A/N: ALMOST FIVE HUUUUUUNDRED REVIEWS! This story is nearly at that mark! You guys are the best! When I first created this story I never once thought that it would graduate to become the massive and phenomenal hit that it is to day! And to top it all off, this is my longest chapter to date! Reviews inspire me to write like this so I just want to say...

...THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!

Still I return again! Things have been absolutely crazy for me as of the last few months what with the surgeries and all, but now at long last, I feel I can devote my attentions to this fic anew as I've intended to do! Of course, now that they're not cutting me OPEN anymore to work on my heart I've also come up with a quite a few new ideas! I can promise ya'll that the next few chappys are going to be nothing short of absolutely brilliant! So sorry for the wait! There's a bit of a long author's note this time, because there are a few matters I want to address.

But I also want to bring something to your attention. I've been putting this off for a while, but this needed to be done. I have PURGED many of my older works. That's right, I've delted or adopted off many of the stories that I will no longer be continuing. Fear not, my most popular fics will remain, but most of my old stuff from back in 2008 and 2009, when I had no idea what I was doing is being all but removed from the site. Out with the old, in with the new, as they say! Still, if anyone is interested in any of my old stuff, say the word and its yours to continue. But I've held ya'll up long enough!

Now that we've addressed all those issues, I just wanted to say: Thank you. To all of you who reviewed and have yet to review, and especially those who noticed my improved writing style. You all know who you are. I look forward to hearing more from you as we continue down the strange, convulted path that is this story. I honestly cannot believe I've already gotten so many reviews for the first chapter alone, and now its so damn high I could cry with joy! Hopefully I won't dissapoint you guys!

Which brings me to my next point of interest. I'm sick. Really sick of getting flak from people for dedicating time and precious resources to my works, only to be assailed by those who are dissapointed that I'm not going to stick to canon in some of my stories. This is fanfiction, damnit!

The latest chapter of Return of the Gods is a prime example of this and its beginning to grate on my last nerve. So, I...say this. I'm DONE. Just, done. If ya'll don't want to read some of my works then I won't grace you with them. My health is atrocious, and I'm STILL dedicating time to this site, knowing that some like my works. But I'm sick and tirned of all the hate I've been gettingin this last year- which is seriously causing me to wonder whether I should just drop this site altogether and move on. I dunno. Maybe I just don't like it when I've devoted so much time to something and a large group of people dedicate themselves to tearing it down. Who knows?

Maybe I'm just contemplating out loud. But to any writer reading this, you probably understand where I'm coming from. It wears on the soul to not have your work appreciated, doesn't it? I know you can't please them all but this...is ridiculous.

But I've held ya'll up long enough!

And with that...

...onto the next chapter! =D Fair warning, there's a bit of language in this chap, and yes, you guessed it! A soooooong! Brief though it may be!

"Let 'em burn, let em burn, I don't give a damn anymore~! Let 'em burn, let 'em BURN~! Let the ashes fall to the floooor~!"

~(unknown song)

Homeward Bound

Anna didn't understand what was happening.

Her mind struggled to grasp at the straws, her legs threatened to buckle, tip her off the dock, and send her tumbling into the water. It certainly didn't help that at least a dozen men and women were running to and fro around her, scuttling about like chickens with their

"What do you mean you're leaving?"

"Its just as I said." Elsa glanced away from her momentarily, raising a hand to direct the dockworkers as they carried another crate of grain onto the boat. "We're leaving. I -we-" she clarified, glancing back to the boat with a rueful glance, have something important to attend to. We won't be gone more than a few months, don't worry." Anna knew a lie when she heard one; but she didn't have the heart to call her elder sibling out on the fib. She loved Elsa. She always had. Still, to see her one and only sister leaving for a foreign land...not only did it dredge up bad memories from her childhood,

"But why can't I come?" she begged.

"Someone has to stay here and run the kingdom." Elsa answered. "Obviously, it can't be me."

Anna couldn't help but smile at that one. "So that's why you made Naruto royalty? He'd run this place into the ground in less than a week if you left him in charge."

They shared a laugh at that. It didn't last.

"No, Anna, he's still coming with me. I just thought he deserved an actual title for all he's done-

Abruptly, her brow pursed in a frown, lips pursing as though she'd just tasted something incredibly unpleasant. "Naruto~!" she callled up to the crow's nest, her voice rising, despite the vast distance between her and their beloved blond, "Stop sulking and come down here, will you? Or do you not want to say goodbye to Anna?" A sigh greeted those words, then something jetted upwards from the mast in a streak of azure blue fire, drawing the eyes of all. Anna reflexively stepped back as the human comet ceased its travel across the sky and landed less than a foot away from her. Remarkably, those bright blue eyes refused to look at her.

"Why haven't we left yet?" he asked; the inquiry directed solely at Elsa. "The longer we stay, the harder it'll be to leave." He didn't want to leave Anna realized, he was being forced to. His body seemed to vibrate with tension, tiny sparks shooting from his fingers to curl across the damp wood of the dock. They'd no fear of him setting it alight, but the sight of it still stood in silent testament to the conflict raging just beneath his skin, tension stretched taut in his face.

"I know." Elsa laid a soothing hand on his, and all the fight drained right out of him. "It's only temporary, remember? We'll be home by the end of the year."

Something in those stark eyes said otherwise, but he didn't argue with her."Right, right...

Anna felt her jaw clench anew; a tiny thread of jealously worming its way into her heart.

Elsa and Naruto had come down from the mountains...changed.

She couldn't think of any other way to properly put it; only that her sister and Naruto weren't the same people that they'd been when they'd first fled. Elsa looked regal as ever, her hair down, her body shimmering in a gown of pale ice cyrstals. Likewise, Naruto simmered in new dark leathers and a black cape that smoldered and crackled with blue flames. His attire, she thought, was simillar to those that the rangers of the north often wore, minus the fires themselves. Clothing, she could have ignored.

Then there was the way they acted around one another; closer than they'd ever been before in the palace.

No more awkward looks between them, no shy, subtle glances. They were holding hands. Kissing in public. Elsa seemed perfectly at ease despite the fact-well within her element regardless of the obvious discomfort the citizen's rigid stares must've caused her. Needless to say, the Kingdom was...quite enthused to see them leave, if only for a short while. Arendelle had always been a superstitious place; to have two spell-casting beings departing their shores even for a brief time might give them the time they needed to adjust to idea of having a Queen and King who could kill them with a flick of their fingers.

Then there was the man.

Itachi had bowed deeply to her and sincerely apologized for any inconvenience his prescence had caused. She'd actually believed him, too. Understood. What she hadn't believed or understood, however, was why. Why was taking the last of her family away from her. He'd claimed it was for their own protection. Protection from what, she'd asked? He refused to say. Only that they weren't safe here and that it was best for both parties if Naruto and Elsa left immediately. Withing moments, they would be doing just that.

"So...this really is goodbye?"

Naruto and Elsa exchanged another of their shared glances, and suddenly Anna was eight years old all over again. Alone. Ignored. They'd always had a special bond, something she couldn't bring herself to fathom. Now she thought, she knew. Elsa had always hoarded Naruto to herself. He was her lifeline in a whirpool of anxiety, an immutable pillar that held her up when she would otherwise fall prey to her own self doubts. He melted the walls she worked to hard to build around herself, understood her in ways no other could.

In many a ways, Elsa was the same to Naruto. A balm to his fierce temper and pessimestic nature. Someone to soothe him when the flames raged. She kept him calm. In control. They truly were Fire and Ice. And now once more, they were leaving her behind.

"What should I do?" she asked, fighting back a sob.

"Whatever you want." Elsa answered warmly; there was none of the frigid tone she'd used before. Here, at last at their farewell, the ice between them finally thawed. "Open up the gates; let the people in. Let them see you. I'm sure you'll be fine."

"But I'll be alone without you!" her voice broke at the thought, tears glistening in her eyes. "I...I won't know what to do! I don't want you to go!" The water seemed to thrash beneath them as she spoke, writhing like a furious child in the midst of a terrible tantrum. Focused as she was, Anna missed the small surged, failed to notice Naruto's pensive expression. She had no idea what she'd just done; and likely wouldn't for quite some time yet. But Naruto did. Elsa wasn't the only one with magic in her veins, he realized, watching the waves calm. Water. The smallest of smiles curled at the corner of his mouth, unseen in its disbelief.

But that is a story for another time.

"You have Kristoff." Elsa pointed out.

Anna flushed brightly at the mention of the newly christened Arendelle Ice Master and Deliverer. "I...I don't know what you're talking about." That, was thin ice on which she dare not tread; Kristoff was someone whom she'd grown close to in a remarkably short time, but it felt like a betrayal, somehow. She didn't know where Hanz had gone or what had happened to him, but from the way Naruto had spoken of the prince, he wouldn't likely be coming back. Gods, it wasn't fair! Why couldn't she have a little happiness in her life?

As if sensing that very thought, Elsa adopted a thoughtful expression. Then she smiled. "Here." She made a tiny twirl with both hands, a tiny layer of frost spilling from her fingertips and gusting out at her wills. As she looked on it took shape, forming a pudging figure with stick arms, coal buttons, and a carrot nose. A tiny cloud of snowflake glittered over here creation's head, providing cool air in the warm climate of Arendelle. There was a silence between the trio, and then, to Anna's disbelief and delight, the snowman opened his eyes, raised a stick hand, and spoke.

"Hi there! I'm-

"Olaf?!"

Anna recognized the snowman almost instantly; a figure from her childhood. A tiny gasp fled from her lips. How...how was this even possible?! She grabbed him in a great big hug, not caring that he was cold as ice, or that she got herself wet in doing so. It was as if a piece of her past-the pleasant part-had come back in physical form, reminding her of happier times.

"Now you'll have someone to keep you company." Elsa smiled at the scene.

Naruto guffawed, laughter filling the air. "Whoa! Since when can you do that?!"

Elsa colored prettily under his praise.

"You're able to create creatures with your flame. I thought it was worth a try to see if I could bring something to life."

"A fair idea." Naruto touched a hand to Samehada at his back, considering. Perhaps there were still new limits for him to break, greater heights to which his flames could ascend. Who knew? His new blue flames were a far cry from the original orange inferno he'd wielded before; his fires now a mix between the two. Could he become stronger, still? Who knew? It was a surprisingly pleasant thought. If he was stronger, then he'd never have to fear for Elsa or himself again-

"Your excellencies," Itachi said, appearing like a ghost in at their elbow, "It is time to depart."

Just like that, the pall of departure dropped down on the trio once more. Even Olaf's perpetual cheer couldn't sway the mood.

Naruto blanched. "Right. That."

They shared one last embrace, just the three of them. Anna wanted it to last forever. But, as all good things must, it ended. Far too soon for her liking. Elsa was the first to step away, though she seemed to be hurting the most. Naruto held on a few seconds longer, his strong arms wrapping her in warmth and comfort. A lone tear rolled down his cheek, evaporating before it could strike the dock. Anna nuzzled deeper into his chest-a final act of defiance as she held him for what she feared might be the last time. He was like a brother to her. No, more than that. She didn't want him to go!

"Naruto, please...

But, just as Elsa had, he retreated. Then, he surprised her. Holding her at arms length by the shoulders, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to her forehead. It was the kiss of a brother to a sister; and Anna felt yet another pang of grief as she realized that she would be forever delegated to that role. Elsa had something she didn't-something she would never have. She had his heart. She'd always had it. Now they were leaving her behind, not alone perhaps, but behind nonetheless.

"Stay out of trouble, ya hear?" he thumbed her chin up, allowing her to meet his eyes. Then his gaze cut to Olaf. "I'm counting on you to look after her."

"Yessir!" the snowman saluted comically.

Naruto seemed to consider that. Then he raised his hand, opened a palm, and exhaled. Breathed to life in his fingers was a rotund stone, pulsing rythymically like a human heart. She accepted it nervously; it was warm like fire, tongues of red and orange curling around its smooth edges.

"That's a hearthstone." he told her. "So long as it beats, you'll know I'm alive."

And then, visibly concentrating, he breathed again.

Once more fire took shape before him, forming not a stone, but the shape of something else. Fire wasn't just destruction. It was also life. Creation. A tiny creature formed within, small wings beating frantically as scales assumed form and shape within the flames. It didn't take long for Anna to realize what the creature was; she'd seen them in the Kingdom books before. Dull, russet red scales glinted proudly in the afternoon sun, a tiny gout of smoke leaping from its nostrils. Its tail flicked once, the tiny barb at its end, catching the eye. Naruto released his hold on his new creation and it shot free, arrowing toward Anna with a cry.

She was looking at a dragon. And it was flying right at her!

"AH!" She cried out relexively, raising her arms to defend herself. Imagine her surprise when the lizard nestled itself onto her shoulder, purring quietly. Wonderingly, Anna reached up to stroke its neck. The little winged beast gave a pleased shiver and coiled deeper into the crook of her neck. Small though he was, she could feel the heat radiating from him. Like a tiny sun. Somehow, someway, she found the words to speak again.

"What is...?"

"Natsu." Naruto named it, proudly. "His name means summer. He's my familiar, my gift to you. He's not one for words, but he'll keep ya safe."

The dragonling squeaked proudly from its perch.

"We're coming back, Anna. I promise."

Anna hiccuped quietly, managing a nod as she clutched the trinket to her chest, keenly aware of the tiny dragon on her shoulder and Olaf at her side. She wasn't alone. Not alone. She repeated the words like a mantra in her head, as though she could will them to be true. "Okay." the word tasted like ash in her throat, her body going numb as he squeezed in one last bear hug. This time when he let go, he didn't turn around; he kept walking, each stride driving a knife into her heart.

She watched, heartbroken, as he joined Elsa and stepped onto the ramp and boarded the ship. It was Itachi's vessel, the very same ship that'd first carried him and Kisame to Arendelle's shores. Now it would ferry the last Uchiha and his charges home, carrying the hope of their world away to some distant unknown land, in the hopes of ending the chaos in the Elemental Nations once and for all. Mooring lines were cast off, the ramp itself discarded. Sailors scrambled up the rigging liks ants scaling a mountain, barking orders and shouting swears as they hastened to embark. She waved, frantically.

Naruto caught her wave and returned with one of his own, soon enough, Elsa joined him.

"Goodbye, Anna."

The sails unfurled and caught the wind instantly. Then they were off.

Anna, Arendelle, and all of its citizens began to shrink behind them at their back; the proud kingdom steadily growing smaller until it looked like it could be held in their hands. Still it shrank until it was little more than a pinprick in the distance. Then, not even that. Within moments it was gone altogether. All that remained was the memory, the knowledge of what-who-they were leaving behind. It might be argued that Anna would have been safer with them, but so too could it have been said that she was in greater danger if she came with.

Natuto felt like he was living someone else's life, that this wasn't really happening to him. This was all just a dream; any moment now and he'd wake up, safe and sound in his bed. But this was no dream; in less than a day, he'd had his world turned upside down, inside out, and thrown out a window. It was a little stressful, to say the least. And the look on Anna's face...she'd been so sad...was he in the right here?

"You're doing the right thing, Naruto."

He couldn't even bring himself to look at Itachi. Dark emotions boiled behind his brow. The Uchiha had brought this upon him to begin with. If he'd just stayed away, then none of this would've happened. But nooo, he just had to interfere and bring this crashing down on their heads! Just the thought of it made him growl. It took a physical effort to will his eyes forward when the Uchiha moved to stand beside him. Those dark, glassy orbs did not meet his; they didn't need to, to convey their message.

"At this rate of speed, we'll reach Fire Country in a few hours or so." he said. "I should warn you; its not pretty. Akatsuki isn't a small group anymore. They're an army. Thousands strong. Pein has been relentless in its pursuit of the jinchuuriki; several minor villages have already fallen. But this is for more than your own safety, Naruto." When the blond didn't speak, he pressed on, "Your friends want you home. She wants you home." Invoking Hinata's name did nothing but cause the blond to frown. "You still have allies in the Leaf. Never doubt that." Then, in a softer tone, "I won't let anything happen to you."

...leave."

If Itach was at all offended by the curt dissmissal, he did very little to show it. He simply nodded, looking a little sad.

"Very well."

Naruto wasn't sure how long he stood there, staring out at the vast, empty ocean. Wasn't sure when Itachi left. But he must've moved-must've gone to the cabin-eventually, because new footsteps sounded in his ears, softer than before. Delicate. He turned slightly sighing as a chill spread up his arm.

"I-

"Sh." she shushed him. "I know."

Elsa sidled up next to him and laid her head on his shoulder, her hip brushing against his. There were no words. None were needed. Each knew the pain the other was feeling; both were wailing in quiet agony at leaving both Anna and Arendelle behind. But, despite all fate had thrown at them, they still had each other. Naruto sighed and raised his arm, and the Frozen princess nestled closer to him, tucking her head into his chest, even as her own arms wrapped around his back. They stood like that for a long moment, simply embracing, enjoying the feel of one another, not caring who saw.

There was only the creaking of the mast, the slosh of the waves against the hull. At length she released him, retreating to arms distance once more, but still easily within reach. Elsa opened her mouth to speak. Closing it just as quickly, she drew an odd glance from her beloved blond. Boyfriend. She willed her mind to proccess the term. She was still tentative about referring to him as such in public, if only because it made her flush in the face like some silly schoolgirl. Speaking of which...

"Soooo...about this Hinata girl," she fidgeted, her fingers walking the rail nervously as she sought to distract herself. "Do you remember anything. Um...about her?"

"Not really, no." He frowned contemplating. "Not a thing. My memories are just as distant as they were the night we met. Nothing at all." He left the words there. It wasn't the answer she wanted. Far from it. His reply was too ambiguous. A seed of fear planted itself deep within her breast. What if he remembered? What if he chose this Hinata girl over her? She didn't think that he would...but, who knew? He might become someone completely different once his memories returned. He might not love her anymore-

"Are you alright?"

"O-Oh." Elsa sputttered, hurriedly glancing away. "Yes, I'm fine.."

Naruto gave her a sidelong glance. "Hey, you're not jealous, are you?"

There was a pregnant silence between them. Then:

Naruto gasped, thrusting a finger at her.

"You are!"

Her cheeks flamed like fire.

"I am not!"

"Yes, you are!" he laughed increduolously. "You're jealous of a girl you've never met; one I don't even remember!"

"Alright, I am!" Huffing, she spun away from him, arms crossed. "Can you blame me? This girl sounds so perfect and I'm...not." She struggled to avert her eyes, still speaking as the blond circled around her. His hands found her waist, drawing her close. "I'm stuffy," Her hands rose, pushing ineffectually against his chest. "Stubborn," his forehead kissed hers, nose brushing against her own, "Weak-mmph!"

Words died and her world fell away as his mouth molded against hers, turning her knees to jelly.

"I...you...!"

Finally, they had to breathe.

"Elsa, I love you," he whispered, pulling away. "Why would I leave you?"

The flush deepened and, reflexively, she started the list anw. "I'm pushy, insecure, terrified of responsibility-

He kissed her again.

...and I hurt you, and...

Another kiss.

...I don't know what you see in me...

Suddenly, he stepped away.

"Don't believe me?"

"What...what are you doing?"

Clearing his throat, he did something that he hadn't done since they were kids. He began to sing.

"Let her burn, let her burn, she's no longer my concern~!" the notes started off slow and deep, brimming with power and passion, building as he delved deeper into the song. "Let her burn, let her buuurn, time to show the world what I've learned~!" Taking hold of her hand, he drew her close, his lips brushing hers. "I don't give a daaaaamn anyyyyymoooore~! Let her burn, let her BURN~!" he cackled out as he danced away, drawing a small smile from the queen, "Let her ashes fall to the floooor~! I don't caaaaaaare, what she's going to say!"

And then, abruptly as the song/kiss had started, it ended.

"Alright," she gasped, breathless in his arms. "You...you win."

Twirling backward, twin fireballs conjured themselves into his palms; vanishing as he crushed them out of existence into his plams and swept her up into his arms. "These flames never bothered me anyway." Then, the kiss came, stronger, than ever. It made the others pale by comparison. Fiery sparks shot up her spine and into her skin, tracing across her flesh fiercely. Love. There was such love in his kisses that Elsa wanted to melt into a puddle, to slip away and cease to be. And then she wanted something else. Her hands pulled at the lappels of his jacket, pushing him down, fumbling with his clothes. He let her, yielding to her firm, incessant kisses, her tongue tangling with his. She didn't care that they were exposed here on the deck, that she'd never done this before. She wanted him. She'd never been more certain in all of her li-

BA-KRAM!

A sudden and mighty impact rocked the ship. The sailors shouted and screamed, speaking too quickly to be heard. Elsa jerked backwards as if she'd been burned, gasping for air as common sense, and the smell of gun powder in the air alerted her to what was happening. Naruto scrambled up after her, hurriedly straightening his shirt. On the horizon they saw the ships. Saw the colors in their flags. Red clouds. If that weren't enough, even from here, one could see the ships bristling with men and women bearing the black-red cloaks...

...there were dozens of them. Dozens of ships. Hundreds of enemies.

Like a ghost, Itachi appeared before them, dropping from the rigging in a silent crouch.

"We're under attack." he said, his monotone never wavering, even as another cannonball splashed off the bow. "It seems Pein has learned of my defection and decided to intercept us. I'm afraid my efforts to escort you back to Konoha may be...impeded."

The Lord of Fire growled.

"Akatsuki, huh?"

The alarms grew louder and the warning cries now declared that the vessels were fast approaching. Naruto scoffed, flames flaring. Behind him, he heard the telltale crackle of ice. He glanced at Elsa, saw her smile, her determination, in those glassy blue orbs. She was with him. She was always with him. His azure flames roared higher, lifting him up and off the deck.

"Then I hope they brought an army."

A/N: And there you have it! Dun-Dun-Dun! Events are spiraling rapidly towards the center. Naruto and Elsa have faced their first true hurdle in their blossoming relationship and overcome it with flying colors! Kisame is dead, Itachi has pulled a double agent-never was loyaly anyway-and Akatsuki wants Naruto for the Kyuubi, unknowing whether he still has the Biiju inside him or not; and all ofKonoha is about to experience a major upheaval here, folks!

...The events of Frozen ought to be quite different with them involved...will Naruto and Elsa make it out of this one alive? But the story doesn't end here! Now... at long last... we see the Elemental Nations in this ficlet! Naruto is the LAST jinchuuriki remaining, and all bloody hell is about to break loose!

So...in the immortal words of Atlas...

...Would You Kindly Review the story of this humble man? And of course, enjoy the preview!

(Preview)

Naruto stared Hidan in the eye, and he laughed.

"Say," he began benignly as the flames roared higher around them, "Can you breathe without oxygen?" his head cocked aisde, like a dog listening to a new sound, smilng. "I can. I'm heat. Fire. Flames. I don't need air. But you?" he waved to the burns lining the man's arm. "You're mortal. Ya have ta breathe. But, see, I've been burning for about five minutes now, which means you should be running out of air in five, four, three, two-

"Fuck!"

The Jaishinist had just enough time to curse and swing forward. His scythe turned to slag in his hands, melted by the intense heat of the pyrokinetic blond hovering before him.

Then the air left his lungs.

And then the flames only burned brighter.

R&R! =D