Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, or any of the characters.
AN: Wow... I'm speechless. Wow... Now, I'm under pressure.
Seriously. To, sylphstarwind, Kumomaru, causeiambetta, CRaZY TeDDy, orbrey, and the random anon that reviewed. You guys rock! Out of nowhere... Just wow... I want to thank you all. Everyone that reviewed. Now I'm motivated to write some more... And you know what? My love for writing has just came back. Thank you!
PS: I don't know... I still have a feeling there's something wrong with this chapter... I just can't shake it off. Tell me if you find anything.
What in the world is going on? What is this? What's happening?! Naruto thought as he floated aimlessly around in the darkness. There were occasional flashes of light that cut though the darkness, but it was never long enough for Naruto to catch what it was. A few times he swore he saw an image of his mother flash by. Other times he was a little less sure but he thought he saw Hinata from his world and some other girl he hardly knew.
This is most interesting. Someone is interfering with the balance of this dimension. The Kyuubi thundered as its crimson chakra suddenly cut though the darkness, cutting it like a hot knife though butter.
"Thank god!" Naruto cried, never before was he so happy to see the smug demon crouching before him. Slowly the darkness retreated and Naruto found himself standing on the ground.
No, no, no. Thank the great Kyuubi-sama, or sensei, or demon! Whichever I prefer. The Kyuubi growled with a large smirk on its face. It really depends on the mood I'm in. The Kyuubi twitched its large muzzle in thought. I'm a sensei mood right now.
"But you'll still be the widdle wuvuable fox to me..." Naruto mumbled, deciding against calling the Kyuubi a bastard again. It didn't incite the Kyuubi the first time so now Naruto was taking a new tactic. Unfortunately the Kyuubi didn't rise to the bait.
Ha, ha. I'm dieing with laughter. The Kyuubi replied sarcastically. I was serious about the Kyuubi-sensei thing though. The Kyuubi said, looking at Naruto critically.
But this isn't the reason why I called you here! I called you here because I saw that you were under considerable distress. The Kyuubi said knowledgeably as it nodded its great head as if it said something profound. Naruto mealy looked down in exasperation with his head in his hands.
"Geez, however did you figure that one out?" Naruto asked sarcastically, his mind wandering to the images he thought he saw.
Yes. The Kyuubi coughed slightly before continuing. Well using my great and powerful strength I have managed to find out what was troubling you. The Kyuubi paused, waiting for Naruto to say something sarcastic again. He didn't and the Kyuubi nodded, pleased with Naruto's performance.
It seems like more people from your realm are traveling to this one and they are using your body as a sort of medium. The Kyuubi said seriously, its large eyes staring at Naruto for any reaction. The Kyuubi wasn't disappointed.
"That's GREAT!" Naruto exclaimed happily. The Kyuubi snorted causing Naruto to pause and put a hand to his chin in thought. Slowly Naruto's face fell as he realized something.
"Wait no! That's horrible!" Naruto screeched looking panicked now as he started to tear at his hair. This isn't right! Mom can't come! She doesn't know anything about this place! Hinata and that other girl both have their families! And I'm going to be held responsible because I'm the medium!
Oh so now you see! The Kyuubi said annoyed at how slow Naruto was.
"Can't you stop them from coming?" Naruto asked pleadingly but deflated at when the Kyuubi shook its head regretfully.
If I was free from this accursed cage yes, but in this sorrowful state… I can only watch. The Kyuubi said sighing resignly, but its eyes were glinting slightly. Unless you want to…
"No." Naruto said flatly. This isn't going to be right… They could die at any moment here! I can't let that happen! I won't let that happen!
Yes, yes… While you're making up your mind may I inform you of another problem? The Kyuubi asked mockingly.
"What?" Naruto asked looking irritated.
Did you even consider whose body they would take over when they are transferred here? You inhabited Naruto's body because you two are connected. Who will they inhabit? What if they don't have a body? The Kyuubi asked with a small smile on its face. Apparently it was amusing itself by watching Naruto's reaction.
"NOO!! I can't let this happen!" Naruto cried out futilely as turned around and headed for the large corridor he just noticed. Unfortunate the Kyuubi had other plans.
Where do you think you're going? I still have someone you might like to meet. The Kyuubi said as it exerted its chakra to make a giant red claw spring up in front of Naruto. Do you remember me telling you about the real Naruto still being conscious?
"Oh crap…" Naruto muttered. Multiple personalities? Naruto thought dreading what would happen next.
You guessed it! Naruto, meet Naruto! The Kyuubi proclaimed and as he said this suddenly a whole new room just appeared out of nowhere. At first Naruto just blinked, his eyes adjusting to the change in light. Then his mouth hung agape in surprise.
"Hey! What the hell are you doing in my room?!" Shouted the blond with ramen still hanging down from his mouth. From the looks of it, that's all he was doing in the last few days. There were stacks of ramen bowls everywhere, tilting like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. One of the ramen towers swayed ominously.
"Whoa! What the hell is that?!" Screeched the blond as he spotted the Kyuubi. There was a crash as the blond scrambled away, knocking down some of the towers of ramen. They crashed to the floor, shattering into a million pieces before they vanished.
You could do with a little more respect! Roared the Kyuubi. I am the Kyuubi! Trapped within this pitiful seal! By my side is… The Kyuubi paused looking at Naruto from out of the corner of his eyes. Naruto!
"Huh?" The Naruto from the Anime world looked at the Kyuubi confused. There were just too many things for Naruto to take in at once. First he was being told that the Demon that caused him years of suffering was right in front of him and now he was being told that he, himself was in front of him. It was all getting a little confusing for the 12 year old.
"Ok now… Isn't the world suppose to implode or something?" The Naruto from the real world asked looking nervously left and right as if he expected the whole room to collapse into a dark hole.
Where did you get that crazy idea? The Kyuubi guffawed.
"Freaking school… They lied to me." Naruto muttered before looking curiously at his mirror image. He looks exactly like me when I was young… He looks like me right now for that matter!
Meanwhile the Anime Naruto was thinking, Man… I wish I don't grow up to look like that guy. He looks kind of scrawny… And weak…
Ok then! Now that you two met I expect you two too merge with each other. Rather than the two boys complying they just stared at the Kyuubi with obvious disgust.
"Me merge with that loser? He looks like Udon!" Naruto cried looking highly offended. "I'm sorry but NO! I don't even know what the hell you guys are doing in my mind in the first place!"
"Hey! It wasn't my idea! And anyways! It's no picnic being trapped here in your puny little body!" The Naruto from the real world retorted his expression one of anger.
"Trapped in my body?! What the hell do you mean by that?! You mean to say that this isn't just a stupid dream?!" Naruto cried looking at his real world counterpart disbelievingly. The Kyuubi snorted, wondering if it had to convince this Naruto the same way it convinced Naruto from the real world.
I wouldn't mind… The Kyuubi thought as it looked at the younger Naruto thoughtfully.
"Hey, deal with it! It's not easy being 12 all over again! Besides, I lost my body in the exchange too." Naruto said trying to reason with the 12 year old boy but it was no use. Naruto could see his younger Anime self starting to freak out.
"No way! I was having the time of my life here," Naruto gestured to the remaining ramen towers, "Thinking that all was fine and dandy only to find that you had complete control over my body doing who knows what!" One of the Anime Naruto's eyes twitched in irritation.
Enough! This boy has done no harm to your body! Now I want you two to merge your souls! NOW! The Kyuubi thundered, but once again it was ignored. Now, the Kyuubi wasn't used to being ignored, not from humans or demons, and it was steadily getting more and more pissed off.
"Hey! Calm down! I thought I was dreaming too but you don't see me freaking out!" Naruto paused for a second finding this was not entirely true before continuing, "I'm going to find a way back and you're going to help me!" Naruto yelled.
"I-I'm not helping you!" Naruto shouted childishly, crossing his arms, and looking at his counterpart as if he were crazy.
"Why not?" His older counterpart as he looked at his younger self quietly.
"W-w-well for one thing… I can't trust you!" Naruto said before lowering his gaze. It was true though. He couldn't really trust anyone. That is anyone other than himself.
"Really? If you can't trust yourself then who can you trust?" Naruto's younger Anime self looked confused for a moment, at a loss for words. But before Naruto could find a proper response the Kyuubi lost its patience.
Will you two please stop arguing and listen to me! MERGE ALREADY! ITS NOT LIKE I'M ASKING YOU TO MAKE A LIFE ALTERING DECISION! Roared the Kyuubi causing both Naruto's to stare at it in disbelief.
"Uhh, yeah you are." Both Narutos said at the same time before staring at each other, surprised that they both said the same things.
Oh, I guess I forgot to mention that the effects of this are reversible… The Kyuubi said sheepishly.
"And what are you getting in return?" The two Narutos asked again at the same time. This time they smiled a bit rather then appearing surprised.
Insurance. I have a better time of surviving with a stronger container. The Kyuubi sighed, seeing the two blonds skeptical look. If you die I die. I have no intention of dieing.
"So how do we do this?" Naruto asked. Surprisingly it was the older Naruto that hesitated. The Kyuubi raised its eyebrows in confusion, and it appeared that The Kyuubi wasn't the only one that noticed his discomfort.
"Hey? What are you hesitating for? You were the one that was so eager to get on with it!" The Anime Naruto said looking put out for a moment.
"Eh, I'm just having second thoughts about this." Naruto said not meeting his younger counterpart's eyes. He was too busy thinking about his own mother.
All your memories will stay intact only you will have a second set of them. It may be disorienting at first but you'll get use to it. Just make physical contact and concentrate on merging. No flashy Jutsus or anything like that. The similarities you two have should be enough.
"Physical contact?" The older Naruto asked looking apprehensive.
"Fine then!" and without any warning the younger Naruto jumped into the air. "DOG PILE!" He screamed as descended on his older counterpart.
"Oh CRAP!" Naruto shouted as he held up both of his arms and closed his eyes but if he was expecting pain it didn't come. Instead there was a feeling of absolutely nothing before Naruto blacked out.
Oh great… I hate this part… The Kyuubi muttered before a burst of light engulfed the room.
Hinata was in bed but she wasn't asleep like her father thought she was. In fact she was never asleep throughout the whole exchange with her father and the Hokage.
Why does Father hate Naruto so much… Why can't he see he's a good person inside! Hinata thought before tugging the sheets closer as a chill swept though the room.
"Hinata? Hinata?" Asked someone from the door. Hinata didn't need to turn around to realize who it was. It was her father, obviously checking to see if she was asleep or not. There was a few seconds of silence before the screen door slid shut again.
"Why…" Hinata whispered before drifting off into a dreamless sleep.
"Hurry! We're losing it!"
Losing what? What are you talking about?
"W-we lost her!"
Her? What in the world is going on?
"It's no good. Her heart isn't beating anymore… She's… Dead…"
Huh! Who's dead! What the hell is going on! Kat now was not only confused and disoriented, she was afraid. She couldn't see, move, or do anything. All she could do was listen.
Where am I! Am I dead! I don't want to die! Kat suddenly felt someone turn her around. It was actually quite a weird experience. Not being able to see who was moving you and where you were going.
"She looks like a foreign shinobi from the looks of it. I can't tell which village she came from though… Damnit… If we only got here faster… She might have not died…" Cursed someone above Kat.
I'm not dead! HELLO! I can hear you perfectly! Kat tried to scream but oddly enough her lips didn't even move. It was like a bad dream, except everything was too real to be a dream.
"So young… What a waste." Muttered someone regretfully. "Well… I guess we should have a proper burial for her…"
NOOO! I'M NOT DEAD!
"No! Wait!" Shouted someone to the side. Thank you! Kat exclaimed trying to open her eyes with no success. "We can't bury her. She does not belong to the village. Cremation would be better."
WHAT! If Kat had a body of her own she would've fell down Anime style.
"You're right… On the count of three." What on the count of three? Kat cried panicked but no one answered. "One… Two… THREE! Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu!"
Kat's eyes suddenly snapped wide open but it was too late to do anything. She could only look on in fear as two huge fireballs descended upon her.
"Idiots…" Kat whirled around just in time to see a wall of sand rising in a wall behind her, wrapped her in a cocoon, but instead of killing her it protected her from the giant fireballs that blew up upon impact with the sand. The sand slowly drifted off into the wind leaving Kat looking shaken but ok.
"G-Gaara! W-What a-are y-you d-d-d-d…" The person speaking suddenly fell silent from the look on the red haired boy's face. There was a pause before the two medic nins nodded and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Gaara? So that's the name of the boy who saved me… Not that bad looking too… Kat thought curiously looking over the boy. He was wearing had a large gourd on his back and he wore a large white sash that was wrapped around his waist and draped down in between his legs. But where am I? She asked herself as she looked around at the landscape.
"Toto… We're Kansas anymore…" Kat said jokingly but she was anything but carefree at the moment. The wind picked up and whirled up the dunes of sand that covered the landscape. If Kat didn't know any better then she would have said she was in a desert.
"Toto? What's a Toto?" Kat whirled around, here eyes wide in fear at how fast the red haired boy moved. This is insane! How are they moving so fast! What the heck is going on in this place?
Gaara's eyes narrowed as he saw the fear in the girl's eyes. Everyone in the village looked at him like that and now someone he didn't even know was looking at him with those eyes. Forget it. He didn't need her. He didn't need anything.
"Fine then. Sabaku Kyuu!" Gaara said stolidly before raising his hand at Kat. The sand suddenly whirled around the girl in a wave but when the sand stopped swirling around, the girl was nowhere to be seen. Hmm… Gaara showed no expression on his face as he walked away.
It was probably instinct that saved Kat from getting trapped but Kat sure as hell didn't know what happened. One second the sand was whirling around her and before she knew it her hands were moving on their own and she was just in a different place.
"Whoa! That was weird…" Kat said before climbing up a sand dune and peering over it. This turned out to be a bad decision because as she peered over the sand dune another man wearing a cat mask peered back at her.
"What the heck!" Kat screeched in surprise before she lost her balance on the sand dune tumbled down. Right after hitting the bottom of the sand dune Kat scrambled to get away from the mysterious man. Unfortunately her head bumped into someone's legs. Even before Kat looked up she knew who was staring at her.
"Ok… I can explain…" Kat said as she looked up into the cold cat mask. Slowly she backed away from the man. "Not!" She cried before bolting in the opposite direction.
"Sucker!" She yelled sticking her tongue in the direction of the man. It only took her a few seconds to realize that the man wasn't behind her anymore. "Where did he- Umph!" Kat was sent sprawling backwards as she collided into a surprisingly solid mass of muscle.
"Your name please… Or else I will have to take you to the Kazekage." Kat eyed the man warily before holding up her hands in defeat.
"I don't know how you guys move so fast…" She mumbled not looking the man in the eye. If Kat could have seen though the man's mask she would have seen his eyebrow rise in confusion.
"Well? Your name?" The man asked again.
"Oh! My names-" Suddenly something flashed by in Kat's mind and what she meant to say didn't come out. Instead she said, "Katzuko." Kat suddenly clasped a hand to her mouth. What the heck? My names not Katzuko! It's… Katzuko? Wait… Why does that name sound so familiar? Kat wondered looking off blankly into the sky in thought.
"Hmm… Well Katzuko… Since you have stumbled across our village and nearly died from a S class NukeNin I will take you to the Kazekage to see if you will have some compensation." The man said before heading into the sand.
"W-Wait up!" Kat cried before following the man. She wasn't sure why she was following him but she had nowhere else to go… She didn't even understand to anything that was happening so she was clinging onto the small hope she had. Maybe this Kazekage could help her understand…
Hiroko frowned to herself as she walked around the forest. Usually when she walked though the forest she expected it to be full with life and color but for some reason, it was not the case here. The forest was black and white, depraved of all color and everything seemed to be muted. There was a forbidding air that Hiroko didn't find pleasant at all.
"Where am I?" Hiroko asked looking around the vast expanse in confusion. Even though she wasn't in a cave her voice echoed until it was like a chorus. "Where am I?" "Where am I?" "Where am I?"
In a sense you are in the world of the dead. Or rather… A state between life and death. Whispered some voice inside Hiroko's mind. Hiroko whirled around but she didn't see anyone.
"Who's there?" Hiroko whispered but even though she spoke softly, with her echoes it was more like a shout.
Come closer child. You cannot see me without coming closer. I am behind the trees. Come and join me.
I'm going crazy… I know it… Hiroko thought but she relented and ducked under the trees. When Hiroko looked up she froze with terror. Floating a few inches above the ground was some sort of demon with pale purple skin and wearing a white robe. Its mouth was curved up in a smile and its large canines curled up over his lips.
Do not be afraid of me… I am not what I appear to be.
Oh my… This can't be happening! Hiroko thought but was even more shocked as a voice replied in her head. But it is. Do not be in denial but embrace the truth. You are not in your own world any more.
"You can read minds?!" Hiroko exclaimed looking somewhat horrified. Hiroko then winced, expecting the mass amount of echoes, but instead there were on a few whispers that she couldn't even catch.
Yes and among other things. No doubt you are wondering where you are and what happened. The demon raised its head to reveal two sinister eyes staring straight into her soul. Suddenly Hiroko felt an alien presence invade her mind but she could do nothing to stop it. It was commanding, forcing Hiroko to divulge every bit of information about her and her life. From the first time she met Naruto's father to the time when Naruto was born. It squeezed Hiroko dry like a sponge and when it left, Hiroko was on the ground shivering.
I am sorry but it was necessary. As a god I have privileges you see… Now I am sure you do not come from this realm. The demon or god floated near Hiroko slowly.
God? Hiroko wondered, too exhausted to think of anything else.
Yes. I am the death god of this realm. That is why I said you were in the world of the dead. You would not be able to see me any other way.
DEATH?! Hiroko looked up into the face of what she knew was literary death. OH I'm going to die! Naruto… I'm so sorry!
No! No! You got me all wrong! The Death God protested as he drew back trying to look offended. Unfortunately his face was fixed into a perpetual grin and all he managed was a small twitch of his smile. Damn these restrictions… Seeing the confusion on Hiroko's face the Death God sighed.
It's of no importance. What I mean is I cannot, as they say in your world, "Reap your soul." It is not my place to. You are not of this world and I do not have the right.
This has happened before? Hiroko sat up, still exhausted but determined to understand what was happening to her, even if it meant standing up to death.
Yes. You are not the first but you are one of the few. Those who come to this world without a body would become… Well as you say, "Ghosts." Wandering around much like you were before I found you. The Death God chuckled.
I must admit. It was because I was curious of your world that I came. I did not have to look into your soul. I guess I must apologize for that. I'll give you one wish then for compensation.
Hiroko looked at the Death God in surprise. Wow… I never heard of a god being this generous before… Actually I never believed in this kind of thing! Death gods… Hmm…
Of course, the wish has to be within my grasps. We are not allowed to interfere too much the world of humans. The Death God then coughed slightly. But I think I can pull a few strings since I already broke a few rules…
One wish… What do I wish for? Hiroko wondered and to her surprise echoes of her voices sprang up around the God and Hiroko.
"A car…" Whispered a voice. Hiroko narrowed her eyes at that suggestion. Well I'd never…
"What are these voices?" Hiroko asked the Death God and she was answered almost immediately.
Your thoughts. They are subconscious thoughts that never make it to the surface of your mind but are still present.
A car… Wow…Hiroko shook her head at the thought of a new car. Naruto… I wonder where he is…
Naruto? That wouldn't be Uzumaki Naruto would it? The Death God asked, its eyes narrowing.
"Yes! It is!" Hiroko said looking up hopefully at the Death God.
I only know of one Uzumaki Naruto… Troublesome brat with his stupid fox… They cause enough trouble with us already. Now even more because of the new soul inhabiting his body. The Death God spat venomously, not bothering to explain what it meant by us.
"So he's here?"
Yes, and because of someone so are four other people from your realm. When I find the person responsible… He will not have a peaceful rest. The Death God's hand suddenly tightened into fists, and it was only then Hiroko noticed the small blade it held in its hand.
"I've made my decision!" Hiroko called out loud, trying to ignore the blade that was glinting with an eerie light, even though there was no sunlight to reflect.
Yes I know. You wish to be with Naruto. The Death God said knowledgably.
"Would you stop doing that?!" Hiroko said, now looking annoyed.
What? The Death God asked innocently, knowing perfectly well what Hiroko meant.
"Stop reading my mind! It makes me feel obvious." Hiroko said self-consciously.
You'll have to get use to it. You will be more than vulnerable here and even your inner emotions will be easily read. It is not the world you know. The Death God drifted off to let Hiroko ponder the statement. Well then. Your wish, I cannot grant directly but I can grant half of it.
"Half of it?" Hiroko asked confusion written all over her face.
I cannot give you a body that still wants to live or does not want you. There is no one near Naruto that would willingly coexist with you. It would be different if your counterpart was still alive but… The Death God sighed, remembering the Hiroko's counterpart. May her soul find rest…
There is only one person that will accept you but you may not show the person you inhabit any love. Hiroko's eyes narrowed at this condition but didn't say anything. The Death God noticed the look but ignored it.
You cannot change the progression of time or destiny. An outsider will not be allowed to do this. The Death God thought to itself.
But before you decide you must tell me if this is truly what you wish for. The Death God didn't have to wait long for her answer.
"Yes. If it means being with my Naruto again I will go though hell and back." Hiroko said with a fiery blaze in her eyes.
The Death God nodded. You have already gone though hell. Now all you have to do is get back. The Death God said before enveloping Hiroko in its robes. A second later they both disappeared.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" Hinata cried as she walked around in the darkness. It wasn't like she expected someone to answer. She just didn't like being alone in the dark.
"I thought I was in Naruto's house but now…" Hinata sighed before sitting down. Surprisingly the floor wasn't damp as she expected but kind of warm and comforting.
"Well if I'm dreaming then I might as well just wait it out." Hinata decided before lying on the ground. It was the soft weeping that brought Hinata bolting up.
"Naruto… I'm so sorry I can't be on the same team anymore…" Hinata looked around in confusion. Naruto? There was no one around her that could've possibly been crying but the voice was as clear as day. Well, night in this case.
"Where are you?! I want to help!" Hinata shouted genuinely as she turned around in a complete circle. The girl she heard was in obvious pain and Hinata wanted to help. It was just the way she was.
"Who's there?!" Asked the girl sounding startled. Out of the corner of Hinata's eyes she saw a fragile looking girl sitting not twenty feet away from her with an expression of fear on her face.
"What are you doing here?" The girl asked as she backed away. Hinata felt her heartstrings tug when she noticed streaks of tears that were on the girls face. She's like me…
"I'm here to help…" Hinata said as comfortingly as she held out her hands. There was a few seconds where the girl looked uncertainly at her before breaking down completely and running into Hinata's open arms.
"A-are you my mother?" The girl asked as she sunk deeper into Hinata's bosom.
"N-no but I'm here to help you all the same." Hinata said as she hugged the girl tighter. Slowly the girl's heavy breathing subsided she was fast asleep in Hinata's arms. "Hmm… She has the right idea…" Hinata thought as she lied down on the ground with the girl still in her arms and before she knew it she was asleep as well.
AN: And now you all know. So, I wonder how you are all going to take this... It's something of a twist I think. I hate angst... Didn't I already say that?
Next chatper: Hiroko finds out what the Death God meant, and Kat adapts to her new life.
The next two chapters will mostly focus on Hinata, Kat, and Hiroko... Mostly Kat, then Hinata, and then Hiroko. I'm still working out the small issues I have with Hinata's new predicament... Kat's and Hiroko's worked out fine. I'm having a lot of trouble with Hinata though.
PS: I accidntly let it slip that I wrote fanfiction... Now one of my friends is searching for my account... Great.
