Chapter 9
The Christmas Ball
Hello, all this is the greatly anticipated chapter 9, which is incredibly important to the story's parings. This chapter is hugely romance between Sakura and Lee, This chapter takes place at Christmas time, the bestest holiday ever! The Sand Sibs will make an appearance, goes to any Gaara and Temari and Kankuro fans out there. Please enjoy all! MK, tell me how you liked it!
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1) Sambers--Yes, if all boyfriends were like that, the world would be a better place, I agree. Thanks for the comments on the fluffiness. I am only good at fluff if the story has a plot. Useless fluff, horrible at it. Please continue to review, you are AWESOME
2) SapphireWhiteTigress--Out of all my reviews, yours are one that I look forward to. Thank you so much, I had no idea my story would be this popular. When I got the idea, I kinda laughed and thought it was too AU, but, hey 98 reviews total, that's pretty good! Thanks again! I really respect your opinion. I am honored that you think so highly of this. Thank you!
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Well without further ado, CHAPTER 9
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
Out of every single holiday that was known by mankind, Christmas would have to be Prince Lee's favorite of all. Christmas was a time of peace and harmony, a time where you could be with loved ones and celebrate the joy of the togetherness and forget about any troubles or worries that plagued you.
Hopefully, a time for the Kingdom to disregard the heart crushing memory of the treachery of a certain famous knight.
In good time, all of Konoha had received word that the best warrior that Konoha had ever known, Sir Sasuke Uchiha had betrayed his home and the crown for a reason still yet to be explained, and the rumor of his strange desire to kidnap a castle hand with cherry flower pink hair, that female being, in truth, Sakura Haruno, the woman Prince Rock Lee had fallen madly in love with, though only four people knew of that, soon to be six.
It was December twenty-third at the Konoha Castle, and the whole place was a buzz with the impending festival that was Christmas time, the warm feeling looming around like a thick fog. Usually crabby or irritable servants were now in high spirits, singing Christmas carols and smiling at the thought of the happy holiday as the decorated the entire castle from top to bottom, preparing for the illustrious Christmas Ball That was hosted by none other than Konoha that year. Streaming bright green and yellow garland on the walls and mistletoe in random areas about the castle, making the palace shine with the youthful glow the Christmas holiday always seemed to give off.
And, in the huge ballroom smack in the middle of the castle, stood the tallest Christmas tree all of Konoha had ever known. Glistening with ornaments every color of the rainbow and petite lights to match, with yellow garland weaved clockwise around it, and at the top of it all, a gorgeous angel leading the brilliancy of it all. Prince Lee had constantly marveled every year at the size of the tree, the swirl of the colors, and the beauty of the Christmas angel.
But now, Lee had another angel occupying his mind at that moment.
Right now, the solitary thing on his mind was Sakura Haruno. One day before the Ball, and he had to make an appointment to see someone and inquire them to help make Sakura look miraculous for the festivity, not that she didn't look wonderful, because she did, he just required her to give the impression of being a noble, which isn't that hard if you had the right help.
And Prince Lee had gotten the perfect person to assist him in Sakura's 'makeover'.
Lady Ino Nara.
Ino was a very striking woman, the most fine-looking girl in Konoha, to be rumored, and she always wore gorgeous clothes and exquisite necklaces, bracelets, and trinkets of that matter. She was the fairest woman in the kingdom, at least, that is what Lee had heard, but Lee could challenge that, because he thought that Sakura Haruno was the loveliest woman in Konoha, in the kingdom, in the world. Although, even though that was his opinion, Lee beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was fact. Sakura had features much, much more intoxicating than Lady Ino. Her hair was like silk, pink threads, woven from cherry petals. Her eyes were jade spheres of incandescent light, trapped only when Sakura shut them. Her skin was creamy and smooth, ne'er a flaw visible by the human eye, just glowing perfection. Her cute nose and ears were not too large, but not too small either, just more perfection. And her lips, red and luscious, the ideal lips to kiss so tenderly. Prince Rock Lee constantly imagined what it would be like to taste those flavorful lips, just once. One time, one night, one moment, one kiss. Just one touch, and he would be satisfied…
"Lee-san?" a voice yet again interrupted the thoughts of the prince.
Lee switched his gaze from up in space to the left and saw Lady Ino and Lord Shikamaru standing beside him, Lord Shikamaru carrying a white box. "Are you okay?"
"Ah, yes, Lady Ino. I am fine. I am so glad you were able to come and help me with my problem. If you do not mind me asking, what is that white box?"
"Oh!" Lady Ino's eyes perked up "This is a present for my mother across the sea. Now, about this girl you want me to fix up. I'm ready to help!"
"Wonderful, Ino-san! Shall Shikamaru-kun and I lend a hand?"
"Well, I do need your help finding her. Where is she? What is she like? What is her name? Is she a duchess or a princess?
"In that order," Prince Lee laughed "She should be somewhere in the halls. She is nice, sweet, funny, beautiful, and all around perfect, her name is Sakura Haruno. And she is not a princess or a duchess or anything. Sakura is a…a maid…"
Ino's broad smile fell, and Shikamaru lazily cocked an eyebrow. They, too, were fully aware of the rules and bylaws of Konoha, The couple knew that if what Prince Lee had said was true, if they were discovered, there would be trouble.
"Lee-san…you know that it's illegal for a noble to see a commoner that way…" Ino said mournfully "I can't…I can't risk-"
"Please, Ino-san!" Lee begged her "I will take full accountability if something happens and I am found out. You are just going to make her look nice. Please Lady Ino; this is a matter of life and death! We are speaking of true love! I am in love with her! Please, I beg you!"
Ino shot her eyes away from Prince Lee, keeping away from his stare that was brimming with tears. How could Ino say no after that heartfelt declaration? It would be like sticking a knife through his heart, and Ino couldn't do that to anybody…well, almost anybody.
"Lee-san…" Ino sighed as she picked her eyes back up. "How…how much do you love this girl?"
"I love her more than anything, Ino-san! I want to be with her so badly, but…I do not care about any laws or rules, I will be with her, no matter what. I will take Sakura to this ball, and she will fall in love with me, then I will ask her to be my wife, and we will get married and be blessed with many children, and rule Konoha side by side together, and our bright flame of youth and love will burn eternally! Yosh!"
Ino and Shikamaru sweat-dropped, also incredibly disturbed by the prince's odd proclamations, but his words were factual, there was no way around it. Ino couldn't help it, love was just so pure.
"Okay…well, guess it wouldn't hurt…" said Ino.
"This is…troublesome…" yawned Shikamaru.
"You will help us, Shika-kun, or else!"
Shikamaru gulped in fear of his wife, he knew better than anyone never to provoke women; they are pure evil when they want to be, so Shikamaru fearfully agreed.
"So, where is she, Lee?" Ino asked again.
"She should be-"
But suddenly, their conversation was disrupted by the sound of breathtaking singing. A sweet, lovely tune that Prince Lee knew all too well.
"What's that?" Ino wondered aloud.
"That," Lee sighed passionately "That is the voice of an angel, she beckons to me. That…is my Sakura..."
Ino smiled warmly to Lee. The lady was abruptly envious of this Sakura, having this sweet but dense prince care for her so avidly, a truly rare occasion with her husband to swoon over anybody that way, though Ino knew her husband adored the very ground she walked on, though she wouldn't mind if he was no less than a bit oral about it, but not too vocal, like Prince Lee was.
Although, Ino contemplated this thought the most…
Sakura Haruno was beautiful, from what Lee said, but was she more beautiful than Ino herself?
Ino did not get pleasure from the actuality that she may perhaps have competition.
Sakura was probably the happiest person in the whole castle that day, her mood had taken a rapid decline in the last month, but Christmas time had raised her spirits, as it did with everyone. Yoko and Hinata-chan were off decorating the ballroom for the grand Christmas Ball (that Sakura would be secretly going to, she had forgotten to tell Hinata, but told Naruto, for some odd reason) and Umi and Ari were cooking and making the special foods for the party, though Umi said she'd prefer to decorate. So that left Sakura and Naruto to decorate the first floor hall. Sakura loved the scent of the freshly new wreaths. They smelled of unsullied pine trees and newly grown evergreens, the garland glitter in the light of the castle, reflecting gold and green light upon the center of the wall. Sakura loved Christmas in general, who didn't? But Sakura anticipated not Christmas in general, but the ball she was clandestinely attending. Going and seeing what it would be like to live as a noble for just one night.
And Sakura didn't mind the idea of being escorted by a handsome prince…
'Okay, my brain did NOT just think that…'
'You are an angel!'
'Shut up!'
'Anything your heart desires, name it…and it shall be yours'
'He…he was being nice!'
'Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you'
'AHRGH!'
"Hey, Sakura-chan?" Naruto's highly annoying voice broke Sakura away from the argument with herself. "Sakura-chan, can I ask you somethin'?"
"Sure, Naruto, ask away." Sakura's voice was distant.
"Okay, uh, Sakura-chan…are…are you in love with thick brows…?"
"What!" Sakura exclaimed "I…I don't…thick b-brows?"
"Yeah!" Naruto answered her, pointing to his own brows "His eyebrows are like fuzzy black caterpillars!"
Sakura's eyes wandered upward. Truthfully, she hadn't noticed the prince's eyebrows. And even if they were thick and fuzzy, Sakura would most likely not care; it what was on the inside that truly mattered.
"I…I hadn't noticed, Naruto-san. And I am not in love. I am going with him because…because…"
Then it hit her, why exactly was she going with him, anyway? It had all happened so fast. He had held her hands; he had had compassion and great concern for her.
That prince had told her she was beautiful, and had truly meant it.
How could she say no?
"Because he was good to me, so I'm returning the favor."
Naruto scratched his head "I guess it adds up. Prince Lee is a pretty nice guy, but he's a prince. Soon to be king! Why would he fall for a plain maid like you?"
Sakura wrinkled her brow to her evil death glare, which immediately shut Naruto up for good.
"Are you calling me ugly, Naruto?"
Naruto's eyes filled with panic and extreme terror of the girl beside him. Out of all the terrifying things on this universe, Sakura Haruno was the thing Naruto Uzumaki feared the most. He was surely dead now.
"N-no, S-Sakura-chan. I was just…um…uh…Sakura; could you sing me a Christmas song? I would sing one, but my voice sounds like a dying cat."
Sakura laughed weakly at the blonde's utter stupidity. The fact that she could ignite fear into his inner soul just by glaring tickled her pink. But Naruto was her best friend so she agreed to sing all the same.
"What's your favorite Christmas song, Naruto-san?"
"Hmm," Naruto pondered, placing his index finger to his lips "I like 'Mary, did you know?'() My mom used to sing me that when I went to bed at night, before she died."
Sakura swallowed hard. She had never sung that song before, though Sakura had heard it.
"Okay…Let's see…"
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you
"How was that?" Sakura asked after she had completed the first line
Naruto stood awe-struck, mouth agape and eyes wide. He knew Sakura had regularly had a fantastic singing voice, but this was just amazing. No wonder Lee had fallen for Sakura when he had heard her sing. (Yes, Sakura had told the blond the whole story, start to finish)
"That was really pretty, Sakura-chan."
Sakura blushed "Thank you, Naruto-san. Shall I continue?"
Naruto nodded enthusiastically.
However, before Sakura could carry on, a voice calling out to her stole Sakura's attention.
"Sakura-angel!"
Sakura instantly snapped her head around and saw her hero/prince with two other nobles in tow, making their way to her.
Sakura was suddenly at a loss of words. Should she call him 'Your majesty', even though the prince had told Sakura to call him Lee-san? And what about the nobles with him? She recognized one to be the Lady Ino Nara, the most beautiful woman in Konoha; at least that's what some of the servants had said. The rumor was that Lady Ino had lived in a far away kingdom and had settled in Konoha after marrying a native royal, which explained the man beside her.
"This is her?" Ino inquired nervously of Prince Lee, hoping that she was wrong. For if this was Sakura, her beauty was far above and beyond her own.
"Yes…" Lee said amorously, making Sakura blush, and then extending his hand to her "Could you please come with me? There is something I need you for."
Sakura was hesitant that moment. She looked sympathetically back at Naruto, who she didn't want to leave all by his lonesome.
"Hey, there, fuzzy brows!" Naruto called to the Prince and waved like an idiot, which right away made Sakura and exceptionally infuriated
"NARUTO!" Sakura shouted crossly, turning back to him "That was incredibly- "
"It is alright Sakura-angel." Lee said softy, carefully turning her around by grabbing her hand. "He calls me this all the time. I am just fine, Naruto-kun. May I borrow Sakura for a moment?"
"Idon'tcare." mumbled the blonde with a sly grin on his face. "Take her, and you can keep her. Sakura-chan scares me."
Sakura blared her teeth at Naruto with flames of rage coursing through her eyes. Was he trying to embarrass her?
"Thank you, Naruto-kun." Lee answered him and carefully led Sakura out of the hall, not once releasing his grip upon her hand. Sakura eyed Lady Ino, who was also eyeing her, only more suspiciously. Ino noticed that Sakura wore tattered clothing, but that was easily fixed. Her hair had split-ends, but was glossy and thick. Sakura's skin was blemish free and very vibrant. She had small delicate hands and fingers, though her fingernails desperately needed to be filed, they were chipped and uneven, however, that was another quick repair. This Sakura was much more attractive than Ino. Enormously, plain and simple.
But what Ino really watched was Sakura and Lee. The prince looked like he was about to melt. His eyes were glued on her tightly, his gaze never wavering. Every once in a while, his other hand and lips would twitch and a blush creep upon his upper cheeks, almost like he had to restrain himself to keep from just picking Sakura up in his arms and kissing her till her could no longer breathe. That romance was so cute, Ino could hardly stand it. This Sakura didn't know how lucky she had it.
"Sakura-angel," Lee said "This is Lord and Lady Nara. Shikamaru-kun and Ino-san, this is Sakura Haruno."
Sakura embarrassedly curtseyed to the Lord and Lady, trying to be well-mannered and courteous.
"It's wonderful to meet you, My Lord and Lady."
"You're a wonderful girl, Sakura Haruno." replied Ino as the four of them went upstairs to Ino and Shikamaru's chamber "None of that…properness. Call me Ino-chan. Your prince has asked my husband and me to make you look fabulous for the Ball. And truthfully, you are already a very beautiful girl; you just need some make-up and some good clothes and things. And I will be more than happy to help! Same with Shikamaru-kun, right?"
Shikamaru frightfully nodded, though his brain was thinking that it was way too troublesome. For that instant, he almost regretted his marriage, but he loved this woman beside him, and she loved him back. He couldn't help it.
"Th-thank you…" Sakura muttered, blushing at the fact that Ino had called Lee-san 'her' prince and at her praise. "I'm not really as good-looking as you say I am."
"Nonsense!" Lee exclaimed forcing Sakura's eyes to lock with his "You are gorgeous Sakura! The most beautiful woman I have ever seen!"
Sakura shyly spun her head away from the prince's soft eyes, trying her hardest, though it was useless, not to flush redder.
"Th-thank you…" Sakura murmured bashfully.
"You should listen to Lee-san, Sakura-chan." Ino nudged her with hinting eyes, leading the four of them up to her room that she shared with Shikamaru. Ino opened the door and let everyone into the room. Sakura saw that the bedroom was similar to Lee's. Only the curtains were a different color and size. The Lady motioned for Lee and Sakura to sit down upon her bed, while she dragged Shikamaru over to her large and vast closet.
"Okay, Sakura-chan!" Ino bellowed with much excitement "You have very light colored features, so we want a light color to go with your hair and eyes."
Ino opened the closest with a bang, revealing all of its contents at once. Sakura gasped with surprise and excitement when she saw that Lady Ino had infinite rows of clothes and shoes, all each and every color of the rainbow, and shoes to match each one. The Lady drifted towards the pink and red section of the closet-rainbow. She sifted rapidly through the various outfits and picked out seven light pink evening dresses and shoes that would harmonize with the gowns.
Sakura gaped in awe at the beauty of the ball gowns and the heel thickness of the shoes. One particular white pair of shoes, if you turned them to the side, the heel of the shoe would almost disappear! And each dress and gown glittered with its own uniqueness; Sakura was stunned. Prince Lee to great notice that Sakura had a thrilled glint in her jade-jewel eyes, which made him overjoyed. Whenever Sakura was happy, it made him happy, too.
"They would look beautiful on Sakura-chan!" the prince called out and grasped her hand and looked at her with a sheepish smile.
"Thank…thank you, your majesty." Sakura whispered, barely perceptible.
"Sakura-angel, please call me Lee-san. I detest it when others address me in that way, especially you. Please."
Rock Lee lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it in an innocent manner; Lady Ino could hardly retain her composure. Prince Lee was a charismatic sweetheart. A regular Prince Charming. He was a prince, and he was charming. What more could a girl ask for? This Sakura didn't know how good she really had it, though…there were laws…
"Ino-chan," Lee said to Ino, drawing the Lady's attention from her own thoughts back to him. Ino noticed that the prince still had a firm grip upon her hand, Sakura's body being magnetized by his gentleness. "I must leave now; I have something I must attend to. I trust you can handle on your own?"
The Lady smiled and nodded gallantly. "Sure. Shika-kun and I can manage."
Sakura was not so kosher with this idea. She knew that prince; she didn't know the Lord and Lady, you can imagine the nervousness streaming through her veins at that moment.
"No!" Sakura found herself calling out, letting her red flush return. "I…I…I don't want you to leave yet…"
'What is feeling… ?' Sakura thought almost fearfully.
The prince froze when she said this, he couldn't believe it. The woman he loved actually wanted his presence. She was afraid, he could tell, and she wanted him by her side. To make her feel safe! Lee hardly kept his happiness controlled from within him. He felt the urge to take his angel into his strong arms and hold her, protect her forever. And he craved to stay and see Sakura's beautiful attire for the Ball, but…this was essential to the perfect night with his perfect angel…
"Oh, Sakura-angel…" the prince pulled her close, caressing her soft face "I want to stay. I truly do. But…there is a matter that is important that needs my immediate attention. I promise I will return soon. I do not want to leave you…I am so sorry…please forgive me. I promise to make it up to you! And I will return soon."
The prince pecked her hand with his lips on last time and leapt up from his seat on Lady Ino's bed, leaving Sakura holding her hands to her heart and looking at him with a weak, child-like stare.
"I will see you in a matter of hours, Sakura-angel!" he bowed and left the room quickly.
As soon as Lady Ino was sure he was gone, she smiled slyly to Sakura and stole the spot on her bed next to the pink-haired maid that Prince Lee had once had possession of.
"Girl," Ino threw her arm around Sakura "You do not know how good you've got it with this prince! This guy totally adores you, he's rich, famous, sweet, not half-bad looking if you get the eyebrows fixed. He's totally perfect for you!"
Sakura glanced away anxiously, fumbling with her hands, the fidgeting loosing her stress levels. She knew that Ino was right, but Sakura couldn't make the connection that the relationship could ever be successful.
"W-well…I…"
"Don't worry about it…" Ino stopped her stuttering "Now…let's make you look amazing!"
"Neji-kun! Tenten-san!" Lee called for his two friends and advisors and he sprinted recklessly down and around each hall. He wanted to rush this because of his promise to Sakura to come back when his errand was finished, but he needed to find Neji and Tenten in order to complete this mission.
"Neji-kun! Tenten-san!" He shouted once last time.
But Neji and Tenten were nowhere to be found, and Lee had to hurry. Apparently time was not on his side at that moment, and the Ball was in one and a half hours. With any luck, he would have enough time to greet guests, dance with Sakura, and finally tell her everything.
But in order to do all of that, he required this one last thing.
After at least three minutes of running around his castle, almost knocking into four of his loyal servants and tripping over his own two feet, Neji and Tenten came up to him on the second floor where the hallway was being repaired for the party with stressed and tired expressions strewn across their faces. It was there job to make sure everything for the Ball was just right. And Lee screaming at the top of his lungs for them was only driving the both of them mad.
"What is it, Lee-san?" Neji half-whined, rubbing the right side of his skull, his pale eyes flecked with red bloodshot lines.
"Tenten-san, did my package arrive yet?" Lee panted, worn out from all of the running he had done.
Tenten tilted her head to the side, then instantly remembered what the prince was speaking of.
"Oh, you mean that present! Yeah, it's in your room. I had a girl deliver it there."
Lee smiled and brought both of his best friends into a death gripped hug, his cheerfulness no longer caged within him.
"Thank you, Neji-kun and Tenten-san! I do not know what I would do with out you!"
"Lee!" Neji coughed "Let us go, for starters! You-are-crushing-us!"
Lee, hearing the wish of his friends, obeyed, but stifled a giggle.
"Tonight will be a truly magical Christmas Eve, my friends! Not only will my beautiful Sakura be attending, but many of the nobles from other countries! This gathering will be phenomenal!"
"What!" exclaimed Neji "Lee, that girl can't come to the Ball! She's not-"
"Neji!" Tenten interrupted, pulling him to the side, so Lee was out of earshot. "Listen…Lee wants to be with this girl for one night. It's the least we can do for him. Please."
"Tenten-chan, I can't allow that. It is against the law of Konoha. I am bound to the law and so are-"
"I know, Neji-kun. But if we do this for him, he might shut up about it."
Neji leaned in and looked her deeply in the eyes "Can you promise that?"
Tenten signed and nodded with uncertainty.
"Can you get rid of the crying-hug-in-the-sunset-thing?"
"No, Neji-kun. We have no hope of that. We have a better chance of Lee shaving his eyebrows."
"Okay." He grumbled "I guess…I can…over-look it."
"Great!" The Lady beamed and hauled Neji back over to the prince.
"…Okay, Lee," said Neji "I'll ignore it, for now. Just make sure that His Majesty doesn't find out. Or else all three of us-"
"All seven of us." said Lee.
"…'seven'…what do you mean 'seven'…?"
"Lady and Lord Nara, Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura-angel herself are also involved."
Neji did his best to quell the rising fury that he had for Prince Lee. One day, the Lord knew he would snap, and Lee would be the first person Neji would come after.
"O-okay, Lee. Seven of us are all doomed. Be very careful."
"Don't worry, Neji-kun! I will keep and eye out and protect my Sakura-angel! Now, if you will kindly excuse me, I must be off to retrieve my package and see my beautiful flower!"
And just like that, Lee was gone.
"Tenten?"
"Yes, Neji-kun?"
"Remind me to write My Last Will and Testament tomorrow. When he becomes King, it'll mean the death of me."
Tenten busted out laughing, though Neji was being serious.
---One Hour Later---
Everything was perfect. At least, that's what Lee thought. The ballroom in the largest part of his father's, soon to be his castle gleamed with the sparkle and youth of Christmastime. The biggest tree Lee had ever seen to his recollection stood in the middle with banners, garland, wreaths, multi-colored lights, and two sprigs of mistletoe at the top of each archway to exit the room. Sweet melodies of yuletide echoed the huge ballroom with a cheerful heartbeat, bringing smiles to the arriving guests. As prince, it was his job to greet each guest with Tenten and Neji at his side. The King of each nation, as well as the prince or princess, though the numbers of princesses were growing few, Lee knew of only one at this recent moment, each came into the castle. The visitors Lee was anxious about were the nobles of Sunagakure, or the Sand Kingdom. The current King and the youngest king of Suna history, Sabaku no Gaara, was a truly remarkable man indeed. At the age of only sixteen Gaara's father had left only him the throne, other than his older brother, Prince Kankuro and the eldest of the three, Princess Temari, the only princess Lee knew of, who was also engaged to a noble of Suna. Gaara was mostly known for his art of military strategy. Gaara was skilled in the art of war. He had single-handedly taken Sunagakure out of the Dark Ages. At this point, Lee was almost convinced that if Suna and Konoha went to war, Suna would steal the victory. Luckily they had agreed to a peace agreement some time ago.
When King, prince and princess arrived at the castle, Lee joyfully extended his hand to the young ruler.
"Hello, Your Highness!" Lee exclaimed out of respect "How delighted I am to finally meet you!"
Gaara was unspoken for moments, staring at the extended appendage of the Konoha prince halfheartedly. Gaara wasn't exactly…what would you call it…a 'people person'.
"Just shake his hand, Gaara." muttered the princess Temari.
Gaara sustained his unemotional stare, but reluctantly took the hand of Rock Lee.
"…L-likewise…" said the Suna king, though he would not lock eyes with the future Konoha ruler.
"Thank you very much for coming!" The prince exclaimed "I have looked forward to finally meeting you!"
Gaara suppressed a groan from within his throat and quickly got away from the smiling barrel of sunshine that was Prince Lee.
"Gaara doesn't like meeting new people…" Temari apologized to a confused Lee. "He's…shy…"
Lee beamed to the princess, and being the complete gentlemen that he was, bowed elegantly to her.
"Thank you very much, Princess. You look wonderful tonight. Please enjoy the party!"
Temari kindly curtseyed to the prince and smiled warmly "You, as well, Prince. Is there anyone special that will be attending this party with you?"
Gradually, Prince Lee began to hesitate. His Sakura would, in fact, be attending this Ball, but a noble seeing a commoner was illegal. If Temari knew, what would she say? He couldn't risk not being able to see his Sakura-angel…
"Well, my father and my friends are attending! They are special to me!" He technically didn't lie.
Temari let loose a small giggle and waved goodbye, walking past him to find her brothers. Lee returned the gesture and went to greet his other guests, but not before checking the hall clock. 9:45. He had dropped Sakura off with Lady Ino at 8:50. Almost and hour. They should be done by now, shouldn't they? He could check now…
Prince Rock Lee couldn't help but wonder what Sakura would look like for the party. She was already the most beautiful creature he had ever seen, was it possible that Sakura could be even more beautiful?
His skin crawled with goose bumps just thinking about it. Lee stood there with his skin moving like strong waves in the ocean until he could no longer stand it. He had to get her now. So ignoring all of his other guests and sneaking past lord Neji and his own father, the Prince crept silently away from the entrance of the Konoha Castle and up the first flight of stairs to the second floor.
While walking to Lady Ino's room, Lee's eye caught something peculiar lying in the middle of the floor on the velvet carpet. Upon further inspection, he realized it was a fully bloomed iris flower, with a black ribbon tied in a bow around it. The prince blinked several times out of pure confusion, and made the alternative to pluck the flower from its spot. The iris smelled fresh and pure. Like it had just blossomed, though it was impossible. Flowers, most in Konoha, only blossomed in the spring, the iris included. Some flowers, in other parts of the continent, bloomed in the winter time, though Lee wasn't versed in that subject. It was very confounding…but he didn't bother with it for long. What could a flower do? The prince nonchalantly placed the flower on an empty vase that was located on the second floor main hall and went on his way. He had much more to think about, like Sakura.
Approaching the door that Lady Ino owned, he was filled with curiosity and excitement. Lee was confident that Ino had lived up to her reputation and was successful in her quest in making Sakura look dazzling for the Ball, but he would only know for certain when the Prince actually saw her.
"My Lady Ino!" Lee called as he tapped his had on her door softly "It's me, Lee-san! Is Sakura ready now?"
The prince waited patiently, hoping someone would reply to his calls. After a mere five seconds, the door ripped open, reveling the Lady Ino.
"Hey, Lee-san! Glad you could make it! Yup, Sakura-chan is ready now." she smiled devilishly "You wanna see her?"
"Please!" said Prince Rock Lee "The ball is about to begin!"
Ino nodded as her smile diverted from sly to legitimate and let him in.
"Hey, Sakura-chan! Lee-san is here!" Ino called out, shutting the door.
"I'm not coming out!" came a muffled scream from nowhere "I look hideous!"
Ino scoffed that away and folded her arms across her chest arrogantly
"Sakura-chan, you lie! Please? Lee-san really wants to see!"
"NO!"
Ino wrinkled the bridge of her nose in anger. She couldn't deal with the incompetence.
"You try, Lee." Ino whispered to him "She'll listen to you."
The prince nodded in approval and slight happiness. If it was anything Lee wanted from Sakura, besides her love, it was her complete trust.
"Sakura-angel," Lee tried to coax her "It is impossible for you to look hideous. Your natural beauty can never be altered. I am positive that you look miraculous! Please come out…"
Still silence crowded the room for s few seconds, Sakura contemplating if his words were indeed correct.
"Are you sure…" Her muffled voice asked timidly.
"I promise." He responded compassionately
There was silence once again, except for Lord Shikamaru who was mumbling incoherent "troublesome's".
"…Okay…" Sakura said and opened the door to Ino's second closet.
Sakura came out with her face glued to the floor, refusing to bring it up because she felt like a clown with the amount of make-up smeared all over her face.
Lee let is jaw drop ever so slightly, his whole face turning the color of Sakura's hair. Lady Ino had beyond doubt worked her magic upon the woman Prince Lee had fallen in love with, for the brightest star never shined with radiance and the most lovely flower had never bloomed the way Sakura Haruno looked that Christmas Eve, it took his breath away just to glimpse at her exquisite divinity. She wore a spectacular pink dress that matched her hair down to the smallest pigment. The dress was sleeveless and long; her feet weren't visible though the material of the evening gown. Her scent was that of fully bloomed cherry blossoms laced with lotuses, the ideal smell of love, in Lee's opinion.
"Oh, Sakura-angel…" he breathed, but could barely do so "You…you look wonderful! It takes my breath away…"
Sakura blushed profusely, believing his kind words and picking up her face to smile softly.
"Thank you…Lee-san."
His eyes grew wider at the beauty of her face. Lips glazed with red so poetically, almost…romantically. Ino was practically jumping up and down with delight. She loved making people look beautiful, and the stupefied stare on Prince Lee's face was priceless.
"Why are we standing around here like idiots!" chimed the Lady "We have a Ball to go to! Let's go Shika-kun!"
The Lord yawned and followed his wife out of her room, like he always did, leaving Sakura and Lee alone for a few moments.
Lee swallowed and summoned up all the courage and valor he had in his heat and extended a hand to Sakura.
"Let us go, Sakura-angel." He whispered.
Sakura nodded warily and took his hand; he gripped hers tightly.
This was going to be the Ball of the century.
()--Just some Christmas Song I like
Yeah! Finally updated! Sweet! I know that's what all of you are thinking. And I would like to apologize for the long wait. I blame school and bad internet connections. But I can hopefully over come that. This was real long, I know. But please R&R. I HAVE 100 REVIEWS! YES! That mean you guys must think I have a little talent in this hyper active soul of mine! THANK YOU! (glomps all)
Next Time: Chapter 10: A Snow Filled Evening
Teaser: 'This prince was dead serious. He was for real. She couldn't and wouldn't deny it any longer. She closed her eyes and waited…'