Naruto's POV

I lightly tap my fork on the napkin set beside my plate and stare at my food.

"Naruto, eat something." My mother whispers, lightly hitting my foot with her own. I look up at her and let out a breath of annoyance.

My father and the Hyuga are discussing the marriage, talking about how it will benefit each kingdom, and all of the formalities of a proper wedding.

Barf in my mouth.

I don't even want to eat, my appetite has left me completely.

I sneak a quick glance at Hinata.

She seems flustered, and it's as if her mind is on something else. Her pale cheeks are flushed, her hair is slightly winded, and there's a soft red mark on her cheek.

Did something happen to her?

"Oi, Hinata." I murmur, soft enough so that my parents and the King don't catch onto our conversation.

Her translucent lavender eyes widen upon realizing she's been called, and she steals a small glance my way.

"Yes?" She asks, her voice barely a whisper.

"What happened to your cheek?" I ask, my eyes scanning the piece of marked flesh.

"Nothing that concerns you." She snaps, turning back to her meal.

Did quiet little Hyuga just snap at me?

"Listen, I don't want to marry you either, but you don't have to be such a sour puss." I complain, narrowing my eyes at her before returning to playing with my food.

Her large lavender eyes widen slightly at my words and a small smile plays on her petite lips.

She opens her mouth to say something in response, but my father beats her to it.

"Naruto, why don't you and Hinata go outside? You both seemed to be finished with your meal." He states, slightly pointing to his finger indicating that I should propose.

I shoot him a disgusted look and push my chair back. Looking over at the princess, I motion with my head for her to follow.

I can feel my father glaring at me from behind and my mother shaking her head silently.

Right, because I'm supposed to walk over to a random stranger and help her out of her chair, take her hand, and lead her out of the room like she can't freaking do it herself.

I hate being proper; I hate all of these freaking rules.

Stepping out into the mid afternoon air, I sit down on one of the garden's chairs and wait for the Hyuga to come take a seat beside me.

She does so, with pursed lips and fiddled fingers.

"Hinata listen, I'm supposed to propose right now." I say bluntly, feeling my insides churn with displeasure.

She doesn't say anything, but I notice that she's on the verge of crying. Her soft lips are slowly whimpering, her eyes are glossy with tears, and I can feel that this isn't going to end well.

"Is my proposal so bad already?" I joke dryly. She shakes her head slightly before inhaling sharply through her nose.

"Naruto, I can't marry you, I'm already engaged." She blurts out. Gasping slightly, she covers her mouth with both of her hands.

"That's great!" I say, relieved that I don't have to get down on one knee. "Who is it?"

"You wouldn't know him." She says quickly, giving me a soft smile.

I only nod suspiciously, getting the feeling that she's not really giving me the truth. Perhaps she's hiding his identity so that I don't announce it to my father, I don't blame her I wouldn't trust a random stranger either.

A small comfortable silence settles between the two of us. I stare at the flowers, wondering what it'd be like to be one. All you do is dance in the wind, soak up the sun, and not worry about arranged marriages and selfish fathers.

"I'm running away you know." She says softly, breaking the little silence. She stares down at her hands, which are neatly folded in her lap.

My eyes widen slightly at her remark.

"Run away? That's quite the bold move, you may get caught…and I hear the consequences are rather extreme." I say, looking at the Hyuga Princess surprise written across my tanned features.

She only nods her head slightly, as if she's already measured the consequences out in her head and is prepared to go through with them if she were to be caught.

"I think I'll be okay, thank you for your concern." She says taking her hand in mine. Her touch surprises me, but I don't shake her off. "Please, don't hesitate to stand up to your father. He can't keep you prisoner here forever. I want you to find happiness, since you're letting me find mine." She says sweetly, her eyes soft and her warmth pulsing through my hand.

"Thank you." I say, giving her a genuine smile.

She nods in response and lets go of my hand.

"Maybe one day, when all of this madness is over, we can be friends." She murmurs softly, picking a lilac from it's rooted place and holding it gently in her palm.

I don't answer right away, and instead let the small breeze relax my booming train of thoughts.

We both sit there, on the small bench, listening to the sound of crickets singing and the birds playing tag in the large garden. The scent of sweet flowers fill the afternoon air and a warm breeze plays with our hair.

Cracking my eyes open to see the sun already setting. The once shimmering blue paints into watery lavender, with hints of a mild orange. It's breathtaking.

I clear my throat and my voice carries out on the melodious wind.

"Maybe."

xXx

After coming back in and pretending that I had proposed to Hinata, both of our families parted ways. I watched as they left, hoping that Hinata's escape plan worked.

As nice and genuine as she is, she's not meant to be with me. She deserves someone that will love her whole-heartedly.

Stripping of my clothes, I throw on some silk pajamas and collapse on my large fluffy bed. Almost immediately, my tense body relaxes on the warm sheets and a long yawn escapes my lips.

It feels so good to rest after fighting a dragon and going through a long journey.

I glance over at my wounded shoulder and sigh. It'll be a long recovery.

I think back to my father and all the many irritations I have with him.

Why was I born into royalty? Perhaps living the life of a peasant would be much easier. At least I'd be able to somewhat decide my own fate, not live in the hands of a selfish and greedy father.

In many ways I envy Hinata and her bravery. If she indeed succeeds in leaving tonight with whomever the man she loves is, she'll finally be free of this cursed marriage.

And knowing my father he'll just try looking for another woman to sell me off to.

There's a small knock on my door, breaking me away from my thoughts and I shoot up quickly, taking the wedding ring and shoving it in the drawer of my bedside table.

"Come in." I say flustered, leaning back down on my bed and staring at the ceiling with a blank and bored expression on my face.

"Naruto, how are you feeling?" My mother asks, her voice soft and sweet. She takes a seat beside me on my bed and smooths my hair with her warm hand.

"Troubled." I mutter honestly, knowing that my mother will understand.

She's the only one who truly understands my conflictions with my father, the only one who cares about my opinion.

"That's understandable." She chuckles bitterly, before a stern frown spreads along her lips.

"Are you going to speak with your father about all of this?" She asks slowly, as if the words will ignite a fire. And honestly, a few hours ago they would have, but now I'm beginning to realize reasoning with my father is hopeless. He's too prideful, and won't listen to his childish son.

"I was planning on it, but seeing as he completely disregarded my argument before dinner, I guess there really is no point. He doesn't care about me, only about his Kingdom." I state sadly, disappointment lacing itself around my breaking voice.

"Don't say that, he does care…he's just not good at showing it." My mother argues weakly. I ignore her comment and continue blabbing about my problems.

"What should I do? Hinata is running away tonight with her true love and I didn't kill the dragon. I'm a failure." I mutter, feeling warm tears brimming the corners of my eyes.

My mother's eyes widen slightly as she stares down at me.

"Hinata is escaping?" She whispers, her voice hushed and filled with shock.

I only nod slowly.

"Please don't tell anyone." I plead, realizing that I've given away her secret.

"Of course I won't, I'd do the same thing if I were her." She sympathizes, rubbing my cheek softly with her finger.

"Mom, what am I supposed to do about all of this? I just want to prove myself to father, to show him that I'm good enough to be called his son. And all at the same time I want to take the risk of running away and starting over. I feel so lost, like my mind is torn between trying to actually prove myself to father, or give up on him all together. I'm so confused." I confess, feeling hot tears of frustration spill from my eyes.

She purses her lips before answering.

"I don't know what you should do. I really don't know, I'm sorry." She says softly, looking lost herself.

We fall into a long silence, my lids closing as a realization dawns upon me.

If my mother doesn't know what to do, how should I?

xXx

Sasuke's POV

"Hiyah!" I scream, pulling the reigns of my trusty steed and galloping into the woodland. The sun sets in the sky, causing a looming eeriness to fall over the forested woods.

After promising that I'll run away with Hinata tonight, and I watched her walk back into the palace, I decided to rush off into town to trade in some valuable items for money, money to board a ship leading somewhere far away.

The hooves of my midnight horse clash along the rocky terrain of the woods, sending a pitch of noise into the silent evening.

It's creepy at just how silent it can be in a forest filled with creatures.

And then suddenly, out of nowhere, a sharp object hits the side of my head, knocking me off my horse in an instant.

"AH!" I scream out, toppling over and onto the cold rocky earth. My face meets the ground and I groan in pain. A fresh wound leaks crimson threads that fall effortlessly down the side of my face.

"What the…" I mutter, scanning the trail with my eyes.

Standing up with shaky feet, I rub my wound and wince at the contact.

"Who's there?" I call out, neatly taking my long polished sword out of its scabbard. Turning circles, to get a good view of the forest, some rustling in the bushes catches my attention.

Approaching it with cautious steps, I point the tip of my sword at the rustling bush.

"Please don't hurt me!" A squeaky feminine voice calls out, popping out of the bushes.

I blink surprised but narrow my eyes at the figure. They're wearing a long black hood that drapes over their shoulders, covering up their identity. A small red furred fox is wrapped snuggly around their shoulders, giving me quite a cold stare.

"State your business." I call out, using a voice of strong authority.

"State yours first." She fires back, her voice persistent.

"Well, I'm-"

"Escaping?" She finishes my sentence and I narrow my eyes at her.

"How did you know?" I raise the tip of my sword so that it hovers just above her neck.

She takes a step closer, the blade gently piercing her skin.

"I know the look of a distressed fugitive." She smacks her lips together. "Takes one to know one."

"Do you know who you are speaking to?" I spit harshly, jabbing the sword tighter against her skin. She doesn't even flinch.

"Plenty, but it's fun toying with you." She laughs, the sound light, before backing up swiftly and keeping a good distance.

My brow fidgets in annoyance. Acting so confident against such an elite knight, she's got some nerves.

"You never answered my question, what is a woman like you doing out here all alone, especially at this hour?" I press on, eyes narrowing yet again.

"That doesn't matter right now, but I know the look in your eyes, you need help and I might be able to do just that." She answers, ignoring my question.

Eyeing the hooded girl suspiciously, I take my chances in her offer for help. I promised Hinata I would solve this issue, that I'd make our happy ending come true. If this woman is offering help I might as well take it, I am running out of options.

"I need to get faraway, somewhere where no one from this land will be to track me." I explain, putting my sword down indicating that I am putting a smidge of trust into this woman's words.

She gasps, and her hood lifts slightly so that I'm able to see her emerald eyes widen.

"What did you do?!" She asks, staring at me if I'm some kind of monster.

"Doesn't matter, can you help me or not?" I ask, tapping my foot impatiently as I feel myself wasting time.

She opens her mouth to say something, and then quickly snaps it shut. I notice, by her body language, that she's having a small conflict within herself.

"Spit it out." I growl, annoyed by her lack of wording.

"I know..someone that may be able to help you." She begins, but I quickly interject.

"Who?!" I ask, yearning for the girl's answers.

I feel so dependent right at this moment, never in my life had I had to depend on someone to help me in anyway. It feels foreign and to my distaste I hate it.

The girl licks her lips before grabbing a small sheet of rumpled yellow stained paper out of her satchel.

"They call him the dragon, but I don't dare speak his real name. I'll write it down for you." She bites down on her thumb, letting the blood slowly drip from the little wound. Writing down the name quickly with her own blood, she folds the small slip of paper and hands it to me.

I take it and give her a sincere smile.

"Thank you, is there anyway I can repay you?" I ask the hooded girl, holding onto the piece of paper tightly.

Not that I have the time to repay her, but I feel like it's the noble thing to do and I am a man of my stature.

"I'm looking for an elderly woman, she's a seer." The girl states, her eyes fidgeting as if uncomfortable for giving such information.

"Could it be Naruto's grandma?" I mutter under my breath, but she seems to hear as she comes closer to me.

"Whose grandmother?" She asks, peering into my eyes.

"The Prince's grandmother, she's a seer, she lives in the highest tower of the palace. Said to have grown old there and doesn't come out anymore. But, good luck getting in there." I inform her, watching as the girl's face turns from conflicted to utter joy.

"Thank you so much, your kindness is greatly appreciated." She thanks me, clasping her hands together in delight.

She turns around, her long hood flipping slightly before tailing behind her.

"Oh, and just a warning. Be careful, don't call his name unless you truly do have no one else to turn to." She warns, and with that she runs off into the woods. And a little red fur ball softly trailing behind her.

Could it possibly be…? Shaking my head I disregard the thought.

No the thief that comes to mind his heartless, she's stolen from the Palace for years she would never do something like this knowing it was the knight who has been tailing her since her stealing games had begun.

Turning my attention to the folded paper in my palms, I unfold it and eye the name.

My face twists in confusion.

"Dark One?"

xXx

Sakura's POV

Hitting a guard roughly against the neck, he falls effortlessly on the expensive marble floor.

I step out of the corner, tugging at my hood.

"They really should tighten security, I'm almost at the tower." I say to Kyu, who trots towards the unconscious guard and sniffs his ear.

"It's like they want intruders." Kyu squeaks, trotting up ahead. I follow him, grabbing the guard's sword.

Running through the palace halls, we skid to a stop, landing behind a corner that will turn into the large palace hall. Caterers, knights, and maids run frantically around tending to their duties.

"She's just up ahead." Kyu whispers, as we watch the people of the palace scurry about in the large hall.

"Let's make a run for it." I say, a gleam of mischief in my eyes. Kyu only gulps.

I don't even give him time to argue.

I sprint, running as fast as my feet can take me, through the large open hall. Passing people who eye me funny, curse at me for knocking them over, and finally upon realizing who I am they summon the royal guards.

I love myself a good game.

Jumping up and pulling down the large ribbons that hang from the low hall ceilings, I throw them behind me. They tie up the guards, causing them to stumble on the cloth.

I only pump my fists in the air.

Kyu only whimpers at the voices booming behind us.

"Sakura, you might want to come back on another day." He whimpers as we turn a corner.

"We're almost there, come on don't be such a party pooper." I whine, laughing as the adrenaline pumps through my body. Tugging my hood closely to my head, making sure my soft pink hair isn't revealed, I look behind me to see that I've lost them.

Smirking I turn my attention back to the path before me.

"Halt." A masculine voice shouts, a figure jumping out in front of me. I skid to a stop, just barely hitting the sword outstretched before me.

I back up, staring wide-eyed at the knight.

The man takes a good long at me, probably sizing me up.

I sneer upon realizing who it is.

"Pretty nice place you got here, Charming." I snicker, regaining my composed posture.

He blinks in surprise as he registers who I am.

"I found you!" He says brightly, oblivious to the fact that I'm raiding his palace. As if forgetting that I'm a thief he nonchalantly drops his sword to his side and continues the conversation, a friendly aura radiating from him.

"You know it's not nice for people to come barging into your house uninvited." He half jokes half scolds.

I just gulp and come up with some witty excuse.

"I have some matters to attend to." I reason, looking past him to see if there's any way I can escape this too friendly chat.

"Important matters…why do I get the sense that you're lying?" He raises an amused eyebrow, as my face scrunches in irritation.

"Are we finished here?" I ask, letting out an annoyed breath.

Seriously what's with this guy? I just knocked out half of his guards and he's standing here acting as if we're pals.

"Let me help you with whatever you want to get done. You know, walking around the halls with the Prince will lessen your chances of getting killed." He muses, placing his sword back in its scabbard and shooting me a lopsided toothy smile.

I weigh my options, and realize that this guy is just one big idiot. Telling him my plans won't hurt anybody.

"I need to speak with the seer." I say, walking past him with Kyu tailing behind me. He falls into step with me, his face twisting in confusion.

"You mean Granny? Why would you want to see her?" He asks, pursing his lips.

"Personal matters, like I said before it's important." I say, passing a guard who only stares at me with cold eyes. The Prince simply shoots him a grin and the guard doesn't take another look.

"She is my grandmother, you don't plan on hurting her do you?" He whispers, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

"No, I need answers." I reply, letting Kyu jump onto my shoulder. He glares at the Prince with disapproval before setting his eyes up ahead.

I chuckle inwardly. It's cute how overprotective Kyu gets of me.

"Uh, your fox is kind of scary." Charming chuckles nervously, scratching the back of his neck with his hand.

I only smirk before stopping abruptly.

The Prince bumps into me, causing me to stumble.

"Watch where you're going." I scold, annoyed by him. He rolls his eyes. I look ahead of me, noticing that I'm at the large wooden door that leads to the staircase leading to the seer.

Gulping I take a shaky breath.

Am I really ready to accept my fate?

"What are you waiting for, open the door and climb the stairs." The Prince persists.

I stare at the door and holding my breath I open it. Large wooden spiral stairs await me and I step onto them, ready to climb towards some answers.

"Wait, I still don't know your name!" The Prince calls out behind me, and I pause in my steps. Turning my head around I lift the hood from my face, letting my pink locks fall freely.

"You can call me Sakura." I say, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Thanks for the help Charming!" I call out, before turning around and rushing up the creaky wooden steps.

I hear him groan from below.

"For the last time, it's Naruto!"

I only laugh softly to myself.

xXx

Sasuke's POV

"Dark One?"

"You called, dearie?" A crazed voice shoots me out of my daze. I spin around, pulling my sword out of its scabbard and staring intently at the man before me. I point the sword at him, my cold onyx eyes glaring into his.

"Who are you?" I ask sternly and the man only tilts his head, a crazed look falling onto his scarred features.

"You should really know who you're calling before you call, look at that! A royal without manners." He grins delighted for some odd reason.

"Hm, Sasuke?" He questions, his breath tickling the back of my neck causing the small fragments of hair to stand up.

How did he appear behind me? No one has that quick agility!

Shivering, I back away and whip around to face him yet again. I lower my sword and relax my composure. Focusing in on him, I realize his face is torn, scars lathering the unnaturally pale skin. His right eye is covered with a dark cloth, and his left eye is pitch black, so black that if you stare into it long enough you feel as if you're falling into a pit of nothingness.

Does this man even have a soul?

"You're the Dark One." I state, neatly placing my sword back into its scabbard.

"Indeed I am." He retorts, a devilish grin appearing on his chapped scaly lips. I feel a shiver run up my spine.

"Someone told me that you could help me."

"Well, that is if you're willing to make a deal. Are you?" He questions, a gleam of something sparkling in his cold eye.

I swallow hard, not sure if I should place my trust with this man.

"A deal, and what is it that you want in return?" I ask, weary of giving this man anything.

"No, no, no. First you must ask me what it is you want…or perhaps I already know?" He chuckles to himself, a wild look gleaming in his eye. "You want to run away with you one true love, correct?"

I nod my head slowly.

"And you don't know how…what if I show you this."

He shoots his arm out, startling me a bit, and I follow where his finger is pointing with my eyes, to see a picture displayed on the tree closest to the Dark One.

My eyes widen as I examine the realistic portrait.

It's a picture, of Hinata and I, in front of a fairly sized house. There is a small child running with flowers in her hands, beaming with a wide toothy grin at Hinata, while I'm smiling from the door seeming to be calling them inside.

"Is this…" I trail, unable to form the words.

"Your future, yes." The man replies and I feel joy bubbling inside of me.

We're going to start a family.

"You can make this happen?" I ask excitedly, averting my gaze from the heartwarming picture and back onto the sorcerer.

"Why of course." He giggles crazily, rubbing his palms together. He releases his palms, and two tickets are hovering just above his finger.

"When the first cricket of the night is heard, run to the town's dock, board the first ferry there, and you shall be led to your dream." He motions towards the picture embedded in the bark of the tree.

I can already feel myself nodding, but halt when I remember something crucial.

"And what is it that you want in return?" I ask, eyeing him suspiciously.

He grins devilishly, his dark eye becoming engulfed in mischief. I feel myself shiver under his intense gaze, and swallow hard anticipating his answer.

"Well, as of right now you have nothing to offer me, but soon enough I'm sure there will be something of yours that I'll be itching to get my hands on, nehe!" He slurs excitedly, eyeing me crazily.

"How do you know that?" I ask hesitantly, raising a curious brow.

"I know a lot more about you than you think, Sasuke. What do you think I've been doing all these years?" He says, grinning profusely, his teeth spiked in mad directions, and his scales shining in the growing nightly aurora.

I swallow hard, suddenly feeling very violated.

"So, is it a deal?" He asks, brow peaked as he stares at me intently.

I nod, slowly.

If it means Hinata and I can have our happy ending than so be it.

"Yes." I reply, my cold and icy façade slipping back into place.

"Perfect" He mutters, his voice suddenly becoming darker and less cheery.

And for a split second I feel a pit of regret forming in my stomach, churning my insides.

A scroll, long and tattered, floats in the air suddenly appearing out of nowhere.

"Just sign here, and your happy ending awaits you." He winks, pointing to the bottom of the long scroll.

With a shaky hand, I bite down on my thumb hard, blood oozing slightly from the tear and sign mine name.

"All magic comes with a price, dearie!"

And with that the man disappears.

I open my sweaty palm.

Two Tickets.


AN: Hello! I really, really love the way this chapter came out. I hope that you guys enjoy at as much as I enjoyed writing it!

To clear some things up, Sakura knows that the dark one makes deals and helps people (Kyu explained all that to her) so that's why she tells Sasuke to call on him but only if he has no one else to go to. She isn't doing this because she hates Sasuke or wants him to live a bad life, she's doing it because it's the only way she knows of helping him.

I love her encounters with Naruto and how she takes control and Naruto just listens to her. It's sooo narusaku! Eeep!

Please leave a review, and I'm open to some suggestions if any of you have some good ideas!

Until next chapter, toodles~