A/N: Alright ladies and gentlemen, good news and bad news. Good news first. I AM BACK! My surgeries are over! And this story shall continue! Now for the Bad news: I have to work like hell to pay for everything. Still, I'm feeling a bit better now. Really. Kinda. Sorta. I'm hanging tough though, having just come out of the woods...only to work my ass off as a bloody dishwasher! Not fun! Not fun at alll! UUUUUGH! I'm woking almost daily and I feel like crap, as to that effect. But nevertheless, despite this pesky little hiccup-I wanted to get word out any way I could, and since for some strange reason the site is being buggy, I wasnt able to work on this anywhere near as much as I would've liked. Still...SO MANY REVIEWS ALREADY?!

I love you guys so, so, so Soooooo very much! *Cries*

Now, this chapter was rather gruelling for me to write. With good reason! But I regret nothing! I'm just happy to return to this story again!

Anywho, I managed to put this up here at points between the forced rest in this infernal heat up here. I really can't handle warm weather well. Still, I'm feeling a bit better now. Really. I'm hanging tough though, despite everything life is throwing at me. Despite all that's happening, I don't intend to die quietly in a bed somewhere! And on that note I should give you fair warning, some changes have been made here to keep things interesting, folks. So with that, onto the next long awaited chapter of...

Still...I'm alive. And good news! I've lived to see another birthday! Hehehe XD Now...

Let the sensational hilarity ensure! A new saga begins in this chapter...as we move ever onward! Warning! This chapter is a tad...violent. ALSO...something incredibly touching happens in this chap, something I felt a certain character deserved, but never got to realize in the game. SO...

...and away we go!

"A heart is a fragile thing; so is sanity."

~?

Glass Cannons and Glass Hearts

"Okay, I've waited long enough!"

Karliah stiffened slightly as a pair of strong hands grabbed her shoulders; her eyes growing most wide indeed. In the next instant she found herself spun around so fast-so hard!-she saw stars. Tiny little pinpricks of light danced at the corners of her vision-her blue eyes swimming as her head swam with dizziness, the series of three-sixties threatening to disturb the fragile balance of her stomach and upturn the breakfast of venisons and bread she'd eaten only hours before.

"W-W-What was that for?" she stammered out blearily.

Her companion's smile was decidedly cheeky, azure eyes glittering in the early light. "You've been sulking like that since we broke camp. I had to do something." If something involved spinning her like a top, Karliah was most certain she wanted nothing to do with it! Everything was still spinning so; she had to sit down on an overturned log just to clear her head. Naruto followed, content to stand, but not content to remain silent.

"See?" he said. "You look better already; especially when ya smile."

Her first instinct was to gut him for that remark; she was almost certain he'd just played some strange sort of practical joke on her just now. Only the knowledge that he was possibly the most gentle soul in all of Skyrim and single-handedly responsible for the death of Mercer Frey stayed her hand. Something else, too. Something she'd been trying so hard to ignore over their journey, something that simply refused to be denied. Flushing

"But why spin me...?"

"To knock that awful look off your face, hopefully." he crowed, offering her his hand. "If not, then just for fun!"

...fun?"

"Yup." His head bowed sagely as her fingertips curled in his, helping her step off the log. "Fun is the stuff of the Gods. So is ramen, but noooooo, they don't have that here!" Ramen? What was that? Shaking her head a little she resumed her trek southward, the hardy blond following at her back. The rhythmic rustle of his light robes and armor was a balm to her ragged nerves.

"You are very strange, Dragonbane." she said at last.

Another boyish laugh.

"Don't I know it, dattebayo!"

She didn't know what to make of that response, the Dark Elf did. The Dragonbane was still just as much as mystery to her now as he was the day she'd sought him out. His temper was mercurial when it came to bandits and their ilk, but in the matters of the heart, he wouldn't heart a fly. Naruto had a rapier's wit and a tongue to match it. He wasn't too shabby with a blade either. In another life, well, she Karliah thought she might have loved him.

She almost wanted to.

They were alone on the path, Brynjolf long gone, just the two of them. It was...really rather nice, she thought. If only her heart would stop clamoring every time he looked her way.

She'd agreed to guide him to the Twilight Sepulcher after the blond confessed to having absolutely no sense of direction. Karliah had been reluctant to do so at first. Indeed, she initially hadn't believed it was that bad in and of itself...right until he'd started going North instead of South before her very eyes! He'd insisted it was the right way...

...right up until they started climbing the seven thousand steps.

(Days earlier...)

"Out of my way!"

"OOF!" Naruto grunted, the air rushing out of him in a mighty oomph as someone in heavy steel plate slammed into him with all the force of a mammoth, almost bowling him head over heels. He very nearly slipped on the seven thousand steps leading up to High Hrothgar, nearly took an angry tumble down the mountain before righting himself at the last instant. Then his sword snapped up-carroming harmlessly of a hardened shield even as it swung at his head.

"What're you waiting for?!" he barked. "Shoot! Shoot her!"

Karliah drew her bow in a fluid movement, but her arrow pinged against a shield. In the next instant, her shot was lost as the two warriors closed with one another.

Metal clashed against metal, the ebony blade grinding angrily against the nigh impenetrable shield. However, that left him with a free hand; even as she swung down at him with her blade so too did he swing upwards, the Rasengan smashing his foe full in the chest, shattering the breastplate like so much glass. An indignant shout graced his ears, as the spiraling sphere dashed her body against the mountainside. He thought he was prepared for that much. He was not, however, prepared for her to stand up again.

He certainly wasn't prepared for the gout of magical fire that leapt from her fingertips! Aw, fuck. His own rose in the next instant, fingertips frosting over.

Ice smashed against fire in a clash of primal elements as old as time itself, birthing a misty fog. Naruto refused to relent, dropping his blade and adding another hand to the deluge. When the spell coalesced in his palm it physically struck her backwards, a veritable hand reaching out to swat her off her feet. This time, she didn't try to lop his head off.

"You...insufferable bastard...

Naruto balked, lowering his still smoldering palm.

"Uh-oh." He knew that voice!

"By Shor, you never make things easy, do you?! Just look what you've done to my armor! AGAIN!" She tore off her helmet with an angry shriek, glaring emerald daggers at him. With the language barrier now torn away by the power of Asura, that voice was possibly the most beautiful thing he'd ever heard in all creation. It also terrified him beyond belief.

"Naruto!"

The blond guffawed, laughing at the sight of her face. Then he grabbed her in a great big bear hug that had the poor woman sputtering and choking for breath. When she finally squirmed her way out of that deathtrap a second surprise awaited the poor human; in the form of being swung around like a child. The warrior's yelp was, Karliah thought, entirely too amusing for her own liking. So was Naruto's roar:

"Isabelle! Long time no see!"

Thankfully the Dragonborn had been intent on continuing her quest at the time, resolving to meet up with them in Whiterun later.

She'd swore up and down that there would be a reckoning for his disappearance,

It was just as well, really. Karliah wasn't exactly keen on involving a non-Nightingale in their business. Naruto must have sensed as much; because he was all too eager to put High Hrothgar behind and let her lead after that. It was a little touching, really. Rather than go with Isabelle and associate with a bunch of "old bearded assholes" as he put it, he chose to honor his promise to her, putting it ahead of his duty. His loyalty had been touching at the time-if she was entirely honest with herself, it still was.

So instead of returning home, they'd spent the last three days trekking west towards their goal.

Surely she deserved a little happiness?

"Hello? Karliah-chan?"

A hand waved before her face, startling her.

"I could stab you for that, you know. Most unwise of you."

That got a blink out of him. "What can I say? I'm a genius at doing things I shouldn't."

She arched a slender eyebrow. "And I'm the queen of Skyrim."

He promptly prostrated himself behind her on the road.

"I bow before your awesomeness, your highness! We are not worthy to be in your prescence!"

A silence followed.

Naruto snickered. Karliah felt herself smiling as well; and then something came un-corked deep within her.

"Naruto...that's...that's not even a word...

"Of course it is!" He bolted up again, grinning. "I made it up!"

The laughter when it came, surprised her with its vehemence. It tore its way out of her in great gasping gulps, refusing to be denied.

She couldn't stop, couldn't think until they were sagging against each other, until she was physically crying such was her mirth, chest heaving for air. How long had it been since she'd laughed like this? Not since Gallus's demise. It used to feel like a betrayal, a mockery of his memory. This time, it didn't. It-she!-felt good. Clean. Whole. Why was that? She ducked her head at the thought, suddenly feeling shy. When he looked away, she dared to peer up at him beneath her lashes. Why?

Why, couldn't she stop thinking about him?

Her gaze sought the sun, seeking answers there.

Then her eyes bulged. Laughter died on her lips.

"Duck!"

"Duck?" Naruto blinked, not interpreting her meaning as she dove off the path and drew her bow. "Whaddya mean duck? I don't see any du-WHOA FUCK!"

The words bleated out of him in a rush as he saw the massive shadow swooping down on him.

Before the dragon hit.

Then the world went sideways.

Everything suddeny erupted, trees uprooting, great clods of earth ripped free by those jagged claws. Naruto, trapped within its jaws. In. Its. Mouth. Karliah realized with belated horror that the beast had swooped down and eaten him, or rather, it was making a valiant attempt of it. Not content to be digested, its prey was fighting back. For a moment Karliah just stood there, an arrow knocked to her bow, gawping.

By the dark lady, this man was mad!

"Oi, oi, oi?! Do I look like food to you?! Leggo of me!" He looked more annoyed than anything else the shinobi did, a look of irritation crossing his whiskered as he planted his boots against the lower jaw, used an arm to steady himself, and relentlessly drove Chillrend up into the beast's mouth, the blue blade flashing again and again, and again. The beast's fangs sank into his forearm and thigh, rending muscle and bones, but he barely even seemed to notice it, focused as he was

As she looked on the blond visibly tensed, forcing the beast's gaping maw apart, inch by inch. One hand now forestalled its icey breath; the runoff turning to the road to frozen glass beneath their feet. When she saw the smile, a part of cringed. Laughter came next. Chillrend twisted in his hand, stabbing upward one last time, hooking him inside the creature's maw.

"Here it comes...!" he cackled. "A little going away present for you!"

Naruto seemed to shimmer in mid-laugh, warping, twisting inside the lizard's mouth. Its eyes grew wide and it tried to swallow him but too late; something bulged in its throat.

"TIME FOR LUNCH!"

One moment he was a man, the next she saw a giant fox spit something down the beast's gullet. Bijudama. That was the only word she heard, the only explanation she had.

And then the dragon exploded.

Bits of blood and gore fountained down around her, bones clattering to the ground with sundered scales. Naruto stood amidst it all and inhaled, drinking deep of the dragon's body, its essence, its very blood becoming a part of him, a part of his soul, until on ashes remained. A final exhale and the blood vanished from his face, woven into his very skin. He raised an arm to wave and she saw that the wounds were gone, little more thans a few pink lines amidst his tattered sleeve.

"Ah, good meal." he burped, patting his stomach. "Lets move on, shall we?"

Numbed, she led him on. Still, having see it firsthand, her mind couldn't help but to wonder...

...just what was he?

Karliah refused to enter the Sepulcher.

Naruto thought he understood why, but he didn't press her. The silent look of anguish in her eyes told him all he needed to know. So he undertook the task alone, weaving through the winding corridors. His senses felt like they were being stretched somehow, as though an ancient entity had suddenly taken interest in him and reached down to lift a great burden from his shoulders. With each step he felt a renewed vigor surge him-an indescripable feeling causing him to hasten his gait as he strode through the temple.

It felt like coming home.

A spectral figure rose to greet him as he entered those hallowed halls, garbed in Nightingale armor. Though Kurama remained silent, Naruto felt a flicker of recognition stir him. He'd never met this particular ghost, not once, yet somehow, perhaps because of the own armor he wore, he sensed in him a kindred spirit.

"I don't recognize you, but I sense that you're one of us. Who are you?"

"Bit of a long story, that." Naruto laughed, a flash of realization lighting his face. "Let me guess...Gallus?"

He thought he saw a smile on that faceless specter. "I haven't heard that name in a long time...how is it you know me?"

"Well, given that Karliah's been talking about you-

Joy exploded from the spirit in a shout!

"Karliah?! She lives?! I feared she had suffered the same fate as I. Then Mercer Frey is-

"Yes, yes, no, yes to the last one. Dead as a doorknob. I'm just here to return this." He held up the Skeleton Key, its angular shape shimmering softly in his palm.

"The Key! Then there is still hope! You must return it at once!

"Let me guess; I've got a bit more to do in this quest, don't I?"

That seemed to baffle the ghost of Gallus. "I...beg your pardon?"

"Nevermind, just breaking the fourth wall...

The tasks that followed were next to nothing for a shinobi; stick to the shadows, avoid the corrupted sentinels, reach the Ebonmere. Part of him gloried to be back in his element, in stealth and shadow, were he'd longed to belong. He felt as though he were invincible, untouchable, as though nothing in this world or the next could harm him.

So when it finally came time to return the key, he didn't hesitate. He jumped into that pit, felt the floor give way, and slammed it down into the indentation the moment he laid eyes on.

Ebonmere, a conduit to Nocturnal's realm of Evergloom.

In that moment, it came alive.

Darkness surged forward, devouring his every sense, swallowing him whole. Consuming him.

And then she was suddenly there.

Once more she rose amidst a flock of crows, a flawless beauty that would've put even the most beautiful kunoichi to shame.

"My, my. What do we have here?" she purred, eerie orbs locking on him. "It's ony been a few days since I've set foot on your world. Or perhaps its been a few moments. One tends to lose track." Her ebon eyes swiveled downward, regarding where the key had once lain. "So, once again the Key has been stolen and a "champion" returns it to the Sepulcher. Now that the Ebonmere has been restored, you, stand before me, awaiting your accolades; a pet on your head...a kiss on your cheek, perhaps?"

Naruto scoffed. "I wouldn't be much of a shinobi if I didn't want at least some sort of reward."

A sultry smirk lined the goddess's lips.

"Hmm...I suppose I shall give you something." she sashayed forward, hips swaying, robes undulating like the night itself. "You have more than fulfilled your agreement. Tell me, what is it you desire?" He watched, wary as she circled him, observing his every movement, as though seeing every line of him beneath the armor. Lips brushed his ear, eliciting a shudder. "I could bring you with me, take you to my realm. You would rule with me as my king, and I, your queen. All of Oblivion would be ours to rule.

"Tempting...but I'm afraid I'll have to refuse."

"Pity. Then I suppose I'll have to settle for this...until next time."

Her mouth graced his, bringing with it the sweet scent of darkness. She danced away before he could pull her into his arms, looking quite pleased with herself.

"Regardless, you've done your duty to the letter, after all. But we both know this has little to do with honor and oaths and loyalty. Its about the reward; the prize. Fear not. The Thieves guild will have their trinkets, their desire for power, their hunger for wealth. I bid you to drink deeply from the Ebonmere, Dragonbane. For this is where the Agent of Nocturnal is born. The Oath has been struck, the die has been cast, and your fate awaits you in the Evergloom. You have but to speak the word, and I will come for you."

'Oi, did she just-

"Farewell, my dark prince." Her hand trailed his cheek in passing, her touch lingering as she sank back into the Ebonmere. "See to it the Key stays this time, won't you?

Reality came back to him in a start.

Naruto blinked, blearily, realizing one of two things. First, he found that the strange surge of vitality from the temple still lingered; he felt lighter on his feet, the shadows brighter to his eyes. The second, that he was no longer alone in the chamber. Nocturnal's words rang after him. You have but to speak, and I will come.

The devil did that mean?

Then, he realized that at some point Karliah must've followed him in; he could see her in a nearby alcove across the temple, her hooded face fixated on a lone specter. He stood there, and watched with a pang of surprise, as she finally had her long-awaited reunion.

"Karliah?"

"Gallus!"

"I was afraid I'd never see you again," she whispered, "That you'd become like...the others."

"If it were not for the actions of this Nightingale, your fears would have come true. He honors us all."

Her heart gave a small lurch.

"What will you do now, my love?"

Gallus sounded almost wistful. "Nocturnal calls me to the Evergloom. My contract has been fulfilled."

"Will I ever see you again?"

"When your debt to Nocturnal has been paid, certainly. There is no need to hasten that. Though I must confess," his spectral visage shifted, cowl turning towards the blond. "It heartens me to see that you have allowed yourself to love again. It is time for you...to let me go."

Karliah started, feeling betrayed. "Gallus, no! I-

"It is alright, my love. I will ever await you, in the gloom."

The mists moved, and he was gone. Then came the tears.

"No...don't...don't leave..

Karliah wasn't quite sure when-or why-Naruto moved to her, why he chose to approach. The moment he did she grabbed him, burying those tears-those sobs-of her heart into his shoulder. She wanted to spit at him, to curse him, but the words wouldn't come; because she knew it wasn't his fault, that it was hers, all hers and it hurt it hurt, oh it hurt...

Eventually his arms encircled her, holding her tight. "I know, it hurts...you can hit me, if you want." Somehow, those words only made it even worse, and she cried ever harder. Her heart was like glass, falling apart in his arms. And as he held her, he picked up those pieces. Strong hands stroked a small circle against her back, soothing.

"I miss him..." she whispered.

He murmurred softly.

"I know."

They stood there like that for a very long time.

A/N: And there you have it! NarutoxKarliah is a very real possibility here! Not my best take on the world of Skyrim, I know, but it IS my first. And definitely one of the most amusing. As you can see, I took a sharp turn from the norm here, as Naruto is openly intereacting with Karliah, trying to keep her off the path of vengeance, only to find even more trouble awaiting him at every turn! And, what business is this with Aela, hmm? If you think his interactions with the Dragonborn were funny, you're going to love the next few chapters. Any ideas, folks? I'm more than willing to hear you out! Who knows what might happen?

COLLEGE OF WINTERHOLD AND HIGH HROTHGAR NEXT CHAPTER! Here we go!

Chaos is set to ensue as of next chapter with more Danwguard, Daedra, and the Thieves Guild abound and galore! Lets not forget the College of Winterhold! I hope you're looking forward to it as much as I am! And of course, there's still sooo much more to come! The College of Winterhold-not to mention finding Isabelle's mother-and the Daedric Weapons! Thieves Guild! The Companions! The Dark Brotherhood! And more! We'll finally get to see just what Dragonborn is up to during Naruto's (mis)adventures across the whole of Tamriel. As I said, I'm open to ideas! Look forward to it all, readers!

So...in the immortal words Atlas...

...Review, Would You Kindly? And naturally, enjoy the previews! There be two this time! I'm sure you'll love both of them! Once again, to those who would misinterpret, I ask you to remember that the second one is written for comedic effect; Naruto is nobody's bitch and if he at all acts like one, 'tis only to humor his poor victims/wives. And if this first preview doesn't make you go "AWWW!" then you have no soul! No SOUL, I say!"

(Preview)

Arwen blinked owlishly at the piece of paper thrust before her face.

Words stared back at her, little more than gibberish to the nine-year-old's eyes. She accepted the document, pondering over it for a long moment, wondering what it might be. Maybe if she stared at it long enough she would be able to ascertain its meaning, somehow. When she looked up Naruto was still looking at her expectantly.

Didn't he know she couldn't read?

"Um...what is this?"

Serana laughed softly. "Go ahead, tell her before you explode."

"Its an adoption certificate." Naruto explained, his smile never faltering, not a once. "Serana and I had to go all the way out to Riften to make it official, but here it is! We're officially a family, 'ttebayo!" Arwen hazarded a glance back at the vampire; she was actually smiling for once, her ruby red eyes glittering in the twilight. Naruto...and Serana...adoption. Family. Everything clicked together in her head.

"So, that means...

"Yup!" Naruto's grin threatened to stretch off his face and fly away. One arm wrapped around Serana, drawing her close.

Tears gathered in the little girl's eyes, swelling, brimming over.

"Mama! Papa!"

Crack.

Isabelle froze. With stiff, jerky movements she turned, her mage robes seeming to fluttering in an unseen breeze. If Naruto had any common sense, he would've fled for the hills, then and there. Instead he simply stood where he was, one foot planted over the prone form of the dragon priest. The other...

Naruto blinked down at the broken staff. Gathered it in his hands. Then he glanced at a teary-eyed Isabelle. It was almost humorous, really.

"Erm...this was important wasn't it?"

WHAM!

"OW!"

In the next instant she grabbed what remained of the Staff of Magnus and proceeded to beat him about the head.

"WHY! DO! YOU! ALWAYS! DO THIS!?"

"OWOWOWOWOW! I can fix it, 'ttebayo! Just let me fix it!"

The broken staff descended mercilessly once more.

"IDIOT! STUPID! IMBECIIIIIIIIIIIILE!"

R&R! =D