AN: I don't own Naruto/Star Wars: Legends
4:9:20
The travel back to Deadend was far calmer than the travel there. On wings of bathwa, with a calm that seemed to almost be unreal, each of those going back said very little during the travel, with more passing remarks, thoughts, and small bits of laughter. Yet, even with all those things occurring, there were still things that occurred that kept the group in thought, and removed a full sense of peace from their rest.
Zao often would speak softly with Naruto, who tried to discuss things with Zao in equal measure, but was more often left with more questions of his own before he went to sleep. Many of which were simple; did he think he was in tune with the Force, had he spoken with certain Jedi at the temple, and so forth. Others were not; how well do you think you're following the will of the Force, what were his plans for the future, how long would he continue to attempt to hide his pain? Those reminded him that the Jedi Master was both gentle, yet could jab straight to the point of worries that Naruto kept in his mind, and knew he couldn't ignore forever.
Master Saa spoke lightly with Aayla, and while Aayla was cordial and casual with her discussions, there was an anxiousness to her discussions. Her time with Volfe having left her with a nervousness as she tried to build deeper walls in her mind. Each one was new, different than the last, and perhaps was a way to attempt to seal any who wished to enter her mind from being able to get in, or out, without her express permission. Had Master Saa bothered to attempt to check such, she would have certainly been impressed; as it was, she desired to know for herself, rather than to dig through the Force, to know how Aayla was doing. It took near a week, but slowly, Aayla did open up, and speak lightly of what little she could remember, and what she was feeling.
All the while, Aurra and Naruto spoke cordially, with their closeness noted by Aayla. As well as questioned by her on more than a few occasions, when she felt she recalled things regarding the order. Each time, Aurra felt her tension grow, a sense of foreboding, like she expected to be brushed aside and forgotten. Each time she found herself leaning on Naruto as he calmly explained, his words soft, and kind.
That in turn seemed to worry the Masters. They knew that Naruto was well understanding of the risks he took, and how he needed to act to keep balance. Yet, they'd also seen the sort of risks he took to simply get to Aayla, and what he was willing to do for them during their trip to the temple. The line was less straightforward, and more of a wave, that Naruto seemed determine to ride as close to the edge as he could with each turn. Teaching such to Aayla, who was still relearning, and regaining her understanding of the Jedi ways, seemed a tad reckless.
Yet, with each explanation, Aayla seemed to look more at peace. Occasionally they retaught her the same principles, yet she seemed to need time to think on them. To meditate, and to ponder. Then, bringing them to Naruto, he explained them in such a way that she would brighten and nod in understanding. As they approached Deadend, such a topic was being discussed.
"So... you still use a blaster?"
"Yeah." Naruto pulled out his blaster, removed its power cells to avoid any accidental shots going off, then handed it to Aayla.
Aayla seemed perturbed by being offered it, but took it after only a moments hesitation. Staring it over, moving it in her hands, she held it forward and stared down it as though she were aiming it. "... but, why? A lightsaber can block its projectiles, and at most you'd be able to hit a target, but they're not exactly... non-lethal."
"And a lightsaber is?" Aurra asked, smirking when Aayla sputtered.
"I didn't - I mean-"
"It's alright." Naruto smiled, motioning Aayla to take a seat. Once she had, he pointed to a few pieces that were on the side of the blaster. "I went to get some work done on it, since shooting anyone could be... dangerous. This is an ionizer slide. It allows me to turn up how ionized the bolts are, lowering the efficient range a bit, but making them non-lethal to people. More dangerous to droids, but then it depends on the droid really."
"Oh." Aayla flicked the slider a few times. As she did, she shifted her hand, noting that the curve of the slider made flicking it up to be parallel to the barrel was easy, but pulling it back to be perpendicular to it was much harder. "And, you set it to be difficult to set it to lethal?"
"Noticed that did ya?" Naruto smiled faintly, tapping the top of it lightly. "Haven't found a way to do that with a lightsaber yet. Lightsabers are fully at the mercy of their wielder, meaning if you mess up with a swing, you take of a full arm. It's why control of your stance, form, and so forth is so important. Swinging wildly will just hurt people, and any child who picks one up could do that. It's control that makes you a Jedi."
"Did I..." She shifted, slowly handing it back. "Did I have control, before? Or..."
"You showed plenty of restraint not attacking me when I was having a rough moment after Volfe died." Naruto joked, lightly nudging her shoulder, getting a weak smile from Aayla. "So you're not doing a bad job as far as I've seen."
Aurra glanced at Aayla, shifting about as they talked. Idly, she recalled the Masters discussion with her, and found herself trying to loosen herself up and to let it go. Jealousy. What did she have to be jealous of? Naruto discussing things with another Jedi? A Twi'lek Jedi... one close to his age, who seemed to lean heavily on him throughout the ride back, like he was her only lifeline. She just needed Naruto to explain things, and to regain her identity... of course.
"So, you use a blaster to show restraint?"
"No, I use it to shoot people who try to shoot me, shoot blaster bolts out of the air, and to look like an average citizen until they need to realize I'm a Jedi."
The flat, happy way Naruto said it got both girls to laugh at that, which slowly got Naruto to laugh as well. Their laughter echoed across the clearing as they dropped down outside the walls of Deadend, sending the bathwa back to the swampland. As they collected what little they've brought with them, each of them paused and glanced to one another.
"So..." Naruto shifted, staring at them all as they finished pulling everything together. "What now?"
"I am no longer needed here." Zao smiled, shifting and turning to stare into the planes. "The Force calls, and I feel that there is a place for me elsewhere. With what you all do, I wish you all well in the Force."
"And to you." Master Saa smiled, nodding to him. "I myself am needed here as a Watchman, however..." Slowly her gaze turned to Aayla. "I do believe that young Aayla should be escorted back to the Jedi Temple. After all that has happened, she should be retrained properly, and given the time she needs to recuperate."
"I can help."
The small quirk of Master Saa's smile was barely noticeable as she turned and stared at Naruto. "Oh?"
"Yeah." Naruto nodded thoughtfully, not noting the looks he was getting. "With the state of the world here, having a Jedi Watchmen will be so important to helping get things back in order... considering this place has just been forced to deal with the Anzati sweeping through their cities. If they're not stopped, they could destroy the planet... and if they get off world..."
Master Saa sighed softly, nodding as her smile didn't falter. "No, you are correct. That does have a certain... precedence. Can I trust that you can ensure her safety then, in your endeavors?"
"Of course." Naruto nodded, shifting and looking resolute. "We've gone so far, and done as much as we can... I'll keep them safe."
"Very well." Placing her hands on his shoulders, she gave him a solemn look, eyes locking with his with a seriousness that gave him pause. "Be careful. There are many forces in the galaxy working against you. You have proven your strength... but even all that strength cannot protect you from everything the galaxy can throw at you."
"I..." Naruto shifted, trying to keep up his resolve as her words sunk in.
"Do not be disheartened." She sighed, recognizing his sudden shift. "You have many people who are here to support you. Just... be careful. It is all I can advise you in this time."
"I... I will..."
Nodding, she looked to the others. Aayla looked so lost, even with the training she'd received; yet her eyes still held a fiery spirit to her that would burn on through the crisis. Aurra looked more resolute; a woman who had learnt and trained in different ways, but was still so lost in her own ways. Two women who were so far apart, and yet both herself and Zao had noted that they needed Naruto. Too much for the Jedi code to allow, yet with such a fervent need that the Force itself seemed to encourage, that neither could speak against it. Not now.
"And you two," She slowly bowed to them, watching them seem to be taken aback by the gesture. "Please do take care of him. He will need your assistance as much as you need him."
"I, uh..." Aayla looked between them nervously.
Aurra shifted, hand on her belt near her blaster as she stared the Jedi Master down. "As if you had to say otherwise."
Master Saa nodded, her smile not wavering as she slowly sighed. "Then, I wish you well. May the Force be with you." Turning after they intoned the same to her, she made her way around Deadend, finding Zao waiting nearby for her. As she continued past, he began walking in step beside her. They were silent for a moment, neither saying anything for a short while as they walked. Then, T'ra Saa sighed. "They're going to get into trouble."
"Yes."
"There will be danger. Many of which I cannot fathom, as the Force tells me very little in the way of their future."
"Ah, but if they follow the Force, they will find themselves where they need to be."
"Perhaps," She nodded slowly, then closed her eyes and shook her head. "Yet, I cannot help but feel worry."
"You feel love for them."
The remark was passing, but silenced them both for a time as they hung in the air. Simple as the words were, they carried a surprising weight to them, and caused both to smile faintly. Yes. It was true; there was a feeling of love for them. And, that in turn, caused a degree of worry for their safety. That said, they needed to trust in them to do their best, to trust in each other, and to trust in the Force. And, perhaps the most surprising thought; to trust in Naruto.
After all, with all they'd been through, they had no doubt Naruto could hold his own in the conflicts to come. It was what the rest of the galaxy would eventually drop upon his shoulders that they worried about. It would not be kind, and he would have to endure. Whether he would be able to, they could not say. They could only watch, believe, and hope.
[=-x-=]
Upon approaching the hanger where Rogue One was kept, the three took pause as they saw a number of Anzati corpses scattered about, riddled with blaster marks and pushed into piles here and there. Each of them wary, they approached with caution, eventually poking their heads into the hanger to check it out, each of them prepared for combat, or for some other form of conflict. The sight seen was not exactly what they anticipated.
A number of people were moving corpses out of the hanger, a number of people having seemingly set themselves up around their ship. There were a few fortifications, places of defense, and a peculiar spacing for where they could slip through and move about. Then, there, staring at the top of Rogue One's ramp, was Gonk, with various markings and wreathes across its mechanized form.
It stood proudly, looking across the field of battle as though it were a champion of the people; something that seemed reflected by a number of people, who seemed to greet Gonk with respect and awe as it surveyed carefully. Then, it laid its visual sensors on them, and bounced in place. "Boss! You have returned!"
A number of people turned, a few reaching for weapons, with a few more actively moving into defensive positions. Then, upon seeing people who weren't Anzati, they relaxed. A few of them shifted about in place, turning to Gonk worriedly as it moved down the ramp over to them. Seeing Gonk's quick movement up to them, and carefree attitude calmed them all to a more relaxed, and to approach calmly.
It took some work, and discussing between them all, but as they did, they slowly pieced together small pieces of what Gonk had done. Apparently it had done something with Rogue One, and their own blasters, keeping the Anzati away from the people of Kiffex who had run and huddled around them for protection. Naruto slowly kept patting Gonk and nodding as Gonk stood proudly with Naruto, introducing him to everyone as his Boss. That seemed to cause the people to relax, and welcome the trio, though a few still seemed to keep blasters on hand. None of them minded, and all understood their wariness.
Eventually they explained enough to regain access to their ship, slipping inside it and getting themselves situated. As Naruto strapped Gonk in, he slowly stared at the droid, gently patting the side of its form. "... sounds like you did a good job."
"Yes." Gonk bounced in place, its version of a 'nod' by its limited faculties. "Did what Boss would do. Much firepower needed. Many customers saved."
"I... y-yeah, sure." Naruto rubbed his face, trying not to sigh deeply at that. He hadn't managed to get Gonk to stop calling people customers, but the sentiment was there. "You saved a lot of people Gonk. You did good."
"Yay."
Naruto shook his head, moving up to strap himself in. Up in the cockpit, Aayla slowly trying to get accustomed to the strange seating of the Firespray-class transport as she settled into the cockpit. Aurra moved with simple, quick motions, powering the Rogue One to power, humming as she did a quick diagnostics. "... seems we used a bit of the firepower on this. No damage to the hull, and all systems look fine... Gonk didn't do a bad job at all here, I'll give it that."
"You have a droid you trust with the ship?" Aayla mused over that, turning to glance back at Naruto as he settled in with a clear building anxiety. "Uh... is Naruto okay? He seems, anxious."
"He hates flying." Aurra turned and flicked a few switches as she started up the ship. "Haven't gotten all the details, but I take charge of flying, and he promises to not knock himself out by hyperventilating."
"It's that bad?"
"It can be."
Shifting nervously, Aayla slowly reached forward and brushed her hand around the controls. "This is... a beautiful ship."
"... thank you?"
"I don't know much about them, but it feels... happy? I don't think that is the right way to say it-"
"Oh no, it's right. Apparently the Rogue One likes us."
Aayla slowly turned away from the controls, staring at Aurra with wide eyes, as her mind failed to process what was said, and all she could say before they lifted off was an eloquent, "Wait what?"
[=-x-=]
Coruscant: Senate Building
Senator Sano Sauro was a careful man. A man of vision, and of promise. One that saw through the lies and corruption many saw throughout the Republic, and most importantly through the danger that was the Jedi Order.
They were a hive of destructive leeches, trying to garner the favor of worlds to allow them anonymity, but power throughout the known galaxy. He'd run his gambits around them, and tried to find a way to point them out as kidnappers who managed to cover up the disappearance of one Vox Chun's son; father of the still missing Bruck Chun. Surely there would be some evidence, especially considering there were multiple points where it was clear Bruck had survived, but the Jedi had obstinately refused to budge on their stance. Oh they had given him details, video evidence, and so forth, but it couldn't be all that they had. He was alive, and he swore he could eventually prove it.
However, he'd also found himself someone else to look into and invest in. Granta Omega. Rubbing his hands together, he considered some of his options. With small investments in Offworld Mining, he could get a piece of the revenue that was made, utilizing it in secret to try and expand his power base. Yes, a good investment. And one that was growing in its reach.
Yet, there was something else that was on his mind. A message he'd received, simply stating a few words to him; you are seen. Of course, he'd received all sorts of threats, concerns, or otherwise from people. This was nothing new. What concerned him was the fact that it had been delivered by one of his underlings, who had no idea how they'd been given it.
It stunk of Jedi trickery. Wasn't that their thing? Messing with people's minds, forcing them to follow their whims and will, making them do as they wished. It was madness, but surely it was the most likely story to tell.
Cursing under his breath, he quickly shifted his stance to one of the kindhearted and solemn expression senator he was known as, passing by others who gave small nods of respect. They had no need to know of his mind, of his thoughts, or feelings. All they needed to know was that he was there, and working. Little else was necessary beyond that.
Moving towards his smaller apartment, he shook his head and sighed. This was all madness, and he had no reason to follow through with half of what was going on out there, but he would do it. They would follow him, and he would help them, but not without him getting what he wanted. He wouldn't allow himself to fall behind them, and he'd keep his eyes on the goal he sought most fully; Supreme Chancellor.
As he entered his apartment, he paused, froze, then grit his teeth as he stared inside. "... what in the world... who are you?"
Sitting at his desk, casually and almost whimsically, was some man. Their lean build seemed to fit into his chair far too casually, and the white hair dropped down around his shoulders with a rather clean cut appearance, with cold blue eyes that stared back at him with such a bemused and whimsical expression that it set Sano on edge. Opening his arms, Sano noted a twitching and mild awkwardness to it; likely it was some form of prosthetic limb, though he swore there was something about it that made him mildly unnerved as well.
"Senator Sauro." The voice cuts through their silence, breaking it with all the casualness of a close friend.
"That's my name. I said, who are you?"
"Me? Ah, dear senator... take a seat." Shifting out of the chair, they moved over to the window, staring out at it with hands clasped behind their back. As Sauro moved up behind him, the man slowly continued. "I heard you've spoken up on my behalf. I applaud your vigor... and your disdain for the Jedi. It is well placed."
Sano paused, moving slowly up next to the man to try and get a better look at him. There was something familiar about him. Something he knew, and had seen before. Taking a moment to wrack his memory, a brief flash of memory came to him, and he slowly squinted at the man. "... Vox? Or, is it Kad?"
"Kad?" The man turned, looking at Sano with a surprised expression. "I have a brother now? Excellent. Another reason to seem my dear father."
The light clicked, and Sano's expression shifted to one of shock. "Bruck?"
The man, who else could it be but Bruck Chun, turned and faced him fully. The smile on his face was wary, and the look in his eyes was wild. He was a man who looked like he was on the run, looking for a place to hide himself, or to slip away. It was the look of a man who had been through many hardships, and was looking to get out. Sano had seen many like it, and found himself more at ease upon reading the expression; he could work with an expression like this.
"You're alive." Sano said after a moment, his smile growing slightly as he nodded to himself. "Your father has kept hope, but I don't think he'd be able to have imagined... why have you come to me first? Surely your father -"
"The Jedi are after me. Going to my father would be the first place they'd look."
Ah, that would make sense. The Jedi would keep their eyes out for anomaly's, people who didn't fit in. If Bruck fell into that after he'd been lost, then surely they'd come after him in droves.
"I came to you for more than that..." Bruck said slowly, looking forlorn as he sighed. "It appears that the one who had me thrown to the undercity, is still working as freely as he wishes. A fiend, and a vagabond... but one I'm sure you've heard of, in passing."
The words indicated someone he knew, but gave nothing away as to who it could be. Recognizing the tactic, Sano felt himself bemused; he would play this game, and see what young Bruck thought he knew of matters like this. "And, who might that be?"
"Naruto Uzumaki."
Sano's brow shot up. He had heard of the lad, and knew that many people spoke of him in a variety of tones. The Trade Federation spoke of the time he'd cleared their name, while the Naboo spoke of him with the respect of one who was practically a Naboo citizen. There were others who were more wary of him from how he'd been discussed, but despite his young age, he had a number of people who knew of him. Fascinating.
"You, seem to have something against the lad. And, with him having sent you away, into hiding... I cannot say that I don't understand."
"I want him to suffer, to be imprisoned for his crimes, and to have his wicked ways brought to light." Slowly, Bruck's face curled into a smile. "I've figured that, should he come into a position where he is forced to trial, you could use a witness... someone to stack the odds in your favor against him."
Sano slowly nodded. Having an ace in his pocket surely would benefit him, but he needed something more. "And, do you have proof?"
From the look on Bruck's lips, he could presume he did. Pulling out a datapad, he handed it to Sano, the smirk growing as they slowly turned it over in their hands. "On this is plenty of... details, information... evidence. Things that will condemn him, and should be brought up when a shadow is already across him."
"You say that like he will be under such investigation soon."
"I have felt it... seen it." Bruck slowly tapped the side of his head. "The Jedi have their tricks, and I've stolen a few for myself. Now I can use them against them. They stick their hands to far into the affairs of the galaxy and interfere too deeply. I will make the galaxy see them for who they are, and the danger they're in."
It was inspiring, seeing someone who was as deeply in agreement with himself regarding the Jedi. Too many took it upon themselves to like and agree with the Jedi, yet so few saw their danger. Smirking, he nodded slowly, an idle thought coming to his mind. "If you need a place to stay, there's some places where you could go. Offworld Mining has more than a few outposts you can go. Granta Omega has set up a few living areas where you can relax from your struggles."
"Granta Omega?" Bruck frowned, narrowing his eyes.
"Yes," Nodding, he considered what to say. "He was, a young man when I found him. Very clever, and has grown well. He's a tad bit of a wild card, but then his father was one too. Perhaps you knew him from your time with the Jedi? One, Xanatos?"
The frown blossomed into a smile, giving the impression that he did indeed know. Good. That would speed things along quite handily.
"I can introduce you to him, and see if I can get your brother and father to visit you while you're there, if you wish?"
"Yes... yes that'd be good. I'd like that quite a bit indeed."
[=-x-=]
Moving through a facility on Ohma-D'un, Darth Typhon strode through the city with the easy of one who knew their way, and certainly he did. Now though, he had himself the power of their leader behind him as well, drawing the attention and respect from those around him with reverence and awe. Yes, a true expression of his authority indeed.
Still, there were new things to consider. With his master still working upon things in the galaxy, he was concentrated on working on a smaller scale. Leadership of one world - half of a world really - was small scale in comparison, but was a vast project to undertake. One that had plenty of things to consider.
Staring out into the waters, he considered what he'd done. Utilizing some mechanics of the Trade Federation that had been left behind from when he'd managed to get the Gungan people to slip them away, he'd begun using them to try something new. They had more necessities to cultivate the growth of their tools, but with the 'inspiration' he had brought to them, they had suddenly burst into the beginnings of an age of technological growth.
It had been something he'd done as part of his training under his master; look into a way to speed up natural growth production. Organic weapons, machines, and so forth, were such a marvel to the galaxy, that the only way they'd gain traction and stability was if they could speed up production without losing stability of their growths. Yet, it was he who brought up an important point; one that gave him the respect he rightfully deserved from his master, and one that he'd then managed to use to catapult his current success.
What need did they have to a half-life for their organic weapons and vehicles, if they could simply make more and make further profits by forcing people to see it as a simple matter of course for them?
It was brilliant in a way. Build up a force, a large group, a growth that could overtake what no other Gung could've possibly envisioned. Staring down into the shadows of the water, he saw the brilliance of the growing force under his control. Literally growing, with pulsing plasma roiling through the various areas, illuminating and sending shadows across the waves between them.
Next to him, Fassa stood by, watching his gaze with her own curiosity. He didn't say anything to her, but he could sense her worry. Slowly, he let his head fall ever so slightly, as though in worry or nervousness. She seemed to perk up at that, placing her hand on his sounder.
"Hey, yousa doing the right ting."
"Am I?" He locked eyes with her, then glanced away. "Will this honor our fallen? Making sure we never will be at the mercy of those who betrayed us?"
"I be tinking it will be." Fassa gave him a slight shove, giving him a faint smile at the gesture. "Boss Nass would be being proud of ya, Boss Binks."
Boss Binks. It was better, an improvement to be sure, but then it was not quite Darth Typhon. Still, it was a high honor, and one he took with the position power 'gracefully'. "I hope so. The Rugor Project is for the protection of our people. I, can only hope it will stand as a monument to what he wanted." Turning to Fassa, he nodded slowly. "A united, and strong Gungan people, who will have the stars at our fingertips."
"Yes, me be tinkin' dis be a grand project. We be holding out place in da stars soon." Fassa smiled, turning back to the work below.
Thousands of Gung droids, the first of their kind, with many unique functions, and things that no other creation could perform. Plasma coursing through them, making them stronger, faster, better than anything that the Trade Federation had commissioned. Natural armoring, grown over them, making them superior in every way to those that had come before, would give them the greatest advantage over the galaxy at large. Even a smaller force of these could take a place and overwhelm them with the shock factor alone. But they could be better. They couldn't win off shock alone; they needed power.
Staring down, Typhon did not look at the construction of the droids. Instead, their eyes laid upon the plasma that was pulsing through the water, a large ship being formed around it, giving it the impression it would act as an engine, or other such power source. A power source, yes, but not for the ship. It was for something more, something grander. Something devastating, and destructive.
It would set the Gungan people in the history of the galaxy as one to be remembered, feared, and to break their isolation. Those who wished to keep themselves separate and made their way to a colony on Rori would not be able to hide. He'd draw them into his fold, and would bind them to the Gungan people. Naboo would kneel as well, but in time. Their plasma would be his own, and would power the Gungan race into hyperspace.
Yes. Their time would grow, it was coming, and he would exceed all expectations.
Feeling a hand gently wrapping with his own, he unconsciously gripped it back, slowly glancing to Fassa. Her smile as she stared at him startled him for an instant before he realized what her expression was. It had not been something he'd considered when he had comforted her upon the passing of Rugor Nass, but the fact that she had indeed begun to fall in love with him was not what he'd expected. He'd anticipated her pushing him away, associating him with his death, but was instead leaning on him, acting as a bodyguard and a companion for him. Now, fingers interlocked, he considered how he could use this.
Yes... they would grow, and he would draw more like her to him, and together they would rule the galaxy, with them as part of his Sith retinue. It only made sense... yes, he could make that work.
AN: This wraps up the Search For Aayla Secura! What an arc, and what fun I've had fucking finishing this! FINALLY! After several years of silence, I come back and get this sombitch done, and keep up the good content. Hell yeah~
Now, with the trio heading back to Aurra's vessel, to go back to Coruscant and have everything go back to - hold on, I just got a call. Yeah? Uh-huh... wait there's a thing? What thing? Really? Can I use it? Oh. Oh hell yeah. It can do that? Hell yeah. Gimme a moment - so, hey everyone, we've got another arc before Coruscant! I know, I know, we're all eager to see Naruto run around with Anakin, but trust me... I'm telling a story, so parts that are added have their purpose, and as much as I'm killing myself by "dragging it out", it's because I can't help but make sure to keep you all in the know as much as I can, while also building up what is to come beyond what is said.
Plus, it'll be more time to have Naruto interact with Aayla and Aurra. I ain't giving that up without having my fun and letting you all have a ton of fun as well! Time to see what mischief we can have along the way, and the danger they'll inevitably get into ... because it's Naruto, and when he goes places, danger follows in some way.
I now have a Discord server for this story; if anyone wants a link to it, say so in either a PM or review (whichever is more convenient for you). It'll have a section where as each chapter goes up I'll post that it has, so those who don't want to always check their email will know when the next chapter is up.
Thank you all for your reviews, they are always great to read. If you haven't seen, there's a poll to go over the pairing options for Naruto for everyone, as well as those new to the story on my Profile. I look forward to seeing who you choose, and how I'll be able to consider and use it through the building story.
May this chapter find you well, and may the Force be with you - until next time, in the arc, Illumination From Shadow.
