Llamas: Hi guys. It's been awhile. It's Sel, under a new name.
In this one shot, Pein is portrayed as the adult Nagato.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
"Ugh, the only reason Tsunade throws these things is so she can have an excuse to drink!" Sakura looked disdainfully at the garment on her bed. It was an antique-white dress that hugged her form tightly when she tried it on. A matching mask that covered half of her face completed the outfit. Not that she would be unrecognized with her pink hair that was currently pulled back into a ponytail. She donned the clothes and set out for the masquerade.
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Tsunade had rented a ballroom with a stage. It had been decorated in blinding colors by the genin who had happened to get on her bad side. A band began to play as people in a variety of masks began to arrive. Sakura sat in a folding chair near the staircase that led to the dressing rooms for the plays that sometimes happened there. Many boys who she knew asked her to dance but she politely refused. The kunoichi had only come to appease the Hokage.
"May I have this dance?" Sakura looked up and saw a man with medium length ebony hair with a black mask and tuxedo holding his hand out her. 'He doesn't sound like anyone I know…' She nodded and he led her out to the dance floor. A slow song began and gave them a chance to talk.
"I don't recognize your voice. Are you from around here?" He shook his head.
"No, I'm just passing through on my way back to Amegakure." She asked a few more questions, some of which he answered, and he listened as she told him about a certain Uchiha.
"He doesn't deserve you." He whispered into her ear, causing chills to cascade down her spine. By this time they were the center of attention, for everyone had formed a circle around them. He led her as they danced, making it effortless for her, as they twirled round and round. The circle closed back in and he whispered again,"Hold on." Sakura felt something happen to her chakra as he led her through the crowd. No one glanced their way as he led her up the stairs. Sakura looked back over her shoulder to see a rainbow dresses and suits swirling below her. The man led her through the dark hallway to another set of stairs that led out the doors to a moonlit garden maze. As if he knew it by heart, the sable haired stranger reached the middle of the maze. An ivory fountain reflected the light of the moon, and the flowers planted around it swayed in the breeze, their bluish color turned white.
The two could hear the music quite clearly. He led her into a dance again as he whispered, "He really doesn't deserve a girl as beautiful as you are. You are the belle of this masquerade." Sakura blushed.
"Y-you mean that?"
"I do." He stopped and carefully lifted the mask off of her face. She tried to do the same, but he stopped her. His concentric eyes locked with hers.
"I'd prefer if my face wasn't seen. After all, this is a masquerade."
"Wait. Are you a criminal?" He nodded, and she backed away. "But all criminals need some fun once in a while. Thanks for the dance." He was suddenly in front of her. "By the way, you can call me Nagato." With that, he gave her a chaste kiss and disappeared.