Title: Past Collides with the Present
Author: AsisChronae
Summary: Narima, Naruto's twin sister is gone to sort out some problem in the Suna Kingdom and Naruto was left to sort out his twin sister's affair, marrying the youngest prince of the Uchiha Kingdom! When arrived, Naruto felt his past catching up to him.
Disclaimer: Naruto is never my own. I only borrowed the characters to give birth to this story.
Note: The Fourth Chapter, i really hope you were not disappointed with the last chapter... And hey, Gaara's father's name was only chosen by me. It is lame, I know. But I didn't know what else to choose. I'm not exactly good at giving names to known personality. I didn't know the name of his father and when I searched, no name was given. Sorry..
Previously:
"Sasuke…"
"Did something happen to her? Narima never act like this in front of me and she won't. Is this about the bond you and your twin has?"
"Yeah. It's about my brother. Your father said something about him and I felt his distress in the future if ever he hears it."
"You did very well dear. There were a few close slips but you managed to evade all the close calls."
"Thank you mother! I'm sick of hearing that 'congratulations' thing. This is not my wedding. I could have died of frustration here! I look like a bloody woman."
"Naruto, your words! And don't worry, your sister will arrive at 4 o'clock. Then, you can replace each other."
"YES!"
"Come on honey, let's get you dressed."
"What's wrong dear?"
"Nothing mother." Inwardly, Naruto wept.
Chapter Four
Events after the Wedding
3 years later
After the eventful wedding and merging of the Uzumaki and Uchiha Kingdom, the two kingdoms had become closer than ever before. The wedding was a total success. Naruto had successfully managed to get away from Uchiha Prince by exchanging his place with his twin sister, Narima, once when he asked to use the toilet. There, Narima jumped to his space. After giving him his clothes and after kissing him with thanks, she took off to replace him.
For 3 years, Naruto tried his hardest to bend his abilities he got from the bond so that he won't live in secrecy. All his breakdowns and angry outburst were dealt with and he had managed to control all his abilities, the simple and dangerous ones. It wasn't easy and many times he had felt like he would rather die than have the ability he had. His twin sister helped him at those times and encourages him not to lose to his own self.
Certainly, they never met. Naruto wouldn't allow it, not that he would, considering his twin is married to the person he never wanted to see ever again.
Sasuke is the first person he had ever loved deeply and had allowed to walk into a path he had laid out in his heart, aside from his family, the very first person he had fully allowed to see his true side.
And the very first person to ever destroy his heart. And until now, he still very much loves the git.
And that discovery only made Naruto hate him more.
But with their unique and myth rare bond, they can communicate with themselves and as soon as his sister knew what he was up to, she gave out encouragements and had never left him. The overflowing concern and love he felt going through the bond helped him considerably.
Now, their carriage arrived at the Uchiha Kingdom once more and Naruto steeled himself. He reinforced his new ability to control his emotions as the carriage pulled into a stop and the coachman had opened the carriage so his mother, him and his father could visit his sister. Their visit this time do not only have the intention of visiting his sister, but also have the intention of introducing him to the Uchiha family officially.
His sister said that the news of the Uzumaki Kingdom having an heir already reached their ears so the Uchiha's knows about his existence. But that was it. They didn't know anything. They didn't even know his name, let alone his face and Narima didn't let the knowledge out even when she was bugged constantly by the entire family. Narima told the Uchiha's that the entire Uzumaki will visit so she could introduce her little brother perfectly to them.
And his parents agreed. Naruto really didn't have any choice but to go. They left all the affairs to his Uncle Genichi, Gaara's father and one of his father's closest friends. Naruto assured his parents that Uncle Genichi would be able to handle the affairs well and wouldn't try to deceive them. Uncle Genichi might not be blood related to them but almost all the people blood related to them are not a very good candidate. He used his empathic ability full force and only focused it on the people his parents had suggested and learned that only Uncle Genichi, the candidate he chose is trustworthy, the others are entirely not, to his distaste and dismay.
He even learned that once they knew him and his sister have the sibling bond, they would betray the Uzumaki Kingdom just for their own gain. Naruto is just glad his cousins isn't like their fathers or mothers. A blessing really.
And Uncle Genichi might have been a bit manipulative when he managed the Suna Kingdom when he was younger but now, he just wanted to retire and he also had the decency not to meddle in the affairs of the Uzumaki Kingdom with only his own decision. Uzumaki Kingdom is a lot more powerful than Suna after all and he wasn't an expert in managing a huge Kingdom.
Luckily, his cousin, Princess Sakura of the Konoha Kingdom gave his father and Uncle Genichi an orb so they could communicate with one another. Sakura is into advance magic technology and she could make things that are really complex and effective. Only he, Narima and Gaara knows her ability so he told his father and Uncle that the orb is a gift from a friend.
They had decided to keep Sakura's talent to themselves as they know that enemy Kingdoms would definitely do everything to acquire the talent Sakura has to improve their military power and take over powerful Kingdoms like Uzumaki and Uchiha, just like they would do everything to acquire the people who have the myth bond.
He remembered exactly what happened that day he decided to announce himself as the heir of Uzumaki Kingdom and he lost himself in the memories.
* Flashback *
The day he decided to go to his parents, he had confidently walked inside the Uzumaki castle with the intention of speaking to his mother and father. The royal guards had not permitted him to enter earlier so instead, he asked them to tell the king that he wants to see them which they did. However, they were certain the King won't allow his presence inside so they were surprised when their ruler became ecstatic to hear his arrival and had snapped at the head of the Royal Guard.
When he was walking towards the quarters of the King and Queen's, he earned some curious looks from the people inside. He just smiled at them and to his amazement, the ladies inside were blushing at him and was spluttering and the gentlemen's had such a look of jealousy in them. Naruto shook his head. They didn't even know who he is yet and he is getting such reactions from them.
As Naruto wondered his attention to the castle, he can't help but feel some mild irritation seeping inside him. He had asked his father several times to allow him to be the one to redecorate the palace 3 years ago when the palace needed some repair but his father had adamantly refused. It held such a conviction that Naruto found himself becoming upset with his father. That was also another reason why he withheld coming to the palace.
When he reached the door to the ruler's quarters, he looked at the massive door. Of all the doors he saw in the Uzumaki palace, this massive door is his favourite. It had such beautiful carvings that he has trouble describing and some unruly designs that had still kept its beauty that he always has trouble looking away from the door. He took a deep breath to slowly snap his thoughts into one thought – talking to his parents – before he knocked three times. A call came inside so he opened the door and closed it silently.
"Put it on the table please and call me if our guest is already here." His father spoke without even looking at where he is and Naruto suppressed the urge to laugh. Instead, he spoke.
"Is there anything else you would like your highness? I could drag your attention away from the queen and look at the door if you'd like." Naruto said in a tone that suggests he was highly amused. His parents spun around abruptly and looked gobsmacked at him. He tried, he really did, but in the end, the hilarious scowl his mother adopted and the cold angry look his father had that was abruptly cut off by a surprised look undid his control and he laughed hysterically.
It was really rare he caught both of his parents of guard and he had always savoured the event every time he really did it.
"Son! Why'd you do that? I was really angry about that you know!" Naruto's father, King Minato Uzumaki exclaimed while rushing to his side the same time as his mother did. They embraced him in a very tight hug that left him feeling like he could use some fresh air. He could practically taste the feelings his parents had for him at that moment as he allowed his barriers for his empathic ability to lower down into a degree where he won't suffocate from the feeling. The close proximity made the emotions intensified.
Overflowing relief, joy, love and ecstasy are around his parents that tears rolled down his cheek silently. With a joyous laugh, he threw himself at both of his parents. He missed them. He truly did.
After that heart warming reunion, with some lecture from his mother and words from his father, (Do not leave us again without any communication young man, understand?) they asked him what his business really is. He wanted to drag it out but the look of excitement from his parents made him relent. For half a year, he was separated from his family without any contact at all, and that's the longest time he hadn't had any communication with his family. His parents were eager for anything he would say and any news from him so he gave them, turning serious once he answered their question.
"I decided to reveal my existence to our people Mom, Dad." Naruto said. The instant his words left his mouth, his parents only looked at him. If they hadn't blinked occasionally, he would have thought his parents had become frozen. After a full minute of silence, he asked just to fill in the uncomfortable silence. "Well…?"
His parents became frantic immediately. "Wh-what? How? Why? What happened? What's the reason? Why'd you..."
"Mom, Dad, shut up and let me answer!" Naruto screamed at them and they instantly complied, looking at him with a still frantic gaze that he sighed. He can clearly read what was in their mind without using his empathy ability. They are probably wondering what made him decide. He answered their questions without really telling his reason why.
Two days after that, all the preparations were ready for him to announce his existence. When he did announced himself to be the heir of the Uzumaki Kingdom, twin of the Princess of the Kingdom, there was a stunned silence. All of the people of the Kingdom was looking at him in astonishment and Naruto felt his cheeks heated up slightly. The ordinary people he had always encountered, the children he sometimes played with his childlike attitude, the vendors he sometimes joke around with and sometimes he get discounts with the products they sell were hanging their mouths wide open.
Even the soldiers of the Kingdom, the Royal guards that had toyed with him, the people serving for them were also very surprised. When he took a glance from his parents, both were looking very worried at the reaction their people had. Naruto gulped in nervousness. Before he could speak however, the ordinary citizens that he had encountered daily had started shouting and clapping at him in awe and encouragement and all the people of the Kingdom clapped harder.
A show of respect shone in their eyes and he knew that it was an act of acceptance that he had cried out his earlier dread and earned him laughs. He even heard his parents laugh also.
And that was the signal of his good life.
* Flashback End *
And at this moment, Naruto took back the comment he had after that day his existence was announced. He hadn't counted this day. The day he and… and Sasuke would officially meet with his entire family. Before he could do anything or say anything, there was a crack in the surroundings that had his parents alert and the Royal Guards to be on guard. The instant the crack was heard, he knew instantly what is happening.
"Don't lash out, it's my sister." Naruto told the guard and they instantly relaxed but not to the point where they would be caught off guard. They trusted the Prince. At first, they really didn't. Who would? They only learned recently that they have a prince to protect and they are wary. Apparently, the Prince had become fed up from their wariness around him (They didn't know how the Prince even pick that up when they knew for certain they concealed their true emotions perfectly) and had snapped.
To everyone's astonishment, he challenged the Captain of the Royal Guard, Lhan in a duel while threatening to not hold back or he would tell the King and Queen exactly what they thought about him. If they didn't know how their rulers would react, they would have brushed the threat, but they knew perfectly what they will do. The very important thing they learned about their rulers is that they value their family very much and even one slighting their family receives, they would receive the backlash ten times worse than they did.
To their astonishment, the Prince defeated Lhan after hours of combat and had finally trusted the man. And also, associating with Prince Naruto becomes frequently that they already know the attitude of their Prince.
The crack disappeared and Narima instantly materialized on his space. Their parents then hugged her before she looked at him. Naruto shifted a bit because of the intensity of her stare before Narima beamed at him and hugged him. If they weren't in a public place Naruto was sure his twin would have bounced onto him and forget all of her formal attitude. She just loses that when Naruto is concerned. Narima just becomes like a child with him. Naruto hugged his twin just as tightly.
"Come on! Mom, Dad, Naruto. The Uchiha family are in the private dining room and is anxiously waiting for your arrival." Narima said informally after she broke the hug that only proved that she really is excited to have forgotten her formalities. She even dragged him to the part of the castle he had not ventured before when he was still impersonating his sister.
"You know Nari, I really love you when you're like this. I love this laid-back version of you." Naruto said that earned him a laugh from both of his parents and a jab from his twin. He saw the amused look of the Royal Guards and he grinned widely, earning him another jab from Narima. "Will you stop that? You'll incapacitate me before I was even introduced!" Naruto hissed while rubbling the part of his stomach that received the jab.
"Do not worry brother, they'll still recognize you if that were to happen." Narima answered dryly and his father burst out laughing, earning him a look from the Uchiha's servants. Their mother softly chided his father for laughing loudly.
They talked while following Narima to wherever he was supposed to be introduced. He could feel his tension building up inside him and he pushed it all aside so he wouldn't be overwhelmed. Instead, he allowed himself to be distracted by the designs of the palace. It really is very beautiful! The castle is like speaking to him! He was suddenly snapped out of his thoughts by his sister's voice telling them they arrived and he had to calm himself when Narima opened the door to the private dining room.
Surprisingly, he didn't need any more prompting to distract himself as the room itself is very distracting. How had he missed this room? It's so beautiful! He immediately walked toward the wall away from his family to caress it. One touch and he felt something awfully familiar about it that he really didn't know what.
While Naruto happily lost himself to the wonders of the room, the two families inside just looked at him. His parents and Narumi looked at him in fondness and at the same time, embarrassment. They already know Naruto's tendency to ignore everything around him in favour of examining something that captures his attention, but could he just ignore the room just this once?
The Uchiha's only watched in slight puzzlement and humour at Naruto when the prince traced his hands on the wall as if he is caressing his lover. He had such a besotted look on his face that none of them had the nerve to take his attention away from the said wall. They were so into the unusual attitude of Naruto that none of them noticed the shock registering clearly on the face of the youngest Uchiha.
"So, this is the brother you spoke of Narima? Your twin brother who would love to explore the Uchiha castle?" a male voice sounding familiarly like the King of the Uchiha's asked finally after a few minutes of silence and Naruto snapped his attention to the family now standing on the table. His eyes widen in horror when he noticed he is snubbing the Royals of the Uchiha Kingdom that he kept on bowing immediately and utter apologies which earned him a laugh from both families.
"Yes father. This is Naruto. As I told you, he would love to explore the palace." Narumi said fondly. Naruto was glad he told Narumi what had happened when he had impersonated her to marry… Sasuke. Naruto felt free talking like this with the Uchiha family, not having to conceal his true emotions.
"As you told. And now I believe you." The King said fondly. "But I didn't think he would literally act on it. I thought he would only look with an eager face and nothing else."
"That would be a sin!" Naruto exclaimed, momentarily forgetting that the person he is talking to is the King of the Uchiha Kingdom. "How could I only look at them? They're beautiful! If they won't be appreciated, they would lose their beauty!" Naruto said those words so vehemently that Sasuke, to his horror couldn't help but laugh. He didn't want to draw attention to himself, at least not yet. He was glad it was masked by the laugh of the others.
Naruto huffed. Why can't they understand that not appreciating beauty literally would make the thing ugly? "Who made your castle sir? If you don't mind me asking? I would like to speak to him or her personally so I could ask how they made this castle. The place is calling onto me! It's like… it's like this castle is made especially for me." Naruto ended in a whisper but the occupants inside the room heard it still. He became lost in his thoughts. He didn't even mind speaking formally so he didn't see or heard what the room had said or did after that sentence.
Sasuke, after hearing that from Naruto gasped lightly and he was glad no one noticed it. He didn't want to dwell on his already rumbled thoughts as he answered. "Me."
Everyone in the room snapped their attention at him and even Naruto did. Then he saw Naruto's eyes widen in slight shock and disbelief that he unconsciously raised his hands. Luckily, he noticed it and immediately and discreetly put it down. When he returned his attention to Naruto, Sasuke saw that he was wearing a smile that seems genuine and thrilled but he knew better.
Naruto's eyes were looking angrily at him. There was such a furious pure hatred in those bright beautiful sapphire eyes he had come to love so much. The eyes of Naruto is different than his twin sister as Narima never had her eyes so bright like her brother's. Then, a fleeting memory rolled in front of his mind.
It was Narima sitting on the biggest tree of the Uchiha garden, a place which Narima likes the most when she reads. She looked at him and he saw Narima's eyes. So brilliantly bright sapphire eyes staring and smiling genuinely at him.
Then in a jolt, he realized. Narima did look like Naruto those days, before they were married. Very very much except for the color of Narima's hair and her gender, and he was wondering why he hadn't noticed it before. Maybe he did and just shrugged it off as his imagination. Why is that? Why should their eyes look alike at that time when after the wedding, it didn't? He knows Naruto's eyes and would never mistake it for someone else so he knew that Narima really did look Naruto at that time.
He abruptly tossed the thought at back of his mind and jolted back into the present because of a question thrown at him by an androgynous voice that never fails to draw him in.
"What prompted you to make the castle like this?" Naruto asked, his voice soft while his gaze is firmly fixed on the wall, still caressing it with his hands softly.
Again, Sasuke realized that Naruto's voice sounded just like Narima during those 3 weeks. He's becoming confused by his thoughts that he just tossed that thought again at the back of his mind and promised to think upon it more at the privacy of his own room. No, his and Narima's room. He focused on the question Naruto gave.
"It is just my kind of design that I like." Sasuke answered, looking at Naruto intently. He didn't notice all the family members were looking at them. His entire focus was on Naruto and Naruto alone.
A soft snort escape from Naruto after that statement that didn't went unnoticed no matter how inaudible it should have been that the entire family looked dumbstruck at him. It wasn't just the soft snort that made them look like that at him, but the tinge of bitterness and disbelief that accompanied that small soft innocent snort.
Because all the royalties inside the private dining room are looking at Naruto, they didn't noticed how Sasuke's look of unwavering intense interest suddenly shifted to that of self-loathing and longingness.
A/N:
So…? Yeah? Are we good people? Is it okay? You probably gave up reading this but if you didn't, then I am very happy.
I haven't received any comment in the last chapter so I thought you didn't like it. If you didn't like it then I'll stop and discontinue writing this.
I'll base my decision on your reviews. That's the only way I'd be able to tell if you really like it.
Thanks for reading anyway!
