Sasuke was walking out of his room that evening, not being able to sleep, and wandered around the castle.

It took sometime but he eventually found himself at a window. He stopped in his tracks when he heard Naruto's gentle voice coming from outside.

He glanced once down the hall before jumping out the window, and flipped himself so he would land on the small piece of roof above.

The singing abruptly stopped causing Sasuke to look up why.

Naruto sat not too far away from where he landed. She was gazing at him calmly, with a soft smile on her lips.

"Nice of you to join us."

It was then he saw the small bundle in her arms.

"She was having trouble sleeping," Naruto explained.

Sasuke nodded and sat down next to her, though he was mad that she kept the secret of his brother's innocence from him, he didn't feel like he could get over that.

"Do you remember when I chased after you, on the retrieval mission?"

Sasuke wondered where this topic came from but nodded either way.

"I wish you had been listening to what I said then, I was so close to telling you Itachi was innocent but with how crazy you were at that time how could I be sure you won't try to attack our village?"

Sasuke stared at Naruto slightly amazed by what she said.

"Before the Massacre a couple of drunken villagers had tried to kill me. They always did; that was why Itachi was the ANBU assigned to watch over me. Itachi hadn't been there that night, it had been so bad that elven ANBU had to remove the villagers.

When I was in the Hokage's office it had been scary seeing Itachi coming covered in blood. He told the Hokage that Danzo had ordered him to kill the Uchiha Clan, but he then found a document that had proved their innocence." At this point her voice took on a hysterical tone to it.

"It only got worse when we found out what he had told you, hoping that you would hate him and not the village."

Naruto shifted her blue eyes to Sasuke, he was shocked to see tears threatened to spill over.

"I am so sorry I did my best to look out for you even if I didn't show it. I never wanted you to hate him, but I couldn't tell you, I promised- I promised."

By now Naruto was in full blown tears, sobs wracking her body. Sasuke paled he didn't mean to make her cry. No, he didn't hate her or want this for her if he had known that she had been beating herself up over this he would have talked to her sooner.

He quickly pulled her into his arms, child and all.

"Don't cry, please don't cry," he whispered softly.

"I'm so sorry Sasuke; please don't hate me from keeping this from you I never meant to."

Sasuke sighed and rested his chin on her head.

"I don't hate you; in some crazy most up way I understand why Itachi asked you not to tell me."

"But, but I lied to you!" she sobbed lightly.

"You didn't lie, you just never said the truth, but that's okay I understand. You were only doing what was asked of you."

Naruto shook her head and hid her face in his shoulder.

"I should have just told you," her words were muffled by his shirt but he knew what she meant.

He took her shoulders in his hands and pulled her to his face so they were facing one another.

"Don't blame yourself for this; it's not your fault. I don't blame you I could never blame you, because you're my Itomo."

Naruto's eyes widened and before Sasuke knew it he had been pulled into a bone crushing hug.

Naruto didn't say anymore she simply held on tightly to Sasuke. He had finally accepted her as a sibling.

"Ka-chan?"

Naruto glanced down and smiled at Ame, her tears falling on Ame's cheeks.

"It's okay kit, nothing's wrong," Naruto said reassured.

Sasuke gently put his hand on the younger blonds had and ruffled her hair. "Don't worry sweetie Mommy and uncle were just talking," Sasuke said with a rare smile.

Ame yawned and snuggled her face back into Naruto's shoulder.

"She's really cute," Sasuke whispered.

Naruto nodded but a sad look on her face. Which made Sasuke wonder.

"Something wrong?" he asked.

Naruto shook her head and looked the other way.

"Naruto do you have a problem with your child?"

She looked up and glared at him, causing him to sigh.

"Then what's wrong?"

Naruto sighed and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I just don't like remembering that time…" her voice was barely a whisper but Sasuke heard it loud and clear. He held her gently in his arms for a while longer before he felt her breathing even out.

He smirked at her and lifted her into his arms child and all. Carefully he jumped back into the building and traced down his brother's chakra signature.

Following the direction it came from. He was careful to keep his feet from making noise only when he was outside Itachi's room he knocked lightly on the door.

It opened to reveal a half asleep Itachi with his hair down.

Itachi looked at his face for a moment before he spotted Naruto sleeping in his arms.

Without saying a word to one another Itachi took Naruto and set her on the bed before going back to the door and nodding to Sasuke in thanks and closing the door.

It had been two weeks and three days before the others finally caught on to the wedding. Naruto had been disappearing for hours at a time not telling the others where she would go. They had tried several places like the orphanage or the piano room, they even began checking the shopping center but they could never find her.

It wasn't until Iruka followed her one day and saw her meant with a priestess. He hid himself to look like one of the others present and followed the two inside.

As it turned out Naruto had been going there for purification ceremony. During said ceremony she would have to wear pure white gowns and bath in the purified water, not touching any living thing in the process.

It wasn't until they were leaving the ceremony did he overheard them talking about the wedding.

Thought the news was surprising he chose to stay quiet over it and not tell anyone. It wasn't his secret to tell.

Later the evening he confronted Naruto about it. She explained that it would have to be kept sacred for the rest of the week. This was a rule set by the priest so that her ceremony would go uninterrupted.

When Iruka asked why she was doing the ceremony in the first place her only answer was "Tradition" and said nothing more about it.

It was at the end of the week, when Naruto was once again missing.

Itachi and Katsumi gathered everyone together in the meeting room once again.

They were all agitated at the fact that no one would tell them what was going on, that is until Itachi walked in with Ame on his hip and Katsumi right behind him.

"Hi guys!" Katsumi said happily.

"What are we doing in here?" Kakashi asked calmly.

"Naruto asked us to explain a few things to you," Katsumi answered.

Itachi sat in one of the seats calmly and waited for the others to do so to.

Once they were all seated they all looked at the Uzushio nin expectantly.

"Naruto has been going to ceremonies that are customary in our village. These ceremonies are to purify the body, mind and soul before the princess or any royal is wed," Katsumi explained.

The others stayed quiet until Hinata gasped.

"Y-you mean N-Naruto i-is going to be m-married soon?!"

Katsumi and Itachi nodded.

"It's also a custom that we are married before either of us can take throne. I will be wed in a few months as well," Katsumi said.

"When's the wedding?" everyone turned to Sasuke who looked calmly at the situation.

"It'll be in one week from now," Itachi's said.

Sasuke nodded and stood up.

"I know all I need to know for now then," with that Sasuke left the room.

"Where is that old fox?" Konohamaru asked out loud.

"Kurama is with Naruto, today is the final day of purification and as a tradition the father of the bride to be must attend the final cleansing. As Naruto's blood father is dead but her adoptive father, Kurama, is alive he must attend," Katsumi chuckled.

Kurama had wanted to go to more than one of the cleansing to give Naruto his support but he was kicked out every time. He had been hardly seen by everyone because he would spend hours sulking about it in his room.

After the meeting the Konoha Ninjas were surprised to see Naruto returning with Kurama and Sasuke by her side. She and Kurama both were dripping with water.

They were later told that Sasuke had waited outside the ceremony grounds for her.

The week had passed quickly for them, Naruto, Itachi, Kurama, and Sasuke all spent most of their time with wedding preparations.

Konohamaru, Iruka, and Hinata spent their time taking care of Ame, as her mother and father were busy.

Kakashi would disappear for hours only coming back after reading his pervert books.

Sakura was the only one left with nothing to do, thus bringing her to the end of her line. Sasuke had been ignoring her more than usual and instead of spending his time with Naruto.

She was slowly forming a plan to separate them but every time she tried something it would backfire and only make her angrier. It was recently after one of her field attempts that she found herself wondering in the forest outside the village. She was covered in pink paint and green feathers.

She was also sporting a red hand print on her right cheek, courtesy of Naruto; Sakura's paint had gotten all over the papers that they had been filling out causing them to have to start all over again.

Sakura didn't feel that she was doing anything wrong; after all it was the demon who was stealing her Sasuke-kun!

Sakura continued to wander around until she heard the snap of a twig behind her.

She spun around to see a man. This man had short brown hair. His eyes were of light silver. He wore a white coat she could have sworn she had seen once before but couldn't place it.

He smiled at her and calmly walked towards her.

"It looks like you've had a rough day," his voice was like silk to her ears. She felt her cheeks heat up and couldn't get any words out at first.

"My name is Kian, what's yours if you don't mind me asking?"

"S-Sakura," she stuttered out.

Kian extended a hand to her.

"Well then Sakura-san if you want to clean up you can come with me; one of my assistances can help you."

Sakura blushed again.

"I don't want to be a bother…"

"Oh, it's no bother at all."

Sakura took his hand and allowed him to pull her away; missing the slow smirk that spread onto his lips.

'Part one is now set in motion,' he thought evilly.

Naruto was walking around her room fuming mad.

Even the Uchiha brothers had backed away from the terrifying blond.

"How dare she!" Naruto turned to the brothers with tears in her eyes.

"Really for the past few weeks she has been doing everything to humiliate me!"

Itachi sighed, while Sasuke winced at her yell.

"It's my fault," Sasuke said calmly. "You know how much she stalks me; she's clearly trying to get back at you for spending time with me."

Naruto huffed. "Well that's just stupid; I'm marring Itachi for heaven's sake!"

"But when has that pepto-bismol bottle ever been smart?" Sasuke said angrily.

Naruto growled again and flopped onto Itachi's lap causing him to grunt at the sudden weight.

"Why did she ever come here with us she's going to ruin everything!" Naruto pouted as she finished her rant.

"Let's not dwell on that anymore, let's just get back to rewriting the papers," Itachi said soothingly as he rubbed the small of Naruto's back.

Naruto sighed and nodded picking up her pen again and started writing the food list down again.

(::)(::)(::)

With Sasuke's and Itachi's help Naruto had finally finished her paper work.

They hadn't seen Sakura since she had left. Naruto didn't dwell on that too much thought. It was only two days till the wedding and Naruto had to get her wedding Kimono finished.

Naruto spent several hours finishing plans and spending time with her slightly love deprived child.

It wasn't until the night before the wedding Sakura showed up again.

Katsumi had been the first one to see her. The girl looked perfectly fine. In fact, she was smiling manically.

Seeing as Katsumi was busy at that time, needing to go to Naruto's room and deliver medicine for her upset stomach Katsumi chose to ignore her and hurry down the hallway.

The next morning Naruto was still out of it and still very pale.

Itachi had to leave the room and left Naruto to get into her ceremonial robes as he did the same.

Naruto sat comfortably on a lush chair as one of the servants arranged her hair to look delicate flower. Katsumi was pacing around the room again casting worried glances at her cousin.

She still hadn't told Naruto about Sakura, but she had told Sora.

This was of course because the two of them shared a room, seeing as Sora was her own betrothed.

Sora was always really flirtatious but he was still loyal to her, and always would be. She to tell the truth, loved Sora very much, every quirk, every stupid catch line, she loved everything about him.

It was thanks to him that she hadn't broken down with worry yet. He had suggested that she hold this secret for a bit longer seeing as Naruto was ill it wouldn't be good to tell her about the giant bubble gum walking around. Though he had suggested that she keep an eye out while he did the same.

"All done," the gray-haired servant said with her strange accent.

Katsumi looked at Naruto. She was beautiful. She wore a dark, blood red Kimono. The kimono was made out of a soft silk like material, which was also light and looked like puffs of smoke if she moved quickly enough. Her hair had been put into two braids that circled one another and blended into a bun with small gold bells that hung from chopsticks. The obi was a shiny gold that attracted eyes to her curvy waist she had soft makeup that covered her pale face and gave her color. Her lips had been painted blood red and the arch around her eyes had been slightly fanned over with a reddish-pink.

In all she looked stunning, her blond hair contrasting with the red and her blue eyes clashed with her hair bringing the detail out completely.

Kasumi smiled and offered her hand to Naruto.

"You look amazing," Katsumi said softly.

Naruto gave her a weak smile and allowed Katsumi, to lead her out of the room.

They walked through long hallways towards the ceremony room.

When they got to the doors Kurama stood clad in dark black robes with his arms crossed over his chest but a happy smile on his face when he saw Naruto.

He took her hand into his and kissed the crown of her head.

"You look amazing."

Naruto smiled at him and rested her hot forehead on his shoulder.

He frowned at the warmth and placed his hand on the back of her head and threaded his chakra into her to help heal her.

He frowned when he realized what was making her weak.

He glanced at Katsumi and saw that she too saw that Naruto had something wrong with her.

He mouths the world 'later' to her and received a nod.

Moving Naruto's arm to lace around his, he pushed the door open and started walking in Katsumi followed behind them.

They entered a long room with people filling every seat; the Konoha nin sat at the front with Sasuke holding Ame in his lap.

Naruto was guided towards the font and almost unwillingly let go by Kurama. She sent him a light smile and took her place next to Itachi.

Kurama and Katsumi sat next to one another and couched low so the others wouldn't hear what they would say.

"She has a light poison running through her body," Kurama said getting right to the paint.

Katsumi gasped lightly in shock. "H-how could that happen!" she whispered harshly.

"It was digested that much is clear seeing as she had the stomach pains first. I think she'll be okay she's never really been weak to poisons…"

Katsumi turned to Naruto a frown marring her face.

She and Kurama watched the ceremony take place, it was a simple one just saying their vows and promising their life to one another.

It was as they were saying their promises that a low rumbling started to fill the shrine.

Naruto turned to Kurama and Katsumi; her expression telling them that it looked like she had been expecting this. She had gripped Itachi's hand harder as she turned back to the priest.

"Run…" just as the words left her mouth the door burst open. The room began to fill with people in white robes.

Itachi pulled Naruto to him as the ninjas in the room began to attack the intruders.

Naruto's eyes flickered around the room as Itachi pulled her away. Naruto's eyes widened when she saw the bubble gum pink hair zip towards Katsumi.

Sakura wore the white cloak, and had a cruel look on her face.

Before Naruto could do anything, she saw that the people in the room began to fill out leaving the Konoha, minus Sakura, in the room alone.

Naruto gazed around at the distraction that had happened in so few minutes.

Seats were split in half, walls with body size holes, kuni on every surface, and all the white curtains were shredded.

She felt tears gather in her eyes but the raspy call of her name broke her out of her thoughts.

She glanced of everyone but her eyes landed on the bloody and battered Sasuke who leaned heavily against the wall.

She ran to him quickly discarding the fact that her kimono ripped lightly as she ran passed a sharp piece of wood.

She got to Sasuke just as he was about to fall, and helped him to a sitting passion.

Quickly she began healing him with her chakra. He only let her heal enough to stop any major wound before he took her hands in his and turned her face to his.

"They took her," he rasped out.

Naruto scrunched her brows together but then she realized what he meant.

Ame was gone.