill hard enough to make the windows rattle. "Oh, really? Because when I found Prince Hakuren, he told me something very interesting. Apparently, while you were staying in Kou, you were courting Prince Hakuyuu and supposedly engaged!?"
"Sinbad-
"Is that why you lied about never being in Kou?!" Sinbad turned around to face Sakura, his eyes glossed over with pain.
"W-Wait." Sakura held her hands, "That isn't it!"
"Then what is it, Sakura!?"
"Okay, yes, I did go to Kou, and I did stay in the palace." Taking a deep breath, Sakura continued, "And as for Hakuyuu and me courting, we were only pretending because we were both in the wrong place at the wrong time, and if we were caught, the consequences wouldn't be good. Then there was this declaration given out by the Kou emperor that said, if I chose to marry one of the Kou princes, I would be allowed to-I wasn't engaged to Hakuyuu."
"You both still seemed rather friendly outside tonight," Sinbad spoke with bitter words. "No colorful past, huh? Well, the color blue definitely seemed to be in yours."
Sakura ground her teeth to keep from screaming at Sinbad. "Hakuyuu developed feelings for me, and I didn't realize it until tonight. The night I left, he kissed me and I-
"He kissed you!?" Sinbad exclaimed, "He kissed you, and you didn't realize he had feelings for you until tonight! How naïve are you!?"
"We weren't even really courting!" Sakura shot back, running a hand through her hair in complete frustration. "It wasn't a choice I made, and neither was going to Kou in the first place. The looking glass transported me there."
"Why? Why would it send you there?"
Sakura turned to the open window, acting as if taken in by the clear night sky when in fact her mind refused to wander from the room and her situation. "I can't tell you."
Clicking his tongue, Sinbad shook his head. "You don't want to tell me anything!"
Sakura reached out towards Sinbad, only to have him recoil back. "You said you would wait."
"Am I supposed to wait until the truth gets tired of you hiding it and comes out through someone else!?"
"You're being ridiculous." Sakura scoffed.
"You're being unfair!" Sinbad exclaimed, throwing his arm out. "You're still lying to me, you're hiding things from me, and I'm expected to just keep on waiting?"
"You said we had time-
"How much time before another truth pops up and tries to propose to you?" Sinbad sneered, "I'm already not the first person you've loved-hell, I'm still not even the 'only' person you love! I wanted to wait for Sakura, but I don't want you lying to me anymore."
The room snapped to silence, and Sakura stepped back, unable to take her eyes off the devastating sight that was currently Sinbad. His arms at his side, fists clenched tightly as he continued to stare with a shrinking intensity.
"Sakura, ever since I got you, I've been worried about losing you. You're unlike anyone I have ever met before, and I'm not the only one who can see that. You told me that you don't want just half of me. Well, I don't want just half of you either. I want to know the truth, and I want to know it now-or…" Sinbad stepped in front of the door.
"We're done."
Sakura didn't know she was crying until her tears became big enough to completely blur her vision, and she didn't bother to wipe them away. It had been a long while since she felt this helpless; this particular kind of helplessness and desperation to hold onto something slipping away. It was just like that night Sasuke left. "What do you want me to tell you?" Her voice was soft, but begging for him to take back what he said, to tell her she didn't have to go through with this.
"What have you been hiding from me?"
Hey, love
So, you just read that chapter.
And now you're sitting there. Staring at the screen. And thinking about bookmarking till the next update?
Well you don't have to wait.
Right now, over on my Ko-fi, there are 3-7 chapters ahead of what's publicly posted. That means that moment you're dreading or hoping for Sakura? It's already written. Sakura has already walked through what comes next and I promise you, she does not disappoint.
What's waiting for you over there:
The chapter directly after this one
The plot reveal I've been building toward since chapter one
3–7 full chapters to binge (And more incoming)
And coming soon: My author notes-the unhinged behind-the-scenes commentary only Ko-fi readers get.
I write this story because I love Sakura the way you love Sakura.
If this story has lived in your head rent-free, made you feel things you weren't ready for, or made you want to throw your phone across the room in the best possible way the early access chapters are for you.
Thank you for reading.
Check out the SCHEDULE POSTS On Tumblr, and if you like my stories, want to give me some extra support to help the creations of new stories and can't wait for the latest chapters consider joining me as a special member of my seedling troupe:
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EARLY CHAPTERS FOR MEMBERS NOW: BUYMEACOFFEE
-Kunoichi amongst Heroes chapter (104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109)
-Kunoichi amongst Pirates chapter (48, 49, 50)
-Crossroads of Fate chapter (39, 40, 41, 42)
-Through the Looking Glass chapter (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
- (Bleach crossover) Kunoichi amongst Reapers: (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-Commission: Demon slayer x My hero academia (PART 1 & 2)
- Kunoichi amongst Benders (Avatar x Naruto crossover) (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-Kunoichi amongst Heroes WHAT IF SPIN OFF: Dorms and Exams
-SPECIAL HALLOWEEN CHAPTER: Shinigami amongst Shinobi