WORD STYLE
(Past)
Thoughts
{Billboard/signs}
[Tv/Intercom]
SHOUTING
TwIsTeD
Beasts Speak
Chapter 7
Now dressed in a dress shirt and jeans, Khun sat before the group consisting of Naruto, Yihwa, Wangnan, Goseng, Miseng, Akraptor, and Prince.
"So you're Jue Viole Grace's teammates?" Khun asked as he looked over the odd group.
"They look ordinary to be on a Slayer nominee's team... except for him, " Khun thought as he glanced at Naruto, who was looking at the worried Miseng.
"Naruto, are you okay?" Miseng asked after grasping his hand, which he smiled.
"I'm fine." He told her, his words reassuring her, yet the others still appeared very worried.
"I'll still need to keep an eye on that one, though." Khun thought, staring at the most mysterious one.
"We chased after Viole and went to Arlen's Hand. It was already destroyed, and you were trapped under the rubble with Viole's Pocket. What exactly happened in there?" Wangnan asked the suspicious blue-haired looking Turtle.
"I don't know yet..." This got the others to frown, with Naruto just sitting in silence. "Can I see that pocket?"
He was almost immediately handed the small orb to look over, yet something in Khun's eyes changed when he looked at it before suddenly standing up.
"Hey, where are you going?" Prince suddenly demanded while pointing at the suspicious guy.
"I'm going to get my team back." That was all he said but was stopped when Arkraptor touched his shoulder.
"Sure, but we'll go with you. Sorry, but we need to know what's going on, too. Our teammate's lives depend on it." this only gets an audible sigh from Khun.
"If you're qualified to go to the 29th floor, then follow me."
A DAY LATER AT KHUN'S PRIVATE BUNKER
Near the center of a forest was a lone building concealed by trees. Their ship had just enough room to land, and Naruto stepped out, following Khun with Arkraptor, Wangnan, and Yihwa.
"I already finished doing a search on you while you were passed out, Khun Aguero Agnes. You're Famous among the E-Rank Regulars, and you're quite proud of your family background." As Arkraptor said that, Naruto and Wangnan made an 'oh' like sound while Yihwa just frowned. "And you must be an enemy of Viole, the Slayer Nominee-" A hop to the back of Arkraptor's head got him turning around in confusion while scratching the back of his head courtesy of Naruto.
"I believe he's good friends with Viole. He left his pocket with him, and I can tell he's not really a bad guy." Hearing him say that surprised the three, with Khun staring at Naruto before looking ahead and continuing to walk.
Matatabi: I want to scratch his face.
Son Gokū: I don't like him.
"C'mon guys, don't just doubt him, have faith..."
"Don't worry about your teammates; they escaped alive before it collapsed." This surprised them, and Naruto smiled as Khun opened the door for them all to enter. Yet Naruto suddenly froze, gaining Yihwa's attention before he broke out in a run past them.
"Hey, slow down; why are you running?" Khun shouted, yet without looking back, he got a serious reply.
"I smell blood!" That reply caused Khun's eyes to widen as they ran after Naruto, who stopped at a doorway and opened the sliding door. He froze with wide eyes with Khun joining his side only to also appear shocked at the sight, in the darkroom were three things, a bird laying in a bed unmoving, a guy bleeding out on the ground from the legs and the words FUG painted in blood on the wall.
"Gyetang! Dan-" Suddenly, Naruto ran inside and clapped his hands together.
"Saiken!" A small explosion followed his shout; Khun's eyes widened when he saw a small white slug appear at Naruto's feet, and he immediately kneeled to Dan. Saiken immediately got to work as Naruto ripped off parts of his jeans, causing Khun's eyes to widen at the many stab marks on his legs while Saiken slithers over his legs, causing the wounds to steam as the wounds began to clot and heal.
"Call a hospital right now. He's alive, and Saiken is closing the wounds, but he still lost a lot of blood." He told them that his full concentration was on the one still alive, yet Khun just stood there in shock.
" Another Shinheuh, how many does he have? I still haven't seen his bowl; they appear out of nowhere!" Thought the shocked Khun before turning back to the legs of Dan as Yihwa picked the guy up and started running with Naruto running after with Saiken still healing with Wangnan checking the bird only to shake his head, leading Khun to frown heavily.
It didn't take them long to arrive at a hospital. Khun exited the room where Wangnan's entire team was waiting for him.
"He'll survive; his legs were severely injured, but..." He stops and turns to Naruto; slowly, he gives a bow.
"Thank you. The wounds left on his legs were almost nonexistent, if not for you." He was cut off by Naruto, smiling brightly and patting his shoulder, taking him by surprise. He looked up to see they were all smiling.
"Don't thank me." With a clap of his hands, Saiken appeared before him. "Thank Saiken."
"Hellooooooo." said the childish, high-pitched slug, who waved his whittle arm, causing Khun to smile before bowing.
"Thank you." He said to the slug, who nodded and turned to Naruto.
"You were right, Naruto. I'll talk to the others so they stop insulting him." Hearing that, the others' sweat drops as Saiken disappears, and Khun appears dumbfounded at finding out he's been getting trashed talk.
"Who did this, I don't know about FUG but-" Wangnan was cut off by Khun and for the first time Naruto felt it, and intense hatred as he looks back at the room.
"Rachel..." The moment he heard that name, Naruto's eyes widened all the way.
Tailed Beasts:...
Naruto's eyes immediately relax as he does his best to compose himself.
"I'm going to get fresh air; I want to clear my thoughts." With that, he walks away, the others just staring after him, and Naruto turns away.
"I'm gonna use the restroom." Naruto told the others suddenly as he turned away, with Yihwa staring at his back before hearing her pocket go off. She had gotten a message, which she checked only for her eyes to widen.
"We will deal with it later when the time comes..."
Gyūki: Fine, but sooner or later, problems will arise if we climb with him...
Naruto got done using the restroom, washing his face, and walking out to see...blankets...
What Naruto found was a large pink blanket lying in front of the men's restroom. Looking both directions, Naruto saw no one in sight and bent down to grab one end.
"Who leaves a blanket in the middle-" As he spoke, he started lifting the blanket only to stop; under the blanket he was met with an awakening of a tired girl yawning as she sat up; she had knee-length pink hair stylized with a fringe and two strands hanging in the front that were secured by bells and eyes with her eyeliner being light pink. She wore what appeared to be a onesie of a pink teddy bear.
"Is it breakfast time yet-..." She makes eye contact with the confused Naruto. "Who are you?" She asked sleepily and yawned again as she sat up and rubbed her eyes, causing her onesie to open due to not being zipped, which resulted in Naruto's eyes going wide as saucers at the fact she didn't wear anything under the onesie.
Shukaku: Damn, she stacked more than Yihwa.
Tailed Beasts: Shukaku!
Shukaku: Am I not wrong?!
"Naruto?" Hearing that, he immediately shut the blanket over the girl and turned to the confused Yihwa approaching.
"You were gone for what's going on?" she suddenly asked, seeing Naruto holding the blankets down while someone appeared to be struggling under them and complaining before he let go and leapt to Yihwa's side.
"Let's go, now!"
"Why are you acting like that?"
As the two exchanged glances, the individual stood up, the blanket falling off, gaining their attention. Naruto looked away, and Yihwa's jaw dropped, their faces bright red.
"Hey, I was sleeping!" she said, puffing her cheeks sleepily and looking upset. Her onesie practically covered nothing due to the loose zipper.
"PERVERT!" Yihwa screeched, causing her to glare at Yihwa and yawn again.
"That's rude. Why are you so loud?" Before Yihwa could continue, Naruto grabbed Yihwa's wrist.
"Let's just go!" He said, trying not to look as he pulled her along, which she complained about due to wanting to shout more, but as they left, the girl yawned loudly with someone arriving.
"Loptr finally found Azalea. Did he miss something?" the individual asked, causing the girl to smile before she yawned again.
"I found him."
"Why are you pulling me? I wanted to knock some sense into her!" Yihwa shouted as she crossed her arms angrily. "That pervert needs to be taught a lesson!"
"Yihwa, that won't solve anything, plus we are in a hospital; she may be a patient as well." said the current level-headed individual, yet this only causes her attention to direct towards him.
"You were staring at them, weren't you?" This only made his face red, which caused her to turn away, now even more annoyed.
"Perv."
"It's not like that." He stops; despite what had just happened, she looks very upset.
"Yihwa, is every—" He was cut off when the two heard a loud bang from a door. Naruto's eyes narrowed, and he went to it, opening it up to see it led to the road, where they found Khun arguing with someone, Hwaryun.
"Hwaryun?" Naruto muttered as he walked out with Yihwa, who was not happy seeing the redhead again. Her single eye moved past Khun, and her smile widened. Khun looked back at them.
"To continue the conversation, I wasn't involved in this kidnapping." This seemed to surprise and confuse Khun, with Naruto and Yihwa approaching, now shocked. "It was planned by FUG Elders and some Slayers...who are interested in the politics and powers within FUG. They want to have Viole under their control. That's why they want to put Viole in the team they made."
"So...does that mean that you were also backstabbed?" Khun asked, and she simply nodded with a smile.
"So I've got a favor to ask of you, all three of you..." Hearing that, Khun frowns and glances back at Naruto and Yihwa.
"Win the workshop battle with Viole's teammates." When they heard that, Naruto's eyes widened, and he looked away the moment memories started emerging, which Hwaryun noticed before Yihwa walked past them and grabbed her by her shirt.
"NO!" She shouted in apparent anger. "You can't just show up and tell us to enter some Workshop battle. I never liked you, and I still find you the most suspicious!' She said, refusing to let go as the two stared at each other, with Khun wondering if they met before just as a smoke cloud appeared at their feet, eyes drawing towards Matatabi, staring intently at Hwaryun.
"I don't like you, but what you're saying doesn't sit right. You asked them for a Favor..." This got all four to look at Matatabi as her tails moved back and forth. "this seems odd to ask those who are friends with Viole, meaning what happens if they don't enter the Workshop battle...?" It was with that question that Hwaryun stopped smiling and looked troubled.
"To explain, after the incident at the Hand of Arlen, those in FUG offered a wager. Whoever wins, between the team they chose and the original team, will get to be Viole's teammates. Ha Jinsung, the one you two met before, is Viole's master and the one who made it possible for Viole to have a bit of freedom." This shocked Khun, and Naruto and Yihwa's eyes widened when they recalled the man who had greatly praised Viole. "He's a monster, even Slayers will have a hard time fighting him if he fights seriously. That's why they beat us to the punch but made a compromise like this. The problem is that most of those in FUG seem to consent to the Wager, but that's not the problem, I'm more-" She was cut off by Khun getting angry.
"So, you want me to take them and win the battle? No way! What changes if I help you guys? You are also taking advantage-" He was cut off by Matatabi biting his leg and gaining an ow, which surprised Naruto and Yihwa as the cat spoke.
"Did you not listen to what she said? She didn't ask you specifically; she asked you, Naruto, and Yihwa for a favor of entering the workshop battle." Matatabi turns her gaze to Hwaryun. "Out with it, you Usotsuki. Even if they didn't enter, he would still climb the tower with a strong team, unless that's not going to happen."
Hearing this, Khun, Yihwa, and Naruto's eyes widened as Hwaryun spoke.
"As a guide, we can see the paths in the Tower and navigate someone on the paths they can take. I don't see Viole's path forward after the Workshop Battle..." Her words caused their eyes to widen in clear shock, and Matatabi's eyes narrowed.
"Meaning he dies?" Khun grits his teeth. "What happens?!' His demand was answered with a simple shake of the head.
"I don't know; all I see as a path forward is with your team." Her words could only cause Khun to look down angrily just as the door opened.
"Blue-haired guy, your teammate is awake!" Wangnan shouted, surprising him as he hurried. Matatabi shot one last untrustworthy glance at Hwaryun before disappearing in smoke as Naruto and Yihwa went after Khun, leaving Hwaryun and Wangnan, who moved aside for Yihwa and Naruto before following but stopped for a second to see if Hwaryun was following but instead, she stood in the same spot, her gaze meeting his until he turned away and going after the others with the door closing behind him but as it did a single thought went through his head.
"Why did she look sad...?
Now standing by herself, Hwaryun's single eye turns towards the sky.
"I'm sorry, Naruto..." Was all she muttered as she stared at the wide blue sky.
They all waited in the hallway, including Hwaryun, just as the door opened. Khun walked out with a new, determined look on his face.
"Hwaryun!" He suddenly shouted, gaining jolts from every one, with others looking at him like he didn't need to shout. "I'll accept your offer. I'll make a team with them and enter the Workshop Battle, and I'll be sure to win!" This declaration surprises the group, with Wangnan sitting up in surprise with Hwaryun smiling.
"Wait, are you going to the battle with us?!" Wangnan asked with surprise.
"Yes, I'm Khun Aguero Agnes. I'm B-Viole's Old teammate. Please, let's enter the Workshop Battle together. If we win the battle, we can bring Viole back. I don't mind if nothing changes with the battle...but I'll win...and regain my pride with it. They'll regret looking down on me."
"But, frankly speaking, the chance that we'll win the battle is-" the confident Khun cut off Wangnan.
"One-hundred percent, I can't lose to a lame Slayer Nominee or Jahad's googly eyes. I'll make the perfect strategy to break them. I'll do anything nasty and dirty to win. Ultimately, they'll all kneel before me, begging me for mercy." Despite speaking confidently, they were all starting to sweat except for Hwaryun.
"He's scary..." Miseng mutters behind Naruto, who smiles awkwardly next to Yihwa, who thinks he is a terrible example of a Ten Family Member.
Shukaku: I like him already...
"Even though I said all that, don't be pressured. I'm just saying we should try." He extends a hand out towards Wangnan. "We're just going to meet our friend, right?" This got Wangnan to chuckle as he stood up from his seat to shake his hand.
"All right, I'll make a team with you. Since we've decided to go through with it... let's win." As they spoke, Naruto looked down at his feet.
"The Workshop Battle..."
Matatabi: Are you sure, Naruto I'm not sure...
Isobu: But Naruto's friend is in danger.
Son Gokū: He can find more; if we go there, Naruto will most likely be immediately recognized.
Kokuō: Yet it could be what he went through was not something an average member would know; it might be only the higher-ups knew about it.
Saiken: It will be broadcast; someone involved will see us.
Chōmei: We were Lucky till now; I don't know if we'll be as lucky not to be noticed.
Gyūki: He has two choices: go or not.
Kurama: Naruto, are you gonna continue to run?
Matatabi: Kurama, don't even start!
"Guys..." Naruto suddenly said from where he sat, gaining their attention to see the uncomfortable look on his face. This sight gave Hwaryun ideas of what happened in his past while the others looked worriedly at Naruto.
"You never told us what happened after Horyang talked about his..." Wangnan stops talking and sees his expression worsen, pretty much answering it.
"Wasn't Horyang the only one the Workshop experimented on?" Arkraptor asked, causing Khun's eyes to widen. Hwaryun remained silent and watched Naruto just before he noticed a hand on his own. Turning, he met Yihwa's gaze as she sat beside him, smiling at him.
(Whenever it feels like you can't hold yourself together, talk to me about it... Because you're not the only one who suffers when you get like this...)
As he recalls those words, a smile comes to his face as he grabs her hand, an emotion bubbling up that he has yet to fully understand while the others talk.
"Can't we disguise Naruto like put a mask on him?"
"I'm pretty sure they still do checks just to confirm who you are, even if you use a different alias."
"I-"
Shukaku: Can't he disguise himself as a girl like that one time...?
Naruto's eyes suddenly widened in realization, the sight confusing the others at the sudden change.
Tailed Beasts:...oh yeah...
Matatabi: Why am I not shocked you remember that?
Naruto suddenly stood up and clapped his hands together, an explosion of smoke coming from him that surprised everyone, but it soon turned to shock as soon as the smoke started dissipating, leading to Wangnan's jaw dropping like the rest, in Naruto's place stood a woman; the height being slightly shorter than Yihwa leading the clothing to be slightly baggy, appearing more feminine with most notable being the hair was now long blonde had that reached her back with the edges turning to what looked to be bright green.
They all stared at Naruto in clear shock as they watched their friend stand there now, smiling awkwardly, sweating at straight-up transforming with no heads up. Slowly, Naruto started playing with the long hair in embarrassment, and Wangnan just stared in clear shock.
"YOUR A GIRL?!" Wangnan suddenly shouted, and the others appeared just as shocked.
"I learned how to do this after I left the Workshop. I got on the bad side of some strong test takers awhile back before meeting you all, and to avoid them, I ended up finding out I could transform." He said, looking more embarrassed, yet it made him look more cute, which in turn caused Wangnan's face to turn red.
"HE'S CUTE?!"
When Wangnan turned to Yihwa, his shock turned to disbelief, and he started to sweat. He saw she was red-faced and staring at Naruto, new thoughts popping into her head she had never considered before.
"Pretty obvious what you're thinking, damn your thirsty." Muttering Wangnan, getting an embarrassed 'shut it' from Yihwa, who hits him upside down while the others look Naruto over.
"This could work, though we'll need you to go by a different name." Arkraptor says while crossing his arms, trying to adjust while Miseng raises his hand.
"How about Naruko?"
"Sounds too obvious," Prince mutters while placing a hand on his chin. The two appear to get over their shock and think of a name, Naruto, to go by. Hwaryun just stares dumbfounded, not once imagining this would happen, while Kuhn just sighs audibly. This was not something he was expecting to happen.
"Loptr finally found you." When they heard that, everyone stopped what they were doing and turned, with Yihwa looking very bothered because the individual had an all-too-familiar blanket tied to his back. The one standing before them was a guy around Yihwa's age; he had a slim build, was slightly taller than Yihwa, and had a face that appeared androgynous with his heterochromatic eyes of red and blue. His hair was stylized in a bob-cut that reached up to his chin, and it was black in color. His clothing consisted of a tight black body suit and an object at his side, which appeared to be a weapon wrapped in bandages.
He approached them, yet Arkraptor had a weapon appear as he stepped before him.
"Who are you?" That question raised a tilt of the head before the one known as Loptr straightened up. His slender frame exuded a mix of confidence and playfulness. With an exaggerated flourish, he spread his arms wide and announced.
"Loptr is here! Ari Loptr has finally found you all!" His voice was melodic yet carried a certain mischief, drawing the full attention of everyone present. His heterochromatic eyes sparkled with excitement as he continued. "Loptr hails from the esteemed Ari family of the Tower, but more so, we've come from Wolhaiksong!" Khun's eyes widened as he glanced at Hwaryun, who crossed her arms, smiling.
"We've?" Arkraptor said in confusion before he started sweating. The blanket ruffled and out popped the bear onesie chick, who yawned and gave a tired wave as she wrapped her arms around Loptr, leaning her head on his shoulder.
"Helllooooooo." She said tiredly, yawning with Yihwa pointing at her.
"PERVERT!" That accusation caused her cheeks to puff.
"Why are you being so rude?" She looks past her and at Naruto. "I'm Eurasia Azalea. (Yawn) We're from Wolhaiksong." Hearing that the others looked at each other, Loptr turns to look at Azalea, who is leaning on his shoulder.
"Loptr already said that."
"Oh...(yawn), you must've slept through it. Did you tell them who sent us yet?"
"Loptr did not."
It was with this exchange that Khun finally spoke up in annoyance.
"So let me get this straight, your from the Ari Family and your from the Eurasia Family?" Their nods gained another question. "So, if you're from Wolhaiksong, who sent you and why?"
"Urek Mazino sent us." She said with a lazy smile as she used Loptr's shoulder as a headrest to snooze, thus taking them by surprise as Loptr smiled.
"Loptr and Azalea were asked to find Viole and Naruto to see if they wanted to join Wolhaiksong." Everyone was shocked as Loptr's gaze met Naruto's, and he winked with a mischievous smile, the sight causing Yihwa's eye to twitch.
xxxxxCHAPTER ENDxxxxx
Author Note: Yup, Ari Loptr and Eurasia Azalea are characters I created for this story; I hope you like them.
