A Not So Midsummer Night's Dream Chapter 1, a naruto fanfic

Disclaimer: I didn't make up Naruto or A Midsummer Night's Dream. I just combined them.

This story in set in a place similar to ancient Japan.

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A Mid-Naruto Night's Dream

Chapter One

Once upon a time there was a beautiful kingdom called Hinokuni. Full of riches and grandeur, it was the wealthiest domain in all the land. Towns and villages bloomed everywhere, and trade was very successful. But farmlands and forests still gave the land its beauty. It was even popular among children to tell stories of how the land was full of magical creatures that helped the crops flourish and trees to grow tall. This kingdom lived in peace and prosperity, thanks its wise and kind emperor.

It came to pass that the emperor of Hinokuni planned to marry the daughter of a ruler from one of the nearby provinces. The marriage would unite the two realms and bring even more joy to the people of the lands. Of course, the emperor and the daughter loved each other a great deal, so the engagement was perfect in every way.

However, their love was not the only love flowering in the kingdom at this time. This story begins in Hinokuni's beautiful capital, Konoha, just days before the emperor's wedding, where very intriguing events are soon to occur.

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King Asuma thrummed his fingers on the table anxiously. He had always considered patience to be a virtue, but today he was anything but patient. Today was the day his lovely bride-to-be was to arrive in the city to prepare for their wedding. But it was hours past when she was supposed to arrive. How long would she make him wait?

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Yes, you may enter," said the King.

A sentry opened the door. "Your Highness," he said, standing at attention but breathing hard, as if he'd been running, "Her ladyship has just arrived..."

But before the sentry could say another word, Asuma was already out the door, running down the many halls and staircases of his palace, until he reached the front entrance. As his guards pulled the massive doors open, Asuma was met with, in his opinion, the most beautiful women in the world.

"Kurenai!" he said, beaming at her with outstretched arms.

"Oh, Asuma, my darling," the dark-haired woman ran into his embrace. "I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting," she continued, "but my carriage lost two of its wheels on the way here."

"Ah, no need to apologize, my dear," said the king, "what's important is that you're here. Just think, four days from now we'll be married, and you shall be empress forever at my side."

Kurenai smiled warmly at him. "Oh, Asuma..."

"Emperor Asuma!" a yell from behind them cut the happy moment short.

Asuma turned angrily to the voice, "Who dares to interrupt... oh, it's you, Gai."

The robed man bowed deeply, "Please forgive this rude intrusion, Your Majesty, but I am in great need of your assistance."

Asuma frowned. Gai was the Royal Chairman of General Public Affairs (wow, what a title). It was his job to fix the common people's problems, ranging from property rights to marriage. He was famous for working through any difficulties without the aid of the emperor. What could have happened?

"Gai, what's going on?" he asked, now quite curious.

"It's Lord Kakashi, Your Majesty," said the chairman, "he demands to see you on the issue of his daughter."

Now Asuma understood perfectly. He sighed, turning to Kurenai. "Forgive me, my dear, but it seems I'm needed to solve this conflict."

Kurenai gave him an understanding look. "Of course, Asuma. If fact, I think I'll accompany you; if I'm going to be empress, I should learn to work with my people."

Asuma nodded with a smile, and then they proceeded to follow Gai to another part of the palace. Traveling through many halls, the chairman led them through a door to the outside gardens. Continuing on, they went past the gardens and back into another part of the palace. Finally, Gai slid open a door that led to a very large room. The room was tiled and void of furniture. Inside were four people who bowed respectively as Asuma entered.

He recognized them all: Lord Kakashi Hataki, a highly regarded noble and good friend of his, accompanied by his daughter, Tenten. Tenten was a lovely girl and on the brink of womanhood. She had soft brown hair tied in two buns high on her head, and was wearing a red kimono embroidered with dark green leaves. The other individuals in the room were two young men. Neji Hyuga stood on the left side of the woman. Long, black hair spilled out of his low, loose ponytail and fell over his shoulders as white eyes stared, never wavered from the emperor. The second man, who stood to Tenten's right, was non other than the well-known Sasuke Uchiha. He, like the first man, stood like a tense statue, waiting for this matter to be decided and done with.

"Good to see you, Kakashi," said Asuma, knowing this wasn't a particularly "good" situation, "I take it this is the same problem, yes?"

"What would you expect?" said the lord with agitation, "It's the same dilemma it's been for months: As a father, I have a right to chose for my daughter a good husband when she comes of age, and I have chosen well. Sasuke Uchiha is a member of one of the greatest clans in the kingdom, wealthy, upright, and respected. He is a perfect choice for Tenten. That should be it. But no! Instead, this vile youth of a man, this Hyuga, has bewitched my child into loving him, and now not Kami himself can talk any sense into her!"

Kakashi, now shaking in rage, walked closer to the emperor. "I've had enough of this humiliation! I can take no more of it! If she continues to reject the marriage," he turned to his daughter, "I will, as her father, have no choice but to put her to death to end the shame of our family."

The room went silent.

Asuma forced back a sigh. Kakashi wasn't normally like this. He was usually kind and fair, but his pride was his one weakness. When his honor was jeopardized, there was no telling what he would do. And because he was the father, Asuma couldn't fully interfere with Kakashi's wishes for his daughter's future. But he decided to do his best.

"Lady Tenten," he spoke gently but with authority, "This is a very serious affair. Your father should your greatest authority, and serving him is your most important obligation. Why do you seek to pain him with your stubbornness? You should consent to his wishes; after all, Sasuke is a very worthy suitor."

Tenten looked straight at the emperor. "So is Neji," was her answer.

"Be that as it may, your father sees Sasuke as the worthier."

"Perhaps he would say different if he saw with my eyes."

"Perhaps your eyes lack the wisdom in his."

At this, Tenten's gaze softened and she looked down at the floor. "I apologize for my disrespect," she said, "I don't really know what's making me act this way. But please tell me: if I refuse Sasuke, will my father's words prove true?"

Asuma's words hardened, "You will have three options in this matter. Your first choice is to marry Sasuke. If not, you will either die in the custom of our country, or choice life-long virginity, giving your life to service in the temple. Those are your alternatives."

Tenten was silent for a moment. Then, taking a shaky breath, she answered, "Your Highness, I... I'm afraid I'm not sure what to decide."

Asuma looked at her thoughtfully. After all, she was very young, and hearts are wild and inconsistent at such and age. But still, the law of the kingdom was firm.

"I will give you until my wedding day. In those four days, you must choose the life you plan to lead for the rest of your time on this earth. Understood?"

Slight relieve crossed the young woman's face. "Hai, Highness."

This time it was Sasuke who spoke. "Tenten, please do as your father says and relent," he asked, "Don't put your life or happiness in danger over this." He then turned to Neji, "And as for you, Hyuga, keep away from her ladyship. Unless you've forgotten, she's promised to me. I'm her father's choice."

Neji scoffed, "Well, since you've won her father's love, perhaps you should let me have Tenten's. I'm sure you and Kakashi would be very happy together."

"Impertinent as usual, Neji," ridiculed Kakashi, making the young man tense, "Tell me, why should I even consider giving my daughter to someone as disrespectful as you?"

"Simple," answered Neji, stepping forward, "because I'm just as good a match as Sasuke. My family is just as rich and just as respected as his. Also, I love Tenten far more that Sasuke ever could, and she loves me in return. Besides," Neji cast a sideways glance at the Uchiha, "he already has a maiden running after him. A man who breaks another woman's heart isn't suited for marriage."

Sasuke glared at Neji.

Asuma decided it was a good time to end this discussion before things got out of hand. "Now that this is settled, I suggest we return to our business as before. Gai, please escort our guests to the entrance gate."

"Hai, Majesty," answered the chairman.

The four visitors bowed, then followed the chairman out the door. Asuma turned to Kurenai, who had been silent the entire time.

"Well, what do you think, my dear?"

Kurenai looked at the floor. "The law is just, my lord," she said, "but at the same time, it's a sad fate for a woman to be unable to marry for love."

The emperor nodded gravely in agreement. Then he and his future bride left the room, beginning to talk of wedding plans.

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Later, that same night, a young maiden slipped out of her home and made her way through the bustling streets, filled with traders and travelers. She walked on till she came to a modest sushi restaurant. Ignoring the women inviting her inside, she went past them, ducking into an alleyway. She reached the other side, and was now behind the restaurant. There, in the shadows, she could make out a figure that started at her approach. The figure stepped into the light, and the girl could hold on no longer. She burst into tears and ran into the figure's arms.

"Shh, Tenten," whispered Neji, stroking her back gently.

"Oh, Neji, what are we going to do?" she sobbed into his shoulder.

Neji sighed as he hugged her tightly, "No one said it was going to be easy..."

"How could he?!" Tenten burst out suddenly, looking at him with a tear streaked face, "My own father, threatening to kill me if I don't marry that Uchiha. And now my only other choice is to serve in the temple; alone for the rest of my life. There's just no way to be happy in this cruel world!" That said, she once again buried her face in her lover's chest.

Neji put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her back slightly. "No, Tenten," he said firmly, "this isn't the way it has to be."

Tenten shook her head, "If only that were true."

"Tenten." she looked up at him. "Do you love me?" he asked.

Fresh tears formed in the girl's eyes. "Yes, more than I could ever say."

"Then listen," he said, "I have an aunt who lives in Kiriga, in the country of Mizu. She is a widow and has no children, so she considers me her only son and heir. If you wish it, we will leave this place and go there, where the law of this land cannot reach us. There we can marry with no fear of death."

Tenten looked at Neji, and there was a new hope in her misty eyes. She hugged him tight, "Yes, Neji, I'll go with you to Kiriga. Please, let's go now. I don't want to be here any longer."

Neji laughed softly, "Patience, my love. We'll leave soon enough. Tomorrow night, meet me in the woods two miles from the entrance of Konoha. I'll be waiting for you there."

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Neji and Tenten left the back of the restaurant. Suddenly there was a yell behind them.

"Tenten! Neji!"

The two turned sharply around. Then Tenten smiled in surprise.

"Oh, Hello Sakura, it's good to see you again."

Before them stood an attractive woman about their age. She had soft, pink hair that reached the middle of her back, and wore a blue and white kimono. She smiled in return.

"What are you two doing out together?" she asked.

Neji stiffened, but Tenten kept calm. "Oh, we were just talking," she said lightly.

"I see," Sakura said, looking back and forth between them.

"But it's getting late," said Neji, "and we should be getting home. Tenten, why don't you back with Sakura."

Tenten nodded, knowing how her father would react if he saw Neji and her together. She and Sakura walked on, while Neji went in the opposite direction to his house.

As the two girls walked, Sakura looked at Tenten inquisitively. "Alright, so what were you guys really doing?"

Tenten sighed, knowing this was coming. She had Sakura had always been on good terms. Their families were very close, so they'd known each other since they were children. And Sakura was just genuinely good at knowing if someone was lying or not.

Tenten decide that she could trust her. "Can you keep a secret?"

Sakura's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Try me."

Tenten smiled, and then dropped her voice down to a whisper. "You know I've been promised to Sasuke Uchiha, right?"

For a split second, Sakura's smile faltered. "Yes, I do. What about it?"

"Well, I have no intension of marrying him at all. I love Neji, and tomorrow night, we're meeting at the wood outside Konoha and leaving for the Mizu country. His aunt lives in Kiriga, and we're going there to marry."

Sakura's eyes went wide with surprise at the plan. She turned silent, and looked as if she was deep in thought. After a few minutes, Tenten worried that she had scared her friend. But then Sakura looked up and smiled.

"I wish you well, old friend," she said, "and I do hope your father doesn't catch you."

Tenten smiled, feeling a little giddy. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. Better than fine, in fact."

By now, they had reached her house. She gave Sakura a quick hug before running inside.

Sakura continued, walking down the dark streets lit only by lampposts. She was thinking about many things. Unfortunately, they weren't very good things. For Sakura just so happened to be the very maiden that Neji had spoken of; the woman who pined after Sasuke Uchiha. And true, she was friends with Tenten Hataki, but was secretly a jealous rival. She had never gotten over the fact that Sasuke had chosen Tenten over her. Everyone in Konoha thought that she was just as beautiful as Tenten. But apparently, Sasuke didn't think so. She had tried everything to try and make him love her, but to no avail. And yet, even after he had chosen another woman, Sakura still chased after him.

Now this could be her chance. With Tenten running off with Neji, perhaps then she could finally get Sasuke to love her. And at the same time, she didn't want Tenten and Neji to leave together.

Why is it that she always gets everything, and I get nothing?! Sakura thought furiously.

She started making a plan. She would tell Sasuke about Neji and Tenten's plan of flight. Then, when Sasuke went to the wood in search of her, she would follow him.

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So if you're a Shakespeare fan, you'd know who the Naruto characters are taking the place of. But if you don't, here's a list:

Theseus- Asuma

Hippolyta- Kurenai

Egeus- Kakashi

Lysander – Neji

Hermia - Tenten

Demetrius – Sasuke

Helena- Sakura

I won't tell you the whole list, because that would spoil the story.

Personally, I always thought Helena's (Sakura's) plan was pretty stupid. If it was me, I just let them go. But maybe that's just me...