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"talking"
'thinking'

Flashback/Memory/Dream


Chapter 7:

Instead of returning to Sasuke's room, Naruto was led around by the two princes. They were giving the boy a tour of the Uchiha castle. They ran into Kakashi who was molesting Iruka. Naruto blushed as he saw them kiss. Itachi introduced Naruto to his friends, Sasori and Deidara. Sasori was a prince from Suna and Deidara was from Konoha. It seemed the Deidara was the cousin of the previous king of Konoha, Minato Namikaze. The blond hugged Naruto and tried to steal him away from Sasuke to talk about "concubine" things. Sasori had saved Deidara from Sasuke's jealous rage.

The next person Naruto was introduced to was a man named Shikamaru. He was a friend of Sasuke's and the tactician for the Uchiha Army. Naruto picked up on Shikamaru's lazy ways, but knew the boy was a genus. Shikamaru stared after the princes and Naruto as the continued to the soldier fort. There was something about Naruto that reminded him about another boy, one with red hair. Shikamaru shock his head. There was no way Naruto was related to the crown prince of Konoha. But Shikamaru couldn't let that thought go. He had some investigating to do.

The soldier fort was the place were soldiers went to hang out with each other. They also trained there. Sasuke and Itachi decided to show off by starting a sword fight. Naruto watched with a bated breath, silently cheering Sasuke on. When Sasuke won, Naruto clapped and jumped on Sasuke, hugging the raven. Realizing what he'd done, Naruto tried to pull away, but Sasuke hugged him closer. Naruto blushed as some soldiers made cat-calls. They separated when Naruto's stomach rumbled. Choji delivered food to Itachi, Sasuke, Naruto, and the soldiers. Naruto blushed as he ate.

The rest of the afternoon, Naruto hung out with the soldiers, listening to their various stories. Itachi had left after lunch to do some "prince" stuff. Sasuke left about two hours after Itachi, since he was called by his father. Naruto was told that he could stay with the soldiers, so Naruto did. When the sky started getting darker, Iruka came out to fetch Naruto. He led the boy to the bathing chambers. Again, Naruto was dressed as a concubine, but this time it was in dinner attire. Iruka brought Naruto to the large dinning room, where Fugaku, Itachi, Sasuke, Kakashi, Sasori, Deidara, Shikamaru, and some others were already seated. Naruto sat down next to Sasuke while Iruka took his seat beside Kakashi.

"Hello again, Naruto-kun," Itachi said.

"H-hello," Naruto blushed.

Sasuke growled. He didn't like how Itachi was acting. Naruto was his and wasn't going to let his brother have him. Itachi gave Sasuke a look that told him that everything was alright, he wasn't after Naruto. Sasuke instantly calmed down. Naruto looked between the two confused but said nothing.

"Sasuke," Fugaku called. "How do you like your gift?"

Sasuke knew he was talking about Naruto. "I love it. Thank you for such a lovely gift."

"Hn," Fugaku grunted. "The King of the Namikaze Kingdom has contacted us. They are looking for someone to wed their Crown Prince. Itachi, I'm thinking about sending you since Sasuke is my hire and has to stay here."

"I'll accept whatever you wish," Itachi said.

"Why not send Sai?" Sasuke asked.

"Sai may be your cousin," Fugaku said. "But he wouldn't make a good Queen. Normally, I'd send a girl, but the Namikaze Crown Prince does not care of the gender of his bride. He will have a concubine to house his hire."

"What do you know about the Crown Prince?" Itachi asked.

"He is the son of the Late King and Queen," Fugaku said. "His Uncle has control of the throne. The Crown Prince is said to have the most beautiful red hair. I heard he takes after his mother."

"What of the rumored twin?" Sasuke asked.

"Twins are bad luck," Fugaku said. "If Queen Kushina had given birth to another child, they would have had to kill it."

"Only if it was a boy," Itachi said. "A female would have lived, though she would be used as a bargaining chip. I bet the current King would have sent her to Sasuke. Then he'd have Prince Kurama marry someone from the Suna kingdom."

"The Suna Kingdom will send Prince Gaara," Fugaku said. "So, you will be competing against him for Prince Kurama's hand."

"Kyu?" Naruto suddenly asked. His eyes were wide. "You are going to marry Kyu?"

"You know the Crown Prince of the Namikaze Kingdom?" Sasuke looked surprised.

"Ah..." Naruto paused. "I was once his friend... before I became a slave."

Itachi smiled. "Would you like to come with me then?"

Naruto looked at Sasuke. "If you want to go, I'll go with you," Sasuke said. He looked at his father. "It would only be right to escort the future Queen of the Namikaze Kingdom. They would look down on us if we don't send at least one family member with Itachi. Besides, I'm sure I could talk the Crown Prince into an alliance, even if he picks Prince Gaara over Itachi." Itachi glared at Sasuke, as if he was saying that he wouldn't lose against Gaara.

"Hm..." Fugaku thought for a moment. "Fine. If Itachi loses, then I was thinking about having him meet Prince Neji. Prince Neji isn't the hire of the Hyuuga Kingdom, but his is the only male close to Princess Hinata's age. May be Princess Hinata is looking for a husband."

"That's a good idea," Sasuke said.

"Then it is final," Fugaku said. "Iruka, Kakashi, your two will go with Itachi, Sasuke, and Naruto to the Namikaze Kingdom. You will start your trip tomorrow." They all nodded. "Now that that's settled, let's eat."

Naruto ate in complete happiness. He knew that going to see Kyu meant he'd get to see Tsunade again. He was going home. Sasuke couldn't wait to finish dinner. He had things he planned to do with his angel. He licked his lips at the thought of his lover under him, begging him to move faster and harder. Itachi noticed the perverted gleam in Sasuke's eyes and smirked. He felt bad for the boy who'd won Sasuke's heart. He just hoped the two would fid happiness together. His thoughts moved to his own future, but he knew he'd learn to love Kurama or Neji or whomever he married. Kakashi was thinking along the lines of what Sasuke was thinking. He couldn't wait to get Iruka back to their room. Iruka was planning everything out. He was going to help Naruto pack, as customary for a caregiver to help the concubine of the Crown Prince.

When dinner ended, Sasuke pulled Naruto back to his room, while Kakashi tried to pull Iruka back to theirs. But Iruka had others things on his mind and broke free from Kakashi. He quickly moved to collect some clothing for Naruto and packed it. Kakashi was forced to pack stuff for Sasuke and Itachi. Iruka had someone ready three wagons, one for all of their stuff, one for the princes and one for Naruto, Kakashi, and Iruka. Naruto would have to ride with Iruka and Kakashi as customary. Concubines were not allowed to ride with the princes unless at least one prince was married.

Naruto fell asleep in Sasuke's arms. He was happy, but he feared that something bad would happen soon. It was always that way. When Naruto finally felt safe and happy, something was taken from him. Sasuke also sensed danger, but he silently promised that he'd protect Naruto at all costs.