Chapter 12
That same evening, Jiraiya visited his grandson, who was looking out the window in his room.
„How is my favourite grandson?” he asked.
„How do you think I am?” he replied without turning away from the window.
„What do you say to the winner? Quite a nice mystery, what do you say?”
„A stranger I'll have to marry because of you,” he replied angrily.
„Well, on the other hand, I think everything will turn out well… Don't you want to turn away from that window? I found something very interesting, and I want to show you,” he said, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
„What is it?”
„Promise me you'll give my plan another chance first,” he took Naruto's hand and looked into his eyes.
„Well, if I find out he's an idiot, I'll immediately take my feet on my shoulders,” Naruto said firmly at last.
„That's enough for me,” Jiraiya laughed. „I found this today, and I think you should have it better than me,” he pressed the medallion into his palm. „You'd better look at it when I'm gone,” he chuckled, ruffling the prince's hair and leaving.
He just looked at him confused and then turned his gaze to the medallion, which he recognized immediately.
„How?” he whispered in the silence, pressing it to his heart. Maybe to feel that he isn't alone, that he now has a piece of Gaara with him… But how could his grandfather find the medallion when Gaara is probably dead? His grandfather certainly knows more than he lets know. Maybe he'll go to the ball after all. With this thought and the medallion in his heart, he lay down in bed and begged all night with his dream evening, where his thief or dragon was to be alive and by his side.
The next day at the castle was complete chaos. The servants ran here and there. They were preparing a large hall for the expected ball, the chefs were preparing a large amount of luxury food, the orchestra was performing the last rehearsals, and the tailor was adjusting the suits to measure. Fortunately, everything was done on time and the ball could begin.
The ball took place in a throne room, which was one of the largest in the castle. There were refreshment tables on the sides, and servants distributed trays of wine among the guests, who had already gathered, waiting for the start. The king and queen sat on the throne, and their sons stood by their sides. However, none of them looked happy. Kurama glared at everyone, and Naruto would rather not be here.
„Why do I have to be here?” Naruto said, leaning over his mother.
„Naruto...” Minato began.
„At least give it a chance,” Kushina jumped in and looked at him with a smile but at the same time a look that said he had no other choice.
Naruto preferred not to object. At the king's command, the music began and everyone started dancing. The youngest prince was already planning to sneak through the crowd unnoticed and flee when the eldest son of the Uchiha appeared in front of the royal family. Itachi greeted the royal family with a bow and focused on Kurama. He walked over to him and bowed once more with a seductive smile on his lips.
„May I ask for a dance?” he asked.
„Not even in...” he wanted to get out of it when Minato jumped in.
„I'm sure he loves to. Right Kurama?”
„With pleasure,” he growled and went to the floor
„I'm going to see if I can find a winner in the crowd, ”Naruto lied, and before his parents could answer, he was out of sight.
Naruto cautiously pushed his way through the crowd. He was already halfway across the room when someone grabbed him by the shoulder from behind.
„May I ask for a dance. Your Highness?” came a very familiar voice. The prince immediately turned and couldn't believe his eyes. In front of him stood Gaara in a proper, trim, dark red suit and white gloves. Naruto didn't even try to hide his surprise and could barely contain his tears. He hugged him immediately.
„This is how the prince and the future king should not behave,” Gaara teased, but in reality, he was very grateful for such a greeting.
„I missed you so much. I already thought I lost you. Especially... especially when Kurama told me he let you die.”
„I missed you too,” Gaara whispered, kissing his hair. They then danced together. They mingled with the other couples and enjoyed their sweet reunion. „You don't even know how I had to struggle to change and not fly for my greatest and most precious treasure,” he said sweetly.
„That might be best. At least I would know that you're alive. What happened?” he had to know the truth.
„I was on the verge of strength, but I survived. I returned to the cave to heal when your grandfather's spy, who was very worried about you, found me. I immediately wanted to come to you, but he had a better plan. Especially if I followed my original plan, they would probably have me locked up or hanged. Instead, I headed back to the kingdom of sand. There, with the help of my siblings, I managed to overthrow the Akatsuki government and gain the trust of my people. Then, according to your grandfather's plan, I entered the tournament. I had no idea what would happen if I revealed myself, but we decided it would be better not to reveal myself until the best time came. Believe me, the waiting was unbearable,” explained Gaara during their dance. It ended exactly when the music was over. The two stepped away and bowed.
„Now I have the last task where I am worried about my life,” the dragon said, pointing to Naruto at his parents. Together they went to the king and queen. Gaara bowed and took off the ring the king had given him the day before.
„Your Highness, as the winner of the tournament, the king of the kingdom of the sand, and as a loving man I ask you for your blessing, to marry Naruto,” he said humbly and confidently, showing the ring.
„If Naruto wished it, too,” Minato replied after Kushina and I looked at each other in surprise. They didn't expect Shukaku to be King of Suna himself.
„Yes!” the prince shouted enthusiastically maybe too loud.
„In that case…” said the dragon, turning to his beloved and kneeling on one knee. „Will you do me the honour of marrying me?” he asked, adjusting the ring.
„Yes!” he shouted without thinking and threw himself into his arms with tears he could no longer suppress all evening. „I love you so much.”
„I love you more,” Gaara smiled and kissed his husband.