Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or anything from DC
"Talking!"
'Thinking!'
"Demon!"
Death Isn't An Apology
Death. That has been one of things that caused Naruto to think. Death was always there hanging over his head ever since he was first born. It was something that his mother feared more than everything, but not her own death; his own death. With Kushina dying protecting Naruto; he'd seen first hand that death came for everyone, even for his awesome, cool, unstoppable mom. With Slade taking Naruto in and teaching him how to fight and take lives; the blonde learned that death is fair. Death comes for everyone, young, old, poor, rich, politicians, lawyers, criminals, murderers. Anyone.
-–-Boston, Massachusetts-
A few days passed since Naruto stole the High-Frequency Blade Technology. He reported back to Rose and instead of his normal payment, she gave him the High-Frequency Blade Technology as his own. Seeing that he has no missions or assignments the blonde took this opportunity to get some R&R. And what better place then Boston, Massachusetts?
We catch Naruto sitting on a bench in one of the many parks that Boston has feeding the birds, or how he likes to poke fun at them, "rates with wings". He spent most of the morning there just watching people walk by. Watching them live their lives. Worrying about bills, family, friends, lovers, and businesses. How they have easy lives and don't have to worry about losing their own lives. He always wondered how people could live like that. Thinking about them brought old happy memories to the surface.
-–-Flashback-
The sun shines brightly in the clear skies with a few clouds here and there. Lush green forest of trees thick and untouched. Clean clear running streams of waters. The island is perfect as it should be. With fertile soil, marvelous vegetation, and varied natural resources, there was no want, no illness, no hatreds, and no wars. The weather is perfect never too hot or too cold; though it does slightly get cold at nights. The island is none other then Themyscira otherwise known as Paradise Island; home of the Amazons.
Hidden in the untouched forest sits a small cottage. The walls of the cottage are made out of clay with clay tiles for the roofing along a chimney coming out of the side of the cottage. To the side of the cottage is a small garden that has potatoes, carrots, corn, and green onions. A hop away from the cottage is a pen with three chickens, a goat, and a cow. Inside the cottage is quite small only fit for a single person, maybe two. A bed, a wooden stove, and a fireplace for those cold nights with a few cabinets. Humming a soft tune while cutting a potato before dropping the sliced potato pieces into a boiling pot of broth with cut up carrots and meat. She turns around with her long fiery-red hair moves like a veil. The redhead is wearing a chiton that's fastened at her left shoulder that is knee-length. A green gem hanging from a necklace is wrapped around her neck. She has fair skin with a nice tone of muscle showing that she takes care of her body of years training to fight and protect her island and home, and her violet eyes shine brightly as she looks at her son.
"Naru-chan! Lunch is almost ready," stated Kushina
"Mommy! Mommy! Look at what I found!" says Naruto as he runs up to Kushina, "Look!"
Naruto holds up his hands showing her a toad. Her little sunshine.
"Naru-chan, why do you have a frog? And how did you catch it?" asked Kushina
"I was trying to get him all day! And it's a toad, Mommy! The pretty lady said so," explained the little boy
"What?" says a horrified Kushina
"A pretty lady told me this is a toad, not a frog."
Kushina quickly grabs her sword and rushes outside with Naruto following after her. When Kushina gets like this it would scare Naruto. She would tell Naruto to hide in the hidden room underneath the bed when a group of pretty ladies would come and visit from time to time. He knows that whenever he spots a pretty lady coming to their cottage he is suppose to rush home and hide til Mommy tells him to come out.
Kushina rushes outside expecting a squad of her former sisters armed and pointing their arrows at her, but she doesn't find them only a single woman. But not just any woman, but a Goddess, the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, mathematics, strength, war strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill, Athena. The Goddess has raven black hair that is curled so it isn't in her face to block her gray-stormy eyes. She is wearing a chiton, but unlike Kushina's, her goes to her sandal covered feet and is made out of the fines silk dyed soft blue.
"Kushina, is that anyway to greet a goddess?" asked Athena
Stunned that Athena is here at her cottage, but quickly steeled herself, "No, but I have to be careful. So forgive me, Lady Athena," answered back Kushina
"I would be too if my son was caught,"
"Is that a threat!" demands Kushina, "I don't care who stand in my way, be man, fellow sister, or goddess!"
"Now that sounded like a threat, Kushina. You know you're walking a very dangerous path." Athena says in a higher tone.
The toad in Naruto's small hands hops out with him trying to catch it. Kushina quickly grabs her boy and place him behind her with her sword pointing at the Goddess. She wasn't going to lose her child. She doesn't care that Naruto wasn't born a girl, she only cares about the safety for him. When she saw the new mothers that gave birth to boys throwing them into the sea the redhead was disguised at her sisters. The same sisters that couldn't wait to be mothers were now throwing their own children into the sea to die; using the excuse that they are male.
So when a month later passed and she went into labor, Kushina knew that she couldn't give birth with the other Amazons. So she ran into the forest where she gave birth to a health baby boy. She knew deep down that she wasn't carrying a girl, but a boy.
"That's enough Athena." says a voice behind Kushina.
Kushina turned around hiding Naruto behind her once more. Standing in front of Kushina is one of the most beautiful women that she has laid her eyes one. She just like Athena is wearing a chiton that is dyed royal purple with a peacock cloak draped over her shoulders and over her head only allowing a few brown locks of hair to show. The woman standing in front of Kushina is Hera, the Goddess of Women, Childbirth, Family, and Marriage; the Queen of Olympus.
"L- Lady H- Hera? What are you doing here?" questions a panicked Kushina.
It was bad enough that Athena knew where she lived and found out about Naruto, but now another Goddess knew about Naruto. Gritting her teeth and tightening her grab to her sword. Kushina was making up in her mind to fight and try to force the two Goddesses to leave her alone with her son.
"I wouldn't trying anything that you are thinking," says Hera, "I only came here to see my future Champion,"
"F- Future Champion? Surely you jest? I love my son dearly, but I will only train him to defend himself; not to fight for the Gods," stated the redhead
"When you ran from your sisters you changed fate. You were suppose to gone to Hippolyta demand Hiketeia for protection on not just you, but your son as well. Your son would of grown up with joy, happiness, and honor. The Amazons would of seen Naruto as their future prince and over time as their future king. He would of gone down in history as Themyscira's greatest king. But now? Now there is a warrior of darkness that'll lead the world into a new age with the Amazons on the brick of extinction." says Hera as she looks at the frighten boy.
She sees both the paths that are met for the boy. One where he would have been loved by all the Amazons as one of their own. An image of an older Naruto wearing a muscle cuirass design to protect all of his major vital spots, but allows the warrior to keep his movements free. He is also wearing greaves to protect the lower leg as well the cavalry. With a helmet to protect his head and a face mask for added protection. And to cap it all off he is wearing his very own bracers just like the other Amazons would wear. Then she sees a warrior wearing black armor with different types of weapons and a black and orange face mask with only one eye hole.
"Mommy…" says a frighten Naruto.
With how Hera was staring at Naruto it was starting to frighten him. He tighten his grip of Kushina's skirt. Seeing that Hera is frighten her baby boy.
"Stop frightening my son!" demanded Kushina, "I don't care what fate wanted! I was just scared for my son's life. I would do it all over again if I had too! If the Amazons don't change their ways, and soon; they'll make enemies that'll come and wipes all of them from existence,"
Smirking, "Yes, I know, as well as the other Gods of Olympus. It is only a matter of time before something cause the Amazons to fade in time and be forgotten just like in myth. And you Kushina; started it. Your son will be the one that could of leads the Amazons into a bright future, but now his actions will be what will change not just those on Themyscira, but the rest of the world," explained Hera
"Mommy, the weird lady is scaring me!" with tear forming in his eyes
Smirking at the scowl on Hera's face, "Leave!" shouted Kushina, "I don't care what goes on outside of my home! My son will not become a plaything for the Gods, or for anyone! If I wanted that I would of stayed with my former sisters and throw him into the sea with the other males; heed my worrying now, fuck with my son and I don't care who you are I'll kill you!"
"Watch what you say Amazon!" Hera hisses out the venom, "You just made an enemy today! I hope you are prepare for the consequences; I'll make sure that you watch as your former sisters torture your son in front of you, then watch as they finally kill him right in your very eyes!"
"BEGONE!"
Leaping and swinging her sword that cuts through Hera as her body fades away. Seeing that the bitch who threatens her baby boy turns to the other target to take her fury out on only to see Athena fled as well.
"RUN! RUN YOU CUNTS! I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE GODS, MEN, OR WOMEN! I KILL ANYONE WHO THREATENS MY SON! DO YOU HEAR ME!" yelled out Kushina.
But the bravado quickly faded. She drops her sword, turns and grabs her little boy, her sunshine, her baby, her little maelstrom. Tears runs down her cheeks at the thought of losing him. Kushina remembers when Naruto was first born the sleepless nights with him waking up every two hours crying. She would check to see if he was hungry or needed cleaning. At times she would just cry with him to try and get closer to her baby. Or the times when Naruto was smaller and Kushina would just watch him sleep as his little chest would go up and down. Kushina didn't care if anything happened to her, but if anything happened to Naruto she doesn't know what she would do.
"Mommy…"
Hearing her little boy call her. Kushina tries to lay his spiky unruly hair down, but to no avail. Just like his father Minato's hair was just like this. She silently wished that Naruto had gotten her hair instead of Minato's, but then she wouldn't have anything to remember of the man she loved, besides the necklace that he'd given her.
-–-Flashback End-
Naruto still remembers that day. That was the day that his mother challenged Hera and Athena. It was kind of stupid on Kushina's part to challenge them, but she wasn't about to lose her son. His mother means well, but the fear of losing her son was too much and made her react for his safety in a very violent way. He still loves his mother very dearly.
There was one thing that Naruto never told his mother that day; he sensed the negative emotions that she was giving off along with Hera. Her fear, hate, anger, and sadness was so overwhelming it was hard not to cry. He knew that those emotions weren't directed at him, but it still caught him off guard as he never felt those emotions before. Even after his mother's death and with Slade taking him in; the ability to sense negative emotions only grown stronger. Naruto remembers the first time he used it on the battlefield and he was nearly overcome with the anger, fear, hate, pain, sorrow, and so many more emotions it nearly cost him his life.
"Hey!"
Breaking out of his thoughts Naruto turned his head to see a goth girl standing in front of him. She has unruly black hair, pale skin, black shirt and pants, a silver ankh on a chain around her neck, and a mark of the Eye of Horus around her right eye.
"Hmm? Can I help you?" Naruto asks the girl
"You do realize that you're out of bird feed, right?"
Naruto looks at his hands to find that indeed that he is out of bird feed. He was caught up in his memories that he didn't even know that he was empty-handed.
"Well now, this is embarrassing! I was so caught up going down memory lane that I wasn't paying action! Ha hah!"
Giggling, "You're funny! My name's Didi, what's yours?"
"Naruto, my name's Naruto,"
"Fishcake?"
"Maelstrom actually. Mom called me her Little Maelstrom because I had too much energy. What about you? Does Didi mean anything?
"Hmm?" hums Didi as she takes a thinking pose, "Not that I can think of. I never really had a chance to ask my parents if it meant anything,"
"Never had the chance too?"
"They died a few years ago along with my little brother,"
"That sucks,"
"Now that's strange,"
"What do you mean?"
"When I say my parents and little brother are dead people would say that they're sorry. You didn't."
"Because that's stupid. People say that 'I'm sorry for your lose' I never understood that. Random people; who don't even know you and don't even know your parents and little brother say they're sorry for your lose, yet they don't even know them. It's an insult." Naruto says bitterly
"Death will cause people to do stupid things, don't you think?" Naruto nods, "People will either rise to the occasion, or falls into despair. It all falls onto how a person handles the secession,"
"You know for a couple of teenagers we talk about death real well," comments Naruto
"Yeah, I guess we do. Hey! Do you want to get a burger?!" says Did with excitement in her voice
Raising an eyebrow, "Sure~?"
Naruto really didn't know how to answer that question. He can already tell this girl is strange. A strange aura surrounds this girl like she isn't fully there and yet all there at the same time. It is very confusing and strange. Shrugging his shoulders stands up and follows Didi. They walked for a few blocks til them came across a small diner. They go inside, sit at the counter, and order up two burgers. It didn't take long for their orders to be brought out.
Didi takes hug bites out of her burger like she hasn't eaten in days. Naruto on the other hand is eating his burger at a much loser pace.
'There is so much grease in this thing.' thought Naruto.
There is one thing that Naruto doesn't like and that is unhealthy food. Blame it when he was trying to survive in the wildness of Alaska. Food was hard to come back and you had to find the right type of food to keep your body going. In a sense Naruto treats his body like it is a temple. Yes, he does eat unhealthy food every now and then, but that is mostly candy.
"Mmm! This is so good! Now I can see why humans loves to eat greasy food. It fills you up so fast and there's so much on it! Who knew by frying cow meat, kale, three different types of cheeses, tomatoes, peppers, and beacon!" Didi somehow says with a mouthful
"Humans?" catching what Didi said, "What are you talking about? You're going on like you'd never ate a burger before and you're eating like you'd never ate before too. Just who are you, Didi?"
"I did eat before, but that was a hundred years ago. I'm Death," Didi answers
"I don't believe you," Naruto replies back
"I wouldn't think you would," says Didi before takes another hug bite out of her burger, "I never did understood life til I asked a little girl that died and you know what she said? She said that I was being mean. That I didn't understand what I was doing; so I came up with the idea that every hundred years I would walk in the land of the living to see what life is like, and to see why people didn't want to die. I can say that when the very first time that I did die I hatred myself. But as I did it over and over again and again I slowly understood why people want to live, and while others want to die," Didi explains before finishing her burger off
"So… let's say I believe you, why tell me?" Naruto asks
"Because you understand death better than most people. Like the time when you killed soldiers off in Liberia that attacked your camp as the civil war was ending." said Didi.
Naruto's eyes widen. He never told anyone that his camp was attacked as the civil war was ending. The only one who know that happened was Slade and he's dead.
"How? How do you know that? Only those that survived that night knows!"
"Because I was there. I was there when you killed those soldiers in a blood rage. I was there when you killed those wolves in Alaska. I was there when you killed Gato and all those that worked for him. And I was there when your mother died." Didi finished explaining.
-Flashback-
A squeal echoes through the forest of an animal taking their final breathes of life. Kushina takes her spear out of the boar she just killed.
"This will do nicely!" Kushina says with a smile.
The redhead grabs and lifts the boar like it was nothing and throws the boar over onto her shoulder with her spear in hand. Today is Themyscira most sacred holy day known as the Feast of the Five. A day where every Amazon pay homage to the five Goddesses who took part in Themyscira's creation. Many prayers and worship is practice today. To start the day off a hunt in honor to the Goddess Artemis. Kushina arrives home to see Naruto picking vegetables from the garden to celebrate to another Goddess Demeter for a plentiful harvest.
"Naru-chan, I want you to wash what you picked, while I clean and strip the boar for our feast later tonight," Kushina explains to Naruto
"Okay, Mommy!" Naruto says before running off
"And make sure that you aren't spotted!" Kushina yelled out.
Naruto had to be even more careful during this time of year. The forest is filled with Amazons hunting for the Feast of the Five. With Naruto still being very young he can pass off as a girl because he took more after Kushina when she was younger, but when he gets older that won't be the case. Even now Kushina can make out that Naruto will take more after Minato as he grows older as time goes on.
Naruto runs and jumps making sure he doesn't drop anything from his basket. He came upon the river that he and his mother would bathe in at nights before bed. The blonde kneels down and takes out a carrot before washing it in the stream. As Naruto is washing the carrot he hears a twig snap.
Jumpping the blonde grabs a small knife that he brought with him, "Who- Whose there?!" demanded Naruto.
A girl the same age as Naruto walks out of brush. She has long raven hair and the clearest blue eyes that he'd ever seen; granted Naruto never seen anyone before besides the two Goddesses that visited him and his mother a few months ago. The girl is also wearing a white chiton just like Naruto.
"Why are you so far away from everyone else?" the girl asks
"What do you mean? I'm not far from my home. All I have to do is yell and Mommy will be here really fast,"
"Mommy? He he! You still call you mom that?" giggles the girl
Cheeks reddening, "Shut- Shut up! Mommy is Mommy! She's better then yous!" Naruto yelled back
Narrowing her eyes at the blonde, "No she isn't! My Mom is better than yours!"
"Nah!"
"Yah!"
"Nah!"
"Yah!"
"Nah!"
"Yah!"
"Naruto!"
"Diana!"
Kushina came running out from the bushes wielding a sword while another woman runs behind Diana with a broadsword on her back. The woman has long blond hair, dark eyes, and is wearing some armor over a dark blue chiton.
"H- Hippolyta?" Kushina gasps
"Kushina? Where have you've been all these years? The patrols said they would find you every now and then, but they couldn't follow you," says Hippolyta then she sees Naruto rushing over to Kushina to hide behind her, "Oh! You had your daughter Kushina!"
"Yes… I had my daughter!" lied Kushina
"Yes, did you run that day? It must have been hard giving birth by yourself? Surely it would have been easier on you if you'd stayed,"
"I didn't want to give birth with all the death that was going on," Kushina explains, "It didn't feel right giving life near death would be good for Naruto,"
"Naruto? You named your daughter the same name that man wanted?"
"It was the least that I could do," Kushina answers back quickly.
The redhead takes notice the little girl standing next to Hippolyta. The Queen of the Amazons followed Kushina's gaze to her daughter.
"I see you noticed my daughter, Kushina. This is Diana, Princess of the Amazons and heiress to Themyscira. Kushina, why haven't you return?" asks Hippolyta
"Because I didn't want too. I am just fine with Naruto and I. It's a quiet lifestyle; yes it is a little boring, but it's worth it," Kushina explains as she wraps her arm around Naruto's shoulders calming him down.
This is the first time that Naruto has ever met someone other than her and the two Goddesses. He's a little scared because Kushina always told him to hide from anyone, but her.
"I'm surprised that you decided to sleep with a man after all these years. I figure you would never become a mother,"
"It… I prayed to the Goddesses for a child. I didn't want to sleep with some man and get pregnant, so by using clay and lots of praying the Goddesses answer my prayers. It was difficult in the beginning, but after all I went through it was worth it," the blond explains to Kushina
Kushina could always tell when Hippolyta was lying. She didn't pray to the Goddesses' she slept with a man and gotten pregnant. Judging by Diana's age she isn't that much younger than Naruto which means Hippolyta was already pregnant with Diana when she was almost ready to give birth to Naruto, or shortly after. It is hard to tell only that Naruto is probably is a few months older than Diana.
But that raises more questions than answers. They only capture men once a year and pass them around to only a few Amazons that want children. Hippolyta didn't want to give birth that last raid. Eying Diana one more time, there was no men that had raven hair or eyes that blue. That can only leave with that one of the Gods came down and seduced and bedded her.
"Kushina, why don't we talk and catch up. It has been years since I'd last seen my lover," Hippolyta asked
"Sure, Naruto finish washing the vegetables and come back to the cottage, while Mommy and an old friend of hers catch up," Kushina told Naruto
"Okay, Mommy!" Naruto says with excitement completely forgetting his fear that he had a while ago
"Diana, help Naruto would you?" asks Hippolyta
"Alright, Mom." Diana answered.
Naruto and Diana go over to the stream and was the vegetables. Both Kushina and Hippolyta walk away from their children but keep them in eye distance. They both just stood there and stare at each other. It has been almost five years since they last saw each other.
"You know, when you left I was heartbroken. I wondered if I did anything to upset you, Kushina,"
"No! You did nothing wrong, Hip-chan! I- I couldn't handle all the death. I saw our sisters throw their newborn sons into the sea. The same sisters that were very happy to be mothers. I couldn't stand to give birth in the same place as they were,"
"You could of came to the Palace then! Why?! Why would you run?! It's not like Naruto is a boy-"
Kushina didn't let Hippolyta finish by placing her blade to the Queen's throat, "Please! I couldn't give birth to my baby without his death coming after!"
"Kushina, you know the law! Only women and their daughters are welcome on Themyscira. Any and all men are to be captured if spotted on the island. If they are healthy enough a few Amazons will have their way with the captured men before killing them. Any babies born male shall be thrown into the seas. You know this! You killed plenty of men on raids!"
"I know this!" shouted Kushina, "You think I didn't know! I killed plenty of men because they had women that were going to become slaves. When we raided that fishing boat and capture all the men. I wasn't going to have anything to do with them, like the other were going too. Then… Then Mintao!" tears start to form in Kushina's eyes, "He saw my red hair!"
Hippolyta's eyes widen. Hippolyta remembers when both of them when they were younger Kushina hatred her red hair. Saying that it makes her stand out and be made fun of. That all changed one day when the shaman said that Kushina would find her soul mate with her hair. Kushina's red hair became a red string of fate.
"He… A man was your soul mate…" says a devastated Hippolyta, "But… I wanted to be your soul mate, Kushina,"
It was no secret on the island that the Queen of the Amazons was head over heels for the redhead. She even went as far to start the Courting Ritual with Kushina. Now that Hippolyta can get a better look at Kushina, she isn't wearing the necklace or bracelet to show that they are still courting one an other, but she did see a green gem hanging from a necklace around her neck.
"You thrown everything that we worked so hard for because of that shaman. I always loved your red hair Kushina. Why didn't you stay with me? Did that man seduced you? How did he wormed his way into your heart and replace me?!" Hippolyta hisses out
"Yes!" Hippolyta was taken back by this, "He gave me something that you could never give me. Minato gave me something that you could never give me, a child. A child born of love. I fell in love with Minato because he accepted his fate. While all the other men were begging and pleading for their lives; he didn't,"
"Because of some man that accepted his fate to die; you throw everything away?"
"Yes! I throw everything away when I got pregnant. Minato didn't show any fear or regret. The only regret he had was not seeing his child. I promised! I promised to Minato I would keep the baby no matter if it was a girl or boy. Naruto is my pride and joy!"
"Your pride and joy?"
"Yes, while our fellow sisters throw their babies into the sea just because they were born male showed that they weren't true mothers. Innocent lives are ended on those days. How can we worship Goddesses that are allowing us to do this? And don't think I don't know about Diana!"
"Wh- What!?" Hippolyta stutters, "What are you talking about?"
"I know Diana is a few months younger then Naruto. Our sisters raid ships once a year. Minato and the fishing boat he was on was that year's haul. That means after they were all killed one of the Gods came to Themyscira. Which God did you sleep with?"
"You… You dare ask me this? Hippolyta, "You who broke our courtship?"
"Yes," Kushina replied
"Zeus…" Hippolyta says quietly so that the children can't hear them, "It was shortly after you left. I was devastated. I… I slept with Zeus and nine months later Diana was born,"
"So what now?" Kushina asks, "Do we fight and kill each other leaving our children orphans; or do we blackmail each other so that we don't harm those that we care for?"
"Blackmail," Hippolyta simply says, "We act like this conversion never happened. In fact, we never saw each other this day. I will saw nothing about this so that you and your son can live in peace, but know this; if for some reason any Amazon finds you I will not be held responsible,"
"That will do. I will do the same thing about you and your daughter. Now leave." says Kushina ending their conversion and their friendship.
Hippolyta and Diana leave while Kushina and Naruto watch them leave. It breaks Kushina's heart that she had to end her friendship with Hippolyta, but she made her choice all those years ago. She doesn't need anyone as long she has her little boy. Kushina would take the whole world on for him.
Standing behind a tree with a clear view of both parties stands a figure. He is wearing black Greek armor with his helmet in hand. He is bald with a long red beard. He is known other than Ares, the God of War.
"Now it is time to see which is stronger. Those that are raised by nature or by those raised by nurture." Ares says before fading away.
-Flashback End-
Didi and Naruto finished eating and are now walking down the sidewalk. The sun disappeared in the skies above only for the moon to replace it while they were eating. The city lights come on giving the city life after dark. An older crowd came out as the younger went home.
"So, what do you want to do next?" Naruto asks
"Mmm," Didi hums, "Oh, I know! I always wanted to go to a party!"
Scratching the back of his head, "Sure?" again not knowing what do to.
They walked around the city looking for a party. Honestly they had no idea where they were going. Both the blonde and goth never been to a party, til they came to a nightclub. The place is packed. Posters of an up-and-coming musician is preforming there tonight.
"Wow!" says Didi, "This place is packed. Do you know is playing?"
"No," Naruto replies, "I haven't been in the States for very long."
It was kind of a lie. Naruto does stay in America, but only in Alaska. And when he does its out in the Wildness.
"You came here and you don't know who's playing?" a woman says behind Naruto and Didi.
Both Naruto and Didi turn around to face the voice behind them. A pregnant woman is standing behind them. She is wearing a shirt with the words 'dyke' pointing up towards her head and the words 'baby' pointing down to her large stomach.
Naruto catches and understands the word and the meaning behind it. He understands that people will find love in any form they can get. It's not his place to say how or who they love. His mother, Kushina and Hippolyta were lovers before Minato came into the picture.
"Yeah, we came here because we wanted to go to a party. And what better place than a bar? Should you be here with that?" Naruto asks out of curiosity and not out of rudeness
"Oh, this?" says the woman rubbing her large stomach, "I know the people that work here and I know who is preforming nothing. My name is Hazel, Hazel McNamara,"
"When's it due?" Didi asks
"Any day now," Hazel answers while rubbing her stomach once more, "Now tell me, how do you come to a bar that's known for preforming bands and singers and not know who's preforming?"
"Never been to a bar or a party before,"
"The same," Naruto chimes in
"Ooh! He kicked! You want to feel him kicking?" Hazel asks with clear joy in her voice
"Sure!" Didi places her hand on Hazel's stomach, "So it's a boy?"
"Yup! I got the ultrasound showing that'll be a boy. He's going to be my first and last. I have to go backstage right now, but I hope to see you after the show. Bye!"
Hazel leaves Didi and Naruto so that she can go backstage. Naruto could clearly see that Hazel is looking forward to giving birth to her son. Naruto wonders if that's how his mom felt.
"I can't wait to see the baby," Didi says
"See the baby? I don't think Hazel will have you in the delivery room,"
"She won't. I'm there when everyone is born, not just when they die. They just don't remember me,"
"Really?"
"Yes, you giggled at me. Shush. She's starting." Didi told Naruto.
The stage manager came onto the stage and grabs the mic.
"Hi, everyone. Welcome to the Undercut. Her name's Foxglove. This is her first gig. Treat her kind."
A blond haired woman walks on the stage. She is wearing dark clothes and is holding an acoustic guitar. It shows that she wants her music to be pure. Without the use of electronic amplifiers to lose or reduce its natural sound accurately. It also could mean that money is tight and she could only afford an acoustic guitar and not an electric guitar.
"Uh… good evening. This song is called Donna's Dream. It's about some people I knew. At least one of them is dead,"
My name is Judy and I died
On a bad day in eight nine
And I've come back to see you girl
To talk about the old times
It's been a while, but you're
Looking good,
Let's sit and drink some wine.
And I wondered what
You were doing tonight
In my cold place underneath the world
And there's worms inside my eyes
And my bones are getting dry
But I still love you girl
Well tomorrow I'll
Sleep in the ground again
But tonight I'll sleep with you
I've missed your lips and tongue
And touch, so much,
Say you missed me too
In the dark I kissed you girl
I wonder if you knew
I wonder what
You're doing tonight
In my cold place underneath the world
I don't breathe or sleep
I can't even spit or weep
But I still love girl.
I wrote you a letter,
Girl, on the day I checked out
Said I hurt you 'cos I loved you. Was I wrong?
And the seasons turn and the years go by
But the dark continues on.
Close your eyes and I'll kiss you,
In the morning I'll be gone.
And I wonder what you're doing tonight.
Foxglove finished her song and the crowd clap for her.
"Thanks. This next song was inspired by something my friend Wanda once said to me. She's dead too. Maybe it's contagious. It's called Tracks."
If somewhere in the dark I am alone
Will you come to me,
Bringing me your light
"Wow, that's dark. What's with the dark songs?" Naruto asks
"Well, everyone handles death differently than others. Some of the greatest songs come from the death of others," Didi answers
"Yeah, everyone handles death differently." Naruto simply answers.
Naruto lets his mind wonders while listening to Foxglove's songs. Memories of that fateful day comes to surface. The day that changed everything. The day that he was forced to leave his home, his island. And most of all; the day that his mother died.
-Flashback-
Three years passed by since the encounter with Hippolyta and Diana. Since that day Kushina has been looking out for any passing patrols that came too close to her home. It didn't help that Diana would come over and play with Naruto. Act first Kushina thought Hippolyta was using Diana as a way to cause the redhead to lower her guard, but over time she saw that Diana just wanted to play with Naruto.
Seeing Diana and Naruto play together warms her heart. Knowing that Naruto has someone to finally play with kinda makes her decision to leave her fellow sisters behind, but more importantly leaving Hippolyta. It won't change anything Kushina made her decision. Unfortunately that decision has changed fate for the worst.
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A scream echoes through the halls of the temple for the oracle. Many of the Amazons that were there rush towards their screaming sister. The one that is scream is Menalippe the Amazons' Oracle. It is her job to see into the future and to see when ships are passing by for raids to take place. She has other visions like is a pregnancy is going to go good and not, if the crops are going to come in nicely this year.
"What's is it? Menalippe, what do you see?" asks one of the Amazons
"I… I see! DEATH! A warrior in black and orange armor with a single eye! This warrior has blonde hair, blue eyes, and scars covering his body! He is one of us! He's an Amazon! A survivor! He will lead us to our doom. Through his actions we will not have anyway of having babies! He will end us!" Menalippe shouted.
Fear sets in. Panic arise. Word spreads like wildfire across all of Themyscira. One of their own gave birth to a boy and let him live. A traitor. The news reaches Hippolyta's ears. Fear sets in her as the thought of Kushina's death grips her. She knows what the Amazons will do to Kushina when they find out that she had a son and let him live. They'll slowly kill Naruto with Kushina being forced to watch and then they'll kill her in the same manner as punishment.
But to make it worst; Diana will be losing a friend. For the pass three years Diana has been playing with Naruto and she can say that Diana is developing a crush for the boy. She can see that Diana looks at Naruto as she once looked upon Kushina. Even if she doesn't know it; it'll break her heart that her first friend and crush maybe facing death.
"Damn you, Kushina!" whispers Hippolyta, "Why did you let your fear rule you? I could of protected you and Naruto, but know all of Themyscira knows and they'll be wanting yours' and Naruto's death."
Hippolyta would shadow Diana when she would visit Naruto. At first she didn't want her daughter to be friends with the boy, but after watching them for a few hours she can honestly say that they needed each other. Diana who is the princess for all of Themyscira and the Amazons never had a true friend. They wouldn't see her for Diana, but as Princess Diana. When she is playing with Naruto he sees her not as Princess Diana, but just Diana. Naruto is truly Kushina's son. Kushina looked at Hippolyta as a person and not as queen. Naruto needed a friend that was not his mother. Diana being the friend he needed changed that. The shy little boy changed into the little ball of energy that he is now because of Diana. Hippolyta would happily call Naruto son in the future if he would of married Diana. But now? Now it seemed that fate has other plans for him.
Diana is happy. She just finished her lessons for the day and now is planning on meeting with Naruto afterwords. The Princess always have fun playing with Naruto and Kushina's cooking is always so good to eat.
"Did you hear what Menalippe said?"
Diana overhears two guards talking.
"Yeah! There is a traitor on the island. She had a boy and didn't end him like the rest. Now this boy will end our way of life." the guard didn't even hide her disguise
"Oh, no! I have to let Kushina and Naruto about the traitor on the island," Diana says before running off
"Did you hear that?"
"Yeah, Princess Diana said Kushina. Kushina hasn't been seen in nine years. Not since she was…"
"Since was? Since when?" the other guard asks impatiently
"Since she was pregnant. Kushina is the traitor! We have to let the others know!"
Fate was sealed.
It didn't take long for word to spread. Word that Kushina was the one that gave birth to a boy and let him live. The Amazons rose to arms and march towards Kushina's home.
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"Naru-chan, what are you doing?" Kushina asks
"I'm waiting for Diana to arrive. I want to show her what I can do now!" Naruto says with excitement clear in his voice
"Just because you can use Sealing Chains doesn't mean you can properly use them. And no one likes a showoff." stated Kushina.
It was a few days ago when Naruto had a chain shot out of his back. Kushina was so happy that her little boy could use magical chains just she can. While Kushina had mastery over her chains, Naruto didn't and has a long way to go before he does.
Kushina's train of thought stops when she catches the smell of fire, 'That's odd. Where is the fire? I don't see any plums.'
An arrow flies by Kushina's cheek cutting it. Her eyes widen as she turns her head. There stands a full squad of Amazon warriors. They are all pointing arrows at her and Naruto. The redhead knew this day would come; it was only a matter of time. She has been preparing for this day to arrive.
"Naruto! I want you to run home and get Mommy's sword. Don't look back and whatever you do don't stop running." orders Kushina.
Naruto didn't need to be told twice. He bolts from his mother and runs towards home. Kushina closes her eyes, breathes in and then out, and finally opens her eyes. The Amazons notice the change. The captain of the Amazons knows what just happened, but never seen it before. What Kushina just did was thought to be impossible. Kushina let her rage biol to the break point and let it break. The redhead let the famous Amazonian Rage takeover.
In a red flash Kushina appeared in front of the Amazons as four chains pierce and kill four of the Amazons. The angry mother grabs an arrow and quickly shoves it into an eye, grabs a spear that quickly pierces armor and flesh, and a sucker punch knocked out the last Amazon.
"It would seem that my former sisters forgot who I was." Kushina says without pity.
Kushina can honestly say that she is disappointed with the Amazons. The Amazons are known for being some of the fieriest warriors that walked the planet and they were slaughtered like lamb. It didn't take long for more Amazons to arrive at the slaughter field. Some of the newer Amazons couldn't hold the content in their stomach.
"Who could of done this?" asks on the older Amazons
"This work is Kushina Uzumaki." says known other than Philippus General to the Amazonian Army.
The General is dark-skinned with a body of a true Amazon that is both beautiful and deadly. She has dark black hair that's pulled into a high ponytail with a tiara. She unlike the rest is wearing golden armor.
"If Kushina is the one that has become a traitor, then we'll need the honor guard." stated Phiilippus.
Philippus knows how dangerous Kushina can be. Her skills alone make her deadly, but add in the use of her magical chains that have effects to not only be used in defense, but in offensive. But what made Kushina truly deadly is that she can control her Amazonian Rage and will it through her very being. The redhead could of gained the title of Wonder Woman.
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Kushina slowly stands up. She has her red hair into a ponytail, she put her old armor on after many years. Unlike the other Amazons that would wear a combination of metal and leather; Kushina just wearing armor made out of pure metal with leather straps. The angry mother leaves her home with sword in hand only to be greeted with an army staring at her.
"Kushina!" shouted Philippus, "Do you know what you have done?!"
"Yes," Kushina calmly replies, "I am acting like a true mother. I will slaughter all of you. I hope you have made your peace with this life, because you'll be leaving it in a few short minutes."
That was it. There would be no more words. No more talking. Just violence and death. Four magical chains burst out of the ground piecing several Amazons in one go. Acting quickly Kushina charges the surprised Amazons. Cold steel slices through flesh and blood and steel. The crimson red of blood flies through the air. Kushina sword swings were so strong that shields didn't hold against her very much.
The archers fire their arrows at the monster of a woman only to miss and hit their own. The Red Death slides on her knees cutting through her former sisters. Untrained and untested. Philippus tries and give out orders and commands, but there is too much chaos.
'Damn you, Kushina!' Philippus curses inward, 'How are we going to stop you?'
Philippus searches through the battlefield and sees something, not something, but someone. The General swallows hard as to what she is about to do, but in order to save her soldiers then she will do what is a necessity. Philippus marches over to Kushina's home and kicks done the door. Naruto who was suppose to be in the hidden room was watching the battle is startled.
Seeing one of the Amazons made it inside the boy rushes away, but with her being older and taller that became for not. Lifting the boy up to eye level only for him to be punched in the eye. Naruto bites her arm which causes her to let him go. Naruto bolts out of the house with Philippus chasing after him.
"MOMMY!" Naruto shouted.
Kushina turns around to see her little boy running out of their home with Philippus chasing him. An arrow pieces through Kushina armor which goes through a lung, a sword blade passes through an opening hitting her liver, and finally another blade goes through hitting her kidneys. Magical chains shoot out killing the ones that injured her in vengeance. Kushina rushes over picks up Naruto and leaves the battlefield. The remaining Amazons follow her to end her and son.
Running through the forest will bleeding wounds isn't helping that she is running at full speed and is carrying Naruto. There is only one way to make sure that Naruto lives, but it'll cost her her life. An arrow pieces her shoulder that's shielding Naruto. Kushina throws her sword and kills the Amazon that tried to kill her little boy. The redhead runs to the cliffs of Themyscira and without a second thought dives off the cliffs and into the seas below.
"THETIS!" shouted Kushina as she came back to the surface, "I plead with you! From one mother to another! Save my son!"
The waves push and pull. The water moves Kushina and Naruto away from Themyscira, away from their home. For days Thetis used the seas to move the mother and son across the open waters with no land in sight, til land was sighted on the ninth day. Thanking Thetis Kushina swam the rest of the way with what little strength she had left.
Dragging her feet through the wet sands of the new shores, Kushina drops to her knees. Being in the ocean for nine days without treating her wounds has caused infecting the set in. Kushina knows she's dying, but the only thing that she's worried about is her son.
"Mommy are the bad people gone?" Naruto asks
"Yes," Kushina answer back weakly, "They'll never both you again."
On the pier that is overlooking the beach stands Slade Wilson. He just finished an assignment and was taking in the sights before leaving, when he saw a clearly bleeding woman and what looks to be her son wash up onto the shores.
"What do we have here?" Slade questions himself.
Kushina see a man walking towards them. He has short white hair and a goatee that match his hair color, and an eye patch that is covering his right eye. From the way he is carrying himself, from the way he is walking Kushina knew that this man is dangerous, but more importantly; he can help Naruto.
"Please…" begs Kushina, "Take my son! Give him the training he needs. The training for vengeance. Teach him that no one betrays an Uzumaki and gets away with it."
Slade looks long and hard at the dying woman. It is clear that she is hanging on with her will alone. A mother that is trying to have her son taken care of. But what impressed him the most is that she figured him out to be a strong fighter.
"I will," Slade simply says
"Thank you!" Kushina says with tears in her eyes, "Naruto, I want you to kill all those that did this to us. I want you to make them pay for you just being born as a boy. Show them that you are my son, and with it death."
With her last breath Kushina takes off her bracelets and hands them to Slade, or takes them.
-Flashback End-
Naruto and Didi stayed for the whole show that Foxglove gave. Afterwords they met up with Hazel and got to met with Foxglove herself. They found out that Foxglove is a nice person and a really down to earth kind of person. They talked for a few minutes before they left the bar. The blonde and goth roamed the city throughout the night til the sun came back up and we find Naruto and Didi back at the park where they first met. They sit at the water fountain as the sun rises more and more.
"That was some night," Didi says breaking the silence
"I guess it was. I'd never really took it slow like that. So what now?"
"Well, my time is almost up. Let's just talk til my time comes,"
"Alright, shoot,"
"What are you going to do after you have your vengeance?"
"I always asked myself that. I honestly have no idea. Thought about becoming a doctor and save lives; or stay an assassin and continue taking lives. It seems my life revolves around either taking life or giving life. I find it strange,"
"How many are you going to kill?"
"Huh?"
"How many Amazons are you going to kill to get your vengeance?"
Naruto blinks. He'd never thought about that. Should he kill one? Ten? Hundred? All of them? How many should he kill?
"I'll kill just one, but they will still pay for what they did to those babies that were born male. All life should at least get a chance at life," Naruto stated
Didi smiles, "That's the answer I was looking for."
Didi takes necklace off and hands it to Naruto.
"What's this for?" asks Naruto
"A gift that'll help you when the night becomes darkest, and this," Didi hands Naruto two pennies, "Today was a good day."
Didi stands up, then she stands on the fountain. She spreads her arms out before falling into the fountain.
"Didi, I think the water is cold." Didi didn't say anything, "Didi?" nothing, "Didi!?"
Naruto turns around only to find Didi floating in the water of the fountain. He rushes over to her only to find that Didi is dead. Some of the few people in the park called for 911. Naruto brings Didi out of the fountain to lay her onto the ground. The blonde takes the two pennies and place them on her eyes.
"May you find peace in the afterlife."
-Plains of Grey Lands-
A land of black and white. Of nothingness. Didi sits up with two pennies on her eyes.
"So that was it," says a voice
"Yes," Did replies while taking the pennies off her eyes
"How was it?"
"Oh, it was wonderful. It was filled with people. I got to breath and eat and… all sorts of stuff. I wish it could of gone on forever. I wish it didn't have to end like that,"
"It always ends. That's what gives it value. When you get to be alive even for a day… Well, there's only one way to stop living,"
"I suppose so,"
"Was it worth it?"
"I… I don't know. I think so. I hope so. I met such neat people. And I heard a song, I got to eat a burger, walked around the city at night, I wish it could have gone on forever,"
"Take my hand, Didi."
Didi did just that. The hand that she takes is herself only with a pasty white skin. Didi fades away only leaving Death behind.
Okinawa, Japan
Tsunade rubs her shoulders after a long day of work. A woman gave birth to twins, she gave a whole school flu shots, and she have to clean a shark bite for an unlucky swimmer. Tsunade closes the door to her clinic, but a foot stops her.
"Tsunade," says Jiraiya
"Jiraiya? What are you doing here?" questions Tsunade
"I have some bad news. It's about the Clans," Jiraiya says
"No!" Tsunade immanently, "I left that life behind when I had Minato! I'm done taking lives,"
"The Senju are still looked at as one of the most powerful Clans, Tsunade! Someone from the Senju Clan has to be there! Tenzo can only do so much! Naruto!"
"No!" Tsunade shouted, "Naruto does not need to see that part of that world,"
"Tsunade, Naruto has already seen that part of the world. When he fought in the Liberian Civil War and when he killed Gato. Naruto is already part of the darkness. You need to call him. Naruto needs to be here for this." Jiraiya explains.
-Author Notes-
Yeah, I broke my wrist two months ago so I have to write most of this chapter one handed, that's why it took so long. They gave me a lot of medication for the pain and I didn't want to write while I was on something that didn't let me think clearly. Leave a review.
