While Sasuke is speaking with Officer Sarutobi who is at the wheel of the car, Naruto is saying his goodbyes to Iruka.
"Thank you so much," Naruto can't resist going in for another hug. "If you weren't here today, if I hadn't had your words with me, I'd still be stuck in my room,"
"Oh, Naruto-kun, the pleasure is all mine. I'm so glad to see you and talk to you again," Iruka tightened his hug around the boy, hoping it will convey his love.
As Sarutobi drives off, Naruto can't help but feel bittersweet.
"Don't worry," says Sasuke, "You'll be able to see him anytime you like,"
Naruto looks up at him, smiling, swollen eyes and all, and then bows. "Danna-sama, arigato gozaimasu," Thank you.
Sasuke smiles back. How pretty, Naruto's smiles. "It was my pleasure, Naruto-san,"
Inuzuka tears the origami dog and bird up and throws the teapot next to her to the floor in anger. Her gift is to animate origami and have the ability to hear and see through them.
"Nothing!" she screams. That Uchiha! She can't see or hear anything! Can't even see Naruto's shadow. Not anywhere!
"Tsume-sama," a servant speaks from outside her door. "Sakura-ojou-sama is here to see you. She's waiting in the living area,"
Inuzuka slides open the door. "Clean up this mess!" she barks at the beta servant, headed for the more western area of their home, where Sakura is waiting.
"Oba-san!" Sakura greets her with a hasty bow. "You have to listen to me, Oba-san!" she says as they settle into the nut-colored Chesterfield sofas. "Onii-sama is still staying at Uchiha-sama's house! The nerve of him! He looks like a servant, so they probably treat him like one! But Kiba-san is on Onii-sama's side like always, and he made my mood even worse!"
Inuzuka sips her tea, listening to Sakura's story.
"But I saw a beautiful person, an imperial officer, visiting Otou-sama that day, so it wasn't all that bad,"
An imperial officer, she says? That was definitely Uchiha. What was the purpose of Uchiha's visit to the Haruno home? If only Haruno had half a working brain to hand over Naruto to her from the beginning, this never would have happened. The only way she'll be able to get her hands on Naruto, is if he gets kicked out of the Uchiha house, and then she'll have her daughter save her, offer her protection by marrying them off.
It's well into autumn on a day off when all of Sasuke's orders for Naruto's kimonos arrive. Boxes and boxes of clothes are in the receiving area, and Naruto's hands are shaking as he opens one box after another.
Sasuke's pretty proud of himself when he sees Naruto's face every time he opens a box. He's not someone who spends much on frivolous things, and the amount he spent on the clothes…insignificant compared to the Uchiha wealth, but it is worth it when he sees the looks of shock, awe, and gratitude on Naruto's face.
Naruto holds the soft fabrics in his hands. "These are all so expensive. Are they really all for me?"
"Yes. It's a thank you for the hair tie, so just take them," says Sasuke, prideful, but still flustered himself.
"Naruto-sama, Uchiha-sama personally chose all of these for you based on what he thinks would look good on you!" says Mitarashi-san, handing another box to Naruto for him to open. "This one Uchiha-sama got the moment he saw it,"
The omega gasps at the sight of the white silk with red spider lilies. It looks like the one his mother wore. Naruto is surprised by that revelation. He looks at Sasuke, who is avoiding his gaze. He holds the kimono close to his chest. It's almost like giving his mother an embrace.
"Danna-sama, thank you very much for all of this,"
"…Sure," is the only thing Sasuke can say, because he's not sure what else he can.
And Naruto wants to say and do much more but doesn't know how to turn these feelings into words and actions. Maybe someday he can act on them.
"Ah, Naruto-sama!" says Mitarashi, "I can help you get into one you like! To prepare you for tonight,"
Sasuke almost chokes on his tea.
"H-hai," Naruto blushes as Mitarashi escorts Naruto out of the receiving room and into his room with a box of Naruto's chosen kimono and accessories.
"Ah, Bocchan," says Juugo, amused at the shyness of his young charge. "No need to be shy!"
Sasuke doesn't fall into Juugo's teasing and sips his tea.
Juugo starts to fold the clothes back into the boxes. What a beautiful courtship. "Bocchan, I am happy I'll get to see your children soon,"
Sasuke actually chokes on his tea and coughs his lungs out.
Children!
Sasuke heads out to pick up Sarutobi from the office.
"I can't wait!" says Sarutobi as they're on their way back to the Uchiha home. "Can't believe I'm getting a homemade meal for my help!"
Sasuke huffs. "I should've just said I'd take you to a bar,"
"Naruto-san will make such a good wife," Sarutobi says dreamily. He hopes Sasuke will be less grumpy in the future when they're married!
"Don't say his name like that!" Sasuke hisses at him. (1)
"Why? Are you jealous?" Sarutobi pouts at his commander.
Sasuke keeps his eyes on the road. "No, I just suddenly feel very violent,"
"So you are jealous!" the subordinate accuses. "The commander is a jealous person!"
Sasuke's surprised Naruto wanted to thank Sarutobi personally. Wanting to meet other people is a big step, and Sasuke hopes this won't be too much on him. After all, the only people Naruto is familiar with are the ones inside the Haruno house. He'll have to be extra supportive about the things Naruto will want to dabble in, in the future.
"Aahh, the commander's home!" Sarutobi says in excitement as Sasuke's home appears in the distance.
When Sasuke parks in front of the house, he half shoves Sarutobi out of the car. "Get off."
"Why do you have to be so mean!" the younger officer frowns at his superior. "I'll tell Naruto-san about this!"
"I can't help but want to shut you up permanently," Sasuke pulls up the sleeves of his haori and his hand balls into a fist. It's just a joke but he's close to making it reality.
"PLEASE FORGIVE ME!"
Naruto combs his hair in front of his vanity, using the comb Sasuke gave him, wearing the new kimono Sasuke got him.
He wonders if even slightly, he might resemble his mother now. Despite being a servant, his mother had many quality kimonos and accessories from before his mate died, and he had to make do with the cards of life when he entered the Haruno house as a servant, and then had him.
Mitarashi-san, proud of her work as a kimono artisan, takes her leave. It is later, after the food's been prepared, that Juugo gets Naruto's hair done. Combed and braided to the side, pinned with flowers by his ear.
It's Naruto who welcomes them back at the genkan. He bows. "Okaeri nasai mase, Danna-sama. Sarutobi-sama, irasshai mase." Welcome back, Danna-sama. Welcome, Sarutobi-sama.
It fills Sasuke with relief and pleasure to see Naruto glowing. He's no longer pale, but pink and healthy; his hair no longer damaged but properly styled and silky; he's now plumper and has gained weight. He looks lovely and hearty, unlike when he first arrived months ago, thin as a rake and looked like he would blow over with the slightest breeze.
"Danna-sama?" Naruto says when Sasuke doesn't reply and merely stands at the genkan. "Is there something wrong?"
"Ah, no," Sasuke answers, then it all just comes tumbling out from his mouth. "It's just that, you look pretty. It looks good on you." By the time he's realized what he said, he lets out a gasp brings a hand up to his lips.
Naruto blushes as pink as the flowers in his hair. "Thank you very much. I really like this kimono,"
Sarutobi stands there as if forgotten.
"I'm so sorry, Sarutobi-sama!" says Naruto when he notices their guest. "Please come in,"
Sasuke turns to Sarutobi, frowning at the officer. "Just go home and never come back,"
The young officer chuckles nervously. The commander might be serious.
"Everything looks so good!"
Naruto sets down some light tea for Officer Sarutobi, and more sake for Sasuke.
"You live with your parents. You should be getting good food every day," says Sasuke as he takes a sip from his sake cup.
"I am!" says Sarutobi as he starts to eat. "But homemade meals by others have a charm of their own!"
"Would you like a drink Sarutobi-sama?" Naruto offers him some sake.
"Yes, please!" the officer sets the teacup down and accepts the sake dish.
"Sarutobi-sama," says Naruto, refilling the sake dish when Sarutobi downs the first shot. "Thank you so much for help in bringing Iruka-san here yesterday,"
"It was nothing," says Sarutobi airily with an embarrassed smile, "I only picked him up and dropped him off,"
"But it is thanks to you that I could open up to my Danna-sama, because you brought Iruka-san here so I could talk to him. I missed him very much and it was such a joy and relief to see him again,"
Sarutobi feels like Naruto just moved him to tears. He's never been praised so thoroughly. "Naruto-san!" he takes Naruto's hands in his, "Leave this demon commander and marry me instead!" he looks over to Sasuke who's leaking murderous intent. "I'm kidding!" he lets go of Naruto's hands. "Commander, murder is illegal! It's because you don't praise me enough!"
Naruto chuckles. "Sarutobi-sama, thank you. Your offer is flattering. But I like my current Danna-sama very much. I would have to decline,"
"It's just a joke, I promise," says the young officer, and they return to easy conversation as Sarutobi demolishes the dinner prepared for him.
Sasuke is surprised to hear Naruto's feelings about their particular arrangement. He might have unconsciously thought that Naruto would've been fine with any alpha who could provide for him. Maybe at the start, that may have been the case since he was essentially thrown out of his household and given away for marriage. But now, Naruto has accepted his gifts. He's wearing the flower pin in his hair, the kimono he picked, and using the brush he gave him. Sasuke feels and hopes that Naruto is slowly opening his heart to him.
After dinner, when Sarutobi has left, the dinner bowls washed and set aside, and Sasuke is done with his furo, he notices that the house is unusually quiet. Until he hears sounds coming from the main room. He slides open the door to find Naruto hunched over the table, head resting on his hands, legs properly folded under him, sleeping.
Crying.
"Please…" Naruto cries in his sleep, "I'm begging you… stop…"
"Naruto-san!" Sasuke kneels next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Wake up!" when that doesn't wake him, he gives Naruto's shoulder a shake. "Naruto-san!" he says louder.
It is then that Naruto opens his eyes. "Danna…sama?" he feels his bones creak as he sits up to look at his fiancé's worried face.
"Are you okay?" Sasuke asks. "You were dreaming. Was it a nightmare?"
"A… dream?"
Ah, yes. He was dreaming.
Naruto raises his hand to his face, wanting to rub the sleep away from his eyes, but then realizes tears are streaming down his scarred cheeks, and his vision is flooded with the nightmare plaguing his sleep.
He hunches over and sobs wrack through his body. Sasuke immediate gathers him onto his lap, in his arms, and presses Naruto to his chest.
"Danna-sama…" Naruto gasps, startled by being manhandled, but melts into the warmth of his fiancé's strong arms and comforting scent.
"It's alright. I'm here. That must have been a terrifying nightmare, so just let it all out,"
Naruto looks up at him.
"I want us to be honest with each other. Let me carry your feelings with you. It's okay to depend on me, to rely on me, to take it easy and let all these feelings out. It is how we should support each other as husband and wife,"
The omega snuggles himself into his alpha's neck, where Sasuke's scent is most potent and relaxes into him, wrapping his arms around his fiancé into a tight hug. He lets himself be enveloped by his alpha's scent of grass, wood, and warm coal.
Sasuke knows that the scars on his cheeks aren't the only scars Naruto had from his time at the Haruno house. He has invisible scars, with wounds cut so deep they won't heal so easily, if they ever heal at all. He will help Naruto overcome these fears and break free from the chains that shackle him from the pain of his past.
"Cry until you feel better, and when you're done crying, when you've dried your tears, I want to see you laugh and smile again,"
So Naruto cries until he's reduced to sniffles. Sasuke doesn't dare let him go.
"Every night, ever since I've come here, I've that this dream every night, where all my mother's belongings were burnt, and I'd beg Oku-sama and my half-sister to stop, but they'd just laugh. I don't really know what happened to my mother's belongings, but I was punished for asking what happened to them,"
If he didn't know, then it's possible that Haruno's wife and daughter might have done the same thing as in Naruto's dream.
"May I still stay with you, Danna-sama?" Naruto pulls away to look at Sasuke. "As long as I'd like?"
"Like I said, if you left me, I'd be troubled. I want you to stay and grow old with me," Sasuke doesn't let him pull away too far. He likes being able to hold Naruto close like this.
"Even if I don't have a gift? Or useless?"
Sasuke thumbs a tear away from Naruto's mesmerizing blue eyes. "Yes. But to me, you're perfect the way you are, gifted or not, and definitely not useless,"
"I…" Naruto places a hand on Sasuke's chest. "I want to work hard to become someone worthy of you, who can be of help to you, so that I can stay by your side,"
It gives Sasuke joy to hear such confidence and positivity from his omega.
Days later, Sasuke, wakes up to a heavy and heated body. He groans, tries to sit up, and finds his sense of smell dulled; his nose full of smoke from burning herbs. He looks around and sees sticks of herb incense lit in a vase by his door.
The door slides open, Sasuke sees Juugo enter with a tray containing a bowl of water, a teapot, and a cup. He sets it down near Sasuke's futon.
"Bocchan," he says, and Sasuke can hear the worry and urgency in his voice, "You and Naruto-sama, your cycles met,"
Oh, right. He's on rut leave for the next three days. He's been feeling a little heavy and off the past few days as the pre-rut set in, probably he'd been so mean to Sarutobi, so he told his subordinate he'll take the rut leave.
"I'll get some porridge for you," says the elderly omega. "I'll try to cool you down, too," Juugo gently lays Sasuke back down, and Sasuke settles back into the comfort of his futon. "Would you like tea?"
Sasuke hears water splashing, and a cool cloth is placed on his forehead.
"You said… Naruto is in heat?" Sasuke croaks out from a dry throat.
"Yes. He's not supposed to be until next week, I believe. I've gotten him to eat some porridge and, but he didn't eat much, and the tea and herbs aren't helping," he frowns, pressing the cool towel on Sasuke's cheek. "He's not doing well. You're faring much better than him,"
Sasuke gets up, almost losing his balance. Juugo catches him and helps him to steady himself on his feet. "I'm going to help him,"
"Oh no you're not," says Juugo sternly. "I'm too old to be getting you off your omega, Bocchan,"
Your omega.
Mine, Sasuke thinks, my omega, and it's like his whole body wants to light itself on fire.
"N-no," he straightens himself and slides his door open. "Just… help… take care of him," he makes his way down the hall with unsteady steps.
Sasuke has only seen Naruto in his sleeping yukata once, and Naruto's never seen him dressed too little either. They've always seen each other dressed properly. Juugo would easily pinch Sasuke's ear and drag him back to his room if he'd purposefully shown himself dressed so little to the always prim and proper Naruto.
But he doesn't seem to care right now. His rut is making his head and nose stuffy, his senses dulled by the scent of burning herbs, but he doesn't feel so bad that he can't eat or drink. Naruto, however, isn't eating or drinking.
"Naruto-san," Sasuke calls from the closed door. "I'm entering your room,"
He slides the door open, and Naruto's scent is suffocating. It's all over the room, thick and cloying, even with the herb incense burning. The scent almost brings him down to his knees. It's a miracle that the sight of his fiancé doesn't snap the alpha back into his primitive instincts.
Naruto is on his futon, the blanket tossed off him, and the yukata off his shoulders exposing skin and his collarbone, the clothes forming a deep V over his chest, sheened with sweat, but not open enough to bare his nipples, in attempt to cool off the overheated skin. His legs are the same, the clothing barely clinging to the bottom half of his body. But there's also his clothes around the futon, like a nest. Juugo had given Naruto his clothes, and Naruto had made a nest with it. He thinks of giving Naruto his own futon and dumping all of his belongings in here and let him nest with all of it, roll in his things to soak up all of Sasuke's scent. He wants Naruto's scent all over him, too, then go to work and let everyone know he's got a stunning omega, taking care of him, his home, and and one day marry him and help lead his clan.
It makes Sasuke's nose flare, the urge to bite rising when he sees Naruto's pulse ticking under the thin skin of his neck, the scent gland swollen and begging for his teeth. He shakes the thought off. No. He'll not defile Naruto. He wants to bite him after marriage, when they can share a room, they're finally, wholly each other's.
Sasuke pants as he kneels by the futon. "Naruto-san," his hands shake as he reaches for the yukata, then slips them over the bare shoulders to cover the exposed skin.
The omega wakes from the movement. It takes a while for Naruto's vision to sharpen out as he looks up at the person looming over him.
Oh.
It's his alpha.
Naruto grabs Sasuke's yukata and pulls him down to him. "Alpha," he cries as he noses Sasuke's neck, the alpha's scent covering him in a gentle comfort. He feels less heated already.
It's awkward as Sasuke moves to lie down beside Naruto, messing up the futon and the clothes gathered around the omega's nest.
"Alpha," Naruto breathes into Sasuke's neck. "You smell so good… feel so good…"
Neither are moving to touch any sensitive body parts.
"Naruto-san," Sasuke can't help but press his nose into the omega's hair. "You must eat and drink,"
"Iya," Naruto whines, and that sound sears through Sasuke's heart and gut like a burning knife. "Anata dake desu," he presses himself further into Sasuke's chest. "Danna-sama…" Naruto breathes the word husband like it's official, like they've signed Sasuke's koseki, desperate and aching. "…hitsuyou dake desu," No. You. I only need Danna-sama. (2)
Sasuke's entire being throbs. He doesn't know why suddenly, he imagines Naruto in a hiki-furisode, in an iro-uchikake, and a shiromoku, and himself in a black montsuki hakama. Wedding attire. (3)
He wants to marry Naruto.
"Bocchan," comes Juugo's hushed voice from behind him, the door still open. He sets down a tray containing a large bowl warm porridge beside them, and a jug of cold water with two cups, then slides the door closed.
Sasuke gets up, lifting Naruto onto his lap and positioning him upright. "We have to eat, Naruto-san,"
Again, that whine that tears through Sasuke's very being. The only way to relieve this is something they can't do yet.
Juugo makes his way around them, then ties a handkerchief full of herbs around Naruto's check, then another around Sasuke's. "Just to make sure you two don't bite,"
Sweat drips down Sasuke's nape to his back and his collarbone. "Thank you," he wasn't sure if he could hold on for three days, having Naruto in his arms like this, vulnerable and unconsciously begging to be bitten by him.
They spend the next three days in a haze of sleeping, being forced to eat and drink by Juugo, and Sasuke being thrown out about an hour every day so that he can clean himself, and Juugo can clean Naruto with some light soap and cool water, then change the futon.
On the morning of the fourth day when it's still dark out, moonlight is pouring in through the window and it's still a long while until the sun rises, Naruto wakes up from a heat not feeling like he's been thrown off a cliff. He realizes why when he discovers he's lying next to Sasuke, who has an arm around him, and that he's been lying his head on his shoulder, snuggled up close and warm under the blankets.
How wonderful to wake up to Danna-sama like this, Naruto thinks, then reaches up to touch Sasuke's cheek, showered in the gentle moonlight. There's something so delicate about his features when he's asleep, far from the icy cold he shows to others. He remembers being fed and hydrated by him and Juugo-san when he was too out of it. He's so lucky to be held by someone so loving and beautiful like Danna-sama, and taken care of by Juugo-san.
Naruto pulls the blanket up and snuggles back into his alpha's arms, reveling in the scent of grass, wood, and the tender heat of warm coal, even if his senses are dulled by the herbs.
When they wake in the morning, when the sun is up and their bodies have calmed from the urges to mate, Naruto gives Sasuke a kiss to his cheek.
"Ohayou gozaimasu, Danna-sama," says Naruto, pulling his yukata tighter against himself to cover what had been his bared soul. "Thank you for spending my heat with me. It didn't feel as bad as all my other heats,"
Sasuke reddens from the kiss and takes Naruto's hand in his. "I, too, had my rut. Your scent was a great comfort," before he thinks about it, he says, "I would like to spend my next rut with you, too,"
"I would be honored," Naruto smiles at him, then blushes in embarrassment and tenses when he sees the chaos that is his room, Sasuke's clothes all around them forming a nest. "I apologize, for taking your clothes. I will have them laundered immed—"
"That's alright," Sasuke pats Naruto's hand to comfort and reassure him. "Juugo's been giving you my clothes, right? For your heat? I'm glad they helped you. Don't hesitate to come to me for anything,"
Naruto relaxes. "Hai,"
"Okaa-sama," said ten year old Sakura, watching Naruto, who was on the floor kneeling, wipe clean the floor outside the open doors of the music room. "Why is Onii-sama—"
"That is your father's eldest child," Mebuki said haughtily. "But he's a bastard and has no gift. Take it from the top, Sakura," she said, gesturing to the koto.
"Hai," Sakura nodded, and played the piece again from the start, gently but firmly plucking the strings with her pick covered fingers.
She hit a wrong note.
"SAKURA!" Mebuki yelled, giving Sakura a backhand that she falls to the floor. She pulled on the girl's kimono to bring her back up from her knees on the tatami. "STOP MAKING MISTAKES! YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE MISTAKES! DON'T EVER BECOME LIKE NARUTO!"
"No." Sakura can't believe her eyes. That's got to be fake.
On the many unfolded origami birds and dogs Tsume-oba-san gave her, Hana-onee-sama waved her hand and images burned onto the pages. It's what the origami saw.
It's Naruto, wearing the most beautiful kimono she's ever seen, light embroidered with orchids. The obi is a wide, embroidered with more flowers and tied off with what could only be silk. He's holding a parasol, made of delicate lace protecting his fair skin from the harsh sun. His hair, long, lush, braided into a bun at the base of his neck.
With him, Uchiha-sama, dressed in the imperial uniform, the one she saw visit her home from before! He's handsome! And they… actually look like lovers, speaking freely with each other, showing affection in public!
"That can't be!" Sakura yells, screaming as she tears apart the papers, and hitting the table they rest on, cracking the thick wood in half. She's stronger when angry.
No. She ranks higher than Naruto. She's always been above her half-brother. No matter how much they dress him in beautiful clothes, he's an ungifted bastard, useless, untalented, and illiterate. He's ugly and scarred, unlike Sakura who's prettier and smarter.
Naruto isn't qualified to be the mate of such a powerful, dignified family. She's spent her whole like learning everything, becoming everything that a mistress of a prominent family should be. Onii-sama shouldn't be given everything, anything, on a silver plate!
DON'T EVER BECOME LIKE NARUTO!
"Otou-sama!" Sakura barges into her father's study. "I should be the one to marry into the Uchiha family. Please switch Uchiha-sama's fiancé from Onii-sama to me,"
"What are you on about, Sakura?" Haruno says, looking up from the scroll he's busy with. "I can't do that,"
"Why not?!" Sakura demands petulantly.
"That's not any of your business. Forget anything about Naruto," he insists.
Sakura frowns. "But aren't I a better fit for the Uchiha family?"
"Sakura, if you have this much time and nothing else to do, just use that time and see Kiba-kun,"
"But Otou-sama!"
"Sakura!" Haruno is always careful not to snap at her, but he can't help this time. The suddenness of it makes Sakura leave his study.
She's never been turned down before. She always got what she wanted, all she had to do was ask!
"Sakura?"
She looks up and sees Kiba walking toward her down the hallway. She gets an idea. "Kiba-san," Sakura says, lips curling up into a smirk. "Don't you want to get engaged to Naruto-onii-sama?"
Kiba, caught off guard, stares at her. "What?
"If I'm able to get you and Onii-sama engaged and married, won't you be happy?" she presses.
"Sakura-san, what are you saying? That doesn't make any sense!" why would she suddenly say things like this? She's never cared about Naruto or his happiness, so why start now?
"But isn't it obvious that I'm the better bride than Onii-sama? More suited to marry Uchiha-sama? So if we switch fiancés, wouldn't that be better! Let's do it, Kiba-san!"
"Stop it," Kiba half-snaps at her.
"Why?" she pouts at him. "Don't you like Naruto-Onii-sama more than you like me?"
Kiba sighs. Of course he likes Naruto more than he likes this brat. Kiba loves him. "That's not the point. Did your father give you permission?"
Sakura frowns. Why can't she just get what she wants? It's not like it's that hard! "How dare you treat me like this! I've had enough!"
"Sakura-san!" Kiba calls after her but doesn't follow. Not immediately. He sighs, knowing Sakura will get herself into trouble, then follows as she disappears round the hallway corner.
If her father and fiancé aren't going to get her what she wants, then she'll have to go to Inuzuka-oba-san. She'll help her!
"You'll bring Onii-sama, right?"
"Of course," says Inuzuka.
"Stop!" Kiba barges into the room Sakura and his mother are in, discussing something he never thought he'd hear his mother say. "Sakura-san, what are you doing!"
"I told you; I want to change my engagement. I want to switch fiancés with Onii-sama, but my father didn't give me permission, so I'm here speaking with Oba-san," Sakura says matter-of-factly, as if Kiba's mother had the power to give her any permission.
"Sakura, go to the other room," Inuzuka tells the omega, who huffs at Kiba and leaves the room, a servant closing the door behind her.
"I want to introduce the Haruno's strength and healing into our blood," Inuzuka tells her son. "This is the only way," she knew that whatever child he and Sakura may have will also have strength and healing, but Kiba will be marrying into the Haruno. What Inuzuka wants is for a Haruno to marry into the Inuzuka, to Hana.
Inuzuka Tsume has the gift of bringing origami to life, seeing and hearing through the dog and bird shaped paper. Hana has the gift of revealing what these origami see, as if burning images onto the paper. Kiba has the gift of sharp sight, hearing, smell, and some stamina and speed. And while his mother is right, that their gifts combined with the Haruno strength and healing would indeed be something else.
"Why are you interfering now? You were so against intruding into other family's matters!" Kiba argues, voice rising. "What about when I was trying to help Naruto? You were the one who wanted us to keep out of the Haruno's business with their child!"
Inuzuka sighed. Hana may be too carefree to be head of his family, but Kiba is too airheaded to be any kind of head for the Haruno, either. Besides, while Sakura is a smart girl, Inuzuka didn't expect it to be this easy manipulating her into unleashing her pettiness, jealousy, and bratty rage with a few images.
"Do you think if I'd let you interfere, it would be easy to get a hold of Naruto? I didn't want them to see his worth, his value. He carries blood that will gift us with more skill! Powerful children! If they realized, if they'd seen past his servant mother, they'd have realized he could've given them gifted children, too; they would've been hesitant to let him go. And by letting them isolate him, it would've been easier for us to take him. Do you understand now, Kiba?"
Kiba gasps in shock, his eyes widen in a horrific revelation, and the years of guilt, unable to do anything for his precious Naruto, all the mistreatment he saw but couldn't do anything about, flashes before his eyes, washes over him in a torrent.
All this time, his mother was the cause of all of Naruto's abuse and hardship, just for the chance to take him away and what? To marry his sister? For children that may now never even be born? Naruto was mistreated so badly he didn't even know how to smile anymore.
"How could you!" Kiba yells at her, "You knew I wanted him, that I love him!"
Inuzuka backhand slaps her son in the face enough to send him falling to the floor. "Love? You think great families like ours, the Haruno, the Uchiha, are founded on marriages with love?" she scoffs. "Great families are created with connections! Why the hell did you think I sent your father away after I gave birth to you? You think I loved him? That useless spineless, alpha?"
It was uncommon, for an alpha to be paired with another alpha, and Inuzuka Tsume was fortunate enough to have two children.
"If I have to, Kiba, if your sister can't do her job as the next head of this family, I will take an omega from the street and fuck it right in front of you and get it pregnant just so I can have another heir and replace you and her, do you understand me?"
Frozen, Kiba stares up at her.
She leans over and grabs his face. "Better yet, take Naruto for myself," she grins, imagining Naruto's face, those gorgeous blue eyes, and stunning sun blond hair. "I'm sure Naruto and I would make pretty children, and he'd make a great mother to your brothers and sisters, and maybe I'll fucking finally get a decent child,"
Kiba finds finds himself dragged into a closet, sealed hands and feet tied to a chair. As soon as his mother leaves the room, he pulls at the rope, hoping to loosen it somehow, tear the seals, and set himself free. But he loses a smidgen of hope when he hears his mother chanting, and the door is sealed.
He can't believe it. How could his mother be so cruel? She'd always been strict and no nonsense, but he never thought he'd hear those words from her. She wants to abuse Naruto herself. To just use him, to breed. He'd never thought of Naruto like that, not once. All he wanted was to continue being a good friend to Naruto, to love his most precious person, to give him a home where he'd never be hurt, to spoil him with food, clothes, and love.
He feels the rope burning his skin as he pulls. There's no hope of it ever loosening, he knows, but he has to try. Naruto might have been taken already and brought to the Haruno estate.
The door unlocks.
"Well, well,"
"Onee-sama!"
Hana hurriedly tears the seal off her younger brother.
"How did you do that?" Kiba stares at her, then at his freed hands. Kiba himself doesn't know how to break seals made by his mother.
"That doesn't matter now," she says, "Go save Naruto,"
"I hope Danna-sama won't mind us bringing lunch to him," says Naruto, dressed in a light orange kimono decorated with light blue orchids. It's been a week and a half since their shared heat and rut.
"I'm sure Bocchan will like it!" says Juugo, certain that Sasuke will appreciate the bento.
Yesterday, Sasuke stayed at the office overnight and has yet to come home. Naruto thought bringing him some food might energize him, since working for that long is sure to tire someone out, and Sasuke is the type of person to skip meals if it means getting work done.
It's a long walk to Sasuke's office, but they make it just in time for lunch.
"Konnichiwa," Naruto greets the officer at the gate.
"State your name and the purpose of your visit," says the officer.
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto. I am Uchiha Sasuke's fiancé," he tells the man in unfirom. "I have something to give him,"
The officer tries not to show his shock. The commander as a fiancé? "Right, okay, I'll inform him right away," he rushes through the gates another officer stands to replace him.
Naruto and Juugo wait for about five minutes, then hears a familiar voice.
"Naruto-san!"
The omega turns and sees Sasuke emerge from the large gates, fast approaching them.
"Juugo, too. What are you doing here?" he asks. It's not that he doesn't like being visited, it's just that he's surprised they're here.
"You've been working hard, Danna-sama," Naruto adjusts the parasol he's holding as he looks up at Sasuke. "I'm sorry if we've disturbed you, but I was worried that you weren't eating properly, so I brought food for you," he hands the bento to him.
Flustered but grateful, Sasuke takes the bento wrapped in a furoshiki. "Thank you for this," he's charmed by it. The sweetness of this gesture makes Sasuke's heart pound.
Naruto smiles, amused at how Sasuke looks embarrassed. He hopes Sasuke doesn't mind him visiting.
"It should've been a long walk," Sasuke says, "Do you want to come in to rest?"
"No, I'm fine and very well," replies Naruto.
"I'm fine, too. Lots of energy for the walk home!" adds Juugo.
"Sorry for interrupting and making you come out. We'll be on our way now since you have your hands full," Naruto says as a bid goodbye, but Sasuke is only looking at him. "Danna-sama?"
"Naruto-san, do you have the charm I gave you?"
"Yes, here," Naruto gestures to the small purse hanging at his wrist.
"Commander!" a voice comes from within the gate.
"I'll be right there!" Sasuke calls back over his shoulder, then turns back to Naruto. "Good. always keep it with you. I would've liked to drive you back myself, sorry," he could send Sarutobi with them, but they're both swamped.
"It's alright," says Naruto, "We've bothered you enough. Good luck with your work,"
"Stay safe," says Sasuke.
"Hai," Naruto turns to leave.
"Naruto-san,"
The omega turns back around. Sasuke pats him on the head, careful not to mess his styled hair.
Naruto blushes red.
Juugo snickers. "My, my, Bocchan,"
"Ah, finally," says Juugo as they're halfway through the journey home. They're passing through the rice fields. Juugo likes taking morning walks like this when it's cool. "What would you like for lunch, Naruto-sama?"
Naruto hums thoughtfully, reaching for a feel of his purse. He feels… exposed, somehow. He's always felt like Sasuke's presence is with him, but now it's… gone. "Oh, some miso soup and grilled fish sounds lovely. That'll warm us right up,"
"Hai," Juugo agrees.
The sound of a revving car engine comes from behind them, and Juugo, guides Naruto into the roadside to allow the car to pass them safely.
But the car screeches to a halt right in front of them. Men in suits file out, push Juugo to the ground and grabs Naruto's arm.
"Hey!" the elderly, but sturdy omega falls to the ground. "Naruto-sama!"
"What's hap—" The men gag Naruto with a cloth and cover his eyes, then tie his wrists behind him.
Juugo immediately gets up and attempts to land a punch at one of the assailants. He's an omega but he's a man still. The driver gets off the car and joins the two others and defends them with a punch to Juugo's jaw. Again, he falls to the ground. He tries to get up, but the punch leaves him disoriented, and could only watch as they manhandle Naruto into the car and drive away.
Chapter End Notes
(1) The Japanese call someone they don't know very well by their surname. Calling someone by their first name connotes years of friendship or a special closeness with a person.
(2) Koseki （戸籍・こせき）is a family registry. A Japanese household named after the head, in this case, Sasuke. He is the head of the koseki. This is where all information about the family, marriages, births, deaths, will be registered in. If a koseki registers an adoption or marriage into their koseki, the person registered into the koseki will receive the surname of the head of the household. There are no hyphenations when it comes to surnames in Japan.
(3) Furisode （振袖・ふりそで）is a bridal kimono with long sleeves and a train.
Iro-uchikake（色打掛・いろうちかけ) is a colored kimono brides may change into for the reception.
The shiromuku（白無垢・しろむく）is the white kimono and may be worn with the wataboshi（綿帽子・わたぼし） (the bridal hood) the equivalent of the veil. T
he black montsuki hakama (黒紋付袴・くろもんつきはかま）is the most formal traditional attire common men may wear. Other more formal traditional clothes are left to history, the arts, and the imperial family for ceremonies.
(4) Furoshiki (風呂敷・ふろしき) are traditional Japanese wrapping cloths traditionally used to wrap and/or to transport goods. i
hope you enjoyed that small heat/rut scene but i am so sorry for that ending