Rating: T (for this chapter)

Genre: Romance/Drama

Summary: The King demands that his son receive a thorough sex education to prevent ridicule from the nobles at court. Who else should help the young Prince but the Lady Haruno Sakura and his teacher Hatake Kakashi.

Author's Notes: *EDIT NOV 2014* This is a repost from my collection of one shots. This fic came from there but after writing the 3rd chapter (and starting the 4th), I realized it is going to be much longer than the initial 2 chapters I planned, hence why I am posting separately. Tomorrow, I will post chapter 2; the day after that chapter 3 (new!). Hopefully, chapter 4 not long after that. Terribly sorry. I'll be deleting this from my one-shot collection, as it is not necessary to have there anymore.

*copy paste old A/N* Writing this fic was actually pretty funny, in a ridiculous way, because it starts out semi-serious but the actual plot is so NOT serious. When I re-read it, it was like... the first 1000 words is serious business/boring, then it suddenly performs a free fall into smut buildup 101. HAHA, yeah... Building up to smutsmutsmut. Happy reading!

As always, thank you dearly for the reviews!

Part I: Indecent Proposals

. . .

The good King Uchiha had plenty to be thankful for. Not since the bloody and merciless civil war ten years past had his kingdom witnessed the upheavals of war. The balance of power between the Four Great Nations remained fixed and held firmly in place through a series of alliances that served as checks against any one nation from gaining too much influence. His kingdom was thriving, with increases in its trade and commercial networks, a growing population, several years of abundant harvest and a subservient nobility. Of equally great importance, the legacy of his rule remained secure by the birth of his two sons. Both were healthy, attractive, ambitious and intellectually gifted; they possessed all that was needed in order to be great and noble leaders. It was without exaggeration that Fugaku could proudly say that the two princes excelled in all areas princes ought to. All of this should have allowed the good King to rest peacefully at the end of the day, yet something troubled him greatly.

Despite all he had to be thankful for, there was an issue with one of his sons that increasingly nagged at him. His younger son, Prince Uchiha Sasuke, was stubborn, abrasive, and possessing a touch of hubris. None of these qualities, however, were the problem. If anything, such characteristics made him a strong and capable heir. Prince's that are weak and lacking in confidence do not have the strength needed to control the nobility or command the populace. As such, Fugaku found himself, at times, even promoting such characteristics to the chagrin of many noble families.

For most of his life, the young Prince was given a longer leash and more freedom than his older brother, Prince Uchiha Itachi. This was not because Fugaku liked him any less than his elder son, it was simply the nature of his birthright. As the second born son, Sasuke did not hold the same responsibilities as his brother, the heir apparent. Sasuke was destined for command in the military, where pride and arrogance thrived, creating the most honorable and noteworthy leaders.

Life changed dramatically for both, father and son, on the fateful day one year ago that his eldest son calmly announced that he would not ascend to the throne upon King Fugaku's passing. The King remembered that day quite well. Itachi left no room for argument, his words were very precise, "I will abdicate upon my father's passing, allowing Prince Sasuke to ascend to the throne in my place."

The shocking pronouncement left the good King with no other option: Sasuke would have to take Itachi's place as heir apparent. The once long leash he had been awarded was shortened considerably. Spies and carefully placed guards monitored the young Prince's every move, quietly observing and reporting to Fugaku any matters of concern.

It was not only Fugaku who had his spies in place, however. Other nobles also put their own loyal men and women in place to gather any information, which might serve useful for influencing the future king's decisions.

Fugaku sat uneasily in an elaborately carved wooden chair by the large hearth, located at one end of his room. He sighed deeply, and tapped his finger impatiently against the arm of the chair. After many months, his spies had gleaned one particular piece of information that worried the King: his son expressed absolutely no interest in females whatsoever. For some, this might seem a fortunate quality. Rather than distracting himself with wanton pleasures and scandalous acts, the Prince threw himself into study and training. Fugaku was indeed pleased, that he did not have to worry about his son accruing the wrath of nobles for deflowering their daughters or the scandals produced by the birth of bastard children. Yet, it was worrisome that his son did not express even the slightest interest in any Lady of the court.

As much as royal power depended on physical and proven strength, it also depended on symbolism and simple imagery. If a monarch demonstrates any form of weakness, it incites his nobles to start grumbling and to search for an opening. If the weakness persists for an extended period of time, the nobles start forming their secretive alliances, jostling for power and plotting to exert their influence over the weakened king in order to see their own wealth and power grow. If the king's weakness grows serious enough, the nobility start fighting amongst themselves over who is best fit to seize power. Nobles are a strong king's greatest alley, but a weak king's most dangerous and cunning enemy. A king is as much at war and in competition with his own nobility, as he is with neighboring kingdoms.

While the young Prince's lack of interest in women initially seemed only a minor concern, it grew over time as it revealed itself damaging to his imagery. The nobility and populace alike wanted to know that their future king was healthy and filled with a certain vitality that promised a long and fruitful reign. Sexual exploits enhance a prince's reputation of physical prowess, it shows that he is capable of producing heirs and projects the image of a conqueror. For a prince to go through his entire teenage years without ever touching a female raised considerable suspicion. What sort of healthy teenaged boy did not want a woman? What was wrong with him that he would turn down every one of the most beautiful, eye-catching and wealthiest females in the entire kingdom? When the time came, would he be able to copulate with his future wife? The people always wanted their heirs, and when the future heir showed no ability or desire to produce such heirs, the line of succession becomes unstable, causing people to ask who would succeed to the throne if the future king sired no heirs? It was these sorts of questions that caused the nobility to start grumbling and spreading derogatory rumours.

The King rubbed the bridge of his nose, inhaling deeply as he waited for his ever-tardy General. How that man could show up late for a private meeting with his King never ceased to amaze him. No other person in the entire kingdom would make him wait nor would he allow it. His General was the only exception.

A light rapping at the door to his quarters informed him that the man had arrived.

"Enter," he commanded softly, but with the authority of a king.

Slowly, the heavy wooden doors pushed open and a lean man with gray hair walked in. He dismissed the guards standing in the corridor and delicately shut the doors behind him, before making his way to the King and kneeling lowly on one knee.

"Your Grace," the gray-haired man began with his head bowed, "I apologize for my tardiness. I was—"

"I don't need another one of your excuses Hatake Kakashi." Fugaku eyed his General sternly for several tense seconds before continuing, "You're lucky you're father was in such high standing with me, and that you've proven yourself a capable leader."

The General nodded deftly and looked up at his King with his coal coloured eye, "I understand you had something important to discuss with me, Excellency?"

"Please take a seat, Kakashi-san," the King gestured to the chair across from him, waiting for the man to sit before continuing.

When Kakashi leaned forward, with his forearms resting on the arms of the chair, Fugaku began. "It concerns the crowned Prince, my heir," he spoke calmly but a small trace of frustration entered his usually steady voice.

"Prince Sasuke?" the gray-haired man sought to clarify, and received a curt nod in response.

For a brief moment, Fugaku's gaze turned and lingered on the flickering flames of the fire, which cast dancing shadows across the length of the dimly lit room. His weary eyes closed in concentration and again, he released a long sigh to quell the anxiousness in his nerves.

"You mustn't utter a word of this conversation to anyone outside this room, is that understood," the King studied his General intensely.

"I swear on my life that I will hold your words in confidence. You have my complete loyalty and obedience, Your Grace." Kakashi's normally lazy, calm expression replaced itself with a fiery intensity that rarely ever reached the surface. It was enough to assure the King he meant it.

"Very well." Fugaku cleared his throat and began, "Tell me, what have you heard of my youngest son's sexual exploits?"

Kakashi thought about the question briefly but soon replied, "I'm afraid, Your Grace, that I have heard nothing of his time with the Ladies of the court. Your son, the Prince, is most secretive on... personal matters. "

"That is precisely the problem," Kakashi's head tilted to the side so the good King elaborated; "He is at an age where there should, at least, be a few rumours swirling on his conquests. Instead, there is absolutely nothing."

A pair of gray brows knit together, "There is still time yet, Excellency. Perhaps the prince is simply a..." Kakashi hesitated, wanting to tread lightly so as not to offend the King, but continued once he received a nod signalling for him to finish his line of thought. "Perhaps he is a late bloomer on this matter."

"That's unacceptable," Fugaku snapped, breaking his practiced calm exterior. "In six months he will turn eighteen, he is of marriageable age yet he has not courted a single woman. Even Itachi took himself a mistress when he was scarcely fourteen years of age." Itachi had always been the quieter and more distant son of the two, yet somehow it was the temperamental, more vocal son, who had him worrying over such an issue.

"Perhaps the young Prince's interests lay in the kinds of women found outside the court?" The General offered an explanation, though even as he said it, he knew there was no way the young Uchiha would possess such low standards.

Fugaku's finger stopped tapping as he asked with mild curiosity, "Do you think he would take a concubine?"

"Hm," Kakashi's forefinger rubbed his chin, "I should think not. He does seem to have rather high standards." In all honesty, the Prince had the attitude that only he and his immediate family members were worthy of living, everyone else essentially lived to serve them.

"No matter." The King replied sternly, "I will have my son take a mistress posthaste. I will not have him garner the reputation of being a eunuch or worse."

It was the or worse that signified to Kakashi the seriousness of the situation. After all, there were not many things worse for a man than to have the reputation of having no manhood. He had heard no rumours hinting at such an image for the young Prince, but the wise King Fugaku always did possess the uncanny ability to foresee the future turn of events.

"Surely, Your Grace, there have been no such rumours circulating at court," Kakashi asked slowly, cautiously.

"There have been none so bold to put it as harshly, but my spies have overheard whispers," his voice grew lower, though it was impossible for anyone to overhear the conversation from inside the King's quarters.

"What whispers?" The gray-haired man asked in interest. He was a nobleman and General of the kingdom's forces, yet he didn't participate in the power games of court. For him, court was merely a place to have his share of wine and women, not always in that order.

"Some have questioned why the Prince only accompanies himself with the presence of his fellow Lords, you know, the Uzumaki boy and his fellow cohorts. Some have even gone so far as to postulate whether," Fugaku broke off shortly, as if saying the words aloud would somehow make them true, but he found it in him to finish, "Whether the Prince has any interest in women at all."

Poor Kakashi was not sure how to put the good King at ease. He was a tactician, a genius of his craft; his knowledge extended beyond the battlefield to nearly all matters of importance, yet he had never been asked to pose solutions for an ice-cold prince's sexual proclivities or lack thereof.

"If I may, Your Grace—"

"You may."

"So great are the young Prince's talents that he is used to excelling in all matters without having to exert much thought or effort. Perhaps, in this matter, the Prince merely lacks a certain... confidence or assurance in his abilities." Kakashi could picture so perfectly Sasuke throttling him for making such a remark, but it was possibly not far from the truth. People do tend to dislike that which they are not skilled at or have no experience in.

"Do you suppose then, that the Prince would benefit from some lessons on the subject?" Fugaku asked, with sudden inspiration striking his tone. Clearly, an idea was formulating in his wise mind.

"He can only benefit from expanding his skill set, but I do imagine he will be resistant to the idea, Excellency." Sasuke would do more than resist, he would object to the idea entirely.

"I do not care for his opinion on the matter. Prince Sasuke will obey his King, and father, or I will see to it that he sorely regrets it. This issue cannot be allowed to fester. The people, and his fellow nobility, need to know that their future king is healthy." Fugaku glanced back at the flames in the fireplace, "I will not always be here to guide him, and I can't take worry over my son's ability to produce heirs to the grave. He is still young, but he is stubborn and tends to get stuck in his ways."

Fugaku paused briefly before adding, "I will not have my son a blushing virgin on his wedding night." Slight distaste lingered in his mouth at the thought of his son being less practiced than some future wife of his. It was girls, who were supposed to preserve their virginity for marriage, though it was well known that most females in court lacked that particular quality. Boys and men were meant to hone their skills by competing for women and wooing the fair Ladies at court.

"I have no doubt the prince will master these lessons," Kakashi spoke confidently, despite feeling some anxiety building within him.

"I would expect nothing less of my heir. Now," Fugaku leaned forward slightly, "As for his teacher, we need someone who is loyal, sworn to secrecy and most skilled in the art of seduction."

"There are many at court with grand reputations in love-making, but I do not know all the intricacies of family dynamics and who will not use such a..." he searched for the right word, "compromising position for the prince against him in the future."

"My thoughts precisely. Kakashi-san," the King stared intently, a look that made the gray-haired man uneasy. "The only person who I trust enough to fulfill such a task is you."

"Me? My lord, I really—" Kakashi began, trying to backpedal himself out of this position. He really did not need to be on the receiving end of the Prince's ire.

"I have heard plenty of your reputation with the Ladies, and there is no other person I trust more. Not only that, but my son seems to hold you in higher regard than the other Lords at court. It must be you."

Kakashi hung his head in defeat and sighed. "It would be the greatest honour, Your Grace." The King had already made up his mind, and no one refuses the King.

"I will inform the prince of my decision in the morning. Tomorrow at court, have the Prince pick out a female to begin his lessons with. I will allow you to organize them however you see fit, just promise me you will see to it that he learns enough not to make a fool of himself." For all his bluntness and cold exterior, the King truly loved his sons and wanted to ensure a long and prosperous future for them.

Kakashi smoothly slipped off the edge of the chair and dropped down onto his knees, kneeling before the King once more and promising with the greatest sincerity, "I swear to teach him all that I know, Excellency."

With all the elegance and grace of the finest kings, Fugaku rose to his feet, signalling his humble General's dismissal. "I will not forget this, Kakashi-san. You are free to leave."

Slowly rising, Kakashi bowed his head and departed the room. Never once, in all his life, did he imagine he would be tasked with teaching the young Prince how to engage in sexual acts with women. It almost made him wish a war would breakout so that he didn't have to follow through.

A shaky sigh escaped the gray-haired man's lips as he ran his fingers through his hair. By tomorrow, he would surely feel the full weight of the prince's wrath for having to participate in such lessons.

Soon, Kakashi would be able to add teacher of sexual education to his repertoire of skills and occupations, what an uncomfortable thought.

. . .

Two men stood apart from the rest of the Lords and Ladies of the court in silent intensity. No one dared ask why the young Prince appeared to be brooding with his father's carefree General standing next to him. In fact, the sight of the brooding Prince was more standard than the sight of him relaxed or in quiet contentment.

Kakashi rested his hand on the young prince's shoulder in a comforting manner, as he regarded the scene before them. In response to the touch, Sasuke released a bitter scowl and stepped away from the General's hand. To say he was in a foul mood would be an understatement.

One look at the group of chattering Ladies on the opposite side of the throne room was enough to cause the Prince's handsome, pale face to contort in a mixture of disgust and aggravation. He turned his body, preferring to glare at the stonewall with his arms crossed.

"Now, now, Sasuke," Kakashi tsk'd. Knowing the Prince all his life afforded him the unusual privilege of referring to him without the usual formal suffix added to his name. "It's not going to kill you," he took hold of the fuming male's shoulders from behind and returned his attention back to the task at hand.

"The king ordered you to pick one, so which will it be," as he spoke, he regarded the females himself, thinking of weighing in his decision. He automatically ignored the Ladies that were either too old or too young, knowing Sasuke well enough to assume he'd want a female within his age group.

"This is ridiculous," Sasuke hissed lowly. "I don't need a woman." Again, his onyx eyes shifted away from the group of Ladies.

"Perhaps, but how do you suppose you'll continue the Uchiha dynasty if you're too afraid to even look at a woman." Kakashi had long decided to tease the young Prince as much as possible while he still could, for one day, Sasuke would be king and he may no longer be afforded the luxury to do so.

At the General's goad, Sasuke snapped in response, "I'm not afraid." To prove his point, he returned his gaze to the Ladies of the court, though Kakashi could tell without being on the receiving end of it, that his glare held such intensity that it was akin to the way a warrior stares down an angry tiger before going on the attack.

"They're just... too clingy, and needy, and weak." His list of complaints could have gone on for half the afternoon, but he settled with, "They're annoying."

"They're not all annoying, Little Prince." Sasuke was about to interject to the contrary but Kakashi decided to get down to business. "What about the Hyuuga girl? She's soft-spoken and obedient."

Sasuke frowned and clipped out, "She's weird. And, her family is always striving to accrue greater influence."

The curt rejection saw Kakashi's eyes roll, "Very well. Then, why not Yamanaka Ino? Her family is more complacent and she possesses a desirable womanly figure."

"She talks far too much and," Sasuke glanced over his shoulder, "If you desire her figure so much, why don't you go to her and leave me be."

"You know I can't do that." He wanted to add that the last thing he wanted to be doing was helping the Prince find a Lady to bed, but he'd already promised the King to deal with this task respectfully.

Kakashi searched the group of females for another one close in age and attractive enough to appease the Prince. His eyes eventually fell on one with chocolate brown hair wrapped in twin buns. The girl laughed with the Lady's from the Yamanaka and Hyuuga clans, clearly enjoying something about their conversation. "Tenten has a sense of humour and a pleasant demeanor, how about her?" He calmly asked.

This time, Sasuke snorted in his typical, condescending fashion. "I don't even know her family name. I would never share a bed with someone of such low birth," the Prince scoffed at the indignity.

"Of course," was Kakashi's bland reply. Mentally, he scolded himself for somehow forgetting about Sasuke's pretentiousness when it came to mingling with others.

"You could go for that red headed girl, Karin, was it? If my memory serves correct, she is part of the Uzumaki clan, which is well respected." Kakashi did not know much about the woman but he was running out of suggestions. On paper, at least, the Karin girl seemed suitable.

"Don't be absurd," the raven-haired Prince bit out haughtily. "She's constantly chasing after me in the most unsightly of ways," as he finished speaking, he turned to face the older man with a look of annoyance. "You're not even trying. All of your recommendations are entirely unsuitable."

An exasperated sigh made its way through Kakashi's mask. Who knew picking a woman to fool around with would be such a difficult affair. It's not as though the King had asked Sasuke to pick out a wife. At the thought, Kakashi felt a shiver run down his spine. That would be an arduous process indeed.

Growing tired of the Prince's difficult attitude, Kakashi lazily replied, "If all my suggestions are unsuitable, then pick one for yourself or else we will have to seek out a concubine."

His statement had the desired effect, because as soon as the Prince heard the word 'concubine', his face shriveled up in revulsion. There was no way Sasuke would ever touch one of those. Turning on his heel, Sasuke searched the crowd of Lords and Ladies for several moments.

Silence passed between the two males, as Kakashi patiently waited for the Prince to make his choice. After a couple minutes, he had lost himself in absentminded thought, only to find himself startled by Sasuke's abrupt and terse voice.

"I will take her," Sasuke nodded in the direction of his choosing. Kakashi followed his unbreaking gaze and spotted a familiar, pink-haired female, smiling brightly and standing next to the blonde-haired Uzumaki male. She was soft on the eyes and appropriately dressed for a proper Lady. Kakashi knew her well, having spoken to her on many occasions.

To clarify, and make sure he had spotted correctly, Kakashi questioned, "The one with pink hair?"

"Yes," Sasuke paused briefly in seeming contemplation, "Haruno Sakura."

At last, the young prince shifted his attention back to his so-called teacher. His onyx orbs bore into Kakashi's coal eye with a determined intensity as he asked, "Now what?"

With a small smirk, Kakashi answered him, "Now you learn your first lesson."

"And what might that be," Sasuke's eyes narrowed impatiently. He really couldn't believe that of all the things his father had asked of him as his heir, having sex with a woman was on the list. Actually, it wasn't just sex, rather, his father wanted him to engage in some form of crude sexual lessons with the woman as if he were some kind of animal.

The gray-haired man turned the prince around once more and leaned against his back to whisper into his ear while they both eyed the Haruno girl. "You must ascertain Haruno's voluntary permission to partake in these lessons of yours. And, you must do so without using the excuse that you are her Prince, and future king, and she your loyal subject."

Sasuke frowned as he watched the pink haired female dancing with Naruto, "How am I supposed to do that?"

"I don't know, woo her, seduce her. Anything, really. Just make sure you acquire her consent or we will have another problem to deal with. The people of court must not learn of your lessons." With that, Kakashi gave the Prince a gentle shove to be on his way. He truly hoped for both their sakes that the Prince would succeed, though he didn't really doubt he would manage it one way or another.

"Good luck," he chimed happily to Sasuke's retreating back.

Scowling for what felt like the umpteenth time that day, the raven-haired Prince slowly approached the Haruno girl, affording his subjects the proper amount of time to bow their heads as he brushed passed them without sparing a glance at any of them. He paced himself perfectly to arrive at the girl precisely when the music struck its last note.

Upon his arrival, Naruto and Sakura stepped apart from each other, having finished their dance, and greeted him with a bow and curtsey.

"Sasuke." Naruto nodded, but the raven-haired male's gaze rested on the girl still low in her curtsey. It seemed to take her longer than necessary to realize his attention was on her.

"Sasuke-san, Your Highness." She spoke softly and evenly, though the visible gulp she took shattered her illusion of confidence.

"Lady Haruno," Sasuke acknowledged her but soon found himself unsure of how to proceed. Kakashi had said to woo her, but that task seemed entirely pathetic and unnecessary. Why should he, a prince and heir to the throne, have to woo a female? It should be the opposite, should it not?

He released an involuntary sigh. The things he had to do for the throne.

"I would like to speak to you, Haruno," she tilted her head innocently, waiting for him to continue, "In private."

At his gruff tone, her vibrant green eyes widened and a faint blush plastered itself across her cheeks. "Your Highness," she looked to the floor in insecurity and unsure of how to proceed.

The Prince, however, did not give her or the stunned Naruto much time to dwell on his uncharacteristic request. "Follow me," he commanded before turning and hastily marching to a small, side door behind the throne chairs that was used only by members of the royal family. Never once did he look over his shoulder to make sure she was following his brisk pace.

A guard opened the door for them, and Sasuke proceeded to lead the girl down a long stone hallway. The quick patter of her shoes against the floor informed him she was managing to keep up, which was a relief because he would have been most irritated if she fell behind and he had to send some guards to fetch her.

They walked in silence until he pushed open a finely carved wooden door on his right and led her into a medium-sized study room. Maps and etchings of military tactics decorated the walls, and in the centre of the room stood a large wooden table scattered with military texts. On one end, a large bay window lit the room, revealing the courtyard below.

After taking several steps into the room, Sasuke whirled around, surprising the out-of-breath female who held a hand to her chest as she worked to regain her composure.

"Your... Highness?" A deep breath interrupted Sakura's faint voice. It made Sasuke realize that his brisk pace had been more like running to her.

No matter. There was business to attend to.

"Haruno," he began sternly.

"Please," she interrupted, "Call me Sakura. My father is Haruno."

Sasuke gave a slight nod to acknowledge her request before starting anew. "Lady Sakura. My father, your King, has recently tasked me the most secretive of duties," he spoke in the blankest of tones and watched carefully as she listened to every word that came from his mouth.

"I am loathe to admit that I require aid from an individual of... your such nature." It was growing apparent that he was skirting around the main point of the conversation, but Sakura merely nodded and patiently waited to figure out what the Prince needed from her.

"I must have your word that you will speak of this to no one, not even your closest friends," his eyes narrowed as he waited for her reply.

"Your Highness," Sakura quickly threw herself at his feet in desperation, "I would keep your word at the cost of my life!" She didn't care if she looked ridiculous or if her pale green dress was dirtied, the prince's trust and approval was all she sought.

"Very well. You may stand." Sasuke took a step away from her form and started to pace as he contemplated how to continue. If he were Itachi, he would find a way to make the task of her sleeping with him sound noble and a service to her kingdom. But, Sasuke did not possess the same lightness of tact as his brother, so he endeavored to complete the task with the bluntness he knew best.

"My father has ordered me to engage in acts of a certain... sexual nature, under the tutelage of General Kakashi, in order to prove that I am willing and capable of producing heirs." His pacing stopped and he looked up at the bewildered pink-haired female with a look of partial contempt. "I require your participation to do so. Do you consent?"

"Sasuke-san," her mouth was agape in shock, but she quickly recovered. "Your Highness... Are you saying I must sleep with you? As a mistress?" She added shrilly.

"Eventually," he disliked how crudely she put it but he supposed it was not far from the truth. When she took a small step back, he quickly snapped at her, "You have a choice in the matter." Well, for the sake of pretense she possessed the right to deny him. In reality, he already knew that he would not allow her to deny him because he'd already decided she would be the one.

"Then," her mouth drew shut in a straight line, "I refuse."

For a moment, Sasuke was taken aback, not used to being refused anything. "You refuse?" He spoke darkly.

"Yes. I cannot, Your Highness." It seemed for the first time since talking to him, she actually developed a real sense of confidence.

"You cannot..." He took a step toward her and finished lowly, "Or, you will not?"

Sakura tilted her chin up, "I will not. I am a proper Lady, Your Highness. My virginity belongs to my future husband, whoever that may be."

The Prince glowered at her response, "It's not uncommon for proper Ladies, such as yourself, to engage in indecent activities prior to marriage." He found it annoying that she was making things more difficult than necessary.

"Even so, there is only gain for you and risk for me. I do not wish to be a mistress nor to sire bastard children. A Lady only has her reputation, and I will not see mine tarnished over an affair that is meaningless to you." Internally she had to commend herself for sounding so composed. The Prince was unworldly handsome, and she always found herself shaking in the knees when he entered the room. She had fantasized many times being taken as one of his mistresses, but her father and mother raised her to hold more respect for herself.

"I assure you, Lady Sakura," was grit out from between Sasuke's tight jaw, "There will be no harm to your reputation and no birth of bastard children. We will take the necessary precautions."

"But, if people were to learn that I am your mistress, as the King surely endeavors to occur, I will still be made the Lady who could not keep herself for marriage." The last thing she wanted was a reputation for being loose.

"If they were to find out," the Prince circled her like prey, "It would benefit you since the other Lords and Ladies would think you hold some influence over me... That I favour you." In complete honesty, he was not lying. Affairs with any other noblemen might sour her reputation, but affairs with royalty were always held in higher regard. Some mistresses held even more influence over Kings than their own wives.

"Would you?" Sasuke's brows furrowed in partial confusion as he continued to circle her, so Sakura elaborated with some curiosity, "Favour me, I mean?"

He stilled behind her, "If you wish it."

At his stoic tone, she spun around to face him with a grin on her features, "You would grant me the permission of influencing your decisions?"

"If your advice is sound." He continued to regard her intently, but with little emotion betraying his thoughts.

"I see," she pondered and raised her finger to her chin, "And would you, perhaps, provide me with gifts?"

After a brief pause, he answered, "If it would please you." She smiled brightly and he could sense that he was closing in on victory. Her flirtations and warm behavior were cue enough for him to know that she no longer refused the proposal outright. If all it took were a few minor promises to appease her and gain her consent, then he would do it, for the remaining options available to him were far too unappealing.

His victory was not yet guaranteed, however, for she soon frowned and bit her lip, which lessened his conviction in her compliance.

"My father would be most displeased, Your Highness." While she eagerly wanted to please the Prince, she knew that she would never do anything against her father's wishes. Just as the Prince owed allegiance to his father, so too did she owe it to hers.

With a lingering look, he left her side, walking to the window to stare into the empty courtyard. A tense silence stretched, leaving Sakura to fiddle with her fingers in discomfort. After a couple minutes of nothing, she started contemplating whether or not she should ask to be dismissed, but it was customary for subjects to wait until members of the royal family dismissed them.

"Lady Sakura," her head snapped to the back of his form, "Your family, the Haruno's, were not on the right side of the civil war, were they?"

She nodded, though he didn't turn back for an answer and merely continued, "It is my understanding that your father incurred substantial debts, due to his losses once my father acquired his rightful place on the throne."

"He is paying them back, Your Highness," she mumbled quietly in defense. It was a little surprising that the Prince bothered to know such details about her family, but she supposed it was his job to know the history of all his nobles.

"Perhaps." Sasuke replied lowly, "But it will take many more years, and even then, he will hardly strum together a suitable dowry for you. Is it your wish to marry into obscurity?" He glanced over his shoulder, eyeing her with interest.

"I..." in embarrassment, her head dropped and her eyes lowered. Of course, she wanted to marry up, but she could never chastise her father for his past decisions. At the time, he thought he was doing the right thing. Many noble families had been caught on the wrong side of the war; her family was lucky enough to make it through only with debts.

"Tell your father that in exchange for his permission, the Uchiha's will see his debts absolved," he watched as her eyes widened. "That is, if you, yourself, consent to it."

"Your Highness," she began breathlessly.

"Sasuke-san," the Prince corrected her. If she was going to become intimate with him, he figured she should at least call him by his given name.

"Sasuke-san... I don't know what to say."

"Notify me of your father's response before sundown tomorrow." Although he gave her an entire day to come to a decision, he already knew he had her. There was no doubt in his mind that her father would gladly lend his daughter to the Prince for the absolution of all his debts and, well, Sakura not knowing what to say spoke volumes for itself.

"You are dismissed." He waved his hand lazily, vaguely paying attention to the flustered pink-haired female who curtsied and hastily departed the study room, leaving the Prince alone with his thoughts.

Soon, his sexual education would begin. The nature of the lessons, he couldn't even imagine.

Somewhere in the kingdom, a gray-haired General chuckled. Things were about to get very interesting.

. . .

A/N's: I'm not sure where I get these ideas. I like historical dramas and Sasuke as a prince is pretty hot. Of course, when you are a prince/heir, you don't have a private life *wink* I apologize if some find this chauvinistic; somewhat in keeping with the period, yes? Sakura will reveal herself (over time) to be a strong and bold young woman, however. You have to be patient to see the development unfold...