The ballroom was stunning. Beautiful women with long dresses and handsome men with tuxes, danced gracefully around the room. The room itself had a high ceiling, decorated with beautiful mosaics and a glimmering chandelier. The floor was a white marble tile while white marble posts, similar to the floor, held up the roof. There was a stage for the band in the north-west corner of the room and a long table of refreshments lined the east wall. On the northern wall was three thrones; one for the king, one for his queen, and another for his heir. In this case, the princess. The main doors t the exquisite ballroom was on the southern wall, parallel to the thrones.

I stayed timidly off to the side, sitting carefully on a chair. I wore a lavender damask gown bordered with tiny dots. The sleeves were shirred and the flowing skirt was accented with intricate beadwork. It had cost my father a fortune, but he said it was worth it if I was to meet someone. I highly doubted finding anyone, but he insisted I go. My long indigo hair was pinned up in a simple style, held together with two silver hair ornaments with tiny amethysts in them. My pale skin matched my light eyes. I watched carefully as the couples waltzed around the room, as if gliding on air. I put my head in my hands and sighed dreamily, not even noticing the young man who was about to introduce himself.

"Hello," he began. I sat up straight immediately and turned my head towards the one whom had interrupted my daydreams. He had blonde hair that stuck out everywhere and stunning blue eyes that reminded me of the ocean I loved so much. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki." He had completed his sentence before I had finished summing him up.

I almost forgot my name, and what to say. Thankfully, my 'proper lady' lessons had kicked in. I smiled automatically and bowed slightly. "Hinata Hyuuga. Nice to meet your acquaintance."

He returned the smile gratefully. Oh, what a nice smile that was… Then he did something I had expected, but also not expected. Okay, let me re-phrase that. He did something I knew was going to happen, but it shocked me anyways. Naruto extended his hand and out of his mouth came, "May I have this dance?" I almost squealed in delight, but remembered to keep my 'posture' and 'poise'. Oh, and let's not forget 'grace'.

I held out my hand to him, and he kissed it softly, sending shivers up my arm. Naruto led me onto the dance floor, just as the next song had begun. I put my hand on his shoulder and he placed his hand on my waist and pulled me closer. I felt my face heat up and knew it had turned a nice shade of pink, or possibly even red. We started dancing slowly, in rhythm with the music. He stared into my pale eyes, and I couldn't help but get lost in his. We danced around, and around. The songs changed every so often, although we never stopped dancing. The lights blurred and I realized how dizzy, I must have been from twirling. Although there were people asking to cut in, Naruto ignored them, and kept whirling and leading me around the floor.

I found that soon, people were leaving the dance floor, in attempt to go back home. I glanced at the huge grandfather clock and realized how late it actually was. Naruto seemed to notice too, but he didn't appear to care as we swirled around once more. My feet had started to ache long ago, except I didn't mind at all. The music began to fade around us and the king—when did he arrive?—stood.

"Thank you all for coming! My daughter was very pleased with her birthday gala. I hope I will see very many of you at the next ball. Have a safe journey home, my loyal subjects." The king exited, followed by his queen and his daughter.

We stopped moving and Naruto let my hand go. I couldn't help but feel regretful as he said goodbye, and I did as well. I stared after him longingly when he left the room. I left about four minutes after, snapping out of my daze. My ride was waiting outside and I quietly entered the carriage. I watched out the window, hoping to catch a sight of familiar blonde hair among the crowds. Even so, it was like he had disappeared. I felt disappointed, though soon after I reprimanded myself for wanted to see someone I just met, so badly. Did I really crave attention that much?

My thoughts were cut short when the carriage stopped in front of my house. I thanked the driver and went into the house, straight to my room. I wanted to avoid other people—especially mother—at all costs. It was very dark and I almost tripped over my long gown. I entered my room and closed the door behind me. I turned the lights on and stripped off all the jewelry and my dress. I changed into a nightgown and started undoing my hair. Once it was free, it hung down past my shoulders comfortably. I sighed with relief and jumped into my nice, fluffy bed without a second thought. Would you like to guess who haunted my dreams?

~Naruto's POV~

Why did he keep thinking about her? Why did he even go to that stupid ball? Why was she so beautiful? These were all questions that bounced around in Naruto's head as he settled down into a chair. The room was dark and quiet. A bed was in the left hand corner and the chair Naruto sat in was in front of the fireplace on the east wall.

"Uzumaki-sama." Naruto turned his head to see a young lady dressed in a black dress with a white apron come into the room. She had long, long flaming red hair and an unusual shade of amber for her eyes colour.

"Elesa-chan, I told you to call me Naruto." He sighed. The girl was younger than he was, by at least two years, making her only fifteen years old. She was a maid-in-training, and her mother had just passed, so she'd needed a job. Naruto, being the nice guy he was, let her be a maid at his home, and even allowed her a room. He treated her more like a friend, than a servant, though.

"Yes…Naruto-sama." Elesa walked across the room quickly and gathered up dishes and trash. Naruto's room was—and always was—a complete mess. Like a disaster zone after a hurricane and a tornado. Minus the water.

Naruto slapped his forehead with his palm and sigh rather loudly. Elesa looked over, concerned.

"No honorifics, please…" he said to the girl, who nodded quickly after.

"Good, now… where is the Hyuuga estate located?" Naruto asked. He surprised himself, because he hadn't been thinking about the girl at all. Well, maybe subconsciously.

Elesa looked up with confusion clearly written on her face. "Why?"

"…I was interested in...Hiashi Hyuuga's business." Naruto lied quickly.

"Alright." Elesa looked unsure, but wrote the address down anyways. She handed it to Naruto and he looked at it. That's all the way across town…but it's down the street from a nice restaurant so… As Naruto plotted ways to 'accidently' bump into Hinata again, Elesa left the room. He hadn't noticed and continued his planning.

~ The Next Morning ~

~Hinata~

I woke up find that the sun was threatening to blind me once more. The curtains were opened and the door to my room was open as well. I climbed out of bed and got dressed in a simple white dress that reached to the floor. A black corset was tied around my stomach and I wore little black ballet flats. I left my hair down and left the room.

The hallway was deserted except for Hanabi, whom I had spotted down the hall. I guessed she was making her way towards the dining hall, as was I.

"Hanabi!" I called to her. She turned in surprise and smiled when she saw me. She paused and waited for me to catch up to her.

"How was the gala?" Hanabi asked in a sing-song voice, it was as if she knew about…him.

"It was…nice." I said, hoping not give anything away. I realized my plan had completely backfired when Hanabi's face lit up.

"You met a boy! Is he handsome? Charming? A prince, perhaps?" Her questions hit me one by one.

"Ummm. Yes, Yes, and I have no idea! All we did was dance… all night." I hadn't meant to let that last part slip out, but it did and I might as well be punished for it.

"All night?" The excited Hanabi didn't even notice that she was about to run into the dining room door until… bam.

"Owww…. Hina-chan, why didn't you warn me?" Hanabi whined.

I giggled before opening the door to the hall. A long table—it could seat at least fifty people and easily seventy—stretched out down the hall and Father sat at the very end, looking…(for lack of better description…) like the kind of father that wouldn't let anyone date his daughter before a series of skill testing questions and an obstacle course of table manners and dancing. Yes, the man for his daughter had to be perfect—supposedly like him, but what girl in her right mind would want to date a boy like her father? Don't even get me started on marriage. I am guessing arranged marriage is my future. I shuddered at the thought. I wanted to marry the one that I loved, not some rich snob.

"Daughters." He said in greeting.

"Father." We said in unison to reply. Just like every morning. I walked calmly to my seat across from Hanabi and sat down. The servants came out and placed a silver tray in front of me. I knew exactly what it was…

The lid opened and—surprise, surprise—a plate of eggs and toast on the side sat in front of me. A glass of orange juice was also placed in front of me. I sighed and began eating.

"Hinata, I have something to discuss with you in the study." My father called from down the table.

I tensed up and looked at Hanabi. She seemed slightly frightened, were as I was freaking out. Could he finally be arranging a marriage? I had assumed it was coming, but I was only seventeen. I stood, my hands shook nervously. I glanced at Hanabi again and she tried to smile in reassurance.

I silently followed my father out of the room and down the long hallway. He stopped in front of a door on the right and opened it, allowing me to step inside first. I swiftly walked across the room to the chair in front of the big desk. Father took his time and finally reached his chair.

"Now, Hinata. As you may know, you have to find a husband by your eighteenth birthday or I will find one for you. Have you any interest in anyone yet?"

I shifted in my seat as the blonde from last night appeared in my head. I remained still.

"So I take that at a no. Five days, Hinata." He dismissed me and I hurried out into the hall. I kept running until I saw the doors to go outside. I grabbed a cloak and hurried out into the cool August morning.

~Naruto~

Naruto strolled down Hinata's street, hoping that the girl would have errands to run or something. He still hadn't found the courage to even go to her estate and knock on the door. He ran his fingers through his hair nervously. Why am I even here? He asked himself.

Naruto looked up to see a familiar face running down the street. Her hood had fallen down and her indigo hair streamed behind her and she quickly weaved her way through the crowds. He smiled and moved into place to 'bump' into her.

Everything had gone according to plan when she ran straight into him. She hadn't even been watching. She looked up and blushed a dark shade of pink when realization hit her.

"H-h-hello…" she stuttered quietly, looking at her feet.

"Hey," he paused for dramatic effect. "Umm...Hinata, right?" Naruto faked almost not knowing her name. Of course he knew her name.

Her face brightened quite a bit. Naruto was a bit shocked that knowing her name was such a joy to her. He grinned like a fool anyways.

"You want to get breakfast?" He asked.

"O-Oh. I just a-Actually, t-that would be nice." Hinata smiled sweetly and agreed. Naruto kept smiling at the fact that she just ate. Operation: Run into her and ask her to breakfast, complete.