Alrighty, first chapter! Let's see how this goes.
I do not own Naruto or any of the characters in this story.
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Chapter 1
It was a bleak morning for the young prince of Konohai, the sky still blanketed with darkness, and the air a stifled scent from the previous rainy night. Awoken by the cold, he grabbed a heavier blanket than his silken comforter, and walked towards the balcony. His room faced the mountainous side of the palace, and had a view of the temples and the garden walkway's leading up to the shrines. It was a beautiful scene, this land was truly the most spectacular of the country. He always thought he was a good judge of beauty, and with the sun barely peaking over the tip of the mountain, and the moon and a few bright stars still visible, he sighed a peaceful sigh and agreed with the fluttering calls of nearby birds. It was true beauty. The dark haired boy shut the paper doors, and returned to elevated silk inlaid futon. Upon closing his dark asphalt eyes, a dreamless slumber found him fast.
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"Happiness is found in the warmest of hearts, and the kindest eyes." Her father's voice echoing in her head. She could've sworn she heard him just in the other room, if she didn't know better. Both of her parents were hard sleepers, they knew better than to waste precious resting hours. She however, had no control over her sleeping habits, and didn't understand how anyone could. Not in this lifestyle. Her bed made of stone and a mere sheet to either use as a blanket or a sheet, the roof patched and leaking, the cloths on her back tattered and colourless, and the food that she last ate was stale, just like the meal before. Her parents both had the warmest of hearts, and their eyes filled with kindness, but she knew they were not happy, and she did her best but she could only put on a facade in front of them for so long. She laid there, trying not to move, knowing that the cold would get to her if she moved an inch, the blanket was under her as she hated the touch of the cold rough stone. She knew better than to cry, tears got you no-where, not in this life, not when you are a slave. No, instead she closed her eyes and focused hard on sleep, until her mind began to go numb. Sleep was the only thing that blocked out the cold at night, but nothing would block out the heat of the day. This she knew all too well, upon opening her bright green eyes to see the sun peering in through the slits in her roof, as she was dragged out of her small house and into the dirt of her doorstep.
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She really was the most beautiful in the land, bright lavender eyes, silky dark hair that flowed down her back, a pale and clean complexion. Her bodily physique even complimented her well and made the gods jealous. Yes, she was beautiful, but that was all anyone ever saw. Her parents, her sensei's, her noblemen, even her maids disliked her because they thought she was vain, simply because of her appearance. She sat down on the lavender stool that placed her before a mirror, she ran her fingers over the golden inlay frame. She could see the ghosted image of her mother behind her, whispering things to her as her figure turned into that of a little girl. "You will be the most beautiful maiden of all of Konohai, and people will travel all over the world to meet you." Her childish image giggled at the thought of being loved by so many people. "But don't ever forget, your beauty is what makes you so special, don't ever lose it, or no one will love you." The smile faded into a confused blank stare at herself. It was only love that she had wanted from her mother, and she knew her mother wanted the same. But neither of them had ever gotten what they truly wanted. The sun began to rise high enough that it shone against the mirror blocking her vision of the reflection. The ghostly image faded and she rose to her feet and applied her lavender scent for the day and left her room to meet her snake of an uncle for breakfast.
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Bright blue eyes met slitted golden ones, and the intense stare off made the two fall out of surrounding reality for a moment. The blond held his stature well, but had stiffened so much, he didn't realize he was slowly sliding of the small rock he was crouched on. The large splash made the small black cat jump of the rock he was grounded on and onto the dry dirt path by the side of the river. "Boy you better get out of there, people have to drink out of that you know!" Yelled the old farmer next door to him. He quickly jumped out and largely grinned waving to the old man, who simply grunted and walked away mumbling. The boys smile faded into a grim smile, as his hands motion stopped and lowered. He looked down to the small cat beside him, and petted it with his dripping hand. It curled up against him before strutting away, leaving him standing there dripping wet in his white tank and draw string cut offs. He walked into the small single room hut and removed his shirt, ringing it over a bowl, then he took out some of the dry and unusable fish he had saved and placed it in the small bowl of water. He placed the bowl outside and hoped the cat wouldn't miss the treat before the crows got to it. He put the still wet white tank on and sleeveless sheepskin vest, slung a tool pack over his shoulders, and set of to work, grinning and smiling at the sky and sun as much as he could.
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At the head of the table sat a frail but hardy old man, the table was a decadent marble, and was cold despite the increasing heat of the day. He had long hair that had been combed through by his many servants, and a small wreath around his head that was lined with silver and gold. His eyes were cold and bitter, and matched his hair. He never had much of an appetite, but still there was a feast laid before him. On the right side of the narrow table closest to the king was a dark haired boy, whose eyes were emotionless but were not as cold as his fathers, he had a peaceful look on his face, but still he looked bored and un-interested in everything. On the left side, across from the older boy, was a young man in his early 20's. His hair as long as the kings, probably longer, and his eyes the same as his brother whom sat across from him. Neither of the boys looked at each other, they simply sat there, both with emotionless faces, until their father spoke.
"Itachi, Sasuke." The man said, both boys turing to face the man.
"Yes father." Itachi spoke, his voice that of a mans, Sasuke said nothing.
"I have some knew for the you, but first we must wait for your beloved cousin." There was a snaky tone in his voice, something Itachi was aware of, but Sasuke simply ignored this as it was un-interesting to him. "Here she comes now." His voice quietly slithered.
The beautiful lavender girl came through the large marble doorway and the servants closed it behind her, her purple dress fluttered beneath her, and the thin and loose kimono like wrappings waved like fingers around her slender waste. It was obvious that she was aware that she was late, for she hurried to the table and was about to, as gracefully as possible, take a seat next to Sasuke.
"Oh come now dear, take a seat by Itachi." He said amused by the troubled beauty.
A flush came over the girls complexion, and she walked around the head of the table to the other side, her hair catching in the kings fingers as he yanked it slightly, causing her to lose her balance and stumble. The slithery man caught her by the hand squeezing it tightly in his bony fist.
"Well, what are you waiting for Hinata?" He put on a smirk, pretending as falsely and deviously as he could, knowing but not caring that he wasn't fooling anyone. "Take a seat my dear."
He loosened his grip letting the girls hand slip out of his, and she rushed to her seat, face fully red now. Itachi simply let out a sigh, he didn't care much for , but he was annoyed at his fathers behavior. Tormenting the poor girl was only entertaining to him, and uncomfortable to everyone else. Sasuke though, had no interest in the girl whatsoever, or the action that had just taken place. To him, she was not that beautiful, and after all he had the highest taste of beauty. To him she was simply annoying.
"Now, let me make my announcement!" He exclaimed, raising his glass of wine. "I have decided Hinata, that it is time for your beauty to be put to use. You are only 18, but I want to make sure you use all the time you have left, after all it won't last forever." He said with a slithery voice.
"What are you insinuating my lord?" Hinata asked, curiously.
"I want you to be wed as soon as possible, that way the first part of my plan can come to more appropriate vision." He said the last part in a lower quieter voice, but still audible to everyone.
Hinata's eyes widened slightly, she knew the day would come when her father married her off to someone, but she was hoping to mentally put it off for as long as possible. She looked for words to say, but knew there were none. Itachi began worry slightly about what his fathers intentions were for her. He knew better than to ask, but he was hoping it wasn't what he thought. Sasuke was still uninterested in the whole conversation, and began to pick at his breakfast.
"Would you like to know more?"
Hinata instantly said "Yes" and Itachi had to hold back from doing the same.
"Well," Orochimaru waved his hand and his silver haired assistant brought him a scroll of parchment, placing it in the kings hand, "This here is a list a men that have required your hand in marriage, of course, I can't give you to all of them, but I can do something better, and more profitable."
Hinata's eyes scrunched closed, and Itachi's looked wearily at the large list of names on the scroll, both of their hearts sank. Sasuke even looked interested for once.
"My dear, do you know what a Geisha is?"
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Short... I know... Please R&R
Thanks!