Truthfully, Naruto did not know how to process the current landscape of confusion he had found himself within. As it were he was in a small room, comfortable, small, though larger then his previous home. Complete with a surprisingly plush futon and a window that creaked ever so slightly when the wind brushed against it. He remained inside Hashirama's home, a fact which in itself gave his mind trembles of discomfort- and indeed, a fair amount of disbelief. His life was a mess all his years, to have it be turns so drastically, yet still manage to be such a mess was impressive in its own right- and deplorable by Naruto's view. He hardly understood where he was, neverminding his status within the village.
It was as he fathomed his new gender situation that his thoughts drifted to his travelling companion, of the both of them he would be the most affected. Not merely because the world he had known was tipped to the side just as Naruto's was. No, because though the man had modern perceptions, he was a man of the past- tradition did dictate much of his thoughts. This was a time he had known, and he was accustomed to gender sterotypes and positions, and excetera, that Naruto himself did not know of, Madara was certainly far more out of his depth then he was. The spark of sympathy lit a small flame in his belly and it did not disapate even as he lay his head on the feathered pillow.
Morning came with a new force of wakefulness he didn't usually experience. That was a person ripping a thin blanket from his sleeping self, and physically pushing him off his futon and onto the not sun-heated wood of the floor. Then a loud laugh which tingled in at the back of his brain with recognition, nevertheless the mild pulse of comprehension at the back of his mind did jolt him into a combat ready mindset. It was not the first time one had broken into his home to steal the meager supplies he had, and upon the action of instinct he came to a reverse plank position and spiraled his body. Satisfactorily hitting an ankle as the assilent fell down with a groan on impact, and he himself pulled himself to stand from the motion.
Only to find a downed brunet rubbing at his tailbone and wincing in pain. Naruto came to fast remembrance and fresh embarrassment flushed his cheeks red, he reached down a hand to help the other man up, sputtering out apologies as the pained brunet righted himself.
"You have fast reflexes, good, thats probably a good thing." Hashirama wiggled about a little, though his praise was a little weakened by the fact he appeared quite pained from his sudden fall, rubbing his hip as he were. Naruto stepped back a faction, sheepish at his sudden reaction, having forgotten nigh entirely where he was at instinct's moment. He laughed a nervous titter, but was greeted with a kindly smile in turn nothing irate in the brown gaze of his company.
"That's alright, I'm sure you are more adapt to threatening environments wandering around in this war torn land of ours. Between you and me, and Tobirama I suppose. I used to do the same thing to my brother's when they jolted me awake much the same as I did you. Perhaps its karama taking her own." Hashirama chatted amicably as Naruto dressed, into the fine kimono he had been gifted, his back turned to the blond for a polite show of courtesy. Naruto enjoyed it, the warm conversation after waking. Many of his lost friends had complained avidly about being woken up too early -or rather not early at all, just woken up.-
Naruto welcomed the company. And the fact that someone came to wake him, without threat. Though as he thought such wondering glad tides, his hands fumbled with the stationing of the obi, he had never had the pleasure of wearing one. His experience with kimono not stretching higher then a yukata and a sash. He whined low in his throat, catching the attention of his fellow it seemed, Hashirama took a brief moment to smile in amusement at Naruto's clumsy fingers before coming to his aid.
The prospect scared him, not quite understanding how this world fit together. There was also that continual repress of loneliness as a mist within his head, that same hovering cover from the sun which he'd had most of his early life. To have tasted the sun, indulge in the company of others whom found him as a friend and not an enemy as a teen, then- snatched away from him as if by the sharp, foreboding, crack of a whip. No one here knew him, nor what he held within, and that made him more alone then before.
Yet, there was a kindly tall man tying the string of his obijime, whom had taught him more about himself. Welcomed a stranger into his home with no fuss, broken bread with him and given him clothes- without knowing a detail about the man he aided. Naruto looked to Hashirama, admiration flicking in his mind, wondering- had he from Naruto's own world been so benevolent, was this a new facet? That wonderence however was overshadowed by so many a emotion. Those which defined the jubilation of a young boy in the rain, soaked and staved, invited into a warm sanctuary with light and a meal ready. A chance. A trust he did not encounter in his life, that type of selfless trust shinobi were taught to abandon in early adolescence, shown unto him by a man whom upon their first encounter saw him half naked with blood staining his trousers.
"Hashirama-san, why are you being so kind to me?" It was a genuine question, a warmth beneath in both appreciation and a type of affection. He got a soft smile in return, with tender eyes.
"Not at all. My clan may have a history of bloodshed but I've never aspired to the demands of war. Of course as an Omega violence was nigh forbidden, not being permitted to fight places a different perspective unto you, a unique dedication unto the Gods and visualization of the world. That which I am doubious the Alpha of my clan could ever consider or comprehend. At times, I wonder at my kin's dedication onto our makers, for on occasion I see cruelty when benevolence is possible. We will all be judged in the end. I fear just how many of my kin have been deemed sinful under Yan Wang's all knowing eyes." Naruto could understand the words well enough, could even grasp the concepts spoken, but he did not recognize the name of the god.
He had only learned of religion and belief only later in life, far later as it were, during his journey with Jiraiya in fact. There were few names in the religion of Konoha which he knew, as he had not spared it much a thought. Focusing far more on the tactics of fighting, yet, a faction of him had wondered with a longing gaze under the light of the stars. Would a type of faith have helped him as a child? Would he have found comfort in the preachings? A meaning behind himself which others failed to see, and at the time- that which he himself could not see.
He shook himself as they both left the small room, towards the aroma of food drifting about. Naruto had scarcely eaten since him and Madara had been in the forest, his stomach growled in anticipation. He sat with genuine 'thank you,' and upon eating his first bite allowed his curiosity to assert itself once more. "Who is Yan Wang?" He asked as politely as he might, gaining a kind smile in turn as the other man nibbled at some rice.
"One of the gods of my clan. He is the god of death and rebirth. He weighs a person's misdeeds and decides if their weight shall drag them into the hells. Or if they shall be reborn into a temultuous life or a prosperous one. His eyes are wide enough to see the sin within one's soul, never blinking." This emphasised by a set of deep brown eyes staring at him for several moments without rest. Naruto found himself laughing at the display.
"So, does each clan have their own set of gods?" He questioned simply, not judging the idea, for it was not obscure unto him. Hashirama pondered momentarily, then nodded.
"For the most part I imagine. Of course, there were clans that mingled with others, such as life takes us, so I assume some beliefs whether small or large, got intermixed over time. In general however, yes. The Uchiha for example; the other founder of our fine settlement, they have an entirely different pantheon of gods to my clan." It was useful to know, at the very least to stop from causing a fight, the religious contrast in the village. Naruto himself could not claim allegiance to either one, but knowing might keep him in good view.
Upon finishing their meal, they both stood one with a taught grace, the other with a distinct lack of it as he stumbled before the table a moment. "Well, I do believe that enough hiding away in here, let us venture outside this day." Hashirama smiled wide as he slipped on his shoes at the door, Naruto followed a might more hesitantly, making no protest. It would be a might unseemly, considering he did have to learn in many ways, and despite the nerves in his stomach he had scarce ever denied a challenge its due. They both made haste out the door, Naruto managing to carry himself with a dignity he did not quite he yet held.
Breathing the fresh air, smell of leafs surrounding as it always had, a calming stablizer.
They made a comfortable walk in silence, Naruto taking that time to look about himself a little more then he had previously. In doing so he spotted the familiar figure, tall and imposing with long waves of black hair flowing down his back. Clean and rather more- fluffy around the man's shoulders, nevertheless, Naruto grinned wide- at the sight of him walking along the dirt road. A happiness in his gut, though he ignored the crackling understanding he was not simply glad to see someone he recognized, but rather, the man himself. The keen brush of friendship already alit inside his mind.
He waved boldly, hand held high in the air. That is, until the limb was snapped downwards by a baffled Hashirama, whom held it down with both hands and a fierce group. "Naruto-kun! That is extremely inappropriate behaviour!" Naruto was equally as baffled as the man himself by the reprimand, not seeing anything gauche in his behaviour. The man sighed with an exaggeration matching that of Iruka, it made the blond squirm in recognition.
By luck, Madara had already seen his fervent display and was now walking towards them with a practiced long stride, a carved firm expression telling nothing. Hashirama straightened himself and smiled. "Good morning Madara-san. Did you have a good rest?" A small, everso brighter tone came to the brunet.
"Naruto, I must speak with you." The pout Hashirama made at the lack of reciprocal attention was well hidden, but out of his peripheral Naruto could see it well enough. Made no draw to the fact however, as Madara made no bid to, instead he nodded to the man with a serious express. The sooner they could catch each other up, the better chance they had at not humiliating themselves, or at worse, earning themselves a death sentence. Hashirama huffed by his side, annoyance clear, though not especially potent in due course with the pout the brunet sported.
"You could at the very least acknowledge me Madara." Madara blinked at him, then gave the slightest of a nod. Naruto thought it was rather rude in all candour, the sounnd of a medolic laugh followed from Hashirama however. He seemed adapt enough with the rather cold greeting. He tapped Naruto's shoulder with a small, warming smile.
"I forgot to mention, but until you're fully educated you may stay with me. Then we might see you off on your own." The giggle made then had the blond laugh with nerves. Though thankful for the arrangement, he attempted, with what little knowledge he had of manners and decorum, to bow fully to the man in appreciation. At least he believed that to be the correct action.
"Thank you very much."
Naruto followed the tall Uchiha as he walked towards the cliffside, a smile on his face for his fortune. Madara was fully dressed as it were, no back scars and scabs prominently on display, instead he was dressed a garb similar as to what Obito had worn during the war. With the exception of the high collar. A long robe of sorts, resembling a yutaka, however, the parting was less obvious, the fabric of the right side drawn over the entire chest, where it buttoned up on the other side by the collarbone and downwards along the ribs. A thin decorated belt a slight lower the then on waist, brown leather decorated with circular gold crests. Ankle langth, with full length sleeves, and by all appearance made of a heavy fabric. What could be considered both shocking and amusing, by Naruto's standards, was that it was dyed a light sky colour and much matching Naruto's own komon with its multitude of blue hues. One prominent difference between them being that Madara had a katana attached to the back of his belt and Naruto had no weapons to speak of on his person- less one count his fists.
As they stopped by the cliffside, in clear view but far from ears Madara turned to him. Naruto was unsure of whom should go first as it were, but the Uchiha made that decision by informing him of their mutual problem with a sharp tone. That is a lack of chakra within the world, at that information Naruto became several tones paler, and with brash action attempted to reach for his own. Only to come with nothing, he could feel it inwards, but it would not rise to the surface. It was with a strange type of reluctant plea that he tried for Kyuubi's instead, it rang to his senses, still present; but as his own, inaccessible. All the while his companion watched on with a steel gaze and calm aura.
"Nothing." He gave in, his seal falling as his hope fled. Madara's one brow rose ever so slightly in a tick of movement.
"What of the beast?" Calously he asked, and Naruto almost wanted to punch the man for the way it was said, he kept the impulse in check. Just as he was about to inform him that Kyuubi was still within, a loud, baritone, booming voice filled his head. Speaking his name, with not a yell but a vibration against his skull. Telling the Uchiha to wait with a look, Naruto sat down, cris-crossed his legs, and focused on the seal on his stomach. It was rare indeed for the tailed-beast to reach out for his consciousness, less he was trying to get free.
Deep within himself beside the cage was far different then it had been previously. The interior was different, the water beneath his feet stuck to his legs with a grossly sticky sensation, thick and more gelatinous then the swamp water it had been before. The walls had also changed, no longer the colour of dampened concrete but a stark white and cracked with blood seeping through the cracks and smereing down the lower parts of the wall, pooling into the water. Naruto gagged, the feeling of the liquid in between his toes all to prominent. Blood pooling blood around his feet, seeping through the walls, he could not forget what Madara had said about one's mindscape.
It could warp, alter, based on the person, from chaotic to peaceful. Yet, he had not thought his would change so much, that it would become gruesome. The only thing untouched was the large cage infront of him.
"You must truly hate yourself to make such decorations. Eh Naruto?" There was nothing to do but glare at the giant fox behind the beams, for once not fully hiding himself in the shadows, but in full appearance, appearing for all intents and purposes, quite at ease with his situation.
"What do you want you overgrown fox?" It came as a shout, but it did not echo as it once had. He chuckled in that patronizing manner which had always seemed far too smug for the blond's ears.
"You come here and do not wonder what may become of me? Ignorant fool." That brought dread down his spine. If there was no chakra within this world then perhaps the seal would disappear as well.
The great snout scoffed.
"I cannot leave. I am bound onto you in this world in a way I never have been before."
"Before?- Wait, you've been here before?" The concept baffled him, surely if this place was truly parallel to his own, then they would have their own version of Kyuubi.
With greater attention on the subject of the conversation rose to sitting.
"I am a spirit, all spirits exist outside of your pathetic mortal realms. I belong just as much in this world as in the one you had known. I was imprisoned in your former reality whence Uzumaki Mito sealed me within herself. My purpose differs with each world, each religion, I fufill all those roles given unto me, but my essense forever remains the same, my power." With what he had been expecting that was not it. Though it puzzled the blond shinobi a fraction, he understood the basics of what the beast said, yet...
"But if there isn't any chakra here then why are you stuck in me?" The smirk he received was naturally feral, but amusement came forth to Naruto's instincts. The fox found humor in his situation, or perhaps the fact that his host was ignorant. Naruto didn't know, but he'd bet on the later. Ever so fast the world around him began to fade, no answer forthcoming.
Cerulean eyes snapped open with a gasp of air and a shuttering of body. Naruto coming back to reality far more forcefully then he'd done before, staring across from him being the stoic gaze of Uchiha Madara.