A/N: Miss me?
While season two was rushed like crazy, I didn't want to rush this.
Which means longer chapters, but also a bit longer than updates than usual. Sorry about that~!
As ever, the Embers rule remains: If people don't like this story? If they don't enjoy it? Well...I' won't be able to continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with two jobs; basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore. My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
Now for your questions comment and concerns:
Q: More monster girls!
A: In due time.
Q: LITTLE RAPTHALIA WHEN?!
A: Raphtalia now! Among other things.
Q: How often do you update?
A: I feel like this is a persistent question these days. I keep doing my best to answer it, but, well...some stories get weekly updates, others bi-weekly, and others monthly updates. Considering I update something every damn day, and have been doing so for awhile now...well.
If I listed this month's update schedule all at once, it would take too much time. So I'll do it piecemeal.
RWBY should be next, then Elden Ring, Genshin, Bleach, Boys, etc...
Q: We including light novel bits in this?
A: There are some elements from the novels and season two, yes. I'm trying to be careful and research properly, given how rushed everything was. As such, some chapters are longer than others, while others have more action.
Alas, I had to save the Rishia bits; they're still not ready, and including all of 'em in this chapter would've felt force. I really want this story to flow, and rushing things the way the season two was, well, that would've felt forced, and that's very much something I'd like to avoid.
Q: Wait, wait, wait. Can he tame anyone? Anything? Because if he can...
A: Oi! That's some wonky shite you're venturing into!
Q: Don't forget Ost!
A: I haven't, and I won't. She plays a pivotal role in this story.
Q: Kill Kyo. That is all.
A: Death's too good for the prick.
Alright, then. I think I've kept you waiting long enough.
Hope you're ready; because this chapter's got a bit of everything in it!
As ever, I own nooooo references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one.
"Bravery isn't having no fear; bravery IS having fear. But you do it anyway.
That's what a hero does! No matter the odds. No matter the danger.
Stand your ground! Hold the line! FIGHT!
~?
Fellowship
Peaceful.
That was the best word to describe Lurolona, Naruto found. He'd already known the demi-human village was a scenic little seaside hamlet near the cliffs from the get-go. Mirelia had told him as much on the carriage ride over -curse that accursed box to the blackest pit!- but seeing, as they say, was believing.
And what a sight it was.
Looking upon it now, he hadn't realized just how far out of the way this place. Well away from the worries of the world, the people within and make no mistake, they were people to him no matter what some of the fussy folk back in the capital might say,were good and honest folk. Somewhat startled by his and Mirelia's unannounced arrival perhaps, yet they nevertheless welcomed them with open arms. News of the coming Wave curbed their initial enthusiasm somewhat, but the promise of protection, both his and the crown's alike, went a long way to easing tensions and elevating them in their eyes once more.
Everyone wanted to see them after that, speak to them, touch them. Him in particular. So much touching!
"Whoa, hey!" he laughed as someone yanked on his arm. "Watch the armor! Its expensive!"
Another change from the capital; they were all just so damn...nice!
Someone slung a flower wreath over his head when he wasn't looking; then another came forth with one for the queen. Mirelia flashed him a coy smile as she accepted the gift. Still, there could be no denying the anxiety in her eyes. Not towards the people here, far from it; her anxiety was directed elsewhere.
She stepped into him, her words masked by the noise around them. "When the Wave comes, this place may fall...
"Agreed. This place has little in the way of defenses." he muttered aside as she shook a man's hand. "If the wave hits here, they'll be wiped out. I won't allow it."
"And abandon the rest of the kingdom? I already told you, you're just one man." Mirelia murmured back. "You can't be everywhere at once."
His eyes sparked. "About that...
Well, seeing was believing.
Even now, he could feel more than few frantic gazes on them.
Watching. Waiting for words of encouragement. It gave him the perfect opportunity.
"Ahem!" He coughed into his right fist, creating a pall of silence between them and the imploring eyes looking their way. "I know some of you are scared." his eyes swept over each of them, taking everyone in turn; men, women and children alike. "You have every right to be. The Waves are no joke. However!" Quick as a flash he slashed his right arm up, pumping a fist toward the clouds. "I'm here now, and I won't be the last hero to arrive. You've got my word on that.
Mirelia stepped up beside him. "Even now the other nations are working to summon the other heroes. Be assured, we are doing everything in our power to keep you from harm.
He heard someone mutter something about the Shield Hero. Curious. Seemed he was a popular sort among the demihumans. He'd have to ask Mirellia more about that one later when they were alone.
Someone in the crowd took umbrage with his words; he never knew who. "But you're just one man! How can you protect us alone?"
Mirelia favored him with a long, somewhat questing look. It was as much invitation as anything else.
"You're right." Naruto crossed his hands, fingers gone rigid. "I am just one man. However...
Smoke bloomed forth. Wind swept it away. And they saw.
...we are many."
He'd forever remember their faces -and Mirelia's gasp!- as no less than one hundred shadow clones appeared behind him, speaking in flawless unison. The fact they stood at attention in four separate regiments only made their "arrival" all the more impressive by his reckoning. Maybe it was petty of him to bask in that, as much as the awe that followed; no, it definitely was, but he just couldn't help himself. He took a moment, folded both arms before his chest, and stared down into the crowd, daring anyone to object.
He did so love being underestimated after all.
"Well?" likewise, he was unable to keep the smile from his face. "Anymore questions?"
One could hear a cricket chirp in the silence that followed; then, not even that.
Kurama hummed in thinly veiled pleasure. "Never get tired of it...
"Great!" Naruto clapped his hands together, producing a flinch from those assembled before him. "Let's get started!" From there, he began the unenviable task of delegating orders. "Group one will raid the nearby forest for lumber and start building wooden palisades around the village." the lads saluted and marched off." Group two, round up those fit enough to fit and run them through a few drills. Shields, spears, knives, doesn't matter. Just make sure they have weapons." A chorus of affirmatives and then they too were away, slipping into the shadows of Lurolona as the stunned demihumans looked on in silent shellshock. "Group three, bring me all the scrap metal and stone you can find. We'll use that for a few...surprises.
Their smiles said enough as the slipped away. Pranks were a lot like pitfalls in a sense. Use 'em right, and they could be downright lethal.
"What about us, boss?"
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, the weary whiskered warrior turned to face the last group of twenty-five.
"Group four will enter the forest alongside group one, but their focus will be securing food and supplies, in case this turns into a siege." he took a deep breath, "After that, I want you to scout the perimeter. If you see any sign of these so-called "Slavers" I've heard tell of lurking in these parts..."
He slammed a fist into an open palm, producing an audible pop.
...smash."
They whooped as one unit and raced after Group One.
"You do realize we could've made a fifth group to test out our Skills."
Amber burbled happily atop his shoulder, gnawing against the pauldron there. Greedy little glutton. She'd probably grow yet some more before their day was through. Idly he reached up to scratch the top of her head. Maybe later. Right now, the best offense was a good defense. He could focus on leveling up later, assuming his clones could transfer more than memories here.
If so, he'd just found a glorious way to grind.
A hand tugged at his sleeve, snatching him out of his thoughts.
"...and what of us, m'lord?"
Naruto looked down and found a young girl with pale hair and green eyes, clutching a younger sibling in one arm. Idly he took in tan skin and white hair, then her black horns at a glance. Odd. She didn't look like the other demihumans. In fact, she almost looked like some kind of devil or somesuch-
Then her earlier words caught up to him and his face flamed for an altogether different reason. M'lord?! Kurama's cackle didn't help.
"Ha!"
"Lord?! Me?! No, I really ain't...ugh." She was still looking to him imploringly, they all were, and his will faltered in the face of their need. "Fine, fine. Gimme a second." A quick crossing of his fingers created yet another group of twenty five clones. Not quite the even hundred he had first hoped for, but it would do. "Stick with Group Five. They're in charge of protecting you if the Wave hits here. All of you." he raised his voice against a few old curmudgeons that saw fit to grumble his way. "Anyone got a problem with that?"
No one did.
"Thank you, m'lord." The girl's smile hurt to see, if only because of the trust therein.
"S'nothing." he muttered, waving an arm at her. "You're welcome miss...?"
She beamed up at him with her more admiration than he liked. "Zest."
There was something about that name. Hmm. He'd think about it later. "Right, Zest." Absently, he patted her head." Run along now."
"I will." her smile didn't waver. "I'll see my elder brother pays you back for this when he returns."
His sixth sense twitched. "Brother...?"
She held the infant close to her breast, sketched a clumsy curtsy -much to his embarrassment- and raced away, leaving him with that worrying thought.
Mercifully, everone dispersed shortly thereafter.
Only then did he dare turn to face Mirelia. "Sooo...was that good?"
"Marvelous." the Queen stepped in with a warm smile, flung both arms 'round his neck and kissed his cheek heedless of the scene she made. "You were an inspiration. "Looking well past him in spite of the gasps that went up, the faintest smile creased her face. "To me and them both."
He shrugged to that effect. "Still don't get why they were so leery of me at first...
"The people here are good and decent folk," she retorted sadly, "Nevertheless, they're looked upon as...lesser by some in this kingdom. Its made some cautious.
"What, for having extra ears and the odd tail here and there?" he glanced their way, watching a man help a clone with a barrel of nails. Well, he tried to help, only for the clone to carry it singlehandedly. "Doesn't seem right."
"No. No, it does not. That said," She flicked a look over her shoulder suddenly, paying Amber little mind as she feasted on bits of his armor. "T'would seem you have some young admirers."
"Eh?"
Naruto tried to look where she was, only for her to capture his face with two fingers first. Warm lips brushed the outer lobe of his ear, her breath a naked whisper.
"Find my tent tonight."
Heat seared the back of his neck. "You're terrible, you know that?"
The Queen didn't answer with words. She simply turned and sashayed away, hips swaying. His gaze lingered. Mirelia did not walk. Walking was for peasants. She absolutely strutted. Had to be doing that on purpose...yup, she'd just run a hand across her flank and looked back. A wink and she was gone. Wicked witch of a woman...
'Damn, you could bounce a coin off-
Kurama coughed. "Ahem?"
"Nothing!"
Remembering her words he craned his neck back to where she'd first indicated.
As luck would have it, Mirelia been right. He was being watched.
Still, he hadn't expected kids.
He spied two of them; one a little lass with bright hair and lively red eyes; all but hanging over a rickety fence to get a better look at him...or perhaps his armor. Clad in a brown tunic and trousers though she was, they did nothing to diminish her demi-human features. He spied twitching ears atop her head and a swaying tail thrashing behind her little legs.
A raccoon demi-human, if he remembered his names correctly.
There other had crept just a bit closer; a Weasel demi-human by the look of her. Bit shorter than her friend, but no less bold for that. Compared to her friend, it was like night and day; her eyes were the color of golden honey with furred ears to match, peeking out of boyish straw-colored hair.
Said ears twitched warily his way when he didn't look away-as if she weren't sure whether to approach him or flee. Eventually the former won out and she vaulted the fence entirely to walk his way. Her companion shouted something, to which the blond retorted, forcing her to hurry after her lest she be left behind. His keen senses caught the tail end of their argument as they approached.
"...he's scary, Rifana!"
...be fine, Raphtalia! He's a hero!"
"Is it wrong that I want to spook them anyway?"
"Be nice." Outwardly, he plastered a smile to his face and then, very slowly, lowered himself to the grass. "Your friend's right. Ain't gonna bite, ya know." Careful to keep bot palms visible at all times, he crossed both legs beneath him and leaned their way. "Was there something you wanted?"
The two children exchanged an anxious glance.
"See?!" The one know as Rifana beamed back at her timid friend. "Told you! He's harmless!"
"My sweet summer child, you have no idea...
Before he could hope to get a word in edgewise, the little blond began to pace around him. She circled him twice. Paused. Circled them again. Frowned now, when she failed to find anything resembling weaponry. He even let her lift one of his arms, smirking a little when she struggled with it. On a whim he lifted the limb and let her dangle in the air from his bicep. He feet flailed furiously for a wild moment...then she surprised him. In truth, he half-expected her to let go like any sensible child would. He wasn't prepared for her to latch on like a lemur, lever herself upright onto his limb and grin at him.
"Rifana!" Her companion yelped, hands flying to her face. "Let go! Don't climb on the Hero!"
"Its fine, Raphtalia!"
"Should listen to our friend there, feisty." Naruto held his arm out fro himself, trying his damndest not to laugh. "But you're not going to let go, are you?"
Rifana continued to smile without a care in the world. "Nope."
He quirked a brow at her. "I could shake you off."
"You could," she allowed, "But you won't.
"Alright, I'll bite." he said. "Why not?"
"Heroes don't hurt little girls."
...she had him there.
Not so Amber.
His precious pet chose that precise moment to emerge from the hidden shoulder of his cloak. Golden eyes snapped to Rifana. Narrowed now, as she found someone upon her perch. She snapped her jaws once. Rifana saw her, heard the noise, and pitched backwards off his arm with a yelp. Mercifully she landed hard on her rear, nothing more than her pride wounded. For Amber, it may as well have been a glorious victory. The little balloon monster leered down at her fallen foe from her perch on his shoulder, threw her spherical form upright, and cried her triumph to the heavens. Victory was hers.
It was too much to hope that would dissuade Rifana's attention.
"Is that really a Monster on your shoulder?!" she sprang upright, regarding him with starry eyes. "I've never seen one before...!"
Naruto didn't miss the way Raphtalia crowded in with her, hiding behind her more-outspoken friend. There could be no escaping the curiosity of children.
"She's tame...well, mostly. Here, watch." he held out his free hand arm and whistled once.
Amber perked up, bounded off his shoulder, onto his elbow, then into his open palm. She lingered there, head upturned, watching him. He snagged a bit of bacon jerky from his pouch and offered it her way, waving it to and fro as one might a lure on a rod. Her eyes followed it. Watching. Waiting...
"Catch~!"
He let it fly and she lunged for it; surging up and out his palm to claim his prize. She landed just as quickly, content to chew, to savor her morsel. While she was distracted, his hand descended slowly, fingers settling upon her brow. From there he began to stroke her scalp in slow, circular movements. A pleased purr escaped her as she ate, slouching in his grasp with a sated sigh.
The girls cooed at the sight. Raphtalia edged forward first, surprising him. "May I...?"
Amber's eyes snapped toward her. Naruto blew out a sigh.
"Suppose that depends on her...
(.0.0.0.)
The raccoon girl approached.
Amber eyed her warily.
Food?
No, she considered after a moment's pause, feeling the weight of Master's gaze. Not food. Master would be cross if she tried to bite this one. Master had granted her intelligence, meager though it was. Master was her Master of course, just as the Crowned One was Master's mate. Next to them, she may as well be a mote of dust. Master's presence put words in her head, gave her wisdom, a proper purpose; one she'd lacked in her earlier mindlessness, a light in the dark.
...is it really alright?" the child's voice was muffled, wary even. "Can I really touch her?"
Amber glowered at the tiny furred creature. No. Mustn't bite. Besides, this was not the clingy creature, not the one who sought to sought to usurp her place only a few moments ago. She approached with due diligence and proper fear. Yes! All shall fear her! She was strong! She was mighty! She was...was...ohhhh this creature gave good scratches, too~!
Master made a pleased noise and she let herself relax, even allowing the clingy creature to touch her.
Every day she grew stronger, by his grace. Wiser. The more she consumed, the more she grew. The more she grew, the more she learned. And the more she learned, the more she came to understand Master's will. She could...think now, for a lack of her better term. If wished for the lesser fleshy creatures to praise her, all the better. Someday, when she was bigger, stronger, she'd be able to repay for this. And she would repay him.
"She's so soft!"
"And squishy, too!"
That tiny of ember of intelligence in Amber's primitive mind sparked anew.
"Yes, that's right." though she lacked the means to speak, she preened all the same. "Proffer praise upon me, mortals~! I am MIGHTY-oooh! Right there! That's the spot...
(.0.0.0.)
"Well, would ya look at that. Guess she likes ya."
That was putting it mildly, Naruto thought. Amber was all but putty in their hands. Who would've thought she would be won over so easily? Not him. She'd gone downright docile in their grasp. Hard to believe, given she'd been ready to -and willing!- to bite them only a few moments before.
A soft ping echoed in the back of his head. "Amber has acquired the Charm skill."
That voice again. Stranger still. Did it apply to her, too?
...curious. I'll keep an eye on her in any case.
"What kind of Hero are you?
Naruto blinked, realizing one of the girls had asked him something. "I'm sorry?"
"I said," Rifana planted both fists on her hips and squinted at him. "What kind of hero are you? Are you sure you're not the shield hero?"
"Papa says the Shield is the only nice one." Raphtalia chirruped helpfully. "The others are mean."
A eyebrow quirked. "Is that so? Sorry, no shield here. Just my fists!"
"But that's silly." Rifana wrinkled her nose at him. "Everyone knows you can't be a Hero without a weapon."
Patently untrue! Lee and Gai were heroes of the finest caliber in his eyes, and they relied on nothing but the strength of their own bodies. Tsunade was in a league of her own. Come to think of it, there were any number of shinobi who didn't rely on weapons for that matter; and they were heroes one and all to him.
"Really?" He blinked instead, stifling a laugh. Then laughed. "Who decided that?! Of course you can! Just you wait. And I'm sure you'll meet the real Shield Hero someday. He'll be amazing, I'm sure." A thought occurred to him just then, and on a whim he rolled with it. "What did you say your names were?"
"Raphtalia." the smaller of the two replied instantly.
"Rifana!" the bolder blond chirruped.
"Alright," He reached a hand down for each of them and ruffled their hair. "Be sure to grow big and strong, the both of you, okay. I'm sure he'll need all the help he can get."
Raphtalia bobbed her head, but Rifana dithered, staring studiously at her feet. "So, you're friends with Monsters, right?"
Amber hopped back onto his shoulder, drawing an errant look her way. "...more or less, I guess?"
In all honesty, he was curious to see how far his newfound abilities could take him. What could he tame? What couldn't he? What manner of enemies would he face? Would he continue to grow stronger in this world? Or had he reached a plateau? Truthfully, he had no way of knowing. The world was his oyster; the possibilities, its pearl. He just had to reach out and grasp it.
Rifana's gaze rose to meet his, eyes intent, and such thoughts feel to the wayside. "Does that make you a Beast Hero?"
"Suppose so." he sensed another question coming. "Why...?"
"Could," she paused, rung her hands, and spoke again. "Could you train us?" his brow shot up and she squirmed under his gaze. "I mean, you're probably gonna be here a few days, and well...
Well! Clever, clever, very clever girl, this one.
He opened his mouth to reply-
"We've got company."
Always with the interruptions, it seemed. At Kurama's prodding, Naruto sensed the newcomers long before he heard them...or saw them. Pivoting on one heel he beheld a rising plume of dust in the distance; just as his ears heard the steady stampede of hooves approaching their little gathering with all due haste. A column of mounted men, ten strong...no, eleven he amended idly, finally noticing the armored knight at their head. That well-armored rider rode at the front of them, sat astride a black destrier, making all due speed their way.
Someone in that group blew a horn. He never knew who. Raphtalia gulped.
He nudged her and Rifana back to the village. "Run along, you two."
They didn't need to be told twice. They got.
Another horn echoed not far away, answering it. More dust arose as other groups joined the first. Soon enough enough that once small squad numbered nearly thirty. He looked around and found Mirelia stomping back his way, face write from stone. It was an expression he found himself emulating as the group peeled off the road and made for the village. For them. As one, the demihumans drew back, seeking shelter behind the clones he'd made, just as intended.
A knife slipped from Naruto's sleeve and smacked into his palm. "Slavers?"
"Hardly." Mirelia reached him and pushed his arm down. "Frankly, I'd take those brutes compared to this lot...
"Eh?"
Much to their confusion, the armored warrior dismounted and removed their helm. As they looked on said warrior held up a hand. Those behind her came to a halt.
Yes, her. The figure approaching them was undoubtedly a woman.
Long strawberry blond hair flew free to frame a pale face from which blue eyes shone, keen orbs capable of piercing even the densest rock. Hers was a face that could rival even the finest of beauties...if she didn't look so damnably stern right now. Still, there was something underneath that stoic demeanor that beckoned the eye. Made him want to get to know her, ya know?
"You, there!" Her voice rang clearly, spanning the distance between them. "Return the queen at once!"
Naruto tilted his head. "Knight-say-what now?"
"Return me, you say?" Mirelia stepped out behind him with put-upon sigh. "What is the meaning of this?"
Her eyes widened, but only for the merest of moments. "My lady?! Step away from him at once!"
She lifted her chin. "I will do no such thing. I have come here of my own volition."
The knight paused. "We were told you had been kidnapped...!"
Naruto's jaw closed with an audible click.
"Is that so?" Mirelia's expression could have frozen rainwater; the bite in her voice actually sent tendrils of frost creeping across the grass. "And who, pray tell, told you such a thing? My daughter? Or perhaps a foolish old man confined to his bed?"
The lady knight looked away with a grimace, a hint of pink burning across her face . "...it was the former, your grace. Lady Malty was most insistent."
Mirelia pinched the bridge of her nose. "Malty, that foolish girl...whatever will I do with her?"
"Spank her? Sounds like she deserves a spanking if she's making trouble.
"Kurama!"
"What?! At least I'm honest about it!"
"Kneel."
Mirelia's command cut through the fog of his mind like a dagger in the dark; though it was wasn't neither meant for nor directed at him, the anger in her voice startled him all the same. Eclair complied almost immediately, as did the legion behind her. Even those mounted men lowered their heads in quiet reverence.
"Forgive me!" The lady knight all but prostrated herself before the seething monarch. "I didn't think-
"No, you did not. You will send no less than three riders back to the capital to inform your Father of this...miscommunication." She all but loomed over the pink-haired woman now, casting her prone figure in shadow. "Any word from Malty's mouth is no longer to be trusted. Do you understand?" the knightess nodded rapidly, eager to appease her. "Good. Now that you and yours are here, you shall be put to work.
The knight dared to raise her head. "O-Of course. I live to serve."
"That's right. You do. You would do well to remember such"
Naruto coughed into a fist. "And this is...?
"Eclair." Mirelia elucidated for his benefit. "Lord Seaetto's daughter. Someone I left in the capital to oversee things while I was away." she touched a hand to the girl's chin, bidding her to rise. "Though it seems he failed to notice my daughter's scheme in time. Perhaps this will be more pleasant than I thought."
Amber chose that moment to make herself known by gnawing on his shoulder.
Eclair's gaze snapped to her. "What manner of creature is that with you. A monster?!"
"Hey!" Naruto clicked his tongue. "I'll have you know she's a growing girl, so be nice, will ya?!"
...she is harmless, then?"
Wuh-oh. "Careful, she likes to-
His warning fell on deaf ears, for Eclair showed no fear. Rather than retreat like any sane individual, she stepped in, sheathed her sword, and raised a hand. Amber perked up, raising her chin in anticipation. Gloved fingers rubbed the underside of what passed for her belly. The little balloon creature trilled happily and all but leaned into her hand. He carved Eclair's expression into his mind's eye; because for a moment there, she looked like a normal girl, not the stern, gullible knight most saw her as. A single word slipped past her lips.
"Cute...
Amber hummed in agreement.
"Unique Skill, Charm, has reached level two for Amber."
Naruto resisted the urge to sigh as the voice retreated from whence it came. One of these days. One of these days he'd figure out who that was and have long chat with them. But if that was one of the only skills Amber had, then surely it was harmless. What was the worst she could do with it? Even if she managed to make someone lower their guard, she could only bite them, and that skill certainly didn't work on him, so...
Nothing to worry about...right?
Mirelia tapped her foot, claiming his attention. "If you're quite done...?"
Amber all but rocketed out of Eclair's hands and perched upon his head.
Slowly, warily, the knightess considered him anew. "You are the Hero, then?"
"Not by choice," Naruto scratched the back of his head, "But yeah. That'd be me."
Eclair looked him up and down, then up once more for good measure. Frowned. "...You're truly the Hero?"
"For the love of-yes!"
She hung her head and bowed low.
...then I kindly ask that you punish me for my transgression."
Mirelia made an amused noise behind her fan. Naruto nearly choked on his own spit.
She was just so damned earnest. He couldn't bring himself to deny her request. But still, punish her?! He wasn't that kinda guy!
"Allow me to offer a solution." Mirelia stepped between them, drawing a flinch from the knight and a frown from Naruto himself. "The people here are anxious. Nervious." she swept a hand back to where the villagers stood only a stone's throw away, watching fretfully. "Why not give them a show to set their spirits at ease?"
Eclair blanched. "Against a Hero?! I could never...
"Sure! Great!" Naruto jumped at it as a starving man would a steak. Anything to avoid whatever...punishment this girl was after. "What did you have in mind?"
Her sinister smile was almost enough to make him reconsider. He felt a muscle jump in his jaw. What was she up to...?
But now Mirelia was turning to face Eclair, the poor girl. "What say you to a duel?"
A murmur of excitement rose up from the watchful villagers.
By contrast, the proud knight whimpered.
"Why me...?"
A/N: Duel next chapter. Its all coming together.
But how, you ask? What's the plan? What's the endgame?
Well, well, well. You'll just have to read and see now, won't you?
As ever, the Embers rule remains: If people don't like this story? If they don't enjoy it? Well...I'll not continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with two jobs; basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore. My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly?
And enjoy the previews!
POTENTIAL ones!
Mind you, many are in the far flung future, but still.
Why not have a taste?
(Previews)
"Very well." Eclair's sword slid free from its scabbard with a wordless hiss. "I will attempt to strike you. Please defend yourself in a manner befitting a hero."
Naruto sighed. Saw little Raphtalia and Rifana on the sidelines, watching with wide eyes. Fine. He didn't mind giving 'em a show.
He let her circle him for a moment, allowed her to pace about the ring. Watching, waiting...any moment now...there!
The lady knight blurred in at him with a mighty shout, striking with power and poise.
Blue eyes blazed gold. A finger stopped her blade cold.
Her face drained of all color...then brightened.
"Your strength, extraordinary...
Her tent wasn't hard to find.
He saw her. She saw him. His throat went dry.
She smiled at him, body limned by the firelight. "Won't you come in?"
"You wanna join my party?!"
Eclair gave him an arch look. "Is there a problem?"
"No, no, you're plenty strong, but I mean, you're a knight? Why throw that away to go adventuring?"
"You have to die. For the sake of my world."
If the Waves are raging all across this world, then that's where I'll go. If other worlds are in danger? Then I'll save them too."
A fan flicked out under his chin. "Bold words. But can you back them up?"
"Y'know, for a woman named Glass, you're awfully sharp."
"Parry, parry, parry! Is that all you can do?!"
His fist shot out. She rocked backward.
And a voice chimed in his head.
"New Skill Unlocked."
Keel scowled at him. "Oi! I'm a boy!"
Naruto sniffed. "Nope, you're a girl. The nose knows. Anyway, was there something you wanted...?"
That...was a big crowd.
Kurama gave him a jab. "Say something!"
'I ain't good with speeches! Not with this many people!
...fine. Switch with me real quick. I'll handle this one.."
"What? Why?"
""I've been around for centuries! I know a thing or two when it comes to speeches.
"Eeeeeh, I don't know.
"Just switch!"
"Fine, fine..
His eyes flashed red, drawing a few curious sounds from those closes to him. He didn't miss the way Eclair gasped at his flank, nor the pleased noise Amber made on his shoulder.
"People of Melromac! Hear me!"
"An egg...?"
Amber tilted her head, eyes aglow. "Looks tasty...
"No." he flicked her forehead with one finger. "Don't even think about it."
"Awwww...
R&R~!