Merry Christmas and sorry for the long wait!
Naruto awoke with a smile on his face, unbeknownst to him. He was coming off a very pleasant dream of times gone and in opening his eyes he briefly thought it was Hinata's lap he was resting on, as he'd done so many times before. An involuntary blink of surprise set him straight, revealing in his wife's place, Miranda. This in turn, reminded him he was in fact only dreaming of her before waking to his sad reality.
Above him Miranda was asleep, her head having fallen limply to one side. It was dark inside whatever room they were in, illuminated faintly by the moon high in the sky, with only her soft snoring and the distant sounds of cricket-like chirping filling the silence.
It wasn't for a few more minutes before he finally made arguably one of the most startling of realizations in finding his head was in Miranda's lap. She had one arm resting in the crook of his sweaty neck, her fingers nesting in his hair. It was an awkward position to be and yet, Naruto found he was awfully comfortable where he lay.
Feeling an odd sensation in his chest, Naruto decided he needed to move. In attempting to do so, he felt his wounds flare up in pain but he persisted. He gently moved her hand aside to sit up, somehow pulling a nearby hat rack down. Acting out of instinct, he caught it before it hit the ground, interrupting Miranda's sleep.
Naruto ripped the makeshift bandage from his arm and removed the needle which connected him to the now empty bag hanging limply from the rack. He quickly pieced together that someone in Preston's group, if not the person himself, had treated his wounds. Whatever it was they'd given him seemed to work because, though he was still very much in pain, he also felt better.
Stronger.
His eyes widened involuntarily when he realized his chakra was actively being replenished within him. His reserves were still dangerously depleted, but he could already sense he was recovering at a much faster rate than he had since his encounter with the monster in Sanctuary. Even his aching wounds were burning in a familiar sign they were already healing.
Naruto fully stood and carefully attempted to stretch, mindful of his injuries to warm his stiff muscles. Once he'd done so he refocused on Miranda and found his features softening from a scowl he didn't realize he was wearing.
She continued to surprise him the more time they spent together. Naruto was a realist in his beliefs and as such, knew their partnership was one of convenience. She needed him to survive in order to find her daughter, and yet, she still somehow seemed to make the time to care. To be empathetic in a world that didn't deserve it.
It could be her downfall if she wasn't careful, but it was also endearing.
Naruto moved to lay her down where he once laid but stopped when he realized that the sofa, like the tattered remains of his vault suit, were caked in dried blood. As quietly as possible, he flipped the exposed cushions and unsealed a couple of spare blankets and laid it across the sofa. He then very carefully laid her down and covered her with another.
"Thank you," he whispered aloud without realizing it. He pushed aside a strand of her hair that had fallen on her open lips, finding his attention lingering on them. Naruto found himself severely tempted to palm her pink cheek until he actively realized what he was thinking and pulled his hand away.
Making friends was dangerous, Naruto had to remind himself.
He changed into a new vault suit and then limped over to the nearest recliner, allowing himself to fall into it, feeling exhaustion attempt to reclaim him but he knew he couldn't sleep. It almost did but as a result of his training and experience, he remained awake. Instead he closed his eyes to rest them while his every other sense remained on high alert, anticipating a threat that thankfully never came that night.
Just as the sun began to peek, Preston entered the room, appearing clearly surprised to find Naruto sitting, staring at him. "You're up?" He asked rather loudly as a result of his disbelief.
Naruto raised a finger to his lips with a hard look, indicating to Miranda, thankfully remained asleep.
"Sorry," Preston apologized in a whisper.
Naruto stood and ushered Preston out of the room, casting a silent shadow clone to watch over Miranda in his place. "It's fine, she just needs her rest."
"What about you?" Preston's surprise remained in place as he followed after Naruto to a nearby window, overlooking the darkened Concord streets. "I worked on you yesterday and believe me, you were pretty bad off. How're you even on your feet?"
"I've always been a fast healer," Naruto dismissed, staring out the window for any signs of movement. "Though I feeling better than before. Did you guys give me something?"
"Only some Rad-Away, but not enough to completely flush your system, mind you. Gotta admit, didn't exactly expect you to pull through. And you should have seen your wife; she was awfully worried about you."
"She's not my wife," Naruto was quick to deny.
"Oh, I just thought the way she… " Preston trailed off. "Sorry, didn't mean to assume."
"It's fine," Naruto said, hoping to move on.
An awkward moment of silence passed between them.
"Okay, well, all the better. We were thinking of heading out as soon as you recovered but I want to take this moment to formally invite you and Miranda to join our group," Preston offered sincerely.
While the offer was admittedly rather tempting, Naruto wasn't so ready to trust the group despite their immense help. Just like with Miranda, they happen to need his help to survive, but unlike with the woman, he didn't exactly care what happened to them beyond what they could offer them. Added to that, they still needed to find Miranda's daughter and he doubted they could accomplish as much traveling with such a group. It would only mean more people for him to protect.
"We're looking for a child," Naruto began, bypassing his question for his own. "A girl of about six months old. Might be traveling with a bald man and maybe two others. Have you seen anyone like that?"
"Can't say I have," Preston said regarded him oddly. "This child, what is she to you exactly?"
"She's Miranda's daughter. She was taken recently," or so he believed. Truly there was no telling exactly how much time passed from Miranda first awoke to a tragedy and when she escaped her pod. "We're looking for her."
"What kind of monster would take a baby?" Preston looked truly disgusted as he shook his head. "I'm sorry I could't be of more help in that regard, but no, can't say I've seen anyone matching that description. If I were you, I'd go to Diamond City. It's called the Crown Jewel of the Commonwealth for a reason. You might be able to get more information there, or maybe even find someone who can help you look for the girl. They do have their own police force, after all."
Naruto took the information in with great interest. Diamond City sounded civilized enough to potentially have doctors to aid him with his condition. "You said you and your people are looking for a safe place, then why not go to Diamond City yourself. Or is it really not that safe?"
Preston looked away from him. "It's as safe as it can be, I suppose. But as for your question, well it's kind of complicated and there are a few reasons. The short of it is, we wouldn't fit in, and while we could visit and maybe even stay a few nights, we don't have the caps or skills they'd want to actually live there."
"But you're a soldier," Naruto pressed, glancing at the man. "I imagine this world is in desperate need of skilled fighters. And isn't Sturges a mechanic? You can't tell me that isn't a skill that's in high demand."
"You're oddly perceptive for someone your age," Preston smiled ruefully. "And quite a skilled fighter yourself. You know, the Minute Men could use a soldier like you."
"That's not an answer," Naruto said, crossing his arms.
"No, suppose it isn't," Preston sighed. "Look, I'm sure you've got your secrets and reasons to keep 'em, and we've got ours. But for the sake of building trust between us, I'll give you one. The mayor of Diamond City, Mayor McDonough; well, he's always been against the Minute Men. Can't tell you why other than maybe he things he's got a monopoly on hope."
"Why would that be?" Naruto asked.
"Diamond City is the Common Wealth's central hub, a sanctuary of sorts for trade and business. There you can find virtually anything you need. Guns, food, clean enough water, a place to rest the night; with company if you're into that. Hell, you can even make it your home, if you've got the caps," Preston added bitterly. "If the wasteland remains a cesspool, people will continue to flock to its crowned jewel. Besides that, Momma Murphy has visions, you see. And in her most recent vision she saw a place; a sanctuary for us in which she said we'd finally begin to prosper. I reckon I believe her."
"Visions?" Naruto questioned, doing nothing to hide his disbelief.
"Momma Murphy has the amazing ability of foresight. Most people don't believe in it and if I'm being honest, I didn't either at first, and with good reason. You see, her visions come at a price. They come to her in the throws of Jet, a narcotic if you're not familiar with it," Preston informed regrettably. "But she's sometimes able to have her visions without it. She's been right before and I believe this is one of those times. But enough about us. What about my earlier offer? Will you join us, will you join the Minute Men?"
"What are the Minute Men, exactly?" Naruto asked.
"Unfortunately, you're looking at what's left," Preston appeared truly downtrodden and despondent. "But we used to be a great militia that would answer the call of those in need, offering protection at a minute's notice. Our numbers used to be in the hundreds, but little by little, we fell apart. But I still believe we can make a comeback and bring hope and prosperity to the Commonwealth. But to do this, we need people like you who can fight."
"Why me specifically?" Naruto asked, though he suspected he already knew the answer. "I'm sure there are others out there who can simply fight."
"I imagine being anything but straightforward with you won't work," Preston looked out to the rising sun. "It's like I said before, you're a good fighter. Hell, I'm sure you'd make a great leader. You seem to take charge easily enough in a situation and if I'm being frank, there ain't anyone I've ever seen who could pretty much take on an army by himself."
"So you need manpower," Naruto rightfully concluded.
"Yes. At this point I'm pretty much the only viable fighter of our group; can't exactly count the others as soldiers," Preston said, looking down.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Naruto said, putting an arm on the man's shoulder, finding he sympathized more with the man than he would ever know. "Really, I am, but right now my priorities are with Miranda and finding her daughter. I won't stray from that."
"And there isn't anything I can do to convince you otherwise?" Preston tried one more time.
"No, there isn't," Naruto said, resolute.
"Well I had to try," Preston said with a resigned sigh. "Then if you won't join, will you at least do me the favor of letting people out in the wasteland know that the Minute Men aren't gone. That hope isn't lost."
"You're only one man, Preston," Naruto turned to fully address him. "I'm sorry to say this, but you'll only be giving them false hopes. You alone won't be able to save everyone."
He tried and failed at dong so himself.
"Just keep it in mind," Preston smiled despite his harsh words. "If you ever see a settlement in danger, please help me however you can. There's hope yet."
Naruto sighed and looked back out the window to the sun now peaking in the distance. "I'll do what I can. No promises."
"It's all I can ask."
They remained in silence as the sun continued to rise until he detected his clone hidden in the shadows flare its chakra. He took that to mean Miranda was up.
"We'll be heading out soon," Naruto said, turning around. "If you're looking for sanctuary, there's a place where Miranda's from. It's a small suburb about fifteen miles south of here. Stay out of the blue house with pumpkin decorations on the walls."
"What a coincidence," Preston muttered to himself as he continued to stare out the window.
Naruto returned to the room where they were placed and found Miranda sitting up with the blanket wrapped around herself, staring forward with a look of deep contemplation. She barely glanced at him when he'd entered.
"You doing okay?" Naruto asked after a moment.
"Yes. I see you're doing better," Miranda said, absentmindedly.
"I'm feeling better," Naruto agreed.
"When were you planning on telling me you had radiation poisoning?" Miranda asked her. Her voice was strangely devoid of any emotion. "Or better yet, did you know you had radiation poisoning?"
"I did," Naruto admitted, stepping into the room.
"And why didn't you tell me?" Miranda asked, finally turning to look at him.
Naruto felt an odd twisting in his stomach at the hurt she was showing him. "I didn't want you to worry."
"That's such a stupid excuse and you know it," Miranda said rather heatedly.
"Maybe it is to you, but I had my reasons," Naruto said.
"Yeah?" Miranda stood, shaking off the blanket to stand before him. "And what exactly are those reasons?"
"I… " Naruto suddenly felt his explanation wasn't enough. "I really didn't want to worry you."
"You didn't want to worry me? That's it? That's really all you could come up with?" Miranda raised a hand to his chest, only to remember his horrid injuries. She was about to push his shoulder, but also recalled that wound. She settle for growling in frustration knowing she couldn't do anything. "Ugh, just you wait until you get better!"
"Well, if I'm being honest, I didn't think you'd care all that much if I died. After all, you only need me to — " Naruto caught her hand aimed for his face. "Don't do that," he warned.
"Why the hell would you think that?" Miranda asked, roughly pulling her hand out of his. "What makes you think I wouldn't care if you got hurt or if something happened to you. Do you really think that low of me?"
He wasn't sure how to properly answer that.
"You're right, I'm sorry. I know you need me to find your daughter and me dying jeopardizes that — " Naruto caught yet another strike aimed at his face. "What did I just say?"
"And why the hell would you think that?" Miranda demanded, tears beginning to pool her eyes.
"Please calm down, I really don't know what you're asking me," Naruto said.
She only seemed to grow angrier at his words.
"I want to know why you lied to me!" Miranda demanded through grit teeth. "Or why you thought I wouldn't care if you died!?"
Naruto took a seat, knowing his next words would have him scolded like a child. "You really want the truth?"
"Stop stalling," Miranda said as she seated herself right next to him.
Naruto almost raised a brow at her behavior and wondered where this sudden fire had come from. "I have an ability that allows me to draw strength from nature. When we first left the vault, I tried to use this ability. I figured that's how I got sick, must've absorbed the radiation from nature."
"That… I'd like to know more about that later," Miranda said. "But what does that have to do with anything?"
"I'm getting to that," Naruto said calmly. "I didn't realize just how sick I was until after fighting that monster. Normally I can heal pretty quickly but it seems the radiation is blocking that. And knowing I might die, I figured it would be best if we focused on getting you trained instead of worrying about me. At least that way you'd be prepared to face the world by yourself if I wasn't around to help you. That's it. That's the truth."
"Did Codsworth know?" Miranda asked.
Naruto wasn't sure what he was expecting her follow up question to be, but that certainly was't it. "Yes, it's actually how I found out how sick I was but I told him not to mention anything to you," he said, unsure of why he was covering for the robot.
"I'll deal with him later," Miranda said, more so to herself. "Go on."
Naruto felt oddly sympathetic for Codsworth. "It was only a few days later that I realized just how bad off I really was. That first aid kit you found was the only thing keeping me alive. Those antibiotics I told you about; they were really a medicine called Rad-X. They're a radiation suppressant more than anything but they allowed me to move about. That's why I decided to help these people. I did it to see if they had any information on your daughter, of course, but I was hoping they'd have some more Rad-X, or really anything else that could help me. Luckily they did."
"What would have happened if they didn't have any?" Miranda asked in just above a whisper.
Naruto thought about his response for a moment, trying to find the best way to voice his intentions in a way that wouldn't further upset her. Preston and his group seem like good people. I'm sure you would have done well with them." The silence that followed was heavy.
"Can you give me some time alone?" Miranda finally asked, not meeting his eyes.
"Okay," Naruto stood and made for the door. His hand was on the knob when he stopped, glancing back at her, only to find she was regarding him with teary eyes. Guilt riddled him in that moment. "I really am sorry, Miranda. I never meant to upset you. I was only trying to do what was best for you."
Miranda found it was hard to process exactly what she was feeling or thinking upon seeing the genuine emotion on his handsome face. She ultimately decided not to give it too much thought despite her racing heart and the small smile she offered him.
To make matters better or worse, she was afraid to know which was true, Naruto smiled back. Not a smirk as she'd seen before; no this was a small smile like her own and every bit as real.
And it was for her.
Naruto opened the door. "I'm gonna go gather some more supplies before we head out but I just wanted to mention that Preston and his group were looking for a safe place to settle. I told him about Sanctuary Hills. The area behind is mountainous, so it'll offer them natural protection from the rear and the river in front… well, anyway, I figured they'd do well there. What do you think? It is your home."
It was.
"Sure," Miranda agreed, wiping her eyes.
Naruto smiled at her again, this time the gesture seemed more forced, awkward really, almost frightening for how much teeth he bared. It was almost as if he didn't have much practice making the expression despite having just done so earlier. "Cheer up, we'll find your daughter."
Miranda wanted nothing more than to yell at him for leaving her with such a troubled mind while somehow also having set it at ease. Knowing now what Naruto suffered through in silence brought forth an unpleasant ache in her chest, especially knowing just how close he really came to dying. But that was't exactly what troubled her the most.
No, what was possibly more baffling yet was just how important Naruto was becoming to her. She'd only known him for all of five days and yet, she could't imagine trying to survive in such a harrowing world without him.
She settled on the idea of survival.
As selfish as it was, Miranda wanted nothing more than to believe she only needed Naruto for survival. And while not all together unsure, she couldn't deny there was more to their relationship than that now. In just a few days, Naruto had become an integral part of her new life. Survival and living were very different despite their synonymity with one another. She may survive without his protection, but she was certain she could no longer live without his presence.
She couldn't exactly pinpoint why that was.
Miranda had a favorable idea. Their relationship was quickly growing into that of a familial one akin to siblings. Even if he was younger and far more responsible and capable than herself. All traits generally befitting the eldest sibling.
But upon a closer reconsideration, friends seemed to make more sense, Miranda decided. Naruto continued to prove he was't the complete jerk he first appeared to be, but then she should have known better. Not many people would agree to undertake such a daunting task as searching for a missing child in a world completely unfamiliar.
As optimistic as she wanted to remain, Miranda was well aware of just how difficult it was going to be to find her daughter. However, with Naruto on her side, it no longer seemed so impossible, in fact, her hopes were high.
No, she knew they would find Samantha.
Once more, unaware she was smiling, another pesky thought intruded her thoughts.
What did Naruto think of her?
Naruto had just shut the door behind him when the very unpleasant yet familiar scent of dry sweat and dirty clothing wafted into his nose. He found the crazy old woman was standing in the hallway, staring at him with a dreamy smile.
"Did I scare you?" Momma Murphy asked, seemingly amused by something.
"No, I just didn't expect to see you there," Naruto said.
"I see. Well, I sure am glad to see you're doing better, young one," she said, her smile broadening.
The woman's teeth, the few that remained in her mouth, were yellowed and rotting. Understandable given the end of society and with it, hygienic amenities, but there were other natural methods of preserving one's health. Preston and Sturges both seemed to maintain their teeth somehow so their oral decay was likely a result of something else.
Whatever the case, there was something about the elder woman that didn't quite sit well with him and it wasn't just her appearance.
"Thank you," Naruto answered promptly.
"Not necessary, young man. If anything, we should be thanking you and your friend for saving us and leading us to Sanctuary!" Momma Murphy said.
So she was listening. Question was; to which conversation? Had she overheard him speaking with Preston earlier, or just now as he spoke to Miranda? Even considering the latter was enough to stoke his ire.
"Yeah, that's the name of Miranda's home, or at least the suburb. It's not too far from here. You all should make it well before nightfall if you leave early enough," Naruto said.
The old woman continue to smile at him, the expression turning into something between smug and happy. "You really care about her, don't you?"
The question gave Naruto pause.
"Of course I do. She's my… friend," Naruto admitted. The worry she showed over his wellbeing assured him her interests in him spanned beyond simply needing his protection in finding her daughter. Though he also wasn't so optimistic as to believe that his doing so didn't play a contributing role in Miranda's care of him.
"Oh, I think there's more to it than that. You two just don't realize it yet," Momma Murphy said following a somewhat condescending hum.
Naruto was not ignorant to the implications of her words and for an instant, he mulled the prospect over. That was before the memory of his wife came to the forefront of his mind and he was reminded of his many promises to her. Many of which he couldn't keep even now.
Hinata wanted for him to be happy should he one day find herself without her. He wanted the same thing for her, only that deep down that was a lie and he was selfish. He couldn't imagine her loving another man, just like he could never see himself loving another woman. At least not in the typical sense.
All that remained was finding redemption in doing the right thing in hopes of doing her memory justice. He owed her that much.
"Preston mentioned you have visions," Naruto deflected. "Is that true?"
"Sure is!" Momma Murphy said, scratching the right side of her neck, adding to the present inflammation on the spot. "I just need some chems to get me going and I can tell you what you wanna know!"
"Chems?" Naruto questioned. "You mean like chemicals for some medicine?"
"Something like that. Rather, I need jet. You see, it helps me focus and clears my mind so that I can see into the future," Momma Murphy claimed.
"What exactly is jet?" Naruto asked, recalling Preston claimed it to be a narcotic. But then so was most medicine in one form or another. Although her mannerisms and the context of the conversation all gave him a rather clear idea of what ailed the woman.
"It's drugs."
Marcy walked up to them with her arms crossed, a look of general disgust on her face as she regarded the two.
"Hello dear," Momma Murphy greeted pleasantly despite the glare now being directed at her.
"The old hag likes to get higher than the fucking clouds and spouts some prophetic bullshit which Preston just eats up despite knowing the little trips she takes," Marcy scoffed. "Her last hallucinations had us coming here and you know how well that ended."
Naruto looked to the older woman in question, taking note of her lack of anything resembling regret or shame.
"It's like I said, the chems help me clear my mind enough to see into the future. Doesn't even have to be jet. You find me a a little pick me up and I'll even help you two find that baby girl you're after," Momma Murphy said.
"Have you mentioned this to Miranda?" Naruto asked, his voice dropping in tone in case they were overheard.
"Well no because — "
"Don't," Naruto interrupted her with a fierce glare. "Because if I hear you playing with her emotions, giving her false hopes because you need a fix, I'll do what I have to."
For the first time, Momma Murphy lost her smile in the realization he was not lying. Her gift informed her then and there that if she were to go against this man, he would bring harm to her.
"I'll respect your wishes and as a token of my apologies and sincerity, I will say this. You'll find answers and a new hope in Diamond City. The answers being for her and the hope for you both," and with that said, Momma Murphy stepped away.
"At least you're not stupid enough to believe that woman's delusions," Marcy acknowledged once they were alone.
Naruto ignored her and began to walk away himself, prompting her to follow after him.
"Hey asshole, I'm talking to you," Naruto offered uncaring.
"You know, you made us waste an entire bag of Rad-Away," Marcy accused with arms crossed.
"Yeah, and I also saved you and everyone else," Naruto rebutted. "Fair trade, don't you say?"
"Does that include your bitch? Because the only thing she did was fucking sucker punch me!" Marcy claimed, indicating to the bruise on her cheek.
Naruto smirked at this, wishing only that he'd seen it. "I'm sure you deserved it."
Marcy huffed but ultimately didn't rise to respond to his words with any further insults. "Listen, Preston wanted you to help me search the place for any supplies we could use before we leave. I'd do it myself but I don't want to get jumped by some hidden raiders and my husband's too much of a chicken shit to help."
Naruto pitied the poor man who married Marcy.
"Sure," he agreed, deciding to avoid any further conflict. All that aside, he was in much lighter spirits despite hies brief and unsavory interaction with Momma Murphy. He didn't want to ruin it by continuing to argue with the woman. "Follow me."
Marcy rolled her eyes but once more, didn't argue, instead doing as she was asked. They began on the top floor and worked their way down room by room, floor by floor. As he did so, Naruto discretely created a clone to clear the floor of the bodies, knowing how much they bothered Miranda.
For the most part they remained silent except for the occasional and necessary instruction from Naruto as they continued their search. That was until she decided to question him some more.
"How'd you do it?" Marcy asked as she kicked over a dead man she'd just pillaged for a half empty pack of cigarettes.
They were on the third floor of the foremost west section of the museum, searching what was once an office space for anything that could be of use.
"How'd I do what?" Naruto asked without having turned to face her as he looked through some cabinets of a desk belonging to an accountant named Rick. There wasn't much more than papers and a glimpse into the man's life from the framed pictures on his desk; pictures of a small family of three. A young father, a mother, and a newborn baby.
A deep yearning upset him and he idly wondered how many children Hint would have birthed for him. At the time he wanted ten, at the minimum, eight boys and two girls.
"Don't bullshit me! I mean, how the hell did you alone manage to kill all these fuckers, then the ones outside? You a Synth or something?" Marcy asked as she took a seat on the desk, lighting one of the cigarettes.
Naruto himself found a bottle of an amber colored alcohol that smelled similar enough to the sake he'd indulged himself in on more than a few occasions. He took a quick swig, feeling both his throat and his loins burning at the thought of making children with his beautiful wife.
He offered Marcy a drink but she refused with a shake of her head, her expression impatient as she clearly awaited his response. Naruto took that moment to really study her where she sat on desk very close to where he stood, feeling himself warm further.
Marcy had to have been in her early to mid-thirties, with a shapely, if slightly malnourished body. Her face was pleasant enough to look at despite the bruise and the ever present scowl which had already begun to imprint expression lines on the edges of her weary eyes. She may have once been considered an exceptional beauty if not for the hard life she must have lived.
"Ya'know, that's the third time I've heard that word," Naruto said, taking another distracting swig of alcohol, finding much less burn this time around. "What exactly is a Synth?"
"They're robots, you fucking idiot," Marcy deadpanned, blowing smoking in his face. "They just happen to look human."
"Well, do robots bleed or need Rad-Away for radiation poisoning, you miserable bitch?" Naruto asked, finished the bottle he'd started at half with a final and long pull.
Marcy flicked her cigarette away and hopped off the desk to march up to Naruto, glaring up at him with intense distaste. "What did you call me?" She tried to poke him in the chest.
He caught her hand, pulling it down to her side, bringing her in close. "You heard me," Naruto said, staring down at her and backing her up against the desk once more with his own presence.
She continued to glare at him despite her retreat and as Naruto braced himself for physical retaliation from the short tempered woman. Somehow he was thoroughly caught off guard when she grabbed the hem of his vault suit to pull him into a violent kiss.
Something in him ignited.
For as much as he loved Hinata and her kind and demure nature, war and loss conditioned him to be a completely different person than who he once was in his youth. Alongside, not beneath, a veneer of his Will of Fire lay a beastly part of him which Kurama played no part in. His Hyuuga princess may have been his true love but she was not his only woman.
In a war where only the strongest survived, Naruto often found himself in the nightly company of many a vicious woman when his wife was away and he needed release. This only increased after he'd lost her and it was yet another in his long list of regrets.
He was about to add another.
Naruto returned her kiss immediately, hungrily grabbing at Marcy's backside to heft her into his arms, her legs wrapping around his waist immediately. He roughly knocked the contents of the table, including the nonfunctioning computer and the picture of a family picnic. He planted her ass on it, pressing himself into her a few times with his arousal, eliciting raspy moans from the woman, her softness against his hardness reminding him of just how pleasant it was to hold a woman.
"Fuck me!" Marcy moaned into his neck as he moved to unbutton her pants.
"I will!" He growled into her ear.
And so he did.
Miranda wondered carefully through the museum in search of Naruto. Cautious in leaving the top floor for what she may find below, but she was relieved to discover that once she did, someone had cleared the bodies of the deceased. Although their blood stained the floors like permanent shadows of life lost.
After being alone for far too long with her own thoughts, Miranda was glad to finally have found someone, even if it wasn't Naruto. The deathly silence was beginning to frighten her in ways she couldn't quite explain even to herself, but thankfully she didn't have to thing about it too much now that she found one of Preston's group. He was a short Chinese man, if she were to guess, who's name she'd already forgotten in yesterday's turmoil, if she'd ever gotten it in the first place.
"Uh, hey, there," Miranda greeted from the doorway of the office he was in.
The man visibly jumped and nearly stumbled in turning to see who the voice belonged to.
"Jesus, you scared the shit out of me!" He cried.
"Oh, sorry," Miranda apologized.
He appeared to fluster. "N-No, it's okay. I'm just a little on edge. You never know when more of those fucking raiders will attack, or god knows what else."
Miranda hummed at the thought. For some reason, the thought of another attack didn't worry her as much. She didn't think it was possible to have grown accustomed to such a reality in such a short time, but Naruto was feeling better and that made her feel better.
"Have you seen Naruto around anywhere? You're the first person I've run into since…" Miranda trailed off. "Well, since I've woken up," not counting Naruto himself, of course.
The man frowned before shrugging his shoulders stoically. "He's with my wife. Preston wanted us to split up into groups to search for supplies be fore we head out. I would have gone with her but, uh, Sturges needed my help with someone. Last I saw they were on the second floor."
Miranda continued to study the man oddly. He quickly cycled through a myriad of emotions, from being flustered to being angry, before finally settling into sorrow. At the risk of sounding callous, she was glad Naruto wasn't so weak, for a lack of a better descriptor. The man was shaking in his metaphorical boots throughout the entire order the day before. Hypocritical given how she herself reacted, but the man was born into such a world.
Like Naruto, he should have been accustomed to danger, but that in itself may have been presumptuous of her. It was becoming a bit of an unwanted habit she had seemingly adopted as of late.
"Oh, well, thank you," Miranda said in parting. She would ask Naruto or Preston for his name later.
As Miranda made her way down to the second floor, she wracked her brain to remember the maze of hallways they used the day before to safely descent. Finally, she was able to find a path down just in time to hear Naruto before she saw him and Marcy exit a room at the far end of the hall.
"We're gonna have to do that again some time, soldier," Marcy breathed out.
"Hey, Naruto!" Miranda called out to him.
"Maybe," Naruto said quietly as he made his way towards his companion. "Hey," he greeted her in his usual composed demeanor.
Both missed the sour look Marcy leveled them at being immediately dismissed.
Miranda felt something was strange was going on pertaining Naruto but she couldn't pinpoint exactly what that was. His hair was unruly, much more so than usual and if possible, he seemed more relaxed. He seemed to carry himself differently and maybe it may have been the cigarette he was currently smoking; a rather nasty habit which used to spur on small bouts of arguments with her husband. She hoped it wasn't habit of his.
Looking over his shoulder, or rather around him given his impressive height over that of her own, she saw the woman who's name she'd also forgotten, smirking at her with lips wrapped around her own cigarette. What she did remember was punching her for trying to deny the life saving medicine Naruto needed.
"What were you guys doing?" Miranda asked, already knowing the answer.
"Oh, we were just having a little — "
"We were looking for supplies," Naruto interjected softly but firmly, drawing her attention back to him.
"Okay," she drawled out, confused at his actions. "Did you guys find anything interesting?"
"I certainly did," Marcy laughed out. "Four times, in fact."
Naruto steeled his reaction. "Just more supplies. Have you spoken to Preston yet?"
Sensing a misdirect, Miranda decided to go along with him for the time being. She could and would question him later in the comfort of privacy.
"No, not yet. I figured I'd find you first so we can talk to him together," Miranda said.
"Let's go then," Naruto gave Marcy a stern look only she could see. "Thanks for the help."
"No, thank you. If anything, you helped far more," Marcy said, her words were laced with smoke and thinly veiled lust.
Miranda followed after Naruto, casting a frown at the smug woman from over her shoulder. It was obvious she was flirting with her friend and she didn't like it at all. He was much younger than that nasty woman and so she had no business vesting her interred in a man who was supposed to be helping her.
Miranda justified her selfishness regarding her daughter because of just that, Samantha was her daughter and Naruto was helping find her. She didn't need some woman distracting him, especially not when the woman was married. She was just glad Naruto seemed to show no interest in the woman's flirtation.
"So, what was all that about?" Miranda didn't like the way in which she voiced her question. It sounded so accusatory even to herself.
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked, pulling on his cigarette.
She sighed in frustration. "Oh come on! Don't tell me you didn't notice? She was totally flirting with you! And since when have you started smoking?"
Naruto hummed, slowly exhaling smoke from his nose, inadvertently riling Miranda up further.
"I thought that's what she was doing. Not interested though, she's married," Naruto said with a shrug. "And as for smoking, well it's a habit I picked up from… someone I used to know. Don't worry about it, though, I don't smoke often."
Inwardly Naruto was feeling a contradicting sense of guilt knowing he hadn't cared for the fact she was in fact married to a living man. That's what he wanted to believe, at any rate. Sex was just that, sex. Stress relief at its most intimate. Initially he felt as though he was betraying his beloved, but one of his many conquests pointed out as much.
She was a woman who had lost the love of her own life and continued for the mere sake of doing so. They grew close in their final days together and if not for her close relation to Hinata, he truly believed he could have learned to also love her
But it wouldn't have worked out, he had to constantly remind himself. She fell in battle; just another in a long list he couldn't protect.
"Naruto?"
Naruto realized his cigarette had died between his fingers while lost in thought. "Yeah?" He asked, tossing the butt aside.
"You seemed, I don't know, pensive? Is everything okay?" Miranda asked in concern.
"I was just thinking about my friends," Naruto admitted without meaning to.
"Oh."
Naruto stopped walking as soon as he realized she had. "Miranda?" He questioned in return.
She appeared rather nervous about something.
"Do you think you could tell me about your fiends and family? You already know about Nathan and Samantha, but I don't really know anything about you. Well, besides the whole ninja thing," she added the final part in an attempt at levity and to alleviate the importance of what she was asking.
Naruto regarded her for a moment, truly considering it.
"Maybe one day."
Without awaiting any further response, he turned and began walking again. In doing so, he missed the sadness Miranda shown.
They encountered Preston on the first floor near the museum's entrance accompanied by Sturges, Momma Murphy, and an unexpected visitor.
"Kiba!" Miranda greeted happily, dropping to her knees with arms wide open.
The dog immediately ran from Sturges' side and into her waiting arms.
"That your dog?" Preston asked as he, along with the other two, approached.
"Yeah," she smiled, giggling as Kiba lapped at her face. "Kiba's ours."
"Well son of a bitch, you really are up and about," Sturges greeted Naruto with visible disbelief and a handshake. "Preston said you were up and about but damn, I half expected you to be out for a while, at the very least limpin' along. You were shot to shit and had damn near as much radiation as a ghoul! What's yer' secret?"
"I've always been a fast healer," Naruto repeated, shrugging his good shoulder.
That didn't remotely come close to answering his question but he recalled Preston telling him not to press the subject. The red blood he bled to save them proved he was human enough.
"We're just glad you're doing better," Preston said. "But I have one more selfish request for you both."
Naruto and Miranda shared a look.
"This have anything to do with Sanctuary?" Naruto figured.
"I just want to make sure we get there in one piece," Preston began. "I know we have no right to ask this of you, but we would greatly appreciate it if you'd escort us there."
Naruto looked to Miranda. "What do you think?"
Miranda was admittedly taken aback he was asking her for her opinion considering Naruto was the protector. She could agree to help them but there was little she could do currently to actually help out. The fact he was asking her almost made her smile.
"I think we can do that," Miranda agreed. She also wanted to visit her husband again. There were things she wanted to discuss with his memory.
"I can't thank you two enough!" Preston's face lit up.
"See Preston, it's just like in my visions!" Momma Murphy smiled. "I knew things would start turning for the better."
"What visions?" Miranda asked, taking note of the glare Naruto was suddenly leveling the unmasking older woman.
"I can understand your disbelief, but you weren't with us when Momma Murphy's other predictions came true. This can't just be a coincidence," Preston said, taking notice of Naruto's expression as well, stepping forward.
"What's going on here?" Miranda asked Naruto directly.
"Momma Murphy has the sight," Preston answered before Naruto could, sounding somewhat reluctant in doing so.
"Sight?" Miranda questioned.
"I have the gift of foresight," Momma Murphy said, continuing to smile despite how tense things had become.
"Yeah, well, it's something alright," Sturges muttered.
"Are you saying you can see the future?" Miranda sounded every bit as disbelieving as Naruto appeared, only much less angry.
"Sure can! To a certain extent, of course. But to do so I retire a little chems to help clear the old noggin," Momma Murphy said, knocking against her own head.
"Momma Murphy, what have I told you about that?" Preston chastised. "It's killing you."
"Chems?" Miranda questioned, still unsure of what was happening around her.
"She means drugs," Naruto said, stepping forward and speaking up finally. "It's nonsense. Look, we should get going soon. We don't have any time to waste."
Miranda wanted to further question the happenings around her but a subtle shake of Naruto's head, so she once again decided to trust his judgment.
"I understand," Preston frowned slightly at the ill intent being directed to the sweet Murphy. "But are you sure you're up for this so soon?"
"I feel much better than before," Naruto answered promptly. Though not entirely true, given the fresh wound on his right shoulder but he was almost ambidextrous. So long as he had his chakra, a handgun, and his eyes he was confident in his ability to protect the small group. It helped knowing at least two of the men were proficient with a gun.
"Well then its settled. Sturges, inform Marcy and Jun about our move," Preston ordered.
"Sir yes sir!" Sturges mock saluted but there was no intended disrespect.
The patriot nodded in thanks before returning his attention to the due. "We really do appreciate the help, you two. We'll meet in the foyer in about half an hour. I don't mean to rush but if there's anything you need to do, I suggest you do it now. Come on then, Momma Murphy, let's get your things."
Walking arm in arm, the two departed, leaving the two alone.
"Mind telling me what that was all about?" Miranda quickly asked.
"That old woman is a drug addict. She claims she can see into the future, but only when she's on drugs. Earlier, she wanted me to help find her fix," Naruto shook his head. "Ridiculous."
"I agree but why did it look like you wanted to kill her earlier?" She asked.
Naruto considered whether or not to tell her the truth. Considering how well his keeping information from her resulted thus far, he decided he would be the early voice of reason less Murphy catch her unprepared and desperate.
"She says she can help find your daughter, in exchange for helping her find drugs. It's all a ploy, nothing more," Naruto said.
"Oh," Miranda elongated the single word. "But what if it isn't a lie?"
"Don't fall for it," Naruto warned. "No one can see into the future because it hasn't been written yet."
"Now hear me out. I didn't think superhuman ninjas were real until I met you," Miranda argued.
It was a fair point but he wouldn't admit it.
"Yes but that's because I'm from a different reality, time, or world. Whatever the case, you need to think this clearly. Have you ever encountered a fortune teller not looking to make a quick buck at the expense of others?" Naruto tried to reason.
"Not that I know of, but this isn't exactly the world I knew either," Miranda argued with growing desperation wavering her voice.
Another fair point.
"I understand you want to follow any possible leads but try to think about this logically. She needs drugs to offer predictions," Naruto reiterated in his best calming tone.
"I know but it's my daughter we're talking about here! I'll take anything at this point!" Miranda cried, almost physically doing so.
"Miranda," Naruto said her name sternly. "I already have a lead. Preston tole me about a nearby settlement called Diamond City. I know it's not much to go on but for now it's the best we've got to work with that doesn't involve drug induced prophecies."
"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?" Miranda demanded with a pointed stare bordering a glare. "I'm starting to believe you're making keeping things from me a habit."
"It honestly slipped my mind," Naruto admitted sincerely. "I was going to tell you earlier but, well, you know what happened then. After that I got distracted and now here we are."
Miranda shook her head and sighed in exasperation. "Is there anything else you might've forgotten to mention?"
Naruto very seriously considered whether or not to tell her about the Rennigan and how he used it to gather information in the most invasive of ways. The eyes by themselves would be yet another of his abilities he predicted Miranda would want a show of, until either one father two became bored. It was usually him but that was far besides the point.
He wasn't too confident their fragile relationship would endure the truth of how he accessed her every memory. Most of which was quickly fading from his own, save for the moments of great importance and language. Ignorance being bliss didn't quite fit the situation considering the guilt of his actions was growing heavier by the day. But other than yet another weight on his conscience, there was no real benefit to confessing his reaping of her mind.
He revealed his Shinobi abilities because of it would be impossible to hide them from her. There was no possible way for her to discover his horrid actions against her unless he himself confessed.
And maybe one day he would. That day, however, was not today. Naruto decided he wanted to retain his current budding friendship with Miranda. He'd already hurt her enough in the few days he'd known her.
"Well?" Miranda pressed.
"About Marcy," Naruto began, only to pause as he realized this bit of information did meet the prerequisites of bliss in ignorance. There was nothing for either of them to gain from revealing his spur of the moment relations with a married woman. Something Miranda herself make take offense to. "You really punch her?"
Miranda released a breath she didn't realize she was golding with a small gasp. She wasn't sure why she felt so nervous at the mention of the deplorable woman but now only found humor in the situation, maybe even a sense of vindictive pride.
"That what she told you?" She asked with a dimpled smirk.
Naruto was glad his distraction was a success.
"Yeah. Said you hit her but didn't say why. Can't say I expected that from you but I imagine you had your reasons," he said with a grin seeing her spur of confidence abandon her, leaving her rather flustered.
"Yeah well, she didn't want to help save you so I did what I had to," Miranda grumbled lowly, looking away shyly.
Naruto's eyes soften, as did his heart at the confession.
He figured as much. The gentle mother proved to be one who resulted to violence as a very last resort. Hearing her take action to save him brought forth a feeling of warmth in his chest.
"Thank you, Miranda. I'm glad I have a friend with me in this crazy world," Naruto admitted with a small smile.
There it was again. Miranda found she enjoyed seeing Naruto smile and it was something she aimed to make him do more often then and there.
"It doesn't hurt to have a kick ass ninja by my side, I suppose," Miranda giggled, and quickly colored in both embarrassment and surprise hearing him chuckle.
"Kick ass ninja, huh?" Naruto shook his head in amusement. "I've been called many things over the years, just never that."
There was humor clear in his words.
"Oh shut up!" Miranda huffed and lightly shoved his good arm. Although she was genuinely happy in seeing a new video f Naruto she didn't know existed until that day. A light hearted, gentle side of him she already preferred.
"Alright, let's get ready to move out. I'm going downstairs to get the power core for the armor. They plugged it back in when we were out," Naruto explained. "The thing's too valuable to just leave here for anyone to take. Same goes for the power armor itself."
"Are we really gonna pilot that thing all the way to Diamond City?" Miranda asked reluctantly. The added protection was nice and all but she couldn't imagine spending hours lugging about in the suit.
"It would be safer for you but it would also bring too much attention to us. I was actually thinking you drive it back to Sanctuary where Preston can make use of it to protect his people. And if we ever need it' we can go back and get it," Naruto said.
"Can't you just seal it away then? You know, in case we need it," Miranda asked.
"I definitely could but again, I think Preston may need it more than us and I don't exactly want to explain to him how I'm able to do what I can do. Besides, once we get to Diamond City, I'm gonna find a doctor who'll hopefully finish flushing the radiation from my body. I don't mean to sound arrogant but we probably won't even need the suit once I'm at full strength," Naruto explained.
"H-How strong are you?" Miranda couldn't help but ask.
"Let's just say, very. For now you get yourself upstair and get our bags ready. I'll be up with the core soon," Naruto said.
Miranda sighed in annoyance.
"I could seal it up if you really don't want to drive it," Naruto offered. "Maybe even get one of Preston's group to drive it."
"No, we can't have anyone finding out you're a kick ass ninja, right?" Miranda asked with a grin.
"Not if we can help it," Naruto agreed.
"Then I'll drive it. I just… I need to clean it first. It has your blood all over it," Miranda finished in a mumble.
Naruto now understood her reluctance and once again found himself touched by her tremendous care for his well being. It wasn't until then that he realize just how nice it felt to have someone worry about him again. All those who cared for him were long gone by the end of his struggle against Kaguya, leaving only those repaint on his power for survival.
"I'm sorry you had to deal with that," Naruto said.
She shook her head and smiled as best she could. "No, if anything, I should be the one apologizing. I didn't help at all and that's why you got hurt. But not anymore! I promise from now on I won't be a burden to you going forward!" Miranda declared, eyes full of a sudden fire.
Naruto was admittedly taken aback by her newfound conviction but he wouldn't take the moment from her. "I know you won't. I believe you," he said with an accompanying pat on her shoulder.
Miranda once more found herself becoming warm in embarrassment, although she was uncertain as to why.
She said nothing more as she watched him retreat around a corner and decided she was simply happy. Just yesterday she felt as if her world was ending once more and now, the future looked brighter than ever. Not only did they have a possible lead on her daughter's whereabouts, but Naruto was being kind to her and was in improving health. She truly held no doubts he would help her find Samantha.
He really was amazing, Miranda decided.
They left Concord in much higher spirits. Throughout the trip, Miranda kept to herself within the power armor whilst Naruto conversed with Preston and Sturges. Their conversations subtle ploys to extract information without fully disclosing his complete inexperience pertaining the Common Wealth and their way of life two hundred years into a nuclear apocalypse.
Happy Holidays all. I'm trying to put more time in to writing so hopefully the next update doesn't take as long to come out.
Also, what do you guys think about more explicit sex scenes? I wouldn't be opposed to trying to write them, but only if that's what you guys want to seem. This story is already rated M. Let me know.
Next chapter will see them in Diamond City!
Until next time!