Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto Masashi… I'm just using this in my fic. The plot isn't really mine either. sigh It's actually based off the Prince and the Pauper and anything else based off that. I'm not sure who made it but I take no credit in the plot. Well… I did alter it a bit but yeah… It's actually I had this dream after watching the Prince and the Pauper. It's was different though. Yep, alterations! It's also kind of like episode 192.
Pairing (in this chapter): Sasunaru, Nejinaru
Italics usually mean thoughts.
Note: It's not really in modern times… It's an AU
Warning: Shounen-ai, language and a few other things… AU
"NARUTO!" a high-pitched voice screamed waking Naruto up. "NARUTO! Get up! Look at this!"
Naruto got up and looked at where Ino was pointing to. Her forehead. "It's a pimple, Ino," Naruto stated. He was tired from his chores yesterday and his mistress had to wake him up at… 4:00a.m! "Ino! Do you know what time it is? Now I have to get up in one hour," Naruto whined.
"You don't understand, Naruto, it's so red my make up won't cover it!" Ino wailed. Tears were forming in her eyes. She felt pricks at the back of her eyeball. She didn't want to cry but she had a pimple damnit!
"You get pimples all the time, why are you so concerned about this one?" Naruto asked not really caring. He just wanted to sleep. One hour damnit! Genma was going at it with Raidou and making Naruto do their share of chores. He stayed up until one. Is four hours of sleep such a hard thing to get in return?
"If it were any other time I wouldn't care! But today I have to meet Sasuke Uchiha, the heir of Konoha and the Uchiha clan! I can't go with Mount Everest sticking out of my forehead. He'll leave!" Ino wailed.
"Quiet down, Ino. You'll wake your parents. Why do you care? You don't even know him," Naruto asked trying to reason with the princess.
"Naruto, have you seen his picture? He's fucking sexy! Any girl would die for him! Sakura-forehead has been pining for him for what… seven years! I can't let this happen!" Ino bawled. She was now sobbing and snot coming out of her nose.
"Okay, fine! I won't sleep. What do you want me to do? I don't own any make-up or magic fairy dust," Naruto had given up on sleeping. He was now rubbing his eyes and sitting up on his mat/bed.
Ino stayed silent and continued sobbing and thinking of a way to make Naruto help him. The sudden realization that Naruto looked like the male version albeit the three scars Naruto had on his cheeks. "Well, since you have to do anything I order you to do..." Naruto looked at Ino doubtfully. "Naruto, I order you to take my place."
Naruto looked startled for a few seconds and started laughing uncontrollably. "Yeah right, Ino, that's a good one."
Ino felt a vein rise from anger on her forehead (1) but calmed down. "I'm not kidding! Please Naruto, please, please, please! I need this. I really like him! Please?" Ino pleaded.
"If I can sleep in late," Naruto mumbled. There wasn't anything he could do anyway. He would just attend lunch with this Uchiha Sasuke guy and then go back to his normal life.
"Okay, but you have to wake up at ten," Ino said.
"Why ten? I can just get up at eleven thirty!" Naruto protested.
"Because… I need to put on your make up," Ino said as if it was obvious. "And choose out a dress."
Naruto looked horror-stricken with a mix of confusion in his blue eyes. "What are you talking about? Why do I need make up and a dress?"
"Because, silly, you are taking my place to meet Sasuke-kun," Ino explained matter-of-factly. "I'll pick a dress out now. You should be able to wake up at nine thirty that way."
"What? I still don't get it." Naruto was really confused now.
"You're going to be me and meet Sasuke until my Mount Everest pimple goes away," Ino clarified. She sounded confident and relaxed as if she was certain it would work out.
"That's stupid! Ino, I'm not going to cross-dress! It's not fair. I'm a boy, damnit!" Naruto shouted in protest.
Ino thought for a while and smiled at Naruto evilly. Naruto swallowed and looked at her dubious of her intentions. "I'll get you out of chores… for a week" Ino said proudly.
"But what if your pimple stays on your forehead for more than a week?" Naruto asked. Ino looked insulted but let it slide past.
"Fine, fine. I'll give you a week off of chores and if it doesn't go away by tomorrow you can sleep to whatever time you want… for a month," Ino said. She hoped her father would never know that she let a servant talk to the prince in her place; otherwise he would never let her out of the house. "So, do we have a deal?"
"Fine, can I sleep now?" Naruto hesitantly agreed.
"Yes, you may sleep now," Ino said, dismissing Naruto. Having her permission, Naruto's head hit the pillow and he was asleep.
"Wake up, sleepy head!" Ino said. She was giggling. She was so happy Sasuke-kun wouldn't see her horrible pimple.
"Five more minutes, Ino," came Naruto's sleepy voice.
"No, now!" Ino ordered strictly.
"Fine." Naruto got up and rubbed his eyes. He hadn't remembered the last time he had a full… eight and a half hours of sleep. It sure felt nice.
"So, I need to put make up on you."
"No…" Naruto weakly protested.
"Naruto, I need to. At least to cover your scars!"
"Only to cover my scars," Naruto said.
"Yes, now stay still." Ino applied make up of Naruto's skin color over Naruto's scars. "Okay, there." Ino held the mirror out to Naruto who reluctantly took it.
"We don't really look alike, Ino. We just have blue eyes and blonde hair…"
"Well, no one else has blue eyes and blonde hair so you're my only choice, Naruto."
"But our eye color is different and you don't have any pupils," Naruto would have gone on a rant of Ino's flaws if it weren't for the glare she sent him. He just let out a grumpy snort.
"Here's your dress," Ino said, shoving a black and orange dress into Naruto's hands.
"I have to wear a dress?"
"Yes, now go change!"
Naruto came out in the dress and looked like… a cross-dresser, since Ino knew Naruto was a boy. It looked slightly off but it'll do. It's a good thing Naruto had a petit frame.
"Okay, now what do I do?" Naruto asked and waited for Ino's instructions.
"Just wait here for ten minutes. I'll have the limousine come and pick you up."
"Wait, what about my hair?" Naruto asked, pointing to his short, spiky blonde hair. Ino realized that the thing off.
"Right. A wig. Do you know where to find one?" Ino looked at Naruto's face and knew there was no way he would have one. "Grandma! Grandma has one. I'll go get it, stay here," Ino ordered. She ran to her grandmother's room and stole a blonde wig similar to her hair but a bit lighter. She ran back to Naruto's room and placed it on his head.
"Go call the driver already, this is humiliating!" Naruto complained.
"Wait. You have to talk like a girl, Naruto."
"You have to talk like a girl, Naruto?" Naruto mocked in a too-high voice. It really didn't suit him but Ino decided it would have to do.
"Yes, exactly like that!" Ino shouted, pointing her finger at Naruto. "And walk like a girl too."
"Whatever! Just call the driver and your dermatologist!" Naruto snapped. The last time he had been so embarrassed was when he walked in on Genma and Raidou doing it the first time. He got used to it though.
"I will. Just don't kiss him, Naruto," Ino said in a dead-serious tone.
Naruto scoffed and looked at Ino. "Like I'd ever kiss him."
"Really?"
Naruto gave Ino a reassuring smile. "Really."
Ino spoke clicked a button that led to Hayate's room. "Hayate, bring Naruto to Haku's café. He's meeting Sasuke-kun there for me."
"I'm already in the car waiting," Hayate responded. His voice was a bit hazy and he coughed a few times. Naruto was concerned of his health. Hayate's immune system was really poor.
"Go, Naruto. Don't embarrass me. He's my future husband. Say you're Ino. Remember Ino."
"I know."
Once Naruto got into the car's backseat, Hayate glanced at him and started choking. "Naruto… why are you dressed like that?"
"Don't ask," Naruto replied in Ino's high-pitched voice.
"That's really creepy, Naruto." The rest of the car ride was silent. Hayate dropped Naruto off at Haku's café while muttering something about cross dressers under his breath. A strange wave of nostalgia hit him full force. His father used to take him here before he died.
Naruto was having problems walking in four-inched pumps. He hoped for two things. 1) Haku wouldn't recognize him and 2) he wouldn't trip and make Ino look like the klutz he is.
"Ohayo…" Haku greeted. Naruto could tell Haku was aware he was in fact a Naruto and not Ino or just some crazy girl who was wearing heels for the first time.
"I'm here-" Naruto said in his usual voice but paused. He cleared his voice and continued in a girl voice, "to eat lunch with Sasuke Uchiha, please."
"Right this way, N-" Haku didn't finish his sentence. He just smiled warmly at Naruto and led him over to a table occupied with a handsome young man. He had raven hair and his eyes were onyx. His skin was so fair and beautiful; it contrasted well with his hair and eyes. Naruto couldn't help but stare.
"Are you just going to stand there and stare at me?" the man questioned, interrupting Naruto's thoughts. Naruto wondered how something so beautiful is so rude and has such a negative attitude.
"No, I'll sit down," Naruto said in his girly voice. "Hi, I'm Ino."
"Yeah, I noticed since you're sitting down."
"Hello…" What did Ino call him again? Oh right, "Sasuke-kun." Naruto was having a hard time being polite and keeping his girlish voice at the same time.
"Are you going to eat anything?" Sasuke asked coldly.
"Yes, actually," Naruto replied. He went against all will to not stand up and hit the Uchiha against the head with the glass cup over and over again.
"Then order," Sasuke's voice was commanding and icy.
"I'll order when I want, teme!" Naruto snapped in his normal voice and stood up in rage. He realized what he did and sat back down. He was blushed several shades of red. He hoped Ino wouldn't cancel his month off. Sasuke looked at him with amusement. "I'm sorry…" Naruto tried to think of an excuse but couldn't. What would make a girl go bananas? "I'm PMSing." Naruto realized what he said and clamped his hand over his mouths.
"Really, I wouldn't have thought so," Sasuke sarcastically said to get a rise out of Naruto.
"Sh-shut up," Naruto stuttered. He didn't really want to ruin Ino's chance with Sasuke any more than he already did. Sasuke was going to say something but was interrupted by Haku.
"May I take your orders?"
"Tea and grilled fish," Sasuke said. He never took his eyes off Naruto.
"What about you… Ino-chan?" Haku teased.
"Ramen! Miso beef ramen!" Naruto replied shooting a fox-like grin at Haku. It was their secret.
"It'll be here in a while."
"So… Ino, what are your hobbies?" Sasuke asked.
Naruto wished Ino would've told him Sasuke would be so inquisitive. "I like soccer." Silence. "I mean shopping," he quickly corrected.
Sasuke could tell this 'Ino' girl was hiding something from him. "So… Ino, what is your favorite color?" Sasuke asked trying to get Naruto to reveal his secret.
"I really like orange…" Naruto paused. "And pink because pink is considered a feminine color… Right. I love pink and purple and all feminine colors!" He hoped this is what Ino would say because if it wasn't Naruto would be screwed over.
"Orange would explain your dress," Sasuke muttered under his breath.
"So, Sasuke-kun, what do you like to do?" Naruto asked, straining the kun part.
"That is none of your business," Sasuke stated. He wanted to know the person sitting in front of him. However, Naruto thought his response was extremely rude and impolite.
"Oi, show some respect, teme!" Naruto snapped. He realized he wasn't using his girlish voice and Sasuke was looking at him strangely. "I'm sorry, I'm also having a voice crack," Naruto said in a high-pitched voice. It really hurt his own ears to hear himself talk like that.
Sasuke visibly winced. What's wrong with this girl? He pondered. "If you're having voice problems then why don't you just talk in your normal voice?" Sasuke suggested.
"Oh, really? You'd let me do that?" Naruto asked.
"There is no reason why you can't just talk in your normal voice," Sasuke answered.
"Wow! Thanks Sasuke!" The blonde boy rejoiced and got even happier when Haku brought their food to the table.
"Now, now Ino-chan, don't eat like a boy," Haku hinted. Haku knew what Naruto was doing, although he was twenty, he is very wise.
Naruto who was slurping his ramen slowed down and actually chewed his food. Sasuke thought it was appealing how the blonde could eat so fast and disgustingly and suddenly turn into such a… polite person.
"So, Sasuke, don't you have an older brother? You're too young to be an heir don't you think?" Naruto asked. Sasuke noted he was finished his ramen.
"My brother, Itachi, actually prefers not to take over the throne," Sasuke opened up. This surprised him. He certainly wasn't expecting to tell a complete stranger that he was his father's second choice.
"Being a king is so much work, I would give up the throne too!" Naruto said.
"However, you'd be the queen," Sasuke corrected.
"Are you mocking me? I do not look like a girl! Why does everyone think I-" Shit! Naruto waited for Sasuke to bust his secret out and scream at him and throw rusted spoons in his left eye. Nothing came. Naruto cleared his throat. "Do you have any hobbies?" Naruto repeated his earlier questions.
"As I said, none of your business dobe," that nickname came naturally to Sasuke.
"Sasuke-teme, take that stick out of your ass, not everyone wants to marry, you know?"
"Are you implying that you don't want to marry me, Ino-san?" Sasuke countered, cocking up his left eyebrow. Naruto, once again, realized he was Ino. Words could not explain the annoyance for the raven-haired boy. The annoyance mixed with something Naruto was very, very confused of. He hoped if he ignored it, this alien feeling would pass eventually.
"No, why would you say that?" Naruto squealed. He was really unstable around the Uchiha. "Of course I would want to marry you!" Naruto could feel his eye involuntarily twitch. So much for Ino's healthy relationship with this bastard.
"So, Ino-san, do you have any other hobbies?" Sasuke pried. He really thought it was fun to get Naruto flustered and mad.
"I-I like t-to collect flowers and baskets," he said, remembering Ino's study of flowers.
"Why don't you answer truthfully?" Sasuke asked slightly irritated. He didn't know why this 'girl' was lying to him. It was so confusing.
"I a-am," stammered the blonde. "Really, I love flowers and baskets. I love studying flowers and other plantations," Naruto said a bit more confident now.
Sasuke noted the look on Naruto's face. It was obvious Naruto wasn't good at lying. He wondered if this person even got out much. "What other hobbies?"
Damnit, Sasuke-teme sure asks a lot of questions. "I like gardening," Naruto said truthfully. He really did. It was an honest hobby of his.
"Oh?" Sasuke lifted his eyebrow once again. "Why is that?"
"Because it's pretty," Naruto answered.
"It's pretty…" Sasuke repeated. What can possibly be so pretty about gardening?
"Yeah, you make it happen. It's almost like giving birth to something in this world."
"So you like breeding?" Sasuke asked. A blush spread over Naruto's face. This blonde is quite interesting, Sasuke mused.
"Not like that, you stupid pervert!" Naruto protested angrily.
"Calm down, Ino-san, I was just teasing."
"Whatever." For some reason, Sasuke calling him Ino instead of Naruto made Naruto really… Well, he couldn't really explain the feeling. It was negative for sure.
"So, dobe, what else do you like doing?" Sasuke asked. He was curious, he wanted to know if the blonde would lie or tell the truth.
Naruto thought for a while. Lying wouldn't really be an option since he was a dreadful liar. Even Sakura could see through his lies. "I like pulling pranks," Naruto replied truthfully.
"Really?" Well this is unexpected. In truth, Sasuke had expected another unconvincing lies. This girl was something Sasuke would look up on.
"Yep! I once flooded Ino's bedroom with ice water. It was so cold she refused to sleep and go into her room until it was cleared up. I had to clean it up though. Also got into a lot of trouble!" Naruto claimed completely unaware of his error.
Sasuke, however, being more alert caught this mistake and decided to use the dobe's oblivion to get to know the real person sitting across the table from him. "How long was it until Ino went back into her room?"
"About a week. She switched rooms with me. She always complained about the banging on the walls. She only had to endure it for a week, I live with that horror!" Naruto enthusiastically exclaimed.
"The banging on the wall…" Sasuke repeated. Like a gunshot?
"Yeah, Raidou and Genma are always going at it like bunnies. As if it isn't enough I can't sleep because of their destructive sexual activities; they make me do their job too!"
"What jobs..?" Sasuke was definitely sure this isn't the girl he was supposed to meet. Judging by the voice, it most likely isn't a girl.
"You know… Washing windows is Genma's job; it's really hard since I'm not as tall as him. The ladder to the second story makes it easy for him to wash it but I have to reach up! Raidou's job is to wash the limo, that's fairly easy. I clean Ino's room and take care of her and make sure she's entertained, like a personal servant," Naruto blathered. Sasuke could tell her was ultra hyper-active.
"Ino-san, I'll call you tonight, I have to go to a meeting my brother is ditching. So, I'll tell you the time we're meeting okay?" Sasuke asked.
"Okay," confirmed Naruto. Naruto hadn't had fun in a while; he really enjoyed his lunch with Sasuke even if he was an impolite prick. He loved pulling pranks but hated the consequences. "See you tomorrow, Sasuke!" Naruto still hadn't noticed his fatal mistakes. In spite of this Sasuke did not confront him about it. Sasuke just paid the bill and walked to his overly expensive car the corners of his mouth were twitching.
Once Sasuke left, Naruto let out a sigh of relief. He hoped he hadn't messed up, but Sasuke did call him Ino so it should be okay. Hopefully. He didn't want to be punished especially not by an infuriated Ino. Naruto calmed down and called Hayate to pick him up.
"Just wait three minutes, I have to finish my coffee," Hayate declared.
"That's really fast, especially to finish your coffee and drive to Haku's café," Naruto stated.
"Actually, I'm in the car already, I just want to finish my coffee," Hayate said.
"Oh, well I'll just get on and you can finish your coffee," Naruto's voice was a bit desperate. He was getting nervous since Zabuza, a scary worker at Haku's café, was glaring at him.
"Okay… fine get on." Naruto could hear a sigh of defeat on the other line. He jumped up and rushed outside and got into the luxurious limousine.
"So, what did you two talk about?" Ino interrogated him once Naruto got into the Yamanaka manor.
"He asked about your hobbies," Naruto muttered. He had a sinking feeling in his stomach. He wanted to say "my hobbies."
"What did you say?" Ino questioned, hopefully.
"Flowers… And gardening and pulling pranks!" Naruto exclaimed proudly. He whispered something about soccer under his breath so Ino wouldn't hear him.
"I only like flowers, Naruto! I don't like gardening or pulling pranks!" shouted Ino. She was mad that Naruto would mess up her one and only chance with the love of her life.
"Ino, it'll add some more… appeal to you. No boys like boring girls, that's a given!" Naruto exclaimed defending himself.
"No, Naruto, no boys like fat girls. Boys like skinny and pretty girls. Not interesting girls, are you stupid?" Ino retorted.
"No, that's not necessarily true. Many boys prefer girls with curves and confidence and attitude more than anorexic bulimic girls who look like they'd be swept away by the wind," Naruto argued heatedly.
"Naruto, you don't even know what boys want! You're just a servant! A useless slave!" Ino shouted madly. Naruto stopped. She was right, he had messed up her chance with Sasuke, and he really was a useless slave. "I'm sorry N-" The phone cut her off. Ino picked up the phone and asked who it was.
"Is Ino there?" a cold tone on the other line asked.
"Yes, this is Ino Yamanaka speaking. How can I help you?"
"You're Ino..?" the voice seemed surprised.
"Yes, how may I help you?" Ino asked, irritated.
"This is Sasuke, I'm here to ask you out to lunch again tomorrow at… Is twelve thirty okay?" Sasuke realized that the girl he was talking to must've been the real Ino.
"Yes! YES! OF COUSE IT'S OKAY!" Ino squealed.
"So I'll see you tomorrow at your house," Sasuke stated more than asked.
"Yes, of course, Sasuke-kun!" shouted Ino. She was deliriously happy. Her pimple had gone down just enough to let makeup cover it.
"Great." Sasuke hung up and nursed his poor ears.
"Who was that?" Naruto asked.
"It was Sasuke-kun. He wants to eat lunch with me tomorrow! KYA!" Ino excitedly buried her head into Naruto's chest and continues screaming like a mad scientist who just discovered Frankenstein.
"So I won't be needed tomorrow right?" Naruto asked. A part of him wanted to be near Sasuke but another part didn't. He'd never felt this confused since… well since lunch with Sasuke.
"Nope. Naruto, I'm sorry for what I said about you. I didn't mean what I said to you. I was just mad because I thought you screwed up my chance with Sasuke-kun," Ino explained, letting go of Naruto.
"It's okay, you better go get ready," Naruto guiltily said. Why do I feel this way?
"It's tomorrow but I should find a dress." She picked up a purple cocktail dress and looked for Naruto's approval. Naruto knew it would've looked gorgeous on Ino but he shook his head. He didn't want Ino wearing something so nice in front of Sasuke. Ino tapped her chin and held a satin mini dress with a sequined front. It was mini. By mini, Naruto meant slutty and extremely tiny.
"Ino! Do you really want to look like a slut in front of him?" Naruto questioned.
"Well no, not really," Ino held up a purple chiffon dress that reached two inches under her knee. "How about this one?"
Naruto admitted Ino would look really pretty in this. He really didn't want to sabotage Ino's relationship with Sasuke. "It's great!" Naruto shouted with false enthusiasm. "That bastard would fall for you in a second!"
"Good."
"Won't he know that we're different people?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah, but we just won't admit it. I mean, what can he possibly do? Marry you?" Ino scoffed. She started laughing at her own joke. Naruto just chuckled miserably.
"So, how are you going to do your hair?" Naruto started taking the makeup off with Ino's makeup remover.
"Hmmm, I don't know. Here, you have some lipstick." Ino rubbed the lipstick off the outer corner of Naruto's lips and helped him unzip the orange and black dress.
"Thanks. I think you'd look really pretty with it in a pony tail!" Naruto exclaimed. He pulled on shorts and an orange t-shirt.
"No, it's not special enough," Ino whined. She wanted to look beautiful in front of Sasuke, not plain.
"Why not ask Lady Tsunade?" suggested Naruto. He really didn't care much for his own hair. He brushes it once a day. Only once a day.
"Great idea. I really hope Sakura won't be there. She's so weird. She's always bragging about her relationship with Sasuke-kun!" Ino whined noisily throwing her hands up in annoyance.
"It's not much of a relationship if he asks you on a second date," Naruto muttered. Ino looked at him and smiled widely.
"My thoughts exactly," Ino proudly said. She threw her hands up again but this time accidentally hitting Naruto's chin. "Sorry Naruto!"
"It's okay. No biggie," Naruto claimed. It really did hurt but he didn't mind. Ino had been the only Yamanaka nice to him since he began working here. Her father was neutral to him but her mother despised him. Naruto never knew why. He wasn't allowed near her. He was indebted to Ino's kindness. This was not the time to be selfish.
"To Tsunade's place?"
"To Tsunade's place," Naruto repeated, confirming Ino's question.
"After shopping." Naruto groaned in protest but earned a glare from his mistress.
"Ino-pig! What are you doing here?" Sakura Haruno shouted.
"Don't call me that, you stupid forehead girl!" Ino countered. A vein popping in her temple. Naruto was frightened by the two rival's actions. Shikamaru, who worked for Tsunade, was also terrified. He was a lazy genius. Very rare.
"Don't call me that you ugly pig!"
"Don't call me a pig, you fat forehead bitch!"
"What did you call me, anorexic slut?" Sakura retorted brutally.
"I called you a fat forehead prostitute!" Ino opposed violently.
"Oi, stop it you two!" Tsunade shouted angrily. These two mix like oil and water. They don't. "Stop arguing!" The two rivals shut up immediately. "What do you want Ino?"
"I need a hairstyle for my date with Sasuke-kun tomorrow," bragged Ino. After hearing this, Sakura went to sulk in the corner.
"I'm a medical doctor, you can't expect me to do anything," Tsunade replied.
"Yes, but you are the top medical doctor with a sense of fashion." Tsunade scoffed. Ino had gotten to her.
"Fine, put your hair in your usual pony, it looks simple and doesn't show how desperate you are," Tsunade advised.
"But that's too plain!" Naruto shouted. Everyone in the room looked at him except Ino. "What! Ino said that earlier."
"You should wear some hair accessories but not too much. One only." Tsunade offered.
"You are so smart, Tsunade!" Ino hugged Tsunade and ran out the building with Naruto trailing behind her. Sakura looked at her rival's retreating back with disdain.
"Sakura, if Sasuke really does like her, don't you think it's best to just let him be happy?" Sakura made a face and went back to sulking.
"Oi, don't go so fast!" Naruto shouted after Ino, trying not to drop the bags while going at a rather fast pace. "Hayate won't wait for me!"
"You can walk!" Ino yelled getting into the limo. Naruto frowned as Ino and Hayate drove off. He was sick of being constantly ditched. His mother ditched him after his father died. She claimed she couldn't handle being with him. He just wanted to feel included.
"I guess I should start walking now or it'll get late," Naruto sighed in defeat. A small drop of cold water fell onto his nose. That's just great! Naruto sarcastically thought. He really wanted to live a normal life his dad, too, had wanted him to be happy. "Otou-san," Naruto whispered. His tears were mixed with the rain. He was freezing and felt disgusted with the life he was living.
Somehow the rain stopped hitting him. Naruto saw that it was still raining; he looked up and saw a boy with silky long black hair and white iris. His skin was pale but not as pale as a dying man. If Naruto had seen other people with white irises he would be freaked out, but this man comforts him, somehow.
"Do you need some help carrying that?" the mystery man asked, pointing to the bags Naruto was holding. Naruto nodded dumbly and handed the man three of Ino's bags. "What are all of these?" he asked.
"They belong to my mistress, Ino Yamanaka-sama," Naruto answered numbly. He felt embarrassed that he had to meet this boy under such circumstances.
"So you are her servant, correct?" The white-eyed man asked facing Naruto.
"Yeah…" Naruto replied sulkily. Thanks for the reminder.
"What is your name?" The man's statement surprised him. After learning he is a mere servant, people ignored him or treated him with inferiority. A useless servant! Ino's words repeated in his head. "Are you alright?" the man asked snapping Naruto back to reality.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Naruto said.
"Your name is 'Fine'?" the gentleman teased. He had a small smirk on his lips.
"No," Naruto chuckled lightly, "my name is Naruto Uzumaki. Who are you?"
"Hyuuga, Hyuuga Neji, heir to the Hyuuga clan," the man now identified as Neji said. Naruto's jaw dropped. Holy shit!
"Hyuuga-san, I don't think it's right for you to be carrying Ino's shopping bags. I'll manage. Please take care," Naruto blabbed as he grabbed the bags from Neji's hand and walked out from under the umbrella. He was going to get in trouble. Ino and Yamanaka-sama, heck, even Mrs. Yamanaka asked him to stay away from the Hyuuga clan and here he was talking to one of them.
"Wait, Naruto-kun, you'll get sick if you go out in the rain. The Yamanaka manor is really far away," Neji was almost pleading Naruto to stay.
"I can't walk with you. I'll get in trouble," Naruto murmured.
"Why would you get in trouble?" Neji inquired. Neji knew though, it was because of his family. They were dangerous.
"Because my master told me not to," Naruto spoke in a soft voice. He really did like Neji. He was really polite and actually nice to him.
"It's not because I'm a Hyuuga?"
"Well, I can't talk to you because you're a Hyuuga."
"No, I meant to ask if you hated me because I was a Hyuuga."
"Hyuuga-san, I don't hate you. But if Master or Ino's mom found out I'd be in a lot of trouble. Truth is, I really like talking to you and being around you," Naruto admitted quietly. "I don't see why Hyuuga's are so bad."
"It's because we're assassins. We kill for money," Neji stated shamefully. He didn't want to but his uncle wanted him to take over the clan since his daughter, Hinata, wasn't talented enough.
"All of them?" Naruto curiously asked. Neji couldn't help but laugh. That was the first time he got that reaction. "What? Did I say something stupid?"
"No, Naruto-kun, you did not say anything stupid. It was just surprising. Are you scared of me?" Neji asked.
"No, I'm not scared of you. And damnit, call me Naruto!" Naruto exclaimed.
"You should call me Neji then."
"Fine."
Neji stuck his hand out for a shake but Naruto handed him a bag and smiled warmly. Neji couldn't help but think about how interesting Naruto is.
"Neji, can we keep it a secret? Yamanaka-sama will be mad with me," Naruto explained.
"Hai," Neji agreed. His family members were not allowed to have friends. But still, he wanted to be more than friends with Naruto. The blond was so intriguing.
"So, let's meet again sometime?" Naruto asked, hopefully. Neji offered to meet Naruto a ramen stand, Naruto happily agreed and went into the Yamanaka household.
The Hyuuga watched him go in and smiled. Naruto Uzumaki, ka?
"Naruto! Where have you been? Hayate and I went back to search for you when it started raining but you weren't there! Where the hell were you!" Ino shouted. Naruto handed Ino her bags and went to change. He was barely wet, but still wet.
"Why are you so dry? You've been in the rain for two hours; no way could you've been so dry!" Ino screamed. Naruto swore he felt the floor shake.
"Calm down, Ino," Naruto said. "I'm going to sleep."
"Fine, just remember tomorrow morning Sasuke is coming over so get ready," Ino said.
"Why do I have to be ready?"
"Because you are my servant and I need to look cool and powerful in front of him," Ino declared smartly. She had it all planned out. She'd look so cool that Sasuke-kun wouldn't be able to resist her.
"Whatever."
"Naruto wake up and get dressed!" Ino shouted pouncing on Naruto. "Wake up; Sasuke will be here in thirty minutes!"
"So what? You promised me sleep, damnit!" Naruto angrily complained.
"Fine, since Mount Everest went down, you get a week, right? Well, now it's a month without your help." Naruto instantly shot up and changed into black jeans and a white t-shirt with an orange swirl in the middle. He brushed his teeth and even his hair.
"Okay, and also, I want to be able to go out for fun," Naruto voiced thinking of Neji.
"Fine, fine, just get up, you lazy bum." Naruto stuck his tongue out at Ino. The doorbell rang.
"Get that, Naruto!" Ino commanded. She was so nervous on meeting Sasuke-kun. She just kept reminding herself to leave a good first impression and that she 'loves' pranks and gardening.
Naruto sauntered downstairs and opened the door revealing a completely handsome Sasuke. He could feel his heart beat faster. "Ohayo, Uchiha-sama," Naruto greeted as if he never met Sasuke yesterday. He was sure Sasuke wouldn't have remembered him from yesterday. 99.9 sure.
"You're the…" Sasuke pointed at Naruto in recognition. Sasuke paused. Sasuke knew.
Oh shit!
(1) Anime-style.
Gaara will show up in the next chapter. So, I take no credit for this fic. So sad, neh? What do I own anymore? That moldy bread in my fridge belongs to my sister. The dust collection belongs to my mother. The house and car and everything belong to my dad. Sob I guess all I own is… my computer. Well, anyways. PLEASE, please review. Please! Flames are welcome since they are only opinions. Remember each review counts.