Chapter 1-The Wolf meets the Sage

(Prologue)

Eddard Stark or Ned Stark as he was known by most men in the North stormed into his room within the confines of the large castle known as Winterfell. His emotions were one of anger, rage, pain, and despair all rolled up on one. The wolf's blood in him boiling to the point where he almost felt as if his body was changing into the very animal his house banner sported since the time of its founding. Why was he filled with such rage? Such fury? Such anger?

His brother, Brandon Stark, the eldest, and future Lord of the North was dead. Their own Father, the once current Lord of the North was dead too. Slain by the Mad King, Aerys II Targaryen after going to King's Landing to make his plea to the Mad King to return his son's dead body to him. And if it could not get any worse then that,his dear sweet sister, Lyanna Stark, had been taken by the Mad King's son Rhaegar Targaryen. Lyanna was to be married to Ned's dear childhood friend and sworn brother Robert Baratheon of Hourse Baratheon.

Even now, Robert was rallying his house, his two younger brothers, and anyone else who were against the Mad King's actions against Aerys II Targaryen in what would surely be a massive Civil War. Ned was planning to join Robert with all the armies of the North now under his command as the current Lord of the North and Winterfell after leaving within the hour. Adding the armies from House Tully from his recent marriage to Catelyn Tully, who was his eldest brother's betrothed before such a duty was past down to him upon the man's death. The woman herself was beautiful. Only a few maidens in all the realm who could be matched in that field and even then, the few that did were either the one Lannister girl Cersei, Elia Martell of Dorne, and of course Lyanna Stark herself.

So angry at what had happened to his family, Ned ignored how his leg hit the desk in his room, and caused a secret compartment with a piece of parchment rolling onto the floor. Stopping in his fit of rage, Ned looked down at the parchment, and saw his brother's seal on it before reluctantly picking it up. He didn't even know that compartment in his desk existed and wondered what his brother had left behind for him prior to his death. Ned was actually afraid to open it due to the possibly personal nature of what was written on it. When was this written? Why was it written? And why was it hidden in the desk's secret compartment in the first place?

Knowing the only way he would get answers to these growing questions, Ned reluctantly broke the seal on the parchment, slowly unrolled the paper, and began to read what were his eldest brother's final words to him.

And in that moment, Ned Stark's life, and the way the Game of Thrones was played in the Seven Kingdoms would be changed drastically forever.

(Further North-Hidden Location East of Winterfell)

Ned Stark rode with Ser Rodrik Cassel, one of the most trusted men in Winterfell, and a rare knight of the North. The two rode swiftly on horseback with a young recently named Maester Luwin, who they felt would possibly be of some aid to them at their intended destination.

"Are you sure about this my Lord? I have no doubt your brother's handwriting was his own and was of sound mind when written. But surely he was mistaken. No one lives on this side of the North or this far into it," said Rodrik while Ned nodded since he read his brother's letter over and over again before showing it to the two men with him.

"I'm certain of it Ser Rodrik. If my brother's words are indeed true, the help we need to fight House Targaryen and the Mad King is here," answered Ned before the three came to the location on the crude map left behind by the late Brandon Stark.

A house. A strange looking house that not designed like the other homes in the North. It was wider in size, the roof slanted well past the inner wall of the home. underneath the extended roof was a wooden floor based walkway that went seemingly went around the entire building. The walls of the house were wooden with strange wooden doors with a white square parchments on them. To the right of the house was a simple garden and a few surprisingly lush trees on either side of the building.

Add to the fact it was now snowing around here made it all the more breathtaking if not mystical in nature.

"There is something off here my Lord. Its in the air," whispered Ser Rodrik while looking around for any hostile enemy his eyes currently could not see.

"Aye, I feel it too Lord Stark . I don't know if its actually magic, but something is indeed in the air. Something strong. Something powerful," added Maester Luwin while feeling a tad nervous.

"I trust Brandon's words Ser Rodrik. Maester Luwin. So long as we are respectful and polite, we will come to no harm here," said Ned before getting off his horse and slowly walked toward the strange house.

Only for the strange door of the house to slide open and a figure stepping out into the light for them to see.

"Greetings and salutations Ned Stark. I've been expecting you," whispered the figure still in the shadows surrounding the inner workings of the house despite being out in the open in daylight with snow all around them.

Add to the fact this shadowy figure had three eyes with the third eye being dead center on his forehead was a bit...frightening to the three men of the North. In his right hand was a monk's staff, making a clinking sound with the rings at the very top hitting each other when moving. The clothing was strange too. Some kind of coat reaching down past the man's knees at the back with orange of all colors on it with red mixed into it. His clothing was black pants, black shirt, vest, and strange footwear with the feet plus stockings being worse exposed, yet he was able to walk easily enough in them. The man's face had long spiky blonde hair that was practically golden. The hair alone could almost have him be mistaken for a Lannister or someone the Lannister's would be envious if they saw such hair matching if not outdoing their own.

The man's golden hair was almost as long as his coat in fact and while most of the hair was in fact blonde worthy of a Lannister, there were long red highlighted streaks within them too. You could almost say this man's heritage was a mix Lannister and Tully with the red hair mixed into the blonde. As for the man's face, it sported strange whisker mark like scars on either side of his face, which seemed to be a natural part, and thus could be considered birthmarks of some sort. As for the man's three eyes, two of the natural set were an intense blue that seemed to glow with power, and the third on the man's forehead was nearly lavender color that one would mistake for being blind.

"Be careful Lord Stark. He could be some kind of wizard taught ancient magic of old. Or maybe a demon of some sort," whispered Rodrik to Ned while the urge to unsheathe his sword came to the forefront of his mind.

Only Ned's hand on his arm stopped him.

"Perhaps he is one or the other. Maybe a combination of both. I do not know. What I do know Ser Rodrik, is he has clearly been prepared for our arrival. To draw swords now would be foolish. We came here to speak and be civil. I will speak to him alone. You and Maester Luwin will stay here with the horses," replied Ned with Rodrik and Luwin now looking fearful.

"But my Lord, what if he puts some kind of spell on you? Turns you against us?" asked Rodrik since he was sure this man wielded some kind of magic to ensnare the mind and rob a person of their freewill.

"Then I trust you to do your duty and end my life to prevent your Lord from living a life of being a puppet. At the same time, should the worst happen, Maester Luwin can make his escape back to Winterfell to inform my wife of what has befallen me," said Ned in a grim tone Rodrik looking at him before looking at the figure with a cautious expression on his face.

"Come on in Ned Stark. You'll freeze to death out here. Bring your men too. I won't have people freezing in silence outside my home," commanded the figure before reentering the shadows of the house.

"My Lord?" asked Rodrik worriedly since he knew if they went into that house, there was a good chance they wouldn't be coming back out.

"Have courage and faith Ser Rodrik. We must risk much to be rewarded. Even if the risk is an unknown," answered Ned while marching forward to the house.

'It is usually the unknown risks that are the most dangerous and yet...they bring about the greatest of rewards if the venture proves fruitful. A rarity to be sure, but in these growing dark times, one must have a strong heart to face such things,' thought Luwin before he had dismounted from his horse and followed the two men heading to the open doors of the house.

"Boots off when you enter. I won't have snow and mud staining my floor!" called out the figure deeper into the house.

All three men of the North looked at each other, a look of confusion on their faces since most people didn't do that when visiting other houses. Footwear always stayed on, even when walking into the house not just because it kept the feet warm, it also allowed them to keep their feet clean on the stone sometimes hay covered floor they walked on. Still, this house was anything but normal. Same with the host within.

"A strange man to be sure. Keep your wits about you my Lord," Rodrik reminded Ned, who nodded with a small form of hesitation.

"Aye. Maester Luwin, stay behind us. Should we fall into a trap, it will be up to you to escape, and make for Winterfell," whispered Ned with Luwin reluctantly nodding.

"I would prefer it would be you who escapes my Lord. Still, I will do what is commanded of me," replied Luwin with reluctance in his tone.

The trio eventually entered the house, finding it strangely had a pleasant warm feel within it. As if they were in the South during a warm summer. The room they were in was a bit crowded for an entranceway, but saw where they could removed their boots, and walk on smooth hardwood floors. The further they walked, the friendlier the atmosphere was for them, and were surprised by how bright it was in the house with so few candles lit in key places of the building. Though they quickly deduced the reason behind this was due to the house being made up of wood and paper so the risk of a fire burning things up quickly was very high.

"Come in and sit!" commanded the figure from the one room to their right with a similar door they saw at the front of the house slightly open.

'I feel like some sort of adventurer in a distant and unknown land,' thought Ned before he put his hand on the door and slowly slid the door open while being careful not to damage it.

The room itself was spacious. Strange yet intricate looking matting of sorts was on the ground instead of hardwood flooring. In the middle of the room was a strange low level table, but there were no chairs, and the host of the house was sitting down on the matting like it was natural. His face was one of slight amusement at seeing them unsure how to act in his house and were clearly afraid to do something he deemed to be insulting or disrespectful.

It was just as Ned first thought when entering the strange house. They were adventurers in an unknown land.

"Sit. Please," said the figure calmly and respectfully while motioning them to sit.

"Not to speak out of turn good sir, but where are the chairs?" asked Rodrik in a cautious yet respectful tone.

"There are no chairs here. Where I am from we do use them, but not in the living area of the home. Don't worry, the patting here is clean. I wouldn't be sitting on it myself if the floor was filthy," replied the figure before he again motioned them to sit.

"When in one's home, do as they do, but still be respectful in your own way," whispered Maester Luwin with Ned and Rodrik nodding discreetly before they sat down close to the table.

"When we first arrived, you originally said you were expecting me," said Ned since he wasn't sure how to start off the conversation.

"Sooner or later. Your older brother left a letter in the event something happened to him, to your Father, or possibly both," answered the figure calmly before he took out his pipe, a match, and lit the pipe.

"It was in a hidden compartment of my desk within my room," said Ned with the figure nodding.

"Yes I know. I suggested to Brandon to put it there when you were out on a hunting trip or doing something that took you away from your room for a few hours. It was hidden to protect you and him from anyone else possibly knowing about me until the time was truly right. Considering how your knight here reacted to my appearance and the sudden need to draw his sword, you can understand why my existence is known to a handful of people," replied the figure with Rodrik stiffening at his words.

'He actually heard that?' thought Rodrik while wondering if the man before them had in fact heard his words or maybe seen something to assume something was said in that manner.

"Yes. Though to be fair good sir, your strange clothing, and the additional...eye makes whoever sees you at first glance become quite...nervous," said Ned with respect while he looked at the figure's third eye for a second.

The figure laughed a little at that comment.

"That is does. Which is one of the reasons why I keep to myself and far away from the rest of the world. Though if you are here, it means my warning to Brandon, and Rickard was ignored," replied the figure with sadness in his voice.

"You knew my Father as well as my brother?" asked Ned in surprise.

"I met your Father Rickard and his Father many years ago when he was still a small boy learning how to hunt for food in the forest. A good archer to be sure and an even better swordsman when he was old enough to wield Ice," said the figure while watching the three men look at him with total shock written on their faces.

"But that would make you well over a century old! You don't even look a few years older then Lord Stark!" exclaimed Luwin suddenly at this knowledge of the man in front of them.

"True. And thanks for saying that about me looking so young. I try to stay in shape," said the figure with a hint of amusement in his voice.

"How old are you?" asked Rodrik suddenly before he was given a side glaring glance by Ned for speaking the question due to the rudeness behind it, even if the question was spoken involuntarily.

"Let's just say I'm old enough to see the rise and fall of dragons, magic, and the White Walkers themselves," said the figure with Ned, Rodrik, and Luwin both feeling a sense of dread fill their hearts.

"The White Walkers are real?" asked Luwin since he always felt such creatures were the stuff of fantasies told by parents to children in order to keep them from being too wild.

"Let's just say the White Walkers and I have a long painful history together," remarked the figure quietly and in a tone that told the three men not to pry into it.

"Are you some kind of Deity? One of the old Gods? Or one of the Seven?" asked Rodrik with a sense of awe despite this man's words being slightly far fetched.

"A God? No. I am a man. A mortal man, who fought, clawed, bled, and silently cried all his life to get where he is now with the power to do many things. Many terrible things in fact. The correct term for myself to identify what I am, would be to call me a Sage. But I choose not to do these things because the world is no longer able to tolerate someone like me. The High Septons representing the Seven would condemn me for being what I am and my abilities. The power I wield is dangerous and would only frighten you and them if seen for yourself. Regardless of what I am, Septons were never ones to embrace magic anymore then the Grand Maesters residing in the Citadel. So I stay out of there way and watch from afar as man changes with the times," replied the figure while Ned frowned.

"Forgive me for saying this, but I don't know your name. My brother's letter to me never mentioned it and in my thirst for knowledge pertaining to the reason behind his letter, I never asked it," said Ned while the figure smiled.

"It's Naruto. Uzumaki Naruto. Where I am from, the last name comes first in terms of introductions. It might seem strange to you. I understand. But that's just how it was back when I was growing up," said Naruto with a grin while Ned, Rodrik, and Luwin mentally spoke the name in their minds to get a feel for it before they considering even speaking his name.

It took about a minute before Ned truly adjusted to this information and decided to press forward to one of the reasons he was here.

"Naruto of House Uzumaki, I came here not only for answers, but to ask for your help in combating the Mad King Aerys II Targaryen. He has been burning people alive, killing innocence, my Father and brother included. His own son Rhaegar Targaryen has also kidnapped my sister Lyanna and holds her hostage somewhere. According to Brandon's letter, you are a man of honor, and can be trusted to help in a cause if asked for your aid with the reasons behind it are worthy. Will you help me and those who are fighting in this war against the Mad King?" said Ned while Naruto was silent for a second before taking a drag from his pipe and letting the smoke leave through the side of his mouth while thinking the man's words over in his head.

"I respect you Ned. I have only just met you, but even now I can tell you, and the other two men here with you are good honorable people. I can see it in your eyes as clearly as I can see the snow outside is pure white. Your house is well known since its founding for being honorable and keeping your word when given. Your brother and Father were the same way when it comes to their word and honor. I deeply respect that. When I give my word or promises, I keep them no matter what stands in my way. House Lannister may have the largest gold mines in all of the Seven Kingdoms, but the words of a Stark are worth their weight from those very mines. Plus, if the Mad King isn't stopped, he will burn all of Westerous to the ground simply because Aerys knows he can should no one truly oppose him. Despite my personal misgivings on returning to the world once again, I will assist you, and your allies in this endeavor. If only to ensure the war ends faster with fewer lives lost," said Naruto with Ned, Rodrik, and Luwin looking happy with this good news.

"Thank you Naruto. You won't regret this," said Ned with a smile that he hadn't been able to produce since his marriage to Catelyn.

"I will hold you to that Lord Stark. I wield powers and abilities not seen for many years since the time of the White Walkers. The sight of my powers and skills may frighten and anger those around you. I'm sure even you realize humanity has always had a history of fearing and hating what they do not understand to the point of simply attacking what they fear and hate in the name of some misguided sense of justice," replied Naruto with Ned nodding in understanding.

"I understand. Don't worry Naruto. You won't be disappointed in the army of the North or in Robert's own," said Ned while bowing his head slightly.

'Its not you who will disappoint me Ned. Its those closest to you,' thought Naruto since he had been expecting Ned for a reason and not just because of the man's brother had left a hidden message for him tucked away in a damn compartment in a desk.

The Byakugan had a hidden power. A power not even those born naturally with the eye from his time knew the truth. With a lot of chakra (even for him), superior control, and extreme focus added to the Byakugan, the eye in question had the power...to see into the future. Not every far into the future, but well enough into it to see certain events that will transpire if left to their own devices.

And Naruto had seen many things happen when doing that. Bad and good. Sadly, he saw more bad then good these days. Sometimes being an Immortal Sage was less of a blessing and more of a curse.

"You plan to leave soon for the war, correct? To meet up with Robert?" asked Naruto with Ned nodding.

"Aye, I actually planned to actually leave much sooner, but the message Brandon left me to find you unknowingly delayed my plans," replied Ned with Naruto nodding.

"Okay. You meet up with Robert and his army. I will get there in my own way. I have to get some of my own personal affairs in order," said Naruto while his eyes seemed to go off into the distance for a moment.

"Thank you again Naruto. No doubt your assistance will several countless innocent lives in the years to come," said Ned before he, Rodrik, and Luwin slowly getting to their feet albeit in a slightly clumsy manner.

They could have been worse and tripped over each. Fortunately, they young, and were made of sterner stuff.

After the trio got their boots on, they quickly left Naruto's house, got on their horses, and headed back to Winterfell to move out with the rest of the army. Well, Ned and Rodrik would be moving with the army. Maester Luwin would stay in Riverrun in order to look after Ned's wife Catelyn Stark since there was a good chance she was pregnant already with Ned's child. Though upon his or her birth, the child along with Catelyn would be moved to Winterfell to further protect them both from harm should the Mad King go after them both.

All the while, Naruto sat there smoking from his pipe, deep in thought for a long moment before he stood up, and walked into a nearby room. Inside this very room stood the many different items and weapons of his old life before now. Each one an adventure and a half for him and those who lived to see the next could be spoken. The barbs of today could no doubt sing tales of his deeds and actions along with those who fought beside him during those conflicts and wars of old.

So many wars. So much conflict. So much death.

"I will help this world. I will come out of the shadows and help this world one more time to see if humanity is worthy of my help. Let us see what will happen when the Nidaime Sage of Sixth Paths enters into this game of thrones," whispered Naruto before he took the once broken and now repaired three eyed mask Obito once used during the Fourth Shinobi War off the wall.

No point in letting anyone truly know who he was for the moment.

(A/N: YAY! I did it. I have started my NarutoxGame of Thrones fic. The people have spoken and so has my poll. This fic has been nagging me in the back of my head like there is no tomorrow. So I felt I need to get the first chapter out of the way. I hope I have started it out right and eventually do this fic justice. Until next time...PEACE!)