The Bastard

Chapter 10:

Naruto pondered as they rode on. He really wanted Sasuke…curse his indecisiveness before…now he was going to have to work for it! He watched Sasuke’s back and gave a small secret smile. The dark haired man turned around catching his eye.

“Are you all right Naruto?”

Naruto tried an innocent look. “Yes, I am Sasuke. Why do you ask?”

Sasuke frowned and then turned away. “It was just concerned. We will be reaching the capital soon.”

“Yes…well, I want to apologize for acting like such a cuckoo.” Naruto scratched his head and grinned at the Uchiha.

“I accept. You did act like a fool. You had nothing to worry about because you look quite handsome.” Sasuke smiled a bit. Then they rode together, enjoying the companiable silence.

Kakashi and Iruka had ridden on ahead, as servants were wont to do…in order to bespeak rooms for their masters. So the two young men had a nice quiet ride by themselves. They entered the capital, looking at the number of people bustling about with interest. One of the girls walking past, beautiful buxom Spanish lass, threw a red rose at Sasuke, locking eyes with him at the first opportunity.

Naruto’s countenance was an amusing sight, as he scowled at the girl when Sasuke deigned to give her a small smile. He reached out to grab Sasuke’s rein and yank the horse towards him. Sasuke looked at him in surprise, but he growled for him to watch where he was going before turning away in anger.

Sasuke gaped for a pretty bit of time and then followed the young captain towards the Inn. They had chosen an Inn that Naruto did not visit, so he would not be recognized. Though Sasuke did try to broach the subject of Naruto’s earlier displeasure, the blond man bestowed upon him a brilliant smile and proceeded to talk of the Nine Tails… and how he longed for it.

It did rile Sasuke up, but he held it in check pondering over what he thought the blond was up to. If that innocent look was to be trusted, then Naruto was definitely thinking of some plot. This for some strange reason, made Sasuke uncomfortable. When he looked up, he found himself facing Kakashi who promptly angered him once more by saying. “If you are done with your dreams lad, maybe we can get upstairs to your rooms?”

Sasuke glowered and followed the older man up the stairs. The rooms were nice, cozy in fact. But it wasn’t like he last time, where Sasuke could have shared with Naruto. Kakashi had a small bedroll for himself in the corner and Sasuke knew that the silver haired man would have preferred being in the stables as long as he could be with Iruka. Just as Sasuke was settling down to a nice long sleep, the door burst open o reveal Naruto and Iruka. The two marched in, shutting the door behind them, and spreading a map on the table.

“Well, we have to begin planning don’t we?” Iruka offered as an excuse for barging into the young Lord’s room. “And the Captain said he wanted to finish here as soon as possible. And I have noticed in my long years with him that it is better to do what the Captain says, unless you want to listen to him whining and working himself up into a pelter. I have had it better, dealing with small children!”

Sasuke smirked at that, ignoring Naruto’s murderous expression. “I deeply sympathize with you Iruka. And when I am reinstated to my rightful title…I will put it to the queen that you deserve a reward, for dealing with her favorite Captain.”

Naruto scowled. “Well this is unbecoming of you all. I only suggested it so that we could have a ready plan as well as something to fall back on, if it didn’t work. Where is your sense of adventure?”

Kakashi thumped the table with his hand, drawing their attention to himself. “Well, Captain I will not ask you how you procured a map of the castle itself. But I do believe I have found a way to enter.” He rubbed his mask. “The two of you will enter as guests. Iruka and I will enter as servants. Now this route is the quickest way to the dungeons. While you and his lordship keep everyone busy, Iruka and I will make our way to the dungeons. I will take Konohamaru and leave, by this route…which goes to the sewers. Iruka will then raise the alarm. By then I would like you and his lordship to leave immediately. If Haku or Zabuza realizes…you will have to fight your way out.”

“But how do we go as guests? Are there any parties?” Sasuke questioned.

“Yes there are! Are you so ill informed Sasuke? I would expect you to use you eyes and ears around here. There have been invitations posted as well as it being talked about everywhere!” Naruto smirked. “There have also been papers being given out to hire more servants! Ye Gods!”

Sasuke scowled. “I apologize then, oh observant one! I have been preoccupied with several other things on my way here to actually pay attention to my whereabouts. This is my fist time in another country and I want to make the most of it!”

“What other things, my Lord?” Naruto’s eyes suddenly glinted with anger. “Roses thrown by beautiful Spanish lasses?” his mouth had formed into a hint of a snarl.

Sasuke gaped at him. “Spanish lasses? The devil take it! I was more busy pondering about why you stalked off in a pelter! It vexes me that you don’t tell me what you are thinking! Bloody roses!”

They did not realize that the servants had walked out, leaving them alone. They did not even realize that the servants had been there when the outburst began, or that they were standing at the key hole outside the door wanting to give the young men privacy but not wanting to miss the entertainment.

Naruto growled. “Do not tell me you did not enjoy the attention Uchiha! I saw you stare at her! Are you missing your admirers that much?”

Sasuke swore and stared at Naruto indignantly. “You idiot! I was staring because I was surprised! It isn’t everyday that people throw roses at me! Yes, maybe they would have done so in England if it wasn’t for propriety, but it doesn’t please me in the least! I have never been happier to be away from those ‘admirers’ of mine!”

Naruto sneered in disbelief. “So you say! One can never be sure with you! Always hiding behind that emotionless façade!”

Then suddenly Sasuke’s eyes lit up in astonishment. “Are you jealous, Uzumaki?”

Naruto blushed and turned away. “Why should I be?”

“Well…because all this while I have been lavishing attention on you. I haven’t paid the slightest notice to anyone else and now when I do pay attention to someone, only because I was surprised, you ride off in a huff. It seems to me that you are!” Sasuke grinned.

“So what if I am? At least I do not go around pushing other rivals into lakes, to satisfy my sadistic pleasures! I will admit that I am jealous!” Naruto turned to look at Sasuke who was staring at him in wide eyed confusion.

“You are jealous?” Sasuke whispered. “But…you said…you said you didn’t want to…” he was interrupted by the Captain’s soft lips which had lips which had descended on his own. They moved on his skillfully. Eliciting a soft moan from the dark haired man.

But then Sasuke suddenly came to his senses. He pushed the other man away and glared at him murderously. “What are you thinking? You were the one who refused to go further! You said you would not return my affections. Are you playing with my feelings? Get out right now, Naruto!”

Naruto frowned. “I changed my mind. You are one of the most precious things…”

Sasuke stopped him. “No stop right there. Do not go any further! I have made up my mind about this. I cannot have you change your mind every time you wish it! You have to take into account how it will affect my feelings too. Now get out of here! I will see you at lunch once I have calmed down!”

Naruto stared for a good ten minutes before giving a secret smile. It made Sasuke afraid that smile. The once blond man grinned. “If you say so, my Lord. But I have made up my mind too. I want you and I will get you! Goodbye for now, my sweet…”

Sasuke watched him leave; before the words caught up with him then he burst out so the whole town could hear. “I AM NOT A GIRL! DON’T YOU DARE CALL ME YOUR SWEET!”

The door opened and Kakashi entered. “Um…my Lord, if you do not want the whole world knowing that the Captain treats you like a woman, you might not want to yell it out so loud!”

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Naruto grinned to himself. He had discussed male relationships with Iruka earlier. He wanted to be on top, but maybe the first time, it would be better for him to bottom? Of course there as a way he could be top and still be bottom. He knew that being bottom would make Sasuke feel better, since the Lord was getting so very angry about being treated like a girl…however amusing it was, that wouldn’t do as the Lord might cut his hair off once more and Naruto liked his hair.

He wondered what to wear for lunch and decided up on a black shirt. He pulled it on, leaving it open, up to his navel, which was an accepted norm in Spain anyway. Then he pulled on the tightest black breeches he possessed. He called Iruka in, to do his hair in a disheveled way. And then he walked to the lunch room where Sasuke was waiting.

The time he spent on dressing was worth it, when he saw the look on the Earl’s face when he entered. Sasuke’s jaw had dropped open and he seemed not to notice that he was trailing every plane of the Captain’s abdomen. Naruto cleared his throat.

“My face is up here, Uchiha. Could you kindly wipe the drool collecting at the corner of your mouth?” Naruto took a seat, looking not in the least frightened of the other’s death glare.

Sasuke tried to keep his eyes off the Captain’s beautiful chest and forced himself to keep his eyes on the Captain’s face. But as the face seemed to look extremely handsome too, he was hard pressed not to bend the man over the table and have his way with him.

He realized in the middle of consuming his food, that this was exactly the way, Naruto wanted him to behave. This time though, the Uchiha rules of ‘emotionless behavior’ certainly did not help, because his eyes would keep going back to the other man’s chest. The Earl of Andover to his horror felt ‘something’ growing in his breeches. But his pride wouldn’t let him leave, instead it forced him to try and suppress the rising lust within him.

Naruto then leaned forward o broach a topic. “I think I must say I am sorry for the argument earlier. I completely understand your distaste to have a relationship in which you could be hurt. After all you are a Lord and when I am freed from the sea…I will be beneath you.”

The last sentence had Sasuke thinking of the Captain beneath him flushed and begging. The poor Earl gulped and nodded. “I am sorry too, for throwing you out of my room. It was appalling of me to do so.”

Naruto ginned feral-ly at the way Sasuke’s voice cracked. “Are you all right Uchiha? You look oddly flushed…” he reached out to cup Sasuke’s face with one hand. “You are hot as well! Is there anything I can do?” he made his voice husky at the end.

Sasuke thought he was going to drown in those amused blue eyes. His corrupted mind thinking up favorable things that Naruto could do to make him feel better, all of which needed privacy and a bed. “N…no…nothing. I…I’m fine.” He gave a weak laugh.

“No, let me take you to your room.” Naruto helped him up, slipping an arm around him. Sasuke flinched at the contact, eyes widening impossibly. Naruto had taken him to his room in a very short time. They stumbled in and Naruto shut the door behind them, locking it.

Sasuke tried to clear his mind of the lust. He could not help wondering what was going on. Naruto had said he definitely did not want this, then what was Naruto thinking changing his mind like that two days later?

Naruto saw the confusion in the Earl’s eyes and sighed. “You’d better rest. Kakashi will be in soon. He is out to get some information for us. See you then, dear.” He grinned as he left. And sure enough as the door clicked shut he heard a curse and a yell of “don’t call me dear!”

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Haku went into the cell. The boy had not eaten anything for a long while. Haku was worried; the boy might die before Zabuza had decided to kill him. He sat down next o the boy, careful not to get his clothes dirty.

“Konohamaru, you must eat. If you do not eat, then you will starve to death and you might not see Captain Uzumaki at all.” Haku smiled at him.

The boy glared. “I dun’t care. I‘d rather die than have ya lure ’im to certain death, using me as hostage! How could ya of all people do this t’ him?”

Haku grimaced slightly at that. “One cannot be called a traitor for deciding to go against their best friend for someone they love. Zabuza is someone precious to me. I will not betray him!”

“But t’ Cap’n was preshus t’ ya as well! Ya were best friens! He trust’d ya!” Konohamaru frowned at the wall of his cell.

Haku sighed. “Yes, but Zabuza loves me. Naruto…well it was Naruto’s fault anyway. If you don’t listen to reason Konohamaru, I have nothing to say to you.”

Haku frowned. Thinking of Naruto was painful. He had never had love all his life and when he’d offered it to Naruto, the blond man had vehemently rejected it and rejected Haku himself. Haku supposed it was just a fight, but then he had met Zabuza. Zabuza had allowed Haku to love him and to a certain extent loved him back. He had erased the pain Naruto had caused.

But now the blond man was causing more pain. Haku had never hated the man because he had thought that the Captain was a good Christian and due to that he had rejected him. But when he had seen the way Naruto looked at the dark haired Lord and the way the Lord looked at the Captain, he had begun to hate. It was not fair that Naruto loved the dark haired Earl, but refused to accept if not reciprocate the love of his best friend! Haku’s hands clenched. Naruto deserved this and he was going to help Zabuza captured Naruto!

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In the meanwhile Naruto, Iruka and Kakashi were talking. In fact Naruto was arguing. “We cannot make him try that again! Even if it is only for a few hours!”

“It is necessary as Haku will be there. Short of dying his hair blond, there is nothing we can do. If they recognize him, there is no way we are going to get out of this! You must leave it to me to convince him!” Kakashi’s tone was final.

Naruto clenched his hands into fists. “We should not involve him then! It will hurt him, Kakashi! He is afraid!”

Iruka spoke up then. “The only thing he is afraid of is you! If you can convince him in a few days not to be so afraid maybe it will help. You are the one that made him regret it!”

“Sasuke will not agree!”

“Will not agree to what?”

They turned to see Sasuke enter. The Lord looked disheveled and sleep still filled his eyes. Naruto fidgeted before turning his attention back to the man.

“We need you to be Kiara again.” Kakashi informed him.

Sasuke’s eyes bulged as his face paled. His lips formed a thin line. “I should have realized you would ask this of me, the moment you did not let me cut me hair.”

Kakashi stood up. “I am asking you to be her for a few hours…two to four hours to be exact. Iruka and I will be going downstairs now. We will leave you to sort it out.” They left leaving Naruto to stare at Sasuke, whose eyes looked chilling.

“It is one of your best disguises, unless you want to dye your hair. You will still be recognizable. No one would expect you to be a woman.” Naruto began.

“You just want to see ‘Kiara’ again! You will forget once more, and toy with my feelings, abandoning me the moment I get out of the skirts!” Sasuke burst out.

Naruto sighed and went to Sasuke, kissing him harshly. “No I wouldn’t! I will not forget about you! If I was going to want you because you were a woman I would not kiss you again!” he kissed him again to emphasize the point.

Sasuke stared at him. “What do you want of me? I had a good life before Orochimaru started everything! Before I met you. But you…you are turning my life upside down. I want you to make up your mind and make a decision which you will not regret!”

“I would regret not being by your side.”

“Tell me what you want Naruto…and I want the truth.”

Naruto looked into those beautiful black depths, bringing their faces very close. “I want you to share my bed. I want you to be mine. To put it in lewd terms I want you inside me…And I want you as you without you having to wear skirts, though you do make a beautiful woman. Do you know why?”

Sasuke stiffened and then whispered. “Why?”

“Because, Uchiha I have realized that I love you.”

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A/N: yeah I thought I’ll end it there. I have exams tomorrow and instead of studying I have a bout of Naruto fever! Beat that! Ok now can you all do me a small favor? When you review, can you tell me what you liked and didn’t like? I really want to interact with you all, for being so supportive! So please indulge me on this one! Ja

Taka