Thanks for the support guys, now I'll try to make chapters a bit longer, or at least do what I am comfortable with, but not too much.

Let's get on with it!

Naruto: The Ancient One

Chapter 1: The Mysterious Adventurer Part 2

Naruto had to admit, in his 10 year's of being in Spira he'd bore witness to incredible feats that humans of this day and age had created or were capable of doing. Having seen all the cities they had built over the year's, a feat that showed him that humans had increased their architecture in design and skill. Every city he visited was so packed and filled with life and uniqueness that diverted each city as being unique all on their own. And in this world, he'd seen all the pain and suffering the denizen's suffered by either the fiends that prowled the world or Sin that roamed Spira.

So it was an instinct of human nature to construct giant cities to protect themselves from a great threat, just as a house was to protect a family from the outside elements, a city was built massively in this world to give people a sense of protection against the tyrant known as , Sin.

But he'd come across a few villages that were not as massive nor advanced in architecture, but what they lacked in for that, they made up for with a simple homey feel to it. Simple villages and towns that made you feel right at home with a warm close-knit community to welcome you to their little village in Spira. In those villages he felt more at peace with himself and was content with the friends he'd made in the village's he had visited in his travels.

Because the bustling cities like Luca or Bevelle made him feel tense, being around so many people made him feel a tad twitchy.

And for good reason too, but that was besides the point.

Currently, Naruto walked alongside Cid as the two walked around the giant industrial city that was Cid's greatest accomplishment.

Home, the sanctuary of the Al Bhed tribe. The first view Naruto got of it when he walked outside of the chambers he was in was of a scorching ray of the sun bearing down on him as his feet stepped upon the sands of Bikanel island. What he saw however, was of a giant structure of mechanical design that topped everything he'd seen in Spira. Surrounding the city was a total of 9 curved tower-like buildings which at the top of each one had a steel pulley that worked alongside one another that pulled up Home from underneath the sands of Bikanel.

Yes, it's as you might imagine. Home, was solely a underground mechanical fortress designed to protect them from all of Bikanel's dangerous fiends and even from the watchful eye's of their enemies in Bevelle. Naruto then turned his attention at the center to which he saw a giant spire structure which became more and more like a upside-down cone shaped roof.

All around Naruto could see a good many number of stalls and vendors of Al Bhed merchants that traveled all over Spira had come back home to sell what they had gained or found in their travels. And just looking at the mechanical metropolis of a city was just a sight to behold all on its own. The city lacked the shine and polish other cities had like Luca or Bevelle, but in his honest opinion it had a uniqueness that made it all on it's own that neither city could match.

''You have a very incredible city here, Cid.'' Naruto admitted causing the man to chuckle with a small grin. He was still wary and cautious of the man who wasn't an Al Bhed walking in his city and taking in the sight of the mechanical marvel with his eyes. Yet, the blonde hadn't shown the slightest bit of hostile intent toward him or his fellow Al Bhed nor any of the prejudice or racial hate for his people like the majority of Spira did. He was just overly nice to him and his people and only attacked because he was insulted by him, and even that wasn't much because Cid felt he deserved it. Not realizing that the blonde may actually know of the Al Bhed tongue and could understand every word he said.

His mistake really...

''Much appreciated kiddo, built this place myself along with the helping hand of a few other Al Bhed tribesman. Thanks to our recent advancement in our machina machinery and our overall technological advancements we were able to build and fortify a true sanctuary for my people. It was a necessity for us since most if not all of Spira despises us for being technologists and our reliance on machina.'' Cid explained making Naruto frown but nod all the same.

The hate for the Al Bhed was a prevalent thing in this land, that much he'd come to quickly understand. He understood the basic's as to why they were hated and quite frankly it pissed him off. The Al Bhed were only trying to advance humanity through technology to make their life's easier and not so harsh. Yet they were ridiculed and hated for being treacherous sacrilegious deviants that went against the teaching's of the major religion in Spira, Yevon. Viewing them as heretics because of their use of Machina, which was a major taboo in the Teaching's of Yevon.

And yet...

'They spite the Al Bhed for their use of machina when those of that blasted religion rely upon the very same thing for their own use and say that, in Yevon's eyes, there is both good machina and bad machina. Typical hypocrisy, every single one of those Yevonite bastards and the Maester's they serve!' beneath the fringes of his blond hair Naruto's azure orbs turned sharp his iris's morphing into slits before reverting back to normal as he grit his teeth in annoyance.

But quickly he quelled that sudden urge of fury as he heard Cid begin to address him, as to not worry his host to his state of being. ''By the way, we'll be meeting up with my daughter at the Ramen stalls. I figure you have much to tell me and I feel as if my daughter, Rikku deserves to know as to why you fell upon her in that desert. Completely at random and of the position I found you two in.'' he said with with a small scowl causing Naruto to blink before giving another sheepish chuckle. Oh yeah! He completely forgot about that!

''Hehehe sure thing, but I don't think you'll believe my story anyways, it's pretty out there.'' he admitted causing Cid to give him a skeptic look before letting out a huff.

''Oh please, I've heard of strange things, your tale can't possibly be that strange.'' he said causing a strange smirk to appear on Naruto's face, but nodded nonetheless.

'Let's see you say that after I tell you how I even arrived in Bikanel, old man.'

Home-Second Level-Trade Sector

Rikku was nervous...

Nay, nervous was far too small a word for the blonde haired, usually energetic Al Bhed 15 year old girl. She was literally pacing back and forth infront of the Ramen stall that her father wanted to meet her at. Her medium-length blond hair swayed back and forth as she bit on her bottom lip in anxiety.

There was a good reason for that too, when she was ever called to meet with her father it was always about something she did or messed up or overlooked. Which always ended up with her being berated by her overly traditional father. Don't be mistaken, she loved her father dearly, but he could be such a, in her wise words, a stuck up ass hole.

But now, she knew it had to be about something big, because when he invited her to eat out, and at this particular Ramen stand she knew she was in either big big big trouble or she was about to have one of those weird talks with him. But she knew, this meeting had to be about that guy.

She stopped when she thought of him, that strange blonde haired guy that literally fell right from the sky and landed in her lap. Rikku admitted when she first saw the guy's face it was quickly cemented into the foremost depths of her mind. His unique traits, appearance and voice stayed with her even as he was roughly hauled away from her by Cid and other Al Bhed.

She hadn't even noticed that she began wrapping one of her long blond braids around her index finger as she thought about him. There was something about him on their first meeting, a strange allure even that drew her in. It made her want to learn more about him, his name, where he came from, what did he like and what did he hate. Plus his strange yet adorable grin made her almost, keyword almost was to speak of how cute he looked when he did that for the first time. He looked almost like a fox in that regard.

At this point Rikku didn't even notice the absent minded smile playing across her supple lips as she stopped her pacing.

'Hm, he was pretty cute...hopefully dad didn't hurt him or anything.'

Speaking of which where was her dad...

''Ah~ Seems you arrived before us!''

And speak of the devil and he shall cometh

Shaking her head Rikku spun around her eyes closed not seeing who exactly was with her father at the moment. A frown marred her features before she opened her eyes which solely landed on her father, making her again miss the extra person that was with her father. Leaning forward she began poking him in the chest.

''You told me to come here at 6:00 sharp and I've been here for 15 minutes since! What were you doing to be so late? And what of that guy, don't tell me you hurt him or so help me dad I'll!'' she continued putting more pressure with each poke causing Cid to wince. Especially when he saw the look on Rikku's face, by god she was just like her mother scary as hell when she wanted to be!

And also completely oblivious of her surroundings...

Because Rikku hadn't even noticed the third person who was watching the scene with a amused grin, his eyes practically glowing in bemusement of the interaction between father and daughter. But deciding to help his new pal Cid he walked up behind Rikku and coughed into his hand to get her attention.

''Ahem, excuse me, but Cid here was just showing me around your home so it would be my fault for us being late.'' he said in a firm yet not so stony tone. But it did the job as Rikku quickly stopped berating her father. Yet she was so caught up in her tirade that she spun around and was about to poke the one speaking.

''So it was y-!''she froze when her finger stopped as it poked into a familiar black cloak, into the left pectoral area to be exact. Rikku suddenly went dead silent before her eyes slowly went down scanning the newest addition that was with her father.

First she saw black boots then on up she saw beige pants with black straps tied around the strangers left leg. Above that was just a full body black tattered hooded cloak that fell all the way to his heels and covered his arms. More and more her eyes went up and the more they grew, wider and wider still as she came to realize who exactly she was poking. Then finally her green swirl-patterned eyes landed upon the amused face of, Uzumaki Naruto who was grinning back down at her with an amused expression.

'Oh...oh...oh my'

Rikku actually had to look up to see his face and she realized the blond was actually really tall. Taller then herself and Cid by a good head and half. It was almost intimidating yet seeing his body cast itself over her, his shadow engulfing hers made her feel...secure...protected even.

But then at that moment's face could have made a cherry turn green with envy with how red she red, her cheeks flushed scarlet before her whole faced resembled a deep shade of scarlet. Embarrassment was all she felt when being under that gaze that seemed to display how much fun he had watching her berate her own father like that, as if she was berating a child.

He chuckled and for that moment Rikku took the opportunity to soak up the blonde's appearance again, once more getting mezmerized by his face, his sun-kissed mess of spiky hair, his whisker-like markings, tanned complexion which boded quite well with his azure blue eyes and gold spiky hair. Speaking of his eyes, Rikku suddenly found herself get lost in them when they stared deep into her's and seemingly without notice she took a step forward missing the raised eyebrow of her father and the blonde.

But she wasn't the only one appraising, Naruto himself was taking the chance to actually soak up the appearance of Cid's daughter, Rikku and the very same girl he nearly crushed when he fell from the sky. It had been a good thing he'd manuvered himself in time so that he took the full impact of the fall and spun her around so she was ontop so she didn't get hurt.

His blue eyes took in Rikku's appearance and what he saw was quite...appealing, no alluring to be honest.

Rikku was a 15 year old girl, but her actual appearance spoke otherwise. There was only a few words that could describe her, but it was her natural beauty that shined through. Unlike other Al Bhed women she had a more combined taste in both earthy and mechanical fashion. Her hair was medium in length and was tied in a blond ponytail and had two blonde braids which ended with two orange feathers at the end. She had a similar tanned complexion as his own and her attire consisted of orange sleeveless tank top with side straps and two long blue ribbons hanging from the back. Around her shapely hips was a orange belt and below that she wore a pair of flared green short-shorts. A pair of goggles hung loosely around her neck. She also wore a pair of boots which also hand two orange feathers on each boot. She also had a large protective arm mitt on her left arm. Around her right thigh she carried from what he could see a leather pouch that must carry all her materials.

Overall, Naruto took in Rikku's flourishing beauty and he had to say...

'Man she's...beautiful...plus she seems to like my favorite color orange, cool ttebayo!' yes that was Naruto's thought as he soaked in Rikku's appearance like a sponge. She was completely beautiful, so much more then the girls he'd known in his early life when things were more simple and less chaotic and filled with strife, death and war.

Rikku noticed his gaze becoming more intense as he looked at her causing her to squirm a bit. His gaze was making her cheeks turn more and more red as the seconds passed by. She was 15 year's old, but she had no experience with boys so this was actually her first time being with one, and one that as looking at her with such a... intense gaze.

It made her feel... good

Incredibly good actually

Cid saw this interaction causing a grin to form before he clapsed Naruto on the back shaking the blonde from his thoughts, at the same time Cid winced as his hand felt like it had just hit a thick wall of pure steel! What the hell was this kid made of?!

''Okay enough the googly eyes you two, you can flirt later.'' he said getting the reaction he wanted. Naruto's eyes widened as his cheeks flushed just a tad while his daughter went wide eyed before her whole face turned blood red.

''Dad!'' she wined, embarrassed, dazed and a bit confused at what just happened. She had been so enraptured with her fellow blonde that she lost all sense of the world around her.

''...bald bastard.'' Naruto cast his gaze aside muttering an insult to the bald Al Bhed leader, but there was no bite in his tone.

Cid just laughed out loud at seeing the two before clasping his hands on both their shoulders before he decided to speak. ''Now now calm down. So, before we get to eating I think a proper introduction is needed between you two since your first meeting was rather... improper.'' he ended with a twitch in his brow. He was still burning at what he saw, those two in that kind of position no matter how the circumstances led up to how they ended up that way in the first place.

Naruto and Rikku stopped before turning their gazed from Cid before looking at one another again and this time Naruto let out a sigh before reaching with his hand. His mouth stretching in a grin as he decided to go break the ice.

''Well he does have a point so I'll start, the name's Uzumaki Naruto, traveling adventurer and part-time author. What's yours?''

Rikku just stared deep into Naruto's eyes before looking down at his hand. Then she shook her head and a grin that was so similar to Naruto's split across her face. Slowly she reached out and grasped Naruto's hand with her smaller one, and for a moment she felt the surge of protective warmth come off the contact with his hand. His much larger hand engulfed hers and she felt the worn feeling in his hands.

Right there from the get-go, Rikku knew these were the hands of a man that busted his ass off every day, wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty unlike many other men she knew. And because of that she smiled even more before she held Naruto's hand longer then needed, enjoying the touch of his hand with her own.

'So...warm'

''Hiya! My name is Rikku! Chemist and Thief extraordinaire and part time salvager, nice to meet you, Naruto!'' she said with a bit of flush in her cheeks which grew as Naruto grinned back at her before they shook hands.

''I wouldn't know it at that time, but that was the day my life was forever tied with Naruto's...and I would never regret a single second of it. He made my dull and boring life a big giant adventure filled with happiness, excitement and... eventually."

"Love."

End

This ends the latest chapter, so tell me what you guys thought about it, I welcome all criticism, but flames and trolls will be ignored.

Am I rushing Naruto and Rikku's relationship? I'm not sure...

Also this goes out to Skelo: As badass as that would be, I cannot divulge what Naruto can and cannot do at this point in time. It's far too early, but...who knows, neh?

Now time for bed, night all.