Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Fate, or any other anime I use in this story. They belong to their respective owners…
7/8/23
To Love An Angel
The sun had fallen down.
But even then the stars weren't yet shining.
And it was if all the colors around him had become less saturated. The flowers less vibrant, the animals much quieter.
Like the whole world was crying out, weeping at a something it had lost.
But then again, he was no different.
Gone was the well kempt figure he had once had.
His once shining armor was discarded, as he now wore much looser garments that were stains and tears marking the fabric as they much more befitting of how he felt.
His skin was also a lot paler, a far cry from the tan he had once shown. And even his golden locks seemed to be much more wild than they usually were.
But the most striking thing were his eyes, so cold, devoid of life almost entirely.
Those dull blue orbs idly gazed at his surroundings almost confusedly, searching for something that wasn't there.
Searching for something he couldn't find.
As the figure slowly reached into his satchel at his side. Leaning down, as he then fell onto his knees. Placing a few objects onto a nearby patch of flat dirt he had found not long ago.
The first was a small candle, one which he quickly lit as the burning ember illuminated around him.
However, the second was far more meaningful.
It was a small framed portrait, one of the few he had ever bother to get. But now... it meant the world to him.
It was when he was much younger, a time in which he was more joyous. As he stood there, posing behind another figure. A huge wide smile etched across his face, peaking over the shoulder of the much more refined figure he leaned over.
And gazing upon this figure, it subtly brought a few tears from his eyes.
It was strange, what was once gazed at with melancholy only brought sadness to his eyes.
As in the portrait, right in front of him, was a young girl, around his age, with near golden blonde hair similar to his own. She sat in a chair, trying to look as presentable as they could. Be even still you could subtly see the fond smile across her face as he stood over her.
They were both happy.
And they thought that joy would always last.
But, as he grasped onto the third, much smaller object within his fingers, it only filled his empty heart with sorrow.
As he brought his hands together in a silent prayer, remembering what 'She' had taught him on the subject.
He began remembering just what had happened at a this small, forgotten field in the countryside.
"...Jeanne" "Jeanne." "Jeanne!"
"You know, we should really head back now; the troops are preparing to leave soon," Naruto reminded his friend. Before he caught on to her forlorn expression.
"Umm… Jeanne?" He asked in confusion; still no response.
And no matter how many times he called out to the girl, she still continued looking off into the distance, not really paying attention to his words.
That was until the girl turned toward him.
And the face that stared back at him, in his opinion, could only be described as an angel.
Pale skin and a beautiful heart-shaped face. As well as her pure, amethyst-blue eyes that looked at him with kindness. Her golden, long, spiky locks were both flowing freely to frame her face and were tied neatly at her back. And even decorated in her silver armor, woven into dark blue threads, he would still say she was beautiful.
Jeanne d'arc looked at him.
She saw his golden spiked hair, his cerulean blue eyes, his tan skin, and those adorable whisker-like marks. But, like her, he was also dressed for battle. As he was adorned in silver armor.
"Naruto..." she smiled, content with seeing her longtime friend once more. But soon, she once again turned her gaze to the surrounding scenery.
Naruto could sense that something was bothering her.
However, unlike before, the silence that encroached upon them didn't last for long, as a solemn expression morphed onto the girl's face.
"I'm sorry... it seems like things won't turn out as well as we've hoped" Jeanne told him somberly, as his cerulean eyes widened.
"Jeanne, what are you talking about? Of course things will, we just have to make it through this" Naruto assured, still holding onto his usual optimistic outlook.
But the other blonde beside him only gave him a bittersweet smile, as she shook her head in the negative. "I wish things could turn out like that; I truly do," she said solemnly.
"But I'm not so sure they will," Jeanne told him, turning away, as if what she said was already set in stone.
Naruto didn't want to belived it, as he began to rush to her side.
"H-hey! What do you mean by that?" He asked, desperate for her response. And as he grasped her shoulder, she turned around, causing him to see her expression.
The frown across her face, as well as the worried look in her eyes, nearly caused his heart to stop.
He could see the conflict raging on within her mind.
But eventually he could tell that one side had begun to win out. And that's when the words left her mouth.
"The Lord has shown me a vision," she started, as a pit began to form in Naruto's stomach.
But even still, the girl continued, "He showed me, that I... I won't make it through this next battle," Jeanne told him honestly.
Which caused Naruto's world to shatter.
She took a deep breath, as the sadness in her eyes morphed into a more confident and resolved expression.
As if her Death was sure to come.
"Naruto, I want you to promise me that you will survive, retreat when I tell you to, and lead our troops to safety, even if it means I get captured," she requested, but Naruto wouldn't even entertain the thought
"Jeanne, you know I can't do that!" He told her resolutely. "We can do something, anything, just if it means you don't have to die!" Naruto assured, trying to convince her as much as himself.
And his words did cause Jeanne's resolve to waver slightly, doubt seeping into her mind.
But as quickly as it came it left.
As her expression once again turned into a frown, shaking her head.
The Burgundies wouldn't allow that, they wanted her, to make an example out of her.
"I-I— We... can't always hope for the best, no matter how much we want it to be" Jeanne told him, as usual being the much more reasonable of the two.
"But what about our plans? And you're dream?!" Naruto tried to remind, she always wanted to see a world where her country was happy once again, and she deserved to see that happen.
Jeanne only bit her lip, as she went to grasp on to Naruto's palm."Then I guess... you'll just have to do those things without me," she told him, tears near spilling from her eyes.
As Naruto stood shocked at what lay within his grasp. "No, Jeanne! You know this is yours, you can't just give it away so lightly!" He nearly shouted, thrusting the object that he had been given right into her grasp.
As Jeanne looked at the small object once again.
Something which, on the day given to her, was one she would cherish forever. And the memory of that would always give her comfort...
For what lay within her grasp was a small golden ring.
One that had been given to her in a scenery just like this, and it had been one of the happiest moments of her life.
He had purposed to her in the place they used to play as children, and like any other girl in love... she of course said yes.
They planned to get married in the house of god once the War ended and start a small family together.
But it seemed that wasn't meant to be, at least, not with her.
She only hoped Naruto could remain happy, even when she wasn't around to be at his side.
It seemed her Betrothed to be wasn't having any of it.
"We could leave!" Naruto nearly shouted. "We could run away, right now; we could go so far nobody will catch us, just... please?" He asked, desperate to keep the girl he loved with him.
Jeanne's face seemed to darken.
If she left now all their troops would die, and so would many of the French citizens... as well as Naruto.
She knew that.
Even still, unknown to Naruto, tears began welling in her eyes.
"Naruto, you know we can't do that," she told him, almost bitterly.
"Why not? Why can't we?!" Naruto asked again.
Was it so wrong for him to want to keep her alive? She'd already given up so much and sacrificed so much to help people.
They were both born Peasants, She a Farmers Daughter, and he worse than her an Orphan with no family or home to call his own.
But when Jeanne heard the voice of God, she almost instantly and without fear pledged herself to help her country. To serve on the front lines and lead their people in their hundred-year war.
If anyone deserved a happy ending, it should be Jeanne.
And with each word, Jeanne could sense the rising desperation in his voice, which only caused her eyes to soften.
If only things could turn out that way…
But she knew they couldn't.
She was sure to die, and give up her life for her country.
She had helped lead France to many victories, as well as many defeats. And the lives she saved she was eternally grateful for.
And even if she were to get captured by English that would not change. Even with what she had been shown.
And in light of that, despite the pain, she was grateful for what her Lord had shown her now. Because without it, she wouldn't cherish her time with him as much.
Sadly, all good things must come to an end.
And their time together was coming to an end.
It was with a pained heart that she let got close to her betrothed, as she just held onto him tightly, her tears spilling onto his armor.
And as shocked as Naruto was he was able to quickly respond, wrapping his arms around the girl once more. As they both felt the warmth and the love the other shared for one another.
"Naruto, I love you," she told him, subtly wiping the filling tears from her own blue eyes. As the girl leaned up slightly to connect her lips with his own.
"I love you too, Jeanne" he stated, returning the kiss.
'Forever.' he thought.
As He realized, he wanted keep this girl safe forever.
Now... if only that were true.
"Naruto, you have to go now, they're closing in on you."
"No, Jeanne, I'm not leaving you. I can't, we'll—"
"Naruto!" "Go, Giles, take him with you, keep him safe."
30/5/1431
Her time had run out.
The familiar sound of church bells could be heard, marking the start of a new hour for all that heard.
They paraded her around like a parade float for all to see, or rather, like a prisoner to be tried. Which, to be honest, wasn't far from the truth.
Shackled and in chains, stripped of her armor, she was forced to wear a long, stained prisoner's gown. As she heard the shouts of scorn that left all the many gatherers' lips.
"You witch!"
"Get her!"
"Die you witch!" "Die you witch!" "Die! Die! Die!"
They all chanted, and some of them even threw rocks at her to get some semblance of her attention. As if it would truly put their anger to rest if they did so.
Sadly, one seemed to hit her temple, as blood dripped down her face.
But even still, she held her resolved, silent expression. That was, until a flicker of doubt reached her mind…
She remembered the pain in Naruto's eyes when she left. When he had failed, and when he realized the futility of his actions.
Her eyes widened, turning toward the crowd in an instant as she saw the hateful looks many of them gave her.
Even so, she continued on, she had one more task to accomplish.
"Pardon me, I request a cross," she pleaded, her own having been taken from her. But that only seemed to spur the crowd on more.
"Can't someone please spare one?" Jeanne D'arc asked once again. And thankfully, some did come to meet her demands.
A young child pushed herself from the crowd, a beautiful brown-haired girl with modest clothing. The girl handed her the cross, something she was eternally grateful for.
"Thank you so much," she said in a near whisper as the girl left wordlessly.
Sure, the cross she had been given was small, worn out, and likely constructed hastily. But to her, it was perfect; as she clutched it close to her chest, it filled her with a warmth nothing else could.
And even as they carted her toward her impending doom, the stake at which she knew she would be burned, that warmth didn't waver.
In her final thoughts, she could only think of her dear Friend, Naruto, the one she loved more than anything Grateful that she met him and that felt the Love that he had for her.
She had faith he would be okay.
Sure, she knew he would be devastated by her death, but she had faith he would carry on.
And as they chained her to the pole, her thoughts carried on.
Oh, how she would have loved to have spent more time with him, even if she was grateful for the time and warning she had been given by her love.
She imagined their wedding exchanging vows in front of the eyes of their families and God, his warm embrace after they just made love hopeful that their union would bare fruit. She imagine the indescribable joy they would feel holding their new born children little blonde-haired, blue-eyed children. And each would have the cutest little whisker marks adorning their cheeks, just like their father. She imagined growing old with him watching their children go on to have children of their own.
Finally thought of holding his hand and seeing his smile one last time as they both drifted off to one last slumber their lives now at an end.
Yes that would have be nice.
And she was content with those thoughts.
But, as she clutched her cross toward her bussom, The heat trickling towards her skin.
Jeanne D'arc did have one selfish request, one that she hoped her Lord would fulfill.
She hoped for another life with him, and if not that, then she hoped to see Naruto in heaven.
And as the heat intensified, she hoped for more moments with Naruto like they'd had, ones where they just sat around each other contently…
Yes, that wouldn't be so bad.
But even more so, she prayed Naruto would stay the same. That he would gain a new life, one better than the she could have given to him.
If only...
XXX
He had woken up days later.
Jeanne's grail having already been conducted.
And it was as if he had lost a limb, yet his body remained completely intact.
The world hadn't been the same since.
Like candle having been put out within his heart.
Even now, he smelled the familiar scent of flowers, which reminded him of the many fields he and Jeanne used to play in.
He remembered the many times he had visited her family's nearby farm, not too far off from his parent's own.
All the time they spent playing with each other, laughing with each other, and smiling together.
It was like one happy dream.
... But, of course, that all ended.
Once, she heard the voice of God. She heard his deep love for his people, and she also heard his deep sorrow.
France had been engulfed in its 100-year war, and she knew she had to do something.
So, she enlisted in her country's military.
And he didn't blame her, nor the god she served for taking her on this path.
Because when the girl had told him of her plans he had stubbornly tried to join her, much to her displeasure.
Having fought together, he began to see just what kind of influence his blonde childhood friend could make.
And he feel in love with that, with her.
Although to be more accurate, he had fallen in love with her once again, many times over.
... And now that was gone.
He didn't blame Jeanne, nor did he curse the heavens, as Giles had recent done.
The fault lay entirely with him, he was the one to blame for being unable to convince her to walk away, for being unable to save her.
And so, whist he clutched the ring her had purposed to his love in one hand. In the other, he retrieved one final object...
A lone blade gleaming in its metallic shine.
If only he had been as strong as Jeanne had believed him to be.
He only wished he could apologize to the girl if he got the chance— but he realized that wasn't to be...
He knew he wouldn't be going where she was.
His punishment lay with him alone.
He wished her all the Happiness... wherever she was.
"...Forgive me, Jeanne."
"Oh Lord, please bless the one I have left behind."
"Please... give her another chance, the happiness she deserves. I offer everything, even my life."
???
The loud sounds of woodland creatures echoed off into the distance. The crickets chirping, the owls who-ing.
This was normal, evident from the nature surrounding her. But one thing remained clear...
She had messed up.
She knew that for a fact, and she was sure she would receive a harsh lecture from her mother later.
Having spent the day playing within the nearby woods, she of course didn't expect to get lost.
But then the sun went down, and she couldn't find her way back. And now, with the darkness of the night sky, she could safely say she had messed up.
She was hungry, starving, and distraught.
But, there seemed to be a guiding light, pushing her toward her current direction, unaware of where she would be led.
XXX
"Go on, you're old enough to survive on your own, get out of here!" A woman yelled, as she threw a young boy on the ground.
The child, just four years of age, looked up, seeing her scornfilled look in her eyes.
Almost instantly, the woman closed the door. Leaving him stranded on the cold, snow covered floor.
As he picked himself up off the ground, unsure of where he would go now.
That had been a few months ago, just after his fourth birthday.
Surprisingly, he had survived without a home for so long, using many of the throw away cloths that he had found to keep him warm at night. As he used many of the meals that had been thrown away for sustenance.
He tried to avoid people when he could, many of the villagers acting just like the Matron at the orphanage.
He absolutely hated it.
But in the wake of the freezing winter it had become a much warmer spring.
Which meant he could go out and survive in the wilderness much longer.
Hunting, fishing, camping, he enjoyed it all. As it wa snuck easier to deal with than anything inside the village.
They were always so cold to him, much more than any weather that rained from the sky.
It was much easier this way.
Snap!
Suddenly, and without working, his head snapped back, stopping him from taking a large bite of the cooked fish he had just caught within a nearby stream. As he heard the loud rustling of foliage nearby.
Was it one of those bears he had heard so much about?
"W-who's there!" He shouted, meantally berating himself for sounding so scared. As he pointed a nearby stick towards the offending sound.
A figure, making its way into the clearing, began to make their presence known. It was a girl, just about his age, with blond hair, blue eyes, plain, civilian, clothing.
As he blinked, this person seemingly familiar to him, although he couldn't quite place it.
The girl's eyes widened as well, whether she was feel the same familiarity, or if she was just surprised to see him, he didn't know.
"Ummm, hello?" She tried to greet, using the manners that had been carefully instilled in her to try and talk to the person in front of her.
Although truthfully, she was happy to at least see a person. And she was also surprised to see someone so young here out in the woods—well... someone else so young.
The boy with blonde hair, blue eyes, and just the cutest whisker-like marks she had ever seen looking just about her age.
As the boy narrowed his blue eyes in suspicion. "Yea, who are you!" He demanded, as the girl shuffled on her feet, embarrassed at her predicament, and what she was about to ask.
"Well, I kind of got lost, and—" but it seemed the girl's stomach didn't wait for her to finish her sentence.
As it grumbled loudly, causing the blonde haired girl to grow a light blush across her cheeks.
Bowing slightly, which nearby cause the boy to do a double take, she embarrassingly asked. "Could you, please give me some of your food, it smells really good and I'm quite hungry," the girl spoke respectfully.
But even still Naruto eyed her with suspicion.
Expecting the girl to behave just like the other kids at the orphanage he was sorely mistaken. The girl didn't hold any revulsion within her voice, and her actions seemed genuine.
So it was with much consideration that he put his menacing looking stick away from the girl. As he then handed the girl the grilled fish he was about to eat before she had arrived, much to the girl's relief.
Such a sight was almost mouthwatering to the girl, as she hadn't eaten for many hours, and thankfully was happy to have some food within her.
Almost instantly, the girl teleported to the boy's side. Nearly devouring the entire fish given to her within one bite, much to the slight amusement of the blonde boy who was watching her. She, slightly embarrassed once again, thanked the blonde.
"Thank you for the food, umm..." she trailed off, realizing she had never caught the boy's name.
"Naruto... Naruto Uzumaki," the boy answered shortly, still slightly suspicious of the girl.
But she only craned her head at the peculiar name, "Naruto?" She questioned, as the big pointed an accusatory finger towards her.
"Yeah, Naruto!" He told her. "It means maelstrom, not a ramen topping, Dattebayo!" The now named boy told her with a slight amount of anger, having been picked one relentless for his name's meaning already.
But the girl only blinked, processing the boy's outburst, as well as the cute little catchphrase he had added at the end.
Before it finally clicked in her mind, as giggle of laughter emerged from her lips. And not just any laughter, but it was the kind of laughter then emenated from you whole body. And honestly, she was glad for it, given how nervous she had previously been.
But Naruto didn't see the amusement in the situation, as his face heat up within anger.
About to cause another outburst, he was plainly surprised when the blonde girl clutched onto his small palms with her own.
His anger forgotten within an instant, as a small blush began to creep upon his cheeks, especially at her next words.
"Naruto? That's a lovely name. I'm Jeanne... Jeanne D'arc," the girl told him.
As he then saw one of the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.
The End.
An:
Another tragedy with this one, and it was recommended to me by the same person who came up with 'King of Nothing' Midnightson41.
This story went through several iterations, and had to be rewritten a couple of times just so I could be satisfied.
Jeanne is one of those characters who to me has always been a bit overshadowed. With Mordred or even Astolfo (because sometimes it takes a real man to become best girl) being the main waifu's in Apocrypha. (Didn't really like her whole storyline with Seig to be honest.) Artoria overshadowing her in the fact that they are both blonde. And even in FGO Jalter overshadows her in gameplay. With Jalter overshadowing her in HER OWN singularity.
But I did develop a bit of a soft spot for her after this. So I actually used my SSR ticket on her. Haven't found much use for her though, I want to try to max out her skills sometime.
Koyanskya came out, and with the boatload of quartz and tickets (around 600 of them)... I wasn't able to get her.
But I did get a waver spook. (Who I would've used my ticket on)
Then I went to my GSSR, and REALLY wanted Kama (with a 25% chance). And to be honest I would mind Reines (Case files fans anyone?)
Murasaki wouldn't find to much use. But Godjuna more so given that I got NP2 morgan. Plus, the amount of trouble I had with his boss fight was insane.
YEAH... I got Murasaki and Godjuna, wasn't fun.
I have been using Murasaki a bit (I mean, she's hot), cause she's good for Assasin classes and is a decent arts looper.
Godjuna won't find much use, even if I heard he's good.
Anyways, I spent the next 3 hours grinding for quartz. And Musashi bonded up to lvl 11. So... I got Koyan at NP2.
6 SSR's in one day: Waver, Jeanne, Murasaki, Godjuna, KoyanX2.
Not looking good for Oberon, but to be honest I didn't really want him too much.
And I REALLY want summer Kama since I missed out on her normal version.
Anyways, this concludes my Jeanne one/shot, with both lovers wishing for another chance at life for the other. And then both reuniting within the elemental nations.
Maybe I'll go and write a sort-of-sequel to this, but right now... probably not. Got WAY to much on my plate.
But hey! It seems I may do one of these for most of the Waifus of fate (some will be excluded, deal with it)
So if you got a really good concept for a one/shot, suggest it. No guarantees though.
Inspirations: Fate/Appocrypha
'Gone away' by FiveFingerDeathPunch