"Pleasure of love lasts but a moment, pain of love lasts a lifetime." -- Jean Pierre Claris De Florian

Author's Note: I wrote this chapter right after I uploaded the chapter last night. Before I knew it I looked up at my clock to see it was 4am. My mind seemed to have wondered for a couple hours without me even noticing. Well ENJOY!


"The showers in here," he said and led me to a peculiar stall.

I stared at him, "I do not understand. I thought I was going to take a bath."

He looked like he didn't know what to say to me. "I'm sorry but there are no baths available," he seemed annoyed and I couldn't fathom why.

"I could wait," I tried to suggest hopefully.

"There are no baths in this med ward. I'm sorry but you'll just have to make due with a shower," he said frigidly. I frowned not knowing what I had said or done to offend him. He had said I could bathe, I don't know why the subject was so touchy now. I just wanted to get clean. A bucket of water would do, for all I cared.

I sighed. He turned and glared at me. "Here's a towel," he turned to leave.

"I do not understand."

He turned back and faced me, "What don't you understand?"

"I do not understand what I am to do with this," I said and raised the towel in my hand.

"You use it to dry yourself," he said and looked me over like I was an idiot.

I made a noise of exasperation, "No, I understand that. But what am I drying myself from," I made a gesture with a swing of my arms, "Where is the water?"

His eyebrows shot up at this and his eyes widened. "Oh," he said. He paused, seemingly at a loss for words, then asked, "Do you not know what a shower is?"

"I," I started, then stopped. "I do not think my definition is the same as yours." I said, understanding.

He walked past me and pressed a button. Water shot out from a nozzle. "Amazing," I said with a gasp and walked forward. I smiled and stuck my hand under the stream of water. "It's warm," I said and turned to the blonde man who had, since my first meeting with him, introduced himself as Naruto.

"And here I was thinking you just thought you were a princess that wanted a bath instead of a shower," he chuckled to himself but I wasn't really listening. My mind already starting to drift from this world. Naruto left me then to take a 'shower'. I slipped my clothes off and stepped into the falling water. The water felt nice. Warm.

"Princess! Come back," he yelled. I laughed and continued running, knowing he would follow as he always did and probably always would.

The boulders were up ahead. I could see them now. I ran and slid through the narrow rocks barely slowing my speed, as this was something I had done since I was child. The grove was up ahead; I could smell it.

I ran through the tangerine orchard, changing rows only when pickers blocked my path. They would turn and bow as I would go running past. I would smile and wave back.

I lathered my hair with soap.

"Princess!" he yelled. He was getting closer.

I raced forward. He had gotten quicker since we were younger, I thought. All the training. I frowned. He tried so hard. It was like he was trying to prove something, prove he was worthy of the hospitably my father had given him when he was young.

I had made it to the end of the field. The forest was ahead. I smiled as I was almost there. I looked over my shoulder to see him emerge from the large bushes. I smiled at him and continued.

I ran through the woods, throwing as many trees in between us as I could find. I could hear the water. I slide through the bushes blocking my path when two hands grabbed my waist.

I stooped and picked up the conditioner the nurse had instructed me to use next.

I smiled.

"Sakura," the tone was reproachful.

"Yes?" I asked and leaned back into the circle of his arms.

I could hear the internal debate, he was surely having with himself, within his head. He was thinking that if he stepped back I might fall so he shouldn't move; yet he really needed to get out of this compromising position, as it was improper.

But what did it matter? No one was here to see.

But for his peace of mind I stepped out of his hold and he let me. Of course. I walked to the waters edge. "Sakura," he warned.

"What?" I said, looking back at him. He was frowning. I slipped my shoes off and as I did so watched his face, his eyes widened and his jaw set. I laughed and his expression changed to that of confusion.

I was always able to tell when he was mad because of the flex of his jaw. I had also always wondered why others didn't notice the obvious change of expression. But then maybe this was just proof that I paid more attention than most. Especially where he was concerned.

I looked at him and smiled brazenly as I started undoing my laces. He looked like he would die of a cardiac arrest as he stepped forward, his hand extended, "What are you doing?!"

"Swimming," I said and winked at him, my smile widening.

"Keep your clothes on!" he yelled, his complexion paling.

"I can't swim in this heavy gown," I said in mock surprise. Although he might get his wish anyway as I was having trouble undoing the upper laces.

"Stop it!" he said, his expression muddled, conflict clear upon his face. He was fighting for control.

"Why?" I asked and gave up on the last laces. Instead I stepped closer to him.

"It's improper," he said stepping back.

"I'd have my slip on. Besides we used to always go swimming," I pointed out.

"Yes," he agreed.

"So what's the big deal?" I challenged.

"We aren't kids anymore!" he said flustered.

"Are you saying you are going to try to take advantage of me!" I gasped in mock appall.

"NO!" he said quickly.

"And captain of the guards too," I continued playing with him.

"Stop that, that's not what I meant," he said in a monotone voice.

"No, I suppose you never would," I said serious again. I turned and gave him my back. "Please undo the last of the laces."

"Sakura-" he started.

"The laces," I said, cutting him off.

He stepped forward without another word and slowly untied them. He lingered at the last one and the back of his hand lightly stroked my neck. It was brief and light, leaving me to wonder if it had happened at all or if I had merely imagined it because I wanted it so badly. But no, the heat from his touch still lingered.

He stepped back and I slid the gown from my body. Embarrassed I didn't turn around. I was in nothing but my white slip. Though this might as well be a dress as it went to the ground and covered all of me modestly. I looked over my shoulder at him and was surprised by what I saw.

His expression for once was unguarded as he looked at my body in the undergarment. He looked like a drowning man. He looked helpless and like I had hit him with a hammer. Hard.

I took in the moment trying to remember his exact expression, everything about it, knowing I would probably never see this look again on his face. At least.. not towards me. It hurt to think about that. About him… with someone else.

I knew I would never accept anyone for him. They would never be good enough. But for him I would smile and pretend I was okay. Pretend it didn't destroy my heart to see him with anyone else.

"You okay?" I asked.

He shook his head, like a dog coming out of water. Then it was gone, that expression. He was guarded once again. "I'm fine."

"Alright," I said. I turned and stepped into the water. It was pleasantly cool. I dived under, making sure to get my hair wet. When I surfaced I looked around. I found him sitting on a rock near by. I called to him, "Swim with me."

"No," he answered.

"Please?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"It," he said slowly, "would not be proper,"

"No one is around," I prompt.

He smiled but gave a stiff shake of his head.

"If it was socially acceptable, would you swim with me then?" I asked.

"No," he answered without pause.

"Why not?" I asked annoyed.

"If I was in the water, how would I protect you from an intruder?"

"Oh," I said. I hadn't thought of that. Still… "Who would attack here? No one knew I'd be here."

"Too risky."

I sighed in defeat. "Have it your way." I laid back, floating on my back in the water. "What if a giant monster came out of the water and ate me. You're too far away to be of any help," I finished, lifting my head to hear his answer.

"I'll stick to the other threats then. You're on your own for the giant water monster."

"Some guard you are," I said.

He chuckled and I lowered my head back into the water.

I shut off the water and stood in the shower. Dripping wet.

"Sakura," he called.

"Okay," I said, knowing he meant it was time to leave.

I swam to the edge of the water, where I could stand.

I opened the shower door and reached out to grab the towel.

I brushed the hair out of my face and waded a few more steps in the water. I looked up and he was blushing. He was staring at me and his face was beet red. His mouth open. I looked down at my gown to see if anything was amiss when I realized it was practically see through.

I knew I was bright red. I could feel the heat on my face. Completely embarrassed, as I was practically nude before him. I looked up and he had already given me his back.

He cleared his throat, "You should get dressed so we can leave."

I numbly stumbled out of the water and walked towards my crumbled gown in a heap on the ground. I slid into the dress then realized I needed his help to get it on properly. "I need your help," I called. Though to be honest I didn't want him so close yet.

He turned, his head pointedly downward, and walked over to me. I turned and gave him my back. He pulled at the ties and began to lace me up. The atmosphere was to say the least, awkward.

I had dried my body but my hair was still dripping wet, getting my back wet again in the process. I flipped my head over and vigorously rubbed my hair until it was dry enough.

"Ready?"

"Yeah," I said blushing as I looked away. He didn't notice, as he was not making eye contact either. He turned and walked away, heading through the bushes. I followed mutely.

I wrapped the towel around me and looked around for clothes, realizing Naruto had failed to leave them. I sighed and turned to head out the door.

"Why are you wet?" my father demanded.

"I fell into the lake," I said nonchalantly. We were standing in a hall of some sort. As it wasn't mealtime there were few people within it.

My father looked me over then looked to my companion standing in the corner. He took in my wet clothes and his dry clothes. "You fell in?" he said and strummed his thumb across his chin.

"As I'm wet, I should go change. I mustn't catch a cold," I said and turned to leave.

"Perhaps I should switch your guards," he said to my back.

I froze, fear gripping me. I calmly turned around, "Why is that?"

"Well," he smiled, "I noticed your guard is dry. Which means he didn't try to jump in after you…. fell."

I opened my mouth only to close it. I didn't know what to say to him. Finally I said, "That won't be necessary," and turned to walk stiffly away.

I could hear my father laughing as I exited the hall. "Go with her," he said. And so my shadow followed me wordlessly, as he always did, to my chamber.

I walked out of the bathroom and saw Naruto standing, his back to me, on the other side of the room. "May I have some clothes, please," I asked.

He turned and smiled at me. He walked the short distance between us and handed me objects of clothing. He took in my towel and wet hair appearance. He looked at me appreciatively. I gave him a look that let him know I noticed him looking at me and he blushed slightly and looked away, saying awkwardly, "Well.. yes.. Um.. Here are the clothes the nurse gave you to wear."

"Thank you," I said simply and turned, heading back into the bathroom to change.


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