A/N:I don't own Naruto or Legend of Zelda.
Note: It takes place before the Pein Arc….
Chapter 1
"Hey Granny Tsunade! I heard you had a mission for me-eh?" Naruto barged in the Hokage's office only to see that the rest of Rookie 9, Yamato, Sai, and Gai were already there. Naruto sweat dropped. 'Man….don't tell me that THEY'RE all in this mission, Naruto thought.
Sakura appeared right in front of Naruto, "Your late you idiot!" Naruto put his hands up in defense, "Wait Sakura! I can explain, please don't hit me!"
"Troublesome…." Shikamaru said while he yawned.
"Yo!" A poof of air appeared, and in it, the famous Copy Ninja himself. Naruto pointed at his former teacher. "See Sakura! I wasn't even half as late as Kakashi-sensei!"
"Well you see, I was making my way over to the Hokage tower when a black cat crossed my path. And you know black is always a sign of bad luck so-"
"Stuff it Kakashi," Tsunade held up her hand to the silver-haired jounin, "All I care about is that you're here. Now," she cleared her throat, "the mission I'm about to assign all of you is an escort mission."
Murmurs were heard.
"An escort mission? Man, what a drag…" Shikamaru said.
"Lady-Tsunade, I hardly find it appropriate to use ALL of us for an escort mission," Kiba agreed.
While everyone murmured their agreement, no one noticed a group of people standing in the back. There were 5 men dressed in medieval knight garbs, a mysterious person with a robe and didn't show his or her face, and then a young girl who had brown hair, forest green eyes, and wore garbs that signified her royalty.
A stress mark appeared on Tsunade's forehead. "SILENCE!" Everyone went quiet. "This escort mission I'm sending you all on is different that any other escort mission you've been on." That got everyone's attention. What could make an escort mission difficult?
"If I may, Lady-Tsunade," the girl in the royal garb spoke up, "I believe that I may help clear things up a bit." She walked towards the group, and they parted for her. She stopped in the middle. Her voice was soft, high, and girly. The calmness in her voice showed her maturity. Tsunade cleared her throat and bowed her head, allowing the girl to speak.
The girl turned around to face everyone. "My name Zelda, Princess and soon to be Queen of land of Hyrule." Everyone's ears perked up. What was Hyrule? Was it a village? As she said this, the guards and robed figure were by her side. "Hyrule is a land that is far away, and could take an average person two and a half weeks to get to."
"So, we're not just going to a village. We're going to a completely new place that no shinobi has gone before," Shikamaru, always the genius, had put the pieces together.
"That's correct," Lady Tsunade said.
"If I may, Lady-Tsunade, why would a girl from a place so far away, a princess no less, be doing in a place like Konoha?" Sai asked.
Tsunade was at a loss, "Well…um…"
"I had a dream that Konoha, as well as the other Shinobi villages, were cast in a world of darkness," Princess Zelda explained, "I know it's hard for you to believe me, but I get prophetic dreams that often tell the bringing of evil."
"So then why would you need escorts back to your kingdom?" Neji asked.
Gai went in to chastise his former student, who usually would keep quiet and accept such mission, "Neji, I'm shocked at your audacity to question-"
"You already have guards of your own," Neji pointed out to the five guards and robed figure. Everyone was silent, keen on what the princess had to say.
"Mr. Hyuuga," the robed figure began, "You need to realize that the kingdom of Hyrule has had many bad pasts. The evil that has threatened us in the past has truly not gone away."
Everyone looked at the robed figure. He/she knew Neji's name, yet they hadn't even been introduced. The voice was soft, feminine, and held a tone of authority, something they had expected from the Princess herself, but received quite the opposite. The hood was up, and you could only see the lower part of the face. There was a soft but pointed chin, smooth, feminine lips, and a slim, slim, narrow nose. The upper part was covered in shadows.
"The Princess has…unusual powers that make her quite a target for someone who wants to attain unimaginable power. Power that has been said to belong to the goddesses who created our kingdom," the robed figure continued.
Everyone's eyes widened.
"So, we're not just dealing with any princess. We're dealing with a princess who's the key to unlimited power?" Lee asked.
"How does such power even exist?" Ino added.
Before Princess Zelda could answer, her robed friend cut in, "With all due respect Princess, the longer we wait here, the more agitated i'm becoming. We're wasting time. Their questions can be answer on our trip there."
Tsunade nodded her head in agreement. "Agreed," she said, "I've added Kakashi, Yamato, Gai, and Sai to accompany you guys as well. Kakashi, Yamato, and Gai will be your Team Leader. Shikamaru, Shino, Neji, and Sai, I want you all to be the captains of your team, respectively."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade."
"Alright, now get out and pack. I want you all out of here by noon."
######
"Hey Sakura, if it takes an average person to get there in two and a half weeks, how long do you think it'll take us, huh?" Naruto asked his pink haired teammate. They were at the gates of Konoha along with Sai, Team 8, Team Gai, and the jounins.
Sakura sighed, "Oh I don't know Naruto. It's hard to say."
"It would depend on how fast we traveled, really," Shino walked up to them.
"Wow you guys pack fast."
They looked over to see Princess Zelda and her group along with a couple of horses. What was odd was the fact that Princess Zelda's horse was a chestnut colored horse while everyone else's in the group was pure white. Everyone but Princess Zelda seemed to be on their horse. She donned a cloak that was similar to the robe of the robed figure.
"Wait, you don't have a carriage of some sort?" Tenten asked, "I mean, you're a princess, and I thought…"
"You thought I was one of those helpless princesses who ride in carriages and need protection all the time," Princess Zelda finished for her. Tenten's cheeks turned red with embarrassment. Princess Zelda just chuckled, "I'm not your average Princess, Tenten. I'm a Princess who wise beyond her years, and a key to ultimate power. With that fact, it would be inappropriate for me not to know how to defend myself."
She stopped as she was in the middle of the gate. "Besides, a carriage is a burden. It's much easier and faster for me to travel on horseback."
"That's a beautiful horse, Princess," Sai complimented with a fake smile.
"Oh, thank you, Sai," Princess Zelda beamed as she brought herself and her horse closer to him. Everyone else got closer, curious of the animal. She gently stoked the nose of the horse. "Her name is Epona. And she's the greatest and fastest companion I've ever had." Epona gave a gentle snort and bobbed her head as if agreeing. "However," Zelda continued sheepishly, "She actually belongs to a friend of mine. And she'll always chose him over me, no matter what."
"Wow. She's so gentle!" Sakura exclaimed as she gently stroked the forehead. She giggled as Epona nuzzled her in return for the nice affection. The robed figure notice Team 10 arrive as well.
"Princess Zelda, it' is time for us to leave now that everyone is here," she said.
Princess Zelda nodded, "Of course." She then mounted Epona. "Shall we be on out way then?"
The robed figured turned to two of the guards. "You two lead the way. It's better if we spread ourselves out so we don't make a bigger target."
"Right." The two guards sped away on their steeds.
Kakashi gave a nod of approval. "Shino, have your team follow them. Since Hinata has the byakugan, and you and Kiba have a fast way of communicating back if there's any trouble."
Team 10 disappeared to follow to two guards.
"Right then," Kakashi began, "Neji, your team will bring up the back since you can look in back. Shikamaru, your team in front. My team, we'll be beside the Princess."
"Yes sir!"
"Cool and calm Kakashi, as always," Gai grumbled as he and his team waited for everyone to go out before following.
######
It was still daylight, but in the evening portion. The group had been going nonstop, and there hasn't been any trouble, which was odd. They all stopped when they reached Team Kurenai.
"We need to take a break, I'm sorry," Shino apologized. He and his team looked worn out.
"I think we all need to take a break," Kakashi agreed, "Princess, do you mind if...?"
"No not at all," she cheerfully replied, ignoring her robed friend's tensed body, "Besides I think our horses need rest as well." Luckily they stopped at a good resting place that was near a river.
Everyone was resting, most notably around the princess. The robed figure was on watch, scanning for anything suspicious. Kakashi walked up to her. "I can assure you that Princess Zelda will be fine in our hands."
The robed figure ignored him. Ignoring the rejection he just received, Kakashi decided to stand guard as well. "It's not her I'm worried about," the robed figure finally spoke up, "I'm weary." Kakashi turned to look at her. Gai also joined them. The figure's lips tightened. "It's our enemies." She turned to look out in the distance. The three jounin followed her direction. "They can come in any, shape, and size. Strike at any moment. It changes time after time."
"No need to worry. With the power of youth, nothing can stop us!" Gai proudly said as he gave his well-known flashy smile.
The robe figured's mouth gently curved upwards in a small smile, but then went solemn.
"Say, Princess Zelda, do you mind telling us about Hyrule?" Naruto said as he scooted closer to the princess. Everyone else did to, curious to hear about a place they've never been nor heard about. It seemed like it was a story time for children, if a random person were to walk by and see them. Yamato walked closer as well, also curious.
"Well," Princess Zelda began,
"It was said that before time began, before spirits and life existed... Three golden goddesses descended upon the chaos that was Hyrule... Din, the goddess of power... Nayru, the goddess of wisdom... Farore, the goddess of courage... Din... With her strong flaming arms, she cultivated the land and created the red earth. Nayru... Poured her wisdom onto the earth and gave the spirit of law to the world. Farore... With her rich soul, produced all life forms who would uphold the law. The three great goddesses, their labors completed, departed for the heavens. And golden sacred triangles remained at the point where the goddesses left the world. Since then, the sacred triangles have become the basis of our world's providence. And, the resting place of the triangles has become the Sacred Realm. Those three triangles were known as the Triforce."
Everyone was enraptured by history.
Princess Zelda's eyes went solemn, "And it was also said, that when mastered in its entity, the Triforce would grant the heart's desire of its holder."
Everyone's eyes darkened as they understood why the robe figured had said how dangerous it was for the Princess. "So…so that means that people would, want the power for their own?" Naruto asked.
Princess Zelda nodded. "When a person with evil intentions comes upon the Triforce, it splits itself into three pieces. You see, the Triforce can only be claimed by a person with a "pure heart," and an impure heart is unbalanced, which the Triforce can sense. The piece that the "evil" person would have is the piece that he or she believes would be handy in controlling the Sacred Realm, and in theory, the world. Usually, it is the Triforce of Power which evil intentions have chosen." Princess Zelda closed her eyes. "The only way for that person to have full control over the Triforce, is if he or she were to find the the missing two pieces: The Triforce of Courage, and the Triforce of Wisdom."
"So, who gets the other two pieces then?" Yamato asked.
Princess Zelda clenched her right hand, which was covered by gloves. "The other two pieces would dwell within two people chosen by destiny, who would bear the Triforce symbol on the back of their hands."
Neji's eyes narrowed at the word "destiny." He knew about destiny, he used to live by destiny. Was there really such a force to create the outcomes of two people if that were to happen?
"So, if your a key to unlimited power….does that mean that you wield one of the Triforce pieces?" Shikamaru asked.
The robed figure whipped around to the group, her attention on Princess Zelda who consciously folded her hands, and tried to avoid people looking at them. Kakashi and Gai, startled by her sudden turn around at first, gave the robed figure a quizzical look.
"Well," the princess began carefully, "My ancestors all wielded a piece of the Triforce. And I guess the only reason why I would be a key, is the fact that I have this." She took out a royal blue ocarina. "This is the Ocarina of Time, passed down in the Royal Family for generations. It's powers are probably too weak to do anything now since its been so long, but a long time ago, it was said that it was a key in controlling and manipulating time."
All eyes were on the ocarina. Suddenly, Naruto's eyes became nostalgic. The face of Menma popped into his mind. "Can you play it?" he asked.
Princess Zelda gave a sheep laugh. "Ah, well...you see I lost my parents at a young age, so no one was there to teach me. But she can," she pointed to the robe figure who stiffened. Kakashi and Gai noticed the body change.
"Come on, one song won't hurt," Princess Zelda encouraged her robed friend. Sighing in defeat, the figure came over and took the ocarina from the princess's hand. No one noticed that the hand was bandaged. "Would you like me to play the lullaby?" the figure asked. Princess Zelda nodded.
The figure put the ocarina to her lips and began playing. Sweet music began filling the air. Everyone closed their eyes, enjoying the serene melody. Even Sai was genuinely enjoying it. Kakashi even had his eye closed.
"That…that's a lovely song," Hinata commented.
"Mm, yeah, what is it?" Ino asked in a dreamy state.
"The song is called Zelda's Lullaby," Princess Zelda explained softly, "This sacred tune was used as a lullaby to help calm the princess of the Royal Family, and lull her to sleep. It possesses sacred powers, and was often used as proof of loyalty to the Royal family."
"*Yawn* I can understand why someone would fall asleep to this song," Shikamaru drowsily said.
The two guards who were in charge of being head first decided to get a head start, as well as lookout for any movement. They intended to come back as soon as they scouted the area. No one notice them leave except for the robe figure, Kakashi, Gai, and Yamato. The robe figured continue playing. Even the horses were lulled by the melody.
Suddenly, the robe figured stopped and gently placed the instrument into Princess Zelda's hands. Everyone from Rookie 9 was drowsy. The robe figured was looking in the direction of where the guards had disappeared to.
Princess Zelda immediately knew something was wrong. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"Those two guards, they've been gone for too long," her friend replied. This time, Kakashi, Yamato, and Gai were next to her, looking in the same direction.
"Neji!" Gai called out sharply, "Can you try to use your byakugan to see where those guards are?"
"Absolutely." was the answer. Hinata, who was awake, decided to help as well.
They closed their eyes. "Byakugan!" they both shouted as their eyes opened, familiar veins appeared on their temples. Everyone was awake now, ready to attack anything that dared to harm the princess. Princess Zelda gasped at the sight, but quickly recovered. The two Hyuugas looked around before settling on the direction that the robe figure was looking at. They saw one guard…but where was the other? Wait….the guard was running….something was chasing him!
"We've found one guard Gai-sensei, but something seems to be chasing him," Neji said.
"It looks l-like some sort o-of beast, with things s-sticking out of its head. I-It's chakra…its dark and ominous," Hinata added, now nervous. Akamaru began to whimper as he started to sense the malicious aura.
Both Hyuugas' eyes widened. "The other guard turned into the same beast! But, how?" Neji suddenly exclaimed.
"Twilight? But, how…in the light world…," the robe figured murmured. Kakashi, Gai, and Yamato strained to hear her, but couldn't understand. "Everyone! We need to get out of here. Those beasts are bad trouble!" the robe figured called out. As if Epona knew what was happening, she led the four horses to their companions who quickly mounted them. "Follow me!" the robe figured called out and quickly urged her horse on.
The race was on. A couple of times, the group was able to lose the two creatures, but suddenly they seemed to be gaining on them.
"Tenten! Use your weapons to slow them down!" Gai called out.
"Right!" She unraveled and threw a scroll behind her which shot out explosive tags. They seem to hit the target. The group stopped for a moment. They squinted their eyes to see if anything came out from the dust from the explosions. Their eyes all widened when the two black creatures continued to make their way towards them, unscathed.
"That's impossible!" Tenten cried.
"Come on let's move!" Yamato shouted.
But before anyone could more, four pillars dropped down from the sky, creating a force field that preventing anyone from leaving. Epona rose up in an attempt to prevent herself from running into the force field she sensed. Unfortunately, Princess Zelda wasn't prepared and gave a cry as she fell right off.
"Princess Zelda!"
"Team 10 and Sai, you stay by the Princess. Everyone," Kakashi ordered as he lifted his headband off his eye to reveal the Sharingan, "Be prepared to fight."
The three guards that were left went in front of everyone. "Don't worry Princess Zelda, We'll protect you!" they cried. The two shadow beasts had finally caught up. One guard charged, but with one swipe from the shadow beast, and he was no more. The other two just stood there in fear as the beasts advanced on them. The beast was black with a huge helmet like object on what would have been a face. Black strands protruded from the mask and a bright red symbol glowed on the chest and back for the creature.
Kakashi, Yamato, and a few others threw shrunken and kanas at the beasts, hoping to dissuade them. They were all shocked as the weapons hit their mark, but no blood appeared. One of the beast looked at the group and unleashed an unearthly howl that had everyone covering their ears. A beam of yellow and gold suddenly shined on one of the two guards that were left. As the light shined on the guard, it started to form a bubble like orb around him. The beam faded, leaving the guard within the bubble. Black specks were seen within the yellow and gold bubble. The same shadow beast gave another cry, and the guard suddenly dropped to his knees, and gave a cry before the light completely engulfed him. The bubble turned black, and the figure of the guard suddenly morphed into a something bigger. When the black faded, another shadow creature took his place.
"No way!" Chouji exclaimed.
"What just happened?" Ino asked.
Kakashi and Yamato looked at each other in worry.
'Hmph. This could be bad,' Kakashi thought. 'I doubt that my Sharingan will even make a scratch on them.'
Shikamaru quickly calculated the scene that had just unfolded. Obviously the guard that was there had transformed into one of those creatures. But how? Shikamaru narrowed his eyes.
A beam of yellow and gold suddenly shined on one of the two guards that were left. As the light shined on the guard, it started to form a bubble like orb around him. The beam faded, leaving the guard within the bubble. Black specks were seen within the yellow and gold bubble.
Shikamaru's eyes widened. Of course! That beam of light was the thing responsible for the transformation. But what exactly was that beam of light?
Naruto growled. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" A clone of himself appeared next to him, and started created a rasengan. He was about to make a run for the shadow beasts before Shikamaru stopped him.
"Wait Naruto! Don't get to close to them! That beam of light we just saw transformed that one guard into one of them. You let it touch you and you're a goner," Shikamaru called out to him.
The shadow beasts shined the light again on the last guard, who also transformed. Naruto's rasengan dissipated. "Then how the hell are we suppose to get out of here?" he shouted.
"There's no way for us to make a run for it! These beasts have put up a force field to prevent us from running away," the robed figured said as she helped Princess Zelda up.
"Then I guess we have no choice but to fight," Gai said as he got into fighting stance. Kakashi and Yamato nodded in agreement. The four beasts started advancing on the group, three of them funning faster than the other one. They suddenly froze. Shadows were stretched along the ground, and led up to Shikamaru.
"Shadow Possession Jutsu!" Shikamaru had his hands placed in from of him. "Kakashi, I don't know how long I'll be able to hold them off," he panted, an obvious sign of strain on his body.
"Right. Tenten, Sai, Shino!" Kakashi ordered. The three shinobi quickly used their moves. Two of the shadow beasts fell to the ground, unmoving. Shino's shadow beast was struggling against the shadow possession jutsu. Sakura charged at the shadow beast, infusing her chakra in her fist, and struck the beast hard.
"Wait!" the robe figured cried. But it was too late. The beast crashed to the floor andstayed down, as if it was dead. Shikamaru released his jutsu, panting.
"One more to go," he murmured. But as soon as he said that, the last shadow beast standing gave its unearthly cry and slowly, the three "dead" shadow beasts slowly got up.
"What?" both Kakashi and Sakura cried.
The shadow beasts continued their advances, not fazed by the attacks each shinobi tried. Hinata had dodged an explosion that was made by one of Tenten's explosion tags, when suddenly she felt something above her. She looked up to see a strange red looking vortex like portal. "E-Everyone look!" she cried, pointing to the sky. Everyone's eyes were on the portal.
Unfortunately, the shadow beasts took that advantage and appeared in front of Shikamaru, Chouji, Ino, and Princess Zelda. The three beasts in front of the shinobi lifted their arms up in attack, but froze when Shikamaru used his jutsu again. Shikamaru slowly started to lose the battle against the beasts. Unfortunately, he missed the one behind him that was in front of Princess Zelda, and it was about to grab her.
Before anyone could reach her, a flash of light passed and the shadow beast close to the princess was on the ground unmoving. As soon as the light flashed, the other three shadow beast broke free of Shikamaru's jutsu and jumped back. Everyone look up from the unmoving shadow beast to see that the robed figure had a sword in her hand. She raised her head slightly, the upper part of her face still covered, and saw that the portal was beginning to glow that deadly yellow and gold, as if it was charging up.
"Everyone, move!" Kakashi yelled. The leaf shinobi tried their best to avoid getting in the way of the portal without being near the shadow beasts, who's focus was still on Princess Zelda. The robed figure slowly raised her right hand towards the portal, ignoring the shadow beasts that were advancing on her. The portal grew brighter, and the bright yellow and gold beam slowly descended down on the group and the whole area they were in. A faint glow appeared on the robed figure's hand in the outline of three triangles. Everyone raised their arms above their heads as the gold and yellow beam was about to touch them.
And then everything went white.
######
Kakashi felt a slight breeze caress his cheeks. He lowered his arms to find everyone okay, and the area they were in back to normal. No beasts, no force field, no yellow and gold light. Nothing. Yamato, Gai, and Sai were the second ones to lower their arms. They all noticed that the five guards were gone as well. No where in sight.
"What….what just happened?" Gai asked.
Sakura quickly ran to each shinobi's side and did a quick checkup, Ino assisting her.
"But where is Princess Zelda?" Yamato asked. Everyone looked towards the spot where they last saw the princess. She was on the ground by Epona, her face cast down to the ground, as if she was ashamed.
"Princess Zelda, are you okay?" Lee asked as he along with his fellow Rookie 9 teammates ran over to her. Princess Zelda closed her eyes, but didn't look up.
"Princess?" Sakura gently probed, her eyes softened.
Yamato, Gai, Sai, and Kakashi soon were behind the whole Team. They were met with silence as all eyes were on the princess. Suddenly, realization dawned on Kakashi.
"You…aren't really the princess, are you," he softly called out to the "princess." The girl sadly shook her head. She stood up, face still cast downwards, reach her hand towards the top of her brow where her hair line was, and gently tugged. Everyone but the jounins and Sai gasped as her whole hair came off, revealing short, cropped blonde hair.
"Well, if you're not the princess. Then who is?" Neji asked as he crossed his arms.
The impostor turned her head to the side, gesturing the group to look behind her. A few feet away from the group, was the robed figure, her back turned towards them. Feeling eyes on her, she slowly reached up and took her hood off, revealing long, chocolate brown hair that was tied in a very low pony tail. Elegant pointed ears peaked out on the side of the head.
She turned around, revealing a soft face with calm blue-grey eyes that were outlined by long black lashes, a smooth and narrow nose, elegant eyebrows, and a tiara that was gently placed, covering the hairline. A large blue gem was in the middle of it.
She lifted her right hand, showing the Triforce symbol on the back of her hand. It gave off a faint glow.
"I, am Princess Zelda."
A/N: So what did you guys think of that? Pretty cool huh? It's kinda hard to balance all those characters -_- maybe I was wayyyy in over my head XD Please Review….or if you don't like to…put this story on your alert/favorite list!