Naruto sighed as he ran a dirty rag over the bar counter top. For some reason Hip Hog Haven was closed for today, and Krew was anxious about something, even Sig was tense as he watched the massive man float about the room. Naruto swallowed thickly as he bent down to retrieve a few bottles of alcohol. He wiggled his nose at the smell but placed the small number of Black Thunder Punch bottles on the bar.
Sig grabbed one and slid a few Precursor Orbs towards Naruto. Biting his lip, the blond nodded while putting the Orbs away. Something must really be happing if Sig was drinking. The wastelander never drank unless he was about to head out on a big mission or something serious was going on.
"I'm expecting a shipment of Rare Eco Ore to be coming in. I want you to be on guard Sig." The dark skinned elf nodded but kept his one dark green eye on Naruto. The boy was still jumpy at every move and word Krew said, and Sig felt it was partially his fault for the boy's nerves.
The whole saloon was silent other than the odd 'tink!' of bottles hitting each other. Then there was an uproar. People were yelling and gunshots rang out. The sound of Zoomers speeding past and guards yelling out filled the air for a brief moment before an eerie silence claimed the air again.
In that time Sig had stood, his Peace Maker held in his grip, blocking Naruto's view from the door. The once fox eared sixteen year old found himself shaking violently, his blond fox tail hugging his thigh tightly. He had no clue what was happening until the sound of the front door opening filled the quiet saloon.
"Let me handle this, Jak. Watch my finesse and style." A loud, cheery voice filled the silence.
"Don't forget to ask about…" A deeper, smoother voice followed the sound of something soft hitting the floor.
"Everything's cool. Nobody panic. Hey, big guy." Naruto's sapphire eyes went wide as the same orange ottsel with goggles on his head and fingerless gloves oh his paws from his dreams calmly walked between Sig's legs. The blond felt his heart race in both panic and in hope. Before he could act on any emotion he was feeling Krew floated down from the ceiling.
It was almost comical to see the ottsel's blue eyes shrink at seeing the massive man. But the humor Naruto would have found in it died as the teen from his dreams stepped around Sig, who turned to face his boss. The teen looked nothing like he had in Naruto's dreams, at least not now.
The green-blond hair was longer than before and his once bright blue eyes were now jagged and cold. He even wore common city clothes with a goatee and the same goggles he possessed in his dreams were on his forehead. A strong desolate feeling washed over Naruto as he remembered his hat. Another thing he noticed was that the teen no longer looked like a boy, but a teen that was forced to grow up too fast.
Naruto bowed his head as the stranger looked towards him, refusing to make eye contact. "You Krew?" The ottsel asked pointing to Krew. All eyes, even the cautious look from Naruto was on him. He looked smug as he continued. "Well, we shook the heat, and your shipment's in primo condition."
"That's good, 'ey, because a cargo of Rare Eco Ore is worth more than ten of your lives," Krew spoke as he steadily got closer to the green-blond and kept getting closer even as he spoke. "Mmmmm and of course, I'd be forced to collect…ah slowly. Heh, heh." Naruto's eyes went wide as the same gleam of hunger and lust glazed Krew's one red eye and his other partially blind one as he drank in the teen. He had seen that look directed at himself more than once but Krew never made any advance. The cold, angry, and jagged look in the teen's eyes darkened at Krew's words.
Krew floated around him and continued to speak. "The Underground will take anyone with a pulse these days." The ottsel jumped on the teen's shoulder as Naruto strained his cut off ears to listen closer to what Krew had to say. "And what do we have here? The Shadow's mascot of the month?" Krew hissed as he stared at the ferret like creature before rubbing under his chin and stroking his head, much like when the massive man touched Naruto's ear. A shudder of disgust ran down Naruto's spine. "Ooooo, soft…Sig, this fur would well with my silk suits, 'ey?" Krew said moving away, the ottsel sticking out his tongue in disgust, as he addressed Sig. He patted his fat to make his point.
Naruto quickly looked away when Krew's eyes looked at him; that hunger still there. Would Sig skin the ottsel like he cut off his ears? Based on the look Sig had when Krew looked away it was unlikely he would skin the ottsel. "Listen," The ottsel's voice drew everyone's attention back to him. "Ah, tons of fun, anyone can see that you, uh, and I have the real juice in this burg." His voice was nervous and his friend was watching him with a calculated, curious and confused look, while the other three in the saloon were just watching him confused
"We're both players, right? We're both looking for a piece of the action, right? I think we can do business, right?" At this Krew and Sig exchanged a look while the green-blond held his face in his hand. Naruto jumped when the teen actually spoke, having been quiet this whole time.
"We did you a favor, now it's your turn. Why is the Baron giving Eco to Metal Heads?" Naruto's eyes went impossibly wide. Did he really just use that voice with Krew? The ottsel jumped off the green-blond's shoulder, and for the first time looked at Naruto. The fox teen shook his head when the ottsel opened his mouth to talk. Hip Hog Haven went tense as Krew flew into the green-blond teen's face, pointing a finger at him.
"Questions like that could get a person killed 'ey!" Krew snapped, tightening his meaty hand into a fist. "Sig!" The man moved away to reveal a clear path from Sig to the ottsel's friend. "Pay 'el Capitain' here and his friend a bonus." The ottsel tensed when he turned to see Sig walking towards his friend, and his friend looking ready to tear Sig apart. Naruto held his breath, fearing for the worse.
A Scatter gun was trusted into the blond's face, who looked shocked at the weapon before taking it. "If you want to see what that baby will do, try the Gun Course outside. Show me some skill with that hardware, and I'll hire you for a job or two 'ey." Just as Naruto was about to un-tense and let out his held breath Krew addressed him.
"Naruto!" The blond jumped violently as all eyes were on him. Cold sweat gather on the back of his neck as the crime lord stared at him. "Take our new…friends out to the Gun Course, and don't get any stupid ideas."
"Y-yes sir." Naruto stammered out as he slid out from behind the bar. He trembled as he passed by Krew and continued to as he passed the green-blond and the ottsel. The duo followed him outside the Hip Hog Haven. As they walked towards the Gun Course the ottsel spoke up.
"How do you work for a tub of lard like him?" Naruto's trembling stopped as he looked at the two walking beside him.
"I have to." He answered simply, tensing as a group of guards passed, something that didn't go unnoticed by the teen. The ottsel snorted as he jumped onto Naruto's shoulder.
"But for a guy you're good looking, you could get a better job," A blush crossed Naruto cheeks at that. "The name's Daxter, and my side-kick over here is Jak." The green-blond shook his head at the statement 'side-kick'.
"I'm Naruto, and here's the Gun Course." Naruto said as the approached a pair of green doors. "I have to head back to Krew now, but it was nice meeting you, Daxter, Jak." Daxter chuckled then jumped back onto Jak's shoulder, who nodded.
"If Krew gives you a hard time just tell us, Orange Lighting will save you!" With that the two vanished into the Gun Course. Naruto briefly wondered that if he told them he was being held at Hip Hog Haven Saloon against his will would they do something? Naruto shook his head; there was no way that was happening.
Naruto looked up and smiled when Jak and Daxter walked in. He quickly stopped though when Krew looked at him with a sharp glare. Krew started to fan himself with that brightly colored fan as he quickly flew over to the duo. "Excellent shooting, Jak! Ever thought about being a wastelander, mmmmm?" Sig walked over to them from his spot on the wall. Silently, Naruto went back to cleaning the bar; he drowned out most of the conversation, dead set on making that one spot on the bar shine brightly.
He froze when he felt Krew's shadow fell on him. Naruto's sapphire eyes scanned the saloon, panicking when he saw that not only were Jak and Daxter gone but so was Sig. The blond started to tremble as Krew's stubby fingers played with his hair.
"Trying to get friendly with the newbies 'ey? You think they'll help you get away from me?" Naruto yelped as the man's fingers fisted his hair. "I own you now, and they work for me. You're not going anywhere." Krew hissed as he started to drag Naruto to the back rooms, the machine carrying Krew groaning with all the effort of the day. The fox teen shamefully felt tears fall from his frightened blue eyes as he uselessly pawed at the hand that held his hair. If anything he was only making things worse for himself in the end.
Jak paused on his way out of the slums towards Hip Hop Haven. There was a voice and the feeling of being tugged leading him to the left when he should go right. Daxter waved a paw in front of his face, snapping him out of whatever trance he was in.
"You-who~ Earth to Jak~ What's got you distracted? I know it was your first time with a gun in combat but you were great!" There was a pause before a coy smile formed on Daxter's face. "Oh! I get it! You got a certain blond on your mind."
"What?" Jak asked, confused as to why his best friend thought he had Naruto of all people stuck on his mind. "No. There's this feeling that I should go left." Daxter pouted at his answer, but looked left anyway.
"You know, a motto of mine is to always go with your gut!" Jak chuckled and smiled as he walked towards the lone hut on his left. The doors snapped open in a haste at Jak's approach. Cautiously, the green-blond entered, his cold blue eyes widening as he saw the Oracle before him surrounded by candles. The once Eco Hero's body went tense as the doors slammed shut and the Oracle spoke.
"Greetings great warrior. I sense there is a dark rage burning within you and in time, it will destroy you with its madness. Only the last power of the Precursors can save you. Destroy, my enemies those creatures you call the Metal Heads. Do this and I will teach you how to control these powers." Jak took a step back as the Dark Eco within him begged to be unleashed, to tear apart the Oracle before him. Daxter jumped off his shoulder and stood before the Oracle.
"Great! More of these! Listen here bug-eyed owl wanna-be! We've had a tough year and would like it if you-"
"Wait!" The Oracle cried out, sensing Jak leaving the hut. Daxter glared at the Oracle, tapping his foot.
"I'm right here you freak!"
"I was talking to the elf, otter."
"Otter!" Daxter yelled, as if the Oracle physically slapped him. Jak froze and remained where he was, a sign for the Precursor Oracle to continue.
"I sense a Beast has been around you, the ninth son." Both Jak and Daxter gave the Oracle confused looks. "He has been missing for so long and now I sense his fear on you, crying out. I ask you, great warrior, to protect the ninth son." Just as Jak opened his mouth to ask who this ninth son was the bright blue lighting in the Oracle's eyes faded, leaving only questions in its wake.
Naruto gasped as Jak and Daxter strolled in. The moment Jak and his eyes met the blond's the fox teen quickly busied himself with something, anything. Maybe he and Daxter wouldn't notice the tear trails that were still lingering on his face, or the bruise like marks on his visible skin. He was also glad it wasn't Sig, because if it was the wastelander would be told to remove the fox tail that the crime lord had found not too long ago. Krew smiled smugly as he floated over to his newest workers.
"You boys are turning out to be quite useful, 'ey? Mmm, I have another task for you. The Sewers used to be a fabulous smuggling route for me before the Baron installed security devices." Naruto knew where this was going and slightly panicked, Sig still wasn't back from claiming the Metal Head trophies, and with Jak and Daxter gone then he would be alone, with Krew.
"And before those late night snack runs kept you from fitting out the front door." Daxter said, looking over Krew's body with an unimpressed air about him. Krew sneered down at Daxter while scratching one of his numerous rolls of fat.
"I bet you've hatched another 'brilliant' plan in that hungry little brain of yours. So…who or what do we have to shake down, knock out, or blow up?" Jak said, it seemed after only one mission with Krew and the duo already were sick of him. Then again, Krew never did answer their question about the Baron. Naruto smiled to himself, deciding then to do something about this. He wouldn't stay here one more night.
"-Shoot every sentry gun in the Sewers, and I'll give you a sweet weapon upgrade if you succeed." Naruto's eyes widen as Krew put his finger in his mouth. A shiver ran down his spine in disgust, horror, and fear at that.
"Let me guess…dank, murky water?" Krew nodded at Daxter's question. "Reeks worse than your breath at an oyster fest?" At this Krew looked down at the ottsel as if he wanted to strangle him. Naruto's sapphire eyes lit up. With Krew's full, enraged attention on Daxter he could slip out and escape. His eyes flashed quickly to Jak and then down to the little orange ottsel. He would have to find a way to thank them. Naruto knew the Sewers, at least the entrance area, having to use it more than once when he was little and had to escape the Krimzon Guards. He could help them.
"Fuller o' Metal Heads than your plate at a one pass buffet?" With that Naruto slid out of the bar and towards the back room, exiting out of the Hip Hog Haven at the last door on his right.
"And of course," Daxter continued, grabbing onto Krew and shaking his fat as the massive man tried to swat him away. "Weapons more lethal than your 'ever so tighty whiteys' on a hot summer day? Look doughnut hole, why don't we float around here looking all hot and heavy, and you go roto-root the pipes!" Daxter yelled as Jak pointed at Krew.
"We're not doing anything until you tell us why Metal Heads are trading with the Baron's forces!" Krew growled low at Jak and flew up right into his face.
"I should have had you both knee-capped, 'ey? All I know is that the Baron cut a desperate deal with the Metal Head leader." Krew turned his back on Jak as he continued. "Mmmm, Metal Heads need Eco, so the Baron supplies them regular shipments." He turned back, his voice low and dangerous. "In return, the Metal Heads agree to attack the city just enough to satisfy the Baron's continued rule."
"Yeah, but how long can that deal last?" Jak questioned.
"Well the Baron is running short on Eco, 'ey? And the Metal Heads are short on patience. Baron Praxis needs this war to keep in power. Otherwise, the city will put the true ruler on the throne," At this Krew looked towards the bar where Naruto should have been, growling low and dark under his breath at seeing the blond fox teen gone and the door to the back rooms, and the emergency exit, wide open. "Where ever that little brat is."
Jak looked to were Krew's half blind gaze was at, noting immediately that Naruto wasn't there like he was when they first showed up. He spoke up, if only to get Krew's attention off of the disappeared Naruto, knowing that look to be the same one Errol would give him if one of their sessions were interrupted. "Daxter and I will clear your Sewers." He let out a mental sigh as Krew's attention was once again on him. "And we haven't forgotten about that weapons upgrade you promised in return."
"Bloodsuckers!" Krew growled out as he watched them leave. His gaze turned back to the open door. That little fox brat though he could just slip away from him did he?
Jak waited till he was turning the newer two person Zoomer model in the industrial zone before addressing Daxter. "Naruto's missing." Daxter looked up at his friend in the passenger seat before his eyebrows furrowed.
"And, uh, that's our problem how?" The ottsel asked.
"He said he had to work for Krew, and…" Jak trailed off. He never told Daxter about what Errol did to him and how the look in Krew's eyes matched up with the Krimzon Guard Commander's would be hard to explain without the long tale that Jak didn't want to tell.
"I see you're worried about him!" Daxter said with a goofy grin. "Always the hero Jak! Don't worry! We'll find him, and there'll be no worry after that because he'll be perfectly fine!" The green-blond seventeen year old pursed his lips into a thin line at the statement. If Krew was anything to Naruto like Errol was to him then there was no way the blond would be perfectly fine.