Alright! First fanfic lets do this! I haven't a clue what I'm doing, originally I was just trying to keep myself entertained and now I'm publishing what equates to a rough draft because I don't know how to make it any better! Why must I be infatuated with the ONE art that I cannot seem to grasp. Anyways the characterization will be bad, the dialogue: atrocious, and the plot blasted to smithereens... Have fun reading my dumpster fire.
Naruto awoke from what must've been the most uncomfortable sleep he'd ever had in his entire life. He groaned at the sudden pain that radiated through his muscles and joints. Rubbing his hands over the sides of his face, he looked around him. Fire and debris greeted his eyes, twisted metal, and shattered brick lay strewn across the alleyway. Smoke swirled in the air and filled his nostrils, his ears rang with the constant crackle of flames and low voices crying out to one another.
It took him a second before reality registered in his mind and he jumped to his feet, chakra exhaustion making itself apparent. Looking around the rubble, he tried to make sense of his surroundings. This didn't look like any place he'd ever seen before, certainly not Konoha. In the unknown Naruto decided to look for any survivors.
"Hello! Anybody here?" he called into the smoky night.
"-ome back! Please, Vi, I need you!" The voice young girl shouted in the distance.
Her plea broke Naruto from his thoughts. The girl was clearly in trouble and needed help. He ran in the direction of her voice, hoping he might still be able to help. As he neared the source of the girl's cry, the acrid smell of burning flesh grew stronger and he winced slightly. He peered around the corner of the building and stopped dead in his tracks.
A girl only a winter or two younger than him knelt, her back to a hulking corpse, crying for someone who had long since fled. Her blue ponytail fell limp between her shoulders and her clothes hung off her frame in tattered rags.
Rain began to drizzle and pour, drenching the girl, the corpse, and Naruto alike. He stood awkwardly, unsure of what to do, as the rain continued to fall heavily. The poor girl hadn't yet noticed him and seemed too caught up in her grief to see much else.
Naruto's throat tightened as he watched her. "Do you need any help?" he finally asked, his heart racing in his chest.
The girl slowly turned to face him, her eyes red and puffy, her cheeks flushed from crying, and sweat poured down her face and soaking her clothes. "Y...yes please," she replied softly, her voice thick with emotion.
His heart clenched when he saw the fear in her eyes. She looked so young and lost and scared. He couldn't let her be alone.
He stepped towards the girl, making sure to avoid stepping on the bodies scattered around them, and placed a hand lightly on her shoulder. "What happened?" he asked gently.
She stilled as emotion overtook her once more. She started to sob, "I-I was saving -mhem," she choked up mid-sentence.
She buried her face in her hands, muffling her cries, then tackled Naruto in a hug.
"Oh...I'm sorry." Naruto mumbled patting the girl's back awkwardly. The girl clung to him as if her life depended on it.
Wanting to be away from death and destruction Naruto asked, "We should probably get out of the rain, Do you live anywhere nearby?"
When the girl nodded, Naruto helped her to her feet. They made their way to a small alleyway walking to the end of it and into a dingy building with a large elevator. Stepping onto the platform and beginning their slow descent.
"So I uh, never got your name, I'm Naruto." He said having grown uncomfortable in the somber silence.
"... Powder," her voice quiet, still hugging herself tightly.
Naruto smiled, "Nice to meet ya." As the elevator continued his eyes were met with a large city, lit with greens and yellows. Houses, stalls, and various other buildings are nestled between massive stone pillars connected by steel walkways. A hustle and bustle of people still out despite how late it might be on the surface. "Whoa." he gasped in awe.
They reached the bottom of the elevator. Naruto opened the door leading outside. A warm wind blew against their faces as they stepped outside. The streets were crowded with people, mostly humans but a few... monsters? Creatures Naruto had never seen before, some humanoids walking and wearing clothes, while others are kept as pets or locked in cages.
Powder led Naruto to a rusted building with a large glowing sign that proclaimed it a bar called The Last Drop. "This is my home." Powder said quietly, her gaze fixed upon the ground.
There was no one inside, the lights were dim. The bar looked well-lived and well-worn. Despite this, the bar was clean and radiated a wholesome air. Naruto followed Powder as she entered and sat belly up at the bar. Taking a deep breath Naruto joined her.
"This was Vander's bar..." Powder started slowly.
Naruto raised his eyebrows and nodded slowly his heart sinking, "Was he your dad?" a nod was his only answer "Do you have anyone else? Anyone you would like me to go looking for?" She stilled in silent contemplation and then shook her head. "Well, now ya do! If you want, I can help!" He smiled brightly, hoping to help.
"You mean you're willing to stay?" Powder asked surprised.
Naruto smiled. "Of course! I'd love to help a friend!"
The corner of Powder's mouth curled upwards, "Thank you so much!" Her face broke into a wide smile as tears sprung to her eyes. "Thank you!" she cried again.
After the day she's been the Powder decided that she had enough of being awake. he showed Naruto to a bed he could use while she tried to sleep the waking nightmare away.
If some benevolent author were to yoink the base concept of this so I could sate my Arcane addiction without mucking about like this I would be very appreciative.
I don't even remember half of what I wrote... How do people enjoy this!?