Part 7 (I know, I know, I've been slow with updates, I apologize)

Disclaimer: Naruto and the Labyrinth are mine...NOT.

Warning: mild language, implied vampirism

Naruto, the usually happy and energetic fox, was feeling incredibly gloomy after his verbal encounter with Sasuke. Every word out of the dark-haired boy's mouth was an insult- and for what? Naruto was a fox only because of Sasuke's betrayal, and the asshole thought it was his right to treat Naruto cruelly. The nerve was appalling. His tail dragged lifelessly on the ground behind him and he wandered aimlessly through the forest. He tried to divert his mind from the depressing thoughts and tried to think up something that made him happy. His mind immediately thought of one thing. Hinata.

His drooped ears perked up slightly, but instead of happiness, he felt a heavy weight settle in his chest at the thought of the beloved. He came to a small stream and sat at the water's edge, gazing sadly at his furry reflection.

"Where's my Hinata?" he moped quietly.

"Hey, Naruto."

Naruto looked up in surprise ito see his friend crouched in the nearest tree on a low branch.

"Hey Kiran," he replied dully.

Kiran was a boy of about seventeen years with straight, black hair that went down to his shoulders. He usually kept it in a loose ponytail at the nape of his neck. He also had big, dark blue eyes with crows' feet at the corners as a result from his love for laughter. Unlike Naruto, who was once human, Kiran was part Elfin, and therefore had pointy ears. There was a lute strapped to his back.

"Why so melancholy? What's eating you?"

Kiran sat on the branch and began un-strapping the instrument.

"Nothing," Naruto said, tracing a claw around in the dirt. "Just Sasuke again."

Kiran snorted. "Oh, that bastard?"

"Yeah."

Naruto lay in the grass and closed his eyes, comforted by his friend's presence as well as his equal dislike for Sasuke.

"What did he do?"

"Nothing really. He was just being a bastard as usual. He came down to… remind me of my job."
Kiran halted his tuning. "Which means…"

"Neji's got another one."

The dark-haired musician gave a low whistle. "Really?"

"Yeah."

"What's his name?"

"Gaara. And apparently he's attracted Neji's special attention."

"Neji's special attention is never good."

"Hmm."

Karin started tugging at the lute strings. "But I get the feeling that's not the only reason why you're upset. You're never this down about anything."

Naruto felt his eyes water and his chest clench painfully. "It's Hinata."

"Ah," Karin said sympathetically. "Have you …heard anything from her?

"No," he said woefully. There was a brief silence. "It'll be eight months in two days."

"I'm sorry," the other male whispered.

Karin began plucking a sad tune on the lute. Full minutes passed before he sang along softly as well.

There's such a sad love…
Deep in your eyes
A kind of pale jewel…
Open and closed,
Within your eyes…

"That nice," Naruto murmured. "What's it called?"

The young musician's paused. "It doesn't have a name. My mother used to sing it to me when I was baby. I've heard it in the palace too."

"Neji's palace."

"Yeah."

Naruto fell silent and closed his eyes peacefully as Kiran picked up the tune again.

I'll place the sky-y

Within your eyes…

Neji's POV

"Prince Neji! Prince Neji, your highness!"

I stirred at the sound of the faint voices and after a few moments, finally opened my eyes. I blinked blurrily at the two figures in front of me. I checked my pocket watch.

Hmm, how is Gaara getting along with the labyrinth and that "dead end"?, I wondered. Lee should have taken back to the beginning by now.

I yawned and stretched on my throne. "One of you," I said to Deidara and Sasori, "bring me a crystal ball right away."

The two males stood there, blinking at me dumbly.

"What?" I asked irritably.

"Were you…sleeping?" Sasori asked unsurely.

"Yes, so what?" I snapped.

"We didn't know you slept…we thought…"

"We thought you were like a vampire or something, yeah."

There was a long silence as I glared at them, and the two fools shuffled their feet and glanced away awkwardly.

"So," I started dryly. "You going to go get that crystal ball?"

"Yeahh…we'll get right on that," Sasori said, turning to leave."

"Right on it, yeah," Deidara added redundantly.

That's all for now - I know it's short! But I have a lot of school work! (Good excuse, right)

On another note; the Review Dictator has retired, but I do appreciate your lovely reviews anyway.