The cursed prince

{34}

"Naruto dear, please open the door," Kushina begged as she knocked on the door once more. The news that her baby fox cub has gotten sick enough to skip out on dinner has caused her to worry. Sure the reason behind his sickness did make her annoyed and mad but before she could even think of lecturing him, she wanted to check if he was alright.

However, just like her previous attempts, the queen has been met with nothing but silence. Halfway through dinner, the entire royal family couldn't help but wonder where their youngest member had disappeared to. As a matter of fact, it is such a non-existent moment when Naruto skips his meals and, no doubt, his family moments as well.

"Mother, is Naruto alright?" The queen's eldest son asked as he finally made it up the stairs onto the top floor of the palace before heading towards his mother who stood in front of his younger brother's door. Kurama's expression turned from concern to worry. This floor gave the family the privacy to behave like a family rather than a royal household. Despite this, locked doors were rarely used.

"I don't know. Naruto hasn't answered my calls and his door is locked. Where is your father? Maybe he could help?"," The queen asked as she turned her attention from her youngest son's door and towards her eldest son. As if by pure coincidence, the King walked up the staircase behind his son with the princess by his side.

"I heard that Naruto has gotten sick. Is he alright?" The king asked as he caught up with his family, confusion and worry clearly displayed across his face. Worry for his youngest son's wellbeing and confusion over the fact that neither his wife nor his eldest son had entered the room to check on Naruto.

"He hasn't opened his door father, and it is as if Naruto doesn't want us in..." Kurama informed him as he turned to face his father. Karin stood silently by the side of her aunt as he glanced at the door. Knowing Naruto, he wouldn't intentionally push his family away. But it is still concerning nonetheless.

"Maybe he has fallen asleep. We could check up on him tomorrow morning." Karin reasoned as she looked up at her aunt with a shrug. Kurama sighed in worry and defeat. His cousin has a point and it isn't as if they could wait all night for Naruto to open the door for them.

"Well, he better be ready because he is not escaping his punishment. Who does he think he is?! I already told him that he shouldn't eat sugar before meal time! It is as though he never grew up!" Kushina's worry dissolved into frustration as she allowed her husband to lead her towards their own bedroom which emitted laughter from not only the princess but her cousin as well.

"That was one idiotic move Naruto did, don't you think?" Kurama chuckled to himself as both cousins walked towards the left side of the hallway - opposite to where the king and queen were heading - towards their bedroom doors. Karin laughed softly at the remark as they stopped before the heir's bedroom door. This allowed Kurama to give a light pat to his cousin's shoulder before heading into the room. This was a silent way of wishing the recipient good night.

Once the door finally closed, Kurama's concern became apparent. He knows Naruto, he knows how he acts more than his parents know, a knowledge that comes with being the prince's elder brother. First off, Naruto would never miss out on any meal as his metabolic rate is incredibly high. Second, Naruto could have easily lied about the sugar overdose. He would never willingly want to make his mother mad. After all, he was on the receiving end of one of her lectures.

Shaking the thoughts off his head, Kurama walked into his closet to change into his sleepwear before doing his business in the bathroom. He then headed towards his impressively large king size bed. He will ask his brother about what happened tomorrow... privately.

{[(|)]}

Early in the morning the next day, Naruto awoke with a groan as he glanced around his bedroom. Everything seems to be in place, as if he didn't intentionally drift off to sleep yesterday. His blinds were wide open - it didn't seem to matter though as the sun still hadn't risen- his bed was still made, well excluding the sheet wrinkles curtesy of his tossing and turning, and finally he is still in his royal attire.