A/N: EDIT: Flames all over again, seems folks didn't like this after all...

Before anyone asks, Everybody Wants to be my Enemy will be updated tomorrow.

To clarify! This is the origin of the Pretender!Naruto and Berserker!Morgan you all saw in the latest chapter of A Most Unlikely Berserker.

Well, I do try to keep my promises, here.

As ever, we're sticking with the tried and true "Embers" Rule for this story.

If folks don't like it...well, it won't be continued. So speak up! Make yourself heard! Your voice matters! That's no joke! I have very little time to write these days, so feedback plays a large part in this. Daily updates ensure that I'm constantly busy working on one project or another. I cannot afford to stop and write something that folks don't like; if only because I feel that would a cold disservice to those of who who have stuck with me for so long.

Well, Morgan's stronger than I thought.

Lets see here; she can turn herself into a living voodo doll to skewere her own opponent using her own body; drain the mana out of her enemies, create a maelstrom of darkness, crush your heart into a bloody pulp from a gesture. And if that weren't deadly enough, she can create projections of herself that are COMPLETELY equal to the original. Oh, and her Fairy Eye see through any and all lies. And I'm not even listening half of her feats. Blasted girl can warp reality!

Now, onto your questions comments and concerns. We'll settle for one this time.

Q: Which of your stories are ending soon?

A: Lets see: Best Served Cold, All Things Must Die, Lies Are Entertainment, Rags to Riches, Everybody Loves Cookies, Just a Bit of Bread, Kiss of Death, Embers at Midnight, the list goes on and on. Already finished Killing Monsters and Wolf in Sheep's Clothing last year. Dawn of Daybreak was likewise edited to give it a proper ending. There are at least twenty others that are near completion as well, though I don't want to spoil things.

That's the only reason I occasionally add new stories.

As ever I own no quotes, references, themes or memes.

Not a wit or one. I'm just a simple man making my way in this world.

Also, a high chance this is going to jump to a HARD M rating in the future. You've been warned.

One last thing, though older, this Naruto doesn't look a thing like the facsimile in Boruto. Never liked his look there. For reference, I'm speaking of the video "Adult Naruto vows to find peace" on Youtube. Dub or Sub, doesn't make much difference to me, but that's what he looks like here.

Now, then! Here we go.

Also, BURN THOSE LOSTBELT FAIRIES. Burn them all.

"I will not tolerate you. Nor I will not save you. Merely obey.

Hang your head and heed my commands. Nothing more. Together, we will protect a Britain of absolute subservience."

"Ain't that a bit much, ya know? I mean, I get it. You've been alone for awhile; trying to save this place entirely on your own. So lighten up a bit! Smile!

~Berserker!Morgan and Pretender!Naruto.

A Most Unlikely Pretender

Pretending.

The act of being something you're not. Putting up a front. A means to deceive your enemies.

What is it? How do we do it? Why do we do it?

Its easier for some than others. Some can't act for the life of them. Others are masters of the craft. I mean, really. Lets face it, we all pretend sometimes. Each and every one of us. You, me, everyone. Rich and tall. Poor and small. But that's alright, you know? Sometimes pretending is the only way to get through the day.

Pretending to like a colleague.

Pretending to listen to a superior officer.

Pretending to be sane when you've long since lost your mind.

Me? I learned to act from a young age; I had to, just to survive. Faking a smile when I was hurt. Laughing when I felt like felt crying. Turning the other cheek when I was furious. Being brave when I was anything but. Standing strong, even as girl I loved took my heart and crushed it into tiny little pieces. Still smiling at her, through betrayal after betrayal, gritting my teeth and biting my tongue when I wanted nothing more than to slap her across the face. If I hadn't played the part as well as I had, I probably woulda died in a ditch somewhere...or slaughtered everyone. Best not to think about that.

*sigh*

Never shoulda made that damn promise, Naruto.

They say with age comes wisdom; or in my case, the wisdom to realize you made the wrong choice.

What was I thinking? Sure, I'll rescue someone who wants me dead. How many times did I save her? How many times did I dry her tears, pat her on the back and tell her everything would be alright. Its almost ironic, ya know? She was so certain I'd never betray her; when in reality, she was the one who betrayed me. Towards the end, I think the Infinite Tsukyomi might have been a mercy for her. Maybe it would have been better to leave her in Madara's genjutsu. Kinder, certainly, considering what happened.

She wanted to live in a fantasy world - no, perhaps she'd been dwelling in one all this time.

After Kaguya's defeat she paid the price; she died with a chidori in her back, still believing her precious Sasuke could do no wrong.

He could, Sakura. He really could.

I...didn't enjoy killing him. He was my friend after all. Or he was, once upon a time. But it had to be done. At least Kakashi understood.

.

..

...didn't he. Maybe I'm wrong. Not sure which.

Did I die, or did the "ideal" of me simply warp over time?

There's no way he's that happy, people said. He's faking it, they said.

Pretender, they started to call me. I think they meant it as an insult. Turns out it stuck...in more ways than you can possibly imagine. First as a jinchuuriki, then as a shinobi, even as a person. I learned to pretend so damn well that the act itself became second nature to me; projecting an aura of confidence so dense that eventually, people gave up trying to see through it. They thought I was the man with the plan, the hero who'd figured everything out.

I mean, really! Do I look like a guy with a plan? No! I make thing up as I go! Roll with the punches, ya know?

And the decided to throw the Hat at me, to make me the Seventh Hokage. Maybe that does make me a Faker. Maybe the concept of "Naruto" doesn't truly exist in this world anymore. Did any of them know me? Really? Sure, they welcomed me with open arms when I saved them, sung my praises as I rescued them time and time again. They only ever knew the facade I put up.

Someday I'll die pretending; playing the part of the leader, acting the lovable idiot while others live happily around me, as life passes me by.

So ask yourself this, you who find this journal. By the time you do, I'll be long gone. What is true? What is real?

I just want someone to understand me. Is that so much to ask...hey, wait...what's that light-

(.0.0.0.)

Morgan loathed pretenders.

Because you see, everyone pretended. Even her.

She pretended to smile when she felt cold, pretended to be strong when she was weak, to rule, when her subjects hated her.

Not out of any real spite, mind you; she'd simply grown weary of constantly keeping fairies under her thumb. Of their ever-present deceptions, of their lies and falsehoods, just as she had of so many other things. They said one thing to her and did another, stabbing her in the back the moment she let her guard down. Poison. Sabotage. Murder. Capricious creatures. Was this what they called fun? She didn't understand them. Nor, did she want to. If she relented for even an instant, they'd find another way to harm her.

It only served to further deepen her dislike of the concept.

Would that she could just kill them all and be done with it already. Things would be so much easier, then. If she could simple eradicate all the fairies -her knights aside- and make certain they'd never come back, then so too could she have avoided this scenario.

A kingdom on the brink, subjects ready to rebel at the drop of a hat, all held together by her and her alone.

Her fairy eyes were of no help on that front; deceit meant naught to her, trickery a child's game. She could see through even the most complex of ruse with ease. Every tiny deception was known to her. But of what use was such a gift, when she hadn't the means to make them stop? All this power. Enough to unmake the world. She could change reality with ease. And she had.

Rules meant nothing to Morgan.

After all, the very concept of her existence flew in the face of reality itself. Her magecraft was strong, her body, powerful. In its prime. She could even have heirs, if she wished for such a thing. She would not die easily in a fight; indeed, there was no need for her stay and fight when she could create copies of herself, each just as powerful as she. Indeed, so long as she remained near her throne, she was nearly invincible.

But for all that, she simply didn't have the resources needed to curtail this madness.

Barghest and the girls were strong, her forces vast, but they couldn't be everywhere at once. The solution was simple. Aid was required. After all, was she not the queen? This was her Lostbelt. Her realm. Her will, made manifest. Nothing was impossible for her here. And so, like an true queen, Morgan sought that which she lacked.

Thus she began her grisly work. She would succeed.

She would save Britain. So she swore.

No matter the cost.

She wished to summon someone in their prime. An equal. Someone who would stand beside her, not in front of, or behind her. One would not forsake. One who would not betray. Man, woman, young, old, it didn't matter to her. So long as they listened to her; so long as they obeyed.

She'd even stomach a Pretender, so long as they would pretend for her sake.

"Heed my words." she cut her palm with a slender knife, and three beads of blood bled from her hand and dripped into the summoning circle below. "My will creates your body." Six, now. "And your sword creates my destiny."

Nine drops of blood. Not one one more. She sealed the wound and watched the crimson water pool into the runes at her feet. They burned a bright cherry read, hearkening to her power.

"Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice." She intoned the word three times for good measure. "You who are strong." With those words, the wind began to rise." You who are loyal." her hair lofted around her head as the gale picked up, forming a pale halo about her head. "You who threw your heart away for that which you loved." pale arms rose, embracing the gale as one might a long lost lover. "I am the queen of Britain. I call thee to serve me in all things."

...who's there?" she heard a voice, then. Strong. Tired, just like her. The strength in it made her cold shiver.

On a whim, she returned to her throne, to better bolster her power.

"If you are of noble heart heed my call, then follow the path and answer me." she felt something stir in the air as she sat, her power reaching across the vastness of time and space itself. "Seventh heaven clad in the great words of stargazers!" Her eyes burned, but none of that power was taken from her. Baffling. Her ritual had been precise. Hadn't it?

No. She must press on. "Come forth!"

Mana flared, burning blue, then red, before morphing into a myriad gold.

"Pass on your judgement and punish my enemies!" Her voice piqued, a rare note of emotion overtaking. "Stand beside me!"

The very castle itself shook, rattling from the peak of its spire, to its very foundations. Morgan could scarcely hear herself think, such was the clamor that went up. Nevertheless, she bulled forward and finished the chant in defiance of the world trembling around her.

"Guardian of the scales!"

Reality snapped back like a rubberband.

Above her, the the air shifted overhead. No, it parted and-

"HEY!"

Morgan looked up just in time to see a portal open above her. Her eyes widened. Someone hurtled through it with a startled yelp...

.

..

...and a young man landed in her lap.

Morgan went still. Cold as a glacier, immovable as a mountain, so too was the severity with which she regarded this...what was he? An intruder? Invader? Usurper? Baffling. Utterly baffling. Startled blue eyes blinked back at her. There was no shouting. No panic. None of that.

She made a confused noise. "...?"

Aqua orbs met eyes of startled cerulean.

No one moved. Neither of them dared breathe.

Comprehension dawned and with it came an epiphany. Three, really. First, she'd overcompensated; in her impatience, rather than summon a servant, she'd torn a hole in reality and ripped something through; an honest to goodness flesh and blood human...in his prime. Second, he wasn't bound to her. She could feel no such connection to him. None at all. Third-wait, why was he getting up?!

He did not fuss or flail as some child might. Rather, he simply stepped back and apologized.

"Sorry about that." at such close proximity, his voice was a low drawl that vibrated in her veins; his smile, even moreso. "Didn't mean to startle you."

Morgan took him in at a glance, uncertain what to make of him.

This was a grown man in his thirties, long shaggy blond hair framing a whiskered-yet-tan face from which bright blue eyes shown. Clad in some-green-on-blue uniforn she didn't recognize, he looked every bit a leader of men; over it he wore a cloak of white and red, paired with a slender hand of matching colors. She glimpsed the back of his jacket as he pivoted away, and the symbols stitched within. Her knowledge of all things let her read it clear as day. Aqua orbs squinted.

"Seventh...?"

"Well, this is a bit of a problem." The young man tilted his head to regard her throne room. "Where am I?" he frowned at her. "Did you bring me here? I mean, ya yanked me right out of my office...

'Foolishness.' She rebuked herself. 'Don't be a failure. Take charge of the situation.'

...I did. You were summoned her by me."

"Serve you?" The blond crossed both arms behind his head and squinted her; it rather reminded her of a fox. "What for?"

How irritating. She'd have to bind him the old-fashioned way.

Morgan pursed her lips and bit back a rebuke. She'd meant to summon a heroic spirit, but a living one, a being in their prime plucked out of the past itself? That too, could be useful. Now if only she knew his name. Her knowledge was vast, but she could not recall such a being. She was fairly certain she'd remember such.

"Identify yourself." A queen did not ask beg. A queen commanded.

"Naruto Uzumaki." the roguish-looking blond brushed a blond bang from his face. "Seventh Hokage." strangely enough, he didn't sound pleased by it. "Nice ta meetcha. Hmm." a smile flashed out suddenly as he gazed her overlong, she wasn't prepared for the intensity of it. "There's something about you, kinda familiar...

"Cease your staring."

"No, its not that..." he thumbed his chin, considering her in turn. "Aha!" his eyes widened with a cry. "I get it, now. You're like me!"

Like him? Unlikely. Morgan pursed her lips. "Explain yourself."

"You're pretending to be something you're not." his smile gained an edge. "You seem cold on the outside, but beneath all that, you're not, are you?"

A spot of heated color hit Morgan's cheeks. She coughed into her fist to hide it and redoubled her glare. It was those eyes of his. They must be Mystic or somesuch. He saw far too much for her liking. Her own flashed, searching for a lie...and found only truth. He hadn't lied. When was the last time someone had spoken freely to her without fear? Even her knights lied on occasion. Small things, tiny things, yet lies nonetheless. Yet she found no falsehood here.

How very refreshing...and concerning.

"Neverthless, I did summon you." here at last, she lifted herself off the throne. Blast. He was tall. "You are mine to command."

"Command?" His eyes flashed. "Never been one for commands. How's about this?" he held up a finger instead. "Tell me what you want, ask nicely, and I'll see what I can do."

Such impudence. "I could just crush your heart and summon someone else."

"You could," Naruto tiled his head a fraction of an inch to the right. "And you're welcome to try...but you'll fail."

Bluff. It was a bluff. Had to to be. Yet that staid boldness of his concerned her all the same. There was no fear. And no lies. He wholeheartedly believed that she would not succeed. She hadn't seen such confidence in an age. Not even from Uther. How strange then, to feel it directed at her instead for once. Her emotions, usually so tightly reigned, slipped their leash.

Morgan's hand snapped up. Naruto caught it by the wrist.

Silence stretched between them anew; an unstoppable force, and an immovable object.

"That wasn't very nice." his forehead kissed hers, smile all teeth. "We just met, and here you are, already trying to break my heart."

Was that a jest? If so, he'd spoke in poor taste. No matter. If that spell wouldn't work, then she had another-

"Lets not get ahead of ourselves." she jolted as Naruto released her, sat down, and crossed both legs beneath himself. "Here." he patted an empty space beside him. "Why don't you tell me what you need help with? I'm happy to take a break from all that paperwork." his smile faltered a little, then. "From my world, too...buncha bastards...

"Ho?" a faint smile creased her lips. "You would have me sit beside you? How bold."

"Ain't nothin' bold about it." he scoffed. "Sit your ass down so we can get started, already."

Never one to hesitate in face of a challenge, Morgan did just that. Only then did she deign to explain what she wished of him. She could have simply used a spell to transfer the knowledge -and likely would later- but something told him Naruto wouldn't take kindly to that in this moment. Credit where it was due, the odd blond listened intently, never once questioning her. She wasn't sure precisely how much time passed; by the end of it, that tan face had gone somewhat pale.

...well, that's a bit of a tall order." he scratched at a whiskered cheek, frowning. "Not sure I can bring peace to a kingdom in one day...

"But you can do it?"

"Sure." Another truth. He believed himself capable if nothing else. "Just gimme a bit of time."

"Do so and you will be well rewarded." A thought occurred to her the moment she uttered the words. "What do you want?"

"Huh." the blond thumbed his chin. "You know, in my world, no one ever asked me what I want before. Feels weird." he tilted his head to regard her. "At first, I thought about fighting you, but now...what I want?"

"Well?" Morgan blinked at him. "Tell me what it is you desire."

"Oi!" He coughed. "...please don't phrase it like that."

"Like what?" another blink. "I do not understand."

His eyes met hers. Held them.

"You took me outta my world." he spoke slowly, as though he were choosing his words with great care. "A world where I did nothing but pretend every day. All day. I'll be blunt. I don't want to go back anytime soon. I'd rather stay here for awhile. With you."

Morgan's brow shot up into her hair. "Is that so...?"

"What can I say?" He shrugged. "I feel like you get me, ya know?"

A bold request and bolder statement still. Was she misunderstanding him? Yes? No? Maybe so? A small, girlish voice in her head -one she thought she had long since silenced- came howling back to life in giddy glee. A proposal? Is this a proposal?! But we barely know one another! Ah! So romantic~!

Nay! She shoved it away with a scowl. She was not some...some simple maiden to be wooed! She was a queen! She was more than this! Much ore!

The voice persisted. We could always make him our king...hmm...I wouldn't mind having that underneath me...

SILENCE! She bit her lip until it was sore; the pain centered her. Allowed her to think rationally.

Now that she considered him further, his presence was not unpleasant. He seemed capable it nothing else. Strong, too. Hmm. Was this attraction? She hadn't felt the like in ages. She'd long since grown bored of such things...or so she told herself. Absolute loyalty. Absolutely. That was all she needed. And yet, something in his words had stirred her just now. Perhaps there was hope after all.

But she would not fall so easily!

If he wanted her, he'd have to work for it.

"Very well." The ghost of a smile touched her pale visage. "I accept your proposal...husband."

"Pro...? Husband?" A faint hint of pink burned the blond's ears, but his resolve didn't falter. "Now wait just a second." though she didn't move, he held up a hand to ward her off regardless. "I think you're misunderstanding me here.

"Am I?" Two could play this game. "You said so yourself. You wished to stay in this world. With me. Is that not a proposal?

His brow furrowed. "You're putting words in my mouth."

Did she enjoy teasing him? Morgan found she did.

"Are you afraid?"

It was the right thing to say; because his right eye twitched.

"Then let us dispense with the pleasantries. Come." she stood and offered him her hand. "We have work to do.

She expected an argument. Anger at the least. Instead, she received only a small smile.

Naruto rolled his eyes and sketched a sarcastic little bow. "As my queen commands."

His hand closed around hers. And just like that?

Everything changed.

A/N: Here we have two lost souls who are so very TIRED of pretending. Two equals. A match made in hell. Better watch out, Chaldea.

Also, a high chance this is going to jump to a HARD M rating in the future. You've been warned.

As ever, we're sticking with the tried and true "Embers" Rule for this story.

If folks don't like it...well, it won't be continued.

So speak up! Make yourself heard! Your voice matters! That's no joke! I have very little time to write these days, so feedback plays a large part in this. Daily updates ensure that I'm constantly busy working on one project or another. I cannot afford to stop and write something that folks don't like; if only because I feel that would a cold disservice to those of who who have stuck with me for so long.

I really don't have much time to write these days and feedback is the wind beneath my wings. Silence is a lead weight that just drags me down.

As ever, reviews/feedback keep me writing them. Without them, I lose all hope, creativity and imagination.

So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...

...Review...Would You Kindly!

SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!

PLOT DETAILS AHOY!

YE BE WARNED!

Seriously! Read these and you'll be spoiled!

(POTENTIAL PREVIEWS. Be sure and vote for what you want to see~!)

Barghest yelped. "Who is this?!"

Naruto offered a cheery little wave. "Nice ta meetcha."

She was falling in love. Nonsense. She couldn't fall in love. It just wasn't possible...

"You alright there?"

Morgan shook her head fiercely. "You heard nothing."

"Funny, because it kinda sounded like you were muttering about-

"NOTHING!"

"I'm sorry," sat astride the throne, he crossed one leg over another, "Did you really think it would be that easy to kill me?"

"Mine."

"How are you this strong?!"

"Pretender, remember?" A fresh blow rocked Bery'ls skull back, sending teeth whistling through the air. "Everyone pretends. Some of us are just better at it than others. Take me for instance." he caught him by the leg as momentum ripped him upward, then smacked him back down. "I'm very good at pretending to be weak...

"You know...I'm not usually one to advocate killing, but after what you little bastards tried to do to her...

A golden hand rose. The wind keened with it.

And so the Pretender spoke.

"Rasenshuriken."

"Husband!"

Mash stilled. Husband?! Who was she calling-

"Sorry. This might hurt a little. Clench your teeth.

Movement flashed in her peripherals. Realization dawned. Mash scarcely raised her shield in time; even then the kick sent her flying through the air. Her ribs screamed. She looked up. Blazing eyes met hers.

Then a roundhouse sent her into the earth.

"And stay put! I'll deal with you later...

"I'm not a bad guy. Really, I'm not. You fairies though...I'm starting to see why Morgan hates ya."

EDIT: Clearly a Gentlemen and Sherlock reference here...

...this mustn't register on an emotional level. But it did. All of them. Every last one of them.

"I'm not emotional about the castle." Naruto stepped over Aurora's trembling form as a giant would an ant, armored boots echoing hollowly against the cold floor. "Buildings can be rebuilt, grass regrown, trust restored in due time." she raised her gaze and saw the blood on his face. It didn't belong to him. "But there is a price indebted to me for the blood I've gotten on my hands restoring...order to the untidiness you've created. For the lives lost in the madness you started. An apology would be nice, don't you think?"

She tried to speak. Tried to rise as she met his eyes. Mistakes were made.

"After you've tended to that indiscretion, you can then deal with the next consequence of your shortsightedness." He knelt down and helped Morgan to her feet. She took his hand and leaned into his side, favoring her left leg. From there he helped her back to the throne, sat her down, and planted her in his lap. She looped an arm around him, wincing a little as her injuries began to heal. He kissed her forehead, lingered for a moment, then stood once more, leaving her to heal in the throne.

He clapped his hands suddenly, drawing a startling yelp from all those below.

"As stated," he continued calmly, "I am not emotional about the chaos you've caused. Fairies aside, you're not bad people. You just want to survive. I get that. No hard feelings here." blue eyes narrowed to vicious azure slits, body flickering with golden flames. "But I am emotional...

Dread dawned as his body blazed gold.

...about the fact that someone laid their hands on my wife."

The Lostbelt itself shook.

"MY WIFE!" the very room shook beneath the weight of his words. "What if something happened to her? What if she lost the baby?" By contrast, his next words were delivered with deadly calm, though with no less venom. "No amount of money on this gods-forsaken earth can possibly pay for that transgression. No, for that?

A knife flicked out.

I want a pound of flesh...

STAY TUNED! R&R! =D