Summary: Naruto is kidnapped and placed in a world unfamiliar. Suddenly thrown into a scheme and plot that includes his death, he relies on a eccentric brunet to save him. [ eventual SasuNaru ]

Naruto paused in mid-stroke, his paintbrush froze just inches over his canvas. He had been painting for over two hours now and yet, he had no idea what he was creating. Lowering his brush, he took a few steps back and observed his painting. There were several things that were familiar such as the tall grass and the short trees that outlined the city but the rest of the painting...he had no idea where he took them from.

He almost never painted without reference.

Peeking out of the grass, he could see a creature, that had the head of a fanged-rabbit but the body of a small deer. The sky was tinged orange, the color of the sunset and two suns hung in the sky. One was positioned in the east and the other was just barely peeking out in the west-Naruto wondered how he even knew it was a sun and not a mistaken brushstroke. In the distance, there was a castle and though it was small Naruto knew that there were several people inside that lived and talked. He knew that at this time of day, they would be out selling their goods at the market.

Swallowing with some difficulty, Naruto picked up his brush and hastily finished the painting. It was happening again. These visions of places he'd never been, of creatures that didn't exist, they were haunting him again. He picked up his painting with care and placed it with the rest of his work. He placed it on the end of the line and took a forlorn look at his creations.

They were tangible proof of his insanity. From start to finish, the paintings shown what he saw. They were blurry and unimaginative at first, lacking color and feeling but as the visions got stronger he could see. He could see the townspeople and animals in that place. He felt what they felt and he wanted to be with them. Many times he would catch himself having a conversation with his painting of a person he'd never seen.

He was going insane. He needed help.

Mr. Umino clicked his pen, his clipboard filled with notations. He adjusted his glasses as he looked at the young man in front of him. With a sigh he began, "Mr. Uzumaki, I understand you are concerned but there is nothing wrong with an over-active imagination."

Naruto ran a hand through his hair, ruffling the strands violently he whispered heatedly "This isn't my imagination. I can see these places and hear the voices of the people I draw! This can't be normal-"

"Mr. Uzumaki!"

The therapist frowned at the dejected look he recieved. Naruto took a shuddering breath and buried his head in his hands. His shoulders shook occasionally, but Mr. Umino knew the man wasn't crying. He would never show such weakness in front of him.

"Naruto..." He said softly. "Naruto, it'll be alright. Trust me. It's nothing."

Naruto kept his head down and shook it slowly. He was sniffling, struggling to stop himself from crying.

"How about this then, stop painting for a while and go out to the market. They're having a festival today." Standing up, he walked around his desk and gave Naruto's shoulder a comforting pat. "It'll take your mind off of things. That may be all you need."

Naruto exhaled before standing and quickly wiping the beginnings of his tears away. He gave his therapist a small smile and waved as he approached the door. Just before exiting though he whispered, "Thank you, Iruka." He walked out of the door, and closed it behind him gently.

Iruka would like that, they hadn't called each other by their first names ever since Naruto filed for his independence. Walking out of the building, Naruto lifted his head up. He could see the fliers and banners that were hanging around buildings. Maybe Iruka was right. Maybe all he needed was something to get his mind away from this madness. With confident gait, Naruto followed the banners. His hope growing with every step.

This was a mistake.

Somehow in his hope-filled sprint to the festival, he had forgotten he hated crowds. He seemed to also forget his distaste for children of all ages. He was akward around the little children and was deathly afraid of hurting their feelings or hurting them physically. They were just so small! He was a bit better handling teenagers who, in his eyes, were just younger adults.

Frantically, he tried to turn around and run back to his home only to find that he was caught in the middle of a mob. This was terrible. His breathing was increasing by the second. Panting, he backed himself into a corner and under a small hut. Thankfully, it was empty.

Sitting down on the dirt floor, he tried to calm himself down. This is what he gets for deciding to be a painter. He never really had any reason to go outside anymore. He had become a shut-in as soon as he got his independence. His phone-bills were drastically low. He didn't own a car. What kind of person had he become in those few months?

A sharp cry from outside brought him back to reality. Taking several more calming breaths, he took a peek outside.

The crowd was migrating, following some attraction in front of them. Most of the children were gone, only a few people remained in that spot. Naruto stood and walked outside. The air felt so much less constricting. Without the horde of people mingling around, Naruto could see that there was one girl still around. The sole child was crying-no-sobbing into her hand. Her dress was muddied and ruffled, as if she had been in a fight sometime prior. Concerned, Naruto approached her.

"Are you alright?"

"Someone took my mommy away!" The girl sniffled. "I want my mommy!"

He had to fight to stop the grimace from appearing on his face. This girl was too young. Unsure of how to comfort her, he asked the next reasonable question. "Where did they take her?"

The girl hesitated but turned around and pointed to the throng of trees past the market. The forest. That explained the dirt and mess that was on the poor girl's dress, she must have gone looking for her. Without another word, Naruto stepped away from the girl and towards the forest. He told her to go to the closest police officer and tell her exactly what she told him. As she ran to follow his directions, Naruto jogged through the market.

The people weren't paying attention to him. The person who took that woman probably wouldn't have had any witnesses if the people acted the same as they did with him. He could imagine it already. The woman, being dragged and held against her will as her kidnapper dragged her into the woodland. She would try to scream and get the attention of someone-anyone but they were too busy with their own world. He could feel her despair. He could feel her fear.

This was the same path she took, he thought, I am walking the path she did.

The feelings grew stronger and stronger as he walked, his drive deteriorating with each step. He didn't want to go into the forest-no-these weren't his feelings. They weren't. He was afraid for her. Afraid as if he was her. He approached the trees, his body shaking, his stomach becoming unsettled.

His foot touched the grass, the beginning of the wood and suddenly all was clear. The fear was gone.

There was something in this forest, hopefully it would be the girl's mother.

He forced himself to forget the sudden panic attack he almost had and moved through the forest with cautious speed. Everything seemed still and though he tried to find any signs of life, it seemed he was the only being in this serene place.

The bushes rustled beside him and Naruto froze. He knew that if it was something big, like a bear or a wolf, it wouldn't do any good to stay still. If it wanted to attack it would. Even so, he couldn't help but think it would be nice if it was a rabbit. Rabbits were quiet, plant-eating creatures. They were cute too. He wanted it to be a rabbit.

Mew

Naruto looked down and felt a gentle brush against his legs. Looking down, he let out a sigh of relief. Picking up the feline, he held it level with his face. "Well, you aren't a rabbit, but you are just as good." He paused, smiling as the creature continued to stare. The cat showed no sign of dislike toward being carried. "Have you seen a woman come by here?"

The cat stiffened then gave a particuarly nasty hiss as he struggled to get free. Startled, he let it go and watched confused as it bounded into the forest. The bushes rustled again but this time Naruto knew that it wouldn't be something small. A paw broke through the leaves, bulky and covered in blood. Then, without warning, the rest of the beast appeared. The mouth and chest of the beast was covered in blood and taters of fabric. The girl's mother...

The monster roared, its body rippling under its black fur. He noticed that it looked feline in build. The cat he had before must have run to escape this beast. Scared, Naruto could only watch as the monster walked towards him.

"Finally, Alice. I have found you."

Before he could comprehend what the creature had said it was leaping onto him and ripping into his chest. With a scream, Naruto closed his eyes and let welcomed sleep take him away from the pain.