A/N: Short chapter is short, sorry.
Writer's block is evil. EVIL I SAY! Just wanted to thank everyone for their heartfelt support.
Hopefully this also feels like an episode of Chainsaw Man. We worked extra hard to get everyone's personalities just right.
Doctor of Demons, A New Archon, and Shed no Grace on Me are currently being worked on, alongside No Strings on Me.
Also preparied a Baldur's Gate plotbin to keep my plot bunnies at bay. Do give it a look!
I think I'll call that one Baldur's Bin. Sounds fitting.
With my sixteenth-year-anniversary on this site rapidly approaching, 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 and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; 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 sometimes. 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.
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.
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~!
SPOILERS FOR CHAINSAW MAN MANGA AHEAD:
"Since you asked so nicely, I'll tell you the weakness of the Control devil.
I suppose you could call it her Achilles heel.
Really, its quite simple...affection.
Smother all her plots and plans with the one thing she can't control. For it one loves the concept control, then true love is surrendering that control. The very act of loving is a contradiction in and of itself; because love cannot be controlled. The heart wants, what the heart wants.
And what does Makima want, exactly?
Right now? Lots an lots of hugs.
~A discussion.
As I Command
"Mate with me!"
Naruto shut the front door in Power's face, sipped his orange juice, and went about his day.
She popped out of the cupboard.
"Mate with me!"
He closed it in on her head.
"Mate! With! Me!"
When she popped out a the ceiling panel- how did she even get up in there?!- he subsequently booted her off the balcony of his apartment and into the city. Credit where it was due, even that didn't dissuade her. That, or she simply had no desire give up. For the rest of the day, she kept appearing in the most inane places, no matter what he did! The floor, the ceiling, even the sink somehow! It was maddening!
Finally, he'd had enough; when next she reappeared, he plonked her down on the couch and flicked her forehead.
"This needs to stop. You don't even know what love is, Power.
That seemed to give her pause. He dared to hope.
In hindsight, he should've known better.
"Love is doing what I want, when I want, with whom I want!" She thrust a finger in his face. "And I want you! Now be mine!"
...that phrase sounds a little too clever for you. Where did you read it?
"In a magazine!" She puffed out her chest with pride.
"Thought so."
Despite his best efforts to stay angry with her, he just couldn't; he stroked her head instead, idly caressing her horns with on hand. Had she a tail, he suspected it would've been wagging a mile a minute. What did that say about her personality when he preferred this to the brash, angry girl of yesterday?
On a whim, he held out his hand. "Paw."
Power barked as her hand smacked into his.
"No, no, no." Naruto shook his head fiercely, purging himself of the momentary urge to tease her. "Don't do that. You're a person, Power, not a dog."
"I'm not! I'm a devil!" She latched onto his arm, clinging tight. "I'll do whatever you want me to do! Just be mine! Please, please, please...!"
He tried to be angry with her; he really, truly did. He just couldn't muster it. "Why're ya so interested in me anyway?"
"You're strong."
A blond brow rose. "Aaaand?"
Power whined a little, but didn't let go of him."You're less scary than Makima. You helped me. Makima didn't.
No, she didn't. That much was certainly true, but the Bat devil hadn't been particularly strong, either.
"But you like Makima." It wasn't a question. Power's gaze seared into his.
"That's...complicated." He leaned back on the couch, idly wishing he had something to drink; all this talking was thirty work. "I don't know if I like her. In a way, I'm like her leash. I hold her back. If I wasn't around she'd probably get up to all sorts of shady shit."
Power poked her fingers together." I can be shady.
"No, you can't." he laughed at the offended noise she made. "But I don't dislike that about you. You're honest, in your own way." He paused, weighing his words, and shrugged, not seeing the harm in making a request of her her in return. "Don't die, Power.
She tilted her head, rather reminding him of a puppy."Where's that coming from?"
"Just a thought. You don't die, and I won't die. Sound fair?"
She sniffled and clung tighter to him. "Promise?"
He raised his little finger. "Pinky promise."
Of course, then Power just had to know what a pinky promise was; that required an explanation of its own and a demonstration besides. Such a strange girl, this fiend of his. Despite her age, she acted like a child half of the time. It was damn hard to get a read on her, ya know? Aaaand she was giving him the look again...
"Tell you what," he offered, desperate to stem the puppy eyes, "I'll treat you to dinner sometime; we'll see how it goes from there; Would you like that?
Said eyes lit up as she granted him a tooth y grin. "Only meat! No veggies. Speaking of which...
A telltale gleam sparked in her eye.
"Oi, don't you dare-
CHOMP.
She bit down on his arm with a happy cry, drawing an annoyed noise from him as her lips nuzzled his wrist. A faint beat of wooziness rattled him. Oi! Just because I can heal doesn't mean I can't feel that, ya know!"
"Power will be strong someday." she took her mouth from his arms and licked her lips clean. "I'll keep drinkin' your blood and get really, really strong. So don't leave. Don't go back to your world, okay?
His smile died an ugly death, skewered by a thousand nifes.
...Makima told you, didn't she?"
"Maybe~!"
His first instinct was to rebuke her; tell her to stay out of his business, you know? But he paused, considering her words. He'd accomplished so much in the Elemental Nations. All he needed to, actually. His world was safe and sound, and had been for quite some time with the Shinigami made him that offer. Was he really needed over there? Or was he needed here? Sure enough, the answer came readily.
There was so much good he could do here and-
"Power wants seconds!
"Not again!"
(.0.0.0.)
...what happened to you?"
Naruto's head kissed the pillow with a goran
"I hate you so, so, sooo much right now, Makima...
He heard her humm as she settled in beside him. I take it your little jaunt was a success, then?
"More than I care to admit." Naruto flopped over into bed beside her, steadfastly ignoring her curious look. "Power's been pestering me for the last three days. I only just now managed to get away from her."
"Hmhmmhmmm." her back pressed against his own. "As expected. She's hardly the one to take no for an answer unless you force her to capitulate.
Flopping over on their shared cot, he shot her a withering glower. "You planned for this?!
"I plan for everything." There it was again, another of her small subtle smiles. "Just as I use everything. Speaking of which, I'm curious, why didn't you use my power against the Bat Devil?"
The great gears of his mind ground to a halt as his thoughts fizzled out. "Whaddya mean? I used the chains. Tied him up real good before I beat 'em down, just like you asked."
"No," She snuggled closer. "Those weren't my chains. They were stronger. I wasn't aware you were capable of such." her hand traced his chest, idly fiddling with one of the buttons of his shirt as though it were some grand gemstone. "Don't tell me you've been holding out on me this entire time...
He hadn't been. His eyes fluttered shut and open in a rapid blink. But if those weren't hers...wait.
Kushina -Mom!- had chakra chains. He remembered them clearly. Almost frightfully so.
Kurama huffed in his head. "You needn't remind me...
Had he...had he used her chains?
Could he do that now?
Was it a bloodline?
He'd never been able to utilize such an ability them before but back there, it had felt so natural, almost second nature to him. He'd willed it and they appeared at his command. Was Makima to blame for that? In lending him some small semblance of her power, had she accidentally awakened his own.
Thoughts for later.
A light laugh tumbled out of him. "So? How about that date?"
Makima beamed. "I happen to know a little place. I do hope you like italian food.
(.0.0.0.)
Makima acquiesced all too willingly.
Almost suspiciously so.
Strange.
In short order she rented out a rather handsome restaurant for just the two of them; replete with the finest of food. She hadn't been wrong about the Italian bit. This place served a mean spaghetti-and-meatballs. It was no match for ramen in his estimation, but it was still so damn good.
"Eat as much as you like," she crooned, politely tucking into her own meal. "I'll foot the bill."
"Should I ask why?"
Makima hummed and laid one hand against her cheek. "I've done terrible things, Naruto. Even now I can't tel if I'm allowing you this close because you amuse me or something else. Paying for your meal is the least I can do."
"Thanks, I guess?
"You shouldn't thank me." her smile thinned. "Those who interest me often die a horrible death."
He took another bite of his meal. And you think I will?"
...I'm not certain, but I'd rather not risk it." Her eyes met his, suddenly sharp. "Show me your power, Naruto. That's an order."
He felt the weight of her command ripple through the air and slam into him...
.
..
...he ignored it.
A blond brow rose in mild annoyance. "And why would I do that?"
He expected anger, confusion at the very least. All he received was a giggle. "You haven't changed, good. I'd be disappointed if it was that easy to control you. However...
Quick as can be she stood, circled their table, and sat in his lap.
...I can be rather persistent."
He sighed. "Ain't gonna be that easy."
She smiled. "You can't blame me for trying.
Blue eyes rolled in agitation. "I absolutely can! You gotta stop doing that."
"Doing what?" She shifted her weight against him, and ground her rear into his lap ever so slightly. "Do you mean this?"
"Yes! That, right there! What you're doing right now!"
Makima didn't stop, damn her. Each movement designed to distress and delight. She knew exactly what she was doing, sultry succubus that she was. Naturally. She was doing this deliberately. As expected of a primal devil. She was no slouch when it came to seduction, he'd give her that. Unfortunately for her, he was a man of his word.
His hands settled on her hips as he lifted her and set her back into her chair.
She pouted. "You really are a tough nut to crack, aren't you?"
"Lady, you don't know the half of it."
"Careful, now." Her golden eyes narrowed ever so slightly, becoming hooded slits of molten amber. "I enjoy you, but you're riling me up. Don't you know better than to tempt a devil?"
His lips quirked in a smile. He couldn't resist the joke. "What's better than a devil you don't know? The devil you do."
"And you think you know me...?"
He shrugged one shoulder. "Well enough."
A faint flicker of displeasure crossed her face. "You have no idea. Shall I show you?"
Playing rough, was she? His head butted against hers. "If you wanna throw down again, I'm game."
Her cheeks dimpled in a small smile. "Please, I'm not foolish enough to engage you in a head on clash. But a battle of wits...well. I believe you're lacking on that front."
"How so?"
"Simple," she crooned. "You failed to notice that I claimed the last meatball."
"Eh?" His eyes bulged. "You what? Oi!" he growled as she snatched up the last of his spaghetti, skewered her prize on her fork an delicately placed it upon her lips. A smug Makima was a dangerous Makima, as he well knew She was up to something. "Fine, have your prize. Is there a particular reason you chose this place?
"Oh my, I nearly forgot." Her lips quirked in a smile. "Did you know? The Bat Devil had a lover. I believe it was the Leech Devil. She was last sighted in this area.
His eyes widened. She wouldn't. No, surely not; not even Makima would be cruel enough enough to turn a date into a mission.
Naruto looked up, just in time to see a car hurtle through the window.
"Damnit, Makima...
A/N: It's truly a delight, writing these two.
Would you like this to continue? Moreover, would you like weekly updates? Ya or nay! By all means let me know!
So...in the immortal words of Atlas... ...Revieeeeew, Would You Kindly?
And enjoy the previews. You'll see them soon enough.
If this remains a story, of course.
Ya'll ain't prepared for Power.
(Previews)
He embraced her. He embraced her and all her schemes fizzled out like a candle in the wind.
Why? What was it about this simple act of being held that shattered and scattered her schemes to the wind?
She didn't know.
She wanted to know.
She didn't want to know.
I don't find this disagreeable.
Is that your way of saying you like it?
She drove the point of her elbow into his gut. You're ruining this. Shut up and hug me.
He humored her.
No, not like that, lower.
He didn't budge.
Oh, blast it all. Was he going to make her beg? Must she surrender the very concept of control to him?
Please. The word escaped her in a blend between a mewling whin and a gasp. Touch me.
His hands caressed her hips, then her inner thighs now. She'd never allowed such a thing before. Her very blood was boiling in her veins, demanding release...
You're one of those mature, teasing types aren't you?
Himeno winked at him with her good eye. Bingo~!
Right, you're going to be a handful.
Is this everyone?
Well, we're missing a few at the moment.
One look at Kobeni and he made up his mind.
"Alright."His hands clamped down on the skittish girl's shoulders, effectively anchoring her in pace. "I'm adopting you."
"Hweh?!
"You don't have to call me "papa" or anything, but I'm gonna help you deal with those nerves of yours, okay?"
"Oi, Power. Kick his ass.
Power didn't need to be told twice. Vengeance shall be mine!
Denji tilted his head. "Wait, if Makima's basically the mom, does that make Naruto the dad?
Aki absolutely choked on his spit. "How can you even say that?!"
"I mean its obvious, ain't it? They got that parent vibe, yo."
"...do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused me? Now be a good boy and die."
"Makima, no."
"Aww, not even a little?"
Naruto began to tap his foot.
...boo." she dropped her victim with a sigh.
"Denji, my man, trust me when I say you DON'T wanna stick it in crazy."
"Ain't that what you're doing?"
"Yes," Naruto flicked his forehead, "But the difference is I can beat Makima's ass if she does something stupid. I've done so several times. Here, lemme tell you a story...
"Oi, oi, oi...just what the hell are you?"
"Annoyed is what I am." Naruto dug the bullet out of his forehead with a sigh. "Really? Guns? You thought guns would stop me? I'll let you in on a little secret. Makima's pretends to be nice. I don't." he made to run a hand through his hair, only to realize he'd gotten blood all over it. "You just ruined a perfectly good suit and tried to kill Himeno." huh. the world was tipsy. Was he drunk after all? "Time to die."
He swept past and tore a gunman's head clean off their shoulders.
The girl panicked and raised her right hand. "Snake-
"I don't think so. Kurama! BITE!"
EDIT: Hope you enjoyed~! Have a great day~!
R&R! =D