A/N: Read this note, would kindly? It would mean the world to this tired old man...
Would you look at that? Here I am, updating something that isn't Elden Ring. Still trying to get my A03 account off the ground -same name as this account- but that seems to have failed. Guess Fanfiction is the more popular site after all...
Still here, still kicking, despite the pain.
Why...its enough to drive a man...
...MAD.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? POOF! Gone. Completely. I'm working two jobs -might need a third soon!- so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Now for your questions, comments and concerns. We'll keep it brief this time.
Q: Will you update more on A03.
A: Not at this time. Its not worth burning myself out for no feedback.
Q: Whatcha updating next?
A: A whole slew of different genres. Gotta keep people happy, ya know.
Q: Some of them can't be saved, you know. Some of those bastards deserve to die.
A: I'm well aware. Naruto's not all knowing, we've seen him fail once in "Shed No Grace" and if he isn't careful here, he might do the same.
Q: Who's best girl in this story?!
A: I think we all know the answer to that~!
Alright then, I think I've kept you long enough.
Hope you're prepared for the surprises in this little ficlet~!
As ever, I own no quotes, references, themes or memes. I'm just a writer.
"'Tis better to be ready for a war that never comes, than unprepared for a disaster when all is said and done...
Unfortunately for you, there's no stopping this disaster.
Because it -he!- has a name. And he will not rest.
Until it is done. Till they are saved."
~?
Folly of Man
Gascoigne knew beasts.
He fought them every night, both within and without.
Tonight was no different than any other...or so it should have been.
CLANG!
Instead an open palm caught his ax and deflected the towering weapon; the ensuing swing left the Hunger unbalanced. His foe took full advantage. He stepped in and swung, smacking his gun down with one hand as he drove the other against his chest. The impact sent him sprawling into the graveyard. A hand seized him by the face to smash him down, braining him against the tombstone. Mercifully the latter gave way before his skull could, yet it did nothing for the pain.
Oh gods, the pain.
An ache in every bone, a promise to die alone if he didn't atone.
He knew what was to come, the beast would finish him then and there; use the chance to dash his brains against the dirt...
.
..
...but it didn't.
Against all odds, his attacker let him go. A boot nudged his ribs, rolling him over onto his back.
"Had enough yet?" A familiar voice catcalled his way. "Or do I need to smack some more sense into you?"
Father Gascoigne stumbled upright to face his foe, that infuriating smiling beast in the form of a man. But it wasn't now, was it? No matter how much it claimed to be. A beast was a beast. He knew their kind well. Beasts all over the shop. He'd be one of them sooner or later. Just like him-no, wait. Gnarled thorns of cruel confusion pricked at his heart and drew him back. That wasn't right. He wasn't a beast. Was he? His skull ached anew, imaging dancing in his mind's eye.
Wife.
Daughters.
He...he had a family. Didn't he?
Beasts didn't have family...so what was he? Everything was blurring together in a mad red slurry. Pain spiked through his skull. He clutched at his temples, trying to shove it away through sheer willpower alone, and failed on that front, too. No attack came. He almost wished it would. Better to lose himself in the hunt than to suffer this...!
"You really are a mess, aren't you?" Still the blond mocked him for his failure. Or maybe he wasn't mocking at all. Perhaps he felt sorry for him. Impossible tell; those wild blue eyes revealed nothing-nor did his smile reach them. It was like staring into the abyss...and the abyss stared back. "We don't have to do this, you know. You could put your weapon down, talk to me...
Gascoigne's arm snapped up. His gun barked. Buckshot sprayed harmlessly against the blond's golden chest.
...really? I offer you an olive branch and you shoot me? Rude!"
"Yer...just like the rest." the Hunter staggered, clutching at his head, warding his ax before himself. He could hear the sweet blood singing to him. It was enough to make a man sick. "Too proud to show your real face, eh? I know your kind...!"
A long suffering sigh pierced the night. "Really? You're still on about that?"
Another sweep of his ax was met with a cloud of smoke
"Bloody beast! Show your face!"
"I already told you! This is my real face you sonuva-no. You know what? Fine." a rare look of utter fury passed across the blond's whiskered visage, only to inexplicably settle into cold, implacable calm. "Have it your own way." Gascogine would've much rather preferred the rage; this strange new calm terrified him...as did those scarlet slits. Hadn't they been blue a moment ago? "Seven minutes."
What manner of madness was this? It was getting hard to think, moreso to speak. "What're you...getting at?"
"You heard me." The "Hunter" cast his weapon aside, planted his feet, and crossed both arms before his chest. "Seven minutes." whiskered cheeks dimpled in a grin bordering on manic. "That's all the time I can spare to play with you." he took a step forward, glaring bloody red daggers at him. "Take out your frustrations on me. Your madness. Your rage. Your hate. Throw everything you have at me...and I'll blow it all away. Then I'm gonna drag your sorry ass back to your family-
"I have no family!"
Sadness and sorrow flashed across the boy's face. "Yes, you do."
Gascoigne lunged with a feral snarl. His axe tasted dirt. A booted foot stomped down, trapping his weapon. Naruto leaned forward to grin at him. He released it, chambered his shotgun, and shot the blond dead in the face. It should've ended there. But it didn't. His prey's snapped back in a shower of buckshot, swung down thrice as fast, grinning with silver in his mouth. Then he spat it back at him. Blood flew through the air. Gascoigne took the rounds straight to the chest, fumbled for a blood vial, stepped back now-
A hand caught his wrist, reeling him in like a fish on a line.
"Now, now." his adversary hummed, "Don't run away. We have so much to discuss!"
Golden knuckles made themselves intimate with his face in a way no self-respecting hunter desired. Once. Twice. Thrice. On the fourth strike, his vision finally cleared enough to allow him a counterattack. He reared back and bit the fist pummeling him. For what little good it did him. A startled squawk was his reward as the blond released him to massage his aching knuckles.
"Really!? You're a man, not a beast! Don't bite me!"
Gascoigne didn't dare answer; he lashed out, cutting down at him with his ax in both hands.
He couldn't hit the bastard. Each strike came within an inch of cutting him down, but every time he swayed aside, giving ground with that sad smile of his. He'd sworn to give him seven minutes, but for all that, he didn't land a single blow. It burned. The anger. The rage. Blood boiled in his veins and his sense of self slipped away with it. Made him want to give in. Transform, become a beast himself.
"Time's up."
Up came a bandaged hand, cradling a tiny box. A familiar box. Gascoigne squinted at it. Scowled now as the blond wound up the crank on its side and-
PAIN! Agony! Fire! Blood! The music was the softest of melodies and yet they brought him naught but misery. Memories!
Clenched knuckles barreled in at his face. For once he couldn't stop them. His head snapped the side. Up came his ax again, but this time the blond wasn't having it. Strong hands caught his weapon, ripped it aside and beat him the blunt edge it. Stars sang before Gascoigne's vision, countless eyes in the sky. He blinked them away too late. The blond descended upon him fists swinging.
And then...
...quite simply put...
...his existence became pure pain.
Bam!
"You have a family!
Smack!
"They're waiting for you, damnit!"
Thruck!
"I'm gonna drag you back to 'em!
Crunch!
"Kicking and screaming if I have to!"
Thud.
The last hit, a knee to the gut, folded Gascoigne clean in half. All the strength fled from him, leaving him to double over, wasted and gasping for air. A hand closed around his throat and ripped him off the ground, leaving his feet dangling in the air. Harsh red eyes blazed up at him, like the gaze of some fell god.
"Now hold still and let me fix your everything."
As he struggled the blond raised his free hand and bit it. Blood flowed forth from his palm, the skin there still gleaming gold. He slapped it over Gascoigne's nose and mouth and held firm. Something sharp and sweet hit his nose. The choice was obvious. Drink or suffocate, submit or die. Already could feel his world slipping away. Had to breathe! Couldn't breathe...!
"Hrngh...!"
Naruto hummed.
"Be a good boy and swallow."
(.0.0.0.)
Gascoigne was damn heavy.
In hindsight, slinging the man over his shoulder and walking back might've been something of a poor choice, but he couldn't bring himself to leave the man behind. It was a quick journey all things considered; he was careful to skirt the packs of beasts and avoid maddened townsfolk where he could. Really, it was just a matter of taking to the rooftops. Few could hope to get up there, and those that could were swiftly left behind in his wake. All too easy, really.
Was it cheating? Undoubtedly.
Did he care? Nooooope!
...what did you do?"
"Finally awake, are we?" He laughed when the man groaned on his back. "I'm taking you to your family. Don't bother objecting. You have no say in the matter."
Gascoigne growled. "I'll hurt them...
"No, you won't. I flushed your system. You'll be a bit weaker for a few hours, but-
"Daddy!"
"Husband?!"
A series of sharp cries cut him off, and he realized he'd arrived.
There is nothing purer in this world than a child's smile. Certainly not a child rushing to welcome her father home with her mother.
Naruto hid a smile behind his hand as he lowered Gascoigne to the ground. He hadn't been nearly so far gone as the Cleric Beast; a bit of blood and chakra and he was right as rain. Well, as good as a formerly blood drunk hunter could be. Made him feel all warm and fuzzy it did. Watching mother and daughter fuss over him brought him more joy than any battle possible could.
Unfortunately he'd failed to account for something.
Little Louise saw him. "Mister Hunter!"
Wuh-oh.
He had all of an instant brace himself, then young Louise was upon him, slamming into his left knee and latching on for dear life.
"Thank you!" Her words dissolved into a teary babble as she buried her head into his trousers. "Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing my daddy back!"
His face flushed with embarrassment. Sage above, he wasn't used to people thanking him like this. Still, she didn't seem keen on letting him
"Uh...sure. Can you let go, now?"
Little Louise shook her head and clung tight.
Naruto gave his leg a shake. No use. She clung on like a limpet.
Her mother smiled. "You'll not be rid of her that easily good hunter."
That much was obvious. He blew out a sigh. "Fine. Lets get you three somewhere safe...
Staying in their house was out of the question. Barred windows or not, the place just wasn't safe. Beasts prowled nearby, and Gascoigne was barely conscious, much less in any real shape to fight. He'd need someplace safe to recover, both his senses and his strength. But where...?
"Good hunter," Gascoigne's wife piped up anew, "I believe the church up yonder is a safe place during the hunt."
"Is it now?"
Louise nodded against his leg. "It is! Mama took us there last year!"
"Indeed." Said mother granted him a nod and pointed up, back the way he'd come. "The incense helps keep the beasts away."
He cast a glance to the distant spires high above. "Well, guess we're headed up, then."
(.0.0.0.)
Gascoigne's wife was a woman of her word.
A quick ascent and passage up a long ladder brought them to the church proper; a grand cathedral of gothic make, lovely in an old, faded away. He'd never been one for architecture, but he could see the appeal here...if one were to ignore the statutes. Gascoigne and his family took the chance to settle down in an unoccupied corner with their meager belongings. Naruto left them to it and made his excuses to take his leave. He'd brought them enough trouble for one night. They deserved their rest.
He, however, could not rest on his laurels so easily.
His curiosity had already driven him elsewhere. Best to scout out while he could, ya know? Besides, there was something off about this place. Something...here. He could sense it just past the entrance, a looming presence lurking past the main thoroughfare. He slipped out into cool air, working his way forward. Where was it? He couldn't see anything. Yet his sixth sense shrieked at him.
No one challenged him.
...ominous."
It was.
He felt himself drawn further out, approaching a graveyard. Still couldn't seen anyone. But he could hear a voice now. A faint, reedy whisper hissing in his ear from on high.
"Curse the fiends, their children too. And their children, forever, true...
A strange shadow fell over him. He looked up at it.
Up.
Up again.
Up some more, now...
.
..
...mistakes were made.
"What in the in blue hell is that thing?!"
A giant hand swept down with horrid speed to snatch him up.
He pried himself free, but it was to late. Something clung to his skin. The world blurred.
A/N: Aaaaand scene.
Welcome to the Old Hunter's DLC, Naruto m'boy. You're early. Hope you have a pleasant stay.
Well? What say you? Do you want this to be a story? Yes? No? Maybe so? Make yourselves heard!
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this particular story, and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? POOF! Gone. Completely. I'm working two jobs -might need a third soon!- so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Aaaand there we go. As ever, reviews keep me alive. Without them, I cannot write. So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly? And have some previews
Get ready to smile. Or laugh. Whichever comes first.
Hope they brighten your day~!
(Previews)
"Monster? You think you're a monster, Ludwig? No." he shook his head. "No, no, no. I'm not going to fight you. I'm gonna save ya."
"A corpse should be left well enough alone."
"Oi! I tried to walk past you!" her captive glared back." Ya grabbed me!"
Because she had no other choice. She mustn't let him past her; mustn't let him reach the fishing hamlet-where had he gone? She'd held him a moment before, now she was grasping...a log?
Five firm fingers clapped down on her shoulder.
"I usually try not to hit girls...but you're ticking me off, missy."
A boot slammed into her back, shattering her chair and sending her stumbling forward.
...marry me."
The sputtering intensified.
...here goes nothing."
Steeling himself, Naruto sat down beside the Orphan of Kos. "You've had a rough time of it, eh, buddy? Wanna talk?"
It did not want to talk. "Roooooo!"
"Oi, oi, oi!" he ducked the barrage of blows. "Put the club down!"
The orphan of Kos flinched like the child it never had the chance to be. "Roooo...?"
"Don't you "Roooo" me, mister!" I said drop it!" he stabbed a finger down. "Right now! Or you'll get no desert!"
R&R~!