Inside a meeting room you can see a young man sitting at a desk going over complaints about land boundaries between feuding farmers. He is very irritated and you can tell from the scowl on his handsome features. His long silky dark chocolate hair flows out behind him while stress lines mar his forehead from concentrating on his work. His silver pearl like eyes seem to scan over the documents with a finesse that only comes from experience. His broad muscular form clad in white royal robes sits in his elaborate seat, posture perfect as an exasperated sigh escapes his flawless lips. Soon he is interrupted from his work for a moment by a servant knocking on his office door, the distraction is very welcome.
"Come in." he commanded
"Your highness, I've received word of the Uchihas." a messenger informed his leader
"Well then give me your report."
"Yes sir. The heirs to the Uchiha throne are en route here and are estimated to arrive within three days time." he finished tersely
"Make the proper preparations for our guests then. We have to make sure that when they arrive that they are comfortable. Knowing them they'll expect to be pampered, after all they are royalty. Now go." he ordered
"Of course your majesty!" the servant scurried off to do his lord's bidding
'So much to do for just 2 people and their entourage. They better not be pompous bastards. The last thing I need are 2 stuck up snobs to baby sit. I'm stressed enough as it is. Talking about stress I think I should go see the misses to relieve it.' With that thought the young king went off to find his wife.
--
Here we find ourselves in a wondrous garden of the finest degree. The floral variety ranges from the common flower to the most exotic and beautiful of plants. It is an amazing sight to behold and you can tell it is well taken care of because everything is of the highest quality. Amidst all of the splendor of the garden is an equally beautiful young lady.
Her moves are graceful and elegant and her demeanor is one of calm and contentment as she grazes through her garden. The young woman radiates innocence and tenderness that instantly warms a person's heart at the sight of her. A breathtaking smile adorns her angelic face as she hums a lovely tune with her melodious voice. She is truly a rare beauty indeed, especially in her appearance.
Her silken hair is of a fine shade of black that shines a lovely indigo sheen in the light as it cascades down to her lower back. The midnight blue of her hair frames her gorgeous face as it makes a marvelous contrast to her milky colored soft skin and her ivory pearl eyes, though if you looked close enough you'd see that they glow with a faint lavender hue in them.
And we mustn't forget her beautiful body, it is so voluptuous and curvy in all the right places that it could give the goddess of love herself a good run for her money. Only one word could describe it and that's magnificent.
She seems like an angel sent to Earth to bless men with her heavenly presence. You can easily say that she is the most beautiful creature to ever grace the land and her beauty is legendary across the world, making her the highly sought out object of men's desires and affections without even knowing it.
Sadly for them she is taken by the young king that has come to seek her out at this very moment.
"Hinata, I've finally found you." her husband called out to her as he approached her
"Ah! You surprised me. Did you need me for something?" she asked him
"I only need you to come to bed with me. You know how stressed I get when you aren't by my side."
"Yes Neji."
--
A few hours later the king awoke feeling relaxed and seeing a sight he took pride in constantly. His wife looking disheveled in her slumber after a session of 'love making'. It meant that he was the only man that would get to be with her like this and he loved that feeling. He could just lay there and watch her for hours that way.
But that's neither here nor there, he realized that he had to fulfill his kingly duties and handle business for the next few days to come. With that thought he promptly got cleaned up and dressed, then exited the room with one last possessive glance back to his woman on their bed. (A/N: I didn't write citrus, so imagine what happened. I can write lemons I just don't feel like it right now.)
--
"Ah Lee, my friend! I'm surprised to see you back so soon from your honeymoon!" Neji greeted his good friend in an unusually good mood, "So how was it with the little lady?"
"It was wonderful your grace! I just wished it could've lasted longer but alas I have my duties to you and this kingdom and I must fulfill them." Lee said solemnly
"You've always been a dutiful person Lee, even since we were kids. I know I made the right decision when I made you captain of the guard. I can't trust anyone else like I trust you old friend."
"Thank you my lord!" Lee exclaimed proudly
"Since you're such a faithful subject of mine how about you enjoy the festival coming up and stay in the palace with me and my guests that are due to arrive soon. You deserve it and be sure to bring the missus, you both should enjoy your stay here together." he told him sincerely
"Why thank you very much sire! I don't know how I can repay you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" he said gratefully and full of excitement
"No need to thank me, I do still expect you to do your job while you're here though. Am I clear?"
"Yes sir!" he bowed with a huge smile before leaving the room
--
The next 3 days passed by in relative peace for the Uchiha brothers as they sailed to the other nation. They helped their men take care of the ship so that they had something to do, soon the duo and their crew spotted land and prepared to dock. When they reached their destination they were greeted by a sight of luxury and beauty all at once. 'Looks like I'll enjoy my stay after all.' the younger of the 2 thought to himself as he gazed at the splendid land before him along with the abundance of exotic women.
"Welcome to my humble abode Uchihas." the king greeted politely, "I hope everything is to your liking and that your trip was pleasant enough."
"The trip was fine and this is a very warm welcome indeed your highness." Itachi responded courteously
"You are very kind to welcome us so nicely your grace." Sasuke commented calmly
"Of course, it would not be proper to do it any other way and I wouldn't have it. You are here for a good reason after all so let's not waste any more time here and go back to my castle to discuss the matter at hand."
"Right. Please lead the way your grace."
--
"Well, how do you like it?" the king asked
"It's lovely your highness." Itachi stated without fail
"A little extravagant if you ask me." Sasuke muttered under his breath while looking around the room
"Hmmm? What was that young prince?" Neji inquired
"Oh, it's nothing your lordship… I was just commenting on how beautiful it all is. That's all." he covered while adding as an afterthought, 'Yeah right… this is over the top, way too much over the top.'
"Well I'll have some of the maids move your things to your sleeping quarters and I'll show you around the castle." with a clap of his hands a number of servants came out and began to move their belongings to their designated room
"If I may King Hyuga, why don't you and I go somewhere to discuss our treaty arrangements and you can have your workers give Sasuke the tour. We should get down to business as soon as possible if that's all right with you?" Itachi proposed
"Not a bad idea Prince Itachi. I'll take you up on that suggestion. Lee! Come here!"
"Yes your highness!" a young man came bumbling in dressed in a green nobleman's outfit
"Show Prince Sasuke around while I discuss some things with his brother. And don't worry Prince Uchiha he is a good fellow and my most trusted of guards, you're in good hands with him." with a nod to Itachi both men exited the room
"If you will follow me your highness." Lee asked Sasuke
--
Hinata found herself wandering around the library to find something to do. After all, she can't leave the castle unless her husband allows her to.
'This is so uneventful. He treats me like some porcelain doll or something fragile, I mean is it really necessary to keep me confined here like this? And damn him for ordering the staff to spy on me like watch dogs. He can be so overbearing sometimes that it's really frustrating.'
You'd get bored too if you were stuck in the same place all day everyday. Not liking her thoughts, Hinata walked off to get some fresh air in the courtyard.
--
Lee and Sasuke were just walking around the palace while chatting. He was doing as he was ordered to do and was giving the guest the grand tour of it all. He would point out numerous things and go into long drab explanations behind each one. To be frank, he didn't particularly like this aspect of the job and neither did his guest but both just decided to grin and bear it until finally they were nearly done.
"And this is the courtyard!" Lee declared with a tired sigh to follow
"How… nice. I can tell you enjoyed it as much as I did." Sasuke said sarcastically
"Yup, you got me there… this is too boring."
"Well then why don't we talk about something else or do something." he suggested
"Like what your majesty?"
"Like… tell me about yourself."
"Okay. Let's see, I'm captain of the royal guard just like my father before me. Although he's long since died an honorable death protecting our great king's father in the last Great War. I carry on his name and his title."
"So you're of noble birth as well." Sasuke stated more than asked
"No… not exactly." he said cryptically
"What do you mean by that? Whose your father?"
"Well…" Lee started before being cut off by a surprised squeal
"Lee!" a young woman screamed catching both men's attention
--
Hinata was just wandering aimlessly when she turned the corner and spotted someone familiar.
'I wonder who those two are? Hey, I think I know one of them. The one in the green looks familiar but who is his friend, he's very attractive. Is that… oh my goodness it's him! He's back!' She thought in astonishment. Just then in all of her excitement at seeing her old friend she yelled out…
"Lee!" she called out in recognition, getting his attention and his companion's
--
When Sasuke laid eyes on her, his mouth fell open. He was completely floored by her beauty. Her striking appearance made him fall for her in an instant. This was the first time he had been utterly smitten with a female before and he just knew it was love at first sight for him by the way his heart pounded in his chest threatening to burst at any moment. He sucked in a deep breath with a hiss as he saw her gracefully make her way towards them and his palms began to sweat out of sheer nervousness. He could only think one thing, 'heavenly'.
"My lady! It's wonderful to see you again! How have you been?" Lee beamed as he gave her a hug
"I've been fine, how about you? I heard about your marriage. I wish I could've been there, it must've been beautiful. Congratulations by the way." the woman responded kindly
"Why thank you. It was great and I promise to tell you all about it later because right now I'm entertaining a guest for your husband my queen." he informed her and then turned to Sasuke, "Prince Uchiha, I would like you to meet her majesty, Lady Hinata, the queen of Higure kingdom."
Sasuke was snapped out of his stupor by those words. 'The queen, she couldn't be, could she? Why all the rotten luck? I can't believe she's taken but then again I would be surprised if she wasn't. Damn it all!' He mentally grieved about the lost chance with her.
"It is an honor and a pleasure to meet you my lady." Sasuke said suavely while taking her hand and leaving a sweet kiss on it
"The pleasure is all mine Prince Uchiha." she said with an adorable blush as he kissed her hand and bowed to her
His heart just melted right there at the lovely expression adorning her face. He marveled at the smooth silkiness of her hand and how good she smelled. Her voice sounded like an enchanting melody that had cast a spell on him like a siren. All he wished for in a woman was standing right before him and all he wanted to do was bask in her presence, her very essence. Sasuke could not deny that he had strong feelings of desire for the woman standing in front of him. Giving an amiable smile to him she turned back to face Lee.
"So I see my husband has you playing tour guide now." she said playfully with a delicately raised brow, "It's wrong to be making a fine man as yourself do such simple tasks, when we all know you should do something more fitting with your skills."
"I honestly don't mind your grace. It's my duty to serve the king after all." he replied with a smile, "And it is also my duty to take care of an angel such as yourself my lady."
"Ah, you're too kind Lee. Please don't flatter me so, you're embarrassing me." she giggled
"What flattery do you speak of my queen, it's just honest simple facts. My words are more than just compliments, they're the truth." he teased
She blushed at his behavior but remained composed all the same. Out of politeness she offered them to have tea with her in the gardens.
"That would be wonderful your grace, that was the last place I had to show the prince anyways." Lee accepted
"How about you Lord Uchiha?" she inquired softly
"I would like that your highness." he responded courteously and with his confirmation they all headed off
'I wish she were my wife. She's the perfect queen. If only she were mine.' He thought silently to himself as he studied her features from the corner of his eye.
--
"That simply will not do." Itachi spoke calmly
"What do you mean that won't do? Those are the best terms I can offer you." Neji replied coolly
"And I'm saying those aren't good enough."
"Well too bad because it's the best I've got. I'm trying to meet you in the middle here and you aren't exactly making this easy Prince Uchiha." he said crossly
"And we are doing the best we can as well my Lord. Do not think it's just one-sided sir." he responded ticked off a bit
"I do not see it that way, when it appears to me that my people will be getting the shorter end of the stick in this arrangement. I hope for your country's sake that you are not trying to take advantage of me because that would be foolish on your part." he said menacingly
"It seems to me that if anyone is trying to manipulate anyone here it is you, your grace. Do not threaten me because I certainly do not take idle threats lightly." Itachi gritted out
"And I do not make idle threats Uchiha. I would suggest watching your tongue when speaking to me because it would not do you any good to be insulting me." Neji snapped coldly with an intimidating glare
"Forgive me your grace, I was out of line." he apologized when he realized what he said and to whom; it wouldn't be wise to make things worse between the two nations
"It's alright, I'm sure you've had a long day as have I. Our tempers were just a little high from the stress, please forgive me for my rudeness." Neji also apologized
"Of course. Maybe we should discuss the terms later. I would like to get some rest if it is all right." Itachi requested
"You're right, let's go over this some other time. I'll have someone escort you to your room. Rest well my friend and enjoy your stay" he said a bit stiffly. With a nod Itachi left the room following a servant up to his bedroom.
"This is going to take a while." Neji sighed out tiredly and closed his eyes before leaving as well to find his wife.
--
"And then she stuffed my face with the slice of cake. I'll admit that it was pretty funny. And you should've been there for the dance, oh boy was it something else." Lee told her animatedly
"That sounds wonderful. I'm so sad I missed it." she smiled apologetically
"Yeah, your wedding seemed interesting to say the least." Sasuke chuckled
"Wow, would you look at that, it's already sunset. Time certainly goes by fast." Lee mentioned
"It sure does." Sasuke agreed, absentmindedly admiring the queen.
"I believe it is time I got back, Prince Uchiha do you need me to escort you back to your room or do you know your way around well enough to find it?" Lee asked
"I'll be fine thank you." he told him politely
"Well it was nice speaking to you over a cup of tea, but I should be leaving to do my rounds for the night, so if you both excuse me. Goodnight." Lee bowed and left.
"He's a friendly one isn't he?" Sasuke mentioned
"Yes he is and very loyal too." She spoke fondly of her friend.
"So how do you know him so well, if you don't mind me asking that is."
"It's alright. Well I've known him since childhood and he's always been like a big brother to me." she began, "You see, he was an orphan when he was younger, so he didn't have a family and because of that he easily took to me as an older sibling would."
"Ah, I see where the brotherly affection comes from then. But earlier he told me about him taking on his father's title as captain of the guard."
"Yes he did. He was adopted when he was about 9 years old by the late captain Gai Maito. Captain Gai's wife couldn't have any children so they adopted Lee. Although Lee loved them as his parents he still kept his real parent's last name." Sasuke nodded his understanding.
"So did you know him before or after he was adopted?"
"Before actually." She smiled softly in remembrance of their childhood together.
"Really, now that's interesting. Care to share?"
"Hinata! In the gardens again? I swear sometimes I get the impression you love those flowers more than me." Neji interrupted with mock hurt.
"You're so silly, you know that?" She giggled and gave him a peck on the lips; Neji just smiled at her while holding her.
"Well, maybe I'll tell you that story some other time Prince Uchiha." she acknowledged him once again
"Yes, some other time." he choked out difficultly from the rising jealousy and dislike he felt for the man holding her at the moment
'So this bastard has MY woman. Life just isn't fair!' He mentally whined once again at the fact that she is off limits.
'I see the way he's looking at my wife and I don't like it one bit. I'll be watching out for him. Yeah, that's right stare jealously because you'll never have what's mine. She's out of your reach and don't forget it Uchiha.' And to emphasize his thought he held her tighter and watched the rage burn brighter in his eyes.
"If you'll both excuse me." Sasuke coughed before graciously exiting the garden, it wouldn't do him any good to lose control like that.
"Since our guest has gone how about we retire for the night love?" Neji kissed her tenderly on the lips.
"I'd like that." She smiled before leaving a playful kiss on his nose and walking off to bed with her husband right behind her.
--
"So how was the tour, little brother?" Itachi asked nonchalantly
"It was quite nice actually." he replied overly chipper
"Oh really? What was so 'nice' about it that it put you in a good mood?" he asked with a raised brow
"Nothing. It was just the… tour guide did a great job not keeping me bored." Sasuke tried covering for his change in behavior
"Knowing you brother that's not the case. No matter how 'great a job' someone did trying to make something boring exciting, you still wouldn't be this 'upbeat'. So don't lie to me, what really has you all happy when just a few hours ago you were more than ready to go back home."
"Fine. I met someone today during the tour, alright? You happy now?" he snapped irritably at his older sibling's line of questioning
"Who?" he inquired undeterred
"What's with you and all of the damn interrogating? Does it really matter who I met?"
"Yes."
"And why is that?" he gritted out in utter annoyance
"Because little brother, you have a tendency to sleep around with other men's wives and it causes a lot of trouble for me and anyone else involved to resolve the matter. So I'll ask again who did you meet?" he said in stone-faced seriousness
"…"
"Sasuke." he drawled out menacingly
"Nobody important okay, just some local servant, that's all." he lied
"Humph. Forget I even asked, as long as you don't go making any trouble I'm fine with that. Goodnight Sasuke." Itachi yawned out before allowing himself to rest.
"Yeah, goodnight Itachi." Sasuke mumbled before he too went to sleep.
--
A few hours later Sasuke was rudely awakened by an aggravatingly odd chime. Getting up quietly so as not to alert his brother, Sasuke decided to check it out. Walking in the direction of where he thought the sound was at he came across a familiar figure.
Standing before him was Ino, the Goddess of Love, in all her moonlit glory seemingly waiting for him.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't Prince Good-looking himself in the flesh. What are you doing up so late my lord?" she greeted playfully
"I heard a noise and lo and behold it's you. I swear you like making noise while I'm around. So what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, your grace?"
"My, my, how you've grown! You can thank our little deal a few years ago for my being here tonight. I'm here to make good on it."
"Really? So you personally came to deliver my present; you shouldn't have." Sasuke said in mock surprise
"Yeah, well as a goddess I don't go back on my word. Besides this gift was particularly easy to give, since it's my specialty."
"And what's that?"
"Love you idiot. The gift I bestow upon you is the greatest love you'll ever know. Seeing as though that's what you've secretly wanted since you were old enough to sleep with…"
"Ahem." he interrupted to avoid any embarrassment on his part
"Right. Well ever since you were old enough to know what love was. So that's what I'm providing you with through my gift. Surely you've felt strong feelings of affection for a very 'special' someone, haven't you?"
"Yes." he told her softly as his mind drifted off thinking of his love again
"Well there you go. I created the woman of your dreams, now all you have to do is claim her for your own." she said a bit smugly
"Oh yeah? And how in Hades do you expect me to do that when she's married to another man!" he all but shouted at her
"What? What do you mean she's 'married to another man'?"
"Just as I said. She's that bastard king's wife!" he hissed in anger over it
"Oh." was all she could muster up at the moment, "I thought I told Fate that she was off-limits to other men!" she muttered angrily under her breath, "Look I'm sorry, but all I can do is create the ideal match for people. After that it's up to Fate and the other gods to decide what to do with them. How they're to live in the world is not up to me; all I can do is request where they get sent to meet their soul-mate. It was out of my hands after I sent her into the mortal world."
"But you're the one that has the power to give me my love! Why would it not be in your hands on how I meet her?"
"(sigh) There was a decree made by the supreme god stating how mortals will live their lives and how we, as in my kind, keep order in the cosmos and in your world. Part of the decree is that I can't influence the how and when of love, only that the right pair always end up finding it. Circumstances get left up to Fate, not me. I made the perfect match for you and eventually she'll see that you're the one she's to be with, no matter what. Fate just made the union forbidden with the situation she put you both in."
"That's not fair to either of us! Why must we suffer?"
"From what I've heard you were the mortal that actually turned her down without even realizing it. So with her grudge against you she simply got back at you. And from what I understand Neji is a firm believer in Fate and a huge rival with your kingdom, so he was the ideal candidate to help her exact her revenge against you. Gods and goddesses can be very naughty when they want to be, this is no different. It's for entertainment and from time to time revenge. Now you've got to suffer the consequences of your actions, it's not my fault."
"How was I supposed to know that one of those silly girls was a goddess in disguise? And why in the name of all that is holy do you all tend to venture into our realm when you live in heaven?"
"Like I said before, for entertainment, desire and for our duty. We pretty much own you and your world so it is ours to do with as we please. But we are not cruel and without mercy. I've given you what you've wanted the most, now it is up to you to fight for it. If it's any consolation, her and Neji were never meant to be." With that said she left him to decide his next course of action.
'Well no matter what, I can't and I won't lose the chance of being with her. I'll just have to make the best of our time together.' He thought as he walked back to his room to get some more rest.
--
A/N: Higure means twilight in Japanese