Warning: Hm. You really should know by now.

Why aren't I getting any criticism? D:

-x-

Dear Naruto-kun,

I miss you.

Sometimes, when I'm picking flowers in the garden, I wonder to myself,

'I wonder if Naruto-kun would like sunflowers. Or maybe he'd like…' I miss you, Naruto-kun, very much!

Without you in the castle, everything is so quiet…I wish you could keep me company.

I really like you, Naruto-kun.

I hope you'll come back soon.

Hinata

(This took Hinata-chan a few hours to write, and some letters were shaky, as if she held her quill trembling.)

(When she finally places it in the orange rag sack filled with Naruto's possessions, it was infiltrated by a very jealous Kiba, and unknown to Hinata, the letter never made it to Naruto.)

(Kiba had complained how Naruto's bag stunk to high heaven, so Hinata put some crushed lilacs into it.)

-

Dear Naruto

Try all the tasty food they have there and bring some back for me!

I hope to see you soon!

Chouji

(Chouji felt the letter was rather short, and so he stuck a big lollipop in the sack to make it seem better.)

-

Naruto

Have fun.

Shikamaru

(Shikamaru had put everything else in the sack, including their picture. Although such necessities required little strength, to lazy Shikamaru, he felt he shouldn't work for a week to compensate his strength.)

-x-

Prince

Chapter 4

Sasuke sipped his tea while Naruto rummaged through his tattered sack. Sasuke had it brought to him, and seeing Naruto smile so brilliantly gave him flutters. The fact that the bright smiles were directed towards him made him feel glad he was able to do something that made the blond smile only at him.

And without a doubt, Naruto was happy. He read Kiba's note out loud and laughed. "Wow. Kiba really likes Hinata-chan."

"'At least now I can hit on Hinata in peace?'" Naruto raised an eyebrow as he read the last sentence.

"Did I keep him from hitting on Hinata? Hm…well, she always ran to me when Kiba was around."

Sasuke gave Naruto a look. How stupid can he be? He sipped his tea.

Then Naruto took out Chouji's letter and smiled. He pulled out the large lollipop, admired it for its large size and shape, and stuck it gently back in his bag.

"It's very colorful." Sasuke remarked.

Naruto nodded in agreement and proceeded to pull out another letter. Sasuke noted that there were only three words on the paper.

Naruto saw it and laughed. "Shikamaru is such a lazy ass!" But knowing Shikamaru, he probably thought ahead and packed his precious items for him.

Accidentally lifting up his duffel bag from the bottom, all the articles tumbled onto the ground. The rag covered article unfolded and a book slipped out from the dirty material. It was orange, and looked like a diary of some sort. A key design was placed in the center. Several other items fell, as well as the torn up looking fox plush.

Sasuke bent down to help him pick up the book, but Naruto quickly beat him to it, scooping up his items and stuffing them back into his bag in a hurry. Sasuke blinked, but didn't have time to question as a bell rung through the hallways.

Sasuke frowned. "Our food has not even arrived. Why is father rushing?"

Naruto gave his bag a little tug before blinking at Sasuke. "What?"

Sasuke got up and gave an expectant look to Naruto. "He's starting the meeting early. A bit slow, aren't you?"

"I! I am not!!"

"Just get up, stupid." Infuriating the blond was fun.

"Che. Bastard." Naruto got up and swung his bag over his shoulder.

Sasuke glanced at the bag. "You can just leave it here. I'll ask somebody to bring it to our room."

Naruto looked at his bag worriedly, and said calmly, "No. It's okay if I carry it."

Sasuke frowned at this, but kept his mouth shut as they both got out of the Tea room. There was a soft look on Naruto's face as he clutched the little bag, as if it was all that he had left.

Sasuke missed it.

As the left the Tea Room, Sasuke noticed that the bag had a torn up looking inscription. Sasuke squinted, trying to read the foreign letters.

'A-Ara-'

A hand blocked the inscription, and Sasuke looked at Naruto in surprise. Naruto didn't seem to know what he was looking at, but he gave Sasuke a small frown.

"Sasuke? We're here."

'Gee, my bag may be ugly, but is it really necessary to stare at it?'

Sasuke ignored him, wondering what the inscription said. He was a bit frustrated that he wasn't quick with comprehending other dialects; that had always been his weakest subject. He wondered if Naruto could speak or read other languages.

Itachi had always been the best in studying other foreign languages.

Naruto sighed and opened the door in exasperation. Why was Sasuke acting so strange? His eyes were zoned out. And he didn't react the slightest bit.

Actually, he was always the best at everything. Sasuke gritted his teeth as he and Naruto caught his father's eyes. Even now, his father still saw him as something lower then his brother.

"Sasuke." He acknowledged, completely unnoticing Naruto's presence. He did not even notice that it was the same servant that Princess Sakura brought.

Naruto stared at Sasuke, whose face was as clean as a slate. His expression was so cold.

"Father." He said. Fugaku was really in a bad mood. He dropped on one knee and bowed in the center of the courtroom, and Naruto quickly followed his example.

"Get up and go sit." He sounded incredibly bitter. And he was, in fact. Sasuke will never be able to amount to anything. In his eyes, Itachi…he had been his everything. The younger son had always been Mikoto's favorite, as he was more beautiful then Itachi. Sasuke was also a lot more dependent, while Itachi always counted only on himself. Women were idiots.

Itachi is his son, his boy. His Pride. And he had left. The thought of it left a bitter taste in his mouth, and he still felt the shameful pain in his heart. What kind of father was he to have his own son leave him! He was a King, so the pressures of the kingdom, the taunts and questionable mouths began to wonder if this king; their king, who couldn't even withhold his own son…Was it possible for him to control the whole country and keep control?

Rather silly, as this was all in Fugaku's mind. The people of his country loved and adored the Uchihas. They were best in Wars and everything else. They had nothing but pride for their country, their King, Queen…heirs. They did not blame Fugaku or Mikoto for why Itachi had left.

Only Fugaku blamed himself. Mikoto wasn't bitter. She had equal confidence in Sasuke as Itachi. She loved them both the same; and she was affected by his departure. She had been unbearably hurt. How could…How could her own son leave his mother?! Was she unloving? Controlling? Was he unhappy? She had been in a hysterical state, and Sasuke was her only comfort.

She knew her son was smart and hopefully left on his own account, not any of theirs. To say that she didn't miss him would be a lie. However, even as his parent, she didn't understand him.

Mikoto was not aware of the court session, and will not be aware of her son's involvement. This is safely said, because Fugaku didn't tell her anything, and she was still slumbering away in her grand bedroom.

Sasuke made his way to the center high chairs. The lower chairs were slowly being filled, and Naruto stood behind him, not knowing what to do.

The height difference between the high chairs and the low chairs were large. The ones who sat on the low chairs were in the approximate height of the person's feet who sat in the high chairs. The floors were circling, and the levels of the floor were different. Sasuke didn't get why the people 'lower' then him had to stare at his feet. It made him feel like an asshole, honestly.

He also wished that he could grab Naruto and let him sit on his lap. The blond sputtering and blushing was a fun image to make. Instead, the back of his chair was so high and filled with décor that it completely covered Naruto, which really pissed him off.

"Naruto." Sasuke turned.

"Huh?" Naruto had been idly staring at the chair's back. It had pretty designs.

"Get a chair, pull it up next to mine, and sit." Sasuke commanded.

"Wha? Why don't you do it?" He didn't want to bother. He was used to standing, especially since it was his punishment back in Yondaime's Castle. He'd have to stand for hours, outside in the rain, snow, or sun. Well, that was in the beginning. He rarely got caught nowadays. Of course, everyone knew it was him, but with no substantial proof…they couldn't blame him.

"Just do it." Sasuke gritted his teeth. What was with him? He always had to argue back.

Naruto gave him a glare. "Fine." He ran, catching a few eyes, and loudly grabbed a stool, catching some more, and finally, ran back. He tripped halfway, and by the time he made it back to Sasuke, everybody's eyes were on him.

Sasuke cradled his temples, muttering something about idiots.

Then he said loudly, "I got the chair, you bastard!"

A few of the noble girls, dressed in fancy dresses and ruffles glared at Naruto. How dare he call Sasuke a bastard!

Sasuke gave him the coldest glare possible, and Naruto glared back. He shoved the stool next to Sasuke's, and it creaked against the floor.

Then he noticed everybody was looking at him. His wide eyes became wider, and he smiled at the audience.

"Ne, Sasuke. Why is everyone staring at me?" Sasuke almost slapped his forehead.

"You…You're so stupid. Just sit down." He didn't meet eyes with his father, and after a moment of silence (Minus one confused Naruto), everyone started talking to each other again.

"Is it because I look different?"

Sasuke looked at him. "What?"

Naruto had been listening to the conversations below their feet, and the women were giggling and talking about how cute he was, and what beautiful eyes and hair he had.

"Everyone was quiet before."

"Don't worry about that. You could've attracted less attention."

"It's not my fault I'm beautiful." Naruto joked, striking a pose.

Sasuke rolled his eyes. (He sort of agreed.)

Naruto laughed. Suddenly, he sat upright, and pointed.

"Ah! Neji!" Neji had appeared.

Neji gave a friendly wave and sat down, several seats from him. Somewhere below, too.

"Che. He's not sitting with us." Naruto pouted.

Sasuke didn't say anything, glad that he was gone. Naruto watched Sasuke intently, waiting for his response. After a minute, he slumped his shoulders. Having Sasuke as company was like having a rock sit next to you. A very mean, insulting, sexy rock.

…Sexy? He was not sexy! No!! His eyes were like…whatever. They definitely weren't sexy. Naruto gripped the edges of his stool, nibbling his lip. He. Was. Not. Attractive. At. All. That stupid portrait. Why did Sasuke…have to be so good-looking? In it, of course. He was definitely not good looking in real life. No. He was…ugly. But he attractively so.

God, he didn't make any sense.

Suddenly, his eyes saw red staring back at him. That other portrait. With the really pretty man. Who was that? When he turned to pull on Sasuke's arm to ask him, his eyes suddenly met blindfolded ones. In the far corner where the shadow hit everything, was the blonde woman. Her hair was brilliant, and the darkness didn't shield her beauty. As if she could see that he was staring, she smiled.

He knew she was beautiful. His eyes drifted lower. Whoa, boobies! They were big. Naruto fisted his bag. 'She's really pretty…for someone that old.' As if she heard his thoughts, a vein popped on her forehead.

Sasuke's face blocked her. Naruto frowned.

"You've been really quiet. It's a relief, but it's unnatural. What are you thinking of?" Naruto scowled. Why did Sasuke have to be so insulting?! He completely forgot about the portraits and the alluring red eyes. And the busty woman.

"Well, obviously, you don't care! Why are you so mean to me?! You rock of a person! So boring and quiet!"

Well, that was unexpected. Sasuke smirked his superior smirk of his, pissing Naruto off.

"I do care. I like how you react, it's fun. I'm a rock? You want to know where else I can be that hard? People who make noise are idiots." He countered, utterly confusing Naruto.

After Naruto understood what he said (Which took a total of five minutes,) he yelled, "Point!" I want to make a point!"

"Very well. I would like to counter-point." Sasuke paused, resting on his throne-like chair. "What do you have to say, Naruto?"

"You're lying. It's not fun for me. …I don't want to know (That's disgusting, Sasuke!). I'm not an idiot!" Naruto harrumphed, and attempted to sit back proudly, forgetting he was on a stool. He almost fell over, until Sasuke saved him. He slid his arm under Naruto and cradled him up back onto the stump of a seat. Naruto blushed, out of anger and embarrassment.

"Well then. I don't care if you think I don't care about you, because I do. It's fun for me. You'll want to feel it. You'll be begging for it later. I never said you were. But since you voluntarily said it, I guess I won't have to."

"…Huh?" Naruto was so confused. Before he could grasp all the details together, Sasuke interrupted.

Sasuke's smirk widened, his hold body was facing Naruto now. "My turn. Point."

"C-Counterpoint." Naruto's blue eyes widened. Stop it! It was going to fast for him.

Just as Sasuke was about to say some statements, something soft touched his lips. Naruto's palm. With the other hand, he was clutching his head. "I don't want to play anymore!!"

Sasuke kissed his palm, and Naruto quickly yanked his palm away, rubbing away the kiss on his pants. "Okay. I win one favor from you." Sasuke smiled deviously. There were literally stars twinkling around his eyes.

"H-hey! That's not how the game goes!"

Sasuke shrugged. "You forfeited. You lost. So you must do something for me now. I play it like that." He added arrogantly, "I'm the Prince."

Naruto's eyes flashed with frustration. Finally, after staring semi-defiantly at Sasuke, he said gruffly, "Fine." If he had dog ears, they would be drooping.

"Get under the table. And lift your face up, so you'll be facing me. On your hands and knees."

Naruto looked at him in shock, and then around. Did anybody hear what he just said? Everyone was preoccupied with their own conversations. Things had been lively, after he and Sasuke began arguing. Nobody sat around them because the higher officials and Jury people knew the true time the meeting was starting.

Naruto stared at Sasuke, pleadingly. 'Don't make me do anything like this.' His eyes said what his lips refused to.

Sasuke stared back at him, finding the look so erotic. He loved it when he won. He loved it when he made Naruto submissive. He had a bit of a sadistic streak.

"Hmph. Do it."

Naruto's eyes narrowed, and he ducked down under the table. He looked up, and saw Sasuke staring down at him. "Now what?" He was afraid. What was Sasuke planning?

Sasuke looked around, making sure nobody was going to notice anything. His father was out of the room.

To his surprise, Sasuke dropped down on his knees and kissed him almost desperately. Shoving Naruto to the backing of the table, he kissed him again. "I win." He whispered hotly into Naruto's ear. Naruto continued receiving the kisses and his hands awkwardly fumbled around his neck. Sasuke licked his ear, his hot tongue cradling the shell of it. Naruto shivered and Sasuke hugged him his waist close.

Sasuke kissed his soft plump lips, and his hands reached further southwards, his fingers touching the soft skin of his backside.

"No." Naruto said, gripping both of his hands. He licked Sasuke's lips. Damn…why does Sasuke have to kiss so well? His eyes were heated.

"I'm not going to do anything." Naruto's eyes widened at the warm honesty in Sasuke's voice. Sasuke kissed his neck, sucking on the silky skin.

"I'll never do something you won't want."

Sasuke's deep serious eyes stared into Naruto's blue disbelieving ones. It didn't take a genius to tell that Naruto didn't believe him.

A layer of skin had been peeled off from him. Deep within the blue eyes, pain, and utter doubt were evident in his eyes.

The bell rang. Shuffling and soft cries of "Finally!" was heard. The meeting was really going to start.

Naruto straightened himself out and got out under the table, not commenting on anything Sasuke said. He smiled at Sasuke, and extended his hand. Sasuke tried to look through at his eyes again, but when he tried to see something, the emotions were gone.

Sasuke watched Naruto uncertainly as he reached down to get his bag from under the table. He was so happy. He was so sad. How…?

'What happened to him?'

X-X

A/N: For all you boys and girls out there, Happy belated V day! For single people like me, Happy Single Day! Woo!

I wasn't…very satisfied with this chapter. I hope this chapter wasn't entirely useless; I wanted Sasu-kun and Naru-kun to bond. :3 The whole point with the counter-point and point was a very interesting scene in Mahoromatic, which I was coincidentally watching. Not mine! The inner dialogue belongs to me, though, because it's…erm…a habit. Was it confusing? Probably.

Hahaha, there's nothing like real experience, ne? Ah…what will come next?

You'll come back, right? RIGHT?