Thank you for the reviews everyone, one asked what about Sirius I think when it comes to pairs. I kind of have an idea as to who. But then again I might make him the eternal bachelor. He's still debating his life right now in a cell. So only time will tell, but irregardless, as I stated in a previous chapter. Sirius will be more entwined in Sasuke's side of the story.
But I digress, still not getting any alerts or jack shit from here. (Grumbling…) So please if offering to be a beta or if you spot anything wrong please tell me in a review. I can read those when I log in.
I do not own squat
Malfoy Manor, two months before.
Lucius Malfoy got ready to leave. Knowing he must go to Hogsmeade to speak with this particular Shinobi. He had to move quietly. The Dark Lord had decided his manor would be his base of operations and well that was something the Malfoy Lord truly regretted allowing, With all that has happened the blonde man had found that in one thing the Light was right.
Voldemort was slowly losing it. The longer it took to get to the Potter boy, the worse he seemed to get. Not too long ago he woke up and killed a couple of house elves because of a dream. One that involved fire and a beast with red slitted eyes. The same kind of eyes he himself saw in the golden boy and blonde shinobi's eyes.
Even now those eyes haunt him. The power he saw the two exude was nothing he had seen before. Even the other ones he had observed had nothing compared to the boy and his cousin, It was intriguing yet frightening. When they started to turn towards him, the malice and hate in their features was powerful.
How he is almost afraid to ask.
"Lucius, where are you going?"
Turning to see his wife beside him, he holds her close. Recently she had been punished once again for not doing what the Lord wanted. Far too worried about Draco, the woman did not hear the 'man' calling for her. When she finally did, the crucio upon her along with a few other spells. She was hurt badly. He needed to get her and Draco away from them.
Regardless of his own life…
"I must go, Narcissa," The man stated with love in his eyes. "I have that special errand to run."
"All right." She replied. A little thankful that Lord Voldemort was elsewhere occupied with a project he's been working on. Taking that snake with him, he knows his wife would be safe for a little while. Giving her a hug and kiss on her forehead, Lucius grabbed the floo powder and proceeded to Hogsmeade.
Hogsmeade,
Arriving at the village outside of Hogwarts, it does not take long for him to go to where he wished to meet. Having arrived early, he calmly stood. His hands twitching nervously as of course he was having second thoughts as to betray the Dark Lord meant death. " I can't sense anyone else, Sensei."
Hearing the voice of the blonde from that day, Lucius whirls around to find him, the pink haired girl and the man with them smiling.
"Good work Naruto." The younger man replied. "Sakura if you will."
"Yes."
Her hand glowing green, out of instinct, he backs up against a tree. Green eyes much like someone he knew long ago stare at him. Feeling almost like he was being scanned, his magical core reacted with a gentle magic that seemed to focus and then somehow, he felt released of something.
"He's clean, Kakashi sensei. "No genjutsu."
"Ma ma, that's good." He replied with a smile. "Now the three of you go back to the castle. I will be along in due time."
Three voices in protest, Lucius is startled to see the golden boy himself, in the same tree he was in. Blending so well despite his power, he can't help but wonder how he never sensed him or even saw him for that matter. Said dark haired boy looking at him guardingly, the way he moves, must be because of this man. Draco had told him that Harry gets more training than the other students. The other two look as well, it takes one order now that all three go back grudgingly.
"Be careful Kakashi-Sensei, " Naruto stated. Harry echoing, their eyes flash red for a minute. But that was all it took to convince Lucius that this time both meant business. Especially the blonde one as he seemed more…primal.
Kakashi nodding his head gives them a smile and the two end up being pulled back by the pink haired girl. Her own eyes shooting green fire at him, he turns to the other who raises the cover over his eye. Revealing a different sort of red eye, watching as he covers it once more, he just smiles once again.
"Come shall I buy you a drink."
Friendly a split second later, Malfoy gives a nod of acceptance. His eyes glued as he follows the man, by all rights he can kill him and make his Dark Lord happy. Yet the looks in the faces of the golden boy and the other two, knows that would be signing his death warrant automatically.
But he can't die until his family is safe.
Taking a seat now as the Shinobi orders something called sake, he returns with two glasses and a bottle. Pouring some out for both Lucius just swirls it as the man takes a drink. Thinking of how to speak as the man whips out a book, and begins to read. Curious to say the least as he looks at it, it eases some of the tension as the man offers an English version.
Taking a look at just a few chapters silently in it, he admits he is interested but stops as the man speaks up. "You know Chapter 10 is my personal favorite."
Forwarding to said Chapter, he sees the extra page written out.
They can not see us
Looking up Lucius sees that everyone seems to be in a fog except for him. Drinking and laughing amongst one another it is only the bartender who seems to be aware of them here as he brings over a bowl of soup.
"Thank you Aberforth-san."
"No problem Kakashi." He chuckled. "I got your back and thank you."
A simple nod of the head, the copy nin started eating, the Malfoy Lord beginning to wonder if this was the right idea. But that was when the nin spoke up, "So he wants Draco to kill Dumbledore-san eh?" The man spoke up, Lucius looked at him in surprise, the nin just gave him a look of intelligence that rivals any wizarding genius.
"How?"
"The signs are there." Kakashi states simply. "But let's just say a certain fox keeps me up to date." (Meanwhile in Slytherin hall, one of the Naruto clones who is disguised as a rat sneezes.)
"I see."
"So what is it you wish to talk about?"
"I want…I want you to take my wife and son with you." He said shakily. Kakashi listens. The shinobi listens and gestures for him to continue. "I do crave power and I admit much of what I have done I do not expect to be saved. But Draco is no killer, and my wife if something happens to him? I love both of them too much." He replied quietly.
Listening as he does, this Kakashi looks at Lucius with a gaze that Lucius knows of a killer. "Why should I believe you? Information is that you are one of Voldemort's Death eater's per say?"
"I am, I admit. But the fact of the matter is I saw what happened in Hogsmeade." His memory of the pink haired girl's punch through a wall. The blonde clones, and the golden boy becoming insanely stronger. And those eyes…those red slitted eyes.
Finishing his noodle soup, the silvery haired man looks at him. As he pours himself another drink. Taking back the one in his own hand. Lucius sputters at the taste as it wasn't something he was used to. His eyes blinked for a moment, when he opened the man was gone, but he had left a piece of paper in his wake.
We will contact you
Now…
Still waiting for a response as it has been a while since he has spoken to the man weeks ago. He arrives at Hogwarts with the intent to visit his son. Having him stay here instead of coming home for the Holidays had hurt his wife very much. But she knew that he forbade Draco from doing so for his own safety.
Coming to the dining room, he sees the youth just sitting tired and scared as he looks at his father. Knowing why, the man regrets his son having to go through this as well as his longtime friend Severus. His friends are going elsewhere out of respect. The man beside him seeing him approach he puts his godson's shoulder in comfort as he sits down.
"Hello Father…"
Draco's tired voice echoes in his mind. He can tell that his boy was weary. Draco was more like his mother in many ways. Knows how to be proud and confident like the Malfoy scion should be. But inside much like his mother, he was no killer. He was a good kid. Proud to have him as his son, Lucius could not help but hug him close.
Stiffening up as he had not expected it, Draco just slouches into his father's embrace. The boy was expecting his own death by the looks of it and Lucius did not want that one bit. But to kill one of the most powerful wizards alive such as Dumbledore? He would never survive it.
It was at that moment that a toad popped into existence. Draco looking puzzled, the toad speaks with a curious expression. "Now the boss's cousin told me to give this to a big blonde bastard. I guess that's you huh." It chirped as it handed a scroll to Lucius and disappear.
His son looking aggravated as he wanted to hex the toad for the insult, Lucius stayed his hand as he unrolled the scroll and began to read.
Mr. Malfoy
As the Hokage of Konoha I can authorize an emergency escape for your wife and son. But to do so your family must earn it. I have been informed by my team that Draco and your wife have not done anything major..yet.
I would recommend that you have Draco join Harry in personal classes with the team we are sending next under Gai. He will be taking over in seals and taijutsu for Hogwarts, His students will be coming with him. Should circumstances merit, if he earns his place. Life here is far more hazardous than in your part of the world. Your magic is good, but your bodies need work.
Now as to you.
Many had warned us about the group you come from. So I propose a deal. From what we understand you do not care for Dumbledore. I propose Instead you will keep us informed via your son. You will send it to him, and he will in turn give it to Gai.
Your wife will listen to things said when you and your son are not around and will also inform us. If the information proves true and helps prevent lives lost at the end of their school year the council has agreed to allow you and your family to come.
But do not betray us, Gai is one of my top shinobi and his students are among the best in their year. They are there to not only defend. But to keep an eye on all who would seek to destroy it. And they will kill without blinking an eye.
If you accept, tell your son to speak to Gai and tell him this. 'The will of fire burns on' He will know and contact me to prepare a place for you and your family.
Tsunade Senju
A little relief in his eyes, he turns to his son and begins to speak. Telling him of what he has decided quietly, his son listens word for word. A bit of ease now causes him to relax as maybe there is a chance for him to survive.
But his thoughts now go to his godfather whom he worries about."
"Father...what about, I mean Aunt Bellatrix and mother made him promise."
"I don't know but knowing him, he will find a way to persevere Draco. Severus is not one to go down without a fight."
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Konoha, the next day
As Naruto trained with Kakashi, Jiraiya was sitting at a table with Harry. The wizard's interest in learning seals was definitely there. In fact, the youth was asking so many valid questions that the Toad Sage was willing to share some of his own work with him. Commenting on this and other things that he was doing, he smiled as the dark-haired teen eagerly learned what he could.
Their work came along as he and his new apprentice worked on a barrier issue the boy was having. Hermione at the time had come along. Most of the boys watching Naruto and Sakura spar with Kakashi and cheering them on.
Hearing the occasional boom which would faze most living this close to a training ground. It did not faze a single red head one bit. Not even the adults were fazed, as constant booms were erupting.
"What are you doing?" The brunette asked. Her curiosity peaked at the intricate work the dark-haired boy was attempting.
"Master Jiraiya is helping me figure out what I am doing with this barrier seal." Harry replied brightly. A warm smile on his face. Having explained the holidays to his cousin, the blonde was all for it, and they along with everybody there had a blast decorating the house. Even Jiraiya who had seen it when he arrived appreciated the warmth they exuded.
"Oh?" She replied. Looking at the older man dubiously, as she remembered what Harry, Naruto, and Sakura had told her about him. Asking some questions of her own as she looks, Jiraiya finds himself eventually another interested student in the sealing arts. Kakashi had told him about how this girl was curious and asking very good questions unlike others.
He gestured for her to grab a piece of paper and started to instruct her about seals that were complicated like the one Harry was working on. His eyes brighten as they both work and even correct one another's strokes every so often. Perhaps like Minato and his wife Kushina. There might be two new seal masters here in the works. He will make sure to give Harry the first of the Uzumaki and Namikaze seals as they were his and Naruto's birthright. He will give this girl one of his own designs.
Continuing on, they were still working on it when Naruto came rushing in.
"I have to go, Harry. Me, Kakashi, and Sakura have to go to Suna."
The Weasleys rush in as well, they listen as Harry speaks up.
"Why what's going on?"
"It's Gaara, Harry. He's been taken. Right now, my team is the only one capable of going to rescue him."
"I can go to."
The blonde looked up sharply and shook his head. "Harry, we don't know yet who we are going against. Tsunade just got the message 5 minutes ago." Gathering all his stuff together. Harry, stubborn to a fault as he goes to gather his own things, is pulled back by Jiraiya and shakes his head.
"Harry, sit." Forcing his hand down, the Toad Sage looks at the blonde who nods his head before racing out the door. Taking to the roofs he vanishes in the blink of an eye. Harry's eyes looking mutinous at the moment, the sage tells him something and places it in front of him.
Startled to say the least, Jiraiya places a stack of papers in front of him as Hermione watches.
"If you want to help Naruto, start learning these."
"Huh?"
"These are Uzumaki seal scrolls, when it came to destructiveness your mother's clan were among the best if not the best." He stated. "Learn them, know them and damn sure you use them well."
"Harry…" Hermione started to protest, the girl worried for him and for her newfound friends. She can tell Harry is determined to learn them. His fingers work themselves to practice to get them right. Jiraiya looks at her as well and starts her on her seals such as explosive and barrier.
Looking up at him as admittedly they were confusing, the Toad Sage takes a serious note. "If I know Harry like I do Naruto. He will need your help, start work on these and get them ready, for I have a feeling he will be going to help whether ready or not."
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Okay folks it has taken me this long to get to it as I wanted to establish a relationship between Harry and everyone in the Leaf. I will be working on the Gaara arc, now as well as what I got planned with the fire Lord. But also, a couple of chapters perhaps devoted to Sasuke and Sirius because mostly what I got for Gaara might take a couple and I got to do it right cuz as before action is so not my strongpoint.