Sage of Hearts

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

The Sage of Hearts

It was autumn in the kingdom of Grimhilde and the trees were all wearing their fall colors. The kingdom looked peaceful to the outside eye, but underneath the picture perfect scene of a bustling town and a castle lurked an entirely different world. It had been many years since the king had died and his precious daughter, Snow White, had blossomed into a beautiful lady at the age of seventeen. One would have already expected the girl to have taken the throne from her step mother(who was only a queen regent) but as it turns out, Snow was just as naïve and oblivious as her protector(who had to spend more time protecting her step mother these days instead of her). These days, it was more common to see the princess on her hands and knees cleaning up the kitchens as she was now working as a common scullery maid (how the queen got her to agree was a little silly – given her shock after her father's death, Snow didn't care too much about propriety and her future throne – all her days were spent daydreaming about her future with her 'Prince Charming'. Seeing as Snow and Naruto were hitting it off so well, it was child's play for Grimhilde to simply make the insinuation that she could have more liberties with Naruto if she, in turn, gave up a few luxuries as princess for Snow to accept her lowly position).

Naruto had also grown into a strapping young man; at 6'3, he cut quite the imposing figure with his chiseled body and radiant blonde hair (at the queen's behest, he grew it long enough to reach his shoulders and had it in a ponytail to avoid it being a distraction). At the age of twenty, Naruto was now a fully fledged man and had all the responsibilities of one – he was now taking on the duties of the queen's aide, almost supplanting Humbert (who was glad for the reprieve from the capricious queen) and the princess' guard (no matter how much the queen tried to get him to forget about Snow, Naruto remained adamant about staying close to her, especially if she had to work so hard as a scullery maid. Come to think of it, Naruto never really got a straight answer from Snow about why she suddenly wanted to work as a member of the same societal class he was in – all he got were a few shy mumbles of how she missed him and wanted to be closer to her best 'friend' amidst all her embarrassed stuttering and blushing so he had to let it go, lest she faint out of mortification).

His new duties as the queen's aide were a little confusing however – he didn't work as much as he did when he was younger as all the queen wanted was for him to take some magic lessons with her and from him to stay close to her, even when he was training (of course, to the average onlooker, it was extremely obvious that the queen was trying to kill two birds with one stone – grooming her future husband while simultaneously drawing out his latent power for her use and pleasure) both his body and powers. Speaking of powers, Naruto started having dreams about a different version of himself performing incredible feats of power – while he kept his a secret from everyone (he know Snow couldn't keep a secret, bless her naïve soul and the queen could be surprisingly childish and petty if he had powers she couldn't replicate – like a nifty little self duplication spell and self bolstering technique he remembered he could do with his energy – apparently it was called 'chakra' – didn't sound like any English he'd ever heard of but who was he to talk seeing as he literally was learning stuff from his freaking dreams…).

But enough exposition, on with the tale – we open the scene with Naruto channeling his chakra under the watchful eye of Queen Grimhilde in her bedroom (she had merged her lab with her quarters – anticipating business with pleasure perhaps??), the energy forming blue wisps of flame around his muscled and *ahem* naked torso (she insisted on that condition with the flimsy excuse of wanting to observe his energy better – it would have been more believable if she wasn't wiping away a stray trickle of drool from her chin at seeing his chiseled pecs and abs). The magic mirror was also observing Naruto's power with a strangely alien expression on its face as it tried to dissect the nature of it(the mirror was a bound demonic spirit and was both drawn in and repulsed by the very vitality Naruto's energy seemed to exude…it was as if the boy was a god with how much life energy he could casually output).

"That's it Naruto~ Draw your power to the surface of your skin and try to maintain it there – I will be trying to examine it now." Grimhilde said as she sauntered over to Naruto, moving behind him to rest her head on his shoulder as she dragged her fingers over his sweaty torso, biting her lip as she did so. Naruto had his eyes closed the entire time so he didn't see the queen's positively lascivious expression as she absorbed some of his energy, turning more youthful (explaining how a woman in her forties could look like she was in her late twenties…) and….uninhibited.

"Right! I can do that Miss Grimhilde! Why do we always have to keep doing this though? I can already use some rudimentary magic with my power and I don't think it's anything fancy like your sorcery…" Naruto said, pulsing his chakra as Grimhilde held back a muffled moan of pleasure as she shuddered against his body.

"Naruto my dear, I told you to call me Grimhilde~ you are a man now and practically a noble with how I have educated you on etiquette and as my aide, we are closer than ever now. Do not diminish your ability like that darling – while it may not be like my magic, all power is useful – we just have to find the niche you power can occupy!" She said as she let him go and moved to face him directly, a faint blush on her face as Naruto opened his eyes and watched her trail a finger across his cheek. He was unfazed by her flirtatious behavior though she noticed(biting her lip in consternation as she noted his placid expression and heart rate).

"I guess…our daily lessons just seem to have stalled is all. I don't want to waste your time as I am sure you are busy with your royal duties." Naruto said, straightening his posture and putting his shirt back on as he made to leave the Grimhilde's room.

When he was gone, the queen sighed amorously as she turned towards the mirror. Running her hands through her long hair now that she had removed her crown and head dress, she then started talking to the mirror in an airy and haughty tone.

"It's only a matter of time Mirror…he will fall for my wiles and charm soon enough and when he does, I shall become the fairest and most powerful queen for all eternity! With his energy revitalizing my youth and my magic ensuring his, we shall rule this kingdom forever! Hahahaha!" The queen cackled as the mirror hummed in slight doubt.

"While it is true that you have maintained your youth thanks to that man, the fact still remains that he is unfazed by your attempts at seduction and seems to only consider your step-daughter as a potential mate, especially since you had the younger female staff expelled from the castle." The mirror said in a chiding tone as the queen puffed her cheeks in anger as her face turned red in anger.

"Humph! That foolish girl is but a scullery maid now – he barely gets time to see her as it is. That girl also has the silly notion that being the lowly maid she is now would help her get closer to him but she will ultimately fail! As the fairest in all the land, I alone have the choice of pursuing anyone I desire!"

"That reminds me, time for my daily ritual-mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"

Passerby would then get the fright of their lives as they suddenly heard an angered and anguished scream coming from somewhere in the castle.

Meanwhile with Snow White…

Snow White was carefully scrubbing the castle courtyard stairs as she hummed a cheerful tune as she was surrounded by a flock of white doves. Despite her ragged appearance in her dirty dress and old clogs, her beauty was clear to all, shining through like a radiant star amidst the dreary surroundings she found herself in.

"Hello my dear friends! Nice of you to join me while I do my chores – I expect Naruto will be done with his training soon so I guess I could share a little secret with you all~ you see, there are stories about how the well I am drawing water from is a wishing well! Maybe if I sing and wish for my Prince Charming to appear with all my heart, he will come and take me away to our happily ever after!" She said as she twirled on the spot, dreamily envisioning the handsome visage of her future prince (a lot of her fantasies were of husky blue eyed blondes however…troublesome considering that the only one she knew wasn't a prince and he certainly didn't like her that way right?).

*Coo**Coocoo* The doves cooed as Snow seemingly understood them and blushed prettily as she hid her cheeks behind her hands.

" Are you saying that Naruto could be my Prince Charming?! That would be splendid news…if it were true. We barely spend three hours a day together and step mother seems to keep him busy all the time…besides, I don't think it would be proper to fall for your childhood friend, even if he is completely gorgeous. Maybe this well will have the answers to my problem!" She said as the birds hid their heads in their wings (their version of a facepalm at the obliviousness of the two for each others affections).

Snow then made her way over to the well and began singing a song she called I'm Wishing:

Wanna know a secret?

Promise not to tell? 

We are standing by a wishing well,

 Make a wish into the well,

That's all you have to do,

 And if you hear it echoing,

Your wish will soon come true!

As she looked into the well while she was singing, her voice started to echo within it, providing a sort of duet with her own voice. The birds were delighted, fluttering all around her and as she started to sing again, Naruto appeared at the top of the castle courtyard stairs and was immediately spellstruck by her beautiful voice, incapable of interrupting her to even say hello or even join in.

 I'm wishing (I'm wishing),

For the one I love,

 To find me (To find me)

 Today (Today),

 I'm hoping (I'm hoping),

 And I'm dreaming of,

 The nice things (The nice things),

 He'll say (He'll say),

 I'm wishing (I'm wishing),

 For the one I love,

 To find me (To find me),

 Today...

As her song began to wrap up, Naruto noticed an intruder suddenly appear in the courtyard – he appeared to be a comely young man (he then recognized him as the prince of a neighboring kingdom-thanks to his History lessons or otherwise he'd have arrested for accosting a member of royalty even if he did appear unannounced and uninvited…). He then watched as the Prince then joined to deliver the last line of the song, Snow appearing more surprised than pleased at his appearance.

Prince: Today!

Apparently his addition to the song didn't have the effect he wanted – too startled by his abrupt appearance, Snow hurriedly ran away to her room, where she found Naruto already waiting (being able to outrun horses making things very convenient for Naruto when he noticed Snow bolt to safety). She immediately rushed into his warm embrace, his manly musk calming her beating heart.

"N-naruto! I was just cleaning up the courtyard and singing a lively tune when this gentleman appeared at the end of my song! I didn't know what to do so I ran away!" She said as she nuzzled her head into his chest as Naruto patted her head smiling at her cute antics.

'Ah, he smells so good after his training sessions ~ I am such a naughty girl, taking advantage of my friend like this! It's unfair that step mother gets to have him as her aide as well when she already has Humbert!'

"Don't worry, he's just a visiting prince- he must have been attracted by your amazing voice and couldn't resist joining in! I can't sing but even I was spellbound by your voice Snow!" Naruto said as Snow squeaked in embarrassment and blushed all the way to the tip of her ears.

"Y-you heard all of that?"

"Yeah, and it looks like the Prince is looking to return the favor – come to the window and see!" Naruto said as he guided her to the window, where they were treated to the Prince's performance of 'One Song'. After he was done, he bowed to Snow and left, the princess' eyes lingering on his form before she turned to see Naruto with a peculiar expression. She wasn't too fazed by the Prince's performance – it was great but she already had someone else as a prospective love interest.

"Naruto? What's wrong?"

"I-it's nothing…just looking at the way you two were looking at each other made me feel a little weird in my chest." Naruto said as he looked away with a faint blush, Snow gasping at the admission as she blushed as well but in happiness this time.

"Why, Naruto my dear, are you jealous? How precious! You know that I would never leave you! You are my best friend and closest companion!" Snow said as she jumped and hugged Naruto around his neck as he supported her waist, holding her aloft (she was only 5'5 feet and remember that Naruto was 6'3).

"I-I know that…I guess I was just being silly…" Naruto said as he removed one hand from her waist to scratch his cheek bashfully.

"Hihihi~ You are just a silly man aren't you – strong enough to wrestle bears to the ground and faster than a horse but still as childish as when we met so long ago~" Snow giggled as she leaned up to give him a kiss on his cheek, his faint blush now a fierce flush covering his entire face.

As they descended into their typical banter and jokes, they failed to notice an open window in the castle tower above them where Queen Grimhilde was seething with anger, jealousy and… hurt??

She closed the curtains roughly and then began ranting.

"So, it wasn't enough to be the fairest in the land – she just had to ensnare a royal and the man I covet for myself?! How dare she! I should have disposed of that sniveling wench a long time ago- my foolish consideration for Naruto's feelings has come back to bite me it seems…" She said as she brushed a hot, stray tear from her face.

"You know what to do my queen. Take what is yours and destroy all those that oppose you." The Mirror said, its voice dipping into a hypnotic, dark tone as the queen's eyes hardened and her face set into a determined scowl.

"Yes, you are right. I shall summon Humbert right away – he shall kill the princess for me and as Naruto grieves her death, I shall swoop in and take him as my husband!" Grimhilde exclaimed as the Mirror's face turned positively demonic for a second before turning back to normal.

'Yes, fall deeper into evil 'Mistress'. Your soul will be keeping me company in the Underworld soon enough and that boy will not interfere in this story anymore – all will play their roles and accept their destinies…'

And that wraps up chapter 5! The queen will order the assassination of Snow in the next chapter and both Naruto and Snow will have to find their own ways out of the castle and into each other's arms in the  enchanted forest where they will meet the seven dwarves.

Thanks for all the reviews and visits to my story – looks like Panacea will have to be discontinued seeing as no one really cares for that story compared to this one. The polls are in (got one paid member recently and they voted for Queen Grimhilde in the harem)! I set up a new villain arc to make for it and I think the Snow White arc will wrap up in 2-3 chapters.

If you'd like to support me you can find me on Patreon on the 'search for creators' bar under DudeWithaMac (I only get free time on Sundays since money's extremely tight-details on Panacea chapter 14). Alternatively, you guys can follow this link: p#at#re#on.#com/DudeWithaMac (remove the hash tags). Patrons from level 2 and above can read chapter 6 early!

Reviews and comments are always welcome!