AN: I don't own Naruto/Star Wars: Legends
GRS 4:10:2
Dathomir Orbit: Aboard The Breakaway
Coming out of hyperspace, the world of Dathomir came into view quickly, setting the tone for the three on the bridge staring down. Each of them took a moment to look at it, shifting about and considering it idly. There was a different thing each thought and felt regarding their approach, though Naruto was the only one not glancing to the others glancing to each other, his eyes focused on the planet.
Aayla shifted, looking between the two and the world, the most confused of the three. Despite having it explained to her, with her memory being as it was, it didn't help near as much having it explained to her. The planet, the scenario, simply everything about it was nonsense to her. Worse, Naruto had been... distracted, and tired.
Aurra was calmer, guiding the ship into a orbital cycle around the planet, eyes slowly turning back to Naruto. She had seen how he'd reacted, and how it had affected him. He'd been keeping himself up, shadow sparring, and trying to continue training beyond what he should've. Only her efforts to drag him down and pin him to a bed had kept him from doing that and forcing at least a few hours of sleep. At least, as far as she knew. He was always the first up between the two, and was always amid him doing some form of close quarters combat training, or simple physical workout.
The thing was, she'd noticed that he was doing very physical activities. Before, he'd do some Alchaka, or meditation; some sort of connection to the Force on top of his training. As far as she'd seen, while he'd incorporate it into his fighting, he hadn't been working on his connection to it. Considering what he'd said about how it was leading him to Dathomir, with the assumption that there was some kind of danger, she didn't really feel she could blame him. The people of his world, the Shinobi people were often dangerous, to the point that there were some who kept up with and were able to overwhelm his master.
That was a story she had vaguely recalled, and had reread when he'd brought up his home. Naruto was scarce on details sometimes, but that one had been one he'd been thorough on. Each part of it was likely written so he made sure it wasn't simply lost, or forgotten, and could be reviewed whenever he couldn't bring up what had happened in his past. A past that, according to him, was now here in the now, and could potentially be a danger to the galaxy at large.
Pulling the ship around, she sighed and stared at the planet. "Well, we have a big planet to work off of. Where should we go."
Naruto's eyes flicked and moved across the planet's surface, staring down at it with a narrowing gaze. Slowly, he moved his hand and pointed, then slowly moved it around. Wincing, he moved his hand around, seeming uncertain. "It's in... around there."
Aurra struggled not to snort at that. There? That was a motion of his hand in space. The planet was big enough that, with his uncertain hand motion, there was a lot more area to search than she liked. Still, Naruto stared down with such a lost expression, she couldn't help but place a hand on his arm, getting him to flinch as he let his eyes and hand drop.
Slowly, he rubbed his eyes, looking more frustrated and lost than he had in a long time. "There's something down there, I know it. I just... it's blocked. Something is trying to keep it from being seen, or felt. But it's there... elusive to me... I just have to find it."
"Alright," Aayla muttered, chewing on her lip and staring down with a worried expression. "And, what do we do when we find it? Do we know if it can be destroyed?"
"It was turned off, which means there's probably a way to break it too." Naruto muttered, trying to remember exactly what he'd seen. "They... if it's not able to be broken normally, then I'll make a way."
"Just... like that?" Aayla asked, frowning as she turned to him. "I thought- never mind." She quickly waved him off. "It's nothing. I don't know the situation like you do, that's all."
"Okay..." Naruto glanced to Aurra, who shrugged. Sighing, he motioned to them both. "We can take a ship down, and see what we can do from there. On of the YT's?"
"I was thinking the seven-twenty myself."
"That big toad?" Naruto looked bemused, and even managed to choke out a laugh when Aurra swatted his arm.
"Be nice to it. I know you don't like flying, but that's at least one that can get its job done safe enough. I upped its shield capacity, the impact dampeners, and even had some work done to its turning radius. It'll keep your worried butt safe from danger, I promise."
"Alright, I get it." He held up his hands defensively, the small laughter he had seeming to momentarily lighten the mood in the room. "Look, I'm already heading there."
"You better. Go start up the ship, I'll be there soon." Aurra shoved him lightly, then waited for him to get out of the room before turning back to Aayla. "So, you think you're ready for this?"
"... no." Aayla admitted after a moment, clipping and replacing her lightsaber nervously. "Under Volfe, I was given confidence beyond what I should have had. Here, I have some of that, but..."
"But?"
"But I have confidence in Naruto, at least."
Aurra sighed, glancing back to the doorway before nodding. "Yeah. He inspires that in people somehow. Just, be careful with that. We have no idea what's on that planet, except for the biggest danger people avoid the planet for."
Aayla shifted uncomfortably at that. She had this look on her face, the expression of her attempting to recall something that was just beyond her reach, just brushing against it but not grasping it. Opening and closing her mouth slowly, she sighed and looked despondently to Aurra, clearly needing to have it be explained.
"... rancors. The galaxies biggest rancors."
[=-x-=]
The ship's decent into the atmosphere was easier than it should have been, and while they had some turbulence while moving to find a place to land, there was nothing that caused them issue. Smooth, unhindered, and suspiciously clean. Even Naruto had to admit the stability of the 720 freighter, as it touched down; a tad rougher than Aurra wanted, but without causing too much disturbance to those within. As Naruto unstrapped, he gave the vessel a slow, approving pat.
"... not fully a flying death trap, but you haven't earned my respect yet."
Aurra paused, slowly pinching Naruto to get his attention. "Hey, come on now. Don't we have work to do?"
Naruto turned to face her, view seeming to waver as he looked at Aurra and Aayla before he turned his back to them. "Work. Right. I'll... be there soon."
Aayla paused before leaving as well, glancing between them before quickly making her way out. Seeing Naruto keeping his hand on the panel, Aurra slowly relented, giving Naruto a moment to himself. It wasn't like they needed anything, or to say or do something now, it was just something Naruto apparently had to do. So, she'd give him time to do it.
Leaning his head against it, he slowly closed his eyes. Breathing out, he brushed his hand against it. "So... another happy landing, huh?"
Pushing himself back, he stared at the light freighter's cockpit. It wasn't like the shuttle, and yet looking around it, he found himself still feeling that anxiety. That nervous, worried feeling of apprehension. Leaning forward, he coughed roughly, trying to force his throat to not seize up, dry heaving as he shoved himself upright. Wiping his mouth, he coughed and clenched his eyes, gasping for breath as he shook his head.
"She's not... she isn't my... not mine. Not mine." He muttered to himself, covering his face and breathing out through his fingers as he curled his fingers and dug them further into his face. "Aayla isn't my padawan..."
The thought had hit him as soon as he'd entered the 720 freighter, his body had begun tensing. He'd actually moved up into the cockpit's copilot seat even, just to make sure he wasn't staring at Aayla; either by the back of her head, or off to the side. Worse, even when just taking a moment before to glance back at her, he hadn't seen her. He'd seen her. Kummar. His padawan. His padawan. At least...
He pressed his head to the cool steel, trying to push it down and away. She was gone, her presence snuffed out before he ever had a chance to allow her to shine. The galaxy knew nothing of the Kalee people, and she would have been a shining star. It had been so clear, present, and real in his mind when he'd first had a dream of them as master and apprentice. How had he been so blind to the shadows that had hung so clearly behind her? That had reached towards him? Shadows that had snapped onto him and curled around him, strangling him until he couldn't breathe, and all he could wish for was to scream.
Closing his eyes, he smacked his cheeks and stood up. "Okay... okay... okay..."
Pushing himself back and away, he moved towards the ramp, wiping away his worries and expression as he smiled brightly at the two. He didn't need to let them see his hurt, to see his pain. He was fine, really, but... he didn't need them to know.
"You alright?" Aayla asked, drawing his attention again.
Before he could speak, he saw her face again, just for a second. Rubbing his eyes, he nodded. "Yeah... yeah I just, got only a little bit of sleep last night. I was restless."
"I'll say," Aurra muttered, doing a quick check on her cycler rifle. "You were up and restless this morning. Almost thought that you were going to try wearing a hole in the floor"
"Hey, I'm not that bad."
"You were spinning and doing your Alchaka thing." Aurra snapped the rifle into its holster, squinting at him. "And you were spinning like it was some kind of Jedi dance... thing. What, were you preparing for an opera?"
"I mean I'd be pretty good at an opera." Naruto grinned, pushing past the two as he grabbed a few items for himself.
He double checked to ensure his blaster pistol was holstered, but he didn't think that it was something he'd be pulling often on a world like this. While it was a powerful weapon in its own right, the more dangerous, humid climate. Often it was the old, archaic cycler rifles and the like that would weather longer and stand the time. Though, they weren't planning to stay long, which meant that he didn't need to worry about it too much. Need, but he still would consider it before firing it.
Idly, he placed his hand on his wrist. He'd put away his bracer, and hadn't thought about it for a while. Idly, he stared at Gonk, the idea of getting it out and putting the lightsaber out to use it while he was here. As soon as he did, he remembered the strange and dangerous events that had happened when he'd activated it. On a mission like this, where he was going to need to keep himself completely focused, and unhindered, he couldn't risk a liability like that. That was yet another demon for him to face now, but for another day.
Shaking his head, he pat Gonk on its frame. "Stay with the ship. Make sure it stays safe."
"Yes boss." Gonk snapped its guns out, an audible sound of reloading echoing through the enclosed quarters. "Ship says to thank you. Good boss understands good landing. Also, why call toad? Is ship undesirable?"
"Huh?" Naruto stared at Gonk before lightly smacking the side of the bulkhead once he understood. "No you silly... you're like someone I know. You look shaky, and land weird, but you're proving your worth. I'll be keeping an eye on you though. I'm not about to let you fool me into security if you're gonna fall apart."
"What?" Aayla blinked, staring at the interaction with clear confusion, and worry. Likely for the fact Gonk had suddenly snapped out blasters, and no one was commenting on them. "Did I miss something?"
"Gonk talks to the ships." Naruto pat the ship again. "... and somehow, I keep apparently insulting them. Unintentionally."
"Oh..."
Aurra pat Aayla's shoulder. "Welcome to Naruto interacting with mechanics. You should hear him rant about battle droids."
"We are not getting into that discussion here and now." Naruto muttered, moving to Aayla and quickly looking her over. "Got everything?"
"Yeah, I think so." Aayla did a quick check of herself, grabbing at a small pack on her back, her lightsaber, and a few other minor odds and ends. Nodding to herself, she paused and looked Naruto over. "... where's your lightsaber?"
Naruto grinned, fishing behind his belt and pulling out the shoto. "It's here, just small enough to not be seen. Makes fighting a bit easier, if they think disarming my blaster is all they need to do to stop me. Or that they can just keep firing at me. I like to keep my options open."
Aayla nodded, shifting as Naruto moved out her down the ramp. As they followed after him, they watched him move forward quickly, and took stock of what they had before joining him.
As they stared out into the expanse before them, Aurra and Aayla watched Naruto as his eyes seemed to try stretching across the horizon of the forest, each tree massive, and strong. Now that they had a view of it from the ground, this place had the feeling of one untouched by civilization, like the Trade Federation or the Techno Union, or Offworld Mining; yet still held an air that there was life and intelligence to it all. The Force moved through it, leaving Naruto with a feeling of the Force moving. Like he could sense each living thing, and yet because there was so much there, he couldn't identify any of them.
Closing his eyes, he sighed, reaching out again through the Force. It had to be here. Surely something of that power, that majesty, would resonate deeply within the Force, like a beacon. Yet, the more he reached out, the more he found himself lost, and confused.
"This place is a nightmare." Aurra muttered, adjusting her weapons as she idly attempted to get a better view herself. "With all the trees here, we won't have a clear line of sight anywhere. At least the rocky areas over there will give us something, but then we'll be just as vulnerable as anyone we come across."
"I've fought in terrain like this. We move slowly, quietly, and carefully. This isn't our turf, it's theirs." Naruto's voice was calm, focused, and clear. He moved his hand slowly, as though sweeping across the trees. "If we spread out, we'll be less easily seen, but more easily caught. We need to focus more on not being separated, and keeping our eye out for it."
"... and what is 'it'? What are we looking for?" Aayla asked, getting Naruto to pause.
"... I, didn't see it. I just saw a beam of light, and..." His face curled into a frustrated scowl, closing his eyes as he tried to recall it. "... damn those people. I couldn't see it because they were in my way. I just needed one glance, just one..."
"Easy Naruto. We'll find it." Aurra shifted, watching a few of the stones around Naruto bouncing around his feet.
"I know, I know..." Naruto dragged a hand down his face, staring down as he shifted to a crouch. "I... get down."
Without question, Aurra and Aayla followed his instruction. Glancing to him curiously, Naruto stared at the ground as the stones bounced around him. Not from him then, but something else. Shifting to peak with him, they stared down towards the forest, watching out for what it could be.
Nothing showed up, despite their eyes watching out for it. At most, they noted a few shifts in the trees, but there wasn't anything that poke their heads out in their direction. Every time one of them moved though, Naruto would quickly hold up a hand, as though he expected them to be wanting to race down and enter conflict with something causing the ground to rumble when it walked from outside their vision.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Aayla muttered, shifting backward and shivering. "This place is... it feels off."
"I don't sense anything." Naruto shifted, moving to where he could move his head between her and the area around. "Something here or elsewhere?"
"Here... but, not here-here." Aayla frowned, looking back to him anxiously. "I'm sorry, I don't-"
"You're fine." Naruto nodded slowly, turning back to the forest. "If it's here, we'll see about avoiding it. If it's a rancor, we'll see about befriending it."
"You're going to try to befriend another one?" Aurra couldn't help but smile. "You still have a soft spot, don't you?"
"... yeah, I guess I do." Naruto grinned weakly at that, the simple thought enough to bring him out and back to them. "Just, stay close. I don't want to get wrapped up by creatures or things on this planet."
"Things. That sounds pleasant." Aayla muttered, getting a grin from Naruto.
"Don't worry. I've got your back."
"Comforting..."
[=-x-=]
Moving their way through the forest was simple enough for the three of them, each having their own training to do so. Even without memory, Aayla's training allowed her to traverse through without much difficulty. Aurra as well had been trained and taught how to move through a wide variety of near impossible terrains, making for great speed as she tried to keep up with Naruto.
Naruto was completely silent as he shifted through the woods. There was near next to no sound as he moved, each motion seeming to propel him faster, letting him get into positions where he could scout ahead even just a little ways. The forest breathed, and he was a leaf that was floating on each breath, natural and free within their branches.
The world around was beautiful. Tall trees that stood tall, standing the test of time, with brilliant and vibrant colors that fell around them. Pieces of some trees were scattered about, with some dead wood that was covered over with overgrowth, leaving the world with an ambiance that should have left them with a feeling of comfort from its majesty. Stretching towards the sky, as though caressing against it, but with a few areas that appeared to have been carved from them, leaving just enough of a 'presence' that kept it from having a feeling of untouched serenity.
However, along with its beauty, there were other marks across the trees that sent a clear message to all who saw it as well. Long gashes, carved into various trees, fallen or standing, well above where they all stood. Naruto occasionally glanced towards them, taking note, but seeming to not linger on them. Aurra paused longer, but followed after quickly enough. Aayla stood longer, staring up at the markings in awe, the size both of the creature that could've made it, and the size of the markings made by some were imposing, and daunting.
As she moved to follow them, she paused, noticing something on one of the trees. Moving towards it, she vaguely heard someone calling her, trying to get her attention. The voices were so distant, that she didn't notice when a hand had been placed on her shoulder until she was shaken out of her staring. "Huh? What?"
"Aayla," Aurra shook her again, getting her to refocus. "What are you doing?"
Slowly, Aayla pointed towards one of the trees. Across its bark, gouged deeply into it, was not simple claw marks. Rather, they were cut into the bark in such a way that it formed an x-shape across the tree, as well as similar marks across several other trees nearby. The way they were spaced and set it, it was a visible line, almost like a fencing that gave a feeling of danger across that line.
Once the others saw it as well, they took a moment to stare it down as well. The marks were carved into it in the same way as the other marks they had seen, but were single lines, and marked in such a clear manner that none of them had words. Each of them took it in, shifting about and glancing between each other for a moment as slowly they began turning to Naruto.
Naruto stared past the markings, into the forest past it. The canopy was thick, and seemed to allow even less light into it than where they stood now. Observing closer, he could almost see where the x-markings were, and there being almost an actual line between them. One side shadowed, but pierces with plenty of light, while the other only had a scattering of light illuminating it. So little pierced through that it almost felt more that the entire area was simply in shadow, lost to darkness, with an ominous presence now that they were taking note of it.
"What, is that?" Aayla chewed on her lip, suddenly anxious as she glanced between them. "I mean, I know what it is, but..."
"I don't know." Naruto shifted, beginning to move away. "... but it's not in that direction. That's, not something we need to go towards."
"Oh," Aayla quickly shifted away, moving next to Naruto more closely. "That's good. There's a darkness there. I can... I can't explain it. Something bad is in there."
After a few steps, Naruto paused, turning to look back towards the darkness. Reaching out, Naruto began probing through the Force to attempt to sense something beyond his sight. The more he reached out, the more concerned and confused he became. Turning back to Aayla, he frowned thoughtfully. "You're certain of your senses?"
"I - no?"
"Don't doubt yourself because of me. What do you feel?"
"I..." Aayla stared into the shadows, shivering and taking a step back again. "... yes. Something dark is in there."
Naruto slowly nodded, moving away with them, glancing to Aurra. When she noticed his look, she shook her head, confirming what he was now worried about. Neither of them were either sensing, or capable of sensing the darkness out in the forest. That was a very dangerous thing for them, as they would need their senses sharp to ensure they could remain safe. The fact they couldn't meant many things could potentially sneak up on them.
"We keep out eyes open then, and we move away from that... place. This isn't where we need to go, and we need to move away." Naruto nodded, chewing on his lip before nodding resolutely. "If you get that feeling again, let me know. I'm... I don't sense anything, but that doesn't meant that I want to test the Force on this."
"Yeah, well, x-marks on a tree aren't exactly a friendly 'come here' sign." Aurra shifted, pulling out her cycler rifle and checking it over quickly. "And while I'm happy to take a pot shot or two, I don't think I want to test my fire-rate if it gets too close."
"We have other ways to fight." Naruto mentioned, tapping his back where his shoto was hidden, the other lightsaber they'd found back on the ship in Gonk still. After his last experience with it, he didn't want to risk it again until his mind was clearer.
"I don't want to draw my lightsaber unless it's actually needed." Aurra snorted softly, aiming down the sights before deeming the rifle good enough to sheath it again. "And if it's in close quarters, it won't likely be a person. People I can predict and kill easily. A creature might do something stupid and get me killed."
"I won't let that happen." Naruto crossed his arm, getting an eye roll from Aurra.
"Shut up," She shoved him lightly, her lips quirking as she suppressed a smile. "You're always talking to big, but I'm not some helpless person. I can defend myself."
Naruto held up a hand, but quickly dropped it and sighed. Rolling his shoulders, he moved over and made his way forwards. It wasn't smart to argue a point that she was completely correct on, let alone try to give his reasoning again. He needed to focus, and not be distracted by his emotions.
Aurra watched him go, glancing back to Aayla and motioned her over. "... did he seem extra stressed to you?"
"A little. What do you think it is?" Aayla watched his back, noting he had extended himself further forward to keep an eye out.
"... I don't know." Aurra frowned, the thought of Naruto keeping something from her suddenly crossing her mind. Surely not, but his actions seemed like someone with something weighing on their mind. Something they weren't saying, and Naruto nailed that expression perfectly. But, he told her so many things; was he really hiding something from her?
Surely not. Surely...
"Hey, come check this out."
The two ladies moved quicker to where he was standing, looking to where his gaze was. As soon as they followed his gaze, both simply stood there, staring at the area silently. The area was scattered with some ships remains, the shrapnel of it having shredded through the canopy, leaving a scattering of parts and pieces for them all to look over.
"... this isn't a place that get's a lot of space traffic, right?" Naruto motioned to it slowly, squinting. "Then, what is that?"
"That, Naruto, is a ship." Aurra slid down towards the area, making her way into the wreckage quickly. Picking her way through the pieces, she tried to get a sense of what all had happened to this ship.
"I... that's not what I meant." Naruto muttered, watching Aayla move over to search through things with Aurra. Sighing, he moved over as well, quickly picking through a few of the pieces, shifting them and trying to make sense of it all.
The ship was in so many pieces, but they were not small pieces. It wasn't a freighter, it was fairly obvious to them. As they began moving things around and trying to make sense of it all, each piece seemed to be more of a puzzle. An emblem on one part of the ship implied that it was a Republic ship, but the scattered parts made it difficult to tell if it was a starfighter a scout ship, or a shuttle. All of them were possible, but without the nose of the ship, it was difficult to say. Additionally, while they had found no blaster turret, or other such weaponry, that still made it a scout ship or a shuttle. Two vastly different ships, but both of them being possible within the realm of possibility.
Pushing aside more pieces of the crashed ship to the side, Naruto slowly began looking around. Pressing his hand to the ground, he began concentrating on the Force, trying to force his way through to seeing who or what had been in this vessel.
"Your mission is to investigate the Witches of Dathomir."
Naruto tilted his head, trying to listen deeper. That voice meant someone had spoken to them before the ship had crashed, but they'd been in the vessel. Or, leaning on it perhaps. That could be right.
"What am I supposed to find there?"
Lifting his head slightly, Naruto paused. He knew that voice.
A series of beeps and panicking noises, as the pilot began moving and slamming against pieces of the ship until they found an eject switch, their form suddenly leaving the ship as part of the top flew off and they were sent rocketing out of the ship.
Frowning, he shifted in place, beginning to move to check where that piece had landed before freezing in place, a new piece coming to him.
"Where do you think they landed?"
"I do not know. We've taken what supplies we could salvage, but the one who would have been riding in such a thing, as with the last ones..."
"We keep looking then. If we are unlucky, Mother Zalem will find them first. Then we will end up returning empty-handed."
"This is near her territory..."
"And she does not need to know we are here. Now, come."
The two moved back, leaping gracefully towards their mounts as a pair of creatures just out of sight awaited them patiently.
Naruto slowly pulled his hand back, eyes unfocused, then refocusing as he saw Aurra flipping part of it open with a scowl.
"Well, whoever was in it, they're alive. They took pretty much anything not nailed down, and left with it." She huffed, turning to Naruto and looking frustrated. Noting his expression, she stopped short. "... what?"
"Someone else came through and took the stuff." Naruto said slowly, standing up and reaching out through the Force. As he did, he winced and grimaced. "And, I don't think they went near as far ... or maybe they were on their way back."
"Some - you mean they're nearby?" Aurra asked, flicking her cycler out and scanning the trees. Aayla began doing the same, reaching for her lightsaber and palming it into her hand.
"Probably." Naruto moved around, staring into the trees. "... they're close... I can feel-"
A piercing bolt of plasma whipped by his head, forcing him to throw himself to the side to dodge it. Cursing, Naruto threw himself against part of the damaged ship. Aurra and Aayla quickly followed suit, several more bolts of plasma flying past them. Each of them turned to the others, giving a quick nod, before they froze upon hearing a roar.
"... great." Naruto muttered, a ghost of a smile curling around his lips as he peaked around the pieces before sighing. "I get to play with rancors."
AN: Throwing them on Dathomir, giving them some time to take in the view, relive trauma, and then get fired upon. More fun times for all involved, isn't that amazing?
Next chapter is going to be fun, but it's going to also lead into some wild stuff. Those who know what happened in Legends... just, don't worry about it. I'm having fun with this, stretch the realm of possibilities, and mess around - as an author should. After all, what is a storyline without a few little knots to climb up for more fun? And as my stories have shown, I enjoy trying to think outside the box, and actually use build up and progression (sorry if that bit sounds ranty, just some reviews of older chapters of new people who don't like "OOC Naruto" who'd not acting like... you know... a ninja trained in a village of ninja, rather than a Jedi who tend to have all kinds of emotional confusion).
But, that being said, that'll be for next time. Or the chapter after, depends on how things go. You know how it is; plan for something, then suddenly you write enough words to go "... maybe next chapter" and then have that suddenly be a point that has you screaming at the words as they come out. You know, as you do. Casually.
Thank you all for your reviews, they are always great to read. If you haven't seen, there's a now poll to go over the pairing options for Anakin for everyone to voice their opinions, 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.
