AN: H-hello, all (gulps) well... I have FINALLY finished this chapter, as I said I give you all full rights to hurt me! (deeply bows). I'm not going to lie and say that I have been too busy to do this chapter, cause I obviously had enough time to write two new stories! But, I just cannot say how sorry I am! Hontoni gomen ne! I know you don't care, but I just finished this chapter and it is nearly 4am here, but I said I would not rest until I completed this chapter and I meant it! Now, about this chapter... just... don't kill me yet okay! I wanted to do this... matte, go on and read before I type too much!
Note: Suna Akurei, Hyūga Hisae © Anna Uzumaki
Pairing(s): Naruto/Sasuke With: Neji/Gaara, Shika/Kiba, Sakura/Lee, Kakashi/Iruka, Hinata/Shino, Ino/Choji, Kankuro/Hana, Temari/Tenten, Jiraiya/Tsunade, Itachi/Kimimaru, Suigetsu/Sasori.
Warning(s): Yaoi, lemon(s) in later chapters, sexual content (Duh!), slight nuggets of OOC-ness (bear with me), adult language, blood/gore, angst, drama & slight child abuse.
Disclaimer: Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto
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Chapter Ten
Symptoms
Once they were finished with their bathing, Ayame along with another one of the Namikaze castle maids named Amayo dressed the young princes for the day. She was a very pretty woman with very dark purple hair and dark red eyes'. To Naruto she and Ayame were, the only two in the castle who could get him dressed in record time, which really saved him from being late to his lessons, well sometimes it did. As they finished dressing the young boys in simple outfits, though still very much-so royal garbs, they heard someone knock on the main bedroom door.
"Come in." Naruto called to the door, the maids however continued their current ministrations as they heard the door open and only seconds later saw Genma round the corner to the very spacious dressing room where they currently were.
"Young Masters, it's good to see that you two are already up." Genma said as a senbon hung out the corner of his mouth, the young blonde has once asked him why he would keep something so dangerous in his mouth, but he simply replied that- 'It came in handy'. Needless to say, the young Uzumaki was left even more confused than before.
"Yes, Ayame came and awakened them quite some time ago, Genma." Amayo informed him with a small smile.
"That's good to hear, I know these two would sleep the day away if they were given the chance to do so." Genma chuckled and mussed both of the, now scowling, princes hair.
"The only one who would sleep the day away is Sasuke." Naruto told Genma and then smirked at Sasuke, who was now glaring icily at the wise cracking blonde.
"Shut up dobe." Sasuke grumbled at the tanned prince, with a slight smirk.
"Hmm? I must be dreaming, because I know you didn't just use such language Young Master Uchiha." Genma spoke and glowered at Sasuke.
At that, Naruto had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing out loud at the looks that flashed across Sasuke's face. His expression went from shock, to fear and finally settled on amused. He was young and cocky, a dangerous combination to use in front of Genma Tenui. Had he forgotten how Genma punished the children when they were in the wrong? Well, he would find out sooner or later.
"Hn," Sasuke huffed and smirked at Genma, "Well, seeing as how you are standing here talking so casually with us, I would assume that you are indeed awake." He continued and replied jokingly at him.
"My my, young Prince, aren't you being very cocky this morning? Keep it up and I'll just have to make sure you learn your lesson for behaving in such a way, now won't I?" Genma smiled evilly at him. Sasuke was really going to pay for that because whenever Genma smiled, it was never good.
"You are in so much trouble now tem-Sasuke." Naruto jibed at the doomed raven and almost slipped by calling him the nickname he called him. He knew full well what Genma would do should he use such language in front of him and he did not want to suffer the same fate as the Uchiha, not today, not when he had his bi-weekly psychological examination with his grandmother and Gaara. How he detested those meetings, what good was it doing to have him and Gaara go through the same test over and over?
"Now now, you watch yourself young sir. The both of you need not get in trouble." Amayo chided Naruto, bringing him back to the present, and finished the last alterations on Sasuke's outfit.
"There, done. Now, young sir please refrain from having Genma punish you as well. It's a shame we couldn't save Prince Sasuke though." Ayame said as she finished dressing Naruto and turned to Sasuke with a sweet smile.
"Thank you Ayame-san and I will try to stay out of trouble." Naruto reassured her.
"And I will be alright, his 'Lessons' cannot be that difficult," Sasuke said to Ayame and smirked at Genma, "And thank you as well Amayo-san." He continued and thanked her with a small sincere smile, at which Naruto proceeded to gape at him like a fish out of water but quickly recovered himself enough to speak once he saw the look on Genma's face.
"Um, Sasuke, you might want to be quiet now." Naruto whispered to Sasuke, hoping fervently that his warning would shut him up. 'Has he lost his mind? I think he has, he must have lost it to challenge Genma-san like this!' The blonde wagered mentally.
"Hn." Sasuke huffed and turned toward the eerily calm Genma.
"Hmm, you think my 'lessons' will not be difficult, is that correct?" Genma questioned the young Uchiha.
"How bad could they be? After all, Naruto is still in one piece after being 'punished' by you." Sasuke mentioned and smirked at a now wide eyed blonde. Who then mentally kicked himself for having his usual reaction to Sasukes' smirks and during such a situation no less!
"Hmph, we shall see about that young sir. Now, if you two will follow me, we must collect the other young heirs for breakfast." Genma said nonchalantly with a scowl at Sasuke, and then motioned for the princes to follow him out of the room.
Thankfully they did not have to wait for the others, as they were already dressed and waiting for Naruto and whichever castle maid or guard he had accompanying him this morning. The first room they stopped at was Gaara's and, to Sasuke and Naruto's not so much surprise, Neji was waiting there along with him.
"Good to see you two are up already as well." Genma said to waiting duo as he and the two following heirs entered the room.
"Yes, we have actually just finished being dressed for the day and had sat down right before you entered Genma-san." Neji told him.
"Good morning Naruto, Sasuke, Genma-san." Gaara greeted them from Neji's side.
"Good morning to you Gaara, Neji." Naruto smiled widely at them, which caused Gaara to smile an almost equally wide smile as said blonde.
"Alright young Sirs', let's continue on to the other young Sirs' rooms." Genma clasped his hands together and motioned once again for the young ones to head back out the door.
As they continued towards Shino's room, he was currently leaning against the wall and greeted the group with a simple nod of his head, really, would it kill him to speak more? None the less, they continued down the hall and around a corner to pick up Choji and Lee. The last two spared the growing group the task of extra walking, but at the same time surprised them by already being in the same room. Shika and Kiba were currently sitting on a big deep red couch positioned in the break way entrance to Shika's room chatting, more like one sided chatting really, because as usual Shika was on the verge of falling back asleep.
"Hey you guys! Kiba, what are you doing here in Shika's room?" Naruto asked and raised his brow.
"Naruto, you are as bad as Lee, both of you are too loud." Shikamaru sighed and stood up.
"We are not!" Lee and Naruto both shouted at the same time and then laughed at the coincidence.
"Either way, I just came here to save you the trouble of walking all over the castle! Some thanks are in order don't you think?" Kiba exclaimed and proceeded to look very hurt. It was funny, because knowing Kiba, he would always do something that ended up with Naruto or anyone else going to the extremes to locate him.
"Sure Kiba, like the time you hid at Gaara's place when we tried to meet up for Chiyo-sama's medical examination?" Sasuke brought up the perfect example of a pervious incident, which left the group of friends searching all over Gaara's castle for the dog lover. Chiyo Suna is Gaara's grandmother, she would often instruct the princes and princesses on how to perform simple bandage methods, ointment application and other scenarios that might require health attention. She would also entertain them with puppet shows in which Kankuro, Gaara's older brother, had taken a serious liking to.
"Uh, well, yes…That was different." Kiba sputtered and scratched the back of his head, a habit which Naruto was sure he picked up from him.
"Sure it was." Gaara smirked at Kiba, who only replied with a low growl and brushed past the snickering group out into the hall to lean against the wall. The others promptly followed after the sulking Inuzuka and finally made their way to the dining hall, where Itachi was currently awaiting the young group's arrival with all of the princesses.
As the group walked in, along with Genma, they didn't fail to notice that neither Naruto nor the Uchiha's parents were present, but that was to be expected to some degree since they all had decided to surprise the young heirs with a winter ball specifically for them, therefore it was only right that they had many things to plan and get in order for said event. Which would also be a joint birthday celebration for Hinata and, if Kushina managed to get away with it, Minato, though he mentioned many times to his plotting wife that this ball was to focus solely on the children and nothing else.
"Goodness, it's about time you boys got here!" Ino exasperated as the young men walked in.
"Well, seeing as how there are more boys than girls here today it's to be expected. Besides, don't you girls wake up even earlier than us?" Shikamaru mentioned with a slight frown as he sat down across from said complaining blonde princess, 'I swear, all she does is complain and bicker. I don't see how Choji can stand to be around that.' He inwardly groaned.
"Tsk, that is not a very good excuse Shika! Be it as there may be more of you here that still does not give you probable reason to be late and keep us ladies waiting!" Ino countered while nonchalantly smoothing out here napkin on her lap.
"So troublesome, I swear—" Shikamaru all but groaned before he was cut off.
"Alright, alright, that is enough you two. As long as everyone is here now, that's all that counts right?" Itachi smirked at the bickering pair and the turned his gaze towards Genma, who was currently staring down his little brother, and dismissed him. Only once Genma had left the room did Itachi begin speaking again, "Now, before we begin eating—" The long haired raven continued, but was interrupted by certain cubby prince.
"Before we eat? That's not fair!" Choji whined and rubbed his grumbling stomach.
"— I have a few things to relay to you from the adults," The older Uchiha continued with a raised onyx brow at the interruption, "As you all probably already figured out, there will be mandatory ballroom dancing lessons for the majority of the day. Also, it has been decided that you young heirs will perform a special waltz for the guest, sound's great does it not?" He finished with a playful smirk at the disgruntled young ones.
"Please, I pray that you are only kidding Itachi." Shikamaru said in a pained voice and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Hahah, it's not going to be that bad Shika, this gives you all a chance to show off your skills! On the contrary, dancing is very entertaining. I'm fairly sure you all do not recall, but I, along with Temari, Hana and Kankuro preformed the same waltz when we were your age." The long haired Uchiha chuckled.
"Really? That's great you should have mentioned that first! Now I feel so much better." Kiba said with faux enthusiasm, with the most skeptical look to follow.
"You boys' are forever complaining! This is going to be fun!" Tenten cheered and clasped her hands together with utter glee.
"Yeah, sure it will be." Sasuke grumbled. 'Girls find everything fun.' He affirmed in thought.
"Hey, look at it like this: We get a day off from tutoring and the other lessons!" Sakura mentioned with an accomplished grin.
"She is right! What else can be better than that?" Lee exclaimed with an exuberant grin.
"It's times like these that I actually want to be in therapy." Naruto leaned to whisper to Gaara, who nodded his head in sad agreement. Though, the conversation was picked up by the oldest Uchiha, who then cleared his throat to speak.
"As it so happens, Naruto, Gaara," Itachi called for their attention, "You two will have the fortune of missing today's lesson, such request was ordered by Lady Tsunade." He continued with a knowing expression.
"Great." Naruto rolled his eyes.
"Spoke too soon." Gaara shook his head at the irony.
"Hey, it's only for today. You two can suffer with us tomorrow." Neji nudged the annoyed looking redhead with a small grin, who then returned the gesture with a faint smile of his own.
"Speaking of suffering, I'm suffering from a lack of food!" Choji whimpered and rubbed his growling belly, "Can we eat now?" He continued with a whine.
"Hah, okay Choji, calm down." Itachi said and motioned for one of the maids standing to the far side of the room to proceed with serving breakfast.
As the group continued on with their meal, they easily made light of the previous conversation concerning Naruto and Gaara and instead joked on who might make a fool of themselves at the ball, such as missing a step during the waltz or getting reprimanded by their parents. They had all come to the assumption that Naruto, Kiba and Lee would be the winners in that category, with the possibility of Sasuke as well. Even so, Naruto and Gaara were both very grateful that their unwanted request was not a topic of interest, though they both knew better than to think that the others weren't thinking about it. Neither of the two liked to discuss what went on in those sessions, unless they were able to make light of it, such as the time when Gaara erupted into a fit of uncharacteristic laughter. It was beyond creepy, but it was also hilarious to see the redhead laughing like he was being tickled to the point of tears. And then there was the time when Naruto threw one of the biggest, if only, temper tantrum his grandmother had ever seen, it was very unnerving to witness, but at the same time she felt it was in his best interest to vent from the years of therapy. After his temper cooled, they were all able to make light of it and tease the red-faced blonde, who didn't even remember the previous action.
In all, the sessions were unwanted, but then again they could prove entertaining at times and those times consisted solely on the times where they both weren't taking a turn for the worse and a possibly more dangerous route. In which case they were both refrained from being around others, which to them was worse than any form of tutoring and etiquette lessons their parents could put them through. Such as the impending Waltzing lesson, in which the others were to depart too at any moment, having now finished their breakfast and carrying on various conversations.
"Well, it's about time I escort you all to the ballroom for your lesson." Itachi nodded and stood, which prompted the others to follow suit.
"Can I not sit this lesson out Nii-chan?" Sasuke questioned the long haired raven as he came to stand beside him.
"Now Sasuke, you know I am in no position to say whether or not you may be excused. That is up to mother and father to decide." Itachi smirked and mussed his slightly sulking brothers' duck-butt hair, and continued forward.
"That is far from fair!" Sasuke crossed his arms, but none the less followed after him, with Naruto by his side and the others trailing along.
"It really will be unfair if I get stuck with you or Shika as a dance partner." A young girls' voice spoke up as the group walked down the hall. The sound of the voice sent a shiver down both Naruto and Shikamaru's, who quickly became alert at the sound, spines once they processed to whom it belonged to, this day was starting off with a bang.
"Why…" Shika groaned as he turned to the hot pink haired girl, who was one year his elder.
"Tayuya, what are you-" Naruto began to question as he turned to face his maniacal cousin, but was shocked even further as he saw her equally crazed sister beside her, "Not you to Karin! What are you two doing here?" He demanded in disbelief. 'Please just be visiting for the day, please just be visiting for the day!' He mentally pleaded.
"What do you mean you inconsiderate twerp!" The equally hot pink haired girl, Karin, exclaimed and made a grab at her blue eyed cousin, who quickly jumped back and hid behind Itachi.
"Cut it out Karin!" The tanned whisker cheeked prince glared.
"Both of you stop fooling around at this moment!" A female voice ordered from outside the groups' destination, "Naruto, Gaara, come with me. The rest of you continue on." The hazel eyed grandmother instructed with a forced smile towards the mentioned pair, obviously trying to keep herself from swatting he pink haired granddaughter.
"Hah, it is good to see you in such great spirits Lady Tsunade." Itachi smirked at the irritated blonde former queen.
"Don't push me Uchiha!" Tsunade flicked him as he passed, along with the other young ones, with the exception of the two hot pink haired sisters.
"Why do they get to skip today's lesson grandmother?" Tayuya asked with a miffed expression.
"Exactly, and aren't we learning a new dance as well?" Karin added with the same look.
"Are you two questioning me?" Tsunade glared menacingly at the two offenders.
"Not at all!" They said in unison and quickly retreated into the ballroom without further hesitation.
"I swear those two…" Tsunade grumbled and turned back towards the quietly standing boys, who wisely chose to keep their mouths shut, "Hmm, are you two okay?" She inquired and put a hand to both the males' heads.
"Yes Lady Tsunade, I feel fine." Gaara answered with a small smile.
"As do I grandmother." Naruto nodded, though if he was being honest he wasn't feeling completely himself and that didn't go unnoticed by his pigtailed grandmother.
"Twerp, you have a bit of a fever. Don't lie to me." Tsunade frowned at him.
"Grandma, I did just get assaulted by Karin." The tanned prince mentioned with a skeptical look, fervently hoping that that was a good enough excuse.
"Hmm, I suppose. Now, come, the sooner we get started the sooner you two can have some fun." Tsunade grinned and prodded them towards a hall behind the grand staircase, which would lead them to the room they had come to hate. As they quietly walked in front of the diamond tattooed woman, Gaara couldn't help but to notice a faint blush covering Naruto's cheeks, the teal eyed prince wasn't naïve enough to believe Naruto when he stated that he was just flustered from dodging his cousin, Naruto could do much more strenuous activities and not be affect in the slightest. So, maybe he was developing a fever, he was running around barefoot during the night that could cause him to become sick. As Gaara thought these things over, he failed to notice that they had arrived at their destination and his attention was brought to this by the yank on his sleeve.
"Not so fast Suna." Tsunade smirked and directed him into the room, having thought he was trying to unceremoniously ditch.
"Oh, I apologize." The redhead grinned sheepishly and quickly made his way to accompany the blue eyed prince on the large couch. However, no sooner than he had sat down did Naruto fall over and collapse onto the plush carpeted flooring with a thud.
"Naruto?" Tsunade called in a calm voice, thinking that he was just fooling around and trying to get out of their little session. But, none the less, she quickly made her way over to him, only to find that he was panting and sweating heavily, as well as burning up when she put her hand to his forehead, "Dammit! I knew you were lying! Gaara go retrieve Shizune-" She cursed and began to instruct the redhead, but was silenced when she turned to see Gaara collapsed as well on the couch and panting just as heavily, "Dammit!" She cursed again while jumping to her feet and quickly making her way out the room, only to crash into one of the guards, who wore a bandana and kept his left eye covered by his hair.
"Ah, Izumo! Quickly find Shizune and inform my daughter that we have a problem!" Tsunade ordered the slightly bewildered guard.
"Y-yes ma'am!" Izumo stuttered and raced off down the hall. Almost as soon as she had gotten the order out of her mouth, Tsunade quickly strode back over to the two distressed boys, who only seemed to have taken turns for the worse, though her grandson had nearly ceased his sweating, she nearly burned her hand off when she tried to check his temperature, the same went for Gaara, though he had begun writhe in evident pain. While Naruto still lay completely still on the floor, obviously unconscious from the fever.
"Come on you two snap out of it!" Tsunade hissed and reached for a vase full of flowers, only to toss them out and drench two rags in the cool water and place them on the boys' foreheads. She couldn't do much other than this until Shizune arrived, being that she did not want to stray too far from the two in case things got worse. However, just as she changed the boys' rags, the door flew open to reveal a short raven haired woman.
"Lady Tsunade, what wrong—" Shizune inquired in a slightly breathless voice, but quickly ascertained the situation at hand as she took in the state of the boys, who were both, now, completely unconscious.
AN: So... was it good? Sorry for the cliffhanger after such a long wait! (dodges thrown objects) Hey! Please, bear with me! I know you all are dying to read more, but, look, you have my other story and I'll be submitting the newest story soon! So, you can occupy yourselves with those! Okay? I'm sorry! I will certainly post on time with this story from now on! Mata ne! (Runs off into the dark)
Please note: Suna Akurei, Hyūga Hisae are mine, well my versions of Neji, Hinata and Gaara's parents names. But mine none the less.
- Anna Uzumaki