A/N: Read this note, would you kindly? Got some important info.
Tentatively trying a second chapter here, though it may be. Hope folks like it.
You want weekly updates? Should I upgrade this to M? Kinda need to here from you guys and gals. So speak up!
Speaking of Edgerunners, Divide Music recently made an Edgerunners song "Never Enough." Its a right banger. Go check it out!
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? Well, it won't be continued. I'm working two jobs -might need a third soon!- so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Now for your questions, comments, and concerns!
Q: Wait, wait, wait. Just how close was Gloria to Maine's group anyway?
A: Uh, did you watch the show? Close enough to call Maine directly and interact with his group. The show made that quite clear.
As I'm sure you've guesses, Gloria's gonna have a much bigger role in this story.
Q:...I don't suppose Arasaka failed to notice Naruto falling out the sky?
A: They noticed. Something like that can't be ignored. Naruto's already made waves, whether he likes it or not...
Q: Will this be upgraded to M?
A: Depends on the feedback, I suppose. I've been told that Edgerunners takes place roughly a year before the events of the main game, which means it might be possible to see a lower lever V and Jackie running around doing odd jobs and the like. I'll say it now:
MIGHT!
Don't want to get your hopes up too early. The fate of this story still depends on fan feedback.
Q: You'll be respectful with the pairings, right?
A: Yup. Not messing with Maine x Dorio for instance.
Ask yourself this; doesn't David deserve his own chance at happiness, too?
Q:...I'm worried Naruto might go a different kind of crazy here. Night City is so corrupt. Won't it drive him mad?
A: That or make him more determined to pull it up by the roots, as it were. Remember, he can sense negative intent, and likewise, whether someones a decent person or an absolute P.O.S. like *SPOILER* and *SPOILER* and let us not forget *SPOILER*
Q: We gonna get lemons in this, or what? C'mon! Cyberpunk is gritty as hell!
A: Again, that depends on feedback.
Alright, I've kept you waiting long enough.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes! They're merely tributes.
Chapter hails from the now infamous song in the show "Little Stranger" by Dawi Podsiadlo, of course.
"Implant? What the hell's an implant?"
~?
Little Stranger
"Play it again."
The footage on the screen wound backwards seemingly in slow motion; an explosion unfolding in reverse. Keen eyes watched every second of it. Fire flashed through the air. Blood spilled. The carnage. The mayhem that followed. Bullets flew through the air. Bodies hit the floor. And there...
"Stop."
Saburo Arasaka considered the frozen flame that followed with a keen eye.
He was ancient beyond measure, and seen many things in his many years. This brought him to silence. A man falling out the sky was something to sneeze at perhaps, but what followed caught his eye. He watched, squinted now, as a man wreathed in glowing gold knelt before a broken woman's body...
.
..
...and healed her.
More than that, he restored her. Took a broken body and breathed life back into it. No cybernetics whatsoever.
Could the same not be done unto him? Restore his vigor? Mend this failing body of his.
He steepled his fingers and laid his chin to rest atop them. That fool Tanaka had begged his aid in searching for their missing Sandevistan, a task he'd given little heed...until now.
This held promise.
Fear was power. So too was fear of the unknown. Everything of value was only a flag blowing in the wind. And wind is fear. He knew he could inspire fear in others, but this...this intrigued him. It was only a matter of time before he surfaced again. But if something were to happen to him...hmm. He could simply send Adam Smasher. The notion was tempting...but no. Not yet. Smasher had a tendency to live up to his name, and he wanted this merchandise intact.
Saburo pressed a button on his deck. An intercom clicked softly. He spoke into it.
"Send that oaf Tanaka to me. I have a task for him."
So it began.
(.0.0.0.)
Her arm ached.
In hindsight, Gloria Martinez knew it was an odd thing to focus on given her near brush with death, but there it was.
Blasted thing just kept bothering her. Even now she ran her nails over her right arm, scratching at it as she paced about her apartment. The limb didn't quite hurt, but it wasn't a pleasant sensation either. More a tingle of a sort really. Pins and needles. That sort of thing. Like she'd slept wrong on it, somehow, though she knew she hadn't. Painkillers couldn't scratch it.
And speaking of scratching...
...just what did you do to me?"
Her eyes strayed to the dozing boy -man!- sprawled across her sofa in a heap. Naruto had yet to awaken. He'd slept all day and showed no signs of stirring. She'd bandaged his wound as best she could, treated in case of infection, and left him to rest. She'd gone all she could without taking him to a hospital -not that she could afford it!- but the rest was in his hands. Maybe he'd have answers once he woke up.
She tried putting another call through to David. No response.
Poor boy. He hadn't been quite right since the accident yesterday. He blamed himself for it, which was responsible of him, but that responsibility weighed on him. She feared it might crush him. He wanted to protect her. To provide for them, as his...father hadn't. No, she didn't want to think of that rat bastard. He'd left them. He was gone. She didn't even want to remember his name. Gloria didn't want David to end up like him. She wanted her boy to make something of himself; that was the whole reason she was killing herself like this in the first place.
And if it weren't for HIM she wouldn't even be here.
Once more her gaze strayed out toward the prone blond. He looked so worn, his brow writ in some silent dream she couldn't see.
He'd saved her life. It was...very sweet of him. Downright romantic, really. Even if he had bled all over. No idea who he was, though. She'd searched all through the usual channels; even asked Maine to hit up Sasha and Kiwi on the side, for all the good it did her.
Nothing. Naruto was a ghost.
A faint groan hit her ears. Gloria heard it and darted toward him, snatching up a washcloth as she went running it under the sink as she went.
His forehead was hot to the touch. He was still burning up. She didn't know why.
"Shhh." she laid the towel to his forehead. "Its alright. You're safe.
He muttered something under his breath. "Hurts...
"I know, I know." she cooed softly and ran the cool cloth in gentle circles around his face. "You're alright." It seemed to help; if only because his whimpers eased off. "Just rest...
Her arm tingled again. Gloria looked down at it and balked.
"What in the world...?!"
Much to her disbelief, her fingers burned with golden flame and myriad black marks. As she looked on they rushed up her wrist, sheathing her arm, followed by her shoulder. It burned with golden flame. Fire! She panicked and slapped at it with her free, only tor realize there was no pain.
'Calm down, GLoria! You haven't slept since yesterday. You're imagining things...!'
She shook her head and scrubbed at her eyes with the back of a hand. Counted to three. Opened them. When her vision cleared, her limb was just as it had always been. Nervous relief rushed through her in a cleansing wave, followed by a tremulous laugh. Must've imagined it. People didn't just glow like that. Not without some kind of heat implant, which she didn't have.
"Must be imagining things...
Naruto rolled onto his side. She reached out to steady him without thinking. His head hit her lap.
Gloria stilled. She hadn't given any thought to romance since David was born. Since his father ran. Hadn't been much time for it after and honestly, she hadn't gone looking.
And yet.
A tiny seed of hope sprouted in her chest as she stroked his hair. He was still out cold, wasn't he?
Gloria looked left. Right. Not a soul in sight. Of course there wasn't. She chastised herself a second later. This was her apartment after all. David had left for class hours ago. No one would see. No one would know. She was a grown-ass woman and capable of making her own choices. But did she dare...?
...screw it.
She dipped low and delivered a swift pack to Naruto's cheek. "Get well soon." she whispered. "I still need to thank you properly."
He groaned a little. It sounded suspiciously like "okay" to her ears. Heat hit her cheeks.
Someone knocked on her door.
Gloria jerked upright and all but vaulted the couch to reach it. She pressed her face to the door and squinted through the slot. Her eyes widened. A hulking figure loomed just outside, easily twice her size. But she felt no fear. Why would she? He was a big softy.
It still didn't explain why he was here.
"Maine?!" she swung the door open and tugged her robe a little tighter. "What're you doing here? I'm not decent."
"Heard you had a bit of a dust up." he gave her a once over, but made no move to enter. Still a gentleman, this one. "Mind if I come in?"
"Sure, sure...
She stepped aside for him.
"Thanks. Thought it'd be easier if we picked up the Sandy ourselves after what you've been through." he ducked in and too late, she realized he wasn't alone. "Don't worry about us. We'll be out your hair in a bit...
"S'up, Gloria." Becca flashed a grin as she slipped in after him, hands clasped behind her head. "You good?"
She rolled one shoulder. "Good enough." Feisty as always, this one. "Is it just the two of you, or should I expect the rest?"
"Nah." Maine rumbled a laugh. "We were gonna send Dorio, but she's busy with Sasha. Lucy's out friskin' some Arasaka mooks...
"And my idiot brother's drunk off his ass." Rebecca clasped both hands behind her head. "S'ides, Kiwi doesn't like this shit."
"Pretty much-oh?" Maine leaned past her. Saw Naruto sprawled out on the couch. "That the kid?"
Gloria moved to block him with her body. "Maine, no. I know that look."
"What look?" he grinned down his sunglasses at her. "I just wanna see the choom that saved your life." his grin only grew when she glowered at him. "Little young for ya, ain't he?"
Oh gods, he'd noticed that. "Its not like that!"
"Sure, sure, Maine rumbled a low laugh. "Whatever you say...
"I do say!" Gloria stomped on his foot, drawing a grunt from him. "Drop it, or I swear I'll drop you!"
"Alright, alright, ya don't be so overprotective...
"Maine!"
"I dunno," Becca sauntered over and poked Naruto's cheek. "Looks like a pretty normal gonk to me-eh?!" A hand swept up and slapped her wrist, causing her to jolt back. "What the hell?! I thought he was asleep!"
Naruto still was. He hadn't opened his eyes. His breathing remained even.
Gloria craned her neck to look his way. He didn't budge.
Maine grunted. "Huh...weird."
"I dunno. Kinda like it." Rebecca laughed and tried to poke him again. "Oooh! He's quick!" His hand swept out and batted her finger aside. "How about this?" She grinned, feinted, and tried with the other hand, only to find herself caught yet a fourth time. Soon enough she was occupied trying to get through to him, oblivious to all else.
Maine rolled his eyes. "Oi, Rebecca! Leave the kid be."
"Nope!" she circled round and leaned over Naruto's shoulder, all but draping herself over him to kiss his cheek. "Mwah! I call dibs!"
Gloria felt an odd twinge in her heart. She shoved it down, forcing herself to focus. "Alright, Maine. You got the eddies?"
"Sure thing." Maine might be a softy for her but business was still business. "You got the goods?"
"Did you forget who you're talking to?" She swatted his arm and padded over to the kitchen's the secret compartment where she'd hidden her yellow jacket, and the Sandevistan within. "I tucked it away over...here...?"
Her fingers closed around empty air.
Gloria frowned. She ducked in and reached deeper. Still nothing. She balked and yanked the hidden compartment open fully. Naught but darkness awaited her. Even turned it upside down now, hoping against hope that the jacked implant would somehow fall out the void and appear from thin air.
Gone. The implant was gone. Nowhere to be seen.
Maine leaned over her. "Gloria...
"Don't give me that look!" she rounded on him with a hiss. "It was here this morning! I hid it while David was getting ready...for school...
Realization broke like the dawn. He had been lingering around the kitchen early this morning. She'd assumed he was checking in on her. Making sure she was alright. No. Just thinking of it made her queasy. He couldn't. Surely he wouldn't. The risks of chipping something like that in. He'd not dare. He knew better...
.
..
...didn't he?
Gloria knew the answer.
Her legs buckled. "That idiot!"
Maine must've realized it too, or at least saw the horror in her eyes, because he hauled her upright and gripped her by the shoulders. She expect to see anger in his eyes, disappointment at the least. She found none. The big guy actually looked worried for the first time in a long time andohhhthatwasabadsign...
"He took it, didn't he?"
Gloria managed a weak nod.
Maine clapped a palm to his face. "Becca, watch the kid for us! We're going out!"
Rebecca rounded on them too late. "Eh?! Why me?! Hey! Come back here!"
The door slammed shut behind them with a resounding bang.
Rebecca flicked a baleful glare toward the blond.
"...damnit. Might as well get comfortable...
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto woke to a sudden bang.
Bleary blue eyes blinked...
.
..
...huh. There was some weird girl sitting on his chest.
Why? Why in the name of the sage and the Nine was there a girl sitting on his chest?
Strange-looking girl too; all pale skin and light green hair contrasted by bright red-gold eyes, all wrapped up in a little black number of hoodie that really didn't do her justice. She sat sprawled atop him, legs splayed down on either side of him. He took one good long look at her and his brain fizzled spectacularly. His tongue, however, did not.
...hey, there?"
She grinned and flicked him a wink. "Hey yourself, handsome."
Kurama creaked a blood-red iris open. "Well, there are worse ways to wake up...
Naruto blinked, lost for a moment. He didn't recognize this ceiling, these walls, any of it. How had he gotten here again...? Memories rushed in a heartbeat later. Right, the landing. The accident. He'd healed Gloria and passed out from exhaustion soon thereafter. His ribs still ached abominably, but most of his chakra had recovered. Still felt like he got slapped by a tailed beast, though...
He craned his neck, frowned now, when he found the apartment empty save for the two of them.
"Where's Gloria...?"
"Ohhh?" the girl's grin grew and she all but purred the word. "She your girl?" she swayed side-to-side atop him, humming softly as he tensed beneath her. "David's mom has got it goin' on~! Didn't think she had it in her!"
"Wha-no! It ain't like that! Who the hell're you, anyway?"
"Becca." she made no effort to budge, none whatsoever. "You?"
He heaved an irritated sigh. "Naruto. There. I told ya you mine. Now are ya gonna get off?"
He knew it was the wrong thing to say; because the little imp's small smile suddenly became absolutely lascivious.
"Only if you want me to, hot stuff." she ground her hips against his. "Care to make it worth my while?"
Heat flooded his face, and he was certain he looked absolutely scarlet. "Cut the innuendo!"
"Heh." she thumbed her nose. "You're too easy ta tease. You a virgin?"
Naruto's mouth sealed shut.
"Oho~?"
That soon proved a mistake; Rebecca didn't laugh at him; if she had, he would've bucked her off right then an' there. No, it was the sharp interest in those red-gold eyes of hers that stilled him. As if he were a cut of prime steak; one she was determined to devour come hell or high water. Nobody had ever looked at him like that before. He wasn't sure how felt about that-no, wait. He told a lie. He kinda liked it.
"Well, I'll be." the little devil leaned in, grinning ear to ear. "Thought somebody like you woulda had their cherry popped awhile ago." she made a smacking noise with her lips, "Don't tell me you're a prude."
Don't panic. That's what she wants. "This from the shortstack who won't let me up?"
"Touche!" She rolled off him with a laugh. "Aren't you just adorable...?"
"So?" he scowled after her. "Where did everyone go?"
"Eh," the short girl waved a hand in feigned nonchalance as she plonked down on the sofa beside him. "Gloria's kid went and did something stupid. Probably installed the Sandy poor Maine was after." she jerked a thumb over her shoulder toward the door. "They hauled ass and went after him. Took off on a right tear. Made me promise to babysit you.
Naruto grimaced.
He had some decent measure of what David felt like from that disaster back on the freeway. Shouldn't be too hard. Least he could do to thank Gloria for putting him up. Sons should listen to their mothers after all, and if David was out causing trouble for one reason or another, well...maybe it was high time someone talked to him.
...I can find him."
"You?" Rebecca leaned back. "What can you do? You're still bleeding all over Gloria's couch."
Naruto touched a hand to his ribs. Kurama growled. "Gimme a minute."
It didn't even take that; the moment he closed his eyes and marshaled his chakra, he felt the wound close. He didn't see it per se, but he heard a sharp sucking sound, felt a pleasant numbness rushing through his side and basked in Becca's subsequent gasp. He took a bit of bitter pleasure in her surprise. Teach her to underestimate him, that would!
"Well, shit!" she poked his ribs, drawing a startled, ticklish laugh from him. "What kind of implant does that and where can I get one...?"
Naruto squinted at her, not quite comprehending. "The hell's an implant?"
"Oi.?' She scowled up at him. "You messin' with me, buddy?"
...no?"
Her eyes flashed for a moment. Literally flashed.
"Maine was right." the glow of her pupils ceased a moment later. "You don't have any tech at all in you at all. You're pure organic. The hell're you from? You fall out the sky or something?"
...or something." a rueful grinned tugged at the corner of his mouth.
He was already growing used to Rebecca's blunt way of speaking, crude as it was. Didn't speak well for his mental state. Ah, but he digressed. He had a kid to find and preferably soon at that. Propping himself upright, the battered blond stood with a grimace. His legs wavered for a moment before he steadied himself. Good. He could already feel his strength coming back.
"Hey!" Becca grabbed at his sleeve. "The hell're you going?"
He pulled free and nudged past her. "Gonna track down Gloria's kid. Be back in five...
Rebecca folded both arms across her chest and scoffed. "No way. Night City's a big place. You won't find him that fast."
Naruto met her gaze. Becca huffed and glared right back, undaunted by his determination. Sparks flew between then. He lifted his chin. "Wanna bet?"
"Why, you...!" She opened her mouth to protest...then closed it. Smirked. "Alright, hot stuff. You find him in five and, I'll stop teasing you. I'll even throw in a kiss. But if you screw up," she rubbed her fingers together with a lovely leer, "You're mine for the week."
Be that way, would she? Two could play this game. "That's cute, but I didn't ask for a kiss, runt."
An ankle smacked into his knee angrily. "I'm older than you are, dumbass!"
Naruto tilted his head. "Really?"
"YES! REALLY!"
(.0.0.0.)
Implant hurt like a bitch.
Of course it did. David knew it would. Damn thing was where his spine used to be. No way it wouldn't ache like a mother. He hadn't even taken any painkillers at that.
Did he feel guilty about it?
.
..
...yeah. He did.
Mom would probably chew his ear off once she found out.
Was it worth it? Hell yeah. That punk Katsuo never saw him coming. He'd beat that blasted bully bloody. Talk shit about his mother, would he? Not having that. Not after she almost died. He could be somebody, now. Support her the way she had him. Mom...would understand, eventually. He didn't know why she'd held onto this Sandevistan, but this was his ticket.
Damn thing itched like a bitch, though.
David bit his lip as he walked, biting off the urge to reach up and scratch. It hurt something awful, but Doc had been insistent that he not touch it for at least a day. Had to let the implant settle or something. A swagger swept into his step as he sauntered down the street. He was special. He could protect and support Mom with this, sure, but there was no reason he couldn't have a little fun with it in the meantime-
A faint chime rose in his ear. He picked up without thinking. "Hello...?"
Mistakes were mate, and the subsequent shriek of static had him wincing. "DAVID MARTINEZ!"
Shit, shit, shit! He grimaced. "H-Hey, mom...how's your day?"
"You are so grounded young man!"
"Aw, craaaaap...
"Indeed."
A golden hand landed on his shoulder.
Against his better judgement, David looked up.
"Heya, Dee." Naruto grinned down at him, eyed red and glowing gold. "Remember me? Your mom's looking for ya. Don't resist."
He did...and nope! Not dealing with this! The Sandevistan burned in his back. In an instant he blurred.
The blond tripped him. His face smashed into the floor. Pain seared through his nose.
"Neat trick. Is that what these "implants" do? You're pretty quick...
Pretty quick?! No one should've been able to see him!
"How?!" He tried to blur away again, only to find himself intercepted by a second yellow flash. "Don't tell me you have one of these Sandy's too?!"
"Naw." Naruto dusted off his ruined jacket. "Just built different. Now, you gonna come with me, or w
David took a deep breath...and bolted.
Naruto streaked after him with a sigh. "Hard way it is!"
They engaged in something of a running battle from there; each second another blur, another intercept, forcing him to blur again or risk being caught. David lost track of how many times he used it. Three? Six? Nine? He threw himself at every angle he possibly could, only to find himself boxed in like some rank amateur. Which, he knew he might be. He'd never felt like such a weakling before. It burned. Boiled in his blood like nothing else.
"What the hell?!" he threw a wild punch and found his arm twisted behind his back. "This ain't fair!"
"You are special, David." Naruto swept his legs, caught him by the jacket, and smashed him down to the floor. "But there's a difference between special and skilled." Bright blue eyes beamed down at him as he held him in place. "Now lets go have a word with your mom, eh?"
David squinted furiously. "What's your deal, old man?!"
Naruto recoiled, but didn't let go of him. "Old?! I'm maybe two years older than you, tops!"
David tried to refute that. He managed only a weak, raspy gurgle. His head ached.
Blood ran down his nose. Crap. Had he overdone it?
"M'head hurts...don't feel so good...
His world went black
A/N: Aaaand scene.
If you think this chapters was bonkers, you ain't seen nothing yet.
Well? Whaddya think? Should this be a story? Yay or nay? I humbly await your feedback.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? Well, it won't be continued. I'm working two jobs -might need a third soon!- so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review, Would You Kindly?
And because its a habit!
POTENTIAL PREVIEWS.
If this story makes it off the ground.
If not...well. Suppose it depends on you.
EDIT: Added some more content now that I know who Sasha is in Edgerunners. She's easy enough to find, just delayed her mission this time around. Hope you enjoy~!
(Preview)
Of all the irresponsible things!
Yuuup. Mom was mad. Been awhile since he'd seen her like this.
"Drink up!"
"I'd really rather not...
"Your arms glowing again..."
"Its your life, David. Do what you want with it. Just...make it a life worth living."
...you're warm."
Naruto sputtered a little.
Apparently she liked to cuddle.
David leaned over the crater with a low whistle. "Nice. How'd you do that?"
"Determination, commitment, and sheer willpower."
"Says the guy banging my mom."
"I AIN'T!"
"What," he quirked me on. so she's not good enough for ya?"
...you're having me on."
The little shit grinned. "Maybe."
"You have three seconds to start running, David.
"YOU'LL NEVER TAKE ME ALIVE!"
"Whatcha doing?"
"Getting a prank ready."
Her eyes gleamed. "Can I help?"
"Sure~! Grab that bucket over there; no, not that one! The one with the feathers.
"Kid's cracked!
"You just figured that now?!"
"Hello~! Is this Araska~? I'd like to make a withdrawal~!"
"You don't seem to understand. This city belongs to the people. Not the gangs. Not the corporations. And certainly not you."
"I have an army!"
A golden finger pointed to the sky. Explosions rippled outward as each craft died in a roaring fireball.
"We have a Kurama. Your argument is invalid."
"Nice?! You think he's NICE?! Listen-that kid could annihilate this entire city if he wanted to!"
"I won't let you...get away...with this!"
Blue eyes snapped into red.
"I WON'T LET YOU!"
"I'll always remember that day. The day the sky turned black. You could see it for miles around...
"Weak."
A golden fist scythed out. Kurama stifled a yawn with the other.
"Is this what amounts to strength in this day and age. How mankind has fallen...
EDIT: Hey, you made it! Thanks for reading!
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? Well, it won't be continued. I'm working two jobs -might need a third soon!- so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Looking forward to hearing from you all!
R&R~!