A/N: Hey guys sorry it's been sooooooooooooooo long since I last posted a lot has been happening and I keep losing my damned flash drive. So I've did my best to get this to y'all as quick as possible.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Naruto, just of my original character.
Warnings: Violence, yaoi, yuri, and het, language…etc.
Chapter Five
It was the middle of the night, when crystal blue eyes opened to the world. Yawning Naruto took a look around to see that their surroundings had change. Instead of the ceiling of a tent, he saw what had to be the lushest bedroom he's ever laid his eyes on. He also saw that everyone else was asleep together in one giant bed. Starting from the right, he could see that Anko was curled up around Yugao, and Kiba was lying on top of Akita with Akamaru and her dogs. Then, Naruto noticed how Kakashi had curled around him protectively, with one hand under his pillow.
Smiling a little he silently got out of bed only to pause when he saw Kakashi's only visible eye open.
"N…Naruto?" he asked groggily.
Smiling a little Naruto whispered," Sorry to wake you Kakashi-san, I just could not sleep anymore, I was going to go explore our surroundings a bit more." Kakashi nodded silently before going back to sleep in the same position. Naruto then headed out of the room, after donning his mask, traveling the great halls of this ancient temple. He then came across what seemed to be a court yard of sorts, which had a fountain in the middle. The fountain was beautiful, with four majestic beasts that looked over the plot of land with a since of pride and security. The beasts were a white tiger, a purplish black bird, a gold and silver wolf, and an aqua blue dragon. Naruto couldn't quite tell what it was, but he felt as if he knew who they were.
"It seems that the fountain, has thought you worthy of it presence." A voice called out behind the boy. Startled, Naruto spun around to see a dark old man smiling gently at him with mischievous eyes. "Ah, so you hide your face even in the cloak of night." Naruto, not knowing what to say or who this was, only nodded in response. The old man seemed to find this even more amusing," Ah, forgive my rudeness, my name is Chu, and I'm the leader of this small village and temple."
Naruto looked at the man curiously," Hello, nice to meet you, to those who don't know my face, I'm Ryuu." He said, remembering the names he and Kiba have been given to protect them. Chu walked over to the fountain and sat at the ledge patting the space next to him. Not knowing what else to do, Naruto took the offered seat and watched as the old man gazed at the fountain with a happiness Naruto only saw other people have. Turning back to Naruto, the elder smiled gently at him again. "Tell me young Ryuu, what do you know of the True Demon Knights?"
"The True Demon Knights?" Naruto stated in a confused tone. He looked up at the statues, then back at Chu.
"Yes, they were legends, as old, if not older than the legend of the first shinobi. It is said that in a time when demons use to roam the land freely, there were four clans that were the most powerful. The clan heads of these were the most powerful demons to ever walk the face of this earth, and as such took it upon their selves to protect this earth. They were known as the True Demon Knights. It is said that nothing, not even the Juubi, could ever defeat them, especially when they fought together."
Naruto gasped at the thought," Wow, they were really that powerful?!" he was awed by the story.
Chu laughed at the boy's tone and nodded before pointing at the statues of the fountain," First, there was Tiajak the fiery tiger of the East, then Kaage the shadow phoenix of the west, in the north was Raiokami the lighting and wind wolf, and Kijuu, the water and wind dragon of the south. They were comrades, all but family in each other's eyes. "He sighed as he said this," They brought about an era of peace, but it didn't last. One demon, none knows of its origin or powers, but it started to wreak havoc across the land. It killed many, gave mercy to none, and instilled fear into all. The Demon Knights knew that only they had the power to defeat this creature, and so they battled this demon. It was a long and bloody battle, and in the end they were victorious. Their victory came with a price, however. For they, themselves, had perished as well. The only thing that remained of them was their gems. Each embedded within a weapon that shall find their heir, and a mask that is crafted out of the fang of each." Chu finally came to the end of the tale.
Naruto was completely awe struck, and he had hung off over every word. He smiled when the old man was finished, even though he couldn't see it. "That was a great story Chu-san, thank you for telling me." Naruto stated in a content voice. He looked back up at the statues, never noticing the old man chuckle, stand up, and leave. He did notice, though, how tired he seemed to have gotten. So getting up, he went back to his room and went back to bed, still never feeling the presence of another's gaze on him on his way back.
The next day, Naruto and Kiba were outside doing their physical work outs and their target practicing. Kakashi watched over them, and grew curious when he saw a young girl around the boys age walk up to him as her gaze was kept on the boys. She was dark skinned and had pure white hair that were in dreads. Oddly enough, she had lava orange eyes and pitch black stripes that ran across her arms.
"What are they doing?" she asked her accent thick.
Kakashi raised a brow at the girl, though she couldn't see it, behind the mask," Their training, so far we are only doing physical training so they can build up muscle and strength."
The girl nodded, she looked at all three of them then spoke again," Why do you all wear mask?"
"So no enemies or future enemies will recognize our faces, which will protect us better." Kakashi explained truthfully.
"Why are their masks different from the rest?" The girl asked, point at them.
Kakashi sighed a little," Because they are going to be a different team all together."
The child nodded before looking back at the boys. She then turned back to Kakashi," Can I join them?"
Blinking, not expecting the question, Kakashi smiled and watched as she went over and joined the boys. They stopped for a moment, looked at the girl, shrugged, and then got back to training.
When he heard a chuckle, Kakashi turned and saw Chu walking towards him," It seems my granddaughter has taken an interest in you shinobis."
Kakashi tilted his head," Your granddaughter…"
"Her name is Durga, and she is the princess of the Babar tribe." The elderly man said.
"Ah, I see, is it really alright if she trains with them, I wouldn't want her to get in trouble because of us?" Kakashi enquired as he watched over his young charges who seemed to get along quite nicely to their new training buddy.
Chu waved his hand in a disregarding manner," Oh heavens, no. In all honesty I'm glad she is making friends. She doesn't have any other kids her age to play with here." He smiled at the children contently, before it turned into a small frown. He then turned around and walked back into the temple.
And thus a routine was made. During the day, all three children would train under the watchful of one of the anbu, while later at night the kids would play. Soon enough, the kids were inseparable. It was also to the anbu's surprise that the kids' prankster sides came to life. It went from coloring on the masks, to swapping the salt for sugar. The grown-ups took this in stride and even gained some amusement out of some of the pranks.
Soon enough almost a week had gone by and Kakashi was a little surprised when he was called in to meet with Chu. As he walked into the throne room, he saw the elder was slumping into his chair, hand covering his face. Not knowing what to do, Kakashi just waited until the old leader spoke.
"For almost fifty years, I've watched over this tribe. I was supposed to retire and let my son gain the title of Tribe Master." Chu stated softly, and then he looked directly at Kakashi," Before that could happen those damned bounty hunters and fur trappers had killed him and his wife. You see, we are tiger demons, but only a few can transform. Even less now that we are being hunted down."
Kakashi tilted his head to the side," With all due respect Chu-san, why are you telling me this? You only just met us, and don't even know us."
Chu sighed again," Wolf-san, those hunters were the same ones that to sell off your drive them off. Everyone knows this, why do you think so few live here. It's only a matter of time before they actually manage to raid this part of the jungle." He looked at Kakashi with such sad eyes.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes," What is it that you want from us?" He got straight to the point. He knew the old man would never had called him in here for idle chat, he could've found him outside for that.
Chuckling dryly Chu looked directly into his eyes," When the time comes for this tribe to fall, and fall it will, I want you to take Durga with you." Kakashi's eyes widened a bit at this, but he did nod his head in acceptance. And that was the end of that conversation.
# Two Days Later#
Naruto laugh brightly as he ran from his new friend in a game of tag. Durga, while a bit quiet, had a sassy and mischievous side that made the days more fun. Even Kiba, who said she smelled like cat, even liked her. He smiled foxily when he spotted Anko up ahead, when he got close enough he never gave any warning before he leaped. Still Anko's senses gave her enough of a warning to turn and catch the blond haired menace.
Giggling, Naruto's eyes gleamed merrily through his mask, which made Anko's scorn melt away. "Oi, gaki do you think it's funny to jump someone?" She teased lightly, putting him down when she saw the other two come up to her.
The others came up to her as well; even Chu and they all went to have dinner. As they feasted, the anbu all noticed some strange noises coming from outside. Suddenly, the man that saved Naruto was sprinting in the room breathing heavily and badly wounded.
"Chu-sa…sama, the v…village is under…ha..ha…attack!" he announced, before he crumbled to the floor.
Chu's eyes hardened and he swiftly got up, turning to the shinobi he said a simple," Follow me," before he walked promptly out of the dining hall, into a room that was filled with scrolls and artifacts. He stopped quickly to many different spots, before ushering everyone over to one wall. He turned a seemingly normal wall decoration right three time, then pulled it which opened up a hidden wall. Turning to Kakashi he handed him three scrolls," These are my family's fighting techniques and styles, train her well." He then turned to his grandchild.
"P…papa," she whispered confusingly, as he gave her a mask that was of a tiger that was red with lavender stripes, and a double-bladed spear.
"Durga, listen, go with them, they will protect you and train you to be strong," he said.
She started crying," But papa, y…you got to come to!" she insisted desperately.
The old man just shook his head," No, my princess, it my duty to stay and fight for my people. You need to go, though; you are our only hope as to carry our strong blood on. Go with them, live and fight for us." He stated and pushed her towards the group of anbu and two children," They'll give you a new family, one that you'll be proud to fight for!" Though she looked like she wanted to argue more, she just nodded her head. Then, they heard a rumble in the temple. Chu just yelled at them to run, and turned back as the door closed.
Outside the anbu had carried the children on their backs, and were racing through the jungle, only to pause as they were at the edge of the temple's village hidden by the village. They all stared in horror as they saw what had been their safe haven, go up in flames. Durga, silently cried as she watched her only home become nothing but ash.
Naruto looked over at her, and watched his friend in anguish. She then spoke up," I promise, that from now on, I'll live and grow strong, to protect my precious people, so that this will never happen again." She declared with determined vehemence. And in the dead of night, with the bitter tang of ashes in his mouth, Naruto vowed in his heart that he will never let anything like this happen to his friends…his family.