Flames of War Chapter 4: Goals Aligned, a naruto fanfic

Flames of War
Chapter 4: Goals Aligned

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters involved except for Guardian I. Inferno, Guardian F. Fire, and Jirn

Fire leaped forward at Jirn, swinging side-on, but Jirn leaped back and dodged the attack easily.

"Come now little Guardian, surely you can do better than that?" It teased as it landed and slid in the dirt.

Fire growled as he raised his blade above his head, letting go for a second his hands flashed in a series of intricate hand signs. Just as quickly as he had let go Fire reached up and grasped the handle, fire shooting up the length of the weapon from his point of contact.

"Fire Style: Flame Slash Jutsu!"

He brought the blade downward, sending a wave of fire at Jirn who yawned before lifting its hands and performing its own series of hand signs.

"Water Style: Torrential Spout Jutsu!"

Raising one hand Jirn fired a burst of water from its palm that doused the flames Fire had released.

"I thought I told you to kick this up a notch little Guardian?" Jirn asked.

Fire glared at Jirn before raising his sword above his head and letting out a roar of defiance. He began to charge at Jirn who let its face show a bemused smirk as it crouched down, the familiar chirping of Chidori began to echo through the air, and lightning amassed on Jirn's outstretched arm.

"Wait!" Naruto shouted as he landed between the two.

Fire stopped and Jirn looked up.

"What are you doing?" Fire shouted as he lowered his blade.

"Jirn's not with the Akatsuki anymore, we don't need to fight," Naruto told him.

"You don't understand, this little one and his master are here to capture me, take me back to their home, and dissect me. They mean to turn me into a tool, a weapon, to fight their wars!" Jirn shouted as it stood, releasing the Chidori.

"I won't let that happen," Naruto said as he turned back to Jirn.

"Naruto, please, you're overstepping your bounds, this is-"

"My decision and I want you to respect it," Naruto cut Fire off.

Fire was taken aback as Naruto fixed his intense stare on him. He was silent, then sighed as he sheathed his blade on his back.

"Fine, but if you make one step out of line, I will end you," Fire gave a warning to Jirn.

"If you can," Jirn retorted before sticking out its tongue.

"So, Naruto was it? Why did you protect me?" Jirn asked as he turned his attention to the blonde-haired ninja.

"You aren't my enemy, and that means we shouldn't have to fight. That's it," Naruto explained.

"You say that despite knowing what I'm capable of?" Jirn asked him.

Naruto nodded, "As long as you aren't using it to hurt me or the people I care about, then I don't care."

Jirn's eyes widened at that, "So simple-minded…" it muttered to itself.

"That's Naruto for you," Sakura chimed in.

"We should tell Master Inferno about this," Fire spoke up now, "He'll want to know we've… bargained, with Jirn"

Naruto nodded in agreement. "We'll have to tell Granny Tsunade they're here too," Naruto added.

The team took off in a blur, heading back towards the Hokage's office.

As they entered the building and made their way to Tsunade they ran into Inferno who nodded as he saw Jirn.

"Glad to see you're not the same as the last time we met," Inferno told him.

"Yes… I remember you, you were the apprentice last time," Jirn said to him with a shrewd look.

Inferno laughed, "That I was! But, from the fact you're walking in here freely with my apprentice and Naruto, I'm guessing you aren't our enemy anymore?"

Jirn nodded, "Yes, Naruto offered me protection from you, and I assume based on the little one's response you're going to adhere to that?"

Inferno nodded "If that's what Naruto wants, that's what he'll get… That is what you want right?" Inferno turned to his friend.

"Yeah, I think Jirn's had enough of being the outcast."

Jirn looked at him out of the corner of his eye as Inferno put a hand on Naruto's shoulder.

"You've come a long way from the knuckleheaded kid I first met," Inferno told him.

"Well, I wouldn't say I'm all grown up yet," Naruto grinned mischievously as he scratched his face.

Inferno shook his head, "C'mon, we better report to Lady Tsunade,"

"Guardian, if I may ask a question," Jirn spoke up.

Inferno turned to them, "What is it?"

"This… Tsunade person, who is she? And why do you refer to her as 'Lady'?"

Inferno looked at the three young people around him.

"I think you'll figure that out for yourself when you meet her," Inferno said, his face spreading into a grin.

The group made their way into Tsunade's office and reported their findings.

"So, you're the one Inferno and Fire have told me about…" She said as she walked around her desk and got close to examine Jirn.

Jirn leaned back away from her close examination.

"Stand still!" Tsunade called.

Jirn snapped back to their original position and remained frozen in place as Tsunade walked around them.

"You're quite the fascinating individual, you know that? I'm seeing at least four different aspects of ninjas here in the Hidden Leaf," She said as she came back around in front of Jirn.

"Yes, ma'am, I… uh, might have been hiding here for some time," Jirn said, their eyes avoiding Tsunade's glare.

"Then you'll have to pay us back for our hospitality," She said.

Jirn looked at her confused.

"I assume you can keep up with Inferno over there?" She asked, pointing a thumb at the taller Guardian.

"Yes ma'am," Jirn responded after a second of hesitation.

"Good, then I want you to escort Naruto on his mission. Fire, Inferno, dismissed!" She shouted the last part at the two Guardians.

Inferno bowed from the waist while Fire was startled by the sudden command.

"Wh-what?" He asked, looking between Inferno and Tsunade.

"You're not needed here, your kind always causes trouble if you stay in one place too long. We have Jirn to protect Naruto, so go," Tsunade explained.

"She has a point," Inferno told Fire as he stood up.

"But, our mission-"

"Is done, Jirn has been 'captured' and secured here. They'll serve the Hidden Leaf for the foreseeable future, isn't that right Jirn?" Inferno asked looking at the newcomer.

Jirn nodded, "I think I could get used to this, as long as I can get some practice in sometimes," He asked looking at Tsunade.

She laughed, "Let's see you work your way up the ladder first,"

Jirn couldn't help a smile break across their face, "You've got a deal,"

Inferno nodded before turning to Fire.

"Well, as she said, we're done here. Let's get back and report in, the council probably has another thirty missions lined up for us," Inferno told him.

Fire nodded, "Yes sir. If I may have a moment?" Fire asked, nodding towards Naruto and Jirn.

Inferno gave a wan smile at him before slapping him on the shoulder, "Go ahead."

Fire smiled at his mentor before approaching Naruto and Jirn.

"Naruto… Jirn… I know I wasn't here very long, but I felt something from you both while I've been here… if either of you needs anything, ever, just call me. I'll come running, no matter how far away I am, no matter what's happening," Fire told them.

"Same here buddy, just stay safe out there will ya?" Naruto asked as he smiled and extended his fist.

Fire looked at him and nodded as he started smiling "You got it!"

He bumped fists with Naruto and then offered one to Jirn who looked confused.

Naruto grinned "You've never bumped fists before?" He asked.

Jirn shook their head.

"Just do what we just did," Naruto said as he held up his fist.

Jirn turned back to Fire and hesitantly lifted their fist, Fire gave it a light punch and grinned at Jirn.

Jirn felt the infectious grinning as their face turned up in a small smile.

"Get going little Guardian, you heard Lady Tsunade, the longer you stay here, the more trouble you'll cause," Jirn told him.

Fire nodded and turned back to Inferno who opened a portal.

"Be seein' you Naruto," Inferno said as he stepped through.

Fire rushed into the portal, leaping into the air he spun to face everyone as he waved goodbye before slipping through. The portal closed behind him.

A second of silence passed before Tsunade turned back to Naruto and Jirn.

"Alright you two, we've got a lot of ground to cover for this next mission so I need you to listen carefully! Sakura!" She suddenly shouted at the pink-haired girl.

"Y-yes Lady Tsunade!" She shouted, caught off guard.

"Get me a headband for Jirn, they're going to need one if they're going to be working with us for a while," She said.

Sakura nodded and left the office. Jirn watched her go then turned back to Tsunade.

"As for you, we've got a few days before Naruto leaves for his trip… I want you to show me what you can do," Tsunade said with her own mischievous grin.