Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

'Adzuchi-no-shiro.' Naruto puzzled over the name of the castle, it was strange, he had never heard of this place even though its royal family was so well-off. His thoughts drifted back to Tsunade's word, her details of the mission had been so vague.

"The Lord of the land has requested guards for his daughter. It seems some sort of tragedy had befallen the princess there."

"Why do I, of all the ninja in the village, have to come on such a ridiculous mission when I could be using my time better for training or finding Sasuke?"

"Quit whining Naruto."

"Why are you so indifferent towards me Saskura-chan?" the high pitched way he spoke was beginning to grate on her nerves, all he had done for the entire travel was whine about the mission being to trivial for someone of his abilities. She smiled as she looked back at him.

"You've hardly changed Naruto; you're still that whiny little runt you've always been."

"Sakura-chan…" his eyes brimmed with tears.

"Hey, hey. Naruto, don't be so sensitive, it's not a bad thing. If anything, it's a compliment." she put her arm around his neck. "I liked you then, and I like you now."

'Sakura-chan is hugging me.' his eyes became dazed and a silly grin spread from ear to ear.

"We've almost made it to the castle; it should be just over that hill." Kakashi pointed ahead, not looking up from his map.

With enthusiasm, Naruto sprinted up the hill followed by Sakura. Their eyes met with the most spectacular view they had ever seen of any castle.

The old, outer walls of the castle stood tall, surrounded by a moat filled with lotus lilies. Grand Sakura Trees lined the road that lead to the entrance where several guards stood at ready. As Team Kakashi drew ever closer, a guard halted them.

"State your business with the Lord of this land."

"We've come from Konoha Village on an errand for your Lord Yuki Naizen-no-jo." Kakashi-sensei held the summoning letter in front of the guards face. With a bow, he led the four inside.

"Welcome to my home!" Lord Naizen-no-jo hooted as he stood from his seating mat at the table. He was dressed richly, as if he was about to tend a fancy ball while the table itself, was decorated with a wide assortment of foods. Naruto and Sakura gazed with awe until Naruto's stomach made him aware of how ravenously hungry he was.

"Naruto! How rude!" Sakura scolded, he merely rubbed the back of his head with his hand, smiling apologetically.

"Please, take a seat at my table. I've prepared this meal specifically for your arrival." without another word Naruto seated, mounted his plate with all the food he could, and began to devourer everything. Sakura, Sai, and Kakashi-sensei sat also. Despite how famished she was, Sakura kept to her manners, eating slowly and with small bites along with Sai. Kakashi-sensei how ever, sipped his tea.

"Lord Naizen-no-jo," Kakashi began after several minutes, "what is it that ails such a happy place such as this?"

The Lord gazed sadly into his tea, "It is my only daughter, she has grown so very ill but only a week ago she was so full of laughter. Her beautiful skin has lost his glow; her eyes are now mere pools of darkness. Every day, her coughing becomes more and more intense. She has become so weak, hardly has the strength to rise from her bed. The day of her wedding to Lord Ako's second son has already passed."

Naruto slowed his eating to listen, while Sakura and Sai had stopped completely, and Kakashi-sensei sipped his tea thoughtfully.

"Could it be she disapproves of her future husband?" Kakashi asked.

"I don't believe so; she has already viewed her betrothed with approval."

"An illness is it? Well you are lucky we were picked to come, it just so happens I've been training directly under Tsunade-sama for three years." Sakura replied cheerfully.

"Oh! That's right! If anyone can cure the princess, Sakura-chan can!" inner Sakura began a rant of her own greatness.

The Lord's eyes began to tear joyfully. He touched his forehead to the floor, "Then please, Visit my daughter immediately!"

Books upon books of medicine surrounded Sakura. She flipped through a large red book, crinkled her brow, and slammed it upon a stack next to her.

"It's not in this one either! I've never been so frustrated!" she cried while pulling on a piece of her hair. Unfortunately for Naruto, he had chosen a bad time to ask Sakura how the diagnose of Princess Aya was proceeding and received a heavy book to the face.

"Not going well I guess?" he said while peeking over the edge of the desk, only to duck behind it again as another book came flying his way.

"None of these books are useful at all! I can't figure out what she is suffering from!" Irritated, she sprawled out the floor.

"Don't worry Sakura-chan. I know you will figure it out!"

"Don't put so much pressure on me!" she hollered and threw another book, aimed at his big fat head.

'I missed!' her inner self cried.

It sailed harmlessly over Naruto's head. A young woman screamed, stumbled, and fell. The tea pot and cups crashed to the ground, breaking into bits. The book sank into the wall next to her and both Naruto and Sakura rushed to her side.

"I'm so sorry! I was aiming for Naruto!" she sounded as though she was having a panic attack. "This is your all fault!"

She pointed an accusing finger at Naruto.

"How is it my fault?!"

"Well if you hadn't moved!" Naruto sighed, deciding this was a no win situation, began to pick up the broken pieces. He rolled them into the towel he was going to use to bathe, and threw them in the trash. Finally, the maid slowed her breathing down enough to speak.

"You're investigating Princess Aya's sickness, yes?" she spoke quietly and slow, making Sakura feel as though she had scared the girl within an inch of her life.

"Yes, but I can't seem to diagnose the problem." The girl's eyes darted back and forth between the two.

"I believe I know what ails the princess."

A/N

Probably only one more chapter to come till the end.

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