Sunshine - SasuHina Month Day 11
A little late on my end but I didn't get a chance to work on this until later in the day. Anyway, I got inspired by the world of The Last Empress, the K-Drama, which is really good if you haven't seen it, though I'll admit, the way we say goodbye to one of the characters kills me, it's so badly done. but regardless, really good show. Also a little inspired by Morgan & Garcia's first meeting when he calls her 'babygirl'. I just had to.
“I love you” | “Te amo”
“Nicknames” | “Apodos”
“Excuse me Hyata.” Sasuke furrowed his brow as the woman focused on what she was doing, not even turning around. “Hey sunshine!”
That caught her attention, as well as those around them. She turned, a slight smile on her face. “Sunshine?”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean, I was just-”
“I’ve had worse nicknames. What can I do for you?”
The Chief Imperial Guard and the Imperial Head Secretary. Both worked under the order of the emperor, King Uzumaki Naruto, keeping him safe and focused. But everyone within the castle knew that there was something brewing between the two.
“The Royal Bazaar will include the annual auction, and the family is asked to have items to sell during then. Princess Karin will arrive on Thursday before the event and will be picked up by security and guards that Chief Uchiha handpicked.”
“Is Suigetsu on the team?”
“He was the only one still standing when that attack happened. Had it not been for him, the Princess may have been killed. The Chief decided that mattered more than the Princess getting slightly insulted by his demeanour.” Hinata reminded.
“Fine by me, I was going to tell you to make sure he was on the team. What about Gaara and the others?”
“King Gaara and the royal family have confirmed they’ll arrive the morning of. Ambassador Nara will be the one to bring them over.”
“And the guest list?”
“Will be finalized by this afternoon when the deadline is up. I’ll have it to you after dinner.”
“Excellent. Is that everything?”
“Yes sir.”
“Dismissed then.”
Hinata bowed her head and headed to the door, the guards on the other side opening it as she got close. She nodded to them as she headed down the hall, gaze focused on the phone in her hand, her iPad tucked under her arm. Her list was long and growing with each new issue they ran into. She was going to have to redivide the tasks to her assistants and the maids. She wondered if she’d be able to get a few of the guards to help with the heavy items. She didn’t notice someone staring at her through the sugi decorative window that sat in the middle of the wall. Not until they grabbed her arm and tugged her around the corner.
Any noise she made was eaten up by firm lips pressed against hers. They got hold of her hands before she could react, tugging them to pull her closer as her lips were nipped.
“N-not here!” she whispered, pulling away to see if anyone was coming, her eyes fluttering when the lips moved to her cheek and ear. “Sasuke!”
“Relax Sunshine. I’ve got the guards stationed in place for five minutes. We’ve both got to-do lists taller than either of us, so come on. Bet I can get you off in less.”
Flushing at the crude remark, Hinata was tempted to push the Imperial Guard away, but she knew both the schedules were going to be insane.
“You’ve got two minutes, but keep in mind I have a meeting with the kitchen staff. Do not make me kill you later for this.”
Sasuke smirked, kissing her again as he pushed her to the corner where they wouldn’t be seen. He was going to make this time count.
_______________
Sunshine. He called her that on her first day because of the sunflower pin she wore in her hair. She learned quick that hair accessories were better left for days off or when you knew you wouldn’t be attacked but it was also the air about her, she had. She’d been focused, working as contact point the first time, they met but she was so approachable and kind to those around her, even with the level of stress during the situation. Everyone gravitated to her, like she was the sun. it felt fitting, after learning her name, Hinata.
They got along well, worked off of each other and kept the staff together when the Emperor was too busy to check on everyone. They became the ones who made sure to keep him safe wherever he left the castle, be it physically or reputation wise. They were lucky, he didn’t do anything that got him into trouble and his own approachableness made the country love him, which usually left the two with time to themselves.
“I didn’t realise the Uchiha family was responsible for protecting the royal family.” Hinata said, the one time they took a break and had drink with the Emperor joining the cast and crew of a play he’d gone to see that evening.
“Not for a few years. We got blamed for an incident which wasn’t even our fault, so all Uchiha were removed from duty and sent out. I applied for the guard exam under a different name and was the last one standing. When people don’t pay attention to you because they think you can’t amount to anything, you get the chance to show them who you are. The last Chief was embezzling funds, among other things and – hey, keep your distance! I can kick your ass so he doesn’t have to!” he called to a rather handsy cast member who back off. “Point his royal annoyingness decided to take a chance and put me in charge. And I haven’t failed him yet. And I don’t plan to. What about you? why did you decide to take the secretary exam?”
“My family was under the impression that I would amount to nothing and in a fit of anger, I sent in my application. When I was told, I’d be allowed take the exam, I decided to just go for it. the worst that could happen was that I would fail, but at least I would have gotten farther than any other family member. I scored within the top 20. I was only one point off at 21.”
“And here you are a year later practically the Emperor’s right hand. Cheers, to proving people wrong.” He said, lifting his glass, smiling at Hinata as she touched his glass to his.
“Cheers to proving we’re better than they ever thought.”
When protecting their charge wasn’t the main priority, he was usually protecting her. The Emperor’s great aunt, Queen Dowager Kaguya was constantly trying to kill her nephew to assume control of the country. With people who would give up their lives for him, it usually resulted in her trying to take them out first. Since Sasuke and Hinata were able to figure her out, they were usually the main targets. It caused them to spend a lot of time together, more so under the King’s orders. Hinata didn’t worry as much, not seeing the danger, at least not until she was accused of causing the death of a well-loved handmaid – which the Emperor knew not to be true, even if it cause a down spike of supporters – and the maid’s son tried attacking her at a book reading. With a brick in hand, he managed to brake past the barriers as the royal family was leaving and head right for Hinata, who was behind them. Sasuke had been farther from her, but he managed to grab her, spinning her away from the son, taking the full brunt force of the brick. He was in the hospital for at least 2 weeks after.
“You can’t do that again.” She ordered once he woke up, passing the mental test. “We’re supposed to work together, so you can’t get hurt for me.”
“Sorry Sunshine, that part I won’t be able to follow. Care about you too much.”
“All the more reason! You think I like seeing you hurt? I care about you too. So don’t you dare leave me alone to deal with her.”
It became obvious to those who watched just how deep their relationship grew after that. If anything, they had the Dowager to thank for the final step. Who knew framing one person for murder would end up gaining that person a lover?
__________________
“I thought the shoot was scheduled for later this week. You can’t tell me the photographer was booked solid. This is the Emperor and his kids, you know, the ones who aren’t even in the public eye as much since after the divorce?”
“The king didn’t divorce his wife, she left him.” Hinata reminded as she walked with Sasuke and the rest of the guards on staff for the Royal Bazaar. They were supposed to be escorting the Emperor to Bazaar with the rest of the royal family, including those who flew in, but Hinata just told them different. He was set up to do a photoshoot with his kids, Boruto and Himawari with a magazine photographer. It had been one that Hinata herself had scheduled but somehow the date and time was pushed up. Something was up and the Dowager’s sudden absence didn’t help calm them any.
“Call the guards with the Emperor. Tell them to get him back here in time for the auction. She can’t try something with this many witnesses and guards.” Hinata ordered, Sasuke switching to the different radio channel. Taking a deep breath, she put on a smile as she reached the green room that had been made for the royal family. “Greetings, members of the royal family. The Emperor has a small prior commitment but I’ll escort you to the auction room.”
“Of course, he has to make an entrance.” Princess Karin scoffed, getting up. “Let’s get this over with.”
The doors were opened by the guards, Sasuke on the other side, leading the rest of the group to bow. His usual men were joined by King Gaara’s and the few Princess Karin took around with her. As the royal family left the room, Hinata and Sasuke exchanged glances. Their guard had to be up.
The royal family were greeted by guests, mingling as time grew later.
“We’re going to have to start soon.” Sasuke whispered. “People are starting to get anxious.”
“Did they find anything?” she asked, watching the mix of guards slip back inside the room.
“Nothing. I still don’t trust this. I called the guards, there was confusion about the start time, the Emperor is only now leaving.”
Hinata eyes widened. “How? There’s no way that was mixed up, I left the schedule on his desk.” then it hit her. “Her handmaid has been oddly helpful during set up, hasn’t she?”
“They already have orders to get him down here now. He knows something’s up, sent the kids with their guards to stay at the mall the shoot is happening. With so many witnesses, she can’t risk hurting them there.”
“Get their guards to get them to agree to do a stream.”
“Already done Sunshine. Apparently, you’re not allowed to watch because it’s a present for you.”
With the stress of everything, the knowledge that the heirs of the kingdom followed her like ducklings always made her smile. She squeezed Sasuke’s fingers, sharing a look with him before she moved to stand on the stage.
“Welcome everyone to the annual Royal Bazaar. We welcome the guests to this event and of course the members of the royal family who have joined us today. They’ve very kindly added their own items to the lists, so if you could please take your seats, Ambassador Nara and I will lead the auction.”
_____________________
“What do you mean she checked herself out?”
Tsunade, who by blood was practically his aunt - cousin? - was also his doctor since birth. If there was anyone the Great Imperial Emperor was scared of and didn’t bow to him, it was her. She’d been dealing with a lot at the moment, so the fact that she hadn’t tried ripping his head off for interrupting her while she was busy meant a lot.
When he finally arrived at the castle after being stuck in traffic, he arrived to chaos. There had been a bomb, in his item to more accurate. He’d donated an antique clock from the family line to the auction, once he was sure none of his family wanted it. He’d given it to the staff Hinata had sent in to collect it, then heard that it went missing during inspection but turned up in the hands of the Dowager’s handmaid. With Hinata and Shikamaru running the auction, the two took turns describing the items for sale and it was just her luck she’d gotten the clock. She put her hand on the item and it radiated heat from the wiring inside. If it wasn’t for Sasuke’s quick mind once he’d seen Hinata’s reaction and his reaction thereafter, she would have been dead from the blast. As far as he currently knew, she had bumps and bruises, though a rather nasty cut on her forehead but no concussion and mild hearing loss, though Tsunade seemed to think that would recover. Sasuke barely got away with any scratches at all. He wasn’t even insulted when he ran in to find Sasuke rushing out with Hinata in his arms, demanding he get out of the way.
“Said she didn’t want to stay where she was easily reached. You gonna do something about that aunt of yours? Her delicate sensibilities are pulling me from actual important work. Besides, your Chief Guard is with her.”
Naruto nodded to himself. That part wasn’t surprising. He could be pretty oblivious but when Sasuke arrived back to work after recovering from the blow to the head, he was able to tell from the looks on their faces the minute they were in the same room.
He turned to his own guards, announcing they were going to check on Hinata before dealing with the rest of everything else. His usual entourage followed, servents bowing as he passed them by until he got to the wing of the castle Hinata lived with other high-level staff. Hinata had won the room lottery and gotten her own suite, similar to the ones the royal families had. One of the servants opened the door and he quietly walked in. the room was dark, glittering lights from the star light Sasuke hung outside her window the main source of light. His eyes adjusted and he opened the door to the bedroom, only to stop at the sight of Sasuke getting up from his seat by the bed. He watched Hinata move, grabbing his fingers, whispering something. Sasuke dropped his trench coat he held on the ground before retaking his place in his seat. Naruto just saw Sasuke press his lips against her hand. He decided that he didn’t need to check on them. Sasuke would protect Hinata from anything that came through her doors. He wondered if Kaguya knew exactly who she was dealing with?