Thanks to all of my reviewers, you rock! Here's the next chapter, hope you don't get too confused!
Disclaimer: Don't own any of the original Naruto characters.
Chapter 3: The Journey
Kakashi had been having an ordinary day. He had arrived late as usual, gotten yelled at by Naruto and Sakura as usual, and seen them off on their D-class mission as usual. Then he had greeted Asuma and Gai when they arrived with their teams. That was when the day had gotten pretty unusual. All of the people present had suddenly found themselves facing terrifying demon-like things that didn't seem to die easily, and that were advancing on them with bloodlust in their eyes. Then things got even more unusual: they were saved by none other than Naruto and Gaara… but they were female. Kakashi checked them with his sharingan; nope, still female. Then he saw the regular Gaara and Naruto standing next to the Gondaime. There was really only one thing to ask.
"Tsunade-sama... what's going on?"
Team Asuma and team Gai stared at the two girls who had saved them. Most of them were thinking things along the lines of, 'WTF?' and, 'Naruto and Gaara can look pretty?' Garra was wearing an overlarge black Chinese shirt with gold embroidering and black pants, along with the usual shinobi sandals. Naru was wearing an orange Chinese style tunic that reached to her mid-thigh, along with black pants and sandals. They were looking back at the teams with expressions of utmost shock.
"WHAT THE HELL?"
This was shouted by both parties at the same time. The two otherword girls started to converse with each other rapidly.
"I know she said that you have almost no chance of running into your other self, but what are the chances of running into a lot of peoples you know?"
"Yeah, and some of them are the wrong gender and stuff!"
"Heh, I bet some of them would flip if they knew.."
"HOKAGE-SAMA!"
Tsunade turned to Kakashi.
"Um, yes I believe an explanation is in order. All of you please come to my office and I'll try to explain."
(About an hour later)
"…So as you all see, these girls are the only ones who can help us out of our present situation. Do you all understand?"
The shinobi still looked a little dubious, but what else could they believe? Giant demon-dogs didn't just pop out of nowhere. Gaara asked Garra something that had been bothering him for a while.
"...Why would demons show up here? Our world does have some demons, but most of them are sealed into jinchuuriki. "
Naru started to explain.
"Someone let them in here. We don't know who or why, but they have to have opened a gate into this world from... well, I guess you could call it hell.
The room suddenly took on a very serious atmosphere. Tsunade spoke.
"So you're saying that someone in this world is trying to gain something by letting in demons?"
"Exactly. It's kinda weird that we were sent to this world though; 'Ruka-sensei said that usually they don't send you to worlds with other selves 'cause it can cause problems."
"…Who knows? We'll probaly find out sooner or later though. Everything has a reason behind it, you just have to find out what it is.
Everyone turned to stare at Garra, who had a contemplative look on her face.
"Have any of you ever gone world traveling? As in between different worlds?"
Everyone shook their heads as negative. Garra smirked.
"You should try it, it can be very interesting...
Suddenly the office was crackled with a strange energy source. A swirling vortex appeared on the ceiling. They all looked up in shock while Garra and Naru shot looks at each other.
"Whatever you do, don't panic!"
Then some of the shinobi disappeared into the vortex, leaving their shocked sensei, fellow students, and Tsunade staring after them in shock.
Naruto was shocked when he appeared in the air several feet off the ground. He landed flat on his face and was about to pick himself up when something heavy landed on his back. He groaned in pain and turned around to see Gaara laying on him. Naruto's face flushed red, Gaara's eyes widened, and they immediately rolled off each other. Temari, Kankuro, Shikamaru, Chouji, Neji, and Lee also landed. Naruto was the first to speak. (who else?)
"What the hell? Where are we, and how did we get here?"
"Well, we're in another world and we were transported here by whoever controls the gate (aka the vortex)."
Said Naru cheerfully. All of the shinobi then turned to the girls, looking for guidance.
"Luckily for you guys we landed in a safe plave. The Harusame onsen Yadoya (Spring Rain Hot-spring Inn) is right around here, so we can get you guys acquainted with traveling and everything."
They all started the treck up a path to the Harusame Yadoya. This world was very green, with many trees and floweres. The sky was blue and clear with a few clouds floating lazily above, and Shikamaru really wanted to lie down on the grass and cloud watch. When they fianlly reached the Harusame, the shinobi looked around appreciatively; it was a very nice inn, with a nice reception place. The only problem was… no one was there to greet them. Naru looked slightly exasperated.
"Grr, where is that lazy ass? Probably slacking off… OI, SHIKA! ARE YOU GOING TO GREET YOUR GUESTS OR NOT?"
They waited at bit. A loud groan was heard as a girl in a green kimono appeared, rubbing her eyes sleepily.
"Mendokusai… I was sleeping, Naru. So loud... "
She trailed off as she stared at the group of Shinobi, who stared right back. It was like looking at Shikamaru's twin sister; she had her hair in the usual spiky ponytail and her face held a perpetually bored and laxy expression. Her eyes flickered over the group but if she was surprised she didn't show it.
"Welcome to the Harusame Yadoya. I'll show you guys to some rooms. In case you didn't hear Naru scream my name, its Shika."
Shika led them down a hall to two rooms that would both hold several people, one for the boys and one for the girls. Then she looked at Garra and Naru.
"So am I going to get an explanation for this?"
The two girls nodded and then Shika turned to the shinobi.
"The onsen (hot-springs) are farther down the hall. Boys turn left and girls turn right. You guys look like you could use a good soak. The towels and yukata are in the rooms."
Then she left with the two girls following her.
The boys sank into the hot water with a sigh; they really needed to relax and think. Naruto stared dreamily into space while Gaara had his hands wrapped around his knees brooding; Neji and Shikamaru were both watching the clouds, and Kankuro had his head down, staring at the water. Lee was swimming laps ( It was a big onsen). The minerals in the water did their magic and all of the boys felt themselves relax and enjoy the hot water.
"Well this is unusual."
Naruto's head swiveled around in shock; he knew that voice. It was a voice that he thought he would never hear again in the land of the living…
"...Haku?"
TBC
Hee, another character appears! Later I'll try to get more into the characters histories and whatnots, especially Garra and Naru's. What will happen with Haku? Tune in next chapter to find out!
Please review, I love feedback! -smile-