A/N: I am asking you guys once again to please vote for Itachi and try to be a wee bit more specific on the votes. I am putting Itachi in the next chapter so...The question was if you guys wanted Itachi good or bad. A good older brother or a badass one? Oh, and enjoy the chapter!

"I take it you've noticed the resemblance, Mikoto-sama."

"Of course Kakashi, and how could I not? He looks exactly like him. He even has those stunning, blue eyes!"

"The same shock of blond hair as well."

"D-Do you suppose that perhaps, just perhaps…?"

"No…No! Couldn't be…Could it?"

"We cannot deny these are not mere coincidences."

"But they both died fifteen years ago. Died! Fifteen years ago!"

"We never found their bodies."

"What are you implying, milady?"

"……"

"Well?"

"Consider this for a moment Kakashi, this kingdom is in mortal danger right now. You and I both know very well that war is drawing near. If this boy truly is who we hope he is then he could be our key to victory!"

"Or our key to defeat."

"But--!"

"I understand what you are saying Mikoto-sama, but the way I see it, that boy spells trouble, deadly, deadly trouble."


Chapter 8

Wrapping his arms around the trembling kit, Sasuke couldn't help but notice how perfectly Naruto's body fitted against his, how right it felt to have him in his arms. Unable to stop himself, he buried his head into those golden spikes, breathing in the intoxicating aroma of his, yes his fox. But at such close proximity, a problem began to arise as big Sasuke-chan snapped into action. Luckily for him, a sudden knock on the door broke the two apart before Naruto could figure out the problem.

Stiffly heading towards the door, he opened it to reveal a young, blushing maid and by the looks of it, newly hired as well.

'Probably another one of my fangirls…' Sasuke thought sullenly.

"H-Here you go s-sir! Y-Your br-breakfast!" the maid stuttered out.

'Way too early in the morning to deal with this!' Taking the silver tray, Sasuke realized it contained only one steaming bowl of ramen. Turning to the maid, he saw that the girl's attention lies upon a certain part of his anatomy. One that stood erect and ready. His eyebrow twitching, he cleared his throat causing the maid to jump considerably high into the air.

"Is this all that I ordered?" he asked tartly.

"Y-Yes sir." The maid replied, her face incredibly red.

"I see. Tell the cooks at once that I wish to have another meal. Bacon and eggs. I want them both to be fried to a crisp with no salt or spices added. Understood?"

"Y-Yes your majesty."

"Good."

Without another word, Sasuke slammed the door in her face, his mood worsening. Turning around, he headed towards his desk just as a certain blonde perked up with his nose high in the air. Setting the tray down, Sasuke heard a telltale squeal warning him to brace himself for eminent impact. Sure enough, Naruto tackled him in a full body slam before proceeding to settle himself comfortably piggy-back style.

"Usaratonkachi!" Sasuke warned.

"Sasuke-teme! Naruto smells something wonderful!"

"That would be your breakfast."

"Uwah! Really?"

Jumping off, Naruto approached the bowl, sniffing it curiously and taking tentative licks of the broth. With a satisfied grin, Naruto plunged his face right into the soup, before Sasuke could do anything to stop him.

"Dobe! Dobe—Stop! Aargh!" Sasuke yelled, pieces of noodle hitting dead on the face.

Unaware of his unsightly behavior, Naruto plowed on, sending ramen everywhere. Finally, after some time, he pulled back, drenched from chest up.

"That was delicious! Naruto liked it very much!" he chirped.

"I can tell. You're a mess usarantonkachi!" Sasuke replied, openly gaping as rivulets of soup trailed down Naruto's neck unto his collarbone. Losing control, Sasuke's feet propelled him forward, pressing up close against the lithe, tan form.

"Here, let me clean you up." Sasuke huskily offered, his hot breath sending shivers down Naruto's spine. Enjoying the red dusting his dobe's cheeks (his face, people, or is it?), Sasuke began to gently lick off every single drop.

'He tastes sweet yet spicy at the same time…'

Finding a spot on Naruto's slender neck, Sasuke started to suck, leaving behind a delightfully red mark. A soft purr poured from Naruto's lips, surprising him and tearing him away. Regaining his consciousness, his eyes locked with the blonde's lust-clouded ones.

"Sasuke-teme is messy too. Can Naruto clean Sasuke as well?" Naruto asked innocently.

"Yes—I mean no! No you can't!" Sasuke replied, shaking his head wildly.

"Eh? Why not?"

"B-Because!"

And with that reasoning, Sasuke stood up and ran for the bathroom. Honestly, he had never been so thankful that it was connected to his bed chamber. Shrugging it off, Naruto turned to his food and resumed his meal. After some twenty or so minutes, Sasuke emerged looking like a drowned rat. His clothes were dripping wet and he was slightly shivering. This time Naruto was the one to stare as the wet garments stuck to Sasuke like a second skin, revealing his broad, muscular chest and six pack. Those well-toned arms weren't looking half-bad either.

"What happened to Sasuke?" Naruto managed to choke out.

"Took a bath" he answered simply.

"In Sasuke's clothes?"

"You have a problem with that?" Sasuke questioned, glaring.

Naruto shook his head, apprehensive.

"Yes, well." Sasuke pointed to the bathroom. "Clean yourself. There's a washbasin ready in the bathroom. And it's not the one that looks like a seat, it's the one that's on top of a white stand, about your chin level, got that? Also, there are fresh clothes beside it. Change, I don't want to travel in a hot, stuffy carriage with your shirt smelling like ramen. You do know how dress yourself right?"

"Don't order Naruto around Sasuke-teme! Of course Naruto knows how to dress himself! Naruto is not a baka!" Naruto barked, looking somewhat insulted as he rushed off to the bathroom.

Slamming the door, he entered the immaculate bathroom, freezing he stood stock still for a moment, awestruck at the enormity and beauty of the chamber. No, seriously, the reason he was awestruck was because the bathroom was so…shiny. Every single item had been polished to such a degree that everything sparkled under the light. Shaking away such silly thoughts, Naruto located the washbasin and promptly began to clean. Not that there was much to clean, Sasuke had licked most of it off.

Being only a young kit, Naruto still had vivid memories of the time when his mother used to lick his fur clean. However, he had grown and his mother rarely groomed him. It was a sign that he was reaching, if already not in, his adolescent stage. Admittedly, it was degrading to have Sasuke groom him like he was still a newborn but he couldn't help it. Sasuke's tongue felt so velvety and soft. He, quite frankly, melted at his touch.

Finished washing, Naruto redressed. The clothes were a dark shade of blue bordering on black, similar to just about any of Sasuke's robes. It was also loose fitting on his body and hung like a drape on his frail frame. Stepping outside, he found Sasuke also in fresh garments with an empty plate beside him. He had apparently enjoyed a quiet meal while he waited.

"Ready dobe?" Sasuke asked.

"Yup!" Naruto exclaimed, latching unto his arm.

Not even bothering to shake the blonde off, Sasuke lead the way out of the room and into the hallway. From there, they both quietly headed for the stables where they were to meet Kakashi. Upon their arrival though, the strong stench of the horse's droppings accompanied with other unpleasant scents, washed over Naruto's advanced sense of smell causing him to stumble before ultimately falling. Luckily for him, Sasuke caught him an inch above the ground, his concern written allover his face.

"Naruto?" he asked.

"Too stinky…Makes Naruto dizzy…Doesn't like…" Naruto mumbled.

Understanding, Sasuke carried him over to a safe distance while a long-haired youth stepped out from one of the stalls.

"Sasuke-san! What are you doing here? And who is this?" the young man asked, spotting him.

"Ah Neji. I was supposed to meet Kakashi here. Oh, and this is Naruto...He's a friend." Sasuke answered.

Hyuuga Neji was a branch member of the noble Hyuuga family. He was well respected with fighting skills of such high caliber. He was thought of a genius in his family but contrary to popular belief, training didn't take up all of his time. As a matter of fact, he usually spent much of his time in the stables. He adored horses and enjoyed training them and grooming them. But if you told anybody else about this, Neji would be after you like a hound from hell.

"But Kakashi-san is an important conference with the kingdom's delegates. From what I gather, you should be in the meeting also." Neji stated, staring skeptically at Naruto.

"What? I was not informed of this."

"Then perhaps you should hurry. The meeting should've just gone underway."

"I better take my leave then."

"Wait. Before you go, I think it would be wise to leave your acquaintance here. A meeting of such matters isn't a place you take a friend to."

"Yes, yes you're right. I'll leave him in your hands then. Take care of him or I'll skin you alive. Or worse…"

"Yes, your majesty." Neji answered bowing.

Kneeling down at Naruto's eye level, Sasuke spoke a few words, telling him where he was going and to behave himself. If he was in any kind of trouble, he should scream for help. Nodding, Naruto brightly agreed, recovering from his fainting spell. Glaring once more at the Hyuuga for good measure, Sasuke left. The moment he was out of sight and hearing range, Neji rounded upon the kit.

"Naruto, am I correct?" Neji asked, his eyes narrowing.

Recognizing his name, the blonde nodded.

"Is it really true that you are Sasuke-san's friend?"

Naruto simply cocked his head in response, confusion obvious in his expression.

"Sasuke-san never has any--!" Neji was cutoff when a startling whinny erupted from the stalls. Looking from the stables to Naruto and back again, he made a quick decision. "Stay put, don't leave, I'll be right back!" he ordered over his shoulder as he rushed inside.

Of course, Naruto didn't understand a single word he said but waited patiently for the "strange, white-eyed freak" as Naruto so eloquently put it, to come back. That is he was waiting until a certain aroma wafted up his nose. Naruto recognized that smell. It was ramen. Sweet, sweet ramen. The aroma was coming from over the wall, calling to him. Since Naruto didn't understand Neji's orders, he didn't bother to obey him and yet a nagging feeling crept in his stomach as he once again climbed over the huge barrier. That feeling was buried under hunger, unfortunately, when his stomach growled in pathetic pleas to fill it with the dish he had come to love above all others. Jumping down the divider between the palace and his precious ramen, Naruto followed the smell. Entering, what would soon to be proven, a dangerous and close minded city.