Chp 02
The carriage rolled into the Fire capital with the guards following the carriage at the sides and back while Leon and Eugene rode at the front. "Wow L-taisa! This is the fire capital huh? Looks like home but it doesn't feel like it."
"Of course not Eugene, this land was won by their blood whereas our land was won by our own soldiers blood, and that is why no matter where we go. No matter how much we like it it will never be the home that we fought so hard for."
"Wow, L-taisa have you ever thought about writing a book? Cause you've got some really wise advice." Eugene replied while a few soldiers at the sides nodded their head in agreement. "Or you could open a shop to sell those great apple pies that you make."
"Hahaha, no Eugene I've never thought of writing a book and besides all of my wisdom is free, and no the apple pie recipe will never be revealed to the world. Now watch the front while I wake the Empress." Leon ordered. "Hai hai. . ." Eugene replied, waving his hands and looked forward, while Leon slowed his horse down and rode next to the carriage.
Knocking it lightly he heard a small yawn come from inside. "Yes Leon?"
"We're here Renfa get yourself ready."
"Hai." Renfa replied as she proceeded to dress herself and make herself look proper as the tall and majestic gates of the Fire capital came into view. 'So here we are huh? Hopefully the Daimyo's won't try anything funny here. . .but if they do then I will protect Renfa with my life.' Leon thought as they approached the gates.
"Who approaches the gates of the Fire Capital?!" a samurai from above yelled out.
"We are the Escort forces for the Empress of the west and have come on the invitation from the Fire Daimyo!" Eugene shouted back.
The Samurai from above went off to confirm the invitation and came back a while later. "Alright then Open the gates!"
The gates of the Fire Capital creaked open to reveal the streets of the Fire Capital as Samurai came forward and pushed the civilians aside. While the carriage moved forward through the crowd with murmurs being heard throughout the crowd.
"Wow so that's the Empress."
"Her guards are so handsome! I wonder if the Empire's men are so handsome."
"Hopefully the alliance will be made and we can see what kind of goods they have that we don't."
Suddenly from the side a girl wearing rags came out and bumped into the horse that Eugene was riding. "Ow!" she cried out, while Eugene got off the horse and tried to help the girl whom he noticed was very pretty with her smooth skin and nice blue eyes but before he could help her Samurai guards came up to her and dragged her away before Eugene could help her. "I didn't even get her name. . ."
"Come on Eugene we still have to get the Empress to the palace."
"Oh hai L-taisa!" Eugene replied as he got on his horse and lead the escort to the Palace with Leon at his side.
[At the Palace]
The Fire Daimyo's palace was marble white with a very sleek design when compared to the grey natural style of the Empires capital building, in front of the Palace were people that Leon did not expect to see, it was the Konoha 11 and their sensei's all of them dressed in proper clothing to welcome the Empress but inside of Leon he knew better, they were here to do something. . . something that would be evil.
While the Fire Daimyo and Wind Daimyo stood at the front of the crowd with his arms in his sleeve, while the carriage rolled up and stopped at the steps leading off to the entrance of the building.
When the carriage stopped Leon got off his horse and handed the reins off to Eugene to hold and stood at attention at the front of the carriage. "Presenting the Empress of the West!" Turning to the side he lifted the veil that covered the carriage to reveal Renfa in all her formal glory.
Stepping out she walked forward with Leon escorting her every step of the way. "Ah Empress-sama, I welcome you to the Fire Capital." the Fire daimyo and wind Daimyo said as they bowed to Renfa. "Thank you Fire Daimyo-sama and you as well Wind Daimyo-sama, but please call me Sonken while we are in the Fire Capital."
"Ah thank you for such praise Sonken-sama, and who might this fine warrior be?"
"This is the captain of my guard, Leon." Renfa pointed out.
"Thank you for inviting us Fire Daimyo-sama and all the same to you as well Wind Daimyo-sama." Leon replied as he bowed to show respect for the Fire Daimyo.
"Ah I see, and may I welcome some of my ninja's from the famed village of Konoha. As the Hokage have satated these are the finest recruits have to offer." Each ninja introduced themselves first the girls then the boys and at the end of it Renfa knew that all of them were scum because of the way they had treated Leon before he became Leon.
[Minutes later]
Renfa, the Fire Daimyo, Wind Daimyo and their guards minus Eugene who had gone off to god knows where for the moment, stood in the conference room as they would begin discussions soon. "Since you have invited us here Fire Daimyo-sama, shall you open this discussion first."
"Very well then Sonken-sama, the Fire Capital and Wind Capital would like to open trade and free travel within the Empire for the Capital as well as the ninja villages which we have created, in doing so we could possibly share some of items which our respective countries have and allow our soldiers to train in the different terrains and. . ."
"And. . ."
"The Fire country have heard rumor that a Naruto Uzumaki, has found refuge within your country so we would like you to hand him over to us so as to charge him for crimes which consist of harming a team member, murder and treason." Renfa's eyes widened when she heard their request. "I am sorry but I have not come into contact or heard of such a person living within the Empire."
Sasuke having enough walked up from his position behind the Fire Daimyo and drew his sword, pointing it at the Empress. "You will hand over the dope to Konoha so that he can be charged for crimes that he has committed against me!" Renfa's eyes widened as the point of the sword was aimed at her.
"Sasuke Uchiha! You will cease your actions now!" the Fire Daimyo ordered but Sasuke still kept his sword pointed at Renfa, suddenly Sasuke felt a sword against his neck.
Slowly turning around Sasuke saw Leon holding his sword against Sasuke's neck. "Take any further actions towards Sonken-sama and your life will end here today."
"Sasuke Uchiha this is your last chance, put down your sword now!" a smirk came across Sasuke's face as he sheathed his sword. 'I'll let them go for now, not like she or her empire can do anything against the Fire Daimyo and wind Daimyo's army when we take them over.'
However Leon's blade did not drop when Sasuke sheathed his blade. "Leon-sama Sasuke has already sheathed his blade surely we can let this be a rash mistake go."
"Unfortunately Daimyo-sama." Renfa replied. "Leon is simply following our tradition and has challenged Sasuke to formal combat to punish him for his crime."
"S-sonken-sama, surely we can let th-"
"Unfortunately I cannot let this go, unless Sasuke Uchiha puts up a fight that I find amusing." Renfa narrowed her eyes in contempt at the Fire and Wind daimyo.
Seeing that they had no choice the Fire and Wind daimyo relented and led the entire group to the Fire Daimyo's personal guard's training ground.
Leon kneeled before Renfa as she gave him her blessings. "Kick his butt for me and yourself Leon."
"Thank you Sonken." picking himself up Leon walked into the training field and held his blade in his standard position. While Sasuke walked up to the training field and held his sword in what could only be described as one of the most ridiculous stances anyone had ever seen.
"Kick his butt Sasuke-kun!"
"Yeah show him just how powerful you are!"
"So Leon." Sasuke said with a sneer. "Are you ready to see the power of a pure blooded Uchiha?"
"If it's anything like I've heard then I'm sure I won't be impressed."
"Grgh, don't mock me!" Sasuke cried out as he charged at Leon, who simply brought his blade up in defense.
[With the Renfa in the stands]
She was watching the fight play out between the two fighters but she knew in her heart that Leon would win it not just for her but also for himself, and by the looks of things the Uchiha was not going to win at the rate the fight was going. "So Sonken-sama, perhaps you could tell all of us how you met Leon-sama."
"Very well." Sonken replied as she told them the story of how she and Leon met for the very first time.
[Flashback]
Renfa was walking among the forest as she allowed her soldiers to rest from the fight that they had just recently had against the tiger of the south and thou he was killed it was ultimately at the cost of many loyal soldiers.
So now she was at a nearby lake wanting to get a moments peace away from the death and destruction. Kneeling down she began to pray for the fallen soldiers. "Dear Kami-sama I come here to ask for guidance in the future so that such a terrible loss of life will never be incurred again, I also ask that you look out and guide all of the soldiers that have fallen in the battle against the tiger of the south and not just my soldiers but all soldiers that died in the battle."
"Well, well, well look what we have here gentlemen." A voice from behind her said, turning behind Renfa saw a bunch of brigands armed to the teeth with axes. "A little lady this far in the forest, especially in such a location after that battle that just happened a few days ago."
Drawing her sword Renfa tried to fight them off and succeeded in killing one of the brigands or more specifically their leader and injuring a few others before the brigands managed to disarm her, without her sword Renfa found herself pressed against the bark of a tree as the remaining brigands approached her, just as they were about to strike her down for killing their leader when suddenly the axe found itself blocked by a golden blade wielded by a swordsman wearing a long black hood that hide his face. "Now that is no way to treat a lady."
"You!"
"Yes me. For your actions against the village of Crea as well as the action which you have done against this lady I sentence you to death." Rushing through all of the brigands all of them fell with one fell swoop of the swordsman's blade. "This is the only sympathy I will grant you." He replied as he sheathed his blade.
Renfa finally found her voice after seeing what the swordsman had done. "Th-thank you for saving me."
"There is no need to thank me, this is what any man would have done." Renfa finally realized who she was talking to. "Y-you the Black Mercenary."
"Yes I am and who might you be?" he asked.
"You may call me Sonken, and I am the rightful Empress of the empire and . . ."
"And?"
"I would like for you to join my forces!"
The Black Mercenary was surprised by her action. "Oh and why should I join your faction?"
"It's because I've heard about you, you fight for the weak and the oppressed, my ancestor's nation has been turned into a battlefield, people in the many villages around the continent are starving and killing each other just to earn a meal while the other rulers of the land just sit on their thrones allowing such an action, I want your help to unite this land and make peace."
"But how do I know if you won't become like the rulers that have taken this land, corrupt and bloodthirsty."
"I make this pledge to you now Black Mercenary, if I ever become like that then you may strike me down when I do become like those monsters." Renfa bowed to the Black Mercenary.
"Hmm we shall see." Going onto one knee the Black Mercenary bowed his head and placed his sword in his hand and held it out to Renfa. "I the Black Mercenary, offer my sword to you Sonken the rightful Empress of this nation."
Sonken accepted his pledge and taking his sword, she poked her finger with the tip of the blade and allowed a few drops to drip onto the blade. "And I Sonken pledge that if I ever become like the current rulers of my nation then you may strike me down so as to preserve the country."
[End flashback]
A resounding clang went through the entire place as Sasuke found his sword torn out of his hands and the point of Leon's sword against his throat, "You lose." he soundly replied as he looked towards Renfa who nodded her head in confirmation.
Leon nodded back and sheathed his blade as he walked away he turned his head back to Sasuke who was just picking himself up with the help of Sakura and Ino. "My Empress has decided to spare your life this once do not let this happen again." Leon replied as he took his place by Sonken's side which was also when Eugene walked onto the scene and stood next to Leon.
"Where were you Eugene?"
"I um had to take care of something L-taisa."
"Whatever it is do it during your own time next time." Eugene saluted Leon in conformation.
The Fire Daimyo decided to step in at that time to lighten the mood by bringing everyone back to the meeting table, it was here that Renfa gave Leon a break and just allowed the other warriors to watch over her, on his way to the market Eugene pulled him to the side and showed him what he was doing during all of that time he went missing during the first meeting between the various leaders.
"This way L-taisa." Eugene led him past all of the clean streets to the alleyways behind where the less fortunate lived, it was here that Eugene stopped at a door and knocked on the door it opened to reveal the girl that had apparently knocked into the convoy on the way to the main building. "Oh Eugene you came back..."
"Just like I promised, L-taisa, this is Rose the girl that bumped into us."
"Eugene you..."
"No please Taisa." Rose got down and begged Leon. "Eugene left the Empress and didn't return because he was helping me."
"Helping you?"
"Yes, the Fire Daimyo doesn't take care of the people that are part of the lower class, so when Eugene saw the conditions he helped by buying us some food using his money." from the side a small voice could be heard. "Onee-chan? Who is this man?" Leon looked over and memories of old flooded into his mind and he patted Eugene on the shoulder. "I-i understand why you did that Eugene and i'm sorry for being angry at you."
"L-taisa..."
Leon walked out of the room and headed towards the market, he came back a while later carrying crates of produce ranging from riceballs to apples. He walked into the center of the lower-class district and placed the crates carefully behind him, a little girl clutching a doll saw an apple drop to the ground and went to pick it up but as she picked it up Leon came up to her, giving her a re-assuring smile he took out his water bottle and cleaned the apple for her to eat before walking back to the crates. "People all around line up in one line women and children first and I will be passing food out to all of you!"
Eugene from the side heard what Leon had said and went up to help along with Rose and her little brother as the people lined up in the row and took the food before going off to the side to eat it each of them thanking Leon for what he was giving to them.
[an Hour or so later]
All of the food was given out and the people had all dispersed and Leon, Eugene and Rose all had a happy feeling in their heart, Leon and Eugene were going back to the palace but not before Leon gave most of his money to the person in charge of this district and told him to use it to feed the people.
[At the Palace]
Renfa had just finished negotiations with the Fire and Wind Daimyo and it allowed them to trade metals with each other but none of the defense alliances could be established due to the fact that the Empress had never seen or heard of Naruto Uzumaki.
With the Establishment of the trade deals, the Fire Daimyo invited both the Wind Daimyo and Renfa to a celebration with their guards, once in the dining hall the Fire Daimyo had his servants prepare a delicious feast where everyone happily at as the nobles were allowed to mingle with the Empire's men. Leon and Eugene were disgusted by how much food there was especially when the lower class had barely enough to eat, they did eat but it left a bitter taste in their mouths.
Renfa was walking among the other nobles, looking for Leon to dance. It was here that Kiba decided to try his moves out by offering Renfa a dance which she had to accept, but as she danced with him she was disgusted by how much self-pride this Kiba person had.
She wanted to continue searching for Leon but then Neji decided to try his hand, but like before Renfa was even more disgusted by how much this person believed in fate, which she rejected outright due to the fact that the other leaders that they fought against except Nobunaga, all said that fate would never allow her to rule the country.
Sasuke could have tried again but, he threatened Renfa so his chances were slim, Renfa continued to look for Leon until she felt a tap on her shoulder turning around she saw the man that she was looking for. "Sonken-sama, will you give me this dance." Leon bowed to her and offered her hand which she happily accepted.
"Oh thank god that you found me Leon I was getting sick of dancing with those scum from Konoha."
Leon gave her a small smile. "I have the same sentiment Sonken." Both of them continued to dance until it eventually led them outside at the garden of the Fire Daimyo's palace, once they were outside Eugene came by and innocently whistling he moved his arm which got the long curtains loose and it covered the door that Leon and Renfa used to go outside before he walked off and stood against the wall watching the celebration play out while Rose was the only thought on his mind.
[Outside with Leon and Renfa]
Both of them separated themselves as they walked hand in hand through the garden, the moonlight shining down on the two 'secret' lovers, they walked through the garden until they came onto the center of the garden where both of them sat down in each others arms, Renfa laid her head on Leon's shoulder as both of them relaxed into each other.
"It's a really nice night today." Renfa said with happiness, Leon nodded and hummed a song that Renfa always liked to hear whenever they were alone.
"So I heard that you and Eugene went somewhere during your break, would you like to share it." Leon frowned as he went through his story about his trip into the alley way where he met Rose, by the end of his story Renfa had a few tears falling from her eyes, but was thankful for what Leon had done for them, though she was powerless to do anything to help them.
"Thank you for helping them Leon, I wish I could help them too, you already did by paying me the same money that I used to buy the food for them, so you already did your part."
"I just wish I could do more to help these poor people." Leon gave her a reassuring smile. "Maybe me and Eugene can bring you there tomorrow."
"I'd like that Leon." Renfa got closer to Leon until their lips touched and both Renfa and Leon lost themselves in the kiss and stayed there for a quite a long time.
The next few days flew by fast as Renfa took one day to visit the lower-class residence where she offered them more food and she stayed there for a few hours to watch the people eat, as they ate she felt a warm feeling in her heart arise and her smile grew. But after her first visit Renfa could not go back to the lower-class residence as the Fire Daimyo wanted to show her around the Fire capital, and soon her last day in the Fire Capital came, there she left the capital a hole in her heart.
[With the Fire Daimyo as Renfa left]
"Damn that woman! Our plans to get that 'defense' alliance failed! Samurai-san!" a single samurai stepped forward and bowed to his lord.
"Tell General Lei and send a message to the Hokage that Operation: Western fall is approved." the samurai nodded as he went off to tell General Lei that the operation was approved.
"That woman will regret the day she became Empress of that pitiful Empire, the Fire Country is the strongest in the world! And we will not be denied what we want!"
And end. So we're done with the second chapter, I don't have much to really say this time so if there is an area that I can improve on the story than please do tell me about it and don't forget to leave a review if you like this story.