Author's Note: Wow, um… I can't believe I got so many nice reviews. Thank you so much for taking the time to write them!

Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto, this story would probably be canon. (Interesting thought.)

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There are so many different opinions on the definition of fate. Some people insist that everything is linked by threads of destiny, and yet others strongly disagree. From both perspectives however, I believe that there lies some amount of truth. Perhaps 'fate' is driven only by a string of coincidences, and even if it's not...

Isn't the end result the one thing that truly matters, anyway?

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Sasori's PoV

"You're looking at that book the wrong way, you know."

My statement hung quietly and awkwardly in the air. For a moment, the girl didn't stir, which caused me to briefly wonder if I had spoken too softly. However, she slowly raised her head, and glanced at me with a look written with both bemusement and surprise. Her curiosity soon waned however, as she finally seemed to register who I happened to be.

Then all at once, her casual-seeming expression appeared to abruptly devolve into one of shock. With a slight cough and a stutter, the girl continued to stare at me in an almost quizzical fashion, until at last, she seemed to gather enough of her wits back to speak.

"I'm sorry. I... I didn't know," she began faintly. Casting the book with a brief glimpse, she continued to talk. "I'm really sorry... Your Majesty."

I waved off the formality absentmindedly. Instead, I peered at her with an eyebrow raised. "You didn't know?"

The girl winced. Then, with a slightly strained voice, she answered. "I can't read. And I..." She paused, "I really thought that I was looking at it the right way." Hesitantly, she glanced up towards where I stood. "You're not mad at me, are you? I know I'm not allowed to be here."

"Should I be angry?"

"I guess so," she blinked. "I thought only privileged people could come in. And... I can hardly be considered as that. I'm just a maid," she admitted.

I shrugged. "I assumed as much. But to tell the truth, I don't really care if you're in here or not."

She nodded slowly, before replying in a hesitant tone. "Thank you, I guess."

A few moments passed in silence. I quietly began to contemplate if I should just leave; all I had probably succeeded in doing was bothering her. Not to mention that my headache had returned, and unfortunately, it had worsened as well. Just as I was about to take a step backwards however, the girl spoke.

"Are you okay?" She asked quietly. "You don't look too well."

I stared at her for a few seconds, momentarily surprised at her question. "Not really," I muttered. I opened my mouth again to elaborate, but I quickly decided against it. The thought of having my marital problems spread as gossip around the castle made me feel queasy.

As if realizing she had said something wrong, the girl sheepishly apologized. "I shouldn't have asked," she said, playing with a lock of her pink hair awkwardly. "I just thought that something might of been bothering you. Not that I really have a right to know," she added quickly.

With a slight flinch, she sent me sympathetic look. Closing the book's cover carefully, she stood up. "I guess I should go," she suggested. "I'm probably just annoying you by --"

I cut her off. "Don't bother," I murmured. "I have to leave soon, anyway. My grandmother will be wondering where I went."

The girl appeared surprised. "You left without her knowing?" She asked, apparently amused by the fact. "I know it's not my place to say this, but... I find that kind of funny."

I looked at her questioningly.

She shifted uncomfortably. "I guess I shouldn't have said that." Turning to the book in front of her, she gently ran a finger across the soft ridges that the pages had created. "I just found it interesting... Doing something like that sounds so average."

I decided to humour her. "I'm not supposed to be normal, then?"

"I don't think so," she replied, her hand now absentmindedly playing with the novel's thin spine. "You're supposed to be a prince. That's not... A very normal thing." With an apologetic expression, the girl took away her attention from the book. "I'd ask you not to take offense to anything I'm saying, but... I don't really know how to say that... To royalty, at least."

Blinking, I walked closer to her. "I could say the same to you," I retorted. I was about to say more, when I noticed the title of the book the girl had been holding. Curiously, I focused on its dark-green cover. "That's a coincidence," I remarked with interest.

The girl raised her eyebrows. "What is?"

"That book," I said, pointing at the slim leather-clad volume. "My grandmother used to read it to me when I was small."

"Really? Did you like it?" She asked curiously. Lacing her fingers together, she lightly craned her neck at me. "It must've been a good story, if you did."

"It was all right," I answered, after a moment of thought. "It's nothing I'd care to read now, but it was decent enough."

The girl nodded. "I see."

I gave a murmur of assent in reply. Glancing at a large window to my side, I noted with some surprise at how low the sun had gotten. With a small amount of frustration, I remembered how my grandmother had mentioned something about an important dinner tonight -- something that she hadn't failed to reassure me that I had to attend.

Muttering to myself, I brushing the sleeve of my shirt absentmindedly. "I should go," I told the girl. "It's getting pretty late."

"Oh," she answered. "I guess... I'll leave then, too." Grabbing a firmer hold of her book, she stood up. "I'll just put this away, first," she said, as she slowly made her way over to a nearby bookcase.

I watched her silently as she examined several different shelves. After a few minutes though, she eventually came back looking exasperated. "I can't remember where I got this from," she explained ruefully.

I stifled a snicker. "I'll put it away," I offered, holding out a hand.

Looking hopeful, she gave me a tiny smile. "Really? I'd... Appreciate that." Gingerly, she walked over to where I was. Handing the book over, she garnered me with a thank you.

I took the novel silently. Holding it, I couldn't help but feel a faint tinge of nostalgia. The cover was soft and leathery in my grip; just as I had remembered my copy of the story to have been. However, unlike my book, this one was in a relatively good condition. I had poured hours into reading mine when I had been smaller, and as a result it had become worn. It had been my favourite tale...

As I continued to think, the girl cleared her throat. "I'll be leaving now," she told me. "I... Have to go to the kitchens to help out with dinner."

"Oh. Er, go ahead," I managed to mumble.

"All right," she answered. "It was nice... Talking to you." Dusting off the front of her apron swiftly, she stumbled back carefully towards the entrance. She peered back at me once, before opening the library door and shutting it softly behind her.

Left alone, I slowly walked over to the row of bookcases to my left. I ran my finger against the spines of several novels, before turning away. Pressing the fairytale to my side, I strode away from the shelves.

Perhaps it wouldn't hurt... To read the story again, during my free time.

---

Temari's PoV

The late afternoon sun pierced through the large windows, leaving a glistening trail of light on the floor of my father's study. The room was quiet, and the air felt heavy.

Just like my heart.

To my left, my brother Kankurou, stood impatiently by a wooden footstool. He was tapping his foot, restlessly muttering something inaudible to himself. To my right, a nameless servant was busy wiping a nearby table. As for me... I was spending my time deep in thought; trying to contemplate how things had turned out the way they did.

Back towards the beginning of the year, my family's reputation had skyrocketed. Our treasury had been healthy, and large as well. My father had been promoted to a very high position, and had settled himself firmly in the good graces of the royal family. In all, our accomplishments had certainly been ones to boast of.

...That is, until we lost everything.

I clenched my hands in frustration. In the middle of summer, my father had gotten himself into financial trouble. I wasn't completely sure of the details, though according to the rumours our servants spoke of, it had all been lost due to a petty gamble...

A gamble that had grown to frightening proportions.

With a frown and a tilt of my head, I looked towards my brother. He had moved from his place by the door, and had come closer to where I stood. Yet, his eyes weren't focused on me -- but at one of the windows instead.

Clearing my throat, I tried to grab his attention. "Are you okay?" I asked.

For a brief second, Kankurou continued to hold his gaze at the scenery outside. Then, realizing that I had just addressed him, he turned to face me.

"...I'm fine," he answered slowly. Then with a pause, he sent me a pained glance. "Shouldn't it be you that's worried?"

I flinched. My brother was right; my father hadn't addressed Kankurou to come to his office... But he had asked for me, instead. He hadn't bothered to supply any reasons as to why he wanted my presence however -- and that was what made me feel nervous.

Feeling numb, I cautiously replied. "I guess so. Father wasn't very direct, was he?"

Kankurou shook his head. "Yeah. But, Dad sounded pretty serious. I know that things are tough for us now, but..." He trailed off. "I really hope that he hasn't decided to do anything outrageous."

"I second that," I murmured. "I guess that I can --"

Just then, the study's door opened with a muffled creak; I stopped speaking abruptly. My brother noticeably stiffened, and I felt myself go rigid as well. From behind us, I could hear the timid voice of the servant who had been clearing off the table speak. He sounded as if he was apologizing, though I couldn't make out much else.

"It's probably Dad," Kankurou whispered to me off-handedly. "We should probably... Greet him."

"I just hope he's in a good mood," I muttered dourly. Turning, I faced the doorway. As we had presumed, our father had been the one who had arrived.

Standing wearily by the entry, I felt surprised to see him my dad look so weak. Our difficult financial affairs had taken their toll on him, that much I had strongly known. But yet... I had never expected the side effects of the stress to seem so apparent. Despite how frail he looked however, he still possessed his usual strong aura of aggression.

"Temari," my father acknowledged. "Kankurou. I'm glad that you both came." He glanced at both of us, before continuing. "I'll assume that the two of you have already guessed why you're here."

Kankurou grunted. "I just hope it's not what I think."

I shrugged. "I've had some time to imagine your reasons."

With a firm expression set on his face, my father turned to me. "Temari," he began sternly. "You've heard of the rumours, haven't you?"

"The ones about our debt?" My brother cut in sharply. "Are you joking? It would've been hard not to, considering that everyone on our property is talking about it."

My father's face hardened. "Watch what you say, Kankurou. Continuing on what I was saying before, though... I hope that you've realized what consequences might occur if we aren't able to pay all the money we owe back."

Kankurou stood still. Then with some trouble, he finally spoke. "What exactly are you planning on doing?" He glared. "You must've thought of a way to get us out of this. After all, it's your fault that we're in this mess."

I looked at the two men quickly. Both of their faces seemed tense. Kankurou seemed furious, though our dad didn't look much different.

"I told you not to speak out of place. You have no right to say anything," my father remarked sharply. "Although, if it makes you feel any better, I have figured out a solution." He looked at me and called, "Temari… It involves you."

I blinked, feeling surprised. So had this been the reason I had been called over? To be told how I was going to be used?

Feeling apprehensive, I answered hesitantly. "How so?"

My father closed his eyes, and stood still for a few choice seconds. What he then said left me at a loss for words.

"You are to try and marry Prince Sasori," he carefully told me. "You've heard of him, haven't you?"

I focused my vision at the wall, feeling both numb and a little angry. I didn't bother to reply, but instead restrained myself from shouting loudly. Taking a deep breath, I tried to regain my focus.

What had he just said to me? He expected me to marry whom, exactly?

The thought of me marrying anyone was outrageous. My father couldn't be serious…

Could he be?