Chapter 5: Eisenwald

Naruto felt a rush of new memories as the clone dispersed, seemed like Erza and the others received his message. Hopefully, they were on their way. All Naruto had to do was stay put. It wasn't easy though, being transformed into a suitcase made him feel uncomfortable.

Strangely, in ways Naruto could't explain, he was still vaguely aware of his surroundings. He could still feel the train moving along the tracks. He could hear the loud engine chugging away. This was one of the most bizarre things he experienced so far, but seemingly familiar, as if he's done it a thousand times before...

After what felt like at least half an hour by what Naruto guessed, the train began to slow down and he heard the faint screech of metal as the train came to a stop. He heard a multitude of voices, then something heavy drop to the ground and people murmuring frantically. He resisted the urge to transform back into a human, for fear of getting caught. 'Stay put,' he ordered himself.

Then he heard a train door open and a pair of feet landing on the ground and multiple footsteps nearing the train.

"Ah, Kageyama, I trust everything is in order?" A sinister voice said. "That's quite a bit of wreckage. You didn't have any problems did you?"

"Come on, aren't you more interested with what I brought?" another voice Naruto recognized it as Kageyama's said.

"Excellent," the other speaker appraised after a brief pause. Naruto suspected that Kageyama showed the man something. He had a bad feeling that it was the flute he saw from earlier. The unknown speaker continued, "With Lullaby in our possession, our plans will come into motion."

"Yes, Lord Erigor." Kageyama agreed. More voices chuckled in agreement.

He heard them board the train and after a few minutes they were on the move again.

Naruto was deep in thought. He tried to piece the puzzle together, but there were still too many factors to consider. He started to assess the situation with the information he already knew. First, Erigor, who appears to be the leader of Eisenwald, was on this train heading to who knew where. Second, they seemed to be in high spirits after they had met up with Kageyama, which meant that everything was going according to their plan. What that plan was though, Naruto didn't know. Thirdly, why were they taking the train? It seemed like a limited way to travel as they had to stay on the tracks. That meant they weren't aiming for a stealthy approach. They must have been really confident that their plan would work if they seem so laid back about it.

Their main objective however, was still a mystery to Naruto. He then remembered the flute he saw earlier and Kageyama's reaction when he saw it. It was fear. Fear of being caught. Lullaby. It sounds like one of the songs you sing to a child to get them to fall asleep. A song...a flute...and Lullaby, the truth hit Naruto like a ton of bricks. The flute was Lullaby!

He didn't understand the finer details, but he got the idea. If anyone played that flute, those who hear its melody died. Now if he only knew who they were planning to use it on...

Finally, Naruto couldn't stand it anymore, he transformed back into himself and crawled out from under the chair. As he stood and stretched his back, he heard a shout and furniture splintering into pieces coming from the train car ahead of him.

He walked toward the sounds until he reached the door to the next car, the mages of Eisenwald must have been the ones on the other side. He crouched and carefully opened the door just a fraction so he could see inside. Kageyama was on the floor as if he tripped backwards. Towering over him was a man wielding a gigantic scythe. Naruto could see some of the other mages in there as well.

"You let them escape?!" The man holding the scythe roared. 'Guy must be Erigor...' Naruto thought.

"Do you have any idea how foolish that was?!" Erigor ranted. "Those pesky little flies will cause us nothing but trouble!"

"Lord Erigor, if they are so weak then they will be nothing they can do to stop us, right?" Kageyama said in a pathetic attempt to save himself from blame.

Erigor considered that for a moment, then he lowered his scythe to this side.

"Fortunately for you, Kageyama, we still have time to correct you errors." Erigor gave a nasty smile. "We'll have a little surprise waiting for our fairy friends at Oshibana station." The mages gave matching grins in anticipation.

That was all Naruto needed to know for now, he slid the door slowly back to close it. Naruto's heart convulsed in fear as it gave a small click when the door shut.

"What was that?" He heard Erigor say. Naruto had to act fast.

Erigor slid the door open and walked into the destroyed train car. He looked around the train, but couldn't find anyone. He could've sworn he heard something suspicious. He carried his scythe over his shoulder and walked up the aisle. There was no one there. He shrugged, but he still couldn't shake the feeling that there was another presence. He walked back into the other train car when he stepped on something, a beat up old suitcase made of leather. Frowning he kicked it to the side. He returned to the other train car and shut the door, locking it behind him.

Naruto felt his heart hammering in his chest. That was too close. Even when he transformed back into an old suitcase, he was afraid Erigor would notice, but he just kicked him to the side. Eventually, Naruto's breathing helped calm him down.

Part of him wondered why he was afraid. He bet he could take Erigor down right here and right now, but then again, he had backup. The logical part of him was just thankful that he didn't get caught.

Naruto felt himself getting drowsy. So far this has been an exhausting day and it wasn't even noon! He considered a brief nap when he decided against it. The rhythmic sound of the train's wheels moving along the tracks was not helping, he felt himself slowly drifting off, maybe one quick nap.

He was standing in front of huge gates. Four other boys stood with him as they were about to head out. One boy looked exactly like Kageyama except that his mouth curved mostly downward and his posture was sloppy. He must be thinking how he'd rather be at home resting than being out here to do a mission.

Another boy was fat and was munching on some chips. A boy with sharp canines wearing a snow jacket petted a small dog that perched on the hood of his jacket. Another boy had white irises and had long hair. The Kageyama lookalike was discussing some kind of formation when a weepy, pink haired girl approached them.

"Naruto, this is a once and a lifetime request." She sobbed. "But please bring back Sasuke, bring him back to me!"

Naruto felt a huge amount of sadness overcome him. It was obvious that she loved Sasuke. He knew that she had never felt any sort of affection toward him, even though he did.

"You really care about him, don't you?" Naruto said sadly. The girl didn't respond.

Naruto forced a smile and gave her a thumb up. "I promise I'll bring back Sasuke, no matter what! I swear on my life, dattebayo!"

The girl hugged herself and sobbed even more. "Naruto, thank you."

Naruto woke just as the train stopped. He let go of the transformation, but stayed under the chair. The mages of Eisenwald gathered in the station. He heard footsteps coming and then he saw Erza and the others emerge from a hallway on the other side of the room.

Naruto counted the number of the Eisenwald guild members, all in all, sixty strong. He steeled himself for the battle he knew was about to take place. Strangely, he felt excited. Battle jitters, he guessed. Naruto smirked. It was time to make this guild sorry he ever messed with either Fairytail or Naruto Uzumaki.