The Bastard

A/N:

Taka: I really do not like the fact that they have all those funny filler episodes in Naruto! Yeah they’re funny that’s all well and good, but they’re also bugging! I mean the manga has gone on right? I wish they’d get the beginning of the manga or at least do episodes with Naruto and Jiraiya on training! Argh! And stupid idiot Orochimaru! Though he would be quite sexy if it didn’t always sound like his mouth was full! God! French kissing him could choke anyone!

And why have a Naruto Hinata episode? Not that I don’t like them, but it was nice when the pairings weren’t made so obvious! Personally I think Sasuke’s best suited for Naruto because they have the most intense relationship and really care about each other…well Sasuke does care in a twisted way! Hinata’s cool too, but I really don’t like it in my face! Stupid dumb fillers! (Jumps around in anger)

Arashi: ok, just let her rant and we’ll get on with the story! Some author she is, stupid twit ranting away to glory! (Arashi dies when the metal bound book hits him.)

Taka: on with the story and sorry about the rant.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters and I do not own the gravitation song I’m using!


Chapter 3:

Naruto stared at the Duke in shock. “Take him aboard my ship…out of the country, your grace? I cannot do that! You really cannot expect me to help Uchiha….”

Neji frowned. “Naruto…please don’t make me force you to return the favor, I do not want to make you feel guilty, but this is a man’s life we are discussing. Sasuke is an innocent man here; you cannot seriously expect me to believe that you will turn your back on him?”

Naruto looked at the ground feeling a little ashamed. “Alright, I’ll take him. Where is he? And will there be anyone else accompanying him? And what kind of medicine does he need?”

The Hyuuga answered all the questions as he led, Naruto to the coach. He opened the door and a masked man stepped out. Naruto frowned, now who the hell was this man? The masked man smiled. “My name is Kakashi, Captain. I am Lord Uchiha's valet, I am grateful o you for letting him aboard. Then Kakashi leaned into the coach and with the Hyuuga's help, carried out a very limp and pale looking Uchiha. Naruto had no time to think about anything, most of all to experience any emotions. He just caught the Hyuuga’s end of Sasuke and they got him to Naruto's cabin and laid him on the bed.

Then Neji left after thanking Naruto profusely. Naruto asked Iruka to set up a bedroll on a huge chest he had in his cabin, which wasn’t used too much and so could be used as a bed. After making sure the rest of his crew was aboard, the Nine Tails set sail. Naruto stood at the prow (I think it is the front of the ship…) right behind the figure head, letting the wind blow back his hair. The moment they were out of sight from the harbour, Naruto discarded his coat and vest, pulling out an orange bandana and tying it around his head.

Ibiki, the first mate came to stand behind him. “So, Captain…where are we headed this time? And tell me, is true we have a noble aboard?”

Naruto realized that he needed a talk with his crew soon. He smiled at Ibiki. “I think we’ll head towards the Bay of Biscay, it’s easier there, all the Spanish ships come in on the Spanish part of the bay and we can do our scuttling and slip into the French part…that way we’re safe. The French are our allies and King Gatou will not be able to lay a finger on us.” Then he turned and yelled for his crew.

Once they’d all assembled, he looked at them for a while wondering how to explain. His spontaneity came to his rescue. “Ok, men…as you all know we have a noble on board with us today. He’s Sasuke Uchiha, the Earl of Andover. He has been accused of murder and was to face his trial today.” A gasp of surprise and shock went through the men. They all began to whisper giving Naruto some uncertain and uneasy looks. Naruto didn’t give it a thought, before continuing. “But, I know that he is innocent. I do not know about you, but I do not think it is right for an innocent man to be hanged, and have decided to do the right thing and protect him. All I have to ask of you is your confidence here. I will protect you and make sure you will come to no harm from the authorities. Can I have your support in this venture?”

Naruto actually felt pride well up in him when all his men cheered a little and agreed to lend him their support. He grinned at them. “So, we will have to keep anyone from knowing that the Earl is on board. I thank you for your support.” Then he sent them back to their jobs and decided to check on the Uchiha.

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Sasuke opened his eyes very slowly. For some reason the room seemed to be swaying…where was he? He tried to recollect what Neji had been trying to tell him last night.

“Uchiha…listen to me…you have to leave the country.”

Ah…yes. He must be on a ship. He wondered who’s ship he was on and who would be idiotish (cause they use this word in my old England books) enough to take an alleged criminal on board? Sasuke sat up as much as he could and looked around. There was another bed made up, against the other wall, perpendicular to his bed. A porthole was located above his bed and a desk was against the opposite wall with a desk next to it.

Sasuke reached up and rubbed his sore head, his body seemed to ache all over. He felt a weird sensation; he tried to hold it down. He could hear voices outside…suddenly the door opened and Sasuke almost groaned in despair. Of all the ships he could be on, did it have to be the idiot’s ship?

Naruto looked at him, his smile disappearing at once and then reappearing again looking rather forced. “You’re awake. How do you feel? Is there anything you need? Your valet could get you anything…”

Sasuke opened his mouth to argue, but shut it again when his stomach heaved. He clapped a hand on his mouth in despair. When he heaved again he couldn’t hold it back…he closed his eyes and retched. When he stopped retching he didn’t want to open his eyes aware of the mess he would have made. Well, he had to see the Captain’s reaction. He opened his eyes and found himself looking into a bucket that the Captain was holding up for him.

Naruto looked at him in genuine concern. “Anymore Uchiha? Or shall I get you cleaned up?” he shook his head at the first question. Naruto removed the bucket and walked into a small door in his cabin. He came back with a basin of water. Dipping his handkerchief in, he wiped Earl’s mouth and face. Then he threw the handkerchief onto the floor next to the bucket and turned to the Uchiha with a glass of water.

“Here this should make you feel better.” He called for one of the crew to come and clean up. He also called for Kakashi and was told that the valet was sleeping and had had a long night. Naruto sighed, so it was up to him to care for the Earl was it? Damnable.

He pulled open a drawer getting out some bandages and ointment. He forced another smile on his face and turned to the Earl who was lying down on the bed. “All right, you have to sit up for me Uchiha, I have to clean your wounds and dress them up again. The crew’ just brought in the boiled water, so I want to get started.”

Sasuke sat up wondering why Naruto was not asking one of his crew to take care of him. First the Captain cleaned up the shallow wounds, and then he moved to the deep shoulder wound which still bled if not dressed properly. Sasuke watched as Uzumaki finished wrapping the new bandages around his shoulder…he hadn’t even flinched at all the blood, like someone experienced in handling these things.

Naruto sighed as he tied the knot. “Okay, that is finished. Now your valet Kakashi will be in soon, to help you wash…I have asked for some chicken soup as I do not think you can keep anything else down. Is there anything else you need my Lord?” Sasuke shook his head with a slight frown. Why was the damned man helping him like this?

Naruto gave him a small smile which was no longer forced. “I have to go onto deck now, I don’t trust Ibiki to steer us the right way…you should be able to move around by noon, if you stay in bed for the rest of the morning. So call for me if you need me, my Lord.”

Sasuke watched Naruto walk out before slipping into an uneasy sleep. Kakashi came by to help him wash and use the toilet. Before getting him back into bed and forcing the chicken soup down his throat. By the time he was finished all he wanted to do was go back to bed.

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Naruto went down to his cabin to check his log book. He wanted to look at his maps as well, just to make sure he was indeed heading towards the Bay of Biscay. He glanced at the Uchiha who seemed to be sleeping peacefully. He seemed to have been wrong, it was already twilight and the Earl had shown no signs of waking.

Soon it was dusk and after a supper of sausages and bread, Naruto decided he wouldn’t retire to bed just yet. He let the rest of the crew sleep, once they were on Spanish waters, a goodnight’s rest would be a dream. Naruto steered until it was late at night, before decided to anchor. Then he walked to the prow of the ship, where fox figure head was. He loved that figure head…it represented him. Naruto was not a modest man; he liked praise and loved being called ‘Nine Tails’ or ‘The Fox’. He reached out and slid his fingers on its wooden head. He hummed the chorus of his favorite song to himself softly.

Hey, chasing after it…chasing after it…that pale wind,

Hey I’m falling in passion; I’m falling in love,

And I want to spread my wings

Hey, taking both the good things and the bad things

Adding everything together diving by two and getting along great

………I want to spend my life that way….

“That was a nice song…” Naruto almost jumped, before turning to face the Uchiha.

“It’s a favorite with me, my Lord. I heard long before I became a Captain, but it seems appropriate, I love chasing the wind and I do love the ocean passionately. If you can balance on this figurehead, it feels like your flying…” (No this is not a rip off from Titanic; I will never have them try that pose!) Naruto looked out into the horizon, at the beautiful stars that dotted it. Then he floated back to this world.

“I’m sorry; I began to dream for a while. Was there anything you needed? You should be resting you know…” Naruto looked at the Uchiha a little concerned.

“I am fine Captain. Please do not bother yourself.” Then Sasuke grimaced. Naruto caught the look and wondered what was going on. And then “Why are you helping me Uzumaki? I thought that we hated each other with a vengeance. After all I have been a bastard to you haven’t I?”

“Well, my Lord. His grace, Hyuuga came to ask me if I could do this to return a favor. I have agreed because Hyuuga Neji has always helped me out when I have been in trouble. And for the other question, yes I completely agree that there is no love lost between us, but then I cannot see an innocent man punished for a crime he did not commit.” Suddenly Naruto turned to Sasuke with a mischievous smile. “And it is not like you will be living in the lap of luxury my Lord. As the Captain of this ship, I do expect a fair share of work from you. As soon I as I see that you are well enough, you will be helping man the sails or swabbing the deck…I might even make you peel the potatoes!”

He started to walk to the cabin, steering Sasuke with a firm hand on his uninjured shoulder. “So you see my Lord. I am going to enjoy being a slave driver…if I were you I wouldn’t get too comfortable!” with that he opened the cabin door and slipped onto his makeshift bed.

Genma sitting in the crows nest smiled as he heard the Captain words. Uchiha Sasuke would be having a very hard time soon!

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Three days later found Sasuke Uchiha receiving a mop. It was ironic how he was being giving the utmost respect even when being presented with a mop and a bucket of water to swab the deck. Iruka actually bowed.

“Captain wants you to swab the deck today, my Lord. Here is the mop and the bucket, please clean it with water first and then wipe the floor with this rag. The Captain doesn’t like wet floors. I’m sorry my Lord, but no one can argue with the Captain.”

Sasuke grit his teeth, accepting the mop. He felt anger well up in him, when he saw Kakashi come out from the kitchen and call out to Iruka. “Iruka, I have finished slicing the vegetables, all you have to do now, is cook the broth.” Sasuke grimaced. How could Kakashi not stand up for him? And why was Kakashi suddenly cutting vegetables? He was a valet!

Sasuke dipped his mop into the bucket and started to swab he deck, he wasn’t doing a very good job of it, as he had never cleaned anything before. He looked up to see the boy who usually swabbed the deck looking at him uneasily. Then he came up to him. “M’Lord, you should dip it in t’ water an squeeze it out before you start…then squeeze out t’ dirt once more. I would really help you, but t’ Cap’n won’t stand for it an I don’t want t’ get punished wit t’ ‘pole’. Please make sure you clean t’ whole deck properly…its better if you wipe it off with t’ rag on yer knees, a lot more gets done that way.”

“Konohamaru! Let his lordship work in peace, if he’s not good enough we can give him the ‘pole’. He’ll have to learn sometime. I need you help, begin cleaning the cabins!” Naruto yelled from the wheel. Konohamaru almost jumped out of his skin, before running to do as the Captain ordered.

Sasuke almost threw his mop at the Captain, who was currently studying a map with the utmost concentration. He grit his teeth once more and began to clean. Three hours passed before he finished. Suddenly Naruto appeared behind him. “I think you missed a spot my Lord. Actually I can see that you have missed quite a few spots…I am not pleased. You will not slack on your chores on my ship! I will not stand for it.” he looked at Sasuke coldly. “I imagine it will have to be the pole. Finish your lunch please and then meet me here.”

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The ‘pole’ turned out to be a punishment where the culprit was tied to the mast, in the sunniest spot. There was no way to find shade, as the shadow of the sails never fell in that place. The culprit would stand there for hours depending on the satisfaction of the Captain; he would not receive any water or liquid to save him from the heat.

The Captain himself tied the Uchiha to the mast, making sure the knots were secure. Kakashi this time did come to his rescue. “But Captain, his lordship is just recovering from a serious injury. Would this not hurt him? I protest, you cannot do this!”

Naruto glared at the valet. “I’m sorry, Mr. Hatake. He has not finished the chore I set him to do and he will be punished for it, as would the rest of the crew. I know I seem to be a hard task master, but his lordship is on my ship and will follow my rules. Anyone who attempts to free him will incur my wrath and undergo the same. Now if you ill excuse me, I have to look at my maps and make a few plans.”

It was mid afternoon when he was tied up. By nightfall, Sasuke thought he would die. He had never been o thirsty in his life and the sun had been unrelenting. He welcomed the cool night air. The crew had disappeared to the hold where most of them slept, the captains cabin being the only inhabitable one. Sasuke was left alone with Konohamaru sitting opposite him deep in thought.

Sasuke grit his teeth, the air had suddenly turned cold and his shoulder was beginning to throb. He cursed Naruto soundly under his breath. Surprisingly the boy suddenly looked up angrily.

“Dontcha dare call t’ Cap’n names. He’s t’ fairest of the lot of you! Why dontcha admit that you dun wrong and accept yer punishment…it ain’t unfair at all. The Cap'n himself, gets the ‘pole’ if he dun any wrong. The firs’ mate tied him up las time he got us int’ trouble…I ain't gonna let anyone say anything against my Cap'n, understand?” The boy walked of to the hold angrily.

Sasuke sighed, so everyone seemed to like Naruto. He could smell, the food all the way on deck, but no one came up…it seemed like the whole crew was trying to avoid him. he was surprised Kakashi hadn’t come up either, the valet usually tried to offer him some comfort.

After another hour Sasuke’s stomach started to grumble, he was really hungry…he was also really tired, he wondered how much longer he was to suffer, the cool night air had tried all the sweat he’d been drenched in, in the afternoon. He was feeling cold and faint. Suddenly he heard footsteps. It was the Captain.

“I think you’re done serving your sentence for the day, my Lord.” He undid the ropes and caught Sasuke as he fell forward. “I wonder if I overdid it.”

Sasuke growled softly. “Overdid it? I feel like I’m dying…did you forget that I was injured? My shoulder hurts like the devil! You bastard!”

Naruto chuckled softly. “Mind you language my Lord, lest I tie you up once more…” he slung the Uchiha onto his shoulder despite the other man’s protests and walked to their cabin. Then he set the Earl onto the bed. “I would not have done it, unless I was sure that you could take it, Uchiha. I don’t want you dead on my hands. Here I asked Iruka to keep some soup warm for you.”

Sasuke stared up at the Captain who smiling at him softly, incredulously. “Are you seriously offering me food? What happened to the great punishment?”

Naruto shrugged. “I decided that you’d done enough. I expect you to do a better job next time within an hour. You’re a part of my crew now and you must understand that I have to treat you like I treat the others. Your status cannot be given its due on this ship. I’m also not going to starve you my Lord. Now why don’t you eat it all up? Then you can go to bed, you have a hard day ahead of you…”

Sasuke began to eat without replying. The Captain was a strange man. He finished and looked up as the Captain began to change into loose pants and a shirt. His eyes followed the lines Captain’s well toned body. He had a light tan and was in perfect shape. Sasuke looked away, concentrating on his empty bowl. Naruto finished and informed him that Kakashi would be on his way to help him change. Then he collected the empty bowl and plate for all the world like one of the crew, instead of asking servants to clear up and walked out. Sasuke lay back and let sleep overcome him, Kakashi could wake him when he came.

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A week later when the Uchiha was in the kitchen peeling potatoes, they heard a cry from the crow’s nest. Iruka looked up with a smile. “I think we’ve reached France! The Captain will be really pleased. Come on, my Lord, I do not think we will have to cook today!”

Sasuke followed the cook out and saw Naruto walk out of his cabin a large smile on his face. He went to stand next to him, as Ibiki guided the ship into harbour. Naruto turned to Sasuke. “Uchiha, I think you had better change…and here.” He offered him an eye patch. “You might not like this, but Bordeaux, is a city where lots of English men congregate sometimes. So we will have to disguise you. Please wear the eye patch and Kakashi will lend you some of my clothes.”

They finished dressing and Naruto motioned for Sasuke to follow him. “We will be going to see some friends. Please behave; I cannot have you insult them in anyway.”

The Earl scowled. “I know how to mind my manners Captain. I am not a child!”

Naruto looked at him with a smirk. “Well, my Lord, you cannot expect me to believe that! I have been observing your childish ways since I have gotten to know you…you have made it very clear to me that you are nothing but a spoilt brat who must be dealt with in the harshest possible way. If I am to treat you like a child from the nursery I will.”

He got into a carriage. Sasuke sat down opposite him, with a bored expression. He didn’t want the Captain to know that his words had gotten to him. Soon they reached a pretty mansion a little way into town. It had a beach behind it and a view of the harbour too. Naruto rang the doorbell and waited.

The door was opened by a stiff butler, who admitted them in and informed them; that the master would be down to meet them. Suddenly Sasuke heard a soft gasp and footsteps running down the stairs. He turned to see a pretty young woman with long black hair and bangs running towards Naruto. She had the same pale eyes as the Neji Hyuuga. Sasuke frowned this must be Hinata Hyuuga, Neji’s cousin.

“Captain Uzumaki, you’re back! I’m so glad to see you!” she said in a soft voice as she tried to halt. But she slipped a little and before anyone saw what was going on, Naruto had caught her.

“You should watch where you are going Lady Hinata. I am glad to see you too. You look very beautiful today…” Naruto smiled a really sweet charming smile. The woman in his arms blushed red and smiled back happily.

Sasuke’s frown deepened. He could see the adoration for Naruto in Hinata’s eyes. The woman was quite in love with the Captain. And when Sasuke saw Naruto’s smile he felt something. Sasuke Uchiha, felt jealous…he felt unreasonable hatred towards the woman in Naruto’s arms, who was receiving one of Naruto’s best smiles. He felt jealous that she was the one Naruto was smiling at.

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A/N: I don’t know this just feels like a good place to end this chapter! Since I have finished ranting in the above author note I guess I’ll stop here!

Taka