A/N: I've decided to try something really different this time…Naruto with sort of a medieval twist with our favourite ninja's as knights, Lords and Princesses! Hope you enjoy this!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Chapter One

Hereforth begins a tale of epic proportions, of magic and melodies, triumph and tragedies, of quests and battles, of – okay, perhaps we're getting a little carried away here...But our story begins in a beautiful kingdom, the kingdom of Konoha where peace prevailed and the people lived in harmony with one another – usually. A young princess stood at her window, pink hair cascading down her back and aqua eyes transfixed upon the outside world. She sighed heavily. The door behind her creaked open and she spun around, "Lady Hinata!"

"S-sorry Princess Sakura, did I disturb you?" Hinata asked.

"Not at all...I was just thinking..." said Sakura. She had a lot of unpleasant things on her mind and the one that weighed most heavily was that she was to be married to a Prince named Kabuto, but in all tales such as this she loved another and his name was Naruto. Sakura's other friend, Ino, entered the room, she felt that Sakura should be married to Kabuto. "Kabuto can give you everything while Naruto can't give you a single thing because he is nothing but a servant in your household," Ino told her. "It is not money that I care about, all I want is friendship and trust," Sakura said, with a dreamy smile on her face, thinking of Naruto's dreamy blue eyes. She detested Kabuto, the boisterous fart of a boy who dared call himself a charming and handsome prince. Kabuto was the most ugly and villainous person in the land. Her mother was obviously taken in by all Prince Kabuto's lies. Sakura wasn't stupid enough to believe all his heroic tales of bravery, she had seen him scream at the mere sight of a harmless worm. "Princess Sakura, Queen Tsunade c-calls for you," Hinata said softly.

"What for?" Sakura asked.

"Invitations to be sent out to the folk for the grand ball next week. Queen Tsunade wants you to be in charge s-since it is your e-engagement," Hinata said, bowing her head. She wasn't too thrilled at the prospect of her favourite cousin's marriage to that horrid prince.

Sakura bid farewell to Ino and followed Hinata to Queen Tsunade's chambers. Pretty scenic portraits hung from the walls. The Queen Tsunade was unlike any other queen; she wasn't vain or controlling, she was pleasant but sometimes short-tempered and was very beautiful with hair of golden sunshine and warm amber eyes. "Yes mother. You called?"

"Yes dear, I've drawn up an invitation list and I want you to have a look at it," Tsunade said, handing Sakura a piece of parchment. Tsunade's eyes sparkled, making Sakura feel more depressed. She wished she were getting married to the most fantastic ramen chef in the world – Naruto. At least he could cook, unlike Kabuto, who probably didn't even know what a pot was. "Why! You look so depressed child!" Tsunade noted. Sakura managed a smile and turned away, walking briskly out of her mother's chamber. She bumped into Rock Lee in the hallway, he was a knight of the kingdom and also good friends with Naruto. Naruto's father had once been the King of the Kingdom which was now ruled by King Orochimaru. The former King Minato and Queen Kushina died in a heroic battle to save the Kingdom from a nine-tailed demon fox. No one knew of what had transpired that fateful night but the fox disappeared and in its place was a tiny baby, Kushina and Minato's newborn son. There were whispers of how the fox was sealed in the baby and some even believed that the baby was the demon fox! But the fox was sealed in the baby and that baby was Naruto. Because of the people's fears, Naruto was shunned and alienated and eventually taken in by the Kingdom of Konoha and was training to be a knight. He also worked as a chef in the kitchens because he loved to cook.

King Orochimaru was an old acquaintance of Queen Tsunade and King Jiraiya, so his son Kabuto was to be married to Sakura so that ties between their kingdom's could be strengthened. Sakura couldn't dispel the feeling that King Orochimaru was up to no good, he was rather creepy and snake-like.

"I can help you with your problem," Lee said, "I don't like Kabuto either and I know who you adore and who adores you Princess."

"What can we possibly do, Lee. I don't want to disappoint my mother," Sakura told him sadly, slightly squashing the invitation list. Lee grinned, "That's where my gang comes in!"

Lee had a group of close friends who were training to become knights, Naruto was also part of this elite group. "What can you do?" Sakura asked.

"We could sabotage Kabuto!"

The idea of sabotaging Kabuto sounded very appealing to Sakura. Lee informed her of a meeting that would be held later, a few of the knights were going to be there, including Naruto.

-X-

The meeting began at precisely 9pm.

"What is she doing here?" inquired Chouji, who was feasting on a piece of roast pork left over from dinner. He was messing up his good, clean white shirt. "She needs our help," said Lee, "She doesn't want to marry that unyouthful pompous windbag, Kabuto. So…we need to somehow sabotage him and embarrass him in front of the entire kingdom!"

Naruto and Sakura were looking at each other from across the room and blushing furiously.

"I wouldn't want to marry him either," Kiba said with disgust.

"Kiba, this is no time to jest, this is a serious matter which needs to be resolved," said Lee.

"Sasuke, do you have any ideas?" Naruto asked. Sasuke Uchiha, also a knight in training was Naruto's best friend. Sasuke was more interested in something outside the window, but he turned and looked directly at Naruto. "If you truly love the princess, then you must do what is right, and you know very well what I speak of, Naruto." And with that, he stared out the window again.

"What is that you gaze at?" asked Lee, also sticking his nose out the window. Down below, there were three young ladies sitting and chatting in the courtyard. "Ah, the Lady Hinata."

"Hmm…there have been rumours of her extraordinary beauty, the long, silky indigo hair, the pearlescent eyes and the creamy flawless skin," Kiba commented, he too was now gazing out the window.

"Remember Helen of Troy? Well, they also say that the Lady Hinata has the face that would launch a thousand ships," Chouji said airily, dripping gravy all over himself without noticing.

"Unlike you, you have the face that shipped a thousand lunches," Sasuke told Chouji.

"If you lot are finished drooling over the Lady Hinata…" Sakura said in irritation.

"That's not the point," said Sasuke, "I was actually looking at him." He pointed to a grove of trees. Everyone pushed their heads through the window to try and get a look while Sakura sighed in exasperation. The gang looked to where Sasuke pointed; a rather tall gentleman stood there with platinum hair shining in the moonlight, he wore black pants and a silk white shirt that was halfway unbuttoned. Chouji gasped, "I know him! That is Lord Hidan!"

Lee tapped his chin thoughtfully, "Isn't he from the Kingdom Akatsuki? I've heard tales of that land, it is under the influence of a dark wizard."

"He looks sinister," said Sasuke.

"Forget that! Let's think of a youthful plan that will embarrass Kabuto so that he will never show his face in our Kingdom ever again!" Lee declared.

"About time," Sakura said grumpily.

"We should plan something nasty to happen to him at the ball!" Kiba suggested enthusiastically.

"Let's capture him, tie him up in a cave somewhere and let him rot. The birds shall pick his liver clean," Sasuke said nonchalantly.

Sakura looked at him in horror, "We can't do that!"

"I was only joking," Sasuke told her.

"That's certainly a first for you," Kiba said, helping himself to a steaming bowl of ramen. Naruto was the cook of this sumptuous delight. The gang proceeded to sit there for the entire night without coming up with anything worthy. "I suggest we sleep on it!" Lee told them. The others agreed.

"I have to go clear up the dinner things," Naruto said gloomily and he left. Sakura was sorry to see him go, they had hardly even spoken tonight. She trod quietly to her bedroom then changed her mind and headed towards the kitchen. She stood in the shadows watching Naruto stack pots and pans, she was slightly nervous to approach him. Sakura leaned forward, the shelf above her shook ominously and then with a CRASH, pots fell to the floor. Both Sakura and Naruto jumped in fright. "I'm sorry! Oh…I'm so sorry," Sakura gasped.

"Uh, Princess Sakura, what are you doing down here?" Naruto asked, bending to pick up the clutter.

"Hmph! Since when do you call me Princess Sakura?"

"Since you have to marry Prince Kabuto," Naruto said with a smirk on his good-natured face.

When they were little, Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke were inseparable. They had always played together and Naruto soon developed a crush on Sakura…the spunky little princess who wasn't afraid to beat him up. However, she had a huge crush on Sasuke but the stoic boy had never returned her feelings. Sakura soon grew out of her crush and developed real feelings for Naruto, but as they grew older, things changed and Sakura was no longer allowed to consort with any of the help or the knights. She had to undergo training to take on the role of princess and someday future queen of Konoha.

"Let me help you clean this up," Sakura said. Naruto's blue eyes lingered on her, "There's no need, I'll do it."

Sakura dived down and began picking things up, "But I was the one who caused this…"

"Look, Princess – uh, Sakura, you should go to bed, if we're found, it'll be trouble for the both of us," Naruto said, scratching his blonde hair. Sakura knew he was right for once, but she was feeling quite rebellious at the moment. But all sense of rebelliousness vanished when they heard footsteps approaching. "What was that awful racket?" inquired a low drawling voice. Naruto looked fearfully at Sakura, the shadow of the person approaching grew larger and larger. "Go this way," Naruto whispered urgently, "Take the stairs, it will lead you to a passage. From there, make a left and you should be able to find your way back into the main wing of the castle." Sakura did as she was told. She really wished she could spend more time with Naruto. Then she thought happily; if they managed to think up a plan that worked, she would be spending her entire life with him!

-X-

There was a new girl in town, her name was Lady Karin and she was from one of the grassland kingdoms. She was very underdressed in Sakura's opinion, just bits of fancy cloth were covering her bare essentials. All the boys of Konoha began to get madly infatuated with her, well maybe "all" was a bit exaggerating the truth. Karin was to be staying at the castle until the marriage of Kabuto and Sakura was over. If Sakura had her way, that wedding would never be. Karin was a nice girl, despite her strange dressing, Ino and Hinata also got along with her. Karin was at an age to be married too; she just needed to find a suitor. As well as attending the wedding, she was here to find her groom to be. While Karin was excited at the prospect of a wedding, Sakura dreaded it. The girls were busy reading Medieval Fashion magazines when Sasuke suddenly burst in, demanding to speak with Sakura in private. "Come, let's away, we have important news for you," he said impatiently.

"Ah, meet my new friend Lady Karin. Karin, this is Sasuke, a knight in training," Sakura said, introducing them to each other.

"Charmed," Sasuke said, not looking particularly interested, as he hurried off with Sakura, who was huffing and puffing and sweating under her corset, trying to keep up with him.

"Well, Princess, we have a plan that's not going to let you down," Lee told her when they arrived in the courtyard.

"Let's hear it!" Sakura said, excited that they managed to come up with something. "It's simple really. All you have to do is dress up like an idiot, behave like an idiot, act clumsy and stupid and I'm sure Kabuto will think twice about marrying you," Kiba told her with a big grin.

Sakura smiled weakly, not altogether reassured about the plan.

A/N: Did you like this? If so, then please drop me a review