A/N: New writer, longtime (ancient, really) reader. Hopefully, my English grammar has improved enough to be able to write the story I've had brewing in my head. It's really for myself but you're all welcome to read it too since I've had the benefit of reading incredible stories by others who have decided to share them. It's my way of giving back, instead of being the forever lurker... meep.
By the by, this is all going to be done on my phone so updating will be a slow affair and the chapter lengths will vary. Some will be long and some will be short. The only consolation I can give is that I'll be writing it constantly. Otherwise, enjoy the story!
Disclaimer: I forgot to do this. None of the characters of Naruto belong to me unless they're names and/or descriptions of people you don't recognize to be a part of the manga/anime. The plot belongs to me.
"Naruto?"
He was standing in front of her solemnly, looking at her with pain in his eyes and a countenance that made it seem like he was a hundred years too old.
Something about him was odd she realized with growing bewilderment; he appeared younger than the hyperactive knucklehead she was used to, maybe about 16 years old. His clothes were strange too. It reminded her of the garments her ancestors used to wear, with his weapon holster strapped onto his leg to his open toed sandals. His black and orange jacket was tattered and coated in blood... his pants were not faring any better either. The only thing unmarred was the shiny headband strapped proudly on his forehead, which she realized with a jolt as the symbol of Konoha.
She wanted to ask what was making him unhappy, to sooth his pain in any way she could but before she could call out again he turned his body from hers to look behind him only to spin around quickly with a panicked look taking over his face. He rapidly started to speak to her.
"I can't hear you Naruto!"
"...!"
She ran towards him, though no matter how much she ran the farther away he became.
"...!"
He was shouting desperately now, trying to convey whatever he urgently needed to say. But no matter how much she ran the distance never seemed to diminish and his words were still unheard.
She stopped abruptly when suddenly, a shadow blacker than darkness itself manifested behind him. It tried to swallow the boy but he evaded nimbly, executing moves she had only ever seen Lee do. It resembled the green leotard wearing man's style -he proclaimed quite proudly that it was an ancient martial arts thought to be used by a taijutsu ninja he looked up to- but it seemed to be a variation of his style.
Before she could even move to assist him the shadow stopped his vicious attack on the haggard boy and instead leaped at her.