Hi, I'm back…five years later.

A lot has happened including a huge hit to my confidence as a writer. A series of hiccups prevented me from picking up my pen or sitting at the keyboard for anything other work or school, and I wanted to come to a degree of peace with these occurrences before re-investing in my stories. I am sorry that it's taken me so long.

Please be patient with me as I get back into the groove of things.

Lastly, a big thank you to all who've reviewed and messaged me. It means millions!

-MoonlessMist032

Dew clung to leaves, pastel shades hesitated to paint the sky dawn, and the cool air felt replenished after a night of rain.

Inhaling the petrichor, the young assassin bit into an apple cursing under his breath, feeling delicate dew drops hit the warm skin on his cheeks.

"Damn."

He had spent the night out, training. He found it hard to sleep knowing that his mother, Kushina, had fallen ill a few days earlier.

Before moving to the city, Naruto and his parents had resided in a small town not too far from an apple orchard. Every Monday morning, he and his mother would ride their bikes down to the orchard and gather apples. Once their basket was full, his mother would flash a smile as fresh as the surrounding vegetation, with red hair framing her face consisting of locks a shade slightly brighter than the apples' skin.

"Do you think you can handle all of them on your own?" she asked while her young son with a serious face, who had loaded several large apples into his basket. He was a strong boy and rarely asked for help; she couldn't help but worry that he was taking on too much sometimes. He was an extraordinary student and, by sunset, assassin in training. He rarely had time to be the young boy he was and she could only imagine the, figuratively speaking, weight that he had to carry. She didn't want him to go through life thinking every task was a mission to be completed with flying colors. This very sentiment led to her being extra cautious when it came to things as basic as transporting apples.

"Haha, of course! This is nothing, besides, I… I wouldn't want you to strain yourself again." His voice lowered with his now averted gaze. Placing a hand on his shoulder and kissing his forehead, Kushina let out a light chuckle. "Alright then," she lifted his chin and looked into his eyes with a warm smile. His reciprocation was all she needed.

Kushina herself had been an assassin until falling in love with Minato. He had loved her more than anything, but his life as an assassin was on equal terms to family. She had lost him to his belief that he could cleanse the world of all diabolical existence, and when Naruto was born, Minato made sure that he would not be raised a vulnerable individual. Training began at the age of five and only grew in intensity with each passing year. Now he was eleven, and eliminating enemies much larger in size.

Would a wild passion for power eventually override his acts of kindness? She had a wild side from the thrill of assassination…but love changed that. Minato and Naruto changed that. Even though she had the ability to lose herself, eventually she began to wonder which battles were worth it. After all, there are those that are suffering with beating hearts. Slaying them would only score a point for their causes.

Then the coughing began. She placed a hand to her chest and slightly wheezed. Naruto began to panic, nearly dropping the apples in his arms, until she had stopped. Taking a deep breath, Kushina smiled again at her son before collapsing.

A thick haze enveloped the buildings that night. Deafening sirens on replay in his head. They had done their routine. Ride bikes down to the orchard Monday morning, but this time, his mother was transported to a hospital in the city. This morning, his mother had bore into his soul with her eyes. Analyzing him for reasons he couldn't fathom. Then she smiled and fell.

People had walked through the streets consumed with themselves and their possessions. There were merchants. A restaurant. A library. Gift shops. Everything.

All he had was an apple. The same one in his hand when she collapsed. He had forgotten how hard he gripped it while in shock. The flesh was already starting to turn a darker shade, his hand slightly sticky from the juice. Here he was in front of the hospital again. His father had been so worried and overtaken by melancholy, the only other feeling besides anger Naruto had ever seen him display.

He thought about whether or not he should scale the building, or just enter like a normal person and take the elevator.

"Ain't anything wrong with a little fun," he thought to himself.

Minato had held Kushina's hand as the monitor beeped and almost threw a kunai at his son, who swiftly stuck is head out the window, assessing the hospital's architecture.

"Now is not the time to be climbing on buildings," Minato's voice came sternly.

"Nothing wrong with a little fun, father," Naruto retorted defiantly.

If looks could assassinate, the boy would be slain. Nevertheless, the youth's eyes averted to his mother who gently caressed his cheek as he joined his father at her side. Her eyes looked hazy.

Naruto stared upward fading in and out of sleep. The moon's aura radiated into the room; an arch of light surfaced the ceiling through Hinata's curtains. He heard her light breathing to his right accompanied by the ticking of her clock.

Finally, Naruto had experienced a normal day, right?

He blinked a few times, face flushed at the memory of recent events. No, those kinds of things don't just happen normally to everyone. Something about the way Hinata reacted to him evoked this animalistic desire for him to dominate her more intensely than the preceding time. The helpless and desperate looks she would give him leveled the satisfaction produced by a slain target. Naruto grunted and shook his head.

If she finds out who I am and what I do.

A pair of warm cerulean eyes fell on Hinata's face.

Is it selfish of me to hope that she would still love me? He sighed. There wasn't a clear answer. Thinking about his life made his mind a blur. He was raised to believe what he did was for the common good and taught not to think twice about it. It was for the common good. His prey were pieces of garbage; bad people. It was his job to take out the trash and he loved it.

But to someone else I'm the bad guy too, right?

He sighed rubbing his temples and groaned in frustration.

A warm hand caressed his chest stirring him from his thoughts. He peered down and to the right instantly. "Are you alright?" Hinata asked groggily. Blinking, Naruto rested a hand atop hers, rubbing it gently, "Yeah," he lifted her hand and placed kisses across her knuckles, "did I wake you?"

"I-it doesn't matter," she yawned. "You sounded like you were having a b-bad dream." More like an existential crisis, but "Nah. I'm okay, baby" Naruto's gaze softened. They lied there locking eyes. Most people would think they moved too fast, but they didn't. It took a while to start dating and both parties had insecurities, thinking the other lacked interest yet but the attraction was always there. Hinata was always orbiting and grounding him without even trying. She made him feel human and cleared the fog on his darker days, with her shy smiles and open ears. Passing glances at each other during class, mutual friend hangouts, and study sessions. He even ran into her at the convenience store several times. He watched her on duty. Then, that one moment came where he couldn't take it anymore and called her beautiful in the library. He always found her beautiful in all ways possible.

"So beautiful," he whispered through half lidded eyes. Before he knew it, his lips were on hers, pulling her on top of him and holding her head to deepen the kiss. He ground himself into her and they moaned in unison. "Na-Naruto," Hinata's face was flushed, she broke the kiss and straddled him, "I didn't brush my teeth yet and—," flinching at his excitement beneath her. He was clearly entranced and not giving a shit about morning breath.

"Hinata," he purred, resting his hands on her hips and running them up her torso to cup and massage her melons. Her breathing hitched as she felt him grinding beneath her, passing over her pearl. He knew all the right places to touch and make her mind a blur. This connection was addicting and protesting was pointless. After a series of rounds the night before, they gave up on getting dressed and slept in their birthday suits.

"N-Naruto," Hinata quietly begged. "Please," she breathed and raised her hips. Slowly she lowered herself, and was met with a thrust. And so, they danced. Groans, whimpers, grunts and the creaking bed filled the dark room. The bounce of her chest and pleasure-filled grimaces on her face only made him thrust harder. The look in his eyes turned her on and she did her best to keep her gaze locked with his, placing her hands on his pecs for support while her rides became erratic. He was so sexy whenever he focused on something, and in that moment, he was focused on her. Naruto slid a hand down from her hip to stroke her pearl as he kept eye contact. They reached their limits soon after. Hinata collapsed on his toned torso mewling his name as he gasped for air riding out his release.

Naruto kissed Hinata's head. "Nothing beats a hot meal first thing in the morning," he panted. Hinata, unaware of what universe she was in, simply responded with "ah."

Of course, his father called a minute later. The vibration was obnoxious, startling Hinata and killing Naruto's post-sex high. He wanted to rock her world again, and just needed 15 minutes to recharge. Gently untangling from Hinata, he grabbed his phone from his discarded jeans on the floor, accidentally kicking away the small and nearly empty, box of condoms in the process. He paused, shaking his head with the biggest grin. Karin, you're the best. Before he could answer, his father hung up and sent him a text.

[5:44] Father: Return. New targets.

Naruto sighed and looked over his sore shoulder at his everything. Hinata was asleep. She had cuddled up in the spot where he had been lying, her hair a mess. He could see a little drool coming from her lips and held back the laugh in his chest.

They would be watching more horror movies in the future if it meant another night like Saturday night.

After quietly washing up in her bathroom and dressing, Naruto checked on Hinata one more time. Moving his injured shoulder in a circular motion, he bent down and kissed her cheek lovingly before nipping her ear lobe. He heard her moan in question. "I have to go home. Sorry," he whispered before kissing her cheek again. Hinata sighed and nodded slowly in understanding. He knew she'd have questions, but decided to craft a story later.

Naruto turned the lock from inside as he stepped out front door before shutting it firmly. He took a deep breath before heading down the hall to the stairwell exit with his hands in his pockets. Moments like that made where Naruto miss his mother. She knew how to talk his father out of giving him weekend missions as a kid.

Thirty minutes later, the child was escorted out the hospital. Kakashi tried to keep a smile on his face. "Don't worry, Naruto. Everything will be okay."

"Mother didn't look well in there," the eleven-year-old grumbled.

Moments before, Minato wanted to be left alone with his wife. When Naruto protested, she cooed his tantrum. "Naruto, no matter what happens tonight, remember to be kind to others, stay on top of your school work, and listen to your father." She wheezed, causing both Minato and Naruto to flinch. Minato gripped her hand tightly with worried eyes.

They locked with Kushina's for a moment, and she gave a weak smile before continuing to speak to her son. "Know that I love you and would do anything for you. Do what makes you happy," she smiled. "I love you too, mother," his eyes brimmed with tears.

Naruto pushed the door open to the parking lot, smacked by a cool breeze and faint voices.

He kept his profile low on the way to his ride while trying to pinpoint the conversation. When he was close enough, Naruto squatted between a SUV and parking pillar to stay out of both light and sight. About 2 cars over from his Bugatti stood a pair. Two short and well-built men.

"Look, I'm saying we can break in, blow the safe and grab the gold before the guard sees us," a stout man remarked confidently. "We won't need to keep doing this dirty work once we hit the jackpot."

His companion wiped his brows in frustration. "But I'm telling you, there's somebody taking our guys out," he whispered loudly. "I can't keep working under these conditions."

The other nodded, whispering, "The boss is relentless. I mean, smuggling body parts? What kind of experiments is he conducting?"

"I know as much as you do, buddy," the one shrugged. "Anyway, it's early. Cats need feed since I was out all night," the other fumbled with his keys and headed towards the stairwell. Naruto smoothly headed under the SUV, shifting against the concrete while eyeing the goon's shoes headed in his direction.

Naruto frowned when he saw the shoes pause. He contemplated taking them out right then, but his lack of a uniform and parking lot cameras weren't a good match. After a few breaths and an implied shake of the head, the shoes moved and Naruto could hear an engine start near the spot the men had chatted. He felt a rumble in his pocket, but decided he'd check when the coast was clear. The stairwell door shut and the car rolled out. Its bright headlights illuminating the concrete. Naruto let out a sigh. Hinata had garbage in her building. But it was garbage filled with information, that he'd have to report once home.

Closing the driver's door to his car, Naruto pulled out his phone.

[6:01] Karin: SOS. im hungover & stranded. :/

Naruto: Address?

"Thank you," Karin sighed leaning her head back in the passenger seat, closing her eyes.

"How?" Naruto's eyebrow twitched. "A baby shower and then," he gestured towards the gorgeous mansion. "Wild party?"

Karin chuckled pinching her nose. "As soon as Konan's baby shower ended, Jugo texted me about a little get together he was having. Suigetsu is finally back in town after being overseas for nearly two years, so I found my way here without any regrets," she laughed with a light blush tinting her cheeks. "He likes sloppy toppy," she mentioned quietly. For just a minute, Naruto wished he didn't have such good hearing.

He clicked the on the radio with one hand and switched the station to KonohaKidsFM: Nursery Rhymes. "Karin, please. I'm too young for these kinds of conversations."

Oh, wait…

"Actually," he cleared his throat, focusing on the road with a deep blush tinting his cheeks as "ABC Jutsu" played in the background. "Do you have any more of… uh...uh...boxes?" She could make out his white knuckles in the dawn light. Poor Naruto was embarrassed and gripping the steering wheel tightly.

Karin scoffed, "You finished the box already? Look at you! Don't worry, I have plenty. Although, with Suigetsu back in town, you may need to start buying your own real soon."

Naruto stayed silent. Blinking once and clicking his turn signal. This was going to be a long ride.

Karin sang, "S is for shuriken, Taijutsu, T! C'mon Naruto!"

"Come, Naruto," his father's voice came. Kushina's grave was dim. That day, the sky was overcast with a light drizzle. He turned away at his father's order. He left an apple and daisies. Her favorites. Tears stung his eyes and he couldn't think or walk clearly, only guided by his father's hand on his shoulder.

Every day was the same old thing from that point on: school and training. No more apple picking. No more bike rides. No more stargazing. No more clarity.

He started to avoid conversing with his friends at lunchtime in the courtyard, staying silent while the group chatted about teachers, tests, fashion, movies, sports and video games. A pain surged through him at the site of their love-filled lunch boxes. He was grateful to have Kakashi make him delicious meals, but it wasn't the same. Kakashi was 14 years Naruto's senior, and Minato's right-hand man. Naruto knew whenever Kakashi had a long night because he'd open his lunch to find a hastily made peanut butter and jelly sandwich. On the other hand, Kushina made the best lunches, always including an apple carved into a frog or fox-shape and a note with an affirmation or fun fact.

"Just veggies again?" Choji whined. "Your mom wants you to have a healthy fiber-rich lunch," Sakura mentioned, biting into a cupcake. "Your mom spoils you, Sakura. Your house smells like a bakery!" Ino drooled at her best friend's tasty treat. "My mom's food sucks," Shikamaru said picking at his lunch. Shino and Kiba laughed, trading their meals from across the table. "Mother says that this is brain food," Lee handed Shikamaru a boiled egg, which the latter refused.

Naruto stood, "I'm going to head up to the roof before lunch ends."

The group fell silent. Sasuke looked up at Naruto as he chewed on his onigiri. When no one responded, Naruto smiled and reassured them, "I'm not gonna be late for class. Chill," he said walking away from the table, ignoring the murmurs that followed after.

On the roof, he could breathe. The air was crisp and perfect. He wandered to the side gripping the fence that formed a barrier around the rooftop. He could see the courtyard from the side he stood. His friends remained at the white picnic table. They appeared pensive glancing up at the rooftop once or twice before leaning in to talk amongst themselves.

Turning around, he sat down, leaning his back against the concrete wall. Resting his arms against his knees. He dropped his lunch bag by his side and tears fell in sync.

His mother was gone. Gone. No more. He felt like his father just saw him as a weapon. Maybe his father's path was the right way though. To dedicate his life to training and protecting everyone. Mother was too soft, right? Right. It all made sense. He would do his best to get stronger, to bring peace and—

"Naruto?" came a whisper. He glanced up to see Hinata with a box in her hand. His heart caught in his throat and he tried to wipe his tears as quickly as possible. All that training and he didn't even sense her. "G-good afternoon, Hi-nata," his lips trembled. Get a fucking grip, Naruto!

Hinata mumbled something before sitting in front of him on her heels. He avoided her intense gaze, by turning his head to the side, only looking at the box and her flushed face in his peripheral.

"Naruto, I," she looked down and clenched the box tightly. "I'm so sorry."

He clenched his jaw trying not to shed another tear. She saw this and continued.

"I know e-exactly how y-you feel," she shut her eyes before thrusting her arms forward with the box towards him and bowing. "M-my condolences," she stammered out.

Naruto turned his face towards her. The box hovered right under his nose. Hinata was clearly shaking. Vulnerable and cute all in one. Naruto sighed. He never experienced anything like this before. Even though he wanted nothing more than to be alone, Hinata broke down his walls. She was the exception. Sniffing, he took the box. Hinata's arms instantly returned to her lap, and she slowly raised her head to face him.

Naruto removed the lid. Hinata saw his lips part slightly as his eyes widened. Inside, were apples carved into various animals, including a frog and a fox. There was a note that read: Through rain and dense fog, the sun will shine again. – Hinata.

Naruto ran a finger over the note. He could tell that she added a lot of pressure to the paper.

His silence was nerve wracking. Hinata lowered her head, exhaling a breath that she didn't realize she was holding, and she gasped after hearing him put the box down.

"Hinata." Her head snapped up and her eyes met his tender gaze. His eyes brimmed with tears as he smiled at her, "Thank you." They sat there, gazes locked before Hinata averted her eyes with a deep blush. Placing a hand on her chest. Breathe. You did it, Hinata, just breathe, she told herself over and over.

Naruto stood and offered his hand to her. Hinata looked a bit confused, but put her now sweaty palm in his. In a swift motion, she felt herself against him in a tight hug. He could feel her heart racing next to his and her face heating up against his chest, but he didn't want to let go.

With a friend like Hinata in his life, the future seemed a bit less hazy.

If you're curious how the flashback ended, Naruto eventually loosened his embrace, Hinata got flustered and told him to enjoy his apples, then quickly runs back to the stairs and down into the school. (:

By the way, I'm awful at writing lemons and smut. I get so flustered.

Anyway, thank you for reading. See you soon!