DISCLAIMER: I in no way own Naruto or the Legend of Zelda franchise.

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Breath of the Wild

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Chapter 1: Wake Up

. . . .

It was cold. But, oddly comforting. His joints were stiff, but in the way they sat they were comfortable. He was comfortable. So, when his eyes twitched, and the vestiges of consciousness were coming for him he desperately tried to fight them off. To return to that comfortable darkness.

…

Breath in, breath out. Slowly, he could feel himself slipping back into that comfortable sensation again. He could feel his tense muscles loosen themselves as he rested back and let the darkness overtake him once more.

Naruto…

His eyes twitched in annoyance. He was comfortable. He was trying to stay that way. Why was something trying to take him away from this feeling? How annoying. He shifted slightly, trying to repress the urge to open his eyes. He just wanted to sleep.

Naruto…

It was louder now. That annoying sound. That sound that was trying to rip him from his comfortable place. Though it was far off, that noise was getting louder. Almost as if it were moving towards him.

Open your eyes…

Wait...was that...a voice? A voice was calling to him? It was getting louder, he could hear it now. It was...oddly familiar. Though he couldn't place a reason why. Why were they calling for him? His eyes began to twitch as a light seemed to enter his dark place. It was blinding, yet he didn't want it to leave. It felt...warm. In this comfortable cold, that light felt warm.

Open your eyes…

His eyes twitched lightly, and began to flutter. The darkness ebbed away as light took its place. Pale blue light replaced the darkness around him, and the cold feeling seemed to almost recede from his body. Replacing it with a different, unfamiliar cold. It wasn't comfortable, this cold was agonizingly cold.

Wake up Naruto…

His eyes opened fully as he took in the lights around him. Pale blue filled the room, and he looked to himself and noticed that the cold leaving him seemed to be water that drained out from the pod he slept in. It was strange, as the water left, the light faded with it. Leaving only the dim blue of the small lights above him. He quickly made to sit up and immediately regretted that decision. His body ached, his muscles refusing to compress and stretch like he wanted them too.

He took a moment to gingerly remove himself from the strange pod like bed he was in and took in the room around him.

It was like he was inside a cave of some sort. The only light within was the pulsing blue of the pod, as well as a small pedestal to his left. There were strange carvings in the walls and floor, making it difficult for him to walk, his joints stiff and his legs unused to the weight or movement.

He stumbled for a few tentative steps before his legs found purchase and carried him towards the glowing pedestal. He used the glowing pedestal to balance himself so he could let his legs get used to standing once again. Though, after placing his hands near the glowing marks they began to shine even brighter. He looked at the glowing pattern in confusion before an orange colored eye with a tear drop like marking appeared in the center of the pedestal.

A whirling of gears signaled the shifting of the pedestal and after a series of turns and clicks, a tablet-like device sprung up from the center of the pedestal, waiting to be taken.

That is a Sheikah Slate. Take it. It will help guide you after your long slumber.

That voice again. Who was it? Where was it coming from? These questions went through Naruto's head as he tentatively reached for the tablet. Though, even with the mystery of who the voice was, he felt he could trust it. He didn't know why, but he just did. Once he had the tablet away from the pedestal it once again shifted and stirred and moved to its original position. After it set itself, a click could be heard from across the room. Naruto looked through the dim light and noticed a door opening, a shifting of dust signifying its movement. With shaky but more confidant legs he carried himself towards the door, sheikah slate in hand. Passing through the doors he was met with another room. This room was darker than the last, though the soft lights that pulsed off the patterned walls lit it enough for him to notice the stairs that lead to a lone chest. Taking his time down the stairs, making sure to keep his shaky balance while scaling downwards. He reached the chest and examined it for a moment. It was made of rotting wood, a few holes peppering it here and there. Moving forward he slipped the latch free and looked inside.

There was a shirt, a pair of pants and boots inside. Looking to himself he nodded to the fact that these clothes would do him better than his currently nude self. Quickly slipping on the clothes he decided to take stock in his current equipment.

The shirt was several sizes too small. Leaving a small portion of his midriff exposed. There were obvious moth holes in the linen, though he didn't mind for now. The pants to his dismay weren't much better. Tight in the thighs and only fit just past his knees, he hardly needed the belt that was with them to hold them up. No, he used this to strap the Sheikah Slate to. The boots surprisingly fit though. They were slightly coarse on the soul, though they fit snug enough that it didn't really matter.

Now dressed he decided to have a proper look around the new room. It was smaller than the last with an odd looking back wall. As well as another glowing pedestal.

Hold the Sheikah Slate up to the pedestal…

He moved faster this time, his legs working out their previous shakes by this point. Unfastening the tablet from his belt he awkwardly lifted it towards the pedestal. He waved it around a few times, looking for some sort of reaction before he moved the glowing eye flush with the pedestals surface.

There was a flash of light and a soft tone that played with it. And not too long after, another click. This one much louder than when the last door opened itself. The wall with the odd looking markings creaked and moaned as it began to slide across the stone floor, revealing itself to be a door. Slowly the doors began to part causing Naruto to shield his eyes from the overbearing light that came from behind them.

Naruto…

He began to move towards the door, making sure the Sheikah Slate was once again strapped to his hip while keeping a hand up to cut the harsh light from his eyes. From the limited view he had he could see stairs leading upwards into the light.

Naruto, you are the light-our light-that must shine upon Hyrule once again. Now, go.

With that his eyes finally adjusted to the shining light and he could see the exit before him. With now confident legs he marched up the stairs, a small breeze blowing against his face gently. At the mouth of the cave his now boot clad feet stepped onto soft soil, and his pant covered legs brushed through tall grass. He kept moving forward, his legs carrying him faster as a sense of euphoria came through him. The air was fresh and a soft breeze was blowing past him in this warm light. Starkly opposite to the stale, unmoving air of the cold, dark cave he had just awoken inside of.

And when he came to a stop at an edge of a cliff, he couldn't help keep his eyes from widening at the view before him. A forest sprawled out into the distance before him, leading to an almost endless field of green grass. The fields gave way to high mountains, and what looked like a volcano into the far distance before him. And at the center of it all, what looked like a castle sat amid the endless glade.

Though, even in this grand and beautiful sight, something felt off as he looked out to the horizon. He basked in the light he now found himself in, in the feeling of serenity in this vast expanse of nature, but through it all he felt a small twinge of anxiety filter through his mind. A sense of unease, as if something were watching him. Watching, and waiting for him.

However, this feeling was far into the recesses of his mind as, almost on instinct he moved to sit at the edge of this cliff. As he lowered himself, his eyes closed and he took a deep, peaceful breath.

"Wow…"

His voice was hoarse, and his throat felt raw, and yet as he looked at the beauty of the world before him, he couldn't help but release the simple expression of his awe.

"Quite the sight, is it not?"

Naruto had nearly jumped from the edge of the cliff in surprise upon hearing the voice. It was not the woman's voice that called to him, no. This voice was elderly, and most definitely masculin. But, most importantly, it was coming from behind him.

"Hoho! Sorry, young lad! Didn't mean to almost send you off the cliff with not but my voice. Forgive an old man for not being able to resist pulling your leg like that!" The voice was jovial, and when Naruto turned to look at its owner, he saw a tall, rotund, old man in a brown workers cloak. Most of his face was covered by his hood, but the enormous white beard, heavily tanned skin, and mirth filled hazel eyes were clearly visible.

"Who...are you?" Naruto asked, his voice still not but a hoarse whisper.

The old man merely chuckled before setting aside his walking stick and taking a seat besides the boy. "I'll spare you my life story lad. I'm just a foolish old man who's lived out here on his own for far too long." He said with a grunt as he finally settled himself next to the blond, his eyes not leaving the view before them. "Though, it's a bit strange to see another soul in these parts. What brings a bright eyed lad like yourself to a place such as this?"

Naruto tried to think on that question, for he still did not know the answer himself. What had he been doing in that cave? Why was he here now? Who was that woman?

…

Who was...he?

"W-where are we?" Naruto finally asked after a long, and silent pause. The old man simply raised a brow at the boy.

"To answer a question, with another question?" The old man chuckled to himself. "That's fair enough, I suppose." He sighed as he once more looked out to the horizon. "This place was known as the Great Plateau to the people who once lived here." His voice was soft now, a stark contrast to his bombastic personality so far. After a moment, he stood from his place and looked to their right. "It is said that this very Plateau was the birthplace of the once great Kingdom of Hyrule." He then pointed onward. Naruto followed his gaze and saw a massive building in the distance. Its walls were caved in, and most of the roof and fallen as a result, yet the large frontal tower stood true amongst the dilapidated building. "It is also said that about one hundred years ago, that that temple was the place of many ceremonies...of course now it stands as a shell of its former self. A ghost of the past, waiting for time to finally claim it completely…" As he finished speaking, Naruto noticed he had begun to wander off, down the path behind them and into the forest.

The boy watched the old man disappear in the thick woods, still in a mixture of awe and unsurity. But, as the old man completely disappeared from the blond's view, he stood from his place at the edge of the cliff, and made a decision.

He could not remember what he had been doing. Where he was from. Who that woman was. Or even...who he himself was. But, something about that old man seemed familiar, and he wanted to figure out why.

And so, without a word, he followed the path the old man had taken, and ventured into the wild ahead of him.

. . . .

"Where...are we going?" Naruto asked, speaking softly as to not agitate his still raw throat. He'd followed the old man through the forest for some time now, and throughout that time they'd traveled in a comfortable silence. Naruto was content to take in the sights around himself, and fall into the sounds of nature as they traveled, but he'd begun to wonder just where it exactly was that they were going.

For the first time since setting foot in the woods the old man turned to look at the boy with an eyebrow raised in curiosity. "Well," he started. "I'm heading to my home. Where you are going, I do not know." Seeing the boy's mixture of confusion and shock made him chuckle as he turned back to the path ahead of them. "Though, you are welcome to join me. I bet you'd want something to eat soon, and it has been quite awhile since I shared a meal with another."

Naruto didn't respond, but continued to follow the old man down the forest path. A few more minutes of silence passed as the forest gave way to a small clearing that overlooked a ravine, separating the plateau and a tall mountain.

"Ah, here we are." The old man broke the silence as he led the boy to a small cabin in the clearing. It looked...homey, to say the least. It was roughly put together, slightly lopsided, and used a large boulder to lean against to keep from falling over. But apparently it worked well enough for the old man.

"Come on in." The man led Naruto into the shoddily made cabin and directed him to take a seat on a set log covered in a makeshift fur cushion. "I've had a stew cooking since morning, and it should be done by now." He moved to a large pot near the back of the single room cabin and removed it's lid. After giving the contents a taste, he hummed in delight before removing the pot from the low flame that embered beneath it.

"So, my young friend. As we share this meal, would you mind telling me your name?" He asked as he brought the pot over to the table and filled two carved wooden bowls. He brought a small stool over to sit opposite the young man and handed him a bowl. Naruto looked at the contents, seeing a few different vegetables, mushrooms, and some sort of meat.

He took a sip of the broth before answering. "I'm Naruto…" he said with slight hesitation, not entirely sure that he was right. But, it was what that woman's voice had called him, and for some reason, he trusted her to tell him the truth. The old man didn't seem to notice, or at least care, about his hesitation. He just nodded along and ate his stew.

"Well, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Naruto."

They sat in silence for a long moment, simply enjoying the food. However, as the old man stood to refill his bowl, Naruto broke the silence. "What's...your name?" he asked slowly. His voice felt odd, almost weak. And he felt his throat give a slight protest to the speech, but he forced his question out anyway.

The old man stalled for a moment, hesitating for only a second before a small chuckle bubbled past his lips. "Oh my...it has been so long that I think I might have forgotten my own name." he said while filling his bowl. "Though, I guess you can call me Bos for now." Naruto nodded in response, returning to slowly eat his stew. While it tasted good, his stomach protested the food, perhaps from being empty for so long, having it filled upset it somehow.

"It's nice to meet you...Bos."

. . . .

The sun had set a few hours ago, and Bos had set up a makeshift bed of different furs and some straw for Naruto before turning in for the night himself. But, even as the moon rose high into the sky, Naruto could not sleep. After the meal and the few hours he had been awake after that, he felt energized and unable to relax. So, like any sane person, he decided to wander out of the cabin and walk through the surrounding woods in the dead of night.

He didn't know where he was going, and for the life of him, he couldn't find the reason to care if he knew how to get back. Not that he didn't appreciate old man Bos' hospitality, but...he felt off around the old man. He felt as if he should be showing him a respect he hadn't earned yet.

Though, instead of confronting this feeling, he decided to let his feet lead him in whatever direction they wanted to wander in. He smiled lightly at the calm sounds of the night. The insects and frogs singing in their own languages. He wandered deep into the forest, losing himself in the nature around himself.

Eventually, he came across a small pond and sat at the water's edge. The moon that night was full, lighting up the night beautifully, and now looking into the water, he could actually see his reflection. Looking at himself, he saw blond hair, blue eyes, and three odd lines across each cheek. But what made him reach up a hand and touch his face, was the crisscrossing scars that ran up the left side of his neck to just below his ear. They weren't rough, and didn't puff out his skin, they just coloured it differently, leaving thin white lines that crossed and danced across his skin. Following them down his neck he lifted his shirt and noticed they flowed down almost the entirety of the left side of his torso, leading to a massive circular scar in his side.

He was so engrossed in looking into his reflection, and wondering just what the scars were, he didn't notice the small creature waddling up beside him, also leaning over to look at his reflection.

"Wooaah...what are ya lookin' at?"

Naruto jolted in shock, leaping away from the high pitched voice and almost fell into the pond while doing so. Beside him was a short brown creature that looked like a shrub walking on two stubby legs. The little thing also had a five pointed leaf on its face, acting like a mask.

"Oh, wow! You can see Kula!" The little thing said in amazement.

"Um, yeah. I can see you...what are you?" Naruto asked, hand over his chest, trying to reign in his surprise at seeing a talking plant...person?

"Oh, Kula is Kula!" it responded. "Kula's a Korok, and we can't be seen by Hylians like you unless...Are you the hero!? He's the only person who could see us before!" The little shrub babbled on, until excitedly shouting out. Though, before Naruto could respon, the little Korok seemed to become suddenly shy and looked away from the blond. "At least...that's what Ol' man Deku says…"

Naruto, now calmed down from his surprise, sat back down and gave the small Korok a smile. "I don't know about me being a...hero? But my name's Naruto." Kula looked up at him for a brief, silent moment, before breaking out into a little dance.
"Ya ha! Kula made a friend!" They danced about for a little bit, singing to themself while the blond simply watched them go. Naruto felt a laugh bubble up in his chest, and after a moment, he couldn't hold it back and let his laughter free. Kula didn't seem to mind his laughter, and seemed to only dance harder for it.

After his laughter finally died down, Kula slowed his dance and leaned in closer to the blond. "Hey hey, ya wanna play a game!?" The Korok excitedly asked while swaying side to side. Naruto didn't even hesitate in his answer.

"Sure!" He was in a good mood. A very good mood in fact. He didn't know why, but just the sheer aura of peace and happiness that the little Korok in front of him filled him with energy and joy.

"Yay!" Kula cheered before suddenly bursting into smoke. "Catch me if ya can!" The Korok's voice echoed through the forest as a soft green light sparkled across the ground and back into the wild.

"Hey no fair!" Naruto shouted in response before he jolted to his feet and gave chase.

He almost lost track of the little light that Kila gave off a few times, but somehow was able to keep pace for the most part. He was happy and carefree as he chased after the forest spirit. So carefree in fact, that he didn't notice that he and the little Korok had left the forest behind, and were now running across stone instead of dirt. He only noticed the change when he almost stumbled across a set of stairs.

Snapping out of his single minded play, he looked around and gasped at what he saw.

He was outside the massive, dilapidated temple that Bos had pointed out when they had first met. Now forgetting to follow after Kula, he slowly ascended the steps into the temple. Taking in the surroundings around him. Odd statue-like constructs sat in disarray all around the entrance. They were odd constructs, circular in base, and had several leg-like protrusions spindling out of the base. Shaking off the initial fear he felt for the odd things, he moved past them and into the temple. Walking through the ruined and nature claimed temple, he came up to a massive statue of a winged woman, hands clasped and head bowed in prayer. And as he stared at the statue, images passed through his mind. Thoughts and feelings he did not remember, or understand.

Memories of a different life.

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(A/N): To be continued...

Hoooooooo boooooy. We back at it again, makin a new story and trying not ta' fuck it up :/

I had set up a poll to vote on the next story that I'd work on, and this pretty much won by an absolute landslide, having 34 of the like, 56 votes. Now, I'm not gonna lie. I'm both a mixture of anxiety and excitement to write this one. Where with the other stories that were in the poll (except Eldritch Knight) I had a clear progression of how I want their plots to play out, this one I'm honestly going by the seat of my pants with. The general story of Breath of the Wild (While my favorite plot of any Zelda, FIGHT ME) is not in the forefront of the game, it is rich in hidden information that can be manipulated and altered to make this story absolutely brilliant...so this is where the performance anxiety comes in...oof.

Anyway, I do not promise a set update schedule with this, mainly due to me still trying to get back into the swing of things, find inspiration, and other crappy excuses I can try to give for not doing this.

I hope everyone enjoyed the first chapter of Into the Wild, and are looking forward to more.

And to answer some questions, this is WAR ARC Naruto...or at least, it was. He's about 19 now, so he's been in Hyrule for a bit...how he got here, and what he was doing will be for the plot to explain :)

But anywho…

Remember to REVIEW! And like always, I'll see ya next time!