Naru: Don't forget to join the discord server! Raithwall Tomb is one I created recently.
Disclaimer: We do not own any brand of the Naruto franchise, the Final Fantasy franchise, that of the Elder Scrolls franchise, Bleach, Kill La Kill or any other franchise that we might include in the story.
WARNINGS: Yaoi, Yuri, Neglect, death, Sex, Possible torture, mention of possible rape, Abuse, Mpreg, lack of morality, gore, beast, language, mild too strong Jiraiya bashing, mild Sakura bashing, strong Sasuke bashing, strong Kakashi bashing, and anything else that I can possibly come up with along the way.
Key:
"Looks whose talking"
'Looks whose thinking'
(Looks whose thinking while speaking)
"Demonic talking of the bijuu"
'Demonic thinking of the bijuu/Mental Conversation with certain summons'
'Name of a Technique'
-Scene Change- (~ⱤⱺꞎꝒ~)
Chapter 28: WAVE: Interlude
Balthier was truly tired by the time he reached the house of the bridge builder. The treants following him with the prisoners as he walked down the wooden walkway. Only stopping when he spots a bunch of children with several of the merkins. Tazuna family was outside with his and Kakashi team. The only one missing form the group was the small grandchild of the bridge builder. Balthier groaned as another headache started to form but decided to push through it. Each one of the merkin perked up once they see their summoner as various cries came after, "High summoner! Master! Balthier!"
This caused everyone else to look at him before fear started to register. Shifting the confusion on everyone's faces to one of distraught, shock and fear. The only one that looked blandly at the blood covered plants were Naruto and Gamagōri. Being used to the sight of blood and summons by now. Balthier had an equally bland look as he asked, "What?"
"What do mean 'what'? You have five large creatures, that are covered nearly head to toe in blood, behind you after we found these children here. And they are carrying two people," Kakashi said, trying to regain his composure to get back into the laidback attitude he usually displays. This entire situation was outlandish even for the world of shinobi. The silver haired shinobi had never heard of someone that was able to summon two different types of summons in this world. Let alone a contract consisting of mermaids. Then hearing their explanation of why they were summoned that also told him the reason why a gaggle of children was here. Each one in various state of dress and painted. It didn't take a genius to see what they were used for. This was the horrors of life. Kakashi was glad Sakura and Sasuke didn't understand the implications of what these children were made into. Suko on the other hand was taught, and seen, from a young age to pick up certain ques in body language and speech when dealing with people. Having seen previous trafficked people and those from the red-light district come in and out of his house as far as he could remember. Naruto, on the other hand, had lived on the streets long enough to see the horrors of the Red-Light district. Seen what people, including children, had to do to survive. All of this didn't change the fact Balthier gave them a tired, smug smile as he finally reached them, "I am sure my beautiful ladies explained everything about the children. Being sent to rescue them, etcetera, etcetera. As for these fearsome humanoid plants, known as Roselades, are some of my summons that also helped me out find these two."
A couple of Roselades shifted the bodies in their vines up to show off the two unconscious rouge ninjas. This got everyone on guard instantly. Which Balthier rolled his eyes to then said, "Don't worry, they will be unconscious for a long time. If I have anything to say about it."
"Even so, it doesn't explain why you brought them here," Sakura nearly screamed at him. Voice squeaky and nervous about the whole situation. A sentiment felt by the others.
"Um… spoils of war?" the ninjas from Konoha gave him a deadpanned look at the question. Balthier hand scratching the side of his head for he knew that was stupid attempt in trying to make them less jumpy. The smugness he had earlier was wiped away for a tired look as spoke once again, "The truth of the matter is they are still enemy shinobi. They could provide some form of information. Especially the state of Mizu no Kuni after their defection."
"It may be true, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. Or trust the fact you have done this," Kakashi states. Making sure his guard stayed up. Balthier rolled his eyes again for he trusted the agents the Roselade had knocked them out with. Both will remain knocked out until one of them sprays the toxin that would release them from their prison of sleep. Which Balthier quickly explained to them. It seemed to have eased some of the tension but a heavy amount clings to the air like an awful stench. Between the fear of the treants to the shinobi that might awaken and want revenge once they figure out what happened. Balthier sighed before releasing the tethers that kept the merkins here. Along with the ones on some of the Roselades. Leaving behind two of the Roselades, the white and crimson rose summons, that held their prisoners. Feeling somewhat rejuvenated when a portion of his magick returned as the summons vanished from the mortal plane in their own unique shine and glimmer. Fading away in a shower of glittering dust of blue or green. Sakura, Tazuna, Tsunami, and Sakura looked on in awe as fear slight disappeared with them. Even if it was for a moment.
~ⱤⱺꞎꝒ~
(Evening)
It was several hours later now, and all the children were finally taken away from Tazuna place to their own homes once Inari came back with several villagers. Many coming to see if what the boy had said was true or not. It came as a disbelief when it was proven true. The warrior could already tell these children were going to be left with a multitude of scars as they grow. He wondered if he could get the Hokage to send several Yamanaka to come to the island nation as a show of good faith. Having them help repair some parts of their minds for a few months. He knew they would need a longer set of time than a few months to fix the problems brought upon them by the mercenaries but that is probably all that could be provided by Konohagakure. They would need their shinobi back since it would be a loss of manpower for the nation and village. Although this would provide them a good start when regular psychologists come in behind to piggyback on the work that had been done. This can only work if the Hokage agrees, along with Daimyō, to send a few of the Yamanaka. Balthier let out a defeated sigh because he knew that would a long stretch to hope for. At least a few good things came out of this, besides saving said children, and that was the fact team seven and the bridge builder family was starting to warm up slightly to the Roselades. They were still weary of the them on some level. Not that he could blame them because they did look rather monstrous from their usual cute selves.
Balthier sighed again as he legs swung back and forth from the sitting position he was in against the edge of the porch. Watching the sun starting to set on this headache of a day. Other than dealing with these children, Balthier also had to explain what these summonses were on a basic level (restating that his clan had meet numerous families of summons; gaining contracts with majority of them) to vaguely saying Gatō won't be a problem for the nation anymore. He was dead by his and the Roselades hands. He was glad that majority had gotten the idea of what that truly meant. This news made Tazuna giddy despite the grim news. For it meant he and his home was free from oppression. Meaning the bridge was going to be built at a faster pace once the news spread. Balthier was just glad to finally get this day over with finally. He hated days like this since it tended to drag on forever. Days he wished there was no debate or form of explanation in it that caused useless rambling to fill up space.
"Sensei…," Balthier heard someone whispers out from behind him. Bringing him out of his musing as he turned back to the source to find both Gamagōri and Naruto standing there. Each one wearing their own expression of worry. Giving them a comforting smile before motioning for them to come over. Both went over to him to sit on either side of the man. The Yui wrapped his arms around their necks to rest his forearms on their shoulders, "Now, tell me what got you both so worried?"
Naruto pressed his lips together as he tried to think of a way to answer the question. All he could do was look at the water that softly lapped against the wooden posts with melancholy eyes. Balthier tightens his hold on Naruto to make the blond look at him. Casting a gentle smile to reassure his student that everything will be alright. Lips stretched back as he clasped his lips even tighter together while tears started to prick the very edges of his eyes. Naruto quickly shoved his face into the side of sensei chest to hide this fact. Arms wrapping around the man's slender stomach to form an awkward hug. He was soon joined by Gamagōri. Feeling the same way about the whole situation.
The last few days were finally catching up to them. Fearing that something was going to happen to their sensei since they didn't have time to rest after his near-death experience in the last mission. Then disappearing for nearly the entire night and well into the next day did not help the whole thing either. Balthier hugged them tighter as he spoke lowly to them, "Everything will be fine. I am fine. Nothing will ever changer that. I will be here forever to protect you both."
Naruto shot his head up with teary eyes to sob, "How can you say that?"
"In a way you know it's true. Because I will. I have dealt with far worse than poison in my life. As you both saw in the Ashland's," Balthier reassured, his thumbs rubbing circles on their shoulders. Hands clutched at the shirt. Their way of saying they really believe those soothing words. Feeling as if they were poison to their own ears. Balthier let out a rush of air before saying, "What will make you believe me?"
"Promise us…," Naruto began but stopped when the words failed to reach his lips. Knowing on some level it was slightly unattainable.
"Promise?" a brow arched up.
"Promise us that you will be more careful. Don't be so reckless next time we are on a mission," Gamagōri finished, eyes big and pleading as they shined from the salty tears. Balthier pulled a face of discomfort for he hated to see his student so distraught over his well-being. Looking back at Naruto to see the same one had decorated his face. With a defeated sigh, Balthier gave them the reassurance they needed, "I will but you both of you must promise me something as well for this."
"Anything," both Genin nearly screamed at their sensei. Tightening their hold on the man that caused him grunt in slight discomfort. They loosen their grasps as light blushes dusted their cheeks from embarrassment. He gave a light chuckle, losing his grip on them, then saying, "Promise me that both of you will get stronger. Get stronger so I won't have to pull stunts like that. Don't have to always have to protect you. Make it where when life gets in our way, that both of you will never give up. No matter the path you may choose or moral choices you may face."
Grabbing back onto them to get them into a tighter hug. Much to their surprise and shock as they gazed upon the smiling face of the Yui. These faces quickly changed to ones that matched his. Smiling to match the burst of joy that swelled inside. Knowing Balthier was truly fine and they will be fighting alongside him for a long time. Ignoring the slight doubts that lingered inside each of them. Doubts of the possibility this will truly not be forever.
Unknown to them, a certain red-haired teen stepped away from the scene with jealousy in his heart. Suko truly wished Balthier was his sensei. To have that closeness without the risk of anything he desired. Even if it meant he wouldn't get it in the way he had wanted. Maybe he could somehow convince the Hokage to let him switch teams. To a more capable one. He really didn't care anymore what happened to this team if he did leave. Shelved, disbanded or forced out of the service. All because this mission became an eye opener to him. Suko just didn't want to be in constant fear of dying when out on a mission with his teammates. The thought of this becoming a failure did eat at him. The young Eleanora guessed he'll just have to wait with this nervousness since they will be stuck here for a while longer. The bridge would not be completed for another week He headed back inside the house before being pulled into the kitchen by Tsunami. Needing help cooking a large meal to celebrate to defeat of their tormentor.
~ⱤⱺꞎꝒ~
Jiraiya cursed as he landed another blow on the monstrous spider before him. He had never seen such a thing before in his life. This was the fourth one so far as he tried to reach a tomb that was on the edges of Hi no Kuni. It was supposedly underneath some run-down village called Kilanka. The rumors surrounding that place was always shrouded in mystery. The place always seemed to be able to survive despite the fact it went through numerous wars and was out of the way from any major cities. No one really stayed at that washed up place anymore. Rather they traveled on through in favor of trade or journeying to visit family. He would have been one of the few who stayed there if wasn't for the fact he kept being stopped by these creatures while on the way to the village.
The only reason he was even going there was because of the rumors that seeped into the girls of the Sun Streak Umbrella. Hearing from a few drunken customers who passed through Kagi no Kuni that they heard a few things from the inn keeper as they passed through Kilanka. Which was followed by feeling sometime after when a couple of undead stalking the forest. Supposedly, the temple was one sealed away into the neither's of the earth. But that will have to wait until this giant spider was dealt with. Jiraiya went through a quick session of hand seals before letting out a stream of fire as the spider jumped off a nearby tree. It let out a screech as the fire engulfed its body. Its scream echoed through the forest before finally dying on the forest floor. The Sanin let out a rush of air form to lungs to signal his relief and exhaustion of the whole ordeal. Before starting to laugh at the fact he survived this. He survived two wars but here he was. About to get his ass beaten by a damn spider. A very mutated one, but an insect none the less. That is what made these battles so damn funny to the point they were laughable. Who would believe him if he told anyone what had happened to him? No one! That's who.
It didn't change the fact he did fight against several of these poison spitting beasts. By the glimpse he had saw, each one was part of a larger nest and they were getting their hatchlings ready. If the dead bodies and rotund sacs were anything to go by. That was only a glimpse though. He will have to explore to see if he could find it later. Right now, he needed rest before beginning his search for the temple. Or was it a tomb. Bah! He'll figure it out once he reaches the village. Leaving behind the burnt body of the fiend as he slowly made his way in the direction of Kilanka.
~ⱤⱺꞎꝒ~
Naruto looked at his knocked-out sensei in their room. The man head was in the blond lap as he slumbered. The need to sleep outweighed the desire to eat. Not the blond couldn't blame him. The man had been running on fumes for the last few days and needed it more than them. Naruto ran a hand through the man's short hair. Feeling the few strands that curled while others remained flat. The door opening to the room opened made him look up to see Suko come in the room. Followed by Gamagōri with a couple of plates of fried fish and rice.
"Thank you," Tiwanaka called back when the door started to close behind him. Earning a grunting noise from the other genin before it was completely shut. Gamagōri placed the plate on the floor next to his teammate before sitting down himself. Taking a few bites of the food as watched Naruto go back to stroking their sensei hair. The platinum blond eyebrow arched at his but choose to ignore for it now in favor of asking, "Do you think we are going home when he wakes?"
"No, I believe we are going to be staying. In case there were any mercenaries missed by the Roselades," Naruto answered, picking up Balthier head to move back. Putting it back down onto the floor in order to grab his own food to dig in. Enjoying the silence that soon followed with his teammate.
To Be Continued…
Informational:
Location:
Kagi no Kuni: Land of Key
