Beauty and the Beast: NaruSaku style

Chapter 9: Beauty and the Beast

For Naruto his first glance at Sakura dressed and made up by Ino for the evening was a powerful moment in his life. He was rendered speechless, and almost unable to move. As he watched her descend the stairs from her room, her long red dress flowing around her gracefully, he could only see an angel in front of him. As she alighted on the landing between them then looked up at him expectantly, sky blue eyes met oceanic green ones and in that one shining brief moment of connection burned away all his doubts. At Kakashi's slight urging he rolled his shoulders and cleared his throat, then proceeded to walk down the stairs to meet her.

As they came face to face Sakura gifted him with a warm and gentle smile. She was clearly exited, and the soft pink on her cheeks could not be put to the light touch of makeup on them but was doing her best to maintain an even keel at the moment. Naruto gave her his most genuine and warmest smile in return. It came so naturally to him and was nothing like the one he'd been practicing in the mirror for the last week. It was just him; all the warmth and good feelings simply flowed from him to her and were reciprocated in her smile.

Bowing gently to her a gesture she returned, he offered his arm and she graciously accepted gently wrapping her pink gloved arm around his and allowing him to lead her down the stairs to the dining room. Naruto wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked and had practiced endless times what he wanted to say to her, but now each word seemed inadequate to the burden of his heart at the moment. Sakura had a soft but genuine smile on her face the whole time, but seemed disinclined to say anything either as if she didn't want to ruin the moment with words. Instead they made their way down past Tsunade who smiled at them both encouragingly and to the dining room where Neji quickly seated them at the table and Gai rapidly placed menus in front of them. Kakashi true to his word had the other candles dimmed down to create a soft romantic ambiance.

-ooOoo-

Dinner was a comfortably quiet affair except of course for the soft romantic violin music being played by Neji who had become quite adept after a few short days of practice. Sakura found Naruto trying his hardest to be a near perfect gentleman. It was a sight to behold, and it warmed her heart no end to see him making every effort to make this a night she would remember.

As they finished the last of a creamy pudding dessert Sakura decided with the music and the soft lights that she wanted to dance. So quickly dabbing at her face with a napkin she smiled brightly at Naruto before rushing over to him and taking his hands gently with hers. Then with a brilliant smile she pulled him towards the ballroom whose intricate double glass doors opened for them allowing them a view of the renovated room.

The ballroom walls were covered in soft tapestries between evenly spaced pillars of marble with golden inlay. Lit candelabra on each pillar created a soft romantic glow that warmed their hearts and whispered of closeness and contentment. The grand piano off to one corner took over for the music from Neji, it's ivory keys singing a soft melodic tune that lifted their hearts and set their feet to swaying across the polished floor. Above them all hung the massive golden chandelier its multiple candles shedding soft golden light down from above.

The song being played was an old ballad one that Tsunade recognized immediately as one her grandmother used to sing to her when she was a child. A song telling a story as old as time, and as true as song could be. A tale of beauty and how it resided on a person's inside, a tale of love that spoke of the feelings of the heart and how they could overcome any barrier, and distance, and pain, and how it could last as long as the sunrise as long as their feelings were genuine and true.

Softly she sang the lyrics, the words coming to her as naturally as if her grandmother were singing them herself. She watched as Naruto gulped slightly as Sakura lead him to the middle of the dance floor before gently guiding his hand to her waist before taking his left hand in hers. Then they began to sway back and forth, revolving slowly across the dance floor to the music from the piano, and the music in their hearts.

-ooOoo-

From the very moment she had walked down the stairs Sakura had felt her heart racing with anticipation, and excitement. Yet the instant Naruto had approached her, his sapphire blue eyes linking with hers in genuine harmony, all her nervousness went out the window and was replaced with a calm acceptance.

Everything just seemed natural and easy. From taking his arm to allow him to lead her to dinner, to eating in comfortable silence as if small talk would simply get in the way. To her decision to lead him to the dance floor where hesitant at first, he had rapidly gained courage and taken the lead in their dance. She knew he had been taking dancing lessons, she had accidently witnessed one of them, and she found it so sweet. So she waited as long as she could before the excitement and atmosphere got to her and she could wait no longer. She absolutely adored the shocked expression on Naruto's face as she took his hands and boldly lead him to the ballroom before beginning to dance with him.

Now dancing here in his strong arms Sakura felt more peaceful then she ever had before. The only lingering doubt she had left her wondering whether Naruto felt the way she was beginning to feel about him. The soft looks and gentle touches he had given her these last few days had been heaven, yet he had rarely spoken to her about what was happening between them. Any time the conversation would turn to matters of the heart he would become strangely silent and shy. So she waited and hoped that in the end he would feel as she did.

Now as she looked into his eyes as they danced. Her heart felt lighter then air and she blushed prettily as he twirled her to and fro, his confidence growing in leaps and bounds. She sighed softly and then much to his surprise laid her head against his chest and simply let the firm but gentle grip of his hand on her waist support her as they swayed back and forth. She was subconsciously aware of Kakashi lowering the lights on the walls and on the incredibly beautiful chandelier overhead. It didn't matter though it just made her feel even safer and warmer in his arms. This simply felt…right.

Yes tonight she would celebrate all that he had given her these last few weeks. Tonight she would find out if the heart truly could change, as her mother had told her once long ago. A single bittersweet tear of happiness slid down her face at the memory but was quickly wiped away as she snuggled closer to Naruto's broad chest.

-ooOoo-

As he was lead to the center of the dance floor Naruto's worry grew, and he gulped audibly as she wrapped his arms around her. He had taken some small dance lessons with Ten-Ten and Ino in preparation but now he was so unsure of himself that he felt like his feet were encased in lead. Also he was being highly distracted by the feel of the beautiful young woman in his arms and the alarmingly comfortable way that she just felt …Right being there.

Still as they swayed together to the music, her soft emerald eyes captivating him he felt his courage pick up and with a look of determination he took the lead from her gently leading her in step with the music. His uncertainty once leaving him nearly immobile with doubt was now gone and what remained was only the pure and clear vision of the roseate haired woman in his arms, and the wonderful fairy tale future he planned to give her. Tonight he would celebrate his love for her, he would leave behind the loneliness and heartache that had made up his world, and he would live again in the warmth and comfort of Sakura's heart. This night his spirit would climb with her help to the sky and beyond. For her he would reach for the moon and give her the stars.

Now as her head came to rest against his chest snuggling into his warm embrace there was no distance between them, and his eyes widened in shock for a moment at the simple yet intimate gesture of affection and trust she was showing him. It spoke more to him then any words she could say. He was equally cheered as Kakashi and Gai standing nearby cheered him on with bright smiles, and Tsunade smiled softly at them both with a happy yet wistful tear in her eye.

As he led Sakura through another playful twirl eliciting a small but bright laugh from her. He reminisced for a brief moment how the events of the last few weeks had lead them to this moment. How enemies had become friends, and friends he hoped could become lovers; tonight he hoped to discover that and much more. As Kakashi dimmed the candlelight down to an even softer ambiance, he made his choice. He'd made it the moment she took him in her arms, the moment she was willing to sacrifice herself for her loved ones sake, the moment she had with great care, healed and dressed his wounds. All of those moments lead to now and to the words he knew he could no longer hide.

-ooOoo-

Together the couple danced for a few moments more before slowly turning to one another and hugging for a long moment. Looking outside Naruto kept one arm around her shoulders and led her outside through the ballrooms balcony doors. Sakura's breath was taken away as the starry night was spread out before her as crisp and clear as a mountain stream. A single shooting star flared across the evening sky as they took a seat on the bench nearby as if signifying the falling of the walls between them.

At first Naruto sat at arms length next to her, and blushed as he shyly looked away while scratching the back of his head nervously, his earlier confidence a little shaken as he contemplated what to say to her. Sakura simply sat down and took a moment to adjust her dress before she looked up happily as Naruto suddenly took her hands while shifting himself closer to her, bringing his warmth in proximity to her. Looking into her eyes, those beautiful emerald eyes that had captivated and held his heart from the moment he had met her he cleared his throat and began to speak the words that would set them all free in more ways then one.

"Sakura…" he hesitated a moment "Are you…Happy here with me?" he asked smiling as her eyes lit up at the question.

"Yes…" she glowed at the thought and answered honestly. But then she hesitated though as suddenly a worrisome thought had crept into her mind, and turned away from him to gaze out over the horizon.

"What's wrong?" He asked softly a worried frown upon his face. He could see she was troubled and wanted to do something; anything to ease her troubled heart.

"I only wish I could see my father again, if only for a moment. I miss him so much…" she shook her head sadly a lot of the warmth she had felt going away at the thought of her father now alone in the world without her.

Naruto seemed to contemplate for a moment; he had considered asking the carriage to find the old fellow and bring him back to the castle but figured that might be a bad idea. He knew he'd eventually have to make some serious amends to the poor man whom he had not parted on the best of terms with eventually but now Sakura's saddened face was wrenching his heart. Then suddenly his sapphire blues widened. There was a way, the mirror.

"There is a way." He smiled gently and warmly at her his own heart nearly leaping out of his chest as she looked up at him with an exited and happy look to her face. Quickly he took her hands and led her to the now newly cleaned and remodeled west wing. There on the table sat the rose, and the mirror she'd seen before. Reaching down Naruto picked up the mirror almost reverently and handed it to her.

"This mirror will show you anything. Anything you wish to see." He spoke with a soft warm tone as he urged her to try it.

Her eyes widened a bit then she screwed up her courage and took the mirror from his hands. Asking in a soft voice "I'd like to see my father please."

Sakura flinched and closed her eyes while turning her head as a bright green light flared from the mirror which felt oddly warm in her hands and sent a tingle of energy through them as she held it. As she looked though the image nearly broke her heart on the spot. A coughing Jin Haruno fighting his way through a snow drift, lost and alone somewhere in the woods, cold and isolated, clearly sick and possibly dying.

"Oh no papa!" she exclaimed as the image of Jin collapsed into a snow pile "He's all alone, and sick. He may be dying." She pleaded her eyes desperate to do something, anything to save him.

Naruto turned away from her to look at the rose closing his eyes for a moment as an icy stab of pain went through his heart. If he did now what he knew he was going to do. He knew he wasn't just dooming himself but every living soul in the castle to a terrible fate.

But as his sapphire blues opened he knew he could do no less. Her father needed her, and he could no more keep them apart then he could tear one of his nine tails off. Unable to face her he again felt that icy cold stab as a jolt of that old familiar loneliness cut into him.

"T-Then y- you must go to him." He stuttered unable to fully articulate as the words caught in his throat.

"What did you say…?" her eyes widened as she moved to face him she tried to see his eyes but he kept them turned away from her.

"I release you. You're no longer my prisoner." He spoke softly his eyes glued to the rose and the table top.

"You mean I'm free?" she whispered in a quiet voice filled with surprise. A part of her was saddened that he seemed unable to look at her, and that same part was crying at the loss of the feel of his gentle arms from around her.

"Yes." Was his only reply as he finally managed to lift his head and looked at her but was unable to or unwilling to look into her eyes though she could see the pain and heartbreak that was evident in his own.

Still the sound of coughing from the image in the mirror galvanized her. She reached out and gave his hand a gentle squeeze before replying softly. "Thank you."

"Hold on papa I'm on my way." She turned to leave then hesitated a moment before turning to Naruto and offering the mirror to him. He reached up and then his hands closed around her smaller ones as he finally looked her in the eyes, feeling once again that special connection between them.

"Keep it. So you'll always have a way to look back, and remember me." He spoke softly while gently running his fingers through her long silky pink hair pulling the pony tail over her shoulder.

"Thank you for understanding how much he needs me." She spoke softly with a genuine if sad smile on her beautiful face. Turning to leave she hesitated again then turned back and placed a gentle gloved hand on his cheek, and rested her forehead against his for a brief moment. He moved into it nuzzling into her touch before she pulled away and hurried from the room determined to save her father from the grim fate she had seen in the mirror.

As Sakura left the room she passed Gai who bowed politely to her before marching over to Naruto who was now staring after her and reaching for her even though she was no longer there to hold.

"Well Naruto-Sama I must say everything is going just perfectly. I knew your youthful manner and heart would wind the fair damsel over…" Gai positively glowed in triumph as he chuckled merrily.

"I let her go." Was Naruto's only reply

"…Yes, yes just splend…" he paused a moment as Naruto's words sunk in. "You what? How could you do that…?" he asked stunned at the implications for them all.

"I had to." He replied softly and sadly

"But why?" he sputtered out.

"Because; I love her." Was his only reply before turning away from Gai and walking out to the balcony to see if he could get a glimpse of her as she left him forever.

-ooOoo-

"He did WHAT!!" was the simultaneous exclamation by Tsunade, Kakashi, and Shizune at Gai's explanation.

"Yes I'm afraid it's true." Gai explained sadly.

"You mean she's going away?" Konohomaru asked plaintively as the adults around him fretted. This wasn't right and he knew it, had they done something wrong? Was she mad at them? He had to know why.

"And he was so close…" sighed Kakashi as he comforted Shizune next to him.

"After all this time, he's finally learned to love." Tsunade sighed softly herself, and sadly shook her head which amounted to her entire teapot body in this case.

"That's it then! That should break the spell!" Kakashi clung to the only thing he could think of to keep hope alive. But Tsunade's next words dashed that as well.

"It's not enough. She has to love him in return." She spoke softly as a lone tear escaped her porcelain features.

"Now it's too late." Gai softly added a tear escaping his own face as well.

In their sorrow none of them noticed Konohomaru slip quietly away and make his way rapidly towards where he knew the stables were. If he could just slip into the saddle bag he could go with Sakura and ask her when she got to where she was going. Then maybe he could bring her back, and his grandma wouldn't be so sad anymore. Yep that was a great plan he thought.

-ooOoo-

As Sakura rode away her heart was torn in two. Already scared for her father she felt her heart give a painful lurch as she remembered the shocked and sadden faces she had passed on the way out; Ino's most especially as she had rushed into her room and quickly changed to her original dress before donning her traveling cloak. She had given Ino a hug and a quick peck on the cheek thanking her for everything before rushing out with no explanation save that she had to go save her father.

But the pain was magnified even further as she heard what could only be Naruto give a final heartbreaking roar from somewhere high in the castle. The roar was filled with pain and sorrow and loss and grief. It said so many things yet mostly it spoke of a terrible loneliness which reached in and clutched with icy fingers at her very soul.

Steeling her heart though Sakura knew she had to leave. She had to find her father, and save him. Then later when he was safe and healthy together the two of them would return to the castle. Then Naruto would apologize to her father, and she would show him all the wonderful friends she had made there. Then they could get back to where things had been and where she was certain they had been headed. Back to the fairy tale ending she was certain was only a moment's kiss away.

-ooOoo-

Riding swiftly as she searched for her father Sakura called out for him repeatedly. She was confident that she recognized the area he was in and when she checked the mirror the feeling grew stronger. After what seemed like an eternity but was only a couple of hours, a soft almost inaudible cough caught her attention. Quickly she leapt down from Lee, and ran to Jin who lay pale and unmoving in a snow drift.

"Papa!!" She exclaimed. Quickly she wrapped her own travelers cloak around him and lifted him onto Lee. Then quickly she mounted behind him and urged Lee towards the south and their home.

"Hold on papa I'm here, everything is going to be fine now." she whispered to him soothingly.

Soon after another hour of hard riding their small but warm home came into view, quickly Sakura dismounted and helped her father down before leading him into the house. As she set about warming and returning Jin to health she failed to notice that a snow pile at the side of their house moved of its own accord.

"Hehe. They're back." Kabuto's teeth chattered together. He'd been here for nearly a week now keeping an eye out for these two. Now they were here, and at last he could finally get warm. Quickly shaking off the rest of the snow he ran towards town and the Thousand Birds tavern so he could inform Sasuke-sama. Then someone with pink hair would be in for a big surprise.

-ooOoo-

A warm feeling steadily ran through Jin's body as his vision started to clear from the blurriness that plagued it. He could only see a vaguely pink blur that rapidly began to change into the image of his beloved daughter.

"Sakura…?" he asked hesitantly reaching out from under the blankets of his bed. "Sakura is that you?"

"It's all right papa I'm home." She soothed him while using a cool damp rag to ease his feverish brow.

"I thought I'd never see you again." He sighed softly as he sat up and embraced his daughter in a warm bear hug as a father's tears came to his eyes.

"I missed you sooo much." She replied hugging him back almost as hard.

"But the beast, how did you escape?" he held his daughters shoulders and shuddered involuntarily at the memory of his brief imprisonment at the hands of the nine tailed monster.

"I didn't escape papa. He let me go." She reassured him with a gentle smile.

"That horrible beast…?" Jin found that a little hard to swallow but was surprised at his daughter's next words.

"But he's different now papa, he's changed somehow…"

She was interrupted in her thoughts as the bag she carried the mirror in suddenly toppled over causing the mirror to slide out onto the bed, along with a little teacup with a chip in its rim. Konohomaru spun around on the mirrors surface for a moment before coming to a dizzying halt. Shaking his head clear he hopped up onto Jin's lap and subsequently onto his belly.

"Hi!" he chirped happily. eager to see them both as it were.

"Oh a stowaway." Sakura chuckled slyly at the sight.

"Well hello there little fella, didn't think I'd see you again." Jin was surprised at the friendly little teacups appearance in his own home.

However happy as Konohomaru was to see them both he had a question to ask and so he turned around and did so.

"Sakura why'd you go away? Don't you like us anymore?" he asked plaintively

"Oh Konohomaru of course I do, it's just…" Her explanation was interrupted by a soft but sinister knocking on the door. "Now who could that be…" she muttered softly not in the mood for visitors right now.

As she opened the door a cold shudder ran down her spine at the sight of the person on the other side. His pale face was lean and angular with an almost serpentine quality to it, and his eyes were a cold yellow that held none of the warmth of Naruto's sapphire blues, or even the care of her father's soft browns.

"Can I help you?" she asked softly not bothering to invite the strange man in. When the man spoke it was with a soft sibilant hissing sound and a dreadful smile on his face.

"Yes my dear. I've come to collect your father."

To be continued.