[royal AU, fluff]

This may have some mild mature scenes, if you do not approve of it or if you do not like anything kissing invloved, I'd advise you not to read this.

"Hime-sama?" A maid utters, closely watching the invited hime's actions as she stood from her seat.

"U-uhm! S-sakura-chan?" The pinkette called Sakura turned around at the Hyuga Hime.

"I'll just wander around the garden for a bit. Excuse me." After her hasty curtsey, she left without a word.

The Hyuga Hime, named Hinata, stood. And took a close look outside. Taking a little peek at the blondie who's having fun with the others.

Smiling, she forgot that she was reading her favorite book.

On the other hand, Sakura approaches a couple of twin sized swings. Sitting carefully on one of them under a cherry blossom tree.

She was staying over the Hyuga household for a while. Same goes for the other kingdom namely, Uzumaki, Yamanaka, Nara, Uchiha, and more.

She's met them all, but the Uchiha one, seems to be close only with the Uzumaki fellow.

It triggered Sakura's interest, so every evening she sneaks out of her room.

And wonders around the palace corridors, why?

Simply because thr guy or prince from the Uchiha, is usually awake in the middle of the night, just watching the stars in the sky.

It was weird. Sakura thought.

Every night she rans out to view the Uchiha's features, she feels more relaxed. But never was she caught by anyone.

Today, their second to the last stay, she plans to finally walk up to him and ask him directly about every evening.

She's not shy, or embarrassed about the fact that she's somehow 'stalking' the Uchiha prince. To her, it was for research and it's basically called, observing.

The sun is setting, with Sakura still swinging lightly, while watching the gorgeous sunset.

But today, she ain't alone.

She stopped swinging, and carefully turned her head, to check who was breathing behind her.

And there, he stood.

Hands on his pockets, his sword clinging lightly, his hair being blown gracefully, his built figure standing with might, and his eyes staring at the pinkette.

Sakura gave out a small smile, that made the Uchiha guy blink for returning back to his senses.

Sakura stood up, and faced him.

"He---"

The palace bells rang, signalling all of the guests, that it's time for them to gather for supper.

Without a word, the guy in front of her turned his back and walked away.

"Sigh."

-

"Alright! Now everyone's full and all, how about a little game?" The Yamanaka's heiress, Ino, suggested with a loving smile.

"What kind of game, Ino?" Sakura was the first to ask what was on everybody's mind.

"Hihi!" Giggling, she suddenly jumped a little to go hug Prince Sai.

"I-Ino.." Sai was obviously flustered by the sudden action Ino made.

"Let's call this, Midnight Partner!"

"Midnight... Partner?" Hinata mumbled softly.

"Yep! In this game, you get to have a partner who you'll get to know. Of course, I get to choose since I'm the one who suggested!" What a lame reason indeed.

"You have to get to know your partner and know a real lot about them before midnight!"

The one from the Nara Clan named, Shikamaru spoke, "Must our partner be anybody?"

Ino winked, "Your partner must be of the opposite gender!"

A lot of complaints was heard as that sentence left Ino's lips.

"Hey, quiet everyone!" Everyone, still complaining, kept silent a little. "Sigh. It's just a game! Don't be so overdramatic about this."

This is my chance!

A lot of them thought about that, especially a certain pinkette.

"It's just, you know. For fun! Then around 12am, let's meet up here!" And they're currently in the dining room.

Complaints vanished eventually. And this made Ino really glad.

"So, I'm going to partner with Sai!" Ino smiles brightly as she hugs Sai slightly.

She's unfair.

Some thought.

"Next, hmm.." Ino's eyes landed on Hinata. And a really wicked grin crossed her face. "Hinata!"

"W-wha.. Yes Ino?"

"You and Naruto be partners!" A majority of the women reacted with, 'Aww'.

"M-m-m-me and N-N-N-Naruto?" Flustered, no, very flustered.

"Cool!" Naruto places one arm around Hinata that seemed like pouring water on fire. "Let's get to it then!" His smile is really bright and full of glee as he pulled Hinata somewhere.

"Hihi!" Ino's wicked plans resumes.

A lot of them have been partnered already, only three more pairs left.

"Ooh!" Ino noticed how very reserved the Uchiha fellow is, and looked at the three women.

Sakura was eyeing her, as if telling her to pick her with the Uchiha prince.

'What's this?' Ino playfully told herself. 'Looks like little forehead has a thing for him. Fine then~'

"Sasuke!" Pointed Ino.

'So his name is Sasuke, huh.'

Sakura don't know the names of all the guests. So, it's only natural she gets pumped up.

Ino secretly winked at Sakura.

"You go partner with Sakura!"

'Sakura. So that's her name.'

A certain 'someone' thought.

"Yosh!" Sakura approached Sasuke, and raised her hand.

"It's a pleasure to get to know you tonight, Sasuke." Sasuke first refuses to take her hand, but gives up.

As there bare hands touched, both felt something weird.

However, Sakura is unaware of what that is, while Sasuke is well aware.

"Let's go!"

-

"Finally." Sakura sighed in relief, as she finally gets to pee.

She told Sasuke that she needs to attend the restroom, and told him to wait. He didn't respond with words tho.

After washing her hands, she comes out of the restroom, and saw no one.

"Huh?" It was dark, she looked at the wall clock hanging on a wall, and it reads 10:48pm.

They started the game around 9:30pm. She gets partnered with Sasuke at around 10pm.

They were quiet the whole time being while walking towards somewhere unknown.

And that's when Sakura was called by nature.

"Sasuke?"

Sakura searched, she found some other pairs. But decides not to bother them.

"Sasuke?"

She continued her search, until she reached the garden but still found no Sasuke Uchiha.

"Where could he have gone to? I told him to wait." She was talking to herself nonstop while stepping to the staircases in hopes to find Sasuke in his room.

"That mysterious prince, sigh." She walks around, "Where is he?"

She was now on the guys' place. And was searching for Sasuke's room when she heard Rock Lee.

"Sakura-chan? Is that you?"

'Oh no, I don't want to be found by anyone without Sasuke! What'll they think?!'

One door opens, and a hand covered her mouth, pulling her inside.

She heard the door locked, but it was still pitch black.

Her body was pushed against someone else's. She didn't complain, since the person's scent immediately reminded her of Sasuke.

"Sasuke? Is that you?"

"Shh."

They heard Rock Lee wandering and calling for Sakura, so they just stood there in silence.

Sasuke's arms were around hers, he was anxious. But he held no hesitation to take her away from the other guy.

After a minute of utter silence, Sakura smiled and embraced Sasuke.

Which of course, touched a nerve. In a good way, that is.

"Your scent is really nice and boyish! At last I've found you!" She pulled away from the hug and looked around, could it be Sasuke's room?

But what was he doing here?

"Hey, Sasuke." Sasuke, seemingly a little flustered, just looked. "Why were you here?"

Silence once again devoured them, Sakura was patiently waiting for an answer.

But the answer she got made her heart skip a beat.

"S-sasuke..?" Sasuke suddenly pinned her on a wall near a balcony. "What's wrong?"

Sasuke nearly closed thr gap between their faces, the wanting and longing in his eyes became very evident.

"Sasuke..?"

"Sakura."

'When did my name suddenly sounded so pretty?'

"You called me a mysterious prince, didn't you?" She nods. "And I always see you following me when I walk around the palace." Yikes.

Sakura's eyes widened, her cheeks, no, her face turned crimson red.

It is simply, embarrassing.

"I-I.." Sasuke's bare fingers made contact with her cheeks and chin.

"There's no excuse for that." He sounded rather dominated than mad.

He smiled a little, "I may forgive you if you promise not to hold back."

"Hold back, from what?"

"From anything I'll do to you."

That made Sakura feel really weird and anxious, but also relieved for a reason she's still unaware of.

"W-what are you planning to do..?"

Sasuke ignored her question, "Will you promise not to hold back?"

'If this is the way for him to forgive me, then fine. I wanted to know him better, so we should probably start off nicely.'

Nah, Sasuke's probably just taking advantage of it. Since he really wants Sakura, don't you all think so?

"F-fine."

"Fine, what?"

"I-I won't hold back."

Silence.

"Good."

And just like that, Sasuke's lips landed on hers.

Sakura was shocked, but she made a promise not to hold back or to push him away.

Surprisingly for her, she even kissed him back. She felt a strong desire on the pit of her stomach, or perhaps those were the butterflies of love. Tingling in her system.

They started kissing softly. But then, Sasuke's left hand is reaching for Sakura's legs. And she let him.

His touch was gentle, yet desirable.

Sasuke stopped for a while, and caressed her chin.

"I've always liked you."

Sakura gasped, moaned, after feeling Sasuke's hand on one of her butt cheek.

Sasuke took no time at all, he slipped his tongue inside her mouth, which she seemed to gladly return back.

Their tongue were twisting each other, their saliva joining each other, fighting for dominance, they were surprisingly quite equal.

Sasuke's other hand was beginning to try and undress her, while scenting her neck, starting to find Sakura's sweet spot.

But Sakura's hands moved, and she stopped him.

They stared at one another. Sasuke can see that she wants him too.

"Why?"

Sakura smiled, melting Sasuke's little heart. She caressed his hair gently.

"I think I like you too." The sudden glee in Sasuke's gaze glisten. "But were still a little too young for, you know.."

"Sakura."

"Yes?"

"I've fallen too hard for you," Sakura averted her gaze in shock. Sasuke smiled. "So, I understand."

Sasuke cupped both of Sakura's cheeks, forcing her to look at him directly.

"Sasuke, thank you."

They shared one long last kiss for the time being, a very passionate and gentle smooch.

They slowly pulled away, but remained very close to each others figure and face. Staring lovingly at one another.

Then the palace bell rang.

Signalling, that it's 12 midnight.

"We should go." Sakura suggested.

Sasuke nods, but said no word.

-

Almost everybody where there already as the two arrived, they were shocked to see the two,

holding each others hands.

Sakura looks bright as always, while Sasuke stayed in his poker face. But you can feel that something between them happened.

For instance, why would Sasuke Uchiha be holding someone's hand?

"Looks like everyone's here!" Ino declared.

They asked each of them of how theirs went.

Then came, Sakura and Sasuke's turn to share their experience.

"Here's your question," Ino throws a different question at each pair. "Sasuke will go first. How would you describe your moment with Sakura in two words?"

Everyone was focised on him for a while.

"I dunno."

Everyone chuckled at his response. Especially Naruto.

"That's a really mysterious answer!" Ino grinned. "Next! Sakura."

"Yes?"

"Same question. How would you describe your moment with Sasuke in two words?"

'Let's see.. I want something as mysterious as Sasuke's.'

'Aha.'

"Well,"

Everyone stared, some squealed as she snuggle closer to Sasuke, and everybody were really surprised when Sasuke pulled her closer.

"Midnight tingles."

~~~

Hello! I hope this is fine. This will br my last One-shot. Since I'm gonna focus more with SasuSaku Poetry. Check it out too! My other works here are, Dream 1&2, Home, & Stroke.

Thank you!

-neechanrinMi