Noctis Eternum
Chapter Thirteen: The Bard
Author Notes: Here's the next chapter of Noctis Eternum. I hope everyone missed me because I'm back once again.
III = Interlude/ character perspective switch.
Bold text = Inner voice/ something important speaking.
There will be no crossovers, or characters from other shows.
The boat rocked as it slowly traveled upstream. Naruto leaned over the railing, watching the scenery as barren and rocky ground slowly gave way to lush grasslands and dense vegetation. He watched transfixed as pink petals slowly drifted on the wind. The Sakura trees were in full bloom this time of the year as winter gave way to spring. It was serene.
On the deck below he spotted the refugees mingling with his team, exchanging laughs and helping themselves to a feast. He smiled. This warship of his was somewhat larger than a war galley and was easily big enough to fit twelve ox carts comfortably. He noticed portholes on the sides where one could load Cannonballs wrapped in explosive notes. Indeed this ship must have belonged to Kiri's royal navy at some point in it's mysterious past.
The dark waters below reflected a man he almost didn't recognize. His whisker marks had darkened and become more pronounced, and his hair had grown out becoming more wild and spiky than before. He rubbed his cheek, "Have I really changed so much in a year?"
Soft footfalls alerted him to another presence. He turned his head as Shuujin climbed up from the lower deck. He tilted his head downward to face the petite girl who only came up to his chin and stood at 4,9ft. He gave the pale skinned girl a warm smile, "Couldn't sleep?"
She groaned, "Too much noise."
"I see."
A moment of silence passed.
She moved beside him starring at the slowly moving landscape. "Have you ever been on a boat" She asked turning to face him.
"No" He replied, "This is my first time."
Shuujin looked up at him with curiosity in her big red eyes, "You must be a prodigy then. The most hardy of sailors take months to get their sea legs."
He snorted, "It's not natural born skill." He pointed a finger at the dozens of shadow clones going about the ship carrying out tasks.
"Still...", She poked her fingers together, "It's not easy being so strong. I would know."
"I had guessed as much when I first met you. I can sense a great strength within you."
She frowned, "Everyone says I have this great power but does it matter If I don't even know how to use it!" The girl shut her eyes in frustration.
"Hey now" Naruto laid his hand on the girls shoulder, "If you want, me and Fu can help you learn to control your power."
She squinted her eyes in mild distrust, "Really? Just like that?"
He nodded, "We help anyone who needs help." He extended a hand, "So, what do you say, friend?"
Shuujin peered at the offered appendage and grasped it, "It's a deal, friend."
III
"Here we are everyone, land ahoy!"
The thankful villagers disembarked from the boat as it moored to the docks. Naruto walked down the ramp and checked his new surroundings. Teki town was a large city resting against the Sakine river in the country of Waterfall. It served as one of the major trade hubs nestled around the Otumo Delta, which connected the land of waterfall to the land of iron and the Great Senju lake that fed into the land of fire.
With a large harbor boasting hundreds of docked ships he appraised the modern Japanese architecture of the town. Electrical lamps lined the streets and he noticed with some satisfaction the drains in the side of the streets that hinted at a working sewer system. While not quite as lively as Tanzaku Gai the city was bustling with activity.
Fu stepped off the ship with a yawn. Rubbing her eyes the mint haired girl located him within the throng of departing villagers. "Hey Fu, Over here!" He yelled over the crowd.
"Yeah, Yeah, I hear you." The girl groaned as the sunlight seemed far too bright.
"Rough night?"
She massaged her head, "You have no idea."
Shuujin and Konan soon made their way over, "Hey guys!"
Naruto smiled, "Sup"
"Good morning Shuujin"
Konan appearing suspiciously well slept greeted them, "Good morning you three. Did you sleep well?"
A chorus of "No", quickly rang out.
Naruto squinted his eyes. 'Is there something here I'm missing. What's her secret...'
"What's on our agenda for this town anyway?" Asked the silver haired girl on the team.
Naruto jerked, "Who, what?"
"The plans Naruto." Fu spoke, "Should we restock our supplies before we set sail for hotsprings?"
"Well we are low on food and water after that party." He admitted thinking back on the insane amount of food that had been consumed last night."
Fu slapped her fist onto her palm, "It's settled then. We restock today and set sail first thing tomorrow."
"It sounds like a plan." He agreed.
Shuujin shuffled on her feet glancing between Fu and Naruto, "If it's ok with you two could we have a look around?"
Naruto cocked his head towards his girlfriend, who gave an imperceptible nod. He turned back to Shuujin with a smile, "Sure."
III
The Bard allowed the music to take him away. The sounds pounded throughout his body like jackhammers as he allowed his fingers to skillfully press and caress his choice of instrument. Harsh drum beats and loud acoustic thrums boomed throughout the tavern. Metal jingled and vibrated as he let off a bang! bang! bang! With each twitch of his hand. The bard swayed back and forth before a crowd of mesmerized spectators.
The bard thumped his foot against the makeshift stage, "I dedicate this song to an old friend of mine."
The crowd cheered as the Sandy haired man began playing a fast paced song that shook the establishment. A heavy bass shook the walls in a constant Clang! Clang! Like a raging beast the music rose up in an angry and fast paced blitz that had the crowd screaming in excitement. A head of Yellow and Mint green walked through the doors of the concert, followed by a head of blue and white.
Naruto watched the screaming man begin throwing his head around and letting out screech's. The music sounded aggressive and angry. It evoked a sense of anticipation and the memory of battle inside the blond. Each harmonic drift accompanied an explosive thrum that vibrated his bones.
He turned his head finding Konan already bumping hips with a few men rocking tattoo's and piercings. 'Huh I kind of had her pegged as the type.' He refocused his attention on the man creating the strange and wonderful heavy music. He took a moment to judge this 'bard.'
The bard's long unkempt sandy blond hair fell down over his white Anbu styled face mask in an uncombed mess. The mask was simply two slanted eye marks and a aqua colored triangle that extended over his mouth. Long bandages extended around his neck and torso covered by a thick black travelers shirt. Finishing it off he was adorned in black travelers pants, ninja sandals, and dark blue fingerless gloves.
Assessment? He was a ninja obviously and a rather famous one at that. The real question on Naruto's mind was why such an infamous man was doing concerts in a coastal city so far from home.
Fu screamed as the song hit a high point.
"This is crazy." Finally giving up he joined Fu in yelling as the show went on.
In the excitement no one noticed a lone brown haired woman exiting the tavern.
Six black robed individuals slunk along the grassy plains. Suddenly stopping the leading man held out a hand as a hawk landed.
"Do we have a lead?" A feminine voice asked.
Reading the scrolls contents the man threw it into the air where it burst into flames. The man lifted his hooded face that shined with red light, "Taka, move out!"
III
As the night winded down the tavern fell silent. Food and discarded trash littered the floor drawing frustrated sighs from the janitors. The Bard sat on a stool cleaning his Guitar with a rag.
The gang approached the slim musician with Naruto front and center. The man lifted his head up to meet the approaching Shinobi with an air of cautious curiosity.
They stood opposite of each other in an awkward silence. Wanting to break the oppressive air Naruto waved, "Yo"
The Bard cocked his head at the lame icebreaker.
"Sorry!" Fu butt in slapping Naruto upside the head, "Ouch! What was that for?" He grouched.
The Bard chuckled letting his posture slacken. Turning his head he smiled underneath his mask at the bluenette beauty standing in the back of their group.
"And who would this lovely babe be?"
Konan blushed at the man's compliment. The Bard slowly rose from his seat and ignored the rambling Fu and Naruto. Konan flushed as the man got up in her personal space. Naruto gaped as the powerful reputed "Ice Queen" of Ame was reduced to a blushing mess under the presence of the skilled guitarist.
'No way. Konan has a crush!' Thought the three teenagers.
Realizing the three teenagers behind him were the blue haired woman's companions the bard turned around, "My apologies my dear fans. I was so distracted by this beauty here I didn't see you."
The three teens sweatdropped. 'Really?'
Naruto coughed, "Well as that may be can I ask what such an infamous Kiri Nin is doing so far north and playing concerts?"
The now revealed Ninja sighed and sat down on a stool with slouched shoulders, "It's a long story."
Naruto leaned back and plopped down on a chair, "We have all night" He turned to the rest of his friends, "Right guys?"
"I'm free"
"Yup"
"All ears."
He turned back to the bard, 'See, now why don't you tell us all about your story Kushimaru Kuriarare."
"Sigh" Kushimaru leaned back, "It starts like this..."
Kushimaru walking into the Mizukages office returning from another A-rank mission. He had been assigned another rebel extermination mission. He flinched hearing distant screams.
Yagura looked up from his paperwork and smiled, "Ah if it isn't my top man!" The Dictator crossed his arms, "Did you complete the mission as specified?"
Kushimaru nodded, "Seven villages and fifteen thousand rebel friendly peasants have been killed, hanged as by your instruction."
"Good, good" Yagura moved from his seat and walked to the window overlooking the village.
"It's beautiful isn't it Kushimaru?"
"Sir?"
Yagura pointed to the village, "Order, everything in life operates by a set of unchanging variables."
Yagura turned to face him, "These rebels stand to destroy that order, and in turn ruin everything I have tried to accomplish." He handed Kushimaru a manila folder, "Your new orders."
Kushimaru nodded and departed from the Kage tower; Finding a remote location so he could read the contents of the folder. Finding a secure location he stopped. Ripping the envelope open he began scanning the contents.
With shaking hands he dropped the folder and threw the Nuibari to the ground.
That was the last time he stepped into Kirigakure.
"And that's what happened."
"Wait", said Naruto, "What was in the folder that made you leave?"
Kushimaru gripped his guitar with whitened knuckles, "It's personal..."
Sensing this was a dangerous subject the blond ninja wisely backed off.
"Wow" Shuujin gasped, "Why did you become a traveling bard though?"
Kushimaru laughed, "Well as fate would have it I didn't really have any trade I could use to earn a living, so I used a dusty old guitar I had sealed up. It belonged to my great, great, grandfather and he left some notes on how to use it."
"You are very talented with it" Konan complemented.
"You're not the first gal to say that" Konan sighed, "But..." She looked up, 'You are certainly the most beautiful."
Konan's cheeks burned, "You definitely know how to charm a lady."
He flashed her a thumbs up, "So why don't you tell me what two Jinchuuriki, a Kaguya, and an Akatsuki member are doing in neutral territory?"
Immediately the atmosphere tensed and the four readied themselves for a fight. Naruto lowered his arms ready to form a Rasengan at a moment's notice. Fu inched her hand to her side ready to form Shizen, and Konan held her hands in her pockets with a relaxed but dangerous air.
"What's a Kaguya" The silver haired member of their group asked.
"Errr...Seriously?" The former swordsman deadpanned.
"Wait Shuujin is like that freaky bone guy I fought?"
Fu blinked, "You fought a Kaguya and you never mentioned that at all?"
Naruto rubbed his head, "Well I only fought him for a little bit and left him to Lee."
Konan coughed, "Getting back on track I believe you were going to inform us how you deduced our identities."
The guitarist threw his hands in the air and laughed, "She asks me like I'm some sort of detective nin." He pointed to a poster on a small corner of the tavern, "That's how."
The group crowded around the wall feeling ice creep up their spines. Four wanted posters with names and the latest photo's of them. Naruto gaped as he peered at a picture of him in his darkness cloak fighting off undead freaks. Under the bounty was listed a reward of fifty eight hundred million Ryo for the destruction of the earth capital and the murder of the daimyo.
"This is bullshit!" He held out the paper, "We didn't do this. It was that Snake freak!"
"Welllll", Fu started, "We technically did blow up the daimyo's palace and killed all his guards."
"Itachi also burned down the entire city" Konan added.
"Fuck"
Fu scowled, "Why is my bounty only half of yours?" She held her wanted poster with only a two hundred million bounty.
Kushimaru raised an eye, "You are angry you have a bounty six times that of Asuma Sarutobi?"
Fu blushed, "Err...you have a point."
"Hey guys!" Shuujin held out her poster depicting a savage white haired girl mutilating a bandit with a bony spine, "My bounty only has twelve million!"
Konan sighed, "Shuujin you probably only have a bounty because you are the last of your clan and possess a rare Kekkai Genkai."
The girl pouted, "So when do I get a bounty like Fu-Neechan and Naruto."
"Hopefully never" Naruto muttered.
Fu beamed, "So I'm your sister now huh?" The girl nodded shyly.
"YES!" The mint haired girl practically gumped Fuujin in a hug. Fu immediately began tickling the smaller girl, "Hehehe, Nee-Chan stop!" The girl whined.
Seeing the group laughing and trading jokes with one another Kushimaru felt a hint of camaraderie at the sight of this strange group of friends. Maybe he could stick around a little longer. It wasn't like he had anywhere to be.
I might have rushed Shuujins inclusion a little. She is an orphan and has had a very reclusive lifestyle before meeting the group, so that's how I justify her bonding so fast with them.
Thank you guys for all the support and don't forget to drop a review. I am always trying to improve.
