AN: *Skids in* Ah! I am SO sorry min'na! I completely lost track of time and the days! I meant to post this on sunday. . but, now it is wednesday. . . I gravely apologize! So, for that, I have given you a double scoop chapter. . . Ah, I will not babble, so just continue to make me happy by reading this chapter and enjoy!
Pairing(s): Sasuke/Naruto- Naruto/Sasuke
Warning(s): Yaoi, lemon in later chapter, sexual content (Duh!), slight nuggets of OOC-ness (bear with me), adult language and drama.
Disclaimer: Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto
Chapter 4
S.P.O.V. April 11, 1912- 1:53pm
Today was going to be a long one, I could just sense it. We were now on our way to Cherbourg, France, to retrieve the remaining passengers and any other packages that may be placed on this ship for those in America. Such as postage, clothing and wines, however, I was informed that we wouldn't even reach the next dock until sometime later tonight. This left me with only one thing to do, which was to follow my father around and meet his many various associates, while thankfully Sakura and the other ladies would be elsewhere discussing whatever they may about the wedding. More than half of the people on the ship were all going to be attending the wedding and they all seemed to be completely taken with Sakura, they must not know the true her or else they would side with me on how self-righteous she was, though I would never dare voice that feeling. Father surely would give himself an aneurism from yelling at me. So, to keep him pleased, I was now with him and Itachi in this cigar and brandy fill parlor room listening to him and his associates converse about various topics, most of which involved how their stocks were doing and how successful they all were doing… but soon, to my dismay, the conversations suddenly turned with me and my fiancé as the topic of interest… simply fascinating.
"Fugaku, however did you find such an exquisite young lady?" One of fathers associates, I dare not call him a friend, asked, obviously speaking of Sakura.
"Well, as you may know the late Mr. Kohaku Haruno, of the Philadelphia Haruno's, was a close business partner of mine. I felt it was the least I could do for him, to insure that his family is well looked after." Father explained to him… yes, a favor for her… a tragic sentencing for me, completely absurd!
"My, my! That is very noble of you. May the gods' rest his soul, but this has turned out to be a very favorable outcome, the two are a perfect match for each other!" Another one of his associates, Mr. Agira Ryūdoin, joined in and made a brash statement. Where they could have fathomed the notion that she and I were meant for each other was beyond me! I nearly burst out laughing at such a horrid assumption, but instead voiced my thoughts on what he thought.
"I must say, your ability to ascertain the compatibilities about others is fairly lacking." I smirked at the now gaping idiot. However, as soon as I had said that I was immediately aware of my father glaring me into an early grave for possibly embarrassing him.
"Sasuke, what has gotten into you?!" Father seethed at me. He was truly mad. I could easily see the vein throbbing on his temple… I need to cover myself, and quick.
"Father, you mean to tell me that you think I share the same tendencies as Sakura? Last I knew men didn't spend their time sipping tea and gossiping about other women in their free time." I turned to him with the best surprised expression I could muster and apparently my explanation worked, seeing as how the whole table burst into a fit of laughter.
"Sasuke raises a valid point, men and women can only be compatible to an extent. I highly doubt you men would be interested in wedding planning, now would you?" Itachi backed me up with an accomplished smirk.
"Ah, indeed, indeed! Point well taken young Sasuke!" Mr. Ryūdoin chortled, "Fugaku, you have truly raised some fine men here." He continued and raised his glass of brandy toward father.
"So it seems." Father smirked at us both, though I felt that he still may be a bit furious with me… but thankfully the conversation flowed towards something else and so did my attention.
As the hours passed dreadfully slow, we finally left the congested parlor room as the ship finally made its way to Cherbourg. As we walked through the halls, which were now a bit cluttered with the new first class passengers and their luggage we just so happened to come across none other than Tsunade. She is Sakura's mother.
"Ah, if it isn't the Uchihas'." Tsunade smirked at us as she placed a few items of hers down and offered her hand. She really wasn't the type of woman to wait for someone to do something when she was capable of doing so herself, this woman was truly a delight to have around, but she could be violent at times as well, she was practically one of guys.
"Ah, Tsunade, glad to see you made it here safely." Father greeted her and kissed her hand, which Itachi and I followed suit.
"Yes, well, I might have been the first one on this ship if these crewmen didn't insist on taking their precious time." Tsunade narrowed her eyes at the mentioned men as they continued to carry her belongings onto the ship.
"As fast pace as ever." Itachi whispered to me, though it did not go unheard by the blonde haired woman.
"I heard that Itachi," Tsunade swatted him over the head with her fan, "Sasuke, it's good to see you looking well. I do hope that daughter of mine isn't causing you any trouble." She continued and smiled knowingly at me. She knew first hand at how troublesome Sakura could be, she's often reprimanded her for behaving in such a vile way at times, which I was secretly pleased at.
"None more than any other day, I assure you." I grimaced. I wasn't even concerned that father may be put off about me speaking ill of Sakura, simply due to the fact that Tsunade would back me up in any protest he may try to make.
"I swear that girl…" Tsunade sighed and slowly shook her head, "Well, I'm sure dinner is going to begin shortly, so are we just going to stand here or are you handsome gentlemen going to escort me to my cabin? Lord knows I can't wait on these fellows." she continued and made a pointed glance towards the crewmen that were still bring in her luggage.
"Ah, certainly Tsunade," Father agreed, "Itachi, you and Sasuke head to you statesuite and prepare for dinner, you are to meet the rest of us in the dining hall. Do not keep us waiting." He continued and looked directly at me when he finished. I knew he was probably still a bit put off with the whole incident in the parlor room earlier, but at this point I really didn't care, what I was most please about was having Tsunade finally aboard the ship. Now someone would be able to keep Sakura in her place, even if only a bit, which was all that I could ask for at this point. But never the less, with a curt nod to him and a slight bow to Tsunade, Itachi and I set off towards or cabin.
Once we reached our suit, we were greeted my Konan who was seated at one of the tables in the main sitting room sipping tea. She quietly greeted us with a gentle smile and continued to relax as we both went to our separate rooms to dress for the night. If I was being completely honest with myself, I truly did not feel up to sitting at that table with whomever may be joining us tonight and listen to their mindless chatter, after having followed father around the ship all day listening to his various conversations had been enough for me. Maybe I could feign being a bit under the weather or possibly suffering from a headache and excuse myself from dinner tonight, it wasn't as if I couldn't have a Steward bring my meal to my room after all. Though, the more I thought about skipping out tonight was growing more and more enticing by the minute, and of course Itachi would see right through my actions… hell, father may even see it to. Well, so much for that plan.
"Sasuke sir, are you feeling alright?" My personal butler, Suigetsu, questioned me as he assisted me in dressing.
"Ah, yes. I'm quite fine, just a bit lost in thought." I told him as I fastened on my cufflinks with our family insignia on them.
"Are you sure, I could inform your parents that you cannot make it tonight if you need." Suigetsu offered as he held my jacket open for me to put on. The offer was truly tempting, having him to inform father and the others for me and me not having to be subjected to questioning… at least not right away.
"That won't be necessary." I sighed, how I wish I could have him do so.
"As you wish, sir." He nodded and handed me my cane, which made me completely dressed and ready for dinner. Honestly though, I truly hated carrying this dammed thing around, canes are meant for the old, not the wealthy.
"Sasuke, if you're ready we should get going. No need to give father more reason to burst a vessel." Itachi spoke from my door way with a smirk and finished putting on his gloves, of which I was not even going to put on. I saw no point, why wear gloves when you are going to be eating the whole time you are required to wear them? There was no logic with that protocol.
"I know," I sighed, "I'm ready." I told him and sent suigetsu off to do whatever he may want to do. I really felt as though I may as well be walking to my doom, there was nothing entertaining about these dinners, sure the food was excellent but other than that it was the same routine. Talk about business, talk about the ship, listen to Sakura complain, eat and then off to the parlor room for brandy, cigars and more business talk. I wonder how Itachi was able to put up with this when he was my age, hell, how does he even put up with it now? I know if I asked him he would simply state that it's not as bad as I make it out to be, but honestly, to me it was pure torture!
As Itachi, Konan and I made our way down to the dinning deck, I was completely lost in thought. I was seriously trying to see things from Itachi's point of view, but it was just too hard, I won't chalk it up to age because from what I can recall, when he was my age he felt somewhat like me now. He rebelled against father all but twice that I can think of, but father quickly put him in his place, I'm not even sure until this day what he did to cause Itachi to not complain, but I only hope such a fate does not wait for me… though I'm almost positive that it will one day very soon. Then there's Sakura, Itachi didn't have to put up with a woman like her, he got Konan, the complete opposite of her! Sakura is partly the reason why I am in such a stupor… this whole lifestyle is just unfair.
"Sasuke sweetie, are you feeling fine?" I my mother's voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. I honestly hadn't even realized that we had reached the dining deck, let alone having descended the grand staircase that lead to it.
"Oh, mother, no no. I'm fine really, just uh, lost in thought." I stammered and quickly assessed my surroundings. The others who were joining us at our table tonight included Mr. Agira Ryūdoin with his young mistress, Madame Guren, what a scandal, then there was Haku and Sir Zabuza Momochi and the Kazahana's who were returning from an extended honeymoon. Mrs. Kazahana is my age and but in delicate condition, I didn't envy that relationship. Even though they all were near, they thankfully weren't paying me much attention… for now at least, I'm almost positive that my fiancé and I will be the going topic tonight…. Ah, speak of the devil and she shall come.
"Sasuke darling, shall we head to our table?" Sakura sauntered up to me with that annoyingly beautiful smile. Please, I wish my mind and heart would come to upon a mutual grounds on how to feel towards this girl. Sure my mind was telling me that I loathed her as much as is humanly possible, while my heart was still expectantly beating for the girl I had first fallen for… truly a maddening condition I have. However, this was not the time nor place to try and will the two to cooperate, I still had this dinner to get through and then try to wiggle myself free of Sakura for the night… and with that final thought, I offered my fiancé my arm and followed our group in to the dining area.
N.P.O.V. April 11, 1912- 2:17pm
Today was turning out to be a promising one, not only was it a beautiful day, but Sai was instructing me on drawing. I must admit I was pretty damn good now! He has been teaching me since I ran into him at one of Monet's art lectures in Paris a few months back, which was only a month or two after Kiba and I had run away. Sai having said he saw potential in me, agreed to teaching me the arts of drawing… and, well, after a few minutes of my begging him to do so after I saw some of his drawings, he is truly a talented man! Kiba thought I was blind and couldn't see what I saw in his artwork, but that's just Kiba, he was never one for the art world, which just gave Sai more time to help me. My past drawings are not for the faint of heart, many were of women who were all too eager to take their clothes off for the sake of art, I even had a nude drawing of a one legged prostitute. Kiba thought I had drawn her due to her lack of extremities, but how wrong he was! The woman had some of the most beautiful hands I'd ever seen, not to say I have a specific attraction to hands, but her hands were strong yet soft at the same time, as if showing her struggles but retaining her feministic side as well.
"Naruto, are you going to space out or are you going to draw?" Sai pulled me from my reminiscing and questioned me.
"Huh? Oh yeah, right! Hahah, sorry Konohamaru, but hold still just a bit more okay?" I instructed the little boy who seemed to want to follow me all over the place, but surprisingly his father was very friendly about having him do so.
"Aww, come on Naruto! When ya gonna be done?" Konohamaru bounced up and down in front of me.
"Well, if you'd keep still, I'll be done faster than your concentration." I grinned and poked him on his forehead with my pencil, at which he giggled loudly at. This kid was just a ball of energy, but thankfully he was able to contain that energy just long enough for me to finish my drawing of him, and as soon as I announced that I was done he ran over to me to view the finished project.
"Heeey! You're good Naruto! Aww man, I wish I could draw like this!" Konohamaru said excitedly.
"Oi, practice make perfect buddy! Plus, having someone like Sai as a mentor helps…. a little." I told him and mussed his hair.
"A little? Is that supposed to be a compliment?" Sai questioned from beside me, he didn't seem to understand sarcasm like the rest… well, like everyone!
"No, Sai, it was a joke. You're a great man!" I laughed and smacked him on the back, "Now, why don't you go to your room and start practicing, eh Konohamaru?" I turned towards the little boy who was still looking at the drawing.
"Heheh! Roger, I'm gonna practice and practice until I'm better than both of you!" He promised us with a huge grin and salute before running off.
"Hmm, I guess you are pretty good now Nar'." I recognized Kiba's voice behind me, at which I nearly jumped five feet in the air at the sound of it.
"Dammit Kiba! Are you trying to give me a heart attack!?" I exclaimed and clutched my racing heart, I hadn't even heard him approach… hell, I thought he'd still be walking the ship with Shino!
"Hahah! I guess I should try harder then, right?" Kiba cackled.
"Quietness is now for naught it would seem…" Shino said from opposite of Sai, causing him to literally jump at least a foot in the air.
"Jesus-!" Sai clipped in surprise, which was truly hilarious and thusly we all laughed loudly at his reaction. Even Shino chuckled at the expression. Sai was usually like Shino, not letting his emotions show unless completely called for, so the fact that Shino had so easily frightened him was just prime!
"So much for the expressionless Picasso!" I managed to stop laughing long enough to prod… this was really going to be a fun day.
Well, I suppose all good days must come to an end… at least for those in steerage, seeing as how the ship was now docking in Cherbourg, France. Apparently there were even more people coming aboard and being that me and the others we "Third class" ticket holders, we were ordered to be confined to our rooms until all of the loading had finished. Honestly, what did they think we would do? Rob the new passengers? That thought alone is so absurd! Not only are the "more wealthy" passengers keeping their eyes peeled around the "poorer" folk, but the main thing is that there are crewmen and law enforcers everywhere! But, hey, I guess that's just how things play out on this crazy ship.
"Maaaan, this is taking forever! It's complete bullshit!" Kiba lashed out from the top bunk, he was already well past the point of toleration.
"Well, think of it like this: it's already dark outside, we already had dinner, why not just call it a night and go to sleep?" Sai optioned.
"Picasso, it's only seven, no matter if the sun is down it's still early!" Kiba thrashed on the bunk again, really, if he didn't stop I fear the bed might break and with me under him, that was not a very appealing consequence.
"Calm down Kiba, you're only pointing out the obvious." I sighed up at him, but stayed lying on my back.
"What was that 'fox face'?!" Kiba growled and leaned over the side of the bunk to glare down at me.
"You heard me 'dog breath'," I stuck my tongue out at him, which only made him growl louder, "and stop moving around so much up there, who knows how strong this bucker is." I warned him with a skeptical glance at the corner welding of the metal.
"Kiba, be quiet." Shino said calmly from the top of the other bunk, surprisingly getting Kiba to finally settle down after one final 'Hmph' and laid back down. Honestly, I had forgotten how convenient it was to have Shino around, other than Kiba's mom, Shino was the only other who was able to shut him up… if only for a while. Heh, I'm still settling through the shock of him even being here!
"Hey, at least we were out on deck the majority of the day. That's something to be glad about, plus, we have all day tomorrow and the rest of the week to roam about on this ship." I mentioned and received a nod from Shino, another grunt from Kiba and a 'right' from Sai. Though, I'm pretty positive there isn't much to do by means of entertainment for an entire week on this ship, at least not things that wouldn't become tiring after multiple visits. Sure, Sai and me would be able to keep ourselves occupied, Sai more than me, for the most part, but as for Kiba and Shino… well, I really can't say. Maybe they can keep each other company or rather Shino can keep Kiba out of trouble. Yes, this is going to be a long week.
AN: And once more, we come to the end of another chapter! I truly did have fun writing this annnnnddd. . . as you see I put both P. in this chapter! I do so hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! You all make me happy just by favoriting and subscribing, but I would love very much as well you receive your comments as well! Any at all! So, until next we meet. . mata ne!
- Anna Uzumaki
