The Bastard

Chapter 4:

The Hyuuga household was run with a lot of discipline. They kept to the country hours for their meals, instead of the normal hours at the Bordeaux. Hiashi Hyuuga remained steadfast in his idea that the town life did people no good. Sasuke found himself sitting at the table exactly at noon for a luncheon. He wondered whether the Earl Hyuuga would recognize him.

Sasuke didn’t care much for the table arrangements. They were not using the long eighteen seat-er in the grand dinning room, but a small dinner table to seat six. Hiashi was at the head and duchess Hyuuga at the tail. Hinata and Naruto were on Hiashi’s right and Sasuke and Hanabi on his left. Naruto was talking animatedly with Hiashi and Hinata. Politeness dictated Sasuke to converse with the duchess and Hanabi. By the time the third course arrived, Sasuke was bored to death. He wished Naruto would say something exciting.

“By the by, my Lord Hiashi, his grace Neji, has asked a favor of me.” Naruto’s clear voice could be heard by everyone. Sasuke perked up a little. “I’m sure you have heard of Earl Uchiha’s sudden disappearance…well Neji believes that Uchiha is innocent. So I have taken on the duty of protecting him. My Lord and ladies, may I present to you the Earl of Andover, Sasuke Uchiha?”

Sasuke paused; his fork in mid air and gaped at Naruto, before regaining his manners and acknowledging everyone. Custom dictated that he bow when he met someone. So Sasuke attempted a half bow which resulted in almost inhaling his food, as he bent towards his fork.

Even Hiashi had to cover a smile. Hinata came to Sasuke’s rescue much to his disgruntlement. “Please, don’t worry about the formalities my Lord. It is too bad of the Captain to present you to us now of all times. He can be very annoying sometimes.”

Sasuke forced himself to smile gratefully. It came out so much like a grimace that Naruto had to clamp his lips down on his fork to keep from guffawing in the Uchiha’s face. Sasuke persevered anyhow. “Thank you, my Lady. It seems Captain Uzumaki has forgotten all sense of propriety.”

After that the afternoon passed a lot more quickly, everyone wanting to talk to Sasuke and ask him about London as well. Naruto and Sasuke took their leave of the Hyuuga’s and wandered out once more. This time they were headed to the Golden Thorn inn. Sasuke was taut with anger, still not having forgiven the Uzumaki for his improper treatment at lunch.

Naruto glanced at him with a smile. “What’s wrong Uchiha? You look ready to murder someone!”

Sasuke chose to ignore the comment and follow Naruto into a nice clean looking inn. He looked around curiously, in all his life he had never been obliged to visit or stay in an inn. Everyone had made sure that he had relatives or acquaintances to stay with when he had traveled. An old man was standing behind the counter, his face lit up as soon as he saw Naruto.

“If it ain't Cap’n Uzumaki!” he whistled. “If I’d known you were comin, I’d’ve kept your room for you. As is the whole place is all full.” The old man gave Sasuke a curious look.

Naruto looked a little disappointed. “I’m sure you must have some place, Sarutobi. You know that I have a way of suddenly turning up!”

Sarutobi grinned. “Jus laike a bad penny, eh Cap'n? Room can be found for you, but what about your friend yonder?”

Naruto looked at Sasuke for a minute before, turning to the inn keeper. “He’s a friend of mine. If you could provide an extra bedroll we could manage in the same room. After all your rooms are very spacious are they not?”

Sasuke frowned, the last thing he needed was to spend more time with the Captain. Sarutobi nodded and led them to their room.

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Naruto glanced over at Sasuke who was glaring at the wall. The dark haired man was obviously in deep thought and in a very bad mood. He had a murderous aura radiating off him. He wondered what the Earl was thinking about…well whatever it was; the best thing to do would be to cheer him up.

“Do you like any specific type of food my Lord?”

Sasuke looked up, his glare dimming a little when he looked at the blonde’s pleasant face. “I like rice.”

Naruto frowned a little. “Rice? What kind of rice my Lord?”

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. “Just rice with any gravy or sauce. Is there a reason you are questioning me on my favorite food Uzumaki?”

The Captain bent down slowly, doing up his boots. “No reason, I just thought I might take you to a place which could have your kind of food for dinner. I know an Italian restaurant; they make good rice I’ve heard. I was thinking it just might be the best place we can find, I can eat pasta and you can have your rice.”

“Hn. Whatever you want. I do not give a damme about my food.” Sasuke stood up to put on his own boots.

Naruto turned around and gave him a glare. “I do not know why you always have to be such a bastard, Uchiha. Normally, I am very tolerant of all kinds of people, but with you I find it excruciatingly hard to do so! To think I was feeling a little guilty for being such a prick to you, it makes me laugh. Please, the next time you open your mouth to talk to me, do when you have cultivated some manners.”

With that Naruto signaled that he’d wait outside and left. Sasuke stared after him, wondering whether to seethe or be mortified. No one ever treated him like the Captain did. And the rudeness mixed with the politeness and the stern mixed with jovial, made the blonde a complete puzzle. And the Earl of Andover wasn’t good at figuring out puzzles.

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The Italian restaurant was tucked away in a cozy corner of the harbour. It was dimly lit, with pretty lanterns and a few candles here and there. The little Italian man kept coming to their table to make sure that they were enjoying their time there. He seemed oblivious to the tense atmosphere between the two men.

Captain Uzumaki had not said a word since their argument. Uchiha wondered how to make peace between them. He did not understand exactly why he wanted to make peace between them. But it was uncomfortable sitting across each other and not saying anything except ‘pass the salt’.

Finally deciding that he had better say something right now, Sasuke opened his mouth and the words came tumbling out before he could hold them back. “I’m sorry for the way I behaved Captain.”

It was hard to say who had the more surprised expression of the two gaping men. For a minute they continued to gape as the Captain realized that the words had been a slip on the Earl’s part, which was why the man was a little red with his mouth agape. It suddenly struck him that the whole situation was utterly childish and they were acting like boys not yet out of short pant!

The Earl went even redder as the Captain started to laugh helplessly. He began to gasp out sentences between the laughs. “You’re face…mouth open…didn’t want to…oh my god!” which the Earl caught the gist of. A small smile began to form on his lips, at the Captain’s laughing countenance. His shoulders trembled a little, but he got it under control. It wouldn’t do for the stoic heir to laugh.

After that Naruto seemed more companiable and the meal went off smoothly. The meal was sumptuous and the liquor was good. They had some very good wine, the Earl had a glass, but the Captain seemed to almost drown himself in it. Then he finished off the wine with a glass of scotch. Sasuke wondered how he could stand it.

Then it turned out that the Captain couldn’t stand that much of alcohol and ended with the Earl bearing the blunt for the meal and trying to support the Captain back to the inn. The inn keeper helped get Naruto up to the room, but excused himself by saying he couldn’t spare any of the lads to help, as the inn was doing very good business that night and everyone was busy.

After locking the door, Sasuke licked his lips lightly and began to undress the other man. He pulled of the coat and the neck cloth. He decided to leave on the pantaloons, and the shirt. At last he pulled off the boots and sat Naruto down on a chair, as both the beds had their things strewn about on them. Sasuke undressed quickly stripping down to his knee length boxers and shirt. Then he hoisted the barely conscious Captain up and lay him down on the bed, which he had hurriedly cleaned. As he tried to move away the Captain caught him in a cruel grip.

After much yanking and pulling, the Earl realized it was of no avail. He climbed onto the bed, next to the Captain and lay down with his arm over the other man… (His wrist was still captured and this was the best position) and his chest pressed to his back. He couldn’t help but run his captured hand lightly over the Captain’s toned chest, before closing his eyes.

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The Captain woke up with the sun in his eyes as it reached out to greet him. His head ached and his chest felt heavy. Blinking a little, he realized why his chest felt heavy. Uchiha’s arm was around him, his wrist tightly held in his own. Naruto blushed suddenly; he must have caught hold of the Earl, last night. And the latter had decided not to wake him up after all, the Uchiha had also apparently not lost his temper…the proof of which was that Naruto was still alive.

He let go of the Earl and moved to the other bed. He lay there for a while watching the other man sleep. The pale face looked peaceful, none of it’s usual arrogance marring it’s features. The Captain realized, somewhat slowly that the Earl was indeed very beautiful. He smiled as the Earl scrunched up his nose a little, as he searched for the warmth that had graced the bed before. Naruto decided that he had better take a bath.

It was good that they had a bathroom to themselves, Naruto called out to the maid that he would like some hot water brought up to the room directly. As he turned back, he saw that Sasuke had woken and up and was watching him. He tried to ignore the ache in his head and smiled, saying good morning to the disheveled Earl. The Uchiha didn’t move, still staring. Naruto wondered what was going on…he leaned forward until he was nose to nose with the Earl meaning to ask what the matter was. But the suddenly the dark eyes held him, without meaning to, he moved forward slowly, his eyes never leaving the Earl’s. The Uchiha moved forward to, their lip, were almost brushing…there was a knock on their door.

The Captain’s eyes shot wide open and he whirled around, walking to the door and opening. The Earl just curled up in his bed, facing the other way, until he heard the maid leave and the Captain go in for his bath. He tried to calm his fast beating heart. The Captain was a man…he had never felt like this about anyone, the only exception being a beautiful girl he’d met once when he was just out of short pants. What were these strange feelings?

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Two days after that morning found them breakfasting at the Hyuuga’s again. Sasuke was trying to be friendly, but he couldn’t help feeling jealous at the way Hinata was acting over Naruto. He try to quell the feeling…it was completely inappropriate! It was a sin! Though he was not very religious, it was still a sin and no one had heard of it in London!

They had finished breakfast, Hinata, Sasuke and Naruto had retired to the library for a nice chat. Hinata was telling them about the balls she had attended at London. She was also updating Naruto on the fact that the ransom King Gatou was offering for him had risen to £ 10,000. Sasuke gasped, that was a lot of money for one man.

Naruto was recounting an old joke about Inuzuka Kiba, a friend of his, who Lady Hinata knew as well. Then he went on to tell her news of him. “He is doing well it seems. He’s as boisterous as ever, but the queen, wants to bestow a knighthood upon him. Kiba deserves it; he has done so much for the military really…”

Lady Hinata clapped her hands lightly. “Oh I am so glad! Mr. Inuzuka really does deserve it. He is such a gentleman…he has always been ever so kind to me! I must go to London soon!”

Naruto smiled and opened his mouth, when the door opened and Konohamaru ran in. the butler ran in after him. “I’m sorry, my Lady, he just ran in and didn’t heed my calls!”

Naruto looked up at Konohamaru with a frown. “What is it, lad? You’d better be quick about it…tell me what has put you in such a pelter…”

Konohamaru tried to catch his breath. “Mr. Morino, asked me to tell you that Iruka spotted a ship while he was scouting. If we set sail now we can catch it on the border of the Spanish waters in an hour.”

Naruto jumped up, signaling for their coats. “Tell, Ibiki to ready things up now. We will leave as soon as I arrive there.”

Hinata suddenly caught his arm. “Captain, please don’t go! You know it’s dangerous!”

Naruto removed her arms softly and smiled at her. “This is my duty to England, Lady. You know I must go…and when have I ever lost? I am the ‘Nine Tails’ the ‘Fox’. You know I would never be hurt.”

Hinata tried to bar his way. “I know all that…but what if they send a good General? You might be hurt Captain! Please don’t go…”

Naruto gave her a reassuring pat and turned to Sasuke. “I suggest you stay here, my Lord. After all you are hurt and we cannot lose you, if anything goes wrong.”

Sasuke glared, taking his coat from the butler. “Are you out of your mind Captain? Nothing will stop me from accompanying you. And it is my whim to see the legendary Uzumaki in battle. Goodbye my Lady.”

As they walked to the harbour, Naruto glared at him. “I have been asked to keep you safe! Why do you disobey my every order, Uchiha? I make it for your well being.”

“Ah, but you see Uzumaki…I have never been one to take orders! I am as stubborn as a mule.” Sasuke smiled.

Naruto turned to him stopping, some indistinguishable emotion in his eyes. “What about if I request that you stay on shore and out of the fighting? Please Uchiha…I don’t want you making your wound worse, when it has started healing so well.”

Sasuke looked into his eyes and swallowed. “I’m sorry, Captain. I will accompanying you, even if I have to swim to the ship.” He saw the evident disappointment on the Captain’s face. “But I will stay out of the fighting if you wish it.”

Naruto knew he had to be happy with that. He appreciated just how hard it had been for the Uchiha to concede even that much. “Alright, come on then bastard.”

“After you idiot!”

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They set sail and as per Ibiki’s estimate they spotted the ship, in an hour’s time. Naruto looked at it a little grimly and then gave a foxy smile. “Alright lads, get to your stations.” He observed the ship with a telescope and then his face broke into a grin. “This should be fairly easy! Are you ready?”

Sasuke looked around as the crew cheered, their exhilaration sweeping him up as well. He hated to admit it, but then it seemed that he was beginning to like being on this vessel. The Nine Tails began to move towards the huge ship, Sasuke felt a little apprehensive, but tried to quell it.

Naruto had started to look a little bit of maniac. “Iruka, stand ready… Konohamaru, make sure your quick with the loading!” Sasuke glanced to where Iruka was manning one of the cannons. The ship had two and Genma was manning the other one. Iruka suddenly laughed like a man from an asylum and pumped his fist into the air. Sasuke glanced at Naruto uneasily. But the Captain was focused on the black ship.

When the Nine Tails was a few feet away from the ship, she fired. The cannon hit the hull blowing a big enough hole, the water started to gush into it. Being a small ship, she was able to avoid all the shots that were fired at her. Naruto pulled out his rapier. Sasuke suddenly realized that they were a foot away from the ship. Ibiki began heaving planks onto the other ship. The rest o the crew, Raidou, Ibiki, Genma, Iruka and a few others armed themselves. Konohamaru went to stand by the Earl.

Sasuke glanced at the boy; his face was a mess of the two emotions excitement and anxiety warring with each other. Sasuke turned back to see Naruto run up the plank and jump on board the other ship. Sasuke decided to climb up to the crows nest, they were too close to be hit by the cannons now and that was the only way he could get a clear view. Konohamaru followed him up. They sat net to each other in the cramped stuffy space.

Naruto and then crew were fighting expertly, but they were not wounding any of the Spanish men seriously. Kakashi was out there too, which surprised the Earl. Naruto was looking around, presumably for the Captain or General on the ship. Sasuke felt glad that the crows nest was only a foot higher than the deck of the Spanish vessel. He could hear Naruto’s conversation.

“So you are the ‘Fox’ we’ve all been hearing about…” a slightly nasal voice reached Naruto. He spun around to face a wiry man with a black bandana tied around his head. He had a monocle. “I am Ebisu, one of the greatest generals of King Gatou…I will be the one that takes you or your head preferably back to his majesty.”

Naruto smirked. “I hope you succeed in your venture senor. Only a brave man would dare to say that to me! Are you going to stand there or are you going to attack me? I do not have too much time to waste…you’re ship is sinking.”

Ebisu frowned, offended. He pulled out his own rapier and darted forward. Naruto blocked and parried. They seemed to be well matched for a while and then Naruto smiled. “I am tired of this game senor. I need to make sure, we have enough time to collect you cargo as well. But I’m sure my crew is all ready taking care of that now.”

Ebisu looked around and sure enough, his crew were tied to the mast and Naruto’s crew was unloading the ship. Naruto smiled. “Now I will be kind enough to show you why they call me the Nine Tails.”

He attacked the General suddenly. Sasuke watched with interest as the each thrust of Naruto’s blade met it’s mark. He counted each move, Naruto had finished eight. In the ninth move he made a move which looked deceptively easy to block, Ebisu moved to take the opening, sending Naruto’s rapier spinning out of his hand. Sasuke’s heart had reached his mouth. Suddenly Ebisu realized that the fox was not in front of him, but was standing behind him with a dagger to his throat.

The Captain’s amused voice floated in the air. “When you challenge someone who has a £ 10,000 ransom on his head, you must find out a lot more about them, do you not think? I’m sorry, but you ship and its cargo are mine.” The dagger hit his head softly, making him go still as the Captain manhandled him and tied him to the mast as well. He regained consciousness to see the chest from his room being carried onto the smaller ship.

He stared at the blonde Englishman in shock. “You are not going to let us drown with the ship are you? Even you would not be so heartless!”

Naruto gave him a look of disgust. “I am an honorable man, General. I do not take men’s lives in vain.”

He turned back to watch his crew get carry the last of the cargo aboard. Then he slashed the ropes holding the Spanish crew. The water had already reached the deck. The men piled into their row boat. Naruto smiled and waved at them cheerily. “Give the King, my regards….I look forward to seeing him as always!”

Ebisu shook his fist at him. “I will be the one to take your head, Scurvy Knave(1)!”

Naruto just smiled and made his way back onto the ship. He saw Sasuke climbing down and grinned. “Enjoy the show my Lord?”

Sasuke’s expression formed a hint of a smile. “Very entertaining, I must say Captain! I would love to fence with you sometime.”

“I’m surprised you would actually dare to do so, my Lord. Bu it would be my pleasure…” Naruto bowed smartly.

Sasuke nodded, trying to sweep his hand outwards, and winced suddenly. He was still healing, and it felt like he’d ripped his stitches. He’d been given a very deep wound and Naruto hadn’t given him any tasks which required lifting or anything. His jobs had been very light, swabbing the deck, peeling the potatoes, helping cut the vegetables and such like. Climbing to the crows nest had ripped the stitches again.

Naruto was by his side in a moment. “What’s wrong Uchiha?” he caught sight of the blood spreading across the Earl’s white shirt. “Damme, that looks bad. I think you ripped your stitches, come on. I’ll get you cleaned up.”

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The Earl watched as once more the Captain was kind to him. He wondered if he really wanted the Captain being nice to him. Naruto looked up at him seriously…I will have to stitch this up again…but I do not have any medicine to numb the pain.”

Sasuke did not take time to think about it as he nodded. “I can take the pain, Captain. I’m not a child.” The Captain nodded.

Naruto looked at the needle, Iruka had handed him. he was feeling really nervous, but then he needed confidence if he was to reassure Uchiha who looked a little nervous under his calm exterior. He threaded it and then held the edges of the wound together and began. Sasuke bit into his lower lip, Naruto was being really careful and his stitches were neat and even. Trying to keep his mind on anything but the pain Sasuke decided to talk to the blonde.

“Have you always lived alone Uzumaki?”

Naruto stopped for a moment and glanced at the pale Earl who was fixing him with a stare. Then he turned back to his work. “No. my parents were around until I was four. My mother was never in good health after Ino was born. She passed away when I was four. My father…we will talk about him another day.”

“How did you care for yourself? Was it not very difficult?”

Naruto finished knotting up the thread and then cut it. He turned to the Uchiha and smiled. “I had a governess to care for me and Ino. She took us to France, and we stayed in Bordeaux. That’s why I know the Hyuuga’s so well. I came back to London with Ino when I turned sixteen. The Hyuuga became my guardians…Lord Hiashi took a liking to me. Then take care of my fortune. I loved the sea, so when I was seventeen, with the Hyuuga as my patrons, I signed up as crew on my first ship. At the time, the Prince Regent Jiraiya loved sailing too. He captained a ship…though I do not know how he convinced the old hag’s father…who was king, to let im do it. When I turned eighteen, Tsunade hag was queen and she let me have my own ship. Then I scuttled twenty five Spanish ships in two years and here I am, fondly called the ‘Fox’ of course.”

Sasuke nodded. He tried to get up but the Captain pushed him back with a smile. “Do not try yourself today. I think you should rest my lo…”

“Uchiha.”

Naruto looked up confused. “Huh?”

“My name Captain is Sasuke Uchiha. Since I’m going to be staying with you for a long time, I think its better we resort to using names do you not think so?” the Earl smiled.

Naruto gaped a little wondering why the Uchiha did not smile more. It made the man look so very beautiful. “All right Uchiha. Then I’m Uzumaki…not Captain.”

Sasuke nodded, before turning onto his side and closing his eyes. Naruto watched him for a moment. Maybe the Earl was not so bad after all…indeed he was a spoilt brat, only capable of commanding and complaining, but still it was nice to see a different side of him.

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Naruto looked over what they had brought aboard from the Spanish ship. Ebisu’s precious chest held a lot of gold. Naruto smiled, the queen would be very happy. He found a lot of clothes in most of the chests too. The ship had a big cargo of silks most probably from one of the Spanish colonies in the Far East.

He didn’t bother about the other contents. They were making haste back to Bordeaux now…it would be good if they got caught on Spanish waters. He went to stand by the figurehead, his most favorite place on the ship. Unbidden an image of the Uchiha entered his mind. Naruto couldn’t help but think of the way his face had lit up when he had smiled. He had genuinely smiled, not his usual smirk of sorts. He found himself staring at the door to his cabin. How did I get here? And why did I come here?

He opened the door and stared at the sleeping Uchiha. The Earl’s straight black bangs covered his face partially, his lips were slightly open and he was curled on his side. He is very beautiful…no he is man! What am I thinking?

Naruto moved towards his desk quickly, trying not to feel sick at the directions his thoughts were heading. Was it possible that he was attracted to a man? It did not matter that the Earl was almost as beautiful as a woman! More beautiful than some, but that was wrong! He pulled out his log book and began writing down an account of today’s battle. Someday he was going to write a book about it.

He finished trying hard not to look at Uchiha. He should just leave but somehow he just wanted to be in the man’s presence. The ship swayed, causing him to fall off his chair. Naruto grit his teeth. I’m a seasoned sailor…why am I acting like a young greenhorn?

“Are you all right Uzumaki? What happened?” came the Uchiha’s drowsy voice.

Naruto turned around to see Uchiha peering at him, full of concern. “Nothing. I’m a little preoccupied it seems.”

The Uchiha nodded. They both heard the shout of “land ahoy”. Naruto smiled. “I think we had better be going out, we need to get back to the inn.” Sasuke nodded and followed him out.

As soon as they anchored, Naruto and Sasuke disembarked. They headed for the inn, after letting Konohamaru take a message to the Hyuuga’s that they were back safe and sound.

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Naruto tried not to look as Sasuke pulled on some pantaloons. They had gone shopping and finally bought him some clothes that fit. The Uchiha looked good today. He was wearing black pantaloons, white shirt and neck cloth and a red coat edged with gold.

Naruto frowned a little at his own choice of clothes. He was going to wear a yellow shirt, with black pantaloons and a dark blue coat. He wondered if it was appropriate, even if it wasn’t bright yellow. He looked at himself in the mirror pensively with a frown on his face.

Uchiha looked up and glanced at Naruto wondering why the young man was glaring at the mirror. He also seemed to be fiddling with his clothes too much. Settling his eye patch in place…he still needed the disguise, he decided to question the blonde about it.

“Why are you so worried about your clothes today?”

Naruto jumped a little at the sound of the other’s voice. To be honest, I do not know myself. It just seems important that I look good. “I was wondering is the muted yellow shirt was appropriate for dinner…I’m not sure if it would do in London…”

The Uchiha smirked. “You are the fellow who wears a ludicrous orange scarf around your head when you’re on your ship! Why are you so worried about the colour of your attire?”

Naruto adjusted his neck cloth for the fourteenth time and glared at him. It’s because I want to make a good impression on Lady Hinata. She’ll take my mind of sinful thoughts. “You are really not helping me Uchiha. Just answer my question please.”

“The yellow looks good on you. It looks nice with your hair.” Sasuke found himself saying sincerely. When he realized he’d given the blonde a compliment, he blushed very lightly.

Naruto raised an eyebrow and stared at him. “Why, thank you Uchiha…I’m surprised you would give me a compliment. It looks like you can be nice after all.” Are my eyes deceiving me or did the Earl just blush?

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They arrived at the Hyuuga’s at seven o clock. Hinata was no where to be seen almost leading Naruto into despair. She appeared a little late for dinner, but she looked really beautiful. She had tied her hair up, and a very faint pink could be seen on her lips.

Naruto gazed at her transfixed. Yes, Hinata would help him get the sinful thoughts out. She would save him from hell. “You…you look beautiful, Lady Hinata.” He was surprised how sincere he sounded. He did not notice the Uchiha stiffen slightly.

Hinata blushed and smiled at him. “It is very good to see you back safe and sound.”

The rest of the dinner went by with Naruto gazing into Hinata’s eyes, forgetting to answer the questions Lord Hiashi asked him about the day’s raid.

After dinner, he went out onto one of the balconies. Gazing at the moon, for some reason wishing that he could be on the Nine Tails, sailing into the horizon. He turned when he heard the swish of the curtains.

It was Hinata, her light lavender dress making her look ethereal in the night. Naruto gave her a small smile. “What can I do for you, my Lady?”

For a minute she stood there looking at him with those big eyes, and then she was in his arms. “I’m so glad you came back, Naruto! I was so worried, one of these days they will send someone very capable! You cannot keep doing this!”

Naruto patted her back softly. “I know, but I will be all right. Come now, Hinata you surely do not believe me incapable of handling any of those uncouth Spanish generals…?” she hugged him tighter, as he soothed her.

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Sasuke finished his conversation with the Hyuuga. He wondered where Uzumaki was, he had disappeared. Stretching a little he decided to look for him. To his distaste, he noticed Lady Hinata was no where to be found either.

He looked into the dining room. It was empty, no one was there. Where could the idiot have got to? It was late and he really wanted to go to bed, his shoulder was bothering him.

He walked to the huge hall, and heard voices. Frowning a little he walked up and stopped short in shock. Naruto was embracing Hinata, tightly, his face buried in her hair. He swallowed, as a sudden ache began in his chest.

Naruto looked up from the woman who had stopped sobbing, and found himself looking into Uchiha’s eyes. The Uchiha’s expression was what shocked him more. Sasuke was standing there with a shocked, hurt expression. They looked at each other for a long moment; Naruto could see the pain morph to anger. Hinata remained blissfully ignorant to the other’s presence content, to bury her face in her love’s shirt.

Then Sasuke broke the stare, spun around on his heel and let himself out quietly. Naruto stared at the shut door, trying to battle with the sea of emotions he found himself drowning in.

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(1) This was done by special request from one of my reviewers…Kari No Tenshi. see i gave you your wish!

A/N: ok this is a reallly long chapter ne! phew now I’m really tired. I’ve been thinking I should give up on working on ten stories at once! It makes me so tired it’s not funny. Poor Sasuke! And by the way, Naruto’s views on yaoi here were not mine. This is old England homosexuality was banned! If they were my views I wouldn’t be able to write any of my stories!

Taka