A/N: Quadruple update today. Maybe even five if I can push past the pain.

As of late, with my fifteen year anniversary on this site 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 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~!

"If you can dodge a knife, my boy, you can dodge a Huntsman!

"Dad, that doesn't make any sense-YIPE?!"

"Better! Less talking, more evading!"

~?

Evasive Maneuvers

The knife filled his vision.

Naruto had a very good view of it in fact; saw his reflection gleaming in the silver steel.

He knew what would happen if he didn't dodge; he'd lose an eye. His adversary would call that a lesson.

At sixteen years of age, he'd learned them well.

He twisted aside at the last possible instant before it could skewer his face, knowing better than to black those curved blades. A quick parry deflected its twin, but where was the tail-yike! He swayed under the barbed stinger that followed, caught the prehensile limb with one fist and reeled his attacker into a vicious roundhouse. One, two, three. He managed to hammer home four powerful punches before his opponent reacted and drove a knee into his gut. He accepted it with a grunt, endured the pain, and kept swinging. Clenched knuckles crunched against cartilage and bone for a fifth and final blow, simultaneously snapping his opponent's head back and breaking his his opponent's nose.

Rather than cry out, Tyrian only laughed. "Heee! That's much better. I can actually feel that!"

Give me a minute and you won't feel anything at all.

"Promises, promises!

Another merry giggle was his only warning, then he had to let go to block an elbow with his knee or risk a broken bone. From there everything dissolved into a mad melee of twisting arms and legs he could scarcely keep track of. Some were even his own.

His mentor blocked him and he pivoted past, slamming his skull against his. Aura failed to manifest just as before. His semblance remained deadly as ever. Blood flew through the air as he delivered another crippling blow to the man who'd raised him. Tyrian only laughed; and that laughter was praise enough for him.

It was also another warning. He'd gotten within shooting range.

His artificial arm rose out and tanked the dust bullets that followed on his armored shoulder; from there he felt the limb click with kinetic energy, blue sparks crackling over metal. Watts had done his work well. This was a fine replacement for the limb he'd lost as a child, and yesterday's upgrades had held true. Now seemed a good time as any to test out that finishing move.

He twisted, dug his heel in, and delivered a rising uppercut to the chin of his "father" with devastating force.

"SHORYUKEN!"

Tyrian's teeth clicked together, then he went flying into a wall.

And if Cinder and Watts applauded his brutality...well.

Naruto basked in their praise.

That was all he wanted.

Acceptance.

A/N: Naruto raised by Tyrian under Salem's gaze, able to cancel aura and semblances at will.

Yikes.

Just a dangerous little idea kicking around in my head.

Does our boy have a will of his own or has he bought into the madness?

Hope you enjoyed this little tease. Soooo? Should this be a story? Once again! This is an AU.

Hope someone, somewhere, enjoyed this. I just don't know anymore these days. Its terribly hard to tell...

So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...Review...Would You Kindly? Let me know what you think!

Only a few previews this time around. Lets see what folks think of this.

Looking forward to your feedback.

(Previews)

...fair enough." Hazel rumbled his agreement. "That power of yours should not exist, but at least you haven't let it go to your head.

"Perhaps a test is in order. Kill this huntress and I will grant your request."

Blank blue eyes met hers.

"Give me a name."

Naruto took a deep breath and focused, letting all thoughts and regrets fall away. Hesitation was defeat. One shot. One kill. One life.

His eyes went red as his semblance flared discreetly, cancelling out his target's aura. They were close enough.

Too close. From there, it was just a matter of pulling the trigger.

A body hit the street.

Screams erupted.

"You will infiltrate Beacon as agreed upon. Find the Relic and the Girl With The Silver Eyes. Bring both to me. Do so and I shall see you richly rewarded."

"Don't be greedy, Cinder." he pinned both arms above her head, ignoring the annoyed whine she made. "You're not a Maiden yet." his lips brushed her ear, drawing a pleasurable shudder from her. "Endanger my cover like that again, and I'll snap you like a twig."

She snarled at him, teeth flashing in the gloom. "Don't get cocky. You're only Her favorite so as long as you're useful-ahn~!"

He dug his knee into her groin, turning her words to a moan. "What was that? Couldn't hear you."

...I'm so sorry."

Amber doubled over as a knife slammed into her gut.

R&R~!