Time flew by and it was the last night of the festival and everyone was enjoying a feast of massive proportions throughout the kingdom. In the castle, people were sitting around a huge table enjoying the gourmet food. Others laughed, drank, sang, and danced around them. All those present had smiles on their faces due to the special occasion, even if deep down their was nothing in their personal lives to be happy about. The entire night, Sasuke couldn't keep his eyes off of Hinata, whom glanced back every now and again. No one noticed those looks…or so they thought. Soon all the merrymaking calmed down as the king rose from his seat at the head of the table.

"Princes of Amaterasu, on our last night together, my wife and I salute you. We've had many battles before between our countries and we've fought well. I've always respected your father; he is a good man and king. I respected him as my adversary and I respect him now as my ally. Please rise young princes; let us drink to peace." Itachi and Sasuke stood, holding their drinks.

"To peace between Amaterasu and Higure" Itachi said with conviction. Everyone chanted peace before cheering and taking generous swigs from their goblets. Sasuke kept his gaze solely on his love the entire time he chugged down his wine.

"May the gods keep the wolves in the hills and the women in our beds. To the gods!" Neji spoke merrily while keeping an arm slung around Itachi's shoulders.

"To the gods." Itachi reiterated with a chuckle in his voice and a smile on his face. Throughout it all, not a soul noticed the queen slip away to her bed chambers or the younger prince follow her shortly after.

--

With the queen…

Hinata was sitting in front of her vanity brushing her long, lustrous hair. Quietly someone opened her door and stepped inside. Locking it shut, the intruder turned to face the queen as she looked at him.

"You shouldn't be here." She had a glazed over look in her eyes.

"You said that last night." He smirked as he neared her.

"Last night was a mistake." She replied without conviction before turning back to her vanity.

"And the night before?" His smirk widened as he caressed her neck.

"I've made many mistakes this week." She continued her brushing, trying to ignore the sensations of his hands on her body.

"Do you want me to go?" She didn't respond with words. Instead she kissed him for all she was worth as they stripped each other bare. It would seem that ever since they made love they couldn't keep away from each other for too long, not even if they tried.

--

Back at the feast…

Neji could be seen holding Tenten on his lap while whispering words in her ear and kissing her lips every so often. Itachi kept an eye on him since he knew what Sasuke was up to, although he didn't approve of it one bit. Lee sat off in the far corner of the room getting so drunk that he couldn't see straight; it was the only way to drown out his pain.

--

With the lovers…

Sasuke held up a necklace of the finest gems in front of her. "My gift to you my love." He placed it around her neck.

"They're beautiful…but I can't wear them. Neji would find out and then kill us both" She told him dejectedly.

Sasuke grit his teeth and swallowed his anger at the mention of that bastard. "Do not fear him." He sighed and held her.

"I don't fear what Neji would do to me anymore. I am not afraid of dying. What I fear is tomorrow. I'm afraid of watching you sail away and knowing you'll never come back. I couldn't bare it… Before you came here I was just a ghost. I wandered these halls each day never truly living and… I was just a ghost." They touched foreheads and closed their eyes.

"You don't have to fear tomorrow." She looked at him with unshed tears. "Come with me" He implored her. She could only watch him as the sincerity glowed with the fire of the candles in his eyes. Hinata shut her eyes and lowered her head in disbelief… and hope.

"Don't toy with my feelings… don't play with me." She shook her head to get rid of the hopeful thoughts flowing through her mind.

"If you come, we will never be safe. Men will hunt us, the gods will curse us, but I will love you. Until the day they burn my body, I will love you." His passion for her came through his determined words. It was a promise of eternity.

--

He watched her sleep for what seemed like hours before he got up and left her in her bed alone. But he didn't leave without giving her a kiss and whispering sweet promises of love to her. With one last adoring gaze at Hinata, Sasuke left in search of their trusted friend.

He found Lee slumped in his seat alone watching, drunkenly, as others still partied the night away in front of him. Lee's eyes were red and clouded over as he held a half empty bottle of liquor in his hand. There were a few other empty ones lying at his feet. Lee looked worse than he ever did before. But Sasuke wasn't deterred in the least, he'd get Lee to snap out of it one way or another.

"Lee!" He sat down in front of him blocking the man's view of the festivities going on just ahead. "I think you've had one too many." Sasuke snatched the drink right out of his hands.

"Give that back" Lee slurred his words in his drunken stupor. The man could barely sit straight. "What's with you damn royals, huh?! Why do you always have to take what isn't yours? First my wife and now my drink! What next…my dignity?" His head lolled from side to side as he tried to focus on the Uchiha.

"Lee," Sasuke sighed while staring sadly at his friend, "doing this to yourself won't change anything. She's gone but don't let her be the reason why you disgrace yourself like this. You're not only shaming yourself but your family and friends as well. If you keep this up you really will lose your dignity and it won't be because Neji took it from you."

Sasuke's words must've struck a chord in Lee because his eyes widened in shock before he did his best to right himself in front of Sasuke. "Damn… I must look like hell don't I?" He grinned brokenly at Sasuke.

The young Uchiha just helped Lee up to his feet before brushing the man's shoulders off. "Let's get you cleaned up. I need to talk to you about something." They walked off to a secluded area away from prying eyes and curious ears.

"Would you like to help Hinata gain her happiness?" Lee was at attention then. Soon Sasuke was confessing what he had planned for tomorrow as they walked towards Lee's room.

--

The next morning at dawn…

"Hinata, Hinata… wake up!" Sasuke whispered and knocked as lightly on her bedroom door as he could to wake her up without letting anyone else know what he was up to. He hoped she could hear him or he'd have to slip inside and he didn't want to risk finding Neji in there.

Hinata heard the soft pounding on her door and recognized Sasuke's voice on the other end of it. She sat up and let the bed covers slide off of her body before getting up and slipping on her robe and slippers. She then made her way over to the door and cracked it open to peer at Sasuke in curiosity and surprise.

"What are you doing?" She hissed as she saw his eyes fill with relief and happiness. "Are you not supposed to be at the docks preparing to leave, my lord?"

"Yes I am but I realized that I left something behind." He grinned mischievously before asking, "Is he in there with you?"

She knew exactly who he was and she didn't miss the nearly inconspicuous hint of loathing in his voice when he said it. "No he is not your grace. He never returned to our quarters last night. What did you leave behind? Shall I help you look for it?" Hinata was trying to behave properly although it was nearly impossible to do so when he was right outside her bedroom door.

Sasuke cursed in his mind when he realized that he could've gotten away with staying with her all night last night but he didn't dwell on it because there were more important matters to take care of at the moment. "There's no need for your assistance with the search because I have already found it. I'm just coming to claim it once and for all."

Her mind filled with anxiety and her heart with hope. "What is it your grace?"

"You." He then stepped inside and swooped her up into his arms and kissed her avidly.

"Sasuke… put her down. We have to get her things ready immediately if she is to runaway with you successfully. You can sweep her off her feet later… Not that you haven't done that already." Lee came in, mumbling that last part under his breath, and began to gather Hinata's essentials.

"Lee!" She nearly yelled in surprise. "You're helping him?"

"Yes your highness I am. Now tell me what things you wish to take with you." He raised his eyebrow at her while holding up two empty bags waiting to be filled.

"Hinata tell him so we can get going. You're coming with me darling; besides you can't say I never mentioned this because I did tell you I'd come up with a way for us to be together, so let's get going. We've no time to waste." She could only gape at him in amazement because she knew how much danger they would be in and yet he was still willing to go through with what he told her last night.

"Everything you need is set; all we need to do is wait for you to get dressed" Lee said to her breaking her out of her daze.

"R-Right!" She scrambled to put on some clothes, then grabbed her cloak and threw it on to cover her identity.

"Let's get going then" Sasuke declared lowly as he, Lee, and Hinata left the castle in haste.

They arrived at the pier where the Uchiha's ship was docked and quickly stowed Hinata and her belongings away in the hull of the ship. Sasuke and Hinata then turned to Lee to speak with him one last time.

"Thank you for everything my good friend. What you've done for Hinata and myself means a lot to me." Sasuke shook his hand firmly and laid his other on Lee's shoulder. "I am forever in your debt and will repay you any way that I can."

Lee nodded at him. "It was an honor and a pleasure to help someone such as yourself prince Uchiha. I'm very grateful to you as well."

Hinata stepped up to Lee and wrapped her arms around him in a warm hug. "I'll miss you so much Lee. Thank you." She murmured into his chest trying to conceal her bittersweet tears. "I wish you would come with us."

"Yes I'd like for you to join us as well. You'd be more than welcome in my country especially after everything you've done to aid us. Is there no way to sway you, my good man?"

"There is none your grace. I must stay here… there are things to be taken care of. All I ask of you is this… should something happen to me please allow my family refuge in your kingdom. I think they'll need it in the future." Both Sasuke and Hinata gave him strange looks. "Please promise me."

"You have my word. On my royal blood I will take care of your family."

"Thank you. I suppose we're on even terms then. I must return before my absence is noticed. Farewell, both of you." Lee exited the ship and began his quick trip back to the palace.

--

Later that morning…

Itachi was on the deck of the ship watching the sea surrounding them as he kept his hands busy. The crew was rowing the boat diligently and keeping it on course as they sailed for home. He closed his eyes in contentment and relaxed his posture when that thought crossed his mind.

Home… it's been too long since I've been there.

He chuckled quietly to himself as he thought of everyone dear to him in Amaterasu. Itachi didn't notice his younger brother come up behind him until he spoke.

"It's a beautiful morning isn't it brother? The Mizukage has blessed our voyage." Sasuke stood next to Itachi at the helm.

"The gods can bless you in the morning and curse you in the afternoon." He was carving a wooden lion figurine for his son.

After a moment of silence, which was tense for the younger Uchiha, Sasuke spoke up. "Do you love me brother? Would you help me fight any enemy?"

Itachi stopped sculpting wood to stare at his younger brother intently. "The last time you asked me that you were ten years old and had just stolen father's horse. What is it you've done now?"

"I need to show you something" Sasuke said seriously. He led Itachi below deck and walked to stand next to someone covered by a dark cloak. The person pulled back their hood to reveal their identity. Sasuke couldn't look Itachi in the eye.

--

Back in Higure…

Neji stormed into Hinata's bed chamber with two guards trailing behind him. He made his way over to the chamber maid, whom was busy cleaning the vanity, and grabbed her roughly by the arms, shaking her for answers.

"Where is she?!" He drew out a dagger when she didn't answer him. "If you don't tell me, so help you, I will gut you where you stand."

"My king!" It was one of the guards that spoke. "A fisherman saw Lady Hinata boarding the Uchiha's ship this morning."

"The Uchihas?"

"Aye my lord, with the young prince Sasuke" the fisherman responded shakily.

"Anything else?" He was calm all of the sudden.

"Aye my lord there is. Captain Lee helped her leave with them."

"I see. Leave me." The fisherman and maid were dismissed and were more than happy to scurry away. "Kiba, congratulations; you've just been made my new captain. Shino prepare my ship and then bring Lee to me."

"Of course my king!" Both subordinates left Neji alone.

--

With the Uchihas…

"Turn us round! Back to Higure!" Itachi barked at the sailors.

"Wait!" Sasuke pleaded with his brother. "Itachi don't do this!"

"You fool! Do you know what you've done?! Do you realize how long father has worked for peace?"

"I love her" was Sasuke's only excuse for ruining the treaty.

"It's all a game to you isn't it?" Itachi asked him incredulously, "You roam from town to town bedding merchant's wives and temple maidens and you think you know something about love?" Itachi was getting more upset the more he talked.

"What about our father's love? You spat on him when you brought her on this ship! What about the love for your country? You would let Amaterasu burn for this woman?!" He was very close to attacking his brother for his foolishness.

"I won't let you start a war for her!" He finished his tirade hotly.

"May I speak?" Itachi just gave a grunt. "You're right; I've wronged you, I've wronged our father, our people. But if you take Hinata back I'll go with her."

"To Higure? They'll kill you." His fury was boiling beneath the surface despite the fact that he seemed to have calmed down. The only way to tell was his crimson eyes with their rapidly spinning, black, pinwheel pupils.

"Then I'll die fighting."

"Oh and you believe that's real heroic don't you?" He asked mockingly. "Let me tell you something little brother. I've killed many men; I've seen them die and there's nothing poetic about it, nothing glorious. You say you'll die for love but you know nothing about dying and you know nothing about love!"

"You may have been in many battles brother but so have I. I've fought my fair share of soldiers as well even if I'm not as experienced or skilled as you are. I can take care of myself well enough. So all the same, I'll go with her. I won't ask you to fight my battles." Sasuke finished tightly as he too was upset.

"You already have, foolish little brother." He was truly calming down now but the anger was still there as well as his concern for his brother's safety. He then rescinded his previous command before stalking off to his room on the ship, he had a lot to think about. "To Amaterasu!"