Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Pairings: SasukexHinataItachixHanabi NarutoxIno SakuraxShikamaru TentenxKankuro (Odd, but I'll make it work out.)

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Bold: Hinata's Narration

"Somewhere, beyond that blue sea, there is a land. A land where we are forbidden to go. Somewhere in which terror brings death, with every breath you take." The Queen explained to her princess. "We must never go there. Never."

"Yes, mommy." The little girl responded, her milky white orbs looking upward.

"Good girl Hinata." The grace of her mother, even when she was speaking could make any man observe her in awe.

My mother had always been a graceful and elegant woman. I loved her dearly and she was there for the first five years of my life. I cherished every moment with every ounce of energy a five year old girl would have. One stormy night, my sister was born and my mother taken away. Here is where my tale began. Here is where my life truly started.

"Father, where has mother gone?" Hinata tugged on the sleeve of her father's clothing.

"She has gone far away, where nobody can reach her." The man stated in a firm voice. There was no trace of sorrow anywhere as I solemnly followed him to see another royal family, The Uchihas. They were the strongest of the south while as we, the Hyuugas took the north.

"The land beyond the sea?" The petite girl inquired. The two climbed into a booth on a train.

Her father looked down at who was to be the next ruler of the North. "Far beyond that. Just know that she will never come back."

"What about my baby sister?" The little girl asked as the train began to move. She thought that if her mother would never come back then she could always go and visit.

"She will grow up to be string and healthy." Hyuuga Hiashi stated in a calm voice. The scenery began to shift as the train began down the tracks.

"What is her name?" Hinata was just full of questions. One day she would understand the answers to them all. One day far beyond the day when her mother left.

"I haven't decided." The King spoke as the wind howled and raindrops fell upon the window.

"Mommy always liked fireworks. Can we call her Hanabi?" Hinata bounced up and down as her father nodded in consent. The green forests were abundant with animals that would one day all be this little girl's kingdom. She didn't know that this fairy tale would turn into a novel with adventure, romance, tragedy, and a touch of mystery. The Princess of the North soon fell asleep dreaming of her future kingdom when she would be queen.

The railroad soon began to lead into the farm fields of the south. There were lush green hills and gardens with roses that were all colors of the rainbow. As the princess awoke she found that there were houses that they passed by. She found it quite mesmerizing that the houses had colorful fields of yellow, and green. Then the train stopped as the royals arrived at the train station of the south. Hinata followed her father down the steps of the train gripping onto the cold metal handle for support.

The family was greeted by the Uchihas. The King had a stern look painted on his face much like her father, but it was not familiar to the little girl. The Queen was a sweet looking woman, not unlike her mother, but she lacked the elegance of a porcelain doll. The little girl's mother had looked as fragile as a glass figure, but she was flexible. She bent like water would when forced into a new container with absolute poise. Holding onto his mother's dress was the younger of two princes, Sasuke. Next to his father was the elder child, Itachi, a proper looking boy. He seemed to be tired and worn from something the small child could not make out.

"Hinata, go play with Sasuke while the adults talk." The King of the North went into a carriage with Itachi, The Queen, and The King. Sasuke stood nervously as he held out a hand to the girl.

"Do you want to go to the park?" Sasuke asked. Even though the two were only five, they were close to palace grounds with ninja secretly watching over them. Hinata nodded and followed the boy.

"Prince Sasuke?" Hinata asked.

"Yes?" Sasuke stopped under an old Sakura tree which provided shade. The month of March brought blooming blossoms. They were stunning in the south and grew by the open farmlands. In the north you would have to pass through the cities and forests just to merely see one.

"What does dead mean?" Hinata asked as she sat down on the warm grass. She watched the butterflies fly up and touch the sky. She tried to catch one but failed.

Sasuke sat down next to her. "Dead means someone is never coming back. They are gone forever and they don't live. You can't ever see them again." His head turned to look at the little girl's face. The misery painted on her features was heart breaking. "Why did you want to know?"

"My mommy is dead. My mommy is gone forever!" Hinata screamed as she looked at the boy. "Gone and I can never see her again." She whispered silently. Hinata's face began to redden as her eyes had crystal tears flowing out. Her petite figure began to shake as she breathed in and out. Every tear stung her cheeks and made her chest heavy. A small hand patted her on the shoulder. The Hyuuga princess looked up to see Sasuke.

"Don't cry Princess." The sky was as blue as ever. He pointed up and told her, "The sky is clear. That means she's smiling from heaven." The Uchiha looked back, but it was no use. The girl just couldn't stop her crying. He decided to do something he knew he wasn't supposed to. Sasuke hugged Hinata so that she was crying into his chest. His hands gently pat her back as she emptied her tears. "There, there." Sasuke said as she began to stop crying.

A dark shadow fell over the two as Sasuke looked up. "Nii-san!" His brother was the one that Sasuke had always looked up to as a great shinobi who protected his country. One day he was going to become one.

"Sasuke, what happened to Hinata?" His brother looked down at the two and squatted so that he was face to face with his brother.

"Her mommy died." Sasuke replied with a sad look on his face. "She got really sad so I hugged her." Itachi looked at the girl who was to be queen and his brother who was to be a shinobi.

'Disgrace. Royals do not cry, nor do they comfort. Royals are not meant to feel anything but the wind on their faces as they walk.' Itachi picked up the five year old girl and pat her on the back. Even for a ten year old like him, duty was important and he knew he had to take care of this princess. One day when she grew up, she was to be wed to him. Their countries would become one.

"Thank you Prince It-itachi." Hinata got out through short breaths. "Can you let me down now?" Itachi nodded and placed her on the floor. "Go on and play. I'll be over here if you need anything."

Sasuke took the little girl's hand as they ran into a lush meadow with a sing attached to a tree. There was a sandbox and a small slide. "What do you want to do first?"

"Swing?" Hinata shyly replied. Sasuke smiled and pushed her back and forth. Hinata closed her eyes sometimes. In the city she had never gone on a swing. She had seen it in pictures and her mother had explained. The girl had never actually gone on one though. Sasuke stopped eventually as he tagged her.

"You're it! Now you have to catch me." Sasuke began to run and Hinata jumped down from the swing to run after him. She was slower and eventually fell far behind, panting. Sasuke stopped next to her and saw four figures approaching them. Sasuke bowed in front of Hinata's father and Hinata did the dame thing in front of Sasuke's father.

"Hinata, it is time to leave." Hiashi stated in his usual loud and firm voice.

"Yes father." Hinata followed obediently, but waved her fingers at Sasuke to say goodbye. Sasuke just flashed a smile at the girl.

I remember his innocent smile. His face was so joyful back then and he laughed cheerfully whenever he fell down. I really enjoyed being around him. I guess that's where I first found love. I just didn't know it yet.

Hanabi means fireworks.

Thank You for Reading.

Chapter originally posted in 3-16-06. Edited 3-16-09.