Four Years Ago
Naruko and Sasuke stood in the massive crater, created at the base of the statue of the village's founder, now their battlefield. Naruko, shrouded in her Kyuubi cloak with its nine ethereal tails swirling around her, glared across the distance at Sasuke. Her crimson, slit eyes burned with a mixture of fury and heartache. One of her arms hung limply at her side, injured from a reckless strike, but her right hand, still pulsing with chakra, began to form a Rasengan.
Naruko: (growling) Sasuke...
Her Rasengan began to shift, taking on a vermillion hue as she infused it with the Kyuubi's chakra. The swirling orb of power glowed ominously in her hand. Sasuke stood opposite her, smirking darkly, his body warped and augmented by the third stage of the Curse Mark. The grotesque, bat-like wings on his back twitched as he relished in the power coursing through him. His hand crackled with black lightning, a corrupted Chidori forming in his palm.
Sasuke: (smirking) Naruko...
The sky above them rumbled ominously, dark clouds swirling as if the heavens themselves were reacting to the sheer energy the two were radiating. The ground beneath their feet trembled as both shinobi remained still for a heartbeat, staring each other down. The storm gathered overhead, and thunder echoed like a war drum.
In that moment, both of them moved.
With a burst of speed, they charged at each other, chakra flaring around them like fiery auras. They launched into the air, Rasengan and Chidori aimed directly at one another. The power of their attacks illuminated the battlefield with a fierce glow.
Naruko: (roaring) Sasuke!
Sasuke: Naruko!
Their attacks collided with an ear-splitting *BOOM, and a massive shockwave erupted from the point of impact. The force of their clash created a black mass at the epicenter, a pulsating sphere of energy that began to swallow the surroundings. The black sphere expanded rapidly, consuming everything in its path.
Inside the sphere, time seemed to slow. Naruko and Sasuke locked eyes, their fierce battle masks slipping for just a moment. Sasuke's gaze was filled with rage, but beneath that, exhaustion. His hatred had consumed him, but it had worn him down. Naruko, her own energy waning, looked back with sorrow. Her heart ached for the friend who had become her enemy, for the path they both had taken to reach this point.
Outside the sphere, the storm intensified. Rain began to pour in torrents, and lightning struck down in erratic, unnatural patterns. The world itself seemed to be reacting to their battle. Thunder roared, and the sky flashed as bolts of lightning hammered the black sphere, charging it further.
And then, something strange happened.
The black mass started to turn a deep blue. Cracks of light began to appear across its surface, spreading like fractures in glass. Streams of energy poured from the cracks, spreading out across the Elemental Nations. The sky above roared as the entire battlefield was consumed by an otherworldly light.
Then, the sphere exploded in a flash of blue light.
When the light faded and the storm began to calm, there was nothing left in the Valley of the End. The statues stood tall, but Naruko and Sasuke were gone. No trace of them remained.
The valley was eerily quiet, the rain now falling softly, as though the world itself was in mourning for the two shinobi who had vanished into the unknown.
somehwere
In the foreign land filled with strange creatures, the storm howled louder, the wind pushing everything in its path as if nature itself was preparing for something extraordinary. The animals had long since fled, and even the monsters, the terrifying beasts that roamed the forests, had retreated into their dens. A bright blue sphere of light appeared in the sky, shining brightly enough to be seen for miles, before slowly dissipating, leaving two figures lying in the mud: Naruko and Sasuke.
Both were unconscious, their bodies battered and broken from their clash. Naruko was bleeding from the wound where Sasuke's Chidori had struck her, the hole in her chest barely healing as the Kyuubi's chakra worked slower than usual. Time passed before she groaned, her body aching as she forced her eyes open. Pain flared in her side, but she pushed through it, placing a hand over the wound. She could still feel the jagged edges of where Sasuke had pierced her, the pain fresh in her mind.
"Damn it..." she muttered under her breath, her voice weak. Her healing was working, but too slowly. She couldn't rely on the Kyuubi's chakra like she usually did—it seemed even the tailed beast within her was exhausted.
Turning her head, she saw Sasuke lying on the ground nearby. A surge of anger rushed through her, mixed with the bitterness of their fight. She pushed herself to her feet, wobbling slightly, before limping over to him. Without much care, she gave him a hard kick to the ribs.
Naruko: "Oi, teme, get up. We're not done yet."
Sasuke groaned, slowly coming to, his vision still blurry. He looked up, meeting Naruko's gaze, only to see a mix of sadness and deep disappointment in her eyes. It stung more than any physical blow. He tried to push himself up, but his chakra reserves were almost nonexistent. Before he could fully sit up, Naruko pressed him back down, pinning him on his lap with surprising strength. She was injured too, but she still had enough chakra to fight if necessary.
Naruko: "Don't even think about it. I'm not in the mood, and I still have enough chakra left to drag your sorry ass back."
Sasuke gritted his teeth in frustration. He hated this. He hated how she always seemed to get the upper hand, how she always managed to survive, no matter what was thrown at her. But for now, he had to admit defeat. His body was too weak to fight her off.
Sasuke: "Get off me."
Naruko glared at him, her blue eyes still filled with anger, but she stepped off, turning her back to him. The rain continued to pour, soaking them both to the bone. She glanced around, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings.
Naruko: "This isn't the Valley of the End..."
Her voice was distant, as if she were trying to make sense of everything. Sasuke, still catching his breath, finally noticed it too. The landscape around them was nothing like the Land of Fire. The trees were strange, larger and darker than anything they'd seen before. Massive, purple mushrooms dotted the landscape, and the air was thick with a strange energy.
Naruko: "We're not in the Elemental Nations anymore. When our jutsu collided, I think we...we were transported here."
Sasuke's eyes widened in disbelief. He pushed himself up, wincing as his body protested. His Sharingan flared briefly as he looked around.
Sasuke: "This is your fault, dobe. If you had just let me go, none of this would have happened."
Naruko's body tensed at his words. She turned on him, her anger flaring hotter than before.
Naruko: "My fault? My fault? You're the one always running away, always whining about your tragic past like you're the only one who's ever suffered! You think your life is hard, Sasuke? Do you know what it's like to have the entire village hate you from the moment you were born? To be hunted, shunned, called a monster for something you never asked for?!"
Her voice cracked as she shouted, the pain in her words hitting harder than any physical blow. Sasuke was stunned into silence, his mind reeling. He had never seen Naruko like this, so raw, so vulnerable.
Naruko: "You're an elite, a Uchiha. Everyone expects you to be this great shinobi, and all you do is throw it away, chase after power like some desperate fool. But you... you've never had to fight for your right to exist, not like I have. If you spent one day in my shoes, you'd have killed yourself within minutes from the way the village treated me!"
Sasuke's fists clenched at her words, but he said nothing. His mind was too jumbled to respond, too overwhelmed by the truth she was spitting at him.
Naruko: "You're no better than Itachi."
The words hit Sasuke like a sledgehammer. His eyes widened in shock as he stared at her.
Sasuke: "I'm nothing like my brother!"
Naruko scoffed, her voice dripping with bitterness.
Naruko: "Oh really? Then why are you taking the easy way out for power, willing to crawl on your knees for Orochimaru? You think he'll give you what you want? Even if you kill your brother, what then? You think the village will accept you back with open arms? No one will trust you, no one will want anything to do with you. Who's going to want to start a family with Orochimaru's pet snake?"
Her words cut deeper than any blade, and for the first time, Sasuke had no response. He opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. He was left speechless, caught off guard by the brutal truth she had thrown in his face.
Naruko smirked, her anger still simmering, but there was satisfaction in her eyes as she saw the look of defeat on Sasuke's face.
Naruko: "What's wrong, Uchiha-san? Got nothing to say?"
She turned away from him, her body still aching, but she refused to show any weakness. Sasuke, for the first time, felt a flicker of doubt in his path.
Naruko and Sasuke walked through the dense forest of this strange new world, surrounded by unfamiliar sights and sounds. Naruko moved with confidence, her experience in harsh environments guiding her steps. When she was just four years old, the caretakers at the orphanage had thrown her out, leaving her to fend for herself in the streets of Konoha. She'd learned to survive on scraps, avoiding villagers who often looked at her with disdain. And on her birthday, during a horrific event the villagers called the "fox hunt," she'd been driven out of the village entirely, escaping into the deadly Forest of Death. In that unforgiving place, she had to adapt to survive or die.
Naruko glanced upward, noticing a strange animal flying overhead. It had the body of an owl but the face of a cat, a bizarre sight that gave her pause. Shaking off the strangeness, she pressed forward, spotting a large yellow beetle crawling up a tree trunk. Intrigued, she grabbed a stick and carefully poked at it. Immediately, the beetle released a sudden, blinding flash of light, forcing both her and Sasuke to shield their eyes.
"Ugh! Some kind of flash beetle, I guess," Naruko muttered, rubbing her eyes as her vision gradually returned.
Sasuke scowled, clearly irritated but still alert as he watched her carefully. Naruko ignored his look, focusing instead on the forest around them. She spotted broken branches and freshly snapped twigs, signs of a large creature moving through recently. A chill ran down her spine as she realized this place probably had its share of predators.
"We need to find somewhere safe to rest," she said, her voice calm but urgent. "There's definitely something big out here, and I don't plan on being its next meal."
Sasuke crossed his arms, his face showing a hint of skepticism. "You're just assuming—"
Naruko cut him off with a sharp look. "I'm not assuming. I actually know how to survive in a forest like this. You don't." Her tone softened, but she still held her ground. "Let's not forget that I'm the one who got us through the Forest of Death during the Chunin Exams. So, unless you're planning to go off on your own, you'll have to trust me."
Sasuke bristled at her tone, but he knew she had a point. Memories of that brutal test resurfaced in his mind, and he could still recall how efficiently she'd moved through the deadly terrain, leading them safely while he'd barely kept up. Begrudgingly, he nodded, letting her take the lead.
As they moved deeper into the forest, Naruko's eyes darted from tree to tree, marking potential hiding spots and edible plants she could recognize. They passed a fallen log, which looked sturdy enough to offer some shelter if needed, and Naruko made a mental note of its location. Sasuke, though quiet, was alert, absorbing everything she pointed out. She could tell he was curious, though his pride wouldn't let him admit it.
After a while, Naruko stopped, noticing a small clearing with a few low-hanging branches. "This might be a good spot to set up a camp if we can't find anything better," she suggested, glancing back at Sasuke.
"Fine," he muttered, trying to hide his relief.
Naruko's lips quirked into a slight smile. For now, they were allies in this strange world. And as much as Sasuke frustrated her, she was grateful they could rely on each other—at least, until they found a way home.
As Naruko and Sasuke journey through the unfamiliar world, Naruko takes charge, her forest survival instincts kicking in. She scans the dense undergrowth and high branches, noting every detail. At one point, her gaze is drawn to a strange creature in the sky, a birdlike animal she's never seen before, and one with an owl's body but the face of a cat. She shakes off the oddity, focusing instead on what she knows—survival.
Naruko spots a large, yellow beetle crawling up a tree trunk and decides to observe it, poking it with a stick. Suddenly, the beetle emits a blinding flash of light, causing both her and Sasuke to recoil. As her vision clears, she mutters, "That's a flash beetle or something close."
Looking back up, she notices snapped branches and broken twigs. Her eyes narrow with understanding—there's likely a predator around, and it's sizable. She turns to Sasuke. "We need to keep moving and find shelter," she says firmly, adding, "There's definitely something big out here, and I don't plan on being its next meal."
Sasuke opens his mouth to respond, but Naruko cuts him off with a sharp look. "You don't have a choice. I've actually survived in forests before. You, on the other hand, don't have the skills for it."
Sasuke pauses, recognizing she's right. The memory of their time in the Forest of Death during the Chunin Exams flashes in his mind, and he nods. Her experience was invaluable back then, and he knows it could be the difference between life and death now. Together, they continue forward, cautious but determined to adapt to the challenges of this strange new land.
Naruko and Sasuke walked through the dense forest of this strange new world, surrounded by unfamiliar sights and sounds. Naruko moved with confidence, her experience in harsh environments guiding her steps. When she was just four years old, the caretakers at the orphanage had thrown her out, leaving her to fend for herself in the streets of Konoha. She'd learned to survive on scraps, avoiding villagers who often looked at her with disdain. And on her birthday, during a horrific event the villagers called the "fox hunt," she'd been driven out of the village entirely, escaping into the deadly Forest of Death. In that unforgiving place, she had to adapt to survive or die.
Naruko glanced upward, noticing a strange animal flying overhead. It had the body of an owl but the face of a cat, a bizarre sight that gave her pause. Shaking off the strangeness, she pressed forward, spotting a large yellow beetle crawling up a tree trunk. Intrigued, she grabbed a stick and carefully poked at it. Immediately, the beetle released a sudden, blinding flash of light, forcing both her and Sasuke to shield their eyes.
"Ugh! Some kind of flash beetle, I guess," Naruko muttered, rubbing her eyes as her vision gradually returned.
Sasuke scowled, clearly irritated but still alert as he watched her carefully. Naruko ignored his look, focusing instead on the forest around them. She spotted broken branches and freshly snapped twigs, signs of a large creature moving through recently. A chill ran down her spine as she realized this place probably had its share of predators.
"We need to find somewhere safe to rest," she said, her voice calm but urgent. "There's definitely something big out here, and I don't plan on being its next meal."
Sasuke crossed his arms, his face showing a hint of skepticism. "You're just assuming—"
Naruko cut him off with a sharp look. "I'm not assuming. I actually know how to survive in a forest like this. You don't." Her tone softened, but she still held her ground. "Let's not forget that I'm the one who got us through the Forest of Death during the Chunin Exams. So, unless you're planning to go off on your own, you'll have to trust me."
Sasuke bristled at her tone, but he knew she had a point. Memories of that brutal test resurfaced in his mind, and he could still recall how efficiently she'd moved through the deadly terrain, leading them safely while he'd barely kept up. Begrudgingly, he nodded, letting her take the lead.
As they moved deeper into the forest, Naruko's eyes darted from tree to tree, marking potential hiding spots and edible plants she could recognize. They passed a fallen log, which looked sturdy enough to offer some shelter if needed, and Naruko made a mental note of its location. Sasuke, though quiet, was alert, absorbing everything she pointed out. She could tell he was curious, though his pride wouldn't let him admit it.
After a while, Naruko stopped, noticing a small clearing with a few low-hanging branches. "This might be a good spot to set up a camp if we can't find anything better," she suggested, glancing back at Sasuke.
"Fine," he muttered, trying to hide his relief.
Naruko's lips quirked into a slight smile. For now, they were allies in this strange world. And as much as Sasuke frustrated her, she was grateful they could rely on each other—at least, until they found a way home.
After setting up camp, Naruko sent a few shadow clones to scout the area, leaving her and Sasuke to finish their preparations. One of the clones reported back, mentioning a spot nearby with fruit-bearing trees and a large, clear lake. Taking a deep breath, Naruko decided she could use a moment to refresh and clean up.
"I'll be back soon," she told Sasuke, giving him a look that said he'd better be here when she returned. Sasuke nodded silently, keeping his gaze fixed on the campfire, and Naruko sighed, hoping the temporary truce would hold.
The path to the lake was lush, and when she arrived, she took a moment to admire the beauty of the calm water surrounded by vibrant greenery. The lake felt like a hidden oasis, a safe haven in this unfamiliar world, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of peace settling over her.
Naruko reached the lake, its surface reflecting the soft hues of the sky above, creating a serene, almost otherworldly atmosphere. She took a steadying breath, reaching up to unzip her jacket, letting it slide off her shoulders and pool on the ground. The air was cool against her skin as she moved, and she slowly pushed down her pants, revealing her thicc thighs and hips. Each piece of clothing slipped off with ease until she was left only in her undergarments, the curves of her body now more pronounced in the evening light.
With a deep breath, she slipped her black shirt over her head, and as she unclasped her bra, her D-cup breasts were freed, the cool air brushing across her skin. She stretched slightly, letting her shoulders roll back as she adjusted to the newfound freedom. Her figure, soft but strong, was framed by an enticing blend of curves; her body was shows she was fit but at the same time a bit chubby, from her training yet carried a natural fullness that only added to her presence. (Search up for super pochaco you understand what Naruko body look like)
Stepping out of her last garment, she moved toward the water, her hips swaying slightly with each step, her silhouette cast against the calm surface. Her body had an apple-like shape, with fullness around her hips and curves that blended strength and softness. As she waded into the lake, the water gently lapped against her skin, cool and soothing, washing away the tension from the day. She ran her fingers through her hair, letting the water cascade down her shoulders and along her curves.
Naruko relaxed, letting the moment calm her, feeling a rare sense of peace in this strange new world.
Almost thirty minutes had passed, and Sasuke, still waiting back at the campsite, finally stood up with a sigh. Wandering around a bit, he tried to figure out where Naruko had gone, figuring she must be done by now. Following the sound of a nearby stream, he moved through the trees, eventually coming upon the lake. When he saw it, he couldn't help but admit that the setting was peaceful and beautiful, but his thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a splash in the water.
From a distance, he froze, wide-eyed, as he spotted Naruko rising from the lake, completely unaware of his presence. The sight made his breath catch; she was entirely exposed, her hair wet and flowing down her back, water glistening on her skin. His gaze couldn't help but linger on her curves—she had a fuller, shapely figure that her usual jumpsuit hid, with a bit of softness in her hips and waist that added to her appeal. Her D-cup chest rose and fell with her breaths, and as she moved, she ran her hands over her skin, caressing the water over her chest and arms, pressing gently as if to wash herself. Sasuke found himself blushing, his thoughts racing as he tried to look away, but a small part of him was captivated.
The peaceful moment, however, was shattered when his eyes caught movement from across the lake—a dark shape moving rapidly through the water toward Naruko. Acting on pure instinct, Sasuke bolted forward, calling her name.
"Naruko!"
Naruko spun around, her eyes widening as she saw him sprinting toward her. "Sasuke! What are you—!"
Before she could react, he tackled her out of harm's way just as something lunged from the water behind her, missing by mere inches before retreating into the depths. Naruko yelped as she hit the ground, quickly covering herself with a mix of shock and embarrassment, her cheeks burning red.
"Sasuke!" Her voice was a stuttering mix of panic and frustration. "What the—what are you doing?!"
It was then that Sasuke realized he had pinned her to the ground at the lake's edge, his hands on either side of her. Her damp hair was spread out around her, her skin still glistening, and her blush only deepened as she realized how close they were. Sasuke's own face flushed as he tried to process the situation, his gaze caught on hers for a moment before he realized just how compromising their position was.
"S-sorry!" he stammered, moving back quickly, but Naruko's embarrassment turned to frustration.
"Pervert!" she yelled, her voice ringing through the forest and startling nearby birds into flight. Without hesitation, she slapped him hard across the face, leaving a red imprint on his cheek.
Later that night, the two sat around the campfire in awkward silence, both still blushing from the earlier incident. Naruko avoided his gaze, cheeks tinged pink as she poked at the fire, while Sasuke sat across from her, a faint red mark still visible on his cheek. Neither seemed willing to break the silence, and an uncomfortable tension filled the air between them as they quietly reflected on the bizarre events of the day.
Naruko broke the tense silence first, her voice sharp and cutting through the crackle of the campfire. "Why?"
Sasuke glanced up at her, his dark eyes narrowing slightly. "Why what?"
She glared at him, her intensity unmistakable. "Why did you leave your home?"
Sasuke scoffed, leaning back slightly. "That place was holding me back. Staying there would have made me weak."
Naruko snorted, her laugh dripping with derision. "Holding you back? How fucking stupid and pathetic."
His eyes snapped to hers, his glare as sharp as a kunai. "I'm not pathetic," he shot back, his voice low but laced with venom. "I'm an elite—an Uchiha."
He didn't get the chance to finish.
Naruko shot to her feet, her voice exploding in a furious scream that made the forest seem to hold its breath. "I don't give two shits or a single fuck that you're an Uchiha or an 'elite'! You're nothing but a little whiny bitch who thinks the world owes him everything! You think you're entitled to people's respect, to their loyalty, because you have a fancy last name. Everyone kisses your ass, gives you everything you want, while the rest of us—"
She paused, her breathing heavy as if forcing herself to keep going. Her hands clenched into trembling fists. "Back in the valley, you told me I wouldn't understand what it's like to lose a family. You're right. I wouldn't. I started alone. From day one. Every single day of my life, I suffered, Sasuke. Beaten within an inch of my life. On my birthday, no less."
Sasuke stared at her, wide-eyed, stunned into silence.
"But you? You always had people around you, people who cared. You were showered with attention, whether you wanted it or not. Me? All I got was hate." Her voice cracked, but she pushed forward. "You wanna know the sad truth? I don't care about the village. If it burned to the ground tomorrow, I wouldn't shed a tear."
Her words hit him like a hammer, but she wasn't finished. Her voice softened, trembling with emotion. "The only people I cared about there were Anko... and you."
Sasuke's eyes widened further.
"Yes, you," she said, her voice trembling but filled with conviction. "Not Uchiha Sasuke. Not some 'elite' prodigy. Just Sasuke—the kid I remember laughing with, playing with, my childhood friend. And now, that boy's gone. You've become a hollow, power-hungry liar, willing to destroy anything and anyone to gain the strength you think you need. Do you even see what you've become?"
Her voice rose again, venomous and raw. "I hate you, Sasuke. I hate you so much it makes me sick. I wish I'd ended you back in the valley when I had the chance."
Her words cut deep, and Sasuke flinched visibly, but she wasn't done. Tears streamed down her face, her blue eyes now crimson with slit pupils, burning with pain and rage. Her voice dropped to a growl as she delivered her final blow.
"You're worse than your brother."
Those five words hit him harder than any punch or jutsu ever could. He froze, his composure shattered, his face pale.
Naruko turned and stormed off, her breathing ragged, leaving him behind. As she disappeared into the shadows of the forest, Sasuke remained seated, staring blankly at the fire.
For the first time in a long time, he was completely and utterly speechless, left alone with nothing but her words echoing in his mind and the crackling fire before him.
To be continued...