~::~ He Who Doesn't Waste Time ~::~
Sasuke continued to preserve mana during his preparations and long after. He eventually made an entrance through the front door some ways off from Vasili's corner. He looked deadpan to the group over on his right and only spoke to who he needed as if he cared not for the conversation or the events that happened prior without him. "The horses are ready, Naruto. Let's go. Get your armor. Fifteen minutes. Cazco residents."
"Already? Awesome!" Naruto was pumped up quickly. "Can the women come to watch?"
"... No?" He'd never get tired of mentally calling the feral a moron. "Hurry up." Sasuke then parted with an uncontrolled glance to Sakura who had of course rolled those jades at him and hugged her herself while she frowned some. He shrugged it off inside, positive he didn't care to annoy her or whatever he'd caused. He did give a second thought to why he even looked at her in the first place.
'Those clothes barely fit them.' He came to this conclusion by the way that buttoned shirt ruffled so much when she bunched up. Surely that was the issue here. Guess he'll have to make a stop at the market whenever he can. He groaned inside at the hassle that was another good deed at the end of the day.
Naruto doused the rest of his water in the meanwhile and set the empty cup back on the tray. Not even a second later, he moved into fast jog off to his quarters to get ready, having high hopes to make it back with enough time left to convince his partner otherwise. "Be back in a bit!"
"Alright, keep safe. No running in the house, Naruto!" Iruka would be filthy rich if he was awarded a gold coin every time he's had to say that. Still, he was very proud of his ward's noble job, especially it being one where the blond could excel at though dangerous. "You'll hurt yourself before you even get there."
"Uhuh!"
Hinata cocked her head to side as she watched him go. "H-He's a bit fast… for a human."
"Training will do that." The Elkin woman's side comment stayed troubling and reminded Iruka that he was now stuck with these very observant women. He figured it would be best if he found out more about them first. "Miss Sakura and Hinata, would you both be interested in seeing the training lodge next?"
"I think that's / a good place / to start." Even Vasili was cautious of the strangers in their home around a precious blond he helped guard on many occasions before and after becoming a textbook.
"Indeed." Iruka nodded. "Naruto and Sasuke will be gone for an awfully long while so we can take our time."
"Really? Then do you mind if I ask you something first?" Sakura paused for a minute to walk over to the window close by, spotting the raven covering up his mouth with that cowl outside as he tended to the horses. "What exactly do they do?"
Hinata hustled around in front of her onto the cushioned seat before the window sill, equally curious and holding her cup close. "W-Why does he not wear his armor?"
'I thought he said they were prostitutes...' Spies or detectives sounded more like it. Or maybe having free will to speak was a new and exciting development. Iruka delayed his response temporarily anyway to study them. Should that life be all they've known then surely they would be aware of anatomy quite well and hold some questions to things. He prayed they were simply such curious souls in the end. The last thing he needed was a Hunter coming after his ward. He could have swore that Sasuke was one if not for the armor. That was long ago though. Time to tend to the present. "Well, to answer your questions properly, we'd better move on with the tour first."
~::~ Has Known Lost ~::~
A king size bed with the brightest orange sheets you've ever seen, set askew and hanging off the sides. On the nightstand nearby where brown leather gloves rested neatly before a cherished photograph, also held an extinguished candelabra. There was no need for the three arms to be lit for every room possessed a balcony to welcome in the morning light.
The owner of this room happened to be struggling to decide just how to get his gifted armor on. He usually required help with it but lately he wanted to do it himself like the raven could. He knew why that was even possible for Sasuke but he still wanted to try despite his disadvantage.
Naruto believed he was grown and capable of taking care of himself just like his partner.
"Let's see, sabatons on and secure." He shook a silver, armored foot and looked on up to the greaves that wrapped around his calves. There he checked on up in his deep blue gambeson, a padded jacket with less bulk and more finesse to even wear casually. "Quisses," he pronounced those thigh guards the way he heard it. The correct spelling is cuisses, and they were equally secure. "And chain mail…. Where is my chain mail?" He looked everywhere for the links of metal that reminded him of a cage made into human clothing. It was heavy and cold at the worst of times. "Ah, there you are."
The mail was in the closet still with the rest of the set held up. He grabbed the heavy load off with ease and slipped it on just as so. "Now the breastplate."
He really had to walk himself through it or Sasuke would scold him for everything he'd done wrong, especially if he forgot one single piece. This was the raven's armor after all and he expected it to be treated and applied correctly. The bastard got to keep the cape though since it was the only thing a knight has a choice of color in.
Naruto didn't care much for it and thought it clashed anyway. What he couldn't ignore was how impossible it was to strap in without help. He tried and tried, close to dropping it on many accounts. Out of frustration, he gave in. "Vasili!" he shouted in tire and then pouted. "I need help but don't tell Sasuke!"
The pair of leather gloves glowed a glittery green before lifting off the nightstand nearby and appearing to inflate some. They then hovered over to the helpless blond where the left one bumped him on the back of the head. "Ahh! What was that- Why am I being hit today?"
Of course he got no response while he was tied in, bringing that pout further down his face. He rubbed the back of his abused noggin and grumbled. "It's not like I can't handle myself. I'm just prone to mistakes like any human being. That's normal." He wished he was at least and liked to pretend more often than he should. "I'll get better and be able to put this on by myself without magic, mind you! Sasuke won't be able to live with himself after I succeed. I've just got to figure out how you're doing that." He strained to look, sight rendered useless when everything went black. He chuckled and pulled at the glove covering his eyes. "I beg your pardon sir, but I can't see a thing!" He struggled, chuckled, and stumbled around for a minute, eventually falling onto the bed where he was able to free his sight of darkness. "Aha! Got you. Now, what is this nonsense about?"
The trapped gloves squirmed before drooping in defeat. Slowly, a right index lifted and pointed to the picture on the wooden stand nearby. There showed a younger Iruka with a pre-teen Naruto at his side who couldn't hold his hand tight enough, nor smile any bigger. Vasili was held in the happy blond's free arm and closely so. They'd taken this photo outside in front of the estate some days after he turned twelve. While a fond memory, that's all he got from it. "I fail to follow, my friend."
Naruto released the gloves completely to let them float up and over to the frame where they pointed to him specifically. "Huh? Yes, that's me... I'm not a child anymore though." He half smiled at how the pair seemed to sulk because of it. "Don't be sad, Vasili. That's a part of life and I'm excited for it. I'll finally be out on my own soon without an escort and be treated like an adult… like Sasuke." Jealousy was an ugly beast among the men too. "You and Iruka will both be proud, you'll see."
Looking down at his hands made him think of Hinata and the what if scenario where the whole world saw what he really was. Would they react like she did, or be ten times worse when aware? He made tight fists out of reflex, skin on skin instead of that metal to hide behind. A knightly wall of heroism was all the people could see. He'd like to keep them from taking a peak around those corners. "I should finish getting dressed. Will you still help me for the time being, Vasili?"
He grinned when they glided over and retrieved his shoulder plates for him. "Thank you and thanks again for keeping this a secret from Iruka. It's best I tell him so he knows that I'm ready to move out."
The right glove ruffled blond spikes like a physical confirmation and jest. "What? I am! We make enough coin from this work so I'll definitely be able to live off of it. I shall find a cheap cabin too. A nice little spot somewhere secluded to turn in for the night," he fantasized aloud, holding an arm out. "Or I might just build it myself. I'll have to somehow lock up too. Hmm, Vasili, could you schedule me more studying hours?"
Like an ancient 'Alexa', the living medium lifted a quill and marked it down on the blond's parchment over on the desk across the room.
Done and done.
~::~ Took You Long Enough ~::~
Outside and horizontally to the now active fountain before the steps to the front entrance, sat Sasuke in the driver's seat of the carriage. Both of his legs were up and crossed on the edge of the foot-board. He was waiting impatiently and counting the minutes.
The pair of horses he had strapped in today at the helm were one of his and one of Naruto's. The least exciting and more stern appearing one was called Lou. He possessed a long black mane that shared its color to the coat all around. His round eyes, somehow disinterested, were a dark brown. He had a temper akin to his master when it came to stupidity or recklessness. Which was why he looked annoyed and or bored because of the other male horse next to him.
This lively and younger buck was named Wukong for reasons soon to be clear. He had a short mane almost mohawk like and a soft chestnut color to compliment hazel eyes. His owner was Naruto and believe it or not, they actually got into arguments more than anything. This horse was very playful thanks to lack of training and an iron will to resist. He could never stay still for long as a result. He bobbed his head and flicked his tail out of eagerness for some action. There was no grass close enough to nip at and every time he tried to go to the fountain to mess with the water, Sasuke would pull him back by the reins.
"Halt." This was just as tiresome to the raven to have to constantly keep an eye on him but Wukong had to be trained somehow. His horse on the other hand was a natural at it and born from a line of war horses. "Lou, entertain him or something. You know it takes Naruto forever."
Lou looked back briefly, snorted, and shook his mane like he couldn't be bothered with something so trivial and beneath his skill.
"Hn." Sasuke smirked at that attitude that imprinted off of him. "Maybe I should take you back and let Mei help train Wukong instead."
The younger horse galloped in space out of excitement to possibly have a more entertaining partner switch.
Lou was far from thrilled. He glared back at his master who'd crossed a line by bringing up the fair mare. Revenge in motion, he glanced to Wukong's hooves.
Sasuke caught that swift look and knew what it was for. "Lou," he warned, thinking that the end of it when his horse turned away and seemed to listen.
Not even a minute after he stood to go get Naruto himself, his horse took that opportunity and snapped at Wukong's knees.
The younger horse freaked out naturally and jerked the carriage to the left in an attempt to get away.
Sasuke couldn't react fast enough from that loss of balance and so fell straight into the fountain. The stone dolphins proceeded to spiral around in the air and thankfully never dive into the water to crush him.
Because he landed with such a messy splash, and Wukong hated baths, the carriage was moved out of range.
This left Naruto a very confusing sight to come upon as their slipped on by. There after revealed the raven surfacing with a tight grip around the rim of the fountain. "What happened?" he hurried down the steps to help, not at all surprised when Sasuke pushed off the offer. "Did you trip or something?"
Soaking wet, all the raven could muster was. "Get. The. Carriage."
"Okay, okay, calm down. Where are we going again?" he asked on his way over, leaving the raven to his own devices.
"Cazco residence. Pixie problem." Sasuke lifted out of the fountain, shaking his arms and then looking himself over. 'Curses.' Onyx cut to the stallion responsible that appeared to care less. "We need to make a quick stop first."
"Stop where?" Naruto greeted each horse with a light pet. His personal one of course had to be difficult on purpose and avoid his touch just to whiny at his struggle. "Wukong, quit it- Stay- Stop moving!"
"You'll see." The raven carried on, keeping eye contact with Lou.
"Alright, but don't you think you need to change first?" Naruto mentioned on the side, smiling when his horse nudged him out of nowhere, finally giving him some affection. "Aw, we should introduce the women to them while we're still here."
"No, no, and no." He went ahead and shut down the blond's second unspoken request to bring them along. "They're safer here." Sasuke put his hands together next and spoke words akin to fire like the shade that lit up in his eyes, "Ra Fotiá."
An aura of warmth circled him to help dry him off, starting with a small flickering ember that appeared between his palms after separating them. He balanced and focused on that ball of hovering heat in his left to keep the main hand free. "Come."
"Well can I sit inside then? It's hot as it is without you carrying around the sun."
"Do whatever you want just make it quick."
Naruto rolled his eyes and sat on the driver side anyway to keep the grumpy raven company. The carriage creaked with new weight applied and swayed barely after he started their travel by snapping the reins. He headed towards the gate only to be redirected.
"Hold up. Turn here first."
Naruto blinked at a loss. "What for? Aren't we in a rush?"
"Just do it." Sasuke ordered, glaring at the back of his horse's head as well.
Lou sensed danger and it definitely wasn't the physical kind.
~::~ Know Your Surroundings: Part 3 ~::~
Getting to the training grounds took a while but they had a lot to stare at along the way. Room after room made the women wonder who or what used to reside there. With no photos for reference, all they had was their guide who was more than glad to explain. The many bedrooms were a total of ten all together. His grandmother and grandfather were an Orkan couple who had to move due to their different views on war and politics. They were forced to take the product of their love to somewhere safer. The countryside scenery versus the dirt and tropical style of their home state was more welcoming anyway. Guerrier bred strong warriors but it did not welcome cross breeding or the crossbred. Prejudice rained down like a storm among those who did not wish to fight as well.
So they traveled along with a friend and relative by foot to the state where magic thrived in tranquility, Evláveia.
Out of the four countrysides, plus the town known as Solaris, they chose the southern border as their new home.
In time they would come to have Iruka's uncle in a nursery.
His grandfather was working on this place by then to build a grand home for them all. There was no need to stop at just one son by that point. His grandmother's sister even found passion here though no full commitment.
Soon the band of four were a band six.. eight... and then ten marking Iruka.
"While I am the last one I was not the only kid. My grandaunt had a daughter out of wedlock and she in turn had twins in a similar fashion. They were rowdy boys and fortunate enough to be able to share a room." He pointed to the one door they passed where scratches and drawings littered the frame and around. "Those two could not get along at the best of times and I was far too young to rough house at that point. So that's why my grandfather and father decided to build separate training grounds for them instead."
Hinata studied the little stick figures with oval shields and apparent swords for combat. Her amusement didn't last long because she began to think about why it was still here. Her curiosity got the better of her and she decided to take a peek inside while Sakura and Iruka walked on in conversation. The room was neat with twin beds still fit for young boys inside. Any pictures or art was removed, leaving empty walls with deep gashes in them. A struggle happened and it was definitely cleaned up the best it could be but…
She frowned and shut it back slowly, not needing an image. Upon looking back up, she saw that she was left behind. There was only one corner ahead so surely they couldn't have gotten far. She speed walked along, ease coming undone because there was no one around the corner to see. "H-Hello? Sakura?" She called out timidly.
The lack of noise around her increased her pulse and weighed in heavily. She touched the nearby wall to get her panic attack under control. She could find her way back to the room and be safe.
Safe. Safe. Safe.
That's where she needed to go and that's what she repeated while turning around.
The slight flicker of a shadow darting across the walls, made her pause suddenly. She turned back around in alert, scanning the area with her hands closed to her chest.
Though she caught it out of the corner of her eyes, surely it wasn't a mistake. Each timid step to the window was in ten seconds or less. She held her breath for that much longer, fearing what she would find lurking in the shrubbery just outside the windows.
"Hinata-"
"Eeep!" She shrieked and crouched down, covering her head and trembling.
Sakura didn't run to her or speak any louder. She approached her quietly and looked around for whatever could be the problem. She then took a knee before the scared woman and patted her head. "Little sister, what's the matter?"
Hinata launched forward, hugging onto the taller women for dear life. "T-There was something outside!"
"Here?" Iruka had stayed back to give them their space and to play it safe in case this was some kind of set up. It appeared like that was hardly the case here because the Elkin woman was absolutely terrified of something. He walked over with his hands behind his back and observed the bushes and walkway outside, finding nothing but the wind playing around with the grass and leaves. "I don't see anything."
"I'm sure it was a bird or something."
"No.. no it wasn't, Sakura." Hinata broke apart from the returned hug to shake her head to and fro.
"Then what was it?"
"U-Uh…" She pushed two digits together at the tip and stumbled because she honestly saw nothing but a big shadow with no definite outline because of how fast it was moving. "I… I'm not… I d-don't know."
"Hm, I'll send word to Sasuke just in case. If he has something else though, he must attend to that first. We'll be safe here with Vasili in the meanwhile." Iruka helped them up off the floor with a hand out. "I promise."
Sakura bowed curtly, welcoming her friend back under her. "Thank you, Lord Umino."
"Do save that for the Ministers, madams." He smiled kindly enough and then called out to a friend, "Vasili, could you send a familiar out to Sasuk- Ah, I mean a delivery bird. He hates familiars." The last sentence was directed to the women as a mindful note to keep.
"How come?" Sakura stayed curious about the mysterious elf-man.
"Ah, well he had a really bad experience one time where he received a very racy love letter." Iruka cringed for him at the memory. "Naruto found it hilarious while I nearly broke my back trying to restrain Sasuke from shooting the messenger. Poor wolf barely made it out here."
'Love letter?' That only piqued her interest more. Though knights were sworn to be of virtue, some weren't at all ashamed to indulge in the touch of another with no strings attached. The raven wasn't the type apparently or only had a few select he tolerated. 'Why do I care?'
Hinata sure didn't. She was busy getting over her fears by watching a piece of paper, a ink bottle, and a quill come floating down the hall right up to the gentle host.
"Really? You couldn't be bothered to do this for me?" Iruka arched a brow at the feather that twirled and then dropped in his hand. "I bet if I was Naruto you'd do it."
There was no doubt to such. "You spoil him too much, you know that?" He seemed to speak at nothing and yet to everything while writing down his message. "It's your fault he still runs in the house." With a well finalized period, he finished his letter.
The parchment rolled back up and bopped the surprised man on the head before zooming off.
"Why I- Vasili!" He shouted above the giggling women. "Don't encourage him. He may be older than me but he acts so childish sometimes."
Sakura snickered behind a palm and said, "I hope you didn't let him watch Naruto then."
Iruka's paler and immediate realization got a fit out of Hinata.
~::~ Travel Chatting ~::~
On the dirt road swayed a familiar carriage with only one new party member.
Mei now trotted alongside Wukong with high energy for their adventure to come. Lou was back at the stables with a sleeping, older mare that belonged to Iruka. A comical black cloud hung around him as he plotted against his master and vowed. He swore to the heavens and the underworld below that he will make Uchiha regret this day.
Just you wait.
Till then our two working men were heading off to the deep south in a one-sided conversation. "I predict we'll be done by dinner unless the women would like to venture out. We should take them to a nice and quiet tavern first," Naruto said thoughtfully. "Breakfast was to be like that anyway until you guys showed up. All turned out well though. So, what say you, Sasuke? Will you join us this time should they be up to it? Or will you be stamping in a good slumber this evening? I think you should come with us."
Sasuke focused on that heat in his palm that dwindled the dryer he got unlike the blond's mouth that never seemed to stop functioning. "... Naruto, if you ask me about them one more time, I'm going at it alone for the rest of the day."
"Wah? Well we can't just ignore them!"
"Can't crowd them either. We've provided them a safe haven." Sasuke leaned on the side rail, a fist to cheek and resting. "Nothing more is required. You should stop letting a pretty face distract you from what you are."
"From what I a- Are you on about last night again?" Naruto greatly misinterpreted what the raven meant. "We still got me down in time. You brought them food on your own accord too. I merely asked."
"Sure."
He sighed at the typical and careless remark, silence dominating the air for barely a second. "So… which one has the pretty face then?"
Sasuke sent an incredulous expression the driver's way. "Pardon?"
"You said don't get distracted by a pretty face," Naruto quoted him on that and shrugged simultaneously, "They both have pretty faces sooo… who are you specifically talking about?" This day was already kind of weird and normal. What he heard the raven say next only tipped it to the strange side of things.
"Obviously not her."
"Whose her?" Whoever she was, he sure sounded audibly pissed about it enough to make the blond lean away.
Sasuke was smart enough to catch himself from making any further questionable comments. "No one. All I meant was that you clearly are too eager to settle down and can think irrationally sometimes."
"Okay… that's not what I was doing but... what's wrong with wanting a family?" Naruto sounded happy about discussing it until the drawn on reality he painted for himself came out. "I love everyone in that house, including you though you act shady. But the truth is… I don't really plan on getting married. It was exciting at first to hear about our wives and all. Not getting them kind of reminded me it's best this way for me at least."
Sasuke shifted his eyes around like he was searching for a memory where they've had this talk before. He never found one. "When did you come to that conclusion?"
"When I remembered what I was."
That stung Sasuke like a full on needle prick to the back of his neck, causing him to rub it needlessly. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Naruto side glanced and smiled partially at a friend who would deny being one to the grave. "Yeah… but it's what I've always known. Why would I want to curse someone else with this?"
He found no words right off the bat to combat Naruto's own depressing ones. He hated monsters in general like anyone would in his case. The guy in his armor next to him was anything but one of those hell spawns in his view. "You know you're part human, right? The chances of your kid becoming a feral if he has a normal mother, is slim to none."
"There's still a chance then." Naruto saw the bright side of it. "It's fine, Sasuke, honestly. That just means I can work twice as much now and even better than you when I move out."
"When you move out?"
Uh-oh.
Naruto sucked in his lips and stared ahead, gripping the reins tightly with those gauntlets. In his peripheral, he could see the raven leaning forward to eye him down more.
"What did you just say?"
"Nothing! I said we're running out late!"
"That makes no sens- Naruto!" Sasuke gripped on the backboard for dear life. "Slow down!"
In a panic, the blond had snapped the reins repeatedly, making the horses bolt for it like they were being chased.
Civilians out and about doing their daily routines or carrying baskets to neighbors, had to suddenly get the hell out of dodge.
"Sorryy!" Naruto apologized aloud, forgetting briefly how to make the eight legged transport stop.
Sasuke stepped in to handle the situation but first he had to get this man and his kid off the road. A quick teleportation to the side would take care of that. He found his balance first despite all the rocking going on. "Pull left and tell them to halt!" His demand was given before he vanished to the center of the road just to give another to the surprised family. "Hold your kid's hand!"
"What for?" The bandanna wearing father had been in his own world so he didn't hear the screams till now. He thus got his answer the moment he looked back over his shoulder, eyes widening at the oncoming threat. He then immediately took hold of his little girl's palm and the raven placed one on his shoulder.
Three people required the same amount of digits to be held near his lips laterally. The mana drainage thus increased but he had no choice. The horses weren't going to be able to turn out of the way in time. "Néos Orus!"
The child felt Wukong's warm breath in her hair before all light and sound ceased. It was as if life itself was covered in an endless sheet of nothing that became unfurled in a split second with no warning. She fluttered her eyelashes in a daze there on the side of the road beside her father, suffering a faint motion sickness. "P-Papa?" She could see he was there next to her… three of him that is.
The dad scooped up his child and hugged her tight. "My gods, are you alright, love?"
"People usually experience dizziness their first time so she'll be fine in a bit." Sasuke assured them, onyx set on Naruto who continued to steer the carriage off the sandy colored path into a grass field where they slowed down eventually. He shook his head tiresomely and turned back to the small family. "I apologize for the trouble."
"Nonsense. Thank you, Sasuke! I'm sure it was an accident." He, like many villagers and town folk, looked up to these men somewhat. He set his daughter down to shake the man's hand and show his appreciation.
"It's never a proble- Mmph!" The little girl had latched on around his gut out of nowhere and damn near knocked the wind out of him.
"Thank you, mister V-Vakhmet!"
Sasuke narrowed his eyes up slowly to the father who was pelted with sweat drops and had to immediately let go of his hand.
"Don't kids just say the darndest things. Okay sweetheart that's enough. Let's be off!" He picked her back up and hustled off faster than he could speak.
Sasuke watched them leave, not void of aggravation from what was said. He had more to spare to the blond stumbling over. With a lowered gazed and stern voice, he said, "Naruto."
"It was an accident! I can fix-" Naruto's words broke the second the raven's finger-less gloved index pointed down the road they blazed through. "... this." He became crestfallen at the messy scene where innocent people were trying to get back up and regather their things.
"There's going to be a day when you can't simply fix or talk your way out of it, Naruto." A day where you'll wake up and hear deathly screaming. "Your mistake will cost someone, or thousands, their lives." You'll run to it, only to find your mother and father crossed on the floor in the warm, thick pool of their own blood because... "The only person left standing in the end of your recklessness, will be you." … you believed you lacked the power to make that change. "Do you really think you're ready to live on your own?"
Naruto read the underlying words in the raven's tone and shot back out of spite, "Are you?"
Lightning danced between them and struck the drums of war. They stepped to each other and only parted challenging glares when some poor old woman groaned from the pain of being helped up.
This wasn't over but they had to put it on hold for now.
"Go help every single person that you nearly ran over." Sasuke didn't wait for a reply, cape flapping as he moved quickly past the downward looking blond. "I'm going to assist the Cazco's on my own."
"Fine…" He gritted through pearly whites. "I'll meet you there."
"I doubt that." Sasuke glimpsed back before climbing up onto the carriage, getting situated first.
"Watch me." Naruto promised, straightening up and putting on a winning grin of confidence.
~ Thank you all still for any fav, follow, or review no matter the context. Voice your concerns, spite, theories, advice, frustration, and ect to your heart's content at your will. Have a lovely day and a hopefully satisfying read. XoXoXo ~
