Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Harry Potter. Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto and Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.
Edit: A/N: I'm terribly sorry about the mistake that I made about the Bijus in this chapter. I have no idea why I thought it was seven tails when I wrote this. Sorry again. Thank you to all my reviewers who pointed it out.
Xo-xo-xo
Chapter 14
By: En Taiho
Draco and Harry experienced one of their happiest, not to mention, their most romantic Christmas. Naruto and Sasuke, who were able to sense the absolute love between the two wizards, felt arousals bubble within them, and enjoyed their own lovers' Christmas too.
All too soon, the end of the holidays drew near, resulting in the fact that Harry and the shinobis had to depart the Malfoy's, Severus, and Tom. Each of them had enjoyed the others' company during the meals all of them had shared.
The Weasley's welcomed the Boy-Who-Lived and his friends with open arms. They didn't mind one bit that they had come to stay over for the last night before they, along with their sons and daughter, had to return to school. Arthur and Molly Weasley, nor Ron's older siblings, knew where they had actually spent the holiday, which was exactly Harry's goal.
Harry, Naruto, and Sasuke informed Ron and Hermione of their stay at the Malfoy's, Harry explaining about his new glasses. The thin frames that were the colour of aqua, which matched his emerald orbs very well, were given by Draco. He clarified to his friends that as a cover-up, if anyone asked –in particular by Dumbledore, the glasses were from Naruto and Sasuke, so that others wouldn't suspect the Boy-Who-Lived interacting with Slytherins. The enlightenment took place in Ron's room with a silencing charm cast on it by none other than Harry. They wouldn't want any of the other Weasley's discovering Harry's true alliance, especially since all of the children each had one of the twins' greatest inventions in their possession: the Extendable Ear.
When Harry let Ron and Hermione know that he and Draco had now gotten together, Ron had turned pale, horrified, and stuttered about how that wasn't possible. On the other hand, Hermione had congratulated her black-haired friend and told him that she supported his relationship with Malfoy. The idea was quite fitting anyways. The disbelief in Ron's eyes was apparent and he remained stubborn, saying that he refused to accept this new revelation until he saw it with his own eyes. Harry sighed but let it slide. In a time soon to come, he and Draco would no longer need to hide.
The ride back to Hogwarts was uneventful though it was Ron and Hermione's turns to tell of their own Christmases in the Trio's usual compartment with excitement. When each explained about the other's gifts, Ron's face reddened and Hermione blushed. Rolling his eyes in amusement with an understanding smile on his lips, Harry excused himself from the compartment. He understood that his two best friends needed time alone, to confess and to get together. Noticing the electricity between the redhead and the bushy-haired witch, Naruto and Sasuke also left them in peace.
Harry met up with Draco as the blond Slytherin was heading to the washroom. The black-haired wizard winked at his boyfriend and trailed after the Malfoy heir into the boys' washroom. Harry watched Draco check his appearance in the mirror, a pale smooth hand reaching up to brush a supposedly misplaced platinum lock back into a perfect position. Smiling at the familiar action, Harry stepped over to the Malfoy and lifted his hand to tie a finger around one of the blond strands. A playful grin tugged at Draco's lips and he pushed lightly on Harry's chest while his other hand grasped the other wizard's intruding wrist.
"You're ruining my hair, Harry," the blond prince said with a small pout.
Harry untwisted his finger from Draco's hair and let it ghost over Draco's cheek. Suddenly, he pulled back and his feet were already leading him to a stall when the door to the boys' washroom opened.
Draco instantly recognized the Hufflepuff robes the short brunet wore and internally scowled. He pinned the Hufflepuff with a haughty glare, annoyed at being interrupted when he and Harry were just getting to a good part. The young boy gulped visibly and not really knowing what else to do ducked his head and ran past the feared Slytherin prince to use the toilet as fast as he could.
Draco sneered and proceeded to wash his hands, ignoring the nervous Hufflepuff now washing his hastily a few sinks away before the brunet escaped the washroom with a stumble.
A stall's door opened with a creak and Draco spun around to stare curiously at Harry. "How did you know someone was coming?"
Harry shrugged, his expression equally puzzled. "I have no idea. But I sensed it. It never happened to me before."
Draco brushed off the mystery for now and a smirk spread over his face. "Shall we continue then?"
Harry no longer blushed to the roots of his hair when he and Draco got lovey-dovey. He'd gotten used to it and besides he adored these kinds of moments. "I was just thinking the very same thing, love," Harry smirked in return.
A blond aristocratic brow rose at the name but its owner smiled, warmth spreading within him. "It's true that great minds do think alike, Harry love."
Xo-xo-xo
Albus Dumbledore's twinkling blue eyes zeroed in on the Boy-Who-Lived talking amongst his friends. He noticed the new, lighter, and more stylish glasses and wondered who had given it to Harry. Dismissing the thought, Albus frowned at the laughing blonde and his silent companion walking alongside the Golden Trio. He still hadn't been able to manipulate the Japanese transfers, not one bit, and it displeased him to no end. He hadn't approved of the foreigners going with Harry to stay over at the Weasley's. They could instill ideas and doubts into Harry Potter's mind. But in order to keep Harry seeing him as a kindly grandfatherly figure, he had let it pass.
And now he regretted it.
During the holidays, he could've forced Harry to stay at Hogwarts like usual, using Harry's own words against him: "Hogwarts is my home." Indeed, what better place to spend a joyous holiday than at home itself? Albus couldn't quite believe himself. He had permitted for such a good opportunity to get even closer to the boy, to manipulate him just a little bit more, to pass. Running a hand through his long white beard, Albus calmed his surging impatience and put a grand smile in place as he stood up, pointing a wand at his throat for a Sonorus spell. "I hope you all had a wondrous Christmas. Classes will begin as usual this afternoon. Thank you and enjoy your lunch."
Xo-xo-xo
Naruto plopped down onto a couch in the Gryffindor common room and sighed. A week had passed. Nothing had happened and he was getting bored.
"Come on, Naruto," Harry said, waiting with the rest of their friends. "We have History of Magic."
Naruto groaned. "Ugh, I don't feel like it."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow and walked over to the slumping blonde. He took the other's hand and pulled up, but Naruto resisted. "You better move it or we'll leave you here, and then you'll be late," Sasuke growled warningly.
Naruto knew the Uchiha was joking and groaned again. "Do I have to?"
"Yes, you do," Hermione butted in impatiently. "Hurry up; I don't want to be late. We'll be starting a new unit today."
Behind her, Ron rolled his eyes. "Like that's any big deal."
"It's naptime next anyways, Naruto," Harry reminded, earning a glare from the bushy-haired witch.
Grudgingly, Naruto pulled himself up and trudged along with his friends.
Professor Binns hovered before the class and began in his monotone voice. "Today, class, we will be starting a new unit called 'Legends and Mythical Creatures.' We will learn about each story and of how much each one is actually real."
Hermione immediately scribbled the title on top of her sheet of parchment. Ron was already fast asleep and Harry's lids were starting to droop. Sasuke sat back in his chair, arms crossed, his eyes wandering to observe the scene out the window. Naruto was playing with the feathered tip of his quill, absently flicking the feather so that it quivered back and forth.
"We will be studying legends from around the world," the ghost professor droned on. "First of all, we'll be starting with one from the United Kingdom."
Hermione wrote out the title, "United Kingdom." She waited patiently for Binns to continue.
Sasuke had enough of waiting for a cloud to inch its way to the middle of the window and decided to listen back to the lesson. "—Ness monster in Ireland has been spotted by muggles several times. As it is, the non-magical folk believe it to be just a myth and the muggle scientists have been unable to find any evidence to prove the existence of the Loch Ness monster.
"Now just how much of this legend is real? The wizarding world has gone to the lake where the serpent-like monster supposedly lives, as described by muggle witnesses. Using magical means, we have discovered that the Loch Ness monster is in fact quite genuine. It is a Water Basilisk. As all of you know what happened four years ago, a Basilisk roamed inside Hogwarts. This type is a Land Basilisk. But no matter what kind of large snakes they are, Basilisks love burrowing underground and traveling around in the form of tube-like tunnels. The Loch Ness Basilisk resides deep, deep under the lakebed and that is one reason why muggles haven't been able to research further, adding to the fact that not very many actually believe in these kinds of stories and beasts. Some happenings –"
Sasuke gave up discerning the dull tone of the professor and returned his attention to that puff of cloud.
The clock ticked by and now more than half the class was enjoying a nice little nap. Ron was still snoring away. Naruto had fallen into a light doze. Hermione was already on her sixth piece of parchment, taking notes on every legend Professor Binns had toned about. The Egyptians and the Sphinx, the Chinese and the Dragon, the Himalayas with the Yeti, (also known as the Abominable Snowman,) the Greeks, the Minotaur, and the Cyclops, and so on and so forth.
Suddenly, Sasuke nudged his partner awake and when Naruto's bright cerulean orbs opened, he hissed matter-of-factly, "He moved on to Japanese myths. This might be interesting."
Naruto sighed at being disturbed but started to listen nonetheless.
"—fore, Japanese dragons are a different version than Chinese dragons. So, moving onto another Japanese legend that is less commonly known although the story is quite fascinating as well. In this story, there are nine demons, the ninth demon being the most powerful."
Naruto turned around with slightly wide eyes to stare at Sasuke, whose eyebrows were furrowed together. That sounded awfully familiar.
"Each demon has the number of tails corresponding to their rank. For example, the first demon, which is the lowest ranking one, possesses only one tail; the second demon has two; the third has three until the last one, the ninth demon, with a total of nine tails. The Japanese have named these demons as 'Bijus.'"
Inside, Naruto was starting to hyperventilate. He never knew the wizarding world had acquired any information on the Bijus.
"I'm not sure how my British accent will sound but each Biju has been named by the Japanese according to their number of tails, such as 'Kyuubi,' the most famous and strongest demon with nine tails. All these demons are frighteningly powerful; they have their own kind of magic that is very different from our magic. The legend has told that each Biju has been sealed for they caused too much havoc and chaos when they wandered the earth freely. Of how the Japanese sealed each demon is unknown, but they now believe themselves to be very safe in all the centuries to come.
"How much of this is real is the intriguing part."
Naruto forced his panic down. Due to his ANBU training, his expression had not changed at all. He still looked very much bored, but the sleepiness in his eyes had fled. The blonde glanced over at the bushy-haired witch sitting on the other side of Ron scribbling non-stop, writing about the Bijus. Naruto felt sick.
"No wizards or witches have been able to investigate in this particular legend. It is believed that no muggles have any knowledge on this either, whatsoever. So, we have no idea if this legend or these demons had existed or if it is just a myth."
The bell rang. Students shot awake at the ringing sound. Ron rubbed his eyes blearily while Harry yawned. The emerald-eyed wizard hadn't fallen asleep at all, to his disappoint. Unfortunately, the redhead beside him had been snoring way too loudly. Harry had instead forced himself to listen to the whole lecture and now regretted it. His brain was mush.
Xo-xo-xo
"We'll be going on another of our meetings," Naruto winked and grabbed Sasuke's hand, forcing the raven-haired boy to abandon his new "interest" in the History of Magic textbook –in particular the Legends and Mythical Creatures chapter. The blonde dragged the Uchiha out the Gryffindor common room with Ron sending a pleading look at them. He wanted to leave with them. It wasn't fair that Hermione only bugged him in particular to do his homework. Sasuke shrugged indifferently and smirked mockingly at the redhead. Ron curled a lip and sighed. He shouldn't have expected Sasuke to give in. But Naruto…? He looked up again, hope shining in his eyes, but the shinobis were already out the door.
In the Room of Requirements, Naruto sat down on a large rock and stared down at the black pants of the Hogwarts uniform. Sasuke frowned lightly. The blonde was obviously worried. Sasuke slowly approached his partner. He sat himself behind Naruto, sidling closer and wrapping his arms around Naruto's waist to bring the blonde into his hopefully reassuring embrace. Naruto leaned back and clasped one of Sasuke's hands on his stomach.
"What if they find out?" Naruto whispered his fear finally.
Sasuke knew what he was implying and rubbed his thumb comforting on top of Naruto's hand. "They won't. The wizards never found much information. They don't even know how the Bijus were sealed."
Naruto sighed heavily. "Yeah, I know, but…what if they do? They'll think me a monster." Naruto's voice took on a sad tone.
Sasuke squeezed the blonde around the waist and nuzzled the nape of his neck. "You know Harry won't think that, nor Hermione and Ron. They're our friends, and don't friends support theirs all the way?"
Naruto breathed deeply and leaned back to let the Uchiha plant a kiss on the side of his neck.
"Besides, dobe," Sasuke added. "I'll protect you."
A small smile finally pulled at Naruto's lips. He turned to place a lingering kiss on Sasuke's own lips. "I can protect myself well enough, teme."
Rolling his eyes, the Uchiha rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, usuratonkachi."
Naruto pouted. He turned around and sat himself on Sasuke's lap. Wrapping both arms around the raven-haired ANBU's neck, the blonde kissed his partner chastely.
Xo-xo-xo
Two and a half months later…
"Wow, this is amazing," Hermione admired an article in the paper across from Naruto and Sasuke.
"What is it, 'Mione?" questioned Ron.
"Look." The witch turned the newspaper around for her friends to see the title of the fascinating article: "Biju Secrets."
Naruto's breath caught in his throat. Sasuke's hand found its way under the table to give the blonde's hand a comforting squeeze.
"Hey, isn't that what Professor Binns was droning on about in History class before?" Harry asked as his brain recalled the familiar Japanese word.
"Biju? What in Merlin's name is that?" Ron asked around a mouthful of peas.
Hermione rolled his eyes. "Bijus are a special term for a special kind of demons. There are nine bijus in all. Each has a number of tails corresponding to their rank. The one-tailed demon is therefore the most minor of the demons and the nine-tailed demon is the most powerful. It isn't a very commonly known legend because there are too many unknowns and information unidentified by the wizarding kind. I don't believe muggles have even heard of it because I for one didn't know they existed beforehand."
Harry nodded in agreement.
"What kind of unknowns?" Sasuke asked casually.
"One example is what Professor Binns said a while back: how the bijus were sealed. And we don't even know when they existed, if they did, which is highly probable, after the enlightening news in this article. We don't know about their magic, just that it's much more powerful than wizarding magic. They're not the type of typical demons that Necromancers in the past have summoned with ugly faces, demented bodies, foul manners, and menacing horns. They're more blended into nature but of what forms they take on, we had no idea. There is so little information we know about them." She stabbed at the article in the Daily Prophet with a digit. "That's why this is so exciting because some wizarding experts just got more information."
"Like what?" Harry inquired curiously.
"Phew, I don't know where to start," Hermione gasped as she stared again with enthusiasm at the article. "There's just so much they learned. Okay, well, first of all, there's a possibility that they still exist today."
"Today?" Ron exclaimed. "You mean there are free demons roaming around?"
"Of course not, Ron," Hermione explained patiently. "They're sealed, remember? Anyways, the experts found out just how they were sealed. It's sort of strange but they were sealed in humans. That's why they could exist today as long as the humans are still alive."
"Humans?" interrupted Ron disbelievingly.
"I know. I've never heard of sealing things inside humans," Hermione went on. "But the vessels of the bijus are called 'Jinchuurikis.'" The bushy-haired witch pronounced the Japanese slowly. "Since all of the bijus were sealed in the past, there are nine Jinchuurikis, and when a Jinchuuriki dies, the demon within him or her would die as well. And they found out what forms they take on too, though unfortunately only the first and the last ones. But they said right here that they'd continue looking for more information. So the one-tailed demon is sort of like a giant raccoon and the nine-tailed demon looks like a fox."
Ron made a face. "They are demons if a fox has nine tails."
"What about their magic?"
Hermione answered Harry's question with a shrug. "They're still not sure."
"But isn't this so exciting!" Hermione launched again. "So much new information! And they're still going to continue researching!"
"Uh, Naruto, are you okay?" Harry asked out of the blue, looking concernedly at the blonde across from him. Naruto's face was so pale that the colour could compete with that of Sasuke's skin.
"I've got a stomach ache," Naruto replied with a strained voice.
"You should take a break from eating," Hermione advised. "Say, have you both heard of this Japanese legend?"
"Perhaps," Sasuke responded coolly. "I believe it's better though for Naruto to lie down a bit right now."
"You're right," Harry agreed. Only he out of the Golden Trio knew about the two shinobis' relationship. Therefore, though he was concerned, he realized that it would be better for Naruto to be alone with Sasuke. Besides, Naruto had been acting a little tense for the last couple of weeks.
Harry didn't understand it, but his senses had grown more sensitive. Usually, he was oblivious to many things and always wanted to find out the answers. These kinds of things had never happened to him before. Being aware of another person coming that time in the Hogwarts Express and now noticing that Naruto was a little uptight. No one else seemed to notice, other than the blonde's partner of course.
"Hope you'll feel better later," said Harry.
Naruto nodded curtly. With that, he and Sasuke left the Great Hall.
Xo-xo-xo
Naruto whispered dejectedly, "How could the wizards have found out anything?"
Sasuke stroked the blonde's hair comfortingly; they were in the boys' dormitory. Naruto had his arm around the Uchiha's waist, while leaning on his shoulder. "It's suspicious on how after such a long time of failing to acquire any more information that they found so much recently. And right when we're here in this world."
Naruto nodded stiffly. "I hope we're the only ones who actually know my secret though in this world."
Sasuke's dark eyes snapped over to Naruto's worried cerulean orbs. "Naruto, that could be it!"
The blond shinobi furrowed his brows. "You mean that there is someone else…?" he said slowly.
"Aa, if Konoha could send people here, then other villages should be able to too."
"But Tsunade-baachan said that she had help from McGonagall-san."
"True, but the other person could contact somebody else here. There are plenty of wizards and witches powerful enough to contribute a bit."
Naruto nodded slowly. "And for the Daily Prophet to spread this information around the world, I wouldn't expect it to be a fellow shinobi."
"Neither do I."
"But Orochimaru is already defeated. Akatsuki members are good and on our side, except for a few like Pein and Madara, and they've been dealt with. Who else is there?"
"Konoha and Sound are holding a pretty delicate peace as of the moment."
"Ugh, who could have a grudge against me?" Naruto yelled in frustration.
"But it's odd. If they really wanted to damage us, then our visitor could've given more things, such as the demons' powers and chakra."
"I bet Dumbledore knows something about this."
Sasuke smirked. "We'll confront him on it soon, usuratonkachi. But first let's report this."
Naruto sighed sadly. Sasuke gave the blond a concerned sidelong glance. Lifting the blond's chin gently, Sasuke delved into the worried cerulean pools. He swept down in an affectionate kiss, telling Naruto without words how much that he was worried for him and that it was going to be okay; they were together. Sasuke felt a movement against his lips as Naruto's soft lips twitched up into an appreciative smile. Naruto tilted his head back to meet his partner fully. His arms tightened around Sasuke's waist, causing the dark-haired boy to card his hand soothingly through silky blond hair. Sasuke's other hand held onto the nape of Naruto's neck, bringing the blond's head closer. Naruto reached up with his free hand to clasp the side of Sasuke's pale face, ghosting his fingers over the other boy's jaw line. A shiver of pleasure and delight ran through them both, and their kiss deepened into a fluffy feeling of passion and love.
Xo-xo-xo
The next day, Naruto and Sasuke requested a meeting with McGonagall-san. The Transfiguration professor arranged for it to be on Saturday. Conveniently, it was going to be a Hogsmeade weekend. Therefore, there wouldn't be any intruding or interrupting students. A day before the scheduled meeting, Ron had finally puckered up his courage and asked Hermione out on a date for the weekend. Harry had congratulated the pair with a grin; it had been really obvious that they both liked each other. And the Christmas presents they'd given to each other had just proved to the other about their feelings. Because of the occupied and apparent couple alone time, the ANBU felt that Harry should participate in their meeting with McGonagall. Neville and Ginny were dating, and Seamus and Dean were trying to woo a couple of Ravenclaws. And it wasn't quite the right time to be seen with his archrival and one of the enemies, Draco Malfoy. Besides, Harry had a right to be there.
Harry and the shinobis waved to the blushing Ron and Hermione, who were holding hands, as they stepped out into the mild April air. They watched the other Gryffindors and discreetly the Slytherins exit Hogwarts before turning around back into the warmth of the castle. Climbing several moving staircases, the group of three stopped at last in front of the Transfiguration classroom. McGonagall was waiting for them inside and bid them to follow her to have a more private conversation within her office. Harry and the ANBU followed after their professor into a medium-sized office that seemed spacious from her taste of decoration. A light coloured desk stood strictly in the back with three comfortable leather chairs in front. The walls were painted a creamy white, covered occasionally with small but nice pictures and paintings. A couple of shelves held many books standing at attention. Off on both sides behind the desk sat two tall closed cabinets. All in all, the office gave off a quiet, strictly neat and organized atmosphere.
"Sit down, please," McGonagall said as she strolled over to behind her desk. She observed the three students across from her through her thin wired spectacles. "You wished to speak of a matter?"
"Yes, McGonagall-san," Naruto replied. "It's concerning the article titled 'Biju Secrets' that was published in the Daily Prophet in January."
Harry tilted his head curiously to look at the blond shinobi. Was this the thing that had been bothering Naruto all along? It seemed to fit since he had appeared even more uncomfortable during the time when Hermione had told them about the article's contents.
"Regarding that Japanese myth?" Receiving nods, she continued, "Does it concern you?"
Solemnly, Naruto nodded again. Their client regarded the blonde carefully as Naruto took a breath and asked calmly, "How did the wizards get that information?"
"Honestly, I have no clue, Mr. Uzumaki." She paused. "If you don't mind me asking, in what way does this myth concern Konoha?"
"It concerns our whole world. I'm a Jinchuuriki," Naruto said bluntly.
"However," Sasuke cut in before either Harry or McGonagall could utter a word, "that is –was– classified information. It was kept top secret. What we would like to know is how the wizarding world ever got their hands on this legend's facts out of so many legends to research on and at such a time, which is most inconvenient for us."
"You're a human vessel…" McGonagall gasped. "A demon is sealed within you."
Naruto's and Sasuke's faces were blank, waiting for both wizard and witch to absorb the new enlightenment and to recover from the shock.
"All right then," their client said slowly. "Let's pretend the experts just found out by chance or by mistake. If that is the case, how is this a danger to you?"
"It was one of Konoha's top secrets," Naruto answered emotionlessly. "To have it revealed is a potential threat. No wizard or witch or muggle should be in light of this tidbit. Sasuke and I suspect that we may have enemies from our world informing the public here. Given that, seeing as Albus Dumbledore is our opponent, we imagine that sooner or later, he will understand how the legend is related to us, and may use this against us."
Heaving a sigh, McGonagall furrowed her brows in thought before saying finally, "I don't know if there is much that I can do, Mr. Uzumaki, Mr. Uchiha." She suddenly fixed her eyes on Harry. "How about you, Mr. Potter? Do you have any ideas or suggestions?" Harry shook his head. McGonagall sighed again. "We'll just have to wait this one out then."
Xo-xo-xo
Another month passed and no new, threatening information appeared on the Daily Prophet. McGonagall was relieved. Harry was apprehensive, while Naruto and Sasuke felt that it was only the calm before the storm. Naruto had discussed with Harry that he preferred if no one else knew about these top secrets, including Ron and Hermione. Harry understood and sealed his lips. Fortunately, it wasn't as hard as he'd expected it to be because of the final exams coming up in June. Hermione made it all the worse by, of course, worrying about how there were only several weeks left to study. Harry, Ron, Naruto, and Sasuke were forced into regular studying periods of one hour every second day; though Hermione herself studied twelve hours everyday…as an average.
The shinobis met with McGonagall only twice after their previous meeting. Harry and Draco had to keep their distance from each other, feeling that Dumbledore was watching them more closely than ever.
Xo-xo-xo
True to his word, Sasuke led Naruto up to the Headmaster's office at the end of the month, of May.
"Move," the Uchiha growled menacingly at the stone gargoyle guarding the way into Dumbledore's office.
The statue just looked impassively at him and didn't budge an inch. Curling his hand into a fist, the raven-haired ANBU snarled, "If you don't, I promise you that you'll be shattered into many little pieces."
The gargoyle puckered his gray lips but still didn't move. Narrowing his eyes, Sasuke was just about to hurl his fist into the statue when Naruto's hand wrapped around his wrist, effectively stopping him. Sasuke started, glancing over in confusion at his partner.
"McGonagall-san is coming this way."
Sasuke lowered his arm as Naruto let go. In his impatience, he hadn't noticed their client's aura strolling in their direction. Soon enough, the strict-looking witch walked with severe steps into the corridor.
"Mr. Uchiha, Mr. Uzumaki!" she exclaimed in surprise. "What are you two doing here?"
"McGonagall-san," Naruto dipped his head in greeting. "We wish to speak with Dumbledore."
"Whatever for?"
"For the reasons concerning the media," Sasuke replied evenly. "Do you mind letting us by this thing?" He gestured shortly at the stubborn gargoyle.
Minerva's head slowly nodded as she registered the shinobi's answer before she uttered a quiet "Oh!" as she realized their true intention. "I don't see why not," Minerva acquiesced. Gliding over, she murmured the password so that the stone guard leapt aside.
"Thank you, McGonagall-san," said the blond ANBU as he proceeded smoothly forwards with his partner. The witch stared anxiously at them until the door shut and the gargoyle jumped back into place. She hoped that this meeting would go well.
"Enter," the old man's voice called out when Naruto and Sasuke neared the door. Sharing a look with his partner, the blonde opened the door and they both swiftly sauntered to the front of the Headmaster's desk.
"Ah, Mr. Uzumaki and Mr. Uchiha!" Dumbledore's eyes shone with joy. "Please do sit down, boys."
"No, thank you," Naruto declined smoothly, keeping his tone neutral and polite.
"Some sweets then?" The elder man offered a bowl of wrapped candies to which the ANBU shook their heads.
"So then," Dumbledore stroked his long white beard, "of what reason do I have the pleasure of meeting you two boys here?"
All three of them remembered their first meeting and how the shinobis avoided the Headmaster ever since. To come suddenly after such a long time of evading personal meetings like this one was a little out of ordinary.
Naruto questioned vaguely, "You are aware of the sources of a particular article in the Daily Prophet?"
"Hmm, now which was one that?"
"The one with the article, 'Biju Secrets,'" Sasuke said bluntly in a cool tone.
"Ah yes, I remember that one. Interesting story, don't you agree?"
Sasuke narrowed his eyes imperceptibly. The old crone knew something. The smells were seeping out of his pores. Unlike what Dumbledore thought, he was not perfect at hiding what he truly felt; he may be able to manipulate and convince others but not ANBU –especially the most powerful pair of ANBU in Konoha.
"So being from Japan, I assume that you two have heard of this…legend?" Dumbledore peered at them over his half-moon spectacles.
"It sort of rings a bell," Naruto shrugged nonchalantly. Internally, growing anxiety sprouted inside him.
The old Headmaster must have gotten pretty desperate to manipulate the Japanese teens. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gotten some outside help. Claiming and supposedly being the all-knowing wizard, Dumbledore lacked the knowledge of many matters. He didn't know much about Naruto and Sasuke. All he was informed about was that they were Japanese transfers. He didn't know that they were hired by the Deputy Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall. He didn't know that they were from Konoha in another world. He didn't know that they were shinobis, let alone the top ANBU. He didn't know they were on Harry's side and against him. He didn't know that they knew his treacherous secrets. He didn't know about their relationship. He didn't know about Harry and where his true alliance lay. Hell, he didn't even know about the couple known as Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter. So much for being the most powerful and whole-world manipulator who was supposedly wise and knowledgeable about every little thing that happened around him.
But Naruto suspected that the old man was getting some hints on several of those secrets. And no one knew about Naruto being a Jinchuuriki, not in this world at least. Naruto hoped it would stay that way but he had an uneasy feeling that this secret was already being unraveled.
"You told the Daily Prophet about the Biju information," Sasuke accused confidently, inwardly hoping that he was doing the right thing.
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed. "What proof is this assumption based on, Mr. Uchiha?"
"I have my ways," the raven-haired ANBU responded evenly.
The tension was thick in the air. Dumbledore sighed lightly. "You shinobis really have fascinating skills."
Naruto and Sasuke stiffened. "Where did you get the information from?"
Dumbledore knew they were implying to both knowing them being shinobis and the Bijus but purposefully avoided the latter. "Though you may be ANBU, you are quite easy to figure out once I got the hang of it."
The old crone was obviously lying. Konoha had been betrayed. The only problem was to find out the traitor.
"You possess no evidence to support your suppositions," Naruto said calmly, his expression void of any emotion.
"But at least I know they're true," Dumbledore replied conceitedly.
"Even if you think they are, what do you have against us?"
Dumbledore chuckled at Naruto's question. "Nothing much. That is, if you agree to work with me."
"You mean to serve you," Sasuke stated flatly. "Unlikely."
Shaking his long white-haired head, the Headmaster sighed. "I thought it was so. But you really have no choice if you don't want me to keep publishing articles such as the Bijus in the Daily Prophet."
The ANBU recognized the threat –in other words: "If you are against me, then I will reveal your true identities to the whole world."
As the fireplace glowed a Floo green, the shinobis snapped their eyes at the growing flickering tongues of lime. Dumbledore smiled frivolously. "Ah, he's here." A dark grey cloaked figure stepped through the fire. Naruto and Sasuke recognized the intruder immediately.
"I would like to introduce my friend, Mr. Uchiha, Mr. Uzumaki." Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled maddeningly.
End of Chapter
Xo-xo-xo
The story is steadily moving toward the end! Just a couple more chapters are my guess.