Castle Guards
Castle Guards
By Ammie Hawk
Disclaimer: I now own Naruto and Harry Potter and I don't have to write fanfics anymore. Oh wait, I'm still here aren't I. Damn it, stupid dream. Of course I don't own anything.
AN: This chapter is kinda confusing, but guess what, it's meant to be. I'm now reaching a point in the story where I'm breaking away from the books and am setting things up for the sequel. Some of the questions, however, will be answered in this story but not all of them.
Oh and by the way, for anyone who is interested, I'm going to have a one-shot (shudders, I promised myself I would never write one) up soon about Naruto's fifteenth birthday party that I mentioned briefly in the previous chapter. It's not finished yet, but I will let you all know when it is.
And thank you to everyone who reviewed. I love you all so much. You make me feel guilty about the long wait I put you through between chapters and make me want to work harder.
Anyway, enough rambling. On with the show.
"Blah" Japanese
"Blah" Kyuubi
Chapter 10: Unlikely Allies
The next day found Harry very distracted. He had told the shinobi to meet them on the seventh floor at eight. He still couldn't remember what he and Ron had been discussing on the way up from the Quidditch pitch the previous day, but had pushed it to the back of his mind as he had bigger concerns right now, mainly getting through class and organizing the first meeting of Defense.
At lunch time, he and Ron entered the Great Hall together, Hermione said she needed to look into something. If only the boys knew what she was looking into, they might not have been so calm about it.
Hermione had received a strange not that morning at breakfast, asking her to come to a deserted classroom during the lunch hour to discuss something only she might know. She was curious, but cautious as well, since there was no signature on the note. She approached the room, the one Temari had dragged them into weeks ago, with her wand drawn, just in case this was some elaborate prank. As she entered the room, her composure slipped as she recognized the figure standing in front of her.
"Malfoy!" she hissed, raising her wand.
"Granger," he nodded, quirking a brow at her wand. "I don't plan on attacking you, if that's what you think. I actually have a question for you."
"Oh?" her wand lowered a fraction of an inch.
"Please, have a seat," he motioned to the desk in front of him.
She stepped warily forward and sat down, her wand never leaving her hand. She eyed the blonde suspiciously.
"If you'd like me to prove who I am, Granger," he smirked, "I'd be more than happy to do so."
"Please do," she snapped waspishly, not letting her guard down. This couldn't be Malfoy, not if he was asking for her help.
"I am Draco Lucien (1) Malfoy, Slytherin prefect and Seeker," he chuckled slightly. "My favorite thing to call you is a Mudblood. And if that is still not enough, then back in first year I know you and Potter were smuggling out an illegal dragon that landed the three of us and Longbottom in detention with Hagrid to track down an injured unicorn."
"Oh alright!" she released her wand, but left it on the desk within easy reach.
"Good," he sat down across from her, relaxing elegantly in the desk. "Now that that's out of the way, do you mind if I request some food from the house-elves?"
Hermione smiled smugly, "I'll do it, I don't trust you around house-elves. Dobby?"
There was a crack and the funny looking house-elf appeared. "Did Harry Potter's friend Miss Granger want something from Dobby?"
"We'd like some lunch, if it's not too much trouble," she said kindly, keeping the elf's attention on herself. "And please, call me Hermione."
With another crack he was gone.
"You did that on purpose," Malfoy smirked. "Trying to taunt me with my old house-elf, Granger? As if I care. But I have to say that was rather Slytherin of you."
She just smirked at the closest thing she would get to a compliment from the blonde. A moment later, Dobby returned with a tray of sandwiches and pumpkin juice for the pair. He bowed low to Hermione's polite 'thank you' and left without even realizing who else was in the room.
"You said you had a question for me," she said, pouring them each a gobletful of juice and handing one to Malfoy.
"Ah, ever to the point. Gryffindors," Malfoy shook his head, accepting the glass from her. "But yes, I do. I was wondering if you knew anything about an organization known as Akatsuki?"
Unbeknownst to the two magic users, they were not alone. Hanging by chakra encased feet, two of the shinobi listened with rapt attention. Catching each other's eye, they nodded. The information this blonde had would prove invaluable.
"I am not familiar with that name," she took a thoughtful swig of pumpkin juice. "Where did you hear about if from?"
"That would be telling," he set down his own glass and leaned forward. "I will tell you though, but I need your word that none of what is said here goes beyond this room, not even to Potter and Weasley."
"You have it," she nodded, unconsciously leaning in as well. "I won't tell a soul what you tell me today."
"Very well," Malfoy sighed, relaxing once again in his seat. "My father has just recently left on a mission for the Dark Lord. I don't know specifics, but I do know that he is headed for Japan in search of the Akatsuki, rumored to be notorious in the Hidden Ninja Villages."
"How do you know of the Ninja Villages?" she asked surprised. She had assumed none of the student body had heard of them, outside the ones she'd discussed it with anyway.
"I have known of the rumor of their existence since I was young," he waved dismissively. "Most purebloods know them, but dismiss them as fiction as no one has ever found them. But I only ask out of interest in what the Dark Lord wants with them."
"As I said, I am not familiar with that organization, but…" she rummaged around in her backpack and pulled out the scroll she had acquired from the library. "This scroll is the only information the school has on the subject of the Ninja Villages. It is unlike anything I've ever read before, so it is possible I missed them. It's the Akatsuki you say?"
She unrolled the scroll and immediately dropped it upon reading the first two words. Draco looked at her in confusion. She gingerly picked the scroll back up and took an unsteady breath.
"I've never seen anything like this scroll before," she shook her head. "I opened it and it has only information on that organization."
"What does it say?" Malfoy sat up quickly, foregoing his cool Slytherin pureblood demeanor in his curiosity.
"The Akatsuki," she read aloud, "is a feared organization throughout the Ninja Community, as all of its members are… oh my god." She stopped.
"What?" the blonde snapped irritably. "I don't have all day, Granger."
She took a deep fortifying breath and continued reading, "…as all its members are S-class criminals. Their leader rules them with an iron fist, ever searching for the elusive bijuu. I wonder what that is? Anyway, In recent years there numbers have taken a drastic hit as more than half of them have been killed by various ninja of Konoha and Suna, two of the strongest allied nations. However, the remaining members are still to be feared."
"Doesn't it say anything else, like who the members are?" Malfoy sighed in frustration.
"No," she shook her head in annoyance. "It's this damn scroll! It's always so fucking elusive!"
"My, my, Granger," he chuckled. "I believe that is the first time I've ever heard you swear. And at reading material, at that. What is the world coming to?"
"I could say the same," she laughed. "Malfoy, a pureblood Slytherin, willingly seeking the help of a Mudblood Gryffindor."
"Yeah, well, just don't let it get around," he shook his head. "My reputation would be ruined. It's bad enough I don't…" he cut off abruptly.
"Don't what?" she asked curiously. "I promise I won't tell. I gave my word and I take that very seriously."
"Fine," he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "If I don't tell someone soon, I'm going to go insane anyway. I don't like girls, they do nothing for me."
"Oh," she nodded, and then her eyes widened as understanding dawned. "Oh! But I thought you were with Pansy. Oh well, it does put things into perspective though."
"You're not going to look down on me for it?" he looked at her skeptically.
"Of course not," she waved dismissively. "Firstly, you can't help who you love or are attracted to, and secondly, I know at least two gay couples in Gryffindor. So who has caught your interest?"
"The new blonde in Gryffindor," he said almost too quietly.
"Naruto?!" she gasped. "But he's taken."
"I know," he sighed. "It's because of him and his boyfriend that I discovered I'm gay. I came across them kissing a few weeks back, but the look on his face when that girly-boy kissed him will haunt me forever."
"Girly-boy? You can't mean Neji," she scoffed. "He's far from being girly, well except perhaps his hair, but I believe that is a family thing."
"As much as I enjoy talking about my sexual preferences with you, Granger," Malfoy drawled, sitting up straight, "we both have classes to attend. Don't expect us to be on friendly terms, you are still a Gryffindor and a Mudblood."
"Of course," she nodded, smiling cheekily. "And you're still a Slytherin and a git, I get it."
They both got to their feet and, making sure the coast was clear, left the room. As soon as the door closed behind them, Temari and Sakura released their chakra and landed gracefully on the floor.
"This is bad," the pinkette looked at her companion, almost panicking.
"It could be," Temari nodded, "if they join Voldemort. Otherwise, we'll be okay. Calm down, Sakura."
The medic took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, "You're right. Besides, last I heard, Itachi was searching for Sasuke, with Kisame's help. The others are still searching for Naruto. Lady Tsunade told me she would be feeding false information out about his whereabouts."
"That's all well and good, but if they discover the false leads they may be persuaded to side with Voldemort," the blonde sighed. "If that happens, I don't think we'll make it."
"I think I have an idea," Sakura bit her lip. "I'll have to run it by Naruto, but if it works they won't even consider joining Voldemort."
"Whatever it is, I'm all for it," Temari smirked. "Keeping them out of this is an excellent idea."
"Right," the pinkette nodded. "I'll talk with him after the meeting tonight."
The two of them left and continued their classes throughout the day, surreptitiously casting glances back and forth.
8888888
At half-past seven, Neji, Naruto, Kankuro, Gaara, and the two kunoichi followed their charges to the seventh floor. They all watched in horror as Harry took out his map, but released a silent sigh of relief when he didn't seem to notice them on the parchment, his attention being too focused on the ones who could possibly get him in trouble. They didn't notice, however, that the witch's eyes narrowed at the parchment and as the trio paced the corridor she kept searching for the six shinobi.
They waited till the three wizarding students had entered and then released themselves from their place on the ceiling. Giving them five minutes, they proceeded to enter the Room of Requirements. When everyone else had arrived the shinobi took up spots right inside the door, most of them leaning casually against the wall, okay, only Kiba and Naruto weren't leaning against the wall, since their boyfriends had decided they needed to be in their arms instead.
The meeting progressed without much interest on the ninja's part. That was until they had divided into partners and Naruto threw out an offhanded comment to his former teammate.
"Hey Sakura, maybe you should pay close attention," he flashed his foxy grin. "You might end up learning something useful and then we won't have to save your ass all the time."
"Naruto!" she growled, drawing her fist back to clobber him but Temari held her back.
"It's not worth it," the blonde kunoichi hissed in her ear. "Let it go, for now."
They practiced the disarming spell, but it never seemed to land on one of the shinobi, as they kept dodging their partners. Harry watched them from the corner of his eye, but didn't say anything to them about their tactics, it seemed to be working for them.
When the meeting was over and everyone had returned to the common room, Sakura cornered the blonde fox.
"Naruto, we need to talk," she nodded toward the portrait hole, indicating their need for privacy.
"Okay," he gave her a confused look but followed her into the corridor. He wouldn't have gone, but Kiba and Shino had cornered Neji and were talking with him in low tones in the far corner of the room.
When they had exited the portrait hole, she grabbed his arm and began leading him away from the tower. He was terribly confused now, but continued to let her take the lead, knowing he had no chance of escaping her deathgrip anyway. When they had finally arrived in a far off corridor with no portraits, she checked the area for ghosts and Peeves. Once satisfied, she released the ANBU captain and turned to face him.
"What I'm about to tell you, Naruto, is classified information," she sighed as she began. "I only know about it because Lady Tsunade need my help doing some medical work one day. Understand, this can't be told to anyone else, not even Gaara."
"I got it, Sakura," he nodded. "I'm not completely stupid you know."
"Okay," she took a deep breath and sat down on the floor, motioning for him to join her. Once he did, she said, "The only reason this came up at all, is because of something Temari and I heard today. We followed Hermione during lunch, as usual, but she met up with the Malfoy boy. He wanted to know if she knew anything about the Akatsuki. The scroll she has, which I think I now know how to work, had a brief bit about them when she opened it."
"Okay," Naruto bit his lip in thought. "How much did they find out about the Akatsuki, and why was he interested?"
"There wasn't much about them," the pinkette shook her head. "And the reason he wanted to know, was because Voldemort is trying to recruit them."
"We can't let that happen," cerulean orbs widened in shock. "If they join, we're screwed. I mean there's not enough of us here to handle them."
"I know," Sakura placed her hand on his arm reassuringly. "That brings me to the classified information. I think I have a way for us to keep them well enough away from Voldemort. But it will require you and me to go home for a brief period of time."
"What's your plan?" his eyes narrowed in calculation.
"We meet our spy," she sighed.
"Spy? What spy?" he asked confused.
"That's the classified information, baka," she rolled her eyes. "The third Hokage placed a spy among the Akatsuki. I only know who it is because, as I said, Lady Tsunade needed my help tending to him. Now, here's my plan…"
When they had solidified their course of action, the two of them made their way to the headmaster's office. They gave the password, which they knew because Dumbledore had given them a list at the beginning of the year, to the gargoyle and ascended the winding staircase. Naruto rapped three times on the oak door and they entered the office once they heard the quiet 'come in'.
Dumbledore sat behind his massive desk, absentmindedly stroking a strange looking bird perched on his shoulder. He looked up when they entered, a faint look of surprise on his face.
"What can I do for the two of you this evening?" he motioned for them to take a seat. "Can I interest either of you in a Lemon Drop?"
"No thank you," Sakura shook her head. "We are here on business."
"Oh?" the headmaster peered at her over his half-moon spectacles.
"We have to go home for a short period of time," she explained. "Something has come up that needs our immediate attention."
"Ah," the old man nodded. "How long shall all of you be gone?"
"It's not all of us," Naruto shook his head. "Just Sakura and I need to go."
"Can you tell me why?" he asked curiously.
"It's classified Konoha information, we can't even tell Gaara of our mission," Sakura leveled him with a stern look. "But we need your help in getting home as soon as possible."
Dumbledore turned to face the bird on his shoulder, "Fawkes shall take you. How long shall the two of you be gone?"
"It shouldn't take more than a few hours, depending on how long it takes us to find someone," the kunoichi eyed the bird warily. "We need to be taken to the Valley of the End, or near enough."
"Very well," Dumbledore nodded. "Fawkes, please take these two to their destination and bring them back safely."
The bird trilled in response and flew over to the two shinobi, hovering above them expectantly.
"Take his tail," the headmaster commanded quietly. "He shall do as you requested and take you to your destination. Please return safely, I would hate to have to inform Tsunade that I have lost two of her finest."
The two of them beamed at him, it was high time he realized they were the best. Naruto reached out and grasped the bird's tail with one hand, extending the other to his female companion. Sakura grabbed his hand and the three of them disappeared in a burst of flames.
8888888 (AN: The majority of what's said here is in Japanese, so for this section the reverse is in affect so "Blah" is now English until next break.)
They landed in another wave of flames. Naruto managed to keep his feet, and, by grabbing Sakura around the waist, kept her up as well. They looked around warily, their senses on high alert since they were now back in familiar territory, and a dangerous one at that. Naruto jumped slightly as Fawkes landed lightly on his shoulder.
"You know I really hate this place," the blonde looked out at the two stone statues on either side of a wide river and cascading waterfall.
"I know, Naruto," Sakura placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "But this is the area our spy was last reported to be headed."
"Are you going to tell me who this spy is?" Naruto cocked his head to the side. "Or should I just take up guessing?"
"You'll know soon enough, if you are meant to anyway," she shook her head. "I don't want you to fly off the handle, so please follow my lead."
"Alright," he huffed. "Let's get going. Wait a minute," he bit his lip as he looked at her. "We forgot to change out of the school clothes."
"Shit," Sakura bit her lip. "We'll have to transform them into our regular clothing."
"But I don't have my mask," Naruto looked at her in disbelief.
"It's alright," she smiled. "In fact, it's better that you don't. Now come on."
They made a quick hand sign and they were both in their ninja gear. They pulled their headbands out of their pockets and fastened them around their heads. They masked their chakra signatures as well, just to be safe.
The kunoichi nodded and headed off toward the treeline. After about half an hour of aimless wandering, jumping from tree to tree, they sensed a faint chakra signature. Naruto knew it was familiar, but couldn't place it. Sakura held up her arm and halted his progress.
"Naruto, I need you to give the ANBU signal asking if it's all clear," she whispered.
He nodded and quickly jumped into a separate tree and gave a faint hoot like an owl, followed by several clicks and another hoot. Naruto returned to where he'd left Sakura.
"We have thirty minutes," he whispered, motioning her to a clearing just up ahead. "After you," he bowed dramatically.
Emerald eyes rolled in annoyance, but she did as she was instructed. She was the one who knew this person after all. Once in the clearing, the pinkette jumped down, making sure that Naruto didn't follow at the moment. There was no one visible, but as ninja, they knew that looks could be deceiving.
A moment passed, but Sakura remained steadfast in her position. She had no weapons out, showing she was being peaceful at the moment. Another minutes was slipping away when a shadow emerged from the trees.
"You are not an ANBU," the figure said quietly. "How did you know the signal?"
"I didn't, don't," she shook her head. "I have an ANBU captain in the trees."
"Call him down," the figure commanded.
She nodded and waved for Naruto to join her. The blonde landed gracefully by her side and stared at the shadowy figure, which was staring back intently, he could feel it. He had to admit, their spy was good. He had now completely masked his chakra from them.
"Where is your mask, Naruto?" the figure asked. "For you to be without it tells me this is not an official meeting."
"Well technically, it's not," he shrugged. "But that doesn't matter. What we have to say is too important to bother with formalities."
"I see," the figure nodded. "Since you do not have permission from the Hokage to know who I am, I shall remain here. Tell me what you wish to and be off."
"You could be nicer about it," Sakura glared at the figure.
"I don't answer to either of you," he shook his head. "Now tell me what you want from me."
"Have the Akatsuki received word from a man called Voldemort?" Naruto asked, knowing ANBU procedure enough to know he wasn't going to know who the spy was at the moment.
"This morning," the figure nodded. "We were called back to discuss the situation. My partner and I were just on our way back for said meeting."
"I see," the blonde sighed. "Well, Sakura, this was your plan, so tell the man what you have in mind."
"We need you to keep the Akatsuki here," the kunoichi locked gazes with the spy. "We can't have them joining Voldemort, it would compromise a mission we are on and could plunge the world into utter darkness."
"Why should we care about what this man does or does not do?" the figure asked blandly. "He cannot affect us here."
"That's where I believe you are wrong," Sakura shook her head. "From what I've heard, this man, Voldemort, will not stop at just taking over the country he now resides in. He is obsessed with power, much as the Akatsuki is, and he will wish to possess all our secrets."
"I can try," the man shrugged. "Was there any particular thing you wanted me to tell them to keep them from joining this man?"
"Have them follow me," Kyuubi chuckled. "We all know that I'm what those bastards really want."
"Tell them you have a lead on the Kyuubi," Naruto smirked.
"Give him something, kit," the fox turned serious. "You have to give him something that he can use to prove he's seen you, you can't expect them to only take him at his word."
"In fact, here," he untied his headband and flung it at the man's feet. "Take them that. Tell them you almost caught me in Kiri. And that you know I'm now planning on heading to Kumo. Lead them on a merry goose chase for me."
"Clever," the figure stooped and lifted the headband. "It shall be done."
With a slight bow, he was gone.
"Why'd you give him that?" Sakura asked incredulously. "You know you can't go around without your headband."
"I'll get another one," he shrugged. "In fact, I'm going to have to send a report on this little side mission to Grandma Tsunade anyway, so I'll just ask for it then. Anyway, he needed something to prove he's seen me, Kyu suggested that. Even though that was the headband Iruka-sensei gave me when I became a Genin, oh well."
"I guess you're right," she sighed. "Alright, let's get back."
Naruto looked over at the bird still perched on his shoulder, amazed that it hadn't left what with all their jumping around, "Can you take us back now?"
Fawkes trilled quietly and extended his tail for them once more. Moments later, all that remained of the two shinobi was a burst of flames.
In the trees, watching them, a pair of red eyes flashed in amusement, "Well played, Naruto."
8888888
After the DA meeting, Kiba walked with Shino back to the common room. It had been quite an enlightening endeavor, but there was something bothering the dog ninja. He couldn't let it slide either, not when so many people would be hurt by him not stepping in. So as soon as they reached Gryffindor tower, he cornered Neji. The pale eyed teen needed to see some sense and he wasn't going to get out of it.
"Kiba, what is the meaning of this?" the Hyuuga asked quietly, not wanting to draw attention to them.
"We need to talk, Hyuuga," the canine ninja's eyes flashed dangerously.
"About?"
"Naruto," Shino answered for his boyfriend, knowing what was going through the other's mind, as it had also been on his.
"You can't keep this up," Kiba growled. "You're going to end up hurting him. I won't stand for that."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Neji looked confused. "I would never dream of hurting Naruto."
"So he knows what he's gotten into?" the shaggy haired brunette asked, holding the Hyuuga's gaze. "He knows that once this mission is over, so are you and he, right?"
"What do you mean?" the prodigy shook his head. "I would never do that to Naruto, I care too much about him for this to be just a fling."
"You say you care," Shino sighed. "But if you cared enough, you wouldn't have started something you could never see through. Or have you forgotten?"
"Forgotten what?" Neji couldn't fathom what they were talking about.
"Oh shit," Kiba rolled his eyes. "You did forget. You forgot Hiashi's plans."
"Fuck," the long haired teen sighed, his expression becoming hard. "I did, I have to end this now. I can't hurt Naruto that way."
"Or you could tell Hiashi to shove a stick up his ass," Kiba chuckled. "I know you don't want to be controlled by him, any more than Hinata does. Naruto is good for you. We'll help you out, but you have to promise to tell him about the situation, and promise that you won't hurt him, or you'll have us to deal with."
"Not to mention Gaara and Iruka," Shino put in helpfully.
"I will talk to him," Neji promised, bowing his head in shame. No matter what the other two said, he would end up hurting Naruto, one way or the other.
1. I'm not sure what Draco's middle name is and I didn't want to spend hours pouring over my books just on the off chance I'd find it. If someone does know it just let me know and I'll change it.