I do not own Naruto. Speaking/Thoughts
It had been a year since Fu had joined them and Mikoto Uchiha was brought back to life, but they had only just finished visiting all of the villages and shrines dedicated to Zale. In that year there had been many distractions none worth mentioning, but they had made it with a goof chunk of their minds intact.
Zale had hit a growth spurt finally making him taller than Kurumi and Satsuki as long as they didn't wear heals that is. Zale no longer wore a black jacket, orange pants, and the standard ninja sandals.
He had allowed his blonde hair to grow out longer reaching his shoulders, the hair was still spiky despite how much effort he put into straightening it, one bang framed his face decorated with a piece of red string attached to a bell, his purple eyes had changed to a much darker amethyst color that would almost glow in the dark, his K-9's had turned sharper, his features became more angular giving him a sharp look, his teeth were exceptionally white, and he was muscular though not so much that it looked disfigured, as if he swam a lot.
His attire had changed dramatically; Zale's shinobi sandals were thicker at the bottom to give him extra height, he wore cargo pants with many pockets for some of the dirty tricks he used in a fight, a kunai pouch was tied to each of his legs at arm's length, a pouch filled with the most basic of medical supplies was tied to the back of his waist easily accessible, covering his upper half was a skin tight black shirt that ended at his elbow, over this he wore a flak jacket with a fox that had a pair of black wings adorned with gold, and on occasion when the sun got too hot he would dawn a straw hat.
"Great Emperor, will you be taking lunch in the sedan chair, or will you prefer to dine at a restaurant?" Gomu asked walking next to Zale who preferred to walk then ride in the sedan chair.
"Let's just enjoy this Gomu; it's not very often that we get a day like this." Zale said running a hand through his hair. It was true lately things had been hectic, but today was an unusually peaceful day making some suspicious, but Zale decided he'd rather enjoy it then worry. "It's odd how much I can enjoy this; a million years ago I would have never thought I'd be one to enjoy a peaceful stroll."
"I'm sure given the opportunity you would have loved them even back then." Gomu said and Zale nodded. Over the year they spent together the two of them became good friends; most likely because Gomu was the closest thing Zale ever had to a father despite having complete control over him.
"Zale, the higher ups in your followers want to discuss some things with you." Chrome said and Zale sighed, but rubbed the back of his neck and turned to walk back to the shrine they were currently residing in nonetheless. "Those higher ups are really pushing lately."
"I'm afraid so, but there's little we can do. Even the Great Emperor cannot simply do away with them without repercussions that will be too much to handle." Gomu said with a sigh stroking his beard. "We can only hope that the Great Emperor will be able to handle them."
Chrome nodded before catching up to Zale. Together they walked into the meeting room where some very rich and powerful men were gathered. Each of them had their own agendas, but none of them were willing to compromise to get it. "My general told me that you wished to speak to me." Zale said speaking in a powerful voice that quieted everyone down.
"Yes, Great Emperor. We have been very patient with you so far, but the fact remains that since joining you we have not gained any significant advantages." Scar said, he had been born with a mark going from his chin to his waist band thus the name. "We even call you an Emperor when you don't rule anything; we believe that it's time to start establishing an empire."
"We have many plots of land in the elemental nations, some extending to a few thousand acres." Silvia, an older woman who had inherited her fortune and seat of power from her mother, but that made her no less dangerous.
"Yes, but no empire. We are simply a group without power; we need to start building armies not just gaining followers. Training soldiers, and establishing our own place in the world even if we have to fight for it." Scar said.
"And who will fight for it, who will lead these armies that you speak of and who will join? Will you fight with us, or did you expect me to make my men fight?" Zale asked forcefully causing Scar to scowl.
"Surely you must agree with me Akiyama." Scar said turning to the muscular man.
"I agree that we must take an initiative and create our own force, but there's no way to do it. The Elemental Nations are on the edge of war themselves; if they were to encounter a new rising nation on their radar then they would use it as an excuse to bring everyone together. I am neither young enough nor wanting to go to war with the Elemental Nations." Akiyama said expertly dodging the question. It was an impressive strategy he had basically said he wanted to agree with Scar, but if any pressure arose then he would immediately abandon him.
"Then what do we do, simply stay like this?" Scar asked angrily seeing he had lost this argument.
"There might be a compromise." Haru said one of his own servants coming in and handing him a paper. "I did not want to bring it up until it was confirmed, but it seems that this will be the only compromise. It is believed that there is more than just the Elemental Nations out there; out in the ocean it is rumored that a new nation exists. I sent out a scouting mission a few months ago, and a messenger hawk just returned today. It reports of the land being a war torn area, it would be easy for a few hundred well trained soldiers to take a sizeable chunk for themselves."
"What a terrible idea, how could you even recommend that? To think that you would ask for us to leave our lives here to go to a war torn area." said Scar.
"That might not be a bad idea." Zale said everyone looking up at him. "When I was in my past life there was a lot of talk about another nation besides our own in the west, if they're only scrambling around for some kind of stability then a rising empire could easily take a chunk of the nation. I would be willing to put my support behind my idea."
"I second the motion." Akiyama said jumping on the bandwagon. It was only a few moments before they were all in agreement on the idea. "Tell me how will we get there, and how long will it take?"
"Well it'll take six to eight weeks at most, and as for how we'll get there, I have a friend in the Land Of Spring that will more than likely be willing to lend us a few dozen boats." Zale said standing. "I'll tell Kurumi and Satsuki, if there's not anything else to discuss I'll be taking my leave." Zale looked around to see that no one had anything else to add to their session. "Chrome, get ready to move, we're going to be going on a trip."
"Yes sir." Chrome said taking off in the opposite direction.
Zale walked to the room where he knew Satsuki and Kurumi to be in, and pushed the door in. Mikoto was also there fumbling with a pair of knitting needles trying to master the technique while Kurumi expertly weaved the yarn creating what seemed to be a scarf. "What are you doing?" Zale asked.
"Well Mikoto and I both wanted to learn how to knit, so we got one of the others to show us the basics." Kurumi said not looking down to examine her work. It didn't once bunch or miss the loop. "Would you believe that I've never even looked at knitting needles before?"
"I think you're getting carried away." Zale said seeing the scarf was already three feet long. "What are you reading Satsuki?"
"It's called "Foreign Exploration and Cultures"." Satsuki said turning the page on her book. "There's a theory that there are other countries in the Western Hemisphere instead of just ocean like we originally thought, of course it's just speculation and theory."
"Actually someone just confirmed the existence of that country." Zale said causing Satsuki to nod. "It's actually pretty convenient that you brought that up, I was just at a meeting and we were discussing actually establishing our empire there. It's war riddled and armies have been scrambling in and out of power for centuries, whoever's strong enough to beat a few war lords can take the place and claim themselves royals the way it's told."
"We can't leave the Elemental Nations; this place is our homes we all grew up here." Mikoto said dropping the knitting needles. "I know things are edgy, but it wouldn't be hard to start an empire here."
"Everything's on the brink of war right now, even if we tried the Elemental Nations would attack us. I grew up here too, but the simple fact is that three of us are wanted by Konoha, one by the Waterfall village, and one by the Sand Village. It would be a lot safer for everyone if we were to leave the Elemental nations for the new world." Zale said. "If you or Satsuki were to be found by Konoha even on accident they'd turn you both into baby factories for as long as you were able."
"He's not wrong." Satsuki said putting down her book. "It might be a better idea to go to that new nation in the world."
"Everyone's so eager to leave." Mikoto said giving into the others. "Alright then, but how are we going to get there? It would take an exceptional amount of money that I doubt even your loyalist of followers wouldn't be willing to give up."
"Well I was actually hoping that Kurumi would talk to Yukie about that." Zale said with a sigh and Kurumi looked up glaring. "She likes you a lot better than she likes me, and I doubt that a few boats are going to be that much strain on her wallet. She's the ruler of the technology capital of the world."
"That's not the point; you can't just have me ask a friend for such a big favor. She's going to want something, and it's going to be a really big thing. I'll feel terrible about it, and it's not something that you can casually mention in conversation, I'd need to see her face to face." Kurumi said with a sigh.
"I can arrange that." Zale said with a nod. "We could leave in an hour."
"I want something." Kurumi said crossing her arms. "I think you know what."
"One hour." Zale said.
"Three hours." Kurumi said firmly and Zale nodded. She grabbed him by the collar of his jacket and dragged him out of the room. Zale spent the next three agonizing hours taking Kurumi shopping for anything and everything she wanted, and helping her carry everything.
"Alright, everyone's ready to go." Chrome said looking around. "Where's Zale?"
"I'm right here." Zale said walking into the room. "I had to help Kurumi with something."
"Are you sure about leaving on your own Great Emperor, it would be a lot safer to have the escorts with you." Gomu said. In Zale's plan only he and the original members of his group would be going leaving the others here as not to draw too much attention. Even Fu and Mikoto were staying behind
"This is safer, and we'll move a lot faster this way. We'll be back within a week, and then we'll set sail for a new world where we can rule." Zale said convincingly. "Is everyone ready?" They nodded and Zale snapped his fingers. Wings shot out of their backs theirs black as night, Kurumi and Satsuki's whiter than snow. "Alright then, we'll see you later Gomu, let's go."
The nine of them took off into the air their wings lifting them off the ground in a none too gentle manor, but as soon as they stabilized the jerky take off turned into graceful movements in the sky.
Several hours of hard flying later they landed nearby an inn that was rather desolate, and isolated. "God, my wings are sore." Kira said before they practically exploded in a flurry of feathers nothing there when the feathers were gone. "You could tell us before you take them off."
"Learn to make them." Zale said stretching out his muscles. "Come on let's get some rest." They walked into an inn where they rented five rooms that were the best in the place. "This place has a hot spring."
"But they don't have mixed bathing." Kurumi said with a pout. "Maybe they'll make an exception." One look at the scary looking woman that was behind the counter said otherwise. "Oh well we'll just go to the separate ones, you have fun."
Zale decided it would be best to have a soak and went in followed by Kira, Chrome, and Gaara. "I haven't been to a hot spring in years." Kira said sinking into the water. Unconsciously his body adjusted heating the water to near boiling temperatures causing more steam to rise off the water. None of them noticed if anything the hot water felt better. "Hey Zale, when's the fabulous life going to kick in, so far you're the only one that's had the royal treatment."
"Be patient; we haven't officially established any actual empire. By this time in the next few years we'll be the most powerful people in a nation that we rule; of course you'll all be rewarded then." Zale said closing his eyes and sinking deeper into the water.
"I still want to know if you're dating Aria." Gaara said.
"How are things going with Satsuki and Kurumi?" Chrome asked immediately changing the subject. Even Zale gave him the cold stare on that one. "There's nothing going on between us officially, but we might have something going on."
"You owe me ten dollars." Gaara said and Kira sighed handing him the money. "Have any of you ever wondered why we're here?" All of their moods suddenly shifted as Gaara spoke. "There has to be some higher power, someone out there has to be controlling how things are going."
"I disagree with that, I've met a god before, and she was incapable of forcing me to move on to my next life. Everything that happens to us is completely of our own choosing." Zale said.
"It'd be a little too convenient to have someone to blame for everything that happens to you, and what other people do." Chrome said with a shake of his head. "Then again it'd be pretty nice to believe in destiny, and to know that no matter how difficult life is there's a higher plan for you out there."
"I suppose so." Zale said dipping his head under the water.
*With the Girls*
"What do you think the guys are talking about?" Aria asked as their conversation was lacking.
"Probably guy things." Shiki said with a sigh the others agreeing.
Half an hour later Zale sat on the couch of his room flipping through a book. "We should get to Spring Country by tomorrow, and be back with the boats in another three days." Zale said while Kurumi walked in. "How was the hot spring?"
"It was better than yours, apparently." Kurumi said noticing Zale's red skin. "You look like you've been boiled alive, are you okay?"
"Oh." Zale said looking at his skin. "I suppose that Kira heated the water unconsciously, and I didn't notice." Zale didn't seem too concerned as his skin slowly returned to normal. "I sent a letter to Yukie that we were coming."
"What did you say in that letter?" Kurumi asked suspiciously.
"It just said that a fellow royal would like to meet with her." Zale said with a smirk.
"Kurumi how do you do this?" Satsuki asked fumbling with the knitting needles.
"You're too stiff." Kurumi said relaxing the hand positions.
*The Next Day in the Land of Spring Palace*
Yukie sighed completely bored. As fun as she assumed it would be to rule a country it was mostly a lot of busy work and lunches with people that her advisors had deemed important. Now she was stuck in the throne room waiting for some snotty royal to come and prance through trying to establish a trade for some of their valuable technology.
"Lady Yukie, they are right outside." a nameless servant said and Yukie motioned for them to be let in. "Introducing the Great Empress."
"This person sure is confident." Yukie said with a roll of her eyes. She watched as the door slowly opened revealing a certain red head with a pair of beautiful white wings. "Kurumi, it's so good to see you!" Yukie squeezed her in a bear hug. "Where did you get the wings?"
"They were a gift." Kurumi said dismissively. "It's good to see you again."
"Last I heard you left Konoha; I didn't know you became a royal." Yukie said. "Did you inherit a country too?"
"No, I'm very close to the Great Emperor himself." Kurumi said.
"Things between you and Naruto didn't work out; I thought you two were really going to make it." Yukie said seemingly disappointed. "Oh well, you did very well for yourself."
"No, Naruto or should I say Zale are still together." Kurumi said and Yukie put the pieces together.
"No way, that brat is royalty. I couldn't picture him sitting on a throne." Yukie said with a laugh barely able to stop herself from collapsing in a fit of giggles at the thought of the Naruto she knew being someone of high blood.
"I take offense to that Yukie." Zale said walking in. Yukie was shocked to see him standing there. "I'm more of a religious leader than an Emperor, but we're getting there." After a quick once over of Zale and his wings she deemed him able to pass as a royal and that he didn't look half bad. "It's good to see you again; we haven't had much contact since we left Konoha."
"What was the story with that, the official report was that you left on an important mission that would take a few years, but I doubt that that's the real story." Yukie said a hand on her chin.
"Well on the way here Kurumi convinced me that it would be best to tell you the whole story from the very beginning." Zale said with a sigh. He turned to Kurumi for confirmation and she nodded, he took a deep breath before beginning the long story that ended at this point in time.
"I wouldn't believe that from anyone else." Yukie said with a shake of her head rubbing her temples. "You want to borrow some boats, so you can go to a country that needs somebody to rule it, and you're asking me for them."
"Sorry on the first day we see each other again, I ask for such a big favor." Kurumi said apologetically.
"No, it's no trouble I'm just a little shocked this brick wall was able to get two girls to fall in love with him, and that Sasuke was actually Satsuki." Yukie said causing a tick mark to appear on Zale's forehead. For some reason she was always capable of pushing his buttons. "I'll give you the boats, but I want something from you Zale."
"What?" Zale asked arching his eyebrow. For some reason he didn't think that she would want money like he had hoped she would.
"Well we're the technology capital of the world, and from what your story tells us you should know how to build some pretty advance stuff, second I want first dibs on trading rights, and third I want a pair of wings sky blue please." Yukie said and Zale nodded seeing nothing that would come back to bite him in the butt later in life. "Great, I want the wings now, and one of my servants will lead you to an invention workshop."
"Let me see with your back." Zale said and after some convincing she lowered her robe just enough. Zale placed his hand on her back and Yukie flinched. "Hold still."
"Your hands are cold." Yukie whined before she was forced forward by the wings that unfolded from her back. "These are heavy."
"You get used to it." Kurumi said with a laugh. "Come on let's go get Satsuki and we can all go flying together and catch up."
They left and Zale followed the servant to a place filled with all sorts of contraptions and devices. A few hours later Zale had rigged up an engine that should have in theory run on the chakra of a person instead of fossil fuels like the originals had. "There, now to go find the others." Zale muttered throwing the wrench to who knows where.
Apparently Zale was the only one working with everyone else enjoying the Land of Spring's warmth and interesting products. "Zale how did the inventing go?" Kurumi asked coming down in front of him with Satsuki and Yukie. She had apparently been enjoying all of the luxuries that being the friend of a country's royal provided, her usual revealing outfit was replaced with a beautiful red kimono that must have been made from a very expensive material held closed by an orange sash.
Satsuki was dressed in a similar kimono except this one was a deep blue the sash also orange. "Yukie really knows how to treat guests." Satsuki said kindly. "Thanks Yukie it was a great day."
"At least someone had fun." Zale said with a sigh.
"By the way Zale, from what they told me, very impressive." Yukie said pointing down.
"Kurumi!" Zale said turning red.
"I didn't say anything." Kurumi said.
"Satsuki?" Zale asked and she turned red. "Whatever, I need a shower."
"There's one in your room, but be quick we're going to have a dinner." Yukie said turning around and knocking over a vase with her wings.
"Yeah, yeah." Zale muttered walking into the shower.