Sage of Hearts

Sage of Hearts Chapter 13

Disclaimer: I certainly don't own Naruto, Disney or any of its affliated properties. If I did, I wouldn't be writing this now would I?

"The connection of our hearts..." : Speech (Bold for yelling ,Bijuu, or massive creatures)

'The connection of our hearts...' : Thought

Forests outside the Charming kingdom, early morning...

"Looks like a good haul today – spring sure drives the local game around here into a breeding frenzy!" Naruto said as he gently pulled at Major's reins, the horse whinnying in agreement (he had tried his luck with Snow's and Grimhilde's mares but had no luck – he was an older gentleman and they were younger ladies. Spirit surprisingly took no interest in them – preferring to gallop freely in the surrounding estate and forest, occasionally returning to Naruto when the man called for him).

With the start of the New Year and the beginning of spring, the snow of winter had just finished melting and the kingdom was returning to its normal bustling self. The hibernating or migratory animals had also returned or awakened to start their various mating rituals so the forest was bursting with wild game. This was very good for Naruto – normal hunters wouldn't provoke or hunt the horny beasts lest they attack them but Naruto was no hapless hunter. In fact, this made hunting easier for him – he didn't have to track down the animals as they made enough of a ruckus that he could go find them and dispatch them with a well placed arrow or dagger to their eyes, killing them instantly (the butcher and tanner paid more for unblemished hides so he had to be precise with his critical hits).

Today, the hunt was bountiful-the local inn had put up a request for venison and the tannery wanted a bear pelt for the Prince's ball that would be held in a fortnight (the young prince needed a princely cloak and nothing was more regal than a bearskin cloak – it spoke of power and respect, as was expected for even attempting to hunt the powerful beasts for their hides). Naruto had taken the requests the previous night and went out to hunt at the crack of dawn – by the time the sun had risen properly, he had already bagged four stags, a single black bear and seven pheasants (not really required but the birds made for some fine cuisine – he was sure that Grimhilde, Snow and Ella would love to have them for dinner). Now he was taking the carcasses back in a cart(that he made himself) that was being pulled along by Major – he was an old horse but that was nothing a nice helping of chakra couldn't fix. Major was now a hardier horse and no longer looked so gangly – Spirit was a smaller (and younger) horse so pulling a cart/carriage would be more difficult for him.

*Neigh*

"Yes,yes Major, I hear you. Once we get to the inn, you can go back to the chateau and take a break. I can carry the bear carcass to the tanner myself." Naruto said, reaching over to rub Major's neck as the horse let out a hot breath in relief (his coachman was nice but also a little strange – he wanted to lug a 300 kilogram beast all by himself?!).

After half an hour, Naruto and Major had entered the town, which was nicely decorated in honor of the Prince's ball. Some people speculated that the King wanted his son to find a bride, which was why the ball was being planned out this early in the year. The ladies of the chateau certainly seemed to believe it at least, with Ella even checking the mail every morning in the hope that she would find an invitation for the family.

The heavy cart that Major was pulling to the inn was a sight to see, as the passerby simply gawked at the sheer quantity of flesh that was being hauled. Upon their arrival, the innkeeper and butcher were waiting at the door, having already deduced from the massive crowd forming in front of the establishment that their star hunter had returned from his hunt.