日向導 - A Hyūga's Guide

Chapter Seven: Cabin In The Woods

Hinata brushed back Sakura's hair carefully, she hummed under her breath while listening to her sister talk to herself. Placing the long pink strands into a bun and adding her best pins, she patted her on the shoulder to let her know that she was finished.

"Do you think I look good?" Sakura turned to her and assessed her outfit nervously. She had spent all morning worrying about meeting the Prince that she had pestered the maids to find the best kimono that she could wear. "I'm not wearing much makeup today, and my earrings aren't too big either." She spoke quickly.

"You look fine." Hinata closed the small box of kanzashi, her stare lingered for a moment before she did. She too had a designated box filled with countless hairpins that were gifts or ones she had purchased herself. They were long gone by now.

"Who am I kidding; I don't look good enough for him." Sakura sighed and stared at her hands. "What if he finally sees me for what I am? An annoying, self centred, spoiled brat."

"What happened to your confidence from yesterday? I'm sure he wouldn't think of you that way." She organized the things on the wooden vanity and wiped her hands clean. She had to get herself ready as well so that she could accompany her sister to the Palace.

"You think of me that way. You called me annoying and self centred." She frowned as she remembered Hinata's words. Right now, she was worried that someone else would find her just as, or even more annoying as her sister did. Hinata, after all, has lived with her for nearly a decade.

"That was once when I was angry. I do not mean those words, Sakura. You're caring and patient, you know when to take things seriously and you're...a great sister too." She mumbled the last bit. "If he doesn't find you interesting at the least, then someone else will — it doesn't have to be the Crown Prince." She walked past her and patted her head gently so as to not mess up her hair. "You'll do fine."

"You're really going to leave me at the Palace alone?"

She opened the shōji doors and turned to her sister, "I haven't changed my mind, no. You're twenty five years of age, Sakura, I'm sure you don't need me to be at your side constantly as if you're eight. If you still feel that you can't do it by the time you arrive, you can always return home."

Sakura took a deep breath and let it out as she relaxed her shoulders. She nodded and smiled softly. "You're right. I can always request to come back home and it's okay if the Crown Prince doesn't choose me. I can do it." She stood up and grabbed her new pair of geta. "You'll meet me in the courtyard while I wait for the carriage?"

Hinata's lips twitched for a moment and curled upwards ever so slightly. She gave Sakura a nod, "I'll be there in a few minutes. Please stay out of the sun so you don't sweat." She closed the doors to give Sakura a moment to mentally prepare herself once more.

Quickening her pace, she arrived in her room and immediately began taking off her clothes. She had no one to help her with getting herself ready but that was to be expected since she wasn't the one who would be meeting the Emperor and his son. The kimono she chose was a simple blue one with red embroidery. Combing her fingers through her hair, she searched for her comb that she swore she left beside her unfinished cup of tea and journal.

A knock on the door made her glance up for just a moment to let whoever was there inside.

"The carriage is here earlier than expected." Yuriko stood in front of the closed doors with her hands clasped in front of her patiently. "Should I tell Sakura that you're not ready? They're in a bit of a hurry."

"No, I promised that I will go with her." She found her comb underneath a stack of cleaned nightwear. Using it instead of her fingers, she settled on a simple ponytail with her bangs framing her face.