Uzumaki Shira

"Fxck."

I heard Sasuke mutter and I tried hard to pretend I was asleep. Honestly, I'm glad the moonlight isn't hitting my face because I'm pretty sure if it does, duck-butt will see the blushes on my cheeks.

An arm supported both my legs and another supported my head. Sasuke carried me to what I assume their room. I tried not to make any unnecessary movements indicating that I was, in fact, not asleep. I was placed in a futon and it didn't take long to hear sheets rubbing each other.

I waited for a few minutes, making sure Sasuke is fast asleep. Even though he wasn't touching me anymore, I could still remember the warmth he was radiating. I couldn't get his words out of my head, actually. I didn't know he can be so... emotional or to, you know... actually like me.

I'vie never really took notice of his weird actions sometimes or those childish excitements glinting in his eyes whenever he does something great. I knew he wanted me to acknowledge him but... I don't know. I mean, sure, I'm a prodigy as people say but loving someone romantically is pretty much troublesome.

I mean, I love Naru-naru, I really do and I'll gladly give up my life for him but... giving up my life for someone other than my twin? It never crossed my kind until now. It had always been just me and Naru-naru. Then, there was the old man and Iruka-sensei, Techie-San and Ayame-San.

For years it was just them. When in trouble, if I have to pick one out of all of them to save, I'll gladly pick my twin without a second thought. Then, this is where loving someone romantically comes in. If I have to pick one between them, I wouldn't know how to pick.

That's why I decided to turn a blind eye on that emotion being directed to someone else other than my brother. Naruto comes first, that's what I decided. When I'm sure that Sasuke is fast asleep, I silently went over to Naru-naru and kissed his forehead before going back to my room.

As I arrived, I didn't realize that Masahi-kun (he insisted that I call him that) was awake. "Shira-san, where were you?" He is clingy, I admit but there's just something wrong with this mission. It's like we're doing something against someone's will. The Prince is just like a boy that received little love and now he's looking for someone's affection.

He's cold and his eyes are dull but I think he's just that way. "I was talking a stroll, your highness. Please, you must rest." Speaking so formally makes me want to yell every known curse to humankind. I've never liked formality to begin with, I just did it because it's polite to do so.

The Prince frowned and reached to grab my hand. "Do you know how to sing any lullaby?" I shook my head. Even if I did, my voice would sound like someone scratching on glass. It'll probably make someone lose their sanity. Naru-naru had to stop me when I reached the second verse of a song just to save his eardrums.

"Will you stroke my hair?" I softly smiled at his request. He sounded so much like Naru-naru when he was still four years old. It had been a bad day for the both of us and he couldn't sleep at night so he asked me to do this for him to help him relax. "Of course." Masahi-kun isn't so bad.

He's just a neglected child.

I approached him and made him place his head on my laps as I run my fingers thought his silky blue hair. At the thought of him being neglected, my mind wandered back to when I asked him some questions in the carriage. How could a prince not know of their kingdom, much less his parents?

There was something wrong, I'm sure of it but I couldn't put my finger on it. "Truth." I looked down at him when I heard him speak. "Excuse me?" I asked in curiosity. "I could always tell when someone tells the truth or is lying. It is a clan trait solely exclusive in the main family. And when we promised something, even by force, we are forbid to say or do anything to tell someone else except for the person we promised to."

Our room is bathed in silence once more. Why did he tell me that? Is it something important, something that I must know? Hm, Sakura probably knows something. When Masahi-kun's last name was mentioned when we were briefed, her eyes held recognition.

She must know something that I don't. Ugh, this is troublesome. If I knew such crucial information, I would have solved this mystery sooner. "Why are you telling me this?" I questioned but he refused to reply, to answer. I wonder if this is somehow connected to his clan's trait.

"Sleep. We'll head out before the sun rises."

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Once we set out, I called for Sakura to walk nearer by the window of the carriage. "Do you need something, Sh— er, princess?" I motioned for her to enter and did so without question. "What is it, Shira-kun?" She fidgeted under the Prince's gaze.

He was looking at her with his usual expression, the cold and dull look. I held his head and forced him to lay on my lap. "Sleep, Masahi-kun." He looked at me with a questioning gaze but I merely smiled at him and shook my head.

He was persistent but I was stubborn. In the end, he finally closed his eyes. I looked up from him to Sakura, who was giving us a flustered expression. "U-Um, yo-you called for me?" I silently chuckled. "Don't be stiff. Just because I have to be a fake fiance for a princedoesn't mean you have to be such a stranger."

Even so, she looked between me and Masahi-kun with an unknowing gaze. I cleared my throat to get her undivided attention. "Sakura, yesterday afternoon, when Masahi-kun's family name was mentioned, you recognized it, didn't you? Can you tell me?"

"I have a question first."

"What is it?"

"What's going on between you and the Prince? E-Er, well, I've never really seen you this affectionate other than with Naruto so it got me curious?" Why did she end it with a question mark?

"Hmm~ he reminds me of Naru-naru, actually."

"Eh? Really?"

"Not his personality but yes. He seems so deprived of love and he seeks attention from others."

"But... Naruto has you, right?"

"Would you believe me that when we were babies, I always cry when Naruto is near?"

"H-Huh?!"

"I only know this because Sandaime-sama told me it. Now that I've satisfied your curiosity, tell me what you know of the Akizuki family." I told her. She seems to want to ask more but decided against it. "Well, I've read from a book that the members of the Akizuki family have little to none chakra but are still able to perform daily tasks normally like it doesn't weaken them."

One fact proven. Masahi-kun has regular reserves. "According to that author, this family has slowly dwindled in size and is no longer considered a clan." Second fact. Masahi-kun keeps mentioning clan trait last night. "Then, there was something about the previous successors being consumed by greed, therefore, their people hating them."

I waited for more. "Oh, I just remembered. Akizuki members typically has rich brown almond hair and unique blue-green eyes so I was confused when Hokage-sama introduced him as Akizuki." B. I. N. G. O.

Now that I'm certain that there is something wrong, I have to ditch my disguise. "Thanks, Sakura. You can go back outside, I'll follow later."

"But don't you have to—"

"This is an order from your leader." Sakura shut her lips and nodded. She shunshined out while I gently shook Masahi-kun awake. His stormy grey eyes bored into my purple ones as he woke. "Something has gone wrong. I have to join my teammates." He frowned as he sat and shook his head.

"Stay by my side."

"Apologies, Masahi-kun but I have to help my teammates." His frown deepened his eyebrows furrow. He grabbed a strand of my hair and rested his forehead to mine. "Be careful." I softly smiled as this action made me remember my brother. I nodded at his simple request and I shunshined out of the carriage.

My team found me sitting on too of the vehicle and I chuckled when I saw Naru-naru grinning up at me. "Nee-san! Nee-san! I missed you, 'ttebayo!" I jumped down to the dirt ground and landed beside Naru. He bounced towards him, his positive energy contagious as I find myself smiling.

"Nee-san!" I poked his cheek and kissed his forehead, just like what he wanted. "Let's move up. I have bad news." I made Naru and Sakura join me as we approached Sasuke. The driver looked uncomfortable when we were near. I found it pitiful so I grabbed hiswrist, gave Sasuke the wheel and hiraishined out of there to the hotel we stayed at.

I saluted at his green face and hiraishined out of there in an instant to Naru-naru's marked kunai. I ignored Sasuke's uncomfortable look, as I tried not to remember what he said last night. "What do we need to talk about?" Sakura asked from beside Sasuke.

While explaining, I was removing the braid on my hair and the make up that painted my face. "From what I've gathered yesterday and today, I think Masahi-kun is being held hostage."

"'-kun'?" I dismissed the angered tone that laced Sasuke's voice. I was pretty sure I wasn't meant to hear that. "Hostage? That doesn't make any sense, Nee-san." I flicked his forehead with a stoic expression. "I was just about to explain why I reached that conclusion, little brother."

My twin pouted at my choice of words. "I've already mentioned this to Sasuke but when I asked about his kingdom and his parents, his only answer was 'I don't know' so it got me intrigued. Why would he say that when clearly, he's to rule that kingdom one day.

Just now, a few moment before, I asked Sakura about the Akizuki family. She mentioned that members of that family has little chakra reserves but Masahi-kun has a regular amount. Then, because of dwindling members, Akizuki is no longer a clan but he kept saying that it is a clan. Lastly, their typical appearance.

Sakura mentioned of almond brown hair and blue-green eyes, a far cry from Masahi-kun's physical features. And then, Sakura didn't mention any notable trait but Masahi-kun can tell if a person is lying or not; which is a desirable ability for any high ranking person. Now, understand whatI mean?"

Sakura and Sasuke nodded in certainty while Naru-naru hesitated to nod. I ruffled his blonde hair. "It's okay if you don't understand."

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A week has passed and my team only encountered thieves and no Jounin ranked ninjas. I would, from time to time, accompany Masahi-kun inside the carriage. He didn't seem to like to interact with other people so I found it interesting how he seems to be attached to me.

We were nearing our destination when I told Sasuke to stop the vehicle. I surveyed the surrounding. Again, something feels wrong. Something absolutely wrong. I didn't know why but I could hear my heart pounding against me ribs.

Why was I hyperventilating?! "Shira! Snap out of it! Get a hold of yourself!" Sasuke's voice seemed far away but he was just in front of me. Why? Everything is blurry. What's going on? "Nee-san, what's wrong?!" Naru-naru seemed so distant, so so far away.

There was a loud explosion near where we are and the last thing I heard were my team's screams before I blacked out.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

The sound made me remembered that terrifying nightmare.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

The Tsukuyomi filled of my endless fear.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

I forced my eyes open and I found myself staring at a rock. I sat down quick and observed my surroundings. Isn't this an underground prison?

If I remembered right, we were ambushed near our destination. The reason why everything seemed so far away because of genjutsu. I was stupid not to notice it right away! Where are my teammates? WHERE'S MY BROTHER!? I have to find a way out of here without alerting anyone.

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I feel so much like a moron. Hiraishin! Of course. But it was only then did I realize that I was bounded by chakra restraining ropes. Ugh. What to do? The cell seemed to be in good condition despite this underground prison not being in good shape.

I heard footsteps echoingand I looked up to see the face of my captor. When I saw his face, I couldn't help but feel like I've seen him before. "We meet again, bxtch." Unfazed by the word he called me, I asked, "Where's my brother Naruto?"

"Naruto? Isn't that food?" Those words hit me like a ton of bricks as memories of that time resurfaced from the back of my mind. "Just kidding~ you remembered now, don'cha? You killed my brother back then so now, you hafta pay the price."

This man is... is the partner of that person I killed? "I never really imagined you will be the one sent out to take this mission. I was glad when my underlings told me about a girl with red hair. At that time, I thought God answered my prayers. Today, I'll have your life and I'll make sure your friends, especially your brother, sees your death."

With an obnoxious laughter, he left me here alone with my thoughts. Killed? I'll be killed and Naru-naru has to watch it? The growl escaped my lips before I even knew it. "I'll kill him first." My voice sounded so dark against my ears and I forced my chains to be conjured and destroy the ropes bounding me.

I dropped a kunai outside, which came from underneath my sleeves. I quickly hiraishined out of the cell, grabbed my kunai and prepared myself tobathe in blood. I will be massacring every person who brought us here save for my team.

I hiraishined to my best friend's marked kunai and I found myself in an executioner's place. There was a guillotine at the center of this rundown castle and there were various gasped of shock. "Nee-san! Get outta here!" My heart broke when my gaze landed on my brother.

His clothes were in tatter, he was covered in tiny cuts from head to toe and he looked to be in so much pain. The same could be said for my other teammates. Masahi-kun, however, was punctured by a kunai in his abdomen.That's it. I've had enough. I will eradicate this entire place.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu." A shadow clone poofed into existence. "Barrier. Now." My clone nodded and conjured her own chains and casted a barrier, a technique I've been working on since Hentai-sensei informed me. With lifeless eyes, I faced my enemies.

They picked on the worst team out of all the teams in the world. Why? Because they have me. My body moved automatically and everything happened in a flash. All I could hear were terrified screams of myvictims.

My body bathed in blood, nothing was spared being covered in this thick substance. It seeped through my clothes and even my chains were soaked. "No one hurts my brother and my team." My shadow clone poofed away and my chains vanished.

My knees gave way but before I could hit the ground, Naru-naru caught me. "Nee-san, are you alright?! Are some of these blood yours?! Oh my god—"

I forced a dry chuckle out of my lips, silencing Naru. "I just have chakra exhaustion, no worries." But Naru-naru kept fussing over me that I forgot to ask. "Aren't you disgusted by me?"

He stopped and pursed his lips. "I could never be disgusted by you, dattebayo. You're my sister, whatever you do doesn't change who you are." I smiled.

"I love you, Naruto."

"I love you too, Shira-neesan."

I was out like a light for three straight days. Masahi-kun, much to my expectation, belonged to the kingdom that was 'after' him and was kidnapped by those posers. Masahi-kun said that I remindedhim of his deceased sister so he was attached to me.

I couldn't move even if I wanted to so Sasuke decided to carry me back. Truthfully, he has been the one carrying me since day one while Sakura was in charge of cleaning me up. I was helplessly grateful by their thoughtfulness.

Meanwhile, Naru-naru was the one on look out for any enemies we might come across. Currently, it's around seven and we'll be by Konoha in a few. I noticed how Sasuke stayed at the back of the group. "Shira."

"Hmm?"

I turned to face him but flushed red when I noticed how close our face were to each other. "Um, did you uh... did you hear what I said that first night on the hotel roof?" I was about to answer no when Sasuke slipped on a branch. I managed to conjure a chain to keep us on the branch.

And I think everyone knows what happened next.

His lips and my lips connected with each other and I could swear my heart will break through my rib cage from how fast it was beating. He and I pulled away, our faces flushed red. "I'm so—" we both said at the same time but we wereinterrupted.

"Sasuke-teme! Hurry up!"

And I was saved by Naru-naru. No, not really. Sasuke will still carry me for the rest of the way because of my condition. So, no, he didn't save me from anything, especially this awkward atmosphere between us.

Ugh, and I said I would never feel this way for anyone so what makes Sasuke sospecial?!