The Lion of Uzumaki
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any other forms of media I may or may not mention/reference, and I do not make any money from this story, this all falls under fair use...
A/N: This is a bit of an AU story, the world of Naruto is a lot more feudal, and isn't modern like in the canon Boruto series by any stretch of the imagination, however it does loosely follow the canon events that happened, Naruto and much of his compatriots are still considered heroes by many of the lands.
Boruto I
The sound of steel hitting steel rang across the courtyard as two young men, more boys in truth, tested mettle and skill against one another, of course, the blades had been blunted, thank the gods for that, the last time they used live steel the reprimand from both of their parents were fierce.
Boruto couldn't think of a more terrifying site on the battlefield than a vexed Hinata Uzumaki red faced and charging straight towards you. His mother was not cruel by any means, quite the opposite in fact, but if you severely displeased her, then neither gods nor men could save you from her wrath.
"A bit slower today than usual Uzumaki" the raven haired boy stated in more frustration than anything else.
Boruto maintained his defensive posture as the boy barraged him with wild, impetuous strikes, you didn't need to be astute to notice that the boy was taking out his frustrations under the pretense of a friendly match of swordplay, Boruto effortlessly parried his blows, he knew this was not his friend's best, but nonetheless knew enough not to take a angered Uchiha lightly.
Itachi Uchiha was named after his uncle, the supposed butcher of the Uchiha clan, the truth of the matter was revealed however, and the Uchiha's were given significant boons and reparations for crimes committed by the previous regime on their family, and were given the title of Lords Regent of Amegakure and it's surrounding lands including the Land of Rain and Land of Rivers, combining the two into one, making them one of the richest families in the land due to Amegakure's industry.
Itachi was a lean boy of 10 and 3, with silky raven hair that reached to the top of his back, he had the complexion of his father but the facial features of his mother, including her emerald eyes, said eyes didn't have the warmth of his Mother however and instead currently were filled with fury and coldness.
Boruto knew the reason why of course, it wasn't easy being a second-born son in any situation, Boruto reckoned, but this is especially the case when you're part of a prominent family, the first born is always considered precedent.
Boruto wasn't especially bitter about it, his parents gave all their children equal affection and love, but he wasn't disillusioned about his place, their father gave all his time when it came to tutoring about ruling to his eldest brother, Menma Uzumaki, when it came to his other children he left such matters to servants whose sole functions were to guide a lord's children.
The effectiveness of this method varied depending on the servant, luckily for Boruto, he found his in the form of Ser Iruka Umino, a man who had guided his father if what was said true, Iruka could be a stern man, but he was also very fair and patient with Boruto, a feat worthy of praise, Boruto would admit.
Itachi was not so fortunate when it came to his tutor, the man wasn't a dullard, that wasn't the problem, in his prime he was considered a very fine scholar, being a master in many fields, and while reading many books may act as a whetstone for the mind, age eventually undoes all of us, sharpened mind or no, during lectures, the man would be midsentence and completely forget what he was giving a lesson on, he would confuse Itachi for one of his other students constantly, and what particularly vexed Itachi is when he would snore during lessons.
In effect, Itachi was tutoring himself, and while he was capable of this, it nonetheless offended Itachi grievously that his father couldn't find a better scholar to tutor him, even though Boruto knew it was false, to an outside observer looking in, it would seem like his father just didn't care, Boruto wouldn't be surprised if Itachi felt this way.
Itachi started to go ragged as a rage filled swing was followed by another, Boruto patiently waited for an opening, as Itachi initiated an overhead strike, Boruto with all his might responded quickly with a parry that not only deflected Itachi's sword but knocked it straight out of his hands.
Boruto quickly put his sword to Itachi's neck before Itachi could respond, Itachi grit his teeth in part annoyance and part embarrassment, "How in Kami's name did you do that Uzumaki?"
Boruto smiled mockingly, "Truly it is a mystery Uchiha, mayhaps the blood of Kaguya runs stronger in me than yourself, mayhaps it is seniority? I am after all 10 and 4, or perhaps I owe my victory to a snoring Paiseru? I ought to make the man's likeness in a bronze statue if he continues to help my winning streak."
Itachi growled angrily before putting on half of a smirk, "You're a gods damned ass Uzumaki, has anyone ever told you that?"
Boruto smirked, "Oh, they most definitely say that behind my back, that is true enough, but I imagine they say many things about my family behind our backs, such is the price of being royalty and having a royal court."
"You don't have to explain court intrigues to me, you forget we nobility have courts as well, though at least ours doesn't have that troublesome citizen council, how does your father not gut himself after just one meeting with those jumped up Burghers?" Itachi queried in bemusement.
"You'd have to ask the man himself, the great Hokage Naruto of House Uzumaki, First of his name, doesn't share his secrets on ruling with me, I imagine it's nothing too complicated", Boruto said dramatically.
The two boys took off their practice gear, which was immediately grabbed by servants who were watching the boys spar, in the training field there was a wooden bench where sparrers go to relax after a days practice, there were two leatherskins that Boruto had prepared for after the spar, he tossed one to Itachi who caught it, Boruto began to drink his leatherskin aggressively, something which Itachi noticed and looked at Boruto knowingly.
"Well I can tell mine is water, but by the way you swig that drink and the droplets of red coming down your mouth, you chose to go with a River Red", Itachi stated irritably.
Boruto paused, "You should be grateful, I'm contributing to your land's good economy, where would the Land of Rivers be without it's wine? Would be a cruel world indeed"
Itachi merely shook his head, "We both know that if your mother knew, she'd have both our hides, yours for drinking the swill, and mine for allowing you to drink it, how'd you even procure it anyways?"
Boruto nodded towards his servant who was busy cleaning his practice gear, "That fellow is a man after my own heart, and liver I suppose" Boruto said light-heartedly.
Itachi had a stern face about him, "It will not do for a prince to be rumored a bumbling drunkard, wine and ale are meant for feasts, namedays, and weddings, not meant for regular use, at least not at our age, and what if you get caught, or this servant of yours has loose lips?"
Boruto sighed, exasperated at his friend's stern tone, "Honestly, Itachi, those sticks we use to fight each other with are meant to be tossed aside after we're done, not to be inserted up your arse"
Itachi looked hurt by Boruto's words, and he instantly regretted uttering them.
He loved Itachi will all his heart, he was for all intents and purposes, a second brother to Boruto, they were both second born, something which made them instantly identify with one another when they were babes, and whenever they felt neglected or frustrated, they had each other to confide in. They both show a mental quickness about them that their elder brothers simply do not have, personality wise however, they were a little different.
Itachi is ever the dutiful son, duty means everything to him, even when said duty leaves an ill taste in his mouth, he forever tries to impress his father by performing great deeds for his age. Itachi mastered horse riding at the young age of 10, an impressive feat, but his older brother Izuna mastered it at 9.
Izuna is a formidable sword fighter, and while Itachi is more than proficient with a blade, he more exceeds with a shield and lance on horseback, usually this would be nothing to scoff at, but it gives Itachi great shame, for his father is a legendary swordsman, and in Itachi's eyes, being merely average with a sword was not good enough to earn his father's good graces.
His father Sasuke never seems to give any indication that he is ashamed of Itachi, or in fact that he loves Izuna more than Itachi, but oft times it's hard to know how the Lord Regent really feels on matters of the heart, Boruto reckoned that was only natural when you had the life Lord Sasuke had, but regardless, that didn't make it any easier for Itachi as a son aspiring to make his father proud.
Boruto himself had a completely different attitude, he didn't waste his time trying to earn his father's favor, when all was said and done, his brother would be given Konohagakure and Maelstrom Keep, the castle that presided over the city, it was his brother who would be named Hokage, Lord of The Fire Kingdoms, and Protector of The Realm, Boruto would consider himself lucky if he were given a decent keep with fertile lands and a nice retinue.
It used to make him bitter, but over time he grew to accept it, even if he considered his brother to be a oaf whose only interest is in tourney's and sticking his sword into every whore's scabbard, he had a real knack for Ninjutsu at the very least, but being a good soldier meant nothing when it came to effectively ruling and administrating a kingdom, he brought these concerns to his father, and the great Hokage merely shrugged off Boruto's concerns, "Every man and woman must find their Nindo, you must give Menma time to truly find his."
So what was Boruto to do? The great Naruto Uzumaki had spoken, and the matter was never brought up again, and with that encounter, Boruto truly gave up trying to ever have a say in important matters, he gave up being bitter about it, he almost gave up entirely.
However, he didn't truly hate his brother, the oaf that he was, in fact he quite loved him, and his little sister Himawari, even if it brought no glory and all the credit went to the Oaf of Uzumaki, he would work to maintain and even improve his family's legacy and standing, but not to gratify the wishes of his father like Itachi would for Lord Sasuke, but rather because his family was still important to him, the future masses can live blissfully in ignorance and claim his achievements to be someone else's for all he cared.
Boruto looked at Itachi sadly and walked toward him putting a hand on his shoulder, "I'm sorry, Itachi, I know that following the rules and doing our duty is important to you, it's even important to me to a certain extent, the wine doesn't impair my judgement or duties that badly, if that's what you're worried about."
Itachi's face softened, "What concerns me my friend, is that you drink that wine like you are a seasoned drunkard, you are far too young to be drinking a skin of wine in the waking hours of the day, more than your reputation is at stake if you continue down this path, remember the old Lord Akimichi?"
How could Boruto forget? His death had been the talk of the city for months, they talked of his sickly piqued skin, the red around his eyes, how every pore of his body reeked of rice wine, and most of all the unnatural pale yellow irises of his eyes that medic nin claim occurs when you drink yourself to death.
Why bring this up? His body was still young enough that such damage wouldn't be possible for many years to come, and he wouldn't be foolish enough to drink himself sick, would he? Had Lord Akimichi claimed the same thing to himself in his youth? The thought of it made Boruto shiver inwardly.
He looked at Itachi with a slight frown, "While I have no intentions of following the same fate as the Old Boar, I see where you're coming from" he quickly covers the leather and clasps it to the belt of his jerkin, "Don't think you've scared me off wine forever though, the red delight is simply too sweet to ignore forever" Boruto gave off one of his infamous mischevious smirks.
Itachi laughed at his friends antics and shook his head, "You're hopeless Uzumaki, come along now, we woke up ahead of the rest in the castle, if our families think we've disappeared, the Land of Fire would be overwhelmed with search parties"
Boruto laughed, but also sweat dropped, knowing that would be true.