"Excuse me?"
Dead silent. The blonde's reply to the black haired Princess's question was also a question. The only difference is, his questioning is more genuine. His face, both shocked and dumbfounded, clearly reflects what he's feeling.
Suddenly, the woman herself burst into a fit of giggles. This only caused the young teenager to be even more clueless than before, if the blinking of his eyes didn't show his confusion, then he didn't know what else will. "Hahah… I'm sorry, I was merely jesting." This time, the woman's smile becomes honest, totally different from the suspicious kind that she was showing before. Her posture gradually relaxed, this caused him to act the same way too.
"Ah… you were joking… hehehe…" the blonde laughed humorlessly, his eye twitching.
His reaction caused the woman in front of him to giggle even more. She's definitely having her fun time messing with him… "Sorry, that was rude of me Naruto-dono." Despite all of this, she still maintains honorifics. "Please, don't take it to heart." She did a light bow, showing a form of apology.
The blonde wave her apology off, while crossing his arms at the same time. "It's fine… no need to worry about it." He seriously can't get mad at a woman who apologized after admitting that she's in the wrong, that'll be uncool of him. He coughed into his fist, trying to get to the main reason as to why he's here. "So, what do you need from me?"
Kaguya swept a curtain of black hair, she really needs her hair cut. Her black eyes flickered over to his pair of azure blue. "Nothing much, I'm just sure that an outsider like you have a lot to tell us folks here, hmm?" she asked while fluttering her eye lids.
Naruto scratched his whiskered cheek, unsure of how to answer. So, he'll ask instead. "What makes you think that I'm an outsider?"
Kaguya simply point a finger over at him. "Your clothes of course. People here don't dress like you do, especially not with a color like that." She joked with good intentions.
The blonde shinobi actually look offended. "Hey, don't diss the orange." He hugged his form to express his exaggeration. "Tis but a fine color." Countered the young man to the woman.
Kaguya took in his sense of humor well, but little did she know, he wasn't even joking. "Ufufu… indeed. Now," she clasped her hands, expectation pooling on her eyes. "how was your life?"
So he's in a counseling now? He just got his body patched up, and now he's in for a counseling? Man… he should've just returned to the human village. Regardless, he still answers. "Not much, just… the usual for a shinobi." He noticed the look of realization on her face at the mentioning of shinobi.
"You are a shinobi?" from her voice, he could already tell that she is surprised. Kaguya had her palm covering her mouth, while her face expressing her shock. "But you're so young. I'm sure that your parents talked with you…?" for once, he actually noticed the concern on her voice.
But he scoffed, looking away in a huff. "It doesn't matter when you don't have them in the first place." He shrugged. Despite how the way he acted, he is not offended. "Besides, if they're still alive, I'm sure that they'll be kicking some asses with me." He declared with a bit of pride. Until he remembered what the doctor said to him about being polite.
"Heeh? Interesting… tell me more."
From there onwards, it became more of a story telling for the Princess instead of a counseling session for the boy. He told her about some few things. About the ninja academy, about the graduation exams and even some ninja techniques. Throughout the entire explanation, the black haired Princess is showing enthusiasm in listening to him. He never really thought that someone would love to listen to the boring everyday life of a ninja. For him, his whole life, before him entering Gensokyo, is actually lacking in action. Aside from the slight scuffles that he had with Danzo's boy toys, he had been keeping himself busy with travelling and fighting missing nins for bounty.
He didn't tell her about Danzo though, seeing that it would only get him deeper into parts that he doesn't want to talk about. He told her about some famous tales about his homeland. About the famous Yellow-Flash, who was capable of killing hundreds of people in a blink of an eye. She was soon engrossed in the story, almost like a child. After the epics of the Yellow Flash, he told her of the civil war in Kirigakure. It saddens the woman knowing that war happened amongst people who are one of a kind, and that people with 'special abilities' – as what he dubbed it – were executed simply out of fear. He goes on and on, telling stories of people that he had encounter. People that he had met before in his life.
Unknown to him, he has reached the level of privacy in this one sided conversation of his. He began telling her more about him, what he likes, what he dislikes and what he enjoys. Soon, he finds himself speaking about his hobbies, what he enjoys doing. The conversation has become personal, and that is unknown to him. He knows it, consciously. But his body, mouth continues to talk even if his mind is in a total confused state.
"As a kid with nowhere to go, I usually live in old apartment slums… they're like tall buildings which houses people… and as for food, well, the vendors won't mind if they find a missing apple of two." The small chuckled that came out of the boy's mouth was bittersweet, as if he's reminiscing of his past.
Kaguya listened intently. Being the good listener she is, she also sensitive when people have started talking about matters that are different. She asked him, "Then… if you're living alone at such a young age, why don't you go to an orphanage? I'm sure that they would take your presence kindly… right?"
At that, he flinched. His features becoming quiet, like the sudden breeze coming to a stop. He sighed, followed by an empty and hollow chuckled that has seemed to come out from the bottom of his heart.
"You know, perhaps I should tell you another story." He began, almost amused.
"Once, there was a young kid. He's loud, has attitude problems and is no doubt the main source of trouble for his community." Kaguya is not dumb to not know that he is beginning to tell her about his life. Something that she has been listening to for the past few hours, yet only hearing it now.
"This kid… you see, he isn't well liked by the people around him. He is also not the sharpest axe in the rack. But this kid… this kid was filled with big dreams. He dreams as far as the sky, maybe he'll take himself to the moon and back if he dreamt too far." The blonde haired boy laughed at his own joke. "Thing is, this kid wants to know why. Why, do the people around him ignore him? Why do the people, who showed affection and care for the other homeless kids, showed him pity and anger."
Silence is like water into a brush, soaking, filling the atmosphere full of it. "So, he had finally set on his dreams. His dreams, which happen to be near impossible to make true, came true. He got people to recognize him. All he ever wanted was a place to stay, so he gets it. All he wanted was people to recognize him, he gets it…" Naruto looked away, into the distant wooden ceiling of the room. "But all of those… all of those are swept away like dust. He then soon realized that he hadn't found the answer to his question."
"He still wondered… 'why do people hate me?' but he got all the recognition that he wanted, right? He should be happy right?" at this point, it wasn't clear as to who is the blonde speaking to. Himself or Kaguya. "Because let me tell you, to that kid, those friendly greeting, those praises, those people who he got to know, doesn't matter to him anymore." His tone is like a knife, ending what seems to be whatever chances there are for this story to become a happy one.
"He was stripped away, from both his shame and pride. He clouds himself with false determination, yet he refuses to believe so. He was baptized under the burden of sacrifice. He was given the royal gift of betrayal." His tone has become louder. He is now screaming. But in a contained rage. "He has lost everything."
…
"It was like the darkest hour of his life, if it couldn't get any darker. The only thing that remains in him is one: his question of why do people treat him the way he was. Why now? Why do they treat him as if he is the savior of his kind?" another silence. But it was ended much quicker than the previous one.
"Unknown to him, the answer is here." Naruto clutched his chest, right where his heart is at. "The answer has always been inside of him this whole entire time… he is just naïve, blind, ignorant enough to not see it. But it was too late for the boy. He'd lost everything but one, but how can he, who only has the source of his despair, return?" it was a question. But it was not for Kaguya. It was for Naruto himself.
The boy smiled, showing Kaguya his fox like smirk. "He did one thing. He became a demon."
Nor Kaguya or Naruto spoke after the whole story. For Naruto, it feels as if he had just spilled both his words and heart into the floor. He couldn't think of anything else to talk about, much less continue on another topic.
For Kaguya, she is absorbed into the blonde's words. This story that he had told her, it's like a reflection upon a mirror. But it's not her reflection she's seeing. But the boy's. As a person who has lived so long to know the burden of others, Kaguya knows best than to show pity to the boy. She knows it too well. When people like him are shown pity, it would only anger them. They are stubborn in a way, but not in a bad one.
Soon after deciding that she has enough of the uncomfortable silence that lingers in the air, she coughed. "That was a rather interesting tale you've told me Naruto-dono." She started, her ever so charming eyes glazed upon his. "I have enjoyed the time that you have given me to tell your story with, I truly have." She bowed her head down in thanks.
Naruto, who still in a daze after the whole story telling, could only nod. "Ah, yeah…"
Kaguya smiled underneath the veil of her sleeve. She stood from her seat, walking over to the other side where the boy is sitting at. She suddenly dropped beside him, enveloping him in a hug. This action is way too sudden for the blonde. He did not expect this to happen nor did he thought for this to come to be. But for whatever reason there is, he couldn't bring himself away from the woman's embrace. For once, in his life of hardships and pain, he felt the feeling of security. He felt… warm and comfortable. His arms could not move. His brain ceased thinking the moment he felt contact from the woman.
But his eyes… they dropped three little droplet of tears. His chest tightened. He felt… confused, both mentally and physically. Why is he crying now of all times? He promised himself not too cry again. He promised not to show emotions like sadness and grief. So why… why now?
Why cry now, Naruto?
While the boy is busy with his own raging emotions, Kaguya slowly reminisced her way into the past.
The vision of a small child laughing.
The vision of being hurt.
The vision of being called mother.
She remembered those way well, all too well. She has decided her life the moment she chose to drink from the elixir. She has fully accepted the consequences of her actions, and is still receiving them now. But for all that matters, if should she be able to change the past, she would do it. People might call her selfish. People might call her liar.
But what is being selfish and to lie, if not but a sin?
She is Kaguya Houraisan, the Eternal Sinner. And she knows that she would never be able to get the redemption she longed.
After a lengthy moment, she lets go of the embrace. She still maintains a close distance towards him. With a smile that is probably alien to her own, she placed her hand on top of the boy's head, ruffling his golden crown.
"Ohime-sama, there is a guest for the patie-"
All eyes, both blue and black, turned towards the direction of the sliding door. Naruto distanced his way away from Kaguya, finally standing up. His eyes are still glued to the newcomer's form, seeing that this is the first time he'd seen her… or someone like her. For once, he wasn't surprised by the foreign manner of clothing. But what interest him are her hair, and… ears. She has rabbit ears on top of her head, and they seem to be detachable. Her face made a look of surprise, something that both Naruto and Kaguya could confirm. She noticed that both people are staring her way, to which she blushed in embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, I shall wait outside." With a final apology, she slides the door close.
Naruto blinked, still taking in what happened a few seconds ago. His eyes then returned to their usual bored state. He turn his way towards the door, knowing that someone has visited him. "So yeah, I'll be going now if you don't mind." He casually dismissed himself before the woman. He grabbed the handle of the door, pausing before opening the door fully. "…and thanks."
Kaguya watched as the boy leaves the room, sliding the door close. Her eyes are still glued to where the boy was standing before while feeling mixed emotions in her heart altogether. Her small supple lips twisted to a small, if not tiny smile. Life is interesting no matter how she sees it. But she knows that there is an end to it… maybe there is too for this life of hers.
The black haired Princess stood slowly from her place and walked in a slight daze outside to the veranda. Her eyes are soon glued into the infinite and boundless blue sky. She watched the clouds moving ever so slowly. The gentle wind blew pass her, gracing her in winter's cold morning. The winter sky is not something she fancies. There are no stars to gaze at and it's always cold. But no matter which sky it is, be it summer or even autumn, she is sharing it with thousands of other sinners out there in the whole wide world.
"Kosuzu-chan, I'll be borrowing this book again today please!"
In Gensokyo there is a library.
"Ah yes, please. Let me stamp it first."
This place is not as famous as the other main library which the place holds. In fact, there are about some who could easily replace this place. The infamous Voile library of the Scarlet Devil Mansion is excluded for obvious reasons.
"Thank you Kosuzu-chan, Shirou would be happy to read this book."
But what made those other library different is because this one is often visited by the famous two incident solvers of Gensokyo. Even if those two young and bullet shooting girls visited this place frequently, it is still but a normal library. Nothing but books in it. But the same cannot be said about the books themselves.
"Yes, I'm sure he will. Have a good day Saori-san."
"A good day to you too Kosuzu-chan."
Kosuzu Mootori, a human girl. As simple as that. The term normal doesn't really apply in Gensokyo, considering its rule of throwing common sense outside the window. But for her, she is normal. Of course, Gensokyo standard. She is the daughter of Suzunoan, and just like her father, she is also a book renter. Perhaps that is also why this place is different than most library. It's not exactly a library, but a place where people are allowed to rent books for them to read.
She enjoys her job well, because of the scholar she is. She like books, reading them has always been a thing she enjoyed ever since she was young. Perhaps, if someone were to question her upmost interest in literature, it is because of her ability. The ability to decipher a book just by touching a book is a pretty passive ability. She does not know how it fully works, but it draws her into books more than she thought it would.
"Yosh… there we go, all done." Kosuzu allowed a smile on her face. She had just finished arranging the new shipment of books, a rather tiring task if she could say. But it all comes down to one thing: reading. When she said arranging, it is not putting them in shelves. No. She stacked them on her table, and prepares them for a reading. This is also a job for her. To understand the content of a book is a must. And just like this, she can spend her morning quietly.
"Excuse me."
The pinkish red haired book renter turned her head towards the direction of her door. A customer. The book renter smiled, greeting the young customer. "Yes, how may I help you?"
The person in question is a young girl, her height a little bit shorter than Kosuzu's. She is dressed well and neatly. Her face is round and soft, clearly showing her age. She is dressed in a lavender colored kimono with maple patterns on them. Her hair, long, reaching down to her back is kept in a neat and tidy fashion. Her hair is similar to the color of the night sky, so black and shiny.
"I'm looking for a book about… about…" the girl stumbles. She really hadn't thought much about what she is going to read.
Kosuzu smiled, approaching the girl. "Then sit down. I will show you some of the most interesting reads there are here."
"O-Okay…"
So Kosuzu browsed her entire glossary, finding a particular book or two. Her eyes finally found what she was looking for. She stood from her seat to retrieve the book for her customer. Shortly later, she returned with only one book in hand. She hand the item of literature to the girl, her face smiling once again. "Here you go. This book has just recently been added to our archives. It's a book from the outside world."
The girl who received the book was interested already due to the fact that this book comes from outside Gensokyo. Kosuzu ruffled the girl's hair. "You can return it whenever you feel like it, but don't lose it okay?"
"Okay!" the girl thanked the book renter before shuffling her way outside the door. If Kosuzu or the girl were to look closer, that book has another title.
Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi.
"Pfft! You got your ass burned down didn't ya?"
"Shut up. It was that stupid fairy's fault…"
"Wait, fairy?"
Naruto huffed in annoyance. "Yup, fairy. Little obnoxious girls with wings. And an idiot too… if it weren't for her distracting me, I won't be where I am right now..." the blonde haired ninja muttered the last part bitterly. He flicked his bangs backward, getting a good look on his two 'guests'. "So, what are you two doing here? You're here just to laugh at me silly?" he asked with an annoyed tone. Seriously, he had a rough night. His body is still hurting, a certain bastard fox was too stingy to lend a helping hand.
He heard a mental snort coming from his head.
Marisa grinned, throwing her head back and resting on the soft, smooth surface of the floor. "Nah, we decided to see you to see how you're doing." She then picks herself up, giving the boy a suspicious look. "I'm surprised you met Alice already, what happened with the both of you?" she looked back between her fellow blondes.
The puppeteer in question coughed while hiding a teasing smile underneath her fist. Naruto glared at the woman, giving her a silent threat. "Nothing in particular." Alice said happily. A little bit too happy. "He stumbled upon me while I was out looking for firewood. He was hungry too." Alice ignored the powerful glare that was sent her way by the shinobi.
Marisa made a disappointed look. "Is that so… tch… I think that you two fought or something…" she murmured under her breath, but managed to be heard by the other two blondes. Marisa looked out to the sky, her lips turning into a small frown. "Hm… I'm gonna be late for an errand." She stands and reaches for her broom, grabbing it and positioning herself on it.
"Where are you going?" curious, Naruto can't help but ask. He knew that Marisa strikes him as a person who likes to go here and there, but he never thought that she was going to leave so soon.
Stretching her arms, the witch then answers. "I'm going to go for some errands. You wanna come?" she asked the boy.
"Does this errand of yours involve beating the shit out of things?" he asked skeptically with narrowed eyes.
"Yes, it involves beating the shit out of things." Marisa confirmed with a knowing nod.
"Then deal!" he was about to stand and join the black and white witch, until…
"Not so fast." Everyone turned their attention to the new voice. Their eyes focused on a familiar form. Eirin is dressed in her monochrome glory, her version of monochrome at least. The moon doctor had a bored look on her face, looks like she's not the type to be doing all the talking. "You." She pointed to the only male in the room. "Are not allowed to leave yet."
'Here we go again…' Naruto then leveled her with a glare. "Oh yeah, and why is that?"
She pulled out her clipboard, tapping into it lightly, she began reading. "While your burns are indeed… healed, the same can't be said for the cuts you have all over your body."
Alice shifted at that statement.
"You got three inches cut and stab wounds all over you, how are you even able to walk anyway?" Eirin asked almost frustrated. She had seen people heal fast in her life. But none of them are human. So here is a situation given to her: There is a human and he heals fast, faster than some Youkais she knew. Now the question on her mind,
"What are you?"
The Uzumaki did not even budge from his place. But alas, he decided to answer. He raised his pointer finger. "To answer your first question: It's because I have my legs." He then pointed to his legs in a casual manner. He then raised his middle finger, making this the second time he'd raise his fingers. "And secondly," With the largest and foxiest smirk he could muster, he answers, "I'm Naruto Uzumaki. No more, no less."
He then joined Marisa on her broom, looking giddy. Even if he's still not eager to fly, it is actually better than to be holed up in a room with a nagging hag asking him how he's doing for every one hour. "Come on… I'm bored as heck here." He tapped Marisa's shoulder, motioning her to take off.
The witch merely grinned, gathering herself for a spectacular take off. And being spectacular it did. "Hold… on… tiiiiiiight!~" the two blondes take to the skies with incredible speed. With nothing to hold on, Naruto is forced to grip on the thing that is closest to him. Which happens to be Marisa's neck. From that point onwards, their little flight was a little bit… hectic.
Alice watched the whole scene transpired before her very eyes. For once, she thought there were two Marisas. Those two are similar. She could already see in their attitude, their actions… she just hopes that the boy doesn't go around pointing an octagonal box that shoots a giant laser beam of doom. No, she probably shouldn't have joked about that. She knows how irony works here in Gensokyo.
"Ahh… and to think that I get to experiment more on him, tch."
"Please stop that, it's creepy."
"Well," Eirin cast aside her clip board without the single ounce of care in the world. It's like everything that she has written on it doesn't matter anymore. "there's no use crying over spilt milk. I'll be continuing my studies and if you need to purchase some medicine, Udonge is right at front." The doctor lazily dismisses herself, sliding open the door before resuming to her laboratory.
Alice, left with nothing to do, decided to leave. "Hm… maybe not." But a second thought sparks up in her mind. She flew outside the veranda, following after the two blondes who had just left earlier. Judging by how fast Marisa could travel, she says that it'll take her about ten or fifteen minutes to catch up to them. Still, she isn't going to waste energy just so she could catch up to her fellow blondes. And it's not like she's curious or anything. She just has a lot of a free time on her, so there's nothing wrong with following after Marisa and Naruto.
"So! Where are we going exactly?" Naruto asked, having to raise his voice due to the wind around him. He is on flight with Marisa, yes, on her broom. He still thinks that this is his least favorite way of travelling, but he learned that he won't get anywhere in Gensokyo just by jumping around trees. "Are you sure we're going to beat the shit out of something?"
Marisa sweat drops. "E-Eh sure… well, we are going to visit a friend of mine." The witch said, explaining to him concisely.
The blonde shinobi raised an eyebrow. "We're going to beat the shit out of your friend? You sure he or she won't mind?"
The witch face palmed with one hand. "No you dummy, we are not going to beat the shit out of him." Marisa said while sighing. "He's a shopkeeper. He owns a little antique shop somewhere right outside of the human village, and there are bound to be some Youkais along the way that'll definitely try and stop us." Marisa explained. "I'll let you deal with them. But don't be too rough now, ya hear?"
The Uzumaki snorted. "Heh, says the one who spam the shit out of someone for a living… anyway, fine. Let's just see what kind of Youkai we might meet."
"You sure are confident aren't you?" Marisa asked.
Naruto shrugged his shoulders, not really caring. "Confidence's ain't no problem if you got the skill to back it up. And besides, I'm sure everyone here is up for a good fight." The blonde shinobi insisted uncaringly.
This particular attitude somehow eases Marisa up. She remembered her first time fighting Youkais alongside with Reimu, something that she has been doing for a very long time, and she has to admit that she was acting like the way Naruto is now. Would it be strange for her if she were to say that Naruto is somewhat similar to her? Well, she know nothing of him, maybe she'll have to see for herself later.
When Marisa reached a particular distance, she noticed the familiar growth pattern of trees. "Oh, we're here. Hold on tight, I'm gonna land." She felt the boy gripping her shoulders tighter. For someone who is looking to fight a Youkai he sure isn't comfortable with flying. Well, first experiences are always the scariest they say…
Shortly later, the two blondes landed on the ground with safety. Naruto jumped out of the broom and began stretching his arms and legs. His body is still sore, but nothing that will hinder him. But ever since he killed that fairy that night… something is beginning to feel strange. It's like he began to felt a little colder. Maybe it's because of the winter here, or maybe it's just him. "Well, where are they?"
Marisa clicked her tongue while shaking her head. A sly smile appears on her face. "You need to be patient. Most Youkais only come out at night, and since this is the day, you might only meet a few fairies or Rumia."
Naruto raised an eyebrow at that last particular wording. "Rumia? What the hell is that, a Youkai?"
"Yup." Marisa nodded. "She is a Youkai of darkness. Despite her cool sounding name, she's actually rather dumb. I mean, who gets blinded with their own darkness?" she asked, trying to go for a joke.
"Everyone…"
"Hm?"
"Sorry, nothing." The Uzumaki coughed to his fist. He looked around, using his sensory skills to detect anything within his range. The good thing about chakra is that it could also act as a tool to find targets. One of the easiest examples would be using it as a sonar. In order to do this, he'll have to send out waves of chakra along the ground, and if something were to be within the range of this pulse, it will be reflected back to him.
But since he is a special case… he could do something more than just using chakra. This is a skill that he has developed through sheer instincts only. He can't even remember how hard he has to work his ass off in order to get it this far. It is also a form of sensory technique but it is more subtle. While the sonar method technique is good, it is far from perfect. The thing is, when the pulse touches or touched a person, and if that person is sensitive to energy, he or she could trace the sonar back to the sender.
So, he decided to get his way around that by developing his own sensory technique.
To Marisa's curiosity, her fellow blonde suddenly kneels down on the ground. He clears the snow off the patch of ground that he was on. Naruto then placed his palm on the ground, he closed his eyes, focusing his ears and mind. This is a training that requires concentration and instinct. The fact that he must concentrate his chakra is not an easy thing, hence making it a technique worthy to be praised. Aside from concentrating, he must also trust his instincts. As his senses began to grew sharper, so does his resolves.
Just by doing this, he has covered about three miles of distance. He felt it all. The animals, the energy sources that are alien to him and some other energy that he has never felt before. This place is truly a magnificent place. To be able to hold this much energy… it's almost as if the entire forest is alive.
Then, he felt a slight pricking sensation. A grin stretched its way onto his face.
"Okay, found it."
"Found what?" was Marisa's intelligent reply.
Naruto grinned, standing once again. "A Youkai."
"They are on the move sir."
Three figures. All of them clad in the same clothes, the only differences are the cloaks that they wore. The one standing in the middle is wearing a white colored cloak while the two next to him are wearing black colored ones. All three of them radiates an aura of fear and terror at the same time. But as good as they are with making themselves known, they hide their presence perfectly.
The one in the middle received his subordinate's information. He could already feel the familiar chakra in the air, the chakra of their target. The forest is dense and thick. It has been days after they have done full total coverage of a good distance of the forest. Their target is near, he could sense it.
"Anju, Raku, search and capture the target on sight. Stick to the plan and don't let him escape."
"Sir, target is seen with an escort. Your orders?"
"Leave no loose ends."
"Yes sir."
Naruto felt a cold chill running down his spine. He really needs to get a thicker clothing… he and Marisa are currently on their way towards wherever it is that he felt the energy from. It's not far from here, only a few more meters. After walking for minutes, Marisa finally speaks up. "Ah… now I see why you said that you felt a Youkai…" the witch drawled out in realization. She pointed towards a building over the distance, something that Naruto soon comes to notice.
"That is the place I'm talking about. You know, where my friend works? Anyway, I forgot to tell you that he is a Youkai. Well, a half Youkai at least."
"So you're saying that I won't get to do what I want?"
"Sorry tiger, maybe next time." Marisa apologized.
"Tch." Naruto clicked his tongue in annoyance. And he was just in his good mood… "Meh, fine. But you owe me a good fight whenever you have a free time. Anyway, let's just see this friend of yours. The sooner you're done with your errand the sooner I can get my ride back to the human village."
"Yeah, sure, sure…"
The two soon ends up in front of the building's door. Naruto looked up and down, examining this… shabby place. For once, it's in the same state as some of the buildings back in Konoha. The ones that aren't taken care of, yet somehow managed to be used and occupied. He's not going to get a guy down by letting him know that his house sucks, so he'll keep his opinions to himself. The place isn't so big, probably as good as a decent house or maybe more due to the length of the building. There is also a sign 'Kourindou' if he got it right.
The blonde haired female of the two walked straight to the door, opening it as if it's something she does every day. Sadly, Naruto doesn't know that. Seeing that his guide has made entrance to the place, he saw no other reason other than to follow her. Besides, there's nothing out here anyway. The shinobi took his time to analyze and sense his surrounding, provided if he was wrong. He stood still for a couple seconds before grumbling at the lack of presence nearby.
He entered the place and was, at least to say, surprised at what he's seeing. He lived in a messy place. That place was so messy that even he can't tell which one is the floor and which one is not. But this… this is like a familiar scene to him. The only differences being the items that are displayed, and he used the term 'displayed' loosely. There are things scattered everywhere and he doesn't need a good eye to tell that all of them are junk. Well, most of them at least. There are lamps, wires, candles, books, useless statues, something that he had never seen before in his life and more things that he had never seen before in his life.
Call him ignorant, but being chased all across the nation by hunter ninjas sent by a mad old power hungry grandpa does not give him the leisure to know what items or inventions are up to date.
Naruto made his way across the sea of seemingly endless junk; they are floating like corpses after a fight in Water country. The ventilation here is bad. Real bad. He got no idea how this person managed to live here for as long as he thought without suffering from lung cancer or something. He finally made his way out of the sea of items sprawled all over the floor, making his way to Marisa, he noticed of a presence approaching them.
From behind the counter that they are both facing, a rather tall, but skinny man, dressed in a blue and black kimono with a brown leather bag dabbled over it. He has a short, but spiky yet also a well maintained hair. He is wearing a pair of clear glasses, causing Naruto to get the idea if he is older than he looks. Aside from the foreign hair color and style of clothing, this person looks normal. Probably not, if he is a Youkai.
The man's eyes flickered from the witch to him, eyeing him in a different manner than he did to Marisa. If Naruto were to guess it could be… expectation? He is expecting something from him?
"Marisa and customer, how can I help?" he asked. His voice sounded bored, almost as if he's been doing this shopkeeping job over the past century or something. Again, it is a pity that someone here does not know anything yet… the silver haired bespectacled man gave the witch a stare. If one could call it that. "And I am sure that you are here to purchase something, yes?"
Naruto was about to speak that he was here only because he had to wait until Marisa finished with her errands. But the witch has other plans. She waved her hands, almost nervously, in front of the older man. Her face showing off a rather obvious look. "Of course we will, right?" she turned to her right, elbowing her fellow blonde while hinting at him with a blink of her eye.
Now Naruto could do two things. One, he could be a jerk and say no and let whatever it is that Marisa was doing fail. Or two, he could play along with Marisa's little game and see how this will go. Of course… there is always for option three… the male blonde pulled out his pouch, opening its content. He pulled out what seems to be ink sacs, all of them empty.
"Actually, I was wondering if you have some ink to sell? You see, I'm doing something for a project of mine, and I need these inks really much." He expressed his needs by stretching the words longer. "So it would be real great if you have some ink with you."
The shopkeeper nodded, satisfied that he has managed to get his first customer of the day. "Of course, I do have some. Please wait a moment." The silver haired shopkeeper excused himself to grab the item that was requested of him.
The two blondes are left alone and Marisa did not waste any time in questioning the shinobi. "What are you doing? I was just-" she was silenced by a suppressed shush.
"Listen here dummy, what you don't know is that I am in serious need of inks. You see, I need them for… practices. Yeah, practices." Naruto revealed. Of course, that is not his real reason. He has his reasons and he has no intention of letting someone else know about it. Anyway, it's not like she'll be in the dark about it any time soon. Sooner or later, he will eventually have people finding out what he is.
"Practice?" this girl just doesn't give up.
Naruto nodded, crossing his arms. "Yeah, practice. A practice that I have no intention of letting someone else having a clue or whatsoever." That annoyed the black white witch if not a little bit. Before Marisa could ask more, the shopkeeper returned with the item that Naruto needs. The man placed the bottle of inks on the counter, letting it for display.
"Here are some bottles that I managed to find." Naruto picked one of the ink bottles and began examining them. From looking at it alone, he could tell that these are not of the best quality. He tapped the ink bottle and whisking them for further examination. Just as he thought, these are low quality ink. But, he's not in a position to choose right now. So he'll just have to make do with these. Of course, this does not mean that it won't return and get him in the ass later on.
Fuinjutsu is art in many senses. It takes skill, time, patience, practice and the right materials to produce a fine seal. These inks are not really at the same caliber as the ones he worked with but they'll do, provided if he needs to use them in a dire situation. The blonde boy placed the ink bottle on the counter top, nodding. "Fine, I'll take three of these. How much?"
"Three hundred mon."
"Here."
After paying, Naruto placed his newly purchased items inside his pouch, keeping them safe from straying hands. "Okay, I'm done here woman. Come, you owe me a ride back to the village." as soon as the blonde haired boy said those words, he walked towards the door, planning to leave.
"Wait a minute, I'm not done with my errand yet! Er… eh… I'll just take these, thanks Kourin!" Marisa took a random book from somewhere and began following after her escort. The door swings open, signaling the departure of the two blondes.
Behind his lonely and old counter, Rinnosuke Morichika sighed. His life is always accompanied by little annoyances every morning. If not Marisa, it's Reimu. Well… at least he got a customer. A paying customer.
But still… he's a little annoyed on not getting himself introduced to the stranger.
"Hey Naruto! Wait up man sheesh…" finally catching up to the orange clad shinobi, Marisa breathed in and out as she relinquished whatever energy was lost on trying to keep up with her fellow blonde's pace. She finally caught up with the boy, she kept her pace on walking beside him, noticing his quiet demeanor, she asked. "What's wrong?"
The blonde did not answer her. Instead, he pulled her by neck, pulling her closer to him. This sudden action surprised the witch greatly, seeing that she was not expecting such a thing to happen. She tried struggling, with 'try' being the keyword at play. The arm that was curled around her neck is just too strong for her to shake off.
With a flushed face, she squeaked out. "H-Hey! What're yo-" she was silenced when she noticed the serious look on Naruto's face. Every trace of humor and boredom gone. Replaced by an expression that she would usually see on a master to their apprentice.
"There are three guys. Strong. Four o'clock. Fly away. Act casual." From his tone alone, Marisa could tell that the shinobi is not kidding. His words managed to convince her that the threat level is abnormally high. His glare made all hopes of rebuttal died in her throat. Slowly, he eased her grip on her neck.
"W-Well, I better be going now. I have some errand t-to take care off. Bye!" Marisa summoned her broom as she tries to act casual just like as Naruto had ordered her. She soon took off to the skies, leaving Naruto alone to deal with his followers.
After seeing that the witch is outside of range, Naruto wasted no time in making a series of handseals. In reply to his sudden action, metallic sharp star shaped objects, which are no doubt shurikens, are thrown at him with skilled hands from a hidden location. Naruto was forced to cancel his technique, being forced to dodged the incoming preemptive attacks. The chain of attack resumes, a figure dressed in black swept from a nearby bush towards the blonde. Naruto ducked his form, barely dodging a swipe from a sword that will surely decapitate him.
Naruto's eyes widen upon seeing his attacker's visage. He pulled back, retreating a few meters from his assailant. "No…" he whispered as if the individual is the last person he wants to see. "It can't be…" it's impossible… how did they get in here? He was cut short off his thoughts when he felt another presence behind him. 'There are more of the-!' he did not managed to dodge the strike that was aimed at him. A solid kick connects with his abdomen. He nearly spit out blood but managed to control his body from doing so.
The blonde stepped back, taking out his kunai and sliced recklessly in front of him. As expected, his strike was easily dodged, and countered. The masked individual in front of him unveils a ninjato from his back, using it immediately to execute a well-executed swing. The blonde target barely dodged the blade, he could feel a few strands of his hair getting cut by the sword. Using whatever momentum he had in him, Naruto did a backflip, he retreated back to a safe distance.
Of course, he has another attacker to worry about. The blonde ninja began chucking shurikens at the other man, but only for him to dodge or deflect them with ease. Seeing that he won't be going anywhere like this, Naruto decided that it was enough fooling around. He gathered his chakra, focusing them on his arms. "Uzumaki: Kusari!" his chains appeared in all their intimidating glory. Wasting no time, the by with chains coming out of his person willed for his chains to strike for both men. He missed, seeing that the two were able to dodge his chains skillfully. But he's not stopping here. His chains continue to roam, swinging hazardously, with the intention to kill both men.
Seeing the chains caused both masked men to retreat, finding them a serious threat. Naruto took this moment to form a series of hand seals, he did so with skill, pulling out a technique. "Doton: Doryudan!" from the earth behind him, mud and dirt began shifting and shaping itself into the form of a dragon's head. The earth made dragon opened its deadly and sharp maw before launching mud balls at the two men with incredible speed.
One of the masked men jumped forward, pressing both of his palms to the ground. "Doton: Doryuheki!" the name of the jutsu is self-explanatory. A solid wall made from dirt and whatever minerals are there present in the ground rises up to form a giant and tall wall, protecting the man and his partner. The wall crumbled instantly, seeing that Naruto's dragon bullets are too strong for it to handle. The two ROOT ninja charges forward, planning to overcome the teenager through hand to hand combat.
But Naruto did not give them the luxury to do so, he swept his chains sideways, swinging them in a wide arc, hitting both of the ROOT ANBU. The impact of the chains alone caused both men to crash to nearby foliage, and it absorbs the chakra of those who touched them. Naruto could feel his chakra increasing, due to his chains absorbing the, from his two attackers. With his chains protruding from his back and waving intimidatingly, he walked towards the two downed ROOT.
"Okay… now, tell me what the fuck are you dicks doing here?" he got no answer from them. Naruto willed for his chains, they wrapped around the two ROOT operatives, binding them in a tight hold. Both of them grunted and winced in pain, they can feel their chakra getting absorbed out of their pools by the boy's chains. Naruto was getting annoyed for not getting any response at all. But he knew that no matter method he uses, it's useless due to the training that these two went through.
ROOT disciplined – trained – their members in endurance and information keeping. In other words, they torture the mind out of their operatives with the intention to see if they are quick to spill the beans or not. Those who pass made it out barely alive. Those who don't, let's just say that they are no longer operational both in ROOT and in life. But the thought of getting information is still top priority for Naruto. He made the chains tighter, burying them deeper into the ROOT operatives' flesh. Of course, he began to channel a little bit of his lightning nature into his chains, making the treatment even more painful.
"Keh… we… won't… tell you shit…" one of them managed to gritted out through the pain. Naruto responded by kicking the man in the chin, causing his head to whip backwards. He made sure not to apply enough strength into the kick so much that it will snap the man's head backwards. Just enough to make him get the idea that he is not kidding around. The boy's glare grew sharper. Looks like he won't get anywhere like this. Looking around, his eyes landed on a rather large tree branch. A deadly grin crept itself up to his face, earning visible reaction from the two ROOT ANBU.
"If you won't tell me… then I'll make you, regardless of how well prepared you are for this." He yanked the chains with one arm, despite being smaller in height than the two men, he managed to launch them onto the tree branch that he was looking at earlier. The chain got stuck on the branch, causing the two men to be hanged side by side in a rather humiliating position. If one thing that is still stuck in him, it has got to be his mischievous habit of doing pranks. As well as making traps. He pulled out his kunai, channeling it with his abnormal and surreal red chakra.
"I'm going to have a lot of fun scaring the wits out of you two…"
"Not so fast Uzumaki." A sudden commanding voice caused the blonde boy to turn his body and face the direction wherever the voice came from. The boy's sharp blue eyes grew colder and narrower, his anger and rage boiling increasingly as his eyes laid on the figure before him. This man is another of Danzo's boy toy… and it seems that he is one of the most trusted ones judging from the cloak he's wearing.
"C-Captain!" one of the two captured masked villain gasped out in relief.
"Anju, Raku." The captain started, his voice chilling to his subordinates' ears. "Danzo-sama will be displeased upon hearing you performance… regardless, I cannot allow more flaws in the mission." He brandished a standard ROOT ninjato from within his person, channeling his chakra into it, increasing both ajesthe sharpness and durability of the blade. "I will capture the rogue myself." He charged, weapon in tow. Naruto stuck his chains at a nearby tree, keeping the two restrained ROOT operatives chained. Naruto raised his own chakra infused kunai, parrying and clashing with the captain's strikes.
As expected of a ROOT commanding captain. His movements are near to flawless. Every strikes and attacks he executes are deadly and will kill Naruto for sure if the blonde ninja is not careful. But Naruto's instincts and reflexes never fails him. He is on par with the ROOT captain when it comes to speed, in strength, he outdo him. But if it were to come to skills… the ROOT captain is on the top. The ROOT captain flashed a series hand seals, he retreated back earlier to draw some distance between him and Naruto.
"Katon: Hono no Yuri!" a majestic lily shaped inferno was launched at the blonde. Clicking his tongue, Naruto too utilized a series of his own seals.
"Suiton: Suiryudan no jutsu!" a dragon shaped bullet was made from the water particles in the air, the Uzumaki's control over chakra is not to be trifled with.
Both techniques clashed, causing a large and thick steam to emit, disadvantaging both parties. The steam takes a long time to disperse due to the chakra that was put behind both techniques, it's like the infamous Kirigakure no Jutsu. Naruto has no Bykugan, but he is sensitive with his ears. This ROOT captain is good. To be able to hide his presence well and even smell… he's not making a single sound either. Naruto looked around, having enough of the steam, he dispersed it.
"Futon: Kamikaze!" Releasing the technique, small tornados started to form from a small gust of wind. The tornados spun wildly, blowing whatever steam or dust that that obscures Naruto's vision. The blonde hoped for the bastard to be caught up in all that, but even he knows that it's too easy. The wind dispersed and there's still yet any sign of the ROOT captain. Naruto looked around, his senses gone haywire.
"There you are!" chains began soaring for where he sensed a presence. His chains pierced through a tree, before going deeper into the foliage. Soon, he heard explosions. Wait. Explosions? To his surprise and shock, a familiar beautiful and annoyed face came out from the sidelines. "D-Doll face?! What the heck are you doing here?!" he demanded, seeing the woman.
Alice brushed off the dust and gunpowder from her shoulders, her trusty and beloved Shanghai doll is floating next to her with a lance on her hand. The doll maker gave her fellow blonde a glare. "You nearly killed me! What were you thinking?!" she yelled, annoyed that if she weren't careful enough, she could've been dead. She looked around, noticing the condition of the forest. "What's going on…?"
Naruto walked up to her and forcibly grab a hold of her hand. He glared right into her eyes, his face mixed with seriousness and anger. "Listen, I need you to get away from here asap. I'm in a middle of a fight and I don't want you and your pretty little butt getting mixed up with my business, you dig? Good."
Alice pulled her hand away from the boy's grasp, her face flushed about the comment he made about her certain part. "N-Not a chance! You're injured and hurt," she pointed out to the cuts and bruises he got from dealing with his attackers earlier. "Let me help. You just got released from the clinic, you're in no condition to fight." Her dolls began to float close to her, ready to take any orders given to them.
Naruto growled in annoyance. "Listen here bitch, I wasn't asking. I need you to get the fuck away right now!"
"No." Alice remained firm.
Naruto gave up, waving his hands in the air in exasperation. "Fine, but you get yourself or me killed… then you'll regret it." Naruto walked away towards where he got his two captives. Alice watched the boy bringing down two capture masked men, both of them dressed in uniform. Naruto mentioned about being chased by a group of people… are they these people he was talking about?
"Come out you asshole!" Naruto shouted, obviously to the ROOT captain that he was fighting earlier. "If you don't come out I'll kill these boys of yours." He threatened the ROOT captain. Of course, he knows that it's not going to be this easy. He gave Alice a silent signal. She got what he meant. She prepared her dolls close, all of them armed and rigged for combat.
The response to his threat is a well-aimed kunai thrown at the puppeteer. Alice felt a little bit insulted. Something like this is not even worth the hassle for her. "HIT THE DECK YOU DUMBASS!" Naruto's warning reached her ears, but she did not managed to react on time. She did dodge the incoming kunai, but it exploded as soon as it is close to her. Naruto covered his face, shielding his eyes from the small explosion. Alice was seen blasted off to a nearby tree, distracting the blonde shinobi.
Naruto was not expecting a strike aimed at his chest, he took the slash straight on. The chakra infused sword was so sharp that it cuts a good layer of his muscle, Naruto wanted to scream, but another attack was executed by the ROOT captain, which is a kick to the chest. The kick was enforced with chakra, making it stronger and even more painful. The blonde shinobi crashed back first to a tree.
"Guh… shit…" the blonde cursed as he tries to stand up on his feet. He did not manage to stand, much less walk. His chains are gone, they've dismissed themselves. He felt a very strong grip on his neck, his body is lifted into the air and he was forced to look straight into a pair of black holes that allows vision for the ROOT captain, on his mask. "Let me… go you fucker…!" he choked out the words painfully. Thankfully, the chains that are restraining the other two ROOT operatives did not disappear, but it won't be too long before that to happen.
"Target captured. Mission success." Naruto was oblivious. Does this bastard think that he could get out from this place easily? Hah!
"You… can't get out from this place…" that came out as laugh from the Uzumaki. The blonde grinned, despite the position he's in. "You think you can easily come and go eh? Well guess what? You fucking can't!" he was punched in the face, hard. But Naruto did not stop smiling and laughing. After all, this was all just too funny for him.
"Nonsense. I have the solution to that… ROOT operative number five-oh-six." Naruto's blood grew cold. "Every name that are listed in the ROOT database are pretty much accurate. Should I dispose of you right now, your name will be gone from the list. That is how we will return. Danzo-sama will re-summon us using a reverse summoning jutsu, of course, the only way of erasing your name is to kill you. But there are alternatives for that." He punched Naruto in the face, before forcibly inserting his fingers inside his mouth. He pulled out his tongue, showing a black tattoo printed on the sensory organ. "Danzo-sama won't mind having a quiet member in the ranks…" his hands reached for a kunai, bringing it close to the tongue.
Naruto struggled, but to no avail. Is this it? Will he get captured? Will he really return to his old life?
"I won't let you!" dolls of all size and design began soaring for the masked individual. All of them carrying weapons like lances, axes, swords and even spears. The ROOT captain was forced to withdraw, dropping the blonde on the ground roughly. The blonde get himself to a safe distance, away from the entire madness that was about to happen. The ROOT captain dodged and avoid every incoming puppets. He slashed and even fought through some of them, using his sword skillfully.
Alice was impressed that someone managed to damage her dolls without the slightest bit of difficulty. But what he don't know, she is not limited to only puppetry. She summoned two more dolls to her sides, both are dressed in a maid uniform with frills on them. Their mouths open, and something bright began glowing from them…
Then what comes next is literally over kill.
Lasers, exploding dolls, sharp weapons… you name it. Alice is going all out and she's not afraid to show it. The other blonde nearby was watching the scene with his jaws on the floor, his eyes wide and morbid fascination. Scary… girls here are scary. Not even Tsunade of the Sannin is this brutal when it comes to dealing with her opponent. So the one sided slaughter continues for the next ten minutes, and eventually, it ended.
"Phew…" Alice wiped a sweat threatening to drip down her forehead. She looked at the scene in front of her and she was pleased. She turned her attention to the boy who was watching the entire scene with his eyes. She floats down to the ground, before walking towards the boy. She noticed the large and deep gash on his chest, she can't help but wince. "You need to get that treated." She made a move to offer her hand to him. But Naruto stood up on his own, with pain.
"It's fine. It'll heal later…" the teenager waved it off. Despite knowing that it'll heal, it is entirely up to a certain being inside of him.
Alice pursed her lips, her eyes glaring at the boy. "No way! You need that treated right away, come, open your jacket." She began trying to force him to get his jacket open.
"What, no! Just leave me alone!" But Alice is not going to let this go easily. Whether it'll heal quick or not, that wound still needs to be treated. Something like that could cause an infection, and it will only be worse if left alone. She grabbed him by the shoulders, holding him firmly, not letting him move. She then began unzipping his bloodied jacket, due to it being soaked in blood. She slowly took his jacket off, and her eyes wander lower to his abdomen area. Her face grew a healthy pink color upon seeing the well-built complexion that the boy has.
She shook the unnecessary thoughts away before getting right down to the point. She also made him take his shirt off, leaving him half naked with his large gash exposed. Alice analyzed the wound, a rather sour expression on her face. "You will need to see Eirin…"
"What? No! She'll do things to me!" the boy protested, but still capable on making an acceptable reason.
Alice hummed. "You got a point there…" still not giving up though. "But you to still need to see Eirin. Come, I'll take you to her." she dragged the boy from the place, much to his complain.
"Wait! At least let me put some clothes on, it's winter dammit!" the two disappears from the scene.
…
"Oh yeah almost forgot." Alice returned, still holding onto Naruto's hand like what a mother would do to her child. She focused on the two chained ROOT ANBUs on the trees. She pulled out a spell card with her free hand.
"Sacrifice: Suicide Pact!"
Naruto took it all back. Women here are not scary. They're downright terrifying.
A/N: Well this is a long chapter… over 10K words, excluding A/N… this was a fun chapter to write. I personally think that I kind of introduced the weaker side of Naruto far too early. But he is still a child in the inside after all, and no matter how hard he tries to hide it, his façade will eventually break. I was planning for him to reveal that side of his to Alice… but I settled with Kaguya instead.
I like that little scene with Kosuzu too. Don't worry, you'll see much from her in later chapters. That little girl who entered the shop is only an extra so don't expect her to appear later again. I already have an OC planned for this and I introduced her in the second chapter. She will be revealed further in later chapters.
And now comes the dreaded part of this A/N… simply said, it's:
Pairings.
I'm taking up suggestions. PM me or write your thoughts on the reviewers section. That's all, have a good day/night!