RNZ_ Hey people! To those who've read my story The Story of You and Me, I'm sorry I haven't updated it lately. My computer got reformatted and all the files were deleted; even this new fic I'm writing. :( So, right now I'm so depressed. The next three chapters were already there. . . No matter. I'm writing a new one; just a three-fourshot. I just got the idea earlier at school during Spanish Day Presentation. . . Nyao~ basically set in Venice, though (even if I haven't been there before).

TAKE NOTE! NONE of the things here are true. They're all just plain FICTION.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own.

Enjoy~!

Masked Roses

Chapter 1

"Mother—OUCH!" I said, glaring at my mother who was observing me at the moment while I was having my dress fixed by dress-makers. One just accidentally poked my leg with the needle. "Can't I meet him some other day?"

I was set to meet the man my parents chose for me to marry. I honestly think the whole idea is insane and old but what am I supposed to do? I can't disobey and be a disgrace to my own family. I'm Sakura of the Haruno Family. The Harunos are one of the most renowned families here in Venice. I didn't want to ruin that title so I just cooperated.

"Sweetie, there's no time," my seemingly sweet mother said, "Everything is already set; the ball, the decorations, the food. Today's the day."

I cannot believe my parents are throwing a damn ball for my meeting up with the man I'm supposed to love. It's so overrated and such a waste of time and money. Well, it's their money so why do I care? I'm just going with the flow.

"Well, I have to check on the catering, darling. Girls, take care of my daughter's dress. She has to be at the ball in forty-five minutes. Ciao~!" She shut the door.

I hope this turns out all right. . .

Alas, the time has come. I entered the mansion's ballroom wearing my pink dress. The dress was layered, much like a princess' dress. The top portion of the dress was like a corset except it had puffy short sleeves. It was designed with golden designer threads and swirly patterns. The string that closed it was a fine, golden string. The inside part of the corset-like portion was an elegant white. The lower portion was the puffy part. Layers of fabric making it look big. The top-most layer was a baby pink color, forming creases held by pins revealing the white layer of fabric under it.

All eyes were on me . . . and I hated it. I hate being stared at—especially when they're looking at my seemingly pink hair. My hair is naturally strawberry blond but it always seems to look pink.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Sakura Haruno," the announcer, well, announced. I also hated making entrances. But, again, I didn't have a choice.

I never did.

I sat on my table with The Naras. I'm set to marry the heir of the Nara Family, Shikamaru Nara; a well known prodigy. He was good at everything. He knew how to write, paint, cook, everything. He uses his huge brain to solve crimes around the state.

And, he was lazy. From the look on his eyes, he was bored. As bored as I was.

"Shikamaru," his father said, "This is Sakura, the girl I've set you with. Please get to know her more."

"Hey," I started, thinking of a good conversation.

"Hi," he said dryly. I guess this guy is just as forced as I am.

"I'm Sakura."

"Shikamaru."

Silence. . .

"I guess you're just as forced as I am."

"You can't believe how forced I am. I'm sick of being pushed around to do something I don't want to." He confessed. I was a bit relieved. I thought I was the only one unhappy with this.

The ball music continued to play as people danced on the dance floor. I looked at the man I was supposed to marry. He had looks—God, he has looks. But, I still have that empty feeling inside every time I see myself with him. I feel . . . isolated. Isolated from my own life.

"What?" He asked, catching me staring at him.

"It's nothing. I just zoned ou—."

That's when it happened. The lights turned off and the chandeliers made ringing noises. That's when he came. Il Ladro Mascherato. The Masked Thief. He was always there every special occasion unless they were weddings. It's shocking yet somehow amazing that Shikamaru hasn't figured out the truth behind the mask .He always stole something valuable. He's probably out to steal my mother's 24 karat gold tiara designed with real diamonds.

The scream heard from across the room confirmed my expectations. Il Ladro Macherato was hanging from the extensions of the chains that kept the chandeliers into place when he made a grab for my mother's tiara.

Shikamaru and I were standing now, looking at the somehow amazing scene before our eyes. The thief was now hanging like a primitive man in the jungle from the ceiling. He traveled the room rather gracefully on the chains before taking a rose from the bouquet on one of the tables in the room and stopping conveniently in front of me.

He hopped off while everyone was too shocked to move. He gracefully walked to me, holding the rose behind him and knelt in front of me like a prince. He held out the flower for me and I politely took it from him before he took my hand and kissed it softly and tenderly. I blushed, looking at the handsome smirk on his face. I could tell he was handsome even if his eyes were covered by a Bandera to hide his true identity. He stood up and threw a kind of powder on the floor before disappearing completely.

I stood frozen on the spot, not fully understanding what had just happened. Moments passed and I was already seated on a chair. I replayed everything that happened and soon realized the Il Ladro Mascherato himself gave me a rose and kissed my hand. How could all of that happen within a matter on ten seconds? I thought to myself, not really caring about the current chaos that happened during the ball.

I was soon sent to my room to clean up and rest. I was sitting on my four-post princess bed while I replayed every moment of today's ball. I still kept the rose he gave me. Right now, I was twirling it with my hands.

He held out the flower for me and I politely took it from him before he took my hand and kissed it softly and tenderly.

It was then that I realized that today is the day I would meet the man I'm supposed to love. . .

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RNZ_ Alright! There's chapter 1! It's quite short but that's just only the beginning. I hoped you liked it! :D

Reviews = love

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