Two Loves, One Fate (Itachi & Sasuke Uchiha)

№.5 :: A Keepsake

Chapter Five

The Snow Kingdom | The Snow King’s P.O.V

"What do you mean you can't find her!" I shouted at the ANBU Black Ops standing in front of me. The color drained from my face as my stomach dropped, my heart skipping multiple beats as I began walking back and forth in front of the guard. My worst fear was coming true, even after all the precautions I had taken during Serenity’s sixteen years to keep her safe… I had failed her. My daughter was out there in the world—alone—and anything could happen. I couldn’t protect her and if something were to happen that would compromise her safety, I would never be able to forgive myself for being such a reckless father.

"I'm sorry your Highness, but the information that you were given was false." The ANBU leader hesitantly stated, fearing my reaction, "your daughter wasn't in the Sand Village nor had anyone caught sight of her within the Wind Country." After speaking, the ANBU leader quickly fell down to one knee and kept his head bowed, his right fist over his heart. I gazed down at him through narrowed eyes, not believing what I was hearing with my own ears. “We’ll do everything in our power to bring your daughter home safe, your Highness.”

My anger grew with every passing moment. I couldn't believe that Raile, one of my most loyal servants, would lie to me about something this important. I told my advisor to bring Raile to my office. After a few minutes of waiting patiently, my advisor returned to my office with Raile trembling behind him. "Raile, I know you lied to me," I stated, trying my best not to shout at her, "where is my daughter? What happened to Serenity?"

"I'm sorry your Highness, but I promised Princess Serenity that I wouldn't tell anybody about her whereabouts," Raile said, still trembling and fearing my reaction to her disobedience. Her gaze lowered towards the ground as she sensed the built up anger I so desperately wanted to release. I was fuming because never during my reign had someone defied me to this point. I gazed at Serenity’s maid-servant, my eyes narrowing as she continued to remain silent about her whereabouts.

"Are you denying my order?" I whispered in a deadly voice, anger rushing throughout my body as I took a few steps to close the distance between the maid-servant and myself, "if you don't tell me where Serenity is, I'll make sure her punishment is one that she will never forget. I swear that I’ll make you regret the day you decided to keep information from me! I am your king, and I will not be toyed around with! Do you understand me, Raile?"

"I can't go back on my word, your Highness," Raile said close to tears as she gazed up at me through terrified blue hues, "Princess Serenity would never forgive me if I told you the truth." I gave Raile one of my looks, one that shouldn't be messed with or taken for granted. Tears started to stream down Raile's face, but I wouldn't be intimidated by her emotions. Raile could see that I wasn't going to stand down, so she wiped the tears off of her face and took a deep breath. "Princess Serenity is in the Village Hidden in the Leaves," Raile whispered, unable to look me directly in the face as relief rapidly filled me.

"See, that wasn't so bad," I said in a forgiving voice, looking at the sad expression that dominated Raile's features, "you may go now." Raile nodded her head slowly and turned from me as she quickly walked towards the office entrance, and before she left the room, she turned once more and bowed in respect. She left my office without a word, closing the door quietly behind her. I faced the ANBU leader and there was a stern look on my face. "You are to go to Konoha and bring her back," I said in a low voice, "you have four days before the wedding is to take place. Now, go and don't return until you have found her."

All the members in that group nodded their heads and bowed in respect. Then, they disappeared from sight, leaving me alone in my office. I shook my head and sat down behind my desk. I rubbed my temples with my forefingers, worried about Serenity's safety and what would become of the kingdom. ‘What’s going through your mind right at this moment, Serenity?’ I gazed over at the window, staring out at the full moon that dominated the night skies.