A/N: ...we had the funeral service for my uncle the other day.
It still hurts. He didn't deserve to get run over like that; hope the bastard who did it rots in jail.
I'm trying to bury myself in writing to keep myself distracted. Some days are better than others. Still alive, still in pain, still updating, somehow.
With my fifteen year anniversary on this site -I've really gotten old- finally here, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future ahead and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch lest it poison my mind; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. Feels like everyone's lost their minds. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
No questions this time. Someone complained. Ah, well. I think I've kept you waiting long enough already, dear reader
So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this tale, and many others.
As ever, I own no quotes, references, themes, or memes. Not a wit or a one! They're tributes to legends far greater than I.
I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.
Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story. Simple as that.
In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know~!
Here we go. And yes, obvious references are very obvious.
A portion of this chapter is from my Arcane plot bin.
I DID say I would use that scene...
"Look out for yourself!
~?
Once You Turn
It was madness.
Powder had the foresight to duck Grayson's desk when it whistled overhead, but that was the end of her luck; because all hell broke loose in its wake. Naruto leaped onto the tumbling desk and kicked it at the enforcers as one might soccer ball, bowling them over in the dozens. Then he started swinging. Men and women flew left and right between his fists and then there were more of them, no, more of him, dozens more, countless shadow clones swarming down the lot of them.
He wasn't holding back; or if he was, not by much.
Would she be able to do that, someday? She hoped so. That looked...amazing.
"Marcus!" He roared a laugh that made her very soul shiver. Come out and play, Marcus! I'll crack every damn skull in this building until you do!"
He really would, she realized. No one could stop him; he was tearing through every enforcer Piltover had to offer. For every blow they landed on him he struck back with ever more, ten thousand fists in the air. Piltover's people never stood a chance. Wasn't even a proper contest.
"Freeze, you!"
One of said enforcers must've thought her an easier target, because they rounded on her and opened fire.
Powder swayed aside from first, blocked the second, and caught the third, much to her great delight.
She blinked down at the lead casing caught in her grasp. "I can catch bulllets?!
Naruto's voice boomed at her. "Less talking, more smacking!"
"Yessir!"
The enforcer took one look at her, threw down his gun and clasped both hands behind his head with a warped whimper. "Be gentle...?"
Her fist thundered into the side of his head and he went down like a puppet cut from its strings.
Powder pivoted on one heel and threw herself into Naruto's brawl with a whoop.
And for the next few hours, there was only blissful melee.
(.0.0.0.)
"That was amazing! You were all whoosh, bam, pow!"
"You weren't half bad yourself."
"Really, you think so?"
"I know so."
...heh."
Powder hid a smile in her sleeve as she launched herself forward; a chakra-propelled leap carrying her to the next rooftop. Naruto remained a step ahead of her, but after that brawl, she found she didn't much mind. In the end, Marcus hadn't shown his ugly mug, which implied he wasn't present...among other things. Still, they'd gotten away clean, racing over the rooftops of Piltover. She was sure they'd been noticed, but with most of the Enforcers broken, there was no one to challenge them. Naturally that left her mind to drift toward other matters.
"What comes next?"
"Next"? He thumbed his chin considering in midleap. "Next we see what Marcus does. He's probably gone to ground by now after our little stunt, but he's bound to make a mistake sooner or later, and when he does, he'll lead us right to his partner in crime. If its who I think it is...we might find Vi and the others there."
Hesitation is defeat. she knew that. And yet, she had to ask: "Are we doing the right thing?"
Naruto paused on a rooftop and granted her a brief sidelong look as she did the same. "What makes you say that?
"I mean," she shrugged one shoulder, unable tomeet his gaze "We beat up a lotta people tonight, might've killed some of 'em, too...
His hand patted her shoulder. "You care enough to ask, Powder. That makes you a good person in my books. Better than me at any rate.
She had to ask. Why didn't we go after the council, or the Kirramans?
Naruto turned to face her fully. "Why do you think?"
"Eh?"
His grin grew. "Why did we go for Grayson and her enforcers first?"
Crap, he was making this a lesson, wasn't he? Think, Powder, think! "Um...because they were the most prevalent threat?"
He showed no sign of approval. "And why were they the most dangerous?"
Reaization danwed. "She controlled the manpower of Piltover."
Naruto clapped once.
"Correct." His head bobbed in approval. "Now anything we face might be estate guards, but not a concentrated force. Well done." he looked like he might ruffle her hair for a moment, but her thunderous scowl held him at bay instead. "You learn quickly and ask the right questions. Grandma would've liked you."
"Grandma?"
"Tsunade." He cycled through a quick transformation jutsu, briefly taking the shape of a blond woman with a truly staggering bosom before changing back again, wearing a wry smile. "Don't worry about the council or the Kirramans, we're visiting them next."
"Which ones?"
"Kirramans first because they have undue influence in the city," Naruto counted off on one hand, "Mel Medarda second because she's a clever bitch I've gotta gt the drop on, and then...well. I'll deal the last one myself. It ain't anything for you to worry."
She wrinkled her nose at that. "Who's Mel Medarda?"
Naruto's smiled dimmed. "A prominent council member; one I should've nipped in the bud awhile ago. And Powder?
"Hmm?"
He drew her into a quick hug, pressing her head against his chest as he held her close. "You did great tonight.
Powder felt her face burn with pride; she buried in his jacket to hide it from him. "Thanks, boss."
He barked a rueful laugh all his own. "I swear I'll never get used to you callin' me that."
But it sounded like he was sending her away. She didn't want that! No, no, no!
"I can help more, you know." she looked up at him, flicking a pleading gaze his way. "I can deal with the Kirramans while you meet this Mel person."
"Deal with them?" Naruto arched a golden eyebrow at her and for a moment her master, her mentor, her man -what? He would be hers when she grew up, come hell or high water- seemed older beyond his years. "And what do you think I wanted to do to them?
"Uhhh...kick their asses?"
"No." He flicked her forehead gently, drawing a pout from her. "Listen, Powder. When you have power like ours, its tempting to think of every problem as a nail to hammer down but sometimes you can with words rather than a wallop. Do you understand?"
"I think so? I mean, I do!" she amended quickly at his bemused expression. I can do it, help you, I mean. Please. Let me help you."
Naruto considered her for a long moment.
She clasped her hands and made the most pitiful noise she could.
At length, Naruto heaved a sigh. "...fine. I'll leave three shadow clones with you.
She understood the theory well enough; one to watch her back, the second to guard the perimeter and a third in case of ambush. It was a handicap, and one she wasn't necessarily proud of, but still! Progress! "I won't let you down!"
"I never thought you would." he leaned back to regard her." Have you mastered the transformation jutsu like I taught you?"
She scuffed a foot across the floor. "I mean I can use it pretty darn well, but I wouldn't say mastered...
After all, she was more interested in the Rasengan and being a sage...
"Powder."
She whined a little. "Sorry...
They both knew the reason. No one was going to take a child seriously, superpowers or otherwise. Besides, this would keep her identity safe from further retribution.
But a ninja had to look beneath the underneath, didn't they? At least she was pretty sure that was the saying.
"Was there someone you wanted me to disguise myself as? I've been practicing. Watch this!"
"Now wait just a second-
Too late, Powder made a seal with her hands and vanished in a plume of smoke. She'd used her imagination, but she'd practiced this one. She knew how she looked on the outside; she stood nearly of a high with him, her long azure hair bound back in a flowing braid bearing a blade at the end. Why a blade? Because blades were badass. She was lean and strong and firm and this was what she would be in a few years. The very epitome of a healthy young woman who would never become Jinx.
"Well?" she planted a hand on her hip, reveling in her older voice. "How do I look?"
Naruto coughed into a fist and averted his gaze. "Please change back."
Powder made smug Powder noises but did as he asked.
There. She'd seen the spark of interest in his eyes just now. Victory was hers! His reaction just now was all the confirmations she needed; proof that she as on the right route. She just had to stay the course;. just needed to be patient. Wait a few years for him, then when she was of age, she would marry him someday. No one else would do.
"So we're clear on the plan, then?"
Her head bobbed, he ruffled her hair fondly and vanished in a body flicker.
Powder waited until she was certain he was gone; until she could sense his chakra well on the other side of the city.
He couldn't possibly hear her now, right? She dithered a moment more, then threw her head back and pumped a fist into the air. YES!"
Someone coughed behind her. "Ahem."
She turned to find the three shadow clones behind her.
One of them offered her a jaunty wave. "You do realize we all heard that just now, right...?"
Her face burned seven shades of scarlet and she whirled away, unable to meet their bemused stares. "Oh, shove off!"
(.0.0.0.)
They weren't coming.
Silco tapped a finger against his desk.
Why weren't they coming? They should be here by now.
His tapping intensified, bordering on outright mania when nothing happened.
It didn't make any sense. He baited the hook, taken the children and left more than enough clues. So why, why, WHY weren't they here?
Marcus came crashing around the corner, redfaced and spitting.
"There you are!" he spluttered. "I want every gun we have focused on that man! I don't care who sees! Drop a damn building on him, if that's what it takes! Kill him! KILL HIM NOW! He's made a fool of me! I won't let it stand, you hear! We had a deal, and its time for you to honor it!"
Silco's good eye blinked once.
Wait, if he wasn't here...
...but that meant...
...oh, no.
(.0.0.0.)
Caitlyn had grown accustomed to nightmares.
She was just a child after all. Everyone had them, she knew. From a purely logical standpoint there was no reason to be afraid. Nightmares were just that; bad dreams, something banished upon waking to face the day. It was simple rationale. Nothing to fear from the dark and all that.
Easier said than done.
Someone tapped her shoulder.
She rolled over in bed, made an annoyed noise, and squinted at them. "Mother...?"
A grinning face stared back at her, inches from her own. "Hiiiiiiiiii~!"
Not mother. Not father, either. Her heart leaped into her throat.
Little Caitlyn screamed bloody murder.
A hand clamped over her mouth.
Then she passed clean out.
Powder poked her cheek.
"Huh. That was easy...
(.0.0.0.)
"Good evening! I've come to bargain."
They were gentle words, noble words, spoken from one leader to another.
Mel Medarda had a rather hard time believing them, given the knife sent against her throat.
She could feel it was surely as the pillow against her head, the cold sweat even now beading upon her brow.
In hindsight she knew it was foolish of her to let her guard down like this. She'd made enemies throughout her career. Climbed atop the shoulders of others to stand where she was now. Backstabbed her enemies and allies alike, all to reach the highest point. It was only logical that one might seek to confront her here in her chambers, in her very bed, were she was most vulnerable.
Still, she considered herself a woman of reason. He hadn't slit her throat...yet. That must count for something, surely.
"What do you want?"
Warm breath caressed her ear. "A moment of your time, nothing more."
Mel shivered a little despite herself. She wasn't sure if t was from fear or excitement.
Terrifying as this was, as the prospect of imminent death might be, it had certainly broken the boring hum-drum of her routines.
"Do you know who I am?"
She did, or suspected at the very least. "Naruto Uzumaki of Zaun."
"Presently of Zaun." he corrected her with a rueful laugh. "Formerly of...well, lets call it somewhere else."
"Where?"
"You wouldn't know it."
Stall. Buy time. Do something, anything! "Rest assured, I'm rather well-traveled...
"Even so, you haven't been where I'm from." the knife tightened against her jugular, drawing a bead of blood. "Still, the fact that you know me makes this easier. It means you know why I'm here. Saves me the spiel. So why don't we talk this out like adults, hmm?"
She stifled a gulp. "If you remove the knife from my throat, I'd be more than happy to."
Naruto smiled. It was not a pleasant smile. "A tempting proposal, but I think not."
Mel Medarda stifled a whimper in her throat. "What do you want...?
"Want? I want you." his words made her shiver again, for an entirely different reason. Sending the wrong message there! "You're going to help me with my little Piltover problem."
This time, she did gulp.
"And why me come to me with this? Why not Sherrif Grayson or the Kirammans?
Her captor smiled. "Whose to say I haven't already? You could be my third stop for all you know."
Was she? The thought nearly unnerved her. If h was making the rounds through the city, no one had noticed.
"I'd like us to be friends, Mel." he crooned suddenly, startling her. "I can be a very good friend, But you don't want to be my enemy."
She hazarded a grimace. "You seem to have a great deal of those...
"Ha!" For some reason that seemed to amuse him. "Everybody wants to be my enemy. Most of them will be either be my friend in a few days...or they'll be dead. I'd prefer you not be among that number. So here's what you're going to do for me, and what I intend to do for you. I'd appreciate it if you could hear me out...
He laid out his plan for her, for Piltover and Zaun, in clear, distinct terms.
By the end of it, Mel found she couldn't think straight.
Piltover was not prepared for them.
They were logical enough, she supposed. Weren't revolutionaries supposed to be madmen? All pomp and passion, but with little in the way of thoughts. His scheme suggested otherwise; he'd been dwelling on this for a terribly long time. A bloodless coup. Well, she supposed there would be blood if she refused his offer. She doubt he'd come all the way here without the resolve to kill her. She, however, wasn't prepared to die. There was still so much wanted to say, wanted to do. She wasn't ready.
She didn't want to go.
"Suppose I agree," she hazarded a gulp, grimacing as the knife dug into her throat, "How long would this...partnership of ours last?"
"Longer than you'd think, shorter than you'd expect."
The panic button beneath her pillow. If she could just reach it...!
"Surely there are more...pleasurable ways of negotiating, wouldn't you agree?"
She leaned back against him pressing her body flush against his in an attempt to get at it. Naruto scoffed.
"Go ahead. Press your big red button. Nobody's coming. Its a shame, really." he heaved a sigh and though she couldn't see his face, she had the distinct sensation he was smiling. "You're a beautiful woman, Mel Medarda, but you're also a schemer. Never could bring myself to love one of those. Be a bit more honest with yourself and I'll consider it in the future."
The knife left her throat.
"I'll be in touch. See you soon."
Mel whirled, too late. He was already gone.
A/N: And scene.
Hope this chapter put a smile on your face!
Getting closer and closer to the inevitable timeskip here...who knows what'll happen?
As ever, we're following the Ember's Rule here. That's no joke. Really, it isn't. If folks don't like this...well, I'll not continue it. Every bit of feedback helps. Reviews are the fuel which keeps me writing in these crazy times. With my tight schedule, I simply don't have time to write a story folks don't like. Without them, my inspiration cannot take wing and I can't write a word. So by all means, speak up!
Reviews are my lifeblood. Without them, I cannot write.
So In the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Revieeeeew, Would You Kindly?
They keeps an old man alive.
And enjoy the previews.
Mostly the same:
SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
Get ready to smile~!
Obvious references are obvious~!
(POTENTIAL!) Previews! They're mostly the same. Don't want to spoil things.
...what are those?"
Those are heads of all your lieutenants. That took me an hour. You wanna see what I can get done in a whole evening?
"Only monsters deal in absolutes. I'll do what I must.
A tired sigh pierced the foggy gloom.
"You will try, my old friend."
"Call me Jinx. One more time.
"Good evening." Silco. You shouldn't be here. Neither should you. "Where's Vi?"
Hello. Nice of you to drop in. We were just finishing up. You remember Deckard, don't you?
"I finally found you! You little shit, you made a fool of me! I'll make you pay!"
Powder quirked a brow. "Deckard, was it? Scram. I don't have time for-
The boy tipped a vial back and drank.
His muscles bulged. Body twisting.
"DIE."
Silco blew out a quick exasperated breath. "You don't have to do this.
I disagree."
There was no time to run. Powder cried out like a child forgotten at her own birthday. No!
Yes. Naruto took the blast head on...and grabbed it. How did you grab an explosion?! He collapsed it, condensed it, cradled it in his palms. His hands trembled from the strain. She could see it etched into his face.
Run.
But what about you?!
I'll be fine. Now go!
Get up! Rise, damn you! If you don't get up right now everyone is going to die! Nothing will change! GET UP!
His arms braced against the ground. Pushed. And the rubble gave way.
He was unarmed. His hands empty. His back riddled with wounds he'd taken protecting them, one arm hanging loosely at his side. So much blood. Yet still he stalked forward. Oh gods. She could see right through him. How was he still moving...? Bravado or sheer willpower. Had to be. He'd collapse any second now. But he didn't. He threw his head back and snarled. The sound was dark and painful, filled with so much hurt and regret and...and death. So much death. Like a fell hound howling at the moon.
"I can...do this...all day."
He walked through the doorway.
His first victim pitched backward, struggling to hold their bleeding face together.
"Lemme show you...what a real injury looks like. Feels like! SOUNDS LIKE! Come here! I'll carve it into your corpse!
"You're only one man!"
Maybe so. But where you see one...I see MANY."
Screams pierced the night.
Its over!
You can't win!"
He smiled. "I already have."
"You're my sister!"
Naruto laughed and raised his hands. "I surrender~!"
No one dared approach him, much less try to slap the cuffs on his wrists.
His grin grew. "What's wrong? I'm defenseless. Surely you're not afraid of one man...?"
"Choose, Powder. What will your answer be?"
EDIT: Hey, you made it!
As ever, we're following the Ember's Rule here. That's no joke. Really, it isn't. If folks don't like this, if people don't enjoy...well, I won't continue it. What's the point in writing something no one likes? Every bit of feedback helps. Reviews are the fuel which keeps me writing in these crazy times. With my tight schedule -two jobs!- I simply don't have time to write a story folks don't like. Without them, my inspiration cannot take wing and I can't write a word. So by all means, speak up!
Looking forward to chatting with you all~!
R&R~!