Itachi was... Shocked, understandably.
From what he'd gathered on the Jedi Order - and the whispers on Naruto in particular (not that he was searching for whispers on her), as well as having experienced that life for himself - the Jedi were reserved and rarely got into conflicts.
However, he knew that was false, so when he'd heard that they were a cult of brutish warriors based on a battle that Naruto happened to be apart of before the Clone Wars officially started, Itachi had nearly laughed out loud.
Conflicting accounts had been heard; one time Itachi heard about a border fiasco on Rodia. Upon entering Rodia's capital city, there was no evidence of the supposed riots that had taken place.
Entering the government building had been a piece of cake, what with there being no guards.
Recalling the nightmare he'd walked into, he suppressed a smirk and continued walking behind the young woman he never would have guess would be so elegant.
~:~
Anakin honestly wanted to get Naruto away from the other men in the room. Including the Force-sensitive man behind her.
But he refrained.
He knew Naruto could take whatever thrown at her.
He thought of their first meeting.
"Ani, this is our new master." Shmi Skywalker looked a bit strained. Being a mother and a slave didn't really work sometimes - but maybe this master would be kind to them?
The seven-year-old peeked around his mother's legs to see a Toydarian counting credits. The Toydarian looked up.
He shouted something to the back, and a girl no older than six appeared, her face grimy and dirty. An expression of shock crossed her face before the Toydarian barked something at her.
Shmi's face tightened; the girl walked over to them.
"Watto says he'll let you live with the kid at my place, and that he only expects the kid to come in," she told them in a rather bored voice. She spoke excellent Basic. Anakin could barely understand Toydarian when he wasn't paying much attention.
"This is Anakin," Shmi introduced.
"Naruto," the girl said, indicating herself. "Come on. Watto's letting me show you around."
"It's just sand," Anakin said, unimpressed.
"Yeah, but you'll need to know the market people. Watto only allots a certain amount of credits each month." She kicked the dirt. "Watto just got a big haul in, which is why we're slaves to him. We're lucky. Most masters aren't so kind."
"Is Watto kind to you?" Shmi asked Naruto.
Naruto shrugged. "Kind enough."
Anakin blinked away the memory as Naruto greeted the Duchess, who Obi-Wan was staring at. He couldn't afford to be distracted.
"Duchess. I do not know you personally. I am Senator Naruko of Alteria; the chosen Senator from my people who live on Alderaan."
Naruto bowed, her movements fluid.
"I have heard of the Alterians recently becoming completely separate from Alderaan, despite the fact they live on Alderaan. Tell me, Senator, your views."
Naruto paused. "My views, my lady, is that all lives are precious. I did not grow up in Alteria myself, my lady, and I have seen the despicable acts of the Separatists. The Alterians only engage in conflict because we have a duty to Alderaan for becoming our home, and we chose to fight for the people." Satine's face was blank.
"Did your family die?" Satine questioned.
Naruto chuckled smoothly. "No, my good lady. I was sold into slavery after being kidnapped. My purpose in this universe is to protect this people. I will use any resource I have to do so."
Satine smiled. "I see." She stood. "Is there a reason you chose politics, Senator?"
"The reason I chose politics is because I hate politics," Naruto said bluntly. "I prefer honesty over lies. Unfortunately, sometimes a lie is the best thing to say."
"Diplomatic," Satine nodded. "I look forward to speaking with you more."
"I look forward to future conversations with you, Duchess," Naruto replied with another bow.
"Take a drink." Satine waved her hand.
Naruto smiled. "I am afraid I must refuse. Alcohol does not agree with me."
"Allergic?" questioned the Duchess, seemingly out of curiosity.
"I am not sure," Naruto replied with a small chuckle. "I do not remember what happened the last time I had alcohol."
Anakin's comm pinged.
"Excuse me," he said to the sudden stares, swiftly leaving.
~:~
Naruto had never really felt this out of her element before. Softly laughing? Sure. Pretending to be a grace-filled Senator with little to be wary of? No. She'd always played the part of the warrior, not the delicate little waif who wore fancy clothes.
Space is cold.
She shivered, the cold piercing her thin fabrics.
"Are you alright, Senator?" Orn Free Ta said.
Naruto put a smile on her face. "I am simply chilled."
Itachi approached with a cape, bowing as he approached her. "My lady, I was beginning to worry that you had gotten frostbite."
He was laughing at her.
"Of course not," she said as the cloak settled around her shoulders. "Thank you, Izuna." It was best not to speak each other's' real names.
Itachi smiled at her. "Anything for you, Senator Naruko."
Her smile strained as her left eye twitched. Obi-Wan hid a smirk.
"Naruko." The duchess eyed her. "Do you know any bounty hunters named such?"
Naruto smiled at the duchess. "Yes, in fact. She was my beloved twin." Naruto saw Obi-Wan blink and look at her. "She spoke of you with fondness, Duchess. However, she died with her partner, Jango Fett."
The Duchess nodded in acknowledgment. "I see. Thank you for telling me."
Naruto nodded. She saw no reason to lie to the Duchess.
~:~
Itachi was interested indeed.
Naruto had helped Fett take out Kre Vizsla? That meant that Jango Fett had held a deep regard for Mandalore.
"Jango Fett was nothing but bounty hunter scum." The Kalevala Senator, Tal Merrick, looked repulsed by Naruto's statement. "He did not deserve to wear the Mandalore armor." Satine looked at Merrick questioningly - and Naruto responded to his accusation quietly.
"Jango Fett deserved to wear the armor more than anyone in this entire galaxy." Naruto's eyes lifted up to meet Merrick's. "He was the Mand'alor."
"Leader of a bunch of scum on Concord Dawn in his prime. All of them traitors to -"
Naruto stood up, stopping Merrick in his tracks.
"Forgive me, Duchess. But Jango Fett saved my live several times, and I will not listen to this." Her voice remained steady. "He saved my sister's life as many, or more, times than he saved mine."
She walked away, going into the side room.
All eyes turned to Itachi questioningly.
He shrugged, as if helpless. "I do not know many details of my lady's private life," he explained.
~:~
To hear Naruto in such defense of Jango Fett made Obi-Wan again remember that Naruto had been hit hard by Fett's death, even going so far as to adopt the child.
The Jedi Council knew, of course; but Master Yoda simply hummed whenever Naruto's transgressions were brought up, Mace Windu just got that disapproving look... It was different with each of the masters. Plo Koon and Shaak Tii were both seemingly amused by her actions, and Tir Forinth was openly supportive of their actions.
The first refreshments cleared away, Obi-Wan spotted Naruto and Satine speaking together quietly. Spotting Itachi, Obi-Wan walked over to him.
Itachi saw him coming and the slight amusement at Naruto (which could only be seen by those who had trained with Itachi before, which Obi-Wan had when Itachi was younger and still at the Temple) vanished, leaving a guarded mask.
Obi-Wan was not a fool.
He knew of Itachi's activities; despite Itachi erasing himself from his former master's memories (Yoda's memories), Obi-Wan still knew him.
"Master Jedi," Itachi acknowledged tersely.
Obi-Wan opened his mouth to talk, but his wrist comm sounded.
He turned to listen.
"There are three assassin droids here," Anakin's voice hissed. "Someone really wants the Duchess dead."
"That's clear," Obi-Wan said flatly. "We just need to get to Mandalore and then we can find out the plot. Who is doing this, and why?"
"Probably the Separatists," Itachi said, startling Obi-Wan. "I have heard a lot of rumors in my circles. Plus the bounty on her head is 15 million credits alive, 14 mil dead. Kakuzu would've collected on it first. I'll go through my contacts to see who's trying to cash in on her head."
"What about you?"
Itachi shook his head. "My target's Tal Merrick. He has ties to the Separatists, but my employer wants him to go away because he poses a problem." Obi-Wan noted the way the Alterian's lip curled the way he said 'my employer'.
"What does your employer want?"
Itachi winced, looking in actual pain for a moment.
"Can't say," he finally said. "An implant. Adopted from Danzou."
"And who's that?"
Itachi frowned. "You Jedi have no idea why that Sith Academy was on Lokori, do you?"
"No, we didn't think it was important," Obi-Wan frowned. "Just that the Sith Academy being there was enough."
"Next time, do your research." Itachi actually looked annoyed. "Danzou. He's Alterian."
"Apparently everyone is these days." Obi-Wan frowned. "What are the odds of finding the Chosen One and an Alterian child in the same vicinity of each other?"
"Small to none," Itachi rattled off. "In fact, there was a high probability that the Chosen One would destroy the Alterian nation. That probability alone was why I became a Grey Force user."
"The Alterians calculated probabilities?"
"We live through the ways of the Force and probabilities of the future," Itachi replied. "Obviously most of the possibilities were prevented through Naruto meeting Skywalker and having a sibling-like relationship with him." He paused. "There were several diverging possibilities. Like the Force was waiting on her."
"Waiting on her to make a decision?" questioned Obi-Wan quietly, frowning.
"Indeed," Itachi nodded. "The Force has done this before." Itachi shook his head. "I cannot tell you more. It is forbidden for me to tell an outsider. Skywalker is considered family, but until Naruto completes the Trials, I am afraid I can say nothing more. Suffice it to say that you should make it Naruto's mission to look into Danzou when I take her to Alteria."
"Which is?"
"In a week," Itachi told Obi-Wan. "I was originally going to take her earlier, but the Trials got set back, what with the Sith Academy being on Lokori and backup being needed. I also need to finish up this job and get back to Coruscant. You can take Naruto to Coruscant and I'll take her from her apartment."
"I'm fine with that," Obi-Wan nodded. "But you better make it from the Temple. The Council wishes to speak with her and Anakin."
Itachi nodded.
"Very well."
