Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.

(Random Author's Note) I made another story! It's set in the 'olden times.' Well that's what I like to call it anyway. To celebrate Valentine's Day I published 2 new stories! This one and a vampire story! I've been working on both for like ever! So please check that other story out! Well, I don't know what else to say so...Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Now, tun tun tun, on with the story!

Edited and Updated as of February 6th, 2011.

Chapter 1: Loyal Servant

"What?" The word echoed through the spacious room as the blond haired boy exclaimed it with a shocked expression on his face. The girl before him simply gave him a stern look, her dull blue eyes burning into the boy's magnificent cerulean pools.

"Ino," the boy began slowly, "you can't be serious, can you?"

"I have never been more serious in my life," the girl named Ino replied. Crossing her arms across her chest, she ruffled her formal dress.

The boy continued to gaze at Ino feeling overwhelmingly confused.

"Are you going to do it or not!" Ino snapped, waiting for the boy's answer.

He opened his mouth to say no, but was cut off.

"Will you be ungrateful or will you be loyal to me?" she snapped harshly.

The boy closed his mouth, thinking better of it now that he realized his mistress was clearly serious – and rather enraged at the moment.

"What will it be?" Ino asked again. "Naruto?"

The boy named Naruto felt his throat tighten as he heard Ino speak his name. After all, she only spoke his name when she was on the verge of punishing him.

"Must you ask me such a question?" Naruto managed to say.

Ino was about to snap at Naruto again but he continued before she had a chance to say a word.

"You know what my answer will be," Naruto said. "I am only your servant after all, my Lady." Naruto bowed to Ino making her smirk as she knew that she would get what she wanted. He cursed in his head as he thought about what Ino was going to make him do.

Naruto was to accompany Ino to a ball, but not just any ball, this fantastic event was to be held in the Uchiha Castle for the young Prince Sasuke who would pick his future Queen. Ordinarily, a servant (much like Naruto) should feel honored to go to such an event but the problem was that boys were not allowed at this ball. As a result, he is to dress up and pretend to be a girl.

Moments later – Ino – the Blond Princess was rummaging through her closet, trying to find an old dress of hers that would fit the blond boy.

"Here," Ino said emotionlessly as she threw an old – yet still gorgeous – sapphire blue dress at Naruto. "Hurry."

Naruto frowned and sighed as he observed the dress.

"Why do I have to go again?" he blurted out, but before Ino snapped at him he quickly added, "Don't you usually want to go by yourself to these things?"

Ino huffed, "Are you brainless? Did you not hear my parents?"

Naruto shook his head.

She huffed again. "I am not allowed to go anywhere by myself because they think I might get kidnapped." She smiled cockily. "I am simply too beautiful."

He rolled his eyes and gagged silently while Ino turned.

Beautiful my ass, he thought bitterly. They just don't want you running away with some old freak and disgrace the Yamanaka name.

Hiding behind the changing screen, Naruto removed his servant clothes and began to put on Ino's old dress.

"Done yet?" Ino asked for the millionth time.

"Yes," he said regretfully, feeling utterly idiotic as he looked down at the dress he was wearing. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out from behind the changing screen and met Ino's curious gaze.

"Wonderful!" she cried out cheerfully, rushing off to her dresser she looked around for something. "Yes! I found it!" She turned to Naruto, something blond and furry in her small hands.

He gave the strange object an equally strange look. Naruto slowly looked up at Ino, wondering what to do with what he was currently holding. Obviously she understood the message.

"Put it on you idiot," she said flatly.

Turning it right to left, up and down, flipping it over and over again he tried to figure out how it worked until finally Ino lost her patience and snatched it away from him. Ino slammed the wig down on his head and adjusted it accordingly as she covered his real blond hair underneath. Grabbing a brush, Ino tamed the wig's hairs for Naruto to look presentable. Now satisfied with her work, Ino stepped back and looked at Naruto. Smiling brightly, Ino knew she was a genius. Naruto looked like a true girl now.

"Done!" she declared. "It is time for us to go, Naruto. Or should I say, Kimiko – a servant from the Yamanaka family."

Naruto couldn't help but feel like an imbecile as he was dubbed such a thing. Nonetheless, it wasn't his time to speak – they were off to Uchiha Castle for the ball. All the while, Naruto believed this night would become the worst of his young life…

Or so he thinks.

{:::}

In the carriage, Naruto couldn't help but gawk at the beautiful scenery before him. The land of the famous Uchiha family kept everything in tiptop shape. Flowers of all kinds and colors were found organized critically in the front yard. Naruto couldn't help but wonder what the rest of the Castle was like. The trees were maintained and trimmed, not a single twig or leaf out of place as each tree had been placed symmetrically against another. Then of course, there was the Uchiha Castle itself. It was built out of immaculate white stone. But of course, the one thing no one could miss was the pond in the front yard. The beauty of the Uchiha Castle was considered beyond compare, but as the pond illuminated the breathtaking abode it gained a rank of unbelievable appeal. Under the moonlight, the entire Uchiha land became an even more exotic and spectacular place.

Suddenly, the carriage reached a stopping point in front of the Uchiha Castle. Naruto began to feel butterflies in his stomach as he felt frozen in place. In the end, he followed Lady Ino, going against his need to hide and never leave the carriage.

{:::}

The Castle was gorgeous on the outside, but the inside was even more breathtakingly superb. Everything had been decorated to utmost perfection as there could not be a mismatching or misplaced item found in sight.

"Ino!" the two blonds heard a nearby pink haired princess exclaim as she rushed over.

"Sakura!" Ino shouted in return as she hugged her friend tightly. "How have you been?"

"I have been great! And yourself?" Sakura replied cheerfully.

"Great!"

"Hi Sakura!" Naruto said, cutting into the girls' conversation.

Ino quickly elbowed him in the gut, hard.

"Do not speak you idiot!" Ino hissed loud enough for only him to hear.

Naruto gave Ino a hurt look, but he did as he was told nonetheless. Sakura stared at him. He seemed familiar, but how? Tilting her head to the side she gasped as her green eyes widened.

"Naruto?" Sakura breathed out.

Ino covered Sakura's mouth instantly.

"Shhh! Keep it down!" Ino whispered urgently. Ino then hooked arms with the pink haired girl and rushed away as she said, "Just ignore him. Do not tell anyone! I only brought him because I could not come on my own!" After that, Naruto couldn't hear what Ino was telling her friend.

Naruto's heart sank as he watched them both walk away. He had the biggest crush on Princess Sakura for the longest time. Ever since he first gazed into her eyes he had fallen for her. Looking around, he tried to see if he recognized anyone else. Sadly, all of the girls here were mainly Princesses, or daughters of upper-class families, some servants were here or there but all in all Naruto knew no one. Then, he saw a flash of familiar brown rush past and towards the buffet. A smile appeared on his face as he walked over and gazed about to see a brown haired boy his age with red tattoo marks on each of his cheeks.

"Kiba!" Naruto shouted happily, finding comfort in seeing a familiar face.

Kiba gagged slightly on the food he was currently stuffing in his mouth and slowly turned to look at Naruto. He remained still and simply stared. Kiba swallowed hard, trying to get rid of all the food in his mouth. He stood up straight as a sly smile appeared on his face.

"What up hot stuff?" Kiba said in a cocky tone. "You know me, don't you?"

Naruto gave Kiba an odd look. "Yeah, I know you," Naruto said slowly, feeling a bit uncomfortable and completely confused as to why Kiba was acting this way.

Kiba grinned. "I'm sorry, but I don't recall ever meeting such a pretty girl like you," Kiba said. "Mind telling me what my angel's name is?"

Naruto blinked a few times and simply stared at Kiba. "Have you lost your mind?" Naruto wondered, then lowered his voice harshly, "I'm not a girl!"

This time it was Kiba's turn to stare at Naruto wide eyed. Kiba blinked a few times, he laughed nervously, "Very funny. Thought you'd pull a fast one on this hot stud, didn't you?"

Naruto gave Kiba a blank stare, not being able to believe that the famous dog breath – er – Inuzuka hadn't recognized him yet.

All of a sudden, Kiba disappeared. Kiba went from standing right in front of Naruto to falling on the floor on his ass and later hitting his head on the floor as hands snuck out creepily and dragged him underneath the table.

The blond just stared at the spot where Kiba had stood seconds before and wondered what in the blue hell had just happened. Finally coming to his senses, Naruto pulled the table mantel up and found a few of his friends underneath it.

"Kiba, you imbecile! Are you insane! You are going to get all of us in deep trouble!" another brown haired male said. He had transparent eyes and a gorgeous pale face. He was holding Kiba by his ankle; obviously he was the one that had pulled him down to the floor.

"That was most unyouthful of you, Kiba!" another male exclaimed. He was wearing the most ridiculous green attire imaginable and a bowl shaped hair cut, but the most unusual thing about him was his eyebrows – they looked like two fuzzy caterpillars growing on his face. This guy was holding Kiba's sleeve, he had obviously been the one to yank Kiba under the table.

"How was the food Kiba?" another male asked urgently. He was more robust and his sandy hair spiked up in all directions.

"Chouji!" the other shouted. "This isn't the time to think about food!"

"How troublesome," one muttered, a bored expression on his face as he moved a few strands of dark brown hair away from his face and behind his ear as a ponytail held most of it back.

"What the hell are you guys doing under the table?" Naruto asked curiously.

All of the young boys stared at Naruto, their faces had turned red.

"Nothing!" they all shouted.

"We're an illusion that your young mind made up!" one shouted, waving his arms around frantically.

"We are the lonely pigments of darkness that your mind has accumulated together and believes to exist in this shadowed dark world," one of them said in a low and calm tone.

"How troublesome," another muttered again. (Translation: "You blew it Shino. It's Naruto. He would never think of something like that.")

"Er. It is nice to see you again as well?" Naruto muttered awkwardly.

"Wait. Who are you? You know us?" the male with transparent eyes asked, giving Naruto an odd look.

"That's messed up Neji! Of course I know you guys!" Naruto exclaimed to the male with transparent eyes, he then added, "Look, I'll prove it to you! That's Shino." He pointed to the boy wearing a coat with the highest collar anyone had ever seen. "That's Lee." His finger was pointed in the direction of the boy with the unusual attire and unnatural eyebrows. "That's Shikamaru." The boy with the lazy expression a short pony tail glanced at Naruto's finger with indifference. "That's Chouji." The robust boy with sandy hair merely stared in awe at Naruto's accuracy. "And of course, that's Kiba." The erratic boy with tattoos had a lack of interest due to his concussion. "See? I know all of your names!"

All of the boys merely stared at Naruto – until Neji spoke up.

"Naruto!" Neji gasped. "Is that really you!"

Naruto smiled awkwardly and looked at the dress he was wearing as he said, "Unfortunately, yes."

The boys caught what Naruto meant and laughed slightly.

"You look beautiful my youthful friend!" Lee cheered.

"Fate has given you an interesting opportunity," Neji said with an awkward smile.

"The radiance of your attire is exquisite and spectacular of its own accord. Although, only a gentleman such as yourself could make such a sight quite spectacular," Shino said thoughtfully, trying not to hurt Naruto's feelings – but naturally, Shino just ended up confusing him.

"Anyone interested in trying out the food with me?" Chouji asked, completely ignoring the fact that Naruto was dressed like a girl.

Shikamaru on the other hand did not say a word. He frankly did not feel the need to speak.

Kiba all the while lay there, trying to figure out who he was. That was a pretty nasty hit to the head he got after all.

"Putting that aside," Naruto began awkwardly, "what are you guys doing under the table?"

"Hiding," Neji replied dully. "What else?"

"Why?"

"If we get caught, we are going to be in a lot of trouble."

"Imagine what I'll go through."

"Right. Sorry."

"No big deal. You guys mind if I tag along? I don't know anyone and I'm bored out of my mind"

"My youthful friend we're sorry but we have to go," Lee said sadly. "We just came to get Kiba. We're all supposed to be in our rooms right now. "

Naruto frowned but smiled weakly afterwards. "Sorry," Naruto said in a depressed tone. "I guess I'll see you guys later."

Neji stared at him and then quickly said, "If you get tired of hanging out with all the girls you can go outside and look at the lake in the yard behind the Castle. It's beautiful, I bet it'll keep your mind off of things and make the hours pass by."

Naruto smiled brightly at Neji. "Thank you," he replied softly. "Bye!"

And with that, the boys began to crawl away as Naruto dropped the mantel and looked around once again. Then, he saw a few familiar girls. He smiled and realized that this wasn't all that bad after all. He walked over to the crowd of girls and greeted them cheerfully. They had all been quiet before he arrived. The atmosphere had been tense since they had all been wondering when the Prince would grace them with his presence, and most importantly, who he would choose to be his bride.

It was known all throughout the land just how good of a family the Uchihas were. How they used to be. When Sasuke had been only a young boy, his older brother, Itachi, had killed all of the Uchiha family except for his younger brother and himself. It was still unclear as to what Itachi's motives were, but the obvious issue remained about what would be done. The family had to survive or it would be lost for eternity. The riches would be lost, and the people that the Uchiha family had governed over for so many years would die. Thus, Sasuke was to be married and have children as soon as possible to insure the survival of his bloodline and all the secrets it possessed. As the sole heir and last 'survivor' of his family, all the pressure was put on this poor fourteen-year-old boy that lost everything he knew and loved because of his older brother. But of course, there wouldn't be a problem with finding him a bride. Prince Sasuke was known for his intelligence and his gorgeous features. His beauty would make any person's head turn, from his adult caretakers, to the younger generations Sasuke could make anyone gawk at his flawless appearance. Even the young twelve-year-old blond, Naruto, would notice Sasuke's unnaturally attractive features; when he finally got the opportunity to meet him of course. For now, Naruto was too busy trying to make new friends among the young ladies at the ball. Knowing Naruto, with his wit, cheerful attitude, and all around good nature, he quickly won them all over. He had them all laughing and loving his company, even though they knew nothing about him, or rather – as they thought – anything about her.

That is until Ino found out. She rushed over and grabbed Naruto roughly.

"What do you think you are doing!" Ino snapped in a hushed tone that only Naruto could hear.

Naruto gave her a horrified expression. He had forgotten that she was still around. Ino looked at the other girls that had begun to whisper amongst themselves as they wondered what was going on. The blond Princess flashed them all a brilliant smile.

"Forgive my servant for giving you all so much trouble," Ino stated. "She," Ino glared at Naruto, "is supposed to have better manners than that." Ino pushed Naruto towards them as she buried her nails into his arm. "Apologize," she ordered.

Naruto winced from the pain he felt in his arm but he bowed his head. "I am sorry," he said. "I am in no position to speak to respectable ladies such as you."

One valiant girl stepped forward – she had bright red hair and the most unique sea-green eyes Naruto had ever seen. "Ino, stop bulling the new girl," she demanded in a stern voice, she clearly had quite the backbone. "Stop making her do things she does not have to do. We are all girls here after all, she is an equal to us."

The rest of the girls agreed; they had all loved Naruto's jokes and other goofy acts.

Ino glared at the girl. "Miyako," Ino replied as she gave her a smug grin. "You are right." Ino released Naruto as she pushed him forward, causing him to lose his balance and fall to the floor flat on his face. "She is an equal," Ino scowled in disgust, "to all of you. After all, I am better than all of you put together." A wicked smile appeared on her face. "That is why Sasuke is going to pick me as his bride."

The girl named Miyako stepped forward and helped Naruto to his feet. She glared at Ino. "He would have to be delusional to pick such a horrible wife," Miyako retorted coolly. "Not only are you mindless, shallow, and egotistical, you are ugly too."

Ino was going to lunge at Miyako, but Naruto spoke up.

"Please don't say that about Lady Ino," Naruto said to Miyako. "That's not true. She's –"

Slap!

Naruto hadn't even been able to finish his sentence when he felt a burning sensation on his cheek and found himself looking elsewhere. He grabbed his red, throbbing cheek as he stared at Ino in disbelief.

"I do not need you to say anything in my defense you piece of trash," Ino hissed. "I would rather die than have you utter a single word about me from that peasant mouth of yours."

Miyako glared at Ino, unable to believe what she was hearing. "I am glad to have seen this side of you, Yamanaka," Miyako stated in her clear and serious voice.

The blond Princess gave Miyako a chilling death glare. But the red head didn't seem to care much for Ino's nasty expression.

"Maybe you have not figured it out on your own, but I am not here to become Sasuke's bride," Miyako declared. "I am Princess Ishikawa Miyako, a cousin of the great Uchiha Sasuke." A smirk appeared on Miyako's face. "And I must say we are pretty close, I know exactly the kind of person he is interested in." She looked down at Naruto and gave him a genuine smile. "I believe you fit that category."

Naruto and Ino stared at Miyako, feeling utterly dumbstruck. Ino could not believe Miyako had dared to speak to her in such a manner. However, that wasn't what truly shocked Ino, the words uttered by Miyako stunned her as she began to wonder the exact same as Naruto, that Miyako truly thought Sasuke could be interested in him. Naruto was a boy. Miyako was clearly out of her mind. The Blond Princess could not and would not accept that she could lose Sasuke to someone else – and to Naruto no less made it even worse. Naruto was her servant, a mere peasant. He had been taken in by the Yamanaka family simply because no one else would bother with him. But most importantly, Naruto was a boy.

Ino snapped her fingers at Naruto and pointed to her feet. "Come here," she hissed.

Naruto shook his head; he didn't want to listen to her anymore. This was the most freedom he had ever been given; this was his chance. Here was a large crowd of girls that were on his side; not Ino's. This was the type of thing he had been dreaming of. If he did as he was told, he would never be able to be his own person ever again. There was no way he would give in to her again. If he gave up now, she'd force him to do some of the vilest things she could possibly come up with when they got back to Ino's home. Not only that, she'd probably order another servant to whip him just like all those times before; after all, a Princess could never do such a violent thing like whipping a servant.

A frown appeared on the Princess's face. This wasn't good, but Naruto didn't give a damn at this point. She raised a hand to strike him but he dodged her blow. Everyone gasped.

It was unheard of for a servant to refuse punishment from their Master, but to do so in front of others – and such as the company that they had now – was unthinkable. Image is all that matters, and Ino's image was shattered the instant her servant deliberately disobeyed her.

She was furious now. Just as Ino was going to attempt to strike Naruto again, Miyako stepped forward and grabbed her wrist.

"There will be no violence inflicted to other guests in my cousin's Castle," Miyako declared. "Regardless of the relationship they may have with any other individual."

Ino glared at Miyako, hating her with every fiber of her being. She then glared at Naruto. "You will be punished when we arrive home," Ino hissed. "And if you think you have suffered pain before, you are in for quite a rude awakening."

A horror stricken expression appeared on Naruto's face. Oh dear God, what had he done? What had he gotten himself into?

He couldn't take it anymore. He turned on his heel and ran, and ran, and ran... Zipping through all the guests, he tried to lose himself – tried to escape as he desperately wanted to leave and never return; never wanting to deal with the torture that he would have to endure. Suddenly, he reached a large opened doorway that led to the back yard of the Uchiha Castle. Once outside he stopped and sat down on one of the stone steps. His breathing was heavy, his face was flushed, and beads of sweat ran down his face as he tried to catch his breath. He did not know for how long he ran, or how far, but he didn't care; he was alone now. He gazed out and saw a large lake. The moon's reflection sparkled in the clean lake water.

That moment he got the sudden urge to go swimming; a desperate urge to wash away his troubles and frustrations with the beautiful water. Standing on his exhausted legs, he walked down the path to the lake, not caring about anything as his thoughts subsided due to the night's elegant features.

That's it for the first chapter! Hope you guys liked it! Please review! All comments are much appreciated!