NationStates Jolt Archive

Shadow rolled his eyes just as Quatre picked him up.

"He's surprised us alot since Kurt's eighteenth," the blond said.

"well, he sure surprised me." I smiled.

Shadow just stared at Daniel.

"He keeps letting it slip," Quatre explained. "That's how I found out."

"Ah, like he did for me." I smirked. "Well, run along little kitty."

"Don't call me little kitty," Shadow spat.

"Evidently he's the same cat Kurt bought in the Norns Potterverse," Quatre told Daniel.

"Yeah. He showed up on my doorstep one day, and I decided to take him as a birthday present." I said, sipping soda.

"And I'm probably not the only one too," Shadow said, eyeing Daniels drink.

"Hey, go get your own." I said, sipping some more.

"I prefer milk anyway," Shadow pouted.

"Independant and fussy, just like any other cat," Quatre smiled.

"Yeah, I know. He should meet Byakko, Taylor's tiger summon..." I smirked as we continued chatting away. Soon enough, however, we would need to go out to battle...

Quatre smiled. "How soon will you and the others need to go out to scout for this Akatsuki group?" he then asked.

"Hmm. A day or so." I said.

OOC: *Hint, hint*

"The sooner the better," came Temari's voice. "I say we go now."

"I'd say your right." I grinned to the Sand nin. "Oy, Naruto, Harry! Time to go!"

"Coming!" They yelled back. And soon enough, the crowd met up once again.

Temari folded her arms and grinned. "Who's ship are we using?" she asked.

Kurt came over to them. "I hear you're leaving already," he said. "I wish you guys the best of luck, I'm counting on you."

"Mine!" Naruto beamed. "I'm a pretty good driver."

"Yeah, good at making others hurl." Sasuke scowled.

"What's it to you, Sasuke-bastard? Wanna fight?" Naruto yelled.

"Hmph." Sasuke merely smirked, infuriating his rival.

"Arrgh!" Naruto steamed. Some things never change.

Temari hit Naruto on the back of the head, "Behave," she warned him.

Kurt just sighed and shook his head, this could be a disaster.

Shadows eyes narrowed, "I sense something bad," he said. "You should go."

I sighed. If the cat says something bad could happen, why question it? "Alright. Hold up, Naruto, I'm coming!"

I raced after them as they headed for Team 7's ship. Sakura was already there. "Sorry, Naruto, but I'm driving! You're too reckless!"

"Awww, but Sakura-chan!" The blond boy whined, but got a whack on the head.

"No buts!" She growled, making Sasuke and me grin and Naruto wilt under her glare.

"Alright, alright..." Naruto relented and we boarded without further trouble.

"What kind of trouble," Kurt asked.

"An ex of yours," Shadow explained.

Kurt looked around, but so no one who could be trouble. He could see chaos and Salazar talking to each other. No one could be trouble unless it was...

"Hey, hey!" yelled a voice Kurt had hoped to never hear again. "Where is he."

The King's eyes widened. "If anyone wants me, I'm searching for Akatsuki, Gaara you're in charge," he said.

An explosion of puple smoke later he was stood on Team 7's ship.

"On second thoughts I'm coming, better wait for Temari," he said. His eyes still wide.

"What happened to you?" I asked. "You look like you've seen a banshee."

Kurt shivered, "No something much worse," he replied.

Soon Temari arrived not looking best pleased, Quatre was stood beside her.

"I'm not letting you go off on your own," he told the King.

I looked from Kurt to Quatre and back to Kurt as Sakura started up the engines and we strapped in. "What's the story here?"

"Evidently Kurt's avoiding an ex," Temari explained. "Must be bad, he left my brother Gaara in charge."

"Oh. That bad, huh?" I asked and shook my head. "Antics never cease."

"Oh and I suppose you have such a good record with your ex's," Kurt growled, folding his arms.

"Oh and I suppose you have such a good record with your ex's," Kurt growled, folding his arms.
"Never had an ex." I smiled innocently.

Kurt looked towards Daniel. "As if anyone would believe that," he replied.

"A Jedi's life doesn't leave all that much for romance." I smiled sadly. "It's perhaps more so than the armed forces. Only one girl would take me, and that was Katrina."

"Thats not true, Kethoro had her eye on you," Kurt pointed out.

"Thats not true, Kethoro had her eye on you," Kurt pointed out.
"Oh, she did?" I asked. I never really noticed.

"Yea," Kurt replied.

"Probably better you didn't unless you wanted your kids to be silver-haired dragons," Temari smirked.

"Yea," Kurt replied.

"Probably better you didn't unless you wanted your kids to be silver-haired dragons," Temari smirked.
"I suppose." I sweatdropped. "Ok, how long before we're there?"

"Dunno where we're heading," Temari replied. "I hope they do." She pointed towards Team 7.

"We're heading to Shinobi Continent." Sakura said. The great land of the Five Great Shinobi Nations. "It's going to be a few hours."

Temari crossed her legs and sat back, closing her eyes. "Wake me up when we get there then," she said.

"Right. Anyone up for card games?" I asked, pulling out a deck.

"Do you always carry a deck of cards with you," Kurt asked.

"Do you always carry a deck of cards with you," Kurt asked.
"No matter where I go, a deck is always with me." I smirked.

"Sign of a secret gambler," Temari remarked, her eyes still closed.

"So...a game, anyone?" I smiled, shuffling the deck.

Several hours later...

"We're here!" Sakura rang out. We were now descending towards the Great Shinobi Continent...

Temari opened her eyes for the first time since leaving. "About time," she remarked.

We descended upon Konoha Spaceport, the largest one on the continent adn disembarked the ship.

"Ahh, that was a good trip." Naruto smirked and stretched his arms.

"Yeah." I agreed. After a little game with Naruto, we dozed off, letting the autopilot take its course.

For Kurt and Quatre this was their first time to Konoha, Temari however had been many times.

There was a sign that proclaimed, "Welcome to Konohagekure, the Village Hidden in the Leaves. We hope you enjoy your stay!"

"Now, we rest up before heading to River Country." I suggested.

"Right," Kurt said. "I'd better contact home, make sure everythings fine back there."

"Pay holophones are over there." Naruto pointed before calling for a taxi.

"Oh I don't need a holophone," Kurt replied. "I can do it when we get a room."

"Alright." I said as the taxi came along. We went in and sped towards the tourist district. "Hmm...We'll take the Hotel Hokage, please."

"Will do." The driver said and sped us over to the area. "That will be 25 credits per person."

We paid as we got out and then admired the hotel. It was alot like other popular resort hotels, with the pool and game room and maids, with its own unique brand of...hotelness for lack of a bettter word.

"Interesting," Kurt said.

Temari folded her arms as she looked up at it, "So what are the rooms like?"

"Let's find out." I said, walking in. The snobby guy up front looked at us and sneered, especially looking in Naruto's direction. The demon...how dare he returns!

Kurt bit his lower lip, all of a sudden he just wanted to punch the snobby guy. They walked in after Daniel.

Naruto caught the look. That look. I hate that look!

I sensed the tension rising, and before Naruto could pulverize the man, I went over. "Three rooms for one week."

"Very well. That will be 100 per person." What? That's twice the amount normally charged!

"You've overcharged us." I said calmly.

"I am sorry, but we have recently changed the price." If only I could fry that smirk off his face.

"I see." I said, glancing at a weekly charge on his desk. "Then perhaps you can tell me why the original price is still up?"

The man blanched. "Well, we have forgotten to change some of the notices. We'll get on it right away."

That does it. I pulled out my wallet and showed him my Jedi badge. He widened his eyes as he recognized it. "I know you don't like us and I don't like you either. So I suggest you return to the original price or else I'll bring you up on charges of customer fraud. As a Jedi Knight, I can and will arrest you for that. Understood?"

"I-I, yes sir. I understand. I am sorry." The man was apologetic this time. "It will be 50 per person."

"Thanks." I smiled and Team 7 paid for the rooms and got a key. So did I. Now that was over.

Good one Dan, Kurt told him.

Thanks. I answered, and we got to our rooms.

Kurt opened the door and looked inside, "Interesting," he said.

Each bedroom has two beds, and a couch, plus a bathroom and a small kitcken fully stocked. All nice amenites from the hotel.

"Well, time to sleep in." I said. Team 7 picked their own room, while I chose the last one.

"Ah crap," Temari muttered, realising she would be sharing with Kurt and Quatre.

"One of you guys can share with me." I smiled.

Temari barged past Daniel into his room.

"Well, that was quick." I commented as I surveyed the room. Two beds. Good, that won't be a problem.

Temari had already chosen her bed and was quick to lay down and close her eyes.

I soon went into my own bed, took off my shirt, and fell asleep quickly. Team 7 took a little while longer, but after Naruto got knocked out by Sakura, even they fell asleep.

While Quatre quickly fell asleep, Kurt sat cross-legged on the bed. He opened up the computer on his watch and a holographic image of Gaara appeared above it.

"Hows things back home?"

"Fine,"

"And Laharl?"

"Still here,"

"Shit,"

"You'll have to come back here sometime and face him,"

"I know,"

Kurt sighed as the holographic image disappeared. He took a look at Quatre before going to sleep himself.

Quatre was first to away, Kurt always slept longer then he did. He sat at the end of the bed for a moment and watched him, trying to read his face to find out what the new King was dreaming about.

In the next room, Temari too was waking up. She wondered for a moment about waking up Daniel.

I was snoring softly away, as I'm a late sleeper.

Temari noticed a glass of water on the bedside table. Walking over to it, she picked it up and poured it over Daniel's face.

"Accck!" I woke up after a sudden dream of drowning, then saw temari with a cup in her hand. "Temari!"

Temari put the glass down and gave him a cold stare. "We have a mission to do, get up," she told him.

"Oh, all right. Let me get ready." I said, heading to the bathroom to do business and wash up. After that, I pulled my shirt on and buckled my belt of ninja and Jedi gear around my waist. Now I'm ready for breakfast.

Temari had already left the room and was outside talking to Kurt and Quatre as they waited for Daniel and Team 7.

Team 7 and I headed down after them, ready to go on the mission (which is now being argued by Naruto and Sakura about whether it's an A-level or an S-level).

"It's an S-ranked mission since they are S-ranked criminals," Temari said.

"Hah! What did I tell you?" Sakura crowed. "And how many times did Kakashi-sensei tell us not to understimate our enemies?"

"Alright! I get the point!" Naruto yelled back. I merely smiled at their banter. Much like Hermione and Ron, in fact.

Temari rolled her eyes, "I hope Ichigo and Kimiko won't be like this," she sighed. "I already have the dark depressive moody one."

"Who are they?" I asked her.

Temari folded her arms. "They're Eamonn's two teammates," she replied.

Oh yeah... "I see." I replied, remembering that Temari was training Eamonn.

"They'll be my first, I've never trained anyone before," Temari sighed. "I was just a Chuunin examiner, but Gaara pressured me into it." She caught a look off of Kurt. "And no he didn't threaten to use desert coffin on me, these days he wouldn't dare."

"You'll do well, I'm sure." I gave her a reassuring smile.

"Hmph, Kankurou already has his own trio, hope it doesn't turn into a rivalry," Temari replied.

"So where abouts is this hideout of theirs?" Kurt suddenly asked.

Naruto and Sakura suddenly exchanged glances. I raised an eyebrow, and Sasuke merely scowled. Sakura answered. "Uh...we can show you. We've been there before."

"We'd better plan a way to get there without being detected," Kurt suggested.

"Yeah." I said. "So, how do you think we should do it?"

Kurt sighed, "I don't know," he admitted.

Temari rolled her eyes.

"What do you suggest?" the new King then asked.

I racked my brains for an answer. The only thing I could come up with is using the Force to dampen our presences. "I think our best bet is to use the Force to dampen our presences. Or chakra, for that matter. If they can't sense our presence, they can't retaliate until it's too late."

Temari nodded, "That'll have to do," she said.

I nodded, and concentrated, reaching out into the Force. But instead of drawing it in, I pushed it out of me, away from my body. Soon, I was unable to be detected via psychic means. "Kurt, try and detect my presence."

Kurt closed his eyes and tried to detect Daniels pressence, he shook his head. "No I can't."

"You guys try now. Push your presence away from your body." I told the others. Soon, Sakura (being excellent at chakra control) and Sasuke (genius) managed it, but Naruto couldn't fully make the Kyuubi's presence disappear, only reduce it to an academy student level. That would have to suffice.

Kurt and Temari did the same, Quatre however had to rely on them not sensing he was a dragon.

"Done," Temari said.

"Uhh...hmm." Naruto looked at Quatre a bit. "You any good at tree-jumping?"

Now that I think about it, Quatre doesn't have much in the way of chakra or even Force ability enough to keep up with tree-jumping...

Quatre shook his head, "Afraid not," he said. "I can fly though."

I nodded. "Very well, you can do the aerial surveillence."

Quatre nodded. "When we're in a more private area," he said. "How rare are dragons around here?"

"Not very common." Sakura said. "You'll find them on the northern continent, but rarely here."

Quatre sighed. "Hope I don't look too out of place then," he remarked.

"If you use the thermals, you can stay in the air high enough to not be noticed." I suggested. That's one of the tactics the Dragonriders use when conducting scouting operations.

"All it takes is for someone to look up," Quatre replied. He rubbed the back of his neck. "Just have to hope they don't have a reason to look skywards."

"The forecast called for clouds today." I said. "You'll be fine. Now without further ado, let's go!"

Kurt and Quatre both looked up, they could see a few clouds around.

"Right, lead the way then," Kurt said.

I sent the Force through my legs and lept, landing on a tall branch for a second before jumping onto another branch, and then another, picking up speed with each bound. Team Seven did the same with their chakra. Soon, we bounced around like oversized squirrels, heading towards the enemy's lair...

Temari leapt through the trees using her chakra.

Kurt however used his natural agility to leap through the trees using his dragon powers to easily stick to them, leaping of trunks and branches.

Quatre morphed himself into his natural dragon form and took off. He flew high above the others scouting the distence ahead.

We ran through the trees for some time, not stopping, not even slowing down, for every second passes by is a second that could be lost when trying to find the S-level criminals. Team 7 led the way, as they've been to the lair before.

Quatre flew on ahead, perhaps he could spot the whereabouts of the lair from the air.

All clear up here, Quatre said, keeping mental contact with Kurt.

Keep watching, I think we might nearly be there, the new King told him.

We were indeed nearing the lair, which was hidden in the side of a large mountain. We slowed down and dropped to the ground to quietly plan out how to get in.

As quietly as possible, Quatre landed and morphed into human form, before joining them.

"So what's the plan," he asked in a quiet voice.

In the distance, we could see the outcropping of rock that protected the lair, or so we believed.

"Last time we were here, there were traps and a barrier." Sakura whispered. "We can avoid the traps, but the barrier would be tougher to break through."

"Yeah. Didn't we need Neji to find the tags?" Naruto asked.

"Mmhmm. There's also going to likely be guards this time around." Sakura replied. "Be on your guard."

"Right." I said. Sasuke just nodded assent.

"Crap," Kurt muttered.

"We could do with a Shikamaru plan right now," Temari said quietly.

I scrunitized the people around. We have a Jedi, a superstrong kunoichi, a wind mistress kunoichi, an elven dragon-king Jedi, a 'normal' dragon, a kagebunshin user and a bloodline user.

"Sasuke, you're lead. Your Sharingan isn't as powerful as the Byakugan, but it will do for now. Quatre will stay in the air. Sakura and Naruto will back up Kurt in any engagement. Temari and I will be the rearguard, with Naruto's clones doing the flank under various Henge spells." I ordered quietly. "Got it?"

Team Seven nodded.

Quatre nodded and slipped off to morph back into dragon form and retake to the air.

"Right," Kurt said. "Let's go?"

"Let's go." I said, and with Sasuke's bloodline turned on, we began moving through the underbrush, crouching behind trees and bushes and using hand-signals to communicate. We don't want to alert the enemy too soon!

Kurt and Temari nodded and followed. Kurt probably had the upper hand over the others with his added ability to blend in with the darkness.

We passed around the traps safely, and watched carefully for patrols. We soon spotted a couple of guards at the entrance. Hmm...how to take them out...

Kurt watched the guards with interest, wondering how to get past them. His eyes moved up and he saw Quatre circling over head. The guards obviously hadn't spotted him.

Any ideas on how to get in? he asked Daniel.

Leave it to me. I signaled and reached into the Force to cloud their minds.

The guards looked like they saw something and one of them moved to investigate it. He went into the forest and would never come out again, as Naruto clones have dropped down to kill him. The lone guard, however, will need to be taken out by other means...

Kurt nodded and watched the lone guard. So, who wants to take the last one?

I'll do it. Sasuke signaled, and slinked away. Soon, a blur flitted out from the closest area to the entrance and stopped only when it had the guard in his hands and snapped the man's neck like a twig. Sasuke then motioned for us to come quickly, and so we did.

Kurt and Temari quickly followed. Quatre would stay outside and keep watch.

A slight shimmering stopped us, and I telekinesed a rock into it. It bounced off and rippled like water. "Just as I thought. A barrier. Sakura, how did you get through last time?"

"There were tags you had to peel off." She answered. "They must have done it here."

I reached out into the Force, feeling for points of chakra energy that would denote the tags. "Naruto, I want you to send your clones...200 meters north, 120 meters west, 180 meters east, and 150 meters south."

"Right." Naruto summoned four clones to the areas I indicated, and they soon found the tags. His clones peeled them off simentaneously and the barrier shimmered away.

"Now what?" Kurt asked.

"Sakura?" I asked as I pulled out my blaster. She nodded and pulled on her gloves, then she ran up and slammed her fist into the cliff wall, cracking it enough to open the entrance into the enemy lair.

"Hug the left or right sides, and watch the corners." I ordered, then went into the left, while Sasuke went right, Naruto behind me and Sakura behind Sasuke.

Kurt went to the left while Temari went to the right. The new King was already using his sensitive dragon hearing to listen out for anything ahead.

Two shadows appeared in the cave ahead of them. One was visibally carrying a large sword of somekind.

"Hello little brother," a voice said. "Are you full of hatred or are you still weak?"

"You!" Sasuke hissed, Sharingan activated.

So, he has arrived. Uchiha Itachi, murderer of his entire family, leaving his only brother alive to strengthen himself and take revenge. We're in for a fight, that's for sure, as our lightsabers of different colors were unsheathed.

"So you're not blind yet then," Temari mocked, remembering hearing that Itachi's Mangekyou was apparently damaging his eyesight.

Itachi was silent for a moment. Temari knew what he was doing.

"Don't look into his eyes," she warned.

We averted our eyes and used other senses to circle the two S-ranked criminals.

"You should not have returned, Itachi..." Sasuke growled, being the only one of us who can defeat the Mangekyuu.

Kisame chuckled to himself.

"Foolish brother, you are the one returning," Itachi pointed out. "We have just been waiting for you."

Kurt scowled as he looked to the ground. What's the plan now?

Kisame chuckled to himself.

"Foolish brother, you are the one returning," Itachi pointed out. "We have just been waiting for you."

Kurt scowled as he looked to the ground. What's the plan now?
A cold smirk spread on Sasuke's mouth. "Then you've waited too long."

In an instant, he was advancing on his brother, red saber raised to strike down. As the battle of the brothers began, we turned our attention to Kisame.

"This time, you're not getting out!" Naruto yelled, before sending a small horde of clones to attack as a diversion to figure out a plan.

"Let's go, Kurt." I said to him quietly. "Our mission must not fail."

While Itachi easily dodged Sasuke's blade Kisame drew Samehada and began dispursing the Naruto clones with ease. To fight his brother, Itachi drew a katana. Not just any katana however, it appeared similar to Eamonn's chakra katana.

"That looks familiar," Kurt muttered.

"Eamonn used something like that." I commented as the two of us went around the battling ninjas with Sakura.

Sasuke was having a tough time fighting his brother, as the blades clashed in a shower of sparks. But when they jumped back, the younger brother sent a small fireball at his brother, before striking in the position where he would move next with the help of the Sharingan.

Naruto, however sent a second wave of clones after Kisame, in preparation to use the Rasengan when he's distracted.

"I wonder," Temari said. She followed them.

Itachi ducked to miss Sasuke's attack and went to look his brother right in the eyes. Meanwhile, Kisame dealt with the extra Naruto clones.

"I wonder," Temari said. She followed them.

Itachi ducked to miss Sasuke's attack and went to look his brother right in the eyes. Meanwhile, Kisame dealt with the extra Naruto clones.
To possibly Itachi's surprise, Sasuke struck first with his own Mangekyuu, turning Itachi's body into a pincushion for a thousand deadly knives in the genjutsu. "Surprised, brother?"

One Naruto managed to get close enough to aim a punch towards Kisame's face...

---

Meanwhile, the four of us descended deeper into the criminal organization's lair, creeping ever closer to the two-tailed dragon's location...

Itachi laughed. He said nothing as he keeled over. Kisame stepped back as he was hit.

"You little bastard," he cursed and swung Samehada at him.

Deep in the cave, Kurt looked around. "Do you have any idea what they'll keep it in?" he asked.

Itachi laughed. He said nothing as he keeled over. Kisame stepped back as he was hit.

"You little bastard," he cursed and swung Samehada at him.
Sasuke took the opportunity to try and stab his brother in the chest, while Naruto got hit and disappeared in a puff of smoke. Another clone! Then, the real Naruto slammed into Kisame's back with the Rasengan...

Deep in the cave, Kurt looked around. "Do you have any idea what they'll keep it in?" he asked.
"No, I don't." I shook my head. "Maybe you can use your dragon powers to sense it out."

Sasuke took the opportunity to try and stab his brother in the chest, while Naruto got hit and disappeared in a puff of smoke. Another clone! Then, the real Naruto slammed into Kisame's back with the Rasengan...

Itachi was stabbed in the chest and fell to the ground, seemingly quite dead. The force of the Rasengan propelled Kisame into the cave wall, causing a partial collapse. It all seemed quite easy, almost too easy.


"No, I don't." I shook my head. "Maybe you can use your dragon powers to sense it out."


Kurt closed his eyes. "So far I can't sense anything," he admitted.

Itachi was stabbed in the chest and fell to the ground, seemingly quite dead. The force of the Rasengan propelled Kisame into the cave wall, causing a partial collapse. It all seemed quite easy, almost too easy.
"Hah! We got 'em!" Naruto crowed.

"I doubt it..." He replied. "It seemed too easy."

"Too easy?! What the hell are you talking--" Sasuke clamped his friend's mouth shut.

"Quiet, dobe. Let's move." He half-dragged Naruto down the tunnel where we went.

Kurt closed his eyes. "So far I can't sense anything," he admitted.
"Keep trying." I urged him as we moved on.

Kurt tried but couldn't. "All I can sense is those three ninja's coming," he replied.

The cave seemed rather barren as it headed off into the darkness ahead.

"Must be very deep in the cave system," Temari reckoned.

Kurt tried but couldn't. "All I can sense is those three ninja's coming," he replied.

The cave seemed rather barren as it headed off into the darkness ahead.

"Must be very deep in the cave system," Temari reckoned.
"Yeah, perhaps." I said, pulling out a glowrod.

Temari nodded, there was light up ahead. Eventually they emerged into a large cavern area. Two figures were sat in front of a large fire with their backs to them. One appeared to hace black hair, the other, red.

New plan? Kurt asked.

Temari nodded, there was light up ahead. Eventually they emerged into a large cavern area. Two figures were sat in front of a large fire with their backs to them. One appeared to hace black hair, the other, red.

New plan? Kurt asked.
Be careful. I replied lamely. I was as surprised as the other three of the newcomers.

Kurt wondered if they even knew they were there. I don't like this, he admitted.

The one with red hair held up his hand, something glowed in it. "Looking for this?" an all too familiar voice asked.

Kurt wondered if they even knew they were there. I don't like this, he admitted.

The one with red hair held up his hand, something glowed in it. "Looking for this?" an all too familiar voice asked.
I couldn't believe it. "Gaara?"

"Gaara?" Sakura echoed.

It was then that Naruto and Sasuke came down here. Naruto looked around at everyone. "Hey! What's going on here? And why is Gaara here?"

This is going to be interesting... Sasuke thought.

Gaara laughed as he stood up to face them. "We decided to return to our old ways," he said, his eyes narrow and hateful.

The second figure stood up. "And back at Avalon you must have thought Orochimaru was the mentor I had spoken of."

Familiar Sharingan eyes glared at them.

Gaara laughed as he stood up to face them. "We decided to return to our old ways," he said, his eyes narrow and hateful.

The second figure stood up. "And back at Avalon you must have thought Orochimaru was the mentor I had spoken of."

Familiar Sharingan eyes glared at them.
Our jaws dropped. Gaara...with Itachi?!

"I have a bad feeling about this..." I muttered angrily.

"That's not Itachi," Temari told them.

"No he's my mentor, now Daniel... do you still call yourself my best friend?"

"Eamonn," Kurt groaned, he couldn't believe this.

"That's not Itachi," Temari told them.

"No he's my mentor, now Daniel... do you still call yourself my best friend?"

"Eamonn," Kurt groaned, he couldn't believe this.
"So, you've returned to your old roots. I should have expected that." I said quietly. "You've never learned any different from when you were a Sith, didn't you?"

"Jeez. First he's good, now he's bad. Can't he make up his mind?!" Naruto yelled.

Eamonn's eyes narrowed. "Oh the same will happen to you unless I kill you now," he replied.

He drew his customary chakra swords.

"Learned this off Itachi-sensei."

Kurt was still gobsmacked.

Eamonn's eyes narrowed. "Oh the same will happen to you unless I kill you now," he replied.

He drew his customary chakra swords.

"Learned this off Itachi-sensei."

Kurt was still gobsmacked.
"You still on about that?" I asked, drawing my lightsaber in a Makashi flourish and began to circle my old friend. "You have a good teacher, I'll give you that."

Sasuke snorted. "Let's take care of Gaara, then." Team Seven turned their attention to the more powerful sand opponent.

"What had happened to you? I thought I taught you about caring for others..." Naruto spoke to Gaara in a low voice, almost a feral growl.

"Things happen," Gaara replied. He stood perfectly still, watching them.

Kurt looked around, "Wait, don't anyone move," he said. "Somethings out of place."

He looked towards Gaara and Eamonn.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Kurts eyes rested on Eamonn and he looked the black-haired boy in the eyes. "That's not Eamonn, I can tell by looking him straight in the eyes," he said. "And that's not Gaara."

"Then...who or what are they?" Naruto asked.

Eamonn laughed, it wasn't an Eamonn laugh it sounded like...

"Elrohir?" he said in confusion.

"Hmph," Gaara replied, raising his arms. "Looks like the cave is messing with your minds."

His sand leapt out and attacked his sister, Temari. Try as she might to leap out of the sands way, the sand grabbed her by the ankle before encasing her in Desert Coffin.

"Move and she dies," the Kazekage said.

What now? I asked Kurt.

I don't know, Kurt admitted. I can't reach into their minds but that laugh was so much like Elrohir's.

"Naruto moved," Gaara said and squeezed his hand, crushing Temari in Desert Funeral.

"Fuck!" Kurt yelled.

"I didn't move!" Naruto yelled. "I swear!"

"I know you didn't." I replied. "I would have sensed it."

Great. One of our own is dead. What the hell are we going to do?

Then Sakura shouted, "Kai!" as if trying to get rid of an illusion.

Gaara scowled and tried to grab Sakura with his sand. Eamonn moved his eyes to Daniel, almost like he was challanging him to fight.

***

Quatre had morphed away from dragon form and was quietly sat outside the cave waiting. A quiet pop was heard and a female voice grumbled.

"Now I have sand in my hair, the things I have to do."

Quatre quietly chuckled, "It's all for a good cause," he said.

Gaara scowled and tried to grab Sakura with his sand. Eamonn moved his eyes to Daniel, almost like he was challanging him to fight.
Electricity crackled from my hands and turned sand into glass as Sakura bounced away from the death-dealing blow. "Kurt, use your speed and agility to take Gaara! You can do it!"

I lifted my saber in a high guard and then moved towards Eamonn/Elrohir to subdue him.

Naruto went inside his mind to speak to the Kyuubi. Hey, fox! I need you now!

Grrrr! You just interrupted my sleep, kit.

Yeah, yeah. Just give me your chakra, now! We got a battle to fight!

The Kyuubi grumbled curses, but swept chakra over the ninja. In seconds, red energy swept over his body, turning nails into claws, teeth into canines. His whisker scars became more prominent, and his eyes and hair turned a dark red and pupils turned into slits. A thin waver of chakra formed around Naruto in the shape of a fox. The Henge no Kyuubi!

Sasuke smiled slightly at Naruto's transformation, the transformation that nearly defeated him once long ago. Then he went to help me out.

***

Quatre had morphed away from dragon form and was quietly sat outside the cave waiting. A quiet pop was heard and a female voice grumbled.

"Now I have sand in my hair, the things I have to do."

Quatre quietly chuckled, "It's all for a good cause," he said.
OOC: :eek:

Kurt nodded and teleported behind Gaara to try and attack him. The sand was fast and blocked Kurt's move. Kurt realised that this might take more effort then it at first looked.

As Kurt battled Gaara with port-fu, Eamonn moved towards Daniel. He rolled up his sleeve his sleeve to show a message written on his arm. It read, 'Play dead, this is part of Kurt's quest.'

He winked and raised his chakra katana's in preparation.

Kurt nodded and teleported behind Gaara to try and attack him. The sand was fast and blocked Kurt's move. Kurt realised that this might take more effort then it at first looked.

As Kurt battled Gaara with port-fu, Eamonn moved towards Daniel. He rolled up his sleeve his sleeve to show a message written on his arm. It read, 'Play dead, this is part of Kurt's quest.'

He winked and raised his chakra katana's in preparation.
I managed a quick Obi-Wan smile and readied to block the blow. Alright, but let's make it convincing.

Sasuke saw the arm as well, and smiled. Ah. Scared me for a second!

He moved towards Sakura and whispered in her ear. She could barely restrain her smile, but managed it.

Meanwhile, Naruto charged after Gaara with super-charged speed and lashed out with one of the chakra-enhanced claws.

Eamonn came down hard on Daniel, both chakra katana's ready to strike with what would look to anyone else like a fatal blow.

Gaara brought up a wall of sand to block Naruto. For him however, Gaara knew there was no way to get the play dead message to him without the blond ninja opening his mouth and alerting Kurt to the fact it wasn't a real fight.

Kurt had to pause a moment to catch his breath, even for a dragon, continued teleporting took alot out of him.

Eamonn came down hard on Daniel, both chakra katana's ready to strike with what would look to anyone else like a fatal blow.
My blade missed the blow and I took them in the chest, spilling some blood. "Augh!"

Sakura gasped as my body fell to the ground. It sure looked convincing!

Sasuke turned his attention to Gaara vs Naruto, part 2 and wondered how to get Naruto back under control.

Gaara brought up a wall of sand to block Naruto. For him however, Gaara knew there was no way to get the play dead message to him without the blond ninja opening his mouth and alerting Kurt to the fact it wasn't a real fight.
The chakra sizzled through the sand, and Naruto moved again, so fast it looked like a teleportation (but not) and struck again, this time with a kick.

Kurt had to pause a moment to catch his breath, even for a dragon, continued teleporting took alot out of him.

"Shit!" Kurt muttered as he saw Daniel go down.

He teleported over to Eamonn and they began to battle.

Gaara quickly turned over to let his gourd take the full impact of Naruto hitting it. It hopefully let him sneak his sand around the blond ninja and encase him. The only way to get him out of the way was to do what he did to Temari.

***

"I bet that hyperactive little bastard will do something stupid," Temari told Quatre.

"Shit!" Kurt muttered as he saw Daniel go down.

He teleported over to Eamonn and they began to battle.

Gaara quickly turned over to let his gourd take the full impact of Naruto hitting it. It hopefully let him sneak his sand around the blond ninja and encase him. The only way to get him out of the way was to do what he did to Temari.
"What?!" Naruto growled as he was encased in the sand. The sand was simply too shifty to slice through, even with his chakra-enhanced claws.

Sasuke rushed to 'help' Naruto and jumped onto the 'coffin'.

"Play dead." Sasuke hissed to his teammate.

"Mmfff?!" Naruto mumbled, his mouth full of sand.

"Do it, and...I'll buy you ramen." Sasuke whispered, groaning inwardly at the money to be lost. Naruto let go of his fox-transformation just the sand encased him fully, and Sasuke jumped off, flipped over the ground and landed cat-like.

"What do we do now?" Sakura asked Sasuke.

"We watch..." Sasuke said.

Now with Naruto 'out of the way', Gaara dropped him to the ground making sure the landing was as soft as possible without raising suspition from Kurt.

The new King was still fighting Eamonn as he headed over to join in the fight.

"It's just you now," Gaara told him.

Kurt scowled knowing he'd have to quickly think up a plan.

With two of the most powerful people out for the count, things looked bad for Kurt. Even the other two members of Team Seven knew that, even if they knew what is really occuring...

Kurt looked around, his only hope relied on what he'd previously heard about the two tailed dragon. While he was trying to fight off Eamonn, or someone posing as Eamonn, Gaara was advancing on him. The two-tailed dragon was hundreds of millenia old, though in spirit form for as long as anyone could remember. He was suposed to help all and every Dragon King, the kind of help he needed right now.

"Come on," he muttered to himself.

He teleported away from Eamonn and made sure he was as close to Gaara as possible. Though the automatic sand defence kicked in and felt as though it was crushing him, he managed to get his hand on the container.

A shriek cut through the air. There was a sensation of being electrocuted while a bright green light engulfed the cavern, blinding all within.

"What is that?" Sasuke yelled, covering his eyes from the flash, while Sakura shrieked slightly.

The light even burned through mine and Naruto's eyelids but we managed to stay 'dead' as long as necessary. We're there to help on Kurt's quest, after all.

"The Dragon King," came an ethereal voice that seemed to float around the cave. "It is my duty to serve you, I am a part of you until the day you are no longer Dragon King"

When the light was gone, Kurt was kneeling on the ground looking rather spaced out.

It appeared to be our cue to 'awaken' from our damaged states.

Naruto suddenly began spitting out sand from his mouth, unable to hold on to the 'play dead' game any longer. "Damn, I hate sand! It gets everywhere!"

As for me? I opened my eyes, ignoring the sand-spitting ninja and got up, healing my cuts with the Force. While appearing deep due to a little illusion I conjured, they were actually shallow. I smiled as I walked over to my friend. "Looks like you made it, your Majesty."

Kurt shook his head, it was all rather diorienting. Gaara knelt down in front of the King.

"Sorry, only way the two-tailed dragon would go in you without having it sealed in you like Shukaku is with myself," he explained.

"Ahh..." Comprehension finally dawned on Naruto. "So you now have a powerful dragon by your side, like with me and Kyuubi."

Kurt couldn't reply, he was still very dizzy and in fact he could feel the contents of his stomach rise very repidly.

"Oh gross, he just puked on the Kazekage," Eamonn yelled and burst out laughing.

Gaara qiuckly stood up and sighed, evidently the automatic sand defence decided that was a threat and didn't act.

I jumped back before the contents splattered on me as well, but laughed along with the others. "Well, at least it's all cleared up now."

Gaara helped the new King up, he was still disoriented and couldn't bring himself to say anything.

"Hope you two didn't hurt Namus and Zathar too much," Eamonn grinned. "By the way Kurt was right, I am Elrohir."

Gaara looked towards Team 7. "Akatsuki moved to another location not long after you fought them here," he told them.

"Well, yeah, I knew that!" Naruto smirked. "I was going to tell them but--owww!"

"Shut up, Naruto!" Sakura has just beaned her teammate on the head.

"Why'd you do that, Sakura-chan?" Naruto whined. I smiled. Back to normal...

"So why leave the dragon here?" Sasuke asked.

Gaara shook his head, "Akatsuki never had it in the first place," he explained. "The vampires in Caer Chan Caddug had it."

"Hmm. I could have sworn they had it the way they talked..." Sasuke said.

Gaara folded his arms as they headed topside. "Akatsuki were after it, but didn't know where it was," he said.

Kurt was now able to walk by himself. "I still feel sick," he muttered.

"Your body is still getting used to having a dragon spirit inside you." Sakura said. "Don't do anything strenuous for a while."

"Oh good idea," Kurt muttered. "I'm a King, course I'll be doing something strenuous."

In the first cavern they had been in, the two posing as Itachi and Kisame were waiting for them.

"You have subordinates, right?" I pointed out as we entered the first cavern.

"Oh look what happened the last time I left someone else in charge of the country," Kurt replied.

Gaara just had his usual expression on his face.

"I'll just be glad to get back to vampire hunting," Itachi yawned. "Once this wears off of course."

Even though I now know they're fakes, it was still weird for "Itachi" to be in the same room as Sasuke and not having to see a fight break out between them. Yeah, it can get pretty disorienting...

"Yea, when does this wear off?" Kisame asked.

"Tomorrow morning," Gaara told them.

As the stepped out of the cave, Quatre quickly went over to help Kurt, hoping that the new King was alright.

"It'll take me ages to get the sand out of my hair," Temari scowled at her brother.

"Well, I hope that's the last thing you needed to do, Kurt." I smiled.

"Oh I fucking hope so," Kurt growled. "If I'm told I have to do another so-called quest I'm going to go fucking psycho on them."

Quatre put his arm around him. "You just need some sleep," he suggested.

"Shall I call a taxi?" I asked.

"Call a ship so we can go back to DN," Kurt said with a wry smile.

An air taxi soon flew by to pick us up and take us back to the spaceport.

The ride made Kurt feel a little dizzy once more as he got used to having the two-tailed dragon inside him.

"Just hold it in," Temari told him.

Fortunately, the ride soon ended as the taxi took us to the spaceport, near the shuttlebay. We piled out of the taxi, paid for it, then headed up the shuttle.

"Should be a smoother ride, Kurt." I smirked.

"Why does sick always taste like pizza and orange juice?" Kurt wondered

I shrugged as Sakura started up the engines and we lifted off. Once again, we headed into space and into lightspeed back for DN.

Kurt leaned back and closed his eyes, perhaps sleeping through the journey would do him some good.

Several hours later, we were back at DN, as the proximity alarm blared to life, awakening all of us.

Sakura and Naruto were up first, checking that all was well with the ship. They were soon followed by Sasuke and me.

"Drink!" Kurt yelled as the alarm snapped him from his sleep. He rubbed his eyes and reajusted to the waking world.

Gaara stared at the new King, he never understood why people would wake up like that.

As soon as we adjusted to reality, Sakura landed the ship at the spaceport, where everyone, and I mean everyone was waiting for us. My brothers must have sensed our return and told the others. We landed to a hero's welcome and someone actually pulled some red carpet out for us to walk on as we disembarked.

Kurt felt a little better now as he stepped out to much applause.

"I suppose I'll have to get used to this again," he said with a grin.

"You all right, Daniel?" Harry yelled.

"Yeah! Kurt completed his quest!" I yelled back to cheering.

[Star Wars main theme pipes up from somewhere]

"Hey, I love that theme!" Naruto grinned widely.

The front row of the crowd was full of our closest friends and/or family, all congratulating Kurt on his victorious return.

Kurt's eyes briefly flashed green. He shook his head, it had been as if another dizzy spell had come over him.

Tiamat stepped forward, she was in human form. "I see Ddauchlor has bonded with you like your father did as Dragon King before you and every Dragon King before him," she said.

Looks like all is well with Draconis Nightcrawlis now that her new King is firmly in power. All he has left to do is consolidate it and form a cabinet and do other political duties. Ok, it's still alot to work with, but hey, it's a king's job. I suppose next would be to establish formal embassies and stuff like that, things I will have to bring up with the Council myself. I smiled slightly. In spite of everything, Kurt and I are alot alike. Royalty, Jedi, best friends with best friends. There is a strong bond between us, a bond of friendship no peace treaty can ever convey. So long as I live, if ever Kurt needed me, I will be there, and he would be there for me...

The crowd still cheered as Kurt disappeared into it, congradulated by people he hadn't even met before. Quatre had headed off to be by his side as Temari stepped forward.

"Things are finally looking up," she said.

"Yeah, it is." Sakura beamed. "Everything's going to be just fine."

"Now if only we could give him better manners," Temari said with a smirk.

"Oh yeah." Sakura made a face. "Even Naruto's not that bad."

By then Gaara had disappeared to get a change of clothes, he didn't particularly wish to be seen with stale dragon sick down his front.

"That godbrother of his is a bad influence," Zathar told them, still looking like Itachi.

"Heh. Maybe we could hire an etiquette tutor." Ryujin wandered by, in his silver-haired human form.

"My grandmother could possibly do," Zathar suggested. "Unless anyone knows a better option."

"Ask her about it." Ryujin shrugged.

Zathar nodded. "I'll ask her when I see her again," he said.

Looking up he could see some dragons flying around up ahead.

"Ah, the air show is here." Ryujin smirked.

"And he I am unable to," Zathar sighed. "While I take on this Itachi guys looks and abilities I lose mine for the duration."

Kurt found him frustrated at all the fuss that was going on over him. Amongst the people he knew, there were plenty he had never even met before. Basically he had been dragged into the castle to the throne room. He saw the throne up ahead, there were plenty of people around seemingly awaiting something. Then he saw the dragon crown, of course he had yet to be crowned upon the throne. He remembered his father telling him that only the original dragon king could wear the crown, anyone else would die. Perhaps that was why he now had Ddauchlor inside him.

Those outside had begun to file inside.

"We should follow," Zathar said.

"Right." Ryujin said, as the rest of Kurt's crowd of friends piled inside to see him get formally crowned. It appears to be the final part of the whole ceremony...and the greatest.

They all filed into the throne and the ceremony began once they were all inside. Very little was actually spoken, Kurt walked over to the throne and sat down as he had been instructed to do. The crown began to glow green as Tiamat, in human form, walked over and placed it on Kurts head. His eyes began to glow green once again and crowd burst into appluse. It was final, Kurt was officially King.

[Throne Room Ceremony theme plays]

We cheered, whistled and applauded the new King. Our friend has finally made it to the top! Both Naruto and I had a pang of jealousy as we have yet to attain our own similiar goals, but we were proud of our friend anyway.

With the ceremony over, the throne room emptied. Kurt was still sat upon the throne with Quatre stood beside him. Tiamat was still there talking to them while the others who had been stood near the back moved forward. Zathar placed his hands behind his head and yawned.

"Well I hope we don't have to do this again within the next ten thousand years," he joked.

I smiled uneasily. "Yeah, I'd have trouble coming back to help you guys out then."

"Oh we could always come and collect you from the afterlife," Tiamat told him. "I have some contacts down that way."

I sweatdropped at that remark. "Uh, right."

"She's just joking," Kurt assured him.

Tiamat just gave him a wicked grin as she walked off.

"I don't like that look..." I muttered.

Zathar laughed. "Well she's either marked you for bringing back from the dead or she fancies you," he smirked.

"Oh no...another one after me..." I groaned.

No matter where I go, a girl's always going to have a crush on me...the ol' Masaki Charm works too well sometimes. Must be the hair.

Zathar laughed again and rested his arm on Daniels shoulder, "But at least shes hot," he pointed out. "Once you get over the age difference it'll be fine."

I turned as red as a Sith's lightsaber, getting guffaws from everyone else. "Oh, shut up, bakas!"

Even Kurt couldn't help but laugh. "Sorry, it's just so funny," he apologised.

Zathar was still laughing as he left the throne room.

The expression on Kurt's face changed, it become more serious and somewhat saddened. "Joking aside, I'm going to have to fix what damage my grandfather has inflicted on Draconis Nightcrawlis," he said, "and I am going to have to set up some kind of government."

"How about a constitutional monarchy?" I suggested.

"Wouldn't that mean I'd hand powers over to a Prime Minister?" Kurt asked.

"Some, but you can probably put provisions to override him if he gets troublesome..." I shrugged.

Kurt shook his head, "I couldn't do it," he replied. "I have a duty to my people and a Prime Minister would just be shifting stuff that I as the king should be doing onto someone else. No King before me has had one."

Kurt shook his head, "I couldn't do it," he replied. "I have a duty to my people and a Prime Minister would just be shifting stuff that I as the king should be doing onto someone else. No King before me has had one."
"At least set up a cabinet. You can't do everything, you know." I said.

"I know, in history that has been the role of the Lords, like Eamonn's adoptive father was," Kurt explained. "Azazel killed every last Draconian Lord unfortunately."

"Would any surviving relatives be able to replace them, or did Azazel kill them too?" I asked.

Kurt sadly shook his head.

"Either dead or missing, presumed dead," Quatre explained.

"Damn, you're going to have to appoint new Lords, then." I muttered.

Kurt nodded, "I have an idea of a few," he said.

"Hmm. What about Jr. or Quatre?" I asked.

"I could do it," Quatre nodded.

"And Jr would make a good Lord too," Kurt agreed. "General Flack is due for a promotion as well."

"Three's the charm." I smiled. "How many Lords were there?"

"To be honest I can't remember exactly," Kurt said, shaking his head. "Around fifty maybe more."

"You have a lot of work to do, I see." I said wryly. "Start with the ones you know are trustworthy, then go from there."

Kurt nodded, "At least the colonies are taken care of, I'm glad he never made it out there," the new King said.

Through the throne room doorway, Gaara stepped inside to join them. A smirk crossed Temari's face as he noticed her brother looked rather annoyed. Having had to discard the Akatsuki cloak, he'd also had to change out of his normal clothes, so now the only clothes he could find in the castle that he could wear waere some of Kurt's old clothes.

The colonies... "That's it! You have governors and influencial members of your colonies, right?" I asked.

"On Tortuga DN and Wundagore DN we have two governesses, far from enough," Kurt told him.

Damn... "What about those who have a position of influence, like businesspeople or something?"