Errand Day
Disclaimer: Nope, don't own the characters… Just this plot.
Thanks to Nickyheron, Princess Sin, EnRei, and BlackOnBlack93 for following!
Thank you Nickyheron for the favorite!
:D
The weather was calm and smoldering, the wind was nonexistent and allowed the high temperature to linger, with each breath Sasuke felt his lungs fill with heated air. Naruto glanced to his right and left before whistling a loud bird call, changing his direction suddenly. "Wh-what the hell?" Sasuke called while turning sharply to match the blond's path. "I thought we were going to the stables?!"
"We are." Naruto replied dryly, "I'm not wearing this throughout the village." He pointed to the bright red fabric clothing his chest, simple black pants lay underneath.
"Aren't you not allowed to leave the castle?" The raven asked suspiciously, his dark eyes squinting as he remembered what the blond said long ago.
Naruto ignored the question all together and quickened his pace, turning abruptly once more. Their path leading up a large staircase and down the familiar corridor, toward the hosting prince's chambers. The blond stopped in front of an embellished oak door and caused Sasuke, who was distracted with an animal outside a hallway window, to crash into his side. The raven prince hissed from pain, clutching a top corner of his chest. "Shit, Naruto's shoulders are boney as hell…" The blond held the door open with one hand and used his other to cradling his shoulder, glaring at the once distracted prince "Pay attention teme!" Sasuke analyzed his crush's face, his cheekbones seeming more prominent than he could remember. Naruto rolled his azure eyes and headed into his bedroom, "Come in." He beckoned. He walked over and pulled open his dresser, grabbing out a brown cotton shirt and some common boots. "So where is my love, Sakura?" Naruto smirked as he thought of defeating the raven.
A stab in Sasuke's chest pained him as he heard the blond's choice of words. He calmly sat onto the foot end of the bed and watched the other teen with sharp eyes. "She couldn't come." He flatly said, "Sakura was required, by her parents, to attend a celebration with her kingdom." Sasuke watched Naruto's face fall as if he was groaning. "Or, maybe, she didn't want to see your face." He playfully teased.
The blond quickly turned to the raven and stuck his tongue out. "Asshole."
Sasuke chuckled to himself while Naruto turned away and started to unfasten his embroidered shirt. The blood red fabric slid down skin and lightly fell into a pile on the floor. The raven observed the scene with fascination and a small amount of lust. Naruto's back was defined and there seemed to be no disturbance on his skin. His spine protruding outwards and lining straight down his back. Two small dimples lay at the bottom, centered above his hips. Cerulean eyes glanced at the teen sitting on his bed, meeting with onyx orbs filled with a mysterious emotion. Naruto erupted a deep shade of red, "Wh-what are you lookin' at teme?"
Sasuke cleared his throat before responding, "I was, uh, wondering if you had a shirt and pants I could borrow." He glanced downwards at the palms resting in his lap. "This would probably stand out…" The raven mentioned, pointing a thumb at his navy blue ensemble.
"Oh, uh… sure." Naruto replied as he rummaged through his dresser and pulled out a white tunic with dark brown pants. "Here." He stiffly said while walking closer to Sasuke and extended the particle to him.
The raven took the shirt from the other teen and quickly looked over Naruto's front. The blond's ribs poked slightly out, "Has he lost weight?" The worried prince pondered as he remembered the feeling of Naruto's boney shoulder. Another pale hand reached out unconsciously and gently touched the protruding bones. A warm shiver washed over the blond like a giant tidal wave, his eyes growing three times larger than normal. "Are you alright?" Sasuke asked, his face and quiet voice revealing a high level of worry.
The sight of the pained and troubled Uchiha caused a pain in Naruto. He would have normally yelled at the raven or violently smacked his hand away. This time however, the blond felt defeated… He smiled and rubbed the back of his head, "Yeah, idiot, I'm fine." Naruto teased, though his grin faltered for a millisecond. "C'mon! Get ready, before Neji and Hinata leave without us." The blond prince announced turning away to throw on the brown shirt, leaving the room for the Uchiha to get changed.
The elder teen rested his forehead in his palm, "Goddamn it." He groaned.
Naruto rested his back on the wooden door, his legs losing out and causing him to slide down to the cold floor. Light tan fingers combed through the ruffled flaxen locks, a soft groan escaped his throat. "What the hell is wrong with me?" He muttered, holding his other hand in front of his face as he thought of the feeling that consistently comes over him when he touches his friend.
Hinata stood by the brown carriage tying the calf length cloak around her slender neck. Her long ebony hair was tied into a bun high atop her head, eyebrow length bangs rested on her forehead. At the sight of the two princes, the maid straightened her posture and bowed to the young Uchiha. "Welcome Sir Sasuke." She quietly said while lowering her head.
"So I see Neji heard my call." Naruto said as he looked around for the coachman.
"Anyone could hear that whistle, I heard your mother complain about a 'damned bird that just won't leave'…" The pale eyed teen poked his head out from around the horses' rear ends.
"She thought I was an actual bird?!" Azure eyes widened and a long smile spread on his face. "Hell yeah!" Naruto pumped a fist in the air.
Hinata giggled and the Uchiha rolled his eyes, "Idiot." The royal raven teased as he lightly smacked the blond on the back of his head, who responded with a glare before trying to kick Sasuke in the knees.
"C'mon, lovebirds, the carriage is ready." Neji announced while stepping up onto the coach and seating himself at the front. Naruto pushed past Sasuke and started for the opened door, only to be stopped by the young maid. She settled a hand on his shoulder, "Are you sure you should come with?"
"I need to escape this prison for a while." He smiled, but the happiness portrayed in the grin didn't reach his eyes. "Oh! Neji, have you hidden Kyuu?" Naruto quickly changed the topic by asking up to the coachman, who responded with a curt nod.
"Your horse? Why?" The Uchiha prince asked, confusion evident on his face.
"Well my parents can't know that we left, so Neji's assistant will tell them we went riding around the yards." A hand on his hip and a roll of his blue eyes screamed 'Duh!'.
The two climbed into the hazelnut carriage while Hinata sighed from a feeling of defeat. The ride through the gates and into town was quiet, due to the maid going over her list and Naruto putting 150% into avoiding Sasuke's watchful eyes. The silence started to get to the extroverted blond and out of desperation for social contact he turned to the female raven to ask "So, what are we doing today?"
"Well," She started, "we need to buy some bread, pick up some leatherworking supplies for Neji, grab some ale for the King, and stop by the tailor's for her Highness' dress." She listed, counting the chores on her fingers.
Naruto whispered a "Yes!" to himself. "Alcohol!" He cheered.
Sasuke looked up to the ceiling with desperation, "Why? Why must I love this idiot?" He pondered. "You don't need alcohol… You're already a dumbass."
The three teens exited the coach, "Since everything is close to each other, I'll stay here while you get the stuff." Neji informed the group. In response, Naruto gave the driver a thumbs up. "Make sure you don't break or lose my supplies." The long haired raven added while looking directly at the blond prince.
"Sir, we must go." Hinata announced, she lightly tapped Naruto's arm.
"Oh!" The coachman chimed in one last time, "Here's your cloak and an extra for Sir Sasuke." He called, "No must know who you are, remember?" Neji lifted both dark eyebrows above a deadpan expression.
Naruto's face lit up with awe, "You're amazing Neji! So smart." The prince praised as he took one from his friend's hands and tossed the other to Sasuke. "Here Duckbutt, hide that face of yours."
The Uchiha perked an eyebrow at yet another nickname, catching the bundle of fabric with ease. The maid dragged the blond prince inside the first building, a bakery, while Sasuke sauntered close behind. A plump man stood behind a counter wiping his powered hands on an old rag. "Young Hinata!" He bellowed, "Here again to pick up the castle's order?" She smiled gently and proceeded to go over the order of food requested. The two princes stayed out of the way and hung around a large window beside the front door.
"So…" Sasuke muttered, "How was your year?" The awkwardness greatly affected the raven's behavior, messing with the seam of his coat and his gaze focusing outside the window.
"Um…" Naruto paused to think, also turning his attention to the people passing by the window. He hesitated, "How can he make me feel so comfortable?" echoed in his mind. "Kinda rough actually, there have been som-." The blond was interrupted by a sudden shiver. "Gah! Do you feel that?"
"Feel what?" Sasuke asked, looking at the worried blond beside him and cocked an eyebrow.
"It feels like someone is watching us…" A small look of panic reflected on Naruto's face. The raven turned once more to the view of the road, analyzing the environment. Many people were walking past, socializing, but a lone figure stood tall. Their identity hidden inside a large black, hooded, cloak which obscured their face from Sasuke's angle.
"Who the hell?" The Uchiha squinted his charcoal eyes to try to get a better look.
"Boys." Hinata called in a sing-song tone. "Finished, next up is the ale and Neji's stuff." She walked up to them with a bag of food in her arms and a giddy smile on her face. Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a quick look, both agreeing to not mention anything to the maid. The raven prince glanced over his shoulder to look out the window one last time, the figure had disappeared.
Hearty laughter could be heard inside the brewer's store, though half of the building was dedicated to tools and crafts for blacksmithing or leatherworking. Sasuke held the door open for the other two, greeted by a booming call, "YOUTHFUL FRIENDS!" A boy who looked to be their age came bounding toward them.
"Hi Lee." The female raven greeted the energetic shop worker.
"Hinata! Where is your cousin Neji?" Thick eyebrows furrowed.
"He is watching the horses, where is Guy?" She questioned, glancing around the room for the equally energetic adult.
"Master Guy is in the back taking count of the new hammers we received!" Lee smiled widely, "I'll get him now!" He yelled before running off through a curtained doorway.
"Someone is lively." Sasuke stated blankly, making Hinata giggle and Naruto silently chuckle. The three waited in silence for no more than three minutes before a large man emerged from the back rooms.
"Customers! Welcome!" The tall man in green, amazingly similar in looks and personality to Lee, with a dirtied apron tied around his waist greeted them. "What is it you need my young customers?"
As Hinata recited the order for leather polish and beer to Guy, Naruto walked over to Sasuke. "Hey, so do you think someone is following us?"
"Not sure." The raven prince placed a hand on his chin, rubbing slightly as if to help his thinking.
"Sir! Oof." Hinata called for Naruto, her hands full from an overflowing bag. The blond rushed over to help but before he could ask about what he could do, the maid pointed with her head towards the medium sized barrel.
Naruto gladly lifted the keg, a look of 'Mmmm, beer' on his face. "Here," Sasuke chuckled, "let me get the door for you two." The raven offered while bowing dramatically.
"Thank you Sir Sasuke." Hinata bowed her head before exiting the store.
"Don't try to be suave teme." The blond prince muttered, the hidden tips of his ears tinted.
"Awwww." Guy and Lee sighed, "What it's like to be young!" The owner of the combined stores exclaimed, letting loose a hearty laugh.
Naruto set down the wooden barrel with a loud thud, he stretched his arms before whistling the same bird like sound. Sasuke offered to help Hinata with holding the bag full of bread and tools but became distracted with a small clang sound behind them. With a squint of his eyes, the Uchiha could point out a similarly tall figure in the shadows of a neighboring building. Before he could call out to either the mysterious figure or to Naruto, the brown carriage rolled up to them. "You called?" Neji asked sarcastically. "Got everything?"
"Not quite yet, we still need to get her Highness' dress." The raven maid answered, opening the coach door and placing the large bag onto one of the seats.
Naruto pointed to the coachman and then down to the keg. With a sigh, Neji jumped from his seat and helped the prince lift the barrel into the carriage. Sasuke turned back to where he saw the figure, only to find them gone again.
"Let's go" Hinata called, already walking ahead of the Uchiha with Naruto in tow.
The tailor's shop was painted a bright blue with an array of plants decorating the windows. The maid held open the door and motioned for the two princes to enter, a gesture which Naruto refused. "I'm not going in there… The dressmaker comes to the castle often, she'll recognize me!"
"Go on ahead Hinata, I'll stay with him out here." Sasuke decided.
With a small nod and a bow, the maid headed inside. "Why do I have to be stuck with an asshole like you?"
The Uchiha turned to his companion, "What the hell has been your problem today?" Sasuke asked with a tone mixed with anger and worry.
"What the hell is MY problem? What about YOU and your schemes?!" Naruto erupted.
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Like hell you do, the arrangement with our parents. Don't you dare tell me you don't know about it." The blond prince pointed a finger in the young Uchiha's face.
"What about it?" Sasuke asked, still confused. "What does that stupid deal between our parents have to do with anything?"
"I figured out your plan…" Naruto started, continuing after receiving a bewildered look from the raven. "You're trying to distract me so you can swoop in to marry Sakura and the protection!"
"I have no desire to marry her! Why won't anyone realize or understand I only want to marry for love!" He huffed, finally letting loose what had been bothering him for some time. His shoulders drooped from the emotional fatigue, a genuine look of desperation evident on his face.
"A-are you saying you love Sakura?" Naruto asked, still not getting the point the raven was trying to convey. A deep feeling of sadness tugged at his heart, he felt a sort of distress when he thought of his two friends marrying each other.
Sasuke sighed, "How much of an idiot are you?" he mentally asked the blond standing in front of him. He reached out towards Naruto, inches from cupping his jaw, "I don't love that clingy, pink girl. I love y-."
"Little help, please?" Hinata interrupted their conversation, a layered dress obstructing her view.
The raven prince clenched the extended palm as Naruto made his way to help his maid. Sasuke stopped the blond with a tight grip on his shoulder, "Don't worry yourself. Call for Neji."
Naruto pouted cutely and proceeded to whistle the bird song twice, glancing over to the other prince. Sasuke's skin seemed translucent in the sunlight and caused the blond to stare at their direction long enough to spot the approaching men.
"Sasuke!" Naruto called in a panicked tone, pointing a shaky finger to a spot behind the two ravens.
Both the Uchiha and the ebony maid turned to see two figures walking speedily up to them, the men obviously reaching for weapons stored underneath their cloaks. Before either of them could react, one of the hooded men lunged forward and swung a punch at Sasuke. The raven dodge seconds before impact and returned a punch, landing on the stranger's chest. Their hood fell to reveal long blond hair with long side bangs covering one of the man's eyes. "Good one!" The stranger praised the young Uchiha while rubbing his chest, unsheathing a sword from around his waist. The man aimed and swung the butt of his sword at Sasuke's head, "Don't wanna hurt you, just came to apprehend what is ours." A devious smile played on the blond stranger's lips, the raven turned to look at the other two teens. Hinata had dropped the dress onto the ground and Naruto started to run to Sasuke. The second figure, a tall male with flame red hair, rushed out from the shadows behind the blond prince and grabbed him by the hair and neck, starting to force the blond into unconsciousness.
"No." Sasuke exclaimed, "Naruto!" He yelled, Hinata leaned down to grab two small items from her boots and whistled a high pitched sound. She pounced at the man choking Naruto, her cloak flying back to show long and thin daggers in both hands. The redhead looked up in time to dodge the maid's strike and pulled the blond in front of him. The stranger's face remained stone cold as he backed up toward the road. A loud rumble and neighs could be heard approaching fast, Neji rushed the carriage at full speed toward the redhead.
"Dei, fall back." The redhead called to his partner before smacking the already weak Naruto and pushing the now limp teen onto the ground.
"Buuut Sasssoooorrriii." The blond man whined, "I wanna kill someone." He pouted as he looked once more at the roughed up Uchiha in front of him.
"Naruto!" Hinata yelled as she ran toward the knocked out prince. With a huff and a small salute from the long haired figure, the two men ran off into a section between two shops.
"Hey!" Sasuke started to chase after the men, but stopped once he thought of how injured his love could be. "Naruto first." Neji had jumped from his seat and was beside Hinata checking the unconscious blond. "How is he?"
"He will be fine, but we have to get him some first aid for these cuts." Neji informed the Uchiha, "Where will we take him?" He turned to his cousin.
"My room, we can care for him in peace." She replied with a serious look in her pale eyes.
Sasuke waved the two servants away and lifted Naruto into his arms, looking to Neji and nodding toward the coach door. The long haired raven hurried to the carriage and held open the door for Sasuke, who climbed into the coach. Hinata and Neji shared a worried, more like scared, look before grabbing the queen's dress and getting into place to ride back to the castle.
Hinata squeezed herself in between the supplies and the barrel of ale, with her petite body she had enough room to nap peacefully. Awoken by a bump in the road, she looked up and observed the two princes seated parallel to her. Sasuke sat hunched over the passed out Naruto, who was positioned with his head resting in the Uchiha's lap. The raven brushed loose golden strands away from his crush's face, eventually caressing the darkened scared etched into the blond's face. "I was so scared, Naruto." The raven whispered to the sleeping teen, believing he was the only rider in the stagecoach awake. Hinata could just barely hear him and made sure she sat completely still. "I wanted to tell you before…" Sasuke cupped a maimed cheek, "I love you…" His quiet voice wavered from an overflow of emotion. Hinata's pale orbs widened, a tender smile grew on her face.
"Fantastic! He won't get in the way." The maid thought to herself, the bright face of her princess passing through her mind, Hinata's face was practically beaming as she went ahead pretending she was asleep.