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Update time!
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A Future Lived in the Past
Chapter 2: Guild Business
"Well, that was an expensive trip wasted," grumbled a certain blonde as he walked through the Rising City of Heliord, not bothering to stay at the inn and just cutting through the small town.
He had been tasked by Belius to go speak to Don Whitehorse, leader of the Guild Union in Dahngrest. The Don, as was the legendary man's nickname, had sent a letter to Palestralle some time ago and Naruto had been sent as Belius's spokesperson; considering how she couldn't leave her city.
Entelexeia weren't exactly seen positively by society, after all.
Natz would have been sent instead, but the man was working with Regaey, leader of the Ruins' Gate guild. Ruins' Gate had been given permission to search around the ruins the city was built on for anything associated with blastia or some other importance. It was better to have Natz, a more experienced member of Palestralle, there to keep an eye on things.
But by the time Naruto had arrived at Dahngrest from the east, he saw that the bridge leading to the city had been broken off in some sections by an earlier monster attack. The repairs wouldn't be finished for at least a few weeks; so, this meant Naruto had to yell across the bridge to see what the Don wanted with Belius.
Unfortunately, to Naruto's growing misfortune, the Don had already sent one of his men from Altosk – his personal guild – to deliver a letter personally to Belius. He still couldn't fight a twitchy brow when the Don himself yelled that to him from across the bridge; or how he laughed at Naruto's wasted trip good naturedly.
As good a man the Don was, it seemed that he enjoyed seeing others in comical misery.
And so, Naruto was forced to make a trip to Torim Harbor to charter a ship back to Nordopolica. He was already coming up on the ruins of the fallen city known as Caer Bocram, which he ignored and walked past. He didn't have time for little side trips when he needed to get back to his guild. He'd already wasted enough time as it was.
"Hmm," he mused aloud, as he kept walking, despite the pouring rain. "I wonder if Miss Kaufman would be willing to help… She is station in Torim, after all."
Deciding to put that plan on hold until he got to the port city, he instinctively dodged a Fireball spell that had been launched by a rogue mage. Flanking her were a couple of bandits armed with small daggers, the lot of them with greedy grins on their faces.
Giving out a tired sigh, he regarded the trio with a bland look and declared, "Listen, I'm not exactly in a good mood right now. So, you guys can either forget you saw me and walk away unscathed," he then turned to face them fully, flexing his clawed gauntlets in preparation, "or we can do this the hard way and you limp out of here with fresh bruises and a few broken bones. Your call."
The trio didn't take too kindly to his offer, glaring at him angrily. "Get him!" one of the bandits roared as he and his partner charged while the mage gathered aer for another spell.
Sighing again, Naruto simply reached down to his right hip and quickly drew his secondary weapon. It looked like a flintlock pistol that pirates usually carried; except this one held a small blastia core where the flint-ignition would be. He took aim quickly and fired four consecutive rounds of solidified aer at them all; two of them striking the bandits in their faces while the last two hit the mage in her hand and stomach.
The three of them fell backwards in a heap while Naruto holstered the gun and shook his head. "I warned you, didn't I?" he asked rhetorically, listening to them groan in pain. Turning around, he waved over his shoulder and walked off, calling back, "Next time, listen to good advice instead of ignoring it; or get real jobs!"
They could only groan in response.
By the time he arrived in the port city of Capua Torim, Naruto could honestly admit he was tired. But then again, who wouldn't be after traveling from Dahngrest all the way to this place?
Unfortunately, he couldn't stay at the local inn since their rooms were booked. While – as Shikamaru would've commented – it was troublesome, he wasn't going to cause problems. He'd done enough of that back in his time.
Thoughts of the time he was sent away from made him grow somber as he sat on a public bench that faced the sea. "I wonder how they're all doing without me," he mused softly. "I suppose it isn't too terrible. I mean, at least the Akatsuki can't do anything for a while since the Kyuubi needs time to reform."
He looked up to the night sky, spying a single star that outshone the others. Its luster made him smile softly as he traced figures of his parents out of the neighboring skylights.
"I wish I had asked what they were like before I tried that stupid seal," he sighed out. "All I have are names and faces. Mom had awesome hair, though. I wonder why she kept it so long when I've seen how long hair gets in the way…"
He hummed thoughtfully at that before he guessed that it was a choice based on pride or something similar. If he had hair like hers, he'd be hesitant to cut it too. A chuckle escaped him as he pictured himself with Kushina's smooth red hair; but he just couldn't keep up the image. He wasn't a fan of being untrue to yourself, and his wild blonde hair was a part of him. He would embrace that happily.
He lowered his gaze back to the sea and the horizon beyond, focus on the direction of Nordopolica to the southwest. "First thing tomorrow, I should see if Miss Kaufman is in town and rent a ship back home." He paused for a moment, his eyes dulling faintly. "Home… I suppose that place is home for me, now. I gotta remember to thank Belius for everything she and Palestralle have done for me."
He reached a hand up to grasp his blastia, looking at the green gem that he once thought was just a gift from Tsunade. To think that this thing held untapped power that required him to travel haphazardly through time to unlock… It still boggled his mind.
A chuckle escaped him. "Geez… Look at me thinking over so many different things… I sound like Pervy Sage when he thinks about the past…" He looked back up at the stars. "I'll still do what you dreamed of, Pervy Sage. No matter what time I wind up in, I'll search for peace; a peace that everyone can live freely in."
"I think that's a lovely dream," a female voice commented, making him turn to see a pinkette young woman with green eyes.
'Sakura?!' he thought in shock before he took a second look. 'Wait…No, this is a different girl. She's actually kinda pretty.'
"Oh," she continued, looking apologetic. "Sorry if I startled you. I couldn't help but overhear what you were saying to yourself."
He chuckled at her, seeing another characteristic that was different from his old teammate. "No, it's alright. I was just…thinking over a bunch of stuff. I tend to talk to myself whenever I do."
She giggled at the sheepish expression he wore, and how he scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "I don't think that's a bad thing. Sometimes, it's nice to get your thoughts out there; even if they're just to yourself."
"Oh yeah? How do you figure?"
"Well… Thoughts are things you keep to yourself and are just that; thoughts," she tried to explain. "But…if you speak those thoughts – even to yourself – then they become something more."
"Huh… Guess I never really looked at it that way. I can see what you mean, anyway."
"I'm glad. I was having trouble finding the words," she admitted in slight embarrassment.
"I think you said it clear enough. I'm Naruto, by the way; Naruto Uzumaki."
She took the hand he offered and shook it with a smile. "I'm Estelle. It's nice to meet you, Naruto."
"You too."
"Well, I better get going. My friends and I are leaving tomorrow morning."
"Alright. Have a safe journey, Estelle."
"And you as well, Naruto," she bid before giving him a wave and heading for the inn.
"Nice girl," he commented after she left, smiling warmly. "Wish more people were that nice." He then laid himself across the bench, trying to get comfortable. "Least I have a place to sleep for the night."
And with that, he closed his eyes to rest, hoping tomorrow would be a better day.
"Ready to go?" Yuri asked Estelle the next morning, waiting outside of the rooms of the inn with everyone else but Rita.
Currently, the group had decided to try and charter a boat to the Desier continent so that Estelle could search for a monster that Judith had revealed was named Phaeroh. Said monster had called the young princess an "insipid poison of the world", which had frightened and confused her. In those feelings, there also grew a need to find answers; answers that she believed she'd only get from the speaker of such a label.
Brave Vesperia – a fresh guild consisting of Yuri Lowell of Zaphias, his canine companion Repede, Karol Capel who was named the guild's leader, and Judith of the Kritya – took the job of escorting her to Phaeroh safely. It was their first real job as a new guild; so, they were hoping to see it succeed.
Rita Mordio, a mage who had traveled with them earlier, didn't reveal what her plans were and instead tried to talk Estelle out of going to Desier because of the infamy of the Sands of Kogorh. She didn't want to lose her friend, after all. Of course, Estelle was determined to see her personal quest through to the end.
As for the eldest of the group, Raven of the guild Altosk, he had been tasked with keeping an eye on Estelle by Don Whitehorse. Also, he had been sent to deliver a letter to Belius in Nordopolica; so, he was stuck going with the others; not that he showed any real negative feelings against it.
Sure, he had a complaint here and there, but most of them were said in jest or in good spirits. He was just, as he constantly called himself, an old man after all.
"Yes, I am. But what should we do about Rita?" the pinkette woman asked in concern.
The others looked to the room the girls shared last night. "That one has her own matter to attend to," Judith commented.
"Yeah, that sounds about right," Yuri agreed.
The door to the room then opened and Rita stepped out with a bright smile. "So, first to the harbor and then find a boat?" she asked.
"Huh? Wait, you're coming too?" Karol asked.
"Yeah," she answered simply, making Raven raise a brow.
"Wasn't there something you had to go do?" he asked.
"Didn't you need to look for the aer krene?" Estelle added.
"Turns out the one back at Keiv Moc is already being looked at, and I haven't made my mind up on a route to get to others," the mage informed them.
Judith looked amused as she pointed out, "So, you'll be using us to help with your explorations, then."
Rita had the decency to look embarrassed at being found out so easily. "Well… There's no guarantee that I won't run into trouble like back in Heliord. I'd be safer with you guys, at least."
"Nice to see that your glowing personality hasn't changed," Yuri joked.
"I'm glad you'll be coming with us, Rita," Estelle confessed, making the Aspio girl gain reddened cheeks in embarrassment.
"I-It's no big deal, really," she tried to wave off.
The old man gave a whimsical sigh as he mused aloud, "Ah, to be young again…"
"You got something to say?!" Rita yelled at him.
"Whoa! Down girl!" Raven cried, having been on Rita's bad side a couple of times already. He didn't want to get roasted by her fire magic.
"So, to the harbor then," Yuri declared as the group of six people and one dog headed outside.
Once out of the inn and heading for the harbor, Estelle perked up at the sight of familiar blonde hair still on the public bench. Breaking away from the group, much to their confusion, she stopped in front of the sleeping blonde.
"Naruto?" she called to his sleeping form while the others joined her.
The whisker-faced blonde snorted in his sleep and turned on the bench. Unfortunately for him, he wound up rolling off the bench and onto the paved ground. The sudden impact woke him up and he groaned in displeasure.
"Man… Couldn't I have just slept for five more minutes?" he groused as he stood up with a wide yawn, showing surprisingly sharp canine teeth to the others.
"Good morning," greeted Estelle kindly, earning his attention. She noticed him blink the sleep out of his eyes before he perked up in recognition.
"Oh, Estelle. Morning," he greeted back with a smile before he noticed the others. "These your friends?"
"Yes." She turned to them and started introductions. "Everyone, this is Naruto Uzumaki. I met him last night when I went out for some air."
"Sup?" Naruto greeted them with a simple wave.
"Nice to meet you," the youngest of the group greeted back. "I'm Karol Capel of Brave Vesperia."
"Brave Vesperia?" he asked, scratching the back of his head thoughtfully. "Never heard of that guild."
"It's new. Captain Karol here is its boss," the swordsman informed in a teasing tone that made Karol look sheepish. "Yuri Lowell," he then greeted, sharing a handshake with the blonde. "And this is Repede." The dog beside him gave a single bark in response.
"Rita Mordio," the mage said plainly, giving him a skeptical look.
"Huh… Based on that book strapped to your back, I'm guessing you're a mage, right?" Naruto asked curiously.
"Yeah…?" she asked back, raising a brow at him.
"Great, I was right! I've been working on my observation skills." He flexed an arm with a grin. "Always gotta keep on improving, y'know?"
She gave him a dry look and said nothing else. "The name's Raven," the old man introduced kindly. "Nice to meet ya, kid."
"Oi, I'm not some kid, Pops," Naruto fired back with a slight twitch of the brow. "I'm a member of a guild, y'know."
"Oh yeah?" Karol asked in interest. "Which one?"
Naruto pulled out one of his gauntlets, showing them the guild emblem etched on the back of it. "Palestralle," he answered simply, though he gave a proud smile all the same.
"Of Nordopolica?" Raven asked in slight surprise. "Well now, what a coincidence! Turns out I have a letter from the Don for your boss."
"Oh, so you're the one that the old man was talking about," Naruto mused, earning a few varied looks at his addressing of Don Whitehorse. He then turned to the only unnamed member and asked, "So, what's your name?"
"Judith," she answered sharing a handshake with him. She rose a brow at their joined hands before she squeezed it a bit tighter, smiling kindly all the while.
He raised a brow in return before he responded with a small smirk, tightening his own grip. Let it be known that Naruto Uzumaki didn't back down from a challenge; no matter who it was against. The two held a small contest of grip strength before Naruto conceded with a faint wince, making Judith's smile grow just a bit.
"Nice grip there," he complimented as he shook his slightly tender hand. "I wonder what else you've got going for you."
"I'd be happy to show you some time," she returned, accepting his hidden challenge as a gleam formed in her eye.
Yuri shook his head in amusement while Rita gave a soft groan in annoyance and the others looked a bit lost. Well, Estelle and Karol did, anyway. Raven just gave the universal expression of "What can you do?" for the moment.
"So," Naruto got things back on track, "Pops needs to speak to my boss. What are the rest of you going to Desier for?"
"We're planning to go to the Sands of Kogorh," Estelle answered, earning an incredulous look from Rita.
"Estelle! You don't need to tell him anything that isn't his business!"
Estelle looked slightly ashamed at the scolding, but Yuri came to her aid. "Relax, Rita. It's not like telling him will hurt. Besides, he lives on the continent."
"Yeah!" Karol agreed, seeing what Yuri mean. "That means he might know about the desert!"
"Eh," Naruto began with a sheepish look, scratching his whiskered cheek with a finger. "Actually, the closest I ever got to the desert was near the end of the Weasand of Cados. I never had a need to go to the desert, and I only used that cavern to train with my bodhi blastia."
Rita perked up at that, taking note of said blastia hanging from his neck. "Hey… Why doesn't that have a casing like other bodhi blastia?"
"Hmm?" He looked to his necklace for a moment before shrugging. "I don't know. Is it really a big issue? The blastia works, at any rate."
Rita couldn't think of a response to the comment.
"Anyway, since you're all heading for Desier, you mind if I head there with you? I need to get back to Nordopolica and report to Belius. I'll help pay for the boat we could rent."
"I don't see a problem with that," Karol commented, speaking to the others. "We're heading for the same place, and Naruto could help us talk to Belius too."
"Well… It's not as simple as that," Naruto confessed.
"What do you mean?" Estelle asked.
"Belius only takes visitors once a month; at least, if they don't have an appointment beforehand. I only know that each time is related with the moon, but nothing else."
"Weird," Yuri commented with an odd look.
Naruto shrugged and smiled. "Eh, I'm sure she has her reasons. I've trained under her and her Second-in-Command personally; but I'm not as close to her as he is. I don't question it, anyway; not after all she's done for me."
"You must really respect her," Judith noted, her tone slightly soft.
Naruto's smile turned sad for a moment before it perked back up. "Yeah… She did more for me than I could ever hope to repay. The way I see it, she deserves the respect our guild has for her. If she told me that she was taking on some random group, I'd fight for her without question."
The dedication in his voice stunned the others for a moment, but Judith smiled faintly once it passed. On the inside, she was glad that Naruto held such devotion to Belius; considering what the leader of Palestralle was.
"Anyway, I'd appreciate a ride to Nordopolica if you guys manage to get a boat to take you," Naruto concluded.
Estelle smiled at him and replied, "I'm sure we can help you out."
"Can't let down a guy after he gives a speech like that, after all," Raven added with a wink at Naruto, who looked sheepish.
"Well then, Naruto, welcome to the group for now," Yuri stated.
"Thanks! I'll be sure to pay you guys back for the help!" he returned, grinning brightly with his arms behind his head.
(Skit: What's She Like?)
(Naruto, Yuri, Estelle, and Karol are present)
Estelle: Naruto, just what sort of person is Belius?
Naruto: Hmm… *thinking expression before perking up* In a phrase, I'd have to say, "Wise Leader". She oversees a guild and a city, after all; so, she needs to be able to balance the responsibilities of both. She also makes sure that any choice or decision is in the best interests of her people.
Yuri: Huh… She sounds like someone you'd want in your corner.
Naruto: *grins* Definitely.
Karol: I can't wait to meet her, now!
Naruto: Easy now, Karol. While she's a great leader, she still deserves to be treated respectfully. So, try not to get too excited around her, yeah?
Karol: *awkward laugh* Uh, right… I'll try to tone it down.
Yuri: I almost want to see him freak out so we could see how she reacts…
Estelle: Oh, Yuri… *exasperated*
With the newest member added, the group headed for the docks to try and charter a ship. Along the way, they spoke with the other candidate for the Imperial Throne, Prince Ioder. Currently, the young prince was heading for Heliord, where he would stay throughout the negotiations between the Empire and the Union.
While it was interesting to Naruto to meet the potential next Emperor, his guild wasn't part of the Union; so, he didn't bother to pay much attention. Instead, he took note of a ship that had a familiar redheaded woman standing on its deck discussing something with what could only be a small group of hired swords.
As the group approached the docks, they had to move out of the way of the mercenaries making a break for it; the lot of them pale with fear.
"Against that many?! You've gotta be crazy!" one of them cried.
"I wouldn't do that, even if I had nine lives!" another shouted.
Walking off the boat and after them angrily was Kaufman, who was so furious that she didn't even notice the people standing a few feet from her. "Halt! If you won't do the work that I've paid you all for, then I want my money back!" she roared before turning to her subordinate. "Add the Indigo Beasts to the blacklisted guilds!"
"Yes, Madam President!" he replied, pulling out a notebook and writing something inside it.
Naruto whistled in amazement. "Damn, I've seen her annoyed at times; but I've never seen her so pissed before."
"You know her?" Estelle asked.
"Yep. That's Kaufman, of Fortune's Market. They're one of the Five Master Guilds of the Union."
"In other words, she's one of the top dogs," Raven clarified.
"Hey!" Karol exclaimed with a bright look. "What if we ask to rent that boat she has?"
"Huh, that wouldn't be a bad idea," Yuri answered.
"Yes," Judith agreed. "This way, we could have a ship to sail with."
With the plan made, they approached the woman, who turned to face them as she heard them get closer. "Well, if it isn't Mr. Yuri Lowell. You've come just in time," she greeted.
"Guess those wanted posters really do work," the swordsman noted sarcastically.
"Wanted posters?" Naruto repeated.
"It's a long story," Rita dryly answered.
"O…kay, then."
"I've got a job that would be just perfect for you," Kaufman continued.
"Hard labor, is it?" Yuri guessed.
"I like a man who cuts to the chase," she complimented before turning serious. "As you may or may not have heard, schools of merman often attack cargo ships this time of year."
"But I thought another guild always served as your escort?" Karol asked.
"They do, but their leader passed away suddenly; so, I couldn't hire them," she informed.
"Which guild did you usually hire, Boss Lady?" Naruto asked.
"Ah, Naruto. Thought I'd recognized you. That nickname only proved it."
"Well, you are a boss and a lady," he defended with a shrug before a grin formed. "I thought it fit a woman of your status."
She chuckled at his attitude before getting back to his question. "I normally hired the Blood Alliance as escorts."
"Gee," Rita began sarcastically, "I wonder what happened to them…"
"You're all as guilty as I am," Yuri argued, confusing Naruto. "Sorry, but we're a little busy right now."
Naruto cut in. "Ignore that, Boss Lady. We were actually hoping you had a boat for us to use to get to Nordopolica."
"Trying to get back home?" she asked him with a knowing smile.
"Yeah, but they have business of their own in Desier. That issue with the merman you had… Would you let me use the boat as payment?"
"Just you?" she wondered, a brow raised.
"Well, they're not part of Palestralle. Turns out, they're a new guild."
"We're called Brave Vesperia," Karol supplied with a bright grin.
"That sounds like a wonderful name," Kaufman complimented.
"And we already have a job, so we can't take your offer," Yuri added.
"Hmm, well then, we won't call it business," she supplied helpfully, a gleam in her eyes. "Let's just say that we're a few guilds giving one another a helping hand."
Naruto chuckled at that, having worked with Kaufman a couple of times to know how she likes to do business; straightforward or otherwise.
"I'll be more than happy to let you take this boat to Nordopolica, seeing as I won't have any problems arranging another ship," she continued. "I'll let you keep the ship next to me if you successfully get me there without damaging any of the cargo aboard."
"Really?" Karol asked in surprise.
"Hmm, the boat's pretty beat up," Judith began, eyeing the floating vessel, "but it's still a good deal."
"The merman must be pretty tough customers if you're willing to part with a boat," Yuri mused.
"I'll leave that to your imagination," Kaufman replied easily.
Naruto moved over to her and grinned at the others. "Aw, c'mon guys! I'm sure you all can handle a few mermen! Besides, you have me with you!"
"Still as confident as ever, I see."
"Would you trust me if I was any different?" he fired back at the female boss.
"Can't say that I would. Belius is lucky to have you," she praised before she moved up the docking ramp and onto the boat.
Naruto grinned wider at her compliment before turning back to the others. "So, you guys ready to go?"
Yuri looked to the others while Karol looked over the supplies he had in his large bag. "What do you all think?"
"I say we take the deal," Judith answered with an easy smile. "This is the best option for now; and I don't think Estelle would want to risk not finding another boat."
The others turned to the pinkette, seeing her look anxiously at the boat before her expression turned guilty. "Sorry… I just really think we should accept Miss Kaufman's offer."
"We get a free boat out of this deal!" Karol cheered. "We can sail all over when we finish the job!"
"The runt's got a point," Rita agreed. "Besides that, I'm with whatever decision you make. I need you guys to help me find aer krene after all."
"Think of it this way," Raven spoke up, "if you guys succeed at this, you'll already be seen favorably by one of the Five Master Guilds. That kinda opportunity shouldn't be wasted, y'know."
Naruto waited patiently for them to decide, having already chosen to take the job since it would get him back to the coliseum city. He honestly hoped they would since they all looked like good people; which would make traveling with them enjoyable. It wasn't any fun to go all over the place by himself, after all.
Yuri turned to the blonde and nodded with a smirk. "Well, looks like we're in."
"Awesome!" he cheered, sharing a smile with Karol and Estelle. "We better not keep Boss Lady waiting, then. Let's set sail!"
With that declaration, he headed up the ramp and waited on the deck of the ship. After the others made a quick purchase of last minute supplies, they boarded as well and the ship set sail from the port. The group was then given some basic instructions on sailing the Fiertia; the ship they would hopefully get from Kaufman.
Along with the ship came a sailor by the name of Tokunaga. He was a respectful fellow who looked to be right at home on the ship. He offered to steer for them until they got the hang of it, which was thanked by the others.
With everything laid out, the group of seven plus one dog got comfortable as the boat glided through the gentle waters.
(Skit: This Is Soooooo Bad)
(Yuri, Estelle, Rita, Judith, and Naruto are present)
Yuri: We just started out and we're already working with one of the Five Master Guilds. This is good!
Judith: Yeah. You're one step to making your dream a reality, Karol. Aren't you happy?
Rita: You talking to the kid? He's over there mumbling about something.
*Karol's image slowly moves across the screen as he talks*
Karol: *dull expression* Mermen… The first thing had to be mermen… Brave Vesperia has some bad luck… *he looks nervous* What's the president of Fortune's Market gonna think of us if we fail?! This is bad… *he looks worried* This is soooooo bad!
*he moves off screen*
Estelle: I don't think he's very happy…
Naruto: It's just nerves, is all. Mermen aren't so bad if you're prepared for them. Trust me, this trip would've been bad if we weren't warned of them beforehand.
Estelle: You've dealt with them before, Naruto?
Naruto: Yeah, but I had some mercenaries helping me out.
Judith: Anyway, it's good that Karol is being careful about this.
Naruto: Yeah. I can tell that he really cares about your guys' safety.
Rita: *deadpan look* That's not being careful. That's running and hiding.
Second chapter is finished!
You guys got a small glimpse of what sort of equipment Naruto uses in battle. His main weapons are his gauntlet claws, and his sub weapon is guns (like Patty in the PS3 port of this game). Sadly, I haven't played the PS3 port; so, this story will follow the Xbox 360 plotline.
Alongside those weapons, I plan to have Naruto use spells of a singular element. I'd like you guys to try and guess what it is, and I'll give you a couple of hints.
Hint 1: It is NOT wind (since that is Raven's element)
Hint 2: It is one of the many elements Rita uses (and she won't use those spells since Naruto will have them)
Back to the story itself; Naruto is now traveling with the gang, and they're setting sail for Nordopolica! But, what troubles will they find on these deceptively open waters?
Stay tuned to find out!
Until next time!
~pain17ification~