Disclaimer: I don't own either Naruto or Isekai no Seikishi Monogatari/Tenchi Muyo: War on Geminar.
Taking a deep calming breath Naruto slowly relaxed his muscles as he allowed himself to drift away day dreaming of a better life elsewhere.
Deciding he needed a change of pace, he simply found somewhere to lay trying to allow all the stress to leave him.
He hadn't any better idea on what to do when he was bereft of all types of civilization.
Clearing his mind he spread apart his arms allowing his fingers to dig indents into the ground relishing the feel of the earth.
Bobbing his feet into the water feeling the cool sensation he smilled to himself feeling far to child like at the moment.
Glancing around feeling the foliage move underneath him he was a tad confused when it stopped for no apparent reason.
Humming to himself he thought about it for a second.
A light bulb going off in his head he nodded before silently uttering. "I wasn't...channeling chakra..intentionally. But subconsciously...it responded...to my desire..for comfort." He said mumbling feeling around adjusting to gain the maximum effect.
He had quite the amount of time to himself along with tutors who had their own perspectives on chakra. It shouldn't come as a suprise if he could deduce a reason from his own chakra in seconds.
Opening his eyes he took in the vibrant colors not really focusing all that much as he idly glanced at the new vines on the tree shading him.
Sitting up a tad he glanced at the clear water tracking the fish as he got up. Taking a single step upon the water making no ripples he saw the fish scatter.
Walking until he was in the middle of the stream he slowly got into a Toad Kata.
Slowly going through the motions he practiced his form silently feeling even more stress leave as he did so without any thoughts. The form already ingrained in him becoming second nature.
Sweat dripping from his form as he gave his 100% Naruto pushed harder uncaring of the pain. Infact it stimulated him to go futher feeling the ache.
Slowing down as he came off the high he pulled back his hand as he sat down on the water panting like a dog placing his hands to together.
Glancing in the water as he caught his breath he looked down into the blue depths as he closed his eyes before dropping into it.
Pulling back up throughly wet, he swam to land shaking his head trying to get the bangs out of his eyes failing.
'I really really need a hair cut.' He thought amused face planting in the overgrown fauna.
He hadn't had one in more than a year and it showed especially considering he wasn't a normal human.
'Pervy Sages hair jutsu would be really handy now.' He thought reminiscing on the past a bit.
Turning around smilling his face twitched catching something appearing just out of his vision. Large, casting a shadow over him as it passed he glanced at it in deep awe wondering what the fuck he was looking at.
Excuse his profanity but it was simply that mind boggling. Not a single time had he been in this place had anything shocked him so.
Neither the weird plants, the mutant looking animals or the weird energy.
Afterall how did you compare any of those to a literal flying mass of land?!
Looking at it in a daze for a moment as it moved over him he shook his head before relaxing deciding to ignore it as best as he could.
He was sure if he did so it would go away and leave him be. He was only a tiny blimp in a massive forest afterall. It was impossible for him to be seen by it.
Making himself comfortable again he entered a zen like state neither completely aware or completely asleep passively drawing in energy combining it with his chakra.
Breathing out heralding the arrival of sage mode he thought to himself how much quicker he got at moving in and out of it.
He wasn't sure why that was really. Did it have something to do with the energy of this place or him being a forest bum?
"A question... for... another day" He said sneezing as he sensed tiny bits of movement around him.
Opening his eyes he blinked as he saw numerous amounts white furry rat/squirrel creatures with two tails surrounding him.
Seeing them play around him chasing each other, and rolling around in the raised foliage he idly wondered if he could get a disease from them.
They looked a awful a lot like rats afterall.
Of course he was only joking having seen these little creatures around before as he laid down done investigating the disturbance.
Though his face twitched again sensing movement far away heavier and distinctly human in nature.
Not wanting to deal with anyone Naruto crawled towards the stream before laying on his back as he allowed it to carry him down.
"I'm sure whoever it is isn't here for me." He said coping already being able to tell the familar footsteps.
Hearing the footsteps follow him and get closer he sighed saying nothing when they reached easily keeping pace with him.
"..."
"..."
"Uzumaki san?"
"Lashara."
"May we talk?"
"We are."
"Preferably stationary please." She said smilling down at the annoyed pout.
She was taking extra care to observe his actions as she found more and more things to point to him being human. She needed to make sure before she went any futher.
Wading out of the water and lying on his bareback Naruto grunted, feeling the itchy grass on his back through his torn shirt before saying, " You wanted..to speak..with me?"
He was suprised she was even back considering everything to be honest. Yes it certainly wouldn't be unusual to treat it all as a bad dream.
Though he already had the inkling that both her and her companion weren't ordinary.
Fliching deeply feeling a hand touch his head, he froze at the foreign feeling as his head was lifted and placed upon her lap accompanied with a "You shouldn't do that. It's bad for your hair."
Looking down at the red blush dashing his cheeks smilling, Lashara wondered how a soft approach would work on someone so strong.
Looking at the scratches on his body and his ripped pants she frowned however.
Heart beating rapidly Naruto said nothing a bit embarrassed not wanting to open his mouth and speak gibberish.
Opening his eyes quickly sensing movement he quickly pinned down the hand mid air looking at it in confusion.
Heart beating at the intensity of the glare, feeling the power behind it Lashara pushed through feeling a breakthrough saying "May I?" smilling cutely acting obviously.
It would not do to be stopped by her nerves now would it? He clearly had no wish to harm her so she beat back her instincts and used reasoning and intelligence to move foward.
Just because something seemed scary didn't mean it was and it would be pivotal to remember this if she wanted to form any kind of relationship with him.
Naruto simply looking at the hand glanced between it and her nodding.
Looking at the descending hand heart beating Naruto squinted his eyes in shyness anticipating the movement.
"Mhrg?" He said opening them back when he felt nothing his face twisting in menace before falling in embarrassment seeing the suprised look on her face.
'Ah. There goes my reputation. If I even had any.' He thought turning around in her lap facing away wishing to be struck down quickly.
What next torture would he be subjected to?
Lashara still paused looking at him couldn't help but think 'Cute' as she rested her hand onto his head.
Feeling him stiffen before relaxing shaking she smiled sadly remebering exactly what he said to her before.
'I wonder how long he's been here?' She thought sighing knowing being completely alone with no human contact of any kind wasn't good at all.
Especially for people who were still devolping like them.
"Uzumaki san?" She said towards him wanting to talk about their past meeting.
However she lowered her head hearing him mumble saying "I can't hear you. Please speak up Uzumaki san."
"I said..you can...call me Naruto."
"Ah! Naruto then!" She said happy seeing him open up.
She hardly did anything yet so it was suprising to her.
"Well Na-ru-to. I wanted to apologize for both mine and Chiaia's behavior yesterday." She said slowing her rubbing.
"It's alright. You were..scared." Naruto said reluctantly when he felt her slowing the rubs. They felt really good afterall.
He knew it wasn't something to mind too much after some time to think about it.
It was just one of those things you needed hindsight or wisdom for unfortunately.
Lashara shook her head slowly as she rebutted him."It was a high tense situation so we were still jumpy after being chased and caught. While we were a bit scared of you for sure? It was more suprise than anything else."
Looking at him she concluded saying "And still you saved us from being captured by that Seikijin. You did not deserve to be treated such a way. So I hope you accept my apology."
She needed to clear the air. If this continued to fester they wouldn't get anywhere and it would just make them miserable.
Thinking about it Naruto nodded not because he agreed but because she seemed to be the stubborn type.
While they were on the topic of apologies...
"I also... apologize. For my last... words to you. " He said sincerely knowing exactly how they came out at the time. He had been blaming them somewhat back then to. And his tone reflected it.
Seeing him apologize Lashara eyes lit up a bit. She did not think he was in the wrong for saying the words to her though they still hurt but the fact that he apologized for it showed quite a bit of the person he was.
"Thank you Naruto, it means much. Truly. Now have you eaten as of yet? Lunch should be served soon and I would like you to dine with me." She said plotting to get him aboard the Swan.
Naruto tilted his head and said "Want me to catch lunch?" glancing at the body of water.
Blue eyes lighting up as she smiled she said " Actually~ I was thinking of treating you, instead of it being the other way around. Honestly Naruto why are you so keen on doing everthing? Do you think me useless?" She said her tone getting a bit sad at the end.
Shaking his head in denial he said." No no it's...just I'm used...to doing everything...myself."
He did not want her to think he thought her useless of any kind. Those head rubs were a deadly weapon afterall.
Laughing at him taking her seriously she simply said "It's just a joke Naruto! Lighten up." As she got up trying to tug him up with her failing.
Rolling his eyes he allowed her to pull him up as she fell back on her but do to change in weight.
Glaring at his smilling face hearing the "It's just..a joke" she turned her nose up at him dusting her self off as she tried to leave him as he easily caught up smilling.
Glancing at him her eyes widened a bit seeing him offer his hand to her looking away.
Glancing at him smilling she said "Quite the gentleman." As she looped her arm in his leading him to a red Seikijin a bit of ways away.
Looking at the robot/mech intrigued Naruto said nothing wondering who was piloting it.
"Naruto? Won't you say hello to Chiaia?" Lashara said stepping upon the palm as they took off.
Naruto pausing his observation as they took off caught on as he looked to the cockpit suprised saying "Chiaia? Hello?"
He really should have known the red highlights of the mecha were a complete give away. Though it was still suprising to him afterall he hadn't quite seen her in a position of power yet.
The Seikijin stopping a tad sent a short jerky wave somehow conveying embarrassment with its other unoccupied hand before continuing it's course to the swan.
"You two...aren't normal huh?" Naruto said smilling looking to and fro Lashara and Chiaia.
"I'm afraid so Naruto. You sure a normal boy like you can handle it? I won't hold it against you if it becomes to much for you." Lashara said slyly enjoying the wind in her hair.
"Hmm? Normal is ...overrated." He said smilling his eyes roaving over the floating land.
Landing down on top of the Swan Naruto climbed down from the hand extending a hand for Lashara getting a smile as he helped her down.
"What is this... place Lashara?" Naruto said looking around at the stationary island.
"The Swan is a floating airship that belongs to me. I suppose you can all it a mini nation if you will." Lashara said glancing towards her servants approaching as Chiaia left the Seikijin.
'Ship? How is this a ship?' Naruto thought in confusion.
Naruto looking towards the red head in skin tight suit looked away for a bit before looking again saying" Chiaia? It's good to see you."
"...Uzumaki san it's good to see you aswell and I apologize. " She said bowing.
"..." Scratching his head wondering if he was going to go through with this again he said "It's alright. And call... me Naruto. I think...we are...friends no?"
Looking up at him Chiaia nodded with a smile saying " Of course! I'd be honored!"
It would be amazing to have such a powerful person as a friend. In fact she was even thinking of asking him to spar later.
"Ahem!" Lashara said getting both a confused Naruto's and embarrassed Chiaia's attention.
"Naruto? These are my attendants Mahya, Angela and Vanessa. They will take care of you so you may dine with me." She said watching for his reaction.
She was ready to pull back if he showed any signs of denial.
Tilting his head in confusion shrinking back at the sight of the quickly approaching attendants he said " What do you.. mean by 'take care.. of me'...exactly??"
"Thank you for rescuing our Queen Sir Naruto. I am Vanessa" The girl with light pink hair and yellow eyes said as she performed a curtsy.
"I am Angela, and we are in your debt!" The next one with brown hair and eyes following her example.
"And please allow us to take care of you!" They said simultaneously.
Looking around a bit uncomfortable he glanced at the older attendant walking behind them as she performed a curtsy and said "I am Mahya. Lashara sama's oldest attendant. Thank you for your hard work Sir Naruto. I mean no disrespect but please allow these two to attend to you. You deserve a attire meant for one of your standing and befitting a dining amongst a Queen."
Blinking trying to take it all in Naruto looked down at his ripped clothing wondering if he should be offended.
"Queen???" However one thing stuck at him as he glanced at Lashara deeply confused.
"I suppose it was time I properly introduced myself. We are Lashara Earth XXVIII, Queen of the Shitoreiyu Empire. How do you do?" She said pinching her skirt barely bowing.
Numb Naruto said nothing as he looked foward nodding towards the 2 girls as they smiled and dragged him away.
Watching them leave Mahya looked through squinted eyes.
"You've picked up quite the dangerous thing Lashara sama. I trust you know what your doing?" She said lowly glancing down at her.
And what a understatement it was. She fought numerous of bloody battles and won most. That was how she was still standing here today afterall. However she could tell that child was simply not of this world.
"Of course! Is there no doubt?!" Lashara said putting her hands on her hips raising a brow.
Shaking her head Mahya sighed before she went to check on the servants preparing lunch lamenting not being able to monitor those girls.
Afterall it would be there first time attending to someone other than there Seikishi and Queen.
And to be a handsome male no less? It was bound to be trouble.
"Were you scared when you saved Lashara sama Naruto?" Vanessa said wanting his thoughts on the matter as the brought him through the Swan.
They were quite a bit of ways to get there so might as well make small talk on the way.
"Scared? Not...really." He said shaking his head. That was perhaps one of the farthest things from his mind at the time.
Angela listenting in said " You must be a really strong Seikishi then Naruto! Wahanly said that white Seikijin was extremely strong! The strongest she fought yet! And for you to triumph over them?...I'm more suprised we never heard of you before." She trailed of in confusion.
Male Seikishi. Good ones anyways were always well known. That's why none were well known now because none were all that good being outclassed by their female counterparts.
Getting a head nod from Vanessa she looked towards the handsome boy saying " Where are from Naruto?" as they neared the washroom.
Having stayed silent seeing where the conversation was going Naruto eyes jumped around for a bit before he slowly said " Ah. It's pretty far. You've probably never heard of it. Don't worry."
Both girls glancing at each other recognizing the phrase said in complete certainty" Ah Naruto. You came from another world huh!"
Freezing he looked at them in shock his mind blanking as his breathing sped up.
Vanessa feeling deeply amused at his cute expression said "Well every child here are told stories of otherworlders. While not common, you guys aren't exactly rare. Wahanly for example too comes from another world."
Angela taking over said "What you said is a common phrase told in stories when you all try to hide your identity. It worked in the past but now it's a pretty quick indicator to point you out!"
Looking at the blanked face boy they giggled to each other as they both took a arm dragging him inside.
"I think we broke him!~" Vanessa said poking his face feeling the squishy flesh.
"Definitely broke him!" Angela said pulling down his pants trying to do the same with his boxers as they unfortunately were in a iron grip the boy having presence of mine to protect his dignity.
'Ah! Mahya sama will kill me if she saw me trying to take a peek!' She thought blushing as she glanced at Vanessa both giggling as she gave up.
Feeling the water Naruto quickly came too glancing in panic feeling his body being washed.
"What...are you..doing!" He said quickly slapping away the hands as he took deep a deep breath at the massive amounts of shock and embarrassment at the situation.
He hated how good it felt, feeling like he would lose something very important if he just sat there and took it.
"Ah don't be shy Naruto! You have nothing to be ashamed of, you're very well built! We've attended to many people before! We're professionals. Angela said trying to continue getting a hand slap each time.
"You should listen to your elders Naruto. Let your big sisters take care of you! You don't want to be dirty afterall? " Vanessa said attacking from behind soaping his chest.
"I'm perfectly...aware on how...to bath! Thank you!" He said his ears burning at these pretty older girls trying to wash him.
He had dignity dammit!
Seeing they were countered every time they both sighed knowing they wouldn't get anywhere soon.
"All right. All right. We'll leave you to it but! We will be taking care of everything else. You got that buster?" Vanessa said placing a hand on her hips as she left along with Angela.
Sighing in relief Naruto got to washing himself stopping a bit to take off the last article of clothing before continuing making sure to get every nook.
'While I'm sure it would be nice to get washed by 2 pretty girls. I doubt my heart could take it.' He thought soaping up himself.
He just came from 3 years of long solitude. Less if you counted the seldom appearance of toads. He was not equiped to handle such attention and had to remove himself from the situation.
Ducking under water he glanced around at the wall a bit amazed. Even back home he hadn't quite been in a place like this.
'Should I say as expected of a Queen?' He thought remebering what Lashara said as he closed his eyes washing his hair.
And wasn't that shocking? A girl younger than him being a queen. Was that how they did things around here? Would have been great if they did things like that back home too.
"Uzumaki Naruto...Konoha's Youngest..Hokage" Naruto snorted out laughing at the absurdity of his twelve year old self wearing the hat.
Hearing the sound resonate throughout bathroom both girls looked at each other in suprise as they came back with tools for hair cutting.
"So he can make this sound too huh?" Vanessa said smilling.
Nodding in agreement Angela glanced in the direction smilling enjoying the light laughter.
Squeezing the last bit water out of his hair as he came out taking a towel, he wiped himself off before seeing the set of boxers left nearby.
Looking down at it he wondered if he would truly die of embarrassment in this place as he reluctantly slipped it on with little choice.
'Alright this is kinda scary.' He thought realizing it was a perfect fit.
Walking out his arms were caught as he was directed to sit down in front of a mirror.
"All right Naruto! How do you want this done?" Angela said with the scissors as Vanessa combed his hair down straight.
Feeling the unruly wet mess down on his back he said "Just make me presentable and not too short."
He really hadn't the slightest clue how to cut it with any sense so he left it to them who were clearly experts.
Both girls smilling excited they immediately began to work.
Closing his eyes Naruto nearly winced at every chop feeling like the process took forever.
"Tada! Look Naruto! You became even more handsome!" She said directing him to the glass.
Blinking at the neck long hair he agreed with them finally able to see his full face.
'It's been a long time.' He thought feeling around at the changes.
Getting up he saw them bringing a set of clothes. About to reach for it he paused feeling 2 gazes on him as he dropped his hand blankly.
Looking at the smiles that quickly appeared on their faces he reluctantly allowed them to dress him.
"It seems he's learning!"
"Mhm! Handsome, smart and strong! I'm sure everyone he marries will like him quite a bit"
Fiddling with his black sleeve liking the bit of red it had Naruto glanced up in confusion hearing that as he thought ' Doesn't she mean anyone, not everyone?'
"Mmm" Vanessa said stepping back as she fixed her fingers as if taking a picture before snapping them
"Haa~. This is our best work yet. You're a real work of art now Naruto." She said as if fainting getting Angela's rapid nod in agreement.
He really looked like quite the young man dressed in the long dress pants and long sleeved shirt that were mainly black with some highlights. Even the weird eyes didn't detract much from it as they added more of a exotic flare if anything.
Looking down with a bit of red in his cheeks his lips tugged upwards he said "Thank you." sincerely.
He knew they weren't teasing now so he could feel the sincerity. He didn't remember the last time he was complimented and it felt good to hear. He really was a sucker for these kind of things.
Hopefully no one found out.
Holding back their squeals not wanting to scare him they quickly began guiding him to the dinning room as they advised him on proper manners to observe wanting to see him succeed.
"Back straight and chin tucked in Naruto!" Angela said pushing him up so he didn't slouch.
"Relax your shoulders and elbows tucked in!" Vanessa immediately placed her hands on his shoulders massaging to loosen him up.
"Avoid bending foward and sideways to much!"
"Keep eye contact it's very important!"
"Don't reach for anything ask!"
"Feet flat on the floor!"
And on they went advising him as Naruto carefully listened to their advice knowing they were helping, making the adjustments immediately having good control over his body.
"Girls? Anything...else?" He said looking towards them imploring.
Shaking there heads they watched him leave holding each other in pride seeing him gain more grace in his movements.
"They grow up so f-fast!" the pink haired Vanessa said sobbing knowing she made a hunk look like his best self to be someone else's husband. What a cruel job they had she realised.
"This agony! So this is how parents feel huh?!" Angela said seeing her baby leave.
"Ah!" Chiaia said seeing the young man walk through the door. Red faced she simply devoured the now fully revealed face the bangs no longer shadowing most of it, as the new hair cut fully brought out his features and jaw line.
Glancing down at his chest, she swallowed seeing it strain a bit against the shirt as he walked by. Smiling weakly at him when he caught her gaze with those intense eyes she quickly looked away and down, trying to calm her beating heart.
'I'm not a pervert! I just like looking at him because he saved me!' She thought quickly trying to justify it.
'I-I already like Dagmyer! I can't be looking at him like that! But I'm sure Dagmyer won't care if I look a bit right? I mean he has that girl following him all the time.' She quickly rationalized peeking at Naruto again taking him in.
She wouldn't lie and say she didn't like him afterall he saved her life and her Queen's. Not only that after getting over her previous fear of him she was rapidly realizing watching him destroy a Seikijin with his bare hands was really really...
"Pwha!" She dropped her head with a depressed blush realizing she was a hopeless pervert .
Lashara was quite suprised herself but she could already tell Naruto was quite the looker the first time they met so it wasn't that much of a suprise. " You clean up nicely Naruto. Or maybe I do? Afterall it was my idea!" She said with a hand on her chin.
That sounded pretty good to her! He should be thanking her!
Naruto shaking his head at her antics smiled saying " Yes yes...thank you, Lashara. I haven't felt...this good...in a ...while." he said slowly pulling out his chair sitting.
"Ah. Hello?" He said to the face in his face as he leaned away a bit at again another pretty girl.
"Hmm~" Wahanly said looking him up and down slowly with a blush "So you're the guy who wrecked that Seikijin huh?! And with your bare hands too?!"
'This girls a bit intense ' Naruto thought nodding once in confirmation not feeling the need to deny.
"So cool! Hey! wanna be my new lab rat?! Imagine the things we could make together with our combined power?!" She said hugging him to her face spreading out a hand as if depicting the wonderful scene.
"Ah! Ah! Chiaia stop!" She said whining feeling her ear getting pulled tears in her eyes.
Rolling her eyes Chiaia quickly threw her back in her seat sending a apologetic look towards Naruto before sitting back down herself.
"Well shall we eat?" Lashara said easily ignoring the bi play. She was hungry after all.
Everyone nodding in agreement they watched as the plates were set down as they begun digging in.
Naruto though was a bit confused as he had been reciting what the girls had told for manners. However...
'They aren't using them??' He thought looking at the 3 girls as he dug in himself.
"So Naruto there's something I wanted to ask you. The Seikijin you defeated did not have a Seikishi pilot when we looked at it. Did you perhaps take them away?" She said swallowing before asking.
'I don't know these terms but it's easy to tell what she's talking about' He thought quickly.
"No. When I was...about to...finish them off...they teleported...somehow." Naruto said explaining wondering her thoughts on it.
"Teleported?" All three girls said in confusion looking at each other.
That was new. They certainly hadn't heard of it happening before.
"How did you know they did so Naruto?" Chiaia said intrigued.
Wahanly ears perked up as well.
"Ah. I could sense... the energy leaving... before I made...contact." He said explaining his experience.
'He sensed it? Is he perhaps part dark elf like Aura somehow?' Lashara thought quickly.
She knew only they could sense ahou in the air so it was only right to assume so.
"That's a bit troubling" Wahanly said looking down at the implications.
It would be a troublesome thing to fight against because while Seikijin were expensive to make the right people still could get many.
Seikishi however and goods ones were a dime a dozen. So being able to call them back at anytime was just scary to think about.
Seeing them down Naruto tried cheering them up" The other robots... you fought did they.. do the same?"
Looking up at the strange robot term Chiaia and Lashara looked at each in confusion as Wahanly laughed saying " No no! Robots and Seikijin are very different trust me! I'll show you later if you want?"
Looking her belatedly remebering this was the otherworlder the girls talked about he nodded saying " I'll look foward.. to it."
Humming happily at the response Wahanly went back to her food.
Lashara having another question on her mind said " Naruto...are you a Seikishi? " she said getting everyone to look at him.
Naruto tilted his head shaking it before stopping shrugging.
His first thought was he couldn't be something he didn't even know existed but that was blantly untrue after he thought about.
Humming excited sure she was about to see something new she immediately stood saying " Well come with me! We'll find out right now!"