Altered Destiny Ch 7: Superior Trials

Naruto sighed as he smoked a cigarette and jumped from tree branch to branch, he was about half a day's journey from the village. But Naruto was impulsive and impatient despite his training thus far, he wanted to be home in three or four hours.

Naruto tried with the best of his ability to channel his excess chakra through his legs while he ran; giving him a little boost as well as relief for his aching muscles.

Naruto had little to none chakra control training whatsoever; yet despite the difficulty he managed to do just fine. Naruto came across many examples of the Fire Country's wildlife but took very little interest in them as he sped through the thick woods. Unknown to Naruto two shadowed figures watched his every move and studied him thoroughly; following silently in the shadows.

Naruto felt the thrill of combat from earlier beginning to fade, yet the adrenaline from his run kept his body going so Naruto continued to push his body to it's limits just as Itachi-sensei had taught him. As Naruto was running he could have swore he saw a glowing burst of crimson chakra escape from a nearby mountainside, as he approached the site there were scattered rocks and boulders everywhere with a giant hole that went through solid stone of all things.

As his curiosity got the best of him Naruto entered the cave in search of whatever caused all the commotion, as he got further inside he noticed that this wasn't a cave at all but ruins! Naruto studied very little in ancient cultures yet all he knew was there were random glyphs on the walls that seemed to glow and fade in a pattern that resembled a human heart beat.

As Naruto got deep enough to know he was close to something important he came to a sudden halt as four Kunai pierced the spot he would have been standing.

"That's far enough little leaf Ninja, I don't know why our boss would waste our time with a runt like you but our orders are to kill."

A first voice said in an almost disgusted manner.

"And lucky us for you to come to such a secluded and enclosed environment such as this one. Now die!"

Another voice said in a tone that was so cold and merciless it could only belong to a killer. Naruto quickly turned and used one of his one Kunai to deflect a barrage of oncoming projectiles. Before Naruto could react however one opponent had him in a strangle-hold while the other slowly walked toward Naruto with a long hunting knife. Naruto called upon Kurama's chakra but due to his inexperience and lack of chakra control the energy simply exhausted his stamina...

Is this... How I die? How pitiful...

Naruto thought to himself, unable to forgive himself for letting it end this way.

If you had power, would you use it?

A voice spoke in the back of Naruto's mind, the volume of the voice giving the impression it was coming from somewhere distant.

If I had power I wouldn't lose to anyone! I could protect Hinata and everything else!

Naruto thought to himself, responding to the voice.

Very well... But in return for this gift you must grant me a request, do you accept these terms?

The voice asked in a neutral tone.

Yes I do...

"I accept your terms! Grant me power!"

Naruto said aloud, his attackers laughing at his sudden outburst. As the blade plunged into Naruto's chest his eyes closed slowly... A split-second later Naruto's eyes shot open and glowed a bright white; the blade of his attacker being forcibly rejected causing the hilt of the weapon to impale his chest in an ironic twist of fate, the attacker behind Naruto was rejected by the blast of energy and hit the wall behind him with enough force to kill him instantly; a look of absolute horror forever painted into his facial expression. Naruto's eyes shifted back to their regular cerulean as he stumbled around in an almost drunken-stupor.

"What the hell is going on? Last I remembered someone had stabbed me... And then that voice appeared in my head and there was a white light... And then nothing..."

Naruto said aloud as he managed to compose himself; regaining his balance and taking a look at the lifeless bodies of his enemies and then gazing at his own hands.

Did I do this? Why can't I remember?

Naruto thought to himself as he began moving forward further into the temple.

Sarutobi smoked from his pipe as he gazed upward from his balcony at the crescent moon in the night sky above; the burning embers illuminating his face. Sarutobi had been tracking Naruto's progress along his route back to the village through his crystal ball yet along the way the young Ninja found himself in an area the Hokage's Jutsu couldn't penetrate.

"Is the Prophecy coming closer to fruition? Minato you were very correct when you said your heir was destined for great things..."

Sarutobi said aloud almost as if he were speaking to his old friend again in person; the very thought bringing a slight grin to the Hokage's face. The Hokage raised his left arm upward; his left hand clenched in a fist with the exception of his middle and forefinger. A split-second later ten ANBU Black Operatives appeared atop the rooftop as well as the balcony alongside Sarutobi.

"Begin Operation Kitsune Recovery."

Sarutobi said, the ANBU Black Opps members nodding their heads in acknowledgment and vanishing in the same manner in which they appeared.

Naruto had never been to this place before yet for some odd reason he knew he was going the right way; he didn't even know what he was looking for exactly but he knew in his gut that he would know when he came across it. The deeper Naruto ventured toward the core of this structure the more rapid the pulsing patterns on the temple walls became.

After about fifteen more minutes or so of walking Naruto found himself walking along this narrow corridor bathed in radiant golden light, the passage began to open up into a large circular chamber with intricate glowing runes covering all the walls and ceiling.

The runes overlapped one another with colors of red, green and blue; making the rune patterns appear like the wiring of a complex piece of technology. However the main feature in the room was a young woman placed in a large mechanical chamber centered in the middle of the room. As Naruto approached the chamber there seemed to be a control panel; upon further inspection Naruto recognized it to be a scanner that read your handprint.

Naruto hesitantly placed his hand on the scanner uncertain if anything would happen at all. After making a few mechanical beeping noises the red glaring light on the front of the scanner switched to green.

"Print ID Accepted, welcome back Naruto."

A pleasant female electronic voice stated, leaving Naruto confused. However Naruto's confusion quickly became curiousity as the mechanical chamber began to crack as if it were an egg hatching, a few seconds later the entire thing shattered into a million crystaline fragments as if it were ice or glass; in the center of the chamber was a naked blonde haired girl unconscious.

Naruto quickly scooped her up, carrying her as he wrapped his traveling cloak around her. As Naruto turned to leave a bright white light appeared on the floor behind him, uncertain of what it could be Naruto cautiously approached the light only to be sucked into it like some kind of vortex. As Naruto came to he was standing at the entrance to the temple with a dazed expression on his face.

"What just happened?"

Naruto asked himself aloud; staring off into space while still carrying the temple girl.

Hinate had been worried about Naruto's extended absence from the village for some time now, she had spoken with the Hokage earlier and he had informed her that a search party had been deployed and assured Hinate that they would find him very shortly. Even with everything said and done Hinata couldn't help but worry, she cared for Naruto's safety and well-being. Hinata was through with worrying and had promised Tenten a midnight snack so she was on her way to meet her now.

"Get home safely Naruto."

Hinata muttered as she walking out her front door; locking her door behind her.