Sasuke stood, back tense and straight, moody eyes glaring out of the window, waiting. Why he had to be here to welcome his younger sister's betrothed was beyond him. She herself stood beside him, dressed in a long silk kimono, hair done up in an expensive ornament, and lips painted blood red. Obviously, they wanted the best impression for her to-be husband, and Sasuke knew it would work. But still, it didn't help his patience.
His older brother stood to his other side, Dressed handsomely, as usual. Sasuke clenched his jaw as hatred pounded through his veins. Itachi had always overshadowed him in everything he did, and his parents loved him. They were so proud of their son – the one who was first in swordsmanship, had beat uncountable records, and had surpassed even his teachers' levels of knowledge. The Uchiha prodigy.
That is, until he disappeared a few years back and rumors had flown through the air of collaboration and criminal activity. Sasuke had reveled in his absence, with most of his parent's attention on him. But he had returned, after a few months, without a word. His parents had welcomed him back, hardly speaking of the event, but when they did, Itachi merely said he had wanted more experience, wanted to improve himself. They forgave him, but things had changed. That, and Itachi's best friend had been killed mysteriously.
Along with their mother.
Of course he was suspected, but as the crown prince, there was nothing anyone could do about it.
Sasuke ground his teeth together. Why wouldn't that damn boy hurry up and relieve him of this increasing boredom? They'd been waiting there for what seemed like hours. His own father had grown tired and was sitting on a couch, drumming his fingers on the mahogany table in front of him. His sister wouldn't dare sit down for fear of wrinkling her beautiful dress and looking less perfect for her life partner. Sasuke 'hn'd in annoyance. His brother simply stood there, lost in his own world but so undeniably alert and present in theirs that Sasuke felt like vomiting, itching to just turn around and leave.
He would have done just that, had the messenger not dashed in at that very moment, yelling the very thing that relieved and horrified Sasuke:
"The Crown Prince Naruto-Sama has arrived!"
Naruto grinned at Kiba, despite his exhaustion.
"We're here!" He said in a forced cheery voice.
"Don't remind me," Kiba groaned, sliding off of his horse, aching.
"Come on. Just think, it's only going to be a month and then we go home." Naruto enthused as he slid of his own horse with slightly more energy.
"Yeah, and then we come back here AGAIN and you get married."
"Then we go home with my new bride to be."
"Again." Kiba said in a depressing tone of voice and Naruto sighed.
"Whatever. Let's just hurry up, okay?"
"My lord," A voice came, running up to him. "Let me take your horses for you. I can assure you they will be well taken care of."
"That's okay. I only untack Jonir myself." Naruto said, as he led the horse to a stall. He undid the various buckles and slid off the tired horse's bridle gently, hanging it across the door, and then undid his saddle and removed that too. After a quick but thorough brush, he and Kiba walked to the palace entrance, flanked by gaurds. Naruto almost laughed when the guards had taken their place around them, but now just felt too exhausted to care.
As they entered the white marble corridor, Naruto began to feel a slight unease in the pit of his stomach. He hadn't really thought of the real reason they had come here since a brief rumination at the beginning of their voyage, but now the prospect began to clench his stomach with worry. Would he like the girl? Would she like him? Was their marriage going to be just political – an empty union to keep the two countries at peace? Was – Wait. What was her name again? Shit. Naruto realized with dread. He'd forgotten his bride's name. He stopped where was. His entourage kept moving, until the guard behind him yelled at everyone to stop. They looked back at Naruto, who was currently staring into space with horror.
Her NAME. Damn, of all the bloody things to forget! How could he have forgotten that?! It had been drilled into his brain enough times by Tsunade... Oh God. He mentally bashed his head into a wall. Ok. Don't panic. It... It started with an... An... An 'M', right? Ok... Misaki...? Michiko...? Manami...?
Meanwhile, everyone stood staring at the blond, who was unconsciously muttering names out loud. Kiba was torn between shock, horror, and complete hilarity at seeing his friend in such a situation. Finally wrenching himself away from the guards, he turned back and walked over to Naruto.
"Naruto? Hey. Come on," Kiba said, trying to remain serious and keep from falling on the floor laughing at Naruto's terrified look. "I know you're scared to meet her, but come on."
"That's not it," Naruto whispered eventually. "I... I... I forgot her name."
And Kiba snapped. He let out a chortle of laughter, and within a few seconds he was lying on the floor, legs squeezed together, pounding the floor, hysterical. If Naruto wasn't horrified before, now he was. He yanked Kiba's arm, pulling upright, and covered his mouth with his hand.
"Shut. UP." Naruto breathed, his horror transformed into anger before Kiba could blink. Satisfied that Kiba was no longer subject to forces beyond his control, Naruto dropped him back to the ground in a heap, and continued walking.
"That is so not cool, Naruto." Kiba said, an annoyed look on his face. But before Naruto could answer, the doors had opened into a large, magnificent room, filled with couches and seats of red silk. An enormous polished mahogany table stood in the middle, and a crystal chandelier hung from a twelve-foot ceiling. But more breathtaking than the room itself was the people inside of it. His eyes found the girl he was meant to marry, and if first impressions dictate the rest of a relationship, he was sure it would be alright. She had a pretty face, with red lips, grey blue hair twisted into an intricate hair ornament, and light red eyes.
"Naruto-kun, welcome to Konoha," Fugaku Uchiha spoke, his powerful voice causing Naruto's head to snap upwards and look at him. The king stood up and walked towards him, stopping before him. Naruto quickly bowed,
"Heika," (Your Majesty) he murmured respectively. Fugaku gazed down at him and gave an almost imperceptible bow himself.
"These are my sons..." Fugaku was saying, but Naruto could no longer hear him. His eyes fell on the boy he motioned to, and he froze. A feminine, almost feline porcelain face, framed by black bangs, stared back at him. The intensity in his black obsidian eyes was enough to make Naruto forget everything – why he was there... Who these people were... Who he was... Lost in black orbs that seemed to search his soul and see – what did he see? Naruto felt a craving to see what this boy did, to touch him, and see if he was really there.
"...Sasuke..." The rough voice broke through his hazy, confused mind, and Naruto felt he could look away – but unfortunately that seemed to be to the raven's pink lips which were slightly parted. "...Itachi..." Fugaku continued, seemingly oblivious of Naruto, who wrenched his eyes away from those now curious, bottomless eyes, to see a taller boy, nearly identical to Sasuke, but with deep lines under his eyes, and longer hair tied behind his head. Naruto nodded his acknowledgement, as did Itachi.
"...And of course, my daughter, Mikkoku."