AN: Hello people of Fanfiction! I'm back, and with a new juicy chappie! {Why did i type it like that?} Well, anywho! I originally wrote this chapter without any form of SC, however, since I love my readers, I dove back in and added something new! and i like to call this new bunny as a LimeBerry, not quite a Lime and not quite a Strawberry! {my bunnies have obviously been mating without my knowing} But the outcome was good, just enough so to get the blood pumping in your noses! Well, enough with the babbling. On with the story! And dont forget to review!
Note: Suna Akurei, Hyūga Hisae © Anna Uzumaki
Pairing(s): Naruto/Sasuke With: Neji/Gaara, Shika/Kiba, Sakura/Lee, Kakashi/Iruka, Hinata/Shino, Ino/Choji, Kankuro/Hana, Temari/Tenten, Jiraiya/Tsunade, Itachi/Kimimaru, Suigetsu/Sasori.
Warning(s): Yaoi, lemon(s), sexual content (Duh!), slight nuggets of OOC-ness (bear with me), adult language, blood/gore, angst, drama & slight child abuse.
Disclaimer: Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto
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Chapter 2
Adults & Their Plans
As the young boys all lined up on one side of the pool next to the bushy browed prince to begin the previously planned swim match, they all began making bets' on who would do what if said person lost or won.
"Okay if I win you all have to give me your share of ramen the next time we have it!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Oh please, that's hardly worth the loss dobe." Sasuke chuckled, "Leave it to you to demand a dumb prize for winning." He continued as he smirked at the now seething Naruto.
"No one asked for your opinion teme!" Naruto blushed, "Well how about this, if I win you have to do any one thing I tell you to do!" Naruto shouted at Sasuke.
"Hn, sounds fair, likewise, if I win you have to do any one thing I say." Sasuke repeated and punched Naruto in his shoulder.
"Well, now that that's settled, what shall we bet?" Lee asked excitedly, as he looked at Shikamaru, Kiba, Neji and Gaara.
"If I win you all have to let me sleep whenever I want while I'm here." Shikamaru said through a yawn.
"And if I win you have to stay awake the whole time tonight!" Kiba said as he bent down and splashed the sleepy prince, who just sighed at the threat.
"Alright, Neji and Gaara?" Lee turned to hear their bets'
"Hmm, I'm not sure." Gaara said as he rubbed at the black makeup around his eyes', which surprisingly hadn't came off in the water.
"Well, how about this, if I win you have to smile the whole time during dinner." Neji challenged as he mused up Gaara's hair.
"Very well, if that's the case I will challenge you to the same bet as Naruto and Sasuke." Gaara said and flicked water at the mentioned boys' who were currently smirking and glaring at each other.
"Alright! Then if I win, I challenge you all to a race around the castle!" Lee shouted, all the challenged boys groaned at his bet knowing that was nearly impossible and over the top.
As the boys' stood by the edge of the pool to begin the race, Kiba gave one final punch to the sleepy princes' arm to make sure he was awake. Shikamaru then smacked the back of the Kiba's head and position himself for the race, Kiba and the others followed suit.
"Okay boys', ready, set, GO!" Suigetsu shouted their start. Shikamaru just barely made an attempt to dive and began swimming fiercely to win his side of the bet with Kiba right beside him threatening to win. Beside them Naruto and Sasuke were swimming just as hard both cutting through the water, Neji and Gaara both swam with determination as neither one of them wanted to lose the bet against Lee. Who was currently in the lead, but slightly tired from the practice laps' he did before the race. Just then the four princess walked in to the pool area and sat down at a table furthest from splashing that the boys' were making, Sakura smirked at the lead Lee held against the other boys'.
"Looks like Lee is winning." Sakura announced somewhat smugly.
"Hmph, hardly, the others are right on his heels, billboard-brow." Ino corrected as she ran her fingers through her high ponytail.
"Shut up Ino-pig!" Sakura shouted and turned slightly away from said princess.
"Now young princesses, not too loud, you wouldn't want to distract the boys' with your beauty now would you?" The sharp-toothed swimming instructor said as he walked over to them with a warm smile on his face.
"S-sorry Suigetsu-sensei." Hinata whispered blushing slightly.
"No need for apologizes Princess Hyuga, I'm fairly sure they're too busy to hear you as it is." Suigetsu chuckled and bowed in front of the grey eyed princess.
"So what are they racing for?" Tenten princess asked.
"It is just a small bet they've made among each other Princess Kunai." Suigetsu turned and bowed to her as well as the other princesses.
Just as the boys' had swum back around for the last leg of the race, Lee looked to his side in mid-stroke and spotted the pink haired Princess. Just one look was all it took as his stroke faltered, which gave the others an opportunity to blow past him and end the race.
"YES! I win teme!" Naruto shouted happily once he was out of the pool and Suigetsu gave them the results, water dripped from his once spiky golden hair and rolled down his sun-kissed skin.
"Hn, you just got lucky dobe." The dripping wet Sasuke muttered as he looked Naruto up and down, remembering their private challenge earlier and smirked.
"NO! Youth has been blinded by beauty." Lee sulked as he stood by Sakura, who placed a hand on his wet shoulder in an effort to comfort him.
"Aww, it's alright Lee." Sakura said and smiled at him.
"Awwww Man! This sucks!" Kiba practically groaned and ran his hands through his wet hair, which he then proceeded to shake out like a dog and had the girls reeling from the flying water. "How could I lose?" Kiba continued and sulked.
"A bet is a bet, so I'm sleeping in tomorrow." Shikamaru said sleepily. Kiba growled at drowsy prince and began plotting on how to get his revenge. 'I'll make sure you won't get any sleep tomorrow shika.' Kiba thought.
"Well there you have it Neji." Gaara smirked at the glaring grey eyed price whose long brunette hair stuck wetly to his back.
"Very well Prince Gaara, your wish is my command." Neji joked and smirked at Gaara who blushed slightly at the formality. Just then the sun glasses wearing prince came from, basically, thin air to stand beside Kiba.
"It seems you're all worse for wear, being as you just finished you race and all." Shino uttered next to the plotting brunette, who jumped almost a foot in the air in surprise to his voice.
"Gah! Shino, don't sneak up on me like that!" Kiba exclaimed with a hand over his heart, the princesses giggled at the frightened look on his face.
"You should be more alert, like your dog. Dogs are very alert to others." Shino commented, turning to walk towards the changing rooms.
"That's right, Kiba where is Akamaru? This is first time I've seen you without him." Naruto questioned.
"Ugh, my sister insisted that I go a day without him so she and my mother could groom him, I shudder to think what they're really doing to him." Kiba shook his head looking very crestfallen, that dog was never far from him no matter what the circumstances', so to have come all the way here without him must've been hard.
"I-I'm sure H-hana means well Kiba, as does Lady Inuzuka." Hinata said shyly and looked at Kiba with an equally shy smile.
"Hinata is right Kiba; it is wise to keep Akamaru as healthy as possible!" Lee joined in, going over to grip his shoulder in encouragement.
"Yeah I suppose, I still wish he was here though." Kiba agreed with them trying to look slightly happier.
"Okay young sirs', that will be all today I hope to see you all again soon!" The sharp-tooth Suigetsu announced proudly, but feeling a little irritated that they didn't really do any real practicing.
"Thank you Suigetsu-sensei." The princes' all said in unison causing the instructor to grin widely, thus causing the boys' to laugh.
As the boys' walked to the changing room they parted with the princesses, who went directly to their arranged rooms to prepare for dinner.
"Don't be late Naruto, this may be your castle, but I know Lady Kushina will hang you out to dry if you are." Sakura warned and giggled, the other princesses joined in and continued down the hall.
"As if!" Naruto shouted after her, though he knew full well that his mother would do something outlandish if he were to be late, with that thought in mind he picked up his pace and hurried into the dressing room. Once all the princes' were dressed, they quickly made their way to their guest rooms' to officially change for dinner, Naruto waved after them as he went to his room to change.
"Oh, you're right on time young master." The head maid Ayame turned at his entrance then proceeded to lead him to the changing mirrors.
"Yeah… I practically ran up here, I do not wish to be late to dinner Ayame-san." Naruto breathed slightly heavily as the maid hastily removed his evening grabs, then went to the massive walk-in closet, which was basically a whole bedroom in itself, she grabbed a set of orange garbs that had royal blue shoulders which were adorned with gold chains that looped slightly from the neck to the shoulders edge, with white cuffs around the wrists pinned with gold cufflinks, along with a royal blue sash around the waist and a stripe of white going down the middle of his chest, and on the back the family insignia, a red spiral.
She efficiently got the blue eyed prince dressed in record time and then placed a golden crown on his head, which would've blended in completely if it had not been speckled with rubies, sapphires and the red family insignia swirl in the middle.
"Thank you Ayame-san, I think you just made a new record in getting me dressed!" Naruto laughed and looked himself over in the large mirror.
"Well young master, I have to be quick, I wouldn't want to upset the King and Queen by taking too long dressing their son and make him late to dinner or any other events that require the young masters presence." Ayame explained to the young prince as she put a pair of royal blue shoes in front of him from him to wear, as he stepped into the shoes she stepped back to look him over and then clasped her hands together.
"Perfect!" She smiled and then turned to walk towards the main bedroom doors, "Well, come on now you have plenty of time to get to dinner, though that doesn't mean you don't have to show up early." She said as she stood by the door for him to exit into the hall.
"Yes, let us go, I just hope the others are ready." Naruto said as he walked into the hallway, as he walked down the hall he planned to stop at each princes' room so that they could all walk together, he was surprised to find that all the prince's were already dressed and waiting for him. Each of the princes' was now wearing their royal garbs and princely crowns.
"About time you've came dobe." Sasuke smirked at Naruto, just as the other princes' walked over to the glowering raven and blonde.
"Teme!" Naruto growled at the raven.
"Oh come on you guys, I'm starving over here!" Choji whined.
"I for once agree with choji, the last time any of us ate was during lunch." Neji said, his long brunette hair was now completely dry and was pulled back into its original loose ponytail.
"Not to mention all that swimming we did, so troublesome, I'm completely wiped out." Shikamaru said lazily as he leaned against a wall.
"Then let's go eat and refill our youthful energy!" Lee shouted excitedly.
"Man, is there anything that doesn't excite you?" kiba said as he covered the ear that was closest to the loud prince.
"Come Naruto, you shouldn't be late for the third time today." Gaara said and rubbed the love tattooed on his forehead, then turned to descend the grand staircase.
"Right." Naruto said and continued on in front of Gaara, as they walked down the hall once again to the dining room they noticed the princesses waiting just outside the dining room doors.
"Wow, you are actually on time!" Ino smiled as the boys came within earshot.
"I have to agree, I actually do not think Lord Minato and Lady Kushina have even arrived yet." Tenten admitted.
"Really? Awesome!" Naruto questioned and exclaimed. He was surprised to have actually gotten there before his parents. Just then two butlers opened the double doors for the young group to enter, were they sat in almost the same seats as before, with the exception that Naruto was now seated on the right side of the head chair and Sasuke sat to the left of the head chair. Neji claimed his seat beside Gaara this time who smirked at him as he sat down, Shino then sat beside Hinata, who slightly blushed at her crush. Across from them Shikamaru sat beside Kiba, who grinned widely at him, and beside them Ino and Choji sat beside each other. And finally across from them Tenten, Sakura and Lee sat beside each other.
Once they were all seated they started casual conversation, as they were quite a few minutes early for dinner.
"So what type of bets' did you all make?" Tenten asked the boys, who were currently arguing about who might have possibly cheated.
"I bet everyone, mainly Kiba, that if I won they would have to let me sleep in tomorrow." Shikamaru told her, though it was slightly muffled due to the fact that he was resting his chin on his hand, which was propped up on the table.
"Typical Shika." Ino said as she shook her head, "I could have guessed that you'd say that, what about you Gaara?" Ino continued and turned to look at the pale red head.
"I haven't yet decided on what way I will make Neji pay for his loss." Gaara spoke as he smirked smugly at Neji, who smiled and shook his head.
"I only hope is not too embarrassing." Neji joked and nudged the teal eyed prince.
"I am s-sure Gaara will easy on y-you Nii-san." Hinata said from across him and smiled reassuringly.
"I know! Gaara you should challenge him to an exercise match!" Lee shouted excitedly from a couple seats down.
"NO." Gaara and Neji said at the same time, which everyone laughed at and caused Lee to sulk slightly.
"So Naruto, what was your bet to Sasuke?" Sakura asked sun-kissed skinned blonde.
"This teme has to follow one order I give him, no matter how embarrassing it may be!" Naruto beamed while glaring amusingly at Sasuke.
"Hn, dobe." Sasuke huffed and returned the glare to Naruto, everyone laughed at the glowering princes'. Just as the laughter died down a bit a butler and a maid opened the double doors to the dining room to announce Naruto's parents and more surprise guest.
"Presenting, His Majesty King Minato and her Royal Highness Queen Kushina. Also presenting, His Majesty King Uchiha Fugaku, her Royal Highness Uchiha Mikoto and the young Master Uchiha Itachi." The Butler announced and bowed as said announced people walked past him and the maid to the table, as Minato took to the head of the table, Kushina sat at the exact opposite end of the table and King Fugaku sat to her left with Queen Mikoto to her right and Itachi went to sit in the vacant seat beside his little brother.
"Itachi, Mother, Father! What are you doing here?" Sasuke asked excitedly as his brother, who look exactly like him but older and with what could've been stress lines on either side of his nose, sat next to him and smiled.
"Well the adults have been in a meeting all day, I along with them, they have a little event planned for you and the other young ones." The pale older Uchiha answered his brother and put his hand on his little brother's head.
"Itachi." The Uchiha father called to him giving him a stern look, their father wasn't mean but he wasn't nice, he was very stick in his actions and those of his sons.
"Now now Fugaku, he didn't mention what the event was. He was merely informing Sasuke as to why he was here, you did drag him into that meeting after all." Sasuke's mother chided and laughed at her mean faced husband.
"Yes, you are pretty strict Fugaku-sama, I am sure he is just happy to see his brother and see his face once he and the other young ones hear the surprise." Kushina said and then ran her fingers through her tomato red hair.
"You women are always ganging up on me, I find that hardly fair." Fugaku said looking like he might begin to sulk at any minute.
"Hahahah." The blonde King laughed loudly, "Fugaku you know you walked right into that, they'll defend their children at any cost and the fact that they are best friends says' enough." Minato continued and grinned at his wife.
"Oh shut it Minato!" Kushina said to her husband but then blew him a kiss, he returned the action with a wink. Which Naruto then made a gagging sound at the affection his parents were showing and made everyone laugh, efficiently lightning the mood.
"I apologize, father." Itachi said from the other end of the table once the laughter died down a bit.
"You're fine son." Fugaku simply replied and cracked a smile at his oldest son, just then a maid called their attention at the door.
"Pardon me sirs', but Lady Tsunade and Master Jiraiya have arrived." She announced from the double doors.
"Ah, Father, Mother you're finally here!" Minato exclaimed as he and the rest of the party stood at their entrance.
"Yes, well, we would have been here earlier but this old lady here had a bit of a bet going on." Jiraiya explained as he glanced at his pale blonde haired wife who was now giving him the death glare.
"Watch what you say you perverted old fart!" Tsunade said and smacked the back of his head before going to take her seat beside Mikoto, as Jiraiya smiled and sat beside Fugaku.
"As crude as ever." Jiraiya mumble under his breath.
"Granny! Where have you been? I have not seen you all day." Naruto excitedly asked his grandmother, his blue eyes gleaming.
"Well, I have been busy will the young ladies for most of the day, or I should say they kept me busy, with going over medical terms and such." Tsunade said and looked over at the smiling princesses with a proud smile.
As they continued with small conversation and witty comments the maids brought the first course of dinner, the appetizer, which consisted of a simple gazpacho and freshly made bread. As they finished their appetizers the maids brought out the main course of the meal, which was a delicious roast garnished with various veggies such as potatoes, carrots, onions and cherry tomatoes. The adults were served red wine, to complement the roast, while the young ones were given a simple sparkling water with lemon.
"Kushina this roast is simply delicious, you must have one of the best chefs in the country!" Sasuke's mother gushed at the red headed Queen.
"Why yes, I suppose you could say that, her name is Kurenai Yuhi along with her young apprentice Ayame Shiru. She is the daughter of that popular ramen vendor in Konoha, run by Teuchi. I shall personally introduce them to you at the end of dinner." Kushina prattled to the raven haired Queen, who was all smiles at the answer.
"So father, what is this other surprise that Itachi-niisan spoke of?" Naruto turned to his father, as the women chattered about castle maids and such. He had tuned them out once their conversation switched to clothing and make-up, all girly things. However after hearing Naruto ask his father said question, everyone stilled their separate conversations and turned to look at Minato expectantly, especially the young ones.
"Well, as Itachi mentioned earlier, we adults were in a meeting to discuss some upcoming events, such as the next summer festival in Konoha." Minato informed his son and the others, though the mention of the summer festival had Naruto and Gaara, as well as the others shifting slightly in their sets.
"Lord Sarutobi has just informed each of the Kingdoms' that the preparations' for said festival are to be underway, even though it is not for another few months." The blonde King continued and smirked at the last part of the sentence.
"Five months to be exact." Fugaku added, while looking slightly amused.
"Yes, that Sarutobi-sama is very thorough and strict when it comes to preparing for huge events." Kushina laughed.
"Though I suppose it is for the best, that way everyone will be accounted for and the towns' people will be sure to get their vending permits and reserved spaces ahead of time." Mikoto noted.
"So, our surprise is in knowing that the summer festival announcements have been sent?" Sasuke asked looking puzzled, Naruto nodded his head in agreement and then turned back to look at his father, with blue eyes that clearly had questions in them along with a trace of fear, try as he might to hide it.
"Hahah, No boys'," Minato chuckled, "Since the summer festival is quite a ways away, we adults decided to hold a separate event at the Uchiha's Castle for you young heirs." He continued and looked at all the bright young faces around the table, whose eyes were currently glued to him with anticipation.
"In our Kingdom?" Sasuke asked looking expectantly at his brother, mother and father.
"Well, tell them Itachi." Fugaku smirked at his oldest son.
"Right, well, the adults have decided to throw a winter ball for all the princes' and princesses in the kingdoms, also any other higher-ups in the neighboring kingdoms." Itachi said smiling at Sasuke and the other, now gleaming and slightly upset, young faces.
"What!" Sakura squeaked.
"Really!" Ino chimed in.
"Dancing, Ugh!" Choji pouted.
"Oh my…" Hinata mumbled and blushed fiercely.
"Too cool!" Tenten clapped.
"Oh man, what a drag!" Shikamaru exhaled and slumped over in his seat.
"Woo! This is truly wonderful news, is it not Sakura?" Lee exclaimed and grabbed said princess's hand.
"I-I guess so." Sakura said tripping over her words, clearly blown away by the announcement.
"Exciting." Shino muttered.
"Ugh, that's just great, that means more ballroom dancing practice!" Kiba groaned.
"Adults and their plans." Neji scoffed and smirked.
"Naruto, Sasuke?" Gaara called out to the two quiet princes', who were now blue and red in the face from not breathing, due to the shock of the announcement.
"Oh great a ball, a winter ball, with everyone who is anyone being invited and those girls, ugh." The now purple faced Naruto thought. He just barely registered that Gaara was calling his and Sasuke's names.
"Ugh, that means we're going to be passed from giggling girl to giggling girl and that annoying Karin is just bound to be there as well. Shika was right, this is a drag." The now pale blue Sasuke thought and felt his brothers' eyes on him.
"Naruto, Sasuke! Snap out of it!" Kushina yelled down to the still frozen princes', who jerked sharply at the sound of her voice successfully causing them and inhaled deeply.
"Father, that… I do not know." Naruto searched for the right words to convey how he felt about the announcement, but failing altogether.
"Mother is this necessary?" Sasuke looked down to where his mother was sitting, an amused smile plastered on her face from her son's reaction.
"Well yes son, you all are always so busy with your studies so we thought it would be a good idea to give you some much needed time off and mingle." Mikoto said with an accomplished smirk playing on her lips and then looked at Kushina who shared the same expression.
"This was your doing was it not Mother?" Naruto looked accusingly at his violet eyed mother.
"I may have brought up the idea of a break for my poor son, who is always so hard at work with his studies." Kushina said to her son with a mischievous look playing on her face and then turned her attention to Fugaku, who was sitting with a proud look.
"Yes, you've all have been receiving great reviews from your instructors. Sasuke, Kakashi seemed exceptionally pleased with your progress." Fugaku looked to his youngest son, with the same proud look on his face.
"Thank you Father." Sasuke said and looked across to Naruto who was openly sulking about the whole event, Sasuke wasn't one for dancing and being surrounded by annoying girls, who always practically fought to dance with him, but so was naruto, who always seemed to be in danger of being pulled apart by his arms whenever the girls wouldn't agree to the dancing conditions.
"Naruto, you do not seem too happy about this. You will finally get an extra day off from your tutoring, isn't that something to be excited about?" Minato asked his sullen son.
"No, I am not un-happy about this event. It is just that I always seem to be nearly ripped apart by the other higher-ups daughters!" Naruto complained to his father, which, in itself, made everyone laugh, even the princesses because he was right about being almost pulled apart, considering the last ball he attended which ended in his favorite suit being ripped, with no repair in sight.
"Well this is great news to me Minato-sama, I for one am looking forward to it. When is it scheduled to take place?" Ino asked excitedly and glanced at the chubby sulking prince next to her.
"I completely agree this is so exciting!" Tenten second Ino. Though, their question was interrupted by a certain raven haired prince.
"Mother, if I am to attend this ball, please promise me one thing?" Sasuke pleaded to his mother, who was once again chatting away with Kushina about possible hair styles and dresses for the ball and not focusing on the current topic like everyone else.
"It all depends on what that one promise is dear." Mikoto instructed and signaling him to continue with his question.
"Just please, do not invite that Karin, I beg of you!" Sasuke pleaded to his mother again and pinched the bridge of his nose. Karin was a girl that, at every royal gathering or every festival, seemed to always hang onto his arm and if not his arm she was always hovering somewhere close to him. To say she was annoying was a huge understatement. Itachi, however, loved to see how the hot pink hair, glasses wearing noble always seemed to find Sasuke no matter where he went, like she could sense him and chuckled at his little brother.
"Sasuke! How rude, she is a very sweet girl and she seems to have taken a serious liking to you. You could not seriously think I would agree to such a request." Mikoto chided her son, but smiled none the less at her sons' plea.
"Sasuke, that is no way to address Lord Kankaku's daughter." The mean looking Uchiha reprimanded his youngest son.
"But Father and Mother, she is so suffocating. She is always following me around at these events and always telling the other children that she and I are to be married!" Sasuke exclaimed to his parents.
"That is no excuse, she likes you that is all and if I'm not mistaken, most of the girls in the surrounding Kingdoms are quite enamored with all you young gentlemen here tonight." Mikoto smiled to her son, who, along with the other princes', blushed slightly.
"What's this, are all you boys' blushing?" Itachi laughed at the young princes' and the princesses joined in with him.
"You guys should be honored that you are so popular, this should be fun for you all." Tenten said.
"Getting nearly pulled apart by feuding girls is hardly fun Tenten, you should try it sometime." Naruto said glowering slightly at the spiky pigtailed princess, who only laughed at his reply.
"But Naruto, it is all in good competition." Lee smiled at the blonde prince.
"So w-when is this ball s-scheduled to take p-place Minato-sama?" Hinata asked quietly.
"We decided to have it after Christmas on New Year's Eve. The invitations are also to be sent out tomorrow." Minato answered the shy princess.
"Oh man! That is just a couple weeks away!" Kiba exclaimed.
"This is so troublesome." Shikamaru mumbled on the verge of falling asleep.
"This means extra practice for an event that is meant as a day off." Gaara commented.
"So it would seem." Neji agreed with him and smirked.
"I just hope there is plenty of food there." Choji said while finishing off his fifth helping of roast.
"Hahahah, children, this is going to be fun I promise." Kushina smiled softly at the smiling and sulking children. As they finished talking about the upcoming ball, the dessert was served, which was a simple chocolate ganache cake with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. As they finished their dessert, the adults conversed openly about the set up of the ball.
"Itachi, are all the Uchihas' going to be attending the ball?" Sasuke asked his older brother.
"Yes, they are. Well, the ones that can make it that is." Itachi said, though he seemed a little far away at his question.
"Wow teme, the whole Uchiha clan might be there. You better not embarrass yourself in front of them." Naruto joke at the pale raven.
"Shut up dobe!" Sasuke glared at the sun-kissed prince.
"You two are insufferable, how two people who feud so much can be the best of friends is beyond me. Maybe you are cranky from a lack of sleep?" Minato said to the two fussing princes' and shook his golden hair.
"Well with that being said, children, I believe it is time for you all to retire for the night don't you think?" Kushina announced.
"But mother!" Naruto protested.
"No buts! Now march off to the bathrooms and get ready for bed, you as well young ones." Kushina demanded her son, and then turned to smile softly but menacingly at the other children.
"Yes mother." Naruto said and stood to excuse himself along with the other children. "If you will, excuse us Fugaku-sama, Lady Mikoto, Itachi-oniisan, Mother, Father, we will all retire for the night now." Naruto said and headed for the doors, which were opened for him by a maid. The other children, plus Itachi, made their excuses and followed after Naruto.
"Itachi you stay, well still have things to discuss." Fugaku said to him as he stood to leave.
"Yes, Father." Itachi sighed as he sat back down, not wanting to talk anymore on events or political issues tonight.
"Man Naruto, I forget sometimes how strict and scary your Mother can be. She reminds me of my mom." Shikamaru said with his eyes drooping sleepily, as the dining room doors closed behind them and they made their way to the main staircase.
"Yeah I know, and it is only 8 o'clock! I'm not even close to being tired, especially with that winter ball and summer festival announcement they threw at us still in my head." Naruto complained and leaned against the railing of the grand stairs, prompting everyone to stop along with him.
"Yes, that is something to think about. Indeed it is." Shino said as he adjusted his dark glasses.
"I w-wonder if that m-means the dancing classes will s-start tomorrow then?" Hinata chimed in, while standing slightly behind Shino. Well it was more like she was hiding behind him, as she asked her question.
"Aw man, I hope not. I hate dancing and I know Lady Kushina will not let me sit this one out." Choji grumbled.
"Come on Choji, this will be fun! I hope we start lessons tomorrow, I haven't practiced dancing since the last ball, and I'll definitely need to brush up on my lessons." Ino said and put her hand on the chubby prince's shoulder.
"Yeah Ino-pig, you already have two left feet! You will need to practice twice as hard when you get back home." Sakura laughed and smiled smugly at the pale blonde haired princess.
"No one asked you billboard brow!" Ino screeched and glared at Sakura while blushing.
"And we will have to deal with their bickering the whole time." Kiba sighed and went to sit on the stairs. Shikamaru followed his lead and sat down beside him.
"Well I for one am looking forward to it. I will be able to see people I haven't seen in such a long time!" Tenten quite literally almost cheered and clapped her hands.
"Like Temari?" Gaara asked and smirked at Tenten, who blushed at his question. He knew about her fascination with his older sister, who also had an obsession with the spiky pigtailed princess.
"Oh quiet Gaara! I'm not just excited about seeing her. I can't wait to see other people to!" Tenten exclaimed at the black-rimmed eyed prince, who was still smirking. Whether from her reaction or lie about wanting to see others besides his sister, she didn't know.
"Sure." Gaara chuckled.
"Hmm, Hinata, you know this will be Hanabi's first ball. That is, if father lets her attend." Neji said to his sister who was still slightly hidden behind Shino.
"Oh, that's r-right. I hope Father l-lets her come, she will have great time." Hinata agreed with her brother.
"I think this is all just an excuse for the adults to show us off and throw an over the top ball." Sasuke said and shook his head.
"Whatever the case may be, this is truly a great time see our fellow young spirits." Lee said happily.
"I suppose, though I still don't like the mention of the summer festival. I know my parents will not let me skip out this year." Naruto said sadly and turned to head up the stairs. The others looked at each other and then to Gaara, who simply shook his head and followed Naruto up the stairs with the others right behind him.
"Well boys', we will see you in the morning." Sakura said as the girls came to a stop in front of one of the bathrooms to shower and retire for the night.
"Alright, we'll see you at the dancing lesson." Naruto said and grimaced at the last two words, "I'm sure my mother will inform one of the maids on what time to wake you all up." He continued, and then bowed his farewell to the princesses, who did the same and said good night to all the boys' as well. However Hinata, Sakura and Ino stayed behind to personally say goodnight to Shino, Lee and Choji, who also stayed behind.
"Goodnight Hinata, sleep well." Shino said to the blushing princess, and then kissed her hand.
"G-goodnight Shino." Hinata said and then proceeded to give him a peck on the cheek.
"Goodnight my lovely Sakura, may you have pleasant dreams." Lee grinned and kissed her on the palm of her hand, then closed it in on itself.
"Lee, you have a goodnight too." Sakura said with a blush and stood on her toes to kiss Lee on his forehead, he then smiled brightly.
"Goodnight Choji." Ino smile warmly, then also kissed him on his chubby swirled tattooed cheek.
"Goodnight Ino." Choji blushed slightly and proceeded to kiss both of her hands. After their farewells were said, the boys turned to continue down the hall after the others and the girls walked into the bathroom.
As Choji and Shino hurried down the halls to catch up with the other princes', Choji stopped at the bedroom he had been in earlier and told Shino and Lee that he would go straight to bed instead of shower because he was too tired to do so. Shino and Lee only nodded their responses and continued down the hall, and saw the other princes' turn to enter one of the changing rooms that lead to a main bathroom. As they walked into the changing room the remaining boys' were being undressed by the maids, they then turned to smirk and grin at them.
"Are you done saying goodnight to your sweetheart?" Kiba joked and elbowed the sunglasses wearing boy in his side.
"It would seem that way wouldn't it? Yes, I suppose it did." Shino retorted to the triangle tattoo faced prince.
"Man Shino, can you ever give a straightforward answer?" Shikamaru yawned and turned back to the frustrated maid, who had pulled on his shirt in order to get him to stand up straight and finished taking off the complex garbs.
"Yes Shino, I would also like to know." Neji smirked and undid the tie at the end of his ponytail, letting his long hair flow freely.
"Hmph, nosey." Shino huffed and smiled slightly at Neji, which had all the boys' laughing hysterically.
"And you Lee? Are you content in saying goodnight to your sweetheart?" Naruto said as the maid finished undressing him, leaving only his boxers on and he walked towards the very grand bathroom, which was truly fit for a king. The floors and fixtures in the bathroom were all a blackish grey marble, that stopped at a glass floor to ceiling window, and the tub, which was specifically built for at least ten people, was raised two feet off the tiled floor and had equally marbled steps leading up to its edge.
"Of course I am Naruto! It would be crazy for me not to be!" Lee said shouted excitedly, as he and the other, now undressed princes' followed him.
"Sheesh Lee, how old are you? And you're already talking like a love stricken teen." Sasuke rhetorically asked the bubbling bushy browed boy. The boys laughed loudly at his accusation and proceeded to get into the huge bath, which the maids had run for them while undressing them. The boys' were indeed young all of them were at least eight and nine years old. The boys' continued to pick on Lee and Shino about their love interests and plotted ways to embarrass Choji on the subject as well. Though all the while Naruto and Sasuke were stealing glances at each other, as were Neji and Gaara, but they would never admit to anyone that they were.
Once they were all done bathing, they were finally able to prepare themselves for the night without the maids help, because putting on the fine silk pajamas was hardly anything that required help with.
"Man, I'm still really not looking forward to an extra lesson tomorrow." Naruto groaned, he was very good at ballroom dancing, but he still didn't want to have a lesson on it the following day.
"This is really a drag, and here I was looking forward to sleeping in for the majority of the day tomorrow." Shikamaru mumbled already half asleep.
"You shouldn't be complaining Shika, one more lesson won't kill you and sleeping too much can't be good for you. Speaking of which, do you even go to the lessons your parents assign you at home?" Kiba asked the nearly sleepwalking prince.
"Yes I do, but it is hardly worth it. I already know more than the tutors my parents hire for me, my mother is proud and all, but I know she's getting tired of finding and replacing so many so soon. This is even more troublesome for me." Shikamaru said in a very bored tone.
"How could someone so smart be so lazy?" Gaara chimed in with an amused expression at what he'd just heard.
"Very funny Gaara, I don't see you jumping for joy, like Lee, at the upcoming events." Shikamaru said and turned to the teal eyed prince behind him, with an accusing look on his sleepy, mainly sleepy, face.
"The winter ball I don't really have any quarrels with, the summer festival, however, I do." Gaara explained himself.
"So am I to believe that you are actually looking forward to this ball?" Neji asked Gaara in blatant disbelief.
"Not in particular, though I hope that by my attending the ball my parents will allow me to miss this year's summer festival." Gaara said in a hopeful voice, which was still somehow very monotone.
"Sure, like that will work." Choji chuckled, at which Gaara just shook his head.
"I wonder who decided it should be at my home, though I think I already know the answer to that." Sasuke sighed.
"You mother is a good candidate Uchiha." Shino stated.
"That was pretty much already figured out Shino, though I think my mother had something to do with it as well." Naruto said as he came to a stop in front of his bedroom, "Well I guess I'll just call it a night, I'll see you all at breakfast." He continued and turned to enter his room.
"Right." All the boys' said in unison. All except Sasuke, who was currently leaning against a wall staring at a certain blonde.
"What are you staring at Sasuke?" Naruto glared slightly at the still raven.
"Who else could I be looking at dobe? We're the only two here." He sassed back with an onyx brow raised.
"Well, Teme, don't just stand there staring at me. It is creeping me out." Naruto grumbled and absentmindedly scratched the back of his head.
"Oh really, I'm creeping you out am I?" Sasuke questioned as he pushed himself away from the wall and walked to stand right in front of the slightly blushing blond.
"What are you doing?" Naruto asked. A blush slowly crossing his tanned cheeks and took a step back, only to step into the double doors that lead to his room.
"I want to know how much I creep you out Naru-kun." Sasuke smirked using the nickname the adults had given him. This made the blonde blush even harder. The raven then placed both of his hands on either side of the whisker faced prince and leaned slowly closer to him.
"You creep me out a lot Sasu-kun." Naruto glared at the approaching pale prince and used his nickname in response as well. 'Oh no, my heart is starting to race. And his face is so close.' The now slightly panting blonde thought.
"Hn, does this creep you out as well?" The raven now whispered into Naruto's ear, he then proceeded to lick the shell of his tanned ear slowly. This in turn, made him shiver at the sensation, which traveled right to the pit of his stomach and moan quietly. 'Hm, so he liked that huh?' Sasuke thought.
"Nnnn…S-Sasuke, what are you doing?" Naruto gasped and reflexively closed his eyes. 'Wait, why does this feel so good, should it feel good?' Naruto thought. When he opened his eyes again they immediately connected with deep onyx eyes and a mischievous smirk on pink lips.
"Are you still crept out by my staring at you dobe?" Sasuke asked in a hushed voice. 'He looks so cute right now, this is pretty amusing.' The pale prince thought with his face still very close to the blonde.
"And if I am?" Naruto questioned.
"Then I'll just have to make you think otherwise." Sasuke told him and smirked even wider. 'And I have just the idea to make him give in.' He thought.
"How could you-" The blonde began to ask before he was silenced by a searing kiss from the raven prince. 'I knew he would do this! But, I actually like kissing him like this, is this right?' Naruto questioned.
The tanned prince then brought his hands up to grip on each of the ravens' arms, the fact that they were doing this in the hallway, where a guard could stroll down and catch them at any moment, hadn't even occurred to them. Said raven then slowly slid a hand up to cup the blushing blondes' face and deepened the kiss, he then slid his tongue across the blondes bottom lip and proceeded to bite at it, which in turn caused him to gasp and successfully allowing the raven to submerge his tongue into his moist cavern. Naruto moaned softly into Sasuke's mouth as their tongues inexpertly twisted around each other, effectively drawing out a surge of pleasure from each other. But soon enough they parted for a breath of much needed oxygen and none too soon, as they both stood there in a loose embrace, they heard the sound of people talking from down the hall. The two panting prince's immediately froze.
"The young ones have been improving considerably lately, don't you agree, Orochimaru?" A man asked from down the hall.
"Yes, I do Asuma. Young master Sasuke has been sparring almost non-stop with eldest Master Itachi." Orochimaru agreed in a creepy slivery tone.
"Crap, teme! Asuma and Orochimaru-sensei are coming!" Naruto whispered quickly and twisted away from the still frozen raven.
"Hn, calm down dobe, they will not reprimand us for being up." Sasuke told him and took a step back from the panicking blonde. Hearing this, Naruto calmed slightly knowing that he was right, Asuma was never really one to scold him for fraternizing in the halls after hours. However, he didn't know whether or not the same could be said about Sasuke's creepy instructor, who looked more snake like than human and always seemed to lick his lips hungrily whenever he looked at the blonde or the raven. As Naruto thought what he said over he leaned back against the double doors, just as the instructors rounded the corner. Though, they were still caught up in their previous conversation.
"Hmm, I should guess so, those two are very talented. As is young Master Naruto, he trains with almost all the male guards and Anko as well." Asuma said and chuckled at the last part. The woman he spoke of was a very outspoken and serious woman, who never liked to be treated as some delicate flower just because she was a woman. She was always a willing participant when it came to Naruto's physical training.
"Yes, Anko is very special case isn't she," The yellow eyed instructor agreed, only to cut himself off once his eyes' fell upon two certain pairs of onyx and cerulean eyes', "Well well, what do we have here?" He continued and asked aloud. Causing the other raven haired instructor to look at him questionably and then followed his gaze until he two spotted the two rule breaking princes'.
"Young Masters', what may I ask are you two doing up and roaming the halls at this hour?" Asuma asked them with a slightly surprised look on his face, as he spoke the unlit cigarette hung precariously from his mouth.
"W-we actually just returned from the bathroom, in preparations of retiring for the night sensei." Naruto slightly stuttered.
"Is that so, then, where are the other young masters?" Orochimaru inquired cocking his head slightly, followed by an amused smirk crawling across his pale lips.
"They have gone ahead of us and retired already, Naruto and I were just recapping today's events sensei." Sasuke expertly lied to the two instructors.
"Very well, however I must ask that you two end this session now and also retire for the night. Genma will be making his rounds soon and not even I or Orochimaru can persuade him from his punishable ways, seeing as how you two are up so late." Asuma instructed them in a stern voice. Genma was just one of the many castle guards, though his versions of punishment always varied from embarrassment in front of the any heirs that may be present, to extra grueling practice. Whichever one it may be, they were never wanted. Therefore, the two sneaky princes' nodded their heads in agreement.
"Yes Asuma-sensei." Naruto agreed.
"Hn, Understood," Sasuke smirked, the threat of getting caught by Genma not even phasing him, "Good night Naruto, I'll see you at breakfast." He continued and slightly bowed at the now droopy eyed blonde.
"Good night to you as well Sasuke, Asuma and Orochimaru-sensei." The whisker faced prince bowed to them.
"Good night young master Naruto." Asuma bowed deeply.
"Pleasant dreams young master Naruto," Orochimaru bided and bowed deeply as well, then he turned to the pale prince, "Now, young master Sasuke, we'll accompany you back to your quarters." He instructed and only received a sleepy nod from said prince. The three then turned and continued down the hall, until they disappeared around a far corner. As Naruto watched he absentmindedly placed his hand on his now slightly swollen lips, 'Wow, that was even more intense than before. I wonder where he learned how to kiss like that, surely Itachi-niisan isn't teaching him anything too bad. Right?' He thought and then turned to head into his room for the night.
A few hours later as Naruto lie in his huge bed, that was big enough to hold about five others comfortably, it began to rain and thunder loudly. 'Man, it would have to rain tonight after father made that announcement'. He thought to himself, just then his room door opened slightly and his parents poked their heads in to check on him. He faked as though he were asleep, though from the position of his bed his parents couldn't tell if he actually was.
"Do you think it was a good idea to mention the summer festival tonight dear?" He heard his mother ask his father.
"Honey, he is growing up, we cannot protect him from everything and it was best to mention it tonight, so that he may possibly mentally prepare himself for it." His father whispered back to his mother, who sighed deeply before answering.
"I know Minato, but he's still so young, something like that should never have happened." She mentioned, venom seeping into her voice, but clearing as she continued, "And besides that…. It's raining and thundering tonight as well, I still remember how he use to run too us during times like this." His mother whispered.
"I know." His father simply replied, though he could hear the sadness, regret and anger in his voice as well.
"Minato?" His mother whispered. He waited for his father to reply, but instead he only heard a very light click. He looked up to see that his door was once again closed, he sat there looking at the door remembering how he, indeed, use to run into his parents room every time it rained, because after the incident when he was five, lightning always made him remember that horrible night and it seriously frightened him to no end. He only recently stopped running to his parents last year, thanks to a certain someone. After what seemed like hours of sitting there remembering, he then slid to the edge of his bed. His mind set on finding that certain person who, now, made him happy during nights such as these.
AN: So? What did you think of the new product of mine the LimeBerry? It has just the right amount of sweetness and sourness for this chapter! Well, let me know what you think! And for those who gave me suggestions for future plots in this story, i reviewed my pre-written story and found that i might indeed have room to add somethings! You will just have to continue to read to find out how it unfolds. Also, a lot of things will be explained in the next chapter! So stay tuned!
Please note: Suna Akurei, Hyūga Hisae are mine, well my versions of Neji, Hinata and Gaara's parents names. But mine none the less.
P.s. I would have had this chapter up earlier but all i'll say is this "NEVER share a computer with you twin sister/brother in my case sister. She alomst killed my bunnies with her comstant bickering! But i managaed to save them! Lucky for all of us!
P.s.s. I now know how some authors up here can hate this site, I alsomst threw my laptop through the window because it just would NOT let me add this chapter! :[
- Anna Uzumaki