The next couple of chapters will not be having any action. It will be just for the base of story.

Chapter 7 – The New Apprentice

"Yondaime?" Naruto rubbed his eyes, lying on the floor. The Fourth gave him a hand and helped him stand. He smiled at Naruto.

In front of Naruto stood the legendary ninja, 'the Yellow Flash'. The man who turned the favour of wars single-handedly. The man who got the reputation so fierce, that other nation's ninjas used to say, "If you saw yellow hair and blue eyes. Run." The master of all arts of fighting, fuinjutsu and space-time ninjutsu. He was wearing his trademark haori with 'Fourth Hokage' written on the back over the standard Jonin uniform.

Naruto shifted his eyes to the other person. She was a beautiful women. Her red hair gave a fierce aura and at the same time it was soothing for him. She was giving a heart-warming smile. She ran and hugged him with bone shattering force. If he would have been any normal civilian, he would have received some broken ribs for sure.

The only thing that came to his mind after seeing a person who was supposed to be dead for around 12 years was, "Am I dead?"

"No, of course not. Well, at least for now" laughed the ninja who was rumoured to be the strongest of his time. This earned an elbow to his side and a glare from the woman who was standing beside him. "You have grown so much Naruto-kun." Said the red haired woman with tears, her smile never cease to exist from her gentle face.

Then something struck Naruto. "You were calling me by name. How does the Fourth hokage know my name?"

"Well we had to name our son something."

"Son?" asked Naruto, his face not betraying any confusion he was having in his mind.

"Yes Naruto-kun. He is your father, Minato Namikaze, as you call him the Fourth. And I am your mother Kushina Uzumaki-Namikaze."

This was not Naruto expecting to hear if he someday got a chance to exchange a few words with the Fourth. "I hope this is not my mind playing some games with me."

"So that explains my blond hair and blue eyes. Well what I used to have till I got these eyes." He pointed to his onyx black eyes. "But I prefer that red hair though. It looks better."

"Really? You like these hair. I used to hate this when I was young." Said Kushina with a wide smile and wiping her tears. Naruto nodded. "You are the second person to say this Naruto-kun." She turned her head and looked at her husband at her side.

"I guess that the Four… 'dad' was the first person?"

Kushina smiled and nodded. "He said that when he saved me from getting kidnapped. When I was being taken away, I left a trail of my hair. He picked that and followed."

For the first time in years a real smile was gracing the lips of Naruto. He felt the pain washing away from his body with every second he listened to them.

Suddenly the expression of Minato changed and said apologetically, "Naruto I am sorry for sealing Kyuubi in you. We know about your childhood, we saw everything. I know it's alright if you don't forgive us. But just know that we both love you." Once again the tears flowed from the eyes of Kushina.

Naruto shook his head. "No, I never hated you or Kyuubi for me being jinchuriki. Now it makes sense. You couldn't have asked for someone else's child if you had me and you were the Hokage after all. You had to do something to stop Kyuubi. In fact, the correct term would be thankful. I am thankful to both of you. Kyuubi had saved me countless times." He turned to look at the sleeping bijuu.

This was not either of his parents expected. They were prepared for anything Naruto had to throw on them. Collecting themselves, they both looked at each other and smiled. Their son sure had grown.

"Listen Naruto! That masked man was the one responsible for Kyuubi attack those years back and I had a feeling that he will return. That's another reason for me sealing Kyuubi in you. I wanted you to have control over his power when you have to stop him."

"Kyuubi already told me that. And I don't have any intention of controlling anything without his or its will." Replied Naruto.

Suddenly Minato felt a flicker. It brought him back to the current situation. He looked at Naruto with a serious gaze. "Listen carefully Naruto. That orange masked man… he did something to your eyes. Or you can say he gave you something. His sharingan was capable of manipulating space and dimension. If I have to guess, he lent you that power so that when you are cornered, your eyes will send you in the Void, or inter-dimensional nothingness."

"You mean I am no longer in the elemental nations?"

"No. You must have felt by now. This inter-dimensional travel is affecting your chakra."

"So that's what it is. I thought I was just tired or chakra exhausted. So how can I go back?"

"Your father is also a genius in space-time ninjutsu. I am sure he can do something." Kushina looked at the once leader of Konoha with an underlying message 'You must do something.'

"You are floating in this nothingness right now. I can just push you out of this void by opening a dimensional hole to the nearest dimension where the flow is taking you by itself. But Naruto, he will come after you. So, watch your back and make some friends you can count on there."

"Is there any way to send me back to konoha?"

Minato shook his head, "There should be some way. Inter-dimensional path is always two-way. But unfortunately, without that eye power I can't do anything."

"Then either in some random place or in this void for ever?" asked Naruto cursing his only options.

"Then do it. Send me to somewhere, out of this place."

Minato nodded, "But before that, I want you to have something." He smiled and turned to kushina. Kushina smiled back and nodded in agreement.

"Could you remove you shirt Naruto-kun?" Naruto was confused but agreed nonetheless. Minato followed suit. Naruto saw a beautiful tattoo on his father's chest. It was a circle with magnificent inscriptions inside it. The tendrils which went to the outside of circle gave the illusion as if those were growing. It only multiplied the brilliance of its design.

Kushina formed some seals and placed her left hand on Naruto's chest and her right hand on Minato's chest, over his tattoos.

Naruto eyes widened after seeing the tattoo disappearing from his father's body and flowing through her mother's hand. But suddenly he was forced to close his eyes by the burning sensation he was having inside his chest. He looked down and saw some marking were flowing through her mother's hand. After some serious pain and few minutes the same tattoo was on Naruto's chest disappearing from Minato's.

"We can't give you anything else Naruto. We couldn't even give you love. But we want you to have to this." She pointed at his chest. "It's a seal. It contains your father's legacy."

"You both sacrificed your life so that I can live. I was filled with your love from when I was born. I am a living proof of your love."

Kushina looked at him teared eyed and hugged him again. He felt less force in her hug. He looked at her. She was just a projection now, a weak projection. She knew she doesn't have much time left. "Listen Naruto, you take care of yourself. Eat properly, take bath regularly and make some good friends at your new place." She continued crying and smiling at the same time. "Don't just follow any girl unless she is just like me."

She wiped her tears, "I guess I talked too long."

"Don't worry Kushina." Minato continued, "My advice as your father, everything your chatty mother said." He engulfed both of them in a hug. Naruto closed his eyes and hugged back. When he opened his eyes he was alone. They disappeared. He felt something wet and warm on his cheeks. He wiped his cheeks with the hand. For the first time in years, Naruto was crying. He didn't know what that feeling called. He didn't know why he was crying now, he just met those minutes before. 'So, that's what parents are like.' He gave a weak smile before collapsing on the ground.

Kyuubi opened his eyes just before to see Naruto collapsing. 'Something's wrong.' He closed his eyes again and drifted to unconsciousness.

"Naruto wake your puny ass up." Growled Kyuubi from his cage at the sleeping blonde.

After several failed attempts of Kyuubi, Naruto moaned and opened his eyes slowly. His head was obviously not helping with the pain he was having in his whole body. It was as if his whole body was run over by Gamabunta. For that moment the only feeling his body knew was pain. He clenched his head with his hand and closed his eyes. He gritted his teeth strong enough to make his muscles tick.

"What happened?" asked Naruto with his eyes still closed.

"Inter dimensional travel. And that to on a whole another level. That's what happened. Don't make me repeat what that Hokage already told you." Replied Kyuubi from his cage and rested his giant head on his paws and closed his eyes.

Naruto opened his eyes to find himself in some sort of room. He was lying in a bed which was in the center of a small room. There was very little light in the room and the curtains were drawn. He thanked god for that. He sat up and saw his whole chest was covered in bandages. He tried to remove them to get to the seal which he was supposed to be having if his meeting with them really happened. As soon he touched the bandages, he withdrew his hand due to the sudden pain which emerged.

"I thought you were sleeping that time."

"Tch." Was the only reply he got from Kyuubi.

"For how long I was out?" asked Naruto after sometime.

"Don't know. Even I was unconscious for the time. I just woke up myself." Kyuubi replied opening his eyes. "As of now you must have noticed there's something wrong with your chakra flow. It's as if that Hyuga blocked your whole tenketsus just like the Chunin exams."

"Yes. Can't you open it just like that time?"

"I tried forcing my chakra. But nothing much happened. I can just send enough chakra for recovery of your body."

"But this time I didn't call for your energy. So, if I try then it can do the trick. But as of my current state…" he looked his bandages covered body, "I think I should wait for my recovery."

That was the wisest thing to do. He knew that his body won't take the pressure of Kyuubi chakra. He also had to wait to see that mysterious seal that was supposed to be on his chest.

"Somebody's coming kid. You better prepare yourself for anything."

Naruto looked up at the door which opened and a woman entered the room.

"So the princess woke up!" the woman said looking at the blond who was siting.

Naruto looked at the woman for any sign of threat. He found none. His battle instincts told the same. The woman had blue hair and was in her thirties. She had fair skin which appear to be smooth like a feather. In spite of her age, she had a body for which any girl would kill for. It would make even any angel jealous for sure. Her loose dress was hanging on her curves and adding to her magnificence brilliantly.

"How are feeling?" the blue haired woman asked.

"I have seen better days." Was the reply Naruto gave.

She went towards his bed and sat on its corner. "What happened to you? You were quite beat up when I found you."

"I was…" Naruto stopped and sighed. It would take quite some time to make her believe what he had to say. He choose the short answer. "Something happened and next time I woke up, I was here like this." He showed his bandaged arms. "So where am I?"

"In my house. I mean in a small town Hargeon." Her house was located on the outskirts of Hargeon surrounded by mostly only trees and forests.

"Hargeon?" Naruto knew the answer of his next question already but instead he decided to ask anyway. "Ever heard of Elemental nations or Konoha?"

"No. Is this where are you from? This elemental nations?"

"Yes you can say so." He continued, "For how long I was out?"

"I found you yesterday. So around a day I guess."

She wanted to ask some more questions but instead decided to put a hold on that. She went to the only window of the room and removed the curtains, making Naruto blink and cover his eyes with his hand at the sudden increase in intensity of light.

"Take some rest. I will make something to eat."

"You don't have to. It seems you have already done enough." He bent forward and said, "Thank you very much for that." But his body was not with him at that moment. His stomach growled showing its rebellion against his master.

She giggled at him, "Your stomach doesn't agree with you. And certainly you don't have to be so formal with me. Just lie you ass down and take some rest. I will be back with some food. By the way I am Susan."

"Naruto. Uzumaki Naruto."

"It's nice to meet you Naruto." She smiled and went out of room.

Few days already passed. He had to say that Susan knew her way around kitchen after eating her food. He already tried to fuse some chakra but to no avail.

He entered in the living room and saw Susan sitting on the table. "Yes Naruto, do you need something?"

"I was getting bored so I thought I should take a walk outside."

"In your condition?" she pointed at the book shelf and said "there are some books. I think there must be something you would find interesting."

Naruto went to the shelf and browsed the books. There were few books that got his attention. He took one and went back to his room. He was sitting on his bed and looked at the cover of the book he was holding. 'Rune Magic.' He had learned from Susan that in this world people used magic which can vary depending on the wizards. That's what people using magic were called there. Rune magic was one of the specialities of Susan, other than wind magic.

He opened the book and started reading. After reading it what he learned was that it was somehow similar to seals. One had to write something and pour some magic into it. The difference being, he had no idea in what language it was written. 'It would be a nice way to kill some time I guess.'

He read another book, then another and then another. In a week time he had read four books on rune magic. He was better now and his bandages were removed. He was rather glad to find the tattoo on his chest. He touched it and smiled remembering his time with his parents. He tried to open the seal but was unsuccessful. He still couldn't fuse any of his chakra. Even with the amount he could get from Kyuubi he could barely summon some kunai and shuriken from his older seals.

'Maybe this seal requires more amount of chakra. Is this going to be like this forever?' he asked Kyuubi about his situation.

"I have no idea. I thought it was just an effect of inter-dimensional travel and is temporary. But I must say, I think I have to change my mind on that temporary part."

He was sitting under the tree outside of the house. He was told to wait there by Susan. She said she wanted him to meet someone. She still hadn't allowed him to go somewhere till she was completely sure about his health.

"Come on Naruto. We are leaving." He looked at Susan and stood.

They were travelling for quite some time through the forests. First they had to travel though train and then they entered in the forests. "Where are we going Susan-san?"

"To meet Porlyusica. Since it was her medicine that cured you, I thought you would like to thank her for that."

He couldn't understand why just for that reason they were going so far. Still he remained quiet. At least he got a chance to spread his legs and got some change in view.

Susan knocked at the door of a small cottage where Porlyusica lived. When the door opened, Naruto saw a pink haired woman. He could tell from look on her face that she didn't want them there. Naruto was going to do the same.

"What do you want Susan? And who is this?" She looked at the thirteen year old blond.

"Well he want to thank you for the medicine. That helped him a lot."

"Which medicine are you talking about?" asked Porlyusica.

"That one which you gave me few months back for some extreme cases."

Porlyusica looked at the small kid, 'Was he really in that situation that she had to use that? Porlyusica was brought back from her thought when she heard him saying, "Thank you."

She nodded and Naruto turned and started to leave. "Where are going Naruto?" asked Susan.

"I thought we were here just for thanking her." Replied Naruto.

"Well I also have some other things to do here. You didn't think we came here just for that. Do you?"

Porlyusica smiled at Naruto, 'Interesting kid. Why others are not like him? Do your work and get the hell out.' She turned towards Susan and frowned and motioned them to come inside. Naruto decided to remain outside.

It was already dark. They were inside for around an hour now. Naruto was meditating under a big tree. He heard as the door opened and stood up. "Come on Naruto. Let's go back."

They were going to Magnolia where they would spend the night at some relatives of her and leave by train the next day. Suddenly Naruto stopped. He turned his head towards from where he heard some noises. 'Was that a roar?'

"What happened Naruto?"

When he heard a girl's shriek he started running towards there. "Hey! Wait, Naruto" But Naruto had already covered 50 meters or so.

"What the hell is that?" Naruto asked no one in particular when he saw a big monster, easily double the height of a full grown man. He tensed when he saw two white haired girls. One was holding her hand, 'may be broken'.

His eyes widened when he saw the younger girl trying to talk with the monster. "Get out of there you idiot." He shouted but it was too late. When he saw the monster charging towards the injured girl, his instincts made him run towards her. He pushed her out of its way and jumped to the side just in time to save himself.

The monster roared and attack the new comer. Naruto barely got time to stand. The only thing which prevented him from getting to bed rest again was the books he read at Susan's.

Naruto used Rune magic for the first time. He used whatever knowledge he acquired through reading in an instant and a weak invisible shield appeared which was enough to reduce the force behind the attack. Naruto flew meters backward and before he could even flinch from pain which erupted from his whole weaken body, the monster was at him again. He prepared himself for the impact but the attack never came.

The monster was trapped inside an invisible cage which glowed every time the monster tried to break it with its punch. After some tries, the monster collapsed. "I told you to wait. Didn't I?" Naruto turned to see Susan standing behind him, folding her arms below her chest.

She turned her attention towards the fallen monster who turned into a young man after getting unconscious. The two girls ran to him calling him brother.

"He is alright." She moved towards them at put her index finger on his head. The man woke gasping for air. Susan's eye went to the marks of Fairy Tail guild on them. "You are from Fairy Tail?"

"Yes. My name is Mirajane Strauss. She is my younger sister Lissana." She pointed to the younger girl who was sitting beside his brother. "And he is my brother, Elfman. Can I know the names of people who saved us?"

"You can call me Susan." She smiled and pushed Naruto a little who was standing beside her now. Naruto looked at her and said, "Naruto Uzumaki."

"Thank you for saving us. Is there anything we can do repay you?" Asked Mirajane.

Susan thought for a second and replied, "Well, you could do one thing. My niece is thinking of joining Fairy Tail in a few years. If that happens, please look after her."

"Of course. At Fairy Tail we all look after each other like a family." At this Naruto scoffed. One thing which was pushed into his mind during his Root days was 'Leave family. Leave friends if they are standing on your way to mission's success."

Susan smiled and showed them her mark on her shoulder, lifting her dress. "I know that."

"What is your niece's name?"

"Levy McGarden"

Susan had her eyes fixed on blond on their way back to Magnolia. "Where do you learn to do rune magic Naruto?"

"From those books you gave me. I am glad it worked in the first try or else I would not be walking right now at least."

'He used rune magic for first time in that situation? Not to forget he learned them just by reading those books. He is also not behaving like a thirteen year should after staring at the face of death from such a short distance. Just what is he?' She remember him saying about him being a ninja. 'Well, I don't know about ninja but he is a warrior for sure, and that even of a high class. And I could tell he has a good heart no matter how he acts on exterior. I guess I just found someone to leave my knowledge when...'

Her train of thoughts were broken by Naruto's voice, "Why are smiling and looking at me like that?"

She shook her head to clear her thoughts and smirked, "I am just amused after seeing you try to save two beautiful girls even after knowing you can't do much. So, which one do you like more?"

"No one." Replied Naruto with a small tint of red on his cheek. This was for the first time someone had said something like that to him. Seeing Naruto blushed Susan giggled.

Naruto was sitting with his head buried in his hands on corner of his bed at Susan's house. He was leaving that place that day. He lifted his head and looked at his reflection in the mirror. He looked at the scratches he received from Elfman.

"You have become pathetic kid. To think you were beaten so easily. What happened to that 'Little Fox' form the elemental nations? If this continues, then you would be a sitting duck when that masked bastard comes for you." said Kyuubi. After coming to Earthland, they had started talking a lot about their past and othet things since they both have only each other from their homeland.

'I have to do something.'

He knew what he had to do. He had read what runes can do and saw with his own eyes. Once Susan told him that he could do wind magic like herself as she could feel his nature. He stood and went to the living room.

"You are really leaving Naruto? Well these have been some good days." She smiled.

"I have something to ask. Can you teach me? Can you teach me magic?"

Susan stared at him wide-eyed before giving a smile, "I was thinking when you are going to ask."