Disclaimer: I do not own the manga/anime Naruto. That is all.

A/N: This chapter was so annoying to write, and yet fun at the same time. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as the first one! Thanks for all the reviews!

Opposites

Chapter 2

Naruto

Hey, hey! Do I have your attention now? Do I? Well, if I do, let me continue. My name's Naruto. Prince Naruto. Uzumaki Naruto. Let me give you a little introduction. Short and to the point, kind of like me.

As I said, my name's Uzumaki Naruto, and I'm thirteen years old. I have one half-brother and two parents. One of course being a second parent. That one's my mom. Me and my half-brother, Uchiha Sasuke, do notget along. At all. He's my rival. There's no brotherly love going on. Or half-brotherly love even. But we have learned to like each other a bit more over the years. Oh, who am I kidding? Enough of this sentiment. When we first met each other at the ages of four, we were on slight speaking terms. In a year or two, we managed to refrain from brushing up on our conversational skills. And over the years, a solid wall of hatred has been steadily building itself in between us. The foundation of the stiff structure being our stubbornness and mainly my determination.

He's the same age as me, and yet he seems more mature. Or at least a hell of a lot more angsty. But let me get to his 'blossoming' personality later. Right now, for once, the spotlight will be on me for a change; whether negative or no, I suppose…

As a child, I was pretty remote. I resorted to causing major havoc on the area around me for lack of anything else to do. By the age of three I was infamous. Even as a baby, I had shown budding signs of exuberance, signs of something that my parents aspired to squash out of me. It wouldn't do to have a royal behaving like a hyper kid, would it? I was tutored, shunned by every other boy or girl for miles. I was lonesome, yet happy... in a way. And Sasuke, that idiot, ruined it all for me. I had grown territorial over the years, and I wasn't prepared for the sudden mishap that tore my family apart.

I was but three years of age when my mother fell to her death from a high precipice in the tallest tower of the Uzumaki castle. Even now her death is a highly talked about mystery, veiled by the circumstances in which it happened. There were many possibilities. Assassination. Plain homicide to be blamed on someone in the family. Suicide, even. This was the option that I would not, could not consider… The next and last one was and is the only one that I will even consider. Maybe it was purely accidental? Whatever the cause, my mother was dead. And nothing could change that.

I was too young to really understand. That is why, even now, I can't bring myself to mourn properly over her death. One thing that I am able to cry over (although I never have and never will) is the fact that my mother was replaced by her. Her and her stupid son, who was invading my property... Yes, I was selfish. And no, I gave no thought to the possibility that maybe my new half-brother was still shocked by his father's death. All I paid any heed to was the depressing thought that my sad attempts at attention would all be going down the drain.

And... I was right. But before I can explain this, I must tell you something else. When I was born, I was supposed to be the pride of the entire Uzumaki Empire, but instead I came out of my mother's womb with a full set of baby teeth (including overly-long canines) and red eyes already opened. And, at the back of me was a short plume of something. It was a red-orange type colour, and very beautiful to behold. But, it was still a tail, and its beauty didn't stop my mother from fainting. Finally, when I was two years of age, I went on a rampage. I transformed into the dreaded Nine Tails, a terrible fox demon. There were not more than a dozen casualties, but more than a thousand injuries (shallow and deep). Afterwards I transformed back and lost my obtrusive canines and my tail. Even now, I can't get over my shame and sometimes I feel as if a part of me is still demonic.

They had an ancient priest put a magic seal on me. Then he remade that seal and printed it onto a sheaf of parchment. The scroll is still with me, as well as a tuft of my tail and my baby canines—not attached to me of course. Thanks to Sasuke, my seal has been wearing thin. Now, whenever I experience heightened anger or great feelings of fear or betrayal, my eyes glow red and I can feel a different type of chakra welling within me.

Although I'm very bad at jutsus and my tutor despairs of me, no one can say that I don't have enough stamina.

Now that I've told you this, I'll continue from where I left off.

He completely over-shadowed me... Sasuke that is. He had a respectable lineage. He was from the Uchiha Clan, and he also possessed the Sharingan. This meant that his eyesight, when 'tuned in the right way' could see through attacks and replicate them easily. Although to my delight he had yet to come up with the third weird spoke-type thing to make his Sharingan complete. Everyone was in awe of him, and all the girls swooned when they saw him, even though every day he looks like someone attacked his hair with some sort of crazy jutsu, well in my opinion anyway.

I think there are two main reasons for the hostility between us. One, you'll learn of later, and two, the name of the kingdom. And not the Leaf Kingdom... oh no. The Empire. The Uzumaki Empire. Sometimes I state the name so frequently in a day that Sasuke erupts. And he knows that I only do it to incense him. That's why every time his anger shows I gain more satisfaction. After all, he's not allowed to be the heir to the throne, so even if I die or something, one of my stupid cousins will become sovereign. In your face, Sasuke!

Now for the other reason. I think it's a pretty good one on my part, but then again I might be biased. Just a smidgeon, though. I think all I need to say for any moderately intelligent person to understand is: girls.

The first time I had ever seen Ino and Sakura were two years after I met my 'dear' half-brother. I immediately took a liking to the shorter, less pretty one with the big forehead. She intrigued me. Of course my judgment wasn't affected at all by Sakura's shy cuteness... Yes, I am a bit shallow. Anyway... I was intrigued, and yet I couldn't help but notice that she was more than a little interested in Sasuke. Both her and her half-sibling bickered and scratched and hit all they wanted, but Sasuke was still not interested. It angered me to see the two girls, especially Sakura, get so flustered over such an… um… as my second mother would say, 'uncouth' boy.

Under his 'cool' exterior, Sasuke was pretty rough. At least he was and is to me... but that's not the point. Over the years as we each grew and developed in our own special ways (for me it was to get much louder and more 'in-your-face', in a good way of course), different love interests started up. And they were pretty obvious to the public as well as to us and our families. Sakura and Ino practically worshipped Sasuke, who I considered to be nothing short of devil spawn; I was smitten with Sakura, and it seemed that Sasuke loved no one. But it soon became obvious that me and Sakura had other admirers...

For Sakura, it was Rock Lee, a simple peasant who had once run into my bed chambers and screamed, 'I will protect you forever and always, Sakura!' Then he blurted out a small exclamation of surprise and said, 'This isn't Sakura's room!' Then, before I could cuff him, he jumped onto my balcony and ran across different window ledges from there. Instead of Lee, I preferred to call him Thickbrow as his brows were uncannily thick and he was the owner of an ugly mushroom-cut.

But now for my admirer... I noticed her immediately as I saw her handing a slip of paper to a servant. She had midnight-black hair that had long bangs that curved around her small, angular face. The rest of the hair was short, while her eyes were completely pale. Sometimes, when I'm fed up with rebelling against my tiresome tutelage, I actually listen. I remembered her eyes from something that I had read... something about the Byakugan and the Hyuuga Clan...

Anyway, she kept on coming and coming until one day when Sakura and Ino were busy smiling at Sasuke and glaring at me, I saw her head pop up to the front of one of my windows. I also heard her gasp. I wonder what that was all about? I tried to find her and ask her what was wrong, but someone who looked strangely like her answered in the negative when interrogated. I remember all those times when I tried to speak to her, ask her her name... all those times she had turned away.

Although I was loud and often imposing, it was chilling when I felt a familiar flurry in my stomach when I saw her through the window. And where did I recognize the electrical sensation? The current of maybe anxiety? From all the times I looked at Sakura... Could something be coming out inside me at the sight of that quiet, dark girl? I couldn't believe that I was feeling something—whatever it was—for my stalker. I guess I was just happy that at least someone made an effort to see me, although she didn't extend that same effort to actually exchange a conversation with me.

Not being the kind of boy who relished in wearing the royal clothes—which consisted of very flowery and scratchy kimonos, I almost screamed with joy at the sky when my parents permitted me to wear a normal tuxedo. I'd never worn one before, but they were being shipped out from remote lands such as the Hidden Oil. They had to be interesting enough.

My parents had cherished the moment in which I wasn't causing any trouble before... I whooped with joy. My mother covered my mouth with a napkin and hoped that the royalty of the area next to ours hadn't noticed anything (we were all sitting down for a tension-filled dinner). I've always had very good hearing and so I could hear the barely audible whisper of, 'I've heard stories about him, but I didn't know he was this uncouth,' that came from the corner of the 'foreign' king's mouth. Well, what do you know? I had used that very same word to describe Sasuke. Now I wanted to scrub my mouth out with soap. His queen inclined her head slightly and I coughed loudly. I was feeling pretty mischievous that day and I said with a frown, 'I just wanted to tell everyone that I have very good hearing.'

My 'mother' stared, my father cleared his throat, and the king and queen looked uncomfortable. Sakura just stared at me admirably. She had obviously known from past experience when you could tell that her parents were speaking badly of someone in public. I beamed and grinned at her. For a moment she looked confused, then she returned the nice gesture and blushed. I was confused for a long moment. Why would she have any reason at all to blush? Then it hit me... she liked me! Or at least, she kind of did. I was ecstatic.

As a plus, I had gathered enough courage to ask Sakura to dance at the ball. Even one dance with her would be enough to block out the vision of Sakura and Ino fawning over Sasuke, and I was pretty grateful for my rising confidence. Then again, when was I ever completely sucked dry of all pride? Never. Not even once. Well, maybe once or twice in very bad situations. So I began to look forward to the dance, which would take place the next day.

The night's agenda went something like this: firstly, there would be a large banquet held to commemorate the lost Hokage. This was an illusion. Everyone knew that the entire thing was being held so that me and Sasuke could study our female suitors that came from nobility. Naturally, commoners were 'cordially'—or let's just say informally—invited to the ball. The public announcement held in the village square was made with a grim countenance by an annoyed member of the 'Royal Servants' group. (Only the best of the worst were allowed to serve royalty.) Secondly, there would be a long toast that made up an event by itself, and thirdly, the real thing would commence. The greeting by the royal sons, the dancing with absolutely anyone who asked...

But now my enthusiasm was restored and, knowing that the peasant that had been stalking me wouldn't be there, (thanks to her bashfulness, and the anger in which the commoners were invited) I leaned back in my chair sleepily and stuck my tongue out at the remaining food on my plate. Then I uncharacteristically winked saucily at the object of my desires, and excused myself.

Obviously, I slept easily that night, with not a single—memorable—dream to be found in my slumber. I couldn't wait for the next day.

As I rose from my bed the next morning (or afternoon rather), I let loose a jaw-breaking yawn. Reaching groggily for the outfit that my personal servants had left out the previous day, I slowly pulled on my clothes and fastened my trademark goggles. Then I walked into my in-room bathroom and quickly washed my face. I was now ready for a new day. As I was about to step out of my room and make my way down to the breakfast hall, I noticed another change of clothes on my chest of drawers—one of those many suit-things that were being exported from the Hidden Oil. But why had the servants laid that out for me? What use could I possibly have for it? And even if they had just received a stupid order from my uptight stepmother to have me looking 'sharp' for a day, why would they also lay out my usual attire? So that I could change into my suit later on? But for what purpose? I was now feeling very disturbed. Until I remembered… The ball! How could I have forgotten?

I crashed down the stairs, ending up with what felt like a twisted ankle, although it effortlessly healed in less than a minute. Gasping for breath, I managed to hold in my excitement. My nose had easily picked up the scent of ramen—aristocratic-style of course—and my stomach rumbled loudly. Or at least, the rumbling resounded in my ears anyway… I didn't care that it was obviously a bribe or, as my 'mother' would have put it more politely, a'covenant'. Whatever the hell that means…

I burst through the doors of the breakfast hall, desperately making the attempt to straighten out my clothes as Sakura's eyes briefly met mine. Needless to say, the look she gave me wasn't very pleasant, although her parents sent me a 'sycophantic' look, as my 'mother' would say. They were probably trying to make sure I didn't kill them in their beds. To my consternation, the only available seat was the one next to Sasuke who didn't look too pleased himself. At least I had the consolation of making him feel miserable with my presence.

I quickly sat down in the high-backed wooden chair next to Sasuke and made an effort to stay still. I love ramen, and sometimes it's my downfall when it comes to my 'mother'. Sasuke sent me a look of revulsion, mirrored by the expression of Sakura, who sat exactly across from him. On purpose, perhaps? I snuck a look under the table and saw one Sakura's legs just barely touching one of Sasuke's. The irritating boy in question followed my eyes. Immediately, his jaw tensed and he removed his leg, leaving a wide space between him and my pink-haired goddess. She frowned and, moving her leg closer, sent him a silent entreaty. I don't know who kicked her first, me or Sasuke, but at the end of the meal Sasuke got up, sporting two bruises on one shin. I managed to feel a little bad, but back to the beginning. I have a small habit of skipping ahead in stories, I'm just not a very patient person.

So, I was sitting next to Sasuke and we had each just kicked the annoying—oh gods… I just called her of all people annoying—pink-haired girl. We exchanged glances that seemed to say, "Pft… women" and then I realized what I had just done. I looked away from him then turned back to shoot him a glare. He seemed to look confused… Oh well, it's Sasuke. I don't care very much.

A servant rang a bell and suddenly a giant silver platter was in the middle of the table. My mouth started watering of its own accord and I looked up to see Ino staring at me with displeasure. I managed to control myself and sat there expectantly, awaiting the food. Another bell was rung and yet another platter was forced onto the poor oaken table. This one smelled strange and I was pretty sure it was going to taste just as strange. Then my father opened his mouth and uttered the words that would ensure that the rest of my day would be a lot less than enjoyable.

"I have decided to experiment with our eating habits. As you all know by now, it is a tradition for the men to sample the food first. But today, in recognition of the old Hokage of yore, we will let the women eat first. In fact, they may have the ramen, which is usually devoured by a few ravenous boys"—he cast a disapproving glance at me—"and the males at the table will have the most feminine treat of them all. Salad."

Something in my mind fizzled, as if on fire, and burned out. Then it popped. I think it was a fuse. "What? Is this more royally witty banter? Or are you seriously telling me that I woke up for nothing?" Yep. It was a fuse.

"Uzumaki Naruto! Either stay here and eat this food or leave and go to one of those stupid peasant stands."

Well, as I've said a couple of times, the thing in my mind that popped was a fuse. So, the next thing that came out of my mouth was to be expected. "Fine! I'm leaving! I bet there are some great ramen stands out there!" I could have sworn that I saw a little indecision on Sakura's face. I bet she wanted to come with me, but I ended up storming out of the breakfast hall alone, watched by shocked eyes.

So there I was, stomping out of the giant castle that I called home, when I caught sight of the messed up guy that was obsessed with my girl. Thickbrow. Being nice however, I ignored my… 'animosity' (from what I've heard from my half-mother, this is bad) and called out to him.

"Hey, Thickbrow! How's it going?"

"Things are not faring very well I am afraid. My youthful beauty and spirit are in jeopardy! I fear that the fair Sakura will never want me… It is all because of that stupid fool Sasuke." He quickly and nervously bowed. "I am sorry if I have offended you. I will be on my way."

And with that, he speed-walked by me, and I began to walk in the opposite direction of him, when I suddenly remembered that Thickbrow himself was a peasant! I immediately swiveled around to face the direction that he had been hurrying to and found him gone. It wasn't fair. Why the hell did he have to be so fast? I was faced with a single option. To run after him.

I did just that, calling after him, "Thickbrow! Thickbrow! I need some directions!"

Suddenly he was standing directly in front of me, so that our noses were mere centimeters apart, and that I could see the fine hairs in his bowl cut and well-endowed eyebrows. I immediately recoiled. I mean, what else was to be expected? I knew I wasn't too much of a prize catch myself, but his appearance was pretty repulsive. Plus, I didn't want to stand so close to a guy.

"Where do you want to go?" He placed one hand on his hip, jutting his jaw out, and staring at me intensely.

I gaped at him. Was he asking me out? Was he even daring to come on to me? I'd kick his ass first! "Are you coming on to me?"

Now it was his turn to put some distance between us, and for this I let out a relieved sigh. He managed to stutter out a disgusted reply in the negative, for which I was grateful. Then he added, "You asked me for directions remember? Not to be disrespectful to loyalty, but I'm saving the extension of my pheromones for Princess Sakura."

A vein must have showed on my temple, because Thickbrow backed away a little. Resolving to save my temper for Sasuke, I muttered a heartfelt "I need you to show me to the nearest peasant—ramen stand."

"Oh! Well, then you have come to the right place! Such a youthful and enthusiastic tour guide as myself you surely must not have seen before! But first you must do something for me." He paused, his eyes glinting in anticipation. "You must set me up with the fair Sakura-chan!"

I decided to be blunt with the poor, ignorant boy. "Either you show me where the nearest stand is, or I order you to be executed. It's just that simple." Of course my stepmother would never allow me to do so without a good reason, but Thickbrow didn't need to know that.

He blanched. "Right. Yes. Of course, my… excellent lordship. Your youthful beauty is astounding. Please allow me to escort you to the nearest ramen stand, which just happens to be Ichiraku!" Here his perpetual enthusiasm kicked in. "It's excellent! The food is cheap, and there is a variety of ramen to choose from! Miso, pork, beef, vegetable, mixed, etc! Come along!"

I followed Thickbrow as he made his way along the path he had taken earlier and, after rounding a few bends and skirting a few corners, I found myself standing in front of a little piece of heaven. Or as others might have called it—Ichiraku.

Without waiting for a word of thanks, Thickbrow sped off, tearing up the ground he tread on and leaving a path of dirt clouds rising up behind him. I paid no attention though. This was it! The moment I had been waiting for all day—or at least since my own stepmother had basically kicked me out of the castle. And then I realized something.

I had come here without any money. My eyes turned red, but I pushed the anxiety down. Maybe I could use my title to get myself some free ramen.

Inside was an old, jolly-looking man who was wiping off the counter he stood behind. A girl around my age with short, dusky hair was sitting on a stool, slouched over her ramen. I took a seat beside her and grinned jauntily at the owner of the stand.

"You know, since I'm a prince and all, I was wondering if—"

"No," said the owner abruptly, his lips barely moving around a toothpick he was gnawing on. He didn't even bother to look up at me as he continued, saying "I don't do charity cases."

"Charity cases? Charity cases? Charity cases? Charity cases? I could buy this entire stand with a seventh of a week's allowance!" So I didn't even get allowance. He didn't need to know that.

"Whatever, Prince. Either buy it, or leave. I don't care very much for arrogance in this stand."

I was about to open my mouth to issue a heated reply, when some yen was tossed in front of me. I turned to the girl sitting beside me, who kept her gaze fixed on her own folded hands. A blush was slowly spreading on her face.

All anger forgotten, I yelled an exuberant "Thanks!" and then turned to the amused man standing before me. "One mixed ramen, please!"

The girl beside me was starting to gather her things, looking panicked. "Um… Here's some money. Keep the change!" She all but threw some yen at the bewildered stand owner.

"Hey, wait, what's your name?" I now felt nothing but curiosity. "When will I see you again? For a peasant, you're pretty noble." I half-heartedly laughed at my own joke.

Without even bothering to answer my first question, the girl said, "You'll see me sooner than you think. But right now I'm late, and I need to take a bath and—and get ready!" Now she walked away from me and out of the stand, but I could still here her muttering to herself nervously. "He's going to kill me! At least I managed to get the bath oils… My first time using them, and it couldn't be for a worse possible event… Maybe I can say that the bath oils cost more than he expected. That could explain the extra money gone!"

As the girl worried her lip, dropping a few of her bags, it became apparent that the owner of the stand had heard her mumbling as well. Giving me the money that the girl had gave me, he motioned for me to pass it to her.

"Hey, girl! Catch!" I yelled, simultaneously throwing the yen at her, even as I slurped up the last bit of my ramen. Hey, I'm good at multitasking.

The girl managed to catch all of the yen without incident, smiling gratefully and picking up all of her things. She then hurried off in the direction of the castle.

I said my goodbyes to the man behind the counter, promising to come back later with triple my fare, and ran off toward the castle, grinning hugely.

Then I stopped. There was something about the girl that was nagging at me… Some feature, facial maybe, that had been following me around everywhere I went… And then I remembered.

Her eyes! The girl that had been stalking me, and yet managing to elude me all at once! I ran back to the stand but, as was to be expected, she had already disappeared. I resumed my return home. But one thought was lingering in my mind.

What had she meant by "I'll see you sooner than you think"?

I couldn't help but bask in my own sense of self-satisfaction. When I got back to the castle, I ran into everyone just as they were leaving the dining hall, and everyone of them looked pretty annoyed. Sasuke looked especially annoyed. Not to mention more than a little hungry. I wanted to be considerate, I really did. But I just couldn't stop myself from blurting out my next, entirely untactful words.

"How was the meal? I went to the Ichiraku ramen stand and some free mixed ramen, while all of you guys had some pathetic salad. I hope you enjoyed the experiment."

Although I knew I should have felt guilty, my self-worth peaked when Sasuke cursed miserably under his breath and didn't even bother to shoot me one of his infamous—yet incredibly sexy, according to the opinions of many hot and bothered girls—glares. My happiness wasn't even dimmed by the insults that flew out of the mouths of Ino and Sakura.

Even now, just a few minutes before the ball where I knew that Sasuke would overshadow me, especially when it came to affection from Sakura, I was still in an incredibly good mood. I still felt smug, I was all dolled up in a suit and a mask (I hadn't even known it was a masquerade twenty minutes ago), my stalker a) wouldn't have a chance to be here and b) even if she did, she seemed pretty decent, and I was ready to conquer Sakura's heart. All in all, I felt like I was kicking some ass.

I was definitely ready to party.

A/N: There, nice and long for you guys. Unfortunately, this author's note is going to be pretty long as well. Guys, guys, guys… Of course this is a parody of Cinderella. I'm not going to go with the Grimm fairytale completely, and it's going to branch off a lot. There are a lot of pairings as you guys—hopefully—have noticed. Plus, Hinata's stepfather wanted her to go to the ball, and there aren't going to be any fairy godparents. And just so that there won't be any confusion... before the ball, Naruto only felt a strange pity. Almost a yearning for someone who actually liked him. He called Hinata plain and weird looking, remember? And also, he still has large feelings for Sakura. Even though I'm a big fan of Naruto/Hinata pairings, it might not end up as you readers think. I don't even know myself. On that same note, Sakura definitely does not like Naruto, not even as a friend. And also, just to address a question which really makes sense, the girls in this story don't wear dresses, because even though it's in the time of princesses and such, only nobility and royalty wear dresses when female (and Hinata is basically a 'noble servant') and then only on special occasions. Just think of the clothes they wear in the manga/anime. And sorry if Naruto's a bit OOC, it's hard to capture him in first-person mode, believe me.

You guys are all so smart! A certain reader figured out something to do with Hinata's eyes that'll play into the story later. Maybe even the next chapter? And just to answer a question, Naruto couldn't recognize Hinata because a) he can be incredibly unobservant, and b) she hid her hair and bent her face down, so that although he saw the resemblance, he only thought of her as a possible sister to the person who had been spying on him. And yes, I did make up the Hidden Oil. There isn't anywhere in the Narutoverse that has suits. Think of it as poetic license.

Please review! The next chapter should be called: 'Of Balls and Masquerades'.