Castle Guards

By Ammie Hawk

Disclaimer: Not mine….

AN: Hey, sorry for the long ass wait for this chapter, this story has eluded me forever, but hopefully (keep your fingers crossed) I'll have it finished before it's second year anniversary.

Anyway, here it is, hope you enjoy.

Chapter 23: Of Demons and Giants

Inspired by Fred and George's example, a great number of students were now vying for the newly vacant positions of Troublemakers-in-Chief, though none seemed to be more of a shoe-in than one Naruto Uzumaki. Evidence of the blonde's escapades were everywhere, though only the shinobi knew this for certain.

Two days after the twins departure, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom had to be closed off, and subsequently that class canceled for the day, as a giant toad, almost the size of the room, had decided to camp out there for the day. This stunt had earned the blonde a clap on the back from both Kiba and Kankuro.

The following day, the entire Great Hall had been painted to look like a huge forest, eerily similar to the Forbidden Forest near Aragog's nest, causing Sakura's eye to twitch in annoyance. That same day at dinner, Umbridge had just begun eating when a swarm of beetles flew at her and began covering her plate, causing her to run screaming from the hall. That prank had earned him a stern glare from Shino, though none of the wizards could figure out why, they thought it was a very fitting prank.

There were many other little things he did to undermine her authority as well, and no one seemed willing to put a stop to it. That was until one of his more clever and, thus, messier pranks backfired on a certain Potions Master.

He had set up a clone on the ceiling of the Great Hall with a bucket of green dye ready to dump on her as soon as she walked into the room. He had stationed another clone outside, ready to give the signal indicating the old toad was coming.

The signal came five minutes into lunch and, as the door opened, the clone on the ceiling began his task. The dye landed with a sickening splash on top of the dour Potions professor, who had managed to beat Umbridge to the door by a fraction of a second. Snape looked up in time to see a puff of smoke as the clone disappeared. His eyes swept over the Gryffindor table, zeroing in on the too innocent blonde sitting there. He stalked over, ignoring the woman behind him, and came to an abrupt halt behind the shinobi.

"Uzumaki," his voice was quiet, but laced with venom. "My office. Now."

"I didn't do anything, I swear," blue eyes blinked at him in surprise. "You can ask anyone, I've been sitting here the whole time."

"He has, Professor Snape," Neji said from his right, a slight smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth. "In fact, no one has been up from this table since the meal began."

Before the dour man could say another word, a large hand rested on his shoulder. He turned his head slightly, only to meet amused yellow eyes.

"You wouldn't be accusing people of things without proof now would you, Snape?" Kyuubi's lips quirked into a feral smirk. "Especially not when said person is my Kit."

Snape's dark eyes narrowed into a challenging glare. Amusement flooded through the demon at the mortal's gall, not even the Uchiha had wanted to openly face his wrath, that's why he'd been directed to the Leaf Village. Behind the pair, Umbridge shifted nervously. Onyx eyes drifted over to the movement, and a dark scowl crossed the Potions Master's face.

"Fine," he said through clenched teeth. "You're off the hook this time, Uzumaki, but I will be watching you."

With that the two professors went on their way. Umbridge continued up to the staff table, unaware that the whole front of her pink robes had been splashed with green dye; while Snape headed back out of the room, presumably to get rid of the dye. As soon as the teachers were well out of ear shot, both the demon and his vessel suppressed a shudder that ran down their spines for very different reasons.

"Damn," Naruto leaned his head on Neji's arm, "even when he's green, he's scary. He's even worse than Iruka-sensei."

"Yeah, sure, whatever you say, Kit," Kyuubi said absently, frowning at the closed doors to the Hall. "I'll catch ya at lunch, Kit. Need to do something."

"Kyu…" the blonde looked at the demon in confusion.

"Let him be, Naruto," Neji said, pushing to his feet. "We're due in Care of Magical Creatures. Besides, he won't do anything stupid enough to get himself back in his cage."

Without another word the redheaded demon made his way out of the Hall. Once in the entrance hall, he turned resolutely to the stairs that would take him down to the dungeons. He then followed the path Naruto had taken many times before to the Potions Master's office.

He listened at the door for a moment, but didn't hear anything from within. As quietly as he could, he opened the door, careful not to activate the wards. Once inside, he went over to the desk and flopped down in the empty chair, propping his feet up on the desk.

8888888

The fifth year Gryffindors made their way across the grounds toward Hagrid's cabin for their Care of Magical Creatures lesson. The Slytherins were already there along with Professor Umbridge, who still hadn't realized her robes were discolored. Hagrid stood in front of his hut, shifting nervously from foot to foot, a thick book clutched tightly in his enormous hands. When everyone had finally gathered around, Hagrid motioned for all of them to have a seat.

"Today," he cleared his throat slightly, "we'll be doin' a bit o' book learnin'."

Everyone stared at the half-giant in disbelief, well except the shinobi of course. In the past almost three years they'd been in this class they'd not had a non practical lesson. True, they'd used their books before, but there had always been a creature present for them to study.

"Now," Hagrid nodded decisively, "if you'll take out yer books, and turn ta the last chapter, we'll begin."

There was a rustling as everyone took out their books and stroked the spines so they'd open without snapping.

"Demons?" Seamus Finnigan frowned. "Why would anyone want to take care of one?"

"Highly misunderstood creatures, demons," Hagrid frowned slightly. "Now, as ta why anyone would want ta take care of one, it may come ta the point when ya have no choice in the matter. I have here," he tapped the book he still held in his hands, "a book I picked up in my travels earlier this year. I had it translated, and felt it would be worth sharing'."

"Mr. Hagrid," Umbridge said loudly and slowly, "I'm sure you are aware…"

"Are you aware ya have green dye on yer robes?" the gamekeeper scowled, having just spotted the toad like woman.

The squat woman looked down at her front and gave a small 'eep' of surprise. The assembled students chuckled silently as the current Headmistress took off at a waddling jog back toward the castle. As soon as she was out of sight, the Gryffindors burst into a round of applause for their teacher, while the Slytherins just stood there in apparent shock, though Draco threw Harry an almost imperceptible smirk and a wink.

"As I was sayin'," Hagrid shook his head slightly, a smile splitting his face, "most of ya will never come across a friendly type demon in yer life." Here most of the shinobi snorted. "It says here though, that demons can take human mates if they find one worthy enough. If they find ya worthy, they'll mark ya, whether ya want it or not. Now it's then that knowin' how ta deal with 'em comes in handy.

"Now, ya don't want ta back down from a demon, they'll kill ya," he said gravely. "Even the friendlier ones will. What ya want ta do there is redirect their attention away from you, then run like the dickens. Though if ya can get on the good side of one of the friendlier ones, the worst they'll do ta ya is play tricks on ya. If ya do manage that yeh'll have no better protection in the world. Not even the worst spell known ta wizards can kill one, it's like they're made out of pure magic. There are rituals in this book that have been rumored to have been used to contain a demon, but it not only takes great power to do that, but it's also very risky ta the caster.

"Now, who can tell me some o' the demons yeh've come across over the years, whether in Defense or whatnot?" he looked around expectantly.

A few hands rose into the air, not surprisingly Hermione's was among the first. Several of the shinobi's had risen as well.

"Hermione?" he nodded at the bushy haired Gryffindor.

"Well, there are grind lows, water demons," she began. "And then…"

Hagrid held up his hand to silence her, "Very good. Gaara?"

"Shukaku, the demon of the Sand," he answered in a monotone.

"Ah," the gamekeeper nodded, "the legendary bijuu. It makes sense that'd yeh'd heard o' those ones. I hear they're quite a well known story in Japan."

"Yeah," Kankuro glowered darkly. "Can we move on now?"

Shortly thereafter, the bell rang and they all made their way to their next classes. As they approached the greenhouses, Harry, Ron, and Hermione hung back a bit to have a private word with the ninja.

"Hey Naruto," Harry asked, practicing his Japanese, "is that true? Is that why you and Kyu get along? You befriended him?"

"Kinda," the blonde shrugged. "I'm a jinchuuriki. Kyu and I are bound together for better or worse."

"So you're his mate?" Hermione asked, a frown marring her features.

"Eww, no," Naruto pulled a face. "No, I'm his cage. That ritual Hagrid was talking about to contain a demon…that's what happened. The Fourth Hokage performed that ritual and sealed Kyu in me. Our lives are bound together, I die, he dies, that type of thing. It wasn't too long ago that we became friends, I guess you could call it."

"What about the mate thing, though?" Ron chimed in curiously. "Is it true that they can mark whoever they please?"

Naruto and Gaara shared a look. The redhead gave an almost non-detectable shrug, that only the shinobi caught for what it really was.

"Don't know," the blonde sighed. "I'd have to ask Kyu, and he's not answering at the moment."

8888888

Snape walked into his office after the final lesson of the day, intent on grading essays before having to supervise detentions. His plans, however, deteriorated when he entered the room and saw the man seated at his desk.

"How did you get in here?" he demanded, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Your wards were easy enough for me to bypass," the fox smirked. "Or did you honestly forget who I am?"

"Your continued presence at this school," Snape sneered, "is a constant reminder of who and what you are. That does not mean it pleases anyone involved."

"I do admire your spirit," Kyuubi shook his head, pushing to his feet. "There are not many who would dare stand up to me, demon or mortal."

"I am overwhelmed by your admiration," the Potions Master said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Let me fall to my knees in gratitude."

"Sarcasm actually becomes you," amber eyes danced with mischievous amusement.

"If that is all," Snape scoffed, moving toward his desk, "you know where the door is, show yourself out."

Kyuubi stepped out into the man's path, "You serve two masters, yet neither owns you, though one has marked you." He grabbed Snape's left arm and almost ripped the sleeve back to reveal the Dark Mark. "If you can call that pitiful excuse of magic a proper marking."

"I demand you unhand me at once," Snape snarled, trying to wrench his arm free, with very little success.

"You don't know much about demons, do you?" the fox demon pulled the man in by the arm he still had in his grasp, the latter not noticing the elongating of the demon's eyeteeth. "Most importantly," he hissed in Snape's ear, "we take orders from no one."

Kyuubi proceeded to sink his fangs into the Potions Master's neck, directly over the pulse point, causing the dour man to release a silent scream. The demon allowed some of his chakra to flow through his fangs and into the mortal's bloodstream. After a few moment, yellow eyes caught the beginnings of a shape forming on the back of Snape's neck. He waited a few moments more, until it became a very clear spiral comprised of nine fox tails.

When he finally retracted his fangs the Potions Master slumped forward, passed out from the intensity of the pain he'd just endured. Kyuubi caught him, and with a quick transformation jutsu to the desk, placed him down to sleep it off. With a final, possessive look at Snape's unconscious form, he took his leave, a smirk firmly planted on his face.

The fox demon made his way up from the dungeons and to the Great Hall, where students were just beginning to assemble for the evening meal. He made his way over to the Gryffindor table, where his kit was already seated with the Hyuuga brat and their charges. He nudged the know-it-all witch aside so he could sit next to his kit, sensing the blonde's agitation with him but not quite giving a damn.

"Where were you all afternoon, Kyu?" Naruto asked quietly. "We wanted to ask you something, but you weren't answering me."

"I was taking care of some personal business," his smirk widened exponentially.

"What did you do, Kyu?" blue eyes widened in alarm.

"You worry too much, Kit," the fox ruffled the blonde spikes playfully. "I didn't kill, maim, or otherwise… harm anyone. Now, eat your dinner, you're getting scrawny."

8888888

The final match of the Quidditch season, Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw, was to take place on the last weekend of May. The shinobi followed their charges down to the pitch, half of them preparing to keep a lookout for their charges in the air. Naruto was secretly glad that Harry wasn't playing, as he felt so helpless when he'd last played, not having a jutsu that could take him into the air like some of his companions.

Shortly after the first goal was scored by Ravenclaw, the shinobi in the stands noticed Hagrid in the row behind them. He spoke quietly with Harry and Hermione for a moment, be for all three of them began making their way out of the stands. After a quick, albeit silent, conversation with their Suna counterparts, Naruto and Sakura followed.

Across the stands two other people noticed their departure. Draco Malfoy leaned over and told Blaise he wasn't feeling well, and that he was going back to the dorms. He then made his way out of the stands. Behind him, Shikamaru rolled his eyes before pushing slowly to his feet. Without a word to anyone, he left the stands in pursuit of the blonde. As the pair passed the gamekeeper's hut, the Shadow Ninja reached out and grabbed his fellow Slytherin's shoulder, effectively bringing him to a halt.

"Do you know what the fuck you're doing?" Shikamaru sighed heavily. "Or are you just going to rush headlong into the Forest?"

"I can't just let him follow Hagrid," Draco shook his head. "As good as his intentions may be, he's not always the most logical when it comes to dangerous creatures or situations."

"And did you fail to remember that both Harry and Hermione have trained guards with them?" the brunette pulled out a pack of cigarettes and flicked one into his mouth and lit it. "Or did you not see Naruto and Sakura leaving?"

"I don't care," he ran his hands through his hair in frustration. "He's my boyfriend."

"Fine," Shikamaru took a long drag from the cigarette before flicking it away. "We'll follow them. But you have to do exactly what I say if you don't want to get us caught. Now get on my back and don't make a sound."

The blonde complied readily, anything was better than just standing there. As soon as Draco was settled on his back, the Shadow Ninja took off into the Forbidden Forest, taking to the treetops effortlessly, even with the added burden. It didn't take them long at all to catch sight of their query.

They followed the trail of the wizards for a few moments before Shikamaru let out a low whistle, which greatly resembled a bird. A moment later, an answering call came from their right and the shinobi shifted course. The blonde Slytherin blinked in surprise as they landed in a tree next to Naruto and Sakura.

"Shika, what are you doing here?" Naruto hissed so quietly that even Draco had a hard time hearing him. "And why did you bring him?"

"He wanted to follow his boyfriend," the brunette shrugged. "That should answer both your questions. So what's going on?"

"Not quite sure," the jinchuuriki shook his head. "Hagrid hasn't said much, just that the centaurs aren't happy with him because he saved Firenze."

"Quiet," Sakura said suddenly. "Hagrid's explaining."

"Good!" Hermione's voice carried easily, as Harry set her back on her feet. They both murmured "Lumos!" and their wand tips ignited. Hagrid's face swam through the gloom by the light of the two wavering beams and Harry saw that he looked nervous and sad again.

"Righ'" said Hagrid. "Well… see… the thing is…"

He took a great breath.

"Well, there's a good chance I'm goin' ter be gettin' the sack any day now," he said.

Harry and Hermione looked at each other, then back at him.

"But you've lasted this long-" Hermione said tentatively. "What makes you think-"

"Umbridge reckons it was me that put tha' niffler in her office."

"And was it?" said Harry, before he could stop himself.

"No, it ruddy well wasn'!" said Hagrid indignantly. "On'y anythin' ter do with magical creatures an' she thinks it's got somethin' ter do with me. Yeh know she's bin lookin' fer a chance ter get rid of me ever since I got back. I don' wan' ter go, o' course, but if it wasn' fer… well… the special circumstances I'm abou' ter explain to yeh, I'd leave righ' now, before she's go' the chances ter do it in front o' the whole school, like she did with Trelawney."

Harry and Hermione both made noises of protest, but Hagrid overrode them with a wave of his enormous hands.

"It's not the end o' the world, I'll be able ter help Dumbledore once I'm outta here, I can be useful ter the Order. An' you lot'll have Grubbly-Plank, yeh'll-yeh'll get through yer exams fine…." His voice trembled and broke.

"Don' worry abou' me," he said hastily, as Hermione made to pat his arm. He pulled his enormous spotted handkerchief from the pocket of his waistcoat and mopped his eyes with it. "Look, I wouldn' be tellin' yer this at all if I didn' have ter. See, if I go… well, I can' leave withou'… withou' tellin' someone… because I'll-I'll need yeh two ter help me. An' Ron, if he's willin'."

"Of course we'll help you," said Harry at once. "What do you want us to do?"

Hagrid gave a great sniff and patted Harry wordlessly on the shoulder with such force that Harry was knocked sideways into a tree.

"I knew yeh'd say yes," said Hagrid into his handkerchief, "but I won'… never… forget…. Well… c'mon… jus' a little bit further through here…. Watch yourselves, now, there's nettles…."

"That was completely pointless!" Draco hissed under his breath.

"Shut up and let's go," Naruto shook his head slightly, a smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth at the Slytherin's frustration.

They continued to follow the three wizards into a clearing, a recently made clearing, if the uprooted trees scattered around the ground were any indication. They took in the clearing and nearly fell from their tree when they realized what they were actually seeing.

'Holy Shit!' Naruto cursed in his head.

"Hey Kit," Kyuubi's voice floated back across their link, "Did I mention there was a giant now living in the Forbidden Forest."

'You fucking fox,' he growled quietly. 'Couldn't have mentioned that before could you? Asshole!'

Aloud he whispered, "Kyu knew."

"Damn fox!" Shikamaru sighed. "He's so troublesome."

Not another word was spoken as Hagrid introduced Harry and Hermione to his half-brother Grawp. The shinobi shook their heads as they listened to what the half-giant was attempting to do, not that it wasn't a noble goal, it was just a bit impractical.

It was as they started back through the Forest that trouble arose. There was a rustle of movement off to one side and Hagrid had Harry and Hermione stop.

"I thought that we told you, Hagrid," said a deep male voice, "that you are no longer welcome here?"

A man's naked torso seemed for an instant to be floating toward them through the dappled green half-light. Then they saw that his waist joined smoothly with a horse's chestnut body. This centaur had a proud, high-cheekboned face and long black hair. Like Hagrid, he was armed: A quiverful of arrows and a long bow were slung over his shoulders.

"How are yeh, Magorian?" said Hagrid warily.

The trees behind the centaur rustled and four or five more emerged behind him. The three ninja tensed immediately, sensing trouble brewing.

"So," a black-bodied and bearded one said, with a nasty inflection in his voice, before turning immediately to Magorian. "We agreed, I think, what we would do if this human showed his face in the forest again?"

"'This human' now, am I?" said Hagrid testily. "Jus' fer stoppin' all of yeh committin' murder?"

"You ought not to have meddled, Hagrid," said Magorian. "Our ways are not yours, nor are our laws. Firenze has betrayed and dishonored us."

"I dunno how yeh work that out," said Hagrid impatiently. "He's done nothin' except help Albus Dumbledore-"

"Firenze has entered into servitude to humans," said a grey centaur with a hard, deeply lined face.

"Servitude!" said Hagrid scathingly. "He's doin' Dumbledore a favor is all-"

"He is peddling our knowledge and secrets among humans," said Magorian quietly. "There can be no return from such disgrace."

"Sounds a lot like our laws," Shikamaru shook his head sadly. "Though we do sound a bit more forgiving. But then again, we do have the Hunters."

"Yeah," the whiskered blonde sighed. "Doesn't mean everyone understands that. Or that it makes it right."

"If yeh say so," said Hagrid shrugging, "but personally I think yeh're makin' a big mistake-"

"As are you, human," said Bane, "coming back into our forest when we warned you-"

"Now, you listen ter me," said Hagrid angrily. "I'll have less of the 'our' forest, if it's all the same ter you. It's not up ter you who comes an' goes in here-"

"No more is it up to you, Hagrid," said Magorian smoothly.

"Enough!" Naruto appeared between the two groups in a puff of smoke. 'Kyu, give me access to your chakra, keep enough back to stay but I need to make an impression here.'

"Make your impression, Kit," the fox chuckled in his head. "Teach those ponies not to mess with shinobi of the Leaf."

"Who are you?" Bane snapped, his face contorted in rage.

"A visitor," the blonde smirked, revealing a sharp, elongated eyetooth, before raising his now red eyes to look at the centaurs, who all took a nervous step back.

"This is not your concern, vessel," Magorian shook his head.

"But it is," he chuckled darkly. "Those two," he nodded in Harry and Hermione's direction, "they're mine. And as Hagrid is with them, he's mine too."

For good measure, he leaked a little more of Kyuubi's chakra, causing the centaurs to begin pawing the ground anxiously.

"Our quarrel is not with you, or your demon," said Magorian, bowing slightly. "We would've let him pass today because he is accompanied by his young-"

"They're not his!" interrupted Bane contemptuously, his outrage overcoming his fear. "Students, Magorian, from up at the school! They have probably already profited from the traitor Firenze's teachings…."

"Nevertheless," said Magorian calmly, "the slaughter of foals is a terrible crime…. We do not touch the innocent. Today, Hagrid, you pass. Henceforth, stay away from this place. You forfeited the friendship of the centaurs when you helped the traitor Firenze escape us."

He looked at the blonde to make sure he agreed. Naruto nodded, he would not interfere for the gamekeeper next time.

"I won' be kept outta the fores' by a bunch of mules like you!" said Hagrid loudly.

"Hagrid," said Hermione in a higher-pitched and terrified voice, as both Bane and the grey centaur pawed at the ground, "let's go, please let's go!"

Hagrid moved forward, but his crossbow was still raised and his eyes were still fixed threateningly upon Magorian.

"We know what you are keeping in the forest, Hagrid!" Magorian called after them, as the centaurs slipped out of sight. "And our tolerance is waning!"

Naruto's chakra spiked at the threat, it was one thing to have hard feelings toward Hagrid, he'd warrented them, but to not share the forest with other creatures was going too far. The centaur must've realized his mistake for he pawed the ground before taking off quickly after his fellows. Hagrid, however, turned and gave every appearance of wanting to walk straight back to Magorian again.

"You'll tolerate him as long as he's here, it's as much his forest as yours!" he yelled, while Harry and Hermione both pushed with all their might against Hagrid's moleskin waistcoat in an effort to keep him moving forward. Still scolwing, he looked down; his expression changed to mild surprise at the sight of them both pushing him. He seemed not to have felt it.

"Calm down, you two," he said, turning to walk on while they panted along behind him, Naruto, meanwhile, fell into step with them. "Ruddy old nags though, eh?"

"Hagrid," said Hermione breathlessly, skirting the patch of nettles they had passed on their way there, "if the centaurs don't want humans in the forest, it doesn't really look as though Harry and I will be able-"

"Ah, you heard what they said," said Hagrid dismissively. "They wouldn't hurt foals-I mean, kids. Anyway, we can' let ourselves be pushed around by that lot…."

"Nice try," Harry murmured to Hermione, who looked crestfallen.

"By the way, Naruto," the half-giant looked back at the trio over his shoulder, "how'd yeh show up like tha'?"

"Just lucky, I guess," he shrugged noncommittally. "Anyway, you need to watch yourself in there, Hagrid, they won't hold back forever."

Hagrid just waved his hand dismissively again and turned his attention back to the path.

Up in the trees, Sakura and Shikamaru parted so they were on either side of the path. Draco, still on the brunette's back, was rather furious about what he'd just witnessed. He wanted to go to Harry and forbid him from going back into the forest ever again, but he knew the only thing that would accomplish would be to drive the raven haired boy away. He gave a sigh of resignation as they finally reached the edge of the forest.