Normally, lakes arn't something that comes to the mind when someone is asked where they wanted to go for a voyage. But still, there will always be a few weird people out there that would think otherwise. Apparently a certain blonde was one of then who was currently eyeing the huge mass of water with awe. Yes there will always be people...

"Sugoi!"

Even saying that, the lake was quite impressive. Having about a radius of 400 meters, the surface sparkled under the sunlight as if a sheet of blue crystal was spread out, darker at the edges and lighter at the middle. In the distance, a range of mountains and hills stood, their necks piercing the clouds. Never in his life had naruto saw such a breathtaking scenery. Standing for another minute or two, Naruto snapped out of his trance.Guess I should start with the tent, he thought as a fumbled with his backpack.

Time skip: 7 hours

Naruto now sat staring lazily at the small campfire he had made to warm himself from the chilly weather. Night had already began to fall and the blonde was trying to come with something to kill time. He had spent the day splashing in the lake, eating ramen, exploring the forest, eating more ramen, chasing wild animals and running away from angry bears, searching for more ramen in his backpack before falling into depression for not finding any. He admitted he enjoyed this new freedom but it was still a tad bit boring. And now he was gazing at the endless black sky trying to spot some shooting stars. Unfortunately none caught his sight. Maybe that kid was lying, he thought frowning before a devilish grin broke his face as he tried to come up with a prank to get back at him. He didn't know how much time has flown by before he was pulled away from his thoughts when he realised that the fire had died out. Looking around he noticed his surroundings were much darker before turning towards the lake...only for his eyes to widen and his jaw drop.

Whereas the lake looked like a crystal sheet in the daylight, now it looked as if the water had turned to liquid silver. Up in the sky, a full moon contrasted with the dark clouds, its soft eternal glow making the blonde feel calm for some reason. He didn't know how long he sat there staring before the distant sound of fireworks made his way to him. Blinking, he realized that the festival back at Konoha must have been over. Feeling he should be heading back soon, he got ready to pack things up before a voice spoke up.

"That chakra...it can't be...".

Instantly, Naruto's senses went on high alert as he froze, his hands shooting towards his kunai pouch trying to locate the owner of the voice. "who's there?!", he demanded he's voice a bit shaky. How did he not sense anyone?! Before he could think any further, a strange burning sensation went through him, as if something hot was being poured inside of him. Suddenly everything around became sharp. His eyesight, smelling and hearing senses escalated and he could pick out every details of the smallest things around him— The rustle of leaves, the whispers of the wind, the trickle of water...wait.

Naruto turned toward the massive water body before pausing, turning around and then turning back in the direction of where the lake was supposed to be with a confused expression on his face.

"Where did the lake go?!" he asked to no one in particular.

True to his words, the lake beside which the blonde had fooled around all day, seemed to have vanished into thin air. Instead it was replaced by a steep valley complete with trees, foliage and all sorts of greenery. But the valley wasn't what caught his eyes,no. It was what lay in the middle or rather the structure that looked like a traditional Japanese house...except it was large and was surrounded by wisteria. Like the clan compounds back at his village. Where did that building come from? And where the hell did that lake go anyway?!

Even as a part of his brain tried to come up with any theory as to explain this situation before him, the other part couldn't help but admire what he saw. The building itself looked ancient and majestic with the walls and roofs having intricate designs, painted with a mixture of black and while textures with delicate golden borderlines. A stone archway was constructed in-front of what Naruto assumed was the main symbols were etched on it that seemed to glow dimly. Overall, the whole thing looked liked it was pulled out from a painting. Cautiously the jinchuriki make his way to the edges of the escarpment. A war was currently waging inside of him, one part telling him to 'Go explore that building that looks so awesome' while other telling him to 'Get the hell out of here before you experience Murphy's law first hand'...
In the end, you could guess who lost..

Completely forgetting about the voice he heard moments ago, he jumped off the edge, landing softly on the grass. Kunai in hand, he carefully made his way towards the house before stopping in-front of the archway. For some reason, the vibes he got from the seemingly harmless structure made him wary. What do these symbols mean?, he repeated to himself. The only thing he could relate this to was fuinjutsu. Still, it seemed different, almost like it was written in another language. Well here goes nothing...

One step. Two step. Three. Nothing happened. Naruto scoffed, I was worrying for nothing. Putting his hands on the door he slid it open. The inside was dark and a musty odor reached his nose. Seems like it has been abandoned for a while .

"Hello?!", he called out waiting for a reply, "Anyone home?! I need to ask something!". Still no response.

Deciding that standing outside would get him nowhere, he took off his sandal out of habit before stepping on the hard wooden floor. He decided to leave the door open to let the moonlight filter in to provide what little source of illumination it can. The room itself looked vacant consisting of only a couch, a coffee table with an empty vase sitting on top. At the corner of the room lay a grandfather's clock though it looked as if it was broken. A few paintings hanged on the wall but other than nothing else was there. Walking over to the table, he dragged a finger across the surface before inspecting it. Clean, he realized, so someone lives here after all. He didn't like intruding on other's property but his curiosity over the mystery behind the lake vanishing won over. He started towards the only other door he saw in the room and slid it open...to reveal an open balcony with a garden on the other side. A soft breeze wept his spiky hair as his eyes scanned the area before falling on an artifact or what looked like an artifact.

Surrounded by four white-marble pillars that had vines twisting and growing around them, lay an obelisk. The material that comprised it was so dark as if it was carved obsidian. Symbols were drawn similar to the archway outside expect it glowed a blood-red. Fascinated and awed, Naruto unconsciously made his way towards the structure. Stopping just within hands-reach, he could sense a strange power humming inside it. Slowly his hands inched closer to the dark surface before...

"I wouldn't touch it if I were you"

Completely caught off-guard, his instincts made him jump back while simultaneously throwing a kunai at where he thought the voice came from. It was a second later he realized what he had done that a feeling of dread overcame him as he watched the projectile close on it's target. Before he can give any shout of warning, the kunai stopped in its tracks before falling on the ground chattering loudly. Naruto was too surprised to speak but mentally he sighed in relief. Instead he look in the appearance of the new visitor. She was an attractive woman who look to be in her twenties, with long dark blue hair. She was dressed in a violet silky night gown that contrasted with her pale skin. Deep purple eyes studied him with interest.

"It's certainly unusual for someone to find this place", she continued not even the least fazed as if the kunai episode never occurred. Gulping, Naruto regained his composure before relaxing slightly. "Who are you? Do you live here?", he asked wanting to get some information. But the woman ignored him, muttering something to herself, brows furrowed in thought.
Naruto got a bit annoyed. He hated when people ignored him as if he didn't exist. "Hey answer me! Who are you?! And what is this place?!".

The woman turned towards him, tilting her head slightly." It's a house", she stated as if he was retarded.

Naruto would have face-faulted but he resorted to glaring at her. "I know that ! I'm not THAT dumb!", he yelled before realizing the meaning behind his words..which result in his face heating up.

The woman looked amused before deciding to answer the unspoken question to stop the blonde's further embarrassment. "This is a clan house—and no it's not build under the lake. The lake was just an illusion casted over to hide it. What I am wondering is how you saw through it..." she trailed off, not noticing the look of disbelief on the blonde's face.

"EHH?! What do you mean illusion! i would have known if it was an illusion! Besides, illusions don't get you wet from jumping in it!", Naruto narrowed his eyes,"Don't try to trick me lady, I am a ninja!...well I will be a ninja soon!"

"I am not trying to trick anyone. You are missing the point", the women explained,"You thought you played in the lake but actually you didn't. Everything that was related to the lake was a trick of the mind".

Naruto's head hurt. What is she talking about? If the whole thing was a trick of the eyes/mind, then what about all the things he did and saw. What about the sunset? It was too real to be just a genjutsu!"

As if reading his mind, the bluenette answered him,"You seem to be under the impression that illusions and mirages are alike. It's more complicated than that. If an illusion is powerful enough it can even be confused with reality". She looked like she wanted to say more but stopped. Instead she turned to something behind him and spoke,"Erio dear, would you mind checking the seals?".

Wondering who she was talking to, he looked in the same direction only to get taken-aback when he saw girl around his age with dishevelled aqua blue hair staring back at him from the branch of a tree. Where did she come from! I swear I didn't see anyone sitting there when I came here!
Naruto didn't know what happened but the next time he blinked, she was in-front of his face. Her eyes, the same colour of her hair seemed to glow as she stared straight into his own. But its wasn't a stare of curiosity or distrust. It was more like she was staring into his very soul, looking into every sin he had committed, as if saying' I know who you are more than you do'. Suppressing a shiver, he took a step back. After what felt like minutes, she broke eye contact before turning to the woman who stood patiently behind him.

A silent conversation passed between them and the older woman nodded.

"Follow me", she said curtly, before walking away.

Naruto, having no idea where she wanted to take him, turned to asked the other bluenette...only to find no sign of her anywhere.

Maybe can she teleport, he mused to himself eyeing the back of the older woman as she went further away. Shrugging, he followed after her. No use standing here. Besides, he had lots of question he needed answering.

Author's Note:- I'm aware of the fact that I'm making lots of grammatical errors. Again, please forgive my writing.
Other than that, making new ideas is giving me a hard time. I didn't think of everything before I started writing this. I will try to update as soon as possible. Later :D