Chapter 1: Greenehorn

"Put him here!" A basket was placed on the front steps of a two-story house, tears trailed down onto an infant's forehead just when the rain started to pour.

"We shouldn't do this! He's our son!" A mother's wail was ignored being greeted by silence instead. She tugged on the man's arm who only took it back like it burned to touch her.

"No! We're not going to! You know we're not ready! Leave him to be someone else's problem!" The man stomps off as the woman knelt down next to the basket. She tenderly touched the child's cheek feeling soft and smooth skin tremble from her touch. It was almost as if he knew what was happening. What she didn't know was that he did. He knew they were leaving him for some strangers and he was heartbroken.

"LET'S GO!" The man grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the child. Tears streamed down her cheeks as the emptiness settled within her core.

"I'm sorry. Naruto.." The wind roared in the distance, the chimes hanging above the porch ruffled louder than the child's unbearable sobs.

'Why did they leave me they should've loved me like any parent would've.' His blue eyes opened with crystal clear clarity. He'll be better than his parents, he'll never leave someone in need. Ever. Because he knew that leaving was a coward's actions. He was never a coward, or at least he believed he wasn't.

'Being reborn like this. Maybe Hagoromo planned it. That geezer always has a plan with me in it.' After he finished his thoughts Naruto had heard someone's footsteps approach the door. He heard it creak open as he felt himself become a few feet higher off the porch. He opened his blue eyes to see a white man with a beer bottle in his hand sporting a graying beard.

'Must be the man who owns this place. Will he take me in?' Naruto hoped he would, he didn't want to die immediately after being reincarnated. The weird thing was he can still sense chakra around, but it was very minuscule. Barely enough to live on. Naruto felt the chakra inside of him as well. It was much smaller than average of course but he may be able to rebuild it over time. But that would take years, and his lineage is much less profound than in his past life. He didn't have his Uzumaki heritage that was known for having large reserves, but if he did this right, he can get back to it. However training is going to be a bitch.

He internally sighed by the thought of what he was going to have to do. He soon was brought into the house by the man who took a swig of his beer, he placed Naruto on a couch in the living room as he sat down next to him, slacked and wreaking of alcohol.

'Alcoholic, figures.' Naruto looked around to inspect the house that he was possibly going to be living in. Honestly, in his opinion it was nice to look at. It had rugs, glassware. a dining table, and all of the necessities of a wholesome home. The man himself looked to be distraught with having to take Naruto in. Albeit Naruto wouldn't have liked how the parents themselves would drop him and dash. But there had to have been a reason for all of it.

Then Naruto saw it. Or more specifically; the man. He saw the man spill the beer he was drinking out onto the porch. Right then someone else entered the room. It was a little girl, just barely hitting the age for elementary school Naruto assumed.

"Aw daddy.. mommy said you quit that nasty stuff." The little girl pouted and the dad sighed.

"I know darlin.. I know. But I felt this to be a.. special occasion." The man pointedly looked at Naruto and the girl raised her eyebrows, right before she grinned and sped toward the boy.

"Who is this daddy? He's so cuteee! Is this my little brother?" She didn't even give the man time to answer the question right before she picked Naruto up and had him slacked into her arms. She kept rocking him back and forth and all Naruto could do was smile. Unfortunately he couldn't exactly say anything otherwise he was sure he would cry. Maybe his body was not quite as developed as his body was. He didn't know. Hagoromo better pop up sooner or later, or he was gonna be a very pissy person growing up. AGAIN.

"Yes sweetie. I suppose he is." The man walked toward Naruto and put a hand on his head. The girl held him and the father caressed him. Naruto felt warmth flood into his body right then, the effect almost caused him to fall asleep then and there.

"What's his name?"

"I.. don't.. I don't.."

"Nathaniel." A different voice cut in. This voice however, belonged to a beautiful woman with short dark brown hair and fair white skin, definitely the daughter's mother.

'Nathaniel, Naruto. At least they're similar. Thanks Hagoromo. I appreciate that at least.'

"Maggie, can you go and clean up your room please? I need to talk to your father. Isn't that right Hershel?" The woman's smile was sweet, even though it was anything but sweet.

Maggie set Naruto down into his basket as she jogged upstairs without a word.

"Now Josephine-" His interruption was countered by a bonk to the head courtesy of the lovely woman.

"I told you what happens when you drink again. It is the staircase for you mister." Hershel nodded solemnly right before he glanced toward Naruto.

"Well, then what about him?"

"We'll take care of him like Maggie." Hershel looked surprised but nodded to that as well. After Josephine gave Hershel few choice words about his drinking and how he said he would quit when Maggie was born and a LOT of other stuff. Josephine took him along with the basket up to their room.

There was going to be a lot of tension Naruto figured. However he still didn't know why he was reborn into a baby human body again. It was weird, he couldn't move anything except his eyes and his mouth. And even then his mouth couldn't speak unless it was for crying.

This was just rude. Damn it geezer Hagoromo.

Hours later Naruto saw that everyone in the family fell asleep. That's when he had a literal out of body experience as he was met with the floating form of Hagoromo. He looked down at himself and saw that he was much taller, bigger, and matured. Hagoromo watched him test out his spiritual body right before Naruto pointed at him.

The young adult was puffing out steam as his face turned redder than overheated lava.

"Okay old man! Why in the fuck am I doing this shit again! First I am woken up into a baby, and then I see my real parents drop me off like a bruised sack of potatoes, and now I'm in a house with people without most of my chakra!" Naruto's yelling was finished with heavy breathing, the huff and puff of a very angry Naruto surprised the Sage of Six Paths. The man nodded right before he spoke.

"I can see your confusion. But trust me, you will be needed once again. This world is not what it seems as of now. But I promise you, in the future you will know what may transpire. Now, you may be confused but it will take time for you to realize what I mean. However I speak truth. You will be needed once again, and when the time comes, I trust you to use your gut and to do what's right."

Naruto thought about his words and sighed before crossing his arms grumpily.

"Fine! I'll save the world again! I'm still mad at you though." The blonde pouted and Hagoromo slipped a smile a very minuscule smile.

"How about this? I can't tell you what will happen, but I can at least grant you a status of physical height that you may appreciate."

"...Are you trying to win my friendship by telling me you can make me taller?" He received a very enthusiastic nod.

They stood there for a few seconds with Naruto pouting and Hagoromo waiting patiently right before Naruto relented.

"I don't know how tall I want to be okay? 5"11 was pretty good for me. But then again.. I've always wanted to be taller than Pervy Sage.."

"How about 200 centimeters?" Naruto widened his eyes right before he gasped.

"That's WAY taller than Pervy Sage! Like 9 centimeters taller! You can do that?" Hagoromo simply nodded. Naruto then leaped up with a fit of joy, pumping his fist enthusiastically. Hagoromo simply waited for the blonde to settle down.

Although it was quite unnerving even for him to see the Chosen One get excited over being taller than his master.

Oh well, it is what it is.

Naruto had finally calmed down but then realized something.

"Wait, when do I become taller? How long will it take me to grow into that height? Oh god I hope I don't have to wait like a thousand years or something." Hagoromo immediately shook his head.

"You'll reach that certain stature the year that what I perceived comes to fruition." Naruto frowned before sighing.

"I'll be 6"5 when trouble comes brewing. Great, I'll have a year to celebrate before everything goes to shit."

"Unfortunately that is all I can do for you. The Universe itself doesn't appreciate me interfering in a regular mortal's lives. But I have my faith in you. My time is up and I will have to make my exit. Remember what I've told you. Trust your gut, believe in your instincts and everything will fall into place. Farewell Naruto Uzumaki. I bid you good luck." Hagoromo then faded away as Naruto's adult stature was then sunk back into his baby form.

Son of a bitch.

18 Years Later

"Beth if we're late for school I'll kill you." A taller, much more broader Naruto called out as he waited impatiently tapping his foot and palming his face all the while.

"Shut up Nate. I just forgot a few thangs. We won't be late." A shorted blonde girl huffed as she playfully slapped his whiskered cheek right before hopping into the blonde's car. Naruto sighed right before he got into the driver's seat.

What he drove was a black "2006 Hummer H2 SUT 4DR Crew Cab Truck" or as he would like to call it. The Party Mobile. It could fit plenty of people, and it had a lot of room to it. It was very satisfactory in his opinion. Oh and, the mileage was nice as well as the handling. Also it definitely gave him some good rep at school. However he could do that himself. He was actually a star athlete at school (thank you Hagoromo) and he was popular, unlike his first unfortunate past beginnings.

His first adoptive mother Josephine died and someone else came along to fill the void for the now balding Hershel. Her name was Annette and she is blonde which Beth inherited, his first step-sister. Shawn also came along with Annette, he was older than Maggie actually, but he was overall a nice overprotective goofball. It was Maggie's words not his. However Beth and him would agree.

Speaking of Beth.

"Beth. School is a ten minute drive. We have 15 minutes, and that includes me having to go through traffic and find a parking space." Naruto's faceapalm was evident to his frustration.

"We're not gonna be late. So, are ya gonna sit there and babble or drive? Bossman." She stuck her tongue out and Naruto smiled and pressed his foot to the gas pedal.

Then they were off.

Once they arrived to school Naruto had met up with his friends as Beth pinched his cheek goodbye. She was a Sophomore and he was a Senior, they would rarely get classes let alone see each other and he honestly thought it sucked. Beth and him were basically best friends which was odd for siblings. Weren't they supposed to like annoy and hate each other with a burning passion?

Jeez, if he came to that conclusion then he should really stop watching Teen Dramas. The genre of those kind of shows really put thoughts into his head. Speaking of thoughts, he had to go to math first thing in the morning.

Fuck.

Beth was having a more profound morning, her and Nate had to rush to class after saying hi to their friends in the hall and she was now in art class. There was just something about finger painting that soothed her. She was surrounded by her friends as well as a pretty cool teacher. She hoped Nate was alright, he hated math class, so he was most likely suffering the worst kind of morning so far.

Speaking of Nate

Naruto, quite literally desired oh so much to get Hershel's pump action shotgun and just blast his brains to space with it.

If he heard his teacher mention another X or a Y or any other stupid thing involving math and roots and numbers he was going to lose it. Or maybe he already did. Now he has been driven insane with his own thoughts and emotions.

Free at last.

And then the teacher started talking again.

Damn you Hagoromo.

1 Week Later

"Hey Nate, Chet and I are gonna make a run into town. Wanna tag along?" It was Shawn who asked and Naruto grinned at him. If it wasn't for Shawn, he would've been sure that Maggie and Beth would've already used their Withcraft on him to turn him into another girl so that they can overrule Hershel and take over the world with their brute feminism.

'Thank you so much Shawn. Just thank you.'

"Unfortunately I can't. My math teacher gave me this project to work on. He said I had to find a lowerclassmen to explain this to so that they can understand it fully. Which is honestly a ton of crap." Naruto vented and Shawn sat next to him on the very orange bed covered sheets.

"It's okay lil bro. I hated math too. And guess what? I had to do the exact same thing. Except with Maggie. And my tip is. Good luck. Haha. See you later, you want anything?" Shawn stood up and was about to close the door right before Naruto sighed.

"A whole crate of orange soda honestly.." Shawn raised an eyebrow before asking,

"Is that all? Or.."

"Ramen. Please don't forget the ramen." The sigh of defeat came faster than Shawn could nod and close the door.

"Beth! Get yer ass in here!" Naruto called out and the blonde came running.

He was glad Hershel was tending the horses, otherwise he would've had to put money in the swear jar.

Annette was out watering the plants, and she would've just lashed out, then make him put money in the swear jar. Double what Hershel told him to put most of the time.

"Alright what's up?" She sat next to him onto his bed as Naruto took out a textbook.

"I.. need to explain this stupid project to you." Naruto grumbled and Beth laughed.

"Oh no. Do I need ta get a pillow, blankets, snacks, oh and some drinks? This may take a while I'm guessin." Naruto sighed before flopping back first onto his bed.

Beth decided to lie down next to him and pinch his cheek.

"I was kiddin! Partially." She giggled and Naruto grumbled before turning to his side and putting a pillow over his ear.

Beth smiled as she rubbed his shoulder comfortingly, or teasingly. Either way it was an attempt at something so he hit her in the face with the pillow he was already using.

"Oh, by the way. Did you know, Maggie's comin back today?" She asked as she pulled Naruto's orange blankets up for warmth. Naruto turned over to face her and he raised his eyebrows.

"Is she taking a break from college or something?" Beth nodded and Naruto grinned.

"Thank God. You can annoy her instead now." He received a smack on the arm for the remark and he chuckled.

"Worth it." Beth smiled as well as they laid there doing nothing. It was nice honestly, to be so comfortable with someone that silence itself wasn't even unnerving.

Speaking of unnerving.

"Nate! Beth! Come down here!" That was Hershel's voice. Both Beth and Naruto sprinted downstairs to see what was going on. Right then they realized it became night time and they had some new guests.

"Um, hey there." It was a tall black man with short black hair and a full grown beard. With him was a little girl who hid behind the man nervously. Naruto looked around to see that Chet just left and Shawn had approached the porch.

"I see you've brought a couple guests." Hershel stood and the man with the little girl came closer to greet.

"Your boy's a lifesaver."

"Well, I'm glad he could be of help to somebody. So it's just you and your daughter then?" That's when Naruto felt Beth brush up against him as they stared at the interaction.

"Wait, what's been going on?" Beth's question was answered with two jarring looks from the guests.

"You haven't heard yet? There's dead people walking around eating people." The man's response caught the two off guard as Naruto frowned.

'This must be what Hagoromo was talking about. Walking dead cannibals? What kind of shit is that?' Naruto frowned right before he walked up to the man.

"We haven't heard about it. Some of us are too busy to watch TV while we have to tend the farm. But it all sounds a little bit crazy."

"Well it's true. From what I've seen, there's been a cop that died and brought back to life. I had to see it with my own two eyes." Hershel squinted at that fact.

"My family never did catch your name. What was it?" The man nodded right before patting the little girl's hatted head.

"I'm Lee. This is Clementine." Beth smiled at that right before walking up to her. It made her nervous but Lee held her in place to greet.

"I'm Beth Greene, my dad over there is Hershel, and this is Nate, my stepbrother." Beth grinned while she knelt down to Clementine's height.

"H-hi.." Her nervous words were enough to get Beth near squealing.

"Do you want to look around the house? I promise I won't take you away from your daddy." Beth comforted and Clementine nodded.

"Oh, um. I'm not her dad. I'm her babysitter. Parents have been in Atlanta ever since all of this started happenin." Lee explained and Hershel knelt down to Clementine.

"Honey, do you know this man?" Lee would've been lying if he said he didn't felt off put by the suspicion but let Clementine answer anyways.

"Yes." Her short response seemed to satisfy the much older man as Naruto went up to Lee.

"I've noticed that you're mostly favoring your right leg. As well as the blood and cut on your left. Sit down and we'll get you patched up." Naruto said as Lee nodded, sitting in one of the chairs decorated on the porch.

"I'd appreciate it." Lee said and Naruto nodded.

"Beth, before you take Clementine on a tour, make sure to get me the first aid kit." Beth nodded right before she went inside. Clementine stood next to Lee to make sure he was okay and Naruto smiled at that.

"This looks worse than it is." Naruto summarized and Lee sighed as Naruto prodded around the wound.

"It looks swollen to Hell." Hershel commented and Lee nodded to him.

"It hurts like Hell."

"I'm sure it does. But it'll heal in a few days. If Beth can hurry up with that first aid kit!" Naruto called out right as Beth walked out the door. She stuck her tongue out at Naruto as he grabbed a bandage roll out of the kit.

"How did this happen anyways?" Naruto asked as he started wrapping the bandage around the bloodied wound. Lee winced and hissed at the pain but answered anyways.

"It was a car accident."

"I wouldn't doubt it. Some people would have gotten worse than this actually. You were pretty lucky." Naruto commented and Lee nodded.

"Where were you headed? Before the car accident?" Hershel asked as Naruto started to finish.

"Home."

"Where's home?"

"I grew up in Macon. When we were in the car we hit a guy. One of those things we've been talking about, on the road."

"Who were you with?"

"A police officer. He was giving me a ride. Said he was gonna head home to his wife. Wanted to give me a ride since I looked like a 'pitiful hitchhiker'."

"That was awfully nice of him." Naruto commented this time.

"It's awfully nice of you to help bandage me up." Lee countered and Naruto smirked.

"Touche. Now that's all done. I'm sure my dad would agree since our house is full with family members that you two should sleep in the barn for the time bein. There's another displaced family of three there, a husband, wife, and son. You and Clementine can feel free to rest there once everything is done here." Naruto then turned to Clementine and patted her on the head.

"If what everything Lee said was true, then I am sorry that you've gone through what you did. And I can't imagine what that's like. But I'll tell you right now, the fact you're still here says a lot about you." Naruto smiled and Clementine blushed before smiling as well.

"..Like what?" Naruto chuckled before rubbing her capped head.

"It says you're a little cutie pie. But most importantly-" Naruto knelt down and poked a finger to her chest, right where her heart was located.

"You've got the heart, and the strength to make it through anything." Naruto answered and he bid everyone farewell as Beth followed him in, being too tired for that tour she was gonna take Clementine on. However she pecked the little girl on the forehead and said they'll do it tomorrow. Hershel said his goodnight too while Lee and Clementine headed down to the barn.

Beth however, was very impressed with her step-brother.

"Wow, I didn't know you were so kind. What have you been hiding all these years huh?" Beth giggled and Naruto flicked her on the forehead before sitting on his bed.

"Go to bed, you're bothering me dumb dumb." Naruto laughed as Beth's mouth gaped.

"You're a jerk. You know that right?"

"I do. Just like the back of my right hand." Naruto's grin was infectious as Beth pinched his cheek with one as well.

"Goodnight dork."

"Goodnight dumb dumb." With that everyone slept, off to a peaceful slumber.

When Naruto woke up he woke up to the sound of someone, (most likely Beth) knocking onto his door. Right then she opened it as he was about to get up.

"Daddy wants you and Shawn outside with the chores." Beth informed and Naruto sighed before putting on his work clothes. Which included an orange muscle tee, gloves, and black work pants. Naruto saw that Shawn was working on the fence with Lee. The taller black man was cutting up boards while Shawn hammering nails into them to fortify. Naruto looked around to see Clementine sat down with Katjaa while Kenny working on his truck. Naruto then witnessed Duck run around Kenny's truck excitedly before plopping down next to Katjaa and Clementine. Naruto headed toward Shawn and Lee, grabbing some nails and a hammer along the way.

"How's the fence coming along guys?" Naruto asked as he grabbed a piece of wood and started hammering.

"It's going pretty well, I think." Lee answered and Shawn nodded.

"Nate, dad doesn't know how bad it is. There was a guy I saw in Atlanta. He killed a kid, a boy. H-he just shot him right in the face." His shaken reply made Naruto frown as he hammered another nail in.

"Damn. Was he one of the Walkers?" Lee asked and Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"Walkers huh? Odd name." His remark made the two shrug.

"Well, they walk everywhere. I don't think I've seen any of them do anything besides walk. Unless you count eating us anyways." Naruto simply nodded to Lee's answer before looking to Shawn who sighed.

"Yeah.. I couldn't tell if he was attacking the guy or asking for help. The guy didn't even hesitate. He just put the barrel right in between the kid's eyes.. and pulled the trigger. Y'all don't see things like that. It's not like in the movies." Shawn was shaken and Naruto patted his shoulder comfortingly before reinforcing the fence once more. He had a lot to think about. Meanwhile Lee made a hum of acknowledgement.

"They.. don't fall like you think."

"So did you have to kill one of them?" Naruto had asked this time and Lee nodded solemnly.

"I did. That cop I was with. I shot him with his own shotgun. Then a half hour later, I had to bash a poor girl's brains in." Naruto frowned at that but didn't say anything. Shawn meanwhile widened his eyes before gulping.

"Damn. I wouldn't be able to do that. I'm just glad we're getting this fence built. Ever since dad found out he's just wanted to keep the family safe and he thinks that inviting people in is a bigger threat than whatever's out there." That's when Naruto interjected.

"I disagree with dad. If this thing is as big as you're saying it is, then the people alive sticking together need to do just that. Now, I'm not saying we should host an army at our farm, but if people want to help make the world back the way it was I say we help them too. Like Lee and Clementine. They're harmless, and that family we took in? They've been a huge help with the chores. I'm sure everyone can play their part and we can get through this thing." Naruto spoke and Lee smiled at that.

"He's right. If we're not sticking together then what are we sticking to?" Shawn had to give Lee's question some thought and shrugged.

"Family I guess. I sure would stick to them, speaking of that. How's yours Lee?"

"My parents are in Macon with my brother. As for my ex-wife.. I have no clue where she is." There was an awkward silence after that before Naruto turned around to see Duck on the tractor near them. He raised his eyebrow at the mysterious appearance before asking,

"Duck, when did you get there?" As if the question sparked a hidden lightning bolt the boy was erratic with his response.

"Magic! Like Houdini!" His simple answer left him satisfied right before he saw that Shawn dismissed Lee and wanted to be alone. Naruto left the pair before looking to see where Beth was. He rounded the corner to see Clementine talking to Katjaa, however Naruto walked passed them simply giving off a wave for greeting before seeing Beth tending to the horses.

"You always seem to stick to Nervous Nelly huh?" Naruto leaned on a nearby post as Beth simply smiled.

"She's not that bad. She's pretty great to ride. Besides, she reminds me of well, me." Naruto chuckled at that, right before sidling up to his fellow blonde and stroking Nelly's mane.

"Yeah. I guess you are a Nervous Nelly huh?" Naruto said and Beth hit him in the arm.

"I am not that nervous. I'm just.. cautious." Naruto knew all too well how Beth behaves in order to believe such a cover up.

He laughed once more. Beth stopped stroking Nelly's mane to glare playfully at him before sighing as she grabbed a bucket of water. She placed it in front of Nelly who gratefully drank from the liquid substance.

"So what to ya think of all this?" It was a comforting silence that was born before, however she decided to break it.

Naruto just sighed before she patted him on the arm.

"It shouldn't last too long right? Maybe it's just a for now kind of thang." Her reassurance didn't quite help but it was certainly a sweet thought. Naruto simply grasped the hand that patted his arm into his before resting his chin atop her head. It was hard to do since he was much taller than her but he made it work. They simply stayed like that for a while, nothing but each other's presence to worry about.

Then they heard a scream.

"Shawn!" They both immediately let go and bolted toward the direction of where they heard it. Naruto was the first to arrive immediately surveying the scene.

There were three mangled up gray, blood ridden walking corpses trying desperately to force their way in through the fence on Shawn's side. While there were just as many trying to take Duck away from the tractor. Naruto saw Lee trying to save Shawn by desperately trying to lift up the tractor. While Kenny sprinted toward Duck to get the Walkers off of him. Naruto cursed before taking out the hammer he had on him and bashing a Walker's brains in, specifically the one closest to Shawn.

He took out another one grabbing at Duck and kept switching in between.

He was fortunate for his natural innate ability to kill as all 6 Walkers were dead right before Hershel came back out with his shotgun. Shawn didn't have a scratch on him as Duck didn't either. Hershel immediately went over to Shawn to catch him into a breathtaking hug.

"Nate saved me.. they were so close.. One of them almost.. Oh my god." Shawn balled his eyes out as Naruto pulled the tractor from his leg while Kenny consoled Katjaa and Duck. That's when Clementine sprinted toward Lee to see if he was okay. Lee gave her some comforting words that he wouldn't ever let those Walkers get him for her sake. Naruto simply surveyed the scene right before he felt someone hug him from behind.

Beth.

"You saved our brother, and that kid. What are you, some kind of hero?" The question was meant to be humorous, but Naruto didn't even chuckle. Not with her tears staining his back. He simply let her stay like that until she was able to move herself from him. It took a while but it was enough for everyone to recuperate.

Naruto patted her head before holding her hand into his once more. Naruto looked around again to see that Shawn was sporting a limp as Hershel and Lee aided him to walk inside. Kenny was still talking to Katjaa and Duck as he followed the trio inside. Naruto was gonna follow them in, but he needed to repair the fence.

Beth knew exactly what he was thinking as she went to cut some two by fours. Naruto appreciated the help as he hammered the planks in, using Shawn's hammer instead of his bloodied one.

After a few minutes Naruto and Beth headed inside to see everyone crowded around Hershel who bandaged up Shawn's leg in the bedroom. Shawn smiled when he saw his siblings right before he grunted as Hershel wrapped up a cut from a fallen plank.

"Nate, if you hadn't been there.. I don't know what would've happened-"

"Then don't think about it. I just wanted to keep you and Duck away from those Walkers, and that's exactly what I did." Shawn nodded toward him before closing his eyes in pain.

"It seems you have two boys for lifesavers Hershel. Nate was a big help out there. I don't think I could have saved Shawn by myself." Lee admitted and Hershel finally looked up, he was most apparent in his silence out of everyone.

"I'm grateful to you two, I truly am. Lee you did your best to save by boy. And Nate, I am so, so, proud of you." There were tears that nearly stained his cheeks but he blinked them away. Hershel sat on a chair near Shawn's bedside before sighing.

"Shawn's leg was severely sprained from all the weight from the tractor. He won't be able to walk for a week or two but he'll make a full recovery. I'm going to talk to Annette to make sure she hears about what's been going on. If y'all are still willing to work the farm that's okay by me, but things are going to be changing around here." Hershel said before getting up and walking off. Everyone's faces was worn with a thin line right before Kenny looked to Lee.

"You have that ride to Macon if you want it. Especially after today, if things like that keep happening around here then it ain't safe." Kenny said and Lee nodded while holding Clementine's hand. Beth meanwhile glared at the man.

"What? How could you say this place isn't safe? After one attack? If anything it's safer than being out on the road and-" She was stopped by Naruto's hand who led her out of the room.

"i'm going with them." The words struck her deeply as her eyes widened with shock.

"W-what? Why? Nate, we need you here. Where daddy, mom, and Shawn are. We need you here to help, and, and, and.." Beth stopped rambling as tears flowed down her cheeks. Naruto frowned right before taking her head and placing it into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her as she sunk into the warmth of his body. She didn't want him to leave, she needed him here, just like she needed blood in her veins. Without him here, she'll.. she'll..

"You'll be okay y'know." She widened her eyes before looking into Naruto's ocean blue ones. She felt him use his hand to wipe her tears away, and she let him merely not resisting to every single touch he and she would have before he left and they drifted apart.

"Shawn will be here to protect you guys, Maggie's coming back from college, dad is out more and mom is doing what mom does. This family will be okay while I protect those people. I don't have a specific reason why I need to go, but I cannot let these people leave without me being there." Those words made Beth hug him deeper as she inhaled his fresh earthly scent. It calmed her like it did when they were younger.

When they were younger Naruto had protected her from all of the monsters she dreamed about, going as far as to let her sleep in his bed when she couldn't sleep on her own. Ever since Beth was born Naruto and her had been inseparable, so the fact that he is going to leave now of all times right when the world is going to crumble was almost too much to bear. But just like always, his presence made it all better.

"I'm going to miss you."

"Me too Baby doll, me too."

They stayed there like that, until they couldn't anymore.

Naruto, Lee, and Kenny, packed all of their belongings into the RV as they set out for Macon. When Naruto brought up that he wanted to come along Kenny didn't even question it once he looked the blonde up and down with his 6"5 stature. The only thing Kenny wanted for Naruto was for him to at least say a farewell to his family or in his words,

"You better say bye to them now kid. You may never get the chance to once we leave." Naruto took those words to heart and so he said his goodbyes.

Hershel took it with a frown and tried to argue about it. However Annette, Beth, and Shawn all agreed that if he wanted to go that he should. Beth wanted to cry that he was going away but stayed strong so that he could see a smile on her face one last time.

Shawn was still bedridden until Hershel gave him the go ahead. The older male told Naruto to be careful, and that it's going to be scary out there. So he shouldn't die on him until they see each other again.

Annette kissed him on his cheek, forehead, and then on his other cheek multiple times so that she could stem her own tears. She told him to stay safe and that there will be a big batch of pie and brownies for when he returns. Naruto held his surrogate mother close as Hershel came for a final talk.

"You know I don't approve of this right?" The much older man sighed as he rested a hand on his much taller son.

"I know you don't dad. But, I just felt like I needed to do this. They'll need me. I'm sure you guys can handle it while I take care of them." Naruto spoke and Hershel smiled so fondly. That's when Hershel reached into his pocket and took out something that Naruto thought he would never see.

It was a black elastic headband with a shiny silver plate stitched into it. But what caught the blonde's eyes was the symbol on that silver plate.

The symbol that lay there was of his old home's former allegiance, the symbol of the Hidden Leaf Village. Or as it was proudly spoken, "Konohagakure." Naruto was speechless for a few seconds right before he took his rightful headband into his hands.

"W-what.. why?" Those were the only words that could be said from him as Hershel smiled proudly as he took the boy he raised into a hug.

"It's a parting gift. From me, and from your real parents." Naruto retracted from the hug with widened ocean eyes, looking into Hershel's crystal ones in confusion.

"You never told me I wasn't your real son." Naruto already knew that but he had to know why Hershel never told him until now.

"I never had the chance to. But now that you're leaving.. I felt it was right to tell you. Because no matter what, you will always be my boy. I am so proud of who you are, and who you will be. I honestly don't know if the situation will get even worse of it will just blow over by night. But even then, there was just only one way to make sure these last moments that we have aren't wasted." Hershel grabbed Naruto's head and planted a kiss on his forehead, making sure to convey all of the feelings only a doting father could convey. The both separated from the embrace and Naruto hopped into his black "2006 Hummer H2 SUT 4DR Crew Cab Truck". Kenny started his RV and was about to rev his hummer right before someone opened up his right passenger door.

"Wait! I'm goin too!" Beth had all of her luggage and things packed and tossed it into the back. Naruto widened his eyes at her appearance.

"What the fuck Beth?!" Naruto exclaimed and she huffed crossing her arms.

"Daddy and mom don't like it but they didn't say no. Shawn encouraged me and we're here. Now come on before they start leavin!" Beth punched him in the arm and he groaned before following the RV.

Of course this girl would come and ruin his plan to leave by himself. At the thought of this his lips started quirking up..

No he wasn't smiling. He wasn't. He looked over at the RV then stole a glance from his peripherals at the petite blonde next to him. She had both hands on her lap as she gazed out of the window deep into her thoughts.

He smiled and used his right hand to take her left, caressing it as he did so. The reaction was immediate but timid.

"W-what are you-"

"I'm glad you came along with me." Naruto admitted and Beth's cheeks took on a rosy hue before caressing his hand back noting how much larger it was in her own.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

(A:N I hope you guys enjoyed the first story I've ever started, I've had this idea ever since I watched Naruto- Shippuden as well as played all four of TWD season and watching the TWD series up to season 9. However what made me start writing is the fact that I read some stories that were satisfactory and unsatisfactory. So I figured I "might as well do it myself." Please review and help me improve this story. P.S. Aren't the chibi versions of the characters cute?!)