Don't own Naruto
Chapter 1
Somewhere near the capital of Uzumaki, Nihon, the emperor of Konoha studies a map of the Holy Kingdom.
"The scouts are just returning from the field your majesty" informs an officer as he enters the emperor's tent.
Madara looks away from his map, raises his gaze and looks at the officer who's a captain of his personal royal guard, a warrior of the elite, named Ryuzaki with brown hair and eyes with a tan complexion.
"Report, is Uzumaki mounting a defense against us or not?" asks the impatient emperor, of course he doesn't show that outwardly, to everyone he's the epitome of patience, to show emotions was not an Uchiha trait.
"No that we can see the scouts' report that the whole citadel looks empty. Everyone seems to be locked up in their homes. The only soldiers that can be seen are the ones guarding the palace. The streets are empty and the market is close sire" reports the officer.
The emperor gets a contemplative look on his eyes, what could they be planning? , it's the foremost thought on the emperor's mind. He's a smart man and knows that Uzumaki it's a small kingdom full of mystery and magic, he knows that although small the kingdom has not survive centuries independent and neutral by being weak. He decides to send emissaries to the palace, if he can he wants the whole thing to end without bloodshed, after all it's a bad augur to start a marriage by destroying your intended's city.
"Captain, bring me general Uchiha (Itachi) tell him that I need him for an extremely important and delicate mission", says Madara. With a final salute towards his emperor the captain leaves to comply with his orders.
It's not five minutes after the captain's departure when general Itachi enters the royal tent. Itachi is a man with long black hair caught on a low ponytail that rest between his shoulder blades. Dressed in battle regalia, chain mail covered with a black surcoate that shows a prowling silver wolf as sign of his position, high black leather boots. Tall at 6 feet, though not as tall as the emperor who reaches 6'3 of height, stoic handsome face with black, and sometimes cold, eyes. Itachi, though an Uchiha and cousin to the emperor, preferred to start his military career at the very bottom of the army then rose through the ranks with sheer determination, hard work and skill. No one can say that the general it's just another pretty aristocrat because they may find themselves badly beaten by said general. There is no one as loyal to Madara as his general and cousin Itachi.
The general salutes his emperor and stand ready for any mission. Madara looks at his cousin and can't help the small smirk that comes to his face. "General it's nice to see you; I have an important mission for you. I want you, with a small contingent of men to go to the palace as emissaries and give this letter to the High Prince, but make sure that only the prince reads it. Other wise the letter's offer will be null. I expect you to be back by nightfall, and since the sun it's at its highest point in the sky you have at least 6 hours to complete the mission."
The emperor gives his general a closed letter with the royal symbol of Konoha stamp on it with red wax. The cousins look at each other and this time Itachi can't help smirk at Madara for he knows more or less what's written on the missive for the new High Prince of Uzumaki, Naruto Namikaze. With a final salute the general departs to fulfill his orders.
After Itachi's departure Madara remembers the events of 4 years ago, their first meeting...
Flash Back
"Hello young man may I know what your name is?" asks Madara to the small heavenly creature, who is dressed in a light blue tunic and barefoot.
Said creature responds with a shy "Naruto my lord". Madara smiles at Naruto takes a step back and presents himself in a very courtly manner, he makes gentlemanly bow and says "My name is Madara and is a pleasure the meet you Naruto".
By this time Naruto has a flush complexion that, even though he doesn't know it, makes his face more beautiful and delicate. Something that does not escapes Madara's sharp eyes, making his smile grow as he straightens from the bow. Naruto looks at the ground, but Madara with his fore finger brings up his face so he can look more closely at him. Naruto can't help but be mesmerized by those endless black eyes, all a sudden a yell coming from a back entrance of the palace rents the air and they break contact.
Madara looks at the direction of the yells and sees a blond hair girl with blue eyes calling for Naruto. Said boy winces and smiles up at Madara, "I'm sorry my lord but I have to go as you can see, it was nice meeting you I hope we can see each other again". With that said Naruto runs up to meet up with the girl. Madara fallows him with his gaze and see how the girl appears to be scolding the boy, Naruto says something that he can hear, then the girl throws her arms up and marches to the palace. Naruto before entering the palace looks back at Madara and with a small smile wave's good bye at him.
End Flash Back
Madara smiles at his memories, and still can't believe that its being four years since that fateful meeting.
At the camp
Itachi arrives to his tent and calls for his second in command, an army colonel called Kakashi Hatake, a tall man with messy silver hair, a mask that covers the lower half of his face and a scar on his right eye, with an easy disposition but quite ruthless when he wants to.
Said man enters the tent and salutes his general. "Hatake assemble five of the strongest and capable men you can find and meet me outside with horses ready, we are to go the palace as the emperor's emissaries and deliver an important missive", informs the general. With a salute and a "Hai" Kakashi departs.
When Itachi finishes his preparations he exits his tent, to find the five "men" he requested. The first is a man with a bored look and a toothpick on his mouth named Genma, beside him is a tall guy with scars all over his face name Ibiki, the third guy has a tan complexion and a cigarette on his mouth, next to him is a guy with a big white sparkly grin and black hair cut bowl styled named Gai. To complete the group there are two women the first one named Anko, she may be small but only a fool would think her weak, the other woman is Kurenai, she looks delicate but behind those crimson eyes of hers lays a strong cunning woman.
Kakashi is the only one who hasn't mounted his horse yet, waiting for his general's approval. When Itachi mounts his horse without a word Kakashi does the same, beside him it's a boy named Konohamaru who gives him a white banner on a pole to show the people of Uzumaki that they are not there to fight but to talk.
The small contingent has just arrived to the Royal Palace of Uzumaki, and it only took them one hour to get there. They faced no one on the road, the only time they had to stop was when the arrived at the palace's gates. As leader of the group Itachi took command and informed the guards of their intentions. The guards looked at each other and the youngest of the group of four ran to palace's entrance. While the group from Konoha waited they admired the splendor and beauty of the place. The palace was made of white marble with many towers with windows and balconies, with royal blue roofs. It was located at the highest point of the citadel; you could see the whole city from it. The palace was surrounded by a high wall made of rose granite with five watch towers along the whole of it for the stationed sentries. Around the wall was a moat that served as a defensive measure in case of attack, to get to the portcullis you had to cross a hanging moving bridge that once on it a person had to be extra careful because there were trap doors all over it and who knew what those doors could guide you to. Five minutes later the guard returned panting and with an ashen face, he then proceeds to inform the other guards of whatever had happen at the palace. Then they opened the portcullis and let them enter, leaving the horses with the guards they had to walk the rest of the way.
Once they arrived to the palace's gigantic doors, which were made of oak, a man opened a smaller door which the Konoha group had not noted before. The man sized them up and the hurried them inside. Like little kids at a candy Shoppe, except for Itachi since he had been inside the place four years ago, they stared at the visitors' foyer with awe. The elegant white walls were covered with many beautiful tapestries; some depicting battles others with country sceneries. There were also paintings of knights of old and powerful sages, and statues of gods made of marble of different colors and metals. While they were looking around the man that had let them in had to clear his throat to get their attention.
"Welcome to Kyuubi Palace, my name is Iruka Umino and I will guide you to the throne room". Everyone looked at the man, he had brown eyes and long dark hair caught on a bushy ponytail, a tan complexion and a scar across his nose. Without saying a word they all fallowed him. A few minutes later they arrived to a pair of large white gilded doors that were carved with scenes of foxes doing different things, some were running others flying, and so on.
Iruka turned around and with a very stern look and voice told them, "Beyond this doors you will meet the High Prince of Uzumaki remember to speak only when spoken to, otherwise with the mood the prince is at the moment he might actually send your heads back to your emperor as a greeting."
With these words Iruka then proceeded to open one of the doors so they could enter. To say that the emissaries from Konoha were a little nervous would be an understatement; even the stoic Itachi had sweat drop after that ominous warning. But since they were season loyal warriors of the Empire of Konoha they will do everything in their power to fulfill the orders of their emperor, and so forward they went. They just hoped that they would be able to return to their empire with their heads on, but one can always dream.