An Uzumaki in Arendelle
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Disney's Frozen.
Key:
"Speaking Japanese"
"Speaking Norwegian"
"~Kristoff Speaking For Sven~"
-Start Chapter-
"Why would Hedda and Ingrid run away?" Anna asked, hoping that anyone might have an answer.
"I don't know. They looked so happy when they came home last night," Mr. Hansen, the orphanage director said.
He was a tall and plump man several years older than Anna. With brown hair, dark eyes, and a big bushy mustache that all the children liked to make fun. Which the gentle man didn't worry about, going so far as to keep his facial hair to entertain his wards. And it kept his lips warm.
"When I went to wake them up this morning, they and their knapsacks were gone. There's also a few loaves of bread missing too."
"This is so strange," Elsa said, holding her chin in thought. "Those two wouldn't run away for no reason."
Anna, Elsa, and Olaf were discussing what might have happened to cause Ingrid and Hedda to run away from the orphanage in the middle of the night. While Naruto and Kristoff were looking for clues about where the girls might have gone.
A few minutes later, the displaced ninja landed next to the group. Kicking up some of the snow that still covered the ground.
"There is no sign of either of them," the blond said hurriedly. Continuing to look around erratically in the hopes of finding them. "Their tracks must have been covered by the snow during the night."
"And we still haven't found a reason why they would run away," Elsa solemnly added.
"We should go meet up with Kristoff," Anna suggested. "He and Sven might have found something."
With no other leads the group began to head back through the town. Never noticing the pair of shadowy figures listening to their conversation. Nor when those figures ran to a nearby sled.
"Any luck?" Anna questioned her boyfriend as the group neared him.
"Nothing," the ice harvester admitted. "They must have left late at night or super early in the morning, because their tracks are gone."
"We'll have to expand our search then," Elsa sighed out with worry. "Anna, go with Kristoff and look around the forest, they might be camping nearby. Naruto, Olaf, and I will keep searching in town."
"I will go deeper into the forest," Naruto stated. "I taught both of them how to build campfires and trail markers. If they went deeper into the woods I can follow them."
"We'll leave that to you then," Elsa responded. "Stay safe everyone."
With barely any farewells, the groups split apart. Each focusing on their mission. With the only other thing that Elsa even registered was how stiff her shoulders felt due to the stress of worrying about the girls.
*break*
Kristoff was tightly holding Sven's reins as his sled glided past the town entrance. Anna was practically halfway outside the sled, as she kept looking around the ground for any sign of the two girls.
"Look," the princess yelled, pointing to a nearby row of trees. "There are sleigh tracks going into the forest."
"I don't know," the ice harvester added, "Those look too new to have been made by the girls last night. They were probably made this morning."
"Maybe, but whoever made those tracks isn't following the road," Anna countered. "Perhaps they saw something."
"It's worth checking out," her boyfriend acknowledged.
Without any delay, the group was soon following the tracks deeper into the woods. Keeping their eyes open to make sure they were closely following the trail.
"I just don't understand," Anna suddenly yelled, breaking the tense silence. "Why would Hedda and Ingrid run away?"
"It's probably my fault," Kristoff admitted. "Yesterday I told them about how I used to sneak out of the orphanage when I was younger."
The princess, while shocked, was also confused. Refusing to believe that her boyfriend would ever encourage anyone to do something like this. "You would never tell the girls to run away. And you also told me you left the orphanage because they wouldn't let you keep Sven."
"That was after I snuck out a lot," the ice harvester replied. "I ran into the girls yesterday, while they were being picked on by two other kids. After the other kids left, I told Hedda and Ingrid a story about how I would sneak out at night because a kid named Gustav was picking on me."
"And you think they got the idea to run away because of your story?" Anna ventured.
"It's what I'm worried about."
Slipping her hand into his, the princess smiled at her boyfriend. "We'll find them," she said. "Elsa's right, those two wouldn't run away for no reason. And I don't think your story alone would make them."
"Thanks," the blond responded shyly. Feeling calmer from his girlfriend's words.
"Kristoff look," Anna yelled suddenly.
Leaning against a tree was an overturned sled. It had obviously crashed, and whatever was pulling it had snapped its harness, and run away. Probably back towards town, judging by the tracks.
"Help me move the sled from the tree," Kristoff said, walking up to the crashed vehicle.
As the duo began to move the sled, a pair of loud squeaks came from behind it. Hidden between the sled and tree were two children. But neither of them were Ingrid or Hedda.
"I know you two," Kristoff said. Looking at the black-haired girl with large front teeth, and a younger dirty blond boy next to her. "You were with Hedda and Ingrid yesterday."
"I'm Sara, and this is Arn," the girl said. Trying her best not to look at either the ice harvester or princess. While the boy was desperately trying to not start crying.
"What are you two doing here?" Anna asked, worried about even more children being away from the village.
The kids were silent for a few seconds, both uncomfortable with the situation. Suddenly, Arn could no longer hold back his tears.
"We came to look for Hedda and Ingrid," the young boy wailed. "It's our fault they ran away."
"It's my fault they ran away," Sara clarified, putting her hand on the weeping boy's shoulder. "I got into a fight with them last night, and Ingrid's new hat got torn. When Hedda ran to her, her scarf got caught and ripped down the middle." By now the girl was openly crying as well. "It was an accident, I didn't know they were gifts. And when those two started crying, I didn't know what to do. So Arn and I ran back to our rooms. We didn't know they had run away until the next morning."
"It's okay you two," Anna said. Trying to comfort the crying children, but finding herself unprepared to do so. "If it really was an accident, I'm sure we can find Hedda and Ingrid, and sort all of this out. Right Kristoff."
While the redhead had been expecting her boyfriend to agree with her, she was shocked when he didn't. "We should take these two back to town, but with how deep into the woods we've gone it would be better if we kept on searching for the girls."
"We want to come," Sara called through a sob. "We want to help find Hedda and Ingrid."
"No," Kristoff stated.
"We'll we can't leave Sara and Arn here," Anna said.
"We're not, there's a place close by where these two can safely stay," the blond responded. A faint smile breaking through the grim look on his face.
*break*
Sven pulled the sled and its passengers passed the tree line, and into The Valley of the Living Rock. Drawn by the sound of a sled, and waiting near the entrance, were Kristoff's adopted mother Bulda and Grand Pabbie.
"Kristoff, my baby," the mother troll yelled. Running forward to hug her son. "And you brought Princess Anna with you."
"It's good to see you Bulda," the iceman said, hugging her back.
"Now, who are these two?" the matronly troll asked. Moving to Sara and Arn, and squishing the two together in a great hug. "You don't bring many new friends here."
Sara's eyes were wide, unable to stop looking around at the trolls. "The rumors were true. Kristoff really was raised by trolls in the forest."
"These two need a place to stay for a little bit, while Anna and I go take care of something important," the blond said, referring to the still shocked looking children.
"They can stay as long as necessary," Grand Pabbie proclaimed. "But, before you and Princess Anna leave, I would like to talk with you Kristoff. You seem upset."
"It's a long story," the ice harvester lamented. Walking next to the elder troll, while Anna followed close behind.
The two children were left under the care of the trolls, who immediately brought the kids into their group. "Both of you are just in time, we were all about to play a game of Different," a young troll announced excitedly.
"Different?" Arn asked. His confusion breaking him from his earlier shock at the mystical creatures before him.
"It's where you have to tell everyone something about yourself, that makes you unique," another troll explained.
"Like this," an older troll said. "You can't tell because I lean to the side a lot, but my left arm is longer than my right."
"So you can give bigger hugs with your left arm," a small troll stated with awe. "That sounds useful, to have one arm that's especially good at giving hugs."
"Do either of you want to go next?" someone asked the two human children.
"I can," Arn volunteered, raising his hand. "Let's see, I'm different because," but the young boy's words slowed down, as he found himself unable to think of anything.
"It doesn't have to be anything big," one troll offered.
"As long as it's about yourself," another added.
"I know," the young boy exclaimed. "Sometimes when I can't sleep at night, I suck my thumb."
"I do that too," a deep voice from the back of the group yelled.
Many others joined in, adding to the game. A little way away from the group was Sara keeping quiet, but watching over everything. She thought the whole thing was stupid. Yet, slowly, she found it harder to keep a smile off of her face.
Away from the main group, Grand Pabbie led Kristoff and Anna towards a set of rocks they could all sit on.
Grand Pabbie reclined back, getting comfortable before he spoke, "So, two girls have run away, and it might be because of the other two kids you brought here."
"That's the short version," Kristoff confirmed.
"It seems you're holding onto a lot of negative feelings," the elder noted. "I wonder why."
"It's those two kids. They're bringing up bad memories of my time at the orphanage," the blond said.
"Gustav?"
The ice harvester nodded.
Anna sat quietly, watching her boyfriend talk with his adopted grandfather.
Kristoff looked towards the elder. "It'd be nice if you could use your magic to make me forget all the bad memories I have."
"The best spell I know for that would be forgiveness," Pabbie said earnestly.
"It would be easier if you got rid of my memories," the blond retorted.
"It might be easier, but to remove the bad memories I would also have to remove the good ones."
"I have good memories of that orphanage?" Kristoff asked sarcastically.
"Perhaps you don't think of them as good, but they are there. Such as how you met Sven because of Gustav."
Anna suddenly made her presence known, moving towards her boyfriend. "I don't think you've ever told me how you met Sven."
"Well, there's not much to tell," the blond started, but soon fell prey to the hopeful look on his girlfriend's face. "I didn't have a lot of friends while I was growing up in the orphanage, so I would sneak out at night to visit the ice harvesters. One of them, named Tor, gave me a lute that I could learn to play. But this older kid, Gustav, took it from me one day, and wouldn't give it back."
Anna patted Kristoff's shoulder, giving support to the man she loved. Who smiled back at her, a mutual feeling in his heart. Taking a few more seconds, he continued.
"That night, I snuck out of the orphanage, and went to see the other icemen. I was really scared about telling Tor that the lute he gave me was taken away. But, before I could tell him, a pack of wolves ran towards us. Everyone rushed to get back to the village, but I was accidentally left behind."
Kristoff took a few seconds to gather his thoughts. Remembering Tor's sad voice, as he yelled at his men to turn around and save the young Kristoff. Only for his words to be ignored.
"I ran into the woods, planning to climb a tree and stay there until the wolves left. But on the way I saw a baby reindeer that had gotten his antlers stuck in the underbrush. Knowing that he would never be able to escape the wolves, I ran over and freed him. However, the wolves had caught up to us, and I had no time to climb a tree to safety. Thankfully the reindeer nudged me onto his back, and carried us both to safety."
"And you and Sven have been together ever since," Anna finished the story, already knowing where it was going. "That's such a sweet story."
"Gustave took something precious from you, but you ended up with something even more precious," Grand Pabbie added. "Even if it was by accident, some good did come from you being at that orphanage. That is why I think forgiveness would be the best solution here."
"I probably already would have forgiven Gustav. If the orphanage director hadn't been waiting for me the next morning, because Gustav told him I had snuck out. They also wouldn't let me keep Sven as a pet. Which is why I ultimately left the orphanage," Kristoff said with a smile, thinking about the moment he and his best friend became inseparable.
"And I don't think I need to tell you about all the good things that happened because of that," the troll laughed. "It's sad to think that you may have never joined our family."
"When something bad happens all you can do is keep moving forward," the blond tried to summarize.
"And do the next right thing," Pabbie simplified.
The two sat in silence for a minute. Simply enjoying each other's company. While Anna watched and listened. Absorbing every word spoken.
Suddenly Pabbie spoke. "Tell me, Kristoff, do you know where Gustav is now?"
"He still lives in town, but I haven't talked to him since I left the orphanage," the blond responded.
"Perhaps, when you have found the missing children, you should go and talk with him."
"I'll think about it," Kristoff replied evenly, lacking the usual dismissal of his childhood nemesis. "But we do need to go find Hedda and Ingrid soon. The days are still short this time of year"
The ice harvester stood and began to make his way back to the sled. Anna stayed behind for a few seconds, desperately wanting to ask the elder troll about her own memories. But was fearful that the conversation would be long and take away time from looking for the lost girls.
"Sir?" she asked quickly, getting Pabbie's attention. "May I please, at a later date, come and talk with you about something?"
"You are always welcome here Princess, and I will be happy to speak with you."
With a quick thanks, the redhead raced after her boyfriend. Eager to continue the search.
"Sara, Arn," she heard Kristoff call. "We're heading off again to look for Hedda and Ingrid. If you want to come, get in the sled."
Anna smiled as the two children yelled with joy, as they raced to the sled. Stopping for only a moment to wave goodbye to their new rock friends. A few minutes later, the group of four, and one reindeer who had been eating all the carrots Bulda would let him, were on their way once more.
*break*
Naruto jumped from a tree onto the cold dirt below him. He was now in a clearing, where the snow had been swept away.
There was a small pit dug into the middle, where a fire once sat, but now only held charred wood. Two stones, placed around the pit had been used as chairs, to keep everyone off the cold ground.
Looking at the edge of the clearing, the displaced ninja found what he was looking for. A small stick had been buried in the ground, leaving only a small part of the top visible. Two pieces of string, one pink and the other green, were tied to it.
At the connection point with the twig, the strings were tied together with two separate knots, meaning the marker had been made at night. Farther down was a single knot, showing that the area was safe. Finally there was a quick braid at the end, with the two colors crossing over each other in a coded pattern. Meaning that whoever made this marker was intending to travel east.
"I'm glad those two are using what I taught them," Naruto said out loud. "Ingrid definitely made that marker, while Hedda dug out and set up the fire pit."
"You sound like you're proud of them," Kurama called from within his mind.
"I am proud. They're both using what I taught them, splitting up the work between themselves, and focusing on their strengths. I wonder if this is how Iruka-sensei feels when he teaches?"
The nine-tailed fox made a rough sound. Not really knowing much about teaching, but happy to see his partner excited.
"You know, you could probably use sage mode to find those girls instantly."
"I could, but honestly I don't think I need to. The marker they left told me which direction they headed in, so I'll catch up with them by tonight at the latest."
"And what if something, other than you, is also hunting them. They could be in danger."
"I taught them how to hide and get away from wolves. That should keep them safe until I find them. And of course, they have each other."
Another grunt was his only response, but Naruto could feel his partner smiling. He and the giant beast shared a soft spot for the two girls.
"Besides, like Elsa-chan said, those two probably have a good reason for running away," Naruto said. "I ran away from the orphanage when I was their age. I just hope they're not doing it for the same reason I did."
With one final check of the clearing, the shinobi set out once more. Feeling less worried for his friends but was still anxious to find them soon.
-End Chapter-
Happy anniversary: this story is 8 years old. And the end, while still a ways away, is within sight.
The anniversary was pointed out to me, and since it fell on a Thursday (when I try to update), I wanted to celebrate. Which led to this chapter. Thankfully this chapter was already outlined, so I could finish it quickly.
There was going to be a whole section of Anna talking with Grand Pabbie about her memories. But it didn't feel like the time to have that talk. Especially since there was already a long conversation about Kristoff's past.
Kristoff talking with Pabbie was in the comic this ark is based on (The Hero Within), as was the game of Different. Both scenes were fun to write, but I'm worried about how well they read. Please tell me what you think of them, and this chapter.
Next chapter should be the final part in this ark. Which will have the conclusion to Kristoff's backstory, Ingrid and Hedda being awesome, and Naruto being adorable with Elsa.
Thank you all for reading. Thank you for sticking with this story for so many years. And thank you for being so patient and supportive. With the end of this story in sight I do feel more energized to keep going and get it done, hopefully soon.