Chapter 5: An engagement of Circumstance
I pulled the horse off the main road when we got about an hour's distance from the castle. I tied the horse to a large tree a ways off the path. Then I continued on foot in the forest.
I would have preferred to finish getting to the castle on the main path on my horse, but I knew if I tried that approach, I'd be shot and killed long before I reached the castle. Therefore, my other option was this, a forest approach.
I knew guards patrolled the forest, but when they caught me, for I had no doubt they would, I hoped to have time to explain and get myself a conference with Naruto.
I was walking along at a quick pace when I felt that I was being watched. I stopped, and I heard the footsteps of guards surrounding me. Under normal circumstances, I would have been able to beat them even unarmed as I was, but that was not my goal. I needed to get into the castle, and to do that, I needed caught.
A guard approached carefully from the shadows. Based on her poise and the tome of voice she used when she addressed me, I assumed her to be the leader. "What are you doing on Uzamakian Lands little prince?"
"I'm here to talk with your king." I replied coldly trying not to incite a battle.
"Talk," a male said laughingly while coming into view. "Do you believe that Hamaya?" He addressed the woman who had spoken first.
"No," she said coldly. She walked forward and with a hit of her spear across the back of my knees I fell to the ground. I bit back my want to protest and tried to explain. However, the second I tried to speak she cut me off.
"I do not care why you are here. I would kill you now, but Uzamakian law says I must take you to the castle. Little sister, search and bind him."
On the cue a smaller girl stepped into the clearing. I recognized her as the girl from the meeting in Sarutobi's lands. "I'm sorry," she said softly before running hr hands along my body, searching for weapons I did not have. She found the ring I had been carrying with me and gasped at the sight of it. She handed to her sister who eyed it dubiously.
"Probably a fake. If it is not I should be able to escape problems due to the space for reasonable doubt." The girl nodded, continued her search, and bound my wrists behind me, all the while muttering apologies under her breath.
She helped me to stand up, which was unfortunately not as easy as I would have hoped. The bruise across the back of my knees was probably going to be worse than I realized. However, not showing a sign of weakness, I continued on my way to the palace, this time under the watchful eye of a handful of guards.
When we reached the palace, more guards saw fit to follow the hunting party that had caught me.
I was led into a smaller hall and Hamaya ordered one of the younger guards to go fetch the king.
I let a sigh escape my lips and instantly regretted it as Hamaya struck me again across the back of my legs.
The only thing that kept me from falling flat was the guard, whose name I had gathered to be Hinata, standing carefully infront of me so that she caught me on the back of her leg and let me slide down to the floor.
The guard finally arrived and Naruto entered. "Hamaya, what's so important to-?" His question trailed off as his eyes landed on me on the floor. His eyes flashed red.
"What are you doing? Release him!"
"Sir?"
"Now!" He moved forward and in an instant was through the guards and kneeling behind me to cut the restraints that held my wrists.
As I pulled my hands in front of me and began to attempt to push myself up from the floor, he ordered the guards from the room and while Hamaya objected, she left along with the others.
I was impressed that he managed to clear the room. However, I was distracted by the fact that my knees had stiffened and standing was much more difficult. I managed to get myself up by grabbing onto a chair, but the second I released the chair, I began to fall back again.
He caught me. "Be careful stupid. If you fall and die, it definitely won't help end the war. We'll have enough problems with my guards rather rough treatment of you."
I would have preferred not to have his assistance as he lowered me into a chair, but I begrudgingly realized, that his help, or further embarrassment were my options.
He sat in the chair across from me, looking me up and down approvingly.
"I came here. Now what do you wish to discuss?"
He smiled brightly. "We both want peace right? So, I think, we should try what the old man said."
"What!"
"Well, it would end the war"
I nodded. "Without loss."
"That's what I thought. So what do you think?" His fast switch from serious back to a lighter tone surprised me, but as I considered his words, I realized that if we really wanted peace, then this was our only option.
"I agree." I replied simply.
"Thank you," was all he said. Then he smiled happily and leaned across the table to lightly brush his lips across mine. I sighed mentally.
"I'll agree, but there are some rules."
"What kinds of rules?" He said cautiously.
"Well, no more kissing for starters." That's getting really annoying.
He laughed in response. "How can we pose as a couple if we don't kiss?"
He had a point. "Fine then. Now more unnecessary kissing, got it?"
He nodded, then replied. "Okay, but only if we still get to sleep together."
"What!"
"Well, my kind would consider it unusual not to sleep next to the one they're tied too. I imagine yours would as well?"
"They would."
"Well then, it's decided. Now, we need to figure out when to announce this. Your coronation is tomorrow correct?"
I nodded.
"Then could you be here the second night after it?"
I nodded again. "So, we'd announce it here first then?"
"Well, it's seems that your people will be more freaked out by this plan than mine."
I sighed. He was probably right. Based on the way the guards had cleared the room, his people were very loyal to him, and while, my people were loyal, I did not trust that they wouldn't kill first and ask questions later.
"It would probably be for the best."
"Well then, I'll see you three days from now," he said, standing up from the table.
I began to rise as well, attempting to keep my balance. Thankfully, my knees had finally loosened up a bit, so I could manage.
He led me to the door. "I'll send you out with Hinata. She will take lead you wherever you need to go within an hour of palace."
I nodded. "Thank you."
The young guard appeared the second she was called. "Yes my lord."
"Escort Sasuke until you reach an hours distance from the kingdom. Understand?"
She nodded, and although I may have imagined it, I believed that there was a silent understanding I missed in that conversation.
The quiet girl led me from the room and out of the palace. My exit was much easier than my arrival.
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I'll be away until "Thursday, so no updates for a while. .
Thanks to those who have reviewed. I think you're the only reasons I didn't drop this story.
