Oh gosh. This is a long one boys and girls. Over 3,000 words as promised. I still didn't quite get it all in though! Anyways since I said I'd post it today I did. I didn't quite finish the chapter. I would have needed at least another 2,000 words to do so. It is late and I am tired!

Thanks to you for pushing me. I really did edit this and make it my best. Sorry for mistakes I'm half asleep and all my betas abandoned me for the season. That includes you, lover, I was looking for you on messenger but you were gone.

warnings: you should know them by now

I do not own Naruto series/manga, but whenever I do get my hands on it... I'll make some nice saixnaru moments... more of them that is.

There is still more to come. This is not the last chapter yet. Hope you enjoy the length.

"One more thing Naruto-kun." Iruka smiled tearfully. In his hand he had a velvet box, which held the jewels for the night. After that Naruto would be pushed out into the ball to be gawked at. After the jewels, the icing on the cake, were placed on him it would be done. Those precious gems embedded in silver and gold would be his chains of cold steel. His freedom was gone. Naruto shivered when the heavy necklace touched his skin. This was it. I was time to meet the kingdom, and the prince of Suna.

"Iruka, I'm scared."

It was done and there wasn't a thing Iruka could do to delay it. He'd tried slowing the seamstress down. He'd even misplaced the jewels for a while, but in the end the couple of minutes he was able to get for Naruto were nothing. Iruka was letting go of his baby. At least the closest he would get to one.

He'd grown up taking care of Naruto. He'd grown up with a child yelling his name every morning and with complaints that never ceased because of the early sun. How can one person be expected let go forever, when it broke his heart just to look at Naruto's lashes glimmering as the tears hung desperately to live.

"Ruki?" Naruto watched as Iruka looked at him from head to toe, taking in the transformation. Iruka sighed and finally gave in. He leaned towards Naruto and hugged him like he'd never let him go. Naruto was careful not to lean his head on Iruka's shoulders even though he wanted to do so desperately.

"Whatever happens today, Naruto, know you'll always have me. I may not have money or a castle for you, but I can take care of you. If you figure out its too much to bear please come back to me. Come to my house and we'll go away." Iruka slipped a small folded paper into Naruto's small hand. He held that hand tight and didn't end the embrace even though he was afraid to tear stain the beautiful multi-million ryo gown, but even as he thought of not doing so, his tears fell. One by one marking a spot on the powder white shoulder that was shaking with the silent tears coming from Naruto.

The words wouldn't come. The pain in Naruto's throat and the feeling in his stomach didn't let him talk. He knew that Iruka meant every word. Naruto carefully blinked his eyes. His eyes stung, but he knew better than to rub the tears away. He pulled back from the most love filled hug he'd ever received and nodded as gently as he could. He took a deep breath and pushed many of his feelings away. He'd need to look happy and composed in front of the many guests. Even if he wasn't he'd have to act his part as a happy princess.

Iruka tried to smile. "You really do look beautiful, Naruto." Naruto's lips smiled as he resisted to grin at the compliment. Iruka's doe brown eyes caught Naruto's sparkling blue. They watched each other for what seemed like a small eternity. Every feature was recorded, every tear, noticed, and every breath, treasured. They could have stayed in comfortable silence for much longer, but fate would not have it be. Their brief staring was ended with a harsh knock on the door. A deep male's voice called into the room.

"We're ready for the princess." Iruka turned back from the door to look at Naruto. He took each of the small hands into his and placed a kiss at the top.

"Let's go, Naruto."

--

It had been allowed for the waiters and general workers to use the shortcut now that the princess was fit to be seen by all. Even though it was a short walk to the spot behind the curtain from which he would emerge, Naruto saw tens of people along the way. Even without ever having seen the princess everyone seem to know exactly who he was. It usually took a second glance for them to realize who the person walking by them was. It was most noticeable when their smiles dropped, the conversation stopped and they bowed and curtseyed lower than Naruto had ever seen done in any book. Hushed whispering of "Princess" and other formal greetings filled the trail.

He suddenly wanted to know the people. He wanted to hear their stories and maybe someday rule for their greater good. Such were the small children, so young, already working that made Naruto think of his future. Of his future away from this home, from his people and from a life he could have had. Even with all these thoughts running amok Naruto could only nod curtly and continue on his way.

"Princess," Iruka started, but was cut short by a look Naruto sent his way. "Naru-chan," That earned him a smile. "you must listen carefully. When your father,"

"The king." Interrupted Naruto's irritated voice.

"Yes, when the king announces you, there will be--"

"Ruki I know. I know. We've been over this a million times. When he says my name a horn will sound and the curtain will pull--"

Iruka had only enough time to jump to the side and avoid being seen. Naruto was still in mid sentence thus facing sideways and holding his mouth open. Quickly that gapping hole turned into a radiant smile and he began his way down the grand staircase. There was clapping all around the room. Chairs were pushed back as more began to stand. The look on his mother's face was amazing. She seemed proud. More than anything Naruto wanted to run towards her and give her a hug. He wanted to say hello and catch up on all the years missed. In her face he saw love. The same love Iruka had shown to him. He saw a person who could love him and possibly save him from the forced marriage with the Suna prince, but Naruto resisted. His father's word was set in stone. His command had been clear and it was doubtful that even the queen's words could make a difference. Naruto instead smiled his best while his mother acknowledged him.

At the bottom of the stairs King Jiraiya and Queen Tsunade were waiting to escort him to his seat. Naruto took quick notice that not everyone had been let in for the official dinner. Only the royal families and high ranking officials were given seats at the main table, which stretched through the center of the hall. His father had a large chair which was more of a throne than a dinner chair. His mother was sitting in the same style of seat, but with a more feminine look and much smaller. Naruto's chair was just as elegant as his mother's, but more ornate in the fact that the wood had been carved to resemble growing ivy ascending towards the ceiling.

It was all so much. The walk was incredibly slow and everyone's eyes were on him. His father led the procession and he was afraid to slip on the shiny marble floors. Naruto could have sworn they werent that smooth when he practiced his dancing. Naruto nodded gracefully as he passed the many guests. He finally reached his seat and still the room was without a sound since the clapping had stopped. Naruto was unsure if he should say some words or if it were alright for the hall to be so silent. He should probably give thanks and make up a random speech. The phrasing of words had never been a strong point for Naruto. He'd just have to wing it. Just when Naruto was about to speak the king took a seat and the rest of the guests did the same. Seemed like that was the cue everyone had been waiting for. No need for a speech just a need for the king to take a seat. Naruto smiled at some people seated next to him and across and under their careful scrutiny hoped he remembered what all the spoons and tiny forks were for.

"Thank you all for your kind welcome of my daughter. Please enjoy dinner and know hat after this, the celebration will begin in the grand hall, where many select citizens will be present as well as other guests." That was enough to set people talking in polite whispers. The women's dresses all glimmered in the bright lights. The gentlemen's cuff links shone more than diamonds. In all they were dressed fit to impress. Naruto noticed the plates were designed just as he'd specified. Even the napkin rings which he'd decided with a toss of a coin were there. His attention wasn't kept by the dinnerware for long. Soon many uniformed men and women began to bring in trays of food. More food than Naruto had ever seen in his short life, not that it counted for much since he'd been locked up for quite some time. Their maneuvers were so perfectly coordinated it was like a waltz. Naruto watched the trays all move in different directions and heads bypass people's elbows quite perfectly. Each height must have been measured and every move practiced and perfected.

Naruto was mesmerized with the movement. He was so enthralled he hardly noticed he was being stared at by familiar eyes.

--

Asuma could have choked on his drink if he'd had one. There in front of him, not 30 feet was Kakashi's boyfriend slash fiance or whatever it is that they were at that point in time. Kakashi really was having an affair with the princess of Konoha. The little thing hadn't lied when he'd told Kakashi he was the princess. Asuma had to get out. He had to leave the dinner hall and run as fast as he could. He had to tell Kakashi to quite his crying and come to the ball. If there had been a polite way to run out of a hall full of rich and fancy people, Asuma would have been half way to Kakashi's house by the time Naruto had stepped on the first step. As it were, there wasn't a polite way to do so. Asuma was forced to sit through the descending of the stairs and seating. He had to eat dinner calmy and with his manners in tact while the solution to all of his best friend's problems was sitting at the same table.

There were a lot of things going through Asuma's mind, but the one that kept coming back was the one where Kakashi won the bet. He desperately tried to catch somebody's eye, but none of the knights of the round table knew about the affair nor did anybody else that wasn't a close friend of Kakashi's. Neji was desperately trying to catch the princess' attention and failing while the girls were chatting about some crown. Asuma had no one to help him scheme a way out. Dinner was going to last too long. Asuma could tell it was going to be long and elaborate if the king had his way. He'd have to wait until the main hall doors were opened to the public to try and make his escape then to retrieve Kakashi.

--

Naruto finally got his head back together after the first course was served. He had to find Kakashi. He was probably sitting somewhere nearby. Naruto discretely searched every face at the table, offering smiled and taking small bites from his food as he'd been taught. He searched until he saw Asuma. Slowly Naruto smiled again when he saw that Asuma knew exactly who he was. Naruto was guessing that if Asuma was there then for certain Kakashi had to be nearby. His eyes continued to search the table, but to no avail. Kakashi just didn't seem to be there. He'd have to start his search once more. Naruto must have been called at least three times before he realized the next course was coming and he was in the way. Naruto smiled apologetically and moved his arm from his plates.

The dinner was slow, but for Naruto it seemed to last a lifetime. There were far too many courses. Eventually there was only minimal polite conversation. It was almost entirely quiet if it weren't for the orchestra perched in the far corner playing very slow dinner music. Naruto was sure he smiled at all the right moments and said the polite things when comments were directed at him. Mostly they were about his beauty and the grace with which he had descended the stairs. He was identical to his mother and had her golden hair. The afternoon went on with the same monotony of questions until they finally reached the dessert. A nice gelato of assorted flavors was served. Naruto could not eat it fast enough. He hoped that as soon as it was done the ball would begin and maybe Kakashi would show up there.

Even after the dessert was mostly over it seemed the people had stirred up conversation again. This was making dinner last far longer than Naruto had ever expected. He didn't time the event, but he could have sworn it lasted hours. The worry in his stomach was settling in. He wanted to panic and get up to search for Kakashi, but he stayed in his seat and only fidgeted when the desperation became too much. He needed to see him and being forced to sit out dinner while Kakashi wasn't there was a torture he didn't want to go through. Questions raced through Naruto's head. What if he didn't show up? What would happen if Naruto never got a chance to say goodbye? He could never even explain himself to Kakashi. There was no way for them to figure out a plan. They couldn't elope, escape or even have one last kiss. Naruto was swallowing forcefully. With every bite he felt his throat constrict more and suddenly it felt raw. His eyes stung and his stomach could not stay still.

--

The conversation stopped as soon as a spoon clattered on the porcelain dishes and made a loud echoing sound through the hall. Everyone turned to the origin, where Naruto's shaky hand was rushed under the table while he tried his apologetic smile once more. Just in time to avoid his further embarassment his father cleared his throat and looked about to stand. The ball must be next. Naruto hoped it was. That would give him an opportunity to search for Kakashi through the other guests.

Just as expected the king stood and announced that the ball would be in the great hall, which was just beyond the large golden doors. The guests were lead by pairs. When the doors were opened a collective gasp spread through the room. Naruto saw the satisfied smile on his father's face and the almost forced look on his mother's. She was smiling and watching him closely. Her story was as tragic as his and it took all she had to not pull out of the arrangement all together. It was the last night for her to see him and it just wasn't enough. What mother could have enough of their child. She couldn't do it and had laid awake many nights contemplating other options, but in the end it was all up to the king. Whatever the king decided was what was done.

When everyone seemed to be settled in and the music was lively enough for the guests to move in their places, the main doors were opened and there, beyond a velvet rope, were many people dressed in what must have been their best, waiting to get in. The noise was beyond anything Naruto had experienced and the on lookers had quickly spotted him out of the crowd. It mustn't have been a very difficult thing to do considering he was standing next to the king and queen. It seemed that as the guests were allowed in they were warned sternly by the door men. The eager look would leave their faces as they entered and instead of running as they seemed to have wanted to do originally they walked in gracefully offering only a bow or curtsey and then turning their way to the buffet tables set up against the walls.

"Naru I'd like to introduce you to the prince now. He has been watching you for some time now. I'm sure he'll be pleased to meet and speak with you." The king touched Naruto's shoulder and Naruto know that was his command to walk where he was led. Naruto hadn't been paying attention to his surroundings during dinner nor had he taken any details in from the hall. He'd only looked around to find Kakashi. So far Kakashi was nowhere in the ball. He must have been held up or maybe just late. He was the main knight. There was no way he could miss it. Naruto smiled politely at a brown haired man who seemed a year or two older than him. That must have been the prince. Naruto was about to speak when the man moved aside and behind him stood a much shorter scarlet haired boy with amazing eyes.

Naruto must have looked surprised because the boy's lips actually twitched.

"Naru this is Gaara." The king's attention was caught by another guest and quickly with a small apology he left them alone.

"I'm Narut-- I'm Naru." Naruto waited for Gaara to introduce himself. It seemed to take some time for Gaara to speak. Naruto was getting worried. Was he going to have to marry a mute?

"Gaara."

So he did talk. Naruto attempted to get Gaara's back to the door so that he could watch it in case Kakashi showed up. It wasn't working. Gaara seemed reluctant to move at all from the table.

"I'm 18 today." Naruto tried to get at least some conversation out of him. It could make the time go by faster. Gaara only gave him a look that said 'obviously'. "I have to choose a s-spouse." Again Gaara stared and now Naruto was sure that Gaara also knew about the arrangement. Naruto's eyes kept wandering from Gaara's far too serious face to the doors which were still accepting some guests. "I wonder what its like outside of the ki--castle." Naruto looked back at Gaara and really couldn't help but notice that Gaara's eyes never seemed to leave his face, neck and shoulders. "It must be beautiful. I really haven't been outside." Naruto's eyes kept shifting and it wasn't until he heard a laugh that he turned. "What?" Naruto's face instantly changed from a worried searching fake smile to a much more at ease full grin. Gaara was laughing and it was one of the most musical sounds he'd ever heard.

"Who are you waiting for, Princess?" Gaara settled for a charming smiled and waited for his answer.

"Nobody. I was just--"

"Really, who is he?" Gaara placed his hand on Naruto's side and held out his hand for a dance. They had been cued, but Naruto hadn't been listening. His mind was going into overdrive. He needed to find Kakashi. He also needed to not embarrass the kingdom. He also had to find out what Gaara knew. On top of it all he had to dance.

"Who?" Naruto fidgeted and missteppped once only to be held firmly close to Gaara's chest and saved from a stumble.

"The man you're looking for."

--

Please Review... It encourages me. That and I want to know if my work is appreciated. That includes staying up until 1 am to kinda make a deadline lol...