Author: I apologize for taking so long to update, it's not that I didn't already have it typed out, it's just this is a side-project and I haven't been in a 'Naruto mood' lately, so updates will be slowed down until I can get back into it, plus I need a break from all the other stories I've been typing.

Naruto: Hey! How dare you say you're tired of me!

Author: I didn't say I was 'tired' of you, Naruto, just not in the mood for you.

Naruto: I don't care! You've been neglecting me and this story!

Author: Look, just be patient, alright? I'll get back into the swing of things, but until then...

Naruto: *sigh* Fine! She doesn't own me or anyone in it.

Author: And this is more of a preview of what's to come.

Chapter 13: Another Reality?

"Naruto…" huh? Who's that calling me?

"Naruto I…"

That voice… Hinata? She sounds so weak… and where is she?

"Naruto… I'm sorry."

"What are you apologizing for Hinata?" I asked out loud hoping she can hear me too.

"If I hadn't gotten sick I could've been there to help you and Kiba wouldn't have been captured by the enemy and turned against us."

"What are you saying? If we had gone there we would've been all captured and we would've been manipulated and go against Kakashi-sensei and nobody is blaming you for getting sick Hinata." I hated it when she felt sad and guilty because it makes me sad and guilty too.

"You've always worked so hard Naruto, to prove to everyone you can become someone worthwhile and to me you already have since the day we met. But I haven't done much of anything…"

"Don't say that Hinata! You've always brought something to the team! Your influence helped me realized that I shouldn't always be so rash and impatient, you always bring the best food for everyone, you always looked after and take care of us! Don't let anyone else says otherwise especially Neji!"

Neji was Hinata's cousin and part of the Branch family and he really resents her and everyone in the Main house family, I was always worried that one day he'll snap and try to kill Hinata.

"Naruto… are you… mad at me?" her voice sounded so weak and soft that it hurts just to strain to hear her.

"Of course not! What makes you think I am?"

"Father always said if a Hyuuga becomes a burden to the team then the team will be angry at them."

"That's not true Hinata, you were never a burden."

But before I could continue something suddenly dragged me, I didn't know what was going on but I couldn't hear Hinata anymore.

Now where am I? I seem to be in an underground cavern with a lot of water in it. Not really sure what to do or where to go I decided to walk around. It's a little cold here and quiet, I haven't seen a living being yet since I walked.

I stopped when I heard a voice, "I will find the other reality and conquer it."

"Who's there?" I demanded turning around but only saw darkness and water.

"But in order to do so I must first prepare my chakra necessary for it. Nobody believes there's another reality out there, but I do and I want to find it."

I don't think that voice can hear me and they're talking about finding another reality, I don't really know if such a thing exist and even if it did how could one leave their own reality and go into another? Such a thing is absurd.

Then as I looked down in the water at my reflection I didn't see my reflection exactly… it's me but at the same time it's not… what I mean is I see an older me, about two or three years older and he's wearing a different orange and black jumpsuit different from mine. This Naruto appears more self-confident and always grinning, but I could also tell he's a powerful warrior and shinobi, what does this mean?

This older Naruto doesn't seem to notice me though because he looked in the other direction and began talking to someone else, "Are we almost done Pervy Sage?"

I blinked… 'Pervy Sage?' That's my voice alright and I would most likely nickname people sometimes, but that can't be me.

"We're not finished yet kid and I told you to stop calling me that!" suddenly a man with white spiky hair and a headband that says 'oil' appeared to the older Naruto in the water.

"Aw come on, how much longer? I want to hurry up and go back home to the Leaf Village, I'm sure Sakura and Grandma Tsunade misses me!"

Sakura and… Tsunade? I've read about the legendary Three Sannin and that guy with the older Naruto looks like Jiraya, then there's Tsunade and I believe the other one is Orochimaru, but if that was the case why is this other Naruto calling her 'Grandma'? Is he related to her? What am I thinking? None of this can be real! What is this place and why am I seeing a different me?

"Another world, another story." another voice said.

"Huh?" I looked at the water again and saw an older Sasuke, but this Sasuke looked different than the one I knew, he seemed more… angry, like anything could set him off into attacking. Then it changed again, I saw the older Naruto being covered in some kind of red cloak that appeared caninish, he was on all fours like Kiba when he uses Beast Mimicry, his nails were as sharp as claws, his teeth were sharp like fangs and his eyes were red with stilt and the whiskers on his face were thicker too, his whole form just screamed bloodthirsty beast, the red cloak that surrounded him was boiling and I could see two ears and a tail sprouted, that's not normal.

Despite just being in a reflection I could almost feel that boiling chakra, it was too much like the one that Nine-Tailed Fox forced on me before I fell victim to the Mind-Slave Jutsu… it's not a pleasant memory so I cringed.

"Another you in another world, living through another harsh reality, what would happen if two of the same people living in different realities were to meet?" that mysterious voice spoke again.

"Who are you?" I asked.

The voice didn't answer my question, instead it said, "To be gifted with the Nine-Tailed Fox and the Dimension Scream ability, perhaps you could find the answer I'm looking for."

I stood up looking around but didn't see anything, "Don't screw with me! I don't know anything about the Kyuubi and the Dimension Scream is more like a curse since I have to be near death to get the vision I need! Show yourself!"

"My, my, you're starting to sound just like the other you in that other reality, I thought you were different than him, more calm and collected, but I guess even you aren't immune to being Naruto. I cannot reveal myself to you yet, but rest assure we will meet soon, Naruto Uzumaki."

"What do you want from me?" I decided to calm down and ask what I need to know since the voice is obviously not going to reveal themselves to me.

"… I come from another reality, the very same one you've been looking in that water. I have heard there was an alternate dimension and so I traveled to it, at first it didn't seem at all different from the one I came from, but the longer I stayed the more I can see how things are different. Like you for example are much smarter and more patient than the Naruto I knew in the other world. But I want to know what would happen should the two different reality were to meet with each other? It's like a scattered puzzle and I want to line the pieces up."

"Ever heard the expression: 'curiosity killed the cat'? If there really is another reality out there how come nobody ever heard of such a thing? And furthermore, if there is an alternate reality there then it would be dangerous and ultimately fatal if the two were to meet up since they were never supposed to come in contact with each other." I said calmly.

"You really are a different Naruto, half of what you said wouldn't have made sense to him. Regardless of the warning, I still want to know and I have another purpose, a much bigger goal in mind, but those will be revealed in time."

"Why am I seeing all this?"

"You are the child who has been gifted with both the Kyuubi and Dimension Scream, only you could see what I intend to do."

That doesn't make any sense, but then again nothing here does.

"We shall meet again, Naruto Uzumaki, until then, survive."

Suddenly I found myself falling into darkness, everything just happened so fast! I couldn't move, my body felt paralyzed, what's going on? Everything just suddenly turned black, I don't feel like I'm falling anymore but… I still can't move.

"Naruto!"

I quickly opened my eyes to see Kiba and Akamaru right at my face, but this time my body was too numb to make a move and I felt achy despite the numbness. Wait… KIBA'S RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!

"A-ahh!" my voice sounded like a strangle cry as I jolted, subconsciously remembering that Kiba was my enemy at the moment.

"Calm down! It's okay, I'm not under the Mind-Slave Jutsu anymore." he said quickly but calmly, probably anticipating how I would've reacted when I suddenly saw him.

Because I sat up so quickly I felt sharp pain in my back and head… ugh… pounding headache and back pain cannot be a good sign.

"Man you had us all worried that you were dead, you just keep doing that to me." Dog Boy snickered and I was now convinced he's not under Kokoromaru's control anymore because he wouldn't have made a joke like that otherwise.

I decided to look around to see where I was, to my surprise I wasn't in the hospital like I thought I would be, instead I was in Kiba's room lying on his bed with bandages wrapped around my head and waist, especially the area Kakashi-sensei drove that lightning Jutsu through me.

"What… what happened?" ugh, my voice sounded so weak and pitiful.

Akamaru licked my cheek gently as Kiba just sighed and said, "After you passed out, Kakashi-sensei used his Sharingan on Kokoromaru and controlled his own mind with it, it's not exactly like the Mind-Slave Jutsu, but it's similar enough and it worked. Kakashi-sensei was able to get close enough to use it on him and forced him to release everyone he put under his Jutsu. Konohamaru was pretty scared and devastated when he saw you unconscious, probably thought you were dead and kept crying… loudly."

I chuckled a bit, but I hope Konohamaru knew I was alive.

"Anyway I was pretty shocked too and worried, I wasn't sure if you were alive or dead myself."

"Wouldn't you be able to tell with your nose or something, Dog Boy?"

"Hey! I was under a lot of pressure, I didn't have much time to think! Anyway, after Kakashi-sensei released us, he told me to take you back home and get you some treatment right away while he takes Kokoromaru to the Torture and Interrogation and let the rest of the children go home or go inform the Hokage to help escort the foreign children back to their own village. I think mostly Chuunins will that that job."

"I see… all that happen when I fainted…"

"Hana and Mom are out on missions right now so it's just you and me, luckily Hinata taught us some first aid stuff and your injuries weren't too severe so it wasn't too difficult to path you up."

"Thanks, Kiba, Akamaru." I said softly as Akamaru smiled and wagged his tail and licked me some more.

I have to wonder though… did that dream mean anything? I was talking to Hinata and then suddenly I was seeing a different and older me and some mysterious voice kept talking about another reality or something like that… I'm probably reading too much into it.

"You better get some rest Naruto, Kakashi-sensei said to meet him at the Hokage's Tower first thing tomorrow morning." Kiba said.

I looked out the window and noticed it stopped raining, it was a clear night… wow, I can't believe it's night already… it must've been… a long… battle… … …

I woke up the next morning feeling much better, Hana was cooking some breakfast, Tsume was still out on her mission and Kiba and Akamaru, for once, aren't all up in my face when I woke up and just for that I was already in a good mood. I mean really do you know how disturbing it is to wake up with someone staring at you? It ain't comfortable!

Anyway, the smell of Hana's cooking was pretty delicious I gotta admit and I was looking forward to it. Whenever I stayed with the Inuzuka family they would often play and treat me as well and their puppies sometimes like to get a little too rowdy.

Speaking of Kiba and Akamaru, where are they?

"Oh, you're finally awake Naruto, how are you feeling?" Hana must've noticed me while I was busy daydreaming again.

"A lot better than yesterday, still a little sore but other than that I'm fine." I answered her with a smile.

Hana smiled back, "That's good, I was worried about you when Kiba explained the situation to me."

"Speaking of Dog Boy, where is he… and Akamaru?" I asked curiously.

"They're checking on Hinata right now to see if she's feeling any better, I think between the two of you: her being sick and you being injured, Kiba's turning into a worried mother hen." she giggled and that made me laugh.

"Imagine Kiba turning into the 'mother' of our group, Hinata's going to have some competition when she gets better." I laughed.

Hana laughed along with me, "Well breakfast will be ready in ten minutes, why don't you go see if the pups are up yet?"

"Alright." I grinned, I love playing with the puppies.

However, when I touched the door knob to go outside I felt the familiar dizziness take over me… another vision.

*Vision*

Kiba just barged in through the door looking very frantic… that's not a good sign.

"HANA! NARUTO! Hinata's been kidnapped! Nobody knows where she is or who took her!" he shouted.

I didn't even have time to really register those words when the white flash ended the short vision.

*End vision*

I gasped when those words I heard Dog Boy shouted in panic finally sunk in… Hinata's going to be kidnapped! Oh dang it!

Not knowing when it's going to happen I just slammed the door open, probably shocking and worrying Hana in the process, and ran towards the Hyuuga's place as fast as I could with my chakra boosting my speed.

Please don't let it be too late! I have to see if she's okay! I was getting close to my destination when a shadow carrying what appears to be a big sack jumped right above me and I heard Dog Boy and Akamaru barking not too far behind.

"HINATA!" he shouted.

That must be the kidnapper and he's got Hinata! I quickly sprinted into action without thinking and while I'm normally against diving straight at an unknown enemy without a plan or analyzing them first this is an exception seeing that my comrade, my friend is being taken by him or her! I couldn't afford to waste time planning or analyzing.

But one thing that bothers me is… where the heck is all the Hyuugas? Shouldn't they be chasing down this intruder? Oh well, I'll have to look into that after I save Hinata.

"Kiba!" I shouted as he ran up beside me.

"Well this is a surprise, I didn't think you were even awake yet let alone out here too." he said to me in a light tone but not slowing down.

"I had a vision of you yelling that Hinata's been kidnap so I rushed here as fast as I could. Talk to me, who is this guy and what happened?" I asked as I ran faster to keep up.

"I don't know who this guy is but when I went into Hinata's room to check up on her I saw this shadow stuffing her into a bag, Akamaru and I immediately went after them but they sure are fast even for me." he growled.

"Whoever they are it's most likely they want the Byakugan. Kiba, what about the other Hyuugas, why aren't they pursuing the intruder?"

"When Akamaru and I were at the Hyuuga's place I've noticed the entire place was empty, as if it's been deserted or something, it was creepy." he answered.

That's not a good sign, I highly doubt all the Hyuugas would've just abandon the household like that all at once, which means something must've happened to them and I have a strong feeling the guy (or girl) we're chasing down right now is responsible.

"Let's go Akamaru! Man-Beast Clone!" Akamaru transformed into Kiba and both of them got into feral positions and ran with sudden bursts of speed.

That's good thinking; increasing their speed to catch up with the faster target, I just wish I could speed up too, can't really go any faster than I am now… unless… hmm… a snail can't go fast at all, but what if you were to pull it from a slingshot? That would be very cruel, but it may be a solution for my 'speed issues'.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" I created only one Shadow Clone, because I only need one. My clone pulled me back and threw me as hard as he could and I took off like a speeding missile right into… Kiba… Akamaru and even the shadow kidnapper! We all tumbled, making me very dizzy, and with a THUD we hit the ground.

"Urgh… Naruto! You clumsy blond hair idiot! Why did you do that!?" Kiba snapped at me after gathering his bearings and Akamaru reverted back to his little white dog form.

I looked up at him still feeling dizzy, but I gave him a smile, "Sorry about that Dog Boy, but look, at least I managed to catch the kidnapper." I pointed at the person underneath me.

But when we looked down we saw only the sack with Hinata in it and a log remained… dang it! That person used a Substitution Jutsu! But… why leave their target here with us? I'll worry about that after I get Hinata out of this bag.

Kiba and I managed to get her out, but she was so hot I almost let go, but I didn't. "Kiba! Her fever's gone dangerously high!"

"I know, this isn't good!"

"We need some cold water on cloth stat! We don't have time to carry her back if we don't calm the fever down." I said quickly.

"I'm already on it." Dog Boy rushed to the nearest house, banged on the door and demanded some cloth with cold water.

"Hurry up!" he yelled at the sweet old lady… normally I would've banged his head and scolded him for that, but this is an emergency there's no time to be picky about methods.

"Alright, I got it!" Kiba rushed over and gave me the cold wet wash cloth and I quickly but gently put it on Hinata's burning forehead to help calm down the fever.

"It looks like she's out of any immediate danger, but we better get her back home and see where the Hyuugas are." I said calmly when I saw the fever was finally slowing down.

"Come on, help me lift her up." I said quickly.

"I got her." Hinata was light, so the challenge wasn't to actually carry her back, it's trying to keep her fever down while carrying her.

"Kiba, you and Akamaru go see if you can find them, I'll keep an eye on Hinata." I said to Dog Boy.

"Okay, let's hurry and find someone Akamaru." he and Akamaru hurried off while I gently put Hinata on her bed, thankful that her fever had calm down.

"So, you've managed to save her, clever use of that Shadow Clone Jutsu of yours boy."

I gasped when I heard that voice… it sounded like the one in my dreams, "Who are you?!" I demanded.

It was that shadow person who kidnapped Hinata, I quickly took out my kunai ready to defend her, but the shadow person just laughed.

"You're not that much different from the you from my original reality, you always fight to protect your friends, but relax, I am not here for her."

"Then why are you here? Why did you take her if she wasn't that important to you?" I demanded, ignoring what he said about another reality for now.

"I was testing you, I wanted to see just how 'different' this reality is compared to my own. I can see it's not all that different at all, maybe a few trivial details here and there, but it's basically identical. I suppose the reason for that is because this dimension and that one are close together, but the farther ones are more different, the farther away a reality is the more different it will be, but this is just a theory for now."

"Why do you keep talking about different realities and why to me of all people?" I demanded, there must be some reason why he keeps telling me these things.

"It's simple… it's because of your Dimension Scream ability, it will be the catalyst to my goal. We will meet again and until then stay alive."

"Wait! Who are you?" I demanded, but he/she didn't stay to answer and disappeared with the Body Flicker Jutsu.

Why do I get the feeling that something big is going to happen and not in a good way?

Kiba and Akamaru found the Hyuugas, both Side and Main Branches were in deep slumber and all locked up underground, we managed to wake them up and get them out, but they didn't show much gratitude to us. What a bunch of snobs, but that's how Hyuugas (other than Hinata) are, what can you do?

Anyway, we decided to report to old man Hokage.

"Kokoromaru was a B-rank rouge ninja, he's not as bad as Zabuza, but if he wasn't stopped soon he would've taken over the Five Great Nations, you are to be commend for that and for rescuing the young Hyuuga girl, well done indeed." he smiled fondly and proudly at us.

"Well you know… all in the days work of a ninja." I smiled trying to be modest, but Dog Boy was quick to boost.

"Yeah! We're awesome like that!" and Akamaru barked happily along with him.

"You better go get some rest and get back to training, the young Hyuuga girl will need it when she gets to feeling better."

Well after that not much really happened, for the rest of the week we took on D-rank missions, mostly baby-sitting, running errands for someone, cleaning up the yard or chasing that claw monster Tora down. Hinata was back on her feet in three days and she took her training seriously to help make up for the lost time.

Sometimes I would play with Konohamaru and he introduced two of his other friends: Udon and Moegi and , believe it or not, sometimes their games are my D-rank mission to keep them out of old man Hokage's hair. You know, when I signed up to be a shinobi I never thought I would have to baby-sit a bunch of children. But little did I know; our little game would soon turn into something more interesting… but that'll be for the next chapter.

Author: Yeah, yeah, it's short but this was supposed to be more of a forboding chapter than an actual chapter. We'll be getting into the Chuunin Exams soon.

Naruto: With how slow you've been updating I doubt we'd be getting there some time this year!

Author: Oh don't be like that Naruto! I won't abandon this story, but like I said; it's a side-project so until I get back into the swing of Naruto, updates will be slow.

Naruto Oy... you see what I have to deal with? An author as lazy as Shikamaru!

Author: Oh hush up and undo the Genjutsu!

Naruto: Fine! Have a nice day people, RELEASE!

*You all found yourselves back in your room and wondered what the heck just happened.*