Beta'd by the fantastic Sakura4ever, she really is my hero.

Chapter 6: What Was Lost

Naruto grumbled to himself as he woke for the second time from a Hades-induced slumber. He stretched his back and rubbed his sore neck. Seems the Lord of the Underworld couldn't be bothered to arrange a soft place for them to awake. No, instead the sight that greeted the young Hunter was that of a sprawling desert and worn highway littered with potholes. His companions began to stir each of them moaning in discomfort and rubbing sore limbs. They had been deposited in the parking lot of an old, abandoned fast-food joint. The doors and windows were boarded up; not that that would keep anyone out, as the wood was weak and brittle from years of desert windstorms.

Next to that building was an equally worn post office with a large white sign that read Gila Claw, Arizona. The sign itself looked to be standing on its last leg, and a few of the letters where sitting at odd angles. Behind, a cluster of buildings smaller than that of the smallest of towns was nestled. And beyond that was what one might guess was a small range of hills, but upon closer inspection seem to be piles and piles of junk. Old cars, appliances, and just mounds of scrap metal piled atop each other for miles.

Percy gave a low whistle. "Whoa."

"Something tells me we aren't going to find a rental car here," Thalia muttered morosely.

"At least we are farther west," Annabeth put in, trying to sound optimistic. "Hades could have sent us anywhere really..."

"The question now is: where do we go next?" Bianca asked.

"West, of course," Zoë said.

Naruto nodded with a frown. "I don't like it, but it's the best plan we have. All we have to go on is this prophecy, travelling blindly west."

The sun hung low in the sky and Naruto shook his head with a heavy sigh.

"We'll rest here for the night and in the morning, we'll just continue heading west," he said fixing his gaze on the hulking piles of scrap in the distance.

They wasted no time setting up a makeshift camp. Zoë produced sleeping bags and foam mattresses for six in no time; Naruto smiled at the slightly bewildered look on Percy's face.

"It's the same concept as my bow or your sword," he told the boy. "It's smaller inside the pack than when it's taken out."

Percy nodded. "Pretty handy."

By the time the bedding was situated, Percy and Annabeth had returned with firewood they had scavenged off the windows of the restaurant. Thalia hit the pile with a quick bolt of lighting and soon they were about as cozy as six teems could be in the middle of a desert.

It began to cool down quickly and they all retreated to their sleeping bags.

"The stars are out," Zoë said, aimed at no one in particular.

Those who weren't already looking up, drew their eyes to the sky in curiosity. Zoë was right; without the creeping orange of the city lights the stars shone in all their majesty. A million lights some clustered some standing alone and through it all, wisps of silvery cloud seemed to intermingle.

"Amazing," Bianca gasped, voice alight with wonder. "I've never actually seen the Milky Way."

"This is nothing," Zoë said. "In the old days, there were more. Whole constellations have disappeared because of human light pollution."

"You talk as if you aren't human," Percy remarked.

"Funny you should say that when you aren't either," Naruto mused, one arm raised as though reaching out to grab the stars.

"What?"

"You aren't entirely human, Percy," Naruto repeated. "None of us are. We all have the blood of the celestial flowing through our veins. It is a blessing, and yet a huge responsibility."

"Yeah," Percy agreed with a sigh. "Slaying monsters, taking quests to save the world... All in a day's work."

"Not just that," Naruto added. "Imagine what you could do as the son of Poseidon. You could save entire ecosystems with a timely diversion of water or contain and remove a catastrophic oil spill. You could be a hero – an unsung hero, but a hero nonetheless to mankind as a whole."

Percy was silent as he contemplated that statement. To be honest, he had not really thought much past the next summer, the next quest. It seemed like the world was being tossed into chaos and he always found himself in the center of it. He was focused more on surviving than planning for his future. Naruto was right, of course; with his powers, the possibilities were endless. It's not like villages needed defending from monsters in this day and age, so full time hero was not a job choice. Maybe he could be a life guard or a swimming instructor? A professional swimmer... Would that be fair at all?

"Sure, Waterboy here has a ton of choices with his abilities." Thalia laughed. "But me? Thalia the electrician."

Everyone laughed.

"I'm sure you'll find something to do with yourself, Day-Lily," Naruto smiled.

"I already know what your job is going to be, Naruto: at an all inclusive petting zoo!" Thalia smirked.

"I would agree," Naruto said as silvery smoke surrounded his form, causing it to shift. "–But I don't really feel much like becoming a goat," growled Naruto, having let his form take on the likeness of a Bengal tiger.

"It weirds me out when you talk as an animal." Percy shivered.

"Technically speaking, he shouldn't be able to articulate words in that form," Annabeth stated.

"Yes, well, technically speaking, people don't turn into animals, Anna." Naruto said, now looking more himself.

Annabeth chuckled. "Duly noted."

"So Bianca," Thalia began. "How did you take out that skeleton soldier?"

"I was wondering about that too, actually. I mean, nothing we did could stop them," Percy added.

"Maybe it was just a well placed shot on Bianca's part," Zoë supplied.

Naruto cupped his chin. "Could be, but I think it has more to do with her bow itself – and her father."

"My ... father?" Bianca repeated.

"Was I the only one reaching for my bow when the skeletal warrior appeared with Bianca's daggers?"

Zoë shook her head, but the others looked sheepish.

"I don't have a bow Whiskers, but I was sorta keeping myself from being the focus of the god that had already tried to kill me once before," Thalia muttered, grunting her annoyance.

"So you're saying that Bianca is the only one who can kill them?" Annabeth asked.

"If I remember correctly, her arrows struck one in the chest," Naruto replied, grinning. "Instant kill."

"So if I hit them in the heart, they go down?" Bianca asked with a smile.

"They were transparent; the foul beasts had not hearts." Zoë stated coldly. "So it was by chance. They must have some weak point and they can't be minions of Hades since they are willing to attack his sire."

"They were made using dinosaur teeth if that helps any." Percy stated.

Naruto looked pensive for a moment. "It just might," he said slowly. He got up from his sleeping bag and reached into his pouch pulling out a small vial of yellow liquid and an acorn.

"What are you doing?" Percy asked.

"Presenting my theory." Naruto stated.

He poured small amount of the liquid onto the acorn before speaking.

"Demeter, great Goddess of the harvest and the very earth's fertility, I ask that you breathe life into that which you so graciously gave birth." Naruto spoke fervently, putting as much fervour as he could into his words.

Percy looked on perturbed until Annabeth whispered; "Naruto explained to me once that the gods are more likely to answer your prayers if you throw in a bribe and some flattery."

After a moment, there was a crack as the shell of the acorn broke and it began to bulge. Thick, dark bark began to take form and creep across the shell and it grew until it reached three feet ant then expanded. Forming thick arms and legs, a large torso of wood, following a head that began to take shape. There were no eyes, just a small body of wood now standing there.

"This is a small one," Naruto said. "But then again, I only have so much Amphisbaena venom; best not to waste it." Naruto took out one of his three-pronged knives. "This is basically how those things were summoned I would say, though probably not with the express consent of the Underworld.

The little wooden man walked towards Naruto who swiftly buried his blade in its forehead. The little guy stopped dead as roots took form, breaking straight through the concrete below and taking up a home in the soil beneath still blessed by the goddess Hestia.

"If you strike the origin – in this case the acorn – it is defeated," Naruto explained, turning back to the group.

"So we just have to shoot it in the teeth," Bianca stated.

"No," Zoë began. "That is the first time I hath seen anyone invoke the aid of Demeter, however it is plain to see that Naruto chose the location of the origin."

"Right, for all we know the tooth for each is located in a different place – our best bet is to run rather than fight." Naruto frowned, his grip on his blade tightening.

"Be calm child," Zoë said, placing a soothing hand on his shoulder.

Naruto sighed heavily. "Running is not something that sits well with me, sister; you know that."

"Naruto," Annabeth spoke up slowly. "Sometimes fleeing is the best choice."

"You live to fight another day," Percy offered.

"I understand very well the wisdom in a tactical retreat," Naruto relented. "However, in this case, we are simply running. If Mother wasn't in need, we could take the time to set a trap or ambush. But no; instead we must run scared from these beasts."

He holstered his blade with a small growl. "I am the hunter, not the prey."

"Surely there must be-" Annabeth began, only to stop as a blazing light came from down the road.

Seconds passed in silence as the headlights made their way toward them on the road. With a barely noticeable squeak, a pale white limousine came smoothly to a halt and sat purring on the side of the road in front of the group.

The backdoor of the limo opened right next to a confused Percy and before a word could be spoken, he found the point of a sword at his throat. As the owner of the aforementioned sword got out of the limo, Percy began to back up slowly, feeling the point begin to dig uncomfortably into his skin.

"Not so fast; now are you-"

There was a clang as the man swept his sword to the side, deflecting an arrow that was aimed for his arm. Standing there was a very imposing figure with crew-cut hair and a black leather jacket over a white muscle shirt. He was well built with the body of a classical warrior, all strong arms and a broad chest. He wore black jeans and combat boots, with a pair of wraparound black shades finishing off his look.

"You got a lot of guts firing upon the god of War kid," Ares spoke, as he fully exited the vehicle.

Naruto lowered his bow, before replacing the arrow, which he had just notched, back into his quiver.

"Until you made yourself known, I had no idea who was threatening our quest, uncle," Naruto stated coolly.

"Naruto – Artemis' boy." Ares smirked. "I thought you were dead."

"Rumors of my demise and so on," Naruto replied dismissively. "What I want to know, dear uncle, is why your here."

"Don't give me that cold civility your mother taught you." Ares chuckled. "Truth is, you hate me almost as much as I hate the wet head wonder here."

"Hey," Percy interjected.

"How could I hate you, uncle?" Naruto replied. "Some of my greatest hunts were of the beasts you set after me; have you decided to finally forgo the semantics and challenge me head on?"

No matter how confident he was in his abilities, fighting a god was not a laughing matter, least of all the god of fighting. Ares had made a game of sending beasts after Naruto for the first few months after his initial separation from his mother. As Naruto stood exhausted over the bodies of the fallen creatures, the god would appear to berate him for his weakness. Naruto didn't understand if he was trying to force him to grow or was just toying with him.

"Normally I would shut that smart mouth of yours, however," Ares regained his smirk, despite his terse words. "This is a friendly meeting."

"Obviously," Bianca scoffed.

"I was just scaring the kid a little," Ares stated. "I'd never behead my enemies in front of a lady."

"What lady?" Thalia asked.

"Well, well; another person who just can't stay dead." He strode over to Thalia, looking her over for a moment before speaking. "Thalia, daughter of Zeus," he mused. "You're not hanging around with very good company these days."

"What's your business here, Ares?" Thalia asked. "Who's in the car?"

"Oh, I doubt she wants to see the rest of you. Particularly not her." Ares jutted his chin towards Zoë. "Why don't you go get some tacos while you wait? It'll only take Percy a few minutes."

"Wait," came a melodious voice from within the car. "I see a much juicier destiny unfolding here; bring cute little Naruto in – I can play with Percy later."

"You heard the lady," Ares growled. "You go eat; it'll only take lemon head a few minutes."

The others looked ready to argue, but Naruto silenced them with a wave of his hand. "Go. I can take care of myself; it will only take a moment."

Ares stood by the door and motioned forward with his hand. Naruto ducked down as he entered the car.

For years Naruto had been surrounded by young beautiful girls of varying age. However, he had never really been exposed to the anatomy of a full grown woman. She was breathtaking to say the least. Her silver dress was quite modest in Naruto's opinion.

However, she filled it out very well her curves were showcased without being to pronounced. What really drew his eyes was her own. They seemed to change and each shade was just as beautiful as the last. Her image would not seem to focus, and at some point he lost sight of what to describe her and couldn't come up with anything other than gorgeous.

She smiled and he could have sworn she looked just like his mother. They locked eyes and suddenly, Thalia's electric blue was all that made up his very world. For a moment, he was tangled in her hazel tresses, not unlike that of his apprentice and even for a fleeting moment near the end, he was sure her hair was the slightest shade of pink, but dismissed it.

"Naruto." She spoke, her voice caressing the air. "I am Aphrodite; a pleasure."

Naruto shook his head lightly to lift the haze her presence induced. "The pleasure is mine." He smiled. "You are without a doubt the most beautiful of the relatives I have met or, I daresay, ever will."

She giggled, her voice sounding like that of the many laughs shared with the Hunters by the campfire.

"Quite the charmer, aren't you? Hold this, please." She spoke with authority and the confidence of one undoubtedly obeyed.

She handed Naruto a mirror the size of a dinner plate and he held it for her as she dabbed at her lipstick.

"When you were first born to that prudish sister of mine, I was sure you were going to be quite dull," she confessed.

Naruto was slightly affronted at the slight to his mother, but knew better than to call the goddess on it. With just him and her in the car, and her boyfriend the god of war at the door it would not do well to anger her.

"You proved me wrong, didn't you?" She laughed. "You are shaping up to be quite the interesting character."

"Now if I may ask," Naruto began. "Why is it you wanted to see me?"

Aphrodite looked slightly bashful. "Being the goddess of love, I enjoy following the romantic lives of young demigods. Mortal love is too boring; it lacks the drama that I crave."

Her hands fell into her lap, her index fingers meeting as she locked eyes with him – pale lavender eyes.

"Every now and again, one as interesting as yours or Percy's comes along, and I just can't keep myself away."

Naruto stopped short. Love life? He had never really given it much thought. Sure, he could admire the beauty of girls he had met. Annabeth was a very beautiful young girl, though he saw her as more of a sister than anything. A very young sister who should not be dating any sons of Poseidon.

Then there was Bianca, his apprentice. She was young and quite inexperienced, but very eager to learn and very energetic, which was oddly familiar. She was very pretty, he decided, her dark eyes were enchanting; deep and dark, and at times it felt as if she was looking right through him. Her hair, which she had taken to wearing in an over-the-shoulder braid, was a light brown that shone a dazzling amber in the sunlight. A that combined with her olive skin made her quite the young beauty.

Thalia, however, was one he lingered on. She was his first encounter with a girl outside of his mother's Hunters. She was impulsive, rude, and downright angry sometimes. Still, she was his closest and dearest friend. She was funny, she was exciting, and when it called for it, she was a very caring, pseudo-sister to Annabeth. When she smiled, her blue eyes would sparkle and dance like a joyous storm. Her ebony hair framed her face perfectly and he found her freckles to be adorable – not that he'd ever tell her that.

"Oh, that look is just too cute!" Aphrodite gushed. "Which one are you thinking of? Your cute little apprentice? Or the rough beauty of the daughter of Zeus?"

"Wha-?" Naruto stammered.

"Or could it be that bubblegum-pink cutie?" she continued.

"Pink?" Naruto questioned confused. "That can't be – she was a dream."

The goddess giggled into her hand. "You can dream of love, but cannot love a dream," she said simply. "The fact that she is a viable choice is just the reason I have taken interest in you."

"So that girl exists! Sakura; she's real!" Naruto said. "What about the others – these people I have never met – I see them like visions in my head!"

Aphrodite placed a hand on his shoulder and he was immediately calmed.

"When the time is right, everything will make sense to you; though whether or not that is a good thing remains to be seen," she stated.

"What do you mean?"

"You are a special case, and with the knowledge you will come to obtain, things will just become more complicated for you."

Naruto sighed, placing palming his face with his hand. Things could never be simple; first he dies, then he's revived. A goddess forces him to confront his feelings for his close friends, and now he learns that the people from his dreams are real. If that were true, it would mean he had already met them, but how could that be...? He lived his entire life in the wilds with his mother and sisters. They and his current companions were all the people he knew.

"Don't worry," Aphrodite cooed. "Normally I would do my best to challenge a person's relationship in the hopes that only true love succeeds. In your case, I will make an exception. I will aid you, Naruto Namikaze, seeing as fate has already conspired to complicate things for you well enough."

She took the mirror from him and held it facing him. For a moment nothing happened, then his reflection began to waver. It swirled until it became a silver pane and then a symbol began to carve itself into the mirror.

"Look for this symbol in my husband's territory; it is the key to your past and your future. The sooner you know the truth, the sooner you can sort out your feelings and make a choice." She giggled eagerly. "Oh! I can't wait 'til you get past this awkward little phase – you have so much potential!"

There, staring him in the face, was a swirling pattern which, upon further inspection, resembled a leaf.

"Goodbye, Naruto Uzumaki." Aphrodite giggled and then the world began to fade away.

~SaWaDa~

The next thing he knew, he was flat on the ground, staring up at the night sky as he slowly began to regain his bearings.

"We're in the junkyard," Percy informed him from somewhere nearby.

Naruto grunted as he sat up and indeed they were in the junkyard. All around them were heaps of scrap metal, and upon closer inspection, Naruto could see many oddities scattered amongst the scrap. Old swords, shields, and various other weapons, most of which looked to be broken beyond repair. There were old cars, metal legs from human statues, busted chariots, and all kinds of mortal appliances. There were even crowns and jewels scattered about.

"What happened in that car, Whiskers?" Thalia asked as she dusted off her clothing.

"I had an audience with Aphrodite, the goddess of love." Naruto replied simply.

"What hath the goddess asked of you?" Zoë questioned.

Naruto ran a hand through his hair, his eyes briefly ghosting over Bianca and Thalia in turn.

"Nothing," he said finally, lying though he may be, but Aphrodite's words swam in his head, always coming back to that name: Naruto Uzumaki.

"She warned me not to take anything from her husband's junkyard and that he is very possessive of these things. She also informed me of an object that I will need from this place, which means I will have to face whatever Hephaestus has in store for those who steal from this place."

"You mean we," Bianca corrected indignantly, hand on her hip. "Your fights are my fights, Teach."

"While I don't really trust Aphrodite," Thalia began. "If it comes down to it, you know I have your back, Whiskers."

Annabeth flashed Naruto a smile and Percy took that as a sign to offer a thumbs up and Zoë nodded her agreement with the statement as well. She knew there must be more to his meeting with the goddess, but didn't want to pressure an answer out of him. The goddess was interested in one thing and one thing only and it was for that very reason that she despised the Hunters. She sought true love but went out of her way to make life hard for most she took interest in. In her eyes, the bigger the obstacle to overcome, the truer the love shared. Many heroes had been led astray by the goddess' machinations. She would have to keep a close eye on Naruto.

"So," Percy interjected. "How do we get out of here?"

"That way," Zoë said, pointing at particularly large mound of scrap. "That is west."

"How can you tell?" Percy asked, genuinely interested.

"I know this one!" Bianca called. "Its Ursa Major is in the north, which means 'that' must be west!"

"Oh, yeah, the bear thing."

Zoë looked offended. "Show some respect. It was a fine bear. A worthy opponent."

"You act like it was real."

"No less real than monsters only those sired by gods can see," Naruto offered with a shrug.

Percy yielded. "I get it, suspension of belief is an important part of demigod-hood."

"So you do learn," Naruto stated. "Being able to admit when you are wrong is an important trait for a man to have."

Percy was about to question the "man" part of that sentence, when Bianca gasped and shot off down a garbage hill.

"Look!" Bianca said, as she hoisted a gleaming silver bow. "It's a Hunter's bow."

"Looking is fine," Zoë stated."But leave these artifacts where they are found amongst the scrap."

"I don't like this place." Thalia said, as she gripped the shaft of her spear.

"You think we are going to be attacked by killer refrigerators?" Percy said in jest.

"Zoë is right, Percy," Thalia put in, fixing him with a hard look. "Things get thrown away here for a reason. Now come on, let's get across the yard."

They continued on their way, traversing the endless hills and valleys of junk. If not for Ursa Major, they may have gotten lost, as there seemed to be no rhyme or reason to the content of each pile. Gold and rubies intermingled with old cans of soda and broken toys. Along the way, they found many interesting items, but none of them held the spiralling symbol that Naruto sought.

Eventually, they saw the edge of the junkyard, a mile from their position. The lights of the highway stretched a long way across the desert. Between them and the highway, however...

"What is that?" Bianca gasped.

Ahead of them was a hill, much bigger and longer than the others. It was like a metal mesa, the length of a football field and as tall as its goalposts. At one end of the mesa was a row of ten thick, metal columns, wedged tightly together.

Annabeth frowned. "They look like-"

"Toes." Bianca nodded. "Really, really large toes."

"Let's go around," Thalia suggested. "Far around."

"But the road is right there," Percy protested. "It'd be quicker to climb over."

"Percy is right," Naruto conceded. "However, the easy path is often not the wisest."

Naruto began to scale the mesa. "In this case, however, there is something here that I may need."

"You need large, fake toes?" Percy questioned dubiously.

"No," Naruto said with a smirk. "Look closely, there is something more."

The group all turned their gaze back to the large toes. Sure enough, just below them was a small blotch of dark color. Where the feet looked to be faded bronze, what was once dismissed as rust appeared to be a figure of some sort.

After a few minutes of walking, they found themselves staring in shock at what lay before them. A boy, who looked to be just a bit younger than they, sprawled lifelessly against the bronze toes. He wore a large orange jacket with a wide white collar and blue shoulders. It was open fully, revealing a tattered, wire mesh shirt. He also wore orange pants and blue sandals on his bare feet. On his thigh was a blue pouch, very much like the one Naruto kept his blades in.

What had shocked them all, though, was the familiar bright blond hair, splaying in all directions and held up by a blue headband. That, and the gaping wound on his stomach that was caked with dried blood.

Naruto reached a hand out to the body. Hoping beyond hope that when he raised the dead boys head, that it wasn't his own lifeless eyes he gazed into. With a shaking hand, he reached down and took the cadaver's chin. Slowly he lifted and in one short moment, his world was turned upside down. A collective gasp went through the group as the boy's face came into view.

Three whisker-like marks sat upon each of his cheeks, and a line of blood trailed from his mouth to his chin. On his forehead, stitched into the headband, was a metal plate and on that was the very symbol that Naruto had been searching for. In a daze, he reached out to take it, however he flinched when the supposedly dead boy opened his eyes. Two piercing blue orbs.

"I will not be forgotten!"

~SaWaDa~

It happened very quickly, one moment he was looking into the boy's eyes and the next he had received a sandal to the face. Dust kicked up as he slid across the mesa. Lifting his legs, he used his momentum to roll himself over to his feet. His companions rushed to his side, taking up positions and brandishing their weapons. Looking to where the boy once lay, he saw that the boy now stood atop one of the bronze toes.

"Who is this kid?" Bianca asked.

"He launched Naruto over ten feet with a single kick," Percy gasped, astonished.

"He looks almost exactly like him too; what's going on here?" Annabeth questioned, her voice reaching hysteria.

The boy in question was crouched low atop the bronze toes, glaring daggers at Naruto.

"Who are you?" Naruto called confusion clear in his tone.

The boy growled, clenching his fist, before thrusting his hand out and pointing aggressively at Naruto.

"The question here is: who do you think you are!" The boy yelled back.

"My name is Naruto Namikaze and I don't think that, I know!" Naruto replied, though his voice wavered slightly.

"Uzumaki Naruto, Genin of Konohagakure no Sato!" The boy yelled, thumbing his chest. "I am the real deal, pretender!"

"Pretender? We're two different people!"

"No, you're pretending to be someone else; I am the real thing and I'll prove it to you!"

With that the boy leaped from the bronze toes and dashed towards Naruto. In response, he drew on his bow and took aim.

"Stop!" he called.

The boy paid him no heed, instead crossing his hands into a symbol that Naruto remembered from his dream.

"Kagebunshin no Jutsu!"

In a poof of smoke, three more blonds appeared, and in shock, Naruto released his arrow. It struck the chest of one of the clones who gasped then exploded into smoke. Naruto put away his bow, taking out two blades in reverse grips. He met the small group of blonds as a black-shafted arrow struck another of the clones.

"Hey!" Called one of the blonds as he ducked a slash. "This is between the two of us!"

Naruto ducked to the side, lashing out at the passing boy, causing him to erupt into smoke. The fighting ceased for a moment as the other boy stared Naruto down.

"You keep denying what's right in front of your face. You're confused by how I look? Well, if you want answers, face me alone!"

"Naruto," Thalia spoke. "This has something to do with that dream, doesn't it? I hadn't made the connection until he used that technique; it looks just like what you told me."

"You should all step back a few yards," Naruto stated.

"What? I told you, your fights are my fights!" Bianca protested.

"I can't let you take him on alone – for all we know, he is a one man army!" Thalia yelled.

"Bianca, as your teacher, I am ordering you to stand down. Just like when you made your bow, some fights must be fought alone," Naruto said, eyes calm but serious and left no room for further arguement.

Bianca nodded a bit sadly and began to put some distance between herself and the fight.

"Day-Lily," Naruto said. "Please, I need to know."

Thalia shook her head. She didn't want to abandon him again, but if she stayed, he might not get the answers he needs. With a heavy sigh, she collapsed her spear and followed after Bianca.

"Kick his ass," She stated before she was out of earshot.

Naruto nodded and sent a smile her way, before sharing a look with Zoë who nodded in return, a soft smile on her face. She, like Bianca, had a hand on her bow, ready to enter the fray should things go wrong.

Annabeth looked like she wanted to argue, but instead took a page from Zoë's book. A hand on her bronze dagger, she too stepped back. Percy followed, fingering the cap of Riptide as he watched the proceedings. Naruto was good – he knew that much – but he had never seen him in a full out fight. To be honest, he was kind of excited.

"Okay," Naruto stated. "It's just you and me now, so if I win, you'll tell me what these dreams are?"

The other boy smirked as he made a hand sign and three more clones popped into existence.

"It was never about wining or losing, it's about accepting the truth!" He called out, as his clones charged.

Naruto ducked under a punch, simultaneously taking the clone's legs out. He brought his blade up just in time to block a slash from one of the other clones. They locked blades and Naruto shifted his grip, locking the opposing blade between the prongs of his own and lifting the strike high and to the right. With his left hand, he stabbed into the clone's stomach, promptly causing it to erupt.

"Look out below!" He heard the boy yell, as a pile of angry blonds fell upon him.

For a moment there was only a cacophony of voices as the many blonds piled atop Naruto. Then there was a yell and many puffs of smoke as a lone figure broke away from the pile. With a mighty roar, the newly revealed Naruto, taking the form of a Bengal tiger, charged the one boy not in the pile.

"Whoa, neat trick!" he said as he jumped back to avoid a slash.

In mid-air, the boy reached behind him, releasing a volley of throwing stars with a flick of his wrist. Naruto shifted form and deftly blocked the projectiles with his blade.

"Why are we fighting then?" Naruto said, addressing the boys earlier statement.

"I'm not fighting, you are!"

"You're not making any sense!" Naruto said as he tossed one of his knives at the other boy, who blocked it with his own.

The other boy growled, a frown on his face as he glared at Naruto.

"I am not a dream, I am part of you and you me!"

"That's impossible," Naruto replied.

"It's not! Remember who I am, who you are!"

"I am Naruto Namikaze, Son of Artemis!"

"Uzumaki! Uzumaki Naruto, that is my name and I am a child of the Leaf!"

They charged again, blades put away as they threw punches. They ducked and dodged, but each took hits. They seemed evenly matched and after a time, began to mirror each other, blow for blow, fist met fist and kicks were locked in the air.

"You're getting it now; Iruka-sensei taught us these moves during our fourth academy year!"

"I don't remember any academy!" Naruto rebutted. "I was taught to fight by my sisters and my mother!"

"I was alone; Sensei and the old man were the only ones that cared!"

"I am not you!"

"I hate liars!"

With one mighty punch, Naruto went flying and he impacted the ground hard. With a grunt, he righted himself and stood to face his opponent once more. Instead of an angry blond what he saw was a broken young boy.

"I don't know what happened," The boy said his eyes hallow. "Everyone, they were gone. Mother, she cared for us, and soon it didn't matter, at least not to you."

Tears sprang to his eyes.

"I am what's left of a life you want to deny existed! Everyone I ever cared for is gone, and now you try to deny me even their memory; you want me to disappear!"

With a feral roar, a strange dark energy began to surge forth from the boy. His eyes, once a shining blue burned red.

"I will not be forgotten!"

~End~

I am very sorry for the lateness. A lot has happened, and on top of that I am getting ready for college.

This is a bit on the short side, and I am not a fan of cliffhangers, but I hope it pleases.

In regards to Naruto invoking the powers of various gods. I feel that all these years, with most of Humanity no longer sending them prayers. The gods would be more likely to render aid to those that go through the proper channels.

Once again I apologize for the lateness, and I will endeavor to hasten my update speed as much as possible.