Sakura walked with Kakashi around the room, her arm hooked around his. They stopped once in a while to talk to some important people about whom she could care less about. She smiled at them and laughed at their lame jokes. You'd think that one could get used to such kind of events, but not Sakura.

She stared absentmindedly at one of the flower arrangements next to a pillar, while Kakashi was having a conversation with a military official. The night was progressing in a painfully slow pace.

Sakura never understood the reason why Tsunade held these events, since the blonde hated such kind of formal parties as well. When a teenaged Sakura asked her surrogate mother about this, the reply she gave surprised her to say the least. Tsunade wanted to observe the nobles. She wanted to see who belonged to which clique, and also to be aware of the latest gossips, which always had some truth at their bases. Knowing who liked or hated who made it easier for her to plan her political moves.

"It was an honor talking to you, Your Majesty." the man said, bowing. Kakashi sighed deeply, when his previous conversation partner was outside of earshot.

"I'm seriously going to jump out of the window if this continues on." He mumbled, earning a snort from his fiancée.

She thought that it was ironic, how he was suffering so much even though he was the one who brought it all upon himself. The sadist inside of her even enjoyed his misery, it made the night a bit more bearable.

"I see you enjoy my misery."

"Why do you think so?" Sakura raised a delicate brow, faking utter confusion.

"Because you were smiling a moment ago."

"Of course, at least there's something enjoyable in this night."

"Sadist." He noted lightly.

"Oh, stop showering me with such endearing words, I might melt." Her tone was dry.

"It's not like your threat of poisoning me didn't make my heart flutter."

Sakura looked incredulously at him. "It still bothers you?"

"Yes." Kakashi huffed.

"Good." A complacent smile graced her pink lips, annoying the man in front of her.

"Shouldn't you at least try to seem sorry?" The silver haired man's visible eye narrowed.

"My parents taught me that I shouldn't feel sorry for something I did purposely."

"They should've taught you otherwise."

The hurt look on her face was only present for a few seconds, but it was long enough for Kakashi to notice. That's when he realized the mistake he made. He wasn't aware of the details, but he did know that her parents died when she was still a child. Being someone who lost their family, he knew how painful it was when people even mentioned them. He really wanted to kick himself right now. Really.

"I'm-"

"You are what?" She interrupted him immediately, with an unreadable expression. It was impossible for him to decipher her countenance, so finding the right answer was hard.

"I shouldn't have brought up your family." He mumbled, not looking at her.

"Considering our predicament, I think this was the least upsetting thing that you caused." The silence that followed after was uncomfortable for both of them. The pinkette looked at the dance floor, when a familiar tune started to play; it was a song which was only known in Whirlpool. This was probably her favorite song when she was a child as well the dance which belonged to it. She always asked her father to dance with her when the orchestra played the tune. Her mother once even told her, that her father hated such kind of activities, but he just couldn't refuse Sakura's request. It's been years since she last danced to it, mostly because the melody which previously brought joy to her now only stirred bad memories.

"Would you like to dance?"

Sakura looked at Kakashi surprised. "No…not really…it's just…never mind."

For a second, a really brief second, she almost let herself say yes. But then her consciousness kicked in, she shouldn't and wouldn't share such a meaningful memory with someone like him. He might have stolen her freedom, but he sure as hell won't take away her memories as well.

Kakashi didn't have to be a rocket scientist to see behind her lie. She wanted to dance. The longing in her eyes spoke volumes, but so did her refusal. She didn't want to dance with him. It was a simple thing, really and it shouldn't have bothered him that much. Yet it did. It wasn't like her refusal hurt his male pride, but it hurt his hope in having a somewhat amicable relationship. Their previous dancing was something they had to do, and not something they wanted to. He could only hope that the tables would turn sometime in the future.

The rest of the night preceded the same way, with diplomats and other important people congratulating them. She felt relieved when the ball finally ended, the guests leaving one by one. Her tired feet guided her towards her room, the distance between the two rooms seeming immense. It took her only a few steps to realize that she wasn't alone.

"Your room is at the other side of the palace." She said, not even glancing at him.

"I just wanted to have a walk." Her eyes narrowed at his words.

"How about you try another excuse? Something that's more believable."

"Sightseeing?" Kakashi crinkled his eye.

"Really?"

"Are you annoyed that I'm following you?"

"Would you leave me alone if I say yes?"

"Maybe."

She knew that he wouldn't keep his word, but she tried nonetheless. Sakura stopped in front of him, folding her arms under her chest. "You are annoying me, so don't follow me."

"Okay." Shrugging, he turned around already walking towards the opposite wing of the building. "But before I leave…can you answer a question?"

"What?"

"What was the name of that song?"

"It does not have a name; it's so ancient that no one remembers."

"I see."

With that, he left a confused Sakura behind.

I'm soooooooooooooooo sorry for such a late update, but I got really busy with university stuff, so I didn't have the time or the energy to put up a new chapter. I'm not really proud of this chapter...it didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. Next chapter will have Sakura's travel to the Fire Country :)

Anyways, thank you for reading, reviewing :)