Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Naruto
Beta: Devoid Black
A/N: Thank you for your reviews! Kinda split one chapter into 5 and 6. Idky, just seemed like a good place to break it. No point questioning my whims and fancies (looks around sheepishly)
Is there something you'd want to happen?
Ps. I have an SI/OC in the Narutoverse going on the side called Madness Rides on Moonlight; I write it for fun and when I am out of inspiration for Fernweh. It is slightly crack-ish? Mellow humour? A little PG Wodehouse? heh. Regardless, it is on the backburner, while I concentrate here.
Anywho, without further ado; (Draws the big red curtains open)
Chapter 6: Anticipation
As the gull hovers motionless
Against headstrong winds
Marking time
So do I hang poised
Ready for fateful wind flight
Into a sea of mystery
-Lynn Freimann
Water dripped from the ceiling in slow, discontinuous patterns and a fire roared between them. It wasn't even half past noon but the cave was cool and the embers of the flames cast an eerie light on their faces. What has my life come to?
He pondered over his predicament. Emotions did not rule him. Cold, hard truths. Rational thoughts.. Yes, logistics and numbers. Just thinking about it made him breathe a little easier. These made sense to him. Though, now that he thought about it, rage was familiar. Even when he was little, rage was an emotion that would smolder through him in an inferno, hot and burning when he felt slighted. It would never last though. How could it? When he would dole out punishment swift and with impunity? His rage would be tempered easily when his ego was satisfied.
As he grew older, these episodes grew scarce. Control was paramount. Control was sacred. After all, what was the point in cutting down an opponent if it did not benefit him in the long run? Each move had to be precise and calculated.
Tom shrugged to himself and stared morosely into the fire. Ever since he arrived here it had been one thing after another. It kept him on his toes. Was it this place, did it destabilize him? No, it had had to be more than that. What was he, if a few words from a couple of strange men shook him so thoroughly? A few measly words and he lost control? His jaw clenched. No, it was more than that. It had to be.
Never let it be said that Tom Riddle couldn't look at the situation objectively. He wasn't sure, couldn't identify what this feeling was, but he was certain that it had to go. This kind of weakness could not be tolerated. He would have to work hard to catch up to these was a first no doubt, everything came so damn easily to him. He bit his cheek, feeling annoyed. He would get there, and surpass them, no matter what it took. He strengthened his resolve.
Tom shook his head, distracted and emerged out of his fugue. It felt like he was coming out of water; his vision cleared and he could hear clearly. He looked over to the men muttering over a map in front of them. The children were playing on the other side of the fire.
"Do you need help?" he asked, a little embarrassed by his temper tantrum earlier. This was the first time he had spoken after that mortifying episode. He made sure to look unfazed when they stopped abruptly to look at him. The man with the shock of silver hair gave him a patronizing smirk.
"Don't worry your pretty little head about it, kid. We're on top of it.."
Tom carefully bit his cheek so it bled a little. He wasn't deluded enough to presume he knew much at all, this wasn't his turf. Added to the fact he didn't know their skill-sets or anything about ninja combat in general.. it wasn't completely ridiculous to keep information from him. He was an unknown, he would do the same. Somehow, that didn't make him feel much better. He scanned the overcrowded cave to take in their expressions, to try and find out their team dynamics.
"Would you at least like to know what I've learnt?"
This time it was Orochimaru who looked amused. "Yes, why not"
Tom took a deep breath. "Eight to ten men in town at any point of point of time." He recalled, haltingly. "Five more to the west, along the perimeter, not counting your clone. Three to the north."
"Aa, we know" Orochimaru smiled indulgently. No, just pat my head why don't you, for a job well done, Tom thought sarcastically.
"The Shinobi Ao-" he continued, unperturbed.
"Ah yes, the man you were fraternizing with, you might do well in the seduction corps" Orochimaru said thoughtfully as Jiraiya choked on his spit. Tom refused to deign this with a response and continued in a monotone.
"It has come to my attention that there might be disagreement within their ranks. "
At this Jiraiya's gaze sharpened, but before he could question him further, Orochimaru stopped him with a wave of his hand. "We will talk about this later. We will head out in an hour" He said to his comrades, rolling up the map. "I'd like to be done with this tonight, the Chunin arrive at dawn and we must be ready for them."
Sakumo and Jiraiya nodded and they went back to their muttering. Should he eavesdrop? This was… frustrating. Yes, that was the word. Frustrating. Tom had never been one to take orders . Look at me rolling over like a pup for a belly rub. He would like to say it's because they don't trust him, but it's really far more insulting than that. Tom Riddle, the wallflower. He sighed.
Eventually the nin left, leaving him to be a glorified baby sitter. They pulled the Kaguya kid with them. What the child could possibly do, he did not know. The remaining two children bundled up close to him, seeking warmth.
"Ne, ne, Voldemo-niisan"
Tom stilled minutely and turned towards Mei. Niisan? Brother? The poor child's barmy. He swallowed his emotions so that he would not exhibit any of his discomfort and nodded once. Best keep this professional.
"Terumi-chan?"
"Is it true that we are going to the Fire country? We have never left Mizu before. What do you think it's like?" She quivered with excitement.
Zabuza seemed precocious and a little wary with his behavior. Good. He seemed cautious even. But why?
"I suppose there's going to be a lot of trees…"
"Trees!" Terumi's eyes lit up in wonder, making Tom shake his head. Children.. so easily satisfied. He rethought that statement almost immediately. Not me though. Never me.
"Well, I also presume it will be warmer than it is here, since it's inland. We'll have to explore together."
"Oh yes!"
It was at that moment the earth shuddered violently under his feet.
Zabuza looked at him wide eyed.
"Voldemo-san" he said. "You think we should get out of here? I know they asked us to stay here and remain unseen but.." he trailed off.
Tom snorted. "No, Zabuza-kun, I have no intention of being buried alive either on the off chance that the ceiling does collapse on us." He paused. "Let's go to the forest and keep a watch from there."
The earth rumbled one more time as they stumbled out of the cave, a rock fell in the place where Tom had stood and he could feel his heart in his throat. "Come" Tom ordered, feeling a little naked without the secrecy of his wards around him.
He took off at a brisk pace, leading them to the clearing from earlier that morning, the scorched earth acting as a clear marker in memory of his fiendfyre. Tom scowled at it as he looked towards his charges, he needed to control his temper.
"If I leave you here, will you climb that tree and stay silent until I come back?"
The tree didn't really give them much cover but it was better than nothing. Zabuza nodded, but Tom looked at them skeptically. Sighing, he used his wand to cast a disillusionment charm.
"Whoa" Mei breathed. "We disappeared.."
"It won't last" Tom warned them. "Go up there and settle down and remember to be silent"
"Hai, Voldemo-san" They chorused and he heard them run away.
He cast another disillusionment charm on himself and made his way to a spot on the cliff that he knew would give him a good view of the town, if not most of the island. So, he began his slow and arduous climb to the top. He caught sight of the village and he breath hitched. There were bodies scattered in the streets, lit only by the moon. Tom Riddle was no stranger to death. He had lived through the London bombings, caused a death himself, even if it was by accident. Bodies littered through a ghost town shouldn't shake him, but it did. It wasn't the bloodiness or gore that spooked him, it was the sheer efficiency of these ninja. The fact that the men and women of these village didn't hear a sound, didn't stir while a battle raged- no, this was outright assassination, Tom thought, looking at the bloodbath critically. An emotion ran through Tom like electricity and it took him a moment to place it. Excitement.
The three men he was with… he hadn't seen them seriously duel but, they were very dangerous. They had also promised to teach him. He imagined having this level of power. He imagined controlling men of this pedigree. Tom smirked and returned to his journey to the cliff. No doubt, the streets would be clear by morning; the Mizu nin replaced by the Konoha nin, overnight. A change in power, without the carnage and the subsequent panic of the citizens? Tom felt giddy and for a moment he wondered about the man who held such power. Did he think of himself as a God? He must. After all, he sent three men with the power to match two dozens. Tom stopped in his tracks as deliberated the intelligence of striking a deal with this person. Did he sell his soul to the devil?
He reached the cliff huffing and panting, irritated by his weakness and scaled a tree. There was a fire to the east; it was almost immediately doused in water, a wave roaring from the surrounding sea. His eyes scanned the horizon and spotted a skirmish in the west; the sound of blades engaging, the reflection of the moonlight glinting off of steel. Tom hesitated. He wanted to see the fight but didn't trust his instincts if he got caught in the crossfire. He didn't trust his speed if he wanted to make a hasty retreat. He cursed under his breath.
He was about to scale down the tree when he caught sight of… something at the edge of town. He quickly cast a noise cancelling spell on himself and waiting for whatever it was to reach him. It did seem to be moving towards him. He squinted.
There was a rush of sound, the sound of metal clashing. Fire, and wind like a storm. He shut his eyes to protect his eyes from the gale, it wasn't like he could see anything. And I thought, I would go to see a fight. They moved at unimaginable speeds, frantic blurs and he couldn't begin to track them. It was… daunting. Tom frowned. A spell… I need a spell to compute this information. Transpicio? No.. Pervideo? Tom closed his eyes his mind racing and made a split decision to enter his mind space. For a man of his caliber it was exactly as immaculate as it should be. A fire roared under the mantle and a plush armchair stood adjacent to it over a rug. He moved to the surrounding library picking and discarding books with a wave of his hand. He rifled the numerous books he read in his mind. I could simply will it. Though, I do not wish to experiment on myself. He sighed and resigned himself to not knowing and pulled out of his head while simultaneously curling into a ball to protect himself from the elements. He waiting with bated breaths and began counting.
254… 255.. 256..
The storm stopped. Tom cautiously raised his head from his hiding spot. It felt like eons. It was barely five minutes. There was a little crater in front of him and in the center of it..
Tom's mouth went dry as he observed Orochimaru standing over another man. He knelt down on one knee taking support of the Kusanagi, to check his pulse. Even Tom knew he was dead, but he appreciated the man being thorough about his job. He slit the corpse's throat anyway.
Tom watched as Orochimaru produced a scroll from his robes and the corpse and his sword vanished into it. The familiarity of the sword niggled at the back of his head. He frowned at Orochimaru when the man looked directly at him. Tom stilled.
Impossible.
He had cancelled both sound and vision. How-
Oh. That's right. They can sense chakra. I need to learn to mask that.
He was just about to reveal his presence, but jerked himself to a halt as a small explosion sounded in the distance, followed by the sound of birds fleeing.
"Fools" Orochimaru spat and vanished.
Tom exhaled explosively. Well, that's that. Shaking his head, he made his way to return to the children he had left behind. No doubt, even he would have been infuriated by the failure of this stealth mission.
He slowly wandered back into the forest just as dawn broke over the canopy. He stifled a yawn and cancelled the spells that obscured him. The midgets are probably worrying their pants off, Tom snorted. Best reveal myself to them so they can come to me.
But they didn't. Tom reached the clearing with the scorch mark and surveyed the area in confusion. Those impudent brats, I told them to stay-
There was a gust of wind and the feeling of steel against his neck. They say hindsight is 20/20. Tom bit out a groan.
"Well, well.. Remari Masuko, was it?" a familiar voice said in his ear.
"Ao?" he ventured.
"Aa"
"The kids?"
He was forced to face a tree and both the children bound and gagged in front of it. They looked at him in horror.
"What do you want?" Tom asked him with a sigh, kicking himself for leaving them alone.
"Information. Who are you and what are Konoha Shinobi doing on wave?"
Tom relaxed. "Will you let us go if I tell you?"
"I might."
"How do I know you won't kill us?"
"You don't"
Just keep talking. Just keep the blue haired idiot talking.
"I am Voldemo. I am.. not from here."
"Yes, so the kids have told me."
"Then why did you ask?"
Ao looked at him funny. "To verify" He tightened his grip. "Enough of this, where are you from?"
Tom stilled. This interrogation was bordering dangerous territory. He doubted he could freely tell anyone of his dimension jumps (and he was almost certain it was a dimension jump, because no one from his world knew of the elemental nations) without becoming a permanent lab experiment.
"You don't need to know.."
"On the contrary.." The blade dug into his skin cutting it. "I'm sure you will find reason to tell me."
Tom thought quickly. He wouldn't give this information freely, if only he had something else to bargain with. Tom relaxed his tense muscles under the blade.
"Mah.. you won't kill us"
"Oh? Won't I?" Ao sounded amused behind him. He dug the blade in deeper.
"No you won't because I can give you something else."
"Hmm.. Are you going to tell me Konoha's plans?"
"No."
"No?" Tom gathered his magic, preparing himself to apparate out of the man's hold. Ao stopped.
"Whatever you're going to do I suggest to stop it, if you value your life" Ao said gruffly, catching his hands at rapid speed and pushing them at an angle that hurt.
Tom subdued his magic. Stupid. Stupid! Had he already forgotten they were faster?
Tom forced himself to speak calmly. "You won't kill us because I have something you want. And I will let you take it and leave without protest, before the Konoha nin return."
"And what could you possibly have that would interest me?" Came Ao's sarcastic voice.
Tom looked towards the children. "Them.."
"Why would I want mere chil-"
"I suggest you evaluate what I am offering before you decline it." Tom stated matter of factly.
Mei and Zabuza stared at him in various degrees of betrayal.
"The girl has Lava and Steam release" Tom spoke.
"What?" Ao gasped, his grip going slack.
"The boy.." He wasn't sure what he could say about Zabuza but a malevolent aura was thick and heavy in the air. Zabuza-kun was very angry at him, the glint in his eyes spoke murder.
"Interesting" Ao breathed.
"You said you want to keep children safe from the war."
"That I did" Ao said thoughtfully. "They are Mizu's"
It wasn't a question and Tom didn't bother responding.
"Is this a deal? Take them and leave."
Ao looked at him consideringly. "Yes, I suppose it is."
Before he could say much else a sharp force hit his head and he saw no more.
"Voldemo-san… Voldemo-san?" a voice sounded from far away.
Tom opened his eyes blearily. The blurry figures of the Konoha nin stood over him. He blinked.
"What happened?" he asked, sitting up.
"Our forces have taken over wave, it's early morning. We will leave after an announcement is made to the villagers." Sakumo said.
"Huh" Tom responded unintelligently.
"So why are you on the forest floor? Where are the children, Voldemo?" Orochimaru asked him. Jiraiya stood a little further back with the Kaguya child, scrutinizing him.
"Ah.. that" Tom looked down. "The man from yesterday… Ao… he took them"
"Took them?" Jiraiya repeated.
"Yeah, knocked me out when I did not give any information and left with the children."
"Tch" Orochimaru spat. "You let him lure you out of the cave? You had one job! Stay and protect the children, how-"
"It's okay, Orochimaru –kun" Sakumo said, looking at Tom with pity in his eyes. "At least Voldemo-kun's alive…" he trailed off awkwardly.
Orochimaru merely grunted in disdain. Tom didn't mind. He thought it went very well, all things considered. Jiraiaya was quietly judging him but Tom shrugged it off, it wasn't like he knew anything.
"Lost two assets in one go" Orochimaru was muttering.
An hour later when it was time to go, it was Jiraiya who knelt in front of him on one knee. "Come"
Tom looked at him puzzled. "What do you want me to do?"
"Climb onto my back, pretty boy" Jiraiya smiled lecherously.
"No, thank you" Tom said politely. "I'm capable of walking on my own."
Jiraiya scowled at him exasperatedly. "Ninja travel faster, Voldemo-san. We will also get out of this island by running over the water. This, you can not do. So stop fussing, and get on."
Tom climbed his back mutely with a stubborn clench of his jaw, embarrassed beyond belief.
Run over water?! What were they- Ah. Tom stared in awe as these men ran over water then through the trees. He watched in shock as the countryside blurred past him. This was what I am going to learn! This is how fast I am going to get! Tom thought giddily and for a moment, he was content.
