Narrator's Note - Naruto's relationship moves forward as does an offer from our secretive Templars.
Naruto woke to an odd feeling, he was sore and warm at the same time. Slowly opening his eyes, he realized he was in a bed. Still half sleep, he turned on his side to see Kanda sleeping peacefully beside him.
"Yu…" He whispered, taking a strand of his hair. Naruto loved him for sure and it scared him. The last time he loved someone, he'd had his heart broken. Maybe it was too soon. Maybe Kanda will change his mind. Naruto wouldn't be able to bear it if he did. Feeling unsure and more hesitant about their relationship, Naruto made to get up. A hand instantly grabbed his wrist. He looked down to see Kanda watching him.
"Where are you going?"
"I just…"
"You what?"
"I'm scared okay? The last person I let this close to me broke my heart. I'm terrified. Maybe we should-Hey!" Naruto was yanked back down with Kanda hovering over him, eyes searching his.
"I'm not letting you go so whatever this fear is you have, get over it."
"But what if-"
"No 'what if's'. I want you, I'll always want you. You're mine Naruto," Kanda lowered his mouth to Naruto's ear. "Forever." His declaration helped erase the remaining doubt and fear in the younger boy's head. He wrapped his arms around Kanda's neck and relaxed. Sensing the tension ease out of him, Kanda began placing kisses down his neck while Naruto sighed in happiness. His new boyfriend was in the middle of creating more marks down his shoulder when there was a knock on the door. The sound of the door knob turning caused Kanda to mutter some unintelligible curses.
"If you open that door Lavi, I'll cut your head off."
"How'd you know it was me?" Lavi answered. The threat seemed to do the trick because he didn't open the door. Kanda had grown so used to leaving it unlocked that he'd forgotten to lock it last night when he'd carried a sleeping Naruto to his room. "Are you sick? You usually don't stay in bed this late."
"That's none of your business."
"I only wanted to know if you've seen Naruto. He wasn't in his room this morning." Kanda could see the grin on the red head's face. Lavi knew where Naruto was, who at this moment had torn away from Kanda and was hiding underneath the blankets. The older boy practically growled in frustration, got out of bed, slipped on his boxers and swung the door open. Lavi's eyes widened as he studied him from head to toe. Then he smiled. And boy did he smile. "So I guessed right. Hi Naruto," He called into the room.
"Hi Lavi," A shy voice answered from under the blankets.
"Do you need anything?" A smart person would've heard the warning in the question. Lavi heard it, he just didn't care.
"Nope. Only came to check on my friends…and to report back to Sakura. See ya later." Kanda wanted to kill him but the thought of leaving Naruto a chance to escape won out in the end. He slammed the door shut. Blue eyes peeked out at him.
"Everyone will know now."
"Good. That means no one will be stupid enough to show interest in you." Naruto was about to respond with a smart comment when his stomach grumbled.
"I'm starving."
"Don't even think about it Naruto."
"What? Why?"
"You're not leaving my bed yet."
"But I'm really hungry!"
"Then I'll feed you."
"Feed me what? Oh…" The way Kanda was watching him made him blush furiously. He was starving. Kanda couldn't do this to him! Okay he really wouldn't mind staying in bed all day but his grandma would wonder about him and the last thing she needed to know was that he'd spent his day having sex with Kanda. She'd for sure tell his dad and that was the last thing he needed. He glanced at the window then Kanda.
"Don't you dare."
"Sorry but I'm super hungry and my granny will wonder where I am." Naruto already slowly begun backing off the bed. He wouldn't have time to grab anything to wear so he carefully pulled the sheet around his waist.
"Naruto."
"You'll see me later."
"If I have to chase you…" Naruto swallowed at the hanging promise. He'd deal with it later. It was now or never. As soon as he moved so did Kanda but since Naruto was closer to the window he made it out before the older boy could catch him. Kanda was stunned to see his Naruto gone and in his a place a beautiful, golden dragon with blue eyes. It snorted at him then took off.
"So you turn into a dragon in front of him? You weren't thinking at all were you?" Naruto only shook his head and continued stuffing his face with ramen. He and Sakura were sitting in the cafeteria. After he transformed, he flew to his room, dressed and went looking for her. She'd been doing school work by herself when he'd found her. "Well you have explaining to do, not me. How do you feel by the way?" He paused to think about it.
"Sore, tired and happy."
"That makes me happy then. Seriously Naruto. You had us all worried you realize that right?" He nodded.
"Thanks for being a good friend."
"Tch, not a big deal. I wasn't always like this so I have to make up for all the times I was a bitch."
"What do you mean 'was'? You still are." He narrowly missed a pencil thrown at him.
"Naruto? Sakura?"
"Hey Suman! What's up?"
"You have visitors. Komui wanted me to let you know. They're in his office.
"Thanks." The two cleaned up their mess then head to Komui's. Inside the first thing that grabbed their attention were the two hooded figures standing in a corner. Their cloaks white with a red cross down the middle. Sakura's mouth dropped open, as did Naruto's. Tsunade cleared her throat from her seat on Komui's desk while he is nowhere to be found.
"Naruto and Sakura, these men are Templars. They wanted to talk to you well Sakura mostly."
"Me?" She squeaked.
"You received the cross did you not?" The taller of the two asked stepping forward.
"Technically. Naruto had it first though.
"Yet it only reacted to you. It was placed with your friend because we would like him to be your partner. You, Sakura Haruno, are meant to be one of us."
"Cat did say she thought I'd been chosen."
"She was right."
"What exactly would I be doing?"
"You will help us against Dray. Of course you'll need to be trained, we will take care of that. If you agree then each day you will go into town and sit in the town square until you are approached. You will be taken to where your training will begin." Naruto could tell the gears in his friends head were turning. "As for Naruto, should you so choose to be her partner, you will accompany her."
"Who are you guys exactly? Does the church know you're here?"
"Questions," The figure waved a hand dismissively. "You will receive answers in time. For now, trust us. Sakura you were meant to do this. You father and his mother before him were both Templars."
"They were?"
"Yes. Two of our best. We exist to protect humanity, do the things the Black Order can't or won't because of bureaucracy. Help us in our mission." Sakura had changed a lot since Naruto had first met her. She used to be the school mean girl with a terrible reputation. She'd even tried stealing Sasuke away from Hinata when the two were dating but after Hinata saved her life things changed. She stopped dating other girls boyfriends. She no longer bullied others. She'd even cut off most of her old crew. True she still had her moments but she was trying. Naruto saw it every day.
"Okay," She answered without hesitation.
"Well I'm in if she is."
"Then we begin tomorrow morning. Be at the town square by five." The figures walked out. As soon as they were gone, Tsunade pounced.
"Do you two what you're getting yourselves into? Once a Templar, always one until death. It's a very serious commitment."
"I know, I want to make a difference helping people," Sakura told her.
"But Sakura if you want to help people, then volunteer somewhere. This is much more serious." She raises an eyebrow. "Is this about making up for how you used to be?"
"Oh come on! You know I was a horrible person."
"Guilt is making you do this?"
"No! I already know no matter how much good I do now will never make up for it but I still want to help and this IS volunteering. I volunteered didn't I?" Tsunade laughed at her answer.
"What about you Brat?"
"I'm doing whatever she is," He responded with a shrug of his shoulders.
"You two will be the death of me. Now Naruto where were you last night? I looked everywhere." He almost flew into a panic. However he was saved from having to answer by Kanda appearing in the doorway.
"Naruto we should talk. Now." Sakura and Tsunade giggled like schoolgirls as he left the office and followed his boyfriend down the hall.
Kanda stood in silence staring at the wall across from him. Naruto rubbed his arm uneasily beside him. He had just finished telling Kanda everything, from his true ancestry to the Templar's offer to train Sakura himself. Kanda could tell his angel was nervous but he had to think all of this through. He wasn't too surprised about the Templar stuff. Not even about General Cross being his father, there were parts of his personality that made sense now. What surprised him were the dragons. Creatures he thought were myths and now he's just found out his boyfriend is one. And not just anyone mind you, but a dragon prince. Was their relationship going to create problems? Kanda would do anything to keep Naruto safe so he could understand why Cross would leave Minato when it'd been explained. He'd wanted Minato safe from the trouble their relationship would bring. Kanda found himself agreeing with the general for once. He'd have done the same for Naruto, would do the same if it came down to it.
"Yu say something. Are you mad?" The dark haired boy blinked and turned to the other.
"Mad? Why would I be mad?"
"Cus it was a lot to put on you at one time."
"I'm not mad, I'm not upset at all."
"Good. I was about to freak out." He flashed that dazzling smile and Kanda found himself pulling him closer.
"Naruto will there be issues with our relationship? Cross was an Exorcist and look how that turned out." He receives a push for the question.
"Don't ask stupid questions! Just when I finally get over my doubts you ask me that. I swear if you ever pull what Papa did I'll burn you alive." Naruto snorts, causing smoke to come from his nostrils. Kanda chuckled and reached for him again.
"You know I really like it when you're upset," He entwined their hands, ignoring Naruto's threat.
"Kanda, Naruto!" Lenalee called, making Kanda groan and Naruto laugh.
Cross had felt he needed to see Minato again after the visit with their son. He wanted to plead, beg for forgiveness. He never should've left them. He shouldn't have been so afraid. Cross scratches his chin and almost wishes he stayed with Allen at the inn. Taking a deep breath, he knocks on the door. It opens seconds later to reveal Sasuke Uchiha. The last time he'd seen him, he'd been trying to get out of his brother's shadow. Now he was a young man. Cross gaped at him then cleared his throat.
"Sasuke-" His words were cut off by a pair of arms hugging him. The usually reserved Sasuke was hugging him. Cross returned it and smiled as the boy tried to stop tears threatening to spill. "How've you been?"
"Terrible without Naruto, a little better now though. Uncle Minato is in the kitchen."
"You're leaving?" He asked, seeing Sasuke move to go down the steps.
"Meeting Mom and Dad for lunch. Should I tell them you're here?"
"No, your father won't like it." Minato and Fugaku had a relationship similar to their children. He wouldn't approve of Cross' presence and would probably say he was going to cause more trouble. Cross entered the house, following Sasuke's info on where Minato was. On the way, he took off his hat and jacket on the way, setting them on a table. He stopped in the doorway. Minato stood with his back to him, cooking with one hand on the stove and holding his phone to his ear with the other.
"I think he's met someone Fugaku, he's been very secretive and Sasuke won't say anything." The sound of his laughter made Cross' heart quicken. He had missed him so much.
"Minato." Cross watched him freeze for at least a minute. He then finally took the food off the stove and said into the phone,
"I need to go. We'll chat later." Minato then continued cleaning up like he hadn't heard him but Cross knew better. His suspicions were confirmed when several knives flew at him. He easily evaded them, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. Minato was going to make this hard. Fine.
"Get out of my house!" Another knife flew at his head. This time he caught it and flung it back. It bounced off a wall. "Luca get out!"
"Not until I talk to you." Next came a kick to his side. He deflected it, grabbing Minato's leg in the process. Quickly he kissed the shorter man who growled and punched him. Cross only grinned and swept his legs from under him. Minato turned it into a flip then grabbed the nearest knife. Cross slowly circled him.
"Don't touch me," Minato warned and let out a breath of fire. Cross would have to tread carefully. This time when he moved, fire came at him. He narrowly avoided being burned. His shirt wasn't so lucky. It caught fire and he had to quickly get rid of it. He caught the way Minato's gaze traveled down his body and used the momentary distraction to make his move. Cross grabbed the knife wielding hand, using Minato's shock to kiss him again. He pressed their bodies together, pushing Minato against the counter. The general relaxed when he felt his love finally return the kiss and drop the knife. When the need to breathe broke them apart, Cross lifted him onto the counter. Minato wrapped his legs around Cross' waist while his hands tangled themselves in his hair.
"I wanted to talk, not fight," Cross trailed a finger up and down Minato's thigh.
"What if I don't want to talk?"
"There are other things we could do then. I want you right now Minato."
"Prove it," Came the heated reply.
Naruto stared at the old man. He was the one he'd given Sakura's cross to and now here he was sitting on a bench. Naruto had gone into town to take a breather from Kanda. To say he was smothering was an understatement. He had also wanted time to think over everything before their training began tomorrow. He'd been wondering aimlessly around when the old man on the bench came into view. Naruto remembered him instantly, especially his name. Feeling angered because of the attacks on him and his friends, Naruto stormed over.
"You introduced yourself to me as Dray right? The same guy who's been trying to destroy humanity."
"I'm pleased you remember me."
"I could take you out right now."
"No you couldn't. You're not strong enough yet. Would you like to sit down?" Naruto hesitated but eventually decided it couldn't hurt so he sat next to him. "I was testing you and I wish I'd gotten to you before those idiotic Templars. I never had any intention of killing you. I wanted to offer you a chance at joining me. You have potential but I fear I already know your answer."
"You're right. Some of my best friends are human. Why would I do anything to hurt them?"
"From their inception on this planet they've destroyed it. Even causing the first dragon's death. Their time here is done. They need to be eliminated."
"I guess we have nothing else to discuss then."
"I suppose we don't though I did hope you'd join me Naruto. Perhaps I went about recruiting you the wrong way." Dray stands. "The next time we meet, it won't be this pleasant." Naruto watched him go, wondering what he'd gotten himself into.
