AN/ Surprise!
Disclaimer: Naruto and co. are the exclusive property of Masashi Kishimoto.
Naruto Wandering Demon
Chapter 9: Enter Edward
With Tazuna in the lead the trio approached the port city, one of the largest human settlements Naruto had ever personally seen and completely surrounded by a fifteen meter high, heavily guarded stone wall. The wall was surprisingly spotless considering the slums residing nearby, though the numerous heavily armored guards stationed all around provided a possible explanation. The guards, a menacing looking bunch that were more akin to mercenaries, were clearly more competent than they appeared. Naruto had counted no less than eight guards atop the wall had taken notice of them, with a few even notching arrows in preparation. When they reached the entrance they were halted by the guards stationed there.
"State your name and business." the order was barked by the brown haired guard on the right, hand resting on the hilt of the sword on his hip. The two teens were immediately on edge but maintained an aura of casual nonchalance. Their older companion stepped forward, his gaze locked with the taller guard.
"Tazuna." was all he said. Judging by the way the guard narrowed his eyes slightly, they figured that was enough. A few more of the guards on the wall readied their bows. "Mark these two boys here as my guests."
"Tazuna the bridge builder," the guard on the left repeated as he wrote on a clipboard, "and two guests, twelve twenty-six." The man lifted his gaze. "Keep in mind, Tazuna, that if your guests cause any sort of trouble you will be punished alongside them for bringing them into our city."
Tazuna responded with a stiff nod. The tension between the guards and Tazuna was almost palpable but even still, a few seconds later, "Enjoy your time in Higashikō," and they continued into the city.
The city itself was truly impressive, a huge contrast from the area just outside the walls. The large buildings were clearly well built with several towering high above the rest while the crowded streets were well maintained, several workers constantly cleaning. Many of the people walked about in fine clothing and the rest were more than presentable. The two teens couldn't help but marvel, not at the city but at how these people could possibly go about their lives so casually, either unaware or uncaring of the state of those not even one hundred meters past their walls.
Once they had proceeded far enough into the crowds and away from the guards, Naruto turned to Tazuna, his eyebrow raised. "What was that about?"
"Since I'm working on the bridge Gato's thugs are always waiting for the chance to take me out." Tazuna explained, shaking his head. "And since it's been almost two years since I've been here I guess they were just itching to do so."
"Then why didn't they?" Kiba questioned, confused. "Try, I mean? The way you described Gato, I figured he would've sent a group of brutes to attack your house the day we arrived." His entire team thought that. Shino was constantly on alert with his bugs because they were expecting some sort of confrontation at any moment.
Tazuna smirked wanly at the teen's words. "Yes, two years ago he would have done just that but ever since more companies have begun setting up on this island and more respectable people have been coming, he has had to clean up his image slightly. He can't afford to just go around ordering his thugs to attack people left and right anymore. No, that would be bad for business, not to mention it would draw attention from his rival companies as to why he had a simple bridge builder killed."
"I don't get it, why would that matter?" Naruto asked, slightly distracted by a nice silver necklace on display at a merchant stand they were passing by. 'I wonder if Sakura-chan might like that?' he wondered, almost missing Tazuna's answer to his question.
"Think about it. If any of his rivals knew he was so worried about me completing one bridge, they'd consider building bridges themselves. And he can't just go around killing a rival's employees or they'll stop doing business with him." the older man explained, stopping at a corner to look at their destination. "At the end of the day, Gato is a shipping tycoon and he knows that my lone bridge won't affect his business too much but if multiple bridges were built they'd cripple his business. As it stands he's probably spun some story about how the bridge has been delayed all this time due to costs or something." as he finished they walked onto the docking area, where Tazuna's assistant was supposed to be waiting.
An abnormal number of foreign people populated the dock, most being workers with the occasional civilian purchasing goods from the ships while they were docked, easy to distinguish by their clothing. They spread out slightly but remained well enough within range to hear each other.
"So, where is he?" Naruto asked as he leaned against a lamp post, his blue eyes sweeping over the crowd of people before realization struck him. "Actually, Tazuna-san, question;" he began, getting the man's attention, "what does your assistant look like?"
"That's right, you've never met him... Well, he's a relatively short man for a foreigner, so that could make him pretty hard to spot in a crowd..." as he completed his initial scan of the pier Tazuna released a sound of aggravation causing the two teens to glance at him, confusion on their faces. "Look at all these foreigners. They don't even suspect that all it takes is one wrong move and they'll just be stranded here, just like all the others."
Recalling their conversation on the trip to the city the two teens knew the truth behind those words.
"That guy was kind of a loudmouth, though." Kiba commented, his eyes also scanning the crowd. "I bet if we just keep an ear out for him we'll hear him way before we see him."
Shrugging, as he had no better suggestion, Naruto leaned back in apparent relaxation, though the way his ears were shifting beneath his genjutsu meant he was listening intently for the first outburst that came. A daunting feat considering how crowded the pier was.
"Yūki-san, it's been so long, darling. How have you been? Is Toma-kun still—"
"—Demon repellers! Get yer demon repellers here! Guaranteed to keep you safe from—"
"—you for shopping with us, please come again! ... Jackass..."
"So I tells 'er, I says, I'm not paying you to tell me yer life's story, get back to su—"
"God damn it... I swear, if you drop one more plate I'll have you thrown out of this city so fast—"
"No one would even miss me... no one even knows I exist..."
"Name's Bonzu. Bonzu Pippinpaddleoppsokopolis. The third! And this here is my son, Bonzu Pippinpaddleoppsokopolis the fourth."
"—how much?! That's highway robbery! I'm pretty sure I spent less getting to this island!"
"I think I found him." Naruto muttered as he spotted an average sized, long dirty blond haired man in a duster standing in front of a crafting tools stand. When his companions caught sight of him they nodded.
"That's him." Tazuna confirmed before beginning to lead them down to the man who appeared to be haggling with a vendor.
"Good ears, man." Kiba complimented as they walked after he noticed that he could only hear Tazuna's assistant once they were halfway there.
"Come on, you're killing me here. What do you say to a thousand Ryō and I'll just take this toolset and a cup of these nails right here." the man tried to bargain, a grin on his face, as he held a rather large cup in his hand. The vendor glared at the blond haired man in aggravation.
"I already told you, the hammer itself is nine hundred ninety Ryō. Add in the rest of those tools and that's another three thousand two hundred. And a cup that size would be another three hundred forty Ryō." the merchant, a short stout man said, tapping a thin metal rod on his stall.
"Listen..." amber eyes glanced towards the sign on the stall, "Jinta; may I call you Jinta?"
"No."
"I'm just trying to help you make money but I can't do that if you won't work with me. So what d'ya say?" it was obvious the vendor was not as amused as the potential client and was clearly not going to lower the price. Before the vendor could respond, Tazuna called the blond man.
"Elric-san!" Tazuna shouted, gaining the man's attention. Once he saw the elder bridge builder he let go of the hammer he was holding and walked over towards Tazuna and the teens with him.
"Tazuna-dono! Boy am I glad my message reached you." he said once he was close enough. "I'm sorry that I was late—"
"Your wife was in labor, Elric-san. I wasn't about to rob you of the privilege of welcoming your child into the world." Tazuna brushed off the man's apology. Once the man had straightened back up he continued. "I only wish you didn't have to leave her side to come help us. Hopefully we'll complete our task fast enough for you to return quickly."
"I will stay as long as I have to. Winry agrees that this bridge needs to be built and your country freed." the blond man replied before he turning his attention back towards the merchant. "So, a thousand Ryō?"
The merchant glared at the foreigner, having thought he was finally going to leave. "I already told you; That. Is. Not. E-nough!"
While Tazuna's assistant and the merchant continued to haggle, Naruto was busy fishing through his pockets. "Aha!" he exclaimed as he pulled his hand out, the change from the boat rental the previous day clenched in his hand. "How much do you need, Elric-san?"
The older blond was hesitant to accept a hand out from such a young man but if he was honest with himself he had grown tired of 'haggling' with the merchant and the boy's expression made it apparent that he genuinely wanted to help pay for him and that he wouldn't ask him to repay him.
"It's six thousand Ryō." the merchant spoke, having seen the wad of cash the dumb looking blond teen held. Naruto quickly pulled the exact amount out and went to pay.
"Here you go, old man. This should cover it." before the merchant could grab the money the older blond pulled Naruto's hand away.
"Six thousand?" the foreigner sneered, making the merchant gulp audibly. "No matter how you look at it, it wasn't anywhere near five thousand, let alone six."
"Can I have my arm back?"
"Supply and demand. I have what you want and thus have the right to charge whatever I want." the stout man replied, his beady little eyes focusing on the money Naruto was holding. "So if you want these tools I suggest you let the kid pay up."
"This is a very uncomfortable position..."
"It's not wise to abuse power." Edward stated before turning to walk away. "It results in you not getting anything."
"Ah! Wait!" Naruto yelled as he was pulled backwards by Tazuna's assistant, his arm raised over his shoulder. It was only made worse when the blond caught a whiff of his armpit. Having not bathed in a little over a day, not to mention the battle from the previous day, he didn't exactly smell like daisies.
Finally, after they were off the pier, they stopped and Naruto's arm was released, much to the teen's relief as he began breathing in some fresh air through his nostrils.
"I better take a bath before Sakura-chan notices." Naruto muttered, picturing his mate's reaction in his mind. Only Kiba had no idea why Naruto shuddered in fear.
"I swear, Jinta became such a money grabber ever since Gato took over." Tazuna sighed, making the two teens look at him in question. "That merchant. He used to go out of his way to meet everyone's budget."
The memory of a young Tsunami eyeing a simple yet elegant Kimono sprang to the front of Tazuna's mind. The article of clothing wasn't the most dazzling Kimono, nor was it all that expensive but even before Gato took over they barely had enough money to make ends meet. So when Jinta had offered to sell the garment to Tsunami for nothing but whatever pocket money she'd had on her at the time and the promise to behave for her parents the then preteen girl had smiled one of the most radiant smiles Tazuna ever remembered seeing on her face.
Shaking the faded memory from his mind, the aged bridge builder turned towards his companions. "Well, let's head back now, hm?"
"Wait a minute; not so fast!" Naruto rounded on his companions, his shout drowning out Kiba's, 'Whatever.' "You two still owe me some ramen."
"Ah... About that." Tazuna began. "I didn't bring any money with me so..." he glanced at the brown haired teen standing beside him, making said brunet recoil slightly, affronted by the way the old man was apparently volunteering him to pay.
"And what makes you think I have any?" Kiba growled out. "Shinobi don't usually take much money on missions."
"Naruto-san does. In fact, from the looks of it he carries around a bank with him."
"Yeah, well... He's from Suna. Everyone knows they do things backwards over there." Kiba grumbled before his eyes widened as he realized he had just insulted the Jōnin who had basically wiped the floor with a rather powerful ronin. Turning towards the blond he breathed a relieved sigh when it appeared Naruto hadn't heard his comment.
"It's fine, you guys," Naruto began, drawing their attention towards him, "you can pay next time. Right now I just want to eat. And," he turned to the other blond in the group, "I'm betting your assistant here is pretty hungry."
"Ne, who is this kid, Tazuna-dono? He wasn't with you when you came to my village."
"Oh. That right. Elric-san, this is Naruto..." Tazuna trailed off in the middle of introducing the young blond when he realized that at the moment in which he had met Naruto he was in too much shock from the death of his late assistant to pay attention to what any of the shinobi were saying.
In truth, the only reason he knew his name was because of the blond's fiancé constantly berating him. That knowledge didn't sit well with Tazuna. Not with everything the young man was doing for him.
"Uzumaki Naruto. Hope you don't mind, Elric-san, but I ran into these guys and after hearing the old man's story I figured I'd tag along." the blue eyed adolescent finished introducing himself, his hand reaching out in greeting.
"The name's Edward Ulric." Edward formally introduced himself, accepting the younger blond's handshake. "Call me Edward. Good to know I wasn't the only one who got roped into this project by this man's waterworks display."
The two grinned as they stepped back and turned towards Tazuna. "Well, if there's nothing else, mind leading us to that ramen stand?" Naruto asked, clasping his hands in front of him with a cheerful smile on his face.
"Uh... Yeah." Tazuna began, coming out of his thoughts. He turned to walk down the street, saying, "It's this way," before digging into his pants pocket and adding, "and I just remembered, I did bring some money."
"It's alright, old man. I can pay for us." Naruto tried to reassure the aged architect before being waved off.
"Please, Naruto-san, it's the least I can do."
—
Back at Tazuna's house, a freshly showered Sakura sat in Tsunami's living room as she brushed her hair. Usually while on a mission she would never bother to brush her hair, nor would she be allowed to take consecutive showers but seeing as how she had been traveling with Naruto for almost a month now she found that she really missed showers.
Now this wasn't to say she didn't bathe regularly since leaving with Naruto, but bathing in rivers, streams and ponds just could not compare to the feeling of having pressurized water washing the dirt away.
"How's the perimeter looking, Shino?" Kurenai asked from her position at the kitchen table. Sakura cast a curious glance around the living space, wondering where the hooded Shinobi was since she hadn't seen him since before her shower. She'd assumed he'd left with Hinata to retrieve more kindling for the furnace.
"There are three squirrels in the trees northwest of the back entrance, seven birds scattered around the perimeter and two rodents inside of the house." Shino's voice came from the corner of the room in front of the rosette, making her recoil in surprise.
'Son of a—'
'I forgot how good he was a concealing his presence.'
"I'm sorry," Tsunami began, having stopped mid stir, her voice dripping with forced politeness, "but did you just insinuate that there are rats in my house?"
"Hai. Two, in fact. Currently residing behind your refrigerator."
"I'm afraid you must be mistaken, Shino-san. There are no rats in my house."
From her position on the couch Sakura saw Kurenai send Shino a nonverbal command to be courteous to the client's daughter. Such remarks were impolite under normal circumstances never mind the fact that he was on a mission. The way Shino hesitated in his response impressed Sakura, who could still recall the way Shino tended to agree with her old teammate Sai's opinion on confusing girl behavior.
"It's nothing to feel self-conscious about." Shino finally said. "Given the economic state of the island, a few rodents in your otherwise lovely home is nothing to be concerned about. Why, we've been on missions with much worse conditions."
Although he sounded proud of the way he'd been able to diffuse the situation, Sakura could see Kurenai slump over slightly in her chair as well as hear the light disappointed sigh she released. Tsunami stood rooted in front of the stove, seemingly unable to decide if she should remain affronted that Shino was calling her home dirty by insinuating she had rats or accept the attempted compliment.
"Shino, why don't you go see what's taking Hinata so long?" Kurenai suggested, waiting until the hooded teen closed the door behind him before turning towards Tsunami with an apologetic smile on her face. "I apologize for my subordinate's comments."
"Shino's never really been all that great at interacting with others. He's always been a bit... blunt." Sakura tried to assuage the older woman. When Tsunami didn't respond other than to return her attention to the meal she'd been cooking Sakura was about to try to change the subject when everyone's attention was drawn to the front door being thrown open in time to see Inari storm through the living room and up the stairs to his room.
The front door was left wide open but when Sakura was about to get up and close it Hinata walked in, closing it behind her. "There was a bit of a mishap with Inari-kun and I think he became embarrassed." she answered her team leader's unvoiced question. "Shino-kun is adding the wood to the furnace."
Once Kurenai nodded Hinata moved to sit beside Sakura. As the rosette was about to ask about what exactly had happened Hinata shook her head before shifting her gaze past Sakura towards where she knew Tsunami was standing in front of the stove. The action had Sakura's eyebrows knit together in confusion but proved effective in keeping her quiet.
—
"Never thought ramen could leave me so unsatisfied." Naruto mumbled as he followed the rest of the group out of the small restaurant Tazuna had led them to after finding out the old ramen stand had been forced to close. The bowls had been about a third of the size of a regular Ramen bowl while costing four times as much.
"I'm sorry you wound up having to pay even after I said it would be my treat." Tazuna spoke dejectedly as they walked towards the city gate. The young blond waved a hand in easy going dismissal.
"Not your fault the people who run that restaurant suck." Naruto's response had Kiba and to a lesser degree Edward snickering. Naruto raised his arms and interlaced his fingers behind his head as he walked.
"Maybe it was a good thing the servings were so small." Edward suggested. "That wasn't exactly the best ramen I've ever tasted."
"I'm not sure how you even managed to taste it. I was finished with mine in one bite, it felt like." Naruto replied, his attention drawn by a passing pair, a tall man and a boy, before he lost interest. "Let's just head back... unless you have anything else you have to do, Tazuna?"
With a shake of the eldest member of the group's head the now quartet began their journey towards the checkpoint they'd entered through. As they approached they noticed that there were significantly more guards at the exit than when they'd entered.
"Geez. Does this place even need this many guards?" Edward couldn't help but grouse. "I had to go through three checkpoints on the mainland to board a ferry, a random ticket check while on said ferry, another checkpoint on the docks once I landed here and now we have to go through another one just to leave the damn city?" his rant caused quite a few nearby people to cast odd looks in their direction.
"I assure you, the thoroughness of our security has ensured that the island remain safe and demon free for the past five years." the statement came from a man with heavy sideburns, dressed in the same get up as the mercenaries patrolling the wall but whom was clearly more than a grunt. While the guards in his immediate vicinity stood ramrod straight the dark brown haired man speaking stood with his arms behind his back. The group continued to walk until they neared the congregated guards and were forced to stop due to none of the guards parting to let them through.
"Tazuna and two guests, leaving." the gray haired bridge builder announced in an effort to get the guards to clear the way. A few of the guards smirked when the man in the middle 'tsk-tsked'.
"Are you really thinking of leaving without paying respects to the man that saved your family from a rabid demon so many years ago?" from the way the man spoke there was clearly more to the story. When Tazuna gave no indication that he was going to respond to the obvious baiting other than the clenching of his fists the man turned his attention towards the younger members of the group. "Aren't you at least going to introduce your friends, Tazuna?"
"These are some of the ninja I hired to escort me home and provide protection throughout the construction of the bridge." Several of the guards suddenly bristled in agitation and Naruto noticed Kiba shift his stance slightly in preparation of a possible confrontation.
The smirk that had been on the man's face slipped for a quick second. "Surely there's no need for them to remain now that you're on the island." He turned his head slightly to address Kiba. "My Fire Nationalists are clearly more capable of providing protection for the construction project. You and your fellow ninja should return and tend to your injured."
An obvious dig at Naruto but the blond was more interested by Tazuna's tensing to take offense. Kiba, however, didn't miss a beat, "I'm afraid that's not an option. My team was contracted for a job and until the mission parameters are fulfilled we will remain here." The dark haired man's face darkened slightly, though he said nothing.
Naruto's ear twitched under his genjutsu when he picked up on the distinct sound of a drawstring being pulled. It was a guard far enough down the wall that he was out of Kiba's range of awareness. Luckily the man was well within his range.
"Uh… anyways." Edward's voice broke the silence. "Edward Elric, visitor. Exiting." he walked towards the closest guard, his passport held open. The guard was not the only one caught unaware of how to deal with the oblivious blond foreigner.
"Elric-san, I'm not so sure you want to be butting in right now." Tazuna cautioned as several guards leveled condescending sneers on his assistant. Edward opened his mouth to reassure the aged engineer but was beaten by a nearby guard.
"Listen to the senior citizen, gaijin." the guard spoke dismissively.
"Excuse me but I paid good money to get on this island for some important business so I'd appreciate it if you didn't try to threaten or insult me!"
At this point a majority of not just the guards but of the general populace in the surrounding area had directed their attention towards the none too quiet blond man making a scene in the middle of the street leading towards the exit. Murmuring began when people finally took note of the disproportionate number of guards gathered at the exit.
Kiba had to give Edward credit. However unorthodox the method, his outburst had managed to bring enough attention from the masses that the guards would be hard pressed to try to get away with escalating the situation and claiming it wasn't their fault.
Clearly the man in charge had come to the same conclusion since he was quick to try to diffuse the situation.
"I apologize if you've misconstrued one of my guards instructions as a threat." he spoke loudly and clearly. "I understand that the extent of our security can appear more than a bit over the top for many visitors to this wonderful island but I assure you that it's all to ensure the safety of everyone. Lieutenant," with the snap of his fingers a guard stepped forward, "would you be so kind as to process this group's departure?"
"Consider it done, Admiral Zhao."
"Excellent. Now, if you'll excuse me, Tazuna, I'm afraid I must return to my duties. Perhaps we can continue this discussion another time. Make sure you send my regards to Tsunami, would you?" With that Zhao led the majority of the guards on the ground away from the eyes of the gathered crowd.
"If you'd come with me." came the order from the lieutenant, ripping Kiba's and Tazuna's attention from the still retreating group of guards. It wasn't long before Edward received a guest identification card. "Do not lose this. You will not be able to enter Higashīko or any of the other port cities without it."
Left unsaid was the fact that no one could leave the island any other way. Regardless Edward thanked the man before joining Tazuna's group.
"What was that about?" Naruto asked as they were making their way back to Tazuna's house, the first words he'd spoken in quite a while. The elderly man released a deep sigh.
"Zhao is the leader of Gato's security and has been obsessed with Tsunami since the day they arrived despite the fact that she has repeatedly rejected him." Tazuna explained.
"When you say obsessed?"
"Rumor has it that he has threatened, detained and deported men for flirting with Tsunami."
"And you left your daughter alone with a creep like that nearby for how long while you recruited help for your project?" Naruto sounded genuinely upset. "What if he had done something to her?"
"Trust me, Naruto-san, if Zhao truly wanted to, me being here wouldn't have stopped him from taking my daughter by force but at the very least kidnapping isn't Zhao's style." Tazuna tried to defend himself.
"But what if that had changed?" This time it was Kiba who came at the older man.
"I'm sure Tazuna-dono worried everyday about his daughter's well being."
The boys turned to look at Tazuna who in turn shifted his gaze forward towards the road.
"Why do you think I drank so much while I was away?"
The rest of the trip was spent in silence.
—
"And this is my humble home." Tazuna's voice suddenly filled the house as he opened the door, ushering the younger architect inside. Naruto and Kiba had to squeeze their way past the older men into the house.
"Tsunami! Come greet our guest!"
"Shouldn't I know his name first, Tō-san?" Tsunami quipped as she walked over towards the men gathered at the door. Naruto wasn't with them, having opted for joining his fiancé on the couch. Said fiancé was busy glaring at the blond youth for leaving while he was so injured.
"Oh. Forgive me, Elric-san." Tazuna gave a nervous laugh. "This is my daughter, Tsunami. Tsunami, this is Edward Elric. He's going to help us get the bridge built like that!" He snapped his fingers at the same time as Sakura batted away Naruto's advances to get a hug.
"Is that so?" Tsunami replied, trying to keep a straight face. A feat that proved difficult while Naruto whinged on her couch about Sakura being, 'so mean.' "Welcome, Elric-san. Thank you for coming to help with the construction of the bridge."
"It's my pleasure, Tsunami-san." Suddenly Edward clapped Tazuna on the back. "Man, Tazuna-dono, you didn't tell me your daughter was so beautiful!"
Tazuna faltered while Tsunami basked in the praise.
"Why do you sound so surprised?" Tazuna feigned offense.
"Well when you told me you had a daughter... I dunno, I kind of imagined you with long hair." Beside Edward Kiba burst out laughing.
"I took after my mother, thankfully." Tsunami joined in on the fun.
"Hey!" Tazuna whined making Edward join Kiba in his laughter. "Keep laughing, I'm telling your wife you tried hitting on my daughter."
"Go ahead!" Edward didn't seem fazed in the least. "She'd be so proud that I can finally hold a decent conversation with a women now that we're married. If this was a few years ago I'd have been getting rejected before I even introduced myself."
"Yeah. No offense to you, Elric-san, but you're a little on the short and scrawny side for me."
"What do you mean short?" Edward cried, standing up to his full height. "I'm taller than you, Tsunami-san."
With a shrug of her shoulders and a laugh Tsunami walked back into the kitchen, leaving a wounded Edward behind.
"Yes, well," Tazuna cleared his throat, "you remember the rest of Kiba's team." Hinata, sitting in the recliner facing the door, Kurenai, sitting on the armrest of the same recliner, and Shino, leaning against the wall behind his teammates, nodded their heads in greeting. "My grandson is around, somewhere... I'm sure you'll meet him eventually. And this is—"
"Naruto! Stop it! Go take a bath! You stink and I already took a shower." Sakura, pressed against the armrest of the couch, was trying her hardest to keep Naruto at least an arms length away.
"But how am I supposed to wash myself properly when I'm so wounded?"
"Oh, now you're too wounded but you weren't too hurt to go with Tazuna-san and Kiba."
"Aw, come on, Sakura-chan."
"No! I'm sure you'll figure something out. Why don't you lather up Shadow and have him rub up against you?"
"Ahem." Kurenai was forced to clear her throat loudly in order to get the two teens attention. Sakura froze in her efforts to push Naruto away before her head slowly turned towards everyone else in the room.
"Sakura-san, Naruto-san's fiancé."
With a quick, forceful shove Sakura finally managed to push Naruto back enough to sit up properly. Naruto wound up sprawled on the other end of the couch. "Hello." Sakura blushed under Edward's amused amber gaze.
"Engaged?" he asked, his eyes shifting between Naruto and Sakura. While he felt they were a little young, it wasn't his place to judge. It was a different land, a different culture and these teens were Shinobi, after all. Their profession required that they put their lives on the line so he supposed it made sense they be considered adults already. "Congratulations, I guess."
"Thank you."
"So where's Takashi?" Tazuna stiffened and the Shinobi that had been with him when he'd agreed to assist in the construction of the bridge suddenly avoided his gaze. Finally, after a few seconds, Tazuna spoke up.
"Takashi... he didn't make it." The elderly bridge builder revealed, trying to gauge the young man's reaction. He could only pray he didn't decide to abandon the endeavor.
"He was killed by a Demon." Hinata elaborated, catching her squad mates off guard. "It killed him and wore his skin for a while in an attempt to lure us into a trap."
"Shit!" Edward cursed, his eyes widened in shock.
"Hinata!" Kurenai was getting ready to reprimand her subordinate when the young Hyūga surprised her again by cutting her off.
"We failed to protect Takashi-san and I think Elric-san deserves to know of the dangers he's up against. There's also the possibility that a ronin might attempt to assassinate you and Tazuna-san."
"What? Possibility?"
"Yeah," Kiba sighed, getting the foreign blond to turn towards him, "possibility. We already fought him off once and we thought he'd been dealt with but we think there's a chance he might come back with reinforcements."
"Wait, hold up a second." Edward looked around for a chair, his eyes settling on the recliner nearest the door. Tazuna helped him into it and once he was off his feet he turned towards Kurenai, who he knew to be the one in charge. "Can you fill me in on everything that happened?"
So Kurenai gave Edward a debriefing style explanation, starting from when they'd left him behind in his homeland and ending with the morning's conversations about the fake Oinin. By the time she finished the sun was beginning to set. Once he had been fully informed Edward simply sat in his chair, elbows on his knees and his head down in contemplation.
Finally he gave a heavy sigh before locking gazes with Hinata. "Thank you for being honest with me." Hinata fought to keep from blushing and gave a single nod of her head. Edward then leaned back in his chair, running a hand over his head. "You guys told me there were Demons roaming your lands but I guess I didn't take that threat too seriously."
"Yes, where you're from Demons don't really seem to be an issue." Shino commented from his spot on the wall. Edward nodded his head in agreement.
"So to hear about Takashi's death at the hands of one and so graphically, too." This time Hinata did pink slightly. "I suppose it just struck me how real the danger involved with this project really is. And the fact that I have a family I must return to."
Behind Edward, Tazuna released a defeated sigh. "I understand, Edward."
"So when can we go survey the construction site?" Edward turned to face Tazuna, who did a double take. "I'd like to see how much progress you made before you had to leave the country. I should then be able to give an estimate about how long it'll take to complete the bridge." When Tazuna didn't respond Edward snapped his fingers in front of his face to get his attention.
"I thought you were gonna return home to your wife?" Tazuna spoke slowly, as if he was still processing everything the blond had just said.
"Of course I am. After we build your bridge." Edward answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You guys told me it'd be dangerous and I still agreed to come. Just because I didn't take that danger seriously doesn't change the fact that I gave you my word, Tazuna-san. I will use my talents to help you build your bridge and free your people."
For fear of choking up due to the emotions threatening to overwhelm him Tazuna remained quiet for a while. Around the room everyone had their own thoughts about Edward but they were all positive.
"We—ahem! We can go tomorrow."
"Great. Regardless of the current progress, however, so long as you can bring me the materials necessary to build the bridge we should be fine." Edward turned back towards the Shinobi. "So all we have to worry about is Gato's thugs and this Zabuza fellow? There are no Demons around here?"
Sakura thought everyone answering in the affirmative at the same time almost seem suspicious except as far as they knew there weren't any Demons around. For her part, she managed to avoid looking in Naruto's direction. Or at least she did until he spoke up.
"I give you my word, Edward; there are no Demons around here."
Almost as if on cue, Shadow jumped into the living room through the open window. He froze when he saw the new person in the room.
"Uh... Greetings?"
"There is one Demon around here," Naruto hastily corrected, "but he's a friendly Demon. Practically housebroken."
Again almost as if on cue Inari walked down the stairs before crossing the living room towards the kitchen. "Kaa-san, are we eating soon?"
"Soon, honey. Why don't you sit down and wait at the table?"
Sitting on the couch Sakura, beside her Demon Mate, struggled to keep from laughing. 'Oh, the irony!' Luckily she was successful and soon Everyone's attention was on Edward again.
"So this is the Demon you spoke of? The one Naruto keeps as a companion?" Edward asked as he inspected Shadow. The way Shadow stared back almost cost Sakura her control. "So is he like the one that killed Takashi?"
"No." Kurenai replied. "Remember, I said Takashi succumb to an Eel-like Demon. Shadow is a Fox Demon."
"How many kinds are there?"
"Too many." Kiba muttered under his breath.
"We're not sure." Kurenai answered. "But I suppose not all are bad. Some, like Shadow, serve humans."
"And there are probably some who live peaceful lives just keeping to themselves." Naruto added only for Kiba to snort derisively.
"It's just, when I pictured Demons I thought of something more like ogres and imps."
"We have those, too." Sakura replied softly, remembering the Demons that had killed Hayate and almost... Hidden between them, Naruto's hand found hers and gave it a squeeze. Sakura gave him a grateful smile in return.
"Hello, Shadow." Edward spoke to the Fox Demon when it approached. "My name is Edward. Can you say Edward?"
Shadow merely stared at the new blond impassively before shifting his gaze towards Naruto and then back to Edward. "My god, they're multiplying."
Edward's face showed how surprised he was by Shadow's perfect speech. But he was also confused. "Who's multiplying?"
"The dumb blonds."
"Wha...?"
"Blond means you have yellow hair." Shadow spoke slowly, as if to a child. Over on the couch Naruto ran his free hand over his face. "He might be as slow as you, Master Naruto. Could you be related? A big brother, maybe?"
"Shadow." Naruto breathed out. "Leave the man alone?"
"Alright." Shadow relented. "But only because you asked so nicely." Shadow turned to jump back out the way he'd come but before he did he turned towards Edward and spoke in a child's voice. "See you later, big brother Ed-ward."
When Edward stiffened Naruto figured he should apologize for Shadow's behavior. "Sorry about that. He's a bit of an asshole."
"Don't worry about it." Edward absentmindedly brushed off the younger blond's apology. For the rest of the night he remained uncharacteristically silent.
Later that night, after she had helped Tsunami clear the table and after his bath, Sakura noticed Naruto standing outside behind the house. With Tazuna and Edward having returned to the living room to discuss their plans for the bridge and Team Eight having retreated to the room they were occupying Sakura decided to join her mate for a bit of star gazing.
"Enjoying the night sky?" She asked once she had managed to walk up right behind her Mate, wrapping her arms around his middle. She felt him rest one of his hands on top of hers.
"Can't really see it too well thanks to all the lights from the city." He answered. Sakura cast a quick glance upwards before she buried her face in his back to hide her reddening face. Which was unnecessary, really, since she was behind him.
"What are you doing out here, then?"
Naruto was quiet for a bit before he released a heavy sigh. "I was wondering if perhaps Inari is like me." The silence that stretched after his answer lasted a few minutes where, for some reason, Sakura felt as though if she spoke he might not continue.
"I was abandoned by my parents when I was a baby. The only reason I survived was because of my mother, a human named Uzumaki Kushina. She found me and raised me as if I was her own. Always used to tell everyone that the man she'd fallen in love with had turned out to be a Demon but that hadn't changed how she felt and as a result I was born.
"Of course, the villagers where we lived weren't thrilled with a 'Half Demon' child living amongst them but she never let any of their insults affect her. Always smiling every time they bad mouthed us... wish I'd been able to shrug off their words, though I suppose they'd have been worse if they'd known I was just a Demon she rescued."
The small chuckle that escaped his throat surprised her somewhat, since she didn't see how he could find abuse humorous, until he spoke, "Of course, I'm not saying she never got mad. My mother never failed to let me have it whenever I misbehaved. She just... never seemed to care about what the villagers thought."
Sakura couldn't help the gentle smile that tugged at her lips as she heard how her mate spoke of his mother. It was obvious that he had loved her as much as anyone could love a parent. She must've made some sort of sound however as suddenly Naruto seemed to snap out of his musings before clearing his throat. And Sakura couldn't help but feel regretful that she'd caused him to lose whatever ardor he'd had about discussing his past.
"Anyways," Naruto resumed, turning in her embrace to look down at her, "that's what I was doing out here."
"You know we could probably just ask Tsunami-san."
"Don't you think she'd get offended with us just asking her, 'So is Inari just a Demon child you found and rescued or is he a stinkin' half-breed?' Ow!"
"Of course she'd get offended if you asked her like that! Anyone would." Sakura reprimanded him, her earnest glare surprising him. "Why would you even think of asking her like that?"
"Sorry, I wasn't saying that that's how I'd ask her," he waited until she dropped her angry look before continuing, "but she's not going to be happy that we know Inari's a Demon."
"Might she feel more comfortable if she knew you were a Demon?" She suggested, dropping her embrace to grab his forearms as she leaned back a bit to look up at his face better. The blond merely raised an eyebrow. "Would you be comfortable with her knowing?"
"Sure. If we have to tell her, I'm fine with it but then we'd have to tell her about Inari's little stunt earlier." Suddenly his voice turned serious as his gaze shifted towards the house. "Let her decide if she wants to warn him that I won't tolerate him trying to overwhelm you with his chakra again."
Sakura felt a tremor crawl up her spine at the possessiveness Naruto was displaying but shook it off to ask, "Overwhelm me with his chakra?"
"We Demons have the ability to push our Chakra at others and have it carry intent." He explained, turning his attention back towards her. "It can be used to terrify an opponent by filling it with Killing Intent or to make a potential Mate submit by lacing it with Lust. It's what Inari tried to pull earlier."
"Have—Have you ever done that to me?" Sakura felt embarrassed asking, but she felt it could explain why he sometimes could get her feeling hot and bothered with just a look.
"No. Since it goes against everything my mother taught me about respecting women I've never practiced that part of it. I swear," he took hold of her hands with his own, "I didn't use it to get you to fall in love with me."
Sakura blinked at his sudden proclamation before it dawned on her that he must've thought she had accused him of influencing her to leave with him. "I believe you, Naruto. I was just wondering if maybe the times like yesterday were because of that or something."
"Oh." was his response when he realized just what she was referring to from the previous day. Then his face broke out into a large grin and his hands moved to rest on her waist. "No," he leaned down so his mouth was near her ear, "that's just my natural charm affecting you, Sakura-chan."
As if to prove his point she felt a shiver race down her spine before her heart started beating faster and her face flushed as a result. His amused snicker irritated her and she tried to pull back and turn around in annoyance but his hold on her waist prevented her from being able to and thus she had to settle for crossing her arms in front of her chest and turning her head away from him in faux anger. This only resulted in him chuckling outright before he leaned down to nuzzle her exposed neck.
That was how Tsunami found them when she came to bid them good night.
"Oh, I'm sorry." came the abashed squeak of an apology from the older woman. "I just wanted to say good night. I didn't mean to interrupt you." she turned to return inside until Sakura called out to her.
"Actually, Tsunami-san, do you have a moment? Naruto and I wanted to discuss something with you."
The raven haired woman paused in the middle of opening the door. Closing it softly, she turned towards the couple, who had separated slightly with Naruto moving half a step behind Sakura to allow her to take the lead in this conversation.
"Sure, though I don't know what you'd want to talk to me about."
"It's about Inari-kun, actually."
"Oh." That one word was spoken in such a way that almost made Sakura reconsider if she wanted to continue. "What about my son?"
"Earlier today we had a bit of a confrontation with Inari-kun and afterwards...well, Naruto said that he thinks Inari might be a Demon—"
"That's one heck of an allegation, young man." she directed towards the blond, her gaze holding a coldness that almost looked wrong on the previously nurturing woman. "What will you do if he is?"
"Please, Tsunami-san," Sakura tried to placate the older woman, "we're not saying him being a demon is a problem."
"Aren't you?" Tsunami cut Sakura off. "You Shinobi exist to kill Demons, it seems. And you want me to believe that my son being one wouldn't be a problem for you?"
"Your son being a Demon doesn't bother me, Ma'am," Naruto decided to break in, receiving a scoff of disbelieve from Tsunami, "what bothers me is that he tried to Project his lust filled Chakra towards my Mate."
The blond's statement had clearly thrown Tsunami off balance for a moment before she focused her gaze on him. In response to her unvoiced question Naruto let his Genjutsu dissipate. It took a moment for Tsunami to realize the change until one of his ears twitched, drawing her attention towards them. When it finally dawned on her what she was looking at it was like a switch was flipped.
"You're a Demon!" she cooed excitedly before lunging forward deftly and managing to grab hold of one of his ears, scratching it affectionately. Somehow she'd managed to do this before either Naruto or Sakura could react.
"U-Um, Tsunami-san?" Sakura finally managed to find her voice, her eyebrow twitching as she observed her mate practically bask under Tsunami's ministrations. "Could you please stop that before I lose what remaining respect I have for my Mate?"
"Oh, I'm sorry." the older woman apologized, taking a step back from Naruto with a light blush on her face. "His ears just reminded me so much of Inari's. And it's been so long since Inari's let me scratch his ears I couldn't help myself." Together the two women watched as Naruto blinked and straightened himself up before turning towards an irate Sakura. The way he laughed nervously under her gaze made Tsunami smile. "Mates, though? At your age?"
Sakura flushed a little before nodding. "Yes. That's actually part of why we wanted to talk to you. Apparently Inari-kun tried to use his Chakra to influence me earlier?" Here she looked towards Naruto who nodded and took over.
"Obviously, because I've marked her it didn't affect her. But it took a great deal of effort on my part not to attack him. I think it would be in everyone's best interests if you sat him down and explained that it's dangerous to try projecting his Chakra while we're here."
Tsunami nodded, turning to look at the house. "Yes. I think I should. I hadn't realized he'd learned how to Project but I think it would be best for him to not risk drawing the attention of the other Shinobi." She turned back towards the young mated pair beside her. "Can I take the fact that you walk around with an illusion and that they think you're engaged to mean that the rest don't know that you're a Demon?"
"Yes." The two teens nodded but it was Sakura who spoke. "We'd appreciate it if you kept this a secret. It's not a stretch to say Naruto and I are taking a big risk by coming here to help on this mission, and not because of Gato, but we want to help."
"Don't worry, Sakura-san. I won't say anything. I know a bit about what it means to fall in love with a Demon and I can only imagine what you had to sacrifice, being a Shinobi."
Before Naruto could even begin to wallow in Tsunami's words he felt Sakura's left hand slip into his right and give it a firm squeeze.
"I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
Neither noticed Tsunami head indoors, so enraptured with each other as they were. The moment was finally broken when they heard a yipping yawn beside them. Turning, they noticed Shadow mid yawn, his mouth wide open, sitting a couple of feet away.
"I think it's time we went to bed." Naruto said with a gentle grin. Sakura nodded, leading the way towards the door before she paused.
"I think it's safe to say Inari's a Half Demon." Was all she said before opening the door. Being in the front of the group she didn't notice Naruto's frown.
'A filthy Half Demon...' the Fox Demon couldn't help the thought as he followed the rosette. 'Great.'
—
Standing atop a large rock formation outside of their destination, Ōjō couldn't help the frown that marred his face. Sitting beside him, Ryuk didn't look to be faring much better as he stared at the anomaly before them.
"Oi, Ryuk, care to explain what this is?" Ōjō ground out between clenched teeth.
Ryuk rolled his eyes at the dumb question. "It's a barrier, Gaki." the quick, matter-of-fact answer irritated the young Fox Demon, as if the large black dome of concentrated Demonic energy surrounding the human port city could be anything else.
"I know it's a barrier, asshole." Ōjō snapped, turning to glare at his companion. "I mean, what is it doing here? It wasn't here when we entered the city earlier to confirm the location of the Tensei Blades. Which can only mean you let someone put up a barrier while I was informing Kyūbi-nī?"
"Obviously I didn't let them."
"Then you tried to fight them off and lost?"
"Nah, I was asleep."
Ōjō stared at Ryuk in disbelief before sighing. "You realize Kyūbi-nī's not going to be happy about this?"
"You mean for the four seconds it takes him to overwhelm the barrier?" Ryuk shrugged, unfazed. "I can't say I give much of a damn."
'Still,' Ryuk thought as he watched Ōjō send a wave of Chakra in another attempt to overwhelm the offending barrier, 'a barrier of this size could only have been made by a demon of considerable strength. And the only demon I've even sensed around here is that young Half Demon from earlier.'
Thinking back, he couldn't imagine someone that young would be capable of a barrier like the one over the town. And that was beside the fact that the Demonic half of that boy's Chakra had been red. The Chakra before them was pitch black, almost to the point that in the dead of night the city beneath the dome was impossible to see.
'The only Demon who ever had Chakra like this was—'
Footsteps to his left drew his attention in time to see the young Kyūbi walking towards them. Ryuk couldn't fully repress the shiver that ran down his spine. He just looked so much like his accursed mother.
The red haired fox demon stopped before them, his gaze settling on Oujou.
"What are you looking at me for?" Ōjō cried out, kicking the rock beside him petulantly.
"Mother's not going to be happy that you're using father's teleportation technique unsupervised." Ōjō blanched at his brother's admonishment. Red eyes turned towards the oldest demon in the group. "Well?"
Ryuk's face twisted in aggravation as he scratched the side of his head. "I took a little nap and when I woke up…" he waved his arm toward the black dome.
The elder Demon Prince gave a tired sighed before turning towards the human city. A few seconds was all it took for him to gather enough Chakra to dwarf an army of A-rank Demons and send it crashing against the barrier. It was amusing to see the humans outside of the dome panic as a gale force wind suddenly swept past them, kicking up dirt and bowling most of them over.
Ōjō's eyebrows rose when, after the dust settled, the barrier remained perfectly intact. "How's that possible? The only way that should still be up is if—"
"A tailed beast put it up." the Kyūbi supplied, his handsome face contorting in agitation. "This will complicate matters." Silence stretched for several seconds before he turned towards his younger brother, his hand reaching for the hilt of the sword on his back. "Ōjō."
The young blond turned just in time to see his brother draw his sword, a feeling of dread filling him right before a Demon Door opened behind him.
"We're returning home—"
"No!" Ōjō was rewarded for his outburst with a burst of flame that he didn't entirely manage to avoid. "Nngahh!" he fell to his knees, his hands hovering over the bottom right side of his face, the skin having been burned off.
"We are returning home to retrieve some senzu." The command was spoken as though he hadn't just tried to burn all the flesh off of his younger brother's face. "Make certain you take one before Mother sees you."
The blond, crouched in agony before him, merely glared at him for a few seconds before getting up and walking through the temporary entrance to the Demon Realm.
"As for you, Ryuk," the young Kyūbi began, "I have half a mind to kill you for letting this happen. To be honest, though, I have no desire to engage another tailed beast in a drawn out battle at the moment. When we return I will tear down the barrier. Once it's down I want you to keep whoever put it up at bay while I retrieve the Kinsei Blades."
"Unfortunately I don't think I'm strong enough at the moment to fight a Tailed Beast." Ryuk admitted, hoping his honesty would be appreciated. "I'll probably just get killed instantly."
The younger Demon turned to regard Ryuk with blood red eyes. "I believe you'll be just fine," he smirked meaningfully, "seeing as you were my father's biggest rival for the title of Demon Lord. Besides, that's why we're headed to get some Senzu."
Ryuk sighed as he watched the young Nine Tails turn and walk through the doorway to the Demon Realm. It would be a while before the two young fox demons returned, thanks to the time difference between the two realms, more than enough time for him to run away if he wanted. If he did, though, he was certain the eldest Prince of the Demon Realm would hunt him down.
'I guess the question now is,' Ryuk turned to look at the black dome of Chakra that had led to his current dilemma, 'which Kyūbi do I want to fight?'
To be continued...
AN/ Right... now!
Double surprise!