Chapter 1(II)

Later on that night Sasuke couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned with thoughts that were centered solely on Naruto. It annoyed him greatly that he couldn't get the blond bimbo out of his head. He decided that the only way he'd be able to calm his restless mind was to go to the source of his problems directly and confront him. Now, Sasuke knew sneaking out of his bedroom this late into the night was a very, very naughty and dumb thing to do. If any of the maids or butlers saw him they could report him to his parents who would immediately hand him some form of punishment-but it was worth it. So with a quick prayer to Kaguya, Sasuke sneaked out of his room and tiptoed into the hallway. He didn't really know where Naruto was staying at, there were so many rooms in the palace that there were many that Sasuke had never been inside of, but he was fiercely determined to find the blond idiot, so Sasuke set his negativity aside and began his search.

He first checked the north wing. That's where most of the maid's chambers were, that was also where his favorite garden was at, the one he had destroyed in his hour of anger a few weeks ago. When he found nothing in the north wing, Sasuke checked the east wing. The east wing was mostly tearooms but these tea rooms were the extravagant ones where his mother entertained her friends on Friday nights and where his father brought his buddies and courtesans to so they could drink soju and laugh together. Sasuke usually wasn't allowed in them unless he was with Itachi. After checking all of the tearooms Sasuke made his way to the south wing. The south wing was different than every other part of the palace because it was where the kitchen and dining room was located. Most of the rooms around the south wing were used for food storage and other boring things that Sasuke had never bothered to wonder about. It took Sasuke a very long time to check every room in the south wing. It seemed these rooms were bigger than all the others he had checked so far; Sasuke blamed it on all the furniture and appliances that he had to check behind. There were so many and the rooms were so endless that by the time he was done checking all the rooms Sasuke was exhausted. He had never stayed up this late before. He still had the east wing to check which he really didn't want too but Sasuke forced him self to, he had already come this far and he wasn't going to give up now when he only had one section of the palace to check left. He started in one of his mother's upstairs powder rooms. There were gold mirrors and satin everywhere, his mother liked to get ready here. She had silk cushions all along the floor so she could lay wherever her heart desired and a silver bathtub so she could bathe before she got ready. The multitude of pillows called to Sasuke, they looked so plump and inviting that Sasuke just wanted to lay his head upon one and close his eyes and go to sleep. He slapped his cheek and continued his search. He could sleep later; right now he had to find that blond idiot! There were jewels scattered across one of the golden vanity tops. Sasuke shook his head in disbelief; did his mother really just leave priceless items like this out in the open all the time? As Sasuke walked deeper into the room the red billowy curtains at the end of the stuffy room caught his attention. As far as he knew all of the palaces windows were supposed to be shut by the time his father retired to bed. It was an unspoken rule. So then why was this particular window open? Sasuke's heart hammered in his chest as he tiptoed closer. What if the widow was open not because of Naruto but because of some thief that had snuck in? What if Sasuke pulled back the curtain and a robber was waiting there and snatched him away? He was a prince; a robber could probably get a pretty hefty ransom out of him. Sasuke pushed his fear aside; he couldn't think weakly like that, he wasn't a submissive! He took a deep breath then pulled the curtain back. There was no one. He looked around as the moonlight shone through. The summer night air felt good on his cheeks. He wished it could be this cool in the daytime as well. As Sasuke basked in the summer night wind the sound of water splashing caught his interest. He immediately looked down to locate where the splash had come from. He held his breath as he located exactly what had made the noise.

Down in the pond Naruto and Karin were splashing around. Naruto's bright blond hair and Karin's head of fiery red hair were easy to identify. Sasuke crouched down and hid himself so he wouldn't be seen. What were they doing outside this late at night? Sasuke was burning with curiosity. Before Sasuke realized what was happening he found himself outside, crouched behind a bush, spying on Naruto and Karin. He watched Karin lay on her back as she floated in the pond, her short red hair pooled around her like a floating halo. Just as he had thought, she was muscular. He looked over to Naruto and immediately looked away. Naruto was dressed in a simple white juban, as he stood up from the water the delicate material had clung to his body, thankfully Naruto's long hair had covered anything that Sasuke shouldn't have seen. Since Naruto was Itachi's bride he wasn't allowed to see any part of Naruto that his brother hadn't allowed him to see. Even though he hated Naruto, tradition was still tradition. Sasuke's heart was beating so fast he felt like he was going to throw up. Maybe this hadn't been such a good idea; he should just go back to bed and confront the blond annoyance tomorrow when Naruto was fully dressed. Sasuke began to rise so he could scurry back to bed but then Naruto suddenly screamed. Sasuke whipped his head around, that feeling that told him to protect Naruto was back again. It felt like an instinct and once again it baffled Sasuke. He looked over to where Naruto was and saw Naruto on his butt sitting in the water and Karin looking over him with a wicked grin on her face.

"I said go find me something to eat." Karin hissed down at her baby brother. Her crimson eyes were that same color of watery red like they were at the dining table earlier that night when she had gotten angry.

"B-but it's late, you said if we got caught we'd get in trouble, I didn't even want to swim with you!" Naruto blubbered.

"I don't care, I said I'm hungry so go get me something to eat before I lose my patience!" Karin crouched down and pulled Naruto up by the chest fabric of his juban. "Or do I have to repeat my self?"

Sasuke had no idea what Karin or what Naruto was saying since they were speaking their mother language but by their body language Sasuke knew without a shadow of a doubt that Karin was bullying her baby brother. Was this the reason Naruto had smiled at dinner earlier when Karin had been scolded by her father? Did Naruto and Karin not get along? Yes, it was clear that they didn't as he watched Karin terrorize her brother.

Karin held Naruto up high, his little feet dangled in the air. Her muscles strained in the silver moonlight as she held Naruto up higher and then threw him into the water. Naruto cried out in pain and tried to scurry away from his sister but she grabbed his leg and dragged him back.

"Don't act like such a damn princess! You're a boy aren't you! Fight back! Daddies not here to protect you!" Karin hissed. She grabbed Naruto by his long hair and dragged him down into the water and then back up. "If you don't do as I say I'll drown you!"

"No, please, stop I can't breathe!" Naruto cried. There were tears rolling down his red cheeks, and he looked like he'd pass out at any second. Sasuke knew he should've loved this. How many times had he said he hated Naruto? How much had he wished to harm Naruto himself? But this…seeing it with own eyes, Sasuke realized he didn't want that at all. That feeling was ringing in his ears now; it rang over and over again, urging him to go protect Naruto. Sasuke didn't know what to do. There was an intense desire inside him that wanted nothing more than to protect Naruto but there was also the mental rational part that was telling him that it was impossible. Karin was much stronger than him. She was the embodiment of strength as she flung her brother around. How could Sasuke beat a beast like her? A light bulb went off in Sasuke's head. There was one way he could beat Karin but it all depended on how gullible Karin was and if he could tell a lie with a straight face.

He stepped out from behind the bush and revealed himself. He cleared his throat loudly and waited for Karin to notice his presence.

"Oh, if it isn't the baby prince." Karin sneered, "what are you doing out of bed this late at night? Did someone have a nightmare?" Karin teased.

Sasuke refused to react. He had to play this right if he was going to win.

"No, I heard some yelling so I came to see what all the fuss was, I didn't expect it to be you."

"Well, surprise," Karin laughed then suddenly turned serious, "now that you know it's us, scram! As you can see I'm busy." Karin pulled harder on Naruto's hair, which made Naruto whine loudly. Sasuke refused to look at Naruto. He told himself it was because he had no permission to look at Naruto in his current state of dress without his brothers permission but he knew it was actually because he couldn't stand seeing Naruto in so much pain. He took a steady breath and took a step closer.

"Yes, I see that but I must ask you to break up this little party." Sasuke reminded himself to be confident, that was the only way his plan would work.

"And why would I ever do that?" Karin pulled Naruto's head up so that she could press her cheek against her brothers. "Me and Naru-chan are having lots of fun out here!"

"Well, if you insist but don't say I didn't warn you, the leeches in the pond are poisonous so if you both die don't blame me." Sasuke tsked then slowly began to walk away. Just as he had hoped he heard Karin scream then hop out of the water.

"Leeches!" Karin yelled. She looked frantically all over her body then ran into the palace like a monstrous animal was chasing her. Sasuke laughed. He couldn't believe that had actually worked. He knew Karin would runaway and abandon her brother because she clearly didn't care about his well being and he knew Naruto wouldn't run way because he wouldn't understand a word he said. Sasuke felt like a mastermind. He had never had a plan actually work out that well. His celebratory mood faded away when he saw Naruto wobble out of the pond. He quickly averted his eyes and looked down. Naruto's juban was wet and white and thus completely see through. But even as Sasuke looked down he could still see Naruto's chubby thighs and legs as his juban clung to them. He blushed and silently took off his silk night robe and wordlessly handed it to Naruto who thankfully took it and covered his wet body with it.

"Thank you, Sasuke-san." Naruto said in a teary voice. His accent was even heavier than it was at dinner but Sasuke could still decipher what Naruto had said.

"You shouldn't let her pick on you like that." Sasuke replied back. He didn't know why he felt so awkward but he did. He hated Naruto but he also found Naruto somewhat precious. He was so innocent. Sasuke found it endearing. He looked up and admired how Naruto's golden wet hair looked in the moonlight. It was long but not as long as Kushina's. It lay to the middle of his arms and was silky straight. Sasuke had the urge to run his fingers through it just to see if it felt like the spun gold that it resembled.

"Please, don't tell Itachi-san." Naruto said shakily. His shoulders trembled as a chilly gust of wind passed by. "I don't want Itachi-san to know."

Just like that the spell was broken. Sasuke felt the anger reignite in his stomach. Just the mention of his brother's name coming from Naruto's lips irritated him. He wanted to push Naruto back into the water and let him drown but that annoying feeling wouldn't let him. So instead he decided to verbally hurt Naruto.

"Don't talk about my brother in front of me! You understand! He's my brother! He will never love you how he loves me! You will never be my family! You're so annoying! I hate you! Just go back to your country already!" Sasuke hissed then walked away. He didn't know if Naruto understood anything he had said but he didn't care, he set out earlier that night with one mission and that was to tell Naruto how he felt and now that he had achieved that he was going to bed. As Sasuke stomped angrily up the stairs to his bedroom he felt like the worst person in the entire world. This night had been a total bust; he should've just stayed in bed and slept the night away. Now he was feeling guilty and more confused than ever.

At least Sasuke was certain about one thing, Naruto's kindness was 100% genuine and that killed him.

The following morning Sasuke didn't want to get out of bed. He felt like dying. He didn't want to deal with Naruto or any of the emotions that came along with dealing with Naruto. He felt horrible about what had happened last night but he couldn't tell anyone about it because he wasn't supposed to be out that late at night and especially not out with his brother's future bride, so, sadly Sasuke had to suffer in silence.

After he had been dressed by a maid, eaten a quick breakfast, prayed at the shrine, and suffered through a lesson with his perverted sensei, Sasuke had been escorted to one of the many tearooms in the palace. He had a inkling about why he had been summoned there but he didn't want to dwell on it so with a brave face he silently followed the butler to the tearoom.

The moment he walked into the tearoom Sasuke's suspicions were confirmed. His father, mother, and brother were all seated inside. The sight of all three of them looking at him made Sasuke nervous. He quickened his step and took a seat next to his brother as he always did.

"No, sweetie, that's where Naru-chan will be sitting, come have a seat next to mommy." Mikoto patted the empty satin cushion next to her. Sasuke frowned but did as he was told. If this had happened yesterday Sasuke would've been furious over the fact that Naruto was literally taking his place next to Itachi-but after last night Sasuke just wanted to not think about anything. He got up and silently took a seat next to his mother.

"You need to stop babying him like that, Mikoto. He's a man! Not a child, you sound just as bad a that Uzumaki-calling his son a princess!"

"Oh, but darling, Sasuke is my baby, I only have one more month to call him that before he turns on me so let me have this fun before it ends." Mikoto had no intention of listening to her husband. She knew her husband well and knew he was only complaining because he was frustrated about being kept waiting.

"Where are they? I told them to meet us in the tearoom at exactly one in the afternoon." Fugaku growled. He was a man of very little patience. "It's nearly fifteen after!"

Sasuke ignored his parents and looked around the room. He had been in this tearoom before; it was a year ago in the winter when Itachi had brought him here so they could eat cherry dango while they slurped on tea. This was Itachi's favorite tearoom. He remembered because the walls were a pitch black instead of red. There was also no portrait of their father hung in here, only an Uchiha flag along with other painted works of art.

Compared to some of the tea rooms Sasuke had searched through yesterday this one was less extravagant, he knew without a doubt that Itachi had chosen this location to meet. That's what Sasuke loved about his brother, Itachi was simple and loving. He didn't like to flaunt his wealth or knowledge. He was silent about everything. Even the outfit his brother was wearing right now was underwhelming; a simple black hakama and matching black haori. His brothers long black hair was tied in its signature low ponytail and his eyes were closed as he waited patiently. Sasuke loved everything about his brother. He was the polar opposite of their father. Sasuke often thought that his father was blessed to have a son like Itachi, he had told his perverted sensei once that his father didn't deserve a son like Itachi but his sensei had made him promise to never say it ever again. Sasuke had promised but he still often times thought it.

The black door suddenly slid open and Sasuke's thoughts scattered. He looked up but then immediately looked back down as he saw the familiar faces of the Uzumaki family. He wasn't ready to face Naruto just yet.

"We were starting to think you got lost." Mikoto joked cheerfully as she bowed in greeting.

"Ah, forgive us we had a little incident." Kushina apologized as she glared at her stone-faced daughter then sat down. Her husband sat on the other end of the table across from Fugaku. Naruto slid into the empty cushion beside Itachi and Karin sat next to Sasuke. Sasuke involuntarily shivered as he recalled the events of last night. The way Karin's muscle glistened in the moonlight as she lifted Naruto up was a sight he'd never forget. Sasuke shuddered; Karin was too strong for her own good.

"Well, I'm happy it's settled, Itachi was eager to see Naruto." Mikoto chorused as she snapped her fingers at a maid who quickly filled her empty teacup.

Sasuke reluctantly glanced up, he couldn't help it, there was that urge ringing inside of him again, he had to look at Naruto, just to see if he was okay. He was stunned by how beautiful Naruto looked.

Naruto was dressed in a black silk komon kimono that had little white and grey koi fishes patterned all over it. The obi was a deep red and was tied around with a golden yellow threaded rope and the juban collar underneath was starch white. This time, Naruto's long hair was all completely swept up into a high ponytail that fell loosely down his back, a single jade hairpin that had a black flower diamond in the center of it held his bangs back. Naruto was simply adorable.

"Naruto was also eager to see you Itachi, he heard black was your favorite color so he requested to wear black today just for you." Kushina explained for her son. Naruto's cheeks blazed red as everyone's eyes suddenly landed on him. Sasuke didn't know why but he felt jealous but not over his brother but over Naruto? He had been the one to save Naruto last night so shouldn't have Naruto wore his favorite color as a thanks instead and not Itachi's? Sasuke pouted, then again he had said all those horrible things to Naruto. Naruto didn't owe him anything…

"You look beautiful." Itachi said quietly to Naruto who immediately blushed at the compliment. He kept his eyes lowered but bowed in thanks.

"Thank you Itachi-san, I'll wear black everyday if it pleases you."

Sasuke didn't know what the hell Naruto and Itachi were saying to each other but Naruto was blushing and his brother looked oddly pleased. He glanced at Kushina and saw an adoring smile on her face; Sasuke then glanced at Minato and had to take a second look. Minato was glaring at Itachi. Sasuke stifled a laugh, poor Minato. His "princess" was interacting with his future husband right before his eyes and he could do nothing about it.

"You can wear any color you want, with eyes as blue as yours and hair as gold, anything you wear will be beautiful."

This time when Itachi had finished speaking Naruto's entire face had turned a deadly shade of red. Sasuke couldn't hold it back this time; whatever Itachi had said must've been too much for Naruto to handle. He laughed loudly.

"Sasuke mind your manners!" Mikoto commanded her son.

"Sorry," Sasuke grinned. He looked on and admired Naruto's nervousness. It was disgustingly adorable. 'Wait-adorable?' Sasuke couldn't believe he had just called Naruto-the source of all his problems-adorable, again! Sasuke sighed. That was the second time today he had called Naruto adorable. He was only nine, why did he have so many conflicting emotions. He was too young to be dealing with all of them.

"Now that you've arrived perhaps we can talk about what's really important-the future." Fugaku spoke dryly, breaking up Itachi and Naruto's little love fest.

"Yes, perhaps we should." Minato seconded, he smiled in relief as he saw Itachi back away from his baby.

"Very well then, I think it's obvious that Itachi and Naruto are a good match for each other, and I would love nothing more than for this wedding to happen already so we can be done with this all but-" Fugaku glanced pointedly at Naruto's small form. Even dressed in his silk komon kimono, Naruto was still very much a child. "Naruto is much too young for marriage and the duties it entails, it saddens me greatly to say this because I didn't want my son to be twenty when he gave us an heir but I think it'll be in everyone's best interest if we wait five years so that Naruto can mature a bit more."

"Thank you." Minato sighed gratefully. He had come to the Uchiha clan thinking that Naruto would be a child bride, he was grateful that the Uchiha king had not forced his son into that at such a young age. It had been his greatest fear.

"But, darling! In five years Itachi will be twenty! You said-"

"I know what I said Mikoto!" Fugaku shouted back, cutting his wife off, "but look at that child and tell me honestly-do you think he's physically and mentally ready for marriage?"

Mikoto looked at Naruto's chubby cheeks and large blue eyes; even while he just sat there he looked like a child. Mikoto wilted. Her red lips dragged down into a sad frown. "No." She replied weakly. "He's not ready."

"I am only giving you five years, lord Uzumaki, my wife greatly desires an heir, you can take your son back to Whirlpool Country for those five years but after they are up I will expect you to hand Naruto over without complaint. As per the deal of the contract during that time Naruto is to remain pure, if Naruto happens to change his mind due to some fleeting romance the contract will become void and you will be required by law to give the Uchiha clan Naruto as well as any future child he shall have. But of course I don't want that to happen since that would also mean you losing your son and war between our two clans." Fugaku explained stoically, it was as if he were taking about a prized racing horse and not about a little boy's life and the future of two clans.

"I completely understand." Minato said through clenched teeth. He had been against this marriage from the very beginning, the Uchiha clan were known as the dragons of the north but they were also known as snakes who'd slither underneath you and poison you in a blink of an eye by all who hated them. They were a clan that only cared about their own strength and Minato was certain that Fugaku had ulterior motives for this marriage. He had thought so ever since he had read the letter Fugaku had sent him where he had expressed his desire to join their two clans but only on the condition that Naruto marry Itachi. He was sure Fugaku was getting something out of this but he couldn't quite pinpoint what it was just yet. Minato should've never let Kushina talk him into this but Naruto had wanted it and that was the only thing that kept him from attacking the graying Uchiha king at this moment.

"Very well then, I believe we are done here."

"I believe we are."

After that Sasuke's father had left. He was a man of very little patience and much less words. He had no time for goodbyes.

"I guess we'll be leaving today." Kushina said sadly. Her silver kimono shined as she slowly stood up. "Mikoto, it was an honor to meet you." Kushina said somberly.

Mikoto rose up from her seated position and shuffled over so she could hug Kushina. "As well as you my dear new friend, I will never forget this red hair of yours."

Kushina laughed shyly. "Nor will I forget your humble hospitality. I will see you in five years time."

"Lord Uzumaki, it was a pleasure to meet you as well, please take good care of Naru-chan, he's precious to us." Minato sighed at this but nodded.

"Sasuke come say good bye!" Mikoto ordered.

Sasuke quickly scrambled up. He bowed to lord and lady Uzumaki and wished them a safe journey. He also reluctantly said goodbye to the she-beast, Karin, who gave him a viciously tight hug, which took the breath out of Sasuke's lungs. She was trying to kill him, he was sure of it.

All that was left was for him to say goodbye to Naruto. Sasuke looked back over to the tea table where Naruto and Itachi were still seated silently talking to each other. Sasuke didn't have to understand what they were saying, it was clear that Itachi was trying to cheer Naruto up who was silently crying. He watched as Naruto sniffled, his bottom lip trembled slightly as he tried to hold back his tears. Itachi whispered something to Naruto then gently wiped his tears away. Itachi rubbed Naruto's pink cheeks then brought Naruto's hand up and laid a single kiss on it. It was too intimate for Sasuke to handle. He had never seen that look in his brother's eyes before. It was like Naruto was actually his brothers possession and he owned all of Naruto's entirety. Sasuke blushed. He didn't know his brother was capable of being so dominant.

"Okay, that's enough." Minato said quickly as he scooped Naruto up and away from Itachi's hold. "We need to leave before the sun rises any higher."

"You're right, those carriages can get awfully humid." Mikoto said sadly. "I'll escort you guys down to the entrance."

As they walked Sasuke chose to stay behind and watch everyone. He mostly wanted to look at Naruto. The way his little tabi covered feet shuffled across the floor as he walked as close as he possibly could next to Itachi was adorable and also annoying. And the way Itachi hovered closely to Naruto as if he'd be ready to catch Naruto should he happen to fall was also adorable and annoying.

They finally arrived at the palace entrance where the carriages were waiting. Sasuke was internally battling with himself if he should or shouldn't say goodbye to Naruto. If he did what would he say? And if he didn't, would Naruto think he hated him? His chance was quickly winding away. Either he'd tell Naruto bye or he wouldn't. At the end Sasuke's conscience won out. He shyly tapped Naruto on the shoulder. He almost lost his nerve when Naruto turned around and looked at him with those big blue eyes of his but Sasuke told himself to be strong.

"I know you don't understand but I just wanted to say sorry about what happened yesterday, I didn't mean any of it. I was childish and jealous of you taking my brother away but now I'm trying to get over it. I should've never yelled at you." Sasuke bowed. He hoped someday that Naruto would he able to understand his apology. He rose and meekly met Naruto's gaze. Sasuke all but melted; Naruto was looking at him with the most heartwarming expression.

"I forgive you, Sasuke-san, after what you did for me I will always forgive you." Naruto smiled warmly then tiptoed and gave Sasuke a hug. "You will grow into a worthy alpha, I hope whoever you choose knows how lucky they are to have you."

Sasuke was frozen in place. Naruto's small body in his felt so...right. So warm, and pleasing, like he and just woken up from a long nap and was finally well rested. That instinct was now fluttering inside him like a millions butterflies trying to escape out of him. In that moment Sasuke swore he'd make Naruto his. No matter what he had to do…Naruto would be his.