Do My Duty

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto nor do I make any financial profit from this fan fiction.



Warnings: Shonen-Ai, mentioned violence, Angst.



A/N: This is the second part of the prequel for my story Deception, Love, and Assassination which is not yet completed. The pairings will eventually be NaruSasuNaru and Naru/? (Still undecided of second pairing). It was supposed to be a twoshot, but it's going to be a bit longer. I'm estimating four chapters. After that, I'll continue with DLA.



Thank you to all those who have reviewed and been patient for this story. Sorry for the long delay.



************************Do My Duty************************





The meeting hall was elaborate, but not nearly as opulent as Sasuke would have expected considering the stories he had been told by Fugaku about the excesses of the Emperor.



On a raised dais sat a throne in the center with a smaller one to the right. Emperor Minato sat in his throne while the prince's chair remained empty. He was a handsome man with blond hair and deep blue eyes. Currently, he was smiling and talking amiably with Shikaku of the Nara clan. The Naras were well known for both their intelligence and their humility. They were firm supporters of the Namikaze Emperor but seemed content to keep their lands and raise their herds. For most, having the favor of the Emperor would be a way to attain more territory and riches, but that was not the way of the Nara family.



Throughout the richly furnished room, groups conversed about various topics from economics to fashion. From young teens to old men clutching the arms of their attendants, it was an eclectic mix of individuals that Sasuke was not able to join. Not that he would want to; he preferred being hidden at the moment.



He was standing in a curtained alcove waiting for his cousin to fetch him for the presentation to the prince. He fidgeted nervously with the silk robe covering his naked chest and the thin baggy pants that were so sheer they bordered indecency. Sasuke covered his trepidation with thoughts of how he could be unpleasant to the prince without anybody being able to blame him for it. He would be polite, yet so cold and impersonal that the prince will not be the slightest bit interested in him.



A burst of laughter on the other side of the curtain caught the young man's attention. Peeking through a gap in the drapery, Sasuke saw a group of young men and women around his age laughing together. After a few more moments of observation, he was able to catch a glimpse of the source of their amusement. Sunshine hair spiked and fell around a honey hued face. Eyes sparkling like the clearest of sapphires as the young man grinned at his companions. Sasuke could not hear what he was saying over the other conversations floating around the room, but it was clear the blond was at ease being the center of attention. Dark eyes narrowed as he realized that this was his assigned prey.



A gong was struck and the sound reverberated off the walls, effectively silencing the large room. The prince had taken his seat next to his father before the echoes faded.



"My lords and ladies!" A man at the base of the dais, a scar across his nose and his hair pulled into a high ponytail, addressed the assembly. "His Majesty will now hear from those who requested his attention. Please wait until you are called and come forward swiftly. Firstly, the representative of the Fuuma clan." An older man with grizzled hair stepped up to the Emperor and gave a gift of a polished hunting bow of excellent quality. After his present was well received, he begged the Emperor's favor to make a request involving a border dispute with a neighboring clan. A member of the opposing clan was brought forward to state his case and as Minato dealt with the dispute of his vassals, Sasuke quickly lost interest. Soon, it would be his turn to be presented.



More than an hour passed and only three more issues had been presented for the Namikaze wisdom to resolve. Sasuke had long since grown aggravated with the Emperor's thoroughness. He just wanted this over with and was tired of waiting. 'How much longer is this going to take?'



Finally it was time, and yet it was much too soon.



"The representative of the Uchiha clan!"



Sasuke had not realized that Shisou had come to stand behind him until he was grabbed at the elbow and tugged out of the alcove. Seconds later, Sasuke was positioned a step behind and to the left of his cousin. His head was down and covered by the hood of the cloak that concealed his body.



"Your Majesty," Shisou bowed lowly to the seated monarch. Emperor Minato nodded his head back as he observed the swarthy, dark-haired man. "I have been sent to give our thanks for the continued peace we have experienced since the signing of the treaty with your most gracious self."



Sasuke rolled his eyes behind his lids. 'Laying it on a little thick, aren't you?'



"As a token of our esteem and wishes for the continued goodwill between our families, Lord Fugaku has sent a gift to his highness, Prince Naruto."



Sasuke could not be sure, but he thought he heard a quickly stifled groan. He flinched slightly when he felt his cousin's hands push back the hood, revealing his face to the assembly. He kept his eyes lowered. He did not want to see the judging looks from the royals or their subjects. Unconsciously, his hands gripped the inside of his cloak keeping it closed and providing him at least some barrier from the watchful eyes.



Whispering could be heard around the room, but from the royal platform, there was only stunned silence. The young Uchiha was hoping that it was from an unwillingness to accept him as a gift. Though his pride did not want to accept that he could be considered lacking, he really wanted the prince to refuse him and send him home. Sasuke did not give a damn about the prince's manners.



"But...he's a man?" It the first time he heard Naruto's husky voice, but the question left Sasuke with no doubt that the blond prince was an idiot. He longed to mock the obvious lack of intelligence, but he had to be careful. He could not risk his father thinking that he was not dedicated to his task of charming the prince.



"Indeed, your Highness," Shisui smoothly answered the young man. "It is understood that the current selection in your harem is somewhat limited. Lord Fugaku felt it prudent to cater to any preferences you have that are not currently being...satisfied."



Sasuke could sense the confusion coming from the prince's throne and felt both relief that the young man was not excited about the new addition to his household and exasperated with Naruto's denseness. 'Just hurry up and refuse. You're the prince, you don't have to care about etiquette. So what if you offend my father, just send me home!'



*********************



'Idiots. They're all idiots.' That was all Sasuke could think as he found himself sitting straight-backed on a plush cushion across from three young women who he feared were his new companions.



The prince's personal guards had escorted him to the gilt entrance of the young man's harem. He had first been introduced to Lady Sakura, a girl whose strawberry blond hair looked almost pink in the sunlight that filtered through the windows. Her emerald eyes had betrayed her confusion when she was told to welcome Sasuke and introduce him to the rest of the prince's girls.



Quickly falling back on her good manners, she became an accomplished hostess and led Sasuke from the guards and into the secluded quarters. As she sat him down within the common room, she called out for the other two women of Prince Naruto's harem. They were joined by a feisty looking blonde with teal eyes and a buxom, dark-haired beauty obviously from the Hyuuga clan.



They sat in awkward silence. Sasuke stared at his lap while the women fidgeted, unsure of how to greet the young man. It was Sakura who tried to open up conversation.



"They didn't tell me your name. I'm Sakura and these are Temari and Hinata," she gestured to the blond and brunette respectively. Temari looked to be the oldest with Hinata as the youngest.



Sasuke did not respond at all. He saw no reason to be polite to these women.



"Get over yourself and tell us your name." Temari didn't seem interested in wasting time on social niceties.



"He's probably shy," whispered Hinata.



Now that is not something that he would let himself be called. "Sasuke," he grunted, glaring at the girl.



Hinata shrunk back from the glare while Temari smirked.



"Nice to meet you, Sasuke." Sakura tried to smile through the uncomfortable atmosphere. Hinata had been the last one to join the harem and she had not been hostile like Sasuke was.



"You're an Uchiha." Sasuke turned his glare on the blonde. Temari returned his look knowingly. "You have the look of that clan."



"What do you know of my clan?"



She shrugged and leaned back on her cushion. "I'm from Suna. We trade with the Uchiha. I even met Itachi, the heir to the clan, before I was sent here."



At the mention of his brother, Sasuke lowered his eyes back to his lap. The action caught Hinata's attention. She was very good at seeing people and empathizing with their feelings. "My father is Lord Hiashi of the Hyuuga clan. He only had daughters and the clan elders would not accept him naming any of us as his successors, so my cousin, Neji is the heir. I was sent here a year ago as a gift to his highness. I've been very happy here."



Temari caught on to what Hinata was trying to do. "My father was Suna's king. He was tyrannical and didn't care about anybody but himself. My brothers rebelled against him. He got me out of the way, because he knew I supported them, by sending me to his majesty, Emperor Minato. He was trying to get the emperor's support, but his majesty has stayed out of it. I was scared when I first came here; it was a completely different country. But I've been treated with respect and was the first to enter Prince Naruto's harem."



Hinata observed the tense young man. "You aren't the first highborn to be traded. I know it isn't easy, but this is a good place. Prince Naruto will take care of you."



Sasuke scoffed. "He'll do what he wants to with me. I don't have a say."



"He would never force anyone," Sakura defended. "Naruto is kind and considerate. He's been very supportive of me studying medicine with the royal physician. One day, I want to take over that role. If there's something you want, he will do what he can to help. I'm sure you'll like him when you get to know him."



Hinata nodded in agreement.



"Maybe I don't want to," Sasuke mumbled, mostly to himself.



His contrary statement plunged the room back into uncomfortable silence.



A soft knock sounded from one of the doors. A young servant girl poked her head into the room. "My ladies," her attention went to Sasuke, "and, um, my lord, his highness, Prince Naruto will be here in a few minutes."



Sakura nodded her head at the girl. "Thank you, Moegi." The servant curtsied and left the room.



Sasuke restrained himself from fidgeting. He could not help but be nervous about meeting the young man who now had authority over him. If the prince wanted, Sasuke would have to let him use his body. If that were to happen, Sasuke would do all that he could to kill the prince. He hoped that the young man would not be interested and could be manipulated into sending Sasuke away. That would be best for everyone.



The gilt double doors were open and Prince Naruto of the Namikaze clan entered the room. He had removed his heavy formal coat and was now in a comfortable outfit of cream colored pants with a cream and blue tunic.



The three young women rose and curtsied to their lord. After a brief hesitation, Sasuke did the same, giving a small bow to the blond prince.



Naruto nodded back to the greetings and approached the girls. He smiled at Hinata as he reached into his pocket and handed her a letter. "The Hyuuga delegate told me that Lord Neji sent you this letter. If you would like to read it and prepare a response, I'll make sure it is sent tomorrow when the man leaves."



Hinata took the letter with a smile. "Thank you, your highness. May I be excused?" She was given permission and left to read her correspondence.



Sasuke was confused to see the prince acting as a courier. He continued to observe the blond man as he spoke to Sakura. Sasuke did not listen to what was said, instead he took in the details of the other man. They were about the same height, though Sasuke may be a bit taller. The way Naruto moved and held himself told Sasuke that he was trained in combat. He wondered what kind of weapon caused the scars on the prince's face; three horizontal slashes on each cheek. What should have detracted from his looks actually added an exotic element to the bronze skin, blond hair, and sapphire blue eyes. Sasuke hated to admit it, but the prince was attractive.



He was brought out of his thoughts when Temari was addressed. "My friend, Shikamaru, needs to get married and he is interested in you. Would you like me to arrange a meeting?"



Temari appeared to think about it for a minute before responding. "Isn't he the one you said was completely lazy and had no motivation?"



Naruto grinned. "That's the one."



The woman looked offended. "And you think that I should marry a man like that?"



"If anyone could whip him into shape, it would be you, fair lady." The prince executed a courtly bow, a smile tugging his lips.



Said fair lady laughed and agreed to meet the man.



Sasuke suddenly found himself the focus of blue eyes as Naruto finally turned his attention to the new addition of his household.



"We were just getting to know Sasuke when you arrived." Sakura said.



Naruto looked the other man up and down and furrowed his brow in confusion.



"Why are you still wearing your cloak?"



Sasuke could not stop the slight blush from staining his cheeks. "Because I want to," he snapped, clutching the cloak tighter around his body.



The prince looked surprised by the rudeness and was opening his mouth, probably to reprimand Sasuke, when Temari interrupted.



"He's probably not wearing much underneath."



Naruto's mouth snapped shut and he began resembling a tomato. Sasuke's own blush deepened at the blunt way his predicament was announced.



"Oh." Naruto rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "Sorry, I didn't think about that. Do you have any clothes you'd be more comfortable in with you?"



"I'm fine," Sasuke responded petulantly. This wasn't how he had planned to behave, he was not meaning to be so obviously rude, it was all just so embarrassing.



The prince seemed unsure how to proceed. He looked around the room and at the two ladies before returning his gaze to Sasuke. "The servants will set up a room for you. There are still several vacant for you to choose from." He gestured at the many doors attached to the common room, all leading to harem quarters.



Temari and Sakura shared a look before the older girl stepped forward. "That might not be prudent."



Naruto blinked at the girls. "Why not?"



Sakura rolled her eyes. "Because he's a man! It doesn't matter that he's now a part of the harem, you can't have him living so close to the rest of us, the gossips will have a field day."



The fading blush returned to tanned cheeks. "You're right. I didn't think about that."



Sasuke couldn't help it, he snorted. "You don't think about much, do you?"



Sakura gasped, Temari's jaw dropped, and Sasuke's eyes grew huge. He could not believe he had said that. His father was going to kill him when he heard of this.



Naruto had had enough. "Listen, you bastard, this isn't something I've dealt with before, so back off!"



If anything, the girls looked more surprised by Naruto's outburst.



The prince addressed his ladies. "Figure out where he's to stay. I don't care anymore." With that, he stomped out of the room and slammed the door behind him.



"How could you be so mean to him?" Sakura hissed at Sasuke.



"I can't believe Naruto got so angry." Temari sounded amazed. "It usually takes a lot more than that to upset him."



Sasuke was terrified. He wasn't supposed to anger the prince, merely make himself unattractive to him. What was he supposed to do now?





TBC