Chapter 3:

The band began to play dance music, encouraging the guests to dance. Several went to the dance floor and began to spin their partners. Others stayed near the tables of food to watch. Shikamaru and his friends were among the couples who didn't take to the dance floor right away, observing.

Naruto and Sakura danced just once as time marched on but Shikamaru and Temari didn't, choosing to mingle instead. They gathered as much information as they could about the castle and the owner but the man was certainly a mystery. Most of what people knew consisted of rumors. The only thing consistent was the fact that these balls weren't held in the past and a recent event. Other events were held in the castle and any balls were a private affair. This led the people to wonder what motivated the owner to hold these public balls now, sparking rumors.

"What kind of events were held in the past?" Shikamaru asked.

"Auctions, mostly," said a man, getting drinks for himself and his partner. "This castle has stood for some time and has quite a history. There's a wine cellar down below and a few years ago, some barrels were auctioned off for a handsome sum. Paintings another year along with some old collections."

"What kind of collections?"

"I couldn't say exactly. Art and trinkets. Coins, I heard. Rumor of historical artifacts, but I wasn't in attendance so I couldn't say with certainty. Ask that fellow over there." The man gestured with his champagne glass. "He was at one of the auctions not too long ago. Boasted about it for some time."

Temari chatted up the man pointed out to them and he was all too happy to tell them all they wanted to know and more. It all seemed meaningless but they listened just in case there was a clue. The man told them he had bought a painting at the auction as well as a couple decorative shields that were displayed in the castle since 'ancient times' which only dated back five generations which neither Temari nor Shikamaru considered to be ancient.

"I heard something about artifacts," Shikamaru said in an attempt to quicken and redirect the conversation.

"Those shields I mentioned," said the man. "And a helmet displaying the coat of arms."

"Those aren't really artifacts," said Temari.

The man scoffed. "Ah, you're young. An artifact is anything having to do with history. Something from five generations ago is historical and qualify to be called an artifact."

"Whatever you say."

"Why would those things be auctioned off?" asked Shikamaru. "If our host owns this place, wouldn't that make those items family property? Why sell them if they've been in his family that long?"

The man shrugged. "I suppose he's short on money. This castle is supposed to go up for auction at the end of the season. He must be trying to clear things out and get some cash. He never married and has no family to speak of. I imagine it's too much for him to keep all for himself and since he has no one to leave it to, it's best to sell it. It's only really used for special events anyway for the ambience."

Temari looked around the room. "It is very nice. But who would want this place? Anyone in the village that rich to maintain it? What would they do with it?"

"Well, that's why I think he's strapped for cash. A place like this should be donated, but talk is it's going up for auction. Must want to get something out of it. I doubt most in the village can afford it. A castle steeped in history and character should draw a crowd with deep pockets."

"So, anyone can bid on it?" asked Shikamaru.

"That's how auctions work. Probably going to get people from all over for a place like this. Might go to some rich heiress or some company guy who wants to tear it down to build a factory. I'd hate to see that. A place like this should be preserved. It's in great condition as it is."

"Why don't you buy it?" asked Temari. "You've got enough funds to get those items at auction."

"I'm not that wealthy, dear," the man laughed. "I wanted to have something from this place after it's sold to the highest bidder, so I acquired those items. I could never afford this place, so I'll have to settled for what I won at auction."

"Is there anyone here you think could or would want this place?" asked Shikamaru.

The man looked around at the partygoers. "I couldn't tell you. No one here's jumping out to me. Although…" His head cocked to get a better view of someone mingling along the wall. "That gentleman there has been here before. Must have an interest in the place."

Temari looked. "That guy there with the white gloves? You've seen him at the auctions?"

"Auctions and the other party last week. Each village is invited on respective nights but no one really checks. This is my second time here and I saw him there as well. Don't know if he's been here every night, though."

Shikamaru and Temari nodded to one another.

They made a note that the man they had just spoken to had been here on two separate occasions but went to speak with the white-gloved man to see how often he had been attending these balls.

"Of course, I've been here before. I'm a sommelier. I've had my eye on the man's wine collection in the cellar for some time. Now that he's selling the place and most of what's in it, I figured this was my chance to get my hands on some of his rare collections. Some of the stuff down there was bottled over seventy years ago."

"Wine? Really?" Temari asked with a raised brow.

"Hey, it's a refined drink which enhances the experience of any event. Sake is good and all but wine is something I'm passionate about."

She looked the man over. "Aren't you more of a distributor of wine than a collector? 'Sommelier' is just a fancy word for 'wine waiter'. Can you even afford a barrel?"

"I can be two things, young lady. And there are plenty of people at this party alone who'd love to get their hands on some of those barrels. That woman there owns an exclusive restaurant and would love to add it to her menu. That man is a collector as well. And that one has been here every time there's an event. Never bids on anything but is always asking about when certain wines are going on auction. There's rumor of one with special properties. Very rare."

"What kind of properties?" asked Shikamaru.

"One is supposed to be medicinal as well as a palate cleanser. Some wines weigh heavy on the tongue. This one not only has a subtle taste but helps heal the body. Soothes the throat. According to the history of this castle, an opera singer used to drink this particular wine before and after every performance at this very location. Another wine is supposed to have such a delicate and dazzling flavor that it induces love in those who drink it. It's even called the 'Valentine Wine'. Legend has it that every couple who has tasted this wine together were married within the year."

"Couples, huh?" Temari raised her brow at Shikamaru.

He nodded in understanding. It couldn't have been coincidence that all these balls were thrown just for couples.

"By any chance is that wine up for auction?" he asked the man.

"So far, no. It's among the host's private reserves, under lock and key. Only he has access to it. I've been to every auction involving wine and it's never been a part of the assembly. But it must be going up soon. Or to the lucky one who gets the castle at the end of the season."

Shikamaru and Temari found Naruto and Sakura at the snack table and filled them in on what they learned. Sakura and Naruto hadn't discovered nearly as much as the other two.

"That wine must be a factor," said Sakura. "Why else would only couples be allowed in?"

"But these things don't have auctions, just dancing," said Naruto, helping himself to the refreshments. "What would be the point of inviting couples to these things if there's no wine?"

"The bottle they want is locked up in the cellar," said Sakura. "Maybe they're trying to create a romantic atmosphere so couples would be tempted to buy it."

"Or it could be a prize," said Temari. "Remember? When the host shows up, he gives a prize to the best dancers. What if it's the wine?"

"That would explain why it's just couples." Shikamaru was impressed. "Good thinking, Temari."

She smirked brashly. "I'm not just here to look good. We are on a mission."

Naruto looked at the women dancing with their partners on the dance floor. "What about the missing women? How does that tie in to the wine?" He looked back at his friends. "Maybe they're using the wine to lure away the women."

"Or they're following the wine," surmised Sakura. "We don't know how the whole prize thing works, but let's assume it's the lover's wine. The winning couple could either be getting a sample of it or a full bottle. If it's a bottle, some jealous or desperate woman could be going after it."

"Or targeting the winner who then mysteriously disappears," said Temari. "No reports say if the missing women were winners or not. They could have won the bottle and then someone attacked them as they were leaving with the bottle to take it for themselves."

"A little dark, don't you think?" asked Naruto. "Attacking someone over some dumb bottle of wine?"

"I've seen people targeted for a lot less."

Sakura nodded in the direction of a man making his way towards the band. "That guy over there. We spoke to him earlier. Seems he knows the host and has been to every event."

"That's the same guy that wine waiter pointed out to us. Said he might have an interest."

"He could be after the Valentine Wine. We better keep an eye on him."

The band stopped playing and the lights dimmed, gaining everyone's attention. The lights beside the band clicked back to life, creating a spotlight for a man making his way to the raised platform. The man beside the band began clapping which triggered applause from the partygoers. To not stand out, Shikamaru and the others clapped politely.

It seemed they were about to meet the host and owner of this castle.