Hello all! I'm back again!
"I'll take the book Sasori." Jiraiya said. Sasori handed the book to the "self-proclaimed super pervert" to read next. Sasori then wrapped an arm around Sakura, who snuggled closer.
The Major Domo's ship (named the Borealis) lifted off with surprisingly little interference. Everyone assumed it was the Major Domo escaping. This was the sign the Piantas needed. If the off-worlders from the castle were fleeing then Teeto's death was basically assured. Teeto's retainers in the fortress tried to hold out but 300 years of untapped rage from the Piantas was too much for them to withstand. Once the Piantas gained control and 100% verified Teeto's death, they were united against the "off-world threat" of tourists and other outsiders. Those off-worlders fortunate enough to escape the carnage were haunted the rest of their days by the sights of the Piantas' bloody revolution. Within a month the planet had fallen into complete chaos as the Piantas finished venting on outsiders, only to fall back into their color-based prejudices and turn on each other. The paradise of Delfino had become a living hell….
The group winces at that. "Damn. That's a LOT of untapped rage if it was there for 3 centuries." Anko says, getting nods from the others.
Sakura looked out the window as the Borealis cruised serenely through space. It had been a few days since they had escaped Delfino and the Buspar system and the ninjas and their new friends explained their stories to each other. It turned out Reefler and Ivy were both sold into Teeto the Hutt's service nearly 30 years ago and had been in love with each other off and on ever since. The ninjas found it amusing that the now relaxed pair acted like an old married couple. They always seemed to be bickering but there was always fondness for each other in their eyes.
"Sounds like Ero-Sennin (Pervy Sage) and Baa-chan (Grandmother/Grandma/Granny) at times." Naruto says with a smile, before wincing as Tsunade whacked him on the back of the head with a tick mark on her forehead. Jiraiya just grumbles about 'no respect'.
Reefler and Ivy were shocked by the ninjas' story however. The legendary cursed planet Edo; cloning ancient people back to life, attempts to make a ninja army, brainwashing?...It seemed unreal to them. They suggested going to the Republic Senate but the ninjas believed that someone within the senate could have something to do with it. They preferred to go to the Jedi Order they were taught about and get their help, if possible.
"If there is a Senate or a council, then you can definitely be sure that someone will be plotting to gain more power." Tsunade says with a sagely nod. Minato just nods in agreement while those from Konoha (Leaf) just have an image of Danzo appear in their heads, causing a mass shudder.
Reefler had met a Jedi once and frankly the mystic had given him the creeps. On the other hand, the Jedi were known as people who upheld justice and peace. From what the ship's computer on the Borealis told them; the Jedi's main base was on Ossus, where they built a great library since the Great Hyperspace War 50 years ago. "Then let's set a course for Ossus in the Adega system." Said Sakura. With their decision made, they made the jump to hyperspace….
That was a month ago.
"So, Naruto's group missed ours by a month? DAMNIT!" Tenten says with a scowl, getting a few chuckles from the others.
The Hunt for Contracts
Present time in orbit of Melfina: "….meet your end at the hands of the Hutts on Delfino Haruno Sakura!" The last entry on the tablet ended…. The crew of the Misfire sat in silence, dumbfounded for a moment. "Forehead was here?" Ino managed to rasp out. "What are we going to do? The only place they could have headed was Delfino."
"Really Ino? Insulting me still? I thought we got over that." Sakura growled out. Ino just gets a sheepish smile on her face.
Shikamaru said somberly, "That was five months ago Ino. She and her companions, whoever they might be, could have left the Buspar system a long time ago."
Ino pleaded, "But we have to go and search; we can't abandon her! We have to go to Delfino."
"Ino," said Iruka calmly, "Naruto's had us monitoring Delfino ever since we arrived in the system. You were the first to hear it. Delfino is in a state of war. Even if there were some sort of immigration records for Sakura and her group, we wouldn't know who to ask for them or if they would even let us see them if we sis find out."
"Always the voice of reason, Iruka-sensei." Ino says with a small grin. Iruka just harrumphs.
"But…." Ino started.
"Give me a week." Said Naruto. He quickly stood up and headed towards the cockpit. The rest of the group sat in silence, wondering what Naruto was thinking.
'Is he still in love with Sakura?' Panicked Hinata sadly in her mind. 'What if he chooses her? No. NO! I won't give him up! I'll prove to him that I'm the only one for him. I'm glad Sakura's alive but there's no way I'll give up now. I've loved Naruto for two lifetimes. We've made so much progress in our relationship. He belongs to me and I belong to him.' She decided. Hinata would not let him go.
"It's more like I love Sakura as a sister now." Naruto says while rubbing the back of his neck, getting a smile from both Hinata and Sakura.
Shikamaru was trying to calm down Ino. "Ino, I know you and Sakura were best friends and rivals since we were little but you've got to think rationally. Be honest with yourself. Do you truly believe we can pick up a five-month-old trail across two planets, let alone a galaxy?"
"No, you couldn't." Ino says with a frown. The others just nod agreement with frowns of their own.
Ino was tears. "I know what you're trying to say Shika but it's so hard! Why did it have to be this way? I'm sure she would have overjoyed as we would be to be back together."
"I know Ino but we have to do what's best." Said Shikamaru.
Ino asked, "What about Naruto, Shika? He loved Sakura since we were little kids. He may want to follow her across the galaxy. – And what about Hinata? She loves him. If she lost him to Sakura, it might be too much for her…."
Iruka headed up to the cockpit. He found Naruto sitting on the floor, meditating. Doc was zoned out again, looking out into space. Iruka decided to talk to his blonde-headed former student. "Naruto…."
Naruto interrupted, "I'm focusing on natural energy sensei. The Force….old man Deluvion told me it can guide you."
"Are you trying to find Sakura?" Asked Iruka.
Naruto spoke with an edge in his voice, "No. she is out of our reach for now. I can feel hate and rage from Delfino sensei. To go there would mean our deaths. I'm trying to make a decision on what to do next. I'm really glad that Sakura's alive but I can't risk our lives on this. I truly hope we cross paths with her someday. But now I need to make a decision on where to go. I know it probably will sound ridiculous to you but I can feel the whispers in the Force. The reason I want a week to make a decision is so I can be as sure as possible."
"That must be how the Great Elder Toad became so senile." Naruto says, getting a laugh from both Kushina and Tsunade. Minato just looks away to hide his own smile while Jiraiya looks positively murderous.
"You've grown up a lot Naruto. I'm proud of you." Said Iruka.
"Thank you, sensei. It a means a lot to me."
"What did the kid say Iruka-kun?" Asked Anko, lounging in the bunk she and Iruka shared.
Iruka answered, "We're not going after Sakura. He's making the right choice for our group even if it's hard."
"Thank god!" Said Anko. "I knew he was struck with that Haruno girl back in the day but he has to live in the now. I was afraid you and I were going to have to smack him around."
Iruka laughed. "All the kids were in the same class at the Academy and friends. It's hard for all of them but they'll pull through. They're veterans of a war after all." With that said, they called it a night.
The next three days were rather tense. Naruto kept to himself in the cockpit, rarely interacting with the others. Hinata was worried for him but she was trying to be supportive of Ino, who seemed to be taking it the worst. To find out her best friend was still alive only to lose the chance of being with her hit Ino hard. She was thankful Hinata offered a shoulder to cry upon.
"I would do something like that for ANY of my friends." Hinata says with a small smile. Naruto just pulls Hinata into a one-armed hug, causing the bluenette to blush.
Shikamaru was monitoring Delfino to see what happened under orders from Naruto. It was a troublesome duty but Shikamaru did have the most analytical mind out of them. He couldn't argue that he was the best person to decipher the mess of transmissions. Anko was keeping Iruka "occupied" over in the left section of the sleeping quarters. She figured if they had some down time, she and Iruka might as well enjoy it. The left section was "theirs" to have "private time" in. The girls had the center section and Naruto and Shikamaru had the right one. The dinners were somber. Even Doc was quiet and he usually joined them to socialize, even though he didn't eat.
"You think everything is troublesome Shika." Ino says with a scowl, whacking Shikamaru on the back of the head. "Troublesome woman." Shikamaru just mutters in response.
That night Shikamaru was awakened from his slumber at about 1 AM. He groaned out "troublesome" and opened his eyes.
It was Hinata. She whispered, "Go over and sleep in an empty bunk in the girls' section tonight. Ino's been having nightmares from time to time and I want you to watch over her."
Shikamaru grumped, "Why can't you do it troublesome woman?" Then he noticed Hinata was dressed in just a half tank top and panties. Shikamaru blushed.
"Go." She said imperiously.
Shikamaru gaped a bit and then acquiesced. "Yes ma'am."
"Good boy." Was Hinata's reply.
After Shikamaru made his exit, Hinata felt her confidence leaving her. She felt as if she was just using her body to seduce Naruto away from Sakura but at the same time, she wanted to comfort him. She sighed. 'I've come this far. I can't back down now. I want him to know how much I truly love him.' She gently pulled the sleeping curtain back on Naruto's bunk and sat on the edge of it. She admired Naruto's form for a moment before she woke him up with a gentle kiss. Naruto woke up to Hinata's ministrations and pulled her down on him.
"Ero-Sennin, if you even DARE to use this, then I will shove a Wind Style: Rasenshuriken up your ass." Naruto says with a glare towards Jiraiya. "Not before I Juken (Gentle Fist) his nuts off first Naruto-kun." Hinata says with a Byakugan enhanced glare towards the older toad sage (Minato never did train in the Toad Sage Arts like Jiraiya and Naruto did), who paled in absolute fear.
"Hinata-chan?" He whispered.
"I've missed you these last three days Naruto-kun. I love you. Tonight, I want to comfort you and take all the pain away." She was half lying on top of him, staring into his eyes when she got an unexpected reaction. She felt Naruto get a major erection at her words. It was a huge boost to her confidence.
"Naruto, you pervert!" Both Sakura and Ino shout at the same time. Naruto just hides behind both Tsunade and Kushina, who are laughing at the two friends/rivals.
"Are you sure?" He asked.
"More than anything Naruto." She purred. Like all inexperienced lovers, their first time was awkward and a bit funny. The night was filled with a few soft giggles and mistakes but in the end, they wore each other out in passion. Morning came far too soon for them. "I love you Hinata-chan."
"I love you too Naruto-kun." She answered.
When Hinata attempted to sneak back into her bunk, she was pounced on by a grinning Ino. "Well, how was her? Are you walking with a limp?" Hinata was both scandalized and blushing but was still basking in the afterglow of her first night with Naruto. She couldn't keep the smile off her face.
"It was incredible! He promised me it would be even better next time." Hinata whispered.
Ino grinned lecherously. "Well, we can't have you sneaking over there and ordering Shikamaru out of his bed every night, can we?"
Hinata looked confused. "What do you mean?"
Ino announced, "I mean we're going to move you over with Naruto. Shikamaru will have to move his junk over here. It's that or he will have to listen to you and Naruto panting and moaning all night."
"You were listening in Ino?" Hinata squeaked out.
"Of course!" Ino said. "When Shikamaru came over and told me what happened, I had to check and make sure things were going alright for my girlfriend!" She said with a gleam in her eye. "I have to say I was impressed. You and Naruto must have done a marathon last night!" Then Ino looked at Hinata conspiratorially, "Is it true what they say about men with extra big chakra reserves being extra special down there?"
"INO?!" Most of the girls shriek at a cackling Ino. Both Kushina and Tsunade nod at that old wife's tale about men with big chakra reserves having big third legs. "Tsunade-shisho?!" Sakura cries indignantly. "I'm a medic Sakura. I can certainly say that I've seen plenty of men with large third legs when they have large chakra reserves." Tsunade says with a flat look.
"INO!" Yelled Hinata.
Hinata's shriek was heard throughout the ship, as was Ino's cackling afterwards.
"Women are so troublesome." Said Shikamaru. "You seem to be in much higher spirits Naruto."
Naruto blushed slightly as visions of Hinata danced through his head. "I never dreamed love could be anything like this Shikamaru –and it's unbelievable that someone as special as Hinata loves me."
Shikamaru drawled out, "Knucklehead; she's loved you since we started the Academy."
Naruto gasped, "Really? You mean I followed Sakura around for years and Hinata loved me all along? How am I going to make that up to her?"
"Don't dwell on troublesome things." Said Shikamaru. "Just love her like she loves you."
"Shikamaru's right, Naruto." Commented Iruka.
"You know about this too Iruka-sensei?" Asked the blond.
"Ino knows so everyone was told." Answered his sensei.
Naruto groaned….
Everyone was smiling at breakfast, although Hinata and Naruto were a bit embarrassed at all the teasing and innuendo. Naruto went back up to the cockpit to meditate. He found his mind was clear and free of conflict. Everything seemed to fall into order for him. A few hours later, he walked out to the main hold area where everyone was getting things ready for lunch. They all sat down together. "What have you figured out Shikamaru?" Asked Naruto.
Naruto groans at how stupid he was when he was younger before hugging Hinata to him. Hinata just smiles and blushes before snuggling closer.
The Nara answered, "It seems the natives of Delfino were under the control of Teeto the Hutt until about two or three months ago. They're called Piantas. They were little more than slaves according to their broadcasts. Teeto was assassinated by an unknown group. They apparently blew his head off with a plasma grenade." Shikamaru shivered. "After that, the Piantas 'purged' all the people that were non-natives and declared freedom. Then the Piantas turned on each other. I guess different groups of Piantas have different skin colors and each one of the colors hates all the others. It's troublesome to say but if we landed there, we'd be killed on sight. There's no way we can go to Delfino."
"Good assessment Nara." Minato says with a small grin. Shikamaru just mutters "troublesome."
"Then we're going to Edo." Naruto said with authority in his voice.
"Edo? Why the hell would we go there?" Said Ino.
"The Great Summoning Contracts." Declared Naruto. "If they still exist, we would have powerful allies or at least they could tell us what happened there after we all died. I've foreseen it."
Iruka asked, "Naruto; do you mean to say you actually contacted the 'Force' that Deluvion talked about?"
Naruto replied, "Yes, Iruka-sensei. My mind was clear and I let go of my inner struggles. It all became clear to me. The slugs, the toads, and the snakes' homes each have something for us when we reach them. That's where we need to go; the 'unknown' coordinates from that disk."
"Let me get this straight," said Anko, "You got laid last night and the sex was so good it enabled you to see the future?" Everyone face-faulted.
"Please set a course in for the coordinates we've labeled 'Edo' Doc." Naruto pleaded as he crawled out from the place his face hit the floor.
Doc chuckled, "Sure thing Naruto. I never knew your human mating rituals had such powers." Everyone face-faulted again while Anko roared in laughter.
Two weeks later, the Misfire arrived in orbit around Edo, looking for a landing point. They were very apprehensive about returning to their home-world since it was essentially nothing but a massive graveyard as far as they knew. Although Madara's influence was gone, the world still seemed blanketed in thick clouds. They could only spot landmasses via the ship's scanners. "I've found a landing signal in the Elemental Countries –or at least what was them…." Muttered Ino.
The readers were all shocked and dismayed at how their world ended up because Madara had won. "Is that what would have happened should Madara have won in our lives?" Naruto just couldn't help but ask out loud. Nobody could answer him.
Naruto said, "We've been in orbit for some time. If those summoning contracts still exist then we need to land. Take us down Doc but keep the ship on standby."
Doc affirmed it. "Alright Naruto. Do you really expect to find something after 10,000 years?"
"It's a chance we have to take Doc." Said Naruto. "If Anko and I could regain contact with our summons then it would be a huge plus. They could fill us in on what's been going on Edo and whatever happened to Madara."
They landed on a pad near a large cloning facility that obviously had seen combat in the last few months. There were remnants of bodies everywhere. As the crew exited the ship, it became apparent what the mass of corpses were: the bodies of half-formed Zetsus. They were skinless and red in color. The piles of them made a horrific sight. It was obvious they were slaughtered in droves by a variety of jutsus. The question on everyone's mind was 'Who did this?'
"I wonder if they scientists/cloners weren't scared off by the red Zetsus being slaughtered instead?" Minato says thoughtfully. Nobody could answer him but even Shikamaru and Sasori look thoughtful as well.
Shikamaru exclaimed, "There was so much crossfire here it's virtually impossible to tell how they were attacked and from where. It's just a charnel house out here. What about inside the facility?"
"Let me look under the rubble." Said Hinata. "Byakugan! There are about 60 of those cloning cylinders here by my guess. Most of them are empty. Whatever ninjas were revived here must have fought them to the death. The few still in the cylinders are dead. I doubt they ever woke up. -Naruto?"
Naruto sat down in a clearing away from the bodies and activated his sage mode. He reached out as far as he could. It seemed the dim, twilight-covered world did have life on it but he sensed very little natural energy. The bodies of the Zetsus gave off a terrible stench as they decomposed but there was no trace of a spirit or chakra he could feel remaining in them. It was as if they had been nothing but lifeless machines to begin with. Then he felt a flash of Natural energy. It wasn't in the direction of the Toad's Mount Myoboku to his disappointment. "Anko, do you know which direction the Snake clan's Ryuchi Cave is? I think I've found either it or the Shikkotsu Forest where the Slug's lived."
"The Slugs were in the Land of Woods, and that isn't the direction that the Land of Woods is in." Tsunade says with a look. Sakura nods in agreement with her shisho. Naruto backs down at the looks from the slug summoners.
"It's in the northwest." Replied Anko. "Orochimaru never took me there but that's the direction it's in."
Naruto said, "I think I've found it then. I sense a gathering of life and natural energy there. Maybe the Snakes survived somehow."
"What about the Toads Naruto?" Asked Iruka.
"I don't sense any life there but there still is natural energy." Said Naruto with sorrow in his voice. "We'll check the Ryuchi Cave first."
Since Naruto had to track it from the ground, they walked there. It was about a five-day journey at ninja speeds. It seemed that the malformed Zetsu clones wandered aimlessly about and attacked when chakra use was nearby. They weren't particularly hard to kill for the group of six but fighting a bunch of mindless zombie like clones was taxing and it slowed them down. They eventually called Doc and had him pick them up at night so they could sleep safely on the Misfire.
"The Shikkotsu Forest is in the northeast so nyeh." Sakura says while pulling her eyelid down and sticking her tongue out childishly. "Sakura!" Tsunade says with a disapproving frown. "Sorry shisho." Sakura says apologetically.
Shikamaru said "I suspect those Zetsus attacked in groups after the ninjas woke up and started using chakra. I think it's safe to say the ninjas didn't kill each other but rather the army of Zetsus. The scientists doing the cloning probably decided to get the hell out after that."
"Good suspicion Nara." Minato says with a grin.
"Well, it would explain why so much stuff was left behind. They probably evacuated in a hurry." Commented Iruka. "What do you think happened to those ninjas at the base?"
Anko spoke up. "I'm sure they either retreated with the scientists or died off by now Iruka-kun. It's simply attrition and I doubt they had combat equipment like we do."
Iruka said depressed, "I know Anko but I'm hoping we'll find some survivors holed up in the Ryuchi cave."
The Misfire sat down nearby and the six ninjas clambered aboard. Naruto said grimly "We'll be entering the mountains tomorrow so Doc won't be able to come pick us up. Does everyone have enough supplies ready? We'll probably want all the extra weapons we can carry in case it's a cave full of Zetsus."
"That's a good plan son." Minato says with a grin. Naruto just grins back.
"We'll be ready tomorrow Naruto-kun. It's been a long day. Let's get some sleep." Hinata said as she led him to their bunk.
"Hinata's got the right idea. Let's call it a night and double check our supplies in the morning." Said Iruka.
Naruto awoke in the morning to the weight of Hinata's soft body snuggled up to his. He could feel her luscious breasts pressed up against him and her face buried in the crook of his neck. He wanted her but they needed to get up and prepare. He gently rubbed her back to wake her up.
Perverted giggling can be heard before a loud *bam* sound followed. Everyone turned to look at Jiraiya and Tsunade respectively. Tsunade was waving her smoking fist from the punch.
She moaned, "Mmmm….I want to sleep Naruto-kun. I'm very comfortable."
"I do too Hinata-chan but we have to get ready." He replied. "We need to be prepared for anything and I want us all to come back safe."
She raised her head up and kissed him deeply. "Alright Naruto-kun. But when we get back from this, your sweet ass is mine!" She said mischievously with a smile.
He smiled, "I wouldn't have it any other way Hinata-chan."
By the time the two young lovers were up and dressed, the rest of the crew was as well. "Are we ready?" Asked Naruto. "The rest of the way is solely on foot so we need to be careful, no mistakes. Hinata will be on point with her Byakugan active. Ino will be center in case someone needs medical help. Anko and I will be on either side since our jutsus do the most collateral damage. Shikamaru and Iruka will back us up. Any questions?"
"That is quite a good plan Naruto." Tenten says with a nod. Naruto just smiles.
Iruka asked, "Are you planning to go for a frontal assault?"
Naruto noted the panic in Iruka's voice. "No, Iruka-sensei. I want to use stealth and take out small groups of Zetsus silently. But if we reach the mouth of that cave and run into an army of them, I want to be able to blow them away in case we have to retreat."
"Always have a backup plan for a strategic withdrawal." Tsunade says with a nod.
And so they did. Hinata would spot the Zetsus in advance and the others would silently kill them. The Zetsus continued to aimlessly wander about so the cave entrance was easy for the ninja to enter once they reached there. The cave's opening was big enough for a snake Manda's size to slither through and then opened into an enormous cavern where the entire snake clan could live. But there were no snakes; just a vision of hell….
"What?!" Anko shouts in outrage. Iruka grabs his girlfriend in a tight embrace to calm her down.
Hundreds upon hundreds of the blood-red Zetsus were chanting and staring with lifeless eyes at a hooded figure in front of them on a raised dais. The Konoha ninja were both mesmerized and terrified of the spectacle. Torches blazed around the cavern, shedding an unholy light on the ceremony taking place. The person leading them seemed to be controlling them like puppets on strings. Whoever it was, directed the red Zetsus towards two charnel pits of fire. What little chakra and life-force they had was being siphoned off into some massive sealing array behind the person. The madman was laughing as Zetsu after Zetsu fed their lives to his traps.
"That is all kinds of fucked up!" Anko shouts, with the rest nodding in agreement. "Only someone like Danzo, Kabuto, or Orochimaru could do something like that." Naruto says with a scowl.
"Help me put up a protection barrier, Iruka. This reminds me of a Bijuu extraction ceremony. I'll be damned before I let this continue." Said Naruto with steely eyes. Iruka quickly complied, seeing Naruto's ice-cold eyes burning with untold fury. After the barrier was raised, everyone but Naruto was behind it. He entered sage mode and summoned six shadow clones to create a pair of rasenshurikens. The person on the platform looked up and then powered up sage chakra himself. 'Is this a ninja with sage abilities? Or maybe a Sith?' Naruto decided he didn't give a damn at this point. He yelled out "Prepare to die! Rasenshuriken!" As the two wind enhanced Jutsus sailed towards their intended targets.
Minato perked up at the sight of the Rasenshurikens. "You actually did complete it son." Minato said towards Naruto with awe in his (Minato's) voice. Naruto just gives a foxy grin in response.
The explosion of the two massive jutsus was tremendous. Most of the living Zetsus caught in the backlash were vaporized by the tiny cutting blades of wind. The pits themselves were obliterated at the point of impact, spreading oil and fire throughout the craters they left behind. The hooded figure looked up. He had used almost half of the stored chakra in the sealing array to protect himself from Naruto's assault. He spoke in a pleasant voice that carried across the now silent cavern; "Naruto-kun, is that you? I can't imagine anyone else using a jutsu of that magnitude. You should really be more careful. You might accidentally injure someone important." He lowered his hood….
"Only one person speaks that pleasantly with an enemy." Naruto says with narrowed eyes.
"Kabuto?! You son-of-a-bitch! I should have known you wouldn't stay dead."
"I could say the same of you Naruto-kun. You're simply too resilient to let something as inconsequential as death stop you." He said conversationally, "But you almost killed Jiraiya here; wouldn't you feel guilty at murdering your own master? Reviving him was what this whole ceremony was for." He said motioning to a cloning cylinder behind him.
"How could you be so careless to your own master gaki (brat)?" Jiraiya asks with a hurt expression on his face. "Shut up Ero-Sennin. You more than likely deserved it for being a pervert." Naruto retorts.
So ends the chapter. If anyone is interested, XXX777 has a Naruto/Marvel/DC/The Darkness crossover challenge where Naruto is the second son of the Darkness and the Angelus, so pm XXX777 if interested.
Scheffinator signing off!