Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Imperial Wars of Love and Passion
Chapter 3: Lustful Looming
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It was a long tiring journey to the Kingdom of Suna, or at least that was how the soldiers felt. Not that it was a by any means a long distance from Suna to Konoha. But…
"Yoshi! Come on! Three minutes was plenty of time to rest! Let's hurry and deliver this message to Pharaoh Sabaku no Gaara!"
General Rock Lee was the reason for their fatigue. He somehow felt they needed to reach their destination in half the normal time of travel. And even when they did rest, it was for the shortest amounts of time that no man could rest at.
"General… please a little more time. We have almost reached Suna anyways."
Lee opened his mouth to retort to the soldier's comment, but was interrupted as the scout he had sent up ahead came back to report.
"General! We are about half a day's hike from down the mountain towards Suna."
Lee grinned and shot a fist into the air. "Then we shall make it in half that time! Let's go troops! I can feel the energies of youth rushing through my veins! Suna has something waiting for us! I can feel it!"
He didn't even notice as his soldier's begrudgingly followed their leader, capable… but insane was the agreed upon description for Rock Lee.
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Bored, bored, bored. Naruto couldn't find a better way to describe himself than with those words. Who knew that working in the palace could be so utterly boring.
Though he did feel a bit bad for leaving Shino in their study/workplace alone, he told him that he needed some fresh air, and Shikamaru had been called out.
Speaking of Shikamaru, Naruto couldn't help but think back to the conversation they had yesterday.
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"And that family was…?"
Shikamaru's lips twitched into an almost amused lazy smirk. "You can find that out for yourself."
And Naruto pouted for a bit, before he urged Shikamaru to continue on with the story.
"Well… after they hired my father, they were very kind, kind enough to take our family in their midst and let us live on their compound, and work for our stay. My father became the master of the houses' stable keeper, my mother was one of the mistress' servant girls, and I was the young master's pageboy." At this last mention, Shikamaru's voice seemed to soften, just the slightest bit.
"He was beautiful and kind. And he became one of the most important people in my life. He had never really wanted to go out and associate with other people, and it took him a while to get used to me. He taught me shogi, and I taught him the joys of cloud watching." Shikamaru gave a short amused chuckle.
"I felt really happy, being able to be by his side… but at the same time, I felt like he needed so much more than what I could give him. So… I told him I wanted to take the exam to become an official, though I didn't tell him it was because I wanted to be fit to be by his side, to prove my worth. I don't know why… but he… he got really angry at me." Shikamaru looked to his hands, fingers put in the angle he had it, when thinking, when concentrating, when trying to discuss something painful for him.
"I took it anyway, and I passed as you can see. And… then… he…" At this point Shikamaru grit his teeth, hands clenched into fists, eyes shut tight, crying, yet not allowing himself to cry.
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Naruto was sympathetic to Shikamaru's pain, but confused at the same time. Confused because Shikamaru was crying; was this master of his that important to Shikamaru. Just what kind of relationship did they have, enough for him to cry for?
The blond didn't get dwell on it for long, as he heard the person in question's voice from a small gap that could have counted for an alley between two of the buildings in the palace. Along with another voice he didn't recognize.
In a panic, Naruto leveled himself with a wall just around the corner to the alley, not wanting to be seen, or accused of eavesdropping though that was what he was about to do.
"Shikamaru!" Neji grabbed the genius' shoulder before slamming him into the wall, pinning him down to make sure he wouldn't move.
"Why are you running from me?" Neji asked, tone calm, but various emotions flashing through his eyes, mostly anger and hurt. "Do you hate me now?
Shikamaru's head was tilted towards the floor, avoiding Neji's gaze, before he snapped it up at that question, shock evident in his eyes. "I'd never hate you Neji… you are the only one… that isn't troublesome. But aren't you the one who hates me? I took the exams even though you were furious that I wanted to, and you haven't spoken to me for months… I thought you…" Shikamaru diverted his eyes once more, trying not to let too many emotions come out at once.
"Shika… " The general sighed. "You are an idiot."
Shikamaru would have replied, if it wasn't for Neji covering his mouth with his own, coaxing it open with his skilled tongue.
He was going to let himself fall into Neji's kiss, but his sensibility took over and he pushed Neji away with as much strength as he could muster; wasn't much.
"We…" Another kiss interrupted him before he turned his head away and Neji began kissing down his neck. "We can't Neji!" He hissed in a loud whisper. "You have…" More tears began to form on Shikamaru's eyes again. "You are betrothed!"
Neji turned Shikamaru's face toward him and looked dead serious. "I don't care Shika. I want you." He nipped Shikamaru's bottom lip, and gave it a small suckle before kissing his way along his jaw line and then attacking his neck, marking him at the joint of his shoulder and neck. Shikamaru held his mouth with his hands so he wouldn't make any noise. In his mind he thought this was so troublesome, but in his heart he felt complete.
Turning his face away, Naruto's face was tinged with the redness of embarrassment. He was amazed at the new knowledge he had just seen, but knew that if anyone were to find out about this, it would mean nothing but trouble.
"Hey you! What are you doing there?" A loud bark threw Naruto from his thoughts.
Looking towards the direction of the voice that he had heard, Naruto saw a person bound in imperial armor, though very different from that of a regular soldier. Must be of high ranking were his thoughts. He had two markings on his face and piercing black eyes. His shaggy brown hair was hidden under a metal helmet and his white dog stood beside him, glaring at Naruto as well.
Naruto tried to stay calm. He knew he had to distract this person so that Shikamaru could have time to escape. "Uh… I'm… er…" Okay he had nothing. Damn. "I'm admiring the scenery!"
The guard raised a skeptic brow. "Of an alley?"
The blond wanted to bang his head against the wall. "Yes! I love the sight of the tiles!" Just go with it, he'd find his way out of this situation eventually.
"So uh… I'm Uzumaki Naruto, the new court official! Who are you?" He asked, trying to make idle conversation. Hopefully Shikamaru and Neji had escaped now instead of continuing to suck face, or rather Neji sucking Shikamaru's face.
"I am Inuzuka Kiba, Captain of the Royal Guards." He said proudly, though he looked a bit arrogant if Naruto had a say in it. "Although I do not wish to interrupt your... sightseeing, I really must ask you to leave. This is Lady Hinata's quarters."
Naruto's eyebrows shot up, had he wandered that far? But it should have been a bit obvious since Hyuuga Neji felt safer in his cousin's jurisdiction then another consorts.
"Oh of course! Was just going to leave myself." He was about to walk away when he spotted Shino walking toward him. "Shino?"
"The emperor is looking for you, he sent a eunuch to come fetch you." Shino said quietly.
Naruto would have gave him a smile of gratitude, if it weren't for his anxiety of seeing emperor pain-in-the-butt again.
Not like Shino would have paid attention, since his gaze was focused on the guard beside the blond. Kiba for his part just looked a bit out of sorts with this newcomers' blank stare.
"Alright then, thanks Shino. Uh… goodbye Inuzuka-san." With that he bounded off to his doom.
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Oh gosh I'm so sorry people. This took forever to write. But school's been kicking my ass. It's a bit longer for my usual updates if that helps? Not as long as you'd like I know. Promise I'll try to update sooner next time!
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