It was night when Izumo made his way to the outskirts of the Delacour mansion grounds. The Leaf shinobi on guard nodded at his approach.
"There hasn't been any disturbances but two men were lurking about yesterday in the afternoon. It looked like they were studying the place."
"Did you see their faces," Izumo asked.
"Yes. One was fairly young with common features and the dark hair these French seem to possess. The other was middle-aged and well dressed. But nothing has happened. Have you completed your business?"
"Yes without success."
"We will keep an eye on that matter. I will be off then."
Izumo voiced his thanks at the other ninja who then took his leave. The brown haired chunin settled down comfortable for his nightly vigil. He had been to the closest Hidden Leaf establishment in the city but the ninja there had no helpful information regarding the Dark cultist group that recently sprung up. Izumo obtained the cooperation of the establishment and a ninja versed in French accompanied him as a translator. He visited the sites of the kidnappings supposedly committed by this group and talked with the local residents but his efforts yielding nothing. Mindful of the task Shiro had placed upon him, he asked that a shinobi be stationed at the Delacour mansion while he was investigating.
He kept up a sharp vigil but as the hours flew by he relaxed. By three in the morning he doubted that anything would happen when a group of hooded individuals appeared in the street.
Izumo quickly vanished and made his way behind them. One was talking. Izumo frowned in frustration. He couldn't understand the man! English he had a basic grasp on but nothing with French. He needed to start learning it.
The group cautiously made their way to the large gates leading into the mansion grounds. To Izumo's surprise, the gate was unlocked. Somebody inside was a collaborator. He debated on what to do. He had no way of knowing if these were just thieves or were here to kill the Delacour head. By this time the group was creeping towards the mansion's entrance.
Izumo smiled mischievously and primed an explosive tag. This he tossed in the air in their direction. The tag detonated thunderously and momentarily lighted the area. Amidst the shrieks of surprise he threw two more for good measure and then hid. The noise would wake the mansion and the surrounding buildings. They would have no choice but to retreat and when they did he would capture one for interrogation.
To his shock, instead of fleeing, one rallied the rest and they charged for the front door. Izumo drew a kunai. This made it clear. They were assassins. He darted through the gate after them. Applying a burst of chakra he appeared in their midst. Before any could react, he slashed the throats of two and flung the kunai into the jugular of another. The remaining three cried out and fired several spells at him. Mindful of Shiro's lectures, Izumo dodged the colored lights and appeared behind one of the assailants in a burst of pure speed. He kicked the man's legs from under him, grabbed the neck and twisted it sharply. A shuriken snatched from his holster buried itself into the throat of the second while the third stood still, too shocked by the swift and vicious elimination of his comrades. A heavy blow to the man's cranium brought him to unconsciousness. Izumo quickly grabbed the man and weaving the signs for the Shunshin jutsu reappeared outside the gates.
Lights were appearing inside the mansion and the surrounding villas. Izumo doubted that a further attempt at this stage would be made and so left the scene with his captive.
Life at Beauxbatons fell into an ordinary if rather dull routine. Shiro soon achieved the reputation of a ghost. He attended the classes silently, always sitting in the back and disappearing the moment it was over. Occasionally students caught glimpses of him wandering the halls or grounds. The sight of him was so rare outside of class that it was questioned if he was really doing his job. That matter was settled a few days after his arrival when Fleur and Anabelle got into a verbal confrontation that quickly turned violent. Shiro appeared in their midst without a sound and snatched the wands from their fingers. His sudden appearance was enough to disperse the heated atmosphere and with a few parting words he wandered off. Those that attempted to follow were left looking about bewildered.
Though he got his little moments startling the students and playing minor tricks on them with Genjutsu, Shiro was unhappy. It was like a leech constantly sucking at him. The days were boring and his nights were troubled. He thought often of his home and of Naruto. Thoughts on how the boy was doing invaded his head during the dark hours of the night. He wondered if Iruka had taken his advice on how to tutor the little blonde bundle of energy. The boy was too impetuous and thick-headed to teach like a normal child. He had to be taught by example; monkey see, monkey do and even then the subject had to be interesting and dumbed down. The young academy teacher certainly had a head splitting task ahead of him but Shiro was confident the man wouldn't fail to impress.
Since the night Fleur visited him, the Veela kept her distance. Something Shiro was glad for. The girl was far too confident in her charms and she had a right to be. He may be a hardened killer but he was still young and susceptible to the allure of a beautiful girl. The moments where this showed embarrassed him to no end. The Veela's sultry smile with that hint of a smirk oozing knowingness; he detested that the girl thought she could play him as she wished. Shiro was well aware of the scrutinizing looks she cast at him. As long as she stayed away she was welcome to study him from afar.
Though the sun had barely risen, the Dining Hall was filled with excited students. Today was the day everyone had been waiting for; the moment when Maxime would announce those chosen to represent Beauxbatons at the Tri-Wizard Tournament.
Maxime stood up from her seat, dwarfing the other professors, and a hush blanketed the hall as she unrolled a piece of parchment.
"Students of Beauxbatons. This is a moment worthy to be recorded in Beauxbatons history. After many years the Tri-Wizard Tournament has once again been opened. I will select a group of twenty students to represent our noble Academy."
Everyone looked at each other, eager, excited, and each hoping he or she would be in the group of honor. All eyes again turned to the Headmistress when she cleared her throat. "First off is Miss-…" The Headmistress trailed off as she suddenly noticed a figure leaning against the wall by the entrance doors. It was Shiro. The Chunin had slipped in quietly and now stood listening with crossed arms to the announcement. He was fully dressed and equipped to kill. His dark clothing was rumpled but shone with a glossy cleanness. His vest was firmly worn and the storage pockets held the scrolls with his equipment. His signature dark gloves covered his hands. His brown eyes peered forth passively from underneath his bandana; A grim silent sentinel.
The students turned their heads to see what had caught the headmistress's attention. At the sight of the Chunin an excited whispering broke forth and they all craned their heads to get a look at the rare spectacle.
Shiro regarded the eager faces apathetically. The day was finally here. He would be leaving this Academy for England. Subconsciously he clenched his jaw as he thought about the ulterior part of his mission. Would he find anything in England that betrayed Orochimaru's presence?
Maxime cleared her throat and continued with the list. Loud applause arose when Fleur's name was called. The Veela stood up and moved to the front with the other candidates, her face radiant with a smile of joy. As she walked, her eyes sought those of Shiro. He stared blankly back for a moment before averting them. Her rapture faded slightly. When Annabelle's name was announced it faded even more. Jealously flared up when she saw him smile in congratulations. It wasn't that she held any romantic thoughts for him. She was used to being the center of desire amongst the male population and having him pass her by in favor of someone she disliked was a major blow to her pride.
'Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.'
Did he really mean that? Was his friendliness towards Moreau's daughter just a ploy? Fleur didn't know what to believe with her guard. Changeability cloaked him like a dark vaporous mass that always shifted and she couldn't decide which part of him was real. The collected blasé individual he was with her or the friendly persona towards Annabelle.
She couldn't deny though since his arrival her relationship with Annabelle had improved considerably. Did she dare use the word, she would almost say they were friends of sorts. Annabelle's frequent mocking statements had decreased to the point of nonexistence. The girl had actually taken to treating her kindly. Fleur had at first scorned the 'peace offerings' guard, but not wanting to seem as a grudging immature person in front of him, she took to returning the greetings and occasional compliments paid to her. To her surprise they sometimes engaged in conversation she found herself enjoying. Each time this happened she forced herself to remember that the girl was only doing this to get close to Shiro and that the current friendliness of their interaction was false.
Shiro listened attentively as the last name was called and then left the hall. He wandered out to where the carriage that was going to transport them was parked. Fly would be the better word, he thought, studying the magnificent stallions hitched to them. They were pure white with long gleaming wings and silky manes. He found Kotetsu already there under a Henge. Shiro flashed him a conspiratorial smile but refrained from speaking.
Under the curious stare of one of the winged steeds, Shiro looked at the report clutched in his hands. His jaw worked up and down as he considered the implications of Izumo's latest report. The assassin Izumo captured had died almost instantly during interrogation. Strange black symbols suddenly appeared and spread around his face. Investigation into this revealed an unknown seal planted at the nape of his neck. Further study showed that it had been crafted with both magic and chakra. Someone with shinobi knowledge was working with this group of wizards. A rogue shinobi? Or… Shiro preferred not to imagine that scenario just yet. Not until he had further information.
Shiro turned his slightly as he felt another familiar presence approach.
"Inikaze," Maxime said as she stopped alongside him. "It looks like you are both ready. If only my students could learn to prepare in advance."
"You are being too demanding," Shiro said mildly. "For how could they know if they would get picked? But you came seeking me for a reason. What is it?"
Maxime looked down at the report still crumpled in his hand. "I think you know. The news just arrived. Five dead people were found inside Delacour's mansion grounds. Neighbors are claiming they heard massive explosions that flashed brighter than the sun. The men were all found with fatal physical injuries and a strange marking on the back of their necks. Only one person I can name who could be responsible for this: Your teammate in Paris."
Shiro stayed silent and gazed ahead. "What else?" he said at last.
"The Wizarding state is in an uproar as you can well imagine. The Magical Authorities are launching inquiries and so far it has been said that these deceased men were part of the pureblood cultist group that has been harassing half-blooded and muggleborn citizens." Maxime shook her head, "now that they have risen to murder and tried no less to end the life of our new Minister, the Magical Authorities have finally begun acting. Delacour has declared that any member of this group if caught is to be sentenced to life imprisonment."
"Delacour is too soft," Shiro murmured.
"What then do you think is a suitable punishment for them?"
"I think you know," Shiro echoed Maxime's earlier words.
"You speak of killing so easily," Maxime said stiffly, "I can only assume you've killed before and no few times to speak of it so casually."
"How long will it take till we get to England?"
"Was it your teammate?"
"Yes."
"What kind of group are you," Maxime murmured in wondrous disgust.
"A group that accomplishes its missions efficiently. Delacour would be dead if it wasn't for my partner."
"It will be a whole day till we arrive in England. Tell your friend to mount the carriage. The students will be here shortly." And with sharp turnabout Maxime left.
"Did you hear that old man?" Shiro said teasingly.
"I did. Thank Kami Zu-Zu sent us these magical translators." With some trepidation Kotetsu approached the horses and climbed into the carriage box.
The translators were charmed necklaces that Izumo had obtained and mailed with his latest report. Shiro found it immeasurably valuable. He could now understand the conversations throughout Beauxbatons and none suspected otherwise.
Shiro mentally recalled his list and patted himself over. Satisfied that everything had been packed into his scrolls he joined Kotetsu in the driver's seat and waited. Presently the voices and tramping of the whole of Beauxbaton's body came pouring out into the open grounds of the Academy. Many were holding papers and talking with hushed excitement but all fell silent and attentive when Maxime strode out followed by the twenty chosen. Shiro discerned Fleur's anxious face and Annabelle walking besides her in a comforting fashion.
"Shiro," The Veela stopped momentarily at the carriage door. Her mouth opened and broken note of a sentence tumbled out before she snapped it closed. She looked so worried that for a moment Shiro felt the need to comfort her. Fleur instead gave him a strained smile and entered the carriage followed by Annabelle who also flashed him a smile. Shiro frowned internally. The Moreau girl displayed genuine concern towards Fleur. He could see it in her demeanor and bearing. That was a greatly surprising fact.
Besides him Kotetsu's breathing grew tense and the ninja braced himself as the horses neighed and pawed impatiently at the ground. A might shout of farewell rose from the spectators when the door closed and a magical signal sent the horses charging forward towards the waterfall. Shiro held his breath as they approached the drop-off and then with a mighty leap the steeds were in the air.
It was an exhilarating feeling to feel the wind rushing against them with enough force to pin them in their seats. The rush of air and weightlessness brought to the forefront, memories of dashing through Konoha's great forest. Only this time he was on a flying carriage way up in the sky.
Once the horses had set a steady bearing the flight turned serene. It was like a dream; floating endlessly among the clouds whose shapes and mass made it seem like they were in another land. Time vanished in this hypnotic scenery and for they floated along for what seemed like eternity until suddenly Shiro noticed they were not among the clouds any longer and the sky was darkening. He blinked confusedly wondering if he had lost consciousness when he saw a dark castle on a cliff fast approaching. A form far below that steadily grew larger as the horses approached waved them in.
Shiro hurriedly shook Kotetsu. The other ninja quickly snapped to attention with blurry look.
"We're landing," Shiro said shortly as the man directing them in was forced to dive aside to avoid the carriage.
The carriage gave a light thump and the horses came to a graceful stop.
Shiro leaped down and paused momentarily in surprise at seeing the man who had directed them in. He was nearly the size of Maxime and much broader. An immense beard and shaggy hair hid most of his face.
"Howdy there," The man greeted him jovially.
Shiro ignored him as he turned his head towards the castle. They had landed very close to the building on flat strip and students could be seen at every window watching them.
The carriage door opened and Maxime stepped out with all the dignity and stateliness of her position. The rest of the delegation followed her.
The male half-giant seemed tongue-tied at her presence and at last managed to stutter: "M-my name's Hagrid Ru- Rubeus Hagrid. Welcome to Hogwarts… I, Professor Dumbledore will-"
At that moment the great lake that lay in front of the castle erupted and Shiro watched with keen interest as a ship burst forth from the depths.
"Thank you Hagrid. Will you please take care of my horses. They have had a long flight. I will make my way to the castle."
"Aye, yes of course."
Maxime approached Shiro who stood gazing at the lake. "I must prepare my students for our introductory ceremony and that will include you." She noted his gaze. "Those are the Dumstrangs. Their leader is Igor Karkaroff. A man I wouldn't trust."
"Pardon me," Shiro replied, "I will not be participating in whatever flowery shenanigans you are planning."
Maxime couldn't help giving a smile. "You are part of my group and must follow but you are free to simply walk behind us if you so wish."
"That is better." Shiro cast a look towards Kotetsu who stood by unsure. Maxime understood.
"He will come with us."
The two shinobi fell into step side by side. A young lad and a wrinkled old man hobbling along on his cane. Shiro peered at the castle in front. He was finally here.
