Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
It's really late and I don't know why my body continues to leave me up this late. I usually head to bed at 9. Yes, that may be weird to most of you night owls, but I get really paranoid if I am awake really late and I'm all alone. It's never a pretty sight.
This chapter probably could have been better. I will be sure to include Sasuke in the next chapter so I am sorry he wasn't added if any of you get upset by that.
There is some character progressing seen though.
Oh what fun. Enjoy!
The palace is filled with utter and complete silence. That's unusual for the morning. Usually people are cleaning and running about. I crawl out of bed and head downstairs. Still silence. I hear the faint sound of clinging come from the kitchen. Oh. So everyone is preparing for our guests tonight, huh? Shouldn't they be dusting the place, since that's what they do all the time?
"Good morning, son," my father smiles, taking a bite of a muffin.
"Uh, since when are you out of your office at 10 in the morning? And how come no one got me up for breakfast?" My father is being oddly nice to me. Did something happen that I missed?
"Well, your mother had to go do something down in the village, so we didn't have a family meal this morning. You can go grab a muffin from the table though. I put a whole variety in a basket."
"So, mom's not here?"
"Nope. She'll be back before dinner though." My dad walks away as he continues to nibble bits from his muffin.
I walk into the dining hall and grab a blueberry muffin. Even the smell can make someone fall in love. How does the baker do it?
I sink my teeth into the snack and wander around the castle. A small breeze creeps in from an open window; fresh air filling my nose. I wish I could go outside without sneaking out. If only my parents trusted me. Why don't you just run away, Naruto? Well, I am for one, a prince. That would not go unseen or unheard. Secondly, I love my family. I don't think I could go a day without receiving a warm hug from my mom or even just see my dad. It would be nice if they'd let me leave though. I am 16.
"Naruto, are you okay?" I snap out of my train of thought and turn towards the voice. My father stands down the hall looking at me with a concerning look.
"I was just thinking," I nod. He steps closer, his complexion getting lighter as it meets with the ray of sunlight.
"You know you can talk to me about anything, right?" I don't answer because truth is, I don't know that. My dad doesn't treat me like I feel like I can trust him. "Naruto," he speaks up, "I know that I'm not as close to you as I can be, but I want to change that. I'm just really busy and I guess I forget that I have obligations as a father, too. So, can we please try this? Can we have a father and son relationship? Like one that you have with your mother?"
"Alright, if you want to get closer to me, then I have one request."
"Of course. What is it?" my father grips onto my shoulders.
"I want to have full access of leaving this castle." My dad stares at me with a blank expression on his face. He pulls away and averts his eyes; rubbing the back of his head.
"Naruto, I-"
"Dad, I am 16 years old. I have been for over a month. I need a little bit of freedom. And plus, when I left the first time-"
"The first time? You've left more than once?" my father raises his voice.
"Let me finish," I lift my hands in a calming manor. "The first time I left, I met a guy and he is the one who told me about the tragic story of some during the winter. Now, the second time I left, I went to the forest, and he was there again, but this time, he told me that my stance was wrong and that he could help. In that case, what I have been taught my whole life is wrong, and I found someone who can actually help me. No, he doesn't know that I am the prince, and I want it to stay that way for a while. So dad, if you let me leave, then I can get help in defending myself." He takes a moment to let all of that sink in before letting out a sigh.
"Alright, Naruto. You can have freedom, but I have to send someone with you, and you have certain times you need to be back. For example, you have to be here if we have plans at a certain hour, or for meals. Other than that, I give you your privilege of leaving."
"Dad, if someone comes with me, then people will know who I am."
"Well, then he can just follow you from a distance." I groan, but nod.
"Yeah, fine."
"Good. Now, I hope you've cleaned your room, son." I dart away without saying a word. No dad, I have not cleaned my room. Thanks for asking though.
Swinging around the corner, I saunter into the kitchen; completely out of breath. "Would someone like to clean my room? It's really not all that messy. Just some clothes out of place and my bed needs made. Maybe some dusting if you're into that." A petite woman walks up to me and nods, walking out of the kitchen and up the stairs. That was easy.
I lounge around the house for the next couple of hours, just awaiting the moment when the Hyugas arrive. Oh what joy it is to have such proper people roaming my home. Especially when Neji shoots me a disapproving look every 5 minutes.
The castle doors open and in walks my mom with a warm smile on her face. "You look happy," I call from my chair. My mother turns her attention towards me.
"Oh indeed I am! The baker was very kind and he said that a young man gave him a huge donation, so he was handing out some bread to poor children and their families. It was really sweet. Acts of kindness do make me happy. How was your day?"
"Well, dad said he wants to be more included in my life so we had a nice chat and now I am able to leave the castle whenever I feel the need to."
"Oh, really?"
"Well, someone is going to be following me around for protection and I can't leave if we have plans or during a meal, but other than that, yes."
"That's wonderful, Naruto! Maybe you can come with me one day."
"Mom, no one can know I am the prince." Her smile disappears.
"Oh, right. Okay, fine. If you ever decide you want them to know, then you can come with me."
"Sure thing mom," I smile. She sends me a small one. I know that she's hurt about the fact that I don't want people to know who I am, but I also know that she understands where I'm coming from.
She walks over and bends down; gently kissing me on the forehead. "Are you ready to eat lunch?" I grin and follow her into the dining hall where she lays down her basket full of goodies. "I figured I would let the people of our kingdom earn a little gold and allow our dearest friends here in the castle to get a rest." It's no wonder that everyone loves my mother. She really is the sweetheart of the village.
I peer into the wicker basket and scan the items my mom purchased: a jar of preserves and peanut butter, some bread, strawberries and grapes, and a jug of milk. "My mother used to make this for me when I was little. You know, before I met your father. I would always have simple things like a homemade peanut butter and jelly. Nothing fancy, but it is very important to me because it comes from the heart."
"Will I ever get to meet your parents? I mean, my grandparents?"
"I hope someday we can get them to come out here and stay for a couple of days or so. They would love to see how much you've grown. Believe it or not, but they were some of the only people around when you were a baby. I had a lot of work to do and so did your father. His parents were also there to tend to you." So my grandparents were there for me when I was a baby and yet I have no idea who they are. How nice and considerate of me.
"I would like that." She takes hold of my chin and pulls me in to kiss my forehead; a gesture that I cherish. "So, can I go out to the village tomorrow? I won't go tonight because we are having guests over, but can I head out tomorrow? I really want to get some advice on my fighting skills and what not."
"Advice on your fighting skills? Naruto, you already have someone for that."
"Oh, about him… you should probably fire him. I found a new instructor that knows more of what he's doing than Mr. Chang."
"Oh yeah? What makes you so sure of that?" my mom places her hands against her hips and cocks her head.
"Well, for starters, he's a major know-it-all, and they don't joke around. Plus, he works at a blacksmith place and I think they have to know a little bit about what they're talking about if they work in a place that makes and sells weaponry."
"Blacksmiths? Who do you know from there?"
"His name is Sasuke. Sasuke Uchiha, I'm pretty sure."
"Uchiha, huh? I used to be friends with a girl who later married an Uchiha. So is this boy your friend?"
"More of an acquaintance," I shrug.
"So, is your life in danger by hanging out with this, uhm, Sasuke?"
"Nah. I think I'm good on that part. He sounded like he really wanted to help, so I'm going to assume that he's a good person."
"Alright. I'm going to have Namike (pronunciation: N-ah-me-key) watch after you. Especially around that 'acquaintance' of yours," she jabs her finger at me.
"Alright, okay!" I put my hands up in defense. She grins; placing her hand on top of my head and ruffling my hair. "Mom," I grumble. My mom grumbles and strolls over to the counter where she prepares our lunch.
Taking a huge bite of my gooey sandwich, I grab the glass of milk and swallow it down. My mom was right when she said this was a simple, but delicious, meal. My hand hovers over the bowl of grapes and strawberries as I determine which strawberry looks the juiciest. Finally deciding on a dark, plump one, and nibble at it till I reach the stem. Mother and father sit closer together than usual which I take as a good thing. Just as long as they don't tell me they have major news and that it's that they are having a baby. I don't want a baby brother or sister.
I, of course, finish my meal before my mom and dad so I patiently sit in my seat. "Naruto?" I perk up and look at my dad. "Did you ever clean your room?" I open my mouth but stop myself. I have no idea if my room has been cleaned yet.
The same, petite woman walks past behind my parents and smiles; giving me a thumbs up. "Uhm, yes," I clear my throat. "Yes I did." My father smiles at me and continues to eat his lunch.
The servants come and clear the table; our stomachs full. I pat my stomach and smile. I wish everyone down in the kingdom could experience this every single meal. Now that I think about it, I wish for a lot. It's big things too. I finally got my dad to allow me the freedom I have been dreaming about, but everything I want doesn't just grow from trees. Not everything can happen the way I want it to. Maybe I should just- "Naruto, tell your father what you told me about your grandparents," my mom smiles at me. Why does she care about that?
"I said it would be nice to see them. I know that they were around when I was a baby, but I really don't remember them so I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea if we invited them up here." My father turns towards my mom and shoots her a look that I've never seen before. He glances back at me for a quick second.
"Well, son, it's not that I don't love my parents and in-laws very much, it's just that my mom can be a little nosy in everything that I am doing. She always gets at me for being lazy or not doing things the way she wants them to happen. And Kushina," he turns to face my mom once again, "you know that your father basically hates me for taking his 'precious little cupcake' away from him."
"I just thought it would benefit the 3 of us a little to have some family time," my mother says quietly.
"There's nothing wrong with that. I just don't know if it would be a good idea. Maybe some time next year, okay?" My mom sighs and averts her eyes. Getting out of his seat, my dad walks out of the dining hall and into his work room. A door slams shut which means he won't be out of there until dinner time.
I get up and slowly walk over to my mom. I engulf her in a hug and smother my face in her long red hair. "It's okay, mom. I'll make sure that they get to come," I assure her. She smiles and pulls my face down to kiss my cheek.
"Thank you, Naruto. I believe that one day you will achieve great things and maybe even make this kingdom even greater. I hope that you find someone that deserves you, someone that will treat you well." Someone's being rather touchy.
"Thanks, mom," I crack a smile. I take my hands from around her neck and stand up straight. Now I just have to wait for the Hyugas to arrive several hours from now.
What will happen when the Hyugas come for dinner? Dun dun dunnnnnnn.
I have no idea what that was, so please don't judge me! :D
I really hate people that like to pretend like they run this joint. And I have one in my house right at this moment. Yay for Emma!
Okay, well, I hope you liked this chapter. I know they are probably getting worse and worse as this story progresses. I am really trying here though. It might be awhile before I update again, which will most likely mean for a really long chapter. Love you guys! xoxo