Wow I haven't updated in a while but I am trying to finish this fic by the end of the summer. I had to completely change the course of my story because I want to make a fic that is deeper and more multi-faceted. So I hope you enjoy. I do not own Naruto.

In the forest

Trees pass me as I run at breakneck speed through the forest. My pink hair flowing behind me. 'I can't stop now, they will catch me.' My lungs are burning but I don't care. I have to reach the border and hide before I'm captured again. Running between the trees, I trip on a root. "Oof!" My face meets mud and I finally stop. Rolling over, I look up at the tall trees as I catch my breath. My view of the trees darkens through half-lidded eyes as a nagging voice in my mind screams 'RUN' but it's too late.

Karin's Room

I watch Princess Karin set down her dagger on her vanity. Blood glistening on the blade in what looks to be beautiful but I know it's far from so. "Tamaki, I am going to take a bath to wash the blood off, please be sure there is no trace anywhere." She says to me. "But princess, I need to tend to your wounds." I reply. She looks at me with puffy eyes, and says "No need for that. The wounds are shallow, I was light this time." She turns away into her bathroom, leaving me alone. I pick up the blade and clean it and work to erase any trace of her sorrow. 'I don't understand why she cut herself this time. Isn't she marrying the man of her dreams?' I wonder. I really do feel for Princess Karin. She puts up a confident face to the rest of the kingdom but only I know what lies behind it. Pain. She's depressed behind closed doors. But she never spoke why.

Karin leaves her bathroom wearing her towel. I hand her a lilac dress that hides her thighs. She smiles at me like nothing happened. "Tamaki, you're free for the day. Thank you." She says. I bow and leave her room with a heavy heart. 'I'm worried about her. I can't hide this secret anymore I feel like I will burst.'

Walking outside to a balcony, a hawk lands on the rail. I look over to see a message attached and I take it, and bid the hawk farewell. Opening it, I smile fondly as I read the messy cursive. 'Looks like Kiba is doing well.'

Outside the castle

I look back to my companions and roll my eyes. 'Typical they would form a plan that puts me in a dress.' I think bitterly. I watch the maid's entrance, and see a maid come out with a basket of laundry. 'Jackpot.' I follow her down to the creek and wait for her to turn her back. Instead, the maid hears someone call her and walks away to chat with another maid. 'This is my chance!' I think.

I discreetly run over to the basket and internally cheer when I find the maid's outfits. I grab one and run a fair distance away. Taking a whiff out of the outfit, I cringe. 'Eww it's all sweaty.' I force myself to put it on, and take out my buns. My long brown hair flows to the small of my back. 'What was the common maid style?' I wonder. Thinking back to the maid I followed, I tie my hair in a large bun and put on the bonnet.

I go back to my companions, who hide in the bushes outside of the castle. When they see me, Kiba wolf-whistles and Suigetsu comments. "Woah Tenten, If I had known this is all it would take to get you in a maids outfit-" I interrupt him with a deathly glare. Naruto looks to me and say, "You know what you have to do right?" I nod, and he gives me the thumbs up to go on ahead.

I watch the maid's entrance until it is clear and walk in. Walking through the corridor, a busty maid approaches me. "Hey you!" She barks. 'Oh shit I've been caught.' My feet are trembling as she puts a hand on my shoulder. "The guests have needed new linen an hour ago! Now get your butt to work and no slacking off." She commands me as she pushes me into a room filled with baskets of fresh linen. "Take a basket to room 34, the guest is very important and needs linen."

I sigh as she leaves and pick up the basket. 'How did I get stuck like this?' I ask myself. I walk out of the maids corner of the castle and stop. 'Where are the guest rooms?' I wonder. I see another maid passing, and say, "Hey, I'm new here. Do you know where the guest rooms are?" She tells me it's on the second floor and I thank her. Running up the stairs, I pass other maids on the way who are gossiping something about a cute king with pale eyes. 'Don't they have anything better to talk about? ' I roll my eyes. Passing each room, I look for the number 34. 32, 33, 34! I knock on the door and get no answer. Clearing my throat, I say "Master, I have fresh linen for you." As I have seen several maids say before. I hear a soft "come in," and I open the door.

Walking in the room, I am amazed by the lavish décor. "Are you just going to stand there?" A voice from one side of the room says. I look over and see a man with long black hair. His eyes are closed but he speaks again. "Does the maid service here not make beds? I was informed they did. Please proceed and leave after." This infuriated me, 'HOW DARE HE TREAT ME LIKE THIS THAT ARROGANT PRICK.' I was about to punch him but then I remembered why I am here in a maid outfit. I sigh and walk to his bed, stripping the dirty sheets off and putting fresh ones on. When I am done, I gather the dirty sheets, and leave the room.

'Now that I finished the chore, I need to sneak to the dungeons.' I think to myself as I make my way down the stairs. I see a servant carrying a plate of stale bread to another corridor. I follow the servant and find that he is headed to the dungeons. As the servant descends the stairs, I hide in a corner on the balcony above and observe. The servant stops to greet the guards, and they chat for a bit. I see a hall full of jail cells and strain to find a shred of pink among them. I lean over the edge of the balcony to get a better look but my hand slips on the rusty bar. I tumble off the balcony right in front of the guards. "Shit." I exclaim. The guards stand up as the servant questions me, "I have never seen you before and I know all of the maids." 'Shit.' I think. "INTRUDER!" The guards say and are quick to restrain me and put me in a cell. I overhear one say they will talk to the king about what to do with me.

'I'm sorry you guys, I have failed you.' I think as I pass out.

In the forest

"Ughh" I groan as I open my bleary eyes. The nagging voice in my head blares full volume and I jump up. 'I have to keep running!' I think as I sprint through the forest. Leaves are whipping me in the face as I jump over puddles, and roots.

I run through an exceptionally narrow clearing of branches but something yanks me back. "OW!" I exclaim. I attempt to move forward but can't. My hair is tangled in the branches. Quickly, I try to untangle it but each time I do, it gets stuck again. "I can't stop. I have to go now." I panic, my arms flailing on the branch but my hair is too tangled. "It's no use." I say with tears in my eyes. My hand reaches for the travel knife strapped to my leg and I bring it up to my hair. I take a breath, and slice the hair off. I take off in a sprint, not sparing a moment and continue until I reach passed the border of Fire Country.

The sky is orange, as the sun is setting. I settle near a river and take a few gulps of water. I take a moment to look at my reflection. My hand reaches up to feel my unevenly cut shoulder length hair. I proceed to even it with the travelers knife, thinking about my companions and if they are looking for me.

King Uchiha's Quarters, Konoha Castle

To say Mikoto Uchiha was annoyed was an understatement, but she kept silent as her husband paced around the room, refusing to come to bed. "Dear, you have been pacing around for the past half hour, come to bed." She coaxes.

Fugaku continues to pace, ignoring her. She grows frustrated. Getting out of bed, she places a hand on her husband's shoulder and forces him to look her in the eye. "You can tell me if something is bothering you."

Fugaku knows better than to lie to his wife for she is very observant. He sighs, and sits down. " I am worried for the future of our kingdom." Mikoto looks confused and says, "How so? Our kingdom will be prosperous with the ties to Fire through Sasuke's marriage. You should be happy."

"But that is exactly it. I can't be. Who will take over the kingdom when I die? Sasuke is bound here now. And Itachi…" Fugaku stops.

Mikoto rubs her husband's shoulders, and says "We can choose the next heir. Shisui has been a good advisor, and he would make a good king."

Fugaku nods in agreement. "You're right. Thank you." And walks to the bed about to open the covers.

Mikoto speaks up. "But may I ask, why are you thinking about death now? You're still very young, and death is not in your immediate future."

Fugaku pauses for a second, and says "I can't explain it. Like a hot chill running through my bones, I feel changes in our future and I want to be prepared." He gets in bed as Mikoto does the same.

She cuddles him, and whispers. "I hope you're wrong. I don't want to lose you." He kisses her forehead and brushes her hair. "I don't want to lose you either." He whispers back.

I missed writing this fic so much. Like flexing old muscles. I hope you enjoyed this chapeter. Another one should be out later this week, or multiple.

Till then, I'll see you guys later.