Chapter 007: We're Back in Black!
[Time Skip: 3 days/years later]
Three days later outside of the trunk, the same elder male house elf that was appointed with the job of opening the box at a certain time pulled out a hidden golden pocket watch to check the time, nodding when the time struck midnight. The house elf unlatched the lock and lifted the lid up not a moment later one buy one three heads popped out of the trunk. The older house elf's eyes widened in shock looking at two of the occupants that left just three days ago. Seeing how it was midnight the three shadows parted ways two heading in one direction while the other wend in the opposite direction.
[Time skip: Morning]
The sun was just starting to peak over the sun and all seemed like a quiet start for what looks to be a nice day when "TTTTTHHHWWWAAACCCCKKKK" bounced off the walls waking all the two house elves sleeping in a closet with a start. The looked around in their tiny closet in both fear and confusion. They waited a few more minutes with the sound not showing up again they decided to get comfortable and go back to sleep when "THHHWWAAACCKK" sounded through the building again. They both lifted they heads with a start like two little meerkats, it was another few minutes of quiet, so they tried once more to lay down to sleep when "THWACK, THWACK, THWACK, THWACK!" went ringing through the house and the two house elves decided to give up on sleep and go see what that sound could possibly be. Going to the lowest floor in the building they peered past the shoji screens, their eyes went wide at what was going on inside. There inside the room with bamboo swords in hand was Harry Potter and Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze, except they weren't how they were when they left. Harry had been basically short and scrawny fifteen year old when he left, with a depressed look in his eyes almost at all times, but the Harry that now stood in front of the house elves was a six foot tall eighteen year old with a good deal of muscles from head to toe, his hair was now long and fell down to the middle of his back, it was held back in a low pony tail. His emerald eyes now sparked alive with life and enjoyment. He was wearing black loose training pants and that was it really, obviously not the self-conscious boy he was before he left. The second person in the room was the girl who they now called mistress, she was still the same height of five feet and four inches but now she definitely filled out more in both the bust and hip department, her mix of red and blond hair now fell down to her knees braided neatly. Her eyes were sparkled like blue diamonds as she looked at Harry in determination, she wore an orange tank top and black training pants like Harry. Without much warning she charged with a low side slash using the typical katana stance, Harry didn't move and simply used his brute strength with one arm to horizontal slash, connecting their bamboo swords with a loud powerful "THWACK". They held that pose for a moment when someone in the corner clapper their hand together loudly.
"Alright that's enough you two, we have an audience. Naruto why don't got talk to the house elves about room arrangements for them while Harry and I got set everything up for our trip." The two house elves looked to corner to see a very handsome Kurama sitting there Indian style looking the same as he left except is hair looked to be a little longer but that about that. Nodding her head Naruto stood straight and walked to stand in front of Alberich and Amaya.
"How about we go upstairs to the dining room to discuss this, I'll make some tea." The house elves nodded stiffly to their mistress before snapping their way to the dining room. Entering the dining hall with a pot of tea and three tea cups, she saw her two house elves waiting by the table, slightly shuffling their feet around in nervousness. She smiled at them brightly, and it seemed to have soothed their nervousness. Setting down the tea pot she motioned for them to sit down in front of her, they probably would of refused if not she sat down with a smile still on her face. They sat down and she handed them both a tea cup and poured some tea. So before I left I will admit I felt pity for both for you and was ready to give you nice clothes and set you free," both house elves got hard and offended looks on their faces, and were going to protest but Naruto held up a hand before any anger filled word left their lips, "But I talked to Kurama about this the same week we left, he explained to me your guys culture, customs, and house elves in general, and while I understand you take great offence to me giving me things for your efforts I want to give you both two gifts and it will be the only gifts you receive ever," The two house elves stayed quiet but they looked ready to intervene if they though the gifts were too much. "The first gift is a room of your very own for both of you to keep your things and have your privacy." While they did look shocked at the fact that they hadn't even been here that long and they already had rooms of their own, they didn't object they actually looked happy for the accommodations, "The second gift is the fact that I give you both my permission to collect things of your liking, books, knick knacks, anything you want, all you have to do is ask." At this they were going to protest but one kind smile from Naruto stalled the words from coming out, "We are family now, you are not my servants, you are my friends and family and I will do everything in my power to make both of you happy and safe, as I said before I will only give you both two gifts there are no more to worry about I swear." The female house elf blushed a light pink hew and nodded in thanks while the older house elf turned his head in a huff but Naruto could tell he was speechless and happy at the same time but wanted to put up a front. Smiling at her two house elves she stood up motioned for them to follow her and showed them to their new rooms, Alberich's room was modeled after an old fashioned seventeenth century room. It was a dust brown color for the walls along with the carpet, with a bed that was just right for him in the corner with beautiful grey cotton sheets and a simple comforter, he had a maple nightstand and dresser also in the room with a simple lamp on the night stand. It wasn't much but Alberich stared at the room like it was the most wonderful thing in the world, he turned to his mistress nodded his thanks then went into his room closing the door with a soft click. Naruto and Amaya walked to a room right next to Alberich's opening the door, Amaya gasped placing her thin fingers to her lips in astonishment, unlike Alberich's room that was simple and fit his perfectly hers was a deep maroon color with small flicks of magical dragon designs appearing on the wall then disappearing just as fast as they came and instead of carpet on the floor was Japanese style tatami floor. Instead of a bed there was a beautiful violet with different colored butterfly's littering the futon which lay on the floor. Off to the left was a small mahogany dresser and nightstand and then on a wall near a window was a beautiful vanity, all the object in the room were her size too. She went to the middle of the and just gazed at all the beautiful objects that was now in her room, tears coming to her eyes. She looked over to her mistress hoping that this wasn't a dream and she was going to wake up from it. Naruto smiled once more at her and nodded confirmation that everything in this room was in fact hers. Amaya went in front of Naruto and bowed so low she almost touch the ground in gratitude. Waving it off she simply stated that she deserved everything in this room, she closed the door with a soft click but stood there for a moment when she heard Amaya sobbing, probably not used to such kindness. Naruto left to find Harry and Kurama leaving Amaya so she could have a moment by herself to sort out her feelings.
Naruto sensed that Harry and Kurama was in the study, heading in that direction she walked in to see Harry with his little dragon partner Astarot on his shoulder and Kurama leaning over a map with a red marker in Kurama's Hand. Walking over she looked to the map, "So where have we decided to go for the rest of the summer guys?"
Harry looked up, "Well so far we have chosen to check out America and Japan, Kurama thinks that's with the limit of time that's all were really going to be able to check out for now is Japan, I agree because it has already been three days technically since I sent Hedwig to the Weasleys' and by now they probably will be trying to find me and that probably gives us only a week for our vacation really before they go to my family's home demanding where I am. Plus with school starting in two weeks they are pressed for time to clear my name." Harry straightened and crossed his arms across his chest, sighing at the fact that he had to clear his name for defending himself from their stupid Dementors.
Kurama chuckled at the misfortune that seemed to cling to the nineteen year old, "Alright since we basically have everything we need for the trip why don't we head out now." The two other occupants to the room nodded in enthusiasm and quickly went to their room to grab their bags. Yes you heard correctly, room as in one singular room. You see while Naruto and Harry with Kurama on the training trip rivalry turned into a blossoming friendship and love. Cliché right? Wrong! Their rivalry only turned into friendship truly when Naruto kicked his ass and friendship only turned to love when Harry once again got his ass kicked by the one and only Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze. The walked down the huge hall to a random door in the corridor, opening the door quietly there off to the side of the room on a queen sized bed was two leather feather bag of holding backpacks. Harry went over to the bed grabbed the black t-shirt that had been left there before the little mock battle, quickly pulling it over his head he grabbed the two backpacks throwing the orange colored one over to Naruto who caught it without a thought in the world, flipping it over her shoulder. Astarot was still perched on Harry's shoulder before he seemed to quiver for a moment then he started to meld into Harry's skin much like a tattoo, when he finished melding with Harry's skin he looked to be a red tattoo that stretched from Harry's palm wrapping around his arm to have his head rest on Harry's shoulder and neck. Harry quivered for a moment than both teens tossed each other a smile before heading down the corridor the same direction they came from, they go back into the study and found Kurama waiting for them leaned back in a chair, his leather covered feet propped up upon the desk in a lazy manner.
"Ready to go Kurama?" Naruto asked giving his foot a pat on the side to gain his attention.
Kurama grunted and stood up taking out a small pouch and motioning for them to go to the fireplace that was in the room. He pointed to the small back, "This here in my hand is floo powder, Harry I believe has already used this so no need to explain to him, you on the other hand Naruto have not so as a quick lay down you take a handful of this powder, say the name of the place you want to go in this case its 'Daiagon Yochico' and then throw it at your feet. Easy enough to understand correct?" Naruto nodded here head in agreement. "Okay Harry you go first then Naruto than I will be the last to show up." Harry nodded and reached into the hand sized sack, pulling out a handful of silvery glittering floo powder as he stood in the entrance of the fire place, giving a smirk he threw it to his feet saying 'Daiagon Yochico'. With a loud cracking lightning sound he was gone in a plume of smoke. Naruto gave a slight cough when a puff of smoke shot in her face, she waited for the smoke to clear before following Harry's example and taking a handful of floo powder and throwing it at her feet while saying the name of the place she was supposed to go to. Feeling a pull from her head to her toes she felt a rush of power and air next thing she knew she was looking into the emerald eyes of Harry who smiled a knowing smile at her as he offered a hand out to her, taking it gratefully he pulled her up to his chest, dipping his head down he was about to give her a kiss on the lips when a large cracking sound was heard, both turned their heads to see Kurama walking out of a brick fire place entrance dusting off some chimney grime looking nonchalant as if he didn't notice them about to share a moment. Kurama walked to a white wooden door with small rectangle shaped windows in it was situated right across from the fire place they exited out of. They followed suit the bright light temporarily blinded them upon exit but once the bright light bulbs in their eyes disappeared they looked around amazed that stood before them, walking slowly down the one road they gazed at all the stores, yes Daiagon Yochico was much like Daiagon Alley it had the essential wand store, book store, caldron store, alchemy store, ect and a bank ran by Japanese looking goblins but once we got further into the alley we noticed they had other things that the British Daiagon alley had, they had a very open and public dark arts store, weapons store, hell they were even selling muggle technology right in the open and no one seemed to be bother actually there was many people who was bustling in and out of the small store.
"Wow this place has so many more stores than my Daiagon Alley." Harry commented outright staring at the weapons store with open curiosity.
Kurama turned to them hands on hips, "Well yes, Japanese wizards honestly do their own thing, while their country might have a xenophobia of everything outside of Japan they do have a culture that accepts technology and teaching children to the fullest, so fighting without magic here does happen, they don't train as extensively as you two but at least they put in some effort to not be completely reliant on just their magic to save their asses. Anyways come on well we don't have much time and were on vacation after all," He tossed them both a purse full of money it jingled merrily as it fell into their outreached hands, "Go have some fun we'll meet back here in two hours. Make sure to find something for the festival tonight you two, okay?" Both nodded, smiling to each other then ran off down the alley to check out all the stores in their path. There were so many stores and so little time so both Harry and Naruto secretively made two shadow clones each and hedged them to look different without hand signs to check out the rest of the stores they probably couldn't get to in time, first store they went to was a book store called Kame & Usagi Bookstore. Naruto let out a small giggle at the name but proceeded in, unlike the magical book stores in Britain the store looked very modern with marble floors and books nicely placed on shelves instead of all over the place. Naruto and Harry split up to cover more ground, and Naruto surprisingly enough over the three years she was gone and was forced books down her throat practically by Kurama came to actually like reading, none of the history books or anything like that she loved the high speed fantasy or action books hell she even read a little bit romance but that wasn't very often so she never counted that in her list of what to get books. She skimmed over the binds of the book not really finding anything to peak her interest when she came across some white bindings which originally had Japanese kanji going down the binds but quickly switched to American, her eyes grew wide, and a tremble came to her lips.
"Naruto?" Harry felt a spike in Naruto's Chakra so came over to when she was standing still cradling something to her breast. "What's the matter Naruto?"
Naruto looked over her shoulder to Harry tears nearly to her eyes, she showed him a cover sexily drawn women with the title 'Bomber Girl' on the top of the cover. "She's hot that's what the matter! How can something drawn be this fine?!" Harry choked on air coming in his lungs as he burst out laughing at Naruto's serious look. Naruto grabbed a few more comics called manga in japan and they continued their marry way down the alley to other stores. They hit up maybe two or three more plus a clothing store before their two hours ran out and they had to meet back up with Kurama. When they had made it back to where Kurama had been waiting he was already dressed dashingly in a black Montsuki (Type of formal male kimono) with three red crests with the kanji of nine in the center on both his shoulders and the middle of his shoulder blades.
"Yo." He raised his hand saying this, "Find everything you guys wanted and needed?" Both teens nodded their heads. "Good now go get dressed quickly, the festival is going to start shortly." They headed to a local changing room that they set out for people for occasions such as this, and changed into their festival wear. They came out of their respected areas and looked at one another, Harry unlike Kurama who was wearing formal wear chose to a plain deep green yakuta with a small smiling red dragon on the sleeve, while Naruto picked something not to crazy extravagate but looked absolutely beautiful on her is what Harry thought. It was a light blue silk kimono with small sunflowers littering the bottom of the Kimono and the left sleeve. Her hair was pulled up in a loose bun with hair charm chopsticks stuck inside the fun holding it in place. Once Harry stopped his insistent staring at Naruto they headed to find Kurama, finding him with a group of people lined up next to a street they maneuvered their ways through the crowd to the front where Kurama was standing, arms crosses and looked to be waiting for something. Naruto looked up at him after a few minutes of waiting and was about to ask what they were waiting for when a loud "BOOM" nearly made her jump out of her skin. She looked to her left and saw hoards of people marching down the street, all dressed up extravagantly in feathers, tradition clothes and crazy skin tight outfits, throwing flags and playing all kinds of instruments. After the marching people came giant moving inanimate objects in all types of shapes, there was dragons that spewed fire and many other crazy things, there were also people giving out lots of magical candy and that made Naruto happy. Once the last of the parade was gone, people cheered a little bit more but then moved to the festivals that was happening, there were hundreds of stalls open with vendors trying to get people to buy stuff and games where the venders weren't nice, they egged people on to play even going so far to call people names and such to get that money. Then in the middle of the festival there was plays and skits going on, was more interested in getting some food, so she used her nose to find what she wanted, grabbed Harry's hand and basically teleported herself and Harry in a seat at you guessed it a ramen shop. Harry laughed knowing that this was his girlfriend's food obsession when she was younger, she told him that it was also the only food she could really eat when she was younger, now that she didn't have people giving her rotten food she ate more than just ramen. The waitress came by and almost had a heart attack when Naruto spouted off like ten bowls of ram two of each flavor, while Harry only ordered a simple beef ramen for himself. About twenty minutes later both had their food and while Naruto was inhaling hers at amazing speed from not having ramen for three years while Harry ate his at a moderate speed enjoying the warmth and flavor from the Japanese cuisine. Took only an hour to finish off their food before going off to many of the magical stand, once they passed a high end jewelry stand selling magical jewelry of all types for decent prices, Harry looked back at the stand with curiosity, while Naruto kept walking along. Getting an idea he turned and followed Naruto, nobody noticed the shadow clone he had made that was now heading to the jewelry stand. The couple had walked around the festival for several hours, checking out the performers, buying a few things, eating and talking and just in general enjoying each other's presence to the fullest. It had been ten before midnight when the two decided to pull away from the crowded bustling festival to a secluded little area in a magical garden full of roses, cherry blossoms and a small little koi pond in the middle of it all, they sat at a decorative bench next to the pond and watch the koi fish swim round and round each much like a game. Naruto sat there in content her head leaned against hairs shoulder, her eyes watching the fish in the moonlight who seemed to dance. Harry looked over to the young women only a year his elder, she was beautiful, strong in every aspect of the word, she was still an enigma of unpredictability, she in his mind was perfect and in his mind he came to an agreement in what he wanted and needed. Naruto looked confused when Harry gently removed himself from her head, she got a startled look in her eyes when he kneeled down upon one knee and took her left hand from her lap and into his big strong ones.
"Naruto it has been three years since we first met, you have always been hard on me not to be mean but to make me grow into a strong willed person I am today. While in the beginning there was feeling of attraction and lust they now have grown into a heated fire of love for you and your whole being." He slightly fumbled with something in his inside breast pocket he pulled out a velvet orange egg, he hit the button stationed on top of the egg and the egg top suddenly disappeared and in the middle of the egg was two rings both silver in color but one was just a circlet while the other had a amethyst implanted into it middle with a small ruby on the right and sapphire on the left with glowing blue rune symbols circling the band. "Naruto will you please marry me and stay with me forever?"
All was quiet for a second when finally Naruto looked into Harry eyes as tears sprung from her own and she left into his open arms crying his shoulder repeatedly, "yes, yes, and yes."
Up in a tree unknown to the two Kurama smiled down at his two adopted family with happiness as Naruto slipped on her engagement ring while the ringlet when back into Harry's pocket for the time being, then he looked up at the crescent moon, "What challenges will now await us?"