Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Heart no Kuni no Naruto ❯ Chapter 4

“I'm back, your majesty,” Kakashi crowed as he all but skipped into the audience room.

The pink haired girl was slouching slightly on the throne, her head supported by one arm as it leant on the armrest. “Hatake,” she scolded, “Not only are you late, you have a most idiotic grin on your face.”

“Do I?” the silver haired rabbit man queried, “I suppose it's a result from seeing Naru-chan. He makes me want to do the weirdest things.”

`Naru-kun…' Sai mused.

“How interesting,” the Queen of Hearts, murmured, “that an outsider could be able to change Our Prime Minister so.”

`It looks like there's more to you than I first thought,' the Knight of Hearts pondered.

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At the Hatter's…

“Oi, Ita!” Deidara called, having just returned. “Naru-kun's back at the Clock Tower, safe and sound, just like ya wanted, un.”

“Hn,” the raven haired man replied.

“We did run into Kakashi Hatake though. He's become quite the stalker, following the kid around like that, un.” The Hatter stiffened slightly at the mention of the White Rabbit's apparent obsession with the small blond. “But guess what Ita, he said he likes me more than that psycho rabbit, un!”

“Quite the little slut, isn't he?” Itachi snarled, “Throwing his affections around. He's even got you wrapped around his cute little finger.”

“E-E-Eh?! W-Wait, Itachi!” the March Hare pleaded as the yakuza head stomped off into the mansion, slamming the door to his office closed, “It's not like that,” he muttered sadly.

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Back with Kakashi & Sakura…

“Hatake, you say you've seen Naruto-kun? Then why did you not bring him to Us? We have not seen him since Our tea party.”

“I did not realize you were so interested in Naru-kun, your majesty,” Sai piped.

“Actually my queen, Naru-chan isn't here,” Kakashi began, “And if he were, I wouldn't share,” he muttered under his breath.

“So you abandoned your duties and yet again have no legitimate excuse for Us,” glowered the queen.

“Forgive me, your majesty,” Kakashi begged, his white furred appendages flattening against his head, “I was so lonely without my Naru-chan that I was unable to perform my duties. I even could not eat a single thing! I had to see him! I sought him at the Clock Tower, but alas he wasn't there. Sasori told me he'd gone off to be with that vile Hatter. If I hadn't run into him along the way there, I fear I may have died of heartbreak, your majesty!”

“That has got to be the lamest…” the pink haired girl shouted, “Wait! Did you say Naruto-kun was with the Hatter?!”

“Yes, your majesty,” replied the Prime Minister, “It appears he invited him to tea.”

“Hm… are they close, do you think?” Queen Sakura asked, putting her chin on her hand.

“Well, Itachi did invite someone who wasn't a `role holder'. So I guess he must like him quite a bit.”

“Yes,” agreed Sai, “he even tried to seduce Naru-kun.”

“WHAT?!!!” hollered Kakashi, “That evil, disgusting…”

“We are most displeased,” the Queen of Hearts said, her emerald eyes narrowing dangerously. “We were willing to look the other way with the Mortician and that ridiculous Lee, but We can not forgive that such reprobates would even think of making a move on Naruto-kun! Itachi Uchiha must not be permitted to get any closer to him! Is that understood?!”

“You needed fear, my queen,” Kakashi said, the glare on his face mirroring the monarch's, “I would rather die then let that happen.” The White Rabbit then whirled on his heel and strode out of the audience room, Sai following him.

“I must say that was rather odd,” the shorter brunet said, smiling cheesily, “Sakura-sama gave an order that had nothing to do with beheading. I never believed such a day would come.”

“True,” Kakashi said, not bothering to hide his annoyance. `Why is he following me?' “However, the rules are quite different where Naru-chan is concerned.”

“It looks like her majesty is already very fond of him,” Sai noted, “But why did she get so angry when you mentioned the Hatters?”

“They're an extremely dangerous bunch,” answered the silver haired rabbit man.

“Yes, I suppose they are. But I still don't understand all this fuss. I may like Naru-kun, but there's nothing special about him, is there?”

“Sai, I'll let that slanderous remark slide as long as you don't interfere with Naru-chan and me. Also, just why are you following me? Your quarters are in that direction,” he griped, pointing in the opposite direction.

“Oh? I thought it was this way,” replied the directionally challenged knight.

Kakashi took a deep breath and counted to ten before responding. “No it isn't. This is my room. Now run along!” He then spun the shorter teen around and gave him a hard push.

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Naruto stood nervously as he watched the clock fixer take a sip of the coffee. “H-How is it?” he asked, clutching the tea tray to his chest.

“I'd give it a C,” the taller redhead replied.

“Man, I can't even make coffee right!” wailed the blond, “Why is the only thing I'm good at is making instant ramen?!”

“It's not awful,” Sasori said, “Just too strong. You must have made a mistake grounding the beans. Next time, don't pulverize them. I know you're the type who overdoes things `cause of some need to prove yourself.”

“Hey! Don't ya try to figure me out through the coffee beans!” the blond griped, “And `sides I didn't grind `em into powder this time. You're such a fuss budget.”

“I am not a fuss budget,” the clock fixer protested, “I'm accurate, and it's because of that that I can tell you're getting better at it.”

“Really?!” beamed the shorter blond.

“Yes, I am looking forward to trying your next attempt,” the taller teen answered, giving Naruto a rare smile.

“Thanks!” he crowed, returning the smile with one of his own, “Oh yeah, I've been meaning to ask ya, Sasori. How about letting me help ya with those clocks? I really feel bad about freeloading off of you like this. Anyway, you're always working. I don't even think you're sleeping much, are ya? If I help ya, the load won't be so much and you can get more rest.”

Sasori blanched at the boy's request. His line of work wasn't suited for one as innocent and pure as the blond. “I don't need help,” the redhead replied coldly.

“B-But…” begged Naruto, “You don't have to pay me. I'll work for free!”

The clock fixer let out a sigh. “Payment isn't the issue here,” he replied gently, “It's just that I have no desire to see you get tainted. So do not touch any of the clocks I receive.”

“Get tainted? Ya mean with oil grease or something?”

“No. Now that's enough of the subject,” Sasori said with a tone that left no room for further discussion and went back to the clock he'd been working on currently.

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A few hours later, there was a knocking at Sasori's workshop door. Naruto was about to get up and answer it since the clock fixer wasn't about to move from his desk, when the door burst open and a green spandex clad person bounded into the room. “Sasori, my friend!” beamed Lee, carrying a jug of sake, “It has been too long since we've shared a drink together!”

“Hey Lee!” greeted the blond.

“Hello, Naruto, my youthful friend! All is well with you I trust?”

“Did one of your employees' clocks break again? Is that why you're here?” the redhead asked, not bothering to hide his annoyance at the other's loud interruption.

“Always thinking of work,” Lee said frowning slightly, “No my friend, I am merely here for a personal visit. Oh yes, I also have a gift for our most youthful outsider friend.” The amusement park owner placed the sake down on the tea table before reaching into a hidden pocket on his spandex jumpsuit. “Here you go,” he said, producing a slip of paper and handing it to the shortest of the three teens, “A free pass to my most youthful park. I do hope you use it well, my youthful friend.”

“Thanks,” Naruto beamed, carefully putting it into his own pocket.

“Oh!” Lee cried, “I almost forgot! The sake is for you, Sasori my friend. It is a most youthful vintage and I thought it'd be a waste if I didn't share with friends.”

Sasori rolled his eyes and sighed, putting the clock down. A few minutes later, the three were sitting at the tea table. A few tea sandwiches had been placed out in the middle and the two Wonderland natives had tiny cups of sake set out in front of them while the blond had a glass of milk. “I hope you appreciate this Lee,” Sasori griped, “You know how I don't like drinking during working hours.”

“Oh I do, my friend,” the caterpillar browed boy replied, a small frown appearing on his face, “However, it is most un-youthful of you to be so stiff. You certainly could do with a break every now and then and let your youthful passions to burn within your soul. It concerns me greatly that you would shut yourself in like this.”

“He's got a point, Sasori,” agreed Naruto, “If you keep this up, you're gonna get sick.”

“Yes! My thoughts exactly! Even one as youthful as Naruto-san here can see it is not good.”

“Stop butting in on my business,” snapped the redhead. “You should concern yourself with your own.”

“But I can't do that!” Lee pressed, “I just can not abandon a friend who has lost his youthfulness like this. And anyway, I truly do care for you my friend, out of all of us here, it is only you who does not make a fuss over my most un-youthful name.”

“As if I would follow in their footsteps over something so trivial,” Sasori replied, sipping the rice wine.

“Yesh! Thatsh my youthful Shashori,” Lee beamed after taking a sip of his own, his words starting to slur after just one taste of the strong liquid, “Itsh a shame no one followsh your exshample.”

`I'm glad to see Sasori's got a friend,' the blond noted, `Even if it's a guy with freaky brows like Lee.'

“Sasori?” Naruto asked when he saw the redhead stiffen slightly and put down his sake.

“Excuse, but I have a guest,” the clock fixer replied getting up. The blond was about to say that he hadn't heard a knock, but Lee interrupted him.

“There you go again,” the park owner complained, “thinking of work. You are mosht driven, my friend.”

“You're tellin' me!” Naruto agreed.

“Naruto-shan,” Lee slurred, “It shurprishesh me that Shashori would allow you to remain here with him. He ish my mosht un-youthful friend, sho I know him well. In all thish time I have not even once known him to be anything other than cold toward people.”

“Yeah I know,” the blond agreed, remembering the clock fixer's praise, “Still he hasn't told me to leave either. Sure he's not the friendliest, but he's a good guy deep down.”

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“Well done,” Sasori said as an after image dropped a clock into the Tower master's hands, “Leave the rest to me, I'll have someone go out and take care of them.”

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Heart Castle…

“I would be nice to finally sleep in a real bed,” Sai said as he opened the door to his room, which took him hours to locate after his little run in with Kakahi. A slight frown appeared on his usually smiling face when he spied the shadow figures standing inside.

“So I have another mission,” he said solemnly, “You needn't worry I shall head over to the Clock Tower at once.”

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Back at Sasori's…

“Hey how'd it go?” Naruto asked as the redhead returned to his desk. Lee staggered out of his seat and started for the door. “Ya leaving Lee?”

“Yesh,” he slurred, “It would besht if I headed home now. I have taken enough of Shashori'sh time. I look forward to sheeing you at the park, my friend. You ash well Naruto-shan. It would be mosht un-youthful if you did not obey your youthful pashionsh and enjoy yourshelvesh with our ridesh and gamesh.”

“Finally,” grumbled the redhead once Lee was truly gone, “I can get some work done.”

“So… um did ya get another repair job?” Naruto asked.

“You could say that,” Sasori answered, putting his glasses back on, “I'd appreciate it if you didn't disturb me. It's a big job and it will probably take some time to complete, even if I did call for Sai and you know how he is.”

“I can go get him for you!” the shorter teen piped, eager to lend a hand in spite of Sasori's earlier denial. “I know you're busy and this is big, so it'll go quicker if Sai gets here sooner, right?”

“You needn't trouble yourself, Naruto.”

“Look, Sasori,” the blond said, leaning against the desk, his hands on the almost completely covered surface, “you won't let me help you with the repairs so just let me do this for ya,” he begged. “I told you it makes me feel bad for freeloading off of ya. If ya can't find something for me to do that'll help, then I'll just have to find somewhere else to stay. `Course if I did that, then everyone else will think ya kicked me out, ne?”

“You're one pushy brat,” quipped the clock fixer, sighing, “Fine do what you want. Go fetch Sai. Just be careful alright?”

“Sure! I'll be back with Sai in a flash, believe it!”

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Naruto inched his way along the wall of Heart Castle's hedge maze trying to keep out of sight while on his search for the raven haired knight. `Why did I volunteer to get Sai?!' the blond grumbled, `I totally forgot that pervy rabbit lives here too. Please, please, please, please don't let me run into Kakashi!' he prayed. However, it appeared that whatever deities watched over Wonderland were just as twisted as the ones back at home.

“Why hello there, Naru-chan!” Kakashi beamed, “I'm so happy that you missed me so much that you rushed right over to see me.”

“The heck I did!!” shouted the boy, sidestepping out of the way before he got another bout of glomping from the over-amorous rabbit man. “I'm here for Sai.” `Oops, I better not say anything `bout him working with Sasori. I don't think Sasori'd like that.'

“Sai?” Kakashi queried, frowning, “First that yakuza rabbit and now Sai. Who knew you were so loose, Naru-chan? I've also been told that you've been spending time with Itachi Uchiha as well. Can't you see that he's no good for you?! Such an affair would be the end of you!”

“First of all, I. AM. NOT. HAVING. AN. AFFAIR. WITH. ANYONE!!!” bellowed Naruto, “And second, if I was, it'd be NONE of your damn business ya crazy stalker pervy rabbit!! You don't have any right to judge or tell me what to do!!!”

“None of my business you say?” the silver haired man scolded. He then grabbed the boy's wrists and pinned them against the hedge and above his head, “Of course it is my business. Now hurry up and say you love me, I don't think I'd be able to take much of your constant teasing, Naru-chan.”

`Oh no!' moaned the shorter blond, `H-He's gonna…not again!!!' Naruto gulped and shut his eyes as tight as he could, not wanting to watch as the rabbit man forced another kiss on him.

“What's going on, Kakashi?” someone asked from the archway near by, making the White Rabbit release the boy.

“S-Sai!” Naruto stammered in relief.

“I'm not interrupting am I?” the Knight of Hearts asked, smiling.

“Y-Yes,” the blond replied, “But it's a good thing. I was looking for ya.”

“What a coincidence,” the taller teen chirped, “I was just thinking of going to see you, Naru-kun.”

“Explain yourself, Sai,” scowled Kakashi, “I do believe you said you weren't in love with my Naru-chan.”

“Yes, I did say that, didn't I?” Sai answered, still smiling that ridiculous fake smile.

“Then why are you interfering with our relationship?”

“I may not love him, but that doesn't change the fact that I find Naru-kun interesting,” the knight replied, placing an arm around the blond's waist, “So I suggest you get used to sharing for now, Kakashi-san.”

“I suggest,” the taller man echoed, his visible eye narrowing dangerously, “that you stop touching my Naru-chan with those filthy hands.”

“I did not realize my hands were still dirty,” Sai quipped, “I did wash them though.”

“Well they are,” Kakashi shot back, “They're covered with germs and untruths, just like the rest of you. Do not go near my Naru-chan again.”

“Now, Kakashi-san, you know I was never good at letting things go.”

“Yes, I know. You really shouldn't have tried to pursue him further; you're only making things worse. You won't give up on Naru-chan?” The silver haired rabbit brought out his oversized pocket watch and it started to glow angrily, mimicking its master's mood, “Fine with me. You've just given me a reason to make you disappear,” he said, aiming his pistol.

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~TBC~

Sakura: Dum..dum..dum!!! Ooo what an intense cliffy!!! Will Sai make it out unscathed? Will Naru-chan for that matter? Well, send me reviews and I just might be persuaded enough to post the next part faster. ^_^