KG: Oh man, did anyone else see that Noxus update? I am so down. I can't wait till I write that place in. Awesome! Damn, I wanna be on the worldbuilding team so badly.
Wifey: I bet people would leave just from your own inept mind.
KG: And, that ladies and gentlemen, is the result of too much vinegar! Is this cause your placements put you in Silver with me?
Wifey: I AM NOT THE SAME AS YOU!
KG: I think science proves that alone.
Wifey: ARGH!
Music of the Week: Firewall by Les Friction.
Quote: "Ultimately, leadership is not about glorious crowning acts. It's about keeping your team focused on a goal and motivated to do their best to achieve it, especially when the stakes are high and the consequences really matter. It is about laying the groundwork for others' success, and then standing back and letting them shine," by Chris Hadfield
Fiora stood on top of a balcony which led to the entrance of the Grand Hall inside of the city of High Silvermere. In her hands was a beautiful crystalline glass holding rich wine fit for a celebration. She glanced over the railing and her eyes softened when she saw numerous people laughing and speaking amongst themselves. The lights of High Silvermere flourished while she looked down at her cup. The Head of the Laurent house was a tad confused as to the celebration. She knew her nation. Celebrations were all well and good, but she didn't exactly now what they were supposed to be celebrating for. It wasn't the Monster Hunter festival. That only came during the times of the Great Harvest and it wasn't that time just yet.
She turned around and for once she took notice of herself. Her eyebrow twitched in utter annoyance. She…was a dress?! Fiora Laurent Did. Not. Wear. DRESSES! She grabbed the hem and was ready to tear the clothing to pieces in utter disgust, but she recognized the material. Her hands stopped, and she rubbed it texture. This dress…she remembered this dress. It was the dress her father had picked out for her. Her fingers lingered against its carefully designed threads.
"You'll make someone a very happy man, Fiora. Never lose that strength inside of your heart. It will fuel the energy inside the person who becomes you Soul-light. Never forget that."
Fiora frowned when she thought of those times. She had all but locked this dress away in the lowest, deepest parts of the house to never have it in her memory. She hated what these damn things symbolized. Why did she have to conform to someone else's ideals just because she was born a certain way? Why didn't she have the right to choose her own path in life? She wasn't some pawn to be weighed by someone else! She was not so weak as to succumb to that nonsense! This…this was all wrong! Fiora…didn't desire this! This wasn't her!
Cursing, she walked back into the Grand Hall. Her footsteps marched with utter purpose and frustration. She ignored the decorations. She ignored the cheering crowd. She ignored the applause. Never had she felt so humiliated and shamed in all her life. It didn't take her long to find the source of her wandering talking with some well-known friends and associates. The Laurent head released a hard huff and she grabbed him by the arm. "Ammdar, what is the meaning of this?!" Fiora asked heatedly. Her brother turned around and smiled.
"Sister, why are you by yourself? You should be with your Soul-light on this festive day! Where is he? He must be getting swarmed by the newest arrivals. Ah, forgive me, I seem to have drunk a tad too much for my own liking, but a toast is deserved! To our sister for finding one that she can confide in," Ammdar said as he raised a glass and clinked it with her own. Fiora balled her fists and growled before she slammed the glass to the ground, shattering it in numerous pieces. This got everyone's attention.
"Do you take me for an utter fool?! I have no Soul-Light! I will not hand over the Laurent Household to one who is inferior to me! You will call off this ceremony immediately and I will test the individual myself. No one is going to take control of my House as long as I find them weak and unworthy. End this farce immediately!" Fiora ordered and she watched the people whisper to each other in confusion. Yet, she didn't care about their reactions. Ammdar's utterly confused face made her blood chill.
"Sister, calm yourself. Maybe you've had too much to drink. You…already tested him. Do you not remember? You approved of the whole wedding. You designed everything. You even told us you would bear to wear a dress for the occasion, but it would be a one-time only ordeal. You…asked for this. Do you not remember?" Ammdar asked. He quickly noticed Fiora's grip grow weak. She seemed uneasy and she backed away from him. He watched her scan each and every decoration around them. Ammdar quickly grew worried.
Fiora glanced around her. She wanted to deny it, but…he was right. Every detail. Every design. Every single structure was tailored to her liking. She could tell. It was as if…she designed it herself. But…who could beat her? Who bested her? She, who worked tirelessly and studiously to better herself with each passing day! Who?! Who had she willingly given her life away to?! Who had caused her to change like this? She…she didn't understand. Fiora wouldn't do this! She didn't accept this! She would not accept this!
Fiora ran. She ran out of the Grand Hall. She ran out of the High Silvermere. She didn't know where she was running to, but she just wanted to get away from the despicable ceremony! She wanted to get away from everyone. This…this couldn't have been the life decided for her. She…was destined for more! She was not going to be another pretty face in the crowd! She deserved more!
Fiora panted and glanced up. She was in front of her house. She stood at the gates and opened them. She walked the long roads, the cold air on her body. "Hmph, pathetic. The proud one running away. Who could have guessed that such a woman would be so afraid of destiny. So much for the pride of Demacia. No wonder your people never change. Your nation shall fall as like all the others. Change is coming and you who run at the first sight of things outside of your control are nothing more than spineless fools seeking out their own destruction. What do you fear? Why do you feel placing your life in another's hands? I'll tell you why. It's because Fiora Laurent…has no purpose. Fight as you might, your purpose is just one in a vast trillion that are a speck within the universe. Do you believe you are fulfilling a righteous cause? HA! As if mortals could ever know what is righteous or not. A King…has no need for a queen who can't trust others!" A sharp, steely voice said.
Fiora looked around, but she could not find the source of the voice. It seemed to be everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Its words filled her with utter hatred. "And what would you know about me? This…this isn't me! I am not some poor, defenseless waif who can't defend herself! I make my own decisions! I control my own life! I control my own fate!" she said before a harsh wind blasted in front of her face.
"WHAT DOES A MORTAL KNOW OF FATE?! You mortals, each and every single last one, think you're called to some higher purpose than you actually are. Do you want me to show you your fate?! YOUR LIFE IS BUT A BEAD OF SAND ON THE SEASHORE!" it cried at her. Fiora coughed as a force she couldn't describe force her away from the House of Laurent. She landed in front of the Grand Hall in surprise.
"Fiora, you're back! Don't scare us like that! Come on! It's time for your Soul-light to make his speech," Ammdar said dragging her inside. Fiora…could not move. Her legs refused to listen to her pleas to flee. She watched the door open and the massive light of the hall come over her. Fiora closed her eyes. Please…don't let this be true. Fiora…knew she deserved more than this.
-x-
Fiora slowly opened her eyes. She saw the colored tiles of her ceiling. She tried to lean up, but pain flourished through her body which forced her back down. She turned her head and she noticed her familiar bookcase, her personal study, her closest which housed all of her wardrobes and garments. She also noticed a silver tray with a glass of water and a couple of pills. Fiora was definitely back in her house. Her memory was a little jumbled, but she began to piece the information together. She had beaten Ameyuri Ringo and collected her blades. No doubt, Fiora had been very exhausted when that miraculous energy filling her body had faded away. All of the pain that had seemingly been mitigated during her fight was completely punishing her body at this point. With a hollow breath, Fiora's mind drifted over to Naruto. She wondered if he was already. It would be most unsettling if, after all the work they had put in, he had failed. Though, she highly doubted he did. He was a very stubborn piece of work. These thoughts brought a calm smile to Fiora's face. Truly, such a strange individual the young boy was.
However, Fiora slowly opened her eyes again and they were noticeably colder than a moment ago. The reason for this was that she recalled their time in prison. Naruto…undoubtedly had scales on his face. They were…dragon scales. Fiora was sure of it. Demacia had its own dragon within its pristine walls. Admittedly, she never interacted much with the Demacian people, but perhaps it was more because the people chose not to interact with her. The few times Fiora had worked with the dragon, Fiora could tell she was a capable warrior, yet…for all of Fiora's viewing of her, said dragon never once gave off the aura of pure authority that Naruto had. Even then…Shyvana's eyes were never such a beautiful color of silver as Fiora remembered. She recalled his words.
"When we get out of here and understand that without a doubt we will get out of here, find a way to take me to Runeterra," Naruto said. Fiora narrowed her eyes as she watched the blonde gaze at the ceiling.
Fiora released a breath. That was easier said than done, Monsieur Uzumaki. However, the head of the House of Laurent was never one to back down if a problem was presented to her. Now, if only she could move then it would be a lot easier. Hell, even before that Fiora would have to explain her disappearance. No matter how one tried to explain it, her absence had been unacceptable in the eyes of the Demacian army. She would be paying for it, but she couldn't find the will to feel she had been wrong in the act. If she were honest, she would have done it again if the opportunity presented itself.
Fiora heard her door open. Her eyes turned to the opening piece of valuable sculpted wood and she watched one of the family servants come through the door. Perhaps a bit sad, but the Demacian warrior…couldn't even remember the person's name. It was a maid by the obvious clothing she wore, but Fiora didn't recall the woman if only because she had quite a number of servants around the household. Perhaps being in such daring situations from before had opened her eyes just a little bit.
"Lady Fiora, you're awake! Thank heavens. How are you feeling?" she asked, slowly walking up to the bed. Fiora watched the woman prepare the medicine on the tray. The bedridden Demacian woman then watched the maid swiftly move through the motions of trained medical procedures. She gently wiped the swordswoman's forehead. She then fed her the pills along with a glass of water. Fiora cleared her throat and released a comforted sigh.
"My memory is a bit jumbled at this point in time. Tell me your name," Fiora said/ordered to the woman. The maid quickly stood up straight and offered a slight bow of her head. One should know, Fiora was a stickler for good form and that was a very good form as shown by the status of Demacian soldiers. If she felt like it, she would have commended the girl on her form…if she didn't feel like she would pass out in doing so.
"Yes, ma'am. My name is Seri Faldurin. I have served the Laurent household for up to seven solstice times. I am under the command of Captain Draxica of the seventh company. This will be my last year before I dedicate myself completely to the welfare of House Laurent, ma'am!" she replied as accurately as she could. Fiora didn't reply. It had been quite a bit of time since she had been addressed as a superior officer. It was shameful, but she almost missed the battles against foreign shinobi and mystical powers that floated in Naruto's world. However, Fiora had to move on.
"I see. Very good. Now tell me, how long have I been confined to my bed?" she then proceeded to ask. As far as she was concerned, she could have passed out yesterday and only woken up today for all she knew. Plus, she was pretty sure she would have to give updates on her whereabouts. She wasn't going to lie about it. Admittedly, the thought did pass through her mind, but she quickly discarded it. Harsh she was, but Fiora Laurent was no liar. If the truth was hard to bear, then the person would just have to deal with it. It wasn't her problem. In any case, she refocused her attention on Seri.
"Yes Ma'am, you have been resting for about five days now. We have had a rotating staff to keep watch over you for this. With express permission from Lord Ammdar, the family doctor looked you over. Ma'am, by his words, you had sustained numerous blunt physical trauma wounds, and strain to your upper and lower body. We're even surprised that we found you because the doctor said it was a miracle that you hadn't died from blood loss. We patched up most of your injuries, but he did state that you shouldn't move your body in excessive amounts too much. Your…blade is also broken beyond repair," Seri replied. The Laurent head closed her eyes.
She…didn't need to be reminded of that one. Still, Seri wouldn't have known that. She knew her blade had been broken. It was what made her battle against Ameyuri Ringo so fascinating that she could duel her with a broken blade. These incidents only sought to confirm with her that what she had been experiencing had truly been something phenomenal. "I see. Well, where are the other blades? I was sure there was another set of blades around me before I ended up in this…situation," Fiora replied. Seri quickly nodded and pushed the silver tray away.
"Yes Ma'am, Lord Ammdar took the blades. He said that they had a crude design so he was thinking about breaking down their metal for smithing purpos….," Seri gasped when Fiora grabbed her attire and pulled her forward, anger in her eyes. Despite the utter pain surging through her body, Fiora did not have her mind focus on it. She merely stared into Seri's eyes and spoke harshly.
"Ammdar shall do no such thing. When you leave, I want those blades returned to me and placed in my study! If I see even one piece of damage on those blades that I know wasn't there originally, then it will be your head. Understood?" Fiora slowly drew out. Perhaps this was a bit harsh in her opinion. It obviously wasn't Seri's fault and Fiora had to quickly remind herself that no one except for her, and maybe that walking nightmare of a demon, knew what had happened.
"Yes! Right away ma'am! I will see that the blades are returned to you as soon as Lord Ammdar is finished with his meeting," She said. Now, this got the Grand Duelist interested. Usually, any and all meetings were run by her. Though admittedly, she wasn't in the best condition to be taking meetings from politicians, government figures, nor even the local house visit, but it wasn't like Ammdar to just think that he would take the role from her without some other type of confirmation. This was very odd, but if she was out of commission then Fiora didn't mind her brother running the House…as long as remembered his place.
"A meeting with who?" Fiora asked upon watching Seri start to leave the room. She had been cleaning some of the supplies as well as taking the tray of spent medicine and water from the bedroom. However, dutifully, Seri turned around and faced her mistress. She cleared her throat and spoke firmly.
"It would be Lord Crownguard, Ma'am. He's been coming here for a couple of days requesting your presence. Ammdar…claimed you had been on a training trip, but you have sustained heavy injury. Lord Garen has wanted to make sure that your health is building. Shall…I call Lord Ammdar to your chambers?" Seri asked. To be honest, Fiora really didn't want to deal with this right now. Frankly, she was still tired and the medicine was making her drowsy, but the Grand Duelist wanted this situation cleared up as quickly as possible and…that would mean having to see the King. She could just see it now. Maybe she could go back into that cell and stay there. It was a thought.
"Yes, have Ammdar in my chambers within the next half an hour. Also bring Monsieur Crownguard with him as well. Also, Seri…make a request for a messenger bird for me. I have a letter that I would like to send to Piltover for...intricate matters," Fiora explained. The maid of the Laurent House was very confused as to the true nature of this request. It was very rare that Demacian people sought out details from Piltover, especially given the city's…cultured use of magic.
"At once, Ma'am." Seri replied with a lasting nod. Fiora watched her leave the room and soon it was all quiet once again. The Grand Duelist breathed a little easier. She could tell that she would have liked to look a bit more…professional looking than being tied to her bedspread of she was going to be seeing the Might of Demacia. A lofty title, but it wasn't without its own merits if she could say that. She closed her eyes for a small period. Luckily…Ammdar's little lie to cover for her…wasn't exactly a lie. If it had been, then Fiora would have been greatly displeased. Deceit held no place in the guards of Demacia. She wasn't going to twist her words to match, but…training always did take an odd turn.
-x-
The Might of Demacia took a quick sip of the tea offered by one of the servants of the Laurent Household. Garen had to admit, even if the Grand Duelist's family wasn't as sociable as people thought it was, it could still make some rather marvelous drinks when it had the time. Perhaps that was why one of its main exports were famously crafted refreshments. No one ever knew how they did it. In any case, Garen and Ammdar had been busy talking with each other. He watched as the older man took a lean back in the chair he had been sitting in.
"I see. So, she has yet to awaken. I pray that she be given a swift recovery. We currently have most of the internal forces working to rebuild what has been damaged. I did not mean to intrude on any matters. The reason for my visit is because I had seen the strange light that appeared near the Laurent House five days ago. We're getting the masses to recover what has potentially been lost, but I merely wanted to confirm that the house was still holding onto its shoulders," The very tall, and muscular man said. Ammdar gave a slight smile to this and firmly nodded.
"I agree, Lord Crownguard. It was a startling surprise for me as well. The powerful and once benevolent waters of High Silvermere have cracked some of the mountain. It has discouraged a number of people from living there. There are even cracks to the Citadel of Dawn which are currently being repaired. There are no pieces of evidence to support than it being the work of outside enemy forces, but the entire country is on edge. I can only hope Fiora awakens soon so that we might gather insight to her whereabouts. Whatever training she did to put her in such a condition worries me," Ammdar said.
The Might of Demacia didn't speak, but he agreed with all sentiments that the current head of the Laurent House was feeling. Demacia currently had officially working to discuss the possibilities of what these signs meant. Still, despite how much destruction had been caused, it had been one of the most beautiful sights that the male Crownguard could have ever born witness to. Had it not been for the promised destruction of his home, if he had not acted, Garen might have watched the whole thing in utter wonder and praise. However, now wasn't the time for that.
Garen was ready to ask something else before a knock came to the door. "Enter," Ammdar called. Both watched a maid com through and present herself to them both. Both noticed the very…bright radiance attached to her countenance. Both noticed she had been carrying an empty tray. She quickly addressed Ammdar and then Garen in quick succession as befitting of her station.
"Good Evening-Light Lord Laurent, Lord Crownguard. I sincerely beg your mercy for disrupting your current affairs, but I come with blessed news that mistress, Fiora Laurent, had woken up. She asked for you both to meet with her in her chambers as quickly as possible. Also, Lord Laurent, Mistress has asked that you bring the blades you found with her to her room. She seems very…attached to them," Seri said.
It was easy to see the surprise that appeared over the faces of Ammdar and Garen. The former quickly pushed the chair back and stood to his feet. "Thank the heavens. Seri, retrieve the blades from my chambers. I would like an explanation as to the nature of their origin anyway," Ammdar said. Seri quickly bowed and left the room to finish the task assigned to her. For his own side, the warm smile didn't fade from Ammdar's face. Despite how…stern Fiora could be, she was still his sister and he greatly came to appreciate her for the hard work she had done to help restore their House's honor after their father's disgrace. Ammdar never envisioned Fiora passing away upon her deathbed.
"A joyous time, Lord Crownguard. Perhaps the gods are looking down upon us in this trying and turbulent time. It seems that she requested the two of us, so I would like to not keep her waiting. Please, accompany me." Ammdar said. Garen agreed. The air was a feeling of joy and it was infectious even upon the muscular warrior's visage. He followed Ammdar out of the meeting room. Both walked through the spacious halls of House Laurent.
The Crownguard soldier looked over the wonderful pieces of architecture within the Laurent family house. The estate flourished with captured images of each family successor dating back to the very first man to establish the Laurent household. It was a true pity about the family's fall from grace for a time due to the actions of Fiora's father, but justice had been done and the girl had worked tirelessly to bring her family back. Garen had nothing, but respect for her. His Demacian boots stood upon the very thresholds of an undying Demacian loyalty. The house was created and reformed through Fiora's perseverance.
She had continued to establish her family's training area, always inviting new students, even though Garen had yet to see anyone in the guard capable of appeasing to her grand expectations. Yet, some still braved her temper and her patience. Garen prayed for their weary souls. It was no surprise to some that the female Laurent had yet to take a spouse. It was that act of marriage that had sent the family down such a path in the first place. In these grand halls, she shocked everyone when she declared she would decide her own fate and no one else. She would rather die than have someone else in control of her life. It was a shock that reverberated through all of Demacia. Even now, that act still had its benefits…and its consequences.
It took some time, but Ammdar and Garen made stood in front of Fiora's chambers and Ammdar knocked on the door. "Fiora, we're coming in," Ammdar said. He opened the door for them both. The Might of Demacia stepped inside after Fiora's elder brother.
Both saw the female warrior staring at the ceiling. Her face was stern and unrelenting for a moment before she turned to meet them. "I am truly thankful that you have awoken, Fiora." Ammdar said. She rose an eyebrow for a moment before she heaved her chest and released a tired breath. She shuffled her body to gather some comfort for her stiff body, but it did not yield a lot of benefits. She resigned herself.
"Laying on my mattress is not the best definition of awake I would use." She remarked. She saw them both smile at her and she quickly frowned wondering if she had said something humorous. She didn't recall doing so. Both men caught themselves and cleared their throats for a moment. Garen took a step forward, his armor clanking as he did so.
"Do not look so downfallen, Fiora. Tis always a blessing to see the rising sun no matter the day or the state of the person. Not too many people make it back from battle," he told her. Fiora moved her mouth almost as if to dismiss his statement. She didn't reply to his comment, instead looking at the ceiling. Ammdar and Garen exchanged glances before the larger man stood up straighter.
"Fiora, I have to know, what training did you partake in that left you in such disarray? I would like to think that from our countless battles that we have endured together that you hold more of Demacia's spirit and ideals than almost anyone I know. Yet, you were apart from the nation for nearly two whole harvest raisings (two months). I can only assume that this is why you decided to bring the both of us to you despite your state. So, please tell me," Garen said.
Fiora closed her eyes. Honestly, he could have at least asked how she was doing before they got to the necessary details. Admittedly, Fiora might have waved off his answer with a response she knew would rile his armor, but he still could have asked. She opened her eyes. "A most unusual training, Monsieur Crownguard. My training took me to places I could not have ever have dreamt of. Tell me, Monsieur Crownguard, what do you know of…other worlds?" Fiora asked.
Ammdar and Garen looked at each other, greatly confused.
-x-
Naruto released a small sigh as he placed down a heavy box onto the floor. Ever since he had finished his mission he had been packing his apartment. Naruto had already discussed the terms of his lease with the landlord. The landlord gave the blonde a week to have his stuff packed and moved. The blonde saw no problems with this. It wasn't like he carried a ton of heavy things. With another grunt, he sealed his clothing into a storage scroll. "Naruto, where does this box go?" he heard. He turned around and noticed Isaribi with one of the heavier boxes that he had been storing.
He leaned up and arched his back. "Place it near the front door. It'll be one of the first things I seal." Naruto answered. The purple-haired girl nodded and carried the box off as per Naruto's instructions. He watched her go off into a corner of the room and he looked back at all of his things. He suppressed a smile. Of all the crazy ways to show he was serious, he never thought attempting to kill himself would have been one of them. Still, when he smelled the wonderful fragrance coming from his kitchen, he knew he had made the right choice. He took a short breath and exited his empty bedroom. He turned a corner and he noticed Mei working on…something that he couldn't see.
Truth be told, as soon as he was done moving to his place, Naruto wanted to take her to the hospital. Hopefully, in time, Mei might be able to deal with her traumas of what happened with her time as a prisoner. Naruto wanted that dealt with, but he felt he was getting a handle on Mei's current mental stability. She wasn't ready for that type of pressure. Naruto had a feeling he would have to be doing a lot of observation on Mei in order to ascertain all of her mental points.
Yet, she seemed to be a lot healthier. She still seemed very frail and Naruto wondered if he should work out a diet plan for her. Yet, in order to do that…he would have to figure out what was exactly wrong with her. She definitely got Kiri's best medical attention, but it wasn't like anyone could monitor her progress for all hours of the day. Naruto would have to do that. By the Hokage's words, they weren't really allowed to be apart from him. It was a thought that Naruto would have to work out later.
Upon observation, Naruto also noticed that Ahri still wasn't back yet. He had given her permission to roam around the village as long as she came back by nightfall. This had the fox woman giggling at him and something him being a...daddy(?) but he didn't think on the issue. He sat on his couch and closed his eyes. "Alright, you can stop now, Isaribi. We'll pick this up either tomorrow or the day after," Naruto told her. He watched Isaribi give an exasperated breath and fall down to the floor.
"Thank Kami!" Isaribi said, a tired, yet satisfied smile upon her face. The blonde genin shook his head at her pitiful state, but the feeling of the air conditioning in his house nearly made him agree with her sentiments. There was still a bit of stiffness around his body that he wasn't pleased with. Kakashi had told him to head to the hospital and he had planned on doing that if not today, then tomorrow. He had originally wanted this move that the Hokage was giving him to be as smooth and effortless as possible.
While the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki rested, he felt a shadow loom over him. He opened one of his eyes and he noticed Mei standing over him. She had one of his specially crafted tea trays in her hands. Naruto had won them from a time he played pachinko. Not a very exciting prize, but free was free. In any case, she had it in her hands and he noticed a lovely aroma coming from one of his tea cups. Mei seemed…very pleased with herself.
She bent over and placed the hot cup in front of him. Naruto leaned up and noticed the tea in his cup. He chuckled. "What is this?" Naruto asked, taking the hot drink from his tray. He glanced over to one of his newest residents. The auburn-haired woman picked up a clipboard along with an ink brush. She started writing on it. As she did this, Naruto's mind went to other places.
Watching her do this reminded Naruto that he would need to learn some sign language for Mei. Now anyone might be thinking the obvious if it came to them. Mei was mute, hopefully temporarily, but she wasn't deaf. Communication with her shouldn't have been difficult. Perhaps Naruto was just attempting to cover all of his bases with this new situation. If there were a time where Mei didn't have the luxury of a clipboard then Naruto would need her to learn how to communicate and vice versa. The young man would be expecting everyone in the household to learn it. Naruto was not willing to take risks in this path. He had gambled with the Hokage and won, but now he would have to make sure that there was no way he was unprepared for situations that arose or, at the very least, he had a proper countermeasure installed for them.
"It's a healing remedy from Kirigakure. It helps with strengthening the immune system and eases the muscles. I know you've been feeling sore lately, so I made as close to the original as I could. Konoha doesn't have some of the…more refining ingredients, but I hope it still works. I made one for Isaribi-san and Ahri-san, once she returns," Mei wrote out. The blonde looked down at the tea. Despite its…pleasant aroma, it held a very strong…aura. Naruto didn't have any other way to describe it. He took a glance up at Mei and she seemed very…intrigued for his reaction. A tad hesitant, her young master couldn't find it in him to disappoint her.
"Thank you, Mei. It's very thoughtful," Naruto said taking a sip of the drink. The liquid caught itself in his throat and he coughed for a moment. Mei seemed concerned for a moment, but Naruto held up a hand. The drink burned his throat and he could feel the way it stung with each swallow down. Despite its aroma, it wasn't sweet like Naruto had thought. It was actually very sour. Yet, the blonde drank it down and released a rough gasp when he was done.
"Very…intense. Thanks," Naruto said, a rough laugh on his lips. Mei smiled and she quickly wrote that the drink could be pretty overwhelming for the first time. Naruto definitely agreed with that sentiment, and he watched when Mei gave the other drink to Isaribi. The genin watched the former Kiri rebel squirm underneath the power of the remedy almost as he had done. Though, she was definitely more dramatic than he was. She gave a rather crooked smile and swallowed.
"Really…good," Isaribi croaked out and coughed just as Naruto had done. The blonde watched the two women smile at each other. He gave them a smile as well before he leaned up and off his couch. He then gave a hard stretch which flexed his body and revitalized him for a brief period.
Naruto placed on his shoes. "Mei, Isaribi, I'm going out for a few hours. If Ahri-san comes back then give her some tea. I'll be back in time to prepare for dinner. Isaribi, take Mei to buy some clothes. Mei, get what you feel you need and feel you want. I'll pay for it since I'll be getting paid tomorrow. We'll be going to the hospital tomorrow too," he uttered. Isaribi and Mei agreed to his commands and he was very pleased to see this. He gave them one smile before he gave them his spare house key then walked out of the apartment.
Naruto did not remember the walk from his apartment. The visions which tormented him, tested him, and ridiculed him were constantly in his thoughts. The intense, blazing, unbearable heat of the sands burned into his mind. He could still remember the feeling of massive fields of reddish-gold minerals and rocks across his face. He remembered the pain in his legs as he trudged through the rough and heavy terrain. He remembered the bleeding thirst in his throat as the desert sought to devour him.
Mount Targon was also never out of Naruto's mind. Each time he experienced that mountain his mind recalled the frigid cold, the feeling of helplessness when he was given nothing to make his ascent any smoother. He remembered the pain in his hands as the sharp stones and bodies which molded the mountain enforced their will upon him. It was very odd because it was only when he had this contract from the Forbidden Scroll did these visions start coming. Yet, he had no answers. Each and every single vision, each and every single moment he spent in these places added questions that he had absolutely no answers to. What…was he supposed to do?
By the time Naruto was aware of himself, he stood alone in his team's training ground. The trees rustled in his ear and he heard the birds sing in the sky. The grass tickled his feet due to his open-toed sandals. His hair swayed in the breeze. The feeling of the sun and its glory rested upon him. Despite what its heat had done to him in that desert, he still loved that glorious star so much. His blue eyes scanned the environment. He was the only person in the training ground. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled-up piece of paper. He uncrumpled it and glanced down at the drawing on it. The paper had been Yozora's rather…artistic vision of what he had been doing during his battle with Jinpachi and Kushimaru. Everyone claimed he had done miraculous things that should have been impossible. It was then that Naruto remembered his conversation with Sasuke.
Naruto had lied to his teammate. He did remember what had happened. Naruto scrunched his face. Okay, he half-lied to Sasuke. Naruto did not keep track of these…environmental phenomena that his teammates had seen. Yozora had said that the young blonde had produced massive rings of light in the sky. Everyone claimed that the Sun and Moon had done…something to him, but Naruto didn't know what. He didn't remember these things. It was all sounding like mere background noise to him.
What the jinchuuriki did remember was strength, confidence, anger, and the feeling of an unknown power flourishing through the recesses of his body. He definitely breathed fire. No, he hadn't made a Katon jutsu. He had…breathed out fire from his mouth. He remembered the color of it as well. A flame of pure white radiance and magnificence. Okay, maybe he was tooting his own horn a bit, but he wasn't' sure if there was another way to describe it. Then, there were his fighting capabilities. He not only fought Jinpachi, but he had overpowered him. Every move that Jinpachi made, Naruto could see it. The blonde, a genin, had fought an A-rank missing nin. Abnormal did not even begin to describe these things.
"Yes, you look pretty damn pitiful. One such as us should NEVER know pity from our enemies! Look at what you've made us! Tch, that damned old man kept it hidden from us for too long!" Naruto heard a distant voice say. He wondered how out of his mind he actually was.
Was had been kept hidden from him? Admittedly, Naruto wasn't used to speaking with voices in his head of all things, but he…recognized the voice…somehow. It was like it had always been there with him. He stared down at the paper as hard as he could, his mind replayed the images of that battle in his mind. He remembered screaming at the top of his lungs as a grand light surrounded him. He balled his fists and crumbled the paper. Answers!
"Hmph, how the mighty have fallen. Is this how you foresaw your victory? Is this how we foresaw our legacy? Our dreams?! Heh, what pathetic nonsense. Had we awakened these two would be nothing before us. We have been left with a great task for we are the last ones. Yet, here you are wasting away."
Answers, please! Someone! Anyone! What legacy?! What dreams? What did he have to do? What was this 'awakening?' Naruto didn't know. What did this mean?! Suddenly, Naruto grabbed his head and dropped to his knees. A massive roar filled his mind. Images of places that he didn't recognize filled his mind. Wonderous signs and events passed by him. He saw the shape of the stars and the formation of the sun, moon, and other planets. The seal on his hand burned and began to lengthen. From the five kanji that marked themselves at the base of his hand extended itself. A darker array of seals lengthened themselves at the base of his wrist. The Kanji for 6-10 burned themselves as did their predecessor numbers before them.
The Kanji for 6 brightened as the others before it, but the blonde was not aware of this. He was too captivated by the rapidly moving scenes in front of him. He saw so many wars. He saw so much death, but he also saw so much life he felt like he could see the very edges of the world forming and wrapping themselves around him. He could see a council of beings in divine light watch over the creation of all things. He saw glorious cosmic battles and he kept seeing the smile of a blonde man as he spoke with a spectral being. The man turned around and smiled. He leaned over and kissed a young child…hair so much like his own. "I'm sorry, Naruto. I have to go now," he said before massive wings of light spread themselves from his back. Their scaly structure seemed so…recognizable, but Naruto didn't know from where. The man disappeared.
Just as the genin was sure his mind was about to be torn asunder, a sudden hand was placed on his forehead. Energy filled his body and piece by piece the images dispersed from his mind. The burning in his hand slowed itself and Naruto found breathing to be a much easier task than previously. He sighed as other images fill his mind. A very beautiful city, its cyclopean, yet divine structures turned it into a very fortified place of beauty. Each set of marble and rock was carefully placed into every building. It was a very beautiful city. He then watched with a frown as he was in a council room with shouting elite officials. He watched a climb up the mountain of Targon. A city of marvelous light filled his vision. This man in front of him who soothed him, the trials he had endured, he…never stopped. He continued to fight for what he had believed in. He was…a protector.
Naruto slowly opened his eyes and he stared up at a man with a very well-formed face. His hair flowed like grass through and his solid eyes stared at the blonde's form. The armor that he wore, the blue cape that shifted behind him were all examples of beauty. Yet, the thing that marveled Naruto the most…were the gems floating around the man's broad shoulders. The two continued to look at each other and their names filled each other's mind. No memory was hidden from the other. The Kyuubi Jinchuuriki's eyes narrowed. "Taric, the Shield of Valoran" Naruto uttered with a small frown. The man smiled at him.
The one named Taric knelt down before Naruto. "Do not fret, young man. I have answered your call. I have the answers that you seek. Please, come with me," He said. Naruto watched the…very built man walk off through the trees. The blonde wanted to tell Taric something, but words couldn't come from his lips. Naruto stood to his feet and walked after the Shield of Valoran. Both of them walked through the bushes and away from any veering eyes.
-x-
Ashe sighed as she looked in the mirror of her royal chambers. If one had to give a defining characteristic to the young Freljordian queen then one could either mention her frozen bow, her status as a queen, her home, the Freljord, but one could also mention…her snow-white hair. Ashe was very fond of her hair. Her mother always liked to joke that she would one day meet someone who loved her hair as much as her mother did. Ashe smiled at the thought. White hair was not very common in the Freljord. As far as Ashe was aware, the only person with white hair, aside from her, had been Sejuani. Within the Freljord white hair symbolized momentous change, whether good or bad, and that scared people. Ashe still remembered the harsh whispers some spoke of her when they thought she wasn't hearing. This had picked up due to one event. The event that happened about a week ago because of…Uzumaki Naruto.
Ashe washed her face and stared back into her mirror again. She saw the long strand of her hair that suddenly turned from its snowy color into a very bright piece of yellowish light. There was no better description than that. Her hair was glowing from a bright light ever since she felt Naruto's power resounding through the reaches of the Freljord. What happened to land had stirred everyone for an answer, yet Ashe had none to give. Naturally, with her white hair, this brought to people talking about wide change coming. Yet, Ashe found she couldn't even disagree with them.
With a breath, Ashe moved from her mirror. She grabbed her sacred bow and walked out of her room. While she walked through the halls of her home, Ashe looked out of the windows and she still saw the ramifications of the disasters that came to the Freljord. Fallen trees were being cut and turned into construction materials for new homes and storage spaces that had been destroyed during the event. Yet, Ashe couldn't slow down either. She had to refortify her borders since, as expected, Sejuani attempted to take advantage of the ensuing chaos by trying to take over one of Ashe's storage facilities. Ashe managed to repel her and allowed Sejuani's men to return. Admittedly, this wasn't in Ashe's most liked mindset as the Winter's Wrath seemed to be getting a little too…eager for the Frost Archer's liking. Again, Ashe was merciful, but she was definitely no doormat!
In any case, Ashe wondered what had happened to Naruto to cause such a disturbance. If the queen had to say, then her summoner was definitely a ball of mystery. When he first summoned her, she had been called on due to what she had seen. She saw the potential for greatness in him and she saw the striving will despite what his village had done to him. Despite the evil done to him, he still worked hard for the good of people. That was the type of person she saw. He had a wonderful sense of banter that she liked, and, for his age, he was very insightful and tactful when had had to be. Plus, he had very stellar blue eye…ANYWAY!
Shaking her head, Ashe noticed one of her advisors waiting for her around the corner of the hall. A breath caught her throat for a moment and she pressed forward ready to deal with the days events…not. "My Queen, it is good to see you awake. News has arisen from the forces that the Howling Abyss is experiencing abnormal weather," the man said to her. Ashe raised an eyebrow. No one had ventured into those caverns for a very long time. They were the only route that connected the Ice Witch to the rest of the Freljord. The magic which circulated around that particular area was worth avoiding by many a people.
She noticed the report of the scouting and took it from him. She looked it over. "Glowing scales in the ice? Bright water? Classification of native flora and fauna displaying mutative properties of absorbing moonlight, sunlight, and even evidence of starlight? This…shouldn't be happening. Why is it only in that particular area? There should hardly be any sustaining life within that cold area." The Avarosan Tribe Queen exclaimed, and the advisor took a chilling breath. Ashe didn't like the look in his eyes before he pulled out another report and handed it to her. Ashe grabbed it and glanced at it, but…it was just a very detailed image of a grand surrounding council array of ancient, arcane, and draconic designs that Ashe couldn't recognize. These draconic runes and glyphs she had never seen before.
"We believe these glyphs to be the main source of the problem. They started showing up around the week of the Divided Sky. That is the name people are calling the miraculous, and devastating event that fell upon the Freljord last week. We're also getting reports that this has happened in all corners of Runeterra. Demacia, Piltover, Noxus, and Shurima are in a state of disarray. These same glyphs are appearing across all regions and no one knows what they mean," He said. Instantly, Ashe's thoughts went back to her summoner. She still remembered the feeling of overwhelming power and energy circulating through her body when the skies were torn apart. It was then that Ashe remembered the Dark Child as well. She had been summoned by Naruto as well.
A sigh on her lips, Ashe took the notes. "For now, I want all scouts to continue to observe the area from a safe distance. I want daily updates to the Howling Abyss and its status, but advise caution to not tread into the Ice Witch's territory. She's been relatively inactive over the past couple of months and I would rather not rile her unnecessarily. No doubt she's researching this as well.
"Yes ma'am!" he said, and he returned to walk out of the hallway. Ashe sighed and she, once again, picked at the long strand of white turned bright, yellowish light hair. Where was all of this going? Ashe wondered if perhaps Naruto had some answers, but she had no way of getting him here. Now that was an avenue that required research. So far, Naruto, through a means that Ashe still had trouble comprehending, could summon them to his world with their memories and experiences transferred between two avenues, but it was a two-way trip for the summoned and not the summoner. This…was not Ashe's area of expertise.
Ashe's travels and thoughts took her to the balcony of her home. She had to get going soon, but she wondered if she could even think about anything else, but Naruto. If one thought about it, this whole situation was very…unsatisfying. "You seem troubled, child. What has you in such a state?" a calming, and understanding voice came to her ears. Ashe smiled upon hearing the very familiar voice. She stared above her head and she noticed a beautiful set of ice blue wings elevating themselves in the air. Attached to those frozen wings was the form of a frozen bird. Blank, white eyes stared at her, but the queen didn't think less of them.
"Look at Frostheld. Buildings lay over one another like bodies after a torn field of battle. Separation of nature and manmade structure is indiscernible to the human eye. The winds of the Freljord echo with the words of beings that mortals can't comprehend. The things my people saw last week was…both amazing and terrifying. They look to me for answers when I have none to give. I do not know what to do, Anivia," Ashe admitted to the lifelong guardian of the Freljord. The female avian settled herself down on the ledge of the house. Her massive form balanced itself easily to the structure and she furled her wings together.
"I see. You still do not wish to inform your subjects about your…adventures? I assume this also has to do with this blue-eyed young man that you spoke to me about? A 'Naruto Uzumaki' I believe? The name does not roll off the Freljordian tongue very well, but you have spoken of nothing, but the lad ever since you confided in me about what had happened. You claimed you could…telepathically speak with him correct? Why is such an issue happening then?" Anivia asked.
Ashe released a breath. She hadn't felt confident in telling anyone else about her journey, much less about her taking an outsider's opinion in kingdom matters no matter how beneficial. She had only spoken with Anivia because, flaw, Ashe was not good at keeping problems bottled up for too long. She had spoken about Naruto and his world from what she had seen with the Guardian of the Freljord. Anivia had honestly been surprised because Ashe only had good things to say about the blonde.
"And now glyphs and runes of pure light are etched into the caverns of the Howling Abyss, reshaping their landscape and their economic environment. The same thing is apparently happening in the other nations as well. I don't understand any of it. How can I protect my people from what I don't even know is coming?" Ashe asked, frustrated and very confused. She placed her head in her hands which made the eternal bird very distraught. It wasn't like her friend to have such misgivings and while Anivia had tried her best to not…interfere too much in a person's destiny, it was obvious that the lack of answers were many and the pool of solutions were few and far in-between. Anivia glanced back at the destruction before her. The life of the Freljord knew that the Frost Archer held an immense destiny within her. The unification of the Freljord was just a small part of that destiny. It was a destiny so large that not even Anivia, in all her lifetimes, would be able to comprehend it. Still, for her friend, she could not let her wander in the dark forever.
"There might be a method that could allow your summoner to traverse the Freljord," Anivia said. Her interesting exploding forth, Ashe turned to her avian friend in utter disbelief, but Anivia was not one to make jokes very often, if at all. The queen of the Freljord stared at the giant avian and Anivia found the look on her friend's face to be rather humorous. That would be one of the memories that stayed with Anivia for her whole life.
Ashe swallowed the shock that filled her body. Questions just waiting to be asked filled her mind, but her body dared not utter them. Fear of this being a lie silenced any unnecessary questions. Ashe gently bit the inner reaches of her tongue. "How?" She asked. Anivia gently smiled at her. Such a simple question for requiring such a detailed answer. As much fun as the eternal Freljord guardian was having with the Queen, she decided to have mercy on Ashe…not!
"Before we decide to embrace ourselves in specifics of the 'how.' Allow me to capture you on a tale for a moment. You see, I know what the glyphs and runes mean. I have lived many lifetimes and I recognize the text written upon the lands of the Freljord. Never had I imagined that such a being could have still been alive. A being with a lineage even grander than my own. Shall I tell you what it means?" Anivia asked. Ashe, despite her frustrations at her flying icy friend's roundabout answers and questions, still nodded with exuberance.
"Shio tobor guyya toma, wer ro mitne ui kitri tenamalo. It reads, 'All life bear sight, your eternal light has been born anew," Anivia said. Ashe blinked. It…was telling all life to prepare itself because its light had returned? Ashe was not one for riddles and this definitely sounded like something she was not going to have a lot of joy figuring out. Before Ashe could make her frustrations known, she watched Anivia stare at the sun as it shined over the cold land of deadly ice and snow.
Ashe watched Aniva remain in silence for a moment before the frost bird turned to her friend. "Ashe, were you ever told the story of the divine beasts, the Dragons of Light?" Anivia asked. Ashe didn't speak. She had a feeling this was going to be a very, very, very long story.
-x-
Naruto continued to walk after the strangely, yet gloriously built man. He noticed that Taric didn't say much. He only seemed to be admiring the new environment that he found himself in. His fingertips glazed over blades of grass with tenderness, warmth, and affection. His eyes glossed over the birds in the air and the fish in the rivers of water. Truth be told, Naruto found himself glancing over the area as well. He had never noticed the serene feeling around the training ground. The wind felt pleasant to his face. Its brushing breeze a cooling gesture that made his breathing steady. He could hear the soft babbling of the brook to his left. He could hear, through the bushes, a couple of rabbits and even some other semi-aquatic life making its way through the land. Everything worked together in a slow, yet familiar harmony. How odd, Naruto had lived in Konoha nearly his whole life and he never found its forestry and ecosystem to be so…well-maintained.
"Beautiful, is it not? How a mere second glance at the world we call our own handles such majestic order takes one's breath away, do you not think so?" The dazzling man asked. It was the first time he had addressed Naruto in perhaps over ten minutes. The young genin turned for a moment to feel the grass at the tips of his feet. He took another inhale and exhale. For the first time, Naruto walked in front of the Shield of Valoran. He observed his surroundings.
His held his head down. "Yes, I suppose so. I always had a place to go in the village that I never just took the time to walk around the training grounds and become familiar with the area. Everything here works together without a need for intervention. For my life, it was just another battlefield, a place to complete my objectives, a place that only served as a step to my other futures. Never did I see it as something else, until now." Naruto admitted. He turned around and he noticed the armored former Demacian sitting in the grass, his hammer at this side.
Taric offered a non-aggressive smile and begged for Naruto to sit with him. The Kyuubi jinchuuriki didn't fight the man's wishes and sat himself in the grass. He could feel the sun's glory shine down upon him. It made Naruto happy. It made him full of life. "Are you now of steady mind and body?" Taric asked. Naruto nodded his head. Whatever had happened to him before had stopped, but the confusion could not hide itself from his face.
"Hai, but…I don't understand what it is I'm supposed to do. Dream after dream tells me that I'm missing something. I feel like the home I've grown up in all my life…isn't where I'm supposed to be. I'm rumored to be doing things no one should be capable of doing. I'm told there is something waiting for me and I don't even know what direction it's coming from. You…have been to Mount Targon. You survived everything it threw at you. What does a mountain want with me?" Naruto asked honestly.
The stress in Naruto must have shown on his face because Taric offered him a look of sympathy. It was not a look that Naruto appreciated, but he held his tongue against the older man. They both sat in the area for a time, nothing but nature surrounded them. The fresh, clean air of Konoha blew over them. "It is not what the mountain wants with you. It is what you need from the mountain. The mountain tests each and every person differently. For some, it is a miraculous place filled with wonder and understanding. For others, it is merely a test of human endurance to seek what is otherwise unattainable. For anyone else, it is the pain and sorrow of death that makes them journey to atone for their mistakes. I do not know what the mountain holds for you, young man. Even if I did know, I would not be privileged to grant you an answer. You must seek to yourself the answers that you desire and those answers will drive you to find beauty in the destiny you have for yourself," Taric replied to him.
Naruto held his head down. "You believe in destiny?" Naruto asked. People liked to throw that word and 'Fate' around too much for his liking. Naruto always assumed there was a reason he was born and there was a purpose for him to fulfill, but he was sure it would be by his actions and none other than him. However, he raised his head when he heard Taric chuckle. His voice a melodious whisper on the winds.
Taric held up his hand and Naruto watched the trees dance around him. "Destiny is a powerful thing. It drives all life and understanding. People live for a purpose. Take these trees and this river, even they have their destinies. Trees help regulate breathing. Waters nourish the weary. Do they fight their destinies? Surely not. Become like nature and you will find that destiny is very rewarding where it has to be. As for me, I believe that while it might have been my destiny to have this talk with you, it was by my own choice that I answered your distress," Taric replied rather smoothly.
Naruto stared at the ground, hard. Never had he been so confused about where he stood. It should not have been this way. He always had the answer and the solution. Why did such a problem concerning him manifest? How could…he just give himself over to what he didn't even know existed? This all sounded like mystical nonsense that he had never attempted before. "Say I do that. Say I trust in whatever this 'destiny' thing is. Why me? I feel like I'm missing something crucial. I don't know what I can…," Naruto paused when Taric lightly touched the blonde's chest. Naruto…felt a little self-conscious at the invasion now.
"Trust yourself. Discover yourself from within. Have faith and keep moving. The answers will come when you are ready. If humanity knew everything, then where would the joy be in discovery?" Taric asked. He then took his hand away and stood to his feet. The man quickly faded away from Naruto and the blonde bowed to him as he watched the Shield of Valoran depart from his presence. This left Naruto alone in the forest. The blond stood there for a moment, taking it all in. A deep breath, Naruto exited the training ground a firm look in his eyes.
Night had settled over Konohagakure and the ladies within Uzumaki Naruto's apartment. No one could eat any of the food Naruto had prepared merely because…he was so deathly silent during the whole affair. Any attempts at conversation were met with half-answers and even a couple of grunts. Naruto just sat in his chair, unmoving. Dinner passed very slowly for everyone. Even Ahri was at a loss for words. She could see the look in her summoner's eyes. She recognized those eyes so many times. They were the eyes of someone searching for greater answers than ones available to them.
The apartment was dark, and Naruto laid on the floor of his living room. He stared at the ceiling. Faith in himself? What does that mean? That was such…an abstract question. The young blond closed his eyes and, with a groan, turned over. He would apologize to the girls tomorrow for his half-hearted behavior. Naruto released a sigh. He was tired of the day and he really needed some sleep. He had a busy day tomorrow as well.
As Naruto closed his eyes, he heard the light steps of feet patter on the floor. His slightly opened his eyes. The noise came from the direction of his bedroom. They were headed for his location. By their movements, the person was unsteady. The young blonde sighed. Only one person would have unsteady movements in this apartment. He slowly watched as Mei rounded the corner slowly. She glanced at him before she clumsily walked over to him. He noticed the red eyes and puffed up cheeks. She had been crying.
Naruto leaned up and faced her. She gently rested herself on the floor next to him. "What's wrong, Mei? You should be sleeping," Naruto told her. Mei did not show a visible reply to his question. No matter how old a person was…nightmares could still have lingering effects. She rested her head on his lap. The young man watched her as she rolled her head in his familiar space. He chuckled and gently massaged her hair. She pushed her body next to him which made the blonde roll his eyes. He shifted his weight and leaned himself against his couch. He assumed things would be like this for a couple of days…or weeks. Yet, he was fine with that. It was what he had signed up for. He would bear the responsibility for this woman resting upon him. His hands swam through her sea of hair. "Glad you're back to being yourself. Did you find the answer you were looking for?" a soft, sweet voice asked him.
Turning his head, Naruto saw Ahri standing in the hallway. Her tails swayed beautifully through the air. The blonde watched their movement for a moment before stared into the eyes of the nine-tailed fox of Runeterra. Those yellow eyes seemed to pierce the darkness leaving nothing to hide from her. Not that there was anything to hide, but her eyes did something to him. They triggered something within him, something eager, and beastly. "No. No, I didn't. I don't know how long I've thought about it and I don't think I've gotten any closer to figuring this out. I've just decided to think that these answers will come to me in time. Men have a history of seeking things they aren't ready for. Perhaps, I'm not ready to know what it is just yet," Naruto answered.
Ahri's eyes softened. With each word, her interest in this young man continued to rise. Every articulation was dripped with the words of one wiser than the indicated age. Something recommended her to be near him. She could see the overpowering aura of magic around him. She could see the way the moon bathed him in its luminous presence. It was as if…the moon was pleased by just his being. The only thing that mattered to the moon was the blonde's own happiness and comfort. "You…do not act like someone your age should act," Ahri commented. Naruto smiled.
"Well, I haven't lived as someone my age should, so I'll take your comment as a compliment. Besides, there are benefits I can see to acting this way. I see a lot of things that those my age can't." Naruto remarked. Color the fox woman even more curious than previously upon hearing his response. She could see the confident air around him. She came out of the hallway. Her steps barely a whisper to the ears. She closed the distance and leaned in front of him.
The Kyuubi Jinchuuriki and the nine-tailed woman stared at each other again. "And what do you see that others can't?" Ahri asked. This young man was playing a very dangerous game. Ahri was more than willing to play it as well. She smiled alluringly at him. With her hand, she traced a finger on his arm. A feeling of victory and satisfaction filled her when she felt Naruto shiver under her touch. Her nails traced the reaches of his skins igniting each physical sensation through him. Now, Naruto, admittedly, was still a young man, but despite having seen all of his memories, Ahri seemed to be misreading one advantage that Naruto had. The young blonde had spent nearly weeks at sea with three women in constant close quarters. He wasn't so easily riled.
Not desiring to wake Mei from her comforting sleep, Naruto slowly turned over which removed Ahri's touches from his arm. To her utter surprise, he lifted his hand and placed a cupped thumb beneath her cheek. "I see beauty where it deserves to be seen," the blonde said. Ahri's tails stopped swaying. That voice, it held the same authority and regality as the time back in that water village of his world. It was like a king speaking to his queen for the first time. Those wonderous blue eyes were replaced with regal silver. The woman had no way of knowing that her once yellow eyes now gained the same silver coloration. Her tails gently sailed to the ground. It almost made Ahri…
"I guess, we're all coming out here tonight," a voice spoke which broke the mystical trance between the jinchuuriki of the Nine-tailed Fox and the Nine-tailed Fox of Runeterra. The silver regal color in their eyes faded away. Ahri leaned back from Naruto while Naruto turned back to Mei for a moment. His hand had never stopped stroking her hair and he saw her peaceful smile. Both then turned and noticed Isaribi in her own night attire rubbing her tired eyes.
"First Mei, now you? Normally anyone would be happy to take the bed. Yet, here all of you are," Naruto said with a sigh. Ahri picked herself up and decided that some distance between herself and her summoner was needed for a change. On the opposite side, Isaribi grumbled to herself when she took her pillow and pulled the covers that laid on Mei over herself as well.
"It's awkward sleeping without the group I've known for a couple of weeks. It's not like we have anything to hide, right?" Isaribi asked. It must not have even been two minutes before Naruto and Ahri heard her sleeping as fast as Mei had. Both sighed and their eyes meant. For a moment, banter had turned into something else. Now, neither knew what to say. Ahri decided to sleep on the bed while Naruto, Mei, and Isaribi sleep together on the mattress floor in the blonde's living room.
-x-
Naruto crossed his arms with a leg over another while he watched Mei lean up from a medical bed. She swung her legs and placed them on the cold floor. It was early in the morning, but this was the only scheduled time that he could get. Ahri had been gone when he woke up and Isaribi said that she would look to replace some supplies. This left the blonde to take the former Mizukage to the hospital himself. The doctor in question breathed a sigh and turned to face the blonde. "The results will take a couple of days, but we'll be studying the blood sample that we've been given. However, from what I can see then I would say she is very fortunate despite what has happened to her. Her muscles, most notably, in her arms and legs have atrophied which is perhaps why she has trouble walking or lifting objects. I'm glad to hear that in the process of moving to your new apartment you haven't made her do any extreme moving," The doctor said.
Naruto leaned forward. "So, what must I do? I haven't dealt with malnutrition before. This can't be as simple as just feeding her, can it?" The blonde asked. The doctor turned around and pulled up a chart. He shifted through some pages which showcased the diagram of Mei's muscle structure and marrow design. The doctor remained silent for a moment before he pulled out a prescription pad.
"Feeding her anything? No. Feeding her the right foods and supplements should work for now until we have proper results. I would suggest foods with high nutritional content and at least a 2-hour walk in the sun to provide her with sufficient vitamin D. It'll stimulate the body's chemicals giving her what she's lacking. I would suggest a staple diet. Not too much sodium, not too much unnecessary protein. Have her stay away from energy drinks or foods that fool the body. Let's start with that. We can set up a proper program for her to follow over the course of a six-month period. That should be long enough for us to see results." He spoke firmly.
Mei turned to her guardian for a quick moment and she saw his mind going through its paces. It was a look the auburn-haired former Mizukage truly started to find comforting. Her master constantly thought of ways to benefit her situation. She offered a slight smile. Naruto saw this and curved his lips upwards a fraction. "And her…nightmares?" Naruto asked. From this, the doctor frowned a moment before picking up another pad.
"Based on descriptions from the recovering Kiri medic nin then she shows signs of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. This isn't something so far out of the ordinary as most shinobi have these medical disorders at least once in their life. It's why shinobi are given a yearly evaluation of their psyche. She has used you as a…security net if I could say. I don't think this is random actually. Yet, I'm not an expert on mental traumas. I could write another prescription to give her classes with Inoichi Yamanaka. However, I do think that for now it would be best to keep her close to you. It'll keep her from lapsing." His expert opinion stated. Naruto placed a finger to his chin. That seemed appropriate.
Naruto agreed. He paid for the visit and took the prescriptions. He and Mei exited the hospital. He turned to her. "Don't worry, Mei. I won't let anything happen to you," Naruto said with a short smile. Mei's only reply to him was a wide smile. However, these emotions didn't last long as both noticed an Anbu drop to the ground. Naruto narrowed his eyes while Mei, notably, stood behind him. The Anbu walked up to them both.
"Genin Uzumaki Naruto, registration ID: 012607, you are reported to appear before Lord Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Councilwoman Utatane Koharu, Councilman Mitokado Homura, and Councilman Shimura Danzo have ordered your presence in the Council Room. Come with me," the person said. Naruto's frown deepened and his eyes sharpened. So…the final problem decided to show itself.
KG: I suppose this is a good place to stop. I believe I accomplished all that I needed to for now.
Wifey: Aside from the fact that your solo queue is going in the gutter?
KG: La la la, I can't hear your bitchiness, dear!
Wifey: Did you call me a bitch?
KG: What? Me? NAH!
Wifey: Sleep with one eye open.
KG: Trust I've been doing that since we said, 'I do."
Wifey: I hate you.
KG: I hate you more!
Wifey: Hmph, no dinner for you then!
KG: YAY! I get to live one more day!
Wifey:….
KG:….
Wifey: You got better at the wisecracks.
KG: Love you too baby doll. Anyway, that's all folks, stay breezy, protect what's important to you, review, and GIVE ME MORE SODA COMBINATIONS! PREFERABLY CREAM SODA RELATED! ALSO…RESPECT THE GODDAMN…CREAM!