Suddenly, inspiration has hit me for this story. Or maybe this means that I really want to finish it already. Who knows. Sorry for the kind of vague characters. We'll get there eventually.

The Noblewoman

Kurenai Yuuhi had always thought herself very lucky to be born and bread a noblewoman. Wasn't it what everyone wanted to be? Famous and wealthy just for being born - the glory already secured by their ancient forefathers. And not only was she a noble - she was a woman: which meant that no matter what, the man had to provide her with everything. She didn't have to lift a finger; she didn't have to worry about the expansion of their wealth - just who the husband her father passed her onto would be.

And not only was she famous and wealthy, but she was also beautiful. Charming. She could have any man she wanted, her father often said.

That wasn't too far from the truth: apart from the Prince and the King (who were far too taken with the Queen, who was delicately beautiful herself) she could have any noble she wanted. They all fell at her feet: for her hair, which was so dark in contrast with her stunning crimson eyes. For her fair skin, and noble nose, which only contributed more to the overall picture.

Many would say that she was living the perfect life. And she would agree.

Until that day.

That day, when she decided to disguise herself and leave the castle to go on a walk - it could get awfully boring sometimes - that day, when she met a man. He introduced himself as Asuma Sarutobi with no manners whatsoever: she assumed that was because he didn't know of her standing. But back then, it had been fine; he was amusing and she enjoyed his presence.

He wasn't bad-looking himself, either: black hair with matching black eyes, and skin the colour of molten bronze. It was quite refreshing compared to the pale-as-snow (slightly girly-looking) nobles that she usually had the pleasure of meeting. And he had a quick wit to match his roughish looks - he made her laugh like no one else ever did.

She kept on meeting up with him - on purpose. He was a lively change from her boring companions, and she liked to listen to him rattle on, unbiased. She thought she liked the fact that he thought them to be equals - of equal standing. She didn't want to tell him, only for him to suddenly treat her with respect (he did so already, in his own, roughish ways); she rather liked the way they were communicating.

And it was a mistake. Every time she met him, a mistake was being made. Because she didn't know when and how, but she had fallen in love with him.

He'd invade her thoughts, even when she wasn't with him. She'd wonder about him, his actions, and if he was with any other woman - she thought her heart would break if he was. Because he was hers (although he so clearly wasn't) and no one else's. Because she was used to being spoiled and having everything go her way. Because she was a noblewoman.

And one time, when they had once again met in a forest (she had told him that that was where she liked to meet him the most) he told her he loved her. In something like euphoria, she also admitted her feelings for him - forgetting everything for a single moment. Nothing mattered except him and her and their feelings for each other. Unable to hold back, they made love to each other, right then, right there. She gave him her treasured virginity.

Afterwards, she was flushed and giddy when she returned home. She immediately went to see her father and tell him about her love - which she had just found out to be mutual!

That was when her dream of them having a happy future together was crushed.

Her father went on a rage, not even knowing of the boy's standing. How improper - that was his overall description of her affair. Not 'how lovely' or 'good for you' but just that - improper. He hadn't even known of Asuma's standing yet; all he knew is that she had fallen in love with someone who she hadn't even married yet. He forbade her from meeting this boy - man - once more.

Kurenai didn't listen.

Instead, she travelled out to the forest the very next day in order to meet him. That was when she decided to tell him of her standing, of her cruel father, and her wish to run away and be normal. Have freedom. Freedom to love, freedom to marry - at the end of the day, both of those things were more important than money could ever be.

And she'd never forget it: the way Asuma's face changed the moment she told him of her high birth. The moment that his cigarette dropped from his mouth, the moment his eyes widened in shock. Almost instantly, he was on the floor, apologising. For what, she couldn't even fathom.

But faster than her mind could register, he left, proclaiming that they could never meet again. She was too good for him, he said. She should go on to live a better life, he said. She should forget about him, he said.

And then he was gone, and she failed to stop him leaving.

It crushed her dreams into small pieces. And even those small pieces burned - remained to burn long after he was gone.

After time had passed, she learned that she was pregnant. Their love had bared fruit; but she would be the only one to see it. She never did find out where he lived; although she was sure that if he wanted to, he'd certainly be able to find out. Who didn't know where Kurenai Yuuhi lived?

Her father would probably kick her out of the castle if he knew. Or maybe he'd marry her off in order to make her child legitimate. Whatever the case - she'd be giving birth to a child that'd have the last name of a man who wouldn't even be the father (wouldn't even be Asuma). It went against everything she'd been raised to be: noble. Everything she was born to be. Maybe they switched her at birth with another baby - maybe, in reality, she was only a peasant in noble's clothing.

How come she never noticed the restricting cage of her position before? How come she never noticed her limited freedom, the choices that were taken away from her? If only she could go back to the person she used to be. The noblewoman who was beyond content with her lifestyle, and the lavishness she indulged in.

But she couldn't. Instead, now she was bearing an illegitimate child from a man - Asuma - that didn't want anything to do with her. And she could do nothing but hold her head (and nose) up high, because that was the only thing she could do. Because that was the only thing that a noblewoman was expected to do - if she was even considered noble anymore.

sorry. Near to no input on the relationship between Kurenai and Hinata. Oh well. Just know it exists.

If you review, I would really appreciate it. Aurora.