AN: Hey! Sorry I haven't updated in so long. I had a lot to do over the past few weeks, like homework. Also I took part in my school's play and when we get to the point when the show is about to start we get too busy to do much else. Luckily, we only have a few weeks of school left, which means I have to study for exams and finish a few projects and then I'm home free! So yeah :P I'm happy.

Also, thank you to everyone who has followed/favorited/reviewed! You all make my day, I love you so much.

Chapter 3-

'The prince had fallen in love with Cinderella and wanted to find out who the beautiful girl was, but he did not even know her name.'

"So, how was the ball? Did you meet anyone?"

"I believe the ball was quite a success, Father. I may have found my wife already."

"Excellent. Sasuke? Have you taken an interest in a maiden?"

I hesitate for a moment. I hate to disappoint the man time and time again, but this request just seems so utterly impossible.

"Not yet, Father."

"I see. Well, congratulations Itachi. I look forward to the wedding." Father nods approvingly to my brother before he motions for us to leave him. I've learned to ignore the pang in my chest that comes with his disapproval.

Itachi and I leave Father's bedside and casually stroll down the corridor leading to our own chambers. It's strange not having the normal number of servants running around. Most are cleaning up the after effects of the ball and preparing for tomorrow's activities; the festival.

I'm not looking forward to the second day of the festival. It will be a little more difficult to escape the crowd, considering we are going to the town and taking part in the festivities held there. No doubt there will be countless women trying their best to throw themselves at me in the most obnoxious way they can come up with. Perhaps I'll even see that blonde idiot…

Damn him. That fool didn't even give me his name. Even after he practically stalked me in the garden. I still don't know why I allowed him to follow me. I suppose I was curious as to why some random boy was chasing me instead of the usual desperate bachelorette. He was rather weird. And stupid. And strangely attractive.

"So, who was it that you met at the ball, little brother?" Itachi smirks knowingly in my direction.

"I already told you, I didn't meet anyone." I scowl.

"No, you said you didn't meet a maiden. I want to know who you snuck off with for most of the night."

Perceptive bastard.

"Oh, you mean the idiot who followed me? No one. Just some random peasant trying to meet the Prince."

"I see he's caught your attention. You seem to be spacing out." He chuckles lightly.

"He's done nothing of the sort. I'm just thinking of what tomorrow will bring."

"Making escape plans already? Father won't be pleased if you don't at least present an interest."

"I have no interest." I glare at the opposing wall.

"I know, little brother." Itachi says, ruffling my hair before turning down a separate corridor in the direction of his room. "Perhaps we can convince father of this too."

I scowl at his back, running my finger through my hair to straighten it out.

Itachi was perhaps the first to take notice of my… condition, long before I even caught a hint. As a boy I never took interest in girls, even as I got older. I still remember the first time I was introduced to a noble's daughter. A girl from the Haruno family with bright pink hair. I remember telling her that she was boring and that she cried afterwards. I realized, once I hit my later teens, that I was never going to want a woman the way I was supposed to. Itachi had realized long before that, when he started asking me questions that confused me and yet made sense all at once.

"You don't need a woman to be happy."

"I'm sure you'll take an interest is someone."

"You know, I just thought of this out of the blue, but don't you think it would be rather unique if a boy found happiness with another boy?"

When Itachi threw that comment out there it finally hit me what he had been hinting at. It got pretty obvious by that point. It took me a while to process, a good couple days, but it made sense. I had tried, but I just couldn't take an interest in women, but with men… I could at least tolerate them.

I think what surprises me the most was the fact that Itachi is not disgusted with me. I know that something is wrong with me, but Itachi treats me like I'm normal. He continues to talk me like I'm his brother. And for that, I'll be eternally grateful. I know if Father ever learned of this he would call for all of the doctors in the land, and perhaps even banish me in fear that Itachi might catch this 'disease'. I've come to accept it, but I know no one else will be able to.

And now there is a stupid blonde boy who keeps popping into my head, reminding me of the strange feeling in my chest when he walked beside me in the garden. My mind keeps replaying the visuals in my head: him puffing out his cheeks in frustration, the way his face flushed in embarrassment, that stupid grin, those bright eyes, unruly blonde strands…

I push his image away, focusing on getting to my room without having anymore thoughts of stupid peasants that refuse to show respect where it should be given.

I succeed in reaching my door with a clear mind, removing my jacket and throwing it on a nearby chair. I'm too exhausted to change, and I don't want one of those servants touching me, so I turn out all the lights and crawl into bed.

It takes all of two minutes to fall asleep, only after my mind imagines a scenario where that moron and I meet again.

...

Lord Hyuuga was somehow gracious enough to let me live. Though, that might have been because Hinata walked in the door and told him what happened. Well, the version he would want to hear anyway.

As for my punishment, I wont be fed for a day. Though, at least he pushed it to day three of the festival rather than day two. It seem Lord Hyuuga doesn't want me to faint while carrying Hinata's belongings at the festival. At least this time I was given permission to join them rather than having to sneak away with Lady Hinata.

Lord Hyuuga decided to stay home and do whatever business he needs to catch up on, so now I'm walking around the festival with the three women of the house. There are stalls full of items to buy and games can be found every now and then. Lady Hyuuga has decided to ignore all activities until we find at least one of the princes. She desperately wants to find Itachi.

Lady Hyuuga was incredibly ecstatic last night when telling the Lord that Hinata had been dancing with the next heir. For the first time in what seemed like ever, the Lord smiled approvingly at his older daughter.

"Mother, I want to buy this." Hanabi calls to Lady Hyuuga.

"Oh that is quite a beautiful necklace. Hinata, come and pick one out as well. I want you to look stunning for Prince Itachi."

I've also noticed that Hanabi has been giving quite a few dirty looks at Hinata's back. It seems she's a little jealous now that Lady Hyuuga is spending most of her time fawning over the older daughter.

"H-How about this one?" Hinata offers, handing her mother a necklace.

"Oh, it matches your eyes perfectly!" She places the necklace around Hinata's neck.

"Mother, do you like this one?" Hanabi asks.

Lady Hyuuga turns to her other daughter and gives a small smile, "it's beautiful dear." Now she turns to the merchant. "We'll take these two."

After the negotiations on the price have been settled we walk further towards the market square. A loud squeal is heard somewhere in front of us, catching quite a few peoples attention.

"It's Prince Itachi!"

I thought for a moment there that Lady Hyuuga might die from excitement.

"Naruto! Take Hanabi and try to find Prince Sasuke. I'm taking Hinata to see her future husband." Lady Hyuuga announces, already pulling Hinata in the direction of the commotion. I only nod. Hanabi looks ready to kill and the fact that she's now glaring at me is not settling at all.

"Come on, idiot." She mutters, turning in a different direction than Prince Itachi and striding through the crowd. I follow her without much choice, easily keeping up with her quick pace.

"We will find that Prince, and he will fall in love with me. Then mother will have to choice but to realize that I'm not only on par with my sister, but that I'm better than her. I'm obviously prettier than her. I can actually hold a normal conversation without stuttering through the whole damn thing. I'm smarter, obviously. Don't you agree, Naruto?"

"... Yes, Lady Hanabi." No. Hell no. Just Hanabi's personality by itself makes her ugly. Hinata's actually very intelligent, and she's kind, compassionate, and determined when she puts her mind to something. If anything, Hanabi is simply shallow in character. She's always appeared better than her sister due to her bluntness, but in reality, she's spoiled.

Suddenly she gasps, grabbing my sleeve. "I found him! Over in that alley way." She walks forward, pulling me a couple of paces before letting go to assume a more dignified position. She approaches the alley and I notice that there is indeed a flash of the Prince around the corner.

"Go distract him so I can catch up." Hanabi says, pushing me further into the alley.

I don't even turn to nod at her, I just run ahead. Sasuke isn't much further ahead when I turn the corner.

"Hey!" He stops.

Slowly, the Prince turns towards me, as usual an elegant eyebrow raised and a smirk decorating his lips.

"Following me again, are we?" I flush. Pretentious ass.

"Don't flatter yourself. It's not really a choice of mine this time." I mutter, hearing footfalls close.

"Excellent work, servant." Hanabi says, pushing me to the side softly, a small smile on her face. "Greetings," Hanabi curtseys. "I am Hanabi of the Hyuuga family. I simply wanted to make your acquaintance."

"Hn. I see. And this servant boy. Who is he?" Prince Sasuke won't even look away from me.

"Oh, him? He's not important."

"What's his name?" Hanabi seems bothered by his insistence.

"Na-"

"Naruto. My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I serve the Hyuuga family." I interrupt Hanabi and bow towards the Prince. The look from Hanabi is murderous. She hates being interrupted more than anything, but I couldn't let her tell him. For some reason, I felt like it had to be me who gave him the bad news. The one who tells him that the person he's been… (talking to? What have we been doing that's so shameful? It sounds like nothing, but it feels important.) addressing is really the kingdom's most hated resident.

I'm afraid to look at Prince Sasuke. I'm afraid of the look I'll get. I'm afraid of his disappointment and scorn. I just don't know why it matters.

"I would've never guessed." He says, almost normally.

I look up and Sasuke's eyes still hold that amused glint. They're still focused on me. He's still smirking. He doesn't hate me.

I can't exactly describe the feeling that swelled in my chest. I wanted to get closer to him, but at the same time I wanted to run away. No one, save Hinata, looks at me like I'm a normal person. The Prince just added himself to the very short list of people who does. I feel like the world has stopped spinning, and yet at the same time it's moving too fast for me to gain my balance.

"Well, anyway. Like I said before, I just wanted to introduce myself. Perhaps you'd like to walk around the festival with me?"

The sound of Hanabi's voice brings the earth back to it's normal state, but my heart doesn't seem to get the same message.

Sasuke looks at me again, his eyes are slightly narrowed and he returns his gaze to Hanabi. "Maybe for a small while."

Hanabi looks ecstatic, trying her best to keep her composure as she walks forward and takes the offered arm. The Prince looks like he's holding back a grimace, allowing Hanabi to latch herself onto him like a leech.

I follow closely behind them, listening to Hanabi ramble on about pointless things, like her favorite colors and food. Sasuke doesn't seem interested in the least, he just keeps walking, watching the cloud covered sky.

"So, Naruto, how did you end up working for the Hyuuga?" Sasuke just doesn't care, does he?

Hanabi looks like she's ready to kill one of us, probably me.

"I needed somewhere to live... They were the only family kind enough to give me the privilege of staying with them while I work."

"So you live with the Hyuuga?"

"Yes, your highness."

That gets a look from Sasuke, because really, I've never treated him above me until now.

"Naruto, why don't you go find Hinata and Mother?"

"I was told to stay with you, Lady Hanabi."

"Well maybe I want you to go."

"I was given direct ord-" I don't expect her to slap me. She never has. I've been slapped once by Lord Hyuuga, but otherwise I've remained untouched in the Hyuuga household. It doesn't hurt, it just surprises me. What shocks me the most, however, is Prince Sasuke's reaction. He drops Hanabi's arm, abruptly, reaching forward and pulling me behind him as if he's going to protect me from her.

"You should treat your servants with more respect. They could easily leave you and find work at the palace." I've never seen Sasuke look this authoritative.

"I-I'm... I'm sorry." Hanabi bows deeply to Sasuke, clearly trying to cover up her mistake.

"I'm not the one who should be apologized to." He replies.

I'm standing there, not quite sure how to react. No one has ever stood up for me. No one has ever cared.

Hanabi is reluctant, that's clear, but her desire to woo the Prince is greater than her pride. "I'm sorry, Naruto."

I don't quite know what to say in response for a small while. "I thank you for your apology." I decide, followed by a deep bow.

We all stand there afterwards, no one is quite sure what to say. At least I don't, anyway. Hanabi doesn't seemed pleased in the least. Sasuke looks a little frustrated himself.

Suddenly the Prince turns to me, "Come work at the Palace."

I blink at him a couple times. "What?"

"Leave these people."

"I..." Could I really be able to stay there? Work efficiently? I would probably be treated well, better than when working at the Hyuuga household...

But I can't just leave Hinata to fend for herself.

"I thank you for the offer, but right now I must stay with the Hyuuga until my gratitude has been repaid."

He stares at me for a while. It feels like I'm a foreign book he's trying to decipher.

"I see. Well, I'll be leaving now. I have someone to find." And with that, the Prince turns and makes his exit.

Hanabi turns to me, fuming. "Why are you all so buddy-buddy with Prince Sasuke? Why does he like you so much, huh?!" I've never seen her this mad.

"I..." What do I say? Is there anything that could excuse this?

Hanabi gasps "You... You met him at the ball, didn't you? You- Naruto! Ohhhh, Father is going to hear about this!"

"I... Lady Hanabi, I didn't mean to... I'm sorry."

"Oh please, apologies won't work on me." Turning, she exists the alley way the same as the Prince and turns in the direction of the Hyuuga household.

I have no option but to follow reluctantly as she swiftly makes her way back home. She completely ignores the festival, apparently making my life harder is more important.

"Father!" Hanabi calls as she enters the house. "Father, Naruto has ruined everything!"

That's a little far, don't you think?

"Father!"

"Hanabi? What is it? What happened?" The Lord rushes in, seeming worried.

"It's Naruto, Father. I met the Prince at the festival and he wouldn't even look at me, he would only look at this servant. They met at the ball last night. Naruto spoke ill of us. He told the Prince that our family is a group of traitors who want to marry into royalty only to overthrow the current Uchiha reign!" Hanabi rambles, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. She has got to be kidding me.

"My Lord, I can assure you, I did no such thing." I bow, trying desperately to erase Hanabi's lies.

Lord Hyuuga is quiet for a long time, staring between me and Hanabi. There's nothing I can say that will make this look better, and I doubt Lady Hyuuga would bring Hinata home so early. I'm on my own here.

"Naruto?"

"Y-yes sir?"

"Escort my daughter back to the festival."

Okay, I don't think stunned really matches the look on my face. Neither does shocked or bewildered. More like… disbelieving.

"I'll deal with you later."

And rightfully so. It seems I can never really catch a break here. My frustration with this situation is expertly hidden, but it's still there.

"Yes, of course, Lord Hyuuga." I reply, ignoring Hanabi's smirk completely.

We head back out to the festival, Hanabi gave up on looking for the Princes, and has decided she'll actually look at what the stalls are selling.

The rest of the day is spent bartering until Hanabi's feet finally hurt too much to ignore.

The trek home is slow, eventually Hanabi orders me to carry her once we've reached solitude on the path. She's not heavy, and luckily my days of work have kept me relatively strong. Her dress only allows me to comfortably carry her in my arms, so that's what I do, though I'm half tempted to drop her. When I started thinking rebellious thoughts, I don't know. I normally keep it together better.

Upon reaching the house, I let her down and we go up the stairs to the front door and head inside. There is talk in the dining room, which automatically draws in both my and Hanabi's interest.

The sight we find is not a sight I expected. Hinata is home as well as her mother. But with them is not only Prince Itachi, but also Prince Sasuke.

"Hanabi, I'm glad your home." Lord Hyuuga says, "Prince Itachi has invited us to the castle tomorrow to meet the King. It would seem he has taken an interest in your sister."

"I see." Is all she says.

"Sasuke, it looks like there is a maiden that may be suitable for you as well." Prince Itachi says, motioning towards Hanabi.

"I've already invited the girl from the Haruno family." Sasuke replies monotonously.

His brother's face falls a little, but he smiles again when he turns back to Hinata, "I will see you tomorrow."

"Yes, I'll be there." She smiles back.

"You may bring your servant, if you wish." Sasuke throws in, knocking the peaceful balance out of the air. My breath is already gone.

Itachi looks from his brother to me. The smile that spreads across his face is small, but looks both smug and content. "That's a wonderful idea. He can work at the palace once the Hyuuga have moved into the castle. This way he will be able to meet a few other members of our staff."

"That does seem reasonable." Lord Hyuuga replies, clearly not willing to oppose royalty.

I can breathe again.

"Well, we should be going. We don't want to be too tired to properly entertain our guests tomorrow." Itachi says, motioning for his brother to head towards the door.

As they pass, I keep my head down. I don't think I can handle looking at Sasuke right now.

Lord Hyuuga walks them out, thanking them for their visit, then closes the door and returns to the dining room.

"Naruto, be sure to behave yourself tomorrow."

"Yes sir." I say, still wondering why Sasuke would invite me to a place where everyone knows I'm not welcome.

...

The ride back to the palace is blissfully quiet.

"So, that servant boy,"

That is until my brother decides to begin the inevitable conversation.

"I thought it would be idiotic to have him stay at that house all day with no work to do."

"There's plenty of work he could have done."

"Not for long."

"He's the one you met last night."

"And if he is?"

"Do you like him?"

"Don't ask stupid questions, Itachi."

"Is that a yes?"

"Shut up."

And shut up he did. But that didn't stop the smirk he gave me the rest of the way home.

AN: Holy cow, that took forever . I can't wait until summer! Then I can write all the time :P anyway, I hope you enjoyed it. I really loved having Sasuke's POV, even if I didn't quite get his character right. I'm hoping next chapter will be out relatively soon, but no promises.