Chapter three: "Gypsy"

(A/n: I like this chapter the best.. dunno why but I like it. Hope you'll enjoy it the way I did)

The next morning brought me a nasty headache from too much thinking. I felt desperate to find my happy ending and Yarumi's dog. I turned to the other side of my bed and saw Sasuke. Just the sight of him made me feel like paradise is just a step away.

Despite the throbbing pain in my head, I decided to get up and start my search. The sun wasn't up yet but I thought a little fresh air would do me good. I hurriedly prepared myself for the day's journey.

As I was about to go down the stairs, I noticed that the door leading to Yarumi and Frii's room was open. I went closer to the room and peeked inside. They both looked so peaceful. And yet, it was made into another haunting image that won't let me forget about my pact with her.

I closed the door and resumed my plans for today. Yesterday, I didn't concentrate much on finding Yarumi's dog because I was too distracted. Distracted by daydreams and hopes. It was too much to even contain.

With a deep breath, I adjusted my forehead protector. I couldn't possibly afford any other disturbances in my way. I still have a dream to fulfill.

The streets were silent, its people in deep, sweet slumber, waiting for the sunlight to kiss them awake. I used this time as a chance to think about my strategy. It's astounding that a simple D rank mission became so difficult and complicated.

Before I fell deep into my thinking, I heard barks nearby. I ran towards where the barks came from. But it seemed like the more I got closer, the barks faded away. The clod morning that waft my face brought eerie sensations to my spine. Suddenly, I heard faint tinkling of bells. And they grew louder and louder until a hooded lady appeared before me. She had ivory black hair which was covered by a rich purple colored cloth and cold, piercing blue eyes. Her wrists, adorned with golden bangles. A gypsy.

She looked coolly at me and smirked. I stood there, aghast. And there were the barks again. My eyes fell on a creature which stayed beside the gypsy's side. It seemed like the world is filled with surprises. I widened my eyes and took a closer look at the creature, just to make sure I wasn't dreaming or hallucinating because of my headache. I froze, I wasn't dreaming. It is Yarumi's dog. But by the look's of it, it WAS Yarumi's dog now.

"What you sought is not yonder but now resided beside me." She said. Her voice filled with mist. It felt like cold water flowing down on my back. I had to get the dog back for Yarumi. "Give the dog back" I said but she just smiled as if I wasn't so serious about it. Silence spoke. The light breeze blew softly against my cheek but the eerie presence is still in my midst.

"Give it back" I demanded, not raising my voice another notch because of fear. She just rolled her eyes and sighed. "Didn't you hear me?" I questioned her, not minding the awkward fear she filled the horizon with. "Give me an excellent reason" she shot up an eyebrow. "Because it's not yours…" I simply said. "There's a little girl, waiting for that dog. And it brings me tears to see her sadness" I chose another approach. This one was less aggressive and demanding. But, I still received the same coldness from her. "You finished talking?" she asked, looking at her black polished nails. My fury became stronger. Too strong that I wasn't able to conceal all of it away from her. She smirked again.

"But what if I don't wanna give it back?" she said, moving closer to me. "I know your secret" she whispered in my ear, creating goose bumps. But the image of Yarumi and Frii kept me standing still and strong. "What secret?" I questioned her, pretending that she got all of her thoughts wrong. "Stop masquerading…" she said.

She looked around at our surroundings to make sure no one was present. And when it was affirmed that no one was at sight, she took an orb, or what look like more of a crystal ball from her pocket.

"See for yourself" she said and held the orb closer to me. The white light bedazzled me. But I kept my eyes glued to it, curious of what she meant. And behold, an image of my prince appeared. The same scenery I saw before I left the house. "Sasuke…" I said to myself.

"H-how did you know?" I asked and she just let out a cruel laugh as a reply.

"Let's make this more interesting, shall we?" she beamed a mocking smile at me. "What?" I asked as she walked back and forth, thinking of some evil plan. "Hmm… how about, I give you the dog IF…" I knew there was a condition. And she's thinking of one right now. "If you could make that handsome boy fall in love with you" she finally said. "How will I-" I was about to say when she interrupted me. "Of course you can't you're male…" she smirked. Alas, she got my point. Her eyes suddenly filled with evil. "But I can change that…" she tossed me a red colored bottle. "What's this?" I asked, examining the liquid it held inside of it. "That's a potion that will turn you into a woman" she stated.

I looked at it with desire and she seemed to be happy about it. "And if you fail to make him fall in love with you by the end of the festival, you will turn back into a male and fall into deep sleep" She snickered to herself. To my opinion, she is starting to be a witch, rather than a gypsy. "You'll only wake from your slumber by true love's kiss" she informed me, sending a flying kiss towards my direction.

"AND you won't be able to the dog" she continued.

I was beginning to get confused. I know it's risky and that all the want I held inside of me was due to her temptation. "Make your mind up soon…" her voice filled with coldness again.

I stared at the bottle. I could see my freedom in it. Freedom to love Sasuke forever more. I could see my future. Only me and him.

But what of something goes wrong? What of he won't fall in love with me?

"Oh and by the way, you are to tell no one or you will die…" With that said, I began to have second thoughts. It seemed like she noticed this and so, she said "You do want your prince do you? … And your happy ending?" she said with puppy dog eyes.

There wasn't any other chance. Trying wouldn't hurt… would it?

I stood there to think for a while. And the gypsy continued luring me into her temptation. "Would rather spend your whole life masquerading or would you take the risk and have your whole future written by your very hands" she said. "Would you just tell the little girl that her little doggy died? Or would you take this chance to gain the dog back?"

If this potion would let me have the freedom to love Sasuke. And the happiness of Yarumi… I felt biting pain in my throat as the concoction flowed down in me. With the very last drop, the bottle slipped through my hand. I heard the bottle break into pieces as tears came rolling down my cheeks due to the initial pain the potion brought me. I fell on the ground, and I felt the cold ground against my cheek. My sight was blurred and then later on, faded. And the cruel laugh was the last I heard.

(A/n: If there are any errors, I am terribly sorry. That is due to my multitasking mode… SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME HAS ENDED! NOOOOOOOOO! LOL please review, thanks a million and thanks to the people who reviewed)