ANNOUNCEMENT!

This story and many others are a part of a mass update I myself am doing for Christmas this year.

This includes Oneshots with Gorgon/Medusa (from Fate), Penny Polendina (RWBY), Nightingale (Fate), Supergirl (Dc) and more...

Additionally some of my other stories have been updated, including: Phantom of the Underworld, Heart Under a Blade, Hail to the King!, Mockingbird, Wrecked, and a few new stories as well...

Right now FFN's stats aren't working, so only way I can tell a story is doing well. So only way I can tell you like a story is through Reviews, Follows, and Favorites.

So please leave some if you want these stories to be updated, it really helps out alot. And please check out some of my other stories.

And Merry Christmas

:)

~ RWV3N

Please leave me lots and lots of NICE reviews.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Fate, or any other anime I use in this story. They belong to their respective owners…

12/25/23

Part 1

Blue eyes peered around him, looking on as they saw the many people walking around the town square. None of them walked toward him, not even bothering to look at him, they were too engrossed in talking to their respective partners, as children greeted them with lovely, yet bittersweet smiles.

His eyes lingered on several particular figures. A dark-haired boy with a particular duck butt-like hairstyle and dark eyes that held an arrogance to them. Sasuke, his former rival, and the person he would often compete with in the many childish games they would often play within the parks.

Whereas the woman at his side was a particularly pretty pink-haired girl his age with the greenest emerald eyes he had ever seen. Sakura, his first crush, and the woman he had one day hoped to spend the rest of his short life with. A baby lay within her arms, one with mixed traits of the two.

His eyes drifted, roaming toward another couple. Roaming towards a particularly feral-looking boy with brown hair and dark eyes. Kiba, another one of the kids he would often play with in his youth. Absentmindedly, he remembered the many times they would end up so dirtied and bruised along the playground, not a care within the world as they laughed the night away.

Whereas the young woman next to him was on the fairer, more beautiful side of people within the village. Midnight blue, almost purple hair, and purple, almost lavender pupilless eyes. Hinata, his first friend, and his first love.

Seeing her now he couldn't help but reminisce about how they met. Kakashi and Shizune constantly trying to brush him out of his shell, always being so nervous to talk to other people. Especially kids these days, considering the way many of them alienated him for the strange, almost whisker-like markings along his cheeks. That's when he met Hinata, a young girl who was just as lonely as him. He remembered the times he would find solace after getting rejected in her presence.

And he remembered the times they would find comfort in the sadness they felt when their loved ones left the village. Eventually, he realized his feelings for her, and when he was right about to confess to her…

She disappeared, cutting contact with him completely for reasons he still did not know. Last he'd heard she'd hit it off with Kiba, had a child on the way as well.

He felt a slight amount of bitterness at that thought, but he felt even more shame within himself for failing to realize his feelings before he was too late. He supposed this was some sort of divine punishment in a way, but he took it in stride.

Things were always like this, people always avoided him because of his strange appearance. And he had tried to not let it bother him much, even if there were times when his resolve would lessen greatly.

A young voice reached his ears, one filled with innocence. "Big Brother Naruto!" A young girl called his attention, and he found at that moment to plaster a hardy smile across his face.

Turning to see the young girl, the epitome of the purity of the entire world. With her long, blonde tresses that stretched along her back. With green eyes that sparkled with warmth and joy, matching the green and black dress she wore with gold archaic designs along the edges.

"I… um, I brought you a flower," she said, shuffling on her feet nervously, looking down. Gazing upon the violet flowering within her small palms, a guilty expression across her face. "I'm sorry I couldn't get you anymore…"

A look of shock was evident on Naruto's face before he saw her more somber expression. He then grew a look of compassion within his eyes, as he placed a warm hand upon the much shorter girl's shoulder. "No, don't worry, Gerda, this is enough," he smiled.

The girl looked up at him, his smile almost becoming infectious as a similar one began to form across her lip. Before a more somber expression filled her eyes, "Thank you, big brother, it's just…" she trailed off, clutching the hem of her dress, being unable to continue with her next words.

Naruto realized what she was talking about, "You don't want me to go away, do you?" He asked sadly, to which she quickly nodded.

A similarly dark expression formed across his face. But he quickly masked those feelings away, as he patted the young girl's head. "Hey, don't worry, you'll be able to meet me up there soon, I just know it!" He chomped with a fake smile, trying to cheer up the young girl.

His expression seemed to work if only a little, but he could still detect the faint traces of sadness within her eyes. "I know I just… wish you could have stayed within the for a few more years," she said sadly. If only she were born a few years later, then she would be able to have children and save her big brother figure from leaving the village for another ten years.

Naruto agreed with the young girl, hoping things wouldn't turn out this way. Nevertheless, these were their village rules, and each one of them had to follow them. He couldn't let the girl think along the same lines, remembering how hard it had been when he was in her position. He didn't want her to feel the same thing, sighing, he locked her green eyes with his, staring at her with nothing but the love and compassion he felt for the young girl as a sister figure. "Gerda, I know this can be hard, but I'm sure you'll have many young children with a boy one day. And you I'll be able to see them as well, up in Valhalla, our goddess said so after all, didn't she?" He told her, and she lightly nodded, smiling as well. It was amazing; Gerda's love and faith for their goddess that is. "And I, truly, am glad that you brought me this, and I couldn't ask for anyone better to call a sister," Naruto said compassionately.

And his words seemed to have the desired effect, as she she lightly smiled, he took the lone flower out of her hand. They both knew what they meant, proof that he truly was loved.

He ruffled her blond hair a bit, much to her inner frustration and slight joy. "And hey, it'll be like I'll have never been gone when the Valkyrie takes you up there. And then we'll get to play all we want. But I don't too short of a wait, you should have three— No, Four kids— while I'm gone," he told her.

At which she turned a little pale, sticking out her tongue, "Do I?!" She squeaked at the thought.

Naruto chuckled, "No, but I want you to have at least one." They both knew what happened whenever you didn't, and it was the same situation he was in right now. At which the girl's somber expression returned, as she shuffled along her feet. Sighing, "Gerda, Look, I don't want you to come to the gate on the ordained day," he stated bluntly.

At which she grew slightly shocked, "What, but why?" She questioned.

"I just… don't think there will be enough space this year, after all about twenty people are going to be escorted this year," he reasoned, although he knew he wasn't telling the truth. He couldn't tell her the real reason.

"O-oh, I see, well that I probably shouldn't go then," she told him, not understanding why he didn't want her to go. But if her big brother told her to do something she should probably listen, that was just the type of girl she was.

Naruto smiled. "That'll be great," he said, before he placed the purple flower in a small vase filled with water he had been holding. "No, why don't we go and play in the park for a bit, one last time before I go?" He inquired.

Gerda's face lit up like the sun, "yeah, I would like that," she nodded, practically skipping on her feet at the thought.

Naruto chuckled, that was just like Gerda after all.

XXX

Hours later.

(Naruto's home)

And just like that the sun was down, his last day within the village spent playing with the young girl he had met within the village.

She was the only orphan, just like him, or at least, the only child who had never known about their biological parents. And they bonded over that fact. Given the fact that most of the kids avoided him he thought it impossible, but given the young girl's more kind and carefree nature she was untouched by all the rumors around him.

Yes, truly, she was truly a kind girl, good too. He felt bad for leaving her alone so suddenly, but he knew that the girl would be able to move past his imminent passing.

She had to, that is just how things were.

Feeling a slight bitterness at that though, he closed the old wooden door behind him. He heard the creaking of the floorboards along his feet as he moved to his bedroom. He placed the lone vibrant purple flower held within his vase along his bed's nightstand. Being ever so careful as to not tarnish the petals or cause any whittling. He knew what those flowers meant, everyone within his village did.

They were proof that he was alive, proof that he had been loved.

He never thought he would ever acquire such a thing. And even if he had small crushes and even a first love he never truly believed that he would have any children to call his own. Along with the fact that all the children practically avoided him like the plague, he knew that obtaining such flowers would be somewhat impossible. Especially given how little land was given for cultivation and floriculture.

It was truly a sight to behold, and their mere existence meant more to him than the world. Not because he valued the flowers or their significance, but the mere statement they said… that he was loved. That there was something– someone that actually valued him, someone whose memory he would be left within for when he passed on.

That his life actually meant something

Knock. Knock. Knock.

The sound of another occupant entering his home made themselves known. Which in a way sort of surprised him, given the fact that most people within the village just tended to just barge into other people's homes unannounced. There weren't any rules against it, simply because there wasn't even any ownership of property at all. People just tended to pick a random home and stick to it, or they would inherit the home from a loved one, like a parent or one of the older kids within the village.

"C-come in!" He shouted, his voice more surprised than anything, and truthfully, he didn't expect anyone to come visit him on his last night.

He made his way out of his small barren bedroom, as he rushed out towards his front door, swinging just who had entered inside. It was a man, about twenty-five years in age, with tanned skin, brown hair done into a ponytail, and a large scar across his nose.

He raised an eyebrow, not expecting the man to be there. "Iruka?" He inquired, looking at the man before him.

The man gave him a soft, somber smile, "H-hey, Naruto, long time no see," he spoke, rubbing the back of his head in slight embarrassment.

Naruto too gained a small smile," Yeah, it has been," he spoke. The two stood awkwardly in his dining room, before Naruto suddenly jolted awake, slightly bumping into his chair as he did so. "Alright, why don't I get us something to drink?" He spoke, slightly unsure of himself.

Iruka's eyes softened as well, "Yeah, that would be great," he spoke, as Naruto rushed to his nearby kitchen. Iruka was far slower in the descent into Naruto's house, and he couldn't help but admire the place Naruto both grew up and lived in. A slight look of nostalgia across his face as he trailed Naruto's dining room table with his finger. He decided to sit on one of the two small wooden chairs as he did so.

It wasn't long before Naruto returned, a pair of twin wooden cups in hand. Water, Iruka realized. They didn't have any alcohol in the village, they didn't have enough space to store, nor the excess plants needed to ferment the stuff. "Thank you," the scared man spoke, as he took a spit of the cold liquid as it rushed down his throat. Naruto did as well, and soon, to two were engulfed in a comfortable silence. Iruka stopped taking a sip of his drink "Almost reminds you of the old days," Iruka spoke.

As Naruto nodded, he too gained a bittersweet smile. "Yeah, it does," he spoke, as he was as engrossed in the past. "Truthfully, there isn't anyone I'd to spend my final days with," the blonde admitted.

Iruka smiled, before a frown slightly overtook his face, "Honestly Naruto, I never wanted it to come to this" he spoke, as Naruto felt a slight amount of guilt overtake him at that thought. What happened to the girls Naruto had been talking to? Why hadn't he been able to get a child and receive ten more years on this earth?

Naruto frowned as well, encircling the edge of his cup with his finger as he sighed, "I guess, things didn't work that way, I suppose," he spoke a tiredness to his voice. Thinking about both Hinata and Sakura once again brought these feelings upon him.

Iruka sighed as well, "Yeah, I guess this was the will of our Goddess, perhaps she has a plan for you up there?" he supposed. The gods always worked in mysterious ways, acting in places they couldn't even understand.

As Naruto looked at the man who had practically raised him. Well, he, and a silver-haired male named Kakashi Hatake, who had exceeded the age of twenty-five just a few years prior. His wife two, Shizune Kato, a woman who was like a sister to him.

Even Iruka's spouse had suffered the same fate just a year ago, Ayame had been a few years older than the man as well. The man hadn't been the same since her death, and that was when they had fallen off in contact. Even if they were only a short walk away from each other.

"You still miss her, don't you…?" Naruto asked, Iruka knew exactly what he was referring to.

The man solemnly nodded, "I do, yes, it's too bad I…" he tried to say, but he stopped himself, clambering up his next words.

But Naruto looked at him, eyes widened, realizing what he was about to say next, "You don't have your flowers, do you?" He realized.

As Iruka looked slightly guilty, "Well, no, it's not that—" he tried to say, but Naruto was not having any of it.

"You don't, do you?" Naruto interrupted, giving a firm glare to the person who had cared for him all this time.

"No, I don't," Iruka sighed, the information wearing on him as well. "The harvests were a lot scarcer this year, that, and since there are a lot more people for the last time. I guess I… I just didn't make the cut this time," the man spoke cheerfully, although Naruto could tell he was anxious, and he knew why.

The Flowers weren't just the symbol they were loved, they were the key to entering Valhalla, the key to making it out of this world and reuniting with your loved ones. That was likely the one thing Iruka had been looking forward to in life ever since his wife died, and now, he wouldn't even get the chance.

"I see…" Naruto said, his head low, what could he do? What should he do? This was the man who had practically raised him, giving him everything. He didn't want his last moment to remain so bitter…

A thought crossed his mind, and resolved himself to do so, tightening his fist, he spoke. "I have a flower," he spoke, obviously not thinking of the words enough. But when his meteor's head snapped upward to gaze at him he elaborated."I have an extra flower I can give you," he told him.

And at that, his master was more reluctant at the thought, "Naruto, you know those flowers are only supposed to be given by children," he spoke, but Naruto wasn't having any of it.

The blonde shook his head, "No, they're only supposed to be given by children, it's not outright stated in our goddess's words. And besides, I'm a child, and you were loved by me, so it still counts," he argued, and the man started to see his reasoning. The flowers were meant to be given that they had impacted someone, impacted the next generation, and that they were loved enough to do so. He could see that Naruto wasn't joking, that he truly did love him, almost like how a child would love an elder brother or even a parent. That thought truly touched him, more than words ever could.

But even still, he was more than skeptical, this went too far into the grey area their goddess instructed, something he always tried to avoid.

Their goddess, Skadi-sama, the last deity of the Norse pantheon, the ruler of the Ice Queendom, and benevolent keeper of the villages. She was the one who had protected them from the evil giants that lay outside, and all she asked was that they never leave the village in doing so. Aside from that, she also sent out her Envoys, carriers of her will to take them personally out to Valhalla when they died.

This was known as 'The Ordained Day', the one day a year given out to them by their goddess as the day they entered Vallahala. Of course, there were stipulations to such a ceremony, as not everyone could partake in it. So, the task was given to the eldest among them, as if one were fifteen years of age without child they would be escorted out of the village. The same would happen ten years later should a fifteen-year-old have a child so they could raise them.

Such was the mercy of their goddess.

But even so, it was a bittersweet feeling, as those who remained still lost their loved ones for a time. And should they not get flowers to show that they were loved, they would not be able to enter the gates of the heavens. Forcing them to wander lifelessly along the early for all of eternity. Something nobody wanted within their lifetime.

And as such, Naruto could not allow the scarred man he cared for to live such an abhorred afterlife, that's why, he wasn't taking no for an answer. Walking back into his bedroom, he picked up the single purple flower he held for himself, resolving himself to not allow his mentor and friend to go through such a fate. Grasping onto the container as he walked back towards the scarred man.

"Here, take it!" he told him, pushing the vase into the man's empty hands. Iruka was too surprised more than anything to react as he did so.

But even still he tried to argue, "But Naruto to–" he tried to say.

"I said take it," Naruto nearly yelled to get his point across, pushing the man out of the building and towards his front door. "Now get out of here, it's getting late, you should get to bed," he told him, nearly throwing the man out of his home.

Iruka was left stunned, gazing at the singular flower in his palms, the one thing he had yearned for in the last year of living. A small portion of him still felt the slight amount of fear gazing upon the plant, realizing he may incur the escorts, and maybe even the goddess herself's wrath. But, at the same time, he couldn't help but feel tempted to use them. "Thanks, Naruto," he spoke, grateful for the opportunity to talk with his wife once again, even if it were to be only for a moment.

"Your welcome, Iruka," Naruto smiled, as he began to close the wooden door to his house, before he gave his scarred mentor a final smile, one as a last goodbye. "Just be sure to enjoy Valhalla when you get there," he spoke. He needed to…

For the both of them.

XXX

The next day.

Waking up on the ordained day was a strange feeling, especially if you knew it to be the day you were going to die.

Had he been from proper history, he would have likened the feeling to that of a prisoner knowing of his execution. He felt reserved, knowing that he was going to die. Nothing he could do would stop it, and he was powerless to do so. Only the feeling was even more immense as it was also the day many others ended up dying as well, familiar faces, and people he never imagined doing so just years prior.

But even still, he couldn't help but treat the day like normal. He got up, made his bed, and even tidied up his home for what would be the last time. He had to, as even if he were to never enter the small shack he called his home for over a decade, others would soon after. That was the way things went in Village 23, as once a home was excavated it would soon be occupied once again.

Walking along the dirt road of the town, he couldn't help but feel some kind of nostalgia. While he may not have been treated as fairly as others had, that did not mean he would say he had a poor childhood, at least not entirely. He still had moments of happiness, joy, and laughter; places he got to go to with loved ones, and people he got to see with a smile.

Kakashi was one of those people he recalled with fondness, as while Iruka was like an older brother figure, the scarecrow was almost like that of a father. Teaching him how to be a man, how to harvest crops for his village, how to repair his home, and that of Gerda's as well. It was with a slight pang of guilt he felt, mainly at the fact he had not been able to impart said wisdom to anyone but his younger sister figure.

The meals he shared with Ayame, and the overall wellness tips he learned from Shizune, these were things he enjoyed as well. Even Gerda was someone he cherished within his lifetime, and wouldn't give up their relationship for the world.

It was a shame that he wouldn't be seeing her up in Vallhala when her time inevitably came, as he knew the face he would be forced to live in his afterlife. He hoped she would understand the situation he had to face, even if she felt angry at him for what he decided.

Not that he would be seeing her again, she was a good girl, after all. He had instructed her not to visit him and she would likely do so; that would be a good quality for her to have. It made her likable, if a bit naive, it would serve to get her many friends to comfort her in her time of need. That was all he could ever ask for.

Walking near the village gate, it was as if a heavy weight had been placed along the rim of his shoulders. He could tell he wasn't the only one, as the other adults who had met their time were feeling the same. Even Iruka, who he could see off in the distance; didn't make any attempts to see that man again, he had already said his final farewell, even if Iruka didn't know it.

It was an odd feeling, as none of the chosen people around him were any close to his age, meaning all those of his generation had children. And he was being put up with those who had lived ten years his senior. He didn't know how to feel about that, and honestly, he was too engrossed in thought to ascertain the current moment.

He did, however, hear the ethereal voice calling out to them all, like a harbinger, resigning them to all their fates. The very heavens above spoke aloud to them…

[Humans.] A feminine voice spoke, and all of them could tell that she was strictly not of the earth in nature. [O humans, today is the ordained day. O humans, today is the day your lives shall be taken.] She sang in a strangely sweet tone that was somehow eerie at the same time.

[Know that this is an act of love. Know that through this act, the last remaining deity– the goddess– extends her hand to you, out of love.] it spoke, comforting many of them who stood near, praying to the goddess above. But, for some strange reason, Naruto was far less calm. [O humans, bow your heads. Give thanks to the ice, the snow, and the light.] Why didn't he feel soothed by the Valkyrie's voice?

Nevertheless, as they usually did, the children began praying as well. "Envoy! O envoy! O glorious Valkyrie, gleaming bright. Please take the grown-ups with you!" they cried out. "They followed all of the Goddess's teachings and raised us! The ones who couldn't raise us until they were fourteen! None of them are bad people! So, please… Please take them with you to Valhalla!"

Light began soon overtaking them, blinding all that could see as they were forced to shield their vision.

As the light dissipated, a woman began to be seen by them all. She was adorned in pure white clothing, a white good, a white feather-like dress, even her skin seemed to be the color of snow, with pale blonde hair the color of sand. Wings adorned her back, and she also had on an ornate shield and wristband over her arms to show she was capable of combat. Honestly, the only thing that wasn't the colorless color were her eyes, red crimson, emotionless eyes peeked out at them.

He idly wondered why that was; shouldn't the Valkyrie feel happy to enact their purpose? To escort humans to their heavens, shouldn't they seem at all affected by it? Why didn't she look at them with sadness or even empathy? They were the children of the gods after all, should they be showing something to them in their final moments?

Her pale lips opened, forming words, he wasn't any at the least comforted by them. [O humans, rejoice. I shall open the great gate for you, in accordance with divine law. Walk through it. Do not hesitate. Meet your end as sacrifices to the giants. Do that, and your souls shall be taken to the Hall of Warriors, though you have never known battle. Rejoice, humans, and be glad. This is love, bestowed upon you by the one true Goddess.]

His fellow grown-ups prayed to her, shouting. "Thank you, O envoy. We are endlessly grateful for the blessings you and the Goddess have bestowed upon us. We will go to meet our end. Please, open the gate for us…"

The Envoy answered them, [...Very well, it shall be done. And so, your lives shall end!]

With her words the gates did so, releasing a cold wind of air into the warm village as they opened. Many of them were forced to shield their faces from the view, but soon, reality came onto them. Outside was a harsh wasteland of nothing but snow and ice, not like that of the Scandinavian villages at all.

But, if one were to look closely, they would see the man titans, ravenous beasts, standing tall upon the snow ground. Masks over their faces… the Frost Giants. Many of them realized, and the ones who would surely spell their doom should they catch a whiff of them. Surely, none of them would go out there, how could they, why would they?

Unfortunately, it was with resigned footsteps that each of them did so, the children cheered, as if they weren't sending off their loved ones to their inevitable fates. Naruto too, was amongst the crowd.

After all…

It had been all they had ever known.

XXX

It was cold.

Very cold, like nothing he had ever felt before in the warmth of his cozy village. There was ice and snow, it was a desolate wasteland. The people amongst the chosen few walked in a bitter silence, the only words that were spoken were the few silent prayers of the more faithful.

It was like Iruka said, this year's generation was a lot larger than previous ones, with about ten–No, twenty people walking along the snow-filled path. Most were silent among them, he could see Iruka was much the same in that regard, already accepting his fate as he clutched onto his lone flower, waiting for his eventual fate to see his beloved once again. Many of those in the crowd were as well, hope within their eyes that they would be reunited in Valhalla with those they cared about.

In all honestly, it wasn't as if Naruto hadn't been among those ready to see the people they loved, Kakashi, Shizune, and Ayame. He had never known his parents, never got the chance to, but in some ways, if he ever got the chance to reunite with them up in the heavens. He wondered what they were like, having never gotten the chance to meet them himself. If they were kind, if they were rotten… if they loved him.

Sadly, he knew he would never get the chance, having given up his own flower, proof that he was loved, to his mentor figure so he would get that very chance he yearned for.

But who knows, maybe floating around the planet for all of eternity wouldn't be so bad? He could observe the other villagers, watch people he cared about, and see places he had never even imagined seeing before. It was almost like what Gerda had talked about, rushing off out of the village for more flowers of remembrance she had heard people talk about. He stopped her of course, managing to placate those desires somewhat. But perhaps there was truth to those old stories the young girl had spoken of. He certainly would have the chance to find out.

Wishful thinking, he supposed. He didn't know what to think in his final moments. Should he be sad that he was dying? Should he feel happy that his life was at an end? Should he feel content with dying in the arms of a loved one like some of the nearby couples were doing? Should he pray to the Goddess of her supposed 'love'?

He didn't know, he didn't feel like doing any of those things.

Boom. Boom. Boom

Loud rumbles were heard throughout the pearl-white clearing, they all knew exactly what they were. The once-frozen statues that stood lifelessly off in the distance, much like a tree, suddenly awoke with a fervent life.

He watched them move. They were the Joutenn, those known as Frost giants to their people. Beings with impressive height, strength, and statures, are said to inhabit the land outside the 100 hundred villages. Mindless beast, made of ice and snow, only said to do one thing… kill.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Yes, these things hungered for human flesh, hungered to kill all those who lived, hungered for destruction. There were stories, tales told by parents, that haunted kids in their sleep. Like a tale a mother would tell to quell a routy child, or a father might say to get his kid to behave. Not that he had ever been told as such, but in all honesty, he didn't 100% believe in them either, like the tooth fairy, or an easter bunny, or even the queen of England. They just were something to scare people in obedience, or something to explain a father bringing his kid that magical joy.

But no, the Frost giants were obviously very real, and very deadly, their steps echoing like thunder across the snow-covered ground. They walked slowly, at a brisk pace, yet that was added to by their massive size, allowing them to travel vast distances rather quickly given the length of their legs.

But even still, nobody ran, nobody cowered at their sight, although some of them did close their eyes rather tightly, shutting them closed in some futile attempt to shut out the world around them. Hoping for a quick death, so that they might eventually react to Vallhala.

Naruto was not like them, he saw all of the frost giants walking towards them slowly, number in five, with more to come, each with strange masks upon their face.

Boom.

One of the more exuberant giants was slightly ahead of the pack, and soon, it wouldn't take long for them to reach them.

None of them moved. How could they? After all, what hope did they have against such a monumental force?

They were titans, gigantic in size and strength. And they were lowly village people, incapable of even fighting.

Who would be the first to fall? Who would be the first to be crushed under the giant's feet? He knew he saw it before his very eyes, the sight moving to him in slow motion.

Boom.

As the beasts trampled upon their first victim. It was strange, first they were there, standing still, lifeless, as they were still on the ground. Then the next moment, it was as if a wall hand closed in behind them, blocking out his vision of the man's entirety.

He knew that man, as a scream echoed throughout the snow-filled clearing.

Boom.

"Iruka!" he soon realized it was his own, his howl emanating from his very lips. That's who died, that's who was the first to fall among them.

Surely, this must not be true? Surely the person who nearly raised him wasn't dead? He couldn't be, could he?

A test! This had to be a test, right? Their goddess said she loved them, she said she cared for them, she couldn't be lying could she? Then why? Why were they being killed? Why were they being sent off to this slaughter? It just didn't make any sense— it didn't!

There had to be something… anything?! That would make it so this wasn't real, it had to be.

But as the frost giant moved on, revealing Iruka's trampled body. His limps were smashed, his torso broken, and his face was all but recognizable. Reality began to dawn upon him, as others were soon to follow.

He was helpless to stop them, he couldn't, no matter how hard he tried. His legs just wouldn't move, why wouldn't he move? He wanted to stop them, to make the slaughter end, he tried so hard, yet he couldn't move, the frost giants crushing each person as they did so, and he was unable to stop them.

And soon, it would be his time to die as well, as he saw one of the Jotunn walk up to him. Its fist was raised high up into the air. Thunder sounded… how could the goddess allow this?

Why?

That was his final thought, as the frost giant struck down upon him, unable to move, how could he? It had been all he had ever known.

XXX

"Are you seriously just going to stand there, human?" A mighty voice spoke, as he opened his cerulean eyes. What had happened? Where was he?

Was he dead? No, he didn't feel dead. Merely unconscious.

It felt like he had awoken that day for the second time, as he began to observe what exactly was around him. He was in a cavern, a dark sewer-like area, with strange metallic cylinders stretching across the ceiling, transporting something all around him.

That's when he saw it… a giant floating red orb, so large, so powerful, as a stilted pupil stared at him, he was shocked, unable to comprehend what he was seeing. That's when a voice spoke to him, "What's this? Are you going to tremble in fear before me?" it spoke from within the shadows, he was unable to see what exactly it was. As a second lone eye revealed itself, equal to the first, as it stared keenly at him.

Surprisingly, his voice was able to reach him, somehow. "W-who are you?" he couldn't help but stutter out in surprise, unable to comprehend just what he was seeing. It was as if this lone beast dwarfed the already ginormous frost giants he had seen just moments prior, its monumental size being like that of a small mountain, easily trumping his own stature in size.

"Ah, there is some of that fiery potential I saw before, as for my identity?" it spoke, its voice entirely demonic in nature, like an earthquake, or a tsunami. Something that was utterly not of this earth in nature, as it stemmed only from destruction.

As it showed itself, a giant, monumentous Fox, easily dwarfing that of his smaller size, so much so that there was no comparison. Its ears were long, and pointed, almost like that of a rabbit, although this was decidedly not as cute or harmless. Its slitted eyes stared out at him with a wisdom he had not likely ever seen before. A great number of tails swished from behind, nine in total, almost like a fire, ready to slash and smash down entire buildings as it did so.

"I am the beast of destruction, I am the entity mothers tell their children off to scare them off as their husbands fear me just the same. I am the beast of fire and rubble. I am the one who slays gods and that blasted All-Father. I yearn for chaos, for a change anew, and I cause cataclysm over the entire world… I am Fenrir, the slayer of the gods. And the one that blasted Surtr stole my powers from." Kurama spoke, its nine-tails swishing around in chaos, as he began to look at him. "And I can see, you are the one I yearn for, one who desires the same kind of destruction as me!" he spoke, as Naruto's eyes widened.

"W-what! I don't I–" he tried to say, but the beast cut him off.

"Do not try to deny it, I have seen your heart itself, you desire carnage, you desire change. You desire the blood of your goddess in your palms as she has forsaken you," it spoke, showing visions of her at his feet.

"I-I" Naruto tried to stutter out, tried to deny what the fox was saying. But, as he remembered Iruka's mangled body lying along the cold ground realization dawned upon him. That was the fate of Kakashi, and Shizune, and Ayame, and so many others. Had his parents suffered the same fate? Is that why they had forsaken him?

Yes, he had been forsaken, not by his parents, or even by any of his loved ones… it had been her! She had forsaken him, the goddess they worshipped. He tightened his grip, so much so that blood dripped from his palms.

Kurama could see it in his eyes, that burning hate, that desire for vengeance, "Yes… Accept my power, and perform your duty." he ordered, he had been waiting for one of these pathetic humans to get angry, get rage, do something! Ever since that blasted fire giant had taken his powers, nearly devouring him, he had been unable to manifest himself, left within this pathetic state of his. Being left to wander the world without a try body, alas, it seemed he needed a host, one with a desire much like him.

And with Naruto, he would get his revenge, and he would devour anything!

XXX

Pain engulfed his entire body, as he lay atop the cold snow-covered ground, his tunic ripped to shreds, his shoes being left torn, and his pants ravaged and cut down in length. He felt his arms and legs had fractures, his ribs were broken, and he could feel at least some level of internal bleeding within his chest.

Yet, a burning fire coursed through his veins, steam engulfing his injuries… and he could feel his body being melded together like iron would mix with iron.

Naruto's eyes awoke for what felt like a final time, red orbs with slitted pupils within his eye sockets rose with clarity, an honest sensation he had not felt in his entire life. He could see bones and flesh smashed to pieces, the snow stained red, their murderers still flocking towards the scene. They were put into a vast slumber as the heat signatures they once sensed were drowned out as the snow cooled them down. His own warmth had been drowned out as well. Reignited within his awakening like a second ember to awaken his flame.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

But as he awoke so too did the frost giants, which had previously been put to slumber in the wake of their slaughter. Their giant thunder footsteps were drowned out by the sound of his own inner flames as he stood up.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

His canines grew longer with his awakening as well, his whisker marks darkening. And as he gazed up at the frozen monster, he entered his arm, claws forming at his fingertips.

Tens of the frost giants closed in on him, hungering for his warmth.

Boom. Boom. Boo–

Slash.

He swiped his fingers, the frost giants' chests crumbling as he did so, red energy engulfing his palm. All of them fell, his new power instantly overwhelming each of the Titans.

He felt nothing, nothing at all. Slaying those who killed off his loved ones and fellow village members

But, he did feel rage, anger at those who had forsaken his people… anger at their goddess.

And, looking off in the distance, he knew exactly where to find her!

XXX

Within Skadi's castle.

"Skadi-sama, is there something wrong?" one of the three remaining valkyries spoke. A girl much like her escort in Villgae 23, Thrud, the sister of strength, and given she was the most restrained and observant of the three, it was no wonder she could see the subtle change in expression upon her queen's lips.

Scathach-Skadi, the ice queen, the frozen goddess, and the final God of the Norse pantheon. She went by many names and was worshiped by many in her world of the Norse Scandinavian lostbelt, the place of both ice and fire.

To put it simply her appearance was quite beautiful, only perfect, with long, luscious purple hair that flowed down her back. She wore an ornate princess-like dress of the same color. In fact, apart from her silver tiara that lay across her head, and her cold and stern crimson eyes, everything else on her body was purple. Including her stockings, shoes, and collar across her neck; as her skin was pale as snow.

The queen frowned, so 'that' had shown itself. She wondered when it would, always hiding out in its spiritual form, never sticking around for too long to allow her to go and capture it. And it seemed the beast had taken in one of her children… this would not stand.

End chapter.

This was supposed to be a one-shot, but I got lazy, kind of like writing this Author's note.

Skadi is also best girl, real tragedy what happened to her all things considered.

She also came home on her most recent banner, in just 3 rolls, nice.

Please leave me lots and lots of NICE reviews.