I finally updated. And I hate this chapter. Ii've re-written it so many times I just went for it this time. Sorry it took so long. I was a little concerned with finishing another story, and had a lot of other things going on too. I won't give up on this, I do have pretty much the whole story planned out, I'm just going to be a bit slower with it than other things. Hope you enjoy
Orange
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the Akatsuki
"Kisame, is this you?" Hidan asked, pointing at a large portrait hanging on the wall. Kisame nodded. Obviously it was him, but unlike the other knights he actually tried to keep things civil and get on with people. There were many portraits and tapestries in this room. All depicting various prophecies of the lady, or pictures of her family. Suigetsu had not yet returned and the others were all gazing at what was clearly an enchanted room.
The king, Sasori and Deidara were staring at the window.
"Kisame, shouldn't there be another room on the other side of this wall?" asked the king, brows furrowed.
"Yes your highness. Perhaps in your castle that would be the case. However the lake house is governed by magic. You know I'd almost forgotten about this window, I never really noticed it when I lived here," the blue knight sat himself in the largest seat of the room, taking off his battle equipment and putting his booted feet up in front of him.
This was always the room in which guests were entertained. The window was huge, making up the entire wall, and placed where another room should belong. Above the fireplace was the biggest portrait of all, his mothers. She was seated on a rock, long red hair flowing out behind her, a staff similar to his brother's in her hands. The two portraits either side of it were of two of his brothers. He had a great number of brothers, the lady was millennia old, and had adopted many sons into her home, he and Suigetsu were just the youngest two. He was suspicious however the white haired boy was his mother's favourite. His picture hung alongside hers to the right, while another brother's image, Sai, hung to its left. These two had both followed her into magic, and while Sai had gone off to train with their aunt at the loch, Suigetsu remained here.
Each of his brothers' portraits hung above their own suit of arms, and they all looked to be gazing intently at the inhabitants of the room. His own picture, the one Hidan had pointed out was one of the biggest, his brothers Zabuza and Chojuro were hung either side of him. He wondered what they were up to now, they'd gone their separate ways to travel the earth. He noticed Konan was staring intently up at his mother's image, when Suigetsu re-entered the room. He was carrying a stack of goblets and plates. He set them all down on the table, where food and drink appeared on them. He'd clearly enchanted them to make his task easier.
"She's beautiful isn't she?" the white haired boy asked, strolling over to the fireplace. He reached up with his staff to light two large pillar candles above the portrait. Konan nodded.
"Yes, I would hardly believe her age,"
"As much as I hate badmouthing ma, she is a sorceress, my lady," he bowed slightly and handed her a goblet, it was filled with sweet wine.
"Sui, are you sure ma's in Avalon?" Kisame called out from the other side of the room. Suigetsu sat down and lazily sprawled across a chair of his own. He drank deeply from his goblet before replying.
"She should be bro; it's the only place to get legendary swords, y'know"
"I am aware. But why else would we have gotten a distress call?" Kisame returned.
"Speaking of which," Deidara began, "is my hawk around, un? If you got our reply I can send him on home." The blonde glanced around the room as if the hawk would appear from thin air.
"Do you mean the weird old bird that came last night with paper on it?" Suigetsu asked. He sounded nervous.
"Yes, un!" the yellow knight beamed, "is he okay?"
"Well, uh. I haven't seen it since last night. I'm sure he'll turn up!" the white haired boy scratched his head and abruptly ended the conversation. Deidara looked at him puzzled but let it slide. "why don't you all stay the night, ma should be back by the morning!"The young sorcerer jumped to his feet waving his arms.
"Hmm," The king responded, a little unsure, "we'll stay, but let me send word to Zetsu first, he and Tobi should know what's going on. Hidan, you go,"
"Aw, why the fuck do I have to tell the freaks,"
"Black knight are you arguing with your king?" Konan spoke in a sing song voice. Hidan shut up.
"I'll go right away your majesty," he growled, voice dripping with contempt. The two royals smirked at him as he stormed from the room.
"Uh, perhaps that's not such a good idea," Suigetsu dashed after him, "I'm the only-"
He was cut off as the knight swung the doors open, and all manner of water and lake dwellers began to flood the foyer. The rest of the party shrieked, struggling against the current to shut the door, while Hidan was swept past them. Suigetsu sighed, the only one unperturbed by the water. He swung his staff through the air, and spoke loudly in a language none of them understood. The jewel on the end of his staff glowed, the water halting. He waved the staff again, before slamming its end to the ground. In less time than one could blink the doors were sealed and the water gone.
"Only ones who call the lake house home can find it. Only ones who call the lake house home will be able to remember it, and finally, only those who call the lake house home may open its doors!" Suigetsu recited at them. "I'll send word to your wizard, but please don't try that again."
The knights nodded at him, Deidara and Itachi were wringing the water from their long hair. How had the boy remained dry while the rest of them were soaked through? It was so unfair.
"Ooh! What's that?" Tobi pointed to the note that had materialised in Zetsu's hand. The wizard glanced over the parchment as inky words sprang forth onto the page, appearing and fading as he read each sentence.
"Hey plant boy. Your friends are staying here for the night. The king says you and the fool should set up your own camp out there. And make sure it's where ma can't see you. She should come back during the night and if you dare fulfil the prophecy before time I'll personally see to it your passage to hell is not a pleasant one.
Suigetsu"
Zetsu shook his head at the message. The young sorcerer was so overprotective.
"That boy is a weird one sir," the jester dared to venture. The bells on his hat tinkled merrily as he read over the other's shoulder.
"Weird is an understatement, the little psycho. However he's also a very skilled magician like myself, so do be careful around him, okay?" Zetsu stood from his spot and began unpacking a tent from one of the saddlebags. The horses (and the donkey) were already tied securely to the trees. Like the king had said, they may as well set up camp.