Chapter Text
Naruto yawned and with an arm outreached towards the sky, stretched extensively. “Cor blimey, those knights kept me at the Hokage’s station practically all night! Their questions barely ceased!” Naruto thought bitterly. The poor boy was allowed back home in the morning only to have to return to his studies in the afternoon.
“I see the Hokage’s brat gets special treatment again, eh Naruto?” A nasally tone reached the ears of the blonde which shook Naruto from his thoughts. A young man wearing a thick fur lined coat and war paint on his face was smirking at the blonde, flanked by what appeared to be another young man shrouded in a simple gray cloak with a hood. The dog by the fur cloaked boy’s side started to bark lightly at Naruto, as the blonde’s footsteps faltered in front of the pair.
The blonde sighed before his arms dropped to his sides as he replied, “What special treatment, you boorish dimwit?” The brown haired youth with war paint’s grin was wiped from his face, a scowl replacing it.
“Don’t play dumb with me you monster. You’re allowed leave for half the day and to come in later as you please? That sounds like a preferred treatment to me, right Shino?” The brunette sneered at Naruto as he pointed next to him at the cloaked youth, as to emphasize the quiet boy’s agreement.
It was the blonde’s turn to scowl and clearly annoyed he all but shouted at the brunette, “Well if you must know Kiba, I actually was handling an important mission yesterday. The Hokage himself gave me a pardon as the mission took all night to handle! Ask Master Iruka if you don’t believe me!” The brunette winced at the young squire’s shouting as he brought a hand to one ear to shield it.
“Stop shouting you half-wit. Mission my arse, we’ve heard about what happened last night. We also heard how it was your fault. You were playing another prank on the Hokage and it got out of hand. Clearly making my case that you get special treatment,” the brunette spat at the blonde’s feet. “Absolute bull if you ask me. Any one of us squires would be banished from the kingdom if we pulled half the crap you did Naruto.” The hooded boy next to him shifted uneasily and the dog at Kiba’s feet started to growl lowly.
Naruto was angry and confused at Kiba’s comment but held his tongue. “A prank? That’s not what happened at all! The Hokage is keeping what really happened a secret though so I’ll hold my tongue. He probably does not want word to spread about Mizuki being a turn coat,” thought Naruto, brows furrowing. It did somewhat dampen the blonde’s spirits that everyone so easily accepted that what happened was a prank though, a reflection on the blonde’s reputation.
Kiba’s chin turned upward as he held a somewhat triumphant sneer at the blonde’s silence. “So you don’t deny it then? Well the Hokage’s favor at least can’t help with how worthless your skills as a knight is. No amount of whinging from the old man can help you pass the test today.” At this statement the blonde straightened his back and returned the sneer.
“That is actually where you are wrong Kiba. I have learned a lot since last you saw me. We’ll see who is worthless in the end.” Naruto shoved past the two boys who simply started snickering behind the young squire’s back, not believing in what seemed an empty threat. Naruto let them laugh as he knew today was the day he would prove them all wrong at the academy.
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The youths all lined up as a panel of mentors sat behind a table regarding them. Everyone had to display a basic understanding of the Konoha knight foundations before they could be knighted. Some squires shifted nervously from foot to foot as they awaited their turn. Naruto however stood resolute, face hardened and back straight. The pink haired girl next to him was not as adamant as she also shifted nervously but she was not as nervous as some of her peers. She was currently performing breathing exercises to help her remain calm.
“Sakura Haruno!” One of the mentors declared a name and the pink haired girl answered, stepping forward.
“If you would please young miss. Show us one cantrip to confirm your affinity with the Esoteric.” The knight behind the table gestured lazily with their hand, plume ready in his other to mark to young squire as passed or failed. The pink haired girl nodded and started to make simple hand weaving gestures. Her aura started to spill out only slightly at the weaving, body encased in a very faint white glow as it was a sign she was attempting a spell. When the girl finished weaving her head snapped up, resolute as she declared her spell aloud to activate it, “Mirror Image!”
At the declaration, another version of the girl shimmered into existence next to her in the same stance as the pink haired youth. Sakura’s shoulders relaxed slightly, the tension eased from her muscles as relief washed over her. She had done it! She had shown she had mastered the spell, Mirror Image. The knight behind the table grunted their approval and waved a hand again commenting slightly bored, “Good job Sakura. Please return to the line with the others, you have passed.”
Sakura had to contain her excitement as she saluted and took a step backwards to return to the line of squires, her mirror image dissipating into iridescent shards next to her. The atmosphere in the room suddenly shifted though, as everyone took in a small low breath. Mummering started lightly as the young squires' eyes shifted to a particular blonde in the room. It was now Naruto’s turn. “Naruto Uzumaki!” The knight behind the table now declared. Naruto nodded and stepped forward, ignoring the heat of his classmates' stares.
A nasal snicker started lowly from the far corner of the classroom as Kiba whispered to the hooded youth next to him, “I wonder what the freak will create this time. Remember what the mirror image looked like last time? It looked like a scribble made by a youngling!” Kiba snickered into his arm holding back the sound of his laughter and the only indication Shino was laughing was that his shoulders were moving slightly. The mentor behind the table cleared their throat in response, demanding silence. The snickering stopped.
Naruto was frowning but nonetheless took a deep breath. “Just remember what you did yesterday Naruto, just focus on weaving your mana!” Naruto inhaled and exhaled slowly as he brought his hands in front of him, recalling Iruka’s teachings of breath exercises to call upon your mana. Naruto’s brows furrowed as he concentrated on remembering the proper techniques of the Second’s spell. With a flash of orange light, his classmates gasped as Naruto’s aura suddenly flared. This had never happened before, Naruto always struggled to call upon his aura and the classmates were stunned momentarily by the heat surging from Naruto’s body. The light disappeared as all that was left of the flash was heat and acid to the air, Naruto opened his eyes as they too flashed red.
His hands were a flurry of complicated weaving in fast succession, something he practiced in the forest several times before Mizuki appeared. The movements were slowly looking to become muscle memory by this point, but would the boy be successful at this attempt? Naruto projected to the mentors in a steady voice, “Shadow Clone Spell!” The same loud pop from last night like a firecracker was set in the room and the pink haired girl behind Naruto let out a startled shout at the noise, ducking to cover her ears. Standing proudly next to Naruto was a clone of the young squire, sharing the same triumphant smile. A collective gasp erupted in the room.
“What?” exclaimed Kiba, slack jawed and eyes wide. The red face paint contrasted almost comically with the now white of his eyes. Naruto simply gave him a thumbs up, the clone mimicking his gesture. A hush came over the excited classroom as the mentor in the center of the table stood up from their seat, hands still firmly on the table. “A shadow clone? An extremely advanced spell Naruto, something beyond the level of a third rank,” stated the knight. A hushed murmur again erupted from the students.
“A shadow clone? Isn’t that something only a second or first rank can pull off?”
”How did Naruto pull this off? Not even my father who is a second rank can do that!”
”Did you see his aura? Scary, it was red! I swear I saw him exhaling smoke like a dragon.”
”Bullshit!” A loud shout came, breaking through the hushed voices. Everyone gasped at the vulgar exclamation being made in the classroom. The mentor still standing turned at the source of the shout, one eyebrow raised.
“Young Kiba.” They simply declared, staring at the brunette pointing angrily at the two blondes. The brunette strode forward towards the two Narutos, teeth grinding.
“I said, bullshit.” He ground through his teeth. “This little worm could barely piece together enough mana to summon a convincing mirror image. Now all of a sudden he can pull off B rank magic!” Kiba turned back to his fellow students, arms now wide and face hardened.
“I say Naruto is lying! This is no shadow clone but a mirror image. I can believe that perhaps by some miracle he could maybe pull off a very convincing mirror image, perhaps with the aid from that dragon inside him,” at this Kiba jabbed a finger hard towards Naruto’s mid section, “but this is no shadow clone! He probably made a mirror image and just shouted out the clone spell to make us believe it was an actual clone!”
”You’re wrong!” The pink haired girl suddenly moved forward towards the boys. Her mouth was pulled downward in a frown, her pink eyebrows furrowed. “The hand weaving was way more complicated than that of a mirror image spell! I was watching his hands!”
Naruto raised a hand in front of Sakura, smirking at Kiba’s frustrations. “It’s alright Sakura, it’s a reasonable accusation. I’ll let him prove his accusations to defend my honor as a knight.” Naruto finished declaring, then moved his hand in an open gesture towards his clone. “Hit him if you are so sure it’s a mirror image.”
Kiba sneered, balling up his fist “Gladly.” Kiba reared back his fist and in a quick strike, jabbed his fist into the second Naruto’s chest. Instead of an expectant shattering of iridescent shards in the air, his fist collided with firm flesh. The clone let out a small grunt as his body lurched backwards slightly from the small impact. Everyone once again gasped in the room. The clone was made flesh, Naruto was not lying. The Naruto that was punched straightened himself out, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Kiba was absolutely seething.
The knight that was standing gestured in a broad sweep of his arm, “This confirms it. Naruto Uzumaki has successfully summoned a Shadow Clone.” There were a couple of awkward slow claps but mostly concerned looks and murmuring at this revelation. A small popping noise accompanied the puff of smoke as the clone was dispelled as Naruto stopped concentrating on maintaining his clone. The knight continued,
“Congratulations young Uzumaki, today you are knighted.”
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Naruto was shuffled into the room by a kindly scribe, the old lady’s gnarled hands gently pushing the youth inside. The young blonde knight felt awkward as he took his seat by an old wooden desk. The old woman took her place at her seat, an ink well with plume and parchment laid in front of her. She picked up the plume, hand surprisingly steady in her aged hand.
“Welcome Young Master Uzumaki, to the Konoha knights,” the old woman began, “now today we will be taking your profile for the knights' records. All I truly need from you, young man, is your knight’s statement.” Naruto shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
“Is this really necessary? Can’t that be left blank?” Naruto asked. The old woman’s eyes opened a fraction more slightly but relaxed again, a small smile gracing her wrinkled visage.
“It could. However, it may be within your best interest to say at least something. This statement may be brought up again by the town criers when they declare your achievements later in your career.” The old lady answered, hand still ready by her parchment.
“What could I possibly say?” Naruto pondered aloud. The old lady once again answered, voice steady and assuring, “Perhaps just state why being a knight is important to you.”
Why did he want to become a knight? Surely it was not to follow in his father’s footsteps, ludacris as that idea sounded in the blonde’s head. Many citizens thought that was the case as in their minds, it only made sense that the son would wont follow his great father’s lead. When the young knight wandered further into the recesses of his mind however, his father’s grand visage was not what he recalled. For it was not glory nor fame what led the youth’s heart, but instead something far more humble.
Naruto thought not of his own fair hair or white sterling armor but of brown hair and eyes. The same eyes set into a tanned face, the scar across his nose splitting what some in the kingdom would still consider handsome regardless. The warm smile that graced him when they broke bread together and the same mouth that scowled when Naruto’s antics arose ire. Naruto thought of his teacher, Iruka, and suddenly remembered why he wanted so desperately to be a knight.
“I want to become a knight because I want to protect the lost and forgotten,” Naruto slowly began. “I myself was abandoned as a babe by the kingdom. The Third Hokage put a roof over my head and assigned caretakers, but they ignored me. They would look at me in pity for the family I never had and fear for the dragon residing within me.”
Naruto paused and waited for the old woman’s reaction. When she remained still, patiently waiting for the boy to continue, only then did Naruto start again. “I thought all knights were the same; glory hounds that wished only for fame, the chance of being a legend. Then I met Master Iruka, he was so different. Somehow he understood me, saw past my antics,” Naruto scoffed in amusement and continued, “he always does. He cares about all his students so much, as well as all the citizens. He just wants to do right by us and wants everyone to thrive in Konoha. He has pride not for himself, but for his country.”
Naruto’s shoulders straightened as a sudden resolve and spirit surged under his breast. He declared almost without thinking, “That is why I want to become Hokage one day. I want to prove that Hokage can be different! I want to create a kingdom where no child becomes a sacrifice, nay a jailer, for what cannot be fixed and a dominion where none are abandoned on the heels of war. This is my oath on my knighthood.”
Naruto was slightly breathless as he finished. The old woman had fortunately been dictating Naruto’s impromptu speech and at his conclusion she set the elegant quill down gently. She lifted her head to regard the young man in front of her, before asking carefully,
”Do you not believe Lord Third does the same currently?”
”Protect the people? Perhaps at one time yes but not anymore.” Naruto answered, shaking his head. The old woman chuckled softly as she arose from her chair. She gestured at the door and calmly stated, ”Seems though you are a knight you are still a child, young master.”
Naruto huffed at the remark and arose from his seat, and the woman laughed as she guided him out the chamber. Naruto’s mind was racing, this new oath he swore seared in his heart. “Where did this come from, what was I thinking!” Naruto admonished himself, his heart aching.
He never would have thought to ever state he was interested in his father’s past position yet after last night, after Iruka risked his own flesh for his own, a newfound respect for what a knight could be was revealed to the blonde youth. In his heart, though torn by his hatred for his own bloodline and love of his kind teacher, he knew this is what he always wanted to be.
Naruto, at a mere age of twelve, knew that he wanted to be Hokage.
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“Master Iruka, thank you for coming so soon.” The Third Hokage said as the brunette was led into the Third’s study. The Hokage was by the window, smoking his pipe, his wrinkled hands grasping the head of the pipe as the older knight was lost in reflection.
“Of course my Lord. Why was I summoned?” Iruka stepped deeper into the chamber as the door was shut behind him. The Third exhaled and as he did a grand billow of smoke, smelling strongly of earth and wood, wafted from his mouth before he spoke.
”I wanted your opinion on a decision.”
”My opinion? Sire I am but a humble second rank, I could never dream of-“
The Hokage raised a hand to stop Iruka from continuing and again spoke,”Worry not Master Iruka, it is not a matter of state. It is concerning the further guidance of one of your students.”
Iruka let out a sigh of relief before concern colored his brow. “What happened? Did Naruto not pass the exam? Surely I thought he would be able to summon a Shadow Clone . . .” Iruka trailed off as the Hokage shook his head slowly.
“No, young Uzumaki passed. Which is actually why you are here today.”
Iruka had to stop himself from punching his fist into the air as he stated breathlessly, “That is wonderful news! Truly astounding!” Iruka’s brows furrowed once more asking,
”Then why am I here Lord Third? Third ranks are given captains to guide them, knights that are of first rank.”
”Indeed, first rank and chosen by me,” continued the Third. He was staring intently at Iruka as he said, “That is the matter I wish to discuss this afternoon.”
Iruka was flattered but very confused. He had more questions but they died on his tongue as he realized they were unimportant. He trusted the Third’s wisdom and gestured for the old knight to continue. The Third started,
”I wish to assign Naruto to Captain Kakashi.”
Iruka’s tan skin paled somewhat at the mention of Kakashi’s name. ”Why him my lord?”
”Iruka my boy, we both know that Naruto has potential and lacks discipline. He will need a strict teacher.” The Third stated simply, Iruka wincing. Though the Third had not meant the comment as a slight, Iruka realized his failing in being able to reign in the wild, fair haired boy.
“I understand my Lord but surely another captain can rid Naruto of his frivolities? Kakashi, well sire, he has a reputation.” Iruka stated, face dropping at thinking of the infamous knight.
”Oh I hope it is scary, I would not want to be slacking in my days off the field.” A deep, lazy voice started from behind Iruka.
Iruka spun around startled and was met with a silver-haired knight. The man was tall and broad, long limbs encased in his chainmail. Though the man towered over the brunette, his muscles were so well defined they showed through the chainmail that was rather tight on the man’s biceps. His body seemed to be made of the same steel he wore, only a physical manifestation of his years of training and honing of power.
The man was also shrouded in mystery as he wore his signature black scarf and eyepatch. The midnight scarf hid that man’s face and the equally dark stained leather hid one eye. Rumors between knights stated he wore the scarf because he was hiding terrible battle scars, his missing eye proof of that man’s countless battles. Maidens who have sworn they have seen the man’s face state differently, that Kakashi is actually strikingly handsome under the scarf and they were sure if he showed his face more he would be wed by morrow. At this present moment all Iruka could make of the captain was that he was possibly tired. Or bored. Or both.
The man’s lazy eye was regarding the brunette and if Iruka’s words offended him, Iruka could truly not tell. The man’s black eye disclosed little though Iruka did note a slight glimmer as he looked down at the man. Iruka could not help but flush slightly under the tall knight’s intent stare and cleared his throat to answer him.
“I do not think one’s frightful reputation is a laughing matter, Captain.”
“Oh, I’m not laughing. I am being terribly serious unlike handsome, kind teachers. Or so the maidens whisper at your passing, sir knight.” The man’s eye closed as he happily gestured at Iruka. The tanned man flushed harder.
“Yes I am a terrible man, frightfully unkind to the younglings. That I hold myself to.” Kakashi finished, stance and lazy eye unchanged. Iruka looked to have quite enough of the silver-haired knight’s clear teasing and raised a finger to counter his statements when the Third once again cleared his throat.
“That is quite enough Kakashi. I summoned you to help ease Iruka’s fears, not stoke the flame of distrust.” The Third murmured around his pipe. Iruka turned sharply to the Third, face red out of embarrassment and anger.
“Ease distrust? Lord Third, this man has disbanded every squad that has ever been assigned to him. The squad lasts not a day under his tutorship before he deems them unworthy of knighthood!” Iruka was breathless as he accused the silver-haired knight, finger jabbing at his direction. Kakashi again looked bored and tired, as if the man wished nothing more but to lie in his featherbed. When he answered though, his voice betrayed his energy where his face was stoic and covered.
“Yes Lord Third, I have a reputation to uphold after all. Lest I look weak in front of my betters.” At this Iruka finally turned on the silver-haired knight sharply, his body crowding the taller man. Kakashi put his hands up in both an apologetic and defensive manner.
“If you mean to insult my honor any further good sir I will have you answer to your misgivings! I will not be humiliated in front of the Third!” Iruka fumed, gazing into the perpetual lazy eye. To his credit, Kakashi answered sincerely,
“I wish not to insult good sir. Truly, I jest only to ease the clear tension in the room.”
Iruka’s body was just beginning to relax when the lazy eye once again became a thin crescent as he added cheerily, “Besides, I was not lying about the handsome part. That part is very much true.” Iruka absolutely bristled at the last comment when the Third’s voice rang clear to cut the two apart.
“Enough. Kakashi will lead Naruto as Captain, that is my word. Iruka I am sorry if you feel this a harsh punishment for the boy but I still stand by my decision. He needs discipline and we need someone as severe as Kakashi to whip the boy into any sort of shape.” The Third declared strongly, smoke once again billowing from his mouth. With his stern eyes and expression, one may confuse the old knight with being a dragon bearer himself.
Iruka sobered at the declaration, shoulders dropping in defeat as he maintained eye contact with Kakashi. “I still do not trust you but please, do right by Naruto. He is a good lad deep down.”
“You don’t have to trust in me, good sir. Have more faith in your students. I heard of what Naruto did last night and how you also acted valiantly. You have taught your students well Master Iruka, if they have taken but an ounce of your teachings to heart then they will not fail me.” Kakashi assured Iruka, deep voice taking on a serious and comforting tone. The first time in the afternoon Iruka had heard that man’s voice remain serious. Iruka let out a breath he did not realize he was holding and simply stated,
“You’re right sir knight.” Kakashi’s eye smiled along with his mouth still covered and hard to truly make out, obscured by the black cloth.
“Of course I am! The Third can attest that all the squads I have disbanded were the right decision. All twelve of them, right sire?” Kakashi gave a thumbs up at the Third who groaned while Iruka looked horror stricken. Iruka turned, mouth slightly agape and eyes wide looking at the Third.
“Kakashi is right. After further evaluation, it was deemed that the twelve were not suited for knighthood.”
“After only a day?” Iruka could not help but exclaim, gesturing desperately at the air as if the wind was the only sane living thing in the room.
“You can learn a lot about a person in a day.” Kakashi cheerfully responded, “If you give me a couple of hours I could learn a lot more about you too, sir knight.” The man’s silver eyebrows rose up suggestively as he said Iruka’s title. Iruka could have been mistaken for an apple at this very moment, face steaming crimson and the Third had decided at that moment he had quite enough of the pair.
“Out.” The old knight gestured sharply at the door. Iruka quickly saluted, wishing to simply disappear into the floorboards in a moment’s notice. The man’s ears were still beet red as he turned strongly and out the door. Kakashi was chuckling to himself as he also turned to leave before being stopped by the Third saying,
“Hold one more moment, Captain.” Kakashi turned to regard the old man lazily. The Third held his ever stern stare, voice hard as he continued, “Take care of the boy Kakashi. I want a firm and honest evaluation but do not let your own basis cloud your judgement.”
“If this is in regards to my feelings on the nine tailed dragon, I assure you I do not hold the boy accountable for the beast’s actions. I know the difference between boy and dragon.” Kakashi calmly answered.
The Third simply grunted and said, “I am serious Kakashi. Naruto is the representation of the future of Konoha. If you can make an honest knight of him that would be a boon to the morale of the citizens. Perhaps they may even find it in their hearts to treat the boy more fairly in the future.”
Kakashi did pause at that statement then pondered aloud, “An honest knight, hm? Well honesty is something I don’t think the boy is lacking in. Maturity however is a completely different story.”
“I am sure Minato would agree you were a handful at Naruto’s age as well, Kakashi.” The Third lightly remarked. The thought of his old teacher made Kakashi pause at the door, suddenly lost in his musings. Whatever Kakashi thought this time however, the man kept to himself as he opened the door and simply stated,
“You will have my assessment soon, Lord Third.” The door then was shut and the silver-haired knight gone. The Third said nothing more as he turned towards the window, the afternoon sun warming his face.
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A couple of days passed as gatherings of fresh, young knights were rounded up into different groups. These groups would become actual assigned squads under the leadership of a special first ranked knight. These knights were expected to help guide the new knights on missions and conquests in the name of Konoha and if the young knights did well enough they could hope to be recommended for promotions by said first ranked knight.
Sakura knew the chemistry between third ranked knights and captains was extremely important. If you got along well enough, a promotion was well in your future. If your captain did not like you or if you and your squad mates did anything to anger the captain, punishment would surely be swift. Worst, termination and being stripped of your title would be an answer for a truly egregious act in the captain’s eyes. Sakura prayed to the gods her squad was decent.
Her prayers were interrupted however when she inwardly groaned at the sight of a lithe, blonde-haired girl no older than Sakura herself. She was flanked by a stout boy eating a handful of oats from a small burlap bag and a dark haired boy who looked utterly disinterested in his immediate surroundings. Sakura hoped by some miracle the blond-haired girl would be distracted from making eye contact but it seemed the gods were cruel. The blonde-haired girl turned from speaking to the stout boy, smiling at Sakura. She stepped in front of Sakura as she greeted the pink-hair girl,
“Sakura! I see you’re here as well! Meeting your squad mates today?”
“No Ino, I am here to admire the blooming trees in the courtyard.” The pink-haired knight rolled her eyes, sarcasm coloring her tone. “Of course I was called for my squad meeting!”
“Relax Sakura, your tension is wound so tight we could sling rocks across a field with it.” Ino returned the eye roll. The corners of her mouth took a bit of a cruel lint as she suddenly smiled at the pinkette.
“Though, I suppose I would be tense too if Naruto was on my squad.” Ino took a lot of gratification from Sakura’s sudden look of horror.
“What? How are you so sure the dragon bearer is on my squad?” Sakura urged, sweat forming in her palms.
“While we were standing here waiting for Captain Asuma, we saw Naruto enter the meeting quarters. Since you just confirmed you were here to meet your squad, it is easy enough to piece together what’s happened.” Ino answered, twirling a strand of her long hair around her fingers. Her blue eyes were awash with mirth at her rival’s clear discomfort.
“If this is too much for you to handle Sakura, I would hate to see you on the battlefield.” teased Ino. Sakura’s face changed and hardened, voice determined,
“I will not be seeing you on the battlefield with the way you fight, coward. Hiding behind Shikamaru and Choji for cover.” Sakura pointed at the black-haired boy and stout redhead respectively. Choji continued to stuff his face, as if stopping his hand would also stop the young lad’s heart. Shikamaru scratched at his head while simply adding,
“Don’t add me to your quarrels Ino, it is honestly such a drag.” The black-haired boy yawned, stretching his hands far above his ponytail. Ino turned sharply to the boy, childishly stomping her foot.
“You’re supposed to have my back Shikamaru!”
“Yeah on the battlefield, not quarrels such as these. I am afraid, my lady, to be out of my depth.” Shikamaru answered, a finger wedged in one ear.
“That’s not true Shikamaru, you simply just don’t want to deal with it.” Choji stopped eating to add to the conversation. Shikamaru said nothing in response, the black-haired boy simply returning to silence and leaning against the wall lazily. Sakura just smiled and said,
“On that note, I bid thee farewell Ino.” Sakura put her hands behind her back, still smiling as she turned to continue down the corridor. Ino scoffed and put up both her hands,
“That’s all you have to say? Naruto is in that room, Sakura.”
“Yes and I intend to greet him while we still have daylight Ino. Good morrow!” Sakura waves backwards without looking behind her. She heard Ino huff and return to harshly whisper to the boys, no doubt cursing the pink-haired knight. Sakura was indeed quite scared to face Naruto in the meeting quarters, not knowing quite what to expect of the dragon bearer. She knew Naruto to be crass and childish, but she did not know him to be particularly cruel.
“He’s just a boy of twelve name days like yourself, Sakura. He is like any other annoying boy of our age and bearing. Nothing to be concerned about.” Sakura thought to herself, ringing her hands in front of the handle of the meeting room door. She took a deep breath and exhaled before opening the door.
What she found was Naruto locking eyes with a very fair skinned, raven haired boy. Said boy had very fine features, delicate as if molded like a fine sculpture. His noble brow remained unfurrowed and steady above a high nose. His lips were covered as he laid them against elegant long fingers, caged together in front of his face. He rested his lips and chin against his hands, steepled in front of his face, elbows straight on the table as if in deep thought or meditation.
The raven-haired beauty’s meditation was broken as his obsidian eyes were locked in battle with cerulean pools. Naruto’s face was scrunched up slightly as he continued to squint, uncomfortably close to the dark-haired boy.
“What’s your problem Sasuke?” asked Naruto, eyes squinted now but still in a staring contest with the boy in front of him. One of Naruto’s hands was placed between Sasuke’s elbows on the desk, the other resting on his jutting hip as he leaned into the boy’s space.
“I have no dispute with you Naruto.” Sasuke answered cooly, his tone leveled and surprisingly deep for someone his age.
“Oh truly sir? Then why when I entered and greeted you, you ignored me? Even now I’ve been staring at you for quite an awful time and you have stared back saying nothing.” Naruto asserted, gesturing now between himself and Sasuke. Sasuke finally closed his eyes and sighed, though he was still murmuring behind his hands while his face was still resting.
Sakura watched this play out in front of her, rooted to the spot. Ino had spotted Naruto entering but clearly had not seen Sasuke was here too. It was no secret to all the maidens in her age pool that in the contest of most handsome (and beautiful) knights, Sasuke Uchiha was the clear victor (Not that the raven-haired beauty wanted anything to do with such frivolous competitions). Ino would have had a complete meltdown if she learned her rival was in the same squad as such a prize.
“When she finds out.” Sakura thought gleefully. What started out as an anxious day just seemed to get a whole lot better. Sakura was perturbed slightly however when she realized both her squadmates had still not acknowledged her entrance, as if in their own world.
“Can you please back out of my space Naruto? You are hogging my air.” Sasuke calmly asked, face still stoic relaying not even a trace of annoyance. His tone of voice was the only thing betraying his true feelings.
“Hogging your air? Are your lungs so tiny they need all the air in the room Uchiha?” Naruto started flapping his arms like a bird lamely in front of the raven-haired boy as to prove a point of the amount of air circulating in the chamber. Sakura cleared her throat and Naruto finally turned to acknowledge her.
“Oh! Sakura, right? Nice to meet ya! I’m Naruto!” Naruto jabbed a thumb at himself, fanged grin wide and toothy. Sakura sighed, an exasperated smile on her lips as she waved.
“I know who you are, Naruto. Practically the whole kingdom knows.” Sakura said. Naruto looked genuinely shocked.
“Really? Cor blimey, I’m not that famous around Konoha am I?” Naruto asked.
“Of course you are dimwit, you are the late Hokage’s only heir and a dragon bearer. Not to mention a trouble maker.” Sasuke finally relaxed his stance, hands coming down onto the table. He did not raise his voice to Naruto but his noble brow finally furrowed at the boy’s foolishness. All Naruto did was smile in response and state,
“Ah, so you aren’t made of stone like all the maidens claim.”
Sakura flushed at the declaration, coming to Sasuke’s defense. “Stop it Naruto! Don’t mention such frivolous things to Sasuke, he is a knight of valor.”
“What? I’m not insulting the lad, it’s the fairer sex who imply the poor boy is emotionless.” Naruto gestured down at Sasuke. Sakura groaned as she pinched fingers to her brow.
“Naruto, when the other girls say he is made of stone, they are not trying to imply anything about his personality. They are comparing his features to that of fine art!” Sakura exclaimed. Naruto turned, absolutely confused, back to Sasuke.
“They think of you like a painting or something Sasuke?” Naruto asked, jabbing a thumb back to Sakura. Sakura realized her grave error as she just revealed her attraction to Sasuke in front of the very boy himself! Before she could even probably introduce herself! Absolutely mortified she shoved her face into her hands, long pink hair coming forward to shield what her hands could not cover. Sasuke looked unperturbed by her commentary and simply stated,
“I do not care what anyone thinks about me. I only care about my retribution.”
“Retribution? Look I understand Sakura may have started on the wrong foot but seeking revenge is a bit much sir knight.” Naruto started and Sasuke sucked his teeth, brows increasingly growing tighter together the more he shared space with the blonde.
“Not against Sakura, you absolute donkey.” Sasuke seethed under his breath. Naruto bristled at the insult and countered,
“Who are you calling a donkey sir?
“I am clearly looking at you sir.” Sasuke answered, maintaining eye contact with the blonde. Naruto scowled and slammed his hand back on the desk Sasuke sat at.
“You know, the maidens may think you are "fine art” or whatever folly they may spout to describe your looks but you have one rotten personality!” Naruto declared. Sasuke again remained stoic as he repeated,
“I don’t care what anyone thinks of me.”
“Fantastic then, because I think you are greatly ill-mannered!” Naruto exclaimed, now pointing a finger at Sasuke’s face. Sakura sighed thinking to herself,
“You’re one to talk to Naruto.” Sakura was shocked at both boys' behavior, more so Sasuke’s than Naruto. Indeed Sasuke may appear and act stoic but clearly underneath the marble skin lies a boy made of flesh, also twelve name days old. “Perhaps it was better Ino not see this.” Sakura sighed and understood the old saying of not meeting one’s heroes more clearly now. Naruto was grinding his fanged teeth at the raven-haired boy who remained defiant in staring coldly back. Sakura took the opportunity to steer the squad back on track.
“Where is our captain?” inquired the pink-haired knight. Naruto broke eye contact with Sasuke to answer,
“Dunno. This one has been here longer than I have and when I arrived, there was no other knight to be seen.” Naruto again jabbed a thumb besides him, gesturing at Sasuke.
Sasuke answered with a helpful: “He’s late.”
Sakura looked at the enchanted sundial sitting on the main empty desk in the room. Indeed their captain was scheduled to meet them in the afternoon and already the light was getting closer to evening. Naruto put his hands behind his head as he stated,
“Rather ill mannered of the man. We all arrived at our summons on time.”
“Is that all you can say about people? Ill-mannered?” Sasuke inquired. Naruto scowled and gestured again at Sasuke,
“I can think of other derisions as well if you’d like to be on the receiving end of them, sir!” Sasuke simple let out a small grunt as he returned to his original meditative pose, eyes shut in annoyance stating,
“Whatever. I grow tired of this bickering. Let us conserve our energy for when the captain elects to arrive.”
“Yes Naruto, save that energy for later. You may need it.” Sakura gestured, glad to be done with the infighting between the two boys. Naruto exhaled and crossed his arms in front of his chest as he roughly took the seat next to Sasuke.
“Fine, but only because Lady Sakura asked.” Naruto said. Sakura let out a sigh of relief and took the seat next to Naruto.
“So what now?” asked Naruto.
“Wait, clearly.” stated Sasuke, eyes still closed and resting against his steepled hands.
“That’s boring.” Naruto droned on dramatically as he leaned back in his chair. Sakura smiled empathetically at the blonde, gesturing at the group of them.
“We could try and take the time to get to know each other.”
Naruto scoffed and said, “You probably won’t make it far with Sir I Don’t Care to my left.” Naruto gestured towards Sasuke. Sasuke’s noble visage remained unmoved.
“Wait, I know!” Naruto declared, leaning forward suddenly in his chair, finger held in the air as inspiration had struck his brain. His grin took a mischievous edge to the corners of his mouth and his eyes glittered in impish delight. He got up out of his seat, shuffling behind the chair of Sakura towards the main desk in the room. On the desk was an ink well, the glass topper firmly in place over the opening. Naruto hastily picked up the glass bottle, swirling the dark liquid inside and eying the contents hungrily.
“What are you doing Naruto?” Sakura asked, now her turn for her brows to furrow. Naruto snickered as he looked back at her.
“Oh just a little retribution for our dear captain when he decides to arrive.” Naruto sneered and winked at Sasuke. Sasuke looked absolutely unamused by the comment but his noble brow did drop slightly. Not quite a furrow again but getting awfully close. Naruto went to grab a chair, putting the inkwell down on the desk briefly as he set up his makeshift step ladder to the top of the door frame. He rubbed his hands together in satisfaction as he leaned back down while standing on the chair to reach for the inkwell.
“Naruto, stop this instant! This is beyond childish, I will not allow you to ruin our first impression with the captain!” Sakura rose angrily, hands firmly placed on her hips.
“It is his fault for being late!” Naruto huffed as he struggled to lean on the chair and reach for the inkwell, seemingly just shy of his fingers as he wiggled to grab the bottle. Sasuke arose next and silently stalked towards the desk with the ink bottle, Sakura’s eyes following in slight astonishment. Was Sasuke going to help in this childish prank?
Sakura’s question was answered and she sighed in relief, her faith somewhat restored in the raven-haired beauty as he now stood between the bottle and Naruto.
“Stop this at once, get down off the chair and return to your seat.” Sasuke said sternly, glaring at the blonde. His stance was straight and arms firmly crossed, daring the blonde to make a move. Naruto just scowled and started to make attempts to lean over the black-haired knight in vain to grab his prize.
“Get out of my way Sasuke.” Naruto struggled to grit out each word as he continued to squirm in vain over the raven-haired knight. Sasuke was already decently tall for his age and since the chair was on the lower level of the stadium style seating of the room, Sasuke was now towering over the desk Naruto needed to get to as the desk was on the level higher. Sasuke did not budge as he was being nudged this way and that by the energetic blonde. Sakura sighed for what seemed at least the tenth time that day.
“He could actually grab the inkwell if he just simply got down from that chair and walked behind Sasuke. Why is this dimwit such a child? Hard to believe he is the actual son of the Fourth Hokage sometimes,” thought Sakura as she watched bemused at the situation unfolding before her. She was shaken from her thoughts when she heard a sudden shout. Naruto had lost his footing and fallen from the chair. Sakura rushed beside the boy and gasped aloud.
Naruto had fallen, yes, but something had luckily broken his fall. What was unlucky was what broke the fall, in particular Sasuke who didn’t have time to dodge out of the way. Even more unlucky is how Naruto had fallen. Both boys' eyes were all but bulging as not only had their bodies connected on impact but somehow their lips had connected as well. It was not a perfect connection as their faces were slightly askew, not quite parallel to be intentional of course but all the same, a good portion of Naruto’s lips were messily crushed against Sasuke’s. The boys could feel their heartbeats racing through their chests as currently their bodies were melded, Naruto resting his hands on Sasuke’s chest not in a romantic gesture but caught between their bodies as during the fall Naruto had instinctively put his hands out to break the fall and they collided with Sauske’s chest. Both boys could also see the whites of each others’ eyes as they held their breath in shock, both daring not to move an inch. Their brains were working in overdrive trying to comprehend what had just happened.
One moment Naruto was childishly fighting for an ink bottle behind Sasuke and now both boys were accidentally kissing! Sakura stood motionless as all she could think was,
“No, Ino would not only have a meltdown. She would have to be sent to the infirmary for all the blood loss from the fainting spell she would have from witnessing this.” Sakura, twelve name days, was truly the bravest youth in Konoha for having witnessed such a disaster befalling the beloved raven-haired prince and not suffering a fainting spell from the sheer audaciousness of the scene before her. It would only get worse as in the ensuing commotion, no one had heard the door to the room open.
A deep, lazy voice inquired into the room, “Oh, am I interrupting something?”