Beauty and the Beast: NaruSaku style

Chapter 2: Jin's Magic Castle

Jin rode on through the mid of the beautiful summer day. Had he any clue of what was to come, he most likely would have stayed at home and gone to the fair next year. Yet he did not, and so blissfully unawares he urged Lee onwards towards Mizugakure, and the future he envisioned for them both.

The leaves on the trees all around him were changing colors signifying the passing of summer and the beginning of fall. As he passed out of the forest surrounding Konoha the land shifted into gentle rolling hills, and took on a more pastoral look. Farms and smaller communities greeted him as he passed but became fewer and farther between as the day lengthened. Soon Jin noticed that storm clouds were closing in on the area and he shuddered slightly as he'd only worn his traveling hat and a light cloak and forgotten his rain cloak in the hustle of leaving. Faithful Lee seemed to sense his master's discomfort and picked up the pace as best he could inspite of the heavy burden he dragged behind him.

Soon though they entered another forest. and the landscape began to change again. Here the forest was much darker and more sinister. A sense of foreboding came over them both as they pressed onwards. The trees were leafless and in the growing darkness gave the impression of skeletal hands reaching into the sky from the ground. Poor Lee grew steadily more nervous despite his master's presence. A constant stream of animal noises assaulted their senses as the feeling that the forest was watching them grew the further they travelled into its depths. The rise of storm clouds and the distant rumble of thunder presaged what promised to be a serious downpour threatening to soak both he and Lee to the bone.

"We should have been there by now…" Jin mused out loud while pouring over his map. He held up the lantern he'd had to light up as night fell upon them causing the forest to darken considerably despite the full moon that was steadily rising overhead. Looking right and left he returned to the map trying to better acquaint himself with the landmarks present but to no avail as he couldn't seem to make heads or tails of the accursed parchment in the dim but warm light cast by the lantern.

"Maybe I should have taken that left turn at…" he was interrupted in his musings as Lee pulled to a halt in front of a road sign. He looked at the sign which had several postings pointing in various directions but none of them were legibl, time and the elements having worn them to indistinctiveness. Lee started to pull to the left, but Jin feeling lucky if a little uncertain decided that the right would be more fortuitous.

"Lets go this way." He pronounced proudly. Lee though seemed disinclined to acquiesce to his request and again pulled towards the left path, which to his point of view was possessed of a softer light and a more pleasant atmosphere. The right path on the other hoof had a sinister and malevolent feel to it, a cold starkness that just set every nerve and flight instinct in his horses head on alert.

Still Jin was insistent and again pulled the reins right. "Come on Lee, it's a short cut we'll be there in no time." He said a little more brusquely this time.

Lee started reluctantly down the trail his neck and head bowed by the immense weight of the forest overhead. Everywhere he turned more and more sounds came to him, each causing him to become more and more jumpy the further they progressed. Jin's confidence in his earlier decision though had begun to waiver as the clouds began to roll in, and the sudden flash of a lithe shadow to his left which startled Lee; set off a precipitous series of unfortunate events.

"This isn't right…Where have you taken us Lee?" questioned Jin accusingly as his faithful friend started backing up. Suddenly the path they'd left behind an hour or more ago was looking to be a much better alternative.

"Maybe we should back up slowly…" he was again interrupted as a series of long primal howls erupted from the woods signifying a new and terrifying element had been added to the equation; Wolves.

The elusive howling spooked poor Lee some more and he started backing up faster in order to move away from the possible danger to him and his master. Jin did his best to calm and soothe the horse but to no avail as the timber and number of the howls increased, signaling that the pack was closing in on them. Unfortunately neither of them noticed the tree that was right behind them until they came to a sudden and jarring halt against it. The crash startled the flock of bats that nestled within and set them to wing, screeching loudly in protest at having been awakened so rudely.

Their sudden appearance further spooked poor Lee, who steadfast and courageous as he was could only take so much. Lee bolted forwards and began to run blindly trying to escape the flying monsters that screeched in his ears, and the loping shadows that howled with a dark hunger that resounded in his primal instincts for self preservation. Fortunately for them both those instincts kicked in again and Lee sensed rather then saw the cliff coming at them. Sliding to a sudden halt—no easy task with his rider and burden behind him—Lee managed to keep them both from overturning and taking a nasty plunge into the mist filled ravine below.

"Steady boy, easy, easy… that's it, just back it up slowly." Jin soothed his faithful Lee as the horse complied and backed them away from the cliff's edge.

The momentary respite was not to last though, as with a startling suddenness a series of black shadows leapt from the trees and gave long piercing howls. This was the final straw for poor Lee who reared back at the sight and then ran for all he was worth, the wolves engaging in a frantic snapping chase. Unfortunately; Jin taken as much by surprise as poor Lee was at the sudden appearance of the pack, was thrown from the saddle, and landed urgently upon the ground his hat knocked from his head, and his cloak skewed over his face blinding him temporarily. His lantern shattered and the sudden rise of flames only served to startle poor Lee more adding wings to his hooves as he receded in the distance, Shigoto-Boto rattling along behind him.

Jin stood up unsteadily and took a moment to dust himself off and ascertain his position. He didn't have much of a chance though as suddenly a low snarling announced the arrival of three large and ferocious looking animals. That decided Jin in a moment as he took off running for his life. Blindly he ran through the darkness of the gathering storm clouds and the pitch of the no longer moonlit forest. The wolves snarled as they gave chase content to run their prey to ground as opposed to leaping upon it immediately.

This saved Jin's life as when one of the wolves snapped at him he jumped, and ran away from the slavering jaws only to have the ground suddenly fall away from him. Sending him tumbling end over end down a—thankfully—small ravine and into a clearing near a wide and flowing river. However what caught Jin's attention was the enormous metal gates set within long walls that stretched the length of the river to both sides, as far as he could see into the rising evening fog.

Wasting no time and with the thought of any shelter in a storm racing through his mind he ran for all he was worth. His side had stitched, and his legs were aching along with a pain in his chest from the exertion and sudden fright. But he didn't waver and rushed headlong at the gates hoping against hope that they weren't locked. For a moment as the wolves came barreling over the hillside it seemed his hopes would be dashed as the gates didn't move. He shook the gates and banged on them repeatedly yelling for help even though he was short of wind and his cries didn't seem to reach far at all.

But something seemed to hear as with a startling suddenness that deposited him on his backside. The gates swung inward pulling him in with them, as the wolves closed in on him having decided to end the hunt permanently. Using his foot Jin kicked the gates closed just as the trio smashed into them with a dreadful clang of bone meeting iron. Snarling and snapping through the wrought iron bars in frustration they tried their best to reach their quarry but to no avail as the gates held fast. One of them managed to get a brief hold of his foot and tried to drag him back but Jin managed to kick free and desperately crawl backwards away from his tormentors.

Standing up Jin had no sooner let loose a sigh of relief when the sky suddenly opened up and he very quickly found himself soaked to the bone. Looking around he found himself on a long stone bridge overlooking the river he'd seen previously. Jin began to shiver as the icy rain soaked through his light travelers cloak and into his skin. Jin began to wonder if he'd escaped the wolves only to find the bear when fate again smiled upon him as out of the mist a dark shape appeared. Staring in awe Jin was shocked as a flash of lighting illuminated the shape revealing the minarets, and lone tower of a castle.

Wasting no time Jin hurried across the bridge, the chill rain continued to soak and nip at his heels as he began to shiver uncontrollably. He feared he might catch a cold or worse before he made it. But quickly he cheered as a set of large double doors came into view. The doors were tall and thick with Iron bands and hinges. The door handles took the forms of large lion like creatures with iron rings in their mouths. Jin banged on the door repeatedly hoping again that the inhabitants—If any—would not be adverse to offering a stranger sanctuary from the storm—and now that he thought about it—a bit of food since he had eaten naught but an apple on the road since he had left Sakura behind. When no one answered immediately he tried once more and this time the knocking resulted in one of the doors swinging open with a creak of hinges long unused to movement. Deciding that it would be better to announce himself inside—and warmer for that matter—Jin entered cautiously closing the large door behind him. The Storm seemed to pick up a bit outside just as he entered which made him thankful that the castle didn't seem drafty at all.

Looking around slowly Jin could only see by the light of a small three pronged candle stick sitting next to an oddly shaped clock. However what he could see seemed to indicate that someone did indeed live here as he detected no smell of dust or decay, and the red carpet he now stood upon looked to be regularly swept.

"Hello…" he spoke softly at first not wanting to startle the castle's owners by shouting. When no response was forthcoming he raised his voice a notch and tried again.

"Hello. Is anyone home?" he asked yet still no direct response yet. He swore he seemed to hear a light whispering coming from nearby. He couldn't quite make out the words though and tried again a little louder just in case.

"Hello! Please is anyone here? I don't mean to intrude, but I've lost my horse, and I need a place to stay out of the storm." He asked plaintively and with a shudder as another round of cold shakes went through his body. He'd need to find a fire and a warm blanket soon before he really did catch cold.

-ooOoo-

The castle as it turned out was indeed occupied, and by the most peculiar staff one could ever imagine. Now as poor, soaking wet, and cold Jin entered the door two of them, old and dear friends—though you'd never know it from the way they acted—stood side by side discussing the stranger.

"Poor fellow." Kakashi said in a quiet whisper to his friend. "He must have gotten lost in the woods, we should help him." He said softly

"Keep quiet maybe he'll go away." Replied Gai quickly. Things with the master were tenuous enough as it was and he did not want to deal with his rage should a stranger be found here.

"Hello! Please is anyone here? I don't mean to intrude, but I've lost my horse, and I need a place to stay out of the storm." The older gentleman asked plaintively tugging a string in both their hearts, yet Gai held firm his dedication seeing him though. If Naruto–sama found him here; he shuddered at the thought. No, no best he leave at once.

"Not one word Kakashi, not one word." He admonished his friend out of the corner of his mouth.

"Awww have a heart Gai…" he started but Gai quickly reached over and slapped a hand over his mouth silencing him.

Annoyed; Kakashi took matters into his own hands. Or in this case the lit candles that made up his hands. For you see where as Gai may have been head of the household; Kakashi was the chief butler of the castle and responsible for the needs of guests. So with little pre-amble the Candlestick Kakashi put his left hand under Gai's which caused an immediate and painful response in the small clock.

"YEOOOUCH!!" Gai yelped painfully blowing on his over heated mitt, as Kakahsi hopped forwards to welcome their guest.

"Of course you can stay sir; you're more than welcome here." He announced in a quiet but kind voice that was his trademark.

Jin startled enough at the sudden yelp of pain from somewhere close by was even more startled when a voice from nowhere introduced itself. Quickly reaching over Jin grabbed the candlestick and swung it around trying to get more light so he could see about him.

"Who said that? Who's there?" he asked looking this way and that.

"Over here" came the reply behind him, causing him to swing back around quickly only too see nothing behind him. "Where?" Jin asked quickly before being tapped on the head by someone close to him bringing the candlestick around, he was more startled when it looked at him and smiled with a face as it spoke.

"Yo!" Kakashi greeted amicably only to have a startled Jin drop him like a hot potato while gasping in surprise. Shaking his head clear Kakashi wondered only half heartedly if maybe Gai had been right.

"Incredible…" Jin trailed off as he stepped closer trying to see how this candlestick could possibly work. He got another surprise when a small clock bounced agitatedly to the floor and began to berate the candlestick.

"OH HO Kakashi! Now you've done it, isn't this a fine youthful mess you've gotten us into now…AHHH!!" Gai yelped in surprise as Jin reached down and picked him up, and began to turn him over and over in an attempt to figure out the mechanism behind this incredible place.

"Stop that sir, I demand you put me down at once. I… AHAHAHAHAHAH!! Stop!! That tickles." he yelped helplessly as Jin scratched at the 4 stubby appendages that made up his legs. The Jin turned him over and began to turn the winder which worked causing the clock hands to twist around Gai's face comically. This of course incited Kakashi into a fit of muffled laughter at his friend's expense. The laughter only increased as an outraged Gai was subjected to a startled yet curious Jin opening his front and ticking his pendulum back and forth.

"Sir!! Do you mind!! Close that at once!!" The offended Gai commanded in his best head of household tone of voice, before slapping the glass fronted door shut on Jin's old fingers.

"I-I-I apologize" Jin stuttered in surprise "It's just that I've never seen a talking clo…A talk…Ahh, Ahhh" he seemed to seize up briefly feeling the oncoming sneeze but being helpless to prevent it. Gai though did and tried to squirm free but to no avail as Jin let loose with a loud sneeze that fogged up his face plate.

"Bless you." Kakashi replied with a smirk at Gai's predicament. "Aw just look at you, you must be soaked to the bone. Here come warm yourself by the fire." He motioned to a warm feeling room nearby that did indeed have a glowing fire with in a tall ornate fireplace.

"Thank you very much." He snuffled and sniffed but complied following the gregarious candlestick into the room. The clock quickly made his way behind them protesting vehemently

"No, No, No!! You know what the master well do if he finds him here!!" Gai protested to no avail.

None of them though noticed that their entrance into the living room had not gone unnoticed. A large menacing shadow detached itself and slowly stalked down the stairs towards the sitting room.

-ooOoo-

"I demand you stop this at once!!" an outraged Gai continued to protest as he tugged in vain at Jin's cape before tumbling unceremoniously down the stairs causing a few loose screws, and cogs to fly free of him. He picked himself up and began to collect the wayward pieces and put them back in their proper places only to be greeted by the sight of Jin sitting in Naruto-sama's favorite chair.

"Oh no; not the masters chair." He groaned softly. He closed his eyes and began to protest mentally hoping the vision would go away only to have himself shaken from his revelry as with an exited barking Kiba and his pet Akamaru bounced through the door, and nearly ran him over.

Kiba having taken the form of a footrest laughed cheerfully as Akamaru in the form of a cushion leapt into the old fellow's lap and then situated himself behind his head for a more comfortable resting position. Kiba himself slipped under the gent's feet and lifted them up off the ground settling himself in for the duration. Neji who had taken the form of a coat rack stepped into wrap Jin in a warm blanket before stepping back and bowing respectfully. "What service. " Jin smiled thankfully and nodded in Neji's direction.

"Allright!! This has gone far enough!! I am in charge here AKK!!" Gais protest at this was undone when a speeding food cart nearly flattened him and he was forced to dive to the side with a yelp of terror, for there was only one person in the castle that dared go that fast indoors.

Tsunade halted her cart in front of the older gentleman and smiled a warm and cheerful smile up at the poor dear. "Would you like a nice cup of tea or some warm sake?" she offered Jin in a friendly but firm voice. "It'll warm you up in no time." She promised helpfully ignoring Gai who's protests of "No tea." Were muffled from his being face first in the carpet.

"Tea please." Jin responded thankfully, still soaked to the bone.

Tsunade complied immediately, and with a small blush at the handsome older gentleman the woman turned teapot poured a generous cupful into her youngest and most impressionable grandson. Konohomaru the chipped part of his top clearly visible was lifted up by Jin, and as he sipped the warm and bracing liquid he was surprised by a sudden giggling from the small teacup.

"Grandma his mustache tickles." He chirped happily which caused Jin to examine his drinking glass further.

"Well hello there little fella." He smiled down at the cheerful face that returned the bright smile with one of his own.

The warm and caring moment though was rudely and suddenly interrupted as with a blast of cold wind the doors to the living room flew open, and the fire was all but blown out being reduced to mere burning embers. Jin shuddered deep down in his body as a new ominous presence made itself known. Kakashi staggered backwards in surprise, and even Tsunade had to suppress a shudder at the sudden intrusion. Konohomaru leapt behind his grandmother with a soft "Uh oh." As the master of the castle made his presence felt.

Jin sitting in the chair was unable to see who had entered, though from the massive shadow briefly illuminated on the wall he got a glimpse of 2 long ears, and 9 swinging tails before the shadow approached him with a low growling of some large beast.

"There's a stranger here." A deep and ominous voice sounded in the still room.

"Master please allow me to explain." Kakashi hastilly tried to intervene. "You see the gentleman was lost in the woods on the road of life and we just thought…" He was swiftly interrupted in his explanation by a Brutal Roar that blew out his candles and deposited him on his posterior.

"Master" Gai spoke up solemnly "I just want to take this opportunity to say…It was all his fault--He accusingly pointed at Kakashi-- I was against this from the start, but would they listen to my youthful advice? Nooooo…" he too was interrupted by yet another roar which had him diving under the rug for cover.

Jin feeling a dark presence looming over him gathered his courage and turned to face the master of the castle. Only to wish he hadn't as he came face to face with a long fang filled snout and a pair of the most intense blue eyes he had ever seen. The beast with its snarling mouth and the long orange cloak covering its back crawled slowly over the chair forcing Jin to stagger back in terror at the sight before him. The beast was enormous. At least 7 ft tall- though his fear filled mind added another 2 or so feet to the aspect—it had dark blood red fur, and a long snout. The blue eyes in its face flashed into a blood red color as the agitated beast came closer to him. His long limbs were muscular and powerful with sharp claws topping them. The beast also had a tail; in fact it had nine tails, all of which seemed to move of their own accord lashing back and forth they also bristled as their masters anger grew.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" he snarled at the frightened little man who had been sitting in HIS chair wrapped in one of HIS blankets, and by HIS fireplace. He barely registered Jin's soft excuses about being lost in the woods, and needing help, or Tsunade protesting that he needed to calm down.

"You're not welcome here!!" he roared cutting off Jin before he could explain further.

On any other day he might not have even shown his face. He would simply have allowed him to stay then told his servants to get rid of him as soon as they could send him on his way. But tonight the first of the petals had begun to wilt from the rose, and it left him in a particularly foul mood. Unfortunately for Jin this made him an unwilling scapegoat for Naruto's already hair trigger temper. The fact that poor Jin was so startled by his appearance didn't go unnoticed by Naruto, and only served to further fuel his misguided rage.

"What are you staring at?!" he snarled viciously

"Nothing…I-I-…" he hesitated stuttering trying to get his feet back under him but it seemed the master of the castle was having none of it.

"So you've come to stare at the Beast have you?" he snarled again, before standing on his hind legs to tower above the frightened inventor, who tried to apologize and placate the enraged and frightening monster in front of him.

"Please I meant no harm. I just needed a place to stay…" he begged before Naruto roared and stood threateningly over him.

"I'll give you a place to stay." He snarled brutally before reaching down and grabbing poor Jin with his tails. Four of the nine tails wrapped themselves around him restraining him and lifting him off the ground. The Beast then turned with a flair of his remaining tails and sped off towards the tower; slamming the door behind him which cut off Jin's pleas for mercy.

Kakashi, Tsunade, and the rest could only watch sadly as the poor man was taken away to be locked in the tower's cells for who knew how long. Even Gai was taken aback at his master's fury. This wasn't like him at all. He sighed, and made his way to the kitchen to instruct the staff on their duties, all the while praying for a miracle to come and save them all.

To be continued