Hey everybody! How are you all doing? Well, I hope you guys enjoy this Chapter. Without further ado, here is Chapter 15 of Under the Stars.
Previously…
Doing as bid, Naruto rose, and the circle parted before him. Striding with slow, measured steps, he reached his seat, running a hand over the smooth shape. Turning, he slowly sank into the seat.
He was a Master.
Naruto sat silently in his seat, observing the rest of the Council as they spoke. For three days, he had been silent amongst the deliberations, observing how disagreements were settled. Currently, the Masters were discussing whether or not they believed several Knight Candidates were ready to achieve the rank. As the names were read off, Naruto ran through each in his mind, listing their pros and cons. When the Council reached Gaara and Ahsoka, they were quiet for several minutes.
"What say you, Master Uzumaki?" Master Yoda asked, observing the youngest member over knobby hands. "Ready, do you believe they are?" Naruto slowly rubbed his chin as he thought, leaning forward slightly and looking downward so that his hair obscured his eyes in shadow for a moment.
"Well, first Gaara: As you know, Gaara and I come from the same planet, so I know him better than most. Like I, he was subjected to a great deal of torment in his youth as a result of… something beyond either of our control. I cannot say exactly what it is; to do so would be to give away secrets of which the Kironians refuse to divulge." Several of the Masters looked at him with confusion and concern, before he carried on. "When I met Gaara, he was shrouded in darkness. He was little more than an animal, like Maul. As a result of battle, he and I became friends, and I have watched him struggle ever since to keep inside the darkness of his soul. He is very powerful, and I believe that promoting him to the rank of Knight would further cement his good nature."
"If what you say of his past is true, though," Master Windu began, "then there is the possibility that he may eventually go rogue and join the Sith."
"I have trained the boy as best I could," Obi-Wan spoke up then. "I have taught him as Qui-Gon taught me, and imparted in him a peace that he has not known before. I believe Master Naruto is correct; to show our confidence in him would greatly increase his confidence in us."
"Let me ask you something, Master Windu," Naruto asked, shifting slightly in his seat. "Is it better to be good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?"
"Is it too much to ask for both?"
"If you expect a child to have complete control of himself, than it is. At this time in our lives, very little of ourselves is. We are making the transfer from child to adult, and as a result, emotions run high and tempers run hot. You have to give him a chance." Naruto knew he had won when Windu hesitated, before giving a slow nod. "I move to promote Gaara to the rank of Jedi Knight," Naruto said, addressing the entire room. The vote was tallied, and Naruto was pleased when he saw that the majority had agreed with him; Gaara was ready.
"Naruto was definitely your Padawan, Master Windu," Plo Koon said in his impossibly deep voice. "He is as stubborn as you."
"Indeed," agreed Ki-Adi-Mundi, dipping his large Cerean head.
"Yes, yes," Windu waved impatiently. "Master Naruto, we have heard your thoughts on Gaara. What are your beliefs about Ahsoka Tano?"
Again, Naruto adopted a thinking posture, but inside his mind in a frantic overdrive. Gotta play this safe… if I try to recommend her too enthusiastically, they may suspect something is wrong, but if I wind up making it so she can't join the ranks, Ahsoka will never forgive me, and I wouldn't be able to forgive myself… what do you think Kurama?
Well, it is widely known that you are friends with both her and Gaara, so they already suspect that you would show favoritism. They would likely just believe that an over-enthusiastic defense was a result of your friendship. I recommend that you try to defend her just as strongly as you defended Gaara, but accept their wisdom if they decide to postpone her promotion.
Very well… Naruto turned his thoughts back outward, having used his increased thought process to talk to Kurama for little more than a second in real-time. He paused for a few more seconds, before he spoke. "I believe that Ahsoka Tano also merits promotion. As you all might recall from the reports, it was she and Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker who discovered Kironia. Back then, she was a very rash, foolhardy young girl. Over the course of these past years, however, she has displayed significant emotional growth. You all have known her for longer than I, however, so I will allow you to make the decision."
Obi-Wan's lip curled upward ever so slightly for a moment, before the Master spoke. "I move to promote Ahsoka Tano to the rank of Jedi Knight."
"I must say Naruto, you certainly have a way with words," Obi-Wan said to him as the rest of the Council was filing out of the chambers. "Your defense of Gaara was quite eloquent. And submitting the judgment of Ahsoka's promotion to those with more experience was also brilliant. If you hadn't decided to become a Jedi, you quite likely could have gone into politics."
"It was really just common sense, Master."
"That is something that many of the politicians these days seem to lack. You sell yourself short, Naruto; you have far more knowledge and skill than you believe."
"Correct, Master Kenobi is," Yoda's voice called out, and Naruto looked down to see the aged Master hobbling toward them. "But something else to tell you, I have, Master Uzumaki. Arrived on Coruscant, you former sensei has." The little green master stumbled slightly over the word sensei, the foreign word strange to his tongue.
"I do ask once again Naruto that you allow me to accompany you," Itachi said as he appeared next to the Master's elbow.
"Itachi, I know you wish to go with me, but until I clear your name you will not be safe. Remain here with Ara and Senshi. And thank you, Master Yoda," Naruto said, giving a slight bow. "I suppose we'll have to continue this conversation later, Master Kenobi. If I know my old teacher, we were likely supposed to leave two hours ago."
"You realize that you are quite late?" Chancellor Palpatine said to the man before him. Kakashi Hatake, as he was called, wore a pair of neat black trousers cut as if he was prepared to fight at any moment. Black leather gloves covered obviously strong hands, and a grey, long-sleeved silk shirt with a flared collar covered a muscular physique before seamlessly flowing into a mask that covered the lower half of his face. Silver, gravity-defying spiky hair rested untidily above a black satin eye patch. "I had to reschedule a meeting with the Jedi Council so I could meet you when you said you would be here, and since you weren't, I then had to reschedule a meeting with the Banking Clans to meet you now. I'm going to have to give them a considerable gift as an apology."
"Well, I do apologize, but I was detained. Your security force had me sitting in my ship for an hour and a half while they confiscated my decorations."
"Why on earth would they detain you for decorations?" Senator Amidala asked, curiosity obvious in her bright eyes.
"According to the report, they confiscated swords, cudgels, knives, what appeared to be throwing stars, and inordinately long needles," Chancellor Palpatine said, reading over the list.
"Well, yes. On Kironia that is what passes as decoration now. My wife was the one who created the display that your men tore down."
"Well, I am sorry. If you were staying for longer, I would have my men restore the displays. As it is, I can only return them to you when you leave. And that leaves a half-hour unaccounted for."
"Yes, well, that part is actually on me," Kakashi said, rubbing the back of his head embarrassedly. "You see, I wound up making a slight mathematical error while programming the hyper drive and wound up just short of Coruscant. It took me roughly twenty minutes to make up the distance, and then the remaining ten can be distributed here and there throughout the security process."
"Make all the excuses you want, Kakashi-sensei, you're still late as ever," a voice said, and Kakashi turned with a smile in his eye to embrace the young Jedi who had just walked in the door. "It's good to see you sensei. I must say, the last time I saw you, you weren't nearly as well-dressed."
"Well, being a Senator requires me to look the part," Kakashi said, plucking at the front of his shirt. "I figure that if my wife likes it, it's worth it."
"When did you get married?" Naruto asked, feigning surprise. After all, he did have to act like he had had no contact with his former home planet. After roughly ten minutes of conversation, they decided that it was time to go. Saying their goodbyes to the Chancellor, they finally left, Naruto excited beyond words to be heading home.
Naruto stood with Kakashi on the launch pad, marveling at the YT-1300 Light Freighter before him. "You know, Iruka has one of these," he said, entering the ship with Kakashi as a number of men dressed in Republic guard uniforms carried the confiscated decorations onto the ship. "I had to go on an undercover mission, and he was my transport."
"I haven't seen Iruka for a long time," Kakashi said quietly as he offered Senator Amidala assistance. "The last time I saw him, he was being run off the planet by Count Dooku. But yeah, she's a nice ship. My wife named her; for some reason, she decided to go with the Millennium Falcon."
"I must thank you very much for inviting me on this diplomatic mission, Senator Kakashi, Master Uzumaki," Padmé unknowingly interrupted, bowing her head. "I must say, I have never been present for a planet's induction into the Republic. I have been present for a number of secessions, but never an induction." Setting her bag down just inside her room, she accompanied them to the cockpit as Kakashi took his place behind the controls. "Tell me, what is your planet like?"
"Naruto can fill you in on our culture; that hasn't really changed apart from the separate Nations joining together. As for technology, we're just about caught up to the rest of the galaxy," Kakashi said, as he started going through the take-off procedures. "Girl! Get out here!" he shouted in the direction of the engine room, and Temari came out, wiping her grease-covered hands with a rag.
"Everything's ready to go, Senator, she told him, wiping her forehead with her still-greasy hand. "My name's Temari, you must be Senator Amidala," she said, offering the Senator her hand. They shook, and she turned to Naruto. "You must be our Jedi Master. Pleased to meet you. What may I call you?"
"Well, last time I saw you it was 'shorty'," Naruto replied, and she looked at him in confusion, before peering closer at him.
"Naruto!" she exclaimed upon recognizing him, wrapping him up in a bone-breaking hug. "I'm so sorry I didn't recognize you, it's just that… well, you look considerably different." She looked him over, and gave him a flirty smile. "Well, I'm afraid 'shorty' won't really work anymore… I guess for now it'll just have to be 'handsome'."
"Just get back to work," Kakashi groaned as Naruto laughed, and Temari disappeared to some other section of the ship. "Since we've come to peace amongst the nations, we've built a large metropolis in the center; we're calling it Republic City. Since I am the Senator, I was assigned a number of assistants. Temari is my flight assistant, Anko volunteered to be my secretary – though based on the result of that position I would suspect she did it because she wanted to… well, that's not important – and a man from the former Cloud Village, Killer Bee, is my bodyguard when I am present at some public event. I told him to remain on Kironia to make it appear as if I haven't left."
"Are things still that hectic?" Naruto asked as Senator Amidala tried to keep up with the list of names. Kakashi merely grunted, before he flipped the hyper drive switch, and they watched the stars turn into the familiar blue-white canopy of hyperspace.
"That's just about everything I can think of right now. That should be enough knowledge to satisfy the Five Kage."
"So let me make sure I have this right," Padmé said, running her fingers absently through her hair. During the trip, she had changed from her formal Senate clothes to a pair of simple tan pants and a red top, before she had let her hair down from its normal fin-like design. "The Five Kage are the leaders of what used to be Five Nations; the Hokage was the leader of the Fire Nation, the Kazekage of the Wind Nation, the Mizukage of the Water Nation, the Raikage of the Lightning Nation, and the Tsuchikage of the Earth Nation. The ranks in these Nations vary, but in general there is Genin, which is Apprentice level, Chunin, which is Journeyman level, Jonin, which is Master level, Black Operations, and then the Kage. I should not make any mention of the previous wars. I should also not mention the rogue ninjas from the various Nations, and otherwise I should just generally try to be polite."
"Yes. Our people are easily offended, and it often results in conflict. Also, if you are challenged, you will not win, so you have to act confident and cocky. If you can do all that, you should be able to get into their good graces."
"You know, your culture is remarkably similar to that of the Mandalorians." Padmé smiled when she was his mouth twitch slightly in amusement, before his expression became grim.
"There is one other thing you must know, Senator," he said, rubbing his arm slightly as if chilled. "In the Fire Nation, there was a clan known as the Yamanaka Clan with a very special ability. You see, they have the ability to actually… how do I explain this? It's very confusing to members outside of the Clan, you see… I suppose I could say they 'walk' within a person's mind. They can unlock secrets and influence a person through mental manipulation in a way that even the Jedi can't accomplish." Fear appeared on Padmé's face, and he wondered at it for a moment. "I want you to promise me something, Senator. If I tell you to leave the Council Chambers, you must do so. If I tell you to run and leave me behind because of a threat, you must do so. My world is far more dangerous than you could ever imagine, and in order for me to keep you safe, you must trust me to make the calls that are in your best interest."
"I promise," Padmé said, her voice quiet and contemplative. Naruto nodded, before he rose silently, walking to the cockpit. Kakashi sat silently behind the wheel, holding an old photograph of his team. Temari sat in the co-pilot's seat next to him, looking away so as not to embarrass him. As Naruto walked up next to his sensei, he noticed a few fresh teardrops dotting the water-stained picture, and he also looked away, giving his sensei a moment's privacy. The man noticed his student standing beside him, and coughed loudly as he discreetly tucked the photo into a shirt pocket.
"We're here."
As the Freighter touched down and Naruto exited the ship with both Senators, he gazed in awe at Republic city. Though night had fallen, speeders, ships, and dozens of other vehicles soared here and there on airways and ground roads, while hundreds of people of different races and planets mingled in the streets. Towers and buildings soared overhead until they appeared as if they would pierce the sky itself, while still maintaining the flowing curves and graceful arches of Kironian architecture. (AN: Blend of Japanese and Chinese architecture) They met with a tall, ebony-skinned man dressed in a black suit who identified himself as Killer Bee, greeting them with some strange rap. As he finished, Kakashi led them to some 74-Z speeder bikes he had had prepared.
As they rode to the Council building, the tallest in Republic city, Naruto remained completely silent. So much has changed, he mused to himself and to Kurama. I have longed to return and see my homeland again, and yet now that I have I feel… disappointed. Is that wrong, Kurama?
First you must remember that this city, while a gem of the new Kironia, is not Konoha. Given the fact that the entire planet engaged in a civil war to overthrow the Daimyos, Konoha may not even exist anymore. I understand your longing Naruto, but in this you must accept the fact that you are no longer the man you once were. Your life in the Order, your love for Ahsoka, and your travel experiences have shown you that you knew so little, and you thirst for knowledge and experience. Remember yesterday, rejoice in today, and prepare for tomorrow.
You speak in more and more riddles, Kurama. I really think that one of these days I'm going to have to introduce you to Master Yoda.
Yes, I can see it now; you introducing the greatest Jedi in the galaxy to the little voice inside your head before you are whisked away to an asylum.
Naruto chuckled quietly for a few minutes, before they reached the Senate building. Once there, Kakashi showed them to their rooms, quietly telling them that they would meet with the Council the next morning. "Make sure you remain quiet; there are many people who live and work in this building, and I would like to show them the proper respect by not waking them up."
Once he was situated, Naruto pulled out his long-range communicator, and quickly checked in with the Council. "I have arrived on Kironia with Senator Hatake and Senator Amidala. It is midnight here, so we will rest and meet with the Council in the morning. Is there anything you need me to do?"
"Actually, Master Uzumaki, there is," Master Windu said. "We are about to promote Gaara and Ahsoka, and we would like you to attend the ceremony, even if it is in holographic form." Naruto quickly agreed, before changing into the required Ceremonial robes. On the image he had of the Council chambers, he saw the door slide open before Gaara and Ahsoka strode in, wearing their standard clothing.
"You wished to see us, Masters?" Ahsoka asked, bowing to the assemblage.
"This Council, Masters Uzumaki and Kenobi specifically, have recommended the both of you to be promoted to the rank of Jedi Knight. Kneel."
Shock and awe flitted across the faces of both Padawans, but they did so as the rites were performed. Master Yoda himself hobbled forward as the last words were spoken, and with a quick slash of a ceremonial knife, severed Gaara's Padawan braid, the man's red hair flowing about his face like water. Ahsoka's silka beads were gently removed from her headdress, before Master Windu spoke.
"Arise a Knight, and remember always your duty."
Gaara and Ahsoka quickly rose to their feet, and left when they were dismissed. "We have no other order of business you need to attend, Master Uzumaki," Master Windu told him. "You may take your rest now." Naruto nodded his acquiescence, before he signed off.
Two hours later, Naruto awoke to the sound of his comlink beeping. Groaning slightly, he pressed the button, and sat up as Ahsoka came into view from her room. "So how much of that was your doing?" she asked him, a loving smile teasing her lips. Naruto smiled, before rubbing his eyes.
"You look so beautiful I would kiss you forever were I not on the other side of the galaxy." Nervousness flitted across her features, and his smile slowly sank into a frown. "'Soka, what's wrong? Sweetheart, you can tell me anything."
Ahsoka burst into tears then, hugging a pillow to her chest.
"Naruto… I'm pregnant."
…Review.
-Zeratide, out.