First Night

Asgardian warriors and soldiers alike had dressed up for this special night of celebration of the war won to settle peace with the dwarves. Loki had already been watching over the drunk with women surrounding them. Children and wives have joined in congratulating the return of their husbands. He sighed repetitively, looking at the doorway to see if Sakura would attend the party. Frigga had arrived with Sakura, and a crowd of strong warriors cheerfully welcomed her with open arms. The Queen immediately noticed her son and cautiously approached him.

"Loki, we're here."

"There you are. I was beginning to think I was set up."

"No. Poor girl. Sakura was worried she wouldn't look good enough for you. Let me give you some advice; even if you don't find her attractive, don't say it to her face."

"Mother, I like her. I'm using this night to take her hand and show her how much I truly care about her. Does she feel the same way, or will I embarrass myself tonight? Should I have worn a little more color to look more appealing?" He said as he turned his head to locate her.

"The two of you are so cute and so much alike it's frightening. You'll be fine, Loki. Be yourself."

In a beautiful laced long black gown, dark green corset, and gold jewelry Sakura had caught up to Loki leaning against the balcony. He was speechless by her beauty and attracted to her similar taste in clothing he had liked. The two stared at each other's outfits, clueless about what to say. Sakura bowed to him and then looked at the beautiful lighting on the floor below them. Thor saw the two of them together, walking closer to them. In order to stop Thor Frigga had to take action to move him away.

"I'll leave the two of you alone," Frigga said as she walked away to stop Thor.

"You look marvelous. Exquisite." Loki said, looking down at her.

"And you, my prince, are stunning as well."

"May I retrieve a drink for you?"

"I'm okay, thank you. I should be asking you that. How is your wound?"

"Much better, thanks to you."

"Between you and me, who do you think will become King between you and your brother?"

"Unfortunately, he has more who follow at his side than I do. My father will make him King."

"I'll follow you. I'll stand by your side; even when there's no army behind us, I'll stand with you." Sakura said, staring directly into his eyes.

"But you're-"

"Is this one of your illusions, Loki? That's low even for you to make a maiden to please you." Thor said, waving her hand over her. Loki rolled his eyes and sighed.

"I'm not one of his illusions, but I'll take that as a compliment," Sakura said, snatching his hand and throwing it back at him.

"Who are you?"

"I am Lady Sakura, a warrior protected and trained by the Queen herself." Sakura smiled as she bowed, "And you must be Loki's brother, Thor."

"What gave it away?" Thor smiled, taking a big gulp from his beer jug.

"How rudely you insult your brother. He's a prince; he should be treated more respectfully by his peers, but you stood out of the crowd. Self-loathing in all of your glory."

"Rude? Do you know what Loki has done?" Thor laughed.

"Leave her out of this, brother."

"Whatever he's done to you was out of love for his brother," Sakura said.

"Thor! Lady Sif would like to speak to you." Frigga said in a rush to come over.

"What? Again? I just spoke to her..." Thor said, walking away to find her.

"Thor is very self-absorbed sometimes. I found a nice table for us to sit at, not too far from them. Would you like to join me?" Frigga pointed out a royal table at the center of the dining hall.

"Really? I am not worthy to sit with the Royal family." Sakura nervously laughed.

"Don't be ridiculous. Sit with us. I'm sure Loki feels the same." Frigga said, wrapping her arms around her arm and shoulder, guiding her as she winked at Loki.

"What of King Odin? He will find out I am but an innocent living in his wealth."

"My father has more soldiers in his army than he can keep track of nowadays. He will only know you as a warrior and nothing more." Loki said, leading her by placing his hand on her back.

The family approached the table where Odin sat at the end, looking up proudly over his people—a banquet of royal food and gold wine glasses at each set the table for the big celebration. Thor was nowhere in sight, so Loki smiled at his father as Frigga nodded to her son.

"Hello, Father. Nice to see you doing well. This beautiful young woman is Lady Sakura, a sorceress of Asgard." Loki introduced as she bowed.

"My King... it is an honor to be seated at your dinner table."

"Likewise. I'm glad my son has finally found someone to rule by his side if he is made King." Odin said as the three sat at the other end of the table.

The words that he had used shocked Sakura. To think a mere Asgardian girl would sit by her boyfriend's side on the Throne is something she would have never imagined. Her heart was pounding and became more clumsy as the night went on.

"Loki will be a great King," Sakura said as she held Loki's hand.

"How so?"

"He will bring endless peace to the nine realms. He's not the type to seek war, but he would do everything to defend the people he loves." Sakura said, rubbing his shoulder.

"I will take that into consideration, Lady Sakura." Odin smiled, "So tell me about yourself. How did you come to meet my family?"

"The Queen taught me Sorcery and trained me to become a warrior. When I finished my training, she asked me to meet her son."

"I see. How did you meet my wife?"

"Um... She met me outside the Palace, teaching me from all the research I'd been reading. Once she saw me struggling to instruct myself, she said she would teach me." Sakura lied.

"She's my only and favorite student." Frigga smiled.

For the rest of the night, they had a pleasant conversation about the war and how it had gone with only a few casualties. When the sun finally went down, Loki started to pack up his belongings to leave the banquet. Everyone had stopped to notice him shuffling around in his seat.

"Where do you think you're going?" Frigga asked.

"Lady Sakura and I have urgent matters to attend to right now. Thank you for the wonderful meal." Loki said, smiling as he helped Sakura out of her chair.

"We do?"

"Yes. Now come with me."

He started to walk to the exit in a rush. Sakura turned to face them, having no idea what he was talking about, and bowed to them before she chased after him. Once she caught up, Loki snatched her hand and held it tightly, walking side by side down the long corridors of the Palace.

"Invite me to your chambers." Loki smiled.

"What? Why?" Sakura blushed.

"The night is still young. Our talks bring me nothing but joy."

"Okay." Sakura blushed, walking him towards her room.

She opened the door to her chambers, showing many sorcery books, clothes, and jewelry. The royals made Sakura's bed from gold and a size fit for a King. He laughed, appreciating how wonderful she was, and kissed her. Her heart had still not yet recovered from the constant beating at the party, but now her heart beat more vital than ever. He started to breathe, as did she heavily. The kiss continued for a long time until he finally started to use his magic to disrobe each other for the sleepless night they would soon have.

"We probably shouldn't be doing this." Sakura said heavily, breathing, "What if I bore you a child before marriage?"

"Then so be it." He whispered.