Konoha's beauty was the name given to the fair boy that lived in the castle on top of the hills, the boy with golden locks and sun kissed skin, with an aura so pure and gentle that could rival that of any maiden in the kingdom, and that very pureness was the very thing that his father hated the most. Whilst all his associates and friends had warriors and scholars, he had a delicate boy with no useful skills.
"I believe it is time for you to act like a man, you spending time with Temari and all of the women are not helping at all, you are the laughing stock of this town" -his father complained. Naruto stared through the window and shrugged, it wasn't the first time his father scolded him for not being as manly as he wanted him to be, it's not like he couldn't hold a sword or even defend himself but he would rather paint, or play the damn piano.
His father wanted him married, he was already 17 and there was no sign of a woman in his life, judging by the time he spent surrounded by woman he would have expected his son to at least be involved in a illegitimate son scandal but no, all he heard was the mocking of his friends telling him they had seen Naruto drinking tea with his lady friends.
"The Hyuga family will come tomorrow, we will discuss your engagement to the eldest daughter, Hyuga Hinata is a beautiful woman and it is finally time for you to settle down, I've had enough with your childish and effeminate behavior"
Naruto scoffed at his father who in return slapped him across his face.
"I ain't getting married old man, i will not be forced to marry someone for your own convenience" - Naruto answered with petulance
"We'll see about that"
The boy closed his eyes in anger and turned to leave,his mother was upstairs, a gentle and understanding smile on her face. Naruto knew she would never dare to oppose his father but her silent support meant a lot to him.
"Everything will be alright" - she said with a caress to his marked cheek
"Easy for you to say mother, but i think nothing will make him change his mind"
"I'll call young Konohamaru to your room" - the blond trudged to his room and his young servant came a few minutes later, he helped the blond undress without any word being spoken between them.
"Master is brave, I admire that from you" were his only words before leaving him alone to his thoughts.
XxXxXxXx
The blond noble was woken up with the first rays of sunlight, Konohamaru parted the curtains of his bed and assisted him in bathing and changing into elegant blue clothe.
A soft knock on the door announced the visit of a maid.
"Naruto-sama your father needs you downstairs, they Hyugas have come to break their fast with the family"
The blond boy could hear the commotion in the kitchen and soft chit chat on the dining room, he opened the double wooden doors and everyone went silent, Naruto bowed his head in greeting.
"What an honor to have you visit" - he claimed with a smile. The girl, Hinata, was a beautiful woman, her long hair curled at the bottom, her clear blue eyes held hidden passion and restraint but what was even more attractive was her porcelain skin and slender figure. Naruto was sure she would make an excellent wife, a perfect mother, but this wasn't what he wanted at all, he wanted books, music, adventures, writing novels and horse riding in the wee hours of the morning, not marriage or at least not with someone he had never even met before. Hinata was of a lower status that his family but through this alliance his father would gain access to more land, more servants and more resources, a tremendous catch.
"He really is the beauty of Konoha" - Hinata's mother exclaimed
"A little femenine to my taste but he is handsome '' - his father replied to the compliment. "I've asked him to cut his damn hair for a long time now, i've even thought about cutting it myself"
Naruto lowered his eyes in embarrassment.
"We have agreed to have the wedding a month from now, it will probably be scandalous to have the wedding this fast, but i believe it is the best, for both families" Naruto's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Father" - he exclaimed
"Quiet boy, your opinion does not matter" - his father quieted him.
XxXxXxXx
Naruto sighed, he had changed into more comfortable clothing and had made a direct walk to the stables, his black horse greeted him happily as the blond approached to press his forehead on the animal's head.
"What a beautiful beast" - the shy voice of Hinata reached him from the door. "Does he have a name?"
"Kyubi"
"An unusual name for a horse" - Naruto laughed
"You're definitely not the first to think that"
"Can I touch him?"
"I'll take him out, i would not want you to get dirty" - the horse obediently followed his owner and lowered his head for the curious girl. "He is a shire horse, and with certainty i can say he likes you" - Hinata smiled sadly.
"I don't wish to marry" - Hinata blurted out "i wish to escape this cage I've been pushed into my whole life"
"I understand how you feel, I'll do my best to protect you, you won't have to marry me"
"You are just what everyone says, a gentle soul" - Hinata blushed
"I have my flaws my lady" - Naruto excused himself and mounted his horse.
The Hyuga family had long parted from the castle, Naruto and the oldest daughter of the clan smiled at each other and Naruto waved goodbye from the window of his room. Such a precious woman he thought. Konohamaru came into his room with his night clothes.
"I will dress myself, please leave and do not disturb me" - he commanded, the boy curled an eyebrow. "It's best for you to leave"
Naruto sat down on his velvet chair, he brushed his long golden locks before tying them in an orange ribbon, he dressed in black and pulled the cape up to hide himself. Once silence fell on the castle and all candle light had been extinguished he claimed over the window and the wall to fall silently on the grass outside.
Kyubi was saddled and ready to leave, Naruto packed a bag with food and jewels for the trip, he did not know where he was going, but he had to leave.
He rode until late hours of the night, past the nearest town and only stopped when his horse complained. "Want to take a break?" He asked, he took out a bag of apples and shared one with the animal.
Naruto heard a rustle in the bushes nearby kyubi neigh and stomped his legs.
"Oh my, look what we have here, an exquisite young boy" - a man said, his tongue running the length of a knife. "What is a rich boy like you doing here, all alone in the dark"
"Not that i have to explain anything to you ass" - Naruto laughed, he wasn't a skilled fighter but he pulled out a golder dagger to defend himself if needed. "I have no money if that's what you're looking for"
"My oh my, a feisty one. If you don't have gold on you maybe you can give me something else, i haven't tasted men's flesh in a while" - Naruto gagged
"You seriously think i left an unwanted marriage to hook up with a dirty, stinky and toothless man" - Naruto laughed. The man launched at the boy but with a swift kick Naruto pushed him away.
"Not as easy as you thought, huh? - Naruto dodged a punch and pushed the older man away, the man faltered and reaching to his chest he threw a black powder to Naruto's eyes.
"Bastard" - Naruto groaned, his eyesight was hazy and he blindly punched the air to keep the thief away, the raspy laugh of the older man reached him from behind, his left arm securing itself around his waist, the knife pressed against his neck.
"Soft skin" - the old man whispered against his ear, so lady-like. "How delicious". Naruto held his breath, trying to yank himself from the man's grip.
Kyubi neighed again, stomping furiously, his head moved from side to side scared, it wasn't because of the thief, Naruto knew something was off. If the horse wasn't tied to the tree he would have run away, he was scared and that made the blond nervous.
Naruto felt a strong gust of wind blow on his hair, his ear rang painfully and he felt the air being pulled out of his lungs.
The man was yanked forcefully from behind him, Naruto saw the shadow of a man fall over the thief, the shabby man did not have a chance to react, the shadow crushed him under his weight with such a strength the dirt gave way to form a hole. The blonde stared in awe as the shadow stood up to give way to a man no older than 19, according to the blonde's impression, his jet black hair was spiked in the back, an unusual style for their time, his chest was bare and displayed a muscular physique with ivory expands of skin. Naruto's eyes were fixates to the protruding fangs poking out of the red lips and the thin thread of blood trailing down his chin.
"A vampire" - the blond whispered "you are real" - his feet walked on their own, his hand reached out in curiosity but retracted when the other boy hissed in warning
"What a smart boy we have here" - the vampire spoke, in a mere second the gust of wind reached him and Naruto felt the fangs over his neck before he could even recollect what was going on. "Are you not afraid, i can kill you"
"If you wanted to kill me, you could have done it hours ago, but you decided to kill mr toothless over there" - Naruto spoke without a trace of fear, the other boy let out a boisterous laugh.
"What is your name, boy?"
"Uzumaki,Naruto" - Sasuke sniffed the golden neck and traced a vein with his fang, oh that delicious heartbeat was pounding in his ears but it wasn't fear he felt on the boy. "Can i know yours?"
"And why would you want to know my name, mortal?"
"The least you could do is give your dinner your name" - The vampire laughed again, if his family could see him they would have thought he was going insane, they hadn't listened to him laugh in centuries. "I have nowhere to go, no family to return to, i just beg to please spare my horse, Kyubi is my faithful friend and i could not bare see him hurt"
"Uchiha Sasuke is my name. Mortal, you amuse me, your courage and your willingness to sacrifice your life for a horse, how funny you are"
"Funny is not the usual adjective used to describe me but I'll take it" - Sasuke let go of his grip to observe the young boy, he thought that funny definitely wasn't the first thing that came to mind, Naruto's face had a femenine touch, his big blue eyes were serene and his golden hair loose from the ribbon fell graciously all over his shoulders.
He felt at ease, his body and mind were so comfortable with the mortal boy, as if they had met each other centuries ago.
"Come with me" - his mouth moved on its own
"As your dinner or as a friend?"
"Rather a curious acquaintance"
Naruto laughed, a heart warming laughter the brunette thought
"My life is at your disposition, got nothing to lose anyway" - Naruto went to his precious horse, he pressed his face on the animal's mane and cuddled him briefly. "He's ok, he wont hurt us"
"Yet" - Naruto scoffed
"You are an ass" - it was so natural to them
Sasuke jumped on the horse's back with an unnatural grace and he extended his hand for the blonde to take it.
XxXxXxXx
After two long hours of horse riding in the darkness they reached a dense forest that gave way to a castle. Naruto lifted his big and curious gaze to the structure standing in front of them.
"I never knew there was a castle here"
"It's not visible to the human eye, unless we let you see it. We're not as stupid to let our lair open for public display"
The castle was bigger than his family's home, but the atmosphere it exuded was gloomy and lugubrious.
Sasuke dismounted the horse and with ease he took the mortal boy in his arms and helped him down.
"I'm not a girl you know" - he complained. The yell of a man caught their attention.
"Sasuke" - the man called, the brunette bowed his head as a greeting. "There's a human nearby, we need to be alert" - the new vampire licked his lips hungrily.
"That would be me" - Naruto stood by Sasuke's side with a cheeky grin. The vampire hissed with his fangs in full display. "Name's Uzumaki Naruto, nice to meet you" - the blonde extended his hand. Sasuke laughed.
"He's with me Juugo, my new amousing little pet" - Sasuke said to the other boys surprise.
"Your friend is my friend" - he bowed
"I said pet Juugo" - Sasuke corrected him with a smirk
"Welcome to our humble home Uzumaki-san"
The three men walked the pebble road with Kyubi behind, Juugo took the animal to a small unused stable. "I'll care for the animal, you can go ahead"
Sasuke nodded and opened the heavy door of the castle. Even though the place looked unkempt and dark on the exterior, the inside was warm and cozy.
An angel was standing by the crystal window of the sitting room, at least she looked like one with her long blonde hair, porcelain skin and rosy cheeks, her sky blue eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Sasuke's pet" - she said
"No mind reading Ino, you know i dislike it"
"Sorry" - she apologized, sticking her tongue out playfully.
"Uzumaki Naruto" - the boy greeted
"A pleasure, mortal boy"
"Where's Sakura?"
"I am here" - a pink haired woman glided Over. "Help him to a room, run a bath for him too and get him something to wear"
"As you wish" - Sakura turned to him with a motherly expression and combed his golden locks with her fingers. "Out of all the mortals I've ever seen this one is by far the most intriguing one" - her long fingers trailed his jawline and cheekbones
"I like him" - she declared
Sakura led him to one of the rooms on the second floor and filled the bathtub with hot water.
"There's a gown you can use in the dresser, if you need anything please let us know"
Naruto thanked her before she left him alone, the sky was tinted in orange when he finally went to bed, a soft bed with red velvet curtains that shielded him from the sun, it had been an exhausting day, and the beauty of it all is that he felt free.
XxXxX
I was going to translate one of my spanish stories and ended up re writing the whole chapter, so we'll see how this goes.
For those new, english is my second language so i apologize for all the errors (or horrors) you might find here.