A/N: Hey there! My my, such nice reviews! I'm really happy.

You know what? I watched Naruto last summer. I got it from my friend. But when I asked him a few days ago to lend it to me again, he said that since it was incomplete, he had thrown it all away, along with many other anime. UUUUGH!

I will kill him. Be sure of that.

This chapter contains more of SasuSaku (as well as NaruHina, but it's not that important). The first contact, the first talk… However, the feelings have to get some more time to blossom. They are still in the beginning phase… Just see for yourselves. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Still don't own Naruto. Still love Sasuke-kun.

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Chapter Two: Escaping, disappearing…and still no solution

"Sasuke-dono? Can I talk to you for a moment?"

Sasuke turned around to see his friend. "Hinata-dono…of course. Is something wrong…beside that everything is?" he added bitterly.

"Um…" she started pulling at her dress. "About that girl we've captured yesterday…"

The prince put on a confused expression. Why the hell did she want to talk about her?

"What with her?"

"I…I think she hasn't done anything bad…so…why don't you just let her go? What is the purpose of keeping her imprisoned…when we have much more important things to think about…" her voice kept going lower with every word. It was hard for her to ask him about this, especially that she didn't want to reveal her association with the girl. At least not yet.

"Why would you bother about her, Hinata-dono?" Sasuke's gaze was quite indifferent.

"Um…because…because I don't see any reason to make her unhappy as well…since we both are not happy with the current situation either… So…"

"Nevermind," Sasuke waved his hand, putting a definite end to the topic. "Do as you wish. I don't have time for that crap."

Hinata smiled at his answer, even if it wasn't the nicest one. "Thank you, Sasuke-dono."

She was about to leave the room, but she heard him call her.

"Hinata-dono."

She stopped. "Yes, Sasuke-dono?"

"You…still don't have any plan, right? I advise you to focus on our marriage rather than on freeing our prisoners."

"Yes, Sasuke-dono…" her gaze went down. "I promise…that I'll take care of it…soon."

He didn't understand the real meaning of it, but he seemed to be satisfied with that. As such, the princess proceeded to set her new friend free.

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"What now? Whatnowwhatnowwhatnow?"

"Calm down, you moron!"

"But Sakura-chan has been captured! I can't just sit here and wait idly…"

"Shikamaru, think of something."

The Nara boy eyed his two friends and sighed heavily. "You're so troublesome…"

"Yes, we know that, you've told us that many times," Ino cut him out. "You better focus your little deft brain on how to help Sakura or I'll take it out of your head through that pineapple thing on the top!"

Such an argument had lasted for quite a while now. The three were sitting by the table and having absolutely no idea how to free their friend. Shikamaru was looking from Ino to Naruto, who had been arguing the whole time. He was growing sick of their screams and accusations. This meant something, since meeting the two everyday made him somewhat immune to all the fuss they always made.

Suddenly, just as Ino was ready to punch Naruto on the head, they heard someone knocking at the door. Ino stood up and went to answer. She was nearly steaming with anger. Her blue eyes threatened to beat the crap out of anybody who was on the opposite side of the door.

But it occurred to be the least expected person, considering the situation.

"Sakura!"

The boys lifted their heads at the sound of her name.

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto rushed towards her, ready to embrace her tightly in joy. Unfortunately, half-way through he got knocked down by Ino.

"How the hell did you manage to get out of there?" she asked, still not believing her eyes.

Sakura walked past her and bent to pick up half-unconscious Naruto. She smiled uncertainly.

"Long story…"

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"So that's how it is!" exclaimed Naruto with his head wrapped in bandages. "I knew princess Hinata is a nice person!"

"Yes, she really is," smiled Sakura. "But she needs our help."

"Why on Earth have you promised her that we'd help her?" whined Ino. "There was no need to do that. And now we only have a problem."

"How can you say that?!" Naruto was outraged. "She helped Sakura-chan, right? Now it's our turn!"

"You wanted to say 'our problem'."

"Hey, calm down," Sakura tried to keep peace. "Naruto is right. Besides, she was very friendly towards me."

"I still don't understand why she would come to you in the middle of the night to promise you freedom," Shikamaru frowned a little. "Unless she is fond of charity."

"She…" Sakura stuttered a bit. "She just felt sorry for me. And when we talked, we made a deal. She has helped me, so now I will help her. Whether you are with me or not."

She mentally congratulated herself. She didn't tell anyone that it all started because of Naruto. She came to the conclusion that if the princess wanted the boy to know about it, she would tell it him herself.

"Of course we are with you, Sakura-chan!"

"Pfff… Whatever…"

"I'm glad that I'll see the princess again," Naruto spoke further, ignoring Ino's interruption. "She's so kind. I like her a lot."

Salura gave him a smile. "Maybe she likes you as well."

"You think so, Sakura-chan?"

For the second time that day they heard knocking.

"Just in time," Sakura went to open the door. She saw a familiar hooded cloak. Moving aside to let the guest in, she spoke: "Welcome, Hinata-san."

The guest took off the hood and smiled at her uncertainly. "Hi, Sakura-san."

"Princess Hinata!" they heard the other three exclaim.

Sakura closed the door, scolding them. "Quiet! Nobody can know Hinata-san is here!"

The informality of the title struck them as well. Little did they know that during their morning conversation the girls decided to put the titles aside. Hinata also asked Sakura about where she lived. She hoped that if things went wrong or if she felt lonely, she could stay at hers for a while. Sakura suspected that the princess was going to use the possibility the same night, and she proved to be entirely right.

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"Your Highness!"

"What is it, captain?" his voice was evidently bored.

"Princess Hinata is missing!"

"What?"

"We have searched every inch of the castle and its surroundings, but the princess is nowhere to be found. However, one of the guards spotted someone leaving the castle yesterday at night. We were unable though to confirm the identity of the person. It is possible that it was the kidnapper, or the princess herself."

Sasuke suddenly felt all his boredom vanish.

"And she hasn't returned? I mean…you can't find her anywhere?"

"That's correct, Your Highness."

Sasuke thought for awhile. She was his friend, after all…and he definitely needed her here.

And there was only one person whom he could associate with the mysterious disappearance of Hinata.

"Captain…do you remember that pink-haired girl that you've captured during the ball?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Find her and lead her to me. This instant."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

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Fortunately, Sakura was doing shopping at the time the guards came for her. Had it not been so, she would've unintentionally blown the princess' cover. She didn't know what was going on, but resistance in this situation was practically impossible. She was a lone girl, and there were four strong male guards against her. She had no choice but to follow them to the castle.

"And I just escaped from there yesterday…"

She was immediately led to the prince. The guards let her into the chamber and left, closing the door behind themselves and leaving the two alone.

Sasuke eyed the girl and walked three steps towards her.

"Where is princess Hinata?" he asked coolly.

"Yo…Your Highness…"

"Where is she?"

So that was the reason she had been brought there. They'd found out that Hinata-san was missing.

"I assume that you have something to do with it, since she was very persistent when it came to freeing you. I did so because she asked me to. However, during the same night she disappeared as well. Explain this to me."

His voice couldn't've been colder.

"I…I don't know where the princess is…" answered Sakura, not wanting to betray her friend.

"Don't lie to me," he threatened.

"I'm telling you the truth, Your Highness."

"No, you're not. I'll ask only once more: where is my friend and guest, princess Hinata from the Hyuuga clan?"

"Your Highness, I'm sorry, but I can't help you." Sakura was persistent.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

"Do you have any idea," he begun in a seemingly calm tone, "what consequences would it have if the princess vanished from our castle, in our country? Do you even imagine the damage that it would cause to our relations with her kingdom?"

Sakura froze. Needless to say, she hadn't even thought about it. And apparently, neither had Hinata. What should she do now?

"And," continued Sasuke, "what if Hinata-dono is in danger right now? Do you know how the Hyuuga king would receive the information that his daughter had been killed under our nose? It would mean war!"

"Hinata-san is safe!" the terrifying thought made her say this.

Silence.

"What did you say?"

"Um…" Sakura gulped. "Um…nothing…"

"You said that she is safe," the prince approached her threateningly. "Which means you know where she is. And how the hell come that you call her 'Hinata-san'?!"

Sakura gazed into his deep, dark eyes and decided that she didn't want to check if he was as frightening as he seemed to be.

"O…ok, Your Highness… I'll tell you everything."

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Naruto tried to reach the honey jar standing on a shelf far above his head.

"Just a little more…"

He stretched himself to the best of his abilities, but was still unable to even touch the jar. Hinata and Ino watched him, the first with great interest, the second with complete indifference.

"Come…here…"

The tip of his finger finally touched the jar. Naruto's eyes sparkled with joy. But it was too early to be happy. The finger touched it, but the toes were already strethced to their limits. They could assure him balance no more, and with a loud thump Naruto fell onto the floor. He immediately cried out from pain.

"My butt!"

"Naruto!" hissed Ino. "This isn't something you should say in the presence of the princess!"

"It's ok…" Hinata blushed a bit, surprised by Ino's accusations towards Naruto. "I…I don't mind it, really…"

Naruto lifted himself from the floor and eyed the jar accusingly. But apparently he gave up for the time being. He walked past Hinata to sit beside her with a sullen look. The princess glanced at him and then she noticed something.

"Your sleeve. It's torn."

"E?" Naruto looked at his sleeve. The sight confirmed the princess' words. "Oh, it's nothing! I've torn it that day when we were hiding in the bush in the castle bailey."

"Do you have some thread here?"

"Huh?" Naruto gave her an astounded look at her silent question.

Hinata dropped her gaze and explained: "I could fix it right away…"

"Your Highness," interrupted Ino. "There is no need for you to do this. Besides, it's his fault that he has his sleeve torn. He should be the one to fix it, not you."

"It's not a problem, really…" she shook her head. "Please let me do this."

Both blondes looked at her with surprise, but soon Ino handed her some sewing tools. Naruto gave the princess his shirt and watched as she skilfully mended the tear. She focused on her work, her white eyes following the needle. She looked really pretty. And some distant part of Naruto's mind acknowledged that fact.

Soon the shirt was fixed. Naruto checked her work and gazed up at her.

"You're really talented, Hinata-hime…" he muttered.

"I'm keen on embroidery," she answered. "It's not the same, but at least it's similar."

Naruto grinned at her.

"You're even kinder than I thought you to be, Hinata-hime! Thank you!"

Hinata gave him a shy smile, which made her face even prettier than usually.

"And," continued Naruto," since you fixed my sirt, I'm going to give you a proper reward! Which kind of ramen do you like?"

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"So you thought it would be a great idea if Hinata-san just ran away, right?" asked the prince sarcastically. "Really, you're smart."

"It's not like that, Your Highness! She has run away because…because she didn't feel safe in the castle…"

"Oh really?" he quirked an eyebrow at her.

Sakura stood there, trying her best not to show that she felt offended. Sasuke rolled his eyes at the stupidity of the whole situation.

"In any case, this is just plain wrong," he announced. "I need to talk to Hinata-san right now. And you will take me to her."

"M…me?"

"And who do you think I'm talking about?" he snapped.

Sakura pursed her lips, but did not dare to say anything offensive.

"Yes, Your Highness."

He waved his hand at her. "Spare me."

She blinked, not understanding what he had on mind. "What…?"

Sasuke turned his back to her and looked through the window at the crowded village.

"We'll be going among villagers," he explained, still not looking at her. "I want to stay incognito. That's why you are not to call me in any formal way. If anyone got to know who I was, it would cause even more trouble."

"So…" Sakura blushed a little. "So how do I call you then?"

"Do as you wish, just don't go too formal."

"O…ok."

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Half an hour later they wandered across the village streets. The prince had a cloak, very similar to Hinata's one. Sakura led him through the village.

"How far is it?" he asked, a bit irritated.

"We're almost there."

Five minutes later they reached the house where Sakura and her friends lived. She gestured towards the door.

"Please come in…Sasuke-san."

He glanced at her at the use of his name. The girl blushed again.

"Is it…inapropriate if I call you that?" she asked shyly.

Sasuke eyed her for awhile and turned his gaze towards the door.

"No. It's fine."

They walked into the house.

"Sakura-chan!!!"

Naruto rushed past the prince and stopped right before his pink-haired friend.

"Hinata-hime has been kidnapped!"

Sakura-s emerald eyes widened in horror.

"What are you saying?!"

"What?" asked Sasuke, taking off his hood.

Naruto turned towards him and needless to say, recognized him immediately. He pointed a finger at him and exclaimed:

"Prince Sasuke!"

"Where is the princess?!" Sasuke made three steps towards the blonde boy.

Naruto didn't answer at once, so Sakura repeated the question. The boy, happy to ignore Sasuke, turned to her.

"I left her here for a little while to bring her some ramen…she said she'd never eaten any…but when I returned, she was already gone!"

"How long has it been?"

"About three hours…"

"We need to find her," Sakura tried to calm herself down. "She must be here somewhere…"

"Are you telling me that you've taken Hinata-san and let her get kidnapped?" said Sasuke through gritted teeth. His black eyes pierced through Sakura like knives.

"I…"

"Great!" he cursed under his breath. Then he turned to the girl again. "Where could she be?"

"I…" Sakura was a bit frightened. "I don't know…"

"Don't shout at Sakura-chan!" Naruto scolded the prince, disregarding their so different social positions.

"Shut up, you dumbass! It is you who is at fault here! You and your girlfriend!"

Naruto blinked, astounded by those words. "Sakura-chan is not my girlfriend."

"Whatever. Who could've kidnapped Hinata-san?" he adressed Sakura again.

"How could I know?"

Sasuke moved closer to her, his voice threatening. "If something happens to Hinata-san, you will be held responsible! I will make sure that you two get a proper punishment!"

"Nothing is gonna happen to Hinata-hime."

The two looked at Naruto. He had his fists clenched and his gaze dropped to the ground.

"She was so kind to me…" he continued. "I won't let anyone harm her. No matter what the cost, I will save her for sure!"

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A/N: Oh my my! Hinata-chan has been kidnapped! Who could have done such a thing? Hehe, you'll see in the third chapter of the story. And we are going to have our trio reunited. Team Seven sets off to find the princess!

Oh yeah. And review!