A/N: If you haven't read Chapter 7 - it's a new chapter. The old chapter 7 is now 6. Also, thank you grammarly for helping me write.

Chapter 8 – Shadows

Everything felt wrong.

The world felt wrong.

The sensation was overwhelming – she was being pushed out, forced through some barrier. But from where? And why? Her tiny body struggled against the sensation, unable to understand what was happening. There was an odd sort of pressure, the feeling of being squeezed as if the world was narrowing around her.

Ah.

She understood now, or at least, she thought she did. It seemed like she was being born. Pushed out of her mother.

Yet, it made no sense at all. How could she be aware of this? How could she know what was happening? She shouldn't have the words for these thoughts, yet they came to her naturally, as though this wasn't the first time. As though she had been through this before.

When her eyes finally fluttered open, a wave of drowsiness washed over her, so heavy and overwhelming that she almost wanted to close them again. She blinked slowly, trying to push through the fog in her mind. It was challenging to focus. The world around her was dim and soft, the edges of her vision blurring as if everything were wrapped in cotton. She tried to move, but her body felt small, too small, and clumsy. She managed to crawl off the bed of straw, her tiny limbs wobbling beneath her.

The first thing she noticed was her hair, dark blue and matted against her face, blocking her vision. It stuck to her skin, wet and heavy. She pushed it aside with a steady, tiny hand, feeling its weight fall back against her neck.

Her eyes scanned the room, taking in her surroundings. The room was dimly lit – a small candle barely providing a semblance of light, the air heavy with the smell of sweat and something metallic she couldn't quite place – no, it was blood. It was a small, simple room, the walls rough and uneven, built of stone or something close to it. Her gaze shifted to the bed she had just crawled off. A woman lay there, her body slumped against the pillows, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she gasped for air.

Golden hair, damp with sweat, clung to the woman's face and neck, and her expression was one of exhaustion and pain. The woman's skin glistened with sweat, her clothes – if they could be called that – were practically nonexistent, clinging to her body in soaked rags, covering her, yet showing everything. Her face, though strained, was soft and beautiful.

She furrowed her eyebrows as she looked at the woman. Was this her mother?

The thought lingered, a strange feeling, but that sensation didn't last long. Something else had pulled her attention downward.

She glanced between the woman's legs. There, where she had expected to see a head, were feet – tiny feet, pushing out slowly, awkwardly, from the woman's body.

A breech birth.

The knowledge came to her quickly, naturally. She didn't know how she knew, but she did. It was a breech birth. The baby was coming out the wrong way. She got to her feet, instinct taking over. She didn't know why or how, but the situation felt... familiar.

She had done this before.

She had helped someone give birth before.

The thought unsettled her, but she pushed it aside as she moved closer to the bed. The woman's breathing was heavy, laboured. Her eyes, though half-lidded with pain and exhaustion, snapped open when she noticed the little girl standing beside her.

"You're doing great," the girl said, her voice surprisingly high-pitched and squeaky. It startled her, the sound of her voice. It felt wrong, mismatched. But there was no time to dwell on it.

The woman's eyes widened in surprise. "My child – Artemis," she gasped between breaths, her face contorted in pain. "How are you...?" But she trailed off, unable to finish the sentence as a deep groan escaped her throat.

Artemis. So that was her name. The knowledge felt wrong… but right at the same time. That was a weird feeling.

"You're having a breech baby," Artemis said, approaching the woman. She placed a tiny hand on the woman's abdomen, feeling the muscle tension. "But it's fine. I got you."

She pressed her hand down gently, instinct guiding her actions. But as soon as she did, she frowned. What had she expected? She stared at her tiny hand momentarily, confusion clouding her thoughts. She felt like she should be doing something more – something to fix this – but nothing happened.

The woman groaned in pain again, her body trembling with the effort.

"Just pull it out!" the woman cried, her voice strained with desperation.

Artemis hesitated. Something in the back of her mind told her that tugging the baby out wasn't the right thing to do. It felt wrong like pulling too hard would cause more harm than good. But the woman's cries grew louder, more frantic, and Artemis couldn't stand to see her suffer any longer.

She reached down, gently taking hold of the tiny feet poking out from the woman. Her fingers trembled as she gripped them, the feeling strange and unnatural. Slowly, carefully, she began to pull.

The baby slid out smoothly, and for a moment, Artemis held her breath, unsure what to expect. Her heart pounded in her chest as she watched the child emerge, the small body covered in what looked to be golden blood and fluid.

A tuft of blonde hair caught her eye as the baby let out a soft yawn, smacking his lips as though he had just woken from a long nap.

"It's a boy," Artemis said, her voice calm and steady despite the flurry of emotions swirling inside her.

The baby blinked up at her, his eyes wide and curious. Then, in the most casual tone imaginable, he spoke.

"Of course I'm a boy."

Artemis froze, her tiny hand still holding the baby. Her mind raced, trying to process what she had just heard. Babies weren't supposed to talk. Newborns weren't supposed to speak. But here he was, this tiny, freshly born boy, looking at her with those bright eyes and speaking as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Wait – she was technically a newborn too.

She blinked, her grip on the baby loosening as she handed him over to the woman.

The woman – her mother, presumably – took the baby into her arms, her expression softening as she gazed down at him. She cradled him gently, her body sagging with exhaustion now that the ordeal was over.

A sinking feeling settled in her stomach. She couldn't explain it, but she knew, deep down, that she had seen stranger things before – far stranger.

"Mhmm… that feels nice," the baby said, killing the mood.

~ ~ break ~ ~

Artemis sat quietly beneath a tree, her back pressed against the rough bark as she watched the sunlight filter through the leaves above. The air was warm, filled with the soft hum of nature around her – birds chirping, leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. She liked it here, in the quiet of the forest. It was the only place where she could genuinely escape her thoughts.

Her mother's name was Leto, and she was a Titaness. A Titaness of motherhood, to be exact. Artemis hadn't fully understood what that meant at first, but she had come to learn that it made her mother special. Different. Her mother was kind, gentle, and loving, always doting on her and her brother, Apollo.

Apollo, her younger fraternal twin brother, had been born just moments after her. He was also the opposite of Artemis in nearly every way – bright, brash, and endlessly energetic. He was also incredibly obnoxious. Artemis loved him because he was her brother, but there were times when his teasing felt like more than she could bear.

Her thoughts drifted to the latest incident, and she sighed deeply. Apollo had always been quick to mock her appearance. Every time he did, it felt like a small sting, a little wound that kept reopening. He would make fun of her dark blue hair, saying it looked like storm clouds or like she hadn't washed it in ages. Her silver eyes, which she found strange, were the worst. Apollo often commented on their slanted shape, telling her she looked like she was always half-asleep or that her eyes were too strange for anyone to find her pretty.

It hurt.

More than it should, she knew. Her mother constantly reassured her, telling her she was beautiful, and that her eyes were like the moon, radiant and bright. But no matter how many times her mother said it, Artemis couldn't help but feel the sting of her brother's words. He and her mother looked alike – both with golden hair and bright, shining golden eyes. She was the odd one out, with her dark hair and strange silver eyes. She was different, and it made her feel out of place.

There were times when she would cry, even though she tried her hardest not to. She didn't want to give Apollo the satisfaction of knowing how deeply his words affected her. But sometimes, late at night, when the world was quiet and she was left alone with her thoughts, she couldn't stop the tears from falling. It hurt enough that one day she woke up, and her hair was auburn – but her eyes stayed the same.

Why did it hurt so much?

Deep down, she knew that she had faced situations like this before – situations where she was different and didn't quite fit in. The feeling was familiar, though she couldn't place why. Every time the hurt became too much, her mind drifted to an image. A small boy with blonde hair, light blue eyes, and three strange marks on each of his cheeks. She didn't know where the image came from, but she felt a strange comfort whenever she thought of him. It was as if he were there, smiling at her, reassuring her with a look.

What name did she give him again?

Ah, Naruto.

That was it. Naruto. The name made her feel warm inside, even though she had no idea why. He didn't exist, of course. He was just a figment of her imagination, a boy she had made up to comfort herself. But still, the thought of him made her feel better. Whenever she felt like crying, she imagined him standing beside her, grinning in the way he always did in her mind, and somehow, it made the pain fade away.

But the comfort only lasted so long. Reality would always return, and with it came the confusion, the hurt, the questions she couldn't answer. Who was this boy? Why did she keep imagining him? And why did his presence feel so real, as if he had once been a part of her life, even though she knew that wasn't possible?

One day, she told her mother about the strange feelings she had been having. About how she felt like she had helped people give birth before, how the act of pulling her brother into the world felt almost natural to her, like something she had done countless times before. About how she imagined a boy and other things she saw.

Leto had smiled softly, stroking Artemis's hair as they sat together under the trees. "You probably have a domain related to children," she had said, her voice gentle. "A domain is a sphere of power. Every deity has one. Perhaps your connection to childbirth or seeing children come from your own power – maybe you have a domain related to childhood – or it could be because of my own domain, motherhood." Leto's smile grew wider as she spoke.

Artemis had nodded at her mother's words, but the explanation didn't sit quite right with her. The feelings went deeper than that. It wasn't just about childbirth or children. It was something else entirely. Something she couldn't quite understand.

Her body, her feelings, all of it conflicted with the memories and images that surfaced occasionally. There were moments when she would look at her reflection in a pool of water and feel like she didn't belong in her skin. The blue hair and the silver eyes were hers, but everything else felt foreign – her body felt different as if it shouldn't be small.

Who am I?

It was a question that haunted her, one she didn't dare speak aloud, not even to her mother. Her mother loved her unconditionally, and Artemis knew that. But there were parts of herself that she didn't understand, parts that didn't fit into the life she was living now.

The confusion only deepened every time she tried to make sense of it. She remembered things that couldn't have happened. She felt things that didn't make sense. The boy – Naruto – was just one part of it… no, maybe he was a more significant part of it. But there were other flashes, brief glimpses of a life she didn't remember living. Places, emotions that didn't belong to her, people she hadn't ever met but felt undeniably real.

And yet, she knew that trying to explain it would only confuse her mother or make her sound crazy.

So, she kept it all inside.

She didn't know what to think about these things anymore.

~ ~ break ~ ~

When she turned eleven, Artemis finally understood the feelings that had haunted her for so long. It was a quiet evening, the sky fading into dusk, casting long shadows over the island of Delos. She had made a small campfire in a secluded part of the forest, a place she often retreated to when the weight of the world became too much. The flickering flames danced in front of her, casting warm, golden light on her tear-streaked face.

She had been crying for what felt like hours, her small body trembling with the force of emotions that she could no longer contain. And now, as she sat in front of the fire, her knees drawn to her chest, everything became clear.

She could remember.

She could remember everything.

The realization hit her like a crashing wave, the memories flooding back all at once, overwhelming her. She wasn't just Artemis, the young immortal of Delos. She had been someone else before; she had lived an entire life full of love and pain, joy and loss.

She had been Hinata Hyuga.

The name felt right, it felt like hers. The memories – they were all real. She could remember her life in full detail, every moment, every face, every feeling. She remembered her family: her parents, her younger sister Hanabi, and her cousin Neji. She recalled growing up in the Hyuga clan, training to master the Byakugan, struggling to prove herself in a clan that expected far too much.

And then, she remembered Naruto.

He wasn't an imaginary friend. He was her husband. The man she had loved more than anyone. She could see him now, clear as day – his wild blonde hair, his piercing blue eyes, the warmth of his smile that had always been able to lift her spirits no matter how dark the day had been. She could remember how his hand felt in hers, strong and comforting. She could remember how he had held her when their children were born, the joy in his eyes when they first laid eyes on their son, Boruto, and later their daughter, Himawari.

She remembered everything.

Her life, her death – and beyond.

She remembered the moment of her passing, how her life was taken from her – stabbed through the back. And then, there was peace. A vast, endless peace that had embraced her like a warm blanket. She had reunited with her loved ones in the Pure Lands – her friends, her family, her husband's father, and her daughter-in-law, Sarada, who had passed the same day as her. There had been sadness but also contentment, knowing that her time on Earth had ended and she had lived a life filled with love and purpose.

But then, something happened. Something she hadn't been able to control.

She was reborn.

Artemis – Hinata – remembered when she realized she had been thrust into this new body. The shock of it, the confusion of being a child again, losing all control over her fate. She had been ripped away from the peace of the afterlife and thrust back into the world of the living, into a body in a time and place that felt foreign. That felt different.

And now, she was doomed to live an immortal life, trapped in this new identity, forever separated from the people she loved.

It hurt.

It hurt more than she could express, more than she could bear. The pain of it, the weight of knowing that she would never again see her family, her husband, her children – it was unbearable. She could feel her heart breaking all over again, as though she was seeing them die without witnessing it.

She thought of Boruto and Himawari, their bright, smiling faces – forever etched into her mind like a permanent fixture. She thought of how much they had grown, their lives – the families they built. And she realized she would never be there for them again. Not dead. Not alive. Nowhere.

She thought of Naruto, and her heart ached in ways she couldn't describe. The love she had for him and the life they had shared was gone. He was gone. Like everyone else, he must have passed on wondering where she may have gone. And now she was stuck in this strange new world, with no way to reach them. The chances of seeing him again – of ever being reunited with them in this life were slim to none.

What were the odds that Naruto would ever be reborn in the same way she had? What were the chances that her children, her family, would find their way back to her? None. There was no chance. She was doomed to live out eternity alone, separated from everyone she had ever loved, and the thought of it crushed her.

Tears flowed freely down her face, her body shaking with silent sobs as she hugged her knees closer to her chest. She had come to this secluded part of Delos to cry, to let out the sorrow she couldn't bear to show anyone else. Here, among the trees and the quiet sounds of nature, she could let herself break without fear of being seen. Her cries blended with the distant sounds of animals and leaves rustling in the wind.

This little spot, this secluded place in the forest, had become her safe place. It was the only place where she could truly let go, where she didn't have to hold it all inside.

She wished Naruto were with her. She wished she could feel his arms around her again, hear his voice reassuring her that everything would be okay. But she knew the truth – he was gone, long gone. And all she had left were the memories, the faint echoes of a life that felt like it belonged to someone else.

She wiped at her tears, but they wouldn't stop. The breeze picked up, rustling the trees around her. Artemis sniffled, her breath hitching as she tried to quiet her sobs, but then she heard something else – the soft rustling of footsteps and someone clearing their throat.

She froze, her tear-filled eyes blinking in confusion as she turned her head toward the sound. For a moment, she expected to see her younger brother. But the figure that emerged from the trees was not Apollo.

It was an old man.

He looked ancient, his long white hair cascading down his back and his equally long beard reaching down to his chest. His posture was slightly hunched, and he leaned heavily on a wooden staff as he walked. But what caught Artemis's attention most were his eyes – bright blue and filled with warmth. They were kind, soft, and held a wisdom that made her pause.

"Hello, little one," the old man said gently, stepping closer. His voice was low and soothing, and despite her initial confusion, Artemis found herself strangely comforted by his presence. She didn't say anything, still watching him as tears continued to streak down her cheeks. The man took a few more slow steps toward her, and his movements were deliberate as if trying not to startle her. "May I sit here?" he asked, gesturing to a fallen log beside her campfire. His tone was polite, almost deferential, and Artemis found herself nodding, though she wasn't sure why. The man smiled softly, then lowered himself onto the log with a quiet grunt, hugging the staff closer to his chest as he settled in. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Her mother had always told her that this island was hidden from mortals. No one was supposed to be able to find it. Not even the divine beings dared to step foot here out of fear of offending her father, Zeus. And yet, this man didn't seem divine – nor did he seem like one who feared the gods.

He definitely wasn't her father.

"Who are you?" she asked quietly, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. She didn't feel afraid of him, but he piqued her curiosity.

The old man smiled at her, his blue eyes twinkling in the firelight. "Just an old traveller," he said kindly, his voice holding a warmth that put her at ease. "I've been wandering for a long time. It's been a while since I've been here – I was surprised to see others on the island."

Artemis tilted her head, her brow furrowing slightly. Her mother had been here for nearly a decade, hiding from Hera's wrath after being chased away. As far as she knew, no one else had ever visited the island. The old man didn't seem like he belonged, yet something about him made her think he wasn't entirely out of place either.

"Are you a nature spirit?" she asked, her voice still soft and unsure.

The old man laughed, the sound gentle and pleasant. "No," he said, shaking his head. "I'm just a human."

That caught her off guard. A human? How could a human have found this island?

"This island used to be my home," he added, his gaze drifting over the trees as though he were remembering something from long ago.

Artemis stared at him for a moment, her mind spinning. There was more to his story – she could feel it. She had once been a kunoichi, after all. She knew how to read people and sense when someone wasn't telling the whole truth. But for some reason, she didn't press him further. Something about the old man felt... trustworthy.

"Were you always here?" she asked instead, trying to understand how a human could have lived on Delos without her knowledge.

The man shook his head. "No, I come and go," he replied, his voice oddly quiet. He seemed lost in thought for a moment, then turned back to her, his expression softening.

"Why were you crying, little one?" he asked gently, his eyes filled with genuine concern.

Artemis hesitated, unsure of how much to tell him. But something about his kindness, the way he spoke to her like he truly cared, made her feel like she could trust him.

"My name is Artemis," she said quietly, her voice barely a whisper. "I'm... I'm a loner." She smiled sadly, wiping at her face again. "An oddball in my family."

The old man nodded, listening intently as she spoke.

"My brother keeps making fun of how I look," she continued, her voice trembling slightly. "He makes fun of my hair and my eyes. He says I don't look like the rest of my family, and it shouldn't hurt, but it does." That wasn't the actual story, but how would she tell someone she was crying because she was reincarnated and missed her true family?

The old man smiled sadly, his eyes softening even further. "I know how you feel," he said, his voice tinged with a quiet understanding. "I am the same. The odd one out… But you know," he continued, his smile growing warmer, "sometimes it's us oddballs that shine the brightest. And from what I can see, you're a beautiful child."

She blinked, her silver eyes wide as she looked at him; the kindness in her words made her heart ache. She wasn't sure how to respond, but her chest felt a little lighter.

The old man stood up slowly, leaning on his staff. He turned to look at her once more, eyes twinkling with the same gentle warmth. "It may feel like walking into a spiderweb at times," he said, his voice low. "After all, there's a limit to how far one can see, but one day – you'll find that not everything will remain bleak." He said to her – as if sensing that her issues were more than the problems she told him.

He began to walk away, slowly towards the trees. She felt her heartbeat quicken, an inexplicable feeling of urgency rising in her chest. She didn't know why – but she didn't want him to leave yet, not without knowing more about him. She quickly stood up, taking a step forward.

"Wait!" she called out, her voice breaking through the quiet.

The old man paused, turning his head to look back at her over his shoulder. His expression was calm, his eyes still soft and kind.

"What's your name?" she asked, her heart pounding in her chest.

The old man smiled momentarily, his eyes gleaming in the firelight. Then, in a familiar voice, he spoke.

"Naruto Uzumaki."

Artemis's eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat as the name echoed in her mind. It couldn't be. It shouldn't be. But before she could say anything – before she could ask him how he could possibly be here, the old man disappeared.

He was standing before her one moment, and the next, he was gone.

She fell to her knees.

"Naruto…" She whispered.

~ ~ Elsewhere Underground far to the East ~ ~

Naruto reappeared deep underground, far from the surface of the world where humanity had flourished. This was his mother's domain, a secret place known to only a select few. Only his family and his grandparents, Chaos and Calista – and aside from them, no one else – not even the Primordials could access this space. The cavern was hidden beneath the ground; it had once been a mountain that Chaos flipped upside down long ago, and its insides expanded to accommodate the need for increased space – and to avoid any potential humans from discovering his mother's resting place.

Naruto sighed, stretching, feeling the stiffness in his muscles ease as he moved. His body, which had taken the form of an old man while he wandered, began to shift. His youthful appearance returned instantly – his hair brightened to its familiar blonde, and the beard on his face receded until only a stubble was left. He looked as he always did, youthful – but strong.

He entered the small house, walking into the room. "You called, Mom?" he asked kindly, his voice soft as he approached his mother. Kushina sat on a bed made entirely of feathers, her crimson hair tied in a long braid, resting at her side. She looked tired, as if she was about to fall asleep at any moment.

Beside her sat his younger sister, Kiri, her long blonde hair a mess of loose strands as if she hadn't bothered to comb it for days. She wore a black garment open at the front, a loose piece of clothing that resembled a kimono – but with a rougher, more carefree touch. Her violet eyes were soft as she nodded when he entered.

Minato stood, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, tapping his foot on the ground in a slow beat. He hated it when his wife fell asleep – it always annoyed him, especially now that he had to actively watch over his domain, which meant he couldn't stay by her side.

Kushina smiled at Naruto, her expression softening at the sight of him. "You're here," she said, her voice carrying a warmth that only a mother could have. Despite her weariness, something was comforting in the way she spoke.

He nodded, stepping closer to her. "I'm here." He repeated softly, crouching beside the bed to be at eye level with her. He glanced at Kiri, whose eyes flickered to him with a knowing look, before turning his attention back to his mother.

"I'm going to sleep again," Kushina continued, her tone tinged with a hint of regret, "and I've been told that Gaea will try to pull some nonsense while I'm asleep."

Naruto sighed outwardly. He had expected as much, Gaea was constantly stirring trouble – trying to undermine his mother's domain and seize control. She was relentless in her pursuit of power, and Kushina's slumber had always given her opportunities to act – hell, she wasn't even afraid of Naruto – she was honestly akin to a cockroach. Annoyingly persistent, even in the face of defeat.

"Don't worry," he said, his voice firm yet reassuring, "I'll make sure she doesn't try anything funny. You can rest easy."

Kushina nodded, her eyes closing briefly as if she were already drifting toward sleep. "As long as I'm asleep, you're the caretaker for my domain," she reminded him, her voice growing quieter. "Like always, the Earth will answer your every call."

He nodded, and the Earth responded to him as it did to her. He was essentially an extension of her will and had complete control over her domain.

"I also felt Gaea begin to create new children," Minato said from his place against the wall, his voice carrying a note of displeasure.

"Abominations," Kiri added, her lips curling into a scowl as she spoke. Her distaste for Gaea was well known, and the mere mention of the Primordial of the Earth sent her into fits of anger. "She can't help herself, can she?"

Naruto hummed in agreement. Gaea had attempted to create twisted creatures in her image before, too – and the fact that she was doing it again meant she wanted to cause a conflict.

"It seems like she's going to pull another civil war soon," Naruto said thoughtfully, his gaze shifting to the ceiling as he pondered Gaea's next move. "She wasn't happy that Zeus didn't release the Titans after she asked. I wouldn't be surprised if she's trying to create new children to overturn his rule." He looked back at his mother, his expression softening as he saw her struggling to stay awake. "But don't worry," he added, his voice confident, "she won't be an issue."

Kushina smiled at him, the faintest hint of pride in her tired eyes. She trusted him – she always had. "I'm not worried," she whispered, her voice so quiet now that it was almost a murmur.

Naruto watched as his father moved swiftly to her side, gently cradling her neck as her body slumped forward. Minato lowered her head onto the soft pillow with care, careful to not cause strain to her neck.

"Rest easy, Mama," Kiri whispered, leaning down to kiss their mother's forehead.

"I feel like this will be a short nap," Kushina murmured, her eyelids growing heavier with each passing moment. "Maybe a few thousand years..." Her voice trailed off, her words barely audible as the last remnants of consciousness slipped away. The energy in the room shifted instantly, growing quiet as the seals around the cavern blazed to life. The markings on the walls and floor glowed with blue light, stretching across the entirety of the house – then outside to the entire cavern, creating a protective barrier that would keep anyone from entering while Kushina slept.

Naruto watched as the seals pulsed with power, his grandmother's handiwork – and something she placed everywhere. She ensured that the Earth was tuned to the seals, guaranteeing no harm would ever come here.

Naruto stood still, his eyes lingering on his mother for a moment longer before he finally straightened, turning to face his sister and father. "Sleep well, Mom," Naruto whispered, his voice barely audible. "We'll handle everything from here."

He looked at his sister and bobbed his head, signalling her to follow him. Slowly, she stood up, and they both left the house together, stepping into the cool air of the cavern. Naruto placed a hand on Kiri's shoulder, and in an instant, they teleported, emerging above ground into the blazing sunlight. He stretched his arms above his head, feeling the wind ruffle his hair, the scent of earth and grass around them.

"Do me a favour, Kiri-chan," Naruto said, lowering his arms as he turned to her.

Kiri raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Yeah?" she asked, pulling her messy blonde hair back into a ponytail and securing it with a loose tie on her wrist. Her kimono fluttered in the wind, its loose fabric opening slightly to reveal more of her chest than Naruto would have preferred.

He gave her a side-eye, humming in mild disapproval. "You need to cover up more," he said, reaching out to tug her kimono, pulling the fabric back into place.

Kiri rolled her eyes but allowed him to fix it. "You sound like Dad," she teased, though a playful grin was on her face.

"Someone has to make sure you don't cause any accidental distractions," Naruto muttered, his tone dry but affectionate. He stepped back, crossing his arms as he continued. "I need you to do some recon for me." He said, "I felt Gaea heading into Tartarus earlier. She will probably meet that annoying guy down there, and I want to know what she's planning. There's been too much movement lately for my liking."

She nodded, Gaea was a thorn that kept on pricking – and she knew the importance of keeping tabs on her. While Naruto couldn't enter Tartarus without causing a stir, Kiri had the unique advantage of being able to move freely in that realm. After all, one of her domain was the Primordial of Caves – and that made Tartarus – considering it was a separate realm underground – part of her territory. And the last time her brother had attempted to enter Tartarus, the whole place had started freezing over, the air becoming unnaturally pure as if the very presence of his divine power was antithetical to the dark, twisted realm. Chaos had to step in, asking Naruto to leave after Tartarus complained that he was withering away. Naruto didn't like Tartarus, but killing the guy who also served as a prison to countless monsters wasn't worth the trouble.

Kiri, on the other hand, was a different story.

"Yeah, yeah, I got it," Kiri replied, the playful grin returning. She flicked her hand, and with a soft hum of power, a sword materialized out of thin air. It was sleek and elegant, its blade shimmering faintly in the sunlight. She swung it casually, testing its weight in her hand before slashing it into the ground with a graceful flourish.

As the blade cut into the earth, the ground beneath them rippled, turning into a liquid. A swirling, dark portal opened at Kiri's feet, the air around it shimmering with the energy of Tartarus.

Naruto watched her closely, his arms still crossed as he leaned slightly back on his heels. He wasn't worried – Kiri knew how to handle herself – but a part of him didn't like letting his younger sister walk into dangerous situations alone. Even if she was a Primordial – one of the strongest Primordials, no less – she was still his little sister.

"I'll be back later," Kiri said confidently, flashing him a bright smile. Before Naruto could say anything else, she leaned in, kissing his cheek quickly.

Naruto grinned, ruffling her hair, though his eyes were serious. "Stay safe, Kiri. Don't let her catch you snooping around."

Kiri laughed softly, her violet eyes gleaming with mischief. "Come on, Nii-san, you know I'm better at this than you are." She winked at him, the confidence in her tone undeniable.

Naruto couldn't help but smile. "Fair enough," he conceded – he had taught her how to be stealthy. "Just don't get cocky."

With a final nod, Kiri hopped into the portal, disappearing into the swirling darkness. The portal shimmered briefly, then vanished, leaving the ground solid again.

Naruto turned and began walking, his mind already focused on the next steps. He trusted Kiri to do her part and did not doubt that she would return with the information they needed. But in the meantime, he had his own preparations to make. Something had been stirring for a while, and he doubted it was Gaea's doing – but he needed to be sure. He could ask his grandfather, but he would likely get the same generic response, "You'll know when it's time." – likely something his grandma instructed him to say.

~ ~ break ~ ~

Kiri shimmered into existence high in the air, her body materializing mid-free fall. The cold, heavy air of Tartarus whipped around her as she plummeted, but she remained unfazed. Her eyes narrowed against the harsh wind, and the air stilled with a simple flex of her will. She hovered effortlessly above Tartarus's desolate, chaotic landscape, taking in the sight of the cursed world below.

From her vantage point, she could see the twisted beings roaming the land – monsters, Titans, and other nightmarish creatures that populated the realm of eternal punishment. Screams echoed through the air, both of rage and agony and the ground writhed in anguish. In the distance, she could hear the clanging of chains and the howls of prisoners bound to their torment.

Kiri glanced around, her sharp eyes catching sight of an empty clearing not too far away. With a flicker of motion, she sped downward, her feet touching the ground with the barest whisper of sound as she landed on her tiptoes. She hung her sword at her side, allowing it to rest against her hip, its blade gleaming faintly in the dim, unnatural light that bathed the landscape.

The air in Tartarus was thick with poison, a miasma of corruption that would have choked the life out of most beings. But Kiri wasn't most beings. She barely even noticed the foul air as she began to walk, her feet sinking slightly into the soft, decaying ground. Every step she took seemed to leave a mark as the earth attempted to pull her inside – as if it wanted to shield her.

In the distance, she could hear the roars of Titans, the clash of monsters locked in brutal combat, and the distant, eerie wails of the damned. It was a cacophony of chaos, but Kiri ignored it all. She had one objective: find Gaea and Tartarus, figure out what they were plotting, and get out without being detected.

Kiri stopped momentarily, her eyes narrowing as she closed her senses off to the noise around her, focusing instead on the earth beneath her feet. She exhaled slowly, allowing her body to meld with the ground, sinking in until she became an extension of it. The earth enveloped her like a second skin, and with a burst of speed, she shot through the ground, zipping across the barren landscape like a shadow.

She moved quickly, crossing great distances in mere seconds, her awareness expanding as she felt the presence of Gaea and Tartarus somewhere deeper within the cavernous realm. The air grew colder, denser, as she descended further into Tartarus, the weight of the underworld pressing down on her. But still, it did not faze her.

Eventually, Kiri emerged in a deeper cavern, her body reforming from the wall as she silently observed what was happening before her. There they were – Gaea and Tartarus. The two Primordials were moving against each other, their bodies illuminated by the faint glow of molten rock.

"Disgusting," Kiri muttered under her breath as she scoffed – lip curling in disgust as she realized what they were doing. She turned away and melded back into the wall. Gaea and Tartarus were attempting to procreate – to create children – likely twisted, monstrous offspring – and with the ones she could sense, they were likely designed to be the antithesis of the Olympians. "Creatures to fight the Olympians, huh?" she murmured. "Not exactly original, but it could be a problem."

The process was revolting, but it made sense. Gaea had always tried to breed a new army, preparing for future conflict against the Olympians or perhaps even her family. It wasn't surprising, though. Gaea had always been obsessed with creating life in her image, bending it to her will, and Tartarus, for all his dark power, was more than willing to help her – he probably liked her (and that in itself was disgusting). Kiri had seen enough. It was time to leave.

She appeared back on top of the ground, exiting the Earth. As she was about to leave, a sudden breeze touched the back of her neck. Kiri tensed, her muscles coiling as she leapt forward, twisting midair to face her attackers. She landed gracefully, her feet barely making a sound on the ground as she drew her sword, her eyes narrowing in preparation for a fight.

Before her stood Gaea and Tartarus, who were flanked by three enormous Giants – and several Titans, hulking and grotesque in appearance, their forms towering over the landscape. Behind them, more Titans gathered, their chained forms breaking free as they stood ready to fight.

"Well, look what we have here," Gaea sneered, her voice dripping with malice as she stepped forward, her body slick with mud that dripped from her skin. "A stray dog, wandering where she doesn't belong."

Kiri brandished her sword as she let her aura flare, a wave of power radiating from her. The ground beneath her seemed to tremble in response to her presence, the air growing heavy with the weight of her power. The Giants and Titans visibly hesitated in front of her power. "Stray dog?" Kiri scoffed, her voice filled with disdain. "You only get to call people that when they're weaker than you. And as far as I remember, I'm higher up on the food chain."

Gaea's expression twisted in anger, her eyes flashing with fury as she whipped her hand upwards. The ground beneath them shook violently as massive stone pillars shot up from the earth, hurtling toward Kiri with terrifying speed.

But Kiri didn't flinch.

With a single, fluid motion, she raised her sword and sliced through the pillars, the blade cutting through the stone like it was made of air. The shattered remains of the pillars fell to the ground around her, scattering in all directions as she stood tall, her sword still glowing faintly from the strike.

She raised an eyebrow, her expression almost bored. "Is that your best?" she asked dryly, slightly lowering her sword.

Tartarus stepped forward, his hands raised in a gesture of peace, a bead of sweat trailing down his forehead. "Now, now," he said, his voice smooth. "We don't want any trouble here."

Kiri's eyes flicked to him and then to Gaea, her expression unreadable. "Yeah, I'm sure you don't," she said, though her sword remained before her, ready for another strike.

Tartarus moved to stand between Kiri and Gaea. He was pretty imposing – and easily towered over them both by several metres. "We have no intention of fighting the granddaughter of Chaos," he said diplomatically. "I will forget that you entered my domain uninvited, but I suggest you leave... peacefully."

Kiri glanced at Gaea, who was fuming behind Tartarus, her entire body trembling with barely contained rage. Gaea was powerful, sure, but she wasn't foolish enough to challenge Kiri more than she already had – not without severe consequences. Kiri could feel the tension in the air, the threat of violence hanging like a sword over their heads.

But honestly, she hadn't expected to be caught this easily, and now that she had the information she needed, there was no point in pressing the issue further.

"Sure, sure," Kiri said, shrugging her shoulders as she sheathed her sword. "I'll leave." With a quick, one-handed backflip, Kiri crouched low to the ground, her eyes still locked on Gaea and Tartarus. Her body was coiled like a spring, ready to move at a moment's notice. She smiled though there was no warmth in it. "But don't do anything stupid," she warned, her voice calm but deadly. "Or you won't like what we do to you."

Gaea let out a roar of anger, her frustration boiling over as she glared daggers at Kiri. But before she could act, Kiri leapt high into the air, her body shooting upward with lightning speed. She shot through the cavern, moving so fast that the air seemed to bend around her.

The underground ceiling of Tartarus loomed high above her, thousands of kilometres up, but Kiri moved with ease, her body slicing upwards with ease. As she neared the ceiling, she grabbed her sword and swiftly stabbed it into the rock above her. The moment the blade made contact, the ceiling split open, a shimmering portal appearing before her. The portal glowed with a faint light, its edges rippling as though it were made of liquid. Kiri went through the portal without hesitation, disappearing from Tartarus and reemerging in the world above.

She shot upwards through the snow, feeling it go into her hair and clothes. She shivered, holding her arms. Unlike her brother, she wasn't immune to the cold. "Guess I've been in Tartarus longer than I thought." She muttered, her breath visible in the chilly air. She glanced around; if there was snow, that would mean she'd been in Tartarus for at least a year. Time moved differently down there – and while it had only felt like half an hour for her, the world above moved faster. Kiri stretched her arms, honing her senses on her brother, who was not too far away – she'd let him know what she discovered.

For now, there was no need to act.

~ ~ Break ~ ~

Artemis darted through the dense forest of Delos, her bare feet barely making a sound as they skimmed across the tree branches. The trees blurred around her, her movements swift and graceful, each leap and bound timed to perfection. She was twelve now, though her appearance belied her age. To the casual observer, she looked much older, closer to a seventeen-year-old, her body and face maturing at an accelerated rate – something her mother had explained was a natural part of her divine heritage. As a daughter of a Titan and a god, her aging would come in unpredictable bursts, and now was one such time.

Her once auburn hair had returned to its natural dark blue, the colour she had been born with. No longer ashamed of her unusual appearance, she had tied it back into a long braid that swung behind her with every movement. Her silver eyes, sharp and alert, scanned the ground below as she leaped from one tree branch to another. The logs scattered across the forest floor, the telltale signs of old campfires, and broken branches told her someone had been there. He had been here.

It had been a year since she last saw him. Naruto. Her Naruto.

He had appeared suddenly, like a ghost from her past, an old man wandering through the hidden island. She had cried when she realized who he was, her heart swelling with joy and sadness. Joy because her husband – the man she loved in her past life was alive. But sadness because he had left just as quickly as he had appeared, slipping away into the forest as if he had never been there. She hadn't seen him since.

Her heart clenched at the memory and the mixed emotions that came with it. When she returned home that day, her head was spinning. Would he come back? Did he remember her? She had no idea what state his memories were in – if they had returned in his youth or if he was still piecing together fragments of his past. She didn't even know if he recognized her as the same person she had been in their previous life. So much time had passed, and they were both so different now.

The thought haunted her. What if the old man wasn't him? But the name, Naruto Uzumaki, couldn't just be a coincidence. He looked roughly 80 years old, but that was precisely how she would imagine him to be if he had aged like that when she was still with him.

Artemis landed softly on the forest floor, her fingers brushing against a wooden kunai she had fashioned. It wasn't much – just a simple weapon carved from a tree branch – but it reminded her of who she used to be. She had been training herself for the past year, trying to regain the strength and skill she once had as a Kunoichi.

It was strange. Her body was physically stronger now than it had ever been in her previous life. She could easily lift boulders, her endurance far surpassing what it used to be. But something was missing. The finesse, the technique – everything she had honed over years of training – was gone. She had raw power, but without the skill to control it, she often found herself frustrated, unable to perform the simplest maneuvers or techniques.

She twirled the kunai between her fingers absentmindedly, her thoughts drifting to her family. She had stopped listening to Apollo. Her younger brother's obnoxiousness had reached new heights in the past year, especially after she reverted to her true appearance. It was as though the more comfortable she became with herself, the more Apollo felt the need to assert his superiority. She sighed, remembering the endless teasing about her blue hair and silver eyes. At first, it had hurt. She had cried, letting his words get to her, but now… now she didn't care. She had more important things to focus on. She had stopped caring what her brother thought of her, stopped letting his jabs get under her skin.

She occasionally sparred with her mother, but the experience had been... disappointing. Leto was a Titaness, and while she was physically strong, she wasn't built for combat. She lacked the battle sense that Artemis had. Their spars often ended quickly, with Artemis pulling her punches to avoid hurting her mother. Leto's skills were more attuned to nurturing and protection, not fighting. Artemis quickly realized that she would have to train alone if she wanted to become stronger.

No one on Delos could challenge her, no one who could push her to improve.

She looked at the Kunai in her hand and closed her eyes, imbuing her divine energy into it. With a loud bang, the kunai shattered, its splinters going everywhere – her hair, clothes, and to the ground. She adjusted her chiton, plucking off the splinters caught in the fabric. It wasn't the most practical attire for training, but it was what she had. She had tried to fashion more appropriate clothing – resembling the shinobi gear she used to wear – but was largely unsuccessful. Reaching behind her, she pulled out another kunai from her pouch, letting it slide into her hand.

As she stood, she flung the kunai into the air, watching it spin as it arced above her. She clapped her hands twice, a quick motion that sent a small pulse of energy through her body, and then stepped back, her hand shooting forward to grab the kunai mid-flight. She twirled it in her hand, her movements smooth and controlled.

A year of training had done wonders for her. She was still far from the shinobi she had once been, but she was improving. Slowly but surely, she was reclaiming the skills she had lost. She still had a long way to go – she needed to learn to control her divine energy, but she was confident she could.

Artemis stretched her arms above her head, feeling the tension ease from her muscles as she sighed softly. The wooden kunai in her hand was warm, and with a quick motion, she tucked it away into the small pouch hanging at her side. She glanced down at her hands, tracing the calluses that had begun to form from training, and allowed herself a brief smile. Progress was slow but steady.

Training was not the only thing on her mind – the welcome ceremony for her and Apollo was approaching fast. Her father had visited them half a year ago and told them they would be taken to Olympus by the rise of the winter solstice. Both she and Apollo would officially join the ranks of the Olympians, their domains formally declared before the other gods.

The ceremony would be a formality – she already had an inkling about her domains – even though she couldn't confidently name them all. She was sure of the moon, wilderness, and forests – those were hers. There were more, but they were lurking beyond her grasp, but for now, what she knew was enough.

She hopped lightly onto a nearby tree, the bark rough against her hands, each branch bending slightly under her weight but holding firm. Within moments, she perched on the highest branch, and the view was breathtaking. Her hair fluttered behind her, the dark blue strands catching in the breeze. She inhaled deeply, savouring the fresh scent of the wilderness, the trees, and the sea in the distance. She hadn't learned how to teleport yet, nor had she mastered the art of flight like many gods. But she didn't mind. There was something comforting about the feel of the wind against her skin, the solidness of the earth beneath her feet.

She looked toward her home, her silver eyes narrowing slightly as she squinted against the setting sun's light. She crouched momentarily, tensing her muscles in preparation, before launching herself into the air with all her might. The rush of wind filled her ears as she soared, her heart pounding with exhilaration as she leapt from one tree to the next, quickly moving across the forest.

As she moved, her thoughts kept going back to Naruto. She couldn't shake the anticipation feeling – hoping she would see him again one day. No matter how old he got, she would recognize him now. And when the time came, she would be ready.

Maybe during this ceremony, she could ask her father if it was possible to give mortals the gift of immortality.

~ ~ Elsewhere ~ ~

Blue eyes fluttered open briefly before closing again. Her chest heaved as she gasped for breath, her lungs burning as if they had been starved of air for far too long. Her pulse quickened, the frantic beating of her heart drumming loudly in her ears, overwhelming her senses.

What was happening?

Her hand shot out, grasping at the stone beneath her. The surface was unnaturally smooth and cool to the touch. She groaned softly, turning to her side, her body stiff and uncooperative. The motion caused strands of her hair to fall over her face, sticking to her skin.

Blonde?

Her brow furrowed in confusion, her mind racing. Her hair was blonde. That couldn't be right. She wasn't blonde. Her thoughts were jumbled, fragmented, slipping away as soon as she tried to grasp them. What had happened?

She tried to move again but was met with resistance. Her limbs were numb, and they were unresponsive – as if her body refused to listen to her commands. Panic flared in her chest as she willed her legs to move, to respond, but there was nothing. No sensation. No feeling. She clenched her jaw, breathing through the rising anxiety.

Stay calm.

It was easier said than done. Her mind felt as though it was trapped in a dense fog, and she was unable to think clearly. She blinked, trying to force her eyes open again, but even that felt like a monumental effort. Her muscles trembled with exertion, but finally, her eyes opened fully.

Darkness.

The world around her was shrouded in complete darkness – she squinted, trying to make out shapes or movements, but there was nothing.

She tried to sit up, but the effort left her dizzy, her body still half-paralyzed from whatever had happened to her. Her heart was racing now, her breathing shallow and quick. Every muscle in her body screamed in protest as she forced herself to move, inch by inch, her hand slipping along the smooth stone – she needed to sit up. She had to.

She let out a soft groan of frustration, her body shaking as she finally managed to roll onto her back again. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her breaths uneven and laboured. The numbness was still there, but now a dull tingling was beginning to creep into her legs, the faintest hint of sensation returning.

Where was she?

What had happened to her?

And why couldn't she remember?

Her toes twitched slightly, the first sign of movement from her limbs since she had awoken. She focused on that small victory, willing more life into her body, more control. Slowly, painstakingly, she managed to move her arm, her fingers brushing against her face.

She needed to know where she was. What this place was. Why it was so dark?

Forcing herself to sit up slightly, she glanced around, her eyes straining to adjust to the pitch-black surroundings. Her body still felt numb, sluggish, as though it hadn't been used in far too long. She swallowed, her throat dry, her voice hoarse as she called out into the darkness.

"Dad?"

Her voice sounded small, weak, barely audible. She waited, holding her breath and listening for any response – anything at all – but nothing.

Only silence.

~ ~ Break ~ ~

Naruto woke up with a startle, turning his head. Did someone call out to him?

A/N: Okay! Seems like Kiri stumbled upon an unforgiveable scene. I did notice someone say it was dumb that Calista forgave Chaos. My response is reread what happened - and how long she's lived for - and what's happened so far. If you skip stuff, that's on you. And in case anyone is curious. There isn't a harem for Naruto. Nor will there ever be. I don't read them - and I'd rather not rewrite the entire story and change hundreds of pages worth of plot notes to satisfy some random urge.

Anyways, thanks for the love. Peace.