A/N: Please read this note, would you kindly? It has some important information.
Sorry if this seems short, been burning the candle at both ends here.
I've been updating DAILY for about a month now, and its starting to wear on me. Your words keep my spirits strong. Every bit of feedback helps, large or small!
So speak up! Your words matter!
For those who are wondering, A Most Unlikely Card and the rest will be updated soon, hopefully Berserker and the rest afterward, and of course, the occasional RWBY updates in between and before/after. I'm thinking Monday or Tuesday, provided my health holds.
I know I tend to write RWBY stories these days, but I AM going around finishing my other tales. I'm Only Human is nearly done. Prince of Darkness ended last year, and All Things Must die is nearing its ultimate conclusion as well. That's to say nothing of Counting Stars.
Couldn't write that one for AGES because it got too...intense. *Sigh*
As ever, reviews are fuel for this weary old man. Every bit of feedback, large or small, helps me immensely. Speak up! Your voice matters!
Now then, its time for the usual questions!
Q: How did you come up with so many names for Ozma?!
A: It wasn't hard, really. There are a lot of boy names that start with "O" to begin with. Oswald, Ozymandias, Odyn, Octavious, Orion, Omar, Oliver...to name a few!
Q: Is the Pool of Darkness corrupting Salem and Naruto?
A: Yes and no. Its made them a bit more...open with their emotions, and less prone to hesitation and restraint, but they keep one another in check. Naruto's dealt with negative emotions for quite a bit, and while Salem may be more vulnerable to that sort of thing, so long as she has her family.
Don't take her family. She'll get angry. You wouldn't like a TRAINED Salem when she's angry.
Q: That's...a lot of kids. Are they going to repopulate Remnant at this rate!?
A: As stated in an earlier chapter, Naruto and Salem's DNA has been screwed to all hell by the Pool of Darkness. Theoretically, their kids should be blond, if both Naruto and Salem were untainted. As we all know, they clearly aren't. Magic is a potent thing, certainly the magic of a God. While Naruto can't be cursed, the fact remains that his body -and poor Salem!- has been altered.
Case in point! A child of Naruto and Salem will have access to chakra AND magic alike, not to mention the power of the Grimm.
While a child of Ozma and any other woman will only have access to magic. Assuming he keeps it this time around, instead of forming the Maidens. That may or may not happen.
It makes for some amusing combinations. But yes, Naruto and Salem will have a son. Several in fact.
Worry not. We'll see some redheads. But as to their first son...well.
I'm sure you'll recognize his name in this chapter.
Q: Don't keep things stagnant! Keep up with the timeskips!
A: Time passes in every chapter. That's the beauty of having two immortal characters. Time means little to Naruto and Salem; even Ozma will just reincarnate when he dies. But their children, and the children of their
But rest assured, we WILL reach the events of canon soon.
Q: Are we done with gods?
A: NO. We're not done with the gods.
Allllllrighty, then! I've kept you long enough.
As ever I own no references, quotes, themes or memes!
Buckle up, because this chapter...well...I'll let it speak for itself.
"Happiness is a fleeting, tiny thing.
Cling to it, boy. Cherish it. Protect it. Hold it close. Help it grow.
For if that happiness is misplaced, if all hope is lost, if fear overcomes love...
"That won't happen. I won't let Salem fall to her inner demons."
"Dear boy. I wasn't talking about her...
~The Future.
Kiss of Future
They struck under cover of darkness.
With no moon in sight, the hunting party moved as one. Clad wholly in black, six individuals slipped through the shadows in silence. No words were exchanged before the four individuals. None were needed. They already knew their purpose, grim though it was. Their goal was pure. Nothing would distract them from this, their most holy task.
Tonight, evil would be slain.
In but a moment homestead lay before them, silent as the grave, vacant but for a lone candle burning in the window. No doubt its occupants -and the children within!- were still sound asleep. As planned. In slumber they would not sense their arrival until it was too late. Blades slipped from well-oiled sheathes, folded steel gleaming in the faint light. And so they crept inside like thieves in the night, as cowards are wont to do, making not a sound...until they found the bedroom.
Six beds lay before them. Their party split, one to each cot. Six arms rose. Six weapons moved with them.
"Forgive us, children." their leader whispered, silver eyes shining behind a cloth mask. "We do this for the good of the world."
Five blades -and one cane!- stabbed down in unison, piercing thick blankets to impale the slumbering forms within. It was the simplest executions; such that their victims would feel no pain. Clean and quick. There was no resistance. None at all. Not even the slightest of whimpers. As one their weapons withdrew.
There was no blood.
"Oswald?" one of the masked men reeled back. "My lord? What is this? You said they would be here...
"They should be!" their leader hissed and tore his mask away, exposing a familiar face. With the other, he flung back the covers.
Feathers sprayed into the air, startling the would-be assassins. Pillows lay piled beneath the blankets, vaguely resembling the shape of a human body. Silver eyes snapped to the remaining cots, only to find more of the same. A gleam of metal caught the leader's eye. Someone had left a note etched into the topmost pillow and with it, the vague shape of a smiling face.
Frowning, he reached down and plucked it free from the pillow. Two words awaited him within:
"Nice try~!"
No. No, no, no! It couldn't be!
Silver eyes widened in fresh horror. "Its a trap!"
"Figure that out yourself, did you?"
Shadows sprang to life around them, filling the world with noise. Their world shook as something incredibly large and heavy hit the house from above. Walls creaked. The roof rattled ominously overhead. The floor heaved drunkenly. An angry keening sound not unlike that of an ancient wyvern pierced the heady gloom. In that moment, Oswald felt all his hopes and dreams wither to ash in his throat.
"I'll give you one chance." a man's voice called from the shadows, low and angry. "Anyone who wishes to be spared, cast down your arms and pledge your undying loyalty to us here and now. Do so, and you will not be harmed."
Oswald spun, cane in hand. "Stay together! Don't let him influence you! No matter what he says, do not listen-
"Fine. Have it your own way. You had your chance."
The rearmost member of their party vanished in a spray of blood, spattering them in viscera. They never saw what killed him; a golden flash hit another, rendering them little more than a stain on the wall. Oswald-Ozma!- whirled as his companions shrieked, but it was already too late to save them. They were the lucky in that regard. Their deaths were instant. They felt no pain.
One of his allies bleated in fear. "We didn't sign up for this!"
The rest weren't so lucky.
A man choked out a scream as he was dragged kicking and screaming into hungry darkness.
One of his companions saw this lunged out to save him...until something clicked underfoot. They glanced down and saw the seal there too late. Fire burst forth from the trap, sheathing them in ghastly azure flames from head to toe. They clawed at themselves and fell bac back with a shriek and pitched back into one of the beds, setting it alight. Tongues of hungry flame began to spread throughout the house.
Within moments, half the room was consumed.
"Damn you and your secrets! What have you done?!" The fourth ripped off their mask, exposing angry red eyes rimmed by tears and dark hair. "You led us here; led us right to our graves! This is all your-
A spear of ice burst out of the dark and punched through his chest. His body dropped with a gurgle.
"No!"
Oswald whirled and caught a fist to the head for his troubles; the blow cracked his skull and sent him tumbling into a burning wall. He managed to douse the flames with magic then right himself just as quickly, but in his heart he knew damage had already been done. His vision was already blurring, lungs filling with smoke. He tried to speak, but only a hoarse whisper emerged.
"Is anyone still alive...?"
Limned in the shadows cast by that baleful blue blaze, the sole survivor saw it all and whimpered. Oswald saw the resolve falter in her eyes; witnessed the precise moment she began to consider flight over fight. Her eyes widened behind her mask. She took one look at her fallen comrades, at the horrors befalling them, and she faltered. She took one step back. Then another.
And then he spoke.
"I know what its like to lose." the voice came on from the darkness again, sweet at tempting. "To feel so desperately that you're right, yet to fail nonetheless. Its frightening, isn't it?" Rueful laughter flooded the night. "Turns the legs to jelly, no? I ask you, to what end? his words took on a low note, like a dissapointed parent chastising a naughty child. "Dread it, run from it, Destiny arrives all the same. And now the destiny you ignited...its finally here. Or should I say...I am."
With a whirl of motion, the flames took on shape and form; in but a moment he stood before them.
"But as for you...
Oswald's last ally shrank back. A keening whine forced itself through her teeth.
Naruto was much as he remembered him; a bit more flair for the dramatic, but still striking in dark blue and black. A thin black mantle hung from his shoulders, untouched by the blaze that even now consumed the once happy home. Oswald twitched at the sight. Gods curse him. How had he known they were coming...?
Blast it all! Not again! It wasn't meant to be this way!
...why are we fighting at all?" The blond paid him no heed; instead he gazed down at the trembling survivor with intent, eyes narrow upon her quivering frame. "What's the point? Why must we kill each other, when we should be making the world a better place? We needn't be enemies." he shook his head sorrowfully and turned an accusing finger upon him instead. "The TRUE enemy is the one who led you here to my doorstep."
He cocked his head, regarding her as one might a curious pet.
"Look,"he dropped the voice and the act with a rueful chuckle, "I'll be honest. I'd rather not kill you. I've shed enough blood tonight. So how about this?" he offered a pale hand to the survivor. "Join me. You look like ya regret your choices. Whaddya say? Swear your loyalty, and we can put this nasty business behind us.
The woman wavered.
Oswald pushed himself up into a pointed crouch. "Don't listen to him! He's a liar! A trickster!"
"Am I?" bemused blue eyes found his across the burning room. "Nothing I've said has been a lie. You simply delude yourself into thinking it is."
"She'll never join you!"
"I submit!" his words fell on deaf ears as the survivor ripped her mask free, exposing long, stark white hair and startling blue eyes framed by a youthful face. She cast down her thin sword, slumping to her knees. "Mercy, m'lord! Please! I was just following orders! I have children to look after! They'll be alone without me!"
"Is that so? Always nice to see a single parent making their way in the world." that smile flashed out again. "What's your name?"
"Whisper." she murmured. "My name is Whisper. I don't have a surname."
"Don't worry, I'm sure we'll find one for you. Schnee sounds good to me." whiskered cheeks dimpled in a smile. "Everyone's welcome in the Family. Well, except that one."
Oswald pushed himself upright, wincing as his cracked skull throbbed in sullen protest. "Craven!"
"Ha!" Whisper's wild blue eyes met Oswald's. "Better a living coward then a dead fool!"
"Speaking of which." Naruto rounded on him. "Hello again, Ozma...
Blue eyes narrowed to vermilion slits.
...and goodbye."
Clawed fingers slammed through the immortal's chest with a horrid crunch, burying themselves well above the wrist. By all accounts it was a devastating blow. Lethal. Mortal. Fatal. There could be no coming back from a wound like that. Ozma's cane fell from his numb fingers and clattered to the floor. A moment later, he joined it, slumping to his knees with a wordless sigh.
Bright eyes shone out at him in the dark.
"Did you honestly think we still lived here?" a soft sigh pierced the gloom. "We moved on quite some time ago. You never noticed."
"But how?! You were watched!"
"We were. And in turn we watched you." rough fingers took hold of his hair and forced him to meet his gaze. Even in his final moments, he was denied the satisfaction he sought. "I told you what would happen if you kept this up. Let it be, Ozma. Give up. Find yourself a wife and settle down. Or wives." he shrugged. "I'm not one to judge. You're going to life forever. Might as well enjoy it."
"As if...I would...succumb to such debauchery!"
His pride rankled at the notion. No! Nay! Never! He had to protect the world from these monsters. No matter the cost! The world was blind, but he would make it see! One way or another!
"Stubborn to the end, eh?" Naruto dropped to his haunches beside him. "Fine. I'll keep killing you until you learn your lesson many times as it takes."
"Useless!"
"Maybe so." he granted him a grim grin. "I've always been a slow learner."
"You'll destroy the world!" Ozma tried to rally, to no avail. His body failed him.
"Will I?" Naruto cocked his head, reminding him of a bemused fox. "This word isn't made of cardboard." a pale hand rose, bloody digits straining for the sky. "Its made of glass. Brittle, fragile glass. The smallest misstep could shatter everything. Salem and I are trying to hold this world together. But you? No." he shook his head from side to side with a mournful sigh. "You just don't see. You're determined to shatter this fragile peace we want so badly to protect."
His fingers slammed into a fist.
"So lets break the world." his arms spread wide, as it to encompass the broken moon high overhead. "My children grow stronger with every day. Soon they'll be more numerous than the starts themselves. In terms of sheer strength, they're already well out of your reach." his scarred face quirked in a small smile. "My youngest could thrash you with his eyes closed. Loki always was a clever little boy; always so skilled with illusions. He and Morrigan made this masterpiece. Speaking of which.
Those bloody fingers carved down etching what looked to be a rune onto his chest. No. Not his chest. His entire being burned.
Ozam strained to see through his fading vision.
"What are...you doing?"
"Marking your soul." the blond hummed, still going about his work. "Wherever you are, whenever you are reborn, this seal will tell me when you're near." blue eyes rose to meet his. "Stay away from my family, or I'll find a way to eradicate your soul for real."
His fist crunched down, ending their conversation.
So it was that the knight died again.
And again. Yet again.
Again.
(0.0.0.)
Salem sensed the presence of her husband long before she saw him.
She knew him in the sudden shift of the air, felt the faint shudder of chakra as he returned to their castle. Even at this distance she was intimately aware of him. His mind brushed against hers, bringing with it the faintest touch of sorrow and regret. But not for her. Never for her. He was dwelling upon something. Something horrid.
The door parted soundlessly. A red eye creaked open, rimmed by black.
"I hear you."
"Sorry." she heard the feather bed creak beneath her, felt a warm body nestle into hers. "Didn't mean to wake you.
Her form shifted but a little, spooning against him. "You didn't."
She made no mention of her dreams tonight; spoke naught of the visions she'd had of late.
They tormented her all the same.
"Here is your king." Naruto threw a severed head she didn't recognize into the crowd below, uncaring of their screams. "Look at you! Like fat pigs you feed and feed and complain only when your meal is interrupted." his eyes flashed with fury, an angry snarl tearing its way out of his throat. "I'm sick of it!" firm fingers clenched into claws, "All you do is take and take, and take! You leave only misery in your wake! NO MORE! You are blind! But I will MAKE you see!"
A giant fox loomed over him, jaws gaping wide.
"If this is what it means to be human...then I reject my humanity."
Salem shook her fears away with a sigh and tried not to think on things overmuch. "You're back late."
"Hmm." Naruto uttered a jaw popping yawn and pulled her closer "I was taking out the trash."
Ah. Salem knew that tone well. Her brow darkened. "Ozma already? He's made his move?"
"He attacked the old house." came the grumble. "Thought we were still there."
"Of course he did, the fool. He doesn't realized our spies have infiltrated his very ranks." When he didn't answer, she chose to broach another more delicate topic. "A servant found flowers at Wienne's door this morning." No response. "I belief there was poem as well. We think she has a suitor."
Naruto went curiously still in the dark. "Does she now? I think I'll have to find him in the morning."
"You will do no such thing." Alarm flared to life in what passed for Salem's black heart and she slapped his wrist. "Let the poor boy be."
"But what if he breaks her heart?"
"Then I suspected she'll break him, dear husband." A small smile tugged at her pallid visage. "At least she's showing interest in someone. Esdeath and the others are too picky by half. To say nothing of little Erza and Loki. Honestly, I think that boy takes after you more than the rest!"
That got a grin out of him. "What can I say? Like father, like son."
She huffed. "I still say Boruto would've been a better name."
He shrugged. "Maybe the next one...if he's blond."
"So you say."
Her peace said, Salem leaned laid back into her arms, only for her rest to elude her. Her brow darkened. She tossed. She turned. Naruto chuckled against her, and her scowl redoubled.
"It seems I cannot sleep."
He shifted in bed and turned to face her. "Then lets talk."
Her mind seized on the opportunity. It had been too long since they'd last had one of their little war talks.
"There's something I've been considering...
They spoke long and at length; of many things large and small. Time blurred. Hands went up. Arms came down as they became more and more animated.
"Found our own academy?" Naruto leaned back at the last, contemplative. "I like the sound of that. You do realize this will enrage Ozma."
Salem looked up from the sheets, red eyes alight with thinly veiled glee.
...good. Let him stew. I care not for him! If this world they cannot let us be, if they refuse to understand, then they will be made to understand!" her fist crashed down, splintering the headboard. "Enough hiding! Time to take action!"
Naruto quirked a brow. "What did you have in mind?"
"We will rule."
Her shoulders trembled a bit. He caught it. "Dreams again?"
She rolled over and buried her head against his scarred chest with a soft sigh of her own. "They're getting worse."
"I meant what I said, you know." He pulled her into his arms. "I'll always love you. I'll never leave you. Never."
"But what if I hurt you?" she babbled, caught in the throes of fear. "What if I kill-
He pressed a warm kiss to the back of her neck, followed by another.
"Then I'll come back and love you even more."
She held him tight; then yielded gladly when his mouth met hers. Gently at first, but then with passion. Desire sparked to life in her heart, a tiny ember that soon became a mighty flame. Her breath hitched a little as his lips dipped down, nipping at her neck, then lower. Lower. Lower...!
Her eyes flashed.
"Great minds think alike, it seems.
Pale palms alighted upon his chest and pushed him back down to the bed, even as his arms rose to meet her. His forearms were a warm band around her waist as she divested him of his trousers. In moments she found herself warm and wet for him already; it was the simplest thing to limb atop him; to fall into a familiar rhythm and succumb to carnal pleasure. Funny thing about immortality. It never grows dull...so long as you have someone to share it with.
When it was done she tumbled into his arms with a blissful sigh. "I'll never grow tired of that...
A rusty laugh answered. "Long as I'm around, you won't have to."
"Now there's a thought." Salem caught the hidden meaning in his words. "Ozma won't be able to do a thing if our descendants outnumber his. A war of attrition would surely be in our favor."
"Wait, you mean more kids-
Then her lips found his again and he found he thought no more of such things...
"Hello?"
Well, not until their door creaked open.
...she glimpsed one of her children in a white shift, clutching a teddy bear to her chest.
"Mommy, daddy, I had a bad dream...
Naruto sighed. "Again? That's the third this week...
Salem stifled a small smile of her own. "Well, don't just stand there, Erza. Come here, little one. There's plenty of room...
The little redhead beamed and clamored into bed with them.
"Yay~!"
A/N: Yeah...they're about to "accidentally a war" up in here, aren't they? And yes, I speak of THAT Loki.
Ozma still thinks of himself as the wronged party in this; from a certain point of view, he is. I mean, his only crime was dying. Then the gods tricked him into being their puppet, and he just cannot bring himself to admit otherwise.
Right then, as ever, Reviews are love, Reviews are Life. Reviews keep me Writing.
Without them, I just can't seem to write these days.
So in the immortal words of Atlas...
...review, Would You Kindly?
Every bit helps out!
As ever:
SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
(Previews)
Naruto quirked a brow.
Loki shrugged. "It wasn't me?"
Slowly, the jinchuuriki began to clap. "Not a bad prank. Well done!"
The dark haired boy blinked up a him. "You're...proud of me?"
"Of course I am! You're my son!"
Salem frowned at the lamp, willingly given by her servant. "Such a little thing. But how do we use it...?"
"Let Ozma have his huntsman academies. We will teach our children of chakra and magic."
Of the massacre, there was one survivor. A single man, one who quit the field entirely. He ran for the hills, uncaring for the wounds he sustained, shrieking all the way in abject horror. He alone would live to tell the tale and spread the horror of what happened here.
A new era had begun.
~Nz.