Disclaimer: I certainly don't own Naruto, Disney or any of its affiliated properties. If I did, I wouldn't be writing this now would I?
"The connection of our hearts…" : Speech (Bold for yelling ,Bijuu, or massive creatures)
'The connection of our hearts…' : Thoughts
In the depths of a, as of yet, unnamed forest…
Naruto and his new group (Ariel, Snow White and Tinker Bell) were clomping through the undergrowth of a forest experiencing the last vestiges of autumn, the bare branches and the faint bite of the brisk wind a persistent reminder that yes, winter was coming. Naruto led the charge, treading lightly on the forest floor, his eyes darting around to survey his surroundings. The women followed behind, each absorbed in their own little worlds – Ariel in particular, lagged behind them all as she was reminiscing over all the new experiences she had in just a few days…
Ariel never denied her inner impulses – possessed with an almost manic desire to explore and understand the various curiosities around her, she was born to be an explorer. Even if that meant that she was doomed to experience the homely comforts of sedentary life, she had come to terms with that. When Naruto revealed his true identity to her, she had immediately latched onto the prospect of a never ending adventure, a deal which was further sweetened when she finally realized that she loved him (a fact that was immediately apparent when her siren illusions cast over anyone who heard her voice broke). After bidding farewell to her family and friends, she entered a portal with Naruto and her sister wives (well…she wasn't one yet but she was tying the knot as soon as she could – there was no way that she was going to let such a fine man escape her…oh yeah, she really got in touch with her siren heritage in a jiffy).
The sensation of passing through worlds was a strange one for the mermaid as her eyes were treated to the majestic sight of the void between worlds, the unpredictable shifts between rich velvety darkness and the scintillating cascade of lights reminiscent of stained glass frescoes, hinting at the vast mystery the many worlds hidden in them promised. Ariel was then treated to the amusing scene of Naruto reuniting with his loves – her beloved's tastes were as eclectic as his temperament it seemed. From ordinary women, powerful witches, fairies and even a fox, Ariel knew that she was in for the adventure of a lifetime…she only hoped that she could contribute to such a tight knit group! Despite her niggling fears and insecurity, she was quickly integrated into the group. No member was inferior to the other and they all had a deep sense of camaraderie only surpassed by the unwavering degree of love and loyalty Naruto had for his wives and vice versa. For Ariel, who lived with six sisters her whole life, this family dynamic was nothing new to her and as such, seamlessly integrated into the group – something that she leveraged to her advantage when it was time for Naruto to head to his next world to 'save'…
Flashback, Grimhilde's domain…
"Ah! The wand is ready to send you to the next world Naruto! Have you decided on whom you'll be taking with you this time?" Ella said, holding her wand up to show its sparkling tip.
"Ooh! I wanna come! I wanna come! Naruto – you'd better take me with you this time! Alice is being all smug about her time with you and I can't let her win!" Tinker Bell said, rushing over to Naruto in her large form before jumping on his back and burying her face into the crook of his neck. The fairy had a faint pout on her lips as she nibbled on Naruto's tender flesh playfully, only to squeal in delight when Naruto's hands came up behind her to grip her butt firmly and swatted that firm derriere.
"Okay, okay – no need to twist my arm here. It seems that the world we're about to go to looks like my first one so it should support your magic!" Naruto said, watching as Snow White perked up and scooted over to him, her eyes shining in joy.
"Truly? I didn't want to be a bother but I wanted to ask if I could join you for a little jaunt as well. Not to sound ungrateful but I need a change of scenery darling…" Snow said, clasping her hands together cutely.
"Yeah, I guess you've been left out of the action long enough. You can come too…anyone else?" Naruto asked, missing Alice nudge Ariel before giving her a meaningful glance and pointing at Shanti, who looked content that she had consummated her relationship with Naruto in Ariel's world.
"Let me come too! Daddy's and Miss Grimhilde's magic has given me the power to shift between my tail and legs so I want to take them for a spin!" She said, dragging her hands down her legs, enjoying the way Naruto's eyes followed her fingers as they trailed down her fine thighs and delicate calves before he looked away with a feigned cough to hide his blush.
"Excellent! Now that you've made up your minds, come closer – I can then open the portal to send you though!" Ella said, giggling a little at Ariel and Tink's antics since she was sure that with two forward girls and a single reserved one, Naruto was going to be really 'stressed' so to speak…
End flashback…
When they entered the new world however, the group came to a startling realization – the entire group had been reduced to twelve year old children (Naruto was the exception – he was fourteen) and they were lost in the wilderness in the later hours of the afternoon. Understanding that they had to find civilization before darkness fell, the quartet made a quick assessment of their abilities and quickly understood that beyond the obvious loss of physical prowess from de-aging, their abilities were surprisingly unchanged (this was a double edged sword for Naruto – all his power was under his command but he couldn't use much of it lest he attracted too much heat from the Grimm Lords…he knew they only used Maleficent to hinder his abilities so they could 'take' his powers. If he decided to go all out, those cowardly gods would use a scorched earth policy to stop him – he didn't want to be the reason an entire world ceased to exist after all…).
Back to the present though, Ariel broke out her internal musing when Tinker Bell started complaining about their situation.
"Darn it! Is this what you have to go through every time you go an adventure?! I wanted some good loving with my hubby and I get turned into a wee brat?! What does a woman need to do to get some good canoodlin' around here?!" Tinker Bell grumbled as she rubbed her non-existent breasts as Snow blushed at her crass speech but inwardly agreed with her.
"Don't worry about that Tink! If my time adventuring has taught me anything, our new forms mean that the trouble we're supposed to fix is going to happen in the far future…as unaging as we are, what's a few years compared to eternity?" Naruto said, looking behind him to give the fairy a wry grin, enjoying the impatient huff she gave him, her eyes straying to his firm posterior (ah, the body of a child but the mind of an adult – quite the nefarious curse indeed…).
The group travelled for a few hours and just when the full moon climbed to the highest point of the sky, the group discovered a castle hidden at the foot of a mountain. The path leading to it was ornate but unlike other castles, it had no settlements around it. When the group knocked at its massive door, they were met with a plump homely woman who gasped in shock before pulling the door wide open.
"Oh my! What are children like you doing out in the forest alone at this hour? Where are your parents?" She said, fussing over them as Naruto rolled his eyes good naturedly.
"Aint got no parents miss. My friends and I were lost in the forest and we were looking for shelter…we just need a bed for the night and we'll get out of your hair come morning!" Naruto said, the girls coming closer to him before putting on their most pitiful expression possible.
"Oh you poor dears! You can call me Mrs Potts. I can't imagine how children like you managed on your own for so long – come in, come in! I am sure Lord Adam wouldn't mind letting you rest here for a night – he's around your age young man so I am sure he would appreciate the company!" She said, unknowingly setting the stage for the strangest friendship Naruto would ever make in his life…
And that was chapter 71! Naruto and company popped into the next world the day before Adam was cursed into being a Beast – how will their presence change the story? Stay tuned to find out!
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