A/N: So I am back after a month. I didn't stop writing or anything, but I ended up having a huge amount of trouble with several scenes in this chapter. The opening scene obviously was the main one. Anyways, enjoy.

Chapter 9: Rescue

Anger boiled inside of me as I kicked at the ground. I had begun to respect that pretty boy Wardes and then he goes and says something like I'm not strong enough to protect Louise! The idea of him looking down on me just made my blood boil! The worst part was that I had completely lost to the man; there was no denying it. Well, I would just have to make some awesome technique to beat Wardes with. I smirked at the thought of beating the pretty boy with a giant chakra beam. My grand imaginings calmed me down somewhat.

I leaned against the railing at the edge of the cliff, looking out into the sunset. After losing my temper at Wardes, I had come here to cool off. "So this is where you sulked off to." A familiar boy's voice called out to me. I didn't spare Guiche a glance and kept looking out into the sunset. He didn't take the hint and leaned against the railing next to me. "Louise told me you lost a duel to Wardes, and then made a fool of yourself before, ah, what did she say? Oh yes, 'running away like a dog with his tail between his legs.'"

My teeth grit as I turned my glare on Guiche, trying to intimidate him into shutting up. It didn't work. Guiche just turned and looked into the sunset, not at all unnerved by my glare. "Guiche, you come here just to annoy me?" I asked with an edge of annoyance in my voice. My friend just leaned on the railing next to me. Soon enough, I couldn't help but voice my thoughts. "It's just, Wardes is such a jerk! Sure I lost to him in one duel, but I am still a good fighter, and I'll beat him next time we fight! I can't stand that smug bastard!"

Guiche patted my shoulder. "You know, it wasn't long ago that I lost a great deal of pride in a duel I was sure I'd win." My friend gave me a knowing look, leaning on the railing with his side. "But you know what bothered me the most? It was losing in front of my Monmon. So I understand why losing in front of Louise has you so angered, but if you want to win her heart, you must act more graceful, even in defeat." I wasn't sure I liked the knowing grin Guiche was giving me.

It took me a second to put it together. "W-wait! Louise and I aren't like that okay! She just summoned me as a bodyguard!" I held my hands up in defense.

Shrugging, Guiche sighed out, "Sure sure, then it was just your massive warrior spirit that caused you to act like a ruffian while losing in front of Miss Valliere?"

"Yes!" I adamantly confirmed. Man my face was getting hot. I turned away from Guiche, quickly becoming uncomfortable with this conversation.

I heard Guiche sigh, "Listen, Naruto." The seriousness in his voice caused me to turn back to him in surprise. "I learned when I fought you that you cannot and will not win every fight. What matters is how you deal with that loss." He held up a hand, stopping my protest of never giving up. "I know you well enough to know you wouldn't give up getting stronger over something like this. However, if you plan to continue to champion for Lady Louise, I suggest you hold your tongue until you mind has gained control of it." Guiche's voice had a hint of sting to it. "I may not have always cared for Lady Louise, but I have always admired her pride and spirit as a Noble. She is one of the few I have seen that actively try to uphold the dignity and Honor of her position. As her champion, her honor rides with you. Consider that my friend, and try to think before you act."

I stood there, contemplation Guiche's words. I guess I could see the value in acting honorably. It was just always easier to act on instinct. "Thanks, Guiche, I guess." I don't think I'll become a pretty boy like Guiche, but it wouldn't hurt to try to keep my temper in check.

Guiche waved off my thanks, "A friend does these things, right? Now, let us hurry to the port, lest we miss the ship."

Smiling at each other, we both turned to head up the road to the port; only to find a massive stone golem standing behind us. "I'm sorry to break up this moment gentlemen, but I cannot let you pass." A very familiar, feminine voice called out from the shoulder of the very familiar earthen giant. You have got to be kidding me.

Standing in our way was Fouquet and her massive golem, fists raised and coming down fast. Reacting on instinct, I grabbed Guiche and jumped backward. My feet caught on the railing of the cliff as the golem pounded the ground where we just were. The sheer force of the blow shattered the ground and launched shrapnel every which way. "Rin Ex Cal!" I heard Guiche call out as he raised his rose wand, still half held my left arm. A small wall of earth grew out of the ground, shielding us from the bullets of earth. "I'll support you. Go!"

Nodding to Guiche, I drew Derflinger and leapt over the mound of earth. Chakra and the strange power of my runes flowed through my body once again. I reached into my pouch with my left hand and withdrew a pair of Shuriken. With the runes guiding my hand, my throw launched the twin stars in a perfect curve toward Fouquet atop the golem. However, an instant before they hit, the rock of the golem sprouted around her, deflecting my attack. Damn, of course it wouldn't be that easy.

I noted briefly that I was flanked by several Valkyrie golems; Guiche's work no doubt. I closed on the golem, holding my pace to that of the Valkyrie. However, it wasn't fast enough as the massive rock giant swung its arm horizontally, sweeping toward us. Planting my left foot, I flipped up in a cartwheel, vaulting over the arm with my free hand. The Valkyrie weren't so agile. Only the furthest managed to evade in time by jumping and latching onto the arm. Guiche's construct began climbing the arm, using its spear to stab into it as a handhold.

In that instant, I felt Fouquet's attention shift. Perfect. The rock giants other arm moved to swipe the Valkyrie off, giving me my chance. With both arms occupied, I raced toward the feet of the golem. It took on moments for me to pass under the arms. I noted the debris of a crushed Valkyrie fall behind me. It didn't matter now. In one jump, I latched onto the leg of the golem. Racing upwards, I passed the knee, the waist, the chest. I felt the golem shift as it threw a punch, not at me, but forward. Guiche!

It took me no time to decide. I abandoned my chance at Fouquet and leapt blindly backward toward where I hoped Guiche still was. Twisting midair I skimmed along the arm. I could see Guiche moving as if in slow motion. He wouldn't be able to dodge in time, and I wouldn't beat the punch to him. I had to stop it. In a panic, I summoned forth all the chakra I could. Before, I had tried creating clones with shadows by blocking enough light with a shell. Maybe I could make them sold enough for a wall. Bringing my hands together, I began to form the seals for the technique, only to realize I still held Derflinger. Stupid! The sword slipped from my grasp as I fumbled out half a rat and half a ram sign into a cross symbol. It would have to do as I was already pumping loads of chakra through the bastardized sign. Surprisingly, it was a lot easier to manage the massive amount of chakra with just the one sign. I visualized myself, forming as many copies as I could and filling them as much as I dared with the chakra.

Smoke created by excess chakra billowed everywhere. I could only pray the makeshift wall had slowed the arm enough for Guiche to complete his dodge. I nearly failed hit the ground in a roll as I caught sight of just what I created. Nearly twenty perfect copies of me were holding the arm of the golem, glued to the ground with their own chakra. Guiche himself was dumbstruck, sitting behind them as they held off the life ending punch.

Everyone on the battlefield was silent and still, all of us surprised at the turn of events. It was the single non-human who broke us out of our collective stupor. "Don't drop me you failure of a partner!" My indignant sword called out. Like that, everything started again. The golem wretched its arm back; bring the clones with it as they held on. I turned and darted over to Derflinger, picking him up on my way to Guiche. Guiche himself, scrambled to his feet and somehow I knew that the Golem had smashed my clones against the cliff face, destroying them.

"I thought your copies were illusions!" Guiche said in astonishment; still reeling from his near death experience.

I could only shrug at him, still astonished myself. "So did I. I have no idea how I did that."

Guiche looked as if he was about to fall over from sheer disbelief. "Only you…" He mumbled. I didn't know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult. "Never mind," Guiche said, shaking his head clear. "I need you to protect me while I cast this, I'll be a liability again if you charge out."

I nodded my head. Guiche was right. If I attacked head on again, Fouquet would just attack Guiche to draw me away, and we got lucky last time. As Guiche began muttering under his breath, I called out. "Didn't I put you behind bars?"

Fouquet just laughed at me. "No prison could hold me boy! I am far too clever for simple guards!"

"I tricked you easily enough! I bet someone just let you out!" That seemed to strike a nerve. Maybe someone really did release her, but who would… Then something clicked. I hoped I was wrong, but I was getting a sneaking suspicion Fouquet didn't catch us here on coincidence.

Fouquet's golem reared up an arm. She called out with fury in her voice, "What do you know boy? I am Fouquet of the crumbling earth, and you are going to fall to me this time!"

"Valkyrie Raiment!" Guiche interrupted the two of us. A flash of white drew my attention to Guiche. Standing next to me, Guiche's silken shirt and pants were gone. A suit of armor highly reminiscent of his own Valkyries had replaced them. The greenish grey armor covered him from head to toe, its angular features making him look almost hawk-like. His Noble Mantle was now draped across his back like a cape. His own rose wand had extended into a spear. I was only able to recognize him from the small open portion of the helm. "I created this technique to keep up with your speed my friend. You needn't worry about me being caught again." I almost voiced my doubt. How could adding armor make him faster? However, I got no chance as Guiche bent his knees and slid away as if he were skating on ice.

Quick on the uptake, I raced after him. We both diverged as the golem slammed its fists down, trying to squash us. Unexpectedly, instead of drawing the arms back up, it bent downward and then launched itself upward. The ground shook as Fouquet and her golem rocketed upward and backward toward the cliff face. When could that thing move like that? The golem landed on the side of the cliff on all fours. Fouquet still stood on its shoulder, only know seemingly locked in by rock to keep her from falling.

Hadn't she learned, I could just climb up the cliff face and-. I stopped mid thought as chunks of the cliff face tore themselves out and rocketed toward us. I launched myself backwards. With multiple small jumps, I dodged boulder after boulder. Next to me, I caught Guiche doing the same, only sliding in a serpentine pattern. "She's pumping her willpower into the cliff face with her golem as a conductor!" Guiche called out to me. Whatever that meant, I didn't know, luckily Guiche must have noticed my confused glance. "She can't move it easily now!" He explained. Oh, gotcha.

The problem still remained that I wasn't sure even I could get through that storm of rock to her. Looking to Guiche, an idea struck me. "You as strong as you are fast?" I called out. From the grin that crossed his face, I knew he understood. I raced toward Guiche as he slid his spear back, planning his left leg and leveling the pole. In a single jump, I landed on the end of it. "Let's-"

"Do this!" We both yelled as he swung the spear forward in an arc, launching me like a catapult. Chakra coiled in my legs as I waited for the right moment. There! Just before the top of the swing, I pushed off. Derflinger in my hands, I cut through the air faster than I had ever moved before. The wind whistled by me as I passed through the storm of rock being launched by Fouquet. A single boulder was shot to intercept me. Twisting, I kicked off of it, diverting my course toward another. Again, I kicked off a boulder in motion, redirecting myself toward Fouquet.

This was it, I had passed her defenses. My feet planted on the shoulder of the golem in the same motion as I brought Derflinger down to cut for her wand arm from her body. However, in that instant rock once again shot up from the golem's shoulder, intercepting my blow. Derflinger cut through the rock easily, but the blow was deflected off course and away. The glint of steel caught my eye as Fouquet brought her left arm up toward my stomach, dagger in hand. I hadn't even thought a mage like her would wield one! With no time, I released my left hand's hold on Derflinger and caught the daggers blade bare handed. I could feel the blade slice into my palm, but I held firm, stopping the blade from piercing me. For a second, both Fouquet's surprised eyes met my own. Then my forehead impacted her face with all the force I could muster.

I could hear golem crack and fall apart as the two of us fell. With my left hand, mangled as it was, I managed to grab Fouquet and push off some falling rock, clearing us from the collapsing golem. The two of us hit the ground rolling, but otherwise safe. Sliding to a stop, I lay there for a second, caching my breath. My left hand still held Fouquet and she wasn't stirring, this fight was over.

A shadow cast itself over me. Looking up, I saw Guiche offering me a hand. "That was heroic. It is a shame that there were no ladies around to see our victory."

I took his hand and let myself be yanked up by the armored pretty boy. "We almost die and you are worried about getting ladies?" I shoved Guiche to the side playfully. We both laughed, still high on adrenaline.

A stirring to my side brought me back to reality. Though her eyes were beginning to swell from my head-butt, I could see consciousness returning to the eyes of Fouquet. The feel of Derflinger in my hand reminded me of the law of shinobi. Fouquet was at my mercy, and an enemy. One who had tried twice to kill my friends and me. She realized it at the same time I did. "You are going to kill me now." I didn't reply, I couldn't. As a ninja, I had to kill my heart. That is what my teachers had told me. If I didn't end this, next time Fouquet might end up killing one of my friends. "Just do me one thing." Her voice, weak as it was, drew my attention. "Near the Village of Saxe-Gotha in the country of Albion, there lies an Orphanage within the forest. Please tell the one who runs it, a girl named Tiffania that Mathilda has settled down and living peacefully."

I considered Fouquet's words. Raising Derflinger, I simply said, "No." Bringing Derflinger down, I stabbed nearly a hands width into the stone next to her head. "I, I can't help but think you are a good person. I don't want to kill you, I know I may regret it, but I know I will regret killing you now. I will live a life without killing my heart." Taking up Derflinger I sheathed him and turned around. "You should go to this Tiffania yourself and tell her, Fouquet of the crumbling earth died in that rubble as far as I am concerned."

I began to walk toward the port, only to hear Fouquet's voice behind me. "Viscount Wardes is a traitor. His loyalties lie with the rebel group Reconquista. He plans to leave you behind and kill Prince Wales of Albion." I turned, surprised at the revelation. I had begun to suspect Wardes, Fouquet attacking just after I separated myself from Louise was a big coincidence to believe. Now that it was confirmed, I needed to hurry! In that moment, I saw a large shipping galleon with wings of sails fly overhead. Oh. "I am sorry. Wardes and the Valliere will be on that ship." Fouquet's words drove home my fears. Damn it!

No, there was no way I was giving up. "What's done is done, Guiche, we need to find Tabitha, get your familiar now!" With that, Guiche and I Hurried toward the inn, leaving the "dead" Fouquet behind us without even glancing back.

It had taken surprisingly little convincing to get Tabitha to agree to fly us into a warring country. If simply asking and getting a single, "yes," even counts as convincing. Though it had taken far longer to track the scent of the Water Ruby Louise carried. Verdandi moved fast, but it still took many hours to arrive at the end of the trail, a church. The large army we had to skirt the edges of slowed us down more than I liked. According to my friends, the army belonged to the rebel army of the Reconquista and was likely closing on Newcastle, the last stronghold of the Albion Nobility not too far from our current location. With the army closing in behind us, and Wardes before us, I was growing anxious.

"Oh Tabitha, does your heart not flutter at the sight of this church! Maybe you could find love and marriage here!" It seemed my worry was lost on the ever romantic Kirche. The red head had come along, not wanting to be left behind. I swear, Kirche was dead set on getting Tabitha to show some emotion to speak of marriage in such a situation.

The church before us was likely going to turn into a battleground. Guiche was too drained from our fight with Fouquet; that left only Tabitha and Kirche in fighting shape. Best to keep a solid rear guard, I told myself. "You three stay out here. We may have to make a quick escape, especially with that army heading here." Tabitha nodded once. "Thanks, all of you."

I nodded once to my friends before drawing Derflinger and dashing up the side of the church. My footsteps light, I moved like a wraith up onto the roof. The bell tower at the top had an entrance like I hoped. It wasn't even locked. Silently, I opened the door and moved inside, closing it slowly behind me. After a single flight of stairs down, I found myself in the rafters overlooking a small, yet beautiful church. The stained glass depicted figures, one of which I was sure was their god, Brimir. Rows of men in armor lined the walls, their entire bodies covered in plate mail. The rows of benches were all empty. Yet none of this mattered, at the front I could see a blonde man in regal looking clothing, most likely Prince Wales, standing before two familiar figures. Louise and Wardes stood, looking at each other. The sheer white veil in Louise's hair tipped me off. This could only be one thing, a wedding.

My first impulse was to jump down immediately and stop the ceremony, but Guiche's voice in the back of my head stopped me. Think first, act second. While Louise's honor wasn't the problem here, the rule still helped. If I jumped in now, there was no telling what Wardes would do. If Fouquet was right, who's to say he wouldn't kill Wales, or take Louise hostage? I needed to separate Wardes from them.

I crept along the rafters, moving slow and watching the light filtering through the windows. Blocking any and casting a shadow would be a dead giveaway to those below. "The bride, Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La Valliere, Will you honor him, love him, and take him as your husband?" The Princes words shook me. Something seemed inherently wrong about letting this farce continue. I was almost above the three now.

Louise's head tilted up slightly. "I… I…" The empty tone in her voice tipped me off. Definitely under a genjutsu, hell, I should have known from just from the wedding. No way was Louise getting married while under her own will.

No matter, I was above the three now. Stepping off the rafters, I fell downward, landing in between the three. I could hear a gasp of surprise from behind me and I could see some recognition fill the creepily lifeless eyes of Louise, but I probably enjoyed the surprised anger in Wardes' eyes a bit too much. "Hey, miss me?" My chakra powered fist connected with Wardes' jaw, sending the man stumbling backward several feet before he tripped over a bench.

I was about to draw Derflinger when I heard the sound of steel unsheathing behind me. Whirling, I barely avoided the rapier thrust of the regally dressed man. "Assassin!" He called out with anger.

Grabbing his wrist, I exclaimed, "Whoa man! I'm on your side! Wardes is the bad guy!" I really should have guessed this situation could be misread. The Prince tried to wrestle his sword hand free, but I held firm. "And also! I'm a ninja, not an assassin!"

"Naruto!" Louise exclaimed, light finally returning to her eyes. Still struggling with the man over the sword, I couldn't really spare her a word. "Prince Wales! That is my familiar, he means no harm!" Taking the cue, I released the sword at that instant and held up my hands in peace.

The man, Prince Wales as I had suspected, held the Rapier leveled at me for a moment, and then a sound behind me made me whirl on Wardes, who had just picked himself up off the floor. "How did you find this place familiar?" He said, rubbing his wounded cheek as he rose.

I found my hand resting on Derflinger. "Like that matters. I know you are a traitor Wardes; sent here to kill the Prince." Like bees stirring, the guards lining the church began drawing their swords.

Wardes was strangely calm for a man surrounded my armored guards drawing their swords. He simply smirked, drawing his wand rapier. I hadn't realized he had been mumbling a spell until wind raced from the edge of his sword. I could dodge, but then the Prince would be hit! "Partner, raise me!" On instinct, I trusted Derflinger. The light green energy of the spell met with Derflinger and with a gleam, the energy was sucked into the sword. "Oh! I forgot I could do that!"

I could feel sweat form on my forehead. "Oy, any other tricks I should know about?"

"I'll let you know if I remember any." That's it, my sword is senile. Luckily, with his last gambit blocked, Wardes was looking far more stressed. With guards all around him, and me blocking any long ranged attacks on the prince, he looked to be out of options.

When Wardes smirked and relaxed, I knew something was up. "No matter. The Reconquista army will finish you Wales, I have what I came here for." With his offhand he withdrew a letter sealed with red wax from his cloak, taunting us with it.

Louise stepped forward in shock. "The letter! If the rebels get that, then Germania will call off the Princess's wedding!" Crap! How had he gotten that! With his sword up in defense, Wardes edged towards the door. "Naruto, even if you hate orders, I need you to follow this one." Louise's grim tone actually caused me to glance over at her. There was steel in those eyes of hers. I could only nod in recognition. "Stop Wardes, get that letter back."

Nodding again, I grinned confidently. She didn't need to tell me twice. My chakra burned inside me, filling my limbs with strength. This was it. There was a brief moment of recognition in Wardes' eyes before I leapt forward. I hadn't made it five feet before Wardes launched a flurry of wind blades at me. Each one no doubt would have ended the fight, and each one disappeared into Derflinger's shimmering blade. As I closed, the guards around the hall retreated to protect their prince. In moments I was upon him. My first strike was parried to the side. The second was dodged outright. I needed to play my trump if this was going to end differently than the spar.

Leaping backward, I brought my hands up and formed my own bastardized cross seal while still holding Derflinger vertically with my ring and little finger. I stared Wardes down with Derflinger resting between my eyes. My chakra gathered, filling up copies of myself. While following Guiche and his mole, I had plenty of time to experiment with the newly minted technique. It took some time, but I had it down by the end of the trip. All this technique needed was a name. Well, I had original made it to fix my shadow-less clone problem, so why now, "Shadow Clone Technique!" I called out with pride. Ten exact copies of me poofed into existence.

In one jump, we all closed on the wind using pretty boy. Eleven blades made eleven slashes. It was a testament to Wardes' abilities that he was dumbstruck by my cloning ability. Instead, he leapt back, parrying the only two blades to reach him with one move. It didn't matter, I was upon him. Darting in and out, my clones and I crushed through his defenses. Three of my clones went down to his counter thrusts, another two tripped over each other, dispelling. Once more he pierced a clone with that sword of his, but this time I had anticipated it. Two clones struck at one, not at Wardes, but at his blade. With a clang, the rapier went spinning away.

Wardes stumbled back in surprise. His eyes darted between me and my four remaining clones surrounding him. "How are these solid! Your illusions are supposed to be incorporeal! You think you have won? Not yet!" Wardes cried as a wand shot out of his sleeve and into his hand. "Air Hammer!" A last resort shockwave of air blasted in all directions. I was ready. Raising Derflinger, my sword drank the magic out of the air, leaving me untouched. I was not ready for all four of my clones to dispel. I don't know who was more shocked, Wardes or myself. "Oh?" Wardes broke the silence, his voice returning to his normal condescending tone. "It seems you cannot replicate that sword's ability. How sad." With one gesture of his wand, I saw his rapier fly toward him. No!

I raced forward, only to have my thrust parried by his wand. In one movement, he caught his sword wand and gave a counter thrust while I was still off balance. Tucking and rolling, I put some distance between myself and Wardes. With the revelation of my clones' weakness, the tide of battle seemed to change. Twice again I tried to summon clones, and twice again Wardes used a wide range air spell to destroy them. "They seem a bit fragile, do they not?" He taunted me as another wave burst into smoke. With my trump defeated, I was beginning to scramble for ideas. If this continued, I was going to lose. "Familiar, this is the same as before! You still have no experience! Why will this fight end any differently?" Leaping back, I avoided another thrust of his sword.

"Fireball!" A shrill cry interrupted us. Something beyond my senses passed by me and toward Wardes. In the next instant, a concussive blast erupted several feet to his left, launching him sideways. "Because I am here to support my familiar Wardes!" Louise cried out triumphantly. I swear I would kiss my summoner if I wasn't in the middle of a fight.

An unhealthy sounding cough brought my attention back to Wardes. The man looked far worse for the wear. Rising from the ground, he dropped the tattered remains of his cloak and hat. Blood trickled down his face, marring his no longer smiling visage. "Louise, that was a mistake." He spoke with cold anger.

"GRaack!" A sick sounding cry caused me to whip back around. There, beyond Louise, stood Prince Wales, pierced by the sword of his one of his own guards. "Why?..." The prince said in disbelief, staring at his murderer.

"I'm sorry to say," It was Wardes voice that came from the killer, "that I relieved your guards some time ago." The armor of all the guards dissipated, revealing ten exact copies of Wardes. I was already moving when those closest to Louise grabbed her and wrenched the wand from her hand. "I wouldn't move if I were you." The original spoke to me from behind. I froze in place. "One more move and I cannot promise Louise's safety." I didn't move, not even to turn around, my eyes lingered helplessly on Louise, struggling against the grip of her captors. The original spoke behind me, his voice was slowly growing louder as I heard him walk toward me. "Ubiquitous Wind is such a useful spell, if a bit difficult. Replacing all the guards in the night with it? Now that took some talent." I grit my teeth in anger. If only there was some way to free Louise.

Those thoughts fled my mind when fire raced through my abdomen. Looking down, I saw the strangest thing. My stomach had a hole in it. With one hacking cough I dropped. "NARUTO!" The cracked, piercing scream of Louise hit my ears. She needed me, I needed to get up.

Planting a heavy hand, I tried to push myself up. A sudden weight on my back shoved me down again. "Get off my partner!" Derflinger yelled from my hand.

"Oh do be quiet. I pierced his liver, he'll be dead soon enough. I meant to take out his heart, but my aim is off, no doubt due to my wounds from you Louise. Rejoice, your valorous actions will allow you to say good bye." I really hated Wardes, but I couldn't think of anything clever to say. In fact, it was getting hard to think. "Familiar, it was a good fight; I'll remember that much for you at least." The weight left my back and Wardes entered my fading field of vision, strolling toward Louise. I needed to get up. Even with my clouded thoughts, I knew I needed to stand. With all my might, I pushed at the ground. I didn't move an inch. "As for you Louise, I truly would have loved you, you know? I could have used that power of the void you possess, but you have made it strikingly obvious I cannot have you." I could see him, cupping Louise's chin. I needed to get up. "But if I can't have you, no one can."

Again I heard the sound of steel on flesh, but it was so much louder this time. So much louder. I heard nothing but Louise's silent cry as she fell, her blood spilling onto the floor so close, yet so far away from me. No.

No!

NO!

Rage consumed my body. It powered my very being. My chakra? The Runes? They were a drop in the ocean compared to this power. My limbs were no longer heavy. They were light and strong. My mind was no longer clouded. I had one goal. It was easy. The man in front of me would die. I would destroy him. I was standing, I don't even remember getting up. It doesn't matter. I will destroy the man in front of me. "Wha- What are you?" I hear the man murmur. I don't reply, I only start walking toward him, my sword clenched hard in my hand, dragging across the floor. Red energy seeped out from my body, surrounding me in an embrace. I could feel it pool behind me into a tail, counterbalancing me as I leaned forward, hunching.

The man's fakes charge me, one after another, brandishing rapiers of wind. I don't even break my stride as I swat them away like flies. One cut each, they are cut in twain. The man, now alone, sent blade after blade of wind to stop me. His desperation was palpable. I could have dodged around them, I could already be upon this man I am going to destroy, but to do so would mean this was a fight. This is not a fight. It was not a battle. It was not a contest of arms. This was an execution. So let the blades crash upon my cloak of red. What little got though left wide gashes across my body. It hurt, but I didn't care.

The attacks stopped. The man had fallen backward. There he was, sitting in shock and gaping up at me. I raised my hand, drawing all the red energy from around my body to it; first from my tail, then from the rest of my body until all my rage created a massive hand that blotted out the light above the man. The man pleaded. "Please-"

"No." I brought my hand down. In an instant, I wiped the man from existence.

There, now the man was gone. But why was this hole within me not filled? I was yelling; screaming at the heavens. Why wasn't the hole filled! Why? I was getting angrier. I needed more power. I needed to kill more! I will fill this hole!

A hand grabbed my ankle. "It's okay. Please come back Naruto." I looked down at what would dare touch me.

Pink and red filled my vision. "Louise." All my rage let me. My legs stopped working and I collapsed to my knees. First aid training kicked in. There was a single pierce to the liver. I-I needed to put pressure on it. My hand trembled as I pressed down on the wound. "It'll be okay Louise." Her eyes were so unfocused, I couldn't think straight. "GuYs!" My voice cracked as I screamed for my friends outside. Where were they? There was no way to heal this injury, but I wasn't a healer damn it! I bent over Louise, trying to keep pressure on the wound. I leaned in close, convulsing as I tried to stop myself from crying. I looked into Louise's fading eyes, searching for an answer I didn't have.

Then something swung across my field of view. Something small and blue. My pendant, dangling from my neck, was swinging back and forth from my convulsions. My pendant filled with healing elixir Louise gave me!

I screamed insults at myself as I removed the stopper from the tiny vial. I held the open vial with one shaking hand. Carefully, I poured the medicine, not even a sip really, into Louise's mouth. She swallowed. Time froze as I waited. Slowly, the bleeding stopped and the whole in her abdomen closed. I waited nervously, holding Louise's hand.

I think I will never again hear such a beautiful sound as Louise coughing. Just two, weak little coughs, but so beautiful none the less. "Naruto." She says a bit weakly.

I smiled the biggest, most genuine smile I have ever had. "I'm here Louise." That was so close. So close.

The route back to Tristain was interesting to say the least. With the army encircling Newcastle, and us with it, Kirche and Tabitha had left with Sylphid soon after I left. Then Guiche and Verdandi had dug downwards. When the tunnel was finally done, Guiche returned to find me bloody and shirtless holding Louise quite close. Needless to say, I ended up getting a few slaps for holding my summoner longer than was proper. The tattered remains of my jacket and shirt were left behind, much to my dismay.

After following Guiche's tunnel down for what seemed like forever, we fell out the bottom of Albion and onto a waiting Sylphid. I really didn't know whether to laugh, or cry because I wasn't the one to come up with it.

Exhausted as we were, it wasn't long before Louise and I fell asleep while drifting through the skies.

Bars stood before me. I remembered these bars well. Looking to my left, I saw Louise looking back at me. "We are here again. I remember it all now." She said to me.

I could sense it, my mind was much clearer, more focused then all the previous times I stood in this watery abyss, staring at these bars. "That power, back in the church. These bars and it are related." I replied to my summoner. "Let's get some answers."

"Oh? What do you want to know?"

Chapter End

A/N: So, what did you like? What didn't you like? What pet peeves did I step on? Let me know!

So who liked the shadow clone technique naming? I tried to use it to lighten the very heavy moods in this chapter. Also, I wanted the naming to be natural, and the actual name came out kind of nicely.

As for the fight scenes, I tried to put some major work into them. I ended up stretching what Fouquet and Wardes could actually do, but nothing broke canon as far as I can tell. Wardes wind clone comes straight from the source material. He uses it, and the clone can even do spells. As for Fouquet, It makes sense to me. She stores a crap load of willpower in that golem, the "ranged mode" seemed natural to me.

As for my biggest worry, it is definitely Guiche. He comes off almost looking like a marty stu, and that is actually what I intended. Guiche tries to be that good looking, super cool bishonen, so I tried to model his power growth over what he would thing up. Cool armor and rose that turns into a spear (read: phallic symbol)? As Guiche as I could make it. Mind you, Guiche won't actually be a marty stu, but his powers will be modeled after a mage trying to be one, cause that is Guiche. Let me know what you thought about that please.

Until next time.