Hinata was correct about that. It has turned out to be quite the week with all of the obscene amounts of people partying and having a great time of it. The first day of the celebrations, Neji had announced to everyone that the treaty has been completed and that there would be no more conflict between the two great kingdoms. It caused the people to cheer and chant that Neji was the greatest and what not, raising his arrogance another notch. Not only that but on a personal level she's been under constant watch since the confrontation with her husband.

Sasuke and herself just can't seem to catch a break and be alone together at all. If Lee isn't there with them the other servants and guards are keeping an eye on them. Plus it seems Itachi has finally taken notice of Sasuke's closeness with the queen or maybe he's always known but never said anything. Itachi is mysterious like that. But he's taken it upon himself to keep an eye out for them as well if only to prevent any problems in the future. Neji holds too much power so to anger him would jeopardize the settlement that he's worked so hard on for the sake of both countries.

She feels horrible for causing so many people so much trouble. The one time she chooses to be selfish and it backfires terribly. Her love for Sasuke not only created problems for Lee but indirectly caused more stress for prince Itachi. But she just can't help herself; when it comes to matters of the heart one cannot fight it.

Speaking of problems Lee has more than just the issue of his demotion hanging over his head. Tenten had found out and she was going to have a 'word' with Neji about it. Lee had stopped her but she still felt very sour about it afterwards. When Lee asked her not to speak with Neji she got angry at him for allowing that man he calls his 'friend' to walk all over him like that; she hasn't spoken to him since then. Although deep down she felt relieved not to confront the king, she would've swallowed her qualms for her Lee.

Tenten has been dealing with some serious guilt issues on her own. When she learned of Lee's demotion she automatically assumed that it had to do with her rejection of the king's advances. Of course she never told her husband of her sensual encounter with Neji but the remorse was still there and when Lee asked her what was wrong she lied to him. Her frustration was mounting with everything that was happening recently and she ended up taking some of it out on her poor husband. She knew she had to somehow make it right and she figured the best way was to help him get his rank back.

That's why right at this very moment she is going to meet with Neji… without Lee's knowing.

--

Knocking quietly on the door to the king's study Tenten waited for permission to enter.

"Come in." She went in silently and didn't announce herself to Neji but since he saw whom it was there was no need for it. He knew she wanted to speak with him about something privately or else she wouldn't have come to him in such secrecy.

"What is it that you want my lady?" His words were spoken with a polite coldness.

"I would like to ask for you to reinstate my husband to his former station."

"That is not your concern nor is it your place to make such requests. Now if that is all, leave me be." Neji remained steadfast in his decision and kept that icy and distant exterior to get her to let this drop. Too bad when it comes to her beloved Tenten is too stubborn to let any wrongs against her love just 'drop'.

"Please reconsider my lord! There's no need for you to take out your frustrations with me on my husband! Lee doesn't deserved to be demoted just because I rejected your advances!" She pleaded desperately, she couldn't bear to see the love of her life suffer because of her actions…or so she thinks.

'The nerve of that woman to believe I would punish Lee because of her. She isn't that important. Such foolishness is unbecoming of her. Humph, let her suffer her own vanity for all I care. She nor Lee are my problem. Although it would be interesting to see how I can get this to play out.' Neji thought deviously as he decided to play with her mind for a bit since he did want a bit of payback for her denying him.

"Hmm…since you seem so adamant about this. What are you willing to do to help your dearest," that was said with heavy sarcasm, "Lee get his position back? Hmm? How will you convince me to rescind my decision?"

"I'll…I'll…" There was so much hesitation in Tenten she feared she would back out of it but she told herself that she'd do whatever it takes to clean up the mess she caused her husband. As much as she didn't want to do this she knew that this would benefit Lee in the end and that was all that mattered to her…she'd do anything for the sake of his happiness. "I will do what ever it is you ask of me my lord."

"Anything?" If Neji's tone wasn't mocking then surely his condescending glare was. He was amused with her and the entire situation. It would seem Lee's misfortune is his gain and despite being disappointed with her lack of resistance he still won her over in the end.

"Yes." She whispered her answer regretfully while staring him in the eyes determinedly.

"What if I desire you to become my mistress, my own little concubine? What say you then?"

Tenten gulped and shuddered involuntarily at the thought. She was filled with a torrent of mixed feelings. Her body grew a bit warmer in anticipation as her mind filled with confusion at this reaction and her heart lurched in repulsion at such a thing as that. Unfortunately she swore she would do anything Neji desired of her and if this was it then so be it. It was too late to go back on her words now and she'd be damned if she did.

Looking into his sharp silver-white eyes Tenten squared her shoulders and raised her nose to the air before deflating in defeat. Letting out that final breath of defiance she nodded submissively to her king and now lover. Neji grinned lightly at this small victory. It would seem his plans to make her his came through after all. She'll just have to endure it for Lee. Ah, the things people do for love.

"Good. Be ready because I just might pay you a visit tonight. Now be gone." He waved her off nonchalantly and went back to doing whatever it was he was doing before she interrupted him.

--

Elsewhere…

Four figures were traveling through the bustling and festive town enjoying the sights and sounds of people celebrating throughout the day. They chatted away about anything and everything having to do with the reasons behind the festivities. Lee and Itachi were in a heated discussion about the pros and cons of the treaty as well as the differences and similarities of their respective nations while Sasuke and Hinata were content to just be in each others' presence. People would wave and greet the nobles and vendors would try to entice them to come to their booths. The four of them were having a great time today.

Another vendor had just tried to lure the group over to his booth to partake in his game to win a prize. Lee and Itachi simply waved him away and kept going, still too immersed in their conversation to really take any notice. But Sasuke and Hinata both stopped this time staring at the prizes up for grabs. The vendor had small trinkets and homemade jewelry as the gifts for those who were able to win his game, which was to guess which cup was hiding the prize under it. So far no one could keep up with his speedy agile movements and all lost when they tried.

Sasuke stepped forward to try his hand at the game since he noticed, out of the corner of his eye, that Hinata saw a beautiful charm bracelet made of Higure moonstones, small good luck pendants and semi-precious gems. It was a work of art and Sasuke knew that this was something worth winning for her.

"I'd like to give it a go." He paid for a round and stared right at the wily vendor waiting for the game to start.

"Of course sonny. What're ya trying to snatch?" Sasuke pointed towards that bracelet confident in his ability to win. "Alrighty then. You want that…you're gonna have to keep up with me lad. No one can catch my hands." The vendor grinned and chuckled. He lifted one of the brown cups to show where the white pebble was hidden before starting the game. "Now this is what ya needs to look out for. The other ones got black rocks under 'em so don't get it wrong or ya gonna lose. Keep yer eyes on the prize youngin'. Ready?" Sasuke nodded to show that he understood and was ready to begin.

Soon the vendor had his hands poised above the seven down turned cups that hid a small marbles. In a matter of seconds, with swift and practiced ease, the order of the seven cups were changed. Lightning quick movements, that appeared as a blur of hands and nimble fingers to the spectators, had smoothly jumbled up the original order and no one standing nearby watching could tell if he had even moved the cups around at all. He was so skilled there wasn't the slightest difference between the placements of the cups from before the start of the game to now. Everyone simply gaped at the precision of the man's hands, none were sure how this game would turn out.

"Make yer guess sonny." The vendor grinned in prideful triumph; he was sure he'd tricked another player.

"Hmm…" Sasuke hummed thoughtfully as he replayed everything in his mind's eye. What no one noticed was Sasuke's eyes had changed to a beautiful crimson right as the vendor made his move. He managed to catch every single movement in slow motion and could even predict the next placement by merely eyeing the man's hands. It's a special family trait that those gifted with eyes like his has, a blessing from Amaterasu herself.

"I choose this one." Sasuke laid his hand lightly on top of the third cup from the left (or fourth from the right if you prefer) to indicate his choice.

"You sure lad?" The sly commoner seemed a bit flustered with the boy's choosing since he knew for a fact that Sasuke was correct, it seemed he hadn't fooled him. He'd been on one hell of a winning streak and didn't like the thought of losing now, so he wants to try and sway him from that choice.

"Yes sir I am." Sasuke nodded assuredly. He's more than positive he is correct; he'd just one that bracelet for her.

The vendor gulped as sweat formed on his forehead. "Alrighty then sonny… flip it over." His words were spoken shakily.

It was the moment of truth for all who watched the interesting match. Everything stilled as Sasuke slowly overturned the cup his hand rested on. Soon the light shined down on the small round… white object resting snuggly in the center of where the cup covered. The young Uchiha smirked as he unveiled the white marble to everyone.

"Looks like I win sir."

"Aye that it does sonny, that it does." The dejected man said sadly but he perked up since after all this has been his only lost tonight, so it wasn't all that bad. He reached over for the moonstone bracelet and gave it to Sasuke whom held it reverently. "Many thanks for playing with an old man sonny."

"Thank you sir." Sasuke nodded to him and turned to walk away with Hinata. Both royals could hear the man call out to get more customers after they left.

"Anyone else up for a game?"

The lovebirds simply smiled to themselves as they kept moving throughout the carnival. Both were silent as they thought about random things.

"Here." Suddenly Hinata found the gorgeous bracelet thrust in front of her face, forcing her to halt abruptly.

"Take it Hinata." Sasuke spoke lowly in her ear as he watched her gaze at it in wonder.

"But you won that, I couldn't possibly…"

"What do I need with a bracelet. I won this for you since I saw how much you liked it. Now please, love, take it."

She turned around to face him with gratitude and appreciation glowing in her pearly orbs. "Thank you." She whispered quietly to him. "Would you mind putting it on for me?"

Sasuke grinned at the shy request and replied, "Not at all." He gently grabbed her hand, raising it to his lips to kiss it before securing the charm around her delicate wrist. "A beautiful piece of jewelry for a beautiful woman." He murmured under his breath to himself, as he gazed in awe at the divine beauty standing before him, and Hinata heard it. He received a kiss on his lips for that.

"Come Sasuke. Let's go see the rest of the carnival." She pulled him along by his hand like an excited child and he happily followed. They both would thoroughly enjoy themselves before returning to the castle tonight.

--

Later that night…

Everyone had returned from whatever it was they were doing previously and had turned in for the night since they were all tired out from earlier in the day… Well almost everyone was in bed. A few people still roamed the halls, such as a few servants and the royal guards, but there were two figures that one would not have expected to be up and about at this time of night.

One of the two was a young woman with her brunette hair falling down her back in soft waves wandering the halls to a specific destination for a meeting with a certain someone in nothing but her nightgown. She had to sneak out of bed and away from her husband to get where she needed to be. The light footfalls of her bare feet hardly made a noise against the marble floors as she purposefully moved down the hall. There didn't seem to be much reluctance or hesitation in her aura this night despite the aversion to what's going to happen churning within her heart. Soon she arrived before the door to the room where a life changing event will occur for her. She doesn't know how much trouble she's about to get into.

The second was a young man with short dark hair and dark expressive eyes. He looked as though he couldn't sleep, as if something was bothering him and it made it impossible to succumb to slumber. The man wore forest green trousers and no shirt, he obviously was in his night clothes as well. His steps were naturally stealthy and nimble. His slipper covered feet padded quietly against the floor and he treaded throughout the halls with experience. He felt an odd sensation that told him to make his habitual guard duty rounds despite the fact that he didn't have to. This urge was enough to wake him from his light slumber and find his wife missing from their bed. Now he's out looking for her to make sure she's safe. He'll be in for a rude awakening when he finds her. This will be the shock of a lifetime.

--

Hey I'm back from the dead people!! I know it's been a long time but yeah I came back just to show that I haven't abandoned this fic or anything. Well I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter because there are many more to come after this one, just not all at once. lol Anyways I wanted to ask the readers if I should raise the rating to M because I've been thinking of possibly adding a lemon to the fic. I'm not sure if I should or if I should leave the fic as it is and maybe post the lemon(s) separately. Plz let me know what you think I should do because I'm not entirely sure yet. Help a writer out and REVIEW!!