Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Heading home ❯ Journey Begins ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters or anything else in this series, so don't shoot me!!!

 

Warnings: As said in the previous chapters, this will contain Yaoi and normal, possibly even yuri, though I remain unsure of that at this point. If you are underage I suggest you do not read this as it will contain violence, course language, and mature situations that would cause most mommy's to panic.

 

Pairings: The main pairing is Neji/Naruto, though there are other ones such as: Lee/Sakura Kakashi/mysterious person Tenten/Chouji Hinata/Kiba. There may be more in the future, but these are going to be the pairings in this story. ((I do realize that I had in the chapter prior to this one, placed Ino and Shikamaru as a pairing, though I have changed my mind on that and have eliminated that pairing from my story. I apologise if this upsets any of you.))

 

A/N: I just wanted to say thank you to all who have read my story so far, and for all those who have reviewed, let's just say I love you! Not in the lovey way, but as in the you made me so happy that I like you even though I don't know type way. Just a reminder, I have seen only a few episodes, so if any/all characters are OOC, I'm sorry.

 

Please Review! After all, reviews encourage me to update with bigger chapters and faster!

 

Chapter 4

 

Naruto and Neji stared up at the sky, eyes wide at the massive dragon like creatures above.

 

“Two!?!?” The knight exclaimed, his beady eyes bugging out of his helmet making him look almost comical, if only the situation was so horrifyingly dangerous.

 

The first beast to appear slowly moved, a small section of its unearthly body, striking against the body of the much larger one. Thunder claps ripped through the sky, though the colour was the same as the lightning barrier that incased both the Jet Dragons's bodies.

 

Where the bodies met a funnel began its descent. It was a tornado of sorts, though obviously not normal as the wind it seemed to be composed of was a light blue, and it shimmered with the occasional bolts of purple electricity that seemed to lethal to be real.

 

Below the oncoming tornado sat the town. It was directly above the heart of the village, the place where commerce and population was always the most dense, and even now hundreds were still racing about, trying to escape the path of the slowly, yet steadily approaching vortex that would most likely rip them limb from limb should they get within range. A death that painful none wish to experience.

 

It was an everybody for themself situation it seemed. Husbands and wives would flee in different directions, pushing and shoving all in their way in an attempt to save their own lives. Parents and children of all ages and sizes were separated, leaving the young and clueless alone to be either trampled or lost within the massive crowds.

 

“Let's go!” Naruto declared to his comrade who merely nodded in pure agreement before they both tore off in dark and powerful blurs, all wounds and previous tiredness long since gone as the adrenaline kicked into over time in both their bodies. They were pumped!

 

Together they rushed forward, leaving the Lord and the two fighters behind as they raced towards the city. The blond, who had advanced senses, courtesy of a certain nine-tailed fox that took up residence within his body, was able to see further ahead then the Hyuuga.

 

“Neji! There is a girl trapped under an upturned wagon in the central market place!” Naruto exclaimed as they took to the roof tops to avoid the dwindling crowds of fleeing civilians.

 

The teen saw what was pointed out and noticed the girl could be no older then eleven, and she was likely to die from the tornado which was nearly there. From their positions, the two were being brutally assaulted with gashing winds, and flying debris. They could almost feel the strange electricity sliding over their bodies, though they held it no heed.

 

It seemed that everyone had managed to flee, leaving only the girl and the lifeless trampled bodies of people of all ages.

 

The vortex was but a yard over their heads as they leapt down onto the cobble stone road right beside the last living person within the area.

 

Together Neji and Naruto heaved the massive solid wood wagon that was decked out with metal bearings and joints with all their might, but the thing just barely moved. Thankfully it moved enough that the two teens could retrieve the girl.

 

The girl was different than the many peasants they had already seen. The common hair colour was either brown or black, while the eyes were either blue or brown. Peasant garbs were generally filthy and brown, made of wool, but this girl did not look a thing like a commoner.

 

No, she looked very much of noble descent. Her eyes were a deep bottle green, that shone with an intelligent light of maturity, while her hair which hung down past her waist was a flaming red colour that was clean and well tamed in the extricate braid. Her skin was pale, signifying that she was normally indoors.

 

Her dress was beautiful. It was simular to Sakura's outfit, yet entirely different at the same time.

 

It was a long and flowing gown, made of the finest silks. The colour was a beautiful white, though it was now dirty due to her previous position on the ground, pinned between the wagon and the street. She was a rare beauty, who would undoubtedly grow into an enchanting woman with time.

 

The girl shakily stood and cast them an appreciative glance as a gently smile accented her young face. “We have to move.” Neji informed the two and Naruto nodded before gently grabbing the girl's hand and racing off at a slowly pace after the black haired Hyuuga.

 

A sound, one that resembled an angry wail, tore venomously through the air, almost as though the storm, or the jet dragon, was deeply enraged that its living victim was fleeing before she had felt its mighty, unyielding wrath.

 

Two thin blue things that much resembled an octopus, shot out from the base of the whirling vortex and launched themselves, though still attached to the funnel, at the three fleeing figures.

 

The blond saw it coming and pushed the girl out of the way and placed himself before the oncoming things which glowed like a light, despite its color. Without so much as a hesitation they quickly wrapped themselves against the now struggling demon vessel just as the black haired prodigy turned and caught the girl who was stumbling from being shoved.

 

Neji's eyes widened as his blond companion was suddenly yanked through the air and up into the funnel in less then the blink of an eye's time. In a move of pure trained reflex, he scooped the girl into his arms and hurriedly rushed to the place all others hide.

 

At the center of the down, their was a storm hold, and the boy moved rapidly over the rumble and debris that had been tore and destroyed from the stunningly powerful winds that ripped stone roofs right off its walls and tossing it through the air like a child would a tiny stone.

 

The girl and the teen made it to the shelter, and the boy pulled open the massive cellar doors made of solid wood before gently slipping below, closing the doors behind him. He moved with the girl through the torch lite area until he spotted the Lord, all the knights, nobles and peasant who resided within the village.

 

"Bridget!" The Lord exclaimed as he rushed forward relief visible on his face. Neji set the girl down and she was quickly pulled into a crushing embrace. "I was worried I had lost you as I had your mother." He whispered into the young girl's ear as he pulled back and examined the amazing unhurt girl.

 

"Neji, I owe you dearly for saving my beloved daughter." Cameron stated as he stood, though he continued to hold Bridget's hand. "But where is Naruto?" He questioned looking around the area trying to spot the blond.

 

"He was pulled into the vortex of the jet dragon." The handsome black haired team said, bangs shadowing his pale eyes.

 

"My God...." The Lord said as his green eyes shifted to the ground below. "I'm sorry..." He said eyes moving over to his daughter who likewise had a sad look.

 

"I'm going in after him." Neji stated, sheer determination rolling through his voice as he lifted his head, revealing the steeled looked in his eyes.

"It's too dangerous!" Cameron declared, eyes wide.

 

"For you perhaps, but I am a ninja, and so is Naruto." Neji said before racing off towards the exit, and climbing the stone stairs and reopening the doors. He stepped out into the billowing village and closed the doors behind him.

 

"I'm coming Naruto, hang on." He whispered to himself as he took off in the direction on the funnel which was completely destroying the center market place.

*

 

Naruto was yanked up into the vortex without so much as a struggle as he was too shocked to move. He passed through the middle of the spinning sphere that was filled with bits and pieces of almost everything imaginable, from wagons, to weapons, from bodies to homes, you name it, and it was there.

 

Blue eyes were snapped back to attention as he passed the top of the swirling tunnel and was yanked past the purple electricity that was the dragon's barrier and was pulled inside it's massive body.

 

Once inside the blue tentacles vanished and he was encased in an unending field of deep blue that went off seemingly forever in every direction. He was floating in position, there was no ground visible, and no natural pull which brought all things on the Earth down. It was odd.

 

The temperature inside began to elevate, growing hotter, and hotter with each passing second, and the liquid that he could breath through became more dense as the occasional spark of purple electricity ran over his skin leaving a tingling sensation wherever it had made contact.

 

Mini bubbles began to rise all around him, so tiny that he didn't recognize what they were at first. They formed all around him, and danced around his suspended body in an intricate dance as each bubble wether old or new began to grow in size as the temperature continued to rise higher and higher with each passing second, causing the blond to grow more uncomfortable.

 

Sweat began to bead on his handsomely tanned skin, and his cheeks acquired a rosy hue, signifying that it was extremely hot. Despite the heat that engulfed him, the air he breathed into his lungs was fresh and icy cold, the exact opposite of the strange heat that reminded him of boiling water and watching the small bubbles gradually grow larger until he could finally place his delicious ramen into the pot so that he could soon devour it.

 

'Great... Now I'm hungry...' He thought to himself as his stomach growled loudly.

 

The bubbles suddenly changed from fist sized wonders to the size of his entire body, which is quite an intimidating experience. Being surrounded by massive bubbles with no visible escape, could be quite the interesting way to spend one's day.

 

The heat continued to rise, so very hot, yet it did not burn his flesh, not did it alter the icy air he was gulping down in order to cool himself. He was drenched in sweat and hurriedly tore his orange jacket from his body and let it drop to the side.

 

His shirt was suddenly struck by an angry bolt of deep violet electricity, turning the article into cinders which drifted off.

 

'I need to get out of here!' He silently decided as he began doing the front crawl forwards, dodging as many bubbles as possible. His movements seemed to enrage the bubbles, and the air filled massive forms began to charge at him causing him to have to avoid being tackled by a giant bubble.

 

Naruto swam desperately, avoiding all assaults that he could, while launching Shuriken at any he couldn't dodge causing the struck bubbles to explode in a rush of small bubbles. If he ever got out of this and back to his world, someone would have him placed in the mental ward of the hospital after hearing this story.

 

His breath was suddenly knocked out of him as a bubble caught him unaware in the back before pulling him inside it's surface. The blond blinked in surprise, for the bubble's interior was pleasantly cool and refreshing, whereas the exterior was smoldering hot.

 

*

 

Neji ducked under an airborne house as it sailed rapidly over his head before smashing full force into a building to his left launching stones and other such materials towards the slowly moving boy.

 

The black haired teen was moving at a slow pace due to the extreme winds which hindered his progress, and despite his ninja training and skills, we was unable to move faster than a simple light jog.

 

His traveling time back to the village's center took a long while, but he did finally make it.

 

In the time it took him to take the girl to safety and back, the funnel had set down upon the ground, ravishing it with unholy might. It was at this point that Neji paused, pale eyes roaming the area for an idea as to what he should do to trying and find his missing comrade.

 

Then it struck him, not an idea but two blue tentacles, similar or the same to the ones that had kidnaped the blond. They likewise wrapped around him, and forcefully dragged him upwards, and through the funnel, without so much as gaining a scratch.

 

Before the handsome prodigy had time to contemplate his predicament or to take in much detail, he was pulled into a seemingly unending blue area and released. Neji was struck by instant heat, and was sweating within mere seconds of his arrival, his pale eyes wide trying to understand this unnatural place.

'Where am I?' Neji silently questioned as he gazed upon the massive bubbles which flew all around him in a flurry of intimidatingly huge air filled pockets which moved through the water like substance that one could easily breath the icy air through. It was strange.

 

The black haired prodigy wasn't granted much time to contemplate the strange place he was plunged into, as the bubbles which were lazily floating about him turned and commenced attacking him with great furry.

 

Neji moved in a blur of movement dodging each bubble that came to near though a few slipped past his guard and one engulfed him within its pleasantly cool interior.

 

Once he was captured all the outside bubbles popped save his and one other, and upon closer inspection, he noted that his blond companion was seated cross-legged inside the other bubble, obviously sulking over something or another. After a few seconds he noted that Naruto was missing his orange jacket piece, meaning that had to be one of the things the teen had been pouting about.

 

Both bubbles suddenly rocket launched themselves skywards, knocking the two to the bottom of their unpopping prison, with eyes wide. Even from his current position Neji could hear Naruto's excited cheers in his own bubble, though he didn't really care for the top of the seemingly unending blue dome came into view and he felt that soon they'd both go splat.

 

The top of the bubbles collided full forced with the top of the blue prison and popped, launching both boys still up and both had eyes closed awaiting the impact that would without a doubt kill them, but it never came.

 

After they had stopped moving, and both felt solid ground beneath their feet, their eyes opened in confusion. "Are we dead?" The blond asked as he looked around while edging closer to Neji much like a shy child would edge over to their parents so that he or she could hide behind them.

 

Neji moved his hand to his companion as the boy reached his side and he pinched the blond on his jacket less arms. "Oww!!!" Naruto exclaimed as he quickly grabbed his arm where it was pinched and glared at the pale eyed teen. "What the hell was that for!?!?" He demanded hotly.

 

"Just checking." The taller of the two said as his pale eyes took in their surroundings.

 

They were standing in what resembled the waiting area below the arena which that had sparred in not so long ago. The floor, walls, and ceiling where all made of a deep grey stone that had patches of glowering green mold dotted everywhere. Water was dripping into puddles all over the ground and the only source of light was from the neon green colored mold which cast them both into strange light.

 

Naruto's hair looked a sickly green, as did the black haired teen's eyes, anything that held a lighter color seemed to be cast green, while all other colors seemed to merge with the green creating sickly colors that only a creepy bizarre crazy person would like.

The chamber they stood in was large, though it had a massive door at the opposite end of where they stood, one that led to God knows where. "Should we keep going?" Naruto questioned, eyes lingering curiously on the door.

 

"Yes... It is the only way out as those bubbles seemed to have sent us through the very stone of the wall, meaning there is no way back." Neji explained as he placed his hand on the solid wall behind them, carefully avoiding the moss and mold.

 

Nodding, the two teens stepped forward, moving towards the door with determination visible in their eyes.

 

The sounds of their feet pattering through the puddles rose and echoed loudly through the room as the two crossed the room for the door. After making it to the halfway point a sound, one unlike any they had ever heard echoed through the air as their footsteps had, successfully causing them to pause in place, eyes looking for the source of the noise.

 

More sounds similar to the first joined the noise, making it sound like a conversation being held, one that featured the strangest of languages, one that made zero sense to the two boys who now stood back to back.

 

They felt surrounded, yet there was nothing visible. They were only following their instincts. "What is it?" Naruto whisper desperately trying to locate all the owners of the different voices. He was curious and slightly afraid to see what or who spoke a language that sounded like hissing, grunting, snarling, and clicking.

 

"I don't know..." Neji whispered back, glad that he wasn't alone in this. Being surrounded by an unseen foe, leaving one's back wide open was never a good idea, and he was thankful that the blond was at his back, and he was at the blond's back.

 

"Gyaaah!" Naruto exclaimed in pain as a claw like cut appeared on his left arm causing crimson blood to flow from the wound. "What the heck?" The blue eyed teen grumbled.

 

'Are they moving so fast that we can't see them? No... The voice are ringing out from the same spots, and when the voices move, the movement is too slow, slow enough to be an elderly person who is crippled walking. Then what?' Neji thought to himself before letting a grunt escape his throat as claws tore a gash into his cut, successfully wrecking his poor clothing further.

 

As the sent of blood rose into the air, the voices grew more enthused making one word echo into both the teens's minds. 'cannibal.'

 

A brilliant gash tore its way across Neji's cheek, and another similarly on Naruto's opposite cheek. Whatever was in the chamber with them was obviously toying with them.

 

Neji unleashed a blurring barrage of Shuriken that tore through the air, accompanied by the sound of pain as it sliced through their unseen opponents. His attack caused what sounded like enraged sounds to erupt in the voices. "I think you made them mad!!" Naruto exclaimed as he also released a similar barrage which was greeted with more sound of pain.

 

"We can't hold them off with Shuriken forever..." Neji mumbled and Naruto nodded in complete agreement.

 

"But then how do we...." He cut himself off as he looked at the ground blue eyes wide. "Neji!! Look at the puddles! Their reflection is in the puddles!" The boy exclaimed and the black haired boy looked at the watery surfaces, noting the creatures were visible in the water's reflection.

 

With smirks both boys moved into action, their eyes focused on the puddles, as they moved through the creatures that greatly resembled savage teddy bears, and sliced their way. They used shuriken, and kunai everywhere they could and they even unleashed a few exploding notes, each striking their slow moving targets with ease.

 

Within mere minutes the room was filled with corpses that were only visible in the water's reflection, leaving them the clear victor. "Well that was easy!" Naruto said with a brilliant smile as he crossed his arms behind his neck.

 

"You did well Naruto-san." Neji stated as he silently brushed past the stunned looking blond who then hurriedly moved to follow. Sure they had several new bleeding cuts, and their clothing was further ruined, but that was way too easy.

 

They silently moved the rest of the way, eyes occasionally glancing towards the puddles to check if they had missed one that would try and sneak up on them. Both boys arrived at the door without any problem and the black haired prodigy slowly and quietly slid the door open, weary of another assault.

 

Opening the door and passing through it into the dark room beyond was somewhat unnerving. As they were a few paces in the pitch black room the massive door suddenly swung shut with an echoing boom which startled both the ninja, and left them in pure blackness as they were cut off from the glowing mold.

 

"Neji-san...." Naruto started, his voice sounding as nervous as the black haired teen felt. "Where are you?" He asked quietly, feeling slightly panicked, not wanting to be left alone in this dark place.

 

"I'm right here." Neji stated as he gently reached out and found Naruto's arm. "See, right here." He said soothingly. Sure the blond did act tough, but he was entitled to fear something, and the boy definitely feared being alone.

 

Naruto moved his hand into Neji's and an unseen smile graced his tanned face. "Thank you Neji-kun." He whispered quietly, though the sound traveled to the Hyuuga causing him to smile and squeezed his hand in soft reassurance.

 

"Let's keep going." The taller teen said as he gently tugged the blond forward, and together they continued walking in silence, their feet making no sound, as they didn't wish to draw any unwanted attention to themselves.

 

The blond boy suddenly stopped. "Uh...Neji-kun?" He asked in an unsure manner.

 

"Yea?"

 

"Why did the ground just sink?" The blond asked innocently as the sound of turning gears rang through the air.

 

"I think you just set off a trap." Neji answered as he shifted closer to the boy, who was pouting. He sucked when it came to traps, or so Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei had always said.

 

The ground suddenly shifted and both boys tensed as it suddenly gave out, causing them to fall through a newly opened gap in the floor. They fell through darkness, neither seeing a single thing as they continued to tumble until they struck very soft, very bouncing ground.

 

They bounced slightly on the newly landed upon ground, still holding firmly onto the other. "What is this?" Naruto questioned as he patted the ground he was currently seated on.

 

"Feels like sponge." Neji stated as he stood and pulled the blond up with him. "Over there." Neji said, causing the blond to look around in the darkness trying to locate where 'over there' was. To his left there was what looked like a door, only that was only partially closed and had a shimmering blue light seeping out of the gap.

 

Silently they crept towards the door, their hearts beating in the thrill of excitement, while they edged closer and closer, coming upon the door within mere seconds. Their instincts seemed to scream that something, or someone or great power and interest stood just beyond the way.

 

Naruto silently pushed the door open and they both cautiously entered the room that lie beyond the door.

 

The room was way different then any other that resided inside this strange place. It was filled with flowing pillars that stretched up high into the air, going farther then the blue light seemed to reach. The pillars were draped in silver silks, while the floor looked like a lake, a very solid glowing blue lake.

 

Silver pieces, which highly resembled the night sky floated here and there moving ever so slowly like fireflies, yet they were not insects, nor were they stars, their true identity remained unknown.

 

"Wow...." The blonde whispered in awe at the mystical place which just screamed magic.

 

"I'm glad you like it." A voice that was definitely male rang out, though the owner of the voice wasn't visible.

"Whose there?!" The blond demanded as he released his companion's hand and turned each way trying to locate the voice.

 

"Calm yourself, I will not harm either of you." The voice said again though a light chuckle could be heard in his words.

 

"Yea right! You abducted us, assaulted us with giant bubbles, sick savage invisible teddy bears on us, and drop us down a dark hole onto a giant sponge! How can we trust you?!" Naruto demanded hotly as he crossed his arms over his chest and glared around the room, almost as though he was hoping it would reach the voice's owner.

 

An amused chuckle rang through the air causing the blond to further frown. "That was a test." The voice simply stated.

 

"What sort of test?" Neji inquired curiously.

 

"A test to see if you had it in you to visit me." The unseen male stated.

 

"Why would we want to visit you?! Also why was the test so flimsy?" Naruto asked loudly.

 

"I didn't want to give you a difficult time reaching me as I admit that I was eager to meet you both. Naruto Uzumaki and Neji Hyuuga."

 

"How do you know our names?" The blue eyed fox demon vessel asked in shock, his eyes wide, and his mouth hanging slightly open as he continued to peer around.

 

"I know everything."

 

"Oh God... don't tell me it's another guy like Sasuke who is full of himself...." Naruto mumbled to himself as he uncrossed his arms and set them at his sides.

 

"Why did you wish to meet with us?" Neji questioned as his gaze lingered on the glowing solid lake which they stood upon.

 

"To grant you a simple gift." The voice said.

 

"A gift?" Naruto asked eagerly, for he rarely received gifts.

 

"Yes." The voice said.

 

"What sort of gift?" The blond questioned happily as he bounced on the balls of his feet in excitement.

 

"Close your eyes and you shall receive it." The voice said. ((A/N: The voice says a lot))

 

"Kay!" The blue eyed boy exclaimed as he cheerfully closed his eyes, though Neji closed his more slowly, not entirely sure he trusted this bodiless voice that held an air of authority and superiority to him.

 

Once both of their eyes were successfully closed, they only saw the dancing blue light which pirouetted over their eyelids. A sudden flare of white light appeared within the room, yet neither had a chance to react as a burning sensation enveloped the two of them in a painful sphere causing the to both black out.

 

*

 

Naruto lie still, a light white light resting on his eyelids, causing him to curse the sun in silence. He didn't like it when the sun pulled him from his dreams, even though he currently felt warm and secure.

 

Heck he felt more warm now then he normally ever did when sleeping. It felt as though someone had added a heater to his bed, though he seriously doubted that. With a sleepy groan he opened blurry blue eyes and stared up at the red canopy above him.

 

The blond blinked several times in confusion, not recognizing the red canopy, before he glanced around his room. 'Wait... isn't this...' His thoughts trailed off as he realized he was currently lying in the Guest room bed at the Castle.

 

"How'd I get here?" He questioned out loud, his voice somewhat hoarse from both thirst and lack of use.

 

"I have no idea." A voice to his left answered causing him to jump as he hadn't noticed anyone else in the room. He turned his head and looked over at Neji, who was lying beside him.

 

'So that is why I felt warm.... We were sharing the same bed.' Naruto concluded in silence as he slowly sat up and stretched his stiff limbs.

 

The door to the room opened and in walked Lord Cameron, who smile a brilliant smile of relief. "Thank goodness you two are awake. We were begging to fear that you'd never awaken after having destroyed the two jet dragons." He said with a brilliant smile.

 

"We destroyed it?" The blond asked, mouth hanging open as Neji likewise sat up and stretched his stiff limbs.

 

"Yes I saw it with my own eyes. After you had left Neji, several of my knights and I stepped out from the shelter, hoping to find the two of you returning. What we saw was astounding. The dragons had merged into one unmeasurable beast, and it was pulsing with great and horrible power.

 

"I feared for my people at the sight I saw, but then, I heard two voices. They screamed so loud I felt as though it would tear my very soul to pieces. That's when the dragon exploded in a wave of light, leaving the two of you suspended in the air, surrounded by glowing light. The screams were coming from you two.

 

"After a few seconds, your shouts ended and you two plummeted to the ground below. We though you would die upon impact, but once we reached you and found you both alive but in poor unconscious shape, we hauled you back here." The Lord explained, looking happy that they had awakened.

 

"How long were we out?" Neji asked.

 

"Five weeks." The Lord answered somberly.

 

"WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?" The blond exclaimed as he hurriedly hopped out of bed. "You mean I haven't eaten in FIVE WEEKS!!!" He shouted horrified at the prospect of having no food in his system for that long.

 

"Well I'm glad you two are still the same even after the changes." The Lord said, his voice filled with laughter.

 

"Changes?" Neji asked and the Lord pointed towards the mirror at the corner of the room, and they silently approached it, both their eyes glued to it.

 

Naruto was taller, at least five foot seven. His hair was longer, though still spiky and unruly as ever. His eyes had an indigo ring around the black pupil, though they were still the brilliant sky blue color. His entire body was completely devoid of all baby fat, and was replaced by a lean, slightly muscular, though still small. He also looked sort of feminine the way his body was shaped, but that just served to make him far handsomer than even Sasuke. The blond silently stared at himself in awe, he looked good, even the tiny fangs, claws and tail looked hot.

 

"I have a tail!" He exclaimed as he turned his head to the side and glanced over his shoulder at the fox tail attached to his rear, that was black save for the tip which was a brilliant crimson.

 

'I must have merged with the Kyuubi.....' He thought to himself, eyes wide in shock before he spun around to look at his companion, who was indeed also different though he hadn't first realized it.

 

Neji had grown even taller, towering at six foot four. His already long hair was even longer, though still as silky as before. His forehead was bare, revealing smooth skin, signifying that his family curse seal was gone. His face, like Naruto's, had matured into a stunningly gorgeous man, while his body become more lean, yet still slightly muscular.

 

Both boys were equally handsome, though they were probably the fairest creatures in all the lands within this world.

 

Naruto suddenly lifted the end of his severely torn and destroyed shirt and looked at his stomach, the seal was gone. "I merged with the Kyuubi..." He muttered out loud drawing Neji's attention to him.

 

"The Nine-tails?" The handsome man asked, and was greeted with a nod. "How?" He inquired.

 

"The fourth sealed him in me when I was born." The blond answered simply before turning and looking at the Lord. "I thought you said we were asleep for five weeks, not five years!" He sais hotly as he crossed his arms in annoyance.

 

"I did. You have only been out for that long, yet when we found you two, that was how you looked. Magic does funny things." Cameron concluded as servants raced into the room carrying massive trays of towering food. "I though you two might be hungry so eat up." The Lord said a the servants set the trays down upon the desk and left, following their Lord.

 

Naruto hurriedly bounded over to the food, and began to eat it, happily filling his empty stomach. Neji soon joined him and they ate in silence, both thinking over something or other.

 

Their morning meal passed by silently, neither up for conversation, and Naruto felt no need to be his annoying self. It was as if Naruto had matured with his body, and he felt more knowledgeable then ever before. He also felt far more powerful then he ever thought possible.

 

His very veins seemed to hum with soothing power which he was certain would take some time to fully master and he was also certain that it was the same for his silent companion.

 

The rumor of the Chaos sphere was indeed correct. For if it weren't for the magical sphere the two of them would have never come to this strange place and they would have never had this extreme power up.

 

A knock at their door snapped them both from their respective thoughts and both turned to look at the door. "Enter." They said simultaneously before looking at each other momentarily then back at the door as a figure walked in carrying a massive bundle of wrapped packages.

 

The person was small, though strong, as she-you could tell she was female by her visible hips-- moved towards the bed and deposited her massive armful onto the bed, revealing her waist up to the two teens who now looked to be in their eighteen, nineteen age area.

 

It was the girl they had freed from beneath the wagon just the other day, er... five weeks ago.

 

"Hello, my name is Bridget. Daughter of Lord Cameron." She said as she curtseyed to the two who merely blinked in surprise. Neither had known the Lord had a daughter, let alone that they had saved her from the jet dragon.

 

"Thank you so much for saving me and the entire village. You two are extremely brave!" She said with a brilliant smile.

 

"It was nothing, don't mention it." Naruto said sheepishly as he ran his hand over the back of his neck as a pale flush ran over his naturally sun kissed cheeks.

 

"It wasn't 'nothing' to us. We are being grateful. I couldn't help but notice the state of your clothing and items that you bore with you after you were carried to the castle. So I made you two new outfits, and had the blacksmith forge many weapons for the two of you. I know it isn't much, but it's my way of saying thank you." The girl finished with a hopeful smile, wishing that the two would be pleased with the gifts.

 

"Thank you, you didn't have to do that for us." Naruto said as he flashed her his brightest smile while his companion merely smiled slightly and nodded.

"I'll leave you two to change, but I shall return with my father in about twenty minutes." Bridget exclaimed happily as she tore out of the room, closing the door behind her.

 

Both males moved over to the bed. The blond opened the top package, which was quickly followed by the rest. Together they set everything out over the expanse of the massive bed, and some things were set on the floor where there wasn't enough room.

 

"Dibs on the orange." Naruto said as he eyed the only orange article there causing Neji to chuckle lightly. Naruto was still Naruto no matter how mature his mind and body became.

 

The blond quickly discarded his torn orange sweat pants leaving him naked for the waist down and he hurriedly pulled on the leather pants which where a brilliant orange. He did them up and smiled.

 

The pants fit like a second skin from the low hanging point on his waist down to mid thigh, before it became more baggy the lower it went, and he like it. They were a cargo type pants covered with many pockets that would be convenient to place many things within, and it even had some stylish silver chains attached to it.

 

The blue eyed merged demon pulled a black leather belt from the spread out pile and inserted it in the pant loops before doing it up with the silver buckle. He didn't need the belt, but he decided he'd wear it as it was unbelievably cool looking.

 

Neji had likewise retrieved a pair of pants from the pile, and they were the twin to Naruto's except different in color. They were a deep black, and fit the same, though they were made longer and slightly larger as though they had been anticipated for the black haired young man.

 

Next both boys pulled off their shirts leaving their to die for stomachs and chests visible to any who should walk in. Naruto snatched up a navy blue tank-top which had three-quarter length sleeves made of strong mesh. He quickly slid it on, and it also fit like a second skin.

 

The black haired beauty grabbed a similar shirt, though the tank-top part was pure white with black trim, and the mesh sleeves, which was the same length as Naruto's shirt, was a shimmering white color.

 

After finishing placing on their basic clothing they both turned and looked at the other before smiling. "We look so hot." Naruto said with a vulpine smirk which merely caused an amused light to shimmer in Neji's pale eyes.

 

They each grabbed a pair of matching black leather boots and slid them on before picking up their gear pouches which had survived unscathed and instead of tying them to their legs, they both tied them to their left upper arm.

 

Naruto pulled on a pair of navy blue fingerless gloves while Neji pulled on a pair of black gloves. After a few moments they both pulled their hair into dragon tails at the nape of their necks, though the front of the blond's was still spiked everywhere in an unruly fashion, where the black haired one was neat and sleek.

 

They looked hot.

 

Once they had finished throwing on all clothing and cool accessories made by Bridget -- leaving only one navy blue and one black leather trench coats on the bed, both missing sleeves, for they would put that on later when they set out-- they began to evenly sort the massive hoard of weapons.

 

Each got at least five hundred shuriken, one hundred kunai, fifty windmill shuriken, a thousand sebon needles, twin daggers, and a masterfully crafted sword, though both had no honest idea how to wield such a weapon.

 

Silently they filled their pockets and pouches full of their newly acquired weapons, though it looked as though they bore no weapons in the pockets, presumably a magic trick of sorts. Though the daggers strapped to each thigh and the swords hanging in the sheaths at their waist were the soul weapons visible. Meaning they could catch an enemy unaware with their concealed arsenal.

 

"We should ask for some scrolls." Neji stated, his handsome voice cutting through the air enchantingly.

 

"Exploding notes?" Naruto inquired and the Hyuuga nodded.

 

"Yes, they would undoubtfully come in handy." The black haired prodigy stated as he moved over to the desk and rummaged through it finding about ten mini scrolls of parchment. He silently painted the necessary symbols upon each surface before placing some of his chakra into each scroll.

 

Once that task was complete he divided the scrolls, and attached five to his black leather belt before tossing the remaining five at his blond companion who easily caught the scrolls before likewise attaching them around his waist.

 

Another knock sounded from the door, and Naruto said enter as he just finished attaching the last scroll.

 

The Lord and his crimson haired daughter, Bridget, entered into the room, and took in the twos's appearances.

 

"Bridget, your skills with clothing has indeed improved." Cameron praised his daughter proudly and the girl merely blushed.

 

"Thank you Bridget, your gifts are greatly appreciated." Neji stated as he moved back over to the bed and bowed towards the two, Naruto following his action suite.

 

"No need to thank me, I'm glad I could be of some assistance. Oh and I took the liberty of adding a few spells to your clothing. One is that your pockets can hold an unlimited supply of anything, and never look as though they carry a single thing. Two is that it is self repairing, should you gain a tear it will instantly repair itself, and three, it magically cleans itself, keeping it always in tip top condition no matter what." She said cheerfully as she regarded the two drop dead gorgeous males and blushed a color that rivaled her hair.

 

"I suppose you two are setting out soon?" Cameron asked, his mood suddenly somber.

 

"Yes, after we gain the information we need from you and a few provisions for the road we shall take our leave." Neji explained and the Lord nodded in understanding.

 

"Tell me what you need and I shall have Bridget fetch it, then I'll tell you all you will need or want to go." The green eyed ruler stated and the two other worlders nodded.

 

"Food, water canteens, traveling bags, medical supplies, blankets, maps, money, loads of small scrolls and to know the location of our ninja bands." Neji listed off and Bridget nodded before rushing off to acquire the needed items.

 

"Here." The Lord said as he pulled brand new looking bands from her cloak and tossed one at each boy. "Yours were in pitiful condition so I took the liberty of repairing them." Cameron stated and was greeted with a smile from his two guests.

 

"Thank you." Naruto said for the both of them as he tied his around the upper right arm, and Neji did the same.

 

"Now, the information I owe you two." The Lord said as he drew in a breath.

 

"Far away, in the Mountains of the Gods, lives the last living God. This God has the power to send you two back home, but the journey to his temple high above the ground is difficult, and gaining an audience with him is far more difficult than that.

 

"You need to find seven keys. Each key is kept in it's own dangerous and challenging temple, and to this date not a single soul has been able to retrieve a single key. One lie within the Undersea Temple, one within the Volcanic Layer, one in the Marsh Land Shrine, one within the Acidic Valley Ruins, one in the Looming Sky Forest, One in the Sludge Bog Temple, and the last within the Chaos Labyrinth.

 

"The keys are said to merge into one massive key which will unlock the entrance into the Mountain path which will lead you up to the God's dwelling. The path will be a long and greatly challenging one, and if any could ever do it, it would have to be the two of you." Cameron finished as he reached into his pocket a drew out a long roll of parchment.

 

"This is the map of all the lands, and it bares the entrance ways to each of these trials, though there are no maps for the interior of these places, for no soul has to this very day survived such places." The Lord added before handing the map to Neji.

 

At that moment, Bridget returned with two small traveling bags in hand, each filled with the requested items. "I made sure I brought you bags that had several spells on them as well. They will never tear, and no matter what you put in it will still have tons of room, and it was remain as light as a feather as to not hinder you on your travels." The girl informed them as she handed one bag to each of them.

 

"You will find all that you listed within those bags." She added as an after thought before smiling at them.

 

"Wow.. Thank you!" Naruto stated. "We are deeply grateful for all you have done to assist us." He finished and saw the Lord wave it off.

 

"We are glad to help any in need, not too mention you have done more for this village than I myself have." The Lord finished with a bright smile.

 

"Did you want horses for your travels?" Bridget suddenly asked.

 

"No. We will walk, that will give us plenty of time to train while on the road." Neji said before he picked up his sleeveless jacket and slid in on, before placing his new pack on his back, and the blond followed suit.

 

The Lord led the two through the castle and out through one of the back doors, once outside the man pointed due North. "About one hundred leagues North lie the closest trial, the Acidic Valley Ruins, I suggest you tackle that obstacle first." He finished and they quickly said their good-byes as the two teens set off up of the village, heading towards the beginning of their next adventure.

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

That's it for this chapter, and I'm proud to say that this is my longest one yet! Please read and Review, heck you can even Flame and complain. Let me know what you like or dislike, what you think I should include or change. Thanks for Reading!