The Bastard

A/N: Again I have no time to correct the grammar…I have an exam tomorrow. There is the problem with the letter ‘T’ on my keyboard and a few other letters…I checked this but you might still find some of them missing!! Sorry about that!

Chapter 14:

He cleared his throat and looked into the man’s blue eyes. “Father…”

Sasuke looked at him in shock. His father…I thought his father was dead…but then…he never talked of his father…his father is Namikaze Minato! He regarded the man opposite him with new respect. Then he looked at Naruto who still had a stand-offish aura around him…

Naruto stepped away very slightly. “What might you be doing here?”

Minato smiled at him. “I thought I would come back and see the two of you! You seem to have made a name for yourself…” pride lit his eyes.

Naruto nodded coldly. “Kiara and I are tired, Father. You must excuse us.” He glanced at Sasuke conveying his haste to get away with his eyes. “Let me lead you to your room.” he let Sasuke take his arm and led him out, paying no attention to Ino’s troubled face.

As thy walked to their rooms, Sasuke’s fingers tightened a bit on the blond’s arm. “Naruto…”

“I do not wish to talk of it. I would like to spend some time alone, I hope you do not mind?” he stopped outside Sasuke’s room and slipped an arm around his waist. Drawing him in for a chaste kiss, his eyes softened slightly. “Go to bed, my love. I’ll meet you for lunch or supper depending on which I am awake for…”

Then Naruto turned and walked to his room. The door closing with finality. Sasuke could not have gone after him even if he had wanted to. The dark haired man slipped into his room and shut the door. There was not a thing he could say or do…he had no knowledge about what had gone on between Naruto and his father…Namikaze Minato, the legendary Captain who had been in the Queen’s service before disappearing! His face had been everywhere! Sasuke remembered the man who had come to his parent’s funeral. Namikaze Minato who had been missing for sixteen years…Sasuke wondered why he had not made that connection before. Naruto looked like a replica of him!

Sasuke undid his sash. He was about to slip is clothes off when a knock sounded. He frowned and opened it to reveal Ino. The girl looked at him a bit fearfully. “Um…Kiara, could I come in please? I would like a word with you. If it is all right with you, that is…?”

Sasuke nodded and stepped aside to let her in. Ino went straight to the window seat and sat down on it. Sasuke moved to the chair by the dressing table and looked at her. When she didn’t say anything, he spoke. “What is the matter Ino?”

The blonde fidgeted a little. “Kiara…why do you think Naruto dislikes Father so?”

Sasuke wondered what to say. The girl was obviously troubled, but she knew she could not speak to Naruto. “I do not know. He has always avoided talking about your father. When did Mr. Namikaze arrive?”

“You know his name! Good. Naruto made us take our mother’s name when he was eight you know. I do not know anything either. My Brother has never seen fit to talk to me of our father. According to Father, he arrived last week. He had to go away on a voyage right after I was born…a year before my mother left us. He got news of her death only years later and had no means of contacting us. When he returned last week he came straight here. I know it’s been sixteen years, Kiara! But I cannot hate him! He’s my father…and he’s so nice! I cannot help but love him! I have wanted to see him for so long now!” she turned aggrieved blue eyes to Sasuke. “Why will Brother not understand?”

Sasuke shook his head. “Ino, you must let him be. You cannot imagine how shocking it must be for him to return from a voyage only to see the man he hates back in his home. He has to accept it on his own…”

Ino looked away. “Naruto is so mule headed sometimes! Oh…I must speak to you of another thing. What do you think of Mr. Nara?”

Sasuke who had begun to get his make up out of the band box stopped short. “Mr. Nara?”

“Naruto's best friend, you know? You met him last time…he sails too. Though not as often as Naruto…”

“Well, he seems very nice. Very lazy, but intelligent and nice. And I heard that the Queen was pleased with him. They are saying she might promote him or bestow him with knighthood…” Sasuke turned to look at Ino with a raised eyebrow. “Why?”

“Oh…nothing…” Ino was about to sweep out of the room when she turned. “Oh, Kiara I cannot hide things from you! I like Mr. Nara very much…”

Sasuke was once again at a loss. “”Oh…that’s very nice…”

“You think he’s ineligible?”

Looking at Ino’s small face, Sasuke sighed. “I like him. Are you going to mention this to your father? Or to Naruto?”

Ino stood and walked to the door. “No! I mean yes….someday. I do not know if they will accept his hand though. I better be going, Kiara. Pray do not mention it to anyone!”

Sasuke shut the door after her and locked it. He slid out of his dress and slipped on a night gown. He wished he could get into his knee boxer and vest. But on the brighter side he would meet Sakura again…last time had been so amusing! He drifted off to sleep.

--

Sasuke had never been gladder than when the footman announced hat Shikamaru had arrived. The tension at the supper table between Naruto and his father had been palpable. Naruto had not said a single word by himself to his father, only answering Minato’s questions curtly. So Sasuke had been forced to converse with all three of them continually and he had a feeling Naruto did not like him speaking to the older man.

Shikamaru entered lazily and sat down at the table. “So sorry, I am late. I found it very bothersome to walk all the way down here.”

“Ye Gods, you seem to think we should be thankful you actually made it!” Naruto smiled at the man. “Do you have any notion of whether the letter I sent her Majesty reached her?”

Shika nodded. “Of course I do. The whole court is talking about your exploits. Zabuza has finally been killed. This you might not know yet, but we got word at court, that Gatou has been assassinated. Tsunade’s good friend Frederick will be taking his place as King. After your defeat of Zabuza it was extremely easy to rid the throne of Gatou. King Frederick does not mean to be our ally….so you can go on scuttling ships.” He watched Naruto's face light up. “Yes I am sure that makes you very happy. So the Queen will bestow you with a medal tomorrow. And she has a few announcements to make. You and Kiara must attend.”

Naruto seemed a little awestruck. “So you’re saying that our voyage to Spain to save my deck boy actually resulted in such huge changes?”

Shikamaru nodded. “It is always like that. One small fly falling into someone’s soup can change the course of the meal.”

“Are you calling me a fly?” Naruto bristled.

“Of course he is. I mean look at it this way, the Spanish look at you as a pesky fly that they cannot swat!” Sasuke smiled at him.

The rest laughed at the way Naruto was glaring at Kiara. Naruto could not help but smile at Sasuke, when the Earl smiled liked that. Ino watched them and sighed, she was happy that for once, Naruto was genuinely happy. She glanced at Shikamaru shyly; the genius returned her glance with an equally shy one.

Minato watched both couple and hid a smile. He knew that Ino was set up on the Nara boy and he approved of that. He was very happy that Naruto and Kiara got along so perfectly, though he would have to settle things with his son soon. But the moment supper was over Naruto had taken his fiancé’s hand and moved to the garden.

They sat together on a bench and looked at the London's usual cloud covered skies. Naruto sighed. “I miss the stars…”

“I miss my breeches…”

Naruto turned and grinned at Sasuke. “Tell me, what’s on your mind?”

Sasuke’s face turned serious. “I finally have a plan to get Orochimaru. I know exactly what he is afraid of. Then I’ll finally be able to get out of these abominable skirts. Though I am hoping to see Sakura at least once before I do so.”

Naruto stared at him, his expression unreadable. Then he looked off into the distance. “In a way, I wish Kiara would not have to be done away with…” he looked at Sasuke’s incredulous countenance and shook his head. “No I want you, not Kiara, but Kiara is the only way I will be able to hold you or kiss you here…”

Sasuke sighed. “Well it is something we will have to face Naruto. We cannot continue this farce for longer than necessary. Sooner or later we will be found out. But once I have my name cleared, I will travel with you…”

Naruto looked into the distance and then snapped his fingers. “Marry me…”

Sasuke looked at him with incredulity. “Marry you? You have gone mad!”

“Why not?” Naruto frowned. “Just marry me! After you marry me, you may go after Orochimaru. Then even if we have done with Kiara…you will be mine. Please…”

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. “Naruto…we will be marrying in the house of God…you really think it is plausible?”

Naruto shook his head. “No let us have a small ceremony here, in this very garden. People have done it in some places. I want you to be mine….”

Sasuke suddenly smiled. “All right…let us get married soon, Naruto Uzumaki. I accept your proposal.”

The blond smiled with such radiance that Sasuke feared he might go blind. His lips were captured in a tight kiss. He hugged his blond fiercely. If they pulled off this whole farce, marriage and Orochimaru’s downfall then things would indeed go extremely well. But then again, the Captain always relied on luck and for once, the Uchiha was willing to do so!

--

Naruto turn the pages of his book idly. He was wondering how to plan the whole wedding. He wanted to get married in a week. He looked up as the door opened and frowned the moment he saw his father enter. He turned back to his book pretending to concentrate so he would not have to converse with his father.

But Minato smiled. “Naruto…you can stop staring at the pages now my son.”

Naruto looked up at the man, his eyes shining with dislike. “What do you want of me?”

Minato blinked. “Why do you behave so coldly? I have just returned from a voyage. I have missed you and Ino…”

Naruto raised an eyebrow. “Maybe you have. I have no intention of talking to you…please sit down and read if you wish to do so.”

“You will speak to me now! I have had enough of your childish behavior. Let us talk things out like adults. You are to be twenty soon, cease behaving like you are just out of short pants…” Minato’s voice was stern.

Naruto stood his eyes now blazing. “Be quiet! I have no intention of making conversation with a nodcock like yourself!”

“You are my son! Show me some respect! I will not have you speak that way to me!”

“Your son?” Naruto's voice was sardonic laced with rage. “You left us…father. I remember it perfectly. Mother begged you not to leave…she wanted you to stay by her side…she was ill! But you decided to leave us and go on that voyage. You did not return even when she had died! You have no idea what happened! I was left to fend for me and Ino.” His voice cracked a bit. “That man, Mizuki whom you left in charge of tending to our mother, left. He took everything with him. Ino and I were out on the streets…no one knew. Mizuki took us to the country and left us in some town called Halforth. I lived on the streets for two years, stealing and fighting to protect my sister. I wondered why you never came…I believed you would. I knew you would have received word that mother had died. I was beaten…an innkeeper made me do his bidding. He made me blackmail people! I did all the dirty work and stole for him. He beat me if I disobeyed. Finally, Prince Regent Jiraiya found us…I do not know how or why he was there. He hired a governess. She took us to Bordeaux where the Hyuuga’s took us in.”

Naruto glared at his father. “But you never came. Imagine my surprise when earlier this year, the Queen showed me a picture of you…explaining that you were her nephew. Only she and the Prince Regent knew that you had been my father. It was no voyage! You had been sent to court and marry the daughter of some foreign king were you not? No one else knew about us…related to the Queen and left out on the streets. Ironical isn’t it? You’re a liar! I hate you…You left my mother to marry some…some woman on the other side of the ocean!”

“You must let me explain. It is only fair that I explain.”

“I loved your mother. She was the perfect woman for me. Only, she had no fortune to her name. I was the Duke of Avon; I married her against everyone’s wishes. We were happy. I was a good Captain; I preferred that to being a Duke. But then we began to fight endlessly and about the smallest things. I hated it. Fortunately my Great Uncle, the King wished me to go to the land of the Danes. I did not marry another woman…how could I? But I did remain there as an ambassador of the court. Anything to be away from your mother…our relationship was in dire straits when I chose to leave. I spent ten years there. I was not given permission to return when I realized she had passed on. The King assured me that you will be taken care of. I am sorry that he did not keep his word. Jiraiya promised me he will care for you and he has done so. Then on my return, we were blown off course to Norway, where I spent the rest of the five years. I was scared Naruto…scared of facing the two of you. I know I have been a horrible father…but I hope you can forgive me. I have returned to do my duty by you. And see that you inherit my title and that the world knows who you are…” Minato steeled himself and looked into his son’s eyes.

Naruto felt torn between wanting to keep his father by his side and wanting to throw him out of the house. “You are a coward…you face great enemies but cannot face your own children. But so am I…I was afraid to love…” Naruto pondered a moment but then looked up again. “I do not think I can forgive you just yet. The world knows of me without the name of Namikaze looming over me. But I hope you have an idea of what you are doing.”

Naruto walked to the door before stopping a moment. “By the by, I will be getting married next week. Please assist us with the arrangements.”

Minato looked after him, pride swelling in his heart. His son had grown indeed and made a name for himself. Tonight at court he would announce their relationship; he knew more would flock to seek Ino’s hand because of it.

--

Sakura adjusted her skirts a little…she looked lovely in a deep pink dress and pink diamonds adorning her neck. She had heard all about Captain Uzumaki’s feats and couldn’t wait to see him again. This time, she promised herself that she would win him over. She looked into the mirror once again and then made her way out to the court room. Lady TenTen was standing by the pillar smiling at Duke Neji who was getting her a drink.

Sakura smiled. “Lady TenTen, how are you? I have not seen you, since your engagement to Duke Hyuuga was published.”

TenTen nodded. “I have been away at the countryside…I was ill, but I am perfectly fine now. How have you been Lady Sakura? I have been away so long…and it seems so much has happened, pray tell me what has passed!”

Sakura began telling everything she knew of Naruto…she conveniently forgot about Lady Kiara. Lady TenTen would make a powerful friend, and Sakura did not wan her hearing about that dark haired sailor wench! Unfortunately for her, it was at that moment that the Uzumaki couple was announced.

Both she and TenTen looked up to see a beautiful Kiara bedecked in aquamarine. Everyone made way for them to walk to the queen’s throne together. Tsunade sat on her throne, with Minato by her side and Jiraiya on her other side. The whole court was silent.

Sasuke almost laughed as he felt Naruto's arm tense under his fingers. The idiot was nervous! And Sasuke found it to be very appealing, that the great powerful Captain Uzumaki was scared of walking to the throne. Naruto knelt and Sasuke curtsied, before kneeling beside him. Tsunade bade them both rise.

She smiled. “Captain Uzumaki, let me congratulate you on one of your finest missions. You took it upon yourself to cause the utmost upheaval in Spain and it has benefited us beautifully. You showed loyalty to your men and you have made your country proud. I bestow upon you, the medal of ANBU and name you General Uzumaki, commander of my fleet.”

Sasuke almost gasped…Naruto did gasp. And so did the whole court. General meant that Naruto could have a whole fleet of his own! And the promotion was extremely high…so it was strange when Naruto cleared his throat.

“I am honoured, but I refuse, your majesty…”

Everyone gasped this time, with no exceptions. Tsunade frowned a little. “Why, may I ask?”

“Well to be completely honest…I prefer having my little ship and doing what little I can for the country. I do not wish to have a fleet or taken on that much responsibility, your majesty…forgive me for declining.” Naruto murmured, blushing hotly.

Tsunade smiled. “Very well, we will reach a compromise. You will take on the title of general when needed in warfare. Unless that need arises you may retain your little ship, crew and wreak havoc on Spanish waters…does that suit you better, General?”

Naruto nodded and a quiet cheer broke out. Then Tsunade looked at Kiara. “The general has made an excellent choice! You have followed him to sea, you have not been a hindrance and you seem like a sturdy girl. Congratulations.”

And then everyone came to congratulate the couple and the courtroom was flooded with small talk once more. Sasuke had somehow managed to get into a corner and watch the blond be bombarded with questions. He turned to meet emerald eyes. “Lady Sakura…”

Sakura smiled, but it more closely resembled a snarl. “Lady Kiara…you’re back. I hope the journey did not tire you too much?”

Sasuke shook his head. “No. Unlike you, I do not care for frills and fancies. The sea was quite refreshing…it drew me away from whiny little women like you…”

“Whiny? I do not whine! And I like the sea very well thank you. I am sure I make a better seafarer than you…Naruto would love to have me on board!” her voice was beginning to grate on Sasuke’s nerves.

“Yes he would…if he wanted to hold a bucket under you nose all day so you could be sick in it. I am very annoyed by you….i wish you would find someone else to bother.” Sasuke bit back a yawn. Now the party was getting annoying and somehow he did not want to banter with Sakura…a feeling of foreboding filled him.

Sakura growled lightly. “How dare you! It is very rude of you to say such things…un-lady-like! I do not what Naruto was thinking….”

A voice interrupted. Tsunade was smiling at everyone present. “I have chosen this day to announce the return of Namikaze Minato, my nephew.” She waited for the applause to die down. “He has a few announcements to make…I trust you will all hear him out?”

Sakura frowned, irritated at being interrupted in her denouncement of Kiara. She turned to see Kiara frowning a little and then the dark haired woman made her way o Naruto and gripped his arm…Sakura wondered why Kiara was looking protective suddenly…it seemed oddly familiar, but she brushed it off.

Sasuke knew Naruto would hate what his father had to say…he also had an inkling of what the announcement was to be. He had seen Naruto tense a little and continue a small conversation with Kiba. He walked up to the blond and gripped his arm. He would be right by Naruto when these announcements were made…just in case.

--

On the other side of the ballroom, Ino was standing by Shikamaru. They had gotten am minute to themselves on pretext of a getting something to drink. Ino could not help admiring the man…even though most called him lazy, Shikamaru's skill and genius was something that Ino felt was attractive. He never tried to woo her like all the others did and he never brought her flowers.

Ino was by no means plain looking and she had many many admirers…but she tired of their banter and quarrel. Shikamaru on the other hand was not too imposing, he had good manners and he was silent enough to let Ino do all the talking. Ino loved learning and she found all she had to do was ask and he would inform her of the many miracles in the world…they talked of maps, places, people, mathematics and Greek mythology. The only way Shikamaru even showed his interest was by putting in enough of an effort to explain things to her.

For Ino it was like going to Oxford, the university where only boys were allowed. He did not begrudge her reading novels and was nice enough to actually enquire about the plot. And the best thing about him was…that Shikamaru never said anything demeaning about girls. He’d even taken her to the a more low class park and let her gallop around. Something which her proper brother would never allow her to do. It wasn’t that Naruto did not give her a free reign, but Naruto wanted her to keep in with the society…her brother wanted a marriage that was the top of the lot for her. She hoped Naruto would like her choice in this matter…

She was thinking these things and talking to Shikamaru about Spain, when the queen made the announcement. The worlds splashed over her like cold water…the queen’s nephew? Her father? If her father was the queen’s nephew then why had she and Naruto been left to live a life of squalor ad dependence?

Shikamaru saw the look and moved to stand behind her. This was troublesome…he had seen this coming. His one big lie that Minato had kept would be revealed and Ino would have to cease he hero-worship of her father…he glanced over to see Naruto feigning a smile and carry on talking to Kiba.

Troublesome indeed…

--

Naruto watched as Minato smiled at everyone. He could have dropped a pin and it would have been loud. Everyone wanted to hear what the long lost Duke had to say. He felt a little reassured when Sasuke’s hand clutched his arm.

Minato smiled at them all. “Yes I am back. Have been away for too long and missed you all! I have a few things to announce, please bear with me. First and foremost I have to say that I am glad to be back with my children, Uzumaki Naruto and Ino. Their lineage has been kept secret with good reason and now I find it the right time to give them the Namikaze name and name my firstborn, Naruto as my heir.” He waited for the scattered applause and whispers to die down. “My second announcement is with even better news.” He smiled.

“Lady Kiara Fanshaw will be wedding my son in the next week. Everyone is invited and you will receive invitations imminently. The date and time will feature in tomorrow’s issue of the Gazette. I wish them well…my son could not have made a more perfect choice of bride.”

Naruto faked a smile and nodded to those congratulating him. He was surprised by the sudden increase in the number of people around him. He looked to see Ino being surrounded as well. He turned to see Sasuke’s reaction, but the man was as calm and sweet as Kiara should be. Well…at least their marriage was upcoming and something to look forward to.

Sasuke tried to breathe as the elderly matrons suffocated him. He hadn’t expected this many people to like this alter ego of his. He kept a good hold on Naruto, lest the blond be carried away with the tide of people. Suddenly he heard a voice…one he hadn’t expected to hear. He whirled around and found himself face to face with Orochimaru….

--

A/N: yes I will end I hear. I am trying to update each of my stories right away…but it’s taking a bit of time. What do you think of Minato’s excuse? And what of Naruto and Sasuke? Please tell me what you think….review please.

Yours

A truly harried and very much under-stress

Taka