Castle Guards
By Ammie Hawk
Disclaimer: I now own a Neji plushie, thanks to my cousin. But other than that, nope. Oh, and I want to say, Happy 1 year Anniversary to Castle Guards! (even if it is a bit late)
AN: OMG I LIVE! Yes, I am alive, as is this story, it's just going slowly cause I'm kinda mad at the Naruto manga at the moment. I will say however, that this is a filler chapter, but I honestly didn't want to cut it out.
I've figured out what the other animes I'm going to use for the remainder of this series I'm writing. I decided that sixth year will be Fullmetal Alchemist, and seventh will be the Gundam Wing one.
The voting is still going on for the Uchiha brothers and Hinata, though, even though the popularity of the pairing, I am taking the Itachi/Hinata pairing off, cause I want there to be crossover pairings, I don't know why, but I like them.
So for your consideration, the votes are at the moment:
Itachi/Neville 5
Itachi/Ginny 3
Itachi/George 3
Sasuke/George 5
Hinata/Ginny 4
George/Hinata 2
Anyway, I'm sorry if this disappoints anyone and I'll also apologize for the long wait I've put you through. So on with the show.
Chapter 22: Career Advice? Are You Kidding Me?
It was the first day of the Easter holidays and Hermione, as was her custom, had spent a large part of the day drawing up study schedules for the three of them. Harry and Ron had let her do it—it was easier than arguing with her and, in any case, they might come in useful. She had tried to do the same for the shinobi but they had flat our refused to accept them, saying they had better things to do with their time than study for exams that didn't concern them. In fact, most of the time there were only three of them present in the common room since the break had started that morning.
As Hermione handed Harry and Ron their schedules, Gaara approached the Golden Trio.
"Sorry to interrupt," he said quietly, not looking the least bit sorry, "but I was wondering if you were serious in your request, Harry?"
Hermione and Ron looked at their raven haired friend curiously, not sure what the Kazekage was going on about. Harry looked at the redhead in confusion for a moment, but it cleared quickly.
"Oh, right, yeah," he said a bit sheepishly. "Yeah, I was serious. If you guys are willing?"
"What are you going on about, mate?" Ron asked, not liking being left out of the loop.
"Very well," Gaara nodded. "I shall be teaching you; Sakura shall teach Hermione, as Temari has no patience for such things; and Neji shall teach Ron, for Kankuro would quickly lose interest."
"Why can't Naruto teach me?" Harry gulped slightly, not sure he wanted the stoic redhead alone with him for long periods of time, especially in a role where he had authority over him.
"Naruto has to keep an eye on Kyu," the Kazekage shrugged. "And even if he was not, he does not have the drive to teach something he would deem frivolous."
"Teach us what?" Ron huffed, standing up and almost getting in Gaara's face, almost.
Jade green eyes rose and locked with indignant blue, "Japanese of course."
"Oh," Hermione looked up startled and then grinned. "That's great. Thank you, Gaara."
"But when will we have the time?" Ron groaned, looking down at his newly made schedule.
"We will discuss this later," Gaara waved his hand dismissively, as if it was none of his concern. "Just know that none of us will take this mission lightly, and we expect you to do the same."
The trio nodded their acceptance. Gaara nodded once and headed back over to his siblings, who were sitting on the other side of the common room.
That night began the new regime as Ron dubbed it, where the three of them with their language tutors would sit down for at least an hour each night and work on having the three of them learn the basics of the Japanese language.
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As though to underline the importance of their upcoming examinations, a batch of pamphlets, leaflets, and notices concerning various wizarding careers appeared on the tables in Gryffindor Tower shortly before the end of the holidays, along with yet another notice on the board, which read:
CAREER ADVICE
All fifth years will be required to attend a short meeting with their Head of House during the first week of the Summer term, in which they will be given the opportunity to discuss their future careers. Times of individual appointments are listed below.
The shinobi quickly located their names on the list and made a mental note of the times and dates.
As it stood, Shino was the first of their group to head to McGonagall's office. He noted Professor Umbridge's presence but decided to ignore her, as was his wont.
"Sit down, Aburame," McGonagall motioned to a chair in front of her desk.
The bug ninja complied and gave his Head of House a rather blank stare.
"So," she cleared her throat slightly, "this meeting is to talk over any career ideas you might have, and to help you decide which subjects you should continue into sixth and seventh years."
"I really don't believe this is necessary, Professor," Shino said quietly. "As I will be leaving at the end of term, my studying for your exams is rather pointless."
"Hem, hem," Umbridge cleared her throat, causing the two in the meeting to look at her. "If I may say so," she began sweetly, "O.W.L.s are not something to be taken lightly. Even if you will be attending a different school next year, all magical communities base their scores off a standard system."
Shino raised his hand to his face, intending to push up his glasses, which he realized belatedly weren't on his face, "I beg your pardon, Professor Umbridge, but I know for a fact that not all systems are the same. For someone in your position within the British Ministry, I find your lack of knowledge less than satisfying. Perhaps it would be best if you picked a different career, instead of spreading your ignorance around."
Umbridge's face took on an indignant look and she began writing something on the clipboard in her hand. McGonagall cleared her throat, and Shino gave her a smirk, having taken note of the concealed amusement.
"Anyway, have you thought about what career you might want to pursue?" she got back to business at hand. "I may not be able to give you definitives, but I can help steer you in the proper direction."
Shino shrugged, "I want to do something worthwhile for my village, perhaps something along the lines of defense."
"In that case," McGonagall smirked slightly, knowing this for the disguise it was, "I would recommend looking into the classes required for an Auror. If that is all, you may go."
"Thank you for your time, Professor," he bowed to her and then proceeded out of the room.
Sakura was up next and she entered with her usual smile. McGonagall motioned for her to take a seat.
"Now, Haruno, have you thought about what you'd like to do once you finish school?" the stern professor asked, getting strait to the point.
"Oh, I want to be a medic," the pinkette said confidently.
"That will take a lot of effort on your part, Haruno," McGonagall smiled slightly. "But I have no doubt that you will go far in that particular field, if your grades are anything to go by."
"Thank you, ma'am," the medic ninja smiled. "If that is all, may I return to class?"
"Don't you want to know the requirements for that particular field, Miss Haruno?" Umbridge asked from her spot in the corner.
"Oh, I think I know what's required," she gave her most sweet smile to the toad-like professor. "I wouldn't have chosen that field if I had any doubts about my ability to accomplish my goal. Good day." With that she left the two professors sitting in the office.
That evening it was Neji's turn and he strode purposefully into the office and took a seat before McGonagall could offer.
"Professor McGonagall, Professor Umbridge," he greeted them both with a polite nod.
"Thank you for coming, Hyuuga," McGonagall inclined her head in acknowledgement. "As you know, we are here to discuss your future after you finish your schooling."
"Of course," he cocked his head to the side, waiting for her to continue.
"So," she cleared her throat self-consciously, nervous under his intense gaze. "What do you plan to do when you finish school?"
"I plan to protect my village to the best of my capabilities," Neji replied stoically. "And help my cousin become the best Head of our clan we've ever had."
"While both noble goals, I'm sure," Umbridge said in her sickeningly sweet voice. "Are you sure they cater to your talents, Mr. Hyuuga? According to your class records, you are one of the top students in this school. You could go on to be anything you wanted, I'd even go so far as to say Minister of Magic for Japan."
"Noble goals?" he scowled at the toad-like teacher. "What would you know about being noble, or loyalty?" He took a breath and schooled his features, his face becoming blank once again. "No, I have no aspirations to be a leader. However, I will support the two people in my life who do desire that and will back them up, with force if necessary."
"Thank you, Hyuuga," McGonagall cut in before Umbridge could insult the trained ninja again, though she thought it would've been quite amusing to see the Ministry official beaten to a pulp. "I wish you and your friends luck, and I hope, for your sake, that they reach their goals. That will be all."
Neji rose gracefully from his chair and bowed to each of his professors, though if one were watching closely, they would've noticed the sneer crossing his features as he paid respect to Umbridge.
The next day brought Kiba to the Transfiguration teacher's office. The dog ninja had talked with his boyfriend the previous day, so he basically knew what to expect. So with Akamaru perched on his head, he entered McGonagall's office and took a seat across from her in the chair provided.
"Hem, hem," Umbridge coughed slightly from her seat next to the desk. "You do know, Mr. Inuzuka, that dogs are not on the animal list of Hogwarts, correct? And even if they were, you would not be allowed to take them with you wherever you went?"
"Well, lucky for me I have special permission to have him here, then, isn't it?" he rolled his eyes.
"Oh, would that be from the previous Headmaster?" she gave him her sickeningly sweet smile. "If that is the case, I'm afraid that just won't do. The dog will have to leave immediately."
"Listen here, ya old hag," he snarled. "You touch Akamaru and I won't be held responsible for his or my actions. And for your information, it wasn't Dumbledore who gave me permission to bring him here, it was the leader of my village, and unless you want to start a war over a dog, I'd suggest you back off. Akamaru stays."
"If you are quite through trying to instigate a war, Dolores," McGonagall cleared her throat. "I believe we are here to talk to Inuzuka about what he'd like to do after he finishes school. Any ideas on that, Inuzuka?"
"Well," Kiba grinned mischievously, "I always wanted to become a ninja, do they teach any classes with that as a focus?"
McGonagall had to quickly cover a laugh with a cough, while Umbridge just glared at the shaggy haired brunette.
"Mr. Inuzuka, this is a serious matter we are discussing here," the new Headmistress said coldly. "And if you think it is better to waste our time with your jokes, you will find yourself in a month's worth of detention with myself."
"Alright then," he rolled his eyes. "Aside from my dream of being a ninja, I thought working with animals might be good. My sister and mom do that, so I'll probably follow in their shoes."
"With that in mind, let's take a look at your marks," McGonagall nodded, pulling out a paper. "Well, I see your Care of Magical Creatures grade is excellent. I would also recommend Charms and Potions for that particular field, possibly even Herbology. THat will be all, Inuzuka."
"Thanks, prof," he beamed as he stood to leave, Akamaru jumping down from his head and into his waiting arms. "Catch ya around."
And with that he was gone.
Meanwhile, down in the dungeons, the laziest ANBU in history walked into the office of one Severus Snape. With a careless stride, Shikamaru walked over and flopped gracelessly into the chair in front of his Head of House.
"So, what do ya want to talk about?" he asked, crossing his arms behind his head and tilting the chair back.
"We are here, Mr. Nara, to discuss your plans for when you leave this school," Snape began with a sneer. "However, if you feel that this is beneath you, then please, by all means, leave so I can get on with my day."
Before the shadow ninja could open his mouth to counter, there was a slight rapping on the door. The dour Potions Master glared at the portal for a moment before calling for the person to enter. Two chair legs hit the floor rather loudly as the door opened and revealed Dolores Umbridge in all her pink glory.
"I'm sorry for being late, Severus," she said in her most girly voice, "but I was held up upstairs. As you know, as High Inquisitor and the new Headmistress, I have the right to sit in on these meetings, so I will just be observing as you talk with young Mr. Nara here. So, please continue, and don't mind me."
"Very well," Snape barely kept his voice neutral. "As I was saying Mr. Nara, before we were so rudely interrupted, what do you have planned for when you finish school?"
"This is such a drag," Shikamaru sighed heavily. "Well, all I ever wanted was to be an average guy, with an average job, marry an average girl, and have a couple of average kids."
"That's not very ambitious of you, Mr. Nara," Umbridge spoke up from her seat in the corner, causing the two males in the room to glare at her, well Shika just gave her a lazy look.
"I never said I was ambitious, Professor," he shrugged, tilting his chair back once again. "It'll never happen anyway."
"And why is that, Mr. Nara?" Snape cocked a brow curiously. "Judging by your grades, you could go on to be anything you wanted. You could even become the next Minister of Magic for Japan."
"Too troublesome," the shadow nin yawned. "And anyway, my dream won't come true cause I'll never have a wife and kids. I'll just have to help my best friend fulfill my dream with his wife, and my former sensei's family."
"What do you mean by that?" Umbridge's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"I help my late sensei's wife take care of their baby," Shikamaru frowned. "And my best friend and his wife are expecting sometime this summer. Anyway, is this meeting over with yet? I'd like to get to lunch before it's too late."
"Of course, Mr. Nara," Snape nodded briskly, hoping the toad would leave with him.
The chair clattered back to its original position as the lazy ANBU stood and took his leave. The two professors stared after him for a moment before Umbridge got up abruptly from her seat and followed him out of the office.
After lunch, Gaara strode purposefully up to McGonagall's office. Once he was granted permission, he entered and took the seat provided, completely ignoring the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
"Now, Sabaku," McGonagall began without much ado, "we are here to discuss what you want to do once you complete your education."
"I know," he nodded.
"So, do you have any ideas on the matter?" the Transfiguration teacher prompted.
"I don't need you to tell me what I should do after I leave here," he said in a monotone. "I will return to my village and continue what I was doing before I arrived."
"And that would be?" Umbridge inquired from her seat in the corner.
"I will lead my people to the best of my abilities," he gave her a blank stare. "As I have done for the past few years."
"Your people would willing follow a child?" the toad asked incredulously.
"My people have known me since the day I was born," the redhead said evenly. "They know I will do my utmost to protect them, even going so far as to lay down my life for their safety. If that is all you wanted to see me for, I believe I will be going, as I have a class to attend."
"Yes, Sabaku, that is all," McGonagall nodded in a show of respect.
Without another word, the Kazekage turned on his heel and left the room.
The next to grace the cat Animagus' office was the second of the Sand siblings, Kankuro. He dropped down into the chair in front of McGonagall's desk and gave her a lopsided grin.
"Well, I guess you want to know what I want to do when I leave, huh?" he asked nonchalantly.
"That is the general idea, Sabaku," McGonagall smirked slightly, trying to contain her laughter.
"Ya see, I was thinking I wanted to work with puppets," the puppeteer scratched his chin in mock thought. "What would you suggest for that line of work?"
"Puppets, you say?" the stern looking witch frowned in thought. "Well, if that is the case, I would suggest Charms and Transfiguration, especially."
"I agree, those two would be helpful," he nodded. "And Potions and Herbology."
"And why would you need those two?" Umbridge asked in disdain, not believing her fellow educator was going along with this sham.
"Poisons and antidotes, of course," the brunette looked at her in disbelief. "You can't have a good puppet master without them knowing the basics of those."
"Do you want to be a puppeteer or an assassin, Mr. Sabaku?" Umbridge sneered.
"What? You mean I can't be both?" he asked as if this was revelation to him. "Well shit, I better tell that to Sasori. Oh wait, he'd dead."
"This is not a laughing matter, Mr. Sabaku," Umbridge pushed to her feet in outrage.
"Uh, no one's laughing," he countered, keeping his seat and studying his fingernails. "And anyway, don't you have a class to teach?"
"That will be all, Sabaku, you may go," McGonagall waved him out of the room, giving Dolores a stern look.
Kankuro shrugged and left the room, waving at his Head of House on the way out the door.
Not long after the puppeteer had left, Temari entered the office confidently. She took the proffered seat with her head held imperiously high, like she was superior to both professors in the room.
"Now, Miss Sabaku," McGonagall began, "have you thought about what you'd like to do after you finish school?"
"Yes," the blonde kunoichi nodded. "I want to be my village's equivalent to your Aurors."
"Ah," the witch pursed her lips in thought. "A straight forward answer. Now, the recommended courses for that line of work are Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Potions, and Charms."
"Sounds reasonable enough," Temari nodded, and then turned to look at the new Headmistress. "Do you have anything to add? I heard you liked to give commentary on what career choices were being discussed."
Umbridge had a look of utter disbelief on her face, while McGonagall quickly covered her mouth with her hand to hide her smile.
"No," the toad-like woman finally shook her head, "I don't think I have anything to say to that."
"Well then, if that is all…" the blonde turned her attention back to the Transfiguration teacher.
"I do believe we are through here," McGonagall nodded, her eyes dancing with mirth at the way the teen had handled her colleague.
That same day after Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Naruto and Gaara followed Harry to Umbridge's office, though the raven haired teen didn't seem to notice them at all. Of course, that could've been attributed to the fact that they were hanging from the ceiling.
Shortly after Harry had disappeared in the office, the two shinobi heard the definitive barks of Akamaru. Knowing that something was up, Naruto left Harry in Gaara's care and took off toward the ninja dog. He found Kiba and Akamaru in the entrance hall, along with almost the entire school.
"What's going on?" the ANBU captain asked curiously.
"Fred and George are about to get in serious trouble, that's what," Kiba growled quietly. "I don't know why they decided to do it, but they created a swamp and now Umbridge is involved."
"I see," Naruto nodded. "What can we do about it?"
"Quite frankly, nothing," the dog ninja shook his head. "Unless of course, we want to get kicked out. She's already threatened me, cause of Akamaru."
"Let's just wait and see what happens," the blonde finally conceded.
"So!" said Umbridge triumphantly, once more looking down upon her prey. "So… you think it amusing to turn a school corridor into a swamp, do you?"
"Pretty amusing, yeah," said Fred, looking back up at her without the slightest sign of fear.
Filch elbowed his way closer to Umbridge, almost crying with happiness.
"I've got the form, Headmistress," he said hoarsely, waving a piece of parchment. "I've got the form and I've got the whips waiting…. Oh, let me do it now…."
"Very good, Argus," she said. "You two," she went on, gazing down at Fred and George, "are about to learn what happens to wrongdoers in my school."
"You know what?" said Fred. "I don't think we are."
He turned to his twin.
"George," said Fred. "I think we've outgrown full-time education."
"Yeah, I've been feeling that way myself," said George lightly.
"Time to test our talents in the real world, d'you reckon?" asked Fred.
"Definitely," said George.
And before Umbridge could say a word, they raised their wands and said together, "Accio Brooms!"
"You've got to admit," said a chuckling voice next to Naruto, "those two know how to do it right."
"I have to agree, Kyu," Naruto shook his head. "I never would've thought of getting out of it like that."
The twins' brooms had stopped in front of them.
"We won't be seeing you," Fred told Professor Umbridge, swinging his leg over his broomstick.
"Yeah, don't bother to keep in touch," said George, mounting his own.
Fred looked around at the assembled students, and at the silent, watchful crowd.
"If anyone fancies buying a Portable Swamp, as demonstrated upstairs, come to number ninety-three Diagon Alley—Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes," he said in a loud voice. "Our new premises!"
"Special discounts to Hogwarts students who swear they're going to use our products to get rid of this old bat," added George, pointing at Professor Umbridge.
"STOP THEM!" shrieked Umbridge, but it was too late.
And with one last command to Peeves the Poltergeist, they were gone.
"Well, that was an interesting turn of events," the blonde ANBU captain turned to Kiba and Shino, who had joined them in the commotion. "I do believe you two only have one charge left, though if you wouldn't mind, Shino, I'd still like to keep tabs on those two."
"Already done, Captain," the bug ninja smirked slightly.
"Good then," he beamed.
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The following day, just before lunch, Naruto skipped up to the Head of Gryffindor's office, for his meeting with her about what career he wanted, Kyuubi following closely behind him. When McGonagall called entrance, the pair of them walked in and Naruto took the available chair in front of McGonagall's desk, while Kyuubi took up a spot leaning against the wall.
"Excuse me," Professor Umbridge said from her spot, "but if I may be so bold, Mr. Uzumaki, what are you still doing here? Your son is now fine and your presence is no longer required at this school."
"And if I may be so bold," the fox demon glared at her, "I don't trust this fucking school with his safety, and if it wouldn't insight a goddamn war, I would have him out of this shit hole of a school before the fucking day was out. But as it stands, his leaving now would only cause shit to hit the fan. However, I shall be remaining here till the end of the year, to make sure there are no repeat performances of earlier this year. Now, I do believe this meeting is about my kit, and not me."
"Yes, of course," McGonagall nodded, turning her full attention to Naruto. "Uzumaki, do you have any plans for after you finish school?"
"I'm going to be the leader of my village, believe it!" he punched his fist into the air to emphasize his point.
"Hem, hem," Umbridge cleared her throat. "If you'll excuse me again, I would like to say that I highly doubt you to be capable of leading anything, much less an entire village."
"Well," Kyuubi scoffed, "I find you utterly fucking incapable of leading anything, but look at you. Luckily, however, my kit's got a good head on his fucking shoulders and knows what he's doing."
"In that case, Uzumaki," McGonagall continued as if the other two adults in the room hadn't spoken, "I would recommend you pick up your grades in all areas of study, as a leader is required to know vast amounts at a moment's notice and be able to respond to any crisis."
"Alrighty," the blonde beamed at her, trying not to laugh at the rambling thoughts that Kyu was having about Umbridge. "I will try harder then, and you have my word on that. Thank you for your time, and I'll see ya around."
"Always a pleasure, Uzumaki," McGonagall gave him the barest hint of a smile before he left the room.
Ammie: I will apologize once again for the long wait, I really did want to write on this story, I was just so frustrated with the manga that it got put aside. Anyway, if I haven't like lost all of you, please tell me what you think and I'll work on the next chapter soon (hopefully).