I have no rights to Naruto.

Enjoy.

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Sitting in the prayer Hall Hidanwatched as the sun rose over the canyon filling the room with its white light, slowly rising its heat was barely felt as is hit his face. Sitting cross legged against the alter Hidan meditated while his hands ran longingly over the staff of his Scythe, his fingers caressing the blades, the temptation to go down to the Sacrificial Chambers coursed through his veins. As the sun's rays hit the door he stood and dusted off his black pants and robes, positioning his pendent to be proudly displayed and visible he left the room his booted feet echoing in the dawning silence of the morning.

Reaching Sakura's room he nodded in acknowledgement to the servants that left, leaving the door open for him. As it closed behind him he watched silently as Sakura paced nervously at the end of her bed, her furious mutterings barely making it to his ears. Turning suddenly flashing emerald eyes met his as she ranted loudly.

"I can't go out in this. I'm practically naked!"

In the spirit of their so called truce Hidan kept his mouth shut, biting his tongue keeping his response to himself as his eyes raked over her body thinking , a whore would looked half naked and desperate, you don't look like a whore.

She wasn't exactly half naked but she did have a lot of skin showing, more specifically her scars. As she continued to pace and rant Hidan's eyes noted how the dark blood red gown showed off both her curves and scars. It was floor length, the sides slit up to her hips with strategic lacing along her upper thigh that showed the tops of the intricate diamond and triangle circled scars, but keep her modesty intact. The top half of the dress was in a halter neck style the neckline plunging down past her navel to be parallel with her hips, it had no back and barely any sides. The whole effect was to show off the scars that proved Sakura had endured and passed Jashin's tests, there could be no doubting who she was, not today.

Even her hair was up off her back, expertly woven and braided on top of her head like a crown framed by the silver tiara like circlet that had been carefully placed and secured upon her head by a servant. Her make-up was sparse, she had no need for it, but the grey and black gunk that had been put around her eyes and lashes made them startling. She was no longer his Little Hime, she was a woman grown and the most beautiful he had ever seen.

"Well?"

The question brought him back to earth as he prevented himself from shaking his head at his own misbegotten thoughts, looking at her he smirked and nearly laughed as she harrumphed in annoyance at his uncaring attitude. They had made a truce, not become buddy buddy. Walking past her he went straight to her wardrobe and opening the doors started pushing dresses, cloaks and training clothes to the side, until he made an approving noise and pulled out a long barely there black gauzy robe. Walking back to Sakura he held it out waiting for her.

"That's a night gown."

Her incredulous and arguing tone made him bite his cheek the words- truce, truce, truce, runningover and over in his mind while he simply said. "Put it on Hime."

Holding it at the shoulders he helped her put it on before cleanly cutting off the ties without leaving a thread. Walking around Sakura he fetched a broach and proceeded to pull the sides of the robe together at her waist just above her navel, pinning it together with the black broach that held Jashin' symbol. The gown was perfectly see through leaving nothing to the imagination, ending several inches above the blood red gown's hem with the sleeves reaching past Sakura's wrists. But it did its job giving the illusion and security of clothing.

Leaving her standing before a large mirror Hidan went to pick up Jashin's Favour and returned to stand behind her carefully placing the beautiful pendent around her neck as he addressed her.

"Think of today like you would when you prepare for a mission, you need all your weapons. You need to show your strength and position otherwise your enemies will question and target you."

Looking at herself in the mirror Sakura was awed at the full effect she seemed to be giving out, she looked. . . . beautiful . . . .intimidating and with Hidan behind her, standing tall and strong, a part of her she didn't even realise was missing felt complete. Gone . . well at least subdued was her uneasiness and worry, with Hidan she felt nearly untouchable. Looking at the mirror she saw what everyone else would see in court, standing together, the perfect picture of a Hime and her Protector.

"You'll stay with me right?"

She asked seeking to have something familiar by her side when she braced the unknown and according to Hidan and Lady Kagome, the vultures and hyenas that would devour her the first chance they got.

"Yeah. I'll stay with you Hime." He promised, pinky coloured eyes meeting emerald in the mirror.

"Sakura. Of all people you can call me that, right?"

Hidan weighed her words, it was known that a Protector and Hime would be close but to simply call her Sakura would give the belief of a relationship more than just Protector and Hime, it could jeopardize many alliances sending potential allies and suitors that held wealth and power away. To show solidarity for the truce's sake and to keep her afloat in the court he had only one answer.

"My Hime or Sakura- Hime. Anything else would be too much when we've only been reunited a couple of months."

His tone turned sarcastic at the end, a cheeky edgy smirk covering his face as Sakura bit her lip, so strung was she that anything would make her laugh to relieve the tension that had built up inside her before Hidan had come and was slowly building again when she noted the time. Taking a deep breath she looked at herself, her clothes, her scars, at Jashin's Favour and at Hidan.

"I can do this." She stated adamantly her steady gaze not wavering as she met Hidan's.

Walking around her Hidan looked down and held out his arm; wordlessly she took it and with deep calm breaths allowed him to escort her from her room. So focused on taking those deep calming breaths and clearing her mind she took no notice of the bowing servants or of the Guards who hand on chest knelt as she passed them, Hidan would nod in response as each gave a look of understanding to the distracted Hime. As they got nearer and nearer to the hall Sakura's grip on Hindan's arm tightened. Looking down on the silvery haired woman on his arm Hidan felt a momentary pang in his chest, truce or no truce he would never let his Hime down when she needed him.

"Remember your lessons and don't give those fuckers an inch."

He reminded her as they waited outside the large entrance doors, hearing the trumpets blares Hidan gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as the doors slowly opened revealing a myriad of curious faces and colours, the court seemed to be packed to capacity.

Standing at the doorway looking down at them Sakura's breath was caught in her chest, Hidan's arm the only thing keeping her on her feet as a loud voice called out.

"Her Royal Highness, Daughter of our late Lord and Lady of Jashin, Jashin's Hime, the Daughter of Jashin, Sakura-Hime, and her Protector."

O00oo00

Dia Duit,

Okay I broke my own standard of at least 2,000 words a chapter but this was the perfect place to stop and the next chapter will take both time and work . Thanks so much to everyone that has put this story on alert and favourite – but could I get a little feedback to know what you think, there are over 40 and I'd love to know you thoughts. Thanks to those who religiously review every chapter and on that note.

This chapter is dedicated to my friend lasrber the 100threviewer and good friend. I also gotta say hi to kisukebenihimewho heads up, I will be annoying with the next chapter.

So please let me know what you think.

Lots of love,

The Rose and the Dagger x x x xx