Story Title: Lady Thief

Description: Some little girls' dream of beautiful, flawless jewels and usually someday is given a flawless token of admiration. But one little pink haired trickster steals said jewels from those spoiled little girls…

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the characters therein. I just like to torture them now and again for my own amusement… Nor do I own, Thief: Deadly Shadows, which inspired this plot or the word taffer, which comes from subsequent game.

Chapter 6: Petticoats Equals Punishment?

Sakura awoke to blinding brightness suddenly permeating the room. Opening an irritated green eye she was greeted with the sight of a cheerful maid. The memory of the night before filtered into her hazy brain and she rolled over with a groan. She had always gone to sleep not long after sunrise. It had taken her forever to fall asleep last night and she really didn't feel like reversing the habit at the moment.

Just as she buried her face into the pillow it was snatched from below her. Her face hit the mattress uncomfortably. Growling irritably she sat up and glared at the offending maid. Her eyes narrowed when she realized that the 'maid' was in fact a noblewoman. She was tapping her foot impatiently against the floor with Sakura's pillow in hand, "Lord Uzumaki mentioned that you might be obstinate about waking up…"

The pinkette folded her arms still scowling at the woman, "I take it you're going to tutor me?"

"I am Lady Kurenai Yuhi. You may just refer to me as Lady Kurenai," she introduced herself without prompt. She looked down at Sakura who was still dressed in her drab gray working leathers with disdain, "I see that I do indeed have my work cut out for me. I will be one of your instructors. I am doing this as a favor to High Lord Uzumaki so I would appreciate it if you don't waste my time."

Sakura rose to her feet and met the woman's eyes head on, "I'm not too pleased about the situation myself," her lip furled not realizing that she had instinctively stepped out the light into the shadows, "I am Lady Haruno, I'd rather you just call me Sakura, but I doubt that will be possible. Feel free to refer to me in whatever manner you deem… proper…" She finished with a slight sneer.

Lady Kurenai just dipped her head in acknowledgement with cool assessing crimson eyes, "I am to instruct you how to dress properly. I will also be in charge of your instruction on basic social etiquette. However at this time I will just aid you with the basics of proper dress for a noble woman. High Lord Uzumaki requests that you join him and as his son for breakfast."

Sakura sighed softly and nodded her understanding, "So what do you suggest? I do not have any clothing other than what I am wearing at the moment."

The red-eyed woman gave her a thin smile, "The High Lord had some clothing brought up for you. If you un dress we will begin."

Grumbling Sakura did as she was bade wondering what in the hell she'd been thinking when she'd agreed to some plan cooked up by a very sneaky noble. It was obvious that he had this all planned out for quite a while if he already had clothing ready to go for her. It was beginning to piss her off.

Lady Kurenai instructed her layer by layer before finally helping the pinkette into the soft mint green gown. Just below her breasts was a silk ribbon that wrapped around tying in the back. The skirt of the affair went all the way down to her just below her ankles allowing the tips of the silk slippers to show as she walked. Sakura twitched beneath the folds of material uncomfortably but found herself grateful that she wasn't forced to wear anything with a heel. It had been years since she'd even wore a dress. The styles had definitely changed since she'd left the noble caste, she thought wryly.

"Normally a maid, or a lady's attendant would assist you with all of this, especially your hair," the black haired woman picked up a brush up off the dresser and turned the girl around only to run the instrument through her hair snagging on a few tangles, "However I will show you an upsweep style that you can do on your own that is considered acceptable."

Sakura was silent as she watched the woman brush her hair until it shone. Then Lady Kurenai the woman took a handful of her long tresses and twisting it she pulled it up and clipped it in place. She brushed out some of her bangs before stepping back to admire her handiwork, "I'll make you look like a lady yet. Anyways, I'm going to send an order to the tailor to begin on your coming out dress by his lordship's orders. May I inquire as to your favorite color?"

"Black," Sakura smiled sweetly at the woman her eyes dancing with mirth.

"I guess I'll think of something then. You absolutely cannot wear such a color on your coming out. Honestly," the crimson-eyed woman shook her head before leading Sakura out into the hall and then fixed her with a look, "You know the way to the dining hall I presume?"

The pinkette just grinned wolfishly at this query, "Yes I do." She knew the whole layout to the manor from the map she'd gotten from Ino.

"Once you are finished with your meal you are to come to the secondary dining hall that's reserved for his lordship's formal parties," her lips drew into a thin line, "we will see what etiquette you do know… if any at all… and we will go from there."

Sakura watched as the woman walked away her dress swishing with her movement. The pinkette took in a deep breath and was immediately irritated by the feel of the corset constricting the movement. It was strange the master thief mused, the noble woman wore so many layers and yet they left the top cleft of their breasts on display. She couldn't help the blush that suffused her cheeks.

"Lady Haruno," an all too familiar and aggravating male voice spoke from behind her. She swore she could hear the sneer in his supposedly well-cultured voice.

Sakura turned to face Lord Itachi. Her face gave away her irritation, "Lord Uchiha." She returned in a soft, deceptively demure voice. The young woman hadn't forgotten some of the proper etiquette that had been drilled into her as a child. It hadn't been that long ago.

His lips twisted into an amused smirk as he looked down into her blushing and annoyed features, "I believe this is the first time I've seen your face in the light of day, at least not obstructed by a hood. You almost look like a lady…"

Her hands suddenly busied themselves as she replied caustically, "You still look like an ass in the light of day… Imagine my disappointment… milord…" Then she watched his narrowing eyes with amusement as she held up the pocket watch she just pilfered off of him and let it swing in front of his face in a blatantly mocking gesture.

Lord Uchiha stiffened visibly though his visage gave away none of his emotions as he took the watch dangling from her fingers. He stuffed the gold locket back into his pocket before offering her his arm politely while looking down his aristocratic nose at her.

Sakura glanced at the proffered appendage taking a step back her blush deepening at his suddenly close proximity. As she lifted her chin Itachi caught the surprise in her eyes. He took action before she refused him outright. His hand snaked out grabbing her surprisingly delicate wrist and tucked her hand onto his arm. If this plan was going to work, they were just going to have to get used to each other without the insults.

The pinkette was silent and allowed herself to be led to the small family dining hall. Both blond males glanced up from their seated positions and stood to their feet as Sakura entered on the arm of Itachi. The young woman felt relieved when the male at her side released his hold on her.

Naruto gestured for her to sit next to him. She was silent as she strode over to him and watched chagrined as he pulled out her seat for her. Sakura could only hope she could get used to such things. She greeted the head of the table politely, "Good morning my lord," and then turned her head to acknowledge the blue eyed male at her side, "Lord Naruto."

"Good morning Lady Haruno. I trust that you slept well," Lord Minato smiled at the young woman.

"Yes I did, thank you," she lied, the bags under his eyes giving her away to all men present at the table.

Sakura was silent as the servants served them breakfast. She was dead tired; it had been harder than she had initially thought to sleep during the dark of the night. She felt the curious looks she receiving from the servants but she candidly ignored them. After they left she stated tiredly, "I realize that my presence is going to stir up a lot of gossip especially since no one is even aware that I entered the estate last night to begin with. We'll need to be careful what is discussed and make certain no one overhears. It doesn't take much to buy gossip off of most servants."

"Oh," Lord Itachi leaned forward and surveyed the woman over his plate of food, his sharp onyx eyes burning into hers, "Now that you mention it… you knew the layout of my family's home very well. I wonder how you were able to sneak into such a vast estate and make off with the goods in one night…"

The pinkette saucily took a bite of her food before smirking at the dark haired male, "I'm sorry… that is a trade secret that I cannot divulge Mr. Sheriff…"

A black aristocratic brow rose over stern obsidian, "Trade?"

Lord Minato took that moment to ask the young lordling, "So what do you think about going ahead and opening up a direct trade route with Suna permanently? Their silks are quite fine, it'll bring in a lot more tax revenue for Konoha."

Before Itachi could form a reply Sakura muttered under her breath, "About damn time…"

The onyx-eyed male openly glared at the woman in distaste, "Lady Haruno… what would you even know of such matters? I believe also that Lord Uzumaki was addressing me."

"Ugh that's what I hate about you damn nobles. You're so caught up with what's good for the upper society that you don't bother to think about how your decisions can affect the poor," she pointed her fork at him pointedly ignoring his hard admonishment.

Lord Itachi glowered at her, the corner of his lips twisting into a frown, "Well Lady Haruno, since you obviously want to divulge your unasked opinion… please… go on."

"I would like to hear what you have to say as well," Naruto sent a wide smile in her direction which only served to irritate the Uchiha even further.

Sakura set down her fork and let her eyes roam over all three of them before saying, "Well my lords. May I inquire as to what are the main crops that come from Suna?"

"Root vegetables… but I don't see how this has any merit to the increase revenue for Konoha, or an instant benefit," Lord Uzumaki answered her, intrigued at where she was going with this.

"Nobles do not eat root vegetables for the most part because they consider such things below them since they are grown below the ground, which is truly a shame… roast potatoes are delicious," Sakura paused a moment before continuing, "however, even despite this they come at a high cost to lower classes in Konoha who are typically the only people who bother buying them. Opening a direct trade route would give merchants easier access to carrying the root crops in a higher abundance, as they are in fact popular with the poor. It will of course drive the costs down making feeding one's family on a small income much easier."

"I see," Lord Uzumaki leaned back, his hand going to his chin thoughtfully, "I hadn't even considered that but it does hold merit. I cannot believe I overlooked that. Thank you Lady Haruno I will definitely take all you said into consideration before bringing it to the High Lords' Table and making a final decision."

"I still do not personally see the merit in taking such a thing into consideration," Lord Itachi leaned back, his dark eyes thoughtful, "Such a thing hasn't been a problem before. We do not tax the food that comes into this city… so as nice and humanitarian as it sounds, it shouldn't be something that affects the final decision on such an important matter."

The pinkette put down her fork and rose to her feet, her pink bangs shielding her eyes. She stated politely but the words were frigid, "Thank you for breakfast my lord however I need to meet with my instructor."

She turned to leave but her wrist was captured in strong tapered fingers before she could sweep out the door. Sakura turned to face Itachi, her eyes narrowing on his hand. He voiced coolly, his visage emotionless, "I will escort you Lady Haruno."

Sakura had to swallow her anger as he stood to his feet and tucked her hand onto his arm firmly. It was as if he thought she would run away otherwise. Her face flushed a deep red but she held her tongue as he issued the polite formalities to Lord Uzumaki before leading her out into the hall.

Once alone he started coolly, "It seems I insulted your fragile sensibilities Lady Haruno…"

The pinkette shook her head, her lips drew into a thin, irritated line as she voiced evenly, "No, in fact I've learned to not expect anything from nobles. I half expected you to say something like that to begin with. I'm just glad that High Lord Uzumaki took my opinion seriously."

"May I remind you that you are also a noble by blood," Lord Itachi returned sourly.

"A fact I'm not exactly proud of," the young woman replied coldly, her viridian eyes full of fire.

"Why?" he turned her to face him his eyes searching her frigid green orbs trying to figure out how her strange mind worked, "I do not understand the distaste no… bitterness that you seem to hold for the noble class."

Sakura had enough and wrenched her arm from his grip ignoring the startled look of the servants passing by as her voice raised a couple decibels, "Do you not even see what's wrong with what you said in there? No… you do not…" she surprised him by poking a hard finger in his chest, "And that's your answer. Maybe Sheriff…" she spat at him like an angry cat, "you should actually open your eyes and take a look around you when you're in the slums… well if you ever bother going to that side of town… kami forbid you dirty your precious leather boots…"

Itachi tilted his head at her, his black ponytail falling to the side as he replied tersely, "Oh… well aren't you self righteous Lady Haruno… especially considering the way you make your living… I wouldn't have expected one of your kind… to be so humanitarian…"

"Ignorance must be bliss my lord," Sakura bit out crisply and started to stride down the hall to put distance between them before she felt obligated to deck him, "The reason why my kind as you so aptly put it… has such a distaste for the nobility is just that… there is a whole other world out there in is this city that you aren't even aware of and you're the ones' supposed to be running the city…" she turned her head and left him to mull over her next set of words, "How do you expect to garner respect from the lower classes if you choose to remain ignorant of something as simple as their day to day life? Do you honestly believe being born into the upper caste gives you the right to rule?"

Lord Uchiha watched silently as the young woman carried herself down the hall with an innate pride that he knew didn't come from her having noble blood. The male shook his head before turning on his heel and returning to the dining hall to continue his discussion with the High Lord.

-o-

"Why do nobles need to eat with so many damned forks? They only have two hands for kami's sake," Sakura gazed down at the placement with dismay. Was the rule of the thumb the more silverware they had the more special it made them feel? Even though this was the Uzumaki's residence, she was half-tempted to pilfer the good silver. The merchant in her knew exactly how much this stuff went for on the streets. Sometimes it was hard to glance around her newest surroundings without dollar signs forming in her pupils.

"Well," Anko, the down to earth instructor she'd just been introduced to sighed before explaining, "You see it depends on whose house you are in. Or which noble family is hosting the dinner. The Hyuuga's and Uchiha's have a traditional eastern style, where you must use chopsticks and the mannerisms are different than what I'm teaching you now. The Uzumaki's and Inuzuka's however use a western style and since it's the Uchiha's that will be hosting, I will go over the eastern style of manners before the end of the week. You'll probably be wearing a kimono at your coming out. We'll go over the differences however in the short time we do have. It's nothing to worry about, I'm sure you'll pick up on this just fine."

"I hope you're right," the pinkette nodded at the woman with a small tired smile.

As Sakura tried her best to pay attention as Anko explained in detail the different mannerisms she would have to execute perfectly if she wanted to fool the upper class at her coming out. Sakura did remember what that meant. It would mean that Lord Uzumaki as her benefactor would be asserting at this gathering that she was of marrying age.

She stifled an inner groan, just thinking about it made her just a bit queasy.

Anko interrupted her wayward thoughts, "Let's review shall we? It seems you already know most of this…"

Sakura nodded obediently and answered all Anko's questions easily. Most of these things were something she'd learned as a child. It was something she had forgotten over the years, but as Anko had explained it to her, a lot of it had come back to her.

"Good. I think you're ready to learn how to dance properly," she smiled prettily at the pinkette, "I'll fetch Lady Kurenai, who will also be your instructor in this."

Sakura only nodded, rising from her seat, stifling the groan that threatened to surface from the back of her throat. They were turning her into a damned peacock and she didn't like it one bit. She imagined Lord Orochimaru hanging at the gallows and somehow that helped further her resolve to do this right.

-o-

The men watched as Lady Haruno smoothly went over the basic steps of a simple waltz with Lady Kurenai. She had glanced at them a moment her green eyes curious. However her eyes had narrowed and her chin had gone up stiffly when she caught sight of Lord Itachi. Lord Uzumaki was left to wonder if the two of them would be able to get along on this assignment. His blue eyes flicked to Itachi's hardened visage and he shook his head with a soft sigh. He fervently hoped their acting skills were up to par.

"It's only the first day and she's learning so much," Lord Naruto murmured softly, "It looks like she knows a lot of all this already."

"Her mother, Lady Haruno would have seen to it her daughter was well-educated, even at her young age," Minato smiled at his son, his blue eyes thoughtful, "she was a very proper woman."

"No doubt she's rolling in her grave," Lord Itachi muttered under his breath as he watched the trouble-making woman glide through the steps as if she'd been born to it.

Minato glanced at the lordling at his side amused at the quip. His lips twisted into a small smile as he said, "Perhaps. Yet but I couldn't help but believe that her parents would be proud of her all the same."

Onyx eyes glanced at the High Lord startled at that statement. Itachi couldn't help but say, "You cannot be serious."

"I realize that you are too hard headed to take anything I say about the young woman seriously. I believe that it will be something that you will have to learn on your own," Minato's grin was a mischievous one as he continued, "You're a smart young man. I have no doubt you're up to the task."

Itachi's lips thinned into an irritated line. He could tell the old man was making fun of him and yet being serious at the same time.

Lord Minato interrupted the proceedings, "Lady Kurenai…"

The crimson-eyed woman and the pinkette stopped mid step and turned to face the High Lord. The raven-haired instructor tilted her head and queried in her rich, cultured tone, "Yes my lord…"

"Lady Haruno makes great progress. I think she would do well with a male partner, to … speed up the learning process of course," his grin grew even wider as he added, "Young Lord Itachi should be up to that task…"

The look on Sakura's face was instantaneous. Her scowl was deep as she glowered at Lord Uzumaki, "My lord, I wasn't aware I was required to brush up on my acting skills just yet…"

Lord Kurenai's face went blank, though her lips twitched with amusement at her student's abrasive and yet polite speech.

Lord Itachi knew that the older man was playing some sort of game and he was probably playing into whatever plot Lord Minato had hatched up in that infamously devious brain of his. His grin was wolfish as he took in the flustered and flushed features of the pink-haired trickster. Even still, it was a way to get back at the irritating woman.

Sakura watched as Lord Itachi approached her with that long gliding, panther-like stride of his. She frowned as he smirked down into her heart-shaped face. His voice was smooth and velvety as he said, "I would be honored to have this first dance my lady."

She glanced at Lady Kurenai who waved her black fan at her to go on and accept his seemingly gracious offer. Clenching her teeth, Sakura curtsied, cursing the burning blush that continued to plague her pale features, "You are too kind my lord."

Sakura allowed him to take her arm and lead her out onto the dance floor. Lady Kurenai went and seated herself at the piano and began to play a lively tune. The pinkette was relieved it wasn't a slow waltz, she really didn't feel ready to deal with the implications of being much closer to him.

His proximity was unnerving as it was. This man was the very one who wanted to stuff her in a prison cell. If someone had told her three days ago that she was going to dance with Mr. Stick Up My Ass Sheriff she probably would have been tempted to slit their throat for their stupidity.

Her eyelashes swept up startled as she realized they were already moving to the music. She hadn't even realized he had pulled her into the dance steps. The smug look on his face at the surprised look in her expressive eyes sent her temper soaring to new heights. Immediately Sakura schooled her features into ones of indifference. Easily he moved her through the steps and she couldn't but help follow along willingly. It wasn't that she quite remembered all the steps just taught to her but dancing with him was like dancing with liquid silver. His movements were so graceful that it easily covered up any of the awkward movements she made.

"When we do this in front of others, you're going to have to smile," Itachi smirked down into her face, "it's not going to be believable that you have any feelings for me if you keep looking like you want to murder someone."

Arching a regal brow at him she quipped caustically, "Didn't I mention my lord… we were not working on my acting skills today? I fear it might be too much of a strain on my delicate senses to actually pretend I like you…"

On the sidelines Naruto and his father watched the two moving fluidly together. The young blond asked his parent, "Do you think this is a good idea? Even though I can't hear what they're saying… I can tell they are not getting along at all. Sakura looks like she wants to choke him… and Lord Uchiha doesn't seem too happy with her either. Maybe it might have been better to ask another lordling to 'court' Lady Haruno."

Lord Minato sighed and said to his son, "It has to be him. In reality it would be far more beneficial for Lord Itachi to get along with Lady Haruno, than her with him. She could get by easily without his connections but I'm afraid he's going to need hers when all this is said and done. Even still… can you imagine Lord Kiba courting her? And Lord Neji… is far too austere and proper. I don't think he could manage to fool anyone with his trademark 'blank' face to begin with."

Naruto thought his father's words over for a moment and then nodded in understanding. He surprised his sire by saying coolly, "I hope they can find a way to get along. I just won't forgive Lord Itachi if he hurts her."

-o-

A/N: Well, I had this one half way finished so I went ahead and got 'er done. Also a note on the root vegetable comment above about nobles not eating them since they grow below ground… I was strangely inspired by the story, "The Whipping Boy" for that. So credit/kudos goes to the author of that book (I'm too lazy to look it up atm) For some reason, I felt like mixing a bit of English culture with Japanese, since I'm sort of pulling from the two genres so bear with me on that. Also, like I mentioned before, I have two other stories going and I will be updating in the order of interest. So… if you continue to like what you read, review and let me know. It really does lift my spirits and makes me want to share what I've written with the world. And as always, Thank You.