Happy Valentines Day. I have to admit, it was hard writing this chapter. But I'm happy to say that its finally done
A/N I feel I had to change a few things and correct my mistakes. I'm not exactly satisfied with how this chapter came out, I think it had to do with the major writers block I had.I'll make sure the rest of the story gets better. I hope
Perhaps its time I had my work checked by a beta before uploading. If you're out there and are interested, feel free to PM me. I do plan on writing another sasuhina fic and I may need help with that to.
Enjoy
REVISED:15/02/17
Konoha
The night of one of the grandest celebrations had finally arrived. The Uchiha Grand Masquerade Ball. All young members of Konoha's high society to the heirs and heiresses of clans from the Land of Fire came prepared for the Masquerade part of the ball. The older generation that did decide to attend looked forward to watching their young ones would enjoy the mystic night as well as to pay their respects to the soon to be married couple.
However, let's not forget that when the royals throw a ball, they bring even mere imagination to shame. Close your eyes and picture this with me...You're dressed quite elegantly, be it a fancy kimono or classic ballroom attire, concealed by the perfect mask that adorns your face. You're lead through a set of tall golden double doors, attendants at each door welcoming you in a world that promises an unforgettable night full of wonder and mystery. The ballroom is semi-dark, you might think it gloomy, but the tiny lights dancing around make you want to seek out the source. Tiny lights are scattered around the ceiling, making you feel as though you were looking at the night sky itself. Of course the ballroom has plenty of other lights around, which make you wonder if you've traveled back in time.
The refreshment tables nearer to the walls are decked with mouth watering appetizers, and masked waiters stride around with either trays of drinks or platters of snacks. Taking a glass of bubbling gold champagne, you decide to observe the masks people have on. Some decide to go for color masks, while others have opted for the type representing animals. The music playing in the background blends well with the atmosphere, you see masked couples dancing, they too are consumed by the mystical magic that hangs heavy in the air. There's laughter and whispering, people trying to guess who's under the mask and complimenting choice of dress for the evening.
If you can picture the ball, if you can feel it, then you are in a similar position as Ten-ten. On arrival to the Uchiha ballroom, Ten-ten was blown away. She couldn't express her current emotions quite well, but she was certain it was among the lines of giddiness and nervousness. Ten-ten lightly touched her dark red mask which was outlined with black lace. She lowered her hand, resisting the urge to touch her face to which makeup had been carefully applied. Ten-ten also resisted the urge to touch her hair which was currently twisted into a Bohemian bun, with her bangs pinned up and leaving strands of her baby hair free. Her gaze turned to the a-line dark scarlet off-the-shoulder evening dress she had on. Lady Kushina had bought it for her and when Ten-ten protested, Lady Kushina refused to take no for an answer. When Ten-ten walked out in her dress, safe to say, Lady Kushina was spilling tears of joy while Naruto gaped hopelessly like a fish. Ten-ten continued to finger her dress when she heard Naruto say, "Ten-ten, you look beautiful"
Ten-ten eyed Naruto and turned away, blushing. Naruto had on a classy burgundy suit with a silk black shirt and red tie. Unlike Ten-ten, he chose to wear an animal mask, a dark orange fox mask. Ten-ten loved the way Naruto looked mature yet playful. She was sure to pocket this memory for the rest of her life.
"Took you long enough. Thank you though. You know, you don't look bad yourself"
Naruto grinned and suggested they look for Sasuke. Naruto had informed Sasuke of their discovery earlier that week. Sasuke had been shocked at the discovery and both agreed that the night of the ball, Tsunade had to be exposed. Back to the ball, it was not that hard to find Sasuke; all Naruto and Ten-ten had to do was to either spot a duck-butt hair or a hot pink ball gown, the latter spotted first. They spotted Sakura in all her pink glory, her short bubblegum hair pinned up in a simple bun, a soft pink mask outlined with red rose patterns, and her sweat-heart chapel ballgown reaching covering her feet, much like the length of Ten-ten's dress, removing from view the kind of shoes she had on. As it would seem, Sakura currently latched herself onto her stoic fiance, who had on a perfectly tailored navy blue suit, black shirt with the top two buttons open, no tie and a black mask.
"Bastard!" Naruto greeted, as Ten-ten and himself neared Sasuke and Sakura. Sakura scowled at Naruto from beside Sasuke as he returned his best friend's greeting.
"Greetings," Ten-ten said, bowing slightly in respect towards Sasuke and glaring at Sakura (oh yes, she did see that look Sakura gave Naruto)
"Good evening. Well Naruto," Sasuke began, "your date looks quite elegant this evening"
"Thank you, your highness. Lady Kushina was kind to pick this dress for me," Ten-ten replied, giving Naruto a small smile.
"I have to say, I'm surprised you even have a date, Naruto," Sakura said, turning to Ten-ten, "Were you paid to be here tonight?"
Naruto was about to defend Ten-ten when he felt her hold him back and hear her calmly reply
"He didn't have to. He asked and I accepted. Then again, I suppose you are surprised because you can't accept that he no longer gives you any attention and has his sights on something better than you. Watch out girl, the world doesn't revolve around you as much as you think it does"
Sakura's lips formed into a thin line as her cheeks lit red with anger. She quickly dropped Sasuke's hand and left the trio to seek out Ino or Tsunade. Once Sakura was out of earshot, Ten-ten and Naruto burst into giggles while Sasuke smirked.
"Ten-ten," Sasuke began, "Naruto is lucky to have you"
"If it wasn't for the fact that I was in a good mood, I'd tell you to stop flirting with my date. But you're right, I am lucky," Naruto declared, looking at Ten-ten with admiration in his eyes.
"Alright you guys, enough with the praises," Ten-ten gushed, "You know, you still haven't told me the plan. I don't see why we can't just up and tell everyone the truth"
"We have to wait for Izumi and Shisui," Sasuke said.
"Have they found Hinata?" Ten-ten asked.
"We did promise to be here," a voice spoke out. They all turned to see a couple nearing them. The male dressed in a light gray suit with a light blue shirt, black tie and a plain gray mask. At his side was a brunette dressed in a bare back halter-strap amethyst mermaid dress. The trio recognized the couple almost immediately.
"Hey guys!" Naruto waved, as the duo joined their group.
"My, my," Izumi began, "aren't we all looking lovely. Goodness! Ten-ten you look gorgeous! Red suits you perfectly"
"Thank you. As do you Izumi, for a minute there I couldn't recognize you"
"Why thank you. I actually have my eye on a certain young gentleman and I had to make sure I look extra amazing"
"Extra amazing my foot," Shisui mumbled. Izumi turned her head sharply and cooed evilly
"Did you say something dear cousin?"
"Nope," Shisui wisely answered. When it concerned men, it was wise not to be on Izumi's bad side.
"Did you find Hinata?" Sasuke asked.
"Would you look at that," Shisui said quickly, "young Neji's here"
"Really?" Izumi asked, looking around. Spotting her target, she dragged Shisui away from the group before Sasuke's question was answered.
"I don't remember them saying anything about Hinata," Naruto voiced, Ten-ten nodding in agreement.
Sasuke was rather annoyed by his cousins' hasty exit and moved swiftly to follow his cousins. As he neared them, the band started playing slow paced music. From the corner of his eye, Sasuke could spot Sakura from the other side of the room, making her way towards him, her face showing the willful determination that she would not pass up this opportunity. Looking around fast, Sasuke spotted a young woman about his age in a lilac dress and quickly bowed -with his right hand stretched out- in request for a dance. He felt a soft hand enter his own and guided the lady to the dance floor, leaving a fuming Sakura behind. Placing his hand on the small of her back, Sasuke and the woman in his arms started dancing.
At some point, he experienced a rather familiar feeling. He quickly dismissed it as victory for ditching Sakura, and decided to distract himself by observing his partner. Her hair was in a lace braid bun, but due to the dim lighting, he couldn't tell the specific color of her dark hair. She had a white mask with lavender patterns. He had to admit that she was an excellent dancer, and as he twirled her, caught sight of her chestnut brown eyes. But what really got his attention, was a familiar necklace that hung around her pale neck. Hinata, Sasuke thought.
What he didn't realize was that he voiced the name loud enough for his dance partner to stop and give her own surprised stare of recognition.
"Sasuke," a soft voice whispered. Sasuke was about to respond when the music playing finally ended and the Master of Ceremony called forth everyone's attention. The girl in lilac quickly disappeared from Sasuke's arms and into the crowd. Sasuke wanted to follow, but felt an iron grip on his elbow. He found that the offending grip belonged to non other than Sakura who hissed,
"Never insult me in that fashion ever again. We're getting married, show me respect by not dancing with other women just because they're under a mask"
"Just because you're my fiance doesn't mean you own me, Sakura," Sasuke hissed back. The two were cut off when the MC called them to the stage to take their place next to the King and Queen. Sakura held Sasuke's hand gracefully and gave a fake smile as Sasuke and herself walked towards the Royal leaders and took their seats. The invited guests were guided to their designated seats to which chairs had been placed around the tables rather discreetly during the dance. Remarks were given by King Fugaku and clan leaders who wished to say a thing or two towards the occasion.
After food was served and eaten, the Master of Ceremony announced that it was time to present gifts to the soon to be married couple. At the time, Sasuke tried to seek out Hinata. He knew it was her, regardless of the different eye color. The way he felt with her wasn't weird, it was him at peace because the one he longed for had returned to him. He didn't pay attention when the MC announced, "One of our guests wishes to play a melody as a gift to Prince Sasuke and Lady Sakura. Please enjoy ladies and gentlemen!"
(*The song I had in mind was a piano instrumental of 'This cruel and beautiful world' by Yoko Hikasa. If you don't know the song, feel free to use any pianistic song of your choice)
As the song started playing, Sasuke was brought out of his reverie. He eyed the pianist, and was shocked to see that he recognized her. He could feel the emotions pouring out of the song. Happy and sad. Joy and sorrow. Anger and calm. When the last note ended, the crowd erupted into sounds of praise and clapped at the heart capturing performance. The pianist stood and bowed at large audience. She went before the royal family and bowed. Mikoto, who was in tears (of joy), approached the pianist and held her shoulders.
"I have never heard anything so beautiful. Tell me, what is your name? I would also like to know the face of the young person that shared such a piece" Mikoto stated.
"Forgive my bluntness," she replied, "but if I removed my mask, it would defeat the purpose of this lovely ball"
"You are right. I believe we're all curious as to who this talented creature is. Everyone, it's time to remove your masks!"
Excitement and happy murmurs hung in the air as everyone complied with the queen's order. Sasuke smirked as he is removed his own. He had to remember to thank Izumi and Shisui some way. There was only one thing in his mind, Shit's going down tonight.
Distinctive audible gasps were heard when Hinata removed her mask and fiddled a bit with her eyes. Queen Mikoto's eyes widened as she stuttered, "I recognize you. You are Lady Sakura's hand maiden"
"It is true I was introduced to you in that fashion," Hinata began, "but allow me to properly introduce myself
"My name is Hinata Hyuuga. I am the heiress of the Hyuuga clan. I am Prince Sasuke's bride, chosen by the late Crown Prince Itachi"
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