The cursed prince

{4}

A young blond-haired kid opened his entrancing Sapphire eyes on the other side of the palace, where the palace chambers lay, and quickly realized he was in his room and not in the palace garden. "Has our sleeping beauty awakened?" the guard in front of his bed mocked as he lowered his book. Naruto smiled as he moved over to the edge of his large king-sized bed, threw his small legs over the edge, and stood up with a pleasurable stretch that caused his bones to crack.

Naruto couldn't help but sigh as he looked around his large room; his is one of the most heavily secured rooms, and he has no idea why. He tried questioning his parents, but since he was four, they had always given him the same explanation. 'Kurama has been going through the same thing as he was a child'. however, this didn't persuade the young prince, as his older brother is not accompanied by a guard at all times of the day and night. "Does everything seem to be in order, your highness?" As he noticed a small frown on the usual bright prince's face, Kakashi asked, jolting Naruto back to reality.

Nodding, Naruto moved closer to the door leading out of his room, hoping to find his brother, who he considers to be the only person he feels close and safe to. Kakashi rushed to his young prince's side, following his orders to keep an eye on him and defend him from harm at all costs. Looking back at the prince, Kakashi couldn't help but think of his power and how dangerous it could become if Naruto was ever abducted by one of the kingdom's adversaries. However, he would never let his little prince face any dangers while he was on duty. "Kakashi? Did you hear what I said?" Because his guard had been staring at his back for the previous two minutes, making him wonder whether there was something on his back, the guard jolted awake from his thoughts when he glanced into the prince's eyes, which peered back at him with worry and confusion.

"I'm sorry, your highness, I haven't been thinking straight recently," Kakashi apologized as he gazed at the concerned prince in front of him; he wouldn't tell the innocent soul about his abilities in a million years. It has been a rule in the palace for all staff members to keep the information of the nine tails demon a secret; anyone who divulges the information, especially in front of the prince, will be executed. Regardless of the law, Kakashi never had the confidence to tell the young prince about the damned blessing that turned out to be a curse in his eyes as Kakashi sees the young boy as his own son.

"It's fine if you don't come with me today; it seems that you need to rest; I will tell Mother about your condition," Naruto explained as he stared into the guard's uncommon double-coloured eyes. With a shake of his head, Kakashi continued walking, letting Naruto trail after him, causing Naruto to sigh as he grabbed Kakashi's hand and brought him to a halt. "I'm serious, Kakashi; nothing bad will happen to me today; I'll be alright! Plus, I'd think that having your full power is preferable to not having it if you want to stay with me and keep me safe," Naruto tried to reason with his guard, but the guard just kept going forward, unintentionally dragging his prince after him, while Naruto clung to his guard.

Kakashi couldn't help but smile at his sensei's son; whether it was on purpose or not, the prince enjoyed brightening people's days. Naruto didn't seem to have the same level of tension or darkness as his older brother Kurama. Those two boys were complete opposites, but they always seemed to seek each other's company. The interaction of the two brothers was always a mystery to the royal servants. "Naruto! is that you?" Kakashi and Naruto both turned to see who had summoned the young prince. As he discovered who had called him with an eager wave, the prince broke into a big grin. Naruto dashed over to the large figure and jumped in his arms.

"What are you doing here, Godfather Jiraiya? I thought you were going to travel for research," As he was being placed down from Jiraiya's arms, Naruto pondered. Jiraiya couldn't help but smile as he nodded at the small bundle of joy his former student and wife had delivered into the world; not even the king could compare to Naruto. Kakashi approached the prince and his godfather, unable to leave Naruto's side for even a second. Jiraiya smirked and winked at his number one fan as he looked up from his godson. Kakashi understood what he was saying and nodded, signalling that his most recent work was really another masterpiece, which had been perplexing the young prince in the meantime.