Rights to Naruto and Cradle are reserved to there original creators. I do not own either series.
Naruto stumbled through the dense, dark forest illuminated by only the straggled light of the moon, struggling to pierce the thick foliage above. His legs ached from trudging and his lungs burned with his shallow breaths. His usually spiky blonde hair laying flat and sweaty over his forehead. The trees towered over him like menacing behemoths, blocking his path with their gnarled branches and tangled roots. He struggled to move at all, as he had to weave his way through the thick undergrowth, for every movement he had to fight against dense vegetation.
The darkness, it was almost suffocating. The occasional rustle in the bushes sent a shiver of fear down Naruto's spine. He stumbled several times, his tired feet tripping over roots, legs and arms cut shallowly on stone, but still he refused to give up. Just as Naruto was questioning how much further he had to go, a sudden sound to his left made him freeze in his tracks.
The forest fell into a ghostly, deafening, silence, as if even the nocturnal creatures held their breaths in anticipation. He slowly moved his hand towards the rusty old kunai on his belt, his fingers closing around the handle. An foreign motion to his young hand. But just as he was about to pull it out, a voice suddenly spoke from the darkness.
"You're rather jumpy, aren't you?" The voice was regal and playful, layered in amusement.
Naruto quickly spun around, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of the source of the voice. The forest was black and motionless, and he could hardly make out the outlines of some trees and bushes.
Naruto's heart pounded in his chest, his grip on his kunai shook harshly as he took a step back. His mind was racing with confusion and alarm, as he strained his eyes to try and make out the source of the voice. "Who... who are you?" he managed to push out, his youthful voice betraying his anxiety.
The mysterious voice chuckled again, a sound that echoed through the quiet forest like a soft whisper. "No need to be afraid, young ninja. I'm not your enemy."
Naruto's fingers tightened back around the kunai, the cool metal of the weapon giving him a sense of security. "Then why are you sneaking up on me like this?" he asked, still on edge. "And how do you know I'm a ninja?
The voice went on, carrying a hint of playfulness. "Oh, well first I know you Naruto, You're famous! However I must say it's quite obvious you're a ninja. You carry yourself like one, and your reflexes are sharper than most, your… You're filthy, we need to get you some new clothes. As for why I am sneaking up on you, well... let's just say I love surprises."
Naruto's mind raced as he tried to make sense of the situation. The voice sounded serene and friendly enough, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. "Are you a ninja?" he asked, trying to keep a calm demeanor, which the man definitely saw straight through.
The voice laughed now, the sound held mirth and enjoyment. "Ahh, so distrusting even in the face of greatness. You could say that, yes." and then with pride "but most of all I'm a janitor, son of a great janitor, coming from a long line of janitors."
To say that Naruto was surprised was an understatement. He blinked in disbelief, struggling to comprehend the words he had just heard. "A janitor?" he repeated, his young voice filled with bewilderment. "You're... a janitor, but why are you out here, in the middle of the night, deep into a forest?"
The voice hummed his response, a jaunty tune "Yes, I suppose it does sound strange when you put it like that. But you see, I have a special talent for cleaning up messes, even in the most unexpected places. And tonight, a particularly interesting mess has led me to this forest ... and to you."
Naruto didn't know whether to be relieved or more on edge. The voice sounded playful and almost harmless, but he couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to this 'janitor' than he could tell, and it was hard to judge a man you couldn't see. "So you're not here to hurt me?" he asked, still holding on tight to the kunai.
The voice chuckled again, and with mystery. "Of course not, Naruto. I'm here simply to observe."
Naruto's grip on the kunai loosened a bit, the reassurance in the voice somewhat easing his anxieties. But he was still cautious, his young mind trying to process the situation. "But why?" he asked, a hint of suspicion in his young voice. "Why would a janitor be interested in watching me?"
The mans voice lightened "Well, have you heard the phrase 'good help is hard to find'?"
Naruto's young face turned in determination. "I will be strong!" then with a lighter soft tone he says "but I'm not now. but why do you need someone strong, and why me?"
The voice deepened a touch, as if contemplating and with a more serious vibrato he replied . "You see, Naruto, I have a long journey, absolute skill isn't what I need or what I expect. I need someone with courage and strong moral character to accompany me. Someone who can keep up with me, I can see those traits deep within you." with absolute resolve he states "But this is not an easy path, you will get stronger. and I will walk with you, to the end. So, are you willing."
Naruto contemplated the man's words. On one hand, he felt excitement stirring at the thought of being chosen for.. anything. On the other hand, he didn't fully understand what the voice was asking of him. "What kind of journey are we talking about?" he asked, his young voice curious and cautiously hopeful.
The voice contemplated this time, before responding. "A dangerous one, but worth its while. It will require all that courage you've built up. You will need to push yourself to the very brink. It won't be for nothing; you will save more people than you can imagine. Are you willing to make the sacrifices?"
Naruto's eyes shown with determination, A chance to be something. But it sounded ambitious, to say the least. "And you think I can help you with all of that?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine hope.
"Why yes, quite."
Naruto stood there, his young mind racing. The thought of being a part of something greater, fighting for something, it was both exciting and intimidating. But as he listened to the voice's words, something deep within him stirred. "Yes," he said, his voice filled with determination. "I agree. I want to be the strongest."
A man with long blond hair dulled from lack of light waited through the shadows, a mask adorning his face, he was tall and lanky. From his hand, light poked out illuminating the surrounding darkness. He looked clean, clothes expensive and fit just right, a steady royal demeanor as if he never fought a day in his life.
The voice was now filled with joy. "Alright, why isn't this wondrous! I apologize for not properly introducing us, I am Eithan, and I hope you're ready to learn. See that bear over there?" Eithan said with a short push, Naruto saw after a jarring quarter-turn, a hulking grizzly bear, which was standing on its hind legs, growling menacingly and ready to strike. He could only scream.