Title : Waging Wars

Pairing : SasuNaru

Summary : AU SasuNaru "Go ahead and cry...It's alright..." Hey, Sasuke! I joined the army! The Uzumaki Kingdom and the Uchiha Kingdom are fighting. Each wants the other's land.

"After a week of war, nobody has a name. Just skill and commitment."

Chapter 1 - Secret Lakes, Secret Tears

You'll notice that in my story, Naruto and his father do not look alike. This is my story, and the fact of who Naruto's father was wasn't in my immediate thoughts when I wrote this. So yea, Naru-chan's dad is a brunette in this fic!


"Father. May I enter the army?" a blonde asked.

"What? No! That is inconceivable! A prince fighting in this war would be outrageous and totally out of the question!" an older man, most likely the king, opposed his son.

"But father! I feel the need to protect my kingdom to be! If I do not fight, who will? There may not be a kingdom for meto-"

"No. I've already come to my conclusion. Now, leave. I have many things to discuss with the leaders of our armies. If I do not tell them their orders, we may not have a kingdom for to long." he smiled, but it did not reach his brown eyes.

Naruto turned and went to leave, his cloak billowing out from under him.

"With you in charge, we may not have a kingdom for to long either way." the blonde mumbled, shutting the door behind him.

"Whatever you say prince Uzumaki." King Uzumaki said, not even realizing what his son had just implied.

-

Have you heard? I suppose not. You're new here aren't you? The Uzumaki Kingdom and the Uchiha Kingdom are fighting. Each wants the other's land. You're probably wondering why Prince Naruto and King Uzumaki do not look alike. That is because Naruto takes wholly after his mother.

The Uchiha Kingdom? Yea, they've got an heir to the throne too. Two of them in fact! Itachi Uchiha is first in line. He's an evil madman that runs most of the Uchihan armies. His eyes are cold and his heart is the like.

To say the same of Prince Sasuke Uchiha, would be a downright lie. His heart may be cold, but that is only do to the fact that he has been overlooked his entire life by his parents because his brother was the soon-to-be king.

Now. Naruto has heard of many battles. The war has been going on for about a year now. Neither side seems to have the advantage. The only problem with Naruto knowing about the battles, is that he wants to be in them now. He wants to help protect his land.

Naruto has practiced swordsmanship since he was small, knows martial arts, and some other arts. He can play the piano, sketch, and is known for being a very well trained horseback rider.

The Second Prince of Uchiha is also talented. He knows fencing, swordsmanship, martial arts, cooking, and some arts. He can play the piano, guitar, and can ride horseback well.

Enough of my blabber. You probably want to look around the castle. Of course. Naruto's room is up the stairs to the top of the tower and to the right. The king and queen's room is to your left there and the training rooms are just behind you. Go out the back and down to the field if you want to visit the horses. I have to go now anyways, the queen calls. She's a lot nicer than the king, but is still very strict. Bye!

-

Naruto was tending to his favorite of all the horses of Uzumaki. She was a gentle, golden palomino and was very loyal to the prince. He brushed her hair with a gentle comb and pat her on the back. She seemed to be smiling.

"Hey Jasmine. Wanna go for a ride in the forest?" he asked. Jasmine whinnied a yes and Naruto hopped onto her back. One leg on each side, he grabbed some of her mane and lightly tapped her with his heels. "Go on then girl. Giddy Up!"

She reared and then ran out of the stables, towards the lush green forests. Naruto smiled as the wind rushed past his head, the world left behind. Jasmine, not only the prince's favorite, was also the most prized, fastest, and most beautiful horse in all Uzumaki. Of course, she only let the prince ride her and that was why they often thought of putting her down. Naruto, of course, would not here of it, and always saved her.

They rode past the two trees marking off the entrance to the forest, they made a nice curved entrance, like that to a great hall. Jasmine ran and ran, nothing in her way, and seemed to be flying through the trees. Naruto pat her mane and she whinnied.

Jasmine slowed and came to a stop when they arrived at a lake in the middle of the forest. She walked to the edge and drank some water as Naruto climbed off her back. He stared into the crystal waters and remembered a time 8 years ago, when he was 6. Yes, heis 14.

-

Naruto rode his black mustang through the forest. He was really fast, but not the fastest. He stopped the horse suddenly, just before the edge of the clearing.

"Shh, Hebbet, shhh...it's alright..." he cooed. The young boy got off his horse and tied the reins to a tree, then gave him a sugar cube. Naruto was still learning to ride bareback.

On the edge of the lake was a dark haired boy. Naruto moved the branch of a large fern and took a step into the clearing. The boy paused in getting drink, and threw the water in his hand at Naruto. Said blonde blocked his face, as from natural defenses.

"What's your problem?" Naruto asked. The boy blinked.

"Oh, sorry. Thought you were someone else." he turned and sat cross-legged, looking into the water.

"Is something wrong?" Young Naruto asked. The boy shook his head.

"Nothing. I'm fine." he muttered. Naruto could hear the tears in his voice.

"No, you're not okay. What's wrong?" he placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Grandma died...and no one seems to care." he said, reacting to the fact that someone was actually talking to him. "She was the only one that even recognized me as a actual living being. Now she's gone..." he said softly, the tears began to fall.

Naruto had a pained look on his face. He sat down next to his new dark friend but kept a hand on his shoulder. Suddenly, he released the boy's shoulders and pulled him into a hug.

"Go ahead and cry...It's alright..." he said softly. "I know what it's like to need someone who cares."

The black haired boy, after coming to terms with the fact that someone was hugging him, a stranger no less, and after taking in Naruto's words, let it all go. The tears flowed down his face in waterfalls. Naruto comforted the boy the whole time.

"M-my name is...Sasuke...What's yours?" Sasuke managed to choke out.

"Naruto." he said, smiling softly.

Sasuke looked up and saw Naruto's calm and peaceful blue eyes. His blonde hair that seemed to shine gold in the sun filtering through the leaves. His eyes were clearer than the lake they sat by. His tears stopped and he stared in awe at the boy that seemed almost angelic-like in front of him.

"So, you're not from the Uzumaki Kingdom are you?" Naruto asked. Sasuke blinked.

"How'd you know?" he asked, sitting up straight.

"You're to 'dark' to be one of us. I'd say you were pretty dang upset to have run from another kingdom...let's see...the closest is...Uchiha...Are you from the Uchiha Kingdom?" Naruto asked, smiling widely.

"Yea." Sasuke smiled at his new found friend. "You'll be my friend?" he asked. Naruto blinked.

"Of course! And you'll be mine, right?" he laughed. Sasuke smiled softly as the boys stood up.

A whinnying caught their attention.

"Oh! Hebbet! Hold on, I'm coming!" he called. Sasuke saw the black horse looking through the trees.

"Hebbet? He looks like one of ours." Sasuke muttered, walking over.

"Really? He's one of only two black horses we have here. Both are males, or we'd breed them." Naruto watched as Hebbet seemed to melt in Sasuke's hands.

Sasuke pet Hebbet on the nose and the horse seemed to smile in pleasure. He brushed a hand down the horses mane and then pat the saddle. Hebbet pushed his nose into Sasuke's hand and then motioned towards his back.

"You want me to ride you?" Sasuke asked in awe. Naruto smiled.

"He's no grandma. But how about I give you Hebbet as a gift, huh?" Naruto suggested.

"Give him to me? But! A man's most precious item is his house, his horse follows close behind! How can you give him away!" Sasuke asked, baffled.

"That's right, you don't know. You're from the Uchiha Kingdom, you've never met me. I'm Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto bowed.

"Uzu- you're a royal?" Sasuke stepped back. He regained himself soon after. "I'm a royal too! Uchiha Sasuke."

"Oh. You're the scrawny second prince huh?" Naruto laughed when Sasuke scowled. "Don't worry, I'll support you! You're the future king! I know it!"

"But my brother is before me. It'd take a miracle for me to become king." Sasuke glared at the ground, as if expecting it to catch fire.

"Saaaassssuuuukkkkeeee!" Naruto put one hand on each of the boy's shoulders. "Don't think like that! You'll be king! I here your brother is a two-faced good-for-nothing, he wont last long as a king. If he ever gets there. So don't worry so much. I believe you'll make a great king some day!"

"You too, Uzumaki!"

"Naruto! Not Uzumaki! We're friends, right?" he smiled.

"Right...Naruto. Thanks. I'll take good care of Hebbet...How are you getting back to the palace?" Sasuke asked as he mounted Hebbet and turned to go.

"I'll walk. I like walking. By the way. Hebbet is a grand stallion. He's won every race he's been in. You can breed him, but please make sure no harm comes to him. He's my favorite horse." Naruto walked up, patting Hebbet on the neck.

"I promise Naruto. I'll always care for Hebbet, until he dies. And any off-spring he has too. Send for me some day! I'd be happy to answer the call of a prince so handsome and noble as you, Naruto." Sasuke smirked when Naruto blushed.

"I'll think about it, Sasuke. You can call on me too though, ya know?" he looked up at the slightly pale face of the boy he'd met. His eyes seemed so dull, unless you looked closely.

"Right." Sasuke laughed once, smiling as he waved good-bye and rode of with Hebbet into the slowly setting sun.

Naruto glanced at the lake's pure waters before heading back to the palace for his piano lessons.

-

Naruto felt a nose press against him and was brought out of his revere.

"Oh, sorry Jasmine. Is something wrong?" he asked. Jasmine motioned towards the ground near his feet. "Huh?"

Naruto bent down and saw what Jasmine had motioned towards. A bit of the earth was higher than the rest, like something was buried there. He quickly dug down to find the hidden secret. It turned out to be a box, brown and dusty with age and dirt.

He opened the box and found a silver locket, the symbol of the Uchiha clan on the front and back. Naruto opened it to find a note, folded to fit inside the small space. He opened it. He could almost hear the young boy talking as he read.

Dear Naruto,

I do hope you're doing alright. Keep this locket, ok? It'll keep you safe if ever you need come to the Uchiha Kingdom. The symbols on it are of the royal family, and of the kingdom itself. Anyone with this necklace can travel where they wish in the kingdom without having to worry about almost anything!

I really do miss you, Naruto. You're my only true friend. You said I could call upon you at any time, right? Well, whenever you find this note, that's when I'm calling upon you. It may be days, months, or years before you find this. But I'm willing to wait Naruto. I'll wait for you to come to my palace in the Uchiha Kingdom!

We're still friends right? You still think of me? I think of you. I cherish our friendship and will never forget the way you helped me when I was down. I managed to grab my parents attentions long enough to ask them to burry grandmother in the forest behind our home. She always loved the trees there.

So, Naruto, how have you been? Hebbet had his first colt a few months ago. I had no idea what to call him, but decided on Rasiel. I hope you like it! I hope to see you soon. I truly do miss you. Good-bye again, Dear Sweet Prince.

Your Friend Always,

Uchiha Sasuke

Naruto folded the letter neatly, put it in his pocket, and then slipped the necklace around his neck.


O.C. #2 : So?