A/N: I HAVE RETURNED. Short chapter is short, and I'm sorry for that...but as I'm sure you all know, I'm not well. At all. Needless to say, my health has begun to affect my writing. Update schedule got a bit messed up as a result, but even THEN I wanted to see how MHA would end before I continued this. I wanted to see how the proper timeline went, with everything shaping up to the big finale. So I waited. And waited, and waited, but now, after all that time...

That's the ending, huh? *inhales deeply* NOPE.

Dragged myself out of bed, dug out my notes, and went nuts. So let's go. Back into the fray. As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. They're tributes to legends far greater than little 'ol me. 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~!

Latest episode really got me fired up!

"No matter how far they go, villains are still human. We need to look at that part of them.

To borrow the words of a friend, we need to search deep in their hearts.

Not just for their origins, but the emotions, what drives them.

And maybe, just maybe, we can change their lives.

Now that's a cause worth fighting for."

~?

Just a Shock (Interlude of Lady Nagant)

There were times when Kaina Tsutsumi questioned her sanity.

Not just her identity as Lady Nagant, but this wild, wacky world in which she found herself.

Perfectly rational, really, given all she'd seen and done in the last few months; even a madwoman stopped to assess themselves every once in awhile...

.

..

...right?

Some might call her disposable trash. Maybe she was. She'd killed before. Killed and killed and KILLED until her hands were dyed red and she saw blood everywhere. For the longest time, she'd thought that she deserved to be killed in turn, to be taken and torn apart for her sins. She'd long since stopped seeing herself as a victim, or a hero, or even a martyr. She was only a weakling who went down the path of least resistance. She just wanted to die.

Until he came.

When her heart was painted black and couldn't believe in light anymore, Naruto Uzumaki helped her remember. Not just how she felt back then, but her sparkling aspirations. The reasons she was alive.

He didn't just say "I am here" or use any of those fancy, meaningless hero words. As a matter of fact, she'd hated him at first. They'd nearly killed one another.

But they hadn't, and somehow, someway, he'd brought her out of the shadows and back into the sun.

Nagant would never forgive him for that. She'd been ready to give up on life, to die, go to her grave and just...stop. But damnit he made her feel things. So did those runts of his. He showed her that there was hope for a better world; that you just had to reach out and take it. And when you couldn't take it, you made it.

He promised that those made use of her emotions and connections would pay, and pay they did.

Those bastards at the HPSC were still paying for their crimes, even now; all because they thought they could sicc the heroes on him.

Ha! Idiots. She'd never tire of laughing at them.

So, yes, she chose to follow Naruto. Through blood, through fire, through all the chaos that came. She stuck close to him, despite the occasional squabble with Rei, interviews with Curious, and even the new threat of that merry madwoman Mirko. It was a chaotic life, but at the end of the day it was hers; because she had chosen it.

To someone like her, who had once been little more than a weapon, that made all the damn difference in the world.

Her heart would never waver from this path, never change, no matter what came her way. Cameras? Spectators? Praise? She didn't need those things, though she wouldn't mind the later if it came from Naruto. Beyond his words, there was no need for criticism or acclaim. She was alive. She was happy. She was safe. That was enough.

Lady Nagant knew she couldn't change the world.

But Naruto Uzumaki could.

No, he would!

He'd rip this rotten system up by the roots and make a better one! And once he did, maybe they could finally...

A hand settled on her head, snapping her out of her daydream. "We're on in five. You good, Nagant?"

"Eh?"

She looked up and found Naruto staring down at her, his handsome whiskered visage pinched in mild concern and confusion, fingers idly tousling her hair. Her eyes widened as she felt his fingers dig in ever so slightly, idly caressing her scalp as they tousled her bright hair. It was such a simple gesture and yet despite that she felt herself flush as she hadn't since she was a teen; a fierce fiery heat shot up through her neck and lanced into her cheeks, rendering her pale skin red like roses.

"Bwuh?" she managed eloquently.

"Bwuh, huh?" an impish grin tugged at his lips, causing her heart to beat just a bit faster. "Spacing out again, were we?"

Kaina slammed her chin down into her chest and refused to look at him. "Maybe. M'sorry...

"Don't be." his forehead kissed hers for a moment and she felt his nose brush hers for a moment as he kissed her cheek. "I'm plenty nervous myself."

The vigilante blinked, belatedly remembering where they were and what they were doing.

Right. They were on stage, the curtains about to be drawn back as they revealed themselves to their army. If she listened closely enough, she could hear the babble of people just beyond, eager to meet them.

That was the plan, wasn't it?

Naruto would step out first, allowing Curious and Re-Destro to properly introduce him as the new leader of the MLA, shortly after which she would appear as his right-hand-woman in turn, then Rei would bring out Tenko and the kiddos to be seen by everyone.

Thankfully they weren't broadcasting this anywhere, to anyone. This was strictly a meet and greet; a chance for their "army" to understand the new direction Naruto would be taking them in. Gods, that sounded weird.

Mirko was lucky to have missed this. Damn battle bunny. And double damn Curious for setting this shitshow up in the first place.

She still remembered the look on that sassy bitch's face when she came sauntering back into their lives.

"I'm back~!" Curious didn't so much walk as she did skip her way over the porch and through the front door. "Your army is finally ready for you~!"

Naruto palmed his face with a sigh. "My army, eh? Might as well get this over with. Although, you did miss a few things...

She'd latched onto him like a limpet, eyes sparkling. "I missed what?! Tell me, tell me, tell me~!"

He looked away and scratched his cheek.

"Well, I may have fought Mirko...

"YOU WHAT?!"

Livid didn't even begin to describe how Curious reacted toward missing that scoop. Served her right. She deserved to feel a little pain. So did the rest of these dastards.

The Meta Liberation Army was...well...they weren't exactly good guys before Naruto gave their leader a thrashing, and even now they far from what he wanted them to be. Still, they seemed eager enough to see and serve him now and Curious had promised them that they'd be on their very best behavior. If anyone could whip them into shape, steer them onto a brighter path, make them all they were meant to be, it was Naruto.

Said blond kissed her nose suddenly, a light peck that both had her heart soaring and gently directed her thoughts outward once more.

Damnit. He was getting better at this; not just kissing, but leading. It felt like she was falling further and further behind him.

It frightened her.

"You're so unfair." she grabbed the peaked lapel of his jacket and buried her face into it. "Not fair, not fair, not fair at all...

"I'm sorry...?" He laughed when she kicked his shin, drawing a wince from him. "Ow! What was that for?!"

"You know what it was for!" she snapped back childishly, stomping on his foot. "Feel my paaaaaiiiin!"

He rolled his eyes good-naturedly at her, wholly unfazed. "I still can't believing we're about to show off like this...I should probably check in on the kids...

"...!"

Naruto turned away as he spoke; he was going to leave. Wander off somewhere else until his name was called.

A spark of desire seized Nagant, then.

For once, she acted on it.

"Hey, c'mere."

Her hero glanced her way and she seized him by the face, dragging him down to her, kissing him hungrily. He grunted in surprise at first, but didn't pull away; on the contrary, his arms looped down over her waist, holding her close now as she tilted her head for a better angle. Remarkably, he was a perfect gentleman as he held her; his hands didn't wander in the least.

Not good enough.

Frustrated by this, Nagant pushed him up against a nearby wall and plundered his mouth with hers, breasts smashing against his chest. He pulled her closer in return, deepening the kiss. She grabbed one of his hands and forced it to dip lower until his fingers, tracing her inner thigh. Alas, he didn't take the hint but instead lifting her left leg.

She retaliated by jumping onto him, wrapping both legs tight around his waist and likewise locking both hands together squarely behind his head. The act left her wholly at his mercy and this time he didn't disappoint her. With a quick pivot of his hips she found herself trapped against the wall in turn as he pressed his body against her. She had no choice but to hold on for dear life, clinging to him for balance. His breath warmed her neck and she felt something quicken within her in response as she ground her hips against his in silent need.

He kissed her in return, little gentle pecks across her neck and chin and finally her lips; each birthing countless butterflies in her stomach, leaving her mewling and gasping in his grasp. She wanted him. Damnit, she wanted him so badly right now. His hands on her breasts, her body on his, skin to skin, pleasure to pleasure...

.

..

...more. She craved, needed, WANTED more.

"Don't let go." she muttered into his shoulder. "Don't you dare let go...

Maybe that was needy of her, sayin' that and all. She didn't care. Damnitall, she felt like being clingy right now. She wanted it. Him. Now.

Harder.

He ground against her just-so and she gasped a little, cursing her clothes, trying not to speak as she drew him closer, urging him on.

Harder.

Would that it was just the two of them, that they were alone.

Harder, damnit!

Because you see, she didn't want him to be gentle. She wanted him on top of her, beneath her, everywhere and everything with her. She wanted him to be rough, to grasp, to hold, to knead; because right now she NEEDED something to distract her from her own impending panic, the stagefright that came with it and most importantly...!

Her own nagging fears that she might lose him someday, as she'd lost everything else.

But she didn't want to think abut that right now. She wanted to forget. No.

She wanted him.

"We still have time before we have to go onstage." her lips brushed his, eyes half-lidded burning desire. "Why don't we get a room and-

"Sorry to keep you waiting! Ladies and gentlemen!" The crisp voice of Curious called out from just beyond the curtains, dashing her hopes. "It is with great pleasure that I hereby introduce...Naruto Uzumaki!"

She buried her head in his chest and groaned.

Naruto drew back with a rueful sigh of his own. "Guess they're waiting for us."

Kaina panicked, still clinging to him. "Wait, what?!" That hadn't been part of the plan! "I thought I was supposed to enter after you-

He smiled at her, radiant and calm. "I want you up there. With me. Hand in hand."

Her face warmed and that was it.

Kaina, no, Lady Nagant, couldn't help herself. She began to laugh, chuckling hoarsely to herself.

"Hey! What's so funny?!"

"You are!" Unlocking her legs from his waist, she stood before him, brushed a stray strand of violet hair from her eyes, and tilted her head. "You do realize I have a reputation, right? They'll be terrified of me."

"Don't care." he declared, steadfast, undaunted and equally unwilling to budge. "We go out together, or not at all."

...Rei and the others will be jealous," she tried-

"I'll explain things to them."

Lady Nagant dithered, faltered now as he took her hand in his, fingers threading through hers own.

...bloody smooth bastard this one, and he didn't even realize it.

But maybe, just maybe that was alright for the time being.

He was her light, and light could be blinding.

Once upon a time, she'd been blind; alone and lost in the dark. Yet now she could see.

For that, she would protect him. For that, she would make herself a weapon and slay his enemies. For that she would safeguard his family at all costs. She would love him to infinity and beyond. Yes, she would follow him anywhere.

Even into the depths of hell.

But for now, for today, for the time being...

Lad Nagant followed Naruto Uzumaki into the light.

A/N: Aaaaand scene~!

Would you like weekly updates? Do let me know! I've finally cleared out some space. TWO slots remain.

Well? Whaddya think? Should this continue? Should it be a story? I await your feedback. As ever, the Embers rule remains. If folks don't like this story...well...I'll not be able to continue it. With two jobs and rent to pay, my free time is...at an all time low. I can't afford to write stories that no one enjoys. So by all means, speak up! Every bit of feedback matters here! Truly, it does! That's no joke!

So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...

...Review, Would You Kindly?

Here, have some juicy previews.

Well, future ones at least.

Potential ones, too..

(Preview(s)

All for One leaned back in his chair with...dare he say a frown?

He'd not anticipated this. No, not at all.

Perhaps it was time he intervened.

A fist slammed into his face. He didn't budge.

...is that all you've got? Alright. Guess its my turn."

His fist cracked out in an open-palm strike...and his foe flew into a building.

"Aiiiieeee! She's precious! We're taking her with us, right? No way we're leaving her here!"

The child she'd inadvertently saved laughed and clapped their hands. "Giant mommy!"

Mount Lady balked. "Eh?!"

The she saw him. HIM. Her heart leaped into her throat.

"Wait, wait, wait! I wasn't trying to start anything! Honest!"

Naruto slapped his forehead. "Here we go again...

...good job, Izuku. Why don't you go play with Fuyumi for a bit?"

"M'kay!"

"You're good with him...

"Go on, then." they smiled at him as he dragged himself upright. "Pretend to be everything you are not. Teacher. Husband. Father. You cannot change. "I see the real you, the beast inside." that soulless smile became a mad grin now as they stabbed a finger his way. "You act all high and mighty, but you're not! You're just an animal. Passing on your cruelty and rage. You will never change. You will always be a monster.

...then you don't know me."

"I know enough. You weaken yourself with this "family" of yours.

"And who are you to say that? Everything I do, I do for my family. For those I swore to protect."

Dusting himself off, he whirled.

EDIT: Hey, you made it! Congrats! Thanks for taking the time to read this!

As ever, the Embers rule remains. If folks don't like this story...well...I'll not be able to continue it. With two jobs and rent to pay, my free time is...at an all time low. I can't afford to write stories that no one enjoys. So by all means, speak up! Every bit of feedback, big or small, matters here! Truly, it does! That's no joke!

Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back from work~!

~Nz.

R ~!