A/N: I thought of this one while I was trying to sleep one night, actually. Aren't those amazing thoughts you come up with when you're almost asleep the best? I actually hand wrote the beginning of this, surprisingly. Anyhoo, I hope you all like this fic! Enjoy~

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story.

Prince & Companion

Chapter 1

X*X(Sasuke's POV)X*X

I was riding in a palace carriage to the companion market, where I planned on picking myself a companion and potential future mate. You see, my brother, King Itachi, and his husband, Kisame, are unable to reproduce and bear an heir to the throne. This meant that when Itachi and Kisame were gone, I would inherit the throne, but I still have yet to find a mate to bear an heir for me. Now, don't get me wrong, I do want a mate, but I want to have one that's ready for it, considering I'm gay. And that isn't an issue, either, as some males are capable of bearing young. Obviously I don't fall into this category. But the main thing is that Itachi didn't know I was doing this, and it was to surprise him that I was serious about the throne.

My cat ears twitched as the driver slowed to a stop, and my black cat tail flicked eagerly. I was excited, if I was being honest with myself, to find my potential mate, and my guard, Kakashi, an ookami, could see that. He chuckled at me, and I rolled my eyes in response. Every person in this world is half of some animal or another, and I just so happen to be a neko, or half cat, just like my brother. I stepped out of the carriage, Kakashi close behind me, and gave the driver instructions on where to wait for us. He nodded and left, and then Kakashi and I proceeded on our search.

X*X*X*X*X*X*X

"We've been to seven shops already, Sasuke! Seven! Why don't we just stop and try again another time?" Kakashi growled, annoyed.

"Because I'm stubborn, and Itachi doesn't know I'm doing this," I chuckled, amused by the silverette's frustration. We've been like this for years, where I would mess with him and vice versa. As we passed by the eighth companion shop for the day, I was suddenly mesmerized by a pair of curious but fearful sapphire eyes watching me from the back of the shop. They quickly looked away, but now my interest was piqued. I entered the small shop and went up to the keeper while Kakashi waited by the door.

"Excuse me, but how many companions do you have with blue eyes?" I inquired. The keeper appeared startled by my presence, but quickly recovered when he realized who I was.

"Only one, a kitsune bearer," he replied. "Would you like to see him, sir?"

"Please," I nodded, and he left to bring the kitsune out. If he was a bearer, then this would be perfect. After a minute, the keeper returned with a frail-looking, filthy, and malnourished blonde kitsune timidly following.

"This is him. He refuses to tell anyone his name, and he has been returned several times for being rebellious," the keeper informed me, but the information didn't faze me. The poor guy looked mistreated, so I didn't blame him for being rebellious. His bright blue eyes seemed to scream that he needed help, but didn't know where to start. He had my heart, that's for certain.

"How much?" I asked, pulling out a pouch of gold coins. The blonde immediately looked terrified, as though he thought this would be a bad home.

"300 coins," the man answered automatically, so I pulled out the required amount and handed it to the keeper. "Thank you for your business, young prince. I hope he's good for you."

"He'll be fine once he's away from here," I growled, flattening my ears back angrily. "Consider actually caring for your 'merchandise' better, though, unless you want to lose business very quickly." The keeper paled, but nodded nonetheless. Looking at my new companion, I motioned for him to follow me while Kakashi left to fetch the carriage. We stood outside the shop, waiting for their return.

"You're safe with me, you know," I told the kitsune softly, making him jump before he stared at me. I had noticed his fearful quivering as we stood there, and I wanted to comfort him somehow. "No one will harm you as long as Kakashi, who's the ookami from earlier, or I are with you. That's a promise." He didn't acknowledge me, but judging by the way his ears twitched and his tail flicked a little as I spoke, he'd heard me. Then the carriage pulled up with Kakashi sitting on the back.

"You guys ride inside. I'm good back here," he smiled slightly.

"Thanks, Kakashi," I nodded, and then carefully helped the blonde inside. I barely touched him while doing so, trying not to scare him, but he still flinched. Once we were both seated inside with the doors shut, I smiled at my new companion reassuringly as the driver had the horses pull the carriage and take us home. He scooted to the corner by the window, trying to keep some safe distance between us, which worried me.

"I'll get you cleaned up once we're home, okay?" I murmured to the kitsune, who hesitantly perked up at the thought of a hot bath. "And once you're clean and dressed, we'll have a hot dinner. Does that sound good?" He nodded once, slowly, and then I decided to push things a little further, but not physically. "Can you at least tell me your name? I won't use it against you, I promise. I just don't know what else to call you."

"…Naruto," he whispered faintly, and I had to strain my normally sharp hearing to catch it.

"Naruto, huh?" I repeated, liking the feel of his name passing my lips. "I like that." He gave the tiniest of smiles. "My name is Sasuke Uchiha, and I'm the younger brother of King Itachi, making me the prince." His smile quickly vanished as his eyes widened in shock, but he had no chance to reply for we had just arrived home at the palace. "Don't worry. Like I said before, you're safe with Kakashi and me." Said ookami opened the doors to the carriage, and I guided Naruto to my room with Kakashi following, and then paused at the bathroom. I turned to my guard, smirking.

"Go see Iruka. I'm sure he's missed you today," I ordered, and he nodded once before leaving, a smirk on his lips. I knew he was going to practically torment his mate. Once Naruto and I were in the bathroom with the door locked for privacy, I changed out of my travelling clothes into an old t-shirt and thin sweatpants so I could bathe my new companion without dirtying my nicer clothes.

"Get undressed, Naruto, and I'll start the bath," I told the timid kitsune, he nodded nervously, and I focused my attention on the bathtub while he stripped, starting up the hot water. Soon enough, I had a steaming bath going for him, and I looked away again while my companion climbed in, hissing at something as he lowered himself into the water. I blinked; it wasn't that hot of a bath, was it?

"Better?" I asked, returning my attention to Naruto when he was in the steamy water. He nodded once, and I smiled softly. "Good. Let's get you cleaned up. And don't worry; I'll let you clean below your waist." He blushed, causing me to chuckle. I started off by having him dip his head into the water to wet his hair and ears, and then squeezed some of my favorite vanilla and cinnamon shampoo onto his head and massaged it in. The blonde relaxed into my touch, his sapphire orbs closing in bliss as I rubbed his ears and scrubbed his scalp gently.

"This is my favorite shampoo, despite the fact that I'm not fond of sweets," I murmured, trying to make some kind of conversation with him. I was also trying to hide my shock, though, as his hair was absolutely filthy! The shampoo had turned almost black from the muck in his hair and ears. Poor guy…

"Really?" he blinked, surprised.

"Yeah, I love the smell of vanilla, cinnamon, and citrus," I nodded. "Do you like the scent of the shampoo?"

"…Yes," the blonde replied hesitantly.

"Naruto, what do you like to eat?" I asked suddenly, rinsing his hair and ears by using a cup and filling it with bath water and pouring it over his head.

"What?" he uttered, confused.

"I want to know so I know what to have the cooks make us for dinner," I explained kindly. "I'm not picky, so whatever you want is fine." My tail swished behind me as I spoke.

"Is…is ramen okay?" he questioned nervously, appearing fearful of getting smacked.

"That can be arranged. Is pork okay with it?" I offered. Naruto nodded again, a little more eager. When I finished rinsing his hair and ears, I was pleasantly surprised to see that his filthy blonde locks and the fur on his ears were a gorgeous sunshine gold color, just darkened slightly due to the water. Then I picked up the lemon-scented body wash I had, squeezing some onto a soft washcloth and beginning to wash him down. As I washed his back where he couldn't reach, I was horrified to see that he had several scars, mostly from large cuts while the rest were burns from cigarettes, it seemed. There was even one that looked like it was from a whip. I didn't say anything, lest I upset the poor kitsune even more. When I reached his stomach, however, I handed him the washcloth so he could take over.

"I'll get some clothes for you Naruto, and have the cooks make our dinner. And don't forget to shampoo your tail," I smiled at him, and he nodded nervously before starting to wash himself. I stepped out into my bedroom and went to my closet to find some of my smaller clothes that would fit my companion, including a pair of brand new boxers I'd never worn before, fresh from the laundry after they were removed from their packaging. After a quick search, I managed to dig out a set of sleep clothes and a set of day clothes that would fit him, even if they were a little long, and then called down to the chef using my bedroom's phone.

"Hey Choji, do you mind making some pork ramen and having it brought up to my room? Thanks, and make it for two people, please. I have a…guest, and Itachi is not to know just yet," I told him, and he was quick to agree to my request. Once finished, I returned to the bathroom, knocking first in case he was exposed.

"Come in," he called timidly, and I walked in to find him leaning back in the tub, relaxing and watching me with alert eyes.

"Hey, I found something for you to wear to bed and for when you're all done," I said softly. Naruto blinked, but didn't say anything. "You washed your tail and everywhere else, right?" He nodded with a small blush, and I said, "Good. Now, go ahead and dry off, and then you can get dressed. They're a little long for you, but they'll fit otherwise. We'll get you your own clothes made up tomorrow. I'll set the clothes on the counter here. Come on out when you're dressed, okay?" I placed the folded set of clothes on the counter where they wouldn't get wet, and then stepped out again when he nodded after I set a warm towel on the rack near the tub. Judging by the amount of muck in the almost blackened water, I'll probably have to bleach it tomorrow morning.

I waited patiently outside the bathroom for Naruto to finish, and then I realized something. Based off of his fearful and nervous reactions, Naruto would not be comfortable sleeping in my bed with me tonight. That meant he'd either have to have his own room, or he'd have to sleep in the spare bed in my closet that I'd have to pull out. I didn't want him in his own room, lest he try and escape or something happen to him, so I decided to have him sleep in my room on the spare bed. While he was changing in the bathroom, I quickly went to my closet and pulled out the extra bed, and then retrieved some spare sheets for it from a dresser drawer. While I made the bed, there was a knock on my bedroom door, and I went to see who it was before answering. It was only Choji, a kuma, or half bear, and our head chef.

"Hey Choji," I greeted, and let him in with the small cart of food.

"Hi Sasuke," he smiled. Lowering his voice, he asked curiously, "So who's your 'guest'?"

"You'll all see him eventually, as he's living with us now," I smirked. "Just please don't tell anyone about him, because Itachi doesn't know, and he's not to know until later."

"How much later?" the kuma frowned.

"I'll tell him tonight," I assured him. Choji nodded, appearing satisfied with that answer, and then waved before leaving, closing the door softly behind him. Right after the door shut, I resumed making the extra bed, and was soon done. I even grabbed a thick quilt from the end of my bed to cover the spare bed with. I smoothed everything down, and the nodded, satisfied with my work. I then quickly changed into appropriate clothes for when I brought Naruto to meet my brother.

"Sasuke…?" Naruto's voice called from the bathroom door.

"What's wrong?" I inquired, heading straight to the bathroom.

"I'm dressed. I heard someone at the door. Who was it?" he told me, opening the door.

"That was just Choji, our head chef. He brought our dinner," I assured him. Looking him over, I realized he looked good in the clothes I'd found for him. He looked much better now that he was clean, his tan skin practically glowing from the bath, and his hair, ears, and tail were no longer oily and dirty. They were a bright sunshine gold. I noticed three whisker-like markings on his cheeks, but they didn't look like scars. "What are those marks on your cheeks?" I asked, unable to stop myself in time.

"I was born with them," he said shyly.

"I like them," I smiled, and he smiled back a little before spotting the extra bed near mine.

"What's the bed for?" Naruto frowned, one ear folding back.

"I don't want anything to happen to you if you sleep in your own room, so I set up an extra bed in here for you to sleep in," I explained. "Like I said before, you're safe with me." He nodded in understanding, and then the aroma of food hit his nostrils, as he inhaled deeply. I chuckled, "Come on, let's eat." His tail waved happily and his ears perked up when I pulled off the cover for the platter, and I handed him a bowl and chopsticks before getting mine.

"Thank you, Sasuke," Naruto mumbled. "You're the nicest owner I've had yet."

"You're welcome, Naruto, but I'm not your owner," I told him, and he glanced up at me, uncertainty swirling in those cerulean orbs. "You're my companion, and besides, judging by what you said, you think I'll get rid of you, don't you?" He nodded once minutely. "Well I'm not. I don't want you gone, because you're special. I've never had a companion before, but I know you'll be the perfect one." He blinked at me, shocked.

"You mean that?" he breathed.

"Of course I do," I assured the blonde. "Now eat up before it gets cold." He nodded happily, and we both began to eat. I was pleasantly surprised by the delicious taste after so many years. I hadn't eaten any kind of ramen since I was eight, and that was ten years ago, but it still tasted just as good now as it did then. When we were done eating, Naruto gave me a small smile.

"That's the best meal I've had in a really long time," he said. "Thank you."

"I'm glad you enjoyed that," I smiled. "Now, are you ready to meet my brother and his husband?" He stiffened at that, terrified. "Don't worry, Naruto. My brother, Itachi, is very nice, and so is his husband, Kisame. They don't know I went out and bought you today, but I did it for a reason, but that's for another time." The poor kitsune seemed scared shitless, but I placed a calming hand on his shoulder, thankful he didn't flinch away this time.

"What if they don't like me?" he whimpered.

"They trust my decision, and they'll love you like family," I promised. "Come on, let's go." I stood and held out my hand to the blonde, and he timidly accepted it. I led him out of my bedroom, and then all the way to Itachi and Kisame's room. Knocking on the door, I called, "Itachi? Can I come in?"

"Yes, otouto," Itachi's voice answered after a few seconds. I smiled reassuringly at Naruto before opening the door and gently tugging the kitsune inside. Itachi was at his desk, writing down on something before he set down his pen. "Is something wrong, Sasuke?" he started to ask, but then stopped, blinking in surprise at my companion. "Well now, who do we have here?"

"His name is Naruto, aniki," I replied. "I got him from the companion market today."

"He looks well groomed for someone from the companion market," my brother remarked.

"I bathed him when we got back," I sighed. "And we already got some dinner before coming to see you."

"I see," Itachi nodded. He then smiled at the petrified kitsune before motioning him closer. "Come here, Naruto. I want to get a good look at my brother's first companion. Don't worry, I only bite Kisame." The last sentence caused us both to blush.

"Shut up, would you!" Kisame's voice shouted from the bathroom, startling Naruto. "They don't need to know that!"

"Keep it down, Kisame, I was only joking," Itachi chuckled, and then Naruto edged closer to him. Itachi looked the kitsune over thoroughly, and then nodded in approval. "Good job, Sasuke. He's perfect."

"Thank you," I smirked. "Kakashi almost blew a gasket after the seventh shop, though. I found Naruto at the eighth."

"May I actually speak to you alone, otouto?" my brother asked suddenly. "I'll have Kisame watch him for a moment."

"Um, sure," I nodded, and then told Naruto, "Kisame's a good guy, Naruto. He won't hurt you." The blonde nodded, and then Kisame came out of the bathroom, fully dressed, thankfully.

"Come on, Naruto, I'll show you the view of the night sky from our balcony," the shark man urged, guiding Naruto out to the balcony. As soon as the door was shut, Itachi spoke.

"He's a bearer, isn't he?" he said immediately.

"Yes."

"When were you going to tell me?"

"When Naruto was out of earshot, like now," I replied. "And besides, I wanted to surprise you with him so you wouldn't try and pick one for me."

"He's not just your companion, is he?" Itachi assumed.

"No, I want him to be my mate eventually, but he's definitely not ready, and won't be for a while," I answered. "You didn't see the scars on his body like I did, Itachi. His previous owners beat him badly. He's really skinny, too, but the clothes hide it pretty well. But he's really jumpy, and was scared shitless of meeting you until I assured him you were okay. I'm sure he's pretty anxious to get back in here with us since he's with Kisame right now. And to him, Kisame's a complete stranger except that he knows he's safe, according to me."

"Then why pick him?" my brother inquired, flicking his tail.

"Because there's something about him that makes my heart flutter every time I look at him," I admitted, glancing out at the balcony. Naruto seemed a bit tense, but was otherwise okay. "Despite the fact that he's a bearer, I would have picked him even if he wasn't." Itachi was quiet for a while, and then finally smirked.

"My otouto has grown up, it seems," he chuckled, and my ears folded back irritably.

"Oh, be quiet," I grumbled. Kisame knocked on the door from the balcony, and Itachi nodded, so his husband came in, Naruto being quick to follow and then join me. I noticed how tired the poor kitsune appeared, so I bid the pair goodnight before leaving with Naruto to my room.

"What do you think of Itachi and Kisame?" I asked my companion as we walked.

"Itachi's a pervert, but Kisame's nice," he answered quietly.

"I know what you mean," I laughed lightly. "My brother's always been that way since he met Kisame, though. He wasn't truly happy until he met him."

"You seem happy, though, Sasuke. Do you have a spouse?" Naruto inquired curiously, making me blink in surprise.

"No, I'm not, actually. I'm just happy when I am, I guess," I shrugged. I didn't want to tell him he was the one who made me happy, or else I'd probably scare him away. Too soon for that. He eyed me suspiciously for a second, but let it drop. When we got to my room, I let him in, and then went in after him, locking the door behind us. I handed Naruto the old t-shirt and sleep pants I'd found for him, and he went into the bathroom to change. While he was in there, I quickly slipped out of my clothes and into an old t-shirt and sleep pants for myself. I had just finished pulling my shirt on when the kitsune emerged from the bathroom in the sleep clothes. I had to admit, he looked adorable in the plain blue t-shirt and flame-patterned sleep pants. His tail swished anxiously as he looked at me.

"Can I…can I share your bed?" he asked timidly, his ears folding back in fear. I was very surprised by this, but I wanted to make him comfortable, so I nodded.

"Of course," I smiled. I climbed into my bed under the covers, and then patted the mattress so he could join me. Hesitantly, he climbed in, and was surprised by the softness of the mattress, considering he sank a bit into it. Once he was curled up on his side of the bed, I clicked off the light.

"Goodnight, Naruto. Sleep well," I whispered.

"G'night, Sasuke," he mumbled tiredly, and fell asleep instantly. I was quick to follow.

A/N: What do you guys think, huh? I think this'll be one adorable fic, despite Naruto's fear in this. Don't worry, he'll emerge from his shell soon enough. R&R, peeps!