DEATHPLAY- the royal scandals
CH1- Start of the end
(Session #11- Initiation of conflict)
(Ksingard central city (Cydia), royalty dome, outside of Hall of Munificence)
"My name, is Hyuga Hinata. What's yours? "
They were still speaking, Naruto and Hinata, for Sai had not returned.
Naruto skipped a beat before answering her, because for a split second, he thought his name was…
"I'm Abdul… no, no! Hell no! Stupid name-calling! "
That Jiraiya had successively imprinted the pseudonym into Naruto's head for eternity.
Hinata stood by puzzled while the blonde boy blurted out a frustrated but restrained noise.
He regained himself after a round of hair tearing.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto. "
They shook hands, almost a childish gesture, both of their hands awkward and unsure. Hinata stifled a giggle.
She felt like she was agreeing to something, by shaking the hand of this boy who had almost killed her and Neji yesterday.
And the prince.
Hinata felt another bout of shivers running through her back, remembering the blood that had seeped into her robes. Hanabi had jokingly run around, advising her to keep the tainted robes in the memory of the prince's gallant deed, but Hinata was fearful of the blood.
That fear was closely linked to this blonde standing in front of her, but strangely, she felt at ease. With most men, she tended to shy away, she felt terrified of interaction. But this was different.
She felt like talking.
"I heard… you were… um. "
Her stuttering habit has returned, and Hinata secretly cursed herself for not being outgoing and bright as the sunny girl Hiashi wanted her to be.
She gave it another try.
"I heard that you were…"
She was hesitant to say, and Naruto suddenly felt like screaming, 'out with it!!'
If she was going to say he was a monster, or a demon or anything like that, it was better to get over with quick. He could take it.
"I heard you were from Arudan… "
Oh.
Naruto let himself relax yet again, feeling the odd sense of relief.
He finally realized, and admitted to himself that this girl would not disappoint him with betrayal, like all the others did. He was accepted in the fold with her.
Only a few ever did with him, like Jiraiya, Shizune, Ino and a few others.
He counted off the figures in his head, adding one more to the small list.
And maybe that awful tempered prince.
"I am. I belonged in the temple Regalus. I'm an apprentice… "
"It's so wonderful! I'm really interested in the history of Arudan! "
"Eh, H…history? "
History?
There was a silence, and the screeching of the cicadas was heard over the stillness, a concord of sheer cacophony.
Naruto's head was also a concord of cacophony at the moment.
Naruto, being a blockhead for history, struggled hard in searching his brain for any witty comment he could make… and found none.
All he could remember specifically about Arudan, was that it had too much sand for its own good, and offered the best ramen in all of the lands combined. But Naruto could hardly say to the girl, 'Want to know the recipe to the famed Arudan ramen? Top secret! '
He'd be channeling pathetic, and he did not want to look like a fool in front of this girl.
He knew he should have listened to Jiraiya when he preached history, but every word always flew out of the other ear before the talk was even over. Therefore, he stood silent, his inner mind in a torrent of conflict.
Hinata mistook his silence for skepticism, and hastily spoke up again, her cheeks blushing.
"I…I know it's really unusual for a girl to be interested in history… especially the history of another country, but Arudan has a really fascinating past! "
"I…uh. Yeah, I agree! Interesting stuff, really…"
When one is cornered into the alley of ignorance, it is best to agree with anything that the other person is saying.
Naruto wondered how long he'd have to stand nodding like an ignorant fool while Hinata provided him with information he should have known ages ago.
Agony.
"Are you ready to go on? "
Luckily, Naruto was saved then by the arrival of Sai, from having to discuss the 'fascinating' history of Arudan with Hinata further on. He liked the girl quite a lot, but history fogged up his brain. He quite eagerly turned to greet the man once more.
He considered himself lucky, until he saw the figure walking next to the sallow estine sentry.
"If it isn't the nuisance with a 'condition'. "
All of Sasuke's sarcasm and cynicism was packed into that phrase.
The corner of Naruto's forced smile plunged immediately into a barely hidden grimace.
It was prince fuckwit.
--
(Heart of Arudan, Temple Regalus, hall of relaxation)
"Well well Shizune, you've really done it this time. "
A lazy afternoon in temple Regalus always drew in unexpected visitors, especially from the palace. Mercenaries and court officials closely afflicted with the temple dropped by occasionally, using business as a paltry excuse to snag some free time and drink tea.
"Don't give me that, Genma! You know this was necessary. "
Today's visitor was Genma, from general Kankuro's squad.
The tawny haired man was easily stretched out on the temple couch, even though the hard wood made it difficult to be comfortable. Shizune brought the tea over, pouring sugar into only one of the cups- she did not have a sweet tooth.
"Necessary? You call it necessary to inform the king that the pervert priest has abandoned Arudan and joined sides with Ksingard? You have a pretty distorted sense of…"
"You came here to drink tea, if you do not shut up, I'll pour it over you! "
He quieted down then, shaking his head and muttering something under his breath, but smiling at the same time. He received the cup from Shizune and set it down- it was too hot to drink.
"King Gaara wasn't too pleased, but I don't think he'd waste force on bringing Jiraiya-san back. The envoy fiasco had brought some strain on the Arudan- Ksingard relationship, and he probably wouldn't want any extra mess to intensify that strain. "
"Hmph. More likely, he's looking for an excuse to start war with Ksingard. He's only waiting for the right excuse to pounce on… this whole 'we're friends' deal is getting stifling already. "
Shizune's eyes widened.
"…what do you mean? "
Genma raised his eyebrows, as if to ask if didn't she know this.
"What I mean, is that the generals are already training us methodically, merging some of the divided sectors together, so we all know another war's coming on soon. I'm just wondering what'll happen to Jiraiya and Naruto, if the war starts. "
"No way! A war with Ksingard? It's madness! "
"King Gaara's capable of anything. "
Genma shrugged, toying around with the spoon, stirring his tea.
"Say, why did Jiraiya take Naruto with him?
He suddenly asked, frowning. Shizune sipped her tea, a bit shook up.
"As an apprentice. "
"Apprentice my ass, you know demon slayers never receive apprentices. Demon slayers are born, not made. "
"Okay, as a servant then. "
Genma stared at Shizune incredulously, until she broke down and replied:
"Jiraiya-san went to Ksingard for a couple of reasons, to help Naruto, find Tsunade-sama, and… find pretty women to fill his perverted heart with joy, most likely. "
Genma snorted at the last part, his eyes slanting down in a hearty smile.
"Well, I should agree. I heard Ksingard has real beautiful women… especially in Cydia. I heard Cydian women are the 'best', beautiful, reserved and poised. "
He spoke in a teasing voice, trying to aggravate Shizune into barking at him; they were in a queer kind of relationship.
In limbo, between friendship and love.
"Oh sure, why don't you go over to Ksingard too then? If anyone would even take you, I mean. "
Shizune said mildly, only giving in to the vexing tease a little bit. Genma grinned, taking the lukewarm cup in his hand.
"I know for one thing that you can't resist me, even if you declare you hate me! "
Shizune rolled her eyes while he took a huge swig from the cup of tea. He did not swallow, and immediately started making odd noises with a weird face.
"Mm…mmn? "
"Hmm? What is it? "
She leaned closer.
"Pkhwa!! "
He spurt out the liquid, and it splashed into Shizune's face in a torrent, the hot liquid soaking into her robes and hair. She was stunned into silence, lasting a few seconds until the storm began.
"Wha…?! Genma!! "
Genma was eyeing the tea with a suspicious stare, and Shizune exploded.
"What is the meaning of this?! "
He started sniffing the tea.
"What the hell… did you put in this tea? "
She was taken aback.
"What do you mean? It's just the usual herb tea, served wi…"
Epiphany.
She suddenly realized that the 'sugar' she had so generously poured into the tea, was not sugar, but…
"Salt?! Are you trying to dehydrate me or what?! "
"Look what you did to my robes!! "
"Look what you did to my palate! How will I enjoy my dinner now?! "
"You and your food, stupid man!! Look at my clothes!! "
"You and your salt tea!! Evil woman!!"
Ino, who had just arrived in the temple, heard the deafening noise of the two shouting at each other in vain. She wondered how was it in this world that a holy temple should be so… rowdy.
She looked up at Shizune's door, smirked, then flounced off to help Ebisu with his scroll works, thinking:
'Must be Genma. '
--
(Ksingard central city (Cydia), royalty dome, outside of Hall of Munificence)
'Hyuga Hinata…'
Prince Sasuke had not expected to see her this early in the morning.
He had sent the invitation a night ago, not entirely sure why he had done so. Most likely, General Hiashi would be aghast, thinking the prince was up for another bedding.
The prince himself wasn't sure, what he wanted.
"What's… he doing here? "
The blonde idiot.
He did not seem overjoyed to see Sasuke, that was for sure. The boy stood lack, his arms dangling limp against his side, his expression unfathomable… not.
Naruto was actually frowning all over.
Has it been, much less a misgiving in his part, a mistake to want association? Was it going to be a disaster to mingle with this nuisance of a presence?
Naruto spoke.
"How come you're out of bed? Weren't you wounded big time? "
All three turned to look at Naruto, particularly his left arm. Naruto stood clueless for a moment, then got the gist.
"Oh, uh…really really sorry. I… I didn't mean t… never mind about that. I'm real sorry. I'm real…"
"Shut it with your 'really's. It gets on my nerve. And also, about the wounds- why are you not in bed? You were injured by the… your arm as well as any of us. "
Sasuke pointed out this crucial observation, skeptical.
Naruto thought hard, and then happily replied…
"Eh, I have a condition t…"
Sasuke sighed disgustedly.
"Forget it. "
He looked over instead, at the fragile girl standing behind the blonde idiot. He suddenly had new plans.
"You, follow me. You did get the invitation haven't you? "
"Y…yes. Now? "
Sai caught on with the situation, and casually waved his hand at Naruto, diverting attention.
"We have a long day upon us. Come. "
--
(Ksingard central city (Cydia), Royal discussion hall)
"Your majesty, I have sent the organized troop to accompany the envoy home, like you have ordered. "
"Good. Pray tell this time, nothing happens. "
Kakashi lingered, his posture formal, waiting for the permission to go on with his say. Itachi noticed the general still waiting, and granted the permission to speak.
"…it's prince Sasuke. By right, he should be in bed, but he insisted on accompanying the demon boy for his training with Yamato…"
"And you're saying that, considering Sasuke's relationship with Yamato, this should be prevented? "
Kakashi was used to being frank, he disliked being subtle. Clear, lucid facts were useful; beautiful speeches with irrelevant but profound maxims were useless to him.
He didn't like talking round a subject.
However, around the king, there was a cost to being so open.
"He should rest, my lord. He's not in shape. "
"That's interesting, coming from you, a believer of constant exertion and hard training. Aren't you pleased that Sasuke is so enthusiastic with his training? "
Kakashi raised his head to look at Itachi.
The young king was staring down at his bent head, seemingly challenging him. An amused twinkle played at his usually deadpan eyes.
"Pleased, but a teacher has to consider his pupil's health as much as the study itself. "
Itachi mulled over this.
"True. So perhaps you should go talk to him. He listens to you more than he does me. "
The general shifted ever so slightly, sensing the talk going down a dangerous path.
He decided to risk it.
"…you are his brother, your majesty, much as you deny it at times. "
Itachi broke into a sudden smile, as if liberated by this blunt observation.
"…you're the only one that sees through by foil, aren't you? I assumed no one did, not even Sasuke. "
Itachi started pacing around the lavishly adorned room, his footsteps echoing hollowly against the marble floor. Kakashi remained still, aware that at any time, the mercurial king could corner him into saying anything.
He remained calm, nevertheless.
"Everyone thinks I do not mind him being the son of the street whore, but I do, at times. The wench stole a father and a husband with that one act; no one is sanctified and merciful enough to forget that. There are times when it is a hard feat to even look at Sasuke, with the boy trying so hard to defy me... "
The king raised his eyes up to the ceiling, his magenta robes fluttering softly behind his every step.
"I have never seen another boy so rebellious and determined to be difficult as he is… He's set his mind to 'not' be the prince figure that I'd tried time and again to mold into him. Every time he goes against me, I'm tempted to reveal what I truly feel like inside. Can't say I would, since the boy would only obey me less if I did. He's lose all due respects for me, even the meager kind that he's learnt to show. He fights back too much. But he listens to you. I wonder how you do it… "
The general listened to this speech without comment, his mask revealing no inkling of his emotions hidden underneath.
"You are a good brother to the prince, my lord. You have every right to believe it. "
The king ignored this.
"Wouldn't it be nice, Kakashi, to focus on just one thing instead of having to be good at multiple subjects? Need I be a good king, a good brother and a good human being all at the same time? There are sometimes when you can choose only one. "
Itachi was looking out of the massive glass window that led out to the balcony. Intense light spilled over into the darkened room, outshining the candles that adorned all five panels of the walls.
His mood was unpredictable.
"Do you think I make a good king? The country's falling apart. "
"It's no use bashing oneself over someone else's mistake, your majesty. You would know this better than anyone at court. "
Itachi stopped pacing and turned with an icy smile, looking content.
He spoke quietly.
"You have guts. "
By the phrase 'someone else's mistake', Kakashi had been implying the former king's affiliation with the concubine, and by mentioning this, putting himself in danger of absolute blasphemy.
But Kakashi was a realistic, sensible man, and Itachi was levelheaded enough to note the comment without reacting much to it. Itachi noted this with a wry smile.
"I do not stand for impudence, especially from my generals, but you… I guess I could respect you. Your views are clear and untainted. I can trust it. "
The king approached Kakashi, this time, leaning his face into the general's bent head, so that their eyes were level. His tone held a curious urgency to it.
"No one tells me the truth anymore… tell me, Kakashi. What is this country turning into? "
Kakashi did not answer, because even he was not sure what would become of Ksingard.
--
(Ksingard central city (Cydia), royalty dome, Hall of Munificence)
He approached her, cornering and backing her up into the extravagantly furnished walls of his room. When they were as close as a few inches apart, he reached up and started to loosen a portion of his silk robes.
His hands brushed aside the fabric, revealing not skin, but bloodied bandages.
He casually took her right hand, and lifted it up to brush against his chest. He cupped his hand over hers, pushing it gently into his body.
He asked, in all seriousness.
"What do you feel? "
Hinata was not sure of what to do. She wasn't at all sure what the prince wanted.
It was her first time in the royalty dome, especially the hall of munificence, the prince's quarters. The dome was too overstated in her opinion, and snuffed out even the inch of confidence she had in herself.
She was mildly terrified of the situation.
"…prince Sasuke? "
The bandages were slightly wet with blood, some of it crusted into a rust colored layer.
"What do you feel? "
He was tenacious in his ways, his piercing dark eyes boring into hers.
What Hinata did not know, was the small decisions that were whirling in Sasuke's head at the moment.
If she answered lust or anything connecting to that, he was definitely going to bed her then and there. Or if she mentioned the beating heart or being sorry about his wounds, maybe he'd leave her alone but never associate with her again. The mounting 'if's'.
Hinata realized this as a form of a test the prince was springing on her. She should choose her words carefully.
"I feel…"
Hinata closed her eyes and breathed in, catching a whiff of the prince's scent. The image of hyacinths sprouted in her head.
"I feel rested. "
"Rested? "
"You use the same bath oils as I do. Warm baths always rests me… but the smell of blood clashes with the calm. "
She never ceased to surprise him.
He backed away then, his expression thoughtful.
She slumped in relief; the prince had no intention of pushing her into the bed with him it seems, thank god.
"…tell me about yourself. "
She smiled into his face, shy but radiant. She seemed to have passed the unspoken test.
"I like history. "
(bloodiedsug's words on DP-
Sorry, this was quite slow… and the story's not progressing at all!! ;;;
I might have to postpone some of the serious SasuHina until later… or else, this story'll go to pot. (which, it already has, in some parts)
This one's less funny, and more serious…
I now realize how hard it is to maintain a good plot, and keep up with the humor. Maybe I should stick to HSBK..; juggling two stories is pretty hard, especially when they are written in entirely different tones and settings.
One last thing though, Genma and Shizune??
How did I ever come up with that crack couple… lol.
Bear with me)
