Chapter theme: Heartbreak by Super Junior ft. DBSK

Happy birthday by BoA

Because you loved me by Celine Dion

My heart will go on by Celine Dion

"Things base and vile, holding no quantity, Love can transpose to form and dignity. Love looks not with the eye, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind." - William Shakespeare

"Sasuke…how many stars are in Orion's belt?" Megami asked as she stared up to the night sky.

"Three" he smirked, "Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka."

"Those sound like names from Mortal Kombat characters" she laughed.

He smiled as the two of them stared up at the sky, lying on the roof of the Alpha household.

"It's Greek" "well, I suck at Greek so I wouldn't know" she smiled, slightly turning to him.

"Which reminds me, Ino says the sexiest languages in the world are French and Latin, I think Greek was in there too but it doesn't sound too sexy" she smiled as she continued to stare at the stars.

"Well…I took Latin" he smirked, "don't even think about it…"

He slightly chuckled as he snuck an arm across her waist and pulled her closer.

"How far away do you think those stars are?"

Sasuke shrugged plainly, "thousands of miles away."

"What do you think it would be like?...if we could touch one…if we could grasp a single star…if just for a moment" she whispered.

"Megami…stars are just gas-" he stared at her, wide eyed and full of dream and hope. He slightly smiled, he'd explain later.

"Sasuke…do you have any dreams?" "I wouldn't really call them dreams…"

"But do you? Isn't there anything you just KNOW you're gonna do in the future! A promise to yourself that no one can take away from you?"

He smirked, "that's the future…right now my main goal is getting you to stop talking and kiss me…"

She lightly blushed and turned to him. Her eyes, brightened by the moon. His eyes, darkened by the night.

"That's a pretty easy goal…" she whispered as she leaned into him, slowly closing her eyes along the way…until…their lips met, in a slightly chaste kiss.

In the midst of it he moved her so she was sitting on top of him, missionary style.

She giggled, "Did you forget we're on a roof, if we fall it'll be your fault!" she smiled as she leaned in.

"Alright, then before we die maybe we should-" "stop!" she sighed, using her hand to close his mouth.

"For starters, we're on a roof, it's boiling out here, and frankly I enjoy being a virgin…dick."

He smirked. "But did I fulfill your wish?" she smiled cutely.

"Not just yet…" he whispered as he brought her in to steal another…until…

"HEY! What the hell are you two doing?"

They both shot up and looked down the window to which they'd stuck up from in Sakura's room.

Sakura stared up at them, her arms crossed and firm, Gaara stood next to her, his hands in his pockets staring at the two in confusion.

"So this is where the both of you went…" Gaara sighed. "Come on! You two can make babies later! It's time to cut the cake!"

Ignoring the remark the redhead laughed and skimmed over Sasuke, jumping down the window. Sasuke sighed and made his way down.

"Happy Birthday Tenten!" the crowd cheered as she blew out the last candle, laughing after. The birthday resembled a wedding cake rather than a birthday cake, which they can thank Hinata for.

Tenten smiled brightly as she cut the cake, dressed in a green mini skirt and a white, tight, tank top, which Ino can be thanked for. The crowds of seniors continued to clap.

She poked the cake with her index finger, and instead of tasting it put it to Neji to taste, instead of that, he smirked and kissed her.

Various 'awws' flooded the room.

But then a spatula snuck its way up to the cake from under the table. They watched as it took the piece Tenten had cut, and quickly hid back inside the longish table.

Sweat-drop.

"What the-" Tenten growled. She bent down and pulled up the sheet.

"Megami! What the hell do you think you're doing!" "You were taking too long! I wanted cake DAMMIT not to watch the two of you make-out again, what's that like the elevendy trillionth time tonight?" the redhead growled, sitting on her knees in a bright sky blue skinny jeans along with a black tank top with a cheetah print jacket over it, a belt around her waist.

"Actually eighteenth, I counted."

They look up to find Sakura beaming down at them, dressed in a soft pink sweater with a hot pink mini skirt. "Oh my gosh! That's how old Tenten is! Or twenty-eight, I can't remember."

They looked to the other side, Ino stood in a bright red very mini very low-cut one shoulder cocktail dress.

Tenten glared at her.

"Girls, s-shouldn't we be getting back to the party?"

They looked up, Hinata stood there in the black mini dress Ino had bought for her at the mall last week.

"Right" the girls said as they stood up.

"Gimmie back my damn cake!" Tenten growled snatching it from her hand.

Megami glared "you're so damn lucky it's your birthday or else that thing would have already been in my stomach!" she snarled.

"Is that so?" Tenten growled, their foreheads crushing.

Neji sighed as he went and stood by the rest of the boys.

"Should we do something?" Naruto asked as he bit into a chip from the bowl he held in his arm.

"They're just teasing each other, they'd never really do anything to hurt one another" Shikamaru sighed.

"MY PIECE DAMN IT!" "GO TO HELL YOU FATASS!" they went on…

And so the party continues. The celebration of Tenten's eighteenth birthday.

The girls having decided to put a party together since Tenten refused anything large and flashy.

The seniors of Konoha high attend, but it lacks the aspects of the last party thrown by the girls of Alpha. They didn't really mind, everyone had gotten into a shit ton of trouble by Tsunade (the police, the school district, and their parents) when they went back to school anyways.

"Oh would you two forget the damn cake? Come on Megami!" Sakura growled as she grabbed her ear and led her to the front.

"What are you guys doing?" Tenten called in confusion.

"A gift!" they called as the front of the room was cleared.

"From us!" "well from them…" Megami sighed, crossing her arms. Sakura smacked her upside the head then turned back and smiled as each girl took a spot.

"This one's for you Tennie! We love you!"

Tenten smiled as the song began, the rest of the guests focused their attention on the girls as well.

All: Impatient of waiting Happy birthday, unreached I love you
I wonder what the you today knows, although we've always been by your side

Sakura: Always two of us together, merrily meet and gazed upon each other
It seems I thought that even without words, it will be fine

Hinata: The promise I made with you, I wonder if you still remember
The wish at that time still remains the same

Ino: Spring is coming again, in the middle of the street is glittering
While thinking of you, I chose the present
All: Impatient of waiting Happy Birthday, unreached I love you
I wonder if the you today is smiling. Although I've always been by your side
after how long is only time flows

Megami: Will it become easier, will it be completely forgotten

Sakura: If only hurt memories are remembered just a little
The season only filled with your real self

Hinata: Celebrations were always with the five of us
Your dreams were always seen together and always wished to make them come true for you

Ino: From my heart happy birthday, all alone I miss you
Someday when your dream starts to blossom, I wanted to be by your side to see it

Megami: Spring is coming again, in the middle of the street it's glittering
While thinking of you, I chose the present
All: Impatient of waiting Happy Birthday, unreached I love you
I wonder if the you today is smiling. Because I'm always praying for your happiness…

The girls bowed as the claps arose.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TENTEN!"

She smiled as she rushed up and hugged them, the girls tightly hugged back.

"And don't go thinking that was our present to you! We'll give you ours tonight!" Ino beamed. Tenten nodded, smiling.

Later….

"Thank you! Thanks again for coming guys! Thanks! Hey! See you tomorrow! Tell Tatsuki I said hi! Alright bye!" Sakura continued to wave as the guests made their way out, waving and giving goodbyes.

When everyone was gone she sighed in relief and shut the door, leaning on it in exhaustion.

"Guys I can't thank you enough for this party! It was a blast!" Tenten breathed, "Well you can't turn eighteen without a special touch, it just doesn't work" Ino sighed dramatically as she sat down on the floor with Hinata and Megami.

"Alright, we're out" Sasuke said as the boys walked to the door, Naruto (having recently passed out) was being carried on the shoulder by Gaara.

"Okay! Thanks for coming you guys!" Tenten called, the rest of the girls called with their goodbyes as well. Neji leaned down and gave her a quick kiss, smirking he leaned up and turned, "later babe" he called as he followed the boys.

"Happy birthday Ten" the rest of the boys called as they slammed the door behind them.

"Hey! You didn't pull some drastic prank on her for her birthday!" Sakura yelled as she sat down with the rest of them.

"Well you're just too easy fool forehead." the girls giggled at that, Sakura rolled her eyes.

Ino clapped twice, "okay, present time!" "oh you guys didn't have to do that, this party was great!" Tenten frowned. "No way! Each person gets personal presents from her BFF's on her birthday! You know how it works."

"Almost each person…" Tenten grumbled, luckily said person didn't hear as she fumbled with her box.

"Okay Ten! Open mine first" Sakura smiled.

Tenten nodded as she handed her a long present wrapped in light pink and dark pink striped wrapping paper.

Without hesitation she tore the wrapping apart, and gasped at the sight.

A shiny MG-42, oldies gun for her to add to her collection.

"No way! Where did you get this? I haven't been able to find this style anywhere!" "My dad knows some people; it's a collector's item."

"Thanks Sakura!" she smiled, hugged her tightly. "Well I know how long you've wanted this type of gun; I do this because I love you." She said sternly.

"Me next me next!" Ino boasted as she set a purple box in her lap.

Tenten continued to smile as she unwrapped it, only to find…

A bright purple hand bag with a gold ringed strap.

"Um…" "It's my gift!...to me!" she beamed "I just thought I'd wrap it to add the dramatic effect, thanks for opening it Ten!" she squealed as she grabbed the bag back and hugged it.

Sweat-drop.

"No….problem…" Tenten said, narrowing her eyes.

"Okay! Now here's my real present" she smiled, handing her a red box.

She opened the top, and there sat a soccer ball with a signature on it.

Tenten blinked, "this is…this is…" "a brand new soccer ball personally signed by Yuki Abe himself" Ino beamed.

"Holy shit!" Tenten yelled, pulling her into a hug, "oh thank you Ino! But how did you get this?"

"I was at my dad's studio where he was taking pictures for a sports magazine, and there he was, he was happy to sign it." She said proudly.

"Thank you!" Tenten smiled again as she set herself back.

"Megami's turn!" the redhead whined as she shoved a largish yellow wrapped box at her. Suddenly a load yelp was heard.

"What was that?" Sakura asked, "I-It sounded like it came from the box" Hinata said frightfully.

Tenten raised a brow and began slowly opening the lip of the box to find…

A dog.

"It's a dog!" she announced. "What?" Ino said in confusion as she leaned in to look in.

There, sitting with its tongue out and its tail wagging, was a Golden Retriever puppy with fluffy ears.

"I remember how you said you wanted a dog, so I drove to one of Kiba's aunt's pet stores in Inazuma and picked this guy up."

"And you kept him in a box!" the four girls yelled. Megami frowned, "I put air holes in it…and I just picked him up a few hours ago with food and everything."

"How cute" Hinata smiled as it lifted itself up and licked Tenten's cheek, "I think he likes you" Ino smiled.

"What should we name him?" "He already has a name" Megami explained. "What is it?" Sakura asked.

"Neko!" she beamed.

The girls stared at her.

"So…you named a dog…cat?" Sakura asked.

She nodded wildly. "Creative" Sakura said, rolling her eyes.

"This makes him all our dog!" Tenten said as she picked him up and set him on the ground to run around, "he's going to be running around the house anyways" she shrugged.

As Neko skipped around Hinata handed Tenten her final present.

"Here you go Tenten" she smiled as she set the soft purple wrapped present on her lap.

Tenten smiled and nodded as she slowly unwrapped this one, Hinata being the only one who didn't like the forceful unwrapping.

There sat a light green scrap book. As Tenten opened it she found pictures of her and the girls, the band, different types of guns, little quotes, foods, funny pictures of her family, ect.

"Oh wow" the girls said as they piled in and stared at that scrap book. "Hinata, did you make this?" Tenten asked.

Hinata nodded sheepishly, "I-I compiled y-you're history and put it in the book…I thought it would be fine…do you like it?"

"I love it!" Tenten exclaimed, "yeah Hinata! This is awesome!" Sakura gasped as the girls looked through the scrap book some more.

On the very last page were various pictures of the girls, smiling wildly at the camera. One of them from comicon when Sakura was Sonya Blade, Ino was Mileena, Hinata was Kitana, Megami was Skarlet and Tenten was Jade.

The other was them from winning the 6th world dance competition, another was of the boys Christmas party, and other was when they were in the 7th grade, ignorant of adolescence.

At the bottom of the page it read in shiny golden letters:

Best Friends Forever

Always sisters

"Oh Hinata…thank you so much" Tenten sighed, holding her arms out for a hug. Hinata gladly hugged her as Neko yelped in excitement.

When all the presents were set aside the girls got up and stretched.

"Well, I think I'm going to go to bed, we still have school tomorrow," Sakura yawned as the five girls began to head upstairs; Megami stopped and picked a yawning Neko up.

"Poor guy must have run himself out" she laughed. The girls laughed as well.

"Fun party Ten, but whatever happened to birthday sex? I didn't see you and Neji anywhere near that close to each other tonight" Ino giggled as they walked up the steps, shutting off the lights.

Tenten waved her hand, laughing nervously as they made it up to their rooms.

"We didn't get to tha-" "they both snuck off during the party and did it…more than once" Sakura answered monotonously.

"Oh my" Hinata gasped, "I didn't even see you."

"Well, it was the only chance we had, to Neji he said 'when are we going to have this chance again, it's your eighteenth birthday we have to do it tonight'." She said sternly waving her finger in an imitation his voice.

The girls laughed at it, "you guys will never quit" Sakura giggled, "well, night guys, and remember to set your alarms."

"Yes mother" Tenten and Ino both said, Sakura rolled her eyes as she walked into her room. "Goodnight everyone" Hinata smiled.

"Night Hina" they answered back as she headed in her own.

She walked into her room, "later hime's" Ino cooed as she walked into hers.

"You want him to go in your room Ten?" Megami asked, holding up a sleeping Neko. "Nah, your closer to the window to the backyard, he might start barking at night, but thanks again."

Megami nodded, "happy birthday Tenten, see you tomorrow!"

Tenten nodded as she waved and entered her room, Megami opened her door and set Neko into a bed basket she'd already had set up and planned to move to Tenten's room.

Exhausted, she quickly changed into her pajamas, and found herself asleep.

The hill is covered in snow, the night is cold as she waits for him. Shivering, she hugs herself to block off the chills with little effect.

She doesn't care though, she would wait. She could wait, if it meant for his return.

Their meeting.

Suddenly she felt a brush of warmness wash over her.

She looked around. The snow was washing away, leaving fresh grass and growing plants. The once grey sky was opening into a bright blue.

She smiled as she felt a jacket on her shoulders from nowhere.

"You always knew how to brighten up the days…didn't you?..." she whispered.

"I got it from you…" "What do you mean? All those days were depressing, I only ever let you down, but you still never stopped smiling…"

"I did stop smiling…when you forgot about me-" "I WOULD NEVER FORGET!" she yelled as she twisted around, only to find the other side of the hill empty.

"All these years Megami…all these years I've been right in front of you…but you never took notice…" "I know it was my fault! If I could do anything in the world I would change what happened that night!...but…I…"

The snow began to fall again, and before she knew it the hill was white and the skies were gray.

"Go ahead and make it dark again….my love for white came from the chill of snow…" "I know…"

"…I can't stay" "please!" she begged as she turned around to were the voice might me.

There she only saw a black menacing shadow. But she wasn't afraid.

"Please…stay with me…"

It began to fade away.

"The time has come. You know what today brings…"

"No! Don't leave me! I don't want to be alone again!" she cried as the fading shadow turned and walked down the hill.

"PLEASE!" she cried, tears pouring down her eyes.

Eventually the shadow disappeared completely down the hill.

"Please…it's so lonely up here…"

"MEGAMI!"

The redhead shot her eyes open and quickly sat up. Tears streamed down her face, unbeknownst to her.

There stood the girls. Well, Sakura, Ino, and Tenten, staring at her in confusion and worry.

She blinked, realizing the tears were in her eyes. She quickly wiped them away.

"We came because we heard screaming and crying…are you okay?" Sakura asked desperately.

Megami chuckled, "oh yeah I'm fine, just a nightmare!" "Another? That's all you seem to be getting these days" Ino frowned.

"Maybe you should go see a therapist" Tenten offered. "Oh come on guys it's just a bad dream, it doesn't mean anything, trust me" she smiled.

The girls read her for a second, and then sighed. "If you say so…but…"

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP-

"It's already six?" Ino frowned as she rubbed her eyes. Neko sat up and began barking wildly, mostly directed to the alarm. "Well I guess you got us just a few minutes before the alarms. We should start getting ready for school, but we're not done talking about this!" Sakura demanded as she rushed to go shut off her alarm.

Both girls yawned as they walked out of her room.

Megami sighed in relief, dropping her head back onto her pillow.

Hinata stood by her door, staring at the ground sadly.

"Hey Hinata!" Ino said, Hinata quickly shot her head up and smiled, just in time before Ino caught her expression.

"Good morning Ino, I'm sorry I over slept. I'm going to start breakfast."

"Do you need some help?" she asked as Tenten passed by to get to her room.

Hinata shook her head as she rushed downstairs.

"Damn, everyone seems kind of frantic this morning," she laughed, "what's the occasion?"

Hinata stopped and leaned on the kitchen wall when she reached it.

"The day…has finally come…"

~*A.H*~

"So Ten, you feel like racing today?" Megami asked as all the girls stood in their uniforms and backpacks, ready to leave, Neko sat next to his food and water bowls, wagging his tail as he watched them leave. She shook her head, "I think I'm gonna take the car, I think Neji would like it if I road it today," she smiled.

For her birthday Neji had gotten her a green Mercedes SLR McLaren. She guessed he wanted her to drive today.

"Are you guys sure it's okay to leave Neko alone at home?" Ino asked as she climbed into her car. Megami nodded as she zipped up her suit. "I left everything out he would need, he's a trained dog so there's no need to worry, plus he can protect the house!"

"Hurry up or we'll really be late this time!" Sakura called as she and Hinata climbed into the Porsche.

Ino was already off, then Sakura went and followed her, then Tenten took the Mercedes out.

Leaving Megami, fumbling with her helmet.

When it was finally on she took one glance back at the dark and empty house (except for a light left for Neko.)

A chill ran down her spine…as if…she were being watched…

She shook it off and quickly started her bike, racing off to school.

"She's gone…sir"

"Good…send them in…"

After receiving their orders the men escaped from the backyard shadows towards the front. They broke the door open. Letting it burst and fling to the side.

As the few men entered the house, Neko began barking wildly.

"Shut that dog up and go find their rooms. We have to collect it before he arrives."

The men did as directed too. One of them picked Neko up; in return he bit their hand.

"Ow! Fucking dog-!"

Neko growled.

"Forget it, just come help us, we don't have much time…"

~*A.H*~

"SHIKA-KUUUN!"

"Gah!" he barely yelled as Ino pounced on him. "It's barely been nine hours…damn it woman…"

"Hey Hinata-chan!" Naruto smiled as he jumped in front of her, startling her as she had been dazed. "N-Naruto-kun…a good morning to you as well."

"So-" Neji smirked as he kissed Tenten's cheek as she stepped out. "How do you like the car?" "Well I would have preferred taking my bike but I guess this will have to do." She sighed dramatically.

"Is that right?" he lightly chuckled as he kissed down her neck, "yeah, stop it! It's too early for this!" she giggled.

"Morning sweetie" Sakura smiled as she kissed Gaara's cheek after locking her car. He smirked as he bent over and kissed her, wrapping his arms around her waist, "hey…"

"Sasukeee!" Megami yelled as she took his right arm and twirled herself around once. He smiled slightly as he leaned down and locked lips with her.

"The time has come…you know what today brings…"

She suddenly gasped and pushed him back.

He raised a brow and stared at her. She blinked, "oh sorry…hot flash" she smiled. Sakura raised a brow, "but you're not even on your per-" "DAMN I'm craving sushi let's hurry up and get to class, the sooner we can go home!" she laughed.

"O…kay…"

Ino sighed, "Konoha high is the same as ever, sometimes I wish something exciting would happen to open up the day, Monday's sure do suck" she whined as they walked to the building.

"…The earliest literary references to Arthur come from Welsh and Breton sources. There have been few attempts to define the nature and character of Arthur in the pre-Galfridian tradition as a whole, rather than in a single text or text/story-type. One recent academic survey that does attempt this, by Thomas Green-"

The fangirls sighed dreamily as Itachi walked up and down the aisle, reading from the history book on King Arthur, which everyone was supposed to be following along with.

"Fangirls, each your heart out, he's taken" Tenten smiled. The girls sighed in disappointment, turning back to their books. Itachi winked at her, Tenten saluted back as he continued on.

Kakashi's (currently Itachi's) homeroom went about as it usually did on a brand new Monday morning. Itachi would begin a new chapter on their king Arthur unit, or finish a chapter from last week. All in all, there would be book work involved.

Sakura and Neji listened and copied notes (even though they didn't need too), Hinata and Gaara quietly followed along like most of the class, Ino doodled dresses in her notebook, Naruto played with his erasers (by play he would flick them at an obviously annoyed Sasuke who sat and tried to concentrate) Tenten tried to listen, but usually ended up falling asleep, Shikamaru (who already knew the book front to back) had no reason to pay attention and just slept the hour away, and Megami sub-consciously stared out the window, watching a few late cars pull in...

A couple came unfamiliar to her, a black car in particular, she didn't get a chance to see who came out as she heard Itachi's slam.

At the end of the paragraph Itachi stopped. "I want you all to write me ten facts on this page about what you've learned, due at the end of the hour; we'll continue this chapter tomorrow."

About half of the class sighed and or groaned.

Itachi turned back to his desk to grab sheets of paper to pass.

So, as usual the class sat and did as directed, most anyways.

But about five minutes later. There was a slow knock on the door.

"Come in!" Itachi called from his desk.

"Itachi!"

He turned to the front; there stood principal Tsunade in a light brown business suit.

"Yeah?" "I'm here to introduce a new student to this class." She smiled.

"Really…?" he dragged unexcitingly. "He was originally supposed to go into Seiji's homeroom but he pleaded on coming into this one."

"That's interesting, go ahead and bring the kid in." he slightly smiled.

The heads of the class lifted up to see the new student, mostly to get away from the work, new students had become a common thing in their class.

"Alright…." Tsunade mumbled.

"…Kai! You can come in now!"

The heads of four members of Alpha shot to the front as the said boy slowly walked into the classroom.

With slick, very short blue-black hair. Eyes, completely black and a scowl trapped on his face, he stepped in. He was tall, about the same height as Gaara, Neji, and Sasuke, along with the same structure and body, fit and worked.

Ino gave a short yelp.

Everyone turned to her. Tenten was gaping, Sakura stared in shock, and Hinata looked as if she was on the verge of falling into a coma.

But Megami, sat blankly.

They shot her a look, questioning her with their expressions. The boys stared at them in confusion.

She sighed, closing her right eye, resting her right hand under her chin and waving her pencil. "Will you relax, lots of people have that name…or hair…you know…it's impossible that-"

"My name is Kai Mayonaka, a pleasure to meet you" he bowed.

Her pencil snapped.

"Girls! What's wrong with you?" Naruto frowned.

Megami chuckled nervously, "just a little unsteady sorry…"

She turned to the new student, "sorry you just remind me of someone I used to know" she smiled.

"Oh I know…"

She raised a brow, especially when he smiled.

"Megami…" he whispered as he walked up to her desk. Sasuke looked ready to pounce.

"How do you know my name?..." she whispered hesitantly.

He bent down to her.

"Megami…it's me…Kai…you didn't forget did you?...white rose…" he whispered, holding his hand to his chest.

Her eyes widened, her breathing began to run rapid.

"And yes…I'm very much alive…" he smiled.

That was it. Megami passed out right there.

"Oh god…please tell me I'm dreaming" Sakura whispered as she ran her hand through her hair.

"What's…going on…?" Tsunade slowly asked.

Kai backed up, staring down blankly at the unconscious Megami as Sasuke stood up to help her up.

They shot each other a look that held for about three seconds before they turned away.

"As I was saying, my name is Kai Mayonaka…as I said before…it is an honor to be a part of your classroom…"

"Kai! Kai!"

The 7th grader shot his head up to find the short haired redhead running towards him. "M-Megami what's wrong?"

She jumped him, smiling.

"I got a B- on that history test!" "That's great! That means you can stay on the track team!" he boasted.

"And it's all because of you! All those nights of tutoring! I know it took a bitch to teach me that stuff but you never gave up on me…thanks Kai…oh I could kiss you right now!"

He blushed.

She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. Then jumped up, pulling him up with her and brought him into a bear hug.

"Thanks for believing in me Kai…you're the best friend a girl could have!"

Best friend…

Best friend…

Best…friend…

"Ngh…Kai….Kai" she groaned.

"Megami!"

She shot her eyes open; there she found six pairs of eyes resting on her.

The girls, Sasuke and Naruto.

"Wha…what happened?"

"You passed out" Sakura smiled sadly as she sat up.

Megami chuckled, "oh boy…I had the craziest dream…"

Ino laughed nervously, "it wasn't a dream!" she said quickly.

She raised a brow at them. Ino shakingly pointed to her left.

There, on his knees, staring at her plainly, was Kai.

She gasped and backed up, right into the wall of the empty hallway they had moved her out to.

"Megami! Calm down! We're still trying to cope with this too…but…" Sakura offered.

"No…shut up!...just shut up!... you can't be Kai…I watched him die…" she whispered.

Kai frowned at her.

"Sasori shot him…I saw the blood…I know what I saw…I was right there!" she yelled.

He sighed "you haven't changed a bit…"

"But I guess I've got a mountain of explaining to do-" "you can't…you can't really be Kai…" she whispered.

"Five years…this is unbelievable…" Hinata whispered.

"Maybe we should go…" Naruto whispered to Sasuke as the boys stood up.

Sasuke stared down to the frightened and in shock Megami trying to contemplate everything that just unveiled.

He kept a blank expression as he and Naruto walked back into the room.

'If you're really Kai then explain…explain to us how we watched the paramedics carry you away, how they told us straight forward that you were DEAD! We watched your parents stand there and cry!...five years…for five years" Sakura said coldly.

Kai sighed as he sat down on the floor. The girls stared at him, Megami stared at the floor.

"On that night, when I discovered were you were…I'd assumed that a guy like Sasori would be carrying a gun…a weapon or something, so I figured I had to protect myself…that night…you guys know my dad worked at the police station…I stole a bullet proof vest from the office…but it was only half effective…the bullet went through, but it just barely grazed me, I passed out from the blood loss so I guess you could say I was basically half dead, I assumed the paramedics pronounced me as dead… I didn't die those five years ago…but that was tha-"

"If that's true then why didn't you come back to school! Why didn't you come back to us!" Ino demanded.

"When I got back you were gone…"

The girls looked down; remembering they each took a year off to settle their problems.

"So after that I changed schools…and life just went on from the-" "YOU BASTARD!" Megami yelled, pushing him back.

Kai looked at her, startled.

Tears were pouring from her eyes.

"five years…for five long years I cried for you…I mourned for you…I drowned myself in guilt…it's a wonder I couldn't find your grave! But you…you could have contacted us…why…why did you let me hurt all these years…" she whimpered.

"Why…" "Megami…I…"

She quickly stood up, brushing the tears from her eyes as she rushed down the hall.

You've lied to me for half of my life…

"If I ever loved you it was based on lust…"

"I never died those five years ago…"

PLEASE!

Please stop hurting me…

She used both her fists to smash all four of the mirrors in the bathroom, thrashing around the glass, crying the pain away .

"It's…not…fair!" she screamed as the girls rushed in.

"Megami stop it! Now!" Sakura demanded. Tenten help her back.

"You idiot! Don't do this again!" "it's not fair! How could he do this! It's all his fault! It's because of him I never got to be happy! Why am I always the one that gets hurt!"

"That's not true! I don't think he wanted to hurt you! You heard what he said! We know it's hard to except this…even were still trying to believe this is true…but what he said… everything he said…there's no other explanation…this isn't a bad thing! Think about this!...Kai is here…he's alive…he's our friend again…can't you be happy about that?" Tenten asked desperately.

"It hurts…so much…" "We know…it hurts us too but…we have to except the fact that he's here…Kai's here…it's a miracle, and nothing can ruin it…it's going to take some getting used to…but…" Hinata sighed, having a hard time convincing herself.

Her heavy breathing began to fall.

"He's really back…isn't he?...it's just so hard to believe… I just…."

Ino giggled, "yeah! Now I have someone to copy for homework again!" she chuckled.

The girls laughed and smiled.

But, their smiles quickly dropped as they had come up.

They looked around the bathroom.

Sweat-drop.

"Okay…we were never here…" Sakura offered. "Good call!" the four girls said as they stood and rushed out.

Hinata frowned as she hung in the back of the girls. None of this felt right.

Kai, being alive, then suddenly showing up 5 years later…on this day…

Megami still wasn't comfortable with the idea, and she wasn't about to let him in so quickly.

There was seriously something up.

Just as the girls made it back to the room door, it opened.

The boys stood there, wide eyed.

"Girls! We were about to come searching for you" Neji said.

"Yeah, everything's fine, don't worry guys…we're just…. we're just trying to get used to this" Sakura smiled.

"Well, it's only been fifteen minutes, you don't have to adapt so quickly" Gaara reassured.

The girls nodded, giving themselves looks.

"It seems like every new student we get you guys have some history with…" Naruto mumbled as they walked in.

Sasuke and Megami stood back in the hallway.

"Are you alright…" it was more of a demand to know rather than a concerned question. But she slowly nodded, "everything's happening way to fast, I wish I hadn't forgot Mr. Bear…" she frowned.

He slightly smiled, "I said I'd protect you…"

She hugged him tightly, to his surprise.

"Sasuke…"

When the eight walked and took their seats most of the class was already done with their notes and were talking amongst themselves.

"Is she alright?..."

The girls turned to their side. There stood Kai.

Ino sighed, holding her heart with her left hand. "I keep forgetting…you're actually here…" "She's fine, she'll be inside in a second" Sakura answered.

"Were is she?" "I think she's talking to Sasuke right now" Tenten shrugged.

His concerned expression dropped suddenly, but the girls didn't notice.

"I see…excuse me…" "oh! Kai! Don't you think we should talk?" Ino called.

"Later…"

Hinata took her seat, after having already finished her notes she closed her book and set it in her bag.

She sighed, staring out the open window.

She could sense it…

She could sense them…

Something…something wasn't right.

"HINATA-CHAN!" she jumped and quickly turned to her side.

Naruto stood there, smiling like there was no tomorrow.

She smiled sadly, "hello Naruto-kun"

"What's wrong Hinata? you look a little dazed" he frowned as he took the seat next to her, being able to move seats the last ten minutes of class.

She lightly giggled, "I'm fine Naruto-kun…I-I'm just thinking" "about what?"

She frowned "I…"

"N-Naruto-kun…?" "hm?" "do…do you know w-what today is?"

He smiled again, "I'm pretty sure it's Monday!" "n-no…I mean…today"

He frowned again "you mean date wise?...uh…oh wait!" he jumped, Hinata looked at him in shock.

"Did I forget something? A holiday? Anniversary? I'm sorry Hinata-chan!" he whined.

She giggled, setting her hand on his left shoulder to calm him down. He settled.

"No…its fine…p-please forget I ever asked."

He nodded brightly.

'…when is it going to happen!'

She questioned herself.

BRRRRIIIIINNNNNGGGG.

Over the course of the next four hours the girls had the roughest time adapting to the fact that Kai was in their face…alive.

It scared them and they often forgot and were shocked when he appeared. This greatly annoyed him (even if he didn't show it) and confused the boys.

Lunch was the upmost awkward for them. In first period the girls had figured everything was figured and settled, but they still couldn't accept the fact that Kai was sitting right in front of them calmly eating his lunch, as if the last five years were nothing.

"Okay…okay…okay okay okay…" Tenten whispered to herself, swinging back and forth, the ten of them (including Kai) looked to her.

"That's a lot of 'ok-'" "alright look! This is about as far as I can possibly go. Kai!" she yelled, cutting Naruto off.

He blankly stared at her.

"What's with the sudden pop up after five years! How is it that you can stand in front of us so calmly after so long? How did you even find us! This is too weird! It doesn't make any sense!" she yelled, slamming her hand against the table.

"This is far too strange…for all of us…" Hinata frowned.

"You'll get used to it" he said coldly.

The girls stared at him in shock.

He blinked, and retained a calm, innocent expression. "I mean, it's a shock to see the five of you too but, I'm fine with it…" he shrugged.

The girls each tilted their head to the side in confusion.

"Kai…that doesn't sound like y-"

Suddenly the intercom went on.

The cafeteria instantly went dead silent.

"Good afternoon seniors of Konoha high-" judging by that it meant the intercom was only inside the cafeteria.

"Would the following students please make their way to the gymnasium for a moment-?"

"Nara Shikamaru, Hyuga Neji, Sabaku Gaara, Uchiha Sasuke, Mayonaka Kai, Uzumaki Naruto, Uzumaki Megami, and Hyuga Hinata…" there was a slight hesitation in Tsunade's voice, as if she was hating everything she was saying.

"…Th…thank you, have a good day…"

Surprised, the eight of them stood up.

"What's going on?" Sakura asked, looking up at Gaara as he stood up. Gaara shrugged, "I'm not sure, but I'll be back."

Neji growled and Shikamaru sighed, "I can't believe they're doing this now."

"Doing what?" Ino frowned, "we'll explain later…" Neji said coldly, to Tenten's surprise.

Hinata walked slowly, shaking, Naruto looked at her in confusion and concern, but thought it best not to ask what was wrong.

He and Megami were the only confused ones. Sasuke, Shikamaru, Neji, Gaara and Kai all kept cold expressions.

The three girls looked at each other questionably, wondering why those certain people had been called…

The eight of them stepped into the gym, seeing as this was also Gai's lunch, it was empty of students.

There they found Tsunade, Itachi, Asuma-sensei and a few men in black suits, sunglasses, and flat expressions.

"Please…take a seat…" Tsunade tried to smile.

Sasuke shot Itachi a look, Itachi stood and stared at him with the same cold expression with his hands in his pockets, completely unlike them.

The eight of them took a seat on the bleachers, Naruto sat next to Hinata on the first row, Shikamaru, Gaara, Sasuke and Megami sat on the second, with Kai next to Megami, making both boys on each side of her and Shikamaru and Gaara on Sasuke's left.

Tsunade and Itachi took a seat in a couple chairs that were out for them, facing the bleachers.

When they were settled one of the men in the black suits stepped up.

He gave a crooked smile as he faced the teens.

"…welcome." he held his arms out. Not one of them responded.

"I assume your all wondering why you're here…well…if you take a look around you may find you have something in common with the person you're sitting next to…"

Only Megami and Naruto looked around, then faced him again.

"If you haven't figured it out by now I'll explain…it seems you are all a part of the royal clans of five great nations…some of you…rank higher than that…"

Megami blinked, if they were talking about royals, what was Kai doing here?

And how did they know to include her and Naruto…

Something doesn't feel right…

"Even so, you all should know what today brings. Futana, can you explain to them?"

One of the men nodded as the other backed up, he stepped forward.

"I presume your parents have all explained what must fall into the spring of your coming eighteenth year, what the nations call 'Haru No Kekkon' (marriage of the spring)"

Now this, caught all of their attentions.

The man smirked, "yes…in the order of the laws you are all to be married to a royal of the elders choosing."

"Stop."

They all shot their heads towards Shikamaru.

"My parents signed the release forms when I was sixteen" "as did mine" Sasuke added, "and mine" Neji smirked.

"Ah, I was just about to get that. If your parents had signed the forms prior to the due date of your sixteenth year to cancel your arranged marriage you are not obliged, other than that, you are required."

"Marriage!" Naruto and Megami yelled, Gaara glared "I never heard about the release forms, my parents informed me I was cleared."

The man standing in front snapped his fingers once, instantly one of the men moved up, revealing a file from his back.

He stuck it in the open hand. The man in front pulled it down and opened it.

"No, Gaara of the Sabaku clan, prince of Suna, you are still in line."

"What!" he demanded, standing up, "this is absurd, I demand to speak to my father!"

"Of course my prince" he bowed.

"But…what do we have to do with this?..." Megami whispered nervously hoping to get the answer she wished.

"The prince and princess of Konoha are obliged to marry whoever is chosen by the elders."

Instantly Naruto and Megami went pale.

"Oh…no" she whispered.

The man bowed again, as did those behind him.

"It is an honor to be in the presence of Konoha's first children…"

Ignoring the current events, Gaara glared down at the men who raised their heads.

"Ah yes, you are all free to speak to your relatives about the current situation."

"What…" Megami whispered.

She and Naruto both shot each other each other a terrified look, for a moment, then Naruto turned his attention to Hinata.

She sat, more frightened and refusing to look at him then the day they had met.

Something told him she knew more about this…

They listened as the gym doors opened.

Three hearts began racing as the men walked in.

The first, was Sasuke's father.

The next, was Gaara's.

The next…was Hiashi, Hinata's father, in traditional attire.

The last…

Was their worst nightmare...

Standing there, the last to enter the gym with a stern expression. His short square beard and long white hair in the back, a brown cane leading him, and like Hiashi, traditional attire.

Grandfather.

Grandfather Uzumaki.

Kushina's father.

And the man they had run away from thirteen years ago.

~*A.H*~

Megami gasped, as if prepared she ducked behind Sasuke as best as she could.

Sasuke stared down at his father; he stood speaking with Itachi, as if refusing to meet his youngest son's eyes.

"Grandpa…?" Naruto whispered.

A small smile formed behind his short square beard.

"Naruto…it's been so long…"

He had definitely aged. In the last time they had seen him he was already old, but the cane was new to them, his voice was more crooked, and his beard was as white as the winter snow.

He turned his head slightly to the side.

"Megami…I can see you…"

She sighed in defeat, slowly lifting her head from behind the Uchiha boy.

"Hello…grandpa…" she smiled sheepishly.

"The both of you have quite a lot of explaining to do…I need to know why it took me thirteen years to track you down…"

In fear, Naruto stood up.

But Megami stood her ground.

Grandfather shot her a look. "Aren't you coming?"

"I didn't stay thirteen years ago, what makes you think I'm going to come with you now?" she said calmly, clinging onto Sasuke.

"Because I am your elder, I am your legal guardian, and you will do as I say…or be forced" he mumbled the last part.

She was about to retort until Sasuke cut in.

"Just go…"

She shot her head to him.

He wasn't looking to her.

"Sas-" "just go…you'll be fine"

"You should listen to him…"

She shot her grandfather a glare, which thankfully for her he had already turned around and missed it.

"Sasuke…"

He shot her a look, slightly smiling, "you should be fine, as long those release forms were signed…I have to speak to my father…"

He kissed her softly, then stood up.

She watched as he walked down the couple bleachers towards Fugaku.

Megami stared at him in utter confusion, but slowly stood up and made her way down to the bleachers to face her grandfather for the first time in the last thirteen years.

But little did she know (or anyone else for that matter) that Kai had slipped away somewhere…

Gaara stared down at his father as he sat on the bleachers.

"Gaara…" "You lied to me…" he drove coldly.

"Gaa-" "you told me I was free to choose my own bride, you never told me anything about papers…I trusted you…even for a moment."

"I wasn't sure you would have picked the correct bride…I'm only looking out for what's best for you and Suna. This is for the best."

"Then who is it…"

"Sari…" "You've lost your mind…" he scoffed, turning back.

"If you had chosen before we wouldn't need to do this! But instead you chose that Haruno girl, were will she benefit you!...Suna sees you as their prince…and now I think it's time you start acting as such…"

"Don't you dare bring Sakura into this" he growled as he stood up on the bleachers.

"Fine then…answer me this…"

He stared face to face with his father.

"Where were you before you met her…?"

Gaara's glaring façade fell.

"Do you really think this is the best?...for everyone?"

Hiashi stepped up to Hinata, who sat staring at the ground, and Neji, who just sat calmly staring at him.

He had no real power over who he married since his parents were gone, but the papers were still signed.

"Hinata…" "f-father…" she mumbled.

"Child, have you no respect? Stand up and do as you have been taught."

She quickly stood up and bowed, holding her head until she caught a glimpse of his hand up, she raised her head but her eyes refused to meet his.

"Hello…father" "greetings uncle" Neji said monotonously bowing.

"The time of spring has arrived. Have you noticed?"

"I realized this…father…I never forgot…" "Of course you didn't…but you still chose to disobey me…what a foolish choice, you know I raised you better than this."

She hung her head, unable to respond.

He sighed "Come, it's time to go…"

Her throat went dry. "Father…please-!" "Don't you dare argue with me at a time like this!" he yelled, she flinched.

"Uncle…" Neji started, "Neji, I'm sorry but you are coming as well." He ordered. "Why?"

"You are a Hyuga; you have to be there…it is your duty…"

~*AH*~

"You both knew you would have to face me again someday." "Frankly, I was hoping for never…" Megami mumbled as she leaned on the wall with her arms crossed, Naruto stood with his hands in his pockets, looking to the ground.

Grandfather turned to her. "You carry hatred for me…?" "I know there's a reason mom said not to trust you that night! And no matter what I'm going to follow by her word, right Naruto?"

She turned to her younger brother, having had his head hung since they got off the bleachers.

Still thinking of…

She frowned at him.

"Right…Naruto?" he quickly shot his head up, looking from her to grandfather with an almost confused expression.

He nodded, "I'm sorry grandpa but there's no way I'm getting married…I already have someone…" he whispered.

"Aa, that Hyuga girl." Naruto blinked, "how do you kno-" "news has spread of her disobedience. The both of you are in no position to be in a relationship."

"You…you say that like it's against the law." Naruto choked then slowly glared at him.

"You are free to think of it that way. The same goes for you…I never approved of the time you spent with that Uchiha boy."

"His name is Sasuke you bastard!" Megami snapped. Her grandfather looked taken aback, "insolent girl…how dare you speak to me that wa-" "so is this the only reason you came back! To force us into a marriage with some royal brats! Not even to see your own grandkids after thirteen years! Are you that cold? Trying to pull us away from this small shred of happiness we've found ever since mom and dad died? Is that really all you're here for!" she yelled in a demanding tone.

The hallway was silent for a moment.

Their grandfather stared at them…

"Everyone in this world has obligations…"

Both siblings froze.

"You will return to Furyoka whether you like it or not."

"That's your decision. As for us, We're going back into the gym. Then going to class, like any normal day, and just pretend this never happened," she concluded, crossing her arms and turning around.

She suddenly stopped and turned back around, "we've survived the last thirteen years without you. We can go thirteen more. Just do us a big favor and leave us alone…" with that she was off again.

Naruto barely looked at him as he walked away, following his partially older sister.

Their grandfather sighed.

"I tried to make this easy on the both of you…" he whispered.

"You told me it was settled" Sasuke growled, confronting his father.

"I didn't think he would find her. Think of this the next time you choose to flaunt around in the magazines, or on TV" he said sternly.

"I thought you handled this!" "Well I can't possibly take care of everything. I couldn't find the papers Sasuke, I'm sorry. But she's on her own."

He glared at his father, rethinking over the fact he had let her go and talk to him.

As Naruto and Megami began to reenter the gym they were met with a few familiar faces leaving.

Hinata and Neji were slowly stepping out with her father.

"Hinata-chan…we're you going?" Naruto asked, turning to his side to face her.

She said nothing. She hardly glanced to him as she stepped out.

"Hinata...?" he whispered as he aimed to follow her.

Neji held his hand out. Stopping him.

Naruto shot him a glare, "What're you doing?"

"Don't follow her…this isn't the right time…"

Naruto stared at him in confusion.

"You'll see her soon…"

Before he could even respond the Hyuga's were out the door, leaving Naruto unsure of when he would see them again.

Naruto stared to the ground, in confusion and disappointment as he stood in front of the door the both of them had just walked out of. The thought of everything that had just been explained was rushing towards him.

Hinata…just might be getting married…and he…

He sulked. Well, for the moment anyways. He slightly gasped when the door flung open, and he was furiously tugged out.

Megami sighed in relief when she saw Sasuke still talking to his father; Gaara stood and talked to Shikamaru who stared at him partially in shock, partially in understanding.

But she didn't see Kai anywhere. She gave a confused expression; he had just been there a moment ago.

She didn't have to think about it for too long of a time, when she was forcibly grabbed and pulled back.

She gasped when she was twisted around, her hands clutching together.

She saw one of the men in the black suits, handcuffing her.

She scrambled in their grasp as she was pulled outside the doors.

"What the hell are you doing!" she demanded. "Forgive me my hime. These are strictly our orders."

Her hands were finally restricted; unable to separate them and fight back, she resorted to her legs.

She kicked one of the men holding her down in the face.

In pain, he shot back.

The leader sighed, "Cuff her legs!"

"You can't do this! Let me go!" she yelled.

"We have no choice. Lord hokage has demanded it. This is the only way to get you to succumb."

Suddenly her eyes widened, "grandfather…?"

Her feet cuffed together. When they were, one of the men wrapped a gauze around her mouth, of course to keep her from screaming.

"You! Pick her up! We have to get going!" the leader called.

One of the men nodded and did as ordered, hoisting her over his shoulder.

When she was on the men quickly began running towards the middle doors for gym students.

Still scrambling furiously and helplessly over the running mans shoulder, Megami managed to pull the gauze off with her teeth long enough to yell a few choice words.

"SASUKEEE! SASUKE! HELP ME!"

In an instant the raven-boy twisted around from speaking to his father and brother.

And it seemed he wasn't the only one to hear the cry…

"Megami?" he called, looking around.

MEGAMI!" he yelled as he ran to and out the doors.

"Sasuke! Wait!" his father called, rushing after him.

Tsunade stared down at the floor in dismay; Itachi furiously ran a hand through his hair.

Asuma sighed, letting the cigarette drop to the floor.

He stepped on it as he walked over, and out the gym.

Shikamaru and Gaara had already left, Shikamaru walking towards the lunchroom.

Gaara…walked elsewhere.

"SASUKE!" she continued to cry as she was being forced into the short limousine by the men.

He could still hear her calling his name from outside.

"Get her in! QUICKLY! We're already being delayed!" the head of the group demanded as he got in a short limo of his own.

The men forced her in as they rest got in to drive.

"SASUKE!" she pleaded as the door slammed.

Quickly rushing to the driver's seat, the men got in, starting the car while two men got in the seats Megami sat in, just as Sasuke rushed out.

From the window she could see him. She gasped, looking around.

There she found to be an opening in the roof.

She pushed herself up, to both of the men's shock.

"MEGAMI!" he yelled as he saw her face come out of the limo, her arms clasped together behind and her eyes watered in desperation.

Tears began to run down as the car began to drive away.

"SAAASUKEE!" she screamed as it quickly drove off.

Down the street, and off to nowhere…

Sasuke dropped to his knees in confusion as he watched it go.

Confusion quickly turned into anger as he held his head down and cursed himself.

Cursed himself for not taking enough time to help her.

Cursed himself for letting her go in the first place.

Cursed himself for not being fast enough…

"Sasuke…"

He barely lifted his head as he listened to his father.

"Sasuke…" "She's gone…"

"Sas-" "and I let her go…"

"No you didn't, there was nothing you could have gone…it's for the best…"

"For the best…?" he said slowly as he stood up.

He turned his head slightly, glaring at his father.

"It's not in my place to pull her away anyways; her grandfather would already have gone off…"

"Did you know…?" he spoke slowly.

"Sasuke…" "DID YOU KNOW!" he demanded, turning to his father, glaring painfully.

His father sighed, taking a step forward to his angry son.

"Yes…we all knew…but we didn't want-"

Unable to finish his sentence, Fugaku crashed to the floor in result of the fist that collided with his right cheek.

"You all knew…all this time…and you didn't tell me…"

"It would have made things worse if we did!" he demanded, rubbing his cheek.

"No matter what either of you would have tried to do. He would have come after you."

"I asked you. To tell me. If he was going to or trying to do anything suspicious when this came up…you lied to me…now…..you're all dead to me."

"Sasuke…- Sasuke! We're you going!" he called as he watched his son walk back to the school.

"What do you think? Somehow I've got to figure out a way to get my girlfriend back…"

The girls continued to sit in the lunchroom, waiting and watching around for any signs of their friends or boyfriends.

They sighed in slight relief when Shikamaru finally entered again.

Ino was contempt with seeing him, but the girls were confused as to why the boys or the girls weren't behind them.

"Hey! Shikamaru!" Tenten called as they stood up, jogging over to him.

"Where's everyone else?" Tenten asked in confusion.

He looked to the floor, sullen. There had to be some possible way to explain it… he thought.

Sakura blinked a couple times, staring at him as if she were reading him over.

"Shikamaru…where's Gaara…?"

He hesitated for a second, for the first time looking for the right words.

"…gone…"

She took a step back.

"W-what do you mean he's gone?...did he go to the studio or something…or-" "no…" he sighed.

"He's in Furyoka…they're ALL in Furyoka….."

Megami sat back in the limo as she was forcibly pulled down. Refraining from letting more tears run down her eyes as Sasuke's image faded away.

"Where are you taking me!" she demanded furiously.

Most of the men kept silent, but one of them spoke up.

"Home of course, my hime…you and our prince are being brought home…"

"Konoha is our home! And what do you mean our prince? What have you done with Naruto! Where is he!" she yelled. "Well of course it is. This is where Lord Uzumaki rules, and this is where you and our prince should be. But you are to be married in Furyoka my hime. All questions will be answered in due time…"

Sasuke's home, she thought to herself, Furyoka. Maybe there was a chance they would…

She had little time to think as a white cloth slammed over her mouth. She gave muffled screams as her eyes became shadowy.

"You've been a long ways away from home princess….now…it is time to return…"

"WHY the hell did everyone go to Furyoka? Is there some celebration going on or something that no one told us about? Because if there is that is SO uncool!" Ino said firmly as the four of them walked out of the cafeteria.

"No one went to a party Ino…" he sighed again. "Then tell us why! What happened when you guys left? Where did everyone go! WHERE'S GAARA!" the cherry blossom bound girl cried, twisting Shikamaru around, whom refused to meet their gazes.

"It's…hard to explain" he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "That's hard to believe for someone like you." Tenten scoffed.

"Seriously though, if this is a joke it's not very funny. Just tell me where Neji is and I'll go-" "I TOLD you. They're ALL in Furyoka." He said again in an annoyed tone.

"Well then are you going to tell us WHY they're there!" she demanded, equally as annoyed. Sakura frowned, "Yeah, quit dragging it on Shikamaru, if they don't get back from wherever they are we're going to be late for cla-"

"They're getting married. There, I said it…" he sighed, turning back around.

Ino almost instantly burst out laughing.

Both girls stared at her in shock.

"I told you Shika-kun! You suck at jokes!" she laughed, waving her hand.

"Y-yeah, that's not funny Shika-"

Sakura stopped herself as she stared at his face. There was no humor behind his face. A dead serious expression plastered his face.

"Come on Shikamaru it's not like you to be joking like this!" Tenten yelled angrily.

He sighed once again, "girls are such a drag…sit down…let me explain…"

The youngest Uchiha slammed the doors of the gymnasium open, alerting the few residents who continued to stand there, speaking as he stormed over to them.

Itachi stared at his younger brother, looking down at him as he angrily faced him.

"Yeah…she's gone…I know." "and yet you still hesitated to tell me a thing." They spoke.

It stayed silent for a moment as Tsunade stood her ground, watching them.

"Is that why you took this teaching job?" "Someone had to watch the both of you. I was just observing, I was just doing my job."

"Job?" the raven-haired boy asked, raising a brow.

He sighed in frustration. "Don't you get it? They've been watching you this entire time. There's always been someone under they're surveillance. They forced me keep an eye on the both of you…or else…" he mumbled the final part.

"They knew? All this time?" he said in a slightly surprised notion. "Well of course they did. How do you think you could have avoided this? You've been in magazines, on TV, in the paper, at sports, everything for years. Naruto's name has always been given out, and for the last five months so has Megami's."

The Uchiha took a step back.

Tsunade cleared her throat. Understanding, Itachi took a step back to let her speak.

"Sasuke…they've been toying with all of you for the last six years…their grandfather knew where they were, and where they've always been. Naruto, for the last eight years. Megami, for the last five.

"You all just made it easier." Itachi said coldly.

He clenched his fists.

Noticing, Tsunade stepped up again.

"Sasuke! It's not your fault! We are all to blame! But we can't stand here doing nothing, hoping they'll come back!"

He looked up at her with his usual blank expression.

"Then what do you plan on doing…?"

She smirked.

"Well of course. I plan on getting my niece and nephew back."

"And just how are we going to do that…?" Itachi drove coldly.

"You can't honestly believe that this entire time I've been just standing around, waiting for him to make his move, have you?" she lightly chuckled.

The brothers raised a brow.

She rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"Come on you two! There's some people we have to round up!"

"No…no…you're lying…YOU'RE LYING!"

"Sakura, calm down" Shikamaru sighed.

"Gaara would never go off and get married! Especially not to Sari! I-I don't care if this is a law or ANYTHING! He promised!" she cried.

"Sakura! He said to calm down!" Tenten said as she stood up to settle her down.

"You wouldn't be saying that if Neji were doing this!" she yelled angrily. "Well then what about Hinata? Or Megami? NARUTO? I'm worried about them too!"

"Girls…"

"Of course I'm worried about them! But I'm just so frustrated! How can this be happening!-"

"Uh…guys…" Shikamaru slightly whispered.

"I feel like there's nothing we can do! What ARE we supposed to do? Run in and yell 'I object'!" Sakura said sarcastically.

"That's not a bad idea…" Ino shrugged. Sakura shot her a glare, stepping forward to the blond.

"Maybe you haven't noticed Ino-pig, but these are royal wedding. As in high class people. As in if we even barged into it uninvited we could be killed, depending on which country we're talking about." Sakura spat.

"That's a little harsh don't you think?" Ino frowned, "go tell them that!-"

"GIRLS!"

All three of them shot their heads to where the pineapple haired boy stood, scratching the back of his head in an annoyed tone.

"Damn I hate yelling…now would you just give me a second to explain the situation a little more? You want to help them don't you?"

Sakura frowned, "well of course we-!" "There's no need for that, Shikamaru."

The four of them silenced, turning around to face the carrier of the voluptuous voice.

Tsunade. With two Uchiha brothers on each side of her. one staring at them with a monochrome type expression, the other refusing to meet their gaze as his eyes faced the wall in thought…

"Principal Tsunade!" Ino said aloud.

Shikamaru sighed, taking a step back, "I was about to explain…"

She smiled, turning back to the three girls.

"You would like to help your friends. Wouldn't you?" "Of course we would!" Ino yelled, "But what can we do! Sakura's right, we can't just up and go to Furyoka like that!"

"Who says you can't?" their principal smiled.

The girls stared at her in confusion, as the boys remained calm.

"Well…how can we? It's not like we can just pack our things, go to Furyoka, grab the five of them and run like hell" Tenten shrugged.

"Well that's not necessarily the plan. You got half of it correct."

"Tsunade-sama…what are you saying…?" Sakura questioned slowly, eyeing her principal carefully.

Tsunade flew her arms out.

"Go home and pack a few things girls! We're going on a road trip!"

Only Ino squealed. The others, remained in the dust.

~*A.H*~

They say the whitest of roses, are the ones that are aloud entrance into the very gates of heaven. That just the mere sight of one can indicate the death of someone around you, close to you, or could even be yourself.

Those at the purest of beauty. Are truly the most deadly.

The feeling.

The softness.

The cold air, whisking across her face as she tries to open her eyes. But her mind pulls her back, refusing to let them open as she tugs the exhaustion away from herself.

The texture. Below her, it is soft, meek and warm.

Above her. it is cold, windy and bright.

Yet still, unrecognizable…

A yawn escapes her lips as her eyes finally bend to her will. She looks about her surroundings, facing, an unfamiliar room…

She quickly sits up, twisting her head around, trying to comprehend just were in the hell she is.

Part of it…looked familiar…but then again…

….

Megami jolts out of the mattress she had been laying on. Ignoring the wind from the wide open tall stain glass window on her left that seemed to pour the rays of the sun into the room.

Breathing heavily, she looked at the bed. a large completely white king size canopy bed, with silk white drapes, seven overstuffed pure white pillows, and the whitest unkempt sheet she had just pushed herself out of.

The walls seemed to clash with the room, as they had been painted a slick scarlet red.

Along the wall lay's a long closet completely—and only—filled with hand crafted beautiful late nineteenth century Victorian style dresses and gowns of all different colors and designs.

Shoes that matched each particular dress sat neatly at the bottom of each one. From flats, to strapped heels, to open toes and Jimmy Choos.

A white-gold chandelier hung at the top, centering the room. Completing the design.

She almost screamed.

Twisting around, she headed for the door; she had to get out…quickly…

Running to the long shiny wooden door with a silver knob, she twisted and pulled.

But it wouldn't turn.

She tugged and pulled at it furiously, but it stayed locked.

In fear, she did the first thing that came to mind.

"HELP! SOMEBODY HELP! I'M LOCKED IN! IS ANYONE THERE! PLEASE!" she yelled as she banged on the door.

"SASUKE? NARUTO! GIRLS?...anyone…" she whispered, slowing her hand down.

She stood there, leaning on the door for a few seconds, before her eyes widened at a sound.

"Megami!"

A smile escalated on her face.

"Naruto-niisan! Is that you?" she yelled, leaning her ear against the door.

"Y-yeah!" "I'm locked in! you've got to find some kinda way to open the-"

The knob turned, letting the door open from the outside.

"…door…" she said slowly as she stared at her brother.

They both stared at each other, awestruck, looking over one another.

"What the hell are you wearing!"

They both looked down at themselves in confusion.

Naruto stood in a white loose long sleeved shirt with the collar down, tucked into slick black pants with shiny black shoes.

Megami herself stood in a long white dress that touched the floor over her shoes, which she pulled up to find white flats that matched the dress perfectly, hiding under. The tight dress hung off her shoulders, hugging her waist and her chest, revealing cleavage below a white pearl necklace.

"I don't remember putting this on!" she yelled. "And how come this damn door only opens from the outside! Where are we anyways! Someone's got some explaining to do dattebane!" she yelled furiously.

Naruto shrugged himself, "I'm not even sure where we are. I just woke in an orange and black room. The door was open so I walked out. I tried to look for someone, but I couldn't find anybody dattebayo! I'm glad I heard your voice" he sighed.

Megami frowned, looking about her surroundings.

"Something's seriously messed up about this….come on Naruto, let's go walk around, I'm sure we can find something then!"

With a nod, both siblings headed out.

The stroke of a brush roamed down her hair as she stared blankly at the sparkling mirror.

Her reflection stared back at her truly. But all she saw was a different person. A person who had lied and hidden the truth from the one she loved.

"Lady…Hinata…is something bothering you…" the maid daintily asked as she delicately brushed through the former Hyuga heir's long blue violet hair.

"I-it's…n-nothing…" she said quietly, yet she still caught it.

"Mind me asking my lady…are you excited to meet your future husband…?"

"Y-yes…why shouldn't I be…?" she asked hesitantly.

"I'm sorry my lady, you just seemed upset, that's all."

"I-I was…I'm just…thinking…that is all…" "Alright…my apologies…"

Three knocks came upon her door, startling her for a moment.

"C-come in!" she called as the maid continued to straighten her hair.

The door knob slowly turned, pushing open inside her room.

Neji stood there, in a white collar shirt up to his elbows and black dress pants.

He bowed, while Hinata continued to stare at the mirror.

"Lady Hinata. Are you ready?"

"J-just a moment…could you wait…p-please…"

He nodded, lifting himself up, taking the knob and closing the door back.

Hinata slightly smiled up to the maid who had just finished brushing her hair.

"T-thank you…Sona…" "A pleasure my lady."

"C-could you please…give me a moment…I want to gather myself…"

"Of course my lady," she bowed as she stepped towards the door, turning and opening it, letting herself out.

As soon as the door clicked in a close Hinata broke out. Hot, salty tears rained down her eyes in pain and despair.

She couldn't do it.

She wouldn't do it.

It's all too much…

She needs him…

Cursing herself for not explaining sooner, she rests her face in her hands, leaning down and crying into the silk purple dress she sat in.

"Hey Gaara! There's a science fair going on in Mozukai! We should go! It'll be fun!"

"I swear you're the most normal one out of these guys" she laughed.

"Can you feel it Gaara?" she smiled. "The rain…it makes all the trouble seem like a speck in the dust…"

"Hi! I'm Sakura Haruno! Yes my hair is naturally pink so fuck off" she smiled.

All of them.

All the little memories…they're the ones that have truly been lost in the dust.

As he adjusted his collar in the long mirror he continued to find his mind drifting off to the cherry blossom haired girl he had left behind.

By now Shikamaru must have told her the truth, he thought. Yet he didn't know what to think of what she could be doing.

Was she angry?

Crying her eyes out?

Did she care…?

Well of course she would, he thought, she had to.

But now, there's nothing they can do.

The elders have spoken…and their word is law…

"Sakura…" he spoke to the mirror, as if he could see her bright image, smiling back at him with high hope and feeling.

"Please…forgive me…" he said to himself as he touched the side of the mirror, leaning his head on it, grinding his teeth.

"Gaara-sama…?"

"What is it…"

The maid choked, taking a step back in regret and fear.

"Y-your father, w-wanted me to ask if you are ready…m-my lord."

"I'll be down…soon…" he said ever so coldly.

She nodded quickly, bowing again as she closed the door back.

He stuck his hands into his pockets, sighing to himself as he examined himself over the mirror.

"All hail prince Gaara! Bow to your future king of Sunagakure!"

"Here here!"

The chants of his subjects rained in his head from that fateful October day. Back when everything made sense and life wasn't a puddle of stress and problems.

With another glance to the mirror, he turned around, walking out, leaving his room.

"Tsunade-sama! Exactly what do we need?" Ino called as they rode in Tsunade's car, on their way back to their house.

Having left school early, Tsunade asked Shizune to cover for her, and that she would be back soon. She had already spoken to all their teachers as well, informing them the fact that the girls might be away from school for some time.

"I would insist you pack the necessities. You're going to be away from home for some time." "Why's that?" Tenten asked, "And exactly what are we doing when we GET to Furyoka?"

"All will be explained soon girls. Right now I just need you to get yourselves ready. You won't need to pack any clothes or shoes. Just take a few things you can't leave home without." She explained.

"What! Why can't we take clothes! OR shoes!" Ino demanded as their house came into view.

Tsunade sighed in complete annoyance. "Like I said, I'll explain everything soon. Just hurry up and get what you think you'll need, then hurry back as quickly as you can, we have a long road ahead of us…"

The girls looked at each other in confusion and worry. But all in all, they knew they had to work together to bring their friends and loved ones back…

Back at the mansion the boys and Itachi also proceeded to pack their necessities. Even if their priorities weren't the same as the girls, they still had jobs to do.

Sasuke stood and packed a duffle bag, putting the things Itachi explained he would need for now and later inside, whilst everything would be explained on the ride to Furyoka.

Home…

Pushing the thought out of his head, he directed his attention to two of the few photo's that sat on the desk next to his neat dark blue bed.

The first that he stared at was the photo of a young Megami, Naruto, and him. The second sat the photo of the picture they had taken when coming back from comicon, kissing while the camera snapped.

He growled at himself, grinding his teeth furiously as the recollection of her image crying and calling his name as the car went off while he stood and did nothing rained in his memory.

He clenched the duffle bag in his fists as his eyes directed to their kiss again.

Everything has to be settled now, he thought.

Now, there's much to do.

"Sasuke…?"

Without a word he turned his head slightly to the side. Shikamaru stood by the side of the door with a bag of his own, changed out of his school clothes into regular clothing while Sasuke didn't bother too.

"Itachi wants to know if you're ready…"

His eyes trailed off to the picture again, the necklace on her neck glistening.

"I'm coming…but tell him…there's a few things I want to get before we go there…"

The two siblings trailed around the unfamiliar place for what seemed like hours but had only been a matter of minutes.

"Just were in the hell are we!" Megami yelled furiously. Naruto furrowed his brows in thought, "it kinda looks familiar…but I just can't place it…"

"Where ever this is its pissing me off! It's like we're in a fucking maze or something!" she snapped.

"Come on Megami calm down, I'm sure we'll get out of here" her brother reassured, smiling confidently.

She sighed and huffed, blowing her right bang from her eyes.

"Hey! I think I see a light!" he boasted, pointing forward before she could say anything.

Without haste he rushed forward to it, hoping to find an exit.

Megami sighed and held her neck, trying to calm herself.

Only then did her eyes widen in shock as she touched it, feeling around as if in disbelief.

She looked down at the pearl necklace that sat on her neck, shining, which she hadn't noticed before.

"Naruto! Naruto wait! M-my necklace! S-Sasuke's! IT'S GONE!" she yelled as she rushed after him.

Painting heavily she followed her brother off to the light he had discovered, only then to bump right into his back as her eyes adjusted to the new light.

"Ow! Naruto! Don't stop like that!" she wailed, rubbing her forehead.

She blinked a couple times as she stared at his back.

He only stood there, his head lowered slightly.

It took her a moment to realize were she was. Not only in a lit room but golden walls surrounded them, lighting it.

In fact it wasn't even a room, she realized. She looked down to find a long golden stair handle on each side of her, leading down with long, wide, white gold steps to where Naruto stared.

She followed his eyes as he looked down, while they stood at the top of the long steps, many faces stood at the bottom.

Faces, as in Hinata, Neji, and Gaara. Staring up at them with blank expressions, looking as if they didn't know who they were. The men who had taken them in the first place, standing behind everyone, their hands clasped behind them in a line.

Along with grandfather, who stood in the front of everyone, his cane down, a monochrome expression plastered on his face as he stared up to them.

Then came the few faces that they didn't recognize.

Two girls stood by the side, dressed in similar dresses that Megami and Hinata stood in.

Then finally, dressed in the same attire the boys stood in…

Was Kai, standing near grandfather, staring at them with a dull, lost expression that so dangerously resembled Sasori.

It felt like a decade before anyone finally spoke.

That person, being grandfather.

"I see the both of you have finally woken up. Wonderful…I think it's time you met your fiancée's…"

As Tsunade pulled up into the driveway, the girls let themselves out of her car.

"Hurry up now girls! No dilly dallying! I want you back in this car in five minutes there's still much to do!" she called after them from the driver's seat as the girls walked towards their door.

Ino sighed dramatically, "this whole thing completely sucks. What's the point of going to Furyoka if I can't look-"

"Wait!" Sakura said, cutting her off as she held her right arm in front of the blond, seizing her.

"What is it?" Tenten asked, following Sakura's eyes that faced towards their door.

"The door…the door…" she slightly whispered.

The girls looked forward towards their home, there to find their door wide open, and Neko sitting on the porch with his tongue hanging out.

His tail began wagging when he spotted them, hopping up and running towards Tenten.

"What the hell!" Ino gasped as she ran toward their house, whilst Tenten took Neko into her arms who then began to bark.

Sakura quickly followed Ino inside.

"Were we robbed?" Ino questioned frightfully, holding onto her school skirt. Sakura looked around, examining the front entrance room to the open living room.

"It…doesn't really look like it…form here anyways…" "Well we can't be too sure! Let's check the rest of the house! The door couldn't have been open for no reason!" Ino called as she ran towards the kitchen.

Sakura followed after her, looking throughout the downstairs.

A few minutes later the girls met back up with nothing to report.

"Nothing's gone" Ino huffed, holding her hips.

Before she could respond Ino's eyes lit up again. "Upstairs!"

With a nod to each other, they rushed upstairs.

"Girls! We're you going!" Tenten called as Neko squirmed in her arms.

First, the blond and the cherry girl checked their rooms, from bathroom and closet and back. But everything was locked and secure as they had left it, no sign of any invasion.

So they went ahead and took a look through Hinata and Tenten's rooms. Going through their things to see if anything was amiss, especially in Hinata's.

Still, they saw nothing wrong.

"Only Megami's room is left" Ino shrugged. "Do you think she left the door open or something when we left this morning? She was the last one to leave," Sakura frowned.

Ino waved her hand as they walked towards her door, "she can't be that dumb!…" then her smile dropped.

"I wish they were here…" she sighed as she turned the knob on her door.

But the knob wouldn't turn, to her shock.

She looked up at the decorated door hiding Megami's room. A crack sat in between the doors, letting a small brush of air out, hitting her face.

"Her door…it's open…" she lightly whispered.

"What?" Sakura called in confusion.

Ino pushed the door lightly, showing her what she was talking about.

Without waiting for a reaction she went ahead and stepped in.

"Who was in here? What would they want with Megami's room?" The cherry girl said in confusion, looking around.

Without answering Ino focused her attention on the general and important things in Megami's room.

She frowned, "from here it doesn't seem like anything's-" "wait!" Sakura said, seizing her.

"What?" Ino asked as she watched her take baby steps towards the dresser on the right side of Megami's bed, where they faced.

"Her pictures…" she lightly whispered. Ino raised a brow.

"What about them?"

On her top dresser sat three framed pictures. A group picture of the girls, a picture of her, Naruto, and Sasuke as little kids, and finally a photo of her and Sasuke, kissing under the light of the mood and rain after comicon.

"Megami…she usually has four pictures on her dresser. The last one is supposed to be the one of her parents, her, and Naruto. I remember, she's had it on her dresser since she found out she and Naruto are siblings…she'd never take it off."

Ino rolled her eyes, "do you really think a robber would break in to steal her family photo?"

"Not a robber necessarily. But there is someone in particular…after all; this photo alone holds vital importance."

Both girls shot their heads to the door in surprise. Tsunade leaned on it, her arms crossed and her eyes meeting the photo's that sat on Megami's dresser.

"Tsunade…sama?" Sakura dragged slowly.

"Come on girls. For a start, we've got to get that picture back…"

"For a start?" Ino asked as they began to follow her out. "What do you mean?"

Tsunade chuckled to herself.

"On the road to Furyoka girls! On to Furyoka!"

.

.

.

"Who's fiancée?" the redhead snapped, staring at the people in front of her like they were vermin as she stood at the bottom of the steps with Naruto.

Before her grandfather could retort she continued on, "I'm not anybody's fucking fiancée old man, not tell me where my necklace is so I can get out of here!" she yelled.

"How dare you speak to lord hokage that wa-!" "Patience Hadate…" he ordered, holding his cane in front of one of the men who had stepped up.

He directed his eyes back to Megami, who stood firmly with her arms crossed.

"Won't you come and greet everyone properly? That's what a respectable prince and princess would do…must you be so rude to your comrades and fiancé-"

"Shut up! I don't have a fiancé! Stop giving me this crap and just tell me where my necklace is so I can go home!" she demanded again.

"I don't want this crap!" she yelled, grasping the pearl necklace and tearing it off her neck, to almost everyone's shock.

The pearls split as she threw it on the ground, scattering around the floor.

"Now give me back my necklace!"

Her grandfather kept a stern, calm and composed face as he continued on, ignoring her.

"Let us begin, shall we?"

Megami stared in shock and anger was he turned away from her, towards were Hinata and Neji stood, to which she finally recognized.

"As courtesy fiancé of Hinata Hyuga, heir to the Hyuga clan, please acknowledge your fiancé, heir to the Inuzuka clan, Kiba Inuzuka!" grandfather announced.

To both Megami and Naruto's shock, Hinata did nothing, all she did was walk up to where Kiba revealed himself from behind one of the men, looking as he did as usual in school, aside the fact he dressed in almost the exact same outfit Naruto did.

Hinata curtsied, letting him take her hand. And to further Naruto's pain, she let him kiss her cheek.

Naruto sank his head, turning away and grinding his teeth.

Megami turned to him, ready to provide comfort.

"Naru-" "As courtesy fiancée of prince Gaara Sabaku, prince of Suna and heir to Sunagakure. Lady Sari, princess of Chiheisa!"

With confidence, Sari stepped up from next to another girl, towards Gaara who walked the few feet towards her.

She curtsied as Hinata had as he took her hand and kissed it, to Megami shock, while Naruto refused to look at anyone.

Grandfather smiled (in some way) as he walked towards Naruto, who hung his head.

"For my grandson, Naruto. Please greet your future bride, princess Sara, of the Rouran kingdom."

The girls with dark shoulder length red hair with spiky bangs blushed in as she walked towards Naruto.

He refused to lift his head, no matter how close she got.

"Naruto…greet your fiancée with respect…"

Shakingly, Sara reached over to him, curtsying to him.

In retort, before she could even touch him he smacked her hand away, to their shock.

He kept his ground as she settled her hand back nervously.

Grandfather shot him a look. But Naruto continued to avoid his gaze.

"We will speak about this later…" he whispered coldly as he walked past his grandson.

He cleared his throat, turning to an obviously annoyed Megami.

"My granddaughter, Megami, I expect you to give great welcome to your fiancé." He said sternly as he nudged her forward, pointing to her 'fiancé.'

She turned, ready to glare at whoever she was supposed to be marrying in this mess.

But with a complete look of shock on her face…Kai stood there, in the same attire as the boys, staring blankly at her.

The next words grandfather spoke burned through her like a hot plate.

"Prince Kai Mayonaka, of the Mayonaka family of the Shinrai kingdom!"

Megami looked up at him with eyes, glistening in the golden light.

He smirked nonetheless, bending over and taking her hand, kissing it.

She did not curtsy. She did not smile. She barely met his gaze as the others had when he lifted himself up.

The one thing she did do that she knew how to do best. Was slap him.

Across the face as hard as she could possibly muster, letting all her force go into her hand.

His hand held to his right cheek as it stung red, and her hand remained raised.

Sari and Sara gasped, but no one else reacted.

Grandfather glared heavily though, especially at most when she turned on her heels and ran upstairs, crying along the way.

When a door furiously slammed Naruto lifted his head.

He turned his gaze to Hinata; he looked to her side, standing next to Kiba who smirked at him, a gaze that spoke 'I told you I'd win her'

He had no idea who to do, how to look.

So, he simply followed his sister's footsteps. Sticking his hands in his pockets and walking up the steps.

Grandfather sighed.

"Go after him" he ordered, motioning for two men to follow the blond.

They nodded, walking upstairs.

"What about the princess my lord?" one questioned as he knelt before him.

Instead of answering he turned his gaze to Kai, who stood with the reddened cheek, calmly.

"We will deal with her later."

Megami collapsed on the bed she had woken up too. Holding her face in the pillows and crying hot, painful tears.

"So I met this guy in my English class yesterday, his name is Kai." She smiled as she walked to Pre-Algebra with the girls.

"Oh yeah! He's a new student in my World History class!" Ino boasted, "He's really weird and awkward. He wouldn't talk to anyone, he barely said hi." She explained.

Megami smiled, "well I don't think he's weird, or awkward. I think he's really nice, we got reading partners and he picked me without even knowing me. I think we're going to be really good friends, we really hit it off!" she beamed.

"Oh looks like Gami's got a crush!" Tenten teased, poking her cheeks.

Megami frowned, "it's not a crush. He's really nice but I don't like him that way, it's even only been one day!"

"So you're saying if we give it time you guys will start dating?" Sakura smirked. The girls giggled at that.

"Oh stop it you guys! We're friends! Kai and I are friends!"

"We understand Megami, we're just teasing" Hinata smiled softly, picking at the back of her short midnight blue hair.

"Well…he does seem like the type of guy I think I'll be close with for a really long time!"

Her salty tears soaked one of the many pillows as she hugged it, thinking of the horrible choices she had made.

But right now, there was one she was positive she hadn't done wrong.

"Sasuke!..." she cried.

"I need you…" she whispered into her pillow, holding her naked neck.

"…I know…I-I know you'll come for me…"

Naruto dug his finger nails into the wooden table that sat beside his bed. as the wood came off he tossed it to the side, letting it slam against the metal holding up the bed.

He slowly walked to the windows that shed light into his room. The orange drapes whist up and down against the warm wind.

He stared blankly out the closed window. The light of the sun warming his cheeks. He held his head down, leaning against the window, letting his short side bangs fall over his eyes.

"Naru….N-Naru…" a faint voice said weakly.

"Naruto…" she finally mustered.

He did not answer. He did not move. He did not take so much as a glance or a nudge to acknowledge her.

"Naruto-kun…" she said shakingly, biting her bottom lip as she clenched her dress.

She twirled her midnight blue locks in her left finger, eying her dress.

"Naruto-kun…I-I'm…I'm…" she choked.

"I'm so sorry I didn't tell you…" she said quickly.

"But can we please talk…? I promise I'll explain-"

"Hinata…?" he said coldly.

A chill ran down her spine as she waited for his answer.

"Please…..just get out."

"Naruto…I-"

"Hinata…" he repeated.

"Get…out…" he said once again, his voice sliding.

A single tear fell down her eye as she lifted her head up to him.

She took a deep breath, fighting back the rest as she clenched her dress.

"I-If that is what you wish…Naruto-sama…" she bowed.

He clenched his fists.

"I will take my leave…" she said, lifting herself up as she turned around.

He listened as the door softly closed.

When footsteps followed, dying at every few steps, he dropped to his knees, with a tight grip on the drapes.

Few tears fell from his eyes as he grinded his teeth and shut his eyes tightly.

As you wish Naruto-sama

I love you Naruto-kun!

The differences that repeated in his head burned him.

Hinata leaned on his door as she closed it shut, making the least amount of sound as she possibly could.

She stared at the ground, to the ends of the dress she stood it. She thought over the dress she would be standing in in the coming days. That thought alone, let water dance in her eyes.

With no one around she slid down his door, letting the few silent tears rain down her eyes.

She shielded her face, just in case anyone decided to show theirs and see her doing something a 'royal' really shouldn't.

"Hinata…sama?"

She sniffled, quickly rubbing her eyes, letting the mascara spear across her face.

Neji knelt down to her, looking down with a blank expression as he touched the top of her head.

"I'm sorry Hinata…sama…" he whispered firmly.

"There's no use crying…there's nothing we can do…" he whispered again.

She nudged his hand away, bursting out in tears as she stood up and ran towards the east.

He stared at the floor, letting his hand fall back to his side as her cries faded into the hall.

"Isn't this exciting Gaara? I knew we were meant to be! I just knew it! Oh our wedding's going to be purely amazing! My father says I get to choose the flower decorations, even if it's still a mutual wedding I get to have what I want in it, what do you think Gaara? What kind of flowers would you like?" Sari squealed as they stood in his room.

He leaned on the bed, letting her rant fall to the back of his mind.

What kind of flowers would you like?

He gripped the handles on the ends of his unused mattress.

He knew what kind he needed.

"You know I was thinking more of a blue lily sort of decoration-" she stopped when her eyes finally fell on him.

His face may have carried a blank expression, but he physically spoke words all together.

She sighed, to the surprise he would not show.

"Please don't start this Gaara-sama. You should be excited for our wedding! Isn't this what we used to plan? Weren't we going to do this before?"

"You mean before you cheated on me with my own brother?" he said slowly, venom slipping off his tone.

"That doesn't matter anymore! We're here together now, so I'll be happy to take you back" she said smiling bitter-sweetly.

"Take me?-" "Our wedding is going to be grand! And by the time it's over you would have forgotten about cherry what's her face. Trust me, I'm doing you a favor." She cooed as she turned to leave.

If only he could hit girls.

"I'm going to the south section tonight to discuss my dress with the dressmakers. I should be back later or tomorrow morning. Either way, I hope you'll be in a better mood by the time the ball is ready. Or else you'll have to deal with my father AND yours." She said coldly as she threw open the door and left, letting it slam.

He hardly paid attention to final words as he stared at his empty canopy bed.

Just looking at it, made the thought of her all the more painful.

Sara paced back and forth back in the entrance hall, having been left there only with Kiba and a few guards blocking the entrance.

"Do you think I made Naruto-sama upset? I didn't mean to offend him…with whatever I did…I think I should go apologize!" she said firmly walking back and forth as Kiba stood watching her in an annoyed tone.

"Right!" she said as she turned to take her leave. "Stop!" he said, grabbing her shoulder.

"Unhand me!"She demanded. "Don't go bothering him" he said, ignoring it. "He's in a really bad mood. Trust me" he nodded as he let his hand fall.

She frowned, letting her shoulders drop. "Why? Did I do something? What could make him so upset now? We're to be married soon."

He smirked, letting his hands fall into his pockets as he stared at her.

"Well…I think it's partially my fault…"

KNOCK.

KNOCK.

KNOCK.

KNOCK.

KNO- "WHAT! What the hell do you want!" she screamed as the door, tossing a pillow at it then dropping her head back.

"Relax your tone child I am only here to speak to you." an old, calm voice spoke.

"I don't want to talk to you!" she yelled back.

"Don't you find that the slightest bit immature? Come now, you're almost eighteen. You're lack of obedience is far too much related to your mother…"

"Well then I guess we share the same things in common when I say GO AWAY!"

"Are you dressed?" he said, completely changing the subject.

"What?" she asked in confusion.

"Are you dressed? Clothed?" he asked again.

"Yeah, so?"

The door knob turned, to her surprise without the sound of a key or anything.

The door creaked open, falling to the side as her grandfather let himself in, cane and all.

"How did you?-" "That door only opens from the outside. So you may not go out, on your own terms. I'll be happy to change the locks if you cooperate."

"Well then I guess I'm going to die in here aren't I? I'm not going anywhere-!"

"Forget about that boy."

She closed her mouth, daring him to speak further.

"Forget about Sasuke. From day one he's been nothing but-" "my friend? Apart of the family? A loved one?" she snapped.

"A nuisance. Like I have told you, I never liked all the time you spent with that Uchiha-boy. Sasuke, you seemed to survive long enough without him-"

"Because I had no memory of him. That doesn't mean my life was any better. In fact it was far worse without him or mom and dad…and it's All. Your. Fault."

He glared, "I gave you a chance to come home with me child. To grow with the finest clothing, the greatest foods, the best luxury a princess withhold. But you threw it all away and let yourself suffer. You cannot blame me for your actions."

"If you had left Naruto and I alone in the first place, none of it would have happened. Don't you want us to be happy at all? You are our grandfather," she slightly whispered.

He clenched his cane. "I do this because I know it is best for you and your brother."

"Best for us? Or best for you? For the country? You let your daughter throw away her life and your about to make us throw away ours because it is best for what?" she said coldly, staring him down.

"I won't let you hurt our daughter! Her happiness means much more than leadership!"

He gave her a blank expression as he sat on the edge of her bed.

He gently sat an aged hand on her side, she nudged him away.

"You'll understand someday…but right now, I just need you to cooperate. There is much at stake in the next week or so. Please Megami…"

She scoffed.

"You would make your parents very proud."

Even she knew that was a lie.

"Mom always told me I couldn't trust a thing you said. So I won't. I know this isn't what they would want. This isn't what I want. I want to go home, see my friends, AND Sasuke." She concluded.

He sighed, lifting his brittle bones up on his cane and facing her.

"You're still a child. You and your brother are very naïve."

He turned around, aiming to leave her.

But, without turning back, he spoke again.

"Within two days. There will be a ball. To honor the new engagement of the royal families. You are expected to be there. And you are expected to behave." He said darkly.

With that, he took his leave, leaving her in the large room, in the large palace, in the large country, alone.

"Sasuke will come for me…" she whispered to herself as she laid her head back onto the pillows.

"I just know he will…"

Tuesday…

Another morning shines upon the frail country of Furyoka, deep in the eastern parts of Japan.

Those of the royal blood rise as they begin another day adjusting to the strange home they have come to terms with.

Well, some that is.

"Princess…princess…m-my lady…please wake up…Uzumaki-hime?"

"What…what do you want?...go away…" she groaned, stuffing the pillow deeper into her face, blocking off the maid.

"I-I'm sorry but I cannot do that. Lord hokage has ordered for me to awaken you. He has a special present for all the residents of the palace."

"I don't care…" she groaned again.

"Please my lady. Everyone is waiting for you."

"Let them wait. I'm not moving from this spot. Unless it's a ride back to Konoha, there's no way."

"But…it is my lady…" the maid said quaintly.

Megami turned her head to the side were the maid stood, trailing her eyes to the slightly nervous maid, who avoided her eyes away from the redhead.

"You know…I hate liars…"

She gulped.

"But…you tried…so I'll give you props for that…let me see what the old man wants."

"I beg of thee my lady. Please refer to lord hogake in a kinder manner…" she said looking down.

As Megami sat up she turned her attention to her, slightly glaring.

"Anyone who kidnaps me and forces me into marriage I'll address however I want." She said coldly.

Without another word, the maid turned on her heels and fast walked out the door.

Megami sighed, sitting up perfectly in her new bed, stretching her arms out and yawning loudly as she rubbed her eyes to the light that shined in from the flash window.

The night was peaceful; at least it gave her a small amount of time to forget about yesterday.

Now, she has to face them once again.

She sighed, waking up just isn't the same without her best friends causing a riot so early in the morning.

She lifted herself off of the bed, letting the knee length silk elbow length night gown she had worn to sleep—being the only thing she could find—fall back to her knees.

She noticed a change of clothes sitting at the corner of the bed. A dress and a pair of flats ready for her after she had showered and put on when she had woken up.

"Bullshit…" she grumbled as she stood up, ignoring the clothes, and letting herself out.

Megami crept in the hallway towards the stairs, peaking back and forth for any sign of a familiar face, preferably Naruto's.

But nothing came about until she reached the top of the golden stairs she had faced the previous day.

Mumbling and slight arguing stabbed at her ears. She stood in place, straining to listen and catch as much as possible.

"Megami! There you are!"

She cringed, kneeling down and looking down the steps.

At the bottom of the stairs stood the royal blood she had already seen.

Hinata, Sara, and Sari stood in elegant clothing aligned together, looking at her.

Naruto, Gaara, and Kai stood in the same position, in dress shirts and pants.

Her grandfather stood in the middle as they all watched her come down.

"Why have you not dressed in the clothes that had been laid out for you? It is quite unladylike to address your family and friends in such a manner as coming down in your night clothes."

"I always start my day off this way. Besides, I don't think of you as my family. And none are my friends." she said coldly, her eyes falling on Hinata who refused to meet.

"At least I believe that's what you've decided…" she whispered.

"I can only tolerate your tone of voice for so long."

She ignored his response as she looked on to the six that stood alongside him, along with guards behind each one of them.

"Why am I here?"

"I'm going to assume you mean why you are in the entrance hall." Her grandfather spoke as he turned himself and his cane to the side.

"To help prepare you for the ball and the wedding I have arranged a ferry of personal maids and servants to assist you in the times of need." He spoke aloud, directed to them all.

"You will each pick two maids and a servant boy who will help you in your preparations. That is my gift to you."

"You've got to be joking…" Megami grumbled, setting her hand on one hip and leaning to the side of the steps.

"Bring them in!" her grandfather called.

Instantly the men guarding the double doors opened them, letting a line of women and men fall in. all dressed in black and white maid uniforms and or black pants and a white shirt.

The maids stood in a straight line across the front hall in front of the doors while the servant boys stood across from them, emotionless.

Megami raised a brow as she lifted herself up a little. She could have sworn she just saw a glimpse of pink.

She wasn't the only one.

"Feel free to pick your workers and escort them to their first duties, if you are in need of any assistance head maid Yuri will direct you. That is all."

With that he turned around, and began walking towards the hall as two guards followed behind.

Megami watched as everyone but Naruto stepped forward to choose workers.

She stood back, looking at the maid and servant boys who stood firmly as they were examined.

"State your name!"

She turned her attention to the left, were Sari stood firmly with her hands on her hips in front of a timid girl who refused to meet her eye.

"Taizuko Radaname m-ma'am."

Sari huffed, turning her nose up.

"Too scrawny. I can't expect something like you to get anything done right."

Taizuko bit her bottom lip, fighting back tears.

Megami glared towards Sari's way.

"Hey! Super-bitch, this isn't an auction! Pick someone and get the fuck out. You're lucky anyone wants to come near your bitch-ass anyways!" she called casually.

Naruto managed to snicker, smiling a bit.

Hinata fought back a smile, Neji hid a smirk, Gaara did nothing to hide his, Kiba chuckled and Sara frowned in confusion.

Sari glared heavily, ready to respond.

But in the midst of it a muffled laughter was heard in the line of maids.

Megami raised a brow, turning her attention to her right.

Her eyes widened brightly as they focused on the smiling and laughing maids.

The first, with bright clearly visible pink hair, holding her mouth and her stomach as she hunched over a bit.

The second, with shiny blond hair, giggling a bit, her left fist to her mouth with her other hand on her hip.

The third, with dark brown buns stood with her hands on her hips, snickering, turned to her side.

"No way…" she whispered.

For the first time since her kidnapping the previous day a smile finally began to rise on her lips.

She hopped off the stair railing and jogged over to the three girls who tried to keep still, failing miserably.

She stopped in front of them, staring at them as if they were a new discovery of creatures.

They turned to her, then each smiled softly, but kept their composure.

"You guys…?"

They did not open their mouths, but slowly, and carefully nodded towards her.

The redhead beamed, contemplating whether or not to drive them into a large hug.

She decided not to, but cleared her throat and nodded to them, putting on a serious facade.

She was about to open her mouth, until the blond stepped to the side, smiling.

Megami raised a brow in confusion as she turned slightly to her.

But before she could open her mouth, someone beat her to it.

"Why thank you for grazing with your choice princess! I hope my friend and I will be of great assistance to you during this time!" Sakura said aloud.

Megami frowned in utter confusion as the rest of the 'royals' turned to them.

Tenten slightly rolled her eyes.

"Of course we'll come with you princess" she smiled as she took her hand.

"B-but I didn't say anythi-" "shut up you twit! We're trying to save your ass here!" Tenten whisper-yelled as they fast walked upstairs.

Ino remained downstairs, smiling still. She glanced over to Hinata who had finally caught her eye, for a moment at least.

"Which room is yours?" Tenten whispered carefully as they followed Megami down and around the upper part of the palace.

She pointed to the large dark brown door with a golden handle, sitting in the middle of an array of doors.

"How is it even possible to find it in this place!" Tenten whisper-yelled.

Megami shrugged, "I just guessed."

Both girls turned and shot her a look.

She shrugged, "whaaat? I've only been here for a day!"

They rolled their eyes, turning back as Sakura turned the knob, letting them enter the room.

When all three of them entered Sakura turned to shut it.

"Wait! Don't shut the door!" Megami yelled.

"Why not?" Sakura asked in an annoyed tone.

"It only opens from the outside, that way that old bastard can make sure I don't escape."

Tenten furrowed her brows in confusion as Sakura left it open a crack.

When it was well open all three turned and faced each other.

For a moment. They stayed silent. Completely as both Tenten and Sakura stared at the redhead.

Finally, all three of them broke out in tears, lunging for a hug.

"Y-you pansies! It's only been a day!" Tenten choked. "Then why are you crying bitch?" Megami mumbled in Sakura's sleeve.

"For a second…when we heard they had taken you and the others…we thought we'd never see you guys again…this whole marriage thing…it's…"

"A load of bullshit…" Megami grumbled.

"Yeah…" both girls said.

After a few seconds they pulled back, sniffling and wiping their eyes.

"What about Ino? Can't I see her?" Megami frowned.

"You're only allowed to have two maids" Sakura explained. "Ino's going to be with Hinata. You'll see her soon."

"I haven't even talked to Hinata since we got here…she won't even look at me…especially Naruto…" she whispered.

Both girls shot each other looks, them reverted their eyes back to their friend.

"Speaking of maids…" Megami sighed, lifting her head.

"Why the hell are the both of you dressed like that!" she shot, pointing a finger of disbelief at them.

"Well it's not like we had a choice! Tsunade said it was the only way to get into this place and walk around freely to get information" Tenten huffed.

"Tsunade?" she asked in confusion.

Sakura nodded, "what's she got to do with you all being maids? What information? What do you need here?"

"Shuuush!" Tenten snapped, clasping her hand over her mouth.

The three kept silent as they listened to footsteps come up from their left, then pass the room, fading away down the right.

Both Tenten and Sakura sighed in relief as she dropped her hand. Then turned and glared at a confused looking Megami.

"I have no idea why they would want you to be a queen…not with that IQ…"

"For once….I agree with you…" Megami groaned.

Sakura turned stern again as the three of them walked and sat on her bed.

"We'll explain everything later. When it's darker and there's less people around. That way you can know everything that's going on and how it fits to place. Tsunade was very precise about this whole thing. Shikamaru and Itachi are going to do the best they-"

"What!" Megami yelled. "Sasuke! Is he here?" she beamed as she quickly stood up in excitement.

Tenten and Sakura shot each other desperate looks.

"Um…n-no Megami…h-he's not here…" Sakura sighed as she took her left hand and gently sat her back on the bed as her smile began to fade.

"W-why not? I thought he'd be here" she frowned.

"S-Sasuke's…not coming…"

Megami clenched her nightgown.

"What do you mean he'd not coming? L-like not now? O-or when will he-"

"Megami he's not coming at all!" Tenten shot.

She slowly bit her bottom lip.

"…what…?"

"He said he doesn't want anything to do with this. He's not coming at all. Tsunade tried to convince him to help but…"

Her heart sank.

"I'm sorry Megami…" Sakura whispered as she brought the in a state of shock redhead into a hug, letting her rest her head on her chest.

"He doesn't care….about…me?" she said slowly.

Neither of them responded.

For a couple minutes, they just sat there, in silence.

Finally, Megami spoke up, not turning to look at them or anything.

"You guys…thank you…for coming to help me…but…I think I want to go back to bed right now…"

"Are you sure Megami? You know we're here-" "No it's okay. I should probably get some rest. I'll get back up a little later…just…please…" she whispered.

Without another word the girls nodded, giving her one last hug they both stood up and headed for the door.

Without another glance back Tenten walked out first, as Sakura followed behind.

When the door closed a scream escaped the walls of the redhead's room.

Both Tenten and Sakura stood still as it died after a couple seconds.

Tenten sighed as they began to walk, "you know she's going to kill us for this." "It doesn't matter" Sakura said, "as long as everything goes according to plan, we won't have to worry about another mental breakdown, she'll be over it soon. Now come on, with this free time we should go check out the other wings of the palace."

"Thank you for your selection m'lady, it will b a pleasure being of your assistance for this time being," Ino curtsied as she and other maid followed Hinata up the steps of the East wing.

"Mmm Hmm" she mumbled simply as they neared the top, were visibility would be scarce rather than that leading up the West wing, which Naruto and Megami sat in whilst Gaara stayed in the South.

Hinata stopped, as did the two maids behind her.

She slowly turned around and focused her attention on the stranger maid.

"W-would you…please fetch me a glass of water from the East corridor's kitchen?"

She simply nodded, curtsying in front of her as she turned back around and slowly walked down the steps, her arms clasped in front of her in a proper manner.

When she was out of sight Hinata took a hold of Ino's hand and quickly ran as fast as possible up the stairs towards her room as her dress could carry her, whilst Ino's maid uniform remained knee length.

When Ino entered her room herself Hinata closed the door behind her, turning back to her friend.

"Ino!" she breathed, lunging into the blonds' arms.

Ino chuckled, "Hey it's only been a day, did you miss this face that much?" she raised a brow in a joking tone.

"Actually, I did. I've missed all of you, y-you know we can't be so separate for so long."

"Right, the pact, 'as long as we know where the other is. Our sisterhood remains'" she repeated the quote the girls had made before they separated for a year.

"We didn't have any idea where you were until Tsunade brought us here," Ino sighed. "Yesterday and this morning was such a bother. That head maid Yuri is a total bitch."

Hinata smiled as they let go, still holding both hands. "How-? Why, are you here? How did you get here? I saw Sakura-san and Tenten-san leave with Megami. What's going on?"

Ino sighed, slightly turned away. She looked around, first making sure the door was closed, then she turned back to Hinata.

"Hinata…" she whispered. "Is there…by any chance…anyone watching us…right now?"

Hinata smiled, opening her mouth just a bit as if she were in a good mood.

She mouthed a hurried yes.

"Come lady Hinata!" Ino announced. "We shall find you a perfect dress for the evening!" she called again as she took Hinata's one hand and led her over to the wide open closest.

Hinata pressed a button on the side wall, letting the walls of the closest extend as if it were some sort of walk in closet.

The back moved as well, creating a large amount of space for the girls, whilst the door's closed automatically.

Ino whistled, "Wow…I think my closet needs something like this!"

Hinata slightly giggled.

"Okay…no one can hear us in here right?" she whispered. Hinata quickly nodded.

"Good…Hinata…the reason we came here…well…Tsunade set up a plan, something that's going to get you guys out of here. We need everyone involved since this is going to carry from the ball to the official wedding."

Hinata slightly gasped, "n-no! You can't it's too risky! If you're caught or discovered they'll kill you!" she whispered desperately.

"You know we'd do anything in the world to get you guys back home, the boys included" Ino smiled.

"B-but Ino-!" "I can only tell you so much now, I'll have to explain some later, which is why it's a good thing you selected me as your maid (no matter how badly I want to burn this outfit) this way we can see each other often. Right now I have to do some scoping around.""

Hinata whimpered, looking at her friend in fear, "I-I'm serious Ino, if they even see you somewhere you're not supposed to be-"

"It's alright Hinata…we're here to help…we want to save you guys, save our relationship's, and more importantly put Alpha and Omega back on the right track!" she winked.

Hinata couldn't help but smile, sadly.

Suddenly a knock rang on the door, alerting the both of them.

"L-lady Hinata! I've brought your drink!" the other maid that would be working with Ino called.

"Come on, if you need any help let her do it…I have work to do…sadly…" Ino slightly groaned.

Hinata nodded firmly.

She pressed a button within the walls as Ino quickly grabbed any random dress.

The door separated and the walls went back to the appearance of a long closet.

Ino laid the dress neatly on Hinata's bed as she went and opened the door.

"Thank you" Hinata smiled as Ino glanced at her.

She took the water from her hand as the other maid bowed in front of her.

"Of course my lady, anything-"

Ino winked at her again as she quickly snuck out.

"Will there be anything else?"

Her smile slightly dropped as she looked at the sparkling glass in hand.

"Actually…"

"Gosh this is a major pain in the ass. And where's Ino? I don't even know where to start," Tenten slightly whispered as both girls walked down the golden hallway on the left of the entrance hall were room after room were aligned on each side.

"Keep your voice down!" Sakura ordered. "We can't make is that obvious-"

"Make what obvious?"

Both girls stopped, and twitched.

They sucked in their breaths as their eyes widened at the sound of two familiar voices.

They slightly turned around on their heels. There they faced the boys who left them with the smallest of goodbyes.

Neji and Gaara.

But they knew better.

"Good morning my lords" Sakura bowed respectively as Tenten stood with both hands on her hips.

When she didn't follow Sakura used one hand to force the bun-haired girls head down, to her dismay.

"Y-yeah, morning. Lords"

"What the hell are the both of you doing here? And why are you maids?" Neji asked sternly.

"Whatever do you mean my lord?" Sakura asked in a snarky tone as they both rose their heads, her gaze kept on Neji.

"Stop joking around Sakura" Neji said in a slightly annoyed tone.

"It's dangerous to be here, how did the both of you get here?" Gaara asked in a cold tone.

"Excuse me I think lady Megami is calling, as her maid I shall go to her side" she spoke, holding her head up high as she moved to the side and began walking the way the girls came.

He grabbed her wrist, and clenched it.

"I asked you a question."

"Then perhaps your new fiancée lady Sari can answer it for you." She spat coldly.

His eyes bulged in the slightest bit as she forced her hand out of his grip, not taking a look back; she daintly stomped back out of the hallway.

"How does she know?" he slightly whispered to no one in particular.

Both boys directed their attention back to Tenten who stood rocking back and forth of her heels, whistling.

"You know what I think I can hear my lady calling me too," she laughed nervously as she began to fast walk out of their way.

Without much movement Neji slammed her back against the wall.

"Ow…" she grumbled as she cringed. He held both arms on each side of her, to her shock, so she couldn't escape.

"Yeah, I don't think so; you have some explaining to do…"

Sakura stormed up the steps, while at the bottom only the guards, a few maids and Sari and Sara remained, paying no heed to her anger.

She crept into the slight darkness of the empty rooms down the hall of Megami and Naruto's.

Still in heavy anger, she crossed her arms and slid down the wall, grumbling and mumbling such things to herself.

Eventually her angry began to drop, as tears began to replace it.

Finally, she burst out. Alone in the dark she let the tears of her emotions fall.

Hinata sat at the desk in her room, concentrated on writing as the maid swept casually.

At times her face would show pure happiness as what she wrote. Others she would erase in the highest amount of anger she as herself could muster and even come close to tears.

By the time she became satisfied with what she wanted to write she almost finished when a figure stepped into the already open door of her room.

She smiled to herself as she read over what she had written, until…

"What you got there Hina?"

She gasped, quickly standing up and hiding the paper behind her back as she faced her fiancée.

Kiba.

"O-oh, g-good afternoon…Kiba…" she spoke nervously as she curtsied, realizing the maid had walked off somewhere.

He examined the afternoon dress she stood in. A midnight blue curve hugging dress with white flowers aligned on the hip.

"That's a great dress," he smiled, "it suits you."

It was the one Ino had picked at random, she didn't even bother to take a better look at it as she had just picked it up and put it on.

"T-thank you" she slightly whispered.

"What have you been writing?" "where's Akamaru?" they said together.

"Oh" he chuckled, flashing his dog teeth in a wide smile.

"I left him in my room so he could wander. And you?"

She gulped.

"O-oh it's nothing, j-just taking notes…" she said, speaking the first thing that came to mind.

"Really? About what?"

She mentally gulped again.

"U-umm, n-nothing important really. I-it's a bit private."

"Oh come on Hinata we're engaged now…you can tell me anything" he smirked as he took a step closer.

"Kiba please, I-I can't" "tell me what you've been writing Hinata…does it have anything to do with…Naruto?"

"O-of course no-"

The clacking of footsteps seized the both of them as they turned their attention over to were the maid came back into the room with a bucket and a mop.

She noticed their gaze on her as she herself stopped.

She bowed, "Good afternoon my lord and lady, please don't mind me."

She lifted her head and set the bucket of water down, proceeding to mopping Hinata's floor.

"hm…" Kiba smirked.

"That's okay…I'll just come back later" he said, his tone mainly directed to a Hinata who attempted to keep her composure.

With that, he took his leave, closing the door behind him.

Hinata listened for his footsteps as he did. When she could eventually hear nothing more, she turned her attention to the maid who silently mopped.

"Excuse me…Hikara?"

She looked up and set the mop to the side, walking over to her.

"Yes my lady?"

"Would you please do me a favor?" "Of course my lady, anything."

She removed the paper from her back, folding it in half as she held it towards her.

"Please deliver this letter to Prince Naruto in the West corridors. Don't tell him who sent it, just let him know you were asked to deliver it please. And I beg of you, hide it so no one can see, don't stop until you've gotten to his room unless someone stops you, and please don't open it."

She handed Hikara the letter, which she firmly gripped in her hand. "I promise I will get it to him lady Hyuga."

"Are you insane?!" "We're trying to help!" "This is dangerous! You're going to get yourselves killed! Whose idea was this?!"

Gaara stood back and watched as the couple argued back and forth after Tenten had finished explaining the reason they had become maids.

"You're not even giving it a chance! Do you want to be suck here? I for one want my friends back!" she said coldly.

She crossed her arms and turned to the side, glaring at nothing.

"But if my boyfriend wants to stay here and soak up princess air that's fine by me."

For a moment his eyes slightly bulged, then he glared at her.

"What the hell do you mean by-!" "Am I interrupting something?"

The three of them turned their attention over to the direction Sakura had gone back too.

Sari stood with her arms crossed, glaring their way. Sara stood next to her, watching them patiently.

Tenten glared her way.

"Neji if you're going to assault a maid can you take it somewhere else? My father is working in this corridor and I don't think he wants to be bothered."

"What? I wasn't-"

Tenten slapped him across the face.

Silence.

His dark eyes turned their attention back onto her, glaring.

"What in the hell was that-!" "how inappropriate Neji-sama! I'm only here to work!" she said, holding her chest and sticking out her tongue as she began to run down the hall.

He looked after her in confusion.

"Don't follow me or anything!" she said a little too obviously.

He mentally groaned, but sighed.

"Wait!" he called as he slightly jogged after her.

Sari rolled her eyes, turning her attention back to Gaara.

"Anyways, come on Gaara, I think it would be better if we finally had some alone time" she smiled.

His expression remained dull as she took his arm.

"Gaara-sama? Have you seen Naruto? I-I haven't yet been able to talk to him…I think now would be best" Sara spoke up.

"I'm pretty sure he went to his room," he said as Sari led him on, "check there."

"Thank you!" Sara called.

"Since tomorrow is the ball my cousin is coming to help with arrangements." Sari said happily.

He didn't bother to ask her name. So she answered for him.

"She lives up in Hokkaido now, Kaede, she's really good with fabric."

His eyes slightly bulged as they followed the direction Tenten and Neji ran off too.

"Oh Sasuke make them stop!" the little girl whined.

"What'd the matter?" her friend asked in concern as he turned to her, holding her ears. "Make mommy and Auntie Mikoto stop saying we're gonna get married someday, I'm only five I want to go to kindergarten before I get married!" she whined.

He chuckled, "I think you're right. My daddy says we should wait a real long time before we get married, and even longer for pillow fights or something."

"Pillow fights?" she frowned. He shrugged, "I think that's what he said."

"Well anyway, I think I wanna wait a little longer until I get married. At least until I'm seven. You'll be ma husband, won't you Sasuke?"

He smiled at her.

"Of course. Only me. I promise."

Megami held her ears as she dug her face deeper into the pillows, restricting herself from breathing, but she didn't care. She already hurt enough.

She didn't want to believe it. It was so sudden, it was impossible, not after everything they had been through.

There had to be something going on. Anything that would make them say something like that.

She would believe anything right now, she just hoped it wasn't true.

Rage burned inside her. It couldn't be true. Of course it wasn't…they had to be lying.

She screamed in frustration, as she fell off the bed.

She lifted herself up and began flinging all the pillows on her bed around the room.

She couldn't endure lies.

Kai couldn't be a prince. He couldn't have lied to her.

Sasuke would come. He does care for her.

She pulled at her hair, sitting on knees and clenching it, screaming loudly.

She barely noticed the door slam open.

"Lady Uzumaki, what's wrong!" a couple maids voice repeated in desperation.

"GET OUT!" she yelled, sinking into her legs.

"Please Megami-hime!" another yelled.

"I SAID LEAVE ME ALONE!" she demanded, seething.

"You heard her…" a dark voice said slowly.

A faint gasp escaped one of the maid's lips. Megami sat shaking as she listened to footsteps scurry away.

She didn't bother to lift her head. Her mind was too far wrapped around what the girls said.

"Megami…" the voice dragged.

Barely recognizing who it was, she lifted herself up and ran into their arms.

Tears fell as muffled screams rained on the unfamiliar persons shirt, which she clenched.

"Sasuke…" she whispered faintly, hopefully.

The warmth of their chest felt so familiar, she barely wanted to let go.

"Try again…"

She groaned and lifted herself off.

She stared at Kai's mocking face.

She scoffed, wiping her eyes, "when I said get out I meant you too." She said coldly, turning around.

"Disappointed?" "You don't know the half of it…"

He slightly chuckled, "you seemed pretty okay with lunging yourself in my arms."

She said nothing as she slowly sat on her sat, facing the wall, away from him as she sniffled.

"I never thought you were the type to cry over a guy" he sighed as he began walking around.

"I wasn't crying over him. I was crying because of frustration." She said monotonously.

"Right, sure…funny, I've never seen you cry before. I thought you were immune. I guess Mrs. Big and tough is lacking some steel."

"What. Do you want?" she snapped, slightly turning to her side.

"I was just strolling by, heard you having a nervous breakdown, so I thought as a good fiancée I should keep you company" he smiled devilishly.

"You're not my fiancée. I'm not yours. I would sooner fling myself in a pit of sharks before I marry a lying asshole like you." She said coldly again.

"Now what if I was normal old Kai again? Would you have eventually liked me then? If none of this had happened? What if you had broken up with Sasori? What if you never moved? Would you have ever given me a chance?"

Without saying a word she turned her head slightly facing him. He carried a stern, serious expression.

He scoffed when she said nothing, "of course you wouldn't have. Seventh grade Kai was scrawny and shy, couldn't play sports, teased, and the nerdiest kid in school who was best friends with the hottest girls in school." He said plainly as he toyed with her window drapes.

Before Megami could say anything he went on.

"Also the most fucked up girls in school ironically. Dyslexia, eating disorders, self mutilation, rape history, smoking, drugs, drinking, neglectful parents, hated by their siblings, lied to by their friends, having to repeat and renew their lives over, and over, and over, and over again…" he dragged on as he eyed the dresses in her closet.

Her eyes grew wide in anger and confusion.

"It's bothersome really? When someone comes along to ruin the lives you've worked so hard to build up? It makes you just want to sit and your room and cry, cut, hell, maybe you'd even try and kill yourselves…" he tsked, smirking, "again."

He sighed as he easily dodged the lit lamp that smashed against the wall next to him, letting sparks fly and cover part a bit of the carpet, letting it catch on fire.

He stepped on it, squishing his shoe onto it until the fire was no more.

"That's dangerous Megami, you could really hurt someone like that" he pretended to pout.

Her breathing lay heavy as she stood on her hands and knees, her hair disheveled as she glared daggers at him.

"You…I don't even know who you are anymore…you're dead to me…so help me god if you give me the chance I will walk down that aisle with your skull in my hands."

He smirked, "does that mean you're going to marry me?"

But then sighed, before she could react.

He bowed, "I shall take my leave my princess, I do have orders I have to attend to. I shall see you later this afternoon for dinner I hope."

With that, he stood up and walked out, slamming her door shut.

She settled down, taking a deep breath as she leaned back in the bed, eventually flopping back into the pillows as she stared at the ceiling again.

"I wonder if anyone would notice if I just stayed in this room for the rest of my life…"

"Naruto-sama?...Naruto-sama? Lord Uzumaki, are you in there?"

The maid stood and waited a few more seconds before the door slowly opened, were an exhausted looking Naruto stood silk orange pajama pants.

"Yes?"

"You've gone back to bed my lord? But it's almost mid-afternoon" she frowned.

He slightly shrugged as he waited to see what she wanted.

"Oh! Right! My lord, I was asked you give you this letter." She said seriously as she took it from the pocket of her dress.

"From who?" he asked in confusion.

"My orders strictly forbid me from saying so." She said sternly.

He frowned, but slowly nodded.

"Thank you" he smiled slightly. She bowed then turned to the side to take her leave.

He slowly closed the door behind him as he looked down at the envelope.

He gave a confused expression as he began to tear it open, wondering who could have possibly sent him a letter without even addressing who they were, and what it was for.

The envelope dropped to the ground as he stared read the paper.

Dear Naruto-kun,

First, I want to apologize for my behavior the last couple of days. You have every right in the world to be upset with me because I've done you wrong.

I didn't choose to marry Kiba, please believe me. But I said my father would be returning but I neglected to tell you what for, and I'm so desperately sorry, maybe things would have been different.

Because of my engagement towards Kiba I have to act in ways that show I am being respectable and accepting of my 'fiancée.'

I hope you understand that right now, there's nothing we can do to see each other, or any way we can be together.

But I love and miss you Naruto and I would give anything to see you again.

Please know that you're still very much alive in my heart and I hope I am still in yours.

-Hinata.

He clenched the letter in his hands as he looked down. He couldn't take it anymore, he had to see her, he had to do SOMETHING.

He twisted around, grasping the door knob and flinging it open, only there to find Sara standing with a fist up, preparing to knock.

"So you want to explain to me why I just chased you from one wing to another?" Neji breathed as he held his hands on his knees, hunched over as he tried to catch his breath.

"Well we had to get away from Miss. Princess somehow didn't we? I think you having a fling with the maid was a perfect cover." She smirked as she turned to the side.

"Anyways, with your approval or not, we're going through with this. Unless you don't want the band back, because you know there's no way in hell there's going to be an OMEGA without Naruto or Gaara if they're going to be ruling a country."

He looked up at her with slight shock, "I hadn't even thought of that." "There's a shocker, I thought you'd be all depressed missing your fangirls," she huffed as she turned her back to him.

"Fine…you make a good point…what do you want me to do?"

Sakura wiped the drying tears from her eyes, sniffling and clearing her face before someone came and saw her.

There was no time for crying. If she wanted her girls back she'd have to toughen up and forget about Gaara for now, no matter how hard that would be.

She stood up, taking a deep breath as she leaned against the wall, closing her eyes to think of what she had to do.

"Maids should be at work, mind me asking what you're doing?"

That familiar voice irritated her so much. Especially when she could practically sense what accompanied it.

"I'm sorry my lady" she bowed, without taking a glance towards Gaara or Sari.

"I should think so. Who's your master?"

"Lady Megami" she said plainly. "Of course…" Sari said coldly, clutching Gaara closer.

"I always thought you'd somehow end up in a maid's Uniform Sakura, working for me." she smirked, upon realizing who lifted their head in front of her.

Sakura smiled nonetheless, "I don't work for you Lady Sari. Or you." She said without even taking a look his way as he stood there and watched Sari bash her.

"For reasons that are clearly none of your business, I have to stay in this uniform. But mark my words, I will get you for this." She slightly whispered, still smiling.

Sari glared, aghast, "is that a threat?"

Sakura giggled, curtsying before them before turning and knocking her shoulders into Sari, passing them.

"A promise my lady…"

"That lazy dunce better be around here somewhere!" Ino whisper-growled as she stalked around the south corridors, looking for her boyfriend.

She sighed, searching around the hall.

"I hope he knows what he's doing…" she whispered.

The dark, quiet halls bothered her as she crept around; it was too silent for comfort.

"Pss…Ino…" a voice whispered to her shock.

She twisted to her right to face a long golden door, slightly open, revealing a hand, waving her way.

She rolled her eyes, groaning.

"It's about freaking time!" she whisper-yelled as she took a few steps in.

"…Sara…is it?" the blond said politely as he stood in front of the nervous looking deep redheaded girl in front of him.

"Naruto-kun. I-I…umm…" she took a deep breath, standing tall in front of him.

"I think, as future husband and wife we should be spending more time together as the others are. I've not even been able to speak to you since the introductory yesterday, did I do something wrong?"

She bowed her head, to his slight surprise. "If there is anything you want me to do or change I would be happy to. Please, I would love for us to get to know each other better." She pleaded.

He looked down to her, contemplating what he should do.

If he didn't spend time with her, his grandfather would have his hide. But he had to see Hinata…somehow…

"Umm…sure…what did you have in mind…?" he said as politely as he could muster.

She stood up straight beaming.

"May we go into town? I want everyone to be aware of our engagement." She said sweetly.

…So she sits on a chair, well faced in front of the oval double windows, staring outside on the beautiful day as she watched couples jog, walk, talk, smile, and embrace their freedom.

She didn't want to cry. She didn't want to lose her temper. She didn't even want to think about it.

She just wanted to go outside, be free to think, even for a little while.

She sat quietly in the light, watching as few droplets fell from the sky, alerting the couples who decided it was best to get somewhere that would be dry.

She managed to get herself into the shower, clean herself up, but then only crawled back into another white night gown on an empty stomach.

Without knowing what to do, she just kept her position, watching the outside world in dismay and envy.

A knock escalates on her door, without taking her eyes away from the window as rain drops began to fall, she answers quietly.

"What…what is it?"

The door opens, letting a maid walk into her room, the one that had woken her up in the morning in the first place.

"Lady Uzumaki? Lord hokage wanted me to let you know that a storm is coming, so he wanted to know if you wanted to walk about before we dress you for dinner."

It would be nice to be free, she thought. She wouldn't have to think about…him…or…Kai…or anyone else for that matter.

"Sure…" she said quietly.

The maid bowed, letting herself out while leaving the door open. Megami slowly stood up, pushing the chair to the side as her tired legs made their way to the door.

"Have you eaten anything yet today my lady?" the maid asked, standing by her as she closed the door behind the redhead.

"No…" "Are you not hungry my lady? Would you like me to fetch you something?" she offered.

"No. Thank you. Please, I just want to alone."

Without another word between the two, Megami headed down the hall were her brothers room laid.

She slowly stalked down the empty hall, a chill coming from the open windows in the open doors of the empty rooms.

She passed by the wide open door of Naruto's room, not aiming to reach it, so continued to walk down the hall.

To the right and past the stairs were she heard voices, she continued onto unrecognizable empty halls getting darker and darker as she went on, not even having any sort of idea where she was headed.

She stopped when she reached the end of a long hall with dozens of doors on each side. But not stopping because of the end, she stopped because of what she stood in front of.

A large portrait in an old golden frame that hung at the top of the end of the hall caught her eye. A portrait of a family….her family…

Her mother and father, holding her and her brother in their arms. Both babies smiling wildly, toothlessly at the camera while their mother beamed and their father smiled at peace.

Engraved at the bottom read the words:

In loving memory of Kushina and Minato Namikaze

She turned away, only to face a wide open door, the last one at the end of the hall on the right.

Walking towards it, she stepped into the room.

Without realizing it the outside world had begun to thunder and the rain began to pour.

The room lay completely empty. Aside from that of the darkened windows, and a dark blue, shining grand piano.

She stepped forward, not bothering to close the door.

She touched the side of the piano, which laid with plain music sheets on it and a pencil dangling on the corner.

The rest of the room was dusted, as if it hadn't been touched it years, even the windows covered themselves in cobwebs.

But the piano, looked brand new, untouched by time.

She walked around the front of it, taking a seat in front of the window as the rain elated outside.

She touched a few keys at the sound of the thunder, then began letting herself hit notes…

"Oh I had no idea it was going to rain Naruto-kun! I wish we'd had more time to go out into town!" Sara said in a disappointed tone as the both of them rushed into the palace with two butlers behind them, waving wet umbrellas.

Naruto smiled slightly, taking his dark orange hood down, "that's okay" he said simply.

Sara frowned, "oh you had a bad time! I knew that restaurant was terrible!" she said sadly.

"W-wait! I never said I had a bad time! The restaurant was fine um…Sara…thanks" he smiled softly, taking off his jacket.

She beamed again, to his slight surprise. "That's good to know. Now if you excuse I have to go get ready for dinner. I shall see you then Naruto-sama." She curtsied as she turned around to take her leave.

He sighed in relief as he directed his attention to the stairs.

Two faces stared at him as they made their way down.

He kept a blank expression as he watched Hinata come down the stairs in another dress, a dark purple one a maid had picked out for her, her arm holding that of Kiba's as they came down.

His expression did not change, as did none of theirs.

They walked Sara's way as they turned away from him.

Without Kiba's realizing, Hinata turned her head back slightly, enough to catch Naruto's eye.

She gave a small smile, then quickly turned back to the front.

He couldn't help but smile himself as he headed for the stairs, at least knowing her feelings hadn't changed.

"Ladies! Make ready for dinner! They will be arriving down soon!" head maid Yuri demanded as all the new maids stood in front of her while head servant and butler Torai dealt with the boys.

The girls, including that of half of the Alpha members, nodded.

While Yuri talked on, the girls whispered along to each other.

"Did the both of you find anything?" Tenten whispered to the blond.

"No, I just found Shikamaru, it's going to take us forever to find and uncover this place." She whispered back.

"How about you Sakura? How are you holding up?" the brunette asked, turning to her cherry-blossom friend.

"You mean aside the fact that I have to watch my boyfriend marry someone else? I'm just peachy." She said ultimately sarcastically.

"You won't have to watch him Saki. We'll get through this, I promise" Ino reassured.

"Right, we just have to get through the night, so by tomorrow morning we should be ready to go through." Tenten whispered.

The girls nodded, clasping hands, hoping.

She sat back, even if there was nothing to catch her, she sat back, staring at the papers in front of her.

Her fingers continued to move as she could still hear the sounds pounding in her ears, blocking away the sound of the rain.

For the first time in a while, she felt at peace, laying down on the long chair and taking in the air of the subtle rain, letting the sounds dance in her ears.

It was calming, for that time, until a voice interrupted it.

"My lady…your grandfather requests that we prepare you for dinner."

The redhead lifted herself up, supporting herself with both hands behind her as she lay sideways.

"How did you know where I?..." she stopped herself, "Never mind…I'm coming…"

"Good evening lord Hokage" the maids bowed as he made his way into the grand dining room.

He nodded to them, letting them lift their heads as one maid stood on each side of the doorless entry.

In the dining room lays a long table with an embroidered white cloth and thirty golden seats along it, fifteen on each side. A long window circling around the ceiling covered it with dark brown ancient walls with designs in every corner. And finally, a blank grand piano in the corner, with a man sitting behind it, playing Beethoven.

"It feels as if I haven't come into this room in a century…" he sighed as his cane lead him to the highest chair at the end of the table in front of all the rest, long across from one at the end.

He took his seat, sitting and waiting for the rest of the guests to arrive.

He didn't wait too long. In less than five minutes some already arrived to dinner.

Hinata and Kiba were first to walk in, knowing where they should be seated, and taking their seat.

A couple minutes later Gaara, Neji, and Sari walked in together, nodding to the elder and taking their respectable seats.

After them, came Sara and Naruto, who had met up after changing, moreover Sara had found him. Finally, Kai arrived down separately.

All royal bloods stood in elegant gowns and suits. Naruto, Gaara, and Kai with crowns, and Hinata, Sara, and Sari with silver tiaras.

They sat in silence for a matter of moments, until grandfather spoke up.

"Has anyone seen Megami?"

"She's still getting dressed my lord." A maid bowed in front of him.

He nodded, motioning for her to go off.

As she did another maid stepped into the hall, walking towards him as a few maids walked around setting down china.

She bowed, "Lord hokage, lord and lady Mayonaka have arrived. As have the Sabaku family, the Nara family, lady Rouran, the Inuzuka family, the Tsuyoki family, the Hyuga family, and the Uchiha family."

A tick went through the minds of a few certain maids as they passed by.

He nodded to her, "then I assume that is everyone. Let them in now, it's pouring outside."

"I already have my lord. They are on their way in." she explained.

He nodded, "you are excused."

She lifted her head, nodding as she turned and made her way out.

Just as she did, familiar faces began to make their way into the dining room, resulting in those already sitting to stand up to greet them.

"Rokozu! It's been too long!" a heavy man chanted with large arms as he walked in, dressed in traditional attire with a golden sash and crown, following behind him a slender woman with traditional attire, a crown of her own, and a golden sash.

"Aitsu, It's good to see you again." Grandfather sighed as he let his cane help him stand up. "How are you old man?" he laughed, patting him on the back.

He nodded to him, turning his attention to the woman standing next to him. She curtsied, "Dabura" he smiled. "A pleasure lord hokage" she said daintily.

"Gaara! Hey! What's up!" Temari called as she and Kankuro made their way over to them. Their smiles dropped when they saw Sari standing next to them, smirking.

"What? I don't get a greeting?" she cooed.

Temari glared, Kankoru turned away.

Gaara kept blank as he glanced at his father behind them.

She sighed, "I should probably go greet my family then, shouldn't I?"

They said nothing.

She smiled nonetheless, kissing Gaara on the cheek as she moved to the side.

"Mother! Father! Over here!" she called over to her parents who stood with her younger and older brother, having just entered along with the rest.

Naruto sat and watched while Sara went to go bring her mother over to meet him, along with everyone else socializing and seeing their parents and siblings again.

Of course he watched Kiba meet up with his mother and sister, and Hinata daintily come up to her father and sister with Neji by her side.

Now what shocked him is when he saw two of his best friends, whom he hadn't seen in almost three days, come into the dining hall with their family.

He needed to know where his sister was.

"F-father…" Hinata curtsied, avoiding eye contact as she stood in front of her father.

"Hey Hinata!" Hanabi smiled as she waved to her sister, who in turn nervously waved back.

"Uncle" Neji bowed as he stood in front of him.

"How are the both of you doing?" he asked sternly.

"Fine" Neji answered for the both of them.

"Have you come accustomed to your fiancée?" he questioned, now completely directed to Hinata.

"Yes father…" "I hope I shouldn't even bother to mention is name."

"There is nothing left between us father. I promise…"

"Fugaku old man! Now I don't think I've seen you since your boy's eighteenth birthday!" Aitsu laughed as he patted Fugaku on his back as well.

He cleared his throat, smiling. "Aitsu, you haven't changed a bit."

"Oh Mikoto you look as lovely as ever" "the years have been good to you Dabura, it's so good to see old friends again" Mikoto laughed, hugging the both of them.

"Mother, father" Kai bowed as he stepped in front of his elders.

"Kai my boy!" his father smiled as his son lifted his head. "Here come meet Mr. and Mrs. Uchiha!"

"Greetings" he bowed in front of the both of them.

They both nodded, "those are our boys." Fugaku explained as he pointed over.

"Itachi!...Sasuke…please come here."

Turning the direction of their parents, both grown boys made their way over.

"Itachi, Sasuke. You've met lord and lady Mayonaka" Mikoto said, clearing her throat for no apparent reason.

"This is their son Kai" she explained.

The three boys looked at each other with blank expressions.

"We've met." They said together, only Kai smiling.

"Mother, this is Naruto, my fiancée" Sara said as she brought her mother forward to where Naruto stood.

He bowed quickly, "um…lady Rouran"

She smiled a bit as he lifted his head. "Naruto, it is so good to finally meet you. I take it you and my daughter have had time to get to know each other?"

"Y-yeah, a lot" he lied.

Sara continued to smile, even if she knew they'd only had about an hour to associate properly, and for him to even get her name.

"It is good to be in your company again, it has been to long since we've been able come together." Sari's father smiled as both families stood and talked.

Sabaku and Tsuyoki, having been close for years. Both sides having expected Gaara and Sari to marry for just as long.

Shikamaru sighed as he glanced around, watching the families talk and greet along with his parents who had walked off to talk with old friends of the royal families.

He noticed a wisp of blond pass by him, purposely knocking into him as she sashayed back into the kitchen.

He smirked, looking forward to her, but before he could walk further a glass clanked.

"Everyone! Everyone! Please take your seats! Dinner will be arriving momentarily!" grandfather announced aloud.

The guests quieted as they each picked a seat around the long table.

Each family sat near the family to which their child was to be married too, while others sat with friends, or just around.

Leaving one seat completely empty in the middle of Kai and Naruto, and across from Sasuke.

Dinner arrived moments later, a few maids carrying them in one by one, entering with dish after dish.

"Great I'm starving" Hanabi groaned. "Mind your manners" her father ordered without looking, she rolled her eyes in turn.

Grandfather continued to stare at the empty seat in the middle of his grandson, and future grandson-in-law.

"Sona…" he said to a maid who was passing by.

She stopped, turned to him and bowed. "Yes my lord?"

"Please go check on my granddaughter. Bring her down if you will."

"Yes sir" she bowed again. Lifting herself up and turning to leave, heading towards the stairs.

He smiled when she was out, lifting a wine glass to those around the table.

"Please eat and drink in honor of the royal families!" he smiled.

~*A.H*~

Ten minutes later, all families were eating, talking, getting to know each other, and bettering themselves for the coming quad-wedding.

"So after the wedding I assume you're all going to go back and finish school, then that would be the appropriate time to take over the kingdom's wouldn't it?" Dabura said as she quaintly nibbled on her food.

"Of course, there's only a little over a month left of school, so then we can take the summer to prepare for coronations" Sara smiled as she did so with her food.

Naruto painfully listened to the conversation the females had started that resulted in the entire table becoming involved, he continued to glance at the door, and towards his wallflower, and best friends, hoping someone would rile up some sort of excitement.

His spirits grew when threw the door elated a figure he had yet to see all day.

"MEGAMI!" he called aloud, alerting the rest of the table.

Most turned their attention to the door.

Megami stood there in a floor-touching red dress with a large white sash around the waist and a large white bow, her hair in an updo style and a golden tiara on her head.

She frowned at Naruto, having hoped to sneak into the dinner without drawing any attention to herself on account of her lateness.

"Megami, you've finally come done," her grandfather spoke, "have a seat."

She mentally sighed, looking around to the most unfamiliar faces.

But when her eyes fell on a certain one she did recognize, her eyes slightly bulged and her heart sank, just as a loud pound of thunder hit the ceiling.

Sasuke.

He didn't look at her; he stared to the other side of the room as she stood in place, in shock.

She felt her throat ball up, her lungs felt as though they were about to burst, her bones felt as though they had melted down. She could not move, she was frozen, like she had died right there, the feeling, the painful feeling she had at the pit of her stomach, she could not explain.

"Won't you take your seat Megami?" the words finally bringing her back down to earth.

She said nothing as she took baby steps towards the only empty seat left, between Naruto and Kai…and across Sasuke. Kai stood up, and to her annoyance kissed her on the cheek, helping her take her seat.

"Darling what's the matter with you? You look as if you haven't eaten in days!" Lady Rouran gasped.

Referring to the bags under her reddened eyes and the weak look on her face, some turned their attention to the hime to look what she had been talking about.

This time Sasuke looked at her, with an expression he usually kept for the likes of fangirls.

In truth she had not eaten a single thing since Sunday night, when she had even skipped breakfast Monday morning because of her dream, and hadn't gotten the chance to get lunch before she was called down to the gym.

"I'm fine…" she smiled weakly as her eyes did not leave Sasuke's. They refused to turn away, even if he did.

"Megami you should really eat something" Naruto whispered worriedly to his sister.

"I'm not…hungry…" she said slowly.

She so desperately hoped he would do something. Kick her under the table, smile at her, give her some sort of notion that he still cared, and what Sakura and Tenten said was a lie.

But, he did nothing. He turned his gaze away from her, with an uninterested expression, while the others questioned her on her eating habits.

That was it, she felt like breaking out into tears, slapping him, hitting something, questioning.

But she made no move to do anything.

Everything was too empty.

I'm tired.

A voice sighed in her head.

I'm so very tired if trying.

The voiced around her seemed to fade away.

The last thing she saw was his face, caring nothing of her as she passed out onto the carpeted floor.

~*A.H*~

Click. Clack. Click. Clack.

Click. Clack. Click. Clack.

The sounds of the rubber ball hitting the ceiling repeated along in his room as Naruto sat along the next morning, having woken up later than expected, laying, thinking over last night's events.

After having passed out Kai carried Megami back up to her room. Everyone went on and composed themselves, going back to their dinners and such, thinking it was just because of lack of food.

He knew better. He knew the real reason she had lost her consciousness.

But what bothered him so much is why Sasuke had not bothered even a hello to either of them, better yet looked at the girl who just the other day he told him he loved…

He was so confused about the boys attitude's lately.

None of them would talk to him, not even Shikamaru at the dinner.

When the ball fell back into his hand he clenched it.

Had he done something wrong? What was going on?

He hadn't even thought about the marriage's lately.

All he could think about is getting is friends together again.

Laughing with the girls they proclaimed their hearts too.

Kissing his love.

Being free of worry and loving life.

Where had they gone so wrong?...

"How is she going to be?" "She's just dehydrated and lacking nutrients. She should be fine, but when she wakes up you should have her eat something." The doctor spoke as he stood next to grandfather outside of Megami's door, whilst Kai sat next to her, holding her hand while she slept.

"When will she wake up? It is almost two in the afternoon, there is still so much to do before the ball." He questioned.

"She's in a pit of exhaustion. Something else must have riled up her emotions. She could wake up any minute now."

They turned their attention back to the sleeping girl for a moment, then turned back to each other.

"If there's anything else I shall be in the South wing." He said as bowed, then turned to leave.

He sighed, turning his attention to his granddaughter again.

"Kai"

He slowly directed his bored gaze towards him.

"I have errands to run. Take care of her. Make sure she wakes up soon, she still has to get ready for the ball tonight." He said sternly.

He nodded, watching her grandfather walk down the hall, leaving the both of them.

He smirked when he was out of sight, reaching up and touching her hair, stroking it.

That little alerted her. She twitched at the touch, her eyes flying open as she gasped.

He kept his expression as he watched her.

She turned to her side, her breathing increasing.

"…Sasuke…" she whispered.

"You're really bad at this game" he slightly chuckled.

Her eyes widened, she quickly lifted herself up from the bed, tossing the covers off as she still laid in the dress she was forced into the night before.

"Sasuke!" she cried out. Kai's smiling expression turned into a confused one as he watched her stand weakly out of bed.

Her desperate eyes directed to the open door, were freedom lied.
"SASUKE!" she screamed.

"He's not here genius." Kai scoffed.

"He was here!" she cried, pointing towards the door, "I saw him! He sat across from me! He was here! In this place! With me! And he…and he…" he fought to catch her breath as her mind began to go back to the fact that he hadn't done a thing when he saw her, as if they were strangers.

She fell to her knees, her palms supporting her up as tears fell onto her floor.

"But I…he…he didn't…why didn't he…" he whispered as more fell.

"He doesn't care about me…"

"Look you can sit there and cry if you like but your grandfather told me that you have to eat something, and if you don't I'm the one who's going to get into trouble." Kai said coldly.

She ignored him, weakly lifting her head towards the door.

Without a word she jumped up, running out.

"Hey, Hey! Where the hell do you think you're going!" he yelled after her.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

Within three the large front double doors were opened to the outside by the guards standing by.

"State your name and purpose." one guard demanded.

She smiled, clutching her bag.

"Kaede. I'm a cousin to Tsuyoki family. I'm here to help, now can I come in?"

"KAEDE!" a voice squealed.

The guard turned to the side, there to find Sari standing with Gaara in the middle of the hall.

"Oh I'm so glad you're finally here!" she smiled. "Come on let her in now." She ordered.

The guard did as directed, moving aside so Kaede could walk in.

"How's it going Sari?" she giggled.

"Terrible!" she groaned dramatically. "You won't believe what it takes to get my hair right in this place! But I'm so glad you're finally here, you're the best" she beamed.

"This is my fiancée Gaara" she said proudly, turning to the side to show him off.

He stared daggers at Kaede.

Her smile did not recede.

"We've met…plenty of times."

"Really? How-" Sari stopped herself when her expression turned into realization.

"Oh that's right! You used to go out with Neji didn't you?"

The foyer went silent.

Sari looked back and forth to the both of them. "What? Did I say something wrong?"

"Good afternoon!" a voice called from the East wing.

The three of them turned their attention towards it. There they found coming from it, Hinata, Kiba, and Sara.

"Hi there" Kaede smiled, happy to change the subject.

"Oh! Who is this?" Sara smiled, walking over.

"I'm Kaede, Sara's cousin. It's nice to meet you" she smiled.

Both Hinata and Sara curtsied, greeting.

"Hey, what's up" Kiba smirked, flashing dog teeth as he saluted her.

Kaede raised a brown in confusion, looking to Hinata and Kiba.

Then towards Gaara and Sari.

"Wait a minute…Hinata?...I thought you were-"

Kaede was left interrupted as the pounding of footsteps down the stairs alerted her and everyone else.

"Hey! I said get back here now! Are you deaf!" Kai's voice demanded as he raced after a flash of red.

She did not listen to him. Her mind only listened to the name repeating in her head.

All the memories…

She couldn't lose them now…

"Stop her!" he yelled to the guards who stood at the ends of either side of the doors, just as she pushed her way out.

They watched as both guards ran after her, as she ran into the sunlight she had not been able to feel in three days.

Barefoot in the heated cement and warm rays of the sun, she let in the air, the feeling of freedom.

She ran and ran, towards the large gates that kept her prisoner.

She stopped, clutching onto them as she watched the outside world through her tired eyes.

She smiled slightly, taking a deep breath as she clutched the gates, letting the wind wisp across her face, letting her hair fly.

She could feel it.

She could feel the emotion her heart had been longing for for the last five years.

She smiled, even as the guards gently escorted her back inside.

She closed her eyes, as the doors closed behind her.

She let herself upstairs, ignoring Kai's angered look as she walked.

She knew what she needed now.

"What was that all about?" Kaede asked in confusion.

"I don't know that Uzumaki girl is such a freak."

Hinata suppressed the urge to glare at her.

But who cares! The ball is in just a few hours! Guests will be arriving soon and you have to help me with my dress!" Sari demanded as she took Kaede's hand and Gaara's, leading them both upstairs without uttering another word to those behind them.

"I'm going to go upstairs as well, I need to see Naruto before I go and get ready." Sara smiled as she skipped to the steps.

Kiba turned his attention to Hinata, who stood expressionless.

"What do you want to do before the ball Hinata?" he smirked flirtatiously.

"I have some writing I need to do. Excuse me." she said without looking to him as she walked up the steps, to his confusion.

"-And just what the fuck was he doing at the dinner in the first place! This wasn't a part of the plan! He almost ruined everything; it's a good thing Megami kept her cool." Tenten sighed, her face in her hands in exhaustion.

"What do you mean kept her cool? She passed out right there." Sakura reminded them.

"By the look on her face, I don't think it was such a relief to see him after what you guys said." Ino added.

"We don't have a choice. Besides, the ball is tonight, there will be plenty of time to get things in order, I just hope he doesn't louse this up." Sakura sighed.

"Louse what up?"

The girls turned around, watching Neji walk up to them as they stood in the middle of a hall upstairs.

"Oh hey Neji" Sakura said, waving her hand. "it's a good thing you're here, we're going to need your help." She explained as he and Tenten quickly kissed.

"With what?" he asked as he put an arm around her.

"Tonight, at the ball, do you think you could get us in it?"

He sighed, "I don't have that sort of power. You'd have to ask Naruto or Megami and have them ask their grandfather."

"Okay, that's not bad, Ino can you go and find Naruto?"

"On it" she nodded as she turned and walked out of the hall, down towards Naruto's.

"Why do you guys need to attend the ball?" he asked.

"Well we have to be in it for everything to pull through." She explained.

"Playing with the help again are we Neji?"

"This bitch again…" Tenten grumbled as she leaned on the wall.

Sakura kept still, Neji turned to his side.

His eyes slightly widened though, when he found Kaede standing in front of Sari and Gaara, who stood behind her as if nothing was anew.

"Kaede?" he asked to make sure.

Tenten stood up straight, turning her attention to the four.

Kaede smiled, "Neji! It's good to see you again," she leaned to the side, turning her attention to the girls.

"Tenten, Sakura, how's it going?"

Sakura shrugged, Tenten weakly waved, "Hey"

"What are you doing here?"

She chuckled, "Don't tell me you forgot! You know Sari and I are cousins, I came here to help out with the ball and to represent my parents at the wedding since they can't make it."

"Yes, our wedding." Sari cooed, her tone directed to Sakura who met no one's eyes.

She cringed, stiffening.

"Excuse me, I think I'll go check on lady Megami" she fakely smiled towards them as she stood up straight, fixating her dress.

Tenten twisted to her furiously, mouthing a 'don't leave me alone'

Sakura smiled sadly at her as she turned around, walking Ino's way.

Tenten mentally groaned, then turned back to the four of them.

"Yeah, I should…probably get back to work." "Now that's the best idea I've heard from you since you got here" Sari smiled.

Tenten quickly glared, turning back to Neji and Kaede.

"I'll be going" she nodded, "Oh I'll follow you, we should catch up." Kaede offered smiling brightly.

"Oh…kay" Tenten said slowly.

"Catch up on what?" she thought. "We're not even friends bitch!"

But then a sickening feeling fell at the pit of her stomach. She had no reason to hate Kaede. She and Neji were over and done.

She hoped.

"I'll see you in a bit Sari" Kaede waved as she walked with Tenten.

"Hurry up Kaede!" Sari groaned, calling after her.

She rolled her eyes, "entertaining the help…anyways, come on Gaara, we should go check on preparations."

He said nothing as he followed after her like a puppy, to Neji's annoyance.

"You want me to what?" the blond boy asked in confusion as he slipped a shirt on.

Ino rolled her eyes, her hands on her hips, "you are so slow gosh. I want you to ask your grandfather if me, Sakura, and Tenten can attend the ball as your guests, it's the only way we can help you guys at the ball, we have a lot of researching to do." She explained.

"I don't know Ino. He's going to think I have a thing going on with all three of you if I ask him dattebayo." he frowned.

She sighed, turning away to think for a second.

She snapped her fingers, turning back to him.

"Just tell him Megami requested it, that we're her friends and she wants us to come. I don't think she'll be coming out of her room anytime soon." She sighed.

He thought for a moment as he stood up, "Okay…alright, I'll do it" he smiled slightly.

"Oh thanks a bunch Naruto!" she squealed as she twisted around.

He nodded, sitting down at the desk in a corner by the window were a pencil and paper sat.

Before she left she turned around to him, confused.

"What are you up to?" she asked.

He directed his attention to her for a moment, smiling.

"Just exchanging letters." "Really, with who?"

"A pen pal." "Why a pen pal all of a sudden? What's the name?" she giggled.

"Just for the fun of it. I like to call her Juliet."

"So, how are you and Sui doing?" Tenten asked cautiously as she and Kaede walked alone down the halls.

"Hm?" Kaede asked in confusion, then she turned and laughed. "Oh, him, no we lasted about two weeks. He's a nice guy and all, but he's not my type, it didn't work out." She shrugged.

She was afraid of that. The sickening feeling fell back into her stomach again.

"But thanks for setting us up in the first place, I take it you and Neji and the others have been doing well?" she asked.

"Well I wouldn't say right now…" she mumbled.

Kaede sighed, "I told you those guys would be trouble." "I don't really think the guys are the problem right now." She said quickly.

"But it does seem to have changed you a lot. Have you gained weight?"

"EXCUSE ME!" Tenten yelled, stopping.

Kaede stopped, to her confusion.

"Huh? Oh no I don't mean like that!" she laughed.

"What else does she mean?" Tenten thought to herself, refraining from glaring at her.

She settled as they began to walk again.

"Actually, come to think of it…I have…"

Kaede laughed again, "See what I mean? Anything else?"

Tenten frowned, turning her head away. "Well I…have been feeling really sick lately."

"Or maybe it's just the sight of seeing you again."

"Ohh there it is" she nodded, as if she'd just found her problem.

"There what is?" Tenten said, fighting back her annoyed tone.

"Well Neji seems to like to sleep a lot with the girls he dates. Who knows Ten-"

"Don't fucking call me that."

"Maybe you're pregnant!" Kaede laughed as she walked on.

Tenten stopped. Staring after her as she walked on ahead.

She slowly trailed her hand to her stomach.

"No…There's no way."

"What the hell was that? Do you have any idea what your grandfather would have done to me if he caught you outside!" Kai growled as he paced back and forth in her room.

Megami sat on her bed, dressed in a towel after showering, waiting for him to leave.

She smiled at the light coming from her windows, her eyes glistening with serene emotion as she sighed happily.

"Are you listening? You pull crap like that again and I swear-" "I don't care…Kai…I just don't care…" she whispered.

He glared at her, stopping.

He raised a brow at her expression, for the first time in three days, she actually looked…happy.

"What's with the face? How can you even smile. You're marrying me and your boyfriend doesn't give a crap about you."

She ignored him; she made no move as if she hadn't heard him.

"Hey! Can you hear me!" he practically yelled, walking towards her.

She still kept still, her eyes locked on the window.

"Hey!" he yelled, pushing her back onto the bed, to her shock, holding her neck.

She gasped for air, kicking her legs.

"Listen to me when I'm talking to you. If I have to deal with you for the rest of my life you're going to go under my orders, understand." He said coldly.

She squeaked, trying to get her breath.

"There is no way…in hell…I'm…ever-" she choked, scratching his hand, trying to get it off.

He glared, "I could kill you right now. If it weren't for you I could have been king now…but this whole marriage bullshit…" he growled.

She couched.

He smirked, "If I have to spend the rest of my life with you…I can at least take advantage of it…"

He released his hand from her neck, letting her slightly sit up and couch, holding it gently herself.

With little to no time to retort, she found his lips against hers in a second.

She tried to push him off, seeing as he sat on top of her. Grumbling and groaning as she pushed her hands against his chest.

He forced his tongue into her mouth, letting slight screams fall from her.

She pulled at him as one hand trailed down her thigh, the other forcing her arms back, locking them as she moved around furiously.

She screamed when he released her lips, finding his way up her towel, emdietly toying with her.

"S-stop…stop it!" she whined.

His tongue trailed around her breasts, peeking out from the towel while she still sat slightly wet.

"Stop!" she pleaded, her chest rising up and down as her eyes tightened.

"You're such a liar…you want this…" he whispered.

No.

At least. Not from you.

"No! I said stop! Get off of me!" she yelled, cringing.

"Help! Somebody help me!" she cried.

Her body hit its peek either way, letting her twist her head back and forth, letting out a silent scream as few tears rained down her eyes.

He raised up, letting their eyes meet as she fought back tears.

"That's better…" he whispered, kissing her neck. "But I never said we were done here…"

"Um, what's going on here?"

He stopped. Megami mentally sighed in relief.

He slowly lifted himself up, turning his head annoyingly to the side.

Sakura stood wide eyed by the door, staring at them.

"Hm…" he smirked, slipping out, raising and licking his fingers.

"We were just playing…"

He hopped off, letting her quickly pull herself together, covering herself.

He sighed, slipping his hands into his pockets as he walked towards.

He smirked as he passed her, to her shock, then continued on walking out.

When he was out of sight, Sakura turned back to her, closing the door halfway.

"Megami!" "Sakura!" she cried, holding her arms out.

"What happened?" she questioned as she ran up to her.

"He tried to…he…" she breathed.

Her eyes widened again, the expression quickly turning to anger.

"I can't believe this…" she growled.

She stood up, heading for the door.

"I'll be back."

"I hadn't realized Megami was even up. She requested her maids be at the ball?" Grandfather questioned as he sat at his desk, Naruto standing up front of him.

The blond nodded, "She said she would have the most fun if they were there. I think it would be better for her attitude." He explained nervously.

He sighed, increasing Naruto's nervousness.

"Very well. If that it the case, I will arrange a ferry of dresses and masks for the three of them before tonights events."

Naruto mentally sighed in relief, until something caught his attention.

"Wait? Masks?" he asked in confusion.

His grandfather looked up at him, giving an equally confused expression.

"Well of course, it IS a masquerade ball. Did no one tell you?"

He shook his head.

"Well it is, and speaking of the ball, you should really be getting ready, I'm sure someone has already dropped off your attire in your room. In the mean time I want you to wait at the gate, your cousin is almost here and has to be attended too."

"I have a cousin?" he said confusion.

Grandfather sighed, stacking papers.

"Yes, a distant cousin, Konohamaru, he's on his way here with his uncle. The Hyuga's will be arriving soon as well, along with the Uchiha's and from then on guests around the country and continent."

"Wow, all those people? What for?"

"At this moment hundreds of royal children are to be married. We're holding an engagement party, they are not. They are welcome to come. We do this because we have not held one in over twenty years."

"Oh…" he said slowly.

"Naruto I still have much to do. Can you let yourself out?" he asked.

Naruto nodded slowly, turning around to go do the assignment he had been given.

Tenten sat in a bathroom she had randomly picked after she and Kaede separated.

After putting the seat cover down, she sat on top of it and hugged her legs.

"What the hell am I thinking…there's no way…Neji's always used protection…always."

She thought back to the time at the beach, but it was impossible. She was still under birth control, and the nausea had been around long since then.

She ruffled her hair in her hands.

"There's no way!" she yelled, too scared to think about it.

"Now this bitch has got be paranoid. She probably just said that to make me scared." She grumbled, even if she had been the one to give her the reasons to say such a thing.

She held her stomach in fear, wanting to scream, knowing she couldn't.

"I'll prove it…" she said to herself as she slowly stood up.

She sighed, dusting off her maid's outfit and walking towards the door, opening it to let herself out.

Her heart felt as if it jumped out of her chest when she came face to face with Neji.

"Neji!" she said shocked, sub-consciously holding her stomach.

"I heard you talking to yourself in there. Are you okay?" he asked.

She laughed, "I'm fine. I was just having an argument with myself!"

He raised a brow, "that's not weird at all" eh said sarcastically.

She smiled, letting herself out and closing the door behind her.

She looked down, "Neji…?"

"Hm?" he asked as he leaned on the side of the wall.

"Do you…do you think I've gained any weight?" she asked nervously.

"Oh no, is this one of those girlfriend things when they complain about being fat? No matter what I answer you're going to try and kill me either way." He sighed.

"No no…it's nothing like that. I mean, do you? Since we started, have I gotton bigger to you?"

He scratched the back of his head, looking for the right answer.

"Not…really…I guess, doesn't really look like it to me, are you okay? You look fine to me." he shrugged.

She looked down; it didn't really feel like there was anything there.

So then maybe she was just…

"You're right" she laughed.

"You know what, I should go meet up with the girls. Hopefully I'll see you at the ball!" she called as she passed him running down the hall.

Sakura stomped down the halls, searching through each door, not caring who saw her or who questioned what she was doing.

In such anger she did not care, she continued on in hopes of finding the person she was looking for.

Without realizing it she furiously passed by a person she had ironically been trying to avoid.

"Sakura?" they called. She continued on, ignoring them.

"Sakura!" he called again, going after her.

"Leave me alone." She snapped.

"What are you doing?" he questioned, ignoring her demand.

"I should be asking you the same thing. What Sari decided to give the puppy-dog a rest?"

He hesitated, before going on.

"Actually she had to get ready for the ball, so she left me to handle my own problems." Gaara shot back.

She scoffed, "I'm not in the mood for your bullshit right now, there's another lying bastard I have to find."

He took no effect as they walked.

"Sakura please…" "Just go!" she snapped again.

She grabbed her hand; she quickly tugged out his grasp.

"Sakura!" he yelled, twisting her around.

She slapped him.

He stood there, his face to the side as his cheek reddened.

"Don't touch me. I can't even look at you; you have the nerve to try for my attention now? What about when you stood there and let Sari treat me like trash, you didn't say anything then, you stood and watched. Even with all the mistakes I've made, you're one of the worst." She said coldly, turning around and walking again.

"If you haven't already realized it by now, I'll say it myself. We're finished." She said monotonously as she continued down the hall.

"He said yes? Oh that's perfect!" Ino beamed, clapping her hands as the both of them stood in the almost empty foyer.

Naruto nodded, "I said he'd have someone drop of the outfits at your sleeping places, hey did you know this was a masquerade ball?"

She nodded in an obvious tone, "Duh, why do you think we want to attend. It's provides a perfect hiding effect and distraction.' She said deviously.

"For what?" he asked in confusion.

"She waved her hand nonchalantly, "you won't have to worry about that until tonight, trust me, if all goes well, we'll be home before you know it." She sighed.

He nodded, his heart racing hopefully.

Suddenly a knock alerted the both of them on the doors.

They stood and watched as the left guard turned and opened one side of the door.

"That must be my cousin" he sighed. Ino raised a brow, turning to him, "cousin?"

"Yeah, I just found out too." He said as they turned back to the doors, there watching two young teenagers run into the foyer, laughing.

One they recognized to be Hinata's younger sister, Hanabi, the other they did not, as a boy with brown hair who looked around the same age as her ran in.

Behind them came Hiashi, and behind him came Asuma-sensei, to their confusion.

The young teens stopped when they noticed both blonds looking at them.

"Hey! You're Naruto aren't you?" the boy said.

"Yeah…" Naruto said slowly.

The boy saluted, "Names Konohamaru, my uncle tells me the last time we met I was a toddler." He laughed.

"Really?" he asked. He nodded.

"Hi Naruto! Hey Ino!" Hanabi smiled, waving to the both of them.

"Hey Hanabi" Ino smiled.

"Where's my sister?" she asked, looking around.

"Upstairs" Ino answered simply.

Hanabi nodded, moving to the side, running towards the stairs.

"I'll catch you later Konohamaru!" she called.

"Hanabi behave yourself!" her father called sternly.

"Is that by any chance your uncle?" Naruto asked, pointing up to Asuma-sensei. Konohamaru nodded furiously.

"Asuma-sensei?" both blonds said at the same.

He smiled at them, Naruto squinted, remembering seeing him in the gym.

"Is that why you were in gym Monday?" he asked.

"Sarutobi is a part of the royal families. Sorry we couldn't make the dinner."

"How is everyone doing? Back at school." Ino asked sadly.

He chuckled, "to tell you the truth it's been a whole lot quieter since the ten of you left. But the entire female population's been in a depressive state because no one's heard from Omega in days."

Naruto smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.

"Well, we should be getting ready, Konohamaru will be staying here until the…um…wedding." He coughed.

"Come Konohamaru" he called as he nodded to the both of them, heading upstairs.

"See you later Naruto!" he called as he rushed after his uncle.

The both of them turned back to each other.

"Well…the ball is going to be starting soon…I should start to get ready." He sighed.

"Hey! Ino!"

The both of them turned their attention back up the steps.

Tenten came rushed down, Sakura slowly followed behind her.

"Hey guys! I was just about to come looking for you!" she called.

"Why?" Tenten asked as they met up.

Ino smiled, proudly holding her hands on her hips.

"Looks like we're going to a masquerade ball" she cooed.

~*A.H*~

Nighttime rolled around quickly. By eight P.M guests from around the country were arriving to the affair, pulling in Limo's, special made cars ect.

Guests from outside the country arrived a bit later, having to come from planes, jets, and such.

Families, loved ones, all of sort part of royal descent arrived.

All wearing different types of masquerade masks.

SO by exactly nine o'clock, the large ball room was completely filled with royal blood.

Throughout the day the maids and servants had spent their time preparing the very large ballroom.

The long golden ballroom consisted of twenty chandeliers hanging at the ceiling. Surrounding the ballroom on the left was a line of theatre boxes.

The right side was completely glass, showing the large garden outside, and the night sky. A long curved flight of stairs leading up to the boxes shined.

A long table with a white cloth laid out a line of food and drinks. Waiters and waitresses walked around with whines and platters.

A large stage sat at the front, were the same man from the dinner sat and played a large grand piano.

The residents, in their different masks talked, laughed, danced, drank, children ran around and played, everyone making good use of the celebration.

At exactly nine, three girls made their way into the ball, hidden behind masks in unique dresses.

Ino in a light blue one with a blue bird shaped masquerade mask. Sakura in pink with a flamingo masquerade mask. Finally Tenten in green with a peacock masquerade mask.

The girls had spent the next couple hours doing their hair all in updo styles, preparing themselves so they seemed at least unrecognizable.

"Wow" Ino whistled as they sashayed in to the noise.

"I know, this place is enormous!" Tenten said, looking around.

Sakura looked to her watch, "no time for admiring, the couples arrive down soon. Come on, we have to find Shikamaru, chances are he'll be with Sasuke." She explained.

The girls nodded, standing up straight and walking, blending into the crowd.

Naruto stood up in his room, getting dressed on his own in a fit black suit with a bow tie as a fox mask sat by his side.

Sitting along with the mask on his table sat the written out paper he had not been able to mail, and so decided the best thing to do would be to deliver it personally.

He smiled to himself as he adjusted the bow tie; he hoped the night would go as planned.

As for now, he had to escort Sara, who to his slight annoyance had been searching for him all day.

Engagement introductory and dance would begin at nine –thirty, he only had to survive that, then hopefully, his wallflower would belong to him for the night.

Megami sat faced front in the large clear glass mirror as maids caked her face, brushing her cheeks with blush, filling her lips with bright red lipstick as others fumbled with her painfully long hair.

She made no movement. She stared sadly at the person in front of her, then towards the tiara that sat next to her.

She desperately hoped for a miracle.

Somehow, someway, the night would end in her favor. Just for once.

Hinata sat in the same position, but only her hair left to do.

She stared at the girl she'd had come to know in the last three days, with a tiara and a butterfly mask sitting next to her.

"Almost done my lady…" the maid said.

Hinata sighed, truthfully she would prefer to sit and do her hair forever. If she didn't have to go down there and be someone she wasn't…

Gaara leaned on the desk off his room in the dark, with each hand on one side, fully dressed with a raccoon mask, and a crown by his side.

He clenched the table, scratching off the wood as Sakura's words rang in his head.

Well, at least he wouldn't have to see her tonight. It would be less painful.

Sure, he would be spending the night forcibly with Sari, but at least he wouldn't have to stand her eyes…the pain he left in them tonight.

He would find a way…he had to find a way to patch things up…

As for now, they all had a duty to do.

The girls stalked around, looking for Shikamaru. The fact that EVERYONE stood in masks made it all the more difficult, including that of all the people that attended.

"What the hell! He has a pineapple on his head how hard can it be to find him?" Tenten groaned. "Hey watch it!" Ino said over the noise.

"Shika said he would be in a deer mask." Ino explained. Sakura rolled her eyes, "ironic…"

"He shouldn't be hard to find. If we find his mom, dad, Itachi, his parents, or somehow even Sasuke we'll find Shikamaru."

"You're looking for Shikamaru?"

The girls stopped and turned around. There facing an elegant woman with longish white hair and a red dress slightly similar to theirs.

"Um yeah, you know him?" Tenten asked.

She chuckled, nodding, "here follow me." she ushered, motioning for them to follow her.

The girls nodded to each other, going on with her through the people.

"I'm guessing you three must Ino, Sakura, aaaand Tenten, right?" she asked.

The girls nodded, "yeah, but how to do you know our?-"

"The names Midori, we talked on the phone late last week. But I think I only talked to Ino actually." She frowned as they walked.

"Oh!" Ino lit up. "You must be Itachi's fiancée!" she said aloud.

Midori giggled, nodding. "Oh I can't wait for the wedding! You won't find anything good in the stores trust me; I'm going to make your dress the best in the world!" Ino squealed.

"I can't wait" Midori laughed.

"Sorry can we talk wedding later? Remember Ino?" Sakura cut in.

Ino sighed nodding.

Midori stopped, to their surprise.

"They're over there, I was going to get them drinks, I'll meet up with you guys soon." She smiled as she turned back around.

The girls looked forward to where she had pointed to, standing there talking with family stood a deer, and a crow.

"Shika-kun!" Ino called as she walked over.

He cringed, turning to the side to face his girlfriend. "Ino, it's good thing you guys got in." he sighed.

"Thank Naruto for that later" Ino smiled.

"Ladies" Itachi smirked, bowing like a gentlemen in front of them.

The girls giggled, curtsying. Shikamaru sighed.

"So where's Sasuke?" Sakura asked as the stood up straight.

The boys looked to one another for a moment, then turned back to the girls.

"Around…" they said at the same time.

The girls looked at them in confusion.

"Well they're all coming down in a few minutes" Sakura said, looking at her watch, "we should go find him" Tenten offered.

The girls nodded to each other.

"Wait, you probably shouldn't-" before he could finish, the girls were already holding their dresses, jogging off.

Shikamaru sighed, dropping his hand back.

"Ah let them go, I don't think they'll find him anyway." Itachi sighed, letting his hands fall into his pockets.

"Why's that?"

Itachi turned to his watch, "because there're hundreds of people in this crowd. And they're coming down in less than five minutes."

~*A.H*~

"Who's idea was this in the first place? We're never going to find Sasuke in this mess, we should have at least asked Shikamaru what mask he's in the first place!"

"Quick being so whiny Ten! It's not going to take us centuries to find him!" Ino shot. Tenten crossed her arms and stopped in annoyance, "I'm not."

"Ino, we should really stop though" Sakura spoke up. "Why?" she frowned.

Sakura lifted up her watch and pointed to it, just as the lights began to dim, and the people began to quiet down.

"It's nine-thirty."

The lights of the ballroom went off, letting only one light shine onto the flight of stairs, were grandfather stood at the top, in elegant traditional attire.

The room instantly went quiet when he clacked his cane onto the floor twice, gathering all their attention.

He slightly smiled under his beard.

"…Ladies and gentlemen. Kings and queens. Princes and princesses. Dukes, duchesses. Welcome" he bowed.

"As you may all very well know, this time of month is that of Haru no Kekkon, better known throughout Asia as Marriage of the Spring. Here we honor our young leaders in conjoining them with families so that livelihoods may rule strongly across the country.-"

"You forgot to mention the part about forcing family into marrying a stranger…" Tenten mumbled, resulting in a shush from Sakura.

"-So that we may resume to your prior engagements, please let me welcome part of Japan's royal children." He nodded, letting his hand to his right side of the steps.

For conjoining the Hyuga and Inuzuka families, lady Hinata and lord Kiba."

The pounding of claps arose around the entire room as Hinata and Kiba unveiled themselves, Hinata linked onto his arm in her butterfly mask and tiara on updo'd hair, a long purple dress with wrist dangles, while Kiba in a black suit with a wolf/dog mask.

The claps seized when they reached the bottom.

"Conjoining the Uzumaki clan and Rouran kingdom. My grandson, prince Naruto, and Princess Sara!"

The claps arose loudly again as Sara stepped out in a light brown dress similar to Hinata's with a swan mask and tiara on updo'd hair, along with Naruto in his black suit, a fox mask and crown, Sara, linking on his right arm as he waved.

Like before, as they reached the bottom the clapping seized.

"Conjoining the Sabaku kingdom and Tsuyoki kingdom, prince Gaara and princess Sari!"

Once again the claps followed as they stepped down, Sari in a bright yellow dress with a cheetah masquerade mask and tiara on updo'd hair, while Gaara in a black suit with a raccoon mask.

Ino and Tenten slowly clapped, while Sakura turned away, glaring at nothing, fumbling with the flower line on her dress.

"Finally, conjoining the Uzumaki clan and Mayonaka kingdom. My granddaughter princess Megami and prince Kai!"

The claps aroused again as they stepped out, Megami forcibly linked on Kai in a white kimono type dress just in the front, with red lining with long hanging sleeves, a snow leopard mask and tiara in updo'd hair, while Kai in a black suit, smiling and waving with a shark mask and crown.

The girls watched as she tried to force a smile on her face.

The guests moved to the side as the piano music began to play again, creating a large circle as the four of them stepped in.

As Myleene Klass's 'For the love of a princess' played, the four couples danced with the spotlight on them as if they had been together forever.

Through their dancing, Naruto and Hinata's seemed to be easy. While they continued to glance at each other, both couples stayed firm.

Gaara and Megami on the other hand, developed issues with their partners.

Sari led, to his irritation, she danced to her pled, as if wanting everyone in the room to focus their attention on her. Still it looked as if they were working out.

Kai aimed to intimidate Megami, letting his hands roam wherever they pleased, to make her uncomfortable, trying to seem like a real couple while still trying to keep his hands off of her was a gruesome bother.

Within five minutes thankfully, the other royal couples from across the lands were eligible to begin dancing to the piano.

Twirling dresses flew, crowns and tiara's shined in the light as parents, siblings, elders, and others watched the soon to be married.

"How long is this supposed to go on?" Ino sighed. "They're supposed to dance for ten minutes, then everyone else can go on." Sakura explained.

Ino frowned, "I kind of want to dance." "We're not here to dance Ino-pig!" Sakura snapped.

"Well that's a shame, should we take our offers somewhere else then?"

The girls turned to their side, were an eagle with lavender eyes and a deer stood by them.

Ino giggled, "Thank god we're not getting married. But we're sure as hell still in the royal families." Neji smirked.

Tenten curtsied, holding her hand down, letting him bow and kiss it, she giggled.

Ino followed suit, letting Shikamaru bow and kiss her hand.

"Oh wait!" she said, turning to Sakura. "We can't leave Sakura here alone." Ino frowned.

Sakura laughed, "you guys go on ahead. I'll be fine."

"But-" "have a little fun!" she wavered, motioning for them to go.

Both girls nodded to her, taking their boyfriends hands as they led them to the dance floor.

She sighed, taking in a deep breath and crossing her arms as she watched them walk off, joining the dancers.

She slightly jumped when she felt a tap on her shoulder, alerting her.

She twisted to her side, only to find a snake mask with hidden eyes staring back at her. a black suit with slicked hair that looked black in the dark.

The wearer of the snake held their hand out.

"Oh I'm not-" she stopped as they raised their hand up higher.

Must be a royal.

She thought to herself.

"Um…alright…" she slightly shrugged as he curtsied, letting him take her hand, leading her to the dance floor.

And so they did, to sounds of the piano the masked couples danced, calmly until the ten minutes finished, when then those who wished to dance were finally eligible.

Megami sighed in relief, aiming to release from Kai's grip until he pulled her back forcibly, to her surprise.

"What are you doing? We're done, I want to go sit down." She demanded as they continued to go back and forth.

"You're not going anywhere until I say so…" he whispered.

She glared at him, "wouldn't you feel better if we left and finished what we started…" he whispered again.

She pushed him, only forcing him to grip her tighter. She cringed.

"Behave Megami…or there will be dire consequences…"

After the royal dance was finished, most of the couples went to take a seat, or in turn switched partners.

Sakura continued to dance with the stranger, as did Gaara and Sari, not of his choice of course.

Sakura enjoyed her time, while the stranger was kind and gentle with her, even if he hadn't said a word.

She continued to glance at Gaara and Sari, twirling near them.

At some point the stranger and Gaara twirled both girls at the same time, letting them fall into the arms of the other.

Sakura's eyes widened when she found herself dancing with Gaara, as did Sari's when she found herself NOT dancing with him.

The stranger released from her, bowing then standing up straight, glancing to his right, sticking his hands in his pockets and taking his leave.

Sari twisted around, only to find her fiancée dancing with someone else.

"Sakura? How did you..."

She said nothing, turning away.

"Who was that, you were dancing with?"

"Why do you care…" she whispered.

"Sakura, please talk to me." "I am" she said sarcastically.

"You know what I mean." He said coldly as they danced.

"Okay, what do you want me to talk about?" she shot.

"How I have to take so much crap from Sari, and watch you marry her?"

"I thought you all had something planned?" "But what if it doesn't work? And even if it does Gaara what's the point? Marriage is marriage, they won't let us in the first place! So we'll date through high school THEN you'll go and marry Sari? I just don't see the point…I'm sorry…I can't…" she looked down.

He stared at her a moment before stopped completely.

He sighed, taking one hand, dragging her.

"Gaara! What are you doing! Stop!" she demanded.

Sari watched them walk off, glaring their way as she slowly followed.

"Well hey there!" a voice called, interrupting the kiss between the eagle and the peacock.

Neji and Tenten turned to their side, facing a Kaede holding champagne in her left hand with a dark orange dress and a clown fish mask.

"Kaede…um…hey…" Tenten said as they let go.

"How're you feeling Tenten?" she smiled sadly.

"What do you mean?" she said, harsher than she intended too.

"Well I mean you tested didn't you?" Kaede asked in confusion.

Neji turned to her in confusion, "tested for what?"

Tenten glared her way, even if was mostly hidden under the mask.

"Nothing, she and I were just cracking jokes earlier, right Kaede?" she smiled.

Kaede blinked, "I wasn't joking when I…well…never mind, hey Ten do you think I could borrow Neji for a sec?"

They both frowned, "why?" Tenten asked, sub-consiously taking his arm.

"Well it's not really for me; your uncle wants to see you." She explained.

"Oh, well alright then. I'll be back soon Ten."

"Um…okay" she smiled weakly as she watched the both of them walk off together, Kaede on his arm.

Naruto sat backwards in his chair, sitting with Sara and her mother as they talked, while he in turn watched Kiba and Hinata.

They just talked, well he talked, she listened like a good fiancée.

He couldn't take his eyes off of her, she looked amazing tonight.

The letter sat in the back pocket of his tuxedo jacket, slightly hanging out.

There was no way he could get it to here now or any time soon, if only Kiba would leave her alone, he would have the perfect chance.

"Oh Naruto! You have to hear this!" Sara called.

He mentally sighed, but kept a smile as he twisted back around.

"Yeah?"

Only little did he notice of the snake that passed by him, slipping the letter from his pocket and taking it in his hand, walking forward.

The snake tossed the letter high and above in front of the butterfly as he passed by himself.

She blinked a few times when she saw it land towards her face, catching it in her hands.

She looked around, trying to find the culprit, but saw everything to be as it was.

"What's that?" Kiba asked.

She did not answer, she opened the slightly crumbled up paper, focusing on the words.

She stood there, reading as Kiba continued to ask what was on the paper.

Her hands clenched it when she finished, turning her attention to the side, were the fox who was once her love sat. her heart racing desperately.

She turned away from Kiba, running out to his shock.

Kai and Megami had been on the dance floor for almost half an hour now, nonstop.

She was irritated beyond comprehension, her legs were killing her and she was about to pass out from exhaustion, adding to the fact she still had not eaten since Sunday.

She took the advantage when Kai twirled her out to forcefully drop his hand, glaring at him as she made her way off the dance floor.

He stood there, for a moment in shock that quickly turned to anger.

He wasn't the only one.

She sighed as she took a seat at an empty table, kicking off her heels, leaning on elbow on the table with her upper arm on her cheek as she watched the dancers.

No one familiar came to sight, to her disappointment.

But she was relieved to have a rest, for a moment though.

Her eyes slightly bulged as a shadow casted over her. she slowly looked up, only to find a snake looking down at her, holding his arm out with white gloves on his hands.

She sighed, "I'm sorry, I just sat down, I'm not really in the mood for dancing, sorry."

He did not budge.

She raised a brow, visible through her mask.

"Um…sorry but…I'm tired…I don't want to dance right now." She said again, thinking he had not heard.

He kept in place.

"Mister can you hear?-" he tugged her arm, forcing her up.

"What the hell are you doing!"

He did not let go of her hand as he led her forward back to the dance floor.

"Let go of me! I said let go!" she yelled, trying to force her hand out.

He stopped when they were in the middle, putting her in a dancing position as John R. Barr's 'For the Asking' played in piano.

She continued to glare as she was forced to dance with him; most of the floor had cleared for those who needed a rest.

"What's your problem? Who are you anyways?" she growled as they danced, herself barefoot, making it easier.

He said nothing.

When he twirled her to the side she tried to force herself out of his grip, whilst he bit off the right glove, letting it fall to the floor.

She groaned she twirled back, taking his hand again.

This time to her shock, a surge of electricity went through her veins at the touch of his hand.

Her glare receded as she looked up at him.

By now, almost all the residents had left the floor; most began to watch them dance.

When he twirled her to the side, she did not try to let go as he bit off the other glove.

She back, now able to feel both his hands.

"you're…hands…" she whispered.

Nothing.

Still so, they danced across the floor, the spotlight shining on them.

"Who's Megami dancing with?" Ino asked.

"Who in god's name is that?" grandfather demanded.

"Who the hell is this…" Kai growled.

Naruto frowned, "who's that?"

Shikamaru sighed, watching the two on the dance floor.

"I could take a wild guess…"

The two continued on, moving to and fro the feel of the music.

She continued to stare in awe, whist his face remained unseen.

She couldn't explain it.

When he dipped her, she felt at peace.

When he twirled her, she felt free.

When he picked her up, twirling her around, she felt as if she could capture a star.

Capture a star…

Her eyes widened, facing him again.

"Sasuke…what do you think it would be like…if we could grasp a single star…?"

She stopped the both of them.

He bowed, but she did not curtsy.

She lifted his head up, pulling his mask up just a bit.

He did not stop her, as she stopped the mask at his lips.

She leaned in, slightly on her tip toes.

Just. Enough. to capture them.

Gasps went through the room. whispers going throughout.

Both Ino and Naruto's eyes bulged.

Kai glared, as did grandfather.

After a few moments she let go, standing back.

"I knew it was you…" she whispered.

Before anyone could make another move the lights died.

Megami smiled to herself, grasping his hand in the perfect opportunity.

The lights shined on the stage, were Midori sat on the piano, holding a mike.

They directed their attention towards her.

Her voice escalated. winking towards the redhead who escaped.

For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful baby
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through it all

The two of them rushed out of the ballroom, towards the completely empty foyer.

Her heart raced as they ran up the steps, she herself still barefoot.

She ran towards her room, his hand still in hers as they reached her door.

She threw him in, turning to close the door, leaving it open slightly.

She turned around slowly, looking at the man in the snake mask, his hands in his pockets, facing her.

Tears began to well up in her eyes as she stared at him, sniffling.

"Take off that goddamn mask…" she said coldly.

His hand slightly lifted up, slowly raising to the mask.

Her heart began to race even faster.

She watched as he removed the mask off his face, letting it drop to the floor, his other arm traveled to the back of his head, ruffling his hair back in place.

Her chest rose back and forth.

"Sasuke…"

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

"Okay so you dragged me all the way here! What the hell do you want!" Sakura snapped as they stood outside, in the garden, away from the ball.

"Remember when I brought you the roof top of the mansion back at Suna…remember when I told you that I only kept it for the both of us…that it's our place…?"

She said nothing.

"It's there to remind you that through everything that I will find a way for us to pull through…why are you all of a sudden thinking about the future now?"

"Because we just might not have a future! Don't you get it? If and when you marry Sari there's going to be nothing left! Why should we even try?" she yelled.

"I'm so afraid…of getting hurt…I saw what happened, the way you have to be around everyone else! I can't live with that! Gaara, I will try to have us all back together…but I'm not sure…about us if we manage to stop this wedding…"

He cringed.

"Sakura…don't do this…"

"I'm so sorry…but…this is for the best…you have to understand my feelings…" she whispered.

"You're lying…" he growled. "This isn't about fear…is it?"

She said nothing, turning around and rushing back where she came from.

Leaving him there. Alone.

She rushed back into the palace, leaning against the side of the first wall she saw.

She took in a deep breath, burying her face in her dress.

"Good pinkie…good…"

She slightly lifted her head up, glaring at the figures before her.

Sari and Kai, looking down to her.

"You played your part very well…"

You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you

Tenten furiously searched around the palace. Twenty minutes and Neji had not come back.

Her instincts told her Kaede had something to do with it. But she didn't want to believe anything she did or said.

Sure she acted nice, but it had to be just to get closer to Neji, she thought.

She looked around, hoping to find them, separate, alone at least.

She stopped at the sound of voices up the hall she was walking towards.

"Hm…Neji-kun…stop…" a voice whispered.

Her eyes bulged. She bit her bottom lip, leaning against the wall as she moved closer.

"God Neji…not here…"

Her heart fell to the pit of her stomach as she leaned in closer, inching at the corner of the wall.

There only to find Kaede against the wall, Neji against her, and their lips locked furiously.

"Oh my god…" she whispered, tears forming in her eyes.

She stood up straight, back against the wall.

Holding her mouth with one hand, and her stomach with the other while silent tears rained.

She sniffled, slightly groaned as she turned and ran.

When the sounds of footsteps erased, the both of them stopped.

Neji directed his attention towards Tenten's direction.

"Ten…" he whispered, saddened eyes.

Kaede giggled, poking him on the nose.

"Very good Neji-baby. You were perfect."

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

Tenten burst through the bathroom door, releasing her hand from her mouth as she emptied out the contents of her stomach into the toilet.

She groaned as tears furiously fell down her eyes.

"This…isn't happening…"

Hard tears fell from her eyes as she stared at the boy before her.

He stared back with his usual, cool, blank expression that she had come to know so well.

"Sasuke…" she whispered again.

"Y-you…you…you…you you…" she wailed.

"YOU BASTARD! How could you leave me! I screamed for you! I waited for you! They told me you wouldn't come because you don't care! I thought you did! Why did you leave me here! Why wouldn't you look at me at dinner! WHY DO YOU KEEP MAKING MY HEART HURT!" she screamed furiously, ranting.

He turned to the side, saying nothing.

"Y-you won't even look at me! And after everything? I starved myself! I was kept locked up in a room! Kai touched me but still I believed that somehow you still cared! That it won't hurt to tell myself that I can finally admit that I love you!" she yelled, the tears covering her face.

His eyes trailed to her.

"You promised me…you would protect me… liar…I sat here…for three days…and all I could think about was you…it hurt so much…but I know now, I let myself fall in love with you…so there's no going back…" she whispered, sniffling.

She stared at the floor, sniffling and letting tears fall to the floor as her heart settled.

Moments later, she felt the same delicate hands that danced with her, touch her chin, lifting her head up.

She sniffled, staring at his dark eyes.

He smirked.

"Crying doesn't suit you princess."

Her eyes bulged at the nickname he hadn't used on her in months.

"God Sasuke…I don't know how much more I can take of all this. Please, if you don't feel the same way just tell me now so I can-"

"I love you too."

She twisted her head back to face him.

He'd turned away, his chin up, away from her.

"what…?" she whispered.

He sighed, "don't make me repeat it…"

"I didn't hear you…Sasuke…" she whispered.

"I said…" he sighed, "yeah?"

"I love…" "Yes…" she whispered, moving in closer.

"You…"

"There are the words I've been waiting for…" she whispered, leaning into his lips.

"Just promise me you'll never take them away…"

"I promise…" he said, as their lips locked.

He leaned her against the wall, letting her wrap her arms around his neck.

He held his hands on her hips, leaving no space between them as their tongue's fought.

She sighed, pressing her breasts up against him as he hoisted her up, letting her wrap her legs around his waist.

Yet he was quickly irritated at the dress she stood in, blocking his pathway.

He used one had to sneak behind her, aiming to unzip her zipper.

She grasped his hand with one of hers, releasing from his lips to look at him.

"Sasuke wait…" "Megami…I'm sorry…I can't anymore…"

"No…I know…but…are we really going to do this?..." she whispered.

He smirked, leaning his forehead on hers.

"If you want to…" he whispered.

She answered him with a kiss, letting him continue his process.

The zipper slid down, the dress coming with it. She undid herself, letting the dress fall to the floor.

Leaving her in white lingerie, a white lace bra and panties, with white stockings.

He examined her for a bit, before picking her up bridal style, to her surprise, then kissing her, snapping off the lights, leading them to the mattress that awaited.

He dropped her onto the bed without letting go of her lips, climbing on top of her, hovering over.

He released from her lips to lick down her neck. She shivered, throwing her head back onto the pillows as she sighed in ecstasy.

He licked down to her breasts, bringing one hand to her back, unclasping her bra with the flick of his fingers.

He held her arms above her, helping her remove the bra, tossing it to the ground.

She shivered, moaning lightly as he traced his tongue around her breasts, circling her nipple.

"ah…g-god…Sasuke…" she moaned.

"Shuuush…" he whispered, leaning up and kissing her. Then going back down, pleasuring her breasts.

For a moment, he used both hands to toy with them, providing more friction to her mind.

You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You've been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you

He leaned up, rising himself at he looked down at her almost completely naked body.

He watched her, breathing heavily, waiting.

He slipped off his jacket, tearing off the tie, unbuttoning his white collar shirt.

When all were off he tossed them to the floor, leaving him only in his pants.

He lowered himself onto her once again, trailing down this time until he came face to face with her panties; he licked them, providing a twitch from her.

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

He licked them again, letting her twitch again. He trailed his tongue up and down, letting moans escape her.

He used his teeth to bite off her panties, bringing them down her legs as she lifted her legs up to assist him, breathing more.

He tossed the slightly wet panties to the floor with the other contents of clothing.

He kissed her right leg, leaving small love dots until he was back up were her panties had been kicked off.

"Please…Sasuke…" she whispered.

He didn't hesitate to answer her pled, slipping his tongue inside, playing with her under the covers.

She moaned aloud, biting her bottom lip as she whipped her head around side to side, tightening her eyes.

She used one hand to clench his hair, breathing heavily.

He held both hands on her hips, sustaining her legs, and letting him in deeper.

She left her head to her right side as he continued to toy with her, licking away freely.

Moments later, she freed herself, letting out a high moan as her body settled.

He trailed his tongue out, letting it run back up her bare chest as she shivered in delight.

He kissed down her neck, reached down to his own pants, unbuckling the belt.

She reached her own hand down as his belt came off, pushing his hand away to his confusion.

She smiled, then kissed him as she let her own hand fall into his pants, rubbing at his length.

He grunted, releasing from the kiss, leaning his head down onto her chest as she toyed with him.

He slightly groaned, leaning his head back up to her, staring into her eyes.

One lightened by the moon.

The other darkened by the night.

He weakly let one of his hands fall back down to her, slipping two fingers inside.

They both groaned, the pleasuring of each other enhanced by their own emotions. For a couple minutes, they did so, until they both climaxed almost together.

Sasuke grunted, slipping out of her to slip off his own pants, along with boxers, tossing them both like waste.

He stared back at her with eyes of concern.

She smiled sadly back.

"Will it…hurt?" she whispered.

He leaned down, while kissing her, whispered.

"No…"

They locked lips once again, letting him slowly and very chastely place himself inside.

She almost immediately screamed at the tightness, the immediate pain.

"Sorry…" he whispered, using one hand to stroke her hair as he kissed her, going back to try again.

She whimpered as she felt him slowly enter her.

"A…ah…"

He decided to take a risk, taking one chance to place all of himself inside.

Quickly he did so, to her shock and pain.

"Sasuke…it…it…" she whispered.

He stroked her hair, kissing her again, "it'll be okay…I promise…"

It took some moments for the pain to recede, turning into a vigorous amount of pleasure as he thrusted inside her.

She moaned loudly, never ending as her body moved up and down the mattress.

He cursed, reminding himself that this was still her first time.

He went slowly, grinding along inside her.

She settled a bit, taking in a deep breath as her hand raised, touching and rubbing his cheek.

He smiled, leaning down and kissing her.

Their bodies moved together, grinding back and forth as one, their lips not letting go.

She wrapped her arms around his neck as his arms left to each side of her, keeping his weight.

She wrapped her legs around his waist, giving him an easier way as he prodded inside her.

Both sweating, exhausting and whisking around in another world. A world new to her.

"I love you…" she managed to whisper.

"I love you too…" he breathed.

Their foreheads connected as he quickened his pace, both breathing heavily as they neared their peek.

She finished first, throwing her head back.

"SASUKEE!" she wailed in pleasure.

Seconds later, he did as well, grunting her name as he tightened the mattress which his hands laid on each side her, thrusting everything he had into her one more time.

Finally, he fell to her side. Both breathing heavily, the blanket now over them.

When she regained consciousness, she turned to her side, facing him. Even in the dark she could still see his eyes.

She leaned up, snuggling against his chest.

"I want to hear you say it…forever…" she whispered.

He smirked, bringing her up so she sat on top of him.

"I love you…I love you…I love you…I love you…I love you."

We are one, Sasuke.

Now, we have our forever.

The residents clapped as Midori continued to sing, picking up 'My Heart Will Go On.'

Grandfather sat and listened, waiting, looking around.

His expression dried as Kai met up with him.

"She's with him…isn't she?"

"I would assume so. She's not with me."

He grunted, clutching his cane.

"I've had enough of this. Round up the guards. Now. It's time to teach her a lesson" He said coldly, twisting around.

Kai smirked, stalking towards the guards that stood around each entrance.

Every night in my dreams
I see you, I feel you,
That is how I know you go on

Far across the distance
And spaces between us
You have come to show you go on

Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on

The both of them stood in her room. The lights back on and most of their clothes as they readied themselves to go back downstairs after a couple more times.

When she had her dress back on, she went and sat next to him as he buckled up his pants, his collar shirt halfway buttoned up.

He looked up at her in confusion as she looked at him dreamily.

He smirked, leaning in and kissing her.

She held his cheek, kissing him back.

All seemed perfect for the moment, until her already open door busted open.

The both of them released, twisting to the front.

There they faced an infuriated hogake, and six guards.

"Get him! I want him out of my palace NOW!" he said angrily.

"Yes sir" one said.

"What? What are you doing?" Megami questioned.

Three of the guards hoisted Sasuke up, holding his arms behind him as they quickly pulled him out of the room as he struggled.

"What are you doing!" she demanded, "grandfather where are you taking him!" she yelled.

He turned away from her.

She directed her fearful expression towards her door, running out.

"Sasuke!" she screamed.

"After her!" he demanded. The remaining guards went after.

Sasuke struggled in their grasp, moving furiously as they let him downstairs.

She ran down the steps, barefoot as quickly as she could.

"SASUKE!"

Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never let go till we're gone

Love was when I loved you
One true time I hold to
In my life we'll always go on

"STOP! LEAVE HIM ALONE!" she cried. "MEGAMI GET BACK HERE!" her grandfather yelled.

That commotion alone alerting the residents of the ball, most coming out to see what was going on.

The three guards caught up with her, holding her back as she watched them drag him to the door.

"SASUKE!" she screamed while the visitors watched.

"That was Sasuke?" Ino asked in confusion as she stood in front, watching the scene with the others.

"Megami…" he grunted.

She hit the guards holding her back, enough to run.

As did he, kicking and pushing them back as they ran up.

Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on

"Wait for me…" she pleaded, hugging him.

He leaned down and kissed her one last time before the guards began to pull them apart, struggling as they tried to keep a hold of each other.

Eventually they broke them apart, letting Megami scream as she struggled, reaching out for him.

"WAIT FOR ME!" she cried, tears running down her eyes.

He smiled as they pulled him away.

"SASUKE!" she cried as she struggled in their arms, fighting furiously.

You're here, there's nothing I fear,
And I know that my heart will go on
We'll stay forever this way
You are safe in my heart
And my heart will go on and on

"Sa-hasuke!" she cried desperately, falling to the floor, letting the tears cover her face again.

Ino dropped to her knees, watching the scene as she let a few tears fall from her eyes.

"Oh my god…"

"Everything's falling apart…"

And so hearts are lost again.

T.B.C

Next time: Hime chronicles part 2