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, political intrigue, some Angst.





A/N: Chapter 3 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.



I occasionally receive requests to email people when I update on AFF and I cannot promise that I'll remember to do so. I also update on fanfiction.net and on ygallery, both of which allow people to be alerted when authors or stories are updated.

Thank you to all those who have reviewed this story.


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





Emperor Minato stood near his desk when a knock at his door announced his son's arrival. His companion faded into a corner as the door opened.





"You wanted to see me, father?"





Minato motioned for Naruto to enter and close the door behind him. While the prince did as instructed, his blue eyes noted the dark figure in the room. Turning back to his father, Naruto stood waiting to find out why the emperor sent for him. Minato sat himself behind the desk and addressed his son.





"Is your guest settled?"





The younger blond raised an eyebrow. "Yes. Sakura told me that the girls have arranged for him to stay in the room next to mine. They felt it was the most prudent place. Why do you wish to know?"





"Have you met him?"





"Yes."





"What do you think?"





Naruto took a moment to ponder why his father was so curious about the new addition to his household. This was not the polite inquiry that occurred when Hinata had joined the harem. This was more direct; his father was worried about something.





"I think he's a rude bastard."





That seemed to surprise Minato. "Oh?"





Naruto shrugged and sat down facing his father.





Minato smirked. "I should assume that he won't be seducing you anytime soon, then?"





The prince blushed slightly at the thought, then snorted. "Not with that attitude he won't."





"What did his attitude tell you."





"That he's nervous. He was completely unsure of himself when I saw him with the girls. He clutched his cloak like a security blanket and practically flinched every time he said something rude."





Naruto, like his father, had an innate ability to understand people and Minato took the opportunity to watch his son exercise that talent. The emperor leaned back in his chair. "And what does that tell you?"





He took a moment before answering, biting his lip in thought as he went over every image he had of the young man who had been given to him.





"Sasuke wasn't ready for this. His instincts don't recognize me as an authority and he is used to stating his thoughts, so he ended up saying the first things that came to mind. He's highborn, that I am sure of. He has pride and it is suffering. The way he kept his cloak wrapped around him... Temari had to point it out, but he wasn't wearing much underneath it. They dressed him like a whore." Naruto shook his head. "Why would Lord Uchiha send one of his retainers to us when Sasuke clearly doesn't want to be here? Has he asked for anything in return?"





Minato pondered everything his son told him. He glanced at the shadowed figure before returning his attention to Naruto. "Sasuke is not just a highborn member of the Uchiha clan. He is Fugaku's younger son and a captain."





Naruto sat up straight in his chair. "That doesn't make sense. If he's a soldier and an heir to the clan, why would he be sent here as a concubine?"





"His elder brother has reportedly fathered a healthy son. Fugaku is a suspicious man so it is understandable that he would remove a possible threat to his grandson. Sasuke being here could be exactly as the messenger said, that the boy is here as a token of their friendship. Or it could be something sinister."





"Should we send him back?" The prince asked his father.





"Do you think we should?" The emperor questioned his son.





"No," Naruto stated firmly. "If he's here in goodwill, I don't think we should insult the Uchiha clan by turning him away. And if he is here to cause harm, then it is better to keep him where he can be watched. I won't persecute him when it's obvious that it wasn't his choice to come."





Minato nodded his head at Naruto's assessment. "Get to know him, find out what he wants. Who knows," he smiled at his son, "you might become friends."





Naruto laughed. "Anything's possible."





Father and son sat for a moment in good humor. Naruto then turned to the other man in the room who had been quiet the whole time. He knew that his father received a large amount of information from his Shadow Guards and though Naruto did not know their identities, their presence had always been a fact of his life.





"Tell me about Sasuke."





The black-clad man stepped closer. "The younger son of Lord Fugaku is several months older than you. As a soldier, he has trained men and led patrols, but has been kept away from battle. He would probably have a better relationship with his brother if their father wasn't so clear in his preference for Itachi."





The man's voice was gruff and partially muffled by the cloth covering his head. Naruto knew that the Guards had almost no impairment to their vision from the masks, but from the outside, it was completely opaque.





"Thank you." Naruto stood then addressed his father. "I'll let Sasuke get settled into the harem. His situation is the same as the girls'; he's now my responsibility and I will take care of him to the best of my abilities."





Thinking about Sasuke being sent away by Fugaku made Naruto feel immense gratitude for his own father. "I am thankful that I am your son." He bowed to the older man and exited the room.





He did not see the heartfelt smile that graced Minato's face as he watched his son leave.





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





Sasuke stood observing the room he had been assigned. It was bigger than he had at home, with a small sitting area near the fireplace and a large bed against the far wall. The bed hangings were in shades of red and orange, passionate colors that evoked thoughts of a flame as they moved subtly from the wind coming through the open window which looked out from the second floor onto an enclosed garden. There was a set of drawers for his clothes as well as a washstand which held an empty bowl and pitcher of water for basic washing. He had already been told that there was a bathing suite just down the hall that he shared with the prince.





He had been put into the Favorite's room. It separated him from the main harem which was fine with him. However... he looked at the two doors which were perpendicular to each other. One led to the hall and from there he could access the prince's bedchamber, the bathing area, he could go down the stairs to the garden, or through another set of doors to the harem where the ladies were kept. The other door was a private entrance for the prince to enter his room. There was no lock on his door.





Sasuke was sure that there would be a lock on the prince's door and he had no intention of finding out.





He had found more comfortable clothes to wear, but it was not much of an improvement from the sheer harem pants he had been dressed in. All the clothing that his parents had sent with him were provocative. What he wouldn't give for some dark pants and a basic tunic. At least now he felt that he would be able to speak with people and keep the shreds of his dignity.





A knock on his door drew his attention.





"Enter."





A servant, wearing the livery of Prince Naruto, stepped into the room. The young man stood blushing and staring at the floor with a bundle of cloth in his hands. His nervousness caused Sasuke to roll his eyes.





"Is there a reason you're here?"





The servant jumped slightly from the reprimand clear in Sasuke's voice. He quickly bowed to the older boy. "My lord, I am Udon and am at your disposal. If there is anything that you require, please let me know."





Sasuke nodded casually. This he could handle.





"Dinner would be appreciated."





"Yes, m'lord. Do you wish to dine with the ladies of the harem, or should I bring a tray to your room."





"I prefer to eat alone."





"Very well, m'lord." Udon bowed and turned to leave. Before he could open the door, he realized that he was still carrying the bundle. Turning back to Sasuke, he held it out. "His highness thought you might prefer some different clothes and had me bring you these."





Bewildered, Sasuke took the clothes and barely noticed the servant leaving the room. Unfolding the fabric, he noticed that it was a deep blue, nearly black, medium weight tunic and dark brown soft leather pants. The pants were well made and would be both comfortable and serviceable. He would be grateful except that this was a gift from a man who is supposed to be his enemy. And a thoughtful gift, at that.





He held the clothes away from him by his fingertips unsure of what to do about the situation.





"They're not diseased, you know." An amused voice remarked.





"You relieve my mind," he replied dryly.





Suddenly realizing that he was no longer alone, Sasuke looked up to see Naruto lounging in his doorway. He had not even heard the blond open the door.





Figuring that he needed to do damage control from their earlier meeting, Sasuke prepared to grovel. He did not want any misbehavior on his part to get back to his father. Dropping his arms while still holding the clothing, he bowed his head to the prince.





"I apologize for my rudeness, your Highness. I was tired from my journey and did not mean to cause any offense. Please do not hold my clan responsible for my poor behavior -"





"Stop it."





Sasuke straightened and found himself staring into a pair of stern sapphire eyes. Naruto held his gaze firmly, his lips pressed together in a thin line.





"Don't apologize for something you don't mean. You spoke your mind and I doubt if you care if you offend me. I'll tell you the same thing I told Temari, Sakura, and Hinata; just be yourself. They have their dreams and I'm sure you have yours. Tell me what you want and I'll do what I can to support you."





Sasuke observed the young prince for several moments. He seemed sincere, as though he actually cared about the people who were given to him instead of seeing them as commodities or burdens. It was inconceivable. He was asking for Sasuke to trust him, which went against everything the young lord had been taught. Sasuke realized that Naruto had recognized that his abrasive manner was honest for him. And Naruto wanted him to be honest and not hide behind formalities.





The young Uchiha withheld a smirk. Now he knew how to oppose the prince without there being any criticism on his own conduct.





His face a mask of utter politeness, Sasuke responded, "Thank you for your generosity, your Highness. I assure you, I have no wishes beyond that which would make you happy." He saw Naruto frown and had to stop a grin from forming. "I beg you, tell me what I can do to please you." His tone was becoming downright obsequious. He thanked all the times he had heard subordinates plead for his father's favor.





Naruto was staring at him, his hands fisted at his sides. "You really are a bastard, aren't you?"





Sasuke watched the prince leave his room feeling rather delighted with the development.





Yes, now he knew exactly how to behave.





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





For weeks it continued.





When the ladies of the harem would spend time with Naruto, Sasuke was invited as well. It would not have surprised any of them if Sasuke had refused and stayed to himself, but he instead joined them and was polite and social.





To the prince, he always had a kindly toned word and a pleasant demeanor.





And it drove Naruto crazy.





If Naruto was playing chess with Temari, Sasuke would kindly ask, "Are you sure you want to make that move?"





He might as well have called the prince an idiot.





Naruto would growl back, "yes, I'm sure." If he won, Sasuke would gush, "you're so lucky, your highness," as if there had been no skill on Naruto's part.





The entire harem was shocked the day an ivory rook was thrown at Sasuke's head before the prince stomped away.





It quickly became the subject of much gossip. Those who knew Naruto well understood why he would become so frustrated while most simply could not comprehend why the prince was not happy with such an attractive and delightful young man.





Naruto is a naturally straightforward individual and the way Sasuke would behave like a sycophant while couching his insults in flattery was irritating. Especially when the harem is supposed to be where Naruto can relax and be himself.





When Naruto would talk with Sakura about Tsunade, the royal healer, and they would share stories, Sasuke would suggest that the prince leave fighting to his soldiers as it was clear that Naruto had to spend a large amount of time in the clinic. "It would be devastating to the nation if anything were to happen to you. Perhaps you should stay out of conflicts. We wouldn't want you to be hurt, your highness."





"I can fight just fine! If a prince does not lead his soldiers, what kind of man is he?"





"A safe one," Sasuke stated, refusing to acknowledge any respect he may have for Naruto.





Sasuke was becoming stir crazy. He hoped the prince broke soon and sent him away.





Word came of bandits on the border of the Senju Empire and the Kingdom of Suna. Prince Naruto prepared to ride out with his men to meet with Prince Kankuro and deal with the outlaws. Hinata presented Naruto with a silk surcoat embroidered with his coat of arms - a flame red fox with blue eyes - to be worn over his armor. Naruto appreciated the gift and thanked Hinata for her effort and generosity.





Sasuke felt jealous for the first time since arriving at the palace. It was not because the prince was getting gifts or well wishes. It was because Naruto was allowed to go out and fight and Sasuke had to stay in the harem surrounded by comfort. He wanted to feel a sword in his hands again.





As all the attention was focused on Naruto, Sasuke was not careful about disguising his aggravation. "Hope his horse throws him," he sulked.





Naruto had been about to walk by the young lord who was standing with his arms crossed and staring at the floor when he heard the softly spoken wish. He contemplated Sasuke for a moment before a grin stretched across his face.





"Don't sulk, Sasuke. I'll be back before you know it."





Grumpy black eyes met mirthful blue.





"I'm breathless with anticipation," he deadpanned.





Naruto chuckled. "I'm sure you are."







TBC...





A/N: One more chapter to go.