The Monarchy
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. I have a couple new stories up. So that's why I got side tracked. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.
New Stories: Demonic Desires (Female Gaara x Naruto, with a side pairing of Hinata x Sasuke that is about to start) and My Everything (Female Naruto x Sasuke.)
Chapter Ten
The next day Gaara blinks. Shisui currently had a rather painful looking black eye. He wondered what had happened to his guest. Had Izumi actually struck him?
"It is likely best if you don't ask, your majesty." Shisui replies cheerfully as he nurses the swollen eye.
"She got you GOOD! Damn Sharingan women are vicious. I can't even believe it. The leader of the rebellion, got his arse kicked by a woman!" Naruto says, laughing.
The Sunaese King just shakes his head at his friends antics. The blonde had a far more blunt manner of speaking than most Monarchs. Some days it was refreshing. Other days it could be a little embarrassing, like now for instance.
"Hmpf!" Izumi says as she bites into her breakfast and gives Izumi a rather dark glare.
Shisui gulps. Izumi could be very scary when she wanted to be. He wisely distracts himself with the meal in front of him.
"Are they always like this?" Hinata whispers to Sasuke.
"I'm not sure. I haven't seen either of them since I was seven. But yes, so far they haven't really changed since I was boy." He replies.
Hinata giggles. Sasuke smiles. He couldn't resist. He caresses her cheek and holds her hand underneath the table. Truly, he couldn't wait for this war to be over.
"I do apologize for their antics." Itachi says with a sigh.
"It is of no consequence. These are troubling times. The rightful King and Prince have been in hiding for a decade, while a tyrant sits on the throne of one of the Five Great Kingdoms? This is blasphemy. I care little for whether or not your companions choose to lessen their anxieties by behaving as children. In the grand scheme of things, it is of no importance." Gaara says.
It was a strange group, Gaara mused. The leader of the rebels, a female fighter, a King in exile, and the lovers. (Which included an exiled prince and a princess who was taking a great risk to be here.) He didn't think he'd ever seen such an exotic traveling party before.
"I do expect an invitation to the wedding, if we all live through this." The red head murmurs as he sips his wine.
"Of course." Sasuke says.
Gaara nods approving. He notices the youngest prince is absolutely smitten with his future bride. It was little things. Rarely did he take his eyes off her, unless it was to address him or Naruto. The kiss on the cheek. The fact that one of his hands was not on the table… (Gaara assumed it was handholding, Sasuke didn't strike him as the type who would be foolish enough to do something more scandalous with two foreign Monarchs at the table.)
"I shall send people to train your fighters and supplies. Realistically, I can not move a real force to the Sharingan Kingdom for battle. Naruto says, he will convince King Minato and Queen Kushina to send a force to join you though." He states.
"Thank you." They all say at once.
"For now, after breakfast you may all enjoy yourselves and have a day of rest. I need to organize the men and supplies." Gaara says as he walks off with Naruto.
Sasuke was relieved by that announcement. He offers his arm to Hinata and the two quickly dart off together. This was much to Naruto's amusement.
"Definitely a love match, huh?" The blonde asks.
"You have no idea. He's been pinning after her for years. Obviously, he couldn't have her because she didn't know who he really was. Now that she does though and her father approved of the match, I suppose neither can bare being parted from the other for long." Itachi replies.
"Well I'm glad that she loves him despite the back of his head looking like a duck's backside." Naruto says with a laugh.
Itachi chuckles. He really hoped the boisterous blonde didn't say that when Saskue was within hearing shot. The two of them were going to end up fighting like cats and dogs, he just knew it.
"Yes, it is rather nice of her to overlook that fact, I suppose." The rightful Sharingan King replies with no small amount of mirth.
Hinata and Sasuke quickly head to the Royal Library. If they went to each other's bedchambers, it would be too scandalous. The Library was "public" to anyone in the castle, but it was so massive that it was easy to get lost in. Which is exactly what the pair had in mind.
"It's a relief to know the Whirlpool Isles and Suna Kingdom will back our fight." She says and Sasuke nods as he caresses her cheek.
"It is. Gaara and Naruto seem like good men, even if the blonde does strike me as a little thick." He murmurs.
"Be nice. They are helping us." Hinata says with a giggle.
"I am nice. I'm VERY nice to you." He says and captures her lips in heated kiss.
It was such a relief. Sasuke knew it wouldn't last. But he would enjoy it while it did. For the moment, the outside world didn't exist. Nothing else mattered by him and her.
In that moment, he completely forgot about Danzo. He forgot about the war. He forgot about the very real possibility that they were all going to die very soon. There was only her and the taste of her kiss.
"Mmm. Yes, you are." She agrees with a smile after breaking the kiss.
"I thought so." Sasuke says smugly and kisses the creamy skin on her neck that had been taunting him for awhile.
Hinata sighs softly in pleasure. She arches against him. That felt really nice. She couldn't resist running her fingers through his hair. The princess knew that if anyone walked in on them at the moment, they'd be the talk of the castle. But at that moment, she just didn't care.
"I love you." She whispers.
"I love you to and I really adore those sounds you were making a few moments ago." He says and sucks on her collarbone, causing her to moan.
Hinata supposed it was liberating in a way. No one really knew who they were here yet, other than the Monarchs and rebels. They didn't really have to care about causing a scene here, as long as it wasn't too scandalous.
She was able to enjoy Sasuke's affections without worry about a guard, a lady in waiting, or her father walking on them. That was nice. Even after marriage, there was only so much they could do in public together without shocking everyone.
"My apologies. It seems I have bruised your beautiful skin." Sasuke whispers and licks the lovebite soothingly.
"I don't mind. I can always hide it under a collar." Hinata replies and shivers at the licking.
"I hope our sons are as fortunate as I was to find someone like you. Or our daughters take after you and make fine wives one day." He states and kisses her forehead.
Hinata smiles. She wasn't exactly sure what Sasuke meant by someone like her. But she knew it was intended to be a compliment. So she was content to bask in his praises.
"I meant someone understanding, forgiving, kind, and beautiful. Also surprisingly good at fighting in a sneaky fashion." Sasuke clarifies.
"Oh thank you." The bluenette replies and smiles.
He nods. Hmm they'd probably have to get her some new gowns that were more suitable for the harsh climate of the desert. That meant that they'd probably be more revealing. Sasuke liked that train of thought.
"What are you smirking about, my love?" She asks in amusement.
"You'll need new clothes if we are going to stay here for awhile. You must be suffering horribly in that gown. I wouldn't want you to faint from the heat." He says.
Hinata giggles. She knew that Sasuke was concerned for her well being. But she doubted that was the only reason. She'd humor him though.
"Yes, I suppose I should go see the royal tailor." She agrees.
"Mhm." Sasuke replies and nods his head vigorously.
She couldn't help but laugh. Hinata leans into his hold. It was still a little surreal. Lord Eli was actually Prince Sasuke. King Itachi had been forced to seek sanctuary under a false name for a decade. If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would never have believed it.
The Byakugan Princess was glad the truth was out now though. She could be with Sasuke and the Sharingan Kingdom could be ruled by its rightful King, Itachi. Sasuke could stay with her and rule over the Byakugan Kingdom at her side.
"Perhaps you'd like to come with me." She offers.
"I'd like that." He replies and the two of them walk off together.
While Sasuke and Hinata were musing over clothing, Danzo was anything but amused back in the Sharingan Kingdom. Something was seriously wrong. Why were Hiashi's forces so useless? The armor and weapons he sent him were absolutely inferior.
He knew Hiashi. The man took too much pride in his military might to be this careless in what he sent for aide. Something was going on.
"Perhaps Hiashi doesn't want me to squash this revolt. He might think that he can take the Sharingan Kingdom once I'm out of the way. I bet he would love to annex these lands!" He snarls to himself.
He had been such a fool. Danzo was mentally kicking himself. The Byakugan King was playing him. But he couldn't say that out loud. He was already fighting a Civil War. Even if his Kingdom was fully under his control, war with the Byakugan Kingdom would have been very costly indeed.
"Lives and treasure would be bled, to win such a fight." The elderly man observes to himself.
Could he have defeated the Byakugan Kingdom? Perhaps. But it would have come at heavy price. He certainly couldn't have managed it now. Not when it seemed like half the country was out to get him!
He had been chased out of the castle. It was an utter humiliation. He knew that he had made the right choice though. If Danzo had stayed, his head might have been mounted on a pike now.
"These peasants have forgotten their place. It is under my boot." He snarls and a guard cautiously approaches him.
"I have just received word. The castle has been taken back. Unfortunately, we suffered heavy loses to do it. But the rebels lost far more than we did." The ROOT member states nervously.
The man had a foul temper on the best of days. This was far from the best of days. Danzo definitely believed in shooting the messenger. Which was why the guard knew that his life could very well be forfeit, just for briefing him on the situation.
"Regrettable. But we must get back to the castle at once. If the peasants realize they were able to take the castle, it will mean all of our deaths. We can pretend it was a rumor. It's not like they have any proof. We must set out at once." He says and Danzo races back to the castle with his guards.
He sighs. There were bodies everywhere. This was going to be difficult to clean up. They would have to dig a mass grave. .There was simply no time to bury them all individually.
A more pious or decent man would have felt guilty about this. Danzo just felt irritated. It was terribly inconvenient to have to hide their deaths like this. But now he had to. Damage control must be done.
"Prepare for an announcement to be made as soon as the bodies are cleaned up. We can not allow this to go unaddressed. Our only recourse is to deny it ever happen." He informs his guards.
Danzo watches set about the gruesome task of digging that massive grave. Bodies were being moved. The King estimated that at least 300 had been slain that day.
It meant nothing to him. The only thing that it meant to him was that the bodies would have to be hidden quickly. He knew that most would consider him evil for this. Danzo didn't care. Most didn't have the stomach to do what needed to be done to protect their crown. He did.
"Attention, you may have heard an ugly rumor that the Sharingan Palace was breeched earlier. This is a vile lie. The rebels are trying to trick us. Do not believe this for a moment. As you can see, I am well and our castle still stands." Danzo says a few hours later and hopes that would negate the worst of the damage that had undoubtedly been done.
Back in the Byakugan Kingdom, Shizune was getting looked over by a Royal Physician. The doctor seemed stunned to put it mildly.
"Well congratulations, My Lady and Lord. It seems you are expecting. I must say it's rare to see a woman of 35 summers get pregnant, especially for the first time." He muses.
"Are you certain?" Kakashi and Shizune ask in equally stunned voices.
"Oh yes. My best estimates is probably around two months, perhaps a little less or a little more. She is certainly not showing yet. But already displaying Morning Sickness." The doctor continues on.
Shizune blinks. She couldn't believe it. They had tried for so many years. God knows that Kakashi was an attentive husband. Either she was barren or he was sterile. They were together far too much for her not to have gotten pregnant before, if that wasn't the case.
"This is wonderful news." I can't wait to tell Eli." Kakashi says as he spins Shizune around excitedly.
"My love, let me go! I'm going to be sick!" She tries to warn him, but it was too late.
Whatever she had eaten that day, didn't stay own. Kakashi's tunic was ruined. He rubs the back of his head sheepishly and sets his wife down gently. Kakashi shrugs and tugs off the tunic.
"I have other shirts. I only have one wife and now I will have two children. That's far more valuable." He states merrily.
The doctor chuckles. He was happy for the Duke and Duchess. They were clearly very much in love. But for some reason, despite being one of the few love matches in the Monarch and Noble families, they had never had a child. (Well they had adopted Lord Eli, but they had never had a child by blood.)
"Yes, but in the interest of preserving them… please don't spin me like that for awhile." She stammers out.
"Of course, my love." He says and wraps his arms around her comfortingly.
Shizune smiles and snuggles into him. She had never been so happy. She just wished that her stomach could fully settle and then she would be able to savor the moment.
"I would like to watch your pregnancy extra closely. Your age does mean it will likely be difficult on you. But don't worry, My Lady. We will take excellent care of you. After all, you are a Duchess of the Byakugan Kingdom and deserve only the very best care." The physician says and Kakashi nods his head gratefully at him.
Meanwhile Hiashi paces. He couldn't help but worry for Hinata. He had not wanted to send her at all. But she was like her mother in a way. Normally, they were both so accommodating. However, every once in awhile there were situations when they would not be swayed by reason.
"I should never have agreed to it." He mutters.
Oh he had no doubt that Sasuke loved her. He'd do everything in his power to keep her safe. But this was a War. Hinata was a princess. She was a target on any battlefield.
He sighs. Sasuke was a good boy, well man. He'd do what he could. But sometimes accidents happened and then there were assassination attempts. Hinata was simply too easily recognizable.
"I'll seek counsel on this." He mutters to himself, carrying some roses, and heading to the royal cemetery.
He smiles when he finds his wife's grave. Hiashi had made certain she had been buried by her favorite tree. He sets the flowers on her grave and sighs.
"You truly have no idea, how much I miss you. Hinata is grown now and Hanabi is on the verge of womanhood as well. Would you believe that Hinata is already engaged? So much time has passed, but it feels like it was only yesterday that you were still here." Hiashi says.
The King of the Byakugan Kingdom was not mad. He didn't actually expect his deceased wife to answer him. But it made him feel better to "speak" with her. Here no one would judge him.
He was simply a man, grieving his dead wife. There was no need to maintain proper protocol around here. Hiashi could simply be himself. He smiles as he remembers the day that he had proposed to her.
Hiashi remembered thinking that she was beautiful. She truly was. No woman that he had ever seen before, could hold a candle to her. But that wasn't why he was proposing.
"Princess why are you crying? What has distressed you so?" He asked as he walked over to her.
She was the Princess from a nearby Kingdom. Her kingdom was small but prosperous. Well it had been until the two larger kingdoms had gone to war over it. Both wanted to annex it.
"It's my Kingdom and the two surrounding it. There has been so much bloodshed. But we don't know what to do. If we choose one, the other will be angry and the war will continue on anyway." She said through quiet sobs.
Hiashi sighed. He pulled her into his arms. It wasn't right. Her kingdom was small and peaceful. Never had it raised its arms against anyone. Yet, it had still been dragged into war.
"There may be a way to stop it." He whispered.
"How?" She asked.
"If you were to marry me, your Kingdom would automatically be annexed into mine. We are allied with the Sharingan Kingdom. Neither of the other two kingdoms would want to go to war with two large lands and your smaller one. They would respect the marriage." He whispered.
He knew it was far from the most romantic proposal. But it had worked. Soon enough they were wed. It was a very happy marriage, though regrettably brief.
Shortly after Hanabi was born, his poor wife was killed in a tragic hunting accident. The only mercy was that the arrow had pierced her heart, killing her instantly. He doubted she had felt any pain. It was a small comfort.
"Your majesty, I am sorry to disturb you. But it seems King Danzo would like to see you. He has arrived and is waiting to see you. I didn't realize we were expecting him. I would have asked for a feast to be prepared in his honor, if I had. I apologize for my lack of foresight." The military advisor says, once he walks over to Hiashi.
"It is not your fault. He did not notify us of his impending arrival." He sighs and places his hand on the grave briefly, before going to greet Danzo.
He wondered if perhaps the other man had realized what was going on. Maybe that was why he had decided to visit so abruptly. That would explain a great deal. His charade may very well be over.
"King Hiashi, please forgive my not sending word of my arrival. But it is very important. I must speak to you at once. I am afraid that I have grave news to report. News that I could not risk sending in a letter." Danzo says.
Hiashi nods. He gestures for the other King to continue. Perhaps he did not know at all. What the Byakugan King didn't realize is that Danzo did suspect him of treachery, just not the type of treachery he was actually engaging in.
"Speak, King Danzo. Perhaps I can put your mind at ease." He offers.
"Some of the rebels attacked the castle. They briefly overtook it. We fought them back of course. But still we suffered heavy losses. I had to speak with my people and tell them it was just a rumor. It should buy us some time. But I fear it will not be enough." He says.
"That is most horrible. I am glad that you were able to retake control of your castle. It seems the peasants are forgetting their place. This little rebellion has been allowed to go on too long. We must do something about it. They are trifling with the Monarchy. A threat to one of us, is a threat to us all." Hiashi replies in feigned sympathy.
Danzo nods. He briefly wondered if perhaps he was wrong. Hiashi seemed sincere in his offers of sympathy. It might have all been a mistake.
"And I'm afraid that your men are not fighting as they should. Half of them run off. The other half are poorly trained. Your supplies were also of an inferior quality. I assume this was merely an oversight." Danzo continues.
"If you are insulting my men and aid, you are insulting me. I will not take any insults lightly. You should retract your statement, if you want to continue our friendship that has served us well for so many years." The King of the Byakugan Kingdom warns him.
Danzo frowns. He knew that this situation wouldn't end well for him. If he kept pushing, he might anger Hiashi. If Hiashi was angered, he would have a two front war to fight.
He might be able to defeat the rebels. He might even be able to defeat the Byakugan Kingdom. But Danzo knew that he couldn't defeat both at once. He would have to play his cards very carefully.
"I apologize. I meant no insult. These peasants are just irritating me. How dare they trifle with the natural order of things? Without us, they would still be living in caves." He replies.
Hiashi nods in feigned agreement. He briefly contemplates driving a sword through his heart. But he knew that his guards would be nearby. Even if the Byakugan King managed it, he would perish right along with him.
The King considers the pros and cons of such a thing. It might actually be worth it. But he decides that he would like to live and he couldn't steal from the brothers. After everything that the man had done to them, they deserved to be able to extract their revenge personally.
"I agree completely. So what are your plans to squash this rebellion?" Hiashi inquires.
Perhaps he could at least extract some useful information from him. Information that the princes could use to take back their kingdom. The sooner this vile beast was slain, the better.