Chapter 26: Spikes, rooftops and secret chat-no-jutsu . . . !
His Majesty the Grand High Prince Uchiha Sasuke was reclining against cushions in a deep window ledge in the royal chambers. In the half-light of the evening, he brushed hair back from his face with long pale fingers. His features were set in a deep, searching frown.
He was brooding. He had been for some time. Itatchi had been in the palace. Right in front of him. And what had Sasuke done?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
He couldn't have done anything there. Naruto was there. Argh. People had been close, the palace was crowded. A fight would have been dangerous for so many of his subjects. Shit. But the fact remained that Itachi had been there and Sasuke had done nothing. (1)
He drummed the fingers of one hand against the window pane as he looked out at the lights of his city. A chill breeze drifted in through the slightly parted window – the only window he could open in his bedroom, because it had a sheer drop down hundreds of metres to the forest below. Not even Naruto was that stupid, or that determined.
He heard a thump through the ceiling and frowned upwards. A small part of him added 'yet' onto the end of that last sentence.
The corner of his mouth lifted in a half-smile. But almost instantly, he scowled and sat up straight, pressing his hands together. For the thousandth time he wondered whether Itachi had noticed something between him and Naruto. (2) They had been so fucking obvious. He dropped his head into his hands. He had to keep Naruto safe, whether he liked it or not.
xXx
Ex-deck boy, ex-pirate, Uzumaki Naruto, sat behind a low table balanced on the spine of the roof and tucked into a bowl of noodles. Then he placed the bowl in his lap and sat still, watching the sun set through the steam rising from the cooking pot that was set above a small coal stove on the table. With one hand, he patted fondly his emergency supply of noodly delights, next to him on the tiles.
Red tiles stretched out for hundred of metres on either side of him, the wide sweeping slopes gently curving up again in the far distance. He looked to his right, he looked to his left. He ate some more noodles. The roof at the very top of the palace was a huge barren expanse. It allowed for magnificent views, but was a little lonely. He ate more noodles.
Naruto eyed the colossal spikes just sticking up above the level of the roof ahead of him, his blond hair swept to the side by the wind. He knew by now that he couldn't get in, (3) but at least he could make damn certain no one else was going to either.
Besides, he needed quiet to think. It took a lot of concentration. It took a lot of noodles.
He had been thinking about the two people who had been murdered – the one two days ago, and the one a few weeks ago that Jiraiya had told him about.
The first had been an outspoken supporter of Sasuke in the court. The second had been the royal family's trainer, Sarutobi Hiruzen – the one who had taught Sasuke swordplay since birth. He had taught Itachi too.
Naruto had another mouthful of noodles and chewed thoughtfully while stirring the water in the pot.
So someone was hurting people close to Sasuke. As far as Naruto could see, this was why Sasuke had pushed him away, locked him out and generally been . . . spiky. If anyone else had been on the roof, they would have heard the thoughts in Naruto's head clink into place somewhat like this:
One. Sasuke was worried Naruto would be targeted.
Two. Sasuke would continue to think that Naruto was in danger if people close to him carried on being killed off.
Three. If the murderer was dealt with . . . then Naruto could be close to Sasuke.
The blond boy sat perfectly still, his back and neck straight, a bowl of noodles cupped in his hands in his lap. The matter was simple, really, now that he thought about it.
xXx
The Regent, Duke Orochimaru Yashagoro, crossed his legs and leant back, resting his hands on the wide arms of the throne, running his nails over the gold engravings. His head was tilted to the side, his long hair falling into his lap, just concealing a small smirk.
A cloaked figure stood before him, pale green eyes staring up expressionlessly. 'Aren't you being a little ambitious?'
'No,' replied the Regent, stroking one of the arms of the throne. 'I'm just getting used to it.'
The standing figure drew back his hood, revealing red hair. 'Why did you call me here?'
'To congratulate you on a job well done. Sarutobi could not be taken down by any swordsman or magician I have in my employ.'
'If that's the only reason then I'm leaving.'
'Don't be so hasty, now. I have something else for you to do.' Then the Regent gave a name and the red-haired boy nodded. 'Do it just before the duel tomorrow, while everyone is distracted. It'll give you time.'
Without a word, Prince Sabaku no Gaara pulled his hood up and left.
The Regent pursed his lips in annoyance and looked to the side. 'Kabuto?' he said quietly. His white-haired servant slipped out of the shadows, glasses glinting in the candlelight.
'Yes, Orochimaru-sama?'
'I need you to find out about that blond boy, that Uzumaki Naruto. He's been far too . . . concerned about our little prince.'
Kabuto gave a curt nod. 'Yes, my lord.' (4)
xXx
Naruto walked down the last hallway to the White Courtyard. Jiraiya was walking ahead of him. Kiba walked behind him. Which was why he only noticed Sasuke when he was already close.
He saw the boots first. Very recognizable boots, those. Very recognizable legs. The prince was taking graceful steps towards him and Naruto saw that they would pass each other in the hallway. He felt a jolt in his stomach even before he saw those dark eyes. Their gazes met, they were getting closer and closer to one another with footsteps that echoed Naruto's heartbeats one after the other, step after step.
Sasuke's eyes widened a fraction and lost their cold, cut-off look. But that lasted for barely an instant before the prince looked ahead again, impassive, and gently gripped the hilt of the sword which hung at his hip. Naruto fought the urge to run his hands through that hair and brush it away from his face. He knew how soft and light his hair was, he knew what it smelt like. He remembered what it was like to wake up and immediately bury his face in it. Then chew on Sasuke's shoulder. Then roll away to avoid the retaliating lazy slap. Sasuke was even cute when he was grumpy in the mornings.
Naruto wanted to reach out and hold Sasuke's jaw gently, to make the prince look at him. He wanted the feel of that skin. Those lips didn't look kissed enough.
All of this swam through Naruto's head in the second it took for the two boys to draw level in the crowded hallway. As they passed, the backs of their fingers brushed. Warm skin against skin, slow – a light touch that sent a bizarre wave of sensation through the blond's body.
And then Sasuke stepped out of sight, and no one, Naruto included, saw the half-smile that appeared momentarily on his face.
Naruto stopped in his tracks and turned to stare, on the point of shouting out loud at the idiot prince, when he felt a sharp kick to the back of his legs. It was Kiba. Predictably. Naruto turned to him, glaring daggers, but Kiba just exclaimed, 'Hurry up! Stop having Uchiha sexy thoughts. You've got your duel in, like, two minutes.'
Naruto blinked. 'What? Oh yes, that . . .'
Minutes later, Kiba, Naruto and Jiraiya spilled out onto the wide, bright courtyard. Neji stood on the far side, under high snow-blossom trees, his back straight, holding his arms perpendicular to his body. Attendants buzzed around him – folding above and underneath and around each other neatly as they fitted him out in traditional armour. Each tie, vest and piece of plating was arranged to perfection and secured – until Neji was an immobile, white phenomenon unto himself and the myriad of servants began to polish, sharpen and generally prepare his weapons.
Next to Naruto, Kiba dropped his swords to the ground with a series of clangs and lifted a length of cloth with both arms, turning it around with a frown. 'How the fuck do we put this on you?'
Naruto looked at the haphazard piles of various things spread out around them on the floor: categorised into mounds of large pieces of metal, small pieces of metal, big pieces of material, little random bits of cloth, bits of . . . stuff, and weapony-things. Hm.
Kiba glanced down at Jiraiya, who sat with his back against the wall, a pipe in one hand while his eyes followed one set of breasts, then the next, then the next, in the bustling courtyard. Kiba kicked the man's foot to get his attention.
'Oi. We need some help – I have no idea how to put this stupid stuff on.'
Jiraiya drew on his pipe and said, 'Ah . . . then you'd need the help of an expert, wouldn't you?'
Kiba and Naruto exchanged exasperated looks. 'That's why I kicked you.'
The old man tapped the end of his pipe against the side of his nose slowly. 'Ahh, but I am not an expert. The dressing part is silly. I always ignored it. I don't have a clue either.'
Naruto looked at Jiraiya as if at a shining beacon of logic and reasonable thinking. Kiba, on the other hand, was tapping a finger on a piece of metal he was holding. The taps got faster and faster and when Naruto eventually suggested that Shikamaru might know, the boy dashed off, sniffed out the recently-named expert, plucked him out of a conversation and dropped him in front of Naruto saying, 'Dress him! It's all too bloody complicated!'
Shikamaru slowly turned his head to look at Kiba, and raised an eyebrow. 'Um . . . All right.'
Naruto lifted his arms out as he'd seen Neji do it, while Kiba stared from Neji's helpers to Shikamaru as if trying to work out a puzzle. 'Oh my god. Look at that snarky bastard strutting around like some sort of peacock. He'll be easy to beat.'
The blond nodded vigorously in spite of Shikamaru's snort. 'Of course I'll beat him! Uzumaki's never lose!' Naruto looked around in the silence that followed his outburst. Jiraiya was still leering at boobs, Kiba was staring off at a place in the crowd quite fixedly, and Shikamaru seemed absorbed in tying something to his ankle. None of them were rushing to agree with him. Nevertheless he gave himself a firm nod.
'Ero-senin?'
'Hm?'
'What's the difference between being betrothed and engaged?'
'One you decide, one is decided for you.' (5) His eyes still nowhere near the conversation, Jiraiya added, 'Naruto, you do realize that after the duel Sasuke will still be engaged, don't you? That's been in place since he and Sakura were young.'
'How long?'
'Since they were five, I think.'
Finally, Naruto had an answer for why Sasuke was moody all the time.
Shikamaru asked Kiba to pass him the fourth right pleat, but got no response. He shot a frown at him and said. 'Oi! Stop making eyes at Shino.'
Kiba jumped. 'What? I wasn't.'
'You were,' Naruto said, while Jiraiya nodded for good measure.
'Who told Shikamaru?'
The young general gave him a level, disbelieving look. 'No one had to tell me. It's – how do I put this? – blaringly obvious.'
'Shit. And I'm not even sure if he's looking back . . . bloody sunglasses . . . Naruto, I'm trying to persist!'
His last word was drowned out by a roaring fanfare and everyone shuffled around to face the Dias on which Sasuke now stood. Perfect posture, his one hand held up in a gesture of silence, his expression expecting that gesture to be obeyed.
Naruto had to conclude that the new imperial uniform did indeed look damn sexy.
xXx
The Grand High Prince of the Uchiren Empire surveyed the silent crowd below him. He could see spikes of blond hair above the mass of people – Naruto couldn't keep a low profile even if you drugged him and put him in a sack in the dungeon.
Sasuke drew a line down the centre of the throng, and the nobles parted to make way for Neji and Naruto to walk forward. First the black-haired boy, then the blond knelt down on one knee before the dias and the throne.
He began, 'I greet you, Hyuuga Neji, First Heir to the House of Stone, Lord Protector of the Bakil and Kanai Realms, Crown Prince of the Hyuuga, Wielder of the Secret Fire (6), Novice Magician of Konoha, Master of the Gentle Fist, First Dueller of Upper Konoha. And you, Uzumaki Naruto, Novice Magician of Konoha.'
Naruto flashed a cheeky grin.
Sasuke schooled his expression to continue, 'You have both accepted the terms of the duel. You will fight with your rapiers until one of you is disarmed, then magic may be used.' Sasuke was not happy about that last part. He could clearly remember blue eyes turning to red. Naruto had about as much control over his strange magic as Kurenai's baby. But he had no choice in what protocol demanded he say next. 'Let the duel begin.'
xXx
Big Pirate's boyfriend is performing the vital function of 'desk'. He's lying on her lap and may as well be put to some use :P
Anyway – yay! We posted – the duel's next!
xXx
(1) (he carried on sewing . . .)
(2) (we are of the opinion that perhaps the only person who has not yet noticed that something is going on, is maybe a blind 90-year old granny in the frozen north of Kuhkuy . . . but hey, Sasuke's gotta have something to hold onto)
(3) the large pirate and the small pirate wish to add a little note to this text. Recently, to our utmost horror, a critic brought into question Naruto's ingenuity and general suprisingnessnessness – of course the little blond boy tried the tiles! (it was we who forgot to mention it) but our prince and his band of merry men (plus Karin) were one step ahead of him – square kilometers of reinforced steel can make things a tad difficult)
(4) typo of the week goes to - 'Yes, mu lord.'
(5) ( oh the tragedy!) (are you in sky pirate land? No. we are in sky pirate land)(do we know if this is actually true? No we don't! but it sure is handy!)
(6) (oh yeah – that one is particularly choice, is it not. Big Pirate wishes to state that it was not of her creation – she blames the little one and the boyfriend :P)