Reviews:

Kaja'Rang: Interesting. Very interesting. And thank you as well. This is the kind of feedback I need for this story to succeed and I assure you, it sounded like constructive criticism not a flame review.

Glitner: Sorry about that but thank you for the feedback. I've had to alter his character a little (a lot) because of it. Still, thank you.

Lazymanjones96: I'm glad you like it.

Naruto Notes: Not Emotionless!Naruto. Just distant to those he doesn't know and cold to his targets and people he hates. SeeminglyGodlike!Naruto.

Dragon Age Notes: Very strong mages when trained by Naruto.

Notes: sun strikes high means noon, Fox = Naruto, Dragon = Aeronwen, Sheep = Anora.

Chapter 4: Acceptance of the Shadows, denial of the light

Naruto and Blackwall/Tom turned ANBU Dog hid in the shadows of The Crossroads in the Hinterlands. The place where the East, West, and King's Road intersected. They were looking for more recruits as well as targets. He was looking for the down and out, misunderstood, neglected, hated for no reason, even criminals if they fit the criteria. After all, most of the ANBU back home had something on their record.

Dog looked around and saw two small children dressed in rags shivering under someone's porch. "Sir. Over there." He pointed to them."

Naruto nodded. "I see it. What do you think? Sins of the father or something else?"

"Either that or mages. A lot of people have a phobia of mages. If they're orphans, then they probably killed their parents when they unlocked their magic."

"Tell me more."

"There is no such thing as showing signs of being a mage. Usually, a small child will have a nightmare and burn his house down or throw a temper tantrum and electrocute everyone in a ten-foot radius. They look about seven so I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case."

"Good work. Prepare the cave and get some warm clothes and blankets. I'll take care of them." Naruto slowly approached the poor children but had to dodge some fire. It was the size of a baseball but it was genin-level speed. "Impressive. But most importantly, you're trying to protect your younger sister." He dodged some more fire and then got down to their level. "What is your name, son?"

The boy hesitated slightly. "A-aeronwen, sir."

"Aeronwen. No last name, I take it?" When the boy didn't respond he took that as yes. "No matter. You have good manners. Good. That will come in handy when you're older." He took note of their frail forms. 'They need food but the best I can do is a ration bar that tastes like cow shit. But it's probably the most nutrients they've had in months.' He took out a ration bar and broke it in half. "Give one to your sister. These taste terrible but will keep you going for several hours."

"Thank you, sir." Both flinched when they took a bite but scarfed it down nonetheless.

Naruto patted the boy's shoulder. "I am proud of you for defending your sister." He notices some of the wounds as well. "It looks like you used yourself as a shield. You are a good person." 'Time to ask the question.' "If I told you that there is a place for you and your sister, what would you say?"

"What do you mean?"

"Right now, you have nothing and that makes you perfect. People like you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Come with me, and I will give you power beyond your imagination, no one will ever look down on you again, and you'll never have to beg for food again."

Aeronwen's eyes shined with hope for the first time in months. "Where is that, sir?"

"The ANBU. The dark side of this world. Come with me and you live, train, fight, and die in the shadows. Do you understand?"

The boy looked defiant. "Only if she comes with me." He swallowed heavily but didn't back down. "I'd rather die than leave her!"

Naruto chuckled. "You really are a good kid. Those who break the rules are scum, that's true. But those who abandon their friends are worse than scum. Come with me, both of you."

"Where are we going?"

"Home."

Naruto had to carry them to the cave because the ten mile hike would have killed them. He sat them down on the spare pad and tossed them some clothes and a blanket. "Put those on and share the blanket. My partner is getting us dinner." He went outside to guard against intruders. If anyone knew he had these kids, it would be a challenge to keep them from catching a stray spell. 'Rule number one of bodyguard duty. Never fight with your client around because if they happen to catch a stray spell, you just lost your job.'

Blackwall came in with a dead ram. "I brought dinner, sir."

"Thank you. Prepare and cook it. I'm going on a mission."

The next day

Naruto sat next to the kids and looked at the fire with them. It was early in the morning and they were tired but they needed to move before people started moving. "Did you sleep well?"

Aeronwen was the one who answered. "Yes, we did, sir."

"Can your sister talk?"

Aeronwen looked at the ground. "No sir, she can't, she stopped being able to speak after she unlocked her magic. She froze her vocal cords and never recovered."

Naruto sighed sadly. "I'm sorry. I'll teach you sign language next time we stop. What is her name?"

"Anora."

"Anora. Do you use ice?" She nodded and Naruto smiled behind his mask. "Excellent. Do you know what freezer burn is?" The girl shook her head.

"Freezer burn is when you flash freeze an object and then superheat it soon after. It makes the object very brittle and will often shatter easily. Both of you have potential and I refuse to let it go to waste. Come. We must move."

"Where are we going, sir?"Asked Aeronwen.

Naruto looked back at them through his mask. "The area between the Hinterlands and Crestwood. Middle of nowhere so no one will bother us. My partner left last night so he has a head start." He made two shadow clones and gave them a piggy back ride. "When you're older, you'll learn how to travel long distances quickly."

Both children smiled but Aeronwen was the one who spoke. "Do you enjoy traveling, sir?"

Naruto thought about it for a moment. 'I...don't know. I've never really thought about it but I guess the quiet is nice.' "Depends on why I'm traveling. Once I made the trip from Redcliffe to Haven in four days because I needed a new weapon and soon. And I've also made the trip from Redcliffe to the Crossroads in eight days because I had nothing to do." He traveled at mid-chunin speeds so the kids didn't fall off. "We'll be there in three days."

"What will we do when we get there, sir?"

"Train. You need to be in fighting shape if you're going to hold your own in this world."

Three days later

Naruto and the kids met Blackwall at their destination late at night so the kids were asleep and Naruto had his shadow clones put them to bed. He sat next to Blackwall. "Anything special?"

Blackwall shook his head. "No. I got more food and water; ram and nug. Are we training them or?"

"Yes. I will teach them to control their magic first before they kill themselves and you and I will work on stealth and swordplay."

"Are my skills inadequate?"

"Circumstantially, yes. We are going to improve your current style and I will teach you how to kill from the shadows." He unsealed a spare and cheap katana from a storage scroll. "I have one just like this but made of stronger metals. Get rid of your shield and do what I do, tomorrow of course." Naruto's shadow clone stood guard the whole night.

The next day

Naruto woke up his three comrades and cooked breakfast for them over the fire. Everyone was excited because they were finally going to learn something. Needless to say, they ate their breakfast extremely quickly. After that, Naruto guided them to a large clearing in the forest. It was perfect. Short grass, little osticles, bright, and plenty of space.

The original Naruto looked at his charges with pride although his mask hid it from them. "I am proud of you all for sticking with me thus far but I need to know where you are so I know what to teach you. That being said…" He pulled three bells from his back pouch. "Your objective is to get these bells. If you do not come at me with the intent to kill, you will not pass this test. If you can take them from me before the sun strikes high, you get the rest of the day off and a nice meal. If you fail to get the bells, you will be tied to a tree and have to watch me eat my lunch. Ready? Start!"

Aeronwen immediately threw fire at Naruto followed by a slow ice spice from Anora and then an attempted slach from Blackwall's new katana. All were dodged with no effort. "You are very talented for your age. But you must be better if you want these bells." It took 90 minutes but after lots of fire, ice, and near misses from Naruto's kunai, they finally found a nice rhythm that made Naruto have to pay attention. Aeronwen used his fire to attack from the front while Blackwall came from the rear. Meanwhile, Anora was freezing the ground to trap Naruto inside a smaller area. This caused Naruto to smile. 'I think they understand now.'

Naruto flared his chakra and all three of them landed flat on their backs and a little dazed. "You know, one one has ever figured out the true purpose of the bell test so quickly. Although you didn't get the bells, you still pass."

Aeronwen slowly got up. "Why?"

"Because you worked as a team in the end. Did you notice how I went from slouching and sidestepping to standing straight and jumping? What's even more impressive is that you're getting more and more control over your magic. Aeronwen, your fireballs are getting faster. Keep working. Anora. Ice is a difficult element to master and I was really impressed when you successfully froze the ground. Keep working and try to get faster. Blackwall. When facing someone stronger than you; go with what you know. A lot of people have been killed because they tried something they hadn't fully mastered in an uncontrolled environment. Now take 20. It's lunch time."

Twenty minutes later, Naruto made one clone and sent it off to train Blackwall. All he needed was stealth training and more experience in assassination, espionage, and other subtle arts. The kids however, needed work. Not impossible, just difficult. "From here on out, everything will be hard, but straightforward. Aeronwen, you will learn all the basic fire spells, create your own, and then I will teach you something special. Same goes for you, Anora.

Two years later

Naruto looked at his two apprentices through his mask with a blank face. Blackwall was off with a shadow clone learning stealth. "You have done well. You have created your own spells but I want to see the final product. Anora. You first."

She looked nervous but steeled herself. 'I'm ready. I can do this.' When she closed her eyes, the air temperature dropped well below freezing and the ground slowly began to freeze solid as well. It looked as if she was creating a frozen hell by simply standing there.

Naruto started to shiver. 'Just how cold is that?! I'm wearing one of the best coats this side of the frostbacks and yet I'm freezing!' "Okay, that's enough. We're f-f-freezing-g-g-g." She stopped and the cold stopped spreading as well. "Very impressive. What will you call it?"

She smiled coldly. "Entrance of the Ice Goddess."

The boys shivered at her smile and nodded. "Excellent name. Come. We will go where it is less cold." They walked a few hundred feet to another clearing where Aeronwen would show what he created. "Aeronwen, show me what you have created."

The boy smirked and created a fire wall and never faltered at their disappointed looks. "Watch and learn." He closed his eyes, clapped his hands together, and 8-foot tall fire samurais started marching out of the fire 3x3. He stopped when he got nine of them. "I can do more but I'd rather not push it. And don't hurt them please. They explode when killed."

Naruto had a slight smile behind his mask. 'That looks like my Sunsanoo' if it was fire orange and eight feet tall. And they explode too. Well done, boy. Well done, indeed.' "Impressive. What will you call it?"

Aeronwen smirked. "Army of the Fire God."

"Well done, both of you. I believe it's time for a special technique." He pulled out a scroll from his pack and gave it to Aeronwen. "This is the walking bomb spell. You touch their armor and attack a small object to it that will use the target's body as fuel for the explosion. "The more mana you use, the bigger the explosion. Only practice this while I am watching you so you don't explode."

Aeronwen smiled brightly. "Thank you, sir."

Naruto smiled at Anora. "I was going to give you the devouring glacier spell but the one you created is too similar. That being said, would you like something for all-out combat or assassination?

She looked thoughtful. "What about defence?"

"I trained you well. I once met a man who used sand for offence and defence. When he was attacked, his sand would rush up to protect him." He laughed nostalgically. "While it wasn't impenetrable, it was pretty damn close to it. I don't have a scroll on that you'll have to figure it out yourself. I wish you luck." He gestured towards Aeronwen. "Come with me. I don't want you to blow yourself up."

Two years later

Four years have now passed since they arrived at the clearing and all three of them were progressing quickly. Naruto's little prodigies, as he sometimes called them.

Aeronwen improved his Army of the Fire God and almost mastered Walking Bomb. The explosion was big enough to engulf a tree and he could create 30 fire soldiers. He never got the chance to test them, but Naruto says he could run over a small bandit camp with an army like that.

While Aeronwen learned how to use unstoppable force and provide a distraction, Anora could freeze a man's organs on contact and mastered Winter's Grasp like no one. All of them learned how to be stealthy and stick to the shadows but Anora had the gift for it. She also perfected her defence. She called it Frozen Shield and only the strongest of spells can get through it.

Blackwall finally got his mask after his first assassination mission. He said he felt guilty for the way he killed him but Naruto told him that it's how the ANBU operated. He also got better with his katana but sword and shield would always be his thing and Naruto had no problem with that. He even improved those skills as well.

The kids were eleven now and he wanted them to have their masks as soon as possible. 'Maker knows, they've earned it.' Still, they needed to wipe out a bandit outpost on the King's Road. Naruto sighed. "Pack your things, everyone. We're going bandit hunting."

Anora steeled herself for the upcoming fight. It would be easy. All she had to do was find a place to hide and use the Entrance of the Ice Goddess spell. She smiled slightly at the thought of that spell. A very advanced and very deadly spell. They wondered if it froze the soul but there was no one to confirm it.

"Are you ready?" Asked Naruto and the kids nodded. "Blackwall already has his mask so I'll leave the planning to you."

The kids walked toward the ledge and looked at the situation below them. Assassination would be impossible. Even with Anora's Entrance of the Ice Goddess, someone could get away.

Aeronwen narrowed his eyes and looked at their defenses. "Well, so much for sneaking in. You have any ideas?"

Anora talked in sign language. "Frontal assault. One from the rear, one from the front."

Aeronwen thought about it. "Yeah, that could work. Use Entrance of the Ice Goddess to lead them towards me and then I'll push them back towards you with my Army of the Fire God. However, someone will have to watch for runners. You mind doing that?" She shook her head no. "Thanks."

Naruto clapped quietly. "Well done. You may start when ready."

One week later

Aeronwen walked right through the front entrance when the guards finally noticed him. "About time. I was wondering when you were going to notice me."

One of the archers sneered at him. "Beat it, kid or we'll shoot."

He kept walking like nothing was wrong. "If someone like you can kill me, then I deserve to die." He smirked. "Try it." The two archers shot at him but were surprised the tip melted on contact with his hands and wood incinerated and turned to ash without harming the boy.

"A little help here! This kid's a mage!"

They tried shooting again but the result was the same. A swordsman charged him thinking he could kill Aeronwen but was surprised when his sword was dodge and the child's hand went through his armor and into his chest. He dropped dead soon after. "Is that all? Archers who couldn't hit the broadside of a barn and mercenaries that would get killed by wolves? Come on guys. Even rogue apostates are stronger than you lot."

This seemed to set them into a frenzy as they all attacked him at once but his fire wall made them hesitate. Their leader didn't like that though. "It's just a firewall. It's meant for magic defence! Just run through it, you morons!"

They made a second charge but stopped dead in their tracks when 30, 8-foot tall samurai warriors walked out of and marched forward. Aeronwen walked behind them and observed the carnage was left behind. Charge corpses or wounds that were cauterized instantly from their fire blades. He flinched. 'There's no going back now. I have to finish this.' He felt a familiar chill and smiled briefly. His opponents were retreating right into his trap. He allowed his fire soldiers to dissolve so he could watch his sister work.

They never saw her coming. It got so cold, so fast, that they froze to death inside their armor and died in whatever their latest position was. When Anora snapped her fingers those frozen exploded in a shower of ice shards and red paste. There were no survivors.

Due to the nature of their kills, they puked in one of the trash bins. Naruto stood behind them. "These were your first kills. I congratulate you for not freezing up like most fools do. There is nothing I can do to ease your stomachs. Come to me when you're ready."

He walked away from the bloody valley to where he and Blackwall were watching. "What do you think of them?"

"I think they're children." Said Blackwall with a slight edge in his voice.

"I know what you're trying to say, so I'll say that you're wasting your time. They lost their childhood the moment they unlocked their mana and had to grow up fast in order to survive. I took nothing from them. If you don't believe me, ask them yourself."

"What is your plan this time?"

"Give them their masks. I already have a few of them made." Naruto sensed that they were a few feet away. "Here they are now." He looked at them. "You have passed all your tests with flying colors. Congratulations, ANBU has accepted you. Now you must accept ANBU. If you still wish to join, raise your right hand and repeat after me."

Aeronwen nodded. "I speak for both of us when I say, we're ready." The two young mages raised their right hands.

Naruto began. "I am the shadow that serves the light."

The kids spoke at the same time. "I am the shadow that serves the light."

"I am the dagger that protects the light."

"I am the dagger that protects the light."

"I am the shadow that blinds the weak"

"I am the shadow that blinds the weak"

"I am the dagger that no one sees coming."

"I am the dagger that no one sees coming."

"My name is-" Naruto gestured for them to say their names.

They replied. "My name is Aeronwen/Anora."

"And I am the shadow that serves the light."

"And I am the shadow that serves the light."

Naruto placed an ANBU-style dragon, wolf, and, and sheep mask in front of them. "These are the demonic faces of a dragon, a wolf, and a sheep. Choose wisely because there is no going back. Anora, you first." She chose the sheep mask. "Excellent choice. People like you can hide anywhere and strike from anywhere. Finding you in a crowd is like a white sheep in a herd of twenty. When you wear that mask, Anora no longer exists. She died in that fight against the bandits. If you are ready, then kneel." She knelt in front of Naruto and he knighted her. She put on her mask then stood up. "Welcome, Sheep. To the Order of the Shadows. "

"Thank you, sir."

"Of course. You and Blackwall will go to the nearest cave in Dead Ram Grove. We will meet you there." They saluted and left. He looked at Aeronwen. "These are the demonic faces of a dragon and a wolf. Choose wisely because there is no going back." Aeronwen pointed at the dragon. "Excellent choice dragons are masters of fire and destruction and you are no different. With time and experience, you will become a one man army. With expendable soldiers, no battle is unwinnable for you."

Naruto held the dragon mask in his hands. "Where you wear this mask, Aeronwen no longer exists. He died in that fight against the bandits. If you are ready, then kneel." He knelt in front of Naruto and was knighted. Aeronwen stood up and put on his mask. "Welcome, Dragon. To the Order of the Shadows."

Aeronwen saluted. "What is my first mission?"

"The four of us are going to Redcliffe. My gut is telling me to go there."

Three days later, Gull and Lanteen

Fox sighed heavily. He could feel Dragon and Sheep's hesitation about being in a bar. "Relax. Right now, no one knows what you look like so no one can truly guess your age and prove it. So keep calm, order a drink on my tab, and listen for anything interesting."

Naruto went to the bar and sat next to a dwarf with a really nice crossbow. Naruto bought the dwarf another drink. "

"Thanks." The dwarf's voice was dead and defeated

"Rough day?"

I don't wanna talk about it."

"Figures. Your clothes and general hygiene indicate you're short on money."

"Yeah, what's it to you?"

"I'm here to offer you a job. There's a place in this world for people like you and I know exactly where it is."

The dwarf scoffed. "And where is that?"

"In the shadows of course. If you wish to die, come with die in the shadows and be remembered. Or you can stay and die in the light and be forgotten. I'll be back in two days. I expect you to be alive and I expect you to answer." He paid for both drinks. "Before I go, what's your name?"

"Varric Tethras."

Naruto joined his teammates in the back of the tavern in a booth. "You guys hear anything interesting?"

Dog spoke first. "Good news and bad news. Good news is, the Hinterlands have calmed down and there's not much for us to do beyond solving petty crime and small bandit work."

"And the bad news?" Asked Dragon.

"The Tevinter Imperium is getting curious. They think we might be a security risk."

Fox wanted to bang his head on the table so he settled for glaring at Dog with his sharingan eyes. "If this is a joke, it isn't funny. However, it would be really nice if you were."

"I'm sorry Fox, but I'm not. I don't think they'll send a hit squad or spies but they are definitely watching us."

Fox sighed heavily. "There are two things we can do. We can lay low for a while and wait until they get bored or we can make sure their attention is on us and only us. Either way, the Imperium will hesitate before making any moves."

Sheep held up her hands. "Keep their attention on us. We have the skills to fight off a small army under the right conditions."

Dragon looked at the table. "We do, but an all out battle with Tevinter will get very bloody very fast. I have no problem with killing "Vints" if you will, but we'll turn the Hinterlands into a warzone and innocents will get hurt."

Fox sighed again and steeled himself. "I think it's time we start acting like the security risks they think we are. Let's go to the Antiva-Tevinter border in two days."

"May I ask why?"

"It will show them that we're not stupid and we're ready to fight at any given moment. It also shows them that they have earned our curiosity as well."

They were about to get up and leave when Varric sat down in their booth. "Does your offer still stand?"

"Yes, it does."

"I'm in." Varric noticed they just finished discussing something. "What are we doing first?"

Varric could feel their evil smirks. Fox's especially. "First, we get you up to speed and sworn in and then..." Naruto pulled out a small world map and stabbed Minrathous with a kunai. "We go to the Antiva-Tevinter border." They walked out with smiles on their faces. Fox smirked and took on an evil tone. "Tevinter overestimates their abilities. Shall we show them the error of their ways?"

"Let's."

Naruto grabbed Dog's and Varric's shoulder and body-flickered back to the cave while Sheep and Dragon did the mana version and got there a second later.

Well? What do you think? Do you think Varric fits based on his past? Is there enough drama? Is there too much drama? Tell me all about it in the review section. It really helps.