The Fate We Have Chosen

by Another Shy Gamer

When you've lived long enough to see yourself become the monster, it's fate's way of saying you've overstayed your welcome. In a realm full of corruption, tyrants, and Gods, a monster just might fit in. However, the veiled peace was coming undone, and whether he liked it or not, Naruto would be at the center. This realm desperatly needed a savior... or a Dad... just one more time.

10. Chapter 9: Nothing is as it Seems

Chapter 8

Nothing is as it Seems

---

West Regna Ferox

Khadein

Never had Morgan, nor Lucina, felt more pressure by simply walking.

Their next destination, an abandoned estate in East Regna Ferox, was 5 days on foot while 2 on horseback, yet their teacher/father hadn't even suggestedaany other form of fast travel. In fact, he hadn't exactly spoken much at all since they departed from the West.

Of course, both time-travelers knew why, yet they weren't exactly eager to be the one to draw attention to themselves after both their decisions that lead to what was the longest silence the group had ever had together.

"Sssssoooooooo," it was Morgan who finally broke the tension. "Nice weather we're having."

Lucina would respectfully disagree. It wasn't exactly a blizzard, but snow was coming down enough to thicken on the roads and slightly impede their travel; not to even mention the temperature. She wore a coat comfortable enough to block the wind and keep her warm, but her feet did not get the same treatment. As a matter a fact, the only reason she wasn't suffering from frostbite was due impart to the warming tags the blonde had implanted into all their wear before they arrived in Regna Ferox; which didn't exactly make a lot of sense now that she thought about it.

Yes, it did for shoes seeing that they actually covered her feet, yet the same couldnt be said about the two blondes (well, one seeing that Naruto hadn't yet transformed from the ravenette that soundly defeated the West Khan Champion). They both wore sandals for Naga's sake! How exactly were their feet staying warm!

"Oooooookkkk. Still upset. Sorry."

The comment forced the time-travelers to stop in thier their hike due to the leader that currently paused on a dime. Blinking, both looked to each other before returning to the back of the disguised shinobi. When he finally turned to look at them, a shiver went up both their spines; for once, not because of the cold. The man was still smiling at them with that face that wasn't his own and his eyes closed, but the way his bangs hung created a shadow that made the man's delicate features a tad bit terrifying.

"Now, why would you think that, dear?"

Morgan gulped, hearing the threat in her father's tone despite not knowing the stranger he currently occupied.

"O-Oh, I don't know. M-maybe it's because we've been walking for, like, 2 hours now and you haven't really said much since we... well... not to mention, you haven't exactly let that, um, look, leave your, um, face..."

Lucina was sure the way the man tinted his head was meant to feign innocence, yet the face appeared as anything but.

"What reason could I possibly have to be mad at you two," he started, the air somehow growing colder as the man seemed to, metaphorically, grow in size. "I mean, it's not like not one, but BOTH of you brats went off on your own and basically fucked up my plans in the process. Not like my daughter just cost me a QUARTER of what I own. Not like Princess ran off without supervision to fight a fight I KNEW she couldn't win. Not like I had no choice but to be the Champion of the West, AGAIN. Not like I have to learn to fight with one FUCKING ARM for the next 3 weeks. NOT LIKE we have to now waste precious training time on an endeavor that could have been COMPLETELY FUCKING AVOIDED if PRINCESS held even an OUNCE of PATIENCE and MY DAUGHTER had an ounce of BRAIN CELLS."

Both time-traveler's shoulders flinched with ever pointed word like the child they were currently being lectured as.

"Speaking of which, I've yet to actually understand what was going on in those minds of yours. So, as generous as I am, I'll allow you both to explain yourselves. For your sakes, I hope it's believeable." Both gulped, neither wanting to go first, yet neither was particularly eager to know what would happen to them if they took too long.

So, being the leader she was, Lucina decided to be the one to pulled the bandage. "I, uh, have no, excuses for my actions."

"No, you have an excuse. You just realize how stupid it is so you use the escape of 'taking responsibility for my actions' thinking I would accept that answer instead of forcing you to admit the reasons for your mistake out loud. News flash, Princess: it won't work. Now, like I said, what is your excuse for what you did, and you better have one this time."

Lucina suddenly found it hard to look at the man. Turning her head bashfully, she stared at the ground, her hands linking and thumbs twiddling against each other. "It... its stupid."

"I know it's stupid, Princess. It's the whole reason why we're here and why we're having this conversation. Now what. Is. The. Excuse. And you're not 12. Look at me when you say it."

Embarrassment clouded her mind. It wasnt every day she was forced to admit when she was wrong and Lucina desperately wished it would be the last. She wondered for the first time in her life if this was what it was like to be scolded by a parent.

Accepting her fate, she looked up, trying to imagine the smile her teacher was giving her was reassuring. Spoiler, it did not work.

"I thought, I, could do it, on my own..."

'Haku' was right in front of her; specifically, 3 inches away from her own face. Confused on the sudden jump? So was she, and she watched it happen. One moment her future's hero was 10 feet in front of them, the next, he was in front of her.

Thing is, she was more speechless on how he did it. When he was talking to them, his legs were on the ground. When she had spoken, his legs were on the ground. When he moved, his legs were still on the Gods forsaken ground. Like some kinda geared machine, he leaned forward and slid (yes, SLID) till his face was only inches from hers. She'd have really liked to know more about the impossibility of the action if she wasn't too busy staring into the man's crazed eyes.

"You mean to tell me the WHOLE REASON we are in this shit is because you were IMPATIENT and COCKY?!" The time-traveler stepped back in fear, her mouth agape as she desperately tried finding an excuse for her actions.

"I-I just, I just wanted to-"

"You wanted to what? PROVE yourself? Prove me wrong? Prove that whatever skills you learned killing those dead fuckers would transition into fighting LIVING people?! TRAINED LIVING people? I don't know if you know this or not, Princess, but those who challenge a Khan's Champion MUST win! Why? Because if you lose and you're NOT the Champion, you get an early retirement and an early grave! Didn't KNOW about that, did'cha!"

The time-traveler gulped. "Y-yes, I knew. But-"

"Oh? So you DID know what you were getting into, yet you still did it? And here I thought you were the smart, Princess... Unless I'm just crazy. Yeah, I have to be crazy. It's the only reason I can think of to why you ran off on your own. Do you think I'm crazy, princess? Huh? What about you, Morgan? Is your old man senile-"

"Sir Lon'qu is genophobic!" The reveal made the pressure stop almost immediately. The crazed eyes of her teacher receded and what was left behind was a stare so lacking of human emotion you'd think it was a mask. Finding courage from the silence, Lucina pushed on, "Sir Lon'qu, fears women. I planned to used that to my advantage in our duel. I, will admit that I overestimated my skills, but I had every confidence that using his weakness against him would lead to my victory, as it did many Shepherds in my future."

Lucina's words were spoken truthfully, so she had no reason to fear her teacher's retaliation. She would go as far as to say the Lon'qu of her time was damn near unbeatable, yet it was often talked about how nearly every woman in the Shepherds had bested the man at least once.

Yet, the way her teacher looked at her was not knowing, but incredulousness. As if...

"Is, that not why you took on that form? To take advantage of his weakness?"

Silence met her query. Blue eyes locked with brown as Lucina awaited whatever emotion her teacher was ready to dish out next. When he finally reacted, it was, thankfully, not to throw more insults, but to slowly turn away, walk to a nearby fallen log and sit down-Lucina's form slumping in relief while Morgan creeped out of wherever she'd hidden while the future Exalt was being verbally abused.

"...I've misjudged you, Princess. For that, I will apologize." The two time travelers blinked, looked to each other, them blinked again. Did... did he just, apologize? For being wrong? Was this a dream, or was the world ending? "You're still stupid, though."

...Of course it was too good to be true.

"I will also apologize for making such a rash desicion on my own," she tried, but was waved off.

"Don't apologize, Princess. I don't approve of what you did, but I can at least see where you're coming from now. Next time, just make sure you tell someone before you do something stupid. Deal?" She nodded in acknowledgement, getting the man's approved nod in response. Jumping to his feet, he stretched wide before smiling in an attempt to life the mood.

"Great! Now that we got that out of the way, time to move on with our lives! Our target is won't appear till 6 days from now, so that leaves us with 5 to do a little extra curricularour activities!"

Morgan was front and center practically in a flash. "I'm glad we've put the past behind us, Sir! Morgan, reporting for duty, Sir!" She exclaimed, not to different from how a soldier would salute their leading commander. Despite the ridiculousness of the act, Lucina could nonetheless feel a smile growing on her face.

"That's the spirit my adorable little clone! But before we begin, just gotta make a few 'changes' to our jounrey in Regna Ferox. First change, until further notice, I am 'Haku'. Remember that, because it it crucial to our stay in Regna Ferox. And second," the shinobi walked closer and spoke marginally lower while putting a hand over his mouth, "Keep all 'future' talk on the low till we're out of this popsicle.

Both girls looked confused at the sudden temporary pledge to silence on their most prominent matter.

"Did you really think Basilio would send us to do his dirty work without a bit of 'insurance'?" After saying that, he looked over their shoulders, gave a closed eyed smile, and waved at something behind them. Both time-travelers snapped their heads in the direction the man was waving. To their confusion, no one was there; not even a piece of displaced cloth. They were alone, yet both now couldn't erase the feeling of eyes being on them.

Snapping fingers brought the two back to the shinobi who looked calm despite the reveal of possible threats.

"They are a problem for another day. What you should be worrying about is training. Princess, you will work on handsigns. ALL of them. Memorize them all before we get there. Shrimp, I've got something special for you." Morgan perked up, her eyes nearly bugging out of her skull when her father produced a scroll from his sleeves.

"Really?! Really and truly?! You're really gonna teach me a new killer move?!" She practically shouted, her excitement clear to anyone in the vicinity. Her father gave something of an assurance and the scroll was out of his hand before he even had the chance to explain what the technique was. Within milliseconds, the scroll was open, the girl reading through it as if the strange symbols on the paper would disappear if she didn't read it quick enough.

As time passed, so did the girl's animation. In fact, the more she read, the quicker the smile fell until it was a flat line on her face. Excitement now nowhere to be found, she looked to her father accusingly.

"Dad, what the heck is this?"

"A Jutsu?"

"You call this a jutsu?" She argued, waving the unraveled scroll indignantly at her father. "Where is the flourish? The power? The flashiness?! I can't be none of that with, with, THIS!"

The man simply raised a brow. "You think I've already forgotten what you did? You should be grateful I'm even giving you that, brat."

"Wah-but, but Lucy did something stupid too and she's learning arguably more useful things than me! This is so not fair!"

If Lucina would have blinked in that moment, she would have missed it. Morgan blinked along with the younger bluenette at her now empty hand before glancing back to the back of the man now walking away. "If you're gonna be that ungrateful then see how far you get learning a jutsu on your OWN, brat."

Lucina didn't think it was possible for a human being to pale as fast as the girl had. Screaming obscenities/apologies, Morgan quickly caught up to her father-all the while the future princess chuckled and follow behind at her own pace.

In the distance, as the group walked off, multiple hooded figures released breaths they didn't know they were holding.

---

(Flashback)

West Ferox Castle

Lucina awed at what was possibly the biggest feast she'd ever seen for 3 people. Plates filled with different dishes and sauces spread nearly to the end of the long table they currently dined at, her mind unable to get away from the fact the feast could easily feed 20 people.

A fact that seemingly meant nothing to the Khan currently indulging himself on any dish within reach. He tore into a drumstick with the fervor of a starving wyvern and drowned it all down with a healthy helping of ale. The sight would have made her lose her appetite if the thought of why the Khan 'invited' them into his palace hadn't already accomplished the task.

Across from her, Naruto (or 'Haku' as the disguised blonde introduced himself as) used his utensils elegantly to cleanly cut a peace of steak before just as elegantly placing it into his mouth; how the man even held an appetite in their situation being a testament to both his power and mental fortitude.

Plates clattering caused the princess to jump and look to the Khan who was currently waterboarding himself with ale. Glancing down, she noticed the turkey he'd been tearing through didn't have a scrap of meat left on it along with everything within his reach having been either consumed or completed halfway. How, wasteful.

Slamming his cup back on the table, the Khan let out a satisfied sigh before a berp soon followed after. "Now THAT is what ya call a feast!" His voice rang through the hall, a hand coming to his slightly bloated stomach before he peered at her (thankfully, no longer unwelcoming). "Whatcha waitin' for, lass? Those bones of yers ain't gonna get any bigger starvin' yerself, Lass! Eat up!"

"I'm, not hungry," she retorted, her stomach currently filled with fear and disgust besides the food it no doubt needed. Thankfully, the Khan shrugged with a 'suit yourself' before drowning himself in ale once more.

"Do not mind her, Khan Basilio. My Liege is a stubborn woman and isn't particularly accustomed to Feroxian dining." Lucina looked up, the polite manner of speaking coming from the seat right across from her. It was, weird hearing her teacher speak in such a manner compared to his usual tease and total lack of care for decor. It was still a mystery why he'd decided to take that particular form, but if she'd learned anything from his fight with Lon'qu, it was to stop questioning his motives.

"Harharhar! Don't sweat it! We may not be prim and proper like you lordy types, but we boast the best food on the continent!"

"Fufufu, have to agree there. The steak is of top quality and cooked to a unequivocal texture. The ale is a bit strong, but the taste is tolerable. If you had classical music playing you'd have surely won my heart."

"HAH! Keep talkin' like that and I just might keep ya as my permanent champion!"

"I see no problem with that. After all, I hear you compensate your Champions pretty well. One can only imagine what luxuries and special privileges I can get being the right hand of such a powerful man."

"HAH! Stop it! I'm blushin' here!"

Lucina stayed silent, yet she couldn't help but be baffled at the conversation being had.

They were, conversing, casually; as if their duel earlier never happened; as if the blonde hadn't used some underhanded tactic to humiliate his Champion.

It was good, of course. It showed that the Khan was a man of his word despite the underhanded tricks of the shinobi, yet it made her all the more anxious to get to the reason they were all here.

And on that note, as usual, it was up to her to be the voice that brought them back on topic.

"As much as we appreciate your hospitality, Khan Basilio, I do believe it is time we got down to the real reason we are here, Sir." Both Khan and shinobi stopped in their musings to glance at the one who'd ruined the atmosphere with business. Sighing, the Khan leaned back in his seat before giving the time-traveler an exasperated expression.

"And what makes you so sure I have alterior motives?"

"Sorry, but I must concur with my liege, Khan Basilio." 'Haku', thankfully, agreed. "As much as we appreciate the hospitality, we are also aware of our place on negotiations especially when it comes to the 'favor' we ask of you, which we can assure, is no small favor."

The Khan leaned further in his chair, a smirk present on his face as he was content on continuing the game, "I'd like to think my hospitality was just that. Got two lassies keepin' me company and good booze to boast. Could simply be enjoying the gift the Gods have bestowed upon me." Lucina pointedly ignored the fact the man casually revealed her gender along with the innuendo that simply went over her head.

"Maybe, but you did not become reigning Khan simply because you were better than the others at swinging a blade. If that were the case, any brute with an axe could be Khan." The jab, expectedly, made the Khan laugh.

"Alright, since the feline is out of the sack, lets get straight to the point," taking one final sip from his mug, Basilio leaned back into his chair, his face now placid as he glanced between his two visitors.

"Who are you two, really? And don't give me that Valmese Lordship hogwash. Shinobi are servants under hire for Lords of Chon'sin, which she," he pointed a thumb at Lucina, "doesn't have an ounce in her. Could tell the moment she opened her mouth. You, on the other hand, are. Hard to get skills like that anywhere else. What I'm dying to know is: how exactly you two came across and what does Ylisse need with Regna Ferox."

Lucina swallowed. How they responded could either make them allies or enemies of Regna Ferox while possibly setting the flow of time back on it's original track. She only prayed the 'plan' (an admittedly very foolish one she still did not seem keen on following through even now) they discussed before she opted to do things on her own did not have them lose the best opportunity they had in rigging the Tournament in their favor.

"You are correct, Khan Basilio," 'Haku' started, Lucina practically sitting on the edge of her seat as her teacher began their diplomatic negotiations. "She is not my liege nor is she of Chon'sin royalty. We met but a few days ago and our goals just so happen to align. I've agreed to help her accomplish her goals and she mine. Nothing more."

"I see... And what might those goals be?" The shinobi looked at her and she knew it was time to put her request on the table.

"I cannot speak of my companion's goals, but can of my own." She took a deep breath before allowing her request to leave her lips. "Once my companion wins the Tournament, we ask that you give your full support in assisting Ylisse in the coming war with Plegia, be it troops, funds or weapons."

The room went eerily silent after her declaration. The Khan remained unexpressive even as he leaned back into his chair, the fire cackling at the chimley being the sound to echo in what seemed like minutes of silence. When the Khan finally spoke, his voice was hard and eyes sharp.

"Tell me. Did Ylisse send you?"

"They did not. My actions are my own."

"Really? And I suppose it's also a 'coincidence' you had an envoy carrying the entire bloody Ylisse royal line towards the East as we speak?" Lucina remained unmoved at the accusation. Her knowledge of her father and their travel to East Regna Ferox was known to them, but she'd be damned if she let the knowledge be read on what little features she had to show; how the Khan knew of such a thing being a completely other matter. "And they'll be, coincidently, asking the exact same thing you are of me to Flavia, no? Conveniently only a few days after her own Champion's murder?"

Lucina wasn't entirely capable of stopping her brows from shooting up. She knew Khan Flavia was in need of a Champion around the Tournament's start, but was never privy, nor would she even think that the man or woman was murdered. Surely, the Khan wouldn't put the blame of his death of Ylisse simply due to convenience?

"We, cannot deny knowing of Ylisse's ventures, but I can assure you we are here of our own accord and not that of any royal of House Lowell or Ylisse. Our goals may coincide with that of the Exalted line, but they have no hand in where we stand now or the demise of the East Khan's Champion. This, I swear."

"HA! No one would believe for a moment you pampered toffs assassinated Flavia's Champ!" Basilio waved off. "I'd bet money they'd eat a boot before any Feroxian believed that hogwash! Fact is, we already know the dastard that did it and have plans in the works to bring him in." The reassurance Lucina felt from the statement didn't last long. "However, as you may know, truth means little when it comes to public opinion, and your rigging of the Tournament doesn't exactly put you in a good light. The only way you can forsure say Ylisse had no hand in this is if you lose purposefully; which I'd have yer head before you could even utter the word 'forfeit'."

"Not only that, but even if I believed your hogwash, believing that a random Ylissean, a no name citizen at that, came here for negotiations on behalf of a country she doesn't l lead is a stretch. And even if I did believe you, you have no political stand or power to ask for a toothpick, yet alone an army. You'd have had a better chance following those Exalted brats than tryna pull a fast one on me, brats!"

In her peripheral, Lucina could see the disguised man look to her. The initial hesitation now numbed, so she nodded and allowed the shinobi to inact his plan.

"That is where you are wrong, Khan Basilio," 'Haku' spoke calmly. "It is true that she is not of Chon'sin royalty, but the same cannot be said for Ylisse." While Basilio's brow raised, 'Haku' nodded at the time traveler who reached for her mask. Upon removing the metal concealment, hair cascaded down her back and to its original length. Opening her eyes, the brand of the Exalt in her left eye was revealed to the Khan she made sure to make eye contact with.

And seeing the Khan flat-footed for the first time was truly a site to behold. His mouth hung agape and eyes stayed wided as his body seemed to visibly slacken despite his toned definition.

"Her real surname is Lowell. And she is the 2nd in line to the Throne of Ylisse."

The reveal was out-a blatant lie the blonde had come up with in their time training that she couldn't exactly say was a complete wagon-wreck of an idea. It would serve their purpose in gaining the army Ylisse needed on both fronts and secure them a possible victory against Plegia.

Eventually, the Khan roused from his trance via shooting to his feet. He looked between them both for a few seconds longer before words finally escaped his mouth, "Please tell me this is another one of your tricks." The question, aimed at the shinobi, sounded more curious than accusing.

"No trick here, Khan Basilio. She is truly the blood of King Matthis-the very same mad man who lead a genocide that ended in both the disparity of Plegia and his own Halidom. Is it so farfetched to believe he was also unfaithful?"

It did not, in fact, sound to unbelievable. Her Grandfather, as Lucina had found, was as twisted as his ideals. Every bad thing said about the man was true in one way or another, so it wouldn't be too unbelievable, truth or no, that he was also unfaithful to the woman he swore eternity with under Naga's name. This moment would be the one, and only, time Lucina would ever thank the man's existence.

The duo both saw the moment the Khan settled the war in his head. A quiet chuckle constantly escaped his lips despite the man bringing a hand to cover it with his mouth. His shoulders shook uncontrollably even as he leaned on the table for support.

In the end, the inevitable happened and he laughed out loud; harder than they'd ever heard him yet and possible harder than he'd had his entire life. He laughed so long he began wheezing and slamming his hand against the table. Soon he began coughing and choking and Lucina feared she'd be the first in history to kill a man from laughter.

When he finally stopped, he looked to her with watery eyes and spoke in a choked voice deprived of air. "N-now THIS is w-what I call a twist! A lost princess, witnessing war on the horizon, decides to take matters into her own hands. With a trusty companion at her side, she travels to a foreign nation in hopes of gaining aid to save her home! If I wasn't part of the story I'd have believed it to be some sappy love novel! HARHARHARHARHAR!" The man flopped back into his chair and smirked between the duo. "And who else knows of this little 'secret' of yours, Your Highness?" He asked playfully.

"No one, sir. Only those in this room know of my true lineage."

"How convenient," he snorted, slowly clapping his hands as his trademark smirk grew. "Alright. You've convinced me. I'll give you the army you seek when, and only when, you win. I'd point out what forfeitting would cost you, but I suppose you plan to reveal your true identity after you win so I suppose that's a mute point. Congratulations, kid. You've officially got my word."

Lucina finally allowed herself to sigh in relief.

"However, I want two things from you that are both non-negotiable." He said, raising an index finger before them. "One: win or lose, you fight and represent me in the next six Tournaments or till I find someone more suitable to replace you."

"We accept." Lucina stated quickly, getting a pleased look from the Khan and a placid stare from the teacher she was now avoiding eye contact with.

"Good. And the second-"

---

Peaceful Village (East Regna Ferox)

4 Days Later

Peaceful Village.

A village East of Regna Ferox known more for its fish trade than its... nomenclature.

Yet, currently, the village was anything but what it's name would suggest.

For one, it was noon, yet the gates were closed-preventing anyone from leaving or entering. That would raise some questions at best, but men currently banging against the construct as if their lives depended on getting inside spoke an untold story.

Said story that would instantly be filled if one would but glance at their surroundings.

Through the forest, out of the lake, and even in the sky, the undead marched carrying weapons that looked as rusted as the dead's skin. They did not move particularly quick, some even at all, but some were getting closer and just the threat they could pose gave the men more than enough reason to not want to be anywhere near them.

"Please! Open up!" One man cried, hoping beyomd all hope that his pleas were answered with haste. "The dead walk the Earth! If you've any kindness in your heart, then open the gate!"

As his cries went on deaf ears, he could hear the dead growing closer. Dread filled his heart and his banging began with much more fervor.

"We're from Woodham up the road! You KNOW us! Please! Open the-"

A moan far closer than expected made every living man freeze. All heads turned in unison to the sound and what they saw nearly made them lose control of their bladders. Out of the forest, from the ground, even above, came the dead; all now looking at them through illuminated eyes filled with hatred and holding blades ready to be used.

Then they charged, and man new true terror.

Moving as if Grima were on their heels, the men ran for the bridge South of Peaceful. Around them, the dead practically sprinted at them despite their decrepit forms. Each crunch of the abomination's feet against the snow made the men hasten their steps while they prayed to the Gods that they'd live to see another day. As they crossed the bridge, they could see the trail leading to their village a mile away. Looking back, the dead were still following, but despite their ability to stay intact while sprinting they were obviously significantly slower than the average man. It brought hope to the fleeing men.

Hope that soon shattered in one of them as a sharp pain exploded in his left leg. He let out an agonized cry as he fell to the ground holding his leg. Wincing through the pain, he forced his eyes to look down and immediately felt dread upon seeing an arrow sticking out of his thigh.

He knew what that meant, and no doubt did his fellow village brethren. Looking up, he saw the grim faces of the men that had stopped for him and he didn't need it to be said to know what was written on the wall.

"H-help me." He pleaded with the man nearest, hoping beyond hope that his own friends wouldn't be as heartless to leave him to die here. Thankfully, two showed their humanity and quickly leaned down to put him on their shoulders.

An arrow clanking off the side of the iron pot one of them wore on his head for protection quickly changed their course of action. Both backpedaled in fear, glancing at one of the dead raising a bow before looking back down at him. He didn't have to hear to 'sorry' both whispered to know what they were about to do.

Watching the backs of his fellow man run from his fate was undoubtedly the most horrifying feeling the man had ever felt in his life.

Against the pain in his leg, he pushed himself to his feet and began hopping; his will to live still burning hot. Unfortunately , he only made it about three feet before tumbling back to the ground, the pain too much to bare. His body felt cold and he was sure the new pain in his head was serious, but the threat of death hanging over his shoulder had him pushing himself up once more.

Something forced him back down on his face and an undescribable feeling of dread made his body go stiff. The wrongness in the air alerted him to danger and he instinctively knew what was keeping him down. Unable to move his head, he opted to move his eyes and almost wished he hadn't.

One of the abominations had caught up to him and was currently holding a sword above his head. The fear had his gaze glued on the creature even when the sword came down to decapitate him. The last thing he would surely see were the red eyes of the creature before-

"Rasengan!"

A shout followed by a red blur smashed into the thing holding him down. He watched as the creature was sent spiralling back and into its fellow brethren, taking out at least three of them in its path. The villager stared flabbergasted as the red blur landed before him. A red cloak attached to an, admittedly small, blomde figure is what he first deduced before the first turned to look over their shoulder.

Blue eyes met his, a smirk present as if she knew something he didn't.

"Worry not, citizen! For Morgan Uzumaki has-" the swing of an axe cut whatever she was about to say short. Thankfully the girl had the right mind to duck before she became shorter than she already was. "Will everyone STOP ruining my grand entrance!" Was the child's 'elegant' reply before their foot shot forward and into her would-be killer's abdomen. Despite her size, the creature folded under her blow and was sent a fair distance away from them. Shortly after, she was back on her feet and doing something with her hands that the villager couldn't see.

He couldn't exactly put it into words of what he felt happened next. It felt as if the very air around him had changed somehow and he instinctively knew something big was coming.

And by Gods, did it.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

Something straight out of a jester's tale happened before his eyes.

With just the girl's shout, two pillars of water from the river rose into the air and began taking shape. Its form writhed as if snapping its non-existent bones into place while sharp-like watery spikes began forming on the outer edge of the tip. Red orbs floated towards what the villager could deduce was a head, the same orbs that looked down on the dead like ants.

It was as if the world stood still after the stream's completed transformation.

The dead, who stopped in stunned silence much like him, stared dumbfounded at the serpentine-like streams floating in the air. If the fact the water serpent didn't send fear through the hearts of man, the the translucent red eyes that stared down at its prey definitely would do the trick.

The villager's ears rung as the water serpent let out an ear piercing screeched before diving onto the group of undead. Instead of dispersing upon hitting the ground, the serpent snaked slithered along the ground, engulfing the dead in its watery stomach from the bridge all the way to the nearby village. Purple smoke rose from the serpent's body as it consumed the dead one by one, leaving nothing but a watery trail and discarded steel behind.

It... It truly was something straight out of a jester's tale.

A tale that immediately turned into a nightmare as his savior's head was suddenly floating away from her body.

It happened so fast the man couldn't even tell you how it happened if he tried. One moment, his hero was standing, the next a blur passed over him. Moments later, the head of his savior was no longer connected to her shoulders. Something black was flying away from the scene, but all he could see was the head that was falling to the ground.

The same head that, along with the body, suddenly vanished into a cloud of smoke. Disoriented, the man looked around frantically, hoping to find either his savior somehow still alive or the thing that killed her but was instead met with trees, snow, and dirt. Seeing the opportunity for what it was, the man pushed himself to his one good leg and began his hop back away from this hell.

The moment he turned his back, once more a sound, much like a horse, had him turning back. He stared, but nothing met his vision.

That is, until he adjusted his vision three inches upward.

Something black with wings was descending on him; fast. The neighing of a horse might have told the man what exactly was now hunting him from the air but he was now too focused on hopping away from the approaching danger to care; the sudden memory of a flying head pushing his resolve further. Looking ahead, he saw clear round.

Till there wasn't.

Three obviously dead figures stumbled out the forestry from his left, leaving his only chance of survival through the forest to his right. Not wasting time to think, he began hopping towards the forest, glancing every now and then at the pegasus growing closer and closer to his position.

And by the Gods was it getting close. Hopping as if he was on fire, the man made his way towards the forest, constantly praying to the Gods to give him another miracle. He was almost there, yet glancing towards the pegasus once more he saw that the creature was practically on him. In a last ditch effort, he jumped towards the forest, not getting even nearly enough momentum to get him safely into the cover that was the forest. He landed on his front and futilely covered his head in hopes of keeping it on his shoulders.

Something crashing next to him had him peaking out from his arms to see... A pegasus, along with 4 very familiar cloaked figures holding it down while another mounted it's rider trying to pry the lance it was holding from its hands. The sight had him floored, but learning his lesson from before, he stood back to his feet and continued his trek into the woods.

Despite being in the cover of the forest, the sound of fighting echoed. If that wasn't bad enough, on multiple occasions he had to hide himself from the dead that also lurked about in the forest. It wasn't even a surprise to him anymore that he was found, nor was it a surprise when a blue figure suddenly appeared between the 8 or so figures and began picking them off one by one with the ease and grace of a warrior who had been killing these things all his life. Soon after they were dispatched, his savior scanned the area before making his way towards another group that seemed to be occupied further through the forest.

Safe once more, the man continued his way through the forest and, hopefully, to safety this time. He could see the road once more but did not dare think he was out of the woods yet; no pun intended.

Exiting the forest, he looked left and right to make sure he was in the clear. To his right, he could see a battle still raging on between multiple red, fiery cloaks and the dead,while to the left was an open path towards his village. Not even thinking about it, he headed down the road, all the while hoping the blessing of the Gods continued to wash over him.

"Look out!"

Someone violently tackled him to the ground. A body laid above him as a *swish* passed over them. He didn't need to wait long to know what it was that had nearly killed him (again). Turning as far as he could with a body over him, he saw the blonde hair of the girl that was apparently not dead along with what exactly she had saved him from.

Standing over them was a giant, for a lack of a better description. It stood at least 7 feet tall with darkened skin, red eyes, and carrying one of the biggest axes the villager had ever seen along with a black aura that rose from its skin like fire. Its red eyes glared down at them like a butcher to cattle, the villager understanding his and his savior's luck had finally run out. The girl on top of him looked up in equal shock and horror as the creature hefted its axe back preparing to split them both in twine. Their fates were set and ready or not, they were about to meet their Gods.

Whatever God was watching over them seemed to have truly taken his lack of faith personally.

The clang of steel rang as yet another savior appeared right in the nick of time to deflect the blow to their right. The massive axe imbedded into the ground next to them, creating a small crater in the ground while with a flourish the figure removed the hand holding the axe followed by a kick that sent it stumbling back a few feet without its axe.

Another figure landed next to the new figure, the man recognizing the blue masked one from earlier easily. However, the appearance of the earlier arrive was much different from their apparent companions. Instead of the more noticeable colors that were his first two savior's, the last wore blue as well, but a much darker shade that could be mistaken for green. Combined were green baggy pants along with a donut bun for their brownish hair. In his left hand was a short sword while his right was a stump-something the villager no doubt thought he'd lost in battle. All in all, he didn't know who his savior's were, but he thanked the Gods they were here to save his arse; again.

The thought of salvation was buried upon seeing the animation stand once more. Hunched over, breathing miasma and glaring their direction, his eyes focused on the stump that, before their eyes, began growing anew. Within literal seconds, the hand had grown back, the creature flexing it before clenching and glaring daggers back at them that made both him and the girl still on top of him shiver.

The threat the dead possessed didn't even seem to make the two in front of him twitch. In fact, it sounded like they were honest to God discussing who would be the one to finish the beast off? The thought alone made him want to protest if not yell at how stupid it was for even two of them to face the thing, yet alone by themselves.

In the end, the decision was taken completely out of his hands. The raven haired one stepped back and the blue swordsman stepped forward, his sword poised at the creature and ready for battle. The act seemed to cause the one on top of him to gasp before quickly hopping off of him to chase after the bluenette.

A hand on her shoulder quickly put a stop to her plans, causing her to stare at them with, what the he could deduce from the side of her face, panic. The head turned and he saw an equally feminine face looking down at her with reassurance. At once, they turned back to the fight that was about to occur and the villager couldn't help but think how foolish they were being letting the swordsman fight alone. That thing nearly split two people in half with a single swing! What exactly could one man alone do that three couldn't?!

Those words were forced to be swallowed as the swordsman charged the creature. He didn't want to look. He didn't want to see the inevitable as the blue haired swordsman was smashed into the dirt from the fist that was heading towards him.

A fist that missed its target completely as the bluenette effortlessly lowered her center of gravity at the last minute, only to counter with an upward swing of his sword. A limb was sent flying from its original owner, but it was not the swordsman. The creature howled in anger (because the dead likely didn't feel pain) and tried catching its adversary off guard by throwing a front kick. The swordsman's body twisted almost gracefully, the spin putting him at the creature's side-particularly on the side of the creature where its only leg remained grounded.

One arced swing later changed that. The double edged blade the stranger carried cut through the leg of the giant almost like butter. The dead toppled over like a felled tree, nearly shaking the earth as it hit the ground.

But the swordsman was not yet finished.

With a mighty leap, he was airborne, his sword glinting with light despite there being no sun to reflect off of its surface. Like a elfire spell, he descended onto the downed abomination. Sword effortlessly cut through flesh once more, this time completely running through the creature as it, for the first time, let out a cry of agony. With a twist of their blade, the cry became hoarsed while the aura around the creature began to vanish completely from the downed creature. With a yank, the sword left the dead and in one more swift motion, the head of the creature was removed altogether. One final moan left the creature's lips before both the head and the abomination dissipated into the ether.

Standing tall, the swordsman sheathed his sword before walking towards his companions; the red (and shortest) meeting him halfway with praises and question loud enough to reawaken the dead.

It, was downright mythotical how easily this group dismantled thescreature's . Something he thought no mere mortal could defeat was handled so effortlessly by a young man and girl a head shorter than him? It went beyond human belief.
One thing was surely certain, though: some God up there was definitely looking out for him.

---

"That! Was! AMAZING, Lucy!"

Morgan was invading her fellow time-traveler's space. Big blue eyes shined at her current point of interest as her mouth moved practically uncontrollably.

"I remember threwing everything I had at those big jerks and it did nothing! Yet you killed it in just four swings!? Was there a secret spot on its body I had to hit? Oh! It was when you stabbed it in the back, wasn't it! You have to teach me you did it! You just have to!"

Despite the praise, Lucina didn't think what she did was all that praiseworthy. As strong and sturdy as Goliaths were, they were simply Risen that were slightly more quirky than the norm. Their increased strength and regeneration was certainly a problem for anyone who did not know its weaknesses, but learning their wild patterns and destroying the core in their hearts turned them into your average undead with a little more height than normal.

"I think those questions can wait, kiddo," her teacher, thankfully, saved her from having to entertain the girl's curiosity; for now, that is. Looking over, they saw the shinobi knelt down next to the fallen villager, saying something to the man before grabbing the arrow in his leg and violently yanking it out. A cry of pain left the man's mouth but turned into relief shortly after as a glowing green palm met the hole in his leg. No matter how many times she saw it, Lucina would never not be amazed at how her teacher cast staffless healing arts like it was a common practice.

Finished with the wound, the villager stumbled out a 'thank you' before her teacher helped him to his feet and turned their way. "I think it's better we make sure no more of those things survived before checking on the nearby villages."

Morgan's curiosity had been cooled, but her energy was definitely not-the girl giving a confident smile and solute to her father shortly after.

"Aye aye, Capt'n!"

...

"We humbly thank you for your bravery!"

The old man, the small group deduced to be the elder/leader of this village, thanked them graciously.

"Think nothing of it, sir," Lucina reassured the man, being the closest, therefore the one indirectly elected to be the one to speak. "It would be unjust for us to have ignored the threat the Risen pose to your people and the villages around here."

The old man's eyes widened slightly in surprise, "You, are of noble bearing, ma'am?" The words sounded almost suspicious, but was disregarded in place of the strain Lucina had in her identity and gender so easily revealed; again. It was not the first time she had to agree her teacher had appoint about her acting skills.

"Y-yes l am, sir. We currently have matters to attend to in the East, hence our presence."

"A-and you'd so readily risk your lives to save us common folk?"

"Should my birth dictate my willingness to protect those in need, sir?" This time Lucina wasn't completely ignorant of the strain in the man's laugh, nor the hesitance his voice seemed to now carry.

"I-I suppose not. Life would be a lot... kinder, if there were more nobles like you, miss. We'd offer you gald to compensate you for your bravery, but, um, the winter has not been kind to us. I'm afraid the most we can repay your kindness with is a night's rest in one of our homes."

"That won't be necessary, sir," Lucina quickly reassured. "We require no reward and sadly do not have the luxury to rest, currently. We will make sure every one is safe once more before being on our way."

The way the man paled instead of the grateful look she was expected began to ring alarms in the princess's head.

"I-I insist, ma'am!" The man said quickly, desperation clear to hear in his voice. "Our homes are quite comfortable, and our food is well known for-"

"I have a question, old man." Naruto, who'd been observing the village while she spoke to the elder, finally spoke up. "These walls... They are sturdy. Probably some of the best brick work I've seen for a village so small. Just high enough not to climb over and sturdy enough to stop a charging wyvern. In order to make structures like these, you'd need either gold, or a lot of men to carry and build this wall, no?"

The blonde stopped to look at the villager once more. His eyes seemed to scan the few villagers either on their porch or milling about aimlessly before stopping back on the village chief that was definitely paler than Lucina had first seen him.

"There are only 7 of you here; two being women and both over the age of 60." He stopped to point at one of the villagers. A man, roughly in his twenties and wearing a cast on his arm, flinched at the attention the shinobi suddenly gave him. "That man is married, and from the looks of his house and the doll near his porch, has a kid or two. Yet there are no kids in this village, and the only women here are beyond the age of giving birth."

"Which begs the question," Naruto looked directly into the eyes of the village elder who seemed to cower at his gaze. "Where are the women and children in your village? There are 15 houses in your village. Seven of those houses are single bedroom while the rest are two to three. That would imply that either half the homes here were built for family purposes, or to house a lot of guest, which makes zero sense for the later since you live in the middle of nowhere. So, where are they? And who took them?"

The old man was like a gaping fish out of water, his mouth constantly opening and nothing coherent leaving it.

"I-I... We... We didn't-"

"There are also no damages to any of your buildings." The shinobi interrupted once more, going back to scanning the village. "Means you weren't raided, in the normal sense... And yet, that guy," he pointed to the husband from before, "has injuries both on his chest, arm and head. The chest you can explain with a simple accident, but you'll have to find a fool to believe he also cut himself. Don't know why he's alive, but if I could make a guess, whoever was here did their business and left in a rush... But those wounds are fresh, and the only way out of this place is clearly through the front. Faulty design, but it keeps things from getting in, not from getting out."

The more the shinobi talked, the more the implications rose. Morgan seemed confused, but Lucina was slowly beginning to understand the conclusion her teacher was coming to and she prayed it wasn't what she thought it was.

"So, if they couldn't leave, and those wounds are fresh, the only conclusion I can come to is-"

Suddenly, he came to a stop, staring into the distance at a house on the edge of the village; both time travelers including the old man quickly turning their heads in the direction he was looking. Unlike the rest of the houses, the house the shinobi stared down was no doubt of higher quality than the others. It's frame and foundation was made of a much lighter wood than the dark that was the rest of the village and the decorations along the house clearly showed signs of importance. There was obvious wear along the structure, but other than that, there was nothing suspicious in and of itself about the house.

That is, if you completely ignored the curtain that was flapping despite the window being closed and all the villagers being present before them. Turning back to the village elder and seeing the slight tremble of his lip before a question could even be asked was all the answer they needed.

Lucina's sword was drawn and Morgan instantly followed suit with her kunai.

Naruto led their way to the house. The two story building felt ominous despite it being in pristine condition, the threat inside tensing the time-travelers' muscles the closer they got.

The shinobi on the other hand, did not feel the same caution. In fact, the man didn't even stop like they did upon reaching the house. He continued his stride all the way to the front door before he-

*CRASH*

...completely knocked the door right off it's hinges.

Lucina, Morgan and even the village elder that had followed was so dumbfounded by the act that they remained speechless and glued to their spots even when the man casually strolled into the unlit home; his footsteps being the only sound heard as he entered the darkness.

Cries of exertion followed by wood cracking, pained grunts, and screams that should never come from a human being echoed from the house moments later. Lucina briefly thought to go charge in to help her teacher, but a body flying right through the window to land before them, completely unconscious, made her feel like her presence was wholly unneeded.

When it all stopped, footsteps both heavy and soft, echoed in the silence along with... crying? The first to leave the house were two children, a boy and a girl, followed by another woman whose decency was barely covered by a sheet that only covered above the torso.

A man suddenly shouted behind her and Lucina turned to see the injured man from earlier hobbling towards the family that made equal exclamation while running to each other. As the family united, the form of 'Haku' walked out the house last, not a scratch or even a drop of blood to be seen on his person. It would not be the first, nor the last, the time-travelers felt awed at the sight of the man.

Walking pass the family, the shinobi stood over the man he'd flung out of the window, his face expressionless as he looked to the proned form. "Seems their party wasn't able to skip town as fast as they would have liked," he stated, lifting his leg over the unconscious-

"URK!"

...now conscious, brigand; the kick to his kidney giving him more reason to be awake than asleep. Grabbing the offended area, the man looked up angrily to Lucina as if she was the cause of the sudden pain in his side.

"Y-you'll, die for that, girlie. You'n everyone in this-" his threat was swiftly silence via a foot slamming his head into the snow; grinding it in for extra insult to injury.

"Now now, that's no way to talk to your betters, mister." The disguised shinobi chastised, sounding almost motherly. "Y'see, we have some questions that you're gonna answer, and I need you to be very polite when you do so, OK? There are children present."

The sneer the shinobi received in turn was so fierce you could feel it. "Ain't, telling ya shit, stupid broad."

A finger came to the shinobi's face along with a tilt of the head and scrunched brow that made the man appear confused. "Hmmm, that's funny, cause I have questions and I really hate wasting time getting them answered. Are you sure you don't want to answer my questions, mister? If you do, I promise you'll-"

A wet 'splat' instantly erased any false hospitality the current raven head had. He now stood stone-faced, looking down at the wet spot that now covered his not so covered feet. Morgan let out an audible 'ew', something that basically summed up the rest of their thoughts (save the brigand, of course).

"...Princess, Kiddo, how about you two go and make sure the rest of the village is swept. Tend to the needs of the villagers and make yourselves useful around here. I think it's best I have a talk with the... trash... Alone."

Lucina nor Morgan, for once, felt the need to protest. Morgan gave her usual salute and sprinted off while Lucina simply moved to urge the elder and family away from the house the shinobi began dragging a protesting brigand back into.

...

"You're telling me that those brigands attacked not an hour before the Risen?" Lucina questioned, the warm, chocolatey cup of this 'Cocco' she and Morgan had been served being ignored to take in the information granted to them by the village elder sitting on the opposite side of the table.

"Yes, my dear," the elder confirmed, Lucina now thanking Naga for her actions that led to her group walking instead of the later. If they'd gone even a bit faster in their travels then it was a big possibility that the village would have been passed completely and the fate of the village would have been left to the Gods. "Our village is quite a ways from the Eastern Capital so we don't get many visitors. When those ruffians attacked, it took us completely by surprise. If you hadn't arrived, then I don't think the rest of us would have seen the end of the week."

The thought had Lucina clenching her fist. Even in this world, brigands stayed the same. Pillaging, stealing, raping, there were truly no lows brigands wouldn't stop to. The fact that these brigands actually had land to work off of and food aplenty compared to her own world made the fury in her only build. Was there truly no line brigands wouldn't cross?

"Um, I know this is kinda a bad time, but can I have some more?"

All heads turned to the blonde in the room, a chocolate, foamy mustache on her lip and a mug held out innocently. Lucina frowned in disapproval at the girl's lack of both manners and understanding of the phrase 'a time and place', the girl frowning and giving an offended 'what' in response.

A laugh brought them both back to the old man. Standing, he reached for the Tea pot holding chocolate goodness inside, Morgan eagerly holding her cup forward to allow the man to pour. Plopping back down into her seat, Morgan sighed contently as the mug returned to her lips before the drink could even cool down.

"You are truly blessed to have such an adorable daughter, miss."

Cocco streamed out of the blonde's mouth in a spit-take before coughing ensued.

A gaping, red-faced princess mouth flapped open and closed.

"Sh-she is not my daughter/She's not my Mom!" Both shouted, standing to their feet to defend themselves.

"I-I-I'm too young to be a mother!"

"She's too boring to be my mom!"

"I-I've never even been courted!"

"My Dad would never!"

"W-we look nothing alike!"

"She hides behind a mask! A real hero shows her face!"

Logic and insults were thrown left and right, but neither seemed to care-both simply trying to clear their name (and thoughts) from the assumption put forth.

Meanwhile, the one who was the center of the problem let out low chuckles that slowly grew into a crescendo the more the two girls talked.

"Pl-please! Peace! I only jest! I'm aware you two aren't related. Can't an old man jape to ease the tension?" Slowly, the two calmed; Lucina coughing into her hand to excuse her earlier behavior while Morgan shrunk, drinking her treat more discreetly.

"I, appreciate the sentiment, but I'm afraid I must bring up a more pressing issue, sir."

"Oh? Is there something else I don't know of?"

Lucina's brow narrowed slightly, "It's more of what you do know, sir. Like where the rest of the village occupants have gone." The smile the old man had slowly slipped from his face. "As my teacher deducted earlier, there are 15 homes here, yet only half are being filled. Is the cause of this recent? If so, does it have anything to do with the brigands?"

The man looked down, hesitance clear to see in his stance.

"Please, tell us what ales you and your people. If there's anything we can do to help, just say the word." Lucina did her best to sound firm, yet reassuring. The old man has been very informative up till now, but she could feel that something much bigger was behind just an attack on a village; especially seeing that someone or something seemed to have come and gone, taking likely half the population with them.

Something much, much bigger was afoot.

"I, would not dare ask any more of you." The man finally spoke. "Our problems cannot so easily be solved with violence, and strong as you may be, solving our problems will take much more than strength."

Lucina's frown deepened. "How will you know unless you let us try?"

"Because, young one, simply trying is a risk we would be taking with our lives." The man said firmly, a bit of frustration slipping into his tone. "Nothing personal, ma'am, but I do not know you nor your companions. I know not what motivates you, your allegiances, where you hail from, or even your names. You have no army at your call, and even if you did, we are but a simply farming village on the outskirts of Regna Ferox. We could disappear tomorrow and there would be nothing to investigate; criminals long gone before the Khan can even rally her troops. That is simply the lives we as common folk live and learned to accept."

"Don't give me that," Lucina snarled in reply to the man's words, her fingers digging into the palm of her hands as the anger within her boiled. "All life is valuable, even if you yourself do not value your own. There are thousands of us out there was willing to fight for you even if you do not wish to fight for yourself. By giving up, you give up on the lives we could save along with the ones that were taken from your homes. It's, it's cowardly!"

The smile the old man was resigned, something that completely took the bluenette off guard. "We are content with being cowards, young one. We have for a while now." The elder paused, his old hands reaching out to pull the tea kettle closer to him to run his fingers along the surface. "You... are not the first to try your hand at saving us from the evil that has been haunting us and you will not be the last. Those stronger and more in numbers than you have tried, and they have all failed. Even if you were to kill the ones responsible, they are so well connected around Archanea that we'd live in fear of their ally's retaliation till we meet our graves. What kind of life is that to live?"

"...I'd rather live my life fearing, but fighting than live it cowering and enslaved," Lucina quickly retorted in the brief lull ;the sipping from Morgan long since stopped.

"Maybe you do, but it's easy to say that when it's not your life that is currently at stake. We are not warriors, nor do we share your resolve. That resolve was broken long ago and we are simply... tired. There, is no longer any hope of saving us."

Lucina simply couldn't understand the elder's logic. From what he has hinted, his people have been under threat and oppression for quite some time now, and yet, they had no will to fight? Or even run? It... it simply made no since to her. Did they have no will to live? No will to be free? No will to even ask for help? None at all? It, made no sense...

"So, that's it," she barely mumbled, resignation yet anger still in her voice. "You just... give up? What of your people? The ones that were taken? The same ones wishing to be free when you have given up?"

Lucina had never once in her life wished to hit an elderly, or any civilian that challenged her patience or views, but the resignation on the elder's face made her want to do all that and more; even when she knew it wasn't exactly the man's fault.

"I do wish to save them. More than anything, I want peace for my people and neighbors... But peace is no longer an option for us. If it makes us cowards to not wish more lives to be wasted on us, then we will live the rest of our lives content. Our fates have already been sealed by the Gods, so there is no reason for you, or anyone else, to-"

*SLAM*

*SHATTER*

The elder yelped and jumped back in fear as the entire table split in half, taking the mugs and tea kettle down with it and shattering against the ground. The crashing of glass and splintering wood echoed in the house as the elder looked fearfully towards the ones who had saved his village.

It was not blue, but red eyes that stared into his own. Red, slitted eyes that did not belong to the masked one, but the one who had sat relatively quiet next to her. In fact, the swordswoman looked just as surprised at the blonde's sudden action as the elder was, if not more.

Much like her father, her eyes were now red slits and the whiskers on her face had become a lot more feral. The air around them had also become a lot harder to breathe and Lucina could swear she heard growling coming from the girl.

"Shut up! Shut UP! Shut the HELL up, you old shit!" The girl practically snarled, every word pointed and her voice carrying an anger Lucina didn't think possible for the bubbly girl. "Who the hell do you think you are to give up on the people who depended on you?! To the people STILL depending on you?! How dare you sit here and allow those bastards to continue hurting more people you poor excuse of a leader?!"

Quite similarly to the elder, Lucina's mouth hung open.

"You have a VOICE, you have TWO LEGS, you are an ELDER! If you didn't want the responsibility of the village and their lives on your shoulder then you should have NEVER accepted that position! A leader is responsible for protecting it's people, NOT giving up on them when you get kicked down a few times! If you can't protect your people then GET someone to! ASK for help! BEG for help! By denying help, you throw away EVERY LIFE that was lost trying to help you! We WANT to risk our lives! It's a hero's duty TO risk our lives for the weak! Because you deserve more! Because everyone deserves to be happy! If you have no hope in yourself anymore, then put your hope and trust in us!"

"Bu-but... But you can't. Th-the slav-" there was movement and Morgan was suddenly in front of the elder, her fist tangled with his robes as she brought his face close to hers.

"YES we CAN! And YES we WILL! No matter how long it takes or how far we have to travel, we. Will. Save you AND your people! Not for money or for fame, but because we WANT to! They will not get away with this and they will NOT escape! You. Will. Have. JUSTICE! Now stop drowning in your stupid pity and ASK for our HELP!"

The speech rendered both Lucina and the elder speechless. Most would dismiss the child's words as the empty promises of just that, but the way the words were delivered on top of the power that seemed to roll off of her left them in such awe that they were unable to challenge it. The resolve in the girl's words powered her conviction and almost made them believe she could take the world if she tried.

"ASK!"

It spoke of confidence not born from ignorance and idealism, but from experience and surety. She acted and sounded as if she was capable of solving their issues without them even seeing her fight first hand. Words with weight behind them befitting a leader. It was the first time Lucina even thought of such a thing for the girl.

And going from the tears rolling down the old man's eyes, it worked.

"Pl-please..." the voice was soft, spoken as if afraid to speak. "Please... save our village-no. My people." The cries of an old man (or anyone for that matter) were not something Lucina particularly enjoyed hearing, but hearing the man beg as tears rolled down his face lit a fire in her very soul; a need to help these people no matter the cost taking precident in her mind.

"Please, save us from this hell..."

...

Outside the house, Naruto leaned against the door, done with his interrogation and hearing every word that had been spoken. Looking to the sky, he wondered where such a fire had come from. His younger, naive self and her were so much alike it hurt to constantly keep comparing them. It brought back thoughts of what peace his future self had found to raise, or even conceive, such a fiery soul...

"Maybe you finally moved on?"

The blonde snorted at his partners words.

"Like hell I did."

Finding no answers within himself, he sighed before turning to open the door. Luckily for them, their mission just so happens to coincide with her new promise.

---

(Flashback)

West Regna Ferox Castle

"You, want us to, kill someone?"

The quiet that followed after the Khan nodded in confirmation was loud. Lucina was waiting for the joke that typically followed after asking something so outrageous but the firm look in the Khan's eyes told the her that he was being completely serious.

"And, what exactly is this man guilty of?"

"Does it really matter?"

"It matters a great bit, Khan Basilio. You can't expect us to simply kill a man based souly on your word, sir. If you are to give us such a task then the least we are owed is proof of his wrong doings."

The Khan raised a brow. "I would think you'd have more important things to worry about than whether or not a man is guilty. After all, what is one man's life to an entire nation?"

"He's right, Marth." Haku spoke up before the time-traveler could retort. "Right now, we are not exactly in any position to have morals when it comes to your goals. The lives of millions are at stake and he is asking us to take out his trash. Would it really matter if the man is guilty or not when your country is at stake?"

"My goals and my country may be important to me, but there are things I will not do in order to obtain those goals." Lucina said firmly, her stare unwavering as she glared at the Khan who sighed in response.

"Yer heart is in the right place, lass, I'll give ya that. However, if you are going to live in the world of politics then the first lesson ya gotta learn is that getting your hands dirty comes with the job. Continue down your road and you'll end up like the current Exalt."

The remark made the bluenette's brow furrow in offense. "Lady Emmeryn is-"

"A kind lass, yes. Also a decent businesswoman. Hard not to acknowledge when your country goes bankrupt yet she somehow made enough money in 15 years to keep her economy above water. But as a politician? Let's both be honest here: she's shit. Probably the worst politician to ever have the throne. I know it, Flavia knows it, Gangrel for sure knows it and I wouldn't be surprised if her own court thinks the same. She's an idealist with a vision only she can see, and though she is loved by her people, she is hated by most of the nobility; the same ones who hold power in the nation. If she had even an inch of cruelness in her bones then you wouldn't even be here right now. The Ylissean army would still be strong and you'd be able to go toe-to-toe with Plegia, if not win. Not sitting here practically begging for our help."

He was right. As much as Lucina wanted to refute those words, the Khan told nothing but truths. She wanted desperately to defend her aunt and speak of all the good she had done for the halidom, but anything she could use to defend her would only sound like foolish or her simply making excuses for a sister she 'supposedly' never met.

Emmeryn had no doubt done a lot for the Halidom. In 15 years, she turned Ylisse from a poor, broken, angry society her father made, transforming it what many would say was the most peaceful time in centuries.

However, there were obvious flaws in her methods. Though nearly every soldier that was drafted due to the war King Matthis raged and though peace finally reigned in Ylisse once more, the same could not be said for the outskirts. Bandits typically ran unchecked and though Emmeryn had done her best to send knights and relief efforts to those villages, Ylisse did not have the troops to spare every village, nor get justice for the ones that had been ransacked. Her ideals were noble, but no one could deny her ideals of peace weakened Ylisse as a whole.

With a heavy heart, Lucina allowed the words of the Khan to go unchecked; the silence from her teacher all but telling of his opinion on the matter.

"You, may be right. Lady Emmeryn built our country through idealism and it may have done Ylisse good economy wise, but she is a... failure, when it comes to defending her people. I... accept this." Her fist tightened in her lap, the words she had to admit feeling like acid on her tongue. "However, I may not be a pacifist like my... sister, but neither am I a senseless murderer. I have principals that I cannot and will not cross. If I do, then I am no better than brigands, or even the Mad King himself. If my blade is to draw blood, then it will be of my enemy, not of the innocent."

The finality in her words carried, the sterness of her brow giving more weight behind her words. She may have just ruined what chance they had of Khan Basilio supporting Ylisse after his victory, forcing them to lean on plan B and allowing her father to beat them.

Yet, oddly enough, she did not feel dispared. In fact, the fear and respect she once gave the Khan was nowhere as she stared into his remaining eye.

If anything, accomplishment roared within her. The fact that she was not so easily bent made her... proud? Was it because she had other options? Was it because there was more than one way they could still save Ylisse? Either or, the feeling did not go away. She was proud of herself, and she would be damned before someone broke the principals she grew up on.

"I told you she's stubborn."

The Khan finally broke eye contact to smirk at the shinobi who spoke through their brief hush in discussion.

"No kiddin'! Least I know I won't be sold down the river by you lot!" Basilio laughed, leaving Lucina utterly confused for a moment as he got the chuckles out of his system. "You've got resolve, kid. Makes you a fool, but a fool I can at least respect. Pray that that same subburness doesn't get you killed one day." The man said in more of a warning before grabbing another mug of ale and downing it in one go.

"However, your chivalry is wasted on this worm." Putting down the mug, the Khan paused to pull something from within his pockets. Crumpling echoing was proof enough of what it was and sure enough, a folded parchment was revealed, unfolded and placed neatly on one of the empty plate on the admittedly full table.

Lucina had to lean forward a bit to see the illustration on the page. On the parchment was a drawn descript male in his older years with grey hair and a cocky smirk Lucina was sure was worn often.

"The man I want you to off isn't just a worm, but a crock of shit worse than any human you've probably come across in yer short life." The seriousness returned to the Khan's face, irritation clear to hear in his voice now. "The dastard was a man in my court for years. At face value, he's your normal advisor. One whose family has been advising the Khans and clans for generations. Don't know what sorry sack conceived this dastard, but turns out he's been allowing slavers to enter our boarders and take our people for years. Only reason we caught the worm was because my spies caught one of his 'so called' letters to a lover he had in Ylisse. Looked legit and everything. However, the woman turned out to be his contact. They were giving information to each other between Ylisse and Feroxians before sending that information to the group that actually gets their hands dirty so nothing could be traced to them."

The slack jaw Lucina wore was a stark contrast to the straight look of her teacher.

"Tried to arrest the dastard, but one of my men were compromised; by my own traitorous guards, no less. Worm got away before we could even break down his door. Luckily for us, I have spies. Spies that don't bend to coin. The dastard will be meeting up with his main source in the East 6 days out. I'd love nothing more than to march my army up there and deal with em myself, but-"

"You are not within your jurisdiction to pursue Law and Order in the East," Lucina deducted, getting a nod of approval from the Khan.

"'No Khan shall interfere, intrude or conduct business upon another Khan's soil'. It is the law that even us Khans must follow, reigning or no, and the only time that law can be bended is in times of war. Seeing that I planned on taking an army to his doorstep, that goes far beyond my authority as West Khan."

"And what's so wrong with asking Khan Flavia for assistance, or even getting permission? Doesn't this man threaten all of Regna Ferox?"

"Ha! Flavia is a smart woman. I'll even go as far as to admit she's smarter than I when it comes to politics. However, she is also an opportunist, and the last thing I need on my arse is a Khan who I owe a favor to; reigning or no. All it takes is one bad apple to threaten my position, lass. I like staying in power, and if I'm going out, then it won't be by some worm who barely weighs more than my left thigh. Besides, Flavia already knows and is gathering her men as we speak. Which is exactly why I need you lot. Less responsibility and tracking back to me if yer caught."

"So, we are fodder." Haku said more as a matter of fact than a question, immediately answered with a shrug from the Khan.

"It's exactly what ya assume. I'm just man enough to say it to yer faces."

"And makes you so certain that we are even capable of completing such a task?"

For the first time, Lucina witnessed the shinobi hit with the stare of questionable incredulousness that he had given her so many times in their short time together. He looked unaffected, but she reveled in the small victory nonetheless.

"Back when I gained my first victory as the West champion, my opponent was a Lord from Chon'sin who saught to prove that his country wielded the superior sword style compared to any in the Realms. Poor bastard's sword couldn't even withstand a single blow from my axe! Let em live, and the dastard had the gall to send his shinobi retainer for my head, while I slept in castle Ferox, no less! If anything, the shinobi proved to be a better warrior than her master. Lost an eye that day, but left her head for the dastard to find on his ship home. Haven't seen the cocky little shit since."

"So, if I'm not misinterpreting, if I'm unable to complete my task in a camp full of ruffians compared to trained warriors, then I prove incompetent and my profession comes into question. But if I succeed, then my honor stays intact and you rid yourself of a political nightmare. Is that correct?"

"Right on the gald, lass! Glad I won't have ta always explain myself to you lot!" Basilio cheered, preparing himself to close the deal.

"And what of the ones who he's collaborating with? What of their fates?" Just for Lucina to end those hopes.

Looking at the bluenette with half lit eyes, the cause simply asked, "What about them?"

"You expect for us to kill one man and let his accomplices go?"

"I expect you to do the job I gave you to do, not get yourselves killed trying to take on more than you can chew."

"It's called politics, Marth." Her teacher, once again, spoke in, behind the Khan's words. "He is more worried about his station than the people he cannot save without putting his entire position in jeopardy; especially when, technically, it's Flavia's problem to handle. That may sound cruel, but it's how most politicians stay in power."

"Wow, way to make me sound like an arse!" The Khan said playfully before looking back to the bluenette. "Don't think too Ill of me, lass. Like I said before, Flavia is already preparing to move on em. Play your cards right and none of the dastards will see a fortnight." The information quelled the bluenette, if only a little.

"And, if we do this, then you give us your word that you'll aid Ylisse?"

"Girl, make me Khan again and I'll dance in a dress before the whole nation. Cut that worm's throat and I'll do it in my small clothes."

And now the thought of Khan Basilio dancing to violins in a dress wouldn't leave her mind...

"So, what'll it be, lass? We got a deal?"

---

Kidnapper's Keep

Kidnapper's Keep.

Once a resort for an Ylissean noble, connecting two admittedly large estates via three bridges, now a ruin cesspool of debauchery occupied by criminals and mercenaries alike.

However, it's name was given for a reason.

For years now, anyone who came even a mile pass the bridge entering the private estate were never seen again. Some say it was ghost while others rumor it to be the Grimleal, but looking from atop the tree leading to the estate confirmed both tales to be false.

Enough bandits to rival an army is what met Naruto's gaze. Torches and fires lit all around the ruins, bits of conversations heard here while snores and sounds he'd rather not hear were in other places.

Glancing to the fort in the NorthEast, he could sense multiple figures there. Going from the way their chakra constantly shivered, Naruto deducted them to be the numerous 'packages' and some from what he got from the bandits back in Peaceful. These men were slavers. People who have willingly gained profit off of selling living people and leaving them to whatever bastard they sell them to. They were the bane of humanity, and they deserved Uzumaki Naruto coming their way.

Confirming the hostages and seeing no more in the general area, he turned his head to the ruins in the West. Not many occupied theses ruins.

That is, except for two. Both's chakra were calm. One's chakra vastly overshadowed the other, but the blonde had already learned that over here chakra did not equate to fighting ability. It simply meant the lesser was either a messenger, or a far superior fighter compared to his magically indepth comrade. Either or, he'd most likely found his target.

The problem now was getting the hostages out and alive.

Getting pass the guards was the easy part. Not trusting the two brats to not get caught, the blonde left the two near the sentries and patrol he'd already disposed of and replaced with clones. A knife to the throat and a snap of the head quickly took them out, giving them the all clear to walk the forest unimpeded. Now, after scouting the area and finding his targets, he had a plan of action.

Information suddenly rushing into his head all but halted whatever course of action he had.

His clones had just been popped; willingly, going from the information he'd received. What he'd seen through the clone's memories was anything but riveting.

"You've gotta be shitting me..."

Abandoning his previous mission, the shinobi flared his chakra and immediately appeared next to Morgan in a yellow flash. The girl jumped in surprised, but he was too focused on the familiar militia that had attacked his clones. They seemed to try and placate the militia but none were willing to stop and actually listen; not that he blamed them. They only came to a halt when a very familiar face got between them. Particularly, a bluehead carrying the legendary blade of Falchion at her side.

And standing directly across from her was a knight in white and purple armor holding a lance and a shield Naruto thought wasn't very practical for carrying, yet alone fighting. She had soft features and brown hair, but wore a gobsmacked look that Naruto was sure mimicked the one that was surely on Lucina's face if he could see it.

"K-Kjelle?!"

"Lucina?!"

---

Omake

The Mis-adventures of Morgan

Journey 1

You wanna know what's more insulting than being left behind?

Go on, guess.

Morgan Uzumaki will give you that choice (since she definitely didn't get the same courtesy).

You give up?

Wow, that was quick.

Well, if you don't know what Morgan is thinking, then let Morgan tell you what Morgan is thinking.

The only thing more insulting than her father (who is her entire world) running off and leaving you by yourself not once, but TWICE (even if the current him only technically did it once), is your father leaving you alone in an inn with nothing but a frog wallet and a note on the desk that reads 'Going butterfly hunting. Don't do anything I wouldn't'.

Ass. Hole.

Like, how DARE he!

What if SHE wanted to go butterfly hunting, huh? Did her idiot father ever think that SHE didn't want to go? And he went with LUCY and not HER!? The betrayal!

Morgan Uzumaki sat contemplating (because she was definitely not sulking) for about a good 10 minutes before she was rudely interrupted by a roar that mysteriously originated from her stomach. Next it took a whopping 10 seconds for her head to be filled with visions of waffles and pancakes before thoughts of her father and Lucina's 'not-so-secret date' completely vanished from her mind. In record time, she was out of her comfortable pajamas, into her daily flashy ware and out of the Inn; a frog wallet not her own in tow.

Far she walked and further she travelled, yet Morgan Uzumaki could not find a diner that peaked her nostrils interest. Yes, there were occasionally the small pubs that had that faint smell of syrup and eggs, but she didn't want just any food she'd already had a hundred times before. No, this was her first time visiting Regna Ferox and she'd be damned if her stomach was filled with anything other than a divine meal.

But alas, after an hour of searching, her stomach could finally take no more. It needed sustenance NOW and it didn't care where it came from. Giving up, the girl turned solemnly to a nearby stand she could smell bacon from. It wasn't exactly the 'divine meal' she was looking for, but it would do for-

A commotion not far off grabbed her attention. Upon turning her head in the direction of the noise, the first thing she was greeted with was a giant chef hat ontop of a boxed building. Outside that hat was a stupidly long line that nearly reached the where she was standing despite the chef hat being at least 50 yards away. Blinking, Morgan got closer, wanting to see what had gotten so many people's attention.

Her nostrils were captured far before her eyes were. A salty, yet greasy scent she'd never smelled before practically swept her off her feet. It was as if she was being hypnotized. Her feet were moving on their own free will, getting her closer and closer to the deliciousness that was in the chef hat. She halted at the front of the pub, able to see inside due to the doorless entry way.

What she saw, and smelled, might have well been a gate into heaven. People filled out the restaurant, and on each and every table were dishes she'd never seen or probably even heard of before. From lobs of meat to soupy goodness, absolutely nothing on any of the tables looked anything less than divine.

And it would all be here.

Problem was, there were no seats. There wasn't a seat to be sat on, which made sense seeing that the smell alone nearly sent Morgan into a frenzy. Looking back, horror filled her stomach upon seeing that the line had grown much longer. Desperately, the Uzumaki began running through some way, any way, to get into the restaurant before she died of starvation.

An opportunity presented itself in the form of a man standing from a stool directly in front of a chef that seemed to be cooking right in front of the customers.

Bingo.

Everything that happened next was slow motion worthy. One of the waitresses was already cleaning the area the man had stood while the receptionist began ushering another male to the now vacant seat. Upon arriving however, the seat seemed to have already been occupied when they weren't looking (even though they were looking directly at the seat). Turning around, Morgan gave a confused blink to the receptionist who gawked at the girl for a moment before putting back on her 'cuetomer service' smile and escorting the man back to the entrance.

Had Morgan ever mentioned how much she loved the shunshin?

Reveling in her victory with fork and spoon in hand, she quickly called the busy chef over to her.

The tall, chiseled, dark skinned man with what looked like a permanent scowl was before her in almost a blink, somehow bringing the food he was dicing up before another customer with him.

"Don't know what to order, so get me whatever will fill me up!"

A glent shining from the chef's eye was all the confirmation Morgan got before he was back in front of his previous customer. Not even 5 minutes later a plate was set in front of the girl and her eyes shined at the dish placed before her.

Brown, crispy and perfectly fried shrimp met her eyes along with ketchup evenly squiggled across. Underneath the shrimp was fried rice mixed with multiple vegetables and meat she was sure would hit just as hard as the shrimp. Just when she thought it couldn't get any better, a bowl was placed down next. Inside the bowl was more shrimp, but unfried. Under the shrimp was meat; every kind you can think of. It was definitely a weird combination, but the smell was so intoxicating Morgan didn't even care about the cross contamination. What was important was there was food before and she have perfectly good silverware.

What she did to the food should have been a crime. Food that looked that good deserved to be eaten slowly and respectfully. Your taste buds needed time to process what was being chewed before the euphoria could take over and completely drown your senses in a heavy built through salt and deliciousness.

Morgan Uzumaki skipped those steps and inhaled the entire dish within minutes. Within seconds, the fried shrimp had been consumed, followed by the dirty rice that didn't stand a chance against her hunger. The meat followed, and though it was not consumed nearly as fast, she attacked it with equal furocity.

In the end, nothing was left except the blonde who sighed in relief from the best meal she'd had in days.

Her momentary bliss was swiftly interrupted by something slamming next to her, sounding a little too deliberate. Glancing over, the first thing she saw was three plates very similar to her own; the remains of rice and shrimp tail being the clue. Sitting in front of the plates was a woman. A brunette with fair features, a tomboyish look about her, wearing purple and white heavy armor that showed her profession as a knight.

But most importantly, she was giving Morgan the side eye. The woman glanced down at the shinobi in training's empty plate before smirking and arrogantly looking away. In the woman's mind, she was congratulating the short girl on being able to complete such a dish on her own; and so fast, at that. She was truly someone worthy of being admired.

Morgan took the gesture completely different. Looking at the stacked plates before looking back at the side of the woman's face, remembering her smirk, and the way she was dismissed painted a bigger picture in her mind most wouldn't have been able to see.

She was being challenged. Underestimated.

And Morgan Uzumaki did not allow challenges to her ego slide so easily.

"Three more plates over here, chef!" The surprised look that appeared on the woman's face made Morgan's heart race with confidence. She was most likely thinking she couldn't put down more than that measly amount of food. Little did she know, she'd been having eating contests with her father since she was 5! Her guts were MADE for challenges like that!

And sure enough, three plates and bowl later, she had proven her worth. In record time, she'd gulped down the food once again like it was water, completely stunning not only the woman, but the people around who'd heard her declaration of war. Smirking, she looked to the stunned visage of the woman, awaiting her to either continue the challenge she'd presented or run with her tail between her legs.

She did not disappoint.

A battle was raged that day. Two women, putting their guts on the line to prove who held the superior stomach. A chef, proving his culinary skills were unmatched in Regna Ferox. Plates were stacked, ingredients were used, stomachs were abused, people were cheering, sweat was flying, but at the end of the day, there were only two winners.

The first stood triumphantly as the other sat slumped against the table, her plate count not even half of the mountain that was Morgan Uzumaki's stack. The girl posed in triumph, the cheers around her making the victory all the more worth while; even the chef clapping respectfully.

Everything eventually comes to an end. The crowd quickly died down and Morgan was left picking her teeth in her victory stool. Her opponent was formidable, but her defeated form still slumped next to her kept the blonde on cloud nine. Absolutely nothing could destroy her moment.

"Your tab, miss"

A piece of paper was suddenly placed in front of her courtesy of a waitress. Blinking, Morgan watched the waitress move on to another table before she looked to the parchment the lady had left in front of her.

Her eyes nearly jumped out of her skull upon seeing the zeros. Above it were the dishes she'd consumed, totaling up to 16 plates and bowls of the dish she'd used to defend her honor. One order was enough to get her and her dad ramen for a month, while the entire tab would get them a supply for the next 2 years, at least!

D-Dad's gonna kill me...

Accepting her fate, the champion (now the defeated) reached for Gamma-chan on her belt.

Then reached into her pockets.

Then the others.

Then proceeded to give her entire body a panicked pat-down.

Horror was not big enough of a word to describe how Morgan Uzumaki felt upon realizing Gamma-chan was no longer on her person. She tried desperately to think back to when the last time she had it. The only conclusion she could come to was that she'd definitely left the Inn with it, but had no clear memories of even thinking about it till this very moment.

Maybe, she dropped it? Yes! It was definitely a possibility! She remembered every step she took on the way so it was a start! If she could retrace her steps-

A mighty presence suddenly appeared behind her. Turning slowly, masculinity was all she saw before she'd even glanced to the head the body belonged to. The chef, owner, and second winner of the day had finally revealed himself.

The man hadn't said a word, but she already knew what he wanted. She could practically see the gald coins in his eyes and smell the greed in his breath.

"U-uuuuh, you see, um. Funny how life is." Morgan gulped, trying desperately to word her next words so it didn't end up with her doing the 'W' word. "I wooooould pay, but, um, t-the way that my bank account is set up..."

Two meaty hands landed on both her shoulders, making her sweat more as she looked into the eyes of the tyrant before her. He still said nothing, but Morgan didn't need to hear words to know the man was already planning to make her *gulp* w-w-work off every gald she owed. Something that would surely take her months, if not years. The thought of her Dad accepting this and using it as the start of her life as an 'adult' played through her mind while he and that dirty Dad-stealer Lucina left her behind to gallivant around Archanea... unsupervised...

A puff of smoke and Morgan was no longer Morgan; well, in the chef's arms, at least. The chef was no longer holding a small, blonde girl, but an extremely confused waitress who had somehow replaced the little girl. Looking up, the chef saw the escape artist now at the door bowing profusely towards them.

"I'MREALLYSORRYTHATICAN'TPAYRIGHTNOWBUTIWILLSOMEDAYSOPLEASEFORGIVEMEANDHAVEANICEDAYBYEBYENOW!" With that mouth vomit out, Morgan Uzumaki tactically retreated back to the Inn.

That should have been the end of her venture through Regna Ferox.

She would make it back to the inn, explain to her father how someone stole his money (because she definitely did not drop it). She would make fake tears to lessen her sentence and her father would be the forgiving man he is, take her into his arms, and whisper reassurances into her ear instead of the scolding Morgan knew was the more likely scenario. A very happy ending.

Unfortunately for her, she did not dine at any local pub. The pub she'd dine and dashed belonged to none other than Oran, a former champion of the West turned chef after his defeat to the current Champion Lon'qu. After his defeat, he requested to retire and pursue one of his passions in life; cooking. Now, Oran, nickname 'The Beast' owned his very own and very successful restaurant in the Capital of the West.

And a little shit had the nerve to steal? From him?

Safe to say, Morgan didn't get far before realizing the chef, now revealed Oran, was hot on her tail. The screech she let out when the beast of a man (no pun intended) took a swipe at her head was surely heard around the capitol.

The chase only came to an end when she, by no plan of her own, bumped right into her father. He looked different, in the 'change your entire gender' kinda way, but she could recognize his aura (and that dad stealer, Lucina) anywhere.

To give her father credit, he did not cower before the chef that stuck sternly to his vow of silence.

Looking at the bill she'd racked up in the process of defending her honor was a completely different story.

She was definitely going to die that night.

...

Back at the pub, a gauntleted hand reached down to secure a green pouch in the shape of a frog that jingled with coin upon lifting it. The girl that had out eaten her had dropped it upon sitting, the speed at which she did likely being the reason for the coin purse to leave it's owner.

She could not in good conscious take or use this money. She was defeated with honor. The least she could do was return the money when next they met.

And they would surely meet again.

---

A/N: Long chapter with an even longer wait... I'm so sorry. Had a lot of doing and preparing to do. If it makes things any better, the next chapter is half written already and will follow the Shepherds instead of Lucina for once. It is also the start of the first Paralogue that is, you guessed it, also a monster of a chapter! Trust me, I try to write small chapters, but it is an effort in futility...

This is NOT a bashing story, people. I love Emmeryn (look no further than my crappy first story for proof). Just found a lot of flaws in her beliefs the older I got and decided it would look good in writing. We can agree or disagree if the point stands, just wanted to make sure people didn't start turning this off because they though it was a bashing fic...

Also, I'm well aware of where Kjelle's Paralogue starts. However, in order to get where I want without going through every single Paralogue in the game, some of them will have to be combined. Some will have both future children arriving while the others will not. Is what it is.

Review response:

Demoncreator2002: In my notes I have a scene where Naruto explains 50 years of him being a female. It doesn't include him being pregnant or anything, but it does give a perspective on how a human eventually gets curious of the other side lol.

Fun fact: Cordelia was originally who I had as Lucina's mother. Our favorite Several played a major role in the conclusion of the next arc while it would serve as Lucina's ultimate maturity point as Naruto's apprentice. Sadly, it didn't work out, and I was forced to resort to canon somewhat while completely erasing a 20k chapter :')

Next Chapter: Paralogue 1: The Choices We Make