Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, the Memoirs of a Geisha. The poems are from Shike and the Kokinshu.

A/N: by the way, since this is grounded in old Japan, maybe around the timeline of Monogatari Genji…people still believed in demons and supernatural beings…so I may include some in here, though it wont change the story line too much! Oh sometimes their behaviour might vary from he actual timelines but please bear with me on that…it is essential to the plot.

Chapter 2:

They were back at the teahouse. TenTen was giving Mama-san an account of what had happened. Sasuke had slipped away to his room after Yokichi-san had helped him remove his obi and kimono. He slipped into a light yukata and lay on his futon, placing his head in such a way that he didn't mess up his hair. Blue eyes haunted him, that perfect smile… TenTen-san, you haven't introduced your beautiful little sister to me yet the voice haunted him. Sasuke shivered slightly, before closing his eyes and willing himself to sleep.

A soft knock on his door roused him. it was TenTen. Sasuke wondered what she wanted. "TenTen nee-chan, what is it?"

"Nothing much, Sasuke-kun. I just wanted to tell you that you did a very good job today." TenTen looked at him a little longer and then smiled a little. "The blonde boy caught you eye did he not, Sasuke-kun?" she said in her soft voice.

Sasuke looked away. "I don't know what you're talking about nee-chan. He looked like an idiot to me."

TenTen smiled. "Well, the idiot's father, Arashi-sama has asked for your presence at his mansion tomorrow. They are going to have an outdoor banquet for all the lords. It is Naruto-sama's birthday and many geisha have been invited."

Sasuke nodded with a grunt of acknowledgement. "Hn."

TenTen nodded back. "Oyasumi, Sasuke-kun." (Goodnight, Sasuke-kun.)

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The sun's rays filtered into the room, playing over Sasuke's face. He looked out to see the pretty red leaves swirling around in the breeze. He loved autumn; it was such a beautiful time of the year, even though it did get very cold. Mama-san had sent up some miso soup and some egg and rice. Sasuke ate slowly, thinking about which colour to wear today. A part of him wanted to impress the blonde. He couldn't wait for evening to come, it was making him restless.

The rest of the morning went by in a blur; he practiced his samisen and his dance. Then he wrote a report of what he had heard discussed at the meeting to his brother. At last it was afternoon and TenTen came to tell him to get dressed. Sasuke did his own make up and donned the under kimono before stepping out. TenTen had chosen a pretty maple red kimono for him, with deep yellow leaves embroidered all around it. She offered Sasuke a pretty hair ornament with a maple leaf to adorn his hair. It sat against his split peach hairstyle.

Yokichi-san helped him with the kimono and tied a burnt sienna colored Obi. They left at twilight, hailing a runner, to take them to Naruto's mansion. TenTen whispered something to him as they neared the mansion.

"Don't talk to Naruto-sama of his mother. It was on this day that Orochimaru-sama, murdered her in front of Naruto-sama. They say that Naruto vowed over her body to avenge her and one day take the place of Shogun. Then he picked up the dagger with which she had been killed and made three marks on each of his cheeks…after that the story is a little wild." TenTen took a breath.

Sasuke motioned for her to go on, it interested him. "And then, Naruto-sama slipped away to some place and came back three years later. He has a tattoo on his stomach…the old women say that it was a rite of some sort to seal a demon into him. It gives him immense power on the battle field; they call him Kyuubi after the legendary Kyuubi no Kitsune after the demon fox."

She had to stop as they had reached. Sasuke mused over the news; his curiosity about the kind of man Uzumaki Naruto was peaked. They went in and were welcomed by Arashi-sama. Everyone was seated and talking. Sasuke noticed the blonde at one of the tables up front. He looked splendid wearing rust colored Gi and a black hakama…which he seemed to prefer. He wasn't looking too happy, though that brilliant smile flashed suddenly as he nodded to someone. Sasuke wondered how a fake smile could look that genuine.

Naruto looked up suddenly and caught sight of Kikumi-san. Sasuke found himself receiving a small genuine smile. No brilliant white teeth or anything, just a sweet smile. He felt his heart stop. He smiled back and walked to the man, taking a seat beside him.

"Happy birthday, Naruto-sama." Sasuke said watching the blonde nod.

"Thank you Kikumi-san. Hope you enjoy yourself, ne?"

Sasuke found himself drowning in Naruto's eyes. "I'm sure I will Naruto-sama, would you like cha or sake? Please allow me to pour some or you."

"Sake." The answer was crisp. Once he poured a little for the blonde, Naruto downed it in one gulp. Sasuke wondered whether to refill it…it seemed like the man wanted to get drunk all ready. But the blonde just looked at him patiently.

Sasuke held the gaze, before looking down with a light frown and extending the bottle to pour some more. Suddenly Naruto's cup was taken away. Sasuke looked up surprised. "Naruto-sama…what…?"

Naruto shook his head. "You don't want me to drink another cup, do you? I will oblige you this once, but once the banquet begins, you will pour me as many as I please."

Sasuke didn't have a choice except to nod. Then Arashi-sama called for silence. "On this happy day, we are celebrating my son Naruto's coming of age. He has turned twenty and will be accompanying us all on the battle field. I could never ask for a better son. May he have a good long life with the one's he loves and may his every dream come true."

Arashi hugged Naruto, slapping him on the back. The blonde smiled back at his father. Then he looked at them all determinedly. "Arigato, Otou-san. Now that I will fight by your sides, I promise to put in all my effort. I will avenge my mother and any of you who have been wronged by Orochimaru. Victory will be ours, I promise it."

No one laughed at him. Sasuke was surprised to see everyone nodding seriously. He also knew that Naruto was not joking, if the blonde could secure their victory he would…in any way possible. After a moments silence, Naruto smiled at everyone. Smiles and laughs broke out everywhere, and the banquet truly began.

Naruto excused himself and Sasuke watched as he strode out. For a moment Sasuke wished he could stride too, instead of taking small steps. Sasuke waited and waited, but he didn't return. TenTen saw his slightly disgruntled look and smiled.

"Kikumi-san, you look a little tired, maybe you should get some fresh air." TenTen said clearly, so everyone could hear her. Sasuke blushed a bit and looked down.

"Hai, nee-chan. Arigato."

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Stepping into the garden, Sasuke wondered how to find Naruto…it was a very large garden. He walked towards the trees and found that he had escaped from the view of the house. Relying on his intuition, Sasuke kept walking, until he caught sight of the rust colored Gi. Naruto was sitting at a well made pond, staring into the water. He looked up and saw Sasuke.

"Kikumi-san…"

Sasuke wondered what to say. Talking or making conversation wasn't exactly his forte. "Naruto-sama. I just needed some fresh air…TenTen nee-chan said I could come out. I wasn't expecting to find you here."

Naruto smiled. "I just like it out here." Sasuke caught site of a small, well carved monument a feet away from Naruto. Upon closer inspection, he realized that it was a gravestone. His eyes strayed to Naruto, who was still staring into the water. Then he looked up once more.

"You could sit down if you like, Kikumi-san. I'm sorry I am not in a better mood to entertain you, today." His quiet voice, made Sasuke want to hug him.

Sasuke sat down, next to him, watching the water with him without a word. They sat in silence, enjoying it somewhat. Until…

"What made you come out here, Kikumi-san…tell me the truth now." His voice startled Sasuke who had gotten used to the silence. He looked at Naruto confused.

"I…I don't know, Naruto-sama." He replied honestly. He really had no idea…he just really wanted to be with the blond…no other explanation.

Naruto nodded. "I understand. This was the place my mother was killed. Today was the day she was killed…no doubt someone told you all about it, all ready."

Sasuke just watched Naruto, hoping he would continue. He did. "She was beautiful…the woman who was coveted by everyone. She was supposed to have been Orochimaru's fiancée, but she broke it off when she fell in love with my father. He never forgave her…my father had been his rival in everything."

Instinctively, Sasuke moved closer to Naruto, without really touching him. Naruto ignored the gesture. "It was my birthday then too. It was seven years ago. We were at this very spot, watching our koi fish. She loved feeding the fish; father was away on a mission for Jiraiya-sama. I still don't know how he got inside…but suddenly there he was. I had my back turned to him, my mother was sitting behind me, and I didn't sense his presence until I heard a scream. When I turned around, he was holding her by the hair. I tried to help her, but I couldn't…I was too weak." He clenched his hands.

"He smiled maliciously…I wanted to kill him, but everything I did was futile. She was crying…not because she was scared, but because she didn't want me hurt. He told her he would spare her, if she married him…she refused, so he jerked her head back and slit her throat. Her neck was so pale…the blood was so red against it… I saw the life slipping out of her. He laughed as she died! He called it my birthday gift." Naruto stopped…his eyes burning with rage.

Sasuke couldn't help but reach out to trace the scars on his cheek. Naruto stiffened as his fingers touched him. He turned to look into Sasuke's eyes, his gaze unreadable…Sasuke suddenly noticed that his eyes were red! But he couldn't look away.

"I'm sorry. Sorry for everything you have been through." Sasuke whispered. The real reason being that he felt guilty for being the one Naruto spoke to, when he was siding with Orochimaru.

Naruto turned away, breaking all contact. Then he stood up. "Gomen, Kikumi-san…but I must go back to the party. Join us when you are ready." With that he walked away abruptly, leaving Sasuke staring at him, his face devoid of all emotions and his heart raging with half a dozen of them.

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A/N: yeah it won't follow the same memoirs story it's not a parody. Well what do you think….I know it might seem like it's too soon to give Naruto's past away, but I have a reason! Hope you like it and thanks a bunch for reviewing people!

Taka