Hello, I'm back with the next chapter of Incarnation! Yay! I told you I'd update this pretty soon after Broken Words. Though that in and of itself to a long while. So right off the bat I can say there will be a Deadpool cameo. But you might not notice it right away. And I won't tell you when it will pop up.

So! Without further chitchat, reader reviews! (For the sake of not having half a chapter of them I'll only be responding to direct questions)

KilluaGodspeed: There will be an explanation on the dreams. It's in the story description. It's how Esdeath and Naruto meet. Don't worry. You'll be getting an explanation. Might not be soon. But you will.

Lightningblade49: I'll admit. I agonized over Naruto/Leone stuff a long time. I actually was thinking of doing some Naruto-Leone fluff scenes. But this is a dedicated single pairing story.

Fighting Joe: First of all... no comment. I'll have to pass on the other questions, but yes... I have thought of doing a starwars crossover. In fact... I have one! Check out my profile for it!

0 Jordinio 0: Very astute of you! Yes, in canon neither Kushina nor Mito ever used the Kyubi's chakra. But as many would agree with me, Kishimoto has had a few major plot holes in his work. Kushina not using the Kyuubi's chakra is beyond stupid. Jinchuriki exist for a reason. They are basically the ninja equivalent of medieval siege weapons.

Also I'll make a point of mentioning that in canon Jiraiya hardly taught Naruto shit. More than two years with a Sanin and all he learned was Taijutsu and how to make a bigger rasengan. He didn't even know he had a wind affinity until Kakashi and Tenzo started to train him. You'll notice I changed that as well.

So don't hold this story to canon facts unless I contradict myself somehow. If so... please tell me.

Unknown guest: Thanks for the feedback! I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as previous ones.

Now onto the story!

(I don't own any part of Naruto or Akame ga Kill)

Ooo

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Chapter 5 - It's Just Good Business

Leone woke to a truly monstrous headache. One that was far beyond anything she'd ever experienced before. Not all the hangovers she'd ever had even compared to this headache! It drilled into her skull like two red hot pokers… destined to turn her brain into mush.

"Oh … my head…."

…

"Looks like she's awake… finally. Took her long enough."

Leone grimaced as agony lanced into her sensitive cranium, the cold hard familiar voice of a certain woman making her wince.

"Yeah. I didn't hit her that hard. Barely even put half of my strength into it. But then again gravity was on my side."

"Urg… what the hell hit me? The last thing I remember was jumping off the roof trying to get away from the blond guy and… black…" Leone couldn't stop a low moan of pain escaping her as she at last opened her eyes. "Where am I? It almost looks like one of the rooms in the palace…" She was in a luxurious stone bedroom draped in all kinds of finery. It instantly reminded her of some of the mansions she'd infiltrated on missions from Najenda.

Her gold eyes tracked slowly from left to right.

"I don't see who was talking… wait… am I…?" Leone tried to move her arms and legs, but found to her shock that she was bound tight. And not in the standard position used for prisoners. The pain from her head had at first blinded her to the pain in her shoulders, back and neck… but now she was fully aware of her most awkward position.

"I'm… tied up like b..b..bondage?!"

She jerked, trying to free herself, but to no avail. Her entire body was bent backwards with both her arms tied together behind her head, tied with a short length of rope to her feet… Her legs were also tied together, causing her whole body to form a backwards C shape. Leone didn't know whether to laugh or cry or piss herself in fear! Here she was. The infamous Leone of Nightraid… tied bondage style on the floor in who knew where, at the mercy of (she could only assume) Esdeath and her secretive lover.

"D..damn it… I'm so screwed."

She craned her neck back, trying to get a look behind her and was barely able to make out the corner of a large bed. After a brief moment she decided that she was already in deep shit so she minds as well take her chances.

"Um… hello?! Can you untie me now?!"

From behind her came the voice of Esdeath. "You know Naruto… I've always wanted a servant now that I think about it. But I could never find anyone who could be around me constantly without passing out from fear."

His low chuckled answered her, ringing in Leone's ears like funeral bells.

"Well… it's not the worst idea, but I don't think it would work. She seems just a bit too spirited. Then there's the whole thing where she's an assassin. For some reason I don't think she would make the best servant if she kept trying to kill you."

"True…true…"

Leone grimaced and forced her body to move despite considerable protests. Back and forth she rocked until she was at last able to twist around and get a look at her tormentors.

"Good afternoon Leone." The blond man greeted her with a smile. "I hope you like the rope job. Took me three tries to get it right."

She gritted her teeth. "It's just fan-fucking-tastic. Can you release me now?!"

"Um…no?"

"WHY NOT?!"

Esdeath and her blond lover gave Leone a long stare. Then the ice queen spoke. "You were listening in on us. I don't care all that much for modesty to be honest… However that was my first time and I DON'T like that it was overheard by the likes of you." Esdeath's smile was cold and hard as a mountain peak in midwinter. "Therefore... a punishment. Naruto wasn't too happy about it either but we have two different ideas about how to go about punishing you."

Leone shivered despite herself. The stories of Esdeath's torture methods were legendary in the capital. No one wanted the icy woman to work them over. Some stories said that it was better just to be executed outright than have to endure her extreme methods.

"Anyway…" Esdeath continued. "I was fully intending on whipping you and then pouring lemon juice over the wounds… followed by cauterizing them with a red hot iron poker… and finally freezing the skin until you passed out from agony. However Naruto thought that would be too extreme. He suggested a punishment that would fit the crime."

"Oh dear gods no… please no…nonono!"

"He suggested that since we can never redo our first time and since you we there the whole time… we should do something permanent to you. And since I am in a…" She seemed to search for the right word or term for a moment. Then she smiled cruelly and continued. "Since I am feeling lenient today… you can take your pick."

Leone looked between them with terror plain on her face. "My pick?"

Esdeath nodded, still smiling. "You can take my punishment or Naruto's punishment. But you have to do so quickly… or we will do both."

The blond Nightraid member turned her attention to Esdeath's lover, her expression pleading. "Please… I'm sorry! I'll never peep again! I was just…!"

He narrowed his eyes. "You should be apologizing to Esdeath, not me. She's the one who is royally pissed at you."

Leone's eyes flicked to Esdeath, who looked like she was silently steaming. "Um… sorry…"

The ice queen's sapphire blue orbs seemed to dilate. "You call that an apology? And here I thought you understood the position you're in. If it wasn't for Naruto asking me not to… I would have woken you up with by flaying your back open." She growled. "I wasn't angry at first. I was still pleased to have been with Naruto. However later once I realized that my first time with the man I love was spied on!... That was when your fate was sealed."

"I'm sorrrryyy!"

Esdeath's smile became like a death grin. "Choose. Punishment number one… or punishment number two?"

Leone swallowed hard. "I…"

"Go on.."

"I choose his."

There was a long silence and then Naruto broke out into a fit of dark chuckles. "Oh… you chose the wrong one…" Leone went pale as Naruto suddenly pulled out parchment, brushes, and ink out of nowhere.

"M..mercy?"

Naruto shook his head, still smiling. "Not a chance."

Ooo

Ooo

Jiraiya, Armen, and their two guests had been sulking in the bar for a long time… waiting for Naruto to show up with their money. The barkeep wasn't happy and had called the guards when they attempted to leave, saying that they could go when he was paid.

It sucked but what other choice did they have? The blond brat had disappeared with everything they had! And they couldn't cause a scene in the middle of the city. Not with two wounded teens in toe.

-Pop-

Jiraiya almost leapt forward when he heard the signature sound of a message toad appearing. His hands shot into the rapidly expanding cloud of smoke and caught the small green creature, who yelped in surprise. "Jiraiya-dono!"

"Tell me! Where is Naruto? Tell me this instant!"

The smoke cleared, showing the Sanin holding a large (in the eyes of everyone else) toad. Its eyes were focused on him in an unimpressed glare. "Please put me down Jiraiya-dono. I am only a humble messenger. I cannot summon anything. I am merely here to deliver the message from Naruto."

"Then give it here!"

Jiraiya snatched the scroll that the toad proffered and unfurled it.

-Hey sensei! Just making sure you know that a lot has happened since I left. I met someone who is part of Nightraid. She may or may not be er… occupied … right now, but anyway she's called Leone. She's graciously agreed to arrange a meeting with her boss. Also I wanted to apologize for being such an ass earlier to you and Armen. I was just having weird dreams about a girl here in the capital. I met her too! She'll be with me when we meet again. Anyway, I'll meet you outside the capital in the western forest. I'll send another toad later with exact directions. See you soon.

P.S. what's left of the money I took is with the toad.-

Behind Jiraiya, Armen wondered aloud. "He's already tracked down someone from Nightraid? And what does he mean why weird dreams about a girl? And how exactly has he met her? Who is she?"

"I don't know, but I have my suspicions." Jiraiya muttered as he turned to the toad again. "The money… now."

The toad rolled its eyes and tossed a wallet onto the bar table in front of them. "There. Now if you don't have a return message… I'll be going." He croaked and popped, disappearing back to the summoning lands.

Jiraiya grimaced as he reread the message. "Great. Naruto's decided to leave us on the dark. Inconsiderate brat. The sooner we're gone the sooner we can meet with Nightraid. Let's go."

Ooo

-sometime later-

Ooo

Armen didn't know what to expect when they saw Naruto again, but he certainly didn't expect the infamous Leone of Nightraid to be tied to a tree! And on the subject of things he hadn't expected… He also hadn't expected to see the fucking ice queen ESDEATH PARTAS herself waiting for them when they showed up!

Armen all but shrieked the instant his eyes came to rest on the capital's most sadistic general. "What in emperor's name is she doing here?!"

Naruto, the afore mentioned general , and Leone glanced up as Jiraiya and his group entered the forest clearing where the three had been waiting for the last two hours. The blond grinned and waved. "Yo Armen! Have a nice morning?!"

Armen spluttered indignantly, remembering the state in which he'd woken up not so long ago… bound and gagged, suspended over a rack of kunai with explosives rigged to blow around him.

Jiraiya stepped forward before the man could answer. His gaze flickered between Naruto and Esdeath, suspicion evident in his eyes. "Gaki… why is she here?"

"Well that's kind of a long story, but the short if it is that she's my girlfriend."

"WHAT?!" Armen pointed an accusing finger at him. "I thought you were on our side! What are you doing with the butcher of the empire!? And why is our ally in Nightraid tied up like that!?"

Naruto looked past Esdeath to where leone was tied up. "Well she isn't our ally yet technically. But she's agreed to set up a meeting with her boss. That's what I said in the letter. As for Esdeath-chan…" His eyes flashed dangerously, causing everyone besides Jiraiya to take a hasty step back. "…Watch what you call her Armen."

The man recoiled, feeling Naruto's killing intent wash over him. "I… s..sorry! I didn't mean to….!"

"I don't care what you may or may not have meant. Just don't piss me off." Naruto bristled even as he glanced back, his gaze coming to rest on Esdeath. "She is precious to me now and I won't tolerate anyone insulting her."

Jiraiya held up his hand for silence. "Alright… let's just calm down. No one is insulting anyone. Armen has a point. Esdeath Partas is known as a ruthless enforcer of the capital's will. I had assumed we would be forced to kill her at some point. I think we'd all like to know how this happened."

There was a pause as Naruto digested this, then he nodded. "I guess you're right. It started when we were on the ship here. After finishing my shift and taking a nap in the ship's cabin, I woke up on this weird white plateau. Esdeath was there. I didn't know who she was and neither did she know me. I think she'd fallen asleep about the same time because she thought it was her dream. Anyway… I was… well I'm not exactly sure how to describe it, but I felt drawn to her."

"What do you mean? Are you saying you met her in a dream before you'd even heard of her? That makes less than no sense."

"Yeah… that's what is so crazy. I mean, ask Esdeath-chan. She'll tell you the same thing." He turned to the blue haired general who nodded, giving Jiraiya and Armen calculating looks.

"What Naruto says is true. The first time I dreamed about him I was still in the far north with my army. For some reason I felt… connected to him. I don't understand it anymore than he does." She shrugged, not really knowing what else to say on the matter. It wasn't as if she was an expert on visions or dreams.

"Anyway…" Naruto continued. "I can't explain why and to be honest I don't really care. She's with me now and that is that." He glanced between Armen and his sensei. "Esdeath is on our side now."

"And the whole divided loyalties thing?"

Naruto grinned. "Did I mention she's also decided to defect from the Empire?"

"W..WHAT?!"

Both Jiraiya and Naruto winced at Armen's shout and the former cuffed the man upside the head. "Keep it down. I told you we ninja have sensitive hearing!"

Armen shrank away from him, shock and horror in his eyes. "Bu…but she's just using you! She's the mad dog of the Empire! She's going to stab you all in the backs the moment you think you're safe! You'll go to sleep one night and freeze in your beds!"

Esdeath's eye twitched.

"See! Her façade is cracking even now!" Armen pointed wildly at the now thoroughly irritated general. "Just wait! She'll butcher you without a second's thought! She-TWACK!-

Armen crumpled to the ground unconscious. Behind him Sayo was holding a medium sized rock while trying to keep her footing. Obviously her injuries were still giving her problems. "S..sorry about that. But I have a really bad headache right now…"

"No problem." Naruto glared down at the man's body coldly. "I was just about to silence him myself… although I wouldn't have been so gentle."

"Hey! You guys going to free me or what?!"

Everyone turned to regard the blond member of Nightraid. Naruto answer her with a polite smile. "Ah… but you're punishment hasn't ended yet. You peeked on Esdeath and me. The humiliation you have suffered so far isn't nearly enough."

Esdeath snickered. "You chose Naruto's punishment over mine. This is your fault."

Leone's face blazed red and she spluttered lamely for a full minute before managing to piece together something coherent. . "I d..d..didn't know you were as b..big a s..sadist as… her!"

"But I'm not."

"YES YOU ARE!"

"No." Naruto stepped back to twine one arm around Esdeath's waist. "I'm just more creative."

"Ah?" Esdeath smiled as she leaned into him. "Is that my one failing? A lack of imagination?"

He growled past her ear, earning a shiver from her. "You were pretty imaginative last night if I recall correctly…"

"Damn straight." She grabbed him by the front of his jacket and pulled him in close, stealing a kiss in full view of the others.

Jiraiya whistled and pulled a hand through his hair. "Well, this has been an enlightening conversation. Congratulations gaki. You finally got yourself a girlfriend. Now can we get back to the matter at hand? Why exactly is our supposed 'ally' tied to a tree?"

Pulling away from Esdeath was a little more difficult that it seemed at first and Naruto ended up ignoring his sensei's question for a full minute while Esdeath had her fill of him. When at last he was able to pull away Jiraiya had a vein pulsing over his eye and Sayo was blushing to the roots of her hair. Behind her leyasu was giving him a thumbs up and grinning like a madman.

Naruto chuckled at their reaction to Esdeath's rather blatant display of affection. "Um… how do I put this? We already explained why she's there. What more do you want to know? I'm sorry but the manner in which she was punished is strictly confidential."

"C..confidential?!" Leone shouted from where she was still tied to the tree. "You fucking sadists ra..."-BzzZAP!- Leone shrieked as the seal in the small of her back activated, sending a concentrated charge of electricity up her spine… tenderizing her nerves like a chef beating a steak. "Ooouuch! I won't say anything I promise! Just stop shocking me damn it!"

Esdeath licked her lips, eyeing Leone like a wolf eyeing a wounded sheep. "Naruto… you must teach me how to use that Fuinjutsu of yours sometime. The applications seem limitless."

"Sorry… Chakra users only Esdeath-chan. I'd teach you if I could, but you aren't trained to use chakra so Fuinjutsu is next to impossible for you." She pouted. "But don't feel bad. I'll always be there to make you a seal for whatever you need."

Her smile returned even as Jiraiya walked over to stand right in front of them. The older Shinobi was frowning.

"You're going to be the death of me gaki. I just know it."

"Aw! I wuv wu tu Eru-Sewin!"

Jiraiya glared. "Hey you aren't a little kid anymore! Have some respect!"

"When there is something to respect I'll give some." Naruto snapped back without hesitation. "Now are we going to meet with Nightraid or not?"

"I… fine." Jiraiya swore under his breath and turned to where Leone was attempting to gnaw through her restrains with little success. "Are you going to take us to Nightraid or do you need to get them a message first?"

Leone stopped trying to chew through the ropes and looked up. "I can't get a message through without going back to the capital and waiting for Lubbock. So no. I either bring you right there or I don't bring you anywhere. And since you'll just torment me if I don't…" Naruto grinned. "…I just have to hope you mean what you say about fighting the Empire." She let herself relax a bit. "That doesn't mean I won't hate you for the rest of my life for this humiliation."

"Meh. You can't deny that you liked it."

"YOU SON OF A BITCH! I'LL FUCKING MURDER YOU!"

Naruto's grin widened. "I'm not hearing a no."

Leone let her head drop. "Just let me down from here. The hideout is only a few miles to the west of here…"

"That's what I like to hear!" Naruto clapped his hands and the ropes fell away. "Now let's get this show on the road! The sooner we meet with Nightraid the sooner we can take out the Empire!"

Jiraiya pinched the bridge of his nose as Leone rubbed her wrists. Her golden eyes were locked on Naruto still and he had the impression she was attempting to glare him to death. Not that it would do any good. The brat had the Kyuubi to deal with. If a Biju's killing intent wasn't enough to scare him nothing else would come close.

"You know I'm supposed to be the one in charge Gaki." Jiraiya muttered. "Can you at least run things by me from now on? At least then I can plan ahead if you chose to do something stupid."

"I suppose I can keep you in the loop… if you ask nicely."

The older man growled and turned away from his student. "Leone-san, you have my deepest apologies for whatever humiliation my godson has put you through. I'm afraid his mother's sadistic side is starting to show through.

Leone grunted in a noncommittal way and looked up at the sky. For a few moments she didn't speak then she nodded to herself and started off into the trees to the left side of the clearing. "Come on… Let's get this over with. But Najenda isn't gonna be happy about unexpected visitors."

Esdeath smirked and linked arms with Naruto. "Ah… my old friend Najenda? She was never one for surprises. Oh well, we can't always get what we want."

"Nope." Naruto grinned and the pair quickly followed after Leone. Jiraiya, after he went to pick up Armen's unconscious body, joined them. Sayo and Leyasu shared a look before bringing up the rear. None of them knew what was in store for them at Nightraid's hideout.

Ooo

Ooo

Akame disliked tardiness.

Point in fact she despised it.

Throughout her life, short as it was, nothing good have ever come of being late. As a child it meant going hungry. Back when she'd been counted among the Capital's most talented assassins it meant forfeiting her pay... or failing a mission entirely. And once she joined Nightraid it took a turn for the worse. Being late now had far more dire consequences. Whenever one of her companions was late reporting in there was a chance they'd been captured. A chance they were dead... or worse.

Leone was very very late.

And last Akame had seen her, Leone was spying on general Esdeath herself. Possibly... no certainly... the most dangerous woman in the Empire. She hoped Leone was just drinking with her friends in the capital's slums. Or goofing off somewhere, as opposed to being chained up in a dungeon. The thought that Esdeath had caught her was unbearable. Esdeath didn't just kill you. She tortured her enemies to death, slowly but surely, over days or weeks.

At least that's what they'd all heard. No one really knew for certain. Since none of Esdeath's prisoners ever left the cells beneath the palace.

Though she knew Najenda could attest to Esdeath's sadistic streak. After all the two of them had been a part of the same regiment back before Esdeath was promoted. Akame did not want to learn her friend was currently in a living hell, one that it might be impossible to break her out of. But alas there was nothing they could do about it now. Sheele already had a run in with the capital's guards and security would be tight for a while.

"She's late."

Akame finally voiced her concerns to the room at large. The other members of Nightraid stared back at her, each of them well aware of the situation. Bulat sighed and lowered his massive frame back into a nearby chair. "There's nothing we can do but trust in our comrade."

"The big oaf is right about that much." From the other side of the room Mine spoke up. "All her brains might have gone to her boobs but she still has common sense."

Bulat whistled. "Low blow Mine."

"It's true though!"

Walking into the room from the kitchen, Lubbock chuckled. "So... going on that logic you must not have had any brains to begin with... seeing how your chest hasn't gotten any bigger."

"Watch it perv or you'll be eating lead for dinner!"

"Hey... cool it. I was just coming in to tell you guys. Leone will be here soon and she's bringing company." He pointed down to the spool of wire on his back. "My trip wires picked up on a group making its way through the safe zone."

Akame and Bulat both sighed. The huge solider turned assassin sighed. "Well that's that. You sure it was Leone?"

"Besides Najenda she's the only one not here. No one else knows the safe route through the trap field I set up..." He trailed off. "Well unless someone tortured the information out of her. Fat chance of that though. She's got higher pain tolerance than any of us."

The three Nightraid assassins blinked owlishly at him for a long moment before Mine dared to ask. "Um... Akame? You said Leone was spying on General Esdeath right?"

Akame nodded slowly.

"And how big was that group coming through the middle of our safe zone?" Mine was already standing, her hands reaching for the massive rifle at her side.

Lubbock had a dawning look of horror. "Uh, at least seven. Maybe as many as nine... oh shit."

He suddenly darted out of the hall, swiftly followed by Bulat who was already shifting into his armored form. Mine had her rifle in hand as she followed Akame. The youngest member of Nightraid drew her cursed blade and darted out the open double doors into the room. Once outside she darted right in the direction of the hideout's main entrance.

Everyone had the same thought in mind. Leone never brought home guests without calling ahead. Even if she did, never this many and she'd have brought them in around back. Plus... she'd been spying on Esdeath. If there was one person who was skilled enough to rip the information from Leone... if was the Ice Queen herself.

It seemed this night would be a hectic one.

Ooo

Ooo

"Okay. So here's the deal. We don't want your friends attacking us on sight so I'm cutting you lose. Try to attack me and I'll tie you up again." Leone said something rather impolite under her breath, just quiet enough that he couldn't hear. However he did his best to ignore her unrepentant scowl as he cut the ropes and ripped the seal off her back. "And there you go. Free at last."

Everyone waited as Leone rubbed her wrists and shoulders, getting the blood flowing again. Then she rounded on the blond and his lover, one finger quivering with rage. "I'll get you back someday! It might not be tomorrow! It might not be next week! But someday you'll get what's coming to you!"

Esdeath covered her mouth with one hand, holding in a laugh even as he eyes twinkled. "Oh... I'll be waiting Leone. Just remember, I don't believe in revenge. Accidents however... will happen." She waved the blond member of Nightraid away with one hand. "Go on. We're waiting."

"Fine." Leone growled. "But mark my words... Mark them."

She strode forward and into the large clearing just before Nightraid's main base. It was an imposing structure, though well hidden against the inside of a sandstone cliff. Easily the largest base they'd set up in recent years. Though not the most secure from attack. Being up against a cliff didn't exactly allow for many escape routes. Still... that was why Lubbock set up a wire trap system around the whole base. No doubt the perv had been alerted to their presence already. Now the real question was, would they shoot first and ask questions later when they saw Esdeath bringing up the rear?

All she could do was hope. Dying by friendly fire was not high on her list of things to do today. Or any day for that matter. So she cupped her hand around her mouth and shouted as loudly as she could to be heard inside.

"Yo! Guys! We got some people here want to talk with Najenda! They're not here to fight!" She spared a look behind her. Naruto gave her a cheesy smile and waved her on. Reluctantly she turned back. "We're coming in so please don't let Mine shoot me full of holes!"

There was no reply again so she started walking toward the large double doors into the base. "Well, here goes nothing. Please guys, don't let anyone think I've turned. I really don't feel like testing out my regeneration today."

She took one uncertain step forward... and stopped. Her ears registered the swish of well oiled hinges while the doors ahead opened. "Thank whichever god is in charge of today's shift. It's Bulat." Leone breathed a sigh of relief as the massive man left the haven of their base, crossing the distance between them in a few long strides. When he finally stopped ten feet from her she knew something was off.

"Uh? Bulat? What's going on?"

"What do you think? You're off spying on General Esdeath and go missing for almost twenty-four hours. Then you arrive at the base with a large group?"

"I... well..." She bit her lip, knowing full well how this looked. "Listen, I just need you to.. not overreact. There have been a few surprises that none of us accounted for. I just need to make sure no one attacks alright? Just a friendly ol meeting."

Bulat's eyes were probably narrowed behind that steel visor of his. She could tell because the tone of his voice was dire when he spoke again. "Why are you so adamant that we don't make any hostile moves? You know our policy for guests."

She grimaced. "Yeah, I get it. But what you don't understand is that those people behind me could destroy us with ease. I'm not kidding around here Bulat. They came in peace, but I don't want to get on their bad side." She winced inwardly. "At least any more than I already am."

"Who are they?"

"A couple foreigners who want to take down the prime minster. And a deserter from the Capital. You won't believe who it is, but that's why I need you at least to be calm. I know Mine and Lubbock are gonna lose their shit when they see her."

"Her?"

Leone nodded. "You'll know her instantly. Just... please? Don't do anything stupid."

"Very well. I'll go back and tell the others." Bulat turned on his heel. "You better be right about this."

"I am. Just go."

Bulat eyed the forest behind her for a moment, then disappeared back inside. She waited a long while, thinking over what would likely happen next. "Mine is gonna do or say something stupid to provoke one of those two monsters. Lucky for us Esdeath seems to have more patience than any of us thought, but Naruto? That guy doesn't take shit from me... He won't take it from Mine either. Damn it. Bulat can keep his opinion to himself, but the rest of them? And Akame might take Esdeath's very appearance as a threat."

She really didn't want to see those two go at it. If it came to blows she knew who'd she put her money on. Naruto had knocked her block off with a single punch. And aside from Bulat she was the strongest melee fighter in their group. That wasn't taking into account the one who Naruto called 'sensei'. Nor Esdeath herself... who could kill most of them with one hand tied behind her back.

"Come on... What is taking them so long?"

Leone waited another five minutes before any sign of movement came from within the base again. And when the doors finally opened again it was to reveal both Lubbock and Bulat standing in the doorway. The former soldier of the Empire gave them a wave, signaling them forward.

"If shit is going to hit the fan, this is where it happens." Steeling herself for a fight and praying it wouldn't come to pass, Leone motioned the rest of the group forward. She heard footsteps behind her even as she kept her eyes on Lubbock and Bulat.

It didn't require telescopic vision to see the way both men went stiff from shock. Yet as the seconds passed and she found herself walking into the base just in front of Naruto and Esdeath, nothing happened. Her two companions stepped to the side, letting the Ice Queen and her terrible lover into their home. However years of experience allowed her to see the reason why they didn't protest.

Lubbock's stony expression was belied by the sweat trickling down his neck and the way his hands trembled. While Bulat was trying his best not to look at Esdeath at all. They were obviously terrified and trying to hide it. But she could smell their fear.

And she had a horrible feeling that Esdeath could too.

That eerie smile of hers was just a little too... wide. As if she was tasting the atmosphere like a fine wine. The Ice Queen strode past without giving either man so much as a glance. Then the whole group was inside. Lubbock, surprisingly enough, was the first to recover. He quickly pulled the large doors closed and barred them with a large steel beam.

What followed would probably rank up there in the ten most tense moments of her life. She, closely followed by Naruto and Esdeath, made their way down the corridor an into the main hall. There, the rest of Nightraid... minus Najenda... was standing at attention.

Leone had hoped Mine wouldn't have her rifle pointed at them. But as they emerged from the corridor her hopes were dashed. Mines rifle wasn't just pointed at them. It was pointed at her. The look of betrayal on her face said it all. Across from the furious pinkette, Sheele stood. Extase was clutched loosely in one hand, the razor sharp blades digging two large holes in the stone floor as she shifted from foot to foot. And finally... Akame.

As the default leader of Nightraid when Najenda wasn't home, the petite girl was dressed in her assassin's best. All black with the only color coming from a few red accents. That and her sword, which was unsheathed and glinting in the light.

While Leone came to a halt with the rest of the group behind her, she found her eyes drawn to a small drop of clear liquid trailing down the blade. The famed cursed poison that could kill anything with the merest scratch.

"Nice place ya got here!" Naruto cheerful exclamation somehow didn't lead to Mine pulling the trigger on her. "So... who's in charge?"

Akame took a careful step forward, her crimson eyes locked on Esdeath even as she addressed the blond. "I am Akame. While Najenda is absent I am the leader of Nightraid. Speak your piece."

From behind her came the stern voice of Naruto's sensei. "I think this would be an excellent time for me to take charge." Jiraiya stepped forward, passing Leone to stand just five paces from Akame. Well within range if it came to blows with the deadly assassin. "My name is Jiraiya of the Legendary Sanin. I am a warrior from across the sea to the west. It has come to my attention that the Empire, under the control of the corrupt Prime minister, is nearly done conquering this continent. And he may turn his gaze westward as our homeland is not unknown to him. Therefore I have come to see if you would be interested in an alliance."

Akame's eyes flicked to the left. "Then why have you brought one of our most deadly enemies into our secret base? Esdeath Partas is infamous for her cruelty and disregard for human life."

Jiraiya didn't bat an eye at the accusation. "I can't speak for her, but she has told us she defected from the Empire and is more than willing to fight them."

This... got a reaction.

Mine weapon dropped a full foot as her jaw dropped in shock. Sheele's giant scissors dropped from nerveless fingers. And Akame blinked several times while her cheeks darkened. At this last part Leone glanced behind her, only to find herself blushing as well.

Esdeath, perhaps in an effort to explain why she was defecting, had dragged Naruto against her and captured his lips with her own. The guy certainly didn't seem to mind the attention, but he did seem slightly self conscious about doing here. Because his face was red and his eyes remained on them. When the two finally separated almost two minutes later Naruto was flushed and panting. Esdeath then turned to those watching.

"Is that reason enough?"

Akame's eyes slid to the side. "Leone, you stayed to spy on them. Is she really defecting?"

"Yeah, far as I can tell she is. To be honest though, blondie here is more dangerous than Esdeath."

"Hey.." Naruto raised his voice in protest. "I'm not dangerous unless you piss me off. you're fault for spying on us."

"You brought it on yourself," Esdeath agreed.

"Whatever!" Leone shot a glare back at them, her face more than matching Naruto's. "We're not talking about that!" She turned back to her fellow members of Nightraid. "As much as I hate what they did to get back at me, they're genuine."

Akame scowled fiercely, but her eyes flicked back towards Jiraiya. "As you were saying? You want an alliance? Why?"

Jiraiya clasped his hands behind his back, going into his 'serious diplomat' mode. "Simply put, we could kill Honest ourselves. However I'd like the job done cleanly. And I don't want the next leader of this country to start a war with my people either. By working with the revolutionary army, I hope that the new leadership will have a positive relationship with us."

"You really think you could kill the Prime Minister?" Lubbock edged along the wall, keeping as far from Esdeath as was humanly possible. "That's pretty bold talk old man."

The Toad Sage met Lubbock's eye with a steely smile. "I'll take a page out of my student's book and be blunt. The continent across the sea has five great nations, which are in constant conflict. Currently were have a uneasy truce after the last war. I'd like to keep the peace as long as possible. But an invasion from your country would set things off again in an instant. The thing is... we don't use these 'imperial arms' that you seem to so highly prize."

Mine's eyebrows shot into her hairline. "And you were planning on taking out the Prime Minister... how?"

Naruto stepped forward, Esdeath's arm linked with his, as he addressed Mine. "You don't get it do you? Esdeath-chan is so strong that all of you are terrified of her. But I'm just as strong as she is... if not more... and I don't have one of your artifacts. The fact is, I could fight Esdeath and win. And Jiraiya-sensei can beat me. Plus there are at least a dozen ninja back home strong enough to beat him with ease."

He let that sink in before he continued. "Like sensei said, we don't need help killing the Prime minister. We just don't want you guys starting a war in our homeland."

"Ideally we wouldn't kill the prime minister immediately. We would call in back up so that those still loyal to him can be eliminated as well." Jiraiya held his hands out as if weighing the options. "We don't really want to involve ourselves with your country, but at the same time... the more stable you are, the less likely you'll be to start conflicts with us."

Akame seemed to take this in for a long moment. Then she admitted, "This sounds fine. But I can't make this call. Can you wait for our leader to return? Najenda is the only one with the authority to make an alliance."

"How long until she is due to return?"

"A few days. Three at the most." Akame's sword lowered slightly. "I assume you can't return to the capital?"

Esdeath gave a short laugh. "They give me plenty of leeway. If I disappear for a day or two it's fine. Although the imperial court knows I've been acting strange of late, they already know the underlying reason. I made it clear that I was looking for Naruto."

"You did? Why?" Mine's eyes narrowed. "They know about him already?"

"Only that I'm looking for a man somewhere in the capital."

"Then... what exactly did you tell them?"

Esdeath's smile turned predatory. "That I was looking for my husband to be. Not much more than that I assure you. I also demanded an additional Imperial arms and a year's leave in exchange for hunting you all down." As a whole, every member of Nightraid froze. "Oh, calm down. I'm not going to bother with that now I have Naruto. What the Empire desires is of no concern to me."

"You'd betray them? Just like that?"

"You might not believe me, but I met Naruto first in a dream. Call it providence or fate or destiny. I don't really care. I feel bound to him and he to me." Her fingers found Naruto's, weaving together as she spoke. "I'm not sure if there's anything I wouldn't do for him now. If I find something I'll let you know."

Akame turned to Naruto. "And what about you?"

"What about me?"

"What's you motivation in all of this? You're master seems to want to prevent a war in your homeland. And Esdeath has made her thoughts clear. So what are you doing this for?"

"Honestly? This is just to keep the peace at home. Plus I saw the kind of shit that's going on in the capital. That's another reason to take down Honest. And... well I can't say I wouldn't throw all of that away for Esdeath, but since she doesn't really care for the Empire... I don't have to."

Stopping just behind their group, Bulat spoke up. "You do realize that the woman you seem to care so much for is butcher? Right? She is infamous throughout the capital for her sadistic nature."

Esdeath turned around, fixing Bulat with a smile. "Ah, Bulat right? Liver's told me so much about you."

"L..Liver?"

"Yes... he's actually my right hand. He cared for you like a son you know. Still talks about you all the time." Her smile disappeared. "But what you fail to understand is that I am a soldier and a General. And while I served the empire I did as they told me. The northern tribes rebelled and I was ordered to make an example of them. So I did. That is how being part of an army works."

"Najenda has told us horror stories about you. How you froze an entire town, killing everyone there."

"...as I was told to do." Esdeath released a long sigh. "You call me cruel. A butcher. A murderer. And you're right. I enjoy causing pain. It gives me a thrill to see my enemies ground into the dirt. But I do not kill needlessly unless under orders to do so. You seem to forget that the Empire has been putting down rebellions for centuries. And sending a message in the form of a massacre has been a standard practice long before I was born."

Bulat's jaw clenched. "They say your kill count is in the hundreds of thousands. How is that not needless slaughter?"

"And if the northern tribes had succeeded in rising up? They would have ranged south, pillaging and burning in the name of 'freedom'. The royal army would have eventually met them in battle and destroyed their army. And when winter rolled around? Those who lived in the area's they'd ravaged would starve to death. The death count would be in the tens of millions. And since those same areas supply the capital with food, what makes you think the famine wouldn't spread? And in the wake of famine comes sickness. Plague. Then war tears the country apart at the seams. In the end all you're left with is death."

Esdeath let go of her lover's hand and strode forward until she was standing nose to chest with Bulat. "So call me a murderer. You have every right to. Just remember, you're one to talk about murder. I kill on orders... How many did you kill just to save yourself when you defected?"

Jiraiya was suddenly between them, hand outstretched. "Think we should all take a step back and get some fresh air. We came for an alliance. Not to pick at old wounds."

"Fine with me." Esdeath's smile returned and she prodded Bulat in the chest. "It's good to finally meet you... Hundred Man Slayer..." With that one last jab she turned away and walked back to Naruto. "Come now. Najenda won't be here for days and these fine people obviously don't trust us. How about we return to the capital? So long as they aren't aware that I've defected, we minds a well raid Honest's vault. I think he has a dozen or so imperial arms ripe for the taking."

"I like the way you think." Naruto smirked, wrapping one arm around her. "Yo, Sensei... I'll send a message to you by summon when we're on our way back."

"Wait!" Everyone turned to Mine, who had raised her rife to point as Esdeath and Naruto. "You can't just leave! You know where our base is and we can't trust you!"

Esdeath's grin was as wide as it was malicious. "I'm sorry to hear that. But... here's the thing. If we go back to the capital and return without telling anyone, it'll prove that we're not going to turn on you. Also..." She winked at them playfully. "..what makes you think you could stop me?"

Naruto waved at Mine before making a single handseal and before the pinkette could so much as twitch, they were gone.

Jiraiya groaned as the two of them disappeared. He turned to Akame with an apologetic expression. "I'm very sorry about that. But you can trust my student. He's fanatical about keeping his word. He won't betray you."

"And Esdeath?"

"Naruto trusts her. For now, that's enough for me."

Akame's eye twitched. "That's not very comforting."

"Well, as they said, not much you can do about it." Jiraiya dragged a hand through his hair. "Is there some place we can stay while we wait? I'd like to rest these old bones of mind and two of the brats behind me still need medical attention."

Akame nodded to Bulat. "Find rooms for them. Then we meet back here to discuss the situation."

Bulat gestured for Jiraiya to follow. "Come with me."

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Once Naruto and Esdeath were back in the capital they slowed down, continuing towards the palace at a more leisurely pace. And while their presence went generally unnoticed, it wasn't long before one of the capital's guardsmen found them. Apparently a message had been sent out by the Prime minister. So anyone encountering Esdeath would tell her that the Emperor had summoned her.

Under normal circumstances this would have been the perfect time to introduce Naruto to the Emperor's court. However, given that she had every intention of betraying them, Esdeath decided to take advantage of this golden opportunity. Since Honest never left the Emperor alone during such important meetings, it would be an excellent time for Naruto to wreak a little chaos. Something that he was more than happy to do while she was occupied.

So... while Esdeath went to meet with the Emperor... Naruto was given a set of keys and directions on where to go. It would be a night to remember.

The night the Empire lost not only its most prominent general, but also half its Teigu. The only thing she would regret was missing Honest's expression when he learned of the loss. After all, most of the Empire's artifacts were in his personal stash. Tonight's little foray would hit him the hardest.

"Now entering! General Esdeath Partas!"

Her heels clicked steadily as she paced across the while marble floor, stopping at the base of the Emperor's platform. She then bowed, just a little more deeply than usual, knowing it would be the last time she did so. "My Emperor. You summoned me?"

The young boy turned to glance at his overweight advisor for a moment before composing himself. "Ah, yes. Honest informs me that you disappeared for a time. And while it doesn't matter to me how you spend your leisure time... I was not able to get a message to you."

"My most sincere apologies your majesty. It will not happen again." She raised her head, meeting the boy's eyes. "What is it you wish of me?"

The emperor shifted on his throne, looking distinctly uncomfortable. "Prime Minister Honest has collected a group of... talented individuals... that will form a special task force. With the purpose of hunting down Nightraid. I would like you to lead them."

Esdeath felt a twinge of irritation, listening to the so boy's orders. It would be obvious even to a blind man that this was not the Emperor's idea. Rather this was actually hers. She'd suggested it just yesterday to Honest. What to do about it though? Honest had assembled a group of Teigu users more quickly than she anticipated. At least that's what she assumed. And to match Nightraid's best they'd have to be skilled.

Maybe it would be advisable to meet them before defecting publicly?

And something else occurred to her now. She needed to track down her Three Beasts. Liver would be delighted to defect from the Empire. He'd tried to do so long ago, without much success. He only served the Empire now because she commanded him to do so. She was unsure about her other two subordinates. They did have some loyalty to the Emperor.

"General?"

Esdeath shook her head. "A thousand apologies. I was merely thinking about what such a group would need to handle Nightraid's warriors. Where can I find them?"

Honest patted his overfull stomach as he interrupted the Emperor's response. "I sent them to the Great Vault. You should meet them there."

A chill ran up Esdeath's spine.

"That's exactly where Naruto is going... shit."

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Naruto watched the group from the corner of the room, eyes flicking from one to another and back again. There were two men and one girl, not even as old as him. The first of them was massive. Easily a head taller than Jiraiya. He wore a white mask with some kind of built in respirator. The second looked like some kind of doctor or fancy scientist. He wore a white three piece suit.

The girl caught Naruto's attention more than the others. Both because she acted far more serious. And because he looked like a twin to Nightraid's Akame. Same black hair and red eyes. The only real difference seemed to be age, hair styles, and the bags under her eyes.

"How wonderful! In all my years as a geneticist, never have I had a tool quite so marvelous! They are just as I was told. Perfection!" The one in the suit waggled his fingers towards the masked giant, a gleeful smile creeping across his lips. "I requested them to aid in my research years ago, yet my request was denied until now..."

"You shouldn't play around. Those are dangerous weapons, no matter how harmless they seem." The giant shifted as if to look around the room. "I'm confused though, as to why I was asked to come here. I already have an Imperial Arms."

"Perhaps they are finally doing testing to see if you can use more than one? It is said that those of particularly strong body and will can use two or even three... provided they are of different types."

The giant shook his head. "I've never heard of such a thing. Mine isn't the most powerful, yet it takes a lot to use. I can't imagine having a second Imperial Arms active at all times."

"How short sighted!" The thin one gestured wildly. "Have you no vision! One can only reach the stars by first lifting his hands to the sky! Risks are meant to be taken!"

"We should still wait until the General arrives."

"We've waited long enough! I, the majestic Dr. Stylish, will not suffer tardiness... even that of a General! Progress waits for no one!"

"Then.."

Naruto was about to move on when the petite girl tapped her sheathed katana on the floor.

"Silence. We aren't alone."

The two men turned outwards, scanning the room. The slim one was the first to write off her words. "I see nothing and sense less. You're paranoid."

She wasn't, but Naruto wasn't about to correct him. He slipped to the right, knowing that he'd need to. The vault door Esdeath had directed him to was only a few short strides away. All he needed was his clones to create the necessary distraction. "I hope Esdeath is having an easy time. Wasn't expecting these three to be waiting right by the vault."

"There is a man... close by. I smell him."

Naruto felt his eyes widen as the girl looked right at him. Or... through him. He was using his sensei's invisibility technique after all. "Almost as good a nose on her as Kakashi. Come on, stupid clone. That distraction would be really helpful right about now. I don't want to have to fight these guys and cause a commotion."

"Where is he?" The giant was pulling some sort of tank off his back now, glancing around suspiciously.

"There." She pointed to the corner where he was crouched. Or at least close by. "Male... young. Smells like some kind of food."

"Ah... the ramen breath gave it away. Shit. Knew I should have used that breath neutralizer Jiraiya gave me. Oh well." Naruto knew his scent must have dispersed throughout the room now. So unless her sense of smell was like a hound, she shouldn't be able to track his movements very well. "Let's see if you can tell I'm moving."

He took a step.

"He's moving right." Her blade hissed free of its scabbard.

"Shit."

"Stand back and guard the exit."

"Double shit." Naruto drew in a sharp breath and stood. He couldn't use Ninjutsu or move very fast without becoming visible. But he could take this little girl off guard in close quarters. No way she was quicker with that sword and he was with a kunai.

The girl's legs tensed for a leap. "You will surrender or die."

Her blade flashed and suddenly she was upon him.

"HALT!"

Everyone stopped. Well, except for Naruto, who sidestepped the slash with ease... almost rendering himself visible again. He jerked his head in the direction of the voice, knowing it was Esdeath right away, and wondering how she got here so fast. "Did she know they would be here and came to find me? Probably. I'm glad she's a good actor."

"General!" The giant bowed low. "I am Bols..."

"I have been told your names." Esdeath glanced in his direction, obviously knowing he was there but unable to see him. "Put your blade away. He was only meant to test your awareness."

Naruto breathed a sigh of relief and stood. As an afterthought he cast a henge upon himself. The stealth field shattered, revealing a much older version of himself with red hair and pale skin. He winked at Esdeath to assure her he was still the same. "General Esdeath." He smiled, playing along. "At least one of them has good instincts."

Esdeath strode forward past Bols and the Doctor, stopping in front of the girl. "And you must be Kurome."

The girl sheathed her sword. "Yes."

"Quite skilled aren't you? Good. Is that the Imperial Arms you've picked out?"

The girl shook her head. "It was already mine. I was told to come here by the Minister."

"Very well then." She glanced at the other two, seeming slightly confused. "It seems you also have Imperial Arms. Is there a reason why Honest asked you to meet me here?"

The doctor shrugged. "We did as we were bidden."

Esdeath sighed. "Then for now you will go to the common room that connects to my quarters." She formed a key of ice and tossed it to the petite girl. "That will unlock the door. Wait for me. I have other business to attend to before your briefed on the mission." All three bowed, the doctor noticeably less, and left.

"That was close." Naruto muttered once they were well out of earshot. "What happened?"

"Honest was being a little too efficient. When I was told I would be hunting Nightraid I requested worthy warriors to help. I wasn't about to send my men in unprepared and outnumbered. I just didn't expect Honest to get his hands on three Imperial Arms users so quickly. There's four or five more due in the coming weeks."

"So... we good?"

She closed her eyes, drawing in a long breath. "Ideally I'd like to stay longer and assess the strength of these newcomers. However I doubt we'd be able to keep Nightraid's trust. They're already wary of me."

"Yeah, can't risk giving them a reason to attack us." He didn't know if Nightraid would ever trust him or Esdeath. But staying too long without publicly defecting would only agitate them further. "Shall we? I have a few storage seals prepared for just this kind of thing."

"How much can they hold again? All told?"

"Uh... about two hundred pounds each."

"Good. Follow me." Esdeath walked past him, moving to the huge vault door. One exchange of keys later and the circular steel door swung open. A sound like a dying man's gasp reached him as air seemed to flood into the room. "And don't close the door behind us. Enchantments placed on the door will suck the air out of the room once sealed."

Naruto chuckled at the measure against thieves. "Effective and brutal. Just your style eh?"

She merely smiled back at him. "You know me so well already."

They entered the vault and Naruto looked around. The whole chamber beyond was stacked with treasure. Not gold and gems though. Artifacts, weapons and armor, just about anything one could imagine. Some were in reinforced display cases. Others with no protections at all. Naruto idly wondered how many seals he'd need to take all of it. Probably a couple dozen. Not the four he had. "Oh... shiny. That looks kinda like Zabuza's sword. Just longer and less awesome."

"What do we grab first?" Naruto spun on his heel. "Cause I'll be honest here. All this stuff looks rare and valuable."

"All of it is." Esdeath assured him. "Not all of them are dangerous weapons however." She motioned for him to join her. "Open one of the seals would you?"

"Not the way it works. Just start handing me stuff and I'll seal them one at a time. Seals aren't something you open and rummage through. You store the item and the symbol appears. Smear blood over the symbol later and the item pops back out."

Esdeath stared for a long moment as if considering the implications. "Interesting. That's not what I was imagining when you said you could seal things in a scroll. But it doesn't matter." Looking over a large stone table laden with different sets of armor, Esdeath found something worth taking and picked it up. "Here."

Naruto took a large back full of what he thought might be balls. "Um..."

"Chaos Throw: Big Leaguer. Six crystal orbs. Each one will cause a different elemental explosion once thrown."

"Neat."

Naruto held up his right arm and sealed the bag away as Esdeath moved around the table, searching for more Teigu amidst the piles of artifacts. Her hand shot into another pile and came up with a opal colored mask. "Power Surging: Balzac. Allows the wearer to access 100% of their physical and mental abilities without repercussion. I'm surprised it's here."

Naruto caught the mask and sealed it away as well while Esdeath continued looking around. It was clear she hadn't been here for a long time. However it wasn't long before she found another Imperial Arms. Though by her dark chuckle he could only wonder what it was. "Found something you like Esdeath-chan?"

"Not for me," she replied. "But it will make a wonderful gift to Nightraid." Esdeath held out an elegant gauntlet. "Danger Minder: Sky Master. It allows the user to control all manner of flying monsters and danger beasts. It's actually in use right now, as you can see it's glowing."

"Why and... how?"

"I assume they have already controlled the maximum number of monsters with it and keep it down here to prevent accidents. Probably wise. But as soon as it changes masters the beasts it controlled will leave... and with them the aerial defenses around the capital."

He smirked and took the gauntlet, sealing it as he followed close behind her. Esdeath meandered through the vault at a hurried but careful pace. Every time she found something of interest he sealed it away. By the time a quarter of an hour had passed he'd filled one whole seal and she was leading him into the back of the vault. This as she recalled was where her Imperial Arms had been stored before she claimed it.

Another ten minutes passed. Esdeath never stopped. And when she was certain they'd sealed away every powerful artifact in the vault, they left. Once outside they closed the vault door and waited for it to evacuate all the air inside. Then Esdeath locked it with an icy replica of the real key... and let the ice melt into the mechanism.

"Naruto... you specialize in wind right?"

He nodded.

"Would you shoot a little blast of air into the lock? I'll freeze the water in the cracks and prevent the door from being opened. That way our little theft won't be noted until they cut the door off with Budo's help."

Naruto placed a hand against the lock and channeled his chakra, blowing the water into the lock. Esdeath then placed her hand by his and froze the water, warping the mechanism.

"I think that is sufficient to cover our tracks for now." Esdeath took his hand in hers. "Shall we go to my room? I think I'd like to collect a few personal effects before we leave."

Naruto blinked as he wondered what personal effects she might be referring to. They'd grabbed quite a bit of stuff from her chambers before they left with Leone. "I thought we did that already." He jerked a thumb at his back where a long scroll case hung on a strap. "That's what this is full of."

Esdeath leaned in close and whispered past his ear. "Well... what if I told you I forgot a few sets of more intimate apparel under my bed?"

"I'd say lead the way!

"Then let's go... and maybe we should do some shopping in the capital before we go. Just to be sure."

He grinned. "I think that's a terrific idea."

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Over and done with! Chapter Five! Don't have much to say now so see you when Chapter 6 rolls around. Hopefully my Muse doesn't go on vacation again. I really enjoy updating these stories so its just as much a bummer for me as for readers.

With that said, please read and review!