Ranger24: Naruto does a bit of eaves dropping this chapter and learns some valuable information.
Chapter 23: An old friend.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Ranger and Naruto walked up to the large wooden door. It had a large brass knocker in the shape of a lions head. Ranger grabbed onto the ring protruding from its jaws and knocked heavily on the door. There was no answer. Ranger knocked again a little louder this time. Still nothing happened. Naruto shifted uncomfortably.
Naruto: Maybe it's the wrong house?
Ranger ignored him and knocked again. Exasperated, Naruto turned around. Then he heard hurried foot steps as someone rushed to answer the door. He turned around to see a young woman with long blonde hair and fine clothes staring back at them. Her eyes looked a little red and puffy as though she had been crying but she showed no emotion on her face.
???: Yes what is it?
Ranger: Does David live here?
The woman nodded.
???: Yes he's my fiancé.
Ranger: May we see him?
???: He's busy.
Ranger: It's important.
???: He's busy!
Ranger sighed.
Ranger: Well can you give him a message?
She nodded but was still glaring.
Ranger: Could you tell him a friend from gilead is here?
She looked at them sucpion but she left the door closing it with a snap.
Naruto: That wasn't very polite.
Ranger: Hush. Don't be so rude about people you've only just meet.
Naruto stared at the door. Ranger put his hands in his pockets and started counting.
Ranger: Five… Four… Three…
There came hurried foot steps.
Ranger: Two… One…
The door burst open and a man in his early forties or late thirties stood there panting. He wore a black trench coat, black sunglasses, and had hair that was somewhere between black and silver which is just before white. He stood there gasping then gasped even louder at the sight of Ranger eyebrows raised. He opened and closed his mouth three times. Naruto had a feeling this was David.
David: Ranger?
Ranger grabbed his arm and put his left hand over David's mouth.
Ranger: It's good to see you man but that name isn't safe to use. Do you have somewhere we can talk in private?
He removed his hand.
David: I thought you were dead!
Ranger: I'll tell you about it later but don't start blabbing like Caboose! If you do we'll end up in more trouble than we we're at gilead.
David: Be hard to top that.
Ranger: Do you have a place we can talk in private?
David: Wait a minute.
He rushed back inside. Two minutes later he came out a sword at his side and a long black cloak on over his coat and for some reason a feathered cap. Ranger eyed the finery with a look as though he might laugh. Daivd quickly lead them down the street. Naruto lead the horses behind them.
Naruto (thinking): I might actual learn something about Ranger's past.
They were soon outside the citadel.
David: Mr. Weed, ruler of this city, has declared that all business owners must have their headquarters in his castle. Most of us conduct business elsewhere but we still have to rent rooms there. It's nonsense but we still do it to keep him calm. We should be able to speak freely in my office the walls are very thick.
They by passed a couple of guards and they hitched the horses outside a very large door. They entered into a long corridor light by flaming torches in brackets. David grabbed one and lead them down the hall and through a large wood door.
David's office was covered in book cases, expensive rugs, and at one end a very large desk. In the corner was fireplace which David light with the torch. He then seated himself at his desk while Ranger and Naruto sat back in leather chairs.
David: You, old man, have some explaining to do.
Ranger smirked.
Ranger: Who are you calling old man? Last time I saw you there wasn't any grey in your hair.
David: And you look the same as you did twenty years ago! It's as though time has preserved you as grumpy old guy just to pass wisdom on to the rest of us. Enough of this, get on with the story that's what you were always good at back when we and the others did our job.
Ranger blew a bubble on the gum he was smacking.
Ranger: Do you remember what we were doing in gilead?
David: Of course I do! That sort thing is hard to forget!
Ranger: An understatement but true. After I was separated from the rest of you guys I was exhausted. The soldiers were looking for me so I hid in a warehouse. There was nothing interesting about it but out of curiosity I rummaged around. Fortune smiled on me then for I found what we were looking for.
David's jaw dropped.
Ranger: After that there wasn't time to look for you or the others. So I fled the city and went to…
He glanced at Naruto.
Ranger: Our friends. They put it in a vault until they could find who would receive it. Until I was needed again I went north to hide in carvahall.
David for the first time examined Naruto.
David: I assume you are full filling your duty?
Ranger: Not entirely. Naruto's uncle was brutally killed by the ectoplasmares but the trail has gone cold. We need your help to find them.
David: It's not Ectoplasmare. And I don't know where they live and any one who does won't tell you.
He pulled out the glass vial and tossed it to David.
Ranger: There's seithr oil in there. The dangerous kind. We need to see Teirm's shipping records to track the empires purchase and where it was sent.
David nodded.
David: I see why you came to me. But there's a two snags. You see these bocks they're the records of my business for the past five years, one business! You've gotten your self into a project that could take months! There is another problem. Percy, Weed's administrator of trade, is the only one who sees the full record of the ports shipments. They fear that we may invalidate the results thus cheating the empire of its precious taxes.
Ranger: We'll have to convince him then.
David turned to Naruto.
David: You know I've only heard of three people who have been named after the first rider. You should be very proud.
Ranger glanced at Naruto who was furious about being kept in the dark though surprised that David knew his name sake.
Ranger: Could you check the horses. I don't think I tied Demonwing's knot tight enough.
Naruto (thinking): They're trying to hide something. The moment I'm gone their going to talk about it.
Never the less he got up and left the room. At the hitching post Demonwing hadn't moved at all, the knot was fine. Rather upset he sat down on the door steps of the castle.
Naruto: It's not fair.
Then jumped into the air! Ranger had taught him a spell to enhance his hearing!
Naruto (Thinking): Better hearing isn't quite what I need but I should get the words to work.
He focused on his power and then spoke.
Naruto: Thverr Stenr un atra eka horna!
Nothing happened. Disappointed he sat down. Then he jumped as he heard David's voice!
David: And I've been doing that for almost five years now.
Naruto grinned and sat down.
Ranger: I never expected you to become a merchant, always buried in books.
David: After Gilead I really wasn't into sitting in must old rooms reading scrolls. I wanted to help Johnson as much as I could but I'm not that much of a warrior anymore. My uncle was a merchant so he helped me get started. Once I had a few ships I started smuggling supplies to ba sing se through Surda. I got a couple of other merchants to help. But then all this started.
Ranger: What's been happening?
David: Someone has been targeting our ships.
Ranger: I heard you lost a ship recently.
David: The last one I owned. Every man on board was loyal and brave I doubt I'll ever see any of them again. I know what you're thinking as I have thought about it my self but I can't bare the idea of a traitor with that much power and knowledge.
Ranger: We're in trouble then.
David: They need your help Ranger. You should return to ba sing se.
Ranger snorted.
Ranger: And take Naruto and Cortana there? Please! Imagine how the dwarves would react! Everyone will be trying to influence them especially Kureni! They won't be safe until I at least get them through the agoki.
David: Never the less I feel they need your power and wisdom.
Ranger: Please. I'm just what you said a grumpy old man.
David: Others would say different.
Ranger: Let them I have no need to explain myself to them. Still I think I should send them a message.
David: Where to?
Ranger: I don't know. I have been isolated so long that all my contacts are either dead or probably don't remember me. Could you send a message to whoever receives your shipments?
David: Yeah I've got someone who could go in the morning. But how will they now it's you?
Ranger: Here give him my ring. And tell him that if he looses it I will personally ripe his spine out through his skull and strangle him with it. It was given to me by the queen.
David: Aren't you cheery.
Ranger: So how are the others?
David: Well Tucker's kids now actually speaking English and he's at least seven feet tall and as usual looks like a sangheli.
Ranger: That all?
David: Well no. Umm… you know Yuffie?
Ranger: Yeah of course I do. First time I meet her she wouldn't stop talking! I had to shut her up with magic and she still didn't realize she wasn't making any noise for an hour.
David: Well she got married… To Tucker.
Ranger started coughing. He had most likely choked on his gum. The horses whinnied outside carts crashed into each other, glasses cracked, mirrors broke, babies started crying, and cats collapsed dead.
David: Breathe man breathe!
Ranger: You're kidding.
David: No. I've got the pictures in my study at home.
Ranger: But they hated each other!
David: A lot of things change in the course of fifth teen years.
Ranger: How long?
David: They had their fifth anniversary last month.
Ranger: My god.
David: Tell me about it.
There was a silence.
Ranger: Better go check on Naruto. You can't trust him when he's alone. He has a bad habit of getting into trouble.
David: Are you surprised?
Ranger: Not really.
Naruto canceled the spell as they exited the castle.
Ranger: How was Demonwing?
Naruto: Still tied.
Ranger: Good.
They left the courtyard for the city streets and the two old friends resumed speaking while Naruto turned things over in his head.
Naruto (thinking): Okay Ranger and David did something at gilead fifteen years ago. Then Ranger hid in carvahall. David started sending supplies to someplace called ba sing se. Something about dwarves, who, Ranger said, haven't been seen since the fall of the riders, and a queen when there isn't a queen. And something about two people who once hated each other are now married one of whom has a kid who looks like a sanghelli, weird.
Ranger: So David you're finally getting married and to a lovely young woman. Congratulations.
David sighed.
David: Whether congratulations are in order is currently a matter of debate. Layla isn't to happy.
Ranger frowned.
Ranger: Why? What's she want?
David sighed again.
David: Oh you know, children, a nice house, steady income, her dad not throwing a fit every time he hears about me losing another ship, pleasurable company. Her dads invested heavily in my business and if I keep taking these loses then he might call the wedding off.
Ranger: Damn.
When they were out side David's house he stopped.
David: Umm… Can we go somewhere else to eat? Layla might take it badly if you guys come in unannounced.
Ranger: Sure.
They passed by Chibi's herb shop. Chibi was still writing on her piece of paper and examining the frog.
Chibi: Afternoon, David.
David: Good day to you to.
They arrived at a large tavern. Unlike the broken chair this one was loud, crowded, and clean. A lively tune jingled in the background. Ranger and David swapped stories while waiting for the main course which was a massive turkey! Naruto pigged out on the meat, and of course the wide array of side dishes.
When they were finished Naruto parted ways with them after a warning from David to get inside before dark when the gate was closed.
He made his way out of the city and a little ways from the city just out of sight of the walls and gate then he opened his mind.
Naruto: Cortana.
She poped her head off a cliff looking down on him.
Naruto: How am I supossed to get up there?
Cortana: Well, if you find a clearing I could bring you up.
Naruto eyed the cliff which was covered in easy to reach handholds.
Naruto: I'll climb up.
Cortana: It's too risky.
Naruto: And you worry to much. Let me have some fun for once!
Before she could object Naruto started up. He was determined to not use magic partially for fear of detection and partially because he had a feeling his power wouldn't help him grip it very well plus Ranger had only taught him how to do it with his legs. It felt good to use his own muscles to do something for once. When he was half way up he stopped to catch his breath.
When he had recovered his strength he reached for the next handhold. Problem was he couldn't quite reach it. He tried to step down but his previous foot hold was to far away. Groaning he glanced up at Cortana.
Naruto: I could use a hand.
Cortana: You know if I wasn't here you would be in a very bad situation.
Naruto: I know that!
Cortana: Of course you, besides how could a mere dragon expect to tell a man such as yourself what to do. In fact everyone should marvel in your brilliance of finding the only dead end! Why if you had started in a few feet of either direction the path to the top would have been clear.
Naruto: Alright, I screwed up now please get me down!
Cortana removed here head from the cliffs edge. Silence.
Naruto: Cortana?
There was no response.
Naruto: Cortana! Comeback!
Then as Naruto was beginning to panic Cortana barreled off the edge of the cliff flipping in the air! She swooped down and snatched him by the back of his tattered shirt and brought him up to the top of the cliff.
Cortana: Say it.
Naruto: You were right I was wrong, I'm a moron, blah, blah, blah.
Cortana sent a jet of smoke into his face and he coughed.
Naruto: Okay not funny.
He glanced about the cliff. It had a perfect view of the city, the sea, and the mountains.
Cortana: I wanted a place a little out of the way, with a nice view you know?
Naruto: Nice digs.
Cortana: So is Ranger's friend trustworthy.
Naruto: Yeah, I think so.
He told her all about the events of the day especially about the information he had recovered from eavesdropping on Ranger and David.
Naruto: There are forces at work around us Cortana and I don't like it.
Cortana: Well if they try anything they'll have to go through me before they can even touch you.
Naruto: Yeah you rip 'em up and I blow 'em up.
They chuckled for a minute gazing out over the city.
Cortana: This finding of the Ectoplasmares through writing is a strange type of tracking.
Naruto: Well it's the only thing we've got to go on.
Cortana: Couldn't you use magic to view the records with magic? Save the trouble and cut out the middle man.
Naruto: Namely this Percy fellow. I don't know it sounds difficult. You'd have to combine the words for sight with distance. Or maybe Light and distance. I'll ask Ranger.
Cortana: That would be wise.
Naruto: We could be here a while.
Cortana sighed.
Cortana: And as usual I will wait outside unless you guys get your butts in trouble.
Naruto: That's not the way I'd want it.
Cortana: Hmm…
The sun started to descend.
Naruto: I've got to head back or I'll be locked out. Hunt twommorow and I'll see you in the evening.
Cortana: Come on I'll help you down.
Naruto climbed onto her back and she floated down to the ground. Naruto waved good bye to her and rushed back to Teirm. He arrived just as the portcullis began to lower! He shouted for the guards to wait and made it in just in time.
Guard 2: You cut that a little close.
Naruto: Sorry.
Naruto made his way back to David's house. Chibi was hanging a closed sign on in her shops door window. Naruto wrapped on the door and it was opened by a tall butler with a white mustache. For the sake of the story his name is Alfred
Naruto: Where's Riccard?
Alfred: Yes sir, he and my master are in the study.
He led Naruto up through the house. It was covered in nice artwork, tapestries, vases, and a few pots of flowers. He led Naruto to along room near the back of the house. Inside Ranger and David sat at around an oval writing desk. All around the room were bookshelves piled high with books and scrolls of all types and sizes.
Ranger: Ah Naruto. Your back. How was your walk?
Naruto: Good.
Naruto (thinking): Why doesn't he come out and ask how Cortana is?
Naruto: Guards nearly locked him out.
He sat down on a chair near them.
Naruto: So what's the plan?
Ranger: We're going to talk to Percy tomorrow and see if we can have a look at those records.
Naruto: Well then I probably won't be able to help with this.
Ranger: Why?
Naruto's lowered his head in embarrassment.
Naruto: I can't read.
Ranger fell over in his chair.
Ranger: Hohenhiem never taught you!?
Naruto: He knew how to read?
Ranger groaned.
Ranger: Of course he did. The damn fool. May he rest in peace? Probably considered it and unnecessary luxury.
Ranger pulled his chair back up and sat back down furrowing his brow.
Ranger: This upsets my plans but not irreparably. I'm going to have to teach you to read.
Naruto groaned.
Naruto: Great more pain, agony, and possible permanent scaring.
David: From what? Paper cuts? Besides you'll enjoy reading. Why do you think I have all of these books?
Ranger smirked.
Ranger: Always the scholar?
David: Nah. I'm afraid I have degenerated into a bibliophile.
Naruto: You're a thing baby's suck on?
Ranger: That's a pedophile.
Naruto: Oh. Sorry.
David: It means one who loves books.
Naruto yawned and David sent them off to the guest bed rooms. Before they turned in for the night Naruto tapped Ranger on the shoulder.
Naruto: Can I talk to you?
Ranger: I don't know can you?
Naruto: Ha ha.
Ranger: Come on.
They entered Ranger's room.
Naruto: Cortana and I…
Ranger set his hand over Naruto's mouth. He quickly locked the door, doused all lights but the fire, and shuttered the windows.
Ranger: Make sure you are free of eavesdroppers before you speak of such things.
Naruto: Sorry. Cortana and I had an idea. Is it possible to see something from a distance with magic?
Ranger sighed. He walked over to a pitcher of ice water, poured himself a glass, and downed it in one gulp.
Ranger: What you're talking about is called scrying. It is possible but highly dangerous. And you can only see what you have already seen.
Naruto: Why?
Ranger: It's all about targeting. If you don't know what you're looking for scrying is useless. Also if you are trying to do something like scry a page of a book. It would only work if the book were opened to the page in question. If it were close you would see the page but not the ink.
Naruto: Still sounds like it's useful.
Ranger: Just don't try it until we leave teirm. I'll tell you the words but promise me you won't use them while we are here.
Naruto: I promise.
Ranger: Very well.
He whispered into Naruto's ear.
Ranger: Dramu Kopa.
Naruto: Maybe I could use it to scry Edward. I'm afraid the Ectoplasmares may go after him.
Ranger: That's a possible. If they get frustrated enough they might interrogate him.
Naruto: Well what do I do then?
Ranger: Well Edward is going to have to learn how to defend himself.
Naruto: That's harsh.
Ranger: Hey before Xemnas will kill Edward he will give you the chance to join him. Unfortunately if he ever gets close enough to make that offer it will be to late for you to refuse.
Naruto: Great.
Ranger: You're going to have to decide whether you are willing to die for what you believe in. It's not a decision any one can make before hand. The real courage is in living and suffering for what you believe in.
Then he pushed Naruto out of the room.
Ranger24: And that's the chapter! David I hope you enjoyed your appearance and I anticipate the up coming update to Final Fanfiction 7. Read and review!
P.S Halo 3 is nearly over! Time is running out!