Witch

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Chapter Three

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Kiba scrunched his nose up in disgust.

In a matter of few short days, the town had transformed into a place that had fallen under the dictatorship of Orochimaru, at least that’s how it seemed like; bending puppets to his will was his talent.

Whenever Orochimaru had visited his home, Akamaru, his familiar would always bark at the snake eyed judge. He deemed Orochimaru wasn’t a person to be trusted. After all, why else would he have misjudged accordingly?

There was something missing in the picture.

His name was vaguely familiar before yet he just could not place it.

There was one thing he did know however, Orochimaru was not human nor a witch.

“Quiet, Akamaru,” he gently scolded in the presence of Orochimaru.

He should’ve seen it coming however but it was too late.

--

It was a few hours shortly after the arrival of this unknown place, a place Sasuke called the Town of the Witches but really, where’s the exact location?

Naruto walked over to a chair and sat on it. He admired the grand household that belonged to the man before him. He fond the Chinese silk draped over his chair beyond comfortable. He wouldn’t mind wrapping himself in that all day.

Abandoning his thoughts of the soft silk, he demanded, “Take me home.” He sat with his arms crossed, across the table as Uchiha Sasuke set down a plate of tea and cookies.

Sasuke placed two teacups, each in front of the other and poured tea, an admirable host.

“I’m afraid that cannot be arranged,” Sasuke replied as he took a sip from the tea.

“What in the devil’s name are you talking about?! You brought me here; surely you can bring me back!”

“Did we not have this conversation before?” he reasoned, “the townspeople are going to kill both you and I, if we even step foot into their town again.”

“Well, you’re a witch… poof us there or something! Erase their memory. Bewitch them. You must know ‘alakazam’.”

“First off,” Sasuke began indignantly, “we do not even so utter the phrase ‘alakazam’ and second of all, who are you to be making demands as of now. I am your savior, why any normal man would be kissing my toes right now, all thankful to be alive and well. And your common misconception of witches—it makes me furious!”

“Great—you’re a witch with a god-complex,” he huffed with much emphasis on ‘god’.

“Hn.” It wasn’t a disagreeing tone or an agreeing one.

If I had known he would be so jumpy, I wouldn’t have rescued him in the first place. This blundering blonde bastard.

A period of silence ensued as each party quietly sipped their tea.

It gave Naruto time to finally study his surroundings, from the round table they were sitting in the dining room.

The light of the sun came in through two windows. Candles levitated at the rim of the room, supporting the room at a dim glow. He wondered if this house would burn down if even one of the flames touched the ceiling. Everything about this room radiated elegance, something intangible in Naruto’s own world and then it all dawned on him—he hasn’t got a clue on where he is. He could be in Philadelphia for all he knew but somehow he doubted that.

“Hey bastard,” he paused, “where am I, really?”

“Knowledge of your whereabouts is not necessary,” said Sasuke in a calm demeanor.

“And why is that?”

“Security reasons,” Sasuke promptly stated.

“I see…” Naruto was irked, he was not getting his questions answered, “security reasons?! What exactly are you insinuating?!” He was up and about from his chair and slammed both hands on the table, rattling the teacups.

“I’m insinuating nothing,” he replied.

Liar, Naruto’s mind screamed of indignation.

“But what I have said is clear as the blue sky. You may or may not be a threat but as of now—it does not matter. Do you not know what I am?”

“Witch, how dare you patronize me,” Naruto glared venomously.

“There you go again—acting all hostile. You and they are two pairs of a kind — simple minded fool.”

“Them?” a blond brow lifted questionably.

“Them—Orochimaru, the town, everyone.”

“Don’t you dare relate me to them!”

“You are the stunning image of hostility and ignorance!”

“I am leaving,” Naruto yelled.

“By all means—good day to you,” was answered to by a sarcastic Sasuke.

Naruto’s high tail turned to leave, out the southern door. He angry steps stomped the wooden floors.

Fortunately yet unfortunately for him an enigma of a person—Uchiha Itachi walked into the room, his slender frame barricading the door as he leaned on it. His eyes looked as if they belonged to the devil himself but his attire told him otherwise, a pair of dark trousers and a white ruffled button up.

“I came to check on the noise level, little brother. Would you mind keeping the noise down?” Naruto had never heard a voice so staid yet calm before. It was entrancing, enticing and equally as dangerous at the same time. Unconsciously, he shuddered.

“Oh, hello, you must be Naruto. How do you do?” Itachi asked out of politeness.

“For your information, brother,” Sasuke nearly choked on his own saliva from his own anger. It was a comical sight that in all honesty, did not fit this picture, even Itachi had trouble from holding his laughter in whilst Naruto on the other hand, was in a laughing fit.

He began once more, this time, composed, “For your information, there will be no noise at all because that man is leaving.”

“Darn right I am,” Naruto emphasized.

“I’m afraid I cannot let you do that, you are under my jurisdiction. I was instructed not to allow you to leave. So for the meantime, make yourself at home. Your room is to the left, down this hallway. Sasuke’s room is right next to yours and mine is across from Sasuke’s. Do not disturb the room diagonal from yours or you will suffer dire consequences. That means to the right of my room, the first right down the hall, and across from your’s. Do I make myself clear?”

“I suppose,” a defeated Naruto pouted.

“Sasuke,” Itachi addressed his brother, “cast a spell on him. Make sure he doesn’t get away.”

“As you wish…” Sasuke stomped the floor twice with his right foot and extended his hand. Immediately, a wooden stick retracted out of his sleeve of his right arm. He raised his said arm and pulled it down, a chopping motion—directed completely at Naruto.

Naruto studied him nervously, frozen in shock at the weapon.

Please don’t kill me, please don’t kill me. I promise I’ll be more reasonable and nicer and things related to that sort. Just don’t kill me! Naruto begged frantically in his mind, his voice, unable to voice his pleadings.

Azure sparks flew from the tip of the assumed wand and knocked the wind out of Naruto, sending him crashing to a wall.

Itachi walked out, foolish little brother.

“Jesus Christ!” he said as he got back up, “do you have to be so rough?”

“No… but I wanted to,” Sasuke smirked and walked out: a restriction spell was what he had performed. Normally the spell would never harm the person but this one was full of ill intention and his sadistic side itched for a slice of revenge.

Naruto raised his right hand and rubbed his temples in front of Sasuke, without warning, he used his right hand to strike the raven.

Sasuke, as if already expecting the blow, dodged skillfully and landed a punch on the blond.

Naruto grunted in pain as he fell but swiftly he swiped his legs, forcing Sasuke to lose balance.

With much grace (not) he fell on top of Naruto—right on the lips, conveniently might I add.

The two out of breath and cockeyed—Naruto kicked Sasuke off him.

“Guh!” Naruto furiously smeared his tongue onto his palms as if that could cleanse the taste, “Oh lord—I’ve been tainted!” He wiped his saliva onto his brown trousers, leaving a darkened stain. “Bleck!” a choking noise made by the said blond, flushed in embarrassment and humiliation.

Exaggeration?

Perhaps but Uchiha here licked his lips.

“Idiot! You kicked me first and I’ve enjoyed as much as you did,” said Sasuke in circumspect.

Naruto appeared inches from his face and pointed his tan finger at the raven as he breath hitched from the closed distance, dangerously he said, “Let’s never speak of this—ever again.”

“Hn.” I agree.

“I’m going to my room…” Naruto scurried away to the hall.

--

Naruto opened the first door to the right, assuming it was his temporary room. He walked right past the table—where a table sat in the corner, the blond apparently missing the duo, a blue man and another, wearing an orange mask with a single eyehole.

He flopped down onto the bed, belly first and laid there.

“Hey brat,” a rough voice called out to him, who startled the blond, “get out of here, or I’ll make you.”

“Is that the one?” another voice asked the rougher one.

“Yes, that’s the one.”

“Well—aren’t you going to slice him so we can continue?”

“Continue what?” Naruto piped up and jumped out of bed.

“Dominoes,” the one with the orange mask answered nonchalantly.

“Dominoes?” Naruto asked questionably.

Naruto noticed that the duo wore the same attire Itachi wore—dark trousers with a ruffled shirt.

“Yes, dominoes,” the man with the pale blue skin confirmed, “I suggest you leave. Your room’s across from ours.”

“Alright then!” Naruto said cheerfully, trying his hardest to fight down a blush of embarrassment, “good day, um…”

“Call me Kisame,” the blue toned man ordered.

“Tobi for me,” a cheery voice, one that matches Naruto’s quite well.

“And I am Naruto, say—” he was interrupted by a “Hey Tobi, hand over that bayonet to me.”

He quickly walked out and closed the door.

“Tch, what a moron.”

“Now, that’s not nice,” Tobi chided before moving his piece.

“You assumed I was,” was the flippant retort delivered.

--

Naruto flopped down on the bed, more tired than ever and slept—slept and slept and slept. Well, you get the picture.

As he awoke from his slumber, he noticed that he knew not one thing of this god forsaken place.

Stretching his arms as he yawned, he got up on his feet and opened the window, considerably enough to crawl through—that he did. He landed softly on the grassy seams.

With his arms, he lifted himself up from upon the floor and dusted himself. He admired the scenery before him; it astounded him that he slept for many hours as the sky is painted a purplish blue. The sun had dissipated almost completely, but he walked on—without a light.

He extrapolated that this town was a peaceful one; otherwise the grass would not be as green as the leaves on the trees, not a sight of dead patches of land. He smiled at the comparison from his hometown compared to this one.

Witches have it made, don’t they? He gave the thought a bitter smile.

His legs had taken him by the lake, which emitted thousands of floating glowing spheres—all the colors of the rainbow or so it seemed like it to Naruto. They all floated and flew by one another majestically, much like a light show.

Naruto squatted by the lake but then decided against it, for it’ll quickly numb the legs and sat down, with a leg right propped up, as a headrest. His arms hugged his leg as he watched the lights. He was intrigued that they could emit such a beautiful glow yet strangely they flew around as if they had a mind of their own.

Naruto dubbed the matter abstruse and didn’t prod any further.

At one point, Naruto attempted to jump into the lake yet the air around him acted much like a force field—propelling him backwards, preventing him from jumping into the lake—a tricky predicament indeed. He was interrupted by a nonchalant voice that belonged to Uchiha Sasuke.

Naruto’s blue eyes widened at the sight of the Uchiha holding a ball of fire in his hand, yet he was even more impressed at the fact that it emitted so much light in the darkening evening.

He approached the Uchiha with caution, he was foolish but he knew enough not to be scorched.

“You’re probably wondering what those are,” Sasuke stated as he flicked his hand forcefully and the flames went out.

Naruto nodded.

“Fairies,” was the answer he received.

“Fairies?” A skeptic brow was raised. The idea of fairies was prosperous!

“Allow me to demonstrate,” Sasuke volunteered. He would never admit it but he liked teaching the ignorant—this time being Naruto. He snapped his fingers and waited for the soft pink glow to come to him.

Sasuke flattened out his palm as the glow dissipated, revealing a tiny woman, “Welcome home, Sasuke!” she said with much glee as she noticed Naruto, “Hello, I’m Haruno Sakura. Who may you be?” She held out her hand, as if to shake with Naruto.

She couldn’t be anymore than six inches in height, Naruto assumed. Naruto admired the translucent wings extending from her back. She wore a dress that reminded him of a kimono, but he wasn’t sure due to the fact that he has never seen one before. Her pink hair was the most prominent feature on her, paired up with her glowing green eyes.

She’s adorable, Naruto decided.

Unsure of what to do, he stuck out his finger and shook her hand, “I’m Uzumaki Naruto.”

“The Uzumaki Naruto?” she sounded quite surprised.

“Um, the one and only?”

“You’ve been quite the talk in the community. Imagine that, almighty Sasuke taking a stray in.”

As if excusing for the pink haired fairy’s behavior, Sasuke interrupted, “You are to mind your manners, Sakura. He is a guest of my house and I intend to treat him like one. As a friend of mine, save face and don’t be so blunt. I have a very important task for you.”

Right… Guest—he just yelled at me a few hours ago too! That lying bastard.

“What is it?” She cocked her head to the side and folded her arms.

Naruto watched the two interact, speaking so casually like old friends.

“This fellow,” he motioned towards the blond, “is under my jurisdiction. I am to, in lack of words, baby-sit him. I want you to make sure he does not go out of bounds.”

“Baby sitting? I’m old enough, bastard! I never said I’ll run away and what does that mean anyway? You make me sound like a pet,” Naruto huffed and crossed his arms.

“Don’t call Sasuke a bastard!” Sakura warned.

“Bastard,” Naruto muttered childishly, adding fuel to the fire.

“You’re only being watched because you are an outsider, so until you are deemed harmless, I am not allowed, under law, to let you roam freely.”

Great, an invisible prison.

Sakura flew from Sasuke’s hand and plopped down on Naruto’s blond locks.

“So, educate me about these creatures,” Naruto offered a truce.

“Well, to start off, do you see how they are all different colors?”

“Yes.”

“Each color is a different power. Take red, they are fire based fairies. Blue is water. Golden is sand. Purple is air and wind. Brown is earth. There are others that interbreed and thus, their offspring have both traits.”

“So what type is Sakura?”

“She is a special type, she’s a healer fairy but you see, pink is composed out of red also, she is part fire. Somehow I doubt that—I have never seen her use fire in my entire eighteen years.”

“Don’t be so juvenile,” she teased, clearly she is enjoying the warmth radiating off of Naruto’s blond tresses. She found them soft and inviting, like a cozy blanket.

Maybe I can stay here after all. Vindication—that sounds like a good plan.