Happy Holidays and Happy 2013!

Chapter theme: Rainie love (Yu Ai) by Rainie Yang

Song one: Come back to me by Utada

Song two: Rainie Love (Yu Ai) by Rainie Yang

True, we love life. Not because we are used to living, but because we are used to loving. There is always some madness in love, but there is also always some reason in madness. -Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

They ruthlessly tossed her back into her room, letting her fall to the floor as tears caked her face, her mascara running, hair disheveled, and dress in an awful state after having a mental breakdown right in front of everyone in the foyer.

Her grandfather stood by, glaring down at her like dirt.

"You are forbidden from leaving your room. You shall not ask anyone, only I shall permit you to go anywhere from now until the wedding. You will not see that boy EVER again, do you understand me?" he said firmly.

"Grandfather, please…" she begged, her face turned away.

"Shut your mouth…insolent girl…" he snarled.

He turned away, towards the one guard who stood by, who had thrown her in.

"Come, Leave her, I must return to the ball." He said, turning away. The guard nodded, grabbing the door handle and closing the door shut as they took their leave.

When both were gone she burst out in tears again, her hands in her face.

While everyone returned to the party, whispering and rumoring around, Ino crept out, after having watched Itachi, his parents, and Shikamaru go after Sasuke.

She snuck upstairs, heading towards Megami's room, looking around for any signs of someone who might let her know she's not where she's supposed to be.

She aimed to knock on the redhead's door as she stepped up to it, but remembered that she could go in as she pleased, while the redhead could not leave.

She slowly turned the knob, opening the door chastely. "Megami…?" she asked carefully as she took a step in.

There she found the redhead, curled up in a ball, hugging her legs on the floor, turned away from her.

"Oh god Megami…how did it get like this?" the blond whispered as she knelt down to her silently weeping friend, rubbing her side comfortably as she took her mask off.

"Is she okay?"

The blond directed her attention back to the open door, standing there, a pink haired girl with a pink flamingo mask in hand. Along with a bun-haired girl holding a peacock mask, and her stomach.

"Are you guys okay?" Ino gasped, "You look awful!"

"Thanks" Sakura said plainly as she stepped in. Tenten said nothing as she followed suit.

"I didn't mean it in an insult, gosh. Where have you been? We were supposed to go along with the plan tonight." Ino said.

"Something came up…" Sakura said, looking down, Tenten did not speak.

"What the hell do you mean something came up? I actually want to go home you know!" Ino said, getting angrier by the second.

"Just drop it Ino, we can figure something out another time!" Sakura shot.

"ARE YOU INSANE!" the blond screamed, two both the girls shock.

"I JUST WATCHED THEM DRAG SASUKE AWAY! MEGAMI HAD A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN! YOU WERE NOWHERE TO BE FOUND AND YOUR TELLING ME TO DROP-"

"Gaara and I broke up OKAY!" Sakura yelled, turning away from them.

Silence…

"…what?" Ino whispered, shaking.

Sakura said nothing.

"What…what happened…?"

"I broke up with him…I…I just can't take the stress of being with him anymore!" she said quickly.

"What stress? What the hell are you talking about? Tenten please say something to her!" Ino shot, turning her attention to Tenten.

Her glare receded as she found Tenten standing on her heels, looking down with watery eyes.

"Tenten? What's the matter with you?" Ino said in a frightful tone.

"I…Neji and…Kaede…they…they" she sniffled, fighting back tears, failing terribly.

"Oh my god…" Ino whispered, "What's happened to us? We were supposed to be in and out of this place remember? What's with the sudden issues? Can someone PLEASE explain to me what's going on!" Ino cried desperately to no one in particular.

"There…isn't really isn't much to explain…I…just believe you've fell under the stress of being with royalty."

Ino looked up, Sakura and Tenten slowly turned around.

Hinata stood by the side of the door, still in her party dress, holding the mask in her right hand, clenching the door with her left.

"Hinata!" Ino announced.

Hinata stepped in, closing the door and leaving an inch open.

"I told you…that whatever you were trying to do would be dangerous…" she said, looking down. "I said badness would fall into it. You've only been here two days and look what's happened…" she sniffled.

"This palace is destroying you. Testing your sanity for whatever reasons…testing all of us…I haven't said a word to Naruto since we arrived here…and it hurts so much I can't stand it…I miss him…that's where it's put me…" she mumbled, tears dripping onto Megami's carpeted floor.

Ino sighed, rubbing Megami's side, "I miss waking up to five alarms…the smell of breakfast…the sounds of the bell when schools about to start…hell, even Mrs. Fuyara's rants about not doing my homework…" Ino slightly laughed.

The girls said nothing.

"I just want our lives back to normal! Whatever sort of normal it was…but we can't have that if the two of you become queens or whatever!" she said, turning to Megami who did not face them, and Hinata who looked down.

"If you end your relationship for reasons I don't understand." she said, turning to Sakura.

"And if you don't explain what happened…" she sighed, turning to Tenten.

"We've got to figure out a better way out of this place. As of now the wedding is in three days, if we don't do something now, we'll lose Alpha and Omega forever…" she whispered.

Sakura and Tenten glanced at each other, then back to Ino. Hinata slightly lifted her head.

Ino slightly smiled, turning her head to the side.

"…Megami…?"

She said nothing.

"Are you with us?" she asked slowly.

The redhead sniffled.

"He…" she breathed, to the girls' attention.

"He…" "He what?" Sakura asked slowly, hoping not the get the answer she was thinking of.

"He told me he loved me…"

~*A.H*~

Naruto frantically searched around, checking every nook and cranny for one sheet of paper he had put his heart into.

He ruffled his hair in his hands as he avoided guests, those who tried to congratulate him, ask him what he was doing, flirt with him, ect.

He was painfully annoyed, but tried not to show it, he cursed himself for not being more careful with the letter, he'd so hoped Hinata would get it tonight, and hopefully have a chance with her…alone.

After almost an hour of searching, he flopped back into the now empty table while an irritated Sara (who also tried not to show it) went off to dance with suitors who accepted her offer.

He tore of the fox mask, leaning over and running his hand down his exhausted face.

"You look tired." A voice said plainly.

Naruto sighed, "I'm not in the mood Neji…"

The branch Hyuga, still in mask sat down on the chair next to him, slowly.

"What's wrong with you?" "I don't want to talk about it…right now…I just want to go back to my room…sleep, and forget this week happened." He grumbled, his face in hands.

"You wouldn't be the only one…"

Both boys looked up, directing their attention to the left.

Gaara stood by, his hands in his pockets but his mask missing.

He took the seat on the other side of Naruto, not saying another word as the three boys sat together.

Neji smirked, "wow…I don't think we've actually been anywhere near each other since Monday. Almost feels like we have the entire band together."

The boys said nothing.

"Now if we could just have Uchiha and Nara…"

"What…?" a cold, annoyed voice asked.

The boys turned their heads around once again, letting them meet dark brown, sullen ones.

"I don't think we're going to be having a complete band for a while…" he added as he took a seat of his own behind Neji. "Why's that?" Neji asked slowly.

"Don't tell me you didn't hear all that commotion…" he sighed.

"Sasuke's gone. He's not coming back here. Moreover really…he can't come back here…"

The girls sat around, in a slight circle. Ino and Tenten sat on their knees, Sakura with her knees to the side, Megami laying down with her back still turned, while Hinata sat, hugging her legs.

Ino sighed, running her hands down her face in exhaustion.

"So, let me get this straight. You broke up with Gaara because you don't want to deal with the fact that there might not be a chance of you two in the future." She said, pointing to Sakura. "You caught Neji and Kaede kissing in the hallway after Kaede told you that she thinks you might be…pregnant…" Ino choked, directed to Tenten. "You received a note from Naruto, reminding you that you can't ever be together, so you ran away from the party in distress." She said, turned to Hinata. "And you…Sasuke was the one in the snake mask…you left the party to talk to him in your room where you told each you loved each other…you finally had sex…your grandfather found out, and had him thrown out, saying you can't leave your room without his permission or ever see him again."

The girls slowly nodded, Megami fought back tears. Sakura bit her bottom lip. Tenten held her mouth. Hinata sniffled.

"Oh god…" Tenten chocked as she quickly stood up, running towards Megami's bathroom, the other door in her room next to her closet.

"I'll go check on her…" Hinata said as she slowly stood up, heading towards the bathroom where Tenten loudly cleared her stomach.

"I'm not in the mood to go back down there…to face them again…" Sakura said tiredly.

"Then let's spend the night together!" Ino offered, "I think we're all in the need for a break."

Sakura shrugged, trailing her eyes to the slightly open door.

Ino stood up, without having to receive an answer from the rest of them, knowing they felt the same way, she decided it was her job to play mother and get them through the night.

She walked over to Megami's large mattress, only to stop and take a couple steps back.

"Um…Megami…" she said slowly.

"Why…is there blood on your bed?" she said, shocked as she twisted around to the depressed redhead.

"Did Sasuke hurt you!" she demanded.

"No…please Ino…it was…my first time…"

Ino's shocked face settled back into an understanding one.

"Oh…right…"

She began removing the sheets to change them with new ones so the girls could sleep together, the bed being able to fit almost all five of them.

"Come on Megami…lets go to sleep…tomorrow is another day…" Sakura breathed as she helped the weakened redhead up.

Her eyes now blood red, her hair stringy and wet, her heart, vanished.

They didn't bother to change, just decided to climb into the fresh sheets.

After a wash, Hinata helped Tenten back into the room. Looking as green as her favorite shade, Tenten weakly climbed into the mattress, having realized they would be spending the night together.

Hinata breathed tiredly, climbing in herself.

Ino was the last, she stood by the light, ready to end the night as she watched her friends try to calm down and sleep, the only completely sane one left.

She took a deep breath, clicking off the lights as she headed to join them.

"Tomorrow will be better…" she hoped.

"Were we supposed to turn in that worksheet in music today?" Tenten asked as they took their seats.

"What? Where have you been? That was due two days ago Ten!" Sakura said in an obvious tone. "Are you serious? I didn't even notice her collect it!" Tenten gasped.

"Maybe if you'd stop mouth-fucking Neji for five seconds you'd get something done" Megami smiled as she skipped into her seat.

"I do get stuff done!" "Sex doesn't count Tennie" Ino sighed as she filed her nails. "Hell, even I got it done!" she lightly laughed.

"I wasn't talking about that!" Tenten shot. The girls laughed together; "maybe you could ask Kurenai for an extension" Hinata smiled.

"Why bother? Why should we even get worksheets in MUSIC class anyways?" Tenten groaned. The girls laughed again.

Hinata slightly settled, giggling as her eyes trailed up forward.

She smiled brightly, "look!" she pointed forward.

The girls turned around, or looked to the side, only there to find the caretakers of their hearts.

"Hey girls!" Naruto beamed, waving at them.

"Morning ladies." Neji smirked, jokingly bowing.

"Hey…" Gaara slightly smiled.

"Yeah, what's up" Shikamaru sighed, tiredly scratching the back of his head.

"Yo…" Sasuke smirked.

The girls giggled, jumping up from their seats, to the boys surprise, tackling all five of them to the ground, stealing kisses.

"Morning!" the girls said together.

Morning…

Ino was the first to awaken, satisfied with her night's sleep. She stretched her arms out, yawning as she sat up, taking her legs off of the bed.

She turned around, looking at her friends who still lay below her.

Their tears had dried, but their eyes looked nightmarish.

"Hey…..hey…come on…get up guys…" she ushered, slightly shaking the bed, resulting in a variety of grumbles following after.

"Go away Ino…I'll be down for breakfast in five…" Tenten groaned, hugging one pillow.

Ino frowned, settling back, "In case you forgot. We're not home right now."

Tenten's eyes popped open, quickly sitting up. She looked around immediately, then looked back down, "oh…right…"

She turned back around, shaking the rest of the girls awake.

"Come on you guys…" she sighed.

Sakura was the next to lift up, whilst Hinata followed behind her a couple seconds later, yawing as she did.

Megami remained in bed, tightening her grip on the covers, shielding her face.

Ino sighed, shaking her, "come on Megami…you've got to get up…" she whispered.

"What's the point…?" she whispered. "I can't leave my room…I might as well just lay here for the day…"

"But you haven't eaten anything in days! You have to get up," Sakura reminded her as she slowly lifted herself off.

She did not respond, she did not move.

The girls glanced at each other, sighing.

"I should get back to my room before they begin to worry…" Hinata said quietly as she stood up, heading towards the door.

"Right, we all have things to do today, especially since the ball was last night…it's time to prep for the wedding…" Ino slightly whispered, both girls nodded to her.

"We'll have someone bring you up some breakfast in a little bit Megami. Please eat, you might feel better." Ino called as the girls headed to the door.

"We'll come back to check on you in a bit!" Tenten slightly called. "And each other for the day, we have to talk" Ino said as she led the girls out.

She frowned as she looked back to the redhead, clutching the sheets and crying weeping silently, as if the thought of Sasuke was ghostly.

She forced her eyes away, closing the door, trapping her in again.

The girls fixated themselves back in place, still in their dresses they rushed into the maid's quarters to shower and change.

"Okay, first we need to get some breakfast, then we have a whole days worth of work ahead of us. We can keep together, check on each other, after yesterday I really think we need to step up our game, we have three days until the wedding, that isn't much time at all but we have to make it work" Ino directed as the girls undressed.

Sakura forced up a laugh, "look who's become the mother now!"

Tenten looked skeptical, Ino glanced at the both of them, reading their expressions underneath, being a gift of hers.

"Come on girls…chins up; we can do this if we try. We need to go home."

Hinata rushed back into empty room, closing the door in relief when she stepped in. it was painfully large an empty, reminding her of the room she'd had when she lived with her father and Hanabi back in Ame.

Those times she felt so alone when came home, it was so exciting to find out the girls would be moving into their own quaint little house together.

She sighed, sliding down her door.

Now that she thought about it, being expelled was one of the best things that had ever happened to her.

Her mind directed back to a blond form, smiling at her and holding his hand out, calling out her name as they rushed into the school building.

She reached out into midair, feeling nothing but the cold chill of the conditioned air with closed windows.

"Naruto…" she whispered.

She grunted, lifting herself up.

"I have to see him!" she declared quietly.

She nodded to herself, clenching her fist as she rushed for a shower. Breakfast would have to be skipped; she had to see him as soon as possible.

In early morning the residents of the palace went frantic. Partially for trying to clean up the mess in the ballroom from last night, then begin preparations for the wedding in three days.

As of now, the wedding was all Sara and especially Sari could think about, already having their dresses being prepared.

Sara sighed dreamily as both girls sat in one of the lounges in the East corridors of the palace.

"Can you believe it Sari? We're going to be marrying the men of our dreams in just three days." She said wistfully.

Sari snorted, examining her nails back and forth. "And in just three days I'll finally be able to go by 'Queen Sari'"

"Is that all you care about?" Sara asked. "Aren't you excited about marrying Gaara?" "Well of course I am. When we marry we'll be the most powerful royal couple in Japan." she smirked.

"You do know your family is at a low rate on royal blood right? Even if you marry Gaara someone like Hinata will still be ahead of you if she marries Kiba."

Sari shot her a dirty look.

"Now if he went and married that Haruno girl even if she's not a princess both their families are still-" "I don't EVER want to hear you compare me to that pink-haired freak again do you understand me?" she spat.

Sara stopped herself, staring at her.

"It doesn't matter. Whether I marry him or even Naruto I'll have my rightful place on the throne."

Sara huffed, turning to her side. "I'm just excited about building a life with Naruto. I've been in love with him since the day we met, even if he doesn't remember me. He'll fall for me, you'll see" she reassured.

Sari scoffed, "as soon as you can get him to look at you without remorse"

Sara stood up, infuriated, "I've had enough of you and your judgmental comments! You're supposed to be my friend! If you don't like my fiancé then so be it! But at least I'm not the one sneaking around with another-!"

"Shush!" Sari hissed a she jumped up, shielding her mouth.

"Shut your mouth stupid! Someone could hear you!"

Sara forced her hand off, lifted up her dress in a huff. "I don't care. If you get caught it will be hell on earth for you. Now excuse me I'm going to go find my fiancé!" she stated, taking her leave.

Sari glared after her, glancing around to make sure no one was around. When she was sure she sat back down, grumbling.

Little to her knowledge, behind a dark pillar, a blond stood wide-eyed, then smirked to herself.

"Well well well…" she whispered.

"This palace is three hundred years old. For centuries Japanese royal families have wed here. But for over twenty years that has been none of the sort due to a shortage in young adult royal bloods. Arranged marriages were quite common up until then as well, it feels good to be looking back into tradition." Grandfather spoke as he stalked through the halls, his cane clanking with a ferry of maids trailing behind him.

"I want to keep that tradition. So make sure the decorations, gowns and suits are in accordance with the last marriage ceremony that was held here. You will find the pictures and document in the third door of the sixth hall in the South corridor." He explained.

"You are dismissed."

"Yes sir." They said, bowing to him as they turned to take their leave.

He himself continued onto the empty hall and the dark closed doors as he headed towards one of his offices.

He stopped when he found a door open, a bright light shining from inside it.

He raised a brow, this was his hall, usually it was left empty.

He walked towards it, stopping by the side of the door to look inside.

There he found the source of the light. A brightness coming from oval stain glass windows. Sitting with his feet up on a table, staring at a picture sat Kai.

He carried a blank expression as he sat in a dark purple military suit, holding a small picture of him and Megami from the seventh grade.

He smiled awkwardly as she held up a peace sign behind his head, beaming. It had been the one time he'd gone out with her, he asked her out but in the end it ended up as a friendly outing.

"Don't you have somewhere to be…?"

Kai smirked, slowly setting the photo down.

"I just came back from a meeting in town with my parents. I'm free for the rest of the day. Did you have somewhere in mind?" he asked coolly.

"Actually I did. Go do something about that fiancée of yours. You can go into her room, do whatever is necessary to erase her mind from that Uchiha boy, just don't let her out."

"Charm the princess into being okay with marrying me?" he asked monotonously staring out the window.

"She doesn't have to like you. Now at least. I just don't want her losing her mind when the day comes; this marriage needs to go according to plan. Then you may have your kingdom, your queen, your land, and your heirs."

"Could I start preparations for an heir to my throne now?" he smirked, his eyes dark as he turned to him.

Grandfather kept silent for a moment, but continued on.

"Whatever binds her to this palace. Do as you please." he said, a distant hesitant tone in his voice.

"Agreeable" Kai grunted as he stood up, sticking his hands into his pockets as he walked towards the door.

"I'll see what I can do…" he whispered as he passed him.

After breakfast Tenten stalked through the halls with nothing to do. Her mind remained on the events of yesterday.

Neji cheated on her. And she now believes she might be carrying his baby.

She shook her head; the last could just be another one of Kaede tricks.

She couldn't face him now, not after what happens. As far as she knew it was through between them, as of now her main priority was getting her friends back home.

She leaned on the wall, glaring at nothing, mainly because her heart refused to stop hurting.

For the first time she wished the head maid had given her something to do. She asked her to check back in an hour for work, as of now she had no job to be done.

"Maybe I should go check on the two of them…" she whispered to herself, meaning Hinata or Megami.

Forcing a calm expression, she continued on, praying to not bump into a certain someone.

Somehow, fate had a different plan for her.

She ran into someone, grunting she fell back onto the floor.

"Ow…watch it…" she slightly growled.

"Sorry…"

A chill went down her spine when she recognized the voice.

But thankfully, it wasn't the person she was trying to avoid.

She trailed her eyes up, meeting Gaara's emerald ones.

"Gaara…" she whispered.

He held his hand out, expressionless.

"Do you need help?"

Sakura ran down the West corridor halls, rushing all the way from the end of the East to pick up lace from one of the dressmakers which had been ordered from the head maid.

She was actually in a decent mood. All the work she was being put into was keeping her mind off the current issues for the moment. Ideas were forming in her head as quickly as a wild fire. She couldn't wait to get back to Ino and Tenten.

In all her excitement, she wished she had slowed down the moment she literally ran into a brute force, poorly back flipping onto her but.

"Dammit…" she sighed as she rubbed her bottom.

"Sorry about that…" a familiar charismatic voice said.

Her eyes popped open. She lifted her head up, only then to find Neji weakly smiling down on her, holding his hand out.

She didn't hesitate to glare at him, slapping his hand away.

"you've got some nerve." She said coldly as she lifted herself up, dusting off her outfit.

He slightly looked taken aback, then, upon realization sighed and looked down.

"You look a whole lot different without Kaede on your arm" she snapped, crossing her arms.

"So Tenten told you…" "I can't believe you would do something like this! After everything you guys have gone through! It's as if you can't even LOOK at Kaede without doing something! Don't you care about Ten at all?" she yelled.

"Well of course I do!" he yelled back, angrily, "why would you think?..." he sighed, stopping himself.

He scanned the hall, checking to see if he saw a face.

When he found it clear he instantly grabbed her arm.

"Hey what are you-!" "We need…to talk." He growled as he dragged her off.

The sounds of feet scoped across the carpeted floor as the blond paced back and forth as he had been doing since the night before, and—after waking from the little sleep he'd gotten—earlier in the morning, only in his pants.

He couldn't believe it, first he completely lost the letter he poured his heart into for Hinata, and now he discovered his sister and best friend had finally confessed to each other but were now unable to even look at one another!

There was no possible way he could see Sasuke if Megami couldn't. If anything he had to see if she was alright in the first place.

What seemed to bother him as well is the lack of interest or feeling Neji or Gaara had put out the night before.

He really didn't understand the issue; didn't they want their friend back? He thought.

He sighed, flopping onto his bed. "Maybe I should go see Megami…" he thought.

He thought little of the idea as a knock hit his door a couple times.

He grunted as he sat up once again, grabbing his shirt off the corner off his bed as he headed for the door, "Coming!" he called as he stepped forward.

He twisted the door open, shocked at the person standing before him.

"Knock knock…" Kai called wickedly as he easily opened the redhead's door.

She made no move to acknowledge him as she remained in the position she had been in since the night before.

He sighed as he slightly closed the door behind him, leaving a crack so he could get out.

"You look like complete shit, had fun last night?" he smiled as he walked forward.

She did nothing.

"Aw don't be like that! Why don't you get up and do something? We could go dancing, unless of course you prefer dancing with snakes?" he teased.

She twitched, which he noticed.

"I bet you like sleeping with them too…yeah, don't think I didn't realize, little Megami finally decided to give up her virginity, now she doesn't ever get to see said guy again, a tragic story, really." He said sarcastically.

Without realizing it tears began to flow down her eyes. She sniffled, tightening her grip on her pillows.

"Leave me alone…just…please…how much pain can you put me through…?" she cried.

"I have a few options but I don't think you'd like them." He smirked as he sat down on her bed, turning to her.

"But maybe I just like seeing you suffer."

"Why!" she screamed, tears engulfed on her face as she slightly sat up. "What have I ever done to you?! All I ever wanted to be was your friend!" she cried.

His smile reseeded, having been replaced with a glare. "That's the problem. My job was to watch over you and study you before your big day, but everything was ruined…I fell in love with you."

A slight gasp left her lips as she trailed her reddened eyes up to his dark ones.

"I let myself grow weak, I almost gave myself away because for a moment, all I wanted was your happiness…" he said coldly.

She gasped louder as he picked her up and slammed her against the bed post, his hands on her hips as he leaned in.

"But now, every time I look at you, I either want to fuck the life out of you…or rip your heart out…" he whispered in her ear.

She shivered, whimpering. He lightly chuckled as he pulled back, a wicked smile on his face.

"No matter what, it's either Sasori…or Sasuke…I was never in the picture…just letting you be in love pisses me off…" he whispered coldly.

"For over six years you've held me back from being king…and you've stained my heart…"

"Kai…I-" "Save it" he growled, releasing from her as he stood up.

"I'm not going to take your worthless apologies any longer you bitch." He snapped. "Before we go through with this wedding, you're going to get what you deserve…"

With that, he turned, stalking towards her door.

"Have fun rotting in here…"

He slammed the door, letting her jump as his footsteps went away.

She clenched her blanket, crying heavily into it.

"I'm sorry, I'm not entirely sure what Sakura's issue is, she gave us the same excuse she gave to you." Tenten said sadly.

"And I don't think Neji would ever cheat on you, he must have some sort of motive. I understand his feelings for Kaede but I understand his feelings for you as well." Gaara said blantly as the both of them sat against the wall in a lit hall upstairs.

"I could try talking to Sakura…see if I can get something out of her when we get back to work if you want." She offered.

He shook his head, "you don't have to if you don't want. She'll come around; I know she's better than that. I could have a talk with Neji before or after dinner later."

Tenten smiled sadly, hugging her legs as she eyed the floor.

Gaara looked to her, his expression blank; he slowly set one hand on her shoulder, to her surprise.

She looked up at his slightly, a small smile casted upon his face, "Don't worry…Neji cares about you…we'll work all this out somehow." he reassured.

"Thanks Gaara…" she whispered, leaning her head on his shoulder.

He didn't mind as they sat there in a comfortable silence.

Until…

"Mind my asking, but what the hell is going on here?"

Gaara clenched his fists as Tenten slowly sighed. The both of them trailed their eyes up to the shadow that casted over them.

"Sari…" he spat coldly.

"I said to stop spending time with the help. If this continues I may have to work on getting them removed." She smirked.

He shot her a glare, in shock she took a step back.

"Sari-" "Gaara…go on…it's okay…" Tenten whispered, smiling sadly. Gaara turned to her, "I should get back to work anyways…I'll see you around?"

He nodded to her as the both of them proceeded to stand up. Sari instantly took his arm as he did, Tenten rolled her eyes in turn.

"I'm sure the kitchen can do something with you maid, we'll be on our way." She smirked coldly.

Tenten said nothing as she confidently turned on her heels, beginning to walk.

Gaara went ahead and began to walk off himself, leaving Sari standing there, smirking after her.

"Oh and Tenten! Please let me know if you've seen Kaede anywhere! I think she's off playing with Neji again!" she chuckled.

"Those two just can't seem to keep their hands off of each other!"

Gaara quickly turned back and grabbed Sari's arm, fast walking away with her. Knowing Tenten, Sari would be flattened if he'd given her another second.

Tenten stood there, her fists clenching as she listened to their footsteps rush away.

When the sound died she unclenched her fists, instead lifting her hands up and covering her face, falling on her knees as she cried in her hands.

"So…you made the same deal with them?" Sakura whispered, rubbing her left arm with her right.

"Yes…I…didn't have a choice; I had to…if not then the guys…" Neji growled.

"And I can't do that to my girls…I just…" she whispered herself, her head hanging.

They were silent for a moment. Both contemplating where to go next.

"How…how's Tenten…?" he asked slowly. "Aside the fact that she ran in on you in Kaede? She's just peachy." She said sarcastically.

He clenched his fists as she opened her mouth again. "What about Gaara…?" she whispered.

"I haven't heard a thing from him since last night when you guys left…he didn't seem any different…"

"Oh…" was all she said, hanging her head. "He…probably doesn't care…"

"Come on you know Gaara better than that, is he honestly the type to be crying about it? He's hurt, that's for sure, but there's too much going on for him to do anything about it." He explained.

I understand…" she drifted as the two of them stood at the end of a random hall, standing next to a long stain glass window out looking a portion of the side of the palace, both across from each other.

"So what do we do?" she asked, her eyes falling on the maids in the garden. "We wait…do whatever they need us to do, then take action. Like I said there's too much going on to do anything right now, we just have to be patient with them…" he growled.

"I could talk to Ten if you want" she offered, her arms crossed as she leaned back against the wall, facing him. He shook his head as his eyes fell on the window.

"No, if you do it might cause trouble, just…wait, for a bit" he ordered. She scoffed, "Well how long? If it hasn't occurred to you by now the wedding is in five days. We have no leads, Sasuke's gone, Hinata and Naruto won't speak to each other—can't speak to each other, Megami's a nervous wreck, and our relationships are going downhill, there's too much to fit it, if we want to get home we have to work something out." She explained.

"I know that, we just-"

The both of them seized as the sound of his name ringing in the halls. They stood still for a moment, listening for the voice.

"Is that-?" "Kaede." He spat coldly.

"Still like her?" Sakura asked mockingly. He shot her a glare as he stood up straight.

"We'll talk later." He stated as he began to walk down the hall, following her voice.

She sighed herself, lifting herself up as she headed back down the hall, the rays of the warm sun dancing off of her as she headed for Megami's room, ignoring her current task.

"…Wh...What are you doing here?" he asked slowly as she held his hand on the door.

"I came to see you of course, you were so distant at the ball last night I thought you'd need some company" Sara smiled.

His heart dropped a bit; in the back of his mind he had thought it to be someone else, particularly…

"May I come in?" she asked, already about to step into the room.

Quickly retaining his thoughts, he faced her, stopping her to her shock. "N-No, you can't right now!" he said hastily.

"Why not?" she frowned. "Because…because…I…was just about to get into the shower!" he mentally smiled for his attempt at quick thinking.

"I shall wait" she said simply. He cursed himself.

"B-but after that, I have to go take my cousin out!" he said again. "I shall accompany you" she shrugged.

He mentally sighed. "It's a cousin thing actually, we have to spend to the day together, no interruptions, sorry" he laughed, nervously scratching the back of his head.

She looked down, clenching her dress in her hands. "Naruto-kun—I mean, lord Naruto, all I want to do is to have us get to know each other better before our wedding day, I'm not asking much, I just thought it would be best for us to spend some time together…I…know you don't know or like me very much, b-but I'm willing to change that if you will give me the chance…if…if we're going to spend the rest of our lives together I think…"

He mentally sighed again; he hated hurting people's feelings, especially girls, which so ironically happened often.

He looked around, slightly shaking as she continued to speak, her voice cracking as she was moments away from tears.

He slumped, shutting his eyes as he decided to go with the first thought that came to mind.

Before she could say another word he cupped her cheeks in his hands and planted his lips on hers, shocking and quieting her.

No later than a second later she kissed back, to his dismay, wrapping her arms around his neck.

He kept it going for the moment, to appease her.

Only little to their knowledge, a figure in a serine light blue dress stood halfway down the hall, staring at them, as they clutched their chest.

They released, to his relief, his eyes trailed down the hall, where his shock he found his wallflower, watching with few tears sprinkling down her eyes.

His face fell as he began to realize what he had done.

"Hina…"

She twisted around, rushing back down the hall, whimpering.

"HINATA! WAIT! PLEASE!" he yelled after her, rushing away.

"Naruto-kun! Come back!" Sara called as she lifted her dress, running after him.

They raced down the halls, Hinata running away as quickly as possible as tears rained down her eyes, trying to get away from him.

He called after her as Sara pleaded his name.

Eventually Hinata could take no more, she rounded a corner and ran into the first room she saw, slamming the door.

Naruto turned the same corner as he caught up, stopping and breathing down the hall as he found it empty.

Tears fell from his eyes as he frantically looked around. "Hinata! Hinata!" he yelled.

Hinata clutched her dress as she leaned on the strange door, letting tears fall down her eyes as she whimpered.

"Hinata?"

She slightly jumped at the surprise, then settled when she found the familiarity in the voice.

"Hinata? Why are you crying?! Are you alright!" Kiba called, rushing up to her from his desk.

She jumped into his arms, digging her nails into his chest as she cried into his sheet. He said nothing, wrapping his arms around her as he let her be.

"Hinata!...please…" Naruto whispered as Sara stopped behind him.

She took a step back as she saw the condition he was in, the expression on his face.

"Naruto-" she seized when he fell to knees. She slightly gasped when he crossed his arms, his face covered as he silently cried into it.

She stood there for a moment before stepping up to him, kneeling down and putting her hand on his back.

"Forget about her Naruto-kun…you have me…please…" she whispered.

"Just forget about her…"

Sakura easily opened her door, with no one in sight she let herself inside.

"Lady Megami! I'm coming in!" she called for good measure, just in case.

She frowned when she saw the room empty, she looked around for any sign of the redhead, she couldn't have left her room of course, and only her grandfather could let her out so…

She shook the thought out when she heard the sounds of the shower running. She smiled as she headed towards the redhead's personal bathroom.

She opened the door, slightly taking a step back as a brush of steam hit her face then easily let itself out of the shower.

Sakura shook at the warmth, the entire white marble bathroom was covered in steam.

"Megami! You in here?" she called, brushing it away. luckily the wide open door was letting it all out quickly.

In a matter of moments most of the steam as escaped, letting the shower be visable.

There she found sitting openly in the tub, water up to her breasts as her head hung, letting the shower rain onto her head, deepening the color and shielding her face, was Megami.

"Mega, isn't that a little hot?" she asked, smiling sadly.

"I don't care…" she said slowly.

Sakura leaned on the white sink, looking her over. Megami had both her arms hanging out on both sides of the tub, which sat not connected to the wall.

Her arms and the top of her chest and face were burning red.

"You're burning up, don't you think you should get out of there? It looks like you've been in for a long time."

"I don't care…" she said again.

Sakura sighed, turning and grabbing a blue and white striped towel from the rack.

"Do you need some help out of there?"

"Whatever…I don't care…I just don't care…"

"Come on sis…" Sakura sighed as she helped her up, wrapping the towel around her body as she dragged her out of the tub.

Her entire body lay red, her hair a deeper red as it clung to her body, completely wet.

Sakura grabbed another towel, a green one with purple polka dots as they left the bathroom, closing the door behind.

"Did something happen?" she asked as Megami slowly dried herself, while she in turn dried her hair as they sat on the bed.

She stopped, letting the towel hold to her as she hung her head further.

Sakura stopped as well, turning to listen. "What happened? Did Kai do something? Did he touch you again?" she questioned.

She slowly shook her head.

"He…" she croaked.

"He?" Sakura listened carefully.

It felt like an eternity passed before she answered her, yet only a matter of moments.

"He…he came in…he…he said he…he loved…me….he said he loved me…"

Sakura dropped the towel, her eyes wide.

"B-but! That's impossible how could he! after…" she stopped herself before she could say anything further that would ruin everything.

They sat in silence for a couple minutes as she dried her never ending hair, Megami did not move.

At least five minutes later she finally opened her mouth again.

"Sakura…?"

"hm…?" she said slowly.

"Am I….am I a bad person?"

Sakura raised a brow, turning to her, "what do you mean?"

"I…I let my parents die…I drove a rapist to Tenten…she doesn't even know…I refused Sasori, which almost killed you guys…I didn't pay attention to the signs…I didn't know Kai loved…now…because I ran away…I ruined your love lives…and just…everything in between…I keep messing up…I-"

Megami fell back as Sakura slapped her.

She blinked a couple times, her cheek redder than the heat.

"Shut up! Don't even think about sitting here and blaming yourself for everything that's happened over the years! We've all made our mistakes! We've all had our worst days! We're all to blame!...You're not a bad person…none of us are…we just have a few bad days…everyone makes mistakes…that's why we're sisters…we're here to protect each other…" she whispered.

She helped her up, bringing her into a hug.

"We're going to get out of here. And before you know it our lives will be normal again…whatever that is…we just have to be patient…"

They sat still for a time, thinking.

The light radiating from the window began to dim. Warning them of the ending to another day.

"Sakura…?" she asked, a little hope in her voice.

"Yeah?"

"Can you..can you do me a favor?" she asked as they leaned back.

"Anything tomato-head" she smiled, flicking her forehead.

Megami forced up a small smile.

"Please…help me out of here…"

"What?" Sakura whispered in slight shock.

"I just need to go out…to the town in the night for a couple hours…you know I'd never leave you guys…I just need a little time…I'll die in this room if I have to stay here any longer…just a couple hours…that's all I'm asking" she said, her voice pleading.

Sakura sat for a moment, contemplating it. She bit her bottom lip, if she was caught leaving they'd both be in hot water.

"I don't know Megami…if your caught who knows what your grandfather will do to us."

"It's be my fault, I'll take the wrap. We could say you didn't know about the rule" she pleaded. "I couldn't do that to you!" "Please Sakura…" her voice cracked.

Sakura looked up to her, studying the dark rims under her red eyes, her lifeless face, her dying hair.

She sighed, "a couple hours?"

She slowly nodded.

"…okay…I'll help you around dinner time, but you have to promise you'll be back my ten, I think I can hold them off from your room that long."

"That's good with me, thank you Sakura…" she sighed, bringing her into a deep hug.

"I knew I could count on you…"

Sakura cringed, patting her.

"…yeah…"

~*A.H*~

Eventually night fell upon Furyoka, darkening the skies as the stars replaced the small clouds.

At seven the maids and servants began to prepare the dining hall for dinner.

At eight the royals began arriving down to dine with grandfather only. Sari's father, who lived along with them in the palace, would be out.

The first to arrive down was Neji and Kaede; it would be nothing, if Tenten wasn't on dinner duty tonight.

They took their seats next to each other in the middle. While grandfather waited at the end.

Gaara and Sari came down next, she clung to him as usual, luckily, Sakura was nowhere to be found…

Naruto and Sara came down as Hinata and Kiba did, neither would make eye contact as they avoided sitting anywhere near each other as much as possible.

Finally Kai came down alone, taking his spot next to grandfather who eyed him curiously. He shrugged, knowing what he was wondering.

The larger table had been moved out and a smaller version had been put it. The table was still large; just a few seats were missing in between the couples.

When all were seated grandfather opened up as he had the night they dined with family.

"Has anyone seen Megami?" he sighed.

"What is with her and being late anyways? Is she too good to come and eat with everybody else early?" Sari scoffed.

Naruto, Hinata, and Neji openly glared at her, which she caught sight of, hididng behind Gaara.

When Naruto and Hinata caught sight of what they had been doing Hinata turned away, Naruto hung his head.

Neji raised a brow in confusion.

No second later did Sakura enter the dining hall, she tried her best to sneak past without drawing attention to herself as dinner began to be brought out.

To no avail.

"You there! Maid!"

She cringed, mentally cursing herself on her spy skills.

"Yes…my lord…?" she said through grinding teeth as she stepped up to him.

"You are one of my granddaughters maids correct? What's she doing?" she questioned.

Sakura cleared her throat, easily ignoring all the eyes on her as they waited for the answer.

"Lady Megami isn't feeling well, she feels kind of sick, she asked me to tell you that she'd like to skip dinner tonight."

"But she hasn't eaten in days. Maybe that's why she feels sick, I'll go and check-"

"No!" she said quickly, "I mean, I already called the palace doctor. He's checked on her, he said she just needs some rest, and not to be bothered for…a few hours…"

"Is it serious?" he asked, suspicion dancing off his tone.

"No sir, she'll be fine."

There was silence for a matter of moments, until grandfather finally spoke.

"Fine then, please check on her on occasion." "of course my lord." She bowed.

She mentally sighed in relief, catching Tenten's eye as she came out with a plate.

Tenten looked at her in confusion as she raised up.

Sakura cleared her throat, nodding to them as she walked to the kitchen, ignoring Sari's glare and Gaara's eyes.

" So...what's Megami really doing?" Ino whispered as they stood next to each other in the kitchen.

"Oh nothing" she said simply.

"Just getting some fresh air."

With a black hood upon her head and over the plainest dress she could find, Megami stalked through the hardly empty streets of Furyoka.

The freedom, healed the pain in her heart just a bit.

Thankfully, Sakura had managed to sneak her out. Using the dark of the night they made their way around the camera's, working as shadows as she helped her out the window, down into the empty garden next to the woods.

Many guards surrounded the area when they found their way to the gates. But disguised, they found an open area, letting her escape as quickly as possible.

It was a part in the gate that had been destroyed, Sakura heard that they were already talking about fixing it the next day, so this had to be their only chance.

With a promise of returning in two hours, Megami left, shielded as Sakura quickly headed back to her empty bedroom, closing the door.

The streets were lip as residents happily enjoyed the night. Teenagers who attended Furyoka high school were out walking the streets and hanging out.

She walked carefully, for if anyone recognized her…

She was not Furyoka's princess, they had none. She was Konoha's. But everyone knew about the upcoming wedding, Sakura had warned her about that.

If she was found outside of the palace, commotion would start. But thankfully, not many new what the princess looked like.

Still, she was cautious.

Her mind frequently fell to what Sasuke might be doing at the moment. When that happened she sat at the nearest bench she could find and cried silently.

Some asked if she was alright, but she reassured them.

She sighed when half an hour had passed, where she had done nothing but cry and think.

She decided to walk in somewhere and just relax. On the current bench she sat on a café sat next to her. R & R shined in bright red letters at the top, the café sat with a string of other stores along next to it, like it would be seen in a typical city.

When she was settled she decided to walk into it.

When she walked in, a fresh wave of a chocolate fragrance hit her face. The place had quite a lot of people, it was wasn't packed, just, normal.

IT was dimmed, with red like lights at the top, small shiny tables surrounded everywhere. A bar on the right, and a stage at the front.

IT was mostly quiet, except for the exception of a few voices and a woman singing on the stage while a piano placed daintily next to her.

She held the mike as she sang slowly, melody dancing off her voice. Most listened, a few others talked among themselves.

As the woman continued she took a seat at the bar, her hood still up as the bartender walked up to her.

"What can I get for you miss?" "Just some water…please…"

He nodded, walking off.

She sat and clutched her dress was a couple people on each side of her talked and laughed.

She sighed, listening as she heard a few droplets hit the ground.

"You okay sweetheart?"

She slightly lifted her head up, there to face a woman who looked as if she were in her early twenties.

She was pretty, that she noticed, with black hair and pale skin, dark green eyes.

"Not really…" she slightly shrugged.

"You wanna talk about it?" she offered.

She was about to reject her, until she found her mouth already open.

"I just really miss my boyfriend…actually…he's more than a boyfriend to me, I love him…but, no one wants us to be together…"

By no one, she of course meant all the royal blood in the country accept for a few choice people.

"Aa, ancient relationship case. Been there, done that, it was a nasty show but, we pulled through."

Megami eyed her in confusion, her face still covered, "what do you mean?"

"Well-" the woman said as she picked up her martini while the man sat down Megami's water.

"You want to be with him right?" "of course."

"Then isn't that all that matters?" she asked, shrugging as she took a sip from it.

Megami stared as she drank, then looked back down, ignoring her water.

I wish it was that easy.

Suddenly she heard a ferry of claps. She and the woman turned their attention to the tables and the stage.

The woman that had been singing bowed, as did the woman at the black grand piano.

When they both stepped down a man stepped up to the stage, stepping up to the stage, he called and asked who'd like to go next.

"Well, that's my cue" the woman said as she set down her martini, standing up as the two girls came up to her.

Before she stood up she turned to Megami.

"You can't let other people run your life, or else, it wouldn't be yours. Good luck with your guy." She called as she stood up to catch up with them.

Megami looked to the stage as a couple hands went up to sing.

The man, who she thought to be the owner looked around to pick.

Before she knew it, she found her hand slowly rising up.

A second later, the man had pointed to her. Moments later, almost all eyes fell on her.

She was standing up, she was walking to the stage, all without realizing it.

It was when she stood on the stage she realized what she was doing.

She didn't even know what she wanted to sing, or why she was up there in the first place.

"Whenever you're ready princess" the guy whispered.

She twisted in shock, only to find him smiling sweetly at her as he turned and walked down the stage.

She sighed, it was just a compliment.

She hoped.

Suddenly a thought occurred to her; she turned around, walking to the piano that sat on the stage, with a mike in front of the keys.

She sighed, running her hands along the keys, to their surprise as she opened her mouth.

The rain falls on my windows
And a coldness runs through my soul
And the rain falls, oh the rain falls
I don't want to be alone

I wish that I could photoshop all our bad memories
Because the flashbacks, oh the flashbacks
Won't leave me alone

If you come back to me
I'll be all that you need
Baby, come back to me
Let me make up for what happened in the past

Baby come back to me (come back)
I'll be everything you need (come back)
Baby come back to me (come back)
Boy, you're one in a million (come back)
Baby come back to me (come back)
I'll be everything you need (come back)
Baby come back to me (come back)
You're one in a million (one in a million)

Lower east side of Manhattan
She goes shopping for new clothes
And she buys this
And she buys that
Just leave her alone

I wish that he would listen to her side of the story
It isn't that bad
It isn't that bad
And she's wiser for it now

I admit I cheated
Don't know why I did it
But I do regret it
Nothing I can do or say can change the past

Baby come back to me (come back)
I'll be everything you need (come back)
Baby come back to me (come back)
Boy, you're one in a million (come back)
Baby come back to me (come back)
I'll be everything you need (come back)
Baby come back to me (come back)
You're one in a million (one in a million)

Everything I ever did
Heaven knows I'm sorry babe
I was too dumb to see
You were always there for me
And my curiosity got the better of me
Baby take it easy on me

Anything from A to Z
Call me what you wanna but
I open my heart to be
You are my priority
Can't you see you punished me
More than enough already
Baby take it easy on me

Baby, take it easy on me

Baby come back to me
Baby come back to me

Baby come back to me (come back)
I'll be everything you need (come back)
Baby come back to me (come back)
Boy, you're one in a million (come back)
Baby come back to me (come back)
I'll be everything you need (come back)
Baby come back to me (come back)
You're one in a million (one in a million)

Baby come back to me (come back)
I'll be everything you need (come back)
Baby come back to me (come back)
Boy, you're one in a million (come back)
Baby come back to me (come back)
I'll be everything you need (come back)
Baby come back to me (come back)
You're one in a million (one in a million)

Na na na na, na na na na, na na na na na na, na na na...

When she finished she sat back on the piano seat as claps arose.

It was the song she'd created when she'd left her room and found the old piano in the empty hall.

She quickly stepped off stage, at the brink of tears.

She needed to go back, even if her two hours weren't up, she couldn't bare breakdown in front of strangers, the thought of him was becoming too painful.

Before anyone could say anything she was rushing out of the café, fighting back tears.

One by one the royal teens began leaving the dining hall to either go to sleep, or do their own thing for the rest of the night after having been forced to sit through a discussion about the nearing wedding.

Hinata and Naruto were the first to leave, excusing themselves as they couldn't take facing each other for any longer.

Sari was the next to leave, claiming she needed to get her beauty sleep since tomorrow she had to go and see about her wedding dress.

Kiba left next, deciding to head to his room for the night since Hinata was gone. Sara decided to leave to go check on Naruto, then head to sleep.

Eventually Kaede decided to head to her room for the night as well, leaving Kai, Gaara, and Neji at the table.

Neji picked at what remained on his plate. He was surprised he'd been able to eat in the first place, throughout the hour Tenten had come in and out of the kitchen to the dining room.

Her eyes were dark and resentful, along with pain, as if she had been crying.

He desperately wanted to say something to her, just to get up and kiss her like there was no freaking tomorrow.

But he couldn't, so he held back.

Grandfather excused himself after some time, leaving the three boys at the table.

They sat in silence for a moment, finishing their food as the maids began clearing the table.

Kai sat peacefully sitting as a young maid, who looked about a couple years older than them, cleared his table.

"Thanks" he smirked; she smiled, nodding to him as she collected his things, heading to the kitchen.

He tilted his head, smiling as he watched her walk off.

Gaara caught sight of it, Neji had his head hung.

Kai chuckled, "you know its funny Hyuga, aren't you usually the one trying get in all the girls pants? Now that you and Tenten aren't anything anymore I would have assumed…"

Neji balled his hands into fists. Gaara eyed him but he refused to look up.

Tenten stepped into the dining hall with a rag, sighing as she found Neji to still be there.

While a couple other maids collected the plates, she began wiping the table down, avoiding his eyes.

Starting with Kai's already cleared spot. He leaned back into his seat as he watched her, leaning onto the table, her back to him.

He bit his bottom lip, eying her as she blantly cleaned.

Neji glared, while he in turn winked at him.

When Tenten leaned up, she shot him a look as he smiled at her. She scoffed, picking up the rag and walking back to the kitchen to clean it.

"Keep your hands off my girl." Neji growled.

Kai chuckled, "what girl? It seems like you have more fun with Kaede lately." He smirked.

"Keep talking Mayonaka, we'll see how easy it is when you get your teeth shoved down your throat." Gaara said coldly.

A maid passing by shook, stepping away.

Sakura stepped out, trying her best to avoid attention as she attempted to head towards Megami's room.

Kai glared, still smirking. "Is that so…?"

His eyes found Sakura, who was almost out of the door.

"Hey Sakura!"

She cringed, fighting the urge to glare his way as she turned to him.

"Yes…my lord…" she said metallically.

They'd been friends; it was as painful to call him that as it is for everyone.

"Come here…" he motioned, waving his finger

She sighed as she took a few steps up to him.

"What…"she whispered coldly.

He grabbed her arm, pulling her down forcibly. He glanced at Gaara who was clutching the table cloth, his knuckles whitening.

"Meet me in my room at midnight…" he whispered.

"Why!" she demanded, trying to tug her arm away, to no avail.

He pulled her back down, bringing his lips to her ear.

"You'll do what I tell you…got it?...you wouldn't want me to-" "okay! I…I'll be there…" she whispered, glancing at Gaara.

"Good…you won't need this…trust me…" he whispered, tugging as her short maids dress.

She pulled away, cursing as she backed away, leaving the room, clutching her dress.

He sighed as he himself stood up, "might as well get out of here. I have business to attend to…gentlemen?" he smirked as he stood up, following Sakura out.

Neji and Gaara glanced at each other, then Neji dropped his head back. Gaara leaned in his seat, sighing to himself.

~*A.H*~

Ino sighed in relief as she rinsed off her hands, she grabbed a towel from the rack and wiped them clean.

With the dishes done and the sink cleaned she was now off duty, meaning she could turn in for the night.

"Alright, I'm off!" she called as she began to leave the kitchen. "Goodnight Ino!" a couple maids whom she'd become friends with called.

She waved to them, she'd see them in the maid's corridors later on, but as for now she had business to attend too.

She left the kitchen, walking through the empty dining room towards the door that led to the entrance hall.

She walked silently through the empty space, passing by the two guards who sat there through the night. They nodded to her, she smiled as she walked on, down the West corridors.

She went down the empty hall, with doors along each side. The lights flickered on as she walked on peacefully.

She continued to walk until she reached the fifteenth door on the right side, she took a deep breath, looking around as she slightly opened it, letting herself in.

She carefully closed the door behind her as she stood in the dark vacant room.

"I'm here!" she whispered.

"It's about time" a voice said in an annoyed tone.

She crossed her arms and leaned back on the door. "Excuse me, this maid crap makes me do chores, I had dishes, I'm here now at least."

"Whatever" the voice sighed.

"How have you been?" she asked. "I found a couple rooms where he works, I've seen him come in and out of them, chances are he's asleep by now, we should go check them out."

Ino turned, using her hand to search for a light. When it flickered on she found him sitting in a red seat in front of the closed window of the almost empty room.

Shikamaru.

She smiled, walking up to him. He looked up to her as she sat on his lap, laying her head on his chest. She sighed, "I hope we can do this."

He slid down a bit, turning and kissing her forehead, "of course we can…now come on…we'd better start searching…"

Megami painfully climbed back up the wall leading to her room, using the thorns that hugged the palace, she carefully made her way back.

Pushing at the windows, she let herself back inside, falling to the floor neatly.

She wiped her hands, looking around at the dark room, the only light coming from the moon outside.

She rubbed her arm as she walked towards her bed, sitting down on it as she stared out the open window, the moonlight fighting its way into her room.

She couldn't stop crying, a few tears fell from her eyes as she hung her head in sorrow.

"Well well…did you have fun? To tell you the truth I didn't think you'd come back." A dark voice spoke.

She jumped up in shock, looking around in the darkness.

"Who's there!" she called, the voice was faintly familiar, but she didn't want to believe…

"I didn't wait long, luckily." It said again.

She twisted around to the sound of the voice.

She shook as a figure illuminated from the darkness.

It took her some time to make out just who it was a she took a few steps back in fear.

Eventually, they stepped into the light, and her heart dropped at the very sight.

"But I knew you wouldn't leave just yet." He smirked as he leaned on her bed post.

"…S….S….Sas…Sasu…" the words fought at her lips.

She contemplated the thought, staring at him, eventually; it became clear to her mind.

"SASUKE!" she cried, lunging into him, wrapping her arms around his chest, she cried as she dug into his shirt, smiling as she held her grip on him.

"Is it really you? What are you doing here?" she pleaded, whispering.

"I needed to see you…" "how did you get here? What if someone saw you? If grandfather finds out you're here he'll…" she whispered.

He slightly tugged her off, bringing her face up to his as he smirked down at her.

"You of all people know you can't get rid of me that easily…"

She smiled, jumping up and kissing him, he quickly complied.

It took them a couple minutes to pull away from each other, she sighed, "how did you get back in here?..." she whispered.

He shrugged, "snuck back into the palace. The security here in sucks." He said as if it were nothing.

She groaned, "I've been here all day…crying over you…I thought they'd hurt you…I thought I was never going to see you again…I missed you so much…god I love you." She whimpered.

He slightly smiled as he sat her on the bed, "I love you too…why else would I come back…?" he whispered.

"Then you won't leave again...right? You'll stay here…with me…" she whispered as she leaned in.

"Of course…for now…"

She barely heard the last words as their lips connected again.

"Alright, I'm done" Tenten announced as she wiped her hands on a clean rag.

"Ugh, I still have to sweep up the dining room, I'll meet you in the corridors Tenten" Regumi smiled as she grabbed a broom.

Most of the other maids had already left to go to their rooms for rest. For the next day extensive wedding preparation would begin.

Tenten, a fellow maid Regumi, and a couple others remained finishing up the dining room.

"Okay, night Regumi!" she called as she left.

Tenten hardly noticed her wave back as she left the kitchen, exiting the dining room, leaving through to the entrance hall.

She heading towards the steps, deciding to go check on Hinata, then Megami. Halfway up, to glanced at the tall windows reaching up to the ceiling on each side of the entrance doors by the guards.

The stars brightened and the full moon let in light in the already lit entrance hall.

She turned back, walking up the steps once again.

She headed down Hinata's hall first, passing by rooms upon rooms as she aimed to check on the Hyuga girl.

As she continued to walk, a certain door caught her eye. It was wide open, with a white like light coming out.

Just a few feet from Hinata's room, she walked up to the said door, looking inside curiously.

It was a bathroom, an empty one thankfully. She shrugged, assuming a maid or servant or someone had left the light on when they'd left.

She slightly stepped in, aiming to turn the light off and shut the door, until something caught her eye.

She looked down to a box sitting on the sink. Sliding her hand off the light switch, she curiously picked it up.

She eyed the pink and blue striped box, trying to figure out what it was, until she turned it over and read the label.

Her eyes slightly bulged…

"Hope's…pregnancy test…" she read slowly.

She looked around in confusion, wondering why this would be out. It was even open but it didn't seem like any had been taken out.

"Maybe a maid…" she whispered.

Then a thought occurred to her. this may be her chance, her chance to prove Kaede wrong.

Or prove something to herself…

She stared at the box, contemplating whether or not she should even try to do it.

There was no way she could be…but still. She thought.

She dug into the box, pulling out a white test.

She took a deep breath, looking around as she slowly closed the door, clutching the test.

"Are you sure this is the right room?" Ino whispered.

"How long have you known me?" Shikamaru mumbled as he dug through the desk, a flashlight between his teeth.

Ino glanced back and forth as she stood by the door, still in her maids outfit as the night neared eleven.

It was her job to keep watch as Shikamaru rummaged through one of grandfather's office desks. Looking for the papers that would get them home.

She was anxious, they weren't supposed to be in the hall, and if they were caught there would be dire consequences.

But they had to search.

"Have you found it yet?" Ino whisper yelled.

"Hey Ino you wanna buy some patience? You look like you could use it" he said sarcastically. "Oh haha that was so cute, you come with that all by yourself?" she snapped.

He shot her a glare, even if she could barely see it in the dark.

For a few more minutes he saw searching as she stood watch, impatiently waiting as he dug through the desk.

"Found it!" he announced in a whispered tone as he held a paper up, then looked down to it with the flashlight, "I think."

"'I think' isn't going to get us home you prick!" she growled.

He ignored her as he studied the paper. She impatiently tapped her foot, glancing back and forth to the door.

"Well!" she questioned, flying her hands up.

"Come on…there's somewhere else we need to check." He said seriously as he stood up. "What do you mean? I thought it was supposed to be here?" she frowned as he set the papers back, closing the desk.

He turned and grabbed her arm, pulling her as they headed out the door.

"There's one more room we need to see."

With her arms and legs laid stretched out onto the bed, Hinata sighed, staring up at the ceiling.

Laying alone in her dark room, a couple tears fell as she laid in silence.

"Maybe…he had a reason for kissing her…" she said to herself. "Maybe I took it the wrong way…Naruto-kun would never…" she stopped, thinking to herself.

It hurt her to think that he would ever cheat on her. she'd wished she had stopped to hear him explain himself.

But as of right now she couldn't face him. She didn't know what she could do in general even if she did go and talk to him. Their fate had been decided, the girls were already too late to do whatever they needed to do. The wedding was in two days, and nothing could stop it from happening.

She'd have to live her life as a young wife, forced to be married to someone she doesn't love. Force to bear his children.

She cried at the thought of what was to be her future. She wouldn't be able to see the girls, her home, her things, Naruto.

She clutched her pillow, whipping around in frustration for a moment, then stopped and wiped her eyes.

There was no use crying, she knew she was better than that.

Hinata sighed, sitting up in her bed.

"Maybe I should just go for a walk around…" she whispered to herself.

She stood up in her dark room, stepped barefoot towards the door, letting herself out and closing it behind her.

She stalked down and out of her hall, passing by the lit bathroom. Thinking someone to be in there, she easily passed by.

She headed downstairs, glancing at the tall dark windows as she walked, noticing.

The guards bowed to her, she nodded to them, as she had been taught to do, then began to make her way to the dining hall.

Walking into the dark empty room, she ran her hand along the table, letting her mind wander.

She did something beyond her, sitting on top of the table and rocking her legs back and forth from inside her floor touching dress.

The thought of what was to be her future raced in her mind again, letting her slowly begin to lose her mind.

It wasn't until she heard voices from the kitchen that she stopped rocking.

She turned her head towards it in confusion, wondering who would be there this late at night. All workers were required to be in their corridor by eleven unless called upon by their master.

She heard giggling, which only riled her confusion and curiosity more.

She carefully hopped off the table, slightly tiptoeing to the kitchen.

Ever since she had begun hanging out with the girls, spying had become a natural thing, even if she didn't approve sometimes.

"Stop it…" a voice giggled, not sounding as if they wanted whatever was happening to stop anytime soon.

She lightly gasped when she heard a familiar moan.

She leaned against the wall as she crept along it until she reached the door.

She slowly and painfully slowly peeked inside.

She found the source of the voice, and another.

Her eyes widened when she found Sari, hopped up on the marble kitchen table, one arm on that of a servant boy, the other on the table. Turned away, her eyes shut as she moaned.

Her dress was hunched up, as her white panties were down, along with his pants as he thrusted into her.

Hinata shot back and gasped, holding her mouth as she held herself against the wall.

She shook her head, it was Sari, and if she remembered correctly, she was engaged.

They all were, in royal circumstances.

She stood there, contemplating what do to next.

Sakura stalked through the halls, trying her best to go as slowly as possible as she fought the urge to turn back. If she did, it would only cause more trouble.

She stood in a tied long sleeved soft pink short silk robe only reaching a little past her butt.

She walked up and around until she finally reached the room which she had been requested to come too.

She stood in front of it in the dark of night. Holding onto the knob with one hand and her robe with the other.

She stared down, unable to move any further.

Yet she didn't have to, she slightly stumbled back as the door swung open.

Kai stood there, smirking at her as he leaned on the side of the door, clad in nothing but dark red plain pajama pants.

She glared at him as she now used both hands to clutch her robe.

"I knew you'd come" he sighed as he turned around, letting himself back in.

She slowly walked inside, taking baby steps as she did.

"Close the door behind you." He ordered without looking at her.

She used one hand she slowly pull the door, closing it gently as she stood in the dark room, the only light coming from the window where the moon shined, and the forest laid quiet.

She stood in front of the door was she watched him lay back onto his black cotton bed.

"You just couldn't stay away…could you?" he joked, chuckling.

She glared at him heavily.

He raised a brow, still smirking.

"Well…?"

She stood silent for a couple moments before she sighed.

"If I do this…will you promise that you'll get the papers…and let us go…"

"Of course…a deals a deal…" he cooed.

She tightened her grip on the robe.

"Well come on…you have to take care of your part, don't you?" he said coldly.

She shot him a quick glare as she tightened her eyes shut, forcing herself to untie the robe.

When it was loose, she slightly shook out, letting it fall to the floor.

She turned her head away as she was left in nothing but fuchsia lingerie.

"That's better…"

She stood for a moment, before slowly stepping towards him.

"Come on…don't be shy…" he teased.

She kept her head down as she slowly sat on the bed, finally letting him sit up.

She turned away as he kissed her neck, biting her bottom lip and clutching the sheets.

All she could think of, was one person…

Neji walked aimlessly through the halls in silk white pajamas. Unable to sleep, he decided to go for a walk to clear his head.

Of course his mind continued to wander to Tenten and what she could be doing, how she must feel, and how much she must hate him.

Everything was falling apart, but if he didn't go as ordered it would only get worse, and there would be no way to fix it.

He'd been slightly relieved when he discovered Sakura was in the same predicament as him, but it didn't make anything better.

He wanted to strangle Kai for even looking at her the way he did, but of course it was not the right place or time, he knew that.

He sighed, at this point he didn't care about anything anymore, he just wanted to see her smile. To at least talk to her would be better, but he couldn't even explain himself.

Well, during the day at least, when Kaede and Sari were around.

Now he had a chance, he could explain what was going on without them finding out! He thought.

He slightly smiled at himself, it was getting late, but knowing Tenten she'd still be around. He had to find her.

So he picked up his feet, rushing around to see if he could catch a glimpse of two buns he'd longed to see.

Gaara was in no way going to let Sakura fall into Kai's arms, whether they were together or not, he wasn't about to let Kai force her into anything.

He had no idea what he wanted her to do in the first place, he assumed he only asked just to piss him off.

He couldn't imagine what he was trying to make her do.

But he knew Sakura would refuse…at least he hoped.

It was late, he hadn't a clue where the bastards room was, but if he remembered correctly whenever Sari walked with him doing hell knows what they came from the hall next to Hinata's, so he decided to try that.

He had no idea what he planned to do if and when he reached it, she's the one who broke up with him for reasons he doesn't understand.

So…if Kai was trying to do something. Would she want his help?

He stopped and leaned on a wall, contemplating the question.

There had to be a reason she broke up with him, especially at a time like this. He didn't believe the crap she gave him.

He growled, going on as he searched for them.

No matter what, he would find her…

They laid in the dark, caressed against each other.

She leaned on his chest, both hands on his abdomen as she snuggled closely too him. He sighed, laying with his hands behind his head, his lower body under the sheets, most of hers as well.

Both bear in clothing.

They laid peacefully in silence as the moon alluminated into her room.

It wasn't until she spoke that tension rose again.

"…I'm…I'm getting married in two days." She said stonily.

He sighed, slightly turning away from her.

"Yeah…I know…"

She sat up in a huff, her blanket still above her chest, "You know! That's the point! Sasuke how is this supposed to work! In two days I have to walk down that isle and call myself Mrs. Mayonaka for the rest of my life! Never see my girls! Or you!...and I don't want that…" she whispered, clutching the dress.

"I want to be able to be with you…to love you without having to worry about someone getting in the way…" she whispered.

"Mega…" he sighed, turning and holding her , laying her back on his chest.

"What do we do…?" she whispered.

He answered with a kiss on her cheek, as if somehow saying We'll figure something out.

They laid in silence a few minutes, just holding onto each other. Until she slightly sat up again, softly smiling down to him.

"Let's run away together" she breathed.

His eyebrows shot up as he stared at her for what seemed like forever.

"…What?"

"Let's run away together! Just you and me! we can get away from all of this…we can go somewhere where we won't have to worry about anyone bothering us again…we can love…in peace…"

"Megami…that's crazy." He said sternly. She frowned, "what do you mean? We used to talk about it didn't we? Getting away from all our parents trouble."

He scoffed, sitting up, "we were five! I think we'd have a little more sense these days! We can't just drop our lives and leave! What about the girls? The band! What about-" "WHAT ABOUT US!" she yelled through tears.

He stopped, slightly sitting back onto the bed post.

She bit the blanket, letting tears fall onto it.

"I don't want to lose you…you're one of the few good things that's actually happened to me since I lost my parents…I don't want to live my life in a cage…I want to be able to love you with all my heart…" she whispered, clutching the sheets.

"Please Sasuke…I don't want to feel that sort of pain ever again…" she cried.

He grabbed a hold of her, bringing her into his arms as she cried into his chest.

"Don't cry…please…I don't want to see you ever crying in front of me…"

She sniffled, looking up to him.

"It tells me I've done something wrong…and I've hurt you…"

"If you leave now…I don't think I'll be able to take it…"

He sighed, letting her pull back slightly as he smirked at her.

"Come on…let's get dressed…there's something I want to show you."

She couldn't take it anymore, she had to leave, but if she tried to rush out they could very well hear her, but the sounds of Sari's moans were making her sick to the point of vomiting on the dining room floor.

She tried to shield her ears and move away, but it did little.

She knew Sari was bad but she had no idea she was willing to go this far, especially two days from their wedding day.

Thinking back to what she had learned when she was being taught role of a fiancée, if she had this sort of contact with any man before or after the wedding they would be stripped of their titles and branded a name she wouldn't dare say.

The elders loved keeping things in the old ages.

She wanted to tell someone, after all the harassment Sari has put her and the girls through she had to tell somebody, she deserved that much she convinced herself.

It wasn't in her nature to do something like that, but if she could do anything to help her sisters she would.

When she heard the moaning stop she mentally sighed in relief, but then her eyes widened, what if they came through the dining room to leave?

Well, they wouldn't possibly do that together, of course the guards would see them and question.

Hinata crept along the wall, hoping they were distracting or were already taking the kitchen exit on the other side for emergencies.

She held her breath tightly as she moved along, fear creeping along her spine.

It wasn't until she felt herself trip on a loose chair, letting it crash to the ground did her heart sink into her stomach.

"Huh! Who's there?!" Sari's crude voice called.

Hinata tried to scramble away; only not fast enough as Sari stepped into the dining room, smoothing down her dress.

Her eyes slightly widened when she saw Hinata on the floor, trying to get up.

She smirked as the servant boy stepped up next to her, smoothing his vest.

"Oh no…did she see?" he whispered.

"Well of course she didn't…isn't that right Hinata?" Sari smirked as she turned back to her.

Hinata looked up, shaking and whimpering in fear.

"I-I-I…" she stuttered.

"Although I'm not entirely sure…Kuno? Can you make sure she didn't?" she smirked devilishly.

He smiled wickedly as he looked to Hinata, unbuttoning his vest.

"With pleasure…"

"What?" she cried, aghast as she looked back from Sari to him.

"W-wait! Sari! Please!"

"What exactly are we supposed to find here? This looks like it used to be a baby room" Ino frowned as she stood with one hand on her hip, holding the flashlight above her boyfriend as he rummaged through a small desk in the corner of a blue room with baby panda's aligning the walls.

"I should have known it was there when you mentioned the picture had been taken…" he mumbled.

"Huh? What did you say?" she slightly called. He shook his head as he tossed paper by paper.

Ino's raised her eyebrows when he pulled out a shining necklace, sparkling in the moonlight.

"Hey, isn't that Megami's necklace?" Ino asked.

He didn't answer; he simply took one last look at the necklace, then stuffed it in his jacket pocket.

Ino frowned in confusion as he continued to search.

"All these papers…all this history…kept from them for thirteen years…" he grumbled.

"What the hell are you talking about Shika?" Ino groaned.

Again, he did not respond, but sighed in relief when he held up a small framed photo.

"Hey that's Megami's missing photo too! How'd you know this stuff was-"

They both seized at a sound.

Ino slightly turned in shock when they heard the door knob rattling.

Shikamaru stood still as she slowly began to back up.

He quickly, carefully, and quietly pushed the desk back, still clinging to the photo.

"Hey! Who's in there?" the familiar voice of a guard demanded.

Ino silently yelped as Shikamaru tugged her down, pulling her under the desk just as the door opened.

The light from the hallway shined in, but thankfully didn't reach the desk. One of the night guards from the entrance doors stepped in, looking around.

Shikamaru held her mouth as the squeezed further into the small space. He eyed the door as the guard stalked around.

With each time he got closer, their hearts began to race.

Finally he stepped up to the desk, to their dismay.

Ino's heart pounded furiously in her chest as he began to bend down...

Sakura sighed, laying helplessly on Kai's bed, staring at the wall as she turned to her right, naked and disoriented.

She stared at the wall, cursing herself as she clutched the pillow.

"Wow…I'll give you props Haruno, that was better than I thought it would be" Kai chuckled as he sat up in the bed, grabbing his pajama pants from the floor and pulling them back on.

She said nothing as she refused to look at him.

He shook his head as he opened the desk next to him, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.

"Probably better than Megami would have ever been" he laughed.

She clutched the pillow further as he stood up.

He sighed, smiling down to her as he pulling one out and tossed the rest of the pack onto his side of the bed.

"Something tells me you haven't even done it with Sabaku yet, huh? Oh that's right! You broke up with him because 'I can't handle the thought of not being with you if we manage to get home'" he said in a mocking tone, laughing after as he lit it, stepping towards the window.

Finally the tears rained, she cried silently, whimpering as she used the sheets to cover her face in shame.

He smiled as he sat on the window sill, smoking the cigarette as he watched the moon and the dark woods.

Suddenly he raised a brow when he looked down, there to find two figures running into the woods, past his window.

He squinted, looking closer, only to find that he recognized the two of them perfectly.

He glared, for a moment, crushing the cigarette in his hand, slightly burning himself as he dropped it, letting a few ashes fall to his floor.

Then he smirked, looking down to the cigarette. When he looked up he smiled deviously.

He walked over to where Sakura continued to lay crying silently.

He ignored her, opening his desk again as he grabbed his phone from inside.

He easily pressed a few numbers, letting it ring a couple times before someone picked up.

"Yes sir?" "Hey Karu, can you do me a favor?"

"Of course sir" "good, the forest, it's looking way to dark to me. light a fire would you?" he smiled.

"What?! But sir, t-that could start a forest fire, what if someone's-"

"Karu, I asked you to do something" he said coldly. "Now do it."

There was silence for a moment before he answered.

"Y-yes sir…"

He smiled again, "thanks" he said, hanging up.

He dropped his phone back in the desk then turned to Sakura.

"Make yourself at home sweetheart, I've got some business to see too" he said, turning and leaving the room.

Leaving Sakura to wallow.

Tenten sighed, her leg shaking rapidly as she sat on the closed toilet, waiting for her test results.

It seemed as if she'd been waiting forever, and her stomach as it a fury of knots just at the thought that she might be carrying Neji's baby.

But she tried not to let Kaede's words get to her, they'd been so careful this entire time it would be impossible for her to actually be pregnant.

And yet, she couldn't bring herself to fully convince herself that she wasn't.

She looked at the wall clock, the test would be done in another minute, she would have her final answer then.

If she was….she had no idea where she would go from there…

Neji sighed, breathing heavily as he leaned on the wall of the hall Hinata's room contained.

He'd run rapid all over the palace but couldn't seem to find her anywhere.

He even tried the maid's corridors, but no one had seen her.

He sighed again, sticking his hands in his pockets as he slowly walked down Hinata's hall.

He began to pass by a lit door with a white light coming out, ignoring it and thinking someone random to be in there, he passed, not wanting to bother them.

"Come on!" a whispered voice groaned.

His head shot up, turning to the door in surprise. He recognized the voice perfectly and he thanked the heavens it was her.

He walked up to it in confusion though, wondering what she was doing there.

"Tenten…is that you?"

Her head shot up in shock as she clutched the box and the unfinished test.

"Neji?" she called, "what the hell are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you the same question!" he called.

She cursed herself, looking around.

"Well I have my reasons! So leave!" she called angrily.

"Tenten please can we just talk?" "no!" she demanded, "go away!"

"Tenten be reasonable!" "I said go away!"

He cursed in anger, having had enough; he twisted the door open, letting himself in.

She gasped, jumping up and clutching the test just as it made a chime, finishing.

"Tenten I—" he stopped, staring at her with a raised brow.

She slightly crouched, holding the box in her right, the test in her left.

His eye brows slightly raised as his eyes slightly bulged. He settled, looking towards her.

"Tenten…why are you holding a pregnancy test?"

The blond stalked around his room, pacing back and forth in his pajamas as he had been unable to sleep.

He took a deep breath, letting it out in a painful sigh. Hinata ran rapid through his mind.

But, he could no nothing about it. For the moment at least.

It was almost nearing one in the morning as he leaned against his window, contemplating trying to sleep again and dream the whole thing off.

That is until something caught his eye. A light shining from the forest next to him.

He raised a brow, wondering what could be shining so late in the night.

What confused him further is when he grew brighter, and brighter.

He frowned, thinking it might be something serious, he decided to go and check it out.

He grabbed his jacket off the bed and headed out.

He would take the kitchen exit, it was closer to the forest and he wouldn't have to deal with the guards.

Just as he left he saw Kai pass right by his room.

He turned back and smirked at him, then turned to continue walking.

Naruto raised a brow but ignored it, walking on.

Sakura attempted to cry herself to sleep, hoping it would help make everything seem like a bad dream.

She couldn't believe what she just did, she felt awful and disgusted. She hadn't slept with anyone since her junior year; the gap had made it painful on her.

But it was for the girls…

They would understand, as long as they got to go home freely.

She would do anything to protect them.

She cringed when she heard a bang on the door, not caring who it was, hoping they would go away.

"Sakura! Sakura are you in there!"

She quickly sat up at the sound of the familiar voice.

"Why…of all people…" she whispered to herself.

She was still naked and disoriented, her heart racing at the sound of Gaara's voice.

If he saw her like this…

She had little time to think of a proper strategy as the door flew open.

"SAKU-"

The weather outside the window, is like your ever-changing expressions.
it starts to rain. And the rain cries with me.
it is blurry, but I don't want to see clearly.

"Wow…this is beautiful…" she whispered, staring up at the bundle of stars in the night sky.

So they sat, sitting against a large tree, huddled up together as they stared at the sky, covered in sparkling stars.

He sat with his hands behind his head as she laid on his chest, staring up.

"I want to stay like this forever…" she whispered.

He said nothing; he just leaned down and kissed her forehead.

She smiled, bringing him down and kissing his lips.

"You have my heart…" she whispered.

"I won't let you be with Kai…I promise…I'll fight for you if I need too…" he whispered back.

She smiled softly, her eyes glistening.

"I-" "I know" he whispered, bringing her up and kissing her.

They sat like that for a matter of moments, just embracing each other.

That is until she sniffled, scrunching her nose.

She pulled back, wiping her nose then sniffing the air.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Do you smell that?" she frowned. He shrugged.

"It smells like…SMOKE!" she cried, jumping up and pointing.

Leaving you, I silently retreat.
I can't bare to tell our story.
My tears flow into my heart and I'm learning to give up.

"What?" he questioned standing up with her, turning in the direction she was pointing at.

There they found smoke heading their way, with a fire spreading around the trees that surrounded them closely behind it.

"A fire! Who started a fire?" she coughed.

"Come on!" he demanded, grabbing her hand as it surrounded them.

She used her dress sleeve to shield her face as they were forced to run through the enflamed forest, everywhere seeming to burn as they tried to find their way out.

Listening to the rain, the rhythm is distinct. Your breathing soaks my love like the falling rain. I hope that rain will continue to pour.
Let me continue to miss you
Let my love become transparent
I fell in love with the courage that gave me 'Rainie love'.

"Sasuke!" she cried, "keep running!" he demanded, "We have to find a way out of here!"

So they continued rushing through, but wherever they ran the trees would set a blaze and a branch would break here or there.

It wasn't long before they were surrounded, broken branches around them as the trees and bushes burned the forest to bits.

"Sasuke!" she cried, looking around.

"I know…I can't find a way out…" he growled, clutching her hand as he used the other to hold his nose and mouth.

She coughed rapidly, he turned to her, holding her to his chest.

The raindrops outside the window slowly accumulate
The moisture indoors are like my memories of my love for you
I hope that rain will continue to pour.
This secret of my rainy love will last forever
I believe that I will see the beauty of the rainbow.

"What do we do?" she asked. "It's okay, we'll find a way out of here, we just have to-" he stopped when he looked up to the large branch they stood under, listening carefully to the crackling above them.

When it bended over he turned to her, she looked at him in confusion.

"Sas-" he pushed her, just as the large burning branch broke off and fell, toppling him.

"SASUKE!" she cried as she hit the floor, she looked as he grunted, the branch holding his legs as he laid on his stomach, his arms out stretched.

The Cold air, is suffocating and I cannot breathe.
Being the distance of 10,000 raindrops lets love fade completely away.

"Oh my god!" she cried, rushing over to him.

She tried to force the branch off, coughing as ashes began covering their faces.

She pushed and pushed as hard as she could but it was too large for her to pull, and each time she tried sparks hit her hands, burning her.

"Don't worry, I'll get you out of here!" she yelled, able to push the branch a bit.

"Megami…listen to me…" he sighed.

"What!" she grunted as she pushed.

"You have to get out…run…get as far as possible…if you look back you'll die…"

"I'm not leaving you here!" she yelled.

Leaving you, I silently retreat.
I can't bare to tell our story.
My tears flow into my heart and I'm learning to give up.

"Megami you have to go…" he said in a hushed tone.

"NO!" she demanded.

"I won't ever leave you…" she whispered, looking him in the eye as tears streamed down her face.

He slightly smiled at her.

"I told you…whatever happens you have to remember that I love you…and I always have…I always will…just the memory of you in the last thirteen years is what kept me going…I'm glad I got to meet you again…" he breathed.

"Sasuke!" she cried, clutching him.

Listening to the rain, the rhythm is distinct. Your breathing soaks my love like the falling rain. I hope that rain will continue to pour.
Let me continue to miss you
Let my love become transparent
I fell in love with the courage that gave me 'Rainie love'.

"I swear I won't leave you! If we have to die at least we'll be together…" she whispered, cupping his face, smiling slightly.

"Mega-" "GUYS! What the hell are you doing in here!" a voice yelled.

The couple looked up, just to find Naruto with a frantic look on his face, his jacket over his head and his face covered in ashes.

"Naruto thank god! You have to help-" "Naruto…listen…you have to get her out of here, now."

"What? What about you? This place is burning!" he yelled as a branch fell next to him.

"Forget about me!" Sasuke yelled, "Take her and go, NOW!"

"Sasuke, come on, I can help-" "I SAID GO!" he yelled.

The raindrops outside the window slowly accumulate
The moisture indoors are like my memories of my love for you
I hope that rain will continue to pour.
This secret of my rainy love will last forever
I believe that I will see the beauty of the rainbow.

"But…" he started, "come on…" Sasuke breathed, then coughed, "be a man…"

Naruto ran his hand through his hair in frustration as he ran up.

"No, no! I won't leave you! Sasuke I won't-" he kissed her, quickly, one final time.

She sat back in shock just as Naruto picked her up.

"No! Put me down! I won't leave him!" Megami cried desperately as Naruto threw her onto his shoulder.

"I'll come back for you!" he yelled.

Sasuke smirked, turning away.

The moisture indoors
are like my memories of my love for you
I hope that the rain will continue to pour
this secret of my rainy love
will last forever
I believe that I will
see the beauty of the rainbow

"NO! Put me down now! Sasuke! SASUKE!" she screamed as Naruto ran, Sasuke's smirking face fading as the branches fell, blocking them.

She struggled on Naruto's shoulder, reaching her arm towards him as she painfully cried his name through desperate tears

"SASUKE! SASUKEEE! SASUKEEEE!"

T~B~C

Next time: The Hime Chronicles part 3: Finale