A Naruto/Skyrim crossover, because I'm into that. We start in the Oblivion-era Imperial District and by the end of the first real chapter we end up in up to date Skyrim.
I really wanted to put off posting this till I had the whole thing done, but after putting this aside for almost a full year to pursue other fanfictions, I've decided I might as well post what I have. Maybe that will inspire me to keep it up. The story, start to finish, is completed in my head I just have to allow my inner perfectionist to pick through it.
Well, enjoy. Don't take it too seriously.
Part 1, Sasuke
Time: 3E 01, Second Seed
Dark eyes stared up at him from the reflective steel, betraying no emotion.
He examined the strong, wan jawline and the straight nose. His was not an odious face. No terrible scars, clear of warpaint but still, it held a dignified bravery.
Sasuke exhaled onto the helmet resting on his knees, fogging that unwavering gaze. Stomach tight with anticipation, he placed the helmet on the bed beside him and stood to don his uniform. Polishing out the blood had taken the better part of the morning, but he had risen early to prepare. He slid the chainmail cuirass over himself: the familiar weight on his broad shoulders eased his anxieties for a fleeting moment.
He knelt to attach his greaves. When he straightened, a figure in the doorway caught his attention through the tall oak mirror before him.
"You look ready."
Sasuke turned to address his brother. Leaning slightly against the frame, Itachi eyed him with an air of approval.
"Ready or no, theres not much of a choice anymore."
"You could still bow out. Seeing who your opponent is, no one would be that surprised. In fact I think they managed to capture several Minotaurs for him to battle, just in case you don't make it."
Sasuke began tightening his arm guards, attempting to keep his tone nonchalant. "No. Forfeit was never truly an option."
The older man smiled, wrinkling his eyes, "So serious! The Gray Prince will be quaking in his raiment." He teased. "Here, let me help you."
Sasuke bit his cheek in irritation as his brother easily took his arm and began working the strap. Moodily he prodded his brothers patience. "You're unduly calm for someone who might never see his little brother again, Itachi."
Itachi let out a slow breath, the casual demeanor seeming to slip from his face. He finished his brother's arm guard before answering.
"I know, Sasuke. But you and I have never had the luxury of being oblivious to the reality of this world. I watched you grow up Sasuke, I knew we would come to this. What's worse, I know that its only a matter of time before you end up in even more danger.
"Losing you to the Nine has always been my greatest fear, but someday," He affectionately poked his brothers forehead with one finger, "We all have to face our fears."
Sasuke lowered his gaze to the floor, determined to keep the emotion in his chest from showing on his face.
Knowing he couldn't delay any further, Itachi broke the silence. "When you die, brother, it will be a death of honor. Our parents had no doubt, and after watching you fight, neither do I. Go and win."
With a single nod, Sasuke tucked the helmet beneath his left arm and left his brother for the morning air, heading west on the cobblestone streets. The sun had barely broken, beams of light shooting through the purple clouds and hiding the two setting moons of Nirn. It was just past nine, yet he knew the arena would be full like never before.
'It will be the fight of the century!' Owyn had declared. Sasuke closed his eyes, abashed at the memory. When he had first began battling for the blue team, Owyn had despised him.
Owyn had been quite sure his combatants name was 'Maggot', up until Sasuke had advanced from Pitdog to Myrmidon before the end of a month. Sasuke was not inclined to accept any praise from such a fickle blood-fiend.
As it happened, Owyn's bloodlust was unmatched in the Imperial City. Save only for Miss Falanu Hlaalu, whose sexual deviances earned her deportation from Morrowind and its respective graveyards. Sasuke was often uneasy in passing her, and comparatively untroubled by Owyn.
While he walked through the Market District, many of the shopkeepers stood in their doorways to observe him in his passing. Two merchants were so bold as to openly whisper to each other, and Sasuke was paying them an annoyed glance just as he saw the blacksmith of Slash N Smash push past them and run to meet him. The large Orc clapped him firmly on the shoulder.
"Ah! Look at the last Uchiha, on his way to meet his doom. You look sharp, son!" He boomed with a hearty laugh.
Sasuke didn't bat an eyelash at the crass familiarity with which Urbul spoke, but felt himself bristle in annoyance anyway. He knew what he was about to face; he needed no reminding.
"Ah, but you know where you're headed son, I supposed you don't need an old man's reminder. But I must say, you hardly look it. Same as every day we seen you pass. If it helps ya to know, I've got good money riding on his.
Pleasantly surprised as always by Urbul, Sasuke raised his eyebrows and quipped good-humoredly, "I can't say I hope you see that gold again."
"You'd better!" The large man thundered. "I bet two hundred gold on you lad!"
The younger man was instantly surprised, but Urbul only laughed deeply. "Dont let the Grey Prince get you off your guard that easy, or I wont be seein' that gold again!"
"I doubt the Grey Prince is going to tell me he bet against his own kind."
Urbul shrugged his beefy shoulders. "Only a half Orc, so they say."
Sasuke smirked. "And half what else?"
"Whatever he is, you'll never find out standing here talkin' to this old cod. Go win me back that hard earned gold, and throw in some extra winnings for the misses!"
"You're not half as hopeful as I am, Urbul."
The aged Orc smiled, "Till we meet again, Sasuke. Nine Divines hold you."
Sasuke nodded in return, turning from his companion.
When Sasuke arrived at the Arena, Owyn was waiting for him at the gates beside an enormous gathering of spectators waiting to gain entry.
"Heh-hey! The prodigy Uchiha himself, come to win the day."
Sasuke ignored the sycophantic greeting and strode toward the doors to the fighters barracks.
"You look as stone as steel, my young friend," Oywn continued. Sasuke's stomach twisted. "Ready for your big day?"
Sasuke only nodded.
"This is a BIG day. Be prepared for them to really milk it. The introduction is gonna be longer than anything you've heard so far. While you're waiting in there, prep yourself. I know you're strongest with your bow, but you're not bad with that longsword either and you're not gonna be able to outlast this guy with arrows." Owyn's attitude shifted from excitement to irritation in a instant. "He is all contact, and if you'd have been here the past week I would have told you that sooner."
Sasukes eyes narrowed. "Don't worry about that. I'm sure they'll still let you take all the credit for training me."
"Now listen here you little piss-ant, I've been watching the Grey Prince since he came to the Arena! I busted my ass pulling out all the information I've gathered through these years to make a training manual for you and what do you do? Stiff me! And now you're just going to prove to be the hundredth waste of time maggot I did my best for when you go out there and get yourself killed!"
Sasuke was greatly taken aback, although he was careful not show it. Owyn was furious at the thought that Sasuke would lose today, and it didn't appear to be the same bloodlust he had come to expect from the Redguard.
"What do you have to say?" Owyn roared. "What the hell have you been doing, dog!"
Sasuke, still perturbed by what was being insinuated, refused to believe it. He withdrew a paper from his belt and thrust it at Owyn. "Practicing."
Owyn snatched the paper out of Sasuke's hands and glowered as he read. Soon however, his scowl turned to an expression of incredulousness.
"You killed the entire Black Arrow gang?" He managed to finally demand.
Sasuke gave a nod.
"Thats impossible, the Black Arrow gange has been around for years! No one person could take them out, they're lead by the dirtiest rogue orcs in Tamriel!"
"Stupid name, really. Very few of them actually use their bows. Mostly...battle axes and war hammers." Sasuke made a face at the memory.
Owyn shook his head. "We're done here. Go talk to the Battle Matron, she briefs the Grand Champion matches. You get out of my sight."
Sasuke did he as he was told, turning away from the fuming Redguard. He spied Ysabel sitting in the Bloodworks training room, staring down some of the new combatants. She looked old and disoriented, but he quickly realized his mistake when she turned a suddenly razor sharp gaze onto him.
"You shouldn't have done that, Brat."
Sasuke was instantly taken aback. "Pardon?"
She straightened her posture and puffed out her chin. "Misjudged your opponent. What do you want?"
Sasuke's brow furrowed at the unexpected words. He opened his mouth to speak but was stopped.
"Ah, don't look at me like that. I think I know who you are...You're that young snot here for the grand championship. I've been watching you. Are you ready to talk business?"
"...yes, Battle Matron."
"Good. This fight is different than the ones you're used too. Different rules in the big leagues, brat. Usually, the body is off limits. But this time, if you win, you get to take whatever you like off your opponent. I see you've already been given your new raiment, and that reminds me; You need a proper name to go up against The Grey Prince. How do you feel about 'Sir Slaughter'?"
Sasuke blinked once, then fervently shook his head. "No. Never. No."
"Good! Its a chicken-shit name. That type barely makes it past the gates."
"Look," Sasuke interrupted. "I don't care about the name, I'm here to battle. You choose."
The Battle Mage's eyes glittered darkly. "Ah, and battle you will, brat. You are brave. You will be called….Dragon Heart."
"Citizens of the Imperial City! We bring you the fight of the century here in your arena! My dear citizens, nine years have passed since a combatant has challenged our undefeated Grey Prince, the champion of our Arena. Long and bloody is his legacy, who could hope to stand a chance against such bravery? Only...the DRAGONHEART! This newcomer has risen from pitdog to challenging the grand champion faster than anyone in his generation! Blood still on his weapons, he challenges our grand champion in what can only be the fight of a lifetime! Combatants, get ready! LOWER THE GATES!"
The screams and cheers roared over the sound of the thick iron bars receding into the ground. Sasuke bounded into the arena and the Grey Prince charged him, battle axe poised over one shoulder, armor gnashing together as he sprinted.
With timing just the same as the last Orc he faced off against, he raised his longsword and swung it in a powerful arc above his head. He steeled himself, bracing for the shock of contact, but none was made. Instead his longsword cut a full circle until the point was again facing his opponent, who had similarly missed. They circled each other with rapid, careful steps, both unblinking. A bead of sweat ran down Sasukes hot cheek from the beating sun and anticipation.
The enormous orc moved aggressively toward Sasuke and he immediately responded with a defensive backstep. His opponent nodded once to himself, as if taking note of Sasuke's positions. Sasuke stepped to his left and shot a quick jab at the right side of the Grey Prince, who slid a foot backwards, effectively guiding the assaulted hip out of range. In retaliation he swung his axe one handed down toward Sasuke's open shoulder. Sasuke ducked his shoulder down into a spin, slashing as he came about face to his enemy. He landed one hit to a heavily armored side, and the Grey Prince hardly took notice.
Sasuke internally cursed and put space between them.
The Grey Prince immediately closed the distance.
More strikes and steps kicked up dusty sand in the air already thick with noise as the two combatants acquainted themselves with the others movements and style. It was no more than two minutes of trading blows when Sasuke saw something flash in the Orcs eyes and the battle changed.
The battle axe collided once more with his chest, though this time the hit felt twice as hard. He was knocked onto his back with no air in his lungs. Something was wrong.
He rolled to the left just in time to avoid the boot that came down towards his face, and spun fast enough to dance out of the way of the swinging steel. Over the crowd's gasps and screams and cheers, he heard the Grey Prince grunting and snorting with effort. Sasuke locked his own dark eyes onto the glittering red ones of the Orc.
He cursed aloud and jumped to the side of another blow. The Grey Prince was in berserker mode. For one full minute he would have double the strength and stamina of before. Sasuke could block none of his attacks without risking breaking his only weapon. There was still hope however; from his experience fighting Orcs he knew there would be a moment after the 'blood mist' ended where they were vulnerable. If he could survive and time it well, he had a chance.
This minute would decide who would live and who would die.
Sasuke had no choice. He backpedaled as fast as he could, while the glittering steel slashed and hacked at his body again and again.
With the last arc of the huge axe, the blood mist was over. Sasuke took the hit to his left shoulder and thrust the point of his blade above the chest piece, below the helmet, straight into neck of the enormous Orc. They stood together for three long breaths before The Gray Prince fell to his knees, and the blood sputtered past his raiment.
His breath still heavy as he stood over the fallen Orc, a silence swallowed the arena whole as the blood began to stain the sand. But then the moment was over, and the stadium erupted into screaming cheers that echoed violently all around him. Sasuke knelt beside the corpse and lifted the battle axe. He would keep it, and remember the warrior who had fallen. He whispered a small prayer to keep the regret from turning his blood to ice. Turning from the body and deaf to the announcers praise, he made his way down to the bloodworks, bruised but still breathing. Adrenaline continued to crash through his system, leaving no room for regret and only a smile as he exited the arena.
Sasuke stopped at the Basin of Renewal and was hardly cleansed before Owyn and the rest of the blue team surrounded him. Oywn pushed past the astonished combatants, all trying to congratulate him at once.
"What a fight! You are worthy of the title Dragonheart!" Owyn clapped him on the shoulder. "Now I think thats enough excitement for one day my boy. Go home, rest up. Some maggot from the yellow team is fighting a manticore, you'll be able to leave in peace if you get out quick."
Sasuke nodded, ears still ringing from the deafening cries. He collected his earnings from the battle matron and made to leave the bloodworks. His vision tunneled with only one clear goal; home.
That night, Sasuke was roused from his deepest slumber to a gentle shake of his shoulder. Reluctant eyes opened and peered into the darkness at his brother.
"Sasuke, theres someone I want you to meet."
He sat up, squinting. As he lit the oil lamp on his bedside table, a hooded figure stepped forward out of the shadow behind Itachi.
"Hello," He said in a deep voice, lowering the hood. "I am Lucien Lachance."
Sasuke stared at the man's sickeningly pale face, mind racing with effort to figure out why he was here, this man with such gaunt cheeks.
Lucien spoke again. "Are you familiar with the great work of Dark Brotherhood?"
Sasuke sat motionless on his bed, feeling a chill prickle his shirtless skin.
Itachi stepped forward, offering his hand to his brother. "Sasuke...how would you like to join the Uchiha legacy?"