NEVER APART

By Riley Mayori

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A/N: Thx for reading my second Naruto fanfic, I'm currently looking for a beta. Pls PM is willing. Thx.

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CHAPTER 1: Missing Will

I stood there on the engawa veranda looking up in the sky. The sun’s rays were fading, it would be time soon. It’s been a month since father’s death during a secret mission that the Hokage sent him on. We didn’t even know how he died until we were told of the truth. The whole Uchiha clan is still mourning for his death since he was the clan leader. It was a tradition to announce the next clan leader a month after the previous one’s death. Tonight was it, the day when we learn who the next Uchiha leader would be.

Everyone of the Uchiha clan strived to become the next clan leader. They pushed their limits beyond imaginable, but we all could guess who the next leader would be… I guess it would be Itachi, my own brother. I often asked him if he wished to be the leader but he’d always shrug off the topic. To me, he never had an interest for ranks, he simply wanted challenge.

“Sasuke-sama, Mikoto-sama wishes for you to meet her in the tatami room.”

I nodded as she walked back into the Uchiha compound. I took one last look of the peaceful flower garden before leaving into the night of tension.

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I sighed heavily entering the Uchiha’s famous tatami room. Most of my cousins crowded over the room. I took my seat beside Itachi who looked careless, we waited for the elders to make their appearance. I felt nervous but I felt mother’s hand on top mine so I let out a sigh of relief. Finally the elderly arrived taking their seat at the front of the house.

“It is once again time for we the Uchiha clan to pick our next clan leader… However our previous leader Fuganku Uchiha did not leave a final will stating who shall take his place…”

Murmurs ran wild in the room. I could hear my cousins’ whisper thinking that he may now have a chance… Pathetic. I focused my eyes on the oldest elder knowing that he’ll now explain what will happen.

“Since no will has been left we will follow the Uchiha traditions in selecting our next leader. We’ll host a tournament and the strongest will be named our leader. However there are a few rules… First the leader must be a male younger than the age of twenty, so he may carry his position longer. The male must be able to use the Uchiha’s bloodline.”

People in the room looked around silently searching for the possible candidate…

“Finally the male will need to married… The tournament will be held a two months from today, in the meanwhile the clan’s leader shall be I.”

Damn it, this whole tournament would’ve been so easy but no I have to marry first… This is so unnecessary, but for that title I’ll sacrifice anything.

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“Okaa-san… You called?”

I asked pushing open the wooden framed door. I saw Itachi was already there seated. Okasan sat in the center of the room holding a scroll, she kindly gave me a nod. I sat down beside Itachi and waited for oka-san to speak.

“Itachi… Sasuke… I’m sure your father would want you to carry on as the Uchiha leader… Now you two both fit into the description so I thought I’d give you guys a little push…”

She untied the scroll and laid it down on the floor carefully. Any small breeze would be able to open the scroll now, I wanted to see what was there…

“I know both of you aren’t interested in love but it is an expectation as a leader… Years ago your father’s team came across a castle that was being attacked. Following his heart he led his team and saved it from the intruders. Back then the lord there was poor and just faced an attack so he couldn’t pay your father anything… However the lord had two daughters, your father wanted to engage one of you to one his daughters and the lord agreed.”

She paused and I set my eyes down hungrily at the scroll, finally my chance is here… But then her words sank in… One of his daughters… there were two of us and one girl… so I suppose Itachi is going to get her… Surprisingly Itachi stood up and grunted. “hnn…” He walked to the wooden set of frame doors and pushed them apart, walking out. Before he left completely he mumbled the most ridiculous line I’ve ever heard.

“Love can not be forced…”

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I looked at Okasan and she let out a sigh. Who would’ve thought ‘the’ Itachi would back down from such a deal? She smiled at me and asked for my opinion. This was playing out perfectly. With Itachi out of the way I’ve got a ninety percent chance of winning the title, this was my chance to prove that I’m not just a shadow of Itachi. I smirked letting her know that I accepted.

Today I am engaged to Princess Haruno.

“You’re marrying someone you don’t even know…”

Itachi spoke as I walked into the dinning room.

“Hnn…”

I grunted, it was my usual reply. Why does he care? When I was a child he wouldn’t even train with me, now he’s acting like a caring brother?

“I’m just saying… What if you ended up marrying a weak girl who’d cling to you?”

My eyes widened, I never thought of that. The future leader can not, absolutely NOT have a weak girl by his side. What if this princess was some annoying, snobby girl who expects me to spend all my time with her? Heck no. I wouldn’t want that even for the exchange of the title! She would be ruining my pride. No one ruins Uchiha Sasuke’s pride and ego especially not some little princess…

“I see you haven’t considered that yet…”

Itachi continued, I twitched at his remark. He was right after all…

“You could just check her out first…”

“She can always act…”

I replied trying to make myself sound well prepared.

“No stupid, I mean secretly… Go to her country secretly and spy on her people, you’ll learn what kind of person she is… She is the ruler now…”

FLASHBACK

“Sasuke…”

“ Okaa-san…”

“I sent my request to the lord and there is some terrible news to be told…”

“Is the girl dead?”

“No Sasuke, nothing like that…”

“Then what’s wrong?”

“Princess Haruno is now the ruler of her land… Her parents were assassinated five years ago… Still on behalf of her father she accepted our request…”

“Hnn…”

END OF FLASHBACK

I could see it now, her country in disaster, helpless filled with dying people. After all a single girl can not rule a country that is to be left for the men… I smirked, for once I’ll listen to Itachi’s plan. I’ll get to see what kind of girl this princess is.

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“Naruto I’m here!”

I yelled out, finally I escaped from the dreaded castle. No one would let me out… So what if I’m the heiress of this country? I don’t legally own it until I’m eighteen and that’s like a year and a few months from now… I’m sixteen damn it! I barely get to make any decisions anyways I always have to listen to the council in the end. Well at least they’re making good decisions. I know they’re doing it for my benefit since they’re worried because of my parent’s death. I frowned at the thought. My mood lightened as Naruto came running out of the house.

“SAKURA-CHAN! You’re finally here!”

He embraced me tightly. It has been a week since I got permission to leave. The council at first didn’t trust Naruto but eventually they let me spend time with him.

“Let the princess down Naruto-kun.” Neji ordered, narrowing his eyes at Naruto. “And do address Sakura-sama properly.”

Neji never really got along with Naruto for he was the serious type and Naruto… well he’s just Narutp. Still Neji had his own way of showing kindness. Naruto released me and ruffled his hair giving us his usual cheery laugh. I smiled and waved goodbye to Neji.

“I’ll expect you home tonight Sakura-sama.”

I nodded and watch him go before walking into the orphanage with Naruto. I looked over and saw Tenten and Ino working in the garden. I waved good morning and entered the wooden orphanage.

“Sakura-neesan!”

I spun around and Michiru ran towards me hugging my legs. She looked up with a smile and her brown hair cascaded over her shoulders. She beamed at me.

“Morning Michiru-chan!”

“Sakura-neesan, I’ve got so much to talk about! The other day Naruto-niisan spilled soup all over the floor!”

I giggled at Naruto’s klutziness, as I bent down to her level. “Michiru want me to blow bubbles in the garden with you?”

“HAI!”

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So this was the Haruno’s land. It was indeed peaceful, maybe the princess wasn’t a dumb ass after all. It was early evening by the time I arrived. The castle was still farther north and I wouldn’t be going there anytime soon. I’ve still got a month to use in this little town. I guess my first priority was to find a place to stay… I felt the thin wallet I took along with me. It’ll last me two weeks top, I was hoping to get a mission here in town.

As I walked down the street I could see a few glances from the females walking by and one word to describe them all, pathetic. I observed the civilians and realized none of them were ninjas… Oh great please don’t tell me this village has no ninjas! Now where the hell was I going to find a job, of course I could just go to the castle but that’ll make me look weak and an Uchiha doesn’t do ‘weak’.

Suddenly I felt a person bump into me. I spun around and realized it was only an innocent five year old, or so I thought. He quickly apologized and ran the other way. That’s funny if he was heading my way so quickly why did he run off the other way? Shrugging it off I decided to continue investigating this interesting town.

As I walked by across a ramen shop, I felt my stomach rumbling. Looking up in the sky, the sun was setting. It must be around seven or eight now. It’s about time I get some food, and find the local inn. I reached down my pocket and searched for my wallet but felt nothing but air! Fuck, the little boy took it didn’t he… I looked around the street, it was too late now… Oh great now I don’t have food or a place to stay.

There was a lane of street vendors down the road selling freshly picked goods. I could always use my hidden speed to sneak an apple or something. It was my last choice, tomorrow I’ll look for a job. Advancing towards the busy road, I kept my pace slow not making any suspicious movements. That’s when I saw it… The tomato seller… I love tomatoes… I just have to get some… Walking towards the place I leaned a bit closer picking up a ripped red tomato, I walked on but suddenly a hand grabbed my wrist.

“Where do you think you’re going sir?”

I turned around and saw the angry vendor looking at me. No one was staring yet, which was good since I still have a chance to run. He narrowed his eyes at me and held his tight grip…

“I well… uh…”

“Yes?”

“I was going to pay for it!”

Bad line! He stuck out his hand motioning me to put down the coin, however I remained clam putting on my cool façade with a struggle. I reached down into my other pocket hoping to have a bit of change left, but no such luck. He saw my nervousness and reached for my collar. That’s when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw a pink haired girl with emerald eyes smiling at me cheerfully.

“Mister, I believe you dropped this?”

There in at her figure tips she held a coin. I was saved.

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A/N: Thx for reading and PLEASE REVIEW! reviews r my inspiration XD

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