Lost in the Valleys

Chapter Three:

(Warning Updated: 11/04/2017)

Welcome back to another chapter of Lost in the Valleys, we've broken the ten thousand word bracket, woohoo! The first of many milestones to come hopefully. I don't have much to say, other that Rosinban has very kindly offered to be the Beta for this story, and I have accepted. The only important piece of information that I have is that this story will not be updated for two weeks, because I want to use the two weeks off that I have for Easter to finish up an original novel that I have in the works. Whether that happens or not is up for debate, but I'll try my best. To compensate for the break, this chapter is currently the longest at a word count of roughly five thousand.

With that out of the way onto the review replies:

Rosinban: Thanks for the review, and I'd love to have you both beta and act as a sounding board (as a side note, anyone who wants me to bounce ideas of them is more than welcome to PM asking me to do so), and I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far.

RadioPoisoning: We've discussed this over PM and I'd like to keep my answer to your question to the next chapter as it will feature in that one if you don't mind.

Guest: I'm sorry that there's no way that I can respond to you personally, so I'll answer your review here instead. It's nice to see that people are enjoying the fact that I've set the story in Tani, since I actually thought that people would find the lack of Canon in regards to that area off-putting rather than interesting. I've had trouble writing characters previously, so I'm glad that you've liked the parents and the MC so far. The brothers are a little flat I agree, so hopefully this chapter rounds them out somewhat for you. I think I'll keep terms introduced in the previous chapter in the glossary, but anything older than that gets bumped until it's needed. It's more because I don't want to go back and edit out parts of the glossary because of laziness, but it's just there so that people don't have to go back a chapter if they want to know what a term means.

Silmr3: I'm glad that you like the fact that I chose Tani (see above for reasons why). I hope that you'll enjoy what I have in store, as I plan to have Canon derail in unusual ways, with proper consequences coming into being because of them.

I also accidently uploaded the unbetaed version of this story so that should be fixed.

With that out of the way, onwards with the show!

"Is leor nod don eolach"- Old Irish Proverb

~Lost in the Valleys~

There's a fading scream rolling around my head like a siren, shrill and desperate, and it only takes me a few seconds to realise that it's my own. The rough stone of the wall behind me digs into my back, and it's getting incredibly hard to breathe, my lungs crushed beneath the weight of the car that has me pinned. My lower half has gone partially numb (oh god why can't I feel anything? Why can't I feel my legs?) but it's more of a blessing then a curse. My hands are scrabbling weakly over the grey bonnet in front of me, trying to find purchase, trying to push the car away so that I can breathe. Is it too much to ask for just one breath?

My vision's getting spotty, my chest burning from the lack of oxygen. The driver stares at me unblinkingly, his face a rictus of panic, frozen in terror. If he'd just reverse the car I'd be able to breathe, I wouldn't be dying right in front of his horrified eyes. Why won't he reverse the car, what's wrong with him, I'm going to die because of him, please god I don't want to die-

I'm trying to tell him to move the car, to stop holding me against this wall as I suffocate, but all that comes out of my mouth is choked up blood and wheezing empty gasps (and it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, please lord make it stop-)

Spots are flashing across my vision, and my fear ratchets up, consuming my rationality within moments. I'm thrashing weakly from side to side, fools hope telling me that maybe I can wriggle my way out of this crushing embrace, or maybe the movement will galvanise the driver into action. (Why does it have to be like this, why do I have to die like this?) My heart beats frantically in my chest, pounding a fading rhythm that's manically trying to keep me alive. By the time it stops, I'm too far gone in a haze of pain to notice, and the darkness that rushes to meet me is a more than welcome relief.

~Lost in the Valleys~

The next day dawns bright and early, and excitement has me awake and alert within moments. I have been eagerly waiting for this day for what feels like years. Today will be the first time I will be allowed outside, the first time that I will be allowed to train without being told that I could hurt myself. That's not even mentioning that today will be the first time that I won't be forced to spend yet another day in fitful boredom because I have nothing to do. Yes, today is a first step in many directions (power is so close, can you feel it?) and I don't want to miss a single second of it. Clan policy has kept me from learning anything interesting, since apparently I'm not to be counted as a clan member until after my first training session for some silly reason.

Our household is soon up and ready, my father finishing a hasty meal before slipping out of the door after a quick kiss with my mother and gruff encouragement to myself. My mother casts a wistful glance at his vanishing back (no doubt remembering her own days of being a kunoichi with a fondness only nostalgia can bring) before bustling off to wake Daisuke. Takeru is sorting out a squabble between the twins, eyes filled with exasperation, before a vicious smile stops them in their tracks.

Within what feels like moments I am dressed and standing at the last obstacle to me stepping into a whole new world. I feel like I'm on the cusp of some kind of momentous change, that the moment I step outside that door nothing will ever be the same again. It seems like a silly, idle thought of no real concern, and yet I can't shake it.

Daisuke enters the small hallway and yawning, ruffles my hair, his eyes alert and bright despite his feigned tiredness. The kid is kind of like Shikamaru in that regard, bright, but a bit of a layabout. There are many crucial differences though, and if I'm unlucky, one of them might crop up.

"Don't be scared otōto, I'll make sure that nobody picks on you-" there was his constant need to reassure me that I and life in general would be fine "-even if you are the perfect victim. Small, weak, and not all that bright." His sharp mischievousness raised its ugly head at what should have been a touching moment.

"Hey," I cry indignantly, playing the part of the affronted younger brother quite well in my opinion. Even if the small bit of truth in his statement needles at me. What if others do decide to pick on me? Even if those I'll be meeting today are technically family, it doesn't mean that they won't look down on me or treat me badly. Children can be vicious when they get the scent of weakness, and as much as I hate to admit it, I have that written all over me.

"Daisuke, stop winding up Tsuyoshi," and it was here my knight in shining armour, Takeru, made his appearance. "Gou, Hiroshi I'll hit you both if you guys don't sort out whoever owns that wooden kunai." In unison, the twins, having found a common enemy in Takeru, let loose the call that had equal parts dread and love attached to it, a plea to the goddess of our household.

"Mom, Takeru's being mean to us."

"Play nice Takeru, you're the eldest and supposed to know better. Hiroshi, Gou, if you keep antagonising Takeru and the others you'll end up with a wooden spoon on your bottoms." Seiko sounds somewhat distracted, no doubt put off by all her children being out of the house for the first time. However, my excitement doesn't leave much room for sympathy, and I bounce impatiently from foot to foot, raring to go.

"Calm down, Tsuyoshi." Seiko laughs, her wan brightening slightly when she walks slowly into the hallway.

"I can't kaa-san, it's such a big day. I'm gonna to see the rest of Tani for the first time, and I'm gonna make friends, and it's gonna be great!" My words take on a childish cast, like they always do when I'm excited. I stamp the ground for emphasis. "How can I be calm when all that's waiting for me behind that door, and my big brother Takeru's gonna show me it all?"

The twins cheer their assent, while Daisuke merely rolls his eyes. Takeru's puffs up with all the pride that a ten year old can muster, and gives me a quick pat on the back. "Of course I'm going to show it all to you otōto, it's only natural for your best big bro to do so."

The twins attempt to contest Takeru's bold claim, but he bares his teeth at them when mom isn't looking and they back down quickly. Daisuke just shrugs and stuffs his hands into the pockets of his jumper, clearly bored.

"It's about time for you to go." Seiko says, before giving us all a quick hug. I fail utterly to contain the grin that spreads across my face when she whispers "Go get them, champ." in my ear when she gives me mine.

"Bye, kaa-san!" echoes in the tight confines of the hallway before we all race out the door, my siblings (brothers) making sure to match my relatively slow pace. The air is soon full of good-natured japs and jokes as Takeru and Daisuke banter back and forth with childish insults, with Gou occasionally chiming in with an awkward, ill-fitting comment. We mock him mercilessly every time.

The streets of the Keruto compound are narrow and winding, the houses above casting dark shadows on the path we ran along. Despite the fact that the sun was only just peeking over the horizon, they are bustling with various clan members. There seem to be hundreds of people around, dressed in traditional Japanese garb decorated with swirls and patterns that seem out of place. How big a clan are we?

"Takeru?" I ask tentatively, the sounds and sights scaring me after so long a period absent from them. There are thousands of new smells floating in the air, colours that I can only dimly remember from my previous life fluttering everywhere. It's almost enough to be overwhelming, and if I was a normal kid I'm sure I would be. But I am far from your average child, and I resolve to merely soldier on through.

"Yes, otōto?" he drawls, slowly, each word stretched out.

"How many people are in our clan? A t-thousand?" I stumble over the long word unused to using it.

Takeru chuckles in that indulgent tone he always has when he explains something. "Silly otōto, you know I can't tell you anything about the clan until you've done at least one training session. It's the clan rules after all." An uneasy silence falls after that, and I am left to stew in my own nervousness without any distractions.

Daisuke mutters what sounds suspiciously like "you just told him something about the clan, idiot", but when Takeru whirls around he is greeted with a look of fabricated innocence and laziness so perfect that it can only be false. Takeru falls for it however, even as I struggle to hold in a snicker. Daisuke always knows what to say to break the tension, and I am grateful once again for his perceptiveness.

Thoughtless children are the cruellest of all, though thankfully none of my brothers are like that. Except Gou, but then he at least has Hiroshi and Takeru to rein him in. I shudder to imagine what he'd be like if those two weren't around.

~Lost in the Valleys~

We arrive at the clan training grounds and a tremor runs up my back (this is where it all begins. Can you feel it?) This is where I'll start training to become a shinobi, where I'll figure out what time period of the story that I'm in, where I'll grasp real, tangible power in my hands for the first time.

We gather ourselves at the gateway, the high walls (for a child anyway) blocking what's behind them from view for now. "Excited, Tsuyoshi?" Takeru says, his eyes slowly gaining the intensity that still scares me terribly, though why I can't say.

"Of course I am, I'm gonna start learning how to be a shinobi! I bet that I'm gonna be one within a year, and then I can go off and rescue princesses and stuff!"

Hiroshi huffs, his cold, detached façade slipping into place. What's going on? Why are my brothers getting angry?

As Gou cracks his knuckles Takeru kneels down beside me. "Tsuyoshi, our family has a certain… reputation around here, okay? I'm going to need you to be tough and strong, like your name means okay?"

I nod, and chirp a quick "of course Nii-san" even though I am utterly confused. Surely clan training isn't bad enough that Daisuke has to act as he is now, bright, alert, his usual trace of laziness nowhere to be seen.

"That's good Tsuyoshi, and remember that no one messes with our family and gets away with it. If someone tries to rough you up or says mean things to you, just let us know. Your big brothers will take care of it." It's a touching gesture, in a violent kind of way, but what worries me is that the seriousness that has settled over my siblings seems entirely genuine. What the hell is going to happen once we step into those training grounds?

"That's enough standing around, let's get this over with." Takeru barks, is met with a lack of dissent that only scares me more - after all, the twins never let Takeru boss them around without a reason. We enter the training grounds, and for all the nervousness and excitement that is roiling around in me it is disappointingly normal.

The wall encloses a low grassy field, for the most part smooth and only occasionally marked by a dip or divot. The eastern quarter has several wooden dozen training posts jutting from the ground, no doubt for target practice. A middling forest covers an entire side, bounded by a sluggish river that runs from wall to wall. The last chunk of ground is torn and blasted, no doubt the place where jutsu are tested and perfected.

A large group of children, numbering roughly two hundred in total (the must be Keruto are gigantic, if that's the number of children that they have training to become shinobi regularly) are gathered near the training posts. Several older clan members, shinobi going by their battle garb and scars, are watching over this gaggle of children, who I now see range from my own age of four all the way up to eleven or twelve year olds.

We are half way across the training ground when the whispering and pointing begins. Looks of unease are shared between some, loathing gleams in the eyes of other. It is almost surreal, and it only seems to get worse and worse as we get closer. Soon the adults are also wearing sneers and the cruel taunts and jabs are said openly, loudly.

"Useless", the word rips from Takeru's throat and I flinch at the sound. Why is insulting me?

"You're the reason kaa-san's dying, you're nothing but a disgrace and a murderer." Hiroshi's voice sounds warped and distorted, but that doesn't make his words any less true.

"You now the future and yet you sit by and do nothing. You'll let us die because you're too scared to use the gift that was given to you. Tanigakure No Sato, our clan, our family would be destined for great things if you'd only share your visions. Instead you doom us with your weakness. We'll all die, women, children, innocents, because you can't grow up and do what's best for us all instead of yourself." Daisuke's words are like a knife in my gut, twisting around agonisingly slowly.

I futilely try and ignore the hot tears streaking down my cheeks, but the truth that laces those words is acidic, painful and utterly undeniable. They're all going to die because of me, because I am a horrible selfish despicable human, they're all going to die, just like his friend, torn to pieces because of his actions-

The next moment of consciousness I have is disorienting, and shamefully terrifying. My brothers' faces float above me in a sea of black that makes me feel nauseous. I can't stop the flinch that runs through me, and I close my eyes on reflex. I don't want to see how much that action has hurt them (you're so weak, so selfish) even though their recent words buzz like flies in my ears.

When I open them again the blackness has disappeared, and my stomach settles somewhat, even if my pulse is still racing through my ears with a furious drumming sound.

"Are you alright Tsuyoshi? I know that genjutsu are really unpleasant, but I didn't think that you'd have such a bad reaction to it." Takeru's eyes are softened with honest embarrassment, worry and… is that guilt? Daisuke stretches a languid hand down and I nervously accept, still trying to wrap my head around all that had just happened.

"A, a genjutsu?" I mumble dazedly, "Is that what all the whispering was about? All the w-words you guys said, none of it was real?"

"No otōto, it was just like a bad dream, okay? Just like a nightmare, scary and all, but none of it really happened." There is an edge of anxiety to Hiroshi's usual detachment that I would find endearing if I wasn't so shaken. Was I going to have to put up with this for the rest of my life if I chose the path of a shinobi? Horrible, realistic illusions that play upon my fears, that I might never see coming? Because if that's the case, I think the paranoia alone will drive me crazy.

"None of it was real, not even what you guys told me before we came into the training grounds?" As awful as it sounds, I hope that the genjutsu had included that detail to mess with me further, rather than it being real. The grim expression that steals Takeru's face tells me otherwise however, and it takes a lot of willpower not to sigh there and then. Takeru seems to know what I'm thinking however, and he ruffles my hair with the rough, painful affection I've come to know as his. The trademark vicious smile works its way back into place and for a moment everything is back to the way it should be.

"Who put me under the g-genjutsu? Why would they do that? Did I do something wrong?" Usually whenever I barrage my brothers with worried questions they respond with exasperation, and if I'm lucky answers. The hesitancy in their actions is new and frightening - but I'm one to talk. After all, they're not the ones who sound pitifully desperate.

"I believe that I can answer that, Tsuyoshi-san was it?" The bright tone that comes from behind me is a sharp contrast to the words that from most people would indicate disinterest and disdain. The woman who is speaking to me seems so invested in what she is saying that I cannot tell whether they are being completely genuine or entirely insincere. I turn slowly, the creepy disconnection making me prolong seeing what she looks like for as long as possible.

I am not prepared for the small, ordinary looking woman who was lurking behind me mere seconds ago. "I'm Haruma-sensei, and I'll be looking after you, whatever your name is, and I'll be making sure that we have a wonderful, if somewhat boring time together while I do so." It takes me a while to fully process what she's saying, but when I belatedly respond I do so with all the politeness I can muster. She's not the only one that can pretend when they want to.

"Um, Haruma-sensei, do you know who put me under that genjutsu?" Just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine, it was, no, it is horrible, who could put an innocent child through something like that?

"I did, kid, though I have a really good reason that will not excuse anything that you just experienced, and will certainly not make you feel better." For a moment, she pauses, seemingly taking in my undoubtedly shaken expression, before continuing.

"You see, Tsuboshi, to be able to engage in the Keruto clan training, you have to pass a certain criteria, because Sage knows that we can't afford to train every child in the clan, it would be an enormous waste of time, effort, and Tanigakure No Sato doesn't really need that amount of jutsu fodder at the moment. So we check to make sure that the brats, you included, pass a basic test. If you can't figure out what that test was then I'd estimate your career as a shinobi is going to end interestingly quickly as you bleed out because of your own idiocy." Her cheery tone never falters, despite my obvious bemusement. She claps her hands together, startling both myself and my siblings out of our transfixion.

I don't think I've ever met anyone like Haruma in my previous life, and between focusing on her or on the memory of the genjutsu I'll choose her anytime. Even if she keeps getting my name wrong.

"Tsunoshi and I are going to go off and do a little assessment. It's nothing important, it'll only decide what role he'll begin training for in Tanigakure No Sato's forces. The rest of you should run back to your own groups because your sensei are probably frantic. I'm sure they're not worried in the slightest about you."

My brothers quickly comply; leaving me alone with someone I'm beginning to suspect is crazy. Not that I blame them for doing that - talking to Haruma is shaping up to be about as painful as pulling teeth.

"Haruma-sensei, you do know my name is Tsuyoshi?" I ask, trying not to make it sound like I'm whining. The name changing is getting annoying, and I'm still not sure if she is messing with me or this is her natural personality. Neither option fills me with confidence about her. Hopefully the assessment isn't too bad; I don't know if I can handle much more excitement at the moment.

"Of course, Tsugoshi, though to be honest I have no idea what you're talking about."

The urge to smack myself in the face is almost overwhelming, but I resist. The one thought that runs through my head is quite simple, though brutal in its honesty.

Today is going to be a long, long day.

~Lost in the Valleys~

It is almost noon by the time the assessment ends and I gratefully lean my sweat soaked body against one of the myriad of trees in the training grounds. I am panting heavily, my lungs greedily sucking in any available air, while my legs are trembling and burning from exertion. The other children my age, twelve in total, are also lying around, every inch of their bodies in the same agony as mine. The five timed laps we'd run around the training grounds had pushed our bodies to the limits, and that had been after nearly half an hour of throwing kunai and shuriken against the target posts, with only a basic demonstration on how to do so. Each miss had resulted in a push-up or sit-up, and despite getting the highest amount of hits, my core and arms were incredibly sore.

When Haruma signals for us to stand again several groans drift out of tired lips, before we all begin to struggle to our feet, aching everywhere. "Well done all of you, those performances were only mediocre at best, but that's what I excel at, taking average clan members and making them slightly less middling. We'll continue exercises like this until the end of the month, after which you'll each receive a detailed analysis of your strengths and weaknesses. That analysis will dictate what you'll learn for the next two years until you join the Academy, and will probably have a huge influence on what you career as a shinobi. I'd suggest you take this month as seriously as possible." Haruma's voice becomes serious towards the end, and many of us shift uncomfortably, the sudden gravity of the situation intrusive and unwelcome.

"To reward your dubious amount of hard work, I want to show you all a sight that is very special to me, one that you've all never seen before. I'd usually tell people to get their minds out of the gutter right about now, but since you're all four years old I think I can make an exception." Haruma takes off at a slow pace towards the training ground wall, and we drag our feet after her with burning muscles.

A short string of hand signs, each preformed with a deliberate slowness I cannot fathom later and the earth rises up into a low ramp, allowing us all to peer over the edge.

The sight that greets me takes my breath away.

The clan compound from what I can tell is situated on the right side of a valley, stretching for at least a mile across. Other compounds and houses dot the hillside, a curious mix of Asian styled houses with a familiar influence I can't quite place, while what look suspiciously like hillforts from the history of my old world are scattered around. The valley wall gradually runs into a massive lake that stretches out of sight, with both banks of it covered in a dense concentration of houses in a similar style as those before.

A massive island sits roughly in the middle in the lake, which is dominated by a tall low building that even from this distance I can see bears the kanji for valley. Many of the buildings are decorated in elaborate patterns that surface muddily from my subconscious, elusive in their meaning, so familiar and yet so different. The village, more of a small city really, is stunning, the winding streams that run between the houses are pure and powerful, while the light catching upon the lake turns the still water into a burnished mirror. It is beyond beautiful, a work of art, and yet…from up here it looks so fragile. I can cup the entire town in my hands, and seemingly crush it, or I can shield it, keep it safe, make it better, stronger.

Even though I have only spent four short years here, this place is home. It's where I live with my new family, the siblings I always wanted, a beautiful, gentle mother and a protective if distant father. How could I not fall in love with such a place, coupled as it is with its natural beauty? The genjutsu may have shaken my resolve, but I refuse to let something like that dissuade me. After all, if I don't grow stronger and protect my new home when the time comes, I don't know how I'd be able to face myself if I run away from my responsibility.

As I am musing on the beauty of Tani, I notice a string of tiny islands that extend on either side of the larger island, smoke drifting from small settlements based around them. That is not what catches my eye though, no, it's the fact that each of the islands in almost perfectly circular, marking each of them as artificial. Almost like the crannógs that had been built in Ireland by the Celts.

In fact, now that I think about it, all the minor aspects of Tani's architecture, my father's sword, hell - even the clan name, the Keruto, it all adds up to an unpleasant conclusion.

Somehow, someway, a group of Celts managed to end up in Kawa No Kuni and turn themselves into a clan.

How the hell does that even happen in a world that should be entirely dominated by cultures similar to the ones that had inhabited Asia in my previous life?

"You okay up there, Tsuhoshi? You seem rather spaced out, but then again you could be hyper alert, though usually I'd have to have force-fed you chakra pills for that to happen. I'm never able to tell with you children, even though I am an excellent brat whisperer. It's why I got my job after all."

"I'm fine, Haruma-sensei, Tani is just so beautiful. I think I'm getting dizzy because of the height though." With an excuse having been made, I quickly file down the ramp, my head full of the ramifications of what I've just discovered. How did such a different culture develop, and why hadn't it been absorbed by the other cultures around it?

As I step back down onto solid ground a horrible thought strikes me. Had my presence in the Naruto world brought the Celtic group into existence, and in the process have completely trampled over the storyline? Had my own birth rendered the foreknowledge that I possess useless? Good god, this universe really hates my guts. There's no other way to put it.

I'm doomed.

.

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Just in case anyone's gotten confused by the four years' worth of time that is covered in the course of Chapter One and Two, but the children's ages are currently as follows. Takeru is ten, Daisuke is eight, the twins are seven and Tsuyoshi is currently four. If it's not very then I'm sorry, but the only way Tsuyoshi knows he's four is because clan training starts at four, and he's been allowed to go.

What do people think of Hurama's character? It's my first attempt at writing a humorously weird character, so do tell me if she comes off as excessively weird, just plain annoying, or if you think she needs fine-tuning. This story is just as much about you guys giving feedback that shapes it as it is about it being planned out from the start, so don't feel shy about reviewing, or even just PMing me. If there's something wrong with the story, I'd like to know so that I can improve or remove it, so don't stay silent because I will take that as a sign of acceptance, if not approval.

Japanese:

Haruma – True, reality, genuineness

Takehiro – Prosperous

Seiko – The one on who the world depends

Takeru – Warrior

Daisuke – Big Help

Hiroshi – Generous

Gou – Strong

Tsuyoshi – Tough

Otōto – little brother

Nii-san – older brother

Keruto – Celtic/Celt

Tanigakure No Sato (full form of Tani) – Village Hidden in the Valleys

Takumi No Sato (full form of Takumi) – Village of Artisans

Kawa No Kuni (correct name of country Tani is in): Land of Rivers

Ko No Kuni – The Land Of This

Ka No Kuni – The Land Of That

Irish:

Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine – We live in each other's shadows (we are all dependent on one another)

Is leor nod don eolach – Clever people only need a hint (a clever person only need a few clues to solve a problem)

I'll see you soon (I hope), read and review with constructive criticism!