The Hero of Time (NarutoxZelda)

Disclaimer: This story is fiction. All the characters, names and places belong to their respective owners.

=[Legend of Zelda]=

"Ha! Wha! Sha!" Naruto shouted as he slashed and stabbed the air rapidly. The two fairies nearby, one fake and one real, watched him trained with interest. Torrent of winds swirled around the blade, folded several times over and into a fine edge, giving the sword unprecedented sharpness. Naruto threw the sword like a flying knife with added spins from his wrist, sending it colliding against a large boulder. The blade drilled into the stone effortlessly, and as soon as it emerged out from the other side, he teleported toward it. Gripping it tightly, he did a full rotational slash, bisected the boulder in half along with several trees around him with a circular blast of wind.

"Naru has gotten much stronger in such a short amount of time," Navi noted excited. The boy continued to practice his skill by cutting through the surrounding trees with ease as she watched on.

"Of course, who do you think is his master," Kurama claimed with pride, hovering around Navi. "… but I will give it credit where it is due. I admit I was surprised at Naruto's level of mastery, but it might have something to do with his natural ability with the sword. Without the innate gift, this would have taken a much longer time. That said, he still has much further to go."

"Can't you give compliment without taking something back?" Navi questioned with slight annoyance.

"Criticism makes him work harder. It reminds him there is room left for improvement," Kurama answered calmly. "Anyway, this level of swordsmanship is nothing special really. Using a single element isn't as hard as it seems. There are four more elements to go, and I want him to become acquaintance with them all."

"There's four more? Did you miscount? There are only Wind, Water, Earth, and Fire… what's the fifth one?"

"The fifth one is thunder; the power of lightning," Kurama answered with a sigh. "It is a rarely used element, but it is an element nonetheless. If Naruto managed to master each one, he could combine them together in order to create other effects. For example, he could manipulate ice by combining wind and water with correct portions each; magma if mixing earth and fire together; steam through water and fire. Different amount of each element can cause different effects, so the possibility is limitless."

Navi blinked at the explanation. She didn't know there was such kind of magic in the world. It begged the question as to why no one had used it before. "What happened if you combine all five elements together?"

"If done correctly, something impressive will happen," Kurama answered cryptically, making Navi stared at him. He stared back. "When Naruto gets there, he will show it to you. Telling you now will ruin the surprise. On another note, you only have one task to do while I trained him, and you failed spectacularly at it."

"Eh… but I… I did my best," Navi said weakly as she sank toward the ground in shame. "There are no fruits bearing trees around this area. I've checked several times already."

"This isn't Kikori Forest, dumb dumb. There isn't an abundant amount of fruits at arm length, and even if it was so, Naruto shouldn't eat something like that all the time. Fruits and vegetables might be a good diet for the children of the forest, but he isn't one of them since he does aged. His growth is stunned at the moment. Can't you tell?" Kurama snorted with irritation. He then sighed and cleared his mind. "But I guess this is what happens when you give such a big task for something so puny."

"Puny… Hey! You're the same size as me," Navi called out.

"Yes, that's true, but I'm immensely more powerful than you," Kurama said as one of his onyx tendrils morphed into a shadowy hand. The pseudo limb surged toward the ground and lifted the large log to demonstrate a point. Kurama then dropped the log and morphed the hand back to its original form. "I'm also smarter, more knowledgeable… so why are you even tagging along? What can you do for him that I can't? Even a simple task as finding proper foods is too difficult for you."

Navi continued to descend lower with each jabs, before she landed onto an opened palm of a blond-haired boy. "Naru… maybe I should return to the forest. I'm just a burden, am I?"

"Kurama! Stop putting Navi down! She's doing the best she can!" Naruto called out as he sheathed his sword on his back.

"Exactly," Kurama snorted. "If that was the best, then she's isn't going to get any better."

"Wow… that's harsh, really harsh," Naruto said with a headshake. "Navi came along with us because I asked her too, and the berries she bought back were good enough. If you don't like them, then go find something to your taste!"

"Tsk, I didn't even eat it. I'm only pointing out her shortcomings and reminding her that the outside world isn't like the forest she came from," Kurama said as he orbited around the blond. "If it was up to her, you might have become a corpse somewhere already. Sending a ten year old out in the world for the first time is like telling him to go and die. There are many monsters lurked in the woods and caves, you know."

Naruto didn't want to argue with its logic. "Yeah, but be subtle about it. You don't need to call it how you see it!"

"Yeah, yeah," Kurama said and hovered before Navi. "Alright, cheer up. Even an insect can be useful so you might graduate to one, one day."

"Kurama!"

"Sorry," Kurama apologized. "Since you don't know the Sun's Song, I suggest we head out of this wood before nightfall. It will get very dangerous around here with all the freaking spiders lurking about… They are not strong, but they freaked me out."

"You scare of spiders?" Naruto asked, but Kurama stared at him. "Forget that I asked. Maybe I should get a shield for extra protection? I could carve one out of wood right now."

"A shield is unnecessary," Kurama advised as he looked at all the fallen trees. "It is bulky to use and only slow you down. The best defense is the best of offence. In the simplest term, if you force your opponent into constantly defending themselves, then you don't need to protect yourself since they can't attack you."

Naruto scratched his head and fixed his green hat. "Yeah, I sort of understand. Attack them before they could attack me."

"Hmmm… yeah okay," Kurama stated before looking at the slowly darkened sky. "There is still some time left, and since Navi is so bad at her job, I suggest we all go hunt down some delicious meats for the road ahead. There are plenty of animals around here for you to kill and roast. It would be easier if you have mastered the basic usage of fire first. Maybe I should get you started on that as well."

"Eh!? Another element, and hunting for foods?" Naruto questioned the boring tasks. "I don't want to… I want to go on and explore the world! I'm already strong enough. Did you see me slash through all the trees and shrubs?"

"Yes, I did, but immoveable target is not the same as those you will eventually face," Kurama pointed out. "Real enemies will not just stand by and let you attack them. Having more skill at your disposal will give you a wider range of attacks. And sustenance is necessary to keep you in top shape."

"I…" Naruto began, but the fairy in his hand squirmed to get his attention.

"Naru, listen. We need to get to Hyrule Castle as the Great One requested," Navi advised. "It is an important task that only you can do. The Great One has warned us about the darkness descending upon the land. Getting the Kokiri's Emesrald to the Princess will deter that, and you don't want the princess waiting forever for you."

"Huh? She's waiting for me?" Naruto asked with a surprise.

Navi gave a pause and pondered about the correct answers. "Yes, I think so. Since she is chosen by the Gods, she should have prophetic visions. I believed she already know you are coming."

"Wow, she has visions about me?" Naruto said, feeling like he was someone of importance. "Huh, Navi… doesn't that mean she knows what I'm doing right now?"

"No, I don't think such ability works that way," Navi answered while Kurama drifted around the blond.

"But I'm not sure. You should go see her if you want to confirm for yourself," she added.

"Before doing anything, we should gather some foods," Kurama interjected, but he seemingly was ignored by the blond.

Naruto had a thoughtful expression. His mind contemplated the difficulty of the task while drowning out everything else. He finally spoke up when his mind noted some problems. "But the castle guards wouldn't just let anyone in to see her would they? And if I show them the jewel, they might confiscate it from me. Also, wouldn't giving such an important object to her instantly make her a target?"

The blond then leered at the shadow fairy after taking out the green spiritual stone. "Kurama said this is one of three Spiritual Stones. Together, they can open the gateway to the Sacred Realm and grant the passage to the Tri-force. It is the reason why an evil man wants to open it to further his agenda. If I take it with me far away from Hyrule, then there's no way he could get what he wanted right?"

"Interesting suggestion, but doing so will derail the whole plotline, Naruto," Kurama said lowly. "And if you leave this land right now, you won't be able to claim the Tri-force."

"What was that!?" Navi called out as Kurama tried to learn how to whistle. "Naru wants the Tri-force?"

Navi hovered right before Naruto, who sweat-dropped at her staring. "Do you want the Tri-force? Those that desired it will only bring forth calamity. You mustn't give in to temptation!"

"No… I just want to have a look at it, that's all," Naruto said meekly while averting his eyes away from the fairy. "It's a divine artifact left by the Goddesses since the world's creation so of course I want to see it for myself. Wouldn't you do the same?"

"Oh… I see. If you just want to see it then it's fine. But to enter the Sacred Realm, you need to open the gateway," Navi said while several grim scenarios passed through her mind. It seemed like the boy was not of pure heart like she had expected him to be. If those with tainted heart touched the Tri-force, the world would reflect their nature. She didn't want to know what would happened if Naru did.

The white fairy examined at the innocence face of the boy as he examined at the Emerald for the umpteenth times. There was no lust of power within those eyes for now. "Naru. I agree with your suggestion. We should leave this land and go somewhere far away. We could bury this spiritual stone in a place where no one could find it."

"You thought it was a good plan too?" Naruto asked, blinking. "Yeah, let's do that. If one of them is missing, no one can enter the Sacred Realm right?"

"Yes, you need all three to open the path. But don't you want to see Princess Zelda at least once before you leave Hyrule?" Kurama asked as he floated closer to the blond, bumping Navi out the way. "She's a princess, so you know she's a great looker. Don't you want to see a pretty girl like that?"

"She is?" Naruto asked.

Navi tried to push Kurama out of the way before he could corrupt the boy further, but her effort was in vain since Naruto seemed to only hear Kurama.

"The cutest," Kurama added alluringly. "You know, she might even give you a kiss for bringing such a sought for item to her."

"A… a kiss!?" Naruto shouted while his cheeks were cherry red. He pressed his hands against them, feeling the temperature rising. He then looked around the sparsely spaced trees and ran off in the general direction. "Which way is Hyrule Castle?"

Navi blinked and chased after the boy. She caught up to the shadowy orb before growling at it. "What are you doing? Stop corrupting him."

"I'm not. I was just saying what he wanted to hear. You should learn how to do that if you wish to persuade him to your side," Kurama advised with a smirk. "Wouldn't it better if we find all three of Stones and take it with us? Princess Zelda might know where they are. And did you not remember what had happened to the Great One? I think the holders of the other two are also in peril, so shouldn't we help them?"

"I-I… I didn't think… I…" Navi stuttered before exhaling deeply. "I will go along with it now for now. But is this the right direction?"

"Not sure, but we'll see," Kurama said almost calmly as he flew ahead. He nested beneath the green hat on top of the blond's head. Navi did the same as both of them ride Naruto across the desert with impressive speed.

Naruto ran for hours with the only a few things in mind. First, he wanted to see the princess and judge for himself, and secondly, he would exchange the large emerald in his satchel for a kiss. The idea of being kissed by a princess was satisfying in itself. He could gloat about it to Mido if he ever returned to the forest. Nothing could top that off.

Unfortunately, his desire was replaced with something else as he collapsed onto the sands under the night sky. He mumbled and fell asleep due to exhaustion. Kurama was already snoozing while Navi sighed and did the same.

His stomach grumbled loudly as morning came around again. He groaned and pulled himself up before collapsing onto the sand again. In doing so, he awakened both fairies. "I'm starving… Is there anything to eat?"

"Not around here, and I did tell you to pack some foods," Kurama stated flatly. "Also, congratulation for making it this far on an empty stomach. I was wondering when you're running out of steam."

"Naru…" Navi muttered as she hovered around him. "Get up, you can't stay here. The sun is rising!"

"Mmmm…. I want to… but I'm so hungry," Naruto muttered lowly and began to crawl across the granite earth like a slug. There was nothing for miles all around him while the relentless sun bearing down on him. "I'm really thirsty…"

"Thirsty huh… do you learn how to manipulate the water element now?" Kurama asked calmly. "You can create water from your own energy, but since you're low on it, it isn't a solution either. Maybe we can find an oasis soon."

Naruto blinked wearily and tried to pull himself up again. He staggered and fell onto the ground before rolling down a slope. He tried again while mumbling: "So hot…"

"You should give up. You don't have any strength left in you," Kurama added after seeing the pointless struggle. Navi tried to scout ahead, but only sands were within her vision.

"Kurama… aren't you supposed to be my guardian…. why are you so calm when I'm like this?" Naruto asked after a while. "It's like you want to see me suffer…"

"Heh… Not at all," Kurama said as he left the comfort of the hat and floated in front of the blond. "I just want you to know that you should have listened to me. If you had gather some foods before running off then you wouldn't be in such condition. Know your limits before you act. This is a lesson. Did you learn it well?"

"Yes. I'm sorry, I will listen to you next time," Naruto apologized. "Can you help me now?"

Kurama nodded. His shadowy body enlarged while tendrils twisted and swirled around him as he morphed into a pitch black horse. The phantom mare shook its entire body before sending out a tendril to uplift the boy onto its back. Kurama then eyed Navi. "Well? Get on, or you want to fly along. I will be moving very fast, so you might have trouble keeping up."

Navi decided to the right thing and held on to Naruto's hairs as black tendrils strapped over his body to prevent him from falling off. Kurama screeched as he leaped and galloped across the desert, leaving a trail of blasting sands behind every step. Soon enough, the landscape around him shifted into greenery with a viable source of water. After quenching their thirst, Kurama continued onward with the lazy passengers.

"We're here… and I'm tired," Kurama said as he returned to his orb form, waking Naruto and Navi up by letting them crashing into the ground.

"This is Hyrule Castle Town? I thought you didn't know where it was," Navi asked, hovering above the groaning blond since he went face first into the cobblestone.

"I didn't, but I check the wooden signs along the way," Kurama answered with a yawn.

"If you could transform into that, why didn't you do it before?" Naruto asked, rubbing his face and long ears while his stomach rumbled loudly. "We could have made it here much faster if you did."

"I'm not a horse to be ridden whenever you feel like it, Naruto," Kurama snorted as he landed on top of blond's head and pulled the green cap over. "It also took great amount of effort to maintain that form while carrying you two here. I'm going to sleep for a little bit. Navi, go find him something to eat before he die of starvation."

"But we have no money," Navi argued, but Kurama was already snoozing under the green hat. Naruto fell flat on the ground, groaning.

"Please get up, you can't lay here like this," Navi told Naruto.

"I'm so hungry. I can't move my body anymore," Naruto muttered lowly. His nose noticed the taunting aroma of nourishing substance that he'd never sense before. He stared at the closest vendor while mustering all the strength he had into one hand. He used that hand to lift up a large emerald. "I only have this on me so trade it for some foods."

"Eh!?" Navi called out. "The Great One said you can't do that!"

"He did?" Naruto questioned before blinking. "No, the old man said I can't sell it for any amount of rupees…. He didn't say I couldn't trade it for foods."

"It's the same thing!" Navi argued while pouncing in the air. "You can't just give something like that away! What if it falls into the hands of that evil person?"

"But I'm starving, Navi. What's the point if I'm going to die," Naruto moaned while some adults looked at him. They didn't bother to stop to render any aid for one reason or another. "I rather have an apple than this thing right now. Who want to trade with me?"

"Is this fine?" asked a blond-haired girl with aquamarine eyes, crouching down in front of him. Naruto stared up at her before looking the piece of steaming bread in her outstretched hand. He eagerly accepted it.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," Naruto practically sobbed while chewing and savoring the fluffy texture of the bread for all its worth. "I have never tasted something like this before. It's a hundred times better than the stuff in the forest. Can I please have some more? I haven't eaten anything in the last couple of days!"

"Oh… You must be starving… Umm… wait here," the girl advised and checked some of the nearby vendors. Once she done her shopping, she handed all she had brought in a large bag. "I don't know how much you can eat so I brought as much I could carry. I hope this is enough."

Naruto looked at the amount of food he was given. Tears streaming out of his eyes as he nodded repeatedly.

The girl then watched him gulping each succulent editable piece down as if his life was depending on it with a smile. To his side, a white fairy was sampling a few, but with more courtesy. The other fairy, who was out of view, was still asleep.

"I know it's good, but you need to slow down before you choke… umm…"

"Naru…to," Naruto introduced himself with a mouthful. He then struggled to swallow what was in his mouth. He almost chocked his throat was clogged up. "Mhmmfph…"

The girl panicked and patted his back to help him swallow while Navi sweat-dropped.

"Hehehehe… I really thought I was going to die. You really are my savior!" Naruto thanked her.

"Your savior, huh," she said as the blond nodded repeatedly before stuffing his mouth again. After he had his fill, he patted his bloated stomach and placed the remaining amount into his satchel for later.

"Yeah, you're my life saver!" Naruto assured and handed her the large emerald. "Here you go. I hope this covered it."

Zelda looked at the spiritual stone before eyeing the blond boy again. "It is a very lovely stone, but are you sure you should be giving it to me? Isn't it something of important?"

"Naru, you shouldn't give it away like that! You suppose to give it to Princess Zelda!" Navi called out.

"But she gave us food, Navi, and I want to repay her in some way," Naruto said and patted himself. "I don't have anything of value on me beside my sword. I don't think she wants a sword."

"Naru!" Navi called out, but it was in vain. She couldn't stop him from giving away the item that the Great Deku Tree entrusted him. "Please forgive me, Great One. I've failed…"

Naruto rolled his eyes. "It's not like I could just walk to the princess and give her it, Navi. This might be better."

"But… But…"

"There is no need to worry. I will give it to her when I see her," Zelda assured the duo with a smile. "She and I are best friends after all."

"Really? You know the princess personally? Wow, you're must be rich then! What does the she looks like? Is she as cute as you?" Naruto questioned excitedly while Navi stared at the girl suspiciously.

Zelda giggled at the blond. "Tehehehe, no one is as cute as me."

"Really?" Naruto called out with a smile. He then frowned. "But then I got nothing else to give you… can I owe you a favor?"

"You know what? You can accompany me around the town all day as a repayment," Zelda requested.

Naruto accepted immediately as he wanted to check out the town as well. Having a cute girl with him was a bonus. Time flew by as they both visited numerous vendors and played various games while laughing at each other. They quickly became friends even though he didn't know her name. Navi remained suspicious at the girl while Kurama mumbled something in his sleep ever now and then.

Eventually, Naruto remembered the fun time he had back in the forest and played the ocarina that Saira had given him for such occasion. Zelda captured the beautiful melody as it repeated several times. She then joined him with her own ocarina. The soothing tune both children played filled the street they were in as some passing Hylians crowded around them and listened.

"Thank you, thank you," Naruto said after he finished. The crowd clapped before dispersing again. He then turned toward the girl, who held the ocarina in her hand. It was different from his, but it played the same. "Wow you have an ocarina as well?"

"Yes, this is my family heirloom," Zelda replied. "It is a –

Zelda stopped abruptly as she hid herself from view before anyone noticed. Naruto raised a brow when a woman passed him by with several armored guards in tow. She seemed to be their leader, and they appeared to be looking for someone by questioning the people in sight. Someone among the scattered crowd pointed at him accusingly.

"Hey, I didn't do anything!" Naruto called out and was about to run away, but the woman pulled him back by the collar before he could. He was about to attack her with his sword, but Navi stopped him from causing chaos.

"Hang on, little boy. I don't mean you any harm. I just want to know where the little girl with blond hair and blue eyes that was with you is right now," Impa assured and let her hand go. She couldn't divulge that she was looking for the princess, who ran off to see the town when nobody was looking.

"I don't know what you're talking about! Let me go!" Naruto demanded before his blue eyes were glued to the pouch of rupees clattering in the woman's hand. He wasn't sure how much it was, but it was definitely more than he ever had on him. "Ugh… I might have seen something… I think that's about the right incentive."

Impa handed Naruto the pouch with a smile. He checked how much within roughly before telling Impa to lean down so he could whisper information to her. Impa's eyes widened with shock when she heard the boy's words. She called the guards to follow her in haste.

"You should not have done that, Naru!" Navi called out, tapping the money pouch.

"But it's a fair trade isn't it? I've told her where I think a blond-haired and blue eyes girl went and she paid me for the information," Naruto questioned with a smile while leaning against the wall. He looked around briefly to make sure if anyone was watching. Most of the crowd had already left as soon as the guards were.

"Why don't you go home already, Princess Zelda," Naruto said.

"!" Navi was stunned at the revelation. "Princess Zelda?"

Zelda stuck her head out of hiding place. She looked at the boy with a surprised expression. "Huh? How did you know who I was? I haven't told you my name yet."

"Hmmm… actually, I wasn't sure at first, but you just confirmed it for me," Naruto said with a small shrug. Seeing Zelda and Navi staring at him, he elaborated further. "The way that scary lady was behaving, I'm assuming she must be looking for someone of great important. Since she commanded the guards of the castle, she might be looking for a criminal or someone of high standing. There's no way you're a criminal because you're so nice and cute, so when I was thinking more on it, I concluded you must be of royalty, thus you're a princess. As for your name, all princesses in Hyrule are named Zelda so she must be Princess Zelda. Am I right?"

"Naru. How old are you, really?" Navi asked as Naruto tilted his head in confusion.

"I'm ten…?" Naruto said after counting his fingers while Zelda giggled. He then rubbed the back of his head shyly. "Umm… look like I accomplished the task given to me by the old man after all… you can't complain anymore right, Navi?"

"Yes," Navi admitted. "I'm sorry for before, Princess Zelda."

"No, it's fine," Zelda said. She then returned her attention to Naruto.

Naruto returned the gaze. Her eyes were much different than before. "You knew didn't you?"

"Yes, I knew the moment I saw the Spiritual Stone in your hand," Zelda said with saddened eyes. "I had this dream. It was a frightening dream, in which all of Hyrule was overshadowed by ominous black clouds. But then a light appears and cuts through the darkness, shining upon the lands. Within that last ray of hope, a silhouette of a person stands, holding a stone with green light. I believed that person is you."

"Okay… that was oddly vague, and you're jumping to conclusion," Naruto muttered lowly. "It was fun, Zelda. I will be on my way now."

"I see," Zelda said, seeing how the blond might not be the person in her dream. "Maybe I'm wrong… maybe you're not the person in my vision."

"Vision, Ah!" Naruto called out. He realized the girl before him had the same facial features as a person in his dream. The girl in there was heavily wounded, running through the emptied corridor. Her blood marked her passing, allowing her pursuer to follow. It was a man cladded in black cloak with a mask. His action betrayed his eyes, however. Those dark blue eyes filled with sadness.

Naruto sighed and turned back to the girl before drawing his blade and seemingly slashing at her. Zelda ducked out the way as the boy's sword clashed against the sword of another person.

"Who are you? Why did you try to kill her?" Naruto demanded as the armored man stared down at him with a smirk.

"Ganondorf…" Zelda muttered as she stepped backward.

"Apologies, Princess Zelda," Ganondorf said, flicking Naruto away with a swing of his blade. He then holstered it calmly. "It's a sad day for Hyrule as their beloved princess met an unfortunate fate while she wandered around town without her escorts. Then King then died of grief while chaos erupted in the capital."

"That's… no, you wouldn't," Zelda muttered with shock as Naruto shielded her with weapon in hand. He wasn't sure what was happening, but he felt the incredible killing intention emanating from the man along with dreadful aura. He also noticed there were many other cloaked people watching him, waiting for some sort of orders. With a gulp, Naruto steadied his hand while the hiraishin blade glowed brightly with energy. Wind swirled in the air before wrapping itself around the blade, forming a sharp edge.

"Hoh? That is an interesting ability, and very dangerous," Ganondorf claimed and sent forth a powerful magical blast. Naruto blocked it with his sword, but the shockwave washed over the weapon and flung him to the side.

Ganondorf was about to grab Zelda, but a flying sword force him to evade. To his surprise, the child who threw it materialized in front of him, holding the handle. In one swift motion, the blade slashed through his armor with ease even though the tip did not touched him. He staggered back, holding his chest. If it wasn't for the magical shield, he would have been cut in half. "I have underestimated you. Where did you learn such magic?"

"I'm not telling you anything," Naruto called out and charged forward, but he was flung away by a powerful invisible force. He tried to throw the sword at the man again, but a pitch-black portal opened up and swallowed the weapon before it could reach its intended target. Naruto was then impacted with another magical blast causing him to gasp in pain. He collapsed onto the ground groaning while Navi tried to encourage him.

"Stop," Zelda called out and blocking Ganodorf's attempt to kill the boy with her body. "I will give you what you want, but please spare him."

Ganodorf didn't say anything, but outstretched his hand and demanded the artifacts she had. Zelda gave him the green spiritual stone as he lifted up to his eyes and examined it. He then returned his attention to the little girl. "And the Ocarina?"

"Don't do it!" Naruto roared, pulling himself up while Zelda held the musical instrument shakily. "You cannot let him have that! It's your precious family heirloom isn't it? Don't give him such thing! I don't want to be at his mercy like that!"

"Hmfph… I never said I would spare either of you. The idiot girl gave me it on her own," Ganondorf pointed out as Zelda was speechless. With a wave of his hand, he flung Naruto into the wall hard – bone shattering. With another hand gesture, Naruto was crashed onto the ground as Zelda crouched down by his side. She was sobbing as she couldn't do anything to help him.

"I'm so sorry, Naruto, for dragging you into this," Zelda whimpered as the blond look up at her teary face. He coughed heavily afterward as something in his hair stirred.

"Kurama, please help," Naruto muttered lowly.

"This is the reason why I want you to master the rest of the elements, but you didn't want to," Kurama whispered. "See what I mean now? There are people like him in the world. They can squash you as you are right now."

"Please help," Naruto muttered again.

"I cannot do anything at the moment," Kurama refused flatly. "I suggest you escape for now, and come back when you're stronger. Live and fight another day."

"But… what about Zelda?" Naruto mumbled. "I can't just leave her here."

"I think you already know what to do," Kurama responded. "He has one of the stones right now, so you must claim the other two before he could."

"Navi," Naruto called as the fairy hovered around him. He grabbed before pulling himself up and tackled Zelda to her shock. All four of them, two children and two fairies, vanished right before Ganondorf's eyes.

"Find the Princess, and bring me the Ocarina," Ganondorf ordered as all the masked thief complied.

XxXxX

Only darkness covered his vision once he felt the sword in his hand. He moved his other hand around to feel anything close by. A girl shrieked as he pressed his palm against her. A white orb hovered around him, expelling the darkness and lighting the way. He looked down and realized he was on top of Zelda.

"Zelda," Naruto called out as he jerked upward, only to bang his head against the hard ceiling. He fell back down on top of the girl as stars swirled around his eyes. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean it… to touch you there…"

"Stop saying such strange thing, Naruto," Zelda said, pushing the boy to the side so she could look around. The only light available was from Navi. "Where are we?"

"Inside a very deep chasm, apparently," Kurama answered as he scanned the surrounding. "As to where exactly… I'm not sure."

Author Notes:

Zelda is joining Naruto on his adventure so I can develop their relationship while hunting down the rest of the stones, which shouldn't take too long. Ganondorf is also active in this instead of just sitting back and ordering his goons to do all the work. I really hate an antagonist like that.