Author's Notes: I know I haven't updated in a while, but I'll try to pick up the pace again. Suki, Matsuri and Renko are OCs made for background noise… and, well, maybe something more.

Disclaimer: Naruto and all those related stuff don't belong to me.

Between Light and Darkness

Chapter 4: Omens of Light

"Pass the jam." Kimimaro held out his hand and looked pointedly at Kankurou. The Sand nin looked at him in turn but did not move.

"Um," Haku glanced at Kimimaro, whose facial muscles had tightened minutely. "I'll get it." He stood up and reached for the jar of blueberry jam.

"No." Kimimaro's voice chilled the sunlit lounge. "It is just at his elbow, he will pass it."

Haku blinked, sat down again and turned back to his breakfast of figs and goat cheese. Temari had been covertly watching the exchange, and stared deliberately at her blueberry jam and butter sandwiches.

Kankurou allowed his gaze to drift lazily towards the jar. With the same easy movement, he picked up from his plate a slice of bread spread thickly with blueberry jam, and took a huge bite out of it.

Kimimaro's emerald eyes narrowed slightly.

Temari thrust her plate of sandwiches at Kimimaro, saying: "You can have my sandwiches!"

At the same time, Gaara's hand tightened around a long, serrated knife. "Kankurou. You're one of Suna's representatives. Don't sully our name with such manners."

"Tch." Kankurou gritted his teeth, yet he picked up the jar and placed it upon Kimimaro's hand. "Here…"

Kimimaro poured jam unto his bread, ignoring the proffered plate of sandwiches. Gaara placed the knife against an untouched loaf of brown bread and slowly sawed himself a thick slice. When he finished, he put down the knife and said: "Temari, eat your food." He bit the slice and chewed slowly.

Haku and Kimimaro both looked up at the double doors. They swung open and Tenten stepped through, amidst rustling of silk skirts and gauzy scarves. The Sand nins looked up at her, except for Gaara, who continued staring straight ahead, chewing his bread.

"I want to go to Konoha," the princess declared.

"We're going in two weeks," Kimimaro said. Down the table, Haku was wringing his hands, glancing alternately at the pair.

"I meant now."

"Two weeks."

"Now."

"No."

"I'm going."

"You're not."

Tenten lifted her chin slightly. "We'll see about that."

Kimimaro opened his mouth to speak, but Haku interrupted him. "Would you like some milk, Kimimaro-kun?" The pale-haired boy frowned at the dark-haired boy, who seemed unfazed, holding out the pitcher of cold milk. Then he turned back to Tenten. "We're going in two weeks."

"I'm going now." Her tone was very final. She walked out of the double doors, brushing past Amira, which the occupants of the room noticed just now. The maid fell in step behind the princess, but Kimimaro called her by her name.

"Kimimaro-sama," Amira bowed low.

"Bring a breakfast tray to Tenten-hime."

"I will see to it, Kimimaro-sama." Amira stepped out of a very small side door, into the servant passages, heading for the kitchen.

Kimimaro glanced sideways at Haku who was sipping a glass of milk, his clear brown eyes with a faraway look to them. Normally, he would be running after her right about now. But he isn't. He poured more jam unto his bread. Very strange indeed.

"Feisty, isn't she?" Kankurou said conversationally to Kimimaro.

"………" Kimimaro stared at him blankly.

"I meant your—oh, nevermind…" Kankurou rolled his eyes.

"Pass the butter," Gaara said, holding out a hand.

The gong was struck just as the hour struck nine in the morning.

"Hyuuga Hiashi-sama, Head of the Hyuuga Clan, and Leader of the Hikarujin Tribal Council!" The herald announced. Hiashi stepped out of the curtains behind the platform holding the Head's seat in the Hyuuga Palace audience hall.

The Hikarujins sitting in the hall all placed their palms flat on the floor and bowed low. Hiashi nodded and took his seat.

"And his eldest daughter, Hyuuga Hinata-sama, Successor of the Hyuuga Main House and future Leader of both the Hyuuga Clan and the Hikarujin!"

Neji watched from his cushion right beside the platform as Hinata stepped out of the curtains, her short hair held up in a weave by silver combs, to match her formal black kimono, its edges embroidered with intricate white patterns, the type of clothing all Hyuugas in the council wore.

"Neesan looks good."

Neji looked up at Hanabi who was sitting by the edge of the platform. "Neesan seems to be confident today," his cousin continued. "That's good."

Neji saw Shizune sitting beside Gekko Hayate, an encouraging smile on her face as she looked at Hinata. Other people had fixed the Hyuuga heir with similar looks.

Neji nodded silently at Hanabi's words, then bowed with everybody else. Hinata placed her fingertips against the floor and bowed shallow in response. From beside the platform, the gong was struck, the low noise reverberating throughout the hall.

When the sound died, Hiashi declared: "The council is now in session."

"I see, so the trick is to use as little chakra as possible, so as not to stress the tissues anymore, but it has to be molded it into a very even layer so as to hold the solid poisons!" Sakura exclaimed.

She was in the study of the Mistress Apartments, sitting on a cushion, a big book open on the table in front of her. She sat by the sliding doors that opened into a garden, bright but gentle sunlight shining into the room. She twisted her necklace in her hand as she read. "And then of course, the liquid extraction and neutralization techniques have to be used on the poison that has already dissolved into the bloodstream." She frowned. "It is difficult…"

There was the sound of a door sliding and the thud of footsteps in sitting room. Sakura quickly tucked the necklace inside her chemise and shoved the book under her cushion. Just in time—the door to the study slid open and Sasuke stood in the doorway. He wore a new yukata that she had picked for him, made of a deep blue cloth with cream patterns, and its matching kaku obi. He held the matching sandals in his hand.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura blushed, trying to pull up the neckline of her sheer garment. His face was unreadable. Could he still be mad about yesterday?

He looked at her outfit, then quickly turned his back to her, still leaning against the doorway. "Get dressed."

"Huh?"

"Get dressed."

"But…"

"We're going to the marketplace."

"Huh?" She tilted her head puzzledly.

"The kimono you got was too short," he said, still not turning back to her.

"Really?" Sakura jumped to her feet and ran towards him, standing in front of him. "That means you've grown more than I expected!" Her eyes were round with excitement.

"Aa." He lifted his chin and fixed his eyes on the ceiling. "Get dressed."

"Sasuke-kun…" She leaned closer, examining his face. "You look like you didn't sleep well. Are you alright?"

He ignored the question. "Get dressed. We're leaving."

"But…" she wrung her hands. "The marketplace, you didn't want to—"

"You can look around too, to see if there's anything else you want to buy," Sasuke interrupted. "We'll eat lunch outside."

"Really?" She bounced on her toes. "Really?"

"Just get dressed already!" Sasuke barked, glaring at her, his face red. Then he looked up at the ceiling again.

"YATTA!" Sakura cried, jumping around the sitting room. "I'll be right back!" She dashed to her closet, a big smile on her face. I'll wear the cherry-red yukata with with the pale pink obi and matching sandals. I brought it with the outfit he has on, they were meant to be a matched set! She giggled.

"I present before the council—koff—Aburame Shino, of the Hikarujin's Aburame Clan, and Inuzuka Kiba, of the Hikarujin's Inuzuka Clan."

Shino… and Kiba… Neji stared in astonishment at the two chuunins who stood up, both wearing black formal gis and hakamas. Shino, like the rest of his family, still wore his dark glasses, but Kiba's dog, Akamaru, was nowhere in sight, housed in a different room like the other Inuzuka dogs probably. What are they doing here? With carefully practiced movements, Shino and Kiba first bowed standing up, their upper bodies parallel to the floor. Then they went down to their knees and bowed low. The gong was struck and both boys stood up when the note faded.

"Hayate-san," Hiashi said. "Please continue the introduction."

"Yes, Hiashi-sama." Gekko Hayate bowed at Hiashi, then turned back to address the council. He cleared his throat then said: "Hiashi-sama and a few of the elders requested for two talented young ninjas, for an important task. After screening all the young ninjas from family's affiliated with the—koff, koff!" He covered his mouth as he coughed. "Excuse me. As I was saying, after screening all the young ninjas from families affiliated with the Hikarujin, the most suitable candidates were Aburame Shino and Inuzuka Kiba." He gestured at the two chuunins who stood straight, letting the council scrutinize them. "Ahem. They shall be assigned the task of protecting Hyuuga Hinata-sama, our future leader."

There was polite clapping, interrupted by a cry of: "WHAT?" All eyes turned to Hyuuga Neji who looked at his uncle, his white eyes as big as saucers, demanding an explanation.

Despite his nephew's lapse in conduct, Hiashi's gaze was calm, as though the outburst was perfectly normal. "Please forgive us for not discussing this matter with you, Neji. It was agreed to keep the discussions within a few individuals, so that a conclusion might be reached quickly. Let Hayate-san continue explaining."

Neji nodded, putting on his impassive mask again, but his thoughts were racing. I am part of the council! Why wasn't I told about this? He stared at Shino and Kiba, who had also been looking at him. I am Hinata-sama's protector! What is happening? What is this?

Hayate coughed again, before continuing. "Hyuuga Neji-san, Head of the Secondary House of the Hyuuga, had the task of protecting Hinata-sama, just as his father, the late Hyuuga Hizashi-san, did." Hayate bowed his head in reverence, like everybody else in the hall. "Being a talented ninja with exceptional skills, koff-koff, excuse me, Neji-san has fulfilled this task to the utmost—he protected Hinata-sama from all harm, and had never let her come to any injury. But Neji-san is now to be assigned a more crucial task."

What? Neji looked alternately at his senior jounin and his uncle. What could possibly be more important than protecting Hinata-sama?

"A thousand years ago, Orochi—koff—maru-sama died." Hayate said. "He said that he will rise—koff, koff—excuse me… again after a thousand…"

But there was no need for him to say it, the audience hall was in uproar. "It cannot be allowed!" "Something must be done!" "If Orochimaru-sama is to rise again, what is to become of us?"

Hiashi held up his hand. The council fell silent. Hiashi gestured for Hayate to continue speaking. Hayate nodded, but then he broke into a fit of violent coughing. Hiashi cleared his throat and explained: "Orochimaru-sama made no secret of his plans to be resurrected after his death. But the details of how he planned to do so are not known to us, after all, jutsus that involve death are forbidden to the virtuous people of the Hikarujin. Even many of the Yamijins are not aware of how the resurrection is to take place. But what we have made certain is this: the resurrection can only be done by one person, the Gift."

The audience hall buzzed. "The Gift… the one with the power…"

"The Gift is a person born to Orochimaru-sama's line," Hiashi explained. "He or she has the unique power to bring Orochimaru-sama back to life."

Neji frowned. "Hiashi-sama… this Gift… does my new responsibility involve it?"

Hiashi nodded. "When the Gift turns sixteen, he or she will have fully developed that unique power. This person is likely to be around your age Neji."

"Meaning he already has that power, or will have it very soon," Neji said grimly.

"Orochimaru-sama cannot be allowed to rise again," Hiashi said. "His power as a ninja is beyond human limits. If he is to be resurrected, the Yamijin would overpower us, no doubt, and the Hikarujin would surely be crushed."

He paused. A charged silence pressed down the hall.

"The Gift cannot be allowed to use that unique power," Hiashi said. "By whatever means necessary, the Gift must be stopped."

"Hiashi-sama…"

"Neji… you are the Hyuuga's defense. It is mostly thanks to you that Hinata has been protected so well. You are gifted with the power to protect… However…

Neji narrowed his eyes. 'However'?

"I must ask that you break through the limits, in order to stop the Gift… to protect the Hikarujin…"

Neji tensed. "What are you…"

"Neji, you must stop the Gift." Hiashi told him. "This is your new task: the Gift—you must kill the Gift."

There was a collective gasp in the audience hall.

"Where are you going?" Kimimaro asked in his typical low, cold voice. Amira, who was walking away from the Princess Chambers, froze in her tracks. He glanced pointedly at the untouched breakfast tray in the maid's hands.

"Kimimaro-sama," Amira bowed politely. "Tenten-hime told me to take away her breakfast."

He walked to the floor-to-ceiling main doors of the Princess Chambers and knocked sharply. Without waiting for an answer he stepped into the receiving area. He crossed the space quickly and knocked at the doors of the lounging room then entered it. He stopped short at the doors leading to her bedchamber. Hesitantly, he knocked, very softly. After a minute without a response, he knocked again, a bit louder. No answer. He knocked again. "Tenten-hime, open the door." Ten minutes later he was still knocking. His knuckles starting to get sore, he called out again: "Tenten-hime…" A flash of inspiration struck him. "Tenten-hime, please open the door."

"Oh, just come in," she yelled irritably from the other side. He opened the door and entered her bedroom.

Tenten was sitting on her bed, her legs folded beneath her. Scattered in front of her was an assortment of food items: buttermilk muffins, a small basket of strawberries, a bowl of sweet cream, figs, cheese wrapped in wax paper, a glass flask of milk. She was in the middle of eating a slice of spice cake.

Kimimaro blinked. "You… I thought…" he surveyed the food on her bed. "Amira said—"

She raised an eyebrow. "You thought I was on a hunger strike?" Kimimaro nodded dumbly. "I'm angry, not stupid." She crammed the rather large last bit of cake in her mouth and chewed quickly. She unscrewed the lid off the flask—Haku's flask, Kimimaro noticed—and drank. Wiping her mouth on a silken handkerchief, she said: "I'm going to Konoha."

He didn't reply. He sank onto an overstuffed couch and watched her as she dipped chunks of muffin into the cream before popping them into her mouth. She had finished a muffin and a half, and was biting cheese and fig alternately when he finally spoke: "You want to see your family?"

"Yes."

"But that's not all."

"It isn't."

"The visit to Konohagakure isn't due for two more weeks."

"I know that."

"………"

She drank some more milk, covered the remaining half of a muffin with the remaining cream and ate it. "I'm still going, you know."

At that point, Kimimaro knew he was defeated. He stood up, suppressing a sigh. "We're leaving just as the sun as setting. It's easier to travel the desert by night. We'll navigate by the stars."

Tenten nodded. She slid off her bed, her bare feet sinking into the shaggy rug around her bed. She stretched and Kimimaro's gaze settled upon her. "Your clothes…."

She straightened up. "What about them?"

Her dress had a white laced-up bodice and a pink skirt with white underskirts, divided for riding. Through the slits, he could see that she wore white tights and brown boots. A voluminous hooded cloak, in a white fabric that reflected heat, was around her shoulders. He frowned slightly at her.

She smiled smugly, fingering the edge of her traveling clothes. "I did tell you, I'm going."

"This one?" Sakura stepped out of the dressing room, wearing an orange yukata with colorful butterflies printed on the fabric, and a cream obi.

Sasuke looked up. "..." He turned his gaze somewhere else.

Sakura sighed. "Not this one either, I guess." She disappeared into the dressing room again.

Sasuke leaned back on the fluffy couch, turning his gaze to the ceiling. The harsh fluorescent lights glared at his eyes. He closed them. Shikamaru said that these stores have couches for one reason only: so the men could have some rest while the women go around trying all the clothes. Especially these kimono stores… everything takes so long to put on. He grunted and cast his eyes around the store, although he had already memorized every detail of it. He grunted again.

The kimono shop looked more like a traditional tea house than a clothes store. It was furnished all in pale-colored wood, there were patches of tatami on the floor, and panels of rice paper on the walls, with paintings and calligraphy upon them.

But of course it was a clothes store, and instead of tea and dumplings, the wooden shelves and low tables held kimonos, obis, obi-jimes, sandals and other accessories. It was the table marked 'New Arrivals' that Sakura had pointed at, and the crew rushed to storage room to pull out the requested merchandise. A saleslady was helping her try on the yukatas.

So damned slow… Sasuke glanced at the clock. It was eleven-thirty. I'd go out to grab something, if it weren't for that 'no-eating' policy… He grunted.

"Sasuke-kun, how about this one?" Sakura reappeared, wearing a white yukata, with silver embroidery on the sleeves, hem and neckline. A pearl-gray obi was around her waist.

"Yeah," he said, without turning to her.

"Sasuke-kun…" her eyebrows knitted slightly together. "You're not even loo—"

"That white yukata looks best on you, and it's elegant even if the embroidery is simple. The orange one was the worst, it clashed horribly with your hair." He stood up and walked towards her.

Sakura beamed, her green eyes wide and sparkling, her cheeks flushed with pink. "Sasuke-kun!" Her eyes widened even more when Sasuke went straight to the saleslady, and yanked a mint-green obi from the pile of merchandise.

"Get this one with that," he placed the green obi in her hand. "Not that one." He pointed at the gray obi. Then he walked to the counter.

A few moments later, Sakura joined him, wearing her own yukata, holding the white yukata and the mint-green obi. The clerk listed their purchases. "The black kimono was exchanged for one of a different size… And these two… so these are the pieces that Ouji-sama approved of?" The clerk asked. "He has good taste. You're lucky, Oujo-sama!"

Sasuke grunted. Sakura smiled happily at the clerk. "I know!"

"Well, you yourself have very good taste," the clerk said as she placed the items in boxes and placed the boxes in a shopping bag. She handed the bag to Sakura. "The outfits you're wearing were really made for the two of you."

Sakura flushed with pleasure, reaching for the proffered bag, but Sasuke grabbed it and headed for the exit. "You know where to send the bill," he said to the clerk without turning around.

"Yes, Ouji-sama." The clerk bowed to the retreating back, then bowed to Sakura. "Thank you, Oujo-sama."

"Thanks," Sakura waved, then skipped after Sasuke, clutching his arm and leaning against it.

The crew stared at the fifteen year-olds's backs, at the fan symbols on the red and blue yukatas, until the door closed behind the pair.

One side of the restaurant was completely open. The accordion style door was only closed in the case of rain, but today was such a bright, sunny day, that the door was pulled open all the way. From his seat at the edge of the booth, Shikamaru stared at the street outside, watching the people pass by.

"So that's two Deep Sea Specials for us girls, and three orders of barbecue for Chouji," Ino told the waiter. She turned to the boy beside her, nudging him. "What about you, Shikamaru?"

Shikamaru wrenched his gaze from outside and turned to Ino. Sheesh, like I have a choice. "Just order something for me."

"I can't do that!" She exclaimed, slapping his arm. WHACK! "You're so lazy, just order something!"

"Alright, sheesh…" Shikamaru turned his lazy eyes to the waiter. "Deep-fried breaded pork—" WHACK! "Ouch!" He glared at Ino, who had slapped his arm again. "What?"

"You can't eat that, you idiot, that's so unhealthy!" Ino screamed. "Order something else!"

"Alright already! Just be quiet…" Shikamaru looked at the menu, trying his best to ignore the glares and glowers they were receiving from the people in the other booths and tables. "I'll have roasted ribs—" WHACK! "Ouch!"

"That's just as bad! It has carcinogenic material all over it!"

"I'll have riceballs—" WHACK! "Ouch!"

"Practically no nutritional value!"

"I'll have miso soup—" WHACK! "Ouch!"

"That's just soup!" Ino was livid. "Are you trying to kill yourself, Shikamaru? Honestly, you don't look out for yourself!"

"Can you tone it down?" Shikamaru scowled. The other people in the restaurant were whispering. ("Some guys just can't control their girlfriends…" "That guy is sooo whipped…") Damn, this woman is the most troublesome of them all!

"TONE IT DOWN?" Ino cried. "We are talking about health issues, Shikamaru, a genius like you should know better and take it seriously!"

"Okay, okay!" Shikamaru threw his hands in the air. "What should I order then?"

"He's having boiled tuna with plain white rice and steamed vegetables on the side," Ino said sweetly to the trembling waiter. Shikamaru banged his head on the table.

The waiter tried to smile pleasantly at Ino. "Y-Yes, Oujo-san, r-r-r-right away!" He sped off to the kitchens.

Their companions in the booth were grinning. "You fight like a married couple!" Renko gushed.

Matsuri smirked. "Ino, someday you're going to scare off Shikamaru so badly, he'll run away to Sunagakure."

"No way," Suki shook her head. "He's too lazy to do that." Everybody laughed.

"Well for sure," Lee smiled at them. "We're all just waiting for the day the two of you announce that you're officially involved in a youthful romance!"

"Get real!" Ino yelled.

"Please…" Shikamaru mumbled.

"Help us out here, Chouji!" Ino shook the boy on her other side. But the big-boned ninja only took another potato chip from his foil pack, crunched into it, and smiled. "Ooh!" Ino shook a fist in frustration.

"See, even Chouji agrees!" Suki exclaimed.

"No way!" Ino cried. "There's only one man for me, and that's Uchiha Sasuke!" Ino clasped her hands together and giggled. "Sasuke-kun!"

"So troublesome…" Shikamaru muttered, again turning his gaze outside.

"But Sasuke-sama already has Sakura-hime," Matsuri pointed out. Lee sobbed over-dramatically at the point but everybody pointedly ignored that.

"But they're not married yet, so there!" Renko retorted. "Everybody still has a shot at getting married to Sasuke-sama!" She sighed dreamily.

"That's right!" Ino agreed. "And I'm sure I'll get him!"

"No I will!" Renko cried.

"Sakura-hime will marry Sasuke-kun!" Lee yelled, despite himself. "Nobody can beat her!"

"Shut up!" The two Sasuke fangirls screamed.

"You two," Matsuri interrupted. "Sakura-hime has worn the Uchiha symbol on her back for, I don't know, forever?"

"Well—" Ino opened her mouth and held up a finger. After a few seconds, she closed her mouth and sighed, looking at a loss for words.

"I think Sasuke-sama is cute too," Suki said. "But I'm not fantasizing about something that isn't going to happen. Obviously he cares very much about Sakura-hime."

Shikamaru gave her a wry look. Matsuri nearly snorted. "Obviously?"

Suki turned red. "Eh… I guess 'obviously' is not the word… What I mean is, he acts like he doesn't but I think he probably does… even if he doesn't act like it… I think…"

"That, I agree with." Matsuri nodded.

Lee nodded too. "It's impossible not to care about Sakura-hime! She's the perfect picture of youthful beauty inside and out!" Renko glared at him, upset. He looked at her questioningly. "What?"

"HMP!" Renko stuck her nose in the air. Lee looked puzzled.

Shikamaru sighed. What an idiot…

"Ino," Renko whined. "You're friends with that Sakura girl—fine," she rolled her eyes when Suki, Matsuri and Lee gave her warning looks. "Sakura-hime. What's the deal with her and Sasuke-sama anyway? People say they will marry! Are they dating? Are they engaged? Are they secretly married? WHAT?"

"Well…" Ino picked a pair of chopsticks from the holder on the table and toyed with it. "They're not really dating, but Sasuke-kun is obligated to always stay with her, and she lives in the Uchiha Palace, but it's not really like that, it's very special, kind of, and—"

"Don't twist it around, Ino," Shikamaru drawled. "Just tell her the truth."

"What truth?" Renko's eyes became round. Suki and Matsuri alternately looked at Ino and Shikamaru.

"Well…" Ino dropped the chopsticks and reached for her platinum blond ponytail, playing with it instead. "That is—"

"Sakura is the bride of the new master of the Uchiha Clan and Sasuke is her designated protector," Shikamaru cut in. "And as soon as Sasuke turns eighteen, they'll be officially married."

"It's only proper," Lee's eyes blazed. "They've kept her in the compound for so long."

"Everybody knows that…" Matsuri muttered.

"That's a lie!" Renko cried.

"Come on, they're living together," Shikamaru muttered.

"Well… Well…" Renko pouted. "Sure everyone says they're going to be married, because she's living with him, but so what? It's not like Sasuke-sama has said anything about it."

"That doesn't matter," Chouji spoke up. Six pairs of eyes turned to him. He took the last potato chip from the foil pack and ate it with relish. After shaking the crumbs from the bag into his hand and eating them as well, he continued: "You guys do know that soon after Sakura was sent to live with the Uchiha Clan, the council already announced that she was to be married into the clan and had been sent there to so that they could train her to be the future Uchiha Mistress."

Shikamaru frowned. Well, that's what they said, but surely she's there for something else too. "And now she is already the Mistress of the Uchiha Clan and Sasuke is the Master," Shikamaru leaned an elbow on the table and propped his chin in his hand. "The council is just waiting for him to come of marriageable age. It's only a matter of time." He turned his gaze outside again.

Ino, Lee and Renko all sighed unhappily. "Yeah well, basically that's it," Ino groaned.

Renko clasped her hands together, tears shining in her eyes. "Poor Sasuke-sama! The Tribal Council has forced him into an unwanted marriage with an unwanted girl! He must be suffering in the hands of that girl who has shackled him!"

"It's not like that!" Lee cried indignantly.

"Hey, it's not like that!" Ino cried at the same time. Renko blinked in surprise. The look on Ino's face was fierce. Shikamaru glanced sideways at her and smiled softly. "Sasuke-kun is the leader of the council. They can't force him into anything, because if he really wanted to, he could overrule them. Sakura isn't holding him against his will, as a matter of fact, he is the one who could hold her against her will."

"Exactly!" Lee's eyes sparkled. "Sakura-hime is duty-bound!"

"O-Okay…" Renko shrugged, her ears slightly pink. "Still, it's not like anyone would say no to marrying Sasuke-sama, right?"

"That's one thing you got right," Suki said. "He's the number one heartthrob of Konoha."

"More like number one pretty-faced prick…" Matsuri mumbled to herself. Shikamaru snorted quietly.

"Yes…" Ino smiled at Renko and Suki, then her eyes turned to slits. "Damn, that forehead girl is so lucky!" She viciously stabbed the table with her chopsticks.

"Yeah!" Renko grabbed her own pair of chopsticks and started stabbing the table too. "How come she gets to be married to the Uchiha Heir and theYamijin Tribal Leader? It makes me angry! She's not even from a famous clan, whoever heard of a Haruno Clan anyway? She's nothing special!"

"Sakura-hime is special!" Lee yelled. "There is no one better."

Renko's face was red, not from embarrassment but from fury. "Shut up!"

Matsuri and Suki sighed. "Here we go…"

"Although…" Shikamaru murmured, frowning thoughtfully. "The council stated that Sakura is the bride of our future leader…"

"What, Shikamaru?" Ino turned to him. She frowned as well, her ice-blue eyes keen.

"Nothing…" He avoided her eyes.

"Tell me what it is!" Ino slapped his arm again.

"It's nothing!" Shikamaru insisted, rubbing his arm. "I'm just saying that Sakura is marrying Sasuke…" he looked outside again. "If nothing weird happens…"

"What are you mumbling about?" Ino demanded, shaking him.

"Oh look," Shikamaru pointed, diverting her attention. "It's the Uchiha Master and Mistress."

Sure enough, walking on the street was Sasuke, carrying a shopping bag, his arm linked with the arm of the blushing Sakura. Ino immediately released Shikamaru and waved, yelling: "Sakura, Sakura, SAKURAAAAA!"

Sakura looked up at voice and looked around. She smiled when she saw Ino. "Ino! And Shikamaru and Chouji! And—everyone else!" She ran to their booth, dragging Sasuke with her. "Hello!"

"Hi Sakura! And hello, Sasuke-kun!" Ino winked. Renko batted her eyelashes at Sasuke. Lee made goo-goo eyes at Sakura. Chouji smiled. Shikamaru nodded. Matsuri and Suki chorused in greeting ("Good morning Sasuke-sama, Sakura-hime"). Sasuke just looked down at everyone in the booth. "Hey, I recognize those yukatas!"

"Yeah, you should!" Sakura struck a pose, showing off her outfit. Then she went behind Sasuke, lifting his arms so that he formed a 'T' shape.

"Ah, we were shopping together when you picked those!" Ino exclaimed. "You remember, don't you, Shikamaru?" She slapped his arm.

He nodded grudgingly, rubbing his numbing arm. "How can I forget?" He gave Sasuke a 'look', and the other teenager grunted in what could be sympathy.

"They look good," Ino remarked. "Especially on you, Sasuke-kun!"

"You look like a prince, Sasuke-sama!" Renko gushed.

Sakura giggled. "Well, he is a prince…" She didn't notice the sour look Renko gave her, or pretended not to.

"Can I see that?" Ino pointed at the shopping bag. When Sakura nodded, Sasuke handed the shopping bag to the blond girl, who excitedly looked through it. "Is this black robe for Sasuke-kun? Oh, these are so pretty! They'll look really nice on you, Sakura. Did you pick them for her, Sasuke-kun?"

Sakura nudged Sasuke. "Aa," Sasuke murmured.

"You sure have good taste," Ino said as she returned the bag. "Unlike some other guys…" She looked pointedly at Shikamaru, who rolled his eyes.

The waiter came with the orders. "Wow, the sashimi looks good…" Sakura peered at the Deep Sea Special the waiter plunked on the table.

"You guys can join us," Ino offered.

Sakura continued staring at the food. "Sakura," Sasuke grumbled. "If you didn't stop at every corner, we could have been eating at Hai Yo's right now. (1)"

"Sorry," Sakura smiled sheepishly.

Ino's eyes widened. "You guys are eating at Hai Yo's?" She glared at Sakura and grimaced, showing all her teeth. "Dammit, why are you so lucky, forehead girl?"

Sakura made the same face, but with scarily victorious eyes. "The best woman wins, Ino-pig!"

"Hah!" Ino smirked. She waved her hand. "Well, enjoy it while you can! Because you'll soon lose to me!"

"You wish!" Sakura laughed, waving as well. "Goodbye everyone! Enjoy your meal!"

As their royal pair walked away, the Yamijin teenagers could hear them talking. "Sasuke-kun, can we look around some more after lunch? I have to start preparations for the council, I'll be looking around for the things needed."

"Aa." Sasuke uttered in manner of reply. He held her wrist as he led her out of the restaurant and out of sight.

"For Kami-sama's sake, she's miles ahead!" Ino made 'tsk' sounds. Renko and Lee whimpered, doing what many other people in the restaurant were doing: stare after the two backs branded with the Uchiha symbol.

"Miles ahead?" Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "She won the race before it even started." If everything goes as declared it would.

The sitting-room was filled with the sound of Kiba's voice, talking nonstop, accented by Akamaru's barks every now and then. Hinata took a sip from her tea cup then put it down on the table. From the other side of the table, Neji saw her looking at him. He was looking out at the garden through the open sliding doors, his empty teacup on the table before him. He did not return the look. Hinata then looked at her left, where Shino sat, quiet, his cup of tea untouched. Perhaps he found it too much trouble to unbutton the high collar of his jacket. She looked at her right. Kiba was refilling his tea cup and was reaching for another sweet bean bun from the plate on the center of the table.

"So you and Hinata really spend a lot of time together, even at home," Kiba said, biting off half of the bun. He gave the other half to Akamaru who was lying on the floor beside him.

Hinata looked at Neji, who continued looking out of the doors, not giving Kiba the slightest acknowledgement. She turned to the other boy. "Yes, Kiba-kun, Neji-niisan and I… we spend a lot of time together."

"I can see that," Kiba nodded, biting into another bun. "He was your protector after all." He gulped down some tea, then ate another bun. "But how will it be now? I guess since me and Shino were given that job, Neji has to go back to the annex compound now, doesn't he?"

Neji flinched, but continued on ignoring Kiba. Hinata shook her head. "N-No, Kiba-kun! Neji-niisan won't be going anywhere."

"I suppose so," Kiba said, his voice muffled by a mouthful of sweet bean bun. "But it's odd that he stays in the palace compound, although he's Head of the Secondary Family and the annex compound. Oh well," Kiba drank some tea again. "He still has another duty here, doesn't he? This Gift guy…"

Neji started. That's right… the Gift… the person I must kill… He frowned. He is a Yamijin, and the most dangerous of them all. But still, to kill somebody…

"Hey Neji, do you have any clue who the bastard is?" Kiba asked.

Hiashi-sama said they have an idea who he may be, but they're still in the process of confirming it… Neji's frown deepened. That Gift… who can he be? For sure… if he is around my age, then I would have heard of him. His eyes widened. Could it be Uchiha?

"How did they say the gift could be recognized?" Kiba absently scratched Akamaru's ear. "Something about the blood?"

"Chichiue said the blood of the Gift has poisonous characteristics," Hinata said.

"Oh yeah, that's it!" Kiba slammed his hand, hitting Akamaru's head. The dog snapped angrily at him.

Uchiha certainly looks like he has dark powers and like he is made of poison. Neji clenched his teeth. If it's really Uchiha… then…

Kiba patted him on the shoulder. "Hey, Neji—"

"Stay away!" Neji slapped the hand away.

"Geez!" Both Kiba and Akamaru growled. "What a grump!"

"Neji." Everyone turned to the quiet Aburame. "If you're still sore because your mission of protecting Hinata-hime was given to us, keep in mind that we didn't steal it away from you. When the elders asked for us to attend the council, we didn't know what it was for. In fact, we were only told of our mission just this morning, right before the council."

"That's right!" Kiba exclaimed. "So don't take your anger out on us!"

"I'm not taking out anything on the two of you," Neji lied.

"Think about it, at least you can trust us," Kiba said defensively. "We're her teammates we've protected her as you have—she's never been hurt during missions and training!" Akamaru barked in agreement.

Neji nodded. "I was just… I did not know about their plans."

"Well, I got it." Kiba shrugged, grimacing. "It must suck to be part of the council, and Head of the Secondary House of the Hyuuga too, and be left out in the dark about certain matters." He didn't seem to notice the dark glare Neji shot his way. "And now they're asking you to do something that is forbidden…"

Shino's shoulders tensed. "To kill somebody… the person called the Gift…"

Neji tensed as well. "Kill… I must kill… this is what they are asking now…"

Hinata had a worried look on her face as she gazed at Neji. "Umm…" She twiddled her fingers. "Neji-niisan, I… I suppose you're done with your tea. Let me put that away." She took his tea cup.

"You don't have to do that, Hinata-sama," he said. "The servants will take that away later."

"It's okay," Hinata took the tea cup and the empty plate (all the buns had been eaten by Kiba) and brought them to a side table.

"The Hikarujin Prince and the Hikarujin Princess," Kiba grinned. "The two of you look just as if you are playing house here in the palace."

Hinata blushed, and played with her fingers. "K-Kiba-kun…"

Neji scowled at him. "What are you talking about?"

"I was just joking, geez!" Kiba scratched his head. "You two just looked like you came from one of those boring historical plays."

Before Neji could strangle Kiba (or worse), two servants came, each pushing a food cart. "Lunch is here, Hinata-sama, Neji-sama, Shino-sama, Kiba-sama."

"RUFF!" Akamaru stood up and wagged his tail.

"Alright!" Kiba rubbed his hands together.

"… Didn't you just eat all the sweet bean buns?" Shino muttered.

As the servants were laying the food on the table, they heard a scuffle outside the room. There were several voices in a heated argument. One was louder than the rest: "LET ME IN!"

"N-Naruto-kun!" Hinata gasped.

Kiba's eyes widened in surprise yet Shino showed no visible reaction (not that anyone could see behind his sunglasses and collar). Neji stared incredulously as the tapestry paneling on the door tore, and the blond boy fell through it and thudded on the floor of the sitting room. The servants on the other side of the ruined door shrieked in horror. "You—YOU! What have you done?"

"I told you I wanted to see my friends!" Naruto yelled right back. Neji and Kiba had both gotten on their feet and moved towards him.

With shaking hands, one of the servants touched the ragged edges of the hole in the tapestry. Loose threads hung in a mess, the weaving was irreparable. "This… This is a priceless piece of art woven by the ancient ancestors of the Hyuuga! What have you done, YOU MONSTER!"

As Neji looked down, he saw Naruto recoil. The blond boy's entire body was trembling, and his eyes became glassy and froze wide open.

"STOP!"

Everyone turned to the strange voice. Hinata was standing, her shoulders squared. Her white eyes were flashing. "Don't ever—EVER—call Naruto-kun such a thing again!"

"H-Hyuuga Hinata-sama…" The servants dropped on their knees and bowed low.

"………" Hinata started to shake and her shoulders drooped. Shino helped her sit down.

"In the future, convey Uzumaki Naruto to our presence immediately," Neji said. "Do not try to send him away, as you did today.

"But… Neji-sama—"

"Hinata-sama considers Naruto to be one of her friends," Neji interrupted. "And would like to receive him accordingly."

"B-But—"

"Is that not right, Hinata-sama?"

"Y-Yes…" Hinata nodded.

"That should be clear then," Neji flicked his hand in a dismissive manner.

"Yes…" The servants bowed again and left. The ones serving the food finished quickly, setting up an extra place for Naruto, before bowing and leaving. One stayed behind to push a wooden divider in front of the hole in the door then left too.

"Come on then, let's eat!" Kiba pulled at Naruto's arm, expecting him to bounce up immediately. Instead, Naruto remained slouched on the floor. "Naruto… Naruto!" Kiba shook his shoulder. Akamaru nudged him with his nose. Naruto didn't respond. For a split second, Kiba's face was downcast, before scrunching in anger. "Hey—dobe!"

Neji settled in his place, his arms folded over his chest. He glanced sideways at Naruto though. "Hinata-hime," Shino mumbled.

Tweedling her fingers, Hinata stepped towards him. "N-Naruto-kun…"

Naruto startled and looked up at her. His face broke into a smile. "Hinata! Thanks for sticking up for me." He scrambled to his feet and beamed at everyone and the table. "What's for lunch? I'm starving!" He plopped on the cushion beside Neji's.

Both Kiba and Hinata went back to their seats. Akamaru lied down between Kiba's and Hinata's cushions. Naruto was already removing the lids off every dish and smelled the steam that billowed from each one. "This is great! It's like a feast in here! Is it a special day? But I bet you eat like this everyday, huh, Neji?" He elbowed the Hyuuga beside him.

"… More or less," Neji replied.

"Although today is a special day," Kiba said, piling food high on his plate. He flicked two slabs of roasted ribs at Akamaru.

"Why, what happened?" Naruto asked.

"Today, the Council convened," Shino said.

"I didn't know that." Naruto stopped perusing the food and frowned.

"Yes you do," Neji said, a little sharply. "I told you about it, you probably forgot."

"Oh, did you?" The blond scratched his head sheepishly.

"I was given a mission!" Kiba grinned.

"You were?" Naruto blinked.

"Yup!"

"The mission is Shino's as well," Neji reminded.

"Well… yeah," Kiba admitted.

"Hah!" Naruto laughed. "You're trying to pass it off as your mission alone, huh?"

"Shut up," Kiba sniffed. "Anyway, it's a very important mission, that's why two people are needed."

"Really?"

"Really!"

Naruto 'hmphed'. "That's not fair!"

Kiba ignored him. "And this isn't just one-time, it's a true responsibility as real Hikaru-nins."

Despite himself, Naruto asked: "What is it?"

"We are now officially Hinata-hime's protectors!" Kiba announced with much pride.

"EEEEH! NO WAY!"

"Heheheheh!" Kiba laughed. Through a mouthful of beef, Akamaru seemed to be snickering.

Naruto looked alternately at Hinata and Neji. "Is that true? No way it's true, right?"

"It's true," Neji deadpanned.

"EEEEH! NO WAY!"

"You are becoming redundant… Naruto." Shino muttered.

"But you're just chumps!" Naruto cried. Seeing the expressions on the other boys' faces (rather, the expression on Kiba's face and what might be the expression behind Shino's sunglasses), he quickly said: "Compared to Neji I mean, he's a genius, and he's part of Hinata's family, that's why—"

"It's alright."

"Neji?" Naruto looked confused.

"Shino and Kiba are competent shinobis. Everyone here has Hinata-sama's well-being in mind," Neji said. He poured soy sauce over his boiled fish. "It's alright," he repeated, his tone very final.

"I see…" Naruto murmured. "So… I guess Shino and Kiba are true Hikaru-nins now…" With his chopsticks, he pushed a piece of sushi around the edge of his plate. "I wonder… I…"

"Naruto-kun?" Hinata was peering at him from across the table.

"Hinata!" Naruto smiled and popped the sushi in his mouth. "It's good." Hinata smiled softly in return. "It's too bad that you'll have Kiba as your bodyguard now, you'll be better off alone, eh?"

"HEY!" Kiba growled.

"At least Shino is good, that should make up for the other one being an idiot," Naruto continued, sticking out his tongue at Kiba. Kiba retaliated by sticking out his tongue as well.

"Very mature," Shino deadpanned.

"But don't worry, Hinata!" Naruto said excitedly. "Kiba can mess up, but nothing bad will happen to you. I'll protect you, I promise!" He reached across the table and patted her hand.

Hinata's chopsticks clattered on the table. "N-Naruto-kun!"

"You know I never go back on my word—that's my way of the ninja!" Naruto winked.

The Hyuuga Heir dropped her gaze on her plate, trying to coax her hair into covering her red face.

Naruto blinked, confused. "What's wrong, Hinata? Fever?"

"Stupid!" Kiba rolled his eyes.

Shino's eyebrows were raised incredulously. "You just don't get it… Naruto."

Late afternoon sunlight poured through the wide windows of the dojo, casting a row of orange panels on the polished wooden floor. Shadows flashed across the golden light as the Yamijin Princess danced, gliding and leaping across the room.

She lifted both hands to the heavens, straining against the thick gold-plated bands clasped unto her arms. Arm weights to develop power… She was on her tiptoes; she arched her back, and threw back her hands. Stretches for flexibility… She kicked up her foot, not letting the ankle weights hidden under her leg warmers hinder her. Leg weights to develop the muscles… Her hands touched the floor and she tumbled back on her feet. Acrobatics to train balance… She waved her hands in wide arcs, the scarves attached to her fingers trailing in the air. Fluid movements to achieve control…With her hands and feet, she continued sounding the beat, making it even more complicated. Catch and carry the rhythm… adapt, for all battles are merely dances…

To the untrained eye, it would look like she was simply dancing. But she was doing much more. Every movement, all the paraphernalia she used… they all had a purpose. In the guise of a mere aesthetic art, she trained her body, honed her skills. What seemed a frivolous hobby was a step towards mastery. Mastery that Sandaime Hokage required her to achieve in subtle yet effective ways, that none save him, her teachers Kurenai and Shizune, and she herself, would have any knowledge of her vastly improved—and still improving—skills.

The glint of a pair of spectacles in the orange light. "Sakura-hime."

She hesitated just as her feet left the floor in a sweeping jump. She landed awkwardly on one foot, and then stamped down the other one in an effort to regain balance. After a few fumbling steps, she fell on her side, gauzy silks fluttering about her.

"Sakura-hime!" Kabuto ran quickly to her side, and helped her sit up. "Are you hurt, Sakura-hime? Did you twist an ankle, or bruise yourself?"

"I'm alright, Kabuto-san," she assured him.

"Are you sure, Sakura-hime?" Kabuto leaned closer, looking into her eyes with barely five inches between their faces.

"There's no need to examine me like that, I didn't hit my head."

"Sasuke-sama won't appreciate it if I had brought harm to his princess." He smiled at her, though she could not see his eyes because of the glare upon his glasses.

"Has Sasuke-kun asked for me?" She asked. "Is that why you're here?"

"No, I have no such word from him, although I am sure he would be glad for your company."

She felt as if he was mocking her, though his countenance gave no hint of it. She stiffly drew herself up on her feet and said: "I see. What is your purpose then?"

"I wish to talk to you, Sakura-hime," he slowly got on his feet, "if you would permit it."

"Permission granted."

"I have noticed that you have taken to going out by yourself, even going so far as to run away from Zaku-kun's group and the Yami-nin troops…" He tilted his head down, his eyes becoming visible as his glasses angled to the light. "I would like to ask why Sakura-hime, why do you such a thing?"

She busied herself with straightening her scarves. "It is nothing really, Kabuto-san. There are simply times when I wish to be by myself, not surrounded by so many people."

"Why is that?" He stepped closer to her. "Do you find Yamijin company unpleasant? Are Zaku-kun, Dosu-kun and Kin-chan being impudent again? Do the troops act in displeasing ways? Or do you find your waiting-maids dull? Should I find other people for you? Even Sasuke-sama—is Sasuke-sama becoming irksome?"

"That is not the case!" Sakura cried. "It is not that their company is unpleasant. I have no wish to have my waiting-maids replaced. I do not want the troops lectured, and I shall deal with Zaku and the others on my own. And please do not say such things about Sasuke-kun." She sighed. "It is just that, I need time on my own. I sometimes feel… stifled, staying here."

"Stifled?" His smile seemed almost amused. "Oh Sakura-hime, every girl in Konoha would die to be in your position; the pampered princess betrothed to the Uchiha prince, and you feel stifled?"

She turned away. "It might sound ungrateful. It is not that I do not like being here. I am taken care of and more than well-provided for here. Most importantly, it is my steadfast dream to stay by Sasuke-kun, always." Another sigh. "But there are so many expectations Kabuto-san, expectations for the Uchiha's Princess, that sometimes, I wish to be away from them momentarily… to have time for myself."

"Time for yourself?.." He echoed. "But you are allowed to do things as you please—you are allowed to pursue your interests in medical nin-hood and your passion for reading, you are allowed to dance and to spend time with your peers, allowed to indulge in distractions and frivolities that a girl your age is apt to crave for. There are restrictions, but you are allowed to be more than our princess, Sakura-hime, I do not understand what makes you feel that way."

"I cannot explain myself, Kabuto-san," she said with a note of finality. It is true, Hokage-sama ordered me not to tell anyone about it. It is… for my good, and possibly, Sasuke-kun's own good, Hokage-sama said… "Excuse me." She walked past him, heading for the door.

"Hi-mi-tsu." (2)

Sakura froze in her tracks.

"It is, is it not?" She heard him slowly stepping closer to her as he spoke. "It must be Sakura-hime's secret."

"How ridiculous," she said, struggling to keep her voice steady. She continued walking out of the dojo. She heard him follow her.

"I would not dare intrude upon your privacy but—"

"But that is exactly what you are doing," Sakura smiled slightly, hastening out the dojo door and down the front steps. "Is it not?"

"But Sakura-hime, I care for the well-being of the Yamijin. As such, I consider it my responsibility to scrutinize any suspicious matters—"

"Suspicious matters!" Sakura gasped, putting a hand to her throat and an injured look on her face. She ran down the last few steps then spun to face Kabuto. "Is that… is that what you consider me to be?"

"Sakura-hime, perhaps I worded it too harshly, but I have made impartial observations, and I have to say that your behavior has become strange indeed." He stared down at her moist green eyes with an impassive look on his face.

"Am I being accused?" Before she could stop herself, her eyes narrowed, the tears gone. "I am Sasuke-kun's princess, and I am most devoted to him. Everyone knows that. Even Sasuke-kun. I may be a burden to him, but I will never do anything to harm him and his people."

"………" He lifted his chin and the light glanced off his glasses once more, hiding his eyes.

"………" I shouldn't have raged at him, but it's too late to regret that now. I will not back down.

"What is going on here?" Both Sakura and Kabuto started at the voice. "Sakura, what is it? Kabuto, what are you doing?"

"Sasuke-kun…"

"Sasuke-sama…"

The Uchiha Prince approached his princess. "What is going on here, Sakura?" He peered at her defiant expression and one of his eyebrows shot up. He glanced sideways at Kabuto. "Is he being irritating again? What did he say to you?"

She looked down at her hands and wrung them. "Well…"

"Well?"

Sakura's eyes flicked towards Kabuto before meeting Sasuke's gaze. She imagined her face looked as anxious as Kabuto's. "Nothing. It was nothing. I supposed I lost my temper too quickly…"

"What were you talking about?" Sasuke urged.

"Just… just—"

Kabuto hurried down the steps and fell on his knees before the pair, bowing so deeply his nose touched the ground. "Forgive me Sasuke-sama. I was scolding Sakura-hime for leaving on her own yesterday. I have severely overstepped my bounds."

"You!" Sasuke roared. He clenched his teeth and his eyes turned blood-red.

"Sasuke-kun!"

"I shall bear any punishment you deem fit. I know I have been most ill-mannered…"

"Don't," Sakura whispered to Sasuke, clasping his left wrist before he could form any hand seals.

"You'll leave me alone," Sasuke hissed to the silver-haired young man. He yanked his wrist away from Sakura and walked away. She sighed and dropped her gaze. Then she looked over her shoulder at Kabuto who still had his face upon the ground.

Being defensive just makes me suspicious… I must be more careful next time…

"What are you standing there for?"

"Eek!" Sakura yelped when Sasuke grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her away from the dojo. Sasuke-kun…

"Done!" Haku exclaimed, patting the tight bundles strapped unto the copper colored horse. It huffed and stepped uneasily. "Sorry, sorry. I guess it must be heavy, ne?" It yipped, as if in agreement.

"Haku, if you have time to talk to the horse, why don't you work at loading the packs?" Kimimaro said, strapping another one of Tenten's bags to a gray horse.

"I'm finished," the dark-haired boy replied. "All our packs are strapped to Akimura now."

"… Attend to Tenten-hime's carriage then."

"Alright," Haku rolled his eyes.

"Don't complain, that's where you'll be riding too."

"I wasn't complaining…" Haku muttered, walking to where Kankurou was already strapping the team of black horses to the black and silver carriage. "I'll do that."

"Why?" Kankurou sneered. "You don't trust me to safely strap your princess' carriage? Afraid that I might accidentally loosen something that will cause her to roll to her doom?"

"Of course not." Haku smiled brightly at him, his brown eyes disappearing into his face. "Kankurou-kun, you wouldn't dare. I'd skin you and carve your flesh from your bones if you do. Why, my ice blades are so sharp and cold, you'd stay very much alive during the process. I shall watch your blood bead upon your skinless flesh, and then make fillets of your muscles."

Kankurou blinked.

Haku laughed. "See Kankurou-kun, I told you, you wouldn't dare." He gave Sand nin another smile and then made his way to the main entrance of the palace.

The massive double doors had opened and Tenten was making her way alone down the staircase that could have accommodated twenty men walking abreast. The stone of the palace was drenched with the rosy light of the setting sun, and the rosy light tinted Tenten's white cloak to almost match her pink riding dress. He quickly ran up the steps and held out his hand to her. "Tenten-hime."

She raised an eyebrow, but there was an amused smile on her face. "I think I can manage not to fall, Haku." Nevertheless, she placed her hand in his and allowed him to lead her down the steps. "Is that Gaara's horse?" She pointed at a white stallion at the pacing beside the brown one Temari rode.

"I think so—wait Tenten-hime!" He ran after the princess who was hastening down the stairs, her white cloak flying out behind her.

"My, you are beautiful!" He heard Tenten exclaim. She was patting the stallion's nose. Temari looked down at her with a frown.

"Tenten-hime loves white horses," Haku told the blond Sand nin. She frowned at him, but he continued smiling and talking. "It's so difficult to find snow-white horses. Kabuto-san hasn't been able to find a replacement to the one that Tenten-hime lost."

"We shall go to Konohagakure," Tenten told the horse. She put a foot on the stirrup and lightly jumped on its back.

"Hey, you can't ride him!" Temari cried. "He gets wild, and, and…"

"Whoa boy!" Tenten clutched the stallion's reins tightly as it bucked slightly. It snorted and jumped, trying to throw her off, yet she held on and even laughed gaily.

Haku grinned. "I think Tenten-hime can handle him."

"Tch," the blond kicked her horse; it yelped and then trotted away.

Haku caught the white stallion's reins and subdued it. "Down boy," he whispered. "She's your friend." The stallion huffed, yet it calmed down.

"You're good."

"Oh," Haku turned and saw Gaara moving towards them. "Not really. I just try talking to them."

"Why are you on my horse?" Gaara asked Tenten.

Tenten frowned. "I wanted to ride him."

"Don't you have your own horse?"

"I do," Tenten said.

"Several of them," Haku gestured to team of horses strapped to the carriage.

"Yet you're on my horse."

"Yes," Tenten said flatly. "I wanted to ride him."

Gaara silently regarded her for a minute. Suddenly, he grasped the horse's saddle and jumped behind Tenten.

"Hey!" She cried.

"It's my horse."

Tenten grimaced. Haku smiled at her. "He is Gaara-kun's horse. Well then, get along well, you two."

"We're okay." She stroked the horse's mane.

"Tenten-hime, I didn't mean the horse."

"Oh."

"The sun will be gone soon. We're leaving," Kimimaro called out. "Tenten-hime, Haku."

"She'll be riding with Gaara-kun," Haku said.

"………" Kimimaro glanced at Tenten, who had reluctantly relinquished the reins to Gaara's hands. "Well then, everybody had better mount. You get inside now, Haku." To the driver of the carriage he said: "Pick up the reins."

"Actually Kimimaro-kun, I thought I'd ride one of the spare horses, and ride beside Tenten-hime and Gaara-kun."

Kimimaro shrugged. "Do what you want." He urged the horses forward.

Haku quickly detached one of the spare riding horses, Shimura, from behind the line of pack horses and hopped on it, hastening to catch up to Tenten and Gaara. "We're finally going to Konohagakure, Tenten-hime. You'll be able to see your family."

"Yes," Tenten smiled, a little tightly, Haku noticed.

She's always like this… He eyed her worriedly. She gets excited when it comes to going to Konoha, and yet when we are on the way, she becomes anxious. But I suppose it's only natural. She hasn't seen her family in quite a while… He reached out and squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"I look forward to seeing our royal couple as well," Tenten remarked. "I've missed Sakura-chan. Kabuto-san speaks fondly of her. And I remember she was adorable."

"Yes, Sakura-hime was very sweet, warm and gentle, truly like a cherry blossom in spring."

"That is her name. Haruno Sakura." Tenten smiled at the memory. "I wonder about that Sasuke though. Reading into what Kabuto-san has said, it seems he had gotten worse."

"You shouldn't speak like that about Sasuke-sama, Tenten-hime," Haku said. "He's the Uchiha Master after all. He's difficult and unfriendly, and he doesn't know how to care for his princess, but he's still our leader."

"Orochimaru-sama's our leader," Kimimaro interjected.

"Uh… yes, and Sasuke-sama's his heir, so that's why…"

"Niisama's heir…" Tenten murmured. "Yes, that boy wasn't very nice to Sakura-chan… oh that's right!" Her eyes widened and she pointed at Haku. "You… you…" She grinned mischievously and held up her little finger. "You rather liked her, didn't you?"

Haku blinked then chuckled nervously. "Of course I do, I thought Sakura-hime was a very nice person. Just what are you implying, Tenten-hime?"

"Oh Haku, you're blushing!" Tenten giggled.

"That's not the case," Haku denied. "It's simply the sun getting on my face."

"Blushing!"

"Please don't say such things! Sakura-hime is betrothed, it's unmannerly, Sasuke-sama will take offense—"

"You look splotchy." Kankurou, who rode before them, looked over his shoulder at Haku, a smirk on his face.

"Nobody asked for your opinion, Kankurou-kun." Haku murmured.

"Geez," Kankurou rolled his eyes. "If you turn all mushy about every princess that comes along, how is Tenten-hime going to take you seriously, huh?"

"Kankurou-kun!" Haku warned.

"That's not true."

"Kimimaro-kun?" Haku turned to him. Kankurou, and even Gaara and Temari, turned to the white-haired ninja as well.

"Sakura-hime isn't just any princess," Kimimaro said. "She was descended from Orochimaru-sama, and as such, gifted with beauty, grace, and unique powers. Like Tenten-hime, she is a true princess of the noble people of the Yamijin."

"That's right," Haku agreed. "And besides, I only admire her, as one person might admire another person who is good-hearted and beautiful. I'm definitely still devoted to Tenten-hime of course."

"Don't flatter me," Tenten said irritably, flushing.

"But I am your loyal protector," Haku murmured.

"Oh well," Kankurou yawned. "I'll see then how your other princess is like."

"She's called Sakura-hime," Kimimaro shot a glare to his direction.

"Kankurou's looking forward to meet Sakura-hime," Gaara said. "Isn't that right, Kankurou?"

"Whatever." The younger Sand nin glared at his brother. "Yeah, yeah. Sakura-hime sounds… uh, nice." Beside Kankurou, Temari had a very sour look on her face, but said nothing.

Haku watched the horizon as the last rays of the sun disappeared. Now, I do wonder about Sakura-hime…

The party continued traveling well into the night.

'Little cherry blossom princess… I'm glad to see that you have a smile upon your lips.'

Sakura winced at the cold that lingered against her cheek. She stirred then woke up, blinking her bleary eyes. The curtains on the open window billowed in the wind. So cold…

Her sheets had twisted around her. She untangled them, then pulled them up to her chin.

She heard a small noise from outside. She turned her blurry gaze to the window, clutching her chest, reassured by the pendant she felt through her thin chemise. The deep scarlet sky had a kind of glow, dawn's promise of the sun rising.

'Don't get up when you hear strange noises in the night.'

She closed her eyes and succumbed to slumber once more.

'Just go back to sleep.'

(1) Heheh, it's a Suikoden 2 reference.
(2) Himitsu: Secret. I've been told off for using romanji in fanfics before, but somehow "secret" doesn't have that creepy Kabuto factor it would have if he said "himitsu".

Author's Notes again : Well, there we go. Thanks so much for your support! It makes me very happy and motivated seeing that people are reading and reviewing. Especially to all those who have been telling me how much they like this! (Well, don't we all like feeling appreciated?) Naturally, I thank the more critical ones too, they can be a real help after all. Anyway, just—THANKS! (And to those people with exams or are busy in school, gambatte! I know how you feel!) And to all those with questions that would 'spoil' the story—I'm not going to answer your questions, but I'll do my best to make it worth your while reading the story to find out!

I removed the replies to your reviews. Apparently, that's against the rules now. I don't want this chapter getting deleted because of that, so sorry, I'll think of something for the next chapter!