Man, this was the hardest story to update. I didn't know what to write for a second, but then it hit me like a parked car. Lol. You would understand that so much more if you knew me. But that's a long story that would require therapy for you afterwards. Oh, speaking of stories…

Let's start this one. I can't wait to find out what happens between our mystery man and Naru… I mean Noriko.

Shuichu: Aren't you already supposed to know?

Shuichi: Shut up, dude! They don't know that!

Shuichu: Well, I think they're on to us.

Shuichi: Damn it! Go get the peanut butter… I'll fix this.

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"How have you been, princess? Miss me?"

For a moment, Naruto didn't speak. He was entranced by the man's beauty again. Every heave of his chest made Naruto's heart flutter. Why? He didn't know. But he didn't want to find out.

"I hear there is something you wish to return to me?"

"Yes, but how have you been, princess?"

"I saw you a few moments before, didn't I? Wouldn't you know?"

The man smiled.

"You were on the balcony when I saw you, and now you are here."

"You aren't answering my questions. Why?"

"Why does it bother you that I don't answer?"

Naruto glared at him from across the room. He was making everything difficult and right now, Naruto couldn't deal with that.

"If you wish to keep this up banter, I ask that you leave. I'm not in the mood for any jokes," Naruto said.

"What are you in the mood for?"

"Answers," Naruto responded.

He was staring at the jewelry box on his dresser. Neji had given it to him at the Christmas party Tsunade had thrown last year. He'd smiled so beautifully when Naruto had decided to replace his old one with it. Just the thought of Neji's lips was enough to make him blush.

"Ask any question you like."

"How many can I ask?" Naruto asked. He had an idea.

"Until you have no more," the man said, gesturing towards Naruto's table by the window. Naruto nodded and stood up.

"This could take awhile."

"The night is still young."

Naruto sighed. He didn't know if his idea was so smart anymore but sat down.

"What can I help you with?" the man asked. He smiled and propped his head on his hands, eyelevel with Naruto.

"What's your name?"

"Sasuke Uchiha."

Naruto looked at him for a second. This guy was an Uchiha? It'd been a long time since he'd even seen one let alone talk to them. Ever since the attack in their kingdom, the Uchihas have disappeared of the map. Every once in awhile someone catches a glimpse of one, but for the most part, they kept to themselves now. If the rumors Naruto had heard were true, the Uchihas had been attacked by one of their own… but no one really knew.

"Something wrong? You've gone silent."

"Was it really one of your own men who attacked the kingdom?"

The question came out before Naruto could stop it. He looked away, embarrassed for asking such a personal question.

When the man didn't speak, Naruto took a chance and looked at him.

He was shocked. There was so much anger emitting from the man. He watched curiously as the man curled and uncurled his fists. His lips were thin; Naruto could tell he was biting his lip to keep from saying something.

But what shocked Naruto the most was the man's eyes. They weren't obsidian anymore as they had been on the balcony. Pure crimson fury blazed within each orb. It frightened Naruto… every nerve was on alert in his mind… every hair on its ends on his neck.

He jumped when the man finally answered.

"I… I'm sorry about that. It's a… touchy subject between the Uchihas… the attack, but it's true. We were attacked by our own… or at least, he used to be our own."

Naruto kept his eyes down as he apologized.

"I didn't mean to ask that. It was just… you said you were an Uchiha, and when I was a kid, I heard a maid gossiping about it, and I couldn't believe that someone would attack their own village… and I really am sorry. I shouldn't have asked 'cuz it really isn't m business and now I'm rambling aren't I? I do that when I get nervous… or I just don't speak at all. I should probably shut u—"

Naruto stared down at the hand touching his own across the table. When he looked up, the man's eyes were back to normal.

"I didn't mean to frighten you. I just wasn't expecting that question… What else did you want to know?"

Naruto gulped. it was relieve to get off the last subject but… it was really embarrassing to ask what he wanted to.

"Well… you see… there's this… guy. He's a friend of mine and… he… um… he-"

"He kissed you?"

"H-how did you know?"

"Your expressions are very easy to read."

Naruto blushed. He hated the way the guy said that. It made him sound like such a… girl! And he wasn't a girl. He was a guy… who just happened to be wearing a dress and lipstick.

"Well… yeah, he did. And I… don't know why he did, but he did. And I don't want to jump to any conclusions, so…."

"Ah, you're seeking a guy's opinion. Well…" Sasuke began, suddenly very serious, "exactly how did he kiss you?"

Naruto must have looked confused because he added, "What did he do when he kissed you? Did he say anything?"

"He started to, but I wasn't really listening because I did something embarrassing at the dance and I thought he saw it and then… bam! He was kissing me."

"This he you're referring to. Are you talking about the man who left when I walked in?"

"Yeah," Naruto answered shyly.

"Well, by the way he was blushing as he ran, I'm pretty sure the guy's crazy over you. Or he had a fever. For my sake, let's hope it was the latter."

"What do you mean for your— Oh… the ball."

"Yes, but don't worry. I don't intend to give up on such a beautiful lady."

Naruto laughed. Was this guy serious? Everyone was calling him beautiful and everything, but how far was this going to go? No matter how many dresses he wore at the end of the day, Naruto was a guy… He had to make sure sometimes when he went to the restroom, but overall, he was definitely sure he was a guy.

"Please don't laugh. I'm serious."

"Look… you're really nice and all, but I'm not interested in guys."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. He was smiling.

"Then what are you interested in, princess?"

Naruto's eyes widened. He hadn't meant to say that. Oh, Tsunade was going to kill him.

"N-no… you misunderstood. I didn't mean… oh, god. She's going to kill me."

"She?"

Naruto gasped.

"Oh, god no! I'm talking about Tsunade…. Uh, never mind. Look, I didn't mean it that way," Naruto said. He took a deep breath and tried not to wince as he kept talking. "I merely meant that I'm not interested in any guys now. As in… no one's attracted my interest. Yeah…"

Sasuke was still smiling.

"If you say so, princess. Any more questions you would like to ask?"

Naruto couldn't look at him.

"No… I think I'm a little tired… but we should pick this up later… when I'm more awake," Naruto said before mumbling, "And watching what I say…"

Sasuke stood and bowed, his eyes never leaving Naruto's.

"It was nice meeting you, princess."

"Uh… yeah. You too… um… Sir Uchiha."

"Call me Sasuke if you like."

"Ok… It was nice meeting you… Sasuke."

Sasuke grinned. He bowed again, taking Naruto's hand in his own and kissing it. Naruto looked out the window, trying not to blush.

He watched as the raven-haired boy closed the door behind him. When the lock clicked and he was sure Sasuke was gone, Naruto ran to his dresser to get his special change of clothes.

They'd also been a gift from the Christmas party. Kakashi had given them to him though. It'd been the best gift all night… all his life actually.

Kakashi had bought him guy clothes. A pair of baggy black jeans… a regular t-shirt… and a hat to hide his hair. It was perfect. Naruto could sneak out of his room dressed like that because no one knew what Naruto looked like. They only knew Noriko.

Naruto smiled as he slipped the dress up over his head and pulled the jeans on. They were really comfortable.

As he reached down for his shirt, there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" he asked, hesitating. He hadn't expected anyone to come up here.

"It's me. I came to check on you. Oh, and there's someone—"

"Kakashi? Come on in. I'm just changing clothes. That dress got too…"

Naruto froze. When the door opened, his royal advisor wasn't alone.

"W-what are you doing here?"

"… I forgot to return your… uh… comb… So… this is why you said you're not interested in guys, huh?"

Kakashi swore under his breath and glared at Naruto. He gave him a "we'll-talk-about-this-later" look before shutting the door behind him.

"Sir Uchiha…" Kakashi said, cracking his knuckles, "as the princess's royal advisor, you understand why I can't let you leave now, right?"

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"Has anyone seen Noriko? She just disappeared during the ball."

"Good evening, Lady Tsunade. Sir Hyuuga escorted her to her room during the ball. The princess wasn't feeling well. But… Kakashi and Sasuke Uchiha visited her later."

"What's this about the Uchiha? He visited Noriko?"

"Yes and the guard watching her room said that neither has come out yet."

"Well, that is something to behold. I didn't even expect the Uchihas to send anyone to the ball after everything that's happened to them…."

"Yes, he said he was talking to the princess on the balcony and she accidentally left her comb on the railing. Kakashi went to check on how she was feeling though. Would you like me to get one of them for you?"

"Hmm, it's quite alright. I'm sure she's having a very lovely evening with Sir Uchiha and Kakashi… Is Neji around or has he left already? I should probably thank him for everything."

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Meh… I was listening to this song while I was typing and about halfway through it, I realized it wasn't in English. I felt kinda stupid for a while. Oh well. Hope you liked the update. Really, really, really, really hope you review!