Summary: AU Sakura is a princess who agrees to an arranged marriage. During her journey, she is threatened by her servant into switching places. Will anyone still be able to find out who the real princess is? Based on 'The Goose Girl' of The Brothers Grimm

Pairings: Sakura/Sasuke; minor Naruto/Hinata

A/N: I'm really sorry for the delay but I lost this chapter somewhere in my computer and had decided to just rewrite it. But then, it became difficult for me since I got stuck in another fandom, so I just looked for it again and, lo and behold, I found it. Here's chapter 10.

~Chapter 10: The Visit~

Sakura sighed for the umpteenth time. She sat on the hard bed of the small dungeon-like room. The room didn't have much in it; only an old wooden table with two candles on top of it and a hard bed. There wasn't even a window in it. The only ventilation there was the small open but barred space on the lower part of the metal door.

The rosette stared at the floor with a blank expression. She shouldn't show how depressed she was with her situation. She couldn't give that satisfaction to Karin. Moreover, she had faith in both her brother and her lover. She knew they'd come up with a plan to mend things and she trusted them completely. But she couldn't help but feel rather hopeless in her situation.

However, Sakura was snapped out of her deep thoughts when a loud groaning noise, which can only come from the metal entrance of her dungeon, echoed throughout the room. She looked up to find a familiar redhead, smiling at her maliciously. "Hello Sakura." Karin sneered. "Enjoying your stay here?"

Sakura didn't respond and only settled on giving her a very vicious glare. This did not unnerve Karin in the slightest. Instead, she taunted. "I don't think you should be giving me that look. I don't like it."

"What do you want?"

"Nothing really..." Karin started. "... After all, you are now useless. I don't want anything from you. I will soon become the Princess of the Kingdom of Fan when I marry Prince Sasuke." Sakura's eyes flashed at this but went back to its calm look. This change wasn't noticed by Karin, fortunately. "You, however, would either stay as a slave or, my personal favourite, be executed. Isn't it nice?"

"So you want to get rid of me just to get to Prince Sasuke and the royal family? Do you even love him?" Sakura asked, restraining the anger that would've laced her words.

"What's not to love? He's really fetching!"

"That's awfully superficial." Sakura muttered. Since there was a big possibility that she might not live, she should probably start to make the most of her time by retaliating to Karin's taunting.

"Are you saying I'm dense?" Karin glared at her. This didn't faze Sakura one bit though.

"I never said anything like that." She replied. "Why ever would I say such a thing?"

Picking up the subtle sarcasm in the pink-haired princess' tone, Karin's piercing glance became even more venomous. "You little wench! Do you have any idea what kind of position you are in right now?"

"Of course. I am a servant in your mercy, Princess Karin. How could I forget?" She replied nonchalantly.

Getting angry at the lack of reaction from the girl, Karin strode closer to Sakura and back-handed her with so much force. The ring on Karin's finger left deep gash on Sakura's right cheek. The rosette gasped at the sudden assault but regained her composure almost immediately. Her right hand flew to the cut and gingerly fingered it, feeling blood coat her fingers. Her emerald eyes flashed angrily as she glared at the smug Karin.

"You are at my complete mercy, you wench. You better stop using that tone with me."

"Why are you doing this?" Sakura asked; her expression set into that of deep loathing.

"You want to know why?" Karin started. "I love Prince Sasuke and I will do anything to be his wife. And by becoming his wife, I can finally have people to be ordered and no one will order me around anymore! You almost ruined my chance because of what you did! I will make you pay! I will make sure you regret making fun of me in front of the Royal Family before you die!" Karin screamed hysterically while slapping Sakura once more. Fortunately for Sakura, no more scratches came from this. "I'll make sure you get executed. Mark my words, you wench, you will be rid off once and for all!" And with that, Karin stormed off, making sure to slam the metal door.

Sakura glared at the metal contraption keeping her inside. Like all, she did have a limit and those words as well as those two hits had finally gotten to her. If something happened to Karin, no matter how gruesome, even if it was caused by her, she would definitely not feel any pity. That girl had gone too far, and Sakura had enough.

It was Itachi's third time to pass by the corridor where the isolation quarters were located. Itachi stared at the mahogany door that was being guarded by one burly soldier. He stayed in the corridor he was in and only observed the guard.

Itachi knew that there was something wrong with this arrangement. He just can't seem to imagine that sweet girl that his brother clearly fell in love with would pose a threat to their lives. He knew that his brother cared for her and he himself liked her, just in sisterly way.

He knew that Princess Karin hated the girl for reasons unknown to him. He was also aware that Naruto seemed to hold some kind of dislike towards Princess Karin since he did everything to avoid her. Another thing that confused him was the fact that Sasuke obviously did not like the girl but he didn't protest to breaking off the marriage.

Itachi remembered that one time that he questioned Sasuke about this. The younger prince only smirked and told Itachi, in a mysterious tone, that since they already agreed to it, he will have to marry the princess of the Kingdom of Spring. When Itachi commented about him not liking Princess Karin, Sasuke's smirk had widened and he had answered with a 'Who said anything about Princess Karin?' With this statement, Itachi knew that Sasuke was aware of something that no one else had knowledge about.

Itachi's train of thought was interrupted when the door that led to the isolation quarters opened and Princess Karin stepped out. She grinned at the soldier and gave him a small bag, probably full of coins, then walked away. Itachi's eyes narrowed at her retreating form before he went on his merry way.

He'll get his answers soon. He wasn't called a genius for nothing.

Sasuke paced in his room, his hands going through his raven locks several times. Though his expression was cool and collected, he actually wanted to bolt out of his room to see Sakura. He was too used to knowing how Sakura was doing every day, either by seeing her himself or through Naruto.

Naruto stared at his friend in worry and amusement. He had never seen Sasuke this restless; especially when it's because of a girl. He became more assured than ever that Sakura would be in good hands with Sasuke.

As he watched Sasuke pace around his room, Naruto can't help but feel the anxiety his best friend also felt. Yes, he felt worried for his sister but Sasuke's added apprehension did nothing to help alleviate Naruto's nervousness. He wanted to see his sister as soon as possible but they had to wait for the right time. He just wished that the right time would come soon.

While they were waiting, a knock from the door caught their attention. Sasuke answered the door and found a messenger who was searching for Naruto, delivering an urgent message that cannot be placed on paper because of its importance. Naruto nodded and stepped out to speak with the messenger.

A few minutes passed, Naruto came back to the room with a grave look on his face. Sasuke raised a brow in question but the blonde shook his head to indicate that he didn't want to talk about it. Sasuke just nodded in comprehension and they both went back to waiting for right time.

After what seemed like years, which were actually just a few hours, the clock in Sasuke's room chimed. Both teens looked up to see that it was around nine o'clock in the evening. It was safe to assume that most people in the palace were already asleep. Not wasting any time, both young men made a dash for the door and disappeared through the maze of hallways, wanting nothing more than to get to the isolation quarters.

Fugaku walked swiftly down the hallways, wanting to get to his and his wife's room as soon as possible. He had stayed up late just to finish a few papers. Mikoto had stayed with him to help, which is why she was currently beside him, clearly stifling a yawn. He had told her to get some sleep but she insisted on staying.

As they moved through the corridors silently, both stopped at the sound of feet hitting the floor in a run. Mikoto and Fugaku looked at each other before stopping and searching for the source of the noise. Realizing that the noise was getting louder, obviously getting nearer, Fugaku pulled his wife into the shadows, just beside the armour that ornamented the hallways and waited for whoever it was to pass by.

"Fugaku! Look!" Mikoto exclaimed, pointing to their right where the corridor from which they came from was. Then, moving so fast that the two almost missed it, Naruto and Sasuke dashed down that hallway.

"Weren't those Sasu-chan and Naru-chan? Where are they going?" Mikoto wondered out loud.

Fugaku frowned, also wondering the same thing. Deciding to find out for himself, he came out of the shadows and headed for the direction where the two teens were headed. Mikoto silently followed her husband, wanting answers as well.

Sasuke and Naruto abruptly stopped as they arrived at the final corner before their destination. Naruto had almost run past his best friend but Sasuke was quick enough to grasp the back of the blonde's shirt and pull him back. Naruto grinned sheepishly at him.

They both cast a glance at the guard in front of the door. The guard had a strange appearance. He wore the standard uniform of the guards, though he didn't wear his helmet. His skin was blue and his blue hair was spiked. He looked like a shark, Naruto noted.

Sasuke smirked as he recognized the man as Itachi's best friend and, therefore, not one of Karin's underlings. The two approached the bored man and the man grinned when he caught sight of Sasuke.

"Kisame." The prince greeted.

"Hey, Sasuke, what's up?" Kisame nodded. "Haven't seen you in a while!"

"Aa."

"Still talkative as ever, I see." Kisame said sarcastically. Sasuke only smirked at his remark. "So, what brings you here?" the blue-skinned soldier asked.

"We want to see the person in there!" Naruto said urgently. Kisame raised a brow at him, clearly not recognizing the king of the Kingdom of Leaf. "Which one?"

"Are you stupid? There's only one person there!" Naruto retorted, wanting nothing more than to barge inside. Now that he was so close, his impatience finally took over.

"Geez, no need to yell." Kisame groaned. "And who the heck are you to demand me? Between the two of you, only Sasuke has the power to do that."

"Kisame, let us through. It's urgent." Sasuke ordered.

"How about him? He's not authorized." Kisame replied, gesturing towards Naruto's direction.

"I'm the king of the Kingdom of Leaf you dumbass! And if you don't move immediately, I swear to Kami, you will be sushi!" Naruto threatened. Kisame's eyes widened in recognition and he stepped back, wary of the blonde whose hand rested on the sword on his side.

"Well, I'm not really allowed to let anyone in but since it's the both of you who are demanding then go ahead." Kisame blurted out rapidly while stepping aside and opening the door behind him. Naruto rushed inside while Sasuke gave Kisame a glare while holding his hand out, as if to ask for something. Kisame sighed and gave him the key. The prince nodded in gratitude and promptly followed his best friend.

When he closed the door, Kisame groaned and ran his hand through his hair. "I am going to be in so much trouble for this."

"Hoshigake."

Kisame's head snapped to the direction of the voice. Sweat ran down his face and he gulped at the sight of the man. "Your Majesty!"

Naruto and Sasuke rushed inside and glanced at their surroundings. The dark corridor looked like a dungeon with only a few torches lighting their path. There were several metal doors lined on either side of them.

"Where do you think they placed her?" Naruto asked.

Sasuke remained silent but started to stride down the hallway. Naruto took this as a sign to just follow him. They arrived at the end of the corridor and the blonde noticed that the door on their right had light coming from the barred space at the bottom part of the door. He and Sasuke shared a glance before Sasuke opened the door with the key he obtained.

The moment they entered, Naruto immediately pounced on his sister crying out "Imouto!" Sakura's previous blank facade immediately broke into that of happiness and relief and her arms found its way around Naruto's neck. "Onii-san!"

Sasuke watched the interaction with a smirk. But his eyes immediately narrowed when he caught sight of the gash on her right cheek.

"Sakura."

Both Naruto and Sakura pulled away from each other at the sound of Sasuke's cold tone. They both glanced at the prince and noticed the icy look in his eyes. Naruto raised a confused brow while Sakura flinched. She instantly moved to cover the scratch on her right cheek but Sasuke swiftly went in front of her and caught her hand.

"Sakura." Sasuke said once again as his other hand made its way to her face and gently caressed her cheek. The feather-like touches of his fingers brushed over the scratch. Sakura unconsciously leaned into the touch. "Who did this to you?"

Naruto's eyes widened at the sight of the wound on his sister's cheek but he remained silent.

"Sasuke-kun..." She started, her emerald orbs meeting his obsidian ones. Though his expression was emotionless, she can see anger as well as concern in his eyes.

"Tell me, Sakura. Who did this to you?" He asked again in a slightly more gentle tone. Naruto didn't have to guess who it was and, judging from Sasuke's tone, he didn't need to as well. They just wanted confirmation on her part.

"It was her wasn't it?" Naruto supplied for them. Sakura's eye narrowed dangerously and nodded. Naruto's fist clenched and Sasuke's jaw tightened.

Two pairs of dark eyes watched the interaction inquisitively. Fugaku's eyes narrowed at how his younger son treated the servant whilst Mikoto's widened in surprise. They arrived just in time to see their son caress the girl's cheek tenderly. Both of them have never seen Sasuke treat anyone like this. It was obvious through Sasuke's actions that he held affection towards this girl. And, seeing the way Naruto looked at the rosette, he did as well. It just seemed to be a different kind of affection.

"This is not allowed. Disgraceful! An affair with the servant? Unheard of!" Fugaku muttered under his breath. Mikoto shot him an admonishing glare. She thought it was sweet that Sasuke had finally found someone to treasure. And Mikoto had always been a romantic so the concept of a forbidden love happening just under her nose was just too adorable to ignore. Who cares if the girl was a servant? Certainly not Mikoto.

However, in spite of the shock they both felt, they did not miss a word of the conversation happening in the room.

"Who are they talking about?" Mikoto whispered, referring to this her that Naruto spoke of.

"When did she come in here?" Sasuke asked in a deadly tone.

"I'm not sure, Sasuke-kun... but I think it was a few hours ago." Sakura answered softly. Her anger was dissipating because of the feel of Sasuke's hand on her cheek.

Sasuke and Naruto exchanged glances and both made a silent agreement that they will keep an eye on Karin while Sakura was in this dungeon. They will not allow her to hurt the young woman they cared for anymore. With that, Naruto sat on Sakura's left and placed his arm around her shoulder to assure her that he was there. Sasuke moved to sit on her right. As he sat down, his hand moved from her cheek to tuck a few strands of her hair behind her ear. The rosette smiled at his action while he smirked at her expression. He then leaned forward and placed a kiss on her forehead.

Mikoto and Fugaku could do nothing but stare at their son with widened eyes and wonder if, by any chance, Sasuke was possessed. They also couldn't help but wonder how King Naruto entered the picture. He showed so much care for this girl that it was obvious that they were very close.

'Maybe they were past lovers? Or maybe his mistress?' Mikoto thought. 'But why is he not angry with how Sasuke is interacting with her?'

"We'll get you out of here, Sakura. I promise." Sasuke said with determination.

"I believe in both of you." She replied and glanced at both of them.

Naruto grinned. "We'll find a way to expose Karin's lies! Believe it!" and he pulled her into a tight hug.

Sasuke let out a low growl when the rosette was pulled away from him. Hearing this, Naruto stuck his tongue out at his best friend in a taunting manner. "Ha! Sorry teme, you may be her fiancé but I'm her brother! Take that!"

"Dobe." Sasuke growled out and Naruto's smug grin widened even more.

Sakura giggled at their antics. They always seemed to know how to cheer her up. She gently pushed her brother away and turned to the still annoyed Sasuke. She leaned forward and gave him a peck on the lips. Sasuke smirked at this and gave Naruto a smug look for winning the fight for her attention. Naruto pouted at Sakura, making her giggle again.

Fugaku's eyes widened at what they witnessed while Mikoto's jaw dropped. The servant just kissed their son, Prince Sasuke, on the lips. Sure they've seen him kiss her on the forehead earlier but that was different. That peck on the lips just proved the nature of the relationship between the two. However, what really caused their surprise were the words that came out of King Naruto's mouth.

"That's preposterous! Sasuke's fiancé? A mere servant girl? This is unacceptable!" Fugaku gritted and was about to storm into the room when Mikoto placed a hand on his arm and stopped him. It seems that Fugaku didn't hear the latter part of Naruto's statement.

"Fugaku!" Mikoto said in a hushed tone. "Did you not hear what Naru-chan said?"

"The absurd proclamation that this servant is Sasuke's fiancé?"

"No! Didn't you hear Naru-chan say 'my sister'?"

Fugaku paused and looked back on the conversation. When realization dawned on his features, Mikoto knew that he finally registered Naruto's statement.

"What is the meaning of this?" Fugaku murmured. The queen simply gestured for him to listen with her when the conversation in the room resumed.

"You have to know something, Imouto." Naruto suddenly spoke. His expression as well as his tone became sombre. Sakura and Sasuke only stared at him in wonder as he continued. "Earlier, I received a message from Hahaue's adviser, Shizune."

"What was it, Onii-san?" Sakura asked worriedly.

"There was an attempted assassination... Hahaue was the target." Sakura gasped as the blonde continued. "Yesterday night... several men tried to attack her. They were soldiers and they almost succeeded but they were subdued by the private guards. Apparently, Anko received a tip that someone would attempt to hurt the queen and she immediately took action."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed at the information as Sakura gasped. "Who would do such a..." then it dawned on her. Her emerald orbs suddenly filled with rage. "So that's what she meant." Her cold tone sent a shiver down the spines of those who heard it. It was too unnatural to see such a sweet young girl sound so detached.

"What do you mean, Imouto?"

"When Karin came to visit me, she spoke of me regretting my act of embarrassing her in front of Sasuke-kun and his family." She explained. "Though, how I embarrassed her is a mystery to me."

If it weren't for the fact that the situation was serious, Naruto would've chuckled at his sister's naivety. How could she not know that she had practically caught the attention of the people in the room that time with her looks and mannerisms?

Mikoto gasped in understanding as she finally put two and two together. "Does this mean that Princess Karin is actually an imposter? And Sakura is the real princess?" then she continued. "That would certainly explain her mannerisms as well as the coldness that Naru-chan has been showing Karin despite the fact that he used to hold her in such high regard."

Fugaku's usually impassive expression turned to shock as well, especially when his wife spoke out his thoughts. Then, his expression soon turned to rage. "Did she assume that we will not find out about this treachery? How dare that woman take us as fools?" He then gestured towards the pink-haired girl in the cell. "And why did she not tell us? How dare she—"

"Fugaku!" Mikoto whispered harshly. "Did you not think that maybe Princess Sakura was threatened by Karin? It would certainly make sense!"

The king thought about it and slowly nodded at his wife. "You are right, Mikoto."

"If this Karin was so confident in her plans to impersonate the Princess of the Kingdom of Spring then that would mean she has people working for her to back her up." The woman reasoned. "This would mean that Princess Sakura had no choice but to rely on herself for she cannot trust anyone so she cannot possibly have the option to tell us."

"And she cannot possibly approach us because, no matter how we react, Karin will still find out about what Princess Sakura has done and would follow through with whatever threat she made." The king added.

"Exactly."

"We have to do something about this." Naruto stated. "It's time to stop going on defensive and start going on offensive!"

"I agree, Onii-san, but what do you propose we should do?" Sakura asked. "We are at a disadvantage!"

"I will not stand down while this sedition is occurring! This is unforgiveable!" Fugaku growled as he stood up and moved to enter the room to reveal his presence. However, before he could even place his hand on the door, his own son's voice stopped him.

"No, we are not entirely at a disadvantage." Sasuke smirked. The siblings regarded him curiously when they noticed a malicious glint in his eyes. "In fact, I disagree. We have the advantage."

"What are you talking about, Teme?" The blonde questioned.

Sasuke's smirk widened even more. "I have a plan." He then took Sakura's hand and placed a kiss on it. He then looked up to meet Sakura's gaze. With the princess' hand still inches away from his lips, Sasuke spoke. "And you, my Cherry Blossom, will play a rather interesting role."

"Fugaku, why don't we let them handle this?" Mikoto suggested while placing a hand on her husband's arm. "If it doesn't work, we could easily intervene. Besides, aren't you curious about what our son is planning?"

The king, though reluctantly, backed away from the door. Mikoto was right; he did want to know what his son came up with, especially since he would eventually rule over the Kingdom of Fan. He nodded at his wife, indicating that he would not intercede. Then, as quietly as they came, they left the dungeons, both looking forward to the execution of their son's plan.

A/N: I'm sorry for the delay but I hope you liked it.