Hello! Long time no type right? My bad!

Don't own, won't own


Kotaru's POV

Arrival

I set up more traps than usual tonight, for fear of anyone in this hell hole coming after us--we've got enough to worry about right now, thank you. We sat in the dull, moon-lit darkness covered in a thick, heavy silence. From where Sakuya was sitting against to opposing wall from me, she turned her attention away from the moon to look at me.

"Why are you lying to me?" she glared at me, hard and unwaveringly

I glared back "I am not lying."

She huffed a sarcastic laugh "Yeah, that's believable. Two people on a mission? We're genin, if that's true they probably want us to die." I looked away from her and said nothing "Oh, aren't you mature?" She hissed the laid on her side, not facing me "You never lied before...I don't like this side of you."

I looked at the back of her head for at least an hour, trying to put words together. It didn't work...at about three in the morning I walked over to Sakuya's sleeping form and sat down beside her, leaning on the wall she faced. I sighed and put my hand on her head, I knew she wouldn't wake up if she didn't sense danger--other than that...she girl's a hard sleeper. I played with the long, soft locks that always reminded me of ink-stained cherry blossom petals and sighed.

"I can't keep this up when we get there...I hope they have a good cover planed...Kuya's not stupid." I brought my other hand up and rested my head in it "She trusts me too much...damn it..."

I fell asleep and woke without anything to terrible happening, no life threatening situations quite yet. Yippy for us! I feel special!

"Get up, Dumb Ass, let's go." Sakuya barked while pinning her hair to the back of the head. She didn't offer me a hand like her always did...she must be really pissed...and probably violent. I can't say she doesn't have a good reason, though.

"I'm up." we walked the rest of the way in the usual, burning sun but the winds were a little better. "Kuya, how you doing?" I yelled through my mask

"Fine." she reported

"Ok, we've got only a little ways to go now." she nodded without looking at me and kept going. Fifteen minutes later we could see Suna 's sand colored buildings. Before we could reach any farther three Sand Shinobi rose from the ground

"State your name and business with this village." one commanded

" Hyuuga Kotaru."

" Uchiha Sakuya. Both of us are Hidden Leaf genin." she reported, bowing "We mean no harm."

"Sakuya?" her head snapped up

"Hai?" she asked warily, remembering last time no doubt

"It's alright guys...They're supposed to be here. Hokage Uzumaki's orders." He pulled his hood away so we could see his face

"Genma-kun!" she smiled "I forgot you were in Suna!" he walked toward her and took her backpack, being nice.

"You forgot me?" he chuckled...dumb ass

"Hey what are we chopped liver?" asked a slightly miffed voice of a man that was standing next to a woman

"Kankuro-kun, Temari-chan." she nodded in greeting "Did...did my father say we were coming?

"Yes dear," she looked at me, asking without words if she knew what was going on. I shook my head 'no' quickly "I see...we need an icon." she half smiled

"I say this with all due respect...huh?" she raised a pale pink eyebrow

"We'll explain in a little while, why don't we get you settled in?" asked Kankuro gesturing to the village

She smiled unsurely and I walked next to her with Genma on her other side. In case you haven't noticed...I don't like him. I swear to you, he hits on Sakuya! He's a friggen cradle robber! What is he--thirty something now?!

"Hey, Kotaru, you look tense." called Kankuro

"Be polite, be polite, POLITE." I tried to remind myself "Yes, Kankuro-sama." I gritted out.

"Come on kid, you don't have to call me that! We met once--" he started but I cut him off

"Yeah, we did. You hit on my mom." He stared at me and Temari looked infuriated "I was standing right by her...my dad nearly killed you...then Kazakaga-sama nearly did the same." I smirked "And now Temari-sama is going to finish what they started."

"Damn strait." she seethed

"Now, now kids do I have to separate you?" asked Genma, being all cool and shit. Sakuya and the rest of them talked the remainder of the walk, I kept to myself. "Sakuya, how have you been? Everything good?"

"Yeah," she flashed me an edged glance "I guess..."

"You don't guess." it was his turn to look at me for a fleeting second "How was the trip?"

"Hot." she replied shortly, keeping everything under wraps. We were entering the gates and Temari led the way to a large, extravagant palace with the only vegetation in virtually the whole village. "Wow, I didn't know this was here."

"Not many people do." smiled Kankuro "This is where all of our royalty lives--"

"The safest place in the village." I concluded

"Yep, it's a pretty well kept secret." sighed Genma "Sakuya, you're posing as a princess that recently passed away."

"If she's dead...why am I her double?" she asked, still examining the castle

"Her people need to see a face the recognize in this time of war. You're pretty much in this for life." her eyebrows clenched together in confusion but she didn't look away from the building's structure "...you're going to be a princess for life." Her head abruptly snapped in his direction. Her soft eye turned to stone and he looked down. She said four words and four words only.

"I am a Shinobi." her voice wasn't spiteful or rebellious but simply stating a fact

"Come on," half smiled Temari "Let's go inside shall we?"


Sakuya's POV

My head was spinning, I didn't have clue what was happening. Everything was so sudden--my world turned upside down. Nothing ever happened this fast before--and never for life! That would be my hell!

Kota and I were taken down a long, narrow hall then to the traditional dining room. We took our seats and waited for Gaara-sama. He arrived and, shortly afterward, so did a royal family. Kazekaga-sama sat at the head of the table with the family consisting of five young girls, a mother, and a father at his side.

"Is this the girl?!" asked the father, completely enraged "She looks nothing like my dear sweet, May!"

Kazekaga smiled at me "Sakuya, come here." I immediately stood and walked over to his kneeling form at the table.

"Yes, My Lord." I replied, stooping and bowing low, my forehead touching the floor

"Pull your hair back and let him see your face." he requested lightly, I obeyed

"Hm...her bone structure is similar...the eyes are close enough--perhaps she's even more beautiful than my daughter. Her hair as knotted and damaged, completely the wrong color, as well." he scrutinized every aspect of my appearance "It needs to be more midnight green--" that's a color? "--than this ugly mess of a rag!" he huffed. I saw Kotaru tense from the corner of my eye; he always liked my hair the way it was. Now I have to change it. "her skin is scared and sun-struck. We'll need to make her pale as the moon, like my beloved's fair skin."

"Sakuya, are you alright with this?" asked my commander, I didn't look at him for fear that my unofficial uncle would keep me from my duty.

"It will be done." I responded

"Very well," I could hear the subtle remorse that only a trained ninja could pick up, he hid it well though "And Kotaru?"

"Her body guard." chimed one of the youngest siblings "He was killed as well...they were lovers!"

"Everyone knew it." the five giggled and I dropped my long hair letting it fall in my face

"Yes, yes!"

"Never would she make an appearance without him." said the eldest girl, maybe a year or two older than me

"They tried to hide it, but castles gossip." stated the last, in a know-it-all voice "she was the wildest one out of the nine of us."

"NINE?!" I screeched in my thoughts, my inner was ripping out her hair, "We thought THREE siblings was bad--ADD FIVE TO THAT" I smiled falsely, hiding my fear

"My tree eldest are waiting. Are we going to clean her up and get them ready by tomorrow or not?" he asked impatiently "The girl needs help."

I bit the inside of my cheek...hard

"Yes, do what you must, my sister, Temari, will help the changes." he gestured to her "You are all dismissed."

I was hurried off into a large dressing room type of place with what seemed like miles of...of...of...kimonos...

"Oh, no..." I whispered

"Oh, yes!" chimed a short, old woman, she then paused and narrowed her eyes at me

"Oh, boy, here we go again." I sighed

"The hair...those scars...wardrobe, make-up..." I tried not to glare "posture!" she snapped and I straitened up "Her breasts are too small--" I gritted my teeth "-- her hips far too wide--" a vein popped "...other than that she's a perfect match."

I felt my eye twitch "...that's pretty much everything on the 'you don't look like her side' instead of the 'leave it' side." I mumbled

"No comments under your breath!" she huffed and walked up to me, grabbed my chin and forced it to be parallel to the floor "Head up and walk!" I tried to take one step "Wrong! Do it again!" we did this for at least two hours, I was exhausted so eventually I just didn't move "Correct!" she smiled at me "You don't move unless your bodyguard is with you."

"...you know I'm a ninja...right?" I cocked an eyebrow

"Not anymore." she replied "You're a lady, now." I heard two soft chuckles from the door, obviously it was Kotaru. I turned to look at him

"Kotaru, that's not funny--" I stopped myself and stared "K-Kota?" he nodded a silent yes, a bit less than happy...he had already gotten his identity change.

"They said the guy was--emo?" he grumbled

"See...he's already got his character down--what kind of ninja are you?" she snapped at me and this time I snapped back

"You know what lady? Can it before I choke you on your own spine!" I glowered at her, practically foaming at the mouth, then turned my attention back to my friend.

They chopped off most of his long, classically beautiful Hyuuga hair and cropped it's now dyed black with blue highlights. I was thrown off by the color of his eyes that are bluer than the sky right now. I took a closer look and burst out laughing.

"HAHAHAHAHA!" I fell down pointing, not able to breathe "Th-they g-g-ave yo-u an ear-earring!" he murderously stared holes in me but I didn't care--this was my pick-me-up

"Oh shut it would you? By the way, you have to call me Shin, ok May?" he knows I hate that name, it's nothing personal...it's just too swishy for me.

"Right," he started to leave when I called out to him "I do like it." he didn't turn to look at me but I know that's what he wanted to hear

"You two have something going on!" squealed one of my 'siblings'

"Nah...we've just known each other for, basically ever." all of them sighed, very girly

"That's so romantic..."

I cringed "Mayday, mayday...we're goin down."

Five hours later...I looked like a prissy girl. It sucked. Hard. I walked into a conference room to see if there was anything else that needed to be fixed. When I entered, I felt like a freak, everyone stared at me. Kotaru looked more shocked than anyone else in that room.

I had on a wig that was a long and pretty, dark green swept up in a pony tail and flower clip. I was informed she likes to change her hair color from greens to blues--and they said my natural pink was weird? Anyway, I was wearing a purple kimono with white lilies around the trim and a forest print on the obi. They had to draw my eyebrows on because they were too light and put on white powder, hiding my scares and sunburn, completely. That lady was a bitch, but she was a genius--I mean a real bitch. She had the nerve to say I looked better than that poor dead princess in front of the sisters! I told her off pretty good then too.

"You look stunning." gaped the father with tears in his eyes, I half smiled

"I say this with respect but stunned is more accurate." I smiled, sweetly. It must be hard for him to look at me...

"She's perfect." he wiped the tears away

"Young Lady...you are very kind to do this. Our daughter was the peoples' princess...I can't fathom what they would have done without her. They needed you. Thank you." I bowed low, once again.

"It's an honor to do this for you." I squeezed my eyes shut and stayed low "It's an honor, ok? Treat it like one...just keep your mouth shut."

"You have a second job as well Sakuya." suddenly informed the Kazekaga "It's to keep an eye on the other princesses."

"Yes, My Lord." I replied sharply, like I was trained. Obey, obey, obey...it's rule one, basically.

Again I was rushed off but this time, I felt nervous for some reason. I looked around for Kotaru and couldn't find him. I turned to my left and then my right but people were crowding around me, ushering me down a hall, outside, and into a carriage. I started to push lightly against them, trying to get away.

"No, I don't know what I'm doing--I want out!" My breath started to shallow

I felt a rough, pale hand brush against mine

"It's ok." someone softly whispered from directly behind me "I'll be right outside...be tough." he chuckled

I nodded, embarrassed about being caught in my time of weakness. I have problems with being alone, my dad told me how he went off on his own and how horrible it was, how isolated he felt.

"You'll be fine." he breathed pushing my lower back the rest of the way into the wooden box. When I was in with the five girls, plus three older ones, I felt it jerk forward, suddenly. I tried to stay quiet and not exist in their eyes. Before I entered I was told we were going to the center of the massive compound and it took about two hours or so, the whole time I could them burning holes in me.

"You don't look like her." the eldest spat, about a half an hour into the ride "you aren't her."

I looked straight into her golden eyes "I'm not trying to be."

"Yes you are!" she yelled at me "You're replacing her!"

"No. I'm not." I softly replied

"You have no idea how it feels to lose your sister!" She raised her voice louder

"Nomi you're going to scare the guards!" whispered the second eldest, right before the door swung open

"Is everything alright?" asked Genma

"No!" bellowed Nomi "She's not my sister--she doesn't know how it feels to lose--"

"Stop your idiotic screaming. I'm a Shinobi. I've lost more family and friends then you can count." I glared at her long and hard and she shut her mouth "Genma, let me out." I commanded

"I can't." he replied

"May would often walk with Shin instead of riding in the carriages." informed one of the girls, at this point I didn't care which one it was. Genma nodded and I stepped out.

"You're off to a lousy start, Sakuya." he warned

"Sorry." I huffed and began walking before the small caravan started moving. I was about five yards in front of them when I was called out to.

"Hey! Ninja girl!"

"What now?" I sighed but put on a good face

"Yes?" it was the third eldest girl, she had long brown hair with green eyes, slightly darker than mine. She walked up to me like she could walk on water, it made me feel sluggish.

"Hello, I'm Chou...I am sorry about my sister." she walked by my side while she spoke

"It's alright, she misses her sister. It's natural to take offence to what I'm doing." I tried remembering what that mean lady said about walking so I wouldn't look so fake standing next to her

"Yes and she's very selfish." she exasperatedly huffed and we laughed slightly

"What do you mean?" I asked quirking a brow

"Oh...she's paranoid that if she dies they'll do the same thing to her...or even if she doesn't die..." she hinted

"You shouldn't worry," I tried to sooth her, but I have no idea why I'm even here so...I'm lacking comfort myself

"Alright." she shrugged "I wasn't anyway." she seemed like a normal person, she kind of reminded me of Kayko...but less psycho. "So..." she drawled "what's up with you and 'Shin'?" she held up air quotes

"Our parents were friends, we're friends, we've grown up together--didn't we already go over this?" I chuckled

"Oh...he doesn't like the one with the head cover." I looked at her skeptically

"Nah, they get along fine. Why would you think that?" I half smiled in confusion

"Well, the older one--"

"Genma."

"Right, likes you ." I whipped my head in her direction with wide eyes "Hey--with looks like that, I'd date him no matter how old he was." I rolled my eyes

"You remind me of home." I sighed, she continued on

"But the younger one--"

"Kotaru aka Shin."

"Right, likes you too." I burst out laughing

"HAHA," she looked at me strangely "H-He has a shot w-w-ith every girl the-the v-village and he picked m-e?!" I stuttered taking a step forward and tripped on the hem line of my kimono and tried to pivot to stay up but it wouldn't work with this big heavy clothing. Right before I hit the ground I felt someone grab my obi.

"You need to work on the graceful part of graceful." aw crap, does he always have to be the friggen hero and why is it always at my expense?

"That was dumb luck, Shin." I mumbled through the massive veil my wig created over my eyes

"Whatever," he replied "You good?"

"Yeah, yeah." I huffed standing normally and walked ahead

"Hn." he grunted

"Why is he staring me down? It's not like I'm completely useless." I thought

"He was even cute before he looked like Shin--not to mention that sexy voice!" she giggled quietly, I half smiled at her unawareness of Kota's abilities

"Ok, but he has really good hearing..." her face went slightly red as she mouthed the work 'oh' as I snickered "I doubt he minded." We walked and talked at the same time but I couldn't help but to let my thoughts wander.

"I'm not staying here the rest of my life I don't care what they say. I won't do it...so I guess I don't have to worry about that part. But why would they even ask me to do this? I suppose I'll have to do some research. I hope it's nothing."

"Hey you ok?" askedChou worried

"Yeah, I'm fine." I smiled deceivingly "Just...I've done standard bodyguard missions but nothing like this."

"Yes--" She started but couldn't finish

"Princesses, we're arriving." called Genma "May, stay close to Chou, got it?"

"Yea--" Chou shook her head quickly and mouthed 'yes' instead "Yes." I looked at her skeptically "Don't you know where the compound is?"

"No..." she looked to the sky "she was murdered in her own room..."


RXR

Thanks guys! I gave you a long one this time (obviously) because I felt bad I hadn't updated! I have the pictures of the changes on my profile. Tell me if they work, would you? That'd be cool.

-OD98