CHAPTER 004: Shopping Pains
While amazed at what she seeing, Naruto knew better then stare and stand out, because there was a time and place for unwanted attention in the shinobi world or any world for that matter and this was not one of those times. So she didn't stand around to gawk instead moved so she was right next to Harry who was making his way all the way back of the shopping district, where a big fancy white building was, that had two short strange looking guards, there beady black eyes watched them like hawks as the two teens entered the building like they already criminalized them for just being there.
'Those are Goblin's; I don't like them much because they try to force their customs on other races. You see in their culture when you make something it is yours NO MATTER WHAT. Even if it is bought from another person, you only "rent" it until death, when that owner dies the object is supposed to return to the Goblin's, unless the family members purchase it again. It is quite foolish and no way to run a business with a completely different culture, but I guess its fare seeing how the Wizarding world doesn't allow them wands and tends to hold a unhealthy suspicion on the race. Now when you get to the teller, tell him that you are from the "House of Kyuubi." While you don't have your key, they can take a magical inheritance test real quick to prove that you are of my kin, so you can get in. We just got to pick up the key from my old house soon.' Naruto nodded subconsciously in agreement as they made their way to the front.
She kept a blank stare as the teller leaned over with a sneer obviously unhappy to help, "What can I do for you two today?"
Harry looked up at the sneering face of the goblin and said in the strongest voice he could must while showing him the Harry potter vault key, "I need to get into the Potter vault, is there by chance a ledger I could see that tells me what my vault holds while on the way there?" Harry was polite but you could tell he was uncomfortable by the annoyed stare coming from the Goblin.
The Goblin nodded before signaling for another Goblin to come over, "Obtain me the Potter ledger." The other Goblin nodded before scurrying off, the teller then looked to Naruto, "What can I do for you as we wait for Mr. Potter's ledger?"
Naruto looked up Kurama's chakra running slightly through her veins turning her once blue eyes red and sinister, "I am from the house of Kyuubi and I need entry into my vault. If you must use a Magical inheritance test to prove my claims then so be it." Her voice only held a tone that said 'you will respect me' it made the Goblin shudder, whether in delight or fear no one knows.
"No…no need… I do believe you have showed significant proof enough." The Goblin stuttered, obviously feeling weak in the knees from the magical power that washed over him in just a look. "I-I'll take you to your vault when we go to Mr. Potters."
Naruto nodded a hidden smirk on her lips as they waited for a minute for the other Goblin to return with Harry's ledger, when he did, he looked very confused when he saw his senior Goblin looking pale and wobbly as he showed them to the cart that would take them to the vaults. During the bumpy cart ride, Harry and Naruto reviewed his Voucher, Kurama made comments about what he should and shouldn't take from the vault, and all three agreed about it.
Once they got to Harry's vault he pulled out an empty shrinkable trunk that he had in his pocket, and started to place all the objects they agreed upon taking and a lot of money. Once he was done the trunk was crammed full of stuff and money so it was barely able to be closed but it did with a audible click before he shrank it down to pocket sized and went back to the iron cart where the next vault they went to was Kurama's. The goblin motioned for Naruto to follow, and explained that this vault is blood activated, he was going to pull out a small dagger for her to use but was too late as she just used her very lengthy canine to bite her thumb, placing the blood on the middle of the mechanism, slightly surprising the goblin at her actions. The door parted slowly, while dust from the machine flew up in the air, making Naruto's nose twitch. When the vault opened, it took every inch of will power not to get slack jawed and dance around like an idiot on a sugar high seeing all the shiny gold towering to the ceiling. Smirking Naruto entered the vault, with Kurama leading the way to a small leather side pouch, Kurama explained that it was a feather bottomless bag, inside currently was the time space chest, a small feather pouch with over five hundred galleons, a portkey ring and several empty shrinking trunks.
'All my books and rare tombs are at the house that I purchased when I was still here.' Kurama explained, knowing that she was going to ask if there was more that she needed to get.
Mentally nodding she proceeded out of the vault, it closed automatically after and both went to the cart, and took the track back to the main lobby. Naruto looked over to the goblin as they were about to exit but Kurama told Naruto to turn to the goblin and stare into his eyes with the Kyuubi eyes activated. She did as instructed, and as their eyes made contact the goblin went stiff, then his eyes went blank, his mind was now open for suggestions, "You will not remember us being here, we were just two random wizards." The goblin nodded in understanding, as Naruto moved to Harry's side put a hand on his shoulder than used Shunshin no Jutsu to fast move to the road outside the bank, using a small hedge on both of them so they looked like two simple looking wizards. Harry felt the thin layer of power on the top of his skin, but figured it was just Naruto, so he ignored it.
"Kurama says that we should head to Flourish & Blotts first, Cauldron shop, Apothecary, then Borgin & Burkin's." Naruto explained in a hushed tone, surprising Harry slightly because he was told that Knockturn alley sold dark items and to never go into that alley and yet they were going to go into it willingly. "He also said something about purchasing an instrument, something about having a calming effect before meditating. Then apparently were supposed to go to a muggle shopping district and buy supply's there also."
Nodding the two teenagers made their way to the first shop on Kurama's list. Upon entering Flourish & Blotts, Naruto cringed at the sight of all the books around. 'Crap, I should have known you would make me read Kurama.'
'You will not be stupid my container. I know you have a brain, so use that damn thing. If you want to make sure to protect everyone, you need to be well rounded, and as an added bonus here is a gift for your dumbass to enjoy.' Naruto winched and felt woozy for a second as if something was just jammed forcefully in her brain. 'You now have photographic memory and a better comprehending of stuff, so you're like your pink haired teammate. Enjoy never forgetting anything ever again.' The Kitsune said with sing song tone.
Naruto held her head for a moment, shook it then glared menacingly at a book for a moment, 'I hate you Kurama.'
'I know, I love you too kit.'
Harry looked to the teenager next him in slight worry as he saw her wobble then randomly start glaring at a book. "Uh Naruto why are you glaring at that book like it just killed your best friend."
Naruto looked at him straight in the face, and he noticed that her whiskers were missing from her face, so she didn't look so exotic anymore, he stared for a moment before just shrugging thinking that this might be the reason he felt energy around them. "Don't worry about it, let's just hurry this up." So for about an hour, they went around the store, picked up books on first aid, potion making, history, rune magic, creatures, and a bunch of other stuff. To say the least the shop keeper almost had a heart attack at the amount of money he made. Thankfully all the books fit in one of Kurama's trunk because it auto shrunk the books that were being put in, making more room than needed. They then went across the street to a magical instrument shop, where Naruto fell in love with a rare instrument called a Ocarina, while Harry decided to pick up a electric guitar, apparent it was one of a kind because, magic didn't work with electricity normally but this apparently did because of a experimental rune, making it so you could get a good sound even without a amp, apparently it never sold because most wizarding communities didn't really care for anything to do with muggles so as such, there weren't any books about how to use it. So they decided to pick one up when they went to the muggle shopping district. Going to the Cauldron shop, and a few collapsible cauldrons, it only took about ten minutes, Naruto kept a wary eye on all the leaning cauldrons. Next was the Apothecary shop, there they were able to pick up a portable potion brewing stand, along with all the ingredients in the shop, giving another shop keeper another heart attack because some of those ingredients were so rare they cost a pretty penny, so just to be nice he threw in a specialized ingredient box of holding that had both feather and shrink magic on it. They made their way out of the shop, then back down the way they first came, but Harry paused, offering Naruto ice-cream before continuing shopping. Agreeing that ice-cream sounded like a good idea. Naruto ordered a two scoop blueberry, chocolate with sprinkles. Harry decided to try a two scoop caramel apple and chocolate with chopped nuts. They sat down at a small table outside, enjoying their ice cream. Harry tiring of the silence decided to strike up a conversation.
"Why does Kurama want up to go to Borgin & Burkin's? I thought only dark wizards went there to shop." He asked with a hushed voice so no one could hear the question.
Naruto looked up, was silent for a moment than answered, "He says that the dark wizard light wizard stereotype is just bull shit, to learn to defeat your enemy you must learn what they learn otherwise you are just a ignorant child ready to get killed at any time. He says he's more of a neutral, he walks both sides, and finds both sides foolish, but that's off topic, the reason were going down there is because he says they may have some house elves for sale, and unique tombs. The house elves will be useful for information gathering because they are undetectable and it gets them into a better environment I guess. Plus they sell rare animals; he apparently has his own magical animal reservation where he rescues magical creatures and give them a place that they can roam without wizards interfering with their life. Awe Kurama I didn't know you were such a softy." Naruto gave a small chuckle when she heard a growl as she finished off her ice cream, and waited for Harry to finish. Once he was finished they were off down the road again, then entered Knockturn alley, the alley gave off a dark feeling making Harry slightly edgy but didn't affect Naruto as she walked down to the store. The store was dark inside, as if trying to make it so people couldn't get a good look at the products they were buying. The shop keeper with his beady eyes watched as he approached the front where he was stationed.
"What can I get you today?" His voice was rough and held a slight amount of suspicion.
Naruto looked over at him, raising her killer intent just slightly, to show that she wasn't person to be messed with, and it did the trick because the shop keeper shivered slightly. "Yes I'm looking for several things to purchase. One I'm looking for a house elf or two, some magical creatures and tombs that aren't so legal. I'm willing to pay good gold but I will not be jipped do you understand." She applied a little more killer intent, making the shop keeper nod his head at her in agreement in fear, behind her Harry wasn't fairing much better but because of the hedge he looked like it didn't even touch him. "Good, now how bout we start with the house elves first then?" She recoiled her killer intent back to where it was when she first came in, making the shop keeper relax just a bit, so he wouldn't piss his pants anytime soon at least. He got off his stool that he was on behind the counter and motioned for them to follow him in the back hidden behind a fake bookshelf. There behind the bookshelf was a hallway with four metal doors, then coming into an open area filled with many cages.
"Now we have for sale right now two house elves, one older male and middle aged female. What are you looking for specifically?" The shop keeper asked in a business like tone.
Naruto took a moment to consult Kurama, "I would like to purchase both house elves, one for myself and my acquaintance." Naruto didn't give away anything in her tone as she spoke to the greedy man.
"That would cost a pretty penny seeing how it it's very hard to find house elves on the market anymore with the laws protecting them now, plus all my house elves are of the best quality." He was lying to her, she could smell it, and she could also smell the fear coming from the doors in the hall when the man spoke.
Kurama whispered advice in the back of her mind, "I will give you a ten thousand galleons for the two house elves, no less and no more." The shop keeper tried to get defiant but a blast of KI sent him to his knees, "Do not think I will be fooled into believing that you have kept these house elves in best condition shop keeper, remember I will not be jipped by the likes of you, I believe that a ten thousand galleons is more than enough for the two house elves. Also do not forget I will be purchasing other things along with them, so you will get more than enough money at the end of the day." The shop keeper knew that he wouldn't win, so simply nodded. Smirking in satisfaction she released her hold on him before proceeding to the back where the illegal magical creatures laid. They were under a heavy silencing spell so that if the authorities came they wouldn't be found so easily. She looked in around and found a juvenile unicorn, threstral, and griffin. "Seems you are low on stock Mr. Shop keeper, well that's fine, I would like to take them all, how much?" She turned to asked him.
Knowing not to try and be greedy with this person, he stuttered out "Another ten thousand Galleons would do just fine, seeing how the unicorn is hard to come by."
Nodding she brought out her pouch full of money, "I will pay for the creatures and house elves then I will do a quick check through your things in the front to see if I wish to purchase anything more." Nodding the shop keeper conjured a small table to automaticallycount the money on. There really was no need because Naruto was quick to pull it out and count it in front of him. The shop keeper double checked to make sure none was missing then scooped it up into his bag of holding, as Naruto pulled out a special trunk from Kurama's leather bag. She motioned Harry to her side, "Use levitation to place them on the trunk, it will do the rest of the work." She explained.
Harry did as he was told, while the shopkeeper kept a keen eye on them to make sure that they were doing thing other than putting it in the trunk. Once the job was finished, they turned to the shopkeeper and motioned for him to open the doors to the house elves, he opened the metal door to Naruto peered in and saw the sad and dirty faces of the house elves made Naruto's heart clench but she pushed it aside so her cover wouldn't be blown. She told them that they now belonged her, gave them a piece of paper with the location of where they were to go before taking the paper back as they popped out of existence to their new masters home. Once all the house elf business was finished they went back to the front where they found Mr. Malfoy and his son waiting for the shopkeeper to return, Harry stiffened, but a nudge for him to keep going from Naruto made him keep moving in the direction of the tombs and books that aliened against the wall. The Malfoys' paid little to no attention to the two exiting from the back room, but instead went up to the shopkeeper to converse in low voices, that didn't protect them from Naruto because she had better hearing then most so heard what they were saying. They were asking about a certain object that they had ordered, and the shopkeeper replied that it was in the back. Naruto knowing from Harry that anything dealing with a Malfoy tended to be trouble used some of Kurama's chakra to cast a small illusion, so that no one saw her make a shadow clone and used Henge no Jutsu to make it look like a small mouse. The transformed Naruto followed them to a secrete room behind another book self leading to an office. Inside the office, Naruto saw the two trade money for a book that looked very old and held a sinister aura to it. While she couldn't get a title she could do something better, she cast one of the genjutsu that she could perform on them, so that all their senses were messed up but while they were in the illusion it felt like nothing was wrong. She grabbed an empty book about the same size, and switched it with the book currently being held by the youngest Malfoy, and as she looked at his face, she couldn't help but feel something akin to pity for the boy. Deep in his eyes she could see pain, suffering, and misery. Leaning in close to his face, she placed her mouth to his ear, and placing some chakra in her voice, she whispered so even though he was under a illusion he would subconsciously remember this, "You who suffer in pain from a world not your own, you will be saved, and made so your choices are your own and nobody else's. Until then wait and be ready for the salvation that you have always wanted." She leaned back before exiting quickly so to hide the book in her original's pouch. As Naruto's clone came back and slipped a large book in Kurama's pouch she didn't question it but continued browsing the tombs like normal. Her clone disappeared and she witnessed her clone's memories, she processed it but chose to analyze the book later. She found several books that could be helpful during training according to Kurama so they grabbed them and were just walking to the front when the shopkeeper and Malfoys' exited from the back. The Malfoy's quickly left the shop, not sparing much a glance as they left, but the shopkeeper eagerly took the money for the books and ushered the two out saying that he was going to close shop early. While it was suspicious in Naruto's mind she simply shrugged it off and placed the books she got in her pouch and left with Harry in tow out of Knockturn Alley straight out to bar that hid the entrance to Diagon Alley. Once they got out of the door of the bar they summoned the Knight bus once more, asking the driver to drop them off at the local muggle shopping district, slightly surprising the driver but he did as he was asked and dropped them off in a dark alley so that questions wouldn't be dropped about the magical bus out of know where. Once they got off the bus left and Naruto dropped the Henge, and then motioned for Harry to hand over his cloak. He did and he watched with slight amusement as Naruto stuffed the two cloaks roughly in the small bag that if it hadn't been a feather bag of holding it wouldn't have worked one bit. Harry was almost left in his amusement when Naruto decided to leave with not so much as a warning.
"Hey Naruto, wait up for me!" He called out to her as he jogged up to her, catching her hand but quickly let go with a blush on his face when he realized what he had done. "Ah sorry!"
Naruto looked at him with slight amusement, before reaching down and grabbing a hold of his hand, and tugged him along in a fast pace. "Don't be such a prude Harry. Holding hands hasn't killed anyone yet." She pulled him into a shop that shouldn't have been there but was, it was said on the sign in the front, Regrat's Magical wizard money to muggle money conversion shop. Harry stopped and looked around at all the muggles that were walking around, paying to mind to the shop. Shrugging Harry figured it was a notice-me-not spell for muggles and walked in, seeing Naruto already converting her galleons into paper money. She walked over to Harry counting her money, "Harry go convert some of your money, and you will need to buy quit a few items yourself."
Harry nodded and went up to the shop owner, handing over two hundred galleon pieces to the man to be converted and ten for the purchase of converting. Surprising to Harry he got a two thousand in muggle currency back while paying the man a 10% of it for the cost of convergence. "Thank you." Harry said his eyes wide in shock never seeing so much muggle money in his life.
The shopkeeper nodded with a smile. "Thank you for your patronage." As the two teenagers excited the shop the shopkeeper stopped them, "Oh I forgot to give this to you two, it's a wallet enchanted to hold lots of money. It's less inconspicuous than a money pouch." He handed the two each a black leather fold over wallet. They nodded in thanks before leaving and heading to the next shop. They spent several hours going around buying things for training. Naruto even a newer invention called a lab top for both her and Harry. Harry was a little wary because magic wasn't supposed to work well with electric muggle objects, but Naruto smacked him upside the head and said that magic can do almost anything and they can't make a spell to make magic work with electricity, that just sounded ridiculous which after some thought he agreed. They finished the night off by going to a pizza shop and getting a family sized mushroom, black olive and pepperoni pizza. It was really enjoyable after a long day of shopping. They finished up around the time shops were closing, so they went to a dark alley, and used Kurama's portkey ring that was left in his bank to teleport to Kurama's house. They got there, tired and ready for bed, but just as they were about to go to bed, when two pairs of curious eyes stared at them in contempt and slight fear.
Naruto looked at them and smiled her brightest smile at the two skinny house elves, "Hi my name is Naruto what's yours?"
Though shocked the house elves responded to their new mistress, the older male went first. His voice was low and grandfatherly, obviously he had been through a lot, "My name is Alberich mistress." Nodding she thought that the name meaning "elf ruler" suited him very well.
She looked over to the dark haired female house elf who continued to stare in a small voice she simply said, "Amaya."