Summary: A miniature Sasuke, a gorgeous and conspicuous miko from a mysterious country, a depressed Uchiha, plus amnesia, believe it, you got a love triangle.
So, to answer those bothered to guessed who fought who in the last chap (only LuLuCrazed got it right, the others either messed the name up or found it too 'troublesome' to guess .), though I personally think that it's quite an easy question:
Naruto lost to Shippo, Shippo lost to Kurama (Yu Yu Hakusho)
Neiji lost to Hiei (Yu Yu Hakusho)
Kurama and Hiei's match was a draw, both were out due to exhaustion (found it too troublesome to mention)
Sakura fought with Sango and Miroku's descendent (who obviously carried the curse of his family)
Sasuke defeated Inu Yasha (this should be obvious) and lost to Itachi
After the tournament fiasco, it was totally understandable if Neiji, Sakura and Naruto fell like a cat on hot bricks whenever the word 'mask' or 'Itachi' was mentioned. And it was with great effort did they manage to keep their dread in check when Shippo casually (and gleefully) announced that an important ball was scheduled on the night of the full moon. Their only consolidation was the fact that it was a mask ball and everyone was to keep their mask on until the end, so unless Itachi had become really clumsy over the years or fate had decided that she wanted a bloody mask ball, no incident would happen and they could all happily pack their bag and go home. The mostly aware ninjas agreed to ask for an extra pay check as compensation for their shortened life due to stressful situations. Now all that left was to find a suitable costume for the upcoming ball.
Despite the very likelihood of a deadly encounter between the brothers, Sakura couldn't help but feeling giddy about the upcoming ball. She even enthusiastically volunteered to pick out the costume for the boys. And so, while Sakura and Naruto was going on a shopping spree, actually she was in a shopping spree while the latter begrudgingly trudged after her, silently cursing Neiji and Sasuke for abandoning him to a fate worse than death. Ah, what he wouldn't give for something, anything, to interfere with this shopping maniac…
Oh, spoke too soon…As soon as Naruto had completed saying the wish in his head, he saw that gorgeous raven mane of Kagome's hair and, surprise, Itachi's as well. The Higurashis were casually strolling, hand in hand if he may add, around the market, just like any normal couple. Kagome happily skipped from one stall to another looking at their goods while Itachi silently walked behind her, playing bodyguard. But the two costumes hunters was horrified to see the former insane prodigy wore a soft, hardly perceptible but still there, smile on his face and it became painstakingly clear and oh so obvious that the man were besotted. And then, when Kagome wasn't looking, he stealthily slipped away and came back a minute or so later with an ornately carved comb. Itachi gently put the present on his beautiful wife's head, barely kept his face straight at the sight of her brilliant smile and her adored expression. Looked at them, there was no way one could hope to stand a snowball chance in hell to come between them. Sadly, Sasuke didn't see them right at this moment, and if by some chance he did, it would come as a shock if the stubborn Uchiha would just willingly accept. It was this moment that Sakura really wanted to borrow Shikamaru trade mark line. How troublesome. Luckily, Itachi hadn't come to them, yet. However, just to be on the safe side…
"Konnichiwa, Higurashi san, Kagome chan," Sakura cheerfully greeted the couple.
"Konnichiwa, Sakura chan," Kagome waved back merrily, Itachi just nodded, but that was an improvement. The old Itachi wouldn't give her the time of the day.
"I thought that it was Kikyou san that does the grocery shopping?"
"We are going on costume hunting, much like you two," intoned Itachi, eyebrow raised at the pile of clothing that Naruto was trying hard to balance.
"I was, ah, in charge of the team's costume, you see," Sakura hastily explained, suddenly not very confident about her brilliant idea of approaching the couple.
"Well, Sakura is pretty excited about the upcoming ball since Konoha doesn't have this kind of festival," Naruto seemed to have caught on to Sakura's predicament and decided to come to her rescue. Maybe she would try not to hit him that hard from now on. "And it's a women's things, you know, shopping mania and all," he shrugged. Or may be not.
"Yeah, this is the first time we have come to a mask ball. Festivals in Konoha usually involve bonfires and fireworks. We are really well known for our fireworks, being the hidden village of Fire country and all. So have you been to any of our festivals, Higurashi san?"
"Just Itachi is fine. And I don't think I have, Sakura san"
"You don't think?" inquired Sakura curiously, her interest piqued.
"…" Is it just her or did Itachi seem a bit hesitant to answer her inquiry?
"Oh, would you look at the time? We have a lunch appointment with Sesshou nii-sama. We should get going or have an irritated inu youkai after our hide for the rest of the day. We hope to see you soon. And Sakura chan, you should ask someone to tell you about the interesting feature of the ball next week," Kagome suspiciously beat a hasty retreat just as Itachi was about to answer her question. There was something fishy going on and Sakura was determined to look into it. And what was that about the special feature?
It turned out that this ball was not your every day mask ball, either. It was held at the Taisho summer mansion. The males would go in from the moon gate on the west while the females from the sun gate on the east. They were to find their lover (not a very easy task with the mask on and some people even dyed their hair as well as drowned themselves in perfume just for confusing sake) and danced until midnight, when everyone had to unmask. It was said that the moment of midnight, under the bewitched moonlight, if two lovers were to passionately kissed, they would be given eternity (or at least, a sense of certainty). Dangerously romantic, especially for Sakura, who had an overactive imagination and an obsessed teammate.
And so, as the ball on its way, the Konoha nin (minus one) warily prepared themselves for whatever came their way, in growing trepidation. As such, it came as no surprise when they became extremely jumpy the morning of the ball day.
"Oh come on, you guys are shinobi, you should be able to walk faster than that," Shippo childishly whined, tugging insistently on Naruto's hands.
"Where are we going, exactly?" even the stoic Uchiha couldn't resist asking.
"To Inuyasha's house, of course. We need to get ready for the ball"
"I fail to see why we can't stay in the mansion, it's obviously big enough for a mere fitting" Neiji's lifted tone somehow made his statement came out as a question.
"Tsk tsk, didn't Kikyo tell you guys? It's a tradition for the men and women not to see each other before the ball to make it much harder to find your lover. That's why you don't need to ask anyone to be your partner, or else, as the newest eligible bachelor, you guys would be trampled to death," a shudder ran through Neiji and Sasuke, who knew too well the terror of fan girls, "and beside, do you want to stay nearby when all the females are getting ready for an formal event," this time Naruto joined in the shudder, an image of a certain pink hair girl on a shopping spree days ago popped in their minds.
"What're you standing there for? Hurry up, Shippo"
xxx
Night came, the streets were overcrowded with people hurried to the grand masquerade in the square of the village. They wore all kind of outfits, even ridiculous ones, forming a peculiar parade of sort. However, the shinobi all noticed that even though everyone's was different, some outfit looked remarkably alike and bore great similarity to…Kagome's, Inuyasha's, the Nidaime's. It was quite usual for the village leaders to be admired as such, but even his siblings?
Following their guide, the guys were led to the moon gate of the mansion. This archaic architecture was where the Nidaime and his family spent their summer time. In its entire splendor, the place was definitely built for grand occasions, with intimidating others its purpose. It was said to have been somewhat 500 years old. The mansion was tastefully designed, a perfect blend of the tradition and western style, befitting only the greatest leaders. The interior was designed opulently but not overwhelmingly, with chandeliers, carpets, intricately woven tapestries, paper door, etc… Even the surrounding garden was magnificent, complicated as a maze, filled with all kinds of exotic flower from roses to moonflowers, etc… with the citrus fragrant air and the luminescent light given off by gathering fireflies. They were led to an open, grand stair case wrapped in crimson and framed with gold which overlooked the whole ball room. There was music, laughter, beverage, food and people everywhere. Everyone came in style, from overflowing dress to yukata, from purple to green hair. There were even more pink haired girls than the guys had ever seen in their life (well, technically they had only known one in their whole life, anyway).
"So…what are we supposed to do now?" asked a confused Naruto
"Mingle. You are to mingle and find some girl to dance with. If you are lucky, she might stay and let you unmask then kiss her as midnight. But do be careful with the silver hairs, you never know if that was Sesshoumaru or a girl," his cackle grew harder when a strong youki was suddenly raised, suffocated the weaker youkai and humans in the room," well, I seemed to have found my beloved Shiori. Good luck, Sasuke"
Start at being singled out and wondered if the mischievous fox had noticed something he shouldn't have, Sasuke narrowed his eyes. However, he had no time to ponder on the kitsune's motivation for he had a girl to find. He had confidence that he could find her, no matter what color her hair was (heaven forbid if it was pink).
Immediately guessing Sasuke's intentions, the other two traded worried looks. It was decided, right then and there, at least one of them would be by his side all the time while the rest hurried to go and prevent the Higurashis from crossing his path, as well as get reinforcement, aka Sakura.
"Oi, teme, Inuyasha told me that they have the best ramen here tonight, let's go check it out" Naruto cheerfully announced.
"Dobe, why is there ramen in a formal ball?" Sasuke almost rolled his eyes.
"Well, it's obviously because Inuyasha was in charge of the menu this year, of course"
Now Sasuke did rolled his eyes. Figure that Naruto would meet a fellow ramen obsessed idiot like him and somehow that idiot is in charge of the menu. However, "unlike you, Naruto, I do not care for that junk food. Go and stuff your stomach with it for all I care, I have someone to find."
His best friend's cold reply was exactly what Naruto ad been waiting for. He immediately bristled and raised his voice, "what did you say, teme? Why, I oughta knock some manner in to you. Never insult ramen" Just as he hoped, no one paid them any attention (since at the other side of the room, Kouga and Inuyasha were also at each other's throat about one thing or another), save for one green hair girl. Exactly who he wanted, wait, what? Green hair? What the hell, it was turning out to be a ball in nightmare.
And so, in her best fan girl voice, Sakura clung to Sasuke, who was still starring incomprehensibly at the green hair: "Isn't this wonderful, Sasuke? I've never been to a ball before, lets alone a mask one. And you're here with me, isn't it fate? Why don't we go to the dance floor to celebrate this night?" Then, without waiting for his answer, she dragged him straight to the dance floor. To Neiji and Naruto, it seemed like Sakura had been under Godaime's tutelage for too long. Like teacher like student, they guessed.
And so the night dragged on like that, between Naruto's insistences on Sasuke going to sample the ramen with him and Sakura's attempts at dancing with him, Sasuke found himself unable to sneak away and look for Kagome. And his frustration came to its peak when the only two times he was able to get away from his banes of existence were foiled by Neiji. Seriously, offering to use Byakugan to search for whomever Sasuke wanted (as if an Uchiha needed help, from a Hyuuga no less) and insisting on observing the security? What did that Hyuuga think? Worse, his timing is so perfect that every time Sasuke found some one who might have been the Higurashi matriarch, Neiji came into his sight, making him lose track of her, almost immediately. It was only because he couldn't think of any reason for him, scratch that, for them to act this, that Sasuke didn't pull a Mangekyou on any of the infuriating three.
Still, he smirked at the challenge. He wasn't Orochimaru's student for nothing. And it wasn't like he wouldn't be able to locate Kagome within minutes anyway, so his friend's attempt at keeping him busy was just an inconvenience. A very annoying inconvenience. And so, he patiently bid his time until a commotion occurred, successfully diverted Sakura's attention. Apparently, it had something to do with Inuyasha, Naruto and ramen. Figured. But being Sasuke, he grabbed the chance and urged Sakura to go and stop Naruto then quickly teleport himself into a dark corner of the ball room. Within minute, he found Kagome, stunning in her costume (and thankfully, still dark haired). He made a bee line towards her "May I have this dance, my lady?" and whisked her away from her companion (a tall, not overly muscular, dark haired and so very obvious a certain Itachi Higurashi).
"You know I haven't said yes, Sasuke san" she told him reproachfully, even though he could clearly heard the amused smile in her voice.
"Ah, forgive me for my haste to dance with you, my lady. Perhaps I will return you after the ball ended?" he smirked in reply.
And so they continued to twirl around and around. To Sasuke, the world became just the two of them, he felt himself lost in her eyes, blissfully unaware of the wary looks the Konoha ninjas sent his way or the pair of contemplating eyes followed his every step. And of course, he didn't notice when the grandfather clock was about to struck twelve. But someone else sure did.
"Perhaps it's time you return to Itachi's side, Kagome. He looks like he can use a rescue" Sesshoumaru suddenly stated, effectively startled Sasuke for he didn't even sense the youkai approach. Looking over where they had left Kagome's companion, Sasuke had a strong sense of déjà vu, a hordes of fan girls, as young as 12 years old to the not so young of 40 years old mother, are surrounded Itachi, under he the pretense of congratulations on the championship. Any doubt that Itachi Higurashi was in fact Itachi Uchiha promptly fled from Sasuke's head for he was sure if it had been his brother, none would dare to approach. The Itachi looked positively frightened, appropriately cornered and reasonably pitiful (Sasuke conveniently forgot that once upon a time, he was in the same predicament). His amusement was short lived when Kagome signed and said in wry acceptance: "Well, I'd better go and reestablish my claim, although I don't see why don't you just go and use your go-or-die glare on them. That'd save me a lot trouble"
"Hmm, this Sesshoumaru has no intention of mingling with those scatterbrain idiots and let them bother this Sesshoumaru with their inane rambling"
"In other word, that Sesshoumaru is also intimidated by the almighty and invincible power of fangirls and prefer to let this Kagome's mate deal with them instead. Wait…don't tell me you led them to Itachi to get rid of them…" his smug expression was more tan enough to tell her the answer
"Dear sister, it's near midnight. Unless you one all of them jump on your mate and try to kiss him, this Sesshoumaru suggests you going now" he smirked, unconcerned to one irritated shinobi, whose plan had gone awry.
"Jerk" mumbled an annoyed Kagome, but she suddenly smiled an angelic smile that Sasuke had seen on Sakura's face one too many time and said in a loud voice "Oh, be careful Fluffy, Kagura can't be here due to her pregnancy, your admirers might use this once in a lifetime chance to steal a kiss"
If it was possible, the already pale Taiyoukai became paler and…was that panic just flashed in his eyes? Nonetheless, the damage (or rescue, depended on who you asked) was done. The fangirls halted their (successful) attempts to harass a Higurashi and started to approach a suddenly-appeared-at-the other-end-of-the-ballroom Nidaime. Amused at the sibling tactics and sympathized with the terror the Taiyoukai was forced to endure, Sasuke turned to look at the Higurashi couple, resigned to the fact that he had lost the golden opportunity to charm a woman, determined to keep pursuing and follow the motto "what an Uchiha wants he gets", he was completely caught off guard by what he saw. The hand of the grandfather clock reaching twelve, his teammates running towards him with a rarely seen urgent look, none of those fact registered in a stunned, shocked and possibly traumatized Uchiha Sasuke, whose world seemed to crash down on him the moment a mask was unfastened. Yes, Higurashi Itachi, formerly known as Uchiha Itachi, had unmasked. And the thought to be dead hero of Konoha was currently kissing his mate, totally oblivious of the myriad of emotions flitting across his younger brother's eyes.
Naruto, Sakura and Neiji groaned to themselves. A storm is coming their way and none of them was ready for it. Why didn't they stay in bed that day, what'd possessed them to get up and accept the mission from Godaime, escorting a dear friend home or not? It's certainly not worth the trouble. Now, it's high time for damage control. It was turning out to be a mask ball from hell after all.
Thank you very much, minna. Please review and tell me what you think of this.
Thank for reviewing LeafeKnight7, angel22558, Valleygoat, eloquent dreams, Sugar0o, Bloodcherry, MariisCa, LuLuCrazeD, gaarapanda5, merlyn1382, Eriklover101, Kagome Miko207 (x2), Kealyn-chan and everyone who has put this story and me in their favourite/alert lists. Your reviews and support are greatly appreciated.
LuLuCrazeD: Well, since this is a NarIY fanfic, I don't think Kurama or Hiei is going to appear again, but one should never say never, neh?
Merlyn1382: To answer you question, the girls could participate (Sakura being the example), but Kagome chose not to. And where would the story go if Sasuke was beaten by Kagome? His Uchiha pride would suffer and poor Naruto might have more worry line (that's disturbing). Beside, there was no point competing when she had her champion, neh ^^