The Bastard

A/N: Yes the story is back with a new chapter and is nearing it's end!! Please read, enjoy and review!!

Chapter 15:

The snake’s slimy face was too close, but Uchiha managed to keep the disgust off his face. Instead he let a small smile blossom. He heard Orochimaru’s introduction and nodded, hoping Naruto who had stiffened as soon as he’d spotted the snake would not react. Luckily the blond man reigned in his temper and let one of his genuine looking fake smiles slip onto his face.

“Mr. Orochimaru…”

Orochimaru smiled in his creepy manner. “Lord Naruto…this news is very good indeed. I would like to invite you to my residence after your marriage. Please give me the honour of attending…”

Naruto opened his mouth to refuse, but Sasuke beat him to it. “Of course we would oblige, my lord Orochimaru. But only after the wedding…”

“Yes I understand that you must be in a hurry to make your preparations. I am eager to see the two of you married and ready to begin a new life together….” Orochimaru took Kiara’s hand, unaware of who she really was and smiled.

“I’m sorry, but it will be a small gathering of family only, my Lord. Though I have gathered that Kiara is well liked in all the circles, she still does not feel at home here. I have agreed with their notion that the wedding will be held at home. But we will be having a ball afterward and hope to see you there?” Minato had unknowingly come to their rescue and Sasuke held in a sigh of relief.

Orochimaru let go of Kiara's hand and nodded. “That would please me, your Grace. I will now let you have some time with this beautiful couple. Congratulations once more.” Orochimaru turned on his heel and left.

Naruto took this opportunity to pull Sasuke out onto the lawn in a secluded place. “Do you have your wits about you? You accept that snake’s invitation to dine!”

Sasuke kissed Naruto lightly; sure that no one else was present. “My dear idiot…we shall make a plan that will bring about his downfall. I cannot stay away from him and with you like this forever. I must clear my name…”

“You are the one being idiotish. You must let me take care of him and not put yourself in this kind of danger.” Naruto couldn’t help but glare at his fiancée. He had been fine with the idea till this minute but now that he had met Orochimaru he was against Sasuke ever nearing this man again.

Sasuke frowned. “Come now, Naruto…you know as well as I do that it must be done. Trust in me…in us. Let us come up with a plan and then see what can be done…”

Naruto sighed in defeat. “As you like. It must not involve you being hurt…”

“I promise you that I will not be hurt. And that you shall be by my side as it is done.” Sasuke caught Naruto’s hand and led him back to their friends and admirers. If he could help it, Orochimaru would be caught by the police and a way to be with Naruto would also present itself.

--

Ino wove her way out of the crowd and slipped out into the garden, moving through the maze to a quite corner. Her father was a Duke? The queen’s nephew? Memories of her brother fighting to keep them both alive while they lived in squalor hit her. Rage like nothing she had known burned within her. She now understood why Naruto behaved like he did with Minato. She had actually worshiped her father and doubted her brother’s anger against him.

“Ino…”

She turned to see Shikamaru standing a few feet away from her. He moved towards her holding out her shawl. “It’s cold outside. You left this behind.” He draped it over her shoulders and led her to the small bench. They sat down looking up at the sky. “Lady Ino…please do not overly concern yourself with the events of this night.”

“I cannot see what you mean by that Captain. My father lied to me and kept secret an important fact. Why were my brother and I left to lead the next two years of our young lives in squalor? If we were such important persons then why were we made to suffer so?”

“My Lady, you make these judgments based solely on your suffering. You do not know what your father has been through. Your brother seems to have softened a little towards him which shows that he must have gotten an explanation.”

“Captain Nara…whether my brother has gotten an explanation is of no consequence. I would like to hear my father’s excuses myself, instead of following my brother’s lead as I have always done.” Ino pursed her lips in anger.

Shikamaru caught her in a short kiss for a moment. “Lady Ino, please listen to what you are saying. I find your determination in finding the truth admirable, but I must ask that you remember that no matter what, the Duke of Avon is you father and a part of your family.”

Ino’s eyes widened. “Shikamaru…”

Shikamaru chose that moment to stand. “I have made up my mind. I want your hand in marriage…I will put it to your father as well as you brother. But I must first ask what you want…would you like me for your husband, my Lady?”

His answer was a whispered “yes” before he was caught up in a shy kiss.

--

It was almost a week after this even that Sasuke called Kakashi to the library. It was the only moment he could get to himself between being carted around to get dresses by Ino and asked about numerous preparations by Minato.

Kakashi knew at once that his master was planning something. “Is there something on your mind my, Lord?”

Sasuke frowned. “The snake is back, Kakashi. I do not want my fiancée putting his idiotish head in to this matter, trying to save me from the danger he supposes I am in. therefore I hope you understand that Iruka is not to know of this either.”

Kakashi looked a little perturbed about the fact that he couldn't let this particular bee out of the bonnet in reference to his little brown cook, but decided that whatever plan his master may have would be feasible and good. “I understand my Lord. Know what do you have in mind?”

“I plan to get close to Orochimaru after the wedding...you must be my accomplice in this and accompany me in the carriage while on these ventures. My plan is...” Sasuke went on to explain his plan in great detail, making sure the white haired valet absorbed every morsel of it and was ready to make it a reality.

The two pondered over their plan a little more and then sat back satisfied. Kakashi looked a little pained about it. “But, my Lord...how will the Captain take it? Are you sure he isn't to know a thing?”

“Not a thing...if he suspects that it could be dangerous, then he will get in my way. Orochimaru's downfall must only be my doing. Naruto will be needed and to play his part well, we will keep him in the dark.” Sasuke sighed to himself. If only he could just tell his idiot and be done.

Kakashi nodded. His grimace turned into a small smile. “So are you happy that your marriage is imminent my Lord?”

Sasuke let a full smile grace his features. “Perfectly happy, Kakashi. But have you made sure that Lady Haruno has received an invitation? That will make me even happier.”

Kakashi shook his head. “I doubt even the devil could best you at being evil, my Lord. Lady Haruno did receive and invitation. I have been informed that she had a spate of hysterics. Duke Hyuuga's marriage and the Captain's rise to fortune has been duly noted by her and she regrets her former decisions regarding the Captain. But on a more cheerful note, I congratulate you on your planning my Lord.”

Kakashi's smirk mirrored his lord's. “You are truly an Uchiha, my Lord...it is sad that the last of your line ends with you.”

Sasuke nodded. “So true...”

--

Lady Sakura Haruno was extremely angry. She had undergone many vapours since the Duke of Avon's announcement the night at court and it had finally made her realize that she had lost Naruto. She could not help but curse her indecision. She had been courted by so many of the nobles and now she had no one to marry.

The door bell sounded and she wondered if it was Ino come to call on her. She did not think she could bear to see Ino at this time, knowing that the wretched Lady Fanshaw might be with her. Ino had called so many times to ask if she would accompany them to prepare for the upcoming marriage, but she had refused.

There was a light knock and her maid entered. Bowing the girl informed her that Duke Rock had met with her father. Lord Haruno was asking for her downstairs. Sakura nodded, her thoughts still on Naruto and Kiara as well as her failure to break them apart.

She adjusted her pretty green dress and smoothed out the wrinkles. Gliding down to the study she made her presence known with a light cough. Her father sat in the massive armchair that stood by the fireplace and Duke Rock sat on the sofa.

Lord Haruno looked at Sakura with a small smile. “My dear, his grace Duke Rock has just asked for your hand in marriage. I think it is a good match...I have given him my consent.”

And Sakura Haruno's stomach bottomed out as for once her world fell apart without hysterics being the slightest part of it.

--

Minato sat at his desk nibbling on his pen thoughtfully. The queen had asked him to take on the task of negotiating a trade alliance with the Mediterranean. His relationship with his son seemed to be progressing very slowly and apart from that there was Kiara to consider. He wondered if there was anyone who could see that the whole Kira outfit was a sham...

He laughed to himself. He had known Fugaku Uchiha well...very well in fact. Having seen Fugaku in a dress one stormy night far back in the eddies of time and having had th pleasure of knowing his wife Mikoto very well, he had recognized Sasuke right away. No one else had that perfect tilt or that sarcastic tongue but Fugaku's own and youngest son. His eyes sparkled in amusement...it was time to tighten family bonds.

He looked up as there was a slight knock on the door and Kiara herself entered. The youngest Uchiha was angry and it made Minato more happy. “Come in, my dear. I am sorry to have disturbed you if indeed you were busy. Have a seat.”

Sasuke took a seat wishing he could say what was really on his mind. Of course Minato had disturbed him...he had been so busy with Naruto that this disturbance had put him out of sorts. “No sir. I was not very busy. What may I do for you?”

Minato smiled. “Well, Uchiha, you could begin by telling me if you really love my son or if you're using him...”

Sasuke did not even grasp that Minato had used his own true name. His eyes flashed. “I do not plan to use your son. I do love him and I intend to stay by his side for a very long time!” Then the sentence played itself over in his mind and his eyes widened in shock. “You...”

“Yes I do know. It would be very hard for someone like me who knew your parents to the extent I did to be fooled by this facade.”

Sasuke's heart began to beat quite wildly. If Minato knew, then how many...? His eyes must have voice the very question because Minato answered as though he could read minds. “No need to put yourself in a pelter. I assure you that no one else knows except maybe Captain Nara. It would be hard to fool a genius of that caliber. It may be because everyone has forgotten your parents...they were not known for many friends. I was their only close one.”

Sasuke nodded. “How did you...?”

“That I wish to keep to myself. It would not do to talk of your parents now. “Minato raised a calculating eyebrow. “We will not let my son know that I have found you out...I think it will spare us a very long and tiring tirade. But my question is what has forced you into this charade and ow will you take care of it?”

Sasuke steeled himself and recounted the story of the past few months barring his interactions with Naruto. It would not do to embarrass himself or turn what seemed like a strong ally against himself. He spoke of what he planned to do and the outcome. “But I would like to keep it a secret from my idiot...I mean...” Sasuke coloured. “...your son. He will be bull headed and rush in with his rapier raised believing it will solve everything if I confided in him.”

Minato smiled at Sasuke's fondness for his son. “Yes I agree that we should lot let 'your idiot' know. I have something that may help you here. If you mention my name...” Minato slid a slip of paper toward him. “But it will not be a nice thing Sasuke...”

“Well sir...it's in the best interests of the idiot after all.” Sasuke made to stand when there was a knock again. Captain Nara was ushered in. The pony tailed gentleman looked from Minato to Kiara for a moment and then bowed.

“Your Grace, My Lady...” Straightening Shikamaru looked directly at Minato. “I have a matter of some importance to address to you, your Grace.” He looked at Kiara. “If you do not mind, my Lady...”

Sasuke nodded and bade them both a good afternoon, before leaving. Shikamaru waited till he heard the footsteps to fade away before turning to face Minato. “Maybe it will be good to have Naruto here as well...”

The blond was called in and he did arrive boisterously, slapping Shikamaru on the back. Shikamaru waited till he had a seat before beginning. He had never felt this nervous before, but he steeled himself and began.

“Your Grace, general...I have come...I have to come to ask you for you daughter's hand in marriage...”

Minato smiled and Naruto looked at him in shock. Shikamaru looked solely at Naruto. “I know you wanted a rich and happy marriage for her. But I love her and can make her very very happy. Money will not be a problem.”

Naruto looked taken aback. He had been hoping for so much more for Ino. It was not that Shikamaru was not good enough, but he was only a captain...and even with promotions he would have to wait a long while for a large income. He pondered for a bit and then stood up. “I believe this is a matter best left to my father, Nara.” he walked to the study seeing the hurt look in his friend's eye. Pausing at the threshold he let his hand lie on the door knob. “But in my opinion, you will make her as a good a match as any nobleman.” Then the infamous blond left to find his bastard.

--

The nervousness in his stomach would not settle. He quelled the urge to straightened his dark coat one more time...he was standing in front of all the close friends and family and in a few minutes he would be bestowed with the greatest gift God had ever given him...he was to be married. He scanned the people sitting in the garden to see who had graced this sacred occasion with their presence. His surprise was great when he saw the Hyuuga's sitting in the second row. Hiashi with a slight smile. Hinata looked the perfect mixture of happy and sad. She gave Naruto a small smile, which he could not help but return. Kiba, Chouji and the others had come. His crew, dressed impeccably sat at the back, happy smiles on their faces.

The wedding march suddenly began and Naruto looked up to see the procession coming towards him. Kiara dressed in a pure white satin off shoulder wedding gown with long white gloves was moving towards him. In Sasuke's hands was a bunch of white roses and a few lilies. A long netted veil covered his face. Neji Hyuuga who had offered to give the bride away smiled at Naruto as he handed Sasuke over.

Dark eyes met blue ones and the rest of the world lay forgotten. Every word out of the rector's mouth sounded perfect. Sasuke kept trying to calm the warm surge within him that made him feel as though he was going to drown in it. The time for his vows came and Sasuke decided to keep it simple.

“General Uzumaki, I, Kiara Fanshaw, promise to be by your side in your every venture. If the sea calls, I will follow. If you pick up a sword, I will too. No matter what you do, I will be by your side no matter how I change.”

Naruto's stomach fluttered. He gave up the urge to just carry the Earl away with him. “Lady Kiara Fanshaw, I promise to love you more than anything on earth and cherish you with no reserves. I promise to weigh your advice and remember that I am a bull headed idiot. I promise to never let anything come between us come hail or high water and to care for you more than I car for the Nine Tails!”

This vow invited many different kinds of reactions. Hinata sighed in defeat, Shikamaru rolled his eyes and Kiba noisily declared that he'd never thought the day would come where the Nine Tails would be given second place in Naruto's world.

The moment the couple whispered their “I do”'s and shared a chaste kiss, the whole garden burst out with cheers. And Naruto's world...was finally complete.

It was only later that night when they were alone in Naruto's room after a few hours of making love, that Naruto sat up with another box.. “Sasuke I have something for you...”

Sasuke stretched and deigned to sit up as well. All he wanted was to sleep right now, hopefully curled up beside an also sleeping Naruto who would not get unduly excited about something or the other. “What is it, Naruto?”

Naruto flipped the box open as if it were a box of snuff. A pure gold ring with a fox etched on it, sat nestled in the blue velvet. “This is what I want you to have when you finally give up your disguise of Kiara. This is out true marriage ring...it would not do for Sasuke Uchiha, Earl of Andover to be seen wearing the wedding ring that Captain's Uzumaki's fiancée wore. Also the fox is well hidden, hence no one need know who it came from.”

Sasuke felt a number of emotions swamp him but had no intention of being

Kiara so soon...especially not after having taken the Captain on this holy night. So he settled with kissing the blond and letting the ring be slipped onto his finger. This led to another bout of after wedding love making and soon the two men were fast into their sleep.

--

Sasuke glanced at Kakashi one last time making sure the man had gotten things clear. “So you have gotten all I need?”

Kakashi nodded. “Yes, my Lord. I have also briefed my cousin Anko about what needs to be done.”

Sasuke smiled shortly. Looking in the mirror, he smoothed the small wrinkles out of his pretty white lace dress. The small blue roses at the bottom make him look perfectly suited for the feminine, wifely role he was to play.

He let Kakashi leave before the blond came in, so that nothing would be suspected. Sasuke hoped all his training for the past few days would come in useful. He was walking towards the door when it burst open of it's own accord and Ino burst in looking exhilarated.

“Kiara have you heard? I'm betrothed...to Captain Nara. Father and brother have given their consent! Is it not too perfect? We'll all be a big family again!” Ino clasped Kiara in one of her more impulsive hugs and Sasuke gratefully prayed thanking God that Ino always did so when he was fully dressed.

He laughed prettily and returned her embrace. “It is perfect Ino. But I must say why are you still in your petticoats? It is not done to be running around in a house with men in, if you aren't properly dressed! Now Naruto has informed me that Captain Nara will also be attending dinner at Orochimaru's ... so you had better hurry.”

Ino gave a small shriek and let her herself out. Sasuke shook his head in amusement as he made his way out to his blond. Naruto was waiting by the bottom of the stairs looking slightly grim. Sasuke went down and slipped his hand onto Naruto's arm.

“Naruto...you need not worry this much, idiot...” he whispered using his real voice since no one was around.

Naruto frowned. “I still do not see why you agreed to this. We have not even planned anything! Do you mean to go see him more till you make up a plan?”

Sasuke smiled. “Stop being an idiot. It would look awfully suspicious if we visited everyone else for dinner but not him! Let us just pretend that it is another wily lord...”

Naruto looked at his dark haired bride none too suspiciously, but let it lie. Before he could wonder whether to ask anything of Sasuke, his father came down as well.

Minato smiled happily at the two. “Now children, I know that Lord Orochimaru is not a pleasant person and nor is he affable. But we will go today with some cheerful feelings and try to make the best of this situation.”

“Father, forgive me for saying it, but you resemble Duke Rock's father in your speech today.” Naruto said dryly.

Minato blanched. “Pray do not make me an equal to that...monster. I trust we are all ready? If Ino takes much longer we shall have to leave without her!”

Sasuke sighed. He was raring to be off. The faster the night ended the better it wold be. He really did not want to interact with the snake. All he wanted was to be on the Nine Tails with Naruto. Finally Ino did appear and they all went to the carriages.

Upon reaching what was formerly Sasuke's house, they disembarked from the carriage. Sasuke held on to Naruto's arm a little tightly...the only sign of his unease. He had to force himself not to look around and see if he could catch sight of any of his former servants. A very familiar footman opened the door and it took all he had not to scream obscenities and ask if the footman did not recognize his former master.

Thankfully the snake had not changed anything inside of the house. It seemed like he only wanted Uchiha's title and income but not really the house itself. They were made to wait in the parlour...and Sasuke felt a sudden nostalgia and burning in his throat as he saw the drapes his mother had favoured. Pursing his lips, he shut his eyes for a few minutes. He needed a moment of peace as he called upon his skills of theatre.

The door opened and Orochimaru wearing a ghastly purple shirt with a white coat and midnight black pantaloons appeared. Sasuke sighed. His former guardian's dressing sense still had not changed.

“Welcome to my humble abode. I gather the wedding went well General and Lady Uzumaki? The gazette had a very well written article about it.” Orochimaru's slimy voice echoed throughout the room.

Kiara came into being at once. “Of course, my Lord. We are very unhappy that you could not attend, but we accept your gracious blessings. You have a very well kept house.”

Orochimaru nodded. “It seems Captain Nara has just arrived. We should go into supper right away, so we might enjoy some drink after supper. I have just procured a very good bottle of bourbon.”

“Yes.” Minato followed him into the dining room. “I have to inform you, my Lord Orochimaru, that my young daughter is betrothed to Captain Nara as well. Their wedding will be quite soon.”

Orochimaru smiled. “I wish you well my dear. Now let us enjoy this perfect meal. I hope you will all partake of it in excess.”

It was after supper that Sasuke made his move. Kakashi had sent him a missive through one of the more loyal waiters that everything was moving according to plan. Sasuke lagged behind as everyone went into the parlour once more. He came up next to Orochimaru and reached for the long haired man's hand.

“My lord...I would like to speak to you in private if I may...” He narrowed his eyes sultrily.

Orochimaru looked a little taken aback, but recovered quite quickly. “As you wish, my dear...but will your husband not mind?”

“As I said, my Lord, it is of a very private nature. My husband need not know...” Sasuke smiled up at the man. “I will ask to go to the ladies room, and you may give me instructions at where you want me to go...”

Orochimaru smiled. “The library which is down this corridor would suffice my dear.”

They joined the rest of the group in such a manner that Naruto did not notice anything had happened. After half hour of drinking and making conversation, Kiara stood.

“I must go to the ladies room for a moment. Pray excuse me...” He crossed his fingers and hoped that Ino did not take it into her head to follow him. She did not. He quickly made his way to the library, trusting that Kakashi had arranged things to his satisfaction.

He tried not to look around again and seated himself at the sofa, examining his nails and looking the very picture of a demure wife. It took a little while for Orochimaru to come in and when he did, Sasuke breathed in deeply. “Pray sit down at that armchair my lord.”

Orochimaru made to sit down by him but something in those shy dark eyes stopped him. He took his seat in the armchair. “What may I do for you, my dear?”

“Sir, on the island that I lived on before I met Naruto...I met a man with dark hair and onyx eyes. He was wounded in the shoulder and I could not just let him go, so I cared for him. The man went to France but before he left he had quite a story to tell. He said is guardian had killed a man and blamed it on him while stealing his land and his titles. I promised him that if i ever came to England then I would find this man and avenge his loss.” Kiara's voice never wavered, but remained feminine and gentle.

Orochimaru's eyes had gone impossibly wide, but he smiled nonetheless. “Kiara, my dear...what has this story to do with me?”

“Oh everything, my Lord...or should I call you Mr. Orochimaru?” Kiara's eyes flashed lightly, but Sasuke managed to keep his identity secret. “I came here and spent all my time away from my husband looking for some sort of evidence that would show that you had framed your ward Sasuke Uchiha. Finally I found one person who would testify against you as you had been seen...”

Orochimaru snarled and found himself face to face with a gun. “My Lady...what do you think you are doing?”

“I am protecting myself from your wiles...”

“You...you deplorable woman...I admit that I framed my ward Uchiha! He was a spoilt, filthy little brat and he deserved everything I meted out to him.” Orochimaru charged, knocking the gun from Sasuke's hand and grabbing it himself. He backed away and pointed the gun at Kiara's chest. At that moment the door burst open and Naruto charged inside.

Orochimaru's arm swung towards Naruto and the trigger was pulled. There was a rustle of silk as the shot rang out and a short cry of his name. Naruto's blue eyes widened impossibly as his new dark bride fell to the floor, dark red blood staining the front of her pretty white laced dressed.

“Kiara!” Naruto was beside the still form in an instant, just as a man jumped out from behind the grandfather clock. “Orochimaru you are under arrest for the murder of Mr. Sabnack and Lady Uzumaki.”

The handcuffs clicked, but Naruto found himself unable to feel any sort of triumph. For with Orochimaru's fall, he had lost the only thing that mattered to him at all. Clutching the still, prone body of his lover and wife...his Bastard; he buried his face into the dark red covered chest and sobbed...

--

A/N: Was this Sasuke's plan? What was the rest of it? What are their reactions? If you want to know then wait up for the next chapter! Please please review and I promise you'll have your next chapter by the end of next week. Sorry I haven't updated in a long long while, but life has been thoroughly screwed up. Apart from that I hope you all are well.

Taka

Taka: The Bastard is over...

Itachi: and i didn't even get to be in it...

Taka: Sorry for lack of wedding lemon but i'm writing this at work!!

REVIEW PLEASE...it's my only motivation!