A/N: EDIT: Siiiiigh flames all over the board again. Can't we just enjoy a nice sweet story? T_T

Fast update is a go~!

Yes, this is quite early. Not in my right mind at the moment.

Needless to say, I'm breaking the habit and updating what I want today.

Just this once. I'll try to get around to Demon Slayer, Genshin, Arcane and RWBY next.

Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? POOF! Gone. Completely. I'm working two jobs -might need a third soon!- so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that.

Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.

Now for your questions, comments, and concerns.

Q: Will there be an Easter update?

A: Not likely, unless folks want to see it.

Q: Godrick I feel some form of pity for. Mogh I would feel pity for, if he wasn't a p***. Did you know Mogh trend to get Miquella to enter his bedchambers multiple times Neon? Make him suffer.

A: Queztlecoatl, I can't respond to you unless you enable private messaging, mate. Not sure if Naruto will even meet Mogh in this. His focus is with Ranni's group, but I could see how they might stumble into one another if Nokron is involved...

Q:...are you alright? I'm sorry about your dog and all...

A: No. No I am not alright. That dog was my LIFE and now hes gone and nothing will be the same. Had him for almost twenty years, and now he's just...gone. Its thrown me and my mind out of wack, caused me to write less, and I cry nearly every damn day. Ironically, playing Elden Ring helps me drown my sorrows...but as stated, I need to limit my time on that; because if I start playing overmuch, I'll burn all my time into it. Right now I'm going around soloing Melania for folks, since she was an absolute BITCH for me to fight by myself.

Not the jarhead lad tho, he's better than me.

Alright then, this old man has kept you long enough! I'll let you enjoy this sappy little story.

As ever, I own no quotes references, themes or memes. Not a wit or a one!

Now then, I'll not keep you waiting any longer. Get ready to smile~!

Spoilers for Ranni's and Blaidd's quest ahoy~!

"Take care of Lady Ranni."

"Hey, don't gotta tell me, twice. No worries."

~?

An Enthusiastic Walk (Interlude)

T'was nice to talk a walk, Ranni considered.

Granted, her...current body wasn't best suited to travel, but the simple freedom of being out and about agreed with her.

She could not feel the sun on her face, nor the wind in her hair. Neither smell the fading scent of summer, or even taste the crisp tang of an afternoon apple, but she needed not those things. She could still see the beauty of this world with her lone eye and appreciate it, broken though it was. So too could she heard the birds, chirping happily as they flitted too and fro. Listening to them brought back distant memories of her youth, of simple times, when she'd been blissfully unaware of her destiny.

It was enough.

She spoke but little on their journey through Limgrave; in truth Naruto and Blaidd were all too happy to fill the silence for her. The former more than most. Ranni would never say it aloud, but still, it felt rather pleasant. To simply listen for once and not dictate the pace of conversation. It behooved her to learn more of him, this champion who would take up her cause. He was strong. Quite possibly the strongest in her employ. Not even Blaidd or Iiji could wrestle down a dragon and break its neck.

Yes, that was the reason she told herself. No other. She wasn't intrigued by him, nor the tales he told. Not in the least.

"Liar, liar." a little voice crooned in the back of her head. "You're fond of him. He made you smile."

Unbidden, Ranni found herself touching a hand to her mouth as Naruto continued to chat with her. It had felt good to smile, even if her body was no longer of flesh. But it would not distract her from her duty. She must be firm. She must be resolute. Like the moon itself, eternal and unyielding. Nothing less would do.

"Nay." she muttered to herself. "T'is nothing.

When the subject veered toward family, however, it was there that things began to go awry.

Naruto had described his parents to her before, shortly after their first meeting.

He had not, however, informed her of this.

...your parents are dead?"

"Yup." it was the casual way he said it, hands folded behind his head, that rankled her so; more than words ever could. "Its fine. They gave their lives for me, and I got ta talk to 'em for a bit afterwards, so I don't mind." there was pain there, an old ache buried so deep that only a Witch such as she could notice it. "Besides, I think they'd like you." a pause now, as he scratched his chin, never once faltering. "Well, mom probably would." a rueful grin tugged at the corner of his mouth as he skirted a fallen tree. "Yeah, definitely."

Ranni's brow shot up. "Whatever for?"

"Because you're feisty."

"...!"

Ranni's mind ran away with the words; for a wild moment she imagined a woman with wild red hair fussing over her, cooing at her petite features. No. Nay. Never. There was nothing she dreaded more. She'd faced down all manner of old monsters and madmen in the past, and yet somehow, the idea of meeting this boy's mother terrified her more than the Two Fingers ever had.

Blaidd chuckled suddenly; a deep, throaty sound that snapped her back to reality. "I think I'll scout ahead. Look after her while I'm away, won't you?"

Naruto snapped off a faux salute, grinning from ear to ear. "Sure thing!"

"I'll howl once I find the bastard, don't worry."

Ranni rounded on him, a protest prepared, but her Shadow was already gone, slipping away into myriad mists that made up the Mistwood. Traitor! Leaving her alone with him! This was a conspiracy! Blackest of treachery! She would remember this indignity! Vengeance would be hers!

Naruto offered her a halfhearted shrug and kept walking, forcing her to follow. She had to hasten her pace just to keep up. Blasted body.

"Does it not pain you? Having lived your life without them?"

"A little." his shoulders went stiff for a moment, then eased. "Maybe. But I've gotten over it."

Another lie. How she loathed them. A hand snatched at his sleeve, bringing him up short. "You should not speak of such things lightly!"

"I'm not, really." His brow furrowed, and he squinted at her as a fox might some baffling bird. "Really, Ranni, I'm fine!" this time his smile was genuine. "Sure it hurts a little, but there's no point dwelling on the past and all. You've got family right? You've never told me about 'em."

She huffed, accepting the change of topic for what it was. Fine. Fine. Be that way, would he?

Ranni did not lie; rather, she couldn't; she was not capable of such in this form.

...I would not speak of it."

"Alright." he shrugged. "I understand.

Ranni released his arm and muttered a half-hearted thanks under her breath.

She'd cut ties with her family and the other demigods long ago, but at least they were alive...for the most part. Of her blood, most remained. Radahn had gone mad with rot, left to wander the Caelid Wild. Rykard yet lived, but as an abomination in the Volcano Manor, twisted and cruel. And dear mother...no. Don't think about her. Rennala had been a wonderful parent. She wished to remember her as such, not the broken shell she'd become after Father's departure. Then there lay her extended family. She'd never much cared for that madman Mohg, nor the bitter Morgott, let alone the twin prodigies Miquella and Melania. Certainly not Queen Marika!

Ah, but mother, mother, mother!

She checked in on her from afar from time to time. Never in person, always via proxy. It pained her to see how she'd fallen in her absence. Rennala had been a brilliant scholar and warrior queen both, a mistress of magic capable of winning the heart of Radagon himself...until he cast her aside for that Queen.

And in leaving, he proved that Mother was no champion at all.

Confined to the academy in heartbreak, gone mad with despair, left to waste away in the library. Alone in dark-cease!

Ranni cut her thoughts off with a hiss. They had to think her dead. T'was the only way to save the world. If she could have done without killing Godwyn, or Marika's subsequent act of lunacy, she would have. But there was no other way. In her heart of hearts she did not wish to see the world suffer, nor for the madness wrought by the Shattering. Yet the fact remained. She had started this. Thus it fell to her to end it. To fix it. To take this world away from them and the Greater Will, and in doing so, bring peace.

"What about you, though?" Once more, Naruto's voice tugged free from her melancholy. "Don't you miss it?"

"Miss what?" Ranni leaped on the lifeline, faltering a little when he led her away from a bear. Best avoid those. One strong blow would shatter this body. "What dost thou mean?"

Naruto glanced at her askance. "Having a proper body?"

She raised a fractured blue hand to frown at it. True, it was impeccable craftsmanship, but it was just that. Did she? It had been so long now, since she cast aside her Empyrean flesh. An age since that awful night and the sacrifice she'd made. She could still remember the pain sometimes; still hear her own screams as her flesh burned away, the awful searing agony as her spirit was released. No doubt her scorched corpse still lay atop the tower, bearing that awful hallowbrand. Gone. Discarded. But it had been for the best...hadn't it?

"Would you like one? A body, I mean?"

Hope flowered in her heart. Ranni froze it before it could bloom.

...elaborate." she pivoted to face him as they walked. "I will not accept a form that leaves me beholden to the Two Fingers."

She chose not to speak of her Ring locked away in its chest, nor the fragment of her strength she'd left within. In an emergency, such would allow her to become flesh once she was free of their influence. But to tell him of it. Nay. Not yet. Such was reserved for her Consort, and she'd sworn never to take one.

She wouldn't. She couldn't. She mustn't. To do so would ruin her.

"Well, old man Sage left me with a gift." Naruto spread his hands wide, startling her a little. A tiny scarlet flame flickered in one palm, matching its sapphire twin in the other. "He called it Creation of All Things. Might take some doing, but I can craft ya one if push comes to shove." when she couldn't bring herself to answer, he bulled on like the boy he was. "You'd be just like you are now, but actual flesh. Stronger, too." his brow furrowed a little at the thought. "I'm not very good at it, so you'd have to well, guide the jutsu as it were, but still...

Ranni's spirit soared.

He was offering to make her current form flesh, four arms and all. She might even be able to make herself taller. Coupled with her ring, it would return her to full glory and more. She would be able to fully experience the world as she saw fit, without sleeping for days at time, forced to maintain her tenuous hold over this farce of a figure.

If her doll body shattered, she could take another, though it would be difficult. If she was flesh and something managed to kill her, kill her properly...

Fear reared its ugly head. Nay. She couldn't do it.

...you make an enticing offer." she swallowed the sudden surge of need. "But nay, not yet. And refrain from doing anything that would imperil thine health. I would not see thee come to harm."

"So you do care." he teased.

"Dogged fool." she slapped his arm and let her lead him onward. "You should learn to hold thy tongue."

"But you're smiling again-oof!" he folded a little when two elbows hit his ribs. "How can someone so small hit so hard?"

Ranni's glare promised pain. Naruto laughed, sly fox that he was. Hrmph!. Perhaps he wasn't quite the fool she thought him to be. Dense he might be perhaps, and certainly was at times but a keen mind lurked beneath the surface. When forced to apply himself, he held a rather sharp wit. Didn't stop her from taking her frustrations out on him, though.

Ow!" he was still laughing when she pinched him. "Okay, okay! I give! Jeez, ya moody girl.

They walked in companionable silence for a moment more. A howl pierced the Mistwood. Ah. Seemed Blaidd had found what he sought, then.

Naruto nudged her side. "You're really fond of the big guy, aren't you?"

"Blaidd and Iiji both, are willing to give too much to me." Ranni watched her shadow range ahead of them, smiling softly. "Yet they both understand. What lieth beyond the dark path." her four hands clenched at her sides as she recalled the grim fate that lie in wait. "That I must betray everything and rid the world of what came before."

"Ominous." he hummed, but didn't protest.

"Should I add thee to the list, too?" her good eye sought his as she offered him a sultry smile. "Another one, kind of heart. Kinder even, than they."

Much to her delight, he flushed and looked away.

Ranni preened but a little, inordinately proud of her accomplishment.

Aha! T'would seem the teaser could be teased in turn! She would savor this victory!

(.0.0.0.)

It came to a fight once they reached Limgrave of course, as all things did.

Bloodhound Knight Darriwill was a savage sort; even trapped within the gaol, he refused to hear reason. Scarce had they come upon him, than he attacked. Naruto tried to talk him down as was his wont, but the poor soul was madness incarnate and lived up to his name in all his bloody glory.

It was scarcely a fight, more a slaughter.

Ranni was only just preparing her most powerful spell when Naruto and Blaidd fell upon him. The doomed soul didn't last ten seconds; in the end it was Blaidd's well...blade, that did him in. Skewered upon the ground, he wasted away into nothing, dissolving into a bevy of runes; runes that soon became theirs. The amount was not insubstantial.

"Poor guy." Naruto knelt, retrieving the man's fallen blade. "Does this happen to all Tarnished, eventually?"

...some." Ranni confessed. "But thou art no Tarnished."

"And good thing for that." he muttered, hefting the sword. He "Hey, Blaidd! Any chance you could teach me how to use this thing?"

"Don't see why not?" the hulking warrior lumbered over to consider his prize. "Seems a good sort and you've got decent reflexes. Might be able to teach you a thing or two."

"Nice!"

On a whim, Ranni made her decision. For Blaidd, his reward was merely being in her presence, but Naruto...he deserved a reward, did he not?

...I have a gift for thee." she reached into her satchel and pulled out a small parcel, wrapped in white cloth. "I will not always be able to accompany you on your travels; should you and Blaidd range forth again, I would have you take this with you." four hands pressed it into his two. "Take it, with my blessing."

"Aww, a mini Ranni!" Naruto peeled back the cloth and cooed, cradling it with his hands. "How adorable!"

Shame flooded Ranni's very being. What had she been thinking, giving him that? She'd done it on a whim, but now she almost found herself regretting it. The way he cradled the little thing, then placed it in the pouch at his side...he was gentle with it. Almost too gentle. Had he ascertained the doll's true purpose? Did he see her ulterior motive? Through it, she would be able to observe him, communicate even, if need be, should anything go awry. It was a useful tool, all things considered, and it would serve to better her measur eof him.

But now Naruto was looking at her, and she knew that look.

"Nay." she backed away quickly, knowing full well what he was about to do. "Do not embrace me again!"

Remarkably, he didn't. The baffling blond just...smiled at her. "You're really a sweetheart, ain'tcha?"

Ranni didn't budge. "So you won't embrace me, then?"

"Not if you don't want me to." came the reply.

Her tongue betrayed her. "...pity."

His eyes widened. "What?"

Blaidd laughed aloud.

"Ach!" Ranni flailed, arms waving wildly. "This form hath loosened my tongue. I've let slip too much. Pay mine words no heed."

Naruto most certainly did not; on the contrary, his cheeky grin said he'd remember every bit of it, much to her chagrin.

"Forget what thou'st heard!" the words came easily to Ranni once more, her face burning with shame. "Forget!"

A/N: Not a chance, Ranni. Not a chance.

Bit of a slow burn, this, but hey that makes it all the more enjoyable for everyone, no?

And nay, I've not forgotten Seluvis. Not at all. I have plans for that little snake...

Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story.

If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? POOF! Gone. Completely. I'm working two jobs during the holidays so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that.

So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...

...Review, Would You Kindly?

And have some previews.

Granted, some are far off, but still...

(Previews)

"Armor?" Naruto held up the dark blue and black leather, regarding the bits of steel interposed within. "For me?"

Ranni preened but a little as he considered it. "I designed it mineself."

Well, the design had been hers, but Iiji had done the smithing, the mending, and the making. She'd not tell Naruto that. He'd never let her live it down.

His voice warbled a little. "No one's ever given me armor before...I'm kinda touched. And hey, its light armor, too! I can move in this!"

Another Tarnished had come to Ranni's Rise.

Ranni did not much mind. This one had rendered good service.

So why? Why did Naruto look so irritated, and why was he watching them like a hawk?

"Have you heard tell of the Tarnished? There are so many I could tell you of. Sir Gideon, the All-Knowing. Horrah Loux. The Loathsome Dung Eater...

...you are no Tarnished."

"No. No, I'm not. But I'm a nightmare for people like you."

"She has no need of a worthless stray like you." Seluvis sniped back. "You are a blunt instrument, little more. But perhaps you might yet have your uses...

Naruto knew that tone. He hated it. "Funny, coming from the guy who reminds me of Orochimaru."

The mage stilled. "...whatever does that mean?"

"It means I don't trust ya." he grabbed the perceptor by his shirt. "You step one foot outta line, and the foot comes off.

"My, my, quite the aggressive thing she's made you. I didn't think you'd come to care for a doll."

"She is not a doll! She's a person!"

Her breath hitched. This...this was for the best. He would understand.

She must do this alone. This was her fate. Her destiny.

Why, then? Why did her heart hurt so?

Why?

Naruto stepped in, slapped the sword aside, and...

"Oh, dear." Iiji winced. "That looked painful."

Blaidd whistled. "I'll say...

R&R~!