64AN: Hi? It's been awhile everyone, years in fact. I woke up today dreaming of writing a new chapter for this fic. I know its been years since I last updated, definitely looks like I abandoned this fic. :( To that, I'm sorry. Unfortunately, the first time I published this my laptop died... and all the chapters I've written got lost in the wind. lol. so lost my muse, got caught up with life, etc. Now hopefully I am back on track and will not be distracted with anything else.
Disclaimer: Naruto and The Avengers/MCU are not mine.
Chapter 2: The New Beginning
It's been a few minutes since they started walking towards her place. The rain has finally stopped but that doesn't mean she cannot feel the cold catching up to her due to her wet clothes. She may be running hotter than normal due to the passive chakra flowing in her veins but since she rarely uses her chakra outside of her home she can't do anything about it. Sure she could have used a combination of Wind and Fire jutsu to dry her clothes but living in this world for 4 years has made her adapt. A good ninja, let alone a former Hokage like her knows how to adapt to his or her surrounding. This dimension that they are in now is quite different to their old one after all.
First of all, the population of this world is reaching billions. In their old world, she had always thought that its already too crowded but arriving at this one has shocked her to the core, everywhere you look people are milling about and doing knows what. Second, was the advancement of the technology, in her own world, they did make progress especially once she became the Hokage. Raw materials were made available for each country as the Alliance they have grew stronger. Thus Science, Medicine and Technology boomed to greater heights because of it. But it seems that was nothing compared to this world, due to its technological advancement, things that she never thought possible unless you are rich and have chakra can now happen. Lastly, this world doesn't have Ninjas. Oh that's one of the first things she decided to look on when she and Kurama finally settled in their new home. But unfortunately, what they have learned is that even though this world had Ninjas they were nothing close to the ones in their world. They did learn that some individuals have powers but not something to think about.
Her musings were cut short when she felt a shiver beside her, shoot how could she even forget about the person she offered her help? This really isn't the time to be distracted.
Looking to the man besides her, she noticed that his breathing has become more labored and is in pain for every step he takes. Even though he is trying to keep up with her slow pace it is fairly obvious that his injuries are bothering him. Blood and pus still continue to ooze out of the grey metal muzzle on his face. The lacerations and puncture wounds all over his body were bleeding profusely and seems to be already infected.
Holding him in place and adjusting his position. She tried to rein her temper in. She's been trying hard not to think of the person who did this, she kept her voice calm and soft when she informed him that they will arrive in her home soon and she will try whatever she can to patch him up so could he please trust her and let her help him. The man just looked at her with his one vivid green eye, again searching for something on her face. She showed him that she doesn't want to do anything to him besides to help and it seems that it worked and the man found her trustworthy. Smiling softly, she calculated that in a minute they will reach the seals she had placed to conceal her home.
Reaching out with her chakra, she triggered the seals to let the man see the house when they get closer. She also manipulated her chakra to erase their tracks and to create a clone that will go straight to Kurama to inform him of her 'delay'.
She may be reckless when she was younger but experience and maturity made her realize that you can't be too careful with everyone nowadays. She has precious people to protect and she will not allow her bleeding heart to let them be in danger. Not that Kurama can't protect himself and her daughter. Kurama is way more viscious than she is. And will definitely enjoy destroying the world for them if someone dare try to hurt anyone in the family.
At this point she can already see the front of the house and in it she could feel the thrum of Kurama's powerful chakra waiting for her just behind the door.
She smiled at the man and informed him of this "We're here! This is my house and I'm living with my brother and daughter. You have nothing to worry about. My brother may look scary but he is completely harmless!" Harmless my ass, she kept a straight face while saying this. No need for the man to know that Kurama and harmless shouldn't even be in the same sentence.
The man didnt look like he believed her, truthfully its really hard for her to read him which is baffling since she could feel any negative emotions. With the extent of his injuries she should have felt pain, anger, embarrassment, anything from the man. But currently, she is drawing a blank. The last time the man even tried to talk was when she met him in the forest and that definitely wasn't a good idea now since the manacles and muzzle thing are still hindering him and causing undeniable pain. She really wants to remove those already.
Right now she can sense that the man looks unsure. Knowing that time is crucial she was about to decide for him when the door opened abruptly. There standing in all his glory is Kurama. Her pain in the ass, protective Nine Tailed Fox Demon brother.
Uh oh, and he doesn't look happy, at all.
Although, she can handle herself from him this isn't the time to argue with her brother. Hearing the injured man beside her whimpering she ignored her brother and went inside the house and almost carried the man towards the living room not that it isn't possible as the man is skin and bones.
She carefully set the man on the sofa not caring if his blood will stain it. The man winced and tried to stand. She dropped her hand on his shoulder softly and in a soothing voice told him to relax and that she will get things that will help him. The man didn't move after that but still continued shivering. His rattling chains the only thing you can hear in the living room.
Hurrying towards were they put their medicine kit was, she heard Kurama following her.
"What was that all about brat? Your clone didn't even bother telling the complete details to me. Who is he? Why did you bring him here of all places? Do not tell me that you plan to keep him here with us?" Kurama asked in a growl.
Digging continuously in the cabinets, she honestly have no idea if the medicine in the house will be enough to staunch the bleeding but a first aid is better than none. Because of their 'unique circumstances' they don't really get sick and any injury just regenerates after a few minutes. So any medicine that they have are just for show to guests and the like.
"Brother, I don't even know who he is let alone where he came from so I doubt my clone would have answered you anyway. I only saw him in the woods. Now we will talk about this after we treat his wounds and can you please try not to growl at him? You know that will not help!" says Naruto.
An undignified snort was her only response from him.
She ignored him and threw the bandages she found to him. Catching it, she and Kurama hurriedly went back to the man. They see him still sitting on the sofa but to Naruto's dismay the man looks more distressed than before they left him. As soon as they approached him a keening sound could be heard from him and he started moving backwards away from them. Not that he could move much as the chains are still tangled and looks quite heavy for him.
His one eye is looking directly at Kurama and fear can clearly be seen in them. She tried to move towards him again but more whimper escaped him, she noticed that he doesn't seem to care about her approaching him as his focus is solely on Kurama.
Seeing this, she asked Kurama to leave them be. Kurama shrugged, knowing that she can handle herself and told her to just holler if she needs him.
As soon as Kurama left the room, the distressed sound coming from the injured man slowly left him. Although, she can still see fear lurking in his eye when it focused on her it seems that she atleast was able to gain some of his trust when they were in the forest.. Hopefully? Maybe?
Sighing, she slowly sat beside him and said,"I understand that you are not familiar in this environment and to us. I do not know what has happened to you but I promise that you are safe here. We will never hurt you."
Naruto waited for him to relax even more, she then proceeded to put all the things she's found in the medicine cabinet on the side table. Now that they are in a well lit room she can clearly see what had been done to him. It make her sick to her stomach how people can do this to another person. The purple liquid leaking from some of his wounds that she thinks is poison has to be flushed out from his system and she definitely has to clean the wounds as soon as possible. Like NOW.
Assessing the wounds, she wonders if she is just imagining it but it seems the wounds on his body are lessening but that isn't possible for a human. He definitely is human as she can't feel any abnormalities from him besides not sensing his emotions.
She then looked at the shackles on his arms and ankles, thick chains connecting it to the collar on his neck and the grey muzzle thats snugged tightly on his face. That definitely has to go as she will not be able to clean all of his wounds if those are still on.
Now she ponders on how she's going to remove them as she felt the power from it earlier. Even now there's still a faint glow on it but mostly it looks like a normal grey metal.
Clearing her throat, she motioned to his hands and face.
"Um, so you didn't want me to touch those things before but I really need to remove them to clean and desensitize your wounds plus so you can eat something."
As soon as she started saying this the man immediately shook his head, clearly saying no. Even using hands to tell her no. Naruto doesn't understand why the man doesn't want to be released from his bindings. Actually, she isn't sure if he doesn't want to or he thinks she coudn't. Well, the man doesn't know but its not like she is an ordinary human.
She held her hand up and looked him in the eyes, "Look, I brought you here to help you. I know you don't trust me much but I really hope you let me. I will not be able to clean your wounds and feed you if you keep these bindings. Just let me try please?"
The man must be fed up with everything as if possible he slumped even more than before.
Wincing, Naruto decided to remove the muzzle first.
"Thank you. I will start with the muzzle okay? I will try to be careful. You can hold on to me and squeeze me if it hurts okay? Now can I hold your face up so I can really see what it looks like?" Naruto asked.
The man who's shackled arms were restlessly on his lap slowly moved his hand to touch Naruto's wrist. She could hear his exhale behind the ugly muzzle. His sole green eye looked at her azure blue ones imploringly, he then closed his eye and nodded his assent to her.
Slowly reaching for his face as to not startle him, she first brushed the hair stuck on his face behind his head. She used a damp towel that she definitely didn't bring with her to clean the parts of his face caked with blood, dirt and pus. She then sent a silent Thank you to Kurama in their link.
As she started cleaning it, she studied the muzzle attached on his face. It seems like its made of a metal alloy that she doesn't know. She notices that the muzzle really is snugged too tightly on his face as the skin on the edge of the muzzle is raw and red. Carefully she gently traced it to see if she can find the locking and unlocking mechanism. The muzzle starts below his eyes, covering his nose, ears, mouth and chin. The grey metal is also locked behind his head. No holes, nothing to breathe on which is difficult to believe, she hoped that it could be opened by a button, or even just a hole for him to breathe or eat on but so far the metal seemed smooth. She wonders if they planned to starve the man to death after battering his body.
She then tried to look at the collar on his neck which seems to choke him when she accidentally pushed his chin up. Hurriedly apologizing, it seems that that the chains no matter how long doesn't give him too much movement. Briefly looking at the shackles on the man's wrist and ankles she had the same realization. She couldn't find any key holes or mechanism to remove it. Just as she suspected it seems that the person or people who did this did not plan for him to be free.
Barely noticing the man's white knuckled grip on her wrist. Naruto spoke out loud," Do you know how I can remove these things? I couldn't find anything to remove it." Frustrated, Naruto tried tugging the manacle on the man's right arm. Unfortunately for her, not knowing that this will cause pain to her guest, she used her strength to break the manacle thinking it'll free him instead the man started trashing on the sofa.
Naruto immediately jumped and let go. The man stopped moving but his labored breathing says otherwise. The blood and pus she already removed from his face started pouring out from the muzzle again. The man's arms that were flying wildly to stop her are now on the top of his face. Fingers crooked as if wanting to dig on the edges of the muzzle but couldn't. Again the man is shivering from the pain and Naruto felt so bad from what she did that she felt her body weakening.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't know! Kami!" Naruto cried out. She doesn't know what to do, she wishes that their chakra can heal this man however, the full force of their chakra can only be used by their family. Tears are starting to spring from her eyes but she wiped it off as she promised that she will help this man and crying won't do anything to help.
Carefully she reached for the man's hands to remove it from his face. The man didn't resist. His right eye was squeezed shut as if to block everything. The hands she's been holding are so tensed and claw like that she started massaging it to relax him. She can hear the man's breath huffing and puffing inside the muzzle, deep red blood dribbling down his neck. She continued to apologize for her stupidity and promised to not touch it again. After a few minutes the man calmed down enough to open his eyes. He is obviously still in pain but was able to slowly use his hand to grab her attention. Weakly he used his right hand to squeeze her wrist. As if to say that its fine.
"No! Its not fine. I was foolish. I'm sorry. I won't do it again. I should've understood that you didn't want me to touch it. Who could've done this to you! If I know them, I will kill them!" she said with so much conviction. She knew if she was younger she couldn't have done it, to kill someone in cold blood. But her rose tinted glasses are gone now and for some reason what is happening to this man is not sitting right with her.
The man squeezed her wrist again and shook his head. Wincing in pain he tried to sit up but couldn't. Naruto immediately assisted him to sit up. Now with both of them closely sitting on the sofa, Naruto cleaned the man's face again. Wiping the blood on his face, she murmured softly," We have to find a way to get this thing off of you. A simple tug made you feel as if you're being electricuted. I can't allow in my conscience for it to stay. We will find a way. Even by doing it by force."
She then looked at his eye to see if he understood him. The man clearly did as he looks close to panicking again. She slowly took his hand and held it between her two hands to calm him down. Absently, she noticed how cold his hand is.
Cautiously, she decided to ask yes or no questions at the moment since the man can't obviously answer her verbally.
Deciding to cleanse the other wounds from his body at the same time she started questioning him.
"I am going to ask some questions and its okay to not answer them if you don't want to. I'm just doing this to know what should be done. Again I promise that you are safe here. Is that alright? Can you nod your head if its a YES and shake your head if its a NO? if it hurts squeeze my hand or my arm I will not mind."
Naruto heard a huffing sound and saw him nod.
"Okay. Thank you." Naruto smiled softly. She then looked at the side table again to get another clean towel. When she saw a pen and paper beside the towels. It seems Kurama's curiosity towards the man is starting to appear.
Smiling widely, "Do you know how to use this?" Naruto asked, showing the pen and paper to the man. The man nodded and shook his head at the same time.
Trying and failing to understand what the man meant by that. It doesn't seem like the man can't use a pen and paper as she can clearly see the intelligence in his eyes. So she doesn't understand why he won't use it. Another mystery in regards to him. Shaking her head, Naruto couldn't comprehend as the man looks like he is frustrated with something. Sighing, she tried not to let it get to her as to not upset the man further.
By now she's finished cleaning his face and bandaging his arms. Humming softly to herself, Naruto realized that she never introduced herself to him.
"We've been here for quiet some time now and I just realized that I've never even introduced myself to you. That was rude of me! I'm Uzumaki Naruto or I guess Naruto Uzumaki here. ttebayo~!" she sheepishly said.
The man's only working eye twitched, although still filled with too many emotion she doesn't know. Grunting, he pulled his now fully bandaged right arm to his chest and slowly pointed to his chest and his face. With a quirk of his face that he shouldn't have done as it pulled at the pink burnt part on his face. That definitely hurt when she heard the man wince. But the man still continue to point his face to her as if asking something.
"Are you asking me if I recognize you?" asked Naruto. "No. I do not. Are you telling me that you are popular? Well my brother is quite popular as well maybe you'll recognize each other?"
The man seemed sad when she said that. Shaking his head he seemed to slumped on himself.
"Don't lose hope! We'll be here to help you all the way! As soon as I clean you up we will look for your family. We have our ways!" she said to cheer the man up. It didn't seem to do anything for him. It actually looked like he didn't like that suggestion. Which isn't good...
Though, it sure is hard to call him by "man" all the time. She wondered if the man will mind if she calls him another name for the meantime. Until they figure out who he is. She decided to ask just that.
"Would you mind if I call you a name? It's getting difficult for me to keep calling you "man" in my head all the time. You can te-choose it yourself? Well, only if you want to?" Naruto asked.
The man seemed sad still, but nodded at her. "Well if its alright if you can't do it right now. Maybe you can tell me your name someday!" she tried to cheerfully tell him but it was flat.
Finishing up, Naruto clapped her hands. She already bandaged whatever she could. The abrasions caused by the manacles where a no-no as she couldn't reach those parts. Instead she could only put some ointment and a few trickle of her chakra to siphon the poison in his system. She did notice that 2 hours from the first time he saw him that the wounds on his body aren't as bad anymore. It seemed that it is closing on its own but the wounds caused by the metal looked the same.
Definitely a mystery but something that isn't important right now.
Naruto stood up and stretched her arms out and it has been one of the longest day of her new life in this world. Checking her wrist watch it showed that its almost 3 AM in the morning already. Wow time sure flies fast she thought.
Cleaning up the things she used, she proceeded to carry the things back to the medicine cabinet and the bloodied towels thrown away. As soon as she stood up though, the man quickly stopped him by tugging her wrist. A questioning sound coming from him.
"I just have to organize and put these things away. Don't worry I will be back and we will go to the guest room." she said to the man. Carefully removing her wrist from his hold, she smiled and continued on her way. Only to stop when she heard the rattling of chains following her. Looking behind her, she saw the man standing up and taking a careful step towards her direction. The man is obviously still weak but for some reason is trying to go towards her.
Worried about him, Naruto went to him and tried to urge him to sit down and wait for her instead. But the man just ignored her and waited for her to move. Wow. I guess he is feeling better if he can be stubborn about going with me.
Shaking her head, Naruto smiled and asked him to hold onto her so he wouldn't aggravate his wounds again. The man looked at her and did as she asked. Holding on her arm gingerly, they carefully walked towards the room where the medicine cabinet are at.
The silence didn't bother Naruto now unlike when she was younger. She noticed the man kept looking around, trying to know where he is at maybe? Their place isn't that big for three people that has enough money to last a lifetime. 1 basement for their training room, a living room, a bathroom at the 1st floor, a kitchen, 3 bedrooms with its own restroom. A guest room at the 1st floor and the 2nd floor.
When they finally dropped the things off, they went to the guest room at the 1st floor. She showed him which is which and told him to settle in. Telling him the her brother's room is just beside this room and to just knock on his door if he needs anything. Frankly, she wasn't sure if leaving him with no one but Kurama to call on is a good idea. But seeing as he will have a hard time climbing up the stairs with the chains on she decided that this one is a better idea.
Turning back to him, Naruto realized that the man didn't even enter the room and just stayed by the door looking at her. She beckoned him to enter the room but he refused. Frowning she asked what was wrong but he only pointed at her. Knowing what he meant, she shook her head at him.
"I don't think that's a good idea Mister. We do have another guest room at the 2nd floor but you are still injured and its not good for you to move all the time. Why don't you just stay here and rest okay? I will be back in a few hours. My brother is here on this floor so you don't have to worry. You are perfectly safe. Kurama may look scary and grumpy but he won't hesitate to protect us." Naruto explained.
And yet, the man just continued to shake his head. Not even bothering to enter. He then moved outside towards the stairs and waited for her to follow him. Sighing, she did and saw him standing at the foot of the stairs. Not sure what to do she asked him again if she really wants to stay at the 2nd floor when she saw him nod his head she figured she'll just support him on his way up.
Since he has obviously made up his mind, Naruto decided to just lend him her support. They carefully went up, as the man almost fell down twice, tripping on the chain once and feeling dizzy. After about 10 minutes they finally reached the top.
Naruto looked up at him silently inquiring if he was alright. The man grunted, perspiration all over his body and blood dripping down his face. The grunt sounded like it was positive but based on what she could see the man was in more pain than before.
Now worried she tugged the man to the guest room where the man will stay. The room is simple with all the basic necessities and furnitures. Going to the bathroom she grabbed two clean towels. She made to wet one towel and the other stayed dry.
Hurriedly going to the man who's currently standing in the middle of the room trying and failing to catch the dripping blood on his hand. She moved his hand and used the wet towel to dab and gently wipe the blood off his face and hands. She then replaced the now soaked towel with a clean one and pulled him towards a chair and made him sit on it, leaving the towel for him to hold onto.
She then went to rummage some clothing in one of the cabinets but realized that he will not be able to wear it anyway as the chains will get in the way. Thinking quickly she decided to just use a blanket to cover him for now.
Looking back to him, the man didn't even move and apparently content to just look at her while holding the towel on the edges of the muzzle.
Trying and failing not to pity him, Naruto cleared her throat. "So, I'm a ditz.. and failed to uhm offer you new clothes. Unfortunately since we weren't able to remove the chains and those pants that you're wearing needs to be thrown away you'll have to stay naked. I have an extra blanket for you to use in the meantime though. No one will enter this room without your permission so even if you walk naked its fine."
The man doesn't seem to agree with her as he shooked his head a couple of times and pointedly looked at her just for her to see his point.
"Look I understand where you are coming from but those pants are soaked in blood, grime and whatnot. It must be uncomfortable for you to wear that. If you are honestly thinking about my innocence please for the love of Kami.. DON'T. I may look young to you but I am definitely not as innocent as you think."
Still the man didn't seem thrilled with her idea. Shrugging she said,"Oh come on! Fine. If you really don't want to then be my guest. I will leave the blanket on the other side of the bed. I hope you change your mind once I leave."
Walking towards him she helped him go to the bed and laid him down. Towel still clutched on his face, Naruto asked him to let her check it. Sitting on top of the bed she saw that it finally stopped trickling on his face. It made her let out a sigh of relief. It may be getting better.. not that she can be sure since she can't even see the inside of the thing. Sighing (again?) her finger traced the edges of it.
"I'm sorry.. I seem to be doing this a lot. Apologizing, touching you. I'm sorry that I can't remove this from you right now. I will look for a way though. I promise.." Naruto whispered.
She was about to stand up when the man grabbed her wrist to stop her from leaving.
"You know I can't stay here. This is your room now. I will be back. Hopefully you'll want to remove the pants by then." winking at him she lightly kiss him on his forehead and continued walking outside the room as she bid him a goodnight before gently closing the door.