AN: Yup, another chapter! Sorry this one took so long. I tried to find time to write over break but I promised my friends that I'd actually be social. Thank you to everyone who chose to favorite/follow/review, I love you all so very much. Including the guest that said that they misread the title for nutella and almost read this despite not liking Yaoi XD I'm so glad for whoever shared that, because it made me laugh. Just thought I would let you guys know that.
Chapter 2-
'When she arrived at the palace, Cinderella was swept into a dream world. As she and the Prince swirled around the dance floor, everybody turned to stare at the beautiful girl who had caught the Prince's eye. "Who is she?" they asked. "She must be a princess." None could have imagined that earlier that day she had been dressed in rags.' –Sarah E. Heller
"There! You look great." Hinata says, running her fingers through my hair one last time.
I have to say, compared to my normal appearance, I look amazing. But I know I won't look nearly as stunning as those who have been preparing for the past few days. The suit I'm in fits nicely. There are a couple of loose areas and the waist is a little tight, but other than that it looks pretty good. Hinata found some old shoes to go with that fit surprisingly well and still looked nice with the suit.
"Lady Hinata, are you sure about this?"
"Of course! Let's go, I think mother is still attending to Hanabi so we should sneak out while we can. I'll leave a note telling her I went to the festival in advance and that I sent you to collect something for me." She replies, giving an uncharacteristically mischievous smirk.
So Lady Hyuuga has no idea that we're doing this. If we get caught I'm royally screwed.
"You really are a work of art, Lady Hinata." I smirk back at her, feeling my own excitement at pulling one over on the Hyuuga family.
"You don't need to be so formal with me Naruto, just Hinata is fine." Hinata smiles sweetly.
"I don't know if it'd be smart to get into the habit of that, I might accidentally call you Hinata in front of Lord Hyuuga and then you'd probably next find me under the earth somewhere."
"O-oh… right…"
...Damn her and her adorable sweetness.
"But I guess when there is no one else around it shouldn't be that big a deal. Right… Hinata?"
She smiles at this, giving me a slight nod, and then tugs on my sleeve. "We should go."
The next few minutes are terrifying for me. I feel like Lady Hyuuga might come downstairs any minute and try to murder me for running off to the festival with her daughter. I wait for Hinata to write the note, which only takes a minute but feels like an hour in my panic to leave.
When she's finished we slip out the door and head down the long flight of steps that take us to the pathway that leads to town. It's a fifteen minute walk to the market square and another ten minutes to reach the castle gates from there. People dressed in fine clothing roam the streets, making a pathway for the carriages carrying the nobles. I wonder absentmindedly if Lady Hyuuga and Hanabi will be passing us in one of those carriages and hope desperately that they don't notice that I'm with Hinata.
The crowd thickens after reaching the castle gates and the line leading up the stairs seems endless. I notice glares sent my way by a few that recognize me, and strangely enough, I notice a few other girls are admiring my appearance.
Time passes and we reach the front doors of the palace and a line of guards lead us to the ballroom where the royal family awaits.
I almost laugh after realizing that I'm here, at the palace. A mere servant in the royal palace, being treated like a guest. What's more, I have a Hyuuga on my arm, which says much more than the suit ever could. Those who don't know me probably think I'm the son of some well-off aristocratic family, one that's earned enough respect for even the Hyuuga.
When we actually reach the ballroom I realize that there is someone officially announcing the guests.
"Crap! Hinata, what do we do? If they shout Naruto over the whole room there is going to be talk, especially if I've come here with you. People will talk all night and there's no doubt that Lord Hyuuga will catch word of it."
"What are you talking about, Lord Minato?" she asks sweetly and I catch the hint. Right, just play it cool.
"What about our invitations?"
"We forgot them in our rush."
I nod. There shouldn't be a problem anyway. All I have to say is the word Hyuuga and we'll be let right in. Our clothes, especially Hinata's, should speak for our status. Well… her status. I'm a total faker.
Before we approach the announcer Hinata taps my chin up.
"Have confidence. Be sure to tell him who we are. Make eye-contact. Be polite. Stand tall, shoulders back. When they announce our names make sure you bow. And don't forget to smile." I blink back at her before breaking out into a wide grin.
"What, are you worried?"
We approach the announcer and I try my best to seem like I know what I'm doing.
"My apologies, we left our invitations at the Hyuuga household in our rush. I am Lord Minato and this is the beautiful Lady Hinata."
The announcer only nods, motioning for us to step forward as to introduce ourselves.
"Lord Minato and the beautiful Lady Hinata."
I bow, lightly holding Hinata's hand as she curtsy's, and we make our way down the stairs. I snicker like we've just accomplished some big crime and got away with it.
She smiles at me before something catches her eye. I follow her gaze up to a balcony where three people sit. In the middle is an older man. He looks fatigued, even from this distance, though still regal and his left and right are two younger men, one slightly taller than the other, both with dark hair and pale skin. One of them I recognize immediately as the prince that I ran into in the market, the other, I figure, must be his elder brother. There are guards with them, on either side of the entrance to the balcony and one other man, dressed similar to the announcer, who stands back from the royal family.
"Hey, I can see your future husband from here." I say, motioning towards the balcony.
Hinata visibly falters at my comment and the blush on her face that follows seems to indicate that she may have been hoping that my statement becomes reality. It throws me off, really. Hinata didn't seem that excited to go before, but then again, when talking with her family she never seems excited to do anything. I guess even she has the dream of becoming a princess someday, and possibly queen. I think out of everyone here, she deserves the chance most of all. Hinata would make a good ruler. She's kind and intelligent and she cares. I know she wouldn't marry a prince out of money or lust for power, it would have to be for love, or else it just wouldn't be Hinata.
I realize now that it was probably a mistake by being so flippant about the situation and try to back pedal.
"Which one are you hoping for?" This time I say it sincerely.
Hinata gives me a look, obviously embarrassed by the fact that she's been caught with this hope.
"P-Prince Itachi seems very kind." She murmurs quietly.
I nod my approval. Out of the two, he definitely seems better than Prince Sasuke.
After the flood of people make their way into the ballroom, arrivals are few and far between. It's then that the man standing behind the king announces that both princes will be joining the guests in search I their first dance partner. The two brothers stand from their seats and disappear for a moment only return at the top of the stairs on the opposite side if the room from where me an Hinata entered.
They approach the crowd and I lose sight of them when they reach the bottom of the steps. I'm pretty sure me and Hinata are in the middle of the room, so we aren't too terribly far away from them.
"C'mon. I want him to see you." I say, pulling Hinata along as I weave through the crowd.
"W-who?"
"Prince Itachi, of course!" Hinata darkens at my comment.
I pull her over to the direction of the prince, getting her within eyesight. Despite my efforts, the Prince chooses another girl to dance first, one with pink hair and a gown to match. He doesn't choose Hinata for the second dance either, or the third.
By the fourth, I decide to drag Hinata onto the dance floor myself to show her off. I had picked up a little on the dance by watching. I can't dance as smooth as everyone else, but Hinata holds enough grace for both of us.
It seems to get Prince Itachi's attention by the seventh dance, for he takes her by the hand and leads her around the room. They look stunning together. Hinata is blushing like mad, and about halfway through their dance I see the Prince start a conversation, which Hinata continues for the rest of the dance. After the song is over, I expect him to bow and choose another girl, but he keeps Hinata for another song. And another, and the one after that.
When it's clear that Prince Itachi plans on keeping her for a while, I decide to move to the edge of the room where I might be more out of the way. However, on my way there I notice Prince Sasuke leave through a side door that leads outside. Alone.
Curious, I follow the Prince, assuming that no one else noticed him slip away, because no one else follows.
He strolls the palace garden slowly, looking up at the sky as if something is written there in the constellations. I follow him into the maze of hedges, sneaking around each corner with stealth I didn't know I had. Prince Sasuke weaves his way through the hedges as though he's been through them hundreds of times, which seems plausible.
I realize now that this was not the brightest idea, cause I have no idea how to get out of here... Great.
So now I'm stuck in a hedge maze and I can't get out and my only way to get out is to either keep following the Prince until he leaves, ask him to show me the way out, or try to find my way out on my own and possibly just get myself even more lost.
Well... I guess I have no choice.
"Hey!" I call, moving to catch up with the Prince.
He tenses and then turns slowly, looking bored. Upon seeing me I notice his eyebrows draw together in a scowl.
"What are you doing here?" I startle at this. Crap! I forgot to think of an excuse.
"I... Uhh..." C'mon... C'mon!
"You were following me." Dammit!
"No!" He raises an eloquent eyebrow.
"Oh? Then why are you here?" I pause for another moment.
"I... wanted to see the gardens." I mutter lamely.
It's clear he knows I'm lying, what with that arrogant smirk on his face. He doesn't reply, and we sit in silence for a moment. Neither of us move for a while, simply staring at each other as crickets chirp in the background.
"I got lost." I say, trying to ensure myself that time hasn't frozen and that I'm still in control of my body.
The only reply I receive is another smirk as the Prince turns away from me and begins strolling through the maze once again. I don't move for a minute, watching him turn another corner before it hits me that he isn't going to go back to the ballroom, but further into the maze where, hopefully, there will be another exit.
I run to catch up with him and move into step with him as I reach him.
"So, why so antisocial? Isn't there like hundreds of beautiful girls waiting to dance with you?"
"I don't really like dancing. Besides, they aren't really my type."
I roll my eyes. "What? There are so many girls in there! There has to be at least one that you kind of like."
"No."
"Have you even tried to dance with anyone yet? What if-"
"Why are you here?" Well. He's pretty rude for a Prince.
"I already told you, I-"
"No. Why are you at a ball that you obviously weren't invited to?" He stops and makes eye-contact with me. His eyes are intense with an emotion that I can't read and I feel like I've been slapped in the face.
"I'm escorting Lady Hinata, of the Hyuuga family." I respond. Prince Sasuke narrows his eyes slightly, looking me up and down, as if sizing up my status with one glance. I feel like he can see right through me.
"What is your name?" He asks.
It's an innocent question. A simple, easy question. However, this question somehow manages to make my heart clench and my head spin. I can't tell him. I can't let him know that I'm the problem child of the village; the boy left unwanted after his parents death. I don't know why it's so important for this asshole to not think of me like that, but it is.
I'm afraid to lie to him, but I'm even more afraid to not lie.
"Minato." I choke out, knowing that it sounds false, even in my ears.
The Prince stares at me, as if waiting for me to tell him the truth, but I can't get my lips to form any words.
"Hn." And with that he continues walking once again.
I'm almost frustrated with how much this guy throws me off. I once again catch up with him, walking side by side as he leads us through the hedges.
"You never answered my question. Honestly, I mean." I say.
"Neither did you." I hate him.
"Why are you such a jerk?"
"Why are you such a loser?"
"Ugh! I don't care if you are a Prince, you're a bastard!"
"Are you always this comfortable with insulting royalty?"
"It shouldn't matter if you're royalty or not, a person's a person. If you're an ass, I should be able to tell you, whether you have money or not."
He raises an eloquent eyebrow in amusement. "Not many people are stupid enough to insult me."
"Well, maybe they- Hey!" I scowl at him.
He smirks at my realization and I fume silently, trying to set fire to his stupid duck-butt hair with the heat of my glare.
"Bastard."
"Idiot."
"Jackass!"
"Loser."
"Selfish prick!"
"Worthless peasant."
I growl in frustration, but otherwise keep my mouth shut.
It startles me, how comfortable I feel with him; Prince Sasuke. Most people might stutter or find themselves nervous around royalty, and I feel like if it were anyone else I might be intimidated, but for some reason, I'm not with him. It doesn't matter what I say, he just smirks that arrogant smirk and continues on as if it isn't an issue that I'm insulting him constantly.
We walk the rest of the maze in silence that I find mildly relaxing, almost forgetting where I am and who I'm with. I don't worry about tomorrow and all the cleaning I'll have to do. I just think about now.
I don't realize we've reached the exit to the maze until we've passed through it. I'm a little surprised to find myself standing at the edge of a small lake. I'm almost confused as to where we are until I look around and spot the royal palace behind us.
"You can just walk along the lake surface, you don't have to go back through the maze. There's as path that leads right to the rear of the palace."
I nod, but otherwise don't move. Strangely enough, I don't want to leave yet.
We stand there for a while, looking over the lake's surface and how it reflects the stars.
"They're annoying." I look up at him, confused.
"What?"
"Those girls, they're annoying. That's why I left."
"Well, not all of them are annoying, right?"
"I don't like women." I pause at this; confused of the meaning.
"What about your mom?"
"She doesn't count."
"Well... What do you mean by you don't like them?" He doesn't answer me. He stays quiet for a long time, staring at the lake.
"What's your name?" Now his onyx eyes lock with mine. "I answered your question, now answer mine."
I give him a pleading look, trying silently to tell him that he really doesn't want to know this, but he doesn't waver.
I sigh, resigning to my fate. "My name-"
Ding!
...Oh no.
Ding!
I turn to look at the clock tower.
Ding!
It's midnight.
Ding!
Lady Hyuuga said specifically that they'd be leaving the ball at midnight.
Ding!
I turn to the Prince, who looks confused at my sudden panic.
Ding!
"I have to go."
Ding!
"What?" He gives me a glare, probably thinking that I'm backing out of my end of our unspoken deal.
Ding!
I don't reply, I just turn around and start running.
Ding!
"Hey!" I hear him shout behind me.
Ding!
My feet carry me faster than ever before, making it to the path leading to the castle in a small amount of time.
Ding!
I turn and sprint down the path, heading towards the royal palace at amazing speeds.
Ding!
But there is no way I'll make it back in time.
The clock remains quiet as I run around the side of the castle in order to reach the ballroom, where I make a beeline for the stairs and find myself in front of the palace in no time. The stairs are a hassle, but I manage to get down them fast enough without dying and continue my sprint.
By this point, my breaths are coming in gasps and my chest burns, as well as my legs. The normal twenty-five minute walk it takes to get from the Hyuuga household to the castle gates is reduced to fifteen in my rush. I reach the front doors feeling like I could just fall over and die right there.
I enter the house, cautiously moving inside, straining to hear if anyone's home. I make my way up the stairs as quietly as possible and upon reaching Hinata's room, I knock lightly and open the door. It's blissfully dark and quiet, signaling that she must still be at the ball and that her mother has probably found her by this point and will most likely stay with her for the rest of the night.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
"So what exactly was it that you were picking up for Hinata, Naruto?"
You have got to be kidding me!
I freeze and feel myself turn almost in slow- motion.
It's not Lady Hyuuga. It's much worse than that. It's the Lord of the house, and his gaze is purely murderous.
AN: This ending though XD Again, I'm really sorry this took so long to post, but thank you to those who read it anyway.
Please review! Not only does it inspire me, but I enjoy constructive criticism, so if you have any tips let me know!
Thank you again for reading, and I'll see you next chapter!