"The Choosing Paths"
The party of seven finally found a suitable location to rest their wounds as they had ran through most of the blizzard since escaping the destruction of Pieta. Naruto, the lone human of the party watched as he had unsealed his latest straw hat, and placed it over his head during the thickness of the snow as it blanketed their sights. Since the explosive route they had taken from the city was what saved their lives. There was something following them. It wasn't well settling if it was an individual awakened being that had followed them after the finale of their escape. He sighed lightly from under his veil, as a town was spotted while they traveled south. The party steadily made haste towards the populace though one of the Claymore's spoke up as concern was laced in her tone. "There's a Yoki signature behind us, it's recently followed us."
Helen, and Deneve looked towards the back while Miria awaited confirmation, "Yeah whoever it is, not an awakened too small." The twenty second attempted to read but Deneve shook her head. "It might be masking its energy. The risk is high for such a thing." The two sighed wearily as Clare unsheathed her sword as her anxiety came a hold before Miria finally relented out as the snow caused her breathe to fade out into the night. "That's enough all of you. If this is an awakened being then I shall engage it, the rest of you proceed to the town to get to an Inn." Their leader was quite serious as the rest felt their mental and physical wounds take their toll. Although Naruto finally offered something to put them at ease, since he merely caused more headaches thrown into the blizzard.
"How about a compromise, will that be enough? The one who sensed the signature should accompany Captain Miria to provide support. Just in case the signature is an awakened being, or possibly another survivor. I doubt its the latter." His voice was calm, and tired even to the seven whose faces were cold at his compromise. Since their escape was nearly at an end most of the warriors especially Clare were pressed on the matter to confirm if this man in front of them was in fact a human!
Naruto moved onward as his objective was currently providing commendations for them. He knew where he stood their odds of successfully surviving the elements were a tad bit pressed. Even he was getting slightly cold from the wind, as the options of providing shelter were too tempting now. He sighed as the claymore that he suggested hissed out, either from the irritation of the snow or from him. He didn't know, nor did he care right now. "The name is Tabitha, so back off on who said what." The sensing warrior remarked annoyed to the human ahead of her.
"I'll keep that in mind." The returning answer came after a minute before Miria, looked to Tabitha, "Let's move now. The rest of you if it's an awakened flee as fast as you can. There's no need for more death." The leader of the remaining survivors stated over the wind as her cloak flapped back along their route, with the scout at her side instantly. The two went off into the night as the rest looked to the temporarily "leader" of the group as they begrudgingly admitted the human did save their lives, so it was inclined that he should move ahead to the town beyond them.
"It would be wise to move forward. Move along, else my patience will wear out." Naruto walked away while he spoke to them , they went down the snowy hill with little difficulty as the warriors trudged through the snow creating a path for the other behind to pace with little trouble. The process was taxing on all as they moved quickly to the perimeter of the small village as the lights dimmed drastically. Arriving on the snow barren street the blond peered to search for an establishment for his needs, and his "companions" as it were.
For several minutes the silence was becoming deafening to a few of the part namely Miss Clare, and Helen were savoring their aggressive thoughts on killing him for latter dates in the future." I'm not surprised, they treat the one who is giving them a home instead of walking through a blizzard? I really need to move on sooner or later." There a small sign with some sort of mug ware was plastered to advertise the establishment. He followed the road sticking to the center of the street as visibility was low, and he needed suability within the village to avoid unnecessary confrontations of seven, possibly eight Claymore seeking refuge from the storm, as well it saved his usage of Genjutsu to cover their appearances. The odds of the villagers seeing a lot of claymore diffidently would be a pain to hide in mid day.
Once he stopped at the Inn, it was certainly accommodating with three floors all possibly vacant if his luck played right into his hand. He sighed lightly before turning to the annoyed, cold, and the impatient warriors. Since two especially of the remaining party looked at him curiously. "Please stay out here for a moment after I get our rooms. After all I can imagine what would the owner think of seeing so many claymore, please just be patient for a little bit." Naruto honestly spoke though he seemingly made the impressions of the others hostile while they nodded as the chill of the blizzard was quelling the need to demand why or question his statements.
The party stood along the wall before he walked into the Inn to reveal a dim lit main lobby with a single stair case leading to the upper floors once more. His eyes revealed a rather half asleep barmaid sitting on a chair, with a man behind the counter as he looked to see a customer at this time of night, and during a storm! This was rather strange, and concerning as the man shifted to stand up right as he saw the man in black walk over.
"Having a pleasant evening sir?" the owner spoke warily as the howling of the storm emphasized his question. For a minute Naruto did not speak as he pulled his hat down as his finger twitched. Now how was he going to persuade this owner to ignore seven to eight people, and what was a good story. Naruto smirked before speaking softly to the owner. "Yes, a pleasant evening for my disciples and I. We are on a holy pilgrimage from god good sir, we traveled from Rabona." The owner was a bit ashamed for him to delay this traveling wanderer to spread god's will over the land, and his disciples. "I take it you're a priest? How many rooms do you require?" at the first of the questions the "priest" who was tired nodded quietly as he spoke softly again, "I have need for rooms to accommodate myself, and eight others." The sheer amount was quiet staggering for the owner to comprehend as he whistled low. "Quite the group if I say father." His respectful tone merely made the "priest" incline to nod his head once more.
"I have four rooms available to hold two beds. Is that enough for your needs?" the owner checked his key stock as the man frowned underneath the veil, the proximity of one Claymore could treacherous essentially he assumed Clare, and Helen. "The rooms are sufficient, I shall require a few days of rest from our pilgrimage till the storm is quelled." He spoke as his hands dipped into his pocket to unseal quietly a small bag of gold coins that made the owner look amazed. "That is quite enough father, only twenty gold coins would be enough for food to be prepared as well to accommodate rooms." The owner took twenty one though which wasn't lost too much to the stoic priest; greed was indeed to be shallow sighted for this Inn. Maybe he should do something about this man's greed, but he decided against it. The warrior's needed rest to get their wounds healed up. So he inclined his head lightly as he masked silently another genjutsu to when the occupants of the Inn saw his "disciples" they would see hooded cloaked individuals.
The owner saw the priest quietly move to the door before opening it to motion forward with his hand as he witnessed the priest's disciples enter, he saw two look back at him as if questioning about a subject. He waved to them to go up the stairs as he saw four in total move silently into their rooms. The sound of footsteps heavy against the structure made him curious if they were armed or were merely that exhausted dragging their bodies from the storm. He shrugged as his fees were paid well enough so why should the curiosity consume his head?
So the owner again watched as the priest shut the door, as the chilling touches of the blizzard came into mind as a shiver crawled up the spinal cord of the owner. "Must be tired from traveling I take it?" he asked a bit surprised as the priest looked at him before nodding lightly as he took his time getting to the stairs, never rushing or speaking for the matter. Either this priest was very quiet or he seemed to be anti-social the owner concluded as he looked down to the almost two dozen golden coins, a smile wormed onto his face.
The "priest" fortunately began his walk up to his quarters for the night. Naruto nearly growled out annoyed as the rather "bothersome" Helen got an imagination of manifesting that he was somehow being some sort of supernatural being. Able to control human emotions which stressed out the blond before he sighed deeply. So as the two humans in the lobby had completely ignored them. Clare's response was watching the humans who did not have their eyes widen at the sight of her kind, the barmaid was asleep on the table.
However with the owner who was clutching the pouch of coinage to that paid for their rooms had an unknown amount of time. Their exhaustion did not cover curiosity, or suspicion at the way how the two were acting within proximity of themselves. "Well at least my genjutsu is holding up nicely. I don't need some terror right now" Naruto sighed lightly as the wooden floor led him toward the four standing in the hall way awaiting his arrival to reveal where their "accommodations" lied."Well I'm sure the main attraction tonight, how considerate of them." he thought annoyed once more. Unfortunately for him, Miss Helen made her curiosity, and irritated mood bring itself within her inquiry. "Alright where the hell are the rooms?" the four seemingly awaited the response of the man who somehow made the two people in the main lobby seemingly make them "invisible" to the sight of the Claymores. Naruto was getting fed up but he took a breath explaining the whole room situation. From what he guessed they had one thought, not good.
"Helen for once be patient, and quiet. You're just whining now." the blond's words made the woman in question look like she received quite the headache based on the sheer fact he nearly insulted her much to his silent mirth. The four were somewhat mystified at the attitude as he sighed lightly. Naruto knew as this was rather simplistic to explain, unfortunately the lack of keen understanding was evident in the party. "Due to us arriving tonight, there are only four rooms. Which mean's bed mates two per room. Assuming you have experience in joint sexed companionship which I doubt. So choose a room with someone your comfortable with." Naruto tried to keep his voice neutral since he knew they would be anger. As predicted the four merely grunted as he went to the last door at the end of the hallway as the four doors leading to rooms without a marker were theirs to use for the remainder of the visit.
Naruto walked to the door before entering its interior as he silently closed the brown barrier before he felt his body convulse. "I should've realized this…" he winced as his arms instinctively clenched as muscles, blood vessels, and the skeletal structure was strained from the hastily prepared "Shi Furasshu-Suteppu". He gasped as his chest just crushed in on itself, since he wheezed. His heart was beating rapidly as he strained to walk to the window as his vision contorted as the beds, walls they kept moving farther away from this advance as it shimmered. His body was feeling the rather vehement effect from the lack of preparation else this situation would've been he ignored the warnings in favor to try to save his friend, and this was the price. Ignoring the rules that could crush him inside out.
The window was locked as his hands shook trying to unlock the barrier as his breathing was labored as cracks were heard around his body. He felt the pressure building his stomach as the window flew open releasing the cold air onto his face his straw hat was tossed to the side, as blood flew into the wind. The taste of his own life liquid was copper like as the fowl memories were brought to light at the sensation.
He emptied his stomach as the strain lightened as the human body was never meant to exceed the natural limits it was granted. Seemingly moving fast at the speed of sound, and light was the case here. Naruto could guess skeletons barely could take the stress in his was a small light effect on his "Shi Furasshu-Suteppu", now if it had been sabotaged he shivered. Thankfully he made a slight mistake in the hand signs. The concentration required for this technique was substantial if not, requiring the total focus of the user's mind to block outside interfering forces hence the logic reason of preparing this outside of war zones.
His chest cavity shivered as the cold unruliness air of the blizzard was inhaled as painful it was to endure, the numbing was indeed welcomed. His white fogged exhaling air blew swiftly into the wind, as he took several inhaling reliefs.
"That's the last time I ever do that so close to combat again." He murmured as the strains of using such dangerous techniques, there was a reason why these things like the Hirashin, and Shi Furasshu-Suteppu were so feared. The attempted creations killed more often then letting the one survive now, it was all about precision. Add the fact he made this during a war in such a short amount of time made most question his humanity. It was always during the war's of the past did such danger be was time, and luck that was on his side during a war that gave him this strength, or weakness depending on whose views was the one asking now.
It was great to have such fortunate results he had accomplished much to the horror, and to the fear of his enemies saw him enter the battle fields numerous times. It was well worth the danger he had at the time to make this newest super weapon. Without a biju it got nearly fatal on some occasions of creating this. It was all worth letting the crimson sea flow once more in the night. His hand went through his silk blond hair as he inhaled once more as the sub freezing temperatures alleviated the tremors before he looked up into the night. His eyes were active as the snow was falling in slow motion as he could effortlessly predict the movement of individual flakes, which was intriguing to see such frozen spectacles.
He took a breath, trying to steady his heart. Naruto was breathing slowly before he released a pulse of chakra as it went into effect. Now he sensed four Yoki presences not even thirty meters from his position, the four warriors were paired into the first pair of doors before the second as he was in the left. As the pulse traveled to the edges of the village as it dissipated he felt two, no three more Yoki signatures. Assuming the size of the largest to be Captain Miria, then it was the scouting warrior, and another survivor. So another did survive, that was good for them, and it proves his gut was still right. It was a slim possibility nonetheless though, as he sighed.
However he closed his eyes as the Yoki signature fluttered as if the survivor were injured, "I can only imagine how she'll survive now." He mentally thought, his eyes stung from the effects of the Shi Furasshu-Suteppu. It always was painful, he was just lucky he was used to the slight pains it brought if he got it wrong. He breathed deeply next time if he had to use it, he would correctly go through the forty hand signs so he wouldn't be limited to this state after a battle. God's it stung like a bitch he couldn't stop the remark from snaking its way into his head. Though he now had somewhere to go, to get the other claymore's here to the Tavern.
Naruto went to retrieve his hat from its position on the side of him. The the veil slipped over his face since the door opened into the hallway. He sighed lightly as the three new presences would be searching for an Inn, so he decided to await them at the village entrance. As he made his way down the steps the owner was once more admiring his "profits" the man flashed a smile to his direction, "Getting some air father?" Naruto almost yawned from his tone, though he merely walked to the door before stopping as if pondering something. Did this Inn have any tea in stock, he might as well ask about it now or it would be annoying later to have nearly half a dozen warriors eying him warily.
It was that moment before the "priest" looked back asking in a curious voice. "Does this Inn have any tea in stock?" The owner clapped his hands briefly, "Ah yes we do, one of our recent shipments of Southern Glade Tea. Would that be fine for you father?" Naruto lightly nodded before he opened the door to the howling winds. Well at least one good thing was happening tonight so far as he rolled his shoulder cracking it slightly. It was nice, and comfortable. Though he couldn't help be cautious about the what if scenario if Claymores and humans met. He bet Helen would go down the stairs to see if the "cold" man was there.
His cloak flapped in the wind as he activated his genjutsu over the remaining humans in the was the likelihood of one of the Claymores investigating their captain's return which far too plausible, especially Clare, and Helen again. Precautions were insured for that scenario as the winds howled about his person as his feet crunched into the snow. He briefly sent out once more another chakra pulse as the presences were more than a hundred meters from entering the entrance to the village.
Since he was walking, Naruto began to ponder on what to assume from this point on as the war in the North had ended. No it moved South despite the massive causalities the detachment of warriors had suffered the operation was a mild success. Mild was too gracious either way the organization likely believed all were killed, with seven survivors it was potentially a formidable force to be reckoned with a single digit. So there was one of the top ten that lead the above average powerful ranks. How could he rank their powers compared to his own, it was difficult to consider. Based on what he saw of these woman they could well above any Jounin in strength, and speed on occasion. Especially for the supposed "lowest" ranked.
The ranking was flawed when he had to calculate Clare's Yoki signature, it was almost bordering Kage level as Miria held that without a second guess. All the Claymores could be Kage level in this group due to their special abilities, potentially. All they had enhanced upon was their speed, control, healing, reconnaissance, range support, and so on. He could list them in the future. For now he had to wait out in the cold which put a small smile to his face, Snow Country. This brought back a strange mission in a sense.
The temperature unknowingly gave him temptation to the trip back to Snow Country, or more known to be Spring country due to his rather minor "assistance" for the protection of an actor, and the manager at the time hired the "Akatsuki" for an extremely reasonable price despite the resume to be used by the Major Villages of story short he was the protection of a high valued client that would have to live. It wasn't that dangerous for him desptie being there, it was something else that made it worthwhile. Not to mention Kisame openly grinned when the client, nearly tried to kiss him. Thankfully it didn't happen as he cracked his neck.
It was such a pleasant contract to acquire despite the Konoha shinobi who were extremely "wary" of him fortunately they did not know at the time that he was present. To them he was just another shinobi, though the Jounin leading the squad of young ninja did not believe him to be a meager presence. Now that he reflected once more on it, Naruto found it to be comical. Such good times in that organization, and shame he was brought here sometimes. Though it didn't mean that this place had it's fair share of people to remember, and one was coming now.
The sound of crunching footsteps removed him from the thoughts of the past as he witnessed two Claymores supporting the third in between them. Captain Miria stood on the right with her weapon sheathed, as the scout Miss Tabitha if he assumed was on her left supporting the wounded Yuma if he was not mistaken. Apparently one of Tina's close friends survived the conflict in the North despite under the grave circumstances as her abdomen was heavily lacerated. He glanced to her shoulder blades which were sliced immensely as the armor supporting them were in shambles. Her legs held cuts as crimson fluid dripped into the unrelenting frozen tundra earth. His posture did not flinch as the middle of the three scowled weakly at the presence of a man who was too "cold" from her encounters previously while Miria looked at him unsurprised at his greeting.
Miria right could imagine this man appearing before them, she had an inking he was related to the organization. He just had too many tendencies like a handler, if he wasn't then she was a bit lost on what he actually was now. Human, it was getting to be doubtful now.
"I take it there was no awakened being?" he spoke barely over the howling wind as the four stood at the village entrance, Tabitha, and by proxy Yuma narrowed their eyes at Naruto who was barely concerned about the safety about anything for the matter. The highest rank of the three merely sighed, "Indeed it was, another survivor as you can see. Where's the Inn, and is there enough room for everyone?" the former rank six inquired in a neutral voice though it was borderline authority. It made Naruto smirk, lightly though
He merely turned around before relenting as his voice was monotone barely heard over the gusting storm. "Your comrades will have to be paired in quarters, but reassuringly they are well supported. Just prepare for shared rooms since our arrival was unexpected as our circumstances. Though the tea should be pleasant though." His last sentence was giving the trio a headache, and they moved steadily behind the trench coated Naruto who did not turn around to assist them voluntarily. What was it with this guy, and Tea some wondered among the three. Since the crunching of snow was all able to be heard for the duration of the walk to the Inn as soon they reached the establishment.
Miria watched impassively as she assisted her wounded comrade though the feint scent of blood made her look towards the left of her position as a semi circle of crimson was audibly visible. Her eyes narrowed before seeing the entrance to the interior of the Inn left open as the trio made their way into the lobby. The Commander of the former battalion of warriors kicked the door shut barely with the side of her armored foot as she inspected the environment around herself.
The two humans currently in the lobby did not seem to be fazed to see a seriously wounded individual beside her as the two were reaching the stairs since she could see the rest of her comrades. They were awaiting her arrival. The owner of the Inn was stirring some tea as it was in a mug as the steam rose within he sat it down at the table where Kenji was currently residing as the man was content in his position. She suspected that the man gave them room to get their wits about, and not to be unnerved with him nearby. Only one halfheartedly Yuma grunted as the pain racked through her body before Tabitha looked to her commander to move on, as her eyes shut before the three cautiously went up the staircase.
The sounds of thudding feet were heard in the silent lobby as the barmaid at the far end of tables shifted as she slept.
Naruto let his tea cool for a minute before he received his utensils to stir the tea himself as he added some small herbs to the tea, to give it some flavor. As he stirred the liquid in his cup, swirls were created as they represented his eyes, the tomoes shimmered on the surface before he created another fresh set mirroring the previous positions. He reflected on what the course was to be set on his travels as the silence immensely was refreshing as he set aside the utensil. What were his options now, and where should he go from here. "I got quite the mystery to go on now. Just my luck as always." He acidly thought annoyed since he began with the obvious.
Now that the survivors were accounted for, he assumed it was to be logical that they would somehow keep in contact with one another, or at least have similar goals to bring down the organization. He had several choices to dictate the most beneficial in his state as it was, partnering with the seven ex-warriors to gather information at least assuming they wished to. Something just "told" him otherwise. These seven really weren't too liking of him, understandable but not impossible now. It wasn't like he killed them or anything, he sighed regardless.
Another path would be seeking the organization out, or merely awaiting the next offer, and subtly wreak havoc on the infrastructure; however that path would involve a potential hazard of being controlled. While the chance was small, it was no impossible for this organization to have powerful warriors to subdue him, if Ophelia was an indication, or Miria then Genjustu would be implemented, with various arsenals to conflict confusion. He doubted his illusions would work unless he used the greatest of them, but using too much daily would probably make his eyes weak. He didn't want to push his luck down that road, so it was now.
He had created a rather peculiar position to be side with the pros, and cons of its features. A low audible sigh escaped his lips, the tea was graciously appealing as he brought his hands cupping the bottom before he lifted it into his veil, and the warm liquid sated the parched tissue in his throat. He glanced to the stairs to see that Miria was descending the wooden structure, as apparently she wished to talk with him, on matters that would be varying no was going to be a long night, that was certain Naruto knew tiredly.
He cast yet another genjustu subtly over the owner of the bar, as he went back into kitchen, and the barmaid was sleeping apparently. Still the double layer illusion was in place to deceive the perception of hearing, and sight. Now they yell, and the two wouldn't notice smart but a hassle nonetheless.
Naruto did not make any notches in his body movement as he sipped his tea once more, letting the highest ranked warrior to set herself at the table, her Claymore was leaning against the wall to the right as she set it down. He noted the woman was exhausted, as the bags under her eyes were seemingly evident as healing wounds. He could imagine fighting to the brink of death, and sprinting across a blizzard in record pacing took at least some toll on the ever more hybrids in the land. So they would rest, all including him to sleep it off for a bit. "Would you prefer tea?" he inclined politely since he drank his own beverage, after all they needed something to lighten them up a bit. He smiled though his veil covered his face for now.
The ranked sixth warrior merely glanced at him before waving her hand as it was on the table as she contently sat, "No thank you. I'll be fine in a night or so." Naruto merely continued to sip his beverage before Miria looked at him, "The others are restless now, and I had them rest for the night." She sighed as the woman looked at the man who barely even acknowledged the conversations beginning before he poured himself another cup of tea. The aroma was sweetening though it did not cover the smell of blood to her senses, as she saw the tip of his veil lightly covered in crimson.
"I can imagine so. However with the current circumstances what is your next plan of action? The 'war' is over here in the north. I'll bet it's moved south." Naruto predicted for a moment before he stirred more tea, ever lightly adding the remaining herbs to sweeten the taste of the liquid. The steam was visible as the Claymore folded her hands as if intent on thoughtful preparation. The risk of the organization finding them was remote, they assumed all were dead. Now the question was, where should they all go, and what to plan out next? It was exhausting to come up with that, even for Naruto himself.
It was silent between the two for some time as the Inn Owner walked back in to see that the barmaid was awake as she yawned, he walked over to her to whisper into her ear to move out of the lobby as they had rooms occupied. Both employee and employer moved to the back of the kitchen to discuss what they wished. The man merely stopped stirring before placing it on the wooden brown table once more.
"Frankly I do not know for certain to begin spying, and gathering information. We need to get stronger to fight against the awakened beings and newer warriors at some point in the future." The woman spoke up as her elbows were on the surface of the table as her chin was on top of her fists as if merely assuming her options. "It's too soon to judge our course, I'll be tracking any information I can gleam at least, and the others will have separate agendas at the moment. However..." she trailed off looking at him curiously, and intently. He smiled it was rather nice of her to think of him, now in that regard.
"Then there is you. An enigma that the organization clearly wishes to exploit and your ability to negotiate with an Abyssal one is known. I'll be quite astonished if you wish to seek out the other two." The woman was being honestly yet secluded on the specifics of the individuals that were in her party, the seven Claymores would either work as a team or pair up to do agendas of their own course. With him around she was saying it would be irritating to them, so he inclined to answer respectful.
"Your assumptions are well thought of, but my interests are my own Miss Miria. I was kind enough to help but I must move on. Perhaps I will help you more, or do so for me." Naruto intoned cryptically at the end of his statement as he sipped his tea, the woman was silent. He noticed it was usual as her sliver eyes were thoughtful as he did not reveal anything so far of his intentions. In fact it was almost as though he was playing his time, hiding in the shadows trying to be unidentifiable this entire time she had gleamed of his presence. She sighed audibly as her seeking of answers were going to be useless if the man did not say nothing more, and add the fact he did save her due to a friend's request as it were. This noble act did not fit with the man's persona despite his appearance.
"Then what are your intentions? I do have an idea about them." The woman was glaring in the spot where his eyes were, trying to intimidate him. Naruto resisted the urge to place Tsukuyomi on her, let her then wonder about him. Though that wasn't a polite thing to do now. So he patiently sipped some more of his tea as he looked to the window, as the winds howled through the snowy roads outside. "As I stated, my intentions are my own. Your idea's are just random to me, so by all means try me." His voice made Miria sigh once more, this man was possibly the most frustrating human she had ever countered since his voice, persona, and appearance was so eerily similar to the organization.
It was like trying to reason with her higher ups when the time called for it, and this was how she usually was treated. Kept in the dark, and had to guess which way was right.
"Arguing with you is pointless, though I do want to have one thing to confirm. How did you meet an Abyssal, while impossibly walking away alive?" Miria was curious, as Clare was positively angered at the man, and what deal was made between the two. She was a bit on edge as the deal wasn't said, or the details made in it. Naruto merely smiled momentarily at the question, he didn't want to reveal anything too interesting. Still it was nice of her to ask, and he calmly cracked his neck before speaking.
"How curious. I won't say much since Riful hasn't broken our agreement. So I will only say this, I met her by chance, and just by chance alone did I live." Naruto ended it cryptically since placing his beverage down as it was empty. He slowly got up from his chair and he took his time walking to the stairs before he intoned warningly towards Miria, "You must soon chose a path. One of ambition to see the organization destroyed. Upon that path lays before you do not lose yourself upon its road else you will truly become what is inside of you." The second cryptic message was deciphered by the lead Claymore as her silver eyes were cold before the man went back to his and her room. The others were full, and it was going to be a long night.
Naruto walked down the hall as his lightly padded feet made the six other hybrid woman look upon him from their respected rooms. Their gazes were of mistrust, loafing, and caution as they reminded him of "them" long ago. Them, the rest of the world that had feared him so much, and yes it was quite pleasant to bask in that feeling once more. He lightly sighed before stepping inside his own commendations, with a slight click the door was shut. He heard the other women shuffle around a bit nervous about him, while he liked the feeling it made his chest hurt that being normal was hard to manage even for him.
He looked around the room once temperature was cool inside due to him opening the window to the outside. Kneeing near the fireplace there were some cold wooden logs present, using one handed signs he brought his index, and middle fingers on his right arm blowing fire. It was a simple Katon Style Technique, nowhere near the Katon Gokakyu no Jutsu had he known but it was sufficient for small blazes. It made life a little easier to do now.
The flames crackled before he went to the window to lean against the cool glass to await signs that his summon Rei was near. He had spotted the raven flying above them on more than once while the track from Pieta. He would have to place a seal upon one of the swords that his "companions" held currently, preferably it would either Miss Clare, or Miria as the two could tolerate his presence for the time had some alone time to think what he could do now. It was strange honestly.
What paths now could be fulfilled now, his primary goal was in tracking Isley of the North as he had little idea in where the Abyssal was currently, and the only way he could acquire the location was in contacting the only known Abyssal he had known. Riful, which was an idea of desperation so he would hold off in tracking her down, which simply was tracing the Kunai etched with dozens if not over a hundred individual seals, a simple chakra pulse, and the path was lit. The Hirashin had it's uses for it's user to trace the kunai, though Riful was someone he preferred not to be near less he had no choice. She was too peculiar even for him.
Another goal, which was now burning into his eyes, was acquiring the exact location of the Headquarters of the Organization in the eastern lands. Riful had hinted it was located there, but she did not pursue any more details, such aspects would be revealed if he had joined her to combat the other Abyssal lead to another question, why couldn't these Abyssal ones trust one another? It was more of instinct that they fought, couldn't they have a common enemy? The enemy of my enemy is my friend, a very wise saying that could decide life or death now. Still why was he one to talk about this?
Naruto knew himself was an asset worth keeping under any person's thumb or because if he strayed too far his position would be of a pawn. Now which was absolutely pathetic to become. Frustration was an emotion to be not frowned upon but to used to create focus what could he do what paths lay revealed and others to be discovered. That was what a Shinobi had to master, his skills were also an aspect to be determined. Still sleep had its benefits to rest the mind for now, and his roommate was on arrival as the low voices of Miria, Clare, and Helen were in the hall.
The Shinobi yawned loudly trying to rid of the tiredness from using the "Shi Furasshu-Suteppu" too quickly. That was the down side, if he more time this wouldn't have happened at all. Too much strain on the human body led to exhaustion real quick, and it needed rest to heal up. In other words a dirt nap for him anyways.
"You sure he's going to be nice? I don't trust him, hell I would launch him as far away as possible." Helen's voice was enough for the ever more amused blond, since to hear this was intriguing. To able see that the group was that wary of him to make some sort of sexual advance on Miria, ridiculous. Clare voiced her concerns, "He could leave tonight, and he has a habit of leaving at extremely well planned time frames. How will we keep in contact with him?" Apparently Miss Clare wanted him to be kept in sight, as she wished to find young Raki, no matter how pressuring it was on herself he would not be dragged into the matter.
If by chance he found the young teen he would have a simple greeting before moving on, the boy would likely ask for Clare he thought briefly before leaning against the window with the fire warming the temperature up. Raki chose to leave wherever he went, and Clare was going to find him. Star cross lovers, or some sort of kinship Naruto barely put much speculation into the subject now.
Miria's voiced out her opinion before moving along to her quarters as they needed rest due to their wounds taking tolls on the physical aspects of themselves. "It's possible he will not stay around but for the time being rest, it's too late now to start questioning him. We all need our strength up, and from here we'll discuss tomorrow morning. Is that understood?" her voice did not waver once nor have doubt laced in its depths. They agreed begrudgingly as it was for them to accept her authority. While they lost dozens of their comrades to dispute Miria's ability to judge an individual with less than personal experience was enough got their worries to be quelled for the night.
Miria walked while sighing lightly as a small headache came upon her as the entire weight of her position came to be known. Sighing lightly she moved the door apart as she witnessed the confine space of a fire as the woman wondered how her roommate started the blaze in the first place. Shaking her head it was too bothersome to put thought into as he likely got the wood from the owners of the Inn, after all a little extra currency does have its uses. The wind howled as it blew relentless in the chilling air beyond the window where she spotted Kenji Saito.
The blond in his black coat, so silent, and ominous he was leaning against the cool glass as if resting contently with the sub zero effect beyond the glass itself. His veil was still covering his head, while his body was concealed as usual from anyone's view; he barely shifted as she set her weapon down beside the second bed, which was farthest from his position. Miria was tempted to have herself armed but she likely knew whatever this man's intentions where killing her, or perhaps something along the conscious thought was unlikely. Naruto did not move, or speak as did in the lobby below so Miria merely began her routine of removing her upper armor, namely the little metallic covering breaching across her chest, and shoulders themselves.
The sound of removed armor hit the wooden floor as the only source of light was the fire, while it gave noise to near death silence of the small compartment. The lights flickered around the room, as shadows danced along the corners, as the male in the room blended into their outstretched arms, as the darkness became whole near the window as the wind blew violently into the night. The female Claymore shivered slightly before getting into her own bed, with her pillow against her back, as the warming heat felt content as the sliver eyes of the woman fell into the blazes.
"How are you holding up?" Miria relented as she shut her eyes; it wasn't going to be troubling for her to simply ask if the man was fine. After all he did lose someone apparently close to him, fought their way out from the doomed city of Pieta, and expected to not visibly suffer emotionally or physically was remote at best. Naruto did not speak as expected the woman thought idly as the sound of crackling flames took a moment for him to voice out his answer which was as once more predicted, emotionless. That dull monotone that sent shivers up her spine again as the lack of emotion was simply challenging to ignore all the while.
"Hardly doing well, Miria. Thanks for asking, but with Tina's death due to me being distraught over something trivial I may have helped save many tonight. I hate the feeling." Naruto's voice seemed to dip into a sorrowing effect. Miria could see the rage at himself though it was minuscule at best. Miria merely gave a low nod to the black clothed man, she sighed everyone apparently had scars left over from the battle as she leaned her head against the pale achromatic wall. The fire continued to burn as the cracking of wood spurred some conversation into Miria as sleep crawled along her nerves.
"No I don't need your excuses, that operation was what you stated previous before our battle. It was a farce, a massacre so death was going to be likely. Were alive some part to you." The Claymore replied leaning against the wall as the fire continued to be the only source of noise to somehow give peace to the inhabitants of the room. "What I worry about is if the organization finds out were alive." Miria relented lightly as it was dully obvious as a small nod was her answer from the man, he likely concluded that as well.
Unlike Miria, Naruto found their position to be well...good actually. He smirked as the Claymore was tired so he decided on telling her why, and maybe getting something out of this now. It was worth a try for now.
"I think your position has an advantage." The man mused lightly,causing her to look at him curious as to why. "Your assumed dead to their eyes, and with that view you have time to strengthen yourself to kill them. To be able to move around technically as a 'phantom'." Miria smiled slightly at the nickname, he continued on nodding. "Now you can learn to strike at them when they least expect it. Deception can be a powerful feat if you move carefully." Naruto folded his arms trying to come up with something else but he was trapped by potential scenarios in the future.
It was while he did not ask when the organization will be fighting Riful, or the Silver Hair king since it was certainly going to be some time as despite the "battalion" of warriors sent. The organization would take time to replenish the ranks, and if from what the mind of the Abyssal of the North held was to attack the Headquarters of the Organization in the eastern lands. So for a time, the continent would be chaotic which was preferable to move around subtly to search for the location of the hostiles. Conflicts hindered the hostility against him for a brief moment but it would peak once more if they approached him for a more demanding "membership." Naruto just hoped it would last for months or something of that sort.
"You make it sound as this is going to be simple to do. Even though there are some points that can be proven." Miria pointed neutrally as she rested against the wall, the organization would not be wasting resources to confirm that they were dead. After all surviving against a few dozen awakened beings was thought to be impossible, if not little chance of survival. To see almost four single digit warriors slaughtered was in most minds among her kin to be horrifying, if not insanity to witness at all.
The shinobi took a moment to explain some reasoning to these points as Miria said to be used, and well it was true. They had the surprise against their enemy, and fortunately if they acted upon them staying dead it would be a little bit easier. After all it was better for someone to launch a kunai in the day then finding an enemy in the shadows at night. Surprise, and deception were all common for the ninja back in the elemental lands. Well for the more smarter individuals anyways.
"Your deceiving an enemy now Miria, since your dead technically it's not too complex to understand them. Think about this, if you had staged your death beforehand at the hands of an awakened one then from what I know of your superiors they send some warrior of a high rank to confirm it. However this didn't happen because of the war in the north, they couldn't send any to confirm due to the dozens of gathered awakened beings, and don't forgot the Abyssal One of the North himself." Naruto took a breath to get some more thought on this, and to the Claymore she was listening quietly to what she thought was advice coming from him. It was strange to see this man opening up to her of all people, it made her somewhat curious again about him.
For the blond this was getting to be similar on how he staged his own death on a training trip with Jiraiya the Toad Sage himself. It was definitely possible to assist one's death onto someone power as the great almighty "Toad Sage" had discovered on his supposed "training" trip. The actual training was merely him trying to harness the Kyuubi's power, which was freaking unacceptable for him. Naruto refused to use the fox, if he used it too much then he would feel reliant on it, and refused all attempts on what the man thought was beneficial for him. Maybe if he did control the nine tails fully was it tempting but with the seal incomplete, and the sharingan keeping it in check on occasion he needed the sealing arts to study.
Not to mention the fact the man was trying, keep word was "try" to groom him to the Hokage. Now that was truly pathetic, just because his father was the former leader did it mean he wanted the fucking mantle? No he didn't want to anywhere near the freaking place but the Sage believed otherwise. His daughter's grave was outside the village, with her friends buried beside her due to his limited Doton manipulation of the earth. It wasn't grand it was just a grave with markings etched on it, so that he would remember her. This so called new mind set of his, new since many didn't think of him too much was after the invasion.
That was after the Exams where Emiko was killed, he seethed in rage as the man wanted him to be the future "Hokage" of Konoha. He would rather be rotting inside an ANBU prison cell before even attempting that so called "ambition". Like father like son, no he had broken that fate simply with the choice of vengeance. That was what he believed, everyone had a choice, and not a single god or gods decided on what he wanted to do. So he defied them, and this was where he was sent. Being a leader trying to save a continent, with a good cause on his back now.
"I'll keep that in mind." Miria grimly spoke, it was almost too easy to accept that death would be near at every step of their path to defeat their former comrades, and organization. Sighing lightly the woman wanted to extract more willingly information from this man, this enigma to at least have some slight indication of what were his intentions. Not she, nor Clare, and astonishingly the organization could sway this strange unnatural human onto some was he, and why was he helping them truly? Was it due to her comrade's death, no from what she was thinking this man was doing this for a far more deeper reason it had to be. She didn't think this man would do something without thinking it through, and that was what irritated her. A human who outsmarted almost anything on the continent so far.
While as it may, it was a better time to ask something about him. She had the feeling he would lock himself away from all conversation sooner or later. She lowly asked over the crackling fire. "May I ask you something personal?" the former ranked sixth warrior was curious as to what her subordinate Tina had conflicted with him about his daughter. She wanted some reason in why he had exploded into emotional distress, or simply got pissed off.
Naruto took a moment to look up at her, his hat was tilted upward as his green eye watched her with a plain look. He settled it down after a moment before saying two words."You may." The Claymore carefully took her time on what she wanted to ask, it ranged from where did he come from, to why was he helping them, and even to his daughter. Which was the best to ask of him without trying to think she was threatening to expose him of whatever secrets he had. Frowning she watched him lean against the window with his hat tilted down making his face difficult to see. She saw him look back, and saw something that made him sit back up.
"Ah Rei, your back again." The shinobi thought smiling, as the raven flew in from the storm which made the room turn colder again.
He opened the window as the flakes of the frozen liquid rushed into the room, as Miria felt annoyed at the cold as she saw his coat sway with the air currents. The whistling of the frozen winds whipped into the room, as the sound of ruffling feathers was penetrated in the proximity of herself. The Claymore watched somewhat interested to see a black raven obediently perched on the outstretched index, and middle fingers of his right hand. Which was a glove fingerless item encased around the limb.
Miria was getting to be somewhat tired to reveal she was anxious to see some answers on this man in front of her. He seemed to be so well controlled, but his own mask of deception hid the raging waters of his rage, sadness, and other emotions. She needed something to get an answer so calmly waiting for him to close the window her thoughts cleared on what she wished to ask him. Something indeed personal but not in the sense of getting him riled up, hopefully.
Miria chose her question which was obvious yet could be intended to reveal more than it was lead to be originally required. "What was your daughter like, did she stand out among your village?" the question made Naruto at the window stop stroking the Raven's feathers. His eyes spaced out as his hand twitched ever so slightly. Miria saw that with her eyes, it appeared he did not anticipate of the question, or apparently was bracing himself for it. Either way it was intriguing to see him place the Raven onto the bed post, as it cawed lowly as if wanting to rest. The shinobi didn't respond to the question right away, he was remembering why since he grimly smiled.
It seemed Miria was excellent at reading people, and he would have to remember that some time. No she wasn't great she knew him long enough with the right information to ask something about him that potentially could give a lot away. What she chose was a smart question, it was the right question to ask him. Now what could he say, why his heart was severed, no too dramatic. Sighing man this was such in the words of his old friend Shikamaru, "troublesome." She was quick at finding a flaw in her opponent, rather interesting if he had to comment. Humming lightly he was leaning against the window thinking quietly. His answer came within a few moments though.
"Your question is good, two parts to answer." Naruto smiled somewhat amused since he leaned against the spot near the window, and for several minutes it was silent. Through this silence Miria wondered if she had wanted a question far too personal, and assumed he would not speak again for the night so she sighed lightly preparing to get herself to rest, but a shifting of clothing finally made her eyes Claymore watched as the blond lift his hat off his head. She was somewhat curious to inspect his face after all since the battle.
She looked to Naruto and saw him removing his veil as his hands cupped the sides of the straw hat before the paper barrier revealed his features to her. The low tied blond hair that was in a slick smooth tail, while he had tan skin that held scars. He seemed to be young, very young but held a maturity she could relate to the most driven of young people. He was an adult regardless of how anyone thought of him, and she sat back looking over his face which was still handsome in a sense.
However his face held two green orbs that barely supported life within. It was those scars were what interested her honestly, while it was common for Claymores to bear scars of brutal fights. One scar going down across his eyes, one horizontal, and it was like someone tried to cut them out now she thought about it. In the proportions on this man it seemed to be far more excruciating to see the effects since a human did not have fast regeneration compared to them so, scars were heavily inflicted upon. Those green jadish irises did not once even flick with a sort of light, just that plain death like stare of empathy if she assumed.
Naruto began his answer with him grimly smiling, it was small but there nonetheless. "My daughter Emiko was rather plain and almost common among the people in my village then. Normally she would be like the everyday humans you saw in villages if tracking down Yoma. So she didn't stand in a physical sense. She did in a more hyperactive sense which was your guess." The answer hearing it from his lips was one thing, but actually witnessing the seemingly quiet man's answer made her annoyed. It gave some sort of mirth to him even though he waited for Miria who awaited for him to continue as he looked out into the night before flicking his veil head ware. Naruto barely watched that hat as Emiko in short was like him before he met his sensei, and it was startling to think of it back then.
The hat's resolutions it made evenly proportioned itself to land on the parallel post of the bed from the Raven, as the front of hat faced her directly. She shivered again as perfection was something to fear indeed so. It was just a little unnatural for it to be that perfect, strange but interesting all the while now.
"Miria, even though your curious about my daughter, and by extension to me you haven't earned my trust. Neither have I earned yours so please with respect do not ask me that again." He eye smiled at her, as the warning was clear as day. Well that shut the entrance for any useful information Miria relented thoughtfully as this eerily similar to some officials of her ex organization, only through actions, and personal opinion did rewards come through.
It was near improbably she could force anything from the man; else he would disappear into the wind, or possibly become hostile against them. Which was not something very intelligent to induce, allies, and trust were key for her group to live. This man held some sway over their survival as this night had dictated completely. She sighed, this was going to complex to understand, and this man was going to be a challenge any way.
Miria rested herself once more before relinquishing to the sound of the fire that lay in the room, and before long her sense of exhaustion took a hold, and soon she slept. The man parallel from her bed merely took in her features as his eyes became into the tomoe signature of the most infamous bloodline, as the red depths seemed endless. He sighed lightly before making his way toward the bed of the now asleep woman; he briefly glanced at her from the side that her weapon laid.
Naruto was curious as to how the organization created these half yoma humans, what was used in them? Not to mention he was interested in how they volunteered for this path, why some did it for revenge, love, protection, and other things of the sort. If there was one thing he admired their weaponry were simply outstanding in their own right.
The sword in question was in pristine condition as weaponry these Claymores withheld, as he reached out grasping the handle. He did not wish to travel presently with these seven, after all it was much more simpler for him to have a solitary journey and from what he had gained that the organization potentially could still force him into their ranks. An act of Impressment of sorts which Naruto himself was not going to let happen. So here was flipping the massive blade as quietly, and calmly he attempted. Setting a small paper was in his palm, it was a seal, a tracker seal to be precise now. Pressing it lightly, chakra flared into the sheet before becoming transparent on the glinting steel, it faded as would a ghost before it simply was blended. The tracer seal was in place, so he would abide his time, or what was left he desired to be would remain in the Inn.
Naruto moved to the front of fire where he stood letting the heat of the blaze wash over him. The feeling was like the Kitsune had within him once before, the Kyuubi. He missed the fox, it was like an inseparable thing he had but now he somewhat regretted the familar voice in his head. He smirked, he was going insane to ask for some voice in his head now, the fact was comical on all it's own. The removal of the fox was the final step for that battle. Naruto suddenly clenched his hand's as a memory was becoming know again. It was like his head was splitting in half! He gnashed his teeth together fighting through the brain frying sensation.
It last a minute at most before he calmed down, he remembered part of the battle. More specifically the start of how it began, how he arrived here. It was eluding him how, after all he did wake up in a forest with several dozen bandit's ready to kill him. So he slaughtered them all before arriving in these lands. The question was why, why was he here, and what was the point of it all? Was the gods finally punishing him to change this world, or something? He sighed it wasn't worth thinking over now, he got back to his memory again.
That final conflict, that was how he came to be now, forever changed in more ways than one it was in that location. The start of the end was what would bring him to this land, as he held his eyes shut as the distant sounds of explosions, kunai's sparking together, and the yelling of a division of specialized Shinobi sent to kill him, and the Red Dawn. The task force:"Kyokujitsu." The elemental nations strongest shinobi from every known shinobi village, the Kages, High ANBU, and even elite Jounin's that were famous among the land. Yes he remembered only the beginning so far, with his surrogate brother Sasuke before the first of the ninja arrived to stop them, and kill them at all costs.
- Flash Back -
Naruto stood upon the platform that lead to the central chamber that the former clan head of the Uchiha stood performing the final sequences of ascending to the moon to where the body of the Jyuubi laid. It took months, and months of relentless searching, and preparation to begin the final conflict of Madara's plan to rid the world of war, pain, and suffering. While he did not agree to its potential as the concept of entrancing the entire world under the most powerful illusion with the greatest form of eyes the Uchiha could conceive was staggering. It seemed downright blasphemous to even consider.
He went with the plan with no trouble, he could withstand the effects no matter what Madara had insisted due to the Kyuubi parting him with a "gift" of was the only shield the world had still, as he was it.
The ability to counteract any genjustu implanted around him. The Kitsune was mightiest part of the ten tailed monster from ages past, with the eyes of the monster itself. With him immune he would most likely see this plan to satisfy his revenge. Fuck the leaf village, they killed an innocent girl, his daughter out of fear for him to be un-loyal to the village, gaining strength to go rouge as his daughter was the rod of such due to the civilian populace hostile to her. The shinobi council itself were terrified at the potential of her becoming strong enough to convince her "father" to leave. It was pathetic to believe that, but it was done, and the world would fall. Human's why, why where they so complicated to understand when the simplest things drove them.
His eyes morphed into pinwheel like Isis's as he heard another set of footsteps appear from behind him. The younger brother of the man who he considered to be more of a "father" than the supposed god father he had, the damn Toad could drown in his misery as his former student the Rinneagan user Nagato sent the man to his death. He admired the man for his own goal, destroying Konoha was the catalyst that sparked his ambition to rid the world of war, Danzo and Salamander Hanzo were the two that began the chain reaction of destruction. Akatsuki was reborn.
"Are you ready Sasuke?" Naruto asked as the members of the organization were doing a well implemented delay meant of the shinobi force lead the Great Kages, Leaf, Rock, Wind, and Sand. Gaara's death sparked the third female Kage Temari on a meager revenge quest to kill him personally, after all once a friend was able to "convince" the Kazekage to "walk" with him, namely Tsukuyomi could do such a thing. The Hidden Village Suna was unprepared for that event, shame indeed.
"Yes I am. Aye Naruto despite all that's happen thanks for helping. It's not much but I wish to call you brother, a younger sibling that I never had." Sasuke was unusually emotional despite his cold posterior he held during majority of his life and Naruto merely looked at the elder teen and offered a small smile. He did a notion that the elder teen recoiled as he was flicked on the forward as did their late "brother" Itachi had done on occasion. It brought back sad memories for the both of them, as he explosions in the distance came closer. Naruto wasn't too bothered yet as he glanced back out there.
"Yet I still can annoy you simply, brother." Naruto took out his nodachi that he had been given under the guidance of Madara as he was curious in the length of the weapon and also why it was black. The color was the state of his heart, the black darkness, as the last bits of shattered light faded into dust. Ashes to Ashes, dust to dust all would fall beneath its length. It was the beginning of the end for the world he knew of now. Sighing lightly he looked to the younger Uchiha, and walked in front of him. This was the start of them forming an alliance, a bond that brothers only could share together. Totally committed to the end with the cost's unknown.
He noticed the position and Sasuke nodded, giving his trademark humming sound, as he drew his own sword, it was Kusanagi, the Grass Cutter. Formerly possessed by the Snake Master Charmer Orochimaru, it was now his after his with only one Sannin left it wasn't hard to find many who could oppose them now, and this was the final mark for their dedication to begin the plan, the Moon Eye Plan. Two teenagers from different blood lines that fated decreeing to be enemies stood as one now. Two spirts of the Sage of Six Paths, rage, and will. Power against Inspiration working for one goal, the destruction of all civilizations around the world. A dark goal with the causes of light creating this nightmare.
Naruto, and Sasuke stood front of each other raising their swords as one. It took a merely minute for them to nod at each other before announcing their oath that they had sworn when they had met. It was time to bring that commitment to the light, and destory them. Kusanagi, and Kistune Gekido crossed each other as the blond sharingan user began to recite an oath both had took when they learned of each others ambition to see Konoha to the ground.
"By this blade, I Naruto Namikaze swear upon my blood." The first brother began as Sasuke looked into the eyes of his surrogate brother as he crossed his blade, and began his own words.
"By this blade, I Sasuke Uchiha swear upon my blood." Both teen's words carried a dark road, that would only lead to ruin but the choice was made long ago, and upon each oath users nod they spoke as one, voices overlapping neither yet either becoming separate. It was a perfect sync as Sharingan met Sharingan copying the words from each others mouths making any who listen shiver upon it's dual tone of voice.
"We swear upon our blood, that our blades overcome our pasts. Conceiving in memory of its grave, ashes to ashes dust to dust." The two slid their swords forward, as both sliver, and black metallic edges eerily created a small grinding of fatality, as it pierced into the battlefield as both sensed two combatants, whom broke through, and both knew their targets without question. The tips of both weapons met, as Sasuke, and Naruto placed their palms at the base of the blades. Their blood would be spilled to finalize the end of all things. The two were not fearful of the consequences all that mattered was their goals to endure, and become an end. They were the end of all the corruption, the suffering, and hell on the planet's harbinger. They were the saviors of the shinboi world, in their mentor's insane vision.
Sasuke shut his eyes as the entire clan of his was done on the order of the elders, his family, friends, and his life destroyed because the three elders decreed such. The pain that his brother did for the love of a village that pampered him, and he hated being treated for it. The battle that his brother died after he fought him, and then meeting Naruto earlier on in life. The said person had his eyes shut as both chakra signatures synced into one being. A being entrenched of the darkness.
Naruto could feel his daughter die in his arms, the pain, the sorrow, and more explosive the rage. His rage of the kitsune along side of him nearly burned his home to the ground, the building couldn't be seen without blackened marks all over it. His eyes burned with a passion to kill his family's killers, the Ne ANBU, the council, the elders, and anything that stood in his way was forfeited to die. Former comrades, friend were all expendable except his only brother left, Sasuke. Both teen's looked at one another before speaking in one voice, it was so calm, and right any who could listen were stunned at their passions.
"Vengeance for not, we shall overcome our fear, our heart, and our humanity for the sake of our raging sprites, pure or unjust. Upon our blood, we shall endure." The blades cut into the skin as blood from rivals that fate decreed crossed together as brothers, seeking their vengeance in an allied might of arms, fate was convicted to be immovable, yet it had failed. Brothers opposite became one, as it ended.
The two warriors, both men stood before themselves as they walked inching opposing blades crossing their bloodlines, as they stood to shoulder to shoulder. Never unflinching as both carried the eyes of death, family slaughtered for the good of a village that in order to preserve killed hundreds, and it was a system flawed. The end was nigh on the horizon, of the Red Dawn. The world was at an end for all to bear witness their raging spirits fulfilled for all. It was them, and only then would would both stop.
The sound of two sets of feet appeared as both as one Sasuke, and Naruto spun around grasping their blades in readied positions as both sets of sharingan looked upon each of their foes. "On this oath we will endure to the end."
Hakate Kakashi Elite Prodgiy, failure to his sensei, and friend to guide their legacy's down their path. Along with Temari who desired revenge for her baby brother, ready to kill his supposed best friend. They both stood before the two teenagers, whose sight had utterly changed their persona on they could be still humane on what they wanted to dressed in her Kazekage robes unleashed them to reveal her outfit when she traveled with Shikamaru when they were still in sand. Her fan was ready to kill Naruto Namikaze, and Hakate Kakashi was ready to end the both of his former students. They were beyond saving now.
The battle around them erupted as the task force brought the other member's of the Akatsuki to within a half a mile of each other. Fire reined around them as jutsu's were cast into the air, water dragons lit from the rivers in the open plains. The sky turned dark as wind currents were shifted as dozens of high class ninja fought to the death. The beginning of end had begun, and to the four standing off with the only way through to stop the plan of Madara it was intensified. The mighty biju nine in all began to sync with another as a massive wall of chakra shot up into the sky, a sickly neon coloration as it hit the backs of Naruto, and Sasuke as they pointed their swords directly at their two adversaries.
Naruto smiled insanely as the his eyes shifted into the Mangekyo Sharingan as a blast of power erupted from behind him, he began his phrase were the death of an opponent was absolute. "Come hither, and wither into the winds." Sasuke's own eyes morphed into the Mangekyo as well as he aimed it at the Copy Cat's chest, their target's were locked. For one last moment both Sasuke, and Naruto glanced at one another both Mangekyo User's deciding their end was here. They nodded silently before looking back at the two ninja who readied themselves in the neon like light.
Naruto intoned his trademark jutsu as he cast the technique in his mind, "Futon: Daitoppa no Jutsu". The air around them went silent as the slight intake of breath from the blond made Kakashi suddenly scream out, "Move now!" The wind exploded from the Namikaze's mouth as a twisting vortex like some sick version of twister crushed the landscape as rocks, trees, and dust went into the air. It was like a cannon as the noise made yelling impossible as an ear splitting screeching sound came around. Sasuke launched his own Katon Justu creating a firestorm of hell, "Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu".
The battle had begun...
- End Flash Back -
He sighed as the memory faded in the reaches of his mind, from that point on he became once more a monster. He had no regrets about it, save for the fact he failed to promise his daughter of being normal. Emiko she would probably hate him for doing this, but what the cost was he didn't care for. It was the end, and he had endured it. So how he did, and now he was here ready for a new purporse. A purpose he sought for trying to ask himself why he caused Tina's death, a friend to perish. The fire behind him crackled as he looked up at the window his reflection as the Sharingan looked back at him. Maddness, rage, and vengence once more back in his orbs. Naruto knew he had to do now.
In Destroying an organization that caused a friend of his to perish was what made the monster stir within him once more. This Claymore organization would fall to the Dawn of a new power, a new light in this land. A Red Dawn would arise once more with him at it's head. The time for change was starting, and he would make sure it would begin personally. Naruto glanced back at the fire as the flames captivated him, the sounds of battle, of pain, of terror, and retribution was all heard. It was time to be human, to be a monster, to what he was again.
The monster which he stared endlessly into the flame's orange, and red flickering depths he would begin a new Dawn, a Red Dawn to endure this organizations enduring night. The night would end with the Dawn coming on the morrow. He breathed his burning lungs, he had been anxious now he was certain. To destroy this organization would require a lot of resources, and he already made some key goals in establishing this new Akatsuki.
In this Akatsuki there were several objectives that were to be met. The first was a spy network, with the contacts to provide shelter, and possibly information on the location of the head quarters in the East. He also needed The Abyssal ones who were critical in the near future as well, to be able to determine their motives was to be decided upon. They were the powers of this land, and he needed their support. Well he needed the Northern, and Southern Powers since Riful he knew would be interested. She wanted something to happen, and fucking hell it would. He grinned as his excitement returned, this was what he needed to do to be normal. To change the world one more time, and this time in the right direction. It would begin with the swing of the sword, spilling blood onto this land opening the eyes of everyone living here. Their life was an illusion which he intended to break, completely.
Taking a moment he needed to be gathering allies to bring down the shady organization was also required as he alone plausibly could not destroy it. Even the Red Dawn needed members to succeed, he smirked it was time to begin the road to war. Looking behind him at the sleeping Captain he knew their group had to be stronger, he would allow them to stay clear of himself, and to improve their abilities was what had to be the result. He himself had to begin his journey as a wanderer once more, and soon it would begin.
Naruto walked to his own, and slipped dual kunai's under his fingers, letting the cool metal reassure him he was safe for the night. Steel of the blade was what he thought about before resting his sore body, thinking of only one thing for now.
The Red Dawn would begin...
"End of Choosing Paths"
Author's Note: I have only one thing to say, Holy fucking shit the Akatsuki is coming to the Claymore-verse. It took me a while to come up with something when I wrote this, trying to create some OC organization was a bit much though what about the Red Dawn? There have been plenty of opportunities for Naruto to carry on the Neo-Akatsuki onto some other place or verse or whatever people create off. I can think of a story where Naruto has the Robes of the said Dawn but not technically was in it. At least I think he wasn't : It's Zagger the Bloody Angel's " A Red Dawn "
I can say that his story, along with" Patchwork "created by puffdadder really got me to write Claymore Crossover's now. I mean A Red Dawn was really the first major story in this section, then came a few other good one's like " Abyssal One of the Red Cloud's " by Darth Malleus. Those three really made me kicked it into overdrive to right basically I have like four five chapters already written out i think. I'm on some thing where you'll see an epic battle take place in some merchant OC city in the Northern, Western Land borders. I won't reveal much but Naruto will be fucked up, it's what I have planned to go along with the pairing, and some serious firepower unleashed.
Now that the Akatsuki will be coming to town's in this place, I implore you, you readers who come here in the hundreds within a day to read this please fucking take four minutes of your time to vote on who comes into the fold. I have almost two dozen choices, and it requires your thinking power here. Your practically deciding the chemistry, the teamwork, the will of who will join the Red Dawn, and pretty much go on through the story after I write the ARC where Naruto, and Miria travel. Oops deliberate spoiler *laughing*. So please freaking vote at the poll which will be up after this chapter is posted, so please I ask of you to get the choices in quickly. I don't want to write some 20,000 words on a character requirement chapter on the wrong person! I would flip honestly.
Onto Naruto's personality you got to realize he's a bit tad insane right? No mere human can come through with this without some mental trauma in getting here, basically in all I'm saying he won't be bi-polar but he will be somewhat manipulative in the future. I can say since I wrote it already, there will be lemons (Not with the Pairing Indicated) so more spoilers coming here eventually that I'm clearing up. I have the same freaking PM's asking so please in all respectful tolerance, "Shut the fuck up, and leave me be. Others are waiting patiently out there for these chapters.". So back to Naruto Insane yes but like clinical bi-polar freak, no. So the whole memory thing expresses that shady aspect about him, so from that I will have to apologize on his past now.
I'm being deliberate in creating gaps of how Naruto went from this, Orange Jumpsuit Hokage Senju to Hatred Bond to Kill the Village thing. There are events related in Cannon that are interconnected here, I"m just adding some AU events in it to get the connection ready. All will be relieved more in time as PM's are graciously asking why? What happened to him to get this, what things like after he lost his eyes, what did he do to leave the village. Small critical things like that some have asking in great detail. It's all too flattering as the few who ask with a keen foreshadowing light stun me. I can go on how people are intelligent on here when there possessed to have more of something they like. But I won't have twenty pages for that alone.
I know there are more questions then answers which are really getting me to smirk, I have people on the edge, and the lack of annoying words can help a tune to that. Forgive any spelling errors this was a big chapter again, and I was listening to surprisingly this song when writing the last half. Nightwish:"Siren"
On something different I got a Message from Meatzman2, I was impressed with his knowledge of Latin Phrasings. I'm in the process of changing my story's name from it's current name to this, or I might leave it be based on the response from others are. "Proeliator Aurorae Puniceae ". That is the real wording of Warrior of the Red Dawn, turned out "of" was never really existed within Latin words. It was all direct plural, and directions. So the man knows the language and I don't want to be an ass in not changing to get the real wording, so some feedback before I get around to change it. I hate being the ignorant one about this language so any who find respectable when I do change it eventually some thoughts are welcomed as well.
So last request please freaking vote, it's critical I start getting an idea on who is coming or Naruto going to see the next members of the Red Dawn, help is definitely appreciated now.