Shinki remained seated in his armchair while his father, the king, discussed with his advisers, Sasuke Uchiha and Shikamaru Nara, some technical questions of the kingdom.
He had been there for hours, bored to death. To the point of feeling that sleep was beginning to numb him.
But my father's voice suddenly woke me up. He looked at me annoyed that I fell asleep.
"Shinki, how many times do I have to tell you not to fall asleep in the middle of a work meeting?
"I'm sorry father.
"Let it not happen again.
"Yes father.
He clawed with Sasuke and Shikamaru concentrating on whatever they were discussing leaving the prince bored and saddened.
Three hours later the meeting ended to the joy of the prince.
Sasuke and Shikamaru left the compound leaving the king and his son alone. Gaara was just able to throw himself on the couch to relax.
They both drank lemonade together while chatting like they used to. Gaara was an excellent father and Shinki adored him to the point of giving his life for him.
They were very close and told each other everything. So it was not surprising that they talked about marriage as if they were friends and not father and son.
"You must not give in to the pressures of others, father.
Shinki was aware that his father, being the king, suffered all kinds of pressures when it came to seeing possible marriage offers.
Gaara threw his head back since it was not a topic to his liking, he was not planning to marry anyone. He never did and never would.
He had adopted Shinki seeing him as a five-year-old boy abandoned to his fate.
It was the best he could do, both Sasuke and Shikamaru, his sister Temari and even Naruto used to tell him that.
Shinki was a great partner and his greatest pride. That's why he could understand it and he was the only one who listened when it came to marriage.
"I wouldn't want to do it son but...
"Would you marry without love father?
Would you agree to be in...intimacy with someone you don't love? Could you take it?
That caused a shiver in Gaara, he really couldn't bear to be touched like that. He couldn't even touch someone like that ever. Shinki knew what his father was feeling and smiled.
"Do you see dad? You could not therefore ignore all those proposals. Gaara closed his eyes tightly leaning back in his chair. Besides, you already love someone... right? At those words Gaara opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling, his gaze reflected infinite sadness.
"She is someone unattainable for me.
"Dad...you are the king. No one is unreachable for you.
"You know what I mean Shinki.
"Dad how can you know if you never spoke to him?
Gaara sitting like the king that he was, which made Shinki sad as he knew what it meant. That the conversation was over. He sighed deeply and sat up. He headed for the door but before he left he looked at his father and said.
"You can never be completely happy if you keep shutting yourself down like that, father.
"I will not act like a child, my image does not allow me Shinki.
"Maybe she loves you too.
"Impossible.
"Why do you think it's impossible to be loved by someone?
"What could someone like Sakura Haruno see in me? Except for my kingdom, I have nothing. I am not someone important and I am the king because I was the son of the previous king. And...
"The only male child, I know father.
I also know that you have already listened unkindly to that tyrant who never knew how to be a father. You are much more than a king you just don't want to accept it.
Anyway... I'm retiring father.
"Thank you Shinki, thank you.
"Don't thank me dad. You are my dad and it is a pleasure for me that you listen to me. I wish you would follow my advice.
As the only response Gaara smiled.
Shinki left and the king lay back on the couch to sleep for a while. He needed it.
Shinki was on his way to the library when he saw Kawaki there. He frowned, what was he doing in his father's castle, what a rat of his?
He knew perfectly well that he should not enter. Furious, he approached him, the mocking smile that he saw reflected on his face inflamed him even more.
"Your Highness, what an honor to see you," Kawaki said with mock respect.
"What the hell are you doing here? You know perfectly well that you can't enter the castle.
"He was invited, Your Highness.
"Lie
"Stop cousin, I told him to come." Shikadai exclaimed suddenly appearing.
"Shikadai, you know perfectly well that you have no authority here. Shinki looked at his cousin furious at him, a few months ago the relationship between the two cousins was destroyed. Before they were like brothers.
"I am the king's nephew, what's more, I carry royal blood in my veins, not you. So it could be said that I have more authority in the castle and in the entire kingdom than you... an attaché that my uncle brought.
Kawaki laughed as hard as he could, he loved seeing how Shikadai put the false prince down a peg, since he never liked Shinki. On his side, the prince looked at his cousin sadly but his voice was firm.
"Guards! Immediately three soldiers corpsed next to them.
Lead the royal sorcerer out of the castle and make sure he doesn't go back in. then he looked at Kawaki.
"Last warning Kawaki, next time I'll have you arrested.
I will also present the formal complaint to the Wizards committee. Take it away!
Stop! I called him. Shikadai said stubbornly.
"I am the prince here, even if it weighs you down...cousin.
The guards grabbed the sorcerer and led him away from the place, leaving the cousins alone.
"Shinki.
"Never again treat me like that in front of others, cousin.
You made me angry.
"No, you said what you really feel...and I always considered you a brother.
Lie
"Think what you want Shikadai.
Without another word Shinki left the place to go to the library where he could relax.
The relationship with his cousin worsened more with each passing moment.
But none of those present had noticed the eye of sand that floated on the ceiling hidden in the iridescent crystal chandelier that adorned the place.
That eye, made by Gaara, had witnessed everything that had happened and saw that being alone Shikadai shed bitter tears of regret. But he recovered and went in the opposite direction. The eye just vanished.
Already in his chambers, the king sighed sadly and whispered:
"Shinki, you are blinded by sadness and anger that do not allow you to see the real Shikadai. How did you not realize that those words were full of pain and not hate? It is not what Shikadai really thinks of you.
Oh son...