I do not own Naruto nor do I make any money off of this.

"talking"
'thinking'

Flashback/Memory/Dream

Chapter 10:

When Kurama heard that Naruto was kidnapped, he was angry. Someone had dared to take his best friend away. He was young, so there was nothing he could do, but he made sure that his Uncle Akunin was searching for the blond. On the same night Naruto was kidnapped, a maid named Mikoto was killed and a girl named Ruby was born. The maid's body was burned and her ashes were sent back to her village. Kurama never knew what village she was from. Ruby was raised as Akunin's daughter since Shari wasn't healthy enough to raise the girl on her own. Kurama lied Ruby, but she couldn't replace Naruto in his heart.

Years passed and Shari died. Ruby left the Namikaze Kingdom to find her place. She told Kurama that her place was somewhere else, but she'd look out for Naruto. Kurama hugged her good-bye and watched as a wagon took his last friend away. Akunin began to raise the red-head as the heir to the throne. Kurama went through his studies quickly, gaining the knowledge of how to run the Kingdom.

By the age of thirteen, Kurama was done with his studies. He still had to wait until his sixteenth birthday before he could become King. Kurama used the next two years to search for Naruto, but the blond left no trace. Kurama could not find her. Akunin introduced Kurama to a man named Jiraiya, who turned out to be Tsunade's husband. He was the strongest soldier in the Kingdom. Kurama started to spend time with Jiraiya and the other soldiers. He quickly became friends with Lee and Shino. Lee was like Naruto, in the fact that he had a lot of energy to burn. Shino was the opposite. He rarely spoke. The three spent their days together and even trained together. Soon, Kurama was fifteen.

"I heard you are gonna start searching for a bride," Lee said. Lee, Shino, and Kurama were sitting under Kurama's favorite tree. "The spring of your youth has finally come!"

"What about you?" Kurama asked. "Aren't you of marrying age?"

"I have follow for a lovely blossom," Lee said. "Her name is Sakura. She is a noble that lived in a village in the Uchiha Kingdom. I met her that time I went with Gai-sensei to talk with Kakashi-san."

"And you Shino?" Kurama asked. Shino just looked at Kurama. "I see. We are the same. I haven't met someone I want as my bride."

"What about that blond you use to hang out with?" Lee asked. "Did you give up on her?"

"I'd never give up on Naru-chan," Kurama said. "She won my heart a long time ago. I know it has been eight years, but I still love her. If I'm to marry someone who isn't her, I know that I will never love them like Naru-chan."

"There is a change in the air," Shino said. "Something is going to happen."

"I hope it isn't something bad," Kurama said.

The three layed back down on the grass enjoying the cloudy, but not miserable day. The wind blew softly, but kept them cool. A call of Kurama's name broke through the air. "Prince Kurama!" A man stepped up to the three. "Found you." He fixed his glasses. "King Akunin is looking for you."

"Thank you Ebisu," Kurama said. "I'll see you guys later." The two nodded as Kurama followed Ebisu back to the castle. Ebisu led Kurama to the throne room. When Kurama entered, he saw Jiraiya and Tsunade sitting in chairs to the right of his throne. Akunin was sitting in his throne. "You called for me?"

"Yes," Akunin said. "You will becoming of age soon. I'd like you to look through a book and pick out three people. Those three will court you. By the Coming of Age Ceremony, I want you to name your chosen bride."

Kurama wasn't ready to get married, but he couldn't say no. He grabbed the book from Jiraiya and looked through it. He noticed that it was filled with both men and women. Kurama saw Sakura's bio in it, but ignored her. She belonged to Lee. A red-head caught his eyes. Shrugging, he pointed the boy out to the others. Gaara's name was written down. He turned the pages until he saw a boy with white eyes. Raising an eyebrow at the strange color, Kurama decided to pick him as well. Neji's name was written under Gaara's. It took Kurama longer to find the third person. There were several beautiful women, but none compaired to Naruto. He decided that he'd only marry one woman, so he ignored the females in the book. Finally, he came to the last page. On it was a picture of a man seven years older than him. The man had dark eyes and long black hair. He was amazed that this man was that much older than him. Itachi looked only two may be three years older than himself. I the bio it stated that Itachi was the first-born son to the Uchiha Clan. Kurma wondered why he was not the Crown Prince then. Kurama motioned to Jiraiya that this man was to be his final pick.

"Prince Gaara of Suna," Akunin listed off. "Prince Neji of the Hyuuga Kingdom, and Prince Itachi of the Uchiha Kingdom." He raised an eyebrow. "Why all men?"

"I will only marry one woman," Kurama answered. "Naru-chan has my heart. If I must marry someone else, let it be one of them."

"Fine," Akunin said. He wasn't happy that Kurama still loved Naruto. Tsunade wanted to tell Kurama that it wasn't going to be possible for him to marry Naruto. Siblings cannot marry each other. But she stayed silent. "I'll send word to each Kingdom. You are dismissed." Kurama bowed then left to find Shino and Lee. Akunin looked at Jiraiya. "Send the message as soon as you can. I want them here within the month." He left the room.

"I feel bad for Kurama," Jiraiya said. "He has no idea he is in love with a boy let alone his own brother."

"It is better for him to not know," Tsunade said. "Naruto is gone. He may still be alive, but he has no right to the throne. Kurama will be King."

"What do you think of his choices?" Jiraiya asked.

"Prince Itachi seems to be the best pick," Tsunade said.

"I don't know," Jiraiya said. "I think the Hyuuga would be better."

"And Prince Gaara?" Tsunade asked.

"No chance," Jiraiya said. "He seems to be a top, just like Kurama."

"Want to make a bet of it?" Tsunade asked.

"Sure," Jiraiya said.

"Then, I bet Kurama will marry Itachi," Tsunade said. "I bet five peries."

"Then I'll bet the Kurama marries Neji," Jiraiya said. "Five peries is fine." They shook on it. Jiraiya grinned, thinking it was an easy bet that he'd win. Tsunade couldn't wait to cheer Itachi on.

I noticed that I have been spelling heir as hire. I'm so sorry! From now on, I'll be more careful about that word.