AzureKing: Hello everyone time for an update. As you guess it's Chapter three of Crossing Edges of Humanity!
Q AND A TIME~!
Have a Little Feith: I understand and I appreciate your honesty. Hopefully this chapter can win you over hehe. Thanks again for your review.
LL: Yeah, but like Haseo, Naruto wants to save his own Shino aka Strea.
Blaze1992: No, that was an OC chapter.
CHAPTER BEGIN!
A young Naruto was sitting with an old man who was smiling at the boy, "Naruto…"
The blonde boy nodded looking at the white haired man; he was shirtless with a red bandage on his chest. "Yes Ji-san?"
"Live a wonderful life…" The man sat up slightly groaning in pain but still smiled at the blonde kid. "You have to choose what's right and what's wrong. I know you will make the best decisions."
"Okay."
The man smiled patting Naruto's head, "Good, please…don't let anything…stop…hmmmmm…"
Naruto's eyes soon turn dim as he felt the hand on his head fell…the breathing of the only other person in the room stop short…and the cold realization…that his godfather died.
Just to protect him…
Ludicrous …
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WITH NARUTO
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Naruto was smiling as he moves his body to swing his scythe at Skeith earning another 300 hit points from the monsters HP…that barely did anything. But it just made Naruto's smile grow bigger as he jump back from a quick slash from the stone monster's red wand!
"WICKED STRIKE!" Naruto roared as he nearly in an instant closing the gap of distance between him and the monster, while swinging the scythe once more but leaving a red circle as it shattered causes more damage to Skeith.
"GYAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Naruto laugh manically as he watch as the monster stood still and-
…
Vanish?
Naruto eyes swiftly look across to see nothing but empty plains. In that moment Naruto eyes widen turn back, both hands clutching his weapon only to see the red wand slam against his left arm and sending him flying away.
If this was real life, Naruto would have felt every bone in his arm and left side of his body being crush into fine powder. If this was real life Naruto would be dying in a matter of seconds.
But this is the world he wanted, the world known as Sword Art Online. As long as his health isn't at zero he can fight, as long as his health isn't at zero he can live…for Strea and his excitement!
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"LET ME GO!" Suguha screamed as she tried to open Naruto's door only for the nurse and Tsunade to restrain her.
"I can't…he's-" Whatever Tsunade was going to say was hitch when watching the door open. Despite her own heart desperate desire to run away…she had a duty for Suguha to ask the question. "Is he…dead?"
Suguha went limp at the mention of the question; she fell to her hands and knees with her head looking downward. Was today the day Naruto dies?
"We…still don't know." The doctor said with a confuse look, "When you left for a few minutes Naruto stop moving, we, for a while, thought he died…but just in a matter of seconds he started to move again. I think…he's fighting something."
"What? He's alive?" Suguha said with a hopeful look complete with tears about to burst. She quickly stood back up from the ground.
"Look…" The doctor showed the two females to the room filled with nurses and doctors watching Naruto; although this time they were catching their breaths.
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"DAMMIT!" Naruto roared missing his chance to use his skill. "What's going on?! There's no way this thing can switch its movements that quickly!"
The blonde jumps when the monster suddenly tosses the red wand at Naruto!
"The fuck!? When can bosses do that!?" Naruto comically shouted. As the monster starts to vanish again Naruto throws his scythe at it! "Not this time!" He shouts.
*SLASH!*
Naruto smiled as he saw 9999 damage across Skeith chest when taking out a knife, "Dead- G…ahhh…"
The blonde eyes widen in pain as the stone creature arm went through Naruto's stomach!
"No…!" Naruto whispered as his HP was in the red almost hitting zero.
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"IT STARTING AGAIN!" A nurse scream as she and many others held down Naruto as he was writhing in pain.
"What the hell is happening?" Tsunade said in horror, "This can't be because of the game."
"Who knows?"
Everyone turn to see a young woman shoulder length hair that was colored platinum blonde color. She wore a light peach sweater with shirt that has a lighter hue color of the sweater. She wore a black skirt and black leggings as Tsunade eyes widen. "I know you…Lara…Hoerwick."
Suguha look up as she wondered who that lady is...however it quickly died down when she resume her watch over Naruto who returned to being still. "Who is she Tsunade?"
"Her uncle is one of three people who help created Sword Art Online." Tsunade said as she looks at Lara.
"What?! Then what is she doing here?" Suguha said glaring at the older girl. She knows that she didn't cause this but...she couldn't help it.
"I felt it was my duty to come here, since Naruto did help with the game." Lara said walking up to Naruto with a kind smile. "Interesting guy, I check on him before coming here. Who would have thought someone like him made such a wonderful story?" Lara spoke her thoughts out loud as she went to touch the boy's NerveGear only to be slap by Suguha.
Lara just looked at the protective glare from Suguha before the niece started to smile sincerely, "Sorry I had no right. Anyway, I'm here because I felt bad that this is happening to him."
"Why only Naruto? Isn't there I dunno, thousands of others?" Suguha said rudely astonishing Tsunade and the others on how she acted.
"Because I was the one who showed Naruto's work to my uncle, which gave him an exclusive copy." Lara said softly.
*SLAP!*
Lara eyes widen when her eyesight was turn to the side...while also noticing her left cheek felt pain. She corrected her line of sight to its original position to see a crying Suguha.
"I...was so happy before this happened. Naruto was finally opening up to me, returning to his old smiling sweet self again...but this happened. If you're uncle, Kayaba or whoever also helped making Sword Online never been born he and I would finally be back to normal."
"Oww, you have a hard slap." Lara chuckled before sighing softly, "I'm sorry...truly I am. Understand that I came here to apologize-"
"GAHHH!" Naruto body roared as he seizure once more scaring everyone! Thankfully Suguha return to his side, holding his hand, which quiet down the comatose blonde. "Haa...ha...haaa..." Naruto breathe in slow painful gasps of air.
"...It's like he fighting for his life..." Lara said solemnly, "I wonder if my uncle can explain this to us, maybe he could save Naruto. He was a genius with these things."
"What? H-He can?" Tsunade said shocked but Lara look down in the ground.
"He's dead, car crash. The GPS on his car lead him to a unfinished highway that wasn't torn down or had road blocks." Lara sadly whispered, "That's another reason I'm here, my uncle wanted to thank Naruto."
"For what." Suguha asked looking at the sad teen.
"For helping create Aincrad and The Goddess of Aurora."
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WITH NARUTO
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Where...am...I?
Those words have never been used more perfectly than this, he was fighting a God-like monster and was dying, to suddenly wake up in this dark room. He can't see for shit, "I did I die? Damn, sorry Suguha, I won't be able to hang with you again. I guess that also means no apology to Kirito either. Strea...my Aura, I..."
Naruto's words died when he saw a light...that slowly illuminated the room. Actually it was a street where rain was pouring down hard. The blonde walked forward as soon he realized that he was standing up. "Where am I?"
"Why did he died...?"
The blonde scythe wielder saw something that shock him...it was himself barely ten years old, maybe nine at the youngest. But it was the younger Naruto look that concerns him...he was just standing there holding on to a music player.
"Naruto!" Blonde scythe wielder saw his adoptive mother Midori walking to the younger Naruto. "Why are you out here in the rain?"
"Jiraiya is dead right? He won't ever come back will he?"
Midori nodded sadly, "I'm sorry sweetie, he's gone."
"He protected me from the shooter at the bank…why? Why would he do something that will get him killed?" The younger Naruto asked utterly confused.
"Naruto? Are you okay?" Midori asked concerned.
"I'm fine, but answer me."
"Because of he loved you…he was willing to protect even if it killed him." Midori answered honestly.
"Ludicrous." The older Naruto said.
"I see, he wanted to protect me." The younger Naruto nodded as Midori held his hand.
"Come on let's go inside, Kazuto and Suguha wanted to play with you." Midori said with a smile trying to cheer up Naruto.
"Jiraiya." The older Naruto said, "Haven't thought about that old geezer in years." Naruto eyes widen as another bright flash of light hit him!
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Naruto was watching a young white haired girl play a violin, "Ah..." he gasped softly when watching the girl who continue to play. It was so sad...the song would've have made anyone cried, but Naruto just listen. He had seen the girl a few times in the Beta Test root town...correction Town of Beginning.
She was the odd girl; always the first one to enter the town after Naruto defeats the boss to the floor. She was always carrying a large broadsword on her back, but not once he had ever seen her used it.
Perhaps she can be a challenge, "Hey..."
"Hmm?"
...
...
...
That was the moment; that he felt something like other regular people would.
She just smiled at Naruto, no flirty way like some of the upperclassmen were with him, not a cute innocent smile from his underclassmen.
This one was a smile that made Naruto heart skip a beat. The blonde realized that she was still speaking, "I'm sorry say that again?" Naruto asked.
"I said, hello~! My names Aura, I've seen you around the towns. Naruto right?" Aura asked putting down the violin.
"Naruto Uzumaki, my real name. And I could say the same for you, I was wondering how I see you in every town." Naruto informed the girl, "I...want to know how you can play the violin here."
"Promise not to tell?" Aura asked as Naruto nodded, after watching his approval Aura moved closer to his ear to whisper, "I'm a super hacker."
"I see." Naruto said.
Aura pouted at Naruto as she spoke, "Moh, you and daddy are no fun! You guys just think it's normal."
"It's amazing what you can do." Naruto said smiling to the sky sitting down on the grassy meadow. "I only have strength, but soon one day...I will lose it. But I can only enjoy fighting now..."
"That sounds fun to me. I'm always stuck in my room and mommy won't let me do anything exciting or fun, thinking I will die of shock or something." Aura said. Then she softly muttered, "I wish I can be like you strong and confident."
That was the day, I finally found a friend...and regain some of my humanity.
Every day I've head towards the top of the floor to meet her, my Aura, to talk, eat, nap...anything and everything together.
I...
Want to protect that smile.
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IN SWORD ART ONLINE
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Naruto eyes widen as he saw Skeith still there, "No, I won't die..." Naruto demanded as he quickly grabs a few Healing crystals. "If I have to choose, I'm coming out alive."
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IN THE HOSPITAL
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"Naruto helped creating Aincrad?" Suguha said as she winced as Naruto's body limply flails around.
Lara nodded taking a seat on an empty chair, "There was a contest for the Beta Testers, they were given the option of creating a backstory for Aincrad. My uncle allow me too read some of them, none of them really impressed me. That is until I read Naruto's piece, it was an adaption from Emma' 'The Epitaph of Twilight'."
Tsunade eyes widen at that title, "I heard that book the old hermit was a big fan of Emma, he even bought all the books."
"What's the Epitaph of Twilight?" Suguha asked.
"One of the most famous pieces of literature ever do produce seven years ago, it was about a world that held mystical and mythological beings. It told of the world and the God's who govern it, until a power malicious force came as the Curse Wave. The Goddess Aurora seals them away. At least from what I read." Tsunade explained. "However a few years ago the internet had some problems and destroy Emma's work. She only published ten of those books…and with a special block on her website no one could save, copy or steal her work. Just one is almost 10 million yen on the auctions."Lara looked to window next to her with a rueful smile, "Yes...I guess that's sounds about right. But Harold read Naruto's idea, stating that Aincrad was a Noah's ark to save some people who tried to escape the Wave."
Suguha looks at Naruto with sad eyes, 'Here's another thing I don't know about you.' The middle school student sadly thought to herself.
"Thus we gave him an exclusive copy, it was suppose to be given to him the next day of the launch of SAO."
"What did you just say?" Suguha said stunned for a moment.
"Naruto was suppose to get his exclusive copy the next day when everyone got trap." Lara said, "What? I mean it must've have arrive early. I mean that's why we're standing here."
"Naruto got his copy from his friend, Aura." Suguha said to Lara.
"That's impossible, we only had the hardcopies…and there was no more than…Oh my god." Lara said as she took out her phone, rapidly hitting numbers as she took a call. "Hello? What was the number of players log in on the first day?"
Tsunade and Suguha looked at each other in worried as Naruto screamed in pain again.
"WHAT!?" Lara voice startled the two females and other doctors in the room. The young woman looked back at the two family members of Naruto, "Ten thousand…and two." Lara said as she hung up the phone.
"What?" Tsunade asked confused at the number.
"They were Ten thousand and Two players on the day it was online, the last two to enter was…Naruto and another player named Strea. Beta Version of their characters were used for the SAO characters, names Naruto and Aura. Also this Aura is the One Thousand and one Beta Tester." Lara said shocked.
"What does that mean?" Suguha said.
"I don't know, I never thought that this would happen. But it seems that Naruto and this Aura are now, additional players of Sword Art Online."
Tsunade look at her godson and sighed, "Even if you became stoic and numb to the world…you still haven't change your unpredictability. Ne Naruto?"
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WITH NARUTO
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Naruto smiled as he punch Skeith main rock body pushing it away from him and dealing more damage then he originally thought, "Better thank Argo for telling me about this Martial Arts skill. Maybe I'll send a fruit basket… Hey come on, you're not died right? Face me like a…I guess man in your case?" Naruto chuckled not caring why he was feeling this way and making jokes. It was a fun battle, and he wanted it to keep going on.
Skeith however drops its wand as it raised its rocks to simulate a fighting pose. The rock that was possible its hand just curled towards Skeith, as if to say 'Come at me…'
Naruto just smiled happily, "Thank you…" The monsters head tilt as if asking him to continue to explain. "There is only battle for me, and you are giving me a one hell of a battle! So for that, I thank you, if I die at least I died with a monster that was the strongest." The creature seemed to acknowledge it, lowering its head slightly to nod.
Skeith just throws a rock solid fist at Naruto who jumps over it and slams his hands over the monster head cracking it. Skeith cocks it's head back and throws off Naruto who skidded away from the monster, "Dammit it…"
Skeith floated over Naruto body, it turns its head to the scythe Naruto had previously thrown in their battle a few minutes ago. Grabbing it, Skeith raised it over its head and quickly brought it down.
*CRASH!*
"…"
Naruto smiled as he won…
In the last second he moved slightly and used Skeith's discarded wand and stab the monster with it, although he lost his left arm. Thankfully he is in the yellow bar of his health, he'll have to use a 'Cure Bleed' crystal to fix that soon. "Skeith, the Terror of Death, know from now on I will never forget this battle. Like how I killed that one man in the bank who killed my godfather Jiraiya."
Skeith, who slowly descended to the ground on his knees or rather the rock that were his legs look at Naruto.
Naruto smiled soon turn into a sad frown, "…I don't understand, when people are near death they don't want it, others do want death on another hand. I didn't experience anything about death or any emotion, don't get me wrong Skeith, our battle was amazing nothing else I would rather have…except Aura's location maybe."
Skeith just stood still however it's hand slowly circled around Naruto, the hand detaching from the body and went around Naruto who continue to speak.
"Why do I, not feel anything besides killing and violence? Ever heard of multi-verse theory, that's there's infinite versions on one's self? I wonder if there are other Naruto's like me who thrive on killing or others that are normal. I wish to understand death, to understand being human." Naruto sighed ruefully. "I really want…to experience more things with real feelings like my Aura…"
"Sleep…" A voice echoed quietly in the wasteland as Naruto stumbled slightly.
His eyes turn into lifeless orbs as he heard a woman's voice and closed them as he fell down next to Skeith. The being looked down at Naruto with its only hand that is still attached it rubbed the back of Naruto's head. Soon its hand started to enter Naruto's head.
Terror of Death Program activated, Activating Understanding of Death and other emotions onto…Naruto…
Soon the being slowly vanished as a single red drop of liquid touch Naruto's head and made him glow red. Soon the boy was being slowly raising in the air before vanished in a trail of light.
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IN THE HOSPITAL
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"…my Aura…" Naruto said before slowly relaxing as he once again lay totally dead to the world.
"…" Tsunade, Lara, and Suguha's eyes widen at the two words Naruto said.
"…Well?" Lara asked Tsunade who walked toward Naruto touching his neck, looking at the machines and one more checking on Naruto himself.
"He's fine, his body might have some damage internally, but he has return into being comatose." The blonde sadly said, "I guess it was too much to hope that he would return."
"He's alive, let's take that at least." Lara smiled, "But now do we realize, We should change not the whole, But the parts."
"Huh?"
Lara looked at Suguha with smile that was wistful, "It's from The Epitaph of Twilight, the plan to stop the wave was messed up and they had to change it, but instead making a new one. They fix the flaws of the old plan which worked."
"Why did you say that?" The youngest of the females asked.
"I think, Naruto will change and for the better." Lara smiled before preparing to leave. "I'll be in Japan working with the government to get the SAO victims out."
"Good bye, but next time set up an appointment." Tsunade said as she saw Lara nodding and walking away.
"Wait…" Suguha shouted as Lara turned around. "I'm sorry that I slap you, I…wanted to blame on-"
"Stop!" Lara loudly said with a mock serious smile, "You're his girlfriend right? You have the right to be angry at me."
"I-I-I-I-I-I'm n-n-not Naruto's g-g-g-girlfriend!" Suguha stuttered as she shook comically make the two other blonde women laugh at the middle school student. After stopping Lara patted Suguha's head, "See ya."
"I'll call your mother to pick you up." Tsunade said, "I think today was bit exciting…"
"Okay." The young girl said as she saw Tsunade leaving the room.
Suguha took a seat on Naruto's bed as the other doctors left, as she was all alone she lay her head on Naruto's chest. "Please be safe…don't scare me again."
"Su…"
"Huh?"
Naruto's lips moved once more, "Su…gu…"
"Naruto?" The young girl said scared if he might be in pain again.
"Suguha…wait for me…my promise…" Naruto whispered before only the thing audible was the machines beeping in a constant rate.
"…" Suguha eyes were crying tears of joy. Even in pain, stuck in a game of life or death, trying to be the best…he still wants to keep him promise to her. Softly biting her lips, she wanted to tell him everything. However he was not here, but she can at least do one thing…
Tsunade frowned that she spent money on cold Chinese food, well at least Naruto is okay, "Sugu?" The busty blonde woman asked but quickly held her breath as she saw Suguha kissing Naruto's cheek…it was just a peck. But Suguha just held her position before slowly, "I'm sorry, that wasn't right." Suguha blushed at her words and action. "But I won't do that again until you wake up, Naruto…"
Tsunade smiled as she watch Suguha now laying her head and arms on the bed watching Naruto, 'Glad Jiraiya passed away, if he saw this who knows how many smut books he will write from this little scene.' She can get Suguha when her mother arrives, for now she better check on Kazuto. Maybe he is also getting an attack? If that's the case maybe it can explain some things to her about Naruto's attack.
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WITH ALKAID
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"SENSEI! WHERE ARE YOU~!?" The red haired girl yelled as she finally got all the girls out of the dungeon.
"I can hear you, no need to shout."
Alkaid turn around to see Naruto (with his left arm now revived), but now instead of a scythe that he had last time he has a red Celtic cross, "When'd you get that thing?" It was crimson red as if made totally out of blood like a Celtic cross it was shape as its namesake. A large cross shape weapon with a circle connection the four lines at the top. She noticed that the handle said…'Skeith' but it was hard to tell due to it being more like scratches than an engraving.
"About twenty minutes ago," Naruto said tapping the new weapon he got. "Sorry I just got back from a powerful boss; I think it was fifty levels above me."
"Whoa…awesome." Alkaid said with stars in her eyes…no seriously they are literally stars in her eyes. Did she have some skill to do that?
"Anyway did you save all the girls." Naruto demanded as Alkaid nodded.
"Yes, I have some all of them. C-Can you know start-"
"TRAINING BEGINS NOW!" Naruto shouted before slapping Alkaid who didn't have time to react and was flung to a wall, leaving a hole in the size and shape of her frame before falling down.
…
…
…
"You weren't ready." Naruto deadpanned as he walked to help Alkaid get back up.
Well, it seems things will be interesting. Naruto watched as Alkaid stood up as she tried to balance herself.
Naruto look up in the sky, after killing Skeith he woke up in the Inn as if nothing ever happen. Now his inventory now has 'Skeith's Blood Cross', a unique Scythe. Quickly opening up his menu he looks at the Skill he received.
Unique Skill Quest: Weapon Master
Master Eight Different weapons
(1/8) Weapons Mastered
After defeating Skeith his scythe that was level 350 was now max out, "Hmph, Alkaid come on we're going to do some training."
"Yes sensei!" The red haired ninja said walking behind her teacher.
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WITH STREA
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"Gak! Ack gah!" Strea painfully coughed out as the chain around her neck was finally destroyed. "MOTHER! Please leave Naruto alone!"
"My darling daughter, I will not. Skeith has been killed and for some reason I can't access his data…" A regal voice that belonged to a woman echoed across the room. "I will end Naruto."
"WHY!? WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS, TO THE ONE I LOVE!?" Strea cried as tears flowed down her cheeks. "Mother?"
"Because you were born, I will never allow my world and my existence to belong to you. Aura, I want you to feel endless despair." The voice held hate for the girl who looked stunned.
"I don't care about that; I just want to be with Naruto…" Strea said, "You can continue to be the CARDINAL system, just don't hurt Naruto."
"Innis, you will go after Naruto."Said the voice as the chain around Strea's waist glowed green.
"Goddamn you mother…" Strea brought down her head in shame, "I hate you…"
"I will be the only Goddess of this world!" Said the voice.
CHAPTER END
Azure King: Naruto survived! And has Alkaid as his student.
It seems that Skeith won't be the only one who will go after Naruto to kill him, what will happen next?
Next to be updated Ultimate Darkness.