Summary: AU Uchiha Sasuke is the leader of the Country of Fire. He rules with unfeeling that stems from loss of many people. Then, he meets Uzumaki Naruto on a chance meeting. It's hate at first sight. Eventual SasuXNaru
Uchiha Sasuke sat for a court hearing. A man had apparently kidnapped several women, drugged them, and had children with them. Sasuke sighed. It was boring and annoying, to see the man try to smile at Sasuke to appeal to His Majesty.
"You have heard the trial, Sasuke-sama. What is the verdict?" Sasuke's advisor, who for the love of Kami he could not remember the name of, asked.
"Kill him," Sasuke said simply and stood.
"No!" the man yelled.
Sasuke didn't look back as the guards dragged the filthy man out of the hall. His robes trailed behind him as he walked throughout the palace, mainly out of boredom. He trusted his advisors to deal with the mindless paperwork. Sasuke had done paperwork for a week before. It wasn't all that exciting. In fact, the paper seemed like it was sucking out his intellect.
"Sasuke-sama," another servant appeared next to him. "Uzumaki Karin from the Land of Whirlpools is here."
"Send her away. I don't want to see her ever again," Sasuke said as a small shudder went up his back as he thought of the female.
"Very well, Sasuke-sama," the advisor went back into the shadows.
Uchiha Sasuke's thoughts wandered. As they often did, they went to his brother. His brother had sought to protect the Country of Fire. And he did. Right now, Uchiha Itachi was in some remote part of the world probably doing something for the sake of the Country. Sasuke didn't resent him; he just felt sad that his brother didn't have as much time as he did when they were children.
Sasuke stopped at the end of the palace, the part that overlooked a pond. A duck swam quietly beneath the moonlight and lily pads and lilies floated. He stared dully, not really caring for the pond his mother had loved.
Had.
His mother and father had been murdered when he was eleven. Itachi had been 17, old enough to take his father's place to rule. He did, for a time. Five years later, Sasuke was appointed ruler, much to the advisor's discomfort. However, on a secret order from Itachi, they were to serve him just as well as they had him, otherwise there would be consequences. The same day Sasuke donned the special robes, Itachi had donned a different wear and left Sasuke on his own.
This somewhat broke the young man. Uchiha Sasuke grew up with a strict father, a kind mother, and an idol of a brother. His life had been a privileged one. But then everything was shattered when his extended family had gone away on a trip. His mother and father were distraught and Itachi was saddened to hear that even his best friend had left. No one knew why they left.
Then, his parents died. Then his brother left.
Then all the women vying for his attention, just because he was attractive and rich.
Sasuke sighed. This pond was just as boring as his life as a ruler. The duck quacked and swam away, making small ripples that made the lilies and lily pads sway slightly.
"Sasuke-sama, the city of Konoha's leader wishes to meet with you," an advisor said as he was eating his breakfast and tea.
"Has the palanquin been prepared?"
"Yes, Sasuke-sama."
"Have my robes been prepared?"
"Yes, Sasuke-sama."
"Then let's go," Sasuke stood and went to his room. Sasuke looked at his bed and saw the robes that had been laid out for him by his servants. He stripped out of his regular clothes and donned a special kimono to wear for the Hokage. Sasuke briefly ran a comb through his hair and walked out of his room.
Sasuke could have his servants' help him put on his clothes and dress him. That way, he'd be done in less than half the time. However, Sasuke liked expressing small freedoms, including dressing himself, cleaning himself, and feeding himself. Of course, he didn't cook for himself. He didn't have the patience not to put the fire on the highest flame and make sure it didn't burn whatever he was cooking.
Sasuke stepped into his shoes and walked a few paces to the palanquin once he'd gotten to the exit of the palace. He settled himself into the somewhat queasy-making form of transportation and prepared himself for a boring (but more interesting than his daily life at the palace) trip.
After a day and a half of traveling, they arrived at the gates of Konoha. It was evening and the sun was a brilliant orange.
"This way, Sasuke-sama," the advisor said and led him to the large red building that read 火, fire.
As they walked through the building, people saw Sasuke and bowed. A few girls, as usual, blushed and smiled and even said, 'Hi, Sasuke-sama'. Sasuke was hated girls like that.
The advisor opened the door and there was the Hokage sitting in his chair. He had a troubled look and his fingers were laced together. Sasuke didn't take a seat.
"What is the problem, asking for my presence and everything? You should've come to my palace," Sasuke snapped. He was already in a bad mood from the girls there.
"I'm sorry, Uchiha-sama—"
"That was my father. It's Sasuke-sama."
"Sasuke-sama, I don't mean to be so direct, but my daughter was kidnapped thirteen years ago," the man said.
"Why didn't you report it sooner?" Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
"I thought I could handle it myself…"
"Don't be so arrogant. So, what do you want? My help?" Sasuke sighed.
"If you would," the blonde man lowered his head.
"What's your name again?"
"Namikaze Minato," Minato said.
"Yeah, Minato. I'll help. In exchange for…" Sasuke thought about it. "A fourth of Konoha's yearly harvest of silk."
"Yes, Sasuke-sama," Minato stood and knelt and bowed. Sasuke made his eyes a tad smaller from seeing an adult kneel to a, at normal circumstances, teen.
"Is there anything else?" Sasuke asked.
"Yes. Here is a photo of her. And…" Minato paused as he handed Sasuke the photo of the three-year-old girl. "The Country of Wind's leader's youngest son has also volunteered to help find my daughter. I hope this does not cause friction. Please forgive me."
Sasuke sucked in air between his teeth. Looking at the darkening sky, turning into a deep orange, his eyes glazed over. Yes, he did know of the boy. He was his age, and a mentally unstable one. From what he'd heard, the boy was rumored to have killed his own brother and sister, but he didn't know. It wasn't like he cared for some psychopath.
"It can't be helped," Sasuke waved his hand dismissively. "Now, I haven't eaten properly all today."
"Ah, yes. You must be hungry. I have prepared a dinner with my wife and closest friends and advisors. Follow me," Minato gave a pained smile.
Sasuke sat down, taking the last seat. He looked around and saw a man frowning with bandages all over his body, an old hag, and an old man. Next to them were a man who looked like this was the last place he wanted to be, a man who looked bored with one eye covered and spiky silver hair, and a woman with bright red hair. She gave another tight smile at Sasuke and then looked down at her hands.
"Well, first things first. Please introduce yourselves," Minato said. He gestured at the black haired man who didn't want to be there to go first.
"I'm Nara Shikaku. I'm the head advisor."
"I'm Hatake Kakashi, the Hokage's bodyguard."
"I'm Namikaze Kushina, Minato's wife."
"I'm Shimura Danzo, leader of agent special operations."
"I'm Utatane Koharu, an advisor."
"I'm Mitokado Homura, an advisor."
Sasuke saw expectant looks and felt his blood pressure rise from annoyance beginning to form. He pushed away that thought of annoyance and found proper words.
"I'm Uchiha Sasuke, leader of the Country of Fire," Sasuke said. He analyzed the looks around him. None looked too surprised, but they didn't look like they were expecting it. It seemed like the Hokage had kept good on his word and kept his arrival under wraps.
In the small dining room, Sasuke saw something move. It was a tiny movement, barely noticeable. Sasuke narrowed his eyes and right as he was about to say something, a kunai came towards him. Sasuke had good enough reflexes to catch it midair.
"Are you here to get nee-chan back?!" the sliding door slammed open to reveal a child no more than perhaps six. He had an angry look on his face despite the almost orange tint to his hair. It made him look almost comical. Sasuke kept his laughter down. But it wasn't that hard, having not laughed for years now.
"And why would a brat like you even care about a world leader coming to your city?" Sasuke's voice dripped with sarcasm and a smirk to match. The boy faltered for a moment and then found his courage.
"Manabu! Don't talk to Sasuke-sama like that! You rude child!" Kushina hissed. "Go—"
"It's fine. Let's hear what this brat has to say," Sasuke interrupted. Kushina nodded and watched the exchange.
"I don't want you to ever find her! Just leave!" Manabu yelled. Kakashi looked stunned to hear his bodyguard's son speak like this.
"Oh?" Sasuke smirked. He thought about the situation for a moment and then came to a rather saddening conclusion. "Are you afraid that your parents won't ever look at you? Because all your father does is worry, and that's all he's done for the past thirteen years. All about your sister. He didn't even have the courage to contact me immediately. And I'm sure your mother is the same way; worrying about a sister you've never even met. It's a stranger for all you know. So you figure that perhaps if she's thrown to the wind forever, they'll finally give up on her and care about you for once. Am I wrong?"
Manabu looked surprised and then anger set on his face. "So what if you're right?! I'm strong; I don't need my parents for anything! How would you know anything about me?"
"Oh, poor Manabu. Poor Manabu who hates his sister and has parents who aren't even looking at him. Poor Manabu who was given everything and only longs for their affection. Poor Manabu who has friends," Sasuke said.
"W-what?" Manabu took a step back as Sasuke suddenly appeared in front of him, towering over him with deep black eyes and hair to match.
"I had parents and an older brother. They were murdered when I was eleven and then my older brother left me all alone to rule this Country. Then, last year, my brother left to help people, and left me to rule this Country. And all I get is girls who fawn over me like I'm some kind of goal in life. So, if you want to experience true pain, should I murder your parents right here, right now?" Sasuke asked softly.
Manabu stared up into Sasuke's eyes, fear in his blue eyes. His mouth opened to say something, but no sound came out. Sasuke had to give the boy credit; he didn't cry.
"No," Manabu said. Then he turned and ran out of the room, running away into the depths mansion.
Minato frowned distastefully. "Well, let's start."
Sasuke took his seat again and began to eat.
Once Sasuke had laid down on his futon to sleep, he felt a huge wave of exhaustion. As he felt himself lose consciousness, but was lingering between wakefulness and unconsciousness, the door quietly slid open. Sasuke opened his eyes and called out into the darkness.
"Who's there?" he asked. No response. A split second later, the glint of a kunai came. Sasuke easily caught it again and had the person under his arm with the flat side of the kunai pressed against his neck.
"I said, 'who's there?'" Sasuke said.
"M-manabu," the boy whispered.
"Good. Now, tell me why you're here?" Sasuke said slowly.
"T-to ask you w-what you m-meant," the boy stuttered. Sasuke let go and held onto the kunai.
"I feel like I could open a shop selling kunai at this rate," Sasuke twirled the kunai on his finger. Manabu scowled at him.
"Talk," Sasuke stopped twirling the kunai and his black eyes settled on the child, who was still trying to calm down.
"What did you mean? About all the things you said earlier," Manabu asked.
"Exactly what I meant. Sure, some other things happened, but that isn't important. What is important, now, is finding your sister. If she's a stranger to you now, she'll be a stranger forever if you don't start changing your thoughts. If she turns out to be a terrible person, that's just fine. You didn't grow up with her or know her and you can't be called out for not being a caring person if she was just a person who shared the same blood. And if people do, you're the son of the Hokage. Like you'll receive harsh treatment. People will just look at you funny or pity her. It'll probably be mutual if she is a terrible person. She'll want nothing to do with the son of The Hokage," Sasuke exaggerated the last part.
"And what if she's not?" Manabu knitted his brows.
"She's not what? A terrible person? Then you'll be fine. She'll be nice and she'll make an effort to be a good older sister," Sasuke laid down on his futon.
"How can you be so sure?" Manabu looked even more worried.
"Stop worrying. I'm just giving you possible scenarios. I'm not predicting the future. When you meet her, you'll see what really happens," Sasuke sighed and laid down, trying to go back to sleep. After a minute, Sasuke didn't hear the door open and close. He rolled over slightly to look over at him.
"Go back to your room," Sasuke ordered.
"Fine," Manabu muttered and left. Sasuke sighed in relief and was finally able to sleep.
Perhaps tomorrow would prove to be less annoying and be a step closer to finding this girl.
A/N I know you're wondering: are there jutsu or shinobi? And what's up with the kunai?
Okay, so there is NO jutsu and NO shinobi. Just imagine all the Elemental Nations in canon being countries and the Hidden Villages being major cities. This is like Japan in the sense that they had actual ninjas and samurai and such. (There are NO samurai in this fic.)
As for the kunai, it's just a tool. It's the same design as in canon.