Deception, Love, and Assassination

A/N: Here we go, the longest chapter of this story and I got it out by Sunday! Now I just have to do a huge amount of coursework and update my mpreg. After We'll Always Be has been updated, then I'll get back to work on this story.



I have been getting some really wonderful reviews on this story. Thank you to all my reviewers, I wish there was a review reply option on AFF so I could thank you all personally. Just remember that every one is appreciated.



MidnightFox on FF has convinced me to create a Prologue to Deception, Love, and Assassination. As I do not like to work on more than two projects at once, I will create it after I have finished DLA. It will be posted as a stand alone.



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Minato’s head snapped up from his desk as his office door was slammed open. His son strode into the room resplendent in his rage.



Naruto noticed one of his father’s generals, Gai – an eccentric man, but a brilliant fighter – leaning over a map spread out on the desk. Baring his teeth at the wide-eyed man, the prince ordered him to leave the room.



Gai turned to his Emperor who nodded. “You may go. We will continue this later.” Bowing to the royals, the dark-haired general retreated from the room, closing the door behind him.



Now alone, the blonds faced each other across the room. Naruto, with his hands clenched tightly and his shoulders shaking in his anger, ground his teeth as he waited for his father to speak. Minato, on the other hand, remained relaxed in his large chair. Naruto could not wait any longer.



“Explain.”



“Watch your tone. You are nineteen years old now and I will not condone such behavior from you.” Minato knew his son was going to be angry and exercised restraint so that he did not raise his voice at the younger man. He wanted Naruto to accept what had happened and what was necessary for the future.



“What about your own behavior, Father? You drugged me and murdered my lover.”



“Don’t lie to yourself. You would have allowed such an offense because of your personal feelings. We do not let attacks against ourselves or our people go unpunished.”



“Is that the royal we you are using? Because I don’t remember approving Sasuke’s death!



“Who killed your mother?”



Long familiar with his father’s tendency to throw out seemingly random questions, Naruto didn’t immediately answer. Instead, he thought about how the two issues could be related. He found the answer so fast, his hesitation would have barely been noticed by an outside observer.



“Don't you dare compare Sasuke with Orochimaru!”



Minato leaned forward in his chair placing his elbows on his desk and his chin on his clasped fingers. “When Orochimaru killed Kushina you rode with me to annihilate him. You were by my side as we destroyed his home, his army, and any man or woman who faithfully served him. You did not argue with me then.” Deep blue eyes filled with sadness as he reminded his son of that painful time. “I was not able to save your mother from an assassin’s poison. I will not allow the same to happen to you.”



Naruto’s expression softened as he watched his father’s grief. The scars on his face, three parallel lines on each cheek, were reminders of that battle with the snake-like man. His father was right, he had not argued their vengeance then. But that was different! Orochimaru had been an evil man who had been the orchestrator of not only his mother's murder, but the slaughter of innocents in villages all along their borders. The man had been planning to slaughter Naruto's entire family and it was only his mother's death from ingesting the poison first that saved them. After the Namikazes destroyed his home, they found evidence of even more vile deeds; horrible atrocities that Naruto only felt guilty that they had not killed the man sooner.



On the other hand, Sasuke had not wanted to be involved in the plot against Naruto. The prince knew without a doubt that if Sasuke had truly wanted to murder him, he would have. And now the man he loves is dead because his father would not show mercy and the leader of the Uchiha clan could not contain his ambition!



Suddenly, he realized what the presence of a general in his father's office portended. In his shock, he approached his father with his hands out in front of him; an imploring gesture. "You're not going after his clan, are you?"



"Sasuke was the weapon, but the will came from within the Uchiha clan. Over the last 15 years, people have died on our borders while their leader, Fugaku, made his constant and unwarranted attempts for my crown. I offered him a treaty for peace and he gave his acceptance. He lied." The knuckles of Minato's clasped hands were white with the tension he was controlling. "He sent his own son to die hoping that the boy would at least kill you too."



Naruto's own fists were shaking at his sides. "How can you be sure of that?"



"My spies confirm it."



Naruto swallowed. "And Sasuke?"



"He confirmed it as well...finally."



Tanned fists slammed into the desk and Naruto was glaring in his father's face in anger. "What did you do to him?!"



Minato's hard eyes did not betray any sympathy. "I see no reason to tell you." He would not have been surprised if his son attacked him in the next few moments and decided to distract the younger man. "Will you ride with me again to claim justice for our family?"



The prince straightened, his stance resolute as he stared down at the older blond. "As you oh so hastily dispensed justice when you executed the alleged assassin, there is no need for further action. Send Fugaku a notice of his son's death. If he was guilty, he will see the warning and not attack us again. This way, innocent people will not die by our hands."



Confusion was apparent on the Emperor's face. "Naruto, why would you defend the man who treated his own son as chattel to be used to harm you?"



"I promised Sasuke that his family would not be harmed."



Confusion gave way to disappointment. "That was not your promise to make. You may be a Prince, but I am the Emperor."



"Forgive me, Your Majesty." His voice was as cold as his deep blue eyes. Deciding that he needed to leave before he attempted a murder of his own, Naruto turned on his heel and took a step towards the door. He would find a way to warn the Uchiha clan.



"Naruto, what will you do to change my mind?"



Looking over his shoulder, Naruto observed the inquiring expression on the older man's face. "You want to bargain for their lives?" His incredulity rang clear in the room.



Minato shrugged his shoulders as he sat back in his chair. "You want to protect a whole group of people who want you dead. For me to decide not to deal with them militarily, you have to make sure that our line does not die with you."



Naruto turned his body to face his reclining monarch. His disbelief in what was being suggested made his words harsh. "What exactly are you demanding?"



"I will handle Fugaku more diplomatically than with an army on his land if you father a healthy child within a year."



Bronze skin paled in shock. "To save the lives of Sasuke's family, you want me to impregnate someone as soon as possible so you get a grandchild before I am twenty?"



Minato never wavered. "Yes."



Naruto stood frozen for several heartbeats while Minato waited for his response. He was not surprised by the vehemence of Naruto's answer.



"If you want another heir so bad, father it yourself!"



"Naruto." Now Minato allowed his son to see his weariness. "You know that if I am the father, the child will be your competition, not your heir. You do not have to fall in love. You do not have to marry. But, you do need to do your duty and make sure our people have someone to follow after you and if it is not a child of your blood, we risk a civil war." Minato knew his son understood what he was saying on a rational level if not emotionally. It was because Minato was not the direct descendant of Sarutobi, the previous ruler, that they have had to protect themselves from so many attacks over the years. It did not matter to ambitious men and easily led fighters if Minato was Sarutobi's choice. As long as there are people who can claim as much right to the throne, there will be threats to the peace of their nation.



Naruto knew there was another reason why Minato refused to father another child. He had deeply loved his wife, Kushina, and would not take another lover. Naruto's own harem was started when he was 15 by Minato giving him Temari and then Sakura a year later. Both girls were originally gifts to the Emperor, not the Prince, but Minato made it clear he did not want such favors. Unfortunately, Naruto had not been able to convince people as effectively. The young blond found it unfair that his father was demanding Naruto to do what he would not. "I truly loved him. I don't want anyone else."



"My son, I am very sorry that you have been hurt, but even if things had worked out between you two, a child would have still been necessary."



"You won't accept anything else, will you?" When Minato shook his head no, tears slipped from Naruto's eyes. "I have always looked up to you, wanted to be you. But now...I'm terrified I will become you."



Hurt flashed through azure eyes as Minato took in the almost broken image of his son before him. "I understand. Sometimes, when trying to do what is best for your people, you lose a part of your soul." Breaking eye contact, the Emperor cradled his head in his hands. "I don't ask for your forgiveness, but one day, you will understand."



Naruto kept control of his pain; he would not let it out quite yet. He knew his father was neither evil, nor vicious. He knew that he was doing what he thought was best. Naruto just never thought the man he worshiped could be so cruelly manipulative.



"Will one of your girls do, or should we find someone you do not have any feelings towards?"



The prince looked at his father wide-eyed before his training kicked in to discuss matters as a self-assured royal and not as a grieving young man. "I have almost finished organizing Temari's wedding so she is not an option. Neither Sakura nor Hinata have expressed a specific interest in anybody, but I do not know what their feelings would be. They are both like sisters to me."



"Then we will find you someone else."



"I'm sorry, your Majesty, but I would rather not involve a stranger."



Minato understood. "I'll leave you to handle this however you feel comfortable."



Without another word, Naruto left the room. His steps were weighted, as though he was carrying an unexpected and unwanted burden.



The older blond watched his son leave mourning the loss of the child his son was until recently. Too much pain had aged the young man, but Naruto had to grow past his naivete sooner rather than later.



Sighing, the monarch closed and locked his study door then lifted a hidden latch to reveal a secret door behind a wall hanging. Traveling quickly through the concealed passages, he exited above a small underground arena. Without a sound, a black clad individual was at his side. He did not even look at his companion when he greeted him. "Obito."



"Your Majesty."



"Have you heard from Kakashi?"



"We just received a messenger bird. He has entered Uchiha lands and will continue as instructed unless you order otherwise."



Minato nodded absently as he observed the individuals below him.



"The prince accepted your terms?"



"Of course he did."



His former student stood silent sentinel. However, the blond felt as though he could detect disapproval from his faithful guard. Mentally shaking it off, he nodded to the dozen or so people in the arena. They were all clad in black clothing and all but one had their head covered concealing their faces.



"How is your kinsman doing?"



"He is well trained and if he gives a vow, I believe he will keep it."



"Good. Let him know that the clan is safe from retribution for the attack on the prince."



"Yes, your Majesty." Obito bowed as his Emperor left the way he had come.



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They are an elite fighting group.



"Do you swear to protect the Namikaze family from all threats with your life?"



They travel in the darkness to preserve the light.



"I do."



They were the lost, the presumed dead, the forgotten.



"Then leave yourself behind and join us in the shadows."



The Shadow Guards watched as the young man took the black tinted sword and was added to their ranks.



TBC