Chaper Ten: Queen's slave

XxxXxxX

"This way, Mr. Duck-Butt Hairdo Man!"

I gave Miko an unbelievable look and glared at the stupid Garden Gnome. "Are you crazy?! I don't even know where in the world we are and still, you want me to cross some creepy old bridge?!"

But despite my protests, the little man just rolled his eyes and placed both hands on his waist,

"You really do have a chicken's ass stuck up on your head now, do you, do you, do you?! MAN UP, KING SASUKE!"

I shot daggers at him. How could there possibly be a Gnome this annoying? As far as I remember, these creatures should be helpless! All they were tasked to do all day was plant herbs and maintain mother nature's beauty. And yet here this Miko thing is, pissing the hell out of me.

"Exactly, I am the King. So you can't order me around."

"A King that can't even tame his rebelious queen?"

"Shut it, shorty."

"MAKE MEEE!!!"

"Stupid Garden gnome."

"Well, it's better to be stupid than to be a chicken! I can't believe, the Sasuke Uchiha is like this! I guess the stories I've heard about you were all wrong."

And with that, he turned on his heel and started making his way back to where we came from.

I felt my ego ache. What am I doing?

I took in a deep breathe and recalled all the past events. Up until now, I still can figure out what's going on in my wife's head. I'd be really damned of she completely forgot about me and Daisy. Balling my hands into fists, I crossed the bridge without any hesitation.

Why should I be afraid to die, anyway?

When I was the King of Theives, I've already faced death and hell, many times before. I wasn't afraid back then, so what makes it different this time around?

"Get a grip, Uchiha."

I mumbled to myself when I made it half-way. I heard the creeking noise of this narrow wooden bridge and dared looked down at the bottom. Well, that makes sense. I can't even see the bottom of this thing!

When I finally reached the end, I saw the gnome smiled at me on the other side. And atlast, I had my composure back in no time. Maybe staying in the palace all these years and doing paper works did made me rusty for adventurous stuffs like these.

My attention reeled back to Miko when I felt a weight on my head.

"Hey, how did you---"

"Bwahahahaha! It's a secret, Sasuke!! Now, come on! We still have lots and lots and lots of work to do before Queen Sakura gets here!"

I scanned my surroundings and sighed when I saw how big the Hanging Garden is. There where flowerbeds that stretched as far as the eye can see, vines and tree trunks supported the hangging plants as bushes blocked our way. Aside from that, dried leaves scattered on the garden floor and the fountain looks like a mess.

We headed towards the gazebo found at the central portion of it to fetch some gardening tools. On my way there, I almost fell face-first on the ground when my foot met an extended root of one of the herbal plants. It was a good thing I was able to keep my balance!

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!"

Miko laughed and jumped down from my head to roll on the groun laughing like an idiot.

I groaned.

This is gonna take me all day!

-*-

Meanwhile, back at the palace..

Daisy's POV

"Shikamaru-san, you must be joking!"

But still despite my forcedly-positive reaction, the brown-haired ANBU officer held a serious face. I inhaled as much air as my lungs can take and exhaled rather loudly. I felt the corner of my eyes warm up.

"I'm sorry, Princess Daisy..but I promise you, me and my men will stop at nothing until we find your parents. But for now, you should get some rest, kiddo."

I hesitantly nodded. "Thank you."

Shikamaru-san then bowed down to me before exiting my room. And as soon as he was gone, I let it all out.

I cried and cried. I don't care if the maids might hear me! I may be their princess, but I'm still human for pete's sake! And how can they expect me to not cry now that both my parents are missing?

With puffy eyes, I slumped on my bed and held the heart-shaped gold necklace my mom gave me five years ago. Even if she's been gone for a long time, I can still recall everything about her. Her smiles, her jade green eyes that looks just like mine, her melodious laughter and pastel pink hair... everything.

Mommy was my role model in anything I do. And I still wanna grow up to be like her.

And daddy..

Ugh. That old man should really know how to take care of himself. I can't deny the fact that I'm a bit upset because he would always stay inside his office or spend his free time at the ANBU post, but he tried his very best to make me feel complete.

Even if I know that he isn't complete himself.

He's the greatest dad in the whole Fire Country. And I just wish I told him that before they went off to search for mom.

Now he's missing to.

I pray to Kami that they are in good hands.

"I wish they were here."

"Meoow.."

I was pulled out of my reverie when Yumi jumped on top of me. She licked my fingers and that made me smile a bit. I giggled when I realized that she still wore the purple kimono I forced her to wear yesterday.

"Hey, Yumi.. so, where are your kittens?"

She purred and turned her head towards a direction. "Um, so they're asleep?" But she just stared at me. Geez, Daisy. She's a cat! Don't expect a verbal answer. I sighed and took in the peaceful surroundings. Well, not long until we heard a loud crashing sound from the other side of the door.

"DAISY-CHAAAAAAN!"

My eyes twitched. "Ryoku-kun, you're so noisy!!" I scolded and a few moments after, a blonde boy with the same age as mine came bursting through my bedroon door. Yumi hissed and jumped off the bed.

"Noisy? Heh! I've been running around the castle halls for years now! They should appreciate my efforts in making palace more lively! You know, those old hags can't stop Ryoku Uzumaki!!! DATTEBAYO!"

I rolled my eyes. "Get out, Ryo. I'm not in the mood for your recklessness today."

He eyed me intently and ran to my side, examining my face like it's the most interesting thing on this planet.

"Yeah. You look like shit, Daisy-chan! What happened?"

I tried to display a cheerful smile, but failed miserably.

I wonder what mom and dad are doing now?

-*-

Third Person's POV

"Hey jerk,"

poke.

Yet still, Sasuke Uchiha refused to turn to the blue-skinned giant. Which made Kisame even more frustrated. He then grabbed his overly-large sword and pointed it's blade at the King's neck.

A smirk formed on his face when he saw Sasuke stopped what he was doing.

"That's it, ya show off. Now, get up. Our queen wants to talk to you."

But the stubborn Uchiha remained expressionless and pushed the blade at his neck away. He then got up and dusted the dirt on his pants. Turning to Miko, he handed him his gloves and followed Kisame to the gazebo.

There, they saw Sakura sitting on a chair, eyeing them expectantly.

"My queen," Kisame bowed down while the other man didn't even budge.

That made the pinkette raise an eyebrow at him.

"Bow down to me."

Sasuke reciprocated the same intensity her gaze on him held. He wasn't going to show his wife how weak he is--no! Because if there's one thing he needs to do at a situation like this, that is to be a strong man for the one he loves. He's determined to get her back and if being his old cocky self will do the trick, then so be it.

"Why would I, Sakura?"

"Because you are my slave."

"I am not your slave, Ms. Haruno. As far as I know, the moment we exchanged vows, that made me your husband."

She glared at him. The blood in her boiling! How dare he be rude to her! She was the ruler of the Akatsuki! The queen of criminals! And yet, here she is, being insulted by an Uchiha.

"You fool!"

"You love me."

"What the----"

"Stop denying it, sweetie."

"Aargh!!"

Kisame then went to her side and tried to calm the woman down. "Queen Sakura, calm down." But emerald green eyes pierced through the rogue. And soon enough, she quickly grabbed Kisame's giant sword and pointed it at Sasuke's direction.

"You're really challenging me, Uchiha?! I could have you killed by now!"

But to her dismay, Sasuke smirked.

"Hn. First of all, I am not challenging you, your highness. It's your problem if you have a short temper. Second, you were the ones who kidnapped me in first place, who I assume that killing me will be the last on your to-do-list. And lastly," his smirk widened and scanned her from head to foot.

"You look hot."

Sakura and Kisame gasped at what the raven-haired man said. And it was not long before Sir Sasori can into the scene,

"What's wrong, my queen?"

He asked Sakura who just frowned in reply. She had her attention on the man who dare talked back to her in such a witty manner. Was it wit or pure stupidity? She doesn't know anymore.

"Uchiha, I want you to finish my garden by exactly 9 o'clock. You still have many things to do after." She nonchalantly told him.

Sasuke nodded in reply but before he left, the Queen added, "Oh, and one more thing,"

"What?"

"You're my slave."

"I already know that, your highness."

"Then start acting like one, dammit!"

Sasuke Uchiha playfully smiled and winked at her, "Make me." And after that said, he ran off.

XxxXxxX