Freedom's Cry
I don't own Naruto or the Tales series.
In the depths of despair, only two things mattered to me.
The taste of blood soaked-flesh and revenge on those men.
My world came to an end.
And for three long years, I sat in a pit of darkness… and fed.
Devouring monsters… so I could live.
So I could live long enough to kill them and be her vengeance.
A steel ladder fell down into the cell as Asuka gently floated down into the dark and damp cell. Taking a few cautious steps forward, she scanned the darkness for the sight of her target. A glowing red eye appeared in the darkness as the person it belonged to yelled in anger as they rushed her, pinning her against the ladder with one of their bandaged arms. The arm caught on fire and the person roared in pain as they staggered away from Asuka. Flicking her wrist, Asuka created several fireballs that illuminated the cell to show its only occupant.
It was a boy of about eleven years of age with blond hair that went down to his mid back wearing heavily torn and dirty clothes. His face had three whisker-like marks on each cheek while bandages were wrapped around one side of his head to reveal the single blue eye glaring at her.
"Where are they?" demanded the boy.
"First, a test," said Asuka as she got into a fighting stance, "To see if you're worth of teaching."
The boy charged in with some furious kicks before he noticed something off with Asuka. Breaking off his attack, he relaxed his stance a little but remained on guard.
"Why are you holding back?" demanded the boy.
"You noticed," commended Asuka as she got out of her fighting stance, "You passed."
She pulled a small box out of her pocket then went up to the boy.
"Relax," said Asuka as she took a quick step back to avoid the boy's foot, "It's something you'll actually need to get out."
She got close to the boy before opening the box, removing the eye inside then placing it in the socket hidden behind the boy's hair with extreme care. Blinking several times, the boy tried to get used to the new feeling of the eye before he began to see shapes and colors out of it.
"Now, I will tell you what has happened these past three years," said Asuka as she walked off to the side, "Velvet has been looking for you ever since you were taken. The Hokage has sent out dozens of ANBU looking for-"
"Tell me where Itachi and that man are," demanded the boy with a scowl.
"Itachi was forced to do what he did," explained Asuka, "His clan was planning a coup of the village and he was ordered to kill his entire clan."
"Tell me where they both are now," demanded the boy a little more forcefully.
"It was on the orders of Danzo Shimura, an advisor to the Hokage, that Itachi did what he did," said Asuka as she turned to the boy, "But that man that was there with Itachi is far stronger than you know. You've heard of Madara Uchiha, yes?"
"He's the man who was the co-founder of Konoha," said the boy, "What of it?"
"That man was Madara Uchiha," said Asuka, "He's been manipulating everything for years and is the reason why Izumi was killed."
"Tell me where he is," said the boy as he clenched his fists.
"You'd most likely find him in Amegakure," said Asuka, "But there is one thing you should do first."
The boy then began walking toward the ladder without a word with Asuka watching him.
"You won't stop to listen?" she asked, "I could tell you what it was you saw that night, Naruto."
Naruto stopped as he thought about that night three years ago. A black and golden light flying into the crimson colored sky. The sight of blood and dead bodies. And her… begging for Itachi to help them. He covered his right eye at that thought before he lowered his head.
"What is a jinchūriki?" he questioned Asuka.
"They are people that hold one of the nine Biju inside of them," said Asuka, "You are the jinchūriki of the Kyuubi."
"The one that attacked Konoha and killed my parents," said Naruto depressingly.
"You know about your real parents?" asked Asuka in quiet surprise.
"I've had a lot of time to think about stuff," said Naruto as he took a deep breath, "What does Madara want with the jinchūriki?"
"I don't know," said Asuka, "But if you want to stop him, you must find the other jinchūriki and devour them so you contain each of the Biju inside of you."
Naruto placed a hand on his stomach and closed his eyes.
"That night, you became something you were never meant to," said Asuka, "You became a daemon. A creature created by the negative emotions of either hatred, despair, greed, conceit, obsession, lust, cowardice, and selfishness. You, in particular, were created from hatred and despair and became a therion."
"I could care less," said Naruto as he placed one hand on the ladder.
Asuka sighed and held up two fingers, a light appearing at the tips of them. She then swept her hand aside and what appeared to be a barrier above them shattered.
"I've cracked your yoke," said Asuka as Naruto began climbing, "We must hurry."
Following Naruto, they climbed out of the cell and ran down a hall.
"You need some equipment," said Asuka as they ran up some stairs, "There are some things in the room ahead."
Putting on a little more speed, they came to a door at the end of another long hallway and opened it to find a pair of bodies on the ground. Casually stepping over them, Naruto began opening several crates and chests while looking for supplies.
"It would appear that this is where they kept the effects of prisoners," remarked Asuka before Naruto tossed her a rope.
Moving some boxes aside, Naruto came across a rather large sword. Unsheathing it a little, Naruto examined his reflection. Staring back at him was a Sharingan that quickly faded back to his natural blue eye as well as the black eye that Asuka had given him.
"That's a nice sword," said Asuka, "I think its name is Stormquell."
"Well, it's too big for either of us to use," said Naruto as he sheathed the sword then tossed it aside.
Opening a chest, he finally found clothes his size but there was a problem with them.
"Are you kidding me?" asked Naruto aloud in annoyance as he gazed at the female clothes that he had just found.
"Those are the only ones that will fit you," stated Asuka as Naruto put the clothes on.
Attaching a gauntlet blade to his right arm before putting on a pair of boots that each had a blade hidden in them, Naruto examined himself before flexing his hands.
"I'll make some adjustments when I can," he said before fixing the collar.
"What are you doing in here?" questioned a guard behind them before Naruto sliced his neck open with a swing of his gauntlet blade, the blood spray splattering all over him.
"You didn't even flinch," stated Asuka.
"I've been around death so much these past three years that something like this is nothing to me," said Naruto as he wiped the blood from his face, "Is there a ship waiting?"
"So, you noticed we're on an island," said Asuka in understanding.
"I know we're on an island prison in Mizu no Kuni and a couple miles from Mizugakure," said Naruto, "I've also learned that this is where they lock up daemons," He clenched his left hand at this, "They really do spout a lot of information when you eat them."
"This island has docks at the front and back entrances," revealed Asuka, "Our ship is at the back entrance."
Naruto remained silent then started walking again. Heading down a hall then taking a left and heading up some stairs, the stopped when they heard footsteps coming from the room they were about to enter. Quickly hiding outside the doorway, they heard the guards walking by and having a conversation. Naruto wasn't really paying attention until he heard two particular lines.
"The path that goes under the watchtower?" asked one of the guards, "That's alright. Nobody uses it anyway."
"True," said the other guard, "But it was a nice shortcut to the docks."
This peaked his interest as another guard ran up to those two and let them know that a number of guards were missing. They then split up between the front and back entrances before Naruto and Asuka entered the room.
"That complicates matters," stated Asuka.
"Where are the cells located?" asked Naruto.
"They're on this floor," said Asuka as she turned to him, "You're going to get the prisoners involved?"
"As long as it gets us out, I don't care what I have to do," said Naruto as he folded his arms.
The headed toward the cells then stopped at a door that led to them.
"There are two guards inside," said Asuka cautiously, "We need to be careful about how we do this."
Naruto ran inside and ran one guard through the chest with his gauntlet blade before using the blades hidden in his boots to decapitate the second one. He then went up to one of the three doors inside the room to gaze at all the sealed cells in the block.
"Listen up!" yelled Naruto as he went over to each of the other doors, "I'm going to unlock the cells and we're going to get out of here! Split into two groups and rush the front and rear gates! Just beyond them are ships that we're going to use to get off the island!"
There were several prisoners that voiced their opposition to the plan and Naruto took an angry breath.
"If you want to rot in here, then rot!" he yelled, "But I will devour those that don't even try to escape!"
The voices that disagreed were suddenly replaced by roars of agreement and Naruto nodded at Asuka. Swiping her hand aside, Asuka broke the seals on all the cells and cell door blocks with what seemed to be dozens of prisoners, daemon and human alike, rushing out of the cell blocks and making their way out.
"Now, to the watchtower," said Naruto calmly as he headed for the exit.
"You're going to leave them all to their fate?" questioned Asuka, getting Naruto to stop in his tracks.
"I'll use anyone as long as I get out of here myself," said Naruto as he left and Asuka went after him.
After exiting the wing, Naruto paused as he felt something approaching. Extending his gauntlet blade, Naruto spun around to slice the woman that had snuck up on him and Asuka. Jumping back from them, Naruto took in the sight of the woman's ridiculous pink, purple, and black outfit as well as her outrageous hat.
"What is WRONG with you people?" questioned the woman as she turned and took several steps away from Naruto and Asuka, "There I was, sleeping like a sweet babe, when suddenly… From paradise down to hell! No, worse! A grimy prison cell."
"I remember you," recalled Naruto vaguely, "You're hahaue's friend, Magilou. You put on a show three years ago in the market."
"That's right!" exclaimed Magilou as she smiled and ruffled Naruto's hair playfully, "You still as cute as you were back then!"
"What are you doing here?" asked Asuka.
"I am doing a favor for Velvet," said Magilou as she pulled Naruto's head into her bosom then hugged it tightly, "She had me set out three years ago for this little guy. I promised to bring him back safely."
Naruto shoved Magilou away and scowled at her.
"The only place I'm going is to Amegakure," said Naruto as he turned away from Magilou, "If you insist on trying to stop me, I'll eat you."
Walking out, Asuka followed and caught up to him.
"That was very rude," said Asuka as they went up some stairs.
"Like I care," said Naruto angrily, "I've been in here for the past three years so forgive me if my manners are a little lax."
Asuka stopped him when they heard blades hitting against each other. Peering out around a corner, they saw a man that seemed to be in his thirties standing over the bodies of several guards and daemons. He had long, spiky black hair with armor going down from his right shoulder to his hand.
"More?" asked the man as he turned around to face Naruto and Asuka, revealing the black pattern on his face as well as the glowing red eye.
"That man," said Asuka, "He's a yasha. A war god."
Naruto charged forward and gauntlet blade met the man's knives. The man looked into Naruto's eyes and raised an eyebrow.
"How long have you been here?" asked the man.
"Three years," said Naruto emotionlessly as he pushed the man back with strength someone his age shouldn't have.
Asuka watched in surprise as Naruto effortlessly fought the man off before the man noticed Naruto's stance.
"I didn't catch your name," said the man.
"Naruto," said Naruto calmly, "Naruto Crowe."
"Crowe?" questioned the man as he relaxed his stance, "Any relation to Velvet Crowe?"
"You know hahaue?" asked Naruto curiously.
"Hahaue?" chuckled the man, "I didn't know Velvet finally found someone."
"I was adopted," said Naruto in annoyance.
"Adopted or not, Velvet would kill me if I hurt her family," said the man, "You wouldn't happen to have seen a giant sword laying around here, have you?"
"There's one down in the armory near that pit of a cell," said Naruto as the man rushed by.
"What an odd person," remarked Asuka before she and Naruto ran down a hall.
Breaking down doors and climbing up ladders, Naruto and Asuka arrived at the top of the tower. The rain poured hard down on them as they stared into the dark and stormy sea. Asuka gazed around and saw no way off the top of the tower.
"Let's go back down," said Asuka, "Your ability is limited to devouring daemons. If you jump from this height you won't survive."
Hearing footsteps behind them, Asuka waved her arm, shutting the door and sealing it. Ignoring Asuka's voice, Naruto gazed at the distance and depth he'd have to jump. Quickly calculating the math, Naruto clenched his fists.
"This is nothing compared to how far she fell that night," said Naruto as the bandages on his arms and legs warped into daemon claws along with nine wavy tails appearing just above his rump.
Breaking into a run, Naruto launched himself as far as he could. Grabbing onto the rock face of the cliff while upside down, he quickly descended as his claws couldn't get a good grip. He yelled in pain as his shoulders hit a protruding rock, dislocating his shoulders. The resulting impact made Naruto let go of the cliff and tumbled onto the broken muddy path. His claws and tails returned to normal as Naruto tried to push himself up but found that he couldn't move his arms. Grunting, Naruto used his legs to push himself against the cliff and to his feet.
"You're that determined…" thought Asuka before she quickly let the seal on the door vanish as she vanished in a wisp of flames.
Naruto looked at both his shoulder as his arms hung limply to the side. He made the mistake of letting his shoulder graze the stone wall and grunted loudly in pain. Asuka then appeared behind him, placing her hands gently onto his shoulders. Naruto remained silent as Asuka healed him while also recalling that he had done something similar to Velvet when she had been straining herself.
"You're very strong," remarked Asuka, "It's like a covenant."
"Covenant?" questioned Naruto.
"The rite of restraining your words and actions to obtain special powers," explained Asuka, "The more restraints you put on yourself, the stronger the power you acquire."
"So, it's like a curse," said Naruto as before walking along the dirt road, "Let's go."
Asuka silently followed before they both stopped when the sound of a bell came across the ocean. Asuka looked out to sea and saw a large ship approaching.
"That banner…" she said in disbelief, "The Mizukage is coming."
Play "Velvet's Theme" from Tales of Beseria OST
"So, the Sanbi has come to try and stop me," said Naruto solemnly, "What a fool."
"Our journey is about to be far more difficult," stated Asuka plainly, "These guards and daemons are nothing compared to a Kage that's also a jinchūriki. Will you still fight and push forward?"
"That goes without saying," replied Naruto in the same tone as they started walking again.
"These feelings that those men have invoked in you," thought Asuka with concern, "Will they bring hope to this world? Or will it spread Malevolence across the land?"
End "Velvet's Theme" from Tales of Beseria OST
After several minutes of silence, the pair had managed to get to a beach and Naruto lowered his head a little.
(Flashback)
"I'm back, Naruto," said Velvet as she came back from getting groceries.
When Naruto didn't answer, Velvet looked at the couch to find that the 5 year old was looking at one of his books.
"What'cha looking at?" she asked as she came over to him after dropping off the groceries onto the counter.
"A book about the ocean," replied Naruto as Velvet made a mental note to teach Naruto how to read.
After looking at the pictures for a while, Naruto closed the book.
"Kaa-chan, can we go to the ocean?" he asked.
"Where did this come from?" asked Velvet as Naruto opened the book up to a picture of a sunset.
Velvet noticed the look in Naruto's eyes before sighing heavily.
"When I get enough free time, we can go," said Velvet before she took the book from Naruto, "Now, go wash up for dinner."
"Okay," said Naruto as he ran off to the bathroom.
(End Flashback)
Naruto peered down at Yagura, who was accompanied by quite a number of ninja from Mizugakure.
"Yagura…" said Asuka as she vanished in a wisp of flames that appeared just a couple yards from the Mizukage.
"It is you, Asuka," said Yagura calmly.
"I never would've expected the Sanbi jinchūriki to come here himself," replied Asuka.
"The Kyuubi Jinchūriki is here so of course I came," said Yagura, "However, I never expected to see a malak like you free them."
"He was kidnapped from his home and has a family waiting for him to return," said Asuka in slight fear as she felt a rather large amount of killer intent from Yagura.
Jumping down, Naruto landed next to Asuka then glared at Yagura.
"Weren't you supposed to be a boy?" questioned Yagura when he noticed Naruto's clothes.
"Weren't you supposed to have hit puberty already?" shot back Naruto seriously, "I'm taking that ship and bringing down Madara and Itachi Uchiha. If you get in my way, your body is going to be at the bottom of the ocean."
The ninja with Yagura got ready to charge when Yagura held his hand out to stop them.
"Your words deserve certain death," said Yagura.
Several streams of water shaped like dragons flew at Naruto and Asuka but never reached as they had hit a glowing yellow ribcage. Yagura raised an eyebrow slightly at this as the steam cleared and he got a look at the red eye with a spiral pattern in it.
"Sharingan?" he asked with suspicion as the Susanoo faded away.
Yagura removed his club from his back and glared at Naruto.
"You leaving here is something my village cannot afford," said Yagura as Naruto picked up a broken brick off the floor, "You are daemon but you're still a jinchūriki. So, let me pay my respects…"
He was cut off by the sheer shock of the brick Naruto had thrown grazing his cheek and striking one of his ninja in the head. The ninja flew into the ocean but his body didn't surface.
"I'll remember that you're an insolent daemon," said Yagura as he began to slowly walk toward the pair, "As the Mizukage of Kirigakure, I will subdue you."
He then broke into a run with blinding speed and swiped his club at the pair, missing by mere inches. He noticed Naruto and Asuka behind him and Asuka was shocked at how fast Naruto had dodged Yagura's club by flipping into the air at that instant. His sword extending from his gauntlet, Naruto landed and began a fury of swings and parries with Yagura.
"Incredible," thought Asuka, "How did he get this strong in just three years?"
The blades in Naruto's boots extended and he finally started pushing Yagura back. Thrusting the sharp hook of his club forward, Naruto fell backward and turned as one of the swords in his boots deflected the club. Seeing his chance, Naruto assumed his therion form and swiped at Yagura but missed. Naruto watched in shock before he shielded himself from the large dragon made of water that sent him flying into the ocean with a loud splash. To Yagura's surprise, Naruto jumped out of the water in his human form and landed on his feet several yards from Yagura.
"You are definitely a jinchūriki with that much persistence," commended Yagura, "But as long as I'm here, you cannot win. Your ferocity almost made me forget why I'm here. I didn't come all this way to kill you. You will return to the prison."
Naruto hung his head as he remembered that frozen look that scarred his mind.
"I survived for the sole purpose of killing those men," stated Naruto, "Devouring daemons and humans day in and day out for whatever reason there is."
"If you resent that, you're wrong," said Yagura, "That is your duty. The world has deemed it so."
"The same way it deemed my precious friend would be sacrificed along with her family?!" yelled Naruto as his eyes became red with slits in them.
"Yes," said Yagura calmly.
"A world that took someone's life in exchange is unforgivable," said Naruto as he looked up at the raining sky, "Whatever happens to this world… A world that was built on sacrificing Izumi," Red, black, and golden energy flowed wildly around Naruto with everyone struggling to maintain their footing, "I will never forgive it!"
A roar echoed overhead and drew everyone's attention to the dragon that had been watching them. It flew around the island and everyone watched it.
"A dragon?!" asked Asuka in disbelief.
"It must've sensed all the negative emotion coming from this place," he then looked at Naruto and raised an eyebrow, "Could he have called it here unconsciously?"
The dragon started heading down and Yagura gritted his teeth.
"Shoot it down!" he yelled.
The ninja shot relentless Water Dragon Jutsu at the dragon but the dragon brushed them aside. Landing on the pier, the dragon began grabbing the ninja in its mouth and devoured them before taking off and leaving only three remaining.
"Damn that daemon," said Yagura as he gritted his teeth.
"I can't believe that's a daemon," said Asuka.
Naruto watched the dragon closely as Yagura attacked it with a Lightning jutsu but the dragon didn't even seem phased by the attack. The dragon then landed on one of the two ships that were docked and smashed it to pieces. Taking note of the malevolence the dragon was giving off, Naruto silently calculated his odds before he felt a familiar presence behind him.
"Who is it that roused me from my pleasant nap?" questioned Magilou in annoyance, "What? Not even an apology?"
Naruto paid no attention to her and both of them watched Yagura and the other ninja fight the dragon.
"You people…" said Magilou as she slouched over, dejected, "You interrupted my restful sleep," her mood then suddenly picked up, "I went from paradise to hell!"
Brushing off what he saw as annoying chatter, Naruto noticed that Yagura and the ninja were holding down the dragon with a barrier.
"Hear me!" exclaimed Magilou joyfully, "I have traveled the world and more! Dragons are trifle to me… the great sorceress!"
Naruto began walking and Magilou got upset at this.
"H-Hey, where are you going?!" she asked as Naruto started to jog.
"I'm going to steal the ship and escape while I can," replied Naruto, "If the ship gets damaged, I won't be able to get off this island."
The dragon broke through the barrier as the other ninja passed out from exhaustion.
"Damn it," thought Yagura angrily, "I may actually have to use Isobu's power if this keeps going on."
The dragon noticed Naruto heading for the ship and turned toward him. Naruto spun around then glared at the dragon.
"It's about time I have a feast," said Naruto with a scowl.
He ran around the dragon's lunging maw to the other side before it fired a large blast of highly compressed air at him. Naruto shielded himself as he was pushed back before the dragon knocked the wind out of him with a strong headbutt. Hacking before he went flying back, Naruto barely managed to land on his feet as he coughed up some blood while falling to his knees. The dragon walked up to Naruto, who froze at the sight of his own blood. Asuka hurried forward as fast as she could while teleporting forward in wisps of flame to move faster. As the dragon went in for the kill, a fiery dome of energy covered Naruto and Asuka, who was the caster of the barrier.
"Naruto Crowe," said Asuka seriously as the dragon tried to break through the barrier, "There is only one way to get out of this predicament and get Madara and Itachi," she looked over her shoulder and into Naruto's eyes, "I'm going to gamble my life on you!"
"What?" whispered Naruto.
The dragon roared with four spears of what seemed like crystal materializing around it.
"What do you mean?" questioned Naruto as he got to his feet.
The dragon's claws broke through the barrier and the crystals flew at Naruto. Asuka got between the two just as the dragon fired another burst of air from its mouth, sending the pair flying into the prison. The dragon then made to go after them when it was struck in the head by a blast of magic.
"What a problem," said Magilou as one of her cards spun over her index finger while the dragon turned to her, "Even after all these years, I still don't know how to move a ship. So, I can't let you devourer it."
Rokurou jumped down from the cliff above and severed one of the dragon's horns with his knives.
"Hey, Rokurou!" called out Magilou as she waved to him, "It's been a while! Can you help me with this dragon?!"
"You haven't changed," said Rokurou playfully before turning to the dragon.
Getting over the pain in his back, Naruto sat up but went wide eyed when he saw the state Asuka was in. She had two of the crystals going through her back and out the front. Naruto began shaking as that night three years ago flashed through his mind.
"Why?" he asked.
"It's all to bring down Madara," said Asuka with great strain in her voice as the crystals disappeared, "Please, devourer me."
"What are you saying?!" demanded Naruto.
"I am bound by a covenant by which I must offer my life," explained Asuka weakly as blood poured out from the fatal wounds, "Devourer me an acquire my strength… strength to move forward."
Getting to his feet, Naruto held his hand out to her.
"Why go this far?" he asked before Asuka held up her own with all the strength she could muster.
"Remember that you have people waiting for you," said Asuka as a comb appeared in her hand.
"The comb I wanted to get hahaue," said Naruto as he took the comb to examine it.
"Hurry… before my life runs out," said Asuka as Naruto put the comb away.
Turning into his daemon form, Naruto grabbed Asuka by the head with a claw.
"I won't thank you or apologize," stated Naruto plainly.
"There's no need," replied Asuka as he visor shattered, revealing her violet eyes.
Naruto, having only seen them once before long ago, went wide eyed with shock as he realized who Asuka was.
"I cherished those days…" said Asuka as she cried, "When Minato and I… looked forward… to meeting you… and your sister."
Gritting his teeth, Naruto roared in anger as he absorbed Asuka in a wisp of flames. All of Asuka's memories flew into Naruto's mind as tears streamed down his cheeks from his angry eyes. Staggering back, Naruto covered his right eye with the comb as he felt countless emotions he hadn't felt in a long time. A small ring appeared hovering in the air and Naruto grabbed it with one of his claws.
"This is… not good," said the exhausted Magilou as she and Rokurou were on the losing end of the battle with the dragon.
Hearing someone running out from the prison, everyone, including the dragon looked just in time to see a stream of flame that sent the dragon staggering back. Everyone looked through the smoke to see Naruto standing there with a glare on his face.
"That power…" said Yagura in disbelief, "No way! You devoured… Asuka?!"
"Why should this world be happy when I suffer?!" yelled Naruto as he shot forward and slapped the dragon's head up with a huge amount of force.
Everyone watched in shock as Naruto got the dragon on its hind legs.
"Envy Slap!" declared as he brought his hand down on the dragon's neck, shattering the pier with ease.
Yelling, Naruto began absorbing the dragon when a bolt of lightning struck him in the back.
"Don't hold it against me," said Yagura as he pointed his club at Naruto, "But I can't let a monster like you go out into the world."
"Naruto…" said Naruto to Yagura's confusion, "That's my name. Give the entire world this message," he began pulling the dragon into him and put out even more power, "I am Naruto Crowe! Daemons, malaks, humans… I will devourer them all! I am… the Lord of Calamity!"
A black, gold, and red energy exploded around Naruto and caused an actual explosion.
(Three Hours Later)
Rokurou sailed the ship in the early morning dawn and partially cloudy skies while Magilou sat up in the crow's nest.
"The wind is picking up," he said as he looked up at the crow's nest, "Where too?!"
"Anywhere that Velvet could be is fine with me!" called out Magilou, "I wouldn't want her to get split ends because of me."
Down below, Naruto was currently getting some well deserved rest in a bed for the first time in three years. In one of his bandaged hands, he held the comb that Asuka had given him. And for the first time in three years, he dreamed pleasant dreams as the boat rocked him deeper into sleep while the ship headed for the mainland.
