Uzumaki Nari

Nari's subconscious

All around the darkness remained tightly clung to her, refusing to let her go. She banged and banged at the mental bars holding her prisoner. They bowed but didn't break. Frustrated, she kept banging at the dark prison. Shouting and screaming she tried to escape but none of it was helping her. The darkness clung tighter choking her. She stopped banging and when the tightness eased so she could breathe, she continued banging, rebellious against the prison that refuses to release her.

Something stirred further in the darkness.

Fear crawled up Nari's spine and she refused to turn around to see what else was trapped inside with her. For a moment she thought she felt a warm breeze blow on her neck but it disappeared. Relaxing a little as the dark silence greeted, she went to start banging again when something pushed her against the mental bars, holding her in place. It was warm against her back, large and definitely furred. Some kind of gigantic creature shared the darkness with her. And it was after her.

A growl came from behind and sweat ran down her face. Fear knotted at the back of her throat and her whole body froze.

She wanted out of this place, away from the creature now holding her captive, and back into her brother's arms. Why did she have to suffer like this? Why does Naruto have to suffer like this? Why won't the dark release her? What does it want with her? What does the creature want with her?

It's time, Nari.

The voice came from all around her. It was a part of her mind like her thoughts. But why was a gigantic creature in her mind in the first place? What's keeping it here? Did she imagine it up or is there some other logical explanation for it?

Time for what? She asked.

Time to wake up, it replied. But you must do one thing first.

Relieved at finally being able to get out of the dark prison, she would have agreed to anything. But when it asked what it wanted, she was repulsed. She couldn't do that, could she? It wouldn't be right. She couldn't just do that just so she can get out of there. It's selfish and totally not like her. She's always put her brother first but this would be putting her first. If she had to fight for the rest of her life to get out of this bloody prison, she would do it. She is not going to do what this creature is asking of her.

Just what kind of creature is holding her face against the bars?

Konoha hospital – Hokage Building

'Get Hokage-sama!' a nurse shouted and then started running.

'What's going on?' a nurse at reception asked standing up from her seat.

Another nurse came out of nowhere, desperation to get somewhere clear on her features. 'Something's happened. Hayaku!' and then she was off down the corridor.

Immediately getting the message the nurse took off out of the hospital and towards the Hokage building at the back of the village were the stone monument stood proudly looking over the village. She didn't have time to stand around staring up in awe at the stone faces. She raced inside the building and told the person at the desk that she must speak to the Hokage urgently. Although the nurse knew nothing of what was going on, she knew the urgency.

Permitted, she raced up the stairs to the Hokage office. Knocking she was permitted entrance and she bowed to the old man sitting behind the desk in the Hokage robes. Although he was old, his status and the stern look on his face caused her to lower her eyes to the floor. He never looked like a happy leader but it was just a serious mask he wore on his face when addressing business.

'Speak!' he commanded.

'Hokage-sama, something's happened. It's important that you come immediately.' Why did they send her when she knew nothing of what was going on?

'In what relation?' he asked taking his pipe out of his mouth to regard her more closely.

'I do not know, Hokage-sama. I was just informed to get you.'

He stood up and she took a step back in fear. 'Very well,' he said seriously. 'I shall see myself what has caused the hospital to summon me.'

Konoha hospital

They stepped into the hospital and immediately the Hokage took up the space. It was not because of his size, it was his power and his status. The nurses all stopped hurrying about to bow to him and then they were taking off down the corridor. The nurse who had gone to get the Hokage had no idea what was going on. She was just as confused about this as the Hokage. So instead of talking the pair of them followed after the running nurses and doctors.

What could all the fuss be about?

It was on the third floor, walking to the last room, when the Hokage suddenly realised. Beyond that last door was Naruto's twin sister, Nari. Something must have happened. Did she not wake from her coma and finally slip into death? Or has she finally woken? Unable to wait, he started jogging and then almost ripped the door off its hinges as he yanked it open. He stepped into the room full of nurses and doctors. All of who peered at the figure sitting up in her bed.

Bright blonde hair outlined her twelve year old body. It was just as bright as Naruto's. Her blue eyes the exact mesmerising blue as her brother's stared back at him from the bed. It seemed that she immediately understood the power in the room. She blinked her eyes and then looked at everyone in confusion. Then he noticed that she was looking for a specific face. Her brother… She was looking for her brother!

'Someone go and find Naruto immediately!' he ordered and a doctor vanished from the room and down the corridor. He remained still as he heard the tip-tapping of his shoes receding into the distance. He stepped up to the bed and smiled down at Nari. 'It's good to see you up after seven years, Nari. Do you remember me?'

At first her blue eyes held fear and confusion. But then recognition dawned in her blue eyes and she wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him into a bone-crushing hug. Immediately he was reminded of one of his students he taught in the past. Her strength had been impossibly bone-crushing as well. She released him and then sat back on the bed with a smile on her features. It was easy to see the resemblance with her brother. They looked alike. Paint three lines on both of her cheeks, cut and spike her hair, she would look exactly like her brother.

'Hey old man,' she spoke. Her voice was a little strained from the lack of use. She swallowed so she could wet her cords to try and make it easier for her to speak. 'Where am I?'

'You're in a hospital.' Hatred burned brightly in her eyes at the word. 'Do you remember what happened?' she shook her head, sending her blonde hair flying. 'You suddenly collapsed in the streets. You've been in a coma for seven years. Your brother has been worried sick about you.'

Guilt saddened her features and she looked at the bed. 'I don't remember what happened. I only remember playing with Naru-nii, his horror stricken and worried face and then black.' He encased her in his arms and stroked her hair soothingly. 'I worried him so much,' she said crying now. 'I could hear him talking to me whenever he comes here hoping I would open my eyes. I couldn't get out. I was trapped. I couldn't get out!'

'It's okay. You're back now. Everything's going to be fine.'

He rocked her gently as he allowed her to cry in his arms. The guilt and fear of having worried her brother and never being able to see him again was taking its toll on her. She was desperate to get out. She wanted to see her brother again. She wanted to hold him, talk to him and be with him. She wanted to learn to be a ninja at his side. She would have done anything. He knew this and he couldn't bear to think of the suffering the two had endured. They were anchors for each other and then Nari suddenly collapsing and slipping into a coma seven years ago… It must have been so painful.

Somewhere in Konoha

'I totally kicked your ass fair and square, Kiba!' Naruto bellowed at the other boy.

'I wasn't at my top fighting form,' the boy retorted and his dog barked in agreement. 'I could easily kick your ass now.'

The genin had gathered together under instructions of their senseis. The nine rookies, the sand siblings and the two that had been held back a year. Lee would have joined them but he was still under strain from the battle with the young boy from Suna in order to attend. Upon seeing Kiba, Naruto had been grinning satisfyingly which in turn angered the boy. Now they have been running their mouths off for a good fifteen minutes in order to try and best the other.

'I'll just kick your ass all over again,' the blonde genin said crossing his arms and grinning.

'So now what?' the puppeteer asked with his hands stuffed into his pockets. 'Are we just going to stand around here waiting for nothing?'

'I'm sure our sensei has his reasons for bringing us here, Kankuro,' his sister told him impatiently. 'Just be patient.'

'It's a waste of time,' Uchiha Sasuke retorted annoyed.

When Sasuke appeared at the meet, people were both relieved and worried. With Naruto he was annoyed and pissed. Sasuke had disappeared from the hospital despite his injuries and has been training with Kakashi. Naruto was pissed because of both those reasons. Archrivals they may be, but the boy treated the Uchiha sort of like a brother because they were similar to each other. But they have their disagreements about that though. They claim to hate each other too much to care for each other.

'Let's just get on with it,' Gaara stated coolly and impatiently.

'We need our senseis here first,' Naruto bit angrily and glared at the red head.

The Suna ninja glared back very intent on ridding the world of his existence. He decided that things would be better and more interesting if they annoying blonde wasn't here. But since he was in the final round of the exams, he couldn't make a move against him without bringing unwanted attention to himself. Fighting back the urge to get rid of all the other genin, he tightened his grip on his arm and looked away.

Rapid footfalls caught their attention. They turned, expecting their senseis to be coming. Instead they saw the white uniform of a medic shinobi – a doctor from the hospital – running over frantically. He stood in front of Naruto and tried to catch his breath before speaking.

'Uzumaki Naruto, you're needed at the hospital, immediately.'

Naruto's face fell at the urgency in his voice. Fear and worry clenched his heart tight. 'What's happened?' he struggled out.

'It's better if you come see.' With that he took off expecting the boy to follow.

Naruto stood shell shocked for a moment. The others tried to pry out the information from him but he was ignorant to their probing. Clenching his fists he watched the medic shinobi running. Determination hardened his eyes, expecting any kind of news. If his sister is dead…

He turned to his friends. 'Tell Kakashi-sensei I've got something to do.' He turned and ran after the medic shinobi.

'Naruto!' his friends tried to call him back. He kept running ignoring their voices calling out to him.

Soon enough the hospital loomed in front of him. Doom slowed his steps and he pushed open the doors. It was almost empty beside one lone female at reception. She looked up from what she was doing. She nodded at him and the doom slipped out of his gut. Hope surfaced and impatience tore at him. He scribbled his name in the book, not caring on the messiness and then scrabbled down the corridor and up to the third floor. Upon nearing the door he slowed his steps. He calmed his breathing and stood just outside the closed door.

Taking a deep breath, he opened it and slipped inside.

He looked upon the figure on the bed and his heart shattered.