A Beautiful Princess - The Trade

I'm back! I'm not dead!

So I've decided to throw a rock in the air and publish two new stories, which means that I now have four ongoing stories about Naruto and Hinata. If the rock lands on me – well, that's something I'll be prepared to deal with.

Questions:

How will you update your stories?

I'll try to set a deadline for when I need to update each story. Maybe I'll publish a new chapter for this story every Friday, and one for Gakusei Meido on Mondays. We'll see. My only official words are that I won't just abandon my other stories and work on one specific fanfic.

When and where is this set?

A long time back. 1800's? No cars, no phones, no Biebers, no 1D's – nothing.

This is meant to be set in a Northern European kind of place. Konoha doesn't actually exist, but imagine that if it were to, it would be located somewhere by Denmark, Germany, Finland. And now you may be yelling at your computers/phones in an attempt to reach me: "Why is a Japanese boy prince of a European Country?!"

Fantasy.

I don't remember the other questions. And I don't really feel like searching for them at the moment. Right now, I just want to publish this chapter and return to my dusty bed.

P.S

Whenever the first few words of the paragraph are written in bold text, it means that it's 'later'.

The weather conditions were less than pleasing. Streaks of lightning illuminated the dark sky, dancing tantalizingly through the great big void as if inviting the housebound citizens out of their homes. Some were running feverishly around, knocking on the doors of certain vendors and asking for an amount of their goods, but other than that, the streets were practically empty. There wasn't much to see in the kingdom of Konoha. It was a dark, and quite uncomfortable place to be in.

The kingdom lie at the surface of an enormous mountain. Wrapped around its bottom like a belt was a river that protected the people from wolves and other threatening living beings, but also posed as a threat to those who tread too close to the edge of the mountain. The edge was very, very steep.

In the very middle, reaching higher than any other building or house was the castle where the royal family resided in. The castle was everything but ideal. It may have been considered to be very modern and in great condition for its age, but whenever lightning would strike, it would be on the very tip of the brick sculpture, above the prince's room.

He dropped his ink pen on the desk before him and sighed. Letters were terribly exhausting to write, but because his parents had insisted on inviting so many grotesque little snots into his home by claiming that the prince himself had requested it, he was the one who was up day and night having to write his formal apology to all of them.
And was he enjoying it? Of course not! His mind was reeling as his hands trembled in contained wrath. He was the one in control, the one who would be ordering everyone around him once his parents were deceased and finally gone, the one who would conquer the neighboring kingdoms, the one who would regain Konoha's reputation after his grandfather had so stupidly allowed it to slip right out of his feeble hands. He chose money over reputation, and had earned the hate of his grandson in return for it.

Naruto wasn't so foolish, and even though the citizens of his kingdom couldn't care less, he would, for his own personal pleasure officially retrieve the title that rightfully belonged to him. The most powerful, wealthiest, threatening kingdom in the whole entire world. Why?

Because he felt like it.

What was he otherwise to do with his free time? Draw? Play hide-and-seek with his friends? He didn't do the friend thing. He didn't need people around him in order to feel loved. He didn't need to feel love. He didn't want to. It was such a revolting word, he cringed at the thought of it.

"Love." He spat, finalizing the last letter he would force himself to write for the day.

He threw the pen back and poured red wax over the seal of the letter. Pressing the stamp down over it, he subconsciously wondered how much strength he would need in order to murder someone with a pillow. The thought caused chills of excitement to skate down his body, and he grinned. The feeling of ending someone's life must be so thrilling.

Naruto, the mad king of Konoha. It had a nice ring to it. But who would he kill, and why?

It mattered little at this point, because he'd first of all need to actually be the king before he could do any of that. The process would take years – decades! And he hadn't even a wife yet. But she would arrive soon enough, and she would be chained by his side for as long as he wanted her there. A woman of his very own to order around and be given pleasure by. Best of all – she wouldn't be a snotty, up-nosed princess with enough skin on her nose to talk back to the likes of him.

As he continued his journey of thought about seemingly insane things, the door behind him opened and his butler, dressed in a black waist coat with tails and matching colored pants and a white shirt and red tie beneath, stepped in and bowed courteously.

"Your majesty, the guests have all arrived and are waiting in the room." His voice was just the right between annoyingly loud and disturbingly low, the only volume he would accept.

"Right. I've completed all of the rejection letters. I suspect that you are aware of the lady of my choosing?"

"Indeed, sir."

"As I've understood, she will hear none of it until dawn."

"The messenger had been given the letter and will personally deliver your wishes to her front door, your majesty." Naruto couldn't suppress his smirk. Rejecting all those ragdolls would prove to amuse him greatly. Perhaps Miss Hyuuga would begin to suspect why her name wouldn't be called out. Even if she wouldn't, she need not wait long before everything would be made clear.
But then there was the problem with waiting. First, her father would need to meet his. Then, they would come to an agreement of some kind, and judging by his career, a greenhouse and some money would satisfy him. If the father chose not to allow it, then he'd just kidnap her. The only loss would be on the father's side, because he'd be not only without a daughter, but also money.

Either way, she would belong to him. He ran a hand through his hair and plastered a dark grin on his lips before standing up and throwing the cape which lie draped over his chair on his shoulders.

"What is it about timid girls." He mumbled before leaving the room, abandoning his butler, whom wore a grave expression as he watched his master exit. Never in his life had he imagined that Uzumaki Naruto, the prince of Konoha would become beguiled by such a young, insignificant individual. He would enjoy serving her.

"Oh, my foppish little prince." He laughed as he, too exited the room, closing the double doors silently before making his way down the long set of wooden stairs.

All conversation died out when the prince came walking down the stairs in his royal attire. While the princesses would squeal and faint, the butlers and friends would simply watch in awe as the wealthy young boy gracefully stepped across the stone floor towards his father, who merely smiled and welcomed his son.

"Are you enjoying yourself, Naruto?" He asked.

"I just arrived." He mumbled irritably in response.

" And the party has only just begun! The last guest has arrived and the envelopes are prepared!"

"Has the Hyuuga family arrived?" Minato smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Yes, Hiashi is currently discussing beverages with Jiraiya –"Upon noticing the frown on his son's face, Minato continued. "- And Miss Hyuuga is conversing with one of the maids, apparently."

Naruto whipped a hand through his hair and with determined footsteps began walking towards the girl whose arrival he had been anticipating the most. There she is.

As his footfalls made light clicking noises, he was made aware of how quickly he was walking.

"Enjoying yourself?" He asked as he tapped her on her shoulder lightly. She quickly spun around and scanned him for identification. When he assumed she realized, her eyes widened fractionally and she rapidly hung her head and torso in respect. Submissive little girl.

"Pr-prince Naruto…! Th-thank you fo-for i-invi-inviting me t-to this party." Her voice was quiet, too quiet.

"You talk as if we are trading illegal information, speak up." His annoyed tone caused her to grow even more anxious than before. Why is the prince of Konoha even talking to me?!

"I-I apologize…!" She raised her voice a little, and he sighed, clearly growing exasperated. Wanting to avoid an uncomfortable silence, Hinata voiced a question for the prince.

"D-does the prince n-not en-enjoy parties?" This time, his eyes were the ones to grow larger. His tired eyelids revealed more of his blue, azure eyes, and his lips curved into a dark smirk.

"No, I do not." He breathed. "How did you know?"

"U-uhm… I-I just gu-guess-"

"No, you didn't. Don't make me repeat myself."

"Forsooth, I believe t-that the… Prince feigns interest in t-these kinds o-of events." His smile vanished in an instant.

"How dare you…" His tone was threatening, and Hinata cowered beneath his glare.

"I-I a-apo-apologize sincerely!" She turned to flee, but Naruto was quick to grab hold of her bare arm and pull her back.

"Miss Hyuuga, I believe I deserve a more fitting apology." Fitting…Apology?!

"Pl-please, release me…" She trembled under the hold of his cold, deadly hand. It wasn't the kind of hand that belonged to a friend or lover. It was more the kind of hand that belonged to the body of a forgotten, lifeless body.

"Come." He whispered, pulling her out of the main room, making sure to avoid the king and queen.

As they left the hall, the distant echo of a man calling out names of princesses was the only thing to be heard.

"Screw waiting." Naruto murmured, and before Hinata could regain her equilibrium, his lips were already pushed against hers, and her open back was against the wall. While the kiss heated would've heated her whole body up greatly, the cold from the stone seemed to neutralize it. I don't want this! She placed her hands on his chest and, evidently without thinking properly, shoved the prince away from her as hard as she could. As soon as she realized what she'd done, she gasped audibly and covered her mouth with her hands at a failed attempt to stifle her shock. Oh, no…

"What did you just…" Naruto lowered his head and directed his burning eyes at her, and although his bangs covered most of his face when he lowered it in such a way, she could feel the anger practically oozing out of his very being. And she knew, that she was going to be tonight's dinner.

"What… Did… you…" He took one step towards her, "-DO?!" and within a sheer second, his hand that normally rested calmly by his side, was slashed across her face, and she fell defenselessly to the floor.

"I'd like to remind you, Miss Hyuuga, that I am the heir of the throne."

"Ah…" She coughed, and began pushing herself up carefully.

"You look stunning this way too, though." Don't look at him, don't look at him.

He lowered himself to the floor without touching it with anything but his feet and glowered at her.

"To think you, a mere tart, would put your hands on someone like me – " He let out a cold, dry laugh, and Hinata's lips pressed into a fine, straight line. "You're one foolish woman, would you not agree?" When she remained silent, he whispered very slowly, in a very menacing tone. "It was not a rhetorical question."

She gulped audibly and whispered back. "I a-am… A fool…"

"Indeed you are. Now, let's get back to the party." He said, reaching his hand out for her to take, but she didn't take it when she stood up.

"M-my hair… I-it's a mess…"

"Yeah, it is." He replied phlegmatically.

"And that marks the end of this evening!" The commotion was deafening, and Naruto had already retreated to his room in an attempt to avoid it all.

"The young prince has decided who his bride will be, and she will be announced in two weeks' time."

"Preposterous!"

"She is evidently not a princess!"

"Will he wed a commoner?!"

"Now, now." Minato chimed in, his voice calm in contrast to the mindless princesses who clung to the royal staff. "My son has made up his mind, he has written you all handwritten letters of declination, so please, return to your kingdoms and accept what has occurred."

"I wanted to be his bride!"

But despite the desperate protesting, all the princesses had been sent home before twelve, including Hinata. Naturally, Naruto was locked up in his room, still busy with certain duties even though he had to wake up early for a meeting the morning after. He sighed and ran a hand through his wavy hair.

"Are you sure about this?" The person, unwelcomed into his room, caused Naruto to gasp and spin around at light speed.

"Father! Are you incapable of knocking?" He calmed down, and turned back to his work.

"You were seen being shoved by Miss Hyuuga." He cocked an eyebrow. And they missed the part where I kissed her?

"Mm..." He tried to urge his father to continue, not knowing if he knew the full story or not.

"I didn't believe my son to be attracted to girls like her."

"She beguiles me. I can have more than one wife, can I not?"

"I suppose so."

"We'll see what happens, won't we?"

She awoke to the loud ringing of a trumpet. The deafening noise echoed down the streets, neither fading nor loudening. In fact, it almost felt as if it was right outside of her window. Never before had she heard it so clearly, and she couldn't help but wonder why it was here. The king's messenger was standing somewhere close by, meaning that he would speak with one of her neighbors. Her heart skipped a beat. What was he here for, coming to deliver words from the king in person?
Thinking about the king and royalty, her mind eventually drifted back to the night before. Not only had the prince kissed her, but he also slapped her for refusing him. Why did he call me a tart? As she lied down again, the messenger knocked on the door to her very own house. His knuckles slammed against the thick wood, echoing in the very same way his trumpet had. At this very moment, the doors to nearby houses opened, and curious neighbors stack their heads out to see what event might be occurring. It was a known thing among many that the messenger never, ever knocked on citizen's doors.

Hiashi was quick to open the door and peek his head out.

"Can I… Help you?" The messenger cleared his throat and held up a long scroll to signify his purpose. Hiashi, vexed, opened the door more and welcomed the multi-colored attired man whose face was painted white. He looked like a jester of some kind, and even though they were mean to be funny, he looked rather intimidating.

"Have we done you wrong?" Hiashi asked, trying and failing miserably to sound calm. When Hinata came walking down the stairs, he waved his hand one in an upward motion as to tell her to go back to her room. I'll handle this.

When they seated themselves inside the living room, the messenger cleared his throat and began speaking.

"His royal majesty Naruto has most graciously expressed interest in your daughter. He has therefore arrived at the conclusion that she is to marry him, this happy news is no doubt sudden, so his majesty has again, graciously, allowed both his future bride and the father of said bride to arrive at the royal castle later this evening. Attendance is mandatory, as I'm sure you know. Congratulations on this most fortuitous event sir. Extend my gratulations to your daughter."

Hiashi's eyes grew frantically wide and his jaw dropped through the floor. Could he believe what he was hearing? The prince of Konoha wishes to m-m-ma-mar-

"B-but, I have not the money to dress my daughter up!" The messenger smiles proudly.

"We know. All expenses are henceforth none of your concern, the young lady is scheduled for a fitting this afternoon. All will be taken care of, of course, you are not forgotten either. In exchange for your daughter's virtuous hand in marriage, his majesty has seen it befit to bestow a greenhouse upon your land, a fitting exchange as I understand you are a florist? Rest assured, everything is on the path to fulfillment."

"Oh, my…" Hiashi placed a hand over his forehead and concentrated on breathing.

"Until tonight." The messenger stood. "I shall see myself out, sir." And with that, he was gone, and Hinata came running to her father's aid.

"F-father! Wh-what's going on?" Hiashi took a deep breath.

"Ma-mar-marr-"

"Father? Father!"

The castle was lit up for the evening's meeting between the two families. As the horses were forced to halt, the door to the carriage was opened and a fair lady stepped out, followed by her father, who seemed less composed than her.

At the entrance stood the three foremost members of the royal family: Queen Kushina, King Minato and Prince Naruto of Konoha. The queen wore a long red wine silk dress which stretched far passed her ankles, while the king wore a fine suit and his son, handsome as he was, wore white shorts which covered no further than his knees and a long red jacket with tails that reached down to the end of his shorts.

Hinata's dress was a cold green, and although being young, the shoulders hung down on her arms, exposing a part of her neck and back. The V-shaped neck at the front of the dress did not reveal much, as the three flowers covering the bottom greedily hid it.

"You look absolutely gorgeous!" Minato exclaimed as he began stepping down the stairs together with Naruto. Hinata refused to look at the prince, and instead occupied her eyes with the king. I can't believe what's happening… Am I to marry the prince?

"Th-thank you, your maje-" Minato held up his hand with a faint smile on his face.

"Please, call me father from now on. You will be a princess soon, after all, and I will be your in-law." Her eyes widened, and she couldn't help but avert her eyes from his warm gaze.

"Ah, Hiashi!" Minato turned from the shocked Hinata and approached Hiashi. "So, I take it we are under an agreement?" He whispered, to which Hiashi could not respond.

"If I decline this offer…-" Minato was quick to cut him off. "I'm afraid that will be a terrible decision, Hiashi. You see, my son here is very eager to marry your daughter, and he will do just about anything to get his hands on her." He laughed, but Hiashi's face grew stern.

"She is a child! She is fourteen!" Minato frowned.

"Let's go inside for a talk, shall we?" He urged, and while the adults stepped in, Naruto approached Hinata and held his hand out to her. Her eyes slowly raised from the ground to his hand, to his face. He smiled.

"Shall we, princess?" With the lit up castle behind him, Hinata understood just how serious things really were. She hesitantly placed her hand in his, and just as she was about to pull it back, he squeezed it and began leading her up the many steps towards the doors.

I do not want to marry him… Why does he want to marry me?

"You may be questioning why I chose you, Miss Hinata." She blinked. He read her mind! "We crave what we cannot have, and you just happen to have caught my interest. You shoved me yesterday, and I liked it. I like that you don't want me, because…" he stopped halfway up the stairs and turned around to look down at her. "Then I can finally fight for something I desire. Although, I always get what I want." He continued walking up.

"It's just a matter of time."

Hinata pulled her hand away.

"I-I can walk ju-just fine by my-myself…" She whispered, trying to sound tougher than she really was. I could push you down these stairs right now, did you know that, Miss Hyuuga?

He scrutinized her as she continued up on her own. But I won't, because I really, really don't want to.

"As the messenger informed, you will be given a greenhouse and enough money to live on for your remaining years. Your daughter will, in turn, live with the royal family and be betrothed to Uzumaki Naruto. Of course, you understand what this means?" Hiashi nodded, and glanced quietly over at his daughter, who sat, staring at the table before her.

"So, you accept this offer?" Minato asked in a rushed manner, pushing the money-bag closer to Hiashi. Hinata pursed her lips and looked up at Naruto, who sad before her, stroking his lower lip with his left index finger. She cowered under his intense blue eyes and stared at her lap.

"Father… I-I don't…" She began.

"We accept." Hinata's closed her eyes tightly and scrunched up her pain. Before she knew it, warm droplets of water were dripping off her cheeks and landing on her dress. No… I don't… want to…

"Splendid! Then, let us say one date before the two of you will formally marry!" Naruto smirked triumphantly.

I always get what I want.

I have been doing so much research! You would not even believe.