Didn't know you guys would like it so much. I'm very satisfied with this story. I hope you are too. Thakies to all of my reviewers and readers.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Pairings: SasukexHinata ItachixHanabi NarutoxIno SakuraxShikamaru TentenxKankuro

Bold: Hinata's Narration


My sister's second birthday was the day I ever saw Prince Sasuke's innocent smile that I loved so much. It was just an ordinary day and he had come to visit. I met him at the train station. He was eight and I was seven. We were just young children who wanted to play. My nine year old cousin watched over us. It was his duty to protect us. It was also the last time I saw my cousin smile sincerely for a while. His father was with my father at an important meeting for my sister's ceremony later on today. My sister was currently with the caretakers in the palace.

"Hinata!" Sasuke came over and hugged the girl. Hinata's face turned a bright red and she broke out of the hug. "Hello, who are you?" Sasuke asked Hinata'snine year old cousin.

"Neji." The white eyed boy answered. "What's that in your hand?" Neji tried to grab the box, but Sasuke pulled it away.

"It's not for you. It's for Hanabi." Sasuke stated as he brushed himself off. "Hinata, do you want to go to the river? I have something I want to tell you."

"Hinata, come on." Neji told the girl. Hinata nodded and ran towards them as best as she could. The seven year old stumbled on her white kimono. "Why did you wear that?" Neji questioned seeing how much trouble his cousin was having with her clothing.

"Father said that I should." Hinata told him. Neji kneeled down, his back facing her.

"Get on." Neji commanded. Hinata climbed unto his back and Neji stood up. "Hold on tightly." Neji began to run and Sasuke did the same. The children ran through the crowded streets of the city which were brightly decorated with lanterns and firecrackers. They reached a path that lead into a deep forest.

"Neji, there's someone following us." Hinata saw a shadow along the floor. Neji stopped and turned his head at Sasuke. Sasuke nodded and took out a kunai. Neji put Hinata down and did the same.

"Who's there?" Neji yelled into the thick woods. A rustle was heard before a blonde jumped out from the bushes. "Ino! What are you doing here?" Ino ran over to Hinata and hugged her.

"My mom said I have to marry Shikamaru! I don't want to!" Ino cried while hugging her friend. Hinata returned the embrace. "I'll have to move to the south. I can't see you again!" Ino screamed.

"How old will you be when you have to?" Sasuke asked.

"Si-sixt-teen." Ino got out before bursting into tears again. "I don't want to leave even if I'm not getting married in a while." Ino fell down and Hinata knelt down to hug the girl. The girl's eyes were all red from crying. Neji and Sasuke just stood with pitying looks on their faces.

Ino was my best friend. Her father was a powerful man that had enormous wealth. Arranged marriages were common things when I was a small child. Ino had known Shikamaru as a good friend she often visited. She never wanted to be wed to him though. The girl had a crush on someone else, but that person was poor. Rich were never around the poor, it just wasn't done.

"Please give this to Naruto." Ino said while still sobbing. She held out a golden ring, I saw that there was a matching one on her finger. "Tell him to find me someday." Ino had eventually calmed her breathing steadying. "I'll be gone tomorrow." Ino held Hinata's hand and placed a black choker on her neck. "Remember." Ino told the girl embracing her one last time.

Those were the last words that I thought would ever be spoken to me from her. It would be five years until I would next hear from her. I would always remember, always.

Neji picked Hinata up again and the three once again headed off into the woods. "We're almost there." Sasuke stated as he jumped over a rock. The sound of rushing water could be heard as the children approached a clearing. Sunshine poured in through the treetops and tall green grass was perfect for lying in. Neji let Hinata down and the girl sat in the grass by the river.

"Hinata, you know how you're suppose to marry Itachi?" Sasuke asked the Hyuuga who was staring into the river.

"Yes." Hinata replied looking up at Sasuke.

"I have to, well my parents said I have to marry Hanabi when I turn eighteen." Sasuke sighed while sitting besides the girl. Hinata saw the boy's head which was facing downwards.

'Why is he so sad? Hanabi is not a bad person is she?' Hinata remembered what Sasuke had done for her when her mother died. Hinata pulled the boy into a hug patting him on the back. "The Sun is shining. That means the heavens are happy for you."

Sasuke was shocked at the normally shy girl's actions. Sasuke hugged back because his heart was aching. 'Why does this hurt so much? Why?' Sasuke looked at the pale girl's face and smiled. 'Why can't I be happy?' Sasuke remembered when he saw his brother grinning at him. 'Why?'

Neji watched the two in an embrace and felt a pain in his heart. There would always be emptiness for those two. He felt sorrow and looked to the sky where the birds were soaring. 'Why is the Sun shining? Is it really because the heavens are happy for them?' Neji lay in the grass enjoying the feel of warm sunshine. He could hear the two royals shifting around and Hinata giggling.

Sasuke's heart ached for the warm embrace to return. He couldn't understand why his heart had pain. Sasuke ignored it and showed Hinata his shuriken and threw them at a tree. Hinata clapped her hands and giggled softly. Sasuke talked about how his brother taught him how to use the weapons. "I'm going to be the greatest shinobi in the world!" Sasuke exclaimed. Sasuke fell back into the grass next to Neji.

Hinata was picking flowers as most seven year old girlswould when exposed to the colorful plants. "Sasuke what is your favorite color?"

Sasuke contemplated the thought before answering. "White."

Hinata always expected the boy to love the color blue or black. He wore those colors the most. It shocked her, but she nodded anyway. "Neji, what's our favorite color?"

Neji immediately answered, "Blue." 'Just like the sky and mom's eyes.'

Hinata nodded and searched through the fields for flowers. 'Sasuke likes white. Neji likes blue.' Hinata told herself over and over again. 'I see blue!' Hinata rushed over to the flowers and picked the colors she wanted for her friends. The girl had a nice time searching for the flowers and spent quite a while on the task.

Neither of the boys seemed to mind this. Sasuke had fallen asleep in the grass while Neji was in a deep state of thought. Hinata was done and went over to her cousin. She pulled green ribbons out from her pocket and tied a bunch of blue flowers together. "Neji."

"Yes?" Neji opened his eyes, slowly becoming accustomed to the light. He saw Hinata holding a bunch of flowers in front of his face.

"They are for you." Hinata whispered. Neji took the blue flowers and smiled at the look on Hinata's face. She was blushing a shade of bright red.

"Thank you Princess." Hinata blushed a deeper shade of red at the title she had been given by her cousin. He never called her that and it seemed to make her uncomfortable.

Hinata then crawled over to where Sasuke was sleeping. "Prince Sasuke." Hinata called quietly. The boy didn't stir from his spot. "Sasuke." The girl spoke louder and shook him. The sun was still high in the sky and it signaled that it was soon time for lunch. The young prince still would not stir. Laying her head on his chest Hinata listened for a heartbeat. Sure enough there was a faint noise of beating. She sighed and lifted her head back up to see that the Prince had opened his eyes. "I'm sorry. It was just that you didn't wake up. I didn't know what I was doing."

"It's alright." Sasuke looked at the flowers in front of him. "Are these for me?" His eyes lightened up at the color of the blossoms. 'White.' He thought. Hinata just nodded and Sasuke took the flowers. "Thank you." Sasuke fell back into the grass and closed his eyes.

"We have to go now. It's around noon, we have to eat lunch remember." Neji stood up and brushed himself off. Hinata was by the river tying a bunch of red flowers together. Sasuke was in the grass lying down with the white flowers in his hands. "Sasuke, you look like a dead guy." Sasuke snapped up at this comment and grinned. "Let's go."

"Coming Neji." Hinata walked over to where the two boys were. Neji placed the flowers in a pack he had. Then kneeled for Hinata to get on his back. Sasuke just held his in his weapon's pouch careful to place it in an extra pocket.

"I can take Hinata this time." Sasuke offered kneeling down.

"Are you sure? You're a prince and I'm just the cousin of a princess." Neji asked. Sasuke nodded in reassurance and Hinata climbed on his back. She placed her arms gently on Sasuke's shoulders. Her face heated up and she placed her chin on his shoulder.

"Thank you Prince Sasuke." Hinata closed her eyes and held on tight. Sasuke marveled at how light the girl was and ran off into the forest. Neji was right next to the boy and they both accelerated in speed having an unofficial race. Obviously Neji had the upper hand and slowed down after a while to wait for Sasuke to catch up. Hinata opened her eyes and saw the lush green forest breezing by. The girl closed her eyes again, it was too fast for her to handle.

Soon, the boys could see the city and its streets were bustling with people. There was a parade going down the streets with dragons and drums beating. Hinata slowly opened her eyes. "Sasuke, can you let me down now?"

"Not a chance. We wouldn't want to lose you in that big bunch of people." Sasuke told her. For him it was just an excuse, he didn't want to marry Hanabi. Even though he knew she wasn't going to kill him, it still hurt. It hurt really badly. Hinata offered some sort of comfort. She was something that you could hold onto and never lose. Sasuke walked down the crowed streets.

"Stop." Hinata told the Prince and he did.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"I need to see someone." Hinata squirmed from Sasuke's grip and Neji walked next to her. Hinata was walking towards a building and both the boys assumed to go to the door. Hinata however went into the alleyway. "Naruto." Hinata called out into the darkness.

"H-hinata?" A boy with blonde hair and blue eyes stepped out into the light. His face and hands were covered in scars and scrapes.

"Naruto." Hinata walked over to the boy and gave him a hug and the bundle of flowers she was holding. "Ino is leaving tomorrow."

Naruto took the flowers and threw them on the floor. "What?" He yelled. His blue eyes that were so much like Ino's began to water and shed tears. "Why?"

"Her parents are making her marry Shikamaru." Hinata told the boy. "You know that if she doesn't listen they'll give her away right?"

Naruto nodded and then screamed, "Why didn't she say goodbye?" Hinata went over to Naruto and held out a golden ring.

"She said to find her someday." Naruto slowly took the ring and slid it on his finger. Hinata felt pain in her heart and hugged the boy. Even though Naruto was and orphaned pheasant, they were still friends. He deserved this more than anyone else she knew right now.

Love. Love was something that seemed like it would never work out. Love can start wars and lead to chaos. Love is the most powerful thing in the world. Yet, love had failed us and let us falls apart. Still in our hearts we held hope.

Hinata had told Naruto to come with them to get food. The boy denied though saying he had to at least try and find Ino before he left and darted through the streets. Naruto had left the flowers on the floor and the wind had blown them away somewhere far away. Like love which had been carried away. Sasuke kneeled down in front of the girl and so did Neji. "Sasuke, I think that you might get tired out."

"No, I'm fine. Really I am." Sasuke refused to get up and Neji sighed. Neji just picked Hinata up and held her bridal style. "Hey!"

"You have been carrying her too much. You will hurt your back." Neji said as he continued to walk down the street. Hinata was a petite person so it wasn't that hard to carry her. "Hinata, I'm going to kneel down and you climb on my back." Neji let the girl down and kneeled in front of her. Sasuke ran in front of the girl and put her on his back quickly.

"I got her." Sasuke told Neji who was still kneeling down.

"Fine," Neji replied grumpily. The two walked down the streets looking for a place to eat. They found a street market with all sorts of things you could eat. Neji bought Hinata a cinnamon roll that she eagerly ate. Sasuke bought himself a rice ball and ate the thing in almost one whole bite.

"What?" He asked mouth full of food.

"Do you have any manners?" Neji yelled at the smaller boy.

"I do, but I don't feel like using them. I'm hungry and nobody is going to kill me for this." Sasuke stated buying another rice ball and finishing the one in his mouth. Neji rolled his eyes and bought himself a rice ball. Sasuke noisily ate and Hinata finished but was still hungry.

"Neji, I'm still hungry." Hinata pulled on her cousin's shirt. Neji looked over at Sasuke who had bought about seven rice balls. Sasuke got the hint after being glared at.

"Do you want one?" Sasuke asked. Hinata nodded so he walked over and pulled one out of his bag for her to eat.

"Thank you." Hinata said. She sat down next to her cousin on a bench and ate the rice ball. When the children were done eating it was about two o' clock in the afternoon.

"I think we should go see Hanabi." Hinata stated as she began to walk away careful not to trip on her kimono. Neji walked up to her and kneeled down once more. Hinata kept on walking holding up her kimono when she thought she would trip and Neji followed. Sasuke walked next to Hinata and smiled at how well the girl was doing.

At that moment I felt like my mother. Graceful and proud I walked along my way to the palace and did not stumble once. I could feel someone holding me up just like when I was learning to walk though when I lookedbehind me there was no one.

Hinata, Neji, and Sasuke had entered the palace and shortly after a girl ran over as best they could to Hinata and hugged her. "Hanabi miss." The little girl stated. Then she went over to Neji and hit his stomach. "No take Hanabi." She screamed and walked over to Sasuke. "Who this?" She asked her sister.

"That is Prince Sasuke." Hinata answered taking off her shoes.

"Sake?" Hanabi asked. Hinata shook her head to say no.

"Sa-su-ke." Hinata enunciated every syllable.

"Suke?" Hanabi asked. Hinata shook her head again.

"Sa." Hinata spoke.

"Sa." Hanabi copied.

"Su." Hinata kneeled down and stated.

"Su. Hanabi uttered.

"Ke." Hinata told her sister.

"Ke." Hanabi repeated. "Sakuke!" Hanabi exclaimed.

"Close enough." Neji sighed while leaning against a wall.

"Hanabi, I have something for your birthday." Sasuke stated pulling out a box.

"Mine?" Hanabi asked. Sasuke nodded. "Tank you." Hanabi grabbed the box from out of his hands and gave it to Hinata. "Open?"

"Not now. Later." Hinata told her sister and pat her on the head. Hanabi smiled and hugged her sister again.

"Wuv you." Hanabi told her sister before walking down the halls with the box in her hands.

This was one of the moments I would cherish in my heart forever. My sister would alwayscopy whatever I did. She always listened to what I told her. That was how she would learn about the world. Eventually she took her own path.

Sasuke watched the girl run away and then saw a man coming down the hall. It was Hinata's father. "Prince Sasuke, have you met my daughter?"

"Yes King Hiashi." Sasuke replied bowing.

"Good. Enjoy the festival." Hiashi stated before walking up to his daughter. "Has Neji taken care of you?"

"Yes father." Hinata stated bowing. Hiashi walked away leaving his daughter to do as she pleased. "Neji?" Hinata asked walking over to a garden in the back yard.

"Yes?" Neji asked sitting on a bench.

"Who are you going to marry?" Hinata asked.

Neji was stunned by the question. "I… don't know." Sasuke was looking at the fish and smiling. "Sasuke?"

"Huh?" Sasuke asked looking up at Neji.

"When do you have to go home?" The Hyuuga asked looking at the birds that were not bound to the ground.

"Whenever I want to." Sasuke replied. Neji just looked at him like he was insane. "Fine, eight."

"Alright, we still have about five hours until you leave." Neji stated.

"That's a long time." Hinata told them.

At that time an hour was very long in my opinion. As the years passed by I wished for this time to return so I would be able to cherish every moment again.

Hinata had heard a voice and turned her head to find Hanabi. "Father party ready." Hanabi got out.

"I have to get ready for the party or the party is ready?" Hinata asked. For the first option she put one finger up. For the second option she put two fingers up. Hanabi put up two fingers. "Sasuke, Neji, the party is ready." Hinata called over to the two boys who were watching the fish swim around. Sasuke was the first to stand and ran over to Hinata's side. Neji quickly followed.

"Hand." Hanabi told Hinata. Hinata held out her hand to hold Hanabi's. The two entered the ballroom to find that there were people in elegant clothing and stunning jewelry. "Hi." Hanabi told the people and waved. There were murmurs of how adorable she was heard throughout the room.

"Hanabi, Sasuke, come forth." Hyuuga Hiashi stated in a booming voice. Hanabi stumbled while walking up to her father. Sasuke looked back at Hinata and then walked up to her father. "Hanabi, when you turn thirteen, in eleven years, you will be wed to Sasuke."

"Marry?" Hanabi asked. Hiashi nodded and turned to Sasuke.

"When this happens, I want you to take care of our country." Sasuke bowed and left to go back to Hinata. A gentle hand tugged on his shirt and he looked down. Hanabi's eyes were filled with sorrow.

"Hanabi no want marry you." She whispered. "Sowy. Hug?" Sasuke picked the girl up and gave her a hug and carried her back to Neji. Hanabi kissed Sasuke on the cheek and began to cry. She ran to her sister and held her hands outstretched,silently beggingto be picked up. "Hanabi no want him." Hinata's face held concern on it as she pat her sister on the back.

Most of the people didn't notice this was happening. Hiashi was giving another speech and the people looked forward. Since the four children were in the very back nobody saw the tears that were being shed by the youngest princess.

I don't think my father ever understood what he did. He was forcing two people to marry who didn't even like each other. There was love,but with another pair. I don't think he wouldever understand how much suffering would be caused by this event.

Hanabi had fallen asleep in her sister's arms and her face had returned to its regular state. Hinata, Sasuke, and Neji went into Hanabi's room. Hinata placed the girl on her bed and she began to stir. The toddler's eyes opened and she sat up. "No leave. Hanabi go with you." Hanabi cried as she hung unto Neji. "No leave again." Neji picked the girl up.

"I won't leave." He told her quietly. "I won't leave."

"Should we go outside? I think the streets would be a fun place to take her." Hinata suggested. Neji nodded and Sasuke was standing and looking down.

'What is this pain?' Sasuke was on the verge of screaming. 'Why is it here?' Sasuke looked up with a smile on his face to reassure his friends that he was listening. 'Why?' he asked himself. One the inside his heart was shattered. It would be completely destroyed by the next morning. He didn't know it, but all of the people he cherished would seem like they were unreachable.

Hinata took Sasuke's hand and pulled him out of the room. "Come one Neji." Hinata called. Neji rushed after the two with Hanabi on his back. The children rushed out into the street and found that there were indeed many people here today. The streets were filled with people selling goldfish, and toys. There were smells of many different types of food drifting over to the children.

"Yummy!" Hanabi exclaimed. "Hanabi want."

"Alright. Do you want sweets?" Sasuke asked. Hanabi nodded. "Cinnamon roll?" Hanabi nodded again. Sasuke bought a roll for her and handed it to the girl.

"Tank you." Hanabi stated gleefully before she bit into the roll. Her features were filled with delight as she chewed. "Hinata want?" She asked taking off a part of the roll. Hinata shook her head. "Neji eat?" She held a piece right in front of his mouth. Neji shook his head. "Sake?" The girl asked Sasuke. The boy nodded and walked next to her and opened his mouth. Hanabi threw it in and giggled.

The children went to played games and ate delicious food all afternoon until it was dinnertime. Hanabi had gotten stuffed animals because everyone knew it was her birthday. She was currently sitting on Neji's shoulders holding a stuffed, pink bunny. Hinata had gotten tired and was now resting on Sasuke's back trying not to lean her chin on his shoulder. Neji and Sasuke seemed to be just fine as they walked towards the palace. Neji had gotten a pet bird that was perched upon Hanabi's shoulder. Sasuke had bought more rice balls and was holding them in the bag he had brought before.

"You still have two hours." Neji told Sasuke.

"That's plenty of time." Sasuke said as he grinned. Hinata got tired of holding her head up and tenderly placed it on his shoulder. Sasuke remembered she was still there and his grin grew. It filled his heart to know she was there, he felt carefree around the girl.

Eventually, the group reached the palace and Hanabi took her sister's hand and ran to her room. "I'll be right back." Hinata yelled. Hinata picked up the little girl and opened the door to her sister's room.

"Hanabi wear special." Hanabi went to her closet and pulled out a black kimono. "Wear?"

"Yes Hanabi, you can wear." Hinata took off the girl's current pink kimono and saw the white robe she wore under it. Hinata tightened the tie on that and dressed her sister in the black kimono. Hinata pulled out a red obi from the closet and tied it around her sister's waist. "Perfect." Hinata told her sister.

"Hanabi pretty?" The girl asked looking in the mirror.

"Yes, Hanabi very pretty." The older sister gave the younger one a hug.

"Hinata wear special." Hanabi dragged her sister across the hall. "Hinata room get special." Hanabi went to the closet and pulled out a lavender kimono with a white obi. "Hinata look pretty wear this."

"Alright Hanabi. You go find Neji and I'll meet you in the ballroom." Hinata shooed the little girl away and began to get dressed. The girl slipped on the kimono and tied the obi. Hurriedly Hinata ran through the halls to get to the room. Her shoes clacked against the wood as she ran. Hinata reached the room and began to pant heavily. Slowly opening the door Hinata opened her eyes to see people from the afternoon all gathered at tables.

"Hinata!" Hanabi ran to her sister and hugged her again. "Hanabi wait. Hinata come." The little girl wrapped her fingers around Hinata's right pointer finger and walked towards a table where her father, uncle, cousin, and Sasuke were sitting at. "Hinata sit." Hinata sat where the little girl gestured to. She sat between Sasuke and her sister.

Sasuke's heartbeat increased and he felt nervous. 'Why do I feel this?' Hiashi began to speak, but Sasuke could only pay attention to Hinata. 'What is this feeling?' Sasuke asked himself. This had gone on for quite a while. Even as people were eating, he felt as if Hinata was the most interesting thing there. The boy snuck glanced to the girl every couple of minutes. 'Why?'

During that dinner I felt somebody's glance on me all the time. The only time I didn't was when I looked at Sasuke. It made me very uncomfortable, but that was only because I wasn't old enough to understand all the clues.

It was eight o' clock and Sasuke had to go back to his own home. Hanabi was on his back hugging him. "Sakuke no go." She whined. Hanabi had fun with her new friend and was saying don't go the whole walk to the train station.

"I have to go, but I'll be back soon." Sasuke replied throwing Hanabi into the air and then catching her again. "I promise."

Hinata was holding hands with Neji to avoid getting lost at this time of the evening. If she was, there would be a big problem. "Sasuke, I wish you a safe trip." Hinata said as they waited for the train.

"Thank you." Sasuke handed Hanabi to Neji and stood waiting. The wind speed began to increase and there was a faint light. "That's the train." Indeed the train came rushing towards the stop and the door opened to let Sasuke in. "Bye, and happy birthday Hanabi."

"Bye bye. Tank you give Hanabi box." Hanabi waved her tiny hands and Sasuke climbed aboard the train. Once on the train, Hinata could see him pull something out and hold it to his chest. It was the bundle of flowers she had given him earlier on that day. Hinata smiled and waved farewell to her friend.

Neji and Hinata set out to go back to their home. Hanabi had fallen asleep in Neji's arms. The cool spring air blew the smells of street vendors with delicious foods, but the children were far too tired to play anymore. Hinata rubbed her eyes and yawned. The two could hear the wind and their feet kicking stones as they walked. Neji placed Hanabi back in her bed and put the covers on the girl. "Good night Neji." Hinata told the boy as she went into her room.

The petite princess slipped on her nightclothes and climbed into bed. She was tired, but was content with how the day went. Hinata slept curled in a little ball on her right side. She yawned one last time before going to sleep.

Later that night, there was a scream heard. There were sounds like fighting and yelling. Hinata woke up to find Neji at her door locking it as best he could. "Neji?" Hinata asked rubbing her eyes. Neji held a finger to his lips to say quiet. Then there was thumping on the door.

"Open up!" called a voice. The door was thrown open to reveal a shadowy figure. Hinata didn't know who it was. The girl grabbed her cousin's arm and closed her eyes. Hinata began to cry and scream. Anticipating a harsh pain, she embraced her cousin tightly. The blow however, never arrived.

I was scared out of my mind. It was complete and utter chaos. My cousin was holding me tightly and yelling for help. It was the most frighting event of my childhood. This was the event that took my cousin's smile away. I could hear his sobs and I opened my eyes to find the most terrifying and heartbreaking scene I would ever witness in my early days.


Review, you'll get a warm fuzzy feeling in your heart. Not to mention if I could I would hug you!