Deception, Love, and Assassination

Warnings: Bits of angst.





Thank you for all the reviews and encouragement. Enjoy.





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Sasuke had been aware of Naruto's entrance. though he had not raised his head, he had observed the blond through his lashes. He kept his breathing controlled. It was best to show no feelings or thoughts. Reveal nothing. He could not implicate his family in the attempted murder. Now, he had to take the full blame.





Still, Naruto really was breathtaking when he chose to be. Clad in black and silver, he was every inch a royal. The blond's voice washed over him as the guards were ordered to leave.





Sasuke wished they had stayed. He didn't want to be alone with Naruto again. It was going to be harder to lie to him than anyone else. Naruto began to pace in front of him like a caged lion observing his prey and just waiting for the bars to be removed.





"Tell me!"





The command was so sudden, Sasuke nearly jumped. Instead he rolled his eyes up till he was returning Naruto's stare impassively. He was impressed with the blond's control. He was expecting an overly emotional lover, not the confident figure staring at him.





"Tell me the story you're going to use."





Sasuke raised an eyebrow. So, this was how Naruto wanted to play it? Fine.





Affecting an apathetic appearance, Sasuke relaxed into his chair and stared vaguely past Naruto's right ear. "My father wanted peace between our families and sent me to you without getting my opinion. I don't want you and I got tired of pretending to accept you." His expression did not change as he forced the vile words past his lips. He kept his focus off of the prince's face; he was not sure that he'd be able to say what he needed to if he met those azure orbs that always seemed to demand his honesty.





"Tonight, I realized I could suffer your touches no more."





He could imagine the hurt and betrayal on Naruto's face. He could imagine his one-time lover leaving him now for the executioner as he cried from Sasuke's deception. This is what Sasuke expected.





Which is why the growl rumbling from the prince's chest surprised him enough to meet blue eyes that had darkened to indigo. He had seen Naruto angry before. This was different. This was rage with something else swimming beneath the surface.





"When I am through," the ice in his voice chilled Sasuke's blood, "the Uchiha will be nothing more than a memory."





"No!" Sasuke was on his feet and glaring into Naruto's face with all his might. "You will not touch my family." His voice was implacable.





"If they had any care for you, you would not be here!" The prince's hands were clenched into fists, his nails digging into his skin.





"It's my family, Naruto!" Sasuke screamed. He didn't need to say anything else, he knew Naruto understood the importance.





Again, he was surprised when he found himself surrounded by strong arms and a golden head buried in his neck. Resisting the urge to return the embrace, Sasuke was about to push him away when Naruto spoke.





"Sasuke," his voice choked with emotion, "you didn't have much of a choice at all, did you?"





His shoulders slumped as he realized that Naruto did understand what had happened. He was torn with his feelings knowing that Naruto had not believed his lies. Sasuke sighed. Despite his occasional behavior, Naruto really was not an idiot. Especially when people's emotions and motives were concerned.





However, his worry for his family did not abate. Finally returning his lover's embrace, he felt the warmth that holding the blond gave him. Lightly nuzzling a bronze neck, he softly begged, "Don't go after my clan. Please."





Naruto did not immediately reply and Sasuke's worry increased even as he continued to hold him. After a minute of just holding each other, Sasuke felt Naruto mumble into his shoulder.





"What?" The young Uchiha pulled away enough to meet the anguished eyes of the prince.





"I don't want you to die."





Amazingly, he was able to smile softly as he answered with what he had known for weeks. "I was dead the moment I arrived."





Sapphires began to sparkle with moisture. "Because I fell for you."





Unwilling to respond to that statement, Sasuke brought their lips together sharing his grief and affection. The kiss was desperate and passionate. He never wanted it to end. Clinging to each other, they stayed together until air became a necessity. As they panted for breath, Sasuke watched Naruto's face harden with resolve. "I won't let you die."





"You can't stop this. Just promise that you'll not attack my family."





"I won't harm them, but I'm more concerned with you."





"Damn it, Naruto! Your father will want to keep you safe and your people will want revenge. The gossip has probably already passed the palace walls. Don't make this harder than it is."





His arms were still around Naruto's waist as the blond cupped his pale face within golden hands. Naruto looked utterly distraught with the hopeless situation. "But I love you."





Onyx eyes softened and they were closing in for another kiss when he decided not to hide anymore from the blond. "Naruto, I lo-"





The chamber doors were opened and Sasuke managed to push Naruto from him and stand with his arms and head down showing that he was not a threat. Naruto gave a hiss as the movement jarred his injured arm, but he turned towards the door angry at the interruption. His eyes widened at the man standing in the doorway.





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When Emperor Minato of the Namikaze clan entered the room, he was disappointed with what he saw. He had been informed that his son's favorite had attempted to kill the prince. He had hoped that the Uchiha's peace offering had been genuine, but that was clearly not the case.





Minato had also hoped that his lovesick son had demanded time alone with the prisoner to get answers. Unfortunately, it was clear that Naruto could forgive even an assassination attempt from his dark haired lover. Damn. He did not want to deal with this.





The older blond entered the room and nodded to the servant behind him bearing a tray with a cup of steaming liquid on it. The man placed the tray on the table near the chair Sasuke had vacated in his argument with Naruto and then left with a bow closing the doors behind him.





Father and son regarded each other as the would-be assassin kept his distance. Naruto watched the hard planes of his father's face and wondered how he would be able to convince the man to not harm Sasuke or the Uchiha clan. Minato was usually a carefree and loving individual, but he was ruthless when his loved ones were threatened.





"Father -"





Minato held up a hand to stop his son from saying anything further. He then indicated the cup on the table. "Before you say anything, drink the tea. Tsunade made it for you to combat any infections you might receive from your injury." When he mentioned the wound, he stared harshly at the bowed dark head.





Knowing that he would not get anywhere until he followed his father's instructions, he drank the sickly sweet concoction as quickly as he could. Shuddering, he replaced the delicate cup on the tray. He wished Tsunade could have made it taste just a little bit better. Squaring his shoulders, he prepared to speak again when his father blocked him again.





"Naruto, do not concern yourself with him any more. He is Ibiki's problem now."





"We don't need to bother Ibiki at all. I know what happened and we can resolve this peacefully."





Minato sighed and shook his head. "You're too emotionally involved here, son. We can't make exceptions because someone is good in bed."





Sasuke stiffened at the way he was being spoken about, but knew there was little he could do about it. He would probably be called a whore by the gossips by the time he was executed. He just had to make sure that he sticks with the story exonerating his family when he is interrogated. It is not that he did not appreciate Naruto's efforts, he just knew that they were futile and was preparing himself for what was to come.





Naruto's eyes narrowed as he fought to stay calm. "You know me better than that." He tried to focus through his foggy vision.





"I thought I did, but I see you here trying to defend the man who attacked you. How can I trust your judgment?"





"Sasuke didn't have a choice."





"I know you know better than that. Everyone has a choice, no matter how poor their options are." Minato watched his son begin to sway on his feet and his eyes start to droop. "If we don't make an example of him, we'll be inviting more attempts against our lives. You have to understand, Naruto."





"Father, please..." Naruto was unable to finish as his eyes rolled up in his head and he felt his body lose consciousness. He thought of the 'medicine' he had been ordered to drink and his heart ached at yet another betrayal. 'How could you, father?'





He did not feel the arms that caught him from falling to the hard floor.





TBC