AN: Hey guys! Sorry it took me so long. We have been remodeling out kitchen. Almost done! =) This chapter is a little bit longer. I hope you all enjoy. And a really big thanks to all those that have given me such great reviews. I really appreciate them.
The next morning Naruto woke up feeling oddly comfortable. His bedding was smooth and soft and didn't crunch when he moved. That was a little strange. He also didn't remember looking for leaves and moss to make a bed out of. Then it hit him, everything that has happened in the past few days. He remembered him getting kidnapped by the hunters and that bastard of a prince having him become his servant boy.
He sat up quickly and immediately regretted it from the head rush. After it passed he opened his eyes and took in the enormity of the prince's room. It was almost completely covered in red and black save for the candles and furniture. The bed was sinfully large and covered in satin. He saw the desk that they ate at last night and noted that the dishes where already gone. He glanced across from him and saw the enormous window. He looked around the room to see if the bastard was around. The coast was clear.
Naruto stood up and walked to the window. It was almost too good to be true. He looked out the window. Beyond the castle wall there were green pastures and a large forest easy to hide in. There was a ledge close enough he could jump down to then he could hop to the roof of what looked like a small barn and he could be home free. He checked once more to see if anyone was watching. He took a deep breath and opened the window.
At least he tried to open it.
Naruto looked down and noticed the lock on the window. That bastard.
"And the only person who has the key is me."
Naruto turned around to see the bane of all evil and his duck-butt hair standing in the door way.
"So sorry to disappoint you, but I told you what would happen last night. Either you listen to me or you get killed. It's not an easy feet to escape this castle. I said that plenty of times before," said Sasuke.
Yes Naruto remembered everything he said yesterday. He just thought that maybe it would be better to die trying then give in.
Then Naruto smelled something wonderful. Was that bacon? He noticed then that Sasuke was carrying with him a plate full of bacon, ham, and eggs.
"I brought you some breakfast," said Sasuke. He walked over and put the plate at the desk he ate at last night.
Naruto stared skeptically at the plate of food. He went over and sniffed at the food.
"It's not poisoned is it?" asked Naruto.
Sasuke chuckled at him. "Why would I poison you? I have been trying to keep you from being killed. It would be a waste of my time. So eat the food, we have stuff to do today."
Naruto sat down and ate the food while Sasuke went to the armoire and found some old clothes that would make Naruto look more presentable for the public.
By the time he got back over to Naruto the food was all gone.
"Do you ever eat without having to stuff your face?" asked Sasuke.
Naruto gave him a look that said, duh. "Well, in the forest you have to fend for yourself. No one makes food for you. You have to hunt, clean, and cook your own food. The cleaning and cooking isn't bad, it's the hunting. It could take days before I can finally catch something, and it's not always enough. It's considered lucky to catch anything."
"Then you should be happy to be here. You don't need to hunt for food."
"But for the price of being called a slave."
"Ah, but at least you're not a hungry slave."
Naruto glared at Sasuke. "That doesn't change the fact that I am still a slave."
Sasuke sighed. "If it will make you feel better you are actually a serving boy. Not a slave. And yes there is a difference."
Sasuke tossed the clothes at Naruto. "Now we have a busy day ahead of us, so get dressed. I am going to show you around and give you your daily duties. I'll also introduce you to some of the people you will be working with and seeing every day."
Naruto stood up and was about to change his clothes then glanced at Sasuke. "Aren't you going to leave the room or at least turn around?"
"I don't think so. I think I'll enjoy the sight in front of me." Sasuke smirked at Naruto
"You are a perverted bastard."
"And you are a magnificently beautiful creature that has a tail and fox ears."
Naruto blushed and gave in. He turned away from Sasuke and changed as quickly as he could. Then he turned back towards Sasuke.
"Good. Now let us move on."
Sasuke led Naruto out of the room and into the grand halls of the castle. They took a few twists and turns and all the while Naruto was wondering how on earth he was supposed to remember the way back to the room. They finally ended up down in the kitchen.
When they entered all the staff bowed to acknowledge the prince.
The entire room was filled with the smells of meat, vegetables, and a variety of spices. People scrambled around to keep the fast pace of the kitchen going. Yet everyone found time to stare at Naruto.
He was starting to get uncomfortable with all these stares. He was used to solitude, not crowds of people. At least solitude never stared at him.
"Choji!" ordered Sasuke.
A round man with swirls on his cheeks walked over. He was wearing an apron that was covered with food and his brown hair was sticking almost straight up.
"Yes My Lord?" asked the man named Choji.
"This is Naruto, he is my personal servant. He is now the only person I will allow to bring me my food unless I say otherwise. I want you to show him how to cook my regular meals so he will be able to in the near future."
"Wait a minute. I am not cooking for you," argued Naruto. He may be a servant but he is not a maid.
"It is your job to do as I say. Besides, when you are able to cook my meals correctly then that would take a burden off a Choji's shoulders. The kitchen is short staffed with cooks. Father will only trust few people. He fears everyone will try to poison him. Won't you feel good knowing you are helping someone other than me by doing one simple task?" Sasuke gave him a smug smirk knowing that he one this argument.
"Fine, but it's only because I am helping Choji out. Not you. Bastard."
Choji gapped at Naruto for calling the prince such a name. People have been hanged for such an act. Yet the prince didn't even bat an eye at it.
"Yes My Lord. I will make sure he learns everything," said Choji after he got over his bewilderment.
Sasuke turned to Naruto, "I want you to go and get me a glass of water."
"How the hell am I supposed to know where the glasses are or even where to get the water?"
"You figure it out. Just get me the water."
Naruto puffed with anger and stomped off to find some water.
Sasuke watched Naruto stomp off then turned to Choji.
"I want you to watch after him Choji. Father will try to have him slip up to the point where he will have a reason to have him hanged. I just need you to make him feel comfortable here and make sure he knows not to get in the way of my father," Sasuke pleaded.
Choji had never seen Sasuke plead to him like this. Or plead at all for that matter. Was Naruto all that special?
"Of course I will My Lord," replied Choji.
Naruto came up and jiggled the glass of water in front of Sasuke's while little bits of water fell out and splashed on the floor. "Here you go bastard."
"You took too long dobe. I no longer want the water. Let's continue with your tour."
Naruto fumed. He could not believe that after all that trouble the bastard wouldn't even take a drink at least. Sasuke quickly walked out of the kitchen with Naruto at his heels.
"First of all you jerk; I had some trouble getting that water. And second, I am not a dobe you teme!"
Sasuke ignored his rants and continued to take Naruto to the horse stables. Along the way they found trouble.
"So this is the famed wild demon from the Gail forest. He truly is as beautiful as they say. I wouldn't mind taming him for you Sasuke."
Sasuke and Naruto turned around to be presented with a snake like man. He was pale and had long dark hair. When he talked his tongue seemed to almost slither out to taste the air just like a snake's would.
"And how is our little princess today? I hope you haven't scarred that wonderful body of yours. It would be such a shame," said the mysterious man.
"Orochimaru, I didn't realize you were allowed outside of your cave yet. After that mistake with beheading the wrong man was the last straw. Seems my wishes never came true," Sasuke said with disgust. "And Naruto is mine."
Orochimaru gave Sasuke a once over. All the while he was grinning. "Well, it seems both of our wishes have yet to come true." Then he looked at Naruto the same way. "But it seems that my new wish has a better chance. So we'll see to that claim of yours young Prince."
Orochimaru gave them a small bow then carried on his way.
"Well he was just creepy as hell," Naruto said. "And what's this about me being yours? I believe the last time I checked I was my own person bastard."
Sasuke watched Orochimaru leave with pure hatred. Then he turned towards Naruto. "I want you to stay away from him. If you see him just turn the other way. If he bothers you come straight to me."
"You don't need to tell me twice. But I think I can take care of myself. After all I have been for the past ten years," said Naruto.
"I don't doubt you, but I still want you to come straight to me."
"Fine, I will."
"Good."
They finished the way to the stables in silence.
When the stables were in sight the first thing Naruto noticed was that he had never seen an animal so big.
"What on earth are those things?" asked Naruto while hiding slightly behind Sasuke.
Sasuke gave a small laugh and said, "They are called horses and it's going to be your job to get mine ready when I go on a ride."
"Wait, you can ride them? Won't they bite or kick you?"
"Yes they can. But the horses here are trained and you will never have to deal with a wild one. And even if they try to bite it's not like they have sharp teeth. Just treat them nice and they will treat you the same."
Naruto let out a thankful sigh.
"Mostly," Sasuke added.
"I don't care what you say. I am not going near those beasts."
Sasuke just shook his head and opened the large doors to the stable. "Kiba!"
A well-built man with wild brown hair and upside-down red triangles under his eyes finished tying up one of the horses and jogged over to Sasuke.
"Yes Sire. What can I do for you?" questioned Kiba.
"Naruto this is Kiba, keeper of all the animals we have here. Kiba this is Naruto, my new servant boy,"
Suddenly Kiba broke out laughing.
"What are laughing at dog boy!" yelled Naruto
Once Kiba could finally catch his breath he said, "I just can't believe that our prince got a servant boy, and I also just won a bet." He took another breath and had a good look at Naruto noticing his ears and his tail. "What the hell are ya any ways?"
"I am a fox demon dog breath."
"A demon? For real? Well isn't that something. I have lived to see a real demon." Kiba shook his head in astonishment. Naruto swished his tail and blushed.
"Yes and I need you to show him how to take care of my horse and how to get the horse ready for a ride starting tomorrow and that will be all," said Sasuke.
Kiba stopped staring at Naruto and turned towards Sasuke. "Of course I can Prince Sir." He gave a salute then a bow to Sasuke. "I'll be seeing you tomorrow Foxy," Kiba said to Naruto then walked off back to the horse he tied up before.
"My name is not foxy you halfwit dog!" yelled Naruto.
Sasuke just smiled seeing how cute Naruto looked when he was angry. "I have a feeling you two will get along nicely," said Sasuke
"Not even in Hell could that happen," scoffed Naruto.
"Oh you would be surprised just how much in common you two are."
Naruto's jaw dropped at the unlikely comment. "We are nothing alike."
Sasuke just smirked and walked off to their next destination.
"Hey, don't walk off while I am talking to you bastard!"
"Then stop jabbering that big mouth of yours and start using those short legs!" yelled Sasuke over his shoulders.
"Oh he is going to pay for that one" Naruto ran after Sasuke all the while scheming over what he was going to do to the Prince.
AN: I hope you like. Review please! I'll also try to make the chapters longer. I just felt so bad with taking so long to update.
