Pairings: Naruto/Exusiai, Sasuke/Texas (Slow burn)
Other pairings will be updated or added as the story progresses.
At the speed of light,
We can stand on our feet.
You go after my lead.
Why do you keep waiting?
At the speed of light.
Don't you lie to your worries.
You go after my lead.
I'm already here.
The radio on the dashboard of the car's speakers as it continued to pump the music throughout the vehicle as it sped down the highway, following down the path of the road as many other cars to their destination. The driver's eyes were on the road, her golden eyes blinking only occasionally but her face set in a monotone expression, making it hard to tell what she was thinking. The pair of furred ears on top of her head twitched only the slightest movement, the only indication that she was hearing the booming music while driving.
In the passenger seat however, the young woman next to her was quite the opposite. From the stark contrast to the reserved driver, she was far more expressive and outgoing. She bobbed her head along to the music, the wings and halo above her head glowing as if a representation of the cheerful nature of the girl, while her hand held the dining utensil most commonly known as a fork, speared in, was a doughy, syurpy, fruity treat. In her lap was a plastic pan, with crumbs and sticky syrup on the near empty pan save for a single slice.
Move your body, let it dance again,
Like a star that shines above you.
Move your body, let it dance again,
Look around, everything's alright.
The woman continued to bob her head to the beat of the music, locks of ruby hair framing her face shifting from their position, before she shoved the forkful of the treat into her mouth, a happy squeal escaping her lips as she devoured and messily swallowed the treat in her mouth.
"Apple pie!"
The singular thought of the treat formed in her head, the rhythmic cadence of the jaunty enthusiastic beat of the music pumping in the vehicle. The optimistic upbeat red headed girl exhibited as she enjoyed her treat was an indication that nothing could put her down.
As she popped the last of the apple pie into her mouth, crumbs attached to her lips, she glanced to her companion driving their vehicle to their destination. She devoured the treat before asking her companion driving the vehicle.
"Hey, Texas?"
Her companion didn't respond so she waved the fork in front of her face. "Texas. Texas. Texas!"
Texas slapped the hand aside as she glanced at her red head with a flash of annoyance on her face. "What, Exusiai?"
The red headed girl was fairly unconcerned with the expression brought by her mildly annoying action. "Where are we goin?"
A response did not come as Exusiai asked again. "Where we going, Texas?"
A sigh came from her as she glanced behind her before she steered the driving wheel, taking the lane on the left, exiting the highway to a street less populated with vehicles. "It's on the request list. Did you not remember?"
Exusiai glanced up at the road in seeming thought, watching the speeding cars and individuals to their own destinations. A moment passed before she shrugged, the smile still never leaving her face. "Nope! I forgot!"
A lesser individual would have facepalmed or stared at the girl in bafflement at the sheer audacity to which she said such. To them, it would have seemed the red headed girl had a terrible short term memory of where they were heading and why, but to Texas, the Lupo was used to it, ever since she joined Penguin Logistics and met her after years of working with her. The girl still proved to find ways to annoy her quite a bit with her attitude regarding certain aspects, especially since both had received the order form and were currently on the task now driving to deliver the goods. "We're delivering to a factory that processes Manganese Ores into certain devices from the outer city of Lungmen, a subsidiary of Rhodes Island." She shook her head. "Try to remember that, Exusiai." She wouldn't have particularly cared if she took the time to keep that piece of information in mind as long as possible… only if she was the one driving.
Texas resisted the urge of the memory when both were off departing to deliver Aketon to an owner's workshop, and Exusiai offered to drive to the location, insisting even though she was perfectly capable herself. Texas had perfectly memorized the entire city of Lungmen and each location, of said area before, so she did not need a GPS.
Exusiai was the stark contrast. When they passed by the exit on the highway that would lead them to the family's home, it was not until later down where they arrived to a bakery from the exit ahead, the girl happily humming to one of Sora's songs, completely oblivious, that she had realized how off track they were. She believed she understood at the time the girl's outlook on life but it showed how little she knew when she drove off course from their destination to deliver, and how much of an effect it had on her work ethic.
They drove back but by then it was already an hour late, as they had to take another route on the highway and through multiple neighborhoods until they reached the destination. They were forced to apologize to the owner, (more like she did. The girl just fed shit and lied that she had picked a fight with the manufacturers of his company over a call about the distance of the delivery. She sent a glare her way to finally shut her up even as she explained the situation.)
Thankfully, the owner did not seem to be upset and understood the situation that she was forced upon, and he did not refuse to pay nor asked to speak to their company to file a complaint. Penguin Logistics prided itself of fast, efficient, but also safe delivery, transporting goods and materials right on time. It would be a stain on the company's name if they delivered goods far past the intended delivery time or if the goods themselves were damaged by a review or complaint.
Most importantly, the experience taught Texas that it was a mistake to ever let Exusiai drive. When asked about why, Exusiai complained–whined–about the new bakery that opened up, and their freshly made apple pie. She was like a petulant child at times, and Texas was so astounded by Exusiai's sheer immaturity of her decision that she was left speechless.
The red head happily nodded, the locks of her hair shifting along. "Okay! Thank you, Texas! What I could not do without you?!"
Nothing at all. She sometimes wondered how Exusiai exactly got paid in Penguin Logistics with her work ethic before she joined.
That was not to say Exusiai did not do any work and cared about only what she wanted. She was capable of performing work. Texas could see that whenever they were back in one of the warehouses of Penguin Logistics that Exusiai was able to carry or deliver packages and other goods.
Half the time she was focused, the other half she was completely lazy. It was what made her so frustrating to work with at times, even as Texas grew accustomed to her.
She continued to drive them to their destination as the multi layered buildings passed, their vibrant energetic colors becoming nothing more than a blur as the two made their way down an a two way intersection, before turning right to a narrow path. Their drive continued straight down, until Texas's eyes glinted for a moment at the building before she announced, "We're here."
Exusiai cheered, "Ah, finally! That was such a long ride! Got to get out and stretch!" The girl emphasized it by pushing out her passenger side door and unbuckling herself from the seat before she raised her arms, stretching her supposedly fatigued muscles.
Texas shifted the gear back to neutral and exited the driver's seat, before immediately going to the back of their vehicle. "Help me get some of the shipment of Ores out." She had just unlocked the rear back end door, when she felt the phone in her jacket pocket vibrate. Reaching in to pull it out, she glanced at the number on the screen before answering. "Texas speaking."
"Hello, Texas. You and Exusiai are here, now? I'm assuming that's both of you, given that I can hear your van."
"Yes. We're here."
"And the Manganese Ores Doctor Kal'stit requested to be processed?"
"Just unloading them."
"Okay. I'll be down in a sec."
Texas flipped off her phone, reaching into her jacket pocket to retrieve a package of pocky. Taking one of the breaded sticks, she popped the end of one into her mouth, covered in chocolate. Though pocky was commonly considered a snack treat for children, Texas found the snack to be quite tasty, and it was also a way for her to quit smoking. The treat alleviated her nerves when stress was a common occurrence.
Exusiai noticed it, and the red head rapidly waved her arms, enunciating with her jolly self. "Ooh! Ooh! Texas, can I have one?! Please Texas?"
Sighing, she nodded. Taking one out, she offered it to the red head, which then Sankta's face then turned into a angry pout, her face and nose turning up. Texas held out the pocky for a few more seconds, before she felt annoyance begin to kick in at her partner's sudden attitude shift. What's her problem? Didn't she say she wanted one?
Unless…
"Texas, feed me a pocky! Pretty please!"
"Oh, oh! Me too, Texas! Don't forget me!"
She barely resisted the urge to facepalm, as the memories of Crossaint and Sora began to rush in.
As if the girl had seemingly read her mind, she scrunched her face up further, crossing her arms and shaking her head. "No, no, no! I don't just want you to give it to me! I want you to feed it to me!"
For that moment, Texas felt her annoyance boiling within her, and her eye twitched. This again…What did it matter if she took the pocky or not? She was just going to eat it anyway!
"No. Just take it and eat it."
"B-but Texas!"
"No. Take it and eat the damn thing. I'm not doing something as stupid and idiotic as that."
The red head's face flinched in hurt again, and she whipped her head away in a gesture of anger and hurt.
Texas acknowledged this by shoving the pocky stick back into its container, rolling her eyes and turning away from the girl. She could hardly care. If Exusiai chose to act stupid, then she could hardly give a shit about the girl's feelings.
She decided to look at her phone once more, simply browsing through current times. The news on Lungmen was nothing new. There had been talks of a new development of laptops made by a company in Lungmen. The Lungmen Guard Department had sent out a report of a dangerous criminal in the seedier parts of the country and for people living in that area to stay indoors and report the suspect to not confront him and immediately call the number. There wasn't anything new. She supposed she could browse through the web. Just as she made the choice, she felt her ears twitch as she picked up on a sound, a voice, that sounded like sniffling.
Exusiai. Was she crying?
A cursory glance at her face and sure enough, Exusiai was hurt and bothered by her refusal at her request, attempting to cover up her sniffes as her face scrunched up almost like a baby. Exusiai's eyes met her and she pouted once more, turning away like a child at his or her mother when they were refused candy or toys, a similar vein that told that they were not talking or acknowledging them at all.
What an idiot. A childish, immature dumbass.
Texas looked back to her phone. Exusiai could have simply took the offer without the request. If anything, it was her fault for requesting something she knew full well that she would reject. That was the first, only and final time she would ever take a request by "feeding" someone. Why they wanted it, she had no clue.
"Please… Texas… Just want to be fed…"
The soft whimpering and begging by the Sankta was barely perceptible, but Texas could pick up on the sound that most others would not be able to catch.
"Pocky…"
She ignored her.
"Want… need to be fed…"
The voice went unheard, but kept continuing. It was if Exusiai was adamant on annoying her and grating her nerves until she got what she wanted.
Texas could block out nuisances for quite some time but even she had a limit. She knew she could not block them out forever. They would continue until she caved and gave in. Either she fell to it, or they fell, they were persistent until the end.
Fine. Exusiai and others would continue to pester her until they finally left her alone and unless she gave what they wanted.
Exusiai was in the middle of her pleading chant until Texas snapped. "Fine. Hurry up."
The girl blinked in astonishment, when Texas spoke again, her voice coming out in an annoyed tone. "Hurry up. I don't have all day."
The girl's eyes flickered happily, shining as bright as her halo and wings, as she gave a cheerful wave. "Yes! I knew you cared about me, Texas! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! I love you so much!"
"Whatever. Hurry up and just eat it." The Lupo rolled her eyes, but Exusiai could hardly care. She knew deep down Texas cared about her after all. She would take her request. After all, that's what friends do! Help each other out! Texas could never hate her! And she wouldn't either!
They were B-E-S-T-I-E-S! Besties! Best friends!
"Okay!" The girl happily knelt down, opening her mouth to bite down on the proffered snack treat, her eyes looking up at her fellow Penguin Logistics member with adoration and love. From the corner of her peripherals, the skies glowed with the same shade of azure, just slightly darkening from the time passed since they began their course to the home of Daemon.
Wait… she glanced up at the skies. Was it just her, or did she see the skies glowing golden and indigo? The colors flashed so intensely, along with the sun above, that it burned her sight and forced her to squint.
So enamored she was that Texas snapped at her once again. "Eat the damn pocky, Exusiai."
Exusiai just stared above, not responding. The astonishment was etched on her face once more, now replaced with this phenomenon in the skies above right now.
"Exusiai, eat the damn thing else I'm not doing your stupid request."
Exusiai snapped out of her reverie. "Uhh, Texas. I think you should look above you. Above there."
"No. Eat the pocky."
"But Texas! I'm serious this time! Look behind you!"
"And I'm serious too. Stop fooling around and eat the damn thing." She shook her head.
Just as Exusiai was about to inform her, Texas's phone rang with one of Sora's recognized tracks Love Beats in the Heart once more. She shot a look at her partner before she whipped her phone up, only barely glancing at the number. "Daemon. What is it?"
"Sorry, Texas. I'm just getting ready to come down but do either of you or Exusiai see what I'm seeing?"
Daemon sees something? That shouldn't be possible, considering he was in a building or more specifically, his home. "I'm sorry?"
"I'm on the TV right now! It's on LNN and UrsusNews!" Texas's ears twitched once more as she attuned her senses to the inside of Daemon's home. "There's something golden and indigo flashing up on the entirety of Lungmen and Ursus and it can be seen from Siracusa and other nations!"
The reporter's voice came after Daemon spoke. "There are multiple reports of this strange phenomenon of these golden and indigo colors up in our home of Lungmen. As you can see here, many people have gathered around this strange phenomenon. I'll be going to one of the individuals who saw it first." A garbled transmission, then, "Sir. When did you first notice this?"
"I noticed it when my wife and I went out to eat something for lunch. At first, I believed that it was my eyes playing tricks on me with lights. After all, Lungmen is known for its picturesque colors and unique blend of its vast array to give it a unique taste. I didn't pay any further attention until I was one of the first few to notice when myself and my family sat at the window seat near the entrance, when someone came barging in, telling us to look up at the skies. When we looked out the window, you couldn't believe my shock when we saw the two colors, and they were so bright I could barely see."
Texas didn't need to hear more, for she turned her own gaze up to meet the climate above to see for herself.
What was that?
"Texas? Texas, are you responding? Texas?" Daemon's voice continued to filter through the phone but no response was provided. He did not give any further questions, lost in his own curiosity at what was occurring at the moment.
Both members of PL stared in complete astonishment, now baffled by the occurrence before them.
Just what was that light? It couldn't be in any way provided by Lungmen. Not only the live report of the inside of Daemon's phone was proof enough that it wasn't by its own city nation, nor any other nation. Texas could only form hypotheses and theories but drew blanks overall, as she had little to nothing to go on.
Was this… was this a Catastrophe? But that couldn't be. Rhodes Island's Messengers or Messengers from other companies would have noticed this first and immediately contacted the necessary
"Texas! Texas! Texas!"
She was snapped out of her hypotheses. "I think you need to look again! Something came out from both those two lights!"
Her gaze found the two objects of lights above both violently expel something from their bodies. So focused she was on the blazing opposing forces above itself and what it was she barely noticed them approaching each other from opposite sides meeting in the middle.
And their world exploded in a violent flash of light.
"Loser."
He looked up from the ground, snapped out of his thoughts. "Sasuke, what's up?" Behind him, their pink haired teammate also watched Sasuke approach him.
"Kakashi isn't going to be here, at least for another hour or so. Let's get some training in if all he's going to do is waste our time waiting for him." His teammate gestured to the open field and began walking there, turning around when he didn't move. "Well, come on."
A smirk formed on his face. This was his chance to prove himself to him! That he would finally acknowledge him! Sasuke would acknowledge him as a challenge and an equal! "All right! Get ready, Sasuke! I'm going to kick your ass!"
The challenge formed in their eyes, and he responded with his own bait. "In your dreams, idiot."
"How about we have a chat, Naruto Uzumaki?"
In that instance, Naruto already knew who the voice was even before he turned around, even before the Rasengan formed in his hands and he rushed at him. There was no need for questions or demands of why he was here when Naruto's senses were already attuned without Sage Mode.
The orange masked man leaped up to avoid the signature Jutsu of the Uzumaki as it tore the house to shreds, destroying the temporary abode he had sneaked past by two high level Jonin. But that did not last long, Naruto's hands were already in the cross sign of his Shadow Clones in preparation for combat when the earth began to rumble beneath them, the cerulean gaze staring at his singular blood red of the famed doujutsu of one of Konoha's founding clans.
Before either of the two could react any further, the earth split apart as chunks of earth formed and shaped into solid sturdy logs, the constructs of Yamato encircled his body and tightly secured and looped themselves around the man's body.
"Captain Yamato!"
Yamato gazed at his student, flickering back to the orange masked man. "You alright, Naruto?" He held the palm of his hand up, never letting down the Wood Style bindings he formed.
Naruto nodded, his gaze flashing up to the masked man. "I'm fine." But it did not hide his wary concern.
Why was he here? Why was he here now?
The deep baritone voice from the masked man above chuckled, his posture and expression showing the level of concern he had even for his current predicament. "Come now. If I intended to harm Naruto, I would have done so even before you caught me, Yamato."
"Well, that's one thing we can agree on. You won't be getting Naruto at all."
Tobi nodded, the single crimson gaze falling behind his back, where he could feel the pinpricks and the deafening static chirping of the oh-so-familiar Lightning Style Jutsu. "Fast as ever and just as quick on the draw, Copy Ninja." The drawling voice made it clear that even if he faced death, he was unconcerned with it.
The twin mismatched cobalt and blood-red pools of the Sharingan gazed back with a deadly expression, the original and copy of the caster's ANBU training in full view. Standing behind him were two copies of the same man, their hands crackling and surging with lightning, the bolts snapping at the open as they were connected together to form the far more advanced Lightning Cable. "You obviously don't expect to capture Naruto easily with either myself or Yamato in close proximity. So spill it, why are you here?"
Tobi gazed into the eye of the man once more, before chucking once more. "Punctual to the point? Very well. I was here for a reason either way, but I don't think either of you or Naruto will listen to or believe what I have to say, but I'll say it either way."
"Try us."
The gaze fell to Naruto, and Naruto tensed in apprehension, letting his chakra already flare in case Tobi caught him in a Genjutsu. Yamato slowly approached Naruto's side. "I wish to speak with Naruto."
The simplicity of the statement made the three blink in astonishment just for the slightest second, before it passed and the three gazes narrowed at their enemy, a sign of their distrust towards the member of the enemy organization. The orange masked Tobi shrugged, "I did say you wouldn't believe me."
Kakashi nodded, "Sorry, but it's still hard for us to buy your statement when members of your organization captured all the other hosts for the Tailed Beasts, and Hidan and Kakuzu attempted to capture Naruto before. Even if you are here for what you said you're here for, how do we not know you have something else planned for Naruto in mind?"
Yamato also added another statement before Naruto could open his mouth. "And trust is a rarity in this world. You haven't proven any of that to us with your actions."
Tobi shrugged once more, a noncommittal gesture. "Fair enough. But what I do have to say involves Naruto. You're just going to have to believe that... And Naruto?" The blonde gazed back, never dropping his guard the slightest bit. "It is something I believe you would be far interested in."
"And what exactly would that be?" Naruto spoke up for the first time, glaring at the man.
"The truth behind Itachi Uchiha."
The words lapsed all into silence. Only the bitter cold winds, howling, was the sign of noise, though it was distant.
Silence was all that was followed, each witness to the words processing the information of what the man before had revealed to them, before the one closest to the man spoke up first. "The truth... behind Itachi Uchiha?"
Naruto was frozen in place, yet he knew it was not the bitter coldness of the climate. But he could not move.
"I do believe that is what I said, yes."
Kakashi's closest confidante and colleague were next. "What truth are you referring to? That Itachi Uchiha slaughtered his entire clan and went rogue, leaving only Sasuke Uchiha as a survivor? That's information everyone in the Leaf knows."
"Close, but not quite. Let's just say it was... ordered."
"Ordered?" Yamato repeated. "How about stop speaking in riddles and tell us what it is? You said you were here for that after all."
"What if I were to tell you that Itachi Uchiha had only slaughtered his clan under orders given to him by Konoha's elders and higher-ups? What if I were to tell you of the history of the Uchiha Clan and the hatred that consumed them, including Sasuke?"
For a moment, he was falling. He knew it. Gravity took hold of him as he fell from above, high above the skies where not a single mortal soul could touch. But he wasn't god. He had the powers of such that many would claim him so, but they were limited–vast, yes, but limited–only a boost in his current abilities. Many would denote as such that he was a god, but he wasn't. He would never claim to be one nor try to trick others into being one. He was for all he knew, was a mortal.
As gravity plummeted him down to the Earth's core, he could barely perceive a indigo hue of light also fading away, falling down to the surface's depths below. As he and the other figure plummeted, he hoped for once that would finally knock the bastard out so he would take him back home, but it was possibly unlikely.
Persistent asshole.
Turning his gaze downward, he knew that he had little options to soften and lessen his landing. His chakra capacity was nearly dry, and if he knew anything to be by, it would be prudent to save as much of it left as possible.
He twisted his body in the air as much as possible. His body was already battered, and the resulting chain reaction of their attacks hit him like a truck, running over his body that he didn't have time to react.
The pain of impact was just as bad.
When he slammed into the Earth, Naruto blacked out for a moment, his bones cracking and twisting like dough under the pressure. His mouth tore open in a vicious scream of agony, but never escaped as his body bounced off the unforgiving earth and silenced him to a further temporary measure of torture. Naruto continued to slam into objects, forced to keep his eyes shut as he could not cope with the pain, adding onto the chain reaction of his and his adversary's attacks.
He only heard chirping birds, and the sound of rustling bushes. Naruto's body, even as battered and beaten as it was, still tensed up, years of conflict engraining a instictive part of him to defensively react.
"Dammit, Sasuke. You bastard…" Naruto coughed, spitting out blood, taking the time to compose himself.
"Naruto! Naruto, are you alright?"
The deep voice was soothing. Laced with concern for his body and wellbeing that had once fought for control and desire to crush him and all he cared for, Naruto was grateful for the Tailed Beast that he once called his enemy. "Just-just peachy, Kurama."
"Thank the Sage you're alright. You know, you're damn lucky, brat. If my chakra hadn't reached you, both yours and Sasuke's…"
And then Naruto was back on his feet, stumbling, but ignoring his body littered with multiple wounds internal and external. He did not care. "S-sasuke! I have to s-stop him!" Naruto felt something from his lower half of his body rip, burst, and rupture, pain shooting out, but he did not care. At the mention of him, Naruto was renewed with energy that involved his best friend and rival.
"Naruto, wait! Hold on for a second!"
"No! I can't wait! I have to get to Sasuke-! I have to get to Sasuke and stop him! I need to check if he's all right!" Naruto took a few steps forward where his memory served him right on where he was located. It was most likely that Sasuke had also survived the fall and was looking for him as well, more than likely to continue their fight.
Why didn't Sasuke understand?! What he was doing… None of the nations nor villages would accept it. It would incite more conflict than before. He would not bring peace that way.
It didn't matter. Sasuke was not going to win like last time. He was going to beat it into that prick. And if he thought that he was going to be alone, then Naruto would make sure that he would never be alone again.
Naruto forced himself to walk, ignoring his body's cries for relief. He would not idly sit while Sasuke was moving. And he knew Sasuke felt the same way. If he didn't find Sasuke, then Sasuke would likely find him. Perhaps it did not matter, but he needed to find Sasuke first.
"Naruto, I said wait! Dammit brat! Wait!"
"Not now, Kurama! You know I have to get to Sasuke!"
"You idiot! Stop focusing on him for one second and take a good look around you!"
Naruto bit back a retort as he scanned his surroundings, looking around before he froze.
Where was he?
The empty landscape was all too familiar to him. Naruto could feel the field. It reeked of death, suffering, and coldness that wasn't too different from the wars waged on lands in his home. But it was not the same. It was not the same image that Naruto had from memory from his prior duel with the Uchiha.
"Kurama?! Where the hell are we?"
It was not the Valley where both of two founders of the Leaf, Hashirama and Madara, fought in their battle that would be a legend amongst shinobi of his time nowadays. It was not the Valley, where he and Sasuke fought; the first to bring him home and to keep their cherished bond, and now where they fought for the ideals of the Hokage and peace.
"I don't fucking know, brat! That's what I've been trying to tell you to look around! We aren't in the Valley anymore! I'm just as lost as you are!"
Naruto scanned his surroundings a moment longer, panic beginning to etch into his stomach at the unfamiliarity of his whereabouts. He shook his head, shoving it down. He was a shinobi, and shinobi were taught to hide their fear. "Forget about it! I need to focus on finding Sasuke!"
Kurama roared at his host. "Focus on that bastard?! You idiot, what about where we are first?! Neither of us has any clue where the fuck we are!"
Naruto scowled, "And neither does Sasuke! I don't know how the hell either of us got here, but as far as either of us know, we're all in the same predicament! I have to get him!"
Kurama scoffed, huffing about idiotic and dumbass hosts. But Naruto was already set. He adjusted and strapped his weapon holsters to himself, securing them around his body, before he began to set out.
The field was empty, but the setting was still suspicious to Naruto, who was trained to suspect and expect everything. A layer of mist did not help, reminding him of Team 7's first mission against Zabuza and Haku, but that was remedied by Kurama's voice from within him.
"Brat, don't worry. I'm scanning out for any chakra signatures myself. You're all clear so far."
"T-thanks Kurama. I don't think I have enough chakra for Sage Mode anyway." Naruto was grateful, as Sage Mode was the only way he could detect chakra signatures accurately. While Naruto did develop and hone as a sensor type ninja, as Sage Mode required time to meditate and prep to gather the necessary energies, he still detected signatures far more accurately in Sage Mode, but it required a portion of chakra, and Naruto had drained a majority of his own in the War against Obito, Madara, Kaguya, and Sasuke.
Suddenly, Naruto's eyes widened and he began coughing wildly.
Kurama spoke up once more. "Naruto! You alright?!" He was forced to watch his container suffer the effects of his wounds after the battle.
Naruto hacked out more globules of spit and blood. "I-I'm fine! Just locate Sasuke!"
"I could-"
"No!" Naruto vehemently refused. "Don't heal me! It's a waste of your own chakra! Just locate Sasuke now!" Right now, in a world where he nor Kurama or even Sasuke did not recognize. He needed Kurama more than anything. If Kurama spent the last of his chakra healing him, then Kurama would be forced to go to sleep to recover.
The blonde forced himself to stand up again, his body wracked with tremorous pains. He let out a sharp gasp each step as if a man deprived of oxygen continuing a slow trek to his rival's presumed location.
At over a hill, Naruto fell, tripping over a jutted rock, a crack ecohing as he hit his head against the surface of the earth. Pain erupted from the base of his skull.
"Naruto?!"
"I'm fine, Kurama!" Cursing, Naruto, with trembling bloody arms, raised them into the familiar cross sign of the Shadow Clone Jutsu. For once, ironically, he hoped that Sasuke would be up and moving so he could locate him.
Three clones popped into existence in a puff of smoke. But Naruto could no longer support himself. He fell forward, only to be caught by two of them. "All right, boss?" One of his clones gently teased.
Boss. Heh. Naruto remembered the time they threw him overboard during the trip to Cloud. "You guys should go. Go on ahead and find Sasuke without me."
The clones exchanged glances. "You sure?"
Naruto waved them off. "Just go! Hurry!" With their order received, the clones disappeared in a blur. He released a pained chuckle, leaning back to catch his breath. "Now they're concerned about me."
"Brat. If you would just let me, I can take over for your body! We can locate him more quickly that way as well!"
Along with his current state, which definitely included broken ribs, torn muscles and ligaments, and ruptured organs, it was a wonder he was still standing at all.
"I can't…"
"That asshole is likely up and moving as well! If he isn't, then that's fucking swell! We don't have to deal with his bullshit in the meantime! But you're not in a state to fight him at all! You Uzumakis are incredibly tough and resilient fucking bastards and I myself exactly wondered how the fuck Mito and your mom survived with how bad they got it at times, but you're going to collapse if this keeps up!"
"Let me take over! If he's up, then I'm going to beat the shit out of him with how much chakra I have leftover, but you can't keep fighting him! Your body is going to give out!"
Naruto paused. Kurama was right. He had a point. Naruto knew he was only still going because he would be damned if he let Sasuke alone, but his body could only take so much. Linking with Kurama and giving him complete control and consciousness would better allow him to locate Sasuke, and perhaps an edge if Sasuke would still attack.
"Okay… okay… fine." Naruto knelt down on the ground slowly, careful to not further open any wounds, his senses still actively scanning for potential threats. "Thanks, Kurama. Don't be too hard on my body." Though that needed to be left unsaid. He knew Kurama knew how much of a precarious state he was in.
Kneeling back against the rock and resting his head against the rock, Naruto mumbled, barely audible. "Kurama, I think I'm actually just gonna rest for a bit. Can you…"
"Yeah, sure brat."
Naruto just barely caught the words, his body slumped backwards. Only for a few seconds later, did they flash open, revealing a deep pool of crimson. The whisker markings on his cheeks became more defined. The crimson gaze of the owner fell down to his host's body.
"Fucking brat. You really took a lot." He took a step forward, wincing. "Even I can fucking feel it. That little fucking bastard."
He underestimated how much power that both his host and the Uchiha brat put into their attacks.
There was no time to complain though. He had a job to do. As much as he wanted to, the brat refused to be healed by his chakra, which made it exceedingly more difficult. His host was a stubborn idiot and chose to be, and refused treatment which would put him in a better state to possibly fight than the Uchiha. He didn't know if the Uchiha brat made a Susanoo before the impact of their falls. Either way, Naruto was at a disadvantage by choosing not to be healed. The brat stated he healed fast, but it wouldn't matter if they were going to the source of the conflict now, and healing of a body took days, not hours or even minutes or seconds.
He could at least use a bare minimum of chakra to heal a select wounds. Applying the miniscule amount of his chakra to his fingertips, he directed the bubbling red energy into his host's stomach. It would at least close up any ruptured organs. Naruto would disagree, but he hardly cared. His host pushed past his limits multiple times and he would not let his host break his body down again. At the very least, the brat would be in a better state for his fight with the other brat.
A surge of something hit his host bodies' memories, and Kurama saw a clearing, a field of nothing with ancient and broken signs of symbols he did not recognize, further reinforcing the fact that he, his host, and the Uchiha brat were not anywhere in the Elemental Nations anymore. They would have to establish a plan from there, find out where they were, how they got here, and note down any other information.
But his focus lied specifically on Sasuke Uchiha, where he laid in a ramshackled broken down bed in an equally dilapidated house. Kurama wouldn't be lying if he said he felt proud at the state of the Uchiha brat right now. (He wasn't Madara or Obito Uchiha, but he was a relative, and he couldn't help but feel proud and a bit vindictive, and damn him if it also didn't feel cathartic watching the brat in a worse state than his host). He didn't particularly hate the brat who his host adamantly considers his best friend, but wasn't on the friendly side of the spectrum either. He wouldn't go up and call the little shit his friend either.
Then again, Kurama himself spent the last couple of centuries inside Mito and Kushina loathing their entire race, wondering why the hell the Sage believed in them, that the only human who could understand him was the son of Kushina himself. It wasn't the Uchiha brat himself nor his clan. It was everyone in the damn Nation he had once despised.
But the little prick of an Uchiha was safe, and that would make his host happy, he supposed.
Kurama began to set out, before he froze.
Growing under his breath, Kurama let loose a surge of murderous intent, his crimson pools demanding the blood of anyone who dared to spy on both him and his host. The pools of blood scanned around wildly.
Nothing.
There was nothing. Just the empty field…
Kurama narrowed his eyes, watching once more and letting his senses encompass the temporary abode. Has he been tricked? He sworn that he sensed an energy signature. Or had he been in that much conflict during the past three days of War that his senses were failing him? No, it couldn't be.
"Mmh…Ugh… Kur…Kurama, did any of the clones locate Sasuke yet?"
When he received no reply, Naruto questioned him again. "Kurama? Is something wrong, Kurama?"
That was not right. He sensed something. But Naruto was completely unable to fight as of the moment. He was in no condition, and Kurama himself could only utilize much of his own chakra in combat before he had to recover.
If there was an enemy, at this point, it would be best to retreat. They could not engage anyone or anything at the moment. "No… Nothing… It's nothing. Do you feel like you can move, brat? If not, then I can take your body to Sasuke."
"Sasuke?! You located him?! He's okay, right?!"
"Yeah, just up ahead in some house. Your clone took him there. Don't worry about him for now. He's completely out and beaten like shit. Just as bad as you. Do you feel like you can move?"
"No. Sorry about that. Can you do it? Wait." He paused. "Are there any people there?"
"Nope. It's like the Wars. Completely abandoned and forgotten. People moved out."
"Great. Thanks Kurama."
Kurama turned to leave, but before he did, he glanced back, scanning out with his senses once more, waiting for a few minutes.
When he detected nothing out of the ordinary, he vanished.
When I was writing Texas's and Exusiai's introduction in this prologue, I was thinking of Deidara and Tobi's shenanigans while writing it.
Naruto x Arknights is going to be a thing soon, so…
I'm lazy and uncoordinated and spend my time writing new ones instead of focusing on my current ones.
Going to also get this out of the way first.
The female cast of Arknights is vast and still growing, in lore and characteristics, and they're exceptionally powerful.
For those who are huge Apple Pie and Texas's fans, do not fear, Naruto and Sasuke will not be saving them. They will not be damsels in distress as per Kishimoto's and various other works that depicts them as needing saving half the time.
Texas will be depicted as she was in lore. Same with Exusiai being one of Rhodes top Operators and markswoman.
Because god forbid, I'm tired of seeing women just being there for some guy's cock in most crossover pairings and their purpose being relegated to nothing but that. If a girl's only purpose is to be on top or after a guy's cock, then they aren't a character at all. Please don't taint one of my favorite games with many of the female characters being my favorites.
Also, English voices. Late response, I know. I had an outline out before English voices arrived, and was going to release it when it dropped, but procrastination, work, and my laziness pushed this prologue out further back than before so...
Yay. My thoughts: Everyone is great to okay, with Texas being the best of them all. Jessica Preddy did a damn fine job matching Texas's dry, quiet, cynical, and cold nature. I know there are some out there who think Jessica could have done better or had a different actress other than Jessica, but I think Jessica was honestly a perfect pick for Penguin Logistics's Lupo and Lappland's ex-girlfriend/sister.
On the other hand, Exusiai is the least great. Some people said she sounded like Jinx from League, but to me, the only critique I have of her voice is that she isn't enthusiastic or optimistic as her JP voice actress is. Leonora Haig isn't a bad pick. It's that she doesn't pack enough emotion behind her lines.
Is anyone also curious about the title's acronym? It's the pairings in order. You win a virtual cookie for figuring that out before I said this.
Also, I have not played the Break the Ice event or any of the others because I'm lazy just doing dailies.
