Hey there everyone. We have an update for Red Steel coming out now. It's been a minute but Red Steel always takes a bit more attention when working on an update. So this chapter is overdue but I hope you like it. This time around things will be kind of hopping along through time as we will have a handful of time skips in this chapter between some of the scenes, but with this chapter we will be growing closer to the War of Five Kings and quite a lot more action.
A couple review mentions:
Review: Was expecting to see the first interaction between Naruto and Ned. Kinda sad you decided to skip it.
Response: I misled you I am afraid, there are time skips in this chapter, but we are picking up at the start with Ned and Naruto meeting with one another.
Review: I don't like the pairing with Sansa, your harem route is especially unrealistic and the thing with Tsunade and Karin put me out.
Response: I feel Naruto being an open polygamist and having mistresses like so many other noble men of the era especially within the world of GOT is very realistic for the setting. It's fine if you disagree as far as the pairing with Sansa that is always a dividing point. I like her character. That's more than enough for me. Lastly I am sorry the Tsunade and Karin subplot has put you out but I have had support for it too so like Sansa it is a divisive opinion.
I want to invite everybody to come and interact on AizenTheGoat's discord server. We talk about fanfiction stories already out, work on concepts, and lend a hand to other writers as well as interact with our readers regularly there. A link can be found right here → /JfvY7v43b4
Now lets get onto the story.
Chapter 5
Return
King's Landing
298 AC
Naruto
The young redhead rolled his neck as he readied himself for his day. He had just left Karin's chambers a short while ago, and ever since the small pleased smile had plastered itself on his lips. Things were much better between the two of them. Since that first night they hadn't been able to keep their hands off of one another.
Now their time in King's Landing was drawing toward a close and Naruto hoped for a much happier time back on Dragonstone this time around. With things clear with Karin, and as far as he could tell slowly improving between her and Tsunade he hoped to keep it that way.
Sadly he had some matters he had to handle before he could return to enjoying time with his love and his betrothed. The reconstruction of the Uzumaki fleet was paramount for him at the moment. His entire focus was dedicated to trying to wrangle the best deal.
He had already met with a small number of merchants from across the continent. Most had been from the North but he had found they were all too aware of his recently gained addition to his income and were attempting to price gouge him. Those from the Stormlands he had tried to make contact with had all simply told him they couldn't open a contract with him at the time. They refused to elaborate but he had to wonder if perhaps Renly had been badmouthing him across the region since he had left Stannis' service.
He wouldn't put it past the ponce. Still he was certain whenever he managed to regain contact with Stannis the problem would be handled. That was of course reliant on him actually managing to do that. Even now he had no word from his old mentor and it had begun to weigh heavily on his mind. The thoughts regarding his departure from King's Landing and just why he hadn't attended the largest tourney since the one held at Lannisport following the end of the Greyjoy rebellion swam through his mind. All manner of imagined scenarios whispered in his ear but in the end he had no real idea of what to make of it.
Strolling up to the ornate door of the small but well maintained building before him, Naruto was quickly welcomed in by a serving girl that looked only a few years older than himself but was extremely thin and wiry. A waif, though she had a beautiful face with bright blue eyes and dark raven black hair.
The girl sat him down in a finely decorated waiting room as she fetched her master. Really the whole place, like most of the merchant's offices he had visited, was overly decorated. Gaudy even. The first had bothered him but by now he expected it entirely and was just hoping to make some actual progress with the merchant from the Crownlands. He would hate to return to the Northmen selling their lumber. He had no doubt that the price would have increased even more if he had to return to them.
"My lord forgive me for keeping you waiting." A soft voice said as a woman entered the room. She was a beautiful woman for her age. Unlike Tsunade who he imagined was around the same age as this woman but retained her youthful appearance, this woman aged gently. She had all the makings of a woman in her forties but still retained a poise and grace, and not to mention refined beauty that few could manage.
"It is no worry. I know my request to meet with you was rather sudden but I had hoped we could meet and discuss a contracted agreement for lumber from the Kingswood. I know you are one of the three merchants granted rights to harvest lumber from the forests there." Naruto said cutting straight to the point.
"Oh, well then you are in luck. I am very much available for a contract. In fact my family was beginning to grow worried that we would be unable to find customers as it seemed the Royal Navy no longer wished to procure any of its lumber from us." She explained. Her eyes widened and she took on a pleading expression.
"Forgive me my lord, I haven't properly introduced myself. My name is Alessa Byrch. This is my daughter Lauryn Waters." The woman motioned toward the thin girl who returned with glasses and poured some wine.
"A pleasure I assure you." Naruto said pleasantly. He silently hummed in thought though as he compared the woman and her supposed daughter. They couldn't be any further apart in appearance. The only real similarities being they were beautiful and thinner than average.
Alessa was blonde and green eyed. Though her blonde hair was streaked with a few thin lines of gray. Lauryn had pure black hair and bright blue eyes that Naruto recognized from somewhere. He couldn't place them exactly but his mind refocused on why it was that he was here. In doing so it was forced to stray once more as the words of the woman registered in regards to the Royal Navy.
"You mentioned that the Royal Navy wasn't purchasing lumber from your family anymore. Does that mean they are buying from the other Crownlands merchants?" Naruto asked.
"Oh, no I don't believe so. All of the three Kingswood families have lost a lot of business because of the movement of the Royal Fleet to the Stormlands. I have heard that the Rainwood and southern Kingswood are being used to rebuild the fleet instead." Alessa said with a feeling of disappointment.
"I see." Naruto said with distaste. He should have been made aware of the fact that this was happening. He needed to impress onto his Maester that such events were definitely something that should be coming to his ears.
"Yes, I'm afraid it's left my house with an extensive surplus of lumber that we need to sell. I know that House Uzumaki traditionally held a very large fleet both for trading and war. I may also know you have been looking into rebuilding your own fleet of ships. I can promise a very reasonable price for you my lord. Even a contract between you and my cousin Lord Balon, the head of my house." Alessa explained.
"Really? That seems awfully generous. Even with a surplus of wood to sell, you seem rather generous. Tell me, what is it you really wish from this?" Naruto asked bluntly.
Alessa sucked at her teeth briefly before nodding with a sigh. It was a little refreshing for the woman to be able to simply speak plainly. It was often hard to enter and leave the mindset one needed to maintain while within King's Landing. Court here was more cut throat than ever before. That made it nice to relax and simply negotiate, not that she wasn't watching for any subterfuge from the young man before her. Age meant nothing in the game.
"A few things to be honest. Most notably would be an actual trade partner. I took the liberty to begin looking into your family's history of lumber purchases and naval forces when I learned you were seeking out lumber merchants. I'd heard how much the Northerners were charging and the situation in the Stormlands. I simply hoped for this opportunity and refused to let it slip past because I was unprepared." The older woman smiled gently.
"Commendable." Naruto said softly. It was exactly the kind of attitude he wanted with his trade partner. This was all too good to be true but still it was best they get down to actual details.
Over the next couple of hours they ironed out the details and finalized a contract. It was easy enough to round up both witnesses from their houses with Lauryn acting for Alessa and Tsunade for Naruto. The only real time waster was trying to find a representative of the King's court. They needed them to officiate the document.
Luckily it seemed the Lord Hand wished to meet with Naruto about something. As Captain of the Guard for the Hand of the King, Jory Cassel was fitting enough and acted the part of the neutral party.
The fact that he had secured a discounted stock of lumber to finally begin reconstruction on the fleet was nearly euphoric. Naruto took great pride in his family's ships and to be making steady progress toward not only his but his parents' goal of rebuilding and exceeding their House's glory had him giddy.
Not even the new appointment to meet with Lord Stark dampened the mood. After all, he was intrigued to see just what the Quiet Wolf wanted from him. He doubted such an invitation would be for a simple drink and conversation. So as was necessary for the courtly politics in King's Landing, Naruto prepared himself for something less than pleasant.
King's Landing
298 AC
Eddard
Ned idly tapped his thumb on the table as he sat in thought. He had just finished his midday meal and nearby his daughters, Jeyne Poole, and Septa Mordane each were still working on their own meals.
It had been a quiet affair. The girls awkwardly glanced in the man's direction. It was clear his mind was miles away and something had been bothering him for sometime. They knew that he was terribly busy with his tasks as Hand of the King but lately they had seen even less of him as he either poured over the large book he was so interested in or was out in the city for one errand or other.
Sansa, who had by now largely given up on her lunch worked up her nerve to finally ask Eddard what was on his mind.
"Father, is everything alright?" Sansa asked quietly.
"Hmm?" Ned mumbled blinking as he refocused on the others at the table.
"You just seem somewhat distracted lately my Lord. Is there something weighing on your mind?" The Septa asked.
"Ah, no. Forgive me, I am just thinking about my meeting with Lord Uzumaki in a few moments." Ned explained.
That surprised the women. Sansa and Jeyne shared a look and ever so faint blush recalling the knight from the tourney. Arya also gained a curious expression, even Septa Mordane looked interested.
"He's the one that won the tournament right?" Arya asked.
"He is indeed." Ned replied.
"Can I stay and meet him with you?" Both of the Lord of Winterfell's daughters asked simultaneously. The man grinned faintly as both girls blinked and turned to stare at one another. They rarely ever wanted the same thing.
"I see no harm in that. You can stand with me to greet him when he comes but the meeting is for myself and Lord Uzumaki only. Am I understood?" Ned asked.
"Yes father." Both girls again simultaneously said while glancing at one another out of the corner of their eyes at the second time they had spoken together.
"What is Lord Uzumaki like?" Jeyne asked Ned. The Stark paused. He wasn't honestly able to answer that. Surprisingly enough someone else among their group was.
"He seems like a friendly boy." Sansa commented. The room's blinked and stared at her for a moment.
"How would you know?" Arya asked.
"I met him briefly. The first night of the tourney on my way back to the keep with my escort we came across them as he was escorting his own lady back into the city." Sansa explained.
"She seemed to have drank too much and he was being very courteous to her and polite and seemed like a proper gentleman." Sansa continued.
Eddard briefly wondered how his daughter would consider the young nobleman if she had heard the rumors surrounding him. Perhaps less than rumors as he had made no attempt to disprove them if anything he confirmed them.
Having an affair with a woman old enough to be his own mother. That and making it openly clear to his fiancee he had no intentions to end the relationship even once married.
Evidently over the last week he had been seen frequently in the company of both women. Even his ears had heard the idle talk.
Conversation with the meal became more idle, but now Ned was taking part as well and much of the stuffy atmosphere that had hung over the first half of the lunch had dissipated. Before long they had finished eating and it was only a short wait longer before Jory returned with Naruto in tow.
"My Lord, this is Lord Naruto Uzumaki, Lord Uzumaki this Lord Hand Eddard Stark, his daughters Sansa and Arya Stark, Lady Sansa's handmaiden Jeyne Poole and the Septa Mordane." Jory formally introduced them all.
"An honor and a pleasure my Lord, Ladies." Naruto replied bowing slightly.
"The pleasure is ours, Lord Uzumaki." Ned replied as he motioned his daughter forward.
Naruto smiled pleasantly to the fellow redhead of the group.
"Lady Sansa. I did not realize how truly similar the Uzumaki and Tully coloring could be. You brighten up any room you enter, I have no doubt." Naruto said charmingly as he kissed the back of her hand.
"You are too kind my Lord." Sansa smiled shyly.
"And you must be her hand maiden. Fair enough to be a noble lady all on your own no doubt." Naruto complimented Jeyne causing the poor naive girl's cheeks to light up nearly as bright as Sansa's hair.
"Septa no doubt you are to thank for turning all three of these young ladies into examples for other ladies to envy." Naruto complimented.
The Septa gladly took the compliment before fighting off a frown as the redheaded lord turned to the last member of the Stark group.
Naruto paused as he looked at Arya. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly but his smile grew just as much.
"And you are Lady Arya, you're a bit different than usual aren't you?" Naruto asked causing the Septa to pale and Ned to bite back a groan.
"I'm not a lady. I'm going to be a warrior." The youngest girl huffed with a pinched face causing the Uzumaki to blink in surprise.
Sansa opened her mouth to try and run some sort of damage control before she clicked it shut as Naruto simply smiled and nodded.
"Why not both? My mother was Lady Kushina, you know. She was a warrior, led our fleet herself and fought beside my father. She fought beside your father too if I'm not mistaken." Naruto said, causing the girl to look over at the elder Stark who simply nodded.
"You aren't mocking me?" Arya asked unsurely.
"Not a bit." Naruto replied warmly.
Sansa watched the interaction with astonishment before she felt a faint twinge of jealousy. As polite and friendly as Naruto had been toward her, he had practically passed over her in interest and focused on her tomboy of a sister. She forced that ridiculous train of thought from her mind.
Septa Mordane coaxed the girls into their goodbyes. Naruto again caused a faint blush on Sansa's cheeks as he wished her a good day and a not so faint blush on Jeyne's cheeks as he did the same for her.
Arya followed after the others without complaint. An unusual thing to be sure. The smile plastered on her gleeful face showed just how happy another person looking fondly on her dream made her.
As the last of the group filed out of the door, Ned offered Naruto a seat and both lords sat across from one another. They sat in silence for a little while. Both tried to get an idea of what to expect from the other. They had heard accounts from others of their interactions and of course plenty of rumors but never truly had a one on one conversation.
"So, forgive me Lord Hand but I am not really sure why it was that you wanted to see me. I have a few ideas but I am not really all that fond of the politicking that is popular here in King's Landing and would much rather you just be blunt with me." Naruto said, causing Ned to nod ever so little.
"I can appreciate that. I don't really understand how Robert let it get so bad here." Ned said with a sight.
Naruto looked confused for a moment. The idea of King's Landing being anything other than a flowery cesspool of corruption was hard to believe. Ned seemed to notice the thoughts Naruto was having and grunted in mild amusement and agreement.
"The city has always been full of southron politics. Cowardly type things. It wasn't as bad in the past though." The older man said sadly.
"I see." Naruto responded. He wasn't quite sure what to do with such information. He settled with simply tucking it away in the back of his mind for now.
"You're very young still. It may be troubling now but I promise you that things can always get better in the world." The wiser older man said, though he stopped himself from adding that they could also easily get worse.
"I understand Lord Hand. Still though, what is it you wanted to discuss with me?" Naruto pressed.
Ned hummed as he thought the best course to take and discuss things with Naruto. The young noble was sadly not someone he knew let alone could consider remotely trust with his growing suspicions. He liked the charismatic and honest seeming nature he had but there were plenty of people in the capital city alone that could play that very same act perfectly. All the while those people would be waiting for an opportunity to strike.
"Tell me, have you been keeping in touch with Lord Stannis at all?" Ned asked. He disliked the frown that he saw slide into the young man's face.
"I'm afraid not. That isn't for lack of trying either. I have been attempting to contact him for some time. Weeks even, but no response of any kind has been returned." Naruto answered.
Ned sighed. He should have figured that this would be another failed attempt, however Naruto continued to speak drawing the attention of the King's Hand once again.
"The only real information I can give is that he returned to Storm's End." Naruto informed him.
"Thank you, I had just hoped to know why." Ned responded.
"Oh," Naruto said. His mind pulled at the memory of his conversation with Alessa Byrch.
"Something else?" Ned asked hopefully.
"Well perhaps. It isn't much and it's based on hearsay, however I have been told that Stannis is rebuilding the Royal fleet using his own coffers and lumber from his lands." Naruto explained.
"Truly?" Ned asked in surprise.
"Like I said, that is what I heard. At first I thought it was quite odd but then I heard that little money was being given by the crown to do just that, strengthen the fleet. It sounded like something he would do. He always held his duty above everything else." Naruto commented.
Ned hummed in thought again. That did sound like Stannis. A man committed to his duties and responsibility even at his own personal expense. He'd seen as much during Robert's Rebellion.
"You're right. Stannis is one to go above and beyond his task if he feels it's his duty or for the good of the realm." Ned agrees with the young lord.
"How did you learn of all this anyway?" Ned asked Naruto.
"You know that I have been looking to rebuild my family's own fleet. Stannis has taken contracts with every family that produces lumber in the Stormlands." Naruto explained.
"Quite the undertaking." Ned said thoughtfully. "Well that answers why he has yet to return to the city and what he has been doing. Still I have a few more questions regarding Lord Stannis if you don't mind."
"Of course not. As long as they aren't too invasive." Naruto replied, getting a nod from the older man.
"No worries there. I have no intention of digging into anyone's private life, I am simply trying to figure some things out." He said.
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked a bit intrigued and put on guard by the Lord Hand's word choice.
"Before he left King's Landing did you two perhaps communicate at all? Perhaps he told you he was looking into something, maybe alongside Jon Arryn?" Ned asked.
"With the previous Hand? No, not really. Most conversations we had were in regards to trade and pirates in the Narrow Sea as well as plans to rebuild the Royal, Baratheon, and Uzumaki fleets." Naruto responded, growing even more suspicious.
"So you hadn't heard anything about something he was looking for in the city before his departure?" Ned asked, sounding awfully disappointed.
"I'm sorry, but I don't have a clue." The redhead said sadly.
Ned sighed before shaking his head. "Don't be, you've told me things that I had yet to learn so thank you."
"I wish I could help you more. Honestly I was hoping he and I could catch up during the tournament or that he would return to the city and I could at least greet him briefly but like I said, I can't even contact him with ravens. I plan to have my man Kakashi take one of my vessels down to Storm's End to see what there is to see." Naruto said.
"Ah, a good idea. Would you be willing to send a raven to me when you have an answer?" Ned asked.
Naruto hummed in thought this time. An idea, one that would allow for a good boost in prestige for his house. Sma as it would be.
"Actually perhaps I can do one better. Send a man with Kakashi and I will reunite with them at Dragon's Rest. My wedding with Karin is only a couple of short months away and I'd like to invite your household. You can retrieve your man and we can even discuss what they learn together." Naruto suggested.
Ned sighed and thought about the proposition. As he learned more and more he felt a desire to get his girls out of the city for extended periods of time and he also needed to figure out exactly what was going on with Stannis.
Sadly he couldn't leave. The realm was in terrible shape and he couldn't afford to depart from the city for any long period of time. That didn't mean he couldn't meet Naruto halfway.
"Personally I can't, I'm afraid. I have far too much to do between the small council, trying to help stem our money issues, handling Robert, and some other matters. I don't think I could escape the city for some time to come." Ned explained as he saw the young man nod begrudgingly.
"That isn't to say some members of my house could not attend. I'm sure if Sansa knew I had passed by an opportunity for her to attend a southron wedding she would throw a fit." The Lord of Winterfell said, though he mumbled the second half with a mild grimace.
"Well, it's drawing near and as much as I hate how it sounds saying it, it would look very nice for House Uzumaki to have the daughters of the Hand in attendance as well as the future Queen." Naruto urged. He hoped that Ned would see this almost as a favor and send them.
"You make a good point. I'll work things out for some of my household guards to escort Arya and Sansa to Dragon's Rest. I'll send Jory with them to collect the man I send with your Master-at-arms. I would very much like that update on Stannis sooner than later, but it seems we're stuck handling things like this." Ned frowned at the long wait he would have to suffer through before even possibly receiving a raven detailing the reasons Stannis had fled the capital.
"Well I look forward to seeing them at the wedding. I hope we impress, though no doubt Sansa will have a much more elaborate ceremony when her time comes." Naruto said as he stood and the two men approached the door to his solar.
"Yes, well she will be Queen." Ned managed to comment without a sigh.
"Until we meet again Lord Hand." Naruto said with a slight bow.
"Of course and safe travels Lord Uzumaki." Eddard replied with an inclining of his head.
Ned turned back around into his room as Naruto strode down the hall. He saldy had several hours of work he still needed to handle. The investigation into Jon Arryn's death and the multitude of oddities around King's Landing's court were severely cutting into his time for his official duties. He wondered how it was that old Jon managed to make something like this seem so easy.
Neither Ned nor Naruto noticed the collection of servants milling about as they worked nearby. Neither did they notice that some were doing far less work and far more watching the comings and goings of the Hand.
King's Landing
298 AC
Cersei
It had been several days since the Uzumaki household left King's Landing. Like most others following the tourney their leaving was hardly noteworthy. Just another house out of hundreds that had come. Though it was somewhat more interesting perhaps as Naruto was the tournament champion a few weeks past, and his betrothed had evidently fallen ill suddenly.
None of that interested the Queen though, as she aggressively paced in her chambers. She had sent her guards away for the time being and taken to stalking back and forth across the room like an actual lioness pacing its cage.
From nearby, leaning on the wall Jaime wore an exasperated look as his twin and lover made another pivot and began walking back across the length of the room. He couldn't bear it any longer and finally pushed himself off of the wall and caught up to the woman. Snatching her shoulders in his grasp he made sure she was looking at him, though the glare she gave him almost made him wish he hadn't.
"What?" She asked with a deep frown marring her gorgeous face.
"What? No, that's more my question for you Cersei. You called me in here, sent away all the guards and locked up the doors. I thought you were about to tear that dress off and let me have at you. Instead you haven't said a word to me before 'what' and have simply paced back and forth in here while looking like you wanted to poison someone." Jaime said with his typical cocky smile causing her to sigh before she batted away his hands and made her way over to the decanter on her table and poured them both glasses of wine.
Slowly she made her way back over and handed a glass to Jaime all the while her earlier heated expression had slipped into a more neutral one. Not quite the beauteous mask she wore for other nobles and public appearances, but a far cry from the venomous look she had earlier. Slowly she drained her entire glass causing her brother's eyebrow to quick upward in interest.
Usually she didn't act like this unless it concerned Robert. Something special must have happened or was about to. Just not the good kind of special.
"Are you calmed down now?" Jaime asked.
"I can't calm down, that little bastard spawn Uzumaki isn't just offending us openly and trying to maim you on the tournament grounds now." Cersei said as she crossed her arms across her chest.
"What?" Jaime asked, still rather confused. At least he knew who had his sister so worked up. He couldn't say he cared all that much for Naruto but he almost felt bad for his cousin for incurring Cersei's direct wrath for whatever it was he had done.
"Naruto Uzumaki. He is making moves against us. Probably out of revenge for what you did to his bastard father." Cersei hissed. Jaime grimaced and flinched at the memory. He had actually cared for Minato quite a lot. Doing what he had was an impulse and he'd immediately regretted it.
"Cersei, what exactly has he done?" Jaime asked.
"He's acting as a go between for Stannis and Stark. They are moving against us in secret." Cersei said with complete certainty.
"What? You can't know that for sure? What even makes you think that?" Jaime asked, stunned by the accusations. This was the first he was hearing anything of the sort too, even if he knew she had been stewing in agitation following what had happened during the tournament.
"Simple, I can put the facts together Jaime. Stannis and Jon Arryn were looking into the heritage of all of Robert's known bastards. As well as the heritage of our children." Cersei said. Jaime's expression hardened faintly at that.
"They were investigating the heritage of the children and then Arryn died…did you kill him Cersei?" Jaime asked.
"No! Someone else did it before I even realized what they were doing. It doesn't matter now, you need to focus. Arryn died, and Stannis believes I did it. He's certain now, no doubt. Probably whipping all his Stormlander banners into a frenzy about the fact I cuckolded his fat oaf of a brother." She hissed.
"I can't imagine why, he dislikes the man almost as much as you do." Jaime tried to joke, getting a flat glare from his twin that silenced him.
"Robert is a repugnant, jiggling, stench, that just wafts from whorehouse to hunting ground. But at least he is king. Stannis would have caught on a lot sooner." Cersei mumbled before she stood straight again.
"Some of my servants noticed Naruto meeting with Stark before he left the city. They didn't know what they talked about, but Stannis practically raised the boy. That and evidently while most of their ships sailed for Dragonstone, one ship containing Naruto's right hand sailed south along the coast." Cersei explained.
"Toward Storm's End." Jaime quietly agreed. To sail to Dragon's Rest, the other Uzumaki holding it was more common to sail toward Dragonstone then make a straight cut to the smaller island. Much faster that way. Not to mention far less storms to contend with.
"Toward Storm's End." Cersei said simply as she made her way over for another glass of wine.
Jaime stared down at his own glass but noticed the shift in his sister's demeanor again. She was plotting now. He could tell. Schemes running through the head draped in golden locks. Schemes that he was sure he wanted to know very little of, but ones that he felt a need to know about. After all, if what Cersei said was right then Naruto was a threat to Jaime's children and he would happily dishonor himself for them or for Cersei.
"What are you planning to do?" Jaime asked with a grimace.
Cersei sipped at her wine this time. Savoring every taste. Slowly a soft smile crept onto her face and the perfect mask returned. She looked as though she was playfully withholding a joke rather than plotting the murder of their cousin.
"Well, as I recall you weren't the only one defeated by him in the tournament that he has a bad history with." Cersei enigmatically replied.
"Go on…" Jaime urged.
"Hmmhmm," She giggled lightly, sounding like nothing more than a sweet woman flirting with a man she admired. "Don't worry about it. I'll handle all of it."
Jaime sighed. It wasn't fully in exasperation at her antics but it also was not fully in relief. Still, he trusted her to handle things.
Dragon's Rest
298 AC
Naruto
Nearly two months had passed since Naruto had departed from King's Landing. Nearly two and a half had passed since the tournament. That meant nearly two and a half months had passed since the first time Naruto and Karin had made love to one another. They hadn't really stopped since then. That was no surprise, and their love for one another had grown with leaps and bounds like Karin had expected it would.
Even though most things between them were going so smoothly, and they were set to be married in days, Naruto paced somewhat frantically. On the deck of his ship as Karin watched on with an annoyed look in her eyes. The vessel slid on into port despite its master's discomfort and with every meter crossed between him and the dock Naruto seemed to age another decade further annoying his soon to be wife.
He pauses and looks over at the redheaded woman who gently laid a hand across her abdomen as her eyes softened toward him and she sent him a reassuring smile. It had the opposite effect sadly as he began to pace again once again annoying her. He could be so childish at times it infuriated her just as much as it endeared her to him.
"Just calm down, Naruto. My father will be overjoyed to see use. He'll just be happy we are already giving him grandchildren and perhaps he can even meet this little one before he passes away. It will be a dream come true for him. He'll adore you for it." Karin said, calming him down greatly.
"Pfft, yes of course you're right. I don't think he cares too much for the wedding at all honestly. His interest was always more focused on giving him lots of little ones to spoil." Naruto said with a smile at the thought of his cousin.
"Exactly, he adores you and has wanted us together since you were born, I'm sure of it. Still, while he might not do anything to you, my mother is going to throttle you." Karin teased getting a smirk from Naruto as he closed the gap between them and wrapped her into his arms.
He kissed along her neck but stopped there, letting his hands slide down to rest over the woman's belly instead of exploring her to try and get her in the mood. There wasn't really a noticeable change yet. However, Tsunade had confirmed that with all of Karin's symptoms she was very much pregnant. It evidently wouldn't be long before her stomach began to swell up as the child grew within.
"I'm not kidding. My mother is going to kill you." Karin said as she enjoyed her place in his arms.
"Ugh." Naruto groaned. He recalled in vivid detail his aunt disciplining and lecturing himself and Karin whenever they found themselves wrapped up in some sort of mischief as little children.
The woman smiles as she recalled the same moments Naruto was reliving in his head. Taking the lead, Karin looped her arm with Naruto's and tugged him toward the gangway that led them down to the dock. They only made it a few feet when he heard the accented voice call out to him from further up toward the land. Normally the exotic voice was pleasing to the ears but the tone and selection of words simply caused him to pale as he tried his best to retain his composure as a very irate looking pair of orange eyes locked onto his own violet ones.
"Naruto." She growled.
"Aunt Konan, it's wonderful to see you. Excited for the big day?" Naruto asked, trying to deflect attention onto the happiness of the wedding.
It didn't work. The woman's eyes narrowed. Karin seemed to slip right out of his grasp and her mother covered the distance with ease to stand face to face with the young man that had gotten her daughter pregnant.
"Head of the household or not, you dare?" Konan hissed at him causing Naruto to frown. He didn't enjoy being dressed down.
"We thought we could entrust her to you for a few months before you two wed, but here you come back and she's with child?" The woman demanded. She clearly had no intention of letting her nephew respond as she continued to berate him.
Karin quietly remained out of her mother's line of sight as she tore into her cousin. It was probably best she didn't step into the middle of that. Naruto could handle himself well enough after all, and even if it was uncomfortable to be shouted at by your mother-in-law he wouldn't die from it.
As she stifled a chuckle as Naruto tried to respond to her mother only for the woman to cut him off yet again, she heard a soft chuckle from beside her that drew her attention. Taking in the man's form Karin felt tears prick into her eyes and a brilliant smile spread onto her face. In front of her, despite looking aged with pale skin and hair long gone white, Nagato stood with no help from anyone else.
The man simply opened his arms and let her step in for a tight hug. She couldn't stop the happy tears as they ran down her cheeks and soaked her father's shirt. He was alive still, and oh so much more than that. Suddenly the realization that like this Nagato could even give her away at the wedding ceremony. Something that she hadn't expected her father would be able to do for over a year now. She had accepted that but now, she was over the moon.
"Hello darling." Nagato said with a chuckle as she clung to him.
"Papa, I never thought I'd see you out of bed again. Look at you!" She said happily.
"Look at you!" He laughed. "You're glowing sweetheart. You're going to make a wonderful mother."
Karin blushed lightly with the pleasing compliments. She felt so happy lately. Between Naruto giving her far more attention, her wedding, the baby, and her father seeming to recapture his health the girl couldn't imagine being happier.
The pair turned their attention to where Naruto had given up and simply stood there enduring Konan's tongue lashing. They chuckled together at the sight. It brought back memories from years before once more.
"I haven't felt this good in a long time. Seeing Naruto being treated like a child by Konan only helps that." Nagato said as he grinned.
"Is mother really that angry?" Karin asked somewhat worriedly.
Nagato snorted and shook his head. "Not even close. She hasn't been this happy since you were born darling."
Karin smiled at that before she blinked. "Does this mean you can give me away at the wedding?"
"Of course. In fact I haven't felt so good in years, I plan to be there to hold my grandchild as well." He answered before having to wheeze as the girl wrapped him in an especially tight hug.
"Alright, alright, I am still a bit fragile sweetheart." He laughed.
"Oh sorry." She said releasing him.
The pair drifted into silence leaning against one another. Slowly Konan began to stop harassing Karin's groom to be.
"Well, it looks like that is almost finished then. Your mother couldn't pass up the chance with all this mistress business." Nagato said simply. He turned to eye his daughter then.
"How is that front by the way?" He asked.
The girl sighed deeply. Before giving a smile to her father to reassure him.
"I really tried to hate her, but Tsunade made it impossible to hate her. It doesn't help that half the time I catch them together it reminds me of you and mother. I wish I had that with him but I know he loves me still. It's just…" She trailed off.
"Not the fairy tale romance you imagined. Trust me darling they never are. I am about to tell you the truth of your mother and I's relationship." Nagato said.
Karin turned to give him her undivided attention.
"Your mother was not the woman I loved. She was the mother of my daughter so I married her." Nagato said.
Karin blinked in surprise.
"Oh don't be so shocked. I do love your mother but it wasn't overnight. You were born sixteen days after we married, that was why she was my wife. The girl I loved sadly died at sea not long after so I turned my attention to you and your mother. Slowly our relationship became less cordial and more loving. She may not be my soul mate but your mother is my wife and I love her deeply." He explained.
Karin was silent as she mentally digested what she had just learned. It was a great deal to take in, especially as she only recalled them being the romantic couple that had raised her. She wasn't about to kill Tsunade…she really had grown on her.
Nagato knew she needed some time to think about what he had told her. In the end whatever similarities their relationships had didn't matter. They could look the same but they would never be the same. However hai daughter and cousin found their happiness and he would support it. He knew it would just take time to reach that point. Much as his own lifetime of joy had.
"Come, let's head home. I can show you what preparations are being made for the wedding." Nagato said before turning to look at the other two members of their family.
"If you are done picking on the poor boy Konan I would really like to show them what we've done to the courtyard." Nagato called out.
The woman seemed to completely change her demeanor as she smiled at Naruto and roughly hooked her arm in his. The young Lord blinked before realizing that Konan was not upset about Karin being pregnant in the slightest. The woman was just taking the chance to get back at him.
This was going to be a long few days if this was the trend being set.
Dragon's Rest
298 AC
Kakashi
The silver haired man took off down the gangplank on horseback. He through caution to the wind, and while he wasn't exactly racing to get back to his Lord's side he wasn't waiting around either.
Everything he had seen, or heard, or simply learned had set him into a bad mood. Not to mention having to fake cheer and happiness for the last couple of weeks he had spent as a guest at Storm's End. At the moment his mood only worsened as a handful of guards tried to stop him at the gate to Stormtyde Hall.
"If you all don't get out of my way and direct me to Naruto I will have to get off of my horse. You most definitely do not wish for me to get off of my horse because none of you are suicidal…unless I am mistaken?" Kakashi drawled lazily, though the tense shoulders and practically glowing eye got the message across.
"Uh, his lordship was walking his lady around the parapet last I saw ser." The evident leader of the group said. He recognized Kakashi and had never seen him so agitated.
Kakashi nodded and grunted at the man before kicking his horse into a rapid trot up the hill and through the other gate houses leading to the keep.
Rounding through the final gate house and into the bailey of the keep Kakashi was lucky enough to catch Naruto just as he began to paw at his fiance's dress and head for the stairs up to their chambers. While the young lord was initially annoyed that someone was stopping him from continuing up after Karin by calling out to him, when he saw it was Kakashi he became elated.
That happiness didn't last long as he took in his trusted right hand's body language and general aura of agitation.
"Let's go to one of the more private rooms. I can already tell whatever you have to say is going to ruin my mood." Naruto groaned.
Kakashi simply followed after him as they went up a few flights of stairs and into an almost empty room in one of the towers. Besides numerous cobwebs there was little here besides some spare lumber meant to be used for some project and the rickety remains of a table and chairs in the corner.
"I take it the news from Storm's End is bad." Naruto said as he closed the door behind Kakashi.
"That is the understatement of a lifetime my Lord." Kakashi said as he faced Naruto and leaned against the stone wall.
"I already know I'll hate it but spit it out. Let's hear how bad the news is." Naruto said with a groan.
"Well, let's see then. Where to start?" Kakashi asked.
Naruto grimaced. That was not exactly what he would call reassuring. "Worst first. Maybe it will make the rest seem better."
"I doubt that to be honest, but your choice I suppose. Stannis is a traitor to the crown." Kakashi bluntly said, causing Naruto to freeze in place and stare at his master-at-arms blankly.
"What?" Naruto asked in shock.
"Stannis Baratheon has turned his back on his elder brother and his children to attempt to usurp the throne." Kakashi explained.
"Impossible. Stannis is the most loyal and dutiful Lord on the continent." Naruto stammered out. The mere thought of his mentor as a traitor felt wrong.
"Stannis is the most dutiful Lord, but he thinks it's his duty to assert himself as king." Kakashi said.
"Why?" Naruto asked before shaking his head. "No never mind stupid question. I can't say that Stannis wouldn't make a better King than Robert."
"You may think differently after I tell you what else. He has been ensured by a Red Witch from Essos. She's been gathering a massive following of zealots from the east that all follow her. She's even had Stannis make a new banner. A stag over a heart wreathed in fire." Kakashi explained.
Naruto moved to one of the chairs and dropped into it. That was troubling news. War was coming then. This time brother against brother and as much as he disliked the idea of the worship of R'hllor he doubted he would go against his old mentor.
Kakashi seemed to know what he was thinking. The man continued speaking and easily changed his Lord's allegiance with a single sentence.
"They have begun burning those that refuse to convert to the faith of the Red God at the stake as sacrifices." Kakashi continued darkly.
Naruto's eyes darkened. Sickened by his father figure's actions. Naruto wasn't about to join up with people burning others alive for their faith.
"He sent you a message." Kakashi said, pulling Naruto from his thoughts as the young nobleman began thinking about what to do and how to handle the situation.
"He did?" Naruto asked.
"Yes, he said simply, remember your bonds and duty to the realm in the coming days." Kakashi said.
"We that is awfully blunt. At least he isn't trying to beat around the bush." Naruto said with a frown.
"True, what do you want to do?" Kakashi asked.
Naruto was quiet for a moment. He thought of the best course of action. He feared siding with his mentor would be welcoming a whole new set of troubles into Westeros, that would be if the man won. Siding against Stannis would be terrible for Naruto personally. His heart would break turning against the man who had taught Naruto much of what had made him who he was as a person.
The other option, siding with none would be the same as if he sides with their opponents'. Whoever came out on top would break his house.
"Naruto?" Kakashi asked.
"He says to recall my duty to the realm. To remember my bonds. I know he wants me to support him for when he tries for the throne but he seems to forget he is not the only bond I possess. My house would suffer under the rule of the red witches and their kind. We need to get in contact with Lord Stark." Naruto said as he made to leave to begin on a letter to send to the Hand of the King.
He hoped that with the letter to Lord Stark he could put the issue out of his mind for at least a few days. Long enough to get his nameday and wedding out of the way.
King's Landing
298 AC
The girl panted raggedly as she sucked in breath. She could feel the bruising around her neck caused by her lover's rough treatment. She didn't mind terribly though. It added a new sensation and he paid quite a lot more for this sort of service than if she had just ridden him.
Still, it wasn't fucking that had brought her to him today. He had said he had another task for her to do. A different kind of job that paid a lot better.
"Before we go again let me tell you what it is I need you to do for me." He said as he rolled off of her. He pulled her close against his body and she leaned into him for warmth.
The man was old enough to be her grandfather but he had taken care of her and truth be told this was the only life she'd had an opportunity to know. Besides being a bit rough when they made love, not that he ever called it that, he never hurt her and put her up in a decent place for herself and her siblings. It was a better life than most from fleabottom had an opportunity for.
"Well, I've only ever done this job, and only for you." She said with a sweet smile.
The older man smiled softly down at her. She imagined if things had been different she could have been his wife and given him heirs to his house. Still she could find happiness in the life she had.
"My Lord has given me a task but you have to do it for me. Do it well and your siblings sna dyou will never have to work again ever. My Lord has given me enough wealth to complete the task that not even I could spend it all." He chuckled.
The girl shifted uncomfortably. Such money came with difficult and dangerous jobs.
"It will be fine. You will be temporarily joining the staff at Dragonstone for the next few months. Keep this with you but don't let anyone see it." The man said as he reached over and withdrew a small bottle from the bedside drawer.
"When Lord Uzumaki and his new bride return to Dragonstone you'll slip this into his cup and he'll drift off to sleep. An endless one." He explained.
"What?" She asked in shock. "I-I'm no assassin."
"Hush, I know you aren't. If there was another way I would do it in a heartbeat. There isn't though. If Uzumaki isn't poisoned my Lord will ruin me. Which means you and your little siblings are ruined too. Help me, love. Help us." He pleased almost pathetically but as he expected she folded to his begging easily.
She carefully took the bottle in her hands and looked at it. She nodded slowly, determination growing in her eyes. The Lord caught her lips with his own. They soon began another session of sex. Less rough and more tender than the last.
When it was over though it was time for her to leave. He walked her to the door and gave her a final kiss.
"One last thing, love. You mustn't under any circumstances reveal the name of my Lord to them. Especially if you fail. No harm would come to your siblings or myself I'm sure, but House Uzumaki is known for making those that wrong them pay." He warned.
"Of course." She said weakly.
The man watched her leave sadly. He knew he would never see her again and he rather enjoyed her. Thankfully she had three younger sisters so he wasn't losing much. No doubt each of them would take the same opportunity she and her mother before her had. Desperate folks from Fleabottom we're willing to do almost anything for a chance to get out of the slums.
And that is that. Yes Karin is very much pregnant. She isn't very far along but she is bearing Naruto's child. You have to wonder what Tsunade feels about that. We're going to be finding out soon. Plenty of scheming going around as well. Not to mention Stannis is a full blown convert to R'hllor. I'm sure we will find out why in good time.
Anyway
Till Next Time