A/N: Please read this.
As ever, the Embers rule remains.
If folks don't like this story, POOF! Away it goes.
So by all means, speak up! Every bit of feedback matters here!
Work is still wearing me down; feels like all I do is eat, sleep, update, and work. Starting to get a little stir crazy.
In other news, An Untraveled Road will updated Tuesday or Wednesday. Why, you ask? Because those chapters, like Far From Home, New Gods of Remnant, Partners in Crime, and the like, HAVE TO BE LONG.
I'm trying to avoid writing short chapters. No one likes those. T_T
Alright, now that we've got that way, onto your questions!
Q: So we're seeing a chaotic Naruto in this? Nice! Let him cut loose! No restraint!
A: With all the power he has, our boy has to exercise SOME restraint or risk devastating consequences. Wouldn't want to tear someone's arm off just by shaking their hand, eh? Power like that needs control...but only to an extent.
Read on and see for yourself.
Q: Please don't make Naruto bully the Malachites and Junior. They're no threat to him!
A: To Naruto doesn't see Junior/Hei Xiong as a threat to him, least of all the Malachites? Why would he? They can't touch him. If anything he feels a bit guilty for messing up their place of business and subsequently crashing there...
And we all know they want out from under Cinder's thumb...
Q: Oi! Start the pairings already!
A: Well, we have but if its more you want...
Aright, I think I've kept you all waiting long enough.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes.
I'm just here to keep you all entertained. Hopefully I'm doing that. If not...
...why am I here?
"When you think about it, this is something of a second life for me.
And you know what? I think. For once in my life...
...I'm going to enjoy myself."
~?
Something About Twins
Naruto awoke in a warm bed.
That wasn't much of a concern on the wayward warrior's part; if only because the covers were soft, red, and he wasn't yet dead. Just...satisfyingly sore. Strange, but he'd both seen and lived through far worse in his day, so again, not much of a problem on that front. So what if he didn't recognize the ceiling? So what if his mouth was drier than a desert? He had slept in stranger places than this. Maybe he hadn't been that drunk after all? Everything was fine. Just sit up and-
Mistakes were made
His skull protested violently the moment he tried to move; a bolt of white-hot light lancing through the back of his head with such force that he found himself crashing back down to the pillows. Blue eyes slammed shut as he groaned. Nope. Screw this. Hangovers sucked. He immediately decided he wasn't having any of it. Never drinking again.
"Owww...did anyone get the number of that bus? At least I think it was a bus...? And where are my clothes?"
He rose with a groan, eyes still blurry and his hand fell upon something soft.
A pillow. He pushed off it to steady himself.
Thoughtlessly, his fingers squeezed.
Someone moaned.
...
...
...
Naruto looked down and had something of an out-of-body experience; in that he heard himself gasp; saw the dark-haired young woman spooned against his right arm; saw another tucked into his left with her head upon his chest; saw their state of undress and knew instantly that it mirrored his own. Neither wore so much as a stitch of clothing. One of them had their legs twined with his.
Blue eyes bulged.
...you have got to be kidding me."
Twitching fingers removed themselves from the girl's chest. Slowly. Veeery slowly. Instinct nearly had him cry out like a fool; shouting and squawking and squalling as he demanded answers. It was only an ironclad sense of self preservation that stomped him. He stomped that urge into oblivion. To speak was to die. They were the both of them sound asleep, and he had the strangest feeling they wouldn't take kindly to being woken in such a fashion.
"Oh, I get it." He lowered himself back to the pillows with a sigh. "I'm still asleep. This is a dream. I'll wake up any second now."
Kurama foiled that fledgling hope with a yawn.
"What a night. Twins! I was beginning to think you didn't have it in you."
Naruto slammed his eyes shut even as his face scrunched up in a scowl. "Wait, what?! Did I...?"
"Yup."
He looked down. "You mean we...?"
"Bingo." Smug fox. "You really made those girls scream."
His bleary mind struggled to recall anything and was alarmed when he actually succeeded.
Soft arms coiling around his neck as her legs wrapped 'round his waist. Full breasts bushing up against his chest, half-lidded eyes looking longingly up at him as her hips ground against his. Another pair of lips kissing his neck, whispering soft nothings in his ear, begging for her turn andwowshelookedratherniceactuallyYEOW!
Belatedly, he realized he had pinched himself to snap out of it. Once. Twice. Thrice for good measure. Ow! Pain!
Well, that happened. No dream this. You didn't feel pain in a dream. He was fairly certain of that and with that he wasn't sure he wanted to laugh or cry. His first time, and he could barely even recall anything! An almost pleasant soreness confirmed his suspicions. He still didn't dare open his eyes; if only because he was painfully sober and had no idea how toe explain a lick of this-
"Rise and shine, handsome."
Someone kissed his neck, sending an electric thrill shooting down his spine. Because now? Now he was very much awake, and keenly intimately aware of everything; of things he hadn't noticed before. The weight of her body, however slight, against his own, her breath warm upon his skin his own pulse hammering in his veins...
Well, time to face the music, then.
Blue eyes fluttered open to meet striking jade orbs only a few inches from his own. Huh. Neat. She really did have nice eyes. He vaguely recalled complimenting her on them last night while they fought. She was...damnit. Naruto fumbled for a name. Last night had been such a blur. It started with an "M" hadn't it...?
"Melanie...right?"
Her smile told him he'd skirted disaster. Safe~!
"Oooh, so he can tell the difference." she leaned forward and delivered a light to to the lips. "Extra points."
"But does he remember mine?"
Someone took hold of his head and tilted it backward just so. Warms lips touched his again, but hungrier, her teeth biting at his lip as she withdrew. In short order Naruto found himself gazing at a familiar face, similar to that of Melanie, but different all the same. Her eyes were sharper, her face just a little leaner.
"Miltia." her name case easier now than he recalled her twin. "That's your name, right?"
She wrinkled her nose. "Boo, you're no fun...
"Told you he'd remember." Melanie sprawled onto her back. "I win the bet. Pay up, sis."
"You'll get your damn money...
Naruto couldn't help but shake his head as they began to bicker. By the sage, twins. How the hell did that happen? Must've been the booze. He couldn't tell if he was damned lucky, or this was the first domino in a neverending series of disasters. Hopefully the former? Surely his luck couldn't be that bad. Twins, for crying out loud!
He planted a hand against his forehead. "It's entirely too early for this."
"Eleven 'o clock, actually." Militia rolled over, propping herself up on his stomach. "So I'd say its pretty damn late." her sibling stood with languid grace, giving him a show he'd never dreamed off. A green iris taunted him over her shoulder. "Unless you're too sore to get up."
"Hey!" he growled at the slight. "Don't get snappy. I beat you once already, I can beat you again."
"Aha!" She pivoted with speed and thrust her face against his. "Ah, there's the guy from last night. Good to see him again."
'Kurama?! Little help, here?!'
"Well, we're alive. Might as well enjoy it."
Simple as they were, those words resonated with him
A second life. His chance to start again. No towering villains, no existential crisis to thwart, no crazy gods. None that he knew of, at any rate. When was the last time he'd lived? No chasing crazy friends, stopping insane plans or shinobi with a god complex? He'd always been fighting, fighting, fighting. He was good at fighting, almost as much as he was when it came to talking.
What's the harm in it? An insidious little thought crawled into his ear. Why not live a little for now?
He let them pull him back to the bed.
Time ceased to be.
(.0.0.0.)
Junior awaited him when he finally stumbled downstairs an hour later.
And he was grinning, the smug bastard!
"Have fun?"
"You." Naruto jabbed a finger against his chest. "Not a word."
"Sure, sure." the bartender -whom he was beginning to suspect was anything but!- raised his hand and stepped back with lazy grace. His smirk remained ironclad. "Your secret is safe with me. Didn't see a thing."
Try as he might, Naruto couldn't help but wary of this man now that morning had come. Although he sensed nothing but positivity from the fellow, he seemed far too cheery for his own good. Hadn't he been mad at him yesterday? He remembered that much. Junior had been nothing short of livid with him after the mess he made. So why the sudden turnaround? It didn't make any sense.
"What's gotten into you?"
"I'm in a good mood. Your boys did good work." Hei gestured to the club itself, nearly good as new. "We got this place cleaned up in no time at all thanks to them."
His mouth twitched. "I thought there was a lot less rubble...
Oops! That was the hangover talking. Shame he couldn't just cure that, too.
"Alright," Hei subsided with a frown. "You can give as good as you get. I like that."
"Right," Naruto plonked down on the first intact seat he could find. "How long have I been here? Everything's a blur."
"Eh, just the night." A hand waved. "Not that long."
A pall of silence pushed itself between the two strangers.
Naruto grimaced into it as a thorn of guild pricked at his bleeding heart.
"Look," he scratched at the back of his head and looked away, "I really am sorry about the bar. Didn't mean to wreck the place. That's on me."
"Yeah?" Junior paused, regarding him with narrow eyes. "Big words from a huntsman." his tone was colder than an ice jutsu. "I've heard those words before. Forgive me if I take them with a grain of salt."
"Hey! No, wait...I'm not a huntsman!"
Hei squinted at him anew, then Looked at him. Really looked at him. In the light of day he must've seen something that he missed last night, because he leaned away and took a single step backward. There it was, a touch of wariness now as he remembered just what he was capable of. Naruto didn't like it. He wasn't here to inspire fear; he just wanted to live in this strange new era.
"You're really not from around here, are ya?"
"This again?!" He flung up his arms in a fit. "I already told you! I've been asleep! Sealed underground for years!"
"Alright. Look, I'll be frank with ya." Hei set his glass down. "If you're not a Huntsman, then I don't know what the hell you are. Regardless, I don't wanna be your enemy." Another emerged, and he poured a shot of fresh whiskey into it, then summarily slammed it back. Thus fortified by liquid courage, he continued. "You're clearly on another level. Ya made mincemeat of Melanie and Miltia out there." a glance to the stairs, rueful as it was, had him quirking a brow. "And they're clearly sweet on you."
Naruto felt the tips of his ears burn pink. "Among other things...
"So lets make a deal." a hand entered his field of vision, leaving him to balk down at it. "You said it yourself, you know jack-shit about this place." the ghost of a smile touched his worn face. "I, on the other hand, make it my business to know things. What say we combine forces? I help you with your little problem, you help me with mine."
"Not sure I like the way you phrased that."
"I'm no trying to swindle ya, kid. Call it an equivalent exchange."
He supposed there was no harm in it. These people couldn't hurt him. He wasn't sure there was anyone here who could if he didn't let them. That wasn't arrogance on his part, of even a threat. It was the truth. One didn't easily would a jinhcuuriki, let alone the container of the ten-tails.
"Still not used to that...liked it better when I had nine...
'Don't be a crybaby. What's done is done.'
...fine." he hazarded a grin. "I don't really have anywhere else to go at the moment."
"First things first," Hei temporized. "We need to get you a Scroll...and you have no idea what that is." Naruto shook his head, drawing another sigh from his host. "Fine. Me and the girl's will get you squared away. Maybe then you can help me with a little problem of mine."
His brow drew down. "I ain't committing a crime."
"Not asking you to." the rejoinder was swift. "Just hoping you can get rid of some uppity bitch who thinks she owns me and mine. Speakin' a which...just how strong are you?"
Naruto couldn't quite keep the smile from his face. "Strong enough. Why the sudden interest? Who's asking?"
"I gathered that much." Hei claimed the seat beside him. "Is it possible to learn this power?"
His grin grew. "Not from a Huntsman."
Of course, he wasn't about to simply reawaken chakra for everyone under the sun. Maybe not anyone at all. These people need to earn it. Prove the were worthy of it. He didn't know Hei or the Malachites well enough to entrust them with such a powerful gift. If they proved themselves to be good, rounded the bend and made something good of their lives, sure. He'd consider it. Until then? Not a chance.
"Wow, that actually sounded profound. Color me impressed."
"Go bite your tail, Kurama."
The fox laughed, only to subsided as the main door creaked open behind them.
"Hello," a low voice crooned. "I do hope I'm not interrupting you two...
"Damnit." Hei swore." Speak of the devil and she appears...
Devil who, now?
Naruto followed his gaze and found himself staring a woman cut from sin itself.
Long dark hair framed a pale face from which keen golden eyes shone, lurking above a pale smile. Wrapped in a fine red silk dress that hinted at secrets best left unspoken. She moved with poise and purpose, the sway in her hips nothing short of deliberate. She didn't see the Twins slipping down the stairs and moving into position behind her. Flanking her. Why would she? Her attention was fixed firmly on him. More fool she.
The woman took one look at him and made a beeline for him. "Well, well. We meet at last."
Naruto blinked, somewhat taken aback. "Um...do I know you? You're weird."
A spark of anger flashed through her face. "I paid your bail, fool!"
He blinked anew, vaguely recalling last night.
"Oh, that was you! Thanks for that! I...wait. Naruto's smile became a frown. Negativity. This woman reeked of it. "I think," he continued slowly, "You should tell me who you are."
"But of course." Golden eyes flashed, sensing his challenge and rising to it, from one predator to another. "I think we can help each other."
Help this woman? Unlikely. Still, she hadn't tried to harm him and she had helped, in a loose sense of the word...
Unfortunately for Cinder, she had no idea who she was courting.
Poor, poor Cinder. She was not prepared.
A/N: Had to cut some things till next time.
Once more, the Embers rule remains.
If folks don't like this story, POOF! Away it goes.
So by all means, speak up! Every bit of feedback matters here!
Reviews are eternal. Reviews are Immortal. Reviews are precious to me.
Sooooo...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...Review, Would You Kindly?
No previews! I've got bit plans coming!
Alright, just one...
...or two~!
(Preview!)
Melanie couldn't stop laughing. "That was priceless!
Miltia doubled over, whipping a tear from her eye. "How did you even do that...?!"
Ruby tilted her head. "Hey, ah, sis? You've got a lot of red marks on you...
Yang's face flooded with color.
"Ah, shit...
Neo bounced in place. Actually bounced. Roman quirked a brow.
"Made a friend, have you?"
She shoved a picture at him.
Roman took it from her hands and blinked at it. Once. Twice. Thrice. His cigar fell from parted lips to clatter harmlessly to the floor. He scrubbed at his eyes with the back of a hand, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Look again! His brain gave a cry! That can't be real!
We are! Said his eyes! It is!
Then he began to cackle.
Laughter staggered out of the door after him. Naruto couldn't help but chuckle at it.
The streets of Vale were heaving with life, veritable rivers of people on the sidewalks and crossways besides. Her streets were clean yet even, lending his gait a spring in his step. He took a moment to admire the view as he went about his business, all the while trying not to gawk at the looming stone and brick edifices around him. Strange metal boxes whisked by on the road, fascinating hum further. So many houses. Buildings, buildings, buildings, as far as the eye could see. Amazing. It put his village to shame, even if only in sheer quantity.
He spied misty spires in the distance and recalled Yang's words.
"That must be Beacon."
His mind contemplated wandering that way for a moment before he thought better of it.
Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all...oomph.
He staggered into someone. "Sorry about that!
A pair of rabbit ears caught his eye.
R&R! =D