AN: I'm Baaaack! And as happy as ever! LOL Aight.. so… I don't know why, but I cannot seem to answer to comments.. Its giving me an error message… o.o But be assured I love you all for the wonderful support! Life has been great, I was on a break, Im back in summer school but taking it chill… Iv'e overworked myself for the past 2 years to the point of medical exhaustion. The chappies will come however, stay tuned! :D
He absolutely hated riding in coaches. He hated the cramped confines of velvet and leather. If he could have gotten away with riding through Konoha on the drivers seat and not put up to more ridicule than usual he would have.
"You're acting like a child in scratchy Sunday clothes." Kakashi chuckled across from him. He was sitting with his knees crossed and looking quite comfortable.
"How can you stand this shit?" Naruto growled. "I'm hot, there's no air flow, and this place has been perfumed." He spat the word like it was poison.
"You're making a too big of a deal out of it." Kakashi shrugged. Looking almost happy to see Naruto miserable. "Oh, come on, form my side this is hilarious!" He waved a hand at Naruto's sour expression. "Besides, you'll be down here more often when you're preparing paperwork and such."
"Don't remind me." Naruto scoffed, hand running through his bangs. Kakashi had tried to convince him to wear something formal to the courthouse. To his surprise, he wasn't faced with too big of a fight. In fact, Naruto looked at him wearily and nodded, producing only a deep sigh that let him know exactly what he thought of the whole situation.
There they were now, Kakashi looking as spiffing as always, and Naruto combed, buttoned, perfumed and unhappy.
What surprised Kakashi was his own inability to realize that Naruto's daily wear wasn't for lack of education in manners; it was simply that he didn't like to follow them. He had come down early, ready to go, looking like a perfect, high-born gentleman. Even the staff at Kakashi's house did a double take. The difference in look was stunning.
By now, Naruto had settled comfortably in Kakashi's house, per his request. He had taken whatever belongings he had had in his old home. Tsunade was more than happy to bring them over. And was delighted to hear that Naruto wanted her to stay and travel with him. She took no time in moving into the staff quarters and went so far as to happily befriend the tigers.
The coach rode quickly through the bustling streets of the city. Naruto wrinkled his nose at the stench coming from the gutters. "I'm not picky, but this shit is coming from outside closed windows, do you blame me for not coming down here as often as the ruling body would like me to? Scratch that…" he mumbled, "Thankfully, they don't."
"Naruto, it cannot be that bad." Kakashi reasoned. "What can they possibly do to you." He raked his eyes over Naruto. It was true, physically; he would crush them into dust. But clearly, that wasn't what Naruto was worried about. "It's the fact that rumors spread around here like wildfire… I can't stand people who talk about others without knowing them, it's… filthy." He shook his head. "And unfortunately I guess, I learned that the hard way as a child."
Kakashi was about to ask what had happened when they came to a lurching stop. He peeked out, realizing that they had arrived. "We'll talk about this later."
They stepped out, Kakashi first, Naruto right behind him. The short steps from the coach to the large, oak doors were no problem. But when they were fully within the confines of the large marble hall, he could immediately see what Naruto had a problem with.
All around them, people stopped talking. The men that were standing around suddenly turned into scuttling hens, whispering to each other and avoiding their glances.
He leaned a bit closer to Naruto, noticing how the young man looked straight forward, his features chiseled into perfect indifference and grace. He moved like he owned the place, even though it was clear that he wasn't welcome. "Perhaps I had forgotten some things." He mumbled to the blonde, looking around. He recognized some faces. Young men standing beside their spotless fathers, being fashioned into what they were to be come.
Kakashi remembered some of them traveling to see him in the country. He knew that Minato gave Naruto the best of education. He kept in mind that Naruto had many languages under his belt, one of the reasons he decided to ask him about becoming a merchant. He'd be perfect in the field. He noted off people he knew, people who haven't seen him in ages. He assumed that Naruto's schooling was not a pleasant experience. By the way the men bristled as they passed; he reckoned that Naruto didn't take their shit lying down. He smiled.
"Did you miss how happy they are to see me here?" Naruto mumbled under his breath, not looking at Kakashi, although it was clear that the note was directed to him.
"But they remember you." Kakashi was grinning despite himself. "Trust me, in this viper's nest, it's better to be feared and remembered than liked."
"What about respected?"
"You cannot change people's ignorance, Naruto. You can't beat it out of them as well, although I must admit you did do an admirable job in trying."
"How'd you know?" A small smirk appeared at the end of the blonde's lip. "I don't remember sharing that information."
"One look at them is all I need to know. That, and plenty of experience with people." Kakashi sighed as they neared the courtroom number they were assigned to. "As far as respect goes, oh, you'll have just about enough of it yet. I'd estimate about the time we exit these doors in about…" He peeked at his pocket watch "Oh, about an hour."
"Somehow, that isn't making me feel any better." Naruto mumbled, visibly more relaxed than when they first entered.
"It shouldn't." Kakashi grinned and pushed the door open, making a fancy, exaggerated hand movement indicating Naruto to enter before him. "This way my Lord."
Naruto just snored in amusement and entered in a haughty, overdone display of power. Kakashi snickering after him. Their good humour evaporated when they took in the unpleasant face of the judge sitting at the head of the elaborate room.
The glanced at each other quickly, and moved forward bowing lightly in respect. Kakashi presented the judge with the will and paperwork and awaited the decision.
The judge however, took Naruto in from head to toe. "Naruto Uzumaki, you have been living with your Father, whom acknowledged you, until now. We have been informed by Minato Uchiha that he had wanted you to inherit, as we have stated before, that is impossible. He is of nobility, and as such, the power to leave his possessions to an illegitimate child are null."
Naruto hardened at this. The man hadn't even looked at the paperwork; he had seen his name and jumped to conclusions. Kakashi spoke.
"Your honour, it would be wise, if you looked further into the work provided. Mr. Uzumaki is not here to plead the case of his adopted Father. In fact, Mr. Uzumaki wishes to be addressed henceforth in his legal Father's name, which would be His Lordship, Marquess Namikaze. The title of his legitimate father, whom was unaware of the child he had until quite recently, right before his death in fact. His late Lordship Namikaze has since acknowledged Naruto as his legitimate heir, swore an oath, that you will find provided in the papers that you will kindly read. He has graciously provided you with a will that explains in clear writing that everything, from land to shares, any property belonging to the Late Lord Namikaze should and will be transferred over to his son's name. Furthermore, it will be done quickly; his Lordship has urgent matters to attend to."
Everyone stared, including Naruto, completely flabbergasted at Kakashi's sudden change in attitude. From playful and laid back, he snapped to business lie indifference mixed with forceful domination. The judge's eyes were round as saucers. He only had enough mind to nod and stutter if "his Lordship would please await the finished report in two day's time?" He was bowed down to, and numbly followed Kakashi's lead out of the room.
News did indeed spread fast. The hall was amutter with the hottest news. All eyes were on them as they stepped out. All were wide, surprised and quick to turn to the floor when Naruto directed his gaze in anyone's direction.
Kakashi was bursting with joy inside. In fact, he had expected some sort of opposition. He had come up with a plan to stun them into silence on the spot. When he noticed the obvious dislike the judge had for Naruto. The plan went smoother than he expected and faster too. It looked like everyone within a hundred meter radius was completely filled in with the latest shock. Naruto was not only a noble by blood, he had surpassed the highest expectations, a Marquess being indeed, higher than a count by a long shot when it came to the hierarchy of nobility.
The sun was shining brilliantly as they exited, a perfect sign, Kakashi thought. He looked to Naruto. The blonde looked back once behind him into the cool depths of the court. It was still buzzing with the news. The people parted as they walked through. But not a word was exchanged. The young man now looked at Kakashi and smiled. "That was… interesting."
"Wasn't it?" Kakashi beamed. "You stunned them with grace Naruto! I don't think I could be prouder if I had a son!"
"You don't?" Naruto kocked his head. Looking into the one eye visible. The had started walking leisurely down the street. Kakashi had waved their coach off, silently letting the footman know to await them at the hotel.
They were side by side now. Strolling through the bustling street. It was early afternoon, and they both felt a bit elated by such an easy victory. Kakashi smiled sadly. "I never had, no."
"Well then," Naruto drawled, swinging an arm around the silver haired man's arms. "I suppose I need a new father, going through two obviously wasn't enough. What do you say old chap?"
Kakashi snorted. Bursting into laughter. A few people gave them strange looks, but they were overall ignored. "I'd be delighted of course." He bowed his head. "His lordship will not be disappointed."
They spent the next minutes in aimless chatter, taking their time in arriving into the hotel Kakashi checked them into. Naruto looked up to see its expanse. "You couldn't have picked something less… spiffy?" he inquired.
Kakashi looked fakely hurt. "I don't want to ruin our Lordship's reputation by soiling his Lordship's holy feet with anything below the best." He was cuffed on the side of the head for that by a growling Naruto. "Cut out that Lordship crap or Ill have you arrested." He looked serious for a nanosecond before they both burst into fits of laughter.
As it was, they had reached the colossal stairs that lead up to the main doors of the hotel. The doors gleamed in the sunshine as people bustled in and out, carrying flower arrangements, boxes and the like.
"They even have a door to separate the high born form the workers." Naruto shook his head. "Insane." Kakashi nodded in agreement as they took to observing the people coming and going.
Naruto looked relaxed until a pink haired, young girl, flounced right out of the doors, followed by two girls around her age, including a sour faced matron.
The blonde tilted his head to Kakashi, who looked interested in Naruto's sudden change in posture. From relaxed, Naruto's muscles clenched visibly, although he didn't budge an inch. He was as he was before slightly leaning on a column, arms crossed.
Who…?" Kakashi hissed "is that?"
"A wasp." Naruto mumbled back. "She and I were once acquainted, as children."
"Sounds like that didn't last." Kakashi muttered as she passed them. They both saw her look, but turn right back to face her front, gliding past them, nose in the air, pretending not to have noticed.
"She can't act for shit." Kakashi observed. And was rewarded with another laugh out of Naruto. "Looks like they're preparing for a ball of some sort." He added. "Might as well go up and prepare."
"For what?" Naruto sounded a bit panicked.
"For the ball of course."
"We weren't invited."
"That's because I don't think the news reached them yet. Rest assured, that will change soon." They made their way up and in, Naruto completely ignorant to the mirror like floors and the amount of décor that was put into the grand hall. The ceilings were painted; gilded statues and columns crossed each other in an attempt to show the most of the splendor of the place.
Kakashi signed them both in. "And if it doesn't, your signature in the book will for sure."
"You didn't." Naruto looked pale.
"I did indeed!" I want this whole place to know what they're missing before you leave for good."
"There are other ways…" Naruto mumbled, perfectly content on following Kakashi up the wide, curving stairs. "I don't think the idea of seeing a roomful of enemies suits me."
"Are you kidding me?" Kakashi turned to face him. "They'll be green with envy, or shame! It's too perfect of an opportunity to miss!" He looked around. "Ugh, this place reminds me of a cathedral, but they have delicious coffee in the mornings, which is why I picked it out." He winked to the huffing blonde.
AN: Yosh! Done another chappie!