Author notes:
Wow. I read this chapter after writing it some time ago (years). I revised this chapter.
Life has been rough. I can't even play WoW (cries).
As of 7/11/24, my family and I have been homeless. Saving money to get into another place is extremely hard. Sometimes it feels like I'm working for nothing because I have to play catch up with bills, try to save at the same time, and still have money to live out of a car or campsite.
It's rough, and for all of you who have a roof over your head, and can get showers and hot food every night, do not take advantage of it. Count your blessings and always remember to remain positive — no matter how hard things get.
Writing is an outlet for me, and I think writing this will be an escape from reality for me. I'm taking a major break from my original works.
This story has been in my head for a while, and I think I'm ready to get it out in words for others to read.
I was an avid WoW player, but haven't been able to log in for months. (T_T I was so stoked for the new X-pac, War Within, and only got to play a day of the MoP remix when it came out.) I will do my best with lore and accuracy in both worlds. Let me know if I mess something up.
I plan on delving into more magic from Azeroth and keeping the jutsu of Earth (Naruto's world) unique to them and their people.
Okay, enough of that.
Disclaimer: I did not create Naruto or World of Warcraft, both are under the rights of their respective owners.
Chapter One: Displaced
The moment she saw the stars in the night sky, Hinata Winterbreeze knew that this place — wherever it was — wasn't Azeroth. The stars and constellations she used to navigate were missing. Then there were the moons. The White Lady looked wrong and the Blue Child was gone.
"Well, mates, we're stuck here for a week," signed a stocky and short male dwarf with a long orange-red beard, as he walked to a group of awaiting crew.
"Could be worse," a human with long black hair and a goatee said.
"How exciting. I can't wait to see what this place has to offer. So far we've only encountered humans but they speak an unknown language," said a male gnome with faded green hair, another of the Lofty Sea Dragon's crew.
"Mmhmm. They have great ale here." A male pandaren encumbered with large barrels beneath both arms and four more strapped to his back said, "Good thing that mage was able to enhance that linguist's spell. Because of that, we have managed to communicate."
The dwarf grunted. "Aye, only an hour at a time and bloody five hundred gold!"
The sandy-haired and heavily muscular Kul Tiran chuckled, "Heard an alchemist has already made a potion that lasts a day. It'll set you back three thousand gold for one. Elixir of Babel, they call it."
The dwarf groaned. "I should've taken up inscription. Then I would be the one banking on a newly crafted means of talkin'."
"No way, engineering is the way to go!" said a female gnome with purple hair and binocular-like goggles resting on her forehead. A massive tubular gun rested on her left shoulder. She patted it gently and said, "Just wait until I get my newest baby going! I only need to download this world's language dialogs and find a sustainable battery. Then—" She moved the gun to aim and mimicked firing it. "ZAP! Whoever gets hit with this marvel of pure gnomish engineering will know how to understand and speak new languages permanently!" She offhandedly said, "Or have permanent neurological brain damage."
"I'm not being your first victim to test that . . ." said a Kul Tiran male as he ran his hand over his head. "I'll tell ya one thing, I've been on the sea for many years and this is the first time I have heard of a land with such a name, Yu no Kuni."
A female dwarf with dark skin and smoldering long hair added, "Least they're friendly. Most of them here at the docks are good to trade and barter. Their military is pretty reasonable. Told us all about these places we could go for relaxation. Hot spring resorts!"
The Kul Tiran male nodded. "I think these people are pacifists. They don't wear a lick of metal armor from what I've seen. The military are like rogues but different. Call themselves shinobi."
Observantly, Hinata watched the crew as they meandered to the ship with supplies. Hearing the crew talk solidified the idea that they were on a different world.
It wasn't that far-fetched. The horned and hoofed race of draenei were from an entirely different planet and crash-landed on Azeroth. Outland and Argus are the same world, yet within different timelines.
Hinata frowned. The storm didn't just damage the vessel, it completely displaced us.
"Captain had one of the sages try and get a portal going since we won't be moving 'til we can get the hull patched. They were unable to get one open. That void elf mage couldn't even get a stable port or even teleport."
"Heard the Captain talking about how they haven't been able to get any messages through or received either. They're saying this might be a new land. One that hasn't been discovered and may even have some types of blocks up to keep people from porting in and out."
"Damn," groaned the dwarf. "With everything happenin', someone's goin' tae have tae get that figured out quick."
Damn. Hinata turned an egg-shaped stone over in her hand. The blue spiral carved upon it was dull. It was her hearthstone, a form of magic that should have teleported her to the patron inn, The Pig and Whistle, in Stormwind. When she put her chi into the stone — for the seventh time that day — to make it activate, it remained dormant.
If there are magic barriers preventing porting on and off this world, it explains why my hearthstone doesn't work, or why I couldn't teleport back to the Temple of the Five Dawns. She sighed and set the hearthstone back into her bag. This is the worst possible time for this to happen. With N'zoth's threat gone, Sylvanas and Nathanos must be found . . .
The crew of the Lofty Seadragon traveled on, their words now out of Hinata's earshot. It most definitely was not every day when an uncharted region was found. Then again, Pandaria was found similarly, that is, after the mists lifted. It was on Azeroth, whereas Yu no Kuni, Hinata was certain, was not.
"Ooh, I taste the apple!"
Hinata turned her attention to her apprentice, a Tushui pandaren, Kama Jadefist. Within her pawed hands rested a small, now empty, o-choko.
Being a pandaren, Kama had ursine features, was large and tall, with white and pearly black fur, a black nubby tail, and smiling blue eyes. A short ponytail stuck up on her head, the red locks within made it look like a flame. Kama wore black leather with clasps fitted with jade buttons — typical armor for a monk in training. A conical straw hat currently rested on her back as Kama's staff leaned close to her against the bar.
"Delicious, isn't it?" the bartender grinned while corking the bottle. "I haven't had good sake connoisseurs here in a while."
At first, the bartender was flustered seeing Kama. The locals hadn't seen dwarves or even elves before either, let alone knew about Worgen. The locals were not exactly daunted though. They were used to speaking to animals that they could summon to them, as Hinata saw a girl speaking with cats in which these cats talked back, and even a man with an oversized snail that was downright dapper and dressed so too.
Hinata swallowed back the last of her sake and nodded. "It is good. You said you also had honey sake?"
"Of course I do," said the bartender as he retrieved a bottle and clean porcelain o-choko. He poured the sake.
Kama rolled her eyes. "Missing the mana buns already, Grandmaster?"
Hinata tilted her head. "You are starting to sound like Ban-Lu."
Kama laughed. "Is that why you didn't bring him on this trip?"
"That's exactly why." Hinata sighed. "I also left him to be eyes and ears."
Kama frowned and looked at her cup. She switched her language to Common, "Nothing has been the same since the Fourth War."
Hinata nodded and in Common replied, "It may be over, but something else is coming. Something I fear that will upset the balance." Hinata swallowed back her shot without tasting it. "We need to be ready."
The bartender refilled her o-choko, "How about you try to taste the sake this time."
Hinata let the mage spell convert her words to the foreign language. "You are right." She raised the cup 4to the bartender, sipped on the sake, and let the taste rest on her tongue. It had a poignant warmth, sweetness, and the distinctive taste of honey.
"Mmm-hmm," she nodded. "I need to fill my gourd with this! It's almost like eating freshly made honey bread."
She took another drink of the sake and let it linger on her tongue. Hinata licked her lips and sighed.
"I should just get drunk."
The bartender laughed, but Kama frowned. The man stopped and cleared his throat.
"Don't mean to pry, but why are your eyes covered?" He asked.
Hinata swirled the last of her drink in the cup, "So that my enemies cannot predict or anticipate my next move, as the eyes are the window to the soul."
She downed the last of the sake. Being one up on the enemy had nothing to do with why she covered her eyes with a strip of white leather that bore a teal Touch of Karma sigil centered. It was because her eyes were odd — an anomaly. With pale lavender eyes that lacked pupils, most mistook Hinata to be blind. She wasn't. Not in the least bit.
Years of training, fighting, and war molded her into a lithe battle scarred monk. Her dark long hair was braided and pulled up into a ponytail, with a lavender strip that framed the left side of her face. Hinata's gear was specially made — white leather vest accented with teal and lavender that exposed her cleavage and stomach. Shorts instead of pants, that to some exposed far too much of her tan skin but to Hinata Winterbreeze, her choice of garb was comfortable. As a monk, being able to move comfortably was crucial, even in cold snowy weather.
A soft cool breeze blew, fluttering the bar flags and Hinata's bangs. Dread curled in her stomach, making her muscles tense and senses heighten, as the atmosphere became heavy.
"We should head to the inn," said Hinata as she faced Kama. "It's getting late and I would like to head out tomorrow and explore the region while the ship's down."
"Explore? Yes!" the pandaren wiggled and clapped. "I was hoping we would!" She then looked at the bartender. "Can we get these in kegs or barrels?"
"Barrels sure? How much do you ladies drink?" he asked.
Kama smiled at the man and said, "Let's just say that brews and monks go together, just as fish and water."
"It's an important part of our craft," said Hinata. "I'd like five barrels of the honey sake, along with four of the regular sake, six of the apple, and twenty of that wasabi sake. I can't wait to blow fire with it," Hinata dropped a rather large coin pouch onto the counter and smiled.
The bartender lifted the sack and held it in both hands, measuring the weight, then nodded.
"Heard your ship isn't moving for a while. Three days okay?"
"Perfect."
"I'll have them delivered to the ship. And my lovely customer's name?" asked the bartender.
"Hinata Winterbreeze."
"Wonderful doing business with you, Hinata-san. I am Tuskasa, and your gold and gems you people barter with will always be welcome here."
Hinata smiled. "Good to know, kind sir. I'll keep this establishment as my patron bar whenever I'm here at the port."
"Bamboo sake!" said Kama excitedly, placing her own order. "Three barrels of bamboo sake! Surprise me with a mystery barrel! Kama Jadefist!"
"A true connoisseur of sake! Three bamboo and a mystery barrel; I will not let you down!"
"Have a night," said Hinata as she slipped from the stool.
Stepping out of the bar and onto the dimly lit alley, Hinata pulled her lavender-dyed cloak around her shoulders and shifted the hood over her head.
"Are we heading out in the morning, Grandmaster?" asked Kama as she stepped next to the human, who was shorter.
Hinata nodded, "When the sun rises."
It was a lively area for the time of night. Lights burned within windows and children happily played with some hopping about from rooftop to rooftop. When they passed, the children stopped what they were doing to stare.
"Is that a panda bear?" asked a girl.
A boy said, "It must be from a summon contract."
Another boy gasped, "What if it's a bijuu?!"
"I doubt it, it doesn't have much of a tail," said the other boy.
Kama looked at Hinata. "What is a bijuu, and what does it have to do with my tail?"
Hinata shrugged. "Another word lost in translation. I'll get us some of those elixirs before we head out tomorrow. They'll be better to use than the spell."
Kama nodded. "We only have about thirty minutes left until it fades."
The inn was near the dock and close to a forest that was just as enchanting as the night elves' home of Darnassus, the exception being the ever-present fog from the hot springs. The trees here were different, tall and huge, swaying as they creaked in the wind. It was like they were whispering to Hinata, welcoming her home — which was absurd. Yet, it conjured faded and soundless memories of a family she never knew.
For years, she searched for others with eyes like hers. Hinata started at fifteen in the wilds of Pandaria when the Horde and Alliance's war spilled onto the Sha-infested lands.
Hearing of Lorewalker Cho's dream brew, Hinata hoped to discover more of her past, only the brew revealed no answers. She only envisioned the sky, trees, the moon, a vast ocean, and the pale face of a woman with dark hair and pale eyes like her own.
When she met and traveled with Prince — now King — Anduin Wrynn in Pandaria, he advised her to search the Eastern Kingdoms giving Hinata hope of finding others with eyes like hers. When she didn't, Hinata traveled to Kalmidor, to find no leads. She sought answers in the great magic city of Dalaran, to even go to the snowclad region of Northrend. The search stopped during the invasion of the Burning Legion. Then the Fourth War consumed everything.
"Are you alright, Grandmaster," asked Kama in Common.
Hinata stopped walking and looked at her apprentice.
Kama said, "You have that faraway look on your face."
They continued walking down the street as the fog crept in.
"I have been thinking," replied Hinata.
"So have I," Kama sighed. "Have you noticed that the White Lady looks different here? The past couple of days it seems she's larger than usual. Close enough to touch," she looked at Hinata. "I have not seen the Blue Child either."
Hinata's lips pursed. "We're no longer on Azeroth. I can feel it. These lands, this entire world, it's not ours."
Kama frowned. "I was hoping that what I felt during meditations was wrong. That I was just riled up because we were somewhere new, but now hearing it from you and seeing what I have seen . . . This place is more—"
"Advanced," Hinata shifted her cloak. "I would give all my gold for indoor plumbing to be introduced back home. The hot waterfall they call a shower is amazing! They don't even use magic from what I've seen to make it all work!"
"Personally, not having to go outside to an outhouse is good enough for me. Though, I do wonder where it goes when you flush it?" said Kama with a tilt of her head.
Hinata shook her head. "Don't know. The indoor power is also different."
"Yes! They don't even use magic to keep food cold or fresh, they have those box things. And then how electricity powers their buildings and the immense use of light bulbs instead of candles."
Nodding, Hinata said, "They have many lines strung about that carry the energy from building to building." She frowned, "Some look like massive tangled vines. The locals don't seem to believe in magic. I've seen them use spells. They use their hands and strange gestures and they call it, ah what was that word? Oh, jutsu?"
"That's it," Kama nodded.
Hinata glanced at the pandaren. "None of those we've passed have been on mounts. These people either walk or run. I haven't seen a caravan."
"Or portals. How long are we stuck here?" asked Kama.
"Hopefully not long." Hinata frowned. "This place, the vibes I have been getting are not bad, but not good either."
"I hope we are here long enough for their festival that is about to take place." Kama smiled and said, "They call it the Rinne Festival.
Hinata gazed at the decorations that lined the streets and buildings for the gathering mist to obscure them from view. "I wonder if it's like Winter's Vale back home."
Back home, on Azeroth. Hinata looked to the fog blanketed forest to the west. What happened that we've ended up in another world and how the hell are we going to get back?
Kama giggled, "Do you think the Greatfather will find us here?"
Hinata looked at her, "Maybe you should ask if the Greatfather will even visit you this year."
Kama blew a raspberry and crossed her arms. "I know I was good this year. The real question is, were you, Grandmaster?"
Hinata smirked, "Of course not."
They turned down a street where the inn resided. The entire street and buildings were lost in the fog. Hinata sensed they were being watched. The dread returned with a gust of cold wind.
"Grandmaster," Kama uttered as she looked at the fog. "I am getting an eerie feeling."
Soundlessly, something landed before them in a crouch, causing the fog to shift and swirl. The thing slowly stood revealing glowing yellow eyes. Its silhouette was slender and tall and when the mists parted they saw it wore dark garb that covered its arms, legs, and face. The body was concealed behind white wraps. Upon their foreheads were bands with a crescent moon and circle. Another appeared to their sides, then another landed behind them. Within seconds the monks were surrounded.
"Are they part of their military?" Kama asked.
"I don't think so." Hinata scrutinized them.
Drawing on her chi, Hinata activated her Deadeyes. The veins on her temples bulged, unseen due to the strap she kept over them. Hinata learned through trial and error that her eyes could do many things. With training and battle throughout the years, she learned her limits — and pushed past them.
Hinata could see everything around her — a near perfect three hundred and sixty-degree view that expanded into a dome. She could see up to fifteen miles if needed, but she couldn't see past five feet currently considering she couldn't see past the fog.
"The mist around us isn't normal," Hinata said as she moved her cloak around her face as a muffler. "Try not to breathe it Kama."
Though Hinata couldn't see beyond the fog, she could see that the beings around them weren't alive and there were many of them within close range.
"They're like wicker men, but something else," said Hinata in Common. "An outside source fuels them. They have no energy of their own. Where the source comes from, I can't tell yet."
"We find the source, we can get rid of them," replied Kama.
"Let's see what they want first."
Kama scowled, "You want to seek a peaceful solution?"
"I want to know what we are dealing with first. Foreign lands, foreign magic," stated Hinata. She let the mage linguist spell convert her words, "You have us surrounded. Have we done something wrong? What is it that you want from us?"
"I only want you, Hinata," said a man, for his form to fade into view.
He was pale, his hair white, and he wore pale robes. A green sash was draped over his chest tied at the shoulder. His robes exposed his neck where tattoos on his collar bones of swirl shapes appeared as a necklace. The man's eyes were closed and they didn't seem right. Almost as if he didn't have eyes at all.
Hinata pursed her lips, "Me? I am a stranger to these lands." She stepped forward. "What do you want with me? Who are you?"
"I am Toneri Otsutsuki. I am the one who brought you here, where you truly belong."
So this man has everything to do with the ship being displaced. He is most likely the key to us returning to Azeroth. Great . . .
"Why do you cover your beautiful eyes?" Toneri asked.
Hinata wasn't in the mood for nonsense. "Get to the point. What do you want with me?"
Toneri smiled, "For you to come with me—"
"No."
The smile on Toneri's face faltered. "Be appreciative of the lengths I went through to bring you home!"
"You have me confused with another. This isn't my home." Hinata shifted her cloak and rested her hand on the hilt of one of her weapons, "Now that is settled, kindly tell me how to get my people back to where we belong or send us back."
Toneri tilted his head, "I could do that." He simpered, "But I won't."
Hinata pursed her lips. "What if I make you?"
"You have been away for far too long," Toneri grimaced. "You will understand once you are at the castle. Our time has come, for this world is doomed."
"Like we haven't heard that multiple times now," scoffed Kama.
Looking to the sky the mist swirling around them, Toneri smiled. "Yes, everything is in place." He nodded and extended his hand to Hinata. "It's time to go."
"I am not going with you."
Toneri nodded, "Perhaps not." he folded his arms before him and continued to smile. "On your own accord."
The construct behind Hinata snatched her arms. The one in front of her conjured a glowing sphere of green energy and moved toward her.
"Grandmaster!" Kama shouted.
With a growl, Hinata used a rising sun kick on the construct. With momentum and weight, she flipped over the construct holding her. Once free she struck it with an open palm strike that sent the construct into the other. The two fell to the ground. Hinata paralyzed the one on her left, to palm strike the one on her right. A swift shadow kick sent the construct to the ground.
"You will not take me by force," Hinata shouted. "No matter how many of these constructs you send, I will strike them all down!"
"We are destined, Hinata Hyuuga," said Toneri. "You are mine."
Hinata drew her bladed fans, opening them. "Destiny is an illusion. I forge my own path of my own accord and I belong to no one!"
Toneri's brows narrowed. "I see."
All at once the other constructs rushed in. Hinata fought them off, but with each one that fell two more replaced them.
"These things are worse than murlocs!" Hinata shouted.
She expected Kama to reply. The pandaren didn't. Knocking a construct back, Hinata used her Deadeyes.
Kama was limp within the grip of one of the constructs.
"Kama!" Hinata knocked the constructs away with a spinning crane kick. She rushed to Kama. Quickly she knocked the constructs away, but the one holding Kama leapt to the nearest rooftop.
Hinata turned to Toneri, "Release her!"
"The final day is fast approaching. We are destined by royal decree. Before the time comes for this world to end, I will return. You will come willingly then, that is if you ever want to see your friend again."
With a roar, Hinata charged him. A construct moved between them and took the full blow of Hinata's white tiger fist. Chi crackled from the strike; the construct blasted apart. Toneri faded from view.
A massive bird construct swooped in. The construct holding Kama jumped, landed on the bird's back, and entered the sky. The other constructs retreated.
"Kama!" Hinata screamed.
Gathering her chi, Hinata summoned her mount Xi-Qi. Mist from the summons gathered for a massive jade quilen in golden armor to appear. It roared and stretched, its stone body clanked and armor clanged. Sheathing her weapons, Hinata mounted. Instantly, the quilen took off in a run. It leapt, glowing transparent jade wings manifested and the beast flew into the air giving chase.
The bird construct was fast. Hinata lowered herself to her mount's form, willing Xi-Qi to pick up speed. No matter how fast the quilen moved, the construct kept getting further away toward the large thin sailor moon.
Abruptly, bright light illuminated the world as if it were daylight as a roar rumbled in the distance. Hinata shielded her eyes, deactivating her Deadeyes. Xi-Qi halted when a tremendous boom shook the air. Hinata watched as a massive speeding ball of fire streaked across the sky. A large meteorite burned to the west leaving a smoking tail. It reminded Hinata of the assault of the Burning Legion. The difference was the color. This meteor left a bright white-gold streak of light, whereas the Legions were green with fel.
It hit the land, exploding near the glow of a village in the distance. Xi-Qi growled as he floated in the air, awaiting an order.
"What the hell is going on," Hinata rubbed her temples and squeezed her eyes close.
Is this what he meant? By how is this world doomed?
Far in the distance the glow of where the meteorite stuck burned. There was no time for a side quest. Hinata tightened her grip on the reins. Taking a breath, she focused her chi and opened her Deadeyes.
Faint tapers of the construct's — Toneri's — energy was in the air, faintly glimmering, whereas Kama's was strong and bright. Kama's chi was like jade tendrils of mist that glittered like dew on blades of grass, guiding Hinata to Toneri.
One way or another, Toneri will send us back to Azeroth. Hinata nudged her heels into the quilen. That is if he values his life.
