The Ashbringer: Shinobi of the Light
Chapter 12: Let the bodies hit the floor…
"It seems that my question has befallen on deaf ears…" his voice was deep and malicious, piercing seas of yellow gazing into unfortunate brown ones. The man held the other, shorter unlucky fellow high in the air with not that much of an effort, despite his own lack of muscles. His skin was pale as death and most of his body was concealed by dark robes. A dark hood with red outlining and a cloth to mask anything but his eyes, gloves that let sharp fingers poke out, bracers thick and dark like the rest of his gear. A single red jewel seemed to adorn his chest.
"I-I-I told you, good sir, you are in Wave Country." The shorter man couldn't help the shiver that run up his spine. He barely held himself from releasing his bladder…
"Wrong answer." The robed man simply said and with the short man's head exploded in flames, leaving nothing but a headless corpse behind.
Smoke churned from the free hand of the tall man before he tossed the corpse to a pile behind him.
His glare softened as boredom overtook him again.
He gazed around him… nope, this wasn't his world. He couldn't feel his source of power anywhere nearby, and his powers should be diminished because of it. Yet strangely, he found himself stronger than ever. Smirking at the thoughts of slaughter, the man began to hop around the piles of corpses, the caravan that was unlucky enough to meet him being reduced to nothing but flames.
"It's so good to be alive…" he said to himself before snapping his fingers, a woman that was hiding suddenly jumping out and running around screaming, her form engulfed in flames.
The tall, pale man gazed at her with glee.
"They scream better this way" and with a huge smile, he went on his way…
XxxxX
"I told you, the orphanage attacked me! It was self-defense!" yellow eyes glared with anger as a long, sharp finger, or claw, poked the man's chest. Said man didn't back out an inch.
"You can't trick us so easily, maggot. Prepare to die…" the man's dangerous voice seemed to fall on deaf ears as the accused robed fellow seemed to be more interested to a rabbit that passed by.
"Die?" he said, still looking at the rabbit.
"I already did that, a few hundreds of years ago…" a malicious glare befell upon the ninja, from Amegakure it seemed, who had already drawn his sword, prepared to defend himself.
The robed man didn't waste much time. His left hand was engulfed in flame as he shot a beam of fire at the ninja. Luckily for him, the shinobi's keen senses told him fast enough that contact wouldn't be pleasant…
Impressed but not unhindered, the pale man shot a junk of ice at the airborne ninja, sending him to the ground with a thud. The man tried to get up in vain, the ice locking him to the ground.
"You know, I hate victims that don't sit down like good toys…" his left hand held a hungering flame in it.
"You may kill me, but more will come! You will die, insolent scum! Die, die, di…" he didn't say much more as his whole body was incarnated. The magic user sighed as he turned around, another one of his victim's companions popping out of nowhere.
"Bastard! You killed Fin! Prepare to die!" and charged.
The accused man sighed again. "Why is everyone so obsessed with death, anyway?" and went on his way to kill yet another fool…
XxxxX
A noise… smells… the feeling of something soft under him. Naruto wondered what was going on as consciousness gripped him. Last thing he remembered was he crying in the middle of the forest or something…
Letting his eyes flutter open, his confused mind focused enough to let him know he was in his own apartment, his house. Not feeling very much like getting up, he just let himself relax on the bed, setting all thoughts aside. He had most likely fallen asleep there in the forest and someone had brought him home, probably Kakashi-sensei.
He also remembered the reason he had run there in the forest. That, Poll guy… he had reminded him, forcefully, of everything he had gone through. How could he possible understand? None could. But Naruto had long since promised himself he wouldn't cry over it again. He was no baby anymore. He was older, stronger.
Ok, so twelve years old isn't that much of an age, but he was still older, entering his teens anytime now! Crying wasn't allowed! So why had he felt the urge to release tears so strong? What had given him the need to cry so much…?
Maybe Poll was right. Maybe deep down he really was a coward. Instead of showing his tears, even to himself, instead of vending this pain and letting it go, he held on it and locked it up in a part of his soul. But that didn't mean he could hold it in forever… Poll had just managed to make a break through that door, sundered it, so that the pain would flow out, so that he could free the bonds that made him hold on that pain…
He felt so much lighter now… so much lighter and happier… like a part of him was cleansed. If that was what crying made you feel like afterwards, then he was probably a fool in avoiding it in the first place. Or was he not? The matter was rather confusing…
Not sitting to contemplate on it, he found himself in need for the bathroom. He hated getting up from the soft bed to enter the coldness of what people called the 'toilet'. But, nature was relentless…
Groggily getting up, he even found himself in his pajamas. He grimaced at the idea of Kakashi undressing him. At least the man was a pervert, not a pedophile. He wasn't sure what made the big difference though…
Heading for where he knew the bathroom to be, he was surprised that he didn't stumble onto something. Gazing at the floor, he finally understood what felt so amiss about his surroundings.
His apartment was clean… it was freaking clean!!
Did Kakashi clean it up as well? Nah, the man didn't take care of his own accommodations, let alone those of others.
Thinking it is just a miracle, that maybe everything went to its place and cleaned itself by itself, Naruto continued to the bathroom, wary of what he would see.
By the Light, even the bathroom was clean!! Did he actually have that much room in here before? No wait, did anything ever sparkle in his house to begin with before?
Well, now it did.
XxxxX
"Papers?" the guard asked at the approaching tall figure. By the looks of him, he was probably a merchant or something, not a ninja. No village affiliation was visible whatsoever.
"Papers? Hmm…" the man put a hand in his robes and pulled out a scroll. The guard took it and began reading… or at least tried to.
"Umm, I'm sorry sir, but what language is this?" the man asked, clearly confused. There was not even one kanji in there. Only some weird words he couldn't comprehend and a picture of the man before him, glaring daggers.
"So impressive, the people of this land don't even know how to read? Stupidity spreads like the plague nowadays…" his posture was contemplating as he gazed at the surrounding forest. What an impressive sight it was. And there should be so many things to kill here… but, he was no fool. If the idiots he had come across with in the past few days where any indication, the people of this world possessed greater skills than those of his own.
Killing was much more enjoyable when the victim actually put up a good fight…
Though he did prefer to kill fast so he could just move on and kill someone else too.
Contemplating whether to incarnate the guard or not, he decided against it as he spotted people in black cloaks jumping around the rooftops within the village. Probably home-guard or something.
Grunting at the annoying human that kept asking questions, he prepared to channel power in his hands…
"Don't worry. He's a friend of ours, coming from lands afar." A short man said, a hammer on his back. The power subsided quickly as pure yellow eyes peered down at the newcomer.
"Oh, right, Gorley. Well, if you say so… just don't stir any trouble, will you?" the guard said and gave the papers back. He could feel a chill running up his spine as he noticed the robed traveler glaring at him.
"Come on, come on. We have work to do!" the dwarf urged, hopping to get the robed man away from his drinking partner as quickly as possible. He knew what tendencies people like him could have most of the time…
The pale one nodded and began to follow the dwarf, gazing around in wonder.
The guard just sighed and prepared to sit back in his chair… when it was engulfed in flame, burning to ashes in a couple of seconds. His heart nearly jumped out of his chest as if he was a step closer, the flames would have taken him too.
A short distance away, Gorley glared at the much taller man.
He just shrugged in response, pointing a thumb to his left "He did it." The accused little kid looked up in wonder…
XxxxX
Stealthily, silent for anyone else other than himself, Naruto crept up to the kitchen where he knew his target resided. Slightly poking his head out of the corner, his eyes immediately spotted the culprit of the sear cleanness that conquered his home this day.
There, wearing an apron and huming happily to herself, was Hinata, unaware of any other presence, oblivious and lost in her own little world…
Perfect.
Not wasting any time, and by using his amazing (at least he thought they where) stealth skills, he snuck up behind her, ready to pounce his helpless classmate and friend when…
Soap?
"Naruto-kun, you haven't washed your face!" she said with a giggle, rubbing said face with a wet towel.
Grunting, he tried to retaliate. "Argh! Stop! I can't breath! I'm dying of suffocation here!" if he had enough breath to scream like that, he could surely breath as well. But, giggled never ending, she relented to his pleas and let go.
What a big mistake it was of her.
Not one to not show his appreciation, Naruto immediately turned the tables by taking the same wet towel and rubbing it in her face as well.
She couldn't hold in her laughter as he seemed more likely to tickle her to death rather than suffocate her with the towel. There was no force behind it whatsoever.
Joy time over, Naruto stepped back with a wide grin on his face, throwing the now dried appendage into the sink.
"Say, Hinata…" he began. The girl stared at him for a moment before realized he actually spoke.
"Hm?" she asked, turning back to the dishes she was preparing… not much, since Naruto barely had anything other than ramen in here.
"Why are you here anyway?" he asked, trying to sound uninterested. Yet he couldn't hide the hint of appreciation in his words, not from her.
Finally feeling the brunt of what she was actually doing these last past hours, Hinata's blush rose to challenge even the greatest tomato. Ridiculous as it may seem, Naruto had actually pent her up for that kind of weird competition a few months ago…
He didn't seem to mind her blush though, as all he was expecting and looking for, was an answer. Clear and sincere would be best.
Not daring to look at him, she answered evenly "Taking care of you. You've been out for hours." She tried to hide any emotion that dared linger in her words. She even forgot to stutter mid-way.
Naruto seemed to notice this. A fool as he usually was, he wasn't one to miss human emotions. Not by a long shot. Something was troubling her… Hinata's voice never was emotionless less she wanted to hide something.
"What happened? Why did I pass out…?" he asked himself out of the blue as he actually noticed not being able to remember lots of things… last thing he remembered, he was weeping under a tree a little way out of Konoha.
He felt himself blushing too at the thought of Hinata or Kakashi finding him tear-stained and sleeping in that kind of place. None was supposed to watch him cry.
And then he remembered why he had actually cried. That Poll and Gorley guys… weird as they may have been and straight-forward, they hadn't lied… he already knew there where others out there who might suffer like he did. But what if there was none other? What if this fate was bestowed solely on him?
Gripping his head in irritation, he felt a headache forming and tears starting to well up again. He had to fight it back, this urge to cry, this urge to lose himself in darkness and just escape it all…
Opening his eyes again, first thing he noticed was… Hinata's face?
Concerned lavender was gazing into his own cerulean, not a hint of blush. Only worry. Come to think of it, why was Hinata here in the first place? Kakashi could have just dropped him by in his apartment if he had found him, or take care of him himself. Why would Hinata stay here…? Probably all day long, judging by the clock.
Not daring to meet her gaze, he looked away to the only window of his kitchen. The sky was dark outside… probably still noon or twilight. It was beginning to rain nevertheless…
"Are you hurt?" he heard her soft voice asking. He still didn't let himself look her in the eye. He didn't know if he could hold his emotions back if he did so. He didn't want her to see what his eyes held within…
"Naruto-kun, are you hurt?" Hinata would at times join him for spars or training, hang out and the such, but she had never come to his apartment… never had she been bold enough to actually come up and stay close to him herself. She would always keep that short, yet so distant distance between them…
But she seemed to brake that rule now. She was close, so close he could barely feel her slow breaths on his cheek.
"Can you answer me…?" she wasn't forcing him. She was as gentle as she could be. He didn't know what hurt most. Telling, or not telling her.
He decided the later was worse.
"I… I don't know…" he began slowly, still looking at the window. The rain was intensifying… and for some reason he felt her coming even closer…
What was she doing? Yes, he knew she had feelings for him for some time now, but she would never take initiative or courageous decisions like that!
He felt warm hands grasp his own… daring a glance at her, she had actually sat right next to him, holding one of his palms within her own, small, frail ones… They were only twelve, but the difference between their genders was already showing.
"That... some Poll guy… he just thought he knew it all!" he continued from where he had left from. She didn't speak. "I mean… yeah, I know that most people don't have a good life, I know that there are people who actually live in the streets… but… they don't know…" he felt emotion stir within him, that sadness that was about to surface again.
Would she judge him? Would she laugh at his weakness? Would she turn away and leave him be? No, that wasn't like Hinata at all. Yet he couldn't bring himself to not feel like that. But… he had already started. No going back now. No second chances.
"They don't know what it is like to be glared at everyday! To be hit and lowered, to be criticized and scorned…" he actually felt a tear rolling down his cheek. He was already crying…?
"They don't know how it is to live alone in the dark, afraid to even cross the street! They don't know how it feels to look behind your shoulder all the time in case some drunkards appear and beat you up!" He was crying now, he could feel the tears running hot down both sides of his face, staining his features yet again.
He closed his eyes, the concern on her own pale face unbearable to him. Would she leave him now? Knowing that he was probably a danger to her and her clan's prestige as well, being the dropout he is, the loathed and hated boy of the village that, for whichever unreasonable purpose or belief, kept him away.
He expected her to sit up and leave. He expected the warmth of her hands around his fade in the coldness that slowly sipped into his apartment.
And indeed her hands where retracted. He could feel his palm becoming cold with the loss of her warmth. His heart though felt colder than his hand did…
And there she was, trying to warm that heart up in her embrace. Wait, embrace?
Opening his eyes in wonder, he actually found the petite girl clinging to him, a soothing hand running up and down his back.
Newfound tears began to flow as the feeling of relief washed over him, bathing him in its glory and let his soul rejoice at the thought that someone cared. She did care… the girl that had feelings for him, that stood beside him, she did care.
Even though she knew the secret that lied within him, even though she knew what dangers being with him could bring, she still did care, an unwavering will that no one could break…
Letting his defenses fall, he hugged her back, crying into her shoulder.
"They don't know… they don't know…" he chanted over and over again between his sobs.
She stayed silent for a moment… "… I know…" a reassurance, a statement, a question, he didn't know what she phrased it for to be. The pain that hid in her own heart started to ache for release as she brought back to mind her own painful past, a family that did not want her. She had something that he wanted, and yet did not. Naruto on the other hand didn't know why, didn't know how, but he did believe her… even though he was firm on his belief that none would ever understand, he believed her…
Her own sobs began to escalate as both children cried in each others embrace, the thundering sky the only other sound within the darkness of the creeping night…
XxxxX
"So, tell me why I shouldn't turn you to ashes, Dwarf." The man said with a flare burning on his fingers. They had now entered a small house at one side of the village, away from prying eyes.
"Shhh! You freakin' idiot! You think you can come in and ruin everything?!" Gorley growled.
The other occupant of the room didn't seem to notice as he found the wooden chair before him more interesting.
"I haven't killed anything for a day… I'm getting tense…" a block of ice suddenly dropped before Gorley's feet, missing the dwarf by an inch.
"Oops, my hand slipped. So I ask again. What's your business with me?" his piercing yellow eyes glared at the shorter man's form. Gorley on the other hand didn't dare betray the fear he felt.
"Alright, I'll take it from the start. There's a child in this village…"
XxxxX
"Where the hell is he?!" Poll yelled to himself in desperation. All day long, he had been searching aimlessly around for the idiot of a Paladin that he called 'friend'. Looking around nearly all the bars in Konoha, he was surprised to find him in none, not even at the brew competition that took place a few blocks away from Gorley's favorite establishment!
Something was terribly wrong, if Gorley missed something like free brew.
His whole body nearly trembled with worry. The Light only knew what stupid things the dwarf would be doing on his own, without him there to keep him in line. Poll did his best to compose himself. He had to keep up appearances... if the townsfolk began to worry, ninja would interfere. If ninja interfered, things could get troublesome.
There where two other places that the dwarf could be at, but he really doubted that would be the case. Lowering his hood a little more to protect himself from the falling rain, Poll reinforced the enchantment on his cloak, making it evaporate any water that touched it and keeping himself warm…
He was pretty sure that the chill he felt was not because of the weather…
XxxxX
"You want me… to protect… someone?" yellow eyes glared hard into Gorleys'.
Then the man burst out laughing. Laughing hard.
"Ahahaha, that's good, that's very good…" he calmed himself down "What's in it for me?" he asked, seriousness taking over again. Gorley scratched his beard… what would a Warlock want?
"Mmm… if you succeed, you can keep it as a minion…" his thoughtful gaze missed the look of glee on the other man's eye.
"If you can control it, that is." He glared back at the robed man. The 'Warlock' sighed and laid himself back on the chair, relaxing his pose. The future seemed so much enjoyable…
"Do you think any war might come up through this?"
"Aye."
"Do you think there'll be innocent little children involved?"
"… maybe…"
The man cackled "Do you think any of them will survive?"
Gorley just stared at him.
"Rhetorical question, it was."
XxxxX
"Thanks for the meal, Hinata. I really needed that one!" Naruto said with a satisfied grin on his face. The rain outside had intensified, but that was no worry for him as it was. He felt so much lighter and happy that the rest of the world outside his small apartment seemed nothing but a far away dullness in the horizon.
She smiled as she picked up her plate in order to place it in the sink. She loved cooking, it made her relax and let her concentrate on other things rather than her everyday life. It was like an escape from reality, her own little world.
She had never seen Naruto cry like that. And it made her smile even more, a smile that came from the heart, that he would allow such tears to fall before her. He trusted her enough to show her his pain, who Naruto really was.
And there couldn't be a greater award than the satisfied smile he held now. Awkward as it was when they where done crying, each for their own reasons, their growling stomachs had come to rescue, reminding them that dinner would be more than welcome.
Naruto for one, didn't have anything running through his mind. The emptiness that had taken over his brain was welcome, relaxing. He wanted to ask her something… what was it again? Why was she here? Why was she doing all these?
He lied his head down on the table and watched her petite form as she cleaned the plates up. He almost chuckled at the vanity of his own thoughts. The answer was as clear as day.
She loved him… she really loved him…
He smiled at the way her frame moved around, elegantly and carefully, slender fingers grasping everything with care.
Maybe she was more than a teammate to him. Maybe she was more than a friend.
She was his angel…
XxxxX
And so, through ups and downs the month passed. Gorley kept it a secret from Poll that a Warlock was actually roaming around the elemental continent. The paladin had let that man go on one condition: First, that he wouldn't laughter anyone for no reason and second, that he would be back in at least one year. The Warlock promised that he would be back and gave him a piece of jewelry to keep, saying that he had to bestow it on the kid they had discussed about.
Poll on the other hand, was very much displeased by his friend's attitude. They had been adventuring together for two whole years and Gorley still kept secrets from him, as if he was not trustworthy! IT really lowered his ego. And his sense of companionship.
Naruto had kept hard on his training to be the best Paladin he could. Yet to both his and Tirion's dismay, he had made little progress. He couldn't manage to scale much further from where he already was. 'Redemption' was a spell too far away on his list.
Tirion had his hopes pinned on Naruto's skill to learn fast. But he wasn't a fool. He knew that the arts of the Light where mostly based on patience and understanding. Not hurried, half-done jobs. As Naruto trained, Tirion prepared a spell that would either end a legend, or give birth to a new one…
XxxxX
"Graduation doesn't seem so far away anymore, eh?" Kiba said with a wide grin. Truthfully, the ceremony would take place tomorrow. It was needless to say that the trio of friend's had made it past the ridiculously easy examination of becoming a genin.
Naruto thought that the system went too softly towards academy students. Unless you where of a shinobi clan and got private training, when you went out in real life, you would barely know enough jutsu to protect yourself against a grandpa. And that was only if he wasn't a ninja.
Nevertheless, he was glad that his two friends had managed through as well. He didn't think they would fail anyway. With Hinata's skill and intelligence, with Kiba's determination and training, they had both made it far enough to be Genin.
"So the dobe actually managed to do something right…" that so familiar voice… it would be peculiar to misunderstand it. It always made his head ache and his nerves crack. A sensation you don't get with just anyone.
"Unlike some teme I know…" he replied evenly, turning to glare at the one he had labeled as –Emo King-.
"How are you doing, your highness?" If Naruto hadn't voiced these words with so much mockery, Sasuke would surely be flattered.
"Nothing much, just trying to talk with the peasantry, that's all." Sasuke managed to look so indifferent, that one would think he was practicing a speech, rather than debating with his nemesis.
Naruto's eye twitched. Why the teme always had something answer him with?
Sighing, he let it slide and turned back at Kiba, said boy playing with Akamaru around till the two of them where finished. It always took a few minutes for Naruto and Sasuke to throw their usual insults around, anyways.
"Oi, done already?" Kiba asked as he picked his puppy and companion up, setting him on the usual spot of his head. "You guys usually take longer." He commented with a raised finger.
"Not in the mood." Naruto simply answered before beginning to walk away from the academy. Today's graduation test was a mockery to his ninja skills in itself. He had nothing to do here.
Or, more likely, his Paladin skills.
But he also had to thank Kakashi-sensei. Even though the man was a lazy, laid back guy, he had given him some usefull tutoring throughout their days of training. His Shinobi skills were as high as his paladin ones were.
And Naruto couldn't be more proud of himself…
Even though he knew that there was one thing he couldn't accomplish throughout these past months. He couldn't accomplish the one thing he wanted most. To save his other teacher…
Tirion. The man's whose soul was fading within him.
His heart hurt at the thought. Sadness was leering its ugly head around to look at him. Naruto was trying to get accustomed to this… a world without Tirion. In all this time he had heard not a word from the Paladin, as if he wasn't there at all. But he could feel his presence. He could feel that faint sliver of pulsing Light behind the barriers of his heart.
The activity this Light had within him scared him. What was Tirion doing…?
XxxxX
Within the remnants of what was Tirion's soul, the man set the final piece of his spell in place. The sun beyond the horizon was nearly gone, only a faintness of what glory there was before now clinging to its end.
The night would soon fall… Tirion had no time left. Contrary to his belief of a few more years of lifespan, his power was fading far faster. He had no time…
He just hoped that things would work out. He just hoped that Naruto would one day forgive him… or at least understand him…
Tired old eyes gazed up at the darkened sky. The Ashbringer lied next to him on the soft grass, pulsing faintly with its own Light. Tirion kneeled down and picked the blade up, setting it in the middle of the circle he had created, preparing to begin a ceremony that would decide the future…
XxxxX
Omake: Chuck Norris
Facts about Chuck Norris, some Naruto related, some not. The ones that I came up myself will be marked with an (!)… don't expect much. But if you know who Chuck Norris is, then I'm sure you'll like this one =)
Chuck Norris destroyed the periodic table, because the only element he recognizes is that of surprise.
If you have 100 yen and Chuck Norris has 100 yen, he has more money that you.
Chuck Norris can kill two stones with one bird.
Chuck Norris can roundhouse kick you in the back of the face.
According to the Second Mizukage's theory of relativity, Chuck Norris can roundhouse kick you in the face yesterday.
There is no 'ctrl' button on Chuck Norris's keyboard. He is always in control.
When the Boogeyman goes to sleep, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.
Chuck Norris invented the "Round-house kick no jutsu" (!)
All of the Elemental Continent had offered Chuck Norris to be the ultimate Kage. He denied, for Chuck Norris is no shadow. His kicks will make you understand that. (!)
Chuck Norris doesn't wear a watch. HE decides what time it is.
There is no sunrise. The sun just starts to get up in the sky when Chuck Norris decides to wake up.
Chuck Norris doesn't sleep. He waits.
When Akatsuki offered Chuck Norris its leadership, Orochimaru was so offended that he left the organization.
When Orochimaru challenged Chuck Norris as to who is more evil, Chuck ate a bowl of children in front of him. Without milk. (!)
Pein wants to teach Chuck Norris pain. Chuck Norris is about to teach him 'Tolerance'. (!)
We weren't alone in the universe. That though stopped being the case when Chuck Norris went on a space expedition.
The reason the whole universe expands is that its simply trying to get away from Chuck Norris.
People call the Uchiha Massacre a tragedy. Chuck Norris calls it "Killing time" (!)
Naruto laughs at people. When he laughed at Chuck Norris… the rest is history (!)
Chuck Norris counted to infinity… twice.
That's all for today. More facts are abound on the next chapter, if you liked them that is. If you would prefer a regular omake, no problem. Even though I don't have infinite Chuck Norris jokes… they are bound to end at some point ;p
READ AND REVIEW
(love)
