RNZ_ Author's notes are at the end. :D

DISCLAIMER: I don't own.

Chapter 2

It had been a week since the ball and the encounter. I still haven't forgotten about him (what's to forget? The man gave me a rose and a kiss on the hand). Il Ladro Mascherato. I kept the rose but it wilted. All roses wilt, no matter how beautiful it is. It dies like every living matter in the world.

I was on my way to the Hyuuga Compound today. As I walked down the streets of Italy, I felt like I was being watched. I've been feeling like this for a while now, being watched. Before I entered the small alleyway to the secret gates of the Hyuuga Manor, I felt a shadow quickly hide when I turned around. I actually felt it but ignored it soon after.

The Hyuugas were known for their advanced means of communication and their intelligences. Hyuugas were also known for their inhuman eye-sight. They were sharp and smart and they have contributed to various tourist spots around the country. Their family is close to mine and I happen to be very close to the latest generation.

The guard by the gates opened the gates for me and the butler lead me to the house, greeting me with an afternoon greeting.

"Sakura!" The sound of a piano keyboard being banged surprised me as I entered the front door. Hanabi Hyuuga, the youngest of the Hyuugas, came running to me and hid behind my back, her smooth purplish black hair swaying behind her and her pearly eyes eyeing the tall, finely built man standing eight next to the grand piano. "Neji's scolding me again!"

Neji Hyuuga was the eldest among the three youngest Hyuugas. He had his long hair tied into a loose ponytail and he was looking at us sourly at the moment. "She pressed the wrong key." Hanabi just stuck her tongue out at him.

"Neji, take it easy on her." I said, walking to him. He sat on the piano stool, I sat with him. Neji was one of my closest friends since I was close to Hinata Hyuuga and we've have gone way back. I came here to visit her. "Where's Hinata?"

"She's asleep."

"No, I'm not," a soft voice said from behind us. "Sakura, Ino's already outside. Let's go?" Hinata said, playing with her lavender dress. She had the same purplish black hair as her sister and the infamous Hyuuga Eyes.

"Okay," I said, "See you later, Neji, Hanabi." I smiled at them and added "Oh, and take it easy on her, Neji. Don't abuse your piano expertise."

"Hn," Neji grunted, playing the piano and smirking at a yelling Hanabi.

"What's with your cousin lately?" I asked Hinata. Neji was her cousin while Hanabi was her sister. Neji was the Hyuuga Prodigy and the heir to their family and like me; he had a little less freedom. "He seems bubbly and happy all of a sudden." And along with the freedom factor, he was quiet and anti-social most of the time.

Hinata laughed at my question as we passed the huge flower orchard leading to their garden. It was a beautiful place. Finely trimmed bushes were scattered along the area and a few statues were placed around. Finely grown trees surrounded the area and some were planted randomly near the path. A path leading several ways were present and on was leading to a medium sized gazebo where a blond-haired, blue-eyed girl sat, drinking some non-alcoholic wine. Near the gazebo, about four meters away from it, was a medium sized pond, an arched bridge above it. I never really see this much green a lot since I lived in Venice.

We walked to the gazebo where Ino Yamanaka sat, waving at us. She was one of my best friends. Her father was the chief police man in Rome and her family owned a wine brand sold around the country. She was the out-going one among us and she never ran out of good gossip.

"Sakura! You're finally here!" she said, running to me and giving me a warm embrace. "I can finally tell the latest news—" More like gossip, "—I've heard." She pulled us to the gazebo where a few snacks and wine was served.

"You remember Miss Anko from high school?" We nodded, "Well, she's going to get married next month!"

"Really?" I retorted.

"To who?" Hinata added.

"I'm not sure yet. Speaking of weddings, I'm sorry I didn't make it to your ball, Sakura." Don't remind me. I thought and at the same time Hinata flinched on her spot. Right. She saw that.

"It's alright. That wasn't really important anyway."

"Oh yes. That whole rose and kiss on the hand thing is no big deal."

I almost fell on the spot. "Wh-what are you talking about?" I said.

"Oh, don't think that will pass the great Ino Yamanaka's ears. Tell me all about it."

"Hinata, did you?"

"Don't blame her. She had nothing to do with this. Tell me about Il Ladro Mascherato. I have always been a fan of his amazing stealth and body."

For a week I tried to avoid this topic and I have always failed. Admittedly, I can't stop thinking about that moment that seemed to last an eternity. With no choice (you do not want to get into Ino's bad side), I told them all about my present feelings—my confused feelings.

"So, you like him?" Hinata asked.

"I don't know." I admitted.

Suddenly, a shriek was heard from inside the house. Hanabi came running outside. "I don't know what has gotten to him!" she yelled, "He suddenly kissed my cheek after I played the Minuet perfectly!" She added not forgetting the pride in her.

We just laughed and told her to ignore him. She looked at us, frustrated and yelled, "I am going to my room! No one tell Neji where I am!" We laughed again and I remembered what I asked Hinata earlier.

"Hinata, what was that about Neji's unusual behavior again?" I asked.

"Neji's unusual behavior?" Ino had that eerie cat-like look on her face. "This should be interesting."

"Nothing will go out of this gazebo, okay Ino?" Hinata said, smiling nervously at her, watching her sigh. "Well, ever since we came to the market to buy things, he's been acting unusual. He met this girl—."

"WHO?!" Ino and I demanded.

"Wait, I don't know. I just know she's a merchant—."

"MERCHANT?" We said again. "He wouldn't!" Ino gasped, "Neji's the most sophisticated person I've met. I have never imagined him liking a merchant."

"He is Neji Hyuuga," I said, "He is much unexpected."

After that conversation, we girls continued to talk about other things like our old school days and love.

Soon it was dark and I had to go home. A carriage fetched me from the mansion and I was soon on my way. Along my conversation with the girls we mentioned a few things about marriage. One thing I was not sure about. My parents may have set me up in an arranged marriage but I still haven't thought about it.

"Miss Haruno," the carriage driver called from up front, "The mistress told me that the date of the marriage has been set. She wants to talk to you when we arrive home."

I just nodded and continued to think.

"July 23." My mother announced. "The wedding will be held on July 23! I have already set everything up. We will go to the best dressmakers in town a three weeks before the wedding to make sure your dress will fit you just right."

My mother went on and on about the wedding that I was starting to get sick and tired of it. She seems to be the only one excited about the wedding so much. She's even the one setting schedules and all that for me even if it was my wedding. Then again, I wasn't excited about it.

"Well, then, Sakura. You can now go to your room and rest. I will see you in the morning! Buonanotte, my dear. Have a good rest!"

"Goodnight, mother." I kissed her cheek and left the room.

Why does July 23 sound so peculiar?

I couldn't sleep. Was it the heat? It wasn't hot. Was it the bed? It was quite soft. I simply could not sleep. I've tried every possible sleeping position and I still could not drift into good slumber. When I noticed it was already 1:39 in the morning, I decided to sit up and look through the window.

The town's night lights were on. I saw the lights flash over the waters at night. It was beautiful and peaceful. Our mansion was by the slightly bright and silent part of the city and very near the silent portion. I decided to have a little walk.

The darker part of Venice was very peaceful. I felt a soft breeze pass me and making a small bubble with my night gown. The night lights were very dim and no one was around. I walked to the nearest bridge, and stared at the waters. . . A shadow.

"Who's there?" I asked, my senses open and I was cautious. Looking around, I saw nothing much. Everything was still. But something was very eerie about the place. Like something—someone was watching me. Not this feeling again. I've constantly been feeling like I was being watched and that feeling is very frustrating. I looked at the water again, feeling the breeze and continued being alert.

Another unusual feeling came upon me. "Show yourself, whoever you are!" I yelled, breathing nervously now. My heart was pounding on my chest when I saw my pursuer. "Y-you."

Black shoes, black pants, black polo shirt, black gloves, black mask, black hair, black eyes.

"Il Ladro Mascherato." I said, nearly stumbling with my words.

"I won't hurt you." He spoke, his soft, deep voice uttered. He came closer, his hands on the air. I stood, frozen on my spot. "I'm sorry about last week."

My heart skipped a beat when I realized he was closer to me than he should be. I looked into his obsidian eyes. That's strange. I remember his eyes to be . . . red. That must have been part of his disguise.

"I have my reasons to steal even if I know it's a bad work. Please forgive me." He said gently when I realized he had his hands on my shoulders. I have a weird feeling that my mouth is gaping. "I won't steal anything from you."

I realized he was closer than ever. Closer than he should be. Closer than he had been. Inches from my face . . . centimeter . . . millimeters. . .

Before I knew it, he kissed me; right on my lips. What was even weirder was that I kissed back. His soft lips left mine briefly.

Then realization hit me for the third time tonight. "You stole my first kiss." I muttered, looking into his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I—."

I didn't know what had gotten to me there but I leaned forward and kissed him again. Surprisingly, he kissed back. This was more intense than the first one. He cupped my face and I wrapped my arms around his neck. I could feel his hands move down from my cheeks to my shoulders to my arms and to my waist.

He carried me, not ending the kiss, onto the bridge's ledge and stood in front of me. He placed his arms around my waist and my hands held the collar of his polo. We continued to kiss and I could feel his tongue touch my lower lip. A part of me wanted to go further but another part told me to stop. And so I did.

We just stayed like that for a moment, feeling the strangeness and the comfort of the whole thing. I daringly placed my hands on his mask—the black bandanna. Before I could lift it to reveal his identity, he stopped me. He caught my hands and muttered what sounded like a "no."

I simply nodded and apologized. There was still the awkward feeling but I also felt like I could get to know this man. This mysterious man that stalked me. This mysterious man that kissed my hand during the ball. This mysterious man that handed me that rose. The rose that had died last week.

"Can you meet me here tomorrow?" he suddenly asked, "Same time?"

I hesitated for a moment but soon agreed with a sheepish smile on my face.

From his back, he held out another rose to me. "I'll see you tomorrow." He smirked as I received his rose and disappeared in the darkness.

I stared back at the dark alley, clutching his rose.

God knows what will happen to me.

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RNZ_ well? I hope you all like it!

Much thanks to those who reviewed! Especially OneSixty2 for citing that little mistake I made on the first chapter (which I fixed right away, in case you plan to check).

THANKS SO MUCH!

Chapter 3 will be out soon. Probably next week.

Reviews = love

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