Those who rule over dragons

Summary: Everyone has their heroes whether fictional or real. But what happens when Naruto meets one of his heroes and discovers that one of his most cherished tales is less of a fantasy story and more of a legend. Naruto and Legend of Dragoons Crossover. Pairing is NaruHina.

Author's note: I have wanted to write this story for a long time and had actually begun working on the plot back when I was writing Whirlpool's Rebirth. But due to the fact that Legends of the Dragoon was and still is my favorite RPG, I didn't begin working on it till I was sure that I had enough experience writing fanfics to insure that this was my best and would be my finale. I don't plan to write any more fanfics after this as I've begun to grow bored with fanfics. There just aren't any good one's showing up anymore. There are some good ones here and there but they are so few that it becomes more of a hassle to find good stories. So here is the first chapter to what I hope is the best fanfic I've written so far.

WARNING/IMPORTANT INFO

I will not be writing harems, super powerful Naruto, and the Nine tails will be little more than a plot device. Don't like it! Then read something else! You give me any suggestions related to the above, you better block communications between us. I have been kind in the past, but I won't anymore. You can either deal with the fact that this is MY fanfic, and I will write the way I want to. Or… you can prepare to be metaphorically torn a new asshole. I'm writing for a select group of readers and no one else. On another note I don't own either Naruto or The Legend of Dragoons.

Chapter 1: Meeting a Hero

One would not normally associate a militaristic village such as Konoha to be peaceful. But with the civilians flowing through the streets to their different destinations, without worry, could only provide the image of serenity and calm. This image was only solidified by the children running through the streets laughing. Even the enlisted ninja recognized by their uniforms of navy blue matching long sleeved shirts and pants along with their olive green Kevlar vest and metal headbands passed through vigilant but relaxed.

One such ninja having recently graduated from the academy wore his head band proudly, fixing the blue cloth so that it held his spiky blonde hair out of his face and ensured that the metal was smudge free so that the leaf etched into it was not obscured. Having recently graduated, he had not yet earned the rank needed to wear the well known uniform his superiors wore. Instead he wore a baggy orange jacket and pants that had blue stripes running along his shoulders and the waist line of his pants.

His natural tan skin peaked out from the blue straps of his sandals and whiskered face. His face carried a fox like smile and his eyes appeared closed as if the smile on his face stretched out his skin. He lifted one of his lids to allow his blue eye to scope his surroundings and insure that he was going the right way.

Exiting the surrounding buildings, he continued walking towards a small park like bridge that hovered over a river and gave passage to the surrounding forest. Two people were already waiting on the bridge, a boy and a girl matching the blonde's age of twelve.

The girl had long hair that was a shade of bubble gum pink. Her red Chinese battle dress was sleeveless and only brought more attention to her pale skin, while said skin complimented her jade eyes. She wore a pair of light blue shorts and a pair of sandals similar to the blonde. A rectangular case was strapped to her right thigh, holding several sharp kunai just within reach of her outstretched arm. A head band showing that she was also an enlisted ninja was also present on her head, but unlike the blonde it was worn on top of her head like a hair band or cute ribbon.

The bubble gum haired girl sat on the bridge and stared dreamily at the boy leaning against the guard rails.

The boy had slightly less pale skin than the girl that sat across from him except he had black, onyx like eyes, and raven blue hair that was parted in the front with the help of his own head band. Just like the girl he had a kunai pouch strapped over his tan shorts and worn on the right side, a key indication that both were right handed. His short sleeved shirt was a dark shade of blue, high colared, and had an insignia of a circular fan with the top portion red and shaped like a crescent moon while the rest was white. Despite wearing clothes meant for summer, he wore bandages that traveled from his blue sandals up to his knees, just barely reaching his shorts, and grey arm warmers with blue lining on both ends.

As the blonde finally stepped onto the bridge, soft taps echoed and warned the two to his presence. The boy leaning against the guard rail ignored the blonde's presence except for a quick glance while the pink haired girl turned her attention to him and flashed an annoyed glare.

"You're late Naruto!"

Naruto's lips formed a pout. "I'm sorry Sakura but I overslept. And besides, Kakashi sensei isn't even here yet so what's the problem?"

His excuse and question did nothing to alleviate her annoyance. "Tch, you should have set your alarm clock. You knew our team was meeting here at ten and neither I nor Sasuke arrived late." As she finished her sentence and spoke of the raven haired boy, her tone took of adoration matching that of a school girl in love.

Naruto narrowed his eyes as he too looked towards Sasuke and watched as the last loyal Uchiha ignored Sakura.

Sasuke Uchiha had been the bane of all guys back in the academy. Being the top in his class in all subjects and coming from a clan that was not only respected by those inside the village but feared by those outside the village, it wasn't hard to understand why the girls fawned over him. The girl's adoration for him only became more prominent when he became distant from everyone after the massacre of his clan by the hands of his older brother.

Naruto Uzumaki, born outside of any known or famous clan, orphaned since he was old enough to think, and at the bottom of his class grade-wise, knew that someone like himself would always be overshadowed by Sasuke, something he hated and fought tooth and nail to turn around.

His joy from being placed on the same team as Sakura Haruno, his crush, had been extremely short lived when Sasuke had been added to the team. Ironic how his joy turned to sorrow while Sakura's sorrow had turned to joy by this fact.

Apparently tired of Naruto's glare pointed towards him, Sasuke glared back though his held no anger and leaned towards condescending.

"What are you looking at loser?"

Naruto's eyes went from a half lidded glare to fully wide, with teeth gritting that complimented his anger from the insult.

Sakura having noticed the two focused at one another decided to intervene.

"Naruto stop bothering Sasuke!"

And her idea of intervening was to scold Naruto and defend Sasuke. Naruto sputtered at having his crush immediately turn on him so quick. Though in the back of his mind he wasn't too surprised seeing as Sakura had a crush on Sasuke as well.

'What did I do?' he asked himself.

Fortunately for Naruto, Sakura's attention was soon turned to the arrival of their sensei.

"YOU'RE LATE!" she said to the Jonin ranked ninja that wore the military uniform along with a mask that covered his face from his nose and continued down his neck. His head band was worn much like his two male students except the left side of it was pulled down to cover his eye and helped his grey hair keep its gravity defying feature.

The bored look on Kakashi's face indicated that Sakura's yell didn't bother him and was cemented by the fact that he continued to hold up an orange book to his face with his knuckle cut off gloved hand.

"Hello Sakura, Naruto…. Sasuke. Ready to go get a mission today?"

Sakura growled at her sensei's dismissal of her declaration while Sasuke showed a little more interest. Naruto on the other hand returned to his energetic self.

"Yeah! We wasted enough time waiting on you sensei. Let's go!" he said before racing off towards the tower belonging to the leader of their village.

Later that day.

Naruto closed the door to his apartment, blocking the setting sun light from touching the wooden floor of his living room. The building itself was in good condition when one considered its origin, though the particular apartment could have used a woman's touch. Naruto put aside the thought of cleaning his home in favor of cleaning himself of the dirt and grime from the day's labor. He had striped himself of his clothes by the time he had made his way to his bathroom. Once he had set the water to a hot but not scalding temperature, he walked under the shower head and enjoyed the soothing downpour.

As he scrubbed himself down, Naruto couldn't help but lament on the day's events.

'The life of a ninja is exciting.' he thought to himself with sarcasm. 'Pulling weeds, walking dogs and manual labor is not what I signed up for! When are we going to get a real mission? When is Kakashi sensei going to teach us anything! Oh well. I'll just finish this shower and enjoy my prized possession.'

The thought of his prized possession caused him to take a brief glance through the still opened bathroom door and towards his bed. He returned his attention to the task of cleaning himself before he dried himself off and put on a pair of white button up pajamas and black night cap. Once fully dressed, Naruto made his way to the bed he had glanced to earlier but instead of laying down on top of it, he grabbed the bottom of the frame and dragged it over to the side two feet.

Afterwards he walked over to the section of the floor no longer hidden by his bed and preceded to lifting boards not nailed down. Reaching in with both hands, Naruto gave a grunt as he lifted a large leather covered book out of the hidden compartment and placed it on his bed. He quickly joined the book and smiled as he read over the title, The Legend of Dragoons.

The book had been a gift from the third Hokage for his birthday nearly five years ago. Like any child, Naruto had been upset to receive a gift that couldn't be played with. But due to the fact that he had rarely received gifts, he was grateful for it none the less. Initially he did not plan on reading the large tome like book, but after the Hokage had sat him down and began read the first chapter to him, he found himself drawn to the story.

The plot of the main hero returning to his home village after a journey of revenge, only to find it nearly destroyed and forced to infiltrate a prison in order to save his childhood friend intrigued Naruto's adventure hungering mind. The details used in the book and the description of the characters and places were so uncanny, that it almost seemed like the author had actually been present during the events of the story. Naruto had tried to find the name of the author, but the letters of the name itself had long been faded out.

After reading for nearly an hour, Naruto made to return the book to its hiding place. Before replacing the boards, he reached in one last time and pulled out an emerald sphere like stone that fit in the palm of his hand.

Thanks to the fear of the parents who knew of his tenant, the Nine-tails fox, he had been forced to play alone, during one of these times he had found the richly green stone, a shine from the corner of his eye. The stone held such a strong resemblance to the dragoon spirits from his book that he had decided to keep it. Someone who had seen the shine of the stone had made to take the stone from Naruto, thus the reason he hid it.

'It's just a story.'

Despite telling himself this, Naruto still wished the stone he kept held the same power as those in his book. The power to transform him into a legendary warrior, with wings that allowed him to soar across the sky, and hold dominion over dragons.

"It's just a story." He reminded himself.

With careful hands, Naruto placed the stone inside the floor before putting the boards back in their respective places. Afterwards he pulled the bed back to its original spot while ensuring that one of the legs held down the hidden compartment.

With a drawn out yawn, Naruto flopped onto his bed and closed his eyes.

The Next Day

"Another day, another lame ass mission." Naruto stated

For once since his start as a Genin of Konoha; Naruto left early. He didn't opt for another mission and left before Kakashi could even give out team building exercises.

His mood left him avoiding his home. Hunger seemed to be lacking. Naruto had no destination in mind nor could he think of an activity he wanted to take part in. So he simply walked around the village. Taking random twists and turns, Naruto eventually found himself at a park. The duck pond located near the middle, benches and tables randomly placed, and a play ground for kids. It eventually hit him that this was the same park that he found his green stone.

It was unlike him, but he chose to sit down on one of the many benches. His eyes soon moved across the park and watched the many people that were there. He saw kids playing, parents watching, and others simply relaxing. A young woman soon caught his attention. Her silver hair keeping his focus from moving towards anyone else.

Silver hair wasn't uncommon as many residents of the village had either grey hair despite their young age or white hair that gave a soft glow. But this woman's hair borderline platinum, almost shining from the light of the sun.

'Almost like…. nah, it's just a story.'

Despite his thoughts he couldn't help but continue to stare. She looked young, almost seventeen if he had to guess. She wore a light blue sleeveless kimono that stopped barely below her hips and a yellow obi tied around her waist. Tight white shorts barely hid the shape of her ass and teal sandals wrapped around her feet. She wore fitting arm and leg warmer that were blue with gold trimming on both ends. Finally resting snugly on her neck was a blue choker with gold stripes running down it.

Still unable to take his eyes off the girl, Naruto began focusing more on other aspects of her appearance. Her body was slim; skin a creamy tone and eyes were brown but held a red hue. A blue ribbon held the back of her hair into a high pony tail that curled down and reached down to her mid back, the bangs in the front caressing her eye brows while the strands on the side framed her face and stretched down to her chin. When the sun light touched her hair just right, it gave off a blue tint.

The woman turned towards Naruto and looked confused as she caught him staring. A blush covered his face in response before looking away and trying to act like he wasn't just caught. Taking a side long glance he saw the girl giggling. A second later the she playfully stuck out her tongue, causing Naruto to laugh.

'Wow she's just like….'

His eyes widened from where his thoughts were leading. He stared at the woman once more when her attention was elsewhere. His expression dumb founded.

'No. No that's impossible. But, she looks just like her.' Naruto thought as he recalled one of the pictures of the heroes he found at the back of his book.

'She's a perfect match for Meru, but how is that possible?'

He noticed a large travelers pack resting against the bench she was sitting on. A handle stuck out of the opening, what it was he could not tell, but he had a suspicion.

'I'm willing to bet my stone that's a hammer… what am I saying, it's just a story but…. she's a perfect match!'

His mind continued racing as he thought over everything, arguing whether a hero from his book, HIS hero, really existed and sat merely on the other side of the park.

A thought hit him. "My stone! Dragoon spirits are supposed to resonate with one another when their close. If she is Meru, IF she is, then she would also have hers.'

With that thought in mind Naruto walked away from the park. Once he was out of site he placed his middle and index fingers in a cross sign, summoning a clone.

"Go back to our apartment and get our stone. No matter what, don't stop for anything and bring it back here pronto!" he ordered his clone.

The clone gave a mock salute before racing off. After it was gone, Naruto made his way through the forest edge and chose a spot he could hide while spying on the possible Meru. Once more he was troubled.

'What if she doesn't have it anymore? What if I'm wrong about everything? She'll think I'm some creep. Forget about what she thinks. How am I supposed to approach her? The majority of people don't trust me as it is I don't need them thinking I'm some nut.'

"U-Um are y-y-you ok N-Naruto?"

He never thought a voice so soft would ever cause him to jump nor did he think someone so nervous could sneak up on him. But he was proven wrong on both ends. Turning around he saw the blushing form of one of his old classmates.

The twelve year old girl before him had dark, very dark, blue hair that was cut just short above her eyebrows except for the two bangs that framed the side of her face. A pale complexion did nothing to distract from the grey pupil-less eyes that her family were famous for though unlike her family hers seemed more of dull lavender. The proof of her graduation into becoming a kunoichi lay draped around her petite neck. A tan hooded-jacket, big enough to hide her figure, was fully zipped up just barely revealing the mesh shirt underneath. On the right and left shoulders were two red flames encircled by a yellow sphere and white fur could be found around the hem. She wore navy blue pants that ended a mere few inches after her knees and two kunai pouches were tightly strapped to her right thigh. The sandals on her feet wore nothing special, just the normal blues that most ninjas wore.

Hinata Hyuga had been a classmate of his. Her shy demeanor and unusual tics had caused Naruto to write her off as a "weirdo", oblivious to the crush she had for him.

She had seen him enter the park and chose to follow him. Though her choice in following border lined stalking from certain points of view, regardless she watched him from afar. Hinata noticed how Naruto seemed annoyed. His usual upbeat attitude was replaced by repressed loathing.

The fact that he chose to sit down instead of take part in any of the random activities at the park was proof enough that something was wrong. How she wished she had the courage to sit down next to him and resolve what was bothering him. Instead she watched him from afar.

A hint of jealously coursed through her as Naruto settled his vision on a particular girl. She watched as he simply stared on, his face morphing from pure interest to embarrassment when she caught him then curiosity when he returned to looking at the platinum haired girl. A look of shock crossed his face and she spent the next several minutes watching as he mentally contemplated something she was not privy to. Finally he left, and as she followed him she witnessed his creation of a shadow clone and the spot he hid himself in while spying on the young woman that held his attention.

It was obvious to her that something was bothering him about the girl. He was a frantic mess at the moment. So, despite her shyness, she moved towards him with the intent of helping anyway possible.

"Hey…" Naruto began but couldn't recall the girl's name.

Though a little crestfallen she reminded him. "H-Hinata."

"Hinata, um.. I'm ok." he lied.

"A-Are you s-sure?"

Naruto tried to act as if everything ok, but a nervous laugh and the look Hinata gave him in response let him know that she wasn't buying it. He noted that she seemed genuinely concerned; the thought of lying to her struck him the wrong way. At the same time telling her the truth wasn't an option either.

"I'm back boss." Naruto's shadow clone stated as it returned with his green stone.

A solution came to him as he accepted the stone.

"It's pretty." Hinata commented.

Naruto hadn't even noticed that the usually stuttering girl didn't even repeat a syllable as her attention laid solely on the object in his hand.

"Yeah. I'm looking for another stone just like it and I think that girl over there has it." he said while pointing to the Meru look alike.

'So that's what is bothering him.' Hinata thought to herself.

"T-Then why don't y-you ask her?"

Naruto scratched the back of his head, feigning humor while he thought of a way around the question.

"I'm very protective of this stone and I don't want to exactly show this off for anyone who could possibly be a thief."

Understanding seemed to cross Hinata's blushing face. "I-If you would l-like… I-I could look inside her bag t-to s-s-see if she has one."

"Thanks but I don't think she's just going to let you look inside." Naruto stated

Two index fingers tapped themselves together as their owner tried to find her voice. "M-My family's special e-eyes allow u-us to see through o-o-objects."

A large smile spread from the middle of his face and nearly ended from cheek to cheek. The answer to his dilemma came in the form of this shy girl. He wanted to dance for joy, laugh, and even hug her. But he restrained himself, allowing only the smile on his face to represent his happiness.

"Really! That would be awesome. Please Hinata, please help me out!"

The blushing girl smiled from his excitement, nodding before performing the hand seals needed to activate her eyes' unique ability.

"Byakugan." A mere whisper of the word began the process of her eyes focusing; and the veins around them to bulge.

Her vision scanned over the contents of the platinum haired woman's traveler pack. Extra sets of clothes, some food wrapped away for later, a large war hammer approximately two feet wide and a foot in thickness; its handle reaching nearly five feet. Despite the bags large size Hinata could not find the stone Naruto was looking for. She had nearly given up when she noticed a sparkling blue just over the woman's heart. Focusing more on the area the aura emanated from, Hinata smiled as she found the stone.

The light surprised Hinata, how was it that the stone created such light. She could tell that it wasn't chakra, but she couldn't see it without her Byakugan. Without turning her head, she used her available three hundred and sixty degree vision to look towards the stone Naruto was carrying. To Hinata's surprise it too held an aura of its own, only it was green instead of blue.

"Well?" Naruto inquired impatiently.

Hinata snapped out of her daze. "S-Sorry. She does have it. B-But it is n-not in her bag. I-I-It's inside a pocket in h-her kimono t-top." She decided not to inform him of the strange glow the stones produced. It was something she herself didn't understand.

Naruto's excitement was evident from his shivering form.

"YES, HAHAHA! Thank you Hinata you have no clue what this means for me!"

He grabbed her hand, shaking it while smiling. "I owe you big time!"

Her eyes focused on her held hand, blushing while stuttering her response. "N-No, It's o-o-ok. I w-was just trying to h-help."

Naruto didn't accept that. "No really! Just name it. Whenever you need anything just let me know and I'll help." he said before laughing at the end.

"U-Um ok." Hinata weakly replied.

With that said, Naruto went back to spying on the woman he was certain was Meru. Hinata had stuck around for a few seconds before excusing herself. With Hinata gone, Naruto began plotting how to confront the platinum haired woman.

He needed to wait till either she moved to a secluded spot or the other occupants of the park left. Either way he needed the two of them to be alone so to not make a scene. Naruto waited nearly thirty minutes for an option to become available, fidgeting in his spot as his patience began to run thin. How he wished he had a way to pass time like the girl he spied on, merely reading her book, unaware of his presence.

Finally after what felt like hours the Meru look alike got up. Hefting up her pack, she made her way to one of the exits. Without hesitation Naruto followed. He waited till they were a decent distance from anyone before approaching her.

"Hey wait up!" Naruto shouted in order to catch the young woman's attention.

The woman stopped; a puzzled look on her face.

Recognition crossed her face. "Oh it's you." She said before giggling. "If you're wanting to ask me out on a date then I'm going to have to decline. You're a little too young for me."

Naruto nearly stumbled from the accusation. A blush forming on his cheeks, he quickly responded. "That's not what I was going to say." he said, slightly noting how light and playful her voice was.

The platinum haired girl giggled again from his exasperated face. "Oh. Then what did you want with me?" she asked coyly.

"Wellll I wanted to know your name among other things." he innocently stated.

"Heheh, sounds like you want to ask me out all the same, but if you really must know I'm Meru."

He couldn't help his outburst that left his mouth. "AHAH you are Meru!"

Meru took a step back, confused and surprised from his reaction.

"Wow there are so many things I want to ask you!" Naruto excitedly stated.

"Wait, hold up."

Naruto didn't pay any attention to her protest and continued to talk as he walked closer and closer. "Where are Dart and the others? How long ago did you guys fight Melbu Frahma, is this stone a dragoon spirit?"

Naruto received the answer to this last question as he reached inside his pocket and pulled out the green stone. The mere second his stone was within sight it released a blinding emerald light. The stone in Meru's pocket resonated with his, releasing its own cerulean light.

Too focused on the light of his dragoon spirit, Naruto never noticed Meru's dissapearance till the illumanation faded away.

"It is. It really is a-" The rest of his sentence stuck in his mouth once he became aware of her dissapearance.

Panic settled in quickly. "Where'd she go!"

He frantically searched for any sign of where she went. No sign of her pack nor foot prints could be found. Without thinking Naruto dashed down the path leading away from the park, unaware of the very woman he was looking for floating several feet above, watching with twin beams of light protruding from her back, her pack slung over her shoulders.

"How does he know about me and the other dragoons? And more importantly, how did he get his hands on the Jade dragoon spirit?" Meru said as she slowly descended.

Looking towards the direction Naruto left, Meru came to a decision. "I guess I'll be staying here longer than I intended."

Author's Note: So for those of you who are familiar with how I write and are asking yourselves why am I using so much detail. That's because of the fact that I have to assume many of the people reading this story have no clue what The Legend of Dragoons is or what it's even about. So I had to describe Meru with such detail to give them an image, and because of this I had to be very descriptive throughout the rest of the chapter other wise there would have been a gap formed that confused people. Kind of like asking yourself if I went from being 22 to 12 in a fraction of a second. I plan to write this way throughout the rest of the story. Well I hope you have enjoyed this chapter and there is much more to come.