Pain of Love

Note: umm...not much...me bored...XD like usual. Last chapter was a bit weird...oh well...who cares *smiles*

~*~

A few hours before the Ball

"Sakura-chan! You're messing up your make up!" cried Hinata flinging her arms up in distress. "You have to sit still!"

Sakura sighed dramatically. If there was anything in the world she hated...it was defiantly makeup. She always felt so awkward in it...like as if she was hiding her true self and hiding under a mask of deceit. Her lips tightened into a ironic smile. That was the whole point of the ball wasn't it? To face the unknown...to be something you're not...

"Alright...alright," replied Sakura, holding her hands up defensively. "I'll sit still..." she mumbled when Ino shot her a dangerous glare...telling her she better get her ass back in her chair pronto.

"That's better..." said Ino giving Sakura a satisfied look. She turned towards Hinata. "Let's get to work!"

Hinata worked on Sakura's hair, while her dexterous fingers skillfully twisted and bound it with an impossible speed. While on the other hand Ino was proficiently applying a generous amount of makeup.

Sakura couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. What were they doing to her? She hated it when she wasn't in control...especially when it was over herself. Deep down she knew she should be thankful...Hinata and Ino were well known for their tastes in hair design and makeup.

"Umm...are you guys finished yet?"

Ino shot her a bristling glare which made Sakura instantly shut up. After an hour or so of hard work and dedication on Hinata and Ino's part...they were finished.

"Here..." chirped Hinata, handing Sakura a silver polished mirror. She exchanged a look with Ino and smiled with joy. It's been such a long time since they've hanged out together. Much less...one of the few times they could actually help Sakura with anything. Whenever Sakura was around...everything was always exciting and unpredictable.

Sakura stared at her reflection and gasped in surprise. She looked...gorgeous and far more desirable then she felt. She ran towards Hinata and Ino and gave them both a bear hug. "You guys are the best!" she exclaimed cheerfully, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears.

Her face was delicately framed with sausage curls, while the rest of her hair was piled elegantly above her head. Her emerald green eyes shown with a dark and mysterious light. Sakura's flawless skin had a light blush to it...while her lips were pink and glittery.

Ino and Hinata both returned the hug fiercely. "You're welcome Sakura-chan!" murmured Hinata softly. "I'm glad you're back!"

"Me...too..." added Ino, while she took a quick calculating glace at Sakura. "Don't you dare cry..." she ordered quickly, when she noticed the tears in her eyes. "You'll mess up your makeup..."

Sakura nodded...and turned towards the her pine wardrobe. "What should I wear?" she asked nervously. "I don't have anything formal..." she said miserably.

"You could wear one of ours..." suggested Hinata, tugging her towards their duffle bags. "We brought along extra outfits since we were worried you didn't have enough..."

Ino pounced on the duffle bags and dug furiously through it. "I know the perfect outfit for you..." she muttered, flinging clothes all over the room. "Where is it?!" she snarled.

Hinata and Sakura both ducked while a tornado fully composed of clothes came towards them. "Ino! Calm down!" exclaimed Sakura trying to edge closer...to somehow stop her from wrecking the whole room.

"Found it!"

Sakura and Hinata both sighed in relief when Ino came up to them. "Here try this on for size!" she said brightly, holding out the dress for Sakura's inspection.

It was a two piece dress with a sheer silvery halter top with the bottom elegantly torn to display her flat stomach. The skirt the flared down to her ankles and lay in a pool at her feet. Around her shoulders was a light silk shawl that draped elegantly around her.

Sakura had on a pair of diamond earrings while a crystal heart hung around her next. She had on two bracelets that sparkled with her inner fire. She picked up her favorite mask...that had once been her mother's and gently placed it around her face.

The mask was ivory white and had pearls decking the edges. However it was fairly small and only covered her eyes and a bit of her cheeks. In other words it was enough to keep anyone from recognizing her...

"Thank you!" she whispered, her voice husky with suppressed emotion. Sakura stopped for a second and studied their appearances. "What are you guys going to wear?" she asked looking puzzled.

Hinata and Ino looked down at themselves and gasped with shock. They'd been so busy with Sakura they'd forgotten about themselves!

They quickly hurried around searching for their supplies...after all the ball starts in a little less then an hour....

~*~

Sasuke grimly stepped out of the alley and searched for any sign of life. He'd finally reached the Konoha Village...the place that he'd once called HOME. He shook his head despairingly. But no more...he belonged with the Sound Ninjas now...it was his destiny...his life...

He'd come into Konoha with mixed emotions...he wanted to destroy all of those he'd considered precious in his past...and yet...he wanted to embrace them...beg for their forgiveness. Why were things so hard for him? Even all these years living in the harsh and cruel society of the Sound...he still hasn't been fully corrupted.

He still possess some emotions...some sense of honor. He smirked lightly. Well at least enough to not to torture his victims that much before they died. His smile died. He was still bound by his past...his conscience would sometimes get the best of him...and ruing everything...made him weak.

Sasuke's eyes hardened. WEAK...how he detested that word. He'd always been weak for most of his life...never able to accomplish his dream...his revenge. His family...and clan were dead...all because of him...all because he'd been too WEAK to defend them against his brother. If only things had been different...if only...

Destiny hadn't been so cruel...if only things didn't turn out the way it did...

But would that be for the better or for the worse? If his family and clan were still alive...we wouldn't have ever met Sakura or Naruto or Kakashi. He wouldn't have ever learned the true meaning of friendship and teamwork.

He sighed sadly. But he would have been loved...would have been respected. Sasuke leaned against the wall and stared blankly at the ground. Things always happen for a reason...always....

Maybe it was his destiny to be alone for the rest of his life...to be hated by all.

Sasuke shook his head to rid himself of these distracting thoughts. It mattered not...he had a ball to attend...and old friends to see...and maybe destroy...

He trudged carefully on towards the building were the dance would take place. While Sasuke passed one of the young men...Sasuke skillfully slipped off his mask. He smiled grudgingly. That one wouldn't need it...

Sasuke slipped the stolen mask onto his face and waited patiently for his prey...

~*~

Note: How was that? me a bit nervous bout HS me so gonna fail! don't noe wa ta wear on da first day! *wails* me so dead! XD

Oh well...don't forget ta read:

Survival of the Fittest: Shikamaru has been accused of raping Ino who is in a comma. Oh yea...a mysterious stranger dressed in black is bound ta show up in the next chapter or so...BEWARE...XD

Don't forget ta REVIEW! REVIEW!