The Bastard

Chapter 2:

Orochimaru sipped his glass of wine, scheming once more. He’d been scheming for quite a while, ever since he’d been made the guardian of the Uchiha. Sasuke was nearing the day he’d come into his inheritance, which meant that Orochimaru would not be able to afford the luxuries of life. The late Earl of Andover, Uchiha’s will had stated that the fortune would go to charity if Sasuke died an untimely death before he came into his inheritance. Orochimaru grimaced as he pondered on what to do. Sasuke's twentieth birthday was a month away; the only way he could get his hands on the title of ‘Earl’ and the vast Uchiha fortunes would be if he could manage to get Sasuke stripped of his titles. Being the next in line to the fortune as he was a distant and the only relative of the Uchiha’s.

His valet Kabuto entered to inform him that the object of his thoughts had just arrived and was demanding to see him. Orochimaru scowled what could Sasuke want of him now?

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The Earl was lounging on the sofa as Orochimaru entered the library. He fixed his guardian with a glare. “Good, I was wondering when you’d come. I need you to sanction a thousand pounds. I need it to pay off a debt, that I have for two hundred pounds and I need the rest for my expenses. I wanted to inform you that I need it wired to me by tomorrow.”

“A thousand pounds? Uchiha, what are thinking? You’re going to squander you’re fortune away before you come into it! I will not do so, up on my word!” Orochimaru said firmly.

“You will do so, because I demand it. And it’s my Lord to you. I have not given you permission to use my name. It might be just as well that I squander my fortune away, rather than have you do so! Do you think I do not know how much of it you have leeched over the years?” Sasuke looked at him, a warning in his eyes. “If I were you Orochimaru, I would remember that I could give you up anytime! I am the head of the family and you will do as I say. I want it wired to me by tomorrow. Goodbye.”

Orochimaru watched his ward walk out with murder in his eyes. The fool had threatened him! He turned to see Kabuto watching him worriedly. “Maybe we should get rid of the brat, Kabuto. It’ll be one spoilt noble less for the world….”

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Naruto Uzumaki couldn’t help humming as he walked through the rose gardens with his sister and Lady Haruno. Both the girls headed to the gazebo to escape the hot afternoon sun. Naruto shook his head, he was glad he wasn’t a woman who constantly worried about getting sun burnt. This was his last day here, tomorrow he would set sail on the ‘Nine Tails’ and be free of this ‘noble’ world. In a way he did feel a little angry at the fact that he would be leaving Lady Haruno to the wiles of the Uchiha, but that couldn’t be helped. And when it came down to it, he loved the Nine Tails a lot more than he loved Lady Haruno.

The best thing about leaving was undoubtedly, the fact that he would be away from the Earl of Andover. Naruto almost growled under his breath, he was sure the Earl lived to anger him. Naruto forced himself to forget about the Earl, instead he concentrated on all the ships he could attack soon and about all the booty he could pick up. His butler, Genma came hurrying up the path.

“Captain! Captain, you have visitors. Mr. Inuzuka, Mr. Nara and Mr. Akimichi are here sir. They say they need to speak you as soon as possible if you please.” Genma panted.

Naruto smiled down at him. “Genma, how many times do I have to tell you not hurry around like that? Please ask them to wait in the library and inform them that I will be with them soon. Then make sure that tea served in the garden for…six. That will be all.”

He headed towards the girls. “Ino, we have guests, m’dear. But don’t bother yourself about it right now; I just want you to be there for tea. It will be served in the garden, I’m sure Lady Haruno will be staying as well?” his smile broadened as Sakura nodded. Then he strolled towards the library, knowing that it would put Kiba into a miff if he took his own time.

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Kiba paced the room wondering where Naruto was. He wanted to talk the blonde idiot and inform him of their plan to go to White’s. (White’s is a club where the men go to game a little, and lounge around at.) At last the blonde walked in, with a bored expression which could make Shikamaru jealous.

“Well, men! What brings you here this afternoon? I though Shikamaru would most likely be asleep and Chouji would be having his snack! If I’m not wrong, I’d say Kiba dragged both of you of here…” Naruto smiled.

“We were wondering if you could accompany us to White's today. You will leaving early tomorrow morning I gather and I think we should have one last game and drink? What dyu say mate?” Kiba asked enthusiastically.

Naruto frowned a little thoughtfully. “I think I would say yes…to the game, maybe not for the drinks. You know how I get around alcohol and I have a ship to command tomorrow…maybe one or two…”

Kiba rubbed his hands together. “Today my luck will turn! I’m telling I feel it in my bones, I will win a lot of money!” he chuckled in a weird manner until Naruto intervened.

“Oh put a dampener on it, will you? The last time you said that, you lost to all your money to the Hyuuga…as if he isn’t rich enough already! I will be leaving tomorrow before the break of dawn. So what other news do you bring Kiba?”

Kiba’s scowl which had graced them when Naruto sneered at him disappeared. “Well, I’ve heard that the Queen is being courted by the Prince regent Jiraiya. The last I heard, she was so put out of temper by his advances that she threw her crown at him. It hit him on the side of his face you know…they say he won’t give up, though.”

Naruto grinned. “Yeah, that’s the old hag! But I have told her a hundred times that she must marry soon, no one will want her later on…she is heading towards the ‘hag’ look.”

“How do you get away with calling her that I wonder? The last time anyone insulted her, he was almost executed.” Chouji asked in genuine awe.

“Well, I am her best captain and I am responsible for her coffers over flowing with gold…and well, I’m the great captain Uzumaki! I can get away with anything!”

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White's wasn’t too crowded. Kiba was still able to get their usual gaming table. Naruto wondered how much he was going to lose tonight. Unless his luck took a turn for the better, he might end up in debtor’s prison. Kiba looked through the card with Lord Matthew as the witness. (To make sure the card’s weren’t marked or anything.)

After a few games, Naruto wasn’t doing too badly. He hadn’t lost a lot and he’d won almost as much as he’d lost. He was getting bored; the others were on their eighth or ninth drink whereas he was still trying to make his third one last. He wanted to be very sober tomorrow. He looked up as someone entered. Good God, no! He turned away determined not to take any notice. Chouji looked up and yawned a little.

“I think it’s time for supper. We should get going, if Uzumaki wants to be back early.” The rest agreed and they stood up. As they walked to the dinning hall, they were waylaid by Hyuuga Neji. Duke Hyuuga was a very good friend of Shikamaru’s. Beside him stood the bane of Naruto’s existence, Sasuke Uchiha.

“Well, captain Uzumaki, we heard you’d be leaving tomorrow…good luck and don’t get killed!” the Hyuuga smiled at the blonde.

“Me, get killed, your Grace? That wouldn’t happen in a million years! After all I have to stay alive to see that my sister weds well and settles down before I do so. We were just about to sup would you like to join us your Grace?” Naruto asked politely, though he was still acting oblivious to the Earl’s presence.

“No thank you, Uchiha and I have a score to settle with Mr. Sabnack. Do tell me when you are leaving…” Neji wandered off with the Earl. Naruto caught the anger in the Earl’s eyes as he walked away and smiled. So he was putting the Earl out of temper was he…that was good.

Dinner went peacefully with no disturbances. Naruto made his excuses and walked back upstairs to the gaming rooms and stopped in shock. A brawl was going on; the Earl was punching man, who Naruto supposed was Mr. Sabnack and trying to beat his life out. Naruto didn’t think twice before pulling the Earl away. The other men came to their senses and rushed to help separate the men.

Naruto looked at the enraged Earl who was struggling to get free and decided something had to be done about it. He didn’t bother about propriety anymore. “Sasuke! What do you think you’re doing? Calm yourself, please! What are you thinking…starting a brawl here of all places? What can Mr. Sabnack have done to incur your wrath I wonder? Stop acting like a cuckoo!”

Naruto paused making sure that the Earl was giving him his full attention. Then heedless of the death glare he went on. “Now that you’ve calmed down, I think you should leave. You have upset a number of people here and just because you are a spoilt brat, you needn’t ruin anyone else’s night here.”

The Earl stood up as the men holding him back let go. He apologized to the others but before walking out he gave Sabnack an ugly look. “If I see you anywhere around tonight, when there aren’t any men to protect you I will kill you!” he walked out, leaving a dead silence behind him.

Neji walked up to Naruto and placed a hand on his shoulder. “That was a good job you did of bringing him to his senses! Admirable really! Sabnack insulted him, called him an illegitimate bastard. Sasuke has always been a little touchy about his lineage, but I can’t think for the life of me, why he did that. He should have called him out and they could have had a quiet duel.”

Naruto nodded, but couldn’t care less about the Earl. He bade a polite farewell to the Hyuuga and left. In the corner unnoticed by the throng of men, Orochimaru’s eyes gleamed. His stupid ward had just given him the solution to his problems.

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Sasuke walked down the block as quickly as he could. It was already midnight, he didn’t want to go home, he needed to work off his anger. He looked at his surroundings and cursed. He was still close to White's! Damme! He started to head in the direction of his home. Suddenly Orochimaru appeared before him. Sasuke scowled and was about to say something, when his guardian’s sword pierced his shoulder. Sasuke staggered back, biting back a scream. The sword slashed through him a little more, making a few shallow cuts. A fist connected with his nose.

Sasuke wondered why the people from White's couldn’t see what was going on, he tried to focus and saw Orochimaru pull someone out of the dark alley, it was Sabnack. Grinning Orochimaru sneered and ran his sword right through Sabnack. His scream echoed all around as he staggered towards Sasuke desperately, his eyes begging for help. Sasuke swayed trying to hold the man up; he tried to pull the sword out.

“What’s going on here?” a voice cut through the darkness building up in his mind. He heard more voices. “Oh my god! It’s Uchiha, he’s murdered Sabnack!”

Sasuke tried to protest, but his mind blanked out and he crumpled to the floor.

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Neji caught the Earl as he fell. He looked at the body…no Sasuke wouldn’t do such a thing! He wondered how to get the man out of the crowd which had collected. They were from White's. “Alright men, I’m going to take the Earl to my house. He’s wounded, call the Watch about Sabnack. I will tend to him now and we can settle this matter in the morning.

Neji’s coach had suddenly come up. He hauled the Uchiha into it and hurried home. He sent for Kakashi Sasuke's valet and for the doctor. He put the Uchiha down into the bed and sat down beside him trying to stem the flow of blood from his shoulder. Sasuke stirred.

“Neji?” he rasped. “I didn’t do it…I didn’t kill him…i…it was …Orochimaru.”

“I know you didn’t do it Uchiha…but I don’t think the rest will believe you! We all saw you pull the sword out of Sabnack…and after your threat today, no one I think will believe your story.” Neji sighed. “Uchiha…listen to me…you have to leave the country.”

Sasuke tried to understand what was being said. He nodded at the last suggestion before falling back into unconsciousness. Neji frowned grimly…how could he get Uchiha out before they came to arrest him?

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Naruto walked onto the Nine Tails humming softly. He could feel the excitement in the air, he looked at his men. Konohamaru was swabbing the deck; Iruka was yelling about some of the stores, the rest of the men were hauling the last loads onto the ship.

Suddenly there was a sound of hoofs. Naruto looked up worried…who would be out at three thirty in the morning? He saw the coach stop and a very harassed Neji stepped out.

“Your Grace! What are you doing out here?” Naruto felt dread envelope his heart. The pale eyed man shook his head a little and beckoned Naruto to a more private area.

“Captain Uzumaki, do you remember when I saved you from debt last year?” the Hyuuga asked. Naruto nodded wondering what that had to do with anything. “Well, now is the time I need to ask a favor of you, please do not refuse.”

“Of course I won’t. What is it?”

“Sabnack was murdered last night after you left. Sasuke Uchiha was found pulling a sword out of his body.” Neji watched Naruto’s eyes widen in shock. “But I believe that the Earl did not commit this murder. Sasuke was set up and I want you Captain, to help me save him. I’m appealing to your righteous side here. He will be hanged and he’s innocent. I want you to take him aboard your ship and smuggle him out of the country.”

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A/N: ok how was this chapter? I don’t know I just wrote it! Evil cliffie...do you think Naruto will agree or should he agree? Please review!

Taka