Chapter 6: Growing Tree, Growing Shade
Elrad Duali's Diary, Entry 214, Age 14/32
What a successfull day, this was. During my meditations, I came across a pocket of energy, left over from the demon Kyubi. Apparently, even though the Fourth's seal collapsed, it being made for a human and me ceasing to be one, some parts of it kept working. Namely, the purging sections of the seal. They kept working for a few seconds after its collapse, enough time for Firavel to destroy the Kyubi and liberate, in a sense ,a bit of its power. A bit for the demon, but a great amount for anything else.
However, the seal, even though it was made to purify demonic energies, had no 'template' by which to turn it into. Due to me ceasing to produce 'chakra', though I believe a more proper term would be 'chakra energy' as the chakra themselves are key locations on the body, it had no goal to work towards. My rebirth as a Shadow Elf however, granted me access to a secondary power source, shadow essense. That, along with Ki training was apparently adopted as a template, a goal, a target, by the seal's remaining functions. While it cannot produce any more chakra, it instead keyed itself to create shadow essence and ki. Even though that is what it worked towards, Minato, my father and Fourth Hokage, had no idea what these powers were, much less how to create them. And yet, his mastery of seals is apparent in the fact that his greatest creation is self-evolving! It 'understood' it cannot mimic and apply my power sources to the demonic energy it had on hand and yet it tried anyway. What resulted, amazingly enough, is supremely condensed Ki. So much in fact that it can hardly be called Ki at all any longer.
Curious by this development, and what I could use this new source of power for, I researched into Firavel's notes again. And therein I found this excerpt:
I trained long and hard with the so-called 'swordsages'. Their techniques, determination and work ethics were admirable. I began to learn their arts, away from their eyes of course, and after several years, I managed it. I felt what they call 'Sublime Way' and it is not sublime in the slightest. For one such as I, who has trained his Ki to the utmost degree, this was not subtle at all. The Ki grown from this training is viscous, thick and extremely potent, as if it had been condensed somehow. This bears further investigation, but I feel my time drawing near. I fear I will not be able to fully tap into that source of power...
He didn't. His time, or at least this book ended before he managed to complete his studies. If my suspicions are correct, then he passed away before he had the time to properly catalogue his findings. However, even that, gives me great joy; I am catching up to him. With this power, the Ki so similar to the Sublime Way, I feel as if I merely need to stretch my arm to reach his level. Of course, it's merely an illusion, but it gives me incentive. I am catching up to him. I will catch up to him and surpass him.
Fortunately, for me, Firavel at least had the time to list and put down the training regime to cultivate this 'new' Ki. From my understanding of the seal, what I have is a limited, set, reserve. Once it runs out I will have to create my own. But, the seal still has its uses. Not only can it be used as a beacon so that I may easier create my own form of Sublime Ki, seeing as it is easier to recreate something you have before you rather than something you only heard of, but it can also be used as blueprints to 'save' or 'amass' a quantity of said Sublime Ki as a storage. Maybe it will never reach the amount I have in me now, but Firavel's travels have made me realize that even a little bit more can make a huge difference later.
I must leave now, Mikoto is calling me down. Apparently, Sasuke got his test results today. The boy only has three years to go in the Academy. Three years before being thrust in the harsher aspects of this world.
Before that time comes, I must...
Naruto got up from the desk. He closed the Tome, Firavel's final creation, and set it on the pedestal next to his bed. He put on his shirt, covering his chest and the seal he had been studying so intently for the past week. He might be loathe to admit, but he would, that his father's notes on seal-making were the greatest steps towards understanding what he had. That, and his mother's work also helped him tremendously. Thus, while he may not be able to fully understand it, something even the Toad Sage Jiraiya couldn't claim (at least not without these notes), he could at least grasp the general goal of what parts had been left over active.
He sighed deeply as he walked down the stairs. He had several time-sensitive projects, and not all of them were alchemical. To his ire, several of them weren't even dependant on him any more. It was so... frustrating, to have plans made and prepared, yet have to depend on others, others who can't even be allowed to learn of them.
It was frustrating to say the least, but for the sake of his continued power and future freedom from the village, he would have to make do. But, for now, he was content with living his life and waiting for Sasuke to get stronger; he was part of his plans after all even if as a side-effect.
Naruto took a deep breath and reapplied his disguise, the boy would soon be ready for the revelation but not yet, he wasn't fully stable or predictable yet. He made his way down to the foyer in slow, confident steps.
There he saw Mikoto and Sasuke waiting for him, apparently the boy wanted to surprise them both. Once he was near, Sasuke looked up to him, smiling proudly.
"I did it! I got full perfect scores! The academy teachers even said they would push for an early graduation!"
Mikoto hugged her son, feeling justifiably extremely proud. Full perfect scores in the academy were rare, even for the Last Uchiha, it meant he worked a lot and was very talented. Just like his older brother; though she'd do anything to make sure he didn't end up like him.
Naruto on the other hand merely ruffled Sasuke's hair, knowing the boy hated that. "Well done boy. Well done indeed. I didn't get full score when I was in your place. Of course, this just means you have even greater expectations of yourself, right?"
"Of course!" Replied the young boy. "I have to! I'm gonna be the best! After all, not only do I have the Uchiha Legacy to live up to, a rogue clan-member I need to bring to justice, but I also... well, there's another thing I need to do, but I'll keep it a secret!"
Naruto laughed lightly at him; the boy certainly had ambitions. "Well, I hope it does not include hunting down 'Konoha's Warden'. He would have to run away to avoid you pestering him for training!"
The Uchiha pair laughed at his joke, but only Mikoto really got the meaning. Both members sat down though on a couch as Sasuke began telling them of the tests he had to go through. After a few minutes though, Naruto interrupted him.
"So, are you going to take it? The early graduation I mean."
"I... I don't know really. I mean, part of me wants to take it so I can get stronger faster. Not to mention that he took it as well. But, another part of me doesn't want to, I don't know if I'm really ready. What if I mess up? I'd rather be fully prepared rather than miss a single, though boring, lecture that may save my life, or the life of my team-mates. What do you think Naruto-san?"
Naruto looked outside through the windows. The trees moving slowly through the wind were quite calming to the elf. "Well... depends. Are you really sure, beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have learned everything from the Academy? That you have fully matured as much as you possibly could? That, regardless of what's thrown against you, you are properly and adequately prepared to deal with it? Personally, I'd suggest you stay. The Academy is a controlled environment, where you can practice with safety and prepare as much as possible. Also, friends are a very important part of life, something to enjoy. I'd suggest you stay there and pay attention while I get you access to some slightly higher-level material. That way, you both make sure you won't miss out on anything and you get to improve."
Sasuke nodded and, after making an overly-regal bow to his mother and landlord, ran back home, probably to fix the report on the wall if Naruto knew the boy well enough.
"So, what's the real reason you told Sasuke-kun to wait? Apart from the ones you already said I mean." Came Mikoto's concerned voice. She was not annoyed at Naruto's choice, but if he had a plan that included her son, she wanted in on it.
"Well, he is your son, first and foremost. Even if I could get him on a team with me to look after him, it would be best that we wait a bit more. I need to get much stronger if I can reliably protect both of you. Don't forget Danzou either, or Orochimaru. Both are quite obsessed with the power of the Sharingan. And with Itachi gone or becoming as strong as he is, their only means of acquiring it could be Sasuke. I want him safeguarded as much as possible. Finally, it's Sasuke himself. While he has mostly recovered, I don't think he's ready for that kind of responcibility. Soon, yes, but not now. Until he's completely ready, I won't let him out. Now, I'd like you to help me with a new project of mine..."
And Naruto explained about the gist of his findings on the dubbed 'Sublime Ki'. It sounded very close to chakra, though it had completely different applications.
"So how are you going to train in this 'sublime power' ability, Naruto-kun? It sounds very hard to manifest and control." Asked Mikoto.
Naruto sighed. "I... have an idea. But it's a bit dangerous. The slowest way would be to start training in their way but that would take too long. No, the fastest way would be... sensory deprivation training."
"Sensory deprivation? How would that help?" Was the quite curious reply.
"Sensory deprivation is to completely cut one's self from any and all senses. As you know, that is very, very dangerous and taxing to the mind. But... in that way I can invoke the perfect meditation and 'realize' my form of sublime ki. Learning how to produce more via training would be an easy thing to do after. It's the deprivation phase itself that brings me such hesitance. It could easily shatter one's mind if unprepared."
"So... if... if it's so dangerous, can't you find another way? Is it the only way?" She didn't vocalize her innermost thoughts however; 'I don't want to loose you'.
"Unfortunately no... I have to do this while my body is still in 'puberty' so to speak. Otherwise, it will never be quite comfortable with this power. Preparations will take a day or two, I need to modify the seals. But after that, I will isolate myself for a period of a week. In fact, I will require help from you. While the seal will preserve me, I will be unable to exit the room until someone releases me, and it is going to be you."
"B-b-but I!" Said Mikoto, thinking of how great a responcibility it was; he would literally be placing his very existence at her hands. "That kind of responcibility!"
Naruto let out a soft laugh. "I trust you Mikoto. Though, getting your son to accept this is going to be... hard to manage. But I trust you can do it."
The serious talk degenerated into small jokes and flirting, though not once did Mikoto forget the weight of her new responcibility.
Two days later, all preparations had been completed. The simulation room, one of Minato's masterworks, had been prepared. Naruto used the controls to eliminate the senses of 'scent', 'sound', 'touch', 'sight', 'taste' and 'chakra'. The result was an impenetrable, uncompromizing darkness that was only broken due to the still-open door. A door Mikoto was standing, her form bringing a tone of finality to the action.
"So... Naruto-kun, are you sure you want to do this?" She asked.
A nod was his reply, confident and sure. "Yes. I have to. Besides, I trust you to get me out of here when the time's up. I should be fine."
The woman nodded sadly and closed the door.
Darkness.
Complete...
Chilling...
Utter darkness.
No sound. No light. Nothing.
Naruto sat down, or at least he thought he did, he had no sense of touch after all.
'Well, I should get down to meditating...' He thought.
An undetermined amount of time later:
Naruto blinked as he stretched. It was... boring. His meditation couldn't do much but he couldn't figure out why. It should have worked. The small periods of sensory deprivation he had undergone, though they were limited in time and only affected one or two of them, had been quite effective training tools. But the biggest problem was his lack of awareness. How long had it been? How long was he imprisoned there? He couldn't even hear his own hearbeats. He could have died for all he knew.
Later:
'How... how much longer?' he asked himself.
'Huh? Who was that! My... my thoughts? What devouring darkness... I can almost feel it eat away at my sanity!'
Naruto had lost count of the times he had meditated and the time he had done so. He couldn't count. He couldn't determine. He couldn't feel anything.
'Is this... death?'
'Is this how death feels like? This... this void? This nothingness?'
'No... this... this is oblivion...'
'Forgotten... Does Mikoto even remember to release me? What... what if she...'
'No! I won't think of that! I must... I must believe she will remember...'
'My existence... Do I even exist? I think, therefore I am... But an unseen tree does not exist! Do I exist? Is this oblivion?'
'Mikoto! Help! Open the door!'
It was barely past the second day when Naruto screamed for help...
During the ordeal Mikoto wasn't having a much easier time and neither was Anko for that matter. The crazed tokubetsu jounin spent a lot of time around Mikoto's bakery. Anko would say she did so because it held the best sweets she could find anywhere in Konoha, which it objectively did since everything was house-made. But the truth was that both women had found a friend in the other. Knowing Naruto's secret and liking him as more than just a friend, though they didn't know what extent exactly, had led them to developing a sort of 'frenemy' relationship. Even a budding respect for each other.
Anko would accept that when it came to refinement and grace, few women could compete with the Uchiha matriarch. In the same hearbeat, Mikoto would acknowledge Anko's determination and courage to do whatever she feels like doing.
Currently, the pair were gossiping lightly, trying to pass the time. Being just before midday, there were few customers for Mikoto to attend to and Anko hadn't had any decent job in days. So they gossiped trying to pass the time until they could see/molest (well for Anko at least) the not-so-blonde Namikaze.
"So where's Naru-kun? I miss him soooo much!" Said Anko, munching on a stick of dango.
"He's got a training mission to do Anko... I've told you a dozen times already!" Was the reply from a slightly agitated Mikoto. What if the training had gone wrong? What if the seals had a problem? What if the seal didn't provide for food? What if he he got sick? What if-
Thankfully, Anko's next question prevented any further derailing of the distrought woman's thoughts. "Yeah, but you're not telling me anything! I mean, for all I know, he could be out training under a waterfall, almost naked, water flowing down his chiseled abs and..."
"ANKO! I don't want to hear it!" Shouted Mikoto, trying to stop her drooling friend from going on. After all, she couldn't very well sell bread and pastries with drops of blood now could she? She had to admit after all; Naruto's physique was... heavenly. And with Anko's perverted fantasies laying siege in the woman's mind, it wasn't exactly helping her waning control.
"But! But! I want to be there with him! See him train and get sweaty! And then remove his shirt! And then move on to all kinds of naughty teacher-student things!"
Mikoto's first reaction was to glare at the jounin; there was no way she was going to let Anko join Naruto for such training! Then she sobbered quickly. "No... you don't... Not this case..."
"Huh? What are you talking about? How horrible could it be?"
"Anko... we both know how diligent Naruto is with his training... this case even had him hesitating... And... and... and I can't do anything to help him!"
Anko might have been slightly deranged, but she still had a psychologist's licence. She could easily read the emotions of the distrought woman. Heck, if they weren't rivals, she would have considered it cute. Well, if she ever considered anything cute that is, apart from her pet cobra that is. Damn thing was soooo cute... It almost sent the psychotic woman giggling just thinking about it. Shaking her head mentally to get out of 'happy-giggly land', Anko knew she had to get Mikoto's mind away from that predicament.
"So, girlfriend" she began, grinning at Mikoto's glare over the 'girlfriend' comment. "How's about we hit the hot springs? I'm gonna call Kurenai-chan and Hanna-chan and it's gonna be a girl's night out!" She finished with her fist raised in the air.
"I... I don't know... I mean..." Stuttered Mikoto, unprepared for the sudden burst of energy from her friend.
"Awww Miko-chan..." Whined Anko "Don't be such a spoilsport! Wait, don't tell me? Are you perhaps embarassed? Is that it? Don't worry, we may not be married but we won't look down on an older woman's reduced charms!" She mocked, knowing that Mikoto would take the bait.
"What? I'll have you know that there is nothing I'm ashamed of! This body of mine is as youthfull as it was years ago and has more feminine charms than you could believe! Mystique is a woman's power after all, unlike your show-offy ways!"
The indignant comment managed to work its magic and take Mikoto's mind away from her thoughts about Naruto. It also led to a night at the onsen that would end up being any pervert's dream. Well, except for the perverts who made the mistake of trying to spy on them; they received only raw pain and anguish from the Kunoichi women. Also, Anko would never admit it, but the Uchiha had kept her body in an amazing shape, despite her age and giving birth twice. Heck, if the rumours were true, the woman actually had fangirls too!
Four days later, Mikoto was readying her self to open the door to Naruto's self-imposed exile. She was worried. What would happen to the blonde? How would he end up? Was he alright?
Taking a deep breath to calm and center herself she took the key that was made to disengage the simulation room from the rest of the world and put it in the lock. Almost instantly, she could feel the expulsed chakra radiating from the door and see the endless runes and seal diagrams blaze into sight before fading away slowly. With trembling arms she opend the door.
In one corner of the room, Naruto was lieing with his back to the corner, his head down, covering his face. The enchantment that concealed his elven heritage long since gone, he had reverted to his true form, his long hair cascading on his shoulders. His clothes, made out of tough yet comfortable material for training purposes, were torn in places and she could see it was human nails that had caused the damage, to both cloth and skin. She saw drops of blood spattered on the walls, floor and even the ceiling. She could even see torn skin on the little bit of the skin on his cheeks.
'My god... What... what must he have gone through to... to do this to himself? How hard must it have been for Naruto-kun to...' Were her thoughts. After all, Naruto was the epitome of control. For something to make him act like that... What unthinkable torture...
"N-Naruto-kun?" She asked hesitantly, unknowingly afraid he would be taken from her like so many others.
Hearing the voice, the elfling raised his head and Mikoto stiffled a gasp. His face was marked by torn flesh and blood. but... but his eyes! His eyes! They... they were inhuman! At the same time, they possessed a beast's instinct, a broken man's insanity and the world-piercing focus of an immortal. His eyes seemed to grow and encompass her vision, dominate her mind and the woman shook.
"Mi-ko-to... Is... is that you Mikoto?" Hesitant voice, broken and yet flowing with so much emotion she had never heard before.
She couldn't hold herself back any longer, she ran to the elf and kneeled next to him trying to ease him up, checking his now-closed wounds. "Naruto-kun! What happened here?"
The laugh that came reminded her of both the Naruto she had come to know and the boy he once was. "Nothing to worry about. I just went insane for a bit. Sorry Mikoto, I won't do something that stupid ever again, I promise."
That brought her tears which she tried to blink away. "It's alright Naruto-kun. It's alright. I'm here now, so you can relax. I'll take care of you."
"I.. I know. Sorry Mikoto, but I can't move correctly. I'll need some help getting to my room. I am completely exhausted."
The woman nodded and took him with her, holding him to the side. She was worried about how light he felt, how weak his motions were, the way he seemed to stumble around and have no sense of balance.
"I'm going to need a couple of days to recover Mikoto... I'm sorry, but until then, can I ask you to take care of me?"
The woman looked at him critically. "Don't say such stupid things Naruto-kun. I would love to take care of you for as long as needed."
The elf laughed as he and the woman supporting him made their way to his room.
The two days passed quickly, if not exactly quietly. Sasuke had almost rushed in Naruto's room once he heard he was back and needed time to recover; it was only his mother's efforts as well as his knowledge of what Naruto would do to him if he disobeyed such an order that kept the boy from sneaking in. Then there was the matter of Anko; the psychotic woman somehow managed to sneak in through a window and gave Naruto a 'good morning' that he would probably never forget. After all, how many could claim to have woken up with a beauty as great as Mitarashi Anko making out with them? Oh yes, Naruto was indeed lucky it was practically impossible for anyone else to spy on his house, he would probably get hunted down by jealous fans of Anko. Let's not forget the Sandaime either, he was quite curious on whether Naruto managed to complete his objective. It led to quite a bit of discussion on what that power was and how one could use it. Of course, the Namikaze heir had the aged Kage declare it hijutsu of his new clans, though he wasn't sure as to what name he'd end up keeping. A name like Uzumaki-Namikaze-Duali was just too darn long, especially if those 'crazed' women got their wishes and he had to add Mitarashi or Uchiha to the railroad as well. Finally, one Yamanaka Inoichi almost mind-raped Naruto trying to find out as much as he could on the matter of sensory deprivation. Not only was it an extremely rare occurence, highly undocumented, but he was also quite curious as to how Naruto had managed to remain relatively sane through it all. It took Mikoto and Anko threatening him to stop, even after practically disobeying the Hokage.
But in the end, there was success, Naruto had managed to create his 'sublime ki' and manifest it. From then on, he spent a lot of time practicing and expanding on his limits of what he could and couldn't do. Sparring with jounin and ANBU became a daily occurence to the blonde when he wasn't training in other arts or performing a mission. Thankfully, the old man was willing to cover for him and keep him safe from the more unscrupulous members of Konoha would have loved little more than placing him under their thumb. Even though they didn't act against the boy any more, at least in a direct way, they now wanted him under their thumb and control, the rather large assets of the Uzumaki and Namikaze holdings be seized by them.
Naruto sighed deeply as he watched Konoha begin a new day. It had been two years from the event and his training was going according to plan. He was getting stronger and stronger every day and he knew it. Also, his other plans were according to plan.
Knowing he would some day leave Konoha while still being a capable shinobi, he had already began preparations for that time. He had started up a spying network composed of satisfied employers and other people he had met in his travels. Large funds of his clans' money had been invested in various corporations to provide for funding. Land has been bought and secured, hidouts were being built and equipped. Getting out of Konoha's hounds would be the hardest, but he'd manage somehow.
And now he was getting ready for yet another step up in his position in life. Due to him being unable to use chakra, not to mention there weren't many in Konoha who would accept his change of race, going through the whole Chuunin Exams gig was out of the question. So, the only way for him to increase his ranking was through grueling missions that noone else would have a chance to perform, and him keeping a perfect record. A way to more or less shout out the world that he was chuunin rank beyond all forms of doubt. And this day was no different. He'd have another mission today, an escort/bodyguard mission. He had heard a few things from the Hokage, but it was only now that he would be told the full story.
With a deep breath, Naruto leapt from roof to roof, making his way to the Hokage tower, his agility and sureness of footing leaving many shinobi with their jaws hanging; he didn't need to touch a step with more than the edge of his boot to still manage to leap perfectly through the air, even stepping on thin tree brances and yet not disturbing them at all. It certainly pushed a certain green-dressed jounin to work/train/obsess even more.
Finally, Naruto made his way to the Hokage's office, using the window to enter and landing on it in a perfect crouch with his knees to the side and maintaining a perfect balance. The poor gennin that was getting his file evaluated at that moment almost leapt out of the seat; it had been as silent as a ghost. The Hokage of course was aware enough to not be surprised but he did let out his trademarked 'nice old man' chuckle.
"Don't worry Aono-kun. Naruto-kun here is just waiting for a mission. Your file checks out correctly, you are free to go and good luck."
Said boy bowed rather nervously and walked out before he had the time to realize that the Hokage had meant the legendary Namikaze Naruto. His thoughts on the way back home were around how cool he had seemed, landing there so perfectly.
As soon as the gennin left, the old man activated a number of seals and closed the window, isolating it from the world outside.
"Naruto, it's time for your final mission as a gennin. Currently, you hold more than fifty C-rank missions and even five B-ranks. After this one, if completed, I will be able to grant you the rank of Chuunin as well as official status as Clan Leader. Now, this mission can be very easy, or it can go straight to hell. We don't even know that much, but it's pre-emptive striking. Your target and ward for this mission, is the upcoming acrtress Fujikaze Yukie. Due to extrenuating circumstances, she's being targeted by assassins from a coup. You are to protect her, foil the assassins and prevent information from reaching their master. Well, the last one is a secondary objective, since we'd have to make her disappear again if that happened. You are to guard her while in the Land of Fire, we have arranged for other protectors outside. In case it pertains to the mission, information about your charge will be directed towards Yuki no Kuni. Now, get going and good luck, Yukie will be entering your care in three days and you will need that time to travel to the edge of the country."
Naruto bowed his head to his leader and turned around to leave. He walked down the stairs, scroll with further details and descriptions in hand. He scowled a bit. He was an assassin type, guarding wasn't really his forte. Though, if there was anyone that would be able to find an assassin, it would have to be another assassin and few in Konoha were as good as him. The idiots depended on their jutsu and chakra too much, they couldn't even run on walls without it.
Walking through Konoha, Naruto made his way to Mikoto's bakery. He wanted to say goodbye before he left. He opened the door and breathed in the scents of freshly baked goods. It was due to sheer willpower that he didn't begin drooling. It smelled like a little piece of heaven.
"Hello Mikoto. How are you today?"
"Ah! Naruto-kun! I'm fine and you? Here, have some honeybread, just baked it! Oh, and some milk, it goes so well with fresh milk!"
The elf nodded at the sage-like tone the woman had adopted. It was a soft, almost cake-like density bread, with a generous amount of honey and even a bit of cinammon mixed in. It had a unique, though very pleasant taste, and was quite good for shinobi since it gave them a lot of energy.
"Arigato Mikoto. Unfortunately, I won't get to taste your cooking any time soon. I have to leave for a mission and it can very well take up a week. Sarutobi told me just now and I need to leave immidiately. Tell Sasuke I'll make it up to him somehow alright? The brat's going to pester me for not teaching him anything for a week after!"
Both of them laughed, knowing that Sasuke actually could and would do it, probably while pouting too, though he'd deny said act altogether.
"Is it going to be dangerous Naruto-kun?" She asked, the same question she always asked him whenever he would do anything above D-rank.
"I don't think so. I'm supposed to watch over an actress and make sure noone gets to her. There's a chance assassins might come and I'll have to remove them before they get to her or send message to their HQ. Other than that, I'll probably be bored to hell watching over a pampered princess of an upcoming actress. Nothing to worry about I'm sure. Probably won't even draw my weapons."
"Still... please, be careful Naruto-kun..."
"Worry not Mikoto, Luna watches over me and my blades are sharp. I will be back soon. But I'll be taking Ariali with me. She will help me cover much ground." He said, referring to the sole animal of his housekeep. It was a beautifull white mare, with a silvery mane and bright golden eyes. It was trained for combat as well as speed, a magnificent animal as strong and smart as any horse could get. She truly deserved her name; Silver Shadow...
Going back home, Naruto got the saddle and the packs and loaded them on his trusty mount. She neighed and struck the ground with her hooves once, showing him her impatience; she wanted to run. Run like the wind, run like the shadow of a cloud, run faster than the sun would bring dawn. Naruto smiled serenely at the proud animal. He could sympathize with her, running free, running wild, running wherever your fancy may strike you was indeed something he longed for. And, if things went the way he planned them...
The elf nimbly leapt onto his horse, though he often thought of her as his companion rather than a mere beast of burden, and the pair broke in a slow gait. Once out of the gates of the house, he increased his speed but made sure to keep it low; civilians were more effective roadblocks than any shinobi could otherwise call up. Under him, Ariali shook with barely restrained nerves, she wanted it over with, away from those annoying people that blocked her run and into the forest, where she could try to outrun the wind once more.
Children of many ages gawked at the proud and beautiful animal. Some even had the courage to touch her, and it was only thanks to their childish nature that Ariali didn't lash back but instead gently nudged them with her head. Naruto laughed to himself a bit before promising to let some of them play with Ariali a bit when he got back. Some of the children there were indeed pure, kind souls, he would not hold them responcible for what their misguided parents did.
It took several minutes for Naruto and the kids accompanying him to reach the village entrance and only a few more for him to gain leave. The shadow elf breathed in deep as he assured his place on the saddle, he knew what was coming next. As soon as he received the papers and clearence to leave, the proud horse let out a loud call, coiled her muscles and burst forth in full gallop, as if trying to race an enemy only she could see. Naruto leaned forward, hugging her neck as he laughed in the feeling of freedom. Behind him, onlookers were gawking at the speed, even a jounin would not keep up for more than a few seconds.
To Naruto, it wasn't him moving any more. Ariali's speed was so great, her grace so perfect, her movements so fluid, it seemed as if the entire world moved instead of him. He felt almost as an outside watched as the world blurred its form and blazed past him, the wind howling at his heels.
"You are, without a doubt, one of my closest friends Ariali! Now ride! Ride like the wind! Ride faster than the wind! Ride as if you were free!"
Ariali snorted at him, as if she understood his words, and sped up even more. Passing shinobi and civilians would only see a blur pass them, wind ruffling them, a joyous laugh in the air.
Three Days Later:
Fujikaze Yukie wasn't a happy camper. As if acting troubles wasn't enough, as if having to dodge fans more hours per day than actually do her job wasn't enough, as if having Sandayu try to pester her into going to Yuki no Kuni wasn't enough, now her bodyguard was missing. Granted, she believed he wasn't needed. But he had been hired, and he should be a professional damnit!
She stormed inside her room, which was actually bigger than the houses of some of the people who watched her plays, and tossed the flowers she held on a desk while she fell back onto the soft bed.
"Damn fans... each day they get bolder... what's next? Stalkers coming into my room for a hair or something?"
She turned to the side, a small refridgerator with juice inside was within reachable distance. She got a bottle out and gulped greedily of the liquid, enjoying the slight 'zing' of freshly made orange juice. Always helped her wake up.
"And then there's Sandayu... What's with his obsession with that pathetic place? He trying to make it an attraction or kill me? Not only do I have to put up with his stupid ideas, now he's pressing for another movie... If he wasn't such a good manager, I swear..."
In a nearby shadow, Naruto watched unseen. He was amused as much as irritated by the 'princess'. Still, he supposed he could understand her annoyance about stalkers and 'sympathizing controllers'. He had to endure his own share of these fools until they got the point and left him alone. He quickly dismissed his thoughts as Koyuki got up and approached him on the way to the balcony. Once again he thanked his slight build that allowed him to creep behind things such as sofas or under beds easily.
Koyuki made her way on the outside and looked at the bright, half moon. "Why... why did you have to go and die? You liar... Why..." She questioned aloud and Naruto could feel the pangs of sadness from her. He sympathized even more with her when he noticed that, whatever her grief was, regardless of how much her expression showed great pain, she could not shed a single tear...
The night went by calmly, with Naruto spending a few hours in quiet meditation, managing it without revealing himself. Koyuki would never know, but the furthest she had been from her bodyguard was little over thirty feet.
The next day, Naruto was slightly troubled. Some people had returned for a repeat performance. While not completely unheard of, especially considering how loved the girl was by her fans, Naruto was an assassin, and if there was one thing he knew how to do was recognize the intent to kill. Sure, there was the possibility of a disgruntled or rebuked stalker wanting revenge, but the elf was on a mission and therefore considered everyone an enemy. Everyone but his charge was an enemy until he had stabbed them with his weapons and they breathed no more. He would not allow anyone to sully his so-far perfect record. Not even Koyuki herself. It was his way, the way of a shadow elf.
There he was again, that annoying stalker... with just a hint of hostility. Then there was that guy to the left, his eyes lingered a bit too much around Koyuki for it to be a coincidence. Do not dismiss the girl across the hall; she fingered something in her obi too much for it to be a coincidence.
When Koyuki surrounded herself with the more obvious type of bodyguards, Naruto allowed himself a respite from watching over her. To tail after his suspects that is. And he struck gold. One of them, a balding man in his forties. Said man took out a paper writing the words 'Kazehana Koyuki' and tied it to the leg of a bird only seconds before Naruto could get to him. The spy didn't get the chance to enjoy his reward, he vanished in the shadows without making a sound. He wasn't found until several days later, dead in a sidewalk, he apparentlt had drunk himself to death.
But the man hadn't come alone, he had been joined by a woman, and the woman had managed to escape by separating from her companion just after the entrance. Naruto almost roared in anger, he had failed the secondary objective, he had a tarnish on his record! Truly, woe betide the fool who did it!
At that time, the leader of a small snow-covered country shivered, feeling as if someone was marching around his grave.
The assassins came quickly, their headquarters must have been pretty darn close. It happened while Koyuki was getting out from her bath, only to come face-to-face with a bunch of armed people coming in from the window. There should have been another group entering from the door, but for some reason they had failed to show. Said reason being an infuriated shadow elf.
Her scream alerted said assassin and he cursed before vanishing in a wisp of shadow, leaving behind him three bound and gagged men pleading for their lives; they could feel the poison burn inside their veins. Koyuki had backstepped when she saw the intruders, which caused her to slip on the wet floor and fall down as her scream died on her lips.
'Is this how I die? Killed by a bunch of ninja? Not even having lived at all? Before getting to even have my name known?' Were her thoughts as she closed her eyes. What happened next caused her to open them and stare.
Naruto warped into the room while on the air. Before he had landed, his left hand had pulled his whip-dagger from his belt and his right had already retrieved his hand crossbow and aimed at his enemy. The first target, the one closest to the window felt a crossbow bolt lodge itself into his lung before he even realized there was a new presence in the room.
Naruto let the crossbow fall, he wouldn't waste time reloading it. Instead, he pulled out one of his shuriken, a special type shaped like a spike. His left hand lashed out with the whip and wrapped itself around the leg of the closest enemy before pulling him down. The man raised his hands to block, but the shuriken quickly lodged itself into his stomach and he could feel a burning sensation expand, a sure sign of poison.
Another charged, wielding his kodachi with some skill, but the man wasn't anywhere near Naruto's skill. The blonde made a dodge to the left and used his whip-dagger to cut the man just below the neck. Before he had time to go down, a long, slender and pointed knife was in the elf's hand, already in a ready position to take on the next enemy, confident in the coma-inducing properties of the poison.
The next used his comrade's falling bodies as cover to charge at the defender of his mark, but the damnable whip quickly wrapped itself around his blade and dragged him forward before he let go, but not fast enough to dodge the knife's biting edge as it carved a red path onto the flesh of his chest, bleeding profusely. His world turned black when Naruto spun as he tripped the man and smashed the handle of his whip on his temple.
The last man figured it would be smarter to get the freakin' hell out of there. However, the knife in Naruto's hand served as more than a mellee weapon; it was a very good thrown weapon too. It was quickly proven as it lodged itself between the fleeing man's shoulderblades, scraping his heart.
A fluid flourish later and Naruto's whip was wrapped securely around his waist as he turned to the shivering form of his ward. Apparently, he had dropped his facade to intimidate the three assassins he had captured before into confessing and with all that went on, he hadn't had the time to reapply it.
"W-w-who are you? Are you going to kill me? Are you here to kill me too?" Screamed the frightened woman.
Naruto laughed an easy, lilting laugh, the question actually amusing him. "Oh, heavens no! Why would I do that? Your original bodyguard, Namikaze Naruto-kun, had been by your side for the past day and a half, always within thirty feet of you, regardless of you seeing him or not. But there were three other assassins, which he took care of without a sound. However, one of them managed to hit him with a poisoned knife. He will be fine, but he will be out of it for a few minutes as he tries to recover it, so he asked me, an... old friend of his if you will, to help out. Now, please, allow me to call for help." He explained calmly before going to the door, opening it slightly and calling for security. By the time he looked back, he had reapplied his altered form. Then he kneeled down next to the still freaked girl and tried to calm her down. In the end, he left her with a pleading question. "Please, do not speak to others of me. You understand how bad it would be, people would see me as little more than an animal, little more than a subject to be exploited. Keep my secret for me and I will ask nothing for taking these cowards down."
The girl nodded, if a bit stiffly. She was still scared, but if the man, person, whatever he was, had wanted her dead, he could have done it any time. Besides, she owed him. If it had been her original bodyguard, she would have resisted a bit, maybe even kept a proof as possible blackmail if things went south, but he had saved her life out of the goodness of his own heart. She owed him at least as much.
"Yukie-dono, there is the possibility of one or more assassins having escaped, more than likely by not coming here. However, they could be in possession of knowledge of you and whatever secret it is you carry. I will now take my leave and hunt them down to ensure the safety of your identity. This type of assassin isn't a registered ninja, they are lawless freelancers, taking hits from anyone. If it would please you, you may spend the night with a friend of both mine and your original guardian, a horse, a very intelligent horse you can use to run away if another threatens you while we are away. She is a very smart and trained mare, she will warn you of danger better than any dog, protect you better than any guard and carry you swifter than any carriadge. Also, the act of grooming her can calm even the most tense of nerves."
"I-I will... think about it... and... whoever you are... thank you... for... for saving me..."
"Thanks are not necessary, but appreciated, even if I failed in my original mission. If only me and Naruto-kun had been more observant, these men wouldn't have even heard of your existence, and for the ordeal our failure caused you,we both apologize..." The apology was genuine and Naruto bowed to her at the waist, that was as much submission the proud elf would show to anyone, the woman would just never know he hadn't bowed that far to anyone else before her.
The servants and guards came in at that time and they were struck silent at the massacre. They quickly escorted the actress out, especially when the assassin told them he had to 'finish things', in other words give them a mercy killing.
Several hours later, in a shadowed and indescript wooden house, a woman stared at the door anxiously. Her business associates were late, something could have gone wrong... but what? Neither had sensed another person guarding the actress. Sure Keito was late, but the jerk had probably gotten himself drunk halfway to death already. Well, he was allowed to splurge once in a while. Especially with bounties such as this coming in. The woman didn't know, and frankly didn't care, what the importance of Koyuki's death and the retrieval of her pendant was, but it was monumental! She had even refrained from notifying Dotou, knowing she could barter for a few more thousands up the original bounty. A man with the ability to issue such a bounty to every mercenery guild must have had full coffers.
She got up and walked to a window, looking outside, waiting for her comrades to return. A glint in the moonlight drew her attention and she focused her eyes on it. There it was again! A glint, metal? It vanished... more like faded in the background. The woman shook herself out of her paranoia, she always saw enemies during and after a job, retaliations or enemy mercs coming for their catch, she wanted to be ready. Moving away from her window was her last conscious action. The moment she turned her back to it, the holder of the metal object that glinted in the moonlight released the tension in his muscles. The great longbow in his arms called out into the night. The long, straight arrow in his hands was there no more, propelled through the air at immense speeds and strengths. The sound of broken glass, drowned out in the cries of an exited town enjoying the arrival and stay of an up-and-coming actress. A fountain of red liquid, barely visible to the single lit candle of the house. Another death on a young assassin's hands.
Naruto slunk inside the house with stealth that would leave many an animal hunter jealous. He found several documents, bounty posters and scrapbooks, some even listing bank accounts and contact information. All was plundered before he made arrangements for the erasing of his presence. The flaming building was discovered quickly enough that the fire didn't spread to others, but too late to do anything about the poor, old woman that lived there. She would be sorely missed. What a tragedy it had been; she dead in a fire and her husband drunk to death...
In the morning, Yukie was awakened from her sleep by a playful mare's nudging. She had only laid down to rest for a minute, but dawn had already broken. Ariali nudged her head a bit and used her lips to ruffle her hair, causing her to giggle. A shadow fell near her and she saw her guardian, her saviour, her protector watching over her.
"Slept well? Worry not, there will be no more attacks by this branch. In fact, their contact network has been unearthed and there will be a lot of steps to erasing it, and with it the bounty on you. Until that time, please, check in regularly with Konohagakure and the Hokage and maintain a trained bodyguard with you at all times. Until the assassins guilds have been rooted out, please make sure you are safe. One day, you may even reclaim your real name and position. If that is your wish of course, we will support you either way."
Koyuki would have her first completely restful night in over a week that night. She knew she had a protector watching her then. A knight garbed in shadows, wielding silver weapons as easily as she wielded words and emotions. She, for just a bit longer, had a person devoted completely to her. She never saw him again, but, when she looked at some shadows, she could see a small flicker.
Naruto also enjoyed her plays more. Somehow, he felt more emotion stem from the woman, more confidence, more... whatever it was that made people want to see and look up to her. Even Ariali took a liking to her, the silver mare letting her groom her and feed her, even play with her a bit. When the time to leave came, he was sure the horse was sad to leave her friend, a young actress with a past as tragic as any film she would take place in.
"Well, Ariali, my dear, dear companion, we made another friend, didn't we? This didn't turn out a simple mission at all. Now, we have four days to reach Konoha, but it only takes two to do it. However, there are a few guilds allied with the assassins that went after our ward. What do you think my friend? Shall we show them the error of their ways?"
The horse neighed and rose in her hind legs, lashing out with her front. Naruto laughed, he agreed with her.
The next few days, guard would report a shadow garbed figure riding silver, all of it a blur, around a few villages. In all these villages, men and women, perfectly respectable if a bit secluded couples would be found dead. None were murdered, all were killed in accidents or simply their hearts stopped. But, throughout the land, mercenaries involved enough in the trade knew the truth; someone was making a point, and they would be wise not to cross him again.
When Naruto returned to Konoha, in time as always, he stabled his trusted companion horse and went straight to the Hokage. The aged man was quick to assign Naruto the rank of Chuunin, an act that led to a major celebration of all of Naruto's friends in the aforementioned's house, a lavish feast that lasted well into the morning and yet all of them felt as rested as through a full night's sleep after.
A day later, a knock on the door aroused Naruto from his training. Putting on a clean shirt to cover himself properly, he opened the door slowly.
"Hello Danzou... I've been expecting you..."
A/N: Took me a lot of time, this one. I am so sorry. I hope you liked it though and I didn't go overboard with Naruto's skills.
In case someone asks, his knife is like the blades Legolas wields in Lord of the Rings, really nice little things. His bow is a composite longbow (mighty +2) with a few basic enchantments that were inconsequential at the moment. For poison, he relies on alchemically preserved and enhanced snake venom, easier to make and still a very lethal concoction. As you have probably figured out, his feats include Quick Draw and Two-Weapon Fighting, which really suit him.
Ariali the horse is much like Kiba's Akamaru, a 'ninja' animal with increased speed, endurance and intelligence. She will show up a bit more later, but she won't have a pivotal role.
Also, I have, in my spare time, written several one-one shots, most of which are DnD-Naruto crossovers using characters of my DnD games. The question is... should I publish them? Any witty name to call the 'fic' as?
Finally, I would like a suggestion on Naruto's official surname. Uzumaki-Namikaze-Uchiha-Mitarashi just doesn't really sound nice. Any suggestions? Maybe a pair or three of words I can translate to elven or quenya (one of Tolkien's languages for elves)?