Alright ladies and gents! After this chapter the stage is set!
Disclaimer: Naruto, Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles, and Sailor Moon, their characters settings, etc., belong to their respective creators. All original characters, settings, etc., belong to ME!
Chapter 4: The Journey Begins
Michiru was a whirlwind whilst in the shop; Tsubasa had wondered if he should have left with Fai and Kurogane to save himself from the madness that was shopping. The wavy haired woman went everywhere, throwing clothing at him and pushing him into a dressing room. When he came out in something she didn't like she would toss him something else.
"Finally!" Michiru smiled as Tsubasa came out in what she deemed the perfect outfit for him. The brown pants and buckled t-shirt made him look dashing. He would definitely fit in with Suna.
Still not over the whirlwind that was Michiru, he couldn't stop his doe-eyed expression from appearing. "Um…Michiru-san…I…"
"Nope! You look wonderful!" Michiru wasn't having any complaints about it. She tossed him some bags. "I've got clothes for the other two, though I'd like to see them in the outfits but oh well…" She smiled. "Now we must deliver these fabulous outfits to your companions! I even got something cute for little Mokona!" She pushed the poor kid out the door. "Now be a dear and carry those out for me, hm?"
"Uh…hai…" Tsubasa walked out of the shop first then stopped in his tracks. At least ten White Ninja were gathered in a half circle, each of them staring him down…Frowning Tsubasa remembered what Selene told him. To these people, he was considered a hero at best; though he really didn't feel like one.
"Boy…" One walked up to him. "Are you the one called Tsubasa?"
"…Yes…" He stated with uncertainty. According to Selene-sama, these people knew him…In every last detail. How would they react to him? He was unsure.
The White Ninja who spoke stared him down with his black eyes.
"The boy with amber eyes that are as hard as stone and yet as gentle as water…" He spoke. "The one…whom made the ultimate sacrifice…" Then he shocked the brown haired boy by removing his robe. The ninja underneath was revealed to be a man in his late 40s with midnight black hair that matched his dark eyes. Ceremoniously, the man handed Tsubasa his robe.
"I honor your sacrifice, boy without an existence."
This was how Fai, Kurogane and Haruka found him…Though when they arrived, at least seven white ninja cloaks were at his feet, gathering dust from the sand.
"Oi! Kid!" Kurogane, Fai and Haruka returned to the scene. "What the hell's going on?"
"They are showing him respect." Selene replied, coming towards them with Mokona in her hands. "Did I not tell you before? You are celebrities in my lands."
"I see…" Fai chuckled. "Well Kuro-sama…Looks like we're just the sidekicks ne?"
"Mokona's the mascot!" Mokona jumped onto Fai's shoulder, Kurogane just scowled.
"What is going on here?" All motion stopped when sand formed into the red haired lord of the land, Lord Gaara. He first eyed his wayward wife, who was simply smiling under his gaze. He sighed a long sigh.
"Selene…"
"You worry too much, both you and Kankurou." She approached him. "I am fine, see?"
Frowning he took her hand, refusing to let go; as he approached the stupefied Tsubasa, like a parting sea of respectful gazes, the White Ninja allowed him and his wife through bowing their heads as the two passed them. The White Ninja certainly respected the nobility of this land as much as they respected Tsubasa. Even Michiru and Haruka were standing a bit taller than before, a big difference that did not go unnoticed by Fai or Kurogane.
"If you really are from that Crystal Legend," Lord Suna raised an eyebrow, "you should be weary, especially here. I suggest you and your…company venture to the Land of Crystal for the questions you wish answered as soon as possible."
Knowing there was a hidden meaning behind his words, Tsubasa merely nodded. He knew very well Lord Suna wanted him and his traveling companions gone…immediately and he couldn't blame the lord at all. Strangers appearing out of nowhere tended to make local regents nervous at best. It's not like Tsubasa wanted any attention in the first place but here there would be no escaping it. If the White Ninja treated him this way, what would happen when they reached this land called Crystal?
"Well we would love to go but your Kazekage stated the quick way wasn't possible at the moment." Fai knew when to diffuse a situation. "And we don't know the way to these amazing lands everyone talks about."
"You should travel to Konoha." Selene spoke up. "My uncle is the ninja leader there…He is called the Hokage. They would certainly help you reach my homelands."
"Well, looks like we're off then!" Fai chuckled. "We will still need a guide, Lady Suna."
"I will see that you are given a guide." Lord Suna stated. "Be ready by tomorrow morning. Until then, please lay low."
The very next day, dressed in the clothes Michiru provided them yesterday, the travelers stood at the tall gates of Suna, waiting for their escort to arrive. They weren't alone though; White Ninja had come by to see them off, many of them without their robes to cover their forms.
"This is annoying." Kurogane did not like all the attention. It was unnerving at best.
"Now, Kuro-poo, they're just awed by your presence." Fai chuckled lightly. "After all how many times can one say they have met their literary heroes in person?" He gazed at Tsubasa who had been silent. "Are you alright?"
"I spoke to Kimihiro yesterday." Tsubasa kept his eyes on the White Ninja standing some ways from them. "Even he was surprised there was a country here that knew everything…"
His words had both Fai and Kurogane confused. Ever since Kimihiro Watanuki took the role of Dimensional Witch (or was it warlock in this case? Who really knew?), the 'other other Syaroan' had become all seeing like the previous Yuuko had been. If he had no information about this world, that was quite troubling.
"Really? That is odd." Fai's smile turned upside down. "You think they know about him as well?"
"Most likely." Tsubasa frowned. "A dreamer wouldn't know every detail…"
"You are right about that…which makes one wonder…" This time Fai also had his eyes upon the White Ninja. "Who told them about us…And why?"
The sea of white parted, revealing Lord and Lady Suna approaching the travelers. They were most likely coming to see them off as well but something was off…
Why were they wearing traveling clothes?
"Are you crazy!?" Haruka's shout silenced the air. She rushed to Selene, her eyes wide with a bit of anger and shock mixed in. "Selene…you shouldn't do this!"
"Calm yourself." Selene wasn't budging. "Besides, Gaara is going as well."
Haruka turned her glaring eyes at the Suna Lord who just sighed.
"No matter what I say or do, she will not relent. The only condition was that I go with her."
Haruka was incredulous in her stare. "But by the time you reach there—"
"Conditions will be set to allow a teleportation, we have already asked this question so please do not worry, Guardian Uranus." Selene smiled. "Besides, I've not see my two Uncles in a long time. It would be good to see them again."
Haruka's glare softened as a sigh fell out of her mouth. "You were always so persistent…" She frowned. "I'm-"
"No…I want you to stay here, please…" Selene touched the woman's arm. "Please, Haruka…Have faith."
Haruka paused then pulled away. She eyed Gaara, her stare long and hard.
"I don't need to tell you what will happen if she so much as gets a scratch." She warned, making even Kurogane raise an eyebrow. She was threatening her lady's husband? That was odd to say the least.
"Need I remind you who you are speaking to?" Gaara met her gaze with a harder one. "I do not agree with this decision but unlike you and everyone else here, I'll not restrict my wife."
"She shouldn't be doing this!" Haruka shouted.
"I know."
"Oi…What the hell is going on?" Kurogane's patience was wearing then. Fai seemed to know what was going on.
"Seems our guides will be the nobility of Suna." Fai deduced. "Am I correct, Lady Suna?"
She giggled a bit. "Yes…You are as the stories say, Fai-san…I needed to speak to my uncle, Lord Hokage, anyway…and my other uncle, Sasuke…I do hope he is there, I wish to speak with him as well and I've a letter to give him from his daughter. Now…shall we be off then?"
Kurogane frowned, Mokona jumped up and down happily, Fai smiled, while Tsubasa just looked on.
This was going to be an interesting journey…
Next Time: Little Problems