Standing Trial

Disclaimer: Naruto doesn't belong to me.

Sending thanks to Enmy, Alexiswazhere, EnRei, Purehearts22, and Whiskersxoxo for following FTML!

Thank you Alexiswazhere, Archangelmika, and Purehearts22 for the favorite!

Thanks a bunch to everyone who reviewed so far! :D

"The meaning of the song is…" Naruto began, too captivated with the woman beside him to hear the pained groan. His azure eyes swimming with contemplation.

He reached out a hand and lightly cupped the maiden's pale cheek, "Something I must tell you later." Naruto smile gently, "I am exhausted and extremely sore."

Hinata pouted and looked up at him with puppy dog eyes, "But you said you'd tell me."

A low chuckle reverberated, "I promise, I'll tell you soon." He lightly patted the cheek he was holding. The ebony woman stood from her spot beside the bed and headed to the station where the mushed mixture was.

"So, Hinata, am I in Natorin?" He wondered, glancing out a window to the right of his bed.

He starred at him for a second before replying with a "Of course, Naruto."

"Where's Sasuke?" The blond asked.

"Wood Sasuke? I believe he is talking with his brother, Wood Itachi."

"Why do you call him 'Wood' Sasuke?" Naruto tilted his head in confusion.

"Are you from another clan?" Hinata stopped gathering up the dirtied bowls to turn to the injured man. "You must not be from the woods, right?"

"I guess you could say I'm not from around here…" He stated while bringing a hand up to rub the back of his head.

"Mhmm." She nodded, "Any Woodlander of high stature, like his majesty Wood Itachi, are chosen children of Mother and must be addressed with respect." The maiden explained, turning back to pick up the small bowls used to heal patients. "Oh! Tenten stopped by while you were resting."

"Really?" Naruto asked, somewhat astonished.

"She brought a bundle of your belongings." Hinata explained as she handed him the ball of clothes.

"Awesome!" He cheered, taking the clothes and grabbing a familiar plastic bag. Naruto tucked the bag into his pocket and set the stiff clothes next to him on the bed. He paused before asking, "Would it be too much if I asked you to call for Sasuke? I would like to thank him for helping me." The blond smiled widely and held his hands together in a begging position.

Hinata rolled her pale eyes, "I'll try, but I make not promises." She sternly told him. Her long white robe dragged along the wooden floor boards as she walked to the door, "I'll even see if I can get some food for you." She smiled sweetly at her new crush.

"Thanks! Love ya!" He cheered.

Hinata blushed a bright shade of pink, Naruto sporting a similar shade as he realized what he said. "I-I, uh… It is a saying back where I come from. K-kinda means like 'You're awesome' or 'You're great'."

The maiden silently bowed before hurrying out the door, too flustered to say anything in response. The injured blond sat upright with a hand on his mouth, "Smooth." He told himself. In a small fit of embarrassment, Naruto ruffled his hair harshly. "Goddamn it…"

Hinata, still flustered, scurried down the corridors and toward the Prince's chambers. "Naruto is such a beautiful man…" She envisioned the tan male, "I have never seen someone with such dark skin and light hair within our kingdom before. He is so different from any Woodlander, a complete opposite of Wood Sasuke." Then it occurred to her, "Why would my Naruto want so much to see his highness? Wood Sasuke is the most handsome in our kingdom… Does Naruto…?" A small feeling of jealousy festered in the back of her mind. "Hold on, Hinata. They are both males, there is nothing to misunderstand between the two." The maiden was so enveloped in her thoughts that she forgot to pay attention.

A loud opening of a door behind her brought the ebony woman to her senses, the prince stormed out of the room and slammed it shut behind him. He clenched his hand into fists and lowered his head, making his spikes tumble forward and obscure his face. To Hinata's surprise, Sasuke slammed a fist onto the stone beside the door "By Mother's will…" He muttered, the maiden could sense and feel the pain and frustration in his words.

"Wood Sasuke?" She delicately called, slowly walking back towards him and reached out a hand. She approached him and lightly lay her hand on his drooped shoulder. "What is the matter, your highness?"

Sasuke abruptly turned to the raven maiden, once he registered who she was he backed away. "Hinata, leave." She shuddered from the utter hatred she saw in his eyes. His onyx orbs churned with hatred then calmed into sadness, she watched his face and defenses fall simultaneously. "I-I'm sorry Hinata, I… I just need to get some air, I'll be back in a moment." He apologized, turning away from the maiden who took his blond and started to walk down the hall.

"Sir! What is wrong? Is there anything I can do to help ease your mind?" She begged, then realizing why she was on a search through the castle. "Naruto wanted me to call for you, he wants to thank you."

"Is there anything you can do? Leave Naruto…" He thought, stopping in his tracks. "Tell him I'm out visiting my mother, he will understand." He casted his gaze downwards, the pain in his chest grew. With that, he resumed his path toward the nearest exit outside.

Hinata stood in front of the closed door, still watching Sasuke's retreating back. "Sasuke…" The room opened and closed once more and similar pale eyes looked up at the obstacle blocking his way.

"Hinata?" The bodyguard called, "What are you doing in front of his majesty's study?"

"Neji, so you are home!" The maiden yelled, giving her cousin a welcoming hug, "Why is Wood Sasuke upset? He just stormed out of the room while I was on a search for him and was extremely angered. What happened in there?"

"Hin, calm your mind." He rested a palm on his cousin's shoulder, his face twisted as he prepared to explain her. "I went to Wood Itachi and informed him of my doubts about the prisoner's story."

"Prisoner? Do you mean Naruto?" Loose strands of dark hair fell over her ashen eyes and furrowed brows.

"Yes, I believe he may be a spy for Kabuto and just wanted to infiltrate our castle to gain information on the entrances."

"Naruto wouldn't do that!" Hinata almost yelled.

"That is what Sasuke thinks as well. But whether he would or wouldn't is up to Wood Itachi now." Neji said as he moved his cousin aside.

"W-what do you mean?" She stuttered as she thought about what he could mean.

"That blond idiot will stand trial for potentially being a spy, Wood Itachi will decide his fate." He announced without facing his heartbroken cousin.

"No!" She screamed, "He can't leave, he isn't a spy!" She begged, tears brimming in her pained eyes. "I think I may love him…" She collapsed onto her knees.

"I'm sorry Hinata, but it is now out of my hands." For the first time, Neji showed an expression of regret and conflict. "Now, I must make the hasty preparations for the trial." He clenched his fists and left his cousin in the hall.

Naruto rested in the bed on his side, his blue eyes cracked open and starring out the window, a red colored sun rose above the tree line. He hadn't realized how late, or early it was. A strange bird, with bright yellow scales and feathers covering it's frog like body, sat on a branch outside the window. The blond was still not sure where he was or if it was a dream or not, though the throbbing pain in his abdomen convinced him this was real. Iruka and the ramen bar passed through his mind, he would be waking up around this time, assuming it was about 6 in the morning, to start getting ready for a long day of serving. Iruka must have reported him missing by now… His stomach growled and he whined as he thought about a big, steaming, bowl of ramen. Would he never be able to eat ramen again? The thought sent him into anguish, "That would be a fate worse than death!" He sniffed back tears. The door to the large room swung open and a distraught Hinata rushed in. "Hinata? Where is Sasuke?" He asked, propping himself up on his elbows.

With her back to him she responded, "He told me to tell you that he is visiting with his mother. He said that you would understand." Her voice wavering slightly.

"Yes, I get it." Naruto nodded, "He needs that so, we should leave him to chat with her." He smiled gently, knowing how relieving it is to talk to his parents.

"Hng…" She turned to Naruto and started to cry.

"Hinata? What is wrong?" The blond panicked and sat up abruptly.

"My cousin…"

"Cousin? Who is your cousin?" Naruto asked,

"Neji Hyuga, He is one of Sasuke's close guards."

"Neji is your cousin? How could that jerk be related to an angel like you?" He thought out loud.

Hinata stopped crying for a second, surprised by the sudden statement. Her pasty eyes filling with tears again, and started sobbing.

"Wha!" Naruto yelled, "I-I didn't mean it! Your cousin isn't a jerk, I'm sorry!"

"No, it's not that." She spoke between sobs. "You are going on trial for conspiring as a spy…"

"Trial? For being a spy?" He repeated. "But I'm not a spy!" Naruto threw his arms up into the air, wincing from pain shortly after.

"I know!" She looked up into his azure eyes, "Sasuke knows too! But it is out of Neji's hands now."

"We can get through this, so stop crying." The blond man spoke softly, lightly running a hand along the maiden's temple and tucked the loose locks behind her pointed ear.

"Naruto, I think I lo-." Hinata started, but was interrupted by Neji and two Natorin guards opening the healing ward's door.

"Lady Hinata, move away from the prisoner." One guard commanded, stepping toward the raveness and drove her away from the blond's bed. The other guard took hold of Naruto's arm and lifted him up, the wounded man still weak from the blood loss.

Neji walked up to the blond and pulled out a parchment, reading the words aloud. "You are required by his majesty Wood Itachi to attend a trial. You have been charged and accused of conspiracy against Natorin Desam, through the act of spying for the enemy." He finished. "Go ahead." The pale eyed man nodded to the guard holding the prisoner up. With a small gesture of respect, the guard s exited the room with Naruto in grasp and left for the assembly. Neji turned to his silently sobbing cousin and knelt down on the floor. "Hinata, I am sorry and I hope you can forgive me."

The woman looked up into similar ash colored eyes, "I could never hate you Neji. I'm sorry, but could you leave me be? I'll be down shortly to attend the trial and lend my support for Naruto."

The streets had gone quiet and scarce, all the Natorin residents were attending the sudden trial for the mysterious outsider. Sasuke walked through the wood grove and gardens, toward his mother and father's grave. The large Mother Tree stood tall and royal above the Queen's resting place. Its lush green leaves shimmered with a gold light, the bark pale and smooth to the touch. Sasuke pressed a hand on the cold trunk and looked down at the small headstone. "Mothers, I am distraught." He lightly muttered, emotion filled in his voice. "I am no closer than before with stopping Orochimaru, I have found a man who gives me strange emotions and thoughts, and that man is wrongly being put on trial for conspiracy. What should I do?" The wind rustled the leaves of the tree and through Sasuke's hair, as if fingers brushed through his locks. "Mom…" He called, remembering his mother's small gesture to calm him. "Naruto is an idiot, he seems and uncultured fool, and at the same time so generous. I feel safe around him and can trust him." He smiled softly to himself. "Hinata and he have connected, I can sense their chemistry." He furrowed his brow, "She can make him relax and speak so freely." He paused shortly before finishing. "Why do I feel this way mom? I have this small hatred for Hinata now, but at the same time I feel so guilty… She has done nothing wrong, so why must I feel this pain in my chest and mind?" His voice reaching just below the point of yelling. Sasuke settled onto his knees and rested his forehead on the tree, his hands falling to his sides. Another gust of wind passed through and made falling leaves waltz through the air. The whistling breeze rushed past the raven's pointed ears, a small but distinct call echoed.

"Sasu~ke…" A feminine voice called through the air.

"Mother." Sasuke replied, his charcoal eyes watering slightly.

Silence passed as the prince knelt in front of the tree, his breathing calmed and peaceful. He could always feel comforted there with his mother and Mother watching over him. "Sasuke." Itachi called as he approached his younger brother. "We have been looking for you, the trial is set to begin soon… You must be present."

"I am aware of that Itachi." Sasuke responded, rising from his spot, facing his older brother and King. "I needed to talk to mother for a moment and calm myself."

"I understand." Itachi looked gently down to his sibling. "I am here as well if you need me."

"You have told me before, I know." Sasuke smirked, lightly and playfully punching his brother's arm.

"Just keep it in mind." The older Uchiha lovingly poked a finger onto his brother's covered forehead. "Let's head back together."

Sasuke nodded silently and touched the tree a last time, muttering a soft goodbye. Itachi bowed to the Mother tree and wrapped an arm around the younger raven's shoulders, chatting as they walked back to the castle for the trial.

A bright silver figure sat upon one of the tree's low hanging branches, her long hair fluttered in a nonexistent breeze. Her gaze loving and proud as she watched her offspring journey together down this path.

Naruto observed the hallways as he was dragged down them by the two guards, one turning to the other and muttering "So this is the guy that caused Jae to be locked up?"

"I assume so…" The shorter guard replied to the other.

The blond, now being dragged through a large entranceway, ignored their chatter and turned his attention to a large portrait hung by vines. The painted picture showed a very stern looking man sitting next to a standing, beautiful, woman with two children around them. His dark hair hung down his neck but didn't touch his collarbone, Naruto could feel the man's black eyes stare at him through the painting. The woman's long black hair fell over her shoulders and bangs framed a face showing a gentle expression. An elegant crown, with what seemed like twisted golden branches, contrasted against her ebony hair and pale skin. The oldest child stood beside the right side, the painted child's right and not Naruto's right, of his father's chair with a blank expression on his small face. The young boy's black hair was tied back into a loose ponytail, which rested over his right shoulder. A much younger child, held in his mother's arms, looked out the painting and reached a small pudgy hand to Naruto. His small black eyes were wide and bright above a cooing expression. Black bangs fell over and around his face, the back and part of the left side spiking outwards. "Sasuke?" Naruto softly asked. "Then that must be Itachi and his parents…" He thought as he glanced one last time at the other three occupants of the painting, the guards pulling him around a corner and out of the large room. Four other guards stood outside red double doors, the wood decorated with a language the blond couldn't understand.

"We have the one in defense." The taller guard holding Naruto announced.

The four other guardsmen opened the large doors and closed them once Naruto and the two men were inside the open room. Rows upon rows of men and women lined the sides of the room, tall and embellished seating were feet away from Naruto. In the largest chair sat a man with long black hair and indents under his onyx eyes, a familiar gold grown sat on his head. "Your majesty, Wood Itachi." The shorter guard brought forth Naruto and proclaimed, "The defending elven has arrived." After the king nodded to the men, the two guards banged their left fists on their chests and said a blessing before leaving. "Mother's love."

"Uh… hi?" Naruto nervously said, glancing to the seat next to Itachi. Sasuke sat in the smaller seat, a thin crown made from intertwining silver vine rested around his forehead. The prince stared blankly at Naruto, but turned his attention to his brother.

"What is your name stranger?" Itachi asked, his voice echoing through the large room.

"Naruto Uzumaki." The blond replied loudly.

"Alright then Naruto, what are you?" The king pondered, rubbing his chin with his hand.

Sasuke turned to his brother in confusion, squinting his eyes. "He is an elven brother."

"Oh! Actually, I'm not…" Naruto chuckled nervously and rubbed his sweating neck.

The young raven looked at the blond with confusion and bewilderment. "Then what are you?" The older Uchiha asked once again.

"Um, human?"

Gasps of astonishment and fear from the crowd filled the room, Itachi's expression darkened and Sasuke looked pained. "Humans are primal savages! He must be lying." Neji spoke up from behind Naruto, Hinata silently standing beside him.

"I-I'm not! I am human! See?" He yelled as he pulled back his blond hair and showed the room his smaller and rounded ears.

Some women screamed in the audience and men yelled for Naruto to be put to death.

"Killer!"

"Monster!"

"Put him to death!"

The blond looked around in fear and disorientation, "I-I'm no killer!"

The room suddenly fell silent as Sasuke stood from his seat, whistling a deep tone which echoed through the room. "I believe Naruto. He is no killer, not like all the other humans we know of." Itachi watched his brother with astonishment, a smirk rising on his lips. "Look at what he wears, at what he brings!" The Uchiha pointed to the dirtied and bloodied cargo pants the blond still wore.

"What have you brought?" Itachi asked the blond, a playful look in his eyes.

Naruto gasped, pulling the plastic material out of his pants pockets, "Here are my things." He announced while holding the bag up in the air. "I highly doubt any human here would have this." He said while taking out and holding up his cellphone, the bright orange case on the phone made the white trimming of the phone stand out. "Or, what about this?" Naruto called as held up his apartment keys, which dangled from and clanged against a vibrant red keychain.

"Then where do you come from?"

"Earth! Well I guess this is Earth…" He stated, "Either way, I lived in a city and worked at a simple ramen bar. I went to visit the orphanage I grew up in and when I went to my old tree house I fell!" He threw up his arms dramatically, not learning from last time and winced in pain. "Gah," He groaned as he clutched his stomach. "I fell through this portal thing and into a lake, the lake where Sasuke came across me."

"Where is this 'portal'?" Itachi asked in a sort of desperation.

"It was over the lake, but it disappeared after I fell."

Murmurs could be heard around the crowd, Itachi sat amused and convinced. "I have decided." He announced, matching his brother and standing up. "You are welcome in my kingdom and have been formally relieved of your charges." As Naruto smiled a large grin, Hinata clapped excitedly, and Sasuke sighed from relief; Itachi smirked and muttered to himself "This will be interesting…" He glanced at his younger brother, who was watching the happy blond with gentle eyes.

Hinata hugged the celebrating Naruto and yelled happily "You're not leaving!" Her pale eyes bright and brimming with happy tears.

"Of course not!" Naruto responded like he had the situation under control. Embracing each other, the two acted on their overwhelming emotions and softly kissed. Their lips gently touching, a warm feeling gushing through them both. When they parted, Naruto nervously asked "Should we do this?"

"D-Do what?" Hinata stuttered with shyness.

"Us, this… What I mean is, do you want to go out with me?" He corrected himself. With an excited nod from the ebony maiden, the two continued their happy embrace.

Sasuke's expression darkened as he watched his blond embrace and kiss the healer, Itachi's amused look fading as well. "Sas-." The older sibling started to call for his brother but before the king could finish, the prince already bolted out the exit. Itachi sighed to himself, worried about his brother.

Neji approached the newly appointed lovebirds and knelt in front of the blond, "I deeply apologize for my rudeness."

"Whoa, dude, what's with the sudden change?" Naruto asked confused.

"Sasuke has never stood against his brother, not to mention the people." Neji explained, rising up from his spot on the floor. "He was right all along."

"Where is Sasuke?" Naruto questioned, looking around the room for his savior.

"I believe he went to his chambers." Itachi broke into the conversation.

"Your highness!" Neji and Hinata simultaneously said, both lowering their heads and bowing.

"Thanks again, for killing me and all." Naruto sheepishly thanked the king.

"You have valuable information about our cause, I couldn't kill you." The royal raven explained, then threw in "Plus, Sasuke seems to have taken a liking to you."

"Your cause?" Naruto tilted his head slightly.

"We are also interested in those portals. Orochimaru, an elven brother conspiring against all of Mother's land, is also searching for them. But that is for a discussion later." Itachi's face showed a happy smile, but Naruto could sense a sort of sadness underneath.

"I should go find Sasuke and thank him." The blond announced, pushing Hinata away and turned to the exit behind them.

"Sometime, I would like to discuss what you know about these entrances." Itachi informed the blond.

Naruto nodded confidently, turning again and started for the exit. "I'll come with you." Hinata spoke up, "You don't know the castle."

"No." Naruto sternly replied though gentle grin, "I can figure it out." His cerulean eyes swimming with appreciation. With that, he left the three ravens in the room and headed down one of the many corridors. Hinata stood, watching his retreating figure, the feeling of distance seeding in her heart.

Hope you enjoyed!

FYI: This coming week, I'm flying with my honor society to Texas for an international conference! I might be too busy to post anything since I'll be also working on term papers (since I only have like 3 weeks of the semester left!).

nwn