Disclaimer-I do not own Naruto or Star Wars, or any other game or manga, which I used while writing this...unfortunately.
Note: found a good cover image for my fic, all rights reserved.
Hide and seek.
Chapter I.
Curiosity. One of the traits that were burned into the entire essence of the human race. Burning like a fire. But in Naruto… it was like a constant volcano eruption, beautiful and dangerous at the same time. Like all children he had enjoyed collecting different things.
And one day… a small red pyramid caught his attention. It was glowing with red light, made from strange metal and something that looked like glass, but glass wasn't.
It was calling to him. Asking to be taken. To be used. To be… opened.
And like a curious child, who he was, Naruto opened it.
But as people say… Not all boxes shall be opened.
When Naruto opened the holocrone, back then he didn't even know, how it was called, he started to hear the voice. Voice that will be with him for his entire life. Alongside his inner demon's…
For countless years, this holocrone was the last place of rest for very powerful spirit. During his birth he was named as Veradun Malgus. In history books he was written as Darth Malgus.
Force Ghost whispered in the ears of the child. At first he taught him how to hide. When the boy learnt this lesson, he taught him, how to kill. He practiced that particular lesson on the animals in the Forest of Death and when he was skilled enough in the eyes of his teacher, he taught him, how to not get caught when he killed the humans.
Villagers, still hunted Naruto because of the demon, sealed inside of him, so there was a lot of practice material.
However… Veradun was rather displeased with the fact that his apprentice became dangerously close to the girl his age. The one called Hinata Hyuuga. So… he decided to deal with the problem in most… extravagant way.
He sensed that Hinata, just like Naruto, had enormous potential in the Force. Moreover, she was young. Young enough to be taken. He may have been trapped inside his holocrone and therefore bound to the planet it was on, but he knew everything about the modern Jedi.
He always kept the eye on his enemies, even death didn't change this in him. Through the Force, he let the Jedi sense the Darkness on the planet. And when they had reached it… They got in contact with the locals and they also saw what kind of brutality and blood shed they were capable for. After quick discussion, the Jedi decided that instead of making the newly found world part of Republic, they shall take a local and turn him or her into the new representative of the Jedi Order on the planet.
Officially, Republic didn't even get any kind of hold over this planet, moreover it wasn't even needed. It was far away from the trade routes and was located in the Wild Space, close to the parts of the Space, controlled by the Hutts.
Basically, the Jedi just had this planet filled with dangerous people, where they wanted it.
Away from Republic, to be completely forgotten.
Since Malgus managed to hide the Force potential of Naruto and Third had no intention of showing the boy to the creatures from the stars, he was spared the fate of becoming the Jedi Knight. However, Konoha populace was enraged by the fact that among those, who were chosen, was young Uchiha.
Last loyal Uchiha was too precious for Konoha, so everyone gave a relaxed sigh, when the elder child of Hiashi Hyuuga was taken. Not only did it help to deal with the problematic situation inside the clan, but also pleased the Jedi and helped the girl to escape the cruel fate that was prepared for her by the Elder of her clan.
Everyone was happy. Everyone except one little boy, who was left without his first and only friend.
Naruto.
He let Hinata go and tried to keep himself calm. But when the Jedi left the planet. They once again felt the explosion in the Dark Side of the Force. But this time, they didn't want to check, what kind of atrocity, caused by these barbarians led to it.
They were fed up with shinobi.
Naruto on the other hand, wanted to leave the planet. But for this he needed the starship. Once again, his teacher used his powers. One of the pirate ships crash-landed on the surface of the planet. After minor skirmish with one of the pirates, when one of them was killed by Naruto, cptain of the ship proposed a deal for him: to become part of his boarding crew instead of the dead member.
And Naruto gladly agreed.
During his time on the ship, Naruto got a good friend in face of Tayla Rin, female, Rutian twi'lek, who was the same age as he was. Thus the adventures of one of the greatest Sith Lords had started. After he had left his planet, he started to use the name of his Master instead of his own, and to all of the pirate crew, he was known as Veradun Malgus. While the entire Galaxy knew him as Malgus the Wild.
During the days of his pirate life, Kyuubi, sealed inside the boy, and a bit fearful of the part that the spirit of the ancient ghost played in the boy's life, saw his chance to expand his influence over the boy. He started to slightly change him. Soon, beside the immense physical power, boy receive long and wild mane of the golden hair, glowing red eyes, elongated fangs and claws, thus receiving his moniker 'the Wild'.
But no matter, how profitable was his pirate life, it was only a first step to his true purpose: becoming one of the greatest Sith Lords. Alongside Tayla, he secretly started to gather very dangerous and skilled warriors, who were critically wounded during their service.
Enhancing them with cybernetics and different implants, Naruto created a special group, which provided their services in the espionage and assassination. During that time he started to wear the Sith armor, similar in design to that of Darth Malgus and his lightsaber, that he had found hidden in one of the ancient vaults.
Main purchaser of their services became the Republic, they became the unofficial black ops, used against the Hutts and other criminal scum.
When Naruto and Tayla reached the age of eighteen happened one of the historic events that changed the future of entire galaxy.
Happened the battle on the Geonosis.
After the battle, the Newly formed Grand Army of the Republic, started to recruit everyone, who had at least some kind of military training. They either became troopers, or instructors for the newcomers. Or like especially skilled ones, they were sent into the special forces.
After the war had started, commanders of the grand republic Army, wanted at least one such group, appointed to each Jedi General. Unfortunately, since special operatives were very rare, and most of the Jedi put their trust in their own clone commandos, only several sectoral armies received the aid in form of the special tactical groups.
Moreover, commanders of such groups also were instated as the heads of the reconnaissance in the Legions they were appointed to. And no Jedi trusted these shady people, because technically, their positions, in certain aspects, rivaled or even dwarfed the positions of the Jedi Generals.
While Naruto, alongside Tayla, his troopers and clones, waited for the Jedi General in the Headquarters of the Sectoral Army, on the Coruscant, in Jedi Temple, another historical event took place.
Coruscant. Jedi Temple.
Hinata Hyuuga walked through the long corridors of the Temple. Losses on the Geonosis hurt her, but betrayal of the fellow Jedi hurt her more. More than thousand Jedi had left the Order, not agreeing with the current policy of the Jedi Council.
Among them were several of her friends. Hinata's decision to stay and fight was met with great displeasure among them. As they said, 'they don't want to shed their blood for the rotten Republic'. Hinata shook her head and tried to calm herself.
Everything will become better, when she will take herself a padawan and followed by the young, Force-user, she will go to meet her former Master, Shaak Ti, to receive her first mission.
Hinata entered the part of the temple, where the younglings lived. Forced showed her the vision of the young togruta, back then, Hinata smiled in irony, many years ago, her teacher, also togruta, took her when nobody wanted to train her, and now she will take her own apprentice. Also togruta, as she saw in her vision.
She entered the large room, where, behind the table sat one of the Jedi, who oversaw the youngling, purple-skinned female twi'lek.
"Master…"
"Rui Tana is my name." answered the twi'lek. "Why are you here, Jedi Knight?"
"To take the padawan." Answered she.
"Hmmm do you know the name?" asked Rui.
"Ahsoka Tano."
"Very impulsive, she is. There are two more younglings, who will be far easier to teach and may become much greater padawns than her, among her age group."
Hinata narrowed her eyes. "I had a vision. This is the Will of the Force. And you should think before you open your mouth Rui Tana. After all I'm really good with my swords."
Tana gulped, understanding that she clearly was out of line. Moreover, when she looked into the silver eyes of her female visitor, she quickly understood, with whom she was speaking.
There was only one human with such eyes in their Order. The one, who received the title of the Jar'Kai Master at the age of ten, after being tested by the Battlemaster Cin Drallig himself. There were also rumors that she had learnt the two styles, with other being Niman.
Some rumors also said that she had reached the Mastery in it too.
Such kind of a progress was truly frightening. Especially, when she remembered, just how high were her midi-chlorian levels.
Some people in Temple whispered that she was the Chosen One and not Skywalker.
Ahsoka Tano was infuriated. Many of her friends had already became the padawans, and others had already managed to persuade some of the Jedi Knights into taking them as their apprentices. Moreover, Ahsoka cannot understand what did she do wrong, her teachers in the Temple said to her that she was progressing, she even made her own lightsaber!
But there still was no Jedi, who was willing to take her as padawan.
While she practiced with her blade, she heard the murmurs in the room, glancing in the direction of the noise, she had found the reason for the commotion. She nearly gasped, when she recognized the Jedi, Hyuuga Hinata was one of the most promising warriors and diplomats produced by the Jedi Order. She was one of the most desired Masters to be received by the padawan. Especially among young boys. For notable reasons.
Looks like it was time for her to choose an apprentice too. Sighing, Ahsoka returned to training, if even less known knights didn't want to bother with her, what chance does she stand to be taken by that woman?
"Ahsoka Tano?" surprised by the sudden question, Ahsoka turned, her lightsaber, still activated, in her hands and she was finishing the move. Younglings gasped as Hinata just raised her hand, she was dressed in the Jedi robes and her hands, under the slives were covered by bandages, but there seemed to no sort of actual defense under it.
With the way Ahsoka's blade was moving it was definite Cho mai, or even worse Cho sun. But Hinata once again managed to surprise everyone, when she stopped the blade.
With her bare arm.
"Rather warm welcoming." said Hinata, as she observed the blushing togruta. "You strike first and think second… I like this. Maybe you can become the great Jedi… with right guidance."
She smiled.
"Ahsoka Tano, do you wish to become my padawan?"
Acclamator-class assault ship 'Ravager'.
Covered by his black cloak, he stood in the hangar, alongside Tayla, awaiting the arrival of the Jedi General, with whom he will serve. Naruto wasn't bothered by the fact, that the Jedi will be so close to him. He had learnty a lot from his Master and as was revealed, ancestor.
His powers let him hid his Force signature easily. When the Jedi will try to use their powers on him, they will definitely not find any sort of the Dark Side in him.
They actually will find anything but any kind of Force in him. Under his breathing mask he smiled. Sith techniques totally rocked. So he fearlessly expected when the Jedi will grant them with his or her presence.
But when he actually met the Jedi he could just dumbly node in response to her greeting smile. He had never expected to meet Hinata again. Especially with her as his Jedi General. Somewhere in his holocrone, Darth Malgus gritted his teeth. Looks like the Force likes the cycles.
Like it was with him and Eleena Daru, when he saved her, the relationship between the two started from the same act. Many years ago Naruto saved her when she was bullied as child, for being different from others.
Thus the relationship between the two started. Seeing this, and fearing that his only remaining descendant may fell to the same mistake as he did, Darth Malgus started to plot, how to protect his legacy from the fate of a madman. Killing Hinata was out of option, if he will council his descendant to leave Hinata it will destroy the respect the boy held for him, so he decided to simply take away the apple of discord from their sight.
Thus Hinata became the Jedi, and Malgus understood that perhaps, his actions will have more drastic consequences than he thought before. Hinata has returned into Naruto's life, not as shy girl, but as stunning and self-assured woman. Moreover, he felt that Naruto had just suppressed his feelings, they didn't die out with time.
But Hinata was a Jedi now, with a lot of package coming with said title, along with hatred to anything Sith-related and some kind of emotion suppression.
Malgus sighed, by the looks of the things, he set his apprentice on the path he himself walked, even if he tried to get him as far as possible from that path as he could.
Naruto, on the other hand, managed to calm himself. He nodded to Hinata and introduced himself.
"Greetings, Jedi General. I'm commander Malgus, and this is my second-in-command, Tayla Rin. We are leaders of your reconnaissance and tactical forces. Of course, without most of the officers, many other operations are also passed through us."
Hinata sighed. "I feel that you already know, who I am, but I will still introduce myself. I'm Jedi General, Hiniata Hyuuga, assigned to the army of the Twelfth Sector. This is my padawan, Ahsoka Tano. Now… about what you said."
"Unfortunately the situation is like commander described." Said Tayla. "If not worse. We have captains of the ships, commanders of the clone battalions, several pilots who lead the squadrons… but all in all this is everything. There is no intendant, no intelligence division, even our reconnaissance division, was created from nothing, and it sheer existence shows, how great organization abilities has our commander."
"Please… you flatter me." Said Naruto, raising his hand, showing his subordinate to end her praising speech. "But anyway, the situation is really problematic. Our forces maybe better than the forces of our droids, but they rely greatly on numbers, so changing at least one hundred for one our dead soldier is possible solution for them."
Naruto sighed and his respirator mask let out a raspy, depressing sound. "Moreover, their ships are also more numerous than ours and our Acclamator-class ships are mainly transports and not truly assault ships. The only thing that helps us is the fact that CIS still mainly uses the Munifecent-class ships. Their primary function was to be used as cash collector's ships, not as carriers, or assault ships."
He was silent for a minute and then made a gesture to follow him. All three females went after him as he led them to the general's quarters.
"This is one of the most protected places on the ship." Said he. "And here I must tell you this: in Republic Army, the decision to turn the Jedi into the Generals and commanders of the Clone Army, with the members of the Council as the Highest commanders… is greatly despised."
"Why?" nearly screamed Ahsoka. "Aren't we supposed to be one of the greatest warriors in the Galaxy?"
"Best warriors in the Galaxy, doesn't mean, "the best commanders'." Answered her HInata. "And how many thinks like this?"
"Nearly everyone." Answered Naruto. "Fortunately we will still have time to prove them wrong, and there will be a lot of opportunities to so."
"We?" asked Hinata. "And why do you need to prove anything?"
"Let's just say… that members of the great fleet dynasties don't like shady persons, who serve in reconnaissance divisions, especially those, who received the clean start after doing a lot of illegal stuff."
"Illegal?" raised her brows Hinata. "And what kind of illegal deeds did you commit?"
"Or you know… some smuggling… a bit of piracy… Okay, maybe a lot of successful pirate raids. Okay, okay a helluva of successful pirate raids…. But the greatest illegal deed in their eyes was…."
"What?" asked Hinata.
"The fact that I traded weapons to the citizens of Wild Space and instead of sharing with Senate representatives, I shared the profit with Hutts." Answered Naruto.
"Why?" asked Ahsoka.
"Mainly on principle. But moreover… Hutts asked less."
And that alone spoke volumes. While three females facepalmed, since even Tayla didn't know so many details about additional profit that her long-time partner made, Naruto, behind his breathing mask and under his deep hood, smiled, seeing that he made a first step to return to the golden times, that he dreamt about so much.
Only this time the number of the women, who he wanted in his life, will be doubled.
He will not fail, like Darth Malgus did before him.
Several hours later.
Naruto, while meditating, secretly looked, how Ahsoka and Hinata trained in swordsmanship. Hinata easily pushed her apprentice, using her superior skills and experience. Young togruta was too hotheaded, always charging into the battle, not caring about the consequences.
"Enough of this, Ahsoka." Said Hinata, attaching her lightsaber to her belt. "You are too hotheaded and predictable. I do not know what kind of rank will be given to you, but since I'm the general, you are supposed at least be my adjutant. And you will command the soldiers during the battle. If you will let your emotions control you, one day you will charge at the enemy's position blindly, forcing your soldiers to leave their positions to cover you, with fire and suffering heavy losses."
"Now, Lady Hinata, stop scaring your padawan. If you wish to show her, how the calm mindis better than the one filled with anger… how about someone, who isn't Force-sensitive, will show her?" asked Naruto.
Hinata looked at commander Malgus. He, without a question was one of the greatest warriors, who she knew, she saw how he moved with his blade, made from the beskar and coated by the cortosis. Without a doubt it was the best weapon, to combat someone, who was armed with the lightsaber.
Sith… or Jedi alike.
"Well… looks like you are about to learn the valuable lesson Ahsoka." Said Hinata, turning to her apprentice. "Prepare yourself, Malgus will be your opponent."
Ahsoka ignited her blades, while Malgus still sat in his pose for meditation.
"Sir?"
"Attack, young padawan."
"But you are not ready…"
"Lesson first: the best time to attack your enemy is when he or she is not ready." Answered her question Malgus.
Ahsoka jumped into the air, pointing her training sword to pierce the skull of Malgus. However, it just pierced the ground where the man sat second ago. And before the axe kick performed by Malgus sent her into blissful oblivion, she heard his words.
"Lesson two: make sure that it isn't a trap."
"Impressive." Said Hinata. "But commander… when were you going to tell me that you are Force-sensitive?" asked she placing her hand on the hilt of the lightsaber.
"Actually I'm not. At least in the usual way." Answered her Naruto.
"Explain please." Her voice was still stern, but her hand had left her lightsaber hilt.
"As you know, some Force-sensitive people have latent or passive special abilities. To make it short… Mine was hiding. I cannot be sensed through the Force. I'm like a blank space in it. If you try to sense me, you will feel nothing."
And Hinata tried to do so, and felt nothing, like there was no man, standing before her. Force told her that where he was there was nothing but an empty space.
"As you see, rare ability. But my Force potential was completely wasted, since no Jedi managed to sense me."
"So… there is some sensitivity to the Force in you?" asked Hinata. "Maybe I can show you the basics…"
Naruto raised his hand and moved it. "Please… we both know that you have your hands full with Ahsoka, moreover, the man, who grew up, raised by the pirates, certainly will not be a good fit in the Order of the peace-loving monks."
Hinata smiled, remembering the wide-spread reputation of her Order as some strange lunatics. "Trust me, there are very different types of the Jedi, you should know us better, maybe you will like it with us."
"With the Jedi? Definitely not…" answered Naruto. "But with you… I see many possibilities."
Hianata froze on her place, a bit dumbstrucked by the realization, that the grim commander of their spies and assassins had just flirted with her.
Same time. Planet Serano.
Count Dooku walked in circles in his personal chambers, in his palace on planet Serano. He made several deep breaths trying to calm himself down, but soon, he had found out that meditation techniques that he had learnt will be of little help.
War was unpredictable thing and he expected losses, even among his greatest agents.
But he had never expected that they will start so soon. Revolt on the swamp world Dagu, started by the member of the Jedi Council, Shaak Ti, left him without one of the Dark Acolytes, who oversaw the workings in the slave camps.
With the thought that one of the Jedi, Councilors, who was, according to his Master, sent to Kamino to oversee the cloning factories, was in his hands for nearly two months… and he didn't know of that fact… Made Darth Tyrannus wish that he could resurrect the dead. At least that way he could kill Artel Draq himself, for being good-for-nothing excuse of Dark Jedi. And then rise him and do it again. And again and as many times as his tainted, black soul wished.
Thoughts about violence and destruction finally managed to rise the count's mood. He finally managed to see positive sides of the situation. Sure they had lost the planet. But it had little to nothing strategical value.
Surely, secret army, built by the Republic was a great surprise for the Confederacy, but they were slowly getting over it. Of course all these fucking bankeers and traders instantly started to scream when they heard that the Republic had at least some powers to punch back.
Their true nature showed really fast when the order to command the droids and fight on the frontlines was told to them.
Cowards. All of them.
It took them at least several days to calm down and realize that they still outnumber their enemies greatly. They had trillions of droids, while the clones that the Great army of Republic had were only sixty-five million in number. Surely they were better soldiers, but Confederation can let itself to throw their droids left and right, they had enough factories to rebuilt their army at least several times.
They also have more ships, even if they will lose at least ten ships of each class for the one ship of the same class that is used by the Republic, Confederacy will still have a good amount of ships as their fleet.
And these cowards say to him! Count Dooku! That they need to stall for time and get defensive. Ha! While the GAR isn't prepared, they needed to go offensive. They needed to block the trade routes stop the provisions and ammunition from reaching the clone troopers and if it comes to this… maybe sacrifice several worlds to get their so precious Jedi Council out of hiding on the Coruscant.
However, right now, his spies reported him about some strange activity on the borders near the Tapani sector.
Dooku had several unofficial supporters in this sector and he was slowly placing the seeds of the doubt in their heads. Moreover, traditions of the Noble Houses, where youth were taught, how use the saberfoils, and his own noble status and use of the same battle style, always made him an honorable guest, during the gatherings of old duelists.
He was going to use one of such gatherings to check the grounds, but unfortunately the gathering will start only in six months. Meanwhile, activity near the borders of Tapani sector was really… problematic. Especially, counting the fact that all these activities were executed under the order of his political rivals in the CIS.
Dooku scratched his chin. Looks like he will have a task for the young Ventress.
Yet again.
Planet Danith. Forces of the GAR.
Danith… a small planet in the Twelfth Sector, it strategical meaning would have been nearly non-existent, was it naught for one thing.
Fuel.
In the planet's core there was a lot of gas and different types of minerals that may be used in the war manufacturing, moreover fuel factory, built by the Confederacy made it one of the most desirable prizes, since the closest source of fuel, for the Republic Army in that sector, was either on that planet, controlled by the Confederacy or in the territories of the neighboring sectors.
So… Hinata and her Legion were sent to return Danith under the hand of Republic.
Hinata executed a perfect, double Cho mai and the B-1 droid, in front of her, started to run in circles, screaming something about his hands and gathering the blaster fire from his allies.
Behind the position of Confederacy Army, commander Malgus and his troopers caused chaos and havoc among the perfect lines of droids.
As Hinata and other officers and troopers soon had found out, warriors under Malgus' command, were all retired because of some serious injuries, forgotten by the Republic and returned to service, duty and more or less healthy life-style, by commander Malgus, they were prepared to follow their fearless leader into the depth of Hell if needed.
Malgus was surely strange. One moment he was calm, collected and she could even say, coldhearted, the other one, he was unusually soft, especially for a man of his profession. Malgus was really good with kids, at least that was what she managed to tell from his interactions with Ahsoka. He was very knowledgeable, she managed to see, how he was speaking with several natives on the planets they were on, before Danith, on their own language. And he was really alluring, in his own dark way.
But whenever she thought about him, she also remembered how fiercely he was fighting. She moved her head and noticed a glimpse of the dark cloak somewhere in the lines of the droids. Seconds later chain of explosion started to follow the figure in the black cloak. Clearing a way for himself, Malgus left only dismembered carcasses of the droids behind him, and those, who weren't slayed by his blade, were caught by explosions.
Hinata sighed, just as she thought, fierce, sometimes too fierce for his own good. It was definitely not the good thing. Moreover, he was knowledgeable in certain aspects… Perhaps too well, for a simple man, with unusual Force gift.
His knowledge of the ancient history and some aspects that concerned the Sith… far exceeded even the knowledge of some Jedi librarians.
But what truly bothered her, was the fact that, whenever she spoke with Malgus, she felt the strange sense of déjà vu. Like she was speaking with an old friend, who came to visit her after the long time apart. No matter how much time she meditated on this, her mind was processing the image of Malgus only like this.
There was something that she was missing, something that she lost, trying to figure him out. And Hinata was sure that she will find out soon enough.
When the last droid near the fuel factory fell before them, Malgus, Hinata, Ahsoka and Tayla, gathered to discuss the situation.
"Well… that was fun." Said Tayla. "Placing her Z-6 blaster cannon on her shoulder. Sometimes, the feats of strength from seemingly fragile twi'lek female, surprised even Naruto. "What's now?"
"Right, now we need to regroup and capture the strategical points." Answered her Naruto as he stopped staring at her Z-6 on her shoulder. "Moreover now it's time for the greatest of pirate traditions!"
Everyone raised an eyebrow at his words.
"Looting! And what you thought?" asked Naruto before starting to give orders. "Okay, listen to my command boys, since I highly doubt that we will receive any kind of reinforcement in the nearby future, I hereby order to capture the enemy's war machines and droids. Gather everything that can be repaired, our engineers will see if they can be reprogrammed or repaired."
"Is it all?" finally asked Ahsoka. "I was expecting something else… something grander."
Suddenly a com-link of Naruto started to beep. He activated it and the image of the captain of their ship appeared.
"Commander Malgus. Glad to see that everything is alright on your end." Said he. "Unfortunately, we cannot reach General Hinata…"
"Lucky shot from one of the enemy's units destroyed my com-link." Answered Hinata.
"Well… unfortunately, I must inform you that we have a problem… ten of them actually. Seven of Munificent-class and three of Lucrehulk-class problems."
Everyone turned to Ahsoke. "You were saying something?"