Yo, here's a new story that's part of a trade deal between me and Helghy. Go check out his profile and read the many great stories he's published. Like our other trades, this one will be updated at the same time as his and vice versa.
A bright light illuminated a large white room. The room had no furniture other than a small brown table with a book placed atop it along with eight comfortable looking chairs. A single entity with no distinguishable features sat on his own golden chair as he looked over the space he had just created. When one had eternal life, there were hardly many ways to entertain oneself.
That was why the entity constantly brought beings from other worlds together to see realities where they were intertwined. This time, he had set up eight chairs to view a reality that was entertaining. As much as he enjoyed watching things play out, there was another way to get a better experience.
With a snap of his fingers, another flash of light illuminated the room and suddenly, the entity was no longer alone. Eight people appeared before him, each looking as confused as the other.
"What the hell? Where are we?" Naruto asked as he looked around in confusion. He could see Sasuke, Sakura, Tsunade, Hinata, and to his surprise, even Jiraiya. The man looked just as healthy as he did when Naruto had last seen him. He felt tears well in his eyes and before he could think about anything, he quickly pulled the man into a tight embrace.
"Woah! Take it easy Naruto, I'm not going anywhere." Jiraiya said with a laugh, though he also wrapped his arms around him. "I'd like to know how I'm here though. Last thing I remember was my battle with Pain."
His words were ignored as he was also pulled into another much gentler hug from Tsunade.
"Um, excuse me." They heard from beside them. The shinobi all turned to see two people who seemed to be out of place with them. One was a young woman with brown hair tied into a side ponytail. She stared at them with a mix of curiosity and weariness. Her eyes darted around the room in an attempt to figure out where they were or how they got there.
"Wait, Naruto? How did we get here?" She asked.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Naruto responded. He'd never seen this woman before in his life.
Katniss seemed confused and wondered if he was messing with her but then she took note of a few things. This person looked like the Naruto she knew but there were differences. This one wore different clothing and had some sort of markings on his face.
"They look just as confused as we do." Haymitch said from behind her.
Katniss frowned, she of course knew Haymitch, everyone in district 12 did. He was the only living victor from their district having won the games years ago. That begged the question in her mind, why was he here?
Haymitch brushed a strand of hair out of his face with his hand and looked around only to stop when he finally saw a humanoid figure sitting on an ornate chair.
The shinobi followed his line of sight and frowned at the sight. The thing had no presence but also an imposing presence at the same time. An impossibility by all means but here it was. Even though it had no face or any features that could distinguish its gender, everyone could feel it starting at them.
"Good afternoon." It finally spoke. "You may refer to me as 'the host'. I've brought you here today out of sheer boredom. As you may have noticed, I have brought a select few of you from two different realities. We will be watching a reality in which one of you…" it said, looking at Naruto. "Is involved in the series of events that takes place in the other world."
"Wait." Sakura spoke up. "So we're just watching Naruto in some other world because you're bored?"
"Precisely." The being answered. Turning its gaze to the two non shinobi, he continued. "I can sense your desire to leave and I will grant it if you wish, but hear me out first."
Katniss seemed ready to simply order it to return her when Haymitch gave her a look. The usually drunk man had an uncharacteristically serious look on his face and shook his head. Though he was an alcoholic, something like this was beyond human comprehension and he wanted to know how and why they were here.
"Well?" He asked impatiently.
"What you are about to witness are future series of events from your world." Neither Haymitch nor Katniss could stifle the surprise they felt at the revelation. In their world, every day was a struggle. Knowing what happened next could alter the course of their lives.
When neither responded, the host continued. "No time is passing in either of your worlds. Everything that happens here will seem instantaneous when you return."
Tsunade coughed into her hand, getting everyone's attention. "Wait, so we're going to see the events of their world with another naruto present? Will that have any effect on this one?"
"No. Now enough questions, take a seat, one of you will begin reading." With another snap of his fingers, everyone found themselves seated in the admittedly comfortable chairs. The book disappeared from the table and found itself placed on Naruto's lap.
The blond noticed the look the brown haired young woman was sending him and figured she must already know him from her world somehow. As strange as this was, he was curious to see how his life played out elsewhere. Opening the book, he cleared his throat and began reading.
District Twelve was always miserable at this time of year. Snow collected here and there, while most of the world seemed to have turned to a mix of icy mud. Everywhere one might look the aged buildings of the region seemed to sag in disrepair. All except one. The Justice building with its cold gray stone walls and intimidating design loomed over the tired old town that made up the hub of the district.
Naruto hated that building. More so, he hated the poles that rested opposite of it in the town square. They towered over him during the day, and mocked him in his dreams in the cold and listless nights. It was the destination for those who broke the laws of Panem, the 'unruly lawbreakers', who endangered the 'peace and stability of the district'
"Unruly law breakers. Something tells me you would fit right in, Sasuke." Naruto said, unable to hold in the sarcastic remark. It wasn't said maliciously however, after the war they had finally become good friends who could jest with one another.
The black haired man rolled his eyes but held his tongue. With everything he'd done even he believed the blonds words.
"Just keep reading." He muttered.
Snickering to himself, Naruto continued.
Turning away, the blond teen began making his way down the crowded and dingy roads, eventually leading him into the woods. He found the silence of the woods to be far better company than the citizens of District Twelve. The defeated and hopeless aura they all seemed to possess drove him mad and he couldn't bear to interact with them for too long before he needed to return to the serene forest to decompress.
As he came closer to the barrier fence that trapped the residents of the district within, like prisoners, he glanced back and forth down the length of wire to ensure no one else was around before slipping through the same weak spot he'd been using for the last few weeks.
"Looks like you yourself are one of these unruly law breakers, Naruto." Tsunade commented with a smirk.
"I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation for what's going on here." He said, shrugging off her accusation.
Sakura scoffed. "Please Naruto. Everywhere you go something ends up going wrong. And now you're sneaking out somewhere, something is bound to go haywire."
The shinobi nodded, it was strange that misfortune seemed to accompany the blond but it was something they'd all grown used to.
"But things end up working out don't they?" He shot back. Quickly flipping the page, he continued reading before his friends could continue their unwarranted assault on him.
The forest was as calm as it usually was. Birds chirping in the trees, a few mocking-jays mimicking the tunes he and some other poachers had whistled to them. Unlike most who hid their gear inside the woods to hide them from the peacekeepers, Naruto had taken to hiding his knives on his person. It might have been more paranoia, but he dreaded being caught in a fight without them. District Twelve was akin to a dog-eat-dog world, and he intended to be the top dog should the situation ever arise.
"Not much different than ours it that regard." Jiraiya commented.
"How so?" Katniss asked in a curious tone. Being one of the residents of district twelve she knew how bad it was. Knowing someone else lived in similar conditions was interesting.
"Until recently our world was nothing but villages constantly at war with one another." Hinata responded.
"Every time you ventured out, the risk that you wouldn't come back looked over your head. Only the strong survived for long." Sasuke added
Haymitch stayed quiet but took a moment to process their words. It was a different struggle but one just as unpleasant nonetheless. He patted his pocket only to frown when he didn't feel his flask in his pocket. With a sigh, he looked back up and continued listening.
Soon coming by a trail he knew by heart more than anything, he plucked along, looking for the traps he had set out over the last few days. The Game had grown scarce as it was during winters. Sometimes the best he could catch was a squirrel, but thanks to his traps, his haul was usually the best of those that hunted the woods past the wire. This allowed him to make a bit of extra money since he rarely needed all the prey he caught.
Today seemed to be another slim picking. A single rabbit and three undersized squirrels. He hoped his traps in a nearby stream would have seen more success. Huffing at the poor haul so far, he made his way down the incline toward his spot where he stopped for a moment. He saw another figure nearby in a small clearing.
Deciding to see who had joined him on this cold January morning, Naruto crept along through the brush before stopping and watched as a familiar girl seemed to have been practicing, at fighting the air. His lips quirked up slightly as he watched on. He recognized some of the movements she attempted. They were poor copies of something he had used to put a pair of bullies in their place a week before, at the school back in town. He hadn't taken kindly to someone trying to shake him down, especially by kids from the wealthier merchant section of the district.
Naruto's gaze traveled to Katniss who seemed to know the figure was her. She hid it well but everyone could see the slight embarrassment on her face.
Katniss had been practicing some moves she'd seen her version of Naruto do a while back. They weren't perfect imitations but she was working on it. Knowing that she would be caught, she made a mental note to avoid practicing in that area.
Stepping out, Naruto nearly laughed when Katniss was startled and nearly slipped when she spun around to see who it was. They were around the same age but Katniss came just under his nose in height. Align with that, their appearances couldn't contrast more. Naruto had once been among the Merchant section himself and like the majority, he too has blond hair and blue eyes. Though his shade of blond was darker than most others, and his skin a bit more tanned to the pale complexion of many from that part of the district.
Katniss fit the appearance of most folks from the seam well. Dark hair with matching olive skin and grey eyes, the two looked different indeed but beyond their appearances, they had more in common than most would take the time to notice, including the two of them.
"What do you want, Naruto?" Katniss asked once she regained herself. She clearly wasn't pleased with being seen doing what she had been. Especially by him, being as he was the one she had been copying.
"Well, a guy has to eat." Naruto said bluntly, causing her to roll her eyes.
"Well then go off you go to your little traps, I haven't bothered them." The girl said as she pretended to look for something in her pack while hoping he would leave.
"That's kind of cold don't you think?" Naruto asked with a fake pout.
Without missing a beat, Katniss replied. "If you knew him like I do you'd understand why."
Sasuke nodded "He really does get on someone's nerves sometimes doesn't he?"
"The amount of headache he's caused me…" Tsunade added, unable to resist piling on. The rest of the shinobi caught the hint and soon, everyone was pointing out something he'd done to annoy them.
Even Haymitch couldn't stop the small grin that formed on his face, though he got rid of it a second later. It would do no good to build connections of any sort. When this was over, they would disappear like all the rest.
"If that's how you want it to be fine. Good luck on your...training." Naruto said with sarcasm.
He yelped while lifting his arm to shield his face from the rocks hurled at him by the girl. It stung as his forearm took the blow, but it was better than getting hit in the head. Though the rocks wouldn't likely even leave a bruise. However, it was definitely a sign that Katniss' patience was reaching an end.
"Go on to your traps." Katniss said as she turned back, to go back to her practice. Naruto watched for a moment as she began doing the same as she had before, but this time ignoring his presence.
Deciding to grant her wish, Naruto shrugged and turned to move away.
"You know if you really want to fight like that, try widening your feet, you need balance." Naruto said over his shoulder as he left.
Katniss scoffed but once she was sure he was gone she did just as he had suggested and noticed the difference immediately.
"Small things like that usually make the biggest differences." Jiraiya said with an approving nod.
"I do wonder what Naruto did to earn that reception though." Sakura commented, tapping her chin with her index finger.
"Either Katniss has a very small tolerance for people, or he's already pissed her off more than once." Sasuke replied.
"Both" Katniss clarified. "The people of District twelve aren't exactly the best to be around. And Naruto….well.."
the shinobi nodded. She didn't need to continue, they all knew what she meant. Naruto stared at them with a flat look and shook his head. Did he come here to read or be disrespected?
Continuing on to his fish traps, he thought back on Katniss a little. The girl was one of the few people he got along with. She was kind, and that was rare in District Twelve. Everyone minded their own business and would watch a man bleed to death rather than taking any action to help. He hated that. Hated how the whole district seemed to care only for themselves. He didn't fully blame them though. They hadn't put themselves into this poverty. No-one wished to die of starvation. They were just all doing their best to survive.
The fact that the Hall of Justice and the Peacekeeper's barracks were in such better shape than all the other buildings in the district, excluding only the victor's village, seemed to mock the residents of District Twelve. It didn't stop there, the residents of District Twelve, even those from the merchant section were never fat, at most they might have a strong and healthy appearance but most were small, hungry looking mousey people. The peacekeepers casted a long shadow over them and some even sported a gut from over-indulging. He couldn't despise them enough.
Katniss and even Haymitch narrowed their eyes hearing that. Despite being a victor, Haymitch was dissatisfied with the way of life in the sector. The way people were forced to compete in "games" was inhumane.
"We have poverty back home as well but not on this level. This just seems terrible." Naruto said with a frown.
"You have no idea." Haymitch said gravely.
The older shinobi recognized the look on the man's face. While the younger ones had faced war and death, they hadn't experienced it for long. Jiraiya and Tsunade both recognized the look of a man who'd seen and caused death repeatedly. While they were certainly curious as to the world they were reading about, they also wanted to know what his story was.
It wasn't long after that that Naruto was on his way back into town. The old Hob was effectively the black market for anything you might need or want in district twelve. Old radios, coat buttons, jewelry, or just a bit more food than you could normally afford. Naruto ate more than his share normally, he took the time and effort to hunt after all. However most, even when he had slim selection like today, ended up sold here. The only issue was business in the Hob rarely dealt using cash. Instead it was almost all bartering. So after bartering for a few things he needed, he set out to head to his final destination for the day. He bought a new whetstone for his knives, a new-used pair of boots, and a set of needles and some thread and patches for his clothes. Mundane things they may be but they were still essential.
Every year, the Capitol randomly selected one boy and one girl from each district to fight to the death in memory of a war the Capitol won against each of it's twelve districts. On July fourth every year, the candidates, all boys and girls between ages twelve and eighteen, would be lined up on that same square he hated so much in front of the Hall of Justice and two would be randomly selected to participate in the game.
The shinobi were surprised. Their world also had killings but not like this. With the exception of Kiri's graduation exam, which had been out of use for years now, they never had their own battle to the death.
"Every year?" Hinata asked in shock. "Some of them are children."
Katniss nodded. "We know. They don't care." She replied angrily.
Naruto felt a pang of empathy for the woman. He couldn't imagine what it was like to be forced to kill your comrades in memory of a war. Hadn't there been enough death?
"I know what you're thinking, Naruto." Jiraiya commented. "But we can't do anything from here. Besides, if he's anything like you, I'm sure he'll try to put a stop to the games somehow."
"You did it back home. You can do it there too." Hinata added supportingly.
Haymitch blinked. What did they mean by that? He had seen the Narutk of their world but he couldn't begin to think of how he would bring change. People had tried, all had failed.
It was a terrible thing. Some districts treated it more like an honor but twelve always handled the event with passing. Despite that, for the months prior to the 'Reaping' as it was called, the candidates for tribute had to register their name at least once to be in the running. Since he was fourteen, Naruto had repeatedly placed his name the maximum number of times possible. The money wasn't a huge amount either way, but what did he have waiting for him here anyway? He was different from the rest of his district's candidates. If they added their names, they did so with a heavy heart and terror in their veins. Naruto had already committed himself to volunteer when he was eighteen even if he hadn't been selected yet.
While most of the district saw the games as nothing more than a death sentence, Naruto knew it was also the greatest stage in the country. Whoever was on it, could be heard in every corner of the nation.
"There it is." Jiraiya grinned happily.
"If you get chosen, people will know you and your words have reach. That's when you can try to make change." Sasuke added.
Katniss looked at the blond and wondered if he had an idea as to what her naruto would do. That brought her to a pause. She knew Naruto had placed his name in the running, but she never imagined that he'd gone to such lengths.
"Must have one hell of a plan if he's going so far as to volunteer." Haymitch commented. Naruto was different from the others, but it seemed he had bigger plans than anyone imagined.
After registering, something that was as simple as filling a small form out and having his blood taken, Naruto started making his way home. Trying to ignore the sight of hungry children and wilting houses. He instead focused on the dumb look the organizers had given him at the registry. A relatively new clerk had been a little worried seeing the number of times his name had been in the jar. It almost looked like she wanted to try and discourage him before glancing at the nearby peacekeepers and Capital agents leading the registration. She clammed up after that and ushered him through the process without a second thought.
Coming back to his house, Naruto found it really hard to not sigh at how the people of his home were focused on them and them alone. Stepping into the cold, empty building he went about his normal routine of preparing dinner. A watery thin soup much less than the stew he was aiming for. Bits of leftover squirrel from his meal the day before and some mushrooms and a wild carrot he'd been saving for a stew like this one.
By the time he had finished eating it had grown dark. After cleaning up and changing into some warm sleeping clothes he climbed the creaking stairs to his bedroom. Before dropping into bed for the night he stopped by the pair of framed photos hanging in the hall. He whispered a quiet goodnight before slipping under his blankets to weather the cold January night.
"Man, that's depressing." Naruto muttered as he turned the page. "I really can't have it easy no matter what world I'm in it seems."
Sasuke gave him a pat on the back and nodded. "Believe me, I'm sure it would be the same for me."
"That's just how life is back home." Katniss said stoically.
Haymitch glanced at the young woman. While she had a good idea how bad things were, she would never truly understand unless her name was chosen.
The last six months since registering for the Reaping, Naruto had stretched his cash as far as he could. In the end even the amount he got from putting his name in for fifty chances to be drawn in the jar was not enough to carry him to the next Reaping. That being said he had used the last of the money to pick up a worn leather jacket from the hob. It was light enough that it didn't smother him now that summer had come and still broke the chilly evening wind that swept through the mountains of district twelve.
"50 times?" Katniss whispered to herself "Thats…"
"That's someone with a plan sweetheart." Haymitch finished for her. He'd never come across anyone so determined to be selected for the reaping. Most wanted to be spared from it. "Whatever he's planning, it has to be something big."
It was perfect for Naruto lately. He had been staying up late for the last two weeks after noticing an interesting series of events. A specific man, one Naruto knew of very well, had started to stay later and later at the bar down the street from the Hall of Justice, before slowly stumbling his way back to the barracks to sleep. Evidently he had always been a bit of a heavy drinker but over the years he had grown worse and worse Now-a-days not even his fellow peacekeepers helped him home from his nightly visits to the bar.
Naruto was happy to step in for the job tonight.
"Something tells me it's not gonna go well for him." Sakura commented.
As the off duty peacekeeper sergeant with a growing beer gut bumped into his third wall, Naruto pushed off the building he'd been leaning against and cut across the road with his best, yet still lacking, fake smile plastered on his face.
Just as the man pitched forward to fall, Naruto caught him around the shoulders and helped him back upright.
"Wha-Who the hell are you?" The man growled as he leaned heavily on Naruto.
Naruto flinched at the smell of the alcohol wafting off the man's breath. With a struggle, he then readjusted their arms in order to support his footing..
"Don't worry about it, you need some help to walk the rest of the way." Naruto said through clenched teeth, barely holding the false smile.
"I can feel his hatred even from here." Tsunade remarked.
"Knowing Naruto, he'll probably kill him if he says one wrong thing." Katniss added. "Especially is he's been stalking this one."
The man hummed at that but didn't fight him as Naruto practically dragged him down the alley and straight toward the gap in the barrier fence. He was pleased that no-one seemed to be out the night before the Reaping. It wouldn't look good for him to be dragging a peacekeeper through the streets. Especially not this one. People knew this man. They knew the sergeant was heavy handed and a drunkard. They also knew he had blood on his hands. Naruto's blood.
Naruto frowned. What did they mean by that. He was still alive and unharmed for the most part. What did the man do?
They continued to walk, miraculously coming to the gap without others noticing them. The struggle of getting the man through the fence was annoying but manageable as the fool actually helped him hold the wire.
"Where the hell are you taking me by the way?" The man slurred. More drunk than Naruto had ever seen a man still capable of some form of speech.
"Just a shortcut." Naruto replied.
"Shortcut my ass. Who did you say you were again?" The sergeant said in confusion.
Naruto's lack of answer as the two continued finally set the alarm bells off in the man's head.
"I said, I wanna know your name dammit." The peacekeeper growled as he fumbled while shoving Naruto away.
Naruto grappled with him briefly but the man managed to pull away fully and fell onto the muddy path. Grabbing at his baton to give himself an advantage he couldn't get a hand up to stop the boot smashing into him from his still standing, and sober, attacker.
"So it's revenge." Jiraiya noted. While there were similarities between this naruto and theirs, there were clearly also differences.
"Do you know how bad you have to fuck up for Naruto to actually want revenge?" Sakura asked out loud.
"Maybe we should keep reading. I'm sure we'll find out why soon." Haymitch said, now invested in the story. The added addition of his flask would have made things better but he would make due.
"You little fuck!" The sergeant cried out. "You'll be dead tomorrow for this! I'll make sure of it!"
The man's words stopped as the bottom of Naruto's boot impacted his face, crushing his nose and pressing him into the dirt.
"Oh yeah? You don't even know who the fuck I am, there peacekeeper." Naruto mocked as he ground his foot down into the man's face. He had stopped trying to free his baton by this point and clawed at the foot pressing down on his face.
Naruto lifted his foot off the man's face and yanked him off the ground by his collar. The pristine white of the sergeant's uniform was ruined and his face was a mess of mud and blood.
"You really don't know me, do you?" Naruto hissed in anger at the man.
The man didn't answer, his head still lolling to the side as his vision no doubt swam from a mix of alcohol and the beating he was receiving.
"You piece of shit!" Naruto snapped while shaking the man roughly. "You really don't remember?! Four years ago?! The foreman and his wife!?"
"His family perhaps" Hinata said with a frown. There was no other reason she could think of for Naruto to behave this way. She understood it was a different version but it was still hard to separate them after knowing one for so long.
"If it was his parents who were killed, it would certainly be enough to want revenge." Sasuke said. All of the shinobi grew slightly somber at the mention of the uchiha massacre.
Regaining a bit of himself the sergeant blinked away the tears in his eyes and got a good look at the person holding him up. Spitting up blood as he opened his mouth. He glared at Naruto as his eyes sharpened just slightly.
"Yeah I remember. Bastard who didn't know his place and his stupid bitch that got in the way." He sneered.
Naruto trembled at that and his eyes darkened with rage. He would make this bastard pay. Pay for talking about them like that, and pay for what he had done to them.
Before he could though the man slammed his face forward catching Naruto's cheek with the jagged edge of his nose. The teen stumbled backward while the peacekeeper broke free of his grip and tried to maintain his balance.
From this point on things seemed to happen at a speed Naruto couldn't even register. He felt himself pull the knife from his belt and tackle the teetering man. They rolled for just a moment before Naruto had him pinned under his knees. Lashing out over and over as fast as he could, the boy drove his knife into the man's side.
Naruto felt slightly uncomfortable at the thought of doing that to a person. Even as a shinobi he'd steered clear of murder even when faced with the opportunity. His thoughts turned to Nagato. No one would have blamed him for killing the man but he hadn't.
He could only wonder, was district twelve so bad he'd had no choice but to become this?
"It isn't just you." Haymitch said suddenly. "Everyone who lives there long enough eventually behaves the same."
Even without Kurama speaking to him, Naruto could detect the pain and defeat in the man's voice. Making a mental note to talk to him when he had a chance, he kept reading.
The peacekeeper cried out and grunted from the pain with each blow, as he tried to push Naruto off of him desperately. He was aging, drunk, and Naruto was filled with years of hatred for this man. For everything he had done, represented, stood for. He despised him with every bit of his being and that drove his knife harder and faster into the man's chest.
Soon cries for help and grunts of pain became soft whimpers and throaty gurgling sound. His hands patted lightly at Naruto's sides before falling limp on the mud. Breathing heavily from the brief but violent struggle Naruto slid backwards off his victim and looked down at the man. He was dying quickly but Naruto could see his eyes locked onto his killer's face.
"Make sure you remember me. I'm Naruto Namikaze and you killed my folks. You take that with you wherever you end up." Naruto said before awkwardly climbing to his feet and turning to leave.
"So Minato and Kushina died in that world too." Jiraiya muttered softly.
"They were avenged. That counts for something." Katniss commented softly. "What I'm worried about is what will happen after this. What if he gets caught?"
He stopped for a moment before turning back to the now dead man and spitting down on the corpse. Heading back the way he came he hoped to make a beeline for his home before thinking better of it and making for one of the larger streams he knew of.
Once there he did his best to wash the blood off himself. He felt detached, as if watching his body on autopilot scrub at his own hands and wiping off the blood on his jacket. He was a bit surprised he wasn't crying or really upset at what happened. He thought he was supposed to feel like a terrible person, but all he felt was like a small weight had been lifted off his back. That and exhaustion.
Deeming it enough to slip by anyone who might see him on his way home, Naruto headed back to his house. Like earlier he found no one on the roads and few lights switched on in the buildings he passed by. He idly wondered if stopping by the stream had been a waste of time before chalking it up to being better safe than sorry.
"Knowing you're luck someone would've seen the blood on you if you hadn't." Sakura chimes in.
The shinobi nodded but Katniss focused on one thing. "Did he just leave his body there?"
"Would've been safer to dispose of it." Jiraiya agreed, looking at Naruto.
The blond frowned and shrugged. "I don't know why you're telling me. I'm not the one who did it."
Once at home, things seemed almost like any other night. He washed up, made some dinner, and set about getting ready for bed. He made especially sure he was clean of any blood and even tossed his shirt he had worn under his jacket into the wood stove used to heat his house rather than trying to scrub the red out of the white.
Tonight as he passed the pair of photos he stopped like he usually did. A small smile slipped onto his face as he looked at them. His mother and father smiling back at him. He hadn't cried at all when he had killed the sergeant in the woods. Now though the tears slid down his face without resistance.
"Rest well, both of you." He said quietly before wiping his eyes and sliding into bed.
Naruto smiled bitterly at the scene. While it wasn't him that did the action, nor did those versions of his parents mean anything to him, he felt both happy and sad for his counterpart.
Happy because his folks could finally rest, sad that he's been forced to take a man's life in such a way.
Naruto woke early the next morning. It was going to be a busy day. He needed to head out to the woods and dispose of the peacekeeper's corpse before someone found him. He knew a few places no-one would find the body, but the trick was getting there before people went searching.
Gathering up his usual hunting gear he bounded out of the house. Calling a goodbye out to the portraits on the wall as he went. He made quick time down the road to the fence. Already some folks were beginning to come out for the event of the day. The square was filled with crews putting the finishing touches on the Reaping ceremony's preparations. He saw the tables for check in, the large scaffolds for the camera and lighting crews, and the massive screen for the typical film sent by the Capital to remind them all of what it claimed the games were about.
Slipping out of town and past the fence Naruto was doubly sure no-one was around today. Tracking down the muddy deer paths of the woods, he eventually found what he was searching for. The scene was far different than he recalled from last night. The expression on the dead man's face seemed bland and his skin had turned pale.. The previously blood stained ground had already dried and it looked like some beast had gouged his innards after Naruto had left.
"The animals didn't wait long." Tsunade quipped.
"Not even the dead want to be in district twelve anymore." Katniss followed.
Naruto didn't look at the body for long before grabbing the man's wrists and dragging him through the brush toward a spot he knew to get rid of him. He hoped no-one would come looking for the sergeant in this area. The trail showing where he dragged the corpse would be clear to anyone who frequented the woods and he didn't like the idea of what might happen to him should someone begin investigating the sergeant's disappearance in a place many of the district's citizens knew he often hunted in.
"You fat bastard." Naruto grunted as he hoisted the body over the incline of rocks that blocked his path.
"Insulting the dead? Nice." Sasuke commented.
"Not like the man didn't deserve it. Besides with how he lived compared to everyone else, no one will bat an eye." Haymitch said.
It took a while but finally he hauled the body of the man up to the ledge of a ravine. The deepest in the area, and one filled more than halfway up with water in the driest part of the year. Pulling some loose large rocks over and the spare rope he kept with his hunter's kit, Naruto tied the body to the stones before giving it a good shove over the side, into the water below. He looked over to see nothing but the water return to its placid state, hiding the secrets held under its depths. A smirk spread onto his face at the sight.
"Good riddance." He grumbled before turning and heading back. He didn't have a lot of time to check his traps before he would need to head back to town. He hoped to trade some at the Hob before heading home to get ready for this years' Reaping.
He picked his way back through the woods before ducking into the brush at the sound of voices. He held his breath while thoughts of being found out ran through his mind. Imagining the punishments he might suffer. Death was the kindest of them. The one he feared most of all would be to be an Avox and living as a mute slave for the rest of his days.
"They turn you into a mute slave?" Naruto asked in shock.
"That's just one of the many punishments. Your counterpart is fully aware of that." The aged blond pitched in again.
Thankfully, Naruto soon noticed the voices were a bit too young and familiar. Deciding to risk a glance he saw Katniss Everdeen and Gale Hawthorne. That was a relief. Both were here roughly as often as he was, and probably had been in the area of this clearing for a while, judging by how they were sitting and chatting about the day's coming event.
He was about to slip away and avoid any sort of interaction with them when one of the peacekeeper hovercraft flew slowly over the treetops, headed toward town. Katniss and Gale bolted for the treeline, nearly stumbling over Naruto who ignored their surprised looks at seeing him as he ran back on his own path into town.
He had planned to check the rest of his traps and visit the Hob but he'd rather play it safe for the moment. Bumping into his fellow hunters and the low flying hovercraft had felt like two close calls. He'd rather not risk the third time being the charm for catching him.
It didn't take long to get home, others were starting to fill the town, especially the peacekeepers, they seemed more on edge than usual and he had an idea why. Despite that, he did his best to act natural and head home to change into a nicer set of clothes, before throwing on his jacket and heading to the square with everyone else.
"This is the big moment. Something tells me he won't have to volunteer." Tsunade said. The kids luck was through the roof. Though in this case she was sure most people would consider being picked as unlucky.
"If he doesn't get chosen, he'll volunteer." Katniss reminded them.
"What happens after someone gets chosen?" Sakura asked out loud.
The shinobi stared at the two natives of the world they were observing. Katniss didn't know the specifics after someone was chosen but Haymitch did. The man remained quiet, not wanting to talk about that particular experience.
Nothing was good about being chosen even if they said otherwise.
By now the roads were filled with traffic. Dirt covered miners heading to work, mothers escorting frightened children to the center of town to likely watch their elder siblings and pray they were passed over, and those same elder children, slowly marching as if heading to a funeral.
Naruto stood out among his peers. Being neither husky like most of the merchant kids, or thin like most of the kids from the seam, he stuck out even more with his black jacket and swollen cheek. Others gave him some space, more than they did the others and he didn't complain as he filed along with them to check in.
All it took was a pin prick and a pressing on paper, and lo, he was standing among hundreds of other kids waiting for the usual fanfare from the capital to begin. Those around him seemed to shrink in on themselves while waiting for the Reaping, several of the younger kids had tears in their eyes and everyone, like usual, were completely focused on themselves and what might happen to them.
Unlike those around him, Naruto stood proud. A mark of black and blond with cold blue eyes among a sea of drab grays and beiges. Naruto glared up at the podium as several politicians for the district took their seats on the stage behind the gleaming mic stand.
"Well you guys certainly have something in common. Neither of you are afraid to stand your ground." Hinata complimented. This new Naruto had the same resolve as theirs.
Finally the event began. A thin woman that was obviously from the capital took the stage popping the microphone with her hand and grinning widely behind purple painted lips. She stood out terribly here in district twelve with her bright purple designer dress and expensive hairdo. The joyous look she held made it even worse. To her and no doubt her fellow capital citizens, today was a celebration.
"Welcome, Welcome! Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor." Her voice boomed over the mic while she looked out over the somber crowd.
"Now before we begin, we have a very special film to watch. One that was brought to you all the way from the capital!" She continued before waving at the large screen to one side of the stage.
Everyone in the room frowned. This woman was far too happy for this occasion. They hated people like her. Someone who had it better than everyone and took joy in the pain they inflicted on others.
"I don't know how, but I hope Naruto gets to put her in her place." Tsunade muttered.
"Don't worry granny, I'm sure he's got a plan for it." Sakura said with a grin. Once naruto set his mind to something it was as good as done.
As the film started, Naruto rolled his eyes in annoyance. He had seen and heard the thing plenty of times already. It would begin with images of the war between the capital and rebellious districts, then continue to talk about how they had nearly brought themselves to annihilation for 'daring' to stand against the capital in open rebellion. It then spoke about the defeat of the traitors and that as a reminder to keep such terrible acts from occurring ever again, that it was decreed that each of the districts would surrender one male and one female as tributes every year to fight to death in the hunger games. It even said that the fighting was a pageant of 'honor, courage, and sacrifice.' and that the victor would be 'bathed in riches and glory' for them to remember the capital's 'forgiveness and mercy.'
Naruto couldn't help but scoff. It was a load of bullshit, but he knew it was effective for what was intended. As with everything involving the capital, he felt the indignation and anger start circulating inside his chest but he clenched his jaw tight as the video finished up with its message and the woman on stage cheered along about how much she loved it.
"Now," Her voice called out over the speakers again. "The time has come for us to select one courageous young man and woman for the honor of representing District Twelve in the Seventy-Fourth annual Hunger games."
All parties in the room, minus the host leaned forward in their seats. They knew this was what Naruto was looking forward to. One way or another, he would be picked. The question now was how?
"Seventh-fourth" Naruto muttered. "They've been sending people to their deaths for this long?"
"There's some sick people in the world Naruto." Sasuke said.
Katniss and Haymitch nodded. They didn't know what kind existed for the shinobi but they were reminded of that fact every day.
She paused momentarily to smile out over the two separated crowds of children. One set of boys and one set of girls.
"Now, as is proper, ladies first." With that she pulled off her expensive looking gloves and stepped over to the larger clear glass bowl filled with tiny envelopes, each holding the name of one of the poor candidates for the games.
Hanging her hand over the jar dramatically she slowly spun it around before snapping up a slip and making her way back to the microphone. Breaking the seal and unfolding the slip of paper she read it fully before looking out to the audience.
"Primrose Everdeen!" She called out.
Katniss' eyes widened in alarm. Her younger sister was going to be selected? Her face hardened, that wouldn't happen on her watch.
Naruto glanced over at the young woman with concern in his eyes. He could only imagine what was going through her mind. The chance that her sister would die was high.
"I'm sure my other self will help her out" Naruto tried to reassure her.
It did little to ease her nerves.
Naruto joined the others in glancing over to the girls to see the unfortunate subject. He knew her from her name alone. The younger sister of his fellow hunter Katniss, not that you could tell by looking at her. Where Katniss had olive skin and dark hair and eyes, this kid was pale, blonde and blue eyed. The small girl found herself suddenly standing alone as the other former candidates backed away like she had a contagious disease. She looked terrified and baffled as if things hadn't registered for her.
Naruto didn't outwardly change in appearance but he felt a small sliver of sympathy for the little girl making her way toward her peacekeeper escort. It seemed especially cruel for the raffle to pick someone on their first year in the drawing. He doubted she had multiple entries like some others either.
"That is some pretty shitty luck." Jiraiya said in an unhelpful way.
"Poor girl." Tsunade commented with sympathy. That was a little girl being sent to her death.
Haymitch didn't show an outward reaction as he had seen this plenty of times over the year. Inside, like Naruto, he felt a twang of sympathy for both sisters. The younger Everdeen had no idea what would be befalling her in the coming days.
As soon as she had reached the peacekeepers though, things became more interesting. A sharp cry for the girl's name had everyone one turning and Naruto caught sight of her elder sister Katniss surging forward toward the girl calling out to her. He remembered a similar event, but put the thought from his mind as he watched the events surrounding the two girls. The guards had stopped her from continuing up to her little sister causing her to cry out to her.
"No! No!" Realizing quickly it changed nothing to simply say that she changed to something that surprised everyone present.
"I volunteer! I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!" Katniss said, with her voice becoming less frantic and more determined by the end. She shook free of the guards and raced to her younger sister before they started whispering between one another, too low for Naruto to hear them from where he was standing. He could hear the capital woman's voice spring back to life on the microphone however.
"I believe we have a volunteer, mister Mayor." The woman said with a surprised smile.
"Looks like you're taking another page out of my book." Naruto said in an attempt to lighten the mood. His respect for the woman had increased though as without hesitation, she threw herself into the fray.
Katniss rolled her eyes, being reminded of her own Naruto but smiles nonetheless.
Soon the sisters had stopped whispering as the younger girl cried and screamed no, before Gale swooped in and took her back to her mother. Meanwhile Katniss was led by the peacekeepers up to the stage. Her sure and resolute appearance had drained away and she suddenly looked pale as she approached the stairs.
"District Twelve's very first volunteer. Bring her up." The woman had moved to the stairs and was reaching out a hand for the new tribute while waving her fingers.
"Come on dear." She said before taking her by the shoulders and walking her over to the mic.
When they made it to the mic, standing on either side they couldn't look more different. The smiling, cheery, brightly colored woman of the Capital and the pale, sullen, frightened girl of District Twelve.
"What's your name?" The woman asked.
"Katniss Everdeen." The girl croaked out with a dead voice.
"Well I bet my hat, that was your sister, wasn't it?" She asked.
"What was her first clue?" Naruto snorted angrily. That woman knew damn well that was only the reaction a sibling or parent could produce.
A quiet yes was all that came in reply.
"Let's have a big hand for our first ever volunteer, Katniss Everdeen!" The Capital woman cheered, but instead of applause only silence met her. That is until soon several of the people began giving Katniss the three-fingered-salute. First kissing their fingers and lifting their hand silently to show her their support.
Naruto watched the first few commit to the sign of thanks and admiration used through the districts and he soon joined them. He smiled slightly at the shocked look of the girl on the stage. She really should expect something like this after the showing she had given. Tears that Katniss had fought to hold back finally broke and she silently cried while the woman continued the ceremony.
"And now for the boys."
The hands lowered, and like before she made her way over to the respective jar of names and after swishing her hand around for a moment she withdrew a slip and stepped back to her mic.
"Naruto Namikaze." She called, causing the blond to blink in surprise.
"He actually got chosen," Sasuke said in surprise.
Sakura nodded, equally shocked. She was certain Naruto would cause a scene.
"I don't always need to make a big deal of things you know? I have pretty good luck."
He was ignored.
The space around him grew wider as those around him turned to look at him, and like Prim earlier treated him almost as if he was suddenly tainted. Naruto was still surprised. Statistically he did have the highest chance of anyone to be drawn, but actually being picked seemed to flood anyone with shock.
Still he managed to push himself forward steadily making his way up to the stage and standing beside her. Each of them contrasted heavily from the others. The crying girl, who was only there to save her sister, the smiling capital woman at no risk for her life in the near future, and the stoic boy, a bruised face and grim appearance glaring into the cameras.
"Here we are! Our tributes from district twelve." She announced placing a hand on both of their shoulders before turning them slightly to face one another. "Go on, shake hands."
The two locked eyes for a moment before grasping each other's hands and shaking.
"Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!" She then turned and started ushering the teens into the Hall of Justice.
"Well the first part of his plan is set." Haymitch said quietly. "What will he do now?"
The shinobi had no idea. This was a different world. If it was their world maybe they could predict what he could do but now it was anyone's guess.
Katniss stared at the book in Naruto's hands with anxiety. She would be competing and she had no idea what was needed to succeed.
It suddenly made sense to her why Haymitch was brought with her.
From there things were a bit of a rush. They were pushed along into a pair of rooms, Katniss to one side, Naruto to the other and told to wait. Naruto sat staring out the window quietly as he did. This was the part where family members would come to say goodbye. Naruto didn't really think having him wait here was necessary. Who would come to visit him? He had no-one, the closest he could consider friends were the few traders at the Hob that gave him a free meal when he hadn't caught anything.
He didn't wait the fully allotted time before telling the guard he was done. The guard led him to meet up with the woman from before standing beside a car that he assumed would take them to the train to the capital.
She looked like she might try and make conversation, and not really looking forward to that, Naruto took a spot as far as he could from her and leaned against the wall of the Hall of Justice and kept his eyes off her. It did exactly as he hoped and discouraged any conversation from picking up.
A little while later Katniss was led out, a little more like dragged out by peacekeepers, and they climbed into the car with their strange escort between them. Naruto fought back a sigh at that, he wished Katniss was in the middle separating him from the capital woman by as much space as the small vehicle would allow. Not that it would likely matter much as she continued to run off at the mouth and would have been just as annoying on the far side of the seats.
"You two are in for a treat." said the woman trying to make a conversation. All she got was a snort from Naruto and a look of mixed disbelief and hatred from Katniss. Something that nearly had him snorting again.
"Does she really think either of you would want to talk?" Hinata asked in disbelief.
"The rich are usually ignorant to the reality of the world around them." Jiraiya said giving his insight.
"Crystal chandeliers, platinum door knobs, and it flies. We'll be at the capital in less than two days." She continued ignoring the derisive snort and half glare she had gotten.
Naruto tuned her out. It was clear Katniss was doing the same and he doubted whatever she had to say hardly mattered in the end. Probably some nonsense about etiquette or something. He couldn't care less if he offended the delicate sensibilities of the people running the show. Well it was better to say he almost hoped to offend their delicate sensibilities. It sounded kind of fun, his life was probably going to be even shorter than it was intended to be so why not.
Once they had finally come to a stop they led through the crowd at the station to a pristine silver train. The subjects of District Twelve watched on in silence as they boarded and Naruto tried to ignore the terrified look of his fellow tribute. After climbing on the door slid open on its own and the most opulent room he had ever seen lay before him. Just as she had said everything seemed either made of crystal, platinum, silver, or gold. Half this room could feed a half dozen families in the seam for a year easily. That was just the trays of food and treats. The actual metal and other items could feed everyone in the seam for weeks, maybe more.
Naruto scowled at the sight, no doubt he'd see even more extravagant waste on this trip. It might all be worth it though. He was about to stand on the largest stage Panem had, and he lacked any sort of filter.
"They don't realize just how bad Naruto with a voice can be." Katniss said with a small grin. She knew he spoke his mind without remorse. One could only imagine what he would cause if he knew the world was listening.
The book disappeared from Naruto's hands and reappeared in Katniss' hands
"You're free to take a break or resume reading." The host instructed.
The young woman glanced around the room, wanting peoples opinions on what they should do. All of them nodded at her, even Heymitch. Having a unanimous answer, she cleared her throat and began reading.