NO! NOT ANOTHER DISCLAIMER…!!!!
I don't own Naruto and the characters…they belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I don't think I own anything… :'(
I'm currently in my room with Tenten while Deidara is with his fiancée, and it seems as if Father attended another council meeting. I have a bad feeling about whom I'm about to be betrothed too…
"Tenten, do you ever wish that you were a princess?"
Glancing up from her sewing, she responded, "No, not really. But that's only because I'm a princess's best friend, so I'm treated like one when I'm around the princess. Besides, being a princess is just so…ugh. You never get any privacy, people always butt their empty heads into your business, men attempt to court you to gain the throne, you always have to act proper when you're not alone, you're not allowed to play pranks, you have to listen to your parents, you can't trust people that easily, you don't have many close friends…the list goes on and on."
I mulled about her answer. She was right about all those things. Well, I still pull some tricks on Deidara even though I'm not supposed to… As a little girl, I was proud of being a princess. You could order servants around, get anything you want that you could get with money, nobody could insult you, nobody would purposely harm you…like the last list, this one also goes on and on. But I was so vain and naive when I was a young child. Now I wouldn't hesitate to trade places with and ordinary peasant girl. Sure, you had to work, but you had the freedom to fall in love with whomever you choose to, and you had the much needed privacy. You also wouldn't have the HUGE burden of being the princess of a country. Why are there statuses in life? It would make everything so much simpler if there weren't any.
I looked at Tenten to see her stitching something. Curious, I got up from my lying position on the bed and walked over to Tenten. There was a full moon toward the top-left of the circle, and a field of flowers. That was all. Confused, I looked at Tenten; her work was usually so much more detailed and more, if you get what I'm saying. This, a full moon and a field of flowers was just not Tenten.
"You're confused, aren't you, Ino?"
I smiled a little. Tenten has always been able to read me like an open book, no matter when or where we are. "Yes, Tenten. Of course I'm confused."
Her eyes twinkled, "It's for a friend."
Now I was beyond mystified. Tenten has a friend other then me? I don't mean it in a 'Tenten is so hopeless, she doesn't even have any friends' kind of way. It's just that Tenten rarely goes out and interacts with others, so it's a bit surprising to know that she has another friend. "Oh? What's her name?"
She wavered a bit before answering, "It's supposed to be a secret."
Okay. I'm confused, mystified, and now extremely angry. What does she mean be secret? I'm her darn best friend! And she keeps her friend's name a secret from me?! What kind of a best friend is she…?!
Tenten's gaze softened when she saw the tormented expression on my face, "Ino…it's for the best. Please."
I caved in. Tenten rarely asked me to do a favor of any sort for her, so…it's only right to give her this one. "Fine. But you'll tell me someday, right?"
Tenten replied, "Of course. But now is not the time, okay, Ino?"
I nodded, content with her answer. But still…you could her mystery friend be…?
I stared out the window, thinking about my future. Uchiha Sasuke is engaged, but nobody knows to whom. And there's the slight possibility that it might be me. Oh dear. I really don't want to marry him…the last I checked, Haruno was infatuated with him, and she'd kill me if I was his fiancée. Hmm. Guess I'll have to ask Father when he comes back. Wonder how Hinata and Naruto are doing right now…
There was a sudden knocking on my door, and a servant called out, "Princess Yamanaka, Prince Yamanaka wishes to see and talk to you."
Snapping out of thoughts, I merely said, "Please tell him that will be down as soon as I can. Thank you." Ugh. I hate being formal with passion. Lucky Tenten…I'm extremely jealous of her right now.
*~*
"Deidara…I don't want to do this…" I muttered as soon as I got to my brother's room.
"Ino…you have no idea how much I detest Father and this arranged marriage he set you up in. You don't deserve it. If only there was some way to get you out of this…"
"Run away?" I suggested.
"Hmm…you know, that might work…" Deidara mused.
"You're kidding, right?"
"No, not really."
"But what about you? I can't leave you or Tenten! If I do run away, both your reputation and Father's will be ruined because of me!"
"I can come along. So can Tenten."
"What about your fiancée?"
"She'll come along if she really loves me."
"Deidara," I started seriously, "I am not going to run away. Father will track me down in no time, and then we'll be in for a grand punishment. I really don't want you to suffer along with me."
My brother protested, "But you can't be placed into that arranged marriage!"
"I'll get out of it. I promise."
"But what if your fiancé is Uchiha Sasuke? How will you get out of that? We both know that his parents are extremely powerful, and we'll be in a lot of trouble if you decline."
"Thing is Deidara, I can't decline; I think Father offered Uchiha my hand."
"WHAT?!"
"Well, that's what I think happened. I mean, I kept on rejecting all those suitors, so I think Father's pretty desperate to marry me off so I won't become a spinster. And I'm the only princess around here; Haruno's a Lady. So… "
"But you just turned 17 two months ago! Lady Haruno is going to kill you when she finds out that your fiancé is Uchiha Sasuke!"
"I know. If I had the choice, I wouldn't marry until I found true love. But I can't fantasize anymore, can I? This is reality, and I've got to face it." I smile bitterly.
"It's not fair, Ino," my brother said, "It's not fair that you have to be forced into an arranged marriage while I get to marry for love. Our places should've been switched around…why you, Ino? Why?"
"I don't know. I don't know what I did to have Father act like this."
"Enough talk about this." Deidara declared, "It's too depressing for a cheerful man like me."
I scoffed. Then I remembered something that I needed to ask Deidara, "Deidara, do you know anybody who might be Tenten's friend?"
"First off, why?"
"When we were in my room, she was stitching something, and she said it was for her friend. She wouldn't tell me whom it was for. It's odd for Tenten to hold a secret like that."
"Well, to answer your question, I don't know anybody who might be Tenten's friend."
"Oh. Okay."
"Hey, don't worry too much about it. Considering that fact that it's Tenten, I'm pretty sure she has a good reason for keeping a secret."
"But doesn't she trust me?"
"Like I said, Ino. She probably has a good reason for keeping a secret. Trust Tenten to do the right thing, okay?"
"Okay." I just needed the reassurance that Tenten was doing the right thing. I've probably said this a million times already, but I am so lucky to have Deidara as a brother.
*~*
"Ino, I need to talk to you," my father said as soon as he came out of the meeting room. "I'm guessing that you want to know who your fiancé is, right?"
I just nodded my head.
"Well, he's-"
"Uchiha Sasuke." I stated, finishing his statement for him.
"Ho-ow did you know?"
Just because I'm blonde doesn't mean I'm stupid! Okay, so I have my "blonde" moments from time to time, but still! "I figured it out on my own." I explained, not wanting to go into the details.
"Well, now that you know your fiancé, we are going to go meet him in three days. So get your stuff packed and ready."
What?! Three days?! My father has got to be kidding me! I just replied with a tight, "Yes, Father," and left.
*~*
"WHAT?!" Deidara screamed.
I winced. My brother is a very loud screamer. "Yes, Deidara Father is having me meet me fiancé in three days."
"THAT BASTARD…!"
"No need to swear," I commented mildly.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?! You're going to be meeting your forced fiancé in three days, and you're telling me not to swear?! Ino, have you gone delusional?!"
"What I meant was that swearing won't help. Father's got his mind set on me marrying the Uchiha, and we can't change that. And brother, I am perfectly sane."
Deidara sighed softly. I feel so bad…this is my problem and it's putting stress on him…! That's not supposed to happen! Ugh…sometimes, I wish my brother wasn't so understanding…
"Look on the bright side," I exclaimed with fake cheerfulness, "I'll be able to meet some new Ladies like Inuzuka Hana since she's the fiancée of Uchiha Itachi."
My brother saw right through my act. I know he did. But I wasn't exactly lying. I am looking forward to meeting Inuzuka Hana; she must be something if the Uchiha Itachi proposed to her by his own will! I can't wait to meet her! Then again…that's the only thing that I'm looking forward to…
My brother forced a smile, "I hope you don't encounter any problems there, Ino. I won't be there to correct them."
"Hey! I'm perfectly capable of fixing problems by myself!"
He just rolled his eyes. Ugh. Deidara is just so annoying sometimes…how did he get a fiancée again?
"Just be careful and don't get in trouble, Ino."
I smiled softly, "I'll try – there's no guarantees."
*~*
Tenten only gazed at me solemnly when I told her what my father said. Finally, she spoke, "I should be able to come with you, right?"
I looked at her as if she had gone insane, "Of course you're coming! I would've smuggled you along even if Father ordered that I couldn't bring you with me! What are you; and idiot?!"
Tenten chuckled at my antics, "Just checking…!"
I laughed along with her. "You're still an idiot."
"Hey…!"
We both fell onto my bed, giggling like mad. It felt great to this with Tenten. This may be the last chance I get to do this with her…stupid arranged marriages!
"Tenten?"
"Yes?"
"What will happen once I get married to Uchiha Sasuke?"
She looked as if she was going to crack a joke, but when she saw the serious gleam in my eyes, she answered, "Ino…I think you already know. You know why there are arranged marriages in the first place."
I sighed, "I know, I know. It's to gain power…and to keep that power going, the Uchiha and I will have to produce a heir."
Tenten gazed at me tenderly, "Oh Ino…" She knows that I want my true love to my first everything. First kiss, the one to take away my innocence, and all that. Now my dream is never going to come true.
She interrupted my thoughts, "Who knows, maybe you'll grow to love Uchiha Sasuke…" That's never going to happen; I know that Tenten knows that she's just lying to herself. I'll never love him…I know it. I'll find my one and only true love myself; I don't need my father's help. I will find him. I just don't know when.
Once again, something interrupted my thoughts; there was somebody knocking on the door. I'll bet it's Deidara. Tenten got up to open the door, revealing my brother.
He walked into my room calmly before asking, "Guess what?"
I tilted my head in curiosity, "What?"
"Well, since you're a pretty important princess and the Uchihas are one of the grandest and most noble family line there is, there will be a bunch of other people at the castle when you arrive."
Tenten questioned, "Like who?"
"Hmm…the Uzumakis, Inuzukas, Naras, and the family of the Sand are going to be present when you and Ino arrive at the Uchiha's castle."
"Anybody else?"
"Let's see…oh! How could I forget? The Hyuugas will definitely be there!" Deidara exclaimed as we heard footsteps in the hallway of my room. I think I saw Tenten stiffen a little.
"This is just fantastic!" I exclaimed in a very sarcastic voice, "Just splendid!"
My best friend and brother looked at me in dry amusement. Then Deidara said, "I think I have some good news too…"
"This better be good…" I muttered.
"My fiancée and I are coming too!"
"…What about the kingdom?" Tenten and I asked in one voice.
"Hmm…I don't know if this is good or bad news for you, but Father is going to stay and look over the kingdom," Deidara explained.
"Oh…. Anything else you wanted to tell me?"
"Hmm…no, I think that's all."
"Well then," I declared, clapping my hands, "Let's get packing!"
Once again, my best friend and brother just stared at me, "…Seriously, Ino?"
"Uh huh! Packing is always the best part when we go on a trip!" I said gleefully. I glanced at Tenten, "Come on, Tenny! I need your help to pick out the dresses and gowns I need to bring!" Then I waltzed into my closet to pack.
I swear I heard Deidara ask Tenten, "Did you give her any sugar today…?"
"…No…I think she's always like that…"
Gee, thanks, Tenten.
"Well…I guess we're on the mission to keep my dear sister away from sugar?"
"Mhm," Tenten agreed.
I'm not hyper! I'm perfectly normal. They're the weird ones here. Not me. I am sane and normal; they are now. Got that? Good.
"Ino?"
"Yes?"
"Do you need any help in there?"
"Sure, Tenten. By the way, where did Deidara go?"
"He went to check on his fiancée."
"Oh…"
"Now, what do you need help with?"
I looked around my gigantic closet filled with clothes, "Um…which dresses do I bring…?"
Tenten took one look, and sighed, "Let's get going, Ino." And so we started our adventure on choosing which clothes I should bring.
*~*
"This one?" It was a silk floor gown that was the color of my eyes. It was strapless and ruffled at the skirt.
I stared at it; I never knew I had that. "I like it. Bring it along."
The next one was made of silk and had thick straps. The top was a pure snow white, but as it traveled down, tints of red started to appear. It got redder and redder until it was a beautiful rose red at the end.
Tenten groaned, "Ino, you have way too many dresses."
I just smiled innocently, "But I am the princess…"
She rolled her eyes and went back to work.
*~*
Oh, this is going to be fun! I can't wait!
