7/15/25

I find it odd the amount of people who DM and review on here seeking work for art. Don't get me wrong, everyone has a job, but this is a fanfiction. If I wanted artwork for it, I would draw it myself — given I'm not the best of artists, but still.

I have no money to pay for anything. And I doubt any of them who post a review or DM me have even read the story.

Besides that, I have a bit more time to write when I'm not working or taking care of other things. Another great thing that happened was that I was promoted to a full time position at my job.

Thanks all, and have a beautiful day!

Disclaimer: I did not create Naruto or World of Warcraft, both are under the rights of their respective owners.

Chapter 6: Let's Play a Game

Hinata Winterbreeze woke up just before daybreak to find that she was alone. Nobody was keeping watch over her. When she reached for her gourd it wasn't where she left it. It had been moved. When she found it she grasped it, and found it heavy. Uncorking it, Hinata took a drink. It was filled with sake.

The wise brewmaster recognizes the importance of taking a drink . . . and the importance of stopping before the drink takes the brewmaster, Ban Lu's words echoed within Hinata's mind.

Grimacing, Hinata sighed. Looking at the gourd she frowned. "Good thing I'm not a brewmaster today." After taking another sip, Hinata pushed the cork back into the mouth of the gourd determined to conserve the sake instead of drinking it as if she were a fish.

Leaving the building she took refuge for the night, Hinata found Xi-Qi guarding the entry. Resting her hand on its stone mane she looked in the direction the quilen was looking. It was watching the shinobi — Sai mostly.

"Always vigilant," Hinata said as she stretched.

The quilen chuffed.

Hinata watched the ninja for a moment as she arched her back. The shinobi were gathered together within the courtyard below. Hinata wasn't sure if any of them had slept or not, but it appeared they were getting ready for the day.

"Hinata!" Naruto waved when he noticed her, to then beckon her to them.

She shook her head, "I need some time alone to meditate. I am going back to the crypt." I need to find more answers . . . And clear my mind and my heart. There is too much troubling me to stay focused on the right things now.

Turning away, Hinata looked at Xi-Qi. "Are you coming with me or staying?"

The quilen didn't move. Hinata nodded. "Keep an eye on them then."

Hopping the ledge, she followed the stone path back to the temple. During the day the area looked different. More desolate, overgrown, the destruction more pronounced.

Going to the bell monument Hinata saw that the candle remained and was still lit. The remaining wick was nearly spent and the flame small. Hinata sat before the bell in a lotus pose. She looked over the ruins once more and then focused her gaze back to the flame. I need to find Kama and Hanabi. I must find and destroy the energy vessel.

"If any remnants of Hamura's descendants are here, please, I implore you to guide me to the things I seek."

Closing her eyes Hinata pushed all the thoughts from her mind and whispered repeatedly a mantra, "Om hrim strim hum phat . . . Om hrim strim hum phat . . ."

Chi slowly circulated within Hinata as she continued her mantra. Her mind cleared. Burdens lifted. Emotions that were bottled up within her swelled to disperse as her senses expanded, her pulse slowed with her breaths, and her body relaxed. That was when the land around her opened up to her revealing its truths and secrets.

This realm wasn't that much larger than the Wandering Isle. There were a few other villages throughout along with mountains, valleys, forest, fields, a river, springs, ponds and lakes. Due to the sphere they were contained within, the land reflected from the dome of the false sky giving it the visual it was much larger than it really was.

There were very few life forms. Mostly bugs, amphibians, birds, crustaceans, fish, and very few small rodents. At one time there were larger creatures, but they were no more. How the world remained alive Hinata thought at first was due to a single source of energy, but as she took in the life energies around she noticed it lived by two sources. One was Toneri's, the other was a massive force — a source that came directly from the fake sun above.

Hinata took a deep breath and released more of her chi. Her spiritual and physical forms separated. Looking over the world with a spiritual gaze, colors faded to hues of gray. Hinata set her eyes on the sun. Within a second she floated before the sun and without effort slipped past it and within. The fake sun was hollow — the sun itself a form of light and a barrier hiding Toneri's castle and the mass of floating ruins within. Chunks of large and small stones floated around a broken moon shaped as a crescent with a sphere floating near it — the branch Otsutsuki clan insignia monumented.

The spiritual plane was silent with no souls let alone spirit healers to be seen. Abruptly, long wisp of twinkling white energy streamed around Hinata. The wisp shifted and began to flow toward a floating island with a building on top. It was a large structure — a fortified castle made of stone and glass. Towers rose into the darkness from the castle with curved spikes along the bulwark. Pointed sharp roofs, turrets, and towers: at one time the fortress may have been beautiful. As it currently stood and appeared within the gray of the spirit world, the castle looked desolate and ancient. Broken down, betrayed, and lonely. There were only three forms of life within and the only colors. The teal glow of Toneri's chakra, the jade chi of Kama, and the sky blue of Hanabi Hyuuga.

Within a beat, Hinata was within the castle. Hinata hoped Toneri's spiritual senses were not that keen when she manifested within.

"Tonight," Toneri's voice echoed from the physical realm to the spirit. "Let them keep wandering around like lost souls. When the moon is high, I will go to Hinata and she will come back with me, whether she is willing or not. I'll handle the others later . . . Personally, once the Tenseigan fully manifests."

Hinata gazed about the foyer of the castle. Constructs walked toward her with spheres of dull gold light centered in their chest. One was dressed in a long robe and appeared as a woman with long hair and a severe expression on her face came toward her with smaller constructs that looked like children. They didn't seem to notice her when they passed.

Hinata set her gaze on her apprentice's chi. She appeared within a vestibule that was long with drapery that ran along the tops of marble pillars. Upon the walls were large shadowbox frames where within were astonishing to outlandish outfits upon faceless mannequins. Kama had been placed into one of the frames.

Toneri's voice echoed, "Hinata and I will feast tonight, and I will discover if she can be trusted or not. If she cannot, then I will force her to be obedient."

Kama wasn't asleep — she was within a suspended animation. But she was alive. Hinata turned to the blue glow of Hanabi's lifeforce. Hinata's spirit appeared within a spacious and elegant room. Drapes covered the large windows. Beautiful bedding was on the bed where a girl laid. Like Kama, the girl was in suspended animation — alive. This was Hinata's sister.

Hanabi's hair was long and dark but her skin wasn't tanned from being in the sun like Hinata's. Instead the girl's tone was very pale, almost frail looking even within the gray. Bandages covered her eyes and the girl hadn't a clue what had happened or what was even taking place around her. Perhaps for the best.

"They're pulsing again. These Byakugan are so pure," Toneri's voice was further away. "Soon, I will fulfill Hamura's Celestial Decree."

Hinata left the castle, her spiritual form appearing back out in the ruins. Wisp of mist guided her, heading to the sphere centered near the broken crescent moon.

Toneri was able to create barriers with the energy vessel to blind her Deadeyes, but he wasn't able to contain or block Hinata's spirit. She manifested before the floating sphere to then move within.

It was odd within the sphere as it was laced with tunnels of glowing spheres within the walls. She came to an enclosure where metal beams encircled a large gold glowing orb that even within the spiritual plane looked like a large eye. The beams around it were like a massive gyroscope that kept the energy vessel in place.

"Destroy the energy vessel and Toneri loses control over his puppet army." Hamura's voice whispered.

Hinata let herself descend, ending her astral travel. When her spirit returned to her body Hinata sensed others around her — the shinobi. So deep into meditation she had ended up floating in the air. Opening her eyes, she rested her feet on the ground. Looking at the candle, Hinata watched the little flame flicker to go out.

"When you meditate, you really get into it," Sakura said as she rested her hand on her hip. "I don't think I've ever seen anyone meditate like that before."

"I was in zen meditation, a form unique to monks. It's so my spirit and body can separate when I am in contemplation," Hinata replied.

Sakura rubbed her chin, "Oh."

Neji crossed his arms, "We are going to scout the area to the east. There is another village there."

"There is something we need to discuss first," Hinata said. Activating her Deadeyes she turned to the ninja. "In absolute privacy; Toneri has eyes and ears all around us. We should go back into the crypt. I believe it is protected by Hamura. Toneri's constructs will not follow us in."

The mental projection of her voice didn't seem to bother Shikamaru, Sai, Sakura, or Neji. Naruto was the only one who became more alert as he stared at her with wide eyes.

Shikamaru's eyes narrowed. He looked at Neji. "She's been here a while. Do you see anything off?"

Naruto scowled, "Really—"

"We still have to be sure," Shikamaru intoned as he glanced at Naruto.

Neji's Byakugan activated. He scanned the temple ruins, to shake his head. "Nothing different."

Letting her Deadeyes rest, Hinata said, "Time is of the essence."

Shikamaru looked at the palm of his hand before he clenched it. "Time is of the essence . . . Alright."

Hinata nodded and with haste, took the lead into the crypt. She went past the entrance, down into the base where the stone image of the Tenseigan stood. The hidden door had closed. The shinobi gathered around, their attention on her.

"I found where Toneri is hiding during my meditation. The one place we haven't even thought of looking." She raised her hand with her index finger pointed up.

Shikamaru's eyes widened and was the first to reply. "Up . . ." His eyes scowled. "Toneri is hiding in that fake sun."

Naruto's eyes scowled. "Damn him. No wonder he's not worried about us finding him!"

"Exactly." Hinata looked from Naruto to Shikamaru. "Toneri has a fortress there where he is keeping Hanabi and Kama. The energy vessel resides within a small moon there too."

"You're amazing, Hinata!" Naruto blurted and grinned.

"Sometimes," Hinata said. She set her focus on the bass relief of the energy vessel carved into the stone. "Kama and Hanabi are in a type of stasis." Hinata looked at Neji. "They're alive, but unable to interact. I don't believe they know what is going on around them, which is the best for Hanabi. As you said, Toneri has taken her eyes."

Sai calmly said, "How are we going to get up there without Toneri noticing us? I'm sure if we fly up there we will not be welcomed."

"He has a point," Sakura said as she crossed her arms. "Toneri has his puppets — a massive amount of them."

Hinata tapped her fingers along her gourd. "I have to destroy the energy vessel first. It's what is empowering his puppet army. Once it is destroyed, there will be only Toneri left to defeat."

"It's what he's using to control the moon too," Shikamaru said, again looking at his palm. "We only have a few days and hours left before the moon becomes close enough to earth where there's point of no return." He looked hard at the others. "There will be nothing to stop or reverse its course if the Tensaigan isn't destroyed."

"Then we must act quickly." Hinata said as she stepped forward. "Toneri holds power, yes, but he has never been in a real battle. True strength comes from the heart and experience — two things Toneri does not possess. We will have the upper hand, especially if we strike before his eyes fully manifest."

"How do you plan on getting to the Tenseigan?" Shikamaru inquired as he rubbed his chin. "Let alone up there without having his army instantly come out?"

Hinata smiled and pulled her gourd from her side, "Toneri said he would come back for me, and it will be tonight. I overheard him speaking during my zen meditation." Hinata uncorked her gourd and took a quick drink. Scowling she said, "He wants an answer of whether I'll marry him or not."

Naruto stepped toward her. "You're not actually thinking of saying yes to that creep are you?"

"You're too cute." Hinata teased, then sobered, "No, I do not intend on marrying him, but Toneri doesn't need to know that."

Neji's brow raised, "You are going to let him take you there?"

"Not just me, all of us." Looking back at Shikamaru, Hinata said, "Toneri is a child, so let's play a game. We can use Toneri coming for me to our advantage. It's how we can all get onto his playing field and turn it into our own."

Shikamaru's eyes scowled in thought. "Do you just expect him to let all of us come with you?"

"Of course not. He wouldn't allow that." Hinata smirked. "But he doesn't have to know you are with me. Tell me. Can your sealing scrolls hold living people without them dying?"

The shinobi all set their gaze on Sai.

"Oh," Sai said to smile as his fingers tapped his pouch that held his brushes and inks. "This is going to be fun." He scowled and turned, looking toward the entry. "There were scrolls large enough for me to create multiple Koshi Tandan, within one of the buildings I scouted earlier." Frowning he turned his gaze on Hinata, "The problem is that it takes a large space, meaning a large scroll." Tilting his head he said, "I am sure Toneri would wonder why you would be carrying so many suddenly."

"Not if he doesn't see them," Hinata stated as she propped her hand on her hip. "I will store the scrolls within Xi-Qi's saddle bag. It's magic. If it can keep herbs and meats fresh, and even creatures alive for years even when I release Xi-Qi to his figurine form, it will keep the scrolls safe and hidden from Toneri."

"Years?" Naruto asked. "How'd you find that out?"

Hinata looked away from him and said, "I have other mounts back home. Xi-Qi is special. Unlike the others that I must summon to me, Xi-Qi is created from magic. I may have left things within his bags and ended up not using him for a long while. Though flying, either by mounts or airships, is the main means of travel, there are some places in Azeroth where we cannot fly. Magic will keep you grounded there, especially if you do not have a flight master's license. You either pay a lot of coin, or you earn the right to fly. Sometimes, quest locations are close enough that a ground mount is efficient enough, or even aquatic." She tilted her head and rubbed her chin. "I have never been to the underwater kingdom of Vashj'ir . . . I have heard stories that there are seahorses large enough to tame and ride while beneath the tides, though I have not seen one myself. I don't doubt it though. I grew up on the back of a giant turtle."

"A giant turtle?" Naruto asked, his eyes on her. "You said you grew up on an island."

"Wouldn't the shell of a dragon turtle that is large enough to house a temple, training grounds, farm, and multiple villages not be considered an island here?" Hinata inquired.

His eyes widened, "That's why it's called the Wandering Isle!"

"Troublesome." Shikamaru rubbed his temples and said, "We've veered off track here."

"Guys," Sakura loudly said. Once everyone focused on her she said, "Won't Toneri realize we're all missing if we are no longer around?"

"Valid point," Shikamaru said with a nod.

"We already announced we were heading east," Neji said, causing the others to look at him. "We will continue east with our plan." He then set his eyes on Naruto. "Or at least, we can make it appear we are going east—"

"But they'll be clones," Sakura said as she looked at Naruto.

Nodding, Naruto said, "Okay. I just have to be aware of what's going on for it to work, ya know. And hold the transformations." He scowled in thought, "I'll have to transform into something and hide on Hinata."

Hinata blinked, "You can make copies of yourself and transform into other things as well?"

"We can do a lot of things with ninjutsu," Sakura said. "Their uses can be limitless." She gestured to the others. "We could all transform, but keeping a transformation for an unknown amount of time would put a strain on our chakra."

"And we'll need all the chakra we can get when it comes to Toneri," Neji added.

Shinobi are jacks of all classes instead of trades. How interesting . . .

"It's a good thing Naruto is like a massive chakra battery," Sai said, smiling as he looked at him.

"Well, we have the beginnings of a plan," Shikamaru said. "Let's flesh it all out and cover everything, then make a back up plan. First, let's get an idea of where our target locations are." He looked at Sai, "Get your paper and ink ready." Looking at Hinata he said, "Describe to him the area the best you can."

Night had long fallen when Hinata stepped into a clearing where a pond resided. There were a few trees, as flowers in bloom were all around. Glowing gold butterflies danced throughout the foliage and over the pond. The moon was near its apex as Hinata sat upon a boulder. She had replaced the band back over her eyes. The wind blew as a low hum came with it. The butterflies scattered, fluttering away. The humming became louder. Toneri descended from the sky upon an hovering imperial golden disk.

I like that disk . . . It would make a nice gift for Lorewalker Cho.

"Toneri," Hinata said as she stood and approached him.

The disk hovered over the water of the pond to rest at the ledge of the land.

"Hinata . . . Where has your entourage gone?" Toneri asked as he gazed at her.

"You know exactly where they have gone, Toneri. To the east where another abandoned village is," Hinata replied.

"What foolish endeavors." He chuckled, to open his eyes. They shimmered with iridescent colors. "They'll never find me." Staring down at her Toneri said, "I've come for your answer, Hinata."

Stepping onto the disk, Hinata said, "I have learned some about my family from Neji Hyuuga —" she looked away from Toneri and sneered. "They are like your clan. Segregated. Born to either lead or be enslaved and that is not a legacy I want to be part of."

Toneri smiled as he raised his arm, for Hinata to take the cue and moved into his embrace.

Looking up at him, Hinata said, "Let us rebuild the world, Toneri."

"You are perfect, my Byakugan Princess. Untouched by a man and pure . . ." Toneri replied as he gazed at her not lovingly, but as if he had just obtained a treasure. His gaze studied the band on her face as he said, "Why do you still cover your face?" He reached to remove it, "I want to learn more about you. To see into your eyes—"

Grasping his hand, Hinata said, "We have time to learn about each other, Toneri." She looked up at him, "I want to learn about you properly, as I want to tell you and show you everything about me."

I could kill him right now . . . Hinata traced her finger along his chest, envisioning striking him with Touch of Death. That would ruin everything, and Toneri controlled this realm. Killing him now could cause them all to be killed by his army of constructs. Or, it could cause the realm within the moon to completely fall apart. Patience. I have to destroy the energy vessel first, then I can kill him . . .

"You have no idea how long I have waited for this, Hinata. How long it took for me to find you and bring you to me," Toneri said as he released her and looked out into the night sky. "Soon, my eyes will completely manifest and I can begin armageddon."

Hinata nodded. It's going to begin a lot sooner than you think.

The disk flew through the sky, to zoom to the hidden castle. Constructs were lined along the walls of the walkway. There was a tall woman with younger girls who too had white hair and yellow eyes too. All with pale plaster faces with yellow eyes and long white hair. They were dressed nicely. The woman wore a green top and red leggings as were the younger girls. The difference was additional white long sleeves of the woman's robes.

"Welcome to the castle, Lady Hinata." the constructs said in unison to bow.

Hinata expected them to remove her weapons and possibly even her bags. They didn't though. Hinata was free to enter as she was.

The castle itself was large, made up of gold and silver metals with stained glass windows throughout. Red and blue walls, green pointed roofs, pillars, and elongated curved spikes. It was an odd design. Beautiful yet odd.

Toneri led the way into the interior as the constructs followed behind them in a line.

Gazing at the interior of the castle, Hinata said, "Your castle is beautiful."

Toneri glanced at her. "I will show you around, after you have purified yourself. I have a room for you, that is until we are married," Toneri said. He gestured to one of the constructs. "Escort her."

"Yes, lordship." The elder construct gestured for Hinata to follow.

Toneri turned his gaze on Hinata, resting his fingers along his temple. "I must rest for a moment. I will come for you soon."

They traveled down a dark hallway where large paintings were upon the walls and more mannequins dressed in spectacular clothes were placed throughout. It wasn't the same hall where Kama was restrained. The construct stopped at a closed door and opened it.

"A bath is being drawn for you, milady. Toneri has requested you wear the clothes provided for dinner tonight," the construct intoned, gesturing to an outfit that lay on the bed.

"Thank you," Hinata said.

It pointed to an enclosed room within the bed chamber. "Dinner will be two hours; I will return for you then. Purify yourself, as your bath is ready. Will you need assistance?"

"No, I can bathe myself," Hinata stated.

Two of the smaller constructs that had been within the room ushered themselves out. The female construct closed the door, leaving Hinata alone.

I don't like this. He's either full of himself, or really believes I'm on his side. Hinata looked over the room. It was luxurious with mostly everything a woman of royalty would desire. Large bed covered in bright red and gold linen. Dressers and shelves within the confines of an expansive yet empty room.

Hinata went into the bathroom and closed the door behind her. Steam wafted from the oversize tub. She activated her Deadeyes. First, she checked the room to ensure there were no other constructs. Finding the room clear, with no spheres of darkness within, Hinata pulled out her hearthstone. Gently she set it on the floor.

"It's safe," Hinata whispered. "He didn't even take my weapons or gear." She glanced at the door.

The hearthstone erupted into mist for Naruto to appear, crouched on the floor. He brought his hands together, his index fingers crossed. Another Naruto puffed into existence, for the clone to do a series of hand signs and become encased in a fine mist. An image of Hinata stood there then.

"Get ready and lead Toneri on," Naruto told the transformed clone.

The clone waved him away, and with Hinata's voice said, "Yeah, yeah. I know what I'm doing."

Hinata shifted her Deadeyes vision. It darkened as the outlines and shapes of the building, land, constructs, and people became grayish white lines. There were no constructs outside, but there were two — the servant girls — waiting outside her bedroom door. Beyond the walls of the castle there were no constructs or guards. There were also no places for them to hide once they exited. Scanning her vision, Hinata paused on a pile of rubble near the ledge. Below it, there was a space, a cavern large enough for them to release the others and begin the assault. It would just require them to leap down to it.

Looking at Naruto, Hinata whispered, "I found a spot."

Naruto was silent as he went to the window and opened it.

"Wait," Hinata whispered as she rummaged through her hip pouch. Smiling she pulled out a vial. "I have an invisibity potion we can use. If we split it it will be half the duration, but we should be able to make it to the cavern to release the others without being seen. It's all open out there."

His eyes scowled, "You can use potions for that?"

"I come from a world wrought in warcraft, Naruto. Nearly nothing is impossible there." Looking at the small vial, Hinata whispered, "I made this myself. A full vial will keep me invisible for eighteen seconds. If we both drink half, it'll only be nine seconds for each of us. We'll have to be quick."

Going to the window, Hinata whispered, "There is a cavern below that pile of rubble. The opening is nearly even with the ledge."

Naruto nodded. "Ready?"

"White Tiger watch over us."

Uncorking the vial, Hinata drank half of it, to then pass it to Naruto. The effects of the potion instantly took effect as she felt it tingle and cool her skin. Naruto drank the rest as Hinata went out the window. She landed softly, for Naruto to land next to her, unseen. They ran to the rubble. Hinata felt the effects of the potion begin to weaken as her skin shimmered. Picking up her pace, she then slid along the ground and over the ledge to grasp the edge. Hanging for a moment, Hinata dropped into the mouth of the cavern. The potion wore off as Naruto landed next to her.

Hinata walked deeper into the cavern as she retrieved the stone quilen figurine from her pouch. Summoning Xi-Qi, the beast kept silent as it manifested into its large form. Quickly, they pulled out the scrolls — opening Sai's first. It was a large painting of a tiger that fondly held its master's hand within its mouth. The other shinobi didn't receive such treatment when the tiger leapt out of the painting and pulled them into it.

"You remember the hand signs to release them?" Naruto asked as he went through the hand signs, and placed his hand on the paper of the scroll.

Chakra mist erupted for the tiger to step out of the page with its master. Sai went from a black and white drawing, to regaining his colors, to manifesting from image to man.

"Oh, that is so cool," Hinata intoned.

Sai patted the tiger's head and released it. "Thank you." He looked at Naruto and Hinata. "I'll release the others. You two go to the Tenseigan. Destroy it."

Naruto nodded, "Right."

"Xi-Qi, stick with Sai. He is going to release Kama, and you will be a friendly face for her." Hinata looked at Sai and said, "Remember, she may not be able to communicate. I'm not sure if the linguist's spell paused with her stasis or not."

"Understood," Sai said, for his eyes to widen when the quilen nudged his arm.

Hinata tilted her head. "Xi-Qi likes you. That's a good thing."

Sai rested his hand on the stone beast head and said, "Xi-Qi is an exquisite piece of art. A perfect image to paint."

The quilen chuffed and stood proud.

"Go," Sai said as he nudged open a scroll with his foot. Shikamaru's drawing looked clearly annoyed, as the tiger sat on his back. "Once the others are released, we will be counting on you to destroy the vessel."

"You can count on us," Naruto stated as he went to the ledge. "Ready, Hinata?"

Nodding, Hinata said, "Let's do this."

Story Notes

Zen meditation — I know that this is a PVP talent, and it only reduces damage. For the sake of this fiction, I turned it into something different.

Sai's sealing technique, Koshi Tandan (Tiger Vision Staring Bullet) — I thought this would be fun to put in. I couldn't find a whole lot about the technique itself online, except for what it does to the user and that their emotions must be used. I watched a couple of clips on Youtube of him performing it.