Neji's eyes silently followed the petite figure of the maid with short ebony hair and cream-colored skin. She quietly followed the Lady Haruno into the dining room that morning for breakfast.

Tenten's eyes followed his gaze. "You know, if I don't know you any better, I would have guessed that you're romantically interested with Lady Sakura's maid."

"Keep your nose out of my business, witch," he said through gritted teeth as he resumed his meal.

"Touchy," was her only remark. Ever since that quiet girl entered the kingdom, she had succeeded in capturing the attention of the Earl of Hyuuga court for reasons he chose to keep for himself. She had known that Hyuuga Neji was secretive, but he wasn't exactly discreet now with the way he openly showed interest in the maid.

"Hey, Tenten! How is that love potion I've asked you to make for me?" asked Rock Lee eagerly. He had been badgering their magic-learned friend to make him a potion so he could charm the cherry-headed lady of the court.

She groaned and changed into her 'Lee no onee-san' mode. "For the eighty seventh time, Lee boy, I will NOT make you one! It's demeaning! It's degrading!" she shivered. "Please have pity on yourself!"

"You just don't understand how I feel!" he said, crossing his arms. "Because you haven't fallen in love yet."

"Who says I haven't!" she yelled, making heads in the table turned their way. At that moment, she knew she mouthed off the VERY wrong words to say.

Lee smirked. "Now that's an interesting development. Would you tell Lee Boy who this very fascinating person is?"

"No one!" she sputtered, turning her eyes back at her meal. "I'm in love with my magic. I'm in love with my potions and spells."

"Oh reaaaaaallllyyyy?" asked the taijutsu master. "Your face says otherwise…"

"Otherwise what?" she asked. If she were a dragon, she would be spitting fireballs out at his direction.

"Shut up, witch. You look repulsive," said Neji, rolling his eyes.

"Keep your compliments to yourself!" She was used to him calling her 'witch'; she knew it was his queer way of acknowledging her and her chosen craft. Sir Gai once told her that he overheard Neji discussing to the royal court how she was the only decent witchcraft practitioner in the Kingdom of Hidden Leaf. "Anyway, shouldn't you be looking after your maid?"

Neji smirked at her. "You sound like a scorned woman."

"I really should stop procrastinating and finish up the death potion with your name on it, Neji."

"Cease and disease!" yelled the Starlet, eyes flaming.

"It's desist, Sir Gai," Tenten put in. "Unless you intend for all of us to die of a horrible sickness, that is."

"How dare you speak against Sir Gai!" cried Lee, face aghast. "T-That's…that's BLASPHEMY!" He slammed his fists on the table, making the plates shake.

"Lee!" Gai clenched his fists and aimed a punch towards his face. "Take this!" The impact made the bowl-haired boy fly towards the other side of the wall. The others watched in silence.

"S-Sir Gai…w-what was that for?" asked the protégée, eyes wide in confusion.

"I punched you…because it is wrong to fight during mealtimes." Gai made his way towards his adoring student. "Listen to me. I know that young people like you are often passionate, fiery, and driven by instincts! After all, that is the fountain of youth. It is the reason why the adrenalin of life courses through our world-because of you impulsive, reckless children." He dropped down on his knees and shook the boy's shoulders. "But listen to me, Lee. Listen, and listen well. Do not allow this drive to take over the reins of your emotions. You are still responsible for whatever you do. Remember, with great power comes great responsibility."

"Sir Gai…" sobbed Lee. "How could have this happened? How could have I wavered off from the right path so easily? Oh, the shame within me!"

Gai pulled him up, nodding. "That's right, Lee. Repent! Repent, child. It is still not late for you." He pointed towards the far east, eyes solemn. "As long as I am here, you will never walk astray." He grinned at him, teeth sparkling.

"Yes, Sir Gai, you are my hero!" Lee grinned back, teeth gleaming, too.

Silence in the dining room as they all watched the two stare at each other in wonder, pride, and joy. For once more, the good triumphed over the evil. The old branches and the young vines were intertwined. The catsup was reunited with the mayonnaise.

All was good and right once more in the dining room of the Hidden Leaf kingdom.

"A-Anou…coffee, anyone?" asked Hinata meekly.

Chapter Four

The chapter is for Fluff Inc. because I know that secretly within her, she yearns to reveal her innermost beauty…"Mapanuksong pagpapalit-anyo!" smoke screen XD

"Good morning, Froggy!" greeted Hinata brightly as she entered her bedroom, holding a plate of rice and fish.

Naruto opened his eyes. "A-Ah, food!" He grinned excitedly. "Yaaaay, fried fish! Smells good!"

"I'm so glad to see you energetic and full of life today," she said, beaming. "Anyway, after we take our breakfast, I will stop by the royal ranch, after which I can bring you back to the forest. Will that be alright?"

"Perfect!" exclaimed the frog, nibbling on the sides of the milkfish. "Especially the breakfast part."

Hinata laughed softly. "You always make me laugh, ne, Froggy." She took over the job of pinching the fishes for Naruto. "Eat heartily!"

"And you?"

"Y-Yes!" She started on her own meal as well. "Delicious!"

"Hinata?"

"Hmm?"

"What are you doing inside the palace? Are you a lady of the court, too?" he asked, curious.

"Of course not!" She shook her head smilingly. "I am but the personal attendant of Lady Haruno."

"Oh, I see." He grinned. "Speaking of which, she's cuter when she looks up close."

"Hmm, you really like Lady Sakura, ne?"

"Like? Try worship!" he exclaimed. "I first saw her when I was training in the forest some years ago. She got lost in the forest, and it was already raining. I don't know if she remembers me though—" His narration was stopped by the bewildered look he received from his friend.

"Training?" Her eyes were wide.

He gulped. "Errr…" Why didn't he remember that he hadn't told Hinata his true identity yet?

"Were you training to hop faster or something?" she asked. To this, he nodded quickly—his only escape from the mayhem his big mouth caused. She clapped excitedly. "Wow, frogs are so hardworking and determined!"

He sweatdropped. "Well, we are very self-conscious animals too, you know. Our hops, our croaks, our egg-laying…there's a science for optimizing the processes of anything and everything we do."

"Do you lay eggs, Froggy?" she asked, curious.

He frowned thoughtfully. "I don't think so. However, Sir...uh..." He caught himself before he could mention any of his mentors' names. "... my senior frogs tell me that I was born with eggs which I must protect at all cost."

"That sounds like a very important job."

"Anyway," He finished his meal. "you were saying something about us going to the ranch?"

She nodded. "Yes, we'll meet Kiba-kun there."

"Kiba?"

"He is a good person, Froggy. He is very gentle to animals, and I'm sure he would understand you as well." She started to clear the plates.

"If you say so," he said, shrugging. "Hey, I haven't realized that it's almost the end of autumn season!" His eyes fell on the almost empty branches of the trees outside the castle.

"Then it must be chilly outside!" She went to her cabinet and took out her white coat, as well as her smallest handkerchief. "Froggy, please come here for a moment."

"'Kay." He nonchalantly leaped towards her.

She bent down and placed the small fabric around his neck, securing it with a knot."It might be too chilly outside," she explained quietly.

He looked down, a little embarrassed. "You worry too much. I'm a frog; and frogs don't usually have to wear protective clothing—"

"But you said it yourself. You are not an ordinary frog. As your friend, please let me do this," she requested.

"H-Hinata…" He sighed. "Oh, alright. Since you insist…" He had to admit though that he felt much better being enveloped by something warm.

She knelt down in front of him and offered her shoulder. "Sit here, please."

"C-Can't I just walk behind you?"

"Ah, but you might get stepped on, Froggy!" she exclaimed worriedly.

He rubbed his head. "Pft, you worry too much!" He leapt towards her shoulder. "There!"

She smiled at him. "Thank you, Froggy."

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.

Opening the door, Hinata was stunned to see the palace gardener leaning on the wall directly across her room. The forbidding black shades on his face prevented her from knowing whether he was looking at her or not. All she knew though was that this was the last room in the hallway, and he couldn't be here visiting her. She knew him as the gardener, but despite her best efforts to talk to him, he remained unresponsive.

He uncrossed his arms and gazed pointedly the frog on her shoulder. "Don't go out. You'll only endanger her life."

Her pale eyes widened in surprise.

"Go back to your room, Hinata-san," he repeated, more firmly this time. With that, he turned his back on them and walked away.

"What's his problem?" hissed Froggy furiously while Hinata looked on concernedly.

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"The gardener? Oh, you mean Aburame!" exclaimed Inuzuka Kiba as he scrubbed the horse. "Strange guy. Never talks, never even smiles. I guess he was born a walking statue." He turned his gaze at her. "Why do you ask? Did he do something to you?"

"Aburame…?" Hinata looked down at Akamaru whom she was petting, puzzled. "He knows my name. He told me not to go out."

"He does?" Even Kiba looked surprised. "Now that's a shocker. He has got to be the most anti-social person in the whole kingdom. It's like he and Prince Sasuke went to the same school of soundless speech power."

"I'm really worried," she whispered. "He wouldn't talk to me all of a sudden if he wasn't serious." She clasped her hands. "And he talked to Froggy... as if he knows that he talks."

Kiba's eyes narrowed at the red and green frog enjoying the yet unpasteurized milk he took from the cows this morning. "I can't believe that of all the frogs that could talk, it had to be a frog with a stomach of a buffalo."

Froggy looked up, offended. "Hey, if you want to drink the milk too, I can share. Don't call me names!"

"And an arrogant pest too!"

"Hah! If you must know, I—"

"Kiba-kun," she clasped his hand with hers. "Please calm down. Froggy is my friend!"

The boy's face burned, and he snatched his hand away from Hinata's hurriedly. "Hmp! Count yourself lucky that Hinata is concerned about you or I could have fed you to Akamaru already!"

The frog turned to Hinata. "Kiba's too close to his dog, Hinata. You better check your hands for fleas."

"Why you—"

"Kiba-kun, Froggy, please stop!" she cried.

Both immediately backed down.

"Froggy and I ought to leave now. Lady Sakura might be up and about soon." She scooped up her tiny friend back to her shoulder.

"Are you sure you don't want me to accompany you?" asked Kiba, eyes anxious.

"Oh no, please don't let me disturb your work, Kiba-kun! I will be right back." With that, she waved and left the ranch.

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"I'll finish your father's speech in just a few minutes, Lady Ino. Sit down and make yourself comfortable for the meantime." Shikamaru couldn't understand why his thoughts were incoherent when he was already reaching the climax of the piece. Perhaps, it had got something to do with the chilly morning breeze and the inviting warmth of his bed, from where he was unceremoniously kicked off by Ino minutes ago to force him to finish the speech.

He threw his green-blanketed bed a wistful gaze, and then stiffened.

Ino was lying on it relaxedly, eyes closed. The blanket creased perfectly, as if the contour of her body was molded for his bed.

"Damn!" he quickly turned his attention back at his work, desperate to take his attention off the mistress.

"Hey, Shika! If you impress Papa with your work, then you'll get a big bonus. Don't forget to—"

"—buy you a box of chocolate breakfast cereals?" he guessed wryly.

"Uh-huh. The one with toys in them." She continued to speak even with her eyes closed. "When did you last watch the stage plays in town?"

"When you performed in the Snow White play. You played Grumpy then, remember?"

"But that was back the days Kurenai-sensei taught Literature!" She groaned. "I remember that Sakura became the Princess Snow White. Rock Lee was the Prince. Neji was the evil druid who gave Snow White the apple. Tenten was the wicked stepmother. Lord Sasuke was dashing, too. He was the tree where Sakura's coffin was laid underneath." She smiled slowly. "Back in those days, we were kids, and Lord Sasuke was still reachable. Why did everything have to change when we grew up?"

"Forget about him," he advised pragmatically.

"How can I forget my first love?" At last, she opened her eyes. "First love never dies, so they say. As long as I see him, I will never stop reaching for my dreams. Even glaciers will melt sometime."

"What if it takes forever?" he asked, not still looking at her.

"I'm a patient woman."

"Stupid," he muttered. "Here, I'm done." He turned around and handed her the pieces of paper.

"You're the best! Thanks, Shika!" she said, her eyes lit up. "I can already tell how impressive this is. The first sentence can command people's attention at once!"

"I wrote it because it fits the Lord Yamanaka's personality so well," he commented dryly.

"I'm envisioning great bonuses from Daddy for you! Don't forget my share, okay?"

"Yes, Lady Ino, your breakfast cereals."

"Good! Love you, Shika!" she said cheerfully before prancing out of the room.

"How troublesome." He went back to the table and picked up his pen. The quill was poised in the air, dripping with ink, yet no words would flow into the paper.

to be continued