Naruto rarely travels far from the Uchiha home unless it's with Sasuke to take a vacation. When he travels alone, Sasuke isn't above abusing his position and power as a commander of the imperial army. He sends Sarutobi Konohamaru to drive Naruto where he needs to go. The young officer never turns it down since he likes his commander's wife and because knows he'll get a meal at the Uchiha home as reward for his services.
Juugo notices Naruto's lethargy that autumn morning but insists on making the trip. After all, this is Naruto's duty as Sasuke's wife. So, he dresses him, puts light makeup on, and brushes Naruto's long, blond hair into low braids decorated with enamel Japanese plum blossoms.
They're to visit the rebuilt Haruno house. It was an invite from his father. Since Sasuke isn't available to visit, Naruto will go in his stead.
This is the first time he'll see his father and his family since the house burned down that Naruto will step foot in the estate, but he's visited many times in the woods behind the estate, to the shrine of the fox. He plans on taking the shrine and placing it in their garden.
He's anxious to see them again, but he'll gather his strength and courage. He must see this through. He likes to think he's more confident in speaking with people now that he's met so many of Sasuke's acquaintances, and learned much from watching Sasuke lead his family. He hopes this time he can properly relay Sasuke's instructions to his father.
Sarutobi assists Naruto and Juugo into the car, then settles in the driver's seat. It takes a while for Sarutobi to get Naruto up in the car and comfortable, since he's unwell. As they start their journey with Officer Sarutobi at the steering wheel, Naruto cups his distended lower belly, hidden by the kimono. His womb aches, heavy, swollen, and bloated from the seed Sasuke knotted into him the other day during the last day of his rut. It's a good kind of ache. He should be resting since because they're trying for a child, and his body has been feeling quite used lately not that he minds—he's waited so long to spend a proper rut with Sasuke. He can't wait to spend another heat with him and let Sasuke make him feel good with his love.
But duty calls. They were engaged for a year and waited until Naruto is a little older lest endanger his small, young body with a pregnancy.
"Juugo-san?"
"Hai, Naruto-sama?" Juugo answers next to him.
"I have some instructions before I step out into the Haruno house, will that be alright?"
"Of course,"
Sarutobi listens. Aside from standing as the Commander Uchiha's mate's driver, there is an unsaid instruction to be his protector.
"Before I step out of this car, I would like everything to be ready," he starts, soothing the aching heaviness of his swollen womb by rubbing his belly through the silk fabric of his kimono. "Please instruct the servants to prepare the receiving room and allow me to enter and settle in alone with you and Officer Sarutobi, without audience. I would like warm sencha tea served before I enter, the doors to the garden should be open for some air. I will call for the audience when I am ready to receive them, and I would like for both of you to join me all throughout,"
Juugo nods. "Hai." Very reasonable requests, as always with Naruto-sama. He's never had any impossible demands. Juugo feels honored to serve such a sensible master.
Naruto yawns and closes his eyes. "I would like to rest a little more; will that be alright?"
"Hai. Please rest. I will wake you when the Haruno house is ready to receive you,"
Juugo gives Sarutobi a look, nods at him back through the rearview mirror. The officer slows down.
They arrive to the Haruno house thirty minutes late. Officer Sarutobi stays with a sleeping Naruto in the car while Juugo gives out the instructions and supervises the execution.
"What do you mean he wants to get in alone?"
"Uchiha-sama means exactly that, Haruno-dono," says Juugo plainly, purposefully using the family name instead of Naruto's name. "Please wait in another room while we get him settled,"
Haruno scoffs. "He's already late—"
"He is the wife of the head of the family that controls yours," Juugo cuts him off. "Please be reminded that you are in no place to make demands,"
He leaves with a huff, and another servant comes in and sets down a tray with a fresh pot of tea and a singular empty cup. "Will Uchiha-sama be needing anything else?"
"The garden doors open," Juugo inspects the zabuton Naruto is to sit on placed on the part of the room where Haruno used to sit.
It's not soft enough. This may not help and may add more to the aches Naruto is experiencing. He asks for another two which he places on top of one another. He then places another two zabuton behind Naruto's for himself and Officer Sarutobi.
The servant opens the doors to the garden, and fresh, cool breeze flows in, and the stuffy air is forced out. Then three zabuton are placed opposite the one Naruto is to sit on.
"Naruto-sama," Juugo brushes a hand over Naruto's thigh to gently wake him up. "We're ready to receive you now,"
Sarutobi carefully eases Naruto down from the car onto the ground, holding firmly but gently onto his waist to keep him steady, hoping the sleepiness won't turn him dizzy, and the aches don't fell him.
"How long was I sleeping?" Naruto asks as they make their way into the rebuilt house, Juugo beside him and Sarutobi behind him.
It looks better than Naruto remembers. The construction finished about six months ago, and Naruto is sure the place has been made home by the Haruno, despite it not theirs.
"A good hour or so," says Juugo, "I hope you've gathered enough energy for today?"
"I should hope so," Naruto giggles, again rubbing his distended belly, hidden by layers of expensive cotton and silk. "I'll need all the energy for when I am finally full with Danna-sama's child,"
"I will take care of you, don't you worry," Juugo promises him.
Sarutobi blushes at the information.
Servants bow as Naruto approaches the genkan. "Welcome back, Uchiha-sama,"
"Good morning," he greets them. They are not the same servants he worked with while he was here. "I hope my instructions weren't too much trouble,"
"Not at all!" says one servant.
Naruto notices it's the same layout as before, so he knows where the receiving room is. Another servant, waiting by the door, opens it for him. The room smells of fresh wood, tatami, and the cool breeze coming from the garden. He had instructed it so the scent of his audience wouldn't upset him.
It's Sarutobi who lets Naruto grip his forearms like a lifeline, his nails digging into the officer's skin even with the uniform on, the omega groaning through the pain within his hips and the soreness between his thighs, as he lowers himself down on the cushion to sit properly. "Naruto-san, daijoubu desu ka?" Are you alright?
"Yes, thank you," Naruto nods, groaning and panting as he fixes himself on the pillow.
Juugo comes forward and pulls a handkerchief from the breast pocket from inside his kimono and pats the sweat off Naruto's forehead. He then pours the tea. "I'll tell Bocchan to watch himself," he says, "He may have been too much on you,"
Naruto chuckles, again pressing a hand on his lower belly, feeling the distension of his swollen womb under all the clothing, hoping it'll take, and a child will grow there. He's added padding to his undergarments to make sure that if something leaks it'll be caught. "Danna-sama is… a lot,"
"I know," Juugo snickers. "I raised him," and he and Naruto burst into giggles.
"This is not a conversation I thought I'd hear in someone else's house, you know," Sarutobi whispers in exasperation, already settled on his zabuton.
Naruto takes a sip of the tea. "You'd rather hear this at home with Danna-sama around?"
"Of course not!" Sarutobi sputters.
He calls for another servant to serve tea to Juugo and Sarutobi, who gratefully take the tea served to them. It's half an hour before his aches calm and dull, and another ten minutes before he calls for his audience.
The servants are going to gossip for sure, about what they've heard them say, about the way Naruto is cradling his belly like he's already with child. It's one of the only past times servants have, with their day full of work that never seems to end. But it's okay, maybe. Let the Haruno think that their bastard is carrying the next head of the Uchiha family in him.
It's Haruno who enters first, then places himself on the cushion directly opposite Naruto. He's annoyed that Uchiha Sasuke-dono couldn't even make the time for this visit, and at the demands his bastard is making in his own home. A servant comes in with a fresh pot of tea, then takes away the stale pot. Juugo comes forward to pour the tea into the single cup on the tray by the omega's side.
"You're late," Haruno says instead of a greeting.
"This meeting starts when Uchiha-sama says so, Haruno-dono," says Juugo noting the first strike of disrespect, as Naruto takes a sip of the fresh, perfectly warm tea.
Haruno scoffs. "I'm being treated like a second-class citizen in my own home."
"Is that so?" Naruto sets the cup down on the tray, then places his hands delicately on his lap. "I can't imagine how awful that must be," he says evenly. "After all, you are my father. I lived here,"
Dang. Sarutobi thinks, shivers running up his spine. He's as vicious as the commander! He's definitely earned that fan on his back!
"May I also remind you, that this land and the house on it belongs to Sasuke-san," Naruto continues. "That was the agreement,"
Since Haruno couldn't afford for it to be rebuilt after his investments bailed on him, the house was rebuilt for them financed by the Uchiha, and for the main Haruno family to live in and rent; and in return, the ownership of the land and the house will be turned over to the Sasuke, and the Haruno family will remain under the Uchiha as a lesser branch.
Naruto pretends to miss the peeved huff his father gives him. He's also pretending to be calm, because he promised Sasuke he'll handle this calmly and properly as expected of the wife of Uchiha head. He doesn't hate this family, no. He just doesn't like the way they disrespect Sasuke as their head.
"What is the purpose of my visit today?"
"I would like to ask the Uchiha head to reinstate the Haruno name,"
"I see." Naruto hums. "That request has weight to it."
How daring of Haruno to ask for this, when he's living on land and in a home paid for by Naruto's husband.
"Please send for my half-sister, and Haruno-dono's mate,"
"Hai," a servant answers from the other side of the door.
The people he asked for shuffle in minutes later.
Mebuki sees him and her anger for the last two years or so come crashing back. Here the bastard of her husband is, sitting where her husband used to sit, wearing clothes more luxurious than anything she or Sakura had ever worn, with the Uchiha crest embroidered on his left breast. He was no longer than stick thin servant he used to be. His scarred cheeks are fuller, his skin fairer, hair shinier, eyes brighter, and he looked healthier overall.
Naruto sees Sakura enter, wearing more humble clothing since she's still in service to the house she was sent to two years ago after the house burned down. The house she was sent to is part of the Uchiha clan, but Sasuke and Naruto don't interfere with their treatment of Sakura, though Naruto did ask them not to mistreat her. Her hair is not as luscious or voluminous but pulled back into a low bun to keep away from her face as she works.
None of them bowed. He'll take note of that. It shows how much respect they have for him and for Sasuke. He of course didn't expect much, but Naruto would like to put them back in their place, because he will always make decisions in the best interests of the Uchiha family.
"Unfortunately, your request is denied,"
"WHAT!" Haruno roars. "You can't decide that on your own—!" he gets cut off when Sarutobi, behind Naruto, clicks open his sword to reveal a short length of the blade, and shoots him a severe look. Haruno sits back down.
"Actually, I can, Haruno-dono," Naruto takes another sip of the cooling tea. "I am my husband's wife; thus, I represent him, and I have been given authority to decide on his behalf with regards to the Haruno family. But your request does not take into consideration the house and land you currently live in, nor your dismal finances. Should you wish to leave the supervision of the Uchiha family as a branch, you are welcome to pack your things and leave the estate and Sakura-san can go back to the home she serves. I'm sure your accounts can last you a while,"
The arson the Inuzuka family caused had was the reason Sasuke decided to absorb both families, to cushion them from the devastating effects on their finances, but a dent had still been made due to the damage control needed to hush everything up. Inuzuka Tsume had to step down as head, and her daughter Hana replaced her, and the Inuzuka family now works as low branch of the Uchiha.
Sasuke had a hostile takeover of the Haruno finances when the ventures the Haruno had big shares of, didn't want to be associated with Haruno Kizashi, taking control of their businesses when they asked to be bought out, and gave its management to other trusted Uchiha. That started the fall of their finances, and their insistence to keep servants and live in the rebuilt house which Sasuke insists the rent match the market. After the debacle with Naruto's abduction, he showed just how cold and cruel he could be and live up to the gossip.
Sasuke then shared with Naruto his plan to cut off the direct line to the Inuzuka and the Haruno family, effectively felling their trees, even if it means the extinction of their abilities. They've gotten imperial approval for it. Sasuke will, however, attempt to absorb the three remaining children, Inuzuka Hana, Inuzuka Kiba, and Haruno Sakura, by marrying them into lesser branches of the Uchiha, getting rid of their name and acquiring their blood. Since Sasuke has gained control of their families, he'll be assigning trusted Uchiha to lead the branches instead of appointing other Inuzuka or Haruno from the other lines. He'll be starting that plan today.
"Is there anything else you'd like to bring forward, Haruno-dono?"
Haruno decides to bite his tongue. "No,"
"I see," says Naruto, "Our next issue will be Kiba-san and Sakura-san,"
"Me?" says Sakura, surprised that she's even being mentioned.
Sasuke and Naruto will be meeting Kiba sometime this month when he's returned from his travels and training. Naruto is looking forward to seeing him after so long. He's already been informed that he needs to report to the home of the Uchiha head. He will be informed that he will no longer be in line to head the Haruno family.
"My husband has already met with Hana-san and Tsume-san they are not allowed input regarding this matter. Nor you," Naruto trails off a little bit at the end. He catches himself, leans forward to put his weight on a hand to the tatami, and brings his other hand up to his obi.
"Uchiha-sama," Juugo rushes to his side.
"Cramping," Naruto whispers through gritted teeth, leaning his head on Juugo's shoulder.
"We can adjourn and continue this another day," Juugo whispers back.
"No, no," Naruto takes a breath and gathers himself. "We'll finish today,"
"Hai," Juugo returns to his zabuton.
"Right, where were we?"
"Is there anything we should know about the wife of the Uchiha family head?" Haruno almost smirks. As if he's elated that Naruto is sick.
"Oh, no," says Naruto, placing his hands delicately back on his lap, "I'm merely in post-heat, Haruno-dono," he takes a breath and lets the tail end of the cramp ebb away. He ignores the disappointment in their faces. "As I was saying, Sasuke-san's decision is final, and you are prohibited from objecting or challenging. Sasuke-san has decided to dissolve the engagement between Kiba-san and Sakura-san,"
Haruno and his mate start voicing their displeasure, raising their voices, and demanding to see Sasuke. The only thing standing between Mebuki attacking Naruto is Sarutobi.
"Well, where is he?" Haruno yells at Naruto, who flinches. "Where's Uchiha?"
"Uchiha Sasuke-sama will hear of this, Haruno-dono," says Juugo, narrowing his eyes at him. "You are disrespecting his wife, who represents him, and that is a direct slight on him. Please watch your tone and choose your next words carefully,"
There's a moment of silence between them. Naruto's anxiety is catching up with him, hands shaking and heart pounding, but he must persevere and finish this meeting. He's thankful Sakura has yet to say anything. Naruto continues but is shaky and is struggling to keep eye contact with his father.
"Kiba-san will be marrying someone else, and it's already decided for him. The bride's family has agreed to the match. Sakura-san will remain in the house she serves until Sasuke-san's instruction to remove her,"
Naruto doesn't tell them about Sasuke's plans. Not yet. Maybe never.
Even though Naruto didn't want things to get this serious, this isn't something he argue Sasuke with, even as his wife.
"That is all, you are dismissed,"
Haruno opens his mouth to disagree, but a glare from Sarutobi shuts him down.
The doors at the back of the room open for them to file out.
"I would like to leave now,"
Naruto has a bowl of miso then returns to bed when they arrive home. Juugo gives Sarutobi a bento for his trouble and tells him to come back sometime within the week for dinner with them.
"Okaeri nasai mase, Bocchan," Juugo welcomes Sasuke home that night, then leads him into the receiving room to eat.
"Is Naruto-san not joining me for dinner?" he asks as he watches Juugo serve him his tray.
"That's what I wish to speak with you about," Juugo pours him a cup of tea. "He hasn't eaten much today, only some soup with lots of wakame and soft tofu," (1)
"Is there something wrong? Is he sick?" Sasuke tenses with worry, almost ready to bolt out and into their bedroom. "Did something happen with the Haruno?"
"No, nothing like that! But Bocchan, you have to watch yourself!" says Juugo, giving Sasuke a sly smirk. "Oh, Naruto-sama was absolutely marvelous today! You should have seen him, Bocchan, putting that shameless Haruno-dono in his place! But he had a hard time walking and sitting today! The poor thing is too delicate for a big brute like you! Be careful of your wife!"
Sasuke chokes on his own breath and flushes red.
"You don't touch him, Bocchan, do you hear?" Juugo says seriously this time, letting go of the teasing. "At least not for a while. I know what it's like to have a young husband, too, you know? It will be difficult for you to keep yourself off him, but please, Bocchan. Keep yourself in check, just until Naruto-sama has healed. You are trying for a child after all, and it wouldn't do if the young one's mother is too sickly for him, right?"
They're not really actively trying for a child but spending a heat and rut together like that would imply that they are, and it's not impossible that Naruto will quicken soon. He is a young and fertile omega, and while Sasuke himself should be virile enough even at his age (even older alphas have managed to father children).
And Juugo knows Naruto isn't Sasuke's first omega, but ah, young love. His Bocchan must've been so excited to finally spend a proper rut with this beloved. He too, misses being loved like that.
"He's had some soup and fish tonight, don't you worry," says Juugo, "But has gone back to bed to rest, and I've given him something for the pain, just as Tsunade-sama instructed,"
Ah, how fun it is to tease his Bocchan, Juugo thinks as he waits on Sasuke as he has his dinner.
After a bath, Sasuke slips into the bedroom, where a chabudai is moved near the futon. On it, a book, a tray of tea, and some sweetened mochi for snacks. (2)
Naruto feels the movement from the blanket, then smiles sleepily at his husband. "Okaeri nasai mase, Danna-sama," Welcome home, husband.
Sasuke presses a kiss to Naruto's forehead, then makes himself comfortable under the blanket. "I heard you did a good job today,"
The omega snuggles in next to the alpha and relaxes on Sasuke's chest. "Mmm, you think so?" says Naruto, sleep drunk. "It was awful. Haruno-dono was terribly rude and upset Juugo-san and Sarutobi-san,"
The family head hums. He'll deal with Haruno later. Sasuke will make sure their punishment is severe. No one is allowed to speak to Naruto like that.
"How are you feeling? Juugo tells me I may have been too rough on you. Please tell me or refuse me if you don't want it or when it hurts, Naruto-san," he brings Naruto's hand up to his lips to kiss the fingers. "Your health and safety, and your happiness always come first,"
Naruto smiles into Sasuke's yukata. "I'm okay. Your rut must've been difficult. Maybe next time. But I am very swollen, Danna-sama. Full. I hope..." he yawns. "I wish for our child to grow in my womb. I am excited to meet them and love them,"
"Get some rest. We'll go on a trip together to ease your mind off things,"
"How fun. I look forward to it," Naruto starts to trail off, about to fall back asleep. "Good night, Danna-sama. I love you,"
"I love you, too, Naruto-san. Good night,"
Chapter End Notes
(1) Wakame (ワカメ or わかめ or 若布 or 和布) is seaweed added to soups like miso and may also be made into a salad.
(2) Chabudai (卓袱台 or 茶袱台 or 茶部台) is a short-legged table used in traditional Japanese homes. The original chabudai ranged in height from just 15 cm to a maximum height of 30 cm. People seated at a chabudai may sit on zabuton or tatami rather than on chairs.
I wanted Naruto to get back a little bit at the Haruno and this was what I came up with. Anyway that's it thank you for reading! Hope you enjoyed!