A brush roughly slid down his shoulder-length hair, forcing his head to convulse at every downstroke.
A mirror reflected an image, him, but not the figure just behind him.
His skin was blemish-free, no longer wet as it was not long before.
''I can do it.'' He said, his face scrunching up.
Mariel smiled at him. ''I'm sure you'll be able to, but your mother asked me to.''
The brushing ceased. ''Now, don't you look handsome.
He jumped off the stool, gazing at the reflection, he didn't realize until now but he looked so….
''I look like a girl.''
How did he not notice such a thing before? He didn't really look in the mirror all too often though.
''You don't.'' Mariel said in a way that made it seem like she didn't believe her words. ''You look like a Prince.''
Restraining the urge to huff, perhaps if this happened 15 years ago he would've cared.
Now? He simply had too many things on his mind to care about such petty things.
''Young Prince, I know this is this a first for you, but you don't need to be worried.
He raised a pale brow. ''Why would I be worried?''
He meant it, he wasn't worried, in fact, other things had weighed upon him heavily this past week.
''You may not be, I just want to make sure you're fine, there's not a thing to worry about.''
She said it like she meant it, Naruto doubts that's the case, being who he is, it's probably to make sure she doesn't get into trouble.
''Thanks, but I'm fine, really.''
Naruto was widely aware of the stares being shot into him, aiming from curiosity to downright anger.
A couple of hours ago, vampires who seemed to be a part of the upper crust of society if their expensive-looking clothing were any judge started entering the castle.
Some stared at him for a bit too long, perhaps they knew who he was, Shalltear did say a few vampires knew.
He stood just behind Shalltear, one thing all the Vampires held in common, they all greeted her with a slight bow, some bows seeming a tad shakier than the others.
''Queen Bloodfallen, it is a pleasure to see you again.''
He merely stole a single glance at the man, he was tall, over 6 six feet, with dark hair neatly fitted just past his shoulders, possessing the usual Vampire good looks.
''King Tepes, the feelings are mutual.''
Sending a sideways glance that he hopes doesn't get noticed, behind the King were figures who could be his brothers, though, they were probably his sons.
His eyes eventually froze on a figure, one that didn't like King Tepes, hell, it wasn't even a male.
Their eyes met, she's seemed as hollow as usual, she smiled even before her eyes landed on him, it was fake, anyone could've seen that.
His eyes quickly leapt back onto Shalltear, he hoped Valerie did something similar.
This could've ended badly, if King Tepes or any of his sons caught on that they knew each other the next question would be how they knew each other.
The question shouldn't have been very difficult to answer, someone she knew in Bludhaven?
Another thing, why was she here? Yes, she was the daughter of King Tepes, but he thought that Hybrids were kept away, it was supposed to be an embarrassment to have a child that wasn't full-blooded.
No, he shouldn't make any conclusions, even if King Tepes did know about everything it was unlikely he'd take action.
After all, he did hold a higher political rank than King Tepes.
''Prince Bloodfallen.'' The King's voice called out to him. ''It is a pleasure to meet you at last.'' The man finished with a smile.
He showed a smile of his own, treating it as if nothing had happened. ''King Tepes, the feelings are mutual.'' He repeated the very same sentence that Shalltear said moments earlier
Then, the four sons of King Tepes greeted him right after they greeted Shalltear.
Valerie took a step forwards, with those same dead eyes and fabricated smile.
His heart stiffened as her mouth opened. ''Prince Bloodfallen, it's a pleasure to meet you.''
The tight grip that wrapped around his heart dissipated.
''The feelings are mutual, Princess Tepes.''
After that was said Shalltear and King Tepes spoke for a minute or two more before they began walking away, the six of them.
''Mother, can I go to the toilet?''
Shalltear threw a glance at him, behind those glassy eyes flickers of suspicion sparked. ''You may with Mariel at your side.''
Mariel started walking towards his side. ''Eh, I'm just walking to the bathroom.''
Shalltear stare was unflinching. ''Have you forgotten our deal?''
He nodded his head and started making his way down the room, Mariel by his side.
Glancing at Mariel in the side of his eye while trying to form an idea. ''Young Prince, there's no need to worry, I'll allow you to talk to your friend.''
Naruto raised a silver brow, but he didn't question how she knew. ''Thanks.''
As they were about to pass the Tepes family his and Valerie's eyes met each for the third time today, the message was clear and not even a split second later his stare had left hers.
Mariel stopped just in front of a door. ''I'll wait you out here, Young Prince.''
He pushed the door open letting a long and wide bathroom come into view.
His eyes narrowed, he wasn't the only one in the bathroom.
It was a man, mildly tall, probably a hair's breadth away from six feet with blonde, almost golden hair.
A silver mask protected his face, though, his neck was clear to see, a neck that was fitted with multiple scars,
He walked forwards, only giving small — sideways glances at the man.
The masked man spun around, blue orbs leaning out of the eye holes.
''Why, hello there, I almost didn't see you.'' His voice, he swears he's heard it before.
He tensed as tingles crawled up his spine.
Naruto didn't know why, but he wanted to tear the man in two.
''Why, aren't you a far away from home.'' The masked man spoke with a slight accent.
His nails that were more like claws twitched. ''I am?'' He asked, confusion etched into his voice.
The masked figure pulled his hand out, a hand which also had a large sum of scars.
Without telling it his hand met with the strangers, shaking it in the process.
What the?
''It's brilliant to meet you, little Hokage, the names Emrys.''
He slipped out of the masked man's hand, eyes shaping into slits.
''Ah, yeah, you don't want that to get out, do you? My sincerest apologies.'' Emrys didn't sound like he meant it.
A bullet of blood shot out of his arm, shaping it into a sword.
''I'm not here to fight, your moms a crazy hag, she'd probably try and kill me if I killed you… yeah, that'd be a pain in the ass.''
Gripping onto his sword firmly. ''I would like to know how you got all of this information.''
''Yeah, yeah, you don't need to have a stick plugged up your ass, Jesus.''
His face twitched. ''You know the title of Hokage… which also means you know where Konoha is.''
The twinkling in those blue eyes didn't vanish, it merely got worse. ''Are you going to tell me where Konoha is?''
The masked man didn't say anything, but he could tell he was smiling under that mask.
''C'mon, kiddo — you don't need to get all heated up, you'll find Konoha soon, but I'll promise you this, you'll regret it.'' The masked man said, mirth in his voice.
Naruto just looked unimpressed. ''Will you answer the question? How do you know who I am?''
First, it was that beast in his mind, then it was this masked fool.
''I didn't really give a sod about you before, y'know, you got revived and all.''
A masked fool? Why doesn't that bring back memories.
''Alrighty, it's my time to leave, that little girly should be here any moment now.'' The masked man said, snapping his fingers, opening a golden portal.
His grip around the hilt tightened, he could attack him, but the masked man was right, Valerie should be here and second.
''Oh, before I forgot, remember this, don't trust the Ouroboros, she's a Snakey bitch!'' Under the mirth, there was a layer of anger, especially in the last bit. The masked annoyance walked through the portal and almost instantly afterwards the portal ceased to exist.
The blade in his hand met the same fate, returning into bullets of blood, pumping it back into his arm.
Spinning around and as he does the door scraped open.
Valerie came in, the door cracking shut as she did.
''You came.'' He said, arms folded while his back smacked onto the wall.
Valerie didn't say a thing, the only sign she heard him was the shuffling of her feet.
''So, what happened?''
At last — her lips finally departed from each other. ''Prince Bloodfallen, I decided to return home on my own.'' She revealed, eyes darting onto the floor.
Thoughts bubble up to the surface. ''Really?''
She nodded her head slowly.
''Weird.'' He stretched out every last syllable. ''You seemed pretty adamant that you weren't going to return.''
Lies, lies, lies, the question was why she was lying.
Mind control was unlikely, she showed signs of dishonesty, such as avoiding eye contact.
Blackmail? That certainly made more sense.
But what is she being threatened with?
He could ask her, but he doubts that he'd get an answer.
It was obviously major considering she went back to her father, well, that might not be true, but by the way, she wasn't making a fuss…..
Valerie did have a mother, a human mother, maybe it had to do with that?
As he was in his thoughts Valerie began walking away.
He was tempted to call her name but his lips remained sealed.
Naruto knew his words would go unheard, they'd just be worn with rust.
The door shifted, he faced a reflection in his mirror.
Crimson eyes overlapping with blue ones, snow-like hair shimmering into a deep shade of gold.
He punched the mirror, cracking it into fragments on impact, the reflection was no more.
He needs to be patient until he finds out what the blackmail, or what's sealing Valerie's lips he must be patient.
Standing right next to Shalltear as she demanded the other vampires to be quiet and listen to what she had to say.
''Some of you may be confused on why I have called you all here today, but the reason is one of the utmost importance, today I reveal to you all that a new member of the Bloodfallen faction faction has arrived.''
Hushed whispers came, while half of the stares were directed at him.
''Silence!'' Her voice came down like a lightning bolt, forcing silence upon the place at once.
Her hand rested on his shoulder. ''Today I reveal to you all, my son, Prince of the Bloodfallen Faction, Cassius Bloodfallen.''
And just like that pandemonium exploded.