A/N: Zomg, it's the second chapter! The end is upon us!! (watches as readers run around screaming and fire consumes the Earth) Heh-heh. I'm sorry this chapter has been SO late in coming! Seriously, I'm usually much better than this at updating. I blame the crazy workload of being an English major in college, a debilitating case of writer's block……………and my own lazy-assness. Ah well, always room to improve, eh? Oh, and sadly, Lee won't be serenading anyone in this chapter. Perhaps later, if the audience approves. Well, enough blabbering. On with the tale!!

Oops, almost forgot to send a shout-out to my faithful readers!! Thank you everyone for your reviews. It's what keeps us authors going!!

Thank you, .Mayonaka-ICE!! I'm flattered you think this is such a great story!! Thank you, Lady Quotes!! I'm found of fairy-tale remakes myself, hence the creation of this story. Thank you, SapphireWhiteTigress!! I strive to both different and good (grins). And thank you, Animelover5.6!! I read a few chapters of your story, The Prince and the Castle Maid, and think it's great! Keep up the good writing!!

Chapter Two

"Of Amorous Pigeons and Random Flashbacks"

As the evil Queen Ino raged about and sputtered unrepeatable obscenities (to the immense amusement of both Chouji and her faithful Huntsman), the object of her wrath was quietly working in the courtyard, her thoughts far away from both her Queen and kingdom.

PIGEONS!! God DAMN flying rats with wings, getting in my way and SHITTING all over the marble Queen Porker made me clean this morning. ARRGGH!

Yes, although she was a kind and caring soul, Sakura Pink retained the one characteristic of her mother's that made her different from every other bubble-headed ditz the kingdom had to offer; she had a quick temper. Indeed, before their demise, her father had often said the Queen's passion for life was what had captured his heart completely. Usually at this point Sakura's mother would whack him across the back of the head, an embarrassed but pleased smile look upon her face.

Sakura Pink blinked rapidly at the sudden appearance of wetness in her eyes. No, she wouldn't dwell on thoughts of her mother and father. She was the true heiress to the throne, and with hard work and determination she would overthrow the evil Queen Ino and would reclaim-

"STOP LANDING ON MY HEAD, YOU STUPID BIRDS!!!"

Well, maybe after she disposed of all the pigeons within a fifty-mile radius.

Sakura Pink sighed, turning her attention back to the job at hand, which was cleaning the resplendent marble tiles that decorated the courtyard's floor…….AGAIN. She was garbed in a hand-me-down pale blue dress of the Queen's, the only "luxurious" clothing she was allowed to wear on the palace grounds. However, this piece of finery was in turn covered by a light ragged brown overcoat, and her feet were clad in slippers a most deplorable shade of……..sludge.

Queen Ino was absolutely determined that no one be allowed to discover Sakura Pink's true beauty. As such, she made sure she was covered at all times, lest some curious traveler catch sight of her and blab to the whole kingdom. After all, she DID have a Kingdom and subjects to manipulate.

Yet throughout all the hardship, humiliation and pigeons, Sakura Pink remained optimistic in her secret heart of hearts. On rare days like these when she was allowed outside the castle to perform her chores, she often dwelt on the happy days of her youth, back when HE had still been around…..

Sakura Pink blushed slightly, as her thoughts had once again settled on the boy from her past. She had met the boy at one of her late mother's lavish balls, the second prince of a kingdom far to the south of her own land. Young and insatiably curious, Sakura Pink had tracked the boy down immediately following dinner, intent to befriend him. She eventually found him practically hidden amongst the heavy velvet curtains that shielded the northern balcony, his face obscured by the shadows.

"You there, boy!" Sakura had shouted, her face flushed from her exertion in tailing the quick lad throughout the castle. "Why aren't you inside at the party? There's good food and music, and I want to dance with you!"

"My name isn't 'boy'" the boy replied moodily, not moving from his post by the curtains. "It's Sasuke. And I DON'T dance."

"How come?" Sakura inquired, as she moved over to stand near the boy. However, no sooner had she approached him then the boy jumped out of hiding in surprise at her closeness, his face finally revealed under the soft summer moonlight.

Though it would be years until she could truly appreciate the male form, Sakura Pink remembered clearly thinking this boy was different than any she had seen. Raven-black hair brushed his shoulders in barely-controlled waves, looking ready to spike up any moment. Skin even paler than her own was reflected in the light, offset by the dark blue of his formal wear, an elegant robe with golden clasps leading up to his throat. All in all, Sakura thought he was rather pretty, even if he WAS a rude boy.

"I don't have to tell YOU" the young lad grumped, glaring back at the young girl who had dared interrupt his moping. Honestly, it was bad enough being dragged to this affair by his domineering father and weird older brother. Now this air-head of a princess wanted to bother him too?

"You don't have to be so rude!" Sakura Pink shouted back, determined not to show her bruised feelings to the boy. "I'm a lady, and I'm gonna be married to a prince someday, so you should treat me nicely!"

"Whatever," muttered the young boy, turning on his heel and heading back inside the castle. "Who would want to marry you, anyway?" And with this final barb, the solemn young lad passed through the curtains, leaving an indignant princess behind him.

"You take that back!" Sakura Pink shouted at his retreating back, but her voice wasn't heard over the sudden swelling of the orchestra as couples lined the dance floor, swaying back and forth like lily pads on a lake. She stomped her foot in annoyance, righteous anger clouding her fair little face. How dare that boy say such a thing! He should be grateful to talk to her, that boy with the strange dark eyes; eyes that weren't like those of any of the lads of her kingdom. He should greet her with grace, kissing her hand before saying something noble and princely, like

"My Lady, are you aware there is a pigeon perched upon your head?"

Huh? Sakura Pink snapped out of her flashback and looked up; indeed, there was pigeon seated on her head, cooing in a most content way. She looked towards the source of the voice she had heard. What met her green eyes was a very……..interesting looking young man, perched upon the castle wall like a pigeon himself. He was garbed purely in the color green, from the collar of his refined-looking riding jacket to the bottom of his tailored pants, the legs of which were tucked into hunting boots the brightest shade of orange she had ever seen. What looked like bandages were wrapped around his hands and fingers, yet no sign of injury could be seen anywhere else upon him. Black hair that was cropped in a bowl-cut style framed a pleasant-looking face, heavy eyebrows raised curiously over dark eyes that surveyed her with no small sense of interest.

"Of course I know there's a pigeon on my head!" Sakura Pink yelled at him, cursing inwardly as her face tinted a becoming shade of rose. "I was just…..communing with the local wildlife. Yes. It's important to….er…..make sure they are eating properly and in good health. Obviously." Sakura Pink groaned inwardly, waiting for laughter or at least a pitying look from the young man. What she received, in fact, was neither.

"How absolutely marvelous! My Lady, you are clearly as kind-hearted and tender as you are beautiful! Why, I can practically SEE the Beauty of Youth coming off you in shining rays! I wonder, may I be so bold as to ask for your company on a walk this fine spring day?"

Sakura Pink stared at the young man, for once her sharp mind unable to formulate any matter of response. What was all this nonsense about 'Youth' and 'fine spring days'? It was overcast, and a storm looked ready to bloom on the horizon. And what was this man doing on the castle wall anyway? Didn't he know he could get shot for trespassing on royal property? What kind of clueless…..

"SAKURA PINK! You lazy brat, you were supposed to clean these chandeliers hours ago!" screeched the voice of Queen Ino from the northern balcony of the castle. "Come inside and finish your work IMMEADIATLEY!!"

Sakura Pink sighed, and turned to tell the strange young man off for distracting her, but to her great surprise the green-clad lad was gone! Nothing of him remained, but as she looked down a flash of pink caught her eye. There, lying at her feet was a single pink rose, freshly cut with dew gathered on the soft petals.

Sakura Pink quickly picked up the rose and hid it inside her cloak, running towards the castle with her pail and rags in hand to appease the continued caterwauling of the Queen, hoping she wouldn't be punished too severely for forgetting the chandeliers. But as she ran up the castle steps, only one special thought ran through her head.

He said I was beautiful……

Wah, it's so cheesy and romantical! Sorta. (snickers) What will Queen Ino do when she discovers Sakura Pink has an admirer? Where has the Youthful Prince Lee gone? And was Sasuke such an ass as a small child? Answers may come in our next episode. Stay tuned!!

R&R, please!!

-AnuKaleel