A New Chapter… =) Read and enjoy! Thanks to all who reviewed!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

My Prince Charming

Chapter 11

In the Fire Country

Sakura woke up, slowly opening her eyes to come face to face with a black blob. Memories of the night before filled her mind as she stared at the back of the Fire prince's head.

'Well, this is backwards' she thought, looking down at her arms wrapped around his torso. She always thought that if they were to end up in this position, he'd be the one pinning her down; not the other way around. She quickly untangled their hands and climbed out of bed. She went over to the door and placed her hand on the knob as a thought crept through her mind.

'They told us our parents wouldn't be returning. The next week he got better and the next day, he was gone.'

Sakura's hand slowly fell from the door knob as she turned back around and headed towards the bed. She stopped in front of the prince and knelt down, examining his sleeping face. She smiled gently as she softly ran her fingers through his hair once to smooth it out.

"Sasuke! You better be up! Do you have any idea what time it oh!"

Sakura bolted up right as the door slammed open and Yuka entered with the head guard at her side. Everyone stood with wide-eyes in an awkward silence as Sasuke rolled onto his back, rubbing his eyes with his palms before opening them. The first thing he saw was the girl standing next to him as she took a few more steps away from him. At first he was confused, but when the events of the previous night came back to him his look of confusion turned into one of arrogance and he smirked at the girl.

"Why hello" he said seductively, propping himself on his elbows that were behind his back as she blushed but didn't bother to glare or even look at him. He looked forward at what Sakura found to be so interesting and was faced with the elderly maid and head guard. His eyes widened slightly and a tinge of pink adorned his cheeks, but it was hardly noticeable.

"I w-was just about to wake him up." Sakura replied awkwardly as Yuka smiled.

"Is that so…" Yuka replied. Sakura could tell from the old lady's voice that she didn't believe her but she also seemed more amused than upset. "Well I just came to tell the prince to get ready for the selection ceremony. It's obvious he's already chosen his maid but he still has to announce it to everyone to make it official and talk about the new mailing system."

"I got it" Sasuke replied while swinging his legs over the side of the bed and sitting up. Yuka smiled, bowed and left with the chief guard in tow.

Sakura stood awkwardly in embarrassment as Sasuke smirked at her.

"So do you want me to lay back down so you can wake me up properly?"

Whack!

"Wake up… It's morning."

With that said, Sakura left Sasuke to tend to the newly formed lump on his head by himself.

In the Earth Country

"Sir, it's time." Yuriko replied as the prince turned around from the window he was gazing out.

"Yeah, I know"

In the Water Country

"Now, if you'd all bow before your prince before taking a seat."

Everyone did as they were told before kneeling on the ground. Even though it was a maid selection ceremony, everyone in the castle was required to come.

The elder cleared his throat before continuing, "We are all gathered here today to hear the name of the special girl our very own prince has chosen to be his personal maid, but before that the prince would like to make a very import…"

The elder stopped as the prince tapped on his shoulder. Whispering could be heard from the first few rows as the prince leaned to whisper something in his ear. The elder listened and then nodded before he spoke.

"The prince has decided to call his maid forth now instead. Now prince, please state the name of your choice."

Naruto nodded once, smiling before clearing his throat.

"Will Hinata please step forward?"

The room went completely silent for a moment as it was now the elder's turn to lean in towards the prince.

"Is there a last name that comes with that my prince?"

Naruto thought a moment before replying with a quick nope.

The elder paused one more moment before announcing, "Will all the Hinatas in the room step forward."

With that said, within the next few minutes six girls were standing up front. Naruto glanced through the small line of girls and took a quick glance around the giant room before turning back to the elder.

"None of these are her."

The elder nodded his head, clearing his throat as he announced again, louder this time, "Will all the Hinata's please step forward."

Little did they know, the person they were seeking was frozen near the back of the giant hall.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?

Hinata jumped at the sudden voice and turned around.

"He's calling you. You better hurry up and get up there." Risa replied with her usual snobbishness.

"B-but I heard ealier…"

She was shoved back a bit as Risa pushed her forward, "I don't care what you heard earlier. What did you hear right now because I heard him call out your name."

"B-but there's s-so many people. I c-can't go up there."

"You better. I already promised Naruto I'd go back home and there's no way I'm going to let two girls beat me. If you don't show, he'll be forced to choose another and that doesn't go over to well with me."

"Will all Hinata's please step forward." The elder called one final time, starting to get irritated.

Everyone in the room was whispering and looking around for the missing girl. There's no way Hinata could have all that attention on her… To bad she didn't get a choice.

"She's back here" Risa called carelessly, not taking her eyes off the petrified girl.

As soon as the sentence left her mouth, the crowd parted like the red sea and the two girls stood smack dab in the middle of an empty aisle. Risa didn't seem to mind as she grabbed the statuesque girl and started dragging her down the aisle. She stopped at the front and let go of the girl's wrist.

"She was too scared to step forward in front of everyone."

Naruto looked with concern at the extremely pale girl as did the elder before asking, "What is your last name?"

Hinata's eyes widened, almost as if in horror before looking down. She couldn't tell them her last name.

"I will repeat only once more. What is your last name?"

Again the girl stayed silent but shut her eyes to make sure she was prepared for whatever consequences there may be.

"Why does it matter?"

Everyone turned to the prince who walked down from his throne, grabbing the shy girl and bringing her back up the few steps.

"She is the maid I have chosen. No last name will change that. All of you in this room can see her clearly. None of you look like her. It doesn't matter if we know her last name or not because there's no way anyone can mistake who she is."

The room went silent for the umpteenth time before little by little the people started clapping for the new personal maid. When the room quieted back down Naruto continued, "As for the important announcement; I have decided to let anyone who wishes to return home do so. You are no longer obligated to work here and may return to your families. If you want to continue working here that is your choice and if you want to just go visit your families that is also permitted. We'll make do with whoever's left that decides to stay. All I ask is that when you leave you all check out at the front gate. Give the guard your name, maid number, and tell him whether you are leaving permanently or just going to visit. That's all thank you. You may all leave."

The elder started to protest as the people started filing out of the enormous room but Naruto held up a hand to stop him before walking out of the room.

In the Wind Country

"There is no need to seat yourselves for this. It will only take a few minutes." The elder announced as everyone stood around in the giant throne room, "I'm sure the prince has put a lot of thought into this and has finally made his decision as to the name he will be calling today. The name called will no longer have to do scheduled chores and will spend the day by the prince's side from early morning until nightfall. They will also receive a new set of work and night clothes. Now if you will all listen quietly as the prince calls out the name."

The room went silent as everyone waited to hear the special girl's name. One girl was especially curious as to the name that he would call as she waited patiently. She hadn't told a soul her name since she left home. Even the person who took the names as they were escorted from the carriages did not know her name. She refused to tell him and after a lot of arguing he could only let her have her way or else the girl would miss the rule ceremony. He said he'd get her name later but he had yet to find her again. Finally after a minute of silence Neji spoke.

"Seiko, Matsuri, Shira"

The elder silently stepped up to the prince confused, "You're only suppose to call one name my highness."

Neji sent a glare his way, "I believe I can do whatever I want. Please call them forward."

The elder simply nodded and called, "Anyone with the stated names, step forward."

Silently and quickly, about seven girls stepped forward. Neji scanned the row of girls before nodding his head and politely asking if they would step outside the room for a minute. The girls bowed and started to walk towards the door at the other side of the room as whispers of confusion floated around the room.

"Konoka, Setsuna, Kaede"

Six more girls made their way up front and were asked to leave the room.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Neji smirked at the girl who stepped out from the crowd and the elder looked as if he were about to have a heart attack at the way this girl spoke to the prince.

"You were telling the truth." He stated simply

"What?"

"You really didn't tell anyone your name."

"Of course not. You didn't believe me?"

"Why would I?"

Everyone in the room watched in silence as the two conversed as if they were the only two in the room.

"Well," the girl stated, "If you want me to trust you, it's only fair that you trust me first."

"Well, then will you tell me your name?"

"No"

Neji smirked and looked forward at the crowd of people in front of him before sighing.

"Chisara, Teru, Kisa please step forward"

"Hey!" the brunette called, stomping forward, "You never answered my question."

"You must not talk to the prince that way!" the elder stated exasperatedly. He looked as if he had just been hyperventilating. Neji just raised his hand tell him it was alright.

"What question?"

"What the hell are you doing?" the girl repeated.

Neji paused a moment before retorting, "You never answered my question."

"And what question is that?"

"What is your name?"

The prince smirked at this and the girl sighed while childishly replying back with her own smirk, "I asked you first."

Neji's smirk grew slightly before he let out a sigh of his own, "Fair enough. I plan on calling out every name I know until I get to yours."

"That's insane. You'll never guess it." The girl smirked but almost shivered as the boys smirk grew to be very arrogant.

"Then you better be prepared to spend another night with me because you're not leaving until I know your name."

The young female blushed a deep red as whispers broke out in the crowd.

"Fine"

Neji smirked. "Fine what"

"I'll tell you my name… but"

Neji paused and gave the girl a look that obviously said, "go on".

"That's it. I will only tell you my name. I refuse to tell everyone here."

Again, Neji paused to think about it as guards and maids alike glared at the rude girl standing in front of them all.

"Fine," the prince finally stated before standing up to face the crowd, "You all must take a good look since you will not know her name. This is the girl I have chosen. If anyone objects, address me if you dare but I can guarantee you that it won't make the slightest difference. That is all. You are all excused." With that said the prince left the room without another word.

"Oddly enough I think I see why he chose her," A random maid could be heard from where the brunette was standing, "they're both stubborn and rude."

In the Water Country

"H-hey Risa! W-wait up!"

The orange haired girl rolled her eyes and stopped suddenly, causing the shy teen to crash into her as she turned around.

"What do you want?"

Hinata took a few steps back, apologizing quietly.

"T-Thank you f-for earlier at the c-ceremony."

"I don't know what you're talking about"

Hinata smiled sweetly as the other girl glared back at her. If it wasn't for Risa, Hinata wouldn't have gone up in front of everyone and even though it nearly scared her to death when Risa called all the attention on them she knew that it was the way Risa was showing her kindness to her. And for that, Hinata was grateful.

"W-well thanks anyway"

"Yeah yeah"

"Hey Hinata!"

Both teens turned around and saw the prince running towards them. He stopped in front of them and turned to the red-head.

"Hey Risa, I'm glad you haven't left yet. I was really hoping to get the chance to thank you for earlier."

Risa smiled sweetly at the prince, just like she always did before stating, "Well, now's your chance. I'm about to go and finish packing."

A moment paused before Naruto stepped forward and embraced the girl in a hug, taking her completely off guard.

"Thank you for everything"

After the initial shock wore off she slowly wrapped her arms around his torso and whispered into his shoulder.

"And thank you"

Hinata stood silently… awkwardly… It wasn't like she could leave. I mean the prince had just called her name which meant he had something to say to her.

After about five seconds Risa and Naruto broke apart with huge grins on both of their faces.

"Well," Naruto stated, "feel free to come back and visit anytime."

"I will" Risa replied, "Goodbye"

With that said she turned away and ran off. Halfway down the hall she was stopped by the two girls she always hung around with and they walked off together.

"Bye…" Naruto whispered.

It only took about two more seconds before the blonde turned to the other girl who jumped slightly at his intense stare.

"May I talk to for a few minutes?" he asked with complete seriousness. Hinata was quite confused as to why he would ask his own personal maid if he could talk with her but decided she'd find out sooner of later and simply nodded. Naruto then walked off and Hinata followed. It hadn't been until they reached the gardens that the prince finally sat down under a tree. The shy girl quietly took a seat next to him. She looked over at the usually chipper prince who was dead serious about whatever was going through his head.

"N-Naruto?"

The prince looked at her as soon as she said his name and gave a soft smile before speaking.

"So, you were scared back there."

It took only a second for Hinata to realize he was talking about the ceremony. "Y-yeah" She watched as the prince's face turned to one of dejection and quickly tried explaining, "I w-was afraid of all the attention. It had n-nothing to do with you c-calling my name."

"About the new rule… You were listening… Right?"

"Y-yes"

"So you heard my newest proposition?"

Hinata paused a moment before answering, "Y-yeah, that was a v-very kind thing to…"

"You can leave too if you want."

It only took about two seconds to process what the blonde had said before Hinata questioned, "W-what?"

"If you want to go home you may."

This silence was longer than the last as Hinata thought of what to say. She wanted to say she would like to stay but what if this was the prince's way of telling her he wanted her to leave.

"I-is that what you want?" Hinata almost fainted at her bold statement. She meant to say 'if' but she actually ended up asking him what he wanted her to do.

Naruto thought for a bit before answering, "At first… no… even now… I don't know…" He squatted down to the floor scratching his head as he thought. "Obviously, I want you here, otherwise I wouldn't have called your name at the ceremony, but then I realized that I wouldn't want you as my personal maid if that's not what you wanted. I don't want you to feel trapped. I want you to have just as much of a choice as any other maid here. I can always find someone knew."

Hinata felt a little tug in her chest as she heard that last sentence. 'I can always find someone new.' That's just another way of saying 'you are replaceable'. Hinata broke away from her thoughts as Naruto sighed.

"I would be very happy if you stayed, but I would be even happier if I knew you were happy."

Hinata blushed as she stared, wide-eyed at the prince. He was also covering his blush by his arms that were still in his hair. His fists clenched and unclenched in his blonde locks over and over as he waited for the girls reply. It took a while but finally she spoke.

"I'm happier with you"

His eyes widened as he looked up to the girl who was staring intensely at the ground.

"It's a lot more fun working here"

Naruto paused as he thought about what she said, puzzled he asked, "So it's a lot more fun working here than being with your family?"

Hinata thought about what to say. She knew she'd have to lie to Naruto sometime, so she decided to be honest with him when she could. Now was one of those times to tell the truth.

"I didn't live with my family."

"What? But I told the guards to ask for one daughter of each house?"

"The lady I lived with only had one daughter. She didn't want to give her up so she l-lied and said I was her daughter."

"Why would she do that to someone else's daughter? Wait…you lived with her? I don't understand."

Hinata sighed, relieved that he wasn't angry, "I w-was her maid. I just went from being one person's maid to another. That's w-why working here is more fun. Back there, the lady wanted me gone, but here I have someone who wants me to stay."

Naruto smiled at the shy girl and then paused with another thoughtful look before asking, "So what about your real family?" Hinata instantly froze at this as the blonde continued, "If I could send you back to them would you want…"

"NO!"

The prince froze at the girl who just shouted at him. She blushed a deep red and looked back down at the floor.

"I r-ran away f-from home and I d-don't ever w-want to go back."

"Ok," Naruto replied, rather quietly compared to his usual replies, "I just thought… I mean… I'd do anything to be with my family… but I'm sure you have your reasons."

"I'm s-sorry"

Naruto nodded his head but Hinata could tell he was feeling very awkward and confused right now.

"A-at home" she started off, "It was like being imprisoned. My f-father was very protective. People were always watching my every move. I felt like a prisoner in my own home."

Naruto looked up at the girl and smiled softly, "Yeah, I know what you mean. People are always watching me here too, but how is it that you're okay being trapped here."

Hinata paused for a minute to think of that reason herself, "I guess it's because people aren't always watching every move I m-make. They aren't t-to afraid to talk t-to me either and this castle is m-much better than other c-castles."

Naruto laughed before asking, "And how would you know that? Have you visited other castles in your lifetime?" Hinata froze as the prince continued laughing and mustered out a 'just kidding'.

In the Elders Residence

"We are gathered today to discuss an important issue involving one of the princes'. Now please state your business here."

The circle of elders all looked towards the man in the corner of the room who stepped forward and spoke, "I have a concern for the prince I serve. His personal maid selectionis dare I say irrational. The girl is completely incapable for the job she was assigned to."

One of the elders quickly interrupted, "I'm sure my nephew wouldn't choose someone like that. He is very responsible and takes his position as prince very seriously."

Other elder spoke up from the circle, "Unfortunately I was at the wind castle ceremony today and I too saw the girl. She seems very outspoken… and that is from the minute or two I saw of her. However, it's getting late and now is not the time to be talking about this."

Another elder shouted angrily, "Well we obviously can't just overlook something like this! The prince's protection is our responsibility."

Then a fourth elder spoke, "As you all know I was at one of the castles myself and I too received a complaint from a guard concerning his choice."

Again the second elder spoke, "I'm aware of both of those situations, but now is not the time. Tomorrow the princes will be leaving their castles for the Sand Country's peace treaty signing. Once they leave we will have our meeting then. We must send out word to leave the head maids and guards of the castle behind so that we can have a word with them and get everyone's point of view. Then we will make up our final decision."

There we go! 11th Chapter UP! =) Hope it was okay! The girls will all be meeting in the next two chapters! (However, two might meet up in the next one)

Please Review ^.^ Thanks for reading! Until next time!