Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Capcom, SNK, or Guilty Gear or anything associated with them. I do however own the Original characters, the story and certain moves that will appear. Thank you.
Episode 6: Alt's test and magic training! Pt 1
It wasn't long 'til the four teens reached Ichiraku ramen. When they arrived, they were greeted with the sight of Alt and his team, Karin, Kiba with Akamaru and Shino. Kiba was first to recognize their arrival.
"Damn, you guys are fucked up. Your test must've been hell, guess everyone can't be as talented as my team though." Kiba stated with a tauntingly laugh before being elbowed by both Shino and Karin, causing him wince in pain.
"Have some respect Kiba-san. You making us look bad with your barking." Karin stated a bit embarrassed at her teammate. Kiba just grinned as he threw an arm around both.
"Oh come on Karin, we're like family now. We fought a deadly ninja..."
"Genjutsu." Shino interrupted Kiba.
"Survived an ambush..."
"Also Genjutsu." Shino interrupted yet again causing Kiba to growl.
"And eliminated an threat from completing our mission."
Kiba waited for Shino to let again interrupt him, Shino looked at his fellow ninja through his sunglasses, hiding his expression.
"Anything to add Shino?"
"No, you are accurate in your tale, At least at this point. Anybody who stays in my way of my goals, is an enemy" The bug user stated seriously, the looks he got from the rest was that of shock.
"What is it?" Shino asked a bit angry.
"Shino as long as we knew each other, that was the most me, Hinata or anybody ever heard escaped your mouth at one time." Kiba stated in shock, resulting in Shino to glare at him through his shades, and a slight buzzing to be heard. Before shino could respond Hinata sat in between the two.
"Kiba-kun, that was rude and uncalled for." Hinata reprimanded the teenager. Kiba just smirked and patted her on top of her head.
"Ah he knows, I'm just playing, right Shi."
Shino turned away and continued to eat his ramen, but the buzzing vanished. Hinata shook her head and took Kiba hand off; only to have shino put his on top, causing her to sigh.
"Karin-san, you have my condolences, with these two...stop it you two, I am not small!" Hinata joked as she protected her head from her two old friends. Their actions did give Naruto a small amount of amusement, evident by the silent chuckle that escaped his lips.
"So how was Kurenai's test? What did she make you guys do?" Sakura asked curiously, when she did, team 8 went slightly pale, as memories of the test launched back in their mind.
"It was difficult, but we did pass." Karin spoke with a slightly scared tone. Sakura smirked slyly as she wrapped her arms around Karin shoulder, causing the boys to arch an eyebrow.
"So, what did you see?" Sakura whispered mischievously close to the Kanzuki heir ear.
"I have no idea what you mean? I saw nothing!"
"Oh yes, you did now..." and before anyone could predict it, Sakura started to nibble on the top of her rivals/friends ear.
"Tell me!"
"Never!...arrggh! Off me!
"First tell me!"
" No now stop sexually harassing me, you crazed lesbian!"
"WHY YOU! I am not a lesbian! I like both sex equally, sexual liberation."
This caused all the teens to look at Sakura in shock, with the exception Of Hinata, who continued eating unfazed and Duke who shrugged it off, with a smirk. He then lifted up the energetic brunette wedding style to her seat.
"That's very hot, but you can't ear rape people." Duke stated calmly as he sat her down.
"Hmmph! I was not ear raping her. That was an interrogation technique!"
"Who in their right mind would do that as an interrogation technique?" Karin challenge from behind alt a bit red (from embarrassment only) on her cheeks.
"Anko Mitarashi."
"...you win..."
Sakura smiled in victory and threw her fist up, when she realized that Kiba, Karin and Shino looked at Sakura bit differently. She placed her hands on her hips and glared.
"Is there something wrong?"
"Sakura-san. I respect you as a friend and rival, so I'll be frank. I am sexually attracted to males only. Please understand that any feelings you may have for me can't be reciprocated." Karin stated gently.
Sakura walked up to her and grabbed her hand and gaze deeply in her eyes. The others watched on in intense shock at the scene.
"Karin-hime. We could have been so good together." Sakura brushed her hand on Karin cheek before pulling her to her feet and wrapping her left arm around her waist. Their bodies were pressing against each other causing their skirts to ride up a bit. Karin looked for assistance from anyone, but was denied as all the boys were watching with wide eyes and bloody noses. Hinata was amused and watched the show with her legs crossed and a drink in her hand. Karin turned around to face Sakura and turned red by the close proximity of her face.
"Karin-koi..."
"H-H-Hai"
"Do you...think I smell sweaty?"
"Very...Now get off before we make them die of blood lost." Karin stated with a smirk, as Sakura laughed before releasing her and fixing her skirt, as did Karin. Hinata laughed and clapped at the two causing them to bow (though Karin was reluctant) before giving each other a high five
"That was...awesome." commented all the teen boys including Shino.
"Yeah yeah, keep it in your pants, ya pervs." Sakura stated with a laugh as she and Karin returned to their seats, and Sakura started, talking with Duke again.
Kiba glared at Duke and Sakura speaking, with her laughing with him. He felt a little flick on his head, and turned to see Hinata with a sad smile. He smirked and rubbed her head again to let her know he was ok. It was common knowledge the he had a crush on Sakura, but she didn't feel that way at all. The only male she felt that way for was Duke, and as bright as he was when it came to these sorts of things, he couldn't tell this fact.
"Ok. That was fun and sexy and full of things wet dreams and icha icha is made of, but can you please tell us about the test." Naruto asked anxiously. Karin looked at Alt and shook her head rapidly.
"Fine. I'll tell ya." Alt stated before he took a breath and told his story, while Karin joined Duke and Sakura conversation to avoid hearing it.
*flashback*
Team 8 waited at training field 37 for their sensei, Kurenai Yuuhi. Alt was lying down next to an oak tree with his eyes close. He was listening to the sounds around him, from the chirping of the birds, the blowing of the wind, the buzzing of shino bugs, the barking of Akamaru, and the sound of Karin palms at attacking the oak he was laying on. His eyes opening slightly as he felt a presence nearby.
"Seem like sensei here guys." alt announced as he stood up, wiping the dirt of his black khaki pants.
"He's right. She's a few meters away and approaching fast." Kiba confirmed as he sniffed the air, catching their sensei's scent. It was only a few seconds before a tall, elegantly beautiful woman, with long flowing black hair and exotic red eyes appeared. She was wearing a white tunic like dress with a red turtleneck tank top underneath; she also had some wrappings on her thighs. This woman was konoha Genjutsu mistress, Kurenai Yuuhi.
Kurenai was impressed at her team so far. The way they were standing at attention instead of taking it easily threw her off.
"So it would seem that you four are prepared, for your test, I like that, but before that, I should tell you a bit more about what is expected from you guys as a team."
Kurenai's statement caused the entire group to focus.
"Along with the basic assault and protection missions, we will also be a team that specializes in information gathering, and you all have aspects to create a great one. Kiba your sense of smell is perfect for identifying our targets what or whoever they might be. Shino your bugs gives you insight and info without the fear of being detected.
Karin, it has come to my attention that you have a near photographic memory and you are skilled at puzzles, specifically those that require decoding. That at times becomes essential in our line of work."
Kurenai then turned her attention to Alt, who gulped at her gaze.
"And finally we have Alt. From what I witnessed in your records, with your abilities, you have the potential to become a one man spy network, through your way of tracking a target through a 'magic trail' is a plus. Also you also have experience at subduing and interrogation, which will be useful as well."
Alt nodded at the end of Kurenai speech, there was more to what she said, but he was grateful she left it out, and didn't get to deep into his abilities. That still didn't ease the stare he felt from his male teammates.
"What about the test Kurenai-sensei? What do we have to do?" Karin asked easing the building tension. Kurenai pulled out four small scrolls and passed one to each of them.
"Well it's simple, just get these scrolls to the Hokage before 2 pm. Now mind you, each of you must present your own scroll to the Hokage, which means all of you must make it. Good luck...and try to keep your sanity in tack." With a devilish smirk Kurenai fazed away leaving her testees to themselves.
"What do you think she meant by that?" A concern Karin asked, a bit unnerved. Kiba smirked before placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Ah she's just trying to scare us Karin. Don't take it so serious. Let's go and pass this test, it'll be easy, right Akamaru!" The young pup barked in agreement with his over confident master.
"Right." Karin stated unconvinced as she removed his hand from her shoulder.
"I still think we should move with caution." Karin stated truthfully, her voice leaving no room for argument.
"Agreed. Could I suggest we move in delta formation?" Shino spoke in a cool quiet voice.
The other three nodded in agreement, before each took their place. Kiba was the at point, while Shino took the rear, Karin and Alt took the east and west respectively.
The four genin took off in the humid almost jungle like forest that was training field 37. They leapt from tree to tree as if they were weightless, almost as if they were flying.
'Something is wrong. We should have been at the exit by now. Did we underestimate the distance, or go the wrong way...No, I'm sure we are going in the right way.' Alt thought to himself, a mixture of curiosity and concern on his face.
"Alt-san. You too think something is wrong, right?" Karin voice spoke lowly beside him. He nodded before stopping on a branch, halting team 8 movement.
"What the hell? Why are you guys stopping?" Kiba impatient voice asked. Alt looked at the dog user with a glare of irritation before answering.
"Haven't you realized Kiba, we are not getting any closer to the exit."
"What? According to my nose we should be there soon. Come on, it's close." With that Kiba with Akamaru, took off ahead in haste.
"Damn it. Why is he so impatient? No different from Naruto and Sakura." Alt complained before trying to catch up with Kiba. Shino and Karin followed behind Alt. It wasn't long before they caught up to their teammates who were looking down at the ground, wide eyed. Below was an eye height gray mist covering the floor.
"What happened? Karin asked the two boys. Kiba pointed down to the fog, before answering.
"Kurenai was fighting...struggling against...something down there."
"Something?"
"Yes something."
Just then they heard the sound of flesh being torn and ripped. Alt leaped into the fog desperate to find out what was going on. The others followed his example, momentarily subduing their fears. When they enter the fog there, vision was blocked none was able to see the other.
All four landed, upon the ground roughly, looking for any sign of life.
"Abarame, Inuzuka, Alt-san. Can you guys hear me? Where are you guys?" Karin yelled as she walked through the mist. She soon heard the sounds of battle nearby. The blonde rushed to the scene as fast as she could and soon stopped at the scene. Her eyes widen and her knees gave way, as the scene burned in her mind.
A bloodied and battle scared Kurenai, standing over the corpses of Shino, Kiba and Akamaru. A sick smile on her face as she turned to Karin.
"Kurenai-sensei?" The blond whimpered her question, as the red eyed woman spoke in a voice not of her own.
"Kurenai? Is that this woman name? Yes...As memories served she did go by that name...and you are the fourth of her genin. Karin, is it?" The voice was cold and dualized between a man and female. It sent chills down the spine of the kanizaki heir, until this 'Kurenai' words reached her.
"The fourth...? If I am the fourth that means you met with Alt, but since he's not here, that mean he is still alive." Hope began to fill in the teenage blond, at the thought of one of her comrades being alive.
"Hmm, don't get your hopes up. He probably alive physically, but his mental state is not. He probably end up killing himself in a blind fear." The possessed Kurenai laughed an inhuman laugh, before walking towards Karin, killing intent slowly dripping of her with every step.
Karin stood her ground suppressing her fear and turning it to rage.
"Lies. It is all lies! I know it is. Someone like you couldn't possibly defeat my team! KAI!" Karin summoned most of her chakra before creating the release hand sign, causing the corpse of her teammates to vanish and the mist to clear a bit. Even the Kurenai disguise disintegrated in its place stood a something that seemed to be a shadow in the form of a ninja.
It lacked a headband, dressed in black from head to toe, the only thing that wasn't was hit glowing gold eyes.
"So you saw through it, impressive, but..." The evil being vanished and appeared behind Karin.
"You're still a goner!"
Karin quickly turned around only to come face to tongue with the creature mouth. Before she could even think the creature bit her cheek and appeared to rip half of her face off.
The young blond screamed in pain as she fell to the floor holding her face.
"MY FACE! YOU DAMN BASTARD! I'M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU!" Karin roared as she remained crouched down covering her face with her hands.
"I'd like to see you try." The being said in a dualized voice of its own and hers.
She looked through her eyes, with shock seeing that. Instead of her enemy, she saw her self...with gold eyes. She reached out towards the doppelganger.
"Give it back...Give me back my face."
"It looks better on me though."
"Give me my face...I need it...I can't face the world, my team, family, or friends without it! I need it. I won't be able to face HER, HIM or their team. SO GIVE ME BACK MY FACE!"
With that she charged at the doppelganger, her eyes promising death. She shot her right arm out in a stabbing motion, ready to plunge into its chest. She was surprised when the dopple grabbed her and flipped her over on to her back elegantly. She soon felt a strong heel to her stomach knocking the wind out of her body.
"Give...it...back."
"What, your face? You still have it...you'd be dead if you only had half a face. Let me show you!" With that the dopple dragged Karin to a nearby puddle to give her a look of her reflection. Karin did indeed have her face...but it wasn't the face she used to seeing.
"This is not my FACE! MY FACE IS NOT THIS WEAK! THIS FULL OF FEAR!" Karin yelled at her reflection.
"Pathetic. This is your true face, a face of fear and weakness. A face of one who haven't killed nor seen death. A face of a girl not a shinobi. You thought you could become strong by wearing a face of an ice queen, answering strictly to people question and asking questions just as strict. You don't show it but you're envious of Sakura and her friends. The fact that they have willed themselves to whatever is needed, you are angered at the fact that your rival was stronger then she let on, and you left with shame boiling in you, the shame of knowing that your rivalry was nothing more a game to her." The dopple began to laugh, only to feel a power strike to its chest. It looked at Karin who had two kunai in her hand, which were inserted deeply into the dopple breast. Karin looks toward her dopple behind the bangs of hair as she spoke.
"I don't know what this exam supposed teach me, but allow me to set straight some of your accusations. My lack of experience do not equal to me being weak. I admit though my hand aren't bloodied and I am not in a rush to get blood on them, but that do not means I will not hesitate to kill. I long since decided that I would do whatever I could to preserve life of my team and clients, the success of my mission and my honor as a shinobi, the same as THEM!"
Before she continued twisted the kunai hard, and stood up facing the doppelganger agonizing and blood mouthed face.
"Another thing, my rivalry with Kasugano, is between me and her. No one else has any say when it comes to it. Besides if she didn't take it as she did rather it's serious or not, I wouldn't try as hard as I do. Now get that
weak, fear-filled face out of mine."
With that she pulled the Kunai out of her dopple. It toppled to its knees and looked up at Karin. It gave her an impressed smile, and with it last breath spoke.
"Nice face Kunoichi." The dopple exploded causing the fog in the area to dissipate; with the fog gone she could clearly see the exit of the forest. She sprinted her way out but instead of going straight toward the village she sat and begin waiting for her boys.
*15 minutes back*
Kiba and Akamaru was engaged with in a battle with a Kiba doppelganger, except the dopple was less beastly in appearance than Kiba but more calm and deadly than the original.
Kiba tried to attack again with a hook to his dopple side, only to have his dopple dodge the punch and have him send a snap kick to his chin, lifting him up of the ground, and causing his gums too bleed. The dopple followed this with an over head punch to Kiba face, slamming back towards the ground.
"Gotta do better pup. You'll never beat me like that." The dopple stated as he step back from Kiba.
"Shut up, you copycat!" Kiba barked as he got up to his feet. Akamaru growled and barked from the sideline. Kiba spit a bit of crimson iron before answering.
"Akamaru, I got this. I don't need help with this."
"The last few exchanges say different, but if you're so confident bring it, kitty."
Kiba growled, before taking a solider pill out and eating it. He the surge of chakra racing through his body caused him to growl lowly and deadly before creating the dog seal.
"Beast mimicry jutsu!" Kiba howled as his jutsu took effect. His eyes became slit like, his nails and canines elongated by a few inches and his stance was that of an animal waiting to strike. His dopple smirked at the wolf boy.
"What you waiting for, an open invite." The taunted as he waved Kiba to bring it. Kiba was happy to oblige, and race towards his dopple on all fours. The dopple came down on Kiba with an over head claw, luckily Kiba dodged strike and maneuvered behind his dopple and delivered a powerful shoulder tackle to the dopples back, pushing him on the ground towards a nearby oak tree. He sprinted towards the fallen dopple in hope of getting a few clean swipes. He pounced ready to attack, and was denied by a smoke pellet to his face.
Kiba felled to the ground coughing, choking on the purple gas.
"So confident, and bull headed. You know if you just took time and took your pup assistance you wouldn't be like this." The dopple taunted, before he kicked Kiba in his skull causing him to roll a few feet away. Before he could move toward Kiba, Akamaru stood in his way guarding Kiba, as the boy stumbled to his feet.
"Well kitten, this has been boring...Someone like you isn't really capable of being a shinobi. You got a glaring weakness, two actually, that will probably kill you and your team. Would you like to know what it is?" The dopple teased as he heard the wolf boy growled.
"That's it, I'm shutting you up. Permanently...Akamaru!" The young pup barked in response before leaping on the crouching Kiba back. Kiba made the ram sign before announcing his jutsu.
"Man-beast clone jutsu!" The Wolf boy howled, simultaneously with the pup barking. A surge of chakra overwhelmed the puppy before a fog engulfed the duo. When it disappeared in Akamaru place was another Kiba.
Akamaru leaped off of Kiba and charged at the dopple, with Kiba following. The dopple crouched down to all fours, similar to how Kiba was, and prepared for their attack.
Akamaru struck first with a downward slash towards the dopples face, which was blocked by the wrist of the dopple. Akamaru tried to follow it up with another slash, this time upwards towards the right jugular, but this too was blocked.
Akamaru struggled a bit with the Dopple, trying to get his claws into him, before smirking and leaping back a bit, surprising the dopple. In that instant, the dopple felt a crushing blow to its face as Kiba connoted with a dropkick.
The force and power of the impact threw the dopple a few yards away and placed him on his back, with a broken bloody nose and busted mouth.
The duo was going to give him no ground at all, and charged forward side by side. As the dopple climbed to its feet, it was slashed on its right side deeply by Kiba and upon its face by Akamaru. The dopple didn't even have time to grunt before two knees embedded themselves in its stomach. The dopple felt to its knees coughing up blood. Kiba stood behind his dopple and lifted its head up and placed his claws near its throat.
"Now what was that about a weakness...You copycat." Kiba growled.
"Oh don't act...so tough...kitten...you only pulled it off cause you stopped being cocky...Now if...you can only control that anger of yours. You'd be good money...who knows you might get...a certain brunette to look your way...Doubtful though. Heh heh heh." The dopple taunted before biting it's tongue off and fading away, the surrounding mist faded with the dopple giving Kiba a clear view of the exit.
They sprinted through it, and spotted Karin near a tree resting. Akamaru rushed towards and leaped on top of her with a bark. Unfortunately for the now startled Karin, he was still under the effects of the jutsu.
Before she could say or do anything than stare wide eyed, Kiba laughter was heard from behind her. It didn't take long to figure out the Kiba straddling her was Akamaru.
"Ha ha ha...funny. Now can you change him back? I rather not feel like I'm in a scene from that book." The heiress requested in her in a strain voice do to the weight of the henged Akamaru, before being liked by said Akamaru.
Kiba chuckled at the scene before him.
"Seems like Akamaru likes you oujo." The wolf boy joked before releasing the henge on Akamaru. Karin lifted the pup in her arms and sat up.
"You better believe I'm an oujo, and I'm fond of the pup here as well." Karin stated while petting the now resting puppy. Kiba sat down beside her and leaned on the tree.
"So did you fight a doppelganger as well Inuzuka?"
"Started off as Kurenai, and like to talk about our weaknesses. Yeah I had one...Well I hope the others have a better time than I did...we only got an hour and forty five minutes left." Kiba stated seriously as he looked towards the forest, waiting for the next one to exit.
Meanwhile back in the Shino and his doppelganger was about to engage in what could be called a small war.
"Return the scroll to me and I will allow you to leave." Shino stated in his cool no non-sense voice.
"You are so annoying! Why must you be so unfeeling! That's the problem with you Buggy! You have no personality!" the Shino doppelganger howled at the original.
"Is that why you took my scroll? Cause of my personality?"
"NO! CAUSE OF YOUR LACK OF PERSONALITY! YOU CARE ABOUT NOTHING BUT YOUR MISSION, EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE ELSE IS SECONDARY TO YOU! YOU WOULD SACRIFICE YOUR TEAMMATES IF IT WOULD ENSURE YOUR SUCCESS! That is why I've decided to make you fail."
"Foolishness. I wasted time talking to you. I'll take it by force. I won't allow something like you to stop our progression." Shino declared as he walked towards his dopple who walked forward as well, a maniacal smile on its face.
"Our progress? Do you actually for them teammates of yoursss? It didn't seem that way at first." The Dopple said in a slurring taunting voice.
"Your Genjutsu when we first met was weak. You'd never fool my kikai bugs with it."
"So Genjutsu won't work against you..."
The dopple and Shino stood face to face in silence; the only sound was the buzzing of shino bugs. The dopple suddenly threw a right hook towards Shino's face, but it was blocked by Shino's forearm" The dopple howled before kicking him in the side, causing shino to stumble to the left and fall on to his knees.
"What's wrong Abarame? You won't be a shinobi if you can't take a hit. How do you expect to get your scroll back if you are so weak! You know what? I'm going to terminate you, take your place and the first chance I get, KILL THEM ALL! Don't worry though, I'll be sure to build a good relationship with them before that...Before that though." The dopple rushed towards Shino kunai in hand. As he was about to attack, Shino quickly shot a small swarm of his kikai bugs into the dopple face,
The dopple fought to escape the insects from draining to much chakra. It jumped up into the trees so escape the bugs, but was surprise to see Shino in the air with it, so. It couldn't block Shino's back handed fist to its right temple.
The dopple dropped hard from the mighty fist and landed hard on its side, before climbing to its feet quickly and rolling to the left to dodge Shino's kick. The dopple roared as it swung at Shino with a flurry of fist, but each was parried by the calm shino. The dopple gave one final strong yet sloppy overhead punch. It efforts though turned out to be in vain, as it felt Shino palm connected with its stomach hard, knocking the oxygen out of the dopple body causing it to dropped to its knees. It happened so fast the dopple couldn't register what happened.
Before it could touch the ground though Shino grabbed it by the throat, choking it.
"How?" The dopple choked out.
"You threaten to take my place but you don't have the slightest clue about the way I fight." Shino calm voice added to frustration to the dopple voice.
"How...is it that... your strength...and speed increased? ...My strength and speed ...was supposed to ...be paralleled with yours!"
"I'm sure it was, before my insects started to feast on your chakra."
The dopple eyes widened as it started to feel the insects moving about its skin. He watched as a bit of insects move along it face.
Shino tighten his grip around the jaw of his dopple forcing his mouth open. A swarm of Shino kikai bugs crawled from the young shinobi coat into the mouth of the dopple and wasted no time eating at the dopples inside, for more chakra.
The dopple felled faced down as it tried to scratch and claw at its own throat for release from the pinching and very slight gnawing going on inside its throat. It wasn't too long before the dopple stabbed its own windpipe with a shuriken and dragged across to the left slicing its neck in the process.
Similar to Kiba the dopple faded away with it death causing the surrounding mist to lift allowing shino to exit the area. It wasn't long until he saw Karin and Kiba beckoning him to hurry up.
"Hmm I see I wasn't the first to make it out. Too bad." Shino said a little jokingly.
"Well glad to see you ok as well Shino!" Yelled Kiba as he glared at Shino, who stared back.
"Enough playing around. Abarame-san did you see Altwhile you was in there." Karin asked a bit of concern in her voice.
"No, I couldn't see or hear nothing beyond the fog. I figured it was the same with you two as well?"
The two nodded in response to Shino question. Karin looked towards the forest entrance, determination evident on her face. As she was about to walk Kiba and Shino each grab one her shoulders.
"I'm going to get him. Let me go!" Karin ordered.
"Just be patient ok. I'm sure he'll be here soon. Besides we possibly never find him." Shino stated truthfully and reassuring, Karin sighed but nodded in agreement before sitting back on the ground, her legs crossed as she waited with her two cohorts.
While Shino was finishing his battle, Alt was glaring up at the trees at his sensei.
"Did I hear you right? You want me to give a drop of my blood and spread it on t that doll you have there." His voice was filled with concern and a bit of anger.
"How did you get your hands on it anyway? Do you have any idea what that object can do?" he continued to question her, his glare never breaking. Kurenai sighed as she continued to hold the black straw doll in her left hand.
"I know what this object is and I assure you it's not the one you once encountered. It's much more tamed and subservient then what you are thinking of. As to how I got this shadow doll, the Hokage gave it to me. He believed that an magic based item would work better to scale your abilities, than the Genjutsu and Ninjutsu I used on your teammates."
Alt growled a bit at her explanation, but complied with her wish. With a swift movement he took out kunai and punctured his left thumb, middle, and pinky. He then motioned Kurenai to toss the doll towards him, who complied with out much hesitation. Alt swiped his bloody fingers on the doll face as it flew by him. The doll began to vibrate and levitate as the blood from Alt was absorbed inside the magic based item. A dark foam like substance soon burst from every opening the doll had. It spread all around the doll in a human like appearance. The foam soon hardened and shattered. In its place, giving off a dark steam with a slight smell of brimstone was a shadow alternative to Alt.
Shadow Alt was appeared no different from the actual article with the exception of a darker shade of skin bordering a near black compared to Alt Carmel skin. Their clothes were similar too. A black long sleeve v-neck under a white vest. Forest green khaki's loosely fitting, with a belt brandishing the konoha symbol as it buckle and the standard ninja shoes.
Alt looked at the shadow and took a fighting stance. His right knee was bent slightly behind him and his right fist was parallel with his throat, while his while his left leg was straight ahead of him and his left hand was open at chest length.
Shadow didn't take a stance; instead it looked up at Kurenai for conformation. When she nodded, shadow smiled sadistically before leaping towards Alt.
Alt duck a deadly roundhouse kick, and responded with an uppercut, that caused Shadow to stumble back. Alt didn't hesitate to attack the stumbling Shadow, as he rammed his knee into its abdominal thrice before giving it a chakra enhanced high kick launching Shadow a few yards up. Shadow coughed up some brimstone as it flew up. Shadow righted itself and looked down to see Alt bounding off a nearby maple and heading up toward Shadow at a high speed.
What happened next would shock Kurenai, The sleeves of Shadow shirt started to vibrate and bubble, before shooting forward towards Alt. As they flew, they began to change shape and texture. The cotton sleeves became steel drills and they was heading towards Alt.
"Don't fuck with me!"Alt yelled as his own cloths acted in a similar fashion than shadows. His sleeves crepted up and engulfed both his arms completely before changing in to hard steel similar to Shadow's. Alt used his arms to shield himself from the drills as he flew toward Shadow. He pushed his way through the drills and delivered a mighty Axe hammer to Shadow, sending it crashing down to the turf below. The force in which Shadow crashed caused a large dust cloud to develop. Alt landed near the cloud and waited for the Shadow to attack.
He was caught off guard though when he felt a hard fist connect with his jaw, sending skidding back a few yards. Alt couldn't even think before feeling what seem like a foot connect with his chest, followed by a knee to the face tossing him on his back. Alt flipped back upon his feet and spit out a bit of blood to his side.
"Ok, I see you wanna cloak yourself. Not a problem." With a determined grin, Alt slammed his left palm on to the ground. Almost instantaneously his left arm went under a new transformation, taking the appearance of a pulsating tree trunk with five roots imbedded into the ground. His shirt collar seemed to come alive as it unraveled at the sides and began to shape a visor over his eyes.
"Search pulse." Alt spoke lowly as he sent a small shock wave of magic around the surrounding area. In Kurenai eyes it seems as if nothing happened, but in Alt
Current sight the world was lively and full of magic based information. he saw the green and brownish magic based aura of the earth and plant life, the white and blue aura of the sky and lake, the deep purple aura of his sensei giving him the impression she has some knowledge of ailment causing magic.
Alt then felt something from his right, and turned to see shadow as a deep smoke like aura coming toward him, the aura of a magic based golem. Shadow practically flew towards Alt, his hands now that of two hammers the size of the human head. Just as he was about to bring the hammers down on the young man, Alt reacted quickly as his right arm quickly morphed to saw, simultaneously with Alt's upward swing, effectively sawing Shadow Alt in half. The Shadow fell to each side before oozing away into its doll like form.
Alt took a deep breath as his clothes returned to normal. He heard some clapping behind him and saw Kurenai with an impressed look on her face.
"That was truly impressive Alt, I think I understand why you were approached by lord Homage." the Jounin admitted.
"We'll that's good and all but I am still on a time limit, can we talk about this after I pass." suggested the young nin, before running off to the forest exit. Kurenai couldn't help the smile on her face as she watches him leave before using Shunshin to exit the forest herself.
*end flashback*
"After that we rushed to the Hokage office and delivered the message, luckily we made it on time and now we are an official team and before you ask the message was team Kurenai mission ready." Alt explained to Naruto's team. Surprisingly his own team had a slightly greater look of amazement.
"You didn't tell us all that alt-san." Spoke the Kanzuki heiress, glaring at the young man slightly, her left eyebrow arched. Alt just shrugged in embarrassment.
" We was short on time. No real time to speak when you on a time limit." Alt reasoned as he smirked at her, Karin just sighed before turning her attention towards Naruto with a look of expectancy.
"Well, how was your training exercise? From your current appearance it seem as if you might have lost...If you four was smiling as brightly as you are." the blond heiress stated with an eyebrow raised. Naruto, Duke and Hinata; who came and sat on Naruto lap during the middle of alt story despite the blush on her face; retold the tale of their test from their perspective. Team 8 had a good laugh when the prank on Kakashi came up. All of team 8 was impressed with the 4 hand style practitioner s story.
The afternoon slowly turned to evening and the 8 genin left the ramen stand. Kiba and Shino went towards their homes, as did Karin with Alt in toll leaving the other 4 genin to themselves.
"So Duke how are you going to teach Haruno and Uchiha to use magic, similar to the way you do?" Sakura asked the resident gear.
Duke didn't say anything first, and adopted a look of deep thought. A small smirk graced his face before answering.
"Tomes. Which means I'll need to take a bit of a trip tonight." the young gear spoke mischievously.
"Should we bring ours on that day?" Hinata asked.
"It would be best. Duke will need someone to show how to use the tomes; since he won't be able to use the tomes himself." Naruto responded.
"Ah that's true; you know I always thought that was strange. For someone unable to utilize tomes; you have mastered magic to an unimagined skill." The heiress of the Hyugga clan spoke with inquiry in her sweet voice.
Duke sighed inwardly as it became evident that Hinata was still in the dark about him and more than likely Naruto.
"It's nothing to think about Hina. Anyway, I will need to speak to old man Hizuren, so I am going to leave you guys. Naru make sure these fine ladies get home safe." Duke teased as he made a left towards the Hokage tower.
"Hold up. I 'm coming as well." Announced Sakura before waving her farewell to Hinata and Naruto. With that she joined Duke, who was tapping his foot in impatience, with a cocky smirk and sly smile towards each other, the duo headed towards the Hokage tower, racing via rooftops.
"They're crazy," Naruto stated as he shook his head, before walking ahead. Hinata walked beside him with a smirk.
"I think it's sweet how they carry on with each other, don't you Naru-kun?" The Hyugga heir asked with a giggle.
"Cavity inducing." The fox boy smirked as the heiress stuck her tongue out at him.
"You better stop that before I take it."Naruto flexed both his index and thumb as he said this.
"You don't have the cojones." Hinata playfully challenged.
Naruto eyes brow roused and a small smile appeared before he tried to latch the heiress tongue, but missed as she put her tongue back into her mouth with a victorious smile, before sticking it back out. They went through a few more rounds of this before Naruto raised his hands in defeat, which caused Hinata to perform a little jig not unlike the one after the race before sticking her tongue out again. Naruto, in a moment of foolishness and pride, grabbed her by the shoulders before kissing her deeply.
The world around them seem to stop as Hinata looked at him in wide eye shock but soon started to kiss back before being forcibly removed from lip lock by Hiashi, who was watching their interactions from his window.
"What the fuck are you doing UZUMAKI NARUTO?" The enraged father yelled at the quite proud and semi-dazed fox boy who quickly realized the hell just happened.
'Already deep in it might as well.' The fox boy took a deep breath before answering.
"Proving to your daughter that I have colons." with the straight face comment towards him, Hiashi growled before trying to jyuken said cojones. He would have got him to if Hinata haven't jyuken his wrist first.
"Bad father bad." Hiashi twitched at his daughter reprimand before turning his head away from the two. Naruto had a smug look before looking at Hinata face, which held a slightly embarrassed look that turned to a sly smile; it went well with her blushing cheeks. She quickly shook the look of her face and tried to hide the euphoric feeling that was enveloping her underneath a stern look.
"Naruto." Her strong voice commanded attention, which he quickly gave to her. She walked up to him and stared directly into his eyes. For some reason Naruto felt both afraid and excited.
"I expect you have a good reason for doing that, other than your pride, so I will be expecting to hear it, not now or anytime soon; but once you truly think and figure it out...For now we'll keep this as both an happy accident and a mistake, till further notice. Okay?" Asked the now fire alarm red heiress.
Naruto, with an face not as red as Hinata, nodded in agreement with a small smirk before bidding farewell to the Hyugga, after apologizing to Hiashi on Hinata orders. When he left Hinata sighed deeply, before doing something she haven't done since the age of nine. She fainted.
While Naruto and Hinata were heading towards the heiress home, Duke and Sakura was already in the Hoagies' tower waiting outside his office on a bench. Sakura had rested her head on Dukes shoulder, her eyes close. Duke on the other was sitting with a small glare, due to the lingering killing intent directed at him from the secretary.
This was common for Duke though, he being born a gear lead to others being less than accepting of his presence. In the village, he was always under a magic based henshin spell to keep his human appearance up. The spell weakens yearly though. This spell also serves as a limiter for the gear, to give off signatures of a human. The spell works most of the time, but there are some who can sense his 'true' self despite his best wishes, and the fact that the spell sometime weakens during and after battle do not help the cause. Unfortunately, the out-spoken, gear hater, was the former.
"If you have something you want to say to me, say it. You are leaking your true intentions all over." The young gear spoke with a smirk as he felt the intent increase.
"Why are you even here, you false existence?"
"That's between Hizuren and me. You should just get back to pretending to do something."
The secretary teeth grinded and her eyes became even colder. She walked toward the teen with a bit of hate and fear in her eyes. Duke didn't mind the hate, but despised the fear. With kunai in hand she stood above the sitting gear shaking in anticipation and freight.
"How dare you! You arrogant beast in human skin. Why don't you go somewhere and get put down like the monster you are."
"Excuse me, but what do you think you are doing to one of this villages ninja?" The trio voices of Sakura, Kakashi and Hizuren stated all looking at the secretary with a glare. Said secretary was scared straight and gulped in fear.
"Are you guys done, cause I want to talk to Hizuren about something, actually Kakashi I want to hear your view on this as well. So shall we walk and talk." Completely ignoring the secretary and her kunai, Duke stood with Sakura by his side and smirked at the village head and his jounin sensei, with a thumb pointed behind him towards the stairwell.
With a small but powerful glare toward his secretary, Hizuren and Kakashi followed the young teens out of the tower.
"Hey, I appreciate the sentiments, but you did not need to do that. After all I'm sure there is a reason for her attitude against me." Stated the young gear, as he turned towards the group while walking backwards.
"Whatever her reason, it isn't acceptable enough for her to threaten you inside my office. Besides I know all about her reason, and while she is one with a pitiful pass, taking her hate of gears on you is not something that I can accept." Hizuren stated truthfully as he looked at the young man in the eye.
Duke sucked his teeth before he stopped walking.
"The majority of mankind hate what they can't understand, can't control or what they fear. After the crusades even though most of the gears was defeated, the threat and fear the gears posed still exist. Even after countless treaties, laws and other stuff to make gears, and the general non-human populace and mankind live in a more tolerable state, fear and hate for gears exist from humans and just about every other species on this planet, but there is also indifference for us and unwanted praise as well so it balances out in a way. Truly though, as a gear, I would just want to be treated equally. "
Hizuren and Kakashi were impressed at the young man. His views on the world was one of experience and intelligence, despite being 14 years of age the gear seemed to be wiser then either gave him credit, and more than likely that wisdom rubbed off on Naruto as well. Sakura, on the other hand looked not impressed but proud at the person beside her, and solidified her need to stay by his side.
"I digress though; I want to request a leave from the village."
The announcement took the 3 humans by surprise, especially Sakura as she instinctually grabbed Duke hand. Duke gave her a small, hidden smile before turning towards the Hokage and Jounin.
"What reason would you want to leave? Is everything ok?" Kakashi asked a bit concerned.
"I am fine, but I need to leave for approximately 15 to 20 hours. It's to gather some tomes for a lesson two days for now." Duke explained easing the three minds.
"Ah so you're going meet with Dai. Can I come with you?" The Auburn haired beauty asked Duke before Hizuren answered.
"No! You are still a genin, beside you just got out of a harsh battle today, so go home and rest up. I assure you, Duke can handle this. I expect you to be back here no later that this time tomorrow, now please see my niece home."
Sakura sighed and both she and Duke nodded, before they left though Duke turned to Kakashi.
"Meet me at the gate in two hours."
Kakashi nodded in agreement before the two teens left, teasing each other as they did.
They arrived at Sakura's house a half hour later.
"So this is me." Sakura stated with a small, slightly shy smile. Duke nodded before a silence fell between the two. Sakura, try as she might, couldn't look the gear in his eyes.
"You wouldn't leave the leaf for good, right?" Sakura asked shyly, a small blush on her face. Duke smiled sadly because while he love the leaf, despite how Naruto and Him was treated, the possibility of him leaving and going to his birth place one day was moderate at worst, due to his obligations.
"Sakura, if the day comes that I have to leave Konoha for good, what would you do?"
"Don't do that. Just answer the question."
Duke sighed before rubbing the back of his head.
"Stubborn woman. I'd go home to my birth place, maybe stop and visit some people I know before hand. Why do you ask such a foolish question?"
Sakura didn't answer at all, and kept looking into his eyes, as if she was trying to see something, something hidden. She saw wisdom and experience, felt power and pride, and was entranced and overwhelmed by them. She looked away suddenly as she truly felt that she'll drown in them.
"I see. Let's forget this question and my silliness ok. I'll see you tomorrow." As Sakura was going to walk into her home, she was stopped by a gentle hand landing on head.
"I don't think so, lady-cherry; you think you can get an answer without giving one?" Duke questioned with a semi-gentle, semi-commanding voice, while squeezing her skull a bit. Sakura took his hand off her head and held it before facing him.
"I'd follow."
Her voice was gentle, and her smile was kind and true. It amazed the young gear, the auburn haired woman standing before him.
"You aren't kidding. You'd actually follow me."
Sakura nodded as she squeezed his hand a bit.
"Yes I am, you left your home to come here, political reasons and something more, I'm sure, so it's fair that someone do it for you.
Duke chuckled as He thought to tease her a bit.
"You should be careful. I might start to think your words have romantic implications."
Sakura gazed him over with a slightly widen look before easing into a slightly flirty stare. She snuggled her cheek into his hand smiling slightly at his blush.
"It isn't unheard of. A human and a gear, but what I speak with is admiration, loyalty, pride and appreciation for you. You been with me, with the leaf, for what seem like forever and I learned a lot from you, and wish to learn about you and experience things with you, stand beside you and help you in your dreams. So like I said before if you were ever to leave the leaf I'll follow, and I'm sure the others feel the same. Not as strongly as I do though." Her smile was bright and lovely as she looked at the flustered young man. He took her hand and removed the hand guard, before giving her a piercing gaze.
"Fine. If that how you feel, I give you my word that I will take you with me when ever I leave the village for a long period of time." With that he gave her knuckles a gentle kiss, causing the girl to smile contently. He looked up with a smile of his own still holding on to her hand.
"I hope you don't regret this down the line. Some of the places I go to are dangerous."
"I can take care of myself, besides I'll be with you. That right there guarantees my life is safe."
"You're amazing woman."
"I'm a "sister" to the once shy now rowdy Hyugga clan heiress, I'm close friends with lazy prodigy, as well as the hated unsung hero of the village, and my best male friend is one of the globally hated and feared gears, whose one of a kind. I am not amazing; I'm blessed to be around amazing people."
"You're selling your self short. Believe me lady cherry, you are an extraordinary person, the future "professor" right. The tomboy hime of Konoha, who can rumble with the toughest boys, win and steal their hearts at the same time. Quite sad that you like girls though…"
"I like both male and female, but I do have my standards for both."
"Oh that's right. Just for curiosity sake... What are your standards for males?"
Sakura eyes widen a bit before she smiled flirtatiously.
"My type of man has to be someone I can admire, brings me pride to be around, someone who can knock me off my feet in amazement physically, mentally, and emotionally. My man has to make me want to better myself and reach my goal. My man has to be one of a kind, and he is someone I can share with my ideal girl."
The last comment threw Duke off but he smirked.
"Is? So you are planning on pursuing someone, anybody I know?"
"Well, you see him a lot more then you think, and he more then likely will be part of the CCA, Clan creation Act in the future. The main thing though is he reminds me of you. So much so you two could be twins, but he's going away for a few days and then he has missions."
Duke analyzed and considered what she told him...and couldn't find a soul who fit the description, and he couldn't get the feeling of jealousy out of his heart either.
"Well I am sure when you tell him, he will be ecstatic about your feelings...but tell me, are you sure there wasn't any romantic implications in your speech earlier."
Sakura gave a small giggle at this before answering.
"Now I never said they didn't have implications...nor did I said they did. I just told you what I was feeling during that time."
"So were you?"
"Does it matter, as you now know I have my eyes on someone else."
"A carbon copy of me!"
"Yes, he could be you, someone I consider to be one of a kind and irreplaceable."
"Then why don't just pursue me instead."
Sakura was shocked at his words and couldn't speak at first.
"Duke-kun. How do you feel about me?"
Duke turned his head away from Sakura.
"Your feelings are deeper than family, stronger than lovers. An unknown feeling. A feeling we both share towards each other. Isn't that correct?"
The young gear nodded.
"And I am not the only one you currently feel or share this feeling with. There is someone at your birthplace you feel the same about and vice versa, correct?"
"Yes. There is." Duke voice was a bit saddened, even though he doesn't know why. Sakura gently leaned into his chest causing him to glance down at her.
"That's ok with me though, it not like we are a couple. We are something that surpasses that of lovers, similar to Naruto and Hinata relationship. It just that we recognize it, and they don't. I digress though. I and you...and you and she...have something special...Hopefully me and she can have the same feelings for each other. Until then we're simply us, and because of that I don't feel like I should pursue a relationship with you."
Duke sighed a bit sadly at that.
" Can you tell me his name at least? Where you met him from?"
" Heh-heh. Ryu Hane-rotoe. He's a young delegate from one of Konoha allies. He staying here for an undetermined time and even took part in our ninja program."
"So made you want to pursue this guy."
"He's you."
"Come on."
"I am not joking...he's you. No matter what happens he's you. That the only reason why I plan on pursuing him but not right now. We both have things we need to figure out along the way, and then there are career as ninjas and then there his feelings for this girl at his home. Right now where just close, just as close as me and you...and you and that other girl. Hey when will I meet her anyway and is she human?"
"When will I meet this Ryu?"
"You already met him. You know him very well. Even better than I, but I am on the outside looking in. "
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what I said. Now answer my question."
"No, she's not. She's a gear, as am I"
"Ah you and Ryu even have the same taste in woman...ah well no wonder...I bet she a beauty too, something unearthly. Yup I totally lost."
With a sigh she turned around so to hide her small smile, as she felt his hand grab her shoulder.
"You know that not true, I mean she is a beauty but you both are, and you both have qualities that I find intriguing..."
"Intriguing? Try again hot shot."
"Interesting."
"No. Science is interesting."
"Enticing."
Sakura faced him with a seductive glance in her eye.
"And? What else?"
"Attractive?"
"Are you asking, where is your conviction?"
"No...You are without doubt attractive."
Sakura giggled at the quick spoken statement.
'For someone so cool and collective it's feels good to see him flustered...even better being the cause. Now I think I'll stop teasing him.'
With that thought, Sakura tippy toed and pulled his face down and placed a gentle kiss upon his forehead right on his mark, causing the gear cheeks to turn mahogany. She pulled back and gave him a look he wasn't use, but he did enjoy how it made him feel.
"Consider that an apology? For teasing you all this time."
Duke eyes widen a bit before he smirked a bit.
"I should have figured you was just teasing...but I know you cherry, some of what you said was honest."
"Of course. I did say something's that were true and some for the purpose of getting you flustered."
"And why did you want that?"
"Easy, human girls always tease the guys they're attracted to. Actually girls in general tease guys they're attracted to."
Duke thought about it for a moment, before he looked at Sakura who was about to close the door of her home behind her. She gave a small wink and wave before locking it. Duke shook his head before smiling...then realize his talk took a hefty amount of time, before leaping from roof to roof to get home and change, never noticing the lovelorn look of Sakura as he left.
Thirty minutes later, Duke, Naruto and Kakashi was heading towards one of the cities in the fire country, the city of Jazo, known for it's active lifestyle and metal and magic based industrialization. The city already has ninja who takes permanent residence there to assist with the crime but also acts as a haven for relaxation. The journey itself is an 8 hour journey of walking and a bus pickup, luckily they opted for the scenic route of leaping tree to tree, trying to cut the time to 5 hours.
"We should get there by 11 tonight. When we do we'll head straight towards Dia's place, get what we need and rest. We'll leave at noon tomorrow." The young gear explained to his cohorts, who nodded.
"How do you even know of this Dia person? I have never met him or heard of him on any off the assignments I've been to Jazo." Kakashi's interest was displayed when he spoke.
"Dia is from Dukes' homeland. We usually got our info on the bounties we were hunting at the time from Dia. You know, current whereabouts and movements and what not. You probably don't know Dia cause you don't dance or didn't come to Jazo red light district. Dia runs a well known night club and hostess bar. Which, Dia uses as a way to fund the spy network Dia runs and other activities." Naruto explained to his sensei.
"Other activities?"
"Dia Sero: the eccentric. Kakashi, that's who we are going to see."
Kakashi eyes widen at the name. He heard of Dia Sero, he was one of the top energy researchers in the world specializing in ki and magic. He had an eccentric personality of looking creating enhancing weapons with the energies, and was the first and maybe only human apprentice to Dr. Paradigm, currently the world foremost expert on magic. Funny thing though, no one actually really saw Dia in person.
"That's quite impressive to know someone so respected on a personal level. Just out of curiosity what does Dia look like?" Kakashi asked.
"You'll see soon enough, now we need to get to Jazo soon we are on a time limit." The resident gear quickly responded, as he led his cohorts through the forest.
* four hours later*
The trio entered the large city around ten-thirty and was amazed at it busy nightlife. The buildings was tall made if brick, metal and concrete, the streets was lit up by street lights, carts and magic based vehicles was parked on the street at the moment let the life of the city was active as if it was midday. Not to say it didn't have its greenery, just not nearly as much as Konoha It was too different compared to Konoha with it more mainland feel and appearance yet it did have an elemental country essence.
"Jazo city! I swear I love this place." Duke stated as he looked around. "Of course, though I was born in a city." Duke stretched as they walked. "You know Jazo has been recognized as..."
"The lead area in magic research in the fire country? Yes bro we know. Rather it's in the media, or word of mouth, we know." Naruto interrupted, smirking at Dukes flabbergasts face.
"That's enough boys, we're here on an errand. Let's stay professional." Kakashi reprimanded the two, who nodded.
It wasn't long until they got to the red light district, which at this time was the most crowded area in Jazo. Kakashi was quite surprise when the two boys walked along the strip as if they own it, even more so by the waves and greetings Naruto and Duke was getting, so different from the looks of disdain fear, and ignorance he has seen Naruto received in the past. This shock was doubled when he saw a female scout for one of the casino clubs not only hug but kissed both of the boys on the cheek before asking them to stop by, she was a looker as well.
It was soon that they stopped in a five story building with the name 'Sayuka' in pink neon lights on it. The building had posters of girls in tight dresses in alluring poses, as well as people dancing at what could be the inside of the club.
They entered through two red doors that was at least twice the size of Kakashi, walked down a corridor that was lit up by what seemed to be a system of tubes that was place on the ceilings, floors and walls with some kind of illuminative liquid though the light they gave off was dim. At the end of the corridors was two black doors locked.
'Tap- tap- taptaptap...tap' Duke knocked on the in that pattern three times, before it opened, revealing a large dark elevator. As the three was about to go up Kakashi grabbed them by the shoulders.
"Now I know you guys have been here before, but don't you think you should at least put a henge to make yourself appear the appropriate age." Kakashi suggested.
"It's useless. You'll see why soon." the brothers answered quickly as they waved off the question before stepping in the elevator and pressing the 5 button. Kakashi walked in after then and was about to ask why it was useless when the elevator snapped shut and started to move, leaving the elevator pitch black.
"Kaka-sensei you know how gears age right?" Naruto asked as a reddish and greenish power danced around Duke, causing him to be the only source of light in the elevator.
Right before there eyes Duke grew, aged and changed. He aged from a 14 year old teen to a 21 year old man. His height grew from 5'4 to 6'1, as did the mass of his muscles, but they was DEFINED and TONED. His eyes which was a mixed of blue and yellow wad now straight gold and looked draconic in nature his hair was instead of being long was now a short fade cut, making the symbol on his forehead show with out problem. Even his clothes changed to what seem to what seemed to be a two suit with a black jacket buttoned at the center with short sleeves, and the collar popped up and dark gray pants that reached the floor, gloves with marble knuckles that reached mid fore arms and seem to grip him at the end, and a pair of black no lace shoes. Despite the change that he witness, he still appeared human to Kakashi...until he saw what look like magic based outlines of a tail and wings, but only for a moment. Although, that moment rammed it home that Duke was not human.
The elevator stopped and the three was welcomed to a scene that put the posters to shame. The club was huge, the music was fast paced, the floor and ceiling was lit up enough just enough for people to see and many beings...yes beings because some was human , some was gears...and some was humanoid but neither, was dancing, drinking and partying without a care.
"I'm going to find Dia, you guys enjoy yourself. Not too much Naruto or I'll tell a certain hime." Duke stated in a much deeper voice then previously. Naruto shook his head before watching the gear go.
"That how he really looks? He's definitely different, hard to believe he's a teen." Kakashi commented.
"Yup he has been unchanged since the age of 6, which is late for gears With the exception of his hair and muscle of course. Aw, well might as well enjoy myself. If you wanna go to the hostess bar, it's on the fourth floor." Naruto stated as he walked downstairs and onto the dance floor. Kakashi was impressed at how relaxed Naruto was dancing with a girl clearly eighteen years but a bit short, he was taller. He decided that he'll get a drink at the bar and he too headed to the dance floor.
AN: with that, this chapter is done, it wasn't much, and a lot didn't happen...this is after a two year hiatus, which was due to a lot...my Hp dying, working on other projects, doubting my ability to write and losing and regaining inspiration. I just hope that you guys can forgive me...And yes this was very oc centric, but I will fix that next chapter. One more chapter and the intro arc is done. I promise it'll be before long. Thank you.
AN2: Also if you rearrange the name Ryu Hane-rotoe you'll find the secret message Sakura was telling Duke.