A/N: I can't even explain to you WHY a Naruto x HotD (that isn't GoT related) crossover fic has been buzzing in my head for weeks in freaking 2023. The Last of Us and the ResEv4 remake may have something to do with it. After some friends hyped me up, I figured I'd give it a shot! Worst case scenario no one reads it LMAO.
As for the fic itself. Why Naruto and HotD? Idk they're both sentimental to me and remind me of the good old days. I don't think I plan on taking this past the Mansion cos that's all I remember from my reading years BUT I do have a story to tell here and I'm hoping to practice my writing so please bare with me! I'm also very aware HotD is a horny af show but for the sake of a story you can take somewhat seriously I won't be getting TOO freaky-deeky.
*Typical warnings for a rated M fic apply. Character Death. Language. Blood. Gore. Sexual themes. Etc. Also, this is Altered Universe and yes Naruto is nerfed but it's plot relevant and not just relative to plot-armor.
*My views and beliefs are not reflected in anything I write. It's all just for fun and the sake of a (hopefully) good story. Enjoy!
Naruto Uzumaki awoke to the sounds of talk and the shriek of the bell filling his ears. The inside of his eyelids turned red, and he could no longer ignore the light that was streaming in from the wide windows. With a heavy heart, he stifled a yawn, gathered his belongings, and stood up from his chair. Time for lunch. I should hurry. He made to squeeze into the shifting crowd of students when a slender hand grasped his shoulder.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Naruto turned his head to greet her, his gaze traveling downward until a pair of proud, scarlet colored eyes stared back at him. Rei Miyamoto was the class president and a massive pain in the ass. Unavoidable because of circumstances beyond his control, she was a pain he couldn't get rid of. Here or anywhere else, since she was also his roommate. Not that anyone knew.
"Um, to eat?"
"You dozed off again, you lazy fool." Rei folded her arms across her chest with her nose in the air. "Do you know what kind of message that sends? Especially when you're in your last year? Get your act together. You're such an embarrassment," she spat, fixing him with a frosty stare.
Naruto cleaned his ear out. Feigning ignorance. "Huh? What did you say? I didn't catch that."
Her eyes widened, nostrils flaring. "Are you serious? You're so immature! Ugh. Unbelievable!" The fringe of her hair couldn't mask the flush of red in her light complexion. Rei was about to snap again, her lips parting for a moment. She must have deemed him not worth the time. She left without saying a thing, her hands clenching into tight fists. A mane of auburn flowing behind her as the forgettable crowd made a gap.
Dinner's going to be weird. Tuning out the whispers, he strode into the bustling hallways of Fujimi Academy. The towering white walls and ceilings, decked with paintings and posters, made a labyrinth so vast that even the most seasoned students could get lost, and they often did. Blurry faces passed. No one looked his way. Not a single person smiled or waved. Naruto paid no mind. He was quite familiar with their treatment. In this place, his physical features set him apart. Blonde hair, blue eyes. There was also his unique condition. A late transfer. No family name. No history. A cripple. He was too far gone or not worth the effort. The list kept going.
Maybe they're right?
"Found you! You thought you could escape me, didn't you?" The familiar voice cut through the crowded chatter. Sending a chill down his spine. Naruto stopped in his tracks and braced himself. Recognizing what came next. Within seconds, a brawny arm wrapped around his neck, and the only other student who bothered to act like he existed brought him into a tight headlock. It filled his vision with teeth and warm brown eyes.
"Yo!"
"Hisashi, please. I have a colossal headache."
"Oh! Crap. Sorry."
Naruto released himself from his gray-haired friend's grasp and fixed his shirt. Overlooking the stares. "It's fine. And I wasn't hiding from you. I was actually coming to meet you."
"Well, you can't blame me! It wouldn't be the first time you tried to bail." Hisashi held his grin. "Anyway. I've got big news! You're never going to believe this. Here's a clue, though: It involves someone we both know."
Blue eyes narrowed. "Of all the things. Rei? Again?" Naruto asked, the two of them heading in the cafeteria's direction. "You haven't shut up about this for weeks."
Hisashi guffawed. That dimpled grin was almost contagious. "I did it, man! I asked her out! And would you believe it, Naruto? She said yes! I've got a girlfriend! Not just any chick! My dream girl!"
Naruto's brow shot up. He didn't expect that. "What about Takashi? Does he know?" Takashi was the third of their childhood trio—Rei, Hisashi, and Takashi. Kiriko had pictures of them as children mounted all over the house. Hisashi has spent little time with Takashi these days. And they no longer visited the Miyamoto household, yet, as far as Naruto knew, they were still close.
Too bad Hisashi wasn't listening.
"She looked surprised at first, but then the tears flowed, and she just kept nodding her head, saying yes over and over again! I'm the happiest I have ever been, dude. She's my best friend! Now she's my girlfriend! No hard feelings, us being friends and all."
"That's crazy."
As Hisashi talked, too excited to contain himself, Naruto did his best to focus. But the smell of freshly fried food soon distracted him. He skipped breakfast this morning, thanks to Rei. Thankfully, it wasn't long before they reached their destination. Swarms of students filled the spacious room, with stairs leading to higher levels. Hundreds of voices echoed alongside the clattering of trays.
"Hey. Grab those seats over there. I'll get our lunch for us. Same as usual?"
"Yeah."
"Alright! I'll be right back."
Naruto scanned the bustled room. He saw the empty table and sat down, propping his head up on his left hand. He stared ahead, his unfocused gaze fixed on nothing. Sometimes he felt like he was in a dream. He often questioned if Madara had emerged victorious in their last battle and if everything that followed was some illusion. Is a lunatic perched on a throne right now, overseeing his perfect world, laughing at him?
No. Probably not. The reality was much crueler.
"Oh boy. You've got that look again. It's no surprise people can't talk to you," Hisashi said, frowning. He set a tray of food on the table for them both and sat down on the other side. Naruto blinked slowly. "Is it the arm? I saw you messing with it." Worried eyes fell on the bandaged stump. "Want to check in with the nurse again? You know, I wouldn't mind a quick peek at her." He wiggled his eyebrows, a lopsided grin on his golden features.
Naruto didn't realize he'd been clutching it. "Don't worry. I was just thinking you were taking too long." He shot his friend a skeptical eye. "Didn't you just get the girl of your dreams?"
"What? Can't a guy look?"
"You're hopeless."
—
If asked how the war would end, a 17-year-old Naruto Uzumaki would say something dull like, "The good guys will win!" And for a time, he believed it. Sadly, there were no good guys. Nobody won.
"How's your arm?"
Kyoko Hayashi cracked a smile. Rosy lips curled up, revealing a glimpse of her pearly white teeth. She held his gaze behind the rim of a pair of expensive silver glasses and waited for his response. The clock on the wall ticked, and he counted the seconds.
"Does it look like I'm hurting?"
"That depends on your definition of pain. A physical pain? Emotional pain? Something deeper, spiritual perhaps?"
He pursed his lips. "I'm fine."
She gauged him with probing eyes, studying him. "Really? I keep hearing you're not doing so great. I heard you were sleeping in class. Avoiding gym. You haven't signed up for any of the clubs I recommended, either. Do you really think this can go on?" She stopped for a moment, then started again, her tone much more gentle. "Is there something going on in your personal life? Something you want to talk about? Anything at all?"
"No. The classes bore me. And I don't like the clubs."
Kyoko's smile creased into a slight frown. "I'm your guidance counselor, Naruto. I'm here to help. But I can't do that if you don't let me." She leaned forward, her long red tresses flowing down her shoulders. "You can't do everything alone."
She is a good woman with a kind heart. He never once doubted that. She showed him fairness in her treatment. Did not probe too deeply. She was not snooping around to serve her own ego; she sought to aid him. If it were somebody else, she could have.
I guess I'll just tell her something, anything, so she worries less. After a few doubles of silence, he spoke. "It's been hurting a lot more these past few days. Happens now and then. I just have to grit my teeth and let it pass. It always does." His gaze shifted from Kyoko to the papers and coffee mugs strewn on the table, and then to the dampened television mounted on the wall behind her. He wasn't interested in whatever topic the newscaster was discussing, but he welcomed the distraction it provided.
"Does it...? I see..." She pressed her lips together and let out a worn-out sigh. "You don't want to talk about anything? It's just a little pain you'll get over."
"Yeah."
Kyoko shook her head. "I can write you a note for gym class. Teshima-san will understand the situation. However, you will need to go to the nurse tomorrow and get her signature yourself. And I'm sure you can figure out a someway to stop sleeping in class, right?"
Naruto nodded. "I won't forget."
Kyoko made herself comfortable, leaning back into her red chair and tugging the tan cardigan draped around her body closer. "That's the end of our session today. Be sure to stop by tomorrow morning. I'll have that note for you. Use the hand sanitizer on your way out. It's like this entire school is getting sick. And don't forget Naruto. Anytime you need to talk, I'm here."
"Thank you, sensei."
He offered a bow and was gone. Fortunately, the counselor's office was situated close to the main entrance of the Academy. His journey to the courtyard was a brief one, and the strangest thought crossed his mind as he walked, marveling at the vivid pink and violet sky above. If Hisashi and Rei had begun a relationship, Hisashi would visit the Miyamoto home more often. Naruto will have to clarify the situation.
"Hey, out of the way!"
"Busujima-san! Over here!"
Two girls dashed past him. They were calling a name that was recognized throughout Fujimi Academy and the city of Tokonosu alike. Another girl stood near a fountain that sat in the center of the courtyard, waiting for them. She was taller than everyone else. Her dark hair framed her beautiful face. A color so deep that it appeared to be violet. She was stunning. The envy of the entire school, if ever there was one. Saeko Busujima, heir to the Busujima clan.
In that moment, Naruto was almost certain he felt a pair of striking turquoise eyes upon him.
The last bell of the day rang. Louder than all the rest. He furrowed his brow and shook his head. It wasn't long before the doors flung open and students and teachers poured out in droves. Not wanting to be surrounded by the madness, he began his trek home.
Home.
Is that what it was?
—
Naruto stared at his reflection in the mirror. As if it were a stranger, staring back. Time had given him a strong resemblance to his father, with a sharper jawline and broader shoulders, but he kept his mother's eyes. His arm came up to touch the thin creases that had been on his face as far back as he could recall.
'Kurama. I miss you so much.' As a child, he thought he was alone. In the past year, he came to understand the true meaning of the word.
A light knock on the bathroom door shook him out of his trance. "Are you okay in there?" Kiriko's voice drifted in from the other side. Rei's mother was an anxious woman, spending countless hours worrying about her husband's safety at work and her daughter's progress in school. After spending so much time with them, she worried about him, too.
The Miyamoto family often had him at a loss. He wasn't sure how to express his gratitude. He helped with the chores and kept a low profile, but the debt he owed Kiriko and Tadashi was one he could never repay. No matter how hard he tried.
"Yeah." he called back, "I'll be out in a minute."
"Don't forget to wash up!"
Naruto looked back at his reflection one last time, idling there. Though the bags under his eyes had lightened, it was still obvious he had gone days without a good night's sleep. What had once been memories that comforted him were now shadows of a past that plagued his dreams. His gaze fell on the bandages that were wrapped around his chest and arm. I'll need to change them soon. He heaved an exhausted sigh and put a navy-blue shirt on over tapered jeans. Stepping out of the bathroom, he made his way to the dining room. The living area was warm and inviting, with comfortable couches and chairs with soft pillows and blankets. They adorned the walls with family photos, artwork, and trophies running up the stairs and into the second floor, proudly displayed for visitors to admire.
"Naruto! I've got a spot for you right here!"
Tadashi had already drunk half of his beloved bottle and was in a good-natured mood, patting the vacant chair next to him, across from Rei. The older man demanded that everybody be at the table for this seafood dinner that Kiriko had been planning for the week, and that included him.
"Gramps," he said, taking a seat.
"Don't call me that!"
"Dad, no more yelling!" Rei growled, holding her head in her hands and giving them both a look of displeasure. She ditched her school uniform for some band shirt he wasn't familiar with and loose fitting shorts. The scowl from earlier was still there, though.
"Sorry, honey."
Kiriko's face lit up with joy at the sight of them all, and she clapped her hands together. "Yay! We've gathered, so let's dig in! Don't hold back either! Tell me how it tastes. I spent days looking into the recipes."
"Oh, darling. It's terrific! A master chef couldn't top this. I'm so lucky. She has good looks! She can cook! Your mom's pretty awesome, isn't she, Rei?" Tadashi answered while chewing. Somehow, he squeezed in breaths of air between bites of food.
"Careful not to choke, Gramps."
"What did I just—?"
Without looking his way, Naruto passed him a glass of water. Too used to the older man's eccentric personality and antics. In spite of his rigid demeanor, Tadashi was full of life.
"It's really good; thank you for the meal." Naruto said.
Rei glowered at him. "It's not just good. It's amazing. You should be grateful."
"It's good." Naruto nodded in Kiriko's direction, the ghost of a smile on his face, making it clear he was not paying attention to her daughter. He was just about to take another bite when a large hand smacked his back.
"Whoa! Much appreciated! I almost didn't make it! Then what would you do?" Tadashi tilted his head back and let out a loud laugh, turning to Rei. "So how was school this week, eh? Anything exciting happen?"
She was quick to answer. "No. Nothing happened."
Tadashi shrugged, looking a bit disappointed. Naruto quirked an eyebrow while straightening himself and shifted his gaze to her. Rei paused in her eating to give him a hard stare, her jaw clenching. He got the message.
"That's as good as it gets from that school. If it wasn't the best around, I'd find an alternative for you both. Bah! Those overconfident snobs. Busujima. Shido. Takagi. They're all elitists! Not you guys, though. You're the best!"
"Gee. Thanks, dad."
"I'm still so worried about the reports on the news. Hospital admissions are rising too, and there's no proper explanation. We've been drowning in work because of it. Yami-san thought it might be a new strain of the flu."
"No one has died yet, right? Chances are it's nothing to get worked up about!"
Their conversation grew faint in his ears as he watched Kiriko and Tadashi talk, while Rei hungrily stomached her food and the television played in the background. For days. Weeks. Months. It went like this: His days were full of peace. The Miyamoto's cared for him as if he were their own. Naruto's hand clenched into a fist beneath the table. I don't deserve it. His actual home was the subject of his thoughts more often than not. What happened to the Shinobi way of life? Was there anything left? Could he ever return? Emerge from this dream to the sight of precious friends and his people?
No. He knew he couldn't go back, and yet his heart still wandered there—pointless as it was.
"Hey! Slacker! Did you zone out during dinner too? Stop daydreaming and hand me the bread rolls."
Naruto blinked once, grabbing the plastic pot and offering it to Rei.
"Here."
She plucked it from his hand.
"Thanks."
Never has there been such an aggressive showing of gratitude.
—
After dinner, he waited for her by the stairs, making sure that Kiriko and Tadashi were already in their room and not around to hear what was going on. Rei's expression conveyed a lack of amusement, and she tapped her foot. Shooting sideways glances at the path behind him.
"What the hell are you after?" She demanded.
Naruto didn't feel the need to ask why she had been in such a foul temper of late, nor was he particularly interested in the answer. Only one thing bothered him.
"Nothing happened, huh?"
She frowned, her eyes narrowing. Her eyebrows drew together. "I wasn't expecting much from a guy as selfish as you. At least you're smart enough to know when to keep your mouth shut."
Naruto ignored the insult. "I think getting with your childhood friend is more something than nothing, don't you? Why didn't you tell them? Your parents think Hisashi's great."
"What do you care? We barely talk."
"We don't, but Hisashi is a friend."
Her face was a visage of rage.
"Don't you go lecturing me about friendship! Fucking loner! Move! We're done here. I have enough on my plate," she snapped.
Naruto let Rei pass and listened for the door to shut behind her. When he was sure it was clear, he headed up the stairs to his room. He closed the door and walked towards the bed, and fell onto it, staring up at the fan spinning above. He didn't adorn the space they provided him with much, and beyond the clothes piled about, there was nothing aside from a nightstand in the corner and a mat.
Taking out the phone that Kiriko had bought him some time ago, he glanced at the time on the display, which read 10:17 PM: 2013. He opened the contacts list, and as expected, there were only four numbers. Tadashi, Kiriko, Hisashi, and Rei. The latter, who had not been too keen on giving out her phone number, gave in after her mother insisted. The emergency hotline was there as an option, too. After switching off the screen, his own likeness looked back at him on the smooth glass. The voice in his head echoed, "Run," as it had done so many times before.
And go where? He had nothing.
The minutes turned into hours until, finally; he drifted to sleep.
—
"While it's true, I once desired destruction, and the only goal I had was revenge. Things are different now. Because what they destroyed can always be fixed and rebuilt. Villages freed from the clutches and employ of darkness. What I desire is to reform the entire Shinobi world! What I am calling for, what I am bringing forth, is revolution."
The battle raged on for days, with the clash of blades and the screams of the wounded filling the air. The ground was slick with blood, and the smell of fire and death hung. He was tired. So tired.
"We can put an end to this." He gestured to the wanton death. "You and I." Sasuke offered his hand with a smile, but the expression felt out of place. A red haze lit the sky. It silhouetted his figure against the towering remains of the Tree of Life in the background. Bodies dangling from its twisted branches. When Sasuke realized he would not reach for it, the smile faded, and his disappointment was sincere. "No, of course not. You wouldn't do that. Then, this is where we part ways. The next time we cross paths. We'll be enemies again." He let out a stale laugh. The surrounding space began to warp and invert. "Goodbye for now, friend."
There were no words. He felt as if every inch of him was screaming to follow! Yet his strength suddenly deserted his body, and he collapsed. As his vision faded to black, a pink hue filled his sight, and he could make out a voice calling his name.
"Naruto!"
Blue eyes shot open and stared into the dark. He slowly rose from the bed, cold sweat clinging to his naked chest. He focused on the digital clock on the nightstand, the only source of light in the dimly lit room.
"Shit. I'm late."
—
Naruto dashed across the water as if it were solid land, faster than any normal man, moving underneath the umbra of the bridge connected to the city behind him. Both Tadashi and Kiriko were hard at work, and the buses were running late, leaving him no other choice. Rei hadn't thought to wake him, of course.
I'm not looking forward to another lecture. Dark clouds beset the morning skies. It was much quieter than usual, but he ignored it, since the calmness made things easier. Naruto could see the walls that formed the west gate in the distance. Fujimi Academy towering behind it. He stiffened his legs and sprung across the water and over grass and concrete alike with a single bound, settling just beyond the school entrance—hidden in the gate's shadow.
He looked up. Naruto had to agree with Tadashi's analysis of Fujimi. The wealthy and influential families who provided the funding for the school treated it more like a castle than a place of learning, and he could see from where they drew their inspiration. Fujimi Academy sat on an artificially created island, much like the airport, connected to the mainland by two roads. The only one of its kind in the entire country.
I should—wait, what's that? He heard the flock of seagulls overhead first, then the shuffling of feet. There was an unpleasant stench in the air. Not the stink of the ocean, but something much more intimate. A guy in a stained, wrinkled suit passed. He was sluggish in his movements and groaning to himself. Even though they were near each other, he failed to take notice of Naruto, and he kept following behind the birds, stumbling. Without a doubt, the man seemed drunk, but Naruto noticed wounds hidden beneath his disheveled hair and layers of silver and gray fabrics.
Are those... bite marks? Much to his amazement, the guy kept going until he stumbled into the school's gates and fell onto the street. He stayed in that spot for a moment, then got up and did it again.
And again.
And again.
Naruto stared, not quite understanding what he was seeing. Had a familiar voice not interrupted, he would have kept watching.
"Excuse me, sir? This is private property, and you don't have the right to be here."
The man's neck snapped toward the sound of her voice, and his entire demeanor changed. His movements had gone from sluggish to sudden and jerky, and he was attacking the gate with renewed strength. A terrible feeling of unease settled in the pit of Naruto's stomach once he realized... This guy. He isn't breathing.