A/N: Effing hell. This is just weird.

I honestly have not the first damn clue about how I'm getting these out so fast.

I think it's the time I've spent with no internet, does wonders for concentrating.

Anyway, enjoy.

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Chapter 14

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It was very bright in the North, Daenerys mused.

Surprisingly so. With everything Viserys had told her of the most barbaric of the Seven Kingdoms, she'd been expecting a land of tangled forest under dark skies, engulfed in meters of snow.

On the contrary, where they'd landed was surprisingly warm. The beach stretched for a few hundred feet in each direction. It wasn't really a sandy beach, instead littered with thousands of tiny stones, smooth from centuries battered by the waves. The hill above was covered in plants commonly found near the coast, the names of which she didn't remember.

Even as she stood there and privately admired the scenery, Viserys was loudly complaining again about his treatment, even while the sailors they were with transferred their possessions from the longboat to the shore. They seemed long-suffering in their manner, used to being ordered around but unused to it being so annoying.

She paused, surprised at herself. 'Where did that come from?'

Even as the sailors finally finished their task and Viserys walked farther afield to sulk in private, she hesitantly stepped over to the sailor who'd been in charge of ferrying them to solid ground.

"Um..." she muttered, wringing her hands a little before she managed to still them. As the sailor turned to her, she straightened her back. "...Thank you."

He raised an eyebrow, then a smile spread over his craggy face as he tapped his knuckles to his forehead. "T'was a duty and a pleasure, milady. We hope you enjoy yer stay. The Admiral's known for his hospitality, after all!"

She gave a genuine smile. Every sailor on the Windstride referred to Naruto that way, always with respect. It was... different than she was used to.

"Aww, you guys are making me blush."

Hardly surprised that he had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, Daenerys turned around and saw Naruto standing there, his sharp canines flashing in a grin. Then he lifted, with one hand, a large coin purse that plinked as it moved.

They all went wide-eyed.

"A gift. Give it to Davos once you're back on board, he'll divvy it up fairly," Naruto said, handing it off to the one in charge, who nearly dropped it.

The one in charge turned to his crew and handed it off to two of them, who settled it into the middle of the longboat back, surprised at the weight that Naruto had been carrying with one hand. Turning back, the man saluted. "My thanks, milord."

"No problem," he said, smiling. "Who else can I count on to sail around with me on all my crazy adventures?"

"Any time or place and no mistake, Admiral," he responded with pride. The rest of the sailors grinned and saluted as well, before gathering around their boat and pushing off, returning to the ship, leaving the both of them on the beach. After a few seconds, he spoke.

"Is it so surprising, that they're so respectful?" Naruto asked, staring after the longboat.

She crossed her arms, pulling her cloak tighter around herself. "...From what I've heard, you've earned their respect. Many times over."

He glanced her way, a wry smile on his face. "...Is it so surprising, that they're so respectful to you?"

She frowned at that, recalling the entire trip, and the way she'd been treated by the sailors. She glanced around for Viserys, but he was nowhere to be found.

"Your brother is already at our destination," he said gently. "I thought you might appreciate the opportunity to say what you really think."

She turned her head away and crossed her arms, affronted. "I don't know what you're talking about."

His smile got wider. "…If you say so. I should warn you though, that you won't be able to dodge about like that once we reach our destination."

She turned right back and glared up at him. "You said we would be safe."

"And I meant it," he said, holding up his hands in surrender. Then he grinned again. "But I don't think even I will be able to save your brother from a smacked bottom."

Her eyes widened at the idea. Viserys was the rightful heir to the Seven Kingdoms. Who in their right mind would even think of doing such a thing?

More than that, who would even have the nerve to try?

As if seeing her thoughts, the man laughed merrily, and held out a hand for her to take. "Come now, princess. There are a few people who are going to be very pleased to meet you."

For a moment she hesitated. Then, she reached out and put her hand in his, privately marveling at how warm his skin seemed to be.

Then, without a sound, they faded from sight, leaving only the gentle lap of waves against the shore.

XXXXXXX

In the centra building of Naruto's city, meanwhile, two ladies were waiting somewhat anxiously.

Ashara silently mused at what this meeting would be like, whilst Elia was trying not to panic.

Suffice to say, neither of them were used to having guests. It had been more than fifteen years since either had even been in public, at least in places where strangers might recognize them. The occasional trip to visit their respective families in Dorne was really the only time they met other people, excepting the visits to Essos with Naruto, who was happy to ferry them to and from to take in the sights.

Now, though, they were about to meet two members of the dynasty that had cost both them and the country so much. It was nerve-wracking.

A clone of their lover sat nearby in an armchair, reading. He was one of the studious ones.

Naruto had explained long ago about what his clones were like. Since he'd gotten so much more powerful, his clones now seemed to contain fragments of his personality, along with fragments of his power. Some they'd met were more prone to reading, like this one. Others went through the gauntlet of emotions, constantly laughing, pranking, plotting, sulking or training.

There was also the occasional one who seemed to carry all of Naruto's more perverted side.

Well, Ashara mused even as Elia flittered about, fretting about making the room presentable, those ones could still be enjoyable on occasion.

Rolling her eyes at her friend, who was bending over to straighten the cushions for the third time, the violet-eyed woman walked over and gave her ass a good, meaty smack.

Straightening with a yelp, Elia looked back at her friend in betrayal, rubbing where the hand had landed, even as Naruto looked up, blushing.

"What was that for!?"

Ashara raised an eyebrow and gave her a flat look. "You are becoming hysterical over nothing. Calm down."

"It's not nothing!" she said, eyes wide. "This is the prince and princess of the Seven Kingdoms coming to visit, and I haven't hosted any sort of event for more than a decade! Not to mention that this place hasn't been properly cleaned since it was made!"

"Doesn't need to be," the clone interjected, turning a page. "The seals the boss put in prevent any infestation of animals or insects, and keep the surfaces clear of dust and mold."

"There, see?" Ashara muttered. "You need to relax, Elia. There's no need to get worked up."

The woman bit her lip and crossed her arms, still looking unsure.

Ashara gave a mental sigh, put perked up a bit as she decided what to do.

'Alright, Plan B,' she thought, stepping forward and wrapping her friend in a hug. After a long moment, the tension began to leave Elia's frame, and she gently returned the gesture, eyes closing in contentment.

They promptly flew open again in shock as Ashara began to nibble on her neck.

"Shara!" she gasped, trying to pull away. "This is not the time!"

The woman held firm, though, a single hand trailing down the princess' back, sending tingles up her spine.

"I told you…" she said, her lips trailing up to Elia's throat, nipping possessively. "You need to relax."

The olive-skinned woman shuddered in her friend's arms, her struggles weakening by the second. "But this isn't helping!" she mewled plaintively.

The clone simply sat there, jaw hanging open, while a trickle of blood ran from his nose. The book sat in his lap, discarded without a second thought.

The door opened as another Naruto stepped through, the original this time. He took one look at the two and sighed. "Ashara, stop molesting your princess. You're needed in the main hall, our guests are nearly here."

Jerking back, red-faced and panting, Elia tried to calm her rapidly beating heart. Ashara looked entirely relaxed, save for her heavier breathing and the hint of pink in her cheeks.

With narrowed eyes, she turned to glare at him. "We were just getting to the good part."

"So I see," he said ruefully, chucking a book at his clone's head, making it burst into smoke. "Don't worry, we can continue this later. I'm sure Elia won't mind us feeling her up once our guests have gone."

The princess of Dorne blushed harder, while Ashara sniffed. "Promises, promises."

Then, even as he watched, both of them straightened themselves out, their masks firmly back in place. To all the world, they would have seemed to transform into the perfect example of fine courtly ladies.

And then, to his surprise, they hooked their arms with his, Elia on his right and Ashara on his left, and all three of them walked out into the main hall.

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Outside, Daenerys followed the man who was leading them. She'd been popped in right next to her brother, who flinched away at the sudden sound. Naruto had motioned for them both to follow, and started walking.

Viserys glared after the man, then at her. She wilted into herself.

Still, after a minute of walking, she looked back up and began to admire the buildings around them.

She'd appeared far inside the walls, so they didn't have as much time to stop and explore as she might have liked, but still took the time to look around.

The buildings in this part of the city were two stories tall, all seeming to be made in the same manner. Most were wood, though as they got closer to the center of the city, that changed into stone. They began to get taller as well as they walked. The cobblestones beneath their feet were perfectly flat and even, and every house seemed spaced exactly apart.

To her surprise, though, there was no smell. Every city she and her brother had stayed at had their own unique smell, and even Viserys hadn't bothered to cover up the legendary stink of King's Landing.

Now, though, it seemed as if the only thing she could smell was the occasional rustle of wind bringing hints of the forest from around them.

And it certainly hadn't escaped her notice that there was no people. Anywhere.

The only sound they could hear was the sound of their own footsteps.

"How long until we're there?" Viserys whined. Naruto glanced his way, sighed, and pointed ahead.

"Another minute. That building is where we're going."

They glanced at where he was gesturing to. This building was different from the others, both larger and made in a style that was unfamiliar to them.

Finally they arrived, and Naruto stepped aside and gestured at the door. "They're waiting for you inside."

Then, to both of their surprise, he burst into smoke, leaving the two alone.

Daenerys stood there in shock for a moment, but composed herself. She had no idea who they would be meeting, and was getting more and more nervous. Slowly, she reached for the door handle.

But before she could, another hand wrapped tightly around her wrist. She looked up at Viserys, who had a strange glint in his eye.

"This may be my chance, sister," he said. "Whatever the beast wants, he hasn't killed us yet. Perhaps he's finally realized who the rightful heir to the throne is, and is turning on that pretender."

She winced as his grip tightened.

The glint in his eye got brighter, as a strange expression appeared on his face. "I will not allow you to ruin this for us. You already failed your duty to the Dothraki savage, so if I tell you to get on your knees and take that freak's cock down your throat, you will do it. Understand?"

A sudden flare of frustration and anger surged in her belly at his coarse words, and she didn't answer.

That changed when a hand seized her by the throat and slammed her into the door. Viserys loomed over her, his eyes flashing with fury and madness.

"Do you understand? You don't want to wake the dragon, do you!?"

Eyes wide from fear and pain, Daenerys looked up at him and managed to nod. "Yes, Viserys," she said in a small voice.

He growled and released her, throwing the door open and walking inside without a second look.

Knowing the consequences if she made him late, she straightened her dress and wiped her eyes, breathing deeply to try and keep herself from crying.

Unknown to her, though, three eyes had been watching the whole scene, a handily placed seal near the doorway broadcasting everything the two had said.

Naruto, looking down at the girl from the building across the street, felt a swell of rage and pity.

Those feelings were only magnified as he turned to look at the woman standing by his side, who had been watching and listening as well.

Rhaella had a hand to her mouth, tears falling down her cheeks, even as she looked down at the daughter who didn't know she existed, the one trying to dry her own tears.

"Oh, gods," she whispered brokenly, falling to her knees. "Oh, gods."

Without hesitation, Naruto knelt down and wrapped her in a hug, expanding his presence to enfold the Rhaella in an aura of comfort and tranquility. She shuddered in his arms, the foreign feelings trying to soothe her fraught emotional state.

"I'm so sorry," he said, running his hand through her hair, privately cursing Viserys for putting his mother through this, even unknowingly.

The little shit was in for one hell of a wake-up call.

"Rhaella," he said gently as sobs began to slow. "Are you alright?"

She didn't answer for a long moment, and pulled back from him.

"Alright?" she asked bitterly. "No… no, I don't think I am alright."

He winced. Probably not the best choice of words. "He won't do anything to her. Elia and Ashara would never allow it, and neither would I. As far as I'm concerned, he can go back with that fat bastard Illyrio, or better still to the Dothraki."

She looked up at him sharply. "You will do no such thing."

He stared right back, mouth set in a firm line. "I won't do anything without your consent, Rhaella, but I must admit to being very tempted. If I had known that he acted this way, I would have kept a closer eye on them both."

She nodded at that. From what he had told her, Naruto had mostly focused on making sure that any assassins from enterprising Westerosi families never made it within a hundred leagues of them, and keeping both from starving in the streets with a combination of convenient gifts, lavish bribes and grisly threats.

And it seemed as if his work had been rewarded, in the worst possible way.

Rhaella turned away to look at the now-empty street, gathering her strength and standing up straighter, a frown on her face and fire in her eyes.

Naruto winced again. Somehow, he had a feeling that Viserys wasn't going to be happy by the end of this night. And honestly, he could not bring himself to care.

No, his thoughts were reserved for the woman beside him, whose heart was breaking at what her children had grown up to be.

"It's not your fault," he said strongly. "And you know it's not. If anything, it's mine. I should have protected them, should have taught them."

A hand seized his chin, and turned his head so he was looking into Rhaella's eyes, anger reflected in the violet orbs. "Don't you dare. You've done more than any man ever could, or would, without thought of risk or consequences to yourself. I will not allow you to blame yourself for what my son grew up to be."

His gaze softened.

As her hand fell away, he took it in his own, his single eye shining bright blue. "...As long as you agree to return the favor."

She let a breath hiss out from between her teeth, feeling a surge of emotion trying to escape, which she managed to wrestle back with the ease of long practice. "...I promise."

With some difficulty, Rhaella struggled to her feet, his hands steadying her the whole way. Finally managing to stand on her own, she looked up at him, ready to face the world again.

Naruto smiled. "Then let's go meet everyone. I imagine they'll all be surprised to see you."

"What do you mean?" she asked, surprised. "Don't Elia and Ashara already know?"

His face assumed the look of a rabbit who'd just encountered a direwolf. "Uh... no?"

She gaped at him. "What do you mean, no? I woke up a month ago! Why in the world didn't you tell them that I was awake!?"

"...I wanted to enjoy the surprise?"

"You— you—" she sputtered, trying to think about all the ways he was an idiot for doing something like that. She dropped her head into her hand and sighed. "We'll discuss this later."

He nodded, knowing a good idea when he heard one, and they both moved for the door. There would be time enough to get chewed out once this knock-down, drag-out meeting was over and done with.

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A/N: Alright, must confess to shorter chapter here. Wanted to keep going but I started my summer class today. Might as well finish this while I have a tiny bit of free time left over.

Hope you enjoyed.

Wolf out.