A/N: Please read this note, would you kindly?
As ever, reviews are my fuel. I can't continue this story with them, and I do love chatting with my readers...
I really do mean that. Without feedback, I cannot write a single word. So...no questions this time!
I'll let the chapter do the talking for me.
AS EVER I own no quotes, references, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one!
Little!Salem is adorable and must be protected.
Even if she ain't so little now...
"Once done, this cannot be undone. Are you sure...?"
~The future.
Year Nine
Two years.
That was their agreement. Or rather, the deal Naruto and Salem made. They would set two years aside; give one another a chance to find love elsewhere. Two years to do without one another. Two years to...try. Once those two years elapsed they would see what came of things. In two years time, if neither found another, they would make a go of things.
Now those two years had come and gone with the wind.
And of course, Salem refused to fall in love with anyone else. Naruto couldn't admit to making much of an effort on that front either. It wasn't just that this this world was foreign to him, he simply didn't feel that way foe anyone. More than that, he simply didn't have time. He had a war to conduct, battles to win, and fledgling kingdom to protect.
Now here they were, two years and a day later. The problem hadn't been solved.
Naruto stifled a sigh as he regarded map before him, observing it with a weather eye. A tide of black had crept across the world. That was their army. They were winning. Day by day, month by month, year by year. The God of Light had fervent followers to be sure, but they couldn't be everywhere. Not like he could.
Dapled morning sunlight spilled over his back as he regarded the war plan spread across the table.
He saw it in his mind's eye and imagined it, to see the future.
Two more years and they'd control the world.
But with each victory came the Grimm, glut on death and misery and pain, raving all who dared to stand against them. Despite his namesake, the God of Darkness was a fair god, and he did not send his monsters against the innocent, but the fact remained that more bore arms against them everyday. Mankind couldn't coexist with monsters. They didn't want to. Monsters were terrifying.
Two kingdoms now. Soon to be one.
He tapped each with a separate hands. One of light, another dark, with helpless souls caught between. All these lives were lost for a squabble between two Brothers. All this fighting, simply to protect Salem from those who would slay her. To give her the right to exist.
Being born wasn't a sin. It never would be. Not on his watch.
"We started this war." he muttered, tracing one finger over the God of Light's shrine. "Maybe its time to end it."
"If you do THAT there will be no talking it back."
Stranger still, Salem had been...quiet as of late. A quiet Salem was a scheming Salem. He'd seen some of her plots before. She was a good girl, a simple soul, but when left to her own devices she tended to run amok. So too did her emotions. On paper it seemed impossible. He'd all but raised the girl. Yes, they didn't share the same blood. Yes, she was all but a grown woman now and YES he had less than pleasant feelings about someone like Ozma taking her hand and doing all sorts of inappropriate things to her-oh no.
The whiskered warrior sank into his chair with a sigh and buried his head in his hands.
"I'm robbing the cradle, aren't I?"
"You're really not." Leave it to Kurama to play devil's advocate.
"How?!" he snapped upright again, sweeping the maps before him. "I'm older than her! By a good bit!"
"And do you love her?" Bastard. Way to put the screws to him all over again.
"Of course I do!" He clicked his teeth in thinly veiled agitation. "What kind of question is that?"
"Fair enough. But do you love her as a daughter or a woman?"
Urk. Naruto's forehead hit the desk.
"I don't know...
Try as he might to deny it, the answer really wasn't quite so simple for him anywhere. But it was for Salem. Somewhere along the line, her feelings for him had changed; evolved from daughterly love, into the kind of love a young woman would show their spouse. But where had that come about? When? Why? And was there time for it?
There was a war on, after all.
"Remember, we still haven't dealt with that twit who tried to kidnap Salem. He's becoming persistent."
Right, right, the King in the Broken Tower. He'd nearly forgotten about that bastard. To be fair he'd not met Salem's father -even when he brought her castle down on his head!- but reports suggested the man was more than a mere nuisance. He would have to be There was so much to do, and not enough time. Never enough time. He wouldn't be around forever-
Someone knocked on the door to his room.
"Go away." he snapped. "I'm busy."
Another knock. Naruto growled.
"I said-
The door creaked open and he looked up from his map.
Salem slipped inside and eased the wooden barrier shut behind her. Naruto stiffened at the sight of her.
"Da-Naruto." She flushed and bit the word off before she could finish properly. "No, I suppose I should call you by your name now, shouldn't I?" When he didn't respond, she blinked once. "Is everything alright? You've been locked in her for a day now...
Naruto coughed and averted his gaze.
Salem had chosen a rather low cut dark dress today, a red so dark as to be nearly black, further highlighting her pale skin. Yet rather than approach she stood there, a skittish cold afraid to draw near him. She looked just as nervous as he felt. Perhaps even more so. She knew what today was. She'd waited for him.
Why did he have the feeling she would always wait for him?
And why did that absolutely break his heart?
"Its nothing." he muttered.
She slipped around the table, gown trailing across the dark flagstones behind her as she glided to his side. Naruto knew he could've bolted, outrun her with ease, but that would only make matters worse. Instead he stood his ground and let her sidle up to him. He stiffened only a little when she laid her head to rest on his shoulder.
"Please don't push me away." she whispered. "Tell me what's wrong. Don't you love me?"
He sighed. "You know I do."
"But not like that." her voice broke. "You promised to try. We promised."
"I'm gonna keep that promise." he reached around to patted her head. He was honest with her; he owed her that much. "But I'm really not the best at this sort of thing...
"That's okay!" She snatched his hand from her head and gripped it between her palms. "For better or worse, you're the only one I want. I would wait a thousand years for you to give me your hear." Her fingers found his and held tight, seeking solace in him. "I would burn the world to cinders for you." She leaned closer and laid her forehead against his. "I am yours. Again, for better or worse."
"For better or worse, huh...?"
They really hadn't done all that much beyond holding hands. He knew she wanted more, but he wasn't sure he could give it to her. She really did look lovely today-no! His mind clamped down on that thought like a steel trap. Stop being so damn skittish! Nothing has changed!
Everything had changed.
"Has it? from what I see, very little has. She's always loved you, fool. You simply failed to realize the depth of that love until recently."
Salem reached for him. "Are we alright?"
How was he to know?! What experience did he have with girls?! Zero! Zilch! None! Right, be calm. It wasn't as if she was jumping on him. She'd calmed down. Just approach this rationally! Yes, that was the way! Take it calmly and slowly. So long as he did that, nothing could go wrong. Not a thing!
"I have no idea what I'm doing here." he confessed.
"Neither do I." Her hand laid atop his, firmly this time. She looked down at their intertwined fingers, pale against tan. "We'll figure it out. Together."
Not rational at all!
Kurama chuckled. "Does she mean together, or together-together?"
Naruto thumped his partner on the back of the head.
"We have all the time in the world."
Naruto perked up. "Do we?"
"Yes," Her light, musical laugh pulsed through the air. "I think we do."
"Look a me," Salem pulled her hand from his and spread her arms wide. "I'm not human. Nor am I the first of my kind." she twirled once , her dress flaring out to expose the slender expanse of a pale leg. "The God of Darkness said I'm going to live for a very long time."
Naruto wrinkled his nose. "And you believe him?"
"Of course I do." she tilted her head. "He's a god. Gods don't lie."
They did lie. Gods lied all the time. There it was again. Everyone trusted in Light and/or Darkness with all their hearts. They relied upon them. Worshiped them. When fate didn't turn out the way they wanted, rather than seize their destiny with their own two hands, they begged the Brothers for their intervention. And for their service, they were drawn into this never ending war. No one was thinking for themselves. Not even Salem was immune. He liked this even less. Did they truly need the gods?
Or perhaps...?
"By the by," Salem said apropos of nothing, "Ozma asked for my hand in marriage."
Barbed wire wrapped around Naruto's heart and squeezed. "Is that so...?"
"I turned him down, of course." She squeezed his hand and leaned in, pushing her breasts against his right side. "You should've seen his face. When he asked why, I told him I was already being courted by the finest man in the land."
That squeezing sensation ceased now, replaced by something else entirely.
"He was quite cross, you know." Salem carried on with a smile. "He even asked after you."
"I know that look." The expression Naruto turned on her was nothing short of flat. "What did you do?"
She at least had the good grace to look away. "He may have demanded a duel...
"Salem!"
"Don't you Salem me!" her eyes flashed as a rare touch of anger boiled in her voice. "I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn't listen! He thinks I'm stalling; that my "so-called suitor" doesn't even exist! Bah!" Even as he made a grab for her she launched back to her feet. "Knights and their chivalry! What do I care for them?! I told him you were ten times the man he'd ever be!"
"Let me guest." Naruto wanted to smack his head against the desk. "And he took exception to that...
Her anger faded, replaced by a sheepish expression. "Maybe...?'
"This is happening, isn't it?" He rolled his eyes. "When?"
She tented her fingers. "A fortnight from now."
...fine. I'll deal with it.
Just like that, her fear faded. "You would fight for my hand?"
"Oi!" he glowered. "You're deliberately misinterpreting that and you know."
"Maybe. And one last thing." She looked back at him, a lone red iris peering over her shoulder. "I don't suppose you could...maybe hold back?" Pale fingers pinched in the tiniest of margins. "Just a little? I want Ozma to lose, make no mistake, but I don't hate him. We should let him keep his pride."
She really was too merciful for her own good, sometimes. It was going to come back and bit her someday.
"Alright." he relented. "I'll try."
Her eyes danced with childlike glee.
In a flash she was across the room, flinging her arms around his neck and holding tight.
Naruto blew out a sigh and relaxed in her grasp.
For better or worse, indeed...
(.0.0.0.)
The duel was to be held at night.
As befitting the Land of Darkness and those who sought succor in the arms of its god, much of the preparation finished of the eve of battle. Salem supposed there was some irony to be had in that. She liked the light just as much as anyone, but in truth she dwelt in darkness more than most. But not tonight. On this night of nights, the castle heaved with great activity.
It was a storm and she was its eye, its center, directing it all. All revolved around her.
Great open braziers were filled with imported wooden logs and set alight, bathing the outer courtyard in writhing tongues of dragonfire.
Dancing shadows swirled as servants scurried to and fro. Simple stands and benches were constructed, the better to house those of her court, as well as those who came to see the spectacle. Ozma was a knight renowned the world over; a man whose words and deeds were so vast that they had all but bled into legend. As one of the few knights who served neither Light nor Dark, he was something of an oddity among even his fellow hedge knights.
It was only natural that the people would come to see him as much as her knight.
And the food!
One mustn't forget that.
She would be a poor host indeed if she didn't remember to feed her guests.
Roast boar and the finest cuts of venison this side of the sea were brought from far and wide to be slaughtered in preparation for the feast. Chilled wine from the easternmost continent -what would one day be known as Mistral!- came paired with great fruits from the vest and fine silks from the south. In no time at all, a festival sprang up around the castle.
Naruto wasn't a fan of such pageantry, but Salem soon found she reveled in such things. This made her feel important. Like something, no, someone.
Would her wedding be like this? No! Bad brain! Attend to the task at hand!
She snapped back to reality as a bell toned from the castle proper, the sonorous notes declaring the promised hour at hand.
Limned in their light, two figures approached the courtyard.
She recognized Naruto at once, if only because he eschewed traditional armor. What need had a ninja of that?
Ozma looked much as he always did, resplendent in his own gilded suit of plate, scepter in hand.
There was no dbout in her mind who would win tonight.
Salem settled in to watch the fireworks.
And so it began.
(.0.0.0.)
"So you're the one."
Up close, Ozma seemed a pleasant enough sort; in that regard, the last two years had done precious little to change him. He was much as Naruto remembered. Those eyes were bright and his smile true, not even a hint of negativity about him. He stood resplendent in his armor, weapon in hand, ready to have his due. He was an honorable man, if nothing else.
"Are you the one she spoke of?"
Naruto felt Salem's eyes on his back, pleading.
...guess I am."
He couldn't miss the tiny flare of joy from her.
Ozma regarded him intently, searching for any signs of deception in turn. "She called you her intended. Her...ahem." he coughed once, face gone rosy. "Her...knight."
"Did she, now?" Naruto bit back a sigh. Such a willful girl. "Well, someone's getting spanked later."
Salem squeaked from the stands.
Ozma choked. "Excuse me?!"
"Not like that!" Naruto snapped. "Why do the people of this era always jump to the most ridiculous conclusions?!"
Only when the clamor abated did he dare raise his voice again.
"So?" he asked. "How do you wanna do this? First blood? First to three hits? Ringout?"
"Nay." Ozma drew his scepter -or was it a cane?- across his body in a graceful flourish. The green jewel within began to pulse with holy light. "We shall fight until one of us yields or loses the means to fight. The winner shall take the fair Maiden's hand in marraige.
Salem made angry Salem noises from her throne.
Naruto winced despite himself, knowing how she viewed such things.
Se was no prize to be won, but he didn't think this one would listen to that.
Sure enough, those keen eyes looked down his arms, followed by his hands, and noted a distinct lack of weaponry there.
"Do you intend to fight me unarmed?"
"Yup." Naruto smacked his lips with an audible pop.
"I am a master of magic." Ozma warned. "Please, at least take up a shield. I have no desire to maim you."
"And I'm telling you," came the answering sigh, "I'll be fine."
...
...
...
A pall of silence stretched between the two warriors, shinobi and knight alike.
...as you wish." Ozma ceded the field at last. "Know that I will try my utmost not to kill you."
Not a bloodthirsty sort, then. Good. Maybe he was a half-decent sort after all. The blond took on a stance. "Ditto."
"Combatants! On my mark!" a referee called from the dais above. "Three!"
Salem leaned forward in her throne.
"Two!"
Naruto cracked his knuckles, producing an awful pop.
"One!"
Ozma readied his scepter, a shield of viridian light already stemming from his body.
"BEGIN!"
Both men burst forward as one; the shinobi in a pulse of gold, the knight in a flowing whirl of earthy green. They collided
Where they met the earth shuddered underfoot.
Ozma led with the first strike, a sweeping arc of jade fire conjured by his scepter. Cleanly diffused against the gloom, it cut forward at him with impossible speed.
Naruto planted his feet, twisted aside at the waist and evaded the emerald flames with ease. They seared past, burning an angry black furrow in the ground -in the space he'd occupied not a moment before- and struck at the wall, dissolving harmlessly against the barrier.
Unbidden, Naruto recalled Salem's words.
"Please don't break him."
He sighed.
Well, he certainly wasn't about to let him win, either!
Right. Hold back. Restraaaaiiint...!
Then he swept in.
Ozma balked as Naruto dove into his guard and slapped his scepter aside. His right hand drove hard against the knight's torso with an awful crunch. Metal buckled. Ozma slid back nine paces with a startled grunt, metal boots digging deep furrows in the loamy soil. Whether that was a testament to his armor, fortitude, or simply a spell for stability, Naruto knew not. Regardless, he straightened after a moment, standing proud and tall.
"Hey, not bad!" Naruto beamed despite himself. "Alright, ready for round two...?"
Ozma's smile turned to glass. Then his eyes rolled up in his head and he pitched forward to the ground.
An awful silence fell over the courtyard, broken only by a faint gust of wind.
Naruto winced as he scratched the back of his head. "Oops?"
Salem slapped her forehead. "Beloved, why...?"
A/N: Read this note please! As ever, I can't write without reviews/feedback. That's not a joke.
The next chapter depends on you, the readers. I'm fine with jumping again two years, as per tradition. But if you'd rather I continue where this chapter left off... Well, you gotta let me know. Looking forward to your feedback! Some folks are wondering if this story will progress into the events of Volume One and so on.
Suppose that depends on the reviews, no?
And there we go. Looking forward to your feedback/chatting with you all! No review is too large or too small! Thank you all! By all means, speak up! Make yourself heard!
Once more, Reviews help keep me going, truly, they do. Every bit helps! Speak up! Make yourself heard!
So In the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review, Would You Kindly?
(Preview)
Salem laid her head on his chest. "I only need you. That's all I need."
"Long. Live. The King."
"You are certain of this path, then?
...I am.
"Many will hate you for it. In their eyes you may well be scorned. Cursed. Forsaken."
"Even so."
"Such determination." The God of Darkness bowed his head and placed both hands before his chest. "You have my blessing, then. Do as you will. I look forward to seeing the end of your tale.
"There must be balance!"
"This isn't balance at all! This is stagnation!
"Fool! You know not what you do! You'll destroy everything!"
"You would go to war?! For one girl?!
"Not one girl. THE girl."
"Can a man kill a god? Can a god kill a man? No. People die when they are forgotten. Remember that."
R&R~!