Chapter Two
Written by: DarthPel
Beta'ed by: Grandmaster Robin, FreelanceroftheTriforceKeyblade, TheDeadGirlRisen
Word count: 4,506
Artoria felt apprehension as one of the castle attendants did her hair, the door opened allowing her father to walk in. Sir Ector did a small double take before he shook his head and gave himself a sad sigh, "You look stunning dear."
"Thanks, Father." the young girl muttered as he walked closer, the Knight who once served under her father's banner motioned for the servant to give them space and walked in to hug her. "This day came much too soon, sooner than I imagined. And definitely sooner than I wanted it too."
"I know, but it is my duty." Artoria reminded him, "I must free Britannia someday. Merlin said he was a strong warrior, he proved that."
"Have you two spoken yet?" Sir Ector asked, as he let go.
"No, we never seem to cross paths long enough to talk beyond a simple greeting," the blond haired girl paused for a moment, "I often get the feeling he's avoiding me."
The old knight shook his head in sadness as he said, "I spoke to the young man a few moments ago, he's a good kid. I believe he'll take care of you, as much as I hate what's happening."
As Naruto walked towards the small chapel near the main keep he struggled to calm his nerves, he was about to marry someone he didn't know, a complete stranger, a child. While the age gap between them was only two years, Artoria Pendragon was fourteen and he was sixteen, the difference in experience for the two was as far as the sun and the earth he stood on. From what he had observed, she still acted like a child who had yet to see the horrors that filled the world, his eyes darkened for a moment, before a voice broke him out of his reverence.
"Naruto!" Sir Kay called out as the young knight dressed in his finest armor caught up to him. Naruto gave him a nod of acknowledgement, "Kay-san."
"Listen, I think it's pretty clear you and I don't get along, but no matter who I try to talk to it seems everyone is set on the wedding… so, please, take care of Artoria, she means the world to me."
Naruto's face took on a hint of sadness, he had become disgusted with the whole affair. Had he not been honor-bound to pay back the old vampire he never would have agreed with this irresponsibility. His mind flew back to the whole affair with the twelve fire guardians and his old friend Sora.
It had been his duty once, as a Shinobi of the Leaf to protect the next generation. He pondered on the fact, he had already failed everyone back home. Leaving his world with no future… but based on what little he had been told, the girl he was to marry was duty bound to liberate the people that had become oppressed under her uncle's tyrannical rule. Just like Princess Koyuki and the land of Snow.
Could he trust himself with someone's life again? Suddenly, an image of his silver haired sensei sprung to his mind. Someone who had lost everything and still he carried on, trying to be the best person he could be.
That was Kakashi-sensei. He may have always been late and was a lazy pervert, but he was there when it mattered the most.
A small spark reignited within himself, he felt something familiar, once again. Had he really let his Will of Fire extinguish? He was truly a failure, but no more. He wouldn't fail again. Suddenly, he felt a shake, and he found himself staring at the worried face of Artoria's brother, "Tell me you will protect Artoria!"
Naruto grabbed the man by a wrist, putting on a false smile, but genuinely spoke, as he assured, "Don't worry, I won't let harm come to your sister, you have my word."
"Seems you're finally coming back to your senses," Kurama's voice came to his mind, their bond seemingly coming alive once more.
'I'm sorry Kurama, it seemed i almost lost myself'
"That you did brat, that you did." the tailed beast answered back, before Naruto felt an awkward silence.
'So… uh… I'm getting married. Pre-arranged of course by the old bastard.' Naruto informed him.
"Ho?!" Kurama let out surprised, "Now this I have to see."
'I'm not bringing a mountain sized demon fox with nine even bigger tails out into this small castle.'
"Fine, I'll bear the embarrassment of taking the size of a small dog, I need to see you act like a fool with my own eyes." The bijuu stated trying to sound indignant.
Naruto paused in the steps of the chapel, causing Kay to stop as well. "We're missing one guest, come out Kurama!" Naruto smack the stone floor and with a poof of smoke, an oranged furred fox with nine fluffy tails the size of a German shepherd poofed into existence.
"もう一度新鮮な空気の匂いがするのはいいですね。(It's nice to smell fresh air once again.)" Kurama spoke as he sniffed the air around him.
"足を伸ばして楽しんでいるのを見てうれしい(Glad to see you are enjoying stretching your paws.)" Naruto answered with a smile.
"Ah, I almost forgot about the fox." Zelretch spoke up, coming up behind Naruto, Kay and Kurama.
"Hey, Kyuubi, i got a gift for you. Close your eyes." Zelretch spoke, causing the fox to narrow his eyes, but remained silent.
The old man scratched the back of his head in laughter before speaking again, "Oh that's right, you don't speak the English tongue.目を閉じて (close your eyes.)"
Kurama growled, turning to Naruto and stating "I don't trust him."
Shaking his head, Naruto answered, "Just do as he says, trust me. There's no use in fighting with him."
The orange furred fox closed his eyes in acquisition and dropped his head. The vampire walked up to his victim with a glint in his eyes, and swiftly put a collar around the bijuu.
Kurama opened his eyes in panic as he felt the collar, yelling out, "Oi Naruto! He didn't just do what I think he did. This man didn't just collar me, did he? Oh he's so dead."
"I can understand him." Kay pointed out, "A talking fox… with nine tails, tell me Naruto, this isn't a jest is it?"
"Shut up human, I'm the mighty Kurama. Strongest of the nine tailed beasts damnit." The fox yelled out frustrated.
"That's a translation collar you mangy beast. So others can understand you." The vampire spoke up, "How do you expect to serve as my charge's best man without being able to speak the language the bride and her family speak."
The kyuubi leveled that man with a growl as he flexed his chakra, a red aura tinging the air around him, causing Naruto intervene, "Kurama, I think it's for the best you wear it while in the presence of these people. それが使命であるふりをする (Pretend it's a mission.)"
"Fine," the fox relented, "But I'm only doing this for your sake Naruto."
Zelretch's eyes glowed red as he spoke in a loud whisper, "That's what I thought."
Sir Ector and Merlin soon approached the four, Merlin merely quirked an eyebrow while Ector asked, "What is this?"
"My name is Kurama human, do not address me as a thing." The bijuu replied undignified.
Once more, Naruto intervened, "Kurama here is my oldest companion, he is… bound to my soul, ever since my birth. He will be at my side for the wedding, if it's not a problem."
"I see," Ector acknowledged, "Well then, I just came to inform you that my dear daughter will be here soon, with Merlin here officiating the ceremony. If you would please, head inside the chapel."
Naruto nodded, motioning for Kurama to follow him. Merlin looked at Sir Kay, "You still disapprove?"
"That's my sister we are talking about." The Knight growled.
"Even if in the long term he might bring her happiness?" The flower magician asked.
That drew a snort from the teenager, "If he makes her happy, then so be it. But I doubt they will be."
Artoria stood next to her soon to be husband, who seemed to have tuned out the ceremony. She looked at him, noting the stone face he had on, yet his eyes kept blanking out towards the distance. The strange multi tailed fox seemed to be paying more attention to the wedding than the groom, she was almost offended by the fact.
Almost.
There seemed to be something that always bothered him in the few times they actually looked at each other. Some conflict in his eyes before he took on a glassy eyed look and walked away.
Soon the wedding ceremony came to a close, there was one thing that would seal their fate.
"The groom may kiss the bride."
Words spoken by Merlin. Naruto turned to face her, and actually looked at her for once, he seemed uncomfortable. As he leaned in, paused for a moment, before turning his head so when his lips finally touched, it was at the very edge of her lip.
He had avoided kissing her as a husband should kiss his wife.
That was a blow to her pride, that would go unanswered for the moment. As the fox creature stood up from his sitting position and walked towards her, putting a paw on her dress as it spoke, "I'm so sorry that you got stuck with an Uzumaki, much more this particular idiot."
That drew a chuckle from her as the owner of the animal yelled indignantly in the strange foreign language he spoke.
Soon Zelretch left and Merlin followed, leaving four individuals and a fox to enjoy the wedding dinner.
The dinner was painfully awkward, and silent for the most part. Out of the four blonds at the dinner table, the Shinobi of the group barely touched his dinner. His mind ran at a mile a second trying to process the fact he had just married. To a stranger nevertheless.
There was a shift as the utensils in his plate flew out of their place as Kurama growled at him, "Naruto! Snap out of it."
"Kurama?" Naruto asked, as the other occupants of the table gave interested looks at the development.
"You're still acting pathetic." The fox glowered at him, "Where's the man that took on every challenge head on? The boy who never let anything get him down? The person who's sheer stupidity and bravery allowed him to fell enemies twice in strength, and turn naysayers into allies?"
"That boy died, six months ago." Naruto answered.
"No, he faced reality and couldn't cope with it. You failed, true. You were bound to fail at some point. You are only human, Naruto." The furry animal turned his head towards the bride, "Here's your chance to correct your mistakes. She's a strong one, don't make her wait too long."
Naruto closed his eyes as the fox got off from the table and walked away.
"I apologize… but I'm not feeling very well." Naruto stated before he stood up himself and walked away.
Artoria spent all night waiting for Naruto, she wanted to get the part she had dreaded the most done and over with. Sharing a marriage bed.
That was something not even her father prepared her for.
The furry little creature known as Kurama had stopped by her room and made himself comfortable at the foot of the bed.
As she asked him why, he opened a single eye and said, "Neither you nor he are ready to take such a step. We come from somewhere where culturally, things like arranged marriage just isn't something that exists in the public mind. It was inconceivable, and if I know my human sacrifice better than anyone. The fact that you lack the experience he has with life, makes you a child in his mind. He's rightfully repulsed by the idea of sharing a bed much less a room with a child."
The fact that he had called Naruto a human sacrifice flew right past her head in the face of being called a child.
"I'm an adult you know!"
"Do you have a shinobi license?" Kurama asked, closing his eyes.
"What's that?"
"The laws that bound the nation we come from, that makes you a child." Kyuubi answered.
Artoria huffed as she asked, "why are you here then?"
"Naruto promised that brother of yours he would protect you. So he asked me to remain with you." The fox answered, "Now sleep, you've had a long day brat."
Naruto laid down perched on a tree branch. He could've just gone back to the room they had given him. But he didn't feel comfortable with that. He missed the outdoors, it was calming, to not be surrounded by the unfamiliar stone walls.
He checked once more that the rope used to keep him secure was tight and laid his head back on the trunk. He reflected on his next course of action, 'What would have Kakashi-sensei done?'
Kakashi would've made the best out of his situation in his own way, Naruto rationalized, he would treat Artoria right.
The first step would be to befriend the girl. Yeah, that would be a good first step.
The morning arrived soon enough, and he found himself deep within the forest surrounding the castle. He stood on the lake, though the gift of the Sage had allowed him to understand chakra natures, he still felt a need to practice them.
Which led him to his current situation, trying to recreate an A-rank water jutsu entirely from his own memory, fifty three hand signs, Naruto recited them from memory as he slowly flipped through them,"Ushi Saru Oo Ne E Tori Ushi Uma Tori Ne Tora Inu Tora Mee Ushi Hitsuji Me E Hitsuji Ne Genne Saru Tori Tatzu Tori Ushi Uma Hitsuji Tora Me Ne Saru Ooh E…"
He felt the currents under him shift as he gently guided it with his chakra, a whirlpool as wide as him formed around his back. Beads of sweat rolled down his face as he concentrated, coaxing the Dragon head out of the water. The delicate control he maintained over the technique as he finished the last of the seals "Tatzu Hitsuji Ne Ushi Hitsuji Tori Ge Ne E Tori."
Suddenly, he lost concentration as he heard a loud gasp and the head of the Dragon, which had risen significantly, exploded in a shower of water.
"Argh!"
Naruto opened one eye as recouped his breath laboriously, there stood Artoria mouth gaped at her soaked clothes.
"I'm… sorry." Naruto stated apologetic as he walked back to the shore, retrieving his shirt and mail (which were also soaked) and put them on, before moving towards her, scratching the back of his head,"I was practicing a technique that I quite don't have control of yet."
"I can see that." The blond haired girl stated, "Breakfast is about to start serving… We should change beforehand."
"Artoria…" Naruto started, causing the fourteen year old to look at him. He looked away awkwardly, "Are my… belongings still in my room?"
"Yes, why wouldn't they be?" The knightly girl answered blankly.
Blinking in surprise, the boy continued, "Ah thanks, I just wanted to know. By the way… I hope that we can be friends. I know that neither of us really had a choice in this. And… I haven't taken the time to properly introduce myself. I've haven't been myself since… well, that's for another time."
"Naruto… whatever is it that's burdening you, I hope you can learn to trust me with… we are tied in marriage after all." Artoria reciprocated, before she turned to walk back towards the small castle.
"What is your dream?" Naruto asked out of nowhere causing the girl to stop mid step and turn around, "Why do you want to know?"
"There's a lot you can learn from a person by hearing them talk about what they want." Naruto stated.
"I want to free my people from the Saxons and my uncle's oppression." She finally answered, determination shining through her emerald green eyes.
The shinobi closed his eyes for a second, before he nodded in approval. He walked to her and grasped her shoulder as he whispered, "Don't forget to lead them once they're free, as yourself."
Artoria stood rooted in her spot as she watched him walk towards the keep.
"Sir Ector," Naruto asked curiously as he sat in a chair across the old knight who sat behind his own desk. The two were in his personal study where he held more private meetings, in a more secluded part of the castle.
The old knight sighed as he took a scroll, the deed Artoria's father had left behind as her dowry. A precaution taken years ago if King Uther's secret child had been born a girl.
Which of course had been the case.
"This… this is Artoria's Dowry that her father set aside for her wedding." The old man got through with great difficulty.
Naruto furrowed his brow at that, "Mm… Not to sound like a buffoon, but what's a 'Dowry'?"
Ector's shoulders sagged heavily as he answered the question, adding his own two cents in the process, "It's property or money brought by the wife to her husband. Though, it's something I felt I had to hide from Artoria, she's already burdened into this, I didn't want her to think she had to buy her marriage too."
The blond boy's face became stony, as he asked, "Is this what marriage is in these lands? A woman having to buy her way into a good future? Where's love? Pursuit of happiness?"
Naruto paused to take a deep breath, holding his hand out to stop the man from speaking as he continued, "I cannot accept this, please give it, whatever it is, to Artoria. I felt enough of a thief by robbing her of the right to pick who she married."
The silence was deafening before Ector brought a hand to his eyes, "I'm worried about the girl's future. Prophecy hangs over her, I know that I can't protect her forever… When I first took her in, Merlin warned that one day would come that she would have to marry a certain someone, a man from a different world, if she wished to avoid a dark fate."
"I hate prophecy," Naruto stated as his hair shadowed his eyes, "A sage told my godfather he would train a child destined to destroy or save the shinobi world from which I hail from… the same sage would later appear before me and declare me the child of prophecy. I chose to save the world in which I believed in. Despite my choice to save it, for all the power I was gifted… The world was still destroyed. I carry the burden of failure, the death of my precious friends. I watched my brother die in my arms… I didn't even have the guts to bury the woman I loved nor my teacher. I never recovered the bodies of my fellow countrymen, our allies who stood together 'till the end of times."
Naruto stood up from his seat but looked at his father in law in the eyes, eyes bleeding red as he activated his Sharingan, "I promise you sir Ector, whatever it may be the contents of the prophecy that awaits her. I won't let it come to pass. I don't know Artoria Pendragon, I cannot claim to love her. For my heart belongs to someone else, until i can mourn them properly… but I will protect her, and I will not fail. So when my date with death arrives, I can look at my family, my friends, and my leaders and allies in the eyes, as I await for judgement."
"Merlin mentioned you hailed from another world, I guess he did not lie…" was the only thing the aged Knight could muster seeing the fire in his eyes. It was just like when he chose to follow Uther…
"I believe in you Naruto. For Artoria's sake, I will."
Nodding, Naruto asked as he prepared to leave, "Where can I find Merlin, I need to contact Zelretch… he's the only one who can help me retrieve the tool I need to become strong enough, so I don't fail again."
"Why are you here, Uzumaki?" Merlin asked in his native tongue, the Shinobi didn't waste time as he pushed past, "I need to know where Zelretch is."
"Growing regretful, have you? You know that you can't…" Merlin started only to be cut off.
"I don't regret a damn thing you goddamn bastard. I don't know what you and Zelretch had worked out between yourselves, since apparently you have been anticipating my arrival for who the fuck knows how long. But I'm not letting you, or anyone else subject that child to a life of suffering."
"And why do you care, failed hero?"- as soon as he asked he was decked right in his nose.
Red and black eyes ready for a fight glared at him menacingly. The teenager had a kunai ready at hand, causing the mage to scoff as he swiped his nose to see if he bled but thankfully he didn't, "So quick to result to savagery."
"Call Zelretch, whatever this dark future you predicted about Artoria. I won't let it come, I will do what I should've done a long time ago." Naruto ordered forcefully once more.
He closed his eyes as he stood over the gates of what had once been his home. His face was dark as he moved through the rooftops and alleys directly towards his home. Refusing to look at the carnage around him, eventually he made it back towards his apartment.
Standing at the front of his former home, a bittersweet smile formed in his face. He hadn't even the decency to lock the door as he had marched to war.
Forcing the bile that was rising from his throat, he moved towards where his room had once been. There, in the night stand sat a box made of the wood of an oak tree.
He opened the box, as tears began sliding down his eyes when memories began to resurface, the bile returned as he brought a knuckle to his teeth and bit on it.
There laid the last gift Kakashi had given him. The white light chakra saber.
"If I had a son, I would've wanted him to be like you, Naruto."
The weight of those words hit him full force as he remembered how Kakashi had pulled him aside after the destruction pain had brought, how they had found some time to talk as teacher and student.
Flashback
The crater that was Konoha was slowly recovering from its wound. The village was slowly rebuilding after the tragic Akatsuki attack. Construction work was all around, carpenters, engineers, plumbers, architects, and a certain wood style using ANBU.
Everyone was trying to do their part, trying to build the village back, and restore their livelihoods.
Kakashi walked up to Naruto, who sat down to take a break after a hard day of work. The Jounin was carrying a brown wooden box at his side, "Hey, Naruto! I want to talk to you!" The silver haired man called out.
"Sure Kakashi-sensei what's up?" Naruto answered as he stood up and stretched out.
"Why don't you follow me?"
The two walked in silence towards the forest, Kalashi wanted after all, the same lush green scenery that he had when he had been handed down the gift he brought.
Once they arrived at a river near the path they were taking, they sat down near the bank.
"I brought a gift for you, for defeating Pain," Kakashi said as he handed out the brow box to the blond genin, "Why don't you go ahead and open it."
Naruto took the box with some care and opened the latch, and found a small tantō as its contents. Naruto took it as he inspected the craftsmanship, paying an ear to Kakashi as he spoke, "This is the White light chakra Saber, I know you know from Lady Chiyo that the White Fang of the leaf was my father… He was stronger than the three legendary ninja. This was his weapon."
"Kakashi you-" Naruto started but he was cut off by an eye smile.
"When my father passed this sword down to me before his death, he asked me to pass it on to my children… Naruto, I don't think I'll ever have children of my own. So I want you to have it. I know I wasn't the best sensei to you three. Yet you've grown far, maybe after we are done with the Akatsuki, I can teach you how to wield it properly."
A lump formed in his throat as Naruto set the weapon
"If I had a son, I would've wanted him to be like you, Naruto." Kakashi finished off, and Naruto couldn't hold it as he gabe the Jounin a crushing hug and sobbed with happiness.
Flashback end
Naruto took the weapon and left his apartment, his mind set on a few destinations, the Hokage tower, the ANBU facility, and the clan Compounds.
As he walked towards it he was joined by a certain vampire who asked, "Have you found what you're looking for?"
"Part of it."
After hours of rummaging around, a scroll in his hand containing everything he wanted to take with him, Naruto finally allowed himself to look at the carnage, from the top of the Hokage Monument he saw everything.
His face was solemn, as he stood in silence in the company of his Guardian. His eyes were closed as he simply felt the air around him, "I promise that I will never rely on the power of others. From now on, I will develop my own strength."
He was met with silence as he opened up his eyes once again, committing the sight to memory, "I will never forget my failure. I pray to you all, to all those I failed, please forgive me. I wasn't strong enough to save you all, who gave your life in vain. If I could do it again I swear it would be different. But now, I gave my word that I won't let the same happen again. Please, Spirits of my ancestors. Spirits of my friends, family. Pray that I may find the strength within myself so I could earn your forgiveness."
He was met with a calm wind, as stared into the distance.
Suddenly, he felt calm wash over him. As he turned to Zelretch, "I think… I think I made my peace."
"Aren't you forgetting something son?" The man pointed towards the God tree that stood over the horizon.
The blond shook his head, "No, let those who remain… let them dream of a better world. You said so yourself, this world was dead. It's best to respect it."
"Is that your final decision kid?" The Mage asked.
"It is, let's go, we shall never return to this place."