Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. If I did then you would see Asuma and Kurenai more often. What a cute couple.
The Princess and the Rogue – His and her fairytale
I love Kakashi – normal
I love Asuma – Kurenai thinking (italics)I love Kurenai – Asuma thinking (bold)
Yay! Ramen with Hinata! – Naruto thinking (bold with italics)
Note #1: Well I'm glad I made the rating slightly higher for this fic 'cause there's some innuendo in this chapter. I never intended it but it just came out this way. I'm sorry if this fanfiction sucks and you can flame me if you want.
Note#2: Doko means where.
Note#3: This is a short chapter 'cause I wanted to update. More coming soon. Yakusoku.
Chapter 11 – Kurenai wa doko desu ka
"They said you were one of the best shinobi there is! How can you come back with such incomplete information?" yelled the King. "The briar fortress had stopped receiving their supplies meaning that either my daughter and her two protectors have escaped or they are DEAD! This is already a big mess as it is! I don't need a shinobi who can't complete his mission! You're fired Uchiha Itachi!"
Itachi removed his presence in front of the King. He understood nothing. Hinata will be his even if he had to be fired from the King's service to have her.
"What has happened to you dearest daughter?" muttered the Queen.
Kurenai surveyed the village in front of her, the huge castle in the background stood out with all its glory.
She felt a hand around her waist as Asuma pulled her in closer.
"So that's where we have to go?" he asked. She nodded in reply. "Should we go tomorrow? Everyone's exhausted." She replied again with a nod.
They all decided to stay the night in an inn.
Kurenai woke up in the middle of the night and got dressed. I'm sorry Asuma but I've got to do this alone. Tsunade obviously told us to go together because you're deeply implicated and this and you're probably going to be in danger if you come with me to the castle. I can't do that. I don't want to see you die or get hurt – especially after all the things you've done for me.
Kurenai stood by Asuma's sleeping figure and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Kami-sama, please don't let this be our last kiss. She walked towards the door and with one last look at Asuma she disappeared into the night.
"Kakashi-san," said Hinata. "Have you seen Kurenai-oneechan? Last night, she said she was going to bed a little later but when I woke up this morning, it looked as if she hasn't even slept in her bed."
Kakashi smirked. "Maybe you should ask Asuma about that Hinata-chan. Well speak of the devil…"
Asuma came out from his room rubbing his eyes. He was dressed only in his boxers. Kakashi couldn't suppress a smile as Hinata's face went beet red as she turned around.
"Oi, have any of you seen Kurenai?" he asked.
"Hinata was just asking about that," replied Kakashi. "Something about having her bed unslept in…" Kakashi grinned as he saw Asuma look away as he flushed. He also noticed that Hinata was still cautiously looking the other way but had trouble keeping her eyes there when she was able to peek at Asuma from her view.
"Don't worry Hinata-chan, I'm sure Naruto will let you see him shirtless. He's quite well built, even for a twelve-year-old. Trust me, we've all bathed together before," teased Kakashi.
"Hey, what's this about me now?" asked a curious not to mention shirtless Naruto. This time Hinata turned the brightest shade of crimson. (The night before was pretty warm so most of the boys slept without their shirts.)
Author: Hey! Kakashi isn't shirtless! -Sob-
Kakashi: I'm a gentleman, I get dressed before I come out of my room.
Author: -Cries-
Kakashi: Awww… don't cry. -Hug-
Author: -Attempts to pull his shirt off-
"Nee, Hinata-chan, I should put on a shirt shouldn't I? I'm probably making you nervous or something," said Naruto with an embarrassed look on his face.
"No, I think Hinata-chan doesn't mind," said Asuma. He joined in to Kakashi's teasing. "I should be the one putting on a shirt so I don't overshadow you Naruto-kun."
"Eh?" Naruto didn't understand but judging by the small giggle that came from Hinata, he knew she did. "What's going on Hinata-chan?"
"Nothing. Nothing, I was just asking Kakashi-san where Kurenai-oneechan could be and he said to ask Asuma-san but Asuma-san doesn't seem to know either."
"Really? I woke up last night and I heard footsteps outside. I peeked through the door and I saw Kurenai-oneechan leaving."
"What? Why would she leave?" asked Asuma.
"Were you that bad Asuma?" asked Kakashi.
"Now, now, not in front of the children."
"I'll ask you later then." –Glare from Asuma.–
"Anyways, why didn't you stop Kurenai-san from leaving Naruto?" asked Asuma.
"Well, I didn't know she was going to leave!"
"You could've asked her or something!" stated Kakashi. It seemed as if he knew everything.
"Well… well… ano… I couldn't… " Naruto started muttering and bore the crimson stains on his cheeks that were usually seen on his beloved Hinata-chan's.
"Something happen Naruto-kun?" asked Kakashi with a smirk.
"What's the matter Naruto-kun?" asked a concerned Hinata as she laid her hand on his bare shoulder. Naruto turned an even deeper shade of red.
"Ano… I need to get dressed, I'm cold." Naruto disappeared back into his room.
"Well, even after that we still don't know where Kurenai-oneechan is," said Hinata. The once light mood had disappeared and Asuma's face turned grim.
"Don't worry about it Hinata-chan. I think I know where she is."
Author: I'm so sorry for all the innuendo! I really am! I don't know why it's there but it is! So I'm sorry, flame me if you have to!
TBC…