cookiiex: Thanks, appreciated :) This chapter is dedicated to my first (and only) reviwer, AkanishiHikari. Thank you very much (: I don't own the song, Lucky by Jason Mraz.

Bloody Mary: The Social Cycle
Authoress: cookiiex
Chapter Two

"Everytime we say goodbye,

I wish we had,

one more kiss..."

Hinata gazed at the man and woman duo singing for money from her window. She was currently sitting in her carriage that was parked outside of the local hat shop. Her little sister Hanabi had out grown her old one and insisted she get a new one. Why she was dragged along was beyond her comprehension.

She, as well as her whole family, had seen the departure of her father that morning. Well, save one.

Her cousin.

But it was expected and she didn't blame him for not showing up. She herself wouldn't have showed if her father didn't have such a strong grip on her life. It was almost frightening how he could make her back down with just a glare.

She could see the children running around, genuinely enjoying life.

Much unlike herself.

Hinata was never a strong child to begin with. She almost died as a frail infant, it was a miracle she made it through that ordeal. And it just got worse as she aged. As a child she was overly shy. She didn't talk to anyone but her cousin.

Her hands clenched.

After that whole episode, she and her cousin avoided each other like the plague. Even though they had lost that familiarity that was formly there, she could still read her cousin like she did when she was five.

And she believe he could do the same.

It wasn't like she didn't notice he was still bitter. Each time she had seen him with her father, she could sense it. The hostility, underlined by manners, that were forced mind you. She couldn't look at him, and she thinks it would be better if she didn't.

Because her look held pity. And Neji never appreciated pity, whatever form or shape.

And she was sure that he noticed her grimace when her father had scolded her. Although he didn't like it, he would show his pity to other people. She had seen from the corner of her eye, his eyes held pity. He didn't bother to hide it. Didn't he ever think that she didn't want to be regarded that way either.

So in the end, she didn't have anyone to talk to, noone to call friend.

Then when she was seven she met her to knights. She smiled. Her first friends were rather .. unique characters.

Kiba had always had his over- the- top, wild personality while Shino had been this refined and reserved boy. Those two were really something.

They stuck with her al these years; they had brought this change in her character, that she would have never achieved.

But as much as she loved her two closest friends, they could never compare to how he was.

Her cheeks turned a cute red, she shook her head with her hands on her cheeks. She couldn't even imagine her most important person the way she did. And she had suspected that he was a burgular at first, his outfit torn and knees scraped.

They had started meeting more and more from then on. And she slowly developed feelings for this boy that she had never felt for anyone before. He was so.. different, a nice different. He had grew a place in her heart, so dear and close to her; he had become a very special person in her life.

He brought traits out of her that she would've never done. She had remembered running into the forest, to their special spot, down by the lake. God only knows how he convinced her, but in the end they have both jumped in; he in his work uniform and her in her 10,000 yen silk dress.

And at fifthteen, she had her first kiss.

It was truly romantic, sitting under the moonlight, hand in hand. And that was a night she would truly never forget. The love in his eyes, the confession! It was too good to be true.

But it happened. And for about a year they have been meeting in secret.

'A true Romeo and Juliet.' she sighed turning her sights at the couples outside, hopelessly in love.

Her eyes widened as a man with shaggy blond hair walked passed her carriage. She raced out to the door of her ride and slammed it opened with all her might.

"NA-" But he was already out of her line of vision.

"What are you doing sister?" Hinata turned to look at Hanabi, who was now sporting a new purple hat with black flowers, scraps of fishnet, and a purple bow. Her mother was next to said girl, glaring at Hinata and her unlady like outburst.

Hinata smiled "It's nothing, Hanabi. Just a little stuffy in there." She touched the top of Hanabi's hat. "Ah, a satin bow, how lovely" Hanabi blushed prettily before smiling up at her sister.

"Thank you, sister." Her mother coughed.

"Ah, yes," Hinata stepped out of the carriage. "Time to go, I suppose." Her mother clicked her tongue in disgust before stepping in, a happy Hanabi following.

Hinata looked back at where she had seen the head of blond dissappeared to.

'Naruto-kun...'

"Get in, Hinata." her mother spoke for the first time since they had went out. Without another word, Hinata stepped in.

"Lucky we're in love every way,

Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed,

Lucky to be coming home someday.."

Tenten had woke up that day with a huge hangover. She could only recall drinking two cups... or six. Same difference.

She didn't know what possessed her to walk out her cozy bed to buy groceries for the two goofs she lives with. But look at her now. In all her glory, standing in the middle of a crowded street market with some of her shopping already done.

"Ooh, Oh, Ooh..."

Claps erupted and the man and woman bowed. Some coins were thrown in their bag. The growing crowd were shouting for an encore and with the couple getting their instruments ready.

The darker man with, what looked to be a scar, across his nose waved before strumming his guitar. The shorter woman next to him hummed with the melody.

Tenten blinked. She could tell by their clothing that they were gypsys. The woman wore the traditional scarf wrapped around her head. Her pale yellow skirt that covered her legs, save for her foot. Her long sleeved blouse had poofy sleeves but was tight around her adbomen. From what Tenten could tell, she wore about five gold braclets on both arms, gold earrings, and a gold neckalace. She held a beautiful, pink, almost see through, silk scarf.

From her experience, she could tell that the woman danced with it. Also her skin was of that dark tone most gypsys had.

The man was way darker than the woman though. He had the baggy green pants and a loose yellow shirt. His hair was pulled back in a ponytail. He had earrings on and assorted bangles on his left hand.

Tenten's eye softened at the sight of the jewelery. There was one person she knew that had such accessories..

"Do you hear me,

Talking to you, "

Tenten wasn't sure why she was still here. She had the biggest headache and yet she was standing here watching them perform.

The woman moved gracefully and somewhat slwly in circles, her silk scarf dancing around her. The see through pink matched nicely with her yellow oriented clothes. Tenten awed at the woman's face. It was an oil painting she ad seen before; unhummanly features with a exceptionally played out emotion. Her face held a calm serenity, eyes closed as she turned gracefully, smile painted on her face.

The woman opened her mouth to sing.

"I keep you with me,

in my heart.

You make it easier,

when life get's hard..."

The man and woman looked lovingly, Tenten assumed, at each other. Such raw emotion, it was really hurting Tenten's eyes. It wasn't as if she didn't think they were lovely together, she really did. It's just they know what happened to gypsys in this society.

"They don't know how long it takes,

Waiting for a love like this.."

And it's because Tenten knew that, that she felt sympathetic. Because what happened to them was,

"Everytime we say goodbye,

I wish we had,

one more kiss..."

They get killed.

And just as she expected, a voice yelled, "GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE, YOU DEVILS!"

And before they knew it, a rock sailed through the air.

Tenten's eyes widened. This is getting out of hand already. She looked back at the gypsys and saw that indeed the man got hit in the forehead by guitar dropped and forgotten next to him as he held his injured face. A stream of blood dripped down the side of his face.

The woman shrieked. "IRUKA!" She ran to his side checking his wounds. They spoke in their native language ("Anko, relax. I'm okay." "Iruka, you moron! Shut up and let me fix it!") before Anko wrapped her pink scarf around his head, blood soaking into the beautiful fabric she was dancing with a moment ago.

After securing the scarf, Anko turned to the men who attacked them. She glared of them, hissing as they stepped back.

Then she started chanting. Tenten's eye's wided, realizing what was going on. She ran and grabbed the older woman's arm.

"Don't." Tenten warned.

The woman's eyes narrowed at her before snarling out, "Out of my way, child." And she shook her hand, trying to get Tenten off but Tenten tightened her grip.

In a low whisper Tenten said, "You know what will happen after. It's not worth it." The woman's eye were unrelenting, she kept her glare on Tenten. Tenten's head nudged in the direction of the bleeding man. From the looks of it, the bleeding had not stopped, his pants stained with droplets of the crimson liquid. The woman's eyes softened and held the pain of seeing him hurt.

"Don't do it, save him. Madame Kurenai will fix it for you. She's on Cobalt street, the last shop; the one near the dead end." Anko looked reluctlent before she glanced at the man and ran to him. Tenten let go automatically.

She dragged him along before sparring Tenten one last glance.

She whispered softly, "Thank you,stranger." before dissappearing through the ally.

Tenten than glared at the youngsters that had caused the scene. They snickered smuggly before laughing.

"Those damn gypsys, think they could just come in here and spout their songs of the devil." The boy with the cap sneered. The one next to him nodded his head in agreement.

The one with the boy tie shrugged mockingly, a smirk planted on his face. "Besides, who cares, they are just gypsys."

Tenten clenched her teeth and her fist tightened. 'Motherfucker.'

The boy that was in the middle just laughed. "They are so worthless, who cares if one or two dies."

Tenten lost it, dropping her groceries and charged at the boy, fist was ready. Then she slammed the kid's face in with all her force. An ungodly scream escaped his mouth. He fell back about a feet, looking up at her with frightful eyes, all the laughter gone.

The other boys ran to their friend. The one with the bow tie turned to her, eyes enraged.

"Wench, what was that for?!" Tenten smirked.

"Do you kiss your mother with that disgusting mouth of yours? If so, it's too bad. What a horrible boy she raised you to be."

He looked throughly offended, he ran to her fist clenched.

"AHHH!" Tenten easily caught it and smirked. "That all you got kid? Damn spoiled kids these days, can't even throw a correct punch." The boy grunted before swinging his leg at her. A second before it could even touch her, she twisted his hand. He screamed out before he fell face first in to the concrete.

Tenten grunted and dropped his hand. "See, wasn't that fun?" she let out a grunt. "Pathetic." She picked up her bags and was about to be on her merry way until.. .

"YOU! Stop right there!" came a deep manly voice. She turned to find a man in his fourties dressed in the police uniform run towards her. She groaned.

'Just great.' Tenten sighed. "Yes, officer?"

He scowled at her. Ruffling his short mstache, she started bombarding her with questions. "Little miss, did you cause this scene?" he glanced at the group of boys. "And beat up these kids?"

Tenten looked at him. "Yes and no. These little boys-" "OKay, let's go missy. You're gonna spend a day in the pound today." The cop said irritably and took out her cuffs. Tenten narrowed her eyes at him.

"Fool, didn't you just hear me?"

He gritted his teeth and raised his hand. "You little-"

"It's not that girl's fault."

Both Tenten and the man turned to see a blond girl around Tenten's age. She scowled at the man, her lips forming a frown.

'Who's this?'

"It's not that girl's fault." Ino said.

She had witnessed the scene while on her weekly shopping spree in town. She had seen the couple singing such a beautiful love song til the group of pranksters threw a rock at them.

She was about to react until this bunned brown haired girl beat her to it. The gypsy woman had spoken to the girl in a different language before she ran off with the man. Then the same group of youngsters came back.

After a little bantering, a fight broke out. Ino would've shouted for an officer if the girl didn't win. However when this sorry excuse for a cop came, she knew she had to break it up.

Ino kept her eyes on the rather obese officer. "Well, aren't you going to let her go?"

The man narrowed his eyes at her. "And who the hell are you."

Ino glared at him. "Ino Yamanaka. Daughter of Sir Inoichi Yamanaka." The man's eye widened. Ino grinned evily. "We wouldn't want the head concil getting a bit of this information; accusing an innocent woman of something she didn't do."

The man than looked at the brown haired girl "J-Just don't let me catch you again." And with that he walked away.

Ino smiled at the girl. "Hey, you okay?"

The girl glared at her. "I don't owe you anything, noble." Ino's eyes widened. All she did was help the girl, where did this come from?

"Excuse me?" The girl held her gaze. "You heard me, just because you let them know your status, doesn't mean you'll get any respect." Ino giggled. The girl threw her a confused stare.

".. Noone every talked to me like an equal before. I like you, what's your name?" The girl narrowed her eyes before answering.

"Tenten." Ino smiled. "That's a nice name."

Tenten smirked. Maybe this girl wasn't so bad. "You know for a noble, you're pretty okay." She picked up her bags before waving to Ino. "See ya around."

Ino returned her gesture.

"Yea, see you around" Then she turned and returned to her carriage. Before she could take her seat, she felt her mother's gaze.

"What took you so long? I thought you were going to be gone for a minute." Ino smiled. "I met the coolest person today, her name's Tenten." Her mother nodded slowly.

"I see. Well you need to get ready when we get home." Ino's head perked up. What was her mother talking about.

Her mother sighed. "Don't tell me you forgot." Ino smiled akwardly. The older woman shook her head and smiled. "Being so young and forgetting so much. Are you sure you aren't the older one here?" Ino looked offended.

"Mother! Just tell me! Where are we going?"

Her mother smiled. "You remember Shikamaru, correct?"

Ino groaned. Of course she did. The first time she met him, they were five. He would always call her make fun of her and wouldn't play with her. Yes, she remembered that little bastard.

"Yes, and?"

"Well, we're going to their estate for the weekend."

TBC...

cookiiex: -____-;; Long chapter. No Sakura in this chapter. Sorry.