(A/N): Aaaannnnd finally I'm back... really, don't hate me for the delay, I swear it was not intencionally, I kindda forgot to pay the phone and internet bill so I got the service cut down... yeah, yeah, I know what you are thinking 'So foolish to forget about such thing, shame on you Segaku' yeah, maybe, but this has been a couple of hectic weeks for me so don't really blame me for that, blame the troublesome real life... anyway, enough about my problems, here it is, a new chapter up :D I really suffered to bring this up so I hope you enjoy it , it may look like some kind of filler, but I needed this one to settle some things before bringing the final member from Fairy tail for this first arc to move to the Suna mission, yeah, I have some interesting things in mind for that with this Naruto on the rescue mission, but back to this chapter, here I bring you some NaruLu :3 nothing too romantic, but a cute interaction as a flashback anyways, I'm not that used to such scenes but I try my best at what I do... now moving into REVIEWS!

Wow, 20 reviews, even if it's not as much as many other fics get I'm proud of myself for reaching that number, I did this as an experiment and for the heck of it, and now it brings some pleasant results, I feel somewhat acomplished... special hi to buterflypuss, you are now a usual reader and I thank you for that, also you Sjamie1398, thanks for the support, and a really huge cookie for loganhunter2 who bothered to leave a review for each chapter I've uploaded so far, and I'm happy you loved the story so far, makes me want to keep working on this despite whatever real life throws at me

Now this part is special for me, like I said this two last weeks have been preety hectic for me outside the shiny and happy world of fanfictions, and I almost threw the towel with this since ideas for this chapter and the next seemed to escape from me, but, even if you were a guest reviewer and I couldn't thank you personally (at least as personally as internet allows) if you are reading this Yuuki, thank you, really really thank you, that small review you left here telling me that even among the few good Naruto-Fairy Tail you've read (That you consider mine a good one already means a lot for me) nobody has even touches this kind of idea gave me the necesary confidence and determination boost I needed to fight against the increasing urge to just abandon this, if before I was determined to keep this going, now even if I have to be hospitalized I will do whatever I can to upload a chapter as soon as I'm able to, for everyone there reading this I will NOT leave this fic unfinished, if this is really something that unique I'm no one to take it away from you (Yeah, I know it sounds a little too pridefull, but that's how I feel right now) again, thank you a lot Yukki... and sadly no, the yellow eyes are not from Orochimaru, you'll find out in this chapter, now Jarvis with some anouncement

"Wow, really touchy moment there Segaku"

Shut up, tell what you have to say and don't let the people keep waiting for the chapter

"Okay, okay... geez, well, just to make it clear from now on every flashback scene in the fic will not be on the character remembering it point of view, it will be on an outsider third person point of view (cough, me, cough) and will relate what everyone in the memory says and thinks, of course it will still be the character's memory, but... well, you got the idea, back to you Segaku"

Fine, if that's all then here we go, play the songs I suffer to fit on the chapters, favorite, follow if you like the fic and review, those little messages you leave there are my fuel to keep writing despite everything, so REVIEW!, that being cleared... ON WITH THE STORY! :D

Disclaimer? really? you need one of this every time? why? I mean, it's clear I own nothig already created from Naruto or Fairy Tail, I onle own my own plot, nothing else, so whay keep telling this every chapter? Troublesome...


"Ha ha ha... the memory's wiles are cruel. In its silence, we forget. And in its perversion, it binds our heart firmly"

Vexen, Kingdom hearts Chain of Memories


Chapter 6: Foreign allies

This was a gamble, he was being guided by some random words Kurama told him the previous night after all, but he couldn't shake this feeling that this could work… it was thanks to those words he remembered Lucy had entrusted him with the care of Loke's key just before the group headed to the Tenriou Island left Magnolia towards the port; he snickered remembering that Natsu could barely contain his excitement and flew with Happy towards the port after waving goodbye to him, clearly not remembering what 'departure by port' meant, oh poor, poor Natsu.


(Flashback)

(Play song: Kairi – Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Original Soundtrack)

Naruto sat on the stairs in front of the guild building, he had already said goodbye to everyone and was about to leave for his next job when Lucy approached him shyly and asked if he could stay a bit longer and wait for her because there was something important she needed to ask him before both left, Naruto didn't thought twice before accepting.

Currently he was fighting with all his will against the urge to run inside the guild hall and shook Lucy until she told him what she wanted, the waiting was killing him and he noticed whatever she wished to tell him she wished to say in private, or at least far enough of the others to not hear… whatever that something important she needed to tell him was it was driving him insane, but also made him feel like butterflies on his stomach at the idea that she wished to tell him something important… sadly that only added more to his impatience instead of lessening it.

"Naruto!" she finally came out of the guild building along with the others and ran to where he was waiting on a side, and he only let out a shaky and nervous sigh before smiling

"Hey Lucy! What do you need?" once she stopped before him he noticed that shy smile she always had before asking something to others, and that sight made him feel warmth reach his cheeks and smile brightly "Don't worry Lucy, whatever you need I'm here to help you" that helped a lot because then she let out a small sigh of relief making him feel some of his anxiety also leave.

"Well, it's more like a favor that would mean a lot for me, and I could only think of you for it…" she said with a small blush and again looking shyly to a side after admitting that last part, Naruto's blush deepened a bit at that and his heart did a flip-flop in happiness while his chest puffed a bit in pride, Lucy noticed it and giggled.

"O-of course Lucy, just ask and I'll do whatever you need, we are friends after all and friends are there to help each other right?"

"Yeah, friends…" she sighed and shook her head before her hand reached for her key ring and took out Loke's key "Loke will be teaming with Grey for the S-rank trial and asked me not to use his key during it, and even if I trust myself in helping Kana reach the S-rank I would prefer to avoid temptations of calling him if we are on a tight spot, so… I'm trusting you in taking care of it"

Naruto just stood there looking dumbstruck and wide-eyed at Lucy, did she really trusted him that much? Even to take care of one of her precious, if not her most important key? But it seemed that Lucy took his silence as a negative answer, not one she expected from Naruto, because then her face turned into a sad one before she turned around "S-sorry for that, I should have imagined you wouldn't be able to do that during your job… good luck" and then she started to leave

Only when he saw Lucy's back his brain managed to work again, and even if no words came out that moment he still reached for her wrist to stop her, he would never forgive himself if he made Lucy sad, and struggling for a second against his still not-worn-off shock finally words came out "N-no! It's not that I don't want to, but… those keys, especially Loke's, are really important for you, and I'm not exactly a careful guy so… I would gladly do it, specially if it's for you, but I don't trust myself to keep something that important for you safe" he finished looking shamefully to the ground, expecting a really mad Lucy to say something if not leaving at that moment… he was such an idiot.

"Don't be a fool Naruto" her soft and kind voice chided him, making him lift his head to see that she was now facing him with a warm smile, and at the moment their eyes connected with each other both blushed again and looked to a side sheepishly "I wouldn't ask something like this to you if I didn't thought you were capable of doing so…" hearing this Naruto's head snapped to see her again, but she was still looking to a side with that cute blush on her face "O-of all the people in the guild, even if there are others more… cautious than you, besides Natsu I only trusted you enough to let you take care of the key, and even then I would prefer you a thousand times over him…" then she turned to see him again and extended to him the hand that still held Loke's key on it "So… will you take care of it for me?"

Naruto slowly let go Lucy's wrist and doubtfully reached for the key "Y-you, trust me?"

Her right eyebrow twitched, but she still answered with the soft, even if a bit strained, tone she used before "Yeah Naruto, I really, really, REALLY trust you" she guessed she exaggerated a bit there but with people like Naruto or Natsu it was better to be safe than sorry, and it seemed her assumption was right because then he smiled brightly to her (she emulated that smile, it was really contagious) and more confidently but still carefully he took the key from her hand and stored it on a pocket inside his backpack

Naruto felt happier than ever after that, Lucy TRULLY trusted him, enough to give him one of her keys confident that he would do a great job taking care of it, and he knew how much she cared for them so it spoke volumes on how much she valued their friendship; he was totally NOT going to screw this, so he stored the key on one of the safest pockets inside his backpack promising that he would really care for it, and he would clean it, and polish it, and- "Oh, and Naruto?" he gulped at the sudden too sweet tone of her voice, and when he turned to see her she was with her hands on her hips and giving him one of those really scary faces (Erza approved) "Lose that key and I'll skin you alive before sending you to search for it"

"O-okay…"

"No, really, lose it and I'll summon Cancer and order him to skin you with his scissors, you understand?"

Naruto stood straight and saluted "Yes ma'am!"

Lucy giggled at the reaction and leaned closer to him landing a kiss on his cheek, leaving Naruto frozen on his spot while she run to where the others were waiting for her, with sly grins on their faces, smiling and waving goodbye; only once she was gone with the group Kurama floated out of the guildhall towards him, and seeing his current posture he rose an eyebrow "Did I missed something?" Naruto didn't answered, too shocked to speak, and slowly lifted a hand to where she kissed him, and then the brightest smile he could muster slowly appeared on his face: then he turned and grabbed one of Kurama's paws while practically shouting "Let's go Kurama! I want to finish this job as fast as possible to be here to greet them once they return!" and not waiting even for an answer he dragged him at full speed towards the entrance to the city, he only sighed and waited until he noticed he had left his backpack at the guild entrance.

(End song)

(End flashback)


The moment his clone returned with the key, and when he finally had it on his hands he felt like his soul finally returned to his body… if what Kurama said was true about the same sky in all worlds, then he should be able to summon Loke here and ask him for help, first with this test, and then in finding out how he got in this world and how to return back home… at least in theory, so when the key reacted to his magic he grinned and did the summoning chant just like Lucy did, and became ecstatic when the familiar silhouette of Loke appeared before him and when he heard his familiar voice "I'm glad you're fine Lucy, sorry for not returning by myself before but now I'm recovered enough to help you in the fight"

"Loke? Yes, it worked!" Naruto cheered once he heard the familiar voice, but his happiness was short lived once his words reached him and his satisfied grin transformed into a worried frown "Wait! Lucy is in danger?" he didn't paid attention to the clock's alarm, or the defensive posture of the other guys there; not even to Loke's confused face when he turned and saw him there holding the key instead of Lucy, all that mattered to him at that moment was that Lucy was there in danger while he was here taking his sweet time to return home to help her because he was too busy here playing to be a ninja, so in his despair for being helpless at the moment he jumped to Loke and grabbed him by his shoulders, shaking him while demanding answers

"Where is Lucy! Is she really in danger? Why weren't you with her!? You… You said you would protect her with your life!"

Loke, who was confused enough as to why was Naruto holding the key that opened the door that summoned him, got even more confused by the frantic blonde that now was in front of him demanding answers about Lucy… what was he doing in the island? And how he managed to open his door? "Naruto, I need you to calm down and explain me-"

"Calm down? CALM DOWN? YOU JUST TOLD ME THAT LUCY IS IN DANGER AND YOU WANT ME TO CALM DOWN?!"

"CALM DOWN NARUTO! LUCY IS FINE DAMN IT!" Naruto was about to scream to him again but thankfully those words reached him on time and his despair was washed away in one relieving wave, Lucy was fine and he could trust Loke on that, he had proved his care for her before.

He slowly removed his hands from Loke's shoulders and a relieved smile, bordering on hysterics, came to his face "Lucy is fine?" he asked to himself and then he looked at Loke who slowly nodded, a confused frown on his face, and that made him sigh in relief and start to laugh, not being able to control himself after those tense moments "Lucy is fine!" he said and slumped to the ground, not really understanding why he was so worked up by the news some moments ago, but not really caring at the moment because all that mattered was that Lucy was fine, and by extent everyone else with her

Annoyance was replaced by concern when Loke saw Naruto's reaction, he had never saw the Dragon Slayer react like that, not even on dangerous situations, and even if the Grimiore Heart invasion to the island was something seriously dangerous, when he had to return to the Celestial world along with Caprico because of their injuries he sensed Laxus getting closer, so he guessed that with his help Fairy Tail would get the upper hand over the dark guild, and even if he was too weak to open his own door (being hit by his own Regulus after being possessed was something that would put a great strain on everyone, he guessed) he supposed everything was fine, his contract with Lucy was still active after all, she didn't even called for the other spirits after that.

He kneeled next to the still chuckling Naruto and shook him gently to take him out of his daze back to the real world, not minding the other tense three people there ready to jump at the slightest sign of danger "Naruto?" he asked softly "Naruto, are you ok?" he only nodded, no longer giggling but with a bright smile, that instantly turned into a confused frown.

"If you say that Lucy is fine, then why you spoke like she needed help the moment you appeared?" Now it was Loke's turn to be confused, weren't they on the Tenriou island? And wasn't the one he repelled before a member of Grimiore heart? Confused enough that he was bordering anger he forced his voice to come out calm and soothing, he needed Naruto calmed to get coherent answers, or at least one plausible explanation

"Naruto, what are you doing in the Tenriou Island?"

"Tenriou Island? We are not in the island Loke, I summoned you here because I needed some help" Now he confirmed he was the one who summoned him, and that they were outside of the island… now he needed to know where was here, how did Naruto managed to summon him and who were those other three standing on a side ready to attack but not taking the initiative, not that he was complaining about that, and was about to voice his first question when another familiar voice came from the nearby forest, making him turn and sigh in relief, if anyone (besides Natsu, Lucy and Erza) could make Naruto stop being senseless it was him.

"Oi kit! First you leave early and don't even prepare breakfast! If you were in a hurry you know Shadow clones can do that stuff for you; and then when I'm pestering the old hag for some food I feel you channel enough magic to take down a caste… again, what's the big dea-" he stopped when he noticed the other familiar face kneeled next to a goofy smiling Naruto, and a booming laugh (as booming as Kurama could manage on his current size) filled the clearing

"Well, if it's not the overgrown kitten" he said floating to Loke and greeted him with a fist bump that was gleefully answered in the same manner by the Celestial Spirit "It's good to see another familiar face after all this time… How you managed to find us? Did Lucy sent you to get us back home?" Kakashi, Sasuke and Sakura focused their gazes on Loke, expecting that was not the case

"Well, I have not the slightest idea… Well, I know now that it was Naruto who summoned me, but still… and no, I thought you were already back at the guild, or at least heading back, I didn't knew you were lost" The three ninjas let out a relieved breath

"Well, you could say that"

"Which brings up my next question, where are we, and how Naruto managed to summon me, or even more important, how he managed to get my key from Lucy?"

"I can explain the first one" Kurama said "but I have not the slightest idea about the second one… Naruto?"

"yeah, I can explain that one, but then you have to tell me what happened to force you to return to the Celestial world, I believe in you that Lucy is fine, you wouldn't be so calm if not, but I still want to know" Then he took a hesitating look "and, Loke?"

"Yeah?"

"Sorry… I-I don't know what happened but… when you said Lucy could be in danger… and me being so far from her to help… (Sigh) sorry if I scared or worried you…" Loke only chuckled and ruffled his hair

"Don't worry Naruto, you were just concerned about Lucy's well being, and the others too I guess" Naruto only nodded "Then there's no harm done, that even proves me that you really care for her, maybe as much as I do" Now Naruto blushed a bit at that, the realization he had a couple of weeks ago when he arrived here made him think about how much he REALLY cared for her, Loke continued not noticing the rosy color his cheeks had taken "I should even thank you, because now I know that I can trust you to protect her if one day I can't do so" The blush was gone hearing that and he smiled him while nodding, then he stretched a fist and bumped it with Loke, any problem between them was now forgotten

"Sorry to interrupt the family reunion, but I think we still have an schedule Naruto" Kakashi said, finally making his presence known with Sakura and Sasuke flanking his sides, ready to jump into a fight at any sign of hostility; Loke stood again along with Naruto , but his expression turned serious and made his fists shine with golden energy, also ready to jump into a fight; Kakashi groaned seeing this "Really? What is it with you guys and your fists"

Naruto snickered at the cyclops reaction and put a hand over Loke's shoulder trying to make him relax and giving the other three a look that also asked for the same "Don't worry Loke, they are… friends, I guess you could say" he said with a bit of hesitation on that last part that made Kakashi sweat drop and Sasuke snicker "Oh, and that's Sakura" he added as an afterthought, said girl was debating between hope that he actually considered her a friend and annoyance at being addressed in such way.

"But that weirdo with one eye was about to attack you when I arrived"

"Ehhh… the weirdo can hear you" Kakashi said mildly offended, he had been called many things during his life, but 'weirdo' seemed to touch a soft spot on the usually uncaring Jounin, and the offence increased when they plainly ignored him, and he even saw that Naruto liked that new nickname the moment he heard it… oh joy

"Don't worry about him, he's harmless" Sakura and Sasuke sweatdropped at Naruto's answer… calling Kakashi no Sharingan harmless? Said ninja seemed to get depressed after hearing that if the gloomy dark cloud hovering over his slumped head was any indicator… everyone rose an eyebrow at this, when did the cloud got there?

"Then why he was attacking you?"

"Well… we were in the middle of a test to see if I had what's necessary to become a ninja"

"Oh, become a nin-WHAT!? A-are you defecting from Fairy tail?"

"Heck no! I would never do such thing! Look, the whole mess here is-"

"Let me explain that part Naruto, it would also be good if one of you muppets stayed here to help me explain this" the three ninja rose an eyebrow at the nickname Kurama used, while Naruto and Loke did a terrible job trying to muffle the snickers or mask them as coughs, in the end they would only choke themselves while trying and start laughing afterwards, this creeped out even Kakashi (Sasuke begrudgingly admitted it afterwards) and everyone decided it was time to leave, not wanting to know what a 'muppet' was

"I-I think my shift at the hospital will start soon, better be going" Sakura was the first of the three and dashed out of the clearing before anyone could said anything, shortly followed by Sasuke

"I've lost enough time here today, I'll go elsewhere to catch up with my training" he said before Shunshining away Kami knows where, now only Kakashi was left and he gave them an awkward eye smile before trying to make his escape

"I've got enough information about you three and the work as a team now, so I think I'll leave now and report it to Tsunade-sama"

"Oh, like hell you will also escape scarecrow" Naruto said Shunshining behind him and taking a small orange book out of his pouch while he was distracted by the afterimage that was already fading where he stood before (He still hadn't saw one of those yet) "You choose, stay and help Kurama explain this mess to Loke, or else…"

Kurama chuckled at the sight of the wide eyed and gaping Loke and Kakashi (he was sure he was gaping under that mask) once the afterimage vanished and both tracked the origin of the voice behind the cyclops, only to see a grinning Naruto with an orange book on one hand and another under said book, lit on flames and closing threateningly to it, the jounin was the firs one to react, and in a way that greatly pleased Naruto

"NO! nonononono please, not the collection edition with extra scenes and a personalized autograph by Jiraya-sama himself! He doesn't deserve an end similar to his brother… I'll stay and help, if you promise you will not harm him and give it back afterwards" he pleaded on his knees and let out a relieved sigh when Naruto turned the flames off

"I'll give it back only once you finish your part, I don't trust you to stay if I return it earlier" Kakashi eagerly nodded with his sight still locked on the small orange book on Naruto's hand "Geez, a week earlier I would have been freaked out by this, not even Levy would go to such lengths for a book"

Loke cleared his throat to get attention back to him, somehow managing to overcome his shock by the whole scene displayed before him, from Naruto's weird teleportation down to the weirdo's submission because of a book of all things, and face planted when said weirdo turned to him while standing, and stood in the same bored demeanor he was before like all that book stuff never happened on the first place, but still stealing glances over Naruto like checking if his precious book was still safe… indeed a weirdo.

"Thank you for your… willingly cooperation" he almost face planted again when he waved a hand in a 'no problem' gesture and curved his eye upwards, hadn't he knew better he would say that was a smile "Ooookayyyy, never mind… I think we haven't been formally introduced, my name is Loke and I'm the Celestial Spirit of Leo, the lion"

"Kakashi Hatake, Jounin of Konohagakure no sato"

"Konohagakure?" he asked turning to Kurama "Are we even still in the kingdom of Fiore?" Kurama chuckled awkwardly at this

"Ehhh… you could say that we are far, far away… better get comfortable for this" Loke nodded and turned to Naruto, who somehow was in the middle of a glaring contest against the weirdo

"Naruto?" the blonde only hmmed in acknowledge "Right now I'm here through the door you opened, so as long as I'm here it will feed up on you Magic power, so I'll return to the spirit world now and then I'll open my own door to return so my stay here won't be taxing for you, you used my key to summon me here, so I'm supposed to form a contract with you now, but my contract with Lucy is still active so I'll have to ask about that too, don't worry, I'll be back soon" and with that he vanished in a flash of light

"You heard him Naruto, he'll be gone for a while; why don't you give me back that book? I promise I won't leave" Naruto narrowed his eyes and slowly lifted the hand that held said book, the hopeful look Kakashi's eye took was whipped and replaced by an scared wide eye when Naruto again lit up his other hand under the book "You wouldn't dare…" Naruto narrowed his eyes even more until they were only slits and then closed his flaming hand to the book

"Try me" he simply said, and Kakashi's resolve was crushed when a flame managed to lick slightly the orange cover and left a small but noticeable black trail of it's passing, he slumped in defeat and Naruto grinned widely and turned off his hand "If we make to become a team, you'll teach me new stuff"

"Why? Don't you have enough with what you know already?"

"Loke has come here, which means there is a link between our worlds; I'm sure with his help we'll find a way back home soon, so I won't be around here for very much more time"

"B-but weren't you supposed to help us find Naruto?"

"Of course I'll still do that! I never go back on a promise, I'll still help you, but I won't be here all the time like now; I'm sure that there's a way to return here, just as there's a way to go back home, so once I find that I'll return to help you guys but now… It's been two weeks so far and I didn't had news about the guild until now, and that made me remember how much I REALLY missed them; If there's a chance to go back I'll take it even if it's just to say hi and tell them that I'm fine and where I will be before returning here to help… I can even convince some of the guys there to come here with me, I'm sure Natsu-nii would be more than happy to help"

Kakashi was about to answer but Kurama decided to add his five cents there "Yeah, don't get all gloomy on us now, you should be happy for Naruto that a chance like this one presented itself for him; besides this can make it easier for you to find a way to send us back home" Kakashi only sighed and nodded before giving Naruto an eye smile, then an idea occurred to him

"Ne, Naruto, this friend of yours will reappear here? Because if he can follow you I think I have an idea to kill time while we wait for him to return"

"He always appears near Lucy when he opens his own door, so I guess he has to appear close to his key or something like that… why?"

"How does the concept of water walking sounds to you?"


(Play song: Organization XIII – Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Original Soundtrack)

"We've found interesting news I'm sure you'll love to hear!" "The Kyuubi Jinchuuriki has finally reappeared" Two voices said from the darkness of a room, both voices came from the same source, one was light and cheerful while the other was dark and rough, two yellow orbs shone in their general direction

"Oh? So he has finally decided to come out of hiding and show himself again? Just in the nick of time, according to the planning the recollection was about to start too… I wonder what he could have been doing" Another voice spoke there, lighting on a gas lamp slightly, the dim light revealed only a cloaked silhouette with short spiky hair

"I think he could have been sent away in order to train" said the rougher voice "By what we could see he has managed to master a peculiar form of Katon release that he showed while a quick spar he had against Kakashi Hatake, he didn't even needed hand seals to cast the jutsus, besides some disturbing ability that allowed him to… eat fire, and also a strange way of summoning"

"Yeah! He was kicking the cyclops ass and he didn't even break a sweat! There was this cool one he did that looked like he actually breathed fire like a dragon!" The cheerful voice said giddy, getting a thoughtful 'hmmm' from the third one in the room, after an amused chuckle escaped his throat

"Interesting news indeed, I'm sure Nagato will find this new development most… amusing, not that it would matter in the long run, we'll need the other eight before so there's plenty of time to measure him and see if he's actually a threat, but for now just report this to Nagato and let him deal with the rest of the group"

"Will you make your presence known then? If you are letting me give a full report to Nagato then you must be planning something already"

"While I'll indeed step out of the shadows to have a closer approach to the incoming events, it won't be as myself since I need to remain unnoticed until the time comes to finally make my move; I should blame you for this, after all it's because of the information you just gave me that my curiosity has been… sparkled"

"I think you should just go and get everything done" the cheerful voice whined childishly "It's not like you are not able to do it by yourself, and all this secret organization game is getting really boring" the third voice chuckled darkly listening this

"You should know, Zetzu, that Madara taught me better than that…" then he made the lamp shine more, now illuminating the room where two people stood… well, more like one person and one plant-human thing that looked like a Venus flytrap, inside it a head could be seen with yellow eyes and two sides, one white and another black, while the human one had an orange mask with a swirl pattern that ended in a hole where his right eye was; both wore a dark cloak with a red cloud pattern on it that covered their whole body, leaving only visible blue Shinobi sandals visible on the masked one feet, and he spoke on a tone that sounded like a childish imitation of the cheerful voice from before "And Tobi is such a good boy!"

(End Song)


Naruto went along with Kakashi to the Hokage's office after he, surprisingly for Kakashi, learned the water walking exercise in a couple of hours, but like Loke hadn't returned yet and like he didn't wished to lose sight of the scarecrow he followed him when he said he needed to report about today's test; Kurama decided to head for the apartment and wait there for them for when Loke arrived.

"And my verdict is that he is ready, his strength alone is already outstanding, and even if I didn't saw then in a coordinated attack he didn't doubted a second to jump into danger to protect his teammate…" Naruto frowned at that memory, and added Loke to his mental note of people to talk about his suspicions "… that alone speaks a lot about his willingness to work in a team, and Sakura and Sasuke make a perfect teamwork, so I'm sure he'll fit there perfectly, therefore I deem-"

"Sorry if I'm late, I had a lot of homework and exams to check at the academy and the secretary told me I could just enter"

"Oh, there's no problem Iruka, actually I think you arrive just in time" Tsunade said with feigned please, she could see where this was headed and she didn't liked it a bit "Kakashi was about to tell Naruto the good news and I'm sure you would like to give him this" she said while taking out a Hitae-ate from a drawer on her desk, it looked worn but the metal plate still shone with the light, it was sewed to a long black cloth, and Iruka immediately recognized it as the Hitae-ate Sasuke brought back that day… the one he had gifted Naruto the day he graduated.

"Hey Iruka, what is that thing Baa-chan gave you?" Iruka's eye twitched in annoyance, he was used to (and greatly missed) the affectionate tone Naruto had every time he called him 'Iruka-sensei', now thanks to his memory loss every time he called him bay his name, it sounded… blunt, and he just couldn't get used to that.

"This, Naruto, is something I'm sure you have earned rightfully, so with Kakashi-san permission" he looked at him and he nodded "I would like to give you your Hitae-ate Naruto, now you are officially part of the Konoha Shinobi force, congratulations" and then he smiled warmly and extended the hand in which he held the Hitae-ate to him.

Naruto lazily turned his gaze to the piece of metal strapped to the black cloth, but when his eyes landed on it his mind instantly went blank, something inside him demanded, screamed him to take it and tie it around his forehead, that it belonged to him and with it he would be complete, but unlike previous times he couldn't shake the feeling off because it was simply overwhelming.

(Play song: Roxas – Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Original Soundtrack)

"Come on Naruto, take it" the soft voice of the scarred teacher in front of him distracted his eyes from the piece of metal, no… Hitae-ate and forced them to focus on him, for a moment he forgot who he was, but didn't really forgot him, he knew the person before him, but there was a name, a feeling lacking… Iruka, no… Iruka-sensei, acceptance, friendship, care… he couldn't fight against that simple suggestion that felt more like a kind order, and slowly his trembling hands reached for the, no… his Hitae-ate and carefully held it on his two open palms, the leaf symbol engraved on it being carefully caressed by his thumb.

Glazed eyes looked beyond the metal plate in front of them, into flashes of something foreign that seemed so personal at the same time…

"My name is Naruto Uzumaki, and I'll become Hokage one day, believe it!" My name…

"You want to know why people hate you? It's because you have the Kyuubi sealed inside you…" What I am…

"He is not the fox, he is Naruto Uzumaki, ninja of Konoha and… one of my precious people" Where I belong…

"I don't know why I did it, my body moved on it's own…" Who I care for…

"I'll bring you back to the village, even if I have to break every bone in your body" My goal…

"My name is Tsunade Senju, and I am the Godaime Hokage of Konohagakure no Sato!" Who I helped…

"I believe in you Naruto, It's a father's duty to believe in their sons after all" My family…

"And with a tiny but loud cry you were born in this world…" My family…

"Are you ok Naruto?" a new voice took him out of his trance and he saw another foreign yet familiar face he struggled to remember; Scarecrow? Cyclops? No… Weirdo? No! Kakashi? Yes, no… Kakashi-sensei, respect, care… betrayal…

He struggled to say something as weird images flashed on his head, and orange mask, red clouds, tailed beasts, red eyes, purple eyes, a leaf, sand, mist, clouds, rocks, swords… so many that his head started to hurt "Where… Iruka-sensei… Kakashi-sensei…" he said through gritted teeth while holding his head with his fists, the Hitae-ate still on one of them

Both nin eyes widened after hearing their names being called in that so familiar and missed way, and were so shocked by the idea of Naruto finally remembering them that they froze on their spot and did nor say anything to him, sadly for them in that moment Loke appeared in a flash of light next to Naruto

(End Song)

"Okay, now I really need some explanations because according to what… Naruto, are you ok?" That voice, he knew that voice, he had grown up with that voice… Loke, yes, his friend, his guild mate, his nakama, his family… and like that the pain in his head was gone, along with the foreign memories, like mist blown away by a strong gust of wind, leaving behind just uncertainty of what the hell happened the moment he spaced out, and why he spaced out in the first place.

"Y-yeah, I'm just a bit… confused, we were talking about something but then I spaced out… hey cyclops, what were we-" Kakashi was just staring wide eyed at him, and on it he could find something that looked like… hope? "Hey Iruka, what happened to the scarecrow?" He asked not turning to him, still trying to figure out what was so attractive of him to have the scarecrow eye locked on him, but when no answer came he turned to him, only to find him in a similar state "Iruka?" was this caused by what they were talking about? What they were talking about!

"Naruto?" He turned to see Tsunade-baachan after she called him, and couldn't help but rise an eyebrow at the sight, she looked pale and… worried? "Naruto Dragneel? Is that you?"

"Well duh! Of course it's me, who else?... What's going on guys? It looks like you just saw a ghost… there aren't any ghosts here right?" Now Tsunade's face regained color, and looked relieved, just what were they talking about? Was this because of that? Well, at least now Iruka and the scarecrow looked somewhat normal compared to before

"Maa, relax Naruto, It's just that for a moment you just froze there and we didn't knew what to do, right Iruka-san?"

"Y-yeah, we were just worried about you Naruto… are you fine now?"

Naruto accepted the excuse, even if it sounded lame even to themselves, mostly because he didn't wished to dwell on that much, there was still an explanation pendant for Loke "Yes, I feel fine now, but what were we talking about before? It's kindda white n' foggy and I can't remember whatever it was"

Kakashi pointed to the piece of metal on his hand with an eye smile "We were discussing on how you did a great job during the test and that now you are part of the village as a ninja, we were giving you your Hitae-ate" he looked down at it and felt a funny feeling on his gut, but shrugged it without a problem and sighed tiredly

"Now I'm in a team with the Teme and the cyclops… huzza!" he drawled with mock enthusiasm before shrugging and storing the Hitae-ate in a pocket of his pant "Well, if that's all I think there are some explanations that are needed to be done, ne cyclops?"

"I think I won't go with you right now, I'm sure Tsunade-sama wishes to have a more detailed report, right?"

"Oh no, of course you won't scarecrow" and grabbing his and Loke's shoulders he shunshined them to his apartment, missing the relieved and disappointed looks on Tsunade's and Iruka's eyes

When they arrived at Naruto's apartment a couple of seconds later Loke was green, trying to keep whatever he had on his stomach inside while Kakashi looked slightly dizzy "I must say that's even faster than what I'm used to, good work Naruto" said blonde smiled before leaving the hall/kitchen to look for Kurama on the bedroom, and giving Loke some time to recover and make his surely spinning world stop.

A bit later he re-entered the hall/kitchen along with Kurama, who smirked at the sight of the still green Loke, who even if looked still sick was good enough to speak without worries of introducing his lunch to the others (or at least that was he thought) "What happened overgrown Kitten? Don't tell me you got sick after that small dash, geez, and one would think that you being used to dimensional travels could handle more than that…" Kurama teased him while shaking his head in mock disappointment, Loke only glared at him and tried to answer, I repeat, tried, but as soon as he opened his mouth he immediately closed it and puffed his cheeks in a way that could make a chipmunk jealous

"Hey Loke, are you at least good enough to listen what we need to tell you?" He turned to him and nodded while also glaring at him, Naruto raised his hands in a placating manner "hey, sorry for not warning you but if I didn't did that the scarecrow would have escaped, besides I also had to get used to it the same way you are right now until I learned how to do it" well, actually it was his clones who had to get used to it, but Loke didn't needed to learn that little detail "but don't worry, I'll teach you how to do it later" Loke held the glare for a second before closing his eyes while releasing air through his nose and nodding, he sat down on the nearby couch and, still not opening his eyes, made a movement with his hand signaling them to start speaking

Kurama was the first one to speak, making clear that now they were on a different world at which Loke only nodded, and once that was cleared he explained how they were sucked into this world and how they ended in the village (the version he made up for Naruto of course) and how here there was another Naruto the people from the village were looking for since he disappeared four years ago, and how Naruto made a deal with them that he would help them find their Naruto and they would help him find a way back to Earthland; after that Kakashi explained how before Naruto could actively help them he needed to become a ninja of the village in order to avoid problems, the training he went under and how today he finally gained his Hitae-ate and now he would be recognized as a Shinobi of Konoha all the time he wore that Hitae-ate; after hearing all this, the now clearly not nauseous Loke finally spoke

"I see… that actually explains a lot of things that were told to me on the Celestial world, but there's still the question of why Naruto had my key and how he managed to summon me here" At this Naruto breathed deeply before telling Loke what he needed to know

His explanation was clearly shorter than Kurama and Kakashi's one, being only about how Lucy entrusted him the care of his key before they went to the Tenriou Island and then about Jiraya teaching him summoning through the toads, at Loke's risen eyebrow he explained that there were big toads, huge toads that could easily step over them if not being careful; and then how he used the same method to summon him during that test with his key

"Interesting… was there something else about those summons? Like any extra requirement or a special token to summon them?"

"No… well, besides the blood needed for the handseals there's nothing el… wait, now that you mention it the pervert said something about Uzumaki's name being signed in a contract or something like that when he summoned this really big toad he called Galabuda I think, can't remember the name well… I guess me being Uzumaki's counterpart here allows me to summon them by that contract…"

"Actually…" Kakashi said rising a hand like asking for permission to talk "to clear a couple of things here, first the name of the toad boss summon is Gamabunta, not whatever you called him Naruto, I'm sure he would take offence on that" Naruto grinned sheepishly and scratched the back of his head at the pointed look Kakashi gave him "And secondly, I don't know how summoning works for you Loke-san but-"

"Just Loke, I don't really like honorifics, those make me feel old"

"Well, you are a Celestial Spirit" Naruto pointed "Some are older than Lucy so I can only guess your real ag-hmmmppffff" His mouth was covered by one of Loke's hands, while he turned to see Kakashi with an eyebrow twitching, said Jounin found the scene amusing but decided against saying something about it, he had learned enough about pissing people with overpowered punches already with Tsunade, better not test his luck with this one

"Like I said, only Loke please" he said once Naruto stopped struggling and wisely decided to shut up

"Okay then, Loke, like I was saying summoning here is quite an exclusive… privilege" then he did a couple of handseals and in a poof of smoke a normal sized scroll appeared between his two only extended fingers "Here we work with… blood contracts you could say" he unrolled the contract and what took their attention was the signature and palm imprint on it, both on a weird looking red ink.

Doing the handseals required and drawing some blood Kakashi summoned his favorite ninken, which appeared in a poof of smoke; the small pug lifted a paw to greet them once the smoke cleared "Yo! What you need me for this time Kakashi?" but said cyclops ignored him completely and kept explaining.

"This is Pakkun, one of my summons, and even if I raised and trained him and the rest of the pack I decided to make them summoning instead of simple ninken, that way they will always be ready to assist me when I use a burst of my chakra to summon them" he then re-rolled the scroll and made it vanish in a poof of smoke "Minato-sensei was a seal master, and he was the one who helped me create the contract for my ninken, I can explain what I know about it's working if you wish" Loke looked positively interested on that information and nodded, Kurama was next to him also eager to listen, after all he also became a forced summon a long time ago, and even if it was against his will, he fell the need to know about his previous status.

For some more time Kakashi explained Loke and Kurama how summoning worked on this world, why it was needed a written contract that was life-long and why it was important a signature with blood on said contract, along with many other things that Loke and Kurama seemed to find interesting, but he and Pakkun found utterly boring, first him because he understood little to nothing of what they were talking about, and then Pakkun because he knew all that stuff by memory, so to kill some time while the other group finished their conversation they decided to talk about random things, reaching a point where Uzumaki was brought as a topic and the small pug told him what he knew about their Naruto, the missions his team went to and the impressive, even if few, achievements said blonde genin accomplished before he disappeared and that only fueled his desire to meet him.

Once Kakashi finished his explanation he stated that it was a bit late (indeed, it was already dark outside) and he still needed to deepen his report with Tsunade, so he dismissed Pakkun and patiently waited until Naruto finally gave him his little orange book back (he actually cried in relief once it was back on his hands and hugged it like a long lost son… creepy in Kurama's opinion, and Loke and Naruto found one more reason to keep calling him weirdo) before he shunshined back to the Hokage tower, leaving Loke, Naruto and Kurama alone on the apartment.

"Now everything is clearer, at least for me" Loke said after a thoughtful silence between the three "In order to make a summoning in this world you need a link between the summoner and the summon, that link being that blood signature on the contract scroll; but you" he said looking directly to Naruto, who squirmed a bit under the serious (and a bit annoyed) look of Loke "Had my key with you and used it as the link to bring me here by doing that 'blood payment' you have to do while doing those weird figures with your hands"

"Handseals"

"Whatever, so by doing that you also formed a link between us on this world, that's why the Spirit King told me that the moment I appeared here a contract was forged immediately, but I still have my contract with Lucy active because it was forged back in Earthland… funny and weird as it sounds now you're a bastardized version of a Celestial mage, but one nonetheless, and I'm your first spirit… congratulations I guess"

"Hehehe… thanks?" Naruto grinned sheepishly and scratched his cheek with one finger in embarrassment, probably Loke was now angry at him because this mess caused some kind of problem with him

"Meh… don't worry about it, guess it's better it was me rather than Aquarius or Taurus, those would have been really a handful for you to get along with, we are already friends so there's no problem by my side… do you have any?"

"N-no! I mean, it's cool ya' know? Now I have something in common with Lucy, and she can help me understand all this Celestial mage thing if I need some help and you are busy, because you said your contract with her is still active right? I guess we both agree that she is your priority over me" Loke nodded and sighed before giving him an amused and friendly smile

"This is by far the weirdest thing that has happened to me… two contracts? If you have told me this yesterday I would have laughed on your face and said that Erza punched too hard this time and made you delusional, this is the first time something like this has happened ever! Even the Spirit King looked surprised while he explained this to me" Kurama snickered hearing this, Naruto always had a tendency of making impossible things happen, heck, if turning from being a ninja to being a mage tutored by a dragon of all beings wasn't a clear sign of that then he was a harmless koala

"Soooo, can you tell me now if you have some way to take us back home? Or at least any idea? I can't say I disliked my time here, the guys here are good people, even if they are a bit… eccentric you called them Kurama?" the fox nodded "But I really can't wait when time to return home arrives, I learned a lot of cool stuff here that I want to teach it to you and-" he was cut off by Loke when he raised a hand and looked at him seriously

"Tomorrow I'll take you two with me to the Celestial world to have an audience with the Spirit King, he'll be more capable of explaining you about why you could be here and… how we can help everyone that was at the Tenriou Island"

"B-but you told me that-"

"They are fine and safe, the Spirit King assured me that himself, but… something happened during the S-rank trial that ended in them being caught in an… special situation, the Spirit King can tell you more about that himself since I didn't saw how it finished because I was forced to return to the Celestial World, but they are fine like I said so don't worry about that, but they still need our help since only us can do that for now" naruto seemed to think about it for a second before locking his azure orbs with Loke's eyes and nodding, burning determination shining in them decided to help his family in whatever problem they were caught in… Lucy, Natsu… he would help them no matter what, all the guys there were his family and they were his priority

After the mood lightened from the previous seriousness Naruto blessed Loke and Kurama with his cooking, who enjoyed it even if it was ramen again, much to Kurama's dismay, and waved him goodbye before he returned to the Celestial world to tell the Spirit King about his new findings and confirming that they would assist the meeting he called for.

That night both inhabitants of the apartment barely slept, one really excited at the idea of being one step closer to returning home and helping his family in whatever 'situation' they got caught, while the other, even if also happy at the idea of being sooner to return home, was also full of fear and uncertainty wondering if that meeting the next day was really a good idea, Loke said that the Spirit King could know why they were here, and even if the chances of him knowing the truth about Naruto's origins were dim he couldn't help but wonder… "What if he already knows about Naruto's previous life?"