Disclaimer: Naruto = Not mine
This story was inspired by my favorite book The Seer and the Sword by Victoria Hanley.
From Prince to Slave to Lover
All around there was fire. Screams of pain and fear filled the air. I looked on, helpless as my people were slaughtered before my eyes. The raid which had started at dawn had completely stolen and destroyed everything, and now there was nothing left. Nothing… except me.
The road back to the fire country was a long one. Even though the conquering of the water country was an easy victory; it still didn't take away the tiredness of a long journey.
Shikamaru sighed and slouched a little more in his carriage seat. Slouching wasn't permitted for a Fire soldier, but nearly everyone was doing it under the hot sun. Shikamaru considered himself lucky, while most of his comrades had to ride their horses the whole weeks journey back, he was seated as a wagon driver. The covered wagon contained the spoils and riches of the conquered country. It was mainly gold, silver, precious stones, and… a person.
Shikamaru hesitantly glanced back at the only prisoner taken from the defeated country. The prisoner's form was hard to see within the darkness of the covered wagon. He stared harder at the little cage in the corner. He could make out a small body curled up in the corner, leaning heavily against the cage bars. The boy's high quality clothes were ripped and covered in dirt and blood. His pale skin was marred by cuts, scrapes, and bruises. His face was completely covered by shadow and his ebony hair. Shikamaru quickly looked back at the road.
It's against our war principles to take prisoners. Shikamaru thought to himself. But then again, our current king didn't really follow the rules. Shikamaru quickly shut such indecent thoughts out of his head. The king was a good king; he has fixed a lot of economic problems during his rule. Sure his tactics are unique but they certainly are effective. But, Shikamaru thought frowning; taking a prisoner stilled seemed a bit extreme. Shikamaru sighed and wished that he was of high enough rank to know what the purpose of keeping him was. Yet he was only a lowly squire, the closest he'll ever get to that information is in about 30 years from now.
Shikamaru was startled out of his thoughts by the horn signaling a lunch break. He pulled on the reigns of the horses to stop the wagon. Then quickly set to work to gather and hand out the food to the weary soldiers. Being a squire was really troublesome.
Halfway through handing out the meager meal, Shikamaru was distracted when he noticed General Kakashi walking by. Surely someone of his rank would know why we are keeping a prisoner? He quickened his pace so that he could have some time to go see him.
When he was finally done (and it took awhile because this new soldier complained he wanted a ham sandwich instead of the turkey ones while Shikamaru explained all they had was turkey so the man cuffed his ears for his "insolence"… god it sucked being a squire) Shikamaru ran over to where the high officers where eating. While everyone else had to eat on the dirt road under the hot sun, the higher ups where comfortably reclining under the trees on the grass. Shikamaru hid behind a tree to listen in on their conversation.
"I jus' dun understand it!" explained this old geezer officer. "Wut in the warld cud the king be thunking! Taking a prisoner hasn' been dun in over a century!" Shikamaru gasped and listened harder.
"Indeed" stated a middle-aged lieutenant with dark glasses. "It's simply unheard of. We have no need for slaves, we have enough from the previous conquests, why is this boy so special?"
All the men looked at Kakashi, who was reading a book. Kakashi glanced up and saw the stares demanding an answer. He sighed and closed the book.
"This boy is Prince Sasuke, the only living royalty of the water country."
Shikamaru stared aghast. Prince? Prince Sasuke? Why did we take the prince? Is it for ransom? Another official voiced his thoughts.
"Are you mad? The whole country was practically destroyed! Why are we keeping him? It's not like we can get ransom out of him!"
"It is not for ransom" Kakashi answered. "He is a gift." And with that said he went back to his book.
Before the men could further interrogate him, the horn sounded once again signaling the end of the break.
Shikamaru raced back to the wagon and fixed up the horses. When the procession started to move he flicked the reigns and followed.
With new curiosity he once again glanced back at the prisoner. A gift eh? Well, Shikamaru knew what being a "gift" meant. The boy was going to be a slave. A slave probably for someone high up. Being a slave in the fire country wasn't a good thing. And him being a former prince, he was in for a tough time.
With a start Shikamaru remembered that the boy didn't even get anything to eat for lunch. Well, Shikamaru thought looking back towards the road, compared to being a slave, maybe being a squire isn't too troublesome.
Naruto eagerly paced out on the balcony. His royal tutor, Jiraiya, looked at him frustrated.
"Will you RELAX! Their not going to come back any sooner no matter how fast you pace!" Naruto stopped and grimaced at him.
"Well excuuuuuse me for being excited! Tsunade said Kakashi was gonna bring a present back for me!" Jiraiya sighed at looked at his nephew. For a prince he gets excited way too easily.
"I know that, but if you would just come here and finish your scroll work, time will pass a lot sooner!"
Naruto sighed and walked over to him. "But it's so boring! Why can't I get someone else to do it?"
"Because" Jiraiya impatiently explained "you're a prince, and as a prince there are certain things you need to know." Naruto continued to grimace at him.
"Look" Jiraiya said, leaning heavily back in his chair "if you wanted to be a carpenter, you would have to know about wood and cutting tools right?"
"Right" Naruto said. "But what does that have to do wi-"
"And if you were a cook, you would need to know a ton of recipes and cooking techniques right?"
"Yea I guess" Naruto said "but I still don't get-"
"So overall," Jiraiya loudly said "since you're a prince, you need to know things in order to fulfill your job as a prince! Do you get it?"
Naruto looked at him and bluntly stated "Not really."
Jiraiya sighed and banged his fist on the table. "Just get over here and finish your scroll work before I kick your ass!"
"Fine fine jeez!" Naruto walked over and slumped into his chair, pulling the scrolls toward him.
Just then, a shout came through the halls.
"The army has returned! The army has returned! They approach the cities main gate!"
With a whoop of joy, Naruto ran out of the room like a speeding bullet.
Jiraiya just sighed and grumbled "just when I got him to sit down too…"
Naruto raced down the many hallways and corridors of the vast castle. The many servants cried out as they jumped out of the way and called out to him to slow down. The adrenaline coursed through Naruto and he gave and extra burst of speed. Last time Kakashi returned from war he had brought a beautiful blue crystal necklace which Naruto now always wore around his neck. He couldn't wait to see what Kakashi had brought for him this time!
At the entrance of the castle Naruto nearly ran into his father the King. King Minato smiled as he saw his son approach.
"Shouldn't you be studying with Jiraiya son?" Naruto stopped and gave a nervous smile while scratching his head.
"Um he let me out early!" Minato gave him a piercing stare then laughed.
"I know, I'm excited too."
Naruto smiled at his dad then looked to the gate where the returning army was approaching. As the soldiers passed they nodded to the King then went to take care of their horses and take a well deserved rest. There would be much feasting tonight in honor of their recent victory. One soldier stopped in front of the King and dismounted. He gave the King an eloquent bow and smiled at Naruto.
"Hello Kakashi. How was the trip?" King Minato asked him.
"Long and hot your majesty. But the excitement of returning home made it pass a little quicker." Kakashi said, smiling underneath his mask.
"Oi oi, whatcha bring me Kakashi!" Naruto burst out, his limited patience finally gone.
King Minato stared disapprovingly down at his son.
"Naruto, Kakashi is probably tired. You can wait till later to see your gift." Naruto grimaced and looked at his feet but Kakashi simply laughed.
"Don't worry Naruto. I'll give it to you after the feast tonight okay?" Naruto's face lit up as he smiled brightly.
"Okay!" Then he ran off.
Minato sighed and looked with despair at Kakashi.
"I swear that boy is way too energetic."
Kakashi laughed and said "Well that's good for someone his age."
Minato then turned serious. "So did all go well?"
Kakashi matched the King's tone and replied "Yes. There were no complications. The plans we were given of the castle's layout was flawless. They never saw us coming. After we had pretty much killed the army in their beds, ransacking the city was like taking candy from a baby." The King nodded.
"What of the royal family? Have they been dispatched as well?"
Kakashi's eyes tightened as he answered. "That was the strangest part. The royal family was already dead."
King Minato's eyes widened in shock. "Dead? How?"
Kakashi shrugged. "It would have had to be someone on the inside. That castle was as guarded as hell's gates. If we hadn't received those plans on the castle's layout there was no way we could have gotten inside. We did a quick check on the bodies and practically the whole Uchiha royal family was there, completely slaughtered."
"So there were no survivors?"
Kakashi hesitated. "Just one. The youngest of the clan. Prince Sasuke Uchiha was alive although very shaken." Minato stared at him.
"Why would the killer leave a potential heir to the throne alive if he was killing the whole clan?" "That's the mystery of it." Kakashi replied. "But there's another mystery which I'm more concerned about. The eldest Prince, Prince Itachi was missing."
"Missing!?" Minato said in shock.
"Yes. I believe he is a potential suspect for the murder of the Uchiha clan. There had been rumors that he was getting involved with that terrorist group Akatsuki." "But killing his own family!" Minato exclaimed! "That's just terrible."
"One more thing your majesty" Kakashi said "If what I suspect is true, then I believe it might also be true that Itachi was the one who sent us the castle plans in the first place." Minato's eyes widened. "Indeed. This is worth looking into. I'll leave you in charge of the investigation General Kakashi. Now what of the surviving prince? Did you ask him if he knew who killed everyone?"
Kakashi sighed at looked at the wagons. "Yes but he hasn't said a word. Even throughout the whole trip he's been silent." Minato gasped.
"He's still alive!? You didn't kill him?"
"No" Kakashi replied. "I brought him to be a slave."
"A slave?" Minato angrily asked. "We have no need of them! And especially not a former prince! Why that boy probably hasn't worked a day in his life!"
"True" said Kakashi. "But he looks strong, he'll learn."
Minato sighed and turned away. "Whatever. He's on your hands now. What kind of slave will he be anyway?"
"That" Kakashi said smiling, "is entirely up to Naruto." Minato turned wildly to look at him,
"You're giving him to Naruto!? That's your present?"
"Well they didn't have much else. It was mainly a war country so I didn't find many pretty things like I did out in the west countries." Kakashi said nonchalantly.
Minato sighed and began to walk away. "Fine fine. Do as you wish. I'm going to head in to inform the staff of the feast. Let me know if you hear anything new."
Kakashi bowed to the King and went off to take care of the army. But then again, Kakashi thought to himself, the boy himself was pretty. And Kakashi always brought Naruto the most beautiful gift in the countries.