AN: Aight! I want to make this chappie longer.. was listening to "Wonderwall" by Oasis…. And thinking of my dragon… -.- oh well… enjoy anyways… I find that I have a song playing in the background it helps along with the mood of the chapter… so feel free to give me any good songs you guys have.. I like sitting down to good tunes ;)
The birds were the first th8ng he heard in the morning, he usually woke up early. He liked to look out of the windows and trace the pink streaks giving way to the stronger lights slowly. There was always something about the early morning that held him in a spell.
The lake that was visible from his room held thousands of geese and ducks who raised themselves in a dark, loud cloud as the bells from the church began their first solo of the day.
He turned from the window with a sigh, the sound of bells never brought him comfort, it brought him memories of death, loss and initially, stupidity… he never liked that.
He walked to his dresser and peered into the wash bowl. He smiled at the clean water waiting for him. The people here knew him so well, they knew that he was up early; the water had been warm, but was now just lukewarm. Oh well, he didn't mind, and the cool would wake him up.
The soap was scented, he held up the slick instrument to his nostrils for inspection. He loved that smell. The towel was soft against his heated skin, the water blessedly cool.
Only after scrubbing his face in the cool liquid did he dare to look into the mirror opposite him. His eyes were distant somehow, and sad he thought… the blue that made them seem merry at even the most stressful times didn't work today. He'd have to Amp his performance until he was out of the house and far. Naruto hastily threw on a white shirt and dark pants, nothing to do today than to investigate that animal.
He made his way quietly down to the kitchens, not wanting to disturb anyone from their sleep, and knowing that the cook would be up, the only soul that kept him a bit of company in his early mornings.
"Good morning sir!" The huge woman could be mistaken for a man when looking at her from the back. She was intimidating to look at, and could scare many men into submission. Naruto was sure he was the only one that knew she was a lamb, using her scary looks only when she needed to.
He nodded a slow "morning" to her and sat at the kitchen table wearily. He had thought that the cool water would wake him up a bit. How very wrong he was! Like always, it was a large, steaming cup of coffee that did the trick.
Cook plunked it right in front of him, giggling at his morning prayers directed "to this generous elixir of life and the blessed woman who had provided me with it."
He sipped it tenderly at first, mindful of the hot substance and its blistering ability. No one made morning coffee like she did, most Lords and Ladies preferred to take theirs in the dining room at breakfast. He had never liked that; it was too watery, refined to the delicate taste buds of the parlor.
He had come down one morning early about three years ago, not being able to sleep. The fresh aroma of bread and pastries lured him in like a fish. The cook was nervous at first but he had proven his worth. Learning quickly the ways of the morning kitchen and had even helped out a bit. Cook teaching him simple recipes and chuckling to herself that "the young master should not be in here." That was her greeting for a couple of months until he told her that yes, he would, and that she needed to get used to him. In turn, he was rewarded with fresh croissants or muffins. Whatever was out of the oven. And then one day she had given him the cup. He considered that a turning point in his life.
He had asked her what it was, and she quickly apologized for stepping out of line.
He had danced her around the kitchen laughing at her squeaks and promised to come down more often if he would ever get any of that again. She swore under oath that he would be provided.
The coffee was strong, black in colour, and it wasn't runny, it was almost viscous in its consistency. And the smell of it filled the kitchen like the smell of the most fragrant roses. She told him it came from India…
So here he sat, watching starry-eyed as she offered him sugar and fresh cream.
This was his altar, he decided, as he stirred in the sugar and added a generous dollop of cream he felt that he was truly at home. The realization saddened him. This wasn't his home for long. And he knew it…everyone knew it.
He sighed in resignation as Cook sat across him and pushed a plate of steaming croissants in his direction. He looked at her, she was looking at him, eyes sad but determined.
"It will be all right sir…" she trailed off, never one for talking. She took his hands in hers, he noticed that hers were smaller. He was grateful, he knew what she was trying to say so he nodded and tried to smile.
She sighed as she again bustled around the kitchen. "What has the world come to?"
He wished he could answer. Closing his eyes, he attempted to get his thought to something other than his brooding rejection. He knew the truth, Sasuke needed to be shown what to do and left alone. No matter what he felt for the raven, and the feelings were there certainly, he needed to move on soon.
All that warned him of the impending tidal wave of people was the loud cries that reached him from the yard.
He knew he should do something about it, but he knew they'd find him and true, soon enough about five gruff men were trying to shove themselves simultaneously into the kitchen. The only thing that kept tem back was the threatening figure of the cook, screeching at them to wait outside until "the master was done his business."
He placed the cup he had been about to drink from with a sad sigh, grabbing a piece of unfinished pastry and heading into the hall of the house to see what was the matter.
Outside the kitchen he was met with the butler who was attempting to apologize to him and at the same time hustle the men out, hissing at them for breaking in.
But one butler was no match for the five of them, all trying to speak at once. The view was so funny that he laughed despite himself. As he tried to calm the butler down and ushered him into the safety of the kitchen and asked cook to give him "something strong."
The men too, calmed a bit, staring at him and waiting to speak, a bit embarrassed for their behaviour.
Naruto was about to speak when a figure on the stairs caught his eye. He was surprised himself that he hadn't spotted Sasuke earlier. How long had the man been standing there? Not long he hoped, noting that it was probably the noises these five were making that brought him down.
It was awkward to do anything now, after all, Sasuke was the owner of the land and he was the one they should consult, even though they didn't yet know that.
"Please gentlemen, I will talk with one speaker, the rest of you, please wait outside… you have already almost given the butler a heart attack."
A young man, ruddy in nature with a mop of unruly red hair stepped out, clutching his hat in one hand and a roll of paper in another. He now handed Naruto the scroll, "this is the report that we have been asked to give you sir, form the village head."
"And what has happened to cause you such distress."
"More killings sir…"
Naruto's eyebrows furrowed at that. A serious matter indeed. But nothing that couldn't be discussed over his waiting coffee.
"Please go inside sir, the cook will treat you to some food and drink; I will return shortly."
He waited until the man thanked him and walked over to the stairs, Sasuke still there, not having been detected. The raven smiled at him, and Naruto's stomach was suddenly filled with geese thrown into flight.
"Morning." The raven smiled a little. He had been there for quite some time, having dashed downstairs upon hearing raised voices, afraid that something bad was going to happen to Naruto.
He was ashamed that that was the first reaction he had…the first thought. But there it was, no one knew but him anyway.
Naruto inclined his head in return. "Something you need? They should be serving breakfast soon."
Sasuke considered this, he was in fact, quite hungry. "Will you join me?"
"I've already eaten and besides, it looks like Ill be busy soon." He turned away and walked down the steps he had come up.
Sasuke was a bit startled by the sudden rejection. He knew of course, that Naruto's predictament was uneasy and that the man himself was impulsive. But to be rejected so easily… "Do you hate me?"
Naruto looked at him, a bit taken aback by such a direct question.
"Don't you have some sort of special way to ask these things?" he asked gruffly, "like, about 20 sentences that you throw at me politely to make one point?"
Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
"Who's 'we' and what are you driving at?" Anger swelled in him. He jumped the stairs swiftly, eyes flashing, and walked right up to Naruto. The blonde for his part, was amused by this sudden show of spirit. Backing away a bit, trying to pretend he was intimidated.
"Riling you up your lordship." He mocked sweetly bowing low in mock respect.
"I didn't do anything to you!" Sasuke was boiling with rage. Last night he was left by him on the stairs, after what he had made him feel… now he was mocking him, trying to start a fight… "I know…" his voice died…"I'm sorry…" he whispered, and walked away from Naruto.
Naruto felt a pang of regret at treating Sasuke like he had. True, he still though of him as a stuck up brat, but what he did was uncalled for. It was just that he was either going to swipe him off into another kiss, And Gods did those lips ak for it, or e was going to take out his frustration in some other way… he chose the other… not smart, but he wasn't good at thinking things through after all.
Sasuke was in the dining room already when he caught up to him, panting slightly.
"Listen… about what I said before…I… I don't hate you…I can't"
Sasuke turned his head to the side, still not trusting himself to face this infuriating man head on. "Why not? I've taken everything you cherish from you… it should be easy enough…"
"I can't." Naruto repeated, unsure of his insistence. I would be easy to hate him… to heap all his problems on Sasuke… But he couldn't do it…
"Why not?" the question came again, harder this time.
"Don't ask me that." Naruto found himself murmuring and already backing out of the chamber, letting in the staff that came in with platters of food.
They held gazes, Sasuke in the splendor of the dining room, Naruto just outside it, an open door separating them. Sasuke looked so lonely in there, there were 4 people around him arranging such finery…and he looked so alone and sad, like a kicked puppy.
Naruto shook his head, breaking the eye contact and retreated, he had work to do.
The door closed behind him.
AN: oki.. as usual… let me know what you think… honestly… and I do hope you all enjoyed good chaps! Lol