MAN!
This chapter was a REAL bitch to write
._.
I really hope that this chapter is satisfactory
to tell you the truth, I think this chapter was just too damn hard to write
I'm really sorry to you guys if this wasn't that good or cohesive
I'm running out of ideas to place between now and that certain painful twist
that I seriously can't wait to get to writing
(Sadly certain pieces of the game have to fall into place)
So again, sorry for this terrible chapter

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Game of Thrones or a good computer

Chapter 14: Secrets to be Kept

Ned couldn't believe what he'd just heard. His wife had been gone for over three hours and now Ned was beginning to wonder; truly wonder. Why would Cersei ever want to push Naruto from the tower? If anything, the Stark thought that they were a closely knit family, save for the black sheep, Joffrey. Cersei was there with Naruto since his fall from the tower, every day. Ned could remember it clearly. But with this fiasco, there was more reason to worry about the Lannisters. With the death of Jon Arryn and Lady Lysa's accusation, Ned was beginning to see a pattern. Lannisters, Lannisters, Lannisters. The name was like a drill digging into his head.

That family name was the only reason why he was reluctant to accept the position of Hand of the King. There were too many bloody Lannisters here. Ned glared at the wall in front of him, feeling a dark and boding feeling in the pit of his stomach. The Lion and the Wolf at each other's throats…a war…too many things at once; too many revelations. But a Stag shedding its skin to reveal a lion meant one thing; Cersei's children. Ned quickly shot that belief down, knowing that his mind was running loose and emotions running abound.

There was no way that Cersei would harm her own child. He knew her to be a Lannister, a heartless, conniving lioness, but not the type to kill her own children. After all of the conversations he'd had with her, he got to know her better, know that she loved her children more than her own life. He'd come to know that she'd sacrifice everything for those kids of hers. Ned shut his eyes releasing a stressed sigh. He just couldn't believe that accusation. Ned turned around and pressed his knuckles on the desk, his heart raging within his chest. He shivered and glared out towards the city.

Naruto was with them this morning, along with the bloody children! Ned thought. They were close as a family! They were together, almost unbreakable. Naruto brought Robert and Cersei together, so why would she want to kill her own son?! Why would she want him dead?! What does she gain from Naruto's demise?

None of this is making sense! Ned walked around and collapsed into his seat. This is simply too complicated. If only Naruto could remember what happened that day. Gods, if only he could.

Mayra walked with her hands clasped together. She was heading with nowhere in particular finding today a boring day. It's been days since she and Naruto spoke, but they haven't seen each other since then. She ran a hand through her brown locks of hair, trudging through the tiled halls of the castle. the girl was doing her best to avoid the looks of the various servants and kitchen-maids. Her brown eyes rolled when a few gold cloaks gave her lecherous smirks. She shook her head and walked past them heading off through the rest of the hall, trying to get to the grand foyer as fast as possible. She never did like how these men looked at her. Being a girl of six and ten, she was a perfect target for men like them. Too bad I'm no longer a maiden; fools.

Mayra hobbled along, her dress flowing behind her. Her brown eyes watched the vermilion walls of the castle flow along with her as she passed. She was silent watching the people pass by her, their blue eyes or brown, depending, trailed up and down her body. She shut her eyes and continued on with what she was doing. But the farther she walked, the heavier their stares became. She could feel their eyes glued to her backside, watching her walk. She took a deep breath, she always did have a large ass; something she hated half the time. Their stares always going down to her, always giving her the same look. Everyone did, everyone, except Naruto. The prince looked at her the same way he looked at everyone else. He never even brought up her nature as a bastard. He was just…him.

Mayra stopped herself and sighed in despair. What was she doing? He obviously didn't care much about her if he didn't even think of her on his way North. Now to think that he's with a northern highborn lady, Mayra felt that it was all a cruel joke from the gods to take the one man who truly cared for her like this. She shook her head once again. Baseborn could never be with highborn. Too stuck in her thoughts, she bumped into someone, knocking them to the ground. She was about to shout to the person expecting them to be some stupid servant. She was in for a nasty surprise.

"M-Mayra?" Naruto asked, wiping wine from his tunic and breeches. "How nice of you to come along."

"P-Prince Naruto." She ducked her head, trying to hide her rising blush of embarrassment. "I'm so sorry, I didn't see you coming."

"It's alright, Mayra." Naruto laughed. "I'm at fault too…"

"So, where are you going, Naruto?" Mayra asked.

"I'm going off to find Sansa." Naruto replied. "We were going to go out into the city. Would you like to come along, if you're not doing anything, of course."

"I-I'm sorry, Naruto." Mayra bowed. "I have to go somewhere. I was going to meet some friends in one of the taverns."

"Oh…" Naruto nodded in understanding. "I guess I'll see you later."

He disappeared once again, just like he did before. She reached out, wanting to say something to him, but before the words could leave her lips, the boy was already gone. The sixteen year old rested her palms on her dress, looking down dejectedly before turning back around. She watched his form disappear. To think she'd be falling for someone two years her minor. She watched his form disappear into the grand foyer. Brown eyes shimmering with pain, pain she didn't let him know about. For some reason, she got it into her head that the boy wouldn't even care. Maybe she was right, for all she knew Naruto simply used her as a sheath to put his cock into. She didn't care. The sight of the boy disappearing into the crowd of servants, knights, squires and highborn lords and ladies filled her with a strange sadness.

She took a deep breath and sighed in despair. The sixteen year old turned on her heels and walked off towards who knows where. She just wanted to find a place to ease her stress; a place that Naruto wasn't in. She ran a hand through her brown hair and made sure that it stayed in the loose ponytail she had it in. She wasn't one for doing the over-the-top southerner hair styles that everyone tried to do, be it smallfolk or highborn. She froze and bit her lower lip. That was one of the main reasons that the prince even took notice of her. Mayra took off, lifting her dress to keep her legs from tripping. She needed to relieve her stress soon.

Ned rode through the streets of King's Landing not knowing what to expect. Jory Cassel was at his side riding close. Men and women, city folk; dispersed from their path as they rode along. Ned had received a tip from Lord Baelish about the last few works that Jon Arryn had been doing. He visited a boy somewhere down in Flea Bottom by the name of Gendry Waters. Ned was going to get to the bottom of this farce soon so he can continue to investigate the accusation his wife had placed on Cersei. He arrived at the blacksmith with a blank look on his face. There was a boy, black of hair with sapphire blue eyes that screamed familiarity. Sharing a few brief words with the boy and the blacksmith master, Ned and Jory disappeared onto their horses once again.

"Lord Stark…who was that?" Jory asked.

"That was none other than one of Robert's Bastards." Ned replied. "It was obvious who he was from just a look into his eyes. Come, Jory. We have to go."

The two Northmen rode along, clomping their hooves against the cobblestoned road, the people parting to give them passage. They were silent and watched the world around them. Ned was stuck in his mind. Jon Arryn was looking out for Robert's bastards. If so, why. Jon Arryn was also strong, not one to succumb to something as trivial as dying of fever. It was too ridiculous to believe. Not only that, but if he was dying there would have been no reason to search out Robert's bastards so close to his date of death. Thanks to Lord Baelish, the Stark had been funneled information about Jon Arryn's movements prior to his untimely death. Ned was a bit weary of the man, but it just so happened that it was Baelish that snuck Catelyn into the castle under the Queen and the King's watchful eyes.

How, Ned was going to forever wonder. Baelish told him that he promised Catelyn that he'd watch over Ned and that he'd protect him every step of the way. Not once did Ned believe those words; not once did those words even seem convincing in the least. It was no matter though; Ned needed to have as many allies as he could here in King's Landing, especially if his wife is right about the sadism of House Lannister. Ned followed the winding road, reading a map of the different places that Lord Baelish said that Jon Arryn visited a month prior to his death. The map was marked in almost completely random parts of Flea Bottom. The Hand took a deep breath and sighed, knowing that there was no way in seven hells that he was going to be able to see all of the bastards that Jon visited.

He looked to his faithful guard, Jory and with a nod, they headed off towards the Red Keep instead of staying in the streets. It would be better to head back to the tower and reallocate their resources and pool their information for a better idea for an area of search for clues. They came along the darker and smellier part of Flea Bottom, nearing the infamous Gin Alley. Ned pursed his lips, feeling the saliva evaporate in his mouth and the smell burn into his nostrils. The Stark gripped the reins of his horse as did Jory, the two of them trying their best to best the heinous scent. Ned knew that this was just the beginning to something bigger; something greater.

When you play the Game of Thrones, you win or you die, there is no middle ground. Ned repeated in his mind. If what Cersei was saying was any indication, she was implying something. If this is all just a game, there must be other plays in turn. There has to be other countless ruses and schemes just lying in wait to be sprung. That much was true, then that meant that Jon Arryn was planning something. Ned wanted to know what that bloody plan was. Meeting bastards of Robert seemed to be a random action. The Stark took a deep breath and shut his eyes, finally leaving Gin Alley and finally arriving at the gates of the Red Keep.

Once inside, the Stark headed up to the Tower of the Hand, ready to pass out into his bed. He was tired and exhausted, eye bags beneath his eyes. He entered his room, a blank stare on his face. Jory gave Ned a nod before heading off to check with the rest of the guards. Ned took a deep breath and turned on his heels, only to take in the sight of none other than Lord Petyr Baelish. The man held a massive, old looking book. It was ragged and torn, closed by golden locks. On the cover of the book it said in bold lettering, The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms. Ned in a confused whirlwind asked Petyr what it was.

"This is the book that Lord Arryn was interested in, shortly before his death, Lord Stark." Petyr said. "Grand Maester Pycelle was holding this book tightly, but after a few talks and convincing…offers, the book is now yours to examine."

"Thank you, Lord Baelish." Ned replied, whisking the book away from the man. "For now, I'd like to rest, please."

Joffrey was walking through the castle in search of his mother. Things weren't looking up for him for the last few days. Since when were things ever looking up for him, Joffrey chided. The boy felt this indomitable rage swelling within him with every step. Joff for a moment was scared. This anger he felt was insatiable. It ate away at him like a leech clinging to his skin. This hatred that he so loathed, was like a cancer, thriving on the damage that his brother had caused. Joffrey shut his green eyes and ran a hand through his flowing golden locks. The prince nearly gagged when he felt that it was greasy filled with sweat. Joffrey brought his hand down and turned to face the large man following behind.

The Hound had a blank look on his face, massive eye-bags beneath his unscarred eye. He followed behind Joffrey like a haunting specter. He was hunched, bringing a more imposing image to his already terrifying visage. A large shield was strapped to his left arm, with his sword arm resting at his side. the Hound moved with a silent grace, but still seemed to be dragging his weight along. He was broken in too many ways to even mention. Joffrey frowned a bit though, finding the Hound's near infinite silence unnerving half the time. The empty color in his eyes filled with nothing but sadness.

The two of them headed down the hall, with only the shivering of the Hound's chainmail and Joffrey's boots being heard. Joffrey's head pounded with the coming moments, beating into his skull. They walked off keeping the steady pace. He needed to speak to his mother about his predicament. Joffrey stopped mid-step, the Hound following almost immediately. Joffrey had an estranged look on his face, almost as if he was asking himself why he was so stupid. Why go to his mother when it was Grand Maester Pycelle that had all of the medicine. Joffrey shook his head and continued walking. He didn't mind having to take his time. The longer away he spent, the longer he and his brother wouldn't have to see each other.

Oh how he would dread the moment he and his brother would appear in the same room. For once in his life, Joffrey wished Naruto never existed. It hurt to think it, but Joffrey truly wished the boy hadn't been born. Joffrey walked along, his frown growing to proportions unknown. Joffrey ran a hand against his soft skin, wiping the sweat from his brow. Joff headed along finally finding the door to his mother's solar. Half-expecting his mother to be there, if she wasn't with his father. Joffrey rested his palm onto the door handle, ready to pull the doors open. It creaked slightly, but before long, Joff pulled the doors open revealing her room. Everything was in perfect placement, it seemed as if the room had been untouched for a while. He was about to sigh in despair and head off to Grand Maester Pycelle's tower. He felt a strange pull to the room though; curiosity it was. He saw something sitting at the table on the far side of the chamber.

It looked out of place, almost as if someone had planted it there to look inconspicuous. The boy tilted his head, green eyes focusing on the parchment wedged beneath a vase of flowers. To someone glancing by, it was unnoticeable. But to Joffrey, he took notice of the bright, tanned parchment and was immediately intrigued. The boy turned to the Hound and had him guard the door with a silent hand gesture. Joff headed over to the table, moving the vase from sight and lifted the parchment for him to read with a closer examination. His green eyes running over the words with a close inspection. He took a deep breath and rested his knuckles against the table, dropping the parchment onto the table. His brows furrowed deeply. His uncle was lost in the Vale of Arryn somewhere unknown; reasons behind it also unknown.

Joffrey backed away crossing his arms over his chest. His uncle was in the Vale of Arryn, gods could only know why. The blond boy looked back to the Hound and realized that his mother wasn't going to be showing up anytime soon. Joffrey didn't understand what to make of it. Was his imp uncle captured? Did he disappear? It was no matter though; Joffrey needed to think of a way to use this to his advantage. Joffrey froze in thought, his glare loosening. This was an interesting turn of events. Suddenly, a voice was heard coming from behind the prince and the Hound's shivering armor could be heard. A few more steps echoed into Joffrey's ears, bringing the boy to turn.

"My Prince…" The man said with a near whisper. "Is her Grace, the Queen present?"

"No." Joffrey replied. "She'll be back in a moment's notice. Do you have a message for my mother?"

"I do, My Prince." The man replied. "It is a message for her Grace the Queen's eyes only."

"Leave it on the table." Joffrey replied. "I'll let my mother know."

The man looked at the prince with a nervous look on his face and dropped a similar parchment onto the table, landing next to the vase where the first was placed. The man looked to Joffrey and then to the Hound but then took off once more through the hall, disappearing from sight. Naruto gave the silent Hound a look and turned in his seat, reaching over and opening the parchment. His eyes glazed over each and every word, examining each and every detail. Everything burned into his mind, memorizing everything on the parchment. This message was something else entirely. It wasn't the same as the previous parchment; this one bore names. Fifty names in total, each one varying in many different ways and genders. Next to each name had different profession but there was a small sigil next to the professions.

This could only mean one thing. Joffrey had come in at the right time to find his mother's spy roster. He was surprised that his mother even had that many in her employ. Hearing Lord Varys and Lord Baelish go at each other's throats, spitting out information in vain attempts to outdo each other. Joffrey stared off into the city from the view his mother's solar had. Joffrey took a deep breath and stared back at the parchment, reading over each name. His mother had these people in her pocket. Apparently though, his mother hasn't even been keeping up with her spy network. Joffrey smiled. It would seem that maybe those dumb dogs - direwolves - did come in handy after all. They distracted his parents from their greatest asset.

I believe I've found something of great worth. Joffrey smiled. I can definitely use this to my advantage. Mother can't know that I know yet. I'll be smart about this and outthink my stupid brutish brother. These people can be used to do my bidding with the right 'convincing'. Such a good asset, left to dust and ruin because mother and father decided to fall in love. How ridiculous. After all Mother, when you play the Game of Thrones, you win or you die. You taught me that yourself.

So...

I know, I know, mediocre chapter with sub par everything
I just really want to get along with the plot.
Great pain and suffering will be coming like the winter
I can't bloody wait to write the next few chapters man

Review, my friends! Keep it up, you're doing wondrously

Ja ne!

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