Orleans For Us

The air always smells like this around here. It's humid and earthy. I've grown to rather like the smell over the years, Paris only smelled of filth, anyway.

Besides, this bit of earth, this plantation, is rather nice. It's no chalet, but decent enough. We've been here outside New Orleans for seven years. In that time, my parents have become the trend setters of the colonial bourgeois, and my brother a powerful man with an estate of his own. I hate them.

My name? Of no importance, it's the little story I'd like to tell you that's important. It could've been anyone in these shoes, you see. But, for all practical purposes, it's Sasuke.

And in 1733, a very interesting, very powerful, family visited the city. It was an amazing year, I still can't believe so much changed due to him, it seems so silly now. But, listen first, then judge me.

...

"Welcome to our small town, mademoiselle." He smiled and laughed as a woman gently stepped from the sailing ship. "Well, governor, it certainly was a long trip." And then, a dignified gentleman of France ambled down the rampway, smiling gaily as he shook monsieur Bienville's hand. "Welcome, the whole of New Orleans is at your service, Marquise." The blonde man smiled at the governor, "thank you, and where, may I ask, are our lodgings? We are quite weary of being held within the confines of this vessel, and require rest, dear friend."


Tired was not the word to describe the Noble's heir, though. The boy came to attention as he ran across the deck, screaming, being chased by a flock of gulls. The Marquise smiled weakly, trying to laugh off his son's childish behavior. "Sir, you shall be staying at the finest estate to ever grace Louisiana. Monsieur Uchiha would be honored if you would be his guests."


The family was escorted by carriage and a troupe of France's finest to their home for the next six months. "Are we there yet?" The blonde boy pestered the man driving the carriage. "Not quite, sir." "When will we be there?" more questioning. "Momentarily, sir." "Stop that!" The driver looked stunned, "May I ask what you would have me stop, sir?"


"Stop calling me 'sir', that's dad, not me."


It was beautiful and it was grand on a scale even the lord could respect. The Uchiha manor could rival any home in France. It would do.


The lovely family was helped out of the carriage by the soldiers that had marched the entire length of their journey with them, and who were now, at the governors direct orders, carrying their luggage to the manor. The Uchiha family stood at the doorway, ready to welcome the guests. The Uzumaki's stood before their hosts and smiled, then shook the man's hand. "We're honored to have you here, Marquise de Lenoi." "And I as much to be your guest."


The women curtsied to each other, and to the other's husband, both remarking on how each had such a lovely family. All of this was common courtesy, as to be expected of any Frenchmen of such high birth, but was remarkable was the contrast between the two boys who stood with their family. Sasuke put his hand forward, almost with distaste that such a spoiled Parisian should deign touch it, and Naruto shook it. The two men exchanged names (and titles) and then the Uzumaki's were welcomed in.


"To France," the man raised his glass. "To you and your family, Monsieur Uchiha." The two men drank their toast, allowing their wives time to put everything that the Uzumaki's had brought with them into place.


"What is there to do around..." he raised his hands, noting the vast greenery of the swamps and fields of tobacco, "here?" The blonde asked. "Well, you could go to sleep, if you pleased to do so." Was Sasuke's snide reply. "What the hell is wrong with you, prick?" The raven haired one sighed, "I don't enjoy having spoiled little boys such as yourself stay in my home, if you must know."


Naruto seemed dejected, "But, I just asked you a question... The ship was very boring, and I'd like to have something fun do to..." He flopped down on the ground and laid back, putting his hands behind his head and staring at the sky above. The Uchiha, who was supposed to be showing the Marquise's son around the estate, sat down next to him.


"Honestly, though, there is not much to do around here, unless you want to go all the way back to the city." A little smile lit up the blonde's face. "Why not go?" Sasuke pondered this, and sighed. "I guess the tour could be extended to the city. But, I am certainly not walking or taking a bloody carriage, so I hope you know how to ride a horse." The Uchiha stood up and started walking to the stables, he had been waiting for an excuse to go to the city for a while.


Naruto sat up, "but, ehm... I don't know how to ride a horse." Sasuke titled his head and look at the sky, "what the hell kind of country lord doesn't know how to ride a damned horse," he mumbled. "What?" Naruto stood up and asked. "Nothing," he continued to walk more quickly, leaving the blonde standing there as he rounded a corner. "Bastard is just gonna leave me here, hn?"


No, he didn't just leave. Sasuke came back on a large, black horse. "Just get on the back."

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