Unfortunately I have to extend the time between chapters even more. At the least this story will be updated once per month. My deepest apologies.

Disclaimer - I do not own Warcraft or Naruto

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Elizabeth Rivers hummed a pleasant tune as she brushed her hair. She was sitting on a log next to a campfire which bathed the small clearing in an orange glow. She took a moment to listen to the sounds of Elwynn Forest. A wolf howled in the distance. It was a clear night, the moon and stars shone beautifully above them.

If she noticed her blonde companion's death stare she didn't show it.

Naruto was glaring at her with narrowed eyes. Scanning for the smallest hint of treachery. After a half hour of this he finally broke the serene silence with a low voice. "You know of my burden, yet I've told no one."

He stood but made no other moves besides pointing an accusatory finger at the woman across from him, who had yet to look up. "Tell me what's going on. Or I'll open your throat."

This caused her to stop brushing her hair and look at him, a look of pity blemished her features. "You used to be such a happy child. What happened?"

She made no sound when a strong grip yanked on her hair, pulling her head back, revealing a perfect copy of the boy holding a knife to her throat.

"Speak, witch." The original stayed where he was fists clenched with barely restrained fury.

Beth let out a small sigh, though Naruto couldn't discern the emotion behind it. "I suppose riddles and lies were not the best way to earn favor with you. Though I am curious as to why you didn't take action sooner."

She looked down her nose at the original blonde, a small sinister smirk on her lips, "Afraid I'd kill your friends?"

The clone yanked her hair again, nearly pulling her off her seat. She felt the press of cold steel press against her neck, barely compressing the pearly white skin. Naruto walked around the fire, looming over her, his elongated fangs bared. "No, they would get in the way. I don't know your strength, I couldn't risk an engagement with potential weaknesses nearby."

She seemed pleased with the answer, her smile grew, "Yet you have no such fear about facing an unknown by yourself? Wouldn't you prefer the assistance?"

His clone released her hair but before she could regain her composure the original grasped her throat in a vice-like squeeze. He pulled her closer to his face, his eyes were flickering red, his pupils thin and predatory, "I need no one. This world is weak, I could burn it all down if I wished. But I don't, what I want is answers."

He was surprised to find tears welling up in the eyes of the woman in his grasp. Tears of joy, "It IS you. I've found you my lord Herald."

Naruto released her as if his hand had been burned, taking a step back with widened eyes. Once released Beth fell to her hands and knees and bowed low before him. She spoke quickly, her voice filled with a mixture of bliss and fear, "Forgive me for the deceit my lord! I had to be sure it was you, for I doubted the Herald would be one so young. But you see it, this world is weakened by strife and corruption! Surely your coming means salvation is nigh!"

Naruto remained silent, his mind racing. Here was the key to all his questions, yet if he denied her claims she could possibly withhold information. He had to play along. He schooled his features, and plastered a sneer on his face. "Of course I've seen it. This world will be swept clean in due time but I need answers, and you will give them to me. Am I understood?"

"Of course my lord, my knowledge is yours!" She rose, tear tracks still fresh down her cheeks, yet a grin was set firmly in place. Naruto couldn't help but be disturbed, for this was her true emotions. No longer hidden by pleasantries and manners.

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He had exhausted the woman's information after grilling her for the entire night. Beth was a Shadow Priest of some doomsday cult called the Twilight's Hammer. Sent to find him for he was the key to some ritual that would bring about the destruction of everything. She had used her void magic to discern his identity when they had shaken hands back in Booty Bay. When asked about Kyuubi's silence she claimed to know nothing about it. Only one thing came to Naruto's mind after hearing all of this. He was already over this whole thing. He wished dearly that he could just sit down with a cup of tea and sleep for a week. He still didn't know where the black flame had come from, only that it was related to this whole ordeal.

She had used Stormwind as an excuse to get him alone, which had worked spectacularly. Yet Naruto still wished to see the city as planned. Much to her displeasure. The Shadow Priest had wanted to begin the journey to her cult's hideout so the ritual could begin in earnest. Naruto placated her with lies about studying the world, before it was destroyed for curiosity's sake. So they continued their journey to the Alliance capital. The blonde quickly began wishing for the old Beth, as the new one had no qualms with showing her adoration of the young ninja. Only being silent when commanded.

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The city of Stormwind was magnificent. Compared to the other hovels Naruto had seen of course. Nothing as of yet held a candle to the Hidden Leaf Village. None the less the boy was interested in exploring a place that wasn't hostile. Beth had handled stabling their mount and renting a room at a local inn. While Naruto was more interested in exploration, the warm bath he took did its best to shackle him indoors. But he valiantly resisted.

A new set of clothes awaited him on his bed. A simple white shirt, dark blue trousers, and some brown boots. Beth had assured him his weapons and armor were being taken care of and that they would be returned by nightfall. Satisfied with this answer Naruto left the inn alone. Desiring some solitude after being with others every step of this journey.

The city was louder than Booty Bay, with even more bodies milling about the many buildings and shops. Some vendors stood outside shouting at passersby about some daily deal or rare item in stock. The sound was almost too much for the young shinobi and he made his way quickly out of the Trade District. With the help of a guard Naruto was given basic directions to each of the city's districts. With plans to visit all of them, Naruto began with Old Town. This was probably a wise choice, as the district did little to impress him. However the armor and weapons shops were interesting but the blonde found himself moving on to the next district.

The Dwarven District's air was thickened with smog that belched from forges and furnaces. Belying the dwarves' magnificent craft. Exactly what Naruto wanted. He saw a nearby shop with a gun on the sign and stepped inside.

The air was a bit cleaner in the shop but the smell of metal, and oils was still very strong. A balding dwarf stood behind the counter, his large red beard stained with soot. He wore a pair of goggles that seemed to double as spectacles. He was too busy tinkering with a flintlock pistol to notice Naruto's entrance.

The blonde looked around for a few minutes before deciding to clear his throat. This resulted in the dwarf flinching, pulling the trigger, and firing a ball of lead into the far wall, leaving a decent sized hole in the wood. The dwarf sputtered and shook away the smoke around his head, "Dammit all! I knew I shoulda checked tah see if it was loaded!"

Naruto quickly made sure his ears were still functional. The dwarf whirled around to face his newest customer with a smile that was missing some teeth. "What can I do fer ya?"

Naruto bowed respectively, "I would like to browse your guns."

The young ninja only wished to look, as he had no money to his name. The dwarf was more than happy to oblige. Having learned more about the weapons Naruto was a tad disappointed. Despite its incredible power most guns could only hold one shot before needing a lengthy reload. The boy wished there was a way to make a gun that could shoot more than one bullet. Oh well, a problem for another time.

Next was the Cathedral Square, in the years to come Naruto would look back and claim this was his favorite district, and not for the reasons one might think.

The boy sat down on a bench in front of the cathedral. Admiring the architecture and enjoying the serenity of the square. Everyone seemed to treat the area with a quiet respect that resulted in perhaps the least noisy part of the city.

"May I sit next to you?" A pretty voice asked. Naruto turned to reply but his voice was caught in his throat. A draenei girl about his age was standing next to the bench. Her eyes were a beautiful amethyst purple, while her skin was almost white save for the slight blue shade that shone when the sunlight hit her form. Her horns were curled, framing her pretty face. Her purple hair was tied in a bun, keeping it out of the way. She wore a white robe that was a size too big and carried a book that looked more like a box.

A bluish hue dusted her cheeks and she began to look uncomfortable. It was then that Naruto realized he was staring. He didn't trust his voice so he simply nodded, slowly. The girl smiled before sitting on the bench as well. Cracking her ridiculously large book open and began to read silently. Naruto quickly looked to the cobblestone at his feet, noticing in horror that a blush had crept up his own face.

He wanted to get up and continue his exploration of the city but he couldn't bring himself to get up from the bench.