I sighed, fingering the necklace that had been placed around my neck two days ago. The day I became king. It was still such an unreal thought to me in some ways, and now, I was leaving to do something most would probably see as betrayal.

I glanced down at my desk at the letter I had written there. It detailed exactly what was going on so that, when my guards became alarmed by my extended absence, they'd have an answer and not start tearing things down.

Now, however, I needed someone to deliver it at the appropriate time, which was why I sent for Sakura. She would do anything I asked of her, and I knew it.

When she arrived, I quickly explained that at he next dawn she was to give the letter to Neji.

She nodded and took the letter, on questions asked. As she looked back at the mirror I realized now that the only thing to do now was to go and carry out what had been planned.

XXXXXXXXXXX

My arrival was much gentler this time. I was escorted free of bounds to a room where I was met with a pacing Naruto and his mother and sister sitting at a table.

He stopped pacing as I entered and smiled.

I imagine the smile was supposed to help calm me, but my mind was beyond being calmed. In fact the only thought I processed when he smiled was a thought I quickly berated myself for having. He looks cute like that.

"I'm glad you came."

"There didn't seem to be any other option." I replied simply.

He nodded, then offered his arm. "You ready?"

I gave a nod, and with that, we entered the receiving room where his people, soon to be mine as well, waited for his announcement.

As he came threw the door with me at his side, the few who actually recognized me began whispering and before long, the entire hall was speaking in a low murmur. However, the buzz of noise stopped as Naruto raised his hand for silence.

"Yes, this is Sasuke Uchiha before you, but he is here as my husband. From today on, their kingdom is no longer our enemy. Any injury to them, is an injury to your own people and will be treated as such. Now, if there are no complaints, we can go eat."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I had been holding as the crowd quieted and then walked into the dining hall without complaint.

We followed.

The celebration lasted many hours, and by the time we were leaving, there were probably only a few hours left before dawn. Despite myself, I found myself giving into exhaustion, and so as I fell onto the bed, no complaints escaped my lips as he laid down beside me.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

When I awoke, I found I had moved in my sleep, which was not unusual for me. What was unusual was having another body molded to mine with an arm around my waist.

As surprising as it was, I couldn't make myself believe I hated it. Indeed, there was something about the warmth that was comforting, something undeniably pleasant, but I wasn't ready to admit I actually liked the feeling to anyone else. I attempted to pull away without waking him, but the result was him clutching to me tighter.

Asleep, he had no idea who I was. I sighed, and attempted to move again, this time he did not react and I set my feet onto the cool marble floor with a shiver.

When I stood and looked back at the bed, his blue eyes met mine.

'Good morning," he said slowly as he rose.

"Afternoon." I aid back, glancing out the window.

"I think you're right." He said brightly while stretching.

Suddenly, I was all too aware of how his muscles rippled as he stretched, and the way his tan skin seemed to shine in the light from the window. I turned away, and began to pull on a shirt that I had brought with me in an attempt to distract myself from the vision.

"Should I take that as a compliment?" Naruto asked playfully as he walked around the bed.

When he reached me, a hand ghosted over my shoulder, turning me towards Naruto.

When I found myself face to face with him, I was only inches away from his face, and some part of me felt the desire to close the remaining distance. However, just as I was making my decision, a knock on the door interrupted us.

"Come in." Naruto called as he took a few steps away from me.

A guard with a shock of red hair entered the room.

"There is a guard in the main hall demanding to see you sir." He inclined his head towards me.

"Neji?" I questioned with a sigh.

"That was the identification given sir."

I nodded. "I'll go see him."

I walked out of the room. Naruto followed with the guard.

When I entered, a look of relief passed over Neji's face before it returned to it's placid emotionless self. Then he started talking as Naruto and the guard came in behind him, shutting the door.

"This is suicide. Do you realize what could happen? What where you thinking? The entire castle was in an uproar."

"I was thinking that his was the cleanest way to end this war." I replied, with a tone of threat that I knew Neji would not miss.

"I understand that." He argued back," But think about the danger to yourself."

I opened my mouth to argue back, but the red haired guard beat me to it.

"With all due respect, if it had been our intention to harm him, he would be dead by now." He said, coming to stand between Neji and I.

"And what would give you the authority to decide that?" Neji asked back venomously.

"The fact that I am Captain of the Guard Gaara Subaku. I always keep my word, so let me assure out hat, unless your prince breaks his, he is entirely safe in this palace."

"Am I to understand," Neji answered back," that I am to trust the men that have killed off almost the entirety of my family."

"For now Captain, I believe you are." Gaara replied, all but spitting on Neji's face.

"Well, I'm—"

"Neji, back off. As he said, I would be dead if they intended to kill me."

Neji stepped back, as did Gaara. Then he turned to address me.

"While I agree with the sentiment and will not go against your decision, I will not trust these people until I have reason to do so."

"I know that. Just don't kill nay of them, got it?"

"Of course." He answered, but I couldn't help but notice how his eyes kept darting towards Gaara as he said this, as if daring him to attack.

I sighed.

"Does the kingdom know what has happened?"

"No, we thought it best to keep it quiet."

"Good. Now is there a way to get him into the castle unnoticed?" I asked, indicating Naruto.

"There should be."

"Okay then, we shall leave as soon as you are ready."

With that, I left the room, tired of Neji's complaints and not feeling like listening to any more of his protests. Naruto followed me out.

"You know," he said as we walked down the hall," it is not common for Gaara to get involved in conversations."

"It is uncommon for Neji to get into arguments." I answered back.

"Well," Naruto said thoughtfully," this could get interesting."

I had to agree with that statement.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx

I'm back! Finally. Of course, I'm leaving again on Sunday for band camp. I seriously think I've spent more of my summer away from home than at it.

Review please, they make me want to update more.