A/N: CHAPTER 21 EDITED PLEASE REREAD
I tried to post that chapter so many times and it kept not posting right and I just realized a whole chunk of story was left out. SORRY.
The following morning Naruto was awoken by Sakura, she smiled softly and then turned to open the curtains.
"The queen wishes to see you today." Sakura said softly, knowing Naruto would still be grumpy.
"Okay." Naruto responded and sat up, he knew he'd have to face the world today. He looked to the other side of the bed and was unsurprised to find Sasuke gone. He seemed to be an early riser, and thankfully was giving Naruto space.
"Would you like me to draw you a bath?" Sakura offered as she collected the food from the day before.
"No, it's okay. I can do it." Naruto said and began to get up, going straight to the bathroom door the tub. "Let my mother know I'll be by after I find a breakfast please."
Naruto then took a soothing bath but found his stomach to be cramping, probably from not eating much yesterday. So as his stomach protested he got out of the water and thought of what to eat.
Once in the dining hall he found that not eating had lead him to be picky about what he would eat. It seemed he had passed the point of hunger and now was feeling uneasy, so he grabbed some granola and munched on it slowly as he made his way to his mothers room.
As he approached the door he tried to steel his nerves and bury the sadness he was feeling deep down within himself. He had to continue to be strong, and he had to convince his mother that he didn't need protection and that things were fine as they were. So with a deep breath in, he knocked on her door.
"Come in." Kushina called out from the other side of the door. Naruto nodded to himself and pushed the door open, looking for his mother in her chambers.
"Hi mom, you asked for me?" Naruto asked as he found her lounging on her couch reading.
"Yes! My baby, come here. How are you doing? Is the Uchiha treating you well? Are you hungry? I didn't see you at dinner. Come sit." Kushina spewed off as she made room on the couch for him. Naruto rolled his eyes at his mother and chuckled as he sat.
"I'm fine, yes Sasuke is treating me well. I just ate and I was feeling unwell yesterday. How about you? How are you feeling?" Naruto asked as his mother stared at him, seemingly trying to find something hidden in his face.
"Hm, something seems off though. I'll let it be for now. I'm fine, just worried about my child. I'm so sorry for this still. I know you denied it and will continue to, but if you ever want out. I will do anything and every-"
"Mom. It's okay. I'm fine. I'll let you know if that changes okay?" Naruto lied with a smile as he brushed his mothers hair behind her ear.
"Fine, I understand. But still, please keep me informed. Your happiness means more to me than anything else. This castle and kingdom be damned." Kushina said with a huff.
"Don't speak that way mom. I'll be fine! Nothing I didn't expect to face and nothing others before me haven't endured." Naruto retorted with a laugh.
"Just because others have dealt with these ancient ways doesn't mean I want you to. I wish I could go back in time, I wouldn't sign any treaty with that awful family. Little did I know.." Kushina trailed off and started to angrily mumble to herself.
Naruto laughed outright at this and pulled his mother into a hug, "I'm fine. I swear. Stop worrying about me and worry more about important things. Like dad. He must be feeling old with my marriage huh?"
Kushina laughed loudly at the comment and they continued to talk into the afternoon about events that had happened in the last month - updates with soilders, news from the town, the experience of having so many royal visitors at once, and the Uchiha family. Naruto avoided talking about his time with Itachi as it seemed irrelevant to relay to his mother - he was married to Sasuke now and Itachi had gotten in trouble for his actions. There was no need to add to his mothers hate for the family.
When both of their stomachs growled simultaneously they laughed and headed down to the dining room, they found it was already almost dinner time anyways so they moved their chat to the table. After a while the King joined them and began adding his own opinions on things in and Naruto enjoyed his time with his parents.
Once dinner was served Hinata and Sasuke found their way to the dining room and things quieted down as they ate peacefully, throwing a couple of comments back and forth. Sasuke stayed mostly quiet but laughed at the jokes and nodded when appropriate.
Naruto smiled to himself and thought things may turn out better than he thought, and honestly a lot of that had to do with Sasuke. The raven was letting Naruto continue his normal life and was adapting to the Uzumaki/Namikaze traditions instead of fighting them or keeping Naruto hidden away.
This left the blonde feeling thankful and wishing he could find a way to thank the other prince without it coming off as awkward or forced. Soon, he would fine a way. Soon.