Episode 10-->Natalya in Dreamland? The effect you boys have on a girl while she sleeps...

Down,
at the bottom of the sea
is where you can find me,
Natalya.
Oh good grief,
The messes I find myself in.

I took a deep breath in and despite the emotions I tried to keep in check when I let it out it came out shaky. There is no way I can even consider backing out, like the guard said: "tie the knot with the fish or die". I sighed knowing there was no help in thinking otherwise, and to distract myself I gazed into the mirror beside me.

The girl who stared back was breathtaking. Rainbow shaded sea salt crystals glittered her young face. Multicoloured seaweed decorated her dark brown curls that flowed down the valley of her chest and danced with the gentle current.

There was slight movement as the girl sighs heavily and she starts to play with the near-black locks self-consciously. Scolding herself she drops her hands and skims them against her red sweetheart mermaid taffeta Wedding dress. Though with the innocence she radiated she should be wearing one of white.

She looks up, our eyes interlocked and, honestly I could not believe this girl was me. 'Gee, Natalya, how do you get yourself in these things?'

"You look..." The sudden sound of his voice from behind caught me off guard. I didn't see him anywhere in the mirror but as I turn to him it occurred to me that he had been in my blind spot. I guess he wasn't the royal knight of my soon-to-be hubby for nothing. I mentally gagged and force away the thoughts of my soon-to-be and smiled at my visitor.

"You were saying Serg?" I taunted lightly and he blushed looking off to the side. I could actually see it from across the room. Awesome!

He scratches his gills before coyly answering, "You look... cute, is all I was saying..."

To think a guy who radiates authority 24/7 can be so cute! I smile faintly as I approach him, bridging the gap in a short space of time.

"Thanks for the compliment." I whisper hugging him briefly before turning and leaning my back against his sturdy frame. "Serg I seriously don't want to go through with this. No offense but I don't want to marry your prince." I whined.

He lets out a breath. "I'm guessing you met your groom then?"

"No..." I raise an eyebrow.

"Oh..." He said obviously surprised.

"Is there something wrong with the groom that if I see him I would immediately back out??" I questioned suddenly alarmed by that surprise in his tone.

He remained quiet. That's concerning.

My shoulders slumped. Aw man.

"Don't worry Natalya everything will work out."

Abruptly I heard music start up. I could guess my wedding was about to start.

"Mistress Natalya!" Someone called and I sighed, water bubbles flow out my mouth instead of just plain invisible carbon dioxide. I remove myself from Sergio and walk to the door.

"Duty calls." I droned dryly. He pulled me back into his chest before I got far. "I mean it... everything will work out..." he whispered in my ear and I dared to hope. He was about to let me go except he seemed hesitant, and then he leans to my ear. "I love you Natalya."

The door slammed open revealing a disgruntled mermaid; Sergio lets me go and pushes me gently into her arms. I stared at Sergio awestruck and speechless before the mermaid dragged me away and the door shut on him.

===+===

"YO! KIBA!! THE BATHROOM'S OPEN!!" Naruto yells walking down the stairs his hair soak from his bath. Even after his bath he still smelled strongly of ramen. Was it his natural smell?

It was extremely late at night (or extremely early in the morning, *shrug* who knows really) but he was nowhere near tired. He walks into the living room to see Natalya still there. He sits next her not even realising she was asleep as he sits down and watches TV.

As he sits so close his aroma fills her nose.

===+===

The wedding was being delayed because the groom was not ready yet. I have no idea why they called me out here! Without Sergio I was starting to get really nervous. He was the only face I knew.

Looking around I spotted the buffet table... Ramen?? Why would they serve ramen at a wedding? I don't have a problem with it but only ramen??? Where's the chocolate fountain?

"Mistress Natalya your groom is here!! We present to you... Steve the Fish!!" A random mermaid announced like a game show host making me cringe.

I spun around and immediately wish I hadn't.

"Hey baby." The fish said and I froze eyes bulging out my head. Muddo f**k!!!!! The heck is that!? Oh my god!! That's my groom?!? Oh hell nah muddatrucker! [Steve the fish is in the side slideshow] He looked like the fish equivalent of that warthog-pig-mayor-guy-thing from Camp Lazlo!! He was DISGUSTING! EW! Nah-uh, I ain't marrying dat! Death sentence please!

What a nightmare! I have to hook up with a grotesque fish named Steve!!!!! DX I was trembling, on the verge of tears! No, no, no, I can't go through with it!

"NATALYA!!"

My eyes snapped open at the sound of my name and his voice. The crowd of mer-people gasped. Coming down in a shark chariot was,

"SERGIO!" I screamed ecstatically. His eyes were scanning the crowd. He couldn't see me!!! (Which is kind of unbelievable because I'm wearing a red dress, but yeah...)

"Serg! Sergio!!" I called as the chariot came closer, provoking the crowd to run and scream. The driver of the chariot (who was strangely wearing a mask o_O) saw me and quickly swoops down towards me. Lifting the hem of my dress I run towards it. Sergio's eye lit up upon seeing my face. I suddenly stopped and looked over my shoulder with a smirk, "Arrivederci Stevie! I'll catch you on someone's frying pan!" with that I put my hand up in the air-uh... water?? It's not air, uh, it's not air... So, I put my hand up in the water? Yeah I don't know...

I was swept off my feet.

"Urgh thank you guys so much for rescuing me!" I cheered as we were well out of the city and away from my arranged marriage. Sergio gives me a small smile and the mask-wearing-shark-chariot-driver tips his hat.

I smile widely at them both. XD When I reopened my eyes Sergio was hovering over me. He leans in and kissed me near the corner of my mouth, a chaste peck.

"I told you it would all work out." I blush hotly and he hugs me to his chest. "I guess you're mine?" he whispers.

"I guess I am." I replied.

"I don't think so! Break it up, break it up!" The driver said and I gasped.

"NARUTO!?" I yelled in shocked as the driver removed his mask.

Suddenly my surroundings start becoming distorted. I feel myself getting sucked away. Everything fades away...

~

"Nat, breakfast is ready." My mom says sweetly as she places a bowl of noodles on the table in front of me. My eyes snap open and I gave my mother a childish smile.

"Thank you mummy. Yay Maru-chan!" I squealed bouncing in my seat like the little child I was or... had become. I pick my fork up into my chibi fingers, stabbed my instant chicken flavoured ramen and twirl some noodles onto it.

"Num!" I stuck my fork in my mouth and slurp the noodles down. I like my ramen with lemon juice and hot sauce, wudda bout you?

"Yo Natalya! Good morning mommy!" My big brother Leon calls as he takes a seat at the table too.

"Hey Leon!" I said swallow a big gulp of food.

"Good Morning sweetie. Here you go LeLe a big bowl for a big boy." Mommy said in a motherly tone handing a bowl into Leon's outstretched hands.

Leon pouts. "Mom... Stop treating me like a baby! Natalya's the baby!"

"Nuh-uh!" I said with a deep frown. "I'm already six years old! I'm a big girl now!" Mommy laughs and I smile.

"Yes you are a big girl aren't you Natty." I smile even bigger and stuck my tongue out at Leon and pull down the bottom lid of my left eye. *Be-da* (;p)! I giggle at the look on his face.

===+===

Natalya chuckles faintly at the memories filling her dreams and with a smile gracing her lips she turns over in her sleep. Naruto raised an eyebrow at her as little question marks spin around his head. He studied the girl who at the moment was turned away from him. 'Jeez... wonder what was so amusing.' He looks back to the TV just before Kiba bounded down the stairs.

"Yo Naruto, Natalya." Kiba greeted as he plops down, taking a seat on the couch. He causes the couch to shake and because Natalya was dead asleep she titters over and lands in Naruto's lap.

"Uh... Natalya... Your head is a little close to my-"

"Dude she's asleep." Kiba stated sweat-dropping, 'And I know this guy?' Kiba assist his comrade by pulling the girl from his lap and instead into his own arms.

"You didn't even realise she was asleep? She was beside you the whole time." Kiba scolds.

"Hey look she's smiling in her sleep. Cool..."

Kiba shakes his head at Naruto's lack of an attention span. But the girl was smiling. 'Hm... wonder what she's dreaming about...' Kiba shakes his head. "Whatever. Here! You should take her up to her room." Kiba starts handing her to the whiskered boy.

The boy pulls a face. "No way!" Naruto shouts pushing the girl back to Kiba. "Are you insane!?" Kiba pulls Natalya closer to avoid Naruto hitting her with his wind milling arms.

=_= "Why, may I ask, not...? Just take her to her room idiot." Kiba says dispassionately giving Naruto an annoyed look.

"Don't you read books!?"

"Yes but I had no idea you did. What does this have to do with carrying her to her room Naruto?"

"In the books every time the guy carries the sleeping girl to her room someone sees and there's this big huge-butted misunderstanding!! They always think 'Hey he's going to take advantage of her!' You carry her to her room Kiba. I'm not becoming a part of this." Naruto folds his arm and squared his shoulders in defiance.

"You cannot be serious. Where in your crack head world did you read shit like that? Take her to her d@mn room." Kiba shoves Natalya into Naruto's arms.

Naruto pushes her back. "Oh hell nah! You take her."

"Naruto!" Kiba growled. The two shove at each other's shoulders pushing each other like a tug-a-war contest.

Because she was pressed so close to Kiba's chest, his smell wafts up Natalya's nose. No offense to the beloved Inuzuka but he had that wet dog smell. His scent brought back a sad memory and starts changing her dream into a disheartening flashback. Natalya crinkled her nose and her face turns poignant. A sob escapes her lips and tears stream down Natalya's cheeks.

===+===

Suddenly I wasn't a six year old anymore. I wasn't in my kitchen enjoying Maru-chan® Brand ramen...

I was ten years old then.

What a haunting tragedy.

But can't you see,

the desperate need

to cry freely...

~Flashback~

"Spotty!!" I called looking around for my four legged pal. I loved him with all my heart despite his quirks. Yes dogs have quirks too. I start whistling and calling for him.

"Spotty?" Spotty was an 8 year old golden retriever and pot-cake (the national dog of the Bahamas XD LOL it's an inner joke) mix. He was a part of the family for a long time. I was 2 years old and my brother Leon was 4 when he and daddy brought home the cute, russet pup one late December.

"Spotty if you don't come right now I'm not going to be your friend!" I yelled not the least bit serious. I loop around the house and I spotted him asleep near a Guava tree in the backyard.

"Spotty!" I cheered happily dropping to my knees and hugging the big brown mass with a single spot on his tail. Yes I got to name him and that little spot was why his name was Spotty. What?! I thought he was going to grow up and have a bunch of spots! I was pretty much just a baby then so forgive me for watching too much 101 Dalmatians.

I stop hugging him and start shaking him awake. But he wasn't waking up.

"Come on you lazy doggie wake up!" I said grabbing onto his coat and pushing him with all my strength. I groan straining.

"Whoa!" I exclaimed when my hands slipped and I tumbled over him. I giggle as I roll off.

"You're still not awake?!" I could not believe it! After all that effort! Humph! I pout glaring childishly at my dog. I froze as I noticed something.

He wasn't moving... I lean in closer, trembling. His chest wasn't going up and down... Tears shine behind my eyelids.

"Spotty?"

===+===

"Jerk! You made her cry! And in her sleep! I am definitely not taking her to her room now. Do you have any idea how bad this looks?" Naruto panics, gripping his hair. "She's crying, in your arms, while I'm standing around like some perverted accomplice!"

Kiba opened his mouth to protest but someone spoke up first.

"What are you both doing?" Shino's voice startled the two boys to no end. He came downstairs to see if anyone beside himself was currently awake.

Kiba and Naruto pitched five feet into the air and in the process Natalya flew out of Kiba's arms. Shino catches her, the cologne he had put on after his shower flowing into her nostrils. Shino looked down at her sleeping, tear stained face. She looked in obvious emotional distress. His eyes snapped to the two guilty parties a glint flashing across his goggles giving off a murderous ambition.

"You two!" Shino said in his usual calm voice but the malicious undertone made them jump out of their skins. "Why is she crying? What were you doing to her before I came? I hope for your sakes you weren't taking advantage of her." Another evil glint shone off of Shino's goggles as he stared at Naruto and Kiba in the depth of their eyeballs with his arms tightly around Natalya's unconscious form; as if to protect her from anymore perverse acts of his lecherous comrades.

"You see!" Naruto whispered harshly at Kiba. "This is why I didn't want to take her! And of all people- Shino!! We're screwed. I told you! I so told you!" The two sweat bullets the size of minivans.

"Just, shut it!" Kiba hissed back to Naruto as Shino advanced on the two. Kiba gulps. He should listen to Naruto more.

Shino being the tallest his figure towers over them making him more the intimidating. Although his level of intimidation was subtracted by a few points because he had a sleeping girl cradled in his arms. Oh well...

The two young men didn't dare utter another word. Shino took the silence as confirmation of his allegation.

"She's our host!" Shino says sharply making Kiba cringe. "Need I remind you that, even after you two chased her earlier putting her in danger, she was still forgiving enough to allow us a stay in her home!?" He lectures.

The corner of Kiba's mouth twitched. 'It seems he forgot to mention the part where he was chasing her too.'-_- Kiba looked over to Naruto and saw a blank look on the boys face showing he was obviously annoyed and was probably thinking along the same lines as himself.

"Look Shino libido, we didn't do a thing alright!" Naruto spoke up. Kiba shook himself out of it.

"Naruto was the one being perverted." Kiba told Shino plainly as Naruto nods in agreement completely missing what he said. He just thought Kiba was backing him up. It was laughable.

"Yeah! Naruto was-HEY! The hell man!?" Naruto gnashes his teeth, electricity shooting out of his eyes and an anger vein on his skull. Kiba ignored the look.

"Point is" he emphasised looking Shino dead in the lens. "We didn't do anything to her. I was-we were trying to decide who would take her to her room when she just bursts into a fit of tears." The Inuzuka explains.

"Maybe Kiba gave her nightmares." Naruto suggested nonchalantly, with a small almost unnoticeable shrug. Kiba glared at him for a short second. Naruto didn't care or he didn't notice the glare which made Kiba roll his eyes and grumble.

Shino studied the two not seeming all too convinced by this for the moment.

===+===

What a haunting tragedy.

But can't you see,

the desperate need

to cry freely

Wait

Did you say

You're willing to cry with me?

While everyone had left to carry Spotty's body away I closed myself in my room, the real tears silently streaming down my face as I sob. The only thing that ran through my head and the only phrase repeating under my breath were: 'I miss him. He just left me just like that (albeit forever) and I already miss him.'

I just buried my face in my fingers and let the tears fall freely. "How can I get over this?" I hiccupped, "I had him for so long. He was my family!"

I must have been in such grief that when my door was opened I actually jumped. Against my better judgement I looked up. I saw Leon.

"You crying, dred. Man aye, he was only a dog. You een gotta cry over him." My brother said chuckling. I was too emotional to see it was forced.

I sucked my teeth at him. "Leave me alone! If I want to cry I ga cry!" I yelled, lamely tossing one of my old dolls at him. It only got as far as his feet and just barely. I was aiming for his stupid dodo face. I saw him bend down to pick it up and because I wasn't much of a 'cry in front of people' person and my tears weren't stopping I hid my face in a pillow. I was willing to cry myself asleep if I had to. [Wow! O_O How odd. Trying to cry yourself to sleep while you're asleep... heh... so strange no?]

I didn't hear Leon make any noise so I start willing him with my mind to leave. No I don't really have mind control powers but I hope it works. I want to be alone!

'Go away. Go away. Go away. Go away. Please, please, please, PLEASE, go away!' I soon heard Leon make a noise as if moving to leave and I threw a mental party. But I then heard him getting closer and my mental party was a bust. This made me angry and by the time I heard the springs in the bed groan and felt the shift in weight as he sat next to me my temper flared and I was yelling at him.

"LEAVE ME ALONE! I, I, I know yall don't care Spotty dead but I do! Yall was right dere making joke and, and he een been dead for five minutes then so I know you don't care!! And nah you wanna tell me stop crying over a dog!! He- SPOTTY WAS MY DOG!! AND NOW HE GONE!" I frowned angrily at him and he glared right back looking just as upset as I was.

"You so dumb! I wasn't making no joke about Spotty dying! That was uncle dem, not me! And dey was only trying to lighten'n da mood. I loved Spotty just as much as you did! HE WAS MY DOG TOO!"

My mouth went dry as I stared at my big brother. His fists were trembling and his eyes were shut so tight I thought his eyelids were going to rip. He started rubbing his eyes furiously and I can tell just by that he was trying to hold back tears.

"I was the one who picked him you know?" He hiccupped. Seeing my brother like this made tears stream down my face and I slid over and wrap my fragile arms around him.

"Why you act like you didn't care den? You tell me don't cry like you-"

"No, I do care! Mommy and daddy tell me to be strong. I'm your big brother so... I was supposed to be tough for your sake but I c-can't." I felt something damp hit my hair and buried my face into Leon's shirt. He wraps his arms around me too and we both cried, laughed about all the fun we had with Spotty and cried some more. When mommy and daddy got back home they were shocked to see two red eyed children. We smiled at our parents and rub our dry eyes. Our tears were finished with...

~~

I smiled as I watched Leon and me from when we were younger. With that last glimpse of everything, things slowly fade away and soon I'm conscious again.

===+===

Consciousness was coming back to me. I shift in Shino's arms, snuggling into his chest and inhaling that familiar cologne. Zegna Colonia. Leon's cologne...

Yawning I crack an eye open. "Shino...? Why are you wearing my brother cologne? You were in his room without permission weren't you? I had that locked for a reason you know."

"Uh, yes, Hugh-san I did actually..." Shino responded in a strained voice looking down at me in his arms. I open my other eye. Looking away from Shino I see Naruto and Kiba. Well they look pale as sheep and guilty as hell.

"Oooooo... What did you guys do?" I ask grinning like a maniac, my head swinging back and forth between the one holding me and the two standing in front of me.

"We didn't do anything!!" They exclaimed and I quirk a brow. Oh really now... They saw my doubting gaze and looked away, shoving their hands into their shorts. I swear they did this all simultaneously. Like they were miming or practiced this or something.

"HOLD IT! WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE CLOTHES?" I yelled forgetting the evils Naruto and Kiba might have done to bring about the wrath of Shino and gaped at what they were wearing. I pat repeatedly on Shino's shoulder asking to be released, and once he put me on the ground I padded over to Blondie and Brunette until I was standing toe to toe with them.

I study the clothes as they squirm under my scrutinizing gaze. I rubbed my eyes in disbelief...

"You guys are wearing some of my clothes?" I ask stupidly stupefied. I cannot believe they put on girl clothes.

Suddenly light blushes stained their cheeks and they fold their arms trying to look all tough and manly.

"W-What do you expect, huh. We had our baths but our clothes were filthy. Your room's the only other room unlocked besides that empty guestroom so we had to use something." Kiba rambled obviously disgruntled by the whole thing.

I was too busy having a fashion monologue in my head at the moment.

Kiba Inuzuka. Deck down in his dull gray fishnet undershirt, that he usually wears under his ninja outfit, he sports a nice pair of baggy shorts with floral print from Danish Wood Wood. The baggy shorts are decorated with a feminine Wood Wood floral print style. The shorts have rolled-up legs, a classic fastening, side and back pockets, and a pretty adjustable belt that can be tied as wished. Very cute, no?

Our first cross-dressing model you may now leave the stage. Now lady and gentlemen we have our next model...

Naruto Uzumaki. Our young protagonist is sporting an orange undershirt that, if it was less tight around the waist, might have a slim chance of passing off as a male's. Accompanying this, to complete the ensemble, would be a less modest but not too showy pair of plaid flannel shorts. Soft and sexy, these comfy shorts in a sweet plaid have a wide grosgrain tie. Perfect for gifting, they are wrapped up sweetly with a bow.Totally froufrou, am I right?

I finally come to, though I wasn't out of it as long as I thought. I blink at Naruto and Kiba. They blink at me. We all blink together.

Slowly, a grin crawls across my face and my eyes shone in malicious pleasure. Kiba and Naruto had no idea what was going through my mind but they knew it was at their own expenses. They tried to grab for me but when they look in the spot I was standing I had vanished, empty space and blinking arrows were left in my wake.

"Oh great cheesecake and pizza paradise, where is my camera!?" I giggled running for the stairs. Naruto and Kiba's faces contorted in horror.

"NOOOO!!" They screamed, zooming through the air and tackling me to the ground making me squeal in surprise. Shino watches as we bounce like pin balls around the living room and found it safer for him to wait it out on the couch.

Before long we rolled and came to a stop by his feet, like a mass of living tumbleweed.

"Gotcha!" Naruto grunts as he and Kiba pins me down. I thrashed around laughing like a maniac.

"Okay. Okay! I give! Haha!" I pin my lips in an attempt to keep the laughing down. Kiba and Naruto turn their heads and smirked at each other. I gasp as the merciless fools started tickling me to death.

"Say uncle!!" Kiba says eyes glinting in mischief.

"No! No! Ha ha ha! Stop! I-I can't-I-I hahahahaha!! I GIVE! STOP! Hehehehoohoho" I wheeze. They stop and started laughing at the same time. I let out a breathy laugh.

"Jeez you guys aren't asleep yet?" Choji said incredulously. We all jumped in surprise. Well except Shino he saw them coming. The couch has a clear view of the living room entrance.

I look up to see a very sleepy Hinata, Akamaru and Choji.

"Uh... Howdy." I wiggle my fingers at them.

"You guys should really get some rest. You guys did have quite an adventurous day." Hinata says yawning cutely. Awwwww...

"Aw did we wake you guys." I said feeling guilty.

"Kind of." Hinata replies.

"So you already found where you'll be sleeping tonight?" I ask.

"Yeah. I hope you don't mind Nat-chan we sort of claim your rooms without asking. Hinata's in the room we found you in earlier and I think I found a guest room. I'm sleeping in there with Akamaru." Choji says sheepishly.

"Oh no don't worry about it guys, get some sleep. Sorry we woke you." I wave them off.

"That's okay but you guys should really head to bed or you'll be exhausted in the morning." Hinata says trying to stifle a yawn.

"Alright, well, were going back to bed." Choji informs as he takes an asleep-on-her-feet Hinata by the shoulders and start steering her towards the stairs.

"KK. Oyasumi guys!" I called after them.

Hinata and Choji went back upstairs but Akamaru lingered.

"Hey buddy!" I said reaching for Akamaru. He growled but when I started rubbing his tummy he barks happily his foot kicking. I giggle giving behind his ear a good scratch before standing back up.

"I see you like dogs huh?" Kiba said seeming pleased with my interaction with Akamaru.

"I love animals what can I say." I shrug my shoulders and Kiba gains a new respect for me. Without warning I link the inner bend of my elbows around Naruto and Kiba's neck and jump backwards, dragging the two with me. I landed beside Shino, Naruto landed on my right and Kiba landed on Shino's left. Akamaru settled at our feet as everyone stares at me.

"Now you guys tell the truth... you're not going to sleep anytime soon, so might as well get comfy and watch some crystal ball!!" Hehehe encase you're belated I mean the TV! XD

XD HOW DID YOU LIKE THE CHAPTER?!! Sorry got carried away with the CAPS hehe! But anyways super special news for the next chapter... NEW CHARACTERS!! YAY! Say yay! Love you guys. Stay tuned. Plagiarizers don't be b!tches! ~Chu! Oyasumi!!

In the meantime why don't you guys take a crack at it and try to guess who the new charcters are going to be? There's two more on their way!