A Nobody

by Jebest4781

Living a new life in another reality, Naruto now must handle a lot of complications of him interacting with various heroes, villains and anti-heroes. How will things go with them interacting with a Nobody. NarutoXHarem Rated M for language, violence and lemons. NarutoXDC ComicsXKingdom Hearts Please leave reviews. On Hiatus.

50. By the Sound of her Wings

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Naruto, Disney, Square Enix or Detective Comics. They rightfully belong to their respective owners.

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

Radio/TV

"Headset/Flashback"

-Scene Shift-

Chapter 50: By the Sound of her Wings

There are those days that you are either stuck at home, school or in the office and being completely bored out of your mind. You just want to go out and do something either productive or fun to settle yourself down. By the end of the little experience, you feel glad and accomplished on the results, no matter what it is.

Then there are those times that something bad happened, whether quite recently or for a long time, and you try to do the earlier mentioned details. The results vary like one's depression is uplifted… or they remain.

...No one can tell if the wounds heal just the right way or not. You'd distract yourself with anything at all, whether it's big or small. But the emotional, physical or mental pain would always come back to you at some point.

So all of the crazinesses that you avoid in the day-to-day business of life comes to you in your home, school and work and eats your mind. You know that you'd want to work on something, but you don't feel like it taking a big part in doing it at all.

…..

"Do we have any more loafs?" Asked the ashen ward as she threw her last piece of bread in front of her. "Or at least more bird seed?"

"I think there's more in the backpack, Rachel."

She nodded as she reached into the bag and fished out the last bread loaf before continuing the little activity with her guardian.

…..

You would be wondering where exactly the guardian/ward pair was at exactly… Well they're currently in the park and feeding the birds before Winter settles in. Reason why? They just needed to clear their heads from recent events and things have not been pretty as they've been mostly hectic.

...It's been days since Naruto encountered the League of Shadows/Assassins at the Sahara stronghold and battled Ra's al Ghul in order to save the world.

This all occured due to the silver-haired Uzumaki catching the eye of the ancient assassin leader in his hero persona, Vanitas. Ra's had ordered the abduction of Naruto's three lovers/girlfriends sometime after his identity was revealed to the man for their eventual quest. The League's leader then put Naruto through a series of obstacles and challenges for their his test…

In order to prove that Naruto can gain the titles of both Warith and Abn al Ghul before becoming the new Ra's al Ghul.

'The position would've helped fulfill my dream of becoming Hokage.' Thought the Uzumaki as he tossed more pieces of bread to the ground. 'It was practically within my reach and it could've helped fill in the goal I long thought was lost since coming to this world.' He sighed as he watched a good number of pigeons coming towards the food and picking at it. 'But if Ra's did his proposal… in a whole 'nother way, then I could've given things more thought before giving my answer. But what he did...'

Naruto ended up refusing the offer, causing Ra's to resort going into his fallout plan by restarting the world with his exploding Lazarus Pits. The former shinobi thought the man was truly over reacting on not getting what he wanted, but the ancient assassin was really desperate in wanting his chosen successor -ie Naruto- to replace him. And in the end, the whiskered Uzumaki sought the man out in the Sahara, stopped his doomsday plot and defeated Ra's before he plunged himself to his death.

...One would think things would seemingly go back to the way things normally were, but that was not the case…

With the kidnapping, Harley had piles of paperwork that metaphorically reached the ceiling. The Arkham psychologist had to make up for the time she lost -with additional time- and she obviously couldn't tell her superiors on why she missed out of work. If Harley did, then questions would be raised and things would get very… very complicated as a result.

Thank God that Harley wasn't gonna be put under evaluation because of this or else things might've gotten worse.

Selina was really frustrated on not letting out some proper steam on the possible fight she would've taken part of at the Sahara. She, Harley and Pam were ready to bust some assassin heads, but the signal they were promised to get did not arrive due to the League's jammers placed around the compound… from what Talia mentioned. And by the time they arrived to the stronghold when Naruto set off the explosions at the ammunition room, Naruto already defeated Ra's and many of the assassins fled the area.

Because of this, Selina had to take out her frustrations by robbing several places and almost getting caught in the act.

Sure there was the portion that Selina fought hard against many people on the streets, but she wanted to do something fun. But the excessive robberies put her under the radar. As a result, she and Naruto yelled and fought each other before taking up a good number of jobs from Kurama till the heat died down.

As for Pam, she's been testing the Lazarus Pit waters in both her greenhouse and the samples she procured from the Sahara stronghold the day after getting back to the states. This was due to the revealing fact of using the Lazarus waters leaves psychological damage to the subject, even for a short while. And obviously the Green champion became extremely worried that she might've harmed their unborn children with what she's done by saturating their flower pods with the glowing green bath.

Neither Pam, Naruto or their shared girlfriends would know the results until the kids are born. And until then, the changed botanist was going to be experimenting with the Lazarus Pit samples in both of her labs (botanical and greenhouse) and with the batcomputer for an unknown amount of time on their affects… and any other side effects.

And put towards the middle of all of this, Rachel has been feeling the aftershocks and has been extremely worried. And being an empath made things worse for her as it's placing quite the toll on her. The ashen ward's been trying to fix things on her own, even assisting Naruto on the problems, but things have been quite the mix bag on the results.

…..

...With their current activity in the park, the guardian/ward pair just needed something to do that was rather mellow and calming. They would've done something else, like going to a museum or a book gallery -like what they've done in the past- but they agreed to change things up and do this instead.

Though this was an activity Rachel hasn't done in a long time. Last time she'd done this was with her mother back in Azarath. Both gardening and bird feeding was a great past time the ashen child used to do with her only family member… until that fateful day. And while Rachel had enjoyed gardening with Pam as it somewhat helped fill in the void in her heart, but bird feeding was something else entirely.

The pair tried to talk about anything in general, but nothing comes to mind… Okay that was an honest lie, but they do want to keep their thoughts away from the recent problems.

As the two kept feeding the birds, their eyes wandered to the surrounding activities. There were a group of children playing tag, some were chasing the birds, people were walking their dogs, riding their bikes and there was a game of soccer taking place…

"Look out!"

With it's soccer ball coming straight towards them!

Naruto quickly reacted and caught the ball before it could impact his ward's pretty little head. Rachel barely registered the incoming black/white ball and flinched a little bit. This caused her powers to flare a little as parts of the pavement cracked underneath her.

"Hey mister." Spoke out one of the soccer players that came towards them. "Nice catch."

"Thanks." Naruto muttered as he lowered the his hand which caught the offending ball.

"Can we have it back, please?"

The publisher sighed. "Just watch where you're kicking it." He said as he tossed the ball back. "You could've hurt someone."

The small group of players nodded before running back towards their game.

Just when the guardian/ward pair was about to go back to their silent activity, a feminine voice spoke up. "That was quite the catch."

The two looked to the side and saw a peculiar woman standing not far away from them.

The woman in question appeared as an attractive, pale gothic woman in her mid-late twenties with hair as black as the night's sky that reached to her shoulders with some bangs coming across her face. She wore a set of black clothing which consisted of skinny jeans with a studded belt and a tank top. She also wore a leather jacket and boots with a silver ankh on a chain around her neck. The last distinguishing feature about her was a tattoo like marking similar to the Eye of Horus around her right eye.

'That tattoo must've been painful in getting.' Came Naruto's and Rachel's shared thought.

The publisher saw the goth still stood there as she seemed to hear back a response. "That was nothing miss."

A smirk formed from her blackened lips. "I believe that." Her dark eyes traveled to their side, causing her to voice a question. "Got room for one more?" Naruto and Rachel blinked and looked over at the bench they were occupying. Being polite, Rachel scooted over before guestering the goth to sit on down. "Thanks."

"No problem." Said the ashen ward.

Naruto and Rachel continued feeding the birds around them when they suddenly heard a question coming from the pale goth. "You do that too much, you know what you get?" Their expressions practically said 'what', causing her to answer with a smile. "Fat pigeons!" She laughed a little as they blinked a little in response. "What? It's a line from Mary Poppins."

"Huh, did not know that?" Said the guardian. He then scrunched his face a little. "Though I think I didn't really notice it all that well."

The goth gave a shrug. "Not all that surprising since no one can remember every single line."

Rachel rose a brow at the new arrival. "I'm assuming you're one of those people then."

The goth chuckled. "Guilty." She then took on a whimsical look across her features. "Story of a banker as he doesn't have time for his family or actually having a life outside of work. And out of nowhere, Mary Poppins swoops in from the clouds and shows him and his family what's important: fun, flying kites and all that jazz." The dark haired beauty leaned up with one of the brightest smiles she could muster. "And I swear the film produced one of my favorite words meaning great, wonderful, ginchy, gnarly, peachy keen."

There was only one word that comes to mind to the guardian/ward pair, causing them to voice the answer. "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."

"Um diddle diddle, diddle um, diddle ay!" The goth briefly sang out with a laugh. "Sorry, couldn't help myself."

The goth's laugh seemed to be infectious, causing Naruto and Rachel to join in the feeling. Something about her made them slowly feel comfortable around her and neither minded it since they needed to feel better as of late.

As they settled down, Naruto spoke up. "The movie's really cute, but it's not for everyone."

"True, but you gotta admit that Dick Van Dyke's British accent defieds belief, even if it was rough on a few places." She then cleared her throat and spoke with a spot-on British accent. "Hoh 'hits a jolly 'oliedye wiv yew, Mairee Pawpins!"

Naruto smirked while Rachel giggled.

"You're funny." Said the ashen ward.

"I try to be every so often." Said the gothic woman. "Helps lessen a dampened atmosphere."

The purplette turned to the woman sitting next to her and introduced herself. "My name's Rachel."

"Nice to meet you, Rae-Rae." This got the child to cutely narrow her eyes. "Too much, too soon? Well sorry then."

Naruto chuckled as he didn't want to be left out now. "And I'm Rachel's guardian, Naruto."

"Like a fishcake?" The goth saw the Uzumaki groan a little. "Relax, I'm joking. I know it also means 'maelstrom'."

"So what's your name?" Rachel asked. "I mean, I think it would be rather rude if we just refer to you as 'the goth girl'."

"Rachel…"

"You're thinking the same thing."

"...I won't deny or accept that fact."

The goth chuckled once more. "Give her a break, Naruto, and I didn't mind at all." She held out her hands, in an awkward manner due to how she was sitting next to them. "Name's Didi."

The guardian/ward pair shook the now identified Didi's hands before the purplette asked a question that quickly crossed her mind. "Does Didi mean anything at all?"

"It's just a nickname." Said the goth as she pulled back her hands. "I ended up preferring being called that every so often, due to some of my family members. Oh, and before you ask, I have quite a large family. An older brother, two younger brothers, two younger sisters and… well I wanna say a little tranny of a sibling."

Naruto and Rachel nodded yet they adopted curious expressions at the mention of Didi's last sibling.

"Why'd you say that?" Asked the Uzumaki

"Because that's the way s/he is." Didi replied. "I accept on who s/he is and so does the other members of our family."

He nodded. "That's good that you guys accepted him… her… like that."

"It's no biggie, given what's going on these days." Didi's smile then turned into a small frown. "Though s/he can be quite an ass at times, which frustrates both me and my younger brothers every so often."

"Then you have my sympathies."

"Thanks."

"But what about your parents?" Rachel asked.

Didi sighed a little. "It's was just dad and asides from that, never really knew him all that well."

"How so?"

"Dear ol' dad can be put into one word: complicated and leave it at that."

Rachel nodded in acceptance as she tossed more food for the birds on the ground. Yet it was Naruto who voiced his response. "Well that sucks."

The gothic woman rose a brow. "Well ain't that strange."

"Excuse me?"

"Usually people would say 'sorry' or something along those lines. Yet you said 'that sucks'."

The whiskered Uzumaki sighed as he racked his fingers through his silver hair. "I'm in that kind of job that I tend to say 'sorry' a bit too often." He looked at Didi and explained further. "Sorry doesn't have the strength it once had when used too much and even less when used in one sentence. Sorry is meant to be used when bumping into a person on the street or the subway by accident. Sorry is to be used when offering condolences when a person you know lost a loved one."

Rachel nodded as she backed up her guardian's little argument. "It's not just that, but random people -who you don't even know and vice versa- would end up saying that towards a certain situation. If you don't know the person or individuals involved with a tragic incident, for example a car accident or a funeral, then it feels like an insult."

"I can accept that." Said the goth. "Yet Death will cause people to do stupid things, don't ya think?"

Naruto and Rachel nodded in understanding as both knew all too well on that particular subject. From the demon hunts, the ignoration… the pain and suffering… the whole nine yards.

Tossing the rest of his bread onto the ground, Naruto responded. "But people would either rise to the occasion or fall into despair. And it all falls onto how a person handles it all."

"You have quite the experience with that, huh?"

"You have no idea."

Suddenly the three heard a distinguished growl, causing Naruto and Rachel to look for the source. They didn't have to search far and long as they heard Didi let out a nervous chuckle.

"Sorry, that was me." The gothic woman admitted. "Didn't realize how hungry I suddenly got."

"It's no biggie." Said the ashen child.

Didi suddenly took on a bright smile once more. "Do you two wanna join me for lunch? I'm craving a burger like no tomorrow!" She said with absolute excitement. The guardian/ward pair rose a brow and was about to reply when they too felt their stomachs grumble. Didi smiled more when hearing that sound. "Seems that answers that question."

"I guess so." Naruto muttered as he stood up with Rachel soon following. Both dusted off the bread crumbs off their laps and before they knew it, they were seemingly dragged by the perky goth.

-Big Belly Burger-

Upon arriving at the nearby food chain, the three saw the place was a little busy. Then again, they arrived during the lunch rush. It didn't take them long before a waiter escorted them to a booth at the far corner of the establishment. And after asking for some waters, the employee left the group to look over the menus.

"Mmm~ Many of these look good." Didi hummed out. "So hard to decide."

Naruto tilted his head as he looked at the gothic woman while Rachel looked through the menu. "You don't come here often or what?"

"Pretty much." She said. "I travel quite a lot but I hardly get anything worthwhile. So when I settle down for a time, I wanna get something good." Didi flipped through the menu as she continued talking. "Like one time I tried out some really good French food. Heh, it was practically a Revolution on my taste buds."

The Uzumaki curiously looked at their companion in a curious manner. He could tell Didi was rather strange, not that there's anything wrong with being strange at all mind you. It wasn't really about her personality, but something about her feels strange.

And Naruto wasn't the only one to notice this as Rachel felt something was off about the gothic woman. Her magical senses picked up something weird about Didi like she wasn't fully there, yet was indeed there at the same time.

It was quite the conundrum.

When the waiter came back with their waters, he asked for their orders. Naruto got his usual order of a double cheeseburger bacon combo with special sauce and a coke. Rachel ordered a chicken salad with a small order of both fries and onion rings.

And as for Didi…

"I'd like a basic cheeseburger combo with special sauce on the side." Started off the goth. "And I'd also like the Casa Diablo burger from your secret menu with a chocolate shake." She said as she handed her menu to the waiter. "I'd also like a Sprite for my drink."

The waiter finished writing up the rest of the order before heading to the kitchen to get things started on the group's meal.

"Rather hungry, aren't ya?"

"You have no idea." Didi took a sip of her water as she hummed a little tune to herself.

The three absently waited for their meals to arrive. It wasn't long before Naruto's and Didi's drinks arrived. They thanked the waiter as they once again waited with chatter and clambering surrounded the restaurant's interior.

Didi inserted her straw into the carbonated drink before taking a sip. The goth hummed out a pleasant tone from the first sip before taking another. "Mmm~ Feels so tingly." She said with glee. "Now I can somewhat understand why mortals enjoy drinking carbonated drinks. I can feel the caffeine starting to hit me already."

Naruto and Rachel blinked in confusion. And it was Rachel who voiced the question. "Mortals?"

The goth snapped out of her little pleased state and looked at the pair. "Did I say that out loud?"

"You did." Said the Uzumaki. "And I reckon both of us wonder what you meant by that."

Rachel nodded in agreement.

"Huh, meant to keep that in my head." Didi said with an eventual shrug. What's done was done.

"You didn't answer the question." Said the ashen ward.

"I know," Didi said, "but can't I enjoy my soda for a quick tick?" The gothic woman then sucked up the rest of the Sprite from her straw to leave the cup baren of liquid, minus the melting ice. Didi shuddered a little before going back to normal. "Well ain't that an interesting feel." Her dark eyes looked back at the pair sitting across from her. "What was the question again?"

"Why did you say mortals in such a way?"

Didi nodded in understanding. "Right~" Her lips formed a thin smile. "I'm not exactly what you'd call normal."

Before Naruto or Rachel could comment about that, the waiter arrived with their meals and placed them down in front of each individual.

"Wow, that's rather fast." Said the goth as the waiter walked away. She then grabbed her basic burger and took a decent sized bite before chewing. "Mmm! This is so good!" She mumbled with her mouth full before swallowing down the portion. "Now I can see why you humans particularly love to eat greasy food. Who knew by frying cow meat, kale, three different types of cheeses, tomatoes, onions and the like bring out such flavor!" Didi took another bite as the guardian/ward pair looked at her with questioning glances.

Rachel felt a little annoyed now that her and Naruto's question was being left unanswered. "Would you answer back, please? You're being rather rude and delaying our request."

"Rachel…"

"You're thinking the same thing, Naruto." Snapped back the ward before looking back at Didi, who briefly glanced back as she chewed on another bite. "You're going on like you'd never experienced drinking soda or even eating a burger before. Just who are you, Didi?"

"You didn't have to sound rude, Rachel."

Didi merely waved the Uzumaki off as she swallowed her food. "Nah~ She's fine. I've dealt with worse people in my existence." The goth picked up her water cup and drank a little before setting it down. "To answer your question, with eating and drinking before, I did but that was a hundred years ago."

This merely raised more questions than answers for the pair. With a flick of his wrist, Naruto formed a silence barrier around them so the conversation couldn't be heard.

Didi looked around her and placed her hand into the air as she traced her finger along the barrier's edge. "Nice little trick you got here, Naruto." She said, getting a surprised look from the publisher. "I can understand your concern, but I mean either of you harm at all. Afterall, I know you very well that you wouldn't want to cause harm in a public place like this."

"And how would you know him exactly?" Rachel asked as she carefully picked up some fries and ate them. She knew that if neither of them started eating, then some onlookers could ask questions on what's wrong.

Naruto picked up on what his ward was doing, causing him to eat his fries as well.

Didi finished up her basic burger before tilting her head with her forefinger to mockley think things over. "Like~ with you being Vanitas." She said, causing the guardian/ward pair to choke on their food. "Along with the fact that you come from Konoha." Her dark eyes looked over at Naruto, whose hazel eyes widened dramatically, before her gaze shifted to Rachel. "I even know you, Rachel Roth of Azarath."

"Okay, who the hell are you?!" He yelled out with Rachel feeling rather nervous. "And how do you know that?!"

Didi wasn't startled by the yell as she kept on smiling. "You actually do know of me, in fact we've met several times in your past." Her gaze shifted back to Rachel. "More so than others."

She got a narrowed glare from the publisher. "I would distinctly remember you, given your appearance."

The goth shook her head. "Not entirely." She took several fries and ate them. "Your life is quite interesting that I got to see meet a bit too much than I would've thought."

"I have no idea what your talking about, especially on the fact that I know you exactly."

Didi kept up with her smile, yet her expression seemed to shift into a sad and melancholic one. "Everybody knows me, Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze." She said, getting him to flinch once more on his full name as he never used Namikaze at all. "They've all meet me at one point or another in their lives. Even though most of the time they don't remember me or pretend not to remember." She dunked some fries into her special sauce and ate them before continuing. "For example, I'm like the little black sheep of the family that people don't like to talk about and prefer best to ignore. So I'm usually rejected and turned into a pariah. Most of the time, people like to act as if I didn't exist."

Her eyes glanced at the pair in front of her as she kept munching on her food. "Everyone always dread our inevitable respective meetings, hoping that by not acknowledging me, they would delay the day when I will come knocking at their doorstep. Out of sight and out of mind as they say; a silly way of thinking in reality. For it doesn't matter how much they attempt to shut me out." She leaned back in her seat with a sigh escaping her lips. "I come when I please and there's no one that can keep their doors close to me; which brings us back to your current situation."

The guardian/ward pair felt their breaths becoming shallow as they seemed drawn in by their voice, yet their hearts seem to beat faster and faster.

"Even as we're talking -well more like I'm talking- I'm there for old and young, innocent and guilty, those who die together and those who die alone." Her darkened eyes look out of the window. "I'm in cars and boats and planes; in hospitals and forests and abattoirs." Didi then looks back. "For some folks, it's a release and for others it's and abomination; a terrible thing really. But in the end, I'm there for all of them. In West Africa, a small village is being massacred by mercenaries, in pay of their own government; I'm there. In Bialya, a dictator is manipulating officials to side in her rule and slaying those who won't be swayed by her gift; I am there. And in the farthest reaches of a distant galaxy, far far away; handfuls of planets were destroyed in an effort to draw out rebels from hiding from a man trying to rule everything within his reach. I too am there.

I'm in all of those places, and I'm also here talking to you two. When the first living thing existed, I was there waiting. When the last living thing dies, my job will be finished." The gothic woman looked over around the restaurant. "Once done, I'll put the chairs on the tables, turn out the lights and lock the universe behind me when I leave before I return when existence comes a knocking once more."

Didi could practically see the gears turning inside of their heads, given their current expressions. "I should probably re-introduce myself. Hi, my name is Death but I typically go by Didi." She said with a small smile.

At this point, Rachel was starting to freak out as her powers seemed to fluctuate in recognition in what exactly is sitting right in front of her. Several things both inside and outside of the food establishment was starting to crack and break, due to her magic, like drink glasses, the pavement and lamp posts. Naruto saw this and held her hand to help comfort her as he was faring a bit better than his ward.

"Bet you two weren't expecting me to be like this, huh?" Didi, Death, rhetorically said. "Everybody is always a little stunned when they finally meet me and always expect me to be something entirely different." Her dark eyes rolled a little. "I sometimes blame humans on them depicting me as a walking skeleton, or a very gaunty being, in a cloak with a stereotypical scythe. Then again, it was the 1800's when that trend started with the English and Germans." Didi looked at the pair in front of her and felt bad on this little reveal. "Oh lighten up, you two, I'm not gonna take you away. It's clearly not your time for me to collect."

"That's easy for you to say." Said the former shinobi.

"All I want is to enjoy my holiday and have some time to chat."

Rachel mustered up some courage and spoke a responsive question. "Y-Your holiday? What do you mean by that."

The gothic woman's gaze softened more and more to help calm not only Rachel, but her guardian before speaking. "When I was young... well in the first handful of years of my existence is what I meant to say." Didi coughed into her hand from the little mistake. "Anyways, an extremely long time ago I used to think I had the hardest job out of all of my family members. At the start of my job, I was completely fine with it just like what everyone thinks with their day-to-day occupations. Now, at the very beginning, dying and living were new things and people did them with the enthusiasm they always bring to new things."

Didi let loose a depressed sigh. "And then after a while, it got harder. At one point, I got rather confused why people were pleased to see me at both their beginnings and endings. They'd tell me all about their experiences, like all of it. The only people who greeted me with relief did so as an escape from something bad or intolerable. The rest of them just wished I'd go away, as if dying were some kind of admission of failure. It made me sad and depressed. I thought about giving it up and walking out… And one day, I did."

She looked at the pair, whom were really engroused into the story at this point. "Mind you this was still a long time ago and long before this particular world came into existence." She looked away once more before continuing her tale. "But I kind of refused to do it anymore as I stopped taking life. People and animals, plants, bacteria and ideas: nothing died, period. And the chaos that ensued got extremely bad with everything getting worse and worse. And this was just for a handful of hours with nothing dying."

"Damn…" Muttered the Uzumaki.

"I know, right?" Said Death. "I don't know how, but a young man came a long way and eventually found me. And the first thing he did was pleading for me to start taking lives again. I was going to ignore his pleas, but then I looked around at what I'd done... and it scared me." The goth sighed to calm herself a little. "And just like that, I went back to work. I saw what the alternative was and I did not want to see that happen ever again.

Then sometime later, there was a period when I got kind of hard and cold and very brittle inside. It really started to get to me. I mean, people feel as pleased to have been born as if they did it themselves. And mostly, they didn't. But they did get upset and hurt and shaken when they die, even if they did it themselves. And sometimes they did. After some time working, I came across a small girl one day and when I came to take her to the afterlife, she looked at me in a peculiar way as I was icy, distant and vain. All she said was 'How would you like it?'... and I was completely stumped."

Naruto and Rachel looked at Didi with a resounding thought, with the ashen ward voicing it. "How so?"

"I... felt really hurt and I kept thinking on what she meant by that. After some time, I realized on what she meant."

"By becoming… mortal?"

"Pretty much…" Answered Death. "So I made a deal with myself that every hundred years, I take a holiday in order to live like a mortal. To see how I liked walking in their shoes and see what I could learn from the experience... And after my first official holiday of being alive, I met me."

"Me?"

"With how much work I have to do on a daily basis, I have to split myself up to cover up the groundwork. And even then, I need other Aspects to help out on the workload." She smirked at the Uzumaki. "Kind of like with your shadow clones... Or is it void clones these days? I sometimes mix them up every so often."

"Like gaining back your memories, experiences and the like." He said.

"Pretty much. Now going back to 'me', I saw that I was quite the cold hearted, stuck-up, frigid bitch... And that was just saying it nicely with Rachel here."

The Uzumaki's ward nodded as she got the general idea on how vocal Death might get.

"And in the end, I fully got the message." Didi said with a sigh. "You see, when someone dies, mostly they're a bit shaken or hurt, or angry, or worse. And all they need is a kind set of words and a friendly face. People may not be ready for me and my gift, but they get it anyways.

The Sunless Lands, my realm, are far away and the journey's hard. And many would be glad their in the company of a friendly person. At the end, each of us stands naked with nothing else to hide. At the end, each of us stands alone. And since I figured that out, it's not exactly deep, but it took me a very long time to understand it. And since then, things have been rather good. I've experienced so many cool things and met so many people and worlds. I've learned so much. Lots of people don't have jobs they love doing, do they?"

"...You got that right." Said the whiskered man.

"Don't you love your jobs? And yes I mean jobs with the multiple ones you have." Death then listed them off. "You being Vanitas, owning and running your publishing company and practically being a father or older brother to Rachel here."

Naruto looked over to his ward and saw the look in her gaze. He smiled at her, which made Rachel smile in return. "Yeah, I do very much." He looked back onto Death and asked a question. "And what about you?"

"After my first holiday, yeah, I feel really lucky in having my job." Answered Death. She looked back at the food in front of them and spoke. "Aren't you two gonna eat? It'll be a waste if you don't."

The guardian/ward pair snapped out of their present feelings, which involved processing what Didi/Death spoke to them about. They soon ate their food, which was at a decent pace as they occasionally glanced back at the ancient being in front of them; whom was munching down on her spicy burger.

As Rachel munched away into her onion rings, a thought formed in her mind. "Hey, Didi."

"Yes?" Said the gothic woman, once licking her fingers of the spicy burger sauce.

"There's the bit pertaining to you making deals-"

"I don't make deals, Rachel." Death interrupted.

"...But why not? I mean you could if you wanted to."

Naruto nodded in agreement on the thought, in which Death took notice of.

"Indeed I could, but things get real interesting if I go through that route."

"So the deals…"

"They're typically done through my Aspects and they end up getting mistaken for me as the end result." Didi let out a sigh as she scooped up a spoonful of her milkshake. "You have no idea of how tiresome it gets to be when that happens." Once swallowing the deserted bite, she explained. "What if I brought back someone to life, even if it's for a little while. Because once I got to touch life without taking it... Nostalgia, sentimental, fondness... and because that would be how the deal would be struck. There are no take backs or returns like at a store. If one were to exchange their life for another, then nothing can be done to change it with my specific deals."

The guardian/ward pair nodded in understanding as the three went back into eating their meals in relative silence.

As they ate, Didi glanced at the Uzumaki as she could tell a lot was running through his noggin. So she voiced the question. "Do you want to tell me about it?"

"...I don't know what you mean, Didi."

"Your conflicted about what happened with Ra's offer." Death said, getting him to flinch a little. "Even your relationship with Talia."

The former shinobi contemplated with his thoughts and didn't know if he should talk about it. Yet with the given chance with talking to Death herself, it would be a waste in not taking it. "I mean, if it's not going to bore you or upset you..."

Didi merely chuckled. "People don't bore me. I like people."

Rachel stopped eating and looked at Death. "Really?" She asked. "All of them?"

"All of them."

"Even the creepy ones?"

The gothic woman chuckled. "Nobody's creepy from the inside, Rachel. Some of them are sad, and some of them hurt, and some of them think they're the only real thing in the whole world. But they're not creepy."

"And you see them from the inside?"

"Pretty much."

"...That's weird."

Didi chuckled at Rachel's response. "In my case, it's pretty normal."

"If you say so."

Naruto processed this little bit of info before speaking. "So... does it matter if I tell you this or not? I mean, don't you know it already anyways?"

Didi kept on her typical smile. "I don't know it all already."

"...If you say so."

"Then go ahead, Naruto. Tell me what's on your mind."

The Uzumaki let out a sigh. "It is indeed about what happened with Ra's, his assassin organization and… Talia." He said as he rubbed part of his temples. "Ra's offer was rather tempting that if I could've taken his title, I would've become a Kage in this world by leading them and the like. But they still would've taken lives regardless on what I say."

"Obviously." Said the goth. "For one, it would take some time for them to adjust to the new rules and guidelines you would set. And if you forced it upon them, then splinter groups would form and cause more problems. Even more so by making the splinter leaders undermine your rule."

"That's what I thought as well." He said in agreement. "Ra's would've had a better choice with his daughters, but he wouldn't budge." Didi nodded as he continued his rant. "He's more concerned with having a proper male heir to continue his legacy." Naruto rolled his eyes with a scoff. "Ra's should've realized that times are changing and women can easily qualify in taking a man's role anyday. Yet his head is oddly stuck in the past while trying to think of the future. If he was more open minded, then things would've gone a whole lot smoother on that process."

"It's hard for most people to change their views, Naruto, as they can be too stubborn to let go." Death stated as he closed his eyes and nodded. "After all, people always hold onto old identities and faces long after they have served their purpose, but you'll need to learn to throw away things eventually."

Her dark eyes saw him pause before craning his head back with a quizzical look in his gaze.

'That… I heard that before.' He thought as he looked away for a brief moment. The Uzumaki racked his mind before remembering who told him that sentence and when. "Hey, Didi."

"Yes?"

"Uh~ Do you know a man that's at least a head taller than me with red hair and goes by the name-"

"Olethros." She said with a smile, getting Naruto to look back at her. "Though he sometimes prefers Oleth."

"How'd you-"

"He's one of my younger brothers." Didi revealed. "In fact you met two of them."

"...I have?" He asked while trying to process that the redhead he briefly met and befriended the last time he went to Metropolis was Death's brother… somehow. But Naruto met another of Death's siblings?

"Yup~ You did a job for him and in return for his services, you gained better access in the Dreaming."

It was there that things clicked. "You're talking about Morpheus?"

Didi enthusiastically nodded. "Dream is considered my younger twin as he was born shortly after life first began once it dreamed a dream. And Oleth, otherwise known as Destruction, helped pave way for creation through his namesake." She explained before smirking on his dumbfounded appearance. The goth even saw Rachel having a confused look upon her ashen face upon mentioning the younger Endless sibling. "Now I believe we're not talking about my family for the current topic as we're discussing your previous thoughts."

Naruto blinked as Death was right. He recollected his thoughts before opening his mouth. "Right. So I did talk about Ra's and his title, but his organization-"

"Would've been like being the Kage of your old village, correct? Yes we had briefly touched on that subject." Said the gothic woman. "Ra's stated that you could've done more as his replacement than you being Vanitas. Having unlimited resources and making much more of a difference than just a dent. Though I should at least tell you this: dents make a much more impact as time rolls on."

This got Naruto to perk a little on him being Vanitas.

"But you should remember that even if you did become Hokage back in your homeworld, there would've been missions that people had to die in the process." And this made him feel slapped across the face. "You fantasized about the title and knew certain aspects when growing up there, yet you didn't see the full picture of the title." He flinched a little under her gaze, which seemed to be a lot like Tsunade's when she lectured him. "Kage's sent those under them to missions where they might not come back from, even missions where they have to take lives in order to complete their objectives. Like when you killed Doto in order to protect Koyuki, what you had to do to save Shion from that demon Moryu and his followers, killing Kakuzu and the bodies Nagato possessed." Death tilted her head a little as Naruto lowered his head. "Do I need to say more?" She didn't get a reply back from him. "It's not that easy to swallow, is it? Forgetting that leaders have to make hasty choices that would mean life and death, salvation and damnation? Even having to live with said choices for the rest of their lives?"

"No, I'm afraid it's not." He said as more weight was placed upon his body.

Death briefly sighed before she saw Rachel feeling uncomfortable in her seat while hearing all of this. The ashen ward excused herself to use the restroom. The gothic woman knew it wasn't to just relieve herself but to get away from the seemingly heavy topic that befell her young ears for some moments.

'I wouldn't blame her.' Didi thought with a saddened gaze. 'With what she had to experience.' Once Rachel's form disappeared from her sight, the goth looked back at Naruto. "How about we talk about Talia." She said in order to change topics.

After thinking to himself for several moments, Naruto spoke. "I do care for her, Didi, I really do. Talia is one of my precious people and became a big part of my life ever since I came to this world. And in our time together, I thought I knew a lot about her, but... but it seems I was wrong." His gaze went so far as if he tried to search for her in the distance. "We talked and experienced so much with each other. We had the time of our lives and it honestly made me happier than my training trip with Jiraiya as I learned so much from her. Hell, it was practically ten, no a hundred times better than that time."

Didi sighed. "Not everyone can fully understand another, Naruto."

"It's one of life's great mysteries."

"Exactly."

"...When it was coming closer and closer to my flight towards the States, Talia asked me to stay with her. I told her that I wanted to see things on my own and she accepted it, even to this day on my decision." Naruto looked back at Death's calm face. "What would've happened if I took her offer?"

"That's the thing, Naruto, there are times I don't know what may or may not occur. Life has no set plan for everyone as one's road, path, whatever is always in flux."

He rose a brow. "You sure about that?"

"Maybe~"

Naruto felt his eye twitch from her response. He then shook his head. "Anyways, her confession… I didn't know she felt that way."

"You have been rather dense." Came Death's snarky remark as she ate a spoonful of her milkshake.

"Yeah… I have." Naruto scratched his head. "I just didn't know I truly meant that much for her. Then again, she kept it hidden from me quite well and she said she didn't know how to approach me on the fact." He sighed once more. "Yet the reaction didn't go all that well with Harley, Pam and Selina."

"With the secrets and one's past." She stated, making him nod. "Ring ring. Hello, this is Pot calling Kettle black."

"Well the girls did learn of my past, Didi. Mostly after Harley found out and made me reveal my identity to Selina and Pam."

"But were you planning on telling Talia?"

"...Maybe. I don't know."

"No one can be really sure on such decisions, but they have their respective reasons why."

He shook his head a little. "Anyways, the girls felt betrayed on what Talia did and they don't know what they would do if they saw her next. Not to mention they felt violated that they couldn't get in touch with me as they slept."

"You'll have to talk to my brother, Dream, about that." Didi said as she finished the rest of her shake. "He'll shed light on the subject."

Naruto nodded as he should do that soon, possibly tonight.

"Now, regardless on what happened on the entire situation, do you forgive her?"

"...When things ended at the Sahara and I had time to think things over… Both times, I do forgive her for what she's done." He answered. "I… I couldn't have the heart in not doing so."

Didi nodded before speaking up. "One would need to forgive others in hopes of moving forward and feel at peace. Yet in that process, forgiveness takes time to heal."

It wasn't long after the discussed topic when Rachel returned -who felt better now than from earlier- before the three finished up their respective meals. The waiter arrived with the check and headed back to check on other tables. With their bellies full, the group got up from the booth before heading towards the front to pay at the register.

"You don't have to pay for my meal, Naruto."

"Eh~ I insist, Didi." Said the publisher. "It's your holiday and you should be treated well."

The gothic woman smiled as Naruto paid the check before they left the food establishment.

-Later, On the Streets- -Insert Kingdom Hearts 2: Lazy Afternoons-

"...Hey, Didi."

"Yes?"

"Do you believe in love at first sight?" Rachel asked. Didi gained a certain glint in her eyes, causing her two companions to understand it just before she could answer. "And, you know, the whole bit 'til death do us part'?"

"Yeah, I know all too well."

The pair momentarily forgot on who they were talking to exactly.

"And… do you love anyone?" Rachel innocently asked.

"Well yeah I do."

Both Naruto and Rachel gained a curious expression. They soon voiced the same question that quickly filled their minds. "Who?"

"Everybody… Even if not everyone loves me back."

Rachel frowned a little. "So, in the end, do you still care for them?"

"I care about everyone, Naruto, Rachel." Her gaze then went towards her companions. "Maybe I ended up caring about you two a little bit more than I should have."

The guardian/ward pair adopted quizzical expressions at this.

"How so?" Asked the whiskered Uzumaki.

All they got was a teasing smirk from her dark lips. "That would be telling."

Much of the day has come and gone for the three as the sky started to shift into twilight. The guardian/ward pair oddly enjoyed Death's company as they walked amongst the crowds and around the city in order to entertain the ancient being. It was as if they were truly feeling good at being alive…

Both literal and metaphorical.

Everywhere they went, people were happy to see her as none of them knew who she really was exactly. But if the knowledge was brought onto them, the people would either laugh it off or think the three need to spend some time in Arkham.

Places they went to was the library, the museum and even the arcade. Didi did small commentaries with various books she came across with the many dead writers and topics pertaining to each written works. The same happened when they went into the museum, but the small conversations were a whole lot more interesting on the well known artifacts and items out on display. And as for the arcade, Didi was clearly enjoying the games as she tried to beat Rachel on a good number of them.

Now they were passing by little stands here and there in order to figure out what to do next.

At one point, the three passed by an ice cream vendor -with a decent sized line- as Didi licked her blackened lips. Naruto caught sight of this and spoke. "Would you like some ice cream?"

"I'd like it very much."

"Any preference?"

Didi thought for a moment. "Get me something out of the ordinary." She said. "I don't feel like getting any of the ordinary flavors."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"Alright." Naruto walked a few steps away before asking his ward the same question. Rachel said the same thing, making Naruto to nod before leaving Death and the half-demon to their own devices.

Seeing as her guardian has left them alone, Rachel looked at her much older companion. Her eyes darted to and fro from the gothic woman's form as several thoughts came to mind. Before long, she decided to voice them.

"Can I ask you a stupid question?"

"Sure, ask away."

The ashen child scratched her violet locks in embarrassment. "Actually, it's sort of more than one question, Didi."

"Meh, I'm fine with it."

"Um... Why do we hurt?" Rachel asked, getting Didi to tilt her head towards the young child. "Why do we die? Why isn't life good all the time? Why isn't it fair?"

A small smile tugged Death's lips. "Those aren't stupid questions, Rachel. For some people, they're the only questions that matter."

"Then does that mean you won't answer them?"

Didi scratched her darkened locks. "I'll answer, but it's kind of a big subject, even for one young such as yourself." Rachel nodded, getting Didi to continue speaking. "It's got lots of answers and said answers don't really mean anything... They aren't stupid questions, but they could just as well be 'When is purple?' or 'Why does Thursday?', if you get what I mean."

"...I somewhat do, I think."

"It's no problem if you can't fully understand, Rachel." Said the gothic woman as she soon adopted a lecturing pose. "Well, I think some of it is probably contrasts. Light and shadow, for example. If you never had the bad times, how would you know you had the good times? But some of it is just: if your going to be human, then there are a whole load of things that come with it. Eyes, a heart, days and life." Didi smirked a little. "It's the moments that illuminate it, though. The times you don't see when your having them... They make the rest of it matter."

Rachel gained a far distant look as she thought back to many of the bad times she experienced back in Azarath. From many of its residents ignoring and staying away from her and hampering her education -due to what she was- to the day the peaceful realm fell by her mistake and her mother's life was the highest cost as a result.

But then, one of the best days of her life was when Naruto took her in and she was able to have a new family. And because of that, she was able to start getting friends among other things.

"Tell me something, Rachel. Do you like Naruto?"

The ashen child snapped out of her thoughts before answering. "Of course I do. He means the world to me after taking me in." Her lips grew into a smile. "Everything became better since then."

"Good. Then if something happens to him and is about to get lost-"

"He doesn't get lost." Rachel said with child-like ignorance.

"Not the kind of lost in terms of direction, but in fact wandering down a dark path alone." Didi said, getting the young ward to nod in confirmation. "You make sure to stay with him and keep him safe and he'll do the same in return."

"But how can I?"

Death chuckled as she ruffled the purplette's hair. "That's for you to find out, my cute little Raven." Rachel fought the urge to smack the hand away, but kept it in with who exactly was doing the act. "And I'm counting on you to do it, okay?" The child then querked her head a little in some confusion, causing Didi to explain. "Naruto cares about you a lot, like a daughter or a little sister and he'll do anything to keep you safe. And he's not the only one with Pam, Harley and Selina -along with your friends- for they're your light in the dark."

Rachel processed this before nodding.

"It's not just that, but you should contribute in the relationship with you have with them." Said the gothic woman like a concerned sister or mother does towards a youngster. "With how you typically feel on most days, you feel rock bottom. You need to work through with what you're dealing with. Talk to people and express with what your feeling. Now I know Naruto's typically helping you to express some of your emotions, due to his powers and helping you open up to others, but bottling up everything isn't good for your health. And I know keeping your emotions under control pertains a lot with your powers, but you should at least express them every now and then."

"But I do."

"I know you do, but I'd thought I should let you know."

Rachel nodded before fiddling her hands a little. "Hey, uh… Lady Death."

"You don't have to call me that, y'know. Didi is fine unless you feel it's necessary otherwise." The gothic woman saw the ashen child nod. "But did you want to ask me something else?"

"Yeah. Mind… Mind not telling Naruto I asked you on this." She asked with saddened eyes. "I don't want him to become overly worried about it. Especially since…"

"Don't worry, I'm good at keeping secrets." Death said with an easy going smile. "I'm famous for it."

"What secret are you talking about?" Naruto asked as he came up to the female pair with his hands behind his back.

"Something that's between little Raven and I."

He blinked. "Raven?"

Rachel fidgeted in her spot. "It's my mother's old nickname for me."

"Huh, you learn more and more each and every day." Naruto muttered before he smirked. "Anyways~ I got you girls interesting treats." He brought his arms in front of him to show three baby blue ice cream bars.

"What flavor is it?" Rachel asked as she and Didi respectively took an ice cream.

All the Uzumaki did was smirk. "Try it out."

Didi and Rachel looked at each other and shrugged before taking a small bite. Once it happens, both of them had their own reactions from Didi humming in delight while Rachel recoiled on the taste.

"It's salty…" Said the ashen child before she took another small bite. "No, it's sweet!"

"Quite the contradictionary taste." Spoke the gothic woman as she licked her frozen treat.

Naruto chuckled at their reactions. "I'm glad that you two are enjoying it."

The three then heard the resounding bells coming from the Gotham Clocktower to signal of the new hour.

Looking towards the piece of architecture, Didi got a nice idea. "Mind taking us up there?" She asked.

Naruto looked at Death with a raised brow. "Any reason why?"

"I wanna see the sunset with a much better view as a mortal." She answered. "It's been over two hundred years since I saw it at a good vantage point."

The guardian/ward pair looked at each other and shrugged at Death's simple request. Naruto motioned the two to follow him into a nearby alley before they could take the expressway towards the city's clocktower. And it wasn't long after as a card platform shot into the sky and headed straight towards its destination.

Upon reaching the structure, each group member took careful steps when going at the tower's ledge as neither wanted to fall. They carefully sat down and situated themselves, with Didi sitting between Naruto and Rachel, before gazing towards the twilight sunset blanketing the city.

And it was honestly quite the beautiful sight.

'It's been so long since I've done this.' Thought the Uzumaki as he started nibbling on his ice cream. 'Relaxing and enjoying a view with others.'

He's done this countless times with Talia during the two years traveling together. And once coming into the states, Naruto shared the same experiences with Lois and Cat when he used to work alongside them.

Both instances made them forget all of their troubles with no cares holding each of them down. It was honestly a true pleasure for them to help relax their minds, hearts and souls.

'I'm surprised I haven't done this with the girls.' He thought with a small frown. 'I should make it up to them soon before the snow starts piling in.'

"Hey, Naruto."

"Yes, Didi?" He asked, once coming out of his thoughts.

"I haven't had the chance to thank you."

"On what exactly?"

"Several things." Death answered as she licked more of her ice cream. "One pertains to my brother, Oleth." She turned her head to look at Naruto. "Thanks for giving him that pep talk."

Memories flooded the forefront of Naruto's mind as he remembered his encounter with Death's younger brother back in Metropolis. "You're welcome, Didi." He replied as they looked back towards the sunset. "It appeared he had a lot of weight on his shoulders and I wanted to at least help him out. Somehow, someway."

"And it worked. He came back to visit us and my two younger sisters enjoyed his return."

Naruto rose a brow and looked back at Death. "What about your other siblings?"

"My older and younger twin wanted Oleth to take back his old job while my tranny sibling was neutral on the whole thing."

"Speaking of family, you didn't say much about them and Morpheus told me you lot were called the Endless." Said the Uzumaki as Rachel took closer attention to the conversation now on this viable piece of information.

"Indeed we are." Spoke Death with a small nod. "Seven of us in total with me being second oldest. I love them all, but we have very diverse viewpoints and lifestyles. From the very beginning, we've only had each other as family."

"That's quite understandable. I mean who wouldn't?" She chuckled on his response. "Mind telling me about each of them?"

Didi nodded in compliance. "My eldest brother, Destiny, is of the solemn sort; but he's the best at what he does. He's blind but don't let that fool you, he knows how to get things done and sees it through." Naruto smirked on her little joke. "Cleverer than most as he's usually one step ahead of everybody."

"I have a feeling he and I might not get along."

All Didi did was shrug as she didn't want to answer that. She took several more licks from her treat before continuing her listing. "You've obviously met my brother, Morpheus. He can be moody the best of times and maybe a little pigheaded, but I can't help but fret over him." The gothic woman stopped licking her treat and looked into the distance. "Even when he was trapped in a prison for 70 years."

Naruto and Rachel quirked a brow. 'Trapped for 70 years?' Thought the pair.

As if reading their minds, she answered. "Occultists tried to summon and entrap me in hopes of ruling over me. Yet they ended up summoning Dream and things didn't go well because of that." Didi sighed. "It was universally wide as countless people either slept all day, couldn't sleep at all or were in waking dream-like states… He was able to escape, by chance, and had his revenge on the perpetrators." Death ate more of her ice cream with a stern, scrunched up face. "Though he was a complete idiot in not calling out to us to help free him in that time."

"...After getting to know you a bit more, I believe 'sorry' really works in this situation."

Death snorted a laugh from the conversation back in the park earlier today. "What's done was done and things eventually went back to normal." She burped a little and excused herself. "Now… Oleth, you obviously know that he abandoned his post. I won't tell you the reason why as it's his story to tell."

Naruto nodded in understanding as it was indeed a sensitive subject to briefly touch on-on their previous encounter. "At least he does have a good job now as a freelance artist."

"Works well with the creative aspect of himself." Said the gothic woman. "The next sibling on the list is Desire, the tranny I mentioned before. And let's just say that one knows what s/he wants and leave it at that since s/he is quite the can of worms to discuss."

Naruto and Rachel nodded and accepted Death's word of advice.

"Desire's twin, Despair, is very shy." Her dark eyes looked over to Rachel. "Even more shy than you, little Raven."

"Really?" Rachel asked for confirmation as she ate the rest of her ice cream.

"Indeed she is, but she means well on what she does." Didi then smiled a goofy grin. "And finally is Delirium or Mania as she sometimes calls herself, is the youngest of the bunch. She can be quite cooky and cheerful as she lives at her own pace." Her goofy grin simmered down several degrees. "She had gone by another name, long ago, which perfectly went by Delight, but… something happened that made her change into what she is today."

Death felt a comforting hand on her shoulder and arm respectively and appreciated Naruto's and Rachel's concerned gesture.

With a healed smiled, Didi continued talking. "Asides from that, she be quite interesting to talk to. And do you want to know the best part about her? She's actually the smartest being there ever is."

"...How?"

"One who knows too much eventually goes insane." The goth answered. "One who knows truth as truth and nothing else can't comprehend this world of lies. Only one that is truly insane and handle it can understand absolute knowledge."

This left the guardian/ward pair rather stumped.

"Quite the odd family, no?" She questioned.

"But you love them all the same, right?" Naruto stated with Rachel nodding in agreement.

"Indeed I do."

"But what about your father?" Asked the ashen child. "You said it was just you, your siblings and your father."

Didi sighed as she popped the rest of her treat into her mouth and consumed the rest. She chewed on the popsicle stick a little before pulling it out. "Right~ dear old dad." She blew out air from her mouth while looking towards the vast distance above. "The Voice, the Hand, the Presence. Each are his identities. His voice birthed Destiny with the first word, his hand molded and formed each universe while his presence is everywhere, yet nowhere."

"Like the cheshire cat?" Rachel questioned.

"Right you are."

"When you said your father was complicated, you weren't joking."

"Yeup~" Didi looked down to her popsicle stick and rose a brow. "Won't ya look at that, it says I'm a winner. So what do I get?"

"Another thing of ice cream." Naruto answered. "There was a sign on the ice cream stand saying that if you present it to the employee, then you get another thing of ice cream for free."

"Then let's get another." Didi said as she stood up from the ledge. "That sea-salt ice cream is rather addicting."

"If you say so, my lady." The publisher said with a smirk. "But what do you wanna do after that?"

The mortal form of Death adopted a thinking pose and hummed. After several moments, an idea was formed. "I always love parties!" She spoke out. "And I would love to enjoy one in the modern day."

Naruto scratched his whiskered cheek as he looked at Rachel. "Maybe we should go find one once I dropped off Rachel." He said, getting Didi to look at him. "A lot of parties at this time of day and era are mostly at clubs, which have age restrictions."

Didi shrugged in understanding. "Yeah~ It's getting rather late and I believe little Raven wants some time to rest at your loft."

From her spot on the ledge, the purplette nodded. Even though she wasn't remotely tired, there was a lot of information she learned today and needed to process them accordingly.

A card platform materialized before them as they stepped onto its surface. Once done, they headed towards the same alleyway as before to acquire Didi's free ice cream. And from there, Naruto directed his floating card to take them to his loft in order to drop off his ward.

When asking about where the mortal Death wanted to go, she spoke with her ever present smile. "That's just part of the human condition, isn't it? Afterall, as my older brother would say, 'certain destinations are inevitable'. Just guide us along and I'll tell you when to stop."

-Evening, The Undercut-

The sun disappeared in the skies above with only for the moon and some barely seen stars to replace it. The city lights appeared giving the city life after dark. As a result, an older crowd got off from work and came out to play as the youngsters went home.

At one point in their little journey, Didi ordered Naruto to stop and lower their transport to the ground before they wandered around to look for a good place to go to. And it wasn't long before they came across a nightclub with posters labeling past, present and up-and-coming musicians.

"Sure looks packed." Said the goth as the pair stood in line to get in. "Wonder who's playing."

"No clue, Didi." Replied her companion. "Haven't gone to a nightclub like this in quite some time."

"Naruto? Is that you?" Spoke a woman's voice from behind.

The Uzumaki and mortal incarnation of Death turned around and saw a pregnant woman with tanned skin and short brown hair. She was wearing a shirt with the word 'dyke' pointing upwards and the word 'baby' pointing towards her swollen belly.

Blinking a few times, Naruto recognized her. "Hazel! How's it going?!" He said as he brought her into a one arm hug, which she returned in kind. "As a matter of fact, what are you doing here? You shouldn't be drinking at all."

Hazel rolled her eyes before elbowing his side. "I don't plan on doing that at all, boss." She then smiled. "But I'm doing quite alright, thanks for asking. And as for me being here, Foxglove's playing."

"But I thought Donna was still writing short stories and poems."

Hazel scratched her hair before answering. "Yeah... She's been getting tired on not selling any as of late, even with some of the colab works at the office." Hazel looked towards the line as it steadily receded inwards. "This is her first real gig that anyone's giving her any money for and I merely came by for support, despite the fact I got this little guy." She emphasized by patting her tummy. Her eyes then landed on the goth next to her boss. "Who's she?"

Realizing this, Naruto spoke up. "Right, sorry. Hazel, this here's a good friend of mine, Didi. And Didi, this here is one of my dear employees, Hazel McNamara."

The two women shook hands as they properly greeted each other.

"So what do you do exactly?" Hazel asked.

"I travel a lot for my job." Didi answered. "You?"

"I work part-time at his guy's office building as one of the chiefs while working another job at my brother's restaurant."

"And when's the baby due?"

"Any day now." Hazel answers while rubbing her stomach once more. "Ooh! The baby kicked! You wanna feel it?"

Didi merely smiled. "Sure!" She placed her hands on Hazel's stomach and indeed felt the kick. "Say, why you working two jobs?"

It was Naruto who answered. "Some stuff happened to her and Donna -which is Foxglove's real name- early this year right after Hazel got pregnant. They were booted out by a sexist landlord that didn't enjoy the gays, so the two were forced to move in with Hazel's mom." He then put his arm around the chef as the two smiled. "And when I heard about it, I gave this wonderful gal a raise to help build up support for their new arrival."

"Ain't that nice of you, Naruto." Said the goth.

"I do believe in karma, Didi."

Didi nodded before turning back to Hazel. "So is this your first?"

"And my last, probably." Replied the chef. "Don't know if Foxglove and I wanna consider getting another, either through preggers or adoption, but the idea will come later down the line." Death nodded in understanding. "So you two gonna come in? Foxglove needs all the support she can get."

Naruto and Didi looked at each other and agreed to go on in, once the line was more diminished that is.

As they got down the stairs at a steady pace, Hazel spoke back up. "I think the show might start soon so I'll have to head backstage right away. I would take you two with, but…"

"Yeah, I know of Donna's problems with anxiety and nausea." Spoke her boss. "Maybe, if ya want, you can have her chat with us sometime after."

Hazel nodded as they came up to the ticket booth. The chef went up to the employee and asked for her name to get herself in before getting to the back as fast as she could with how crowded the space was getting. And it wasn't long after as Naruto paid for his and Didi's tickets to see Foxglove's first performance.

"Hazel was nice."

"Yeah, she is. But I feel bad for her and others in the LGBT community on what kind of crap they have to go through. So whatever employee I have that's apart of said group, I do what I can to make their work experiences comfortable and treat them fairly."

"That's good for you to do, Naruto."

"Thanks." He said as the two went into the crowd while trying to find a good spot to properly see the stage. "Been meaning to ask ya this, but don't you know everything? Like the gender of Hazel's kid?"

"Not really."

"Why's that?"

"If I did then I'd be Delirium." She seemingly joked, making him roll his eyes. "But in all honesty, I do like some surprises here and there… But I don't know what may occur. Life has no set plan for everyone as one's road, path, whatever is always in flux."

"If you say so."

After several minutes, a woman -probably a manager or employee- walked onto the stage, grabbed the mic and spoke. "Hi, everyone. Welcome to the Undercut and thanks for attending. Now our performer tonight goes by the name Foxglove. It's her first gig so please be respectful and treat her kind."

As the woman walked off stage, another appeared.

The person in question was a blonde haired woman with her hair styled like a sea urchin with how spiky it was and went everywhere. She wore dark blue clothes and held an acoustic guitar in her one hand with a stool in the other. There wasn't any other form of equipment brought onto the stage, minus the microphone, as it showed Foxglove wanted her music performed in a classical manner. No use of electronic amplifiers to lose or reduce its natural sound accurately.

Most people prefer this method, but this also shows -at times- that the musician would've been rather tight on money and can't really afford the more expensive instruments.

After adjusting the microphone stand, Foxglove took a deep breath and spoke towards the audience. "Uh… good evening, everyone. This first song is called Donna's Dream. It's about some people I knew. At least one of them is dead and it goes a little something like this."

After strumming her guitar chords for a few moments, the blonde sang.

My name is Judy and I died

On a bad day in eight nine

And I've come back to see you girl

To talk about the old times

It's been awhile, but you're looking good,

Let's sit and drink some wine.

And I wondered what

You were doing tonight

In my cold place underneath the world

And there's worms inside my eyes

And my bones are getting dry

But I still love you girl

Well tomorrow I'll sleep in the ground again

But tonight I'll sleep with you

I've missed your lips and tongue

And touch, so much,

Say you missed me too

In the dark I kissed you girl

I wonder if you knew

I wonder what you're doing tonight

In my cold place underneath the world

I don't breathe or sleep

I can't even spit or weep

But I still love you girl.

I wrote you a letter,

Girl, on the day I checked out

Said I hurt you 'cos I loved you.

Was I wrong? And the seasons turn

And the years go by, but the dark continues on.

Close your eyes and I'll kiss you,

In the morning I'll be gone.

And I wonder what you're doing tonight.

Once Foxglove finished her song, the crowd clap in applause for her first performed song.

The blonde smiled at this as she soaked in the praise she was getting. Yet she was far from done as she took a breath to steady her nerves.

"Thank you. Now this next song was given to me by a dear friend of mine and he wanted me to at least sing this for y'all. It's called In the Woods Somewhere."

With more strumbs from her guitar, Foxglove sang her second song for the evening.

My head was warm

My skin was soaked

I called your name

'Til the fever broke

When I awoke

The moon still hung

The night so black

That the darkness hums

I raised myself

My legs were weak

I prayed my mind

Be good to me

An awful noise

Filled the air

I heard a scream

In the woods somewhere

A woman's voice

I quickly ran

Into the trees

With empty hands

A fox it was

He shook afraid

I spoke no word

No sound he made

His bones exposed

His hind was lame

I raised a stone

To end his pain

What caused the wound?

How large the teeth?

I saw new eyes

Were watching me

The creature lunged

I turned and ran

To save a life

I didn't have

Deer in the chase

There as I flew

I forgot all prayers

Of joining you

I clutched my life

And wished it kept

My dearest love

I'm not done yet

How many years

I know I'll bare

I found something

In the woods somewhere

And once more, like before, the crowd loved her song.

"Thanks. This next song was inspired by something my friend Wanda once said to me. She's dead too. Maybe it's contagious. It's called Tracks."

If somewhere in the dark I am alone

Will you come to me,

Bringing me your light

"Wow, that's dark. What's with the dark songs pertaining death?" Naruto asked before freezing and turned towards his companion. "Not that there's anything wrong with it, Didi."

The goth merely smiled as she listened to Foxglove's music. "Death's handled differently in each other's way. And there's a large variety of songs out there, even the greatest ones there ever was, that were inspired by the death of others."

"Yeah, everyone handles death differently." Naruto said as his mind thought towards the many deaths in his life from his home world to this one. The Uzumaki shook his head to pay attention to Donna's music. "Either way, she does sound really good."

"I dunno." Spoke a dark skinned man.

Naruto looked towards the man and voiced a question. "What do you mean?"

"There was this one girl, Michelle Shocked, she already did an acoustic guitar shtick already and did it better. And Suzanne Vega did the wistful intellectual with a dream diary bit. She didn't say anything new."

The publisher raised a brow. "You a critic?"

"Nah. I'm with a recording company. Only out here for a week to seek new talent from National City."

"Yeah, I've been there. But what label?"

"Xerxes." The music scout answered. "We're part of-"

"Yeah, I know who you guys are. Heard about you from a friend of mine."

"So, uh... you like her?" Asked the scout. "I mean, you don't think she'd be too morbid for the kids?"

"Nah. Not really." Came the Uzumaki's reply. "Music tastes change over time and a lot of kids that don't like certain genres at the first go around will end up loving it when getting older. So give Foxglove up there a chance and things will turn out just fine."

The dark skinned man scratched his head as he thought things over before turning his attention back to the performer on stage as the audience cheered Foxglove on for more.

-Naruto and Pam's Loft-

"What movie do you wanna watch, Didi?"

Looking at the movie collection, Death pulled out a pair of movies. "Hard to decide between Beauty and the Beast and the Little Mermaid."

Things were getting rather late in the evening as the pair ended back at Naruto's loft after attending Foxglove's entire performance.

The show was a success as Donna was really happy with how it turned out. People loved her work and her songs. Better yet, she was able to chat with a music scout on a possible recording contract. But there was the slight catch that a tape needed to be made before possible interviews with the recording studio.

But Naruto stepped in and helped out on the situation -once the music scout left- that if Xerxes Studio wouldn't take Foxglove in, then the publisher would use his connection with Cat Grant to find a studio that'll work with her.

And since the 'Media Queen' of National City has quite a lot of influence, then things might go quite well for the blonde musician.

...Due to Didi honestly not having a place to stay for her holiday, Naruto offered her his place to sleep at for the time being. She accepted the offer on their way back.

"Beauty and the Beast was a better movie, but... I think the songs were better in the Little Mermaid." Said the ashen child as she finished washing the dishes.

"Yeah, with the former having like two good songs while the later had more catchier ones." Didi admitted. "But storywise, I like the Little Mermaid more. I mean, even though Disney gave it a happy ending. My brother, Dream, is kind of a purist when it comes to stories. But I honestly don't see why Ariel would've had to lose her soul and die in the end if they went with the original route."

"With modern audiences, they would rather not want to see any morbid stuff in a fairy tale." Spoke the publisher as he warmed up some popcorn on the stove. "It was completely fine as it was back then, but now well you get the gist."

Before getting into the next activity for Didi's holiday, watching movies, she had a nice home cooked meal with just Naruto and Rachel.

It's been more than a few centuries since she had a pleasant meal like this. Taken in and served a nice plate of food and eating in a safe environment. It was a nice experience to have again after so long and hoped to have it in her next holiday.

Didi had briefly hoped into meeting Naruto's three lovers -while in the mortal flesh- but things might get quite complicated in doing so. For one, her sudden appearance would throw them off for obvious reasons. And if she did reveal who she was to them, one can imagine their reactions.

Yet the mortal incarnation of Death wasn't able to meet them on her holiday. With Selina out of the city, Pam focusing her entire time on her projects, and whatever Harley's doing right now either at work or being with her neighbors. Didi was fine and understanding on that matter.

For she'll meet them at a later date.

During the dinner, Naruto asked his ward a little bit more about the Raven nickname that Didi brought up earlier today. It was what her mother called her from time to time back in Azarath. Stating that Arella Roth was fascinated with the avian breed throughout her life and loved them very much. And when Rachel was born, she called her as such when her child oddly inheritage that same fascination.

Yes, it was quite odd on getting the pet name but the name seemed to stick with the ashen child.

And, of course, being called Raven by Didi threw Rachel off as she didn't know if she'd hear that ever again.

Placing the selected movies by the TV set, the gothic woman walked past the kitchen as Rachel dried her hands and the sounds of popped corn was heard. On the counter, several bowls were laid out for each of them so they wouldn't run out all that quickly of popcorn. Didi kept walking, opened the patio door and stepped into the night air.

Naruto saw this from the corner of his eye and was curious as to why she went there. He then asked Rachel to finish popping the corn while he checked on their guest. When he stepped outside, Naruto saw her leaning against the rail and looking towards the sky above.

-Insert Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep Destiny's Union-

"Beautiful, isn't it?" She asked.

"You can say that." He said as he joined beside her. Naruto didn't know what was running through her mind at this moment, but he could briefly tell from her gaze alone that something was definitely running in there.

In what felt like eternity, Naruto heard Didi speak to him.

"You know the Mr. Bank's character when I talked about Mary Poppins earlier today?" Didi said with an oddly distant, yet near tone. "With him having little to no time for his family or anything? Even living?" She asked, getting him to nod. "Well I sometimes think that could be applied to a large variety of people out there." The goth then looked towards Naruto. "Like you, for example."

The Uzumaki adopted a curious expression. "Me? What do you mean?"

"First off, you believe in the multiverse theory?"

He blinked. "Yeah, I do. After all, I did come from a different reality and I've grown up with an open mind." Naruto fully turned towards her to face Death in the face. "Each and every decision we make affects everything around us. And in another reality, the opposite action happens to cause something else to occur. For each decision there is, a branching factor takes place for the whole 'what if' scenario. From being rich instead of poor, good and evil, certain people never met so someone was never born. So on and so forth in odd infinitum."

"That's nihilism for ya."

"But why bring that up?"

"Lets just say that out there, there's another Naruto that he is so preoccupied with his job that he hardly has time with his wife and children… like Mr. Banks. So much so that he ends up having marital problems with his wife, his son practically despising him and his daughter is very sad that he doesn't try to spend more time with them."

"But shouldn't he, I don't know, try to make time for them?" He argued while looking at her like she was crazy. "I mean, couldn't he just use shadow clones-"

"He has and yet the idea didn't really work." Didi countered. "Instead of having them do the work in the office, he sent them straight towards his family to take care of them. His thoughts were too preoccupied with work that he ended up shoving his family out and he never realized the consequences until it was too late. And do you wanna know the funny thing about that? It has happened way too often -in so many realities- than you would truly realize."

Naruto looked at Didi in disbelief and wanted to say something, but his tongue felt tied. He couldn't say anything as a sinking feeling seemed to grow and expand.

Death's mortal form looked at the publisher and blew out a small puff of air. "I can understand your little frustration, but there are key factors which result in those events to happen. Whether it's from his own volition or being influenced by others." She sighed while scratching her darkened locks. "But you should know that there are a good margin of yourself that does the exact opposite. They do think better and spend time with their families while having their clones do the work. And if they don't have the means to create clones, they compromised to the best of their ability to spend time with their loved ones." She smiled upon him. "Just like what you're doing, Naruto."

The feeling in his chest died down when hearing her words.

"Though sorry to dampen your mood on pointing this out but~ there are Earths out there that even if your a hero in most, you're a villain in others." She said she saw him appear conflicted now on his thoughts. "Don't blame yourself, it's the multiverse so the factor had to be there."

"...I guess."

'At least he accepted it.' Didi shrugged in thought. She then looked towards the darkened sky above. "Do you see each of those stars in the sky?"

Naruto rose a brow on the question, but guessed the shift in topics would be good right now. "Somewhat due to the light pollution, Didi." He said.

Didi chuckled. "You ever wonder what stars are at times?"

"Planets being seen due to sun's rays reflecting off their surface or even the suns themselves." He answered through a scientific view. "But… since you stated earlier that there's life out there -back during lunch- I'm also adding in worlds filled with life."

"Good. Most people have a hard time believing that there are inhabited worlds besides this one." Her eyes kept focus towards the barely visible stars above. "And many individuals out there wouldn't really know of the whole scientific aspect you said a bit ago. For they think that the stars in the sky are in fact Hearts."

"Hearts?"

"Yup~ The worlds have Hearts of their own and they shine so bright in order to proclaim that they are alive and thriving. So much so, it's become quite the spectacle for many onlookers as their Light shines down upon them like a million of trillion lanterns." Death breathed out a sigh. "But when they flicker out, they go into a result of either going into three states."

He got really curious at this point, causing him to ask the question that came to mind. "What are they?"

She held up her hand and pointed her index finger. "They would either be dead and that I have Reaped the world." Her middle finger came out. "They would be entrapped by Darkness." Her ring finger came last. "Or they would be placed into a deep sleep."

"...I get the first one, Didi, but you lost me on the last two." Stated the Uzumaki. "Mind explaining on the other two?"

A chuckle escaped her lips. "I will, but not now." She turned around and headed back inside. "I believe it's time to see the movies before hitting the sack."

Seeing her walk away from him made him want to know what she meant on her answer as they left more questions in their wake. He sighed and scratched his head before following her to watch her selected movies for the evening.

-Later, The Dreaming-

"...This is new." Said the Uzumaki as he and his ward sat up from the ground.

The pair gazed across a vast, desolate land filled with nothing but sand that stretched as far as his eyes could see at every direction. They rose from the loose ground before dusting and shaking themselves of any of the grainy material off their person. Once done, they looked towards the oddly purple sky with tinges of blue here and there with several moons floating in the sky and pinkish clouds to finish off the starlit scenery.

"...If a fantasy writer or artist were to see this, they'd probably pass out from shock." Rachel muttered.

'That and creaming themselves.' Naruto thought as he soon scratched his head. "Where… and why are we here anyways?" The publisher adopted a thinking pose as he muttered his thoughts. "I know we're in the Dreaming, but I have no idea why we're here… and where."

"That's because I brought you here." Came a familiar voice. Naruto and Rachel turned around and saw Didi smiling upon them.

"Uh… hey."

"Hello."

"Hey yourselves."

"So what did you mean you brought us here, Didi?" Rachel asked.

"I merely wanted a companion or two when traveling to my brother's place." She answered. "If I was my true self, then I wouldn't need to do such a thing. But~ since I'm currently mortal, the trek tends to be rather lonely and quite long."

Naruto blinked on her reason with his ward tilting her head. "You could've just asked and forewarn us before we went to bed, y'know." He stated.

"I know, but I thought this would've been quite the surprise for ya."

"...Indeed it has, Didi." He said as she walked past them. "Do you know where to go?"

"Yeup~ If I didn't then we would've been lost getting there for countless years."

They was about to follow when he widened his eyes. "I'm sorry, but what?"

"If you don't know the way, then you'll be lost in the center of my brother's domain for an unknown amount of time." Came her reply.

'That… is rather unsettling.' Was his thought as he ended up following her in her trek.

It felt like forever when traversing the sandy landscape, yet having each other as company eased the timely weight. For beyond the infinite dust, infinite sand, infinite dark and light; the way to the center of this dream-like desert was an extremely slow spiral. Overcoming hazards left and right of varying degrees, but never life-threatening. One passes the old way stations of the frontiers of Nightmares. It's residents -the Nightmare Dream spirits- had typically roamed their pathway, yet it was nothing Naruto and Rachel couldn't handle before continuing onward.

From there, they charted a course Nightward until reaching the Gates of Horn and Ivory.

As the guardian/ward pair looked at it's detailed wonder, they heard Didi speak. "Dream carved them himself and order was needed."

The Uzumaki took a closer look at the pair and marveled at the ever shifting artistry shown here, representing the ever changing dream one experiences most nights. He didn't need to even touch the surfaces to tell the texture would be the same, in his theorized guess.

The former shinobi looked back and saw his gothic companion pointing towards the Ivory gates. "The Dreams that pass through those gates are lies, figments and deceptions." She then pointed towards the Horned-themed ones. "The other admits the Truth and no one guards them anymore."

"So how do we get in?"

She smiled before grasping their hands. And before they knew it, their sight was blinded with a pale white light. When their vision went back to normal, Naruto and Rachel rubbed their eyes before widening their gaze at the sight before them.

-Insert Kingdom Hearts 2.5: Magical Mystery-

It was by far the largest castle they've ever seen in their entire life. The style was like countless structures meshed together and it would've been possible at all to perfectly blend them. Yet here it is in all it's marvelous glory with every type of stone and metal they could think of with ones they never known before.

Didi smiled at her companions' expression. She then walked in front of them and faced Naruto and Rachel before widening her arms when introducing the home of her younger brother. "Welcome to the Ghost Castle, otherwise known as the Palace of Dreams. The very heart and center of the Dreaming and my brother's seat of power."

Naruto shook his head before pulling and pinching his cheek in order to tell if he was dreaming… wait… poor choice of words in the current moment.

Rachel rolled her eyes on what her guardian was doing before following Death towards the castle.

"Come on, Naruto. Let me show you."

Didi's melodic voice snapped him out of his thought process before walking to catch up with her and his young ward.

As they neared the large gates, with stars and clouds as it's design, Naruto and Rachel saw three gargoyle like structures coming to life with the stone-like texture turning into living flesh, fur, feathers and scales. One was a large griffon, a pegasus and lastly was an oversized dragon.

"Who dares intrude upon the master's residence?" Spoke the griffon as he and his fellow guardians stared down upon the small group.

It was Didi who stepped forward and spoke. "I know it's been a hundred years or so since I came through this way, but surely you lot recognizes me."

The three guardians blinked before the dragon spoke in recognition. "Oh! A thousand apologies on not recognizing you right away, Mistress Death!"

"Forgive us, m'lady." Said the pegasus in a meekly tone.

"It's no problem, you three." Didi spoke in a carefree tone.

"Though pardon the thought, but who are the two behind you?" Asked the griffon.

The gothic woman turned slightly to introduce her companions. "These two are friends and I wanted to bring them with me as I come to visit my brother."

The three guardian's nodded as the doors to Dream's palace opened for the small group to enter.

"Do you really consider us friends, Didi?" Rachel asked as they walked into the foyer.

"Why yes I do, little Raven."

After venturing further into Dream's castle, the three were soon greeted by the tallest and thinnest man the guardian/ward pair had ever seen once he stepped into the foyer. His brown hair was spiky, despite it being slicked back, as he wore round spectacles on his pointy ears and a butler's attire.

Didi was the first to greet the man. "How's it going, Lucien?"

The now identified Lucien gave a small nod. "My lady, all goes well." He said with a sophisticated voice.

"And the library?"

"The same and I thank you for asking."

"Great!~"

"Are you here to talk to the Master?" Asked the tall, thinly man.

"That and one other thing."

"Which is?"

"I don't have anything good to read lately and I wanted to borrow some books from you." Lucien nodded in understanding. "Have you got anything with a happy ending? And nice people in it? Or funny animals?"

"I'll make a selection for you, my Lady. But question is: when will you pick them up?"

"After my holiday." She answered.

"Very good." Lucien then looked towards the odd people out in the room. "And who are these two?"

"They've been my companions during my holiday, Lucien. And I thought to bring them here for the time being."

"If you say so, my Lady." The tall, thinly man gave a small bow towards Death's companions as he introduced myself. "Hello, my name is Lucien. I'm the chief Librarian of Dream's library and head supervisor of the Dreaming itself, second only to the Master himself."

Naruto smiled as he stepped forward and held out his hand. "Hiya. Name's Naruto Uzumaki and it's a pleasure to meet ya."

Lucien saw the offered appendage and resorted in kind by shaking the whiskered man's hand.

Rachel came up to the chief Librarian and introduced herself. "And my name's Rachel Roth, good sir."

"Pleasure."

"You know, Rachel, I believe you might like the library here." Didi said.

The ashen child blinked in confusion. "How so?"

"You see, it not only has every written work ever conceived but ones that have never been made as it's been all imagined." The gothic woman explained. "And I mean every story that one has ever been dreamed; whether it's written down, filmed or put into a game. You'll never find them in the waking world on stories with authors that never wrote or finished their desired works, except in their dreams." Didi adopted a thinking pose for a quick moment before snapping her fingers with a smile. "For example, all of Edgar Allan Poe's books, tales, plays and poems that he never wrote are all in there."

The interests for both Rachel and her guardian were peaked when hearing this detail.

It did make sense that many fictional works are made purely by one's imagination. The thought process would've been done considerably in order to get things right with one's motivation and drive with their creativity. And in turn, they would be connected to the Dreaming one way or another for this all to happen.

As if sensing their thoughts, the chief Librarian spoke up. "Most of the works in the Master's library aren't considered true creativity, mind you." The guardian/ward pair were curious at what Lucien meant by that, causing him to explain. "Writers and artist often tend to pick up on psychic energies from another realm via subconscious link. What they would think is merely creative, imaginary thoughts are really psychic memory of events occurring in other realms."

"Hmm, that makes sense." Muttered the Uzumaki before he went into his thoughts. 'The ideas I got for my Final Fantasy books and Loveless merely came to me. So I might've hitched onto that psychic energy some way to record things.' Naruto internally groaned. 'Great~ Now realizing this, I might not be able to do well when writing my next books with me being aware of that.'

Naruto snapped out of his thoughts when Didi spoke up. "We should probably get going. My brother is probably expecting me by now."

The chief Librarian gave a curt nod as Didi walked onward with her two companions walking close behind.

"Oh and when you see Scheherazade next, tell her I said hi."

The spectacled man bore a small smile as he responded back. "Will do, Mistress Death."

As the group went into a small discussion, Lucien walked towards his Master's library to acquire Death's requested books. Wasn't long before a raven flew down from one of the ceiling's many support beams. The creature gilded towards spectacled man before perching itself on Lucien's shoulder.

"So… that's him."

"Indeed he is." Spoke the blackened bird with a masculine voice.

"Given by your description of him, everything was spot on… except for his hair and eyes." Lucien said as they saw the pair following Death to chat with her brother, their Master. "Are you sure that is indeed him?"

"I'm positive." The raven's dark eyes were trained towards the Uzumaki's retreating form. "I never forget that easily."

"Then how do you think he got the changes?"

"I… believe he was stuck at that Realm far too long than one would've thought." Replied the red eyed raven. "I'm surprised his personality wasn't altered by that place. Even if his chakra and the Kyuubi was removed from his body before coming to the current Earth."

"And how can you be so sure? You didn't talk to him."

"I have my ways, Lucien." Came the avian's vague answer.

The tall, thinly man let out a small sigh. "Whatever you say."

"Hn…"

The two then heard a series of steps coming towards them. Lucien turned his head and saw Rachel coming up to him. "May I help you?" He asked

The ashen child looked a bit bashful before speaking. "I… was wondering if… it wasn't too much trouble… if I could see the library."

"...Does Naruto know?"

"I asked him and he said I could go if you're fine with me seeing it."

Lucien hummed a little before nodding his head. "I don't see why not."

Rachel smiled as she walked beside the tall, thinly man. After several moments, she saw the blackened bird perched on the man's shoulder and didn't see it beforehand. Of course, like most children, she stated the obvious. "Why do you have a raven on your shoulder?"

Lucien was about to speak when the black avian beat him to the punch. "I just wanted to tell him something."

"...You can talk?"

"Of course I can." Replied the raven. "Afterall, I'm not an ordinary bird."

"...Clearly." Rachel said as she scratched her purple locks. "Then again, I forgot that things here aren't… normal…"

"Especially from where you come from, animals don't speak your language."

The ashen child nodded as the small group went towards the library. Yet an innocent question lingered on her mind. "Mind telling me your name?" She asked.

"Pardon me?"

"Well, I don't know if I just wanna refer to you as 'the raven' and I think it would be rude doing so."

The black avian chuckled slightly. "You are not wrong, but wouldn't it be best if you introduced yourself as well?"

'Wouldn't see why not.' She shrugged in thought. "I go by the name Rachel… but my guardian might end up calling me Raven from time to time… after him learning my old nickname."

If the raven had a better mouth, he would've smirked. 'Of course he would.' He thought before opening his beak. "Well it's nice to meet you, Raven. You can call me Itachi."

While Rachel followed Lucien to Dream's Library, Naruto followed Didi as she navigated her way through Dream's home. With all of its twists and turns in the corridors, one would've been lost without knowing where to go; just like the outside desert plains.

After several more minutes in the hallway-like maze, the two made it to their destination. Didi rapped on the facing door as they heard a brief 'Enter' from the other side. The gothic woman opened the door and there they saw Dream finishing up some paperwork in his study. He was currently wearing a grey t-shirt with jeans and black boots.

Looking up from his desk surface, Morpheus gave them a brief wave of his hand. "I've been expecting you, sister." His gaze shifted onto her companion. "You, however, not at all."

"Call it a sudden impulse, brother." Didi said as they walked into the room. "Besides, you've always known that I often bring others for my Dreamy travel."

"Didi… that was a horrible pun." Said the whiskered man.

The gothic woman merely let out a small huff of annoyance as they sat down on some spare chairs.

"Would you like some tea?" Dream offered to the nearby tray. "Or some other refreshments?" The pair were fine with tea, getting the Dreaming Lord to nod as he stood up to pour them drinks. "So, sister, how has your holiday been so far?"

"It's been rather great." She answered as her brother handed her a cup of what she believed was jasmine tea, given by it's delicious smell. "Trying out new foods and the like all thanks to Naruto here."

Naruto waved her off. "It was nothing really." The whiskered man soon took a tea cup from Didi's brother. "Though you did give Rachel and I quite… an informative discussion."

"She does that from time to time." The Dream lord said he enjoyed the aroma of the prepared brew. "Ah~ herbal teas are the best for company and sleeping."

"Indeed." Didi said in agreement as she took a sip. "Although, you have a habit of putting strong sleep inducing herbs in most drinks."

To Naruto's surprise, Morpheus didn't seem to deny it as he shrugged. "Ah, but only who does who need it. Dreams are the blissful state those who work hard earn, I help those who overexert themselves to give a bit of a well deserved nap." The male Endless said with a small smirk. "Those who stay up all night or others who think dreams aren't worth it. Well… it wouldn't be sleeping without a nightmare or two." He joked as he took a small sip of his tea, slightly yawn as he put down his cup onto its saucer. "After all, after Death gives mortals their eternal rest. And those who do or don't deserve it, will finally sleep for good." The Dream Lord finished with a prideful look to his older sister, who looked rather cheerful at that… more so than her previous holidays. 'I'll have to ask her on that at a later time.' Came Morpheus' thought.

Naruto nodded when hearing this explanation as he had experienced those instances quite often in his past.

Endless though look rather...happy when his eyes reached Naruto. "But you are a close second, child." He said making Naruto seem unnerved at his attention. "Dreams of marrying the love of your life and having a family, gaining your well deserved position in life, and saving/destroying the world are mere small examples. Dreams about your fears from being horrifying or childish. Ahh, if only I could record them…"

Naruto looked at Didi who smirked as she giggled. "Dear brother here, doesn't look at one person's dreams. Rather he can see more than one person dream… Do you understand what I mean? If one can be more… yet still the same person, can you guess what that is?"

Naruto eyes seemed to harden answering this riddle, which he soon answered. "Other realities that have other versions of me?" The Uzumaki concluded.

The male Endless placed his teacup down before he reached forward and gently tapped Naruto's forehead. Then with his other, Dream flicked his wrist as a web similar to a spiders appeared showing other someones eye view of the world. The some show a woman, others battles, and other mundane things.

So many scenarios and the like were shown in each small window as it was truly hard for Naruto to keep track of.

Didi looked at them as she saw the 'webs' out edges expanding inch by inch. "With the ever expanding multiverse, many situations occur… Just like what we talked about in your loft."

Naruto shook his head a little. "This is like for everyone?"

The Dream lord nodded. "Correct, but more so towards specific individuals of great importance. Each can be in different times around the beginning or end of time. For they are an unpredictable variables that can change something drastically by just existing. That's why I love watching the dreams every so often… so many new experiences for one to see." He explained. "Two Naruto's could be raised exactly the same, yet something causes them to dream of a land full of women or sees himself being married with a sweet wife." He took a deep breath before lowering his arms to stop the web and made it vanish. "Sorry, when you watch dreams for so long, when someone like you arrive make my time go faster when watching your reactions to dreams." Morpheus coughing into his hand for his long winded speech.

Dream was usually more collected but like many others… explaining his hobby tends to make one drone on.

Naruto nodded before a thought crossed his mind. "I've been meaning to ask you this, Morpheus, but it's been bugging me quite recently."

"Which is?"

"Some time ago, my three lovers were taken and when I tried to track them through the Dreaming, I had… problems."

Dream tilted his head a little before remembering the little occurrence. "Ah, yes… I know what you're referring to."

"You do?"

The male Endless nodded. "There are several methods that can make one not fully fall into the Dreaming and would be hard for one to connect with them." Dream picked up his tea cup and drank the rest of its contents before pouring some more. "Some examples include specific drugs and hypnotism that can make the effect of being asleep, yet fully awake at the same time happen." Death's younger brother answered as to what the mortal's mind could comprehend.

Naruto nodded once more as the three went into other topics -which seemingly lasted for quite some time- before it was time for Didi and the Uzumaki to depart. They bid their host goodbye as they traveled back to the foyer. As they reached their destination, they saw Rachel had a small stack of books next to her as she read an old tome.

Didi and Naruto quickly concluded that the ashen ward had checked them out for the time being, due to how particularly interesting the reading materials were. After all, Dream's library is vast and ever expanding with works that'll truly draw you in. And given the situation, Rachel wouldn't want to waste it.

Reuniting with the purplette, the three exited Dream's castle before a blinding white light soon enveloped them as they were to return to the waking world.

-Morning, Gotham Park- -Insert Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days OST: Musique pour la tristesse de Xion-

As the new day broke through the horizon, Naruto and Didi walked through the very park they had met yesterday. Neither said much after getting up from their respective beds and ate breakfast. All that Didi wanted to do right after was requesting to go on for a walk with Naruto.

In the end, the pair came across the park's water fountain and sat down at it's edge while staring into nothingness.

"It was a good day." Didi said, breaking the silence.

"I guess it was and I really enjoyed it. Rachel as well." Said the former shinobi. "So what now?"

"Well, my time is almost up. Let's just talk 'til my time comes."

"Then… what do you wanna talk about? Cause I'm honestly at a loss of pitching ideas."

Silence surrounded them as the only things being heard were the fountain's spurted water and birds chirping in the air. Despite the calming feel it gave off, there seemed to be a tensioned weight being formed. Didi didn't either care or felt it, but Naruto did.

The Uzumaki was about to speak when Death's mortal form beat him to the punch. "I do have to thank you on stopping Ra's fallout plan."

"Your welcome."

"The natural order on this world would've been thrown off balance if his plan went off without a hitch." She said in a grim tone.

"About life on this world being reset with the waters?"

"Yes… and no." Was the vague response. "There are things residing within this planet that are essential for the sanctity of all life in this universe and much more." Her words truly held weight in them as Naruto swallowed a nervous feeling in his chest. "If Ra's plan did happen, then countless fates would've been thrown out of the window and this Earth's lifespan would've been cut rather short."

Naruto breathed out held breath that he didn't realize he kept.

The mortal form of Death leaned back on the fountain's edge and let out a sigh. "There are things about the Lazarus Waters I should not tell you about. And as much as I'd like to, I feel obligated in not doing so. As much as I am loathe to admit it, some secrets must remain so until the time it comes to light."

"So there's more than just it's healing properties and prolonging one's death?"

"Yes. But be glad the specific source Pamela's using is extremely pure and untainted." This left him confused. "There will be no negative side effects placed on your children with her with what she's doing to keep them stable, I assure you."

An easy, relieved feeling welled up his chest when hearing this.

"Now, Naruto, there are many monsters roaming all around us." She stated, making him place his full attention at her. "Many look upon them and wonder 'Were they created out of the desire for immortality?' Those seeking it in order to gain further knowledge over others… Many whom desire war as I've seen them roam the bloodiest of battlefields."

Her gaze grew distant as countless experiences and memories quickly invaded her mind. Many atrocities and acts that should never have been done and spoken about. Didi truly felt sorry and wished none of those happenings ever occured to those people.

Recollecting herself, the gothic woman continued her little speech. "I even hear their battlecries as they crave for it. Yet in all honesty, they all crave for me… One way or another."

"You? And whom?"

"Gods, monsters, titans, interdimensional beasts and so many others seek out immortality to gain a foothold for power." She answered. "For revenge towards those ones have lost. For untold knowledge. Castles, kingdoms, lands, people, loved ones, even for their own identity. Everything is lost and all that remains is a pale shadow, wandering from battle to battle in pursuit of their goals." Her dark eyes went to Naruto. "Yet, from all of this, I know that those playing immortality are frail, sobbing children. And those that are ignorant for towards that fact, they are either typically afraid of losing their immortality before I come to collect them… Or numb and void of one's emotions -for too long- that they become mindless and only following their instincts to truly become a monster that I'm afraid needs to be put down."

"But… But all life should at least get a chance at life, Didi." Responded the whiskered man as he was processing everything she said. "I… I know many people tend to waste such a gift to their own selfish ends. Good or bad, they need to at least experience it to the fullest." He looked down to the ground as she kept her gaze trained at him. "There are people out there that deserve to be put down for their actions, but… they have their own place in life that connects with another; whether they are good or bad instances.

And I know I've taken the lives of others, but I've never enjoyed it at all. I was merely doing so to protect others that I cared about. In the end -on some cases- it was going to be me or the other guy and I still came to terms the act. That by taking one's life, I could never settle well with doing such a thing. So I do what I can to bring them in so their crimes can be answered, but I don't want to play judge jury and executioner like it was nothing."

"And will you blindly take down a monster for just being a monster?" Her question threw him out of a loop, causing her to put it into more detail. "Will you kill them without knowing their pain and sorrow?"

Memories… Memories of his childhood crept forward… More importantly the ones of him treated as a monster.

From the censored like the ones he shown to his three lovers to the uncensored with the fox hunts that sometimes made him plead for Death to end his suffering.

"There are monsters out there that do not wish to bring harm onto others. For they were forcefully made that way as they didn't wish to become such a being." Didi said in a saddened tone. "If you look underneath all the written details of many legends and stories, you can find the truth."

The gothic woman looked on ahead as she gave out an example. "The story of Medusa is a tragic one. For she was a beloved, mortal goddess and a shy one at that. Poseidon took advantage of that and sweetened her up with many gifts like her Pegasus; which came from her own blood. And as time went on, she trusted him. But things went south when he took advantage of her and did horrible things to her in Athena's temple. Said goddess arrived too late, despite Medusa praying and calling out to her."

Didi's voice took on a disdain tone. "And what does Athena do in the end? Does she heal Medusa and help her through her tragic ordeal? No. She cursed the mortal goddess for what happened, despite what Poseidon had done to her earlier and turned her into the infamous gorgon.

Many never knew the reason. But in reality, it was due to Athena being jealous of Medusa and her two older sisters -Stheno and Euryale- in being more beautiful than her and having more worshipers than her."

Naruto gritted his teeth when hearing this tale as he never knew the details behind Medusa's backstory.

The mortal incarnation of Death then let out a sigh. "After her transformation, Medusa unintentionally killed several people -with her stone turning gaze- as she didn't mean to. This caused her to become reclusive and hide away from the world at the Shapeless Isle with her sisters joining her in the self-imposed exile. It wasn't long after their move-in when Athena incited the populace by lying that Medusa has locked up her own sisters. This agitated all worshipers to be filled with zealous fury and sought to end the monster in order to free the captured goddesses to appease the Olympians.

Yet it was just Athena's ploy to fully rid herself of her rival."

Her gaze grew heavy with sadness. "Medusa was forced to slay them in order to protect her and her sisters. The numerous worshipers were no match for the gorgon's strength and stony gaze as thousands fell upon their actions.

And from their corpses, Medusa's grief eventually became anger as it enveloped her.

But things grew worse as the changed Medusa eventually devoured her sisters whole in her madness. She soon realized what she's done, causing her to wallow further into her grief and sadness. For the gorgon would never see her sisters alive ever again.

Word got out to the Olympians on the event, causing them to finally take care of Medusa once and for all… Even though this was all caused by Poseidon for his lust and Athena for her jealousy.

Perseus was chosen and blindly obeyed the Greek gods for their task once manipulating events in order to summon the Kraken so it'll destroy Polydectes' kingdom. From there, they soon directed the demigod to Medusa's location in hopes of ending her to finish off the rest of his 'Kraken quest'. When Perseus arrived at her home, Medusa didn't want to fight him and only wanted to be left alone. But the demigod fought and slew the monster, regardless of her pleas, all because he blindly followed the words of others on how dangerous she was.

To make her final moments worse, Medusa was put into an illusion which made her see her sisters alive and happy before her head was cleaved off from her shoulders.

And despite what the myth says, Perseus fought for himself; for glory. The demigod lied to the populace that he also slew Stheno and Euryale as they've been corrupted by Medusa, becoming gorgons as well in order to increase his popularity. And when returning home, he became a ruling tyrant once he married Polydectes' daughter.

Afterall, most stories are told by the victor."

Naruto was silent throughout her storytelling as he tightened his hands into fists. He felt truly sorry for Medusa as his heart grew heavy with grief and rage.

"...You see, Naruto, many have abused their title and status as heroes, righteous gods, and saviors; performing horrible acts which disgraced them and tarnished the ways people see others who truly hold said titles and status'." Said the mortal form of Death before touching Naruto's shoulder, causing him to look straight into her eyes. "So tell me, what will you do?"

"...Excuse me?"

"Will you truly act and be a Hero?" Didi answered with a question. The gothic woman stood up and hopped onto the fountain's edge before walking along it's circular surface. "Would you -a Hero- save and protect others? By merely defeating and slay the monster? And would they stand above all others or support from below?"

...It felt like forever for Naruto to think this over. He thought long and hard to give Didi a viable answer. And after some time in silence, the Uzumaki gave his answer.

"Heroes are people who fulfills what others couldn't do." He said with conviction in his voice. "For Heroes chooses themselves in occuring times while also being chosen by others." Naruto then let out a bitter chuckle. "Though to be fair, the last one is pretty much debated as it's sometimes unfair for one to declare such a title onto themselves or others… No matter who it is."

"Indeed it is." Death said as she walked back to Naruto's sitting form after he answered some of her questions. "So would you sacrifice to defeat and slay the monster? Would you risk yourself to save the lives of others?... Oh and don't blindly answer to that one as many have done so throughout history. Many stood by their answer while others have not while not thinking it through all that well."

Naruto accepted her suggestion and thought once more for an answer.

Didi was right. There had to have been people throughout history that exploited their titles and status' while thinking they could get away with it. It would've been a surprise if there wasn't.

He then remembered them watching Beauty and the Beast last night and thought of a small example from that. Despite his monstrous appearance, the Beast was actually a kind person that was dealt with a bad hand from circumstances; much like the stories the animated movie was originally based on. It's merely the inside, their personality and shade of grey that matters.

...Though to be frank on that movie, things would've been better if the Beast back then merely had one of his servants answer the door and done the act from there. I mean, seriously, as snobbish the guy was, he was a pre-teen and why would he answer the door that late at night in such of a big place.

Nitpicking the movie detail aside, the mentioned fact earlier can be applied everywhere these days. People would be seemingly nice at first or second glance, but under all that an individual could be rotten to the core.

He learned that the hard way throughout several points in his life.

Naruto's then thoughts went towards Pam and Selina as additional examples on being monsters. When Pam went out of control and harmed those industrialists earlier this year, he didn't want to fight her; for he knew and loved her so much. But he had no choice as he needed to get her back to normal. And when Selina became a werecat -due to Dorian's experiment- Naruto could never call and see her as such.

When Naruto was about to break out of his thoughts, he felt a small jab in his mind which resulted in a brief headache.

It was hard to tell what it was at first, but the pain was in fact some corner of his mind tugging him. Naruto didn't resist and followed through to make things easier.

What he saw… was a brief, faint memory… which he could vaguely see and remember.

Winter was the setting with several children running off in the background. And everything was muted upon the Uzumaki's ears. His eyes then wandered around for a brief moment before he saw… Her.

A child -in ragged clothing- was like Rachel with ashen skin and darkened hair, except for the girl in the memory appeared to be half of his ward's age. The ashen child before him peered through her messy black hair to reveal… her rustic orange eyes. They held so much pain… and sorrow… and was like a kindred spirit seemingly long forgotten.

The Uzumaki saw her lips move with no sound being heard. Normally he would've had a hard time understanding what she said, but his knowledge and training with lip-reading gave him some help.

"Why'd you help me?"

Naruto then heard a familiar voice reaching his ears. "Because it was the right thing to do." Turning slightly, he saw… himself?... At that age? With blood leaking from his nose and lip with a bruise present on his face. "Those bullies shouldn't have hurt ya, dattebayo!"

'He… me… must've fought those bullies.' Naruto thought as he scratched his head. 'But when did this happen? I don't remember it… or do I and it's so far back for me to recollect…'

"But why? I'm… just a monster…"

Naruto tilted his head in confusion and felt his child self mirroring the same action. And his younger self then spoke. "How could you be a monster? You've got pretty awesome eyes!"

"...What?"

"Orange is awesome!" Child him proclaimed.

"Excuse me?"

"They're not just awesome, but very pretty as well!"

The ashen child in the memory stepped back a bit in surprise. "P-Pretty? Y-You think they're pretty?"

"Yeup!~" Child him said with a fox-like grin. "And anyone with those eyes is not a monster in mine!"

The little girl didn't know how to respond to that.

"Hey. Do you wanna play?"

"Huh?"

"Well… You look lonely and now I think we should play something." Child him said before holding out an offered hand. "You can pick, for starters."

The girl from the memory hesitated for several moments, no doubt contemplating the current situation. But after what felt like forever to his younger self, Naruto saw the ashen child take his hand before he pulled her along as their figures seemed to fade…

Just like the memory as he soon realized he was back in the park with Didi waiting for his response.

'I… I knew her.' He thought with utmost certainty. 'I don't know how and when, but I knew her. But I can't seem to remember her.'

It was shortly after that things seemed to fit into place. Not of the memory of the girl, yet much about it… along with other details.

From there, he answered 'No'.

"No?" Didi asked. "No to what?"

"There's no need to sacrifice others, Didi." The Uzumaki then explained his thoughts. "Taking on sacrifices weighs heavily on oneself. So why does one have to sacrifice when saving another? I'd rather risk my life for them."

Naruto let out a sigh. "A Hero is someone who risks their life to save others while not expecting anything in return. They're people who go into a fight or situation to protect someone, knowing full well they could die. And even if they do win, they might not get any thanks or recognition for what they do.

"But in reality, there's more than one way to become a Hero and it's not just from fighting by putting your life on the line. It's so easy forget that there are real-life heroes out there: police officers, firefighters, doctors, teachers… friends, family and even yourself. They are those which others look up to as they not only save, but set an example. Anyone who helps others can be a personal hero to the person that is helped."

Naruto was so into his explanation that he missed the growing smile on the goth's face.

"For instance, a child was sad because of someone or something happened. Anything at all and the results would be the same in the end. It doesn't matter if it was a family member, a friend or a complete stranger and said person could have powers or not were to see this. It's how they act on the situation that truly matters to make the child turn that frown upside down.

And as for the so-called monsters, they just need help from the real ones. A true Hero exists to lend a hand to those in need like listening to their side of the story, protect them from harm and being sure their happy to the very end. All they really need is a friend, a lover, someone they would feel safe with at their lowest point."

When the Uzumaki looked back at his companion once giving his answer, he rose a questioning brow as he saw Didi smiling upon him. "And that's what I was looking for." She then took the ankh necklace off around her neck and handed it to him, who gave her a perplexed look.

"What's this for?"

"A gift for Rachel to remember me by." Didi then reached into her pocket and pulled out two pennies hands before placing it into his other hand. "And I've got to thank you for making my holiday great, Naruto."

"That's not necessary, Didi. It's been a pleasure-" Naruto suddenly felt her hand resting on his whiskered cheek. Turning his head around, Naruto saw Didi give him a warm smile as she leaned in. He was going to say something when he suddenly froze... as his lips met hers.

People say that Death's kiss can be, well deadly, while also sweet and tender. His heart beated against his chest as he shivered under her simple touch. He never experienced this sort of feeling before and… he didn't know how to fully describe it. Even as he felt an odd sensation coming from his stomach before it traveled towards his heart and then his sternum.

Didi was the one to end the kiss as Naruto was left completely dumbfounded by the act.

"W-What was that for?" He stuttered out with a growing blush.

"Just because." She said with a mischievous smile. "I also wanted to experience what it felt like."

Naruto's mind wasn't properly working due to her recent action. The goth took this chance, stood back up and took her place at the fountain's edge. She spread her arms far and wide as a large flurry of birds came flying around her.

Suddenly, Didi felt an aching pain in her chest.

'No…' She thought as she clutched her chest as her heart started to beat less and less. 'Please… Not… yet…'

Soon the sounds of water being splashed could be heard. This caused Naruto to snap out of his thoughts as a brief idea crossed his mind.

"Didi, I don't think it's a great idea to swim in the fountain." He said with a chuckle. "I know you like to experience new things, but I don't think doing that is a great idea."

…..

"Didi?"

…..

Turning around, Naruto's eyes widened in horror as he gazed at Didi's body floating in the fountain's water. And like that, his heart felt like stopping.

"DIDI!"

The publisher rushed towards her and pulled her unmoving body out of the water. He placed her onto the ground and started performing CPR by pumping her chest and blowing into her mouth. Yet nothing he could do could bring her back as tears started streaming down his cheeks in utter despair.

'I… I thought there was more time.' He thought as he silently cried. 'I-I didn't want…'

Clenching his fists, he felt Didi's ankh in his one hand and the two pennies in the other. He loosened his grip while feeling defeat… before a thought crossed his mind.

Naruto opened the palm that carried the coins as he oddly knew what Didi intended Naruto to do with them. He carefully placed the two copper pennies onto her eyelids before clapping his hands to perform a little prayer.

'I… I hope to see you again.' He thought. 'Somehow and not when… my time comes. But until then, I wish you the best of luck with your work, Didi.'

…..

In a land of black, white and various shades of grey; Didi stirred from her place on the ground. Rising from the spot, the two copper pennies slid off and fell onto her lap.

"So… that was it." Said a feminine voice.

"Yup."

"How was it?"

Rising to her feet, Didi picked up the coins and turned around to see her true self staring back at her with a pleasant smile on her face.

"Oh, it was wonderful." Didi spoke with nostalgic glee. "It was filled with people. I got to breath and eat and… all sorts of stuff." Then that glee slowly turned into sadness. "I wish it could of gone on forever. I wish it didn't have to end like that."

"Indeed as the show is over." Death said towards her mortal self. "The curtain's falling, we've taken our bows and it's high time we've made our exit."

"I know." Didi muttered out. "It's a damn shame really. I had hoped to be alive a little while longer. I've spent a good day by eating a good lunch; going to a library, museum and arcade before enjoying the rest of the night. I've even met some good people along the way."

"Yet you gave Naruto a proper send off."

"Indeed I have." The mortal persona of Death looked at both her Endless self and towards the whiskered Uzumaki. "It was a good run while it lasted."

Wasn't long before Didi reached out and grasped Death's hand as her form glowed into spectral wisps of light. Said ethereal wisps merged with the Endless being as memories of her mortal holiday illuminated with the collective. Death breathed in deeply to process it all as several tears were formed and shed with a smile on her face.

Once done, the gothic woman waved her hand at her mortal body as it too turned into ethereal light, much to Naruto's confusion and sadness. He reached out to stop it from happening, but it was no use as the lights disappeared from his sight and reach.

Before he could properly question about this occurrence, the Uzumaki swore he heard the beating of mighty wings. Looking towards his side, he saw her as his tears ran freely down his cheeks.

She merely smiled at him and waved before her image disappeared from his sight.

…..

…..

…..

Yet that tearful smile quickly died from her expression as Death quickly rose a hand to block an incoming assault towards the Uzumaki, which he will never see in the Sunless Lands. A blast of blue light came into contact with her as the attack died soon after. All that remained of it was a small plumb of smoke coming from her palm.

Death deeply sighed as she glared at the perpetrator. "Why do you do this, Jon?"

"He is dangerous." Came a voice that seemed void of much emotion. "No matter which reality he resides in, he causes disorder with what changes he unknowingly makes. He threatens the very law this universe abides by."

"That's what you think. But then again, you take order way too seriously with that clock-work idealism of yours that everything should be where it should be to make things properly tick."

"Naruto Uzumaki changes the fates of specific events and diverts the path certain individuals must take." Jon argued. "He must be stopped."

"First off, he's not the only one in the resounding omniverse. Second, it's the Monitors' job to keep things in check. And third, that's where you're wrong, Jon. Naruto will help guide the heroes to a better tomorrow. For they need his assistance for what's to come."

"I cannot allow you to do that, Death. His very being here has already taken the path of which this universe once tread on off of its course"

The gothic woman scoffed. "Skepticism, doubt, corruption. All things your cold heart believes in. But in the end, there's hope and the heroes of this universe that embodies it. All of their hopes and devotions, their love for one another will vanquish what you've done as they'll prove you wrong." Death hotly glared at the being she was talking to. "After all, you're just a man trying to play at immortality. And as such, you will be put down like the monster you've become."

"And do you think the gift you gave him just now will help stop me?"

"At the current moment, no. But give it time as his dents will take you down."

"We shall see about that. But before I depart, I wish to ask you of this." Jon said as Didi saw his form glow a bluish tint in her lands. "Why do you cling to this 'hope'? It is a mortal concept of which holds very miniscule value other than the word being as it is."

"You used to have it when you were mortal. Before your accident that made you who you eventually became." Death said as she saw his glowy visage go into a threatening feel, to which she easily brushed off. "Yet your time being the so called Superman of your world made you forget that as people lost hope as they gazed at you. Mercilessly killing people and not stopping the act… just like what Eddie told you: you drifted away before losing your touch and grasp with humanity." She shook her head a little. "And I do agree, Hope is a mortal concept. And that is pretty wonderful and powerful if you ask me. For it drives many and is priceless once you obtain and keep it within yourself."

From his place in the Sunless Lands, Jon could only stare back at Death in his neutral, emotionless face that became cemented ever since he first became what he was today. He didn't say anything else as he departed Death's domain with a flash of blue light.

The gothic woman merely sighed as she walked away to start off her shift to take the departed to their respective destinations. This encounter was not a great way to start it, but she had experienced worse throughout her existence. After all, no shift can really start out perfectly…

Even with her line of work.

-End Chapter-

AN:

I would've been able to get this out sooner if it wasn't for the fact my older sister was visiting from the other side of the country and had wanted to spend time with my and my little sister. There was also the typical writers block and recent events made me think more on my story to add in more details for later events.

Now I'd like to point out on what I brought up of how Death/Didi has knowledge of the other Earth's/realities. Sure on the end of chapter 29 of this story that she has to go to other 'Earths' as she's the only Death there is with her many avatars and aspects to help things out on her job of transporting souls.

For example of the possible death of Wally West/Kid Flash from Young Justice (he's practically stuck in the Speed Force) that Death is the same person to reap him as she reaps Moira Queen over in the CW Arrowverse. Death is knowledgeable on the other 'Earths' so this has greatly hinted on the concept.

Another thing to point out is that when a universe/'Earth' finally dies, the other six members of the Endless die with it but Death is all that remains. She is there when the new universe is made and perishes and neither of her six siblings would know of their past experiences in said universes. And in each universe, there's another version of the Endless members but there's only one Death/Didi throughout the DC multiverse.

Though there is the tidbit of the difference between Death from Marvel and DC comics. To me, I think they're like cousins in every generalized sense. It's really hard to talk about on that concept, but I thought to just put that down for my opinion.

Asides from all of that, with the stuff in the end of this chapter, I got inspiration on this through various means. One from the recent DC comics on various issues, two from many topics brought up with crossovers and the like of people changing situations for better or worse (ie Fanfics), and third from my good friend free man writer with his story 'Along Came a Spider' with his Fallout arc.

…..

Also… new trailers for Kingdom Hearts 3, Beyond Good and Evil 2, Devil May Cry 5, Doom 2, Death Standing, Last of Us 2, Resident Evil 2 Remake/Remaster, the new game from 'From Software' and more! HELL THE FUCK YES! I CAN'T WAIT FOR THEIR RELEASE DATES!

Also to quote Dr. Krieger from Archer: Stop! My penis can only get so erect!

BUT SERIOUSLY! STOP PUTTING OUT ALL OF THESE AWESOME TRAILERS! I'M GOING TO BE BROKE AND POOR IF Y'ALL KEEP SHOWING THESE!

Anyways, be sure to review this story guys! Would like the criticisms. Please and thank you!

R&R