Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Plain as that.
Billie says: Well, two story alerts. Not bad I suppose. Though I would have liked one review that didn't come from my own family. So, Merry Christmas everyone. I personally don't really believe the meaning behind it, but that doesn't mean I can't celebrate it with everyone else. Okay then. Read and Review please.
"They conversed by signs and glances, and the fire burned more intensely..."
Sasuke's ears would not believe what he was hearing. This was not the truth. Could not be the truth, and would not allow it to be so. What he heard was a lie, a mistake. He would not have it and would willingly strike down any persons who claimed otherwise.
For what purpose was this? He was not first born. Was he not merely the extra son? Insurance in the event that something unspeakable would occur to the eldest? It had never occured before. The second child was more than free to pursue his own interests. It had been so before his time and it should have been given to him now.
For what reason would he be required to do this? Performing this act would be going against his own nature and principle!
And now it was, that he realized why it was his father told him this. It was his nature found unfavorable that led his to this impass. It was his heart's fault that he was here in this room. Being observed after the hearing the newly given information. It was his own heart that caused him to steal away in the middle of the night. Anxious as always when it came to his love.
That night they were careless. And for their carelessness the world they created within their own imaginations was infiltrated and bruned to ashes. Ripped apart from the seams. And ripped apart from each other.
His own careless mistake led him to his downfall. Led him to be standing here in front of his father.
"Sasuke."
Though Sasuke's face betrayed no emotion, his mind had wandered elsewhere. His attention snapped back to his father.
"Do you understand?"
Sasuke said nothing.
Fugaku Uchiha released an aggravated sigh. Though his reasons for this his recent actions were partially selfish, in overall it was for the good of the family. This surely would solve this problem of theirs. Yes. For the good of the family.
"The Yamanaka family has given their apporval for the affair. In one week's time, their daughter and yourself will be engaged to be married."
Sasuke found his voice. "I have not given my own consent to the matter."
The elder Uchiha eyed his son warily. "I assumed you would have no objections to the arrangement. Seeing as how you are particularly fond of blond hair and blue eyes."
In an uncharacteristic manner, Sasuke slammed his hand down against the his father's wooden desk.
"You assume too much of me! For what purpose does this marriage hold! I am not the heir to this family!"
Fugaku was surpirsed by his sons actions. No matter. He would have his way. And Sasuke would be forced to comply. That was the way of the obediant child afterall.
"I have come to the descision, that your position in this family will trade with that of your brother's. It will now be as though you were the first born. And Itachi the second son."
Sasuke kept his eyes lowered. His breathing settled. Though he outside he was cool and collected, inside he was raging with an angry animosity towards the man in front of him.
"It is now your duty, to keep this family in it's current state and ensure the creation of future generations."
Now what could he say? There was nothing. His freedom had been stripped of him. Now he was the heir. Now he had a duty to fullfill.
"If that is all then, Father."
He nodded at his son. Sasuke bowed and exited the room. Slowly and collectively, he made his way to his bedroom. Once there he went to his bedroom windows and with light, gave the signal.
Though Naruto's bedroom had been given away to the servant girl Sakura, they were still able to have their messages sent across., They depended a great deal on her loyalty. Not once so far though, has she given them away.
Sasuke waited. He was signalled back. Yes. They would meet as soon as they could. By the brick wall. The wall with the fault. The small crack that gave them each other's presence and yet kept them away. A belssing and a curse.
Naruto sat with his back to the brick. He waited.
"Naruto."
That voice.
"Sasuke."
Then nothing.
"Sasuke," he said again. "What's the matter?"
He was quiet. And then...
"I'm engaged."
Naruto was at a loss of words. "Oh?"
"In one week, that's when all the final arrangements will be made. Then it will be official."
"I see..." His heart was breaking. He kept his voice calm. "I'm happy for you. Who's the lucky bride?"
"She doesn't matter," hostility was in his voice. "I don't want to marry her."
"It's not as though you have a choice, right?"
"Exactly. Which is why I've come to a descision."
Naruto's face turned towards his beloved's voice. "And that would be?"
"Run away with me."
The blond's eyes widened. "What?"
"Run away with me. I want to leave this place, and I want you to come with me."
"And go where?" he asked.
"Does that matter? I'd rather be living somewhere dirty and unfit then stuck in a loveless marriage and watch you from afar."
"I think you do that already," he laughed.
"This isn't a joke," his tone was hard. "I'm serious."
Naruto's laughter ceased. He cleared his thought. He took the offer into serious consideration.
"Naruto?"
"Alright."
"What?"
"I'll go with you. I mean, I'm no better off here, and I don't really think you'd give me a choice."
"You've got that right," he smirked.
"There's that condenscending smirk of your. I can here it in your voice."
"And I can here annoyed expression."
They sat in silence. The two of them. Until Naruto voiced his internal question aloud.
"When do we leave?"
The back of Sasuke's head hit the wall softly. "At the end of the week. After this so-called engagement has been annouced. Security will be more laxed then."
"I get it."
Suddenly! Sakura came running from the side of the home.
"Naruto!" she softly cried out. "They're looking for you! Quickly! Come on!"
"Speaking of security," he half laughed out. "I need to leave already."
"Come back tomorrow, I'll have a plan."
"Naruto!" She was becoming frantic.
"I'll be back. Press your lips to the wall."
This time Sasuke complied without argument.
That's all for now. It's shorter than what I had originally written, but I accidently clicked back and lost everything (Yes, I was very smart in writing this in the edit box on the account.). Last part should be up by the end of the week. Oh... the irony...
