Chapter 6
You Know the Rules
"We can't do it."
Naruto took a deep breath to center himself. It helped, if only just. His temper sparked to life in him, roaring like a wild beast, itching to lash out at the two men seated across from him. He took ahold of it, wrapped it up, and stuffed it into a box. He knew the Mauler Twins weren't to blame for Polly's plight. It wasn't their fault. Really, it wasn't. Venting his anger on them served no one, least of all himself. Just breathe. In. Out. In and out again. He pinched the bridge of his nose to silence an oncoming migraine. He did not succeed.
...explain." he said softly.
Meeting at a diner come Sunday morning seemed cliche, but no one would dare bother them here. Not with him around at any rate.
The Mauler Twins sat across from him, devouring a stack of pancakes with brutal dispatch.
They'd best. He was the one paying for all this.
"You're asking us to transfer her consciousness," the leftmost twin said between bites. "It doesn't work that way."
"We duplicate." his partner -brother? He'd never really understood how that worked- carried on in his stead. He mentally named them Right and Left. Easier to see who was who that way. "What you're asking...we've never done that before. How's the wife and kids, anyway?"
"Kids are good." he took a long, languid sip from his glass, savoring the bite of orange juice in the early morning. "They fell asleep as soon as we got home."
"Your house is still standing?"
"Surprisingly. Its large enough for the five of them to run around and get lost in." a rare, rueful chuckle escaped him. "I left a full staff of Shadow Clones behind too, just in case. Even and the others will be occupied for hours once they wake up. Now explain."
The Mauler Twins exchanged a long, lingering look between one another.
"Like we said," Left began warily, "We can't do what you're asking, not easily at least. Growing a new boy for your wife? Yeah, we can do that. But her mind?" he laid his hands on the table. "You'd have a clone of your wife walking around. Not knowing who the original is works for us, but we're pretty sure it won't go over so well for you. You'll essentially be creating another...well, her. That won't work out so well."
"You're asking me to let a version of my wife die."
"So a healthier version of her can live." Right interjected.
"There might be a way to transfer her to a healthier body," Left added, "but its not our specialty. Not like that. Nevermind the fact that growing a body would take time. We can't just scoop out her brain and put in a new host. That takes time, and even assuming we get it just right, there's a million things that could go wrong. And then there's the matter of the actually body. You want her to stay a weak little human? We could make her more than that. Make her stronger, faster-
"Its not what I want, its what she wants." Naruto bowed his head with a sigh. "I'd like nothing more than to make her indestructible, or untouchable, but Polly likes being human. Asking her to discard that would be," he ran an exasperated hand through his hair, trying to find the proper word and failing. "It would be like cutting off her arm. I'll talk to her when she wakes up.
"When she wakes up?"
"Healing trance." he muttered. "Should give her a few more day at least.
A few more days, when they shoud've had years together. And wouldn't that be a lovely can of worms to open?
The Mauler Twins looked between one another again. Right spoke fist. "Speaking of talking...word has it you've been making moves."
A blond eyebrow rose. Wherever were they going with this...? "Define moves."
"You tussled with the Guardians of the Globe and wrestled with Omni-Man."
His brow climbed higher. "How do you of all people know about that?"
The madmen preened, just a little. "We have our own sources."
...right." he sighed." You can keep the money I gave you.
Left scoffed. "But we haven't done anything yet."
He stood, paid the tab, and left. "You will.
Time for another visit.
(.0.0.0.)
"Wake up."
Cecil Stedman jolted upright in his bed with a start.
His hand fumbled for the pistol he always kept beneath his pillow...!
A hand caught his wrist and locked down tight, grinding nerve against bone. He looked up and sure enough, found Naruto standing there at his beside, towering over him, silent as the grave. The last time they'd spoken he'd been frozen and filled with dread. This was worse. Those soulless blue eyes gazed down upon him as one might an annoying gnat...or a monkey. He found no compassion in that gaze, no empathy, no emotion at all, none that he could see. Somehow what was worse. Anger he could guard against, sorrow he could deflect, jealousy he could use, but he couldn't tell what the bastard was feeling.
Worse, he'd gotten to him in his own bed.
"Damnit, kid. Don't scare me like that. To what do I owe the pleasure...?"
Fire Shadow didn't say a word. Didn't make a sound. Didn't even seem to breathe.
He just...stared.
Not for the first time, Cecil found himself hoping Steven Erickson was burning in hell. He'd unleashed this. Him. Sure he might've turned a bind eye to it, refused to believe that his old friend would go to such obscene lengths in the name of their country, yet he had. Someone must've pushed him to it, poured poison in his ear, bribed him, maybe. Why else would he countenance such madness? He had to say something, do something, because that silent stare was seriously starting to unnerve him...
"You gonna glare daggers at me all night, or are we gonna talk this out like adults?"
A slow tilt of the head was his only reward, at first. And then. "You should have known better, Cecil."
Six little words and yet they put the fear of god in Cecil Stedman right and proper as only one other man could.
No, his mind bleated in a brief, irrational moment. Not yet. Surely he hadn't worked his way up the chain of command that fast. Not even he was that quick! It hadn't been a week. Even the legendary Fire Shadow wasn't so fast as to go through an entire government in a single night.
"You're right, I'm not."
He scowled. "Since when are you a telepath?"
"I'm not." Naruto released his hand, leaving him to massage his aching wrist. "Its written all over your face. I can see it plain as day." his gaze shifted to his other limb, regarding the metal that began just above his right wrist. "You took my warning seriously, I see. How's the hand?"
Cold. Metal. Heavy.
He couldn't feel a damn thing from it.
Not like had any choice, though. Better to have a metal hand than tho lose something important like an eye.
...why are you here?"
Naruto didn't answer him. He sat at his bedside, effectively blocking any hope of escape.
"When I first arrived in this world," he began apropos of nothing, "When I became "Fire Shadow", I specifically chose to straddle the line. I like helping people." a hand waved and Cecil kept one eye on it, not daring to look away. "Encouraging them be the best they can be, ya know? Hero, Villain, doesn't matter. I still like that. But you don't help." those keen blue eyes fixed on him intently. "Oh, no. When you see a problem, Cecil, you don't try to talk, not really. You whip out the big stick and start swinging. You are, and always have been, the destroyer of worlds. Maybe not planets, yet lives are lost under your watch all the same."
Cecil bridled at the insinuation. He wasn't the bad guy here. "I'd make a deal with the devil himself it it meant the safety of this planet and the people on it. You know that."
"Hmhmm." Naruto nodded. "I do. But that's where we disagree. What good is safety and security if you give up your soul?"
His temper sparked. "Don't you start preaching to me now you sanctimonious-ack?!"
A hand found his throat, glowing an eerie, ominous shade of red.
"Don't worry." Clawed fingers dug into his windpipe. "I'm not here to give a sermon.
"So why are you here?"
Naruto didn't answer. Instead, he let him go, stood, and took a long step backward.
Cecil had half an instant to balk at this unexpected act of mercy.
Then his heart and stomach clenched viciously.
He tried to speak and vomited.
"...?!"
"You're starting a war with me here, Cecil." Naruto shook his head slowly, uncaring as his body began to seize and spasm. "And I'm trying to be a good sport about it all, but I'm finding it very difficult." He stepped to the window, took a hold of the curtains, and closed them. "You turned a blind eye to your man Erickson. You didn't think I'd find out?!"
Cecil tried to speak, only to vomit again.
"You crossed a line." Quick as his namesake, the shinobi crossed the room and pressed a clawed finger set itself to his trembling temple, ready to perforate his skull. "That comes with a price. Your organization hurt my family. Is still hurting my family." He leaned closer, eyes glowing balefully in the gloom. "My dear Polly may never be whole again because of your boys did to her. Your boys fucked with my family and you let them. You know the rules and so do I! What were you thinking?"
Ceil held up a hand and tried to ward him off. Naruto slapped it down.
"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!"
He didn't reach for his gun. He could've, but didn't dare. Fire Shadow would kill him if he tried.
Instead he held out both hands, palms outstretched, and simultaneously tried not to weep or vomit again. He succeeded in the latter. Not so the former.
Naruto let him go.
"Should you try and undermine me again," his voice was a low and terrible whisper that would've terrified Hades himself, "Should you attempt to threaten my family in a way, or otherwise provoke me, I will be forced to accept your call to arms. And should such a day comes, you'll wish I killed you here tonight. The only reason I haven't, is because you might be of some use to me. Do you understand?"
Cecil nodded. It was all he dared to do.
"Good." just like that, Naruto's smile returned. "Now, I see you're not feeling well. Would you like me to do something about that?"
Horrow dawned. Fire Shadow had touched him before this. Twice.
"What did you do?"
"I gave you a little...present." A scarlet spark flitted through the blond's eyes. "You see, the human body is a marvelous thing. It can adapt to chakra quite readily. However, it doesn't take kindly to Kurama's chakra when he's angry. And right now? He's furious. If administered in too strong a dose, said chakra becomes toxic and causes the body to shut down."
He reached into one of his belt pouches and withdrew a little blue pill, pinched tight between his fingers.
"I suggest taking this." he held it up for him to inspect. "It neutralizes excess chakra within the body. You should be fine...in a day or so. Long enough to consider your past indiscretions."
Cecil fumbled for it.
Naruto held it back. "Say please."
The word lodged in his throat "...please!"
"Good boy." he dropped it into his palm and walked away, only to pause and look back. "Oh, and Cecil? If I can get to you in your own bedroom, I can get to you anywhere. You'd do well to remember that."
He left him there, wasted and gasping for air, weeping in a puddle of his own vomit.
(.0.0.0.)
Robot leaned back from the screen.
He'd seen it all. He dearly wished that he had not.
Perhaps...it would be better not to trouble Fire Shadow at this time.
(.0.0.0.)
Nolan considered the device in his hand.
Such a little thing. It looked downright harmless, really.
And yet with the flick of a switch, it could change...well, everything.
He had never wanted to use this communicator. This was something he'd wanted to handle himself. Something he thought he could.
He'd been wrong. Terribly, horribly wrong.
You see, Earth was vital to the Viltrumite Empire for three key reasons. One, its people. Any child born between someone of earth and a Viltrumite was almost pure-blooded. Second, espionage. They virtually all but looked alike, which made infiltration all the easier. And third, perhaps the most vital reason of all...
.
..
...there were less than fifty pure-blooded Viltrumites left in the universe.
Not enough to repopulate their people, not properly, not anytime soon, if at all.
Hence the crucial importance of Earth. Which made Fire Shadow's cooperation all the more vital.
If it came to a fight, he would resist. Nolan knew he would. That way lay disaster. Short of throwing every single Viltrumite his way at once -and even then he didn't like their odds- there was next to no way of taking that monster down through natural means. A sneak attack had worked once before, but never again. Nolan still wanted to throttle the bastard responsible for that, whomever they were, wherever they were hiding.
And they had to be hiding, make no mistake.
You didn't attack one of the world's strongest men and just vanish.
No, they were still out there somewhere, lurking, waiting for their moment to strike.
He'd thought about doing the same thing once, not hiding of course, but attacking when Naruto wasn't prepared; leaving the planet, slingshotting his way back around, dropping out of orbit and hitting him so hard and fast that he'd simply cease to be. Anything less would give him time to regenerate and make him even stronger.
An orbital drop have been simple and...not necessarily clean but an otherwise quick and painless end for a worthy adversary.
He would have given his family the same courtesy if he could; killing them painlessly as well. Fat chance of that, now.
Naruto's guard was up and training could only do so much to bridge the gap.
But if he could be swayed! There was potential there. He already loathed Cecil and the GDA for what they'd done to him. He might even be open to the idea of a Viltrumite takeover, so long as he and his family were let be. And why wouldn't they be? One did not poke a sleeping dragon...erm, fox. If given the right incentive, the right nudge...
It was time.
He activated the communicator.
"This is Nolan." he sent a curt, coded transmission through. "I require assistance with weakening this planet. Send a female if you can. Fire Shadow may be more pliable if seduced."
'Ha. Seduced, right. You're a liar.'
It was remarkably easy; they took the bait.
A faint click sounded through the receiver. And then:
"Acknowledged."
"He sounds like a worthy foe.
Nolan tensed, eyes widening. He'd hoped for at least one response, but two? That exceeded his expectations. The deed was done. There could be no taking it back now. It would take time for them to arrive, weeks, maybe even months, but arrive they would. And once they did...well. Then things would become interesting.
There was an old human saying he'd once heard. No plan survives contact with the enemy.
A small part of him wondered if this one would.
He thoroughly crushed the communicator in his fists and let its remains crumble into the ocean. The tide would take care of the rest; scattering the scraps away with the current to the four corners of the globe. Doubt was meaningless. This was for the best, he told himself, trying to soothe his own anxiety. One, maybe two lives, to help conquer a world.
This plan wouldn't backfire, surely. This...this would work. Better a peaceful alternative than outright war.
'Keep telling yourself that, Nolan. You're slipping...
Time would tell.
Chapter 7
"You don't understand! The man's a monster."
"Sure, he's fast and strong, durable too, but he's more than that."
"More than a walking nuke? Sir, I don't see how you can get more dangerous than-
"Quiet you. Fire Shadow can disguise himself as anyone on the planet, right down to their very DNA, and we'd never know. Those shadow clones of his? He can field at least a hundred of them at any given time and control them individually. Don't get me started on that Nine-Tailed friend of his. I've seen him do things, impossible things, things that would make your knees quake and your spine turn to jelly. He is a walking, talking apocalypse, and as of now, he has a bone to pick against the GDA. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what we're up against.
Do any of you have a plan? No? Because I don't.
Who knows what he's up to now?
God help us all."
~Cecil.
Counters and Consequences (Interlude)
Naruto wound his arm back and took aim.
Blue eyes narrowed to distant point on the horizon...
From there he cocked his arm further backward, like a pitcher ready to throw.
Eve couldn't take the anticipation and giggled despite herself. "Higher, higher! I wanna fly again!"
Her father laughed a little. "Alright!"
With a mighty whoop, he launched her upward; she actually got some decent hang-time on this one, managing a somersault in midair before gravity sank its claws into her. She crashed into the ocean with a happy squeal and vanished beneath the surface. She lingered there for a moment, reveling in the cold water before a flutter kick sent her shooting upward once more. How Josh and her other siblings got sick of this, she'd never know. They'd given up hours ago, choosing to sun themselves on the beach with mom.
Not her!
She wanted action!
Well, that, and time with Dad.
Her head broke the surface and quick as can be, just in time to see him wave her way. She could've flown back in an instant, but she didn't. Today was supposed to be a no-powers day; a chance to feel normal, to just be a kid. So she paddled her way back. A lazy backstroke brought her to the shallows soon enough. Dad said water walking -and its accompanying chakra exercises would come later.
But today?
Today was a day for fun.
And fun Eve intended to have~!
As far as family vacations went, theirs was a simple one, and long overdue. Who knew how many more they might have? She couldn't help but grimace a little at that; she knew mom wasn't better yet, not really, even six months later. Polly got tired easily and had next to no stamina. Dad spent an hour healing her every morning, while Brandyworth kept her on a strict diet to make certain she stayed healthy. Josh and the others hadn't noticed it yet; they were all too happy to have parents again to notice any flaws they might have. Jessica might get it, but Amanda and Luca were still too young. They just wanted to spend time with Mom. In truth, she didn't blame them.
Dad was a good, well...dad. Mom was trying her damndest too, despite her condition. They both were. And she loved them to bits for it.
She was still dwelling on that lovely thought when a green portal shimmered into existence a foot from her face.
"Uh, dad?" she recoiled and looked backward, eyes wide. "We've got company-whoa!"
Say what you would about Naruto Uzumaki being rusty, but his reflexes were still on point; she was still speaking when a hand came down on her shoulder, yanked her out the shallows and swung her onto his shoulders All this in the blink of an eye. From there she latched onto his back with her legs and raised both hands. Pink sparks of light flickered at her fingertips as she glared at the green gate, ready and willing to blast whatever came through.
Dad grunted in approval. "Good girl."
"Hmm!" She preened, made prouder for the praise. "What do you think's on the other side?
An arm, evidently.
Clad in a green sleeve, someone's hand thrust their way through and flailed fruitlessly for purchase in the air. Finding none, redoubled its efforts tenfold. As father and daughter looked on in quiet confusion, a voice issued forth from the other side, faintly muffled with panic. "A little help, please!"
Dad looked to her, shrugged, heaved a sigh and reached out to grab them by the wrist.
Then he yanked.
Someone came flying through and bounced off his chest
"Oh, thank goodness." The man heaved a sigh, hands on their knees as they granted them a grateful grin. "You saved my life! That universe had nothing but radioactive rats in it!"
She took the stranger in at a glance, trying to comprehend him; young, dark of skin, clad in fad blue jeans, a matching shirt with a battered grey jacket flung over the latte. He sported dark hair, the barest beginnings of a beard and a easygoing smile that looked even more careworn than his shoes. Her brain caught up to his words moment later.
Wait, rats?Eve blinked, mildly intrigued despite herself. "Were they giant?"
"Indeed they were!" The young man laughed. "The size of cars!"
Samantha shuddered. "Ewwww!"
Dad wasn't so easily distracted. "And you are?"
"Ah." The man laughed a little and wiped a beat of sweat from his brow. "Sweet heaven, where are my manners? I'm being terribly rude. My name...is Angstrom Levy." the man offered them his hand, noticing her, but he only seemed to have eyes for Naruto. "Its a pleasure to meet you. I've heard great things."
"...?"
...name didn't ring any bells.
So why did dad look so intense right now?
(.0.0.0.)
"I've heard great things."
Naruto eyed the man's hand like a snake.
It may well have been for all he knew. Superpowers were weird.
"Have we met?"
"Not in this universe," the newcomer sketched a bow, "But I'm a fan of your work. I was wondering if you'd be willing to help me with a project of mine...?"
Ah. It all made sense now. Of course someone would seek him out now that he'd "come back from the dead" as it were. Angstrom Levy wasn't the first and he probably wouldn't be the last. Regardless, he would be sent away empty-handed like the rest. He didn't have time for petty games and fancy words.
...I'm retired." he moved to walk past the younger man. "Say goodbye to the strange man, Samantha."
His daughter sketched a wave atop his back.
"If you'll just hear me out!" Angstrom body-blocked them before they could take so much as a step, quick little man that he was. "I'm not doing any of this for me, I'm doing it for world peace; or well," he amended hastily, "I suppose you could say multiversal peace?"
His eyes flashed. "I once knew a man who said something similar about peace. It didn't end well for Madara. You want it to end the same for you?"
Angstrom remained undaunted. "Now, now, I'm not talking about controlling minds or any of that. Really, its quite simple...
His fist rose. "So is this. Fist meets face."
"Whoa, there!" The man backpedaled with surprising speed and held up his hands, palms splayed to show himself harmless. "I come in peace. Well," A pause now, as he touched a finger to his chin. "I suppose this version of me does. I can't really speak for any of my counterparts. I'm sure you understand./
"Ha?"
"Sorry!" much to his confusion, the strange man clasped both hands before his face and bowed to him-actually bowed! "I'm getting ahead of myself. Its just, you're one of the strongest people on this planet and there's no one else I can turn to...
Eve made a commiserating noise from her perch on his back. "Just this planet?"
"To the best of my knowledge, little lady." Angrstom nodded her way. "I can't speak for the rest of the galaxy. Its a big multiverse out there.
There it was again, that word. The hell was a multiverse?
"...?"
"I know, I'm rambling." He hadn't thought it possible for the poor man to bow even deeper, but he proved him wrong. "Its just such a pleasure to meet you, the real you! I heard all about you when I was younger; grew up on tales of your deeds... then you vanished off the face of the earth and now you're back. You look good for a dead man.
"Flattery won't get you far."
"Aha, so it will get me somewhere!"
It was hard not to like this chatty little human. He had an amiable air about him.
"Lets hear him out." Eve gave him a nudge. "He seems nice."
A lot of people "seemed" nice until they weren't.
And yet...
.
..
...stop bowing, already. I'll hear ya out."
"Excellent!" Angstrom snapped upright, beaming ear to ear. "I'm something of a pacifist you see, and I'm still working out the kings, but a couple years from now, I'm going to try something grand and I'd appreciate your help. I've been entertaining the idea for awhile, but frankly seeing you and those what did you call them...
Naruto tilted his head. "Shadow clones?"
"Right!" the wiry man snapped his fingers. "It made me curious. I won't ask you to help me for free of course. I'd be more than happy to assist the Mauler Twins in having a look at your wife."
Even made a strangled nose. Naruto's brow shot into his hair. "How do you...?
Angstroms shrugged. "I keep my ear to the ground."
"And what can you do?"
"Quite a few things." Angstrom wiggled his fingers, green sparks skittering from his fingertips. "I'm a clever and resourceful man. I'm sure between the three of us, we'll figure something out."
Naruto could feel Samantha looking at him; feel his daughters hope.
...I think this might be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. But if you betray us-
"No, no, aaaand no. Angstrom waved him off anxiously. "I've seen what happens to your enemies. I prefer to have my organs on the inside, not inside out thank you very much."
"How did you even find us?" Eve posited. "
"Persistence, my dear." Angstrom sketched a bow, the very picture of poise. "In many realities your father is either dead, crippled, not on this planet...or not as nice.
Naruto held back a wince. "Define not nice."
Levy looked back to the beach where Polly and the children were basking in the sun. "Can I be honest with you?"
Naruto cracked his knuckkles. "Ya will if you know whats good for you."
"You're my third stop, actually. And third time's the charm, so...
Eve raised her hand. "What happened to other two?"
The silence was his answer.
"Think of it this way," Angstrm held up a finger. "In the multiverse, there are as man different versions of you and me as there are stars in the sky. Some universes have mine differences, others, its like night and day. Take you for instance You and Cecil are on the outs in this dimension, but in another you're his loyal lapdog, lapping up every word he feeds you. Naruto winced, but Levy wasn't finished. "He tells you to jump you say how high. You even destroyed the moon.
"Why?"
Because your "master" asked you to.
His lip curled in disgust at the very notion of it.
Some of that anger must've shown through; because the vaunted visionary quickly changed topic. "In another, you were president of the whole damn country. Harem and all. He turned me down. Come to think of it, I did stumble on a universe where you were a woman. She turned me down of course, she was busy running a revolution-
"She?!"
"Dad?" Eve tilted her head curiously, "What's a harem?"
No, no, no! Absolutely not. "I'll tell you never."
Don't you mean when I'm older?
...Samantha, honey, be a dear and look after your mother, would you?"
She pouted." Awww, but I wanna stay and listen!"
"Samantha Eve Uzumaki! Get!"
She got.
Naruto watched her retreat with a rueful sigh, coughed into a fist, and turned to face Angstrom once more, face red. "How do I know you're telling the truth?"
"You can sense my remaining honesty, can't you?" I know you have the ability to sense a lie; that's one of your gift as I understand it.
...that's right."
"Well?" He spread his arms wide, expression serene. "Am I lying?"
He wasn't, remarkably. Every word was the truth."I'd like to see these so-called worlds of yours.
"I'm sure you would!" Levy laughed. "But if I were to tell you of every wrong in the multiverse we'd be here till we're old and grey."
Another thought tickled the back of his brain. "You said you could see other versions of ourselves..what about Omni-man?
Levy's face closed down and he knew at once he'd said the wrong thing, somehow.
"Touchy subject?"
"Complicated subject." Came the counter. "How about this. Help me with my pet project and I'll tell you all you could ever want to know about Nolay Grayson. Even some things you might not wanna know."
With that, his curiosity was piqued. "Why not now?"
"Because," Despite the vast difference in strength, Levy stood his ground. He respected him for that. "There are some things I know better than to mess with and I don't like the idea of breaking time. We've got a few years. And you're a good counter to him. Physically and mentally.
Counter...?
"That's part of the reason you see; I'm hoping this world will turn out better than the rest. Naruto rolled his eyes at the remark. How could this man ever be a threat? He seemed so...nice. So harmless. And all this talk of other universes had him intrigued, so much so that he nearly missed what came next. "I'll be in touch. Here's my cell." He had his number offered in short order. "Oh, and one last thing-
He looked up, paled, and hastened through a portal.
It didn't take Naruto long to realize why. He'd sensed him coming.
A sudden rush of wind heralded a new arrival; he looked up and found a familiar figure descending from on high; a man wearing red-and-white.
"Nolan?" his brow furrowed a little, both briefly baffled and instantly suspicious. "I didn't know you used this beach."
"On occasion." His old rival/turned friend descended to greet him. He looked almost embarassed
"What's wrong?" he frowned a bit. "Its not like you to be this quiet."
"Well, Debbie wanted the kids to meet...she was persistent."
His eyes lit up, warming to the change of topic.
"Think they'll get along...?"
(.0.0.0.)
Huh.
Pretty girl.
Very pretty girl.
...hi." said girl clasped both hands behind her back and smiled at Mark, much to his chagrin. "I'm Samantha. Nice to meet you."
"Mark." he stumbled over his own name for a second and finally managed a grin. "Mark Grayson...
The girl grinned at him and something in Mark's heart lurched. "Wanna play a game?"
Maybe mom was right. This might not be so bad. "Do you, ah...like football?"
Her eyes lit up. Like, actually lit up. "I love football!
And just like that...it was love at first sight.
Chapter 8
"And so it begins."
"No. Now...now it ends."
"You'd think so, wouldn't you?"
~?
Make Your Move
"Target in sight."
The sniper sighted his prey down the scope. Took a deep breath atop the rooftop now, grimaced as his finger tightened against the trigger. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale again. The "target" in question paid him little mind as he sauntered down the street; wasn't even aware that his life was about to come to an end.
Really, he almost felt sorry for the poor bastard.
At least it would be quick.
Painless, even.
It had taken him the better part of a WEEK to track Fire Shadow's movements and another one to set up besides. Naruto Uzumaki wasn't the sort to stay still for long, let alone. The man was always moving, always acting, always saving someone, somewhere, somehow. Of course he was. He was a big godsdamn hero.
Almost made him feel bad about this, really...
.
..
...almost, but not quite.
At the end of the day, a job was still a job; although this particular contract was on him, though, not the family. Probably for the best. He had his pride. Maybe that was pointless for a professional but he just knew better. Targeting a man's family might make them reckless, sure, but it also made them angry. An angry Supe was the last thing you wanted; because an angry hero was as like to kill you as take you in. You couldn't try again if you were dead now, could you?
The Sniper rather fancied his chances.
His "employer" had supplied him with special ammunition. Only three rounds, but three were all he needed.
One shot, one kill and he would be set for life. He could finally get out of this awful business after all these years, retire take his wife and daughter somewhere nice-
His earpiece crackled, thick with a heavy accent. "Take the shot."
"Affirmative."
He pulled the trigger.
The rifle bucked in his hands.
Fire Shadow pitched forward as the round impact his skull. His body struck the sidewalk...
.
..
...and dissolved into a harmless plume of so much white smoke.
Not a heartbeat later, the Sniper heard a new voice in his ear.
"Didya get him?"
Ice.
Cold.
Terror.
It felt as if his entire body froze where he lay prone. He couldn't move. Couldn't think. Breathing became a conscious effort on his part. In that instant he became keenly aware of so many things; not only the wildly frantic hammering of his heart, but the hand on his shoulder, but five firm fingers biting through the armor there, the dangerous digits digging into the flesh and bone, biting down in an inescapable grip.
"So they're sending assassins after me, now?" he could almost hear the smile in the blond's voice as that hand ground down against his collarbone, relentlessly crushing. "Can't say I'm surprised. Pretty sure you don't work for Cecil. Even he wouldn't be this stupid. Another country, then? I made an awful lot of enemies, but only a few of them would outright hire an assassin. How much does my head rate over in Europe these days? A billion? More? Do you even know?"
He let him go.
Fear gave away to anger and lent the Assassin enough strength to move, to sramble to his feet.
He ripped a pistol from his hip and whirled around, slamming the barrel at the blond's head.
A harsh crack filled the air...and missed.
"Really?" Fire Shadow's smile was wreathed with disdain now as his head swayed back into the path of the gun. "You thought that would work? Why don't you mail me the damn bullet!" A hand found his throat and swung him back into the very rooftop he'd just risen from. "Talk." His hand pressed down, grinding into his skull. Who hired you?"
Screw it. He was already dead; no point in going quietly. "...do your worse, hero. You won't get a damn word out of me."
Another shadow fell over him. "Buddy, words are about to be the least of your concerns."
Against his better judgement, the Sniper looked up.
He immediately wished he hadn't.
"Shiiiiit."
Ominman smiled down at him. It was not a nice smile.
"Need a hand?"
Naruto handed him over with a grin. "Be my guest."
Realization dawned and it was an ugly one indeed. "Nononowait!"
Omniman grabbed the screaming Sniper by the leg and rocketed up into the clouds.
Needless to say...
...he sang like a canary.
(.0.0.0.)
Jab.
"Thanks for the help, Nolan."
Hook.
"Don't mention it. What're friends for?"
Uppercut.
"Ow! That one stung."
Cross and counter.
"Want some help hunting that guy's employers down?"
A knee slammed into his back.
...you think I haven't already done so?
They grappled for a moment before a headbutt sent him reeling.
Nolan thumbed a line of blood from his nose. "How-right, shadow clones. Keep forgetting about those."
Silence followed his words.
Nolan broke it first despite the sucker punch, bless his black heart. "Kids are getting along well. Mark was asking after Eve again."
Every father instinct Naruto possessed came surging to the surface. He narrowly choked them back down, took a blow to the ribs, grunted and threw another roundhouse. "Was he, now?"
"They're getting awfully close these days...you wanna talk about it?"
His feelings on the matter were...complicated.
On one hand, he was pleased to see that Samantha and the kids were branching out and having a good childhood. But on the same wavelength he kinda wanted them to staykids, ya know? Every parent probably felt the same way. He could already see the far flung future; her and Mark were probably gonna get married someday, although such a day was still far and away. Even her younger siblings were out there trying to make friends of their own. Joshua and the others as well. Someday, they'd grow up too.
How could he possibly say muster a response to that effect?
What word could possibly summarize his feelings? None.
So he threw another punch instead.
To his credit, Nolan managed to catch this one, twist his fist, and fling him over his shoulder. His back struck the earth and the soil cratered beneath his shoulders for miles in every given direction. Not bad. He was able to read his moves now. He caught the follow-up stomp with both hands, whirled, and flung him into a mountain, rendering it so much rubble.
"That all you got?"
Not at all, not by a long shot; Nolan was up in an instant, a streak of red-on-white barreling into him.
He caught one fist, then the other forcing a grapple between the two of the once more. Shame about the island, though; they were making a mess of it. Ah, well. At least this one was abandoned.
Pivoting in place, he spun and launched his old friend into the sky, sending him tumbling end over end, then flickered up after him. A hammerfist sent him careening back to earth twice as fast; soil sundered and tattered trees toppled like dominoes, further devastating the land. Outraged seagulls took the heavens, squawking angrily. He spared a moment of sympathy for disturbing their afternoon rest. Poor birdies...
Another clash sent his old ally hurtling into the clouds once more.
A moment passed.
Two seconds.
Three.
Strange, Nolan was taking an awfully long time to come down...
Naruto planted his feet and crackled his neck, grunting a little as it popped.
Sparring had become something of a habit for him over time; indeed Things had settled into something of a loose routine over the last two years; he'd come to treasure moments like these. They let him bleed of his and Kurama's aggression in a natural way, and if a few deserted islands were the price to pay...well, they could afford that.
His watch beeped.
"Aaaaand time." he thumbed his chin, cupped both hands on either side of his face and looked back to the clouds. "I gotta go! You good up there?!"
Nolan came crashing down like a falling star. Heh. Classic superhero landing.
Something had changed. His expression seemed almost...resigned.
"Naruto...
He paused, looking back. "You got something to say?"
Its just...no, nevermind." Nola closed his eyes, sighed, and shook his head. "Its not important. Same time next week?
He flicked him a thumb's up. "You know it."
Omni-man didn't need to be told twice; he sighed once and rocketed away.
Odd, though. He had the strangest feeling he'd wanted to say something just now. Meh, probably wasn't anything important.
His phone vibrated, reminding him of another, far more important task.
"Oops, almost forgot the groceries...gotta hit the bank, too...
(.0.0.0.)
"So that's the one."
"He is. What do you think?
"He'll do. After all, he looks...strong. I'll watch him a bit longer before I make my move.
Nolan heaved a heavy sigh and palmed his face to hide his expression.
There was a reason he'd lingered so long in the clouds, you see.
He hadn't expected this either. Their arrival was inevitable he knew; after all, merely a matter of time. He'd been the one to first send out that message so long ago. But even so, he'd wanted...he had hoped for more time than this. Maybe a few more years before someone bothered to take heed of his message and come down to Earth. He had orchestrated this, he had set things into motion
The matter was out of his hands, now.
Reinforcements had arrived.
Anissa was but the first...
.
..
...though whether she would be the first to triumph or fail remained to be seen.
"Do you think he likes it rough?" the newcomer considered the space where Naruto had been with a lascivious grin. "He doesn't strike me as the gentle type." one arm came up under her chin as the other curled about her waist. "I can see why he gave you so much trouble, old man."
So long as you don't do anything to jeopardize my position here.
"Please!" she scoffed at his rebuke. "The only thing I'm interested in right now is him."
Nolan fought down a rueful smile, if only just. Such arrogance. It would undoubtedly be her undoing.
She really had no idea, did she? Absolutely none at all. She'd see soon enough.
Still, he had to at least make an attempt to sell the ruse.
"Anissa, no. Be careful with him."
His warning fell on deaf ears; the newcomer paid him little heed.
The madwoman's gaze eyes lingered on Naruto's rapidly retreating form as she madwoman licked her lips. "Anissa, yes."
She rocketed after him with a laugh.
A moment passed. Then another.
Only then did Nolan sigh.
...foolish girl."
(.0.0.0.)
An explosion ripped through the city streets, sending civilians shrieking for cover.
Naruto leaped out the smoke, a paper bag tucked under one arm.
"Seriously?" he swept a hand through the smoke, scattering it. "Killcannon?! Can't a man run some errands in peace?! I thought you would've learned your lesson by now after my daughter picked you apart last time!"
Because it was the very same villain, much to his chagrin.
His bad bloody luck for running into him at the bank, he supposed. Naturally, he couldn't just let him go...
"That brat was yours?!" the lowlife's face twisted in a snarl. "Screw the money! Now I've got double the reason to kill you!"
"And there's the cliche line of the day." He dropped the bad, flickered forward, dodged another blast, and got right up in his face. "Ever been discombobulated before?"
"Disco-what?"
Twin palms slammed down on either side of the man's head, momentarily deafening him. He didn't give him time to recover or toss another quip at him. Body shot. Lungs. Liver. Chest. Groin. He went for the most painful points on the human body, hammering his fists in until he was satisfied;; until his adversary could barely speak, much less stand.
"Honestly!" he clicked his tongue as he regarded the stunned goon reeling before him like a drunkard at last call. "Villains these days. The ones in my generation knew better than all these killcannons and stabbity-stab-stabbers." Was that the name of a villain somewhere? Probably was. "I'm in a bit of a rush, so we'll make this quick!"
The brute unsteadily raised his cannon, slurring his words. "I had the same idea! Bring it, you old fossil!"
Naruto absolutely twitched.
Old?!
"Did you hear that?"
Right, gloves are coming off...
"Good." he offered Killcannon a pinched grin. "Then you shouldn't scream when I do this."
"Do whaaaaaaargh?!"
"THIS."
Killcannon's yelp warped into a wail of pain as he grabbed ahold of his flesh and blood arm, then twisted. It tore free in a shower of blood. The man yowled and swung his cannon around, only for him to tear that off too. In a maddened frenzy the wounded man tried to knee him in the groin. He struck like a snack and shattered the joint, mangling it horribly; from there a lazy kick swept his remaining leg and sent him sprawling to the street.
Three seconds. That was all it took to break him. Hmm. He'd gotten slower. It should've taken half that time to maul him.
"I'll just leave you here for Cecil." he waved a hand his way. "He's probably watching from somewhere anyway."
The wail of sirens in the distance confirmed his theory. Yup. Time to scarper before the cops came.
"Wait, wait, wait!" The villain cried at his feet "You can't leave me like this!"
"You're right." He turned back and stomped down, rendering his other leg into so much pulp. "There. Now there's no chance of you crawling away."
The brute garbled something that might've been a curse, but he didn't bother to hear it.
"Sorry, not sorry, got a dinner date!"
(.0.0.0.)
Very strong indeed.
Gods, she wanted him so badly.
He'd dismantled that fool like...like a Viltrumite.
A shame he wasn't one of them, but he would do.
Honestly, she was half-tempted to take him now, consequences be damned.
No, no, Anissa. Patience. Pouncing upon him now would be boring. She would slake her appetite soon enough...
(.0.0.0.)
...Polly?"
Naruto returned to an empty house-a helpful shadow clone informed him Even and the kids had been safely escorted to Mark's as planned-but even that news proved bittersweet; because he saw the tense look in the eyes of his doppelganger. He didn't need to ask what the problem; he already knew.
He could sense Polly upstairs in the bedroom readily enough; feel her vitals flickering.
His stomach sank even as few quick strides carried him up the stairs to her.
There she lay sprawled out on the bed, pretty as a picture.
She'd dolled herself up with makeup and chosen a little black number of a dress for their date...but...
.
..
...there was blood on her dress.
She granted him a weak smile. "I'm fine."
"You're not fine." he sat beside her. "Have you eaten anything today?"
Her silence was telling, as was her pained expression. "Don't tell the kids."
.
..
...do you want to die?"
It was a simple question with near galactic consequences. Yet he had to ask all the same. He sat by Polly's bedside, held her hand and awaited her answer.
On the surface she appeared calm, even healthy to the naked eye. He knew better. Saw deeper. Everything. Without him, she wouldn't even be alive right now. Devastating damage had been done to her body, her every organ was in dire need of repair and some were on the verge of outright collapse without constant care. Every day it took just a little longer to heal her. He could feel her slipping through his fingers.
Was that what she wanted?
To perish with pride and die as a human?
Did it mean that much to her? What was the point of pride if it got you killed?
She squeezed his hand and smiled at him, the same smile he'd first fallen for a lifetime before. "What do you think I want, dearest?
Well that was a proper loaded question, wasn't it? He said as much. "That a trick question or something?"
"No." He loved the way her eyes creased when she laughed, even now. "I won't lie, there are times when I wonder if it would better for me to give up-
His hands clamped down on hers. "Not an option."
"Hmhmmhmm." She hummed and laid her head back against the pillow. "So possessive. I don't dislike that about you."
You tease. Not gonna give me any hints?"
Her eyes met his, almost glowing in the low light. "I want to live with purpose." She lived her chin to look at him. "I won't accept anything less; I can't bear the idea of being a burden to you."
He burst to his feet. "You're not!"
"I AM!" Polly's subsequent shout startled him; that burst of energy seemed to take something from her; her shoulders slumped and the light almost seemed to dim in her eyes. "Maybe you don't want to admit it, but I am." her hands squeezed his, they were so weak that he wanted to weep. "As I am now, I'm a chain holding you back, an anchor weighing you down. You'll drown if you try to cling to me.
"Polly-
He immediately tried to refuse her and received a weak pinch on the arm for his troubles.
"I am." Her eyes recovered a flicker of their old fire for a moment. "All it takes is some psycho holding me hostage and they'll have you by the balls. At least the kids can defend themselves in a pinch." she looked askance with a bitter smile. "I can barely throw a punch. A stray bullet could take me out...
"The kids need their mother."
"They also need their father." Her counter proved swift. "You're stronger than me, you can protect them."
"Wait." Realization coiled around his heart, an ugly gnarled root threatening to choke him. "That's why you're so hesitant about this? Why you've been putting it off?"
"You said it yourself, didn't you?" she pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him. "That machine the Mauler Twins made...it duplicates consciousness. It doesn't transfer. Should we use it, there would be two of me walking around. As entertaining as that would be for awhile, and really kinky," she giggled a little behind her hand, "I think I would start to hate the other me after awhile. Seeing her hale, happy and healthy while I'm stuck in this ruined shell of a body, it would be too painful...
"We could take your brain, find a way to transfer-
"Would I even remember you? Would I still be me? Be honest, now."
He grimaced. "There's a small chance you might not."
...I see." She bit her lip.
"But its only a small chance! Less that one percent!
"Even so, I want you to be the best you can be. To be happy."
Easy for her to say! Frantic, he tried to steer the conversation to warmer waters. "That why you're so keen on that threesome with War Woman?"
"Hey!" she sputtered and slapped his arm with a giggle. "I like what I like!" She tried to continue, only for her laugh tt dissolved into a wrenching cough. "I know I don't have long." her hand batted away a thin red line from the corner of her mouth. "Have faith." both her hands cupped his cheek. "I'm sure we'll find a way."
"And if we don't?"
She laid her head against his shoulder. "Our story won't end here. I won't let it."
Why didn't she understand? "You say that like its simple, but it really isn't that easy, morals mean nothing if you're dying-
The door creaked open behind them and quite suddenly, all his own fears became the absolute least of his concerns. "...W-What?"
Damnit.
He pivoted a heartbeat too late, knowing exactly who he would find there.
Sure enough, Samantha Eve Uzumaki stood silhouetted in the door, eyes wide, a pillow clutched in her arms.
"Eve? When did you get back-
"You're dying." it wasn't a question this time. Something in her seemed to break as she said the words.
"I am." Polly gave her a small, sad smile. "Come here, sweetie."
Eve didn't need to be told twice; she vaulted the bed and all but dove into Polly's lap, practically squirming between the two of them. He couldn't even bring himself to be angry at her for the interruption; she was still so young and the idea of losing Polly must've terrified her; sage knew it horrified him. He despised this feeling, this powerlessness, the knowledge that words
"Don't tell your siblings," he cautioned her. "Joshua and the others wouldn't understand. We're still trying to fix this-no, we WILL fix this."
Polly's silence wounded him more than words; her nod did little to reassure him
Eve snuggled close with a desperate nod, trusting in them implicitly.
He and Polly held her tight; what else could they possibly do?
In that moment, Naruto finally made his decision.
He couldn't bear to lose this...he just couldn't.
One way or another, he would save his wife.
No matter the cost, nor the painful price.
Even if he had to sell his very soul.
So be it.
Chapter 9
"We're not our bodies; we're the decision we make, the lives we change, the people we love...
...or who love us. I won't forget that.
And neither should you."
~You Know Who.
Show Your Strength
"Unbelievable." Cecil flung down a sheaf of papers on his desk as Ferguson looked on. "Simply unbelievable."
His old friend balked. "Sir...?"
"Just look at this!" if looks could kill, the news articles would be a pile of smoldering ashes and his desk with a good bit of the floor besides. "We've got heroes AND villains coming out the woodwork to speak in support of this guy. The media's eating it up. And we're the ones left holding the bag."
Of course they were! A family of six kidnapped and experimented on by the GDA for twelve years. Who cared if it was a rogue branch; if that technically wasn't the truth? It was close enough, and if people loved a good tragedy, they loved a comeback story even more.
He'd forgotten just how well-loved Fire Shadow had been by the people. This boded poorly for the GDA. Erickson might be dead-he hoped so, although that slimy worm always seemed to have a backup plan- yet his actions just might see everything they'd ever built run into the ground.
They had to turn things around. But how...?
God forbid this got any worse.
It couldn't, right?
.
..
...right?
(.0.0.0.)
Anissa watched Naruto.
It was a rather curious thing, being an observer for once; to contemplate her catch from afar, rather than take action. She'd never done such before.
In truth, it proved something of a novel experience for her. Dare she say refreshing? Pondering her prey, letting her eyes feast upon his body as he went about his day, all the while seemingly unaware of her lingering presence nearby. If he was at all aware of her, he never gave any indication. She couldn't tell if he was playing dumb, or if he was simply blind.
No matter. She would have her answers eventually. And they would be sweet.
Ordinarily, when she wanted something, she took it. Such was the Viltrumite way. The strong survived, while the weak withered. She herself was a survivor of her people's purge long ago and then the horrid culling that followed because she'd been strong. She'd only become stronger still since.
And yet despite that, she did not act.
She continued her vigil for a day, then a week, followed by a month, almost an entire year, peering at this "Naruto" as he went about his day-to-day life. A hunter must know its prey before it struck, and she was nothing if not thorough. Her observations fed her hunger and curiosity both, all the while slaking her desire for more.
For you see, in observing, she learned.
This so-called Fire Shadow acted differently that most these so-called "heroes" did. He was not afraid to kill; nor did he hesitate to spill blood when necessary. Yet he was not a mindless killer, not some lunatic who lived for the slaughter, or took pleasure in the pain unlike some of her people -like the mad dog Conquest- often could and would in the field. No, Naruto was pragmatic with his violence. Thorough. Efficient. Ruthless. He may not be one of her people, but in battle, he fought like one. Because of that, his actions saved many. That much she could not deny.
Yet for all that she could see that his focus was elsewhere. It wasn't hard to see why.
All the while, his wife grew weaker despite his best efforts. She would die soon. It was inevitable.
Another concept that she simply did not understand. Why one wife? Why limit oneself to such a weakling when he could have whomever he pleased?
The woman was too weak to even have sex for crying out loud!
Yet for some reason, that did not diminish her in the eyes of Fire Shadow. She Absurd. Bafflement. Confounding!
This "Polly" had no powers to speak of, but her soon-to-be-lover held her in high regard all the same. Why?
Was it her mind? Wisdom and wit meant nothing without the strength to back it up.
In a fit of curiosity, she'd dared to come closer once, to peek through their window while they slept in the dead of night. The chit had somehow sensed her, awoken, and actually had the gall to wave at her before going back to bed. Her! As if she couldn't snap that weak woman in half! Was she brave? Foolhardy? Both?! Did she know something she didn't? Was this a trap of some sort?
Needless to say, she'd had kept her distance since.
A secondary thought nagged at Anissa as she continued her vigil, watching Fire Shadow eviscerate villain after villain. Why had Nolan summoned her here? Surely he could handle such a foe on his own. Was he playing games? She knew herself to be faster than him, if not stronger -it had been some time since they'd last fought- and yet here she was. She confessed herself curious about that much; a thought that often kept her awake at night, when she was forced to cease her vigil and seek sleep.
Nolan steadfastly avoided both her and her questions alike. He was using her for something; that much was clear. By all rights, she should warn Thragg.
And yet...
She wanted to have this Fire Shadow. Take him. Break him. Make him hers.
For a time, she considered threatening his family to force his cooperation. Such tactics had availed her well in the past-but no. Attacking his family was a one-way ticket to ensure he resisted her to the death; should any harm be inflicted upon them, the blond one would fly into a spectacular rage and ravage this planet. She could see he loved his spawn dearly and his mate moreso. Nolan had briefed her on their past. They were strong to have survived such. That, at least, she could respect.
How to get his attention, then? What did he value more than his life? What could she use as leverage against him?
Anissa did not know. So she continued to watch. And all the while her anger gnawed at her.
Until finally...one day...her patience reached its limit.
(.0.0.0.)
"Listen, you two. I came to this world with a purpose; I'm practically the last of my kind. And as my eldest children, there are...certain things you should know."
Eve and Joshua sat before him on the grass in the afternoon sunlight, legs folded beneath them, rapt with attention.
It was the latter who raised their hand. "What things, dad?"
Naruto smiled as s sudden surge of pride struck him. Clever boy. His son had come far from the ill-tempered brute he'd battled on the highway that day. Almost felt like a lifetime ago now, ya know?
By the sage, he was getting old. The thought
He'd considered flying them out to a deserted island for this to avoid any prying eyes, but thought better of it. If they were going to learn what it was to be Shinobi, might as well do it in their own backward. Cecil could watch from his satellites and squirm all he liked. It wouldn't change anything.
Which meant there could be no more stalling; Kurama knew he'd been dallying long enough now.
But he was afraid; once he opened pandora's box, as it were, there could be no closing it.
He heaved a sigh. "Lemme tell you about chakra...
What followed was a rigorous lesson about both the basics and the bare-bones of his own education in the realm of chakra. He hadn't exactly paid attention in class as a boy; most of what he'd learned came from trial and error -lots of errors!- alongside a great many mentors. He learned by doing, not by seeing, and it reflected in his own teaching style. He'd start with Samantha and Joshua, then work his way down to the younger kids once he was certain they could be grasp his teachings.
...in short, it lets you do all sorts of things." he demonstrated further by conjuring a rasengan to his hands. No need to freak them out with a transformation jutsu. They weren't ready for that level of subterfuge or shinobi espionage just yet, and he preferred that card close to his chest. "My blood runs thick in your veins, so you're both guaranteed to have chakra. How you use it is up to you."
Joshua's eyes practically sparkled. "I want that!"
"I'll teach you it, don't worry." he preened a little. "But you'll have to practice."
Even leaned in, regarding the spiraling sphere in his palms. "So its like what I have?"
"You have a form of it, yes." his head bobbed in a nod. "In a way, your powers are sorta like old man Onoki's bloodline, except you can go much further with them."
"Question!" Joshua's hand shot up. "Who or what's an Onoki?"
Naruto couldn't quite hide his smile. "An old friend...
He chuckled as an image of the surly old geezer in question flitted before his mind. The Tsuchikage -that is to say Earth Shadow- would've been delighted to meet Eve. Delighted, and probably a little jealous once he saw what she could do. After all, her abilities dwarfed his own; and no, that wasn't a dig at his height; it was the simple truth.
Samantha had the power to change the world; he'd seen it with his own eyes when she wiped the mind of her so-called foster parents. Even now, years after the fact, Adam and Betsy Wilkins didn't remember Eve, or him for that matter. He'd checked in on them periodically to make certain. They'd moved on and against all odds, somehow managed to have an actual child of their own. A baby boy at that. Good for them. Had either of them presented any sort of threat, he would've eliminated them by now.
No one but NO ONE was taking his family from him. If that meant dying his hands red so they could keep theirs clean...well. So be it.
But back to the matter at hand. Not only could she affect physical matter, but she could alter people as well...or she had been able to, for a brief moment that day. She had so much potential! If they could figure out how to breach those limits again and KEEP them open, then maybe they could save-
A shadow fell over them and his smile faded with it.
...but it seems that story will have to wait." he looked up. "We have a guest."
Kurama stirred in his mind. "Well, well. Our mysterious voyeur finally reveals herself."
About damn time. He'd been wondering when "she" would show up. Polly had even mentioned seeing her from their window, once. He'd been tempted to act then and there, but as she'd not made any aggressive moves toward them, he'd been inclined to let her be.
Not so now.
At a glance she seemed your-every-day-superhero, clad in pale cloth descending from on high; a slender beauty with dark hair and piercing eyes gliding down out the sky. She was certainly beautiful, he'd give her that much. But his vision went well beyond skin deep. Her gaze was sharp, and though her body posture appeared neutral, he could tell she was ready for a fight; able to spring into action at a moment's notice. This woman was a fighter through and through, and as she alighted upon the grass before, an ugly thought occurred to him.
Why was someone on Nolan's level -or maybe higher?- coming down here to meet him out of the blue?
"Naruto Uzumaki." her voice was a low, husky purr, brisk and efficient. "We must speak."
Eve and Joshua scampered behind him, afraid, but ready to fight if it came to that.
He hoped it wouldn't. His kids were strong, make no mistake; they were capable, powerful even, but this woman was well out of their league. He stood a little straighter, arms spread out on either side of him to keep them back, and took a step forward, placing himself firmly in harm's way. It worked; her gaze focused on him and him alone. She only had eyes for him.
...you're not one of Cecil's, are you?" he asked of her.
The newcomer frowned. "I know no such Cecil."
Huh. She was telling the truth. Curious.
"Alright, then." he glanced her up and down, frowning. "Lady, whatever you're selling, I ain't buying it. How about you kindly shove off-
"Ignore me and your wife will die."
Behind him, Eve and Joshua slammed down to their knees with a gasp and struggled to stand. Naruto couldn't blame them for their fear; the sheer killing intent he was radiating could've flatlined an elephant...and yet for all that, his newfound guest didn't budge. The way she stared at him with complete and utter certainty didn't frighten him; on the contrary, it only angered him further.
A golden spark snarled between his teeth, eyes gleaming gold as he loomed over her. "Was that a threat?"
"No." her words confused him. "It is the truth. There is a difference. Do you wish to save your wife?"
His temper all but choked the words on his tongue. "What. Do you. Want?"
"To talk." she looked past him to his quivering children. "Somewhere we can speak alone."
He immediately moved to block her, eyes blazing like twin coals in his skull. "Don't you DARE-
"I will not harm them, if that is your concern." her eyes flitted back to him with the slightest of smiles. "I was merely admiring them. You made strong children. They are right to fear you." something hardened in her gaze just then and he wasn't sure he liked it. "Say your farewells and meet me in the sky over the ocean. Do not keep me waiting. Be quick."
She shot into the air with a sonic boom of sound, blasting his bangs back as she perforated the clouds above.
Shoulders slumping, he dropped the killing intent, exhaled, and turned to face his children.
He needn't have; Eve and Joshua practically barreled into his chest.
"Don't worry," he drew them in for a quick hug before they could cry and held them tight. "Daddy's gotta save the world again. I'll be right back."
Eve clutched at him. "She said she could save mom...
"No way!" Joshua was of an entirely different opinion. "She's lying! You can't trust her!"
He didn't; but he wasn't about to say that aloud. False hope was the most poisonous kind. He knew from experience. And yet the woman's words nagged at him, unwilling to be ignored. But the idea of leaving the kids and Polly alone just now, vulnerable, even with his shadow clones...it didn't sit right with him. This could be a trap. An elaborate trick to draw him away, allowing his enemies to strike...
.
..
...damnitall.
He released them, stepped back, fished a small device from his utility belt and pressed it into Eve's hands.
"Go to your mother and tell her to use this to call War Woman. Tell her everything that just happened. Do you understand?"
She nodded.
Joshua wiped his eyes fitfully. "What're you gonna do?"
"Something stupid."
He delivered a quick kiss to each of their foreheads one after the other, stood up, braced his legs, and rocketed after the mystery woman. From there it took him less than an instant to soar into the clouds and leave land behind, rendering the world an indistinct grey-green, then blue blob below. From there he pivoted in search of the Stranger, to no avail.
Now where had she...
"I apologize for that remark about your mate, but it was the only way to make certain you would follow without alerting your friends...
Naruto pivoted in the air, annoyed to find she'd somehow gotten behind him. "And you are?
"You may call me many things." she planted a fist on her hip and smiled, ever so slightly. "Partner, lover, mate. Whichever you prefer. But you will be mine; you simply haven't realized it yet."
He didn't deign to rise to her bait; not when that was what she wanted. "I'm not hearing a name amidst all the bragging...
...I am Anissa." the woman replied. "You're certainly capable for one of your kind. Exceptionally so."
His brow furrowed. "One of my kind?"
"I wish to see your strength for myself." There was something in the way she said the last words, practically purred it really; that set every fiber of his being on edge. "Are you strong?"
He lifted his chin and crossed both arms before his chest. "Stronger than you."
"Many have made such a claim. But before that," she lowered her arm and floated past him, regarding the ocean below and the islands dotting it. "We've studied this planet. Did you know that this planet's civilization has a less than eighteen percent chance of surviving the next two centuries without the loss of billions of lives?"
"What of it?"
"So callous." she glanced over his shoulder, mildly bemused. "Do not make such a face. It is the truth. The powerful of this world destroy their own home, strip resources for themselves, and for what? Half of this planet will soon be uninhabitable due to human greed. Yet here you are, hand in fist, worried about stopping me, instead of them.
"Is this part where I say its complicated? Because it isn't." he flung a hand out toward the world below mildly amazed to find just how little he cared for it. Oh, he felt he should, and he did, but it was nothing compared to what he felt for his family. "Maybe I would've cared about that, once. But not anymore. I don't have it in me to worry about everyone or every little thing-not these days."
"Then you should be all the ore inclined to accept my proposal." she turned to face him and floated closer. "You are capable, I will admit. More than most on this world. But my people have the technology, powerful, advanced technology leagues beyond your own to repair this planet, feed its hungry, punish its criminals, and bring peace. We will save more of their lives in a single year than you could in a hundred."
"Your people?" his brow furrowed. "Who are your people? You're human, just like me."
"I am as far from human as you are." she shook her head, setting her hair swaying. "You are failing this planet and its people. Do you not see that?" when he didn't budge, her smile returned. "Hmm. Or do those lives not matter to you? You are also failing your wife. Or perhaps she is failing you."
His temper sparked anew. "Careful...
"I am being quite careful, I assure." she tilted her head ever so slightly to the right. "We are not so different, you and I. Both of our people respect strength. Power."
There it was again, the feeling that he was missing something. "And who are your people, exactly?"
Anissa smiled. It was not a nice smile. "Do you wish to know?"
"I'm asking, aren't I?"
She shook her head in reply. "You are, and yet you are not. I believe you Earth-people have a saying. What was it called? Pandora's Box? Well, think of this secret as a box." she mimed the actions of opening one between her hands. "Once you open it, once you release it into the world, it cannot be contained again. So I ask you once more. Do you with to know? And in knowing, do you wish to save your wife?"
Naruto grit his teeth.
Clever, conniving little...!
Anissa sensed weakness and wrested the onus of choice out his hands.
"I am an agent of the Viltrumite empire." although he failed to recognize the meaning of the words, they something in him all the same. "That is all I will tell you, all you need to know...for now." She drifted closer, near enough to touch. "I see you care a great deal about your family. But this must make your decision clear. Your wife will die without our aid. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon. And what will you do then?
He clenched his teeth. "You're offering me a lot of words, but very little proof...
"That will come in time." Anissa laid her hand on his, only to blink now when he jerked his arm back. "Don't be so stubborn. This can be perfectly pleasurable for both of us." scowling, she reached in and grabbed his palm by force. "Lay with me." still gripping her hand, she forced it up to her face, making him cup her cheek against his will. "Have children with me, powerful Viltrumite sons and daughters. Do this, and I'll make certain your wife is saved. I will see to it personally. You have my word."
The pleasures of the flesh were tempting. Terribly so. It had been so long. "And in return...?"
"Weaken this world." her words sent a shiver through him. "Make it ripe for the coming invasion. When the time comes, when my people arrive, help us claim it." she moved her free hand up to caress his cheek. "We do not wish to destroy this world but occupy it and make it a better place, not just for you and yours, but everything as a whole. Don't you want that?" she leaned in, pressing her forehead to his. "You've fought so long, and so hard, and for what?"
Her lips brushed his own.
"Don't you deserve happiness?"
He seized her by the hips and made to push her away, yet that only emboldened her; she thrust herself against him and kissed him fully. He bit her lip in retaliation, only for her to make a pleased noise and pull yet closer still.
Polly's face flashed before his mind, bringing her words with it. "I want you to be happy."
Naruto jerked backward with a hiss.
Maybe she was right; maybe he did deserve happiness, but not like this; not yet, not with someone like this. Not someone who just thought she could tempt and take him like this.
Anissa wasn't best pleased with his actions; a look of baleful thunder flashed across her face as she redoubled her grip. "Would you rather we conquer this world?" she glared at him, eyes sharp. "Raze it to the ground and kill all who resist? Because that's the other option. Would you rather die fighting?"
Bold of her to think he would be tempted so easily. "...you have an awfully high option of yourself and your people, you know that?"
"Not at all." she met his gaze evenly. "I'm simply honest to a fault. I like you, and I want you. We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Which would you prefer?"
...neither."
"Foolishness." Her face closed down. "After argument, logic, and my most generous offer, you still cannot see the truth?" shaking her head, she released him fully and drifted back. "Fine. Remember that we started with reason...but truth be told, I was hoping for this. You'll give into me, one way or another, even if must make you."
And there it was, her true self laid bare for him to see.
Laughter bubbled up in Naruto's chest.
"...!"
He wasn't quite sure why, maybe it was exasperation, anger, despair, or some mad blend of the three. Whatever the cause, it came on suddenly and he gave himself to it fully. It began as a tiny tremor touching his lips, a snicker, a snort really, one he clamped a hand over his mouth to stifle. He couldn't control it; didn't even bother to try when the snort became a snarl of laughter, then an outright belly-laugh, followed by a full-throated cackle as he threw his head back and laughed at the sun.
Anissa scowled at him. "Why do you laugh? What's so funny?"
"You are." He straightened up, wiped a mirthful tear from the corner of his eye and shook his head with a sigh."I know your kind. You may dress your words up all pretty and pretend to act civilized, but at the end of the day, you think you can waltz in and take whatever you want...
"I do not think, I know." She smirked without a care in the world, ignorant of the tempest she'd triggered. "Such is the privilege of the strong."
"Maybe, but you made one fatal mistake." He raised his arms at his side, tucked in his fists just above his ribs and grit his teeth. "And because of that mistake, you forgot something."
Anissa wanted to see strength?
He'd show her strength.
"Full blast?"
"Yup."
Had Minato -Dad!- felt like this when he fought his enemies all those years ago? When his back was against the wall? When he had people to protect? When he was so completely and utterly done that he gave up talking and tore entire armies apart with his speed? Because that was how he felt in this moment; exactly how he felt...!
Anissa planted a fist on her hip, then leaned forward, all smiles. "And what might that be?
Blue eyes gleamed gold, pupils sharpening into slits.
"I'M MY FATHER'S SON!
Golden chakra burst forth from him as he activated Kurama's cloak with a roar; raw energy flooded his every pore, erupting out of him in a growling geyser, a pillar of light that plowed the clouds, pierced heaven and earth and ocean alike. A miniature hurricane was born in that instant, gale force winds ripping through the air.
Anissa flung up an arm to shield her face, but he didn't miss her gazed smile, those dark eyes burning with wild light.
"Yes, that's it." She bared a sharp laugh; it was a low husky sound, practically vibrating with vicious, vibrant violence. "Show me!"
He did; it took less than an instant to reach her, barely a blink to reach back and PUNCH. His fist struck her dead in the cheek, plowed into her face and blasted her into the ocean. She struck the water with such force that her body bounced across it, once, twice, thrice now, before she finally righted herself.
The moment she did, he was upon her.
A roundhouse snapped her to the side in a shower of blood; he shunted her retaliatory strike aside with an elbow, snapped her limb down, headbutted her nose and drove an open palm into her gut to stun her. Momentum blasted her backward - a proper warrior would've used that to draw back, retreat and reassess.
Not so Anissa.
She surged back in with a laugh and her fist slammed in at his face.
He caught it, wrenched her arm down and behind her back. From there, he glared down over her shoulder at her. "Had enough?"
Anissa most certainly had not; much to his surprise her grin only grew and she leaned into him, pressing her full figure against his chest.
"Enough?" she tilted her head back to grin up at him, eyes bright, a wide smile wreathing her face. It almost made her look human. "Why would this be ever be enough?" He could feel her muscles straining against his, taut and excited. "You're impressive! Most impressive! I can see why you beat-
He whirled and tossed her upward with a vicious twist, sending her flying into the clouds. "You talk too much. Cool off in the atmosphere."
The moment he turned away, her feet barreled headlong into his back, sending pain snarling down his spine.
"Then I'll speak another language!"
An elbow barreled down into her neck and plunged her into the ocean below yet again. "Right back at ya!"
The water erupted and she was on him again, grinning like a madwoman.
"Yes, that's the way! HIT ME HARDER!"
Naruto did just that.
A vicious kick on his part caught Anissa's chin, bloodied her nose, and sent her soaring into the clouds at mach speed. It was the work of a moment to calculate her trajectory and another to get behind her. A roundhouse barreled through her guard and launched her into the clouds once more. He kept driving at her, hammering her, until finally, she got a luck punch in that snapped his head to the side.
The uppercut that followed sent Anissa hurtling up into the stratosphere like a human rocket
He flickered behind her with a scowl, palms linked overhead, fingers clasped.
Anissa saw his shadow fall over her and tried to come about-
Too late. Naruto brought his hand down on her head; the impact that followed actually hurt his fingers, such was his strength, but Anissa got the worse end of the deal by fair. Momentum ripped her away in a fiery comet and sent her hurtling back to earth, tumbling end over end. He considered letting her go with that, leaving her with a warning...
.
..
...on second thought...
Anissa crashed down into an abandoned beach, creating a crater in her wake. Credit where it was due, she propped herself up on her elbows and tried to rise; until his knee smashed into her solar plexus, drawing a pained laugh from her as three -no, four!- of her ribs shattered on the spot.
She slugged him in the face for it, and he decked her in return.
And still, Anissa didn't stop laughing, giggling at the top of her lungs. Belatedly, he realized he was laughing too. He just couldn't stop.
His hansd found her throat, choking her out, rendering her laugh a rasp. "Not so nice, is it?! Being on the other end!?"
Anissa gripped his hand with both of hers and grinned up at him through bloody teeth. "Harder...!
Naruto absolutely twitched in disbelief. "Are you kidding me? You think this is funny?!"
"Don't you?!" she beamed back at him, all smiles. "I'm having the time of my life!"
He leaned in, eyes ablaze, teeth bared. "What am I gonna do with you...?"
She locked her legs around his torso and kissed him full on the lips.
"Mwah~!"