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Intertwined
Fairytale – Part 2

Disclaimer:Don't own Naruto

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It never really occurred to me why my life turned out the way it did, nor did I ever stop to think about the consequences about what I do or what I've done. I just know that I live life the way I want to live life, not the way any royalty or nobility want me to. I may not be of 'royal' or 'noble' blood, or whatever those higher class people call it nowadays, but I still am my own person.

I still am Uzumaki Naruto, just any regular countryside man. I work hard for my food, work hard to keep up my roof and the walls of my home. People think I'm stupid, especially those 'nobles' – or whatever those snobs call themselves – just because I'm a farmer without the right blood running through me. I may not be the brightest apple out of the bunch, but I still shine in my own way, no matter how the sunlight hits me.

Though I'm not known for my brightness, I am known for my prowess. Since I was left orphaned since I could remember, I remember living the hardest life any old five-year-old would hope never to live. I survived by stealing bread, pick pocketing off the rich, doing the dirty works of cowards, until I was old enough to get a job and own my own home. Because of that hard life of fending for myself and running away, I'm known for my speed, especially in fighting. I suppose fencing's somewhat of my passion, just a kill-do when all the chores around my house are done. Half of the money I earn is probably off of winning fights off the 'high and mighty'.

But still, even though I'm living a happy life through the countryside, it always seems that I lack purpose. Everyday I see those snobs walking by my farm, I can't help to wonder what life is like for them, being it all easy, all their work thrown down onto their butlers and maids. I've never had a father or mother figure, telling me what to do and what not to do, leaving me a lost little bud in a world of gunfire and smoke.

I can't seem to find anything to live for, find anything I'd die for. To me, my life just seems like I could throw it all away, and still not have anything change. I've lived the street life, lived the farm life.

But I lack purpose.

"Naruto-kun? Can you hear me?"

"- I know you're being cute and all, but honestly –"

"Oh shut up! Don't think I don't hear you talking to Naruto-kun, hmm?"

"Oh whatever."

"Anyway – Naruto-kun. If, if ever, we are not here in the long run for you, Naruto-kun, always know that we are watching. You are to be a hero, someone to be revered and someone to envy. Though you may not see it through your life's path, watch it unfold! Find something to live for, Naruto-kun, and live life how you dare to live it."

Those voices I always hear when I wander to the thoughts of not having anything to live for – they always give me courage, hope.

They always give me hope that some miracle's going to come along, and I'll just find something to live for.

I know stuff like that doesn't happen, but a man can dream, right?

I'm only eighteen, and as girly as this sounds, I still have time to live through any old perfect fairytale.

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"Hn. I don't see why you hang around here. It's shameless how you do this for money."

I turned and saw my rival, Uchiha Sasuke, take a seat next to me, his sword hanging by his side like I've always seen it to. He was probably one of the nobles I would ever befriend, him not caring what blood ran through anyone's veins; all he cared about was if a person could put up a good fight against his sword.

Uchiha Sasuke was a royal guard of local Princess Hinata, his skills in fencing unmatched in fierce battle. Many times he's hinted that the princess was always recruiting for guards as good as he, her guard only being less than ten men (he also told me that there were two women part of the guard – amazing!). I never dared to take the stand, not knowing the values of Princess Hinata enough to pledge my loyalty to her.

"Not all of us were born into a rich family, eh?"

He smirked at this and shrugged.

"I'd give you money if the ratty old Council didn't keep checks about our treasury."

I smiled. Even though the Uchiha were known for their arrogance and coldness towards others, Sasuke really was a different one of the bunch. He was kind once you proved yourself to be a friend he could trust with his life, and would do anything to protect you if your life was in danger.

"You know," he said, eyeing me carefully, "Hinata-hime's going to be holding a festival. Maybe you should come."

My eyebrow rose in surprise as he continued.

"She's still looking for guard. Hn, Hinata-hime really does love company, with Hiashi-sama being overprotective and insane."

"Makes us commoners feel better about having an insane king," I snorted.

He once again smirked and leaned back in his chair, watching me with his hawk eyes. He wasn't a captain of the powerful royal guard for nothing.

"Hinata-hime's rumored to succeed the throne, once she gets married. Hiashi-sama's probably going to arrange her marriage. She'd make a fine ruler, Hinata-hime would. She's rational enough to hear the peasants' pleas for help. I think we'll all be glad that Noriko woman will have no power over Hinata-hime."

"Noriko?"

Sasuke paused for a moment before continuing, taking out his sword and shining it in the candlelight.

"Hiashi-sama's stepmother. She's an evil woman. Poisonous, really."

There was a long silence between us before he got back on his feet and stood from his seat. I watched him carefully; the flicker in his eyes something I haven't seen in the years I've known him.

"Come to the festival. It might do you some good."

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I stepped into a new world when I arrived at the festival, a new world of shining lights and armor and swords. Around me was the hustle-bustle of the nobles, their snobby speech filling my ears. There were stands everywhere, boasting games and prizes. It was an interesting spectacle, stepping into the royal world.

I felt out of place, in my common attire with my sword at my side. It was unusual, compared to the elegant robes of those around me.

"Naruto."

I turned and found Sasuke and the rest of the guard, all looking at me intently. There were of nine them, all peculiar in their own way. There was a boy with pineapple shaped hair, his face boasting of lazy nature. Next to him was a slim, pale girl, her blonde hair let loose. Next to her was a beautiful girl, one who boasted of lean figure and unusual pink hair. There was a girl with two buns atop her head, a large scroll around her back. There was a peculiar-looking man, with a bowl-shaped haircut and eyes I haven't seen before. There was a wild looking man, unusual red marks on his cheeks, holding a dog in his arms. There was a man with pallid eyes, his figure sophisticated and poised. And then there was Sasuke, standing a step ahead of them all.

"Uchiha, don't tell me you invited a commoner on these grounds," said the man with the pallid eyes.

"Oh shut up, Neji. Most of us used to be like that, if you cared to remember," retorted the girl with the two buns atop her head.

I smiled.

"Well, thanks."

She returned the smile, and took a step closer to me, examining me closely.

"Sasuke-kun," the girl with the pink hair came forward, also examining me closely, "Is this the person you've been talking about?"

"Hn. Yeah."

Her lips formed an 'oh', and she nodded in approval. She had the most dashing smile and stunning emerald eyes. It was almost like I was looking into the goddess of Spring before me, in all ethereal beauty.

"Well," she said, taking a step back, "Let me formally introduce Hinata-hime's royal guard. I'm Haruno Sakura. That's Tenten (she pointed to the girl with the buns), Hyuuga Neji (the pallid eyes), Inuzuka Kiba and Akamaru (the wild looking man and the dog), Rock Lee (the one with unusual eyes), Nara Shikamaru (pineapple-head), Yamanaka Ino (the blonde), and of course, Uchiha Sasuke. Sasuke and Neji are captains of our guard, Shikamaru is the strategist, Ino is our number one interrogator and spy, Kiba, Neji, Lee, and Sasuke are all our front-chargers, I'm the medic and forward, along with Tenten, our treasured weapons mistress."

She smiled, and all of them formally bowed.

"Uzumaki Naruto."

"So, Naruto," Sakura said, putting a hand on Sasuke's shoulder and leaning on him, "Sasuke's told me all about you. Care to demonstrate in a match over there?"

I smiled along with the others.

"Sure."

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"Sakura, this was youridea, why don't youspar with him?" Sasuke muttered, unsheathing his sword.

Sakura smiled and stood by the others, all intently watching how the battle between the two of us would unfold.

"Oh please, Sasuke. You obviously know his tactics. It'd be no fun not seeing him full, huh?"

Sasuke sighed, and I smiled.

I unsheathed my sword, and charged for my rival, both of us with the same intent in our eyes: win.

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"Well, shoot! That was a freaking awesome battle if you ask me," Ino said, eyes widened when Sasuke and I had finally reached a draw.

"I agree. Naruto, I'm sure Sasuke's asked you to join the guard?" Sakura asked.

"We could use someone with your skills, definitely," Tenten added.

I smiled and ruffled my hair in embarrassment, not used to the attention and the compliments. I was surprised when Neji stepped forward and offered me a uniform, his eyes looking at me expectantly, urging me to take it.

"Hinata-sama could use one more guard," he said.

They all looked at me expectantly, and slowly, I took the uniform into my hands, my eyes widening at a new life unfolding before me.

"I'll accept," I said, when the thrill of unfolding paths subsided, "If I get to meet Hinata-hime. I can't pledge my loyalty to someone I haven't even met."

There was silence, and all eyes turned to Neji. I supposed he was related to her, and most likely her personal guardian, due to his sophisticated nature and power over the others.

"...For only this once."

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I waited in the gardens, taking in the ethereal surroundings around me. It was all so beautiful, with the blinding festival lights and the sound of flowing water coming around me. I was in the uniform I had accepted earlier, all nine of them urging me to wear it, as they all promised that I would pledge my loyalty to Hinata-hime, for 'she is the best princess any guard could ask to protect'.

"A – Ah, you must be Naruto."

I turned around and was met with pearl eyes gently gazing at me. I was in awe about the princess's beauty and grace, the aura around her so simple and so calm. I respectfully bowed and smiled, her doing the same.

"They told me about your battles," she said.

I chuckled and ruffled my hair once more.

"It would be a pleasure if you would join my royal guard, really! It's – it's so dull without my guard, with Tou-san being busy with affairs and my grandmother being as poisonous as she were."

"...What exactly do you plan to do, as ... Hinata-hime?"

She giggled, her voice filling the heavy air with lightheartedness and innocence.

"I wish to make this kingdom a kingdom of peace, where titles and blood didn't matter, much like it had been long ago. I want everyone to live the life they want to live, with no chains."

In her words I found myself awestruck once more.

In her eyes, I found a lost girl, trying to find her way through life, trying to break free from her chains!

And in my heart, I felt a new life unfolding before me.

I bowed before her, like her royal guard would, and laid my sword on the floor at her feet.

"Hinata-hime, I will forever serve you, loyal and true."

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There was a new life ready for me; new paths ready to be unfolded.

I was sick of the country life, sick of living with no purpose!

But perhaps here, perhaps in the castles and firms of the royal Hyuuga family, I could find happiness and completion.

Perhaps here, I could live my fairytale.

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A/N:I guess you can call this Part 2 of Fairytale.
I suppose this is the breaker if I should make it a story or not.
It would be chapter 2 of the installment, and the story would go through the life of Hinata and Naruto.
In most fanfics, Hinata's usually the one trying to win the heart of Naruto, but I think it would work better if Naruto were actually the one trying to save Hinata from despair and free her from her chains.

So, let me know what you think!

(And, maybe ... the story summary would be something like:
They both wished to live in a perfect fairytale, too sick of the harsh realities surrounding them. But can the heart of one, free the heart of another?)

Thanks for reading!