A Cinderella Story

This is NOT like the Cinderella story with Hillary Duff!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and co. even if I wanted to.. 

Fighting Hime: Ok! I got that off my chest..

Now on with the story! No if, buts, ands, and whatever else

Naruto: But..!!

Fighting Hime: I SAID NO!

Sakura: Yeah! (punches Naruto on the head) PAY ATTENTION!

Inside the Uchiha Mansion

Mr. Uchiha, and eccentric billionaire saw that his younger son, Sasuke Uchiha, had reached the age of 21. 'Why,' he thought, 'he needs to find a bride before his next birthday!' So, with this thought, he summoned Sasuke and told him that he must choose his bride at the ball they were hosting this evening, and that all eligible young ladies may come. Sasuke slightly groaned at this, knowing that his fanclub would cause a blockage in the entrance hall.

Meanwhile, outside the mansion walls

Sakura Haruno, head of the Sasuke Uchiha fanclub, heard the news and immediately dragged her mother to the mall to look for an outfit and then to the flea market for some love potion of some sort.

Back at their home, Hinata, Sakura's stepsister, diligently cleaned the floors, while wishing that she could go to the ball as well. Hinata's friend heard this and decided to make her a lovely pale blue dress with soft white slippers. Hinata was petite in a way, and in a way, her feet were below average. Hinata, did not know about this plan… yet, and continued to work in the tranquility of the large home. Outside, however, a loud rumbling could be heard approaching the large home. All the servants rushed to the door and found themselves looking at humongous boxes that were filled to the brim with 'love supplies'. On the boxes themselves, 3 LOVE 3 was written in large box letters and carried inside the home. Sakura marched in and took the boxes single-handedly and ran, not walked, ran, not staggered under the weight, RAN to her room, and stayed there for the rest of the evening, that is, before the ball. Hinata watched curiously, and went back to her cleaning in a fit of giggles. Sakura's family, you see, were not unkind to Hinata (unless it was Sakura after Sasuke), in fact, she did not even have to clean at all! But Hinata did not wish to be a burden in anyway and worked throughout the day, never leaving the home, unless she went out into the garden, reading, and singing to the birds. Hinata wanted to go to the ball, yes of course, but not for Sasuke, oh no. Even if she was, Sakura would have stopped her. But Sakura knew that Hinata was after one of Sasuke's best friends, Naruto Uzumaki. So with this Sakura let Hinata go to the ball, knowing she was no threat to 'her' Sasuke.

In Sakura's Room

At the flea market, Sakura had found a delightful selection of beauty products, however, saw two that interested her the most. One was a tube of lipstick/lipgloss that read 'Love at first kiss' (a/n: I know, lame.. couldn't think of anything else.. --;;) and the second, a bottle of perfume that read 'Love is in the air'. She bought those and a 'couple' others. More like the whole selection..

Sakura had brilliant green eyes and bright pink hair that she let grow out till about her waist. She had bought a beautiful white and pink dress that looked like a blooming flower. (a/n: dress looks really pretty.. just hard to describe..) Sakura could not wait till she could use her new products against Ino, her rival for Sasuke. Sakura and Ino were both considered the beauties of Konaha, and were the head of the fanclub of Sasuke Uchiha. Anyhoo, Sakura told Hinata that she could borrow the extra carriage for the ball and left in her very pink carriage.

Now, Hinata nodded at this and waved goodbye to Sakura. After Sakura had left, however, she pondered on how she could find a suitable dress for the ball. She had a very confused look on her face as she climbed the stairs to her room. She didn't want to take one of Sakura's dresses without permission, and yet she HAD told her that she would use any of her things at anytime. As she turned toward her closet, her eye caught a blue fabric on her bed, standing out from her lavender covers. She looked at it, and discovered the loveliest dress, soft white slippers, and a pale blue, nearly white, mask. With it, came a note that was pinned on the dress. It read:

"Enjoy the dress Hinata-chan, enjoy the ball! Have fun.. maybe we will see you there..

Oh.. and good luck with Naruto! P"

Signed,

Your Friends

Hinata read this and smiled, for she knew she had the best friends possible and tucked the note away. She glanced at the clock, and saw she was late, and rushed in putting on the dress, the shoes, both which fit her perfectly, untied her long black, almost blue hair and slipped on the mask. Luckily, the extra carriage had not been used often and yet was very clean. The footman, the horses, and the driver were all in place. The footman leaped down and escorted her into the carriage and they drove off.

At the ball, Uchiha Mansion

Although she had arrived late, she was not unnoticed as she glided into the ballroom. Several of the guests had noticed her entrance, including Naruto, Sakura, Neji, Ino, Kiba, and even Sasuke. Sakura looked at her suspiciously until she approached her with determination. Then, her anger melted away and was replaced by surprise.

"HINATA-CHAN!!" she yelled, "IT'S YOU!!! You look absolutely GORGEOUS! Where did you get that dress!!"

"Umm… well.. It was on my bed, and was from my friends…" She whispered. Ino ran up to her and squeezed her until she was blue. "HINATA-CHAN!! I MISSED YOU!!!" Ino yelled. "INO-PIG!! Don't KILL her! Let her breathe!" Sakura snapped. "Ooops.. My bad. It's just that I haven't seen you in like.. FOREVER!!!" Ino replied, releasing the very blue Hinata. "WHICH," Sakura coolly corrected, "Is NOT our faults.. AHEM!" "Heh, that was my fault too huh.. Well lets just enjoy the party!" Ino said, looking embarrassed. "Naruto!!!" Ino yelled across the room. "GET OVER HERE!!! THERE'S SOMEONE WE WANT YOU TO MEET!!!!"

Naruto ran over. "Huh? Ino? Sakura-chan? Who are you talking about?"

Sakura practically threw Hinata at him. "SHES RIGHT HERE YOU IDIOT!"

"Oh! Hello, I'm Naruto Uzumaki. It's nice to meet you." Naruto smiled at the quiet beauty.

"Um… I'm… Hinata Haruno…" She said softly. "Haruno? You don't look like Sakura-chan." He said, looking her up and down. Hinata blushed a tomato red blush at this. "We're stepsisters. Mother married Hinata-chan's dad, but he passed away a couple of months ago…" she ended quietly. Hinata, however, looked like she was going to cry. "Ah! Hinata! I'm sorry I mentioned it! Hinata!!" Sakura yelled. Hinata was slowly running away, away to the garden, and was gaining speed as she ran. "Hinata's still sore about it. So basically, all her relative's died off, except Neji."

"Neji??? They're related???" Naruto practically yelled. "Yes! They have the same eyes! They're cousins." Sakura replied, impatient. Neji trudged over. "Did I just see Hinata-sama run away.. crying???" He spoke with authority. "Um… yes..??" Ino said, intimidated. "She ran that way, toward the gardens"

Sasuke overheard this, and ran after her.

"What? Sasuke-kun?" Ino and Sakura yelled simultaneously. "Sasuke-teme??" Naruto yelled after him.