I do not own Naruto, nor do I make any money off of this.

"talking"

'thinking'

Chapter 14: Plumeria

Hinata wasn't the only one welcome as Naruto's Lady-in-waiting. It turned out that Ino was given the position of Head lady and a girl named Emiri was to be Naruto's third Lady. Emiri was Sakura's cousin, but her Coming of Age Ceremony wasn't until the end of the year so she couldn't be Naruto's Lady yet. She had already accepted the offer though. Hinata was reintroduced to the Uchiha Royal family along with all of their available aides, Lords, and Ladies. Hinata was a bit surprised to find out that Naruto's cousin was now one of Sakura's Ladies. The girl didn't look like Naruto at all. Naruto explained that he got his looks from his father. Karin had the red hair that was commonplace in the Uzumaki Lineage. Just like Naruto did for Ino, Sakura named Sasame as a Lady-in-waiting. This surprised Naruto since in his 'visions' Sakura's Ladies were Karin, Tayuya, and Akane. But now Sasame was added, making Sakura have four Ladies. Naruto wondered what brought about this change.

Itachi saw right through what Sakura was doing. She was trying to make it seem that she cared about her servants by copying Naruto. Sasame's new status made people praise Sakura for acknowledging her maid's loyalty and servitude. Also, since she had four Ladies while Naruto only had three, it made it seem like more people supported Sakura than Naruto. This was already true among the nobles since Naruto's Omegan status was still looked down upon. Sakura was trying to outdo Naruto by allying with major influences. Sasame's father owns the largest rice farm in the Kingdom. Akane, although her personality was obnoxious, came from a long line of jewelry makers. Tayuya was from a family of musicians. She was also arrogant and had a bad mouth, but she kept it shut when she was around anyone of higher standing. With Karin, that was four women from prominent families that shaped the world of goods. The biggest problem though was that Hinata outranked all of Sakura's Ladies. Itachi could see her clenched fists and the snares on her ladies' faces when Hinata was introduced as Naruto's second Lady. The nobles weren't pleased either. To them, Hinata's status matched Itachi's. Both of them were Betas and were of direct descent of the King of their respective Kingdoms. Hinata was royalty and she should have to serve another. However, a letter of acceptance from the King of the Hyuuga Kingdom silenced them. Hinata gave her own agreement to her new position. Naruto also persuaded Fugaku and Mikoto to allow Hinata to keep her own servants and guards. This surprised them, but they accepted. Sasuke gave his approval as well.

A small banquet was thrown to celebrate all of the Ladies. Itachi had to excuse himself to rest and a sad look appeared on Naruto's face. Hinata saw it and wondered just how close the two were. Sakura and Sasuke also saw it and had different reactions. Sakura seemed pleased while Sasuke glared at his food as if willing it to explode. He only reigned in his anger when Shikamaru placed a hand on his shoulder. He looked around and was glad to see that no one else noticed his near outburst. He really needed to control his emotions better.

Mikoto tapped her glass of wine, gaining everyone's attention. "I'm really glad to see all of you here. Sadly Lady Emiri isn't here yet since her Coming of Age Ceremony is still a month away, but we will be sure to celebrate again when she joins us." Some people looked happy at the news while others put on a fake smile. "And then in only two more months, we will welcome Naruto as Sasuke's concubine!" Silence filled the air. Sakura hid her disappointment at the announcement while Naruto looked nervous. Sasuke had a blank expression on his face. Only three months left until things really changed.

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Those three months went by a lot quicker than Sakura and Naruto wanted. Emiri's Coming of Age Ceremony was grand as they mixed it with her acceptance of becoming Naruto's third Lady. She was extremely excited and people forgave her for her childishness. She still had a lot to learn, but they had faith that Ino and Hinata would teach her well. She integrated extremely well into her new role. That fact seemed to annoy Sakura as she had hoped her cousin would fail at her job and be sent home. But just like Hinata, the change came easily. She got along really well with Ino and Hinata and she loved Naruto. She saw him as a guiding light and worshiped him. If he needed anything, she was there to give it. Sakura really didn't like how close her cousin was to Naruto. Karin was loyal to her, but they weren't that close. She blamed Emiri's love for Naruto as an Omega thing.

The first time Emiri had her Heat at the palace, Naruto was there to help her through it. People looked down on this, saying that Naruto was practically cheating on Sasuke. Sasuke brushed those comments off since it was common for Omega to help each other, first gender not exclusive. Besides, it wasn't like Emiri could do anything to Naruto. Wanting the young girl to be comfortable, Itachi gave her a room to create a joint nest. This created a rumor that Itachi was attracted to Emiri. None of the members of the Uchiha Royal family believed the rumor though. Even Sakura thought he did it as a way to please Naruto since the joint nest would be shared by him too. When Sasuke thought of that possibility he growled. It was as if Itachi was trying to court Naruto. Itachi and Mikoto didn't see what he did as an attempt at courting and neither did Naruto. Fugaku didn't know what to think. He didn't believe that Itachi would try to steal Naruto from Sasuke, but he also knew that Itachi and Naruto were close. He confronted Itachi about it and his eldest said he only saw Naruto as a brother.

When Naruto and Sasuke's wedding was only a week away, Sakura and Naruto became uncertain of their futures. Sakura still wanted Sasuke for herself and she was afraid that Naruto was getting in the way of her happiness. She saw the way Sasuke looked at Naruto sometimes and wondered if Sasuke would ever look at her that way. She thought about getting rid of Naruto somehow, but she also hoped Itachi would step up and ask Naruto to be his instead. Sakura believed that Itachi's love for Naruto passed that of one would have for a brother. She also noticed that Naruto seemed to return Itachi's affection, even if he only thought of Itachi as a friend. She couldn't read Naruto's feelings towards Sasuke. Sometimes it seemed like Naruto liked Sasuke as a friend while other times he seemed to not want to be near him. It made her think that Naruto knew that his rightful place was with someone that wasn't Sasuke since Sasuke belonged to Sakura. Naruto avoided speaking near both of them as if he was trying to fade into the background.

For Naruto, he didn't know what to think. The visions warned him of Sasuke and Sakura's cruelty towards him in the future, but their present actions said differently. Sasuke tended to avoid him like in his visions, but he also spent time with Naruto when it was required, or rather Mikoto asked him too. Naruto ran into him several times in the library when Sasuke was with Shikamaru. Sakura also avoided Naruto, only including him in a couple gatherings. She did nothing to stop the insults, but Naruto always ignored them. She didn't do anything to hurt Naruto either. Naruto wondered if this was all because Fugaku, Mikoto, and Itachi were still alive. He further questioned his future when Danzo requested a meeting with him.

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"Lord Naruto, looking as lovely as always," Danzo said. He motioned to a chair across from him and one of his knights pulled it out for Naruto. Naruto took the seat. He had Ino and one of Kakashi's soldiers, Shino, with him. The man had black glasses covering his eyes and was a bit of a mystery since he didn't talk much. Ino and Shino stood to the side of Naruto while Danzo's knight retreated. Next to Danzo was Sai who had a fake smile on his face.

"Why did you call me here, Lord Danzo?" Naruto asked.

"I wanted to talk to you about our little misunderstanding we had a few months ago," Danzo said. "It seems like you and Sai somehow got on the wrong foot and I'd love it if you were to become friends."

"Yes," Sai said. "Whatever I did wrong, I'd like to apologize for. I was serious about us being considered as family."

Naruto didn't know what to say. He didn't want to anger Danzo since he was afraid to find out what the man was capable of. He already knew that Sai was dangerous. A thought came to him. "Why did you adopt Sai when you had me? I'm just as much a Namikaze as an Uzumaki."

"That may be true, but only an Alpha can be the Head of a Clan," Danzo said. "As the Law states, I took responsibility as the last living Alpha of the Namikaze Clan. Since I'm no longer able to have children, I chose to adopt Sai. He shares the blood of my late sister's husband, making him noble enough." Naruto grit his teeth. He really hated that law since it made him lose everything. Danzo was right when he said that the contract his parents made with Fugaku and Mikoto was still valid. If it wasn't, Danzo would have sold Naruto off to some other noble and he'd either be stuck warming their bed or worse, he'd be dead already. He shivered at that thought. Naruto wondered if Danzo had any power over that contract. Could he have it voided since Naruto hasn't married Sasuke yet despite his Coming of Age Ceremony being nearly two years ago? Law dictated that Sasuke needed a wife of higher birth than Naruto's current status so their wedding had been put off. That could be used as an excuse to say that the contract is invalid. This meant Danzo could reclaim Naruto as his family and in turn sell him off. He could even make Naruto mate with Sai to strengthen Sai's right to the Namikaze Duchy. This terrified Naruto.

"I suppose we could be friends," Naruto said reluctantly.

"Good," Danzo said. "I was hoping to have Sai join the palace as one of Prince Sasuke's aides, but the prince turned him down for some odd reason. Maybe you can put in a good word for him, hmm."

"I… I can do that," Naruto said hesitantly.

"Excellent,' Danzo said. He clapped and sat back, waving a hand to call forth a maid who began to pour them some tea. When she poured Sai's she shook slightly. Sai either didn't seem to notice or care. Naruto heard her let out a breath when she poured him a cup. "Then I expect to hear some good news soon. Oh! And I've already confirmed that Sai and I will be going to your wedding. I heard that your dress is going to be very beautiful." Naruto flinched. So the man knew that Mikoto had bought Kushina's dress for Naruto.

"I've also heard about it," Sai said. "I'm sure you will look lovely in it." Again Naruto flinched.

Seeing his reactions, Ino stepped forward. "Lord Danzo, Lord Sai, Naruto has just recovered from a cold. I think he should rest."

Danzo glared at her before a fake look of concern overtook his face. "Oh is that so? I hope you are alright. You went out of your way to come see us then. Go back and get some rest. Or would you like me to have them prepare a guest room for you?"

"No," Naruto said, trying to hide his discomfort. "Queen Mikoto is expecting my return and I wouldn't want to disappoint her." He stood up on his own. "Thank you for the tea."

"I hope you'll stay longer next time, Naruto," Sai said.

Naruto shivered. "Right. Next time." He bowed. Ino and Shino did the same then the knight from before escorted them out of the room. Shino helped Ino and Naruto get into a carriage. Ino noticed that Naruto looked like he was about to cry.

"You don't have to do it, you know," Ino said, trying to comfort him. "You can pretend that they never asked you for that favor. You can even pretend that you didn't come here." Naruto hugged Ino and his Lady happily accepted the boy into her arms. She ran a soothing hand down his back. "It's alright. Prince Sasuke and Prince Itachi will protect you. Once you marry Prince Sasuke, they won't be able to harm you. You won't have to see either of them again."

"Thank you Ino," Naruto said through tears, a smile appearing on his face.

"Of course," Ino said. "I'm here for you, Naruto."

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When Naruto returned to the palace, he said nothing about his meeting with Danzo and Sai. Instead, he went straight to his room to rest. Hinata and Emiri were concerned but Ino told them to leave it be for now. They bathed him and got him dressed in something more comfortable. When the Queen sent someone to find out why he missed out on dinner, Ino lied and said that Naruto had a stomach ache from eating too many sweets. Itachi came at one point to check on Naruto, but Ino shooed him away, claiming that Naruto needed to rest. She promised to call for Tsunade if things got worse. Sasuke thought about visiting Naruto, but when he heard that even Itachi was sent away, he chose not to. Sakura ended up keeping him occupied with the talk of her birthday.

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Wind blew across the sand as a large group traversed it. Three of them wore the clothes of Suna royalty while the others were either a knight or a servant. It was hot, so the princess of the group was fanning herself. She really hated traveling when it was so hot. The older man beside her also didn't look happy. He hadn't wanted to make this trip in the first place, but the King insisted on it. Both of their gazes turned ahead at the person before him. The man wore a tan cloak over his body, only revealing some of the red beneath it. He didn't complain about the heat, nor how long it would take to get to their destination. In fact, he had been eerily quiet. His siblings were beginning to wonder if he was ok. When they finally reached an oasis town for a break, they confronted him.

"Are you alright?" the girl asked. The shorter boy nodded. His eyes remained towards the North. The girl turned to her other brother who just shrugged. They knew better than to pester their younger brother. A servant came up to them and offered them each a bota bag. They accepted the water, glad to find the liquid so cold and refreshing. The younger boy drank the water much slower than his older siblings. It was awkward since he just kept staring towards the North. The girl bit her lip before deciding that maybe it would be ok to pester him this one time. "You keep looking towards the North. Is something wrong?"

The boy sighed and turned towards her. "You don't sense it do you?" She shook her head, their older brother doing the same. "An old power is awakening." He held out a hand, palm up. Sand began to rise towards the center of it in streams of golden brown. It formed a ball. "It feels familiar." He then dropped his hand and the ball broke apart, hitting the ground in tiny pieces. His siblings looked at each other. If what he said was true, then they needed to move faster. They ordered an end to their break and everyone returned to their camels. The youngest member of the group only gave a nod of approval before they resumed their journey.

Plumeria primarily symbolize beauty, charm and grace, but can also symbolize new beginnings, birth, creation, immortality, shelter and protection.