The cursed prince

{40}

"Consider it done mother, the prince will be in good hands." Naruto exclaimed with a bright smile, excitement over the entire ordeal quite obvious. The memories he gained from his first journey out of the kingdom resurfacing. It was such a long time since he made contact with the Fire prince to the point where he wonders if Sasuke even remembers him.

The Wind prince even attempted to send out letters to both his royal friends yet with his overprotective father, it may seem that such actions may never come to be. "I have kept you with me long enough and gave you the information needed, so I will let you go back to your coadjutant and to your training." The queen finally answered as she gave her son a quick, reassuring and discreet squeeze to the hand before letting him bow and head back into the palace.

Naruto knows that he should be somewhat concerned and plan ahead regarding his impending return to his coadjutant, yet the only feeling he could muster up is giddiness and excitement. Not only is his old friend coming to stay with his family for a while, but also a powerful company of royal blood.

Neji wouldn't even be able to muster the courage to act against him with an Uchiha prince by his side. All he has to do is wait, wait for just a few more days. Looking up at the looming palace front door, the prince took a deep breath before walking into the palace and towards the left wing for the palace courtyard.

The whole walk from the throne hall towards the courtyard has been relatively peaceful, well... as peaceful as it could get in a palace hallway. However, Naruto could never be more grateful for this small moment of solitude without anyone to pester him to confess or especially without the main cause of all his problems.

Finally arriving, there prince placed his hand on the door handle, mentally preparing himself on what to come. However, before he could pull down the handle, Neji's words echoed in his mind.

One of the rules... Not to be around Lee. How is he ever expected to actually train and perform well when he will have a curse acting upon him just for being near his best friend, who at the end of the day, is his combat partner.

Maybe father wouldn't mind me skipping on today's lesson. Taking his hand off the door handle, Naruto looked up at the door with an aching heart  and longing hope, hope that when prince Sasuke arrives that this entire situation gets dealt with and quick before turning away and heading up the staircase near the training hall.

"My prince, how was your talk with your mother? I would like to assume that you kept doing what you were told?" The smug voice of the Hyuga called from behind the prince once he made it to the second floor, halls suspiciously empty of occupants while the guards remained station further up the staircase.

"It's non of your business, conversations between my family and I remains only between ourselves, and last I checked, you were hired to be my coadjutant. So get any sick dream you have about our future together out of your head." The prince answered, courage resurfacing as the new hope was ignited. If he wanted to end things quickly, then solely relying on a knight in shinning armor would not be enough.

"I think you are forgetting here who's in charge, your highness! Any insults you give me may as well be the reason a civil war starts in this kingdom." Neji retorted in anger as he walked up towards his prince, holding onto his upper arm in his tight grasp causing said prince to gasp in pain, clearly not expecting such a physical reaction.

"Let go of me! Your hurting me!" Naruto let out as he put his hold on the Hyuga's hand, attempting to pull them off his arm and prevent him the risk of bruising. However, Neji's hold remained persistent while simultaneously increasing the pressure, keeping his eyes solely on the prince in front of him.

"Alright! I'm sorry! Please just let go!" The prince finally relented as the tears started to pool against his eyes, looking up at his coadjutant with misty apprehension.  Thankfully, after some time, the Hyuga finally softened his hold on the prince's arms before slowly trailing his hand down to softly take Naruto's hand into his own.