Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. This is a non-profit-based work.
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-Chapter 1-
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In a small room in the central Uzushiogakure no Sato, a young man with vibrant red hair laid tossing in his bed.
Turning side from side, grunting as the rays of sunlight disturbed his sleep by intruding through the small gap between his curtains.
His eyes suddenly snapped open as he sat up in a flash, his violet eyes narrowed as he grunted in agony.
A second later he heard a loud beeping to his right, and with a groan he flung his pillow at his alarm, knocking it into the wall with enough force for it to break into a thousand pieces or so.
"Not again…" He groaned to himself, running a hand through his hair.
Rubbing his eyes, he stood up from his bed. His long spiky red hair tickling against his bare skin as he stretched his body to rid it of the drowsiness.
Reaching for a piece of cloth on his nightstand, he tied his hair into a ponytail starting at his neck.
He let out a strained yawn, whilst stretching his back again, gazing across his room to stare at his hair in a mirror.
It looked like his hair had been dipped in a bucket of red paint when he was born. It looked cool though, he had no complaints.
Walking over to the window in his room, he flung open the curtains. Giving himself a curse for blinding himself with the sunlight, before gazing out over the country that would one day be his to lead.
His morning ritual was interrupted by a knock on the door, a soft feminine voice from the other side calling, "Are you awake Naruto-sama? Your father wishes for you to join him at the breakfast table."'
Naruto-sama. He didn't like that. Even as the firstborn of the Uzukage, he still felt uncomfortable being called something like that.
The family of the Uzukage had maids, so it was something he had to get used to. They refused to call him anything else. Even if he ordered them to.
Also, if he needed anything, he should just clap his hands. He didn't do it often, since he felt that it was awkward. In his mind, he was no better than them, but they were insisting on him calling if he needed anything whatsoever.
To quote the Nara, it was a bit troublesome to deal with.
"Hai, hai, Erina-san. I shall join him shortly." Naruto responded through another yawn, trying to follow the polite and formal culture he had been taught about since he was born.
Not that the Uzumaki used it very often, not even his father did so. It was just a standard since the founding of Uzushio.
"Understood, I'll let him know." She responded through the door.
Making it to his closet, he pulled out a crimson red knee-length battle kimono with the proud Uzumaki swirl on the upper back, and a pair of black pants.
His father wore something similar to this, perhaps it was a standard issue for the 'royal' family. It was comfortable enough, it fit nicely and was loose enough for him to be able to battle in.
For the last ten years of his life, he had been trained by his father. Going to the Academy within Uzu to learn about their nation, and how to be a Shinobi.
He had first figured out how much he had been trained by the time they had their first spars. Much to his shock, he had wiped the floor with another student's face.
He had apologized plenty afterward, but he had been shocked.
The case was probably just that he shouldn't have been shocked at all. As a future leader, he shouldn't be able to be pushed around. It would shame him, and his father.
It wasn't like he wanted to sound arrogant, but he felt pretty confident in his strength after that and had continued to train to make his father proud and live up to his heritage.
Oh well, he could muse over all this stuff later. His father had been asking for him, and if he didn't come down within the next few minutes his door would be blasted down with a water dragon.
Which would be an understatement of the century.
So after tying a black sash around the midsection to his kimono, he walked out of his room and skipped down the stairs.
Only stopping in his tracks when he got to the kitchen to bow his head in respect for his father.
"Ohayo, Otou-sama." He greeted.
His father put down a mug of coffee before smiling brightly, waving his hand in the air.
Just like every morning, cheerful and energetic, always meeting him with a smile on his face.
He liked that.
"Naruto! Come join your old man, breakfast is getting cold you lazy haystack."
Haystack. His father's constant comment about his hair. Because, unlike Naruto, his father had short and slick red hair. They looked nothing alike on the outside.
Instead, he took after his mother in that regard, even if he had only seen pictures of her to determine so.
His mother had died after giving birth to his baby sister, and even she was missing at the breakfast table.
Because like he had a duty as heir, his sister had found out she had a duty elsewhere. Which made it so that she was forced to leave years ago. The lack of her cheerful bubbly nature was missing every morning.
He just chuckled though, "Alright, alright, don't break a hip old man." He responded as he sat down to his father's right.
Perhaps he shouldn't have sat here, because he was whacked on the back of his head with a rolled-up newspaper a second later.
"Who are you calling old?! Damn brat."
Rubbing the back of his head, Naruto groaned as the maid came over with two plates with breakfast, placing them in front of them before bowing her head and leaving.
This morning looked like any other. It was fun, it humored him greatly.
"So brat, what is your plan for the day? You better not have forgotten about the mission you have."
'Mission?' He thought to himself.
Oh yeah, he had a mission today. Deliver a scroll to a representative from Konoha somewhere in Nami no Kuni.
"I haven't, don't worry. You're the only one going senile here, old man."
Naruto had to duck to avoid another hit to the back of his skull, only to see his father grinning at him with a thumbs up.
"Good reflexes, keep that up!"
Naruto sweatdropped.
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Nami no Kuni was a small country that had many rivers running through it and was famous for its mangroves. It reminded him a bit of home.
The place was, however, filled with life. And the people never looked the same compared to Uzushio. Where he came from, ninety percent of the population were redheaded like him.
Nami no Kuni was different. People here were from all over the world, and even the locals that lived here were nothing like the guy that lived next door.
The air here was like it was back home, fresh and inviting. He could smell the sea in the wind as it brushed through his hair and clothes.
People were happily chatting around, as shop owners opened their stands, selling wonders from all over the world.
He could see boats passing by all around him as he crossed a bridge to the central Nami.
This country was known for shipping to almost any other country, using the canals passing through the land, each boat filled with something new.
He probably shouldn't focus on the country itself at this moment, even if it was hard since he loved seeing the world and experiencing what it had to offer. His home was great, but he liked to adventure.
Anyhow, he should probably get a grip. He was supposed to find someone here after all, but finding a Shinobi here, was like finding a needle in a haystack.
It would likely be easier to wait around, and let them find him first. Considering he stuck out like a sore thumb with his red hair.
He could get a bite to eat in the meantime, maybe they sold ramen around here?
Even if Uzu did have ramen, then they specialized a bit more in seafood ramen. You could get other types too, but they just weren't as good.
So whenever he had a mission of a country, it was ramen hunting time. His mission would never die, as long as there was a ramen stand he hadn't tried yet.
With a big grin on his face, he made a mock salute to himself before running back to where he could remember seeing some food stands.
And he seemed to be in luck.
Because a scent sent from heaven met his nostrils, carrying him through the air and into the seats of a ramen stand, where a middle-aged man greeted him.
The stand was empty, aside from him, ramen was not exactly considered breakfast after all.
Naruto waved. "Mister! Could I have a large serving of Miso Chashu Pork Ramen?" He grinned, swinging his feet over one of the chairs at the counter.
Behind the counter stood a middle-aged man clad in a white apron, his long brown hair secured by a hairnet as he lifted a ladle in a wave.
The man gave a large grin back to his first customer of the day, "Coming right up! Someone seems to be in a good mood this morning." He commented.
Naruto chuckled with a shrug of his shoulders, "Is there ever a reason to not be in a good mood when there is ramen in the near future?"
"I suppose not!" He laughed back, turning around to start preparing the ramen.
The young redhead smiled, waiting as patiently as an Uzumaki could.
"Uzumaki-san?"
With a hum, he turned his head.
When his eyes came in contact with the usual Jounin outfit, along with the forehead protector from Konohagakure no Sato, he almost choked on his own saliva while turning his head away again.
Naruto grimaced, 'The timing 'ttebayo!'
Seems like he had been caught.
Adjusting his kimono, he cleared his throat and stood up from his seat. Ducking under the flaps of the ramen stand.
So much for continuing his quest about trying all the ramen in the world…
Upon coming outside, he could see who he was talking to more clearly.
It was a woman, around the same age as him if he were to guess. She had long black hair, with two bangs framing her face. Her eyes were dark and onyx, and her skin was a bit pale.
She was quite beautiful, he had to admit that.
"Hey there," Naruto said, "you from Konoha?"
She raised an eyebrow. Was her headband invisible?
"Yes, I am." She noticed his hair and Uzushio attire. "Are you the diplomat from Uzushiogakure I'm meeting with?"
Naruto gave a nod, pointing up at his proudly worn forehead protector, the swirl of Uzushio present on the metal.
The woman gave a nod, extending her hand. "I'm Uchiha Mikoto."
"Uzumaki Naruto, a pleasure to meet you." Naruto grinned, taking her hand.
It was quite soft for a kunoichi.
Mikoto withdrew her hand, a faraway look in her eyes. "Wait, did you say Uzumaki Naruto?"
Naruto nodded with a blink of his eyes. "In the flesh."
Mikoto smiled in realization, pointing accusingly at him. "So, you're Kushina's good for nothing brother?"
Naruto comically doubled over.
"We've talked for approximately ten seconds, and you already hate me." He sweatdropped.
Mikoto shrugged, "That's what Kushina calls you, it's all I have to go by."
Trying to regain his composure, Naruto asked with interest, "Uchiha Mikoto you say?"
Mikoto nodded. "I supposed you could've heard of me. My reputation precedes me-"
"Yeah, I've heard of you!" Naruto said excitedly.
Mikoto smiled. It seemed like Kushina's brother was just like all of the other foolish people who worship the ground she walks o-
"You're that one girl with pink-eye my sister always tells me about in the letters!"
Mikoto's eye twitched dangerously.
"Excuse me, I must've heard you wrong. Could you repeat yourself please?"
Naruto smiled with a nod. "Yeah, yeah! The girl with pink-eye, Uchiha Mikoto! That's what my sister said her name was, at least." He studied her face, quite up close. "However, I don't see anything wrong with your eyes. Did you get them cured by any chance?"
She gave him a light push to his chest, putting in some distance between them again.
"You're definitely Kushina's brother. Two halves of the same idiot."
"And you're definitely an Uchiha," Naruto smirked. "Broody, and with a large stick so far up your-"
"Finish that sentence and my blade slicing your throat will be the last thing you see Uzumaki-san."
Naruto snickered, before clutching onto his stomach as he bellowed with roaring laughter, catching the attention of several civilian bystanders that were watching with great interest.
Wiping a tear away from his eye, Naruto pats a sword strapped to his waist, "I mean, you can try." Naruto grinned. "But I'd rather not humiliate you in front of all these people."
She narrowed her eyes with a mild smirk. "You seem rather confident about winning."
Naruto gave an exaggerated shrug of his shoulders. "Well, when your opponent is walking around with a large stick up their-"
"That's it!" She snapped, reaching behind her waist to grab the hilt of a tanto that she slashed at his midsection.
Naruto laughed and backflipped up on the ramen stand roof, 'So much for getting ramen, but this is rather fun!'
"Woah there!" Naruto gave a playful smirk. "We've just met thirty seconds ago and you're jumping me already. Aren't we skipping a few steps? I could at least take you to dinner first."
"Shut up you stupid, red-headed good for nothing degenerate."
Mikoto dashed forward again with her blade.
With a snicker, Naruto leaped to another building before turning to face her again.
Putting a hand on his cheek, mimicking a girly pose as he mumbled "You forgot to mention handsome, meanie."
Mikoto did a mock laugh whilst rolling her eyes. "As if."
The redhead crouched down, resting his elbows on his knees as he gave a goofy grin.
As heir to a country, most diplomats were all business. They were serious, straight to the point, and most of all, boring.
This woman was different.
She was fun and feisty, it was exciting!
No one treated him like this aside from his father, he felt like he was living the same day on repeat, but today was beyond different.
As she watched him stare at her, she reached behind her and into her shuriken pouch.
He narrowed his eyes a bit, questioning if he had really angered her that much.
Throwing shuriken in the middle of a town may be a bit extreme, even if he had been leading her on.
He didn't get to dwell much more about it since a scroll suddenly came flying at his head.
With a gulp, he caught it with ease, looking down at her with a tilt of his head.
Raising a brow, he looked at the scroll with a Konoha emblem on the side.
Right, this was supposed to be a mission. He had forgotten that.
Mikoto snorted, sheathing her tanto again before giving him a mock wave, "Good trip home, dobe."
And with that, she was gone in a body flicker.
He tilted his head before sitting down on the ledge. 'I didn't hurt her feelings, did I? Man, the chibi's gonna kill me.'
As he sat there in quiet with the people that had watched going back to mind their own business, he hummed to himself.
His red hair swaying gently in the wind as he rested his head in his palm.
Should he try and find her? Nah, that would be the deluxe ticket to get your balls cut off. Letting her cool down first might be the better idea.
Sighing, he made a mental note of apologizing in case he had gone a bit too overboard.
Dropping from the roof, he cupped his chin, 'Did I forget something?'
...
...
...
"My ramen is gonna get cold!" He roared out, dashing toward the ramen stand as fast he could.
He sped around a corner, ducking under the flaps to the ramen stand once again, sighing with a relieved smile once he saw that there was still steam coming from the bowl.
Taking a seat in the same chair as before, he hurriedly thanked the man for the food while taking the scroll in his hand and pushing it into his shuriken pouch.
But the pouch felt a bit too cramped, the scroll didn't seem to want to go in.
That's when he noticed something.
He started sweating, all color fading from his face like it was drained from his entire existence.
"Oh… shit. I forgot to give her my scroll!"
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Whilst leaping through the trees at an average pace for a Kunoichi, Mikoto fumed with a blush covering her features.
How could she have let that redheaded menace get to her that easily? It irritated her.
Were all Uzumaki airheads like Kushina, and now Naruto? She was worried about the safety of the world if that was the case.
Sighing she stopped on a high branch, sitting down with her legs dangling in the air.
Meeting Kushina's brother hadn't been all bad… He was at least unique.
Very unique.
Being the heiress to the Uchiha clan, she had often dealt with political figures. Mostly people within their own village, but her skills had been noted by the Hokage.
And thus, she had been sent on this mission to meet a representative from Kushina's home.
And it just happened to be her friend's brother.
In the end, she couldn't figure out if she had left because he was annoying, or that she was embarrassed about having fun on a mission that was supposed to be serious and political.
Because there was no way in hell, that she'd normally attack another diplomat, but Naruto had almost welcomed it. He had practically kept asking for it, and he seemed humored and happy about it.
Were all Uzumaki idiots or just carefree?
Maybe she had let loose because of the fact that Naruto was this unique and that he didn't treat her like... an object made out of glass, that should only be preserved and protected.
Even after hearing about who she was, he had not changed whatsoever. His sister had also told him about her in letters, he likely knew more about her than she was happy with.
Siblings usually told each other a decent bit, after all.
Perhaps he had been so easygoing because he was heir to a country himself? He could likely relate to her in that regard.
Didn't change the fact that he had been purposely getting on her nerves to provoke her, and she had let in.
If anyone found out, she could be in serious trouble.
'He's such a dobe.' She thought with a mild shake of her head.
But why was she smiling?
Looking up at the afternoon sun, she narrowed her eyes to protect them from the blinding lights.
Taking a deep breath of the fresh air, she reached back into her shuriken pouch to get a bottle of water.
Something was missing though, the bottle was there, and the scroll she was supposed to deliver was gone as intended.
So… What was missing-
Realization slowly dawned on her as she remembered she was supposed to trade scrolls with Naruto.
And she didn't have the scroll she was supposed to be handed.
'I left before the damn dobe could give me his scroll!' She sweatdropped, letting out a loud groan at her own stupidity.
Her father wasn't going to like this. She would hear about this for a long time if she didn't fix it.
She shot up from her spot and dashed back in the direction of which she came, leaping as fast as her legs could carry her.
The trees of Hi no Kuni were passing by her at high speeds as she made her way back to Nami no Kuni, intending to get back before her new… acquaintance, could leave and go home.
It had been a bit over an hour since she had left, but she was hoping she wasn't too late to flip this about to fail mission around.
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Note 1: Special thanks to "iwishicouldstayhere" for helping me with this chapter, and the story in general. Please check his page along with his new story out.
Note 2: The pairing is strictly Naruto x Mikoto, I won't be adding any other girls or women to the pairing.
