Alrighty, here's the next chappie for Cerise Tides. I hope y'all are liking it so far along with its progression. Hopefully the povs are oks enough too. It's definitely going along nicely enough in my opinion. Hehes
This time will be interesting for y'all on the basis for what I have in mind. The plans from this point onwards will be interesting indeed. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy. Please remember to favorite, follow, etc. along with leaving some nice reviews.
Chapter 7: Pulse
Kakashi
Hearing him agree sent my heart at a hammering pace. Never have I thought someone of my kind can feel like a human does when their crush agrees. Well, he's more than a crush to me at least. The one that's destined is completely different. It's like finding the one who will complete the void to vanish it for the rest of one's years alive. Taking him further into the water, I watch him transform. Did I know about this? To a degree I did, but I only know what Minato-sensei spoke to me many years ago. Apparently he's lost on the waves again…. I'm not sure how he manages to get lost out there. Probably he has the worst luck by the looks of it so far. Well, he'll figure out how to return sooner or later. How he'll react to Naruto's choices is another matter altogether. It's not something I'm going to worry about now. Having his hands held by my own in the flesh feels like a dream come true.
"How do you feel?" I ask him, hiding my worry of how this might be taken by him.
"Better than I ever have been in a long while," admits Naruto, sighing a breath of relief, seeing the dark gold and sapphire scales form on him. "What am I though?"
"You are a naga," I explain to him, knowing that we're of different tribes considering how his folks are from the north and south while mine are from the central one in the middle.
"Wow," whispers Naruto in awe, seeing how he seems still human from the waist up though from below the waist has him with a serpent's tail.
The tail is mostly dark gold. There are varying shades of sapphire scales around the tips of each fin along with around the rim at the end of his tail. The other scales can be found down his arms and a few other places. Flicking out his fork-like tongue now has him being able to take into account his surroundings from a different perspective. Watching him, I hide a laugh. He looks so adorable; especially right now. The look on his face is a mix of emotions, unsure which one he feels more out of the rest. Getting a little use to it, he allows me to tug him further until we're under the tides. The plan is to take him home, knowing father wants me to wed someone. Well, he has given me the opportunity to find my own except it's on a time limit. If I didn't find someone worthy within a month then I'd have to settle with the arrangement set in place. That's something I can't afford to happen. Naruto doesn't object to me pulling him along, noticing he can breathe fine underwater. It'll probably take him a bit more time to get his sea legs about him. That's ok though, expecting this to happen.
"Where are we going?" He asks when we're about halfway back to where I live.
"Home."
()()()()()
Naruto
Home? It certainly as hell isn't mine of course. Probably it's where he comes from. That's ok, hoping I'll be alright around whatever family he has. It's a little weird having all these changes take place all of a sudden. Though I'm slowly yet surely getting the hang of it. Is he different than me? Uh, well, he did say we're from different tribes I think while we've been swimming our way to the kingdom that lies in the center of the oceans. I wonder if we can find my dad while out here. It would be nice instead of always wondering whether or not he's still alive. Being so close to Kakashi like this has me feeling butterflies dancing in the pit of my stomach. That's normal, right?
Aw, you're falling in love ever so slowly, kit. You two have fun, murmurs Kurama with a tinge of playfulness, rolling my eyes at her though smiling through it.
"What's your family like?" I nudge the silverette for information.
"Hmm, well, I only have a father. My mother died many years ago," Kakashi diverts his gaze to look off into the distance before returning to speaking to me. "My father….well, you'll see how he is yourself soon enough. I have some relatives, but it isn't much."
"What if he finds out?" I whisper, darting my gaze around a little nervously to make sure I'm not somehow being eavesdropped on by anything.
"He won't," reassures Kakashi firmly, putting to ease one of my worries for meeting his dad, hoping it isn't going to be that bad for the first meeting. "You still want to be with me, right? I…well, I need to be sure. There can't be any regrets."
Scowling at him, I put a stop to our progression, having him face me gently, "Look, I've been waiting so very long to even be by your side. Do you honestly think I'm going to back off now?"
Chuckling lightly, he pecks my lips chastely to reassure more will be given later, "Very well then. If that's what you wish then so be it."
"Good," I huff lightly, thwacking my tail against the floor, sending a few ripples out though it only increases his amusement.
Grabbing my hand, we continue our travels. Eventually after some time, we arrive at the kingdom's front gates. Being given permission to pass through, Kakashi continues to guide me by the hand. It gives me more practice with my tail and coils. At least I'm pretty sure I have a good handle on it so far. Showing me to the palace, I gawk in astonishment at the spired building. Everything here is out of dark stone and varying shades of coral from the wreaths. Going inside, I gulp, trying to shove down the rising anxiety of meeting Kakashi's father face to face. Am I really doing this? Yep, it seems like it. Getting my composure back, I put on a brave face. I want this to go well for both of us. Maybe if I give a good impression to his father then we can take our bond further to grow it stronger. Yeah, believe it, I'll do this right the first time…. Well, that's what I hope at least…
()()()()()
Sakumo
Noticing my son has come back, I see he has someone with him. Raising a brow, I assume this is the one he has chosen to be his mate. Examining him, I can tell this one brings a spark of reminiscence to mind. Nodding in approval, I turn my attention to Kakashi. Indeed, I thought he isn't going to succeed in finding anyone, but it seems that even my own flesh and blood can surprise me sometimes.
"This is the one, eh?" I ask him, receiving a nod before he speaks.
"Yes, it is," confirms Kakashi, expression stoic when in my presence, knowing that weakness is not something I allow. "Are you pleased with me or not? Now you don't have to go through with the arrangement you set up if I failed."
"True," I murmur in agreement, seeing that it all checks out fairly well enough. "You have done well, my son. You may retire now to your chambers with your mate."
"Thank you," he bows, giving a look to his blonde companion before he does the same for them to then leave my sight.
Seeing the blonde does recall someone else to mind. Isn't he the spitting image of Minato? Yes, he definitely is. Perhaps there's some family tie between the two. It also brings to mind of someone else. Though the other person is lost to the four winds for me to figure out who it may be. Oh well…. There'll be another time to contemplate on it to figure it all out. At least he has found someone and seem happy with each other. All I can hope for now is the courtship goes well.
If it doesn't then I still have the arrangement still there just in case.
()()()()()
Madara
Well, well, well, quite a bit is going on in the depths here. The arrival of Minato's and Kushina's son is interesting. A while back is when my folk and I overthrew their lands. What does their son hope to accomplish with returning? Is he trying to avenge them? Or is this all a ploy to get in the good side of the merfolk's king? Hmm, so many factors in play… This is going to all prove interesting when the dominos fall.
"Master, is everything alright?" Asks Nagato at noticing the smirk plastering on my lips while gazing into the scrying crystal orb.
"Of course…. Everything is very fine here," I chuckle lightly, beckoning him over to sit with me, receiving an acceptance to it, appreciating having him here beside me. "There's some news to be had… We must gather the rest."
"Are you sure?" Asks the redheaded male, frowning at noticing the glint in my gaze.
"Yes, do not question me," I warn him.
Gulping, he nods, "Alright, alright, I'll see to letting the others know of the summons."
"Good," I let go of him after giving my mate a passionate kiss, giving him a sign for more to come later, allowing him to depart to give word to the rest of our organization known as the Akatsuki.
Many think that we are land dwellers. Nope, quite the contrary in actuality. If they ever know the truth then it will be a different game entirely that we are playing here. That's something I cannot afford to happen. The thought of recruitment does strike a cord with me. There are a few I wish to ask. Though that's not right now to happen, but much later when there's time to carry it out. What does worry me of what it means for Naruto to be here. It's not meant for him to come down into the fathoms until he's of age, right? Oh damn, it must be that time then, but no matter… All is going according to plan after all. I have no reason to fret over it. Whatever may transpire from here on out will be an endeavor I anticipate to engage without hesitation. Besides, soon enough, we will take the world by storm, to plunge it into eternal dusk. Anyway, it'll be time shortly to speak with the others. Only the strongest shinobi and kunoichi of differing clans are able to be a part of this. Over the years we have given privy to some others to join. Usually it's Itachi's job to persuade them. If there's any refusal then he knows to kill them on the spot no matter what it takes. An hour or two later is when Nagato returns.
"Hn, yes?" I ask him, wanting to know how it all went.
"They'll be here in a half hour's time. It isn't easy gathering them all up," sighs Nagato, a little fatigue cast over him considering how our fold consists of freaks of all varying shades.
"That's fine. I'm sure they all are finishing up whatever they were doing. Now, all we need to do….is wait for them to arrive….for our meeting to begin."
Well, let's see, little fox….if you can wriggle your way out of this without any damage. You may think that you're safe with him, but you're living in a dreamworld. As long as we are around….you'll never be safe.
Oks, that's the end of the chappie. It's definitely heating up a bit. Is there anything I need to change for this? Is there anything I need to add?
Obviously, I did focus more on the main plot than any of the sides. I thought y'all might enjoy that better. I'll switch between these type of chappies and others with the other ships. It just depends on what works out best I suppose.
Anyway, I wanted to write more of this and update it now instead of later. Why? Because I'm almost halfway through writing Silent Chaos. I'm excited to be halfway done with the first book in my original/professional series. Hehes
I hope you all enjoyed what happened this time. The next chappie will be out shortly whenever I have it finished being written up. Hopefully that won't be too long of a wait for it. Until then, please remember to review, darlings!
