Hazy emerald orbs blinked lazily open as sunlight streamed down onto Sakura's face. Immediately memories of last time flashed into her head. Growling slightly, she rolled over onto her stomach, burying her face in her worn pillow. She was still for a moment before a gentle sigh escaped her lips and gradually she began to sit up.

Her stared blankly at the wall for a moment before a set of endlessly deep onyx eyes flashed in front of her. Shrieking quietly in outrage, she turned and once again buried her face in her pillow. He was just a prince! A stupid, snobby, bratty, gorgeous, sexy- aw!

Shooting upright Sakura glared menacingly out the window. This was getting to be ridiculous.

Rising from her sleeping mat, she walked to the foot of the pad and picked up her clothes. Her mother and sister had already risen and went downstairs so Sakura dropped her raggy old nightgown to the floor unabashed. Slipping into her normal clothes she let out a sigh of relief, they were so much more comfortable than the belly dance costume she had had to wear last night. Black pants that stopped just above her ankles with deep pockets and a slightly baggy black tee shirt with a dark brown vest with two pockets on the breasts. All the pieces were faded and worn with small holes dotting their surfaces, as if they had sustained years of abuse with no hope of being fixed.

Padding softly down the stairs, Sakura saw her mother and younger sister sitting at the kitchen table, each with a small bowl of peaches. Smiling triumphantly knowing that her mother had no grounds to scold her while enjoying the stolen food herself, Sakura descended the rest of the steps and ventured into the kitchen.

"Nee-san, nee-san! You brought peaches, you brought peaches," chanted little Kaiyo, her head of fuchsia hair flying around her as she latched herself onto her older sister.

"Of course I brought you peaches, I know they're your favorite," Sakura said, smiling down at her little sister.

"How did it go last night?"

Sakura stiffened at her mother's voice. The unspoken meaning behind that statement made Sakura want to glare at the woman who gave birth to her.

'Did anybody see you?'

Of course no one saw her! Yes, someone had come very close last night but Sakura had never been caught before. In the seven years she had been stealing, from thirteen to twenty years old, never once had she been caught. And the fact that her mother clearly had no faith in her made her blood boil.

"Everything went great last night, okaa-san," she said back.

Sakura knew that for as long as she was a thief, there would always be tension between her mother and herself. It was after all the way her father died.

"I'm leaving," Sakura stated as she delicately removed her little sister from her leg and started towards the door.

"No nee-san don't go," Kaiyo shouted, reattaching herself to Sakura's leg, "I don't want you to ever go!"

Sakura sighed as her heart tugged in her chest. She loved her sister more than her own life but she would never get her involved in any of the things she herself was involved in.

"Let go imouto, I need to go," she said gently.

"No!"

Sakura sighed before looking at her mother. Begrudgingly the older woman got up and gently pulled the toddler off of her oldest child.

Giving her mother a small smile, Sakura quickly turned and walked out the door, jamming her feet into her worn leather sandals and grabbing her black scarf off a small hook as she went.

Shutting the door behind her Sakura looked up at the sky. It was a gentle shade of blue with the occasional fluffy cloud floating lazily through its endless expanse.

Tying the scarf around her waste she took off down the street. Now that the festival was over, the streets were once more crowded although they weren't nearly as bad as the main roads had been last night.

Side stepping around an ox draw cart full of hay, she looked around at the different stores. She needed to pick a place to go to tonight. For while the food she had taken would last them at least another few days, her mother needed more silk to keep her small business going.

But with the resent silk shortage due to the disease that had killed off more than half of the silkworm population in their nation, the material was much harder to steal. Now, her only chose was to buy the material, but silk was also expensive. Sakura needed money.

Wandering casually down the streets, she spotted a small antique shop on a corner. Smiling deviously to herself Sakura approached the store; it was perfect.

Pushing the door open, the happy twinkling of a chime rung through the small wood room.

"Hello there miss," an old woman greeted from behind a counter in the back of the store.

"Hello ma'am."

"Are you looking for anything in particular?" she asked.

"Oh no," the pinkette shook her head lightly, "I'm just looking."

As Sakura walked between the aisles, she looked for anything that she could take without the old woman noticing. Antiques were worth a lot of money but that also meant that they were closer guarded.

Suddenly, a medium glass bowl filled with delicate hair clips caught her attention. Walking over to the bowl she looked at the contents.

Delicately made pins and combs with small jewels and delicate carvings in all different colors sat innocently in their holder. Each one had to be worth at least 200 yen; a spool of silk was only 50 yen.

Looking at all the different clips, Sakura looked for any doubles or ones that looked like each other so that if she took one, chances are it wouldn't be noticed. She picked around through the bowl until she found what she was looking for. Both combs were made of delicate silver with a beautifully crafted lavender and white magnolia flower with small clear gemstones dotted around the bud. The only difference between the two was one had a single sapphire on it.

Looking up Sakura saw the woman get up from the register and go behind a hanging curtain into the back. This was almost two easy.

Quickly Sakura took the one without the sapphire and slipped it into her pocket, knowing that the one with the precious gem would be more easily noticed if it went missing.

Taking her hand out of her pocket, Sakura continued on looking through the store.

The young adult walked out of the aisles and over to a low table full of jewelry. Scanning the rows of delicate jewels, Sakura's eyes stopped on a thin silver necklace. The chain was simple and in the middle was a small, circular shaped emerald. It was simple but in a classically beautiful kind of way. She reached out a shaky hand and gently brushed the very tips of her fingers over the surface.

"Have you found anything dear?" the old woman asked kindly coming out from the back.

For a moment Sakura felt guilt tug at her heart but an image of Kaiyo's unhealthily skinny form flashed before her eyes and just like that the feeling was gone.

"Oh it's all beautiful but I don't think I can afford anything," the young thief replied, feigning a sad expression.

"Oh, what a shame. That necklace would look beautiful on you," the woman said, looking at the necklace Sakura's hand was still on. Suddenly a light appeared in the senior's eyes as an idea struck her.

"Would you like to try it on?"

Sakura snapped her head up to look at the woman, looking for any signs of trickery but finding now in her dark orbs.

"I couldn't possibly try this on, it's far to delicate!"

"None sense, it's much tougher than it looks," said the owner. Reaching past Sakura she picked up the piece of jewelry and undid the clasp, shifting the young girl's pink locks so she could close it.

"Oh, that looks just beautiful you," she cooed. Picking up a mirror from one of the aisle shelves behind her she gave it to the pinkette.

Sakura stood still, shocked to be wearing something so beautiful and priceless. The dark green of the gem matched her eyes perfectly and brought out the color of her pale skin.

"It's beautiful," she gasped quietly, gently rapping her hand around it.

Reaching to undo the clasp the old woman swatted her hands away, "Keep it, it looks far to beautiful on you for you to give it back."

"But ma'am-"

"No buts, you're keeping it."

Sakura swallowed back her response and looked at her feet, the clip in her pocket suddenly feeling very heavy.

"Now be off, I'm sure you have things to do," the old woman winked and shot a knowing look at Sakura's pocket.

Chocking back a gasp, Sakura shot wide emerald eyes at the woman who just smiled in return and walked off without a word.

Unknown to the pinkette, the old woman had been just as poor as her during her youth and it wasn't until she married that poverty finally released its grip on her. As soon as she saw the girl's ripped cloths and skinny arms she knew that the girl with the pink hair was just like her. She would let her go and sell the clip.

Finally managing to collect her breath again, Sakura turned on her heel and practically ran out of the store. Back on the dusty streets, she let herself wonder why the woman would let her go. Or more importantly, why she had been caught. The necklace felt heavy around her throat and Sakura rapped a shaking hand around the shining stone.

Shaking slightly, Sakura squared her shoulders and continued walking down the street before ducking into an ally. Weaving between old crates and over garbage, she twisted around through the narrow back street before stopping at a door partially hidden behind piles of wooden crates. Untying the scarf from around her waist she quickly rapped it around and around her face until the only things visible were her eyes. Knocking twice, she waited. Slowly, a small rectangular shaped patch slid back, revealing a pair of shadowed blue eyes.

"Password?" a deep voice asked.

"Tiger lily," she said back.

With a grunt, the hole closed only for the door to open a moment later.

Walking past the towering man who had opened the door, Sakura continued down the dark hallway. Coming to a narrow, winding staircase she started down. For a few minutes the only thing she could hear was the sound of her own footsteps and the quiet trickle of water in the pitch-blackness. But after a while, the quiet murmuring of voices reached her ears and eventually a dim light started to fill the tunnel until, finally, she reached the bottom. In front of her was a large room that stretched on for several hundred feet, filled with rows of people. Sunagakure's black market, or the Burrow as locals liked to call it.

Sakura weaved her way around people and between tables as she continued further into the torch lit market. Suddenly, she veered to the left and approached a table manned by an elderly woman with grey hair and gnarled hands.

"Oonishi-san," Sakura greeted with a blank voice.

"You've returned. So what do you have for me today?"

The woman's voice was raspy and as dry as the sand that covered the ground outside. Her figure was slightly hunched and when she walked it was more of a slow shuffle. Despite this, her eyes were as bright and keen as they were the day she was born.

Sakura reached into her pocket and took out the clip, gently placing it on the table. Immediately the woman's eyes light up even brighter and her hands shot out to examine the delicate accessory.

"Damn, where'd you manage to find something like that?"

Both women turned to see a towering blond haired boy approaching them.

"Ah Naruto-kun how nice of you to come and visit," the old woman cooed.

"Kaori-baa-chan," he nodded, although his eyes were looking at the masked girl.

Both of them were locals who had been coming to the Burrow the years, although no one has ever been able to learn the identity of the masked girl.

"So green eyes where did you get that clip?" he asked again.

After many failed attempts of getting her to reveal her name, Naruto had simply resorted to simply calling her green eyes after the girl's one visible feature.

Sakura shrugged casually, "Just from this place."

"The same place you got that necklace?" he asked, spotting the gem tied around her neck.

Immediately her hands shot up and she tucked the pendant into the folds of her clothes.

"Yeah, same place."

"My dear," Kaori called, trying to get the attention of the girl.

"Yes Oonishi-san?"

"I'm willing to give you 250 yen for this. What do you say?"

Sakura was happy her face was covered because she wouldn't have wanted anyone to see the mixed look of surprise and joy spreading across it. That price was more than she had hoped for.

"Deal," she said.

Ducking down, Kaori opened a small chest hidden under her table, revealing small burlap bags full of yen. Taking out a bag, she shook the contents out on the table and proceeded to count out the agreed amount.

Sakura watched the old woman carefully count out the amount with sharp eyes. She had come to this woman many a times and never before had she tried to sneak her way out of giving the agreed amount in a trade. Despite that, Sakura still watched carefully, people down here weren't exactly your definition of trustworthy.

Kaori quickly gathered in her hand the correct amount before putting the coins back into the bag and dumping what was left into the chest.

"Here you are," she said, handing the bag over.

Sakura took the sack from the old woman's hands and stuffed it deep into her pants pocket. Nodding once more to Kaori, she turned on her heel and began to walk back towards the exit.

"Oi! Wait up!"

The sound of Naruto's heavy footsteps alerted Sakura that he was following her and just a few seconds later he appeared at her side.

"So you never answered my question," he said.

She stayed silent.

"Where'd you get all that jewelry from?"

"Like I told you, I just got it at this place."

"A place where?"

"None of your business."

By now the two had made it back to the stairs and walking side by side they started the long climb back to the top.

"Ah come on green eyes, I promise I won't rob the place."

"Please Naruto. We're thieves, stealing's what we do."

She was right and they both knew it. If she told Naruto the store she had found all the precious jewels at, no doubt he would try to rob it. Normally Sakura wouldn't care what he did, but the thought of the older woman's kind but knowing smile made her want to protect the shop's identity.

"Yeah well, it doesn't mean that I'd rob the place," he said, crossing his arms behind his head.

Sakura shot him a withering look that went unnoticed in the pitch black before speeding up her pace. She had had enough of talking to this guy.

"Hey green eyes wait up!"

But she was already getting ahead of him. Breaking into a trot, Naruto followed her up the rest of the staircase. Just as he reached the top, the sound of the heavy entrance door opening and closing met his ears.

'Shoot!' running forward, he threw open the door and looked around. A flash of movement out of the corner of his eye sent him barreling to the right. Twisting and dodging around the garbage littering the path, Naruto caught sight of a dark brown vest and black pants blending into the masses. Running full speed, he shot out towards the crowds, trying to keep the girl in view. But just as he reached the street, he collided hard into another body and both were sent hurtling to the ground.

"What the hell you teme!"

"What the hell you baka!"

At the simultaneous shout, Naruto finally opened his eyes to look at whom he had run into. Imagine his surprise when he saw the youngest prince of Konoha staring back at him.

Despite that, Naruto growled, "Now I completely lost green eyes thanks to you."

Sasuke scowled at the blond sitting in front of him.

He had awakened at the crack of dawn to go searching for the mysterious girl from the festival. Had he managed to find a few dozen girls with green eyes, but none were the same; none of them looked like sparkling emeralds that could pull him in with nothing more than a glance.

And he had found her. He was walking down the street when a person burst out of an alley. Their face had been covered completely except for a small slit where their eyes showed through. It was when Sasuke caught a glimpse of those eyes; he knew he had found the girl.

But by that point she was already turning away. The only other things he was able to make out where the colors of her cloths and an emerald necklace around her neck before she was gone into the crowd.

"Is green eyes a girl?"

Sasuke was surprised by his own voice as his mind finally focused enough to realize that he had asked a question.

"Huh? Um, yeah, green eyes is a girl. Why?" Naruto asked warily. He was surprised when the dark haired boy looked him dead in the eye and said,

"I think we're looking for the same person."

A heavy silence fell between the two as around them people of all classes pondered along the market street, each with a destination and goal set in their mind.

"Well then, do you want to start looking now?" Naruto suddenly said.

Sasuke snapped his head up to regard the other boy with wary eyes.

"Why would you help me?" he asked suspiciously.

Naruto looked at the boy in front of him like he was stupid.

"Well isn't it obvious," he asked, "We're both looking for green eyes and chances are if we're both looking for her we'll find her sooner. Duh!"

Giving him another blank stare, Sasuke silently thought through his choses. As of now he only had a week- seven short days- to find a single person in an entire village while only knowing the color of their eyes. Now, the boy who was offering him help on the other hand already knew this person, even if it wasn't well. He also was familiar with the layout of the Suna, unlike the prince himself.

Tipping his aristocratic face back to look at the sky, his scowled deepened at the position of the sun. It was already near six and he was no closer to finding the woman who had been plaguing his thoughts than before.

"Hn, fine," the prince bit out.

A goofy grin spread itself across Naruto's face as he grinned at the boy in front of him. While he was well aware of the boy's high status and had been since the first clear look he got at him, he saw no reason why he should treat him any different than anyone else he met on the street. He didn't even act like royalty at all- he just acted like a teme.

"Well let's shake on it then. I'm Naruto Uzumaki," he said, sticking his calloused hand out.

Gripping the other's hand in a firm shake, Sasuke replied, "Sasuke Uchiha."

As they released each other's hands, the duo finally rose to their feet and casually brushed themselves off.

"So," Naruto started as the two began walking down the road in the direction their mystery girl had disappeared in," do you want to start looking today or-"

"We'll start today, I don't have time to waste," Sasuke cut in.

Naruto scrunched his face at the boy's reply and thought it over for a moment. "What? Do you have a dead line or something?"

"My family and I leave to return to our country in seven days."

"Oh."

Another silence fell over them as they continued to scan the streets for any sign of the elusive girl.

Sakura pushed open the door of the fabric store and stepped inside. Lining every inch of every wall and lined in rows along the floor were spools of fabric in every color. Reels of wool, silk, cotton, and many others seemed to mix together in swirls of turquoise, purple, blue, yellow and every other color imaginable all around her.

"Hello how may I-"

Sakura turned to assistant just as the woman's died off in disgust. She was of middle age, dressed in fine silks and fine jewelry. Her dark eyes took in the younger girl's in obvious disgust before turning to her with a scowl.

"I'm sorry, but you're only allowed to be in this store if you intend to buy something."

By the tone of her voice, Sakura knew the woman assumed that she couldn't afford any of the things in her shop and with a smirk the pinkette turned on her heel and started looking through the aisles.

She heard the shopkeeper shriek behind her but she paid her no heed as she continued looking for a good spool. Sakura moved gracefully through the aisles, stopping occasionally to look at a particular reel of cloth before moving on to the next.

The shop owner followed her every move with silently raging eyes. How dare a dirty peasant child like her walk into her store and not only act like she could actually afford to buy any of her products but then have the gal to blatantly disrespect her as well.

Finally, Sakura picked up a reel of simple beige silk and walked back to the counter.

"I already told you, you have to be able to afford my products. I don't give scraps to strays," she sneered, looking away.

There was a heavy thunk as something hit the counter and the owner swiveled her head slightly to look through the corner of her eye. Immediately the rest of her body spun around to stare open mouthed at the sizable bag of yen sitting there.

Sakura opened the sack and pulled out fifty yen from within. Placing the amount on the counter she pulled the spool closer to her and turned away, taking the bag of yen with her.

"Che, don't judge a book by its cover."

With that she walked away.

"Wait miss!" the woman exclaimed, dashing around the counter and rushing up to the girl just as her hand reached to push open the door. Lunging forward, she put a manicured hand on the shorter girl's bony shoulder.

"Please, my behavior was completely unacceptable! Now, there's no need to be so hasty in leaving," she tried to reason.

Sakura watched as the woman's eyes would look down to the sack of money strapped to her thigh before flicking back up to look into her eyes again with a fake smile plastered on her face.

Giving a grunt she pulled her shoulder out of the woman's grip and exited the store.

Overhead, the sky had changed from bright blue to a dark indigo with streaks of orange and violet dashed through as night quickly began to fall.

"You need to go back now; it's not safe for someone like you to be out on the streets this late at night."

Sasuke looked at the blond who in turn was looking at the sky. Turning his bright blue eyes to clash with the royal's onyx orbs, he regarded him seriously.

"We still have six days to find her. I'll meet you tomorrow morning at eight in the plaza and we can keep looking from there."

Slowly, although reluctant to do so, Sasuke nodded his consent to the blonde's idea, "Alright."

With another nodded the pair broke off. One headed back towards the more crowded streets where in the distance the castle loomed ahead. The other headed back into the dark alleys where smaller; more falling apart homes where crowded together.

As he walked, Naruto silently contemplated the situation. They had found nothing on her so far, not even a clue. Whoever green eyes was, she knew how to keep her identity a secret better than anyone else he had ever seen.

Reaching an old wooden barn that looked like it was about to fall to the ground, Naruto walked through the hole where the front door would be if there were a door to fill it.

"Yo," he called as he entered.

"Yo!" he heard called back to him from all throughout the structure. Other boys, all of the same age as Naruto, came down to greet the new arrival. They were all dirty and dressed in ripped or ill fitting clothing. Their hair was shaggy and unkempt and each had at least a few scars marring their features. For they were all of the same background- runaways and orphans who had been desperately trying to find a home on the unforgiving streets before finally stumbling upon this place.

After greeting everyone Naruto quickly slipped away and up a ladder onto the upper levels of the barn. Blankets had been thrown onto the dirty floors and in the rafters sheets had been strung to create hammocks. Jumping up, Naruto firmly gripped onto one of the beams before swinging himself into one of the hammocks.

Outside night had already fallen, shrouding the world into darkness. Below him, Naruto could hear the other boys talking and laughing around the light of a single lantern. A soft breeze had come through to caress his face through the glassless window and Naruto turned to look through it out onto the sleeping village.

With a sigh, he rolled over and murmured quietly, "Damn green eyes, what did you do to get a freaking prince's attention?"

As you can see I'm not the most reliable updater but I try to make up for it with the chapters :-)

Thanks to everyone who reviewed/favorite/alerted this story and thanks a bunch for the support!

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